bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To be, or not to be, related: how female guppies bias sperm usage
Authors: Young Brent W. , Dean Matthew D.
Published: August 2015

In the Descent of Man, Darwin wrote “the power to charm the female has sometimes been more important than the power to conquer other males in battle” (Darwin ). Since his pioneering work, the field of sexual selection has exploded as biologists strive to understand how females bias fertilization towards preferred males. In the context of genetic relatedness between potential mates, two main hypotheses exist to explain female mating preferences. First, a female may bias fertilization towards genetically dissimilar males if she gains evolutionary fitness through the production of genetically diverse offspring – a model known as dissortative mating or inbreeding avoidance. Second, a female may favour genetically similar males if her offspring are more likely to inherit coadapted gene complexes – a model known as assortative mating or outbreeding avoidance. In this issue of Molecular Ecology, Gasparini et al. (2015) demonstrate that female guppies bias fertilization towards males which are more related to them at major histocompatibility (MHC) class IIB genes. Amazingly, this bias occurs after insemination of sperm from two different males.
Maternal protein restriction reduces perlecan at mid‐metanephrogenesis in rats
Authors: Tang Xiao‐Shan , Shen Qian , Chen Jing , Zha Xi‐Liang , Xu Hong
Published: August 2015

Aim

Maternal dietary protein restriction reduces nephron number in offspring and increases the risk of cardiovascular and chronic kidney diseases. Perlecan is the major basement membrane/extracellular matrix heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) that plays a crucial role in nephron formation. This study was to determine whether maternal dietary protein restriction during pregnancy leads to an abnormal perlecan expression pattern during kidney development and a correlation with aberrant cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Methods

Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into two groups, maintained on either a low‐protein diet (MLP group) or a normal‐protein diet (MNP group). Kidneys were dissected from embryos of different kidney development stages. Real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to detect the transcript level of rHSPG2, the coding gene of perlecan, and its protein expression pattern. Apoptosis and proliferation cell were detected by TUNEL system and Ki67 marker.

Results

Embryonic weights and nephron number were significantly affected by maternal low protein diets. The transcript level of rHSPG2 in the MLP group was significantly lower at embryonic day 18 and the neonatal period. Immunohistochemistry study was consistent with the RT‐PCR results. The proliferation level of the MLP group was significantly lower than the MNP group at E18 and more apoptotic cells was detected in MLP newborn.

Conclusion

Maternal protein restriction reduced the expression of perlecan and lead aberrant cell proliferation and apoptosis during mid‐metanephrogenesis in offspring. This data may provide new evidence to understand the mechanism of reduced nephron number due to maternal protein restriction and enlighten solution.
Cross‐sectional survey of the disaster preparedness of nurses across the Asia–Pacific region
Authors: Usher Kim , Mills Jane , West Caryn , Casella Evan , Dorji Passang , Guo Aimin , Koy Virya , Pego George , Phanpaseuth Souksavanh , Phouthavong Olaphim , Sayami Jamuna , Lak Muy Seang , Sio Alison , Ullah Mohammad Mofiz , Sheng Yu , Zang Yuli , Buettner Petra , Woods Cindy
Published: August 2015

Healthcare workers who have received disaster preparedness education are more likely to report a greater understanding of disaster preparedness. However, research indicates that current nursing curricula do not adequately prepare nurses to respond to disasters. This is the first study to assess Asia–Pacific nurses' perceptions about their level of disaster knowledge, skills, and preparedness. A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with 757 hospital and community nurses in seven Asia–Pacific countries. Data were collected using the modified Disaster Preparedness Evaluation Tool. Participants were found to have overall low‐to‐moderate levels of disaster knowledge, skills and preparedness, wherein important gaps were identified. A majority of the variance in disaster preparedness scores was located at the level of the individual respondent, not linked to countries or institutions. Multilevel random effects modelling identified disaster experience and education as significant factors of positive perceptions of disaster knowledge, skills, and management. The first step toward disaster preparedness is to ensure frontline health workers are able to respond effectively to disaster events. The outcomes of this study have important policy and education implications.
Intermittent versus Persistent Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome in Children: Electrophysiologic Properties and Clinical Outcomes
Authors: KIGER MICHELLE E. , MCCANTA ANTHONY C. , TONG SUHONG , SCHAFFER MICHAEL , RUNCIMAN MARTIN , COLLINS KATHRYN K.
Published: August 2015

Background

Intermittent Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome is considered to have a lower risk of sudden death. Fewer data exist regarding electrophysiologic (EP) characteristics and the natural history of intermittent WPW in children.

Methods

All patients with WPW age 1–18 years at a single institution (1996–2013) were reviewed. Patients with intermittent preexcitation were compared to those with loss of preexcitation on Holter/exercise testing and those with persistent preexcitation. High‐risk accessory pathway (AP) was defined as AP effective refractory period (APERP), block cycle length, or shortest preexcited RR interval during atrial fibrillation ≤250 ms.

