bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three genes encoding citrate synthases in Saccharopolyspora erythraea are regulated by the global nutrient‐sensing regulators GlnR, DasR, and CRP
Authors: Liao Cheng‐Heng , Yao Li‐li , Ye Bang‐Ce
Published: October 2014

Saccharopolyspora erythraea has three citrate synthases encoded by gltA‐2, citA, and citA4. Here, we characterized and identified the expression and regulatory properties of these synthases. Three pleiotropic global regulatory proteins of S. erythraea – CRP, GlnR, and DasR – are involved in carbon metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, and amino‐sugar (chitin and GlcNAc) metabolism. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), we identified these regulators as proteins that bind directly to the promoter regions of all citrate synthase genes (gltA‐2, citA, and citA4). Footprinting assays indicated the exact protect sequences of CRP, GlnR, and DasR on the promoter region of gltA‐2, revealing binding competition between GlnR and DasR. Moreover, by comparing the transcription levels of citrate synthase genes between parental and glnR mutant or dasR mutant strains, or by comparing the transcription response of citrate synthases under various nutrient conditions, we found that GlnR and DasR negatively regulated citA and citA4 transcription but had no regulatory effects on the gltA‐2 gene. Although no CRP mutant was available, the results indicated that CRP was a cAMP‐binding receptor affecting gltA‐2 transcription when the intracellular cAMP concentration increased. Thus, an overall model of CS regulation by C and/or N metabolism regulators and cAMP receptor protein was proposed.
Induced systemic resistance responses in perennial ryegrass against Magnaporthe oryzae elicited by semi‐purified surfactin lipopeptides and live cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
Authors: Rahman Alamgir , Uddin Wakar , Wenner Nancy G.
Published: October 2014

The suppressive ability of several strains of cyclic lipopeptide‐producing Bacillus rhizobacteria to grey leaf spot disease caused by Magnaporthe oryzae has been documented previously; however, the underlying mechanism(s) involved in the induced systemic resistance (ISR) activity in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) remains unknown. Root‐drench application of solid‐phase extraction (SPE)‐enriched surfactin and live cells of mutant Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain FZB42‐AK3 (produces surfactin, but not bacillomycin D and fengycin) significantly reduced disease incidence and severity on perennial ryegrass. The application of the treatments revealed a pronounced multilayered ISR defence response activation via timely and enhanced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), elevated cell wall/apoplastic peroxidase activity, and deposition of callose and phenolic/polyphenolic compounds underneath the fungal appressoria in naïve leaves, which was significantly more intense in treated plants than in mock‐treated controls. Moreover, a hypersensitive response (HR)‐type reaction and enhanced expression of LpPrx (Prx, peroxidase), LpOXO4 (OXO, oxalate oxidase), LpPAL (PAL, phenylalanine ammonia lyase), LpLOXa (LOX, lipoxygenase), LpTHb (putative defensin) and LpDEFa (DEFa, putative defensin) in perennial ryegrass were associated with SPE‐enriched surfactin and live AK3 cell treatments, acting as a second layer of defence when pre‐invasive defence responses failed. The results indicate that ISR activity following surfactin perception may sensitize H2O2‐mediated defence responses, thereby providing perennial ryegrass with enhanced protection against M. oryzae.
A low‐cost mesocosm for the study of behaviour and reproductive potential in Afrotropical mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) vectors of malaria
Authors: JACKSON B. T. , STONE C. M. , EBRAHIMI B. , BRIËT O. J. T. , FOSTER W. A.
Published: October 2014

A large‐scale mesocosm was constructed and tested for its effectiveness for use in experiments on behaviour, reproduction and adult survivorship in the Afrotropical malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.s. Giles (Diptera: Culicidae) in temperate climates. The large space (82.69 m3) allowed for semi‐natural experiments that increased demand on a mosquito's energetic reserves in an environment of widely distributed resources. A one‐piece prefabricated enclosure, made with white netting and vinyl, prevented the ingress of predators and the egress of mosquitoes. Daylight and white materials prompted the mosquitoes to seclude themselves in restricted daytime resting sites and allowed the easy collection of dead bodies so that daily mortality could be assessed accurately using a method that accounts for the loss of a proportion of bodies. Here, daily, age‐dependent mortality rates of males and females were estimated using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation. In overnight experiments, mosquitoes successfully located plants and took sugar meals. A 3‐week survival trial with a single cohort demonstrated successful mating, blood feeding, oviposition and long life. The relatively low cost of the mesocosm and the performance of the mosquitoes in it make it a viable option for any behavioural or ecological study of tropical mosquitoes in which space and seasonal cold are constraining factors.
Source of nitrogen associated with recovery of relative growth rate in Arabidopsis thaliana acclimated to sustained cold treatment
Authors: ATKINSON LINDSEY J. , SHERLOCK DAVID J. , ATKIN OWEN K.
Published: October 2014

