bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Within‐population Y‐linked genetic variation for lifespan in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Griffin R. M. , Le Gall D. , Schielzeth H. , Friberg U.
Published: July 2015

The view that the Y chromosome is of little importance for phenotypic evolution stems from early studies of Drosophila melanogaster. This species’ Y chromosome contains only 13 protein‐coding genes, is almost entirely heterochromatic and is not necessary for male viability. Population genetic theory further suggests that non‐neutral variation can only be maintained at the Y chromosome under special circumstances. Yet, recent studies suggest that the D. melanogaster Y chromosome trans‐regulates hundreds to thousands of X and autosomal genes. This finding suggests that the Y chromosome may play a far more active role in adaptive evolution than has previously been assumed. To evaluate the potential for the Y chromosome to contribute to phenotypic evolution from standing genetic variation, we test for Y‐linked variation in lifespan within a population of D. melanogaster. Assessing variation for lifespan provides a powerful test because lifespan (i) shows sexual dimorphism, which the Y is primarily predicted to contribute to, (ii) is influenced by many genes, which provides the Y with many potential regulatory targets and (iii) is sensitive to heterochromatin remodelling, a mechanism through which the Y chromosome is believed to regulate gene expression. Our results show a small but significant effect of the Y chromosome and thus suggest that the Y chromosome has the potential to respond to selection from standing genetic variation. Despite its small effect size, Y‐linked variation may still be important, in particular when evolution of sexual dimorphism is genetically constrained elsewhere in the genome.
Apoptosis and reduced microvascular density of the lamina propria during tooth eruption in rats
Authors: de Pizzol Júnior José Paulo , Sasso‐Cerri Estela , Cerri Paulo Sérgio
Published: July 2015

During tooth eruption, structural and functional changes must occur in the lamina propria to establish the eruptive pathway. In this study, we evaluate the structural changes that occur during lamina propria degradation and focus these efforts on apoptosis and microvascular density. Fragments of maxilla containing the first molars from 9‐, 11‐, 13‐ and 16‐day‐old rats were fixed, decalcified and embedded in paraffin. The immunohistochemical detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), caspase‐3 and MAC387 (macrophage marker), and the TUNEL method were applied to the histological molar sections. The numerical density of TUNEL‐positive cells and VEGF‐positive blood vessel profiles were also obtained. Data were statistically evaluated using a one‐way anova with the post‐hoc Kruskal–Wallis or Tukey test and a significance level of P ≤ 0.05. Fragments of maxilla were embedded in Araldite for analysis under transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TUNEL‐positive structures, fibroblasts with strongly basophilic nuclei and macrophages were observed in the lamina propria at all ages. Using TEM, we identified processes of fibroblasts or macrophages surrounding partially apoptotic cells. We found a high number of apoptotic cells in 11‐, 13‐ and 16‐day‐old rats. We observed VEGF‐positive blood vessel profiles at all ages, but a significant decrease in the numerical density was found in 13‐ and 16‐day‐old rats compared with 9‐day‐old rats. Therefore, the establishment of the eruptive pathway during the mucosal penetration stage depends on cell death by apoptosis, the phagocytic activity of fibroblasts and macrophages, and a decrease in the microvasculature due to vascular cell death. These data point to the importance of vascular rearrangement and vascular neoformation during tooth eruption and the development of oral mucosa.
Comparative study of the primary cilia in thyrocytes of adult mammals
Authors: Utrilla J. C. , Gordillo‐Martínez F. , Gómez‐Pascual A. , Fernández‐Santos J. M. , Garnacho C. , Vázquez‐Román V. , Morillo‐Bernal J. , García‐Marín R. , Jiménez‐García A. , Martín‐Lacave I.
Published: July 2015

Since their discovery in different human tissues by Zimmermann in 1898, primary cilia have been found in the vast majority of cell types in vertebrates. Primary cilia are considered to be cellular antennae that occupy an ideal cellular location for the interpretation of information both from the environment and from other cells. To date, in mammalian thyroid gland, primary cilia have been found in the thyrocytes of humans and dogs (fetuses and adults) and in rat embryos. The present study investigated whether the existence of this organelle in follicular cells is a general event in the postnatal thyroid gland of different mammals, using both immunolabeling by immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. Furthermore, we aimed to analyse the presence of primary cilia in various thyroid cell lines. According to our results, primary cilia are present in the adult thyroid gland of most mammal species we studied (human, pig, guinea pig and rabbit), usually as a single copy per follicular cell. Strikingly, they were not found in rat or mouse thyroid tissues. Similarly, cilia were also observed in all human thyroid cell lines tested, both normal and neoplastic follicular cells, but not in cultured thyrocytes of rat origin. We hypothesize that primary cilia could be involved in the regulation of normal thyroid function through specific signaling pathways. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to shed light on the permanence of these organelles in the thyroid gland of most species during postnatal life.
Evolving Techniques to Improve Radial/Ulnar Artery Access: Crossover Rate of 0.3% in 1,000 Consecutive Patients Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization and/or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention via the Wrist
Authors: Baumann Frederic , Roberts Jonathan S.
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To evaluate several techniques to reduce crossover rates in wrist artery access in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization (CC)/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Background

Palpation‐guided radial artery (RA) access for CC/PCI is associated with a crossover rate to femoral artery (FA) access in up to 7.6%.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a single‐center consecutive series of patients undergoing CC/PCI was performed. After one 0.4 mg sublingual NTG tablet, the RA and UA were assessed by intraprocedural ultrasound imaging to select the more suitable artery for ultrasound‐guided access. A tight “knuckle wire” technique using a 0.014 inch Prowater® coronary wire was used to negotiate RA, UA, and brachial loops when a standard wire would not easily cross. Crossover was defined as any reason requiring secondary arterial access from the contralateral arm or FA.

