bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
HEPATOZOON SPP. IN A HOARY FOX (LYCALOPEX VETULUS) FROM UBERLÂNDIA, MINAS GERAIS STATE, BRAZIL	Hepatozoon spp. na raposinha-do-campo (Lycalopex vetulus) em Uberlândia (MG)
Authors: Quagliatto Santos André Luiz , Mundim Antonio Vicente , Castro Pereira Heloísa , Lima de Miranda Renata , Ribeiro de Castro Jacqueline
Published: May 2014

Canine hepatozoonosis, which has been diagnosed in several regions of Brazil, can also affect wild canids. A male hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus) was treated in August 2008 at the Center for Wildlife Studies of theVeterinary Hospital, Federal University of Uberlândia, in the municipality of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. After a preliminary clinical assessment, the fox was subjected to hematological and hemoparasiteexams, which revealed Hepatozoon spp. gametocytes in the blood smear. This is the first report of the presenceof Hepatozoon spp. in a hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus) in the Triângulo Mineiro region.
PREVALÊNCIA DE ANAPLASMA SSP. EM BOVINOS NO MUNICÍPIO DE UMUARAMA (PR)	Prevalence of Anaplasma ssp. in bovine from Umuarama, Parana State, Brazil
Authors: Piau Júnior Ranulfo , Mezalira Taniara Suelen , Romite Brenda , Hryniewicz Santos Matheus Luiz , Alves Ferreira Gilberto , Coelho Gimenes Gabriel
Published: May 2014

A anaplasmose é uma enfermidade causada por parasitas do gênero Anaplasma. Transmitida por carrapatos e insetos hematófagos, dissemina-se nas formas clinicas agudas, superagudas, leve ou crônica, e atinge os rebanhos de bovinos em praticamente todo território nacional. É responsável por grandes perdas na produtividade dos rebanhos de leite e corte. Os prejuízos econômicos são decorrentes da perda de peso dos animais, diminuiçãoda produção de leite, custos indiretos com medidas preventivas e tratamento dos animais. O diagnóstico para anaplasmose pode ser realizado por meio do exame microscópico de esfregaços de sangue periférico. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a prevalência de anaplasma em bovinos no município de Umuarama (PR). Foram analisadas325 fichas clínicas de bovinos provenientes do município de Umuarama atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Paranaense (Unipar) no período de janeiro de 2003 a dezembro de 2010. A análise revelou que 20,9% foram positivos e 79,1% foram negativos. Em relação ao sexo dos animais, 19,8% das fêmeas (n = 243) e 24,4% dos machos (n = 82) foram positivos. Quanto à aptidão zootécnica, 18,9% dos bovinos com aptidão para corte (n = 164) e 23,0% dos bovinos com aptidão para leite (n = 161) foram positivos. Considerando a subespécie bovina, 15,9% dos bovinos Bos taurus indicus (n = 107) e 24% dos bovinos Bos taurus taurus (n = 179) foram positivos. Não houve diferença significativa entre sexos, aptidões e subespécies. Observou-se presença frequente de Anaplasma ssp. nos esfregaços de sangue periférico dos bovinos, não ocorrendo diferença estatística significativa entre os sexos, aptidão zootécnica e subespécies.
MORFOMETRIA OVARIANA E A QUALIDADE DOS OÓCITOS DE VACAS ZEBUÍNAS ABATIDAS	Ovarian morphometry and quality of oocytes from slaughtered Bos indicus
Authors: Mayumi Sakate Nayla , Machado Guaberto Luciana , Giometti Ines Cristina , Castilho Caliê
Published: May 2014

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar as características morfométricas, quantidade e diâmetro dosfolículos e qualidade dos COC’s (complexos cumulus oophorus) segundo o lado do ovário e presença ou nãode corpo lúteo (CL) em ovários de vacas zebuínas. Foram utilizados 77 pares de ovários coletados de fêmeaszebuínas Os ovários foram separados segundo o lado (direito ou esquerdo) e presença ou não de CL. A seguir,os folículos ovarianos foram contados e classificados de acordo com o diâmetro folicular em Classe 1 (< 5 mm);Classe 2 (5 a 7 mm); Classe 3 (>7 mm). Os folículos foram aspirados com agulha 40 x 12 acoplada em seringa de10 mL e os oócitos recuperados foram classificados segundo a qualidade em grau I, II e III, desnudo e atrésico.As medidas obtidas não variaram de acordo com o lado do ovário; no entanto, o comprimento, a espessura e a largura foram significativamente (P < 0,05) maiores em ovários que apresentaram CL. A quantidade de folículos Classe 2 (5 - 7 mm) foi maior (P < 0,05) em ovário com CL e de Classe 3 (>7 mm) foi maior (P < 0,05) no ovário direito. A incidência de CLs inclusos ocorreu tanto no ovário direito (61,29%) quanto no esquerdo (58,33%). Não houve diferença na qualidade dos oócitos comparando-se o lado do ovário, nem tampouco a presença de CL. Concluiu-se que o lado do ovário e a presença de CL não alteram a qualidade dos oócitos de fêmeas zebuínas.
EFEITOS AMBIENTAIS SOBRE O CRESCIMENTO PRÉ E PÓS-DESMAMA DE CABRITOS MESTIÇOS BOER	Environmental effects on pre and post-weaning growth of crossbred Boer goats
Authors: Varchaki Portes Juliana , Talarico Dias Laila , De Almeida Teixeira Rodrigo , Finkler da Silveira André Luís , Gualberto Hill João Ari
Published: May 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos de sexo, tipo de parto, peso da mãe ao parto e período de gestaçãosobre pesos tomados ao nascer, aos 30, 60 e 90 dias de idade e os ganhos de peso do nascimento aos 60dias de idade e entre 60 e 90 dias de idade de cabritos mestiços Boer. No modelo, considerou-se como fixo oefeito de sexo e, como covariáveis, o efeito linear de tipo de parto (simples, duplo ou triplo); e do período degestação e os efeitos linear e quadrático do peso da mãe ao parto. Para peso ao nascer e aos 30 dias, apenas osefeitos de sexo e de tipo de parto foram importantes fontes de variação. Para os pesos aos 60, 90 dias de idadee ganho de peso pré-desmama, os efeitos de sexo, tipo de parto e peso da mãe ao parto foram estatisticamentesignificativos. Nenhum efeito ambiental estudado foi significativo sobre o ganho de peso pós-desmama. Osefeitos de sexo e tipo de parto devem ser considerados nos modelos para estimar os parâmetros genéticos para os pesos ao nascer e aos 30 dias de idade. Para peso aos 60 e 90 dias e para ganho de peso pré-desmama, além desses efeitos, o peso da peso da mãe ao parto também deve ser incluído no modelo de análise.
MASTITE E CONDIÇÃO CORPORAL DE VACAS MESTIÇAS LEITEIRAS SOB DIFERENTES NÍVEIS TECNOLÓGICOS DE PRODUÇÃO	Mastitis and body condition of crossbred dairy cows in different technological levels of production
Authors: Barroso de Araújo Abreu Vinícius , Nascimento Figueiredo de Oliveira Margarida Maria , Sousa Moreira Felipe , Oliveira Célio Roberto , De Jesus Oliveira Suely
Published: May 2014

