bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interaction of HEPES buffer with glass‐ceramic scaffold: Can HEPES replace TRIS in SBF?
Authors: Rohanová Dana , Horkavcová Diana , Paidere Laine , Boccaccini Aldo Roberto , Bozděchová Pavlína , Bezdička Petr
Published: November 2016

An international standard (ISO: 23317:2014) exists for the in vitro testing of inorganic biomaterials in simulated body fluid (SBF). This standard uses TRIS buffer to maintain neutral pH in SBF, but in our previous paper, we showed that the interaction of a tested glass‐ceramic material with TRIS can produce false‐positive results. In this study, we evaluated whether the HEPES buffer, which also belongs to the group of Good´s buffers, would be more suitable for SBF. We compared its suitability in two media: SBF with HEPES and demineralized water with HEPES. The tested scaffold (45S5 bioactive glass‐based) was exposed to the media under a static‐dynamic arrangement (solutions were replaced on a daily basis) for 15 days. Leachate samples were collected daily for the analysis of Ca2+ ions and Si (AAS), (PO4)3‐ ions (UV‐VIS), and to measure pH. The glass‐ceramic scaffold was analyzed by SEM/EDS, XRD, and WD‐XRF before and after 0.3, 1, 3, 7, 11, and 15 days of exposure. Our results confirmed the rapid selective dissolution of the glass‐ceramic crystalline phase (Combeite) containing Ca2+ ions due to the presence of HEPES, hydroxyapatite supersaturation being reached within 24 h in both solutions. These new results suggest that, like TRIS, HEPES buffer is not suitable for the in vitro testing of highly reactive inorganic biomaterials (glass, glass‐ceramics). The ISO standard for such tests requires revision, but HEPES is not a viable alternative to TRIS buffer. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 143–152, 2018.
Conserving the linear momentum in stochastic dynamics: Dissipative particle dynamics as a general strategy to achieve local thermostatization in molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Passler Peter P. , Hofer Thomas S.
Published: November 2016

Stochastic dynamics is a widely employed strategy to achieve local thermostatization in molecular dynamics simulation studies; however, it suffers from an inherent violation of momentum conservation. Although this short‐coming has little impact on structural and short‐time dynamic properties, it can be shown that dynamics in the long‐time limit such as diffusion is strongly dependent on the respective thermostat setting. Application of the methodically similar dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) provides a simple, effective strategy to ensure the advantages of local, stochastic thermostatization while at the same time the linear momentum of the system remains conserved. In this work, the key parameters to employ the DPD thermostats in the framework of periodic boundary conditions are investigated, in particular the dependence of the system properties on the size of the DPD‐region as well as the treatment of forces near the cutoff. Structural and dynamical data for light and heavy water as well as a Lennard–Jones fluid have been compared to simulations executed via stochastic dynamics as well as via use of the widely employed Nose–Hoover chain and Berendsen thermostats. It is demonstrated that a small size of the DPD region is sufficient to achieve local thermalization, while at the same time artifacts in the self‐diffusion characteristic for stochastic dynamics are eliminated. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Epicurus and B. F. Skinner: In search of the good life
Authors: Neuringer Allen , Englert Walter
Published: November 2016

This paper examines similarities in the works of Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher, and B. F. Skinner, a behavioral psychologist. They both were empiricists who argued in favor of the lawfulness of behavior while maintaining that random events were included within those laws. They both devoted much effort to describing how individuals could live effective, rewarding and pleasurable lives. They both emphasized simple and natural pleasures (or reinforcers) and the importance of combining personal pleasures with actions that benefit friends and community. They both opposed punishment and all aversive measures used by governments and religions to control behaviors. And both created utopias: a real community, The Garden, where Epicurus lived with his followers, and a fictional one, Walden Two, by Skinner. We consider how a combination of the ideas of Epicurus and Skinner can contribute to their common goal of helping people to live better lives.
Dental ontogeny of a white shark embryo
Authors: Tomita Taketeru , Miyamoto Kei , Kawaguchi Akira , Toda Minoru , Oka Shin‐Ichiro , Nozu Ryo , Sato Keiichi
Published: November 2016

Unlike most viviparous vertebrates, lamniform sharks develop functional teeth during early gestation. This feature is considered to be related to their unique reproductive mode where the embryo grows to a large size via feeding on nutritive eggs in utero. However, the developmental process of embryonic teeth is largely uninvestigated. We conducted X‐ray microcomputed tomography to observe the dentitions of early‐, mid‐, and full‐term embryos of the white shark Carcharodon carcharias (Lamniformes, Lamnidae). These data reveal the ontogenetic change of embryonic dentition of the species for the first time. Dentition of the early‐term embryos (∼45 cm precaudal length, PCL) is distinguished from adult dentition by 1) the presence of microscopic teeth in the distalmost region of the paratoquadrate, 2) a fang‐like crown morphology, and 3) a lack of basal concavity of the tooth root. The “intermediate tooth” of early‐term embryos is almost the same size as the adjacent teeth, suggesting that lamnoid‐type heterodonty (lamnoid tooth pattern) has not yet been established. We also discovered that mid‐term embryos (∼80 cm PCL) lack functional dentition. Previous studies have shown that the maternal supply of nutritive eggs in lamnoid sharks ceases during mid‐ to late‐gestation. Thus, discontinuation of functional tooth development is likely associated with the completion of the oophagous (egg‐eating) phase. Replacement teeth in mid‐term embryos include both embryonic and adult‐type teeth, suggesting that the embryo to adult transition in dental morphology occurs during this period. J. Morphol. 278:215–227, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals,Inc.
Inner ear labyrinth anatomy of monotremes and implications for mammalian inner ear evolution
Authors: Schultz Julia A. , Zeller Ulrich , Luo Zhe‐Xi
Published: November 2016