To determine (1) whether acclimation of carbon metabolism to low temperatures results in recovery of the relative growth rate (RGR) of plants in the cold and (2) the source of N underpinning cold acclimation in Arabidopsis thaliana, we supplied plants with a nutrient solution labelled with 15N and subjected them to a temperature shift (from 23 to 5 °C). Whole‐plant RGR of cold‐treated plants was initially less than 30% of that of warm‐maintained control plants. After 14 d, new leaves with a cold‐acclimated phenotype emerged, with the RGR of cold‐treated plants increasing by 50%; there was an associated recovery of root RGR and doubling of the net assimilation rate (NAR). The development of new tissues in the cold was supported initially by re‐allocation of internal sources of N. In the longer term, the majority (80%) of N in the new leaves was derived from the external solution. Hence, both the nutrient status of the plant and the current availability of N from external sources are important in determining recovery of growth at low temperature. Collectively, our results reveal that both increased N use efficiency and increases in nitrogen content per se play a role in the recovery of carbon metabolism in the cold.
Blocking the QB‐binding site of photosystem II by tenuazonic acid, a non–host‐specific toxin of Alternaria alternata, activates singlet oxygen‐mediated and EXECUTER‐dependent signalling in Arabidopsis
Authors: CHEN SHIGUO , KIM CHANHONG , LEE JE MIN , LEE HYUN‐AH , FEI ZHANGJUN , WANG LIANGSHENG , APEL KLAUS
Published: October 2014

Necrotrophic fungal pathogens produce toxic compounds that induce cell death in infected plants. Often, the primary targets of these toxins and the way a plant responds to them are not known. In the present work, the effect of tenuazonic acid (TeA), a non–host‐specific toxin of Alternaria alternata, on Arabidopsis thaliana has been analysed. TeA blocks the QB‐binding site at the acceptor side of photosystem II (PSII). As a result, charge recombination at the reaction centre (RC) of PSII is expected to enhance the formation of the excited triplet state of the RC chlorophyll that promotes generation of singlet oxygen (1O2). 1O2 activates a signalling pathway that depends on the two EXECUTER (EX) proteins EX1 and EX2 and triggers a programmed cell death response. In seedlings treated with TeA at half‐inhibition concentration 1O2‐mediated and EX‐dependent signalling is activated as indicated by the rapid and transient up‐regulation of 1O2‐responsive genes in wild type, and its suppression in ex1/ex2 mutants. Lesion formation occurs when seedlings are exposed to higher concentrations of TeA for a longer period of time. Under these conditions, the programmed cell death response triggered by 1O2‐mediated and EX‐dependent signalling is superimposed by other events that also contribute to lesion formation.
Within‐plant distribution of 1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐ones contributes to herbivore niche differentiation in maize
Authors: KÖHLER ANGELA , MAAG DANIEL , VEYRAT NATHALIE , GLAUSER GAÉTAN , WOLFENDER JEAN‐LUC , TURLINGS TED C. J. , ERB MATTHIAS
Published: October 2014

Plant defences vary in space and time, which may translate into specific herbivore‐foraging patterns and feeding niche differentiation. To date, little is known about the effect of secondary metabolite patterning on within‐plant herbivore foraging. We investigated how variation in the major maize secondary metabolites, 1,4‐benzoxazin‐3‐one derivatives (BXDs), affects the foraging behaviour of two leaf‐chewing herbivores. BXD levels varied substantially within plants. Older leaves had higher levels of constitutive BXDs while younger leaves were consistently more inducible. These differences were observed independently of plant age, even though the concentrations of most BXDs declined markedly in older plants. Larvae of the well‐adapted maize pest Spodoptera frugiperda preferred and grew better on young inducible leaves irrespective of plant age, while larvae of the generalist Spodoptera littoralis preferred and tended to grow better on old leaves. In BXD‐free mutants, the differences in herbivore weight gain between old and young leaves were absent for both species, and leaf preferences of S. frugiperda were attenuated. In contrast, S. littoralis foraging patterns were not affected. In summary, our study shows that plant secondary metabolites differentially affect performance and foraging of adapted and non‐adapted herbivores and thereby likely contribute to feeding niche differentiation.
Majority Rule
Authors: Novak Stéphanie
Published: October 2014

This article provides a survey of existing studies of majority rule, outlines misconceptions of majority rule, and highlights underexplored fields of research. It argues that the reasons why the minority complies with majority decisions have been underexplored.
Interspecific Variation in the Repair of UV Damaged DNA in the Genus Xiphophorus as a Factor in the Decline of the Rio Grande Platyfish
Authors: Mitchell David , Paniker Lakshmi , Lin Kevin , Fernandez André
Published: October 2014

The fish genus Xiphophorus consists of 26 species distributed along the eastern slopes of mountain ranges extending from northern Mexico to Belize and Nicaragua. We analyzed light‐dependent repair of UV‐induced DNA damage in at least two species from each of the four monophyletic Xiphophorus groups. We found that the northern platyfish had significantly reduced photoenzymatic repair compared to the other three groups, including the northern swordtails, southern platyfish and southern swordtails. All of the species of the northern platyfish, including the Marbled (meyeri), Northern (gordoni) and Monterrey Platyfish (couchianus) are the northernmost species in the genus and are the only three species in the genus that are currently found on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Satellite data from the past 30 years (1979–2008) correlate greater increases in shorter wavelength UVB with higher latitudes within the Xiphophorus range. We suggest that, combined with other consequences of human population growth, anthropogenic deozonation resulting in a disproportionate increase in UVB in temperate latitudes may be a contributing factor in the decline and extirpation of the northern platyfish.
Metabolite changes during the life history of Porphyra haitanensis
Authors: Wang X. , Zhao P. , Luo Q. , Yan X. , Xu J. , Chen J. , Chen H.
Published: October 2014

