bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance assessment of smart distribution networks with strategic operation of battery electric vehicles
Authors: Xiong Yu , Jayaweera Dilan
Published: March 2015

Energy security, greenhouse gas emission, and debate on climate change gained an increased interest for penetrating renewable power generation into distribution networks. Among the renewable power technologies, the wind power takes a considerable share to supply the electricity demand in many networks. The wind is intermittent and its power output needs an auxiliary support to serve the energy customers and to limit impacts. The emerging battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are a potential source that can be used to mitigate intermittent effects of wind power outputs in modern distribution networks. BEVs are inherited with the mobility advantage and they can be used as a battery-based energy storage solution to smooth intermittent power outputs. Taking into account the mobility advantage of BEVs, the paper investigates the strategic ability of them to enhance the reliability performance of an unbalanced power distribution network by incorporating the provision of smart coordination of vehicles. Operation of BEVs is characterized by using charging and discharging rates, depth of discharge, and their states of charge at times of operation. A set of case studies were performed by integrating generic distribution network models to a power transmission network model. The results suggest that strategic operation of BEVs can potentially provide a considerable opportunity to build capacity required for wind power in smart power distribution systems. Results also depict that the necessary BEV capacity to mitigate wind impacts on reliability does not necessarily correlate with installed capacities of wind plants. A quantitative assessment provides detailed information of impact thresholds.
Hybrid supercapacitors integrated rice husk based activated carbon with LiMn2O4
Authors: Rong Changru , Chen Shuli , Han Jinlei , Zhang Kejin , Wang Dan , Mi Xinyan , Wei Xiaochuan
Published: March 2015

The technology development of supercapacitor is in the progress to meet the strong demands for increasing specific energy and reducing cost. We present a hybrid supercapacitor that integrated rice husk based activated carbon (RHC) with LiMn2O4. The electrochemical investigations revealed that the specific energy of the hybrid supercapacitor (LiMn2O4/RHC) has reached up to 29.5 W h kg−1, and the energy retention is 81.2% over 10 000 cycles at 0.3 A·g−1 charge/discharge current. The excellent double layer electrical storage of the RHC is mainly attributed to its high specific surface area of 2516 m2 g−1 and the average pore diameter of 3.02 nm.
B-Spline potential function for maximum a-posteriori image reconstruction in fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Dilipkumar Shilpa
Published: March 2015

An iterative image reconstruction technique employing B-Spline potential function in a Bayesian framework is proposed for fluorescence microscopy images. B-splines are piecewise polynomials with smooth transition, compact support and are the shortest polynomial splines. Incorporation of the B-spline potential function in the maximum-a-posteriori reconstruction technique resulted in improved contrast, enhanced resolution and substantial background reduction. The proposed technique is validated on simulated data as well as on the images acquired from fluorescence microscopes (widefield, confocal laser scanning fluorescence and super-resolution 4Pi microscopy). A comparative study of the proposed technique with the state-of-art maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum-a-posteriori (MAP) with quadratic potential function shows its superiority over the others. B-Spline MAP technique can find applications in several imaging modalities of fluorescence microscopy like selective plane illumination microscopy, localization microscopy and STED.
Giant impacts may explain the origin of chondrules
Authors: Wilson R. Mark
Published: March 2015

Long thought to be the building blocks of planets, the small orbs in meteorites may instead be a by-product of planetary accretion.
Particle physics and the cosmic microwave background
Authors: Carlstrom John E. , Crawford Thomas M. , Knox Lloyd
Published: March 2015

Temperature and polarization variations across the microwavesky include the fingerprints of quantum fluctuations in the early universe.They may soon reveal physics at unprecedented energy scales.
The physical basis of protein misfolding disorders
Authors: Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Vendruscolo Michele , Dobson Christopher M.
Published: March 2015

Investigations of the fundamental physical principles underlying Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases are providing new insights into their origins and are suggesting rational strategies through which to combat their onset and progression.
Action–effect congruence during observational learning leads to faster action sequence learning
Authors: Horvath Jared C. , Gray Zachary , Schilberg Lukas , Vidrin Ilya , Pascual-Leone Alvaro
Published: March 2015