Objetivou-se avaliar a prevalência de mastite, escore de condição corporal e tempo em sala de ordenha em vacas leiteiras mestiças sob diferentes níveis tecnológicos. Os dados foram coletados de 110 vacas, a partir de duas visitas em dez propriedades leiteiras, representando os níveis tecnológicos baixo, médio e alto. Foram registrados o tempo de permanência em sala de ordenha e o tempo de ordenha. A condição corporal foi avaliada pelo método visual simultaneamente por dois avaliadores, utilizando-se a média dos avaliadores. O California Mastitis Test (CMT) foi realizado após a entrada dos animais na sala de ordenha da manhã. Propriedades de nível tecnológico médio apresentaram maior (P < 0,001) prevalência de mastite subclínica, somando 29,79% entre os escores 2 e 3 de CMT, seguidos pelos níveis tecnológicos alto e baixo, respectivamente. Os tempos de permanência em sala de ordenha e tempo de ordenha não foram influenciados (P > 0,05) pelo nível tecnológico da propriedade. O nível tecnológico alto apresentou menor (P < 0,05) escore de condição corporal (ECC = 2,75). Concluiu-se que a sanidade da glândula mamária e a condição corporal são fatores alterados pelo nível tecnológico da propriedade, porém, os tempos de permanência em sala de ordenha e tempo de ordenha não foram influenciados.
INDUÇÃO DE TENDINOPATIA AGUDA EM RATOS WISTAR: MODELO EXPERIMENTAL	Acute tendinopathy induction in Wistar rats: an experimental model
Authors: Da Silva Micheline Ozana , Bueno Martins da Costa Marcela , Pacheco Batista Borges Andréa , Dornas Raul Felipe , Do Carmo Lopes Moreira José , De Souza Maria Verônica
Published: May 2014

O objetivo desse estudo foi apresentar e avaliar um novo modelo de indução experimental de tendinopatia do tendão calcanear comum de ratos. Para isso foram utilizados oito ratos machos da linhagem Wistar, com quatro meses de idade, pesando 345,5 ± 45,74 g. A lesão foi realizada de forma aleatória em um dos tendões, e o membro contralateral foi utilizado como controle. Posteriormente à tricotomia e antissepsia local, os animais foram anestesiados com isoflurano. Após exposição do tendão, foi realizada compressão transversal durante 10s com pinça Halstead, que foi seguida por dez escarificações das fibras do tendão, em sentido próximo-distal, utilizando lâmina de bisturi. Os ratos foram submetidos à eutanásia com tiopental sódico (100 mg/kg, via intraperitoneal). Em quatro animais, a eutanásia foi realizada 12h após o procedimento cirúrgico, e em outros quatro após 24h. Na sequência foram obtidos fragmentos de ambos os tendões queforam processados e corados com hematoxilina-eosina para histopatologia. Diferentemente dos membros utilizados como controle, a avaliação microscópica realizada nos dois momentos analisados revelou perda do paralelismo e da organização das fibras colágenas, intenso infiltrado de neutrófilos, espessamento do endotélio vascular e presença de hemácias e fibrina. As amostras obtidas 24h apresentaram maior quantidade de neutrófilos degenerados. O método de indução de tendinopatia descrito no presente estudo foi eficiente em promover a lesão aguda em ratos. Esse projeto foi aprovado por Comissão de Ética.
SENSIBILIDADE ECONÔMICA DO SISTEMA INTENSIVO E SEMI-INTENSIVO DA PRODUÇÃO EM CAPRINOS LEITEIROS: BENEFÍCIOS DOS FATORES TANGÍVEIS E INTANGÍVEIS	Economic sensitivity of intensive and semi-intensive dairy goats system: the benefits of tangibles and intangibles factors
Authors: Brito Lopes Fernando , Ferreira Jorge Luís
Published: May 2014

