bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-dimensional resilience in water-scarce agriculture
Authors: Ranjan Ram
Published: May 2014

Surviving prolonged water scarcity in agriculture requires farmers to be resilient along multiple dimensions. Farmers may aim to attain resilience from financial as well as natural capital perspectives. In this paper, a model of multi-dimensional resilience is developed which incorporates risk reduction and wealth accumulation as farmers' key survival strategies. Findings indicate that the relative choice over risk reduction and wealth accumulation strategies varies depending upon whether the farmer is groundwater resilience seeking type or financial resilience seeking type. Also, as the level of risks increases, the financial resilience seeking type farmer may exhibit a non-linear pattern of tradeoff between risk reduction and wealth accumulation behavior. At lower levels of risks, the farmer's optimal response is to reduce risk further with a marginal increase in the exogenous component of the risk. However, at higher levels of risk, more wealth is accumulated as the exogenous component of the risk increases.
Interactions of noncanonical motifs with hnRNP A2 promote activity-dependent RNA transport in neurons
Authors: Muslimov Ilham A. , Tuzhilin Aliya , Tang Thean Hock , Wong Robert K.S. , Bianchi Riccardo , Tiedge Henri
Published: May 2014

A key determinant of neuronal functionality and plasticity is the targeted delivery of select ribonucleic acids (RNAs) to synaptodendritic sites of protein synthesis. In this paper, we ask how dendritic RNA transport can be regulated in a manner that is informed by the cell’s activity status. We describe a molecular mechanism in which inducible interactions of noncanonical RNA motif structures with targeting factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A2 form the basis for activity-dependent dendritic RNA targeting. High-affinity interactions between hnRNP A2 and conditional GA-type RNA targeting motifs are critically dependent on elevated Ca2+ levels in a narrow concentration range. Dendritic transport of messenger RNAs that carry such GA motifs is inducible by influx of Ca2+ through voltage-dependent calcium channels upon β-adrenergic receptor activation. The combined data establish a functional correspondence between Ca2+-dependent RNA–protein interactions and activity-inducible RNA transport in dendrites. They also indicate a role of genomic retroposition in the phylogenetic development of RNA targeting competence.
PAR-4/LKB1 regulates DNA replication during asynchronous division of the early C. elegans embryo
Authors: Benkemoun Laura , Descoteaux Catherine , Chartier Nicolas T. , Pintard Lionel , Labbé Jean-Claude
Published: May 2014

Regulation of cell cycle duration is critical during development, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood. The two-cell stage Caenorhabditis elegans embryo divides asynchronously and thus provides a powerful context in which to study regulation of cell cycle timing during development. Using genetic analysis and high-resolution imaging, we found that deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) replication is asymmetrically regulated in the two-cell stage embryo and that the PAR-4 and PAR-1 polarity proteins dampen DNA replication dynamics specifically in the posterior blastomere, independently of regulators previously implicated in the control of cell cycle timing. Our results demonstrate that accurate control of DNA replication is crucial during C. elegans early embryonic development and further provide a novel mechanism by which PAR proteins control cell cycle progression during asynchronous cell division.
Transcriptional regulation of Munc13-4 expression in cytotoxic lymphocytes is disrupted by an intronic mutation associated with a primary immunodeficiency
Authors: Cichocki Frank , Schlums Heinrich , Li Hongchuan , Stache Vanessa , Holmes Timothy , Lenvik Todd R. , Chiang Samuel C.C. , Miller Jeffrey S. , Meeths Marie , Anderson Stephen K. , Bryceson Yenan T.
Published: May 2014

Autosomal recessive mutations in UNC13D, the gene that encodes Munc13-4, are associated with familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis type 3 (FHL3). Munc13-4 expression is obligatory for exocytosis of lytic granules, facilitating cytotoxicity by T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. The mechanisms regulating Munc13-4 expression are unknown. Here, we report that Munc13-4 is highly expressed in differentiated human NK cells and effector CD8+ T lymphocytes. A UNC13D c.118-308C>T mutation, causative of FHL3, disrupted binding of the ETS family member ELF1 to a conserved intronic sequence. This mutation impairs UNC13D intron 1 recruitment of STAT4 and the chromatin remodeling complex component BRG1, diminishing active histone modifications at the locus. The intronic sequence acted as an overall enhancer of Munc13-4 expression in cytotoxic lymphocytes in addition to representing an alternative promoter encoding a novel Munc13-4 isoform. Mechanistically, T cell receptor engagement facilitated STAT4-dependent Munc13-4 expression in naive CD8+ T lymphocytes. Collectively, our data demonstrates how chromatin remodeling within an evolutionarily conserved regulatory element in intron 1 of UNC13D regulates the induction of Munc13-4 expression in cytotoxic lymphocytes and suggests that an alternative Munc13-4 isoform is required for lymphocyte cytotoxicity. Thus, mutations associated with primary immunodeficiencies may cause disease by disrupting transcription factor binding.
Lymph node stromal cells acquire peptide–MHCII complexes from dendritic cells and induce antigen-specific CD4+ T cell tolerance
Authors: Dubrot Juan , Duraes Fernanda V. , Potin Lambert , Capotosti Francesca , Brighouse Dale , Suter Tobias , LeibundGut-Landmann Salomé , Garbi Natalio , Reith Walter , Swartz Melody A. , Hugues Stéphanie
Published: May 2014

