bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding and Overcoming Self‐control Depletion
Authors: Masicampo E. J. , Martin Stephen R. , Anderson Rajen A.
Published: January 2015

After people exert self‐control, self‐control performance on subsequent tasks tends to suffer, as if the capacity for self‐control was depleted by the prior exertion. The present paper discusses self‐control depletion and how people may overcome it. We searched the psychology literature and found nearly 40 empirical articles documenting diverse traits and strategies that counteract depletion, thereby facilitating self‐control success. The evidence points to two major strategies for overcoming depletion. The first strategy involves offsetting the high amount of effort required for self‐control (e.g., introducing a brief period of rest). The second involves compensating for the low immediate rewards that most self‐control tasks offer (e.g., providing an additional incentive for exerting self‐control). These strategies can be interpreted neatly within the framework of recent motivational accounts of self‐control depletion. This analysis may inform those aiming to improve self‐control success or simply to understand and anticipate when and why self‐control depletion occurs.
On the inefficiency of the restricted maximum likelihood
Authors: Longford Nicholas T.
Published: January 2015

The restricted maximum likelihood is preferred by many to the full maximum likelihood for estimation with variance component and other random coefficient models, because the variance estimator is unbiased. It is shown that this unbiasedness is accompanied in some balanced designs by an inflation of the mean squared error. An estimator of the cluster‐level variance that is uniformly more efficient than the full maximum likelihood is derived. Estimators of the variance ratio are also studied.
Dichotomous identities? Indigenous and non‐Indigenous people and the intercultural in Australia
Authors: Dalley Cameo , Martin Richard J.
Published: January 2015

The terms Indigenous and non‐Indigenous are commonplace in Australia yet remain under‐theorised as categories which differentiate identities. In this introductory article, we overview developments in the intercultural over the last decade, focusing on the ways in which identities of Indigenous and non‐Indigenous, Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal, Black and White are relationally constructed. We also consider intersections between the intercultural and the Intervention, a major turning point in Indigenous affairs policy with related impacts in anthropology over this period. In particular we draw attention to the need for ethnographies that show equal attention to non‐Indigenous residents and propose the themes of intimacies and temporalities as key avenues for addressing this relationality. Articles contained in this special issue go some way to addressing this need, illustrating the complex ways in which Indigenous and non‐Indigenous lives are lived together, or alongside each other, around Australia today.
Macrophages clear refrigerator storage–damaged red blood cells and subsequently secrete cytokines in vivo, but not in vitro, in a murine model
Authors: Wojczyk Boguslaw S. , Kim Nina , Bandyopadhyay Sheila , Francis Richard O. , Zimring James C. , Hod Eldad A. , Spitalnik Steven L.
Published: January 2015

Background

In mice, refrigerator‐stored red blood cells (RBCs) are cleared by extravascular hemolysis and induce cytokine production. To enhance understanding of this phenomenon, we sought to model it in vitro.

Study Design and Methods

Ingestion of refrigerator‐stored murine RBCs and subsequent cytokine production were studied using J774A.1 mouse macrophage cells and primary murine splenic macrophages. Wild‐type and Ccl2‐GFP reporter mice were used for RBC clearance in vivo.

Results

Although J774A.1 cells and primary macrophages preferentially ingested refrigerator‐stored RBCs in vitro, compared to freshly isolated RBCs, neither produced increased cytokines after erythrophagocytosis. In contrast, phagocytosis of refrigerator‐stored RBCs in vivo induced increases in circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) and correspondingly increased mRNA levels in mouse spleen and liver. In the spleen, these were predominantly expressed by CD11b+ cells. Using Ccl2‐GFP reporter mice, the predominant splenic population responsible for MCP‐1 mRNA production was tissue‐resident macrophages (i.e., CD45+, CD11b+, F4/80+, Ly6c+, and CD11clow cells).

Conclusion

J774A.1 cells and primary macrophages selectively ingested refrigerator‐stored RBCs by phagocytosis. Although cytokine expression was not enhanced, this approach could be used to identify the relevant receptor–ligand combination(s). In contrast, cytokine levels increased after phagocytosis of refrigerator‐stored RBCs in vivo. These were primarily cleared in the liver and spleen, which demonstrated increased MCP‐1 and KC mRNA expression. Finally, in mouse spleen, tissue‐resident macrophages were predominantly involved in MCP‐1 mRNA production. The differences between cytokine production in vitro and in vivo are not yet well understood.
κ‐Opioid receptors in the infralimbic cortex modulate the cardiovascular responses to acute stress
Authors: Fassini Aline , Scopinho América A. , Resstel Leonardo B. M. , Corrêa Fernando M. A.
Published: January 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

A brief experience of stress can cause structural remodelling in the infralimbic cortex. In the present study, we addressed the potential role played by opioidergic neurotransmission in the infralimbic cortex in the modulation of stress‐evoked autonomic responses.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Using the restraint stress model, we showed that infralimbic cortex κ‐opioid receptors, but not μ‐ and δ‐opioid receptors, modulate stress‐evoked cardiovascular responses.

