bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trail following Learning by Young Myrmica rubra Workers (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Authors: Cammaerts Marie-Claire
Published: October 2013

Ants use chemical trails, laid down on the ground, for recruiting congeners and helping them to return to the nest. The present work shows that young ants, less than one year old, though obviously reacting to the trail pheromone, are unable to efficiently follow a trail. These young ants begin to better walk along a trail when being in presence of trail following older congeners. Later on, they can by themselves rather efficiently follow a trail. Queens removed from their nest correctly move along a trail. The knowledge of the trail pheromone is thus native, while the trail following behavior is both partly native and partly learned. The latter learning is rapid and may be induced and/or enhanced by older trail following nestmates.
Ethanol and Acetate Acting as Carbon/Energy Sources Negatively Affect Yeast Chronological Aging
Authors: Orlandi Ivan , Ronzulli Rossella , Casatta Nadia , Vai Marina
Published: October 2013

InSaccharomyces cerevisiae, the chronological lifespan (CLS) is defined as the length of time that a population of nondividing cells can survive in stationary phase. In this phase, cells remain metabolically active, albeit at reduced levels, and responsive to environmental signals, thus simulating the postmitotic quiescent state of mammalian cells. Many studies on the main nutrient signaling pathways have uncovered the strong influence of growth conditions, including the composition of culture media, on CLS. In this context, two byproducts of yeast glucose fermentation, ethanol and acetic acid, have been proposed as extrinsic proaging factors. Here, we report that ethanol and acetic acid, at physiological levels released in the exhausted medium, both contribute to chronological aging. Moreover, this combined proaging effect is not due to a toxic environment created by their presence but is mainly mediated by the metabolic pathways required for their utilization as carbon/energy sources. In addition, measurements of key enzymatic activities of the glyoxylate cycle and gluconeogenesis, together with respiration assays performed in extreme calorie restriction, point to a long-term quiescent program favoured by glyoxylate/gluconeogenesis flux contrary to a proaging one based on the oxidative metabolism of ethanol/acetate via TCA and mitochondrial respiration.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Structures of Bis‐Imidazolium Salts and Respective Dinuclear Ag(I) N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes: In Vitro Anticancer Studies against “Human Colon Cancer” and “Breast Cancer”
Authors: Haque Rosenani A. , Nasri Siti Fatimah , Iqbal Muhammad Adnan , Al-Rawi Sawsan S. , Jafari Seyedeh Fatemeh , Ahamed Mohamed B. Khadeer , Abdul Majid A. M. S.
Published: October 2013

This paper describes synthesis, characterization (NMR, FT‐IR, microanalysis, and X‐ray crystallography), in vitro anticancer activity of ortho/para‐xylyl linked bis‐imidazolium salts (4‐5) and respective dinuclear Ag(I) N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes (6‐7). All the compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against human colorectal cancer (HCT 116) and breast cancer (MCF‐7) cell lines. According to cell viability measurements using MTT assay, all the complexes (6‐7) showed a dose‐dependent cytotoxic activity against both the cell lines, whereas respective salts (4‐5) proved to be inactive. The complexes (6‐7) demonstrated significant activity with IC50 values range 5.6–20.3 μM for HCT 116 and 1.12–6.38 μM for MCF‐7. 5‐Fluorouracil was used as standard drug (IC50 = 5.9 μM) for HCT 116, whereas tamoxifen was used as standard drug for MCF‐7 (IC50 = 14 μM) cell line.
Temporal Succession of Phytoplankton Assemblages in a Tidal Creek System of the Sundarbans Mangroves: An Integrated Approach
Authors: Bhattacharjee Dola , Samanta Brajogopal , Danda Anamitra Anurag , Bhadury Punyasloke
Published: October 2013

Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove ecosystem, is unique and biologically diverse. A study was undertaken to track temporal succession of phytoplankton assemblages at the generic level (≥10 µm) encompassing 31 weeks of sampling (June 2010–May 2011) in Sundarbans based on microscopy and hydrological measurements. As part of this study, amplification and sequencing of type ID rbcL subunit of RuBisCO enzyme were also applied to infer chromophytic algal groups (≤10 µm size) from one of the study points. We report the presence of 43 genera of Bacillariophyta, in addition to other phytoplankton groups, based on microscopy. Phytoplankton cell abundance, which was highest in winter and spring, ranged between 300 and 27,500 cells/L during this study. Cell biovolume varied between winter of 2010 (90–35281.04 µm3) and spring-summer of 2011 (52–33962.24 µm3). Winter supported large chain forming diatoms, while spring supported small sized diatoms, followed by other algal groups in summer. The clone library approach showed dominance of Bacillariophyta-like sequences, in addition to Cryptophyta-, Haptophyta-, Pelagophyta-, and Eustigmatophyta-like sequences which were detected for the first time highlighting their importance in mangrove ecosystem. This study clearly shows that a combination of microscopy and molecular tools can improve understanding of phytoplankton assemblages in mangrove environments.
Stabilization of Driven Pendulum with Periodic Linear Forces
Authors: Ahmad Babar
Published: October 2013