Results

A total of 1,162 consecutive patients treated from January 2012 to April 2014 were evaluated. Primary arterial access from the wrist (RA/UA) was performed in 1,000 (86.1%, RA: 977, UA 23) and planned FA access in 162 patients (13.9%). The overall crossover rate from the wrist was 0.3% as a result of 3/1,000 patients requiring crossover to the contralateral arm (radial loop: n = 1, brachial loop: n = 1, vessel injury: n = 1). No crossover to the FA was necessary. All primary FA access sites were successful.

Conclusions

Crossover rates of primary wrist artery access to alternative arterial access for CC/PCI can be reduced to less than 1% applying the aforementioned techniques.
Methodological considerations in the use of audio diaries in work psychology: Adding to the qualitative toolkit
Authors: Crozier Sarah E. , Cassell Catherine M.
Published: July 2015

The use of longitudinal methodology as a means of capturing the intricacies in complex organizational phenomena is well documented, and many different research strategies for longitudinal designs have been put forward from both a qualitative and quantitative stance. This study explores a specific emergent qualitative methodology, audio diaries, and assesses their utility for work psychology research drawing on the findings from a four‐stage study addressing transient working patterns and stress inUKtemporary workers. Specifically, we explore some important methodological, analytical and technical issues for practitioners and researchers who seek to use these methods and explain how this type of methodology has much to offer when studying stress and affective experiences at work. We provide support for the need to implement pluralistic and complementary methodological approaches in unearthing the depth in sense‐making and assert their capacity to further illuminate the process orientation of stress.

Practitioner points

This study illustrates the importance of verbalization in documenting stress and affective experience as a mechanism for accessing cognitive processes in making sense of such experience.

This study compares audio diaries with more traditional qualitative methods to assess applicability to different research contexts.

This study provides practical guidance and a methodological framework for the design of audio diary research and design, taking into account challenges and solutions for researchers and practitioners.
Evidence‐practice gap for in‐office fluoride application in a dental practice‐based research network
Authors: Yokoyama Yoko , Kakudate Naoki , Sumida Futoshi , Matsumoto Yuki , Gilbert Gregg H. , Gordan Valeria V.
Published: July 2015

Objective

The aims of this study were to examine dentists' recommendations for in‐office fluoride to patients and identify dentists' characteristics associated with these recommendations.

Study Design and Setting

The study was conducted using a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey in Japan. The survey queried dentists (n = 282) in outpatient dental practices affiliated with the Dental Practice‐based Research Network Japan (JDPBRN). This network aims to assist dentists in investigating research questions and sharing their experience and expertise.

Results

The responses were obtained by 189 dentists (67 percent). Among valid response, 54 percent of dentists (n = 98) recommend in‐office fluoride to more than 50 percent of their patients aged 6‐18 years and 15 percent (n = 29) recommended this care to more than 50 percent of their patients aged over 18 years. Multiple logistic regression analysis suggested that factors associated with the percentage of patients who are recommended in‐office fluoride included patient's interest in caries prevention and dentist's belief in the effectiveness of caries risk assessment.

Conclusions

Dentist practice patterns for recommending in‐office fluoride vary widely. Recommendation was significantly related to having a higher percentage of patients interested in caries prevention and to the dentist's belief about the effectiveness of caries risk assessment.

(Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT01680848).
Phenotypic plasticity and biogeographic variation in physiology of habitat‐forming seaweed: response to temperature and nitrate
Authors: Flukes Emma B. , Wright Jeffrey T. , Johnson Craig R.
Published: July 2015

Southeastern Australian waters are warming at nearly four times the global average rate (~0.7°C · century−1) driven by strengthening incursions of the warm oligotrophic East Australian Current. The growth rate hypothesis (GRH) predicts that nutrient depletion will impact more severely on seaweeds at high latitudes with compressed growth seasons. This study investigates the effects of temperature and nutrients on the ecophysiology of the habitat‐forming seaweed Phyllospora comosa in a laboratory experiment using temperature (12°C, 17°C, 22°C) and nutrient (0.5, 1.0, 3.0 μM NO3−) scenarios representative of observed variation among geographic regions. Changes in growth, photosynthetic characteristics (via chlorophyll fluorescence), pigment content, tissue chemistry (δ13C, % C, % N, C:N) and nucleic acid characteristics (absolute RNA and DNA, RNA:DNA ratios) were determined in seaweeds derived from cool, high‐latitude and warm, low‐latitude portions of the species’ range. Performance of P. comosa was unaffected by nitrate availability but was strongly temperature‐dependent, with photosynthetic efficiency, growth, and survival significantly impaired at 22°C. While some physiological processes (photosynthesis, nucleic acid, and accessory pigment synthesis) responded rapidly to temperature, others (C/N dynamics, carbon concentrating processes) were largely invariant and biogeographic variation in these characteristics may only occur through genetic adaptation. No link was detected between nutrient availability, RNA synthesis and growth, and the GRH was not supported in this species. While P. comosa at high latitudes may be less susceptible to oligotrophy than predicted by the GRH, warming water temperatures will have deleterious effects on this species across its range unless rapid adaptation is possible.
Making Rights Work: Legal Mobilization at the Agency Level
Authors: Woodward Jennifer
Published: July 2015

