bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the Mortality in the United States of America, as deduced from the last Census, in 1860
Authors: Brown Samuel
Published: August 2016

There is no country in which, from a combination of circumstances, a census, if accurately taken, is more likely to afford novel and interesting materials than the United States of America. The marvellous progress of the nation, which, in the last 70 years, has increased in numbers from less than 4 millions to nearly 31½ millions in 1860, is alone sufficient to suggest changes in population, in wealth, commerce, cultivation of land, means of transport and circulation, growth of towns, &c., which, if the facts were carefully examined, would throw light upon many obscure questions in social and political economy, and even by the disturbance of their ordinary laws modify and correct the theories which have been mooted.
On the Value of Apportionable Annuities; or of Annuities in which a proportionate part is payable up to the day of death
Authors: Sprague Thomas Bond
Published: August 2016

In former papers, I have investigated the value of an annuity on a single life, when payable half-yearly, quarterly, &c. It still remains to consider the values of annuities on the joint duration of two or more lives, or on the life of the last survivor of several lives, under similar circumstances. It will, however, be more useful to consider first the increase in the value of an annuity on a single life, when a proportionate part of the annuity is payable up to the day of death, instead of the annuity ceasing, as is generally assumed, with the payment that precedes the date of death.
A Comparison of the Values of Policies as Found by means of the Various Tables of Mortality and the Different Methods of Valuation in use among Actuaries (Messenger Prize winning Essay - 1868)
Authors: Manly Henry William
Published: August 2016

Life Assurance is an institution possessing such an important influence in the welfare and well-being of Society that it is most essential the principles upon which it is based and conducted should be such as to ensure its lasting stability and prosperity.

After a Life Assurance Office has been once established upon a firm basis, there is no part of its management so important as that relating to the periodical valuation of the liabilities under its policies. It is my object in this essay to inquire into the various methods adopted for that purpose in the present day; and to consider the various results they produce when different tables of mortality and rates of interest are employed in the calculations; and also to ascertain the effects which the employment of different data may have upon the present and future condition of an Office.
On the Laws of Sickness and Invalidism; and their relation to the Law of Mortality
Authors: Makeham W. M.
Published: August 2016

In a paper read before this Institute many years ago, by Mr. S. Brown, occur the following judicious remarks relative to Statistics of Mortality and Sickness:—

“It has frequently been remarked” says Mr. Brown, “that “however varied and uncertain may be the occurrence of the events “to which the life of a single individual is exposed, the average “return in a large mass of persons is so regular as to be predicted “with confidence within very small limits of error. On the “uniform happening of these events under similar circumstances, “or the discovery of the laws by which they are governed, the “actuary depends for the application of the theories of probabilities “to the many useful purposes for which they may be rendered “available. The principal difficulty which he has to encounter is “the indefinite character of the event itself. In endeavouring to “ascertain the law of mortality at any period of time, or in any “particular country, the event is certain and definite whenever it “does occur. The attention is only required to the difference of “the circumstances which cause it—the age of the party, the “nature of the disease, or the locality within certain boundaries of “which a greater or less intensity of disease may prevail. But a “much greater difficulty arises when the event itself which is under “observation is of an uncertain character; such for instance as the “average duration or effects of sickness in a large number of cases.
On the Philosophy of Statistics
Authors: Woolhouse W. S. B.
Published: August 2016

Statistics, generally considered, is a term of very comprehensive import, and is to be understood as having reference to an important collection of facts properly arranged and systematized in the form of numerical tables, for the purpose of conveying such information or data as may best assist in the investigation and discussion of particular subjects of inquiry. The general principles applicable to these investigations are, for the most part, intimately allied with the mathematical theory of probabilities, and constitute the true science of statistics. It will, moreover, be found, on examination, that the same identical principles lie at the foundation of all the physical and inductive sciences so far as they originally and necessarily depend upon experiment and observation.
The Expenses of Life Assurance Companies:—How they affect the Assured
Authors: Bailey A. H.
Published: August 2016

The author commences by laying down the following propositions in reference to the management of life assurance companies:—

(a) That the first consideration should he the interests of the assured

(b) That, therefore, the true test of success should be the pecuniary advantage derived by the assured from the company.

(c) That, nevertheless, the first consideration in several companies has been the increase of the business, and that the interests of the assured have been injured in consequence.