Results

A total of 295 patients were included: 226 (76.6%) persistent, 39 (13.2%) intermittent, and 30 (10.2%) loss of preexcitation Holter/exercise. There were no differences in symptoms between groups. Median interquartile range APERP was significantly longer in intermittent WPW (380 [320, 488] ms vs 320 [300, 350] ms persistent, 310 [290, 330] ms loss of preexcitation Holter/exercise; P = 0.0008). At baseline, there was no difference between groups in frequency of high‐risk pathways. However, when isoproterenol values were included, high‐risk pathways were more frequent among patients with loss of preexcitation on Holter/exercise (54% vs 16% persistent, 11% intermittent; P = 0.005). There was one death in a patient with loss of preexcitation on exercise testing, no EP study, and prior drug use. A second patient with persistent WPW and APERP 270 ms required resuscitation following a methadone overdose.

Conclusion

Intermittent preexcitation in children does not connote a lower risk AP by EP criteria or reduced symptoms. The low number of pediatric WPW patients who develop preexcited atrial fibrillation or sudden death warrants larger studies to investigate these outcomes.
IT'S WHO YOU KNOW: FACTORS DRIVING RECOVERY FROM JAPAN'S 11 MARCH 2011 DISASTER
Authors: ALDRICH DANIEL P.
Published: August 2015

The 11 March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake affected dozens of coastal communities along the shore of Japan's Tohoku region. Following the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns, utilities, businesses and schools in some towns have bounced back to pre‐disaster capacity while other municipalities have lagged behind. The question of which factors accelerate the recovery of business, infrastructure and population after the disaster remains unanswered. This article uses a new dataset of roughly 40 disaster‐affected cities, towns and villages in the area to identify the factors connected with recovery. More than tsunami damage, spending on disaster mitigation, population density, economic conditions or financial capability, the most powerful predictor of recovery for a given area is the number of powerful politicians representing the area in the national government. These findings bring with them important policy implications for residents,NGOsand government decision‐makers.
HOW PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP IS STUDIED: AN EXAMINATION OF A QUARTER CENTURY OF SCHOLARSHIP
Authors: CHAPMAN CARRIE , GETHA‐TAYLOR HEATHER , HOLMES MAJA HUSAR , JACOBSON WILLOW S. , MORSE RICARDO S. , SOWA JESSICA E.
Published: August 2015

This exploratory study surveys the public service leadership literature from a selection of leading public administration journals over a 25‐year period (1987–2012). Patterns in methods used to study public leadership are explored, along with how those methods vary across settings within the public service sector and the treatment of leadership in the analysis. While the number of empirical studies of public service leadership has grown, the diversity of theoretical approaches, methods and measures challenges the ability to synthesize findings in order to advance the knowledge base on this topic. This article provides a map of leadership studies within the field of public administration over time and offers prescriptions for future research.
WHY TRADITIONAL RESPONSES TO BLAME GAMES FAIL: THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTEXT, RITUALS, AND SUB‐BLAME GAMES IN THE FACE OF RAVES GONE WRONG
Authors: RESODIHARDJO SANDRA L. , CARROLL BRENDAN J. , VAN EIJK CAROLA J.A. , MARIS SANNE
Published: August 2015

Following crises and fiascos, a framing contest takes place in which actors have to account for their actions and might get blamed for what went wrong. An inadequate response to blame can lead to resignation or losing a re‐election. Currently, the literature on blame games focuses mainly on the policy, agency, and – especially – presentational strategies one can use to respond to blame. Based on our analysis of the blame games following two festival disasters in Germany and the Netherlands, we show that our current understanding of blame games and blame responses needs to be broadened to include context, rituals, and sub‐blame games.
What is a vertebrate pigment cell?
Authors: Schartl Manfred , Larue Lionel , Goda Makoto , Bosenberg Marcus W. , Hashimoto Hisashi , Kelsh Robert N.
Published: August 2015

On the basis of discussions emerging from a workshop and discussions at the 7th meeting of the European Society for Pigment Cell Research in Geneva in 2012, this manuscript outlines useful criteria for defining the bona fide pigment cells as a functional entity of the vertebrate body plan and differentiating them from ‘pigmented’ cells in general. It also proposes a nomenclature for various types of pigment cells of vertebrates.
Off‐label and unlicensed use of medicinal products in the neonatal setting in the Slovak Republic
Authors: Schweigertova Jana , Durisova Alena , Dolnikova Dana , Ondriasova Elena , Balazova Martina , Slezakova Veronika , Kuzelova Magdalena
Published: August 2015

Background

Frequent prescription of medication in an unapproved manner (off‐label or unlicensed) in the neonatal setting is a result of the limited availability of adequately studied drugs in the pediatric population. Given that little information is available on this issue from eastern European countries, the purpose of this study was to describe for the first time the extent and pattern of off‐label or unlicensed use of medicines in newborns in the Slovak Republic.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study was performed at the Department of Pathological Newborns of Children's University Hospital, Bratislava, and Unit of Pathological Newborns of Teaching Hospital Nitra. Data were collected on hospitalized neonates admitted between 1 April and 30 September 2012 who received pharmacotherapy. Label status of the administered drugs was determined according to the Slovak Summaries of Product Characteristics.

Results

A total of 962 prescriptions referring to 97 different medications was administered to 202 hospitalized newborns (46% premature). Anti‐infectives and alimentary drugs were the most commonly prescribed. Of all prescriptions, 43% were identified as off‐label and 4.8% as unlicensed. At least one off‐label or unlicensed drug was given to 88.6% of patients. Ketoconazole was the most frequent drug used in an unapproved manner. A total of 13.8% of all prescriptions was administered despite contraindication.

