bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Technogenic landforms: conceptual framework and application to geomorphologic mapping of artificial ground and landscape as transformed by human geological action
Authors: Peloggia Alex Ubiratan Goossens , Silva Érika Cristina Nesta , Nunes João Osvaldo Rodrigues
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe shaping of the Earth’s surface by Man’s geological action has produced original landform types, namely technogenic landforms. In this paper we will revise the conceptual framework concerning the geomorphic agency of mankind and introduce a new proposal for classifying these new landforms, which join the existing criteria for the identification of technogenic processes, the analysis of technogenic layers and the characterisation of the resulting newly formed technogenic ground. The proposal itself is enhanced by a taxonomic classification which considers the technogenic landforms as constituent parts of the land shape compartments that, by their way, form extensive technogenic landscapes. The classification was applied to the geomorphologic mapping of two urban areas in Presidente Prudente City (São Paulo State, Brazil) in which technogenic ground occurs.   RESUMOA modelagem da superfície da Terra pela ação geológica do Homem tem produzido tipos originais de formas de relevo tecnogênicas. Neste trabalho é revisado o quadro conceitual concernente à ação geomorfológica da humanidade e introduzida uma proposta de classificação dessas novas formas de relevo, segundo os critérios de identificação dos processos tecnogênicos, as análises das camadas tecnogênicas e a caracterização do resultante terreno tecnogênico recém-formado. A proposta referida e desenvolvida por uma abordagem taxonômica que considera as formas de relevo tecnogênicas como partes integrantes de compartimentos de modelado tecnogênico que, por seu lado, formam paisagens tecnogênicas mais amplas. A classificação foi aplicada ao mapeamento geomorfológico de duas áreas urbanas na cidade de Presidente Prudente (Estado de São Paulo, Brasil) onde ocorrem terrenos tecnogênicos.
Cartografia geotecnogênica da região do Cabuçu, Guarulhos, São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Marques Daniele Dos Santos , Oliveira Antonio Manoel dos Santos
Published: December 2014

O processo de transformação das paisagens naturais em culturais ou tecnogênicas vem exigindo novas abordagens e mapeamentos dos novos terrenos e depósitos produzidos pelo homem. Há ainda poucos exemplos de cartografia geotecnogênica no país e este trabalho busca apresentar um exemplo que possa contribuir para o desenvolvimento do tema. A cartografia elaborada para a região do Cabuçu em Guarulhos (SP) foi fundamentada no estudo do uso da terra local, sua evolução e nas classificações disponíveis de terrenos e depósitos tecnogênicos.
Mudanças glaciais recentes e variabilidade climática na ilha Rei George, Antártica
Authors: Rosa Kátia Kellem da , Freiberger Vanessa Luisa , Vieira Rosemary , Rosa Cláudia Algayer da , Simões Jefferson Cardia
Published: December 2014

O presente trabalho investiga o comportamento das geleiras que fluem para a enseada Martel, localizadas na Ilha Rei George, Península Antártica. A metodologia compreendeu a análise das séries temporais de imagens de satélite para análise da retração glacial e resposta à variabilidade de temperatura média anual superficial do ar (1960-2010) e dias de precipitação líquida anual ao longo das últimas décadas. Os resultados possibilitaram a elaboração de um mapeamento da retração das geleiras para o período 1979-2011 e evidenciaram a perda de 13,21% da área total, destacando-se o período de 1979-2000 com maior retração. Destaca-se que devido ao regime termal, dimensões, espessuras e alto grau de retração das geleiras que fluem para a Enseada Martel respondem rapidamente (décadas) a tendência de aumento da temperatura média superficial do ar e alterações na precipitação. As geleiras Wanda (31%), Dobrowolski (17%), Dragão (54%) e Professor (39%) mostraram maior percentual de perda de área total no período. Este contínuo monitoramento revela possíveis cenários das alterações nesses ambientes glaciais diante da tendência de aumento da temperatura média superficial do ar e precipitação líquida.
 Gasteroid mycobiota of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil: Nidulariaceae
Authors: Baseia Iuri Goulart , Silveira Rosa Maria Borges da
Published: December 2014

Fungos gasteroides no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil: Nidulariaceae 
THE IMPORTANCE OF INVESTIGATION OF ARBOVIRUSES IN PUBLIC HEALTH: AN OVERVIEW AND THE ROLE OF NON-HUMAN PRIMATES
Authors: ROCHA Tatiana Carneiro , SVOBODA Walfrido Kühl , GOMES Eliane Carneiro
Published: December 2014

Os arbovírus (abreviação do termo em inglês arthropod-borne virus) são um grupo de vírus transmitidos entre hospedeiros vertebrados suscetíveis por meio de vetores artrópodes hematófagos. Estes vírus representam um sério problema de saúde pública no Brasil e no mundo devido ao seu potencial epidêmico e por serem responsáveis por elevadas taxas de morbidade e mortalidade. O objetivo deste trabalho foi fazer uma revisão da literatura sobre aspectos gerais dos arbovírus e sua importância em saúde pública e sobre o papel dos primatas não humanos no seu ciclo de transmissão.
From Anilines to Isatins: Oxidative Palladium‐Catalyzed Double Carbonylation of CH Bonds
Authors: Li Wu , Duan Zhengli , Zhang Xueye , Zhang Heng , Wang Mengfan , Jiang Ru , Zeng Hongyao , Liu Chao , Lei Aiwen
Published: December 2014