The infralimbic cortex (IL) is known to modulate behavioural and physiological responses during aversive situations. We investigated the hypothesis that opioid neurotransmission in the IL modulates the autonomic responses induced in rats subjected to restraint stress (RS). Male Wistar rats (250–280 g) were used. Guide cannulae were implanted bilaterally in the IL for the microinjection of either drugs or vehicle, and a polyethylene catheter was implanted into the femoral artery for recording of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) using a computerized acquisition system. Tail temperature was evaluated using a thermal camera. Rats were subjected to RS 10 min after the microinjection of drugs or vehicle into the IL. Exposure to RS evoked hypertension, tachycardia and a reduction in tail temperature. Bilateral microinjections of the non‐selective opioid antagonist naloxone into the IL generated an inverted U‐shaped dose–inhibition curve on RS‐evoked MAP and HR responses. Microinjection of nor‐BNI (κ‐selective antagonist) reduced the increases in MAP and HR evoked by RS. In contrast, pretreatment of the IL with CTAP (μ‐selective antagonist) or naltrindole (δ‐selective antagonist) had no effect on the restraint‐evoked increases in MAP and HR. None of these treatments altered the reduction in the tail temperature evoked by RS. In conclusion, κ‐opioid receptors in the IL modulate pressor and tachycardiac responses caused by RS, suggesting a facilitatory role of this structure in this aversive situation.
Effect of 13‐NLE‐motilin on gastric secretion, serum gastrin level and mucosal blood flow in dogs.
Authors: Konturek S J , Dembinski A , Krol R , Wünsch E
Published: January 2015

1. In dogs with gastric fistulas and vagally innervated fundic and antral pouches, 13‐norleucine‐motilin (13‐nle‐motilin), a synthetic analogue of motilin, infused intravenously in graded doses produced a dose‐dependent increase in gastric acid and pepsin outputs. 2. The motilin‐induced stimulation of gastric secretion occurred independently of antral pH and was not accompanied by any alteration in the serum gastrin level suggesting that motilin did not affect the release of gastrin. 3. When infused intravenously in a constant dose against a constant background stimulation with pentagastrin or histamine 13‐nle‐motilin inhibited both acid and pepsin secretion from the main stomach and fundic pouch. 4. The inhibitory effect of 13‐nle‐motilin was always associated with a marked reduction in mucosal blood flow but without any change in the ratio of aminopyrine concentration in the gastric juice and blood plasma indicating that this peptide primarily affected gastric secretion but did not limit the gastric mucosal microcirculation.
The effect of sodium‐free and potassium‐free solutions, ionic current inhibitors and ouabain on electrophysiological properties of smooth muscle of guinea‐pig ureter.
Authors: Shuba M F
Published: January 2015

1. The effects of Na‐free and K‐free solutions, tetraethyl ammonium (TEA), Mn2+, verapamil and ouabain on the electrophysiological properties of the smooth muscle cells of guinea‐pig ureter have been studied, using the double sucrose‐gap method. 2. TEA (5 mM) increased the amplitude and duration of both the initial spike component and the subsequent plateau of the action potential. The repetitive spike discharge on the plateau was abolished. The amplitude and duration of the phasic contraction was increased. The threshold for excitation was lowered while the resting potential and membrane resistance were unaffected. 3. In Na‐free solution the duration of the action potential decreased mainly due to the suppression of the plateau. A similar effect was produced by exposure to K‐free solution and also by ouabain. 4. Mn2+ (2 mM) suppressed the spike component and raised the threshold for excitation. The amplitude of the remaining part of the action potential was markedly increased but the contraction was rapidly abolished. The resting potential and membrane resistance were unchanged. When Mn2+ was added to Na‐free solution it produced an increase in the amplitude and duration of the remaining part of the action potential but the phasic contraction was abolished. 5. Verapamil did not specifically block the fast component of the action potential but initially increased the amplitude of the spike and shortened the plateau. Subsequently, both the action potential and the phasic contraction became smaller. 6. The observations indicate that the phasic contractions are triggered by the initial spike component of the action potential, whereas the plateau is associated with the amplitude and particularly the duration of the contraction.
Regional variation of contrast sensitivity across the retina of the achromat: sensitivity of human rod vision.
Authors: Hess R F , Nordby K , Pointer J S
Published: January 2015

1. Detection thresholds for two‐dimensional Gabor functions of varying spatial and temporal frequency were used to investigate the post‐receptoral sensitivity across the retina of the typical and complete achromat. 2. Under photopic conditions there is no evidence for post‐receptoral cone function at any retinal eccentricity investigated. Sensitivity saturates in a way consistent with known psychophysical and electrophysiological measures of rod saturation. This occurs in a unitary fashion across the retina. 3. Under scotopic conditions the regional fall‐off in spatio‐temporal sensitivity is similar for the achromat and duplex retina. This suggests that the rods in the achromat make normal neural connections. 4. Taken together this supports the contention that the typical and complete achromat is a functional rod monochromat and hence can be used to explore the sensitivity of the isolated rod post‐receptoral mechanism under mesopic conditions where its sensitivity is optimal. This is where its contribution is most difficult to isolate in the duplex retina. 5. For the human rod mechanism, mesopic post‐receptoral sensitivity for all spatio‐temporal stimuli is optimal in the central region of the retina and falls off as a function of eccentricity. 6. For localized stimuli, peripheral spatial sensitivity is reduced evenly at all spatial frequencies compared with that of the central retina. A similar displacement of the spatial sensitivity function of the rod mechanism occurs as illuminance is reduced. 7. For localized stimuli, temporal acuity of the rod mechanism is around 20‐25 Hz irrespective of retinal position. As the illuminance is further lowered dynamics of the rod pathway are reduced irrespective of retinal position and the sensitivity function maintains a bandpass shape. 8. The regional distribution sensitivity of the rod mechanism changes as illuminance is reduced from mesopic to scotopic levels.
Single channels activated by acetylcholine in rat superior cervical ganglion.
Authors: Derkach V A , North R A , Selyanko A A , Skok V I
Published: January 2015