This article discusses how McCann's theory on legal mobilization and social change is generalizable to the legal decisions of agencies. I demonstrate how the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) routinely delayed and denied Title VII employment rights on the basis of sex and how this resulted in the formation of the National Organization for Women (NOW) to ensure that the sex provision of Title VII was enforced. The article also discusses the influence of NOW in shaping the first years of Title VII law and the organization's role in reversing EEOC decisions denying rights under the sex provision of the law.
The Targeted Reading Intervention: Face–to–Face vs. Webcam Literacy Coaching of Classroom Teachers
Authors: Vernon–Feagans L. , Bratsch–Hines M. , Varghese C. , Bean A. , Hedrick A.
Published: July 2015

The targeted reading intervention (TRI) is a professional development program for rural kindergarten and first grade classroom teachers to help them provide effective reading strategies with struggling readers. In two randomized controlled trials, the TRI was delivered two ways: (1) literacy coaches provided support for classroom teachers through face–to–face classroom meetings or (2) coaches provided support to classroom teachers through live webcam technology. The purpose this study was to examine how face–to–face versus webcam coaching was related to teacher and struggling reader outcomes. Regression results suggested greater benefits with webcam literacy coaching for teacher fidelity and efficacy. Both struggling reader groups made equivalent gains across literacy measures, although there were greater gains on one child literacy measure in the webcam group.
Chlamydia‐infected cells shed Gp96 to prevent chlamydial re‐infection
Authors: Karunakaran Karthika , Subbarayal Prema , Vollmuth Nadine , Rudel Thomas
Published: July 2015

Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular human pathogen with a biphasic developmental life cycle. The infectious elementary bodies (EBs) enter a host cell where they transform into reticulate bodies (RBs) that use cellular metabolites to multiply. Re‐infection of an infected cell during the replicative phase of chlamydial development may prevent formation of infectious EBs, interrupting the infectious cycle. Here, we report that Glucose Regulated Protein 96 (Gp96), a chaperone for cell surface receptors, binds to and facilitates adherence and entry of C. trachomatis. Gp96 expression was increased early in infection in a MAP kinase‐dependent way, thereby increasing chlamydial adherence and invasion. Gp96 co‐precipitated with Protein Disulphide Isomerase (PDI), known to be involved in chlamydial host cell entry. During the replicative phase, Gp96 was depleted from infected cells and shed into the supernatant by activation of metalloproteinase TACE (ADAM17). Loss of Gp96 also reduced the activity of PDI on the cell surface. Reduced surface display of Gp96 prevented chlamydial re‐infection in a TACE‐dependent manner in cell lines but also in primary cells derived from human fimbriae, the natural site of chlamydial infection. Our data suggest a role of infection‐induced Gp96 shedding in the protection of the chlamydial replicative niche.
An autopsy case of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with the appearance of fused in sarcoma inclusions (basophilic inclusion body disease) clinically presenting corticobasal syndrome
Authors: Matsumoto Arifumi , Suzuki Hiroyoshi , Fukatsu Reiko , Shimizu Hiroshi , Suzuki Yasushi , Hisanaga Kinya
Published: July 2015

We describe an autopsy case of basophilic inclusion body disease (BIBD), a subtype of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with the appearance of fused in sarcoma (FUS) inclusions (FTLD‐FUS), clinically presenting corticobasal syndrome (CBS). A 54‐year‐old man initially developed worsening of stuttering and right hand clumsiness. Neurological examinations revealed rigidity in the right upper and lower extremities, buccofacial apraxia, and right‐side dominant limb‐kinetic and ideomotor apraxia. Neuroimaging showed asymmetric left‐dominant brain atrophy and a cerebral blood flow reduction in the ipsilateral frontal region. At 56 years, his apraxia had advanced, and ideational apraxia was observed. Furthermore, the asymmetry in the limb‐kinetic and ideomotor apraxia had disappeared, and both conditions had become bilateral. He had a new onset of aphasia. His symptoms progressed and he died 9 years after the initial symptoms. The brain weighed 955 g. Diffuse brain atrophy was most obvious in the bilateral frontotemporal regions. The atrophy of the left superior frontal and precentral gyri and bilateral basal ganglia was remarkable. Histologically, there was a marked loss of neurons with gliosis in the affected areas, where basophilic neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions were observed. The inclusions were immunoreactive for FUS, p62, and TATA‐binding protein‐associated factor 15 (TAF15), but not for phosphorylated tau, transactive response DNA‐binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP‐43), neurofilament protein, or Ewing sarcoma (EWS). From these pathological findings, this case was diagnosed as having BIBD as an FTLD‐FUS variant. Spinal cord lower motor neurons were spared in number, similar to primary lateral sclerosis. Mutations in FUS were undetectable. Common background pathologies for CBS include corticobasal degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, PSP, FTLD with phosphorylated TDP‐43 inclusions (FTLD‐TDP), Pick's disease, Lewy body disease and CJD. However, FTLD‐FUS (BIBD) has been rarely reported. Our case suggested further pathological heterogeneity in CBS than had previously been reported. It is necessary to consider FTLD‐FUS (BIBD) as a background pathology for CBS in the future.
Temporary Safety Hazards
Authors: Russell Jeffrey Sanford
Published: July 2015