Dendritic cells (DCs), and more recently lymph node stromal cells (LNSCs), have been described to tolerize self-reactive CD8+ T cells in LNs. Although LNSCs express MHCII, it is unknown whether they can also impact CD4+ T cell functions. We show that the promoter IV (pIV) of class II transactivator (CIITA), the master regulator of MHCII expression, controls endogenous MHCII expression by LNSCs. Unexpectedly, LNSCs also acquire peptide–MHCII complexes from DCs and induce CD4+ T cell dysfunction by presenting transferred complexes to naive CD4+ T cells and preventing their proliferation and survival. Our data reveals a novel, alternative mechanism where LN-resident stromal cells tolerize CD4+ T cells through the presentation of self-antigens via transferred peptide–MHCII complexes of DC origin.
Fractal models for normal subgroups of Schottky groups
Authors: Jaerisch Johannes
Published: May 2014

For a normal subgroupNNof the free groupFd\mathbb {F}_{d}with at least two generators, we introduce the radial limit setΛr(N,Φ)\Lambda _{r}(N,\Phi )ofNNwith respect to a graph directed Markov systemΦ\Phiassociated toFd\mathbb {F}_{d}. These sets are shown to provide fractal models of radial limit sets of normal subgroups of Kleinian groups of Schottky type. Our main result states that ifΦ\Phiis symmetric and linear, then we have that<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="dimension Subscript upper H Baseline left-parenthesis normal upper Lamda Subscript r Baseline left-parenthesis upper N comma normal upper Phi right-parenthesis right-parenthesis equals dimension Subscript upper H Baseline left-parenthesis normal upper Lamda Subscript r Baseline left-parenthesis double-struck upper F Subscript d Baseline comma normal upper Phi right-parenthesis right-parenthesis">dimH⁡(Λr(N,Φ))=dimH⁡(Λr(Fd,Φ))\dim _{H}(\Lambda _{r}(N,\Phi ))=\dim _{H}(\Lambda _{r}(\mathbb {F}_d,\Phi ))if and only if the quotient groupFd/N\mathbb {F}_{d}/Nis amenable, wheredimH\dim _{H}denotes the Hausdorff dimension. This extends a result of Brooks for normal subgroups of Kleinian groups to a large class of fractal sets. Moreover, we show that ifFd/N\mathbb {F}_{d}/Nis non-amenable, then<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="dimension Subscript upper H Baseline left-parenthesis normal upper Lamda Subscript r Baseline left-parenthesis upper N comma normal upper Phi right-parenthesis right-parenthesis greater-than dimension Subscript upper H Baseline left-parenthesis normal upper Lamda Subscript r Baseline left-parenthesis double-struck upper F Subscript d Baseline comma normal upper Phi right-parenthesis right-parenthesis slash 2">dimH⁡(Λr(N,Φ))>dimH⁡(Λr(Fd,Φ))/2\dim _{H}(\Lambda _{r}(N,\Phi ))>\dim _{H}(\Lambda _{r}(\mathbb {F}_d,\Phi ))/2, which extends results by Falk and Stratmann and by Roblin.
Residential Normalcy and the Enriched Coping Repertoires of Successfully Aging Older Adults
Authors: Golant Stephen M.
Published: May 2014

An earlier theoretical model equated the construct of residential normalcy with older persons positively appraising their residential environments. Failing to achieve congruent places to live, they initiate assimilative (action) or accommodative (mind) coping strategies. This paper theorizes that the assimilative coping strategies of older persons depend on their secondary appraisal processes whereby they judge the availability, efficaciousness, and viability of their coping options. Older persons with more enriched coping repertoires are theorized as more resilient, making their own decisions, and with access to more resource-rich objectively defined resilient environments. Successful aging formulations infrequently examine how residential environmental adaptations of people influence the quality of their lives. Programmatically, the theory emphasizes the potential of individual and environmental interventions targeting older persons who are not aging successfully.
Defining Successful Aging: A Tangible or Elusive Concept?
Authors: Martin Peter , Kelly Norene , Kahana Boaz , Kahana Eva , Willcox Bradley J. , Willcox D. Craig , Poon Leonard W.
Published: May 2014

Purpose of the Study:

Everyone wants to age successfully; however, the definition and criteria of successful aging remain vague for laypersons, researchers, and policymakers in spite of decades of research on the topic. This paper highlights work of scholars who made significant theoretical contributions to the topic.

Design and Methods:

A thorough review and evaluation of the literature on successful aging was undertaken.

Results:

Our review includes early gerontological definitions of successful aging and related concepts. Historical perspectives reach back to philosophical and religious texts, and more recent approaches have focused on both process- and outcome-oriented models of successful aging. We elaborate on Baltes and Baltes’ theory of selective optimization with compensation [Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990a). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences (pp. 1–34). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press], Kahana and Kahana’s preventive and corrective proactivity model [Kahana, E., & Kahana, B. (1996). Conceptual and empirical advances in understanding aging well through proactive adaptation. In V. Bengtson (Ed.), Adulthood and aging: Research on continuities and discontinuities (pp. 18–40). New York: Springer], and Rowe and Kahn’s model of successful aging [Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1998). Successful aging. New York: Pantheon Books], outlining their commonalities and differences. Additional views on successful aging emphasize subjective versus objective perceptions of successful aging and relate successful aging to studies on healthy and exceptional longevity.