Objetivou-se simular dois sistemas de criação de caprinos leiteiros para analisar a sensibilidade econômica dos fatores tangíveis e discutir a influência e impacto dos fatores intangíveis. Foram realizadas análises de sensibilidade sobre os componentes de renda e despesas. O sistema semi-intensivo apresentou maior margem de lucro (acima de 10%) em relação ao intensivo. O lucro médio do sistema semi-intensivo foi maior que o sistema intensivo, R$ 0,18 e R$ 0,14, respectivamente. Produção de leite, duração da lactação, preço do leite e manejo nutricional são fatores tangíveis sensíveis às oscilações econômicas. Os fatores intangíveis, tanto quanto os tangíveis, influenciam a lucratividade, e, portanto, quanto mais eficientes forem os manejos gerais, maiores serão os lucros na produção de leite caprino.
CARACTERÍSTICAS DA CARNE BUBALINA E BENEFÍCIOS DA MATURAÇÃO SOBRE A SUA QUALIDADE	Buffalo meat characteristics and the benefits of ageing on its quality
Authors: Cardoso da Luz Patrícia Aparecida , Andrighetto Cristiana
Published: May 2014

A bubalinocultura de corte vem crescendo no País, tornando o fomento dessa atividade no Brasil bastante relevante. A avaliação de parâmetros relacionados à qualidade da carne bubalina é de extrema importância, principalmente em função da maturação, uma vez que esta tem como finalidade melhorar as características organolépticas da carne, principalmente maciez, sabor e suculência. O objetivo deste estudo foi reunir informações existentes visando discutir as características da carne bubalina e os benefícios da maturação sobre a sua qualidade. Observa-se a existência de diversas barreiras a serem vencidas com relação à comercialização da carne bubalina, mesmo ela se apresentando como excelente alternativa na dieta dos consumidores brasileiros, por ser rica fonte de proteína de alto valor biológico, e baixo teor de gordura e colesterol. A maturação da carne repercute nos aspectos qualitativos da carne e, nesse contexto, esse processo é de grande importância. Entretanto, vários fatores precisam ser analisados em conjunto para que permitam o entendimento, a elucidação e o ponto ideal desse processo na qualidade da carne bubalina, pois são escassos os estudos realizados avaliando a maturação da carne dessa espécie. Dessa forma, estimular a pesquisa, principalmente às relacionadas a processos capazes de melhorar as suas características sensoriais é fundamental para que ela possa competir no mercado, criando assim, identidade a seus produtos e proporcionando ao mercado um produto diferenciado que permita melhor remuneração ao produtor rural.
EFEITOS DE DOSAGEM MAIS CONCENTRADA DE CIPERMETRINA NO CONTROLE DE CASCUDINHO (COLEOPTERA: TENEBRIONIDAE) NA AVICULTURA	Effects of the more concentrated dosage of cypermethrin on the basis of control mealworm (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in aviculture
Authors: Dias Diogo Augusto , Barbosa Vargas André , Souto Almeida Fábio
Published: May 2014

Alphitobius diaperinus é inseto praga em aviários, disseminando vírus, bactérias e fungos, cujo controle temsido realizado com a aplicação de inseticidas. Neste sentido, o presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar aeficiência do inseticida em pó a base de cipermetrina a 5% em camas de frangos de corte de segunda criada,utilizando duas concentrações (4,7 g/m2 – tratamento 1 e 3,6 g/m² – tratamento 2). A primeira amostragem ocorreu antes da aplicação do inseticida, a segunda sete, a terceira 14 e a quarta 21 dias após a aplicação.Em cada galpão foram retiradas seis amostras do substrato, com auxílio de um aparato de madeira com 20 x 20 cm. O número médio de larvas e adultos, em cada amostragem, variaram de 45,0 a 161,8 e 23,3 a 84,3 indivíduos, respectivamente. No tratamento 1, o número de larvas e de adultos foi significativamente maior na quarta semana que nas anteriores (Tukey, P < 0,05), que não diferiram entre si (Tukey, P > 0,05). Já no tratamento 2, não houve diferença significativa entre as abundâncias das larvas e adultos nas diferentes semanas (ANOVA, F = 0,89, P = 0,46). Também não houve diferença entre tratamentos, em uma mesma semana (Teste t, P > 0,05). O inseticida não apresentou a eficiência desejada, sendo recomendável que a sua utilizaçãoseja combinada com outras medidas de controle, tais como o controle biológico e o manejo do substrato.
DETERMINAÇÃO DO VALOR NUTRICIONAL DA POLPA CÍTRICA PARA SUÍNOS EM CRESCIMENTO	Determination of the nutritional value of citrus pulp for growing pigs
Authors: Borges Amorim Alessandro , Thomaz Maria Cristina , Faleiros Castro Fabrício , Freitas Martinez Juliana , Dos Santos Ruiz Urbano , Fonseca Pascoal Leonardo Augusto , Watanabe Pedro Henrique , Robles Huaynate Rizal Alcides
Published: May 2014

Foram utilizados 16 suínos machos castrados, de linhagem comercial, com 30,42 ± 2,44 kg de peso, os quais foram alojados em gaiolas de estudos metabólicos, com o objetivo de determinar o valor nutricional da polpa cítrica para suínos em crescimento. Utilizou-se o método da coleta total de fezes e os animais foram distribuídos entre as dietas referência e teste, a qual foi composta por 70% da dieta referência e 30% de polpa cítrica. A polpa cítrica apresentou 1.677 kcal de EM/kg e baixo teor de proteínadigestível (1,28%). Os teores de fibra em detergente neutro e fibra em detergente ácido digestíveis foram 7,46 e 3,49%, respectivamente. Para o amido, principal fonte de energia para os suínos, o nível observado foi de 4,29% e alta digestibilidade (98,90%). Apesar de apresentar razoável teor de cálcio em sua composição (1,42%), verificou-se que apenas 0,42% foi disponível para o animal. Quanto aofósforo, o nível observado foi de 0,40% e o disponível de 0,21%. Conclui-se que a polpa cítrica apresentou digestibilidade aparente da proteína e das energias digestível e metabolizável inferiores à ração de referência. Entretanto, pode ser utilizada nas rações de suínos, uma vez que não apresenta quaisquer características nutricionais indesejáveis que impeçam seu uso.
Dynamic resources of the Sanità spring at Caposele (South Italy)
Authors: Civita Massimo V. , Rostagno Katia
Published: May 2014

