bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Embodied Transformations in Neo-Burlesque Striptease
Authors: Dodds Sherril
Published: May 2013

This article both argues for and contests the discourses of transformation that characterize the production and reception of neo-burlesque striptease. Through an experiential, ethnographic, and critical methodology, I reflect on how this genre engenders performances of transformation through the passage of dress to undress, at the performer–spectator exchange, and through shifting corporeal values, changing representations of female eroticism and the reclaiming of a nostalgic femininity within the neo-burlesque mise-en-scène. Yet in line with critical debates in cultural studies, I seek to question the extent to which utopian notions of transformation occur beyond the level of the “performance text” to incorporate change in the economic and social realities of neo-burlesque performers and audiences. In response I argue that neo-burlesque striptease is a site of class privilege in which performers have the necessary economic and intellectual capital through which to stage a critique of the striptease body, which could not necessarily be replicated in other sites of production. Yet I also recognize that neo-burlesque performance offers important opportunities for personal and social transformation through the ways in which women experience their disrobed bodies in an affirmative public space and through the creative control they exercise in the construction of their bodily display.
Discrete kinematic synthesis of discretely actuated hyper-redundant manipulators
Authors: Motahari Alireza , Zohoor Hassan , Korayem M. Habibnejad
Published: May 2013

Discrete kinematic synthesis of discretely actuated hyper-redundant manipulators is a new practical problem in robotics. The problem concerns with determining the type of each manipulator module from among several specific types, so that the manipulator could reach several specified target frames with the lowest error. This paper suggests using a breadth-first search method and a workspace mean frame to solve this problem. To reduce errors, two heuristic ideas are proposed: two-by-two searching method and iteration. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through several numerical problems.
A generalized scheme for the global adaptive regulation of robot manipulators with bounded inputs
Authors: López-Araujo D. J. , Zavala-Río A. , Santibáñez V. , Reyes F.
Published: May 2013

In this work, a generalized adaptive control scheme for the global position stabilization of robot manipulators with bounded inputs is proposed. It gives rise to various families of bounded controllers with adaptive gravity compensation. Compared with the adaptive approaches previously developed in a bounded-input context, the proposed scheme guarantees the adaptive regulation objective: globally, avoiding discontinuities in the control expression as well as in the adaptation auxiliary dynamics, preventing the inputs to reach their natural saturation bounds, and imposing nosaturation-avoidancerestriction on the control gains. Experimental results corroborate the efficiency of the proposed adaptive scheme.
Minimum control effort trajectory planning and tracking of the CEDRA brachiation robot
Authors: Meghdari Ali , Lavasani Seyyed Mohammad H. , Norouzi Mohsen , Mousavi Mir Saman Rahimi
Published: May 2013

The control of a brachiation robot has been the primary objective of this study. A brachiating robot is a type of a mobile arm that is capable of moving from branch to branch similar to a long-armed ape. In this paper, to minimize the actuator work, Pontryagin's minimum principle was used to obtain the optimal trajectories for two different problems. The first problem considers “brachiation between fixed branches with different distance and height,” whereas the second problem deals with the “brachiating and catching of a moving target branch”. Theoretical results show that the control effort in the proposed method is reduced by 25% in comparison with the “target dynamics” method which was proposed by Nakanishi et al. (1998)16 for the same type of robot. As a result, the obtained optimal trajectory also minimizes the brachiation time. Two kinds of controllers, namely the proportional-derivative (PD) and the adaptive robust (AR), were investigated for tracking the proposed trajectories. Then, the previous method on a set-point controller for acrobat robots is improved to represent a new AR controller which allows the system to track the desired trajectory. This new controller has the capability to be used in systems which have uncertainties in the kinematic and dynamic parameters. Finally, theoretical results are presented and validated with experimental observations with a PD controller due to the no chattering phenomenon and small computational efforts.
Modeling tendon-sheath mechanism with flexible configurations for robot control
Authors: Wang Zheng , Sun Zhenglong , Phee Soo Jay
Published: May 2013

Surgical and search/rescue robots often work in environments with very strict spatial constraints. The tendon-sheath mechanism is a promising candidate for driving such systems, allowing power sources and actuation motors placed outside to transmit force and energy to the robot at the distal end through the constrained environment. Having both compactness and high force capability makes it very attractive for manipulation devices. On the other hand, the friction attenuation of tendon tension is nonlinear and configuration-dependent due to tendon/sheath interactions throughout the transmission path. This is a major obstacle for the tendon-sheath mechanism to be widely adopted. Here, we focus on the friction analysis for flexible and time-varying tendon-sheath configurations: the most challenging but yet commonly encountered case for real-world applications. Existing results on fixed-path configurations are reviewed, revisited, and extended to flexible and time-varying cases. The effect of tendon length to friction attenuation is modeled. While focusing on tension transmission, tendon elongation is also discussed with the length effect applied. In the end, two-dimensional results are extended to three-dimensional tendon-sheath configurations. All propositions and theorems are validated on a dedicated experimental platform.
Walk-through programming for robotic manipulators based on admittance control
Authors: Bascetta Luca , Ferretti Gianni , Magnani Gianantonio , Rocco Paolo
Published: May 2013

