bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the interaction between tree canopy position and environmental effects on soil attributes and plant communities
Authors: Soliveres Santiago , Eldridge David J. , Müller Jonathan D. , Hemmings Frank , Throop Heather L.
Published: June 2015

Questions

Understanding how trees affect their understorey plants and soils is crucial to understand savanna ecosystems. Most studies focus on the differences between canopy and open microsites, but how do different positions within large tree canopies influence soils and plants? Are these potential differences likely to change depending on environmental conditions (i.e. annual rainfall and grazing)?

Location

One hundred sites across a rainfall gradient (220–1400 mm) in NSW, Australia.

Methods

We measured the cover, richness and community composition of understorey plants and 12 soil attributes related to infiltration, erodibility and fertility across three positions within the canopy of large eucalypts (trunk, mid‐canopy and edge) and in open areas. We also estimated the percentage similarity in plant communities across microsites, and the percentage species within the landscape occurring solely in one of the four microsites assayed. We tested the interactions between the effect of environmental conditions (rainfall and grazing) and canopy position on all these soil and vegetation attributes.

Results

Soil attributes explained ~50% of the effect of trees on understorey plants, and soil attributes improved with proximity to the trunk and increasing rainfall. The effect of canopy position × rainfall interactions depended on the response variable considered. These interactions did not affect soil attributes, the percentage of facilitation‐obligate species or species richness, and weakly affected plant composition. However, we found a strong reduction in similarity among plant communities within edge and mid‐canopy compared with open sites towards drier environments, and canopy position × rainfall interactions also significantly affected plant cover. We attribute these weak interactions between canopy position and environmental conditions to richness or the frequency of facilitation to the high turnover of facilitated species across microsites and across different environmental conditions.

Conclusions

Our study can be used to better understand community dynamics in ecosystems with scattered trees by showing the differential effects of trees on their understorey. Our results also contribute to the body of research on the relationships between plant–plant interactions and the environment by illustrating the importance of gradient length and the number of different microsites considered.
Genome‐wide association mapping of cadmium accumulation in different organs of barley
Authors: Wu Dezhi , Sato Kazuhiro , Ma Jian Feng
Published: June 2015

The threshold value of cadmium (Cd) concentration in grains of barley (Hordeum vulgare) is the lowest among cereal crops; however, it is poorly understood how Cd accumulation in barley grain is genetically controlled.

We investigated genotypic variation in Cd accumulation of different organs in 100 accessions from a subset of the barley core collection using both hydroponic and Cd‐contaminated soil culture. We also performed a genome‐wide association (GWA) mapping for Cd accumulation in different organs.

A large genotypic variation in the Cd concentration was found in all organs. There was a good correlation between shoot Cd of solution and soil culture, the shoot Cd and grain Cd, but no correlation between the root Cd and grain Cd. GWA mapping detected 9 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for root Cd, 21 for shoot Cd, 14 for root‐to‐shoot translocation and 15 for grain Cd. A common QTL for the shoot Cd and root‐to‐shoot translocation was found at 132.6 cM on chromosome 5H. Two major QTL for grain Cd were identified on chromosome 2H and chromosome 5H.

The genetic variation in Cd accumulation and major QTL detected provide useful information helpful for cloning candidate genes for Cd accumulation and breeding low‐Cd barley cultivars in future.
Desmoplastic Trichoepithelioma: An Infrequent Entity not to be Missed: Report of Two Cases
Authors: Nuno‐Gonzalez Almudena , Colmenero Isabel , de Prada Inmaculada , Noguera‐Morel Lucero , Martorell‐Calatayud Antonio , Hernandez‐Martin Angela , Torrelo Antonio
Published: June 2015

Desmoplastic trichoepitheliomas are rare benign tumors with follicular differentiation. They have rarely been described in children. We report two children with this uncommon condition.
Creating Public Value: Tightening Connections Between Policy Design and Public Management
Authors: Mintrom Michael , Luetjens Joannah
Published: June 2015

Policy design and public management should be tightly connected, so implemented public policies achieve intended outcomes. Yet policy designers often pursue their activities with limited awareness of how citizens and service managers experience current public programs. A focus on creating public value offers a way to tighten the connection between policy design and public management. Recent discussions of public value have emphasized three aspects of public management: delivering services, achieving social outcomes, and maintaining trust and legitimacy. Within those discussions, the efforts of policy designers have been underplayed. We explore the implications of the public value approach for policy design. Pursuit of public value calls for policy designers to listen closely to stakeholders, engage them in creative conversations, and draw on their situated expertise to guide policy development. We consider how explicit treatment of public value creation as a policy goal can improve the fit between original policy intentions and the delivery of public services. Our augmented model of public value creation offers both a new direction for empirical studies of the nexus between public policy and public management and a new perspective on what it means to be an effective policy designer.
Policy Determinants of School Outcomes under Model Uncertainty: Evidence from South Africa
Authors: Murtin Fabrice , Laurent Thomas , Barnard Geoff , Janse van Rensburg Dean , Reddy Vijay , Frempong George , Winnaar Lolita
Published: June 2015