TheEpistemic Objectionsays that certain theories of time (like the “growing block” and “moving spotlight”) imply that it is impossible to know which time is absolutely present. Standard presentations of the Epistemic Objection are elliptical—and some of the most natural premises one might fill in to complete the argument end up leading to radical skepticism. But there is a way of filling in the details which avoids this problem, using epistemic safety. The new version has two interesting upshots. First, while Ross Cameron alleges that the Epistemic Objection applies topresentismas much as to theories like the growing block, the safety version does not overgeneralize this way. Second, the Epistemic Objectiondoesgeneralize in a different, overlooked way. The safety objection is a serious problem for a widely held combination of views: “propositional temporalism” (objects of belief change truth‐value) together with “metaphysical eternalism” (the world does not objectively privilege any particular time).
Examining the neighbourhood‐level predictors of fear of crime in Christchurch, New Zealand
Authors: Breetzke Gregory , Pearson Amber L.
Published: July 2015

The fear of crime can significantly reduce the quality of life of individuals, yet little is known about what neighbourhood‐level factors drive feelings of vulnerability in New Zealand. Even less is known about the impact that recorded crime has on individuals' fear in the country. In this study, we examined the neighbourhood‐level factors related to fear of crime in Christchurch, focusing specifically on whether recorded crime in neighbourhoods influences fear. The fear of crime in Christchurch was found to be the greatest in more affluent, ethnically homogenous and residentially stable neighbourhoods, while recorded crime levels were found to be relatively lower in these neighbourhoods.
HOW TO MAKE PUBLIC NETWORKS REALLY WORK: A QUALITATIVE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Authors: CRISTOFOLI DANIELA , MARKOVIC JOSIP
Published: July 2015

Many studies have striven to understand which factors affect the performance of public networks. However, there are very few studies in the field of public management that investigate the joint, interactive effects of different determinants on network performance. This article uses the relatively new method of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) to investigate the complex causality of determinants and network performance. It examines the combination of resource munificence, centralization of the network structure, formalization of coordination mechanisms, network management and their joint effects on network performance. An analysis of 12 Swiss networks providing home and social care services shows that there are a range of possible paths. Various combinations of the above‐mentioned factors can in fact lead to high network performance. The paths provide insight into how to make public networks really work.
PdEPF1 regulates water‐use efficiency and drought tolerance by modulating stomatal density in poplar
Authors: Wang Congpeng , Liu Sha , Dong Yan , Zhao Ying , Geng Anke , Xia Xinli , Yin Weilun
Published: July 2015

Water deficiency is a critical environmental condition that is seriously reducing global plant production. Improved water‐use efficiency (WUE) and drought tolerance are effective strategies to address this problem. In this study, PdEPF1, a member of the EPIDERMAL PATTERNING FACTOR (EPF) family, was isolated from the fast‐growing poplar clone NE‐19 [Populus nigra × (Populus deltoides × Populus nigra)]. Significantly, higher PdEPF1 levels were detected after induction by dehydration and abscisic acid. To explore the biological functions of PdEPF1, transgenic triploid white poplars (Populus tomentosa ‘YiXianCiZhu B385’) overexpressing PdEPF1 were constructed. PdEPF1 overexpression resulted in increased water deficit tolerance and greater WUE. We confirmed that the transgenic lines with greater instantaneous WUE had approximately 30% lower transpiration but equivalent CO2 assimilation. Lower transpiration was associated with a 28% reduction in abaxial stomatal density. PdEPF1 overexpression not only strongly enhanced WUE, but also greatly improved drought tolerance, as measured by the leaf relative water content and water potential, under limited water conditions. In addition, the growth of these oxPdEPF1 plants was less adversely affected by reduced water availability than plants with a higher stomatal density, indicating that plants with a low stomatal density may be well suited to grow in water‐scarce environments. Taken together, our data suggest that PdEPF1 improves WUE and confers drought tolerance in poplar; thus, it could be used to breed drought‐tolerant plants with increased production under conditions of water deficiency.
Impact of intercropping on epidemics of groundnut leaf spots: defining constraints and opportunities through a 7‐year field study
Authors: Boudreau M. A. , Shew B. B. , Andrako L. E. Duffie
Published: July 2015

Plant diversity can have a profound impact on disease dynamics, with important applications for enhancing sustainability. Disease is often reduced by intercropping, but variability can be high. This study investigated integration of several management approaches to stabilize this variability for early leaf spot (ELS) and late leaf spot (LLS) of groundnut, over seven seasons in three phases. In phase 1, monocrops and alternating row and strip intercrops with maize were artificially inoculated with ELS in an area with little groundnut production. Reductions in AUDPC of 37–73% in strip treatments compared to monocrops prompted testing of the efficacy of intercropping in intensive production areas for phases 2 and 3. Additional treatments included cotton strip intercrops, and integration of intercropping with reduced fungicide treatments and partial resistance to leaf spots. In phase 2, the use of cotton strip intercrops lowered natural ELS epidemics by 25–41% (AUDPC) through delayed disease onset, but maize had inconsistent effects. Intercropping was not effective against LLS, which dominated in phase 3. Reduced fungicide regimes and partial resistance lowered disease, and in one case interacted with intercropping to enhance disease suppression. Groundnut yields generally were inversely proportional to disease levels and not significantly reduced by intercropping. Separate studies to determine maize impacts on ELS infection implicated disruption of dispersal as the mechanism of disease reduction. This work demonstrates that intercropping may be most effective where low levels of ELS are present, using strip patterns with cotton, and combined with other tools such as resistance and reduced fungicide application.
Open evaluation of new product concepts at the front end of innovation: objectives and contingency factors
Authors: Velamuri Vivek K. , Schneckenberg Dirk , Haller Jörg B. A. , Moeslein Kathrin M.
Published: July 2015

The proliferation of innovation contests has fostered community‐based idea evaluation as an alternative to expert juries to filter and select new product concepts at the fuzzy front end of corporate R&D innovation. We refer to this phenomenon as open evaluation, as all registered participants can engage in jury activities like voting, rating, and commenting. While previous research on innovation contests and user engagement includes participant‐based evaluation, the investigative focus so far has not been on this phenomenon. Access to jury activities in open evaluation practice contradicts innovation theory, which recommends careful selection procedures to establish expert juries for assessing new product concepts. Additionally, little is known about contingency factors that influence the performance and acceptance of open evaluation's results. To address these two questions on the objectives and contingency factors for open evaluation of new product concepts, this study applies exploratory multiple‐case research of open evaluation in nine innovation contests. Data collection encompassed expert interviews and complementary sources of evidence. Results indicate that firms pursue six distinct objectives to support participant‐based generation and selection of new concepts. In addition, eight contingency factors influence the performance of open evaluation and the acceptance of its results. Finally, results showed open evaluation output to efficiently complement jury decisions in filtering and selecting ideas for new product development.
Living fast and dangerously? Spatio‐temporalities of happy and healthful smoking futures
Authors: Tan Qian Hui
Published: July 2015

This paper gathers together young smokers’ senses of present‐futures in the context of Singapore, where smoking is generally frowned upon. Accordingly, I examine how young smokers perceive and perform a multiplicity of healthful subjectivities, which is set within the context of an aggressive state‐driven pre‐emptive politics striving to nip the ‘problem’ of smoking in the bud. In providing a range of justifications for their smoking practices, young smokers have attempted to redefine their own spaces of healthfulness and happiness beyond those imposed by public health discourses. More specifically, although some of them are able to recognize the mutual imbrication of the present and future, others are more inclined to privilege the here‐and‐now over the there‐and‐then. In this way I disrupt stereotypes of young people as being only emblems of the future and as passive victims of their own irresponsibility. Rather, I argue that in responding creatively to anti‐smoking messages that propagate the inevitability of dystopic smoking destinies, young smokers play an active role in reproducing their own futural geographies. In so doing, I hope to extend critical geographical perspectives by highlighting the influence that the future can have on the spatio‐temporalities that young people experience.
The Arabidopsis vacuolar sugar transporter SWEET2 limits carbon sequestration from roots and restricts Pythium infection
Authors: Chen Hsin‐Yi , Huh Jung‐Hyun , Yu Ya‐Chi , Ho Li‐Hsuan , Chen Li‐Qing , Tholl Dorothea , Frommer Wolf B. , Guo Woei‐Jiun
Published: July 2015

Plant roots secrete a significant portion of their assimilated carbon into the rhizosphere. The putative sugar transporter SWEET2 is highly expressed in Arabidopsis roots. Expression patterns of SWEET2–β‐glucuronidase fusions confirmed that SWEET2 accumulates highly in root cells and thus may contribute to sugar secretion, specifically from epidermal cells of the root apex. SWEET2–green fluorescent protein fusions localized to the tonoplast, which engulfs the major sugar storage compartment. Functional analysis of SWEET2 activity in yeast showed low uptake activity for the glucose analog 2‐deoxyglucose, consistent with a role in the transport of glucose across the tonoplast. Loss‐of‐function sweet2 mutants showed reduced tolerance to excess glucose, lower glucose accumulation in leaves, and 15–25% higher glucose‐derived carbon efflux from roots, suggesting that SWEET2 has a role in preventing the loss of sugar from root tissue. SWEET2 root expression was induced more than 10‐fold during Pythium infection. Importantly, sweet2 mutants were more susceptible to the oomycete, showing impaired growth after infection. We propose that root‐expressed vacuolar SWEET2 modulates sugar secretion, possibly by reducing the availability of glucose sequestered in the vacuole, thereby limiting carbon loss to the rhizosphere. Moreover, the reduced availability of sugar in the rhizosphere due to SWEET2 activity contributes to resistance to Pythium.
Assessment of tumor response to radiation and vascular targeting therapy in mice using quantitative ultrasound spectroscopy
Authors: El Kaffas Ahmed , Sadeghi‐Naini Ali , Falou Omar , Tran William Tyler , Zhou Stephanie , Hashim Amr , Fernandes Jason , Giles Anoja , Czarnota Gregory J.
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

It is now recognized that the tumor vasculature is in part responsible for regulating tumor responses to radiation therapy. However, the extent to which radiation‐based vascular damage contributes to tumor cell death remains unknown. In this work, quantitative ultrasound spectroscopy (QUS) methods were used to investigate the acute responses of tumors to radiation‐based vascular treatments.

Methods:

Tumor xenografts (MDA‐MB‐231) were treated with single radiation doses of 2 or 8 Gy alone, or in combination with pharmacological agents that modulate vascular radiosensitivity. The midband fit, the slope, and the 0‐MHz intercept QUS parameters were obtained from a linear‐regression fit to the averaged power spectrum of frequency‐dependent ultrasound backscatter and were used to quantify acute tumor responses following treatment administration. Power spectrums were extracted from raw volumetric radio‐frequency ultrasound data obtained before and 24 h following treatment administration. These parameters have previously been correlated to tumor cell death. Staining using in situ end labeling, carbonic anhydrase 9 and cluster of differentiation 31 of tumor sections were used to assess cell death, oxygenation, and vasculature distributions, respectively.

Results:

Results indicate a significant midband fit QUS parameter increases of 3.2 ± 0.3 dBr and 5.4 ± 0.5 dBr for tumors treated with 2 and 8 Gy radiation combined with the antiangiogenic agent Sunitinib, respectively. In contrast, tumors treated with radiation alone demonstrated a significant midband fit increase of 4.4 ± 0.3 dBr at 8 Gy only. Preadministration of basic fibroblast growth factor, an endothelial radioprotector, acted to minimize tumor response following single large doses of radiation. Immunohistochemical analysis was in general agreement with QUS findings; an R2 of 0.9 was observed when quantified cell death was correlated with changes in midband fit.

Conclusions:

Results from QUS analysis presented in this study confirm that acute tumor response is linked to a vascular effect following high doses of radiation therapy. Overall, this is in agreement with previous reports suggesting that acute tumor radiation response is regulated by a vascular‐driven response. Data also suggest that Sunitinib may enhance tumor radiosensitivity through a vascular remodeling process, and that QUS may be sensitive to changes in tissue properties associated with vascular remodeling. Finally, the work also demonstrates the ability of QUS methods to monitor response to radiation‐based vascular strategies.
Generation of brain pseudo‐CTs using an undersampled, single‐acquisition UTE‐mDixon pulse sequence and unsupervised clustering
Authors: Su Kuan‐Hao , Hu Lingzhi , Stehning Christian , Helle Michael , Qian Pengjiang , Thompson Cheryl L. , Pereira Gisele C. , Jordan David W. , Herrmann Karin A. , Traughber Melanie , Muzic Raymond F. , Traughber Bryan J.
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

MR‐based pseudo‐CT has an important role in MR‐based radiation therapy planning and PET attenuation correction. The purpose of this study is to establish a clinically feasible approach, including image acquisition, correction, and CT formation, for pseudo‐CT generation of the brain using a single‐acquisition, undersampled ultrashort echo time (UTE)‐mDixon pulse sequence.

Methods:

Nine patients were recruited for this study. For each patient, a 190‐s, undersampled, single acquisition UTE‐mDixon sequence of the brain was acquired (TE = 0.1, 1.5, and 2.8 ms). A novel method of retrospective trajectory correction of the free induction decay (FID) signal was performed based on point‐spread functions of three external MR markers. Two‐point Dixon images were reconstructed using the first and second echo data (TE = 1.5 and 2.8 ms). R2∗ images (1/T2∗) were then estimated and were used to provide bone information. Three image features, i.e., Dixon‐fat, Dixon‐water, and R2∗, were used for unsupervised clustering. Five tissue clusters, i.e., air, brain, fat, fluid, and bone, were estimated using the fuzzy c‐means (FCM) algorithm. A two‐step, automatic tissue‐assignment approach was proposed and designed according to the prior information of the given feature space. Pseudo‐CTs were generated by a voxelwise linear combination of the membership functions of the FCM. A low‐dose CT was acquired for each patient and was used as the gold standard for comparison.

Results:

The contrast and sharpness of the FID images were improved after trajectory correction was applied. The mean of the estimated trajectory delay was 0.774 μs (max: 1.350 μs; min: 0.180 μs). The FCM‐estimated centroids of different tissue types showed a distinguishable pattern for different tissues, and significant differences were found between the centroid locations of different tissue types. Pseudo‐CT can provide additional skull detail and has low bias and absolute error of estimated CT numbers of voxels (−22 ± 29 HU and 130 ± 16 HU) when compared to low‐dose CT.

Conclusions:

The MR features generated by the proposed acquisition, correction, and processing methods may provide representative clustering information and could thus be used for clinical pseudo‐CT generation.
The Physics of Radiation Therapy
Authors: Antolak John
Published: July 2015

The Physics of Radiation Therapy, Fifth Edition. Faiz M. Khan and John P. Gibbons, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore and Philadelphia, 2014. 624 pp. Price: $190.39. ISBN: 9781451182453 (hardcover).
Observation of many-body localization of interacting fermions in a quasirandom optical lattice
Authors: Schreiber Michael , Hodgman Sean S. , Bordia Pranjal , Lüschen Henrik P. , Fischer Mark H. , Vosk Ronen , Altman Ehud , Schneider Ulrich , Bloch Immanuel
Published: July 2015

Making interacting atoms localize

Disorder can stop the transport of noninteracting particles in its tracks. This phenomenon, known as Anderson localization, occurs in disordered solids, as well as photonic and cold atom settings. Interactions tend to make localization less likely, but disorder, interactions, and localization may coexist in the so-called many-body localized state. Schreiber
et al.
detect many-body localization in a one-dimensional optical lattice initially filled with atoms occupying alternating sites. Externally induced disorder and interactions prevented the system from evolving quickly to a state with a single atom on each site.

Science
, this issue p.
842
Complete Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Corynebacterium testudinoris DSM 44614, Recovered from Necrotic Lesions in the Mouth of a Tortoise
Authors: Rückert Christian , Kriete Martin , Jaenicke Sebastian , Winkler Anika , Tauch Andreas
Published: July 2015

The complete genome sequence of the type strain
Corynebacterium testudinoris
DSM 44614 from the mouth of a tortoise comprises 2,721,226 bp with a mean G+C content of 63.14%. The automatic annotation of the genome sequence revealed 4 rRNA operons, 51 tRNA genes, 7 other RNA genes, and 2,561 protein-coding regions.
Draft Genome Sequences of Five Clinical Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Isolates and a Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolate
Authors: Biswas Rajesh Kumar , Kock Marleen M. , Adelowotan Toyin , Strasheim Wilhelmina , Mahomed Tanweer Goolam , Salawu Adeola , Ehlers Marthie M.
Published: July 2015

We report the complete draft genome sequences of five individually isolated strains of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and a
Staphylococcus epidermidis
strain. These clinically important isolates have staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
type A, while Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin coding genes were present in MRSA isolates only.
Analysis of stresses in concrete pavement under a dowel according to its diameter and load transfer efficiency
Authors: Mackiewicz Piotr
Published: July 2015

The suitable load transfer between adjacent concrete slabs in transverse joint is influenced by various parameters. In this paper, the influence of different diameters and spacing of dowel bars on the slab interaction was considered. Calculations were carried out with application of 3D finite element method. Verification of the model was performed with the concrete pavement in Poland. Results of these calculations were compared with falling weight deflectometer studies. Calculations of stress concentration around dowel bars for different conditions and parameters enabled to determine a relationship between load transfer efficiency (LTE) and vertical compressive stresses in the concrete slab. It was found that application of dowels with small diameters can promote damages in the concrete slab because of concentration of vertical compressive stresses under the dowel bar. The found relationship enables to determine stresses in concrete under the dowel according to its diameter and LTE.
Tire–pavement noise and wearing course surface characteristics of experimental Canadian road pavement sections
Authors: Irali F. , Kivi A. , Tighe S.L. , Sangiorgi C.
Published: July 2015

An evaluation of the acoustic and surface characteristics of different Canadian pavement types was carried out in 2013 at the test track of the Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology at the University of Waterloo. Noise testing was performed to determine the coefficient of noise absorption on cored samples and noise emissions in the field using the close proximity and the on-board sound intensity methods. Wearing course characteristics were evaluated with field testing, including visual condition surveys, evaluation of frictional properties with the British Pendulum tester, mean texture depth measurements, and surface profile and roughness evaluation with a walking profiler. As of the time of testing, the noise testing results indicate comparable acoustic properties in both flexible and rigid pavement sections, despite differences in the initial pavement materials, mixes, and surface finishing. With increasing pavement age, the amount of noise emissions increases as the pavement surface is worn down. Comparable friction values are also observed in all pavement sections, in line with the noise testing results. However, this is largely based on the initial construction values. Surface distresses are also not uniformly distributed: they are more severe in the oldest sections and more frequent in the loaded lane, which carries the heaviest traffic loads.
(+)-Catechin Attenuates NF-κB Activation Through Regulation of Akt, MAPK, and AMPK Signaling Pathways in LPS-Induced BV-2 Microglial Cells
Authors: Syed Hussein Sharifah Salwa , Kamarudin Muhamad Noor Alfarizal , Abdul Kadir Habsah
Published: July 2015

(+)-catechin is a flavanol that possesses various health and medicinal values, which include neuroprotection, anti-oxidation, antitumor and antihepatitis activities. This study investigated the modulatory effects of (+)-catechin on the lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. (+)-catechin attenuated LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inhibited microglial NO and ROS production. Additionally, (+)-catechin suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6, while augmenting IL-4. (+)-catechin attenuated LPS-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 nuclear translocation via the inhibition of IκB-α phosphorylation. Moreover, (+)-catechin blocked the activation of Akt and its inhibition was shown to play a crucial role in LPS-induced inflammation in BV-2 microglial cells. (+)-catechin also attenuated the LPS-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and p-38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38 MAPK) and specific inhibitors of ERK1/2 (UO126) and p38 MAPK (SB202190) subsequently down-regulated the expression of the proinflammatory mediators iNOS and COX-2. Further mechanistic study revealed that (+)-catechin acted through the amelioration of the LPS-induced suppression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. Taken together, our data indicate that (+)-catechin exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in BV-2 cells by suppressing the production of proinflammatory mediators and mitigation of NF-κB through Akt, ERK, p38 MAPK, and AMPK pathways.
Linear Programming and Zero-Sum Two-Person Undiscounted Semi-Markov Games
Authors: Mondal Prasenjit
Published: July 2015

In this paper, zero-sum two-person finite undiscounted (limiting average) semi-Markov games (SMGs) are considered. We prove that the solutions of the game when both players are restricted to semi-Markov strategies are solutions for the original game. In addition, we show that if one player fixes a stationary strategy, then the other player can restrict himself in solving an undiscounted semi-Markov decision process associated with that stationary strategy. The undiscounted SMGs are also studied when the transition probabilities and the transition times are controlled by a fixed player in all states. If such games are unichain, we prove that the value and optimal stationary strategies of the players can be obtained from an optimal solution of a linear programming algorithm. We propose a realistic and generalized traveling inspection model that suitably fits into the class of one player control undiscounted unichain semi-Markov games.
From the fourth color to spin-charge separation: Neutrinos and spinons
Authors: Xiong Chi
Published: July 2015

We introduce the spin-charge separation mechanism to the quark–lepton unification models which consider the lepton number as the fourth color. In certain finite-density systems, quarks and leptons are decomposed into spinons and chargons, which carry the spin and charge degrees of freedom respectively. Neutrinos can be related to the spinons with respect to the electric-charge and spin separation in the early universe or other circumstances. Some effective, probably universal couplings between the spinon sector and the chargon sector are derived and a phenomenological description for the chargon condensate is proposed. It is then demonstrated that the spinon current can induce vorticity in the chargon condensate, and spinon zero modes are trapped in the vortices, forming spinon-vortex bound states. In cosmology this configuration may lead to the emission of extremely high energy neutrinos when vortices split and reconnect.
Post-2015 Development Agenda: From Concept to Practice
Authors: CHEN Ying
Published: July 2015

The latest progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) shows that MDGs have made a profound difference in people's lives, which is the most important achievement of international development cooperation in past 15 years. Based on experience of formulation and implementation of MDGs, United Nations launched international processes of the Post-2015 Development Agenda including negotiations to define Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In this paper, comparing processes defining MDGs and SDGs, some new characteristics were identified and some key issues were analyzed. It seems difficult to balance interests of developed and developing countries and there are also great challenges to implement SDGs effectively in the future especially in developing countries. It required building a new global partnership for sustainable development to promote transformation.
Termination geometries and reservoir properties of the Forties Sandstone pinch-out, East Central Graben, UK North Sea
Authors: Nagatomo Akio , Archer Stuart
Published: July 2015

As hydrocarbon-prone basins mature through time, stratigraphic traps become increasingly important as hosts for yet-to-find reserves. Explorationists strive to reduce the uncertainty in reservoir distribution and quality, but considerable complications exist in the evaluation of stratigraphic traps owing to the inextricable links between stratigraphy, trap definition and their subsequent risking. This study quantifies the relationships that exist between reservoir geometries and the rates of reservoir property degradation in a turbidite sandstone pinch-out zone. The investigation focuses on the Paleocene Forties Sandstone Member of the Everest and Arran fields of the East Central Graben of the UK North Sea. We utilized standard seismic interpretation techniques and integrated stratigraphic and petrophysical analysis of wireline log data to map deep-water turbidite sandstone terminations and develop a predictive model for reservoir property changes close to the feather edge. The Forties Sandstone Member thins systematically up on to a palaeoramp on the eastern basin margin of the Central Graben. Results reveal that the net reservoir sandstones pinch out after the turbidite flows had traversed 5 km across the palaeoramp. The gross interval is predicted to completely terminate 6.4 km up the palaeoramp. The reservoir properties decrease in concert with the thinning trend in the wedge zone as a function of the interaction of palaeotopography and the hydraulics of the decelerating flows. The inclination of the counter-regional slope is considered to be a key controlling factor that determines the rate of thinning and thus the termination position of the sandstones and their concomitant reservoir property decline. The results of this study demonstrate that characterization of pinch-outs into distinct zones based on a palaeotopographic template can be of utility in stratigraphic and combination trap definition. This work also has wider implications for prospect risking, volumetric analysis, the population of properties and geological modelling of stratigraphic traps.