bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copy number variations alter methylation and parallel IGF2 overexpression in adrenal tumors
Authors: Nielsen Helene Myrtue , How-Kit Alexandre , Guerin Carole , Castinetti Frederic , Vollan Hans Kristian Moen , De Micco Catherine , Daunay Antoine , Taieb David , Van Loo Peter , Besse Celine , Kristensen Vessela N , Hansen Lise Lotte , Barlier Anne , Sebag Frederic , Tost Jörg
Published: September 2015

Overexpression of insulin growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a hallmark of adrenocortical carcinomas and pheochromocytomas. Previous studies investigating the IGF2/H19 locus have mainly focused on a single molecular level such as genomic alterations or altered DNA methylation levels and the causal changes underlying IGF2 overexpression are still not fully established. In the current study, we analyzed 62 tumors of the adrenal gland from patients with Conn's adenoma (CA, n=12), pheochromocytomas (PCC, n=10), adrenocortical benign tumors (ACBT, n=20), and adrenocortical carcinomas (ACC, n=20). Gene expression, somatic copy number variation of chr11p15.5, and DNA methylation status of three differential methylated regions of the IGF2/H19 locus including the H19 imprinting control region were integratively analyzed. IGF2 overexpression was found in 85% of the ACCs and 100% of the PCCs compared to 23% observed in CAs and ACBTs. Copy number aberrations of chr11p15.5 were abundant in both PCCs and ACCs but while PCCs retained a diploid state, ACCs were frequently tetraploid (7/19). Loss of either a single allele or loss of two alleles of the same parental origin in tetraploid samples resulted in a uniparental disomy-like genotype. These copy number changes correlated with hypermethylation of the H19 ICR suggesting that the lost alleles were the unmethylated maternal alleles. Our data provide conclusive evidence that loss of the maternal allele correlates with IGF2 overexpression in adrenal tumors and that hypermethylation of the H19 ICR is a consequence thereof.
pGlu-serpinin protects the normotensive and hypertensive heart from ischemic injury
Authors: Pasqua T , Tota B , Penna C , Corti A , Cerra M C , Loh Y P , Angelone T
Published: September 2015

Serpinin peptides derive from proteolytic cleavage of Chromogranin-A at C-terminus. Serpinin and the more potent pyroglutaminated-serpinin (pGlu-Serp) are positive cardiac β-adrenergic-like modulators, acting through β1-AR/AC/cAMP/PKA pathway. Because in some conditions this pathway and/or other pro-survival pathways, activated by other Chromogranin-A fragments, may cross-talk and may be protective, here we explored whether pGlu-Serp cardioprotects against ischemia/reperfusion injury under normotensive and hypertensive conditions. In the latter condition, cardioprotection is often blunted because of the limitations on pro-survival Reperfusion Injury Salvage Kinases (RISK) pathway activation. The effects of pGlu-Serp were evaluated on infarct size (IS) and cardiac function by using the isolated and Langendorff perfused heart of normotensive (Wistar Kyoto, WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats exposed to ischemic pre-conditioning (PreC) and post-conditioning (PostC). In both WKY and SHR rat, pGlu-Serp induced mild cardioprotection in both PreC and PostC. pGlu-Serp administered at the reperfusion (Serp-PostC) significantly reduced IS, being more protective in SHR than in WKY. Conversely, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDevP) post-ischemic recovery was greater in WKY than in SHR. pGlu-Serp-PostC reduced contracture in both strains. Co-infusion with specific RISK inhibitors (PI3K/Akt, MitoKATP channels and PKC) blocked the pGlu-Serp-PostC protective effects. To show direct effect on cardiomyocytes, we pre-treated H9c2 cells with pGlu-Serp, which were thus protected against hypoxia/reoxygenation. These results suggest pGlu-Serp as a potential modulatory agent implicated in the protective processes that can limit infarct size and overcome the hypertension-induced failure of PostC.
A Novel Statistical Model to Estimate Host Genetic Effects Affecting Disease Transmission
Authors: Anacleto Osvaldo , Garcia-Cortés Luis Alberto , Lipschutz-Powell Debby , Woolliams John A , Doeschl-Wilson Andrea B
Published: September 2015

There is increasing recognition that genetic diversity can affect the spread of diseases, potentially affecting plant and livestock disease control as well as the emergence of human disease outbreaks. Nevertheless, even though computational tools can guide the control of infectious diseases, few epidemiological models can simultaneously accommodate the inherent individual heterogeneity in multiple infectious disease traits influencing disease transmission, such as the frequently modeled propensity to become infected and infectivity, which describes the host ability to transmit the infection to susceptible individuals. Furthermore, current quantitative genetic models fail to fully capture the heritable variation in host infectivity, mainly because they cannot accommodate the nonlinear infection dynamics underlying epidemiological data. We present in this article a novel statistical model and an inference method to estimate genetic parameters associated with both host susceptibility and infectivity. Our methodology combines quantitative genetic models of social interactions with stochastic processes to model the random, nonlinear, and dynamic nature of infections and uses adaptive Bayesian computational techniques to estimate the model parameters. Results using simulated epidemic data show that our model can accurately estimate heritabilities and genetic risks not only of susceptibility but also of infectivity, therefore exploring a trait whose heritable variation is currently ignored in disease genetics and can greatly influence the spread of infectious diseases. Our proposed methodology offers potential impacts in areas such as livestock disease control through selective breeding and also in predicting and controlling the emergence of disease outbreaks in human populations.
An Efficient Genome-Wide Multilocus Epistasis Search
Authors: Kärkkäinen Hanni P , Li Zitong , Sillanpää Mikko J
Published: September 2015