A novel palladium‐catalyzed CH double carbonylation introduces two adjacent carbonyl groups for the synthesis of isatins from readily available anilines. The reaction proceeds under atmospheric pressure of CO with high regioselectivity and without any additives. Density functional theory investigations indicate that the palladium‐catalyzed double carbonylation catalytic cycle is plausible.
Phosphorus‐Doped Graphitic Carbon Nitrides Grown In Situ on Carbon‐Fiber Paper: Flexible and Reversible Oxygen Electrodes
Authors: Ma Tian Yi , Ran Jingrun , Dai Sheng , Jaroniec Mietek , Qiao Shi Zhang
Published: December 2014

Flexible non‐metal oxygen electrodes fabricated from phosphorus‐doped graphitic carbon nitride nano‐flowers directly grown on carbon‐fiber paper exhibit high activity and stability in reversibly catalyzing oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, which is a result of N, P dual action, enhanced mass/charge transfer, and high active surface area. The performance is comparable to that of the state‐of‐the‐art transition‐metal, noble‐metal, and non‐metal catalysts. Remarkably, the flexible nature of these oxygen electrodes allows their use in folded and rolled‐up forms, and directly as cathodes in Zn–air batteries, featuring low charge/discharge overpotential and long lifetime.
Covalent Attachment of Cyclic TAT Peptides to GFP Results in Protein Delivery into Live Cells with Immediate Bioavailability
Authors: Nischan Nicole , Herce Henry D. , Natale Francesco , Bohlke Nina , Budisa Nediljko , Cardoso M. Cristina , Hackenberger Christian P. R.
Published: December 2014

The delivery of free molecules into the cytoplasm and nucleus by using arginine‐rich cell‐penetrating peptides (CPPs) has been limited to small cargoes, while large cargoes such as proteins are taken up and trapped in endocytic vesicles. Based on recent work, in which we showed that the transduction efficiency of arginine‐rich CPPs can be greatly enhanced by cyclization, the aim was to use cyclic CPPs to transport full‐length proteins, in this study green fluorescent protein (GFP), into the cytosol of living cells. Cyclic and linear CPP–GFP conjugates were obtained by using azido‐functionalized CPPs and an alkyne‐functionalized GFP. Our findings reveal that the cyclic‐CPP–GFP conjugates are internalized into live cells with immediate bioavailability in the cytosol and the nucleus, whereas linear CPP analogues do not confer GFP transduction. This technology expands the application of cyclic CPPs to the efficient transport of functional full‐length proteins into live cells.
Hen Egg‐White Lysozyme Crystallisation: Protein Stacking and Structure Stability Enhanced by a Tellurium(VI)‐Centred Polyoxotungstate
Authors: Bijelic Aleksandar , Molitor Christian , Mauracher Stephan G. , Al‐Oweini Rami , Kortz Ulrich , Rompel Annette
Published: December 2014

As synchrotron radiation becomes more intense, detectors become faster and structure‐solving software becomes more elaborate, obtaining single crystals suitable for data collection is now the bottleneck in macromolecular crystallography. Hence, there is a need for novel and advanced crystallisation agents with the ability to crystallise proteins that are otherwise challenging. Here, an Anderson–Evans‐type polyoxometalate (POM), specifically Na6[TeW6O24]⋅22 H2O (TEW), is employed as a crystallisation additive. Its effects on protein crystallisation are demonstrated with hen egg‐white lysozyme (HEWL), which co‐crystallises with TEW in the vicinity (or within) the liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) region. The X‐ray structure (PDB ID: 4PHI) determination revealed that TEW molecules are part of the crystal lattice, thus demonstrating specific binding to HEWL with electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds. The negatively charged TEW polyoxotungstate binds to sites with a positive electrostatic potential located between two (or more) symmetry‐related protein chains. Thus, TEW facilitates the formation of protein–protein interfaces of otherwise repulsive surfaces, and thereby the realisation of a stable crystal lattice. In addition to retaining the isomorphicity of the protein structure, the anomalous scattering of the POMs was used for macromolecular phasing. The results suggest that hexatungstotellurate(VI) has great potential as a crystallisation additive to promote both protein crystallisation and structure elucidation.
NMR Studies of Active‐Site Properties of Human Carbonic Anhydrase II by Using 15N‐Labeled 4‐Methylimidazole as a Local Probe and Histidine Hydrogen‐Bond Correlations
Authors: Shenderovich Ilya G. , Lesnichin Stepan B. , Tu Chingkuang , Silverman David N. , Tolstoy Peter M. , Denisov Gleb S. , Limbach Hans‐Heinrich
Published: December 2014

By using a combination of liquid and solid‐state NMR spectroscopy, 15N‐labeled 4‐methylimidazole (4‐MI) as a local probe of the environment has been studied: 1) in the polar, wet Freon CDF3/CDF2Cl down to 130 K, 2) in water at pH 12, and 3) in solid samples of the mutant H64A of human carbonic anhydrase II (HCA II). In the latter, the active‐site His64 residue is replaced by alanine; the catalytic activity is, however, rescued by the presence of 4‐MI. For the Freon solution, it is demonstrated that addition of water molecules not only catalyzes proton tautomerism but also lifts its quasidegeneracy. The possible hydrogen‐bond clusters formed and the mechanism of the tautomerism are discussed. Information about the imidazole hydrogen‐bond geometries is obtained by establishing a correlation between published 1H and 15N chemical shifts of the imidazole rings of histidines in proteins. This correlation is useful to distinguish histidines embedded in the interior of proteins and those at the surface, embedded in water. Moreover, evidence is obtained that the hydrogen‐bond geometries of His64 in the active site of HCA II and of 4‐MI in H64A HCA II are similar. Finally, the degeneracy of the rapid tautomerism of the neutral imidazole ring His64 reported by Shimahara et al. (J. Biol. Chem.­ 2007, 282, 9646) can be explained with a wet, polar, nonaqueous active‐site conformation in the inward conformation, similar to the properties of 4‐MI in the Freon solution. The biological implications for the enzyme mechanism are discussed.
Cationic Zinc Organyls as Precatalysts for Hydroamination Reactions
Authors: Chilleck Maren A. , Hartenstein Larissa , Braun Thomas , Roesky Peter W. , Braun Beatrice
Published: December 2014