Common coding theory suggests that any action (pressing a piano key) is intimately linked with its resultant sensory effect (an auditory musical tone). We conducted two experiments to explore the effect of varying auditory action–effect patterns during complex action learning. In Experiment 1, participants were assigned to 1 of 4 groups, watched a silent video of a hand playing a sequence on a piano keyboard with no auditory action effect (observation) and were asked to practise and perform the sequence on an identical keyboard with varying action effects (reproduction). During reproduction, Group 1 heard no auditory tones (identical to observed video), Group 2 heard typical scale-ascending piano tones with each key press, Group 3 heard fixed but out-of-sequence piano tones with each key press, and Group 4 heard random piano tones with each key press. In Experiment two, new participants were assigned to 1 of 2 groups and watched an identical video; however, the video in this experiment contained typical, scale-ascending piano sounds. During reproduction, Group 1 heard no auditory tones while Group 2 heard typical, scale-ascending piano tones with each key press (identical to observed video). Our results showed that participants whose action–effect patterns during reproduction matched those in the observed video learned the action sequence faster than participants whose action–effect patterns during reproduction differed from those in the observed video. Additionally, our results suggest that adding an effect during reproduction (when one is absent during observation) is somewhat more detrimental to action sequence learning than removing an effect during reproduction (when one is present during observation).
Cognitive abilities required in time judgment depending on the temporal tasks used: A comparison of children and adults
Authors: Droit-Volet S. , Wearden J. H. , Zélanti P. S.
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to examine age-related differences in time judgments during childhood as a function of the temporal task used. Children aged 5 and 8 years, as well as adults, were submitted to 3 temporal tasks (bisection, generalization and reproduction) with short (0.4/0.8 s) and long durations (8/16 s). Furthermore, their cognitive capacities in terms of working memory, attentional control, and processing speed were assessed by a wide battery of neuropsychological tests. The results showed that the age-related differences in time judgment were greater in the reproduction task than in the temporal discrimination tasks. This task was indeed more demanding in terms of working memory and information processing speed. In addition, the bisection task appeared to be easier for children than the generalization task, whereas these 2 tasks were similar for the adults, although the generalization task required more attention to be paid to the processing of durations. Our study thus demonstrates that it is important to understand the different cognitive processes involved in time judgment as a function of the temporal tasks used before venturing to draw conclusions about the development of time perception capabilities.
The cell biology of fat expansion
Authors: Rutkowski Joseph M. , Stern Jennifer H. , Scherer Philipp E.
Published: March 2015

Adipose tissue is a complex, multicellular organ that profoundly influences the function of nearly all other organ systems through its diverse metabolite and adipokine secretome. Adipocytes are the primary cell type of adipose tissue and play a key role in maintaining energy homeostasis. The efficiency with which adipose tissue responds to whole-body energetic demands reflects the ability of adipocytes to adapt to an altered nutrient environment, and has profound systemic implications. Deciphering adipocyte cell biology is an important component of understanding how the aberrant physiology of expanding adipose tissue contributes to the metabolic dysregulation associated with obesity.
Rick Horwitz: Words do not suffice
Authors: Sedwick Caitlin
Published: March 2015

Horwitz is leading the Allen Institute for Cell Science in its quest to comprehend the cell.
The Kato problem for operators with weighted ellipticity
Authors: Cruz-Uribe SFO David , Rios Cristian
Published: March 2015

We consider second order operators

L

w

=
−

w

−
1

div
⁡

A

w

∇

\mathcal {L}_{w}=-w^{-1}\operatorname {div}\mathbf {A}_{w}\nabla

with ellipticity controlled by a Muckemphout

A

2

A_{2}

weight

w
w

. We prove that the Kato square root estimate
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="double-vertical-bar script upper L Subscript w Superscript 1 slash 2 Baseline f double-vertical-bar Subscript upper L squared left-parenthesis w right-parenthesis Baseline almost-equals double-vertical-bar nabla f double-vertical-bar Subscript upper L squared left-parenthesis w right-parenthesis">

‖

L

w

1

/

2

f
‖

L

2

(
w
)

≈

‖
∇
f
‖

L

2

(
w
)

\left \Vert \mathcal {L} _{w}^{1/2}f\right \Vert _{L^{2}\left ( w\right ) }\approx \left \Vert \nabla f\right \Vert _{L^{2}\left ( w\right ) }

holds in the weighted space

L

2

(
w
)

L^{2}\left ( w\right )

.
Gabor representations of evolution operators
Authors: Cordero Elena , Nicola Fabio , Rodino Luigi
Published: March 2015

We perform a time-frequency analysis of Fourier multipliers and, more generally, pseudodifferential operators with symbols of Gevrey, analytic and ultra-analytic regularity. As an application we show that Gabor frames, which provide optimally sparse decompositions for Schrödinger-type propagators, reveal to be an even more efficient tool for representing solutions to a wide class of evolution operators with constant coefficients, including weakly hyperbolic and parabolic-type operators. Besides the class of operators, the main novelty of the paper is the proof of super-exponential (as opposed to super-polynomial) off-diagonal decay for the Gabor matrix representation.
On the character of certain irreducible modular representations
Authors: Lusztig G.
Published: March 2015

Let

G
G

be an almost simple, simply connected algebraic group over an algebraically closed field of characteristic

p
>
0

p>0

. In this paper we restate our conjecture from 1979 on the characters of irreducible modular representations of

G
G

so that it is now directly applicable to any dominant highest weight.
Lethal congenital abnormalities: the importance of a multidisciplinary approach
Authors: Story Lisa , Kyle Pippa
Published: March 2015

Thanatophoric dysplasia is the most common lethal skeletal dysplasia complicating 1:20 000 pregnancies. It is characterized by a number of skeletal abnormalities including short long bones, bowing of the femur, short ribs and fingers, macrocephaly with frontal bossing, and a cloverleaf skull. In this case, with a history of consanguinity, these features were detected at the anomaly scan. When a serious abnormality is detected, regular review in a dedicated fetal medicine unit is essential to ensure that parents are adequately counseled on prognosis, and for further genetic testing or termination to be conducted if necessary. Parent’s opting to proceed with an affected pregnancy should be offered input from neonatologists with a clear plan for delivery and initial palliative management made. In the event of neonatal death, investigations including postmortem, skeletal survey, and DNA testing should be offered to confirm diagnosis and aid counselling of future pregnancies.
Pulmonary hypertension in pregnancy
Authors: Curry Ruth , Steer Philip , Swan Lorna
Published: March 2015