There has been a continuing interest in approaches that analyze pairwise locus-by-locus (epistasis) interactions using multilocus association models in genome-wide data sets. In this paper, we suggest an approach that uses sure independence screening to first lower the dimension of the problem by considering the marginal importance of each interaction term within the huge loop. Subsequent multilocus association steps are executed using an extended Bayesian least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) model and fast generalized expectation-maximization estimation algorithms. The potential of this approach is illustrated and compared with PLINK software using data examples where phenotypes have been simulated conditionally on marker data from the Quantitative Trait Loci Mapping and Marker Assisted Selection (QTLMAS) Workshop 2008 and real pig data sets.
Autosomal recessive hyper IgM syndrome associated with activation-induced cytidine deaminase gene in three Turkish siblings presented with tuberculosis lymphadenitis — Case report
Authors: Patiroglu Turkan , Akar H. Haluk , van der Burg Mirjam , Unal Ekrem
Published: September 2015

The hyper-immunoglobulin M (HIGM) syndrome is a heterogeneous group of genetic disorders characterized by recurrent infections, decreased serum levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA, and normal/increased serum levels of IgM. Herein, we describe three Turkish siblings with HIGM syndrome who had a homozygous missense mutation (c.70C>T, p.Arg24Trp) in the activation-induced cytidine deaminase gene which results in autosomal recessive HIGM syndrome. Two of the siblings, sibling 1 and sibling 3, presented with cervical deep abscess and cervical tuberculosis lymphadenitis, respectively.
Radiofrequency ablation of focal atrial tachycardia: Benefit of electroanatomical mapping over conventional mapping
Authors: Szegedi N , Zima E , Clemens M , Szekely A , Kiss RG , Szeplaki G , Geller L , Merkely B , Csanadi Z , Duray G
Published: September 2015

Background

Catheter ablation is a proven therapy of focal atrial tachycardia. However limited information is available about the additional value of electroanatomical over conventional mapping methods for this specific arrhythmia.

Methods

Consecutive catheter ablation procedures of FAT were analyzed in two cardiology centres. Only conventional mapping was used in 30 of the 60 procedures whereas additionally CARTO mapping was performed in another 30 procedures. Acute, six-month success rate, and procedural data were analyzed.

Results

Localization of ectopic foci is congruent with previously published data. There was no statistically significant difference between procedure time and fluoroscopy time using additionally CARTO mapping, compared to conventional mapping only. Acute success rate was higher in procedures guided by CARTO mapping than in procedures based on conventional mapping (27/30 vs. 18/30, p = 0.0081). During the 6-month follow-up period there was a better outcome (p = 0.045) in case of CARTO guided procedures (success: 11 cases, partial success: 12 cases, failure: 4 cases) compared to conventional mapping (success: 4 cases, partial success: 18 cases, failure: 7 cases).

Conclusions

Catheter ablation of focal atrial tachycardias using the CARTO electroanatomical mapping system seems to provide higher acute and 6-month success rate compared to ablation using conventional mapping methods only.
Examination of the interaction of different lighting conditions and chronic mild stress in animal model
Authors: Muller A , Gal N , Betlehem J , Fuller N , Acs P , Kovacs GL , Fusz K , Jozsa R , Olah A
Published: September 2015

We examined the effects of different shift work schedules and chronic mild stress (CMS) on mood using animal model. The most common international shift work schedules in nursing were applied by three groups of Wistar-rats and a control group with normal light—dark cycle. One subgroup from each group was subjected to CMS. Levels of anxiety and emotional life were evaluated in light—dark box. Differences between the groups according to independent and dependent variables were examined with one- and two-way analysis of variance, with a significance level defined at p < 0.05. Interaction of lighting regimen and CMS was proved to be significant according to time spent in the light compartment and the average number of changes between the light and dark compartments. Results of our examination confirm that the changes of lighting conditions evocate anxiety more prominently than CMS. No significant differences were found between the results of the low rotating group and the control group, supposing that this schedule is the least harmful to health. Our results on the association between the use of lighting regimens and the level of CMS provide evidence that the fast rotating shift work schedule puts the heaviest load on the organism of animals.
A comparative study of the physical development and motor performance of mentally non-handicapped children and children with intellectual and development disabilities
Authors: Szabó E , Erdei N , Bene Sz
Published: September 2015