The Sanità Spring at Caposele (NE of Campania – South Italy) is the main spring of the Sele river. Since the end of ‘800, it was indicated and was prospected as the possible base of the Acquedotto Pugliese for drinking the dry Apulia zone. The spring was effective tapped in 1911. A research on the source dynamic resources was began to start in 2009 and is terminated today on the base of data collected of Spring discharge during more of 100 y. A great quantities of specific work about the Spring are collected since the last occur in the Cervialto massif (the cross gallery to connect to Aqueduct the Sorbo Serpico springs). The hydrogeological characteristics of the massif was surveyed and a hydrogeological map was completed. The everyday discharge data are studied with numerous mathematic models of the Sanità empting curves. The models, prepared for the tapping work management, gain to divide the spring trend in various operative cycles and in two different kind of the emptying curves, everyone exanimated and modulated. The research produce relevant conclusions to the actual tapping work and their protection areas against pollution. This work is concluded by a complete discussion of research finality and the models utilized for a complete operation by tapping work operator.
Global analysis of p53-regulated transcription identifies its direct targets and unexpected regulatory mechanisms
Authors: Allen Mary Ann , Andrysik Zdenek , Dengler Veronica L , Mellert Hestia S , Guarnieri Anna , Freeman Justin A , Sullivan Kelly D , Galbraith Matthew D , Luo Xin , Kraus W Lee , Dowell Robin D , Espinosa Joaquin M
Published: May 2014

The p53 transcription factor is a potent suppressor of tumor growth. We report here an analysis of its direct transcriptional program using Global Run-On sequencing (GRO-seq). Shortly after MDM2 inhibition by Nutlin-3, low levels of p53 rapidly activate ∼200 genes, most of them not previously established as direct targets. This immediate response involves all canonical p53 effector pathways, including apoptosis. Comparative global analysis of RNA synthesis vs steady state levels revealed that microarray profiling fails to identify low abundance transcripts directly activated by p53. Interestingly, p53 represses a subset of its activation targets before MDM2 inhibition. GRO-seq uncovered a plethora of gene-specific regulatory features affecting key survival and apoptotic genes within the p53 network. p53 regulates hundreds of enhancer-derived RNAs. Strikingly, direct p53 targets harbor pre-activated enhancers highly transcribed in p53 null cells. Altogether, these results enable the study of many uncharacterized p53 target genes and unexpected regulatory mechanisms.
Natural variation reveals that intracellular distribution of ELF3 protein is associated with function in the circadian clock
Authors: Anwer Muhammad Usman , Boikoglou Eleni , Herrero Eva , Hallstein Marc , Davis Amanda Melaragno , Velikkakam James Geo , Nagy Ferenc , Davis Seth Jon
Published: May 2014

Natural selection of variants within the Arabidopsis thaliana circadian clock can be attributed to adaptation to varying environments. To define a basis for such variation, we examined clock speed in a reporter-modified Bay-0 x Shakdara recombinant inbred line and localized heritable variation. Extensive variation led us to identify EARLY FLOWERING3 (ELF3) as a major quantitative trait locus (QTL). The causal nucleotide polymorphism caused a short-period phenotype under light and severely dampened rhythm generation in darkness, and entrainment alterations resulted. We found that ELF3-Sha protein failed to properly localize to the nucleus, and its ability to accumulate in darkness was compromised. Evidence was provided that the ELF3-Sha allele originated in Central Asia. Collectively, we showed that ELF3 protein plays a vital role in defining its light-repressor action in the circadian clock and that its functional abilities are largely dependent on its cellular localization.
A neural mechanism of speed-accuracy tradeoff in macaque area LIP
Authors: Hanks Timothy , Kiani Roozbeh , Shadlen Michael N
Published: May 2014

Decision making often involves a tradeoff between speed and accuracy. Previous studies indicate that neural activity in the lateral intraparietal area (LIP) represents the gradual accumulation of evidence toward a threshold level, or evidence bound, which terminates the decision process. The level of this bound is hypothesized to mediate the speed-accuracy tradeoff. To test this, we recorded from LIP while monkeys performed a motion discrimination task in two speed-accuracy regimes. Surprisingly, the terminating threshold levels of neural activity were similar in both regimes. However, neurons recorded in the faster regime exhibited stronger evidence-independent activation from the beginning of decision formation, effectively reducing the evidence-dependent neural modulation needed for choice commitment. Our results suggest that control of speed vs accuracy may be exerted through changes in decision-related neural activity itself rather than through changes in the threshold applied to such neural activity to terminate a decision.
Rheotaxis facilitates upstream navigation of mammalian sperm cells
Authors: Kantsler Vasily , Dunkel Jörn , Blayney Martyn , Goldstein Raymond E
Published: May 2014

A major puzzle in biology is how mammalian sperm maintain the correct swimming direction during various phases of the sexual reproduction process. Whilst chemotaxis may dominate near the ovum, it is unclear which cues guide spermatozoa on their long journey towards the egg. Hypothesized mechanisms range from peristaltic pumping to temperature sensing and response to fluid flow variations (rheotaxis), but little is known quantitatively about them. We report the first quantitative study of mammalian sperm rheotaxis, using microfluidic devices to investigate systematically swimming of human and bull sperm over a range of physiologically relevant shear rates and viscosities. Our measurements show that the interplay of fluid shear, steric surface-interactions, and chirality of the flagellar beat leads to stable upstream spiralling motion of sperm cells, thus providing a generic and robust rectification mechanism to support mammalian fertilisation. A minimal mathematical model is presented that accounts quantitatively for the experimental observations.
MicroRNAs shape circadian hepatic gene expression on a transcriptome-wide scale
Authors: Du Ngoc-Hien , Arpat Alaaddin Bulak , De Matos Mara , Gatfield David
Published: May 2014