1. The elementary currents flowing through single channels opened by acetylcholine were recorded in rat superior cervical ganglion neurones using patch‐clamp methods. Acetylcholine (30 microM) was included in the patch electrode (cell‐attached recordings) or applied by ionophoresis (outside‐out configuration). All measurements were made at 23‐25 degrees C and mostly at ‐110 mV. 2. Channel openings appeared both as single events and as bursts of events. One population of the currents observed had a conductance of 20.0 +/‐ 0.2 pS (mean +/‐ S.E. of mean, n = 4). A second population had a conductance of about 50 pS, occurred more rarely, and was not included in further analysis. 3. Four channel closed time periods and two channel open time periods were found from the distributions of closed and open times. It was found that shorter channel openings (about 0.2 ms) appeared in isolation, whereas longer openings (duration 1.3 +/‐ 0.2 ms, n = 4) appeared as bursts of openings separated by the shortest channel closed time periods (about 0.15 ms). The next shortest closed time (about 2 ms) apparently corresponds to the lifetime of the channel not activated by acetylcholine. The two longer closed times (about 80 ms and 1 s) may reflect desensitization. The mean burst duration was 8.5 +/‐ 1.2 ms (n = 4), giving about six openings per burst. 4. Because the time constant of decay of the excitatory post‐synaptic current is more similar to the burst duration than to the duration of individual single openings, it is suggested that acetylcholine released from presynaptic nerves may result in a burst of openings rather than a single opening. 5. On the basis of the above assumption, the rate constants were calculated for a sequential model in which acetylcholine binds to the receptor (forward rate k + 1 = 2.3 X 10(7) M‐1 s‐1; reverse rate k‐1 = 1235 s‐1) which then undergoes a conformational change to an open state (forward rate beta = 6293 s‐1; reverse rate alpha = 894 s‐1). 6. When heptamethonium (30 microM) was added to the solution in the patch electrode, the burst duration was markedly shortened, but there was no change in the closed time between two openings within the burst. This effect was voltage‐dependent, which suggests that heptamethonium binds to the channel after it is opened by acetylcholine.
Quantification of the maximum capacity for active sodium‐potassium transport in rat skeletal muscle.
Authors: Clausen T , Everts M E , Kjeldsen K
Published: January 2015

1. Intact skeletal muscle fibres have been shown to contain a high concentration of [3H]ouabain binding sites (100‐800 pmol g wet wt.‐1). Under resting conditions, however, it seems that in isolated muscles only 2‐6% of the corresponding expected capacity for active Na+‐K+ transport is utilized. 2. In order to determine whether all [3H]ouabain binding sites in rat soleus muscle represent functional Na+‐K+ pumps, we have measured the maximum rates of the ouabain‐suppressible components of isotopic fluxes of Na+ and K+ as well as the net changes in Na+‐K+ contents. 3. Experiments with soleus muscles isolated from 4‐week‐old rats showed that following Na+ loading (I.C. Na+, 126 mmol l‐1), the ouabain‐suppressible 86Rb+ uptake and 22Na+ efflux as measured during 3 min of exposure to K+‐rich buffer were 5800 and 6500 nmol g wet wt.‐1 min‐1, respectively. 4. These initial high rates of isotopic fluxes were confirmed by flame photometric measurements of Na+‐K+ contents. The ouabain‐suppressible 86Rb+ uptake had a temperature coefficient of 2.1, was inhibited by 2,4‐dinitrophenol, but showed no response to tetracaine, BaCl2, Ca2+‐free buffer or tetraethylammonium chloride. 5. In soleus muscles, where the total population of [3H]ouabain binding sites had undergone changes as a result of differentiation, K+ depletion or pre‐treatment with thyroid hormone, there was a significant correlation (r = 0.95, P less than 0.005) between the concentration of [3H]ouabain binding sites (260‐1170 pmol g wet wt.‐1) and the maximum ouabain‐suppressible 86Rb+ uptake (2300‐10,900 nmol g wet wt.‐1 min‐1). 6. It is concluded that by the combination of Na+ loading and high extracellular K+, the available Na+‐K+ pumps as quantified by the [3H]ouabain binding capacity can be activated to reach a transport rate around 90% of the theoretical maximum at 30 degrees C.
Calcium‐stimulated sodium efflux from rabbit vascular smooth muscle.
Authors: Kaplan J H , Kennedy B G , Somlyo A P
Published: January 2015