Conclusions

Administration of drugs to newborns in an unapproved manner was common in the participating Slovak neonatal wards, reflecting the lack of appropriate pediatric drug labeling.
Food allergy in children with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease
Authors: Yukselen Ayfer , Celtik Coskun
Published: August 2015

Background

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and food allergy are frequent disorders of childhood. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of food allergy in children with refractory GERD.

Methods

A total of 151 children resistant to pharmacologic GERD treatment underwent skin prick test, specific immunoglobulin E, eosinophil count, atopy patch test (APT), and oral food challenge, and were then divided into three groups according to the results of oral milk challenge and allergy work‐up: group A1, positive oral milk challenge and positive IgE‐mediated allergy test; group A2, positive milk challenge and negative IgE‐mediated allergy test; and group B, negative oral milk challenge and negative allergy tests.

Results

There were 35, 30 and 86 patients in group A1, group A2 and group B, respectively. A total of 28 of 35 patients in group A1 had cow's milk allergy and the other seven patients had egg allergy. APT positivity was more common in group A2. Endoscopic esophagitis was observed in six group A1 patients and in four group A2 patients. Bloody stools, atopic dermatitis and recurrent wheezing episodes were significantly more common in group A1 than in group A2 and group B (P < 0.001, for both).

Conclusion

Cow's milk allergy was observed frequently in children resistant to pharmacologic GERD treatment. Combined skin prick and specific IgE tests, APT and oral food challenge is essential for avoidance of unnecessary elimination diet.
Permissive Rationality and Sensitivity
Authors: Levinstein Benjamin Anders
Published: August 2015

Permissivism about rationality is the view that there is sometimes more than one rational response to a given body of evidence. In this paper I discuss the relationship between permissivism, deference to rationality, and peer disagreement. I begin by arguing that—contrary to popular opinion—permissivism supports at least a moderate version of conciliationism. I then formulate a worry for permissivism. I show that, given a plausible principle of rational deference, permissive rationality seems to become unstable and to collapse into unique rationality. I conclude with a formulation of a way out of this problem on behalf of the permissivist.
Should reference conditions be drawn from a single 10 ha plot? Assessing representativeness in a 10,000 ha old‐growth European beech forest
Authors: Peck JeriLynn E. , Commarmot Brigitte , Hobi Martina L. , Zenner Eric K.
Published: August 2015

The management targets of modern forestry are often dictated by a desire to restore natural conditions, largely considered to be those found in contemporary reference sites. Beech reference sites are usually subjectively placed plots located in old‐growth reserves. Given the inherent variability in old‐growth, the validity of using a single such plot to guide restoration efforts is questionable. We therefore applied 3 methods to assess the representativeness of a 10 ha research plot in an old‐growth European beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.) forest in Ukraine compared to an inventory of the entire 10,282 ha forest reserve. We compared the research plot to the 500‐m2inventory plots using (1) permutation tests of structure metrics, (2) synthetic multivariate structural condition, and (3) functional condition via the proportion of area assigned to 8 forest development phases. Despite up to 82% distributional overlap for some metrics, both the averages and distributions of individual structural metrics (e.g. basal area, tree diameters) differed significantly between the RP and the inventory, as did the synthetic structural condition and the proportion of late optimal and decay phases. Extrapolations from this subjectively placed plot to the surrounding old‐growth matrix would overestimate several stereotypical “old‐growth” structures. These results support the need to draw on multiple reference sites and metrics and to select restoration target conditions that account for the variability associated with naturally dynamic ecosystems. A lack of absolute representativeness does not, however, necessarily preclude the generalizability of process‐based dynamics from old‐growth remnants.
Oral health and quality of life of children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis according to their caregivers’ perceptions
Authors: Santos Débora , Silva Carlos , Silva Marlete
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between oral health indicators and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) according to their caregivers’ perceptions. Parents or guardians (mean age, 40.6 years; standard deviation [SD] = 10.97 years) of children and adolescents with JIA (n = 17; mean age, 9.8 years; SD = 2.86) and parents or guardians of healthy children and adolescents (n = 15; mean age, 10.7 years; SD = 2.16) filled the short form of the Brazilian Parental‐Caregiver Questionnaire (SF: 13 – B‐PCPQ). Dental evaluations were performed on all children. There was no significant difference in SF: 13 – B‐PCPQ scores of the two groups. Children and adolescents with JIA had fewer caries in their primary dentition and more gingival bleeding after probing than those without JIA. The frequency of temporomandibular disorders was 50.0% for JIA patients and 46.7% for their healthy counterparts. There was no correlation between oral health indicators and SF: 13 – B‐PCPQ scores. As perceived by caregivers, JIA did not negatively impact the well‐being of their children and adolescents as related to oral health, and their OHRQoL did not correlate with oral health status.
The role of the anterolateral ligament in ACL insufficient and reconstructed knees on rotatory stability: A biomechanical study on human cadavers
Authors: Tavlo M. , Eljaja S. , Jensen J. T. , Siersma V. D. , Krogsgaard M. R.
Published: August 2015