Pregnant women with pulmonary hypertension have a high risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. This case describes a pregnancy in a woman with a previously undiagnosed atrioventricular septal defect, a common atrioventricular valve and pulmonary hypertension. Benefitting from expert commentary from both a specialist obstetrician and a cardiologist, it highlights how the cardiovascular changes associated with pregnancy impact on pre-existing cardiac disease, as well as illustrating how best to clinically assess and manage women such as these in antenatal clinics using a multidisciplinary team. Despite an encouraging trend towards improved outcomes, the importance of contraceptive advice and pre-pregnancy counselling regarding risk is emphasized.
HIV in pregnancy: the dilemmas of management
Authors: Datta Shreelata , Toby Martina , Harding Kate , de Ruiter Annemiek
Published: March 2015

The prevalence of HIV in pregnant women in the UK has increased steadily over the past 20 years. This case describes pregnancy in a woman with known HIV infection and emphasizes the key clinical management strategies for such women. This includes minimizing the maternal viral load to reduce risk of maternal to child transmission, early recognition of HIV-related complications, and appropriate decisions regarding mode of delivery. This case benefits from a multidisciplinary approach with regard to drug management, and discussion with regard to complications (which may or may not be HIV-related), and postnatal support.
Maternal pyrexia: challenges in optimal perinatal management
Authors: Nanda Surabhi , Langford Kate , Marlow Neil
Published: March 2015

This case describes a case of prolonged rupture of fetal membranes at term, followed by induction of labour with prostaglandin and synthetic oxytocin (syntocinon), complicated by pyrexia in labour and postpartum genital tract sepsis. The accompanying text and figures allow readers to follow the progressive change in maternal observations, biochemical parameters, and fetal cardiotocograph which provide important clues as to the severity of the sepsis, which progresses rapidly after birth. Use of early warning systems, such as a MEOWS chart, to facilitate early detection of the deteriorating septic woman, together with early antibiotic therapy, microbiology liaison, and strong handover communication are emphasized.
Premature ovarian failure: not the same as the ‘normal’ menopause
Authors: Cartwright Beth , Rymer Janice
Published: March 2015

Premature ovarian failure, defined as loss of ovarian function before the age of 45, affects 1 in 20 women. Whilst the cause is often unknown, this case describes the investigation and clinical management of premature ovarian failure in a 29-year-old woman, caused by an FMR1 premutation. It emphasizes the physiological and psychological differences in managing women with premature ovarian failure when compared to the ‘normal’ menopause, and the vital importance of oestrogen replacement therapy.
Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy for Patients with Advanced Cancer
Authors: Breitbart William S. , Poppito Shannon R.
Published: March 2015

The importance of spiritual well-being and the role of "meaning" in moderating depression, hopelessness and desire for death in terminally-ill cancer and AIDS patients has been well-supported by research, and has led many palliative clinicians to focus on the development of non-pharmacologic interventions that can help their patients address these issues. Individual Meaning-Centered Group Psychotherapy (IMCP), an intervention developed and rigorously tested by the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, is a seven-week program based around the work of Viktor Frankl, and which utilizes a mixture of didactics, discussion and experiential exercises that focus around particular themes related to meaning and advanced cancer. Patients are assigned readings and homework that are specific to each session's theme and which are utilized in each session. While the focus of each session is on issues of meaning and purpose in life in the face of advanced cancer and a limited prognosis, elements of support and expression of emotion are inevitable in the context of each group session.
Recent evolution inRattus norvegicusis shaped by declining effective population size
Authors: Deinum Eva E. , Halligan Daniel L. , Ness Rob W. , Zhang Yao-Hua , Cong Lin , Zhang Jian-Xu , Keightley Peter D.
Published: March 2015

The brown rat,Rattus norvegicus, is both a notorious pest and a frequently used model in biomedical research. By analysing genome sequences of 12 wild-caught brown rats from their ancestral range in NE China, along with the sequence of a black rat,R. rattus, we investigate the selective and demographic forces shaping variation in the genome. We estimate that the recent effective population size (Ne) of this species = 1.24 × 105, based on silent site diversity. We compare patterns of diversity in these genomes with patterns in multiple genome sequences of the house mouse (Mus musculus castaneus), which has a much largerNe. This reveals an important role for variation in the strength of genetic drift in mammalian genome evolution. By a Pairwise Sequentially Markovian Coalescent (PSMC) analysis of demographic history, we infer that there has been a recent population size bottleneck in wild rats, which we date to approximately 20,000 years ago. Consistent with this, wild rat populations have experienced an increased flux of mildly deleterious mutations, which segregate at higher frequencies in protein-coding genes and conserved noncoding elements (CNEs). This leads to negative estimates of the rate of adaptive evolution (α) in proteins and CNEs, a result which we discuss in relation to the strongly positive estimates observed in wild house mice. As a consequence of the population bottleneck, wild rats also show a markedly slower decay of linkage disequilibrium with physical distance than wild house mice.
Electroporation Loading of Membrane-Impermeable Molecules to Investigate Intra- and Intercellular Ca2+ Signaling
Authors: Decrock Elke , De Bock Marijke , Wang Nan , Bol Mélissa , Gadicherla Ashish K. , Leybaert Luc
Published: March 2015

