bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunity to viruses: learning from successful human vaccines
Authors: Pulendran Bali , Oh Jason Z. , Nakaya Helder I. , Ravindran Rajesh , Kazmin Dmitri A.
Published: August 2013

For more than a century, immunologists and vaccinologists have existed in parallel universes. Immunologists have for long reveled in using ‘model antigens’, such as chicken egg ovalbumin or nitrophenyl haptens, to study immune responses in model organisms such as mice. Such studies have yielded many seminal insights about the mechanisms of immune regulation, but their relevance to humans has been questioned. In another universe, vaccinologists have relied on human clinical trials to assess vaccine efficacy, but have done little to take advantage of such trials for studying the nature of immune responses to vaccination. The human model provides a nexus between these two universes, and recent studies have begun to use this model to study the molecular profile of innate and adaptive responses to vaccination. Such ‘systems vaccinology’ studies are beginning to provide mechanistic insights about innate and adaptive immunity in humans. Here, we present an overview of such studies, with particular examples from studies with the yellow fever and the seasonal influenza vaccines. Vaccination with the yellow fever vaccine causes a systemic acute viral infection and thus provides an attractive model to study innate and adaptive responses to a primary viral challenge. Vaccination with the live attenuated influenza vaccine causes a localized acute viral infection in mucosal tissues and induces a recall response, since most vaccinees have had prior exposure to influenza, and thus provides a unique opportunity to study innate and antigen‐specific memory responses in mucosal tissues and in the blood. Vaccination with the inactivated influenza vaccine offers a model to study immune responses to an inactivated immunogen. Studies with these and other vaccines are beginning to reunite the estranged fields of immunology and vaccinology, yielding unexpected insights about mechanisms of viral immunity. Vaccines that have been proven to be of immense benefit in saving lives offer us a new fringe benefit: lessons in viral immunology.
Revising Strategy Instruction in Inclusive Settings: Effects for English Learners and Novice Writers
Authors: De La Paz Susan , Sherman Cindy K.
Published: August 2013

Twenty‐three students with varying academic and linguistic profiles were taught a strategy for revising expository essays, using the Self‐Regulated Strategy Development model for instruction. Students learned basic revising tactics and to consider text structure as they managed decisions on how to improve their essays. Instructional effects were assessed using a multiple baseline with multiple probes in baseline design. Positive results were found for English learners, including those who were identified as having learning disabilities, or who were low‐, average‐ and high‐achieving writers; moreover, results were equally positive for students who were not English learners. After instruction and 4 weeks later, students revised more, produced more revisions that improved text, and revised longer text segments, which resulted in an improvement in overall quality.
The Cognitive Neuroscience of the Teacher–Student Interaction
Authors: Battro Antonio M. , Calero Cecilia I. , Goldin Andrea P. , Holper Lisa , Pezzatti Laura , Shalóm Diego E. , Sigman Mariano
Published: August 2013

Pedagogy is the science and art of teaching. Each generation needs to explore the history, theory, and practice of the teacher–student interaction. Here we pave the path to develop a science that explores the cognitive and physiological processes involved in the human capacity to communicate knowledge through teaching. We review examples from our previous work in this research area and discuss a path to reveal the cognitive and cerebral mechanisms by which we teach, unfolding a complex operation such as teaching in its constituents and components.
High degree of genetic differentiation in marine three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus)
Authors: DeFaveri Jacquelin , Shikano Takahito , Shimada Yukinori , Merilä Juha
Published: August 2013

Populations of widespread marine organisms are typically characterized by a low degree of genetic differentiation in neutral genetic markers, but much less is known about differentiation in genes whose functional roles are associated with specific selection regimes. To uncover possible adaptive population divergence and heterogeneous genomic differentiation in marine three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus), we used a candidate gene‐based genome‐scan approach to analyse variability in 138 microsatellite loci located within/close to (<6 kb) functionally important genes in samples collected from ten geographic locations. The degree of genetic differentiation in markers classified as neutral or under balancing selection—as determined with several outlier detection methods—was low (FST = 0.033 or 0.011, respectively), whereas averageFSTfor directionally selected markers was significantly higher (FST = 0.097). Clustering analyses provided support for genomic and geographic heterogeneity in selection: six genetic clusters were identified based on allele frequency differences in the directionally selected loci, whereas four were identified with the neutral loci. Allelic variation in several loci exhibited significant associations with environmental variables, supporting the conjecture that temperature and salinity, but not optic conditions, are important drivers of adaptive divergence among populations. In general, these results suggest that in spite of the high degree of physical connectivity and gene flow as inferred from neutral marker genes, marine stickleback populations are strongly genetically structured in loci associated with functionally relevant genes.
IV. NIH TOOLBOX COGNITION BATTERY (CB): MEASURING LANGUAGE (VOCABULARY COMPREHENSION AND READING DECODING)
Authors: Gershon Richard C. , Slotkin Jerry , Manly Jennifer J. , Blitz David L. , Beaumont Jennifer L. , Schnipke Deborah , Wallner‐Allen Kathleen , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick , Gleason Jean Berko , Hirsh‐Pasek Kathy , Adams Marilyn Jager , Weintraub Sandra
Published: August 2013