A considerable proportion of mammalian gene expression undergoes circadian oscillations. Post-transcriptional mechanisms likely make important contributions to mRNA abundance rhythms. We have investigated how microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to core clock and clock-controlled gene expression using mice in which miRNA biogenesis can be inactivated in the liver. While the hepatic core clock was surprisingly resilient to miRNA loss, whole transcriptome sequencing uncovered widespread effects on clock output gene expression. Cyclic transcription paired with miRNA-mediated regulation was thus identified as a frequent phenomenon that affected up to 30% of the rhythmic transcriptome and served to post-transcriptionally adjust the phases and amplitudes of rhythmic mRNA accumulation. However, only few mRNA rhythms were actually generated by miRNAs. Overall, our study suggests that miRNAs function to adapt clock-driven gene expression to tissue-specific requirements. Finally, we pinpoint several miRNAs predicted to act as modulators of rhythmic transcripts, and identify rhythmic pathways particularly prone to miRNA regulation.
Neuronal connectome of a sensory-motor circuit for visual navigation
Authors: Randel Nadine , Asadulina Albina , Bezares-Calderón Luis A , Verasztó Csaba , Williams Elizabeth A , Conzelmann Markus , Shahidi Réza , Jékely Gáspár
Published: May 2014

Animals use spatial differences in environmental light levels for visual navigation; however, how light inputs are translated into coordinated motor outputs remains poorly understood. Here we reconstruct the neuronal connectome of a four-eye visual circuit in the larva of the annelid Platynereis using serial-section transmission electron microscopy. In this 71-neuron circuit, photoreceptors connect via three layers of interneurons to motorneurons, which innervate trunk muscles. By combining eye ablations with behavioral experiments, we show that the circuit compares light on either side of the body and stimulates body bending upon left-right light imbalance during visual phototaxis. We also identified an interneuron motif that enhances sensitivity to different light intensity contrasts. The Platynereis eye circuit has the hallmarks of a visual system, including spatial light detection and contrast modulation, illustrating how image-forming eyes may have evolved via intermediate stages contrasting only a light and a dark field during a simple visual task.
Contrast‐Enhanced Sonography for Detection of Secondary Lymph Nodes in a Melanoma Tumor Animal Model
Authors: Liu Ji-Bin , Merton Daniel A. , Berger Adam C. , Forsberg Flemming , Witkiewicz Agnieszka , Zhao Hongjia , Eisenbrey John R. , Fox Traci B. , Goldberg Barry B.
Published: May 2014

Objectives

To investigate the use of contrast‐enhanced ultrasound imaging (US) for detection of secondary lymph nodes (LNs) in a naturally occurring melanoma swine model compared to surgery and pathologic assessment.

Methods

Twenty‐seven Sinclair swine were studied. The perfluorobutane microbubble contrast agent Sonazoid (GE Healthcare, Oslo, Norway) was administered (1.0 mL total dose) around the melanoma, and contrast‐enhanced US was used to localize contrast‐enhanced sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs). Then Sonazoid (dose, 0.25–1.0 mL) was injected into the SLNs to detect contrast‐enhanced efferent lymphatic channels and secondary LNs. After peritumoral injection of blue dye, a surgeon (blinded to the contrast‐enhanced US results) performed a radical LN dissection. Contrast‐enhanced US was used to guide removal of any enhanced secondary LNs left after radical LN dissection. Clustered conditional logistic regression analyzed the benefit of contrast‐enhanced US–directed secondary LN dissection over radical LN dissection using pathologic findings as the reference standard.

Results

A total of 268 secondary LNs were resected, with 59 (22%) containing metastases. Contrast‐enhanced US detected 92 secondary LNs; 248 were identified by radical LN dissection; and 68 were identified by both methods. Metastases were detected in 20% (51 of 248) and 40% (37 of 92) of the secondary LNs identified by radical LN dissection and contrast‐enhanced US, respectively. Thus, secondary LNs detected by contrast‐enhanced US were nearly 5 times more likely to contain metastases than secondary LNs removed by radical LN dissection (odds ratio, 4.8; P < .0001). Twenty‐two of the 180 secondary LNs (12%) identified only by radical LN dissection contained metastases, whereas contrast‐enhanced US identified 20 secondary LNs after the surgeon completed the radical LN dissection, of which 8 (40%) contained metastases.

Conclusions

Secondary LNs can be detected by using contrast‐enhanced US after injection of Sonazoid into SLNs. Secondary LNs detected with contrast‐enhanced US are significantly more likely to contain metastases than those removed by radical LN dissection.
Biological and physical processes influencing sea ice, under‐ice algae, and dimethylsulfoniopropionate during spring in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago
Authors: Galindo V. , Levasseur M. , Mundy C. J. , Gosselin M. , Tremblay J.‐É. , Scarratt M. , Gratton Y. , Papakiriakou T. , Poulin M. , Lizotte M.
Published: May 2014