Several studies state that there might be a difference in the physical development and the motor performance of the mentally non-handicapped children and those with intellectual and development disabilities. The aim of our research was to compare the two groups from these aspects. The study included the assessment of the physical development and motor performance of altogether 225 primary school pupils (mentally non-handicapped and with intellectual and development disabilities) aged 8–11. The following indicators of physical development and build were examined: body height, body weight and body mass index (BMI), musculoskeletal plasticity index, biceps and triceps skinfold thickness. The motor tests included: 20 m dash, standing long jump, medicine-ball throwing, six minutes continuous running, obstacle race-test and a match test. We also examined the children’s chronological (decimal) and morphological age. Data were analysed with SPSS programme. The differences between the averages were calculated with ANOVA and Fisher’s LSD tests. The results show that the children with intellectual and development disabilities are in general less developed physically than non-handicapped children of the same age and sex. It is also concluded that in most motor tests the children with intellectual and development disabilities fall behind the non-handicapped ones.
Flow Szinkronizáció Kérdőív: az optimális élmény mechanizmusának mérése társas interakciós helyzetekben
Authors: Magyaródi Tímea , Oláh Attila
Published: September 2015

Absztrakt

Elméleti háttér: Az optimális élmény (áramlat, flow) különböző
helyzetekben való vizsgálata széles körű kutatási területté vált a pozitív
pszichológiában, azonban az interakciókban való működésmódja továbbra is
megválaszolandó kérdést jelent. Cél: Az áramlat-élmény
dinamikájának kihívást jelentő, interakciós helyzetekben való kvantitatív
vizsgálatának támogatására célunk a Flow Szinkronizáció Kérdőív (FSZK)
kidolgozása. Módszerek: A mérőeszköz fejlesztése racionális és
empirikus tesztszerkesztési hagyományokat is követ. A kérdőív kidolgozása az
elméleti alapon létrehozott tételsor után négy empirikus vizsgálat során
valósult meg, melyekben összesen 2077 felnőtt vett részt (két laboratóriumi
kísérlet: N1 = 60; N2 = 100; két kérdőíves kutatás:
N3 = 358; N4 = 1709). Eredmények: Az
eredmények szerint a végső, 28-tételes mérőeszközt öt jól interpretálható faktor
alkotja, melyek a közös feladatmegoldáshoz kapcsolódó flow-élményre, valamint a
motivációs és koordinációs (feladat- és kapcsolatfókusz) aspektusokra
vonatkoznak: 1. Hatékonyság és összehangoltság a partnerrel (12 tétel); 2.
Bevonódás-élmény és koncentráció (5 tétel); 3. Motiváció és pozitív hatás a
partnerre (3 tétel); 4. Motiváció és tanulás a személy számára (4 tétel); 5.
Koordináció a partnerrel a tevékenység közben (4 tétel). A skálák belső
konzisztenciája megfelelő. A kérdőív látszatérvényessége elfogadható, az
áramlat-élményhez kapcsolódó konvergens validitása megfelelő, a skálák a
flow-élmény faktoraival közepes mértékű együttjárást mutatnak.
Következtetések: A FSZK kidolgozása hozzájárulhat a
flow-szinkronizáció konstruktumának operacionalizálásához és a társas
flow-élmények jövőbeni empirikus vizsgálatához.
First record of Vitalius longisternalis Bertani, 2001 (Araneae, Theraphosidae) in Argentina and notes on its natural history in Misiones province
Authors: Ferretti Nelson , Copperi Sofía , Schwerdt Leonela , Pompozzi Gabriel
Published: September 2015

This is the first record for the tarantula Vitalius longisternalis Bertani, 2001 in Parana and Araucaria Forests, Misiones province, northeastern Argentina. Specimens were found at Iguazú National Park and Urugua-í Wildlife Reserve. Data on its natural history is provided.Tarantula, Parana, Araucaria Forest, distribution extension
Anotaciones sobre la escritura de lo político
Authors: Schultze-Kraft Markus
Published: September 2015

Escribir bien sobre lo político es una forma de arte. Hoy, pocos escritores entienden el significado de esta premisa. Constantemente nos enfrentamos a artículos, ensayos, informes y libros mediocres y sesgados que pretenden ser “políticos” y “científicos”, pero que en realidad son expresiones de sensacionalismo y confusión ideológica o de falta de conocimiento empírico del autor, y generalmente de perspectiva.
Influência de essências na alimentação artificial energética na atratividade de Abelhas Apis mellifera
Authors: Almeida Neto I. P. , Silva R. A. , Silva S. S. , Sousa J. S. , Andrade A. B. A.
Published: September 2015

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a atratividade de diferentes aromas adicionados a alimentação artificial energética de abelhas Apis mellifera. O delineamento experimental usado foi DIC no qual constou de 11 tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo os tratamentos os aromas tutti-frutte, erva-doce, maracujá, café, baunilha, morango, amarula, menta, cereja, coco e testemunha (sem aroma) e as repetições foram considerados os dias de coleta de dados. Foram feitas observações do fluxo de abelhas a cada cinco minutos fazendo o registro fotográfico para contagem das mesmas. O período de observação ao longo do dia foi de 20 minutos sendo realizado no horário da manhã. Observamos que no decorrer do trabalho o fluxo das abelhas foi aumentando gradativamente em todas as essências a cada repetição sendo que essência que mais atraiu as abelhas foi a amarula (em media 147 abelhas), não deferindo da essência da baunilha, porém a baunilha não diferiu das demais essências.

