bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiation Dose to the Penile Structures and Patient-Reported Sexual Dysfunction in Long-Term Prostate Cancer Survivors
Authors: Thor Maria , Olsson Caroline E. , Oh Jung Hun , Alsadius David , Pettersson Niclas , Deasy Joseph O. , Steineck Gunnar
Published: November 2015

Aim

The involvement of various penile structures in radiotherapy (RT)-induced sexual dysfunction among prostate cancer survivors remains unclear and domains beyond erectile dysfunction such as orgasm, and pain have typically not been considered. The purpose of this study was to investigate sexual dysfunction post-RT for localized prostate cancer and to examine whether radiation dose to different penile structures can explain these symptoms.

Methods

We investigated sexual dysfunction in two treated prostate cancer cohorts and in one non-pelvic-irradiated cohort, 328 sexually active men part of an unselected, population-based study conducted in 2008. The treated subjects were prescribed primary/salvage external-beam RT to 70 Gy@2.0 Gy/fraction. Absorbed RT doses (Dmean and Dmax) of the corpora cavernosa (CC), the penile bulb (PB), and the total penile structure (CC + PB) were related to 13 patient-reported symptoms on sexual dysfunction by means of factor analysis (FA) and logistic regression.

Results

Three distinct symptom domains were identified across all cohorts: “erectile dysfunction” (ED, two to five symptoms), “orgasmic dysfunction” (OD, two to four symptoms), and “pain” (two to three symptoms). The strongest predictor for ED symptoms was CC + PB Dmax (P = 0.001–0.03), CC and PB Dmean predicted OD symptoms equally well (P = 0.03 and 0.02–0.05, respectively), and the strongest predictor for pain symptoms was CC + PB Dmean (P = 0.02–0.03).

Conclusion

Sexual dysfunction following RT was separated into three main domains with symptoms related to erectile dysfunction, orgasmic dysfunction, and pain. Chances for intact sexual functionality may be increased if dose to the total penile structure can be restricted for these domains in the planning of RT.
15‐F2t‐Isoprostane Concentrations and Oxidant Status in Lactating Dairy Cattle with Acute Coliform Mastitis
Authors: Mavangira V. , Mangual M.J. , Gandy J.C. , Sordillo L.M.
Published: November 2015

Background

Severe mammary tissue damage during acute coliform mastitis in cattle is partially caused by oxidative stress. Although considered a gold standard biomarker in some human conditions, the utility of 15‐F2t‐Isoprostanes (15‐F2t‐Isop) in detecting oxidative stress in dairy cattle has not been validated.

Hypothesis

Concentrations of 15‐F2t‐Isop in plasma, urine, and milk correlate with changes in oxidant status during severe coliform mastitis in cattle.

Animals

Eleven lactating Holstein‐Friesian dairy cows in their 3rd–6th lactation.

Methods

A case–control study using cows with acute coliform mastitis and matched healthy controls were enrolled into this study. Measures of inflammation, oxidant status, and redox status in plasma and milk samples were quantified using commercial assays. Plasma, urine, and milk 15‐F2t‐Isop were quantified by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) and ELISA assays. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum tests (α = 0.05).

Results

Plasma 15‐F2t‐Isop quantified by LC‐MS/MS was positively correlated with systemic oxidant status (r = 0.83; P = .01). Urine 15‐F2t‐Isop quantified by LC‐MS/MS did not correlate with systemic oxidant status, but was negatively correlated with redox status variables (r = −0.83; P = .01). Milk 15‐F2t‐Isop quantified by LC‐MS/MS was negatively correlated (r = −0.86; P = .007) with local oxidant status. Total 15‐F2t‐Isop in milk quantified by a commercial ELISA (cbELISA) was positively correlated with oxidant status in milk (r = 0.98; P < .001).

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Free plasma 15‐F2t‐Isop quantified by LC‐MS/MS and total milk 15‐F2t‐Isop quantified by cbELISA are accurate biomarkers of systemic and mammary gland oxidant status, respectively. Establishing reference intervals for free and total 15‐F2t‐Isops for evaluating oxidative stress in dairy cows should currently be based on the LC‐MS/MS method.
Experimental bleaching of a tropical sea anemone in situ
Authors: Finn Maureen H. , Lönnstedt Oona M. , Rizzari Justin R. , Jones Geoffrey P. , Frisch Ashley J.
Published: November 2015

Bleaching (whitening) of cnidarians such as corals and sea anemones has caused widespread degradation of coral reefs around the world and is therefore an urgent issue for coral reef science and conservation. Although cnidarians often bleach in aquaria, methods for experimental induction of bleaching in wild cnidarians are lacking, which impedes scientists’ ability to understand the ultimate effects of bleaching on the broader ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the utility of an in situ method for experimental induction of bleaching in the tropical sea anemone Heteractis crispa. Healthy, wild anemones were covered with opaque black plastic sheets, mesh cages or left undisturbed (controls) and tentacle colour and body size were monitored with a colour reference card and flexible tape, respectively, every 1–3 days for 15 days. Caged and control anemones remained unchanged for the duration of the experiment, but covered anemones commenced whitening after 4–6 days and were completely white after 7–14 days (mean time to bleaching ± SE = 10.1 ± 0.7 days). Experimental bleaching occurred without reduction in anemone body size and was visibly similar to natural bleaching seen previously in H. crispa. We hypothesize that light‐deprivation, reduced water flow, physical contact or some combination of these factors caused the bleaching. This study provides the basis for a simple and rapid method of inducing bleaching in situ, which releases scientists’ dependence on sporadic natural bleaching events or artificial aquarium experiments, and provides a means to investigate the effects of bleaching on other ecosystem components such as fishes.
How Might I Have Been?
Authors: Cooper Rachel
Published: November 2015

What would my life have been like if I had been born more intelligent? Or taller? Or a member of the opposite sex? Or a non‐biological being? It is plausible that some of these questions make sense, while others stretch the limits of sense making. In addressing questions of how I might have been, genetic essentialism is popular, but this article argues that genetic essentialism, and other versions of origin essentialism for organisms, must be rejected. It considers the prospects for counterpart theory and shows how counterpart theory can be used to illuminate volitional accounts of identity as proposed byHarryFrankfurt. This enables one to make sense of claims that, say, being gay, orDeaf, orBlack, can be essential to someone's identity. The discussion is then extended to show how it can be made applicable to the transworld identity theorist who denies that individuals possess essential properties.
Self‐Images and “Perspicuous Representations”: Reflection, Philosophy, and the Glass Mirror
Authors: Mudde Anna
Published: November 2015

Reflection names the central activity of Western philosophical practice; the mirror and its attendant metaphors of reflection are omnipresent in the self‐image(s) of Western philosophy and in metaphilosophical reflection on reflection. But the physical experiences of being reflected by glass mirrors have been inadequately theorized contributors to those metaphors, and this has implications not only for the self‐image and the self (or selves) of philosophy but also for metaphilosophical practice. This article begins to rethink the metaphor of reflection anew. Paying attention to the history of the glass mirror in Europe reveals and challenges the modern emergence of clear ontological distinctions between disembodied subjects and the objects of their knowledge, and suggests a compelling terrain of metaphilosophical analysis. On the reading offered by the article, the inherent complexity of the relationship between selves and their mirror images, a complexity mediated by social location, historical situation, and particular projects, points to significant spaces of unknowing, of indeterminacy, and of ontological ambiguity.
Conservatism in Metaethics: A Case Study
Authors: Cowie Christopher
Published: November 2015

Metaethicists typically develop and assess their theories—in part—on the basis of the consistency of those theories with “ordinary” first‐order normative judgment. They are, in this sense, “methodologically conservative.” This article shows that this methodologically conservative approach obstructs a proper assessment of the debate between internalists and externalists. Specifically, it obstructs one of the most promising readings of internalism. This is a reading—owed toBernardWilliams—in which internalism is part of a practically and politically motivated revision of the assessment of action. The article uses this case study to highlight the role of methodological conservatism in contemporary metaethics more generally.
A phosphorylation code of the Aspergillus nidulans global regulator VelvetA (VeA) determines specific functions
Authors: Rauscher Stefan , Pacher Sylvia , Hedtke Maren , Kniemeyer Olaf , Fischer Reinhard
Published: November 2015

The velvet protein VeA is a global fungal regulator for morphogenetic pathways as well as for the control of secondary metabolism. It is found exclusively in filamentous fungi, where it fulfills conserved, but also unique functions in different species. The involvement of VeA in various morphogenetic and metabolic pathways is probably due to spatially and timely controlled specific protein–protein interactions with other regulators such as phytochrome (FphA) or velvet‐like proteins (VelB). Here we present evidence that Aspergillus nidulans VeA is a multi‐phosphorylated protein and hypothesize that at least four specific amino acids (T167, T170, S183 and Y254) undergo reversible phosphorylation to trigger development and sterigmatocystin biosynthesis. Double mutation of T167 to valine and T170 to glutamic acid exerted the largest effects with regards to sexual development and veA gene expression. In comparison with wild‐type VeA, which shuttles out of the nuclei after illumination this VeA variant showed stronger nuclear accumulation than the wild type, independent of the light conditions. The interaction between VeA and VelB or FphA, respectively, was affected in the T167V‐T170E mutant. Our results suggest complex regulation of the phosphorylation status of the VeA protein.
Cost‐effectiveness of haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis for patients with end‐stage renal disease in Singapore
Authors: Yang Fan , Lau Titus , Luo Nan
Published: November 2015

Aim

This study aimed to evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of haemodialysis (HD), continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) for patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) in Singapore.

Methods

A Markov model was developed to examine the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of HD, CAPD and APD over the 10‐year time horizon from the societal perspective, using clinical data from an observational study and the national renal registry, utilities from published studies and costs from dialysis services providers. The base‐case analysis was for a hypothetical cohort of 60‐year‐old non‐diabetic ESRD patients. A high‐risk group of 60‐year‐old diabetic ESRD patients was also studied.

Results

In the base‐case analysis, the quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs) were 3.27 with CAPD, 3.48 with APD and 4.69 with HD. The total costs were Singapore dollar $169 872 for CAPD, $201 509 for APD and $306 827 for HD. CAPD and HD had extended dominance over APD. The ICER of HD versus CAPD was $96 447 (US$69 121) per QALY. One‐way sensitivity analyses indicated that the results were most sensitive to the utility of HD. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses demonstrated that CAPD had the maximum probability of being cost‐effective among treatments under evaluation at a willingness‐to‐pay (WTP) threshold of $60 000 (US$43 000) per QALY. The high‐risk group analyses showed similar results. The ICER of HD versus CAPD was $106 281 (US$76 168) per QALY and the probability of CAPD being optimal was the highest using the same WTP threshold.

Conclusions

Our analysis suggested that starting dialysis with CAPD is most cost‐effective for ESRD patients in Singapore.
Prevalence, determinants, and clinical significance of masked hypertension and white‐coat hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Tang Hua , Gong Wen‐Yu , Zhang Qun‐Zi , Zhang Jun , Ye Zeng‐Chun , Peng Hui , Wang Cheng , Lou Tanqi
Published: November 2015

Background

Masked hypertension and white‐coat hypertension have been studied among the general population and in hypertensive patients. However, little insight is available on masked and white‐coat hypertension among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

We recruited 1322 CKD patients admitted to our hospital division. Patients were divided into four groups: normotension; white‐coat hypertension (WCHT); masked hypertension (MHT); sustained hypertension. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between WCHT, MHT and renal/cardiovascular parameters.

Results

The prevalence of WCHT and MHT was 10.21% and 16.11%, respectively. Patients with WCHT and MHT had more severe target‐organ damage (TOD) than patients with normotension, but had less severe TOD than patients with sustained hypertension. MHT correlated with impaired renal function and left‐ventricular hypertrophy, whereas WCHT was associated with abnormal carotid intima media thickness. Age, body mass index, clinic and 24‐h systolic blood pressure correlated with MHT, whereas clinic, 24‐h diastolic blood pressure and night‐time systolic blood pressure was associated with WCHT.

Conclusions

Prevalence of WCHT and MHT was 10.21% and 16.11%, respectively. WCHT and MHT show a close relationship with TOD in CKD patients.
Upregulation of nuclear factor‐κB activity mediates CYP24 expression and reactive oxygen species production in indoxyl sulfate‐induced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Wang Lihua , Gao Zhiying , Wang Lili , Gao Yongning
Published: November 2015

Aim

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with an inflammation‐mediated process, and the vitamin D (3) catabolizing enzyme, CYP24, is frequently overexpressed in CKD, where it may play a crucial role in kidney disease.

Methods

Herein, in this study, we investigated CYP24, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and inflammatory responses in an indoxyl sulfate (IS)‐induced CKD model to elucidate the role of CYP24 in CKD.

Results

Our results showed that IS upregulates proinflammatory cytokine, CYP24 and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) expression in human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. In addition, IS treatment increased ROS production and simultaneously upregulated CYP24 expression and NF‐κB translocation. Moreover, the IS‐induced upregulation of CYP24 expression was alleviated by an inhibitor of NF‐κB, as well as a siRNA specific to NF‐κB p65. Furthermore, the renal cortex of DN (Dahl salt‐resistant normotensive) + IS, DH (Dahl salt‐sensitive hypertensive), and DH + IS rats showed increased expression of NF‐κB p65, CYP24, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), a marker of ROS and macrophage infiltration compared with DN rats.

Conclusions

These results provide evidence that administration of IS in human renal tubular epithelial cells upregulates NF‐κB, which leads to increase CYP24 expression and ROS production. They also suggest that suppressing NF‐κB signalling is promising for the development into a strategy for CKD treatment.
Proof‐of‐concept: neonatal intravenous injection of adeno‐associated virus vectors results in successful transduction of myenteric and submucosal neurons in the mouse small and large intestine
Authors: Buckinx R. , Van Remoortel S. , Gijsbers R. , Waddington S. N. , Timmermans J.‐P.
Published: November 2015

Background

Despite the success of viral vector technology in the transduction of the central nervous system in both preclinical research and gene therapy, its potential in neurogastroenterological research remains largely unexploited. This study asked whether and to what extent myenteric and submucosal neurons in the ileum and distal colon of the mouse were transduced after neonatal systemic delivery of recombinant adeno‐associated viral vectors (AAVs).

Methods

Mice were intravenously injected at postnatal day one with AAV pseudotypes AAV8 or AAV9 carrying a cassette encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) as a reporter under the control of a cytomegalovirus promoter. At postnatal day 35, transduction of the myenteric and submucosal plexuses of the ileum and distal colon was evaluated in whole‐mount preparations, using immunohistochemistry to neurochemically identify transduced enteric neurons.

Key Results

The pseudotypes AAV8 and AAV9 showed equal potential in transducing the enteric nervous system (ENS), with 25–30% of the neurons expressing eGFP. However, the percentage of eGFP‐expressing colonic submucosal neurons was significantly lower. Neurochemical analysis showed that all enteric neuron subtypes, but not glia, expressed the reporter protein. Intrinsic sensory neurons were most efficiently transduced as nearly 80% of calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐positive neurons expressed the transgene.

Conclusions & Inferences

The pseudotypes AAV8 and AAV9 can be employed for gene delivery to both the myenteric and the submucosal plexus, although the transduction efficiency in the latter is region‐dependent. These findings open perspectives for novel preclinical applications aimed at manipulating and imaging the ENS in the short term, and in gene therapy in the longer term.
Herbivore‐induced changes in flower scent and morphology affect the structure of flower–visitor networks but not plant reproduction
Authors: Hoffmeister Mathias , Wittköpper Nico , Junker Robert R.
Published: November 2015

Herbivory induces various responses in plants, thus altering the plants’ phenotype in chemical and morphological traits. Herbivore‐induced changes in vegetative plant parts, plant‐physiological mechanisms, and effects on plant‐animal interactions have been intensively studied from species to community level. In contrast, we are just beginning to examine herbivore‐induced effects on reproductive plant parts and flower–visitor interactions, especially in a community context. We investigated the effect of herbivory at different plant developmental stages on plant growth, floral and vegetative phenotype and reproduction in Sinapis arvensis (Brassicaceae). Additionally, we tested how herbivore‐induced plant responses affect flower–visitor interactions and plant reproduction in species‐rich communities. Our results indicate that the timing of herbivory affects the magnitude of changes in plant traits. Herbivory in early but not in late development accelerated the plant's flowering phenology, reduced vegetative growth, increased stem trichome density and altered floral morphology and scent. These findings suggest age‐dependent tradeoffs between growth, defense and reproduction. Herbivore‐induced changes in flower traits also affected flower–visitor interactions in a community context with effects on the structure of flower–visitor networks. However, changes in the network structure had neglectable effects on plant reproduction, i.e. plants were able to compensate altered flower visitor behavior. Thus, herbivory is a source of intraspecific variation in reproductive traits, which can be behaviorally relevant for potential pollinators. However, plants were capable to maintain reproductive success suggesting a tolerance against herbivory. We conclude that in our study system induced direct or indirect defenses that have often been shown to decrease negative effects of herbivores on vegetative plant parts come at no costs for plant reproduction.
A lower jaw of Palaeoxonodon from the Middle Jurassic of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, sheds new light on the diversity of British stem therians
Authors: Close Roger A. , Davis Brian M. , Walsh Stig , Wolniewicz Andrzej S. , Friedman Matt , Benson Roger B. J.
Published: November 2015

The Middle Jurassic was a key interval of mammalian evolutionary history that witnessed the diversification of the therian stem group. Great Britain has yielded a significant record of mammalian fossils from this interval, represented by numerous isolated jaws and teeth from the Bathonian of Oxfordshire and the Isle of Skye. This record captures a key period in early cladotherian evolution, with amphitheriids, peramurans and ‘stem zatherians’ displaying intermediate talonid morphologies that document the evolutionary assembly of tribosphenic molars. We present a mandible with near‐complete dentition from the late Bathonian (c. 167.4–166.5 Ma) Kilmaluag Formation, near Elgol, Skye, representing the amphitheriid Palaeoxonodon ooliticus, previously known only from isolated teeth. The specimen sheds new light on the taxonomic diversity of British Middle Jurassic stem therians, as the morphological variation within the preserved tooth row encompasses that previously ascribed to three distinct species within two genera: Palaeoxonodon ooliticus, P. freemani and Kennetheridium leesi. Thus, both P. freemani and K. leesi are subjective junior synonyms of P. ooliticus. The dental formula of P. ooliticus (i4:c1:p5:m5) is intermediate between the primitively larger postcanine count (p5:m6–7) of Amphitherium and the reduced number in peramurans and tribosphenidans (p5:m3). Phylogenetic analyses of P. ooliticus generally confirm a close affinity with Amphitherium, but highlight the lack of strong empirical support for hypothesized patterns of divergences among early cladotherians.
Hemodynamic response to ketamine in children with pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Friesen Robert H. , Twite Mark D. , Nichols Christopher S. , Cardwell Kathryn A. , Pan Zhaoxing , Darst Jeffrey R. , Wilson Neil , Fagan Thomas E. , Miyamoto Shelley D. , Ivy D. Dunbar
Published: November 2015

Background

The safety of ketamine in children with pulmonary hypertension has been debated because of conflicting results of prior studies in which changes in mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) have been widely variable. The goal of this prospective study was to quantitate the effects of ketamine on pulmonary hemodynamics in a cohort of children with pulmonary hypertension under conditions in which variables such as airway/ventilatory management, FiO2, and use of vasodilating anesthetics were controlled.

Methods

The IRB approved this study of 34 children undergoing cardiac catheterization for pulmonary hypertension studies. Following anesthetic induction with sevoflurane and tracheal intubation facilitated by the administration of rocuronium 0.7–1 mg·kg−1 iv, sevoflurane was discontinued and anesthesia was maintained with midazolam 0.1 mg·kg−1 iv (or 0.5 mg·kg−1 po preoperatively) and remifentanil iv infusion 0.5–0.7 mcg·kg−1·min−1. Ventilation was mechanically controlled to maintain PaCO2 35–40 mmHg. When endtidal sevoflurane was 0% and FiO2 was 0.21, baseline heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), mPAP, right atrial pressure (RAP), pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP), right ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (RVEDP), cardiac output, and arterial blood gases were measured, and indexed systemic vascular resistance (SVRI), indexed pulmonary vascular resistance (PVRI), and cardiac index (CI) were calculated. Each child then received a bolus of ketamine 2 mg·kg−1 infused over 2 min. Measurements and calculations were repeated 2 min after the conclusion of the infusion.

Results

The mean (95% CI) increase in mPAP following ketamine was 2 mmHg (0.2, 3.7), which was statistically significant but clinically insignificant. PVRI and PVRI/SVRI did not change significantly. Hemodynamic changes did not differ among subjects with differing severity of pulmonary hypertension or between subjects chronically treated with pulmonary vasodilators or not.

Conclusion

Ketamine is associated with minimal, clinically insignificant hemodynamic changes in sedated, mechanically ventilated children with pulmonary hypertension.
Priming of anti‐herbivore defence in Nicotiana attenuata by insect oviposition: herbivore‐specific effects
Authors: Bandoly Michele , Grichnik Roland , Hilker Monika , Steppuhn Anke
Published: November 2015

Oviposition by Spodoptera exigua on Nicotiana attenuata primes plant defence against its larvae that consequently suffer reduced performance. To reveal whether this is a general response of tobacco to insect oviposition or species‐specific, we investigated whether also Manduca sexta oviposition primes N. attenuata's anti‐herbivore defence. The plant response to M. sexta and S. exigua oviposition overlapped in the egg‐primed feeding‐induced production of the phenylpropanoid caffeoylputrescine. While M. sexta larvae were unaffected in their performance, they showed a novel response to the oviposition‐mediated plant changes: a reduced antimicrobial activity in their haemolymph. In a cross‐resistance experiment, S. exigua larvae suffered reduced performance on M. sexta‐oviposited plants like they did on S. exigua‐oviposited plants. The M. sexta oviposition‐mediated plant effects on the S. exigua larval performance and on M. sexta larval immunity required expression of the NaMyb8 transcription factor that is governing biosynthesis of phenylpropanoids such as caffeoylputrescine. Thus, NaMyb8‐dependent defence traits mediate the effects that oviposition by both lepidopteran species exerts on the plant's anti‐herbivore defence. These results suggest that oviposition by lepidopteran species on N. attenuata leaves may generally prime the feeding‐induced production of certain plant defence compounds but that different herbivore species show different susceptibility to egg‐primed plant effects.
Two pregnancies shortly after transplantation with reduced intensity conditioning in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Faraci Maura , Matthes‐Martin Susanne , Lanino Edoardo , Morreale Giuseppe , Ferretti Marta , Giardino Stefano , Micalizzi Concetta , Balduzzi Adriana
Published: November 2015

POI is a relevant late complication after HSCT and occurring more frequently after MAC than after RIC regimens. Reports on the frequency of POI after RIC in a large pediatric and adolescent population are lacking. In this study, we describe a girl affected by CML diagnosed at the age of 15 yr and treated with oncarbide and interferon followed by imatinib and dasatinib. She had two pregnancies shortly after RIC performed according to the CML‐SCT I‐BFM protocol including TT, FLU, and MEL. Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism occurred four months after HSCT; menstruations resumed regularly six months after HSCT. Eight and 20 months after HSCT, the patient became pregnant and then delivered, respectively, two babies at term by cesarean section. Both newborns had no neonatal complications. Donor chimerism at time of two pregnancies and five yr after transplantation demonstrated complete donor engraftment. These findings suggest that I‐BFM CML‐SCT protocol could be a promising treatment option for adolescents or young adults with CML eligible for HSCT.
Varieties of Objectivity: Reply toDeMesel
Authors: Brandhorst Mario
Published: November 2015

In a previous paper, I argued that the later Wittgenstein did not endorse a realist account of ethics, where a realist account is understood to involve a claim to truth as well as objectivity. In this paper, I respond to a number of critical questions that Benjamin De Mesel raises about that interpretation. I agree with him that just as there are uses for expressions such as “truth”, “fact” and “reality” in ethics, there are uses for expressions such as “objectivity” that do not involve a deeper realist commitment. But I uphold and reinforce my claim that objectivity in ethicsas the realist conceives itis ruled out by Wittgenstein, who describes the correspondence between ethical expressions and reality in an entirely different way.
Predictors of international students' psychological and sociocultural adjustment to the context of reception while studying at Aarhus University, Denmark
Authors: Ozer Simon
Published: November 2015

The number of international students engaging in intercultural education and thereby adjusting to cross‐cultural transition has risen conspicuously as a consequence of globalization and increased mobility. This process of acculturation has been associated with increased creativity as well as adaptation challenges. This paper investigates international students' psychological and sociocultural adjustment to studying at Aarhus University in Denmark. Both international students (n = 129) and domestic students (n = 111) participated in the study. The international students did not report impaired psychological conditions as compared to the control group of domestic students. However, the international students reported a significantly lower level of social support. Social support and perceived discrimination were significant predictors of both psychological and sociocultural adjustment. Additionally, the level of English proficiency alone predicted sociocultural adjustment. Values of vertical individualism and horizontal collectivism predicted psychological adjustment. Finally, integration was found to be a significantly more adaptive acculturation orientation than separation in regard to sociocultural adjustment. These findings were discussed in relation to relevant international research and it was concluded that international students comprise a resourceful student sample and that the international academic environment at Aarhus University appears to be an adequately cultural and value‐oriented good fit as a context of reception for the multicultural engagement of international students.
Moral Epistemology and Ideological Conflict in American Political Behavior*
Authors: Gibson Troy , Hare Christopher
Published: November 2015

Objective

The nature and extent of polarization in the American electorate remains fiercely disputed. This study investigates the depth of ideological and value cleavages in political behavior by examining the influence of adherence to three categories of moral epistemology: premodern (morality is absolute, and stems from the guidance of a supernatural source), modern (morality is absolute, and can be determined through scientific and rational means), and postmodern (morality is nonabsolute, and stems from the subjective values of individuals or groups).

Methods

Multiple correspondence analysis and multiple regression are used to analyze data from Pew's 2008 U.S. Religious Landscape Survey.

Results

Premodern adherence exerts a general rightward effect and postmodern adherence exerts a general leftward effect on political attitudes. Among politically attentive respondents, moral epistemology promotes ideological constraint across the economic, social, and foreign policy issue domains.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that ideological divisions in the American electorate are at least partly reflective of fundamental differences in beliefs about the nature and sources of moral knowledge.
Ribosome profiling reveals dynamic translational landscape in maize seedlings under drought stress
Authors: Lei Lei , Shi Junpeng , Chen Jian , Zhang Mei , Sun Silong , Xie Shaojun , Li Xiaojie , Zeng Biao , Peng Lizeng , Hauck Andrew , Zhao Haiming , Song Weibin , Fan Zaifeng , Lai Jinsheng
Published: November 2015

Plants can respond to environmental changes with various mechanisms occurred at transcriptional and translational levels. Thus far, there have been relatively extensive understandings of stress responses of plants on transcriptional level, while little information is known about that on translational level. To uncover the landscape of translation in plants in response to drought stress, we performed the recently developed ribosome profiling assay with maize seedlings growing under normal and drought conditions. Comparative analysis of the ribosome profiling data and the RNA‐seq data showed that the fold changes of gene expression at transcriptional level were moderately correlated with that of translational level globally (R2 = 0.69). However, less than half of the responsive genes were shared by transcription and translation under drought condition, suggesting that drought stress can introduce transcriptional and translational responses independently. We found that the translational efficiencies of 931 genes were changed significantly in response to drought stress. Further analysis revealed that the translational efficiencies of genes were highly influenced by their sequence features including GC content, length of coding sequences and normalized minimal free energy. In addition, we detected potential translation of 3063 upstream open reading frames (uORFs) on 2558 genes and these uORFs may affect the translational efficiency of downstream main open reading frames (ORFs). Our study indicates that plant can respond to drought stress with highly dynamic translational mechanism, that acting synergistically with that of transcription.
A and D genomes spatial separation at somatic metaphase in tetraploid cotton: evidence for genomic disposition in a polyploid plant
Authors: Han Jinlei , Zhou Baoliang , Shan Wenbo , Yu Liying , Wu Weiren , Wang Kai
Published: November 2015

Chromosomal dispositions were analyzed on the metaphase plate of tetraploid cotton (AADD). At metaphase, the two subgenomes, A and D, were separated in a radial pattern in which the small D subgenome chromosomes tended to concentrate at the center and the large A subgenome chromosomes were scattered about the periphery on the metaphase plate. Although the ordered chromosome arrangement was disturbed in an artificial hexaploid (AADDGG), the separation pattern could be recovered after the majority of the additional genome (GG) chromosomes were removed by backcrossing the artificial hexaploid with the tetraploid cotton (AADD). A similar genome separation phenomenon was also found in synthesized tetraploid cotton (AAGG). These results indicate that the genome separation pattern could be established immediately after tetraploid cotton formation and could be stably inherited in tetraploid cotton. Given the evidence of parental genome separation in other plants and animals, we speculated that genome separation might be a normal phenomenon in diploid and polyploid species. These finding will shed light on the chromosome conformation in plant cells.
Phosphatidylinositol 3,5‐Bisphosphate‐Rich Membrane Domains in Endosomes and Lysosomes
Authors: Takatori Sho , Tatematsu Tsuyako , Cheng Jinglei , Matsumoto Jun , Akano Takuya , Fujimoto Toyoshi
Published: November 2015

Phosphatidylinositol 3,5‐bisphosphate (PtdIns(3,5)P2) has critical functions in endosomes and lysosomes. We developed a method to define nanoscale distribution of PtdIns(3,5)P2 using freeze‐fracture electron microscopy. GST‐ATG18‐4×FLAG was used to label PtdIns(3,5)P2 and its binding to phosphatidylinositol 3‐phosphate (PtdIns(3)P) was blocked by an excess of the p40phox PX domain. In yeast exposed to hyperosmotic stress, PtdIns(3,5)P2 was concentrated in intramembrane particle (IMP)‐deficient domains in the vacuolar membrane, which made close contact with adjacent membranes. The IMP‐deficient domain was also enriched with PtdIns(3)P, but was deficient in Vph1p, a liquid‐disordered domain marker. In yeast lacking either PtdIns(3,5)P2 or its effector, Atg18p, the IMP‐deficient, PtdIns(3)P‐rich membranes were folded tightly to make abnormal tubular structures, thus showing where the vacuolar fragmentation process is arrested when PtdIns(3,5)P2 metabolism is defective. In HeLa cells, PtdIns(3,5)P2 was significantly enriched in the vesicular domain of RAB5‐ and RAB7‐positive endosome/lysosomes of the tubulo‐vesicular morphology. This biased distribution of PtdIns(3,5)P2 was also observed using fluorescence microscopy, which further showed enrichment of a retromer component, VPS35, in the tubular domain. This is the first report to show segregation of PtdIns(3,5)P2‐rich and ‐deficient domains in endosome/lysosomes, which should be important for endosome/lysosome functionality.
“SCIENCE–RELIGION SAMVADA” AND THE INDIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE
Authors: Balslev Anindita Niyogi
Published: November 2015

This article seeks to delineate some of the fundamental philosophical traits that are special characteristics of the Indian cultural soil. Tracing these from the Vedic period, it is shown that this heritage is still alive and gives a distinctive flavor to the science–religion dialogue in the Indian context. The prevalent attitude is not to view science and religion as antagonistic, but rather as forces that together could create a world where the persistent epistemological and ethical problems can get resolved to the benefit of humanity. In Indian thought rationality and spirituality are not viewed as opposed categories. The notion of “evidence” has played a crucial role in all enquiries for legitimizing the sources of knowledge and the criteria by which any claim to knowledge can be tested. References to investigations pertaining to such areas as cosmology, ecology, ethics, study of consciousness, and so on are made in order to bring out their relevance for science–religion dialogue today.
Thermal Performance Analysis of a Rectangular Longitudinal Finned Solar Air Heater With Semicircular Absorber Plate
Authors: Singh Satyender , Dhiman Prashant
Published: November 2015

Thermal performance of a single-pass single-glass cover solar air heater consisting of semicircular absorber plate finned with rectangular longitudinal fins is investigated. The analysis is carried out for different hydraulic diameters, which were obtained by varying the diameter of the duct from 0.3–0.5 m. One to five numbers of fins are considered. Reynolds number ranges from 1600–4300. Analytical solutions for energy balance equations of different elements and duct flow of the solar air heater are presented; results are compared with finite-volume methodology based numerical solutions obtained from ansys fluent commercial software, and a fairly good agreement is achieved. Moreover, analysis is extended to check the effect of double-glass cover and the recycle of the exiting air. Results revealed that the use of double-glass cover and recycle operation improves the thermal performance of solar air heater.
Numerical Study of Composite Electrode's Particle Size Effect on the Electrochemical and Heat Generation of a Li-Ion Battery
Authors: Shirazi A. H. N. , Azadi Kakavand M. R. , Rabczuk T.
Published: November 2015

Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are now playing crucial roles in power supply and energy storage systems. Among all types of rechargeable batteries available nowadays, LIBs are one of the most important ways to store energy because of their high energy density, high operating voltage, and low rate of self-discharge. Nonetheless, the performance of LIBs could be improved by different design parameters, such as the size of solid particles in the battery composite electrodes. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of the composite electrode particles size on the electrochemical and heat generation of an LIB. A Newman's electrochemical pseudo two-dimenisonal model was used to model the LIB cell. Reversible heat produced through electrochemical reactions was calculated as well as irreversible heat originating from internal resistances in the battery cell. Our results show that smaller sizes of electrode solid particles improve the thermal characteristics of the battery, especially in higher charge and discharge currents (C-rate). Furthermore, as the solid particle sizes decrease, the battery capacity increases for various C-rates in charge and discharge cycles.
Metal Oxide Nanopowder Production by Evaporation–Condensation Using a Focused Microwave Radiation at a Frequency of 24 GHz
Authors: Samokhin A. V. , Alexeev N. V. , Vodopyanov A. V. , Mansfeld D. A. , Tsvetkov Yu. V.
Published: November 2015

The new method for metal oxide nanopowder production is proposed. It is the evaporation–condensation using a focused microwave radiation. The source of microwaves is technological gyrotron with frequency of 24 GHz and power up to 7 kW with the energy density flux of 13 kW/cm2. Radiation was focused on the layer of powder of the treated material to ensure its evaporation, subsequent condensation of vapor in the gas stream, and deposition of particles on the water-cooled surface. Deposited powders consist of particles whose sizes are in the range of 20 nm to 1 μm. The powder consists of particles having different shapes—close to spherical shape as well as octahedral, which indicates that the mechanism of particles formation is “vapor–liquid–crystal” as well as “vapor–crystal.” The maximum evaporation rate was 100 g/hr. The proposed approach is original and extends the possible methods of producing nanoparticles.
Effect of Flow Rates on Operation of a Solar Thermochemical Reactor for Splitting CO2 Via the Isothermal Ceria Redox Cycle
Authors: Hathaway Brandon J. , Bala Chandran Rohini , Sedler Stephen , Thomas Daniel , Gladen Adam , Chase Thomas , Davidson Jane H.
Published: November 2015

A prototype 4 kW solar thermochemical reactor for the continuous splitting of carbon dioxide via the isothermal ceria redox cycle is demonstrated. These first tests of the new reactor showcase both the innovation of continuous on-sun fuel production in a single reactor and remarkably effective heat recovery of the sensible heat of the reactant and product gases. The impact of selection of gas flow rates is explored with respect to reactor fuel productivity and external energy costs of gas separation and pumping. Thermal impacts of gas flow selection are explored by coupling measured temperatures with a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to calculate internal temperature distributions and estimate heat recovery. Optimized gas flows selected for operation provide a 75% increase in fuel productivity and reduction in parasitic energy costs by 10% with respect to the design case.
Remembering the S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald
Authors: DiLisi Gregory A. , Rarick Richard A.
Published: November 2015

November 10, 2015, marked the 40th anniversary of the sinking of the S. S. Edmund Fitzgerald, a Great Lakes bulk cargo freighter that suddenly and mysteriously sank during a severe winter storm on Lake Superior. A year after the sinking, Canadian folksinger Gordon Lightfoot wrote and recorded the ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” The song became an international hit that made the event the most well-known and controversial shipping disaster on the Great Lakes. The purpose of this article is to commemorate the anniversary of this tragedy by bringing it to the attention of a new generation of students, namely those enrolled in our introductory physics courses. Since most of our students were not yet born when the ship sank, we first establish a historical context for them by providing detailed information about the ship's final voyage and wreckage site. (Lyrics from Lightfoot's ballad headline each of these sections.) We then focus on “rogue waves” and the principle of superposition to produce a simple simulation of the conditions that might have resulted in the giant freighter's sudden sinking.
Teaching and Learning Physics: Performance Art Evoking Insight
Authors: Sommer Wilfried
Published: November 2015

Doing experiments in physics lessons can create a magical moment if students become really intrigued with the experimental progression. They add a new quality to what the experiment shows. Their attention and nature's revelations flow together: a performance is taking place. It's similar to a moment during a theatrical performance, when the spectators' and actors' energy flow together and their feeling of being separated from one another dissolves. Together with the atmosphere of the stage scenery they reform something new, unique, and volatile, and the fourth wall, that imaginary wall between actors and audience, breaks down. Erika Fischer-Lichte refers to such moments as “the transformative power of performance: a new aesthetics.” Below, I will discuss what this transformative power with respect to teaching and learning physics can be, particularly how the involvement in experimental demonstrations develops deeper insights into the way in which the laws of physics are “prodigious.”
A Student-Built Scanning Tunneling Microscope
Authors: Ekkens Tom
Published: November 2015

Many introductory and nanotechnology textbooks discuss the operation of various microscopes including atomic force (AFM), scanning tunneling (STM), and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). In a nanotechnology laboratory class, students frequently utilize microscopes to obtain data without a thought about the detailed operation of the tool itself. I wanted to give my students a deeper appreciation for the physics by having them build a simple scanning tunneling microscope. Initially, 15 hours of an upper-division laboratory class were devoted to building and operating the STM. As the build process was refined, the time commitment for this project has shrunk to nine hours. Using the method described in this paper, the project is now simple enough that it can be built and operated by students in the introductory class.
The Seven-Segment Data Logger
Authors: Bates Alan
Published: November 2015

Instruments or digital meters with data values visible on a seven-segment display can easily be found in the physics lab. Examples include multimeters, sound level meters, Geiger-Müller counters and electromagnetic field meters, where the display is used to show numerical data. Such instruments, without the ability to connect to computers or data loggers, can measure and display data at a particular instant in time. The user should be present to read the display and to record the data. Unlike these digital meters, the sensor-data logger system has the advantage of automatically measuring and recording data at selectable sample rates over a desired sample time. The process of adding data logging features to a digital meter with a seven-segment display can be achieved with Seven Segment Optical Character Recognition (SSOCR) software. One might ask, why not just purchase a field meter with data logging features? They are relatively inexpensive, reliable, available online, and can be delivered within a few days. But then there is the challenge of making your own instrument, the excitement of implementing a design, the pleasure of experiencing an entire process from concept to product, and the satisfaction of avoiding costs by taking advantage of available technology. This experiment makes use of an electromagnetic field meter with a seven-segment liquid crystal display to measure background electromagnetic field intensity. Images of the meter display are automatically captured with a camera and analyzed using SSOCR to produce a text file containing meter display values.
Pressure Change in an Arterial Constriction
Authors: Mungan Carl E.
Published: November 2015

Consider the following ConcepTest. A platelet is drifting with the blood flowing through a horizontal artery. As the platelet enters a constriction, does the blood pressure increase, decrease, or stay the same?
Interactions between landscape elements and tranquility evaluation based on eye tracking experiments
Authors: Ren Xinxin , Kang Jian
Published: November 2015

Visual attention in tranquility evaluations has been examined by eye tracking experiments using audiovisual materials collected in traditional villages of China. The results show that without sound stimuli, the attention areas in tranquility evaluations are more concentrated, compared with those in visual aesthetic quality evaluations. With sound stimuli, the attention areas of tranquility evaluations disperse significantly from those without sound stimuli, where artificial sounds tend to expand the visual attention area on corresponding artificial landscape elements, whereas natural sounds promote larger attention areas on natural landscape elements. During information extraction for tranquility evaluations, both with and without sound stimuli, buildings and facilities, the sky, and vegetation are attractive landscape elements.