This study presents temporal variations in concentrations of chlorophyll a (Chl a), particulate and dissolved dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSPp and DMSPd) in the sea ice and underlying water column in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago during the spring of 2010 and 2011. During both years, bottom ice Chl a, DMSPp and DMSPd concentrations were high (up to 1328 µg L−1, 15,082 nmol L−1, and 6110 nmol L−1, respectively) in May and decreased thereafter. The release of bottom ice algae and DMSPp in the water column was gradual in 2010 and rapid (8 days) in 2011. Bottom brine drainage during the presnowmelt period in 2010 and a rapid loss of the snow cover in 2011 coinciding with rain events explain most of the difference between the 2 years. During both years, less than 13% of the DMSPd lost from the ice was detected in the water column, suggesting a rapid microbial consumption. An under‐ice diatom bloom developed in both years. In 2010, the bloom was dominated by centric diatoms while in 2011 pennates dominated, likely reflecting seeding by ice algae following the faster snowmelt progression induced by rainfall events in 2011. Both under‐ice blooms were associated with high DMSPp concentrations (up to 185 nmol L−1), but pennate diatoms showed DMSPp/Chl a ratios twice higher than centrics. These results highlight the key role of snowmelt and precipitation on the temporal pattern of ice‐DMSP release to the water column and on the timing, taxonomic composition, and DMSP content of phytoplankton under‐ice blooms in the Arctic.
Seafloor in the Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 Search Area
Authors: Smith Walter H. F. , Marks Karen M.
Published: May 2014

On the morning of 8 March 2014, Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing, lost contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff and vanished. While the world waited for any sign of the missing aircraft and the 239 people on board, authorities and scientists began to investigate what little information was known about the plane's actual movements.
Ted Irving (1927–2014)
Authors: Opdyke Neil Donald
Published: May 2014

Edward “Ted” Irving, noted for his research on paleomagnetism, passed away on 25 February 2014 in Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada. He was 86.
Yellowstone geysers influenced by internal processes
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: May 2014

The intervals between geyser eruptions depend on a delicate balance of underground factors, such as heat and water supply, as well as on their interactions with surrounding geysers. Some geysers are highly predictable, their intervals between eruptions (IBEs) varying only slightly. The predictability of these geysers offers Earth scientists a unique opportunity to investigate what may influence their eruptive activity and to apply that information to rare and unpredictable types of eruptions, such as those from volcanoes.
Particle deposition on the saturnian satellites from ephemeral cryovolcanism on Enceladus
Authors: Hirata Naoyuki , Miyamoto Hideaki , Showman Adam P.
Published: May 2014

The geologically active south pole of Enceladus generates a plume of micron‐sized particles, which likely form Saturn's tenuous E‐ring extending from the orbit of Mimas to Titan. Interactions between these particles and satellites have been suggested, though only as very thin surficial phenomena. We scrutinize high‐resolution images with a newly developed numerical shape model of Helene and find that the leading hemisphere of Helene is covered by thick deposits of E‐ring particles, which occasionally collapse to form gully‐like depressions. The depths of the resultant gullies and near‐absence of small craters on the leading hemisphere indicate that the deposit is tens to hundreds of meters thick. The ages of the deposits are less than several tens of My, which coincides well with similar deposits found on Telesto and Calypso. Our findings as well as previous theoretical work collectively indicate that the cryovolcanic activity currently occurring on Enceladus is ephemeral.
Drop mass transfer in a microfluidic chip compared to a centrifugal contactor
Authors: Nemer Martin B. , Roberts Christine C. , Hughes Lindsey G. , Wyatt Nicholas B. , Brooks Carlton F. , Rao Rekha
Published: May 2014

A model system was developed for enabling a multiscale understanding of centrifugal‐contactor liquid–liquid extraction. The system consisted of Nd(III) + xylenol orange in the aqueous phase buffered to pH = 5.5 by KHP, and dodecane + thenoyltrifluroroacetone (HTTA) + tributyphosphate (TBP) in the organic phase. Diffusion constants were measured for neodymium in both the organic and aqueous phases, and the Nd(III) partition coefficients were measured at various HTTA and TBP concentrations. A microfluidic channel was used as a high‐shear model environment to observe mass transfer on a droplet scale with xylenol orange as the aqueous‐phase metal indicator; mass‐transfer rates were measured quantitatively in both diffusion and reaction limited regimes on the droplet scale. The microfluidic results were comparable to observations made for the same system in a laboratory scale liquid–liquid centrifugal contactor, indicating that single drop microfluidic experiments can provide information on mass transfer in complicated flows and geometries. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 60: 3071–3078, 2014
Characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia‐related changes: A retrospective analysis in a cohort of Chinese patients
Authors: Xu Xiao‐Qian , Wang Jian‐Min , Gao Lei , Qiu Hui‐Ying , Chen Li , Jia Lin , Hu Xiao‐Xia , Yang Jian‐Min , Ni Xiong , Chen Jie , Lü Shu‐Qing , Zhang Wei‐Ping , Song Xian‐Min
Published: May 2014

We retrospectively analyzed 449 patients with AML under the WHO classification of AML 2008 and probed implications of this classification in diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia with myelodysplasia‐related changes (AML‐MRC) among them. The clinical presentations, biological features, treatments, and prognosis of patients diagnosed with AML‐MRC were analyzed and compared with those of AML not otherwise specified (AML‐NOS). In all patients, 115 (25.6%) were diagnosed as AML‐MRC including 64 males and 51 females with median onset age of 48 years (range from 17 to 78). Their complete remission (CR) rate was 60.9% and relapse rate was 57.1%. The observed median overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were 10 and 5 months, respectively, which was significantly shorter than those of AML‐NOS patients (P < 0.05). The prognosis of AML‐MRC patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)‐related cytogenetics sole was similar to those with history of MDS or myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MDS/MPN). Patients with MDS‐related cytogenetic abnormalities and/or history of MDS or MDS/MPN predisposed significantly shortened CR, OS, and DFS than AML‐MRC patients with only multilineage dysplasia (MLD) and AML‐NOS patients (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age, cytogenetics, and history of MDS or MDS/MPN were independent prognostic factors. Patient diagnosed as AML‐MRC presented distinctive clinical and biological features. Presence of MLD does not change the prognosis. Am. J. Hematol. 89:874–881, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Vertical stratification of the nutritional value of fruit: Macronutrients and condensed tannins
Authors: Houle Alain , Conklin‐Brittain Nancy L. , Wrangham Richard W.
Published: May 2014

Competing successfully for the best feeding sites is an important behavioral strategy but little is known about how feeding sites vary nutritionally within a fruit tree. To answer this question we tested how the nutritional value of a fruit is influenced by its ripeness and its height within the tree crown. A complementary objective was to assess the nutritional value of the midripe fruit, a food item rarely mentioned in the literature despite being exploited on a daily basis by many frugivores. We measured how the dry weight of pulp, water content, and concentration of macronutrients and condensed tannins varied within the tree crowns of 15 fruit species. Collections occurred early in the fruiting cycle, so as to assess the amount of food in the tree before its exploitation by primates. We found that (1) the upper crown produced fruit densities 4.2 times higher, and a fruit crop 4.8 times larger, than the lower crown of the same tree; (2) considering only midripe and ripe stages, upper‐crown fruits contained 28.6% more dry pulp, 21.1% more water, and 13.5% more sugars per dry matter than lower‐crown fruits of the same tree; (3) midripe fruits contained 80% of the concentrations of sugars of ripe fruits, making them a sweeter food item than one would expect from the intermediate color of their epidermis; (4) cellulose, hemicellulose, proteins, and ash proportionally decreased in concentration while dry pulp and sugars increased during ripening; and (5) ripe fruits were usually rare in the tree (<0.5% of all fruit available) compared to midripe fruits (3–8%). Overall, upper‐crown feeding sites produced a higher density and quality of food than lower‐crown sites of the same tree. Our data therefore provide a clear nutritional explanation for why tree‐feeding frugivores compete for the highest feeding sites. Am. J. Primatol. 76:1207–1232, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intra‐population variation in anemia status and its relationship to economic status and self‐perceived health in the Mexican Family Life Survey: Implications for bioarchaeology
Authors: Piperata Barbara A. , Hubbe Mark , Schmeer Kammi K.
Published: May 2014

Recently scholars have advocated for the use of a critical biocultural approach in bioarchaeology, where osteological and dental markers of stress are used to understand the broader biosocial context of past populations. However, the ability to accomplish this task rests on the assumption that ultimate‐level environmental stressors and well‐being in the past can be reconstructed from the prevalence of pathologies in skeletal collections. Here we test this assumption using anemia prevalence in the Mexican Family Life Survey. Specifically we test three hypotheses: (1) that individuals sharing the same household are more likely to share anemia status; (2) anemia status is a predictor of economic status (a common proxy for broader environmental context); and (3) anemia status is related to self‐rated health. Results demonstrate that: anemia status was not commonly shared between household members; there was a significant overlap in economic status between anemic and nonanemic individuals (i.e., anemia poorly predicted economic status) and; while anemia status was associated with self‐perceived health, the majority of those who reported poor health were nonanemic while a significant number of those who reported very good health were anemic. We argue that these findings are likely related to variation in individual frailty, which is shaped by biological and cultural risk factors. Therefore, we advocate for greater incorporation of individual frailty into bioarchaeological investigations, and, in effort to overcome some of the difficulties associated with this task, increased use of data from living populations and greater collaboration between bioarchaeologists and human biologists. Am J Phys Anthropol 155:210–220, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly(alkyl lactate acrylate)s having tunable hydrophilicity
Authors: Purushothaman Muthukrishnan , Krishnan Palaniandavar Santhana Gopala , Nayak Sanjay Kumar
Published: May 2014

Four alkyl lactates and alkyl lactate acrylates having methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl as alkyl moiety were synthesized by azeotropic distillation. Their formation was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), mass, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and proton decoupled 13C NMR spectroscopic techniques. Solution polymerization was carried out for these alkyl lactate acrylates and the formed homopolymers were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, proton decoupled 13C NMR spectroscopic, and gel permeation chromatographic techniques. Shear thinning behavior was observed for all the polymers. Wide angle X‐ray Diffraction studies showed that the polymers were amorphous in nature and also exhibited odd‐even effect among alkyl lactate groups with respect to average molecular interchain spacing. Depending on the length of the alkyl lactate groups, relative humidity and time, the hydrophilicity of the polymers decreased with increase in the length of the alkyl lactate group among the odd and even series. Among the studied polymers, poly(ethyl lactate acrylate) may have the potential for hydrogel applications, due to its highly hydrophilic nature. Tg decreased with increase in length of alkyl lactate groups. Trend observed on the thermal stabilities of poly(alkyl lactate acrylate)s could be explained on the basis of average molecular interchain spacing. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40962.
A thin film encapsulation layer fabricated via initiated chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition
Authors: Kim Bong Jun , Kim Do Heung , Kang Seung Youl , Ahn Seong Deok , Im Sung Gap
Published: May 2014

An organic/inorganic hybrid multilayer for encapsulation of organic electronic devices is developed, where the organic polymer layer and the inorganic layer are alternatively deposited by initiated chemical vapor deposition and atomic layer deposition processes, respectively. The thickness of each organic and inorganic layer is optimized to minimize the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) determined by a Ca test. The produced barrier film shows an outstanding optical property as its light transmittance is average 89.42% at visible light region. The WVTR of the developed thin film encapsulation layer is as low as 2.17 × 10−4 g m−2 day−1 at 38oC, 90% relative humidity (RH). This value is equivalent to 1.29 × 10−5 g m−2 day−1 at ambient condition, which is sufficient to elongate the lifetime of organic electronic devices. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40974.
Enzyme‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Saccharide Acrylate Monomers from Nonedible Biomass
Authors: Kloosterman Wouter M. J. , Brouwer Sander G. M. , Loos Katja
Published: May 2014