Influence of essences in energy artificial food the bees attractiveness Apis mellifera

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the attractiveness of Apis mellifera by energy added artificial feeding of different aromas. The experimental design used was DIC in which consisted of 11 treatments and four replications, and the treatments the tutti-frutte aromas, fennel, passion fruit, coffee, vanilla, strawberry, amarula, mint, cherry, coconut and control (without aroma) and repetitions were considered the days of data collection. Observations of bees stream samples were collected every five minutes making the photographic record to count them. The observation period throughout the day was 20 minutes being held in the morning hours. We note that during the work flow of bees has been increasing gradually in all essences with each repetition being that essence that attracted the bees was amarula (on average 147 bees), not deferring the essence of vanilla, but vanilla did not differ the other essences.
Permeability of Organic-Rich Shale
Authors: Wasaki Asana , Akkutlu I. Yucel
Published: September 2015

Measured permeability of an organic-rich shale sample varies significantly with applied laboratory conditions, such as the confining pressure, temperature, and the measurement fluid type. This indicates that the measured quantity is influenced by several mechanisms that add complexity to the measurement. The complexity is mainly caused by stress dependence of the matrix permeability. Also, it is because organic-rich shale holds significant volumes of fluids in sorbed (adsorbed, dissolved) states; sorption can also influence the permeability through its own storage and transport mechanisms. The stress-dependence and sorption effects on permeability could develop under the reservoir conditions and influence the production, although we currently do not have a predictive permeability model that considers their coexistence.

In this work, this is accomplished by considering that the shale matrix consists of multiple continua with organic and inorganic pores. Stress dependency of the permeability comes along with slit-shaped pores, whereas the sorption effects are associated with nanoscale organic capillaries. A simple conceptual flow model with an apparent shale permeability is developed that couples the molecular-transport effects of the sorbed phase with the stress dependence of the slit-shaped pores. The simulation results show the impact of the permeability model on the production.

Sensitivity analysis on the new permeability model shows that the stress dependence of the overall transport is significant at high pore pressure, when the effective stress is relatively low. Diffusive molecular transport of the sorbed phase becomes important as the stress gets larger and, hence, the slit-shaped pores close. The constructed apparent-permeability vs. pore-pressure curves show the dominance of the molecular transport as an increase in permeability characterized by appearance of a minimum permeability value at the intermediate values of the pressure. One can use the new permeability model easily in history matching a well performance and optimizing its production.
The Hourglass Model: Are There Structural Problems with the Scarcity of Positive Results for Flexible ACT?#
Authors: Norlander Torsten , Nordén Tommy
Published: September 2015

The aim of the present article was to discuss the commentary by van Veldhuizen, Delespaul and Mulder (2015) regarding the review by Nordén and Norlander (2014) based on five empirical articles about Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT). Veldhuizen et al. agree on that there is insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of FACT. However, van Veldhuizen et al. avoid a discussion of the lack of positive results despite extensive research during several years and therefore an analysis of why FACT did not fare better is missing. According to FACT it is an advantage that one single team spans the entire chain of care and rehabilitation, but no evidence is given for such an opinion. Instead there may be difficulties for the staff to shift between psychiatric care and psychiatric rehabilitation and the clients perhaps don’t want to encounter the same professional team during all phases of care and rehabilitation.
Analysis on Computer Virtual Reality Technology and Research on Its Application in College Teaching
Authors: Xie Jian , Chu Dan
Published: September 2015

purpose: discuss and analyze sport physical teaching of the computer aided teaching (CAI) under the artificial
intelligence information environment; Method: introduce the basic composition of the computer aided teaching, conduct
detailed analysis on CAI strengths and weaknesses, introduce the concept of intelligent computer aided teaching (ICAI)
based on it, and investigate and analyze the undergraduate teaching conditions of 8 colleges such as Beijing Sport
University by using the information query method, export interview method, export scoring method and investigation
method by combining the early survey and research. Result: The investigation results display that the ICAI use of colleges
improved remarkably. The average annual growth rate is about 8%. The ICAI satisfaction of the teachers and students is
over 85%. Conclusion: ICAI is one brand-new pattern in the modern education teaching and is also one attempt, which
should be guided and studied by related exports and scholars in future application.
The Dynamic Job Shop Scheduling Approach Based on Data-Driven Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Yu Yanfang , Ying Yue
Published: September 2015

Rapid development of the Internet of Things not only provides large amounts of data to the job-shop scheduling,
but also proposes a great challenge for dynamic job shop scheduling. A dynamic job shop scheduling approach is
proposed based on the data-driven genetic algorithm. Application examples suggest that this approach is correct, feasible
and available. This approach can provide the technical support for the long-term development of enterprises in the field of
intelligent production.
An Energy-Efficient and Low-Latency MAC Protocol Based on Adaptive Coordination Contention Window for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Lang Jianjun , Jiang Qigang
Published: September 2015

Wireless sensor network (WSN) consists of massive small sensor nodes which are located in monitoring
region, the target of which is to cooperatively sense, collect and process the information of objects in the coverage area,
then send the information to the observer through wireless communication. It can be widely used in military applications,
medical treatment, traffic, environment monitoring and so on. Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol, which decides
how to share the wireless channel, allocates the limited communication resource among nodes and a good MAC protocol
can save lots of energy and reduce collision. Firstly the thesis analyzed the research background and the current situation
at home and abroad, and then discussed the structural characteristics of wireless sensor networks and other content, in
which indicating the energy consumption of the wireless sensor network; Then, the thesis compared and analyzed the
MAC protocols of the wireless sensor Network, focusing on competition-based MAC protocol S-MAC protocol in detail.
From the shortcomings of the thesis proposed a new study of the improved protocol basing on the random work sleep
scheduling mechanism; Finally, the thesis simulated the improving the MAC protocol, showing that the performances of
the improved protocol are better than the original in improving energy efficiency, delay, throughput and so on from the
analysis of simulation results.
Theoretical Model of Signal Transmission Based on Digital Radio Receiver
Authors: Yan Hou
Published: September 2015