1. The effects of the addition of Ca2+ on ouabain‐resistant 22Na+ efflux from Na+‐loaded strips of rabbit portal anterior mesenteric vein in Ca2+‐free media have been studied. 2. Na+ efflux into Li+ media containing 5 mM‐KCl is rapidly and transiently stimulated some 4‐ to 5‐fold on the addition of Ca2+ (1.2 mM). No stimulation is observed if the Li+ medium is K+ free or if Na+ replaces Li+ ions. This Ca2+‐activated Na+ efflux is not obligatorily coupled to Na+ influx. 3. The stimulation of Na+ efflux could also be triggered by the addition of 5 mM‐K+ to a Ca2+‐containing K+‐free medium. The Ca2+‐activated increase in Na+ efflux also occurred when K+ was the sole monovalent extracellular cation. Rb+ could substitute for the K+ requirement. Thus the Na+ efflux is not mediated by a system which has a specific requirement for counter‐transport of Li+ or one in which Li+ but not K+ are counter‐transported such as the familiar Na+‐H+ exchange system. Acidification of the external medium reduced the Ca2+‐stimulated Na+ efflux, in keeping with the conclusion that this efflux was not due to Na+‐H+ exchange. 4. Progressive reduction of external [Ca2+] increased the time‐lag to peak activation of Na+ efflux, suggesting that the effects of added Ca2+ were mediated by a rise in intracellular Ca2+. Under experimental conditions which did not result in activation of the Na+ efflux by the addition of extracellular Ca2+ alone (e.g. in Na+ media), addition of Ca2+ plus the Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, stimulated Na+ efflux. This further confirms that intracellular sites for Ca2+ are critical for the activation of Na+ efflux. In the absence of ionophore, in Na+ media, intracellular Ca2+ is not sufficiently increased when extracellular Ca2+ is added. A partial (40%) block of Ca2+‐activated Na+ efflux by amiloride (2 X 10(‐3) M) could also be overcome by the addition of ionomycin. 5. The lack of effect of a variety of inhibitors suggests that the Ca2+‐stimulated Na+ efflux mechanism is not mediated via a Na+‐K+‐Cl‐ co‐transport system or a Na+‐H+ counter‐transport system, or Na+‐Ca2+ exchange. 6. The activation of Na+ efflux in smooth muscle by Ca2+ ions seems to involve Ca2+ entry partially via an extracellular Ca2+‐intracellular Na+ exchange and also through other parallel pathway(s), followed by a rise in intracellular Ca2+ that activates Na+ efflux through a Ca2+‐sensitive Na+ channel or other transport pathway.
Steady‐state fluid filtration at different capillary pressures in perfused frog mesenteric capillaries.
Authors: Michel C C , Phillips M E
Published: January 2015

1. The theory of steady‐state filtration through capillary walls (Michel, 1984) has been developed and investigated in experiments on single capillaries of the frog mesentery perfused with Ringer solutions containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) and Ficoll 70. 2. In each experiment, the micro‐occlusion technique of Michel, Mason, Curry, Tooke & Hunter (1974) has been used to investigate the relation between fluid movements per unit area of capillary wall (Jv/A) and capillary pressure (Pc) under two sets of conditions in the same vessel. First, the relation has been determined following brief perfusions, where the difference in oncotic pressure across the capillary wall approximated to the perfusate oncotic pressure at all values of Pc. These results are referred to as the transient data. Secondly, the relation was investigated by estimating Jv/A at values of Pc which had been maintained constant during at least 2 min of perfusion prior to the measurement. Under these conditions the concentration of macromolecules in the pericapillary fluid was determined by the steady‐state composition of the filtrate passing through the capillary wall, and these results are referred to as steady‐state data. 3. In all fifteen capillaries investigated, the relationship between Jv/A and Pc was linear for the transient data and conspicuously non‐linear in the steady state. When Pc exceeded the oncotic pressure of the perfusate, steady‐state values for Jv/A lay slightly above but parallel to the transient values for the same vessel. At values of Pc less than the perfusate oncotic pressure, the transient data showed reabsorption of fluid from the tissues, but in the steady state either fluid movements were so small as to be undetected or slight filtration was observed. The steady‐state data followed the pattern predicted by theory. 4. The transient data were used to estimate the reflection coefficient of the capillary wall (sigma) to the macromolecular solute. In seven vessels, the mean sigma to BSA was 0.76 (S.E. of mean +/‐ 0.04) and in eight different vessels mean sigma to Ficoll 70 in the presence of BSA (10 mg ml‐1) was 0.98 (S.E. of mean +/‐ 0.05). The steady‐state data were consistent with the prediction that the oncotic pressure opposing high filtration rates approximates to sigma 2 pi c in the steady state, where pi c is the perfusate oncotic pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The effects of direction and acceleration of movement of the knee joint of the dog on medial articular nerve discharge.
Authors: Nade S , Newbold P J , Straface S F
Published: January 2015

1. The normal activity of the medial articular nerve of the knee joint of nine dogs was measured in response to continuous passive movement. Whole nerve recordings were made simultaneously with joint position and angular velocity. 2. When the knee was moved the medial articular nerve discharged at all joint angles with maximum activity at flexion in some animals, and at extension in others. For an individual animal the discharge pattern was reproducible over several cycles of movement. 3. The discharge was direction sensitive, responding with a lesser activity whenever the joint was moved away from the extremes of movement range. 4. With higher velocities of movement, the discharge activity of the nerve increased at the ends of joint movement. 5. The results indicate that the discharge activity of the whole medial articular nerve is influenced not only by joint position but also by the velocity and acceleration of movement. This may reflect changes in the tension of capsular and extra‐capsular tissues.
Micro‐electrode studies on the effects of exogenous cyclic adenosine monophosphate on active sodium transport in frog skin.
Authors: Els W J , Mahlangu A F
Published: January 2015

