bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED: Animal personality aligns task specialization and task proficiency in a spider society
Authors: Wright Colin M. , Holbrook C. Tate , Pruitt Jonathan N.
Published: June 2014

Classic theory on division of labor implicitly assumes that task specialists are more proficient at their jobs than generalists and specialists in other tasks; however, recent data suggest that this might not hold for societies that lack discrete worker polymorphisms, which constitute the vast majority of animal societies. The facultatively social spider
Anelosimus studiosus
lacks castes, but females exhibit either a “docile” or “aggressive” phenotype. Here we observed the propensity of individual females of either phenotype to perform various tasks (i.e., prey capture, web building, parental care, and colony defense) in mixed-phenotype colonies. We then measured the performance outcomes of singleton individuals of either phenotype at each task to determine their proficiencies. Aggressive females participated more in prey capture, web building, and colony defense, whereas docile females engaged more in parental care. In staged trials, aggressive individuals were more effective at capturing prey, constructing webs, and defending the colony, whereas docile females were more effective at rearing large quantities of brood. Thus, individuals’ propensity to perform tasks and their task proficiencies appear to be adaptively aligned in this system. Moreover, because the docile/aggressive phenotypes are heritable, these data suggest that within-colony variation is maintained because of advantages gleaned by division of labor.
An uncoupling channel within the c-subunit ring of the F
1
F
O
ATP synthase is the mitochondrial permeability transition pore
Authors: Alavian Kambiz N. , Beutner Gisela , Lazrove Emma , Sacchetti Silvio , Park Han-A , Licznerski Pawel , Li Hongmei , Nabili Panah , Hockensmith Kathryn , Graham Morven , Porter George A. , Jonas Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2014

Significance

Stressful cellular events cause intracellular Ca
2+
dysregulation, rapid loss of inner mitochondrial membrane potential [the permeability transition (PT)], metabolic dysfunction, and death. Rapid Ca
2+
-induced uncoupling is one of the most important regulators of cell demise. We show that the c-subunit ring of the F
1
F
O
ATP synthase forms a voltage-sensitive channel, the persistent opening of which leads to PT and cell death. In contrast, c-subunit channel closure promotes cell survival and increased efficiency of cellular metabolism. The c-subunit channel is therefore strategically located at the center of the energy-producing complex of the cell to regulate metabolic efficiency and orchestrate the rapid onset of death and thus is a candidate for the mitochondrial PT pore.
Increased vesicular monoamine transporter enhances dopamine release and opposes Parkinson disease-related neurodegeneration in vivo
Authors: Lohr Kelly M. , Bernstein Alison I. , Stout Kristen A. , Dunn Amy R. , Lazo Carlos R. , Alter Shawn P. , Wang Minzheng , Li Yingjie , Fan Xueliang , Hess Ellen J. , Yi Hong , Vecchio Laura M. , Goldstein David S. , Guillot Thomas S. , Salahpour Ali , Miller Gary W.
Published: June 2014

Significance

Several therapeutic strategies have been used to enhance monoamine neurotransmitter signaling. However, many of these interventions have deleterious side effects or lose effectiveness due to off-target actions and system feedback. These undesirable consequences likely occur because of temporal dysregulation of neurotransmitter release and uptake. We demonstrate that increasing vesicular packaging enhances dopamine neurotransmission without this signaling disruption. Mice with elevated vesicular monoamine transporter display increased dopamine release, improved outcomes on anxiety and depressive behaviors, enhanced locomotion, and protection from a Parkinson disease-related neurotoxic insult. The malleable nature of the dopamine vesicle suggests that interventions aimed at enhancing vesicle filling may be of therapeutic benefit.
Evidence for environmentally enhanced forest growth
Authors: Fang Jingyun , Kato Tomomichi , Guo Zhaodi , Yang Yuanhe , Hu Huifeng , Shen Haihua , Zhao Xia , Kishimoto-Mo Ayaka W. , Tang Yanhong , Houghton Richard A.
Published: June 2014

Significance

Northern forests have sequestered a substantial amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during the past several decades. This large carbon (C) sink usually is considered to be driven by tree regrowth after stand-replacing disturbance and growth enhancement due to environmental changes, but the relative contribution between these two processes remains unclear. In this study, we evaluate the contribution of growth enhancement induced by environmental changes to biomass C sink in Japan’s forests and demonstrate that this growth enhancement accounts for 8.4–21.6% of biomass C sink in four major plantations from 1980 to 2005. This finding highlights that global environmental changes can stimulate tree growth and thus enhance forest C sequestration over a broad geographical scale.
The hierarchic network of metal-response transcription factors in Escherichia coli
Authors: Yamamoto Kaneyoshi
Published: June 2014