Mastery of language skills is an important predictor of daily functioning and health. Vocabulary comprehension and reading decoding are relatively quick and easy to measure and correlate highly with overall cognitive functioning, as well as with success in school and work. New measures of vocabulary comprehension and reading decoding (in both English and Spanish) were developed for the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (CB). In the Toolbox Picture Vocabulary Test (TPVT), participants hear a spoken word while viewing four pictures, and then must choose the picture that best represents the word. This approach tests receptive vocabulary knowledge without the need to read or write, removing the literacy load for children who are developing literacy and for adults who struggle with reading and writing. In the Toolbox Oral Reading Recognition Test (TORRT), participants see a letter or word onscreen and must pronounce or identify it. The examiner determines whether it was pronounced correctly by comparing the response to the pronunciation guide on a separate computer screen. In this chapter, we discuss the importance of language during childhood and the relation of language and brain function. We also review the development of the TPVT and TORRT, including information about the item calibration process and results from a validation study. Finally, the strengths and weaknesses of the measures are discussed.
The arbovirus vector Culex torrentium is more prevalent than Culex pipiens in northern and central Europe
Authors: HESSON J. C. , RETTICH F. , MERDIĆ E. , VIGNJEVIĆ G. , ÖSTMAN Ö. , SCHÄFER M. , SCHAFFNER F. , FOUSSADIER R. , BESNARD G. , MEDLOCK J. , SCHOLTE E.‐J. , LUNDSTRÖM J. O.
Published: August 2013

Two species of arbovirus vector, Culex torrentium and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae), occur in several European countries, but difficulties in their accurate identification and discrimination have hampered both detailed and large‐scale distribution and abundance studies. Using a molecular identification method, we identified to species 2559 larvae of Cx. pipiens/torrentium collected from 138 sites in 13 European countries ranging from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean coast. In addition, samples of 1712 males of Cx. pipiens/torrentium collected at several sites in the Czech Republic were identified to species based on the morphology of their hypopygia. We found that the two species occur together in large areas of Europe, and that Cx. torrentium dominates in northern Europe and Cx. pipiens dominates south of the Alps. The transition in dominance occurs in central Europe, where both species are roughly equally common. There was a strong correlation between the length of the growing season at different sites and occurrences of the two species. As the growing season increases, the proportion and detection of Cx. torrentium decrease, whereas those of Cx. pipiens increase. The present findings have important consequences for the interpretation of the results of studies on major enzootic and link‐vectors of mosquito‐borne bird‐associated viruses (i.e. Sindbis, West Nile and Usutu viruses), especially in central Europe and Scandinavia.
Is snacking good or bad for health: An overview
Authors: Miller R. , Benelam B. , Stanner S. A. , Buttriss J. L.
Published: August 2013

Snacking, or the habit of eating little and often, has been postulated to have a range of health benefits in relation to appetite control, bodyweight management and improved blood glucose control in diabetics and pre‐diabetics. However, there is widespread agreement that our current obesogenic environment is encouraging overeating in response to increased food portion sizes, palatability and/or energy‐density of foods, alongside the many social and psychological cues to eat. In this context, and as findings on the health effects of snacking are conflicting, the question remains as to whether more frequent eating and snacking can be of benefit to health. Snacks, if added to habitual meal intake, with no compensation for snack energy contribution, are likely over time to lead to positive energy balance. Hence, snacking might be a contributing factor to the obesity epidemic, in addition to more established factors, such as food choice and physical activity. This paper explores the existing evidence concerning the impact of snacking on bodyweight and the behavioural and metabolic response to snacking. The impact of snacking on cognitive function is also discussed. The review highlights the need for further research as, despite many years of scientific interest in snacking, the lack of consistency in study design and snacking definitions and the array of potential confounding factors (e.g.physical activity levels) makes interpretation of findings difficult and has led to little consensus about the optimum number and composition of meals and/or snacks for bodyweight control, health and wellbeing on a population‐wide basis.
Standing on the shoulders of giants: Understanding calcium and vitamin D requirements
Authors: Prentice A.
Published: August 2013