Studies suggest that the anterolateral ligament (ALL) is important for knee stability. The purpose was to clarify ALL's effect on rotatory and anterior‐posterior stability in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)‐insufficient and reconstructed knees and the effect of reconstruction of an insufficient ALL. Eighteen cadaveric knees were included. Stability was tested for intact (+ALL), detached (−ALL) and reconstructed (+ reALL) ALL, with ACL removed (−ACL) and reconstructed (+ACL) in six combinations. All were tested in 0, 30, 60, and 90 °C flexion. Anterior‐posterior stability was measured with a rolimeter. Rotation with a torque of 8.85 Nm was measured photographically. The ALL was well defined in 78% of knees. ACL reconstruction had a significant effect on anterior‐posterior stability. Detaching the ALL had a significant effect on internal rotatory stability and on anterior‐posterior stability in ACL‐insufficient knees. Reconstruction of ACL and ALL reestablished knee stability. The appearance of the ALL was not uniform. The ALL was an internal rotational stabilizer. Anatomical ALL reconstruction in combination with ACL reconstruction could reestablish stability. ALL reconstruction might be considered in patients with combined ACL and ALL tears, but the clinical effect should be established in a controlled clinical study.
Itching sensation and neuronal sensitivity of the skin
Authors: Ham H. , An S. M. , Lee E. J. , Lee E. , Kim H. O. , Koh J. S.
Published: August 2015

Background

Sensitive skin is a universal term in the field of cosmetology. In addition, the development and demand for sensitive skin cosmetics is increasing. However, there is no appropriate method for detecting sensitive skin.

Methods

We analyzed the relationship between the frequency of response at each sensation (stinging, burning, and itching) during a lactic acid sting test and the current perception threshold (CPT) value of each frequency. To reconfirm this relationship, we analyzed differences of the CPT value (5 Hz) between the itch responder and non‐itch responder groups.

Results

There is a significant correlation between itch sensation and CPT values of 5 Hz. The itch responder group showed significantly lower sensory perception value of 5 Hz than the non‐itch responder group.

Conclusion

The CPT value (5 Hz) can be used for scanning for itching sensations when a cosmetic or its ingredients possibly cause the sensation.
The Arabidopsis thylakoid transporter PHT4;1 influences phosphate availability for ATP synthesis and plant growth
Authors: Karlsson Patrik M. , Herdean Andrei , Adolfsson Lisa , Beebo Azeez , Nziengui Hugues , Irigoyen Sonia , Ünnep Renáta , Zsiros Ottó , Nagy Gergely , Garab Győző , Aronsson Henrik , Versaw Wayne K. , Spetea Cornelia
Published: August 2015

The Arabidopsis phosphate transporter PHT4;1 was previously localized to the chloroplast thylakoid membrane. Here we investigated the physiological consequences of the absence of PHT4;1 for photosynthesis and plant growth. In standard growth conditions, two independent Arabidopsis knockout mutant lines displayed significantly reduced leaf size and biomass but normal phosphorus content. When mutants were grown in high‐phosphate conditions, the leaf phosphorus levels increased and the growth phenotype was suppressed. Photosynthetic measurements indicated that in the absence of PHT4;1 stromal phosphate was reduced to levels that limited ATP synthase activity. This resulted in reduced CO2 fixation and accumulation of soluble sugars, limiting plant growth. The mutants also displayed faster induction of non‐photochemical quenching than the wild type, in line with the increased contribution of ΔpH to the proton‐motive force across thylakoids. Small‐angle neutron scattering showed a smaller lamellar repeat distance, whereas circular dichroism spectroscopy indicated a perturbed long‐range order of photosystem II (PSII) complexes in the mutant thylakoids. The absence of PHT4;1 did not alter the PSII repair cycle, as indicated by wild‐type levels of phosphorylation of PSII proteins, inactivation and D1 protein degradation. Interestingly, the expression of genes for several thylakoid proteins was downregulated in the mutants, but the relative levels of the corresponding proteins were either not affected or could not be discerned. Based on these data, we propose that PHT4;1 plays an important role in chloroplast phosphate compartmentation and ATP synthesis, which affect plant growth. It also maintains the ionic environment of thylakoids, which affects the macro‐organization of complexes and induction of photoprotective mechanisms.
Gene transcription of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines induced by IL‐17A in canine keratinocytes
Authors: Asahina Ryota , Kamishina Harumi , Kamishina Hiroaki , Maeda Sadatoshi
Published: August 2015

Background

Pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines produced by activated keratinocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) as well as human AD. Recent studies suggest that keratinocytes activated by IL‐17A are involved in the pathogenesis of human AD. However, the role of IL‐17A in canine keratinocytes is poorly understood.

Hypothesis/objectives

Interleukin‐17A would induce the transcription of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in canine keratinocytes.

Methods

The transcription levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were quantified in a canine keratinocyte cell line stimulated with recombinant canine (rc) IL‐17A.

Results

The transcription of GM‐CSF, S100A8, IL‐8 and IL‐19 in cultured keratinocytes was significantly enhanced at 24 h after stimulation with rcIL‐17A.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Keratinocytes activated by IL‐17A have the ability to produce various pro‐inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, suggesting that IL‐17A may play a central role of the development of Th2‐associated inflammation in canine AD.
Cultural Linguistics and world Englishes
Authors: SHARIFIAN FARZAD
Published: August 2015

Cultural Linguistics is a multidisciplinary field of research that explores how features of human languages and language varieties are entrenched in cultural conceptualisations such as cultural schemas (models), cultural categories, and cultural‐conceptual metaphors. This paper presents an overview of the emerging field of Cultural Linguistics and argues, by presenting examples from several varieties of English, that world Englishes need to be examined from the perspective of Cultural Linguistics in order for us to gain a better understanding of how English is used by communities of speakers around the world to express their cultural conceptualisations, including their world views.
Forced Coefficients for a Short Length, Open Ends Squeeze Film Damper With End Grooves: Experiments and Predictions
Authors: Jeung Sung-Hwa , Andrés Luis San , Bradley Gary
Published: August 2015

Squeeze film dampers (SFDs) are effective to ameliorate shaft vibration amplitudes and to suppress instabilities in rotor–bearing systems. Compact aero jet engines implement ultra-short length SFDs (L/D ≤ 0.2) to satisfy stringent weight and space demands with low parts count. This paper describes a test campaign to identify the dynamic forced response of an open ends SFD (L = 25.4 mm and D = 125.7 mm), single film land, and oil fed through three holes (120 deg apart), operating with similar conditions as in an aircraft engine. Two journals make for two SFD films with clearances cA = 0.129 mm and cB = 0.254 mm (small and large). The total oil-wetted length equals Ltot = 36.8 mm that includes deep end grooves, width and depth = 2.5 × 3.8 mm, for installation of end seals. In the current experiments, the end seals are not in place. A hydraulic static loader pulls the bearing cartridge (BC) to a preset static eccentricity (eS), and two electromagnetic shakers excite the BC with single frequency loads to create circular orbits, centered and off-centered, over a prescribed frequency range ω = 10–100 Hz. The whirl amplitudes range from r = 0.05cA–0.6cA and r = 0.15cB–0.75cB while the static eccentricity increases to eS = 0.5cA and eS = 0.75cB, respectively. Comparisons of force coefficients between the two identical dampers with differing clearances show that the small clearance damper (cA) provides ∼4 times more damping and ∼1.8 times the inertia coefficients than the damper with large clearance (cB). The test results demonstrate damping scales with ∼1/c3 and inertia with ∼1/c, as theory also showed. Analysis of the measured film land pressures evidence that the deep end grooves contribute to the generation of dynamic pressures enhancing the dynamic forced response of the test SFDs. A thin film flow model with an effective groove depth delivers predictions that closely match the test damping and inertia coefficients. Other predictions, based on the short length bearing model, use an effective length Leff ∼ 1.17L to deliver damping coefficients 15% larger than the experimental results; however, inertia coefficients are ½ of the identified magnitudes. The experiments and analysis complement earlier experimental work conducted with centrally grooved SFDs.
Effect of Thermal Assistance on the Joint Quality of Al6063-T5A During Flow Drill Screwdriving
Authors: Skovron Jamie D. , Rohan Prasad R. , Ulutan Durul , Mears Laine , Detwiler Duane , Paolini Daniel , Baeumler Boris , Claus Laurence
Published: August 2015

An increase in fuel economy standards has affected automakers' decision toward designing lightweight vehicles and therefore transitioning from steel-based bodies to ones predominantly composed of aluminum. An introduction to lightweight materials couples that of lightweight joining with a thermomechanical process, flow drill screwdriving (FDS). This process is favored in terms of robustness, short installation time, and only requiring access to one side. The current limitation with FDS occurs with the imposed 8.3 N·m maximum installation torque standardized for M5 self-tapping screws. Warm forming of aluminum has been shown to increase ductility and formability of the material, and thus a reduction in installation torque is sought after along with an expected decrease in process time. In this study, different preprocess material temperatures of Al6063-T5A are studied to determine the effect of material temperature on the process time, installation torque, and other joint measurables. As a result, with the thermal assistance, a reduction in the process time up to 52% and installation torque by 20% was attained. The increase in preprocess material temperature did not affect the hardness of the material outside of the minimal heat-affected zone, as the maximum preprocess material temperature did not exceed the tempering temperature.
Approximated Solutions for Axisymmetric Wrinkled Inflated Membranes
Authors: Barsotti Riccardo
Published: August 2015

The axisymmetric inflation problem for a wrinkled membrane is solved by means of a simple nonlinear ordinary differential equation. The solution is illustrated in full details. Both the free and constrained cases are addressed, in the limit case where the membrane is fully wrinkled. In the constrained inflation problem, no slippage is allowed between the membrane and the constraining surfaces. It is shown that an actual membrane can in no way reach the fully wrinkled configuration during free inflation, regardless of the membrane's initial configuration and constituent material. The fully wrinkled solution is compared to some finite element results obtained by means of an expressly developed iterative–incremental procedure. When the values of the inflating pressure and length of the meridian lie within a suitable applicability range, the fully wrinkled solution may represent a reasonable approximation of the actual solution. A comparison with some numerical and experimental results available in the literature is illustrated.
Reference respiratory waveforms by minimum jerk model analysis
Authors: Anetai Yusuke , Sumida Iori , Takahashi Yutaka , Yagi Masashi , Ota Seiichi , Mizuno Hirokazu , Ogawa Kazuhiko
Published: August 2015