The monophyletic clade Monotremata branches early from the rest of the mammalian crown group in the Jurassic and members of this clade retain many ancestral mammalian traits. Thus, accurate and detailed anatomical descriptions of this group can offer unique insight into the early evolutionary history of Mammalia. In this study, we examine the inner ear anatomy of two extant monotremes, Ornithorhynchus anatinus and Tachyglossus aculeatus, with the primary goals of elucidating the ancestral mammalian ear morphology and resolving inconsistencies found within previous descriptive literature. We use histological serial sections and high‐resolution microcomputed tomography (µCT) for correlating soft tissue features of the vestibule and cochlea to the osseous labyrinth endocast. We found that in both monotremes the scala tympani coils to a lesser degree than scala vestibuli and scala media, although all three scalae show an apical coil inside the osseous cochlear tube. The helicotrema (conduit between scala tympani and scala vestibuli) is in subapical position, and the cochlear and lagenar ganglia and their associated nerve fibers are not enclosed by bone. In comparison, in extant therian mammals (i.e., marsupials and placentals) the helicotrema is located at the apex of the osseous cochlear canal, the three scalae coil to the same degree and the cochlear ganglion is enclosed by the primary bony lamina. Whether the lagenar ganglion is lost in therian mammals or integrated into the cochlear ganglion is still debated. The presence of a sensory lagenar macula at the apex of the membranous cochlear duct, innervated by a separate lagenar nerve and ganglion is a plesiomorphic condition of amniotes that monotremes share. A separate osseous lagenar canaliculus for the lagenar nerve, and the coiling of the distended lagenar sac at the end of the cochlear duct are autapomorphies of monotremes. Based on our findings we hypothesize that the ancestral inner ear of stem mammaliaforms is characterized by a straight or slightly curved osseous cochlear canal, a lagenar macula, lagenar nerve fibers separated from a larger bundle of cochlear nerve fibers, the presence of an organ of Corti and an intra‐otic cochlear ganglion suspended by membranous connective tissue. Among the major Mesozoic clades of crown mammals, cladotherians and gondwanatherians most likely acquired a fully functioning organ of Corti but lost the sensory lagenar macula, like extant therians. However, Mesozoic spalacotherioids, multituberculates and eutriconodonts likely retained the mammaliaform condition. J. Morphol. 278:236–263, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals,Inc.
Facile preparation of a polydopamine‐based monolith for multiple monolithic fiber solid‐phase microextraction of triazine herbicides in environmental water samples
Authors: Zhang Zirui , Mei Meng , Huang Yanmei , Huang Xiaojia , Huang Hanyue , Ding Yuxin
Published: November 2016

A new multiple monolithic fiber solid‐phase microextraction using a polydopamine‐based monolith as the extraction medium is proposed. The monolith was synthesized by facile in situ copolymerization of N‐methacryldopamine and dual cross‐linkers (divinylbenzene/ethylenedimethacrylate) in the presence of N,N‐dimethylformamide. The effect of the contents of N‐methacryldopamine and porogen in the polymerization mixture on the extraction performance was investigated thoroughly. A series of characterization studies was performed to validate the structure and properties of the monolith. The prepared multiple monolithic fibers were used for the extraction of triazine herbicides in environmental water samples. After the optimization of the extraction parameters, a convenient, sensitive, cost‐effective, and environmentally friendly method for the determination of trace triazine herbicides in water samples was developed by coupling multiple monolithic fibers solid‐phase microextraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography and diode array detection. The results indicated that the limits of detection and quantification for the target compounds were 0.031–0.14 and 0.10–0.45 μg/L, respectively. Good precision and reproducibility were obtained with the relative standard deviations below 10%. The developed method was applied to the analysis of the triazine herbicides in different water samples (lake, river, and farmland waters). The recoveries of the method were in the range between 79.6 and 117%.
Carotid artery and lower cranial nerve exposure with increasing surgical complexity to the parapharyngeal space
Authors: Lemos‐Rodriguez Ana M. , Sreenath Satyan B. , Rawal Rounak B. , Overton Lewis J. , Farzal Zainab , Zanation Adam M.
Published: November 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the extent of carotid artery exposure attained, including the identification of the external carotid branches and lower cranial nerves in five sequential external approaches to the parapharyngeal space, and to provide an anatomical algorithm.

Study Design

Anatomical study.

Methods

Six latex‐injected adult cadaver heads were dissected in five consecutive approaches: transcervical approach with submandibular gland removal, posterior extension of the transcervical approach, transcervical approach with parotidectomy, parotidectomy with lateral mandibulotomy, and parotidectomy with mandibulectomy. The degree of carotid artery exposure attained, external carotid branches, and lower cranial nerves visualized was documented.

Results

The transcervical approach exposed 1.5 cm (Standard Deviation (SD) 0.5) of internal carotid artery (ICA) and 1.25 cm (SD 0.25) of external carotid artery (ECA). The superior thyroid and facial arteries and cranial nerve XII and XI were identified. The posterior extension exposed 2.9 cm (SD 0.7) of ICA and 2.7 cm (SD 1.0) of ECA. Occipital and ascending pharyngeal arteries were visualized. The transparotid approach exposed 4.0 cm (SD 1.1) of ICA and 3.98 cm (SD 1.8) of ECA. Lateral mandibulotomy exposed the internal maxillary artery, cranial nerve X, the sympathetic trunk, and 4.6 cm (SD 2.4) of ICA. Mandibulectomy allowed for complete ECA exposure, cranial nerve IX, lingual nerve, and 6.9 cm (SD 1.3) of ICA.

Conclusion

Approaches for the parapharyngeal space must be based on anatomic and biological patient factors. This study provides a guide for the skull base surgeon for an extended approach based on the desired anatomic exposure.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 127:585–591, 2017
Outcomes following laryngectomy refusal after insufficient response to induction chemotherapy
Authors: Gorphe Philippe , Matias Margarida , Blanchard Pierre , Even Caroline , Ferte Charles , Tao Yungan , Temam Stéphane , Bidault François , Janot François
Published: November 2016

Objective

To review patients who refused a total laryngectomy and were treated with radiotherapy (RT) after insufficient response to induction chemotherapy in a larynx preservation protocol for advanced‐stage cancer of the larynx and to compare their outcomes with good responders.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Eighty‐six patients treated with induction chemotherapy followed by RT were included in the analysis: 75 good responders and 11 insufficient responders who refused surgery. We compared overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DFS), and laryngo‐esophageal dysfunction‐free survival (LEDFS) of the cohort populations in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The median follow‐up was 44 months. The 2‐year and 5‐year survival rates were respectively 72.2% and 58.8% for OS, 62.8% and 49.4% for DFS, and 59.5% and 44.3% for LEDFS. No survival endpoint was significantly decreased among insufficient responders, contrary to what we expected. When we focused on patients with an initially fixed larynx, the recovery of larynx mobility after induction chemotherapy was not associated with OS (P = 0.6055), DFS (P = 0.459), or LEDFS (P = 0.7403).

Conclusion

To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first patient treatment evaluation focused on subjects who refused a total laryngectomy after insufficient response to induction chemotherapy in a larynx preservation protocol for advanced‐stage cancer of the larynx. Surprisingly, these patients treated with RT in our cancer center did not experience decreased functional and oncologic outcomes compared to good responders. Further studies will explore the relevance of response criteria and their evaluation methods.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 127:1791–1796, 2017
Response of Terraced Slopes to a Very Intense Rainfall Event and Relationships with Land Abandonment: A Case Study from Cinque Terre (Italy)
Authors: Brandolini Pierluigi , Cevasco Andrea , Capolongo Domenico , Pepe Giacomo , Lovergine Francesco , Del Monte Maurizio
Published: November 2016

Agricultural terraces represent one of the best ways to prevent land degradation in hilly and mountainous landscapes. However, it is widely recognized that terraced slopes are threatened by agricultural land abandonment. In the literature, very few studies have quantitatively examined the influence of agricultural abandonment on the stability of terraced slopes. The goal of this research is to investigate the relationships between landslide magnitude and land use conditions of agricultural terraced slopes. In particular, Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) elevation data, coupled with aerial photo interpretation, were used for the computation of shallow landslide mobilized volumes on terraced slopes affected by an intense rainfall event. We performed the analysis within the Vernazza basin, a small Mediterranean coastal catchment located in the “Cinque Terre” area (Liguria, northwestern Italy), comparing pre‐event and post‐event LiDAR datasets. The results revealed that abandoned terraced slopes have been affected by a higher amount of mobilized debris volumes than still‐cultivated terraces. Furthermore, terraces abandoned for a short time (less than 25–30 years) resulted in the most hazardous land use class, showing erosion rates that were approximately 2 and 3 times higher than terraced slopes abandoned a long time ago (more than 25–30 years) and still‐cultivated terraces, respectively. These findings highlight that land abandonment and agricultural mismanagement can intensify the magnitude of rainfall‐induced shallow landslides. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Validation methods for plankton image classification systems
Authors: González Pablo , Álvarez Eva , Díez Jorge , López‐Urrutia Ángel , del Coz Juan José
Published: November 2016

In recent decades, the automatic study and analysis of plankton communities using imaging techniques has advanced significantly. The effectiveness of these automated systems appears to have improved, reaching acceptable levels of accuracy. However, plankton ecologists often find that classification systems do not work as well as expected when applied to new samples. This paper proposes a methodology to assess the efficacy of learned models which takes into account the fact that the data distribution (the plankton composition of the sample) can vary between the model building phase and the production phase. As opposed to most validation methods that consider the individual organism as the unit of validation, our approach uses a validation‐by‐sample, which is more appropriate when the objective is to estimate the abundance of different morphological groups. We argue that, in these cases, the base unit to correctly estimate the error is the sample, not the individual. Thus, model assessment processes require groups of samples with sufficient variability in order to provide precise error estimates.
Localization aligned weakly periodic boundary conditions
Authors: Svenning Erik , Fagerström Martin , Larsson Fredrik
Published: November 2016

When computing the homogenized response of a representative volume element (RVE), a popular choice is to impose periodic boundary conditions on the RVE. Despite their popularity, it is well known that standard periodic boundary conditions lead to inaccurate results if cracks or localization bands in the RVE are not aligned with the periodicity directions. A previously proposed remedy is to use modified strong periodic boundary conditions that are aligned with the dominating localization direction in the RVE. In the present work, we show that alignment of periodic boundary conditions can also conveniently be performed on weak form. Starting from a previously proposed format for weak micro‐periodicity that does not require a periodic mesh, we show that aligned weakly periodic boundary conditions may be constructed by only modifying the mapping (mirror function) between the associated parts of the RVE boundary. In particular, we propose a modified mirror function that allows alignment with an identified localization direction. This modified mirror function corresponds to a shifted stacking of RVEs, and thereby ensures compatibility of the dominating discontinuity over the RVE boundaries. The proposed method leads to more accurate results compared to using unaligned periodic boundary conditions, as demonstrated by the numerical examples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of lorcaserin on pre‐existing valvulopathy: A pooled analysis of phase 3 trials
Authors: Weissman Neil J. , Smith Steven R. , Fain Randi , Hall Nancy , Shanahan William R.
Published: November 2016

Objective

To evaluate the effects of lorcaserin in patients with pre‐existing Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐defined valvulopathy.

Methods

This is a pooled, post hoc analysis of three Phase 3 studies. BLOOM and BLOSSOM patients were 18 to 65 years of age without diabetes and with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 to 29.9 kg/m2 and ≥1 weight‐related comorbidity or a BMI of 30 to 45 kg/m2. BLOOM‐DM patients had a BMI of 27 to 45 kg/m2 and type 2 diabetes. Patients were treated with placebo, lorcaserin 10 mg once daily, or lorcaserin 10 mg twice daily. Serial echocardiographs were obtained at baseline and every 6 months.

Results

Included patients (N = 169) had FDA‐defined valvulopathy at baseline and a week 52 echocardiogram. At week 52, 35.5% and 52.7% of patients experienced changes from baseline in aortic and mitral regurgitation, respectively. Numerically greater proportions of patients taking lorcaserin versus placebo had decreases in aortic (33.0% vs. 28.3%) or mitral (41.3% vs. 36.7%) regurgitation. Fewer patients taking lorcaserin versus placebo had increases in aortic (2.8% vs. 6.7%) or mitral (8.3% vs. 21.7%) regurgitation. No adverse event‐related discontinuation was due to a valve problem.

Conclusions

These data suggest that lorcaserin does not adversely affect valvular disease in patients with pre‐existing FDA‐defined valvulopathy.
Hormone‐Related Migraine Headaches and Mood Disorders: Treatment with Estrogen Stabilization
Authors: Warnock Julia K. , Cohen Lawrence J. , Blumenthal Harvey , Hammond Jordan E.
Published: November 2016

Because estrogens and the trigeminal system are inherently linked, prescribers who are treating a woman with a hormonally related mood disorder and migraine headaches should consider hormonal options to optimize the patient's treatment. This article discusses the interrelationships of estrogen, serotonin, and the trigeminal system as they relate to menstrual migraine occurrence and hormone‐related mood symptoms. In addition, clinical examples are provided to facilitate the prescribers treating women during reproductive transitions in which declining estrogens are related to their suffering.
Obtaining aliphatic branched polycarbonates via simple copolymerization of trimethylene carbonate with cyclic carbonate containing pendant ester groups
Authors: Pastusiak Malgorzata , Jaworska Joanna , Kawalec Michał , Kasperczyk Janusz , Dobrzynski Piotr
Published: November 2016

Different possibilities for obtaining branched, functional carbonate copolymers are presented in this study. Copolymers were synthesized according to the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of the cyclic carbonate monomers, containing pendant ester groups. As an example, we chose copolymerization of ethyl 5‐methyl‐2‐oxo‐1,3‐dioxane‐5‐carboxylate (MTC‐Et) with trimethylene carbonate (TMC), using zinc (II) and lanthanum (III) acetylacetonates as ROP initiators. The transesterification processes of ester groups in pendant, short chains, appearing during conducted copolymerization, led to the establishment of two different fractions: first‐branched and high molecular weight fraction and second‐linear and low molecular weight. The content of this high‐molecular‐weight fraction increased with both: the amount of MTC‐Et in started reaction mixture and the time of conducted copolymerization. Reactivity constants in studied reaction were determined. It was possible to obtain the copolymer fraction (ca. 30%) with molecular weight of up to a million g/mol, with a highly branched chain microstructure using lanthanum (III) acetylacetonate as initiator. Conclusions were based on detailed NMR analysis, determining microstructure of the copolymer chains and additionally on GPC and DSC measurement. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 808–819
Impact of transgene genome location on gene migration from herbicide‐resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica Host)
Authors: Rehman Maqsood , Hansen Jennifer L , Mallory‐Smith Carol A , Zemetra Robert S
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) (ABD) and jointed goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica) (CD) can cross and produce hybrids that can backcross to either parent. Such backcrosses can result in progeny with chromosomes and/or chromosome segments retained from wheat. Thus, a herbicide resistance gene could migrate from wheat to jointed goatgrass. In theory, the risk of gene migration from herbicide‐resistant wheat to jointed goatgrass is more likely if the gene is located on the D genome and less likely if the gene is located on the A or B genome of wheat.

RESULTS

BC1 populations (jointed goatgrass as a recurrent parent) were analyzed for chromosome numbers and transgene transmission rates under sprayed and non‐sprayed conditions. Transgene retention in the non‐sprayed BC1 generation for the A, B and D genomes was 84, 60 and 64% respectively. In the sprayed populations, the retention was 81, 59 and 74% respectively.

CONCLUSION

The gene transmission rates were higher than the expected 50% or less under sprayed and non‐sprayed conditions, possibly owing to meiotic chromosome restitution and/or chromosome non‐disjunction. Such high transmission rates in the BC1 generation negates the benefits of gene placement for reducing the potential of gene migration from wheat to jointed goatgrass. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Discovery of metabolic resistance to neonicotinoids in green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) in Australia
Authors: de Little Siobhan C , Edwards Owain , van Rooyen Anthony R , Weeks Andrew , Umina Paul A
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

Myzus persicae is a serious pest that attacks a broad range of agricultural crops. This species has developed chemical resistance to many insecticides globally, and within Australia resistance to multiple chemical groups has been identified. Resistance to neonicotinoid insecticides has been discovered in several countries, but has not previously been confirmed in Australia. We use biomolecular assays and bioassays on field‐collected populations to investigate neonicotinoid resistance in M. persicae within Australia.

RESULTS

Several geographically and genetically distinct populations showed evidence for resistance in bioassays. Genetic markers identified that the mechanism of neonicotinoid resistance in Australia is metabolic resistance through the enhanced expression of a cytochrome P450 gene, CYP6CY3.

CONCLUSION

M. persicae populations in parts of Australia are now resistant to four different insecticide chemical groups, raising concerns about the long‐term management of this pest. While higher copy numbers of CYP6CY3 were seen in all resistant populations, the number of gene copies was not strongly correlated with the level of resistance as determined by LD50 values generated through bioassays. This finding sheds further light on the complexity of the P450 genes in regulating neonicotinoid resistance. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A Mathematical Modeling Approach to Understanding the Effect of Anti‐Interleukin Therapy on Eosinophils
Authors: Karelina T , Voronova V , Demin O , Colice G , Agoram BM
Published: November 2016

Emerging T‐helper type 2 (Th2) cytokine‐based asthma therapies, such as tralokinumab, lebrikizumab (anti‐interleukin (IL)‐13), and mepolizumab (anti‐IL‐5), have shown differences in their blood eosinophil (EOS) response. To better understand these effects, we developed a mathematical model of EOS dynamics. For the anti‐IL‐13 therapies, lebrikizumab and tralokinumab, the model predicted an increase of 30% and 10% in total and activated EOS in the blood, respectively, and a decrease in the total and activated EOS in the airways. The model predicted a rapid decrease in total and activated EOS levels in blood and airways for the anti‐IL‐5 therapy mepolizumab. All model‐based predictions were consistent with published clinical observations. The modeling approach provided insights into EOS response after treatment with Th2‐targeted therapies, and supports the hypothesis that an increase in blood EOS after anti‐IL‐13 therapy is part of the pharmacological action of these therapies.
Formyl Peptide Receptor 2 Is Involved in Cardiac Repair After Myocardial Infarction Through Mobilization of Circulating Angiogenic Cells
Authors: Heo Soon Chul , Kwon Yang Woo , Jang Il Ho , Jeong Geun Ok , Lee Tae Wook , Yoon Jung Won , Shin Ho Jin , Jeong Hae Chang , Ahn Youngkeun , Ko Tae Hee , Lee Sang Chul , Han Jin , Kim Jae Ho
Published: November 2016

Increasing evidence suggests that circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) promote repair of ischemic tissues. Activation of formyl peptide receptor 2 (Fpr2) has been reported to stimulate repair of ischemic heart. This study was conducted to investigate the role of Fpr2 on CAC mobilization and cardiac protection in myocardial infarction (MI). WKYMVm, a strong agonist for Fpr2, was administered in a murine model of acute MI, and mobilization of CACs including endothelial progenitor cells (CD34+ Flk1+ or Sca1+ Flk1+ cells) in peripheral blood was monitored. CAC mobilization by daily injection of WKYMVm for the first 4 days after MI was as efficient as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and provided myocardial protection from apoptosis with increased vascular density and preservation of cardiac function. Transplantation of bone marrow (BM) from green fluorescent protein mice showed that BM-derived cells homed to ischemic heart after WKYMVm treatment and contributed to tissue protection. Transplantation of BM from Fpr2 knockout mice showed that Fpr2 in BM cells is critical in mediation of WKYMVm-stimulated myocardial protection and neovascularization after MI. These results suggest that activation of Fpr2 in BM after WKYMVm treatment provides cardiac protection through mobilization of CACs after MI, which may lead to the development of a new clinical protocol for treating patients with ischemic heart conditions.
Spontaneous Single-Copy Loss of TP53 in Human Embryonic Stem Cells Markedly Increases Cell Proliferation and Survival
Authors: Amir Hadar , Touboul Thomas , Sabatini Karen , Chhabra Divya , Garitaonandia Ibon , Loring Jeanne F. , Morey Robert , Laurent Louise C.
Published: November 2016

Genomic aberrations have been identified in many human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) cultures. Commonly observed duplications in portions of chromosomes 12p and 17q have been associated with increases in genetic instability and resistance to apoptosis, respectively. However, the phenotypic consequences related to sporadic mutations have not been evaluated to date. Here, we report on the effects of a single-copy deletion of the chr17p13.1 region, a sporadic mutation that spontaneously arose independently in several subclones of a human embryonic stem cell culture. Compared to cells with two normal copies of chr17p13.1 (“wild-type”), the cells with a single-copy deletion of this region (“mutant”) displayed a selective advantage when exposed to stressful conditions, and retained a higher percentage of cells expressing the pluripotency marker POU5F1/OCT4 after 2 weeks of in vitro differentiation. Knockdown of TP53, which is a gene encompassed by the deleted region, in wild-type cells mimicked the chr17p13.1 deletion phenotype. Thus, sporadic mutations in hPSCs can have phenotypic effects that may impact their utility for clinical applications.
Introduction: Understanding the Complexities of Eating, Drinking, and Surviving
Authors: Jackson Peter , Spiess Walter E. L. , Sultana Farhana
Published: November 2016

This introduction to a series of essays on the global challenges of food and water security, commissioned as part of the International Year of Global Understanding, provides a definition of key terms and an historical context to these contemporary issues. It discusses the human right to adequate food and water, outlining some of the political struggles that have arisen over accessing these vital resources. Patterns of ‘under-’ and ‘over-consumption’ are discussed and analyzed, measured against the targets set in the Millennium Development and Sustainable Development Goals. The essays share a common approach, linking global challenges to the realities of everyday life and emphasizing the connections between biophysical and socio-cultural processes. The essays also address a number of cross-cutting themes including gender, ethnic and religious diversity, and the emotional and affective dimensions of life, going beyond questions of survival to incorporate the more qualitative dimensions of human well-being and quality of life.
Food Sovereignty and the Possibilities for an Equitable, Just and Sustainable Food System
Authors: Bartos Ann E.
Published: November 2016

The concepts of food security and food sovereignty help explain some of the problems associated with the global economy and global agricultural production. However, these concepts are expressed differently due to the specific economic, social, political, and environmental geographies in which they exist. Any locale around the globe will face challenges in implementing and ensuring food security and food sovereignty due to a variety of issues including the changing nature of land usage, the ever-expanding commodity chains of agricultural products, the trends and whims of the global consumer, and accessibility of healthy and adequate resources for the entire population. This chapter addresses the specific challenges that one particular locale, Aotearoa New Zealand, needs to negotiate in order to achieve a more secure and sovereign food landscape. Challenges include socioeconomic disparity, cultural appropriateness, and domestic agricultural self-sufficiency, all of which are further troubled by discourses of a “pure” Aotearoa New Zealand.
Food Security and Food Waste
Authors: Cloke Jonathan
Published: November 2016

The chapter is aimed at providing a practical framework for a reconsideration of the themes behind the term “food security.” The analysis illustrates that since the term gained popular currency in the mid-1990s it has been restricted in focus to a few, narrow angles of research revolving around individual citizens, households, and the nation-state without consideration of global food production systems, the socio-environment that dominates food production globally. There is an urgent need for a relational understanding of food production and consumption in research on food security that understands how and why food is consumed; a biopolitical take based on understanding global mass consumption and the drivers of food capitalism, over- and -under-consumption.
Globalization and Malnutrition: Geographical Perspectives on Its Paradoxes
Authors: Young Elizabeth
Published: November 2016

This chapter maintains that the food system is one of the most important globally embedded networks of production and consumption; its integral connections with the petroleum industry and global security confirm its significance. The chapter establishes the complex nature of mapping and measuring malnutrition. It reviews significant shifts in the incidence of malnutrition but argues that disaggregating statistics is vital to understanding trends. Changes in theorizations of the problem of malnutrition and associated solutions are then considered, including conceptual shifts from food security to food sovereignty. The global food chain is embedded in contentious political, economic, and scientific debates. Volatility in local food prices are influenced by global factors: oil prices; energy policies; dietary changes, foreign direct investments associated with “land grabs” or financial speculation. The chapter concludes with a call for a fundamental rethinking of global food provisioning to establish a more socially equitable and environmentally sustainable system.
Drinking Water
Authors: Birkenholtz Trevor
Published: November 2016

This chapter examines the ongoing global struggle to supply potable drinking water to the world’s population. The chapter begins with a brief history of 20th century efforts to expand drinking water supply but argues that these efforts only resulted in partial successes. This was due to rapid demographic growth and to a dominant understanding of water scarcity as a technical problem to be solved through centralized engineering works. This paradigm is being challenged in the 21st century by an understanding of water as enmeshed in a hydrosocial cycle where social elements—including politics and economics—are intrinsic to the successful expansion of drinking water supply. Yet many issues remain, including (1) multiple kinds of water scarcity; (2) competition between different sectors; and (3) contestations surrounding cost recovery, commodification, and privatization. The chapter concludes with a discussion of water’s future governance. People are no longer waiting for drinking water supplies to expand but are contesting water’s meaning and engaging in participatory resistance to modes of water supply that undermine the human right to water.
The Politics and Consequences of Virtual Water Export
Authors: Vos Jeroen , Boelens Rutgerd
Published: November 2016

Virtual water is the water used or contaminated to produce a good or a service. With the large increase of export of agricultural produce during the last decades the amount of virtual water export has grown as well. Increased water contamination and water extraction for export from relative dry areas affects local ecosystems and communities. Simultaneously, the increased virtual water trade has weakened the local control over water resources by local communities, to the expense of multinational agribusiness and retailer companies. This repatterning of water control is fomented by numerous national governments, and at the same time contested by local communities. Partly as reaction to the critics on water depletion, agribusiness and retailers have created a number of water stewardship standards. Notwithstanding the possibilities for local communities to articulate their demands with these standards, until now most water stewardship standards have had little – or even negative – effects.
Surviving as an Unequal Community: WASH for Those on the Margins
Authors: O’Reilly Kathleen
Published: November 2016

The Sustainable Development Goals intend to address populations “missed” by the Millennium Development Goals for safe water and sanitation access. To capture these populations, programs need to attend to community norms for usage and the groups most marginal in those communities. Policies should include a focus on ways to eradicate socioeconomic and political marginality.
Cattle slurry acidification and application method can improve initial phosphorus availability for maize
Authors: Pedersen Ingeborg F. , Rubæk Gitte H. , Sørensen Peter
Published: November 2016

Background and aims

The utilization of phosphorus (P) in cattle slurry as a starter fertilizer in maize cropping is poor. To improve this and to obviate the use of additional mineral starter-P fertilization, we examined if slurry acidification, placement strategy and application time could increase maize yield and phosphorus uptake (PU) in the early growth stages.

Methods

In a climate-controlled pot experiment, untreated (pH 6.5) and acidified (pH 5.5 or pH 3.8) cattle slurry was injected in narrow or broad bands two or 30 days before sowing of maize on a coarse sandy and a sandy loam soil and compared with mineral P fertilizer.

Results

After broad band slurry injection, the P concentration in maize tissues at the five-leaf stage and the dry matter yield at the seven-leaf stage were equal to or higher than the mineral P fertilizer treatment. Treatments with strongly acidified slurry (pH 3.8) had 49% higher PU at the seven-leaf stage compared to untreated slurry, but only on the sandy soil, suggesting an indirect pH effect on PU. Application time had no effect.

Conclusion

Broad band slurry injection or strong acidification can improve early-stage growth of maize and potentially obviate the use of mineral P.
Discovery of Elephas cf. namadicus from the Late Pleistocene Strata of Marginal Ganga Plain
Authors: Ghosh Rupa , Sehgal R. K. , Srivastava Pradeep , Shukla U. K. , Nanda A. C. , Singh D. S.
Published: November 2016

We describe an elephant skull recovered from a cliff section of Dhasan river of Marginal Ganga Plain. The dental morphology and cranial features of the skull have been compared with the known species of Elephas from the Indian subcontinent. Although it shows very near resemblance to Elephas namadicus, but being an isolated specimen its specific identity cannot be proclaimed with certainty. As such, the specimen is provisionally referred as E. cf. namadicus. The Optically Stimulated Luminescence ages place this find at ~56 ka BP. This is the first chronologically well constrained report of E. cf. namadicus from the Ganga Plain.
Spatio-Temporal Land Cover Changes in a Semi-Arid Watershed: Central India
Authors: Khanday Mohd Yousuf , Javed Akram
Published: November 2016

Land use/land cover change is a global phenomenon which reflects natural resources degradation and/or utilization. Remote sensing and GIS have been widely used to monitor such changes at watershed level. The present study evaluates the LU/LC change during 1989 - 2001 in a semi-arid watershed of central India. Geocoded satellite data of 1989 and 2001 on 1:50,000 scale, were visually interpreted to prepare thematic maps which were later digitized using ArcGIS softwares. The analysis shows that vast tracts of cultivated land have become uncultivated and at some places even converted to wasteland. However, the land under dense forest and open forest has decreased due to expansion of built-up land and other anthropogenic activities. Increase in area of uncultivated land, wasteland and decrease in cultivated land and open scrub is also supported by rainfall analysis, which shows a declining trend and a fall of 186.93 mm in average annual rainfall for 1986-2003 period. The change detection map prepared using land use/land cover of 1989 and 2001 as inputs shows that out of the total geographical area of the watershed, 25.78% of the watershed area has seen a change from one land use category to another, however rest 74.22% has remained unchanged.
GIS Applications in Morphometric Analysis of Koshalya-Jhajhara Watershed in Northwestern India
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Chaudhary B. S.
Published: November 2016

The present paper deals with morphometric analysis of Koshalya-Jhajhara (K-J) watershed, tributaries of Ghaggar in northwestern India. The area forms a rugged topography having elevation range from 399 m to 1810 m MSL. Aster DEM and SOI toposheets have been used to calculate various parameters using Geographic Information System (GIS). Linear, areal and relief aspects for morphometric analysis were calculated using GIS. Total number of streams in the watershed are 991 out of which 543 are of 1st order, 259 are of 2nd order, 124 are of 3rd order, 58 are of 4th order and only 7 are of 5th order. The order of stream determines the chances of flood in the stream. Higher the stream order more the probabilities of flood. The present paper indicates that K-J watershed is of 5th order and less elongated in shape having lower peak flows of longer duration with dendritic pattern and having fine drainage texture. Bifurcation ratio varies from 3 to 5 which indicate that geological structures don’t have dominant influence on drainage pattern. High slope is witnessed in NE part and low slope in SW part with very low gradient ratio. Variables like stream frequency and drainage density determines the volume of the water discharge and its speed of flow in the river channels. Higher the stream frequency and drainage density more will be the probability of floods. These variables also effects temporal variations in the speed at which the water flows in the stream when flood reaches its peak.
Petrographical and Thermo-chemical Investigation of some North East Indian High Sulphur Coals
Authors: Sharma Arpita , Saikia Binoy K. , Phukan Sarat , Baruah Bimala P.
Published: November 2016

The Tertiary North East Indian coals, classified as sub-bituminous rank, have found less industrial application owing to their physico-chemical attributes. These coals are characterized by low ash (<15%), high volatile matter (>35%) and high sulphur (2.9-4.46%). Majority of the sulphur occurs in organic form affixed to the coal matrix owing to marine influence, is difficult to remove. The coal maceral analysis shows the dominance of vitrinite (>75%) with lesser amounts of liptinite and inertinite. Reflectance measurements (Rmax) of these sub-bituminous coals fall in the range of 0.57 to 0.65. In this study, the petrographical (maceral), thermal and other physico-chemical analyses of some low rank Tertiary sub-bituminous coals from north-east India were carried out to assess their potential for combustion, liquefaction and coal bed methane formation. The petrofactor, conversion (%) and oil yield (%), combustion efficiency of the coal samples were determined. The respective linear correlations of conversion (%) of the coals with their vitrinite contents, petrofactor and oil yield values have been discussed. The relative combustion efficiency of the coals was measured from the thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) of coals. The influence of maceral composition upon gas adsorption characteristics of these high volatile coals showed the increase in methane adsorption with vitrinite enrichment. Both the maceral and mineral matter contents were observed to have important influence on the gas adsorption characteristics.
Some Fossil Margaretta (Ascophora:Bryozoa) from the Cenozoic Sediments of Western Kachchh, Gujarat
Authors: Sonar M. A. , Gaikwad S. G.
Published: November 2016

Four species of Schizoporellid (family Margarettidae Harmer, 1957) Bryozoa are described from the Cenozoic sediments of the Western Kachchh, Gujarat, India. Among these Margaretta amplipora, and M. hariparensis are new to science and the other species viz; M. guhai nom. nov. and M. rajui Guha & Gopikrishna, 2007 are reported for the second time from these sediments. The erect delicate articulated zoarial growth forms of these species indicate shallow water, moderate to high energy settings. The phylogenetic analysis suggests all the species of Margaretta are monophyletic i.e. all of these species have common ancestor.
Heavy Mineral Studies on Late Quaternary Red Sediments of Bhimunipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, East Coast of India
Authors: Krishna K. N. Murali , Reddy K. S. N. , Sekhar CH. Ravi , Naidu K. Bangaku , Rao P. Ganapathi , Reddy G. V. R.
Published: November 2016

Thirty one sediment samples from different varieties viz. yellow, reddish brown, brick red and light yellow sands from red sediments of Bhimunipatnam, Andhra Pradesh were studied to understand the heavy mineral assemblage, their fractionwise distribution and concentration. The heavy mineral assemblage in red sediments is ilmenite, magnetite, sillimanite, garnet, zircon, rutile, kyanite, monazite etc. Total heavy minerals (THM) wt. % varies from 16.67 to 23.99% and their concentration is not uniform in all the sedimentary samples. The higher THM wt% in brick red sands (23.99%) followed by reddish brown sands (20.24%), light yellow sands (17.10%) and yellow sands (16.67%). The finer fractions have more concentration of THM wt% than coarse fraction. The vertical distribution of heavy minerals in each sedimentary unit indicates that these units are not formed in single phase of deposition. Less concentration of garnets in yellow and light yellow sedimentary units indicates that the garnets might be chemically altered into iron hydroxide – limonite which gives yellow colour to the sediments under slightly oxidizing environment. Low concentration of garnets in brick red and reddish brown sediments indicates that garnets might have been undergone chemical decomposition under acidic conditions leads to produce iron oxides (Hematite) causes for red colorization of these units. The heavy mineral assemblage in different sand units indicates that they are derived from Eastern Ghat Group of rocks (khondalites and charnockites).