Using Kapitza method of averaging for arbitrary periodic forces, the pendulum driven by different forms of periodic piecewise linear forces is stabilized. These periodic piecewise linear forces are selected in the range [−1,1] to establish an exact comparison with harmonic forces. In this contest, the rectangular force was found to be the best, but this force is more effective when it has a time-dependent structure. This time-dependent structure is found by defining a parametric control on some other periodic piecewise linear forces.
Epicardial Coronary Arteries in Khat Chewers Presenting with Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Al-Motarreb Ahmed , Shabana Adel , El-Menyar Ayman
Published: October 2013

Background. Khat chewing is a common habit in Yemen despite increased evidence of its negative impact on the cardiovascular system.Aims. We aimed to study the epicardial coronary arteries in khat chewers presenting with myocardial infarction (AMI).Materials and Methods. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2008 and May 2009 in Yemen. AMI patients who underwent coronary angiogram were enrolled and divided into groups (gp): gp1 (diabetic and khat chewers), gp2 (khat chewers and nondiabetic), and gp3 (diabetic and non-khat users).Results. Of 347 AMI patients 63%, 21%, and 16% were in gp 2, 3, and 1, respectively. Khat chewers were younger in comparison to non-khat users. Group 3 patients were more likely to have multivessel disease, severe left anterior descending (LAD), right coronary artery (RCA) stenosis and total RCA, and left circumflex (Lcx) occlusion compared to other groups. Group 1 patients were more likely to have total LAD occlusion and severe Lcx lesions. In multivariate analysis, age, diabetes mellitus, and smoking were significant independent predictors for significant coronary artery lesions; however, khat chewing did not show such association.Conclusions. Coronary spasm is the main mechanism of AMI in khat chewers. The impact of our finding for risk stratification and management warrants further studies.
The Weather-Beaten Dorsal Hand Clinical Rating, Shadow Casting Optical Profilometry, and Skin Capacitance Mapping
Authors: Delvenne Marie , Piérard-Franchimont Claudine , Seidel Laurence , Albert Adelin , Piérard Gérald E.
Published: October 2013

Laypeople commonly perceive some skin xerosis and withering (roughness) changes during winter on some parts of the body, particularly on the dorsal hands. The aim of the study was to assess the withered skin surface changes occurring during the four seasons. A total of 47 menopausal women completed the study. A group of 31 volunteers were on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and 16 were out of HRT. Skin xerosis and scaliness were rated clinically. In addition, skin whitening was assessed by computerized shadow casting optical profilometry and by skin capacitance mapping. The volunteers were not using topical creams and over-the-counter products on their hands. Marked changes, recorded over the successive seasons, corresponded to patchy heterogeneous stratum corneum hydration and heterogeneous skin surface roughness changing over seasons; they likely resulted from changes in the environmental temperature and atmosphere moisture. The severity of the changes revealed by clinical inspection was not supported by similar directions of fluctuations in the instrumental assessments. This seemingly contradiction was in fact due to different levels of scale observation. The clinical centimetric scale and the instrumental inframillimetric scale possibly provide distinct aspects of a given biological impact.
Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Environments Using Micelle‐Clay Adsorption
Authors: Qurie Mohannad , Khamis Mustafa , Manassra Adnan , Ayyad Ibrahim , Nir Shlomo , Scrano Laura , Bufo Sabino A. , Karaman Rafik
Published: October 2013

Removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions under different conditions was investigated using either clay (montmorillonite) or micelle‐clay complex, the last obtained by adsorbing critical micelle concentration of octadecyltrimethylammonium ions onto montmorillonite. Batch experiments showed the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH on the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. Langmuir adsorption isotherm fitted the experimental data giving significant results. Filtration experiments using columns filled with micelle‐clay complex mixed with sand were performed to assess Cr(VI) removal efficiency under continuous flow at different pH values. The micelle‐clay complex used in this study was capable of removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions without any prior acidification of the sample. Results demonstrated that the removal effectiveness reached nearly 100% when using optimal conditions for both batch and continuous flow techniques.
Rapid, Simple, and Sensitive Spectrofluorimetric Method for the Estimation of Ganciclovir in Bulk and Pharmaceutical Formulations
Authors: Balwani Garima , Joseph Emil , Reddi Satish , Nagpal Vibhu , Saha Ranendra N.
Published: October 2013

A new, simple, rapid, sensitive, accurate, and affordable spectrofluorimetric method was developed and validated for the estimation of ganciclovir in bulk as well as in marketed formulations. The method was based on measuring the native fluorescence of ganciclovir in 0.2 M hydrochloric acid buffer of pH 1.2 at 374 nm after excitation at 257 nm. The calibration graph was found to be rectilinear in the concentration range of 0.25–2.00 μg mL−1. The limit of quantification and limit of detection were found to be 0.029 μg mL−1and 0.010μg mL−1, respectively. The method was fully validated for various parameters according to ICH guidelines. The results demonstrated that the procedure is accurate, precise, and reproducible (relative standard deviation <2%) and can be successfully applied for the determination of ganciclovir in its commercial capsules with average percentage recovery of 101.31 ± 0.90.
Identification of Breast Cancer DNA Methylation Markers Optimized for Fine-Needle Aspiration Samples
Authors: Bu Dawei , Lewis Cheryl M. , Sarode Venetia , Chen Min , Ma Xiaotu , Lazorwitz Aaron M. , Rao Roshni , Leitch Marilyn , Moldrem Amy , Andrews Valerie , Gazdar Adi , Euhus David
Published: October 2013

Background: Random periareolar fine-needle aspiration (RP-FNA) is increasingly used in trials of breast cancer prevention for biomarker assessments. DNA methylation markers may have value as surrogate endpoint biomarkers, but this requires identification of biologically relevant markers suitable for paucicellular, lymphocyte-contaminated clinical samples.