Implications:

Additional theoretical work is needed to better understand successful aging, including the way it can encompass disability and death and dying. The extent of rapid social and technological change influencing views on successful aging also deserves more consideration.
A high-precision chemical abundance analysis of the HAT-P-1 stellar binary: constraints on planet formation
Authors: Liu F. , Asplund M. , Ramírez I. , Yong D. , Meléndez J.
Published: May 2014

We present a high-precision, differential elemental abundance analysis of the HAT-P-1 stellar binary based on high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio Keck/HIRES (High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer) spectra. The secondary star in this double system is known to host a transiting giant planet while no planets have yet been detected around the primary star. The derived metallicities ([Fe/H]) of the primary and secondary stars are identical within the errors: 0.146 ± 0.014 dex (σ = 0.033 dex) and 0.155 ± 0.007 dex (σ = 0.023 dex), respectively. Extremely precise differential abundance ratios of 23 elements have been measured (mean error of σ([X/Fe]) = 0.013 dex) and are found to be indistinguishable between the two stars: Δ[X/Fe] (secondary − primary) = +0.001 ± 0.006 dex (σ = 0.008 dex). The striking similarity in the chemical composition of the two stellar components in HAT-P-1 is contrary to the possible 0.04 dex level difference seen in 16 Cyg A+B, which also hosts a giant planet, at least three times more massive than the one around HAT-P-1 secondary star. We conclude that the presence of giant planets does not necessarily imply differences in the chemical compositions of the host stars. The elemental abundances of each star in HAT-P-1 relative to the Sun show an identical, positive correlation with the condensation temperature of the elements; their abundance patterns are thus very similar to those observed in the majority of solar twins. In view of the Meléndez et al. interpretation of the peculiar solar abundance pattern, we conclude that HAT-P-1 experienced less efficient formation of terrestrial planets than the Sun. This is in line with the expectation that the presence of close-in giant planets preventing the formation or survival of terrestrial planets.
Two sun-like superflare stars rotating as slow as the Sun
Authors: Nogami Daisaku , Notsu Yuta , Honda Satoshi , Maehara Hiroyuki , Notsu Shota , Shibayama Takuya , Shibata Kazunari
Published: May 2014

We report on the results of high dispersion spectroscopy of two “superflare stars,” KIC 9766237 and KIC 9944137 with Subaru/HDS. Superflare stars are G-type main sequence stars, but show gigantic flares compared to the Sun, which have recently been discovered in the data obtained with the Kepler spacecraft. Though most of these stars are thought to have a rotation period shorter than 10 d on the basis of photometric variabilities, the two targets of the present paper are estimated to have rotation periods of 21.8 d and 25.3 d. Our spectroscopic results clarified that these stars have stellar parameters similar to those of the Sun in terms of the effective temperature, surface gravity, and metallicity. The projected rotational velocities derived by us are consistent with the photometric rotation period, indicating a fairly high inclination angle. The average strength of the magnetic field on the surface of these stars are estimated to be 1–20 G, by using the absorption line of Ca ii 8542. We could not detect any hint of binarity in our spectra, although more data are needed to firmly rule out the presence of an unseen low-mass companion. These results claim that the spectroscopic properties of these superflare stars are very close to those of the Sun, and support the hypothesis that the Sun might cause a superflare.
A study of selection methods for Hα-emitting galaxies at z ∼ 1.3 for the Subaru/FMOS galaxy redshift survey for cosmology (FastSound)
Authors: Tonegawa Motonari , Totani Tomonori , Akiyama Masayuki , Dalton Gavin , Glazebrook Karl , Iwamuro Fumihide , Sumiyoshi Masanao , Tamura Naoyuki , Yabe Kiyoto , Coupon Jean , Goto Tomotsugu , Spitler Lee R.
Published: May 2014

The efficient selection of high-redshift emission galaxies is important for future large galaxy redshift surveys for cosmology. Here we describe the target selection methods for the FastSound project, a redshift survey for Hα-emitting galaxies at z = 1.2–1.5 using Subaru/FMOS to measure the linear growth rate fσ8 via redshift space distortion and constrain the theory of gravity. To select ∼ 400 target galaxies in the 0.2 deg2 FMOS field of view from photometric data of CFHTLS-Wide (u*g ′r ′i ′z ′), we test several different methods based on color–color diagrams or photometric redshift estimates from spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting. We also test the improvement in selection efficiency that can be achieved by adding near-infrared data from the UKIDSS DXS (J). The success rates of Hα detection with FMOS averaged over two observed fields using these methods are 11.3% (color–color, optical), 13.6% (color–color, optical + NIR), 17.3% (photo-z, optical), and 15.1% (photo-z, optical + NIR). Selection from photometric redshifts tends to give a better efficiency than color-based methods, although there is no significant improvement by adding J-band data within the statistical scatter. We also investigate the main limiting factors for the success rate, by using the sample of the HiZELS Hα emitters that were selected by narrow-band imaging. Although the number density of total Hα emitters having higher Hα fluxes than the FMOS sensitivity is comparable with the FMOS fiber density, the limited accuracy of photometric redshift and Hα flux estimations have comparable effects on the success rate of ≲ 20% obtained from SED fitting.
Predictors of Functional Outcome after Intraoperative Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Constant Anne-Laure , Montlahuc Claire , Grimaldi David , Pichon Nicolas , Mongardon Nicolas , Bordenave Lauriane , Soummer Alexis , Sauneuf Bertrand , Ricome Sylvie , Misset Benoit , Schnell David , Dubuisson Etienne , Brunet Jennifer , Lasocki Sigismond , Cronier Pierrick , Bouhemad Belaid , Loriferne Jean-François , Begot Emmanuelle , Vandenbunder Benoit , Dhonneur Gilles , Bedos Jean-Pierre , Jullien Philippe , Resche-Rigon Matthieu , Legriel Stephane
Published: May 2014

Background:

Few outcome data are available about intraoperative cardiac arrest (IOCA). The authors studied 90-day functional outcomes and their determinants in patients admitted to the intensive care unit after IOCA.