The quote by Sir Isaac Newton, ‘If I have seen further it is by standing on ye sholders of Giants’ was the theme of the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF) Annual Lecture 2012. Illustrations of the seminal contributions of six ‘giants’ of nutrition science, chosen because of their links to the BNF and to vitamin and mineral research in Cambridge, were used to give a historical context to recent studies and controversies on calcium and vitamin D requirements, particularly focusing on rickets and maternal and child nutrition.
Community structures ofN2‐fixing bacteria associated with the phyllosphere of aHolm oak forest and their response to drought
Authors: Rico L. , Ogaya R. , Terradas J. , Peñuelas J.
Published: August 2013

Biological nitrogen (N) fixation is a key pathway in terrestrial ecosystems and is therefore critical for understanding the responses of ecosystems to global environmental changes. The free‐living diazotrophic community is distributed along the canopy‐to‐soil profile, but the ecological significance of epiphyllicN2fixers, despite their functional relevance, on plant foliar surfaces remains very poorly understood compared with theN2‐fixing community in forest litter and soils. We assessed the community structure ofN2fixers and overall bacteria by genetic fingerprinting (t‐RFLP) to explore the seasonal successional patterns of the microbial community in the natural phyllosphere of aHolm oak (Quercus ilex) forest submitted to 12‐year field experiment of rain exclusion mimicking the conditions of drought projected for the coming decades. Leaves ofHolm oak were analysed in different seasons over a period of 1.5 years. The bacterial community of the phyllosphere did not correspond to the surrounding soil biome in the same area. These analyses provided field evidence for the presence of free‐living diazotrophs associated with the tissues of leaves ofHolm oak, the dominant tree species of many Mediterranean forests. The results also revealed that the community composition is affected seasonally and inter‐annually by the environment, and that the composition shifts in response to climate change. Drought treatment increased the richness of the epiphyllic microbial community, especially during the summer. These changes were associated with higher C:N ratios of leaves observed in response to drought in semiarid areas. This epiphyllic microbiota that can potentially fixN2extends the capacity of plants to adapt to the environment.
Effects of relative humidity on infection, colonization and conidiation ofMagnaporthe orzyaeon perennial ryegrass
Authors: Li Y. , Uddin W. , Kaminski J. E.
Published: August 2013

Grey leaf spot, caused byMagnaporthe oryzae, causes severe damage on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) turf. In this study, the effects of relative humidity (RH, 88 to 100% at 28°C) on infection, colonization and conidiation ofM. oryzaeon perennial ryegrass were investigated in controlled humidity chambers. Results showed that theRHthreshold for successfulM. oryzaeinfection was ≥92% at 28°C. The advancement of infection on the leaf tissue was further examined with a green fluorescent protein (GFP)‐taggedM. oryzaestrain. No appressorium formation was found when the inoculum was incubated atRH ≤ 88%. Additionally, theGFP‐tagged staining provided a rapid method to quantitatively compare the fungal colonization from leaf tissue at different levels ofRH. The fluorescence intensity data indicated that the fungal biomass was highest at 100%RHand there was no fluorescence intensity observed at 88%RHor below. Conidiation was only observed whenRHwas ≥96%, with the most abundant conidiation occurring 8 days after inoculation. Reduced conidiation was associated with decreasingRH, and no conidiation occurred atRH ≤ 92%. This study indicates that infection and conidiation ofM. oryzaeon perennial ryegrass required different thresholds: 92% and 96%RHfor infection and conidiation, respectively. The quantitative data from this research will assist in prediction of grey leaf spot disease outbreaks and of secondary infection of perennial ryegrass.
Characterising the Strain and Temperature Fields in a Surrogate Bone Material Subject to Power Ultrasonic Excitation
Authors: Wang D. , Lucas M. , Tanner K. E.
Published: August 2013

