bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Out-of-Hospital Evaluation and Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia: 2014 Update
Authors: Zafren Ken , Giesbrecht Gordon G. , Danzl Daniel F. , Brugger Hermann , Sagalyn Emily B. , Walpoth Beat , Weiss Eric A. , Auerbach Paul S. , McIntosh Scott E. , Némethy Mária , McDevitt Marion , Dow Jennifer , Schoene Robert B. , Rodway George W. , Hackett Peter H. , Bennett Brad L. , Grissom Colin K.
Published: December 2014

To provide guidance to clinicians, the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) convened an expert panel to develop evidence-based guidelines for the out-of-hospital evaluation and treatment of victims of accidental hypothermia. The guidelines present the main diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and provide recommendations for the management of hypothermic patients. The panel graded the recommendations based on the quality of supporting evidence and the balance between benefits and risks/burdens according the criteria published by the American College of Chest Physicians. The guidelines also provide suggested general approaches to the evaluation and treatment of accidental hypothermia that incorporate specific recommendations. This is an updated version of the original Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Out-of-Hospital Evaluation and Treatment of Accidental Hypothermia published in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine 2014;25(4):425–445.
A soil Chronosequence on Lake Mega-Frome Beach Ridges and its Implications for Late Quaternary Pedogenesis and Paleoenvironmental Conditions in the Drylands of Southern Australia
Authors: May Jan-Hendrik , Wells Stephen G. , Cohen Timothy J. , Marx Samuel K. , Nanson Gerald C. , Baker Sophie E.
Published: December 2014

The terminal lake systems of central Australia are key sites for the reconstruction of late Quaternary paleoenvironments. Paleoshoreline deposits around these lakes reflect repeated lake filling episodes and such landforms have enabled the establishment of a luminescence-based chronology for filling events in previous studies. Here we present a detailed documentation of the morphology and chemistry of soils developed in four well-preserved beach ridges of late Pleistocene and mid-to-late Holocene age at Lake Callabonna to assess changes in dominant pedogenic processes. All soil profiles contain evidence for the incorporation of eolian-derived material, likely via the formation of desert pavements and vesicular horizons, and limited illuviation due to generally shallow wetting fronts. Even though soil properties in the four studied profiles also provide examples of parent material influence or site-specific processes related to the geomorphic setting, there is an overall trend of increasing enrichment of eolian-derived material since at least ~ 33 ka. Compared to the Holocene profiles, the derived average accumulation rates for the late Pleistocene profiles are significantly lower and may suggest that soils record important regional changes in paleoenvironments and dust dynamics related to shifts in the Southern Hemisphere westerlies.
A kinetic model of the Boltzmann equation for non-vibrating polyatomic gases
Authors: Wu Lei , White Craig , Scanlon Thomas J. , Reese Jason M. , Zhang Yonghao
Published: December 2014

A kinetic model of the Boltzmann equation for non-vibrating polyatomic gases is proposed, based on the Rykov model for diatomic gases. We adopt two velocity distribution functions (VDFs) to describe the system state; inelastic collisions are the same as in the Rykov model, but elastic collisions are modelled by the Boltzmann collision operator (BCO) for monatomic gases, so that the overall kinetic model equation reduces to the Boltzmann equation for monatomic gases in the limit of no translational–rotational energy exchange. The free parameters in the model are determined by comparing the transport coefficients, obtained by a Chapman–Enskog expansion, to values from experiment and kinetic theory. The kinetic model equations are solved numerically using the fast spectral method for elastic collision operators and the discrete velocity method for inelastic ones. The numerical results for normal shock waves and planar Fourier/Couette flows are in good agreement with both conventional direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) results and experimental data. Poiseuille and thermal creep flows of polyatomic gases between two parallel plates are also investigated. Finally, we find that the spectra of both spontaneous and coherent Rayleigh–Brillouin scattering (RBS) compare well with DSMC results, and the computational speed of our model is approximately 300 times faster. Compared to the Rykov model, our model greatly improves prediction accuracy, and reveals the significant influence of molecular models. For coherent RBS, we find that the Rykov model could overpredict the bulk viscosity by a factor of two.
Partisan Imbalance in Regression Discontinuity Studies Based on Electoral Thresholds
Authors: Snyder James M. , Folke Olle , Hirano Shigeo
Published: December 2014

Many articles use regression discontinuity designs (RDDs) that exploit the discontinuity in “close” election outcomes to identify various political and economic outcomes of interest. One of the most important types of diagnostic tests in an RDD is checking for balance in observable variables within the window on either side of the threshold. Finding an imbalance raises concerns that an unobservable variable may exist that affects whether a case ends up above or below the threshold and also directly affects the dependent variable of interest. This article shows that imbalance in RDDs exploiting close elections are likely to arise even in the absence of any type of strategic sorting. Imbalance may arise simply due to variation in the underlying distribution of partisanship in the electorate across constituencies. Using both simulated and actual election data, the study demonstrates that the imbalances driven by partisanship can be large in practice. It then shows that although this causes a bias for the most naive RDDs, the problem can be corrected with commonly used RDDs such as the inclusion of a local linear control function.
Polygenic risk, stressful life events and depressive symptoms in older adults: a polygenic score analysis
Authors: Musliner K. L. , Seifuddin F. , Judy J. A. , Pirooznia M. , Goes F. S. , Zandi P. P.
Published: December 2014

Background.