Plant metabolomics is essentially the comprehensive analysis of complex metabolites of plant extracts. Metabolic fingerprinting is an important part of plant metabolomics research. In this study, metabolic fingerprinting of different stages of the life history of the red alga Porphyra haitanensis was performed. The stages included conchocelis filaments, sporangial branchlets, conchosporangia, discharged conchospores and conchosporangial branchlets after conchospore discharge. Metabolite extracts were analysed with ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionisation quadrupole‐time of flight mass spectrometry. Analyses profiles were subjected to principal components analysis and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis using the SIMCA‐P software for biomarker selection and identification. Based on the MS/MS spectra and data from the literature, potential biomarkers, mainly of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine, were identified. Identification of these biomarkers suggested that plasma membrane phospholipids underwent major changes during the life history of P. haitanensis. The levels of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine increased in sporangial branchlets and decreased in discharged conchospores. Moreover, levels of sphingaine (d18:0) decreased in sporangial branchlets and increased in discharged conchospores, which indicates that membrane lipids were increasingly synthesised as energy storage in sporangial branchlets, while energy was consumed in sporangial branchlets to discharged conchospores. A metabolomic study of different growth phases of P. haitanensis will enhance our understanding of its physiology and ecology.
Anti‐Mullerian Hormone Concentration and Antral Ovarian Follicle Population in Murrah Heifers Compared to Holstein and Gyr Kept Under the Same Management
Authors: Baldrighi JM , Sá Filho MF , Batista EOS , Lopes RNVR , Visintin JA , Baruselli PS , Assumpção MEOA
Published: October 2014

Contents

This study was performed to evaluate plasma concentrations of anti‐Mullerian hormone (AMH) and the ovarian antral follicle population (AFP) in different genetic groups. Cyclic heifers (13 Bubalus bubalis [Murrah]; 15 Bos taurus [Holstein] and 10 Bos indicus [Gyr]) were maintained under the same management and were synchronized with two doses of 150 μg IM d‐cloprostenol administered 14 days apart. After the second d‐cloprostenol treatment, heifers had their ovaries scanned daily by ultrasound to define the day of ovulation. On the same day, the AFP was determined and a plasma sample was collected to measure AMH. Murrah heifers had less AFP (25.6 ± 2.1 follicles; p = 0.01) and plasma AMH concentration (0.18 ± 0.03 ng/ml; p < 0.001) than Gyr (60.0 ± 12.2 follicles and 0.60 ± 0.12 ng/ml of AMH); however, data were similar when compared to Holstein (35.9 ± 6.8 follicles and 0.24 ± 0.06 ng/ml of AMH) heifers. Regardless of genetic background, there was a positive relationship between the AFP and plasmatic AMH concentration (Murrah [r = 0.62; p < 0.01], Holstein [r = 0.66; p < 0.001] and Gyr [r = 0.88; p < 0.001]). Also, when heifers were classified according to high‐ or low‐AMH concentration based on the average within each genetic group, high‐AMH heifers had greater (p < 0.0001) AFP than low‐AMH heifers. In conclusion, both Murrah and Holstein heifers presented lower plasma AMH concentration and AFP when compared to Gyr.
Effect of Oestrus Synchronization with PGF2α/eCG/hCG on Luteal P4 Synthesis in Early Pregnant Gilts
Authors: Szymanska M , Morawska‐Pucinska E , Krawczynski K , Kiewisz J , Ziecik AJ , Blitek A
Published: October 2014

Contents

Administration of hormones to synchronize oestrus is a useful tool in animal breeding. However, exogenous ovarian stimulation may be detrimental to reproductive function. This study was aimed to examine whether an oestrus synchronization with PGF2α/eCG/hCG could affect luteal P4 synthesis in early pregnant gilts. Corpora lutea (CLs) were collected on days 9, 12 and 16 of pregnancy from gilts with natural (n = 16) and synchronized (n = 18) oestrus and analysed for (i) the expre‐ssion of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A polypeptide (CYP11A1), and 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD); (ii) the concentration of P4 in the luteal tissue and blood; and (iii) the expression of luteinizing hormone receptors (LHR) and oestrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ). Additionally, the effect of LH on P4 secretion from CL slices collected from synchronized and naturally ovulated animals has been studied in vitro. PGF2α/eCG/hCG administration increased mRNA expression of StAR, CYP11A1, 3βHSD, and LHR on day 9 and CYP11A1 and LHR on day 12 of pregnancy compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CYP11A1, 3βHSD, LHR, ERα and ERβ proteins were not affected by synchronization; only StAR protein increased in hormonally treated animals (p = 0.017). The concentration of P4 in luteal tissue was greater on day 9 (p < 0.01), but lower on day 16 (p < 0.05) in gilts with hormonally induced oestrus compared with control animals. Blood serum levels of P4 were lower in synchronized than control gilts (p < 0.001). Synchronization did not affect LH‐stimulated P4 secretion from luteal slices; however, greater basal concentration of P4 in incubation medium was detected for CLs collected from synchronized than control gilts (p < 0.05). In conclusion, synchronization of oestrus with PGF2α/eCG/hCG protocol in gilts did not impair the expression of luteal P4 synthesis system, although decreased P4 concentration in the blood.
Cash Transfers to the Poor and the Labor Market: An Equilibrium Analysis
Authors: Cavalcanti Tiago , Corrêa Márcio
Published: October 2014