1. The electrical parameters of the sodium‐transporting cells in frog skin of Rana angolensis were determined under control conditions by using the micro‐electrode technique. The data were analysed in terms of an electrical model (Helman, 1979). 2. The control intracellular voltages averaged ‐84.7 mV while the electromotive force of the inner barrier, E'1, averaged 103.9 mV. The major portion (82%) of the transcellular resistance was situated at the outer, apical, barrier. 3. Exogenous cyclic AMP stimulated active sodium transport and the short‐circuit current (Isc) increased by an average 88%. The change in Isc was mediated primarily by decreasing the resistance of the apical barrier (Ro) with little effect on the electromotive force or resistance (Ri) of the inner membranes. 4. Isoprenaline increased the Isc by an average of 165%. The major effect of isoprenaline was to decrease the apical resistance by an average 77%. 5. Forskolin (2.5 microM) stimulated the Isc by an average of 138%. Amiloride would not completely reduce the Isc, but with the low concentration of 0.2 microM‐forskolin, the Isc was typically inhibited to values close to zero. The major effect of forskolin was also to reduce the resistance of the apical barrier, although it concurrently also caused the E'1 to decrease by about 13%. 6. Theophylline increased the Isc by reducing the resistance of the apical barrier by an average 61%, with little or no effect on the other parameters. Theophylline augmented the effect of cyclic AMP. 8. Our results are consistent with the theory that cyclic AMP is a second messenger in hormonal control of active sodium transport in frog skin.
Non‐signalling energy use in the brain
Authors: Engl Elisabeth , Attwell David
Published: January 2015

Energy use limits the information processing power of the brain. However, apart from the ATP used to power electrical signalling, a significant fraction of the brain's energy consumption is not directly related to information processing. The brain spends just under half of its energy on non‐signalling processes, but it remains poorly understood which tasks are so energetically costly for the brain. We review existing experimental data on subcellular processes that may contribute to this non‐signalling energy use, and provide modelling estimates, to try to assess the magnitude of their ATP consumption and consider how their changes in pathology may compromise neuronal function. As a main result, surprisingly little consensus exists on the energetic cost of actin treadmilling, with estimates ranging from < 1% of the brain's global energy budget up to one‐half of neuronal energy use. Microtubule treadmilling and protein synthesis have been estimated to account for very small fractions of the brain's energy budget, whereas there is stronger evidence that lipid synthesis and mitochondrial proton leak are energetically expensive. Substantial further research is necessary to close these gaps in knowledge about the brain's energy‐expensive non‐signalling tasks.

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Dependence of dielectric constant of SiOCH low-k films on porosity and pore size
Authors: Palov Alexander , Rakhimova Tatiana V. , Krishtab Mikhail B. , Baklanov Mikhail R.
Published: January 2015

A simple, clear, and robust numerical approach to calculate dielectric constant of porous organosilicate (SiOCH) based films with arbitrary shaped pores is proposed. The calculations are based on modified Clausius–Mossotti equation and can be applied for the films with wide range of porosity (0.01–0.96) and pore size (0.5–5 nm). The dielectric constants calculated in assumption of preferential localization of CH3 groups on pore wall are in good agreement with the experimentally measured k-values. The advantage of the proposed calculation model is ability to analyze the dependence of dielectric constant on pore size.
Game of drones
Authors: Shultz David
Published: January 2015

Unmanned aircraft may soon be everywhere; how they will affect privacy is still unclear.
Could your pacemaker be hackable?
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: January 2015

Medical devices connected to the Internet are vulnerable to sabotage or data theft.
Camouflaging searches in a sea of fake queries
Authors: You Jia
Published: January 2015

A browser extension masks your true interests with customized decoy questions.
High-efficiency solution-processed perovskite solar cells with millimeter-scale grains
Authors: Nie Wanyi , Tsai Hsinhan , Asadpour Reza , Blancon Jean-Christophe , Neukirch Amanda J. , Gupta Gautam , Crochet Jared J. , Chhowalla Manish , Tretiak Sergei , Alam Muhammad A. , Wang Hsing-Lin , Mohite Aditya D.
Published: January 2015

Large-crystal perovskite films

The performance of organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite planar solar cells has steadily improved. One outstanding issue is that grain boundaries and defects in polycrystalline films degrade their output. Now, two studies report the growth of millimeter-scale single crystals. Nie
et al.
grew continuous, pinhole-free, thin iodochloride films with a hot-casting technique and report device efficiencies of 18%. Shi
et al.
used antisolvent vapor-assisted crystallization to grow millimeter-scale bromide and iodide cubic crystals with charge-carrier diffusion lengths exceeding 10 mm.

Science
, this issue p.
522
, p.
519
The global engine that could
Authors: Pauluis Olivier M.
Published: January 2015

How do hydrological processes affect Earth's heat engine?

[Also see Report by

Lalibertén
et al.

]
When the circadian clock becomes blind
Authors: Kramer Achim
Published: January 2015

The conceptual model of circadian oscillator function may need revision

[Also see Research Article by

Larrondo
et al.