Methods: Unbiased whole-genome 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5AZA)–induced gene expression assays, followed by several phases of qualitative and quantitative methylation-specific PCR (MSP) testing, were used to identify novel breast cancer DNA methylation markers optimized for clinical FNA samples.

Results: The initial 5AZA experiment identified 453 genes whose expression was potentially regulated by promoter region methylation. Informatics filters excluded 273 genes unlikely to yield useful DNA methylation markers. MSP assays were designed for 271 of the remaining genes and, ultimately, 33 genes were identified that were differentially methylated in clinical breast cancer samples, as compared with benign RP-FNA samples, and never methylated in lymphocytes. A subset of these markers was validated by quantitative multiplex MSP in extended clinical sample sets. Using a novel permutation method for analysis of quantitative methylation data, PSAT1, GNE, CPNE8, and CXCL14 were found to correlate strongly with specific clinical and pathologic features of breast cancer. In general, our approach identified markers methylated in a smaller subpopulation of tumor cells than those identified in published methylation array studies.

Conclusions: Clinically relevant DNA methylation markers were identified using a 5AZA-induced gene expression approach.

Impact: These breast cancer-relevant, FNA-optimized DNA methylation markers may have value as surrogate endpoint biomarkers in RP-FNA studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2212–21. ©2013 AACR.
Novel Methylation Biomarker Panel for the Early Detection of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Yi Joo Mi , Guzzetta Angela A. , Bailey Vasudev J. , Downing Stephanie R. , Van Neste Leander , Chiappinelli Katherine B. , Keeley Brian P. , Stark Alejandro , Herrera Alexander , Wolfgang Christopher , Pappou Emmanouil P. , Iacobuzio-Donahue Christine A. , Goggins Michael G. , Herman James G. , Wang Tza-Huei , Baylin Stephen B. , Ahuja Nita
Published: October 2013

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths and there currently is no reliable modality for the early detection of this disease. Here, we identify cancer-specific promoter DNA methylation of BNC1 and ADAMTS1 as a promising biomarker detection strategy meriting investigation in pancreatic cancer.

Experimental Design: We used a genome-wide pharmacologic transcriptome approach to identify novel cancer-specific DNA methylation alterations in pancreatic cancer cell lines. Of eight promising genes, we focused our studies on BNC1 and ADAMTS1 for further downstream analysis, including methylation and expression. We used a nanoparticle-enabled methylation on beads (MOB) technology to detect early-stage pancreatic cancers by analyzing DNA methylation in patient serum.

Results: We identified two novel genes, BNC1 (92%) and ADAMTS1 (68%), that showed a high frequency of methylation in pancreatic cancers (n = 143), up to 100% in PanIN-3 and 97% in stage I invasive cancers. Using the nanoparticle-enabled MOB technology, these alterations could be detected in serum samples (n = 42) from patients with pancreatic cancer, with a sensitivity for BNC1 of 79% [95% confidence interval (CI), 66%–91%] and for ADAMTS1 of 48% (95% CI, 33%–63%), whereas specificity was 89% for BNC1 (95% CI, 76%–100%) and 92% for ADAMTS1 (95% CI, 82%–100%). Overall sensitivity using both markers is 81% (95% CI, 69%–93%) and specificity is 85% (95% CI, 71%–99%).

Conclusions: Promoter DNA methylation of BNC1 and ADAMTS1 is a potential biomarker to detect early-stage pancreatic cancers. Assaying the promoter methylation status of these genes in circulating DNA from serum is a promising strategy for early detection of pancreatic cancer and has the potential to improve mortality from this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 19(23); 6544–55. ©2013 AACR.
Photodynamic Therapy with 3-(1′-Hexyloxyethyl) Pyropheophorbide a for Cancer of the Oral Cavity
Authors: Rigual Nestor , Shafirstein Gal , Cooper Michele T. , Baumann Heinz , Bellnier David A. , Sunar Ulas , Tracy Erin C. , Rohrbach Daniel J. , Wilding Gregory , Tan Wei , Sullivan Maureen , Merzianu Mihai , Henderson Barbara W.
Published: October 2013

Purpose: The primary objective was to evaluate safety of 3-(1′-hexyloxyethyl)pyropheophorbide-a (HPPH) photodynamic therapy (HPPH-PDT) for dysplasia and early squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC). Secondary objectives were the assessment of treatment response and reporters for an effective PDT reaction.

Experimental Design: Patients with histologically proven oral dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, or early-stage HNSCC were enrolled in two sequentially conducted dose escalation studies with an expanded cohort at the highest dose level. These studies used an HPPH dose of 4 mg/m2 and light doses from 50 to 140 J/cm2. Pathologic tumor responses were assessed at 3 months. Clinical follow up range was 5 to 40 months. PDT induced cross-linking of STAT3 were assessed as potential indicators of PDT effective reaction.

Results: Forty patients received HPPH-PDT. Common adverse events were pain and treatment site edema. Biopsy proven complete response rates were 46% for dysplasia and carcinoma in situ and 82% for squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) lesions at 140 J/cm2. The responses in the carcinoma in situ/dysplasia cohort are not durable. The PDT-induced STAT3 cross-links is significantly higher (P = 0.0033) in SCC than in carcinoma in situ/dysplasia for all light doses.