The behaviour of the cancellous bone surrogate material, rigid polyurethane foam (PUF), subject to power ultrasonic vibration excitation has been studied, with the purpose of identifying a methodology to investigate the effects that ultrasonic surgical devices have on biological tissue materials. To characterise the vibrational response to ultrasonic excitation, non‐contact measurement of the full in‐plane displacement field of PUF plate specimens was performed by combining the use of an ultra‐high speed camera and 2D digital image correlation. To investigate the thermal response, an infrared camera was used in real time to detect the temperature field. The measured surface displacement and strain fields of the PUF specimens and the thermal response are compared with data from an analytical model, and two different finite element models using Abaqus and PZFlex. The close agreement between calculated and measured data provides initial confidence in the use of the models for predicting the effects of ultrasonic excitation on tissue materials. The measurement data demonstrate the success of the experimental method for measuring vibrational responses in a hard tissue surrogate material at the ultrasonic frequencies associated with power ultrasonic surgical devices.
AtMBP‐1, an alternative translation product of LOS2, affects abscisic acid responses and is modulated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase AtSAP5
Authors: Kang Miyoung , Abdelmageed Haggag , Lee Seonghee , Reichert Angelika , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Allen Randy D.
Published: August 2013

The LOS2 gene in Arabidopsis encodes an enolase with 72% amino acid sequence identity with human ENO1. In mammalian cells, the α‐enolase (ENO1) gene encodes both a 48 kDa glycolytic enzyme and a 37 kDa transcriptional suppressor protein that are targeted to different cellular compartments. The tumor suppressor c‐myc binding protein (MBP‐1), which is alternatively translated from the second start codon of ENO1 transcripts, is preferentially localized in nuclei while α‐enolase is found in the cytoplasm. We report here that an Arabidopsis MBP‐1‐like protein (AtMBP‐1) is alternatively translated from full‐length LOS2 transcripts using a second start codon. Like mammalian MBP‐1, this truncated form of LOS2 has little, if any, enolase activity, indicating that an intact N‐terminal region of LOS2 is critical for catalysis. AtMBP‐1 has a short half‐life in vivo and is stabilized by the proteasome inhibitor MG132, indicating that it is degraded via the ubiquitin‐dependent proteasome pathway. Arabidopsis plants that over‐express AtMBP‐1 are hypersensitive to abscisic acid (ABA) during seed germination and show defects in vegetative growth and lateral stem development. AtMBP‐1 interacts directly with the E3 ubiquitin ligase AtSAP5 and co‐expression of these proteins resulted in destabilization of AtMBP‐1 in vivo and abolished the developmental defects associated with AtMBP‐1 over‐expression. Thus, AtMBP‐1 is as a bona fide alternative translation product of LOS2. Accumulation of this factor is limited by ubiquitin‐dependent destabilization, apparently mediated by AtSAP5.
Multidisciplinary Analysis of a Geared Fan Intercooled Core Aero-Engine
Authors: Kyprianidis Konstantinos G. , Rolt Andrew M. , Grönstedt Tomas
Published: August 2013

The reduction of CO2 emissions is strongly linked with the improvement of engine specific fuel consumption, along with the reduction of engine nacelle drag and weight. One alternative design approach to improving specific fuel consumption is to consider a geared fan combined with an increased overall pressure ratio intercooled core performance cycle. The thermal benefits from intercooling have been well documented in the literature. Nevertheless, there is very little information available in the public domain with respect to design space exploration of such an engine concept when combined with a geared fan. The present work uses a multidisciplinary conceptual design tool to analyze the option of an intercooled core geared fan aero engine for long haul applications with a 2020 entry into service technology level assumption. With minimum mission fuel in mind, the results indicate as optimal values a pressure ratio split exponent of 0.38 and an intercooler mass flow ratio of 1.18 at hot-day top of climb conditions. At ISA midcruise conditions a specific thrust of 86 m/s, a jet velocity ratio of 0.83, an intercooler effectiveness of 56%, and an overall pressure ratio value of 76 are likely to be a good choice. A 70,000 lbf intercooled turbofan engine is large enough to make efficient use of an all-axial compression system, particularly within a geared fan configuration, but intercooling is perhaps more likely to be applied to even larger engines. The proposed optimal jet velocity ratio is actually higher than the value one would expect by using standard analytical expressions, primarily because this design variable affects core efficiency at mid-cruise due to a combination of several different subtle changes to the core cycle and core component efficiencies at this condition. The analytical expressions do not consider changes in core efficiency and the beneficial effect of intercooling on transfer efficiency, nor do they account for losses in the bypass duct and jet pipe, while a relatively detailed engine performance model, such as the one utilized in this study, does. Mission fuel results from a surrogate model are in good agreement with the results obtained from a rubberized-wing aircraft model for some of the design parameters. This indicates that it is possible to replace an aircraft model with specific fuel consumption and weight penalty exchange rates. Nevertheless, drag count exchange rates have to be utilized to properly assess changes in mission fuel for those design parameters that affect nacelle diameter.
A unified statistical framework for material decomposition using multienergy photon counting x‐ray detectors
Authors: Choi Jiyoung , Kang Dong‐Goo , Kang Sunghoon , Sung Younghun , Ye Jong Chul
Published: August 2013