Enterobacteria such as Escherichia coli are able to survive under various environments within host animals by changes of the expression pattern of its genome. The selective expression of genes in its genome takes place by controlling the promoter recognition properties of RNA polymerase by protein-protein interplays with transcription factors. In this review, I describe the regulatory network formed by the metal-sensing transcription factors in E. coli. Comprehensive analyses identify the set of regulation targets for a total of 13 metal-response transcription factors, indicating that nine species of transcription factors are local regulators while four species of transcription factors are global regulators. The signal transduction pathways for these metal-response regulons show not only the complex cross-talks but also the hierarchic multi-regulatory network. This regulatory network seems to play a role for E. coli survival to colonize in a large intestine within host animals.
Meiothermus ruber H328 enhances the production of membrane vesicles for feather degradation
Authors: Yamaoka Akito , Kataoka Maachi , Kawasaki Kazunori , Kobayashi Emiko , Shigeri Yasushi , Watanabe Kunihiko
Published: June 2014

The thermophilic bacterium Meiothermus ruber H328 aggressively degrades chicken feathers. When feathers were added to culture medium, the cells significantly exfoliated membrane vesicles from the outer membrane as observed by electron microscopy of ultrathin sections. This is the first report of membrane vesicle production associated with keratinolytic activity by Meiothermus sp.
Mps1 phosphorylation of condensin II controls chromosome condensation at the onset of mitosis
Authors: Kagami Yuya , Nihira Keishi , Wada Shota , Ono Masaya , Honda Mariko , Yoshida Kiyotsugu
Published: June 2014

During mitosis, genomic DNA is condensed into chromosomes to promote its equal segregation into daughter cells. Chromosome condensation occurs during cell cycle progression from G2 phase to mitosis. Failure of chromosome compaction at prophase leads to subsequent misregulation of chromosomes. However, the molecular mechanism that controls the early phase of mitotic chromosome condensation is largely unknown. Here, we show that Mps1 regulates initial chromosome condensation during mitosis. We identify condensin II as a novel Mps1-associated protein. Mps1 phosphorylates one of the condensin II subunits, CAP-H2, at Ser492 during mitosis, and this phosphorylation event is required for the proper loading of condensin II on chromatin. Depletion of Mps1 inhibits chromosomal targeting of condensin II and accurate chromosome condensation during prophase. These findings demonstrate that Mps1 governs chromosomal organization during the early stage of mitosis to facilitate proper chromosome segregation.
Lightcurve survey of V-type asteroids in the inner asteroid belt
Authors: Hasegawa Sunao , Miyasaka Seidai , Mito Hiroyuki , Sarugaku Yuki , Ozawa Tomohiko , Kuroda Daisuke , Nishihara Setsuko , Harada Akari , Yoshida Michitoshi , Yanagisawa Kenshi , Shimizu Yasuhiro , Nagayama Shogo , Toda Hiroyuki , Okita Kichi , Kawai Nobuyuki , Mori Machiko , Sekiguchi Tomohiko , Ishiguro Masateru , Abe Takumi , Abe Masanao
Published: June 2014

We observed the lightcurves of 13 V-type asteroids [(1933) Tinchen, (2011) Veteraniya, (2508) Alupka, (3657) Ermolova, (3900) Knezevic, (4005) Dyagilev, (4383) Suruga, (4434) Nikulin, (4796) Lewis, (6331) 1992 FZ1, (8645) 1998 TN, (10285) Renemichelsen, and (10320) Reiland]. Using these observations we determined the rotational rates of the asteroids, with the exception of Nikulin and Renemichelsen. The distribution of rotational rates of 59 V-type asteroids in the inner main belt, including 29 members of the Vesta family, which are regarded as being ejecta from the asteroid (4) Vesta, is inconsistent with the best-fit Maxwellian distribution. This inconsistency may be due to the effect of thermal radiation Yarkovsky–O’Keefe–Radzievskii–Paddack (YORP) torques, which implies that the collision event that formed V-type asteroids is sub-billion to several billion years in age.
Some observations regarding steady laminar flows past bluff bodies
Authors: Fornberg Bengt , Elcrat Alan R.
Published: June 2014

Steady laminar flows past simple objects, such as a cylinder or a sphere, have been studied for well over a century. Theoretical, experimental and numerical methods have all contributed fundamentally towards our understanding of the resulting flows. This article focuses on developments during the past few decades, when mostly numerical and asymptotical advances have provided insights also for steady, although unstable, high-Reynolds-numbers flow regimes.
Effect of free-stream turbulence on boundary layer transition
Authors: Goldstein M. E.
Published: June 2014

This paper is concerned with the transition to turbulence in flat plate boundary layers due to moderately high levels of free-stream turbulence. The turbulence is assumed to be generated by an (idealized) grid and matched asymptotic expansions are used to analyse the resulting flow over a finite thickness flat plate located in the downstream region. The characteristic Reynolds number
R
λ
based on the mesh size λ and free-stream velocity is assumed to be large, and the turbulence intensity
ε
is assumed to be small. The asymptotic flow structure is discussed for the generic case where the turbulence Reynolds number
εR
λ
and the plate thickness and are held fixed (at
O
(1) and
O
(λ), respectively) in the limit as

and
ε
→0. But various limiting cases are considered in order to explain the relevant transition mechanisms. It is argued that there are two types of streak-like structures that can play a role in the transition process: (i) those that appear in the downstream region and are generated by streamwise vorticity in upstream flow and (ii) those that are concentrated near the leading edge and are generated by plate normal vorticity in upstream flow. The former are relatively unaffected by leading edge geometry and are usually referred to as Klebanoff modes while the latter are strongly affected by leading edge geometry and are more streamwise vortex-like in appearance.
Long noncoding RNAs are spatially correlated with transcription factors and regulate lung development
Authors: Herriges Michael J. , Swarr Daniel T. , Morley Michael P. , Rathi Komal S. , Peng Tien , Stewart Kathleen M. , Morrisey Edward E.
Published: June 2014