Conclusion: HPPH-PDT is safe for the treatment of carcinoma in situ/dysplasia and early-stage cancer of the oral cavity. Early-stage oral HNSCC seems to respond better to HPPH-PDT in comparison with premalignant lesions. The degree of STAT3 cross-linking is a significant reporter to evaluate HPPH-PDT–mediated photoreaction. Clin Cancer Res; 19(23); 6605–13. ©2013 AACR.
Serial Position Effects in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early and Moderate Alzheimer's Disease Compared with Healthy Comparison Subjects
Authors: Moser B. , Deisenhammer E.A. , Marksteiner J. , Papousek I. , Fink A. , Weiss E.M.
Published: October 2013

Background/Aims: This study aimed to investigate whether the serial position effects in memory can differentiate patients with different subtypes of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from healthy controls and patients with different stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: The serial position effects was tested with the CERAD word list task in 184 persons (39 healthy control subjects, 15 amnestic MCI single domain subjects, 23 amnestic MCI multiple domain subjects, 31 nonamnestic MCI subjects, 45 early or mild AD patients, and 31 moderate AD patients). Results: With progression of dementia, memory deficits increased and the impairment in the primacy effect during the learning trials advanced, whereas the recall of recent items was less impaired. The serial position profile of nonamnestic MCI patients resembled that of healthy control subjects, whereas amnestic MCI patients showed poorer performance in all 3 positions but no significant difference as a function of serial word position. Conclusion: Analyses of the serial position effect may be a useful complement to clinical neuropsychological measures for distinguishing amnestic MCI patients from normal aging and patients with different stages of dementia.
Ten-Year Experience With Extended Criteria Cardiac Transplantation
Authors: Samsky Marc D. , Patel Chetan B. , Owen Ashleigh , Schulte Phillip J. , Jentzer Jacob , Rosenberg Paul B. , Felker G. Michael , Milano Carmelo A. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Rogers Joseph G.
Published: October 2013

Background—

Extended criteria cardiac transplant (ECCT) programs expand the transplant pool by matching donors and recipients typically excluded from the transplant process because of age or comorbidity. There is a paucity of data examining long-term outcomes with this strategy.

Methods and Results—

Between January 2000 and December 2009, adult patients undergoing isolated heart transplant were prospectively classified as ECCT based on prespecified criteria. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between ECCT and standard criteria cardiac transplant recipients. Two Cox proportional hazards models were developed. The first to identify clinical variables contributing to survival between the 2 groups, and the second to determine the additional risk associated with assignment to ECCT. Among the 454 patients who underwent heart transplant, 84 (18.5%) were ECCT. Compared with the patients who underwent standard criteria cardiac transplant, ECCT patients were older (median, 66.6 years versus 53.2 years;
P
<0.001), with higher frequency of diabetes mellitus (46.4% versus 24.6%;
P
<0.001) and chronic kidney disease (median estimated glomerular filtration rate, 55 versus 61.6 mL/min;
P
=0.001). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, standard criteria cardiac transplant survival was higher than ECCT at 1 (89% versus 86%;
P
=0.18) and 5 (77% versus 66%;
P
=0.035) years. In a multivariate model that included listing criteria, creatinine (hazard ratio, 1.05 per 0.1 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.09;
P
=0.001) was a significant predictor of post-transplant mortality.

Conclusions—

ECCT is an acceptable alternative for advanced heart failure therapy in select patients. Age and renal dysfunction are important determinants of long-term survival and post-transplant morbidity.
Preclinical Evaluation of Biopolymer-Delivered Circulating Angiogenic Cells in a Swine Model of Hibernating Myocardium
Authors: Giordano Céline , Thorn Stephanie L. , Renaud Jennifer M. , Al-Atassi Talal , Boodhwani Munir , Klein Ran , Kuraitis Drew , Dwivedi Girish , Zhang Pingchuan , DaSilva Jean N. , Ascah Kathryn J. , deKemp Robert A. , Suuronen Erik J. , Beanlands Rob S.B. , Ruel Marc
Published: October 2013

Background—

Vasculogenic cell–based therapy combined with tissue engineering is a promising revascularization approach targeted at patients with advanced coronary artery disease, many of whom exhibit myocardial hibernation. However, to date, no experimental data have been available in this context; we therefore examined the biopolymer-supported delivery of circulating angiogenic cells using a clinically relevant swine model of hibernating myocardium.

Methods and Results—

Twenty-five swine underwent placement of an ameroid constrictor on the left circumflex artery. After 2 weeks, animals underwent echocardiography, rest and stress ammonia-positron emission tomography perfusion, and fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography viability scans. The following week, swine were randomized to receive intramyocardial injections of PBS control (n=10), circulating angiogenic cells (n=8), or circulating angiogenic cells+collagen-based matrix (n=7). The imaging protocol was repeated after 7 weeks. Baseline positron emission tomography myocardial blood flow and myocardial flow reserve were reduced in the left circumflex artery territory (both
P
<0.001), and hibernation (mismatch) was observed. At follow-up, stress myocardial blood flow had increased (
P
≤0.01) and hibernation decreased (
P
<0.01) in the cells+matrix group only. Microsphere-measured myocardial blood flow validated the perfusion results. Arteriole density and wall motion abnormalities improved in the cells+matrix group. There was also a strong trend toward an improvement in ejection fraction (
P
=0.07).