Purpose:

Material decomposition using multienergy photon counting x‐ray detectors (PCXD) has been an active research area over the past few years. Even with some success, the problem of optimal energy selection and three material decomposition including malignant tissue is still on going research topic, and more systematic studies are required. This paper aims to address this in a unified statistical framework in a mammographic environment.

Methods:

A unified statistical framework for energy level optimization and decomposition of three materials is proposed. In particular, an energy level optimization algorithm is derived using the theory of the minimum variance unbiased estimator, and an iterative algorithm is proposed for material composition as well as system parameter estimation under the unified statistical estimation framework. To verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, the authors performed simulation studies as well as real experiments using physical breast phantom andex vivo breast specimen. Quantitative comparisons using various performance measures were conducted, and qualitative performance evaluations for ex vivo breast specimen were also performed by comparing the ground‐truth malignant tissue areas identified by radiologists.

Results:

Both simulation and real experiments confirmed that the optimized energy bins by the proposed method allow better material decomposition quality. Moreover, for the specimen thickness estimation errors up to 2 mm, the proposed method provides good reconstruction results in both simulation and realex vivo breast phantom experiments compared to existing methods.

Conclusions:

The proposed statistical framework of PCXD has been successfully applied for the energy optimization and decomposition of three material in a mammographic environment. Experimental results using the physical breast phantom andex vivo specimen support the practicality of the proposed algorithm.
Pou5f1 Transcription Factor Controls Zygotic Gene Activation In Vertebrates
Authors: Leichsenring Manuel , Maes Julia , Mössner Rebecca , Driever Wolfgang , Onichtchouk Daria
Published: August 2013

Pluripotency Control

The transcription factors Pou5f1/Oct4, Sox2, and Nanog play central roles in pluripotency control in mammalian embryonic stem (ES) cells. The evolution of the pluripotency regulatory network and its roles during early development of nonmammalian vertebrates is unknown.

Leichsenring
et al.

(p.
1005
, published online 15 August) show that in zebrafish embryos, Pou5f1 controls priming and transcriptional activation of the first zygotically expressed genes. This mechanism for transition from the transcriptionally silent cleavage stage to the transcriptionally active blastula stage may have evolved to control the prolonged cell pluripotency state in mammalian early development and ES cells, establishing a link between zygotic gene activation and pluripotency control.
Genome Sequence of the Autotrophic Acetogen
Clostridium autoethanogenum
JA1-1 Strain DSM 10061, a Producer of Ethanol from Carbon Monoxide
Authors: Bruno-Barcena José M. , Chinn Mari S. , Grunden Amy M.
Published: August 2013

Clostridium autoethanogenum
is an anaerobic, autotrophic acetogen that is capable of converting CO and CO
2
into ethanol and acetate. Here we report the draft genome sequence of
C. autoethanogenum
JA1-1 strain DSM 10061 (4.5 Mbp; G+C content, 37.5%) and the findings obtained from annotation of the genome sequence.
Draft Genome Sequence of Geobacillus kaustophilus GBlys, a Lysogenic Strain with Bacteriophage ϕOH2
Authors: Doi Katsumi , Mori Kazuki , Martono Hindra , Nagayoshi Yuko , Fujino Yasuhiro , Tashiro Kosuke , Kuhara Satoru , Ohshima Toshihisa
Published: August 2013

Geobacillus kaustophilus
strain GBlys was isolated along with the bacteriophage ϕOH2, which infects
G. kaustophilus
NBRC 102445
T
. Here we present a draft sequence of this strain's genome, which consists of 216 contigs for a total of 3,541,481 bp, 3,679 predicted coding sequences, and a G+C content of 52.1%.
Genome Sequence of the Probiotic Strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Formerly Lactobacillus casei) LOCK900
Authors: Aleksandrzak-Piekarczyk Tamara , Koryszewska-Bagińska Anna , Bardowski Jacek
Published: August 2013