]
Complete Genome Sequence of Citrobacter freundii Myophage Moon
Authors: Edwards Garrett B. , Luna Adrian J. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: January 2015

Citrobacter freundii
and other Gram-negative opportunistic pathogens necessitate concern from the public health sector. Bacteriophages that kill such pathogens may be useful in the control and containment of these infections. Here, we describe the genome of a newly isolated T4-like myophage of
C. freundii
, Moon, and present its features.
Complete Genome of Bacillus megaterium Podophage Pascal
Authors: Snowden Jeffery D. , Vega Gonzalez Alexander E. , Maroun Justin W. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: January 2015

Podophage Pascal infects
Bacillus megaterium
, a commonly used model organism in biochemical research and an important industrial-scale protein production system. Here, we report the sequenced and annotated genome of Pascal and describe its prominent features. Bacteriophages such as Pascal may be valuable tools for research and industry.
Complete Genome Sequence of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli N4-Like Podophage Pollock
Authors: Patel Roosheel S. , Lessor Lauren E. , Hernandez Adriana C. , Kuty Everett Gabriel F.
Published: January 2015

Enterotoxigenic
Escherichia coli
is a multidrug-resistant bacterium that is well known for its ability to cause diarrhea in humans. Bacteriophages may be used to treat clinical cases involving bacterial dysentery. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of an enterotoxigenic
E. coli
phage, Pollock, an N4-like podophage.
Draft Genome Sequences of Four Vibrio parahaemolyticus Isolates from Clinical Cases in Canada
Authors: Banerjee Swapan , Petronella Nicholas , Chew Leung Courtney , Farber Jeffrey
Published: January 2015

Vibrio parahaemolyticus
is a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis following ingestion of contaminated seafood. This report presents the draft genome sequences of four clinical strains of
V. parahaemolyticus
isolated in Canada. All four strains lack traditional pathogenic markers and possess uniquely individual characteristics identified using other typing criteria.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Bioluminescent Marine Bacterium Vibrio harveyi ATCC 33843 (392 [MAV])
Authors: Wang Zheng , Hervey W. Judson , Kim Seongwon , Lin Baochuan , Vora Gary J.
Published: January 2015

Vibrio harveyi
is a Gram-negative marine γ-proteobacterium that is known to be a formidable pathogen of aquatic animals and is a model organism for the study of bacterial bioluminescence and quorum sensing. In this report, we describe the complete genome sequence of the most studied strain of this species:
V. harveyi
ATCC 33843 (392 [MAV]).
Complete Genome Sequence of Vibrio alginolyticus ATCC 17749
T
Authors: Liu Xiao-Fei , Cao Yuan , Zhang He-Lin , Chen Ying-Jian , Hu Cheng-Jin
Published: January 2015

Vibrio alginolyticus
is a Gram-negative halophilic bacterium and has been recognized as an opportunistic pathogen in both humans and marine animals. It is the causative agent of food-borne diseases, such as gastroenteritis, and it invades through wounds in predisposed individuals. In this study, we present the completed genome of
V. alginolyticus
ATCC 17749
T
through high-throughput sequencing.
Understanding the Quorum-Sensing Bacterium Pantoea stewartii Strain M009 with Whole-Genome Sequencing Analysis
Authors: Tan Wen-Si , Chang Chien-Yi , Yin Wai-Fong , Chan Kok-Gan
Published: January 2015

Pantoea stewartii
is known to be the causative agent of Stewart's wilt, which usually affects sweet corn (Zea mays) with the corn flea beetle as the transmission vector. In this work, we present the whole-genome sequence of
Pantoea stewartii
strain M009, isolated from a Malaysian tropical rainforest waterfall.
Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization–Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry for Differentiation of the Dimorphic Fungal Species Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Paracoccidioides lutzii
Authors: Nobrega de Almeida João , Del Negro Gilda M. B. , Grenfell Rafaella C. , Vidal Monica S. M. , Thomaz Danilo Y. , de Figueiredo Dulce S. Y. , Bagagli Eduardo , Juliano Luiz , Benard Gil
Published: January 2015

Isolates of
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis
and
Paracoccidioides lutzii
, previously characterized by molecular techniques, were identified for the first time by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). All isolates were correctly identified, with log score values of >2.0. Thus, MALDI-TOF MS is a new tool for differentiating species of the genus
Paracoccidioides
.
Microbiological and Clinical Features of Four Cases of Catheter-Related Infection by Methylobacterium radiotolerans
Authors: Li Li , Tarrand Jeffrey J. , Han Xiang Y.
Published: January 2015