Radio receiver, as an extensively feasible modern technology, has been widely applied in all fields of military
and civil. It is mainly to demodulate all kinds of required signals with strong interference and noise. Based on intermediate
frequency (IF) software radio receiver test platform, the data transmission approach combining direct memory access
(DMA) and multichannel buffered serial port (McBSP) was studied and the parallel operation of data transmission and data
processing was realized. The method proposed for signal transmission and processing shows strong universality and can
be used in other relevant fields.
There's No Place Like Home: The Influence of Home-State Going-Concern Reporting Rates on Going-Concern Opinion Propensity and Accuracy
Authors: Blay Allen D. , Moon James R. , Paterson Jeffrey S.
Published: September 2015

Prior research has had success identifying client financial characteristics that influence auditors' going-concern reporting decisions. In contrast, relatively little research has addressed whether auditors' circumstances and surroundings influence their propensities to issue modified opinions. We investigate whether auditors' decisions to issue GC opinions are affected by the rate of GC opinions being given in their proximate area. Controlling for factors that prior research associates with going-concern opinions and state-level economics, we find that non-Big 4 auditors located in states with relatively high first-time going-concern rates in the prior year are up to 6 percent more likely to issue first-time going-concern opinions. The results from our state-based GC measure casts doubt that this increased propensity is explained by economic factors and suggests that psychological factors may explain this behavior among auditors. Interestingly, this higher propensity increases auditors' Type I error rates without decreasing their Type II error rates, further suggesting economics alone do not explain these results. Such evidence challenges the generally accepted notion that a higher propensity to issue a going-concern opinion always reflects higher audit quality.

JEL Classifications: M41; M42.

Data Availability: All data are available from public sources.
Repairing Organizational Legitimacy Following Information Technology (IT) Material Weaknesses: Executive Turnover, IT Expertise, and IT System Upgrades
Authors: Haislip Jacob Z. , Masli Adi , Richardson Vernon J. , Sanchez Juan Manuel
Published: September 2015

Since Information Technology (IT)-based internal controls are pivotal in providing access to, and security of, financial records, we argue that an IT-related material weakness (ITMW) is a significant threat to organizational legitimacy. Prior research suggests that firms work to repair legitimacy by disassociation with executives blamed for the deficiency and the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to ensure the problem is addressed (Suchman 1995). As a test of disassociation, we find that, relative to a propensity-score-matched sample of non-ITMW firms, ITMW firms experience higher CEO, CFO, and director turnover. As a test of the establishment of a monitoring mechanism to repair organizational legitimacy, we find that ITMW firms hire CEOs, CFOs, and directors with higher levels of IT expertise, and make significant IT system upgrades. We find evidence that ITMW firms remediate deficiencies in a more timely fashion when they appoint a new CFO with IT expertise or upgrade their financial reporting system. Collectively, our results suggest that firms make significant monitoring changes to re-establish organizational legitimacy after receiving an ITMW.

Data Availability: The data used are publicly available from the sources cited in the text.
Molecular Identification Of Trichoderma Strains Collected To Develop Plant Growth-Promoting And Biocontrol Agents
Authors: Oskiera Michał , Szczech Magdalena , Bartoszewski Grzegorz
Published: September 2015

Trichoderma strains that are beneficial to both the growth and health of plants can be used as plant growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) or biological control agents (BCA) in agricultural and horticultural practices. In order to select PGPF or BCA strains, their biological properties and taxonomy must be carefully studied. In this study, 104 strains of Trichoderma collected at geographically different locations in Poland for selection as PGPF or BCA were identified by DNA barcoding, based on the sequences of internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1 and 2) of the ribosomal RNA gene cluster and on the sequences of translation elongation factor 1 alpha (tef1), chitinase 18-5 (chi18-5), and RNA polymerase II subunit (rpb2) gene fragments. Most of the strains were classified as: T. atroviride (38%), T. harzianum (21%), T. lentiforme (9%), T. virens (9%), and T. simmonsii (6%). Single strains belonging to T. atrobrunneum, T. citrinoviride, T. crassum, T. gamsii, T. hamatum, T. spirale, T. tomentosum, and T. viridescens were identified. Three strains that are potentially pathogenic to cultivated mushrooms belonging to T. pleuroticola and T. aggressivum f. europaeum were also identified. Four strains: TRS4, TRS29, TRS33, and TRS73 were classified to Trichoderma spp. and molecular identification was inconclusive at the species level. Phylogeny analysis showed that three of these strains TRS4, TRS29, and TRS33 belong to Trichoderma species that is not yet taxonomically established and strain TRS73 belongs to the T. harzianum complex, however, the species could not be identified with certainty.
Neck Pain and Proprioception Revisited Using the Proprioception Incongruence Detection Test
Authors: Harvie Daniel S. , Hillier Susan , Madden Victoria J. , Smith Ross T. , Broecker Markus , Meulders Ann , Moseley G. Lorimer
Published: September 2015

Background

Proprioceptive imprecision is believed to contribute to persistent pain. Detecting imprecision in order to study or treat it remains challenging given the limitations of current tests.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine whether proprioceptive imprecision could be detected in people with neck pain by testing their ability to identify incongruence between true head motion and a false visual reference using the Proprioception Incongruence Detection (PID) Test.