In this paper, we assess the determinants of secondary school outcomes in South Africa. We use Bayesian model averaging techniques to account for uncertainty in the set of underlying factors that are chosen among a very large pool of explanatory variables in order to identify the subset of explanatory variables most strongly associated with the dependent variable. Our analysis indicates that the socio‐economic background of pupils, demographic characteristics such as population groups (Black and White), as well as geographical locations account for a significant variation in pupils’ achievement levels. We also find that the most robust policy determinants of pupils’ test scores are the availability of a library at school, the use of IT in the classroom as well as school climate.
A Hobbesian Theory of Shame
Authors: Berkovski Y. Sandy
Published: June 2015

On most accounts present in the literature, the complex experience of shame has the injury to self‐esteem as its main component. A major objection to this idea is that it fails to differentiate between shame and disappointment in oneself. I argue that previous attempts to respond to the objection are unsatisfactory. I argue further that the distinction should refer to the different ways the subject's self‐esteem is formed. A necessary requirement for shame is that the standards and values by which the subject judges himself are borrowed from a canon of values the subject accepts as a given. The proper focus of shame is the fact of conformity to that canon. Those agents who have a different conception of self‐esteem and who freely set and alter their own values are prone to self‐disappointment, but not to shame.
Running away from stress: How regulatory modes prospectively affect athletes' stress through passion
Authors: Lucidi F. , Pica G. , Mallia L. , Castrucci E. , Manganelli S. , Bélanger J. J. , Pierro A.
Published: June 2015

A prospective field study conducted with runners training for an upcoming marathon (Marathon of Rome 2013) examined the relation between regulatory modes, locomotion and assessment, and stress. Integrating regulatory mode theory and the dualistic model of passion, we hypothesized that the relation between regulatory modes (evaluated 3 months before the race) and the experience of stress approaching the marathon, is mediated by the type of passion (harmonious vs obsessive) athletes experience with regard to marathoning. Results revealed that (a) locomotion positively predicted harmonious passion, which in turn reduced athletes' experience of stress; and (b) assessment positively predicted obsessive passion, which in turn enhanced athletes' experience of stress. Overall, the present results suggest that proximal psychological mechanisms such as basic regulatory mode orientations can predict distal outcomes such as stress indirectly through their relation with motivational phenomena such as passion.
Attack, parry and riposte: molecular fencing between the innate immune system and human herpesviruses
Authors: Le‐Trilling V. T. K. , Trilling M.
Published: June 2015

Once individuals acquire one of the eight human‐pathogenic herpesviruses, the upcoming relationship is predefined to last lifelong. Despite the fact that acute phases of herpesviral replication are usually confined and controlled by a concerted action of all branches of the healthy immune system, sterile immunity is never reached. To accomplish this, herpesviruses evolved the unique ability to outlast episodes of efficient immunity in a dormant state called latency and a remarkable array of immune antagonists which counteract most (if not all) relevant aspects of intrinsic, innate and adaptive immune responses. Certain psychological and physiological conditions (such as stress, immuno‐suppression or pregnancy) predispose for viral reactivation which can lead to recurrent disease and virus spread. One important pillar of immunity is the innate immune system. The leading cytokines of the innate immune response are interferons (IFN). IFNs reinforce intrinsic immunity, induce a cell‐intrinsic antiviral state and recruit and orchestrate adaptive immunity. Consistently, individuals lacking a functional IFN system suffer from otherwise harmless opportunists and live‐attenuated vaccines. The selective pressure elicited by IFNs drove herpesviruses to evolve numerous IFN antagonistic gene products. A molecular in‐depth understanding of (herpes‐) viral IFN antagonists might allow the design of novel antiviral drugs which reconstitute IFN responses by blocking the antagonistic function and thereby help the host to help himself. Additionally, virus mutants lacking immune evasins constitute promising candidates for vaccine viruses. Here we summarize the current knowledge on IFN antagonistic strategies of the eight human herpesviruses and try to decipher common strategies.
An alternative teaching method of conditional probabilities and Bayes' rule: an application of the truth table
Authors: Satake Eiki , Vashlishan Murray Amy
Published: June 2015

This paper presents a comparison of three approaches to the teaching of probability to demonstrate how the truth table of elementary mathematical logic can be used to teach the calculations of conditional probabilities. Students are typically introduced to the topic of conditional probabilities—especially the ones that involve Bayes' rule—with the help of such traditional approaches as formula use or conversion to natural frequencies. The truth table approach is an alternative method for explaining the concept and calculation procedure of conditional probability and Bayes' rule.
a-SixC1−x:H thin films with subnanometer surface roughness for biological applications
Authors: Herrera-Celis José , Reyes-Betanzo Claudia , Itzmoyotl-Toxqui Adrián , Orduña-Díaz Abdu , Pérez-Coyotl Ana
Published: June 2015