Conclusions—

In this preclinical swine model of ischemic and hibernating myocardium, the combined delivery of circulating angiogenic cells and a collagen-based matrix restored perfusion, reduced hibernation, and improved myocardial wall motion.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation With Chest Compressions During Sustained Inflations
Authors: Schmölzer Georg M. , O’Reilly Megan , LaBossiere Joseph , Lee Tze-Fun , Cowan Shaun , Qin Sharon , Bigam David L. , Cheung Po-Yin
Published: October 2013

Background—

Guidelines on neonatal resuscitation recommend 90 chest compressions (CCs) and 30 manual inflations (3:1) per minute in newborns. The study aimed to determine whether CC s during sustained inflations (SIs) improves the recovery of asphyxiated newborn piglets in comparison with coordinated 3:1 resuscitation.

Methods and Results—

Term newborn piglets (n=8/group) were anesthetized, intubated, instrumented, and exposed to 45-minute normocapnic hypoxia followed by asphyxia. Piglets were randomly assigned to receive either 3:1 resuscitation (3:1 group) or CCs during SIs (SI group) when the heart rate decreased to 25% of baseline. Piglets randomly assigned to the SI group received SIs with a pressure of 30 cm H
2
O for 30 s. During the SI, CCs at a rate of 120/min were provided. SI was interrupted after 30 s for 1 s before a further 30-s SI was provided. CCs were continued throughout SIs. CCs and SI were continued until the return of spontaneous circulation. Continuous respiratory parameters, cardiac output, mean systemic and pulmonary artery pressures, and regional blood flows were measured. Mean (standard deviation) time for return of spontaneous circulation was significantly reduced in SI group versus 3:1 group (32 [11] s versus 205 [113] s, respectively). In the SI group, administration of oxygen and epinephrine was significantly lower, whereas minute ventilation and exhaled CO
2
were significantly increased. The SI group had significantly higher mean systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures during resuscitation in comparison with the 3:1 group (51 [10] versus 31 [5] mm Hg; 41[7] versus 31 [7] mm Hg, respectively; all
P
<0.05), with improved cardiac output and carotid blood flow.

Conclusions—

Combining CCs and SIs significantly improved the return of spontaneous circulation with better hemodynamic recovery in asphyxiated newborn piglets in comparison with standard coordinated 3:1 resuscitation.
An annotated catalog of the Iranian Reduvioidea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Cimicomorpha)
Authors: GHAHARI HASSAN , MOULET PIERRE , CAI WANZHI , KARIMI JAVAD
Published: October 2013

An updated list of Iranian Reduvioidea Latreille (families Pachynomidae, Reduviidae) is presented and discussed in this paper. For Iranian fauna, there are records of one species of Pachynomidae and 109 species and subspecies of assassin bugs (Reduviidae) distributed in 24 genera and subgenera, and seven subfamilies, Emesinae, Harpactorinae, Holoptilinae, Peiratinae, Phymatinae, Reduviinae, and Stenopodainae. We report 6 new country records and one new species, Empicoris baerensprungi (Dohrn, 1863) for Asian fauna. Synonyms and distribution data are also given.
On the phylogenetic position of Carollia manu Pacheco et al., 2004 (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae: Carolliinae)
Authors: VELAZCO PAÚL M.
Published: October 2013

The Neotropical bat genus Carollia (Phyllostomidae: Carolliinae) currently includes eight species. Carollia manu was described in 2004 and is distributed in montane forests in southern Peru and Bolivia. The phylogenetic affinities of C. manu have never been assessed before. Phylogenetic analyses of cytochrome b sequences of seven of the eight known species of the genus place C. manu sister to C. subrufa. The analyses also suggest hidden diversity in the genus.
Descriptions of two new species of Gonatocerus (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) from southeastern Europe
Authors: TRIAPITSYN SERGUEI V. , DONEV ATANAS D. , HUBER JOHN T.
Published: October 2013

Two new taxa, Gonatocerus (Lymaenon) bulgaricus Donev & Triapitsyn (Bulgaria, and also apparently mainland Greece) and G. (Lymaenon) mediterraneus Donev & Triapitsyn (Greece—Crete Island) are described, diagnosed, and illustrated. Also, a species tentatively identified as G. (Lymaenon) ?beshbarmak Triapitsyn is reported from mainland Greece. If the species is indeed G. beshbarmak then this is the first record of it from Greece.
A new species of Helobdella (Hirudinida: Glossiphoniidae) from Oregon, USA
Authors: MOSER WILLIAM E. , FEND STEVEN V. , RICHARDSON DENNIS J. , HAMMOND CHARLOTTE I. , LAZO-WASEM ERIC A. , GOVEDICH FREDRIC R. , GULLO BETTINA S.
Published: October 2013