Purpose:

CyberKnife® robotic surgery system has the ability to deliver radiation to a tumor subject to respiratory movements using Synchrony® mode with less than 2 mm tracking accuracy. However, rapid and rough motion tracking causes mechanical tracking errors and puts mechanical stress on the robotic joint, leading to unexpected radiation delivery errors. During clinical treatment, patient respiratory motions are much more complicated, suggesting the need for patient‐specific modeling of respiratory motion. The purpose of this study was to propose a novel method that provides a reference respiratory wave to enable smooth tracking for each patient.

Methods:

The minimum jerk model, which mathematically derives smoothness by means of jerk, or the third derivative of position and the derivative of acceleration with respect to time that is proportional to the time rate of force changed was introduced to model a patient‐specific respiratory motion wave to provide smooth motion tracking using CyberKnife®. To verify that patient‐specific minimum jerk respiratory waves were being tracked smoothly by Synchrony® mode, a tracking laser projection from CyberKnife® was optically analyzed every 0.1 s using a webcam and a calibrated grid on a motion phantom whose motion was in accordance with three pattern waves (cosine, typical free‐breathing, and minimum jerk theoretical wave models) for the clinically relevant superior–inferior directions from six volunteers assessed on the same node of the same isocentric plan.

Results:

Tracking discrepancy from the center of the grid to the beam projection was evaluated. The minimum jerk theoretical wave reduced the maximum‐peak amplitude of radial tracking discrepancy compared with that of the waveforms modeled by cosine and typical free‐breathing model by 22% and 35%, respectively, and provided smooth tracking for radial direction. Motion tracking constancy as indicated by radial tracking discrepancy affected by respiratory phase was improved in the minimum jerk theoretical model by 7.0% and 13% compared with that of the waveforms modeled by cosine and free‐breathing model, respectively.

Conclusions:

The minimum jerk theoretical respiratory wave can achieve smooth tracking by CyberKnife® and may provide patient‐specific respiratory modeling, which may be useful for respiratory training and coaching, as well as quality assurance of the mechanical CyberKnife® robotic trajectory.
Normative Spatiotemporal Parameters During 100-m Sprints in Amputee Sprinters Using Running-Specific Prostheses
Authors: Hobara Hiroaki , Potthast Wolfgang , Müller Ralf , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Heldoorn Thijs A. , Mochimaru Masaaki
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to develop a normative sample of step frequency and step length during maximal sprinting in amputee sprinters. We analyzed elite-level 100-m races of 255 amputees and 93 able-bodied sprinters, both men and women, from publicly-available Internet broadcasts. For each sprinter’s run, the average forward velocity, step frequency, and step length over the 100-m distance were analyzed by using the official record and number of steps in each race. The average forward velocity was greatest in able-bodied sprinters (10.04 ± 0.17 m/s), followed by bilateral transtibial (8.77 ± 0.27 m/s), unilateral transtibial (8.65 ± 0.30 m/s), and transfemoral amputee sprinters (7.65 ± 0.38 m/s) in men. Differences in velocity among 4 groups were associated with step length (able-bodied vs transtibial amputees) or both step frequency and step length (able-bodied vs transfemoral amputees). Although we also found that the velocity was greatest in able-bodied sprinters (9.10 ± 0.14 m/s), followed by unilateral transtibial (7.08 ± 0.26 m/s), bilateral transtibial (7.06 ± 0.48 m/s), and transfemoral amputee sprinters (5.92 ± 0.33 m/s) in women, the differences in the velocity among the groups were associated with both step frequency and step length. Current results suggest that spatiotemporal parameters during a 100-m race of amputee sprinters is varied by amputation levels and sex.
Spinal Kinematics of Adolescent Male Rowers with Back Pain in Comparison with Matched Controls During Ergometer Rowing
Authors: Ng Leo , Campbell Amity , Burnett Angus , Smith Anne , O’Sullivan Peter
Published: August 2015

There is a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in adolescent male rowers. In this study, regional lumbar spinal kinematics and self-reported LBP intensity were compared between 10 adolescent rowers with moderate levels of LBP relating to rowing with 10 reporting no history of LBP during a 15-minute ergometer trial using an electromagnetic tracking system. Adolescent male rowers with LBP reported increasing pain intensity during ergometer rowing. No significant differences were detected in mean upper or lower lumbar angles between rowers with and without LBP. However, compared with rowers without pain, rowers with pain: (1) had relatively less excursion of the upper lumbar spine into extension over the drive phase, (2) had relatively less excursion of the lower lumbar spine into extension over time, (3) had greater variability in upper and lower lumbar angles over the 15-minute ergometer trial, (4) positioned their upper lumbar spine closer to end range flexion for a greater proportion of the drive phase, and (5) showed increased time in sustained flexion loading in the upper lumbar spine. Differences in regional lumbar kinematics exist between adolescent male rowers with and without LBP, which may have injury implication and intervention strategies.
Boom & bust in the Great White North
Authors: Kintisch Eli
Published: August 2015

As the Arctic warms, retreating sea ice is revealing winners and losers in ecosystems under siege.
Part 4: Targeting Cancer Pathways: The Epigenetics Question
Authors: Baylin Stephen B. , Roberts Charles , Shilatifard Ali
Published: August 2015

This webinar is the fourth in a series focusing on the cancer pathways that support tumor development, the emerging research in identifying and targeting these pathways, and innovations in the development of increasingly effective cancer therapy options. Recent advances in our understanding of cancer have revealed that the disease cannot be understood through simple analysis of genetic mutations within the cancerous cells. Instead, tumors should be considered as complex tissues in which the cancer cells communicate directly and indirectly with the surrounding cellular microenvironment and evolve traits that promote their own survival. In this webinar we will explore how aberrant changes in epigenetic modification can affect the expression of key genes and contribute to the pathological progression of cancer.

View the Webinar
Phase patterning for ohmic homojunction contact in MoTe
2
Authors: Cho Suyeon , Kim Sera , Kim Jung Ho , Zhao Jiong , Seok Jinbong , Keum Dong Hoon , Baik Jaeyoon , Choe Duk-Hyun , Chang K. J. , Suenaga Kazu , Kim Sung Wng , Lee Young Hee , Yang Heejun
Published: August 2015

Making better contacts

A key issue in fabricating transistors is making a good electrical contact to the semiconductor gate material. For two-dimensional materials, one route is through a phase transition that converts a hexagonally packed semiconductor phase into a distorted octahedrally packed metallic phase. Cho
et al.
show that laser heating of molybdenum telluride (MoTe
2
) achieves this conversion through the creation of Te vacancies. The phase transition improves charge carrier mobility while maintaining the low resistance necessary for improved transistor function.

Science
, this issue p.
625
Manage water in a green way
Authors: Palmer Margaret A. , Liu Junguo , Matthews John H. , Mumba Musonda , D'Odorico Paolo
Published: August 2015

Reliance on “hard,” human-engineered structures—“gray” infrastructure—has been the conventional way to manage water needs for economic development. But building dams, piping water, and constructing protective barriers is capital intensive and may address only a few water problems (

1

). Gray infrastructure often damages or eliminates biophysical processes necessary to sustain people, ecosystems and habitats, and livelihoods. Consequently, there is renewed focus on “green” infrastructure, which can be more flexible and cost effective for providing benefits besides water provision. Supplementing or integrating gray infrastructure with biophysical systems is critical to meeting current and future water needs. Gray and green infrastructures combined are synergistic and can have superior results to one or the other.
Positive charges and underwater adhesion
Authors: Wilker Jonathan J.
Published: August 2015

Mussels stick under water by using their own ions to combat the salt around them

[Also see Report by

Maier
et al.

]
Building land with a rising sea
Authors: Temmerman Stijn , Kirwan Matthew L.
Published: August 2015

Cost-efficient nature-based solutions can help to sustain coastal societies

[Also see Report by

Tessler
et al.

]
phoD
Alkaline Phosphatase Gene Diversity in Soil
Authors: Ragot Sabine A. , Kertesz Michael A. , Bünemann Else K.
Published: August 2015

Phosphatase enzymes are responsible for much of the recycling of organic phosphorus in soils. The PhoD alkaline phosphatase takes part in this process by hydrolyzing a range of organic phosphoesters. We analyzed the taxonomic and environmental distribution of
phoD
genes using whole-genome and metagenome databases.
phoD
alkaline phosphatase was found to be spread across 20 bacterial phyla and was ubiquitous in the environment, with the greatest abundance in soil. To study the great diversity of
phoD
, we developed a new set of primers which targets
phoD
genes in soil. The primer set was validated by 454 sequencing of six soils collected from two continents with different climates and soil properties and was compared to previously published primers. Up to 685 different
phoD
operational taxonomic units were found in each soil, which was 7 times higher than with previously published primers. The new primers amplified sequences belonging to 13 phyla, including 71 families. The most prevalent
phoD
genes identified in these soils were affiliated with the orders
Actinomycetales
(13 to 35%),
Bacillales
(1 to 29%),
Gloeobacterales
(1 to 18%),
Rhizobiales
(18 to 27%), and
Pseudomonadales
(0 to 22%). The primers also amplified
phoD
genes from additional orders, including
Burkholderiales
,
Caulobacterales
,
Deinococcales
,
Planctomycetales
, and
Xanthomonadales
, which represented the major differences in
phoD
composition between samples, highlighting the singularity of each community. Additionally, the
phoD
bacterial community structure was strongly related to soil pH, which varied between 4.2 and 6.8. These primers reveal the diversity of
phoD
in soil and represent a valuable tool for the study of
phoD
alkaline phosphatase in environmental samples.
Differences in Bacterial Community Structure in Two Color Morphs of the Hawaiian Reef Coral Montipora capitata
Authors: Shore-Maggio Amanda , Runyon Christina M. , Ushijima Blake , Aeby Greta S. , Callahan Sean M.
Published: August 2015