Four cases of central venous catheter-related
Methylobacterium radiotolerans
infection are presented here. The patients were all long-term catheter carriers with an underlying diagnosis of leukemia, and they mostly manifested fevers. The isolated bacterial strains all showed far better growth on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar during the initial isolation and/or subcultures than they did on sheep blood or chocolate agar. This microbiological feature may improve the culture recovery of this fastidious pink Gram-negative bacillus that has rarely been isolated in clinical microbiology laboratories.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus MicroRNAs Repress Breakpoint Cluster Region Protein Expression, Enhance Rac1 Activity, and Increase
In Vitro
Angiogenesis
Authors: Ramalingam Dhivya , Happel Christine , Ziegelbauer Joseph M.
Published: January 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, ∼22-nucleotide-long RNAs that regulate gene expression posttranscriptionally. Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encodes 12 pre-miRNAs during latency, and the functional significance of these microRNAs during KSHV infection and their cellular targets have been emerging recently. Using a previously reported microarray profiling analysis, we identified breakpoint cluster region mRNA (Bcr) as a cellular target of the KSHV miRNA miR-K12-6-5p (miR-K6-5). Bcr protein levels were repressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) upon transfection with miR-K6-5 and during KSHV infection. Luciferase assays wherein the Bcr 3′ untranslated region (UTR) was cloned downstream of a luciferase reporter showed repression in the presence of miR-K6-5, and mutation of one of the two predicted miR-K6-5 binding sites relieved this repression. Furthermore, inhibition or deletion of miR-K6-5 in KSHV-infected cells showed increased Bcr protein levels. Together, these results show that Bcr is a direct target of the KSHV miRNA miR-K6-5. To understand the functional significance of Bcr knockdown in the context of KSHV-associated disease, we hypothesized that the knockdown of Bcr, a negative regulator of Rac1, might enhance Rac1-mediated angiogenesis. We found that HUVECs transfected with miR-K6-5 had increased Rac1-GTP levels and tube formation compared to HUVECs transfected with control miRNAs. Knockdown of Bcr in latently KSHV-infected BCBL-1 cells increased the levels of viral RTA, suggesting that Bcr repression by KSHV might aid lytic reactivation. Together, our results reveal a new function for both KSHV miRNAs and Bcr in KSHV infection and suggest that KSHV miRNAs, in part, promote angiogenesis and lytic reactivation.

IMPORTANCE
Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection is linked to multiple human cancers and lymphomas. KSHV encodes small nucleic acids (microRNAs) that can repress the expression of specific human genes, the biological functions of which are still emerging. This report uses a variety of approaches to show that a KSHV microRNA represses the expression of the human gene called breakpoint cluster region (Bcr). Repression of Bcr correlated with the activation of a protein previously shown to cause KS-like lesions in mice (Rac1), an increase in KS-associated phenotypes (tube formation in endothelial cells and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] synthesis), and modification of the life cycle of the virus (lytic replication). Our results suggest that KSHV microRNAs suppress host proteins and contribute to KS-associated pathogenesis.
Bilateral recurrent ocular surface squamous cell cancer associated with epidermodysplasia verruciformis
Authors: Arora Tarun , Sharma Sourabh , Sharma Namrata , Titiyal Jeewan S
Published: January 2015

A 17-year-old boy, presented with a 2-year history of bilateral, recurrent ocular surface mass. Dermatological evaluation revealed the presence of multiple hypopigmented macules over his body. Skin biopsy showed features typical of epidermodysplasia verruciformis. Topical mitomycin C (0.02%) was administered in both eyes for 6 weeks (three 1-week cycles over 6 weeks). While the mass in the left eye regressed, the mass in the right eye was excised under guidance of intraoperative frozen section. Triple-freeze thaw cryotherapy of the surrounding conjunctiva along with placement of amniotic membrane graft was performed. Postoperative mitomycin C (0.02%) was administered for another 6 weeks (three 1-week cycles over 6 weeks) in both eyes. At 4 years of follow-up, no recurrence has been noted.
A tumour lysis syndrome in a chemotherapy naïve patient with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Saleh Ramy R , Rodrigues Jennifer , Lee Todd C
Published: January 2015

A 56-year-old woman with a new diagnosis of metastatic pancreatic cancer presents to the emergency room with generalised fatigue. The patient is afebrile, however, hypotensive and tachycardic. Physical examination shows diffuse lymphadenopathy. Initial laboratory tests indicate that the patient has hyperkalaemia, hypocalcaemia, with a high lactate dehydrogenase and high uric acid. The patient was also in renal failure. On the basis of the clinical presentation, the patient was diagnosed with spontaneous tumour lysis syndrome, despite the syndrome never having been reported in metastatic pancreatic cancer. The patient was treated appropriately with intravenous hydration, allopurinol and rasburicase. All laboratory abnormalities were corrected by day 3 of treatment.
A common problem in the elderly with an uncommon cause: hypoglycaemia secondary to the Doege-Potter syndrome
Authors: Tay Cheong Kiat Julian , Teoh Hui Lin , Su Su
Published: January 2015

Falls due to hypoglycaemia in the elderly is usually a complication of diabetic treatment. In the absence of diabetes, hypoglycaemia may be due to insulin or insulin-like producing tumours. The Doege-Potter syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome, characterised by non-islet cell tumour hypoglycaemia (NICTH) secondary to a solitary fibrous tumour that secretes insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 2. Definitive treatment of hypoglycaemia due to NICTH is by tumour resection. Our patient was a 78-year-old woman admitted after a fall with a facial injury and a history of significant weight loss. Her blood sugar was persistently low despite intravenous dextrose infusion. CT of the thorax revealed a large heterogeneous mass measuring 11.6×16.3×15.6 cm in the right hemithorax. A biopsy of the mass was reported as a solitary fibrous tumour. Biochemical investigations revealed low insulin, C-peptide, IGF-1 and a high IGF-2:IGF-1 ratio, consistent with NICTH. The patient underwent tumour resection and the hypoglycaemia normalised completely immediately after surgery.
Epidemiology of National Collegiate Athletic Association men's and women's swimming and diving injuries from 2009/2010 to 2013/2014
Authors: Kerr Zachary Y , Baugh Christine M , Hibberd Elizabeth E , Snook Erin M , Hayden Ross , Dompier Thomas P
Published: January 2015

Background

Recent injury data for collegiate-level swimming and diving are limited. This study describes the epidemiology of men's and women's swimming and diving injuries reported by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program (ISP) during the 2009/2010 to 2013/2014 academic years.