Electroporation is a technique that temporarily induces pores in the plasma membranes of cells, thereby allowing plasma membrane-impermeable substances to enter the cells. This loading method requires an electrical drive circuit providing an electroporation signal, an electrode to apply the signal to a localized zone in a cell monolayer, and a special solution that has a low electrical conductivity. To avoid impairment of cell function and cell death from the electroporation procedure itself, the applied electrical signal should ideally be a high-frequency oscillating signal (50 kHz) without any direct current (DC) component. Here, we describe the detailed procedure of electroporation loading.
Tamoxifen Administration to Mice
Authors: Whitfield Jonathan , Littlewood Trevor , Soucek Laura
Published: March 2015

The strategy of fusing a protein of interest to a hormone-binding domain (HBD) of a steroid hormone receptor allows fine control of the activity of the fused protein. Such fusion proteins are inactive in the absence of ligand, because they are complexed with a variety of intracellular polypeptides. Upon ligand binding, the receptor is released from its inhibitory complex and the fusion protein becomes functional. In the murine estrogen receptor (ER) fusion system, proteins are fused to the HBD of the ER. The system relies on the use of a mutant ER known as ERTAM. Compared to the wild-type HBD, ERTAM has 1000-fold lower affinity for estrogen, yet remains responsive to activation by the synthetic steroid 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT). Because 4-OHT is expensive, animals can be treated with the cheaper precursor tamoxifen, which is converted into 4-OHT by a liver enzyme. Here we present an overview of the methods used to deliver tamoxifen to mice. The most used method is intraperitoneal injection, because the amount of administered compound can be better controlled, but delivery by oral gavage is also possible. For short-term and immediate-effect studies or when conversion of tamoxifen by the liver is to be avoided, 4-OHT can be used directly.
Northern Blots: Capillary Transfer of RNA from Agarose Gels and Filter Hybridization Using Standard Stringency Conditions
Authors: Rio Donald C.
Published: March 2015

In this protocol, an RNA sample, fractionated by gel electrophoresis, is transferred from the gel onto a membrane by capillary transfer. Short-wave UV light is used to fix the transferred RNA to the membrane. The membrane is then pretreated to block nonspecific probe-binding sites, and hybridization of the immobilized RNA to a 32P-labeled DNA or RNA probe specific for the mRNA of interest is performed. Finally, the membrane is washed and subjected to autoradiography or phosphorimaging. Because exposure to UV cross-links the RNA to the membrane, the membrane can be stripped and hybridized with other probes. The procedure is suitable for detecting poly(A)+-selected mRNA or mRNA in total cellular RNA if the target transcript is relatively abundant. Using DNA or RNA probes labeled to 1 × 108–10 × 108 cpm/µg, it should be possible to detect ∼5 pg of a specific RNA.
Isolation of Ribosomes and Polysomes
Authors: Rivera Maria C. , Maguire Bruce , Lake James A.
Published: March 2015

Here we describe a preparative differential centrifugation protocol for the isolation of ribosomes from a crude cell homogenate. The subcellular fraction obtained is enriched in ribosome monomers and polysomes. The protocol has been optimized for the homogenization and collection of the ribosomal fraction from prokaryotic cells, mammalian and plant tissues, reticulocytes, and chloroplasts. The quality of the ribosomal preparation is enhanced by the removal of the remaining cellular components and adsorbed proteins by pelleting through a sucrose cushion with a high concentration of monovalent salts, NH4Cl or KCl. The different components of the ribosomal fraction isolated using this protocol can be further purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation.
Electroporation Loading and Flash Photolysis to Investigate Intra- and Intercellular Ca2+Signaling
Authors: Decrock Elke , De Bock Marijke , Wang Nan , Bol Mélissa , Gadicherla Ashish K. , Leybaert Luc
Published: March 2015

Many cellular functions are driven by variations in the intracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]i), which may appear as a single-event transient [Ca2+]ielevation, repetitive [Ca2+]iincreases known as Ca2+oscillations, or [Ca2+]iincreases propagating in the cytoplasm as Ca2+waves. Additionally, [Ca2+]ichanges can be communicated between cells as intercellular Ca2+waves (ICWs). ICWs are mediated by two possible mechanisms acting in parallel: one involving gap junctions that form channels directly linking the cytoplasm of adjacent cells and one involving a paracrine messenger, in most cases ATP, that is released into the extracellular space, leading to [Ca2+]ichanges in neighboring cells. The intracellular messenger inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) that triggers Ca2+release from Ca2+stores is crucial in these two ICW propagation scenarios, and is also a potent trigger to initiate ICWs. Loading inactive, “caged” IP3into cells followed by photolytic “uncaging” with UV light, thereby liberating IP3, is a well-established method to trigger [Ca2+]ichanges in single cells that is also effective in initiating ICWs. We here describe a method to load cells with caged IP3by local electroporation of monolayer cell cultures and to apply flash photolysis to increase intracellular IP3and induce [Ca2+]ichanges, or initiate ICWs. Moreover, the electroporation method allows loading of membrane-impermeable agents that interfere with IP3and Ca2+signaling.
Measuring β‐diversity with species abundance data
Authors: Barwell Louise J. , Isaac Nick J. B. , Kunin William E.
Published: March 2015

In 2003, 24 presence–absence β‐diversity metrics were reviewed and a number of trade‐offs and redundancies identified. We present a parallel investigation into the performance of abundance‐based metrics of β‐diversity.