(d) That the amount of a company's business is not a test of success.
On General Numerical Solution
Authors: Woolhouse W. S. B.
Published: August 2016

The ultimate object of the following paper is to elicit a practical and efficient method of resolving, numerically, problems of every description involving an unknown quantity. In order to accomplish this end with the utmost generality, the most important step is to determine the inversion of a given function in a suitable and convenient series, involving the differential coefficients which appertain to an approximate value of the variable.
On the Proper Method of Loading the Premiums required for the Assurance of Sums at Death, &c
Authors: Makeham William Matthew
Published: August 2016

our predecessors adopted a ready and (all things considered) a sufficiently effectual method of regulating the charges to be made for granting assurances on lives. They satisfied themselves on the one hand that the mortality table adopted allowed for a much higher mortality than would probably be experienced, and on the other they assumed in their calculations a rate of interest below that which they knew would be realized on their investments. With these precautions they could rely pretty safely upon realizing a considerable profit, and this consideration not unnaturally proved sufficient for the scientific requirements of the time.
Unraveling the History of Central Europe's Pannonian Basin
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: August 2016

A multidisciplinary model linking the sedimentary and tectonic histories of this structurally complex basin suggests that large amounts of extension occurred there between 20 and 9 million years ago.
How Did Fragile Early Microbes Become Fossils?
Authors: Joel Lucas
Published: August 2016

During the Ediacaran period more than a half billion years ago, clay mineral coats likely shielded delicate remains, helping them become exquisitely preserved in rock, recent experiments suggest.
MAIT cells: new guardians of the liver
Authors: Kurioka Ayako , Walker Lucy J , Klenerman Paul , Willberg Christian B
Published: August 2016

The liver is an important immunological organ that remains sterile and tolerogenic in homeostasis, despite continual exposure to non‐self food and microbial‐derived products from the gut. However, where intestinal mucosal defenses are breached or in the presence of a systemic infection, the liver acts as a second 'firewall', because of its enrichment with innate effector cells able to rapidly respond to infections or tissue dysregulation. One of the largest populations of T cells within the human liver are mucosal‐associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a novel innate‐like T‐cell population that can recognize a highly conserved antigen derived from the microbial riboflavin synthesis pathway. MAIT cells are emerging as significant players in the human immune system, associated with an increasing number of clinical diseases of bacterial, viral, autoimmune and cancerous origin. As reviewed here, we are only beginning to investigate the potential role of this dominant T‐cell subset in the liver, but the reactivity of MAIT cells to both inflammatory cytokines and riboflavin derivatives suggests that MAIT cells may have an important role in first line of defense as part of the liver firewall. As such, MAIT cells are promising targets for modulating the host defense and inflammation in both acute and chronic liver diseases.
Correction: Corrigendum: A Two-Year Treatment of Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment using a Compound Chinese Medicine: A Placebo Controlled Randomized Trial
Authors: Zhang Junying , Liu Zhen , Zhang Huamin , Yang Caishui , Li He , Li Xin , Chen Kewei , Zhang Zhanjun
Published: August 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 28982; published online: 04 July 2016; updated: 19 August 2016. The original version of this Article contained an error in the title of the paper, where the word “Trial” was incorrectly given as “Trail”. This has now been corrected in the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Correction: Corrigendum: Sex differences in neural and behavioral signatures of cooperation revealed by fNIRS hyperscanning
Authors: Baker Joseph M. , Liu Ning , Cui Xu , Vrticka Pascal , Saggar Manish , Hosseini S. M. Hadi , Reiss Allan L.
Published: August 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 26492; published online: 08 June 2016; updated: 19 August 2016. In this Article, the authors mistakenly used the abbreviation “r” instead of “b” to refer to the beta coefficients resulting from the analysis of the relationship between cooperation behavior and task-related inter-brain coherence.
Correction: Corrigendum: Six Susceptible-Infected-Susceptible Models on Scale-free Networks
Authors: Morita Satoru
Published: August 2016

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 22506; published online: 03 March 2016; updated: 19 August 2016. This Article contains errors in the following equations: In Equation 30, should read: In Equation 31, should read:
Microstructural and Mechanical-Property Manipulation through Rapid Dendrite Growth and Undercooling in an Fe-based Multinary Alloy
Authors: Ruan Ying , Mohajerani Amirhossein , Dao Ming
Published: August 2016

Rapid dendrite growth in single- or dual-phase multicomponent alloys can be manipulated to improve the mechanical properties of such metallic materials. Rapid growth of (αFe) dendrites was realized in an undercooled Fe-5Ni-5Mo-5Ge-5Co (wt.%) multinary alloy using the glass fluxing method. The relationship between rapid dendrite growth and the micro-/nano-mechanical properties of the alloy was investigated by analyzing the grain refinement and microstructural evolution resulting from the rapid dendrite growth. It was found that (αFe) dendrites grow sluggishly within a low but wide undercooling range. Once the undercooling exceeds 250 K, the dendritic growth velocity increases steeply until reaching a plateau of 31.8 ms−1. The increase in the alloy Vickers microhardness with increasing dendritic growth velocity results from the hardening effects of increased grain/phase boundaries due to the grain refinement, the more homogeneous distribution of the second phase along the boundaries, and the more uniform distribution of solutes with increased contents inside the grain, as verified also by nanohardness maps. Once the dendritic growth velocity exceeds ~8 ms−1, the rate of Vickers microhardness increase slows down significantly with a further increase in dendritic growth velocity, owing to the microstructural transition of the (αFe) phase from a trunk-dendrite to an equiaxed-grain microstructure.
Solid-state NMR characterization of amphomycin effects on peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid biosyntheses in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Singh Manmilan , Chang James , Coffman Lauryn , Kim Sung Joon
Published: August 2016

Amphomycin and MX-2401 are cyclic lipopeptides exhibiting bactericidal activities against Gram-positive pathogens. Amphomycin and MX-2401 share structural similarities with daptomycin, but unlike daptomycin they do not target bacterial membrane. In this study, we investigate in vivo modes of action for amphomycin and MX-2401 in intact whole cells of Staphylococcus aureus by measuring the changes of peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid compositions using solid-state NMR. S. aureus were grown in a defined media containing isotope labels [1-13C]glycine and L-[ε-15N]lysin, L-[1-13C]lysine and D-[15N]alanine, or D-[1-13C]alanine and [15N]glycine, to selectively 13C-15N pair label peptidoglycan bridge-link, stem-link and cross-link, respectively. 13C{15N} and 15N{13C} rotational-echo double resonance NMR measurements determined that cyclic lipopeptide-treated S. aureus exhibited thinning of the cell wall, accumulation of Park’s nucleotide, inhibition of glycine utilization for purine biosynthesis, reduction of ester-linked D-Ala in teichoic acids and reduction of peptidoglycan cross-linking. Whole cell NMR analysis also revealed that S. aureus, in presence of amphomycin and MX-2401, maintained the incorporation of D-Ala during peptidoglycan biosynthesis while the incorporation of D-Ala into teichoic acids was inhibited. These effects are consistent with amphomycin’s dual inhibition of both peptidoglycan and wall teichoic acid biosyntheses in S. aureus.
A specific flagellum beating mode for inducing fusion in mammalian fertilization and kinetics of sperm internalization
Authors: Ravaux Benjamin , Garroum Nabil , Perez Eric , Willaime Hervé , Gourier Christine
Published: August 2016

The salient phases of fertilization are gamete adhesion, membrane fusion and internalization of the spermatozoon into the oocyte but the precise timeline and the molecular, membrane and cell mechanisms underlying these highly dynamical events are far from being established. The high motility of the spermatozoa and the unpredictable location of sperm/egg fusion dramatically hinder the use of real time imaging optical techniques that should directly provide the dynamics of cell events. Using an approach based on microfluidics technology, the sperm/egg interaction zone was imaged with the best front view and the timeline of the fertilization events was established with an unparalleled temporal accuracy from the onset of gamete contact to full sperm DNA decondensation. It reveals that a key element of the adhesion phase to initiate fusion is the oscillatory motion of the sperm head on the oocyte plasma membrane generated by a specific flagellum-beating mode. It also shows that the incorporation of the spermatozoon head is a two steps process that includes simultaneous diving, tilt and plasma membrane degradation of the sperm head into the oocyte and subsequent DNA decondensation.
AK048794 maintains the mouse embryonic stem cell pluripotency by functioning as an miRNA sponge for miR-592
Authors: Zhou Yang , Dai Qing-Song , Zhu Shi-Chang , Han Yue-Hua , Han Hai-Long , Zhao Bo , Gao Rong-Rong , Zhang Jun , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2016

MiR-592 has been identified as a neural-enriched microRNA, plays an important role in mNPCs differentiation, could induce astrogliogenesis differentiation arrest or/and enhance neurogenesis in vitro. Previous studies showed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were involved in the neuronal development and activity. To investigate the role of miR-592 in neurogenesis, we described the expression profile of lncRNAs in miR-592 knockout mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and the corresponding normal mESCs by microarray. By the microarray analysis and luciferase reporter assays, we demonstrated that lncRNA - AK048794, regulated by transcription factor GATA1, functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-592 and led to the de-repression of its endogenous target FAM91A1, which is involved in mESC pluripotency maintenance. Taken together, these observations imply that AK048794 modulated the expression of multiple genes involved in mESC pluripotency maintenance by acting as a ceRNA for miR-592, which may build up the link between the regulatory miRNA network and mESC pluripotency.
Corticosteroid and progesterone transactivation of mineralocorticoid receptors from Amur sturgeon and tropical gar
Authors: Sugimoto Akira , Oka Kaori , Sato Rui , Adachi Shinji , Baker Michael E. , Katsu Yoshinao
Published: August 2016

The response to a panel of steroids by the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) from Amur sturgeon and tropical gar, two basal ray-finned fish, expressed in HEK293 cells was investigated. Half-maximal responses (EC50s) for transcriptional activation of sturgeon MR by 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol, cortisol and aldosterone, and progesterone (Prog) were between 13 and 150 pM. For gar MR, EC50s were between 8 and 55 pM. Such low EC50s support physiological regulation by these steroids of the MR in sturgeon and gar. Companion studies with human and zebrafish MRs found higher EC50s compared with EC50s for sturgeon and gar MRs, with EC50s for zebrafish MR closer to gar and sturgeon MRs than was human MR. For zebrafish MR, EC50s were between 75 and 740 pM; for human MR, EC50s were between 65 pM and 2 nM. In addition to Prog, spironolactone (spiron) and 19nor-progesterone (19norP) were agonists for all three fish MRs, in contrast with their antagonist activity for human MR, which is hypothesized to involve serine-810 in human MR because all three steroids are agonists for a mutant human Ser810Leu-MR. Paradoxically, sturgeon, gar, and zebrafish MRs contain a serine corresponding to serine-810 in human MR. Our data suggest alternative mechanism(s) for Prog, spiron, and 19norP as MR agonists in these three ray-finned fishes and the need for caution in applying data for Prog signaling in zebrafish to human physiology.
Dual actions of Netrin-1 on islet insulin secretion and immune modulation
Authors: Gao Shan , Zhang Xiuyuan , Qin Yibo , Xu Shixin , Zhang Ju , Wang Zhihong , Wang Weiwei , Kong Deling , Li Chen
Published: August 2016

Netrin-1 is typically known as a neural guidance cue, which has been implicated in pancreas development. Since regenerative, angiogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of Netrin-1 have been reported in multiple tissues, we have investigated the potential role of Netrin-1 in the endocrine islet and its implication in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. Effects of exogenous Netrin-1 on β-cell [Ca2+]i, cyclic AMP (cAMP) and insulin production were assessed in vitro. The long-term impact of Netrin-1 treatment was then evaluated in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice by subcutaneous implantation of osmotic minipumps which release Netrin-1 in a sustained manner for 4 weeks. Immunostaining of pancreases of Netrin-1-treated and control animals were employed to examine islet morphology, vascularization and macrophage infiltration. Plasma insulin, glucagon and pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations were quantified by ELISA. Expression of endogenous Netrin-1 was also assessed by PCR and immunohistochemistry. We observed a stimulatory effect of Netrin-1 on in vitro insulin secretion by promoting β-cell Ca2+ influx and cAMP production. After 4-week continuous exposure, a hypoglycaemic property of Netrin-1 was demonstrated, which is probably attributable to improved β-cell function, shown as increased insulin content and preproinsulin mRNA expression. Enhanced islet vascularization, reduced islet macrophage infiltration and ameliorated systemic inflammation were detected from HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice after Netrin-1 administration. We propose a dual action of Netrin-1 in islets during pathophysiological hyperglycaemia: by maintaining insulin secretion while attenuating inflammation.
Antibodies to paraoxonase 1 are associated with oxidant status and endothelial activation in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Rodríguez-Carrio Javier , Alperi-López Mercedes , López-Mejías Raquel , López Patricia , Ballina-García Francisco J. , Abal Francisco , González-Gay Miguel Á. , Suárez Ana
Published: August 2016

Traditional and non-traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factors underlie CV disease occurrence in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recently, a functional impairment of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has been observed. Although the actual players are unknown, anti-HDLs were associated with altered lipid profile, decreased paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity and CV disease in RA. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether the presence of antibodies against PON1 may be involved in this scenario. IgG anti-PON1 antibodies were quantified by ELISA in serum samples from 212 RA patients, 175 healthy controls (HC) and 54 subjects with traditional CV risk factors (CVR). A subgroup of 13 RA patients was prospectively followed upon tumour necrosis factor-α  (TNFα) blockade. Serum PON1 activity, nitric oxide (NO) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Interferon-γ (IFNγ), interleukin 8 (IL-8), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) and TNFα serum levels were assessed by immunoassays. PON1 rs662 (Q > R) status was studied by reverse transcription (RT)–PCR. IgG anti-PON1 antibodies are increased in RA patients compared with HC (P<0.0001) and CVR subjects (P<0.001), even after correcting for total IgG levels. Although no associations with lipid profile were found, a positive correlation with Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) was observed (r=0.215, P=0.004). Anti-PON1 antibodies were associated with PON1 activity, NO and TAC, a rs662-mediated gene-dosage effect being found. Similarly, anti-PON1 antibodies were associated with sICAM serum levels in univariate and multivariate models. Finally, these antibodies were not affected by TNFα blockade. Anti-PON1 antibodies can be responsible for PON1 impairment in RA patients, with a potential impact on biomarkers of oxidative status and endothelial activation. A gene–environment interaction of rs662 variants is supported.
Large conditional single-photon cross-phase modulation
Authors: Beck Kristin M. , Hosseini Mahdi , Duan Yiheng , Vuletić Vladan
Published: August 2016

Significance

Strong, coherent interactions between individual photons can revolutionize communication and computation technology. An interaction between two photons that changes their relative phase by 180° could serve as the basis for universal quantum logic. Realizing such interaction, however, has been a grand experimental challenge. We use atoms trapped between high-reflectivity mirrors to make two individual photons interact strongly with each other. We demonstrate that the phase of a light wave can be changed by up to 60° by a single light quanta. With today’s technology, this approach may enable the realization of deterministic quantum gates.
p53 down-regulates SARS coronavirus replication and is targeted by the SARS-unique domain and PL
pro
via E3 ubiquitin ligase RCHY1
Authors: Ma-Lauer Yue , Carbajo-Lozoya Javier , Hein Marco Y. , Müller Marcel A. , Deng Wen , Lei Jian , Meyer Benjamin , Kusov Yuri , von Brunn Brigitte , Bairad Dev Raj , Hünten Sabine , Drosten Christian , Hermeking Heiko , Leonhardt Heinrich , Mann Matthias , Hilgenfeld Rolf , von Brunn Albrecht
Published: August 2016

Significance

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) is one of the most pathogenic human coronaviruses. Virulence is reflected in the molecular interplay between virus and host cells. Here we show a strategy of how SARS-CoV antagonizes the host antiviral factor p53, which impairs viral replication. The papain-like protease of the nonstructural protein 3 of SARS-CoV and other coronaviruses physically interact with and stabilize E3 ubiquitin ligase ring-finger and CHY zinc-finger domain-containing 1 (RCHY1), thereby augmenting RCHY1-mediated degradation of p53. The SARS-unique domain (SUD) enhances these effects. Knockout of p53 promotes replication of SARS-CoV replicons and of infectious virus. Taken together we identify cellular p53 as antiviral measure of coronavirus-infected cells, which is counteracted via the stabilization of RCHY1 by viral SUD and papain-like protease (PL
pro
) proteins and via ubiquitination of p53.
Loss of Naivety to Angling at Different Rates in Fished and Unfished Populations of Largemouth Bass
Authors: Hessenauer Jan‐Michael , Vokoun Jason , Davis Justin , Jacobs Robert , O'Donnell Eileen
Published: August 2016

Recreational fishing represents a coupled human and natural system subject to complex feedback processes. Learned lure avoidance represents one feedback process that may influence a fish population's vulnerability to angling. In the present study, naïve Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides originating from fished and unfished populations were raised in a pond and subjected to standardized angling. Our objectives were to evaluate the initial angling vulnerability and the rate at which naivety to angling was lost for fished and unfished populations. While no difference in initial angling vulnerability existed among fish from fished and unfished populations of origin, individuals from fished populations learned lure avoidance faster than individuals from unfished populations. Cumulative catch events, a metric that incorporates the number of opportunities individuals had to directly and indirectly experience angling, best predicted declining daily catch rates for both fished and unfished populations, suggesting a social learning component of learned lure avoidance. That individuals originating from fished populations learned lure avoidance more quickly than unfished individuals suggests that angling selected for increased learning ability in fished populations of Largemouth Bass.

Received February 4, 2016; accepted May 18, 2016 Published online August 12, 2016
Multispecies Occupancy Modeling as a Tool for Evaluating the Status and Distribution of Darters in the Elk River, Tennessee
Authors: Potoka Kathryn M. , Shea Colin P. , Bettoli Phillip W.
Published: August 2016

Sixteen darter species, including the federally endangered Boulder Darter Etheostoma wapiti, are known to occur in the Elk River, a large, flow‐regulated tributary of the Tennessee River, Tennessee–Alabama. Since the construction of Tims Ford Dam (TFD) in 1970, habitat modification caused by cold, hypolimnetic water releases and peak‐demand hydropower generation has contributed to population declines and range reductions for numerous aquatic species in the main‐stem Elk River. We developed Bayesian hierarchical multispecies occupancy models to determine the influence of site‐ and species‐level characteristics on darter occurrence by using presence–absence data for 15 species collected from 39 study sites. Modeling results indicated that large‐river obligate species, such as the Boulder Darter, were 6.92 times more likely to occur for every 37‐km increase in the distance downstream from TFD. In contrast, small‐stream species were 2.35 times less likely and cosmopolitan species were 1.88 times less likely to occur for every 37‐km increase in distance downstream from TFD. The probability of occurrence for darter species also had a strong negative relationship with the absence of cobble and boulder substrates and the presence of high silt levels, particularly for species that require boulder substrates during spawning. Although total darter species richness was similar across all 39 sample sites, the composition of darter assemblages varied substantially among locations, presumably due in part to species‐specific habitat affinities and hydrothermal conditions. The use of multispecies occupancy models allowed us to account for the incomplete detection of species while estimating the influence of physical habitat characteristics and species traits on darter occurrences, including rarely observed species that would have been difficult to model individually.

Received August 23, 2015; accepted May 31, 2016 Published online August 12, 2016
Hierarchical Phylogeographic Structure of Coho Salmon in California
Authors: Gilbert‐Horvath Elizabeth A. , Pipal Kerrie A. , Spence Brian C. , Williams Thomas H. , Garza John Carlos
Published: August 2016

Evaluation of population genetic structure and variation is an important part of planning for the recovery and management of protected species. Data from 18 polymorphic microsatellite DNA markers were used to analyze the phylogeographic structure of protected Coho Salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch from populations throughout California. Fish from 30 locations in two evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) representing most of the extant populations in the state were studied. Multiple analyses indicated a hierarchical pattern of population structure: the greatest divergence was found at the broadest geographic scale (ESU), followed by the divergences between basins and populations within basins. The populations of the large Klamath River basin were consistently identified as a distinct phylogenetic group, nearly as divergent from all other populations as the two ESUs were from each other. All populations in different basins were differentiated from each other and a pattern of isolation by distance was found at a California‐wide scale, but not at smaller spatial scales. Similarly, most individuals were accurately assigned to their population of origin, and almost all misassignments were to an adjacent or geographically proximal basin, indicating that there is substantial gene flow within each region but much less between regions. The number of parents contributing to each population was highly variable and reflected larger patterns of genetic variation, which was found to be generally higher in the southerly, low‐elevation coastal populations than in the northern, interior, higher‐elevation populations. The results strongly support the current boundary between the two ESU regions, and the detailed understanding of phylogeographic structure provided here will help to guide the management and recovery of Coho Salmon at the southern end of their geographic range.

Received August 25, 2015; accepted May 4, 2016 Published online August 12, 2016
Reading and Lexicalization in Opaque and Transparent Orthographies: Word Naming and Word Learning in English and Spanish
Authors: Kwok Rosa Kit Wan , Cuetos Fernando , Avdyli Rrezarta , Ellis Andrew W.
Published: August 2016

Do skilled readers of opaque and transparent orthographies make differential use of lexical and sublexical processes when converting words from print to sound? Two experiments are reported, which address that question, using effects of letter length on naming latencies as an index of the involvement of sublexical letter–sound conversion. Adult native speakers of English (Experiment 1) and Spanish (Experiment 2) read aloud four- and seven-letter high-frequency words, low-frequency words, and nonwords in their native language. The stimuli were interleaved and presented 10 times in a first testing session and 10 more times in a second session 28 days later. Effects of lexicality were observed in both languages, indicating the deployment of lexical representations in word naming. Naming latencies to both words and nonwords reduced across repetitions on Day 1, with those savings being retained to Day 28. Length effects were, however, greater for Spanish than English word naming. Reaction times to long and short nonwords converged with repeated presentations in both languages, but less in Spanish than in English. The results support the hypothesis that reading in opaque orthographies favours the rapid creation and use of lexical representations, while reading in transparent orthographies makes more use of a combination of lexical and sublexical processing.
Bycatch of Myliobatid Rays in the Central Mediterranean Sea: the Influence of Spatiotemporal, Environmental, and Operational Factors as Determined by Generalized Additive Modeling
Authors: La Mesa Gabriele , Annunziatellis Aldo , Filidei Elio , Fortuna Caterina Maria
Published: August 2016

Identification of the factors influencing the distribution of vulnerable species can be useful for predicting their occurrence at a local to regional scale and for identifying the most suitable measures of management and conservation. We used generalized additive models to assess the effects of spatiotemporal, environmental, and operational factors on the catches of two myliobatids: the Common Eagle Ray Myliobatis aquila and the Bull Ray Pteromylaeus bovinus. Fishing data were collected from commercial midwater trawlers operating in the north-central Adriatic Sea during 2006–2013. Presence/absence and abundance (CPUE) data were modeled separately, and each model was then validated by using a test data set. The presence/absence and abundance of Common Eagle Rays and Bull Rays were mostly influenced by spatial (haul location) and temporal predictors. The major occurrences of Common Eagle Rays and Bull Rays were observed in the upper Adriatic Sea between late spring and early autumn. During winter, a southward shift in the catch was recorded for both species. In accordance with a significant effect of depth, Common Eagle Rays were more likely to be caught in hauls conducted between 10- and 60-m depths. The CPUEs of Common Eagle Rays and Bull Rays declined significantly with haul duration and net vertical opening. The validation procedure indicated that the predictive accuracy of the models was rather good. Giving new insight into the ecological requirements of Common Eagle Rays and Bull Rays, the results of this study may contribute to the development of conservation strategies and can be used to direct future monitoring and research programs.

Received July 24, 2015; accepted March 15, 2016
Short-Term Habitat Use of Juvenile Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
Authors: Marcek Benjamin J. , Fabrizio Mary C. , Graves John E.
Published: August 2016

Bluefin Tuna Thunnus thynnus are highly sought after in commercial and recreational fisheries along the East Coast of North America. To appropriately assess and manage Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ABT), it is necessary to understand their habitat use during multiple ontogenetic stages. We tagged 17 juvenile ABT in the northwest Atlantic Ocean with pop-up satellite archival tags (PSATs) to determine environmental factors that may affect habitat use. The PSATs were deployed off the coast of Massachusetts in August and September 2012. A generalized linear mixed model was applied to determine factors affecting the mean depth occupied by fish, and beta regression was used to understand factors affecting the proportion of time spent below the thermocline. Thermocline depth significantly affected the mean depth occupied by juvenile ABT and the proportion of time they spent below the thermocline. Time period (dawn, day, dusk, and night) also significantly affected the mean depth occupied by juvenile ABT. Additionally, the time period × lunar illumination interaction had a significant effect on the proportion of time spent below the thermocline. This study is the first to demonstrate that environmental factors such as thermocline depth, time period, and lunar illumination can significantly impact vertical habitat use by juvenile ABT and demonstrates the utility of generalized linear mixed models for investigating fish habitat use.

Received June 19, 2015; accepted March 13, 2016
An ecological and evolutionary perspective on the parallel invasion of two
cross-compatible trees
Authors: Besnard Guillaume , Cuneo Peter
Published: August 2016

Invasive trees are generally seen as ecosystem-transforming plants that can have significant impacts on native vegetation, and often require management and control. Understanding their history and biology is essential to guide actions of land managers. Here, we present a summary of recent research into the ecology, phylogeography and management of invasive olives, which are now established outside of their native range as high ecological impact invasive trees. The parallel invasion of European and African olive in different climatic zones of Australia provides an interesting case study of invasion, characterized by early genetic admixture between domesticated and wild taxa. Today, the impact of the invasive olives on native vegetation and ecosystem function is of conservation concern, with European olive a declared weed in areas of South Australia, and African olive a declared weed in New South Wales and Pacific islands. Population genetics was used to trace the origins and invasion of both subspecies in Australia, indicating that both olive subspecies have hybridized early after introduction. Research also indicates that African olive populations can establish from a low number of founder individuals even after successive bottlenecks. Modelling based on distributional data from the native and invasive range identified a shift of the realized ecological niche in the Australian invasive range for both olive subspecies, which was particularly marked for African olive. As highly successful and long-lived invaders, olives offer further opportunities to understand the genetic basis of invasion, and we propose that future research examines the history of introduction and admixture, the genetic basis of adaptability and the role of biotic interactions during invasion. Advances on these questions will ultimately improve predictions on the future olive expansion and provide a solid basis for better management of invasive populations.
The effects of nitrogen form on root morphological and physiological adaptations of maize, white lupin and faba bean under phosphorus deficiency
Authors: Liu Haitao , Tang Caixian , Li Chunjian
Published: August 2016

Root morphological/physiological modifications are important for phosphorus (P) acquisition of plants under P deficiency, but strategies differ among plant species. Detailed studies on the response of maize roots to P deficiency are limited. Nitrogen (N) form influences root morphology/physiology, and thus may influence root responses to P deficiency. This work investigated adaptive mechanisms of maize roots to low P by comparison with white lupin and faba bean supplied with two N forms. Plants were grown for 7–16 days in hydroponics with sufficient (250 µmol L −1 ) and deficient P supply (1 µmol L −1 ) under supply of NH 4 NO 3 or Ca(NO 3 ) 2 . Plant growth and P uptake were measured, and release of protons and organic acid anions, and acid phosphatase activity in the root were monitored. The results showed that P deficiency significantly decreased shoot growth while increased root growth and total root length of maize and faba bean, but not white lupin. It enhanced the release of protons and organic acid anions, and acid phosphatase activity, from the roots of both legumes but not maize. Compared with Ca(NO 3 ) 2 , NH 4 NO 3 dramatically increased proton release by roots but did not alter root morphology or physiology of the three species in response to low P. It is concluded that the N form did not fundamentally change root morphological/physiological responses of the three species to P deficiency. Morphological variation in maize and morpho-physiological modifications in white lupin and faba bean were the main adaptive strategies to P deficiency.
On the origin of the HLX-1 outbursts
Authors: Sun Mouyuan , Gu Wei-Min , Yan Zhen , Wu Qingwen , Liu Tong
Published: August 2016

HLX-1, currently the best intermediate-mass black hole candidate, has undergone seven violent outbursts, each with a peak X-ray luminosity of Lpeak,X ∼ 1042 erg s−1. Interestingly, the properties of the HLX-1 outbursts evolve with time. In this work, we aim to constrain the physical parameters of the central engine of the HLX-1 outbursts in the framework of the black hole accretion. We find that the physical properties of the HLX-1 outbursts are consistent with being driven by the radiation pressure instability. This scenario can explain the evolution of the recurrent time-scales of the HLX-1 outbursts as a function of the durations.
ALMA observations of the vibrationally excited rotational CO transition v = 1, J = 3 − 2 towards five AGB stars
Authors: Khouri T. , Vlemmings W. H. T. , Ramstedt S. , Lombaert R. , Maercker M. , De Beck E.
Published: August 2016

We report the serendipitous detection with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) of the vibrationally excited pure-rotational CO transition v = 1, J = 3 − 2 towards five asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, o Cet, R Aqr, R Scl, W Aql, and π1 Gru. The observed lines are formed in the poorly understood region located between the stellar surface and the region where the wind starts, the so-called warm molecular layer. We successfully reproduce the observed lines profiles using a simple model. We constrain the extents, densities, and kinematics of the region where the lines are produced. R Aqr and R Scl show inverse P-Cygni line profiles which indicate infall of material on to the stars. The line profiles of o Cet and R Scl show variability. The serendipitous detection towards these five sources shows that vibrationally excited rotational lines can be observed towards a large number of nearby AGB stars using ALMA. This opens a new possibility for the study of the innermost regions of AGB circumstellar envelopes.
Avoiding Inadequate Intrapartum Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Group B Streptococci
Authors: Bienenfeld Sarah , Rodriguez-Riesco Laura G. , Heyborne Kent D.
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the frequency and reasons for inadequate group B streptococci (GBS) prophylaxis at our institution and to estimate what proportion of cases can be avoided with perfect protocol adherence.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study of neonates born to GBS-colonized women who received inadequate prophylaxis between April 30, 2013, and May 1, 2014. The maternal chart was analyzed to categorize each case as avoidable (adequate time on labor and delivery to receive antibiotics 4 hours before birth and β-lactam antibiotic-eligible) or unavoidable and to determine whether a violation of the 2010 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protocol (delayed or incorrect antibiotics) occurred.

RESULTS:

A total of 197 of 488 (40.4%, 95% confidence interval 36.1–44.8%) newborns of group B-colonized women received inadequate prophylaxis. Of these, 157 cases (79.7%, 73.4–84.8%) were unavoidable and would have occurred even with perfect protocol adherence. The 40 (20.3%, 15.3–26.5%) avoidable cases due to protocol violations resulted from delayed antibiotic administration (first dose of antibiotics more than 1 hour after admission [median 9.33 hours, range 3.83–25 hours] in 25 patients; no antibiotics in four patients; total 29 patients, 72.5%) or incorrect antibiotic selection (11 patients, 27.5%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Forty percent of patients received inadequate prophylaxis, and four of five cases are unavoidable with our current labor management and the 2010 CDC guidelines. Timeliness and selection of antibiotics remain areas for improvement, but the overall effects on sepsis prevention will be modest.
Predictive Risk Factors of Cervical Spine Instabilities in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Terashima Yoshiki , Yurube Takashi , Hirata Hiroaki , Sugiyama Daisuke , Sumi Masatoshi
Published: August 2016

Study Design.

A prospective multicenter cohort study for more than 10 years of outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective.

To identify predictive risk factors of cervical spine instabilities, which may induce compression myelopathy in patients with RA.

Summary of Background Data.

Many reports described the natural course of cervical spine involvement in RA. Only a few studies, however, conducted comprehensive evaluation of its prognostic factors.

Methods.

Cervical spine instability was radiographically defined as atlantoaxial subluxation with the atlantodental interval greater than 3 mm, vertical subluxation (VS) with the Ranawat value less than 13 mm, and subaxial subluxation with irreducible translation of 2 mm or higher. The “severe” category of instability was defined as atlantoaxial subluxation with the atlantodental interval of 10 mm or lower, vertical subluxation with the Ranawat value of 10 mm or higher, and subaxial subluxation with translation of 4 mm or higher or at multiple levels. Of 503 “definite” or “classical” patients with RA without baseline “severe” instability, 143 were prospectively followed throughout for more than 10 years. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was performed to determine predictors for the development of “severe” instabilities. To exclude biases from the low follow-up rate, similar assessments were performed in 223 patients followed for more than 5 years from baseline.

Results.

The incidence of cervical spine instabilities and “severe” instabilities significantly increased during more than 10 years in both 143 and 223 cohorts (all P < 0.01). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models found that baseline mutilating changes (hazard ratio [HR]=19.15, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 3.96–92.58, P < 0.01), corticosteroid administration (HR = 4.00, 95% CI = 1.76–9.11, P < 0.01), and previous joint surgery (HR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.01–3.93, P = 0.048) correlated with the progression to “severe” instability in 143 cases and also in 223 cases (HR = 8.12, 95% CI = 2.22–29.64, P < 0.01; HR = 3.31, 95% CI = 1.68–6.53, P < 0.01; and HR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.16–3.69, P = 0.014, respectively).

Conclusion.

Established mutilating changes, concomitant corticosteroid treatment, and previous joint surgery are relatively robust indicators for a poor prognosis of the cervical spine in patients with RA, based on the consistency in more than 10-year analysis of two different settings.

Level of Evidence: 3