Methods

Injuries and athlete-exposure (AE) data reported within 9 men's and 13 women's swimming and diving programmes were analysed. Injury rates, injury rate ratios (IRR), and injury proportions by body site, diagnosis and mechanism were reported with 95% CIs.

Results

The ISP captured 149 and 208 injuries for men's and women's swimming and diving, respectively, leading to injury rates of 1.54/1000 and 1.71/1000 AEs. Among females, divers had a higher injury rate (2.49/1000 AEs) than swimmers (1.63/1000 AEs; IRR=1.53; 95% CI 1.07 to 2.19). Injury rates for male divers (1.94/1000 AEs) and swimmers (1.48/1000 AEs) did not differ (IRR=1.33; 95% CI 0.85 to 2.31). Most injuries occurred to the shoulder, resulted in strains and were classified as overuse or non-contact. Female swimmers had a higher overuse injury rate (1.04/1000 AEs) than male swimmers (0.66/1000 AEs; IRR=1.58; 95% CI 1.14 to 2.19). Overuse injury rates for female divers (0.54/1000 AEs) and male divers (0.46/1000 AEs) did not differ (IRR=1.16; 95% CI 0.40 to 3.34). Injury rates in 2012/2013–2013/2014 were lower than those in 2009/2010–2011/2012 for women's swimming (IRR=0.70; 95% CI 0.52 to 0.95) and diving (IRR=0.56; 95% CI 0.30 to 1.08), respectively. No time trends existed for men's swimmers or divers.

Conclusions

Shoulder, strain and overuse injuries were common in collegiate men's and women's swimming and diving. Female swimmers were more likely to suffer an overuse injury than male swimmers. In addition, divers may have higher injury rates than swimmers, although small reported numbers warrant additional research.
A validation study of a new classification algorithm to identify rheumatoid arthritis using administrative health databases: case–control and cohort diagnostic accuracy studies. Results from the RECord linkage On Rheumatic Diseases study of the Italian Society for Rheumatology
Authors: Carrara Greta , Scirè Carlo A , Zambon Antonella , Cimmino Marco A , Cerra Carlo , Caprioli Marta , Cagnotto Giovanni , Nicotra Federica , Arfè Andrea , Migliazza Simona , Corrao Giovanni , Minisola Giovanni , Montecucco Carlomaurizio
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To develop and validate a new algorithm to identify patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and estimate disease prevalence using administrative health databases (AHDs) of the Italian Lombardy region.

Design

Case–control and cohort diagnostic accuracy study.

Methods

In a randomly selected sample of 827 patients drawn from a tertiary rheumatology centre (training set), clinically validated diagnoses were linked to administrative data including diagnostic codes and drug prescriptions. An algorithm in steps of decreasing specificity was developed and its accuracy assessed calculating sensitivity/specificity, positive predictive value (PPV)/negative predictive value, with corresponding CIs. The algorithm was applied to two validating sets: 106 patients from a secondary rheumatology centre and 6087 participants from the primary care. Alternative algorithms were developed to increase PPV at population level. Crude and adjusted prevalence estimates taking into account algorithm misclassification rates were obtained for the Lombardy region.

Results

The algorithms included: RA certification by a rheumatologist, certification for other autoimmune diseases by specialists, RA code in the hospital discharge form, prescription of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and oral glucocorticoids. In the training set, a four-step algorithm identified clinically diagnosed RA cases with a sensitivity of 96.3 (95% CI 93.6 to 98.2) and a specificity of 90.3 (87.4 to 92.7). Both external validations showed highly consistent results. More specific algorithms achieved >80% PPV at the population level. The crude RA prevalence in Lombardy was 0.52%, and estimates adjusted for misclassification ranged from 0.31% (95% CI 0.14% to 0.42%) to 0.37% (0.25% to 0.47%).

Conclusions

AHDs are valuable tools for the identification of RA cases at the population level, and allow estimation of disease prevalence and to select retrospective cohorts.
Hazardous alcohol consumption among university students in Ireland: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Davoren Martin P , Shiely Frances , Byrne Michael , Perry Ivan J
Published: January 2015

Objective

There is considerable evidence of a cultural shift towards heavier alcohol consumption among university students, especially women. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and correlates of hazardous alcohol consumption (HAC) among university students with particular reference to gender and to compare different modes of data collection in this population.

Setting

A large Irish university.

Design

A cross-sectional study using a classroom distributed paper questionnaire.

Participants

A total of 2275 undergraduates completed the classroom survey, 84% of those in class and 51% of those registered for the relevant module.

Main outcome measures

Prevalence of HAC measured using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test for Consumption (AUDIT-C) and the proportion of university students reporting 1 or more of 13 adverse consequences linked to HAC. HAC was defined as an AUDIT-C score of 6 or more among males and 5 or more among females.

Results

In the classroom sample, 66.4% (95% CI 64.4 to 68.3) reported HAC (65.2% men and 67.3% women). In women, 57.4% met HAC thresholds for men. Similar patterns of adverse consequences were observed among men and women. Students with a hazardous consumption pattern were more likely to report smoking, illicit drug use and being sexually active.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the high prevalence of HAC among university students relative to the general population. Public policy measures require review to tackle the short-term and long-term risks to physical, mental and social health and well-being.