The characterization of a-SixC1−x:H thin films by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with high hydrogen dilution for biological applications is addressed. A root mean square roughness less than 1 nm was measured via atomic force microscopy for an area of 25 μm2. Structural analysis was done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the middle infrared region. It was found that under the deposition conditions, the formation of Si–C bonds is promoted. Electrical dark conductivity measurements were performed to evaluate the effect of high hydrogen dilution and to find the relation between carrier transport properties and the structural arrangement. Conductivities of the order of 10−7 to 10−9 S/cm at room temperature for methane–silane gas flow ratio from 0.35 to 0.85 were achieved, respectively. UV-visible spectra were used to obtain the optical band gap and the Tauc parameter. Optical band gap as wide as 3.55 eV was achieved in the regime of high carbon incorporation. Accordingly, deposition under low power density and high hydrogen dilution reduces the roughness, improves the structure of the network, and stabilizes the film properties as a greater percentage of carbon is incorporated. The biofunctionalization of a-SixC1−x:H surfaces with NH2-terminated self-assembled monolayers was obtained through silanization with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. This knowledge opens a window for the inclusion of these a-SixC1−x:H thin films in devices such as biosensors.
Automatic segmentation method for bone and blood vessel in murine hindlimb
Authors: Zhao Fengjun , Liang Jimin , Chen Dongmei , Wang Chuan , Yang Xiang , Chen Xueli , Cao Feng
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

The goal of this paper is to address three problems existing in vessel extraction of murine hindlimb. First, the bone can hardly be separated from blood vessels because the intensity of contrast enhanced blood vessels is similar to that of bones. Second, as an automatic blood vessel segmentation method, the vesselness method is sensitive to sharp boundaries, resulting in false positive effect in nonvascular regions. Finally, thin blood vessels are always broken after segmentation because of the low signal‐to‐noise ratio.

Methods:

The proposed automatic segmentation method for bone and blood vessel in this paper includes three important modules. (1) To eliminate the interference of bones on the segmentation of blood vessels, the authors employ split Bregman method to segment bones in the first place. (2) The authors propose an edge extension strategy to cope with the false positive effect of the vesselness method on the sharp boundaries of hindlimb after the removal of bones. Then, the authors segment the blood vessels using the vesselness method combined with multiscale bi‐Gaussian filtering. (3) The authors reconnect the broken blood vessels after segmentation based on centerline and morphological dilation.

Results:

The bones’ segmentation from the murine hindlimbs was conducted using the split Bregman, manual, and thresholding methods, respectively. Compared with the thresholding method, the split Bregman method could finely segment the bones from blood vessels, and the results were comparable to that of manual segmentation. After removing bones, the vesselness method combined with the bi‐Gaussian filtering with and without edge extension was performed. The vesselness results with the edge extension strategy could effectively eliminate the false positive effect on sharp boundaries in nonvascular regions. Some of the blood vessels segmented by thresholding from the vesselness results were disconnected. Thus, the authors employed the vascular connection method based on centerline and morphological dilation to connect the broken blood vessels. Compared with the vascular connection utilizing the spatial‐variant and ‐invariant morphological closing methods, the proposed vascular connection method reconnected the broken blood vessels and meanwhile maintained the nonbroken ones unchanged.

Conclusions:

Our proposed method is suitable for the segmentation of bones and blood vessels in murine hindlimbs. For the segmentation of bones, the split Bregman method improves the distinguishability between bones and blood vessels, since both the intensity information and the geometrical size are exploited. For the segmentation of blood vessels, vesselness method with the edge extension strategy eliminates the false positive effect on the nonvascular sharp boundaries. After segmentation, the proposed vascular connection method based on centerline and morphological dilation can reconnect the broken blood vessels without affecting the nonbroken ones.
Tracking fuzzy borders using geodesic curves with application to liver segmentation on planning CT
Authors: Yuan Yading , Chao Ming , Sheu Ren‐Dih , Rosenzweig Kenneth , Lo Yeh‐Chi
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

This work aims to develop a robust and efficient method to track the fuzzy borders between liver and the abutted organs where automatic liver segmentation usually suffers, and to investigate its applications in automatic liver segmentation on noncontrast‐enhanced planning computed tomography (CT) images.

Methods:

In order to track the fuzzy liver–chestwall and liver–heart borders where oversegmentation is often found, a starting point and an ending point were first identified on the coronal view images; the fuzzy border was then determined as a geodesic curve constructed by minimizing the gradient‐weighted path length between these two points near the fuzzy border. The minimization of path length was numerically solved by fast‐marching method. The resultant fuzzy borders were incorporated into the authors’ automatic segmentation scheme, in which the liver was initially estimated by a patient‐specific adaptive thresholding and then refined by a geodesic active contour model. By using planning CT images of 15 liver patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy, the liver contours extracted by the proposed computerized scheme were compared with those manually delineated by a radiation oncologist.

Results:

The proposed automatic liver segmentation method yielded an average Dice similarity coefficient of 0.930 ± 0.015, whereas it was 0.912 ± 0.020 if the fuzzy border tracking was not used. The application of fuzzy border tracking was found to significantly improve the segmentation performance. The mean liver volume obtained by the proposed method was 1727 cm3, whereas it was 1719 cm3 for manual‐outlined volumes. The computer‐generated liver volumes achieved excellent agreement with manual‐outlined volumes with correlation coefficient of 0.98.

Conclusions:

The proposed method was shown to provide accurate segmentation for liver in the planning CT images where contrast agent is not applied. The authors’ results also clearly demonstrated that the application of tracking the fuzzy borders could significantly reduce contour leakage during active contour evolution.
Speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography of complex turbid medium flow
Authors: Huang Chong , Irwin Daniel , Lin Yu , Shang Yu , He Lian , Kong Weikai , Luo Jia , Yu Guoqiang
Published: June 2015

Purpose:

Developed herein is a three‐dimensional (3D) flow contrast imaging system leveraging advancements in the extension of laser speckle contrast imaging theories to deep tissues along with our recently developed finite‐element diffuse correlation tomography (DCT) reconstruction scheme. This technique, termed speckle contrast diffuse correlation tomography (scDCT), enables incorporation of complex optical property heterogeneities and sample boundaries. When combined with a reflectance‐based design, this system facilitates a rapid segue into flow contrast imaging of larger, in vivo applications such as humans.

Methods:

A highly sensitive CCD camera was integrated into a reflectance‐based optical system. Four long‐coherence laser source positions were coupled to an optical switch for sequencing of tomographic data acquisition providing multiple projections through the sample. This system was investigated through incorporation of liquid and solid tissue‐like phantoms exhibiting optical properties and flow characteristics typical of human tissues. Computer simulations were also performed for comparisons. A uniquely encountered smear correction algorithm was employed to correct point‐source illumination contributions during image capture with the frame‐transfer CCD and reflectance setup.

Results:

Measurements with scDCT on a homogeneous liquid phantom showed that speckle contrast‐based deep flow indices were within 12% of those from standard DCT. Inclusion of a solid phantom submerged below the liquid phantom surface allowed for heterogeneity detection and validation. The heterogeneity was identified successfully by reconstructed 3D flow contrast tomography with scDCT. The heterogeneity center and dimensions and averaged relative flow (within 3%) and localization were in agreement with actuality and computer simulations, respectively.

Conclusions:

A custom cost‐effective CCD‐based reflectance 3D flow imaging system demonstrated rapid acquisition of dense boundary data and, with further studies, a high potential for translatability to real tissues with arbitrary boundaries. A requisite correction was also found for measurements in the fashion of scDCT to recover accurate speckle contrast of deep tissues.
Signs of ancient proteins seen inside dinosaur bones
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: June 2015

Can soft tissue survive 75 million years?
Response to Comment on “Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet”
Authors: Gerten Dieter , Rockström Johan , Heinke Jens , Steffen Will , Richardson Katherine , Cornell Sarah
Published: June 2015

Jaramillo and Destouni claim that freshwater consumption is beyond the planetary boundary, based on high estimates of water cycle components, different definitions of water consumption, and extrapolation from a single case study. The difference from our analysis, based on mainstream assessments of global water consumption, highlights the need for clearer definitions of water cycle components and improved models and databases.
Early Defensive Mechanisms against Human Papillomavirus Infection
Authors: Moerman-Herzog Andrea , Nakagawa Mayumi
Published: June 2015

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women and is almost exclusively caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. HPV is also frequently associated with other cancers arising from mucosal epithelium, including anal and oropharyngeal cancers, which are becoming more common in both men and women. Viral persistence and progression through precancerous lesion stages are prerequisites for HPV-associated cancer and reflect the inability of cell-mediated immune mechanisms to clear infections and eliminate abnormal cells in some individuals. Cell-mediated immune responses are initiated by innate pathogen sensing and subsequent secretion of soluble immune mediators and amplified by the recruitment and activation of effector T lymphocytes. This review discusses early defensive mechanisms of innate responders to natural HPV infection, their influence on response polarization, and the underappreciated role of keratinocytes in this process.
Overdiagnosis of Urinary Tract Infection and Underdiagnosis of Sexually Transmitted Infection in Adult Women Presenting to an Emergency Department
Authors: Tomas Myreen E. , Getman Damon , Donskey Curtis J. , Hecker Michelle T.
Published: June 2015

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are commonly diagnosed in emergency departments (EDs). Distinguishing between these syndromes can be challenging because of overlapping symptomatology and because both are associated with abnormalities on urinalysis (UA). We conducted a 2-month observational cohort study to determine the accuracy of clinical diagnoses of UTI and STI in adult women presenting with genitourinary (GU) symptoms or diagnosed with GU infections at an urban academic ED. For all urine specimens, UA, culture, and nucleic acid amplification testing for
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
,
Chlamydia trachomatis
, and
Trichomonas vaginalis
were performed. Of 264 women studied, providers diagnosed 175 (66%) with UTIs, 100 (57%) of whom were treated without performing a urine culture during routine care. Combining routine care and study-performed urine cultures, only 84 (48%) of these women had a positive urine culture. Sixty (23%) of the 264 women studied had one or more positive STI tests, 22 (37%) of whom did not receive treatment for an STI within 7 days of the ED visit. Fourteen (64%) of these 22 women were diagnosed with a UTI instead of an STI. Ninety-two percent of the women studied had an abnormal UA finding (greater-than-trace leukocyte esterase level, positive nitrite test result, or pyuria). The positive and negative predictive values of an abnormal UA finding were 41 and 76%, respectively. In this population, empirical therapy for UTI without urine culture testing and overdiagnosis of UTI were common and associated with unnecessary antibiotic exposure and missed STI diagnoses. Abnormal UA findings were common and not predictive of positive urine cultures.
Epidemiology, Evolution, and Recent Outbreaks of Avian Influenza Virus in China
Authors: Su Shuo , Bi Yuhai , Wong Gary , Gray Gregory C. , Gao George F. , Li Shoujun
Published: June 2015

Novel reassortants of H7N9, H10N8, and H5N6 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are currently circulating in China's poultry flocks, occasionally infecting humans and other mammals. Combined with the sometimes enzootic H5N1 and H9N2 strains, this cauldron of genetically diverse AIVs pose significant risks to public health. Here, we review the epidemiology, evolution, and recent outbreaks of AIVs in China, discuss reasons behind the recent increase in the emergence of novel AIVs, and identify warning signs which may point to the emergence of a potentially virulent and highly transmissible AIV to humans. This review will be useful to authorities who consider options for the detection and control of AIV transmission in animals and humans, with the goal of preventing future epidemics and pandemics.
Anterior segment optical coherence tomography of intrastromal corneal donor lenticule for recurrent intrastromal epithelial inclusion cyst in a corneal graft
Authors: Dhiman Rebika , Pillay Ganesh , Kashyap Seema , Vanathi Murugesan
Published: June 2015

Intracorneal cysts are uncommon lesions that occur either due to congenital or traumatic pathology. Treatments described include cyst excision, drainage or intracyst injection of chemical solutions, such as ethanol. Recurrences commonly occur with these modalities and there is no clear consensus on the best approach to take. In this article, the authors present a rare case of a recurrent intrastromal epithelial corneal cyst following suture removal in an 11-year-old boy who had undergone optical penetrating keratoplasty in his left eye. It was managed effectively with an innovative technique of lamellar excision and donor corneal stromal lenticule lamellar placement to prevent recurrence. Serial postoperative anterior segment optical coherence tomography (ASOCT) was performed to monitor for cyst recurrence. No recurrence was observed for one and a half years with clear corneal graft. ASOCT is an effective tool in the diagnosis and follow-up of a recurrent intrastromal epithelial inclusion cyst.
Leisure time computer use and adolescent bone health—findings from the Tromsø Study,Fit Futures: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Winther Anne , Ahmed Luai Awad , Furberg Anne-Sofie , Grimnes Guri , Jorde Rolf , Nilsen Ole Andreas , Dennison Elaine , Emaus Nina
Published: June 2015

Objectives

Low levels of physical activity may have considerable negative effects on bone health in adolescence, and increasing screen time in place of sporting activity during growth is worrying. This study explored the associations between self-reported screen time at weekends and bone mineral density (BMD).

Design

In 2010/2011, 1038 (93%) of the region’s first-year upper-secondary school students (15–18 years) attended the Tromsø Study,Fit Futures 1(FF1). A follow-up survey (FF2) took place in 2012/2013. BMD at total hip, femoral neck and total body was measured as g/cm² by dual X-ray absorptiometry (GE Lunar prodigy). Lifestyle variables were self-reported, including questions on hours per day spent in front of television/computer during weekends and hours spent on leisure time physical activities. Complete data sets for 388/312 girls and 359/231 boys at FF1/FF2, respectively, were used in analyses. Sex stratified multiple regression analyses were performed.

Results

Many adolescents balanced 2–4 h screen time with moderate or high physical activity levels. Screen time was positively related to body mass index (BMI) in boys (p=0.002), who spent more time in front of the computer than girls did (p<0.001). In boys, screen time was adversely associated with BMDFF1at all sites, and these associations remained robust to adjustments for age, puberty, height, BMI, physical activity, vitamin D levels, smoking, alcohol, calcium and carbonated drink consumption (p<0.05). Screen time was also negatively associated with total hip BMDFF2(p=0.031). In contrast, girls who spent 4–6 h in front of the computer had higher BMD than the reference (<2 h).

Conclusions

In Norwegian boys, time spent on screen-based sedentary activity was negatively associated with BMD levels; this relationship persisted 2 years later. Such negative associations were not present among girls. Whether this surprising result is explained by biological differences remains unclear.
Establishing integrated rural–urban cohorts to assess air pollution-related health effects in pregnant women, children and adults in Southern India: an overview of objectives, design and methods in the Tamil Nadu Air Pollution and Health Effects (TAPHE) study
Authors: Balakrishnan Kalpana , Sambandam Sankar , Ramaswamy Padmavathi , Ghosh Santu , Venkatesan Vettriselvi , Thangavel Gurusamy , Mukhopadhyay Krishnendu , Johnson Priscilla , Paul Solomon , Puttaswamy Naveen , Dhaliwal Rupinder S , Shukla D K ,   SRU-CAR Team
Published: June 2015

Introduction

In rapidly developing countries such as India, the ubiquity of air pollution sources in urban and rural communities often results in ambient and household exposures significantly in excess of health-based air quality guidelines. Few efforts, however, have been directed at establishing quantitative exposure–response relationships in such settings. We describe study protocols for The Tamil Nadu Air Pollution and Health Effects (TAPHE) study, which aims to examine the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposures and select maternal, child and adult health outcomes in integrated rural–urban cohorts.

Methods and analyses

The TAPHE study is organised into five component studies with participants drawn from a pregnant mother–child cohort and an adult cohort (n=1200 participants in each cohort). Exposures are assessed through serial measurements of 24–48 h PM2.5area concentrations in household microenvironments together with ambient measurements and time-activity recalls, allowing exposure reconstructions. Generalised additive models will be developed to examine the association between PM2.5exposures, maternal (birth weight), child (acute respiratory infections) and adult (chronic respiratory symptoms and lung function) health outcomes while adjusting for multiple covariates. In addition, exposure models are being developed to predict PM2.5exposures in relation to household and community level variables as well as to explore inter-relationships between household concentrations of PM2.5and air toxics. Finally, a bio-repository of peripheral and cord blood samples is being created to explore the role of gene–environment interactions in follow-up studies.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocols have been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Sri Ramachandra University, the host institution for the investigators in this study. Study results will be widely disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations. In addition, policy-relevant recommendations are also being planned to inform ongoing national air quality action plans concerning ambient and household air pollution.
Geographic patterns of genetic variation in three genomes of North American diploid strawberries with special reference toFragaria vescasubsp.bracteata
Authors: Stanley Lauren , Forrester Nicole J. , Govindarajulu Rajanikanth , Liston Aaron , Ashman Tia-Lynn
Published: June 2015

Geographic patterns of genetic variation in wild species reflect the interplay of ecological and evolutionary processes. We assessed genetic variation in three genomes across four North American diploid strawberry taxa, with special emphasis on the gynodioecious Fragaria vesca subsp. bracteata (A.Heller) Staudt. Specifically, we sequenced one chloroplast (rpoC2) and two mitochondrial (atp8 and atp8-orf225) genes along with several nuclear microsatellite markers. In addition, we assessed indicators of breeding system (pollen viability and female frequency) for all taxa. The geographic perspective on the distribution of cytoplasmic and nuclear variation revealed the genetic affiliation of the restricted taxa (Fragaria vesca subsp. californica (Cham. & Schltdl.) Staudt and Fragaria mexicana Schltdl.) with the widespread F. vesca subsp. bracteata and identified a hotspot of hybridization within gynodioecious F. vesca subsp. bracteata. Higher pollen viability of hermaphrodites was found in the three hermaphroditic taxa relative to the gynodioecious one. Although theoretically predicted to be associated, the proportion of females within F. vesca subsp. bracteata populations was not correlated with population-level genetic variation, suggesting that the history of hybridization or population size variation is more influential on the distribution of genetic variation than sex ratio in this gynodioecious species. The documented patterns of genetic variation in this complex serve as an important point of reference for future ecological and evolutionary research in diploid Fragaria.
Particle creation with excited de Sitter modes
Authors: Mohsenzadeh M. , Yusofi E. , Tanhayi M.R.
Published: June 2015

Recently, we introduced exited de Sitter modes to study the power spectrum that was finite in Krein space quantization and the trans-Plankian corrections because of the exited mode being nonlinear (M. Mohsenzadeh et al. Eur. Phys. J. C, 74, 2920 (2014) doi:10.1140/epjc/s10052-014-2920-5 ). It was shown that the de Sitter limit of corrections reduces to that obtained via several previous conventional methods; moreover, with such modes the space–time symmetry becomes manifest. In this paper, inspired by the Krein method and using exited de Sitter modes as the fundamental initial states during the inflation, we calculate particle creation in the spatially flat Robertson–Walker space–time. It is shown that in de Sitter and Minkowski space–time in the far past time limit, our results coincide with the standard results.
Logarithmic Sobolev inequalities in non-commutative algebras
Authors: Carbone Raffaella , Martinelli Andrea
Published: June 2015

We study the relations between (tight) logarithmic Sobolev inequalities, entropy decay and spectral gap inequalities for Markov evolutions on von Neumann algebras. We prove that log-Sobolev inequalities (in the non-commutative form defined by Olkiewicz and Zegarlinski in Ref. 25) imply spectral gap inequalities, with optimal relation between the constants. Furthermore, we show that a uniform exponential decay of a proper relative entropy is equivalent to a modified version of log-Sobolev inequalities. The relations among the mentioned inequalities are investigated and often depend on some regularity conditions, which are also discussed. With regard to this aspect, we provide an example of a positive identity-preserving semigroup not verifying the usually requested regularity conditions (which are always fulfilled for reversible classical Markov processes).
Asymptotic analysis and domain decomposition for a biharmonic problem in a thin multi-structure
Authors: Gaudiello Antonio , Panasenko Grigory , Piatnitski Andrey
Published: June 2015

In the paper, we consider the Dirichlet boundary value problem for the biharmonic equation defined in a thin T-like shaped structure. Our goal is to construct an asymptotic expansion of its solution. We provide error estimates and also introduce and justify the asymptotic partial domain decomposition for this problem.
IS BITCOIN BUSINESS INCOME OR SPECULATIVE FOOLERY? NEW IDEAS THROUGH AN IMPROVED FREQUENCY DOMAIN ANALYSIS
Authors: BOUOIYOUR JAMAL , SELMI REFK , TIWARI AVIRAL KUMAR
Published: June 2015

The present study addresses one of the most problematic phenomena: Bitcoin price. We explore the Granger causality for two relationships (Bitcoin price and trade transactions; Bitcoin price and investors' attractiveness) from a frequency domain perspective-based on unconditional and conditional data analysis. Accurately, this research empirically assesses the causal links between these variables unconditionally on the one hand and conditioning upon relevant control variables (recorded in literature) on the other hand. The observed outcomes reveal some differences with respect to the frequencies involved, highlighting the difficulty to reach clearer insights and better paths into this nascent crypto-currency. Beyond the nuances of short-, medium- and long-run frequencies, this paper confirms the extremely speculative nature of Bitcoin without overlooking its usefulness in economic reasons. The consideration of the Chinese market index, the hash rate, the monetary velocity and the estimated output volume has led to solid and meaningful findings connecting further Bitcoin to speculation.
Estradiol regulates AQP2 expression in the collecting duct: a novel inhibitory role for estrogen receptor α
Authors: Cheema Muhammad Umar , Irsik Debra L. , Wang Yan , Miller-Little William , Hyndman Kelly A. , Marks Eileen S. , Frøkiær Jørgen , Boesen Erika I. , Norregaard Rikke
Published: June 2015

While there is evidence that sex hormones influence multiple systems involved in salt and water homeostasis, the question of whether sex hormones regulate aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and thus water handling by the collecting duct has been largely ignored. Accordingly, the present study investigated AQP2 expression, localization and renal water handling in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats, with and without estradiol or progesterone replacement. OVX resulted in a significant increase in urine osmolality and increase in p256-AQP2 in the renal cortex at 7 days post-OVX, as well as induced body weight changes. Relative to OVX alone, estradiol repletion produced a significant increase in urine output, normalized urinary osmolality and reduced both total AQP2 (protein and mRNA) and p256-AQP2 expression, whereas progesterone repletion had little effect. Direct effects of estradiol on AQP2 mRNA and protein levels were further tested in vitro using the mpkCCD principal cell line. Estradiol treatment of mpkCCD cells reduced AQP2 at both the mRNA and protein level in the absence of deamino-8-d-AVP (dDAVP) and significantly blunted the dDAVP-induced increase in AQP2 at the protein level only. We determined that mpkCCD and native mouse collecting ducts express both estrogen receptor (ER)α and ERβ and that female mice lacking ERα displayed significant increases in AQP2 protein compared with wild-type littermates, implicating ERα in mediating the inhibitory effect of estradiol on AQP2 expression. These findings suggest that changes in estradiol levels, such as during menopause or following reproductive surgeries, may contribute to dysregulation of water homeostasis in women.
Prediction strength modulates responses in human area CA1 to sequence violations
Authors: Chen Janice , Cook Paul A. , Wagner Anthony D.
Published: June 2015

Emerging human, animal, and computational evidence suggest that, within the hippocampus, stored memories are compared with current sensory input to compute novelty, i.e., detecting when inputs deviate from expectations. Hippocampal subfield CA1 is thought to detect mismatches between past and present, and detected novelty is thought to modulate encoding processes, providing a mechanism for gating the entry of information into memory. Using high-resolution functional MRI, we examined human hippocampal subfield and medial temporal lobe cortical activation during prediction violations within a sequence of events unfolding over time. Subjects encountered sequences of four visual stimuli that were then reencountered in the same temporal order (Repeat) or a rearranged order (Violation). Prediction strength was manipulated by varying whether the sequence was initially presented once (Weak) or thrice (Strong) prior to the critical Repeat or Violation sequence. Analyses of blood oxygen level-dependent signals revealed that task-responsive voxels in anatomically defined CA1, CA23/dentate gyrus, and perirhinal cortex were more active when expectations were violated than when confirmed. Additionally, stronger prediction violations elicited greater activity than weaker violations in CA1, and CA1 contained the greatest proportion of voxels displaying this prediction violation pattern relative to other medial temporal lobe regions. Finally, a memory test with a separate group of subjects showed that subsequent recognition memory was superior for items that had appeared in prediction violation trials than in prediction confirmation trials. These findings indicate that CA1 responds to temporal order prediction violations, and that this response is modulated by prediction strength.
Prescription of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Pattern-Based Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Depression: A Systematic Review
Authors: Yeung Wing-Fai , Chung Ka-Fai , Ng Ka-Yan , Yu Yee-Man , Zhang Shi-Ping , Ng Bacon Fung-Leung , Ziea Eric Tat-Chi
Published: June 2015

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatments are often prescribed based on individuals’ pattern diagnoses. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials in Chinese and English literatures on TCM pattern-based treatment for depression has therefore been conducted. A total of 61 studies, 2504 subjects, and 27 TCM patterns were included. Due to the large variation of TCM pattern among participants, we only analyzed the top four commonly studied TCM patterns:liver qi depression, liver depression and spleen deficiency, dual deficiency of the heart, and spleenandliver depression and qi stagnation. We found that Xiaoyao decoction was the most frequently used herbal formula for the treatment ofliver qi depressionandliver depression with spleen deficiency, while Chaihu Shugan decoction was often used forliver depression and qi stagnation. Bai Shao (Paeonia lactifloraPall.) and Chai Hu (Bupleurum chinenseDC.) were commonly used across different TCM patterns regardless of the prescribed Chinese herbal formulas. The rationale underlying herb selection was seldom provided. Due to the limited number of studies on TCM pattern-based treatment of depression and their low methodological quality, we are unable to draw any conclusion regarding which herbal formulas have higher efficacy and which TCM patterns respond better to CHM.
Easterly Wave Disturbances over Northeast Brazil: An Observational Analysis
Authors: Gomes Helber Barros , Ambrizzi Tércio , Herdies Dirceu Luís , Hodges Kevin , Pontes da Silva Bruce Francisco
Published: June 2015

This paper aims to identify the circulation associated with Easterly Wave Disturbances (EWDs) that propagate toward the Eastern Northeast Brazil (ENEB) and their impact on the rainfall over ENEB during 2006 and 2007 rainy seasons (April–July). The EWDs identification and trajectory are analyzed using an automatic tracking technique (TracKH). The EWDs circulation patterns and their main features were obtained using the composite technique. To evaluate the TracKH efficiency, a validation was done by comparing the EWDs number tracked against observed cases obtained from an observational analysis. The mean characteristics of EWDs are 5.5-day period, propagation speed of ~9.5 m·s−1, and a 4500 km wavelength. A synoptic analysis shows that between days −2 d and 0 d, the low level winds presented cyclonic relative vorticity and convergence anomalies both in 2006 and 2007. The EWDs signals are strongest at low levels. The EWDs propagation is associated with relative humidity and precipitation positive anomalies and OLR and omega negative anomalies. The EWDs tracks are seen over all ENEB and their lysis occurs between the ENEB and marginally inside the continent. The tracking captured 71% of EWDs in all periods, indicating that an objective analysis is a promising method for EWDs detection.
Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Effects of (−)-Epicatechin and Other Polyphenols in Cancer, Inflammation, Diabetes, and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Shay Joseph , Elbaz Hosam A. , Lee Icksoo , Zielske Steven P. , Malek Moh H. , Hüttemann Maik
Published: June 2015

With recent insight into the mechanisms involved in diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes, more efficient modes of treatment are now being assessed. Traditional medicine including the use of natural products is widely practiced around the world, assuming that certain natural products contain the healing properties that may in fact have a preventative role in many of the diseases plaguing the human population. This paper reviews the biological effects of a group of natural compounds called polyphenols, including apigenin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, and (−)-epicatechin, with a focus on the latter. (−)-Epicatechin has several unique features responsible for a variety of its effects. One of these is its ability to interact with and neutralize reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the cell. (−)-Epicatechin also modulates cell signaling including the MAP kinase pathway, which is involved in cell proliferation. Mutations in this pathway are often associated with malignancies, and the use of (−)-epicatechin holds promise as a preventative agent and as an adjunct for chemotherapy and radiation therapy to improve outcome. This paper discusses the potential of some phenolic compounds to maintain, protect, and possibly reinstate health.
Polyphenol Stilbenes: Molecular Mechanisms of Defence against Oxidative Stress and Aging-Related Diseases
Authors: Reinisalo Mika , Kårlund Anna , Koskela Ali , Kaarniranta Kai , Karjalainen Reijo O.
Published: June 2015

Numerous studies have highlighted the key roles of oxidative stress and inflammation in aging-related diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In aging cells, the natural antioxidant capacity decreases and the overall efficiency of reparative systems against cell damage becomes impaired. There is convincing data that stilbene compounds, a diverse group of natural defence phenolics, abundant in grapes, berries, and conifer bark waste, may confer a protective effect against aging-related diseases. This review highlights recent data helping to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in the stilbene-mediated protection against oxidative stress. The impact of stilbenes on the nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) mediated cellular defence against oxidative stress as well as the potential roles of SQSTM1/p62 protein in Nrf2/Keap1 signaling and autophagy will be summarized. The therapeutic potential of stilbene compounds against the most common aging-related diseases is discussed.