Methods:

Patients admitted to 11 intensive care units in a period of 2000–2013 were studied retrospectively. The main outcome measure was a day-90 Cerebral Performance Category score of 1 or 2.

Results:

Of the 140 patients (61 women and 79 men; median age, 60 yr [interquartile range, 46 to 70]), 131 patients (93.6%) had general anesthesia, 80 patients (57.1%) had emergent surgery, and 73 patients (52.1%) had IOCA during surgery. First recorded rhythms were asystole in 73 patients (52.1%), pulseless electrical activity in 44 patients (31.4%), and ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia in 23 patients (16.4%). Median times from collapse to cardiopulmonary resuscitation and return of spontaneous circulation were 0 min (0 to 0) and 10 min (5 to 20), respectively. Postcardiac arrest shock was identified in 114 patients (81.4%). Main causes of IOCA were preoperative complications (n = 46, 32.9%), complications of anesthesia (n = 39, 27.9%), and complications of surgical procedures (n = 36, 25.7%). On day 90, 63 patients (45.3%) were alive with Cerebral Performance Category score 1/2. Independent predictors of day-90 Cerebral Performance Category score 1/2 were day-1 Logistic Organ Dysfunction score (odds ratio, 0.78 per point; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.87; P = 0.0001), ventricular fibrillation/tachycardia as first recorded rhythm (odds ratio, 4.78; 95% CI, 1.38 to 16.53; P = 0.013), and no epinephrine therapy during postcardiac arrest syndrome (odds ratio, 3.14; 95% CI, 1.29 to 7.65; P = 0.012).

Conclusions:

By day 90, 45% of IOCA survivors had good functional outcomes. The main outcome predictors were directly related to IOCA occurrence and postcardiac arrest syndrome; they suggest that the intensive care unit management of postcardiac arrest syndrome may be amenable to improvement.
Effect of Digestion and Storage of Human Milk on Free Fatty Acid Concentration and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Penn Alexander H. , Altshuler Angelina E. , Small James W. , Taylor Sharon F. , Dobkins Karen R. , Schmid‐Schönbein Geert W.
Published: May 2014

Objectives:

Fat is digested in the intestine into free fatty acids (FFAs), which are detergents and therefore toxic to cells at micromolar concentration. The mucosal barrier protects cells in the adult intestine, but this barrier may not be fully developed in premature infants. Lipase‐digested infant formula, but not fresh human milk, has elevated FFAs and is cytotoxic to intestinal cells, and therefore could contribute to intestinal injury in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), but even infants exclusively fed breast milk may develop NEC. Our objective was to determine whether stored milk and milk from donor milk (DM) banks could also become cytotoxic, especially after digestion.

Methods:

We exposed cultured rat intestinal epithelial cells or human neutrophils to DM and milk collected fresh and stored at 4°C or −20°C for up to 12 weeks and then treated for 2 hours (37°C) with 0.1 or 1 mg/mL pancreatic lipase and/or trypsin and chymotrypsin.

Results:

DM and milk stored 3 days (at 4°C or −20°C) and then digested were cytotoxic. Storage at −20°C for 8 and 12 weeks resulted in an additional increase in cytotoxicity. Protease digestion decreased, but did not eliminate cell death.

Conclusions:

Present storage practices may allow milk to become cytotoxic and contribute to intestinal damage in NEC.
Enhanced regime predictability in atmospheric low-order models due to stochastic forcing
Authors: Kwasniok Frank
Published: May 2014

Regime predictability in atmospheric low-order models augmented with stochastic forcing is studied. Atmospheric regimes are identified as persistent or metastable states using a hidden Markov model analysis. A somewhat counterintuitive, coherence resonance-like effect is observed: regime predictability increases with increasing noise level up to an intermediate optimal value, before decreasing when further increasing the noise level. The enhanced regime predictability is due to increased persistence of the regimes. The effect is found in the Lorenz '63 model and a low-order model of barotropic flow over topography. The increased predictability is only present in the regime dynamics, that is, in a coarse-grained view of the system; predictability of individual trajectories decreases monotonically with increasing noise level. A possible explanation for the phenomenon is given and implications of the finding for weather and climate modelling and prediction are discussed.
Addressing model error through atmospheric stochastic physical parametrizations: impact on the coupled ECMWF seasonal forecasting system
Authors: Weisheimer Antje , Corti Susanna , Palmer Tim , Vitart Frederic
Published: May 2014