Previous studies suggest that the relationship between genetic risk and depression may be moderated by stressful life events (SLEs). The goal of this study was to assess whether SLEs moderate the association between polygenic risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) and depressive symptoms in older adults.

Method.

We used logistic and negative binomial regressions to assess the associations between polygenic risk, SLEs and depressive symptoms in a sample of 8761 participants from the Health and Retirement Study. Polygenic scores were derived from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium genome-wide association study of MDD. SLEs were operationalized as a dichotomous variable indicating whether participants had experienced at least one stressful event during the previous 2 years. Depressive symptoms were measured using an eight-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale subscale and operationalized as both a dichotomous and a count variable.

Results.

The odds of reporting four or more depressive symptoms were over twice as high among individuals who experienced at least one SLE (odds ratio 2.19, 95% confidence interval 1.86–2.58). Polygenic scores were significantly associated with depressive symptoms (β= 0.21,p⩽ 0.0001), although the variance explained was modest (pseudor2= 0.0095). None of the interaction terms for polygenic scores and SLEs was statistically significant.

Conclusions.

Polygenic risk and SLEs are robust, independent predictors of depressive symptoms in older adults. Consistent with an additive model, we found no evidence that SLEs moderated the association between common variant polygenic risk and depressive symptoms.
Evaluative claims within the problem of evil
Authors: BETENSON TOBY
Published: December 2014

The problem of evil contains some evaluative claims. Recognizing the fundamental role of the evaluative claims within the problem of evil presents two significant problems for the argument from evil. First, in order for the argument from evil to be successful, the normative assumptions that underlie the evaluative claims within the problem of evil must be deployed consistently both within the problem and between those who are discussing the problem. This level of normative agreement is likely to be difficult to achieve. Second, the argument from evil moves from evaluative premises to a non-evaluative conclusion, and thus commits the same error that J. L. Mackie identifies the moral argument for the existence of God as committing: it gets the direction of supervenience between facts and values back-to-front. Mackie's criticisms of the moral argumentforthe existence of God ought to also apply to the moral argumentagainstthe existence of God. If my analysis is correct, and Mackie's point is valid, then the argument from evil will be left fatally undermined. The problem of evil cannot be used to argue for the conclusion that ‘God does not exist’.
The Demand-Side of Active Labour Market Policies: A Regional Study of Employer Engagement in the Work Programme
Authors: INGOLD JO , STUART MARK
Published: December 2014

In 2011, the UK Coalition government introduced its flagship welfare-to-work programme, ‘The Work Programme’ (WP). Based on a ‘payment by results’ model, it aims to incentivise contracted providers to move participants into sustained employment. Employer involvement is central to the programme's success and this paper explores the ‘two faces’ of this neglected dimension of active labour market policy (ALMP) analysis: employer involvement with the programme and the engagement between providers and employers. This paper draws empirically from a regional survey of primarily private and third sector SMEs, and from interviews with providers and stakeholders about provider engagement with SMEs and large employers. Findings indicate that SMEs had recruited few staff through the WP and had little awareness of it, and that providers engaged in intense competition to access both SMEs and large employers. Employers are critical to the success of ALMPs, but an underpinning supply-side ideology and a regulatory context in which business interest associations are weak policy actors means that their involvement is based on implicit and flawed assumptions about employers’ interests and their propensity to engage.
Scale-invariant optical flow in tracking using a pan-tilt-zoom camera
Authors: Dhou Salam , Motai Yuichi
Published: December 2014

An efficient method for tracking a target using a single Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) camera is proposed. The proposed Scale-Invariant Optical Flow (SIOF) method estimates the motion of the target and rotates the camera accordingly to keep the target at the center of the image. Also, SIOF estimates the scale of the target and changes the focal length relatively to adjust the Field of View (FoV) and keep the target appear in the same size in all captured frames. SIOF is a feature-based tracking method. Feature points used are extracted and tracked using Optical Flow (OF) and Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). They are combined in groups and used to achieve robust tracking. The feature points in these groups are used within a twist model to recover the 3D free motion of the target. The merits of this proposed method are (i) building an efficient scale-invariant tracking method that tracks the target and keep it in the FoV of the camera with the same size, and (ii) using tracking with prediction and correction to speed up the PTZ control and achieve smooth camera control. Experimental results were performed on online video streams and validated the efficiency of the proposed method SIOF, comparing with OF, SIFT, and other tracking methods. The proposed SIOF has around 36% less average tracking error and around 70% less tracking overshoot than OF.
Reassessing Disparity in Access to Higher Education in Contemporary China
Authors: Hu Anning
Published: December 2014