Helobdella bowermani n. sp. is described from specimens collected in fine sediment of open water benthos of Upper Klamath Lake, Klamath County, Oregon. The new species has pale yellow/buff coloration with scattered chromatophore blotches throughout the dorsal surface, lateral extensions or papillae only on the a2 annulus, dorsal medial row of papillae with small papilla on a1 and larger papillae on a2 and a3, and a small oval scute (rarely triangular). Helobdella bowermani n. sp. is morphologically similar to Helobdella atli and Helobdella simplex. Molecular comparison of CO-I sequence data from H. bowermani n. sp. revealed differences of 10.6%–10.8% with Helobdella californica, differences of 12.2%–13.7% with H. atli, and differences of 12.7%–13.2% with H. simplex.
The gender of “cleis”: correct spelling of Chiasmocleis supercilialbus Morales and McDiarmid, 2009, and Elachistocleis magnus Toledo, 2010 (Anura, Microhylidae)
Authors: PELOSO PEDRO L.V. , MCDIARMID ROY W. , CARAMASCHI ULISSES
Published: October 2013

Morales and McDiarmid (2009) and Toledo (2010) described and named, respectively, Chiasmocleis supercilialbus and Elachistocleis magnus. We argue that the specific epithets of both names are discordant with the gender of their respective genera and need correction.
Origins of Tropical Pacific Decadal Variability: Role of Stochastic Atmospheric Forcing from the South Pacific*
Authors: Okumura Yuko M.
Published: October 2013

Based on the analysis of multicentury–millennium integrations of an atmospheric model coupled to the ocean with varying degrees, it is argued that ENSO-like decadal variability is primarily driven by stochastic atmospheric forcing. In particular, the leading mode of internal atmospheric variability over the South Pacific, which projects onto the Pacific–South American (PSA) pattern, plays an important role in modulating the trade winds and sea surface temperature (SST) in the southeast tropical Pacific. Subsequent ocean–atmosphere interactions organize a basinwide SST anomaly pattern in the tropics, which in turn forces atmospheric Rossby waves into the extratropics, reinforcing the PSA pattern and inducing coherent decadal changes in the North Pacific. In the absence of ocean dynamics, equatorial SST variability is reduced and the North Pacific exhibits decadal variability independent of the tropical–South Pacific. The strong tropical–South Pacific linkage may be attributed to the equatorially asymmetric nature of tropical Pacific climate.
Real-Time Measurement of the Range Correlation for Range Oversampling Processing
Authors: Curtis Christopher D. , Torres Sebastián M.
Published: October 2013

As range-oversampling processing has become more practical for weather radars, implementation issues have become important to ensure the best possible performance. For example, all of the linear transformations that have been utilized for range-oversampling processing directly depend on the normalized range correlation matrix. Hence, accurately measuring the correlation in range time is essential to avoid reflectivity biases and to ensure the expected variance reduction. Although the range correlation should be relatively stable over time, hardware changes and drift due to changing environmental conditions can have measurable effects on the modified pulse. To reliably track changes in the range correlation, an automated real-time method is needed that does not interfere with normal data collection. A method is proposed that uses range-oversampled data from operational radar scans and that works with radar returns from both weather and ground clutter. In this paper, the method is described, tested using simulations, and validated with time series data.
North Atlantic SST Anomalies and the Cold North European Weather Events of Winter 2009/10 and December 2010
Authors: Buchan Jian , Hirschi Joël J.-M. , Blaker Adam T. , Sinha Bablu
Published: October 2013

Northern Europe experienced consecutive periods of extreme cold weather in the winter of 2009/10 and in late 2010. These periods were characterized by a tripole pattern in North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and exceptionally negative phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). A global ocean–atmosphere general circulation model (OAGCM) is used to investigate the ocean’s role in influencing North Atlantic and European climate. Observed SST anomalies are used to force the atmospheric model and the resultant changes in atmospheric conditions over northern Europe are examined. Different atmospheric responses occur in the winter of 2009/10 and the early winter of 2010. These experiments suggest that North Atlantic SST anomalies did not significantly affect the development of the negative NAO phase in the cold winter of 2009/10. However, in November and December 2010 the large-scale North Atlantic SST anomaly pattern leads to a significant shift in the atmospheric circulation over the North Atlantic toward a NAO negative phase. Therefore, these results indicate that SST anomalies in November/December 2010 were particularly conducive to the development of a negative NAO phase, which culminated in the extreme cold weather conditions experienced over northern Europe in December 2010.
Stratospheric Analysis and Forecast Errors Using Hybrid and Sigma Coordinates
Authors: Eckermann Stephen D. , McCormack John P. , Ma Jun , Hogan Timothy F. , Zawdie Katherine A.
Published: October 2013

Past investigations have documented large divergent wind anomalies in stratospheric reanalyses over steep terrain, which were attributed to discretization errors produced by the terrain-following (sigma) vertical coordinate in the forecast model. However, forecasting experiments have reported negligible differences in skill between sigma- and hybrid-coordinate models. This leads to the paradoxical conclusion that discretization errors in the forecast model yield significant stratospheric analysis errors, but insignificant stratospheric forecast errors. The authors reexamine this issue by performing two forecast-assimilation experiments that are identical except for the vertical coordinate: one uses a sigma coordinate and the other uses a hybrid coordinate. The sigma-coordinate analyses exhibit large divergent wind anomalies over terrain that extend from the surface to the model top and distort explicitly resolved orographic gravity waves. Above the tropopause, divergent wind errors are suppressed by an order of magnitude or more in the hybrid-coordinate analyses. Over a 3-month period, stratospheric skill scores in the hybrid experiment show statistically significant improvements relative to the sigma experiment. Previous studies, which found no such differences, all used forecasts initialized from a common archived analysis. The results show that the dominant pathway for error growth and net skill impacts is via 0–9-h forecast backgrounds cycling successively through the data assimilation phase without significant observational correction. The skill impacts noted here should further motivate weather and climate models to adopt a hybrid coordinate with the best error suppression characteristics for a given modeling application.
The information economy of Turkmenistan
Authors: Richardson John V.
Published: October 2013

The issues related toward advancing the information economy in Turkmenistan are organized using the STEPE model (i.e., social, technical, economic, political, and ecological matters). An analysis, using these five factors, can give insight into the likely future of the information economy within this country. Many of the observations focus on contrasts rather than similarities since the Presidential library ban of June 2005 (see Richardson, John V. ‘The library and information economy of Turkmenistan.’ IFLA Journal 32(2) 2006: 131–139).
Cotinine Levels Among Betel Quid Users and Cigarette Smokers in Cambodia
Authors: Singh Pramil N. , Natto Zuhair , Saxena Rituraj , Banerjee Hiya , Yel Daravuth , Khieng Sothy , Job Jayakaran S.
Published: October 2013

Smokeless tobacco use in the form of the betel quid is common in the Western Pacific Region, and yet few studies have determined the nicotine delivery of this habit. During a validation substudy, we randomly sampled 201 adults from a rural province of Cambodia and determined nonparametric (bootstrapped) confidence intervals (CIs) for salivary cotinine levels in tobacco users. We found that cotinine levels for daily betel quid use among women (95% CI = 218.6-350.0 ng/mL) were (1) similar to the levels for daily cigarette smoking in men (95% CI = 240.2-317.1 ng/mL) and (2) significantly higher than the levels for daily cigarette smoking in women (95% CI = 71.8-202.7 ng/mL). The 95% confidence range for these habits exceeded the threshold for addiction. Our findings from rural Cambodia indicate that the typical betel quid habit among women supports the same level of nicotine addiction as the typical cigarette habit in men.
Correlates and Moderators of Child Pornography Consumption in a Community Sample
Authors: Ray James V. , Kimonis Eva R. , Seto Michael C.
Published: October 2013

This study compares pornography users who report child pornography (CP) consumption with those who do not on demographic characteristics (age, ethnicity, and education level), psychological characteristics (e.g., loneliness, attachment style, anxiety, and sensation seeking), frequency of pornography use, and intentions to engage in contact sexual abuse. Participants were recruited on the Internet to complete an online anonymous survey about “problematic pornography use.” Approximately, one fifth of the recruited male pornography users (21%, n = 37) reported consuming CP. The two groups were similar on all demographic and psychological characteristics. However, the probability of CP consumption was the greatest among men scoring high on a measure of sensation seeking who reported frequent pornography use (i.e., statistical moderation). CP consumers also reported a greater interest in engaging in sexual contact with a minor than non-CP consumers.
A Criminal Careers Typology of Child Sexual Abusers
Authors: Wortley Richard , Smallbone Stephen
Published: October 2013

We present a criminal careers typology of child sexual abusers constructed in terms of their offending persistence (persistent vs. limited) and versatility (specialized vs. versatile). Analyses were conducted on the official records of 362 convicted offenders, 213 of whom also provided confidential self-report data on their personal and offending histories. Forty-one percent of the sample were currently serving sentences for their first sexual offense conviction(s) but had at least one prior conviction for a nonsexual offense (limited/versatile); 36.4% had no previous convictions of any kind (limited/specialized); 17.8% had prior convictions for sexual and nonsexual offenses (persistent/versatile); and 4.8% had prior convictions for sexual offenses only (persistent/specialized). These four groups differed on a range of personal and offense-related variables, including abuse histories, sexual orientation, age at first sexual contact with a child, number of victims, duration of sexual involvement with victims, victim gender, and whether victims were familial or nonfamilial. These differences suggest the need to adopt different treatment and prevention strategies that target the specific characteristics of each group.
Psychological distress and perceived health in inmates in Norwegian prisons
Authors: Iversen Valentina C , Sam David L , Helvik Anne-S
Published: October 2013

Background: Perceived health is a subjective measure of an individual’s health based on self-reported, and self-knowledge about one’s health status. It is related to one’s functional status, morbidity, and mortality and serves as an important indicator in determining an individual’s health status and health-related quality of life. The main purpose of this study is to explore (i) how a sample of adult inmates perceived their health and (ii) identify factors that may be associated with their perceived health. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, where data collection involved the use of a structured questionnaire. The study sites were six prisons. A total of 144 inmates, 13 women (14%) and 131 men (91%) took part in the study. Results: The odds of having perceived good health were reduced by increasing age of the inmate (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.90–0.98) and increased by high level of education (OR = 4.11, 95% CI = 1.09–15.50) and long time spent in prison (OR = 3.56, 95% CI = 1.09–15.50), adjusting for ethnicity and a previous history of murder/manslaughter ( p > .02). In the same adjusted analysis, the odds of perceived good health were decreased with medium high and high depressive score (OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.02–0.17 and OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.00–0.48, respectively). Conclusions: Psychological distress, time spent in prison, level of education and age were independent predictors of perceived health. High levels of psychological distress predict poor perceived health. Low level of education predict poor perceived health, while time spent in prison and age predict good perceived health.
Reconstructing the lifetime movements of ancient people: A Neolithic case study from southern England
Authors: Montgomery Janet , Budd Paul , Evans Jane
Published: October 2013

A new procedure is described in which combined lead and strontium isotope analysis of archaeological human dental tissues can be used to comment on the lifetime movements of individuals. A case study is presented of four Neolithic burials – an adult female and three juveniles – from a shared burial pit excavated at Monkton-up-Wimbourne, Dorset. It is demonstrated that the adult's place of origin was at least 80km to the north-west in the area of the Mendips. It is also shown that all three juveniles moved over significant distances during their lives.
ScreenSifter: analysis and visualization of RNAi screening data
Authors: Kumar Pankaj , Goh Germaine , Wongphayak Sarawut , Moreau Dimitri , Bard Frédéric
Published: October 2013

Background

RNAi screening is a powerful method to study the genetics of intracellular processes in metazoans. Technically, the approach has been largely inspired by techniques and tools developed for compound screening, including those for data analysis. However, by contrast with compounds, RNAi inducing agents can be linked to a large body of gene-centric, publically available data. However, the currently available software applications to analyze RNAi screen data usually lack the ability to visualize associated gene information in an interactive fashion.

Results

Here, we present ScreenSifter, an open-source desktop application developed to facilitate storing, statistical analysis and rapid and intuitive biological data mining of RNAi screening datasets. The interface facilitates meta-data acquisition and long-term safe-storage, while the graphical user interface helps the definition of a hit list and the visualization of biological modules among the hits, through Gene Ontology and protein-protein interaction analyses. The application also allows the visualization of screen-to-screen comparisons.

Conclusions

Our software package, ScreenSifter, can accelerate and facilitate screen data analysis and enable discovery by providing unique biological data visualization capabilities.
The 30-kDa and 38-kDa antigens from Mycobacterium tuberculosis induce partial maturation of human dendritic cells shifting CD4+ T cell responses towards IL-4 production
Authors: Heuer Marion , Behlich Anna-Sophie , Lee Ji-Sook , Ribechini Eliana , Jo Eun-Kyeong , Lutz Manfred B
Published: October 2013

Background

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infections are still a major cause of death among all infectious diseases. Although 99% of individuals infected with Mtb develop a CD4+ Th1 and CD8+ T cell mediated immunity as measured by tuberculin skin test, this results only in partial protection and Mtb vaccines are not effective. Deviation of immune responses by pathogens towards a Th2 profile is a common mechanism of immune evasion, typically leading to the persistence of the microbes.

Results

Here we tested the stimulatory capacity of selective Mtb antigens on human monocyte-derived dendritic cell (DC) maturation and cytokine production. DC maturation markers CD80, CD86 and CD83 were readily upregulated by H37Ra- and H37Rv-associated antigens, the 30-kDa (from Ag85 B complex) and 38-KDa Mtb antigens only partially induced these markers. All Mtb antigens induced variable levels of IL-6 and low levels of IL-10, there was no release of IL-12p70 detectable. Substantial IL-12p40 production was restricted to LPS or H37Ra and H37Rv preparations. Although the proliferation levels of primary T cell responses were comparable using all the differentially stimulated DC, the 30-kDa and 38-kDa antigens showed a bias towards IL-4 secretion of polarized CD4+ T cells after secondary stimulation as compared to H37Ra and H37Rv preparations.

Conclusion

Together our data indicate that 30-kDa and 38-kDa Mtb antigens induced only partial DC maturation shifting immune responses towards a Th2 profile.
The large soybean (Glycine max) WRKY TF family expanded by segmental duplication events and subsequent divergent selection among subgroups
Authors: Yin Guangjun , Xu Hongliang , Xiao Shuyang , Qin Yajuan , Li Yaxuan , Yan Yueming , Hu Yingkao
Published: October 2013

Background

WRKY genes encode one of the most abundant groups of transcription factors in higher plants, and its members regulate important biological process such as growth, development, and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Although the soybean genome sequence has been published, functional studies on soybean genes still lag behind those of other species.

Results

We identified a total of 133 WRKY members in the soybean genome. According to structural features of their encoded proteins and to the phylogenetic tree, the soybean WRKY family could be classified into three groups (groups I, II, and III). A majority of WRKY genes (76.7%; 102 of 133) were segmentally duplicated and 13.5% (18 of 133) of the genes were tandemly duplicated. This pattern was not apparent in Arabidopsis or rice. The transcriptome atlas revealed notable differential expression in either transcript abundance or in expression patterns under normal growth conditions, which indicated wide functional divergence in this family. Furthermore, some critical amino acids were detected using DIVERGE v2.0 in specific comparisons, suggesting that these sites have contributed to functional divergence among groups or subgroups. In addition, site model and branch-site model analyses of positive Darwinian selection (PDS) showed that different selection regimes could have affected the evolution of these groups. Sites with high probabilities of having been under PDS were found in groups I, II c, II e, and III. Together, these results contribute to a detailed understanding of the molecular evolution of the WRKY gene family in soybean.

Conclusions

In this work, all the WRKY genes, which were generated mainly through segmental duplication, were identified in the soybean genome. Moreover, differential expression and functional divergence of the duplicated WRKY genes were two major features of this family throughout their evolutionary history. Positive selection analysis revealed that the different groups have different evolutionary rates. Together, these results contribute to a detailed understanding of the molecular evolution of the WRKY gene family in soybean.