Lactobacillus rhamnosus
LOCK900 fulfills the criteria required for probiotic strains. In this study, we report a whole-genome sequence of this isolate and compare it with other
L. rhamnosus
complete genome sequences already published.
Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage associated with aerosol propellant use
Authors: Kelchen Phillip , Jamous Fady , Huntington Mark K
Published: August 2013

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is a clinical syndrome resulting from injury to the alveolar microcirculation, most commonly associated with not only autoimmune disorders or connective tissue disease, but also a variety of infections, neoplasms and toxins. We report here a case of an otherwise healthy young man with DAH attributable to an inhalation injury resulting from use of aerosol spray paint.
Loss of hepatic aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein in adrenalectomized rats does not involve altered levels of the receptor’s cytoplasmic chaperones
Authors: Lee Chunja , Mullen Grey Anne K. , Riddick David S.
Published: August 2013

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) plays physiological roles and mediates adaptive and toxic responses to environmental pollutants. Adrenalectomized rats display decreased hepatic AHR protein levels, with no change in mRNA, and selectively impaired induction of cytochrome P450 1B1. This is similar to reported phenotypes for mice with hepatocyte-specific conditional deletion of AHR-interacting protein (AIP), a chaperone protein of the cytoplasmic AHR complex. In this study, we demonstrated that adrenalectomy (ADX) and acute dexamethasone (DEX) treatment do not alter hepatic AIP mRNA or protein levels. Also, hepatic protein levels of the 90 kDa heat shock protein and p23 were not altered by ADX or acute DEX treatment. These results suggest that the loss of rat hepatic AHR protein following ADX cannot be explained by changes in the levels of the receptor’s cytoplasmic chaperone proteins.
Conditional daily and seasonal movement strategies of male Columbia black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus)
Authors: Long E.S. , Jacobsen T.C. , Nelson B.J. , Steensma K.M.M.
Published: August 2013

Animals move to maximize fitness via resource acquisition, predator avoidance, thermoregulation, or mate access. Variations in movement strategies among and within populations often reflect habitat- or demographic-specific variations in fitness trade-offs. To examine these conditional movement strategies, we modeled seasonal and diel movement patterns of radio-collared adult male Columbia black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus (Richardson, 1829)) on a temperate, predator-free island. Linear 10 h displacement and home-range areas reached annual maxima during autumn and minima during late winter, corresponding with known dates for breeding season and lowest quality forage, respectively. For all males in all years, initiation of increased movements began during spring and again, abruptly, in late September, immediately prior to peak breeding season. Larger antlered males continued increased movements longer into December, suggesting increased breeding effort relative to smaller antlered males. Time of day predicted movements during all seasons; however, we observed no strong evidence of the crepuscular or nocturnal movement bias typically noted in deer, likely relating to the lack of predators in our study area. In this way, male black-tailed deer adopted conditional, seasonally specific movement strategies to balance fitness trade-offs in resource acquisition, thermoregulation, and mate access.
DARK MATTER DENSITY AS A FUNCTION OF THE TIME OF YEAR
Authors: WAGNER ORVIN E.
Published: August 2013

Until recently I had been assuming from the data taken that the dark matter wave velocity on earth is close to 25 m/s. The density of dark matter is apparently proportional to the reciprocal of the wave velocity squared. I found velocities for 2011 using my interchange method described in my 2010 Physics Essays' article. The data therein was taken near the first of May 2009. Beginning in September 2011, the large amplitude wave velocity was found near 1000 m/s, and increased to more than 20,000 m/s in October in the Northern hemisphere. Apparently one has to take into account the location and tilt of the earth in the dark matter standing wave pattern produced by the sun. I assume that the earth lies at least partially on an antinode for part of the year rather than on a node compared to most of the other planets. The antinode location and dark matter density varies on the earth's surface because the earth's orbit location and tilt varies as a function of the time of year with the tilt determining spring, summer, and winter in the Southern and Northern hemispheres.
NONPERTURBATIVE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF ANOMALOUS FB ASYMMETRY IN TOP PAIR PRODUCTION AT TEVATRON
Authors: ARBUZOV BORIS A. , PITIKOV ALEXEI I. , ZAITSEV IVAN V.
Published: August 2013

We apply Bogