bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resting in darkness improves downbeat nystagmus: evidence from an observational study
Authors: Spiegel Rainer , Claassen Jens , Teufel Julian , Bardins Stanislav , Schneider Erich , Lehrer (Rettinger) Nicole , Jahn Klaus , da Silva Fábio Anciães , Hahn Ales , Farahmand Parvis , Brandt Thomas , Strupp Michael , Kalla Roger
Published: July 2016

Resting in an upright position during daytime decreases downbeat nystagmus (DBN). When measured in brightness only, that is, without intermitting exposure to darkness, it does not make a significant difference whether patients have previously rested in brightness or in darkness. In real‐world scenarios, people are often exposed to brightness and darkness intermittently. The aim of this study was to analyze whether resting in brightness or resting in darkness was associated with a lower post‐resting DBN after intermitting exposures to brightness and darkness. Eight patients were recorded with three‐dimensional video‐oculography in brightness and darkness conditions, each following two 2‐h resting intervals under either brightness or darkness resting conditions. The dependent variable was DBN intensity, measured in mean slow phase velocity. A repeated measures ANOVA with the factors measurement condition (brightness vs. darkness), resting condition (brightness vs. darkness), and time (after first vs. second resting interval) showed a significant effect for the factor resting condition, where previous resting in darkness was associated with a significantly lower DBN relative to previous resting in brightness (P < 0.01). The clinical relevance is to advise patients with DBN to rest in darkness.
Writing Away: Mobility and Versatility of Scribes at the End of the Bronze Age
Authors: Ferrara Silvia
Published: July 2016

This paper considers the roles played by scribes on Cyprus towards the end of the Late Bronze Age and the organization of the scribal community and its activity, drawing a parallel with the class of scribes at Ugarit‐Ras Shamra in Syria. A close analysis of the contexts of the undeciphered Cypro‐Minoan inscriptions found at Ugarit, the Cypro‐Minoan inscription from Cyprus, and the cuneiform Akkadian tablets from Alashiya found at Ugarit and at Tell el Amarna in Egypt guides the identification of the agents responsible for their creation and their mobility from site to site. It furthermore advances understanding of the relationship of mutual exchange of epigraphic services across cultures and languages, during centuries of lively interaction and multilingual communication at the crossroads of different societies.
Transport Amphorae in the West Hallstatt Zone: Reassessing Socio‐Economic Dynamics and Long‐Distance Mediterranean Exchange in Western Central Europe in the Early Iron Age
Authors: Sacchetti Federica
Published: July 2016

Trade and cultural relations between western Central Europe and the Mediterranean world in the Early Iron Age remain a major topic of discussion. The products exchanged were mainly connected with the ritual preparation and social consumption of Mediterranean wine. This article examines the question through a comparative study of transport amphorae from the entire West Hallstatt zone. The systematic analysis is based on a specialized study carried out on the material itself. Typological analyses allow us to identify where amphorae originated; previously this was thought to have been just Massalia but this now needs to be expanded to the whole Mediterranean Basin. An analysis of the distribution of amphorae enables us to identify the trajectory these products followed. A comparison with amphora types attested in potential ports in southern France and northern Italy suggests possible trade routes for specific types. Finally, a new chronological scheme for amphorae provides insights into the economic reasons behind these imports and the social impact these products had, enabling us to identify broader socio‐economic trends and long‐distance exchange patterns in western Central Europe.
Effectiveness and Safety of Acitretin in Children with Plaque Psoriasis: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Di Lernia Vito , Bonamonte Domenico , Lasagni Claudia , Belloni Fortina Anna , Cambiaghi Stefano , Corazza Monica , Di Nuzzo Sergio , Gisondi Paolo , Panzone Michele , Guarneri Claudio , Neri Iria
Published: July 2016

Background

Acitretin is licensed for and is most commonly used to treat psoriasis. Little information exists about its efficacy and safety in childhood and adolescent psoriasis.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of a group of children and adolescents (<17 years of age) with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis treated with acitretin between 2010 and 2014 at Italian dermatology clinics. Patients were identified through databases or registries.

Results

The study population consisted of 18 patients with a median age of 9.5 years at the start of therapy. The median maintenance dosage per day was 0.41 mg/kg. Eight patients (44.4%) achieved complete clearance or good improvement of their psoriasis, defined as improvement from baseline of 75% or more on the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index at week 16. Three had three or more courses of treatment with short disease‐free intervals. In three patients, acitretin treatment was ongoing at the time of data collection. The mean total duration of treatment in responders was 22.7 months. One patient discontinued treatment because of arthralgia. The remaining nine patients (50%) discontinued treatment because it was ineffective. Mucocutaneous adverse effects occurred in all patients, but did not affect therapy maintenance.

Conclusions

In this retrospective case series, acitretin was a moderately effective, well‐tolerated treatment in children with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Given the small number of patients, statements about long‐term safety are not possible.
Provider‐Identified Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening and Perceptions Toward Self‐Collection of Human Papillomavirus in Southwest Virginia
Authors: Garcia Christine , Lothamer Heather , Mitchell Emma McKim
Published: July 2016

Objective

To explore health care workers identified barriers to cervical cancer screening in rural Southwest Virginia.

Design and Sample

A descriptive study utilizing telephone‐based structured interviews and conventional content analysis. All free and federally funded health clinics within a 75 mile radius of Virginia's health Districts 1, 2, and 3 were contacted for participation in the study.

Measures

Organizational information such as composition of clinical staff, services provided, cost of services, recorded compliance with current guidelines, and assessed individual barriers to accessing screening within the community.

Results

With a 27% response rate, all but one clinic offered cervical cancer screening. The most common barriers to cervical cancer screening identified were lack of education and cost. The most important efforts to detect unscreened women and increase screening would involve clinic‐based tracking, education and advertisements. Seventy percent of respondents felt that self‐collection of HPV would be at least somewhat acceptable in their communities.

Conclusions

Public health nursing implications for the barriers of lack of education and high cost were found in this study. In Southwest Virginia, self‐collection of HPV was perceived as acceptable by health care workers in the community, and might represent an avenue for increased outreach and education.
Role of tumor‐associated macrophages in human malignancies: friend or foe?
Authors: Takeya Motohiro , Komohara Yoshihiro
Published: July 2016

Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) play a pivotal role in tumor growth in human malignancies. Published studies have analyzed the relationship between TAM infiltration and the prognosis of patients for many human tumors. Most studies reported a positive correlation between TAM density and a poor prognosis. Studies focusing on macrophage phenotypes emphasized the protumor role of M2 anti‐inflammatory macrophages in many types of human tumors. However, TAMs influence tumor progression in various ways that depend on differences in tumor sites, histology, and microenvironments. In this review, we summarize the function of TAMs in various human malignancies by reviewing the data provided in studies of TAMs in human malignancies.
The Vagary and Value of Resource Dependence in Understanding Institutions of Higher Education
Authors: Christensen Robert K.
Published: July 2016

Related Content: Balfour and Newbold (PAR September/October 2016)
An Overview of Mahābhārata Scholarship: A Perspective on the State of the Field
Authors: Sullivan Bruce M.
Published: July 2016

Mahābhārata (Mbh) studies are a vibrant field of academic study in which many scholars contribute to our understanding of one of the world's most fascinating literary achievements. Works here discussed include monographs and articles in English that represent the most significant efforts in our understanding of this text in recent years, as well as examples of fiction based on the h that demonstrate its ongoing appeal.
An Examination of Potential Misclassification of Army Suicides: Results from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers
Authors: Cox Kenneth L. , Nock Matthew K. , Biggs Quinn M. , Bornemann Jennifer , Colpe Lisa J. , Dempsey Catherine L. , Heeringa Steven G. , McCarroll James E. , Ng Tsz Hin , Schoenbaum Michael , Ursano Robert J. , Zhang Bailey G. , Benedek David M. ,   the Army STARRS Collaborators
Published: July 2016

Debate continues about the accuracy of military suicide reporting due to concerns that some suicides may be classified as accidents to minimize stigma and ensure survivor benefits. We systematically reviewed records for 998 active duty Army deaths (510 suicides; 488 accident, homicide, and undetermined deaths; 2005‐2009) and, using research criteria, reclassified 8.2% of the nonsuicide cases to definite suicide (1), suicide probable (4), or suicide possible (35). The reclassification rate to definite suicide was only 0.2% (1/488). This low rate suggests that flagrant misclassification of Army deaths is uncommon and surveillance reports likely reflect the “true” population of Army suicides.
“I Stay by Myself”: Social Support, Distrust, and Selective Solidarity Among the Urban Poor
Authors: Raudenbush Danielle
Published: July 2016

Significant debate exists about whether the black urban poor rely on each other for support. Currently, two perspectives dominate: the pervasive solidarity perspective, which asserts that support is widespread in poor, black communities, and the distrust‐individualism perspective, which claims that, in these communities, pervasive distrust undermines social cohesion and people use individualistic strategies for solving problems. Based on fieldwork in an African American public housing development, I present the concept of selective solidarity, which suggests that social life in these communities is neither as cohesive nor as individualistic as what past perspectives suggest. With selective solidarity, people rely on one another for support but selectively choose exchange partners, restricting exchange networks. Selective solidarity helps us understand how people manage sentiments of distrust while developing strategies for coping with material deprivation. Findings also have implications for the study of urban poverty. While my informants frequently stated that they “stay by themselves,” which implies individualism, they actually have meaningful exchange relationships. I argue that this contradiction suggests that they have multiple frames for approaching social life. We must consider such frames to avoid drawing misinformed conclusions, such as that the urban poor do not have supportive relationship when in fact they do.
Pain and alcohol consumption among older adults: findings from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health, Wave 1
Authors: Ahangari Alebtekin , Stewart Williams Jennifer , Myléus Anna
Published: July 2016

Objective

To investigate cross‐sectional associations between self‐reported recent pain and alcohol use/abstinence, and previous‐day pain and previous‐week alcohol consumption in adults aged 50 + in six low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).

Methods

The WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 1 (2007–2010) in China, Ghana, India, Mexico, Russia and South Africa is the data source. Prevalence of alcohol use/abstinence is reported by previous‐day and previous‐month pain. Multinomial logistic regressions (crude and adjusted for sex and country) tested associations between recent pain and alcohol use in the pooled multicountry sample.

Results

Across the six SAGE countries, about one‐third of respondents reported alcohol use, being highest in Russia (74%) and lowest in India (16%). Holding the effects of sex and country constant, compared with abstainers, people with previous‐day pain were more likely to be previous‐day or other users. With regard to the quantity and frequency of alcohol use, people with previous‐day pain were more likely to be non‐heavy drinkers.

Conclusion

Overall, we found that, in this population of older adults in six LMICs, recent pain was associated with moderate use of alcohol, although there were differences between countries. The findings provide a platform for country‐specific research to better understand bi‐directional associations between pain and alcohol in older adults.
Antagonistic control of flowering time by functionally specialized poly(A) polymerases in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Czesnick Hjördis , Lenhard Michael
Published: July 2016

Polyadenylation is a critical 3′‐end processing step during maturation of pre‐mRNAs, and the length of the poly(A) tail affects mRNA stability, nuclear export and translation efficiency. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes three canonical nuclear poly(A) polymerase (PAPS) isoforms fulfilling specialized functions, as reflected by their different mutant phenotypes. While PAPS1 affects several processes, such as the immune response, organ growth and male gametophyte development, the roles of PAPS2 and PAPS4 are largely unknown. Here we demonstrate that PAPS2 and PAPS4 promote flowering in a partially redundant manner. The enzymes act antagonistically to PAPS1, which delays the transition to flowering. The opposite flowering‐time phenotypes in paps1 and paps2 paps4 mutants are at least partly due to decreased or increased FLC activity, respectively. In contrast to paps2 paps4 mutants, plants with increased PAPS4 activity flower earlier than the wild‐type, concomitant with reduced FLC expression. Double mutant analyses suggest that PAPS2 and PAPS4 act independently of the autonomous pathway components FCA, FY and CstF64. The direct polyadenylation targets of the three PAPS isoforms that mediate their effects on flowering time do not include FLC sense mRNA and remain to be identified. Thus, our results uncover a role for canonical PAPS isoforms in flowering‐time control, raising the possibility that modulating the balance of the isoform activities could be used to fine tune the transition to flowering.
Brain train to combat brain drain; focus on exercise strategies that optimize neuroprotection
Authors: Burley Claire V. , Bailey Damian M. , Marley Christopher J. , Lucas Samuel J. E.
Published: July 2016

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

The topic of this review is to consider innovative exercise strategies that optimize neuroprotection in order to combat cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease in older age.

What advances does it highlight?

The review summarizes current understanding around exercise mode, duration, frequency and intensity, and then highlights adaptive roles of select stressors that have equal if not indeed greater capacity than exercise per se to induce health‐related adaptation in the brain. These stressors include, but are not exclusively limited to, hydrostatic and thermal stress, hypoxia, nutritional supplementation and cognitive loading, and are effective by targeting specific pathways that collectively contribute towards improved brain structure and function.

The prevalence of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. stroke and dementia) is increasing. Numerous studies show that regular exercise has beneficial effects on brain health in clinical and non‐clinical populations, yet adherence to public health exercise guidelines is notoriously poor. Recently, novel exercise strategies have been investigated to allow for more individualized and prescriptive approaches that target the key mechanistic pathways that allow exercise to mediate adaptation. This work exploring alternative approaches to the traditional model of exercise training has demonstrated exciting potential for positive health‐related adaptations (especially for metabolic, muscle and cardiovascular function). However, few studies to date have focused on brain adaptations. The aim of this review is to summarize new and innovative interventions that have the potential to optimize exercise for improved brain health (i.e. brain structure and function). First, we briefly summarize current understanding of the nature whereby positive effects of exercise deliver their influence on the brain (i.e. underlying mechanisms and factors affecting its delivery). Second, we introduce the effects of exercise training on cognition and give examples of studies showing the beneficial effects of exercise in clinical populations. Finally, we explore the adaptive roles of individual stressors that may induce greater health‐related adaptations in the brain than exercise alone, including environmental stressors (hydrostatic stress, thermal stress and hypoxia), nutritional supplementation and cognitive loading. In summary, optimized interventions that target key mechanistic pathways linked to improved brain structure and function could ultimately protect against and/or ameliorate cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
Las conferencias episcopales: situación y perspectivas de un debate inconcluso
Authors: Schickendantz Carlos
Published: July 2016

La construcción de estructuras colegiales y sinodales después del Concilio se ha desarrollado de modo vacilante. El tema refleja discusiones fundamentales y en buena medida permite percibir las orientaciones de fondo en la eclesiología reciente. El artículo muestra los principales momentos en el desarrollo histórico, ensaya una descripción de la nueva situación en que nos encontramos, refiere a los argumentos en juego, individualiza las principales ideas por profundizar y, finalmente, sugiere algunas recomendaciones.
La espiritualidad en Ignacio Ellacuría
Authors: Arango Alzate Oscar , Solano Pinzón Orlando
Published: July 2016

La espiritualidad no es una realidad estática y ajena a las problemáticas que viven las mujeres y los hombres en su historicidad; por el contrario, emerge en su acontecer histórico como fruto de la docilidad a la acción de Espíritu, que configura un modo particular de existencia. El presente escrito busca dar razón de esta forma histórica y encarnada de entender la espiritualidad, a partir del pensamiento teológico de Ignacio Ellacuría.
El “lugar teológico” en Jon Sobrino
Authors: Costadoat Jorge
Published: July 2016

Este trabajo indaga en la relevancia del término “lugar teológico” en Jon Sobrino. Partimos de un supuesto fundamental de la teología de la liberación, a saber, que Dios se hace presente y continúa revelándose en la historia actual. Se abordan, en esta tarea, la controversia sobre el método teológico del autor y su recurso al círculo hermenéutico para comprender la revelación a partir de la praxis de seguimiento de Cristo.
Silent God in a Wordy World. Silence in Ignatian Spirituality
Authors: García de Castro Valdés, S.J. José
Published: July 2016

The Society of Jesus is an apostolic religious order involved in many different activities and missions. Jesuits live far away from monasteries and strict contemplative life. Nevertheless, one of the most well-known peculiarities of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises is that a complete and absolute silence is required during the time of the retreat. Where and how should we place “silence” in the life of an Ignatian spiritual and mystical experience?
Design and Performance Evaluation of a Heat Exchanger Network for a Cogeneration DMS to Various Thermal Utilization Applications
Authors: Ge Gaoming , Simonson Carey J.
Published: July 2016

Hitachi-GE developed a 300-MWe-class modular simplified and medium small reactor (DMS) between 2000 and 2004. It was designed to have merits over traditional nuclear power plants in areas of lower initial capital investment, flexibility, enhanced safety, and security. The balance of plant (BOP) system of the DMS was originally designed for supplying just electricity. In this study, the cogeneration DMS that supplies both electricity and heat is under investigation. The heat exchanger (HX) network, mainly consisting of the BOP heat exchanger, water pump, and the heat exchangers that deliver heat to the thermal utilization (TU) applications, must operate in an efficient way to keep the overall system costs low. In this paper, the configuration of a heat exchanger network that serves for various TU applications is investigated first. A numerical model for the heat exchanger network is built, and sensitivity studies are performed to estimate the energy efficiency and exergy efficiency of the whole heat exchanger network under different design and operating conditions (e.g., different water temperatures and flow rates). Important design and operating parameters, which significantly impact the performance of the network, are evaluated and presented.
Prediction of Confined Flame Flashback Limits Using Boundary Layer Separation Theory
Authors: Hoferichter Vera , Hirsch Christoph , Sattelmayer Thomas
Published: July 2016

Premixed combustion is a common technology applied in modern gas turbine combustors to minimize nitrogen oxide emissions. However, early mixing of fuel and oxidizer opens up the possibility of flame flashback into the premixing section upstream of the combustion chamber. Especially, for highly reactive fuels, boundary layer flashback (BLF) is a serious challenge. For high preheating and burner surface temperatures, boundary layer flashback limits for burner stabilized flames converge to those of so-called confined flames, where the flame is stabilized inside the burner duct. Hence, the prediction of confined flashback limits is a highly technically relevant task. In this study, a predictive model for flashback limits of confined flames is developed for premixed hydrogen–air mixtures. As shown in earlier studies, confined flashback is initiated by boundary layer separation upstream of the flame tip. Hence, the flashback limit can be predicted identifying the minimum pressure rise upstream of a confined flame causing boundary layer separation. For this purpose, the criterion of Stratford is chosen which was originally developed for boundary layer separation in mere aerodynamic phenomena. It is shown in this paper that it can also be applied to near-wall combustion processes if the pressure rise upstream of the flame tip is modeled correctly. In order to determine the pressure rise, an expression for the turbulent burning velocity is derived including the effects of flame stretch and turbulence. A comparison of the predicted flashback limits and experimental data shows high prediction accuracy and wide applicability of the developed model.
An Analytical Study on Forced Vibration of Beams Carrying a Number of Two Degrees-of-Freedom Spring–Damper–Mass Subsystems
Authors: Chen Jun , Dong Dawei , Yan Bing , Hua Chunrong
Published: July 2016

This paper presents an analytical solution for the forced vibration of beams carrying a number of two degrees-of-freedom (DOF) spring–damper–mass (SDM) systems. The beam is divided into a series of distinct sub-beams at the spring connection points and the point of force action. The 2DOF SDM systems are replaced with a set of effective springs with complex stiffness, and the compatibility of the placement and the force at the common interface of two adjacent sub-beams is systematically organized. Then, the boundary conditions are enforced, and the governing matrix equation is formulated. Next, the closed-form expression for the frequency response function (FRF) was determined analytically. The presented method can simultaneously consider arbitrary boundary conditions and any number of 2DOF SDM systems. Furthermore, regardless of the number of subsystems, none of the associated matrices is larger than 4 × 4, which provides a significant computational advantage. To validate the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method, some results are compared with the corresponding results obtained using the conventional finite element method (FEM); good agreement is observed between the results of the two approaches. Finally, the effects of the system parameters on the vibration transmission in the beam and subsystem vibration reduction are studied.
A Broadband Internally Resonant Vibratory Energy Harvester
Authors: Chen Li-Qun , Jiang Wen-An , Panyam Meghashyam , Daqaq Mohammed F.
Published: July 2016

The objective of this paper is twofold: first to illustrate that nonlinear modal interactions, namely, a two-to-one internal resonance energy pump, can be exploited to improve the steady-state bandwidth of vibratory energy harvesters; and, second, to investigate the influence of key system’s parameters on the steady-state bandwidth in the presence of the internal resonance. To achieve this objective, an L-shaped piezoelectric cantilevered harvester augmented with frequency tuning magnets is considered. The distance between the magnets is adjusted such that the second modal frequency of the structure is nearly twice its first modal frequency. This facilitates a nonlinear energy exchange between these two commensurate modes resulting in large-amplitude responses over a wider range of frequencies. The harvester is then subjected to a harmonic excitation with a frequency close to the first modal frequency, and the voltage–frequency response curves are generated. Results clearly illustrate an improved bandwidth and output voltage over a case which does not involve an internal resonance. A nonlinear model of the harvester is developed and validated against experimental findings. An approximate analytical solution of the model is obtained using perturbation methods and utilized to draw several conclusions regarding the influence of key design parameters on the harvester’s bandwidth.
Ultrasonic imaging of defects in coarse-grained steels with the decomposition of the time reversal operator
Authors: Lopez Villaverde Eduardo , Robert Sébastien , Prada Claire
Published: July 2016

In the present work, the Synthetic Transmit Aperture (STA) imaging is combined with the Decomposition of the Time Reversal Operator (DORT) method to image a coarse grained austenitic-ferritic steel using a contact transducer array. The highly heterogeneous structure of this material produces a strong scattering noise in ultrasound images. Furthermore, the surface waves guided along the array interfere with the bulk waves backscattered by defects. In order to overcome these problems, the DORT method is applied before calculating images with the STA algorithm. The method consists in analyzing in the frequency domain the singular values and singular vectors of the full array transfer matrix. This paper first presents an analysis of the singular values of different waves contained in the data acquisition, which facilitates the identification of the subspace associated with the surface guided waves for filtering operations. Then, a filtered matrix is defined where the contribution of structural noise and guided waves are reduced. Finally, in the time domain, the STA algorithm is applied to this matrix in order to calculate an image with reduced structural noise. Experiments demonstrate that this filtering improves the signal-to-noise ratio by more than 12 dB in comparison with the STA image before filtering.
Structure of a yeast catalytic step I spliceosome at 3.4 Å resolution
Authors: Wan Ruixue , Yan Chuangye , Bai Rui , Huang Gaoxingyu , Shi Yigong
Published: July 2016

How spliceosomes make the first cut

In eukaryotes, transcribed precursor mRNA includes noncoding sequences that must be spliced out. This is done by the spliceosome, a dynamic complex in which five small nuclear RNAs and several proteins go through a series of ordered interactions and conformational rearrangements to achieve splicing. Two protein structures provide a look at the first catalytic step in the pathway. Yan
et al.
report the structure of the activated spliceosome (the B
act
complex) at 3.5 Å resolution, revealing how latency is maintained even though the complex is mostly primed for catalysis. Wan
et al.
report the structure of the catalytic step 1 spliceosome (the C complex) at 3.4 Å resolution; this complex forms after the first step of the splicing reaction.

Science
, this issue pp.
904
and
895
Genome Sequence of the K139-Like Phage VcP032 Originating from the
Vibrio cholerae
O1 El Tor Ogawa Serotype
Authors: Jäckel Claudia , Strauch Eckhard , Hammerl Jens Andre
Published: July 2016

Vibrio cholerae
is the cause of large cholera outbreaks, especially in endemic regions with high poverty and inadequate sanitation. Here, we announce the complete genome sequence of the virulence-associated broad host range
V. cholerae
phage VcP032, including a brief summary of its genotypic and phenotypic features.
Genome Sequence of
Fusarium
Isolate MYA-4552 from the Midgut of
Anoplophora glabripennis
, an Invasive, Wood-Boring Beetle
Authors: Herr Joshua R. , Scully Erin D. , Geib Scott M. , Hoover Kelli , Carlson John E. , Geiser David M.
Published: July 2016

The
Fusarium solani
species complex (FSSC) is a clade of environmentally ubiquitous fungi that includes plant, animal, and insect associates. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of the undescribed species FSSC 6 (isolate MYA-4552), housed in the gut of the wood-boring cerambycid beetle
Anoplophora glabripennis
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Highly Virulent
Haemophilus parasuis
Serotype 11 Strain SC1401
Authors: Dai Ke , Jin Jin , Wen Yiping , Wen Xintian , He Lvqin , Cao Sanjie , Huang Xiaobo , Wu Rui , Zhao Qin
Published: July 2016

Haemophilus parasuis
, a normal Gram-negative bacterium, may cause Glässer's disease and pneumonia in pigs. This study aims to identify the genes related to natural competence of the serotype 11 strain SC1401, which frequently shows competence and high pathogenicity. SC1401 shows many differences from strains without natural competence within the molecular basis. We performed complete genome sequencing together with restriction modification system analysis to lay the foundation for later study.
Genome Sequence of the Parainfluenza Virus 5 Strain That Persistently Infects AGS Cells
Authors: Wignall-Fleming Elizabeth , Young Dan F. , Goodbourn Steve , Davison Andrew J. , Randall Richard E.
Published: July 2016

We have sequenced the parainfluenza virus 5 strain that persistently infects the commonly used AGS human cell line without causing cytopathology. This virus is most closely related to human strains, indicating that it may have originated from biopsy material or from laboratory contamination during generation of the cell line.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Corynebacterium variabile
Mu292, Isolated from Munster, a French Smear-Ripened Cheese
Authors: Dugat-Bony Eric , Sarthou Anne-Sophie , Loux Valentin , Vidal Marie , Bonnarme Pascal , Irlinger Françoise , Layec Séverine
Published: July 2016

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Corynebacterium variabile
Mu292, which was originally isolated from the surface of Munster, a French smear-ripened cheese. This genome investigation will improve our knowledge on the molecular determinants potentially involved in the adaptation of this strain during the Munster-type cheese manufacturing process.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Klebsiella variicola
Strain KV321 Isolated from Rhizosphere Soil of
Pisolithus tinctorius-Eucalyptus
Mycorrhiza
Authors: Jiang Shao-feng , Liu Yi , Xiao Mi-yun , Ruan Chu-jin , Lu Zu-jun
Published: July 2016

The draft genome sequences of
Klebsiella variicola
strain KV321, which was isolated from rhizosphere soil of
Pisolithus tinctorius-Eucalyptus
mycorrhiza, are reported here. The genome sequences contain genes involved in ABC transporter function in multiple-antibiotic drug resistance and colonization. This genomic analysis will help understand the genomic basis of
K. variicola
virulence genes and how the genes play a part in its interaction with other living organisms.
Draft Genome Sequence of a
Dyella
-Like Bacterium from the Planthopper
Hyalesthes obsoletus
Authors: Lahav Tamar , Zchori-Fein Einat , Naor Vered , Freilich Shiri , Iasur-Kruh Lilach
Published: July 2016

We report here the draft genome sequence of a
Dyella
-like bacterium (DLB) isolated from
Hyalesthes obsoletus
, the insect vector of the uncultivable mollicute bacterium “
Candidatus
Phytoplasma.” This isolate inhibits
Spiroplasma melliferum
, a cultivable mollicute. The draft genome of DLB consists of 4,196,214 bp, with a 68.6% G+C content, and 3,757 genes were predicted.
Complete Genome Sequence of Hemolysin-Containing
Carnobacterium
sp. Strain CP1 Isolated from the Antarctic
Authors: Zhu Sidong , Wang Xing , Zhang Di , Jing Xiaohuan , Zhang Ning , Yang Jifang , Chen Jigang
Published: July 2016

Carnobacterium
sp. strain CP1 was isolated from Antarctic sandy soil and predicted to be a novel species belonging to the genus
Carnobacterium
. Herein, we report the complete genome sequence, which consists of a circular 2,605,518-bp chromosome and an 8,883-bp plasmid with G+C contents of 38.13% and 31.63%, respectively.
Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of a Naturally Reassorted Infectious Bursal Disease Virus from India
Authors: Raja P. , Senthilkumar T. M. A. , Parthiban M. , Thangavelu A. , Gowri A. Mangala , Palanisammi A. , Kumanan K.
Published: July 2016

The novel infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) isolate BGE14/ABT1/MVC/India is a very virulent IBDV that was isolated from broiler flocks in southern parts of India during 2014. Here, we report, for the first time in India, the complete genome sequence of BGE14/ABT1/MVC/India, a reassortment strain with segments A and B derived from a very virulent IBDV strain and an attenuated IBDV, respectively. The findings from this study provide additional insight into the genetic exchange between attenuated and very virulent strains of IBDV circulating in the field.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Chloroflexus
sp. Strain isl-2, a Thermophilic Filamentous Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacterium Isolated from the Strokkur Geyser, Iceland
Authors: Gaisin Vasil A. , Ivanov Timophey M. , Kuznetsov Boris B. , Gorlenko Vladimir M. , Grouzdev Denis S.
Published: July 2016

We report here the draft genome sequence of the thermophilic filamentous anoxygenic phototrophic bacterium
Chloroflexus
sp. strain isl-2, which was isolated from the Strokkur geyser, Iceland, and contains 5,222,563 bp with a G+C content of 59.65%. The annotated genome sequence offers the genetic basis for understanding the strain's ecological role as a phototrophic bacterium within the bacterial community.
Unilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia, strabismus and transient torsional nystagmus in focal pontine infarction
Authors: Haider Ali S
Published: July 2016

Vertebrobasilar stroke carries a high mortality rate and can have symptom patterns that are complex and difficult to diagnose. Isolated infarcts of the pons are uncommon and the neuro-ophthalmic presentation of pontine stroke can be quite variable. There is a paucity of cases in the literature documenting neuro-ophthalmic pathology as the sole or primary manifestation of pontine stroke. Here is presented the case of a unilateral internuclear ophthalmoplegia (INO) with concomitant skew deviation, contralesional exotropia and ipsiversive torsional nystagmus as the initial and only presenting feature of an isolated pontine stroke.This case illustrates the need to consider a cerebrovascular event early in the differential of a complex ocular motility disturbance not in keeping with specific cranial nerve palsy. It similarly highlights non-paralytic pontine exotropia and skew deviation as important causes of acute onset acquired strabismus, and transient torsional nystagmus as a rare but relevant localising feature in pontine strokes causing INO. Acute onset of this constellation of signs is highly suggestive of pontine infarction.
Thiamine and dystonia 16
Authors: Costantini Antonio , Trevi Erika , Pala Maria Immacolata , Fancellu Roberto
Published: July 2016

Primary torsion dystonia is a movement disorder characterised by sustained or intermittent involuntary muscle contractions causing abnormal movements, postures or both. In this study, 3 brothers affected by inherited primary dystonia 16 (DYT16) began an oral therapy with high-dose thiamine from November to December 2015. After 3 months, an important improvement of the motor symptoms was observed. Our results support the hypothesis that pathogenesis of the symptoms might be related to a dysfunction in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation due to a focal impairment of thiamine-dependent processes. Our results support some authors' hypothesis that dystonia might have a mitochondrial aetiology.
Provision of out-of-hours services for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding in England: results of the 2014–2015 BSG/NHS England national survey
Authors: Nedjat-Shokouhi Bahman , Glynn Michael , Denton Erika R E , Greenfield Simon M
Published: July 2016

Background

There has been a drive to raise the standard of management of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) in the UK, including three previous audits, sponsored by the British Society of Gastroenterology (BSG).

Objective

To review the results of the latest BSG/National Health Service (NHS) England national survey of endoscopy services in England between 2014 and 2015.

Method

All NHS hospitals accepting acute admissions in England (168) were invited to respond to the survey.

Results

Overall, 142 hospitals (84%) returned data. 85% of hospitals used a validated risk assessment score at the time of patient's admission. While 80% of hospitals provided a 24/7 endoscopy service for unstable patients, and another 10% were in network to provide an acute service, only 60% performed an endoscopy within 24 hours for stable acute admissions or inpatients with AUGIB. 11% of hospitals operated an out-of-hours ad hoc rota. 43% felt that pressure from routine work affected their ability to offer a next-day oesophagogastroduodenoscopy service, while 20% of hospitals struggled to recruit endoscopists. 28% of units reported that the previous national audit performed in 2013 had a positive influence on service development.

Conclusions

This survey has revealed significant deficiencies in provision of services for patients with AUGIB in England, without a significant increase in number of hospitals providing an emergency AUGIB service since the last national audit in 2013.
RGS1 expression is associated with poor prognosis in multiple myeloma
Authors: Roh Jin , Shin Su-Jin , Lee A-Neum , Yoon Dok Hyun , Suh Cheolwon , Park Chan-Jeoung , Huh Jooryung , Park Chan-Sik
Published: July 2016

Aims

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an invariably fatal disease with highly heterogeneous outcome. Because of this heterogeneity of MM, risk stratification is crucial for therapeutic decision-making. However, no immunohistochemical prognostic or predictive markers have been established yet. The expression of regulator of G-protein signalling (RGS) proteins, which desensitise G-protein-coupled receptor signalling, has been reported to be associated with the prognosis of various malignancies. Recently, our group demonstrated the importance of RGS1 in chemokine signalling in a human MM cell line and normal plasmablasts. In the present study, we explored the prognostic value of RGS1 expression in patients with MM using immunohistochemistry.

Methods

We evaluated RGS1 protein expression in 79 bone marrow biopsies obtained from patients with MM between 2008 and 2010 at Asan Medical Center. Correlations between RGS1 expression and clinicopathological factors were analysed.

Results

High RGS1 protein expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (p=0.005). After an adjusted multivariable analysis, high RGS1 protein expression (p=0.010), high International Myeloma Working Group risk (p=0.003) and high serum lactate dehydrogenase levels (p=0.040) were significantly associated with poor outcomes.

Conclusions

RGS1 expression may be a prognostic marker for risk stratification and a promising target for the development of a new MM therapy.
An in vitro study of the effects of t-PA and tranexamic acid on whole blood coagulation and fibrinolysis
Authors: Godier Anne , Parmar Kiran , Manandhar Karuna , Hunt Beverley J
Published: July 2016

Aims

Acute traumatic coagulopathy is characterised by fibrinolysis and low fibrinogen. It is unclear how much fibrinogenolysis contributes to reduce fibrinogen levels. The study aim was to: investigate in vitro the effects of tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) and tranexamic acid (TXA) on coagulation and fibrinolysis.

Methods

Whole blood was spiked with varying t-PA concentrations. Clauss fibrinogen levels and thrombelastography (TEG, Haemonetics) were performed, including functional fibrinogen level (FLEV). TXA effects were assessed using four TXA concentrations. Recorded parameters from kaolin activated TEG included maximal amplitude (MA), clot strength (G), percentage lysis (LY). Plasmin–antiplasmin complex (PAP), endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), prothrombin fragment 1+2 (PF1+2), factor V and factor VIII levels were all measured.

Results

t-PA induced fibrinolysis: it increased PAP and LY, but decreased MA and G. t-PA induced fibrinogenolysis, with a concentration-dependant decrease in fibrinogen from 2.7 (2.6–3.1) to 0.8 (0.8–0.9) g/L with 60 nM t-PA. FLEV and fibrinogen levels were well correlated. High t-PA doses increased PF1+2, decreased ETP of 19% and FVIII of 63% but not FV. TXA had no effect on plasmin generation as evidenced by no change in PAP. It corrected LY, MA and G and partly protected fibrinogen against fibrinogenolysis: 0.03 mg/mL TXA reduced the fibrinogen fall induced by t-PA 20 nM from 43% to 14%. TXA halved the FVIII fall and increased ETP.

Conclusions

t-PA induced plasminogen activation and fibrinogenolysis in a concentration-dependant manner. TXA did not affect plasmin activation but reduced fibrinogenolysis. These results suggest that TXA given early in bleeding patients may prevent fibrinogenolysis.
Dynamic Small World Network Topology for Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Liu Qingxue , van Wyk Barend Jacobus , Du Shengzhi , Sun Yanxia
Published: July 2016

A new particle optimization algorithm with dynamic topology is proposed based on small world network. The technique imitates the dissemination of information in a small world network by dynamically updating the neighborhood topology of the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). In comparison with other four classic topologies and two PSO algorithms based on small world network, the proposed dynamic neighborhood strategy is more effective in coordinating the exploration and exploitation ability of PSO. Simulations demonstrated that the convergence of the swarms is faster than its competitors. Meanwhile, the proposed method maintains population diversity and enhances the global search ability for a series of benchmark problems.
Remarks on the geometric quantization of Landau levels
Authors: Galasso Andrea , Spera Mauro
Published: July 2016

In this note, we resume the geometric quantization approach to the motion of a charged particle on a plane, subject to a constant magnetic field perpendicular to the latter, by showing directly that it gives rise to a completely integrable system to which we may apply holomorphic geometric quantization. In addition, we present a variant employing a suitable vertical polarization and we also make contact with Bott’s quantization, enforcing the property “quantization commutes with reduction”, which is known to hold under quite general conditions. We also provide an interpretation of translational symmetry breaking in terms of coherent states and index theory. Finally, we give a representation theoretic description of the lowest Landau level via the use of an [Formula: see text]-equivariant Dirac operator.
Tectonomagmatic setting of lava packages in the Mandla lobe of the eastern Deccan volcanic province, India: palaeomagnetism and magnetostratigraphic evidence
Authors: Pathak Vamdev , Patil S. K. , Shrivastava J. P.
Published: July 2016

Flow-by-flow palaeomagnetic measurements of 37 lava flows in the 900 m-thick, isolated lava pile around Mandla in the eastern Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) reveals multiple magnetic polarity events: implying C29n–C28r–C28n magnetostratigraphy. Magnetic polarity results when traced out from section to section, maintaining the order of superposition, show juxtaposition of lava packages with distinct characters near Deori (e.g. flows 1–4 abated against flows 5–14) and the Dindori areas. At Dindori and towards its south, the distinct lava packages (e.g. flows 15–27 and flows 28–37) are juxtaposed along the course of Narmada river. It is explained by the presence of four normal post-Deccan faults in the Nagapahar, Kundam–Deori, Dindori and Badargarh–Amarkantak sectors: thus, signifying structural complexity with vertical shifts or offset of 150–300 m. Magnetic chron reversals in conjunction with field and chemical data support these findings. Further, these lavas are compositionally akin to Bushe, Poladpur, Ambenali and Mahableshwar Formational lavas, and follow the same stratigraphic order as in the Western Ghats. Alternating field (AFD) and thermal demagnetizations (THD) isolate the normal mean direction of the Mandla lobe:
D
=344.5° and
I
=−30°, where
D
and
I
are the mean declination and inclination of the each lava flow (α
95
=8.2;
K
=72.6;
N
=17, where α
95
is the half-angle of the cone of 95% confidence about the mean direction,
K
is the precision parameter and
N
is the number of flows). The Virtual Geomagnetic Pole (VGP) position determined for these lavas, when compared with the Deccan Super Pole, indicates concordance with the main Deccan volcanic province, thus assigning a shorter period of eruption close to the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary (K/PB) for the eastern and western Deccan Traps.
Reinforcement renaissance
Authors: Krakovsky Marina
Published: July 2016

The power of deep neural networks has sparked renewed interest in reinforcement learning, with applications to games, robotics, and beyond.
Smartphone apps for social good
Authors: Kugler Logan
Published: July 2016

Mobile apps make it easier, faster, and cheaper to create massive impact on social causes ranging from world hunger to domestic violence.
Inside the great wall
Authors: Hong Jason
Published: July 2016

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Communications
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Communications
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During a trip to China, Jason Hong watches for signs of new technologies.
Teamwork in computing research
Authors: Shneiderman Ben
Published: July 2016

Considering the benefits and downsides of collaborative research.
From the new ACM president
Authors: Hanson Vicki L.
Published: July 2016

I thank all of you who recently sent along good wishes upon my election to ACM president. Many also asked "What do you want to accomplish during your presidency?"