The finite resolution of general circulation models of the coupled atmosphere–ocean system and the effects of sub-grid-scale variability present a major source of uncertainty in model simulations on all time scales. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts has been at the forefront of developing new approaches to account for these uncertainties. In particular, the stochastically perturbed physical tendency scheme and the stochastically perturbed backscatter algorithm for the atmosphere are now used routinely for global numerical weather prediction. The European Centre also performs long-range predictions of the coupled atmosphere–ocean climate system in operational forecast mode, and the latest seasonal forecasting system—System 4—has the stochastically perturbed tendency and backscatter schemes implemented in a similar way to that for the medium-range weather forecasts. Here, we present results of the impact of these schemes in System 4 by contrasting the operational performance on seasonal time scales during the retrospective forecast period 1981–2010 with comparable simulations that do not account for the representation of model uncertainty. We find that the stochastic tendency perturbation schemes helped to reduce excessively strong convective activity especially over the Maritime Continent and the tropical Western Pacific, leading to reduced biases of the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), cloud cover, precipitation and near-surface winds. Positive impact was also found for the statistics of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), showing an increase in the frequencies and amplitudes of MJO events. Further, the errors of El Niño southern oscillation forecasts become smaller, whereas increases in ensemble spread lead to a better calibrated system if the stochastic tendency is activated. The backscatter scheme has overall neutral impact. Finally, evidence for noise-activated regime transitions has been found in a cluster analysis of mid-latitude circulation regimes over the Pacific–North America region.
Ultra fast tissue staining with chemical tags
Authors: Kohl Johannes , Ng Julian , Cachero Sebastian , Dolan Michael-John , Sutcliffe Ben , Krueger Daniel , Frechter Shahar , Jefferis Gregory S.X.E.
Published: May 2014

Genetically encoded fluorescent proteins and immunostainings are widely used to detect cellular or subcellular structures in thick biological samples. However, each approach suffers from limitations, including low signal and limited spectral flexibility or slow speed, poor penetration and high background, respectively. Here we overcome these limitations by using transgenically expressed chemical tags for rapid, even and low-background labeling of thick biological tissues. We construct a platform of widely applicable transgenicDrosophilareporter lines, demonstrating that chemical labeling can accelerate staining of whole-mount fly brains by a factor of 100×. Together, this tag-based approach drastically improves the speed and specificity of labeling genetically marked cells in intact and/or thick biological samples.
The chromatin landscape of Drosophila: comparisons between species, sexes, and chromosomes
Authors: Brown Emily J. , Bachtrog Doris
Published: May 2014

The chromatin landscape is key for gene regulation, but little is known about how it differs between sexes or between species. Here, we study the sex-specific chromatin landscape of Drosophila miranda, a species with young sex chromosomes, and compare it with Drosophila melanogaster. We analyze six histone modifications in male and female larvae of D. miranda (H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K36me3, H4K16ac, H3K27me3, and H3K9me2), and define seven biologically meaningful chromatin states that show different enrichments for transcribed and silent genes, repetitive elements, housekeeping, and tissue-specific genes. The genome-wide distribution of both active and repressive chromatin states differs between males and females. In males, active chromatin is enriched on the X, relative to females, due to dosage compensation of the hemizygous X. Furthermore, a smaller fraction of the euchromatic portion of the genome is in a repressive chromatin state in males relative to females. However, sex-specific chromatin states appear not to explain sex-biased expression of genes. Overall, conservation of chromatin states between male and female D. miranda is comparable to conservation between D. miranda and D. melanogaster, which diverged >30 MY ago. Active chromatin states are more highly conserved across species, while heterochromatin shows very low levels of conservation. Divergence in chromatin profiles contributes to expression divergence between species, with ∼26% of genes in different chromatin states in the two species showing species-specific or species-biased expression, an enrichment of approximately threefold over null expectation. Our data suggest that heteromorphic sex chromosomes in males (that is, a hypertranscribed X and an inactivated Y) may contribute to global redistribution of active and repressive chromatin marks between chromosomes and sexes.
Maintenance of Chloroplast Structure and Function by Overexpression of the RiceMONOGALACTOSYLDIACYLGLYCEROL SYNTHASEGene Leads to Enhanced Salt Tolerance in Tobacco
Authors: Wang Shiwen , Uddin M. Imtiaz , Tanaka Kiyoshi , Yin Lina , Shi Zhonghui , Qi Yanhua , Mano Jun’ichi , Matsui Kenji , Shimomura Norihiro , Sakaki Takeshi , Deng Xiping , Zhang Suiqi
Published: May 2014

In plants, the galactolipids monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactodiacylglycerol (DGDG) are major constituents of photosynthetic membranes in chloroplasts. One of the key enzymes for the biosynthesis of these galactolipids is MGDG synthase (MGD). To investigate the role of MGD in the plant’s response to salt stress, we cloned an MGD gene from rice (Oryza sativa) and generated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants overexpressing OsMGD. The MGD activity in OsMGD transgenic plants was confirmed to be higher than that in the wild-type tobacco cultivar SR1. Immunoblot analysis indicated that OsMGD was enriched in the outer envelope membrane of the tobacco chloroplast. Under salt stress, the transgenic plants exhibited rapid shoot growth and high photosynthetic rate as compared with the wild type. Transmission electron microscopy observation showed that the chloroplasts from salt-stressed transgenic plants had well-developed thylakoid membranes and properly stacked grana lamellae, whereas the chloroplasts from salt-stressed wild-type plants were fairly disorganized and had large membrane-free areas. Under salt stress, the transgenic plants also maintained higher chlorophyll levels. Lipid composition analysis showed that leaves of transgenic plants consistently contained significantly higher MGDG (including 18:3-16:3 and 18:3-18:3 species) and DGDG (including 18:3-16:3, 18:3-16:0, and 18:3-18:3 species) contents and higher DGDG-MGDG ratios than the wild type did under both control and salt stress conditions. These results show that overexpression of OsMGD improves salt tolerance in tobacco and that the galactolipids MGDG and DGDG play an important role in the regulation of chloroplast structure and function in the plant salt stress response.
1,3-Bis(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzyl)hexahydropyrimidin-5-ol monohydrate
Authors: Rivera Augusto , Miranda-Carvajal Ingrid , Osorio Héctor Jairo , Ríos-Motta Jaime , Bolte Michael
Published: May 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C28H42N2O5·H2O, consists of one half of the organic molecule and one half-molecule of water, both of which are located on a mirror plane which passes through the central C atoms and the hydroxyl group of the heterocyclic system. The hydroxyl group at the central ring is disordered over two equally occupied positions. The six-membered ring adopts a chair conformation, and the 2-hydroxybenzyl substituents occupy the sterically preferred equatorial positions. The aromatic rings make dihedral angles of 75.57 (9)° with the mean plane of the heterocyclic ring. The dihedral angle between the two aromatic rings is 19.18 (10)°. The molecular structure features two intramolecular phenolic O—H...N hydrogen bonds with graph-set motifS(6). In the crystal, molecules are connectedviaO—H...O hydrogen bonds into zigzag chains running along thea-axis direction.
Bis(μ2-diphenylphosphinamide-κ2O:O)bis[bis(diphenylphosphinamide-κO)lithium] dichloride acetonitrile disolvate
Authors: Li Ai-Hong , Han Jun-Ping , Li Jing
Published: May 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Li2(C12H12NOP)6]Cl2·2CH3CN, contains one-half of the centrosymmetric dication, one chloride anion and one acetonitrile solvent molecule. Each Li atom is coordinated by four O atoms [Li—O 1.891 (3) and 2.025 (3) Å] from the four diphenylphosphinamide ligands in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. In the crystal, weak N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds link the anions and dications into columns extending along [100].
5-Cyclohexyl-2-methyl-3-(3-methylphenylsulfinyl)-1-benzofuran
Authors: Choi Hong Dae , Lee Uk
Published: May 2014

In the title compound, C22H24O2S, the cyclohexyl ring adopts a chair conformation. The dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzofuran and 3-methylphenyl moieties is 86.48 (4)°. In the crystal, molecules are connected along thea-axis direction by two different inversion-generated pairs of C—H...π and C—H...O interactions.
1-(4-Bromophenyl)-3-(3-chloropropanoyl)thiourea
Authors: Abosadiya Hamza M. , Hasbullah Siti Aishah , Yamin Bohari M. , Fadzil Adibatul H.
Published: May 2014

The title compound, C10H10BrClN2OS, adopts atrans–cisconformation with respect to the position of the 3-chloropropanoyl and 4-bromophenyl groups, respectively, against the thiono C=S bond across their C—N bonds. The benzene ring makes a dihedral angle of 9.55 (16)° with the N2CS thiourea moiety. Intramolecular N—H...O and C—H...S hydrogen bonds occur. In the crystal, molecules are linked into chains along thec-axis direction by N—H...S, C—H...S and C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) tetrachloridocobaltate(II)
Authors: Ouahida Zeghouan , Hadjadj Nasreddine , Guenifa Fatiha , Bendjeddou Lamia , Merazig Hocine
Published: May 2014

The title compound, (C24H20P)2[CoCl4], was prepared under hydrothermal conditions. In the crystal, the tetraphenylphosphonium cations are linked by pairs of weak C—H...π interactions into supramolecular dimers; the CoIIcations lie on twofold rotation axes and the tetrahedral [CoCl4]2−anions are linked with the tetraphenylphosphonium cationsviaweak C—H...Cl hydrogen bonds.
Protective immunity conferred by porcine circovirus 2 ORF2‐based DNA vaccine in mice
Authors: Sylla Seydou , Cong Yan‐Long , Sun Yi‐Xue , Yang Gui‐Lian , Ding Xue‐Mei , Yang Zhan‐Qing , Zhou Yu‐Long , Yang Minnan , Wang Chun‐Feng , Ding Zhuang
Published: May 2014

Post‐weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has caused the swine industry significant health challenges and economic damage. Although inactivated and subunit vaccines against PMWS have been used widely, so far no DNA vaccine is available. In this study, with the aim of exploring a new route for developing a vaccine against PCV2, the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine was evaluated in mice. The pEGFP‐N1 vector was used to construct a PCV2 Cap gene recombinant vaccine. To assess the immunogenicity of pEGFP‐Cap, 80 BALB/c mice were immunized three times at 2 weekly intervals with pEGFP‐Cap, LG‐strain vaccine, pEGFP‐N1 vector or PBS and then challenged with PCV2. IgG and cytokines were assessed by indirect ELISA and ELISA, respectively. Specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques were examined histopathologically. It was found that vaccination of the mice with the pEGFP‐Cap induced solid protection against PCV2 infection through induction of highly specific serum IgG antibodies and cytokines (IFN‐γ and IL‐10), and a small PCV2 viral load. The mice treated with the pEGFP‐Cap and LG‐strain developed no histopathologically detectable lesions (HE stain) and IHC techniques revealed only a few positive cells. Thus, this study demonstrated that recombinant pEGFP‐Cap substantially alleviates PCV2 infection in mice and provides evidence that a DNA vaccine could be an alternative to PCV2 vaccines against PMWS.
Coexistence of multiple strains of porcine parvovirus 2 in pig farms
Authors: Saekhow Prayuth , Mawatari Takahiro , Ikeda Hidetoshi
Published: May 2014

The porcine parvovirus 2 (PPV2) genome was first identified in 2001 in Myanmar. Recently, the PPV2 genome has been found in several other countries. In this study, the prevalence of PPV2 in Japanese domestic pigs was investigated and found to be 58% (69/120) in healthy domestic pigs and 100% (69/69) in sick domestic pigs. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the PCR products of the VP1 gene and an almost full length PPV2 clone indicated that diverged PPV2 strains exist in Japan. Clearly distinct strains of PPV2 were detected in 7 of the 10 pig farms.
Masters of the Universe but Slaves of the Market: Bankers and the Great Financial Meltdown
Authors: Bell Stephen , Hindmoor Andrew
Published: May 2014

Research Highlights and Abstract

This article focuses on the banking crisis in the US and UK. It is essential to understand banker agency and the institutional and structural contexts which shaped such agency. Bankers experienced variegated patters of constraint and opportunity. At one level institutional theories that emphasise institutional constraint cannot easily account for the authority and agency enjoyed by key bankers. On the other hand, bankers were heavily influenced by institutional change in the shape of market ‘liberalisation’, which produced intense levels of competition and pressures to achieve higher profit returns: an exacting form of market discipline.

Bankers and financiers in the US and UK modified institutions and revolutionised the banking industry prior to the 2007–8 crisis. These agents were however heavily constrained and eventually overwhelmed by institutional pressures and wider structural forces that encouraged high-risk leveraged trading and which generated systemic risk. To account for this, institutional theory needs to incorporate a broader canvas of conditioning contexts, particularly the impact of structural or systemic forces on agents and the way in which these are actualised as a form of ‘ecosystem power’.
Health journalism in the service of power: ‘moral complacency’ and the Hebrew media in the Gaza–Israel conflict
Authors: Birenbaum‐Carmeli Daphna
Published: May 2014

The power of health news as a vehicle in the production of meaning in the service of power is the core of this article. Tracking the media coverage of a medical service, it shows how a routine practice can be invoked at a time of armed conflict so as to enhance a benevolent state image. The case at hand is the medical treatment of Gaza children in Israeli hospitals. A series of Internet searches revealed a group of publications on the subject in the Hebrew media, during and shortly after Israel's assault on Gaza in the winter of 2008–2009. In the press articles the treatments were invariably constituted as the epitome of Israel's compassion towards the enemy's children. This image relied, however, on a simultaneous silencing of other aspects of these treatments, which would have challenged this image. The monolithic depictions give rise to the notion of reversed moral panic or ‘moral complacency’, wherein the media amplifies a little‐known social phenomenon into an epitome of societal values and charges it with significance on a national scale. The article ends with considering some features that possibly render health news an especially convenient domain for state‐supportive media presentations.
Measuring the Accuracy of Automatic Shoeprint Recognition Methods
Authors: Luostarinen Tapio , Lehmussola Antti
Published: May 2014

Shoeprints are an important source of information for criminal investigation. Therefore, an increasing number of automatic shoeprint recognition methods have been proposed for detecting the corresponding shoe models. However, comprehensive comparisons among the methods have not previously been made. In this study, an extensive set of methods proposed in the literature was implemented, and their performance was studied in varying conditions. Three datasets of different quality shoeprints were used, and the methods were evaluated also with partial and rotated prints. The results show clear differences between the algorithms: while the best performing method, based on local image descriptors and RANSAC, provides rather good results with most of the experiments, some methods are almost completely unrobust against any unidealities in the images. Finally, the results demonstrate that there is still a need for extensive research to improve the accuracy of automatic recognition of crime scene prints.
Shot Through the Heart—Firepower and Potential Lethality of Air Weapons
Authors: Bakovic Marija , Petrovecki Vedrana , Strinovic Davor , Mayer Davor
Published: May 2014

Although certain air weapons attain muzzle velocities comparable to some firearms, their successful use for committing suicide is rarely seen. Herein, we report a case of a young female died shortly after urgent admission to the hospital with penetrating gunshot wound to the chest. The autopsy revealed perforation of the pericardium and two perforative defects to the right heart ventricle. Injury was inflicted by a 0.177 caliber pellet, fired from an air rifle found near her body. Investigation ruled the death as suicide. The used air rifle fired the pellet with the energy density of 1.9 J/mm2, substantially above the threshold for inflicting injury. The pellet penetrated through two layers of cotton fabric and several layers of tissue to inflict fatal injury to the heart. In addition, we provide an insight into the wounding potential of air weapons, which illustrates the need for greater caution in handling those devices.
Distortion in Fingerprints: A Statistical Investigation using Shape Measurement Tools
Authors: Sheets H. David , Torres Anne , Langenburg Glenn , Bush Peter J. , Bush Mary A.
Published: May 2014