The cationic zinc triple‐decker complex [Zn2Cp*3]+[BArF4]− (BArF4=B(3,5‐(CF3)2C6H3)4) exhibits catalytic activity in intra‐ and intermolecular hydroamination reactions in the absence of a cocatalyst. These hydroaminations presumably proceed through the activation of the CC multiple bond of the alkene or alkyne by a highly electrophilic zinc species, which is formed upon elimination of the Cp* ligands. The reaction of [Zn2Cp*3]+[BArF4]− with phenylacetylene gives the hydrocarbonation product (Cp*)(Ph)CCH2, which might be formed via a similar reaction pathway. Additionally, several other structurally well‐defined cationic zinc organyls have been examined as precatalysts for intermolecular hydroamination reactions without the addition of a cocatalyst. These studies reveal that the highest activity is achieved in the absence of any donor ligands. The neutral complex [ZnCp2S2] (Cp2S=C5Me4(CH2)2SMe) shows a remarkably high catalytic activity in the presence of a Brønsted acid.
Hypersomnia subtypes, sleep and relapse in bipolar disorder
Authors: Kaplan K. A. , McGlinchey E. L. , Soehner A. , Gershon A. , Talbot L. S. , Eidelman P. , Gruber J. , Harvey A. G.
Published: December 2014

Background.

Though poorly defined, hypersomnia is associated with negative health outcomes and new-onset and recurrence of psychiatric illness. Lack of definition impedes generalizability across studies. The present research clarifies hypersomnia diagnoses in bipolar disorder by exploring possible subgroups and their relationship to prospective sleep data and relapse into mood episodes.

Method.

A community sample of 159 adults (aged 18–70 years) with bipolar spectrum diagnoses, euthymic at study entry, was included. Self-report inventories and clinician-administered interviews determined features of hypersomnia. Participants completed sleep diaries and wore wrist actigraphs at home to obtain prospective sleep data. Approximately 7 months later, psychiatric status was reassessed. Factor analysis and latent profile analysis explored empirical groupings within hypersomnia diagnoses.

Results.

Factor analyses confirmed two separate subtypes of hypersomnia (‘long sleep’ and ‘excessive sleepiness’) that were uncorrelated. Latent profile analyses suggested a four-class solution, with ‘long sleep’ and ‘excessive sleepiness’ again representing two separate classes. Prospective sleep data suggested that the sleep of ‘long sleepers’ is characterized by a long time in bed, not long sleep duration. Longitudinal assessment suggested that ‘excessive sleepiness’ at baseline predicted mania/hypomania relapse.

Conclusions.

This study is the largest of hypersomnia to include objective sleep measurement, and refines our understanding of classification, characterization and associated morbidity. Hypersomnia appears to be comprised of two separate subgroups: long sleep and excessive sleepiness. Long sleep is characterized primarily by long bedrest duration. Excessive sleepiness is not associated with longer sleep or bedrest, but predicts relapse to mania/hypomania. Understanding these entities has important research and treatment implications.
Moving Horizon Estimation for Cooperative Localisation with Communication Delay
Authors: Gao Wei , Yang Jian , Liu Ju , Shi Hongyang , Xu Bo
Published: December 2014

Cooperative Localisation (CL) technology is required in some situations for Multiple Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (MUUVs) missions. During the CL process, the Relative Localisation Information (RLI) of the master UUV is transmitted to slave UUVs via acoustic communication. In the underwater environment, the RLI is subject to a random time delay. Considering the time delay characteristic of the RLI during the acoustic communication, a Moving Horizon Estimation (MHE) method with a Delayed Extended Kalman Filter (DEKF)-based arrival cost update law is presented in this paper to obtain an accurate and reliable estimation of present location. Additionally, an effective computation method for the MHE method is employed, in which the “Lower Upper” (LU) factorization is used to compute the solution of the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) system. At the end of this paper, simulation results are presented to prove the superiority and practicality of the proposed MHE algorithm.
Cultural Property, the Palermo Convention, and Transnational Organized Crime
Authors: Borgstede Greg
Published: December 2014

The international community is concerned about criminal activity involving cultural property and is promoting the use of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime to combat looting and trafficking of cultural property. This article discusses how the Convention may be applied, outlines some of the intentions of UN member states with regard to cultural property crime, and the role of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. It is suggested that cultural property stakeholders should scrutinize this developing effort, particularly in the areas of UNTOC application to specific cultural property cases and the collection and analysis of data specifically to address the connections between cultural property and transnational organized crime.
Two-dimensional Layered MoS2 Biosensors Enable Highly Sensitive Detection of Biomolecules
Authors: Lee Joonhyung , Dak Piyush , Lee Yeonsung , Park Heekyeong , Choi Woong , Alam Muhammad A. , Kim Sunkook
Published: December 2014

We present a MoS2 biosensor to electrically detect prostate specific antigen (PSA) in a highly sensitive and label-free manner. Unlike previous MoS2-FET-based biosensors, the device configuration of our biosensors does not require a dielectric layer such as HfO2 due to the hydrophobicity of MoS2. Such an oxide-free operation improves sensitivity and simplifies sensor design. For a quantitative and selective detection of PSA antigen, anti-PSA antibody was immobilized on the sensor surface. Then, introduction of PSA antigen, into the anti-PSA immobilized sensor surface resulted in a lable-free immunoassary format. Measured off-state current of the device showed a significant decrease as the applied PSA concentration was increased. The minimum detectable concentration of PSA is 1 pg/mL, which is several orders of magnitude below the clinical cut-off level of ~4 ng/mL. In addition, we also provide a systematic theoretical analysis of the sensor platform – including the charge state of protein at the specific pH level and self-consistent channel transport. Taken together, the experimental demonstration and the theoretical framework provide a comprehensive description of the performance potential of dielectric-free MoS2-based biosensor technology.
Preparation of Ge nanotube arrays from an ionic liquid for lithium ion battery anodes with improved cycling stability
Authors: Liu Xusong , Hao Jian , Liu Xiaoxu , Chi Caixia , Li Na , Endres Frank , Zhang Yi , Li Yao , Zhao Jiupeng
Published: December 2014

Ge nanotube array anodes with remarkable cycling ability are prepared by template-assisted electrodeposition from an ionic liquid.
A quantitative prediction of the viscosity of ionic liquids using Sσ-profilemolecular descriptors
Authors: Zhao Yongsheng , Huang Ying , Zhang Xiangping , Zhang Suojiang
Published: December 2014

A QSPR study of ILs using MLR and SVM algorithms based on COSMO-RS molecular descriptors (Sσ-profile).
A new porous Zr-containing catalyst with a phenate group: an efficient catalyst for the catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone
Authors: Song Jinliang , Wu Lingqiao , Zhou Baowen , Zhou Huacong , Fan Honglei , Yang Yingying , Meng Qinglei , Han Buxing
Published: December 2014

A new porous Zr-containing catalyst (Zr-HBA) could be used as a heterogeneous catalyst for efficient catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone.
Simulation guided design of globular single-chain nanoparticles by tuning the solvent quality
Authors: Lo Verso Federica , Pomposo José A. , Colmenero Juan , Moreno Angel J.
Published: December 2014

Typical configurations of swollen single-chain nanoparticles obtained by two different routes. These are based on intramolecular cross-linking under bad solvent conditions for the reactive groups. Good solvent conditions are restored after completing cross-linking.
Solution processed F doped ZnO (ZnO:F) for thin film transistors and improved stability through co-doping with alkali metals
Authors: Chang Jingjing , Lin Zhenhua , Lin Ming , Zhu Chunxiang , Zhang Jie , Wu Jishan
Published: December 2014

FETs based on ZnO doped with F and alkali metals showed largely improved charge carrier mobility, shelf-life stability and bias stress stability.
Luteotropic and luteolytic factors regulate mRNA and protein expression of progesterone receptor isoforms A and B in the bovine endometrium
Authors: Rekawiecki Robert , Kowalik Magdalena Karolina , Kotwica Jan
Published: December 2014

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of luteotropic and luteolytic factors on the mRNA and protein levels of progesterone receptor isoforms A (PGRA) and B (PGRB) in the bovine endometrium. Endometrial slices from Days 6–10 and 17–20 of the oestrous cycle were treated with LH (100 ng mL–1), oestradiol (E2; 1 × 10–8 M), prostaglandin (PG) E2 (1 × 10–6 M) and PGF2α (1 × 10–6 M) and the nitric oxide donor NONOate (1 × 10–4 M); these treatments lasted for 6 h for mRNA expression analysis and 24 h for protein expression analysis. On Days 6–10 of the oestrous cycle PGRAB (PGRAB; the entire PGRA mRNA sequence is common to the PGRB mRNA sequence) mRNA expression in endometrial slices was enhanced by E2 treatment (P < 0.001), whereas PGRB mRNA expression was increased by LH (P < 0.001), E2 (P < 0.05) and NONOate (P < 0.05) treatment. On Days 17–20, PGRAB mRNA expression increased after E2 (P < 0.001) and PGE2 (P < 0.05) treatment; PGRB mRNA expression was increased by PGE2 (P < 0.05) and PGF2α (P < 0.01) treatment, but decreased by LH (P < 0.05). On Days 6–10 protein levels of PGRA were stimulated by E2 (P < 0.01), whereas PGRB protein levels were increased by LH (P < 0.05) and E2 (P < 0.05). On Days 17–20 of the oestrous cycle, PGRA protein levels were enhanced by E2 (P < 0.05) and PGF2α (P < 0.05), whereas PGRB protein levels were stimulated by PGE2 (P < 0.05) and PGF2α (P < 0.001). These data suggest that luteotropic and luteolytic factors affect PGRA and PGRB mRNA and protein levels, and this may regulate the effects of progesterone on endometrial cells.
Using Procedure Codes to Define Radiation Toxicity in Administrative Data
Authors: Meyer Anne-Marie , Kuo Tzy-Mey , Chang YunKyung , Carpenter William R. , Chen Ronald C. , Sturmer Til
Published: December 2014

Background:

Systematic coding systems are used to define clinically meaningful outcomes when leveraging administrative claims data for research. How and when these codes are applied within a research study can have implications for the study validity and their specificity can vary significantly depending on treatment received.

Subjects:

Data are from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked dataset.

Study Design:

We use propensity score methods in a retrospective cohort of prostate cancer patients first examined in a recently published radiation oncology comparative effectiveness study.

Results:

With the narrowly defined outcome definition, the toxicity event outcome rate ratio was 0.88 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 0.71–1.08). With the broadly defined outcome, the rate ratio was comparable, with 0.89 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval, 0.76–1.04), although individual event rates were doubled. Some evidence of surveillance bias was suggested by a higher rate of endoscopic procedures the first year of follow-up in patients who received proton therapy compared with those receiving intensity-modulated radiation treatment (11.15 vs. 8.90, respectively).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates the risk of introducing bias through subjective application of procedure codes. Careful consideration is required when using procedure codes to define outcomes in administrative data.
Immunocompetence and high metabolic rates enhance overwinter survival in the root vole,
Microtus oeconomus
Authors: Książek Aneta , Zub Karol , Szafrańska Paulina A. , Wieczorek Monika , Konarzewski Marek
Published: December 2014

Despite its presumed significance, the association between immune defence, energy expenditures and overwinter survival is rarely studied. We analysed individual variation in immunocompetence quantified as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (N/L), total white blood cells (WBC) and natural antibody levels, along with resting (RMR) and peak metabolic rates (PMR) and mortality during three consecutive winter seasons in a natural population of the root vole,
Microtus oeconomus
. In early winter, WBC count was negatively correlated with RMR, whereas N/L ratio was negatively correlated with swim-elicited PMR. We suggest that while the first correlation reflected the trade-off between energy allocation in immunocompetence and other metabolically demanding processes, the latter correlation stemmed from stress-induced immunosuppression elicited by the necessity to cope with swimming in frequently flooded habitat. In addition, the analysis carried out during the first year of study characterized by a high population density and prevalence of infestation with a blood parasite—
Babesia
spp., showed that its intensity was inversely correlated with the N/L ratio. In summary, our results suggest that elevated N/L ratio increases the winter survival of free-ranging rodents by increasing their ability to cope with parasitic infections.
Drought and resprouting plants
Authors: Zeppel Melanie J. B. , Harrison Sandy P. , Adams Henry D. , Kelley Douglas I. , Li Guangqi , Tissue David T. , Dawson Todd E. , Fensham Rod , Medlyn Belinda E. , Palmer Anthony , West Adam G. , McDowell Nate G.
Published: December 2014

Many species have the ability to resprout vegetatively after a substantial loss of biomass induced by environmental stress, including drought. Many of the regions characterised by ecosystems where resprouting is common are projected to experience more frequent and intense drought during the 21st Century. However, in assessments of ecosystem response to drought disturbance there has been scant consideration of the resilience and post‐drought recovery of resprouting species. Systematic differences in hydraulic and allocation traits suggest that resprouting species are more resilient to drought‐stress than nonresprouting species. Evidence suggests that ecosystems dominated by resprouters recover from disturbance more quickly than ecosystems dominated by nonresprouters. The ability of resprouters to avoid mortality and withstand drought, coupled with their ability to recover rapidly, suggests that the impact of increased drought stress in ecosystems dominated by these species may be small. The strategy of resprouting needs to be modelled explicitly to improve estimates of future climate‐change impacts on the carbon cycle, but this will require several important knowledge gaps to be filled before resprouting can be properly implemented.
Different patterns of A*80:01:01:01 allele generation based on exon or intron sequences
Authors: Cervera I. , Herraiz M. A , Vidart J. , Ortega S. , Martínez‐Laso J.
Published: December 2014

Generation of the HLA‐A*80:01:01:01 allele has been analysed using its complete sequence. Direct comparison of the sequences and phylogenetic trees using the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐A representative alleles and the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)‐A sequences of non‐human primates has been made. Results based on exon sequences confirm previously published, but considering only the sequences of the introns, two distinct regions can be differentiated. The first one comprises from the 5′ untranslated region region to the first part of intron 3 sequence (shared with A2 family), and the second one includes the sequence from the end of intron 3 to intron 7 (shared with A1/A3/A11/A36/A30 family). Each of them clusters with Gorilla and Chimpanzee MHC‐A sequences, respectively, suggesting an origin coming from a common ancestor to Gorilla and Chimpanzee.
Comparison on therapeutic effect of plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin for Guillian–Barre syndrome
Authors: Ye Y. , Li S.‐L. , Li Y.‐J.
Published: December 2014

Objectives

To observe and compare the clinical curative effect of the plasma exchange (PE) and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) for Guillian–Barre Syndrome (GBS).

Methods

Overall, 64 adult patients with GBS for PE and IVIg treatment, respectively, and nerve function were observed pre‐treatment and at 1 week/2 weeks after completion of treatment; the blood immunoglobulin, complement, fibrinogen (Fib) and monocyte percentage (MON%) were detected simultaneously.

Results

After PE treatment, nerve function defect appeared to improve better than the IVIg group and clinical effect was better than the IVIg group. Treatment effective rates of the two groups after 2 weeks, respectively, are 96 and 79%. PE and IVIg can significantly reduce the GBS patients' blood immunoglobulin IgG, IgA, IgM, C3 and C4, but these were significantly lower in the PE group than in the IVIg group. Fib and MON% were significantly lower in the PE group than in the IVIg group.

Conclusion

Both PE and IVIg have a high response as therapy and are reasonable therapeutic options for GBS. However, PE treatment has a more significantly curative effect, as it can effectively improve symptoms and be helpful in the early rehabilitation of patients.
THE NERVOUS MECHANISM OF MICTURITION
Authors: Barrington F. J. F.
Published: December 2014

It has frequently been stated that micturition is dependent on the integrity of a centre in the lumbo‐sacral region of the cord and on the connexions of this with the bladder and urethra, and that micturition takes place when this part of the cord is isolated from the parts of the central nervous system above it. Some authors even go so far as to state that a centre exists in the ganglia outside the cord, and that micturition can take place with these alone intact after removal of the lower end of the cord. As far as the cat is concerned this conclusion is proved to be false by the single experiment of dividing the sacral posterior (dorsal) roots, when micturition is permanently abolished. The escape of urine in jets and the reflex production of bladder contractions, after transection of the cord, are the two chief facts brought forward to support the hypothesis of a centre for micturition in the lumbo‐sacral cord, and whether or not the bladder empties itself has not been considered. The first, as has been explained, can occur without any co‐ordination. The second is what would be expected from the anatomical fact that the fibres of the pelvic nerve arise from cells situated in this part of the cord (2). The fact that in a normal cat a motor tone arising from above the lumbo‐sacral region is constantly passing out through the pelvic nerves, and a similar inhibitor tone through the hypogastrics, is quite inexplicable on the supposition of a lumbo‐sacral centre. That various factors in the function of micturition can and in some cases do arise in this part of the cord, and even, as has been shown, in the inferior mesenteric ganglia, is certain; but that any mechanism for piecing them together in a co‐ordinate act of micturition exists below the lower thoracic region of the cord is entirely without proof, whether one considers the various factors in the act or the ways in which the whole function is affected by thoracic transections of the cord.

If the facts already stated are reviewed it will be seen that except for the inhibitor tone exercised on the bladder, which may quite probably prove to be something rather peculiar to the cat (2), the hypogastric appears to play little if any part in ordinary micturition. Even the closing mechanism of the bladder, which of all things one would expect to be due to a nervous motor tone, is seen to be independent of the hypogastrics. It would seem from this that the hypogastrics are only for use on certain occasions, as for instance, in coitus. A little support is lent to this suggestion by the fact that in guinea‐pigs during sexual excitement jets of urine are constantly shot out of the urethra; that the bladder is not emptied by this process is seen from the fact that the animals can continue doing it for a considerable time. Peripheral stimulation of the hypogastric in the guinea‐pig is followed by a very powerful contraction of the bladder.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE CORRELATION BETWEEN AREA AND HÆMOGLOBIN CONTENT OF THE ERYTHROCYTE
Authors: Ponder Eric
Published: December 2014

The type of relation described by BÜRKER, between the hæmoglobin content of the red cell and the area of the cell, is not appreciably affected if the area be calculated by a more accurate formula. If the limit of resolution of the optical system employed, and the difficulty of measuring the diameter of the cell resulting from the production of a spurious disc at the cell margin, be considered, it is found that so great an error is attached to the initial measurements from which the volume and area are calculated, that it is fallacious to attach significance to the observation that a simple relation exists between the area of the cell and the hæmoglobin content, and not between the volume and the hæmoglobin content. Whether the best simple correlation is between area and hæmoglobin content, or between volume and hæmoglobin content, is impossible to decide from the existing figures, and probably even from the most accurate measurements of the cell which can be made.
EXPERIMENTAL THERMAL BURNS, ESPECIALLY THE MODERATE TEMPERATURE BURN
Authors: Leach E. H. , Peters R. A. , Rossiter R. J.
Published: December 2014

I. With the object of producing standard low‐temperature burns in animals, and of studying the area of tissue only partly damaged in a burn, a burning iron has been made capable of applying temperatures from 45°‐80°C. to the skin; with this the amount of heat and temperature causing skin damage has been studied, and the macroscopic and microscopic damage due to graded temperatures have been delineated.

II. Macroscopic Changes.

1. Graded temperatures of 45°‐80°C. have been applied to the skin of shaved, anæsthetised guinea‐pigs, and in some cases rats, for times varying from 10 sec. to 6 and 10 min. Observations have been made of the development of erythema, flare, blanching, blueing, heat fixation, incipient blister formation, œdema, and edge wheal, as also upon the later scab formation and rate of epithelium regeneration.

2. Applications of 47°C. up to 6 minutes produce no visible change.

3. At 50°‐55°C. applied for 1 minute and over, there is a critical temperature for the development of permanent and irreversible damage; in animals good scab formation occurs after burning at this temperature.

4. After temperatures of 60°‐65°C. the epidermis can be peeled off from the exposed area, leaving a punched‐out exposed surface area somewhat like the exposed human blister.

5. A temperature of 70°‐80°C. for 10‐20 seconds produces severe scabbing.

6. Observations of œdema formation have been checked by wet and dry weights of specimens of skin taken 2 hours after heating. At 55°C. there is some change, but this is more definite at 60°C.

7. The observations recorded here are readily reproducible and provide a standard method of burning for experimental work.

III. Microscopic Changes.

1. The histological effects of mild burns of varying intensity and duration have been described in detail. They follow the general picture previously recorded in necrotic changes.

2. Two different types of reaction are described; with milder burns there is cellular disintegration; with more intense burns, heat coagulation.

3. In more intense burns there is a peripheral shell of changes characteristic of burns of lower temperature.

4. Two substances are lost by the epithelium of skin which has been subjected to a burn:

(a) Basophil granules from the cytoplasm.

(b) Nucleoprotein from the nuclei.

These two substances can be identified in the intercellular blister spaces.

5. Collagen fibres change in structure and staining affinity in the more intense burns.

Our thanks are due to the Carnegie Trustees for a personal grant to one of us (R. J. Rossiter); to the Nuffield Committee and Trustees and to the Medical Research Council for grants which have helped the cost of this research, though this has been also much financed from University sources. We are grateful to Dr. M. C. Manifold for help with some of the preliminary observations and to Dr. A. N. Drury, Dr. L. Colebrook, and Mr. E. Rock Carling for their interest. We also wish to thank Mr. Marsden for technical assistance with the histology.
THE PRODUCTION OF RENAL FAILURE FOLLOWING INJECTION OF SOLUTIONS CONTAINING MYOHÆMOGLOBIN
Authors: Bywaters E. G. L. , Stead J. K.
Published: December 2014

Following our failure to reproduce the renal effects of crush syndrome in rabbits, whose muscles are virtually devoid of myoHb., we have injected solutions containing this pigment into rabbits in doses equivalent to the amount excreted in human crushing injury.

1. In normal rabbits no lesion results.

2. If myoHb. is injected after release of a standardised leg compression, renal impairment may follow.

3. In rabbits with acid urine (pH 4·5‐6·1) the injection of myoHb. solutions led to more severe renal failure, with death in uræmia in 4/25 cases. This renal damage was associated with pigment retention to a significant degree.

4. Experiments with limb compression and rabbit (non‐pigmented) muscle extract injections in “acidified” rabbits gave negative results.

5. It is concluded, by analogy with these experiments, that myohæmoglobin excreted in an acid urine such as occurs in the crush syndrome may play an important role in the genesis of the renal failure seen in that type of injury. Analogies with the mismatched transfusion kidney are pointed out.
THE MECHANISM OF ANTIDROMIC VASODILATATION
Authors: Ibrahim F. D. , Stella G. , Talaat M.
Published: December 2014

1. In the skin, in response to stimulation of the posterior root fibres, histamine is released into the venous blood. The release of histamine is paralleled by an increase in blood flow.

2. In muscles, antidromic stimulation of the posterior roots does not release histamine nor increase the blood flow.

3. After the intravenous injection of antihistamine preparations, dorsal root stimulation causes a much smaller vasodilatation in the skin.

4. Antihistamine preparations prevent the skin vasodilatation caused by histamine but not that caused by acetylcholine.

5. It is concluded that the antidromic vasodilatation in the skin, produced by dorsal root stimulation, is due to the release of histamine in the skin as first suggested by Lewis and Marvin.
The medullary projections of afferent bronchopulmonary C fibres in the cat as shown by antidromic mapping.
Authors: Kubin L , Kimura H , Davies R O
Published: December 2014

1. The activity of eighty‐seven bronchopulmonary vagal afferent neurones with unmyelinated axons (C fibres) was recorded extracellularly in the nodose ganglia of decerebrate, paralysed and artificially ventilated cats. On the basis of their response latencies following the right atrial injection of capsaicin or phenyldiguanide, the cells were classified as having their receptor endings within the reach of pulmonary (latency less than 3.5 s) or bronchial (latency above 3.5 s) circulation. 2. Pulmonary and bronchial receptor cells differed only slightly in their response characteristics (firing rate, burst duration) and the conduction velocity of their peripheral axons. Bronchial C fibres represented about 70% of the population studied. 3. The medullary distributions of the central branches of six pulmonary and six bronchial C fibres were determined by means of the antidromic mapping technique. The two receptor subtypes did not differ in their central projection patterns. 4. Rostral to the obex, the central branches of the bronchopulmonary C fibres were localized within the medial portions of the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and area postrema, and were most densely distributed along the borders of the parvicellular subnucleus of the NTS. Caudal to the obex, the most dense branching was found in the dorsal portion of the commissural subnucleus. Projections to the contralateral NTS were found, but these were of a much lower density. 5. The central distribution of bronchopulmonary C fibres is compared to the projection patterns of vagal and glossopharyngeal afferents of other modalities that are involved in respiratory and cardiovascular control. This is discussed in relation to the concept of a modality‐specific organization of the NTS.
Patch clamp analysis of excitatory synaptic currents in granule cells of rat hippocampus.
Authors: Keller B U , Konnerth A , Yaari Y
Published: December 2014

1. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) and their underlying currents (EPSCs) were recorded from dentate granule cells in thin hippocampal slices of rats using the tight‐seal whole‐cell recording technique. 2. At resting membrane potentials (ca ‐60 to ‐70 mV), the EPSCs clearly consisted of a dominant fast and a smaller slow component. The slow EPSC component markedly increased with depolarization. This resulted in a region of negative slope conductance (between ‐50 and ‐30 mV) in the peak current‐voltage (I‐V) relation of the dual‐component EPSC in most neurones. The EPSCs reversed entirely at ‐1.2 +/‐ 2.8 mV (n = 15). 3. Using selective antagonists of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) and non‐NMDA excitatory amino acid receptors, two pharmacologically distinct components of the natural EPSCs were isolated. The non‐NMDA EPSCs displayed a linear I‐V relation. Their rise times (0.5‐1.9 ms) were independent of membrane voltage but seemed to depend critically on the precise dendritic location of the synapse. Their decay was approximated by a single exponential with a time constant ranging from 3 to 9 ms. The time course of these EPSCs was independent of changes in extracellular Mg2+. 4. The NMDA EPSCs displayed a non‐linear I‐V relation. At resting membrane potentials their peak amplitudes were 20 pA and increased steadily with depolarization to ‐30 mV. At membrane voltages positive to ‐30 mV the peak I‐V relation was linear. The rise times of NMDA EPSCs ranged from 4 to 9 ms and were insensitive to membrane voltage. 5. The NMDA EPSCs decayed biexponentially. Both time constants, tau f and tau s, increased with depolarization in an exponential manner, tau s being more voltage dependent than tau f. Lowering extracellular Mg2+ slightly reduced both rate constants but did not completely abolish their voltage sensitivity. 6. Bath application of NMDA to outside‐out patches from granule cells induced single channel currents of 52 pS in nominally Mg(2+)‐free solutions. They displayed a burst‐like single‐channel activity with clusters of bursts lasting several hundreds of milliseconds. Currents through single NMDA receptor channels reversed around 0 mV. 7. The fractional contributions of NMDA and non‐NMDA components to peak currents and synaptic charge transfer were assessed. At resting membrane potential the NMDA EPSC component accounted for 23% of the peak current and for 64% of the synaptic charge transfer. The contribution of the NMDA EPSC component to the synaptic charge transfer strongly increased with small depolarizations from rest.
Chloride and bicarbonate transport in rat resistance arteries.
Authors: Aalkjaer C , Hughes A
Published: December 2014

1. The role of chloride and bicarbonate in the control of intracellular pH (pHi) was assessed in segments of rat mesenteric resistance arteries (internal diameter about 200 microns) by measurements of chloride efflux with 36Cl‐, of pHi with the pH‐sensitive dye 2',7'‐bis‐(2‐carboxyethyl)‐5 (and‐6)‐carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) and of membrane potential with intracellular electrodes. 2. The main questions addressed were whether the previously demonstrated sodium‐coupled uptake of bicarbonate in these arteries was also coupled to chloride efflux, and whether sodium‐independent Cl(‐)‐HCO3‐ exchange was present and played a role in regulation of pHi. 3. The 36Cl‐ efflux was unaffected by acidification induced by an NH4Cl pre‐pulse in the presence as well as in the absence of bicarbonate. This was also true in sodium‐free media and in vessels depolarized by high potassium. 4. The membrane potential was unaffected by the acidification associated with wash‐out of NH4Cl, and the net acid extrusion during recovery of pHi from the acidification was not affected significantly by depolarization. 5. In the absence of bicarbonate, omission of extracellular chloride caused no change in pHi, but reduced 36Cl‐ efflux. By contrast, in the presence of bicarbonate, omission of chloride caused an increase in pHi but no change in 36Cl‐ efflux. Furthermore, the anion transport inhibitor 4,4'‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2'‐disulphonic acid (DIDS) inhibited the increase in pHi seen in the presence of bicarbonate and reduced the 36Cl‐ efflux in the presence of bicarbonate. 6. The presence of bicarbonate had no significant effect on the rate of recovery of pHi or the rate of increase of intracellular acid equivalents after an NH4Cl induced alkalinization; also the buffering power was not significantly different in the absence and presence of bicarbonate. Moreover these parameters were not significantly affected by DIDS, although DIDS as previously demonstrated reduced the rate of recovery of pHi from acidification. 7. The membrane potential was not significantly affected by the alkalinization associated with addition of NH4Cl and the rate of recovery of pHi from the alkalinization was not affected by depolarization. 8. The effects of NH4Cl and PCO2 on 36Cl‐ efflux were complex and could not easily be explained by the changes in pHi.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Characterization of ion channels seen in subconfluent human dermal fibroblasts.
Authors: Estacion M
Published: December 2014

1. Ion channels expressed in human dermal fibroblasts are characterized using the patch‐clamp technique. 2. A number of different ion channels were found but their expression occurred at various frequencies. The most commonly found phenotype was the expression of voltage‐gated K+ current. This ‘typical’ K+ current was seen in about 60% of the cells recorded. 3. Subtypes of voltage‐gated K+ channels could be discerned by differences in gating kinetics. One has fast inactivation and resembles the ‘A’ K+ current. Additional subtypes were sometimes discerned based on activation kinetics. 4. The large‐conductance Ca(2+)‐activated K+ channel (maxi‐K+) could be found in nearly every cell but required large depolarizations to activate using the standard Ca(2+)‐buffered pipette solution (10(‐8) M [Ca2+]i). 5. Inward rectifier K+ channels were seen in a low percentage of cells. The inward rectifier K+ current was sensitive to ‘wash‐out’ if guanosine 5'‐O‐(3‐thiotriphosphate) (GTP gamma S) was included in the pipette solution dialysing the cell. 6. Tetrodotoxin (TTX)‐sensitive voltage‐gated Na+ channels were seen but in a lower number of cells recorded, about 20%. Evidence for subtypes of Na+ channels were sometimes seen based on differences in gating kinetics. 7. An ATP‐dependent osmotically activated Cl‐ current was also found. This current showed some outward rectification but was otherwise voltage independent. 8. In addition, a cell‐to‐cell contact‐associated K+ current was described. This current was linear over the voltage ranges used and whose gating correlated with the existence of gap junctions. 9. These currents were characterized to determine the baseline behaviour of unstimulated cells and to compare to bradykinin‐stimulated cells described in the following paper. As unexcitable cells, human dermal fibroblasts are capable of expressing a surprising diversity of ion channel phenotypes and of ion channel modulations.