Design

A cross-sectional study was conducted.

Methods

Twenty-four people with neck pain and 24 matched controls repeatedly rotated to specific markers within a virtual world and indicated if their true head rotation was more or less than the rotation suggested by the visual feedback. Visual feedback was manipulated at 6 corrections, ranging from 60% of true movement to 140% of true movement. A standard repositioning error (RPE) test as undertaken for comparison.

Results

Healthy controls were better able to detect incongruence between vision and true head rotation (X̅=75.6%, SD=8.5%) than people with neck pain were (X̅=69.6%, SD=12.7%). The RPE test scores were not different between groups. The PID Test score related to self-reported pain intensity but did not relate to RPE test score.

Limitations

Causality cannot be established from this cross-sectional study, and further work refining the PID Test is needed for it to offer clinical utility.

Conclusions

Proprioceptive precision for neck movement appears worse in people with neck pain than in those without neck pain, and the extent of the deficit appears to be related to usual pain severity. The PID Test appears to be a more sensitive test than the RPE test and is likely to be useful for assessment of proprioceptive function in research and clinical settings.
Modelling ice-cliff backwasting on a debris-covered glacier in the Nepalese Himalaya
Authors: Steiner Jakob F. , Pellicciotti Francesca , Buri Pascal , Miles Evan S. , Immerzeel Walter W. , Reid Tim D.
Published: September 2015

Ice cliffs have been identified as a reason for higher ablation rates on debris-covered glaciers than are implied by the insulation effects of the debris. This study aims to improve our understanding of cliff backwasting, and the role of radiative fluxes in particular. An energy-balance model is forced with new data gathered in May and October 2013 on Lirung Glacier, Nepalese Himalaya. Observations show substantial variability in melt between cliffs, between locations on any cliff and between seasons. Using a high-resolution digital elevation model we calculate longwave fluxes incident to the cliff from surrounding terrain and include the effect of local shading on shortwave radiation. This is an advance over previous studies, that made simplified assumptions on cliff geometry and radiative fluxes. Measured melt rates varied between 3.25 and 8.6 cm d−1 in May and 0.18 and 1.34 cm d−1 in October. Model results reproduce the strong variability in space and time, suggesting considerable differences in radiative fluxes over one cliff. In October the model fails to reproduce stake readings, probably due to the lack of a refreezing component. Disregarding local topography can lead to overestimation of melt at the point scale by up to ∼9%.
A Review of Management of Clostridium difficile Infection: Primary and Recurrence
Authors: Vincent Yasmeen , Manji Arif , Gregory-Miller Kathleen , Lee Christine
Published: September 2015

Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is a potentially fatal illness, especially in the elderly and hospitalized individuals. The recurrence and rates of CDI are increasing. In addition, some cases of CDI are refractory to the currently available antibiotics. The search for improved modalities for the management of primary and recurrent CDI is underway. This review discusses the current antibiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and other options such as immunotherapy and administration of non-toxigenic Clostridium difficile (CD) for the management of both primary and recurrent CDI.
Arsenic Disruption of DNA Damage Responses—Potential Role in Carcinogenesis and Chemotherapy
Authors: Muenyi Clarisse , Ljungman Mats , States J.
Published: September 2015

Arsenic is a Class I human carcinogen and is widespread in the environment. Chronic arsenic exposure causes cancer in skin, lung and bladder, as well as in other organs. Paradoxically, arsenic also is a potent chemotherapeutic against acute promyelocytic leukemia and can potentiate the cytotoxic effects of DNA damaging chemotherapeutics, such as cisplatin, in vitro. Arsenic has long been implicated in DNA repair inhibition, cell cycle disruption, and ubiquitination dysregulation, all negatively impacting the DNA damage response and potentially contributing to both the carcinogenic and chemotherapeutic potential of arsenic. Recent studies have provided mechanistic insights into how arsenic interferes with these processes including disruption of zinc fingers and suppression of gene expression. This review discusses these effects of arsenic with a view toward understanding the impact on the DNA damage response.
Modeling Historical Land Cover and Land Use: A Review fromContemporary Modeling
Authors: Chang-Martínez Laura , Mas Jean-François , Valle Nuria , Torres Pedro , Folan William
Published: September 2015