Friction ridge impression appearance can be affected due to the type of surface touched and pressure exerted during deposition. Understanding the magnitude of alterations, regions affected, and systematic/detectable changes occurring would provide useful information. Geometric morphometric techniques were used to statistically characterize these changes. One hundred and fourteen prints were obtained from a single volunteer and impressed with heavy, normal, and light pressure on computer paper, soft gloss paper, 10‐print card stock, and retabs. Six hundred prints from 10 volunteers were rolled with heavy, normal, and light pressure on soft gloss paper and 10‐print card stock. Results indicate that while different substrates/pressure levels produced small systematic changes in fingerprints, the changes were small in magnitude: roughly the width of one ridge. There were no detectable changes in the degree of random variability of prints associated with either pressure or substrate. In conclusion, the prints transferred reliably regardless of pressure or substrate
Early age of alcohol initiation is not the cause of alcohol use disorders in adulthood, but is a major indicator of genetic risk. A population‐based twin study
Authors: Ystrom Eivind , Kendler Kenneth S. , Reichborn‐Kjennerud Ted
Published: May 2014

Background and aims

An early age of alcohol initiation (AAI) is associated with and has been hypothesized to be a cause of alcohol use disorders (AUD) in adulthood. Results from twin studies, however, indicate that AAI is an indicator of risk for AUD. We aimed to test a causal hypothesis versus a risk indicator hypothesis for the relationship between early AAI and AUD.

Design

A population‐based twin study using biometric twin modelling.

Setting

Norway.

Participants

A population‐based sample of 1336 Norwegian twins.

Measurements

Life‐time DSM‐IV AUDs were assessed by structured clinical interview and AAI by questionnaire.

Findings

The risk indicator model in which the association between AAI and AUD was explained by common vulnerability was the best fitted to the data. The heritability was 37% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 21%, 53%] for AAI and 62% (95% CI = 51%, 73%) for AUD. Genetic risk for AAI accounted for 44% (95% CI = 17%, 71%) of the total genetic risk for AUD and the correlation between genetic factors for AAI and AUD was −0.66 (95%CI −0.87, −0.46). Individual‐specific environmental risk for AAI explained only 1% (95% CI = 0%, 3%) of the risk for AUD. Shared environmental factors did not influence AUD, but accounted for 25% (95% CI = 7%, 35%) of the variance in AAI.

Conclusions

The association between early age of alcohol initiation and alcohol use disorders in later life does not reflect a causal relationship, but is due almost entirely to common genetic risk factors.
The relation of airway obstruction to asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis and age: results from a population survey of adults
Authors: Obaseki D. , Potts J. , Joos G. , Baelum J. , Haahtela T. , Ahlström M. , Matricardi P. , Kramer U. , Gjomarkaj M. , Fokkens W. , Makowska J. , Todo‐Bom A. , Toren K. , Janson C. , Dahlen S.‐E. , Forsberg B. , Jarvis D. , Howarth P. , Brozek G. , Minov J. , Bachert C. , Burney P. ,   the GALEN network of excellence
Published: May 2014

Rationale

There is conflicting evidence on whether patients with asthma experience an accelerated decline in lung function with age. We examined the association between postbronchodilator lung function, asthma, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and atopy with age using a large European sample.

Methods

In 17 centers in 11 European countries, case–control studies were nested within representative cross‐sectional surveys of adults aged less than 75 years. Representative samples of participants with asthma, CRS or both and controls were assessed for postbronchodilator ventilatory function, smoking history, atopy, and treatment. Multiple regression was used to assess the interactive effects of age and diagnostic group on decline in postbronchodilator ventilatory function.

Results

A total of 3337 participants provided adequate data (778 with asthma, 399 with CRS, 244 with both asthma and CRS and 1916 controls who had neither asthma nor CRS). Participants with asthma had lower FEV1/FVC (−4.09% (95% CI: −5.02, −3.15, P < 0.001) and a steeper slope of FEV1/FVC against age (−0.14%/annum [95%CI: −0.19, −0.08]) equivalent to smoking 1–2 packs of cigarettes per day. Those with atopy had a slope equivalent to controls.

Conclusions

People with asthma have a steeper decline in postbronchodilator lung function with age, but neither CRS nor atopy alone were associated with such decline.
Intra‐ and inter‐centre standardisation of thromboelastography (TEG®)
Authors: Quarterman C. , Shaw M. , Johnson I. , Agarwal S.
Published: May 2014

Thromboelastography is used for assessment of coagulation and to guide administration of blood products peri‐operatively. There is currently no method of standardisation in the UK, nor an approved method of proving quality. We investigated the reproducibility of thromboelastography by testing whole blood with no coagulation abnormality in three phases. Where a single operator performed multiple assays on the same blood sample at a single location, we found considerable variation, with 21% of R‐ and 25% of K‐time measurements lying outside a set tolerance range (median ± 20%). Where samples were analysed by different operators in a single location, this finding was repeated. Where blood was transported in a citrated form for simultaneous analysis in multiple locations, results were more consistent, suggesting improved stability. Across all phases of testing there was good reproducibility of the maximum amplitude. Further examination of the results indicated less variation where analysis was performed on blood taken from the same kaolin vial compared with results from different vials. Our preliminary study indicates that R‐ and K‐times may be highly variable, which we hypothesise may be due to variable mixing of blood and kaolin. We intend to repeat this study in the context of coagulopathy, where variability in results could potentially impact upon transfusion practice.