Various cellulase preparations were found to catalyze the transglycosidation between cotton linters and 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate. The conversion and enzyme activity were found to be optimal in reaction mixtures that contained 5 vol % of the acrylate. The structures of the products were revealed by using TLC and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The enzyme‐catalyzed reaction resulted in two products. The minor product originated from transglycosidation to hemicellulose and was found to be 2‐(β‐xylosyloxy)‐ethyl acrylate. The major product was identified as 2‐(β‐glucosyloxy)‐ethyl acrylate and the yield of the product was 5 wt % based on the amount of consumed cellulose. Glycosidation products with oligosaccharide moieties could not be detected in the reaction mixture. This result can be explained by the hydrolytic activities of the used cellulase preparation. Cellulase from Trichoderma reesei was found to possess, in addition to endoglucanase activity, cellobiosidase and β‐glucosidase activities. Five other cellulase preparations from different origins were tested as well for catalysis of oligosaccharide acrylate synthesis. For most cellulase preparations the major transglycosidation product appeared to be 2‐(β‐glucosyloxy)‐ethyl acrylate. Nevertheless, the endo‐β‐(1,4)‐glucanase from Trichoderma longibrachiatum was found to catalyze the synthesis of 2‐(β‐cellobiosyloxy)‐ethyl acrylate. Unlike the other cellulase preparations, endo‐β‐(1,4)‐glucanase from T. longibrachiatum showed no detectable β‐glucosidase activity and therefore oligosaccharide acrylate monomers were not further hydrolyzed into the monosaccharide acrylate 2‐(β‐glucosyloxy)‐ethyl acrylate.
Highly efficient expression and characterization of a β‐mannanase from Bacillus subtilis in Pichia pastoris
Authors: Li Ren‐Kuan , Chen Ping , Ng Tzi Bun , Yang Jie , Lin Juan , Yan Fen , Ye Xiu‐Yun
Published: May 2014

A β‐mannanase gene (Man5) from Bacillus subtilis BS5 was cloned by PCR and integrated into the genome of Pichia pastoris GS115 via pPIC9 vector. The recombinant Man5 with a molecular mass of 43 kDa was successfully expressed and secreted into the culture medium. After methanol induction in a shake flask for 96 H, the recombinant Man5 protein reached 375 µg/mL in concentration, with an enzyme activity of 892 U/mL. The recombinant Man5 was purified 3.35‐fold with 60% yield by using HiTrap DEAE FF and HiTrap Phenyl FF columns. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was 7,978 U/mg. The optimum temperature and pH of the recombinant Man5 were 50 °C and 6.0, respectively. Studies of substrate specificity showed that the optimum substrate for the Man5 was konjac flour, suggesting that it has great potential as an effective additive in the food industry.
Production of Nanostructured Conjugated Polymers by Electropolymerization of Tailored Tetrahedral Precursors
Authors: Yassin Ali , Mallet Romain , Leriche Philippe , Roncali Jean
Published: May 2014

3D conjugated architectures based on twisted quaterthiophene (4T) or spirobifluorene (SF) cores with 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) or 3‐methoxythiophene (MeOT) end‐groups have been synthesized. Whereas the nature of the core has little effect on the absorption maximum of the molecule, replacement of 4T by the more rigid SF produces a large increase in the fluorescence quantum yield and a reduction in the Stokes shift accompanied by an increase in the oxidation potential. The highly reactive EDOT and MeOT end‐groups allow these compounds to undergo straightforward and complete electropolymerization into stable electrode materials. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemistry confirm the role of the precursor structure on the electrochemical properties of the polymers. Analysis of the relationships between the morphology of the polymers and the structure of the precursors, using various microscopy techniques, suggests that, with appropriate precursor design, electropolymerization can produce nanostructured electrode materials with long‐range order.
Complexity at the social science interface
Authors: Gilbert Nigel , Bullock Seth
Published: May 2014

This article introduces a special issue of Complexity dedicated to the increasingly important element of complexity science that engages with social policy. We introduce and frame an emerging research agenda that seeks to enhance social policy by working at the interface between the social sciences and the physical sciences (including mathematics and computer science), and term this research area the “social science interface” by analogy with research at the life sciences interface. We locate and exemplify the contribution of complexity science at this new interface before summarizing the contributions collected in this special issue and identifying some common themes that run through them. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 19: 1–4, 2014
Application of D‐optimal experimental design in nano‐sized ZSM‐5 synthesis for obtaining higher crystallinity
Authors: Soltanali Saeed , Halladj Rouein , Rashidi Alimorad , Bazmi Mansour
Published: May 2014

D‐optimal experimental design with three levels of SiO2/Al2O3, template/SiO2, H2O/SiO2, SiO2/Na2O and TPABr/TPAOH ratio parameters was used to optimize the experimental parameters by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The effects of above mentioned ratios in the initial synthetic mixture on the crystallinity of the ZSM‐5 zeolite were studied. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, FE‐SEM, and TEM analysis. Fischer test results showed that SiO2/Al2O3 and H2O/SiO2 molar ratios are the most and least effective parameters, respectively, in the range studied. The most important two‐way interaction variable was that of template/SiO2 and Na2O/SiO2 molar ratios. The optimum composition of the gel compound to achieve relative maximum crystallinity is SiO2/Al2O3 = 99.96, template/SiO2 = 0.16, H2O/SiO2 = 34.68, Na2O/SiO2 = 0.02 and TPABr/TPAOH = 1.44.