In this commentary on the research note by Wang Xiaobing, Chengfang Liu, Linxiu Zhang, Yaojiang Shi and Scott Rozelle, “College is a rich, Han, urban, male club: research notes from a census survey of four tier one colleges in China,” I address several caveats in using the relative disparity index in assessing the extent of inequality in access to higher education. Based on these discussions, I point out the potential limitations existing in the empirical study of Wang and colleagues, and reassess the extent of disparity in college education opportunities in contemporary China using data from the 2010 Chinese General Social Survey. Although the descriptive patterns consolidate the study of Wang and colleagues, only household registration status is significantly associated with the likelihood of attending college. These findings indicate that disparities per gender, economic status, and ethnicity based on a limited number of colleges are likely to be subject to sampling errors. Finally, no interaction effects between socio-demographic factors are detected. I offer some reflections on the disproportionality approach in the research of education inequality.
Explaining Trade Agreements: The Practitioners' Story and the Standard Model
Authors: REGAN DONALD H.
Published: December 2014

There are two widely accepted explanations of why politically motivated governments make trade agreements. There is aninformalexplanation, which I shall call the ‘practitioners' story’, even though it is most economists' informal view as well. And there is aformalexplanation in the economics literature, which I shall call the ‘standard model’, referring to the basic structure shared by the Bagwell–Staiger and Grossman–Helpman models. Unfortunately, the practitioners' story and the standard model contradict each other at every crucial point. For example, in the practitioners' story, trade agreements are about reducing politically motivated protectionism; and getting an agreement depends on political support from exporters. But in the standard model, trade agreementsneverreduce such protectionism; and politics plays no role in securing an agreement. This paper expounds the contradictions between the practitioners' story and the standard model, which have gone largely unremarked. It refutes suggestions by defenders of the standard model that the contradictions are illusory. It identifies the different assumptions made by the two explanations that generate the contradictions. It gives reasons for skepticism about the standard model. And it discusses why all of this matters.
THE POLITICS OF ARENDTIAN HISTORIOGRAPHY: EUROPEAN FEDERATION ANDTHE ORIGINS OF TOTALITARIANISM
Authors: SELINGER WILLIAM
Published: December 2014

Hannah Arendt'sThe Origins of Totalitarianismis a distinctively international history. It traces Nazism to a “collapse of the nation-state” across Europe, brought on by European anti-Semitism and European imperialism, rather than to specifically German developments. This essay recovers the political meaning of that methodological choice on Arendt's part, by documenting the surprising intersection between Arendt's involvement in political debates over postwar European reconstruction, where she made an intellectual alliance with Resistance groups across Europe and strongly argued for European federation, and her involvement in historiographical debates over the sources of Nazism. I show the explicit connection that Arendt drew between an internationalist historiography of Nazism and the need for an internationalist European politics, in a series of essays she wrote in the mid-1940s. I then argue that this connection continues to play a prominent role inOriginsitself, sharply differentiating Arendt from other prominent theorists of Nazism.
Ethnographic Research in Gendered Organizations: The Case of the Westminster Parliament
Authors: Crewe Emma
Published: December 2014

Anthropologists and new institutionalist scholars studying politics share an interest in rules, norms, and power. The former tend to agree more closely with those researchers who rely on inductive empiricism rather than deductive research methods, take an historical perspective, and treat ambiguities as part of the study rather than an inconvenience. As Olivier de Sardan argues, those institutionalist approaches that tend to rely on abstract, predetermined structures contrast with the way anthropologists see social norms as emerging out of interaction between people in specific contexts (2014, 288).
Two perspectives on trading in radio spectrum usage rights: Coase and Commons compared
Authors: LEMSTRA WOLTER , GROENEWEGEN JOHN , DE VRIES PIET , AKALU RAJEN
Published: December 2014

In this contribution, we address the introduction of private property rights and market trades in the use of the radio frequency spectrum. We discuss the UK case being inspired by the ideas of Coase. We discuss how an appropriate design of property rights and a secondary market would look like and how the developments after the introduction of property rights could be interpreted. Subsequently we present the alternative perspective of Commons to illuminate the implications of a Coasean perspective. It is shown how Coase's focus is on efficiency, whereas in the world of Commons, the societal value is central. We discuss how the two perspectives can contribute to the understanding of the governance of the radio spectrum and conclude with policy recommendations.
Asymmetric core-expanded aza-BODIPY analogues: facile synthesis and optical properties
Authors: Liu Hui , Lu Hua , Zhou Zhikuan , Shimizu Soji , Li Zhifang , Kobayashi Nagao , Shen Zhen
Published: December 2014

A novel series of asymmetric core-expanded aza-BODIPY analogues, synthesized through a facile and scalable two-step reaction in high yields, are reported.
Aligned macroporous monoliths with intrinsic microporosity via a frozen-solvent-templating approach
Authors: Ahmed Adham , Hasell Tom , Clowes Rob , Myers Peter , Cooper Andrew I. , Zhang Haifei
Published: December 2014

Aligned macroporous monoliths of an organic cage, a polymer of intrinsic microporosity (PIM-1), and a metal–organic framework (HKUST-1) are prepared by a controlled freezing approach. In addition to macropores, all the monoliths contain the intrinsic micropores.
Effective targeting of proton transfer at ground and excited states of ortho-(2′-imidazolyl)naphthol constitutional isomers
Authors: Oliveira Thaís C. F. , Carmo Luiz F. V. , Murta Bárbara , Duarte Luís G.T.A. , Nome Rene A. , Rocha Willian R. , Brandão Tiago A. S.
Published: December 2014

Besides electronic effects at the excited state, ground and excited state acidities are largely affected by proximity and structural alignment.
Molecular dynamics simulation of planar elongational flow in a nematic liquid crystal based on the Gay–Berne potential
Authors: Sarman Sten , Laaksonen Aatto
Published: December 2014

Simulation of a nematic liquid crystal undergoing elongational flow using the SLLOD equations of motion with Kraynik–Reinelt boundary conditions.
Copper-catalyzed O-arylation of N-protected 1,2-aminoalcohols using functionalized trivalent organobismuth reagents
Authors: Petiot Pauline , Dansereau Julien , Hébert Martin , Khene Imene , Ahmad Tabinda , Samaali Samira , Leroy Maxime , Pinsonneault Francis , Legault Claude Y. , Gagnon Alexandre
Published: December 2014

The O-arylation of 1,2-aminoalcohols using functionalized triarylbismuth reagents is reported.
Tunability of monodispersed intermetallic AuCu nanoparticles through understanding of reaction pathways
Authors: Sinha S. K. , Srivastava C. , Sampath S. , Chattopadhyay K.
Published: December 2014

Methodologies for the synthesis of size selective monodisperse AuCu intermetallic nanoparticles have been provided.
Unique self-assembly behavior of amphiphilic block copolymers at liquid/liquid interfaces
Authors: Liu Mei , Geng Yuanyuan , Wang Qian , Lee Yong-Ill , Hao Jingcheng , Liu Hong-Guo
Published: December 2014

Various microstructures of amphiphilic block copolymers were fabricated at the liquid/liquid interfaces.
Simple hydrothermal synthesis and photocatalytic performance of coral-like BaTiO3 nanostructures
Authors: Ni Yonghong , Zheng Hangsong , Xiang Nannan , Yuan Kefeng , Hong Jianming
Published: December 2014

Coral-like BaTiO3 nanostructures with good photocatalytic performances were successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal route.
Direct difunctionalization of alkynes with sulfinic acids and molecular iodine: a simple and convenient approach to (E)-β-iodovinyl sulfones
Authors: Wei Wei , Wen Jiangwei , Yang Daoshan , Jing Huijun , You Jinmao , Wang Hua
Published: December 2014

A simple and convenient approach for the construction of β-iodovinyl sulfones has been developed via direct difunctionalization of alkynes with sulfinic acids and molecular iodine.
One-dimensional assembly of polymeric ionic liquid capped gold nanoparticles driven by electrostatic dipole interaction
Authors: Li J.-B. , Zhang S.-J. , Liang J. , Wu W.-L. , Guo J.-W. , Zhou H.-Y.
Published: December 2014

Core–shell particles, comprising an Au NP core and a PIL shell, can be assembled into chain-like nanostructures through HPO42− electrostatic coupling between two imidazolium cations from adjacent particles.
Benzimidazolin-2-ylidene N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of ruthenium as a simple catalyst for the N-alkylation of amines using alcohols and diols
Authors: Shan Siah Pei , Xiaoke Xie , Gnanaprakasam Boopathy , Dang Tuan Thanh , Ramalingam Balamurugan , Huynh Han Vinh , Seayad Abdul Majeed
Published: December 2014

Simple non-chelating ruthenium benzimidazolin-2-ylidene complexes as efficient N-alkylation catalysts using alcohols and diols following a hydrogen borrowing strategy.
Optimal control for vertical take‐off and landing aircraft non‐linear system by online kernel‐based dual heuristic programming learning
Authors: Xie Qingqing , Luo Bin , Tan Fuxiao , Guan Xinping
Published: December 2014

Vertical take‐off and landing (VTOL) aircraft system is a non‐linear complex system with multi‐variable large‐disturbances. Hence it is a difficult task to control it efficiently. For the first time, this study applies the most advanced kernel‐based dual heuristic programming (DHP) algorithm into solving the optimal control problems of VTOL aircraft systems successfully. Kernel‐based DHP (KDHP) algorithm is developed by integrating sparse kernel machines and approximately linear dependence analysis into the critic learning of DHP algorithm. Kernel machines are used as approximation structure for the critic module in the proposed KDHP algorithm, while multilayer perceptron neural networks (MLPNNs) are used as approximation structure for conventional DHP algorithm. Compared with conventional MLPNNs with manually designed structures, kernel method can obtain better generalisation capability. Hence to a certain extent, the proposed KDHP algorithm has better learning efficiency and generalisation capability. Moreover, the simulation and experimental results of VTOL aircraft system control problems demonstrate that the optimal controller based on the proposed KDHP algorithm is effective.
Convergence within a polyhedron: controller design for time‐delay systems with bounded disturbances
Authors: Nam Phan Thanh , Pathirana Pubudu Nishantha , Trinh Hieu
Published: December 2014

This study considers linear systems with state/input time‐varying delays and bounded disturbances. The authors study a new problem of designing a static output feedback controller which guarantees that the state vector of the closed‐loop system converges within a pre‐specified polyhedron. Based on the Lyapunov–Krasovskii method combining with the free‐weighting matrix technique, a new sufficient condition for the existence of a static output feedback controller is derived. The author's condition is expressed in terms of linear matrix inequalities with two parameters need to be tuned and therefore can be efficiently solved by using a two‐dimensional search method combining with convex optimisation algorithms. To be able to obtain directly an output feedback control matrix from the derived condition, they propose an appropriate combination between a state transformation with a choice of a special form of the free‐weighting matrices. The feasibility and effectiveness of the derived results are illustrated through five numerical examples.
Collective stabilisation of multi‐agent dynamical systems with single agent control
Authors: Yoon Myunggon
Published: December 2014

This paper studies the stability and performance of a multi‐agent system composed of identical linear time‐invariant dynamic agents, when only a single agent in the system is controlled by an exogenous single‐input–single‐output controller. It is shown that a wide class of multi‐agent systems can be collectively stabilised by controlling any single agent. The tracking performance of such a closed‐loop system, however, has a fundamental limitation. It is also shown that generically not only the output of controlled agent but either the sum or average of all agent outputs can be used for an exogenous controller. An example is presented to illustrate theoretical results developed in this study.
Review of the highlights of X-ray studies of liquid metal surfaces
Authors: Pershan P. S.
Published: December 2014

X-ray studies of the interface between liquid metals and their coexisting vapor are reviewed. After a brief discussion of the few elemental liquid metals for which the surface Debye-Waller effect is sufficiently weak to allow measurement, this paper will go on to discuss the various types of surface phenomena that have been observed for liquid metal alloys. These include surface adsorption, surface freezing, surface aggregation of nm size atomic clusters, and surface chemistry that leads to new 3D crystalline phases.
The B11244 story: Rovibrational calculations for C3H+ and C3H− revisited
Authors: Mladenović Mirjana
Published: December 2014

New theoretical values for the rovibrational parameters of C3H+ and C3H− in the ground vibrational states are reported for the quartic internal coordinate force fields constructed by Huang et al. [Astrophys. J., Lett. 768, L25 (2013)] and Fortenberry et al. [Astrophys. J. 772, 39 (2014)]. Effective spectroscopic parameters are derived from the rovibrational energies, calculated up to J = 20 for C3H+ and J = 12 for C3H− by means of a computational strategy for numerically exact rovibrational computations. Our results help to resolve a disharmony between the experimental observations and previous theoretical predictions in the case of C3H+: we show that the previously used perturbational approach is not sufficient to reliably predict relevant spectroscopic properties of C3H+ and that the force field of Huang et al. in combination with the numerically exact rovibrational treatment in fact supports the experimental identification of C3H+, in contrast to the original conclusion of Huang et al. and Fortenberry et al. that the astronomical assignment of the B11244 carrier to C3H+ is incorrect.
Transitionless driving on adiabatic search algorithm
Authors: Oh Sangchul , Kais Sabre
Published: December 2014

We study quantum dynamics of the adiabatic search algorithm with the equivalent two-level system. Its adiabatic and non-adiabatic evolution is studied and visualized as trajectories of Bloch vectors on a Bloch sphere. We find the change in the non-adiabatic transition probability from exponential decay for the short running time to inverse-square decay in asymptotic running time. The scaling of the critical running time is expressed in terms of the Lambert W function. We derive the transitionless driving Hamiltonian for the adiabatic search algorithm, which makes a quantum state follow the adiabatic path. We demonstrate that a uniform transitionless driving Hamiltonian, approximate to the exact time-dependent driving Hamiltonian, can alter the non-adiabatic transition probability from the inverse square decay to the inverse fourth power decay with the running time. This may open up a new but simple way of speeding up adiabatic quantum dynamics.
Optimization of substrate conformal imprint lithography (SCIL) and etching for nanostructure
Authors: Geng Zhaoxin , Guo Xiangbin , Kan Qiang , Chen Hongda
Published: December 2014

The UV-SCIL fabrication process was developed and optimized to improve the quality of the nanostructures on the hard substrate transferred with substrate conformal imprint lithography (SCIL) technology. In particular, the key steps such as coating imprint resist, exposure time and etching time were investigated thoroughly. The experiment’s results illustrate that imprint resist could well serve as an etching mask for the dry etching process without oxygen plasma. The optimized etching condition and SCIL technology could also be used to transfer nanostructures on different substrates for metal nanostructured biosensors or nanophotonics.
Parental contribution to progeny during experimental spawning of jungle perch, Kuhlia rupestris
Authors: Hoskin M. L. , Hutchison M. J. , Barnes A. C. , Ovenden J. R. , Pope L. C.
Published: December 2014

When releasing captive-bred animals into wild populations, it is essential to maintain the capacity for adaptation and resilience by minimising the effect on population genetic diversity. Populations of the jungle perch (Kuhlia rupestris) have become reduced or locally extinct along the Queensland coast; thus, captive breeding of K. rupestris for restocking is presently underway. Currently, multiple individuals are placed in a tank to produce larvae, yet the number of adults contributing to larval production is unknown. We performed a power analysis on pre-existing microsatellite loci to determine the minimum number of loci and larvae required to achieve accurate assignment of parentage. These loci were then used to determine the number of contributing participants during a series of four spawning events through the summer breeding season in 2012–2013. Not all fish contributed to larval production and no relationship was found between male body size and parentage success. In most cases, there was a high skew of offspring to one mating pair (62% was the average contribution of the most successful pair per tank). This has significant implications for the aquaculture, restocking and conservation of K. rupestris.
Functional heterogeneity of the four voltage sensors of a human L-type calcium channel
Authors: Pantazis Antonios , Savalli Nicoletta , Sigg Daniel , Neely Alan , Olcese Riccardo
Published: December 2014

Significance

Intracellular Ca
2+
concentration is a chemical message upstream of critical physiological processes: synaptic and endocrine signaling, muscle contraction, etc. In excitable cells, calcium influx is controlled by voltage-gated calcium (Ca
V
) channels. The Ca
V
protein possesses four homologous but nonidentical voltage-sensing domains (VSDs), each potentially acting as a gatekeeper for the calcium signal. However, the contribution of each VSD to calcium entry is unclear. By optically tracking the voltage-dependent movements of each human Ca
V
1.2 VSD, we revealed the conformational rearrangements that precede and govern excitation-evoked calcium signaling: VSDs II and III primarily control Ca
V
1.2 conduction. Global structure-based kinetic modeling also revealed the participation of VSD I, implicating principles of protein allostery in the Ca
V
VSD–pore coupling mechanism.
Responses to social and environmental stress are attenuated by strong male bonds in wild macaques
Authors: Young Christopher , Majolo Bonaventura , Heistermann Michael , Schülke Oliver , Ostner Julia
Published: December 2014

Significance

Male macaques form social bonds similar to human friendships that buffer them against day-to-day stressors. If male primates live in multimale groups they usually fight fiercely over access to females, but males can develop friendly relationships with a few group mates. The strength of these “friendships” has now been shown to buffer against the negative effects of social and environmental stressors, a phenomenon that was previously only described for females and pair-living animals. Long-term glucocorticoid (stress hormone) elevation can increase susceptibility to disease and mortality. This study shows that variation in everyday stressors such as the amount of aggression received or cold stress can cause such long-term elevated glucocorticoid levels but that keeping a few close male associates will avoid that.
Acute Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Syndrome After Nonadherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in a Patient With Chronic HIV Infection: A Case Report
Authors: Choi Seong K. , Graber Christopher J.
Published: December 2014

We report a rare case of acute human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) syndrome in a patient with chronic HIV infection with acute illness indistinguishable from acute retroviral syndrome. The patient presented with an acute febrile mononucleosis-like illness after increasing nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy. A marked increase in HIV RNA level of 1 220 000 copies/mL from less than 20 copies/mL occurred within 3 weeks. The diagnosis of acute HIV syndrome was made after alternative causes of illness were ruled out.
Feeding Soy Protein Isolate and n‐3 PUFA Affects Polycystic Liver Disease Progression in a PCK Rat Model of Autosomal Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Maditz Kaitlin H. , Benedito Vagner A. , Oldaker Chris , Nanda Nainika , Lateef Sundus S. , Livengood Ryan , Tou Janet C.
Published: December 2014

Objective:

In polycystic liver disease (PCLD), multiple cysts cause liver enlargement, structural damage, and loss of function. Soy protein and dietary ω‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFAs) have been found to decrease cyst proliferation and inflammation in polycystic kidney disease. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate whether soy protein and n‐3 PUFA supplementation attenuates PCLD.

Methods:

Young (age 28 days) female PCK rats were fed (n = 12 per group) either casein + corn oil (casein + CO), casein + soybean oil (casein + SO), soy protein isolate + soybean oil (SPI + SO), or SPI + 1:1 soybean/salmon oil blend (SPI + SB) diet for 12 weeks. Liver histology, gene expression by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and serum markers of liver injury were determined.

Results:

Diet had no effect on PCLD progression as indicated by no significant differences in liver weight and hepatic proliferation gene expression between diet groups. PCK rats fed SPI + SB diet, however, had the greatest (P < 0.05) histological evidence of hepatic cyst obstruction, portal inflammation, steatosis, and upregulation (P = 0.03) of fibrosis‐related genes. Rats fed SPI + SB diet also had the lowest (P < 0.001) serum cholesterol and higher (P < 0.05) serum alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin concentrations.

Conclusions:

Feeding young female PCK rats SPI and n‐3 PUFA failed to attenuate PCLD progression. Furthermore, feeding SPI + SB diet resulted in complications of hepatic steatosis attributable to cysts obstruction of bile duct and hepatic vein. Based on the results, it was concluded that diet intervention alone was not effective at attenuating PCLD associated with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease.
Parallel detection of ancient pathogens via array-based DNA capture
Authors: Bos Kirsten I. , Jäger Günter , Schuenemann Verena J. , Vågene Åshild J. , Spyrou Maria A. , Herbig Alexander , Nieselt Kay , Krause Johannes
Published: December 2014

DNA capture coupled with next generation sequencing is highly suitable for the study of ancient pathogens. Screening for pathogens can, however, be meticulous when assays are restricted to the enrichment of single organisms, which is common practice. Here, we report on an array-based DNA capture screening technique for the parallel detection of nearly 100 pathogens that could have potentially left behind molecular signatures in preserved ancient tissues. We demonstrate the sensitivity of our method through evaluation of its performance with a library known to harbour ancient
Mycobacterium leprae
DNA. This rapid and economical technique will be highly useful for the identification of historical diseases that are difficult to characterize based on archaeological information alone.
Using archaeogenomic and computational approaches to unravel the history of local adaptation in crops
Authors: Allaby Robin G. , Gutaker Rafal , Clarke Andrew C. , Pearson Neil , Ware Roselyn , Palmer Sarah A. , Kitchen James L. , Smith Oliver
Published: December 2014

Our understanding of the evolution of domestication has changed radically in the past 10 years, from a relatively simplistic rapid origin scenario to a protracted complex process in which plants adapted to the human environment. The adaptation of plants continued as the human environment changed with the expansion of agriculture from its centres of origin. Using archaeogenomics and computational models, we can observe genome evolution directly and understand how plants adapted to the human environment and the regional conditions to which agriculture expanded. We have applied various archaeogenomics approaches as exemplars to study local adaptation of barley to drought resistance at Qasr Ibrim, Egypt. We show the utility of DNA capture, ancient RNA, methylation patterns and DNA from charred remains of archaeobotanical samples from low latitudes where preservation conditions restrict ancient DNA research to within a Holocene timescale. The genomic level of analyses that is now possible, and the complexity of the evolutionary process of local adaptation means that plant studies are set to move to the genome level, and account for the interaction of genes under selection in systems-level approaches. This way we can understand how plants adapted during the expansion of agriculture across many latitudes with rapidity.
Mitochondrial DNA variation in the Viking age population of Norway
Authors: Krzewińska Maja , Bjørnstad Gro , Skoglund Pontus , Olason Pall Isolfur , Bill Jan , Götherström Anders , Hagelberg Erika
Published: December 2014

The medieval Norsemen or Vikings had an important biological and cultural impact on many parts of Europe through raids, colonization and trade, from about AD 793 to 1066. To help understand the genetic affinities of the ancient Norsemen, and their genetic contribution to the gene pool of other Europeans, we analysed DNA markers in Late Iron Age skeletal remains from Norway. DNA was extracted from 80 individuals, and mitochondrial DNA polymorphisms were detected by next-generation sequencing. The sequences of 45 ancient Norwegians were verified as genuine through the identification of damage patterns characteristic of ancient DNA. The ancient Norwegians were genetically similar to previously analysed ancient Icelanders, and to present-day Shetland and Orkney Islanders, Norwegians, Swedes, Scots, English, German and French. The Viking Age population had higher frequencies of K*, U*, V* and I* haplogroups than their modern counterparts, but a lower proportion of T* and H* haplogroups. Three individuals carried haplotypes that are rare in Norway today (U5b1b1, Hg A* and an uncommon variant of H*). Our combined analyses indicate that Norse women were important agents in the overseas expansion and settlement of the Vikings, and that women from the Orkneys and Western Isles contributed to the colonization of Iceland.
Where are the Caribs? Ancient DNA from ceramic period human remains in the Lesser Antilles
Authors: Mendisco F. , Pemonge M. H. , Leblay E. , Romon T. , Richard G. , Courtaud P. , Deguilloux M. F.
Published: December 2014

The identity and history of the indigenous groups who occupied the Lesser Antilles during the ceramic periods remain highly controversial. Although recent archaeological evidence has challenged hypotheses concerning the organization of human groups in this region, more biological data are needed to fully inform the discussion. Our study provides, to our knowledge, the first palaeogenetic data for Late Ceramic groups of the Guadeloupe archipelago, yielding crucial information concerning the identities of these groups. Despite the generally poor DNA preservation in the tested remains, we were able to retrieve Hypervariable Region 1 sequences from 11 individuals and mitochondrial single-nucleotide polymorphisms from 13 individuals. These novel data provide interesting preliminary results in favour of a common origin for all Saladoid Caribbean communities, i.e. the first ceramic groups of the region, as well as for a local continuity between the Saladoid and post-Saladoid groups. A combination of the genetic data obtained and several pieces of cultural evidence allows us to propose that two different groups inhabited the Guadeloupe archipelago during the Late Ceramic period, with the possible occupation of the La Désirade and Marie-Galante islands by groups affiliated with the Taíno communities. The working hypotheses proposed here appear consistent with recent archaeological evidence.
Partial uracil–DNA–glycosylase treatment for screening of ancient DNA
Authors: Rohland Nadin , Harney Eadaoin , Mallick Swapan , Nordenfelt Susanne , Reich David
Published: December 2014