β‐diversity is a multi‐faceted concept, central to spatial ecology. There are multiple metrics available to quantify it: the choice of metric is an important decision.

We test 16 conceptual properties and two sampling properties of a β‐diversity metric: metrics should be 1) independent of α‐diversity and 2) cumulative along a gradient of species turnover. Similarity should be 3) probabilistic when assemblages are independently and identically distributed. Metrics should have 4) a minimum of zero and increase monotonically with the degree of 5) species turnover, 6) decoupling of species ranks and 7) evenness differences. However, complete species turnover should always generate greater values of β than extreme 8) rank shifts or 9) evenness differences. Metrics should 10) have a fixed upper limit, 11) symmetry (βA,B = βB,A), 12) double‐zero asymmetry for double absences and double presences and 13) not decrease in a series of nested assemblages. Additionally, metrics should be independent of 14) species replication 15) the units of abundance and 16) differences in total abundance between sampling units. When samples are used to infer β‐diversity, metrics should be 1) independent of sample sizes and 2) independent of unequal sample sizes. We test 29 metrics for these properties and five ‘personality’ properties.

Thirteen metrics were outperformed or equalled across all conceptual and sampling properties. Differences in sensitivity to species’ abundance lead to a performance trade‐off between sample size bias and the ability to detect turnover among rare species. In general, abundance‐based metrics are substantially less biased in the face of undersampling, although the presence–absence metric, βsim, performed well overall. Only βBaselga R turn, βBaselga B‐C turn and βsim measured purely species turnover and were independent of nestedness. Among the other metrics, sensitivity to nestedness varied >4‐fold.

Our results indicate large amounts of redundancy among existing β‐diversity metrics, whilst the estimation of unseen shared and unshared species is lacking and should be addressed in the design of new abundance‐based metrics.
Resources, key traits and the size of fungal epidemics in Daphnia populations
Authors: Civitello David J. , Penczykowski Rachel M. , Smith Aimee N. , Shocket Marta S. , Duffy Meghan A. , Hall Spencer R.
Published: March 2015

Parasites can profoundly affect host populations and ecological communities. Thus, it remains critical to identify mechanisms that drive variation in epidemics. Resource availability can drive epidemics via traits of hosts and parasites that govern disease spread.

Here, we map resource–trait–epidemic connections to explain variation in fungal outbreaks (Metschnikowia bicuspidata) in a zooplankton host (Daphnia dentifera) among lakes. We predicted epidemics would grow larger in lakes with more phytoplankton via three energetic mechanisms. First, resources should stimulate Daphnia reproduction, potentially elevating host density. Secondly, resources should boost body size of hosts, enhancing exposure to environmentally distributed propagules through size‐dependent feeding. Thirdly, resources should fuel parasite reproduction within hosts.

To test these predictions, we sampled 12 natural epidemics and tracked edible algae, fungal infection prevalence, body size, fecundity and density of hosts, as well as within‐host parasite loads.

Epidemics grew larger in lakes with more algal resources. Structural equation modelling revealed that resource availability stimulated all three traits (host fecundity, host size and parasite load). However, only parasite load connected resources to epidemic size. Epidemics grew larger in more dense Daphnia populations, but host density was unrelated to host fecundity (thus breaking its link to resources).

Thus, via energetic mechanisms, resource availability can stimulate key trait(s) governing epidemics in nature. A synthetic focus on resources and resource–trait links could yield powerful insights into epidemics.
The Thermus thermophilus comEA/comEC operon is associated with DNA binding and regulation of the DNA translocator and type IV pili
Authors: Salzer Ralf , Kern Timo , Joos Friederike , Averhoff Beate
Published: March 2015

Natural transformation systems and type IV pili are linked in many naturally competent bacteria. In the Gram‐negative bacterium Thermus thermophilus, a leading model organism for studies of DNA transporters in thermophilic bacteria, seven competence proteins play a dual role in both systems, whereas two competence genes, comEA and comEC, are suggested to represent unique DNA translocator proteins. Here we show that the T. thermophilus ComEA protein binds dsDNA and is anchored in the inner membrane. comEA is co‐transcribed with the flanking comEC gene, and transcription of this operon is upregulated by nutrient limitation and low temperature. To our surprise, a comEC mutant was impaired in piliation. We followed this observation and uncovered that the impaired piliation of the comEC mutant is due to a transcriptional downregulation of pilA4 and the pilN both playing a dual role in piliation and natural competence. Moreover, the comEC mutation resulted in a dramatic decrease in mRNA levels of the pseudopilin gene pilA1, which is unique for the DNA transporter. We conclude that ComEC modulates transcriptional regulation of type IV pili and DNA translocator components thereby mediating a response to extracellular parameters.
Functional distinctness in the exoproteomes of marine Synechococcus
Authors: Christie‐Oleza Joseph A. , Armengaud Jean , Guerin Philippe , Scanlan David J.
Published: March 2015