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are thought to play important roles in regulating gene transcription, but few have well-defined expression patterns or known biological functions during mammalian development. Using a conservative pipeline to identify lncRNAs that have important biological functions, we identified 363 lncRNAs in the lung and foregut endoderm. Importantly, we show that these lncRNAs are spatially correlated with transcription factors across the genome. In-depth expression analyses of lncRNAs with genomic loci adjacent to the critical transcription factors Nkx2.1, Gata6, Foxa2 (forkhead box a2), and Foxf1 mimic the expression patterns of their protein-coding neighbor. Loss-of-function analysis demonstrates that two lncRNAs, LL18/NANCI (Nkx2.1-associated noncoding intergenic RNA) and LL34, play distinct roles in endoderm development by controlling expression of critical developmental transcription factors and pathways, including retinoic acid signaling. In particular, we show that LL18/NANCI acts upstream of Nkx2.1 and downstream from Wnt signaling to regulate lung endoderm gene expression. These studies reveal that lncRNAs play an important role in foregut and lung endoderm development by regulating multiple aspects of gene transcription, often through regulation of transcription factor expression.
Multicilin drives centriole biogenesis via E2f proteins
Authors: Ma Lina , Quigley Ian , Omran Heymut , Kintner Chris
Published: June 2014

Multiciliate cells employ hundreds of motile cilia to produce fluid flow, which they nucleate and extend by first assembling hundreds of centrioles. In most cells, entry into the cell cycle allows centrioles to undergo a single round of duplication, but in differentiating multiciliate cells, massive centriole assembly occurs in G0 by a process initiated by a small coiled-coil protein, Multicilin. Here we show that Multicilin acts by forming a ternary complex with E2f4 or E2f5 and Dp1 that binds and activates most of the genes required for centriole biogenesis, while other cell cycle genes remain off. This complex also promotes the deuterosome pathway of centriole biogenesis by activating the expression of deup1 but not its paralog, cep63. Finally, we show that this complex is disabled by mutations in human Multicilin that cause a severe congenital mucociliary clearance disorder due to reduced generation of multiple cilia. By coopting the E2f regulation of cell cycle genes, Multicilin drives massive centriole assembly in epithelial progenitors in a manner required for multiciliate cell differentiation.
(tert-Butyl)(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium chloride
Authors: Valerio-Cárdenas Cintya , Hernández-Ortega Simón , Morales-Morales David
Published: June 2014

In the cation of the title molecular salt, C6H16NO+·Cl−, the N—C—C—O torsion angle is 176.5 (2)°. In the crystal, the cations and chloride ions are linked by N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds, generating a two-dimensional network parallel to (100).
Rietveld refinement of the langbeinite-type mixed-metal phosphate K2Ni0.5Zr1.5(PO4)3
Authors: Zatovsky Igor V.
Published: June 2014

Dipotassium [nickel(II) zirconium(IV)] tris(orthophosphate) was prepared from a self-flux in the system K2O–P2O5–NiO–K2ZrF6. The title compound belongs to the langbeinite family and is built up from two [MO6] octahedra [M= Ni:Zr with mixed occupancy in ratios of 0.21 (4):0.79 (4) and 0.29 (4):0.71 (4), respectively] and [PO4] tetrahedra interlinkedviavertices into a3∞[M2(PO4)3] framework. Two independent K+cations are located in large cavities of the framework, with coordination numbers to O2−anions of nine and twelve. The K, Ni, and Zr sites are located on threefold rotation axes.
Recombinant production, crystallization and X-ray crystallographic structure determination of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase fromSalmonella typhimurium
Authors: Vandavasi Venugopal , Taylor-Creel Kasey , McFeeters Robert L. , Coates Leighton , McFeeters Hana
Published: June 2014

Peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase (Pth; EC 3.1.1.29) from the pathogenic bacteriumSalmonella typhimuriumhas been cloned, expressed inEscherichia coliand crystallized for X-ray analysis. Crystals were grown using hanging-drop vapor diffusion against a reservoir solution consisting of 0.03 Mcitric acid, 0.05 Mbis-tris propane, 1% glycerol, 3% sucrose, 25% PEG 6000 pH 7.6. Crystals were used to obtain the three-dimensional structure of the native protein at 1.6 Å resolution. The structure was determined by molecular replacement of the crystallographic data processed in space groupP212121with unit-cell parametersa= 62.1,b= 64.9,c= 110.5 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. The asymmetric unit of the crystallographic lattice was composed of two copies of the enzyme molecule with a 51% solvent fraction, corresponding to a Matthews coefficient of 2.02 Å3 Da−1. The structural coordinates reported serve as a foundation for computational and structure-guided efforts towards novel small-molecule Pth1 inhibitors and potential antibacterial development.
Cloning, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of the putative type VI secretion immunity protein Tli5 (PA5088) fromPseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Chen Zhen , Gao Zengqiang , Hu Haidai , Xu Jianhua , Zhang Heng , Dong Yuhui
Published: June 2014