The challenge of sequencing ancient DNA has led to the development of specialized laboratory protocols that have focused on reducing contamination and maximizing the number of molecules that are extracted from ancient remains. Despite the fact that success in ancient DNA studies is typically obtained by screening many samples to identify a promising subset, ancient DNA protocols have not, in general, focused on reducing the time required to screen samples. We present an adaptation of a popular ancient library preparation method that makes screening more efficient. First, the DNA extract is treated using a protocol that causes characteristic ancient DNA damage to be restricted to the terminal nucleotides, while nearly eliminating it in the interior of the DNA molecules, allowing a single library to be used both to test for ancient DNA authenticity and to carry out population genetic analysis. Second, the DNA molecules are ligated to a unique pair of barcodes, which eliminates undetected cross-contamination from this step onwards. Third, the barcoded library molecules include incomplete adapters of short length that can increase the specificity of hybridization-based genomic target enrichment. The adapters are completed just before sequencing, so the same DNA library can be used in multiple experiments, and the sequences distinguished. We demonstrate this protocol on 60 ancient human samples.
The genomic signature of social interactions regulating honey bee caste development
Authors: Vojvodic Svjetlana , Johnson Brian R. , Harpur Brock , Kent Clement , Zayed Amro , Anderson Kirk E. , Linksvayer Timothy A.
Published: December 2014

Social evolution theory posits the existence of genes expressed in one individual that affect the traits and fitness of social partners. The archetypal example of reproductive altruism, honey bee reproductive caste, involves strict social regulation of larval caste fate by care-giving nurses. However, the contribution of nurse-expressed genes, which are prime socially-acting candidate genes, to the caste developmental program and to caste evolution remains mostly unknown. We experimentally induced new queen production by removing the current colony queen, and we used RNA sequencing to study the gene expression profiles of both developing larvae and their care-giving nurses before and after queen removal. By comparing the gene expression profiles between both queen-destined larvae and their nurses to worker-destined larvae and their nurses in queen-present and queen-absent conditions, we identified larval and nurse genes associated with larval caste development and with queen presence. Of 950 differentially-expressed genes associated with larval caste development, 82% were expressed in larvae and 18% were expressed in nurses. Behavioral and physiological evidence suggests that nurses may specialize in the short term feeding queen- versus worker-destined larvae. Estimated selection coefficients indicated that both nurse and larval genes associated with caste are rapidly evolving, especially those genes associated with worker development. Of the 1863 differentially-expressed genes associated with queen presence, 90% were expressed in nurses. Altogether, our results suggest that socially-acting genes play important roles in both the expression and evolution of socially-influenced traits like caste.
Genetic relateness ofHaemophilus parasuisamong reference strains and Chinese epidemic isolates
Authors: Yue Min , Chen Huanchun
Published: December 2014

Haemophilus parasuisis the causative agent of Glässer’s disease and a commensal coloniser of the porcine upper respiratory tract. Multiple complex factors, including the early weaning of piglets and the management of high health status farms, make it a re-emerging agent, responsible for a recent increase in the prevalence and severity of disease in pigs in China. However, little genetic information is known about Chinese epidemic isolates. In this study, a phylogenetic method for genotyping theH. parasuispopulation with available Chinese epidemic isolates and reference strains from different origins is presented. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that there are at least two different genotypes inH. parasuispopulation and a unique Chinese lineage with virulence results in the previous epidemics.
Granulomatous cheilitis with intralymphatic histiocytosis possibly associated with calcium deposition caused by chronic inflammation owing to dental metals and periodontitis
Authors: Kano Shinya , Kurimoto Shingo , Ito Ayako , Yoshida Yuichi , Yamamoto Osamu
Published: December 2014

Granulomatous cheilitis (GC) is an uncommon disease and the pathogenesis of GC has not been clear. Here, we present two cases of GC associated with calcium deposition caused by chronic inflammation owing to dental metal allergy and periodontitis. Histopathologically, intralymphatic histiocytosis (IH) in addition to non‐caseating granulomas was seen in both cases. The results of a patch test were positive for some dental metals. Qualitative analyses by energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy detected calcium from biopsy specimens. We considered that partial destruction of teeth by chronic inflammation induced reactive proliferation of histiocytes, resulting in IH. Our study suggests that GC and IH is a consequence of chronic inflammatory diseases caused by dental metals and periodontitis. Dental care is necessary for treatment of GC.
Case of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis caused by Phaeoacremonium sp. in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Sakata Yuichi , Kitayama Asuka , Yoshimura Rieko , Anzawa Kazushi , Fujii Toshiki , Fujimoto Keiji , Yokoyama Hitoshi , Mochizuki Takashi
Published: December 2014

We describe a case of cutaneous phaeohyphomycosis in a 61‐year‐old man receiving re‐dialysis treatment for renal failure of a transplanted kidney. He was immunocompromised with steroid and cyclosporin A at onset of an asymptomatic abscess on his right forearm. The abscess arose at the site of a skin injury approximately 1 year prior. Grayish molds isolated from the lesion were morphologically compatible with Phaeoacremonium sp. but nucleotide sequence data of internal transcribed spacer regions of ribosomal RNA gene, actin and β‐tubulin genes were unlike those of any described species. He was successfully treated with a total of 3 weeks of liposomal amphotericin B, but died of pneumonia approximately 3 months after cure of phaeohyphomycosis.