The present paper addresses the issues that should be covered in order to develop walk-through programming techniques (i.e. a manual guidance of the robot) in an industrial scenario. First, an exact formulation of the dynamics of the tool the human should feel when interacting with the robot is presented. Then, the paper discusses a way to implement such dynamics on an industrial robot equipped with an open robot control system and a wrist force/torque sensor, as well as the safety issues related to the walk-through programming. In particular, two strategies that make use of admittance control to constrain the robot motion are presented. One slows down the robot when the velocity of the tool centre point exceeds a specified safety limit, the other one limits the robot workspace by way of virtual safety surfaces. Experimental results on a COMAU Smart Six robot are presented, showing the performance of the walk-through programming system endowed with the two proposed safety strategies.
Randomized path planning with preferences in highly complex dynamic environments
Authors: Belghith Khaled , Kabanza Froduald , Hartman Leo
Published: May 2013

In this paper we consider the problem of planning paths for articulated bodies operating in workplaces containing obstacles and regions with preferences expressed as degrees of desirability. Degrees of desirability could specify danger zones and desire zones. A planned path should not collide with the obstacles and should maximize the degrees of desirability. Region desirability can also convey search-control strategies guiding the exploration of the search space. To handle desirability specifications, we introduce the notion of flexible probabilistic roadmap (flexible PRM) as an extension of the traditional PRM. Each edge in a flexible PRM is assigned a desirability degree. We show that flexible PRM planning can be achieved very efficiently with a simple sampling strategy of the configuration space defined as a trade-off between a traditional sampling oriented toward coverage of the configuration space and a heuristic optimization of the path desirability degree. For path planning problems in dynamic environments, where obstacles and region desirability can change in real time, we use dynamic and anytime search exploration strategies. The dynamic strategy allows the planner to replan efficiently by exploiting results from previous planning phases. The anytime strategy starts with a quickly computed path with a potentially low desirability degree which is then incrementally improved depending on the available planning time.
Multibody modeling and vibration testing of 3R planar manipulators: effects of flexible installation frames
Authors: Mucchi Emiliano , Fiorati Stefano , Di Gregorio Raffaele , Dalpiaz Giorgio
Published: May 2013

This work presents the experimental validation and updating of a flexible multibody model ideated for taking into account installation conditions of industrial serial planar manipulators without resorting to cumbersome modeling. The flexibility of the frame, the manipulator is fixed, is modeled over the flexibility of joints, which is introduced as lumped stiffness. In particular, the flexible frame is included in the model by using the Component Mode Synthesis methodology, in which only the natural modes of vibration and the static constrain modes are accounted. The flexible multibody model has been developed because these commercial machines are mainly used to perform low-speed tasks, and they are designed by taking into account their flexibility at most in the joints. Unfortunately, there are particular installation conditions in which even low-speed tasks can generate low-frequency vibrations that highly interfere with the task. This aspect is considered here, and how to manage this problem is explained by using the developed multibody model. The model is validated through experimental measurements. The experimental tests consist of several modal analyses, together with acceleration and laser Doppler measurements in operational conditions. This methodology takes into account the installation conditions through the model of flexible frame, and gives a tool for studying ad hoc solutions which prevent the occurrence of unwanted low-frequency vibrations.
Derived equivalences from cohomological approximations and mutations of Φ-Yoneda algebras
Authors: Hu Wei , Koenig Steffen , Xi Changchang
Published: May 2013

A new construction of derived equivalences is given, which relates different endomorphism rings and, more generally, cohomological endomorphism rings, including higher extensions, of objects in triangulated categories. These objects need to be connected by certain universal maps that are cohomological approximations and that exist in very general circumstances. The construction turns out to be applicable to a wide variety of situations, covering finite-dimensional algebras as well as certain infinite-dimensional algebras, Frobenius categories and n-Calabi–Yau categories.
Global existence and non-existence for the degenerate and uniformly parabolic equations with gradient term
Authors: Shang Haifeng
Published: May 2013

We study the Cauchy problem for the degenerate and uniformly parabolic equations with gradient term. The local existence, global existence and non-existence of solutions are obtained. In the case of global solvability, we get the exact estimates of a solution. In particular, we obtain the global existence of solutions in the limiting case.
Intramuscular small vessel arteriovenous malformation of the left ventricle in an asymptomatic adolescent: a case report and literature review
Authors: McCammond Amy N. , Rudzinski Erin R. , Morrison Brian J. , Silberbach Michael
Published: May 2013

Primary vascular tumours of the heart are rare and heterogeneous in their presentation and classification. We present a primary intramuscular vascular malformation of the left ventricle in an asymptomatic 12-year-old girl. Characteristics on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, specifically increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images, and marked contrast enhancement with gadolinium were suggestive of increased vascularity. Histologically, the mass was determined to be an intramuscular vascular malformation of the small vessel arteriovenous subtype. This represents one of a select few intramuscular vascular malformations of the left ventricle reported in children. Our patient remains completely asymptomatic and has had no change in the size and appearance of the mass after more than 30 months of follow-up.
Accidental finding of a giant right coronary artery aneurysm associated with a fistula to the right atrium
Authors: Vaz Silva Patrícia , Marinho Joana Castro , Pires António
Published: May 2013

Coronary artery fistulae are uncommon but may be haemodynamically significant, being an incidental finding in 0.1–0.2% of coronary angiograms. Even rarer is the association between fistulae and non-atherosclerotic coronary artery aneurysms. They most frequently originate in the right coronary artery, and the right cardiac chambers are the most common draining chambers. Most children are asymptomatic, whereas those older than 20 years may present with signs of congestive heart failure, infective endocarditis, myocardial ischaemia, or aneurysm rupture. Management is either surgical or via percutaneous means. We report the case of a 5-year-old child referred for assessment of an asymptomatic cardiac murmur. The echocardiographic evaluation showed an enlarged right atrium, a fenestrated atrial septal defect, and a giant right coronary artery aneurysm with a fistulous tract that appeared to drain directly into the right atrium. Computed angiocardiac tomography and cardiac catherisation confirmed the presence of a large right coronary fistula originating from the right coronary aneurysm draining into the right atrium. The patient underwent surgical ligation of the fistula and the post-operative course has been uneventful. He is currently on double antiaggregation therapy.
Elektronische Krankengeschichte in der Schweizer Grundversorgung – Diskrepanz zwischen Anspruch und Wirklichkeit
Authors: Djalali Sima , Bhend Heinz , Rosemann Thomas
Published: May 2013

Die jüngsten Daten zur Verbreitung von elektronischen Krankengeschichten in Schweizer Arztpraxen stammen aus dem Jahr 2007 – eine lange Zeitspanne in der Informatikentwicklung. In der hier präsentierten Arbeit werden die Ergebnisse einer Querschnittserhebung unter Schweizer HausärztInnen im Jahr 2012 analysiert. Das Ziel ist es, die Datenlage zu aktualisieren und Informationen über den Stand der Implementierung von elektronischen Krankengeschichten zu erhalten sowie die Einstellungen von Schweizer Grundversorgern gegenüber technischen Zusatzfunktionen zu untersuchen, die z. B. Unterstützung bei klinischen Entscheiden bieten (Clinical Decision Support).
Evidenz-basierter Check-up aus allgemeininternistischer Sicht
Authors: Wirth Christina , Stanga Zeno , Birrenbach Tanja , Egermann Ulrich , Rodondi Nicolas
Published: May 2013

Check-up-Gespräche und -Untersuchungen sind ein häufiges Anliegen, das Patienten zum Hausarzt führt. Die Herausforderung liegt dabei in der Wahl der Untersuchungsmethode um ein vernünftiges, individuelles und altersangepasstes Vorgehen zu erreichen. In diesem Artikel beschreiben wir evidenzbasierte Untersuchungsmethoden, deren Nutzen in randomisierten Studien gezeigt werden konnte und ihre Anwendung in der Praxis. Während z. B. die Herz-Kreislauf-Vorsorge für nahezu alle Patienten einen besonders hohen Evidenzgrad hat, ist eine Beratung zur Lebensstilveränderung abgesehen von der Nikotinkarenz mit weniger hoher Evidenz belegt. Demgegenüber ist relativ neu, dass ein sonographischer Ausschluss eines Bauchaortenaneurysmas bei Männern zwischen 65 und 75 Jahren, die rauchen oder geraucht haben, nützlich ist.
Spontanregression lumbaler und zervikaler Diskusherniationen – ein bekanntes Phänomen
Authors: Gautschi Oliver P. , Stienen Martin N. , Schaller Karl
Published: May 2013

Lumbale (LDH) und zervikale Diskushernien (CDH) sind prävalente Krankheitsbilder. Falls es unter Ausschöpfung konservativer Therapiemassnahmen nur zu einer unzureichenden Befundverbesserung kommt oder eine eindeutige Operationsindikation besteht, wird in der Regel eine operative Intervention empfohlen. Bei der Mehrzahl der Patienten kommt es jedoch ebenfalls nach Wochen bis Monaten unter konservativer Therapie zu einer deutlichen Beschwerderegredienz. Zu bedenken gilt jedoch, dass betroffene Patienten während einem variablen Zeitraum z. T. an invalidisierenden Schmerzen und/oder sensomotorischen Defiziten leiden, was einen negativen Einfluss auf die funktionelle Kapazität, Lebensqualität und Arbeitsfähigkeit hat. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt zwei aktuelle Patientengeschichten mit einer klinischen und radiologischen Spontanregression einer LDH und einer CDH.
Nicht-zirrhotische portale Hypertonie mit beinahe fatalen Folgen
Authors: Börner Nele , Korte Wolfgang , Doenecke Christian , Pfister Maurus , Meyenberger Christa , Semela David , Sawatzki Mikael
Published: May 2013

Wir berichten über eine 48-jährige Patientin mit Oberbauchschmerzen mit Status nach zerebraler Ischämie bei offenem Foramen ovale und heterozygoter Faktor-V-Leiden-Mutation. In der initialen Abklärung der belastungsabhängigen Bauchschmerzen kommt eine ausgeprägte Thrombose im portalvenösen System mit Zeichen der portalen Hypertension (Aszites und ausgeprägte Ösophagusvarizen) zur Darstellung. Sonographisch finden sich jedoch keine Hinweise für eine Leberzirrhose. Letztendlich konnte als Ursache der ausgedehnten Thrombose eine JAK2-Mutation nachgewiesen werden. Eine Primärprävention der ausgeprägten Ösophagusvarizen wird abgelehnt. Im Verlauf kommt es dann zur Massenblutung.
I Will Probably Fail
Authors: Ortner Tuulia M. , Weißkopf Eva , Koch Tobias
Published: May 2013

We investigated the effects of computerized adaptive testing (CAT) versus computerized fixed item testing (FIT) of reasoning ability on current motivation in terms of situational fear of failure and subjective probability of success, as well as flow. A group of 174 students (aged 15–21) from two German secondary schools was presented either a CAT or a FIT version of a matrices test; motivational variables were assessed during a short break in testing. More situational fear of failure and less subjective probability of success were reported using CAT compared to FIT. Self-reported flow did not differ between test mode conditions. When we addressed the hypothesis that adaptive testing is equally motivating for both high and lower performers, test performance appeared to moderate the relationship of test mode and subjective probability of success: Only during FIT was subjective probability of success higher with lower test performance. This moderation effect was also revealed for the relationship of test mode and flow. However, as average reported motivation was lower during CAT, results contradict assumptions of enhanced motivation during CAT. Results are discussed in relation to self-concept relevance of testing domains and with reference to test fairness.
The polyserine domain of the lysyl-5 hydroxylase Jmjd6 mediates subnuclear localization
Authors: Wolf Alexander , Mantri Monica , Heim Astrid , Müller Udo , Fichter Erika , Mackeen Mukram M. , Schermelleh Lothar , Dadie Gregory , Leonhardt Heinrich , Vénien-Bryan Catherine , Kessler Benedikt M. , Schofield Christopher J. , Böttger Angelika
Published: May 2013

Jmjd6 (jumonji-domain-containing protein 6) is an Fe(II)- and 2OG (2-oxoglutarate)-dependent oxygenase that catalyses hydroxylation of lysine residues in proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing. Jmjd6 plays an essential role in vertebrate embryonic development and has been shown to modulate alternative splicing in response to hypoxic stress. In the present study we show that an alternatively spliced version of Jmjd6 lacking the polyS (polyserine) domain localizes to the nucleolus, predominantly in the fibrillar centre. Jmjd6 with the polyS domain deleted also interacts with nucleolar proteins. Furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation experiments and F2H (fluorescent 2-hybrid) assays demonstrate that Jmjd6 homo-oligomerization occurs in cells. In correlation with the observed variations in the subnuclear distribution of Jmjd6, the structure of Jmjd6 oligomers in vitro changes in the absence of the polyS domain, possibly reflecting the role of the polyS domain in nuclear/nucleolar shuttling of Jmjd6.
Blast resistance of CC-NB-LRR protein Pb1 is mediated by WRKY45 through protein–protein interaction
Authors: Inoue Haruhiko , Hayashi Nagao , Matsushita Akane , Xinqiong Liu , Nakayama Akira , Sugano Shoji , Jiang Chang-Jie , Takatsuji Hiroshi
Published: May 2013

Panicle blast 1
(
Pb1
) is a panicle blast resistance gene derived from the
indica
rice cultivar “Modan.”
Pb1
encodes a coiled-coil–nucleotide-binding site–leucine-rich repeat (CC-NB-LRR) protein and confers durable, broad-spectrum resistance to
Magnaporthe oryzae
races. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying
Pb1
-mediated blast resistance. The Pb1 protein interacted with WRKY45, a transcription factor involved in induced resistance via the salicylic acid signaling pathway that is regulated by the ubiquitin proteasome system.
Pb1
-mediated panicle blast resistance was largely compromised when
WRKY45
was knocked down in a
Pb1
-containing rice cultivar. Leaf-blast resistance by
Pb1
overexpression (
Pb1
-ox) was also compromised in
WRKY45
knockdown
/Pb1
-ox rice. Blast infection induced higher accumulation of WRKY45 in
Pb1
-ox than in control Nipponbare rice. Overexpression of
Pb1-Quad
, a coiled-coil domain mutant that had weak interaction with WRKY45, resulted in significantly weaker blast resistance than that of wild-type
Pb1
. Overexpression of
Pb1
with a nuclear export sequence failed to confer blast resistance to rice. These results suggest that the blast resistance of Pb1 depends on its interaction with WRKY45 in the nucleus. In a transient system using rice protoplasts, coexpression of Pb1 enhanced WRKY45 accumulation and increased WRKY45-dependent transactivation activity, suggesting that protection of WRKY45 from ubiquitin proteasome system degradation is possibly involved in Pb1-dependent blast resistance.
Rise and fall of competitiveness in individualistic and collectivistic societies
Authors: Leibbrandt Andreas , Gneezy Uri , List John A.
Published: May 2013

Competitiveness pervades life: plants compete for sunlight and water, animals for territory and food, and humans for mates and income. Herein we investigate human competitiveness with a natural experiment and a set of behavioral experiments. We compare competitiveness in traditional fishing societies where local natural forces determine whether fishermen work in isolation or in collectives. We find sharp evidence that fishermen from individualistic societies are far more competitive than fishermen from collectivistic societies, and that this difference emerges with work experience. These findings suggest that humans can evolve traits to specific needs, support the idea that socio-ecological factors play a decisive role for individual competitiveness, and provide evidence how individualistic and collectivistic societies shape economic behavior.
Development of cortical microstructure in the preterm human brain
Authors: Ball Gareth , Srinivasan Latha , Aljabar Paul , Counsell Serena J. , Durighel Giuliana , Hajnal Joseph V. , Rutherford Mary A. , Edwards A. David
Published: May 2013

Cortical maturation was studied in 65 infants between 27 and 46 wk postconception using structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging. Alterations in neural structure and complexity were inferred from changes in mean diffusivity and fractional anisotropy, analyzed by sampling regions of interest and also by a unique whole-cortex mapping approach. Mean diffusivity was higher in gyri than sulci and in frontal compared with occipital lobes, decreasing consistently throughout the study period. Fractional anisotropy declined until 38 wk, with initial values and rates of change higher in gyri, frontal and temporal poles, and parietal cortex; and lower in sulcal, perirolandic, and medial occipital cortex. Neuroanatomical studies and experimental diffusion–anatomic correlations strongly suggested the interpretation that cellular and synaptic complexity and density increased steadily throughout the period, whereas elongation and branching of dendrites orthogonal to cortical columns was later and faster in higher-order association cortex, proceeding rapidly before becoming undetectable after 38 wk. The rate of microstructural maturation correlated locally with cortical growth, and predicted higher neurodevelopmental test scores at 2 y of age. Cortical microstructural development was reduced in a dose-dependent fashion by longer premature exposure to the extrauterine environment, and preterm infants at term-corrected age possessed less mature cortex than term-born infants. The results are compatible with predictions of the tension theory of cortical growth and show that rapidly developing cortical microstructure is vulnerable to the effects of premature birth, suggesting a mechanism for the adverse effects of preterm delivery on cognitive function.
Clinical Genomic Database
Authors: Solomon Benjamin D. , Nguyen Anh-Dao , Bear Kelly A. , Wolfsberg Tyra G.
Published: May 2013

Technological advances have greatly increased the availability of human genomic sequencing. However, the capacity to analyze genomic data in a clinically meaningful way lags behind the ability to generate such data. To help address this obstacle, we reviewed all conditions with genetic causes and constructed the Clinical Genomic Database (CGD) (
http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/CGD/
), a searchable, freely Web-accessible database of conditions based on the clinical utility of genetic diagnosis and the availability of specific medical interventions. The CGD currently includes a total of 2,616 genes organized clinically by affected organ systems and interventions (including preventive measures, disease surveillance, and medical or surgical interventions) that could be reasonably warranted by the identification of pathogenic mutations. To aid independent analysis and optimize new data incorporation, the CGD also includes all genetic conditions for which genetic knowledge may affect the selection of supportive care, informed medical decision-making, prognostic considerations, reproductive decisions, and allow avoidance of unnecessary testing, but for which specific interventions are not otherwise currently available. For each entry, the CGD includes the gene symbol, conditions, allelic conditions, clinical categorization (for both manifestations and interventions), mode of inheritance, affected age group, description of interventions/rationale, links to other complementary databases, including databases of variants and presumed pathogenic mutations, and links to PubMed references (>20,000). The CGD will be regularly maintained and updated to keep pace with scientific discovery. Further content-based expert opinions are actively solicited. Eventually, the CGD may assist the rapid curation of individual genomes as part of active medical care.
Microbiota-induced activation of epithelial IL-6 signaling links inflammasome-driven inflammation with transmissible cancer
Authors: Hu Bo , Elinav Eran , Huber Samuel , Strowig Till , Hao Liming , Hafemann Anja , Jin Chengcheng , Wunderlich Claudia , Wunderlich Thomas , Eisenbarth Stephanie C. , Flavell Richard A.
Published: May 2013

The microbiota is pivotal in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated inflammation-induced colorectal cancer (CRC), yet mechanisms for these effects remain poorly characterized. Here, we demonstrate that aberrant inflammasome-induced microbiota plays a critical role in CRC development, where mice deficient in the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) inflammasome feature enhanced inflammation-induced CRC formation. Intriguingly, WT mice cohoused either with inflammasome-deficient mice or with mice lacking IL-18 feature exacerbated inflammation-induced CRC compared with singly housed WT mice. Enhanced tumorigenesis is dependent on microbiota-induced chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5)-driven inflammation, which in turn promotes epithelial cell proliferation through local activation of the IL-6 pathway, leading to cancer formation. Altogether, our results mechanistically link the altered microbiota with the pathogenesis of inflammation-induced CRC and suggest that in some conditions, microbiota components may transfer CRC susceptibility between individuals.
Risk Factors for Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Children with Multiple Intensive Care Unit Admissions
Authors: Popoola Victor O. , Tamma Pranita , Reich Nicholas G. , Perl Trish M. , Milstone Aaron M.
Published: May 2013

We studied methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-colonized children with multiple intensive care unit (ICU) admissions to assess the persistence of MRSA colonization. Our data found that children with more than 1 year between ICU admissions had a higher prevalence of MRSA colonization than the overall ICU population, which supports empirical contact precautions for children with previous MRSA colonization.
Nosocomial Pulmonary Tuberculosis Contact Investigation in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Fisher Kate E. , Guaran Robert , Stack Jacqueline , Simpson Sheila , Krause William , For Karen D. , Ryan Emina , Conaty Stephen , Hope Kirsty , Isaacs David , Chay Paul , Eastwood John , Marks Guy B.
Published: May 2013

The diagnosis of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in a medical officer working in a metropolitan Australian neonatal intensive care unit led to a contact investigation involving 125 neonates, 165 relatives, and 122 healthcare workers with varying degrees of exposure. There was no evidence of nosocomial tuberculosis transmission from the index case.
Comparison of Non–Intensive Care Unit (ICU) versus ICU Rates of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Community Hospitals
Authors: Lewis Sarah S. , Knelson Lauren P. , Moehring Rebekah W. , Chen Luke F. , Sexton Daniel J. , Anderson Deverick J.
Published: May 2013

We describe and compare the epidemiology of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) occurring in non-intensive care unit (ICU) versus ICU wards in a network of community hospitals over a 2-year period. Overall, 72% of cases of CAUTI occurred in non-ICU patients, which indicates that this population is an important target for dedicated surveillance and prevention efforts.
On prolongations of contact manifolds
Authors: Klukas Mirko , Sahamie Bijan
Published: May 2013

We apply spectral sequences to derive both an obstruction to the existence of

n
n

-fold prolongations and a topological classification. Prolongations have been used in the literature in an attempt to prove that every Engel structure on

M
×

S

1

M\times \mathbb {S}^1

with characteristic line field tangent to the fibers is determined by the contact structure induced on a cross section and the twisting of the Engel structure along the fibers. Our results show that this statement needs some modification: to classify the diffeomorphism type of the Engel structure, we additionally have to fix a class in the first cohomology of

M
M

.
First Report of Artichoke yellow ringspot virus in Globe Artichoke in Turkey
Authors: Paylan I. C. , Ergun M. , Erkan S.
Published: May 2013

Turkey is one of the main globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus L. subsp. scolymus (L.) Hayek) producers in the world. Cultivation of this crop is done mainly in the Aegean and Eastern Marmara regions with asexually propagated cultivars such as Bayrampasa and Sakiz. More than half of total globe artichoke production in Turkey is obtained from the provinces of Izmir, Aydin, and Mugla in the Aegean region. Surveys in 2011 and 2012 were carried out to look for the presence of Artichoke yellow ringspot virus (AYRSV), Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), and Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in the globe artichoke production areas in these three provinces. Double antibody sandwich (DAS)-ELISA and reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR assays conducted for TMV and TSWV showed that the samples were not infected with these two viruses. Due to the lack of commercial ELISA kits against AYRSV, RT-PCR and biological indexing were used for its identification. Leaf tissues from 35 symptomatic and 25 symptomless plants were sampled and analyzed by RT-PCR using as template total RNAs extracted by a silica gel method (1). RT-PCR was conducted as previously reported (1). A PCR product of the expected size (about 530 bp) was obtained from five plant samples that were collected from Izmir province and had symptoms of bright yellow spots and line patterns on the leaves. The incidence of diseased plants in the fields ranged from 1 to 5%. In previously conducted studies, these symptoms were defined as typical symptoms of AYRSV on artichokes (2,3,4). One of the PCR products was cloned and sequenced. BLASTn analysis of the obtained sequence (GenBank Accession No. KC622054) showed 92% nucleotide identity with the partial RNA1 sequence of an AYRSV isolate from Allium cepa (AM087671.2). Furthermore, selected test plants were mechanically inoculated with sap from plant samples that were positive in RT-PCR. Chlorotic local lesions and systemic mottling symptoms were observed on Chenopodium quinoa; chlorotic lesions, mosaic, and deformation on Cucumis sativus; and systemic mosaic, reddish necrotic local lesions, and malformation on Phaseolus vulgaris (French bean). Results of the biological tests were confirmed by RT-PCR. AYRSV has a wide host range including artichoke and six other cultivated plant species and can be easily transmitted by seed, plant sap, and vegetative propagation (3). To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural infection of globe artichoke by AYRSV in Turkey. AYRSV infections can have a detrimental effect on the growth and yield of artichoke plantings. This assay will be useful for further epidemiological studies.

References: (1) X. Foissac et al. Acta Hortic. 550:37, 2001. (2) D. Galliitelli et al. Adv. Virus Res. 84:289, 2012. (3) P. E. Kyriakopoulou et al. Ann. Inst. Phytopathol. Benaki 14:139, 1985. (4) V. I. Maliogka et al. Phytopathology 96:622, 2006.
Survival of Oospores of Phytophthora capsici in Soil
Authors: Babadoost M. , Pavon C.
Published: May 2013

This study assessed survival of Phytophthora capsici oospores in soil in Illinois. Soils differing in texture and other characteristics were collected from four Illinois Counties (Champaign, Gallatin, Madison, and Tazewell), equilibrated to –0.3 MPa, and infested with oospores of P. capsici at a density of 5 × 103 oospores/g of dry soil. Samples (25 g) of the infested soil were placed in 15-μm mesh polyester bags, which were sealed and placed at 2-, 10-, and 25-cm depths in 15.3-cm-diameter PVC tubes containing the same field soil as the infested bags. Tubes were buried vertically in the ground at the University of Illinois Vegetable Research Farm in Champaign in October 2004. Soil samples were assayed for recovery and germination of oospores 1 day and 3, 6, 12, 24, 30, 36, and 48 months after incorporation of oospores into the soil. Overall, the percentage of oospore recovery and the percentage of germination of oospores were not affected significantly by soil source and burial depth but both the oospore recovery and oospore germination were significantly (P = 0.001) affected by the duration of oospore burial. The rate of oospore recovery from soil samples was 61.06, 16.69, 10.28, 1.05, 0.30, 0.06, 0.05, and 0.004% after 1 day and 3, 6, 12, 24, 30, 36, and 48 months, respectively, following incorporation of oospores into the soil; and mean oospore germination was 47.17, 30.53, 21.33, 15.64, 7.42, 2.67, 2.61, and 0.00%, respectively. Survival of P. capsici oospores was compared in soil samples stored in a laboratory at 22°C versus on the soil surface or buried 2, 10, or 25 cm deep in a field. Oospores were recovered 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after incorporation for both storage locations. The percentage of oospores recovered from samples stored in the laboratory was significantly (P = 0.004) greater than recovery from samples stored in the field, regardless of the depth of burial. Twenty-four months after incorporation of oospores, 26.52% of oospores were recovered from soil samples in the laboratory, whereas only 0.12% of oospores were recovered from soil samples in the field. Overall, the percentages of germination of oospores recovered from samples in the laboratory and field over 24 months were not significantly different. In both experiments, germinated oospores produced mycelia, sporangia, and zoospores, and were virulent on ‘California Wonder’ bell pepper. This study showed that oospores of P. capsici can survive and remain virulent in Illinois soils for more than 36 months but oospores were no longer viable after 48 months in soil in a field environment.
Potential trade-off between vocal ornamentation and spatial ability in a songbird
Authors: Sewall Kendra B. , Soha Jill A. , Peters Susan , Nowicki Stephen
Published: May 2013

Bird song is hypothesized to be a reliable indicator of cognition because it depends on brain structure and function. Song features have been found to correlate positively with measures of cognition, but the relationship between song and cognition is complicated because not all cognitive abilities are themselves positively correlated. If cognition is not a unitary trait, developmental constraints on brain growth could generate trade-offs between some aspects of cognition and song. To further clarify the relationship between song and cognition in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia), we examined repertoire size and performance on a spatial task. We found an inverse relationship between repertoire size and speed of spatial learning and suggest that a developmental trade-off between the hippocampus and song control nuclei could be responsible for this relationship. By attending to male song, females may learn about a suite of cognitive abilities; this study suggests that females may glean information about a male's cognitive weaknesses as well as his strengths.
Subjective and objective components of resource value additively increase aggression in parasitoid contests
Authors: Stockermans Bernard C. , Hardy Ian C. W.
Published: May 2013

Two major categories of factors are predicted to influence behaviour in dyadic contests; differences in the abilities of the contestants to acquire and retain resources (resource holding potential), and the value of the contested resource (resource value, RV; which comprises objective and subjective components). Recent studies indicate that subjective components affect contest behaviour in several animal taxa but few have simultaneously investigated objective RV components. We find that both an objective (host size) and a subjective (contestant age) component of RV affect contest intensity in the parasitoid wasp
Goniozus legneri.
These additively influence aggressiveness, with a larger effect from the subjective component than the objective component. The greater influence of subjective RV adds weight to the recent surge of recognition of this RV component's importance in contest behaviour.
Active and passive stabilization of body pitch in insect flight
Authors: Ristroph Leif , Ristroph Gunnar , Morozova Svetlana , Bergou Attila J. , Chang Song , Guckenheimer John , Wang Z. Jane , Cohen Itai
Published: May 2013

Flying insects have evolved sophisticated sensory–motor systems, and here we argue that such systems are used to keep upright against intrinsic flight instabilities. We describe a theory that predicts the instability growth rate in body pitch from flapping-wing aerodynamics and reveals two ways of achieving balanced flight: active control with sufficiently rapid reactions and passive stabilization with high body drag. By glueing magnets to fruit flies and perturbing their flight using magnetic impulses, we show that these insects employ active control that is indeed fast relative to the instability. Moreover, we find that fruit flies with their control sensors disabled can keep upright if high-drag fibres are also attached to their bodies, an observation consistent with our prediction for the passive stability condition. Finally, we extend this framework to unify the control strategies used by hovering animals and also furnish criteria for achieving pitch stability in flapping-wing robots.
Sir Peter Medawar: science, creativity and the popularization of Karl Popper
Authors: Calver Neil
Published: May 2013

Sir Peter Medawar was respected by scientists and literati alike. It was perhaps not surprising, then, that he would choose to involve himself in the ‘two cultures’ debate of 1959 and beyond. The focus of his intervention was the philosophy of Sir Karl Popper. However, Medawar's Popper was not the guru of falsification familiar from philosophy textbooks. Medawar's distinctive interpretation of Popper treated him instead as the source of insights into the role of creativity and imagination in scientific inquiry. This paper traces the context for Medawar's adoption of Popperian philosophy, together with its application before the debate. It then examines, within the context of the debate itself, the way in which Medawar attempted to reconcile scientific inquiry with literary practice. Medawar became increasingly convinced that not only was induction epistemologically unsound, but it was also damaging to the public role of the scientist. His construction of Popperianism would, he envisaged, provide a worthy alternative for scientists’ self-image.
A Kusuoka–Lyons–Victoir particle filter
Authors: Crisan Dan , Ortiz-Latorre Salvador
Published: May 2013

The aim of this paper is to introduce a new numerical algorithm for solving the continuous time nonlinear filtering problem. In particular, we present a particle filter that combines the Kusuoka–Lyons–Victoir (KLV) cubature method on Wiener space to approximate the law of the signal with a minimal variance ‘thinning’ method, called the tree-based branching algorithm (TBBA) to keep the size of the cubature tree constant in time. The novelty of our approach resides in the adaptation of the TBBA algorithm to
simultaneously
control the computational effort and incorporate the observation data into the system. We provide the rate of convergence of the approximating particle filter in terms of the computational effort (number of particles) and the discretization grid mesh. Finally, we test the performance of the new algorithm on a benchmark problem (the Beneš filter).
Genetic variation in social influence on mate preferences
Authors: Rebar Darren , Rodríguez Rafael L.
Published: May 2013

Patterns of phenotypic variation arise in part from plasticity owing to social interactions, and these patterns contribute, in turn, to the form of selection that shapes the variation we observe in natural populations. This proximate–ultimate dynamic brings genetic variation in social environments to the forefront of evolutionary theory. However, the extent of this variation remains largely unknown. Here, we use a member of theEnchenopa binotataspecies complex of treehoppers (Hemiptera: Membracidae) to assess how mate preferences are influenced by genetic variation in the social environment. We used full-sibling split-families as ‘treatment’ social environments, and reared focal females alongside each treatment family, describing the mate preferences of the focal females. With this method, we detected substantial genetic variation in social influence on mate preferences. The mate preferences of focal females varied according to the treatment families along with which they grew up. We discuss the evolutionary implications of the presence of such genetic variation in social influence on mate preferences, including potential contributions to the maintenance of genetic variation, the promotion of divergence, and the adaptive evolution of social effects on fitness-related traits.
Non-genomic transmission of paternal behaviour between fathers and sons in the monogamous and biparental California mouse
Authors: Gleason Erin D. , Marler Catherine A.
Published: May 2013

Maternal behaviour has profound, long-lasting implications for the health and well-being of developing offspring. In the monogamous California mouse (
Peromyscus californicus
), care by both parents is critical for offspring survival. We tested the hypothesis that similar to maternal care in rodents, paternal huddling and grooming (HG) behaviour can be transmitted to future generations via behavioural mechanisms. In California mice, testosterone maintains paternal HG behaviour. In the present study, we randomly assigned a group of male California mice to castration or sham-operated conditions and allowed them to raise their offspring normally. Adult sons of these males were paired with a female, and they were observed interacting with their own offspring. We found that like their fathers, the sons of castrated males huddled and groomed their young at lower levels than the sons of sham-operated fathers. The sons of castrates also retrieved pups more frequently. When both parents were present, the sons of castrates also showed a trend towards engaging in less exploratory behaviour. These data support the hypothesis that paternal behaviour, like maternal behaviour, can be transferred to future generations via epigenetic mechanisms and suggest that in a biparental species both parents contribute to offspring behavioural development.
Transcriptional elongation checkpoint control in development and disease
Authors: Smith Edwin , Shilatifard Ali
Published: May 2013

Transcriptional elongation control by RNA polymerase II and its associated factors has taken center stage as a process essential for the regulation of gene expression throughout development. In this review, we analyze recent findings on the identification of factors functioning in the regulation of the transcriptional elongation checkpoint control (TECC) stage of gene expression and how the factors' misregulation is associated with disease pathogenesis, including cancer.
Extensive polymerase pausing during Drosophila axis patterning enables high-level and pliable transcription
Authors: Saunders Abbie , Core Leighton J. , Sutcliffe Catherine , Lis John T. , Ashe Hilary L.
Published: May 2013

Cascades of zygotic gene expression pattern the anterior–posterior (AP) and dorsal–ventral (DV) axes of the early Drosophila embryo. Here, we used the global run-on sequencing assay (GRO-seq) to map the genome-wide RNA polymerase distribution during early Drosophila embryogenesis, thus providing insights into how genes are regulated. We identify widespread promoter-proximal pausing yet show that the presence of paused polymerase does not necessarily equate to direct regulation through pause release to productive elongation. Our data reveal that a subset of early Zelda-activated genes is regulated at the level of polymerase recruitment, whereas other Zelda target and axis patterning genes are predominantly regulated through pause release. In contrast to other signaling pathways, we found that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) target genes are collectively more highly paused than BMP pathway components and show that BMP target gene expression requires the pause-inducing negative elongation factor (NELF) complex. Our data also suggest that polymerase pausing allows plasticity in gene activation throughout embryogenesis, as transiently repressed and transcriptionally silenced genes maintain and lose promoter polymerases, respectively. Finally, we provide evidence that the major effect of pausing is on the levels, rather than timing, of transcription. These data are discussed in terms of the efficiency of transcriptional activation required across cell populations during developmental time constraints.