The exported protein fraction of an organism may reflect its life strategy and, ultimately, the way it is perceived by the outside world. Bioinformatic prediction of the exported pan‐proteome of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus lineages demonstrated that (i) this fraction of the encoded proteome had a much higher incidence of lineage‐specific proteins than the cytosolic fraction (57% and 73% homologue incidence respectively) and (ii) exported proteins are largely uncharacterized to date (54%) compared with proteins from the cytosolic fraction (35%). This suggests that the genomic and functional diversity of these organisms lies largely in the diverse pool of novel functions these organisms export to/through their membranes playing a key role in community diversification, e.g. for niche partitioning or evading predation. Experimental exoproteome analysis of marine Synechococcus showed transport systems for inorganic nutrients, an interesting array of strain‐specific exoproteins involved in mutualistic or hostile interactions (i.e. hemolysins, pilins, adhesins), and exoenzymes with a potential mixotrophic goal (i.e. exoproteases and chitinases). We also show how these organisms can remodel their exoproteome, i.e. by increasing the repertoire of interaction proteins when grown in the presence of a heterotroph or decrease exposure to prey when grown in the dark. Finally, our data indicate that heterotrophic bacteria can feed on the exoproteome of Synechococcus.
Effects, but no interactions, of ubiquitous pesticide and parasite stressors on honey bee (Apis mellifera) lifespan and behaviour in a colony environment
Authors: Retschnig Gina , Williams Geoffrey R. , Odemer Richard , Boltin Janina , Di Poto Cornelia , Mehmann Marion M. , Retschnig Peter , Winiger Pius , Rosenkranz Peter , Neumann Peter
Published: March 2015

Interactions between pesticides and parasites are believed to be responsible for increased mortality of honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in the northern hemisphere. Previous efforts have employed experimental approaches using small groups under laboratory conditions to investigate influence of these stressors on honey bee physiology and behaviour, although both the colony level and field conditions play a key role for eusocial honey bees. Here, we challenged honey bee workers under in vivo colony conditions with sublethal doses of the neonicotinoid thiacloprid, the miticide tau‐fluvalinate and the endoparasite Nosema ceranae, to investigate potential effects on longevity and behaviour using observation hives. In contrast to previous laboratory studies, our results do not suggest interactions among stressors, but rather lone effects of pesticides and the parasite on mortality and behaviour, respectively. These effects appear to be weak due to different outcomes at the two study sites, thereby suggesting that the role of thiacloprid, tau‐fluvalinate and N. ceranae and interactions among them may have been overemphasized. In the future, investigations into the effects of honey bee stressors should prioritize the use of colonies maintained under a variety of environmental conditions in order to obtain more biologically relevant data.
Acclimation to environmentally relevantMn concentrations rescues a cyanobacterium from the detrimental effects of iron limitation
Authors: Salomon Eitan , Keren Nir
Published: March 2015

The functions of micronutrient transition metals in photosynthetic organisms are interconnected. So are the effects of their limitation. Here we present evidence for the effects ofMn limitation onFe limitation responses in the cyanobacteriumSynechocystis sp.PCC6803. LowMn acclimated cells were able to detect and respond to iron insufficiency by inducing specificFe transporters. However, they did not bleach, lose additional photosystemIactivity and did not induceisiAtranscription. Induction of theisiABoperon is a hallmark of iron limitation, and the isiAprotein is considered to be central to the acclimation of the photosynthetic apparatus. Our results suggest that acclimation to environmentally relevantMn concentrations that much lower than those used in laboratory experiments reduces the detrimental effects of iron limitation and modifies iron stress responses.
Rectification of the Register – Prospective or Retrospective?
Authors: Lees Emma
Published: March 2015

In Gold Harp v MacLeod the Court of Appeal considered paragraph 8 of Schedule 4 of the Land Registration Act 2002 and interpreted this provision to mean that the priority between mistakenly de‐registered interests and registered interests can be altered following rectification. The court can give the de‐registered interest the priority which it ‘would have had’ but for the mistake. In other words, it allows for retrospective rectification. This case note concludes that this is the correct interpretation of paragraph 8 and of the words ‘for the future’. However, it argues that the current range of options available to the court in terms of rectification are producing uncertainty, and that a better approach may be to rely on the priority provisions in sections 28 and 29.
Where have they all gone?: Classroom attention patterns after Acquired Brain Injury
Authors: Rees Siân A.
Published: March 2015

Certain groups of pupils who have sustained an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) have a different pattern of attention within the classroom which interferes with learning and social interactions. The delineation of these groups is suggested. By looking in detail at the classroom behaviour of eight pupils, a common account for classroom behaviour post‐ABI is questioned, and an alternative explanation put forward. Practical ways to promote learning for this group are explored.
Intraventricular CNS lesions: A pictorial essay
Authors: Watts Jane , Yap Kelvin K , Ou Daniel , Tartaglia Con , Trost Nicholas , Sutherland Tom
Published: March 2015

Intraventricular lesions of the central nervous system (CNS) can present a diagnostic challenge due to a range of differential diagnoses and radiological appearances. Both CT and MRI imaging findings, in combination with location and patient's age, can help limit the differentials. This pictorial essay presents the salient radiological features, location and demographics of the more common intraventricular lesions of the brain.
Impaired NO‐mediated vasodilatation in rat coronary arteries after asphyxial cardiac arrest
Authors: TROELSEN T. T. , GRANFELDT A. , SECHER N. , TØNNESEN E. K. , SIMONSEN U.
Published: March 2015

Background

Cardiovascular dysfunction after cardiac arrest is a common finding. It is unknown whether altered endothelium‐mediated vasoreactivity contributes to this dysfunction. We hypothesised that cardiac arrest and resuscitation results in impaired endothelial function. This was addressed by measurements of inflammatory and endothelial plasma markers and of endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation in coronary and mesenteric arteries in rats after cardiac arrest and resuscitation.

Methods

Male Sprague Dawley rats underwent either asphyxia‐induced cardiac arrest for 5 min and subsequent resuscitation (n = 30) or a sham procedure (control animals, n = 39). Animals were euthanised after 30 min or 2 h. Blood was analysed for TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10, sE‐selectin, sP‐selectin, sVCAM‐1, ICAM‐1, VEGF‐α and vWF. Arterial rings of the left anterior descending coronary artery and mesenteric resistance arteries were mounted in microvascular myographs, and concentration–response curves were constructed.

Results

The plasma levels of the endothelial markers, sP‐selectin and vWF increased following cardiac arrest at both 30 min and 2 h. Acetylcholine‐induced endothelium‐dependent and mainly nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated vasodilatation was impaired in the coronary arteries at 30 min, but not 2 h after resuscitation. Endothelium‐derived hyperpolarisation (EDH)‐type vasodilatation induced by NS309 and vasodilatation induced by the NO donor sodium nitroprusside was unaltered. In parallel with systemic hypotension, mesenteric arteries exhibited a larger response to NS309 2 h after resuscitation.

Conclusion

The present results show marked endothelial alterations after cardiac arrest and resuscitation reflected by increased endothelial plasma markers, impaired NO‐mediated coronary vasodilatation in the early post‐resuscitation phase and enhanced EDH‐type vasodilatation in mesenteric arteries later in the post‐resuscitation phase.
Optimising abdominal space with deep neuromuscular blockade in gynaecologic laparoscopy – a randomised, blinded crossover study
Authors: MADSEN M. V. , GÄTKE M. R. , SPRINGBORG H. H. , ROSENBERG J. , LUND J. , ISTRE O.
Published: March 2015

Background

Insufflation of the abdomen during laparoscopy improves surgical space, but may cause post‐operative shoulder pain. The incidence of shoulder pain is reduced using a lower insufflation pressure, but this may, however, compromise the surgical space. We aimed at investigating whether deep neuromuscular blockade (NMB) would enlarge surgical space, measured as the distance from the sacral promontory to the trocar in patients undergoing gynaecologic laparoscopy.

Methods

Fourteen patients were randomised in an assessor‐blinded crossover design. The distance from the sacral promontory to the trocar was measured during deep NMB and without NMB at pneumoperitoneum 8 and 12 mmHg both. Additionally, we assessed surgical conditions while suturing the abdominal fascia using a 4‐point subjective rating scale. Deep NMB was established with rocuronium and reversed with sugammadex.

Results

At 12 mmHg pneumoperitoneum, deep NMB improved surgical space with a mean of 0.33 cm (95% confidence interval 0.07–0.59) (P = 0.01, paired t‐test) compared with no NMB. At 8 mmHg pneumoperitoneum deep NMB improved surgical space with a mean of 0.3 cm (95% confidence interval, 0.06–0.54) (P = 0.005) compared with no NMB. Deep NMB resulted in significantly better ratings of surgical conditions during suturing of the fascia (P = 0.03, Mann–Whitney U‐test).

Conclusion

Deep NMB enlarged surgical space measured as the distance from the sacral promontory to the trocar. The enlargement, however, was minor and the clinical significance is unknown. Moreover, deep NMB improved surgical conditions when suturing the abdominal fascia.
Time to Antivenom Administration Is Not Associated With Total Antivenom Dose Administered in a Copperhead‐predominant Snakebite Population
Authors: Gerardo Charles J. , Scott Evans C. , Kuchibhatla Maragatha , Mando‐Vandrick Jennifer , Drake May Yen Weiying G. , Kopec Kathryn , Lavonas Eric J.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To prevent unnecessary antivenom administration in crotaline snakebite, observation for progression is recommended for the patient with minor envenomation whose condition is stable and not progressing. The objective of this study was to determine the association between the time from bite to initial antivenom administration (TimeAV) and the total amount of antivenom administered (TotalAV) and to determine what proportion of patients did not have progression of the envenomation syndrome and did not receive antivenom.

Methods

This was a retrospective chart review of patients presenting with crotaline snakebite within 24 hours from 2009 through 2012. Blinded dual‐chart abstraction and strict data point definitions were used. Spearman correlation was used to determine the association between TimeAV and TotalAV. A general linear model was used to examine this association using TimeAV categorized to early and late administration, adjusted for likely confounders. Confounders included age, extremity involved, initial severity, and year of envenomation.

Results

Ninety‐five eligible patients were analyzed with 45 (47%) males and a mean (±SD) age of 36.5 (±21.1) years. Eighty‐five (89%) received antivenom, with a median TimeAV of 3.3 hours (interquartile range [IQR] = 2.5 to 5.2 hours). The median TotalAV was 10 vials (IQR = 6 to 14 vials). The univariate analysis showed a small but statistically significant decrease in TotalAV given to patients treated greater than 6 hours from bite (r = –0.26, p = 0.015). The multivariate analysis resulted in no significant relation between early or late TimeAV and TotalAV (p = 0.10) after adjustment for confounders. Most minimal envenomation syndromes (80%, or 41 of 51) progressed to moderate grade envenomations.

Conclusions

TimeAV was not associated with TotalAV when adjusted for likely confounders and supports current recommendations to observe for progression in minor envenomation. The majority of envenomations progressed, resulting in only a small proportion of patients not eventually receiving antivenom. The authors recommend observation in an environment where the patient can be adequately reassessed for progression of the envenomation.
Improving Patient Knowledge and Safe Use of Opioids: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: McCarthy Danielle M. , Wolf Michael S. , McConnell Ryan , Sears Jill , Chevrier Allison , Ahlstrom Eric , Engel Kirsten G. , Cameron Kenzie A. , Adams James G. , Mark Courtney D.
Published: March 2015

Objectives

The use of opioid analgesics in the United States has significantly increased in recent years. However, there is minimal consensus on what discharge counseling should accompany these high‐risk prescriptions and large variations in what is done in practice. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a dual‐modality (written and spoken) literacy‐appropriate educational strategy on patients' knowledge of and safe use of opioid analgesics.

Methods

This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Consecutive discharged patients at an urban academic ED (>88,000 visits) with new prescriptions for hydrocodone‐acetaminophen were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive either usual care or the educational intervention. The educational intervention was a one‐page information sheet about hydrocodone‐acetaminophen, which was both given to the patients and read aloud by the research assistant (nonblinded). Follow‐up phone calls were conducted 4 to 7 days after the visit to assess patient knowledge about the medication and self‐report of activities associated with safety of use (e.g., double‐dipping with acetaminophen, storage, use with alcohol or while driving).

Results

A total of 274 patients were enrolled; 210 completed follow‐up (110 usual care and 100 intervention). No significant differences in baseline characteristics emerged between the study arms; 42% were male, and 51% were white, with a median age of 43 years. Half of patients had non–back pain orthopedic injuries (49.5%). On follow‐up, overall knowledge was poor, with only 28% able to name both active ingredients in the medication. The intervention group had better knowledge of precautions related to taking additional acetaminophen (usual care 18.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.9% to 25.5% vs. intervention 38%, 95% CI = 28.3% to 47.7%; difference = 27.6, 95% CI of difference = 21.5 to 33.7) and knowledge of side effects (usual care median = 1, interquartile range [IQR] 0 to 2 vs. intervention median = 2, IQR = 1 to 2; p < 0.0001). Additionally, those who received the intervention were less likely to have reported driving within 6 hours after taking hydrocodone (usual care 13.6%, 95% CI = 7.2% to 20% vs. intervention 3%, 95% CI = –0.3% to 6.3%; difference = 10.6, 95% CI of difference = 3.4 to 17.9). There was no difference between groups related to knowledge about drinking alcohol while taking hydrocodone (overall 18.1%) or knowledge that the opioid could be addictive (overall 72.4%).

Conclusions

This simple strategy improved several, but not all, aspects of patient knowledge and resulted in fewer patients in the intervention arm driving while taking hydrocodone. Integration of a patient education document into conversations about opioids holds promise for improving patient knowledge about these high‐risk medications.
The drinking habits of the Lilian's lovebird and incidents of poisoning at waterholes
Authors: Mzumara Tiwonge I. , Perrin Mike R. , Downs Colleen T.
Published: March 2015

Use of poison to kill wildlife is a threat to biodiversity. Lilian's lovebirds Agapornis lilianae are among the fatalities at poisoned waterholes in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Their population in Liwonde National Park (LNP) represents about 20% of the global population. We investigated the drinking habits of Lilian's lovebird, availability of natural waterholes and occurrence of poisoning incidents in LNP. Results showed Lilian's lovebirds congregate at waterholes in the dry season with flocks ranging from 1 to 100 individuals. Significantly larger flocks were seen in the dry than the wet season. Poisoning incidents/year ranged from 1 to 8 and were highest in the dry season. Lilian's lovebirds were killed at a mean of four poisoning incidents each year between 2000 and 2012. Number of lovebirds found dead at a poisoned pool ranged from 5 to 50 individuals. Currently about 32% of the Lilian's lovebird population is threatened by poisoning. Other species were also noted. There is a need for increased efforts in preventing this lethal activity in LNP.