Spatially-explicit land cover land use change (LCLUC) models are becoming increasingly useful tools for historians and archaeologists. Such kinds of models have been developed and used by geographers, ecologists and land managers over the last few decades to carry out prospective scenarios. In this paper, we review historical models to compare them with prospective models, with the assumption that the ample experience gained in the development of models of prospective simulation can benefit the development of models having as their objective the simulation of changes that happened in the past. The review is divided into three sections: in the first section, we explain the functioning of contemporary LCLUC models; in the second section, we analyze historical LCLUC models; in the third section, we compare the former two types of models, and finally, we discuss the contributions to historical LCLUC models of contemporary LCLUC models.
Regulatory Proteolysis in Arabidopsis-Pathogen Interactions
Authors: Pogány Miklós , Dankó Tamás , Kámán-Tóth Evelin , Schwarczinger Ildikó , Bozsó Zoltán
Published: September 2015

Approximately two and a half percent of protein coding genes in Arabidopsis encode enzymes with known or putative proteolytic activity. Proteases possess not only common housekeeping functions by recycling nonfunctional proteins. By irreversibly cleaving other proteins, they regulate crucial developmental processes and control responses to environmental changes. Regulatory proteolysis is also indispensable in interactions between plants and their microbial pathogens. Proteolytic cleavage is simultaneously used both by plant cells, to recognize and inactivate invading pathogens, and by microbes, to overcome the immune system of the plant and successfully colonize host cells. In this review, we present available results on the group of proteases in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana whose functions in microbial pathogenesis were confirmed. Pathogen-derived proteolytic factors are also discussed when they are involved in the cleavage of host metabolites. Considering the wealth of review papers available in the field of the ubiquitin-26S proteasome system results on the ubiquitin cascade are not presented. Arabidopsis and its pathogens are conferred with abundant sets of proteases. This review compiles a list of those that are apparently involved in an interaction between the plant and its pathogens, also presenting their molecular partners when available.
New Kunitz-Type HCRG Polypeptides from the Sea Anemone Heteractis crispa
Authors: Gladkikh Irina , Monastyrnaya Margarita , Zelepuga Elena , Sintsova Oksana , Tabakmakher Valentin , Gnedenko Oksana , Ivanov Alexis , Hua Kuo-Feng , Kozlovskaya Emma
Published: September 2015

Sea anemones are a rich source of Kunitz-type polypeptides that possess not only protease inhibitor activity, but also Kv channels toxicity, analgesic, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory activities. Two Kunitz-type inhibitors belonging to a new Heteractis crispa RG (HCRG) polypeptide subfamily have been isolated from the sea anemone Heteractis crispa. The amino acid sequences of HCRG1 and HCRG2 identified using the Edman degradation method share up to 95% of their identity with the representatives of the HCGS polypeptide multigene subfamily derived from H. crispa cDNA. Polypeptides are characterized by positively charged Arg at the N-terminus as well as P1 Lys residue at their canonical binding loop, identical to those of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). These polypeptides are shown by our current evidence to be more potent inhibitors of trypsin than the known representatives of the HCGS subfamily with P1Thr. The kinetic and thermodynamic characteristics of the intermolecular interactions between inhibitors and serine proteases were determined by the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) method. Residues functionally important for polypeptide binding to trypsin were revealed using molecular modeling methods. Furthermore, HCRG1 and HCRG2 possess anti-inflammatory activity, reducing tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) secretions, as well as proIL-1β expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. However, there was no effect on nitric oxide (NO) generation.
The Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Power Generation from Lignocellulosic Biomass
Authors: Shen Xinhua , Kommalapati Raghava , Huque Ziaul
Published: September 2015

In order to solve the energy crisis and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), renewable energy resources are exploited for power generation. Because lignocellulosic biomass resources are abundant and renewable, various technologies are applied to using lignocellulosic biomass to derive biofuel and electricity. This paper focuses on power generation from lignocellulosic biomass and comparison of the effects of different feedstocks, transportation, and power generation technologies evaluated through life cycle assessment (LCA). The inputs and boundaries of LCA vary with different feedstocks, such as forestry wood, agricultural residues, and fast-growing grass. For agricultural residues and fast-growing grass, the transportation cost from field to power plant is more critical. Three technologies for power generation are analyzed both with and without pelletization of lignocellulosic biomass. The GHG emissions also vary with different feedstocks and depend on burning technologies at different plant scales. The daily criteria pollutant emissions of power generation from different lignocellulosic biomass were evaluated with a life cycle assessment model of GREET.net 2014. It is concluded that bio-power generation is critical with the urgency of greenhouse effects.
Mapping Thermal Energy Resource Potentials from Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Neugebauer Georg , Kretschmer Florian , Kollmann René , Narodoslawsky Michael , Ertl Thomas , Stoeglehner Gernot
Published: September 2015

Wastewater heat recovery via heat exchangers and heat pumps constitutes an environmentally friendly, approved and economically competitive, but often underestimated technology. By introducing the spatial dimension in feasibility studies, the results of calculations change considerably. This paper presents a methodology to estimate thermal energy resource potentials of wastewater treatment plants taking spatial contexts into account. In close proximity to settlement areas, wastewater energy can ideally be applied for heating in mixed-function areas, which very likely have a continuous heat demand and allow for an increased amount of full-load hours compared to most single-use areas. For the Austrian case, it is demonstrated that the proposed methodology leads to feasible results and that the suggested technology might reduce up to 17% of the Austrian global warming potential of room heating. The method is transferrable to other countries as the input data and calculation formula are made available. A broad application of wastewater energy with regard to spatial structures and spatial development potentials can lead to (1) increasing energy efficiency by using a maximum of waste heat and (2) a significant reduction of (fossil) energy consumption which results in a considerable reduction of the global warming potential of the heat supply (GWP) if electricity from renewables is used for the operation of heat pumps.
Sustainable Urban External Service Function Development for Building the International Megalopolis in the Pearl River Delta, China
Authors: Wang Meng , Kuang Yaoqiu , Huang Ningsheng
Published: September 2015

This study is about the urban economic service function characteristics and the regional economic contact from the perspectives of region and industries. This paper analyzes the location quotient (LQ), urban external function capability (UEFC), and the characteristics and distribution of urban economic flow intensity (UEFI) of cities in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region of Guangdong Province, China. Results show: (1) the proportion of the UEFI of Guangzhou and Shenzhen in the PRD region decreased while the one of Foshan and Dongguan increased from 2005 to 2013; (2) the UEFI of Foshan gained the largest increase (532%) and Zhuhai showed the smallest increase (76%) from 2005 to 2013; (3) LQs of manufacturing in all cities were greater than one, indicating the overall external service capability of this sector was strong in the PRD region; (4) the numbers of cities whose LQs of tertiary sectors were greater than one reduced from 2005 to 2013, reflecting the urban external service capabilities of the tertiary sectors tended to be concentrated to fewer cities.
Assessing the Atmospheric Oxygen Balance in a Region of Rapid Urbanization: A Case Study in the Pearl River Delta, China
Authors: Peng Jian , Wang An , Liu Yanxu , Liu Weidong
Published: September 2015

Oxygen is a product of photosynthesis and is essential for human survival. It also has a profound effect on ecosystems as the atmospheric oxygen balance is the basis for regional ecological sustainability. The Pearl River Delta (PRD) has experienced rapid urbanization and has become one of China’s three major urban agglomerations. This study focused on the oxygen balance of the PRD in 2011, and established a model to calculate the oxygen balance that was suitable for a region of rapid urbanization by applying remote sensing gross primary production data via the C-Fix model. The influencing factors for the oxygen imbalance were analyzed and it was suggested that more attention be paid to the management of oxygen emissions than oxygen consumption. The results indicated that the oxygen balance capacity of the PRD was weak, with an oxygen consumption 9.37 times that of its oxygen emission. Zhaoqing and Huizhou are the main sources of oxygen in the PRD, with an oxygen emission density more than 4.67 times that of Dongguan or Zhuhai. Guangzhou and Shenzhen are the main oxygen sinks, with a total oxygen consumption more than 5.49 times that of Zhaoqing. Moreover, the oxygen balance of the PRD is more sensitive to oxygen emissions than consumption. Therefore, it could be inferred that the land urbanization has a stronger influence on the oxygen balance than the population urbanization.
Deoxynivalenol Exposure Assessment for Pregnant Women in Bangladesh
Authors: Ali Nurshad , Blaszkewicz Meinolf , Al Nahid Abdullah , Rahman Mustafizur , Degen Gisela
Published: September 2015

The trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) is a contaminant of crops worldwide and known to cause adverse health effects in exposed animals and humans. A small survey reported the presence of DON in maize samples in Bangladesh, but these data are insufficient to assess human exposure, and also, biomonitoring data are still scarce. The present study applied biomarker analysis to investigate the DON exposure of pregnant women in Bangladesh. Urine samples were collected from pregnant women living in a rural (n = 32) and in a suburban (n = 22) area of the country. Urines were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis of glucuronic acid conjugates and to immunoaffinity column clean-up prior to LC-MS/MS analysis of DON and its de-epoxy metabolite DOM-1. The limits of detection (LOD) for DON and DOM-1 in urine were 0.16 ng/mL and 0.10 ng/mL, respectively. DOM-1 was not detected in any of the urines, whilst DON was detectable in 52% of the samples at levels ranging from 0.18–7.16 ng/mL and a mean DON concentration of 0.86 ± 1.57 ng/mL or 2.14 ± 4.74 ng/mg creatinine. A significant difference in mean urinary DON levels was found between the rural (0.47 ± 0.73 ng/mL) and suburban (1.44 ± 2.20 ng/mL) cohort, which may be related to different food habits in the two cohorts. Analysis of food consumption data for the participants did not show significant correlations between their intake of typical staple foods and DON levels in urine. The biomarker concentrations found and published urinary excretion rates for DON were used to estimate daily mycotoxin intake in the cohort: the mean DON intake was 0.05 µg/kg b.w., and the maximum intake was 0.46 µg/kg b.w., values lower than the tolerable daily intake of 1 µg/kg b.w. These first results indicate a low dietary exposure of pregnant women in Bangladesh to DON. Nonetheless, further biomonitoring studies in children and in adult cohorts from other parts of the country are of interest to gain more insight into DON exposure in the population of Bangladesh.
Design and synthesis of propellane derivatives and oxa-bowls via ring-rearrangement metathesis as a key step
Authors: Kotha Sambasivarao , Gunta Rama
Published: September 2015

Various intricate propellane derivatives and oxa-bowls have been synthesized via a ring-rearrangement metathesis (RRM) as a key step starting from readily accessible starting materials such as p-benzoquinone, 1,4-naphthoquinone and 1,4-anthraquinone.