Corals harbor diverse bacterial associations that contribute to the health of the host. Using 16S rRNA pyrosequencing, we compared the bacterial communities of red and orange morphs of the Hawaiian coral
Montipora capitata
. Although both color morphs shared dominant bacterial genera, weighted and unweighted UniFrac analyses showed distinct bacterial communities. A single operational taxonomic unit (OTU), classified as
Vibrio
, represented the largest driver of differences between the color morphs. This OTU comprised 35.4% (±5.5%) of the orange morph bacterial community yet comprised 1.1% (±0.6%) of the red morph bacterial community. Cultivable bacteria from the two color morphs were also compared and tested for antibacterial activity. Cultured isolates represented 14 genera (7% of the total genera identified from sequencing data), and all but two cultured isolates had a matching OTU from the sequencing data. Half of the isolates tested (8 out of 16) displayed antibacterial activity against other cultured isolates but not against two known bacterial pathogens of
M. capitata
. The results from this study demonstrate that the specificity of coral-bacterial associations extends beyond the level of coral species. In addition, culture-dependent methods captured bacterial diversity that was representative of both rare and abundant members of the associated bacterial community, as characterized by culture-independent methods.
Identification of Benzo[
a
]pyrene-Metabolizing Bacteria in Forest Soils by Using DNA-Based Stable-Isotope Probing
Authors: Song Mengke , Luo Chunling , Jiang Longfei , Zhang Dayi , Wang Yujie , Zhang Gan
Published: August 2015

DNA-based stable-isotope probing (DNA-SIP) was used in this study to investigate the uncultivated bacteria with benzo[
a
]pyrene (BaP) metabolism capacities in two Chinese forest soils (Mt. Maoer in Heilongjiang Province and Mt. Baicaowa in Hubei Province). We characterized three different phylotypes with responsibility for BaP degradation, none of which were previously reported as BaP-degrading microorganisms by SIP. In Mt. Maoer soil microcosms, the putative BaP degraders were classified as belonging to the genus
Terrimonas
(family
Chitinophagaceae
, order
Sphingobacteriales
), whereas
Burkholderia
spp. were the key BaP degraders in Mt. Baicaowa soils. The addition of metabolic salicylate significantly increased BaP degradation efficiency in Mt. Maoer soils, and the BaP-metabolizing bacteria shifted to the microorganisms in the family
Oxalobacteraceae
(genus unclassified). Meanwhile, salicylate addition did not change either BaP degradation or putative BaP degraders in Mt. Baicaowa. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ring-hydroxylating dioxygenase (PAH-RHD) genes were amplified, sequenced, and quantified in the DNA-SIP
13
C heavy fraction to further confirm the BaP metabolism. By illuminating the microbial diversity and salicylate additive effects on BaP degradation across different soils, the results increased our understanding of BaP natural attenuation and provided a possible approach to enhance the bioremediation of BaP-contaminated soils.
Alcohol Selectivity in a Synthetic Thermophilic
n
-Butanol Pathway Is Driven by Biocatalytic and Thermostability Characteristics of Constituent Enzymes
Authors: Loder Andrew J. , Zeldes Benjamin M. , Garrison G. Dale , Lipscomb Gina L. , Adams Michael W. W. , Kelly Robert M.
Published: August 2015

n
-Butanol is generated as a natural product of metabolism by several microorganisms, but almost all grow at mesophilic temperatures. A synthetic pathway for
n
-butanol production from acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) that functioned at 70°C was assembled
in vitro
from enzymes recruited from thermophilic bacteria to inform efforts for engineering butanol production into thermophilic hosts. Recombinant versions of eight thermophilic enzymes (β-ketothiolase [Thl], 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase [Hbd], and 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydratase [Crt] from
Caldanaerobacter subterraneus
subsp.
tengcongensis
;
trans
-2-enoyl-CoA reductase [Ter] from
Spirochaeta thermophila
; bifunctional acetaldehyde dehydrogenase/alcohol dehydrogenase [AdhE] from
Clostridium thermocellum
; and AdhE, aldehyde dehydrogenase [Bad], and butanol dehydrogenase [Bdh] from
Thermoanaerobacter
sp. strain X514) were utilized to examine three possible pathways for
n
-butanol. These pathways differed in the two steps required to convert butyryl-CoA to
n
-butanol: Thl-Hbd-Crt-Ter-AdhE (
C. thermocellum
), Thl-Hbd-Crt-Ter-AdhE (
Thermoanaerobacter
X514), and Thl-Hbd-Crt-Ter-Bad-Bdh.
n
-Butanol was produced at 70°C, but with different amounts of ethanol as a coproduct, because of the broad substrate specificities of AdhE, Bad, and Bdh. A reaction kinetics model, validated via comparison to
in vitro
experiments, was used to determine relative enzyme ratios needed to maximize
n
-butanol production. By using large relative amounts of Thl and Hbd and small amounts of Bad and Bdh, >70% conversion to
n
-butanol was observed
in vitro
, but with a 60% decrease in the predicted pathway flux. With more-selective hypothetical versions of Bad and Bdh, >70% conversion to
n
-butanol is predicted, with a 19% increase in pathway flux. Thus, more-selective thermophilic versions of Bad, Bdh, and AdhE are needed to fully exploit biocatalytic
n
-butanol production at elevated temperatures.