This paper studies the effects of cash transfers to the poor on the labor market. This is investigated in a matching model with endogenous labor market participation and job destruction. Depending on their productivity, workers might want to stay in the job, become unemployed, or leave the labor market; in addition, workers out of the labor force might decide to search for a job. Cash transfers are introduced to all agents with income below a given level. Two qualitative results are found: (i) The size of cash transfers has a negative effect on the employment rate, but an ambiguous effect on the unemployment rate; and (ii) the coverage of this welfare program has a positive effect on the employment rate, and an ambiguous effect on the unemployment rate. The numerical simulations also show that: (i) if the government target is to reduce inequality and poverty, the more efficient policy is to increase the level of benefits instead of increasing the eligibility of the program; (ii) compared with a welfare program that condition eligibility to labor market participation, the “unconditional” cash transfer program has a stronger impact on inequality and poverty, but with a reduction in labor market participation and output.
DYT1 directly regulates the expression of TDF1 for tapetum development and pollen wall formation in Arabidopsis
Authors: Gu Jing‐Nan , Zhu Jun , Yu Yu , Teng Xiao‐Dong , Lou Yue , Xu Xiao‐Feng , Liu Jia‐Li , Yang Zhong‐Nan
Published: October 2014

The tapetum plays a critical role during the development and maturation of microspores. DYSFUNCTIONAL TAPETUM 1 (DYT1) is essential for early tapetal development. Here, we determined that the promoter region (−550 to −463 bp) contains indispensable cis‐elements for DYT1 expression. Although DYT1 transcripts can be detected in both meiocytes and tapetal cells, localization of DYT1–GFP demonstrated that DYT1 is strictly located in tapetal cells during microsporogenesis. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis revealed that DYT1 directly binds the promoter region of Defective in Tapetal Development and Function 1 (TDF1), a transcription factor essential for tapetum development. When TDF1 driven by the DYT1 promoter is expressed in a dyt1 mutant, the expression of the transcription factors AMS, MS188/MYB80, TEK and MS1 and the pollen wall‐related genes are restored. Although the pollen wall is not formed and the microspores are ruptured, DIOC2 staining showed that fatty acids, the precursors of the pollen wall, were synthesized in the transgenic lines. These results indicate that DYT1 regulates the expression of AMS, MS188/MYB80, TEK and MS1 for pollen wall formation, primarily via TDF1.
Improved Flow Rate in Electro-Osmotic Micropumps for Combinations of Substrates and Different Liquids With and Without Nanoparticles
Authors: Al-Rjoub Marwan F. , Roy Ajit K. , Ganguli Sabyasachi , Banerjee Rupak K.
Published: October 2014

A new design for an electro-osmotic flow (EOF) driven micropump was fabricated. Considering thermal management applications, three different types of micropumps were tested using multiple liquids. The micropumps were fabricated from a combination of materials, which included: silicon-polydimethylsiloxane (Si-PDMS), Glass-PDMS, or PDMS-PDMS. The flow rates of the micropumps were experimentally and numerically assessed. Different combinations of materials and liquids resulted in variable values of zeta-potential. The ranges of zeta-potential for Si-PDMS, Glass-PDMS, and PDMS-PDMS were −42.5–−50.7 mV, −76.0–−88.2 mV, and −76.0–−103.0 mV, respectively. The flow rates of the micropumps were proportional to their zeta-potential values. In particular, flow rate values were found to be linearly proportional to the applied voltages below 500 V. A maximum flow rate of 75.9 μL/min was achieved for the Glass-PDMS micropump at 1 kV. At higher voltages nonlinearity and reduction in flow rate occurred due to Joule heating and the axial electro-osmotic current leakage through the silicon substrate. The fabricated micropumps could deliver flow rates, which were orders of magnitude higher compared to the previously reported values for similar size micropumps. It is expected that such an increase in flow rate, particularly in the case of the Si-PDMS micropump, would lead to enhanced heat transfer for microchip cooling applications as well as for applications involving micrototal analysis systems (μTAS).
Mechanics and Dynamics of Multifunctional Tools
Authors: Wan Min , Murat Kilic Zekai , Altintas Yusuf
Published: October 2014

The mechanics and dynamics of the combined processes are presented for multifunctional tools, which can drill, bore, and chamfer holes in one operation. The oblique cutting forces on each cutting edge with varying geometry are modeled first, followed by their transformations to tangential, radial, and axial directions of the cutter. The regenerative effect of lateral and torsional/axial vibrations is considered in predicting the dynamic chip thickness with multiple delays due to distribution of cutting edges on the cutter body. The lateral and torsional/axial chatter stability of the complete hole making operation is predicted in semidiscrete time domain. The proposed static cutting force and chatter stability prediction models are experimentally proven for two different multifunctional tools in drilling Aluminum Al7050 and Steel AISI1045.
Assessment of auditory spatial awareness in complex listening environments
Authors: Brungart Douglas S. , Cohen Julie , Cord Mary , Zion Danielle , Kalluri Sridhar
Published: October 2014

In the real world, listeners often need to track multiple simultaneous sources in order to maintain awareness of the relevant sounds in their environments. Thus, there is reason to believe that simple single source sound localization tasks may not accurately capture the impact that a listening device such as a hearing aid might have on a listener's level of auditory awareness. In this experiment, 10 normal hearing listeners and 20 hearing impaired listeners were tested in a task that required them to identify and localize sound sources in three different listening tasks of increasing complexity: a single-source localization task, where listeners identified and localized a single sound source presented in isolation; an added source task, where listeners identified and localized a source that was added to an existing auditory scene, and a remove source task, where listeners identified and localized a source that was removed from an existing auditory scene. Hearing impaired listeners completed these tasks with and without the use of their previously fit hearing aids. As expected, the results show that performance decreased both with increasing task complexity and with the number of competing sound sources in the acoustic scene. The results also show that the added source task was as sensitive to differences in performance across listening conditions as the standard localization task, but that it correlated with a different pattern of subjective and objective performance measures across listeners. This result suggests that a measure of complex auditory situation awareness such as the one tested here may be a useful tool for evaluating differences in performance across different types of listening devices, such as hearing aids or hearing protection devices.
Transarctic acoustic telemetry
Authors: Song H. C. , Mikhalevsky Peter N. , Baggeroer Arthur B.
Published: October 2014

On April 9 and 13, 1999, two Arctic Climate Observation Using Underwater Sound tomography signals were transmitted from a 20.5-Hz acoustic source moored at the Franz Victoria Strait to an eight-element, 525-m vertical array at ice camp APLIS in the Chukchi Sea at a distance of ∼2720 km. The transmitted signal was a 20-min long, 255-digit m-sequence that can be treated as a binary-phase shift-keying communication signal with a data rate of 2 bits/s. The almost error-free performance using either spatial diversity (three elements) for a single transmission or temporal diversity (two transmissions) with a single element demonstrates the feasibility of ice-covered trans-Arctic acoustic communications.
Causal feedforward control of a stochastically excited fuselage structure with active sidewall panel
Authors: Misol Malte , Haase Thomas , Monner Hans Peter , Sinapius Michael
Published: October 2014

This paper provides experimental results of an aircraft-relevant double panel structure mounted in a sound transmission loss facility. The primary structure of the double panel system is excited either by a stochastic point force or by a diffuse sound field synthesized in the reverberation room of the transmission loss facility. The secondary structure, which is connected to the frames of the primary structure, is augmented by actuators and sensors implementing an active feedforward control system. Special emphasis is placed on the causality of the active feedforward control system and its implications on the disturbance rejection at the error sensors. The coherence of the sensor signals is analyzed for the two different disturbance excitations. Experimental results are presented regarding the causality, coherence, and disturbance rejection of the active feedforward control system. Furthermore, the sound transmission loss of the double panel system is evaluated for different configurations of the active system. A principal result of this work is the evidence that it is possible to strongly influence the transmission of stochastic disturbance sources through double panel configurations by means of an active feedforward control system.
Movement of IS
26
-Associated Antibiotic Resistance Genes Occurs via a Translocatable Unit That Includes a Single IS
26
and Preferentially Inserts Adjacent to Another IS
26
Authors: Harmer Christopher J. , Moran Robert A. , Hall Ruth M.
Published: October 2014

The insertion sequence IS
26
plays a key role in disseminating antibiotic resistance genes in Gram-negative bacteria, forming regions containing more than one antibiotic resistance gene that are flanked by and interspersed with copies of IS
26
. A model presented for a second mode of IS
26
movement that explains the structure of these regions involves a translocatable unit consisting of a unique DNA segment carrying an antibiotic resistance (or other) gene and a single IS copy. Structures resembling class I transposons are generated via RecA-independent incorporation of a translocatable unit next to a second IS
26
such that the ISs are in direct orientation. Repeating this process would lead to arrays of resistance genes with directly oriented copies of IS
26
at each end and between each unique segment. This model requires that IS
26
recognizes another IS
26
as a target, and in transposition experiments, the frequency of cointegrate formation was 60-fold higher when the target plasmid contained IS
26
. This reaction was conservative, with no additional IS
26
or target site duplication generated, and orientation specific as the IS
26
s in the cointegrates were always in the same orientation. Consequently, the cointegrates were identical to those formed via the known mode of IS
26
movement when a target IS
26
was not present. Intact transposase genes in both IS
26
s were required for high-frequency cointegrate formation as inactivation of either one reduced the frequency 30-fold. However, the IS
26
target specificity was retained. Conversion of each residue in the DDE motif of the Tnp26 transposase also reduced the cointegration frequency.

IMPORTANCE
Resistance to antibiotics belonging to several of the different classes used to treat infections is a critical problem. Multiply antibiotic-resistant bacteria usually carry large regions containing several antibiotic resistance genes, and in Gram-negative bacteria, IS
26
is often seen in these clusters. A model to explain the unusual structure of regions containing multiple IS
26
copies, each associated with a resistance gene, was not available, and the mechanism of their formation was unexplored. IS
26
-flanked structures deceptively resemble class I transposons, but this work reveals that the features of IS
26
movement do not resemble those of the IS and class I transposons studied to date. IS
26
uses a novel movement mechanism that defines a new family of mobile genetic elements that we have called “translocatable units.” The IS
26
mechanism also explains the properties of IS
257
(IS
431
) and IS
1216
, which belong to the same IS family and mobilize resistance genes in Gram-positive staphylococci and enterococci.
After the RCT: who comes to a family-based intervention for childhood overweight or obesity when it is implemented at scale in the community?
Authors: Fagg James , Cole Tim J , Cummins Steven , Goldstein Harvey , Morris Stephen , Radley Duncan , Sacher Paul , Law Catherine
Published: October 2014

Background

When implemented at scale, the impact on health and health inequalities of public health interventions depends on who receives them in addition to intervention effectiveness.

Methods

The MEND 7–13 (Mind, Exercise, Nutrition…Do it!) programme is a family-based weight management intervention for childhood overweight and obesity implemented at scale in the community. We compare the characteristics of children referred to the MEND programme (N=18 289 referred to 1940 programmes) with those of the population eligible for the intervention, and assess what predicts completion of the intervention.

Results

Compared to the MEND-eligible population, proportionally more children who started MEND were: obese rather than overweight excluding obese; girls; Asian; from families with a lone parent; living in less favourable socioeconomic circumstances; and living in urban rather than rural or suburban areas. Having started the programme, children were relatively less likely to complete it if they: reported ‘abnormal’ compared to ‘normal’ levels of psychological distress; were boys; were from lone parent families; lived in less favourable socioeconomic circumstances; and had participated in a relatively large MEND programme group; or where managers had run more programmes.

Conclusions

The provision and/or uptake of MEND did not appear to compromise and, if anything, promoted participation of those from disadvantaged circumstances and ethnic minority groups. However, this tendency was diminished because programme completion was less likely for those living in less favourable socioeconomic circumstances. Further research should explore how completion rates of this intervention could be improved for particular groups.
On two-weight estimates for the maximal operator in local Morrey spaces
Authors: Samko Natasha
Published: October 2014

For two weighted local Morrey spaces [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] we obtain general type sufficient conditions and necessary conditions imposed on the functions φ and ψ and the weights u and v for the boundedness of the maximal operator from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], with some "logarithmic gap" between the sufficient and necessary conditions. Both the conditions formally coincide if we omit a certain logarithmic factor in these conditions.
SYSTEM DYNAMICS APPROACH AS A RISK MANAGEMENT TOOL IN ANALYZING PENSION EXPENDITURE: THE CASE OF MALAYSIAN EMPLOYEES PUBLIC PENSION PLAN
Authors: SAPIRI HASIMAH , KAMIL ANTON ABDULBASAH , TAHAR RAZMAN MAT
Published: October 2014

Malaysian employees' public pension plan was studied to analyze pension expenditure due to salary risk and demographic risk. By integrating risk management and System Dynamics (SD) approach, the risk factors involved were identified, a causal loop diagram was constructed, and the SD model was developed. By using a sample of actual data, the proposed model was then validated through behavior validity test and a risk analysis was conducted. Then, risk monitoring was performed through policy evaluation in which the impact of different policy scenarios on pension expenditure was analyzed. Risk management and dynamics simulation approach in analyzing pension expenditure were shown to be useful in evaluating the impact of changes and policy decisions on risk.
A novel beam splitter based on graded photonic crystals
Authors: Wang L. H. , Yang X. L. , Meng X. F. , Wang Y. R. , Huang Z. , Fan R. R. , Dong G. Y.
Published: October 2014

This study proposes a novel beam splitter system based on graded photonic crystals, wherein the GPCs are part of a circular PC. A self-collimating PC structure with a square lattice is added to improve transmissivity. The total transmissivity is increased by extending the defect of the self-collimating PC. This study presents a beam splitter system with low energy loss and the best total transmissivity of almost 90%. Furthermore, the relationship between the beam-splitting ratio and the light position is discovered, and the beam-splitting ratio may be changed discretionarily and expediently. Numerical results are obtained using finite-difference time domain and plane wave methods. The proposed structure has significant application potential in optical integration.
Generating Advices with Emotional Content for Promoting Efficient Consumption of Energy
Authors: Menendez Carlos , Eciolaza Luka , Trivino Gracian
Published: October 2014

Virtual agents could be a solution for companies that deal with maintaining personalized contact with high volumes of customers. Nevertheless these virtual agents must show certain emotional empathy when interacting with each different customer in order to enrich the communication of information. In previous research, we have developed several instances of computational systems able to generate relevant linguistic descriptions of data. In this paper, in order to increase the effectiveness and acceptance of the generated texts, we improve the advice messages to customers by including certain emotional content. We describe a project together with an energy supplier company where we have developed a prototype that demonstrates the viability of our approach.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY FOR RADIAL NECK FRACTURES USING BONE PASTE
Authors: Yamanaka Kazuyoshi , Sasaki Takashi
Published: October 2014

We treat radial neck fractures by a minimally invasive technique using bone paste. The indication of this technique is radial neck fractures in which the continuity with the radius shaft is retained. We have treated 13 patients using this technique. As a result, the average range of motion of the elbow was 90° for supination and 92° for pronation, +5° for extension, and 141° for flexion. The reduced position at surgery was kept unchanged until bone union. None of the patients complained of pain. The surgical scar was unnoticeable. This technique is recommended surgery for the radial neck fractures when the indication is appropriate.
Points de hauteur bornée sur les hypersurfaces lisses de l'espace triprojectif
Authors: Mignot Teddy
Published: October 2014

Nous démontrons ici la conjecture de Batyrev et Manin pour le nombre de points de hauteur bornée de certaines hypersurfaces de l'espace triprojectif de tridegré (1, 1, 1). La constante intervenant dans le résultat final est celle conjecturée par Peyre. La méthode utilisée est inspirée de celle développée par Schindler pour traiter le cas des hypersurfaces des espaces biprojectifs. Celle-ci est essentiellement basée sur la méthode du cercle de Hardy–Littlewood.

We prove the Batyrev–Manin conjecture for the number of points of bounded height on some smooth hypersurfaces of the triprojective space of tridegree (1, 1, 1). The constant appearing in the final result is the one conjectured by Peyre. The method used is the one developed by Schindler to study the case of hypersurfaces of biprojective spaces. It is essentially based on the Hardy–Littlewood method.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON TEMPERATURE SEPARATION OF DUAL FORCED FLOW VORTEX TUBE
Authors: YADAV G. MARUTHI PRASAD , REDDY P. MALLIKARJUNA , GOWD B. UMA MAHESWAR
Published: October 2014

The vortex tube is a device, which emanates hot and cold air streams simultaneously at its two ends from a source of pressurized air: warmer, gas leaves near the periphery at one end as a free vortex and colder, gas leaves via an orifice at the opposite end as a forced vortex. The forced vortex strikes back again by design modifications, result in the formation of one more forced vortex flow. Thus, the modified vortex tube is named as dual forced flow vortex tube (DFFVT). Experimental study is carried on temperature separation of DFFVT for varying pressures, mass flow rates and optimum cold fractions at two ends for efficient temperature drop is revealed. The modified vortex tube yields effectual temperature drop through one end at a lower cold fraction meanwhile providing effective cooling at the other end with higher cold fraction and vice versa.
Unifying Species Diversity, Phylogenetic Diversity, Functional Diversity, and Related Similarity and Differentiation Measures Through Hill Numbers
Authors: Chao Anne , Chiu Chun-Huo , Jost Lou
Published: October 2014

Hill numbers or the effective number of species are increasingly used to quantify species diversity of an assemblage. Hill numbers were recently extended to phylogenetic diversity, which incorporates species evolutionary history, as well as to functional diversity, which considers the differences among species traits. We review these extensions and integrate them into a framework of attribute diversity (the effective number of entities or total attribute value) based on Hill numbers of taxonomic entities (species), phylogenetic entities (branches of unit-length), or functional entities (species-pairs with unit-distance between species). This framework unifies ecologists' measures of species diversity, phylogenetic diversity, and distance-based functional diversity. It also provides a unified method of decomposing these diversities and constructing normalized taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional similarity and differentiation measures, including N-assemblage phylogenetic or functional generalizations of the classic Jaccard, Sørensen, Horn, and Morisita-Horn indexes. A real example shows how this framework extracts ecological meaning from complex data.
Hippo Pathway Regulation of Gastrointestinal Tissues
Authors: Yu Fa-Xing , Meng Zhipeng , Plouffe Steven W. , Guan Kun-Liang
Published: October 2014

The Hippo pathway plays a crucial role in regulating tissue homeostasis and organ size, and its deregulation is frequently observed in human cancer. Yap is the major effector of and is inhibited by the Hippo pathway. In mouse model studies, inducible Yap expression in multiple tissues results in organ overgrowth. In the liver, knockout of upstream Hippo pathway components or transgenic expression of Yap leads to liver enlargement and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the small intestine or colon, deletion of upstream Hippo pathway components also results in expansion of intestinal progenitor cells and eventual development of adenomas. Genetic deletion of Yap in the intestine does not change the intestinal structure, but Yap is essential for intestinal repair upon certain types of tissue injury. The function of the Hippo pathway has also been studied in other gastrointestinal tissues, including the pancreas and stomach. Here we provide a brief overview of the Hippo pathway and discuss the physiological and pathological functions of this tumor suppressor pathway in gastrointestinal tissues.
The Economics of Energy Security
Authors: Metcalf Gilbert E.
Published: October 2014

Energy security is the ability of households, businesses, and government to accommodate disruptions in supply in energy markets. This survey considers the economic dimensions of energy security and political and other noneconomic security concerns and discusses policy approaches that could enhance US energy security. A number of points emerge. First, energy security is enhanced by reducing consumption, not imports. A policy to eliminate oil imports, for example, will not enhance US energy security, whereas policies to reduce energy consumption can improve energy security. Second, energy security is distinct from considerations of energy externalities. Energy security taxes are appealing on political grounds but are more difficult to justify on economic grounds. Finally, the contrasting concerns over energy security between policy makers and economists are striking. The article notes some possible reasons for these differing views and suggests possible research opportunities in this area.
A Numerical Study on the Improvement of Suction Performance and Hydraulic Efficiency for a Mixed‐Flow Pump Impeller
Authors: Kim Sung , Lee Kyoung-Yong , Kim Jin-Hyuk , Choi Young-Seok
Published: October 2014

This paper describes a numerical study on the improvement of suction performance and hydraulic efficiency of a mixed‐flow pump by impellers. The design of these impellers was optimized using a commercial CFD (computational fluid dynamics) code and DOE (design of experiments). The design variables of meridional plane and vane plane development were defined for impeller design. In DOE, variables of inlet part were selected as main design variables in meridional plane, and incidence angle was selected in vane plane development. The verification of the experiment sets that were generated by 2k factorial was done by numerical analysis. The objective functions were defined as the NPSHre (net positive suction head required), total efficiency, and total head of the impellers. The importance of the geometric design variables was analyzed using 2k factorial designs. The interaction between the NPSHre and total efficiency, according to the meridional plane and incidence angle, was discussed by analyzing the 2k factorial design results. The performance of optimally designed model was verified by experiments and numerical analysis and the reliability of the model was retained by comparison of numerical analysis and comparative analysis with the reference model.
A New Approach for Reliability Life Prediction of Rail Vehicle Axle by Considering Vibration Measurement
Authors: Bayraktar Meral , Guclu Rahmi , Tahrali Necati
Published: October 2014

The effect of vibration on the axle has been considered. Vibration measurements at different speeds have been performed on the axle of a running rail vehicle to figure out displacement, acceleration, time, and frequency response. Based on the experimental works, equivalent stress has been used to find out life of the axles for 90% and 10% reliability. Calculated life values of the rail vehicle axle have been compared with the real life data and it is found that the life of a vehicle axle taking into account the vibration effects is in good agreement with the real life of the axle.
Elevated Serum Angiopoietin-like Protein 2 Correlates with the Metastatic Properties of Colorectal Cancer: A Serum Biomarker for Early Diagnosis and Recurrence
Authors: Toiyama Yuji , Tanaka Koji , Kitajima Takahito , Shimura Tadanobu , Kawamura Mikio , Kawamoto Aya , Okugawa Yoshinaga , Saigusa Susumu , Hiro Junichiro , Inoue Yasuhiro , Mohri Yasuhiko , Goel Ajay , Kusunoki Masato
Published: October 2014

Purpose: Angiopoietin-like protein 2 (ANGPTL2) is a mediator of chronic inflammation and inflammatory carcinogenesis. The biologic and clinical significance of ANGPTL2 remains unknown in human cancer. Therefore, we investigated the function of ANGPTL2 and evaluated its clinical significance in both primary tumors and matched sera in patients with colorectal cancer.

Experimental Design: A colorectal cancer cell line was transfected with siRNA against ANGPTL2 for the assessment of its function. We examined ANGPTL2 expression in colorectal cancer tissues (n = 195) by immunohistochemistry. Finally, we screened serum ANGPTL2 levels from 32 colorectal cancers and 23 normal controls (NC), and validated these results in serum samples obtained from 195 colorectal cancers and 45 NCs by ELISA.

Results: Knockdown of ANGPTL2 in vitro significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas it enhanced anoikis. ANGPTL2 was overexpressed in colorectal cancer tissues, and was significantly associated with advanced T stage, lymph node, and liver metastasis. Likewise, serum ANGPTL2 levels in colorectal cancers were significantly higher than NCs (P < 0.01), and allowed distinguishing of colorectal cancers from NCs with high accuracy (AUC = 0.837). The subsequent validation step confirmed that serum ANGPTL2 levels in colorectal cancers were significantly higher than in NCs (P < 0.0001), and had a high AUC value (0.885) for distinguishing colorectal cancers from NCs. High serum ANGPTL2 was significantly associated with advanced T stage, lymph node and liver metastasis, early relapse, and poor prognosis in colorectal cancers.

Conclusion: Serum ANGPTL2 is a novel diagnostic and recurrence-predictive biomarker in patients with colorectal cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(23); 6175–86. ©2014 AACR.