The putative protein PA5089 fromPseudomonas aeruginosahas recently been identified as a Tle5 phospholipase effector from a type VI secretion system (T6SS), and its toxicity can be neutralized by the cognate immunity protein Tli5 (PA5088). Here, the expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of PA5088 are reported. X-ray diffraction data were collected from selenomethionine-derivatized PA5088 crystals to a resolution of 2.55 Å. The crystals belonged to space groupP21, with unit-cell parametersa= 64.002,b= 104.744,c= 90.168 Å.
Monomer structure of a hyperthermophilic β-glucosidase mutant forming a dodecameric structure in the crystal form
Authors: Nakabayashi Makoto , Kataoka Misumi , Watanabe Masahiro , Ishikawa Kazuhiko
Published: June 2014

One of the β-glucosidases fromPyrococcus furiosus(BGLPf) is found to be a hyperthermophilic tetrameric enzyme that can degrade cellooligosaccharides. Recently, the crystal structures of the tetrameric and dimeric forms were solved. Here, a new monomeric form of BGLPf was constructed by removing the C-terminal region of the enzyme and its crystal structure was solved at a resolution of 2.8 Å in space groupP1. It was discovered that the mutant enzyme forms a unique dodecameric structure consisting of two hexameric rings in the asymmetric unit of the crystal. Under biological conditions, the mutant enzyme forms a monomer. This result helps explain how BGLPf has attained its oligomeric structure and thermostability.
Preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of an engineered glutamyl-tRNA synthetase fromEscherichia coli
Authors: Chongdar Nipa , Dasgupta Saumya , Datta Ajit Bikram , Basu Gautam
Published: June 2014

The nature of interaction between glutamyl-tRNA synthetase (GluRS) and its tRNA substrate is unique in bacteria in that many bacterial GluRS are capable of recognizing two tRNA substrates: tRNAGluand tRNAGln. To properly understand this distinctive GluRS–tRNA interaction it is important to pursue detailed structure–function studies; however, because of the fact that tRNA–GluRS interaction in bacteria is also associated with phylum-specific idiosyncrasies, the structure–function correlation studies must also be phylum-specific. GluRS fromThermus thermophilusandEscherichia coli, which belong to evolutionarily distant phyla, are the biochemically best characterized. Of these, only the structure ofT. thermophilusGluRS is available. To fully unravel the subtleties of tRNAGlu–GluRS interaction inE. coli, a model bacterium that can also be pathogenic, determination of theE. coliGluRS structure is essential. However, previous attempts have failed to crystallizeE. coliGluRS. By mapping crystal contacts of a homologous GluRS onto theE. coliGluRS sequence, two surface residues were identified that might have been hindering crystallization attempts. Accordingly, these two residues were mutated and crystallization of the double mutant was attempted. Here, the design, expression, purification and crystallization of an engineeredE. coliGluRS in which two surface residues were mutated to optimize crystal contacts are reported.
Crystallization of dienelactone hydrolase in two space groups: structural changes caused by crystal packing
Authors: Porter Joanne L. , Carr Paul D. , Collyer Charles A. , Ollis David L.
Published: June 2014

Dienelactone hydrolase (DLH) is a monomeric protein with a simple α/β-hydrolase fold structure. It readily crystallizes in space groupP212121from either a phosphate or ammonium sulfate precipitation buffer. Here, the structure of DLH at 1.85 Å resolution crystallized in space groupC2 with two molecules in the asymmetric unit is reported. When crystallized in space groupP212121DLH has either phosphates or sulfates bound to the protein in crucial locations, one of which is located in the active site, preventing substrate/inhibitor binding. Another is located on the surface of the enzyme coordinated by side chains from two different molecules. Crystallization in space groupC2 from a sodium citrate buffer results in new crystallographic protein–protein interfaces. The protein backbone is highly similar, but new crystal contacts cause changes in side-chain orientations and in loop positioning. In regions not involved in crystal contacts, there is little change in backbone or side-chain configuration. The flexibility of surface loops and the adaptability of side chains are important factors enabling DLH to adapt and form different crystal lattices.
Overexpression, purification, crystallization and structure determination of AspB, a putative aspartate aminotransferase fromMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Saroj Deepak Chandra , Singh Khundrakpam Herojit , Anant Avishek , Biswal Bichitra K.
Published: June 2014

A recombinant version of a putative aspartate aminotransferase, AspB (encoded by the ORF Rv3565), fromMycobacterium tuberculosis(Mtb) was overexpressed inM. smegmatisand purified to homogeneity using liquid chromatography. Crystals of AspB were grown in a condition consisting of 0.2 Mammonium phosphate monobasic, 0.1 Mcalcium chloride dihydrate employing the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 298 K. The crystals diffracted to a limit of 2.50 Å resolution and belonged to the orthorhombic space groupP212121, with unit-cell parametersa= 93.27,b= 98.19,c= 198.70 Å. The structure of AspB was solved by the molecular-replacement method using a putative aminotransferase fromSilicibacter pomeroyi(PDB entry 3h14) as the search model. The template shares 46% amino-acid sequence identity withMtbAspB. The crystal asymmetric unit contains four AspB molecules (theMrof each is 42 035 Da).
Engaging IT undergraduates in non-IT content
Authors: Gallagher Sandra , Sixsmith Alan
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– This paper aims to report on the efforts made to enhance the engagement of IT students with non-IT-specific content. The mechanism to foster this engagement was the introduction of an eLearning information system (ELIS) for a finance-related subject within an IT undergraduate degree at the university. The subject developers were primarily concerned with both the learning design and the engagement of the student to enable the effective incorporation of an ELIS into the classroom.

Design/methodology/approach

– This interpretive research used a comparative case study as the aim was to gain an in-depth understanding of a particular situation. The research approach also allows an open-minded interpretation of the collected data as the researcher is interested in looking for the “Why and not the How”. Data were collected via an online university student feedback survey.

Findings

– Four key themes emerged from the data as follows: IT students learning non-IT-related content was a major driving force behind the changes to the course; staff change brought fresh eyes to the subject content and enabled improvements to occur; introducing the ELIS assisted the teaching staff to reduce preparation time while also helping students learn at the own pace; and collaborative group work helped facilitated student insights into real life work scenarios. The findings show that each of the key themes identified played a role in improving student engagement and satisfaction with the non-IT subject matter.

Originality/value

– The value of this paper is from its practical perspective. Engaging IT students in non-IT subject matter is a challenging proposition for which there is no simple solution. This paper shows that over a five-semester period and through a phased implementation of major changes, student satisfaction and engagement with non-IT subject matter has improved steadily. This paper is of interest, and hence value, to academics who encounter problems or issues of engaging students in non-domain-related subject matter.
Elements of the management of norms and their effects on the sense of virtual community
Authors: Petrič Gregor , Petrovčič Andraž
Published: June 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to investigate how decisions of managers and administrators of online communities on norms and rules affect the sense of virtual community (SOVC), which is an important factor of the quality of online information.

Design/methodology/approach

– The study followed a two-level research design based on 970 online community members, nested within 36 online communities. Data collection consisted of two stages: first a web survey of a sample of online community members was conducted, followed by a web survey of administrators of the same online communities. A two-level hierarchical regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

– The empirical results suggest that prominence of rules under the condition of members’ participation in their creation, presence of reputation mechanisms, and content moderation contribute significantly to the SOVC , while presence of lighter sanctions and interactive moderation do not.

Research limitations/implications

– Since this study is based on web forums, the validity of the proposed hypotheses for other types of online communities cannot be firmly established. Additional elements of online community management could be considered for a stronger system-level explanation of the SOVC.

Practical implications

– The study demonstrates that online community administrators need to be considerate in creating and enforcing norms, as their decisions have an impact on the SOVC and consequently on the quality of online information.

Originality/value

– The literature considers many factors of the SOVC but none of the previous studies have considered how community management is associated with this phenomenon.
Semantic trouble sources and their repair in conversations affected by Parkinson's disease
Authors: Saldert Charlotta , Ferm Ulrika , Bloch Steven
Published: June 2014

Background

It is known that dysarthria arising from Parkinson's disease may affect intelligibility in conversational interaction. Research has also shown that Parkinson's disease may affect cognition and cause word‐retrieval difficulties and pragmatic problems in the use of language. However, it is not known whether or how these problems become manifest in everyday conversations or how conversation partners handle such problems.

Aims

To describe the pragmatic problems related to the use of words that occur in everyday conversational interaction in dyads including an individual with Parkinson's disease, and to explore how interactants in conversation handle the problems to re‐establish mutual understanding.

Methods & Procedures

Twelve video‐recorded everyday conversations involving three couples where one of the individuals had Parkinson's disease were included in the study. All instances of other‐initiated repair following a contribution from the people with Parkinson's disease were analysed. Those instances involving a trouble source relating to the use of words were analysed with a qualitative interaction analysis based on the principles of conversation analysis.

Outcomes & Results

In 70% of the instances of other‐initiated repair the trouble source could be related to the semantic content produced by the individual with Parkinson's disease. The problematic contributions were typically characterized by more or less explicit symptoms of word search or use of atypical wording. The conversation partners completed the repair work collaboratively, but typically the non‐impaired individual made a rephrasing or provided a suggestion for what the intended meaning had been.

Conclusions & Implications

In clinical work with people with Parkinson's disease and their conversation partners it is important to establish what type of trouble sources occur in conversations in a specific dyad. It may often be necessary to look beyond intelligibility and into aspects of pragmatics to understand more fully the impact of Parkinson's disease on everyday conversational interaction.
Senior work‐up assessment and treatment team in an emergency department: A randomised control trial
Authors: Davis Rebecca A , Dinh Michael M , Bein Kendall J , Veillard Anne‐Sophie , Green Timothy C
Published: June 2014

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a senior early assessment model of care on performance measures in a single ED.

Methods

A pragmatic single‐blinded randomised control trial with day of ED presentation randomised to one of three study arms: senior work‐up assessment and treatment (SWAT) model of care intervention, non‐SWAT control or control.

Primary Outcome

The primary outcomes were the proportion of patients meeting National Emergency Access Target (NEAT) criteria (ED length of stay less than 4 h) and ED length of stay. Secondary outcome measured was time to decision to admit in the subgroup of admitted patients.

Results

A total of 1737 patients were analysed. There was no overall difference in NEAT performance (48% [95% CI 44, 51] vs 41% ([95% CI 37, 45] vs 46% [95% CI 41, 50], P = 0.09) or ED length of stay (P = 0.65) between SWAT, non‐SWAT and standard of care control groups, respectively. In the subgroup of patients discharged from ED (non‐admitted), the SWAT intervention group was associated with higher NEAT performance (P = 0.004) compared with non‐SWAT and control.

Conclusion

A senior early assessment model of care was not associated with improved overall NEAT performance and ED length of stay. However, there is evidence that improvements were made in the subgroup of discharged patients. There was no difference in overall NEAT performance among the three study groups.
Metaproteomics reveals the major microbial players and their biogeochemical functions in a productive coastal system in the northern South China Sea
Authors: Dong Hong‐Po , Hong Yi‐Guo , Lu Songhui , Xie Lu‐Yuan
Published: June 2014

We study the metaproteome of the GF/F‐prefiltered fraction of a microbial community from Shantou coast summer surface waters using a shotgun proteomic approach. Spectra attributed to the marine Roseobacter clade (MRC), the oligotrophic marine Gammaproteobacteria (OMG) group and Flavobacteria dominated in the microbial community, accounting for 21.0%, 23.2% and 12.7% of all of the detected spectra, respectively, whereas the SAR 92 clade accounted for 50% of the OMG group. The abundance of TonB‐dependent receptors (TBDRs) was detected and the majority of TBDRs were attributed to the OMG, whereas a large number of ABC transporters matched to the MRC, which suggests niche separation in the microbial community. Expression of proteorhodopsin and RagB/SusD from Flavobacteria facilitates their attachment and growth on algal‐derived organic matter. Taurine and glycine betaine appear to be an important source of carbon and nitrogen for the Rhodobacteraceae and SAR11 cluster. The detection of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, formate dehydrogenase, O‐acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase and sulfur oxidation protein from the MRC demonstrated that members of the MRC play important roles in coastal ocean biogeochemical cycles. This study provides the first insight into functional processes occurring in microbial communities in coastal waters in the South China Sea.
Immune regulation by intralymphatic immunotherapy with modular allergen translocation MAT vaccine
Authors: Zaleska A. , Eiwegger T. , Soyer Ö. , van de Veen W. , Rhyner C. , Soyka M. B. , Bekpen C. , Demiröz D. , Treis A. , Söllner S. , Palomares O. , Kwok W. W. , Rose H. , Senti G. , Kündig T. M. , Ozoren N. , Jutel M. , Akdis C. A. , Crameri R. , Akdis M.
Published: June 2014

Background

Allergen‐specific immunotherapy (SIT) faces problems related to side effects and limited efficacy. Direct administration of allergen extracts into lymph nodes induces increased specific IgG production and T‐cell responses using significantly lower allergen doses.

Methods

In this study, mechanisms of immune regulation by MAT vaccines in vitro and in allergen‐SIT of cat‐allergic rhinitis patients, who received 3 inguinal intra‐lymph node injections of MAT‐Fel d 1 vaccine, were investigated in PBMC and cell cultures for specific T‐cell proliferation, Fel d 1‐tetramer‐specific responses, and multiple immune regulatory molecules.

Results

MAT‐Fel d 1 vaccine was efficiently internalized by antigen‐presenting cells. This was followed by precaspase 1 cleavage to caspase 1 and secretion of IL‐1β, indicating inflammasome activation. Mat‐Fel d 1 induced specific T‐cell proliferation and an IL‐10‐ and IFN‐γ‐dominated T‐cell responses with decreased Th2 cytokines at 100 times lower doses than Fel d 1. Induction of immune tolerance by MAT‐Fel d 1‐ILIT involved multiple mechanisms of immune suppression. Early Fel d 1‐specific T‐cell activation was followed by full T‐cell unresponsiveness to allergen after 1 year in the MAT‐Fel d 1 group, characterized by increased allergen‐specific T regulatory cells, decreased circulating Fel d 1 tetramer‐positive cells, increased IL‐10 and FOXP3 expression, and change in the HR2/HR1 ratio toward HR2.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the induction of allergen tolerance after 3 intra‐lymph node injections of MAT‐Fel d 1 vaccine, mediated by increased cellular internalization of the allergen, activation of inflammasome, and generation of allergen‐specific peripheral T‐cell tolerance.
Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Blood Flow and Left Ventricular Unloading During Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support in a Swine Model of Acute Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Brehm Christoph , Schubert Sarah , Carney Elizabeth , Ghodsizad Ali , Koerner Michael , McCoach Robert , El‐Banayosy Aly
Published: June 2014

The impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support on coronary blood flow and left ventricular unloading is still debated. This study aimed to further characterize the influence of ECMO on coronary artery blood flow and its ability to unload the left ventricle in a short‐term model of acute cardiogenic shock. Seven anesthetized pigs were intubated and then underwent median sternotomy and cannulation for venoarterial (VA) ECMO. Flow in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, left atrial pressure (LAP), left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured before and after esmolol‐induced cardiac dysfunction and after initiating VA‐ECMO support. Induction of acute cardiogenic shock was associated with short‐term increases in LAP from 8 ± 4 mm Hg to 18 ± 14 mm Hg (P = 0.9) and LVEDP from 5 ± 2 mm Hg to 13 ± 17 mm Hg (P = 0.9), and a decrease in MAP from 63 ± 16 mm Hg to 50 ± 24 mm Hg (P = 0.3). With VA‐ECMO support, blood flow in the LAD increased from 28 ± 25 mL/min during acute unsupported cardiogenic shock to 67 ± 50 mL/min (P = 0.003), and LAP and LVEDP decreased to 8 + 5 mm Hg (P = 0.7) and 5 ± 3 mm Hg (P = 0.5), respectively. In this swine model of acute cardiogenic shock, VA‐ECMO improved coronary blood flow and provided some degree of left ventricular unloading for the short duration of the study.
Diversity patterns in a diversity hotspot
Authors: Grytnes John‐Arvid , Felde Vivian A.
Published: June 2014

Our knowledge of diversity patterns is generally founded on studies performed in the more species‐poor part of our globe. Ibanez et al. (2014, this issue) report on patterns based on impressive field efforts in a diversity hotspot, namely New Caledonia. Some intriguing patterns arise from this study offering valuable insights in our quest to understand and manage global biodiversity.
The hexosamine biosynthesis pathway and O‐GlcNAcylation maintain insulin‐stimulated PI3K‐PKB phosphorylation and tumour cell growth after short‐term glucose deprivation
Authors: Jones David R. , Keune Willem‐Jan , Anderson Karen E. , Stephens Len R. , Hawkins Phillip T. , Divecha Nullin
Published: June 2014

Glucose provides an essential nutrient source that supports glycolysis and the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP) to maintain tumour cell growth and survival. Here we investigated if short‐term glucose deprivation specifically modulates the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/PKB) cell survival pathway. Insulin‐stimulated PKB activation was strongly abrogated in the absence of extracellular glucose as a consequence of the loss of insulin‐stimulated PI3K activation and short‐term glucose deprivation inhibited subsequent tumour cell growth. Loss of insulin‐stimulated PKB signalling and cell growth was rescued by extracellular glucosamine and increased flux through the HBP. Disruption of O‐GlcNAc transferase activity, a terminal step in the HBP, implicated O‐GlcNAcylation in PKB signalling and cell growth. Glycogenolysis is known to support cell survival during glucose deprivation, and in A549 lung cancer cells its inhibition attenuates PKB activation which is rescued by increased flux through the HBP. Our studies show that rerouting of glycolytic metabolites to the HBP under glucose‐restricted conditions maintains PI3K/PKB signalling enabling cell survival and proliferation.
Estimation of habitat suitability for the southern form of the short‐finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in theNorthPacific
Authors: Kanaji Yu , Okazaki Makoto , Kishiro Toshiya , Miyashita Tomio
Published: June 2014

Habitat models were developed from dedicated sighting survey data collected during summers between 1983 and 2006 in theNorthPacificOcean. Our aim was to examine the distribution pattern of the southern form of the short‐finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in relation to the physical environment. We tested two different types of analytical procedures for habitat estimation: generalized linear models (GLMs) and ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and theBoyce index suggested thatGLMdefined the core habitat well, whereasENFAestimated the suitable habitat more correctly. These models indicated the core habitat within the subtropical gyre. Among the environmental variables used to construct the habitat models, the temperature at a depth of 200 m contributed most to bothGLMandENFA. This corresponds to the fact that the species mainly feeds on mesopelagic prey and that the axis of theKuroshioCurrent, in the northwestern part of the subtropical gyre, is characterized by its temperature at 200 m. Habitat suitability in the coastal waters off southernJapan also correlated with theKuroshio meander patterns. Thus, the southern form of the short‐finned pilot whale appears to be particularly well adapted to the ecosystem of theNorthPacific subtropical gyre.
Online health information, situational effects and health changes among e‐patients in Israel: A ‘push/pull’ perspective
Authors: Mano Rita
Published: June 2014

Background/context

Access and use of online health information become increasingly important to health‐oriented individual that may have implication for their health and wellness. The phenomenon of e‐patients suggests that e‐patients use the internet to increase health literacy and achieve health information about diagnosis, treatments, specialists and well‐being before undergoing a health changes. Online health information may not ‘fit’ consultations with providers mainly when online source of information is trusted mainly when e‐patients express lack of satisfaction with health‐care providers. The strain between the two becomes evident when e‐patients consider health changes.

Objective

We examine health changes among e‐patients. We assess the relationship between (a) trust in online health information and (b) satisfaction with health‐care provider to predict two types of health changes: (a) well‐being and (b) health‐care changes. We also control for ‘situational’ effects including socio‐economic and chronic illness variations.

Design

A telephone survey was conducted in 2010 in Israel among approximately 4000 individuals.

Setting and participants

Two‐thousand individuals completed interviews (54% response rate). Seventy percentage were Internet users (n = 1371).

Main variables

Well‐being health changes; health‐care changes; satisfaction with institutional health‐care provider; chronic illness: socio‐economic: age; gender; marital status; education.

Main outcome measures

Socio‐economic and health status differences generate variations in use of online health information; trusting online health positively affects well‐being – not health‐care – changes but satisfaction with health‐care provider positively improves the likelihood for health‐care changes.

Findings

The results indicate that (a) e‐patients use online health information to make well‐being health changes – starting a diet or physical activity programme ‐ but not health‐care changes – in medication or in health‐care provider – (b) satisfaction with institutional health provider has a significant effect on health‐care decisions (c) chronically ill are not likely to use online health information.

Discussion

E‐patients' expectations from health‐care institutional providers play a central role in initiating health changes. Access and use of online health information provide an alternative/additional channel for information when e‐patients consider health changes and create a push/pull decision‐making strain on both providers and recipients of health services. Health‐care providers should address e‐patients'concerns, mainly in cases of chronic illness concerns, and point to the boundaries of online health information. Traditional and novel sources of health information can increase health empowerment and better health care when communication channels between health providers and e‐patients are comfortably verified in advance and agreed upon.
The development and initial validation of a clinical tool for patients' preferences on patient participation – The 4Ps
Authors: Eldh Ann Catrine , Luhr Kristina , Ehnfors Margareta
Published: June 2014

Aims

To report on the development and initial testing of a clinical tool, The Patient Preferences for Patient Participation tool (The 4Ps), which will allow patients to depict, prioritize, and evaluate their participation in health care.

Background

While patient participation is vital for high quality health care, a common definition incorporating all stakeholders' experience is pending. In order to support participation in health care, a tool for determining patients' preferences on participation is proposed, including opportunities to evaluate participation while considering patient preferences.

Methods

Exploratory mixed methods studies informed the development of the tool, and descriptive design guided its initial testing. The 4Ps tool was tested with 21 Swedish researcher experts (REs) and patient experts (PEs) with experience of patient participation. Individual Think Aloud interviews were employed to capture experiences of content, response process, and acceptability.

Results

‘The 4Ps’ included three sections for the patient to depict, prioritize, and evaluate participation using 12 items corresponding to ‘Having Dialogue’, ‘Sharing Knowledge’, ‘Planning’, and ‘Managing Self‐care’. The REs and PEs considered ‘The 4Ps’ comprehensible, and that all items corresponded to the concept of patient participation. The tool was perceived to facilitate patient participation whilst requiring amendments to content and layout.

Conclusions

A tool like The 4Ps provides opportunities for patients to depict participation, and thus supports communication and collaboration. Further patient evaluation is needed to understand the conditions for patient participation. While The 4Ps is promising, revision and testing in clinical practice is required.
Assessment of Quality for Middle Level and High School Student‐Generated Water Quality Data
Authors: Peckenham John M. , Peckenham Sarah K.
Published: June 2014

Student scientists have analyzed groundwater used for drinking water in rural areas to understand groundwater quality. This was part of a greater effort to understand risks to drinking water. The data produced by middle level and high school students have not been accepted by experts because of concerns about method and student accuracy. We assessed the inherent errors associated with method accuracy, student precision, and sample variability to establish bounds for attainable trueness in water analyses. Analytical test kits and probes were evaluated for the determination of pH, conductivity, chloride, hardness, iron, total soluble metals, and nitrate. In terms of precision, all methods met or exceeded design specifications. Method trueness was variable and in general ranged from good to poor depending on method. A gage reproducibility and repeatability analysis of instrumental methods (pH and conductivity) partitioned the variances into student error (12‐46%), instrumental error (8‐21%), and random error (45‐68%). Overall, student‐generated data met some of the quality objectives consistent with the method limitations. Some methods exhibited a systematic bias and data adjustment may be necessary. Given good management of the student analyst process, it is possible to make precise and accurate measurements consistent with the methods specifications.
Correction of Deviation of a Partially Resected Mandible Using a Palatal Ramp with the Aid of a Semi‐Adjustable Articulator
Authors: Dudani Mohit T. , Hindocha Amit D.
Published: June 2014

Patients having undergone hemi‐mandibulectomy without further reconstruction (to restore the lost mandibular continuity) suffer functional limitations due to the resultant deviation of the segmental mandible. A palatally based guidance prosthesis (or palatal ramp prosthesis) is often indicated and is usually fabricated chairside in self‐cured acrylic resin. Establishing the correct angulation of the slope of the palatal ramp may take several attempts before a satisfactory correction is achieved. This clinical report describes a laboratory technique in which a semi‐adjustable articulator was used for fabricating the palatal ramp prosthesis. The patient's deviated mandibular position was transferred to the articulator by means of a facebow and interocclusal record. The angulation of the palatal ramp was then established on the semi‐adjustable articulator and the prosthesis fabricated in heat‐cured acrylic resin. Reduced chairside time, improved patient comfort levels, and ease in fabrication of the prosthesis on the semi‐adjustable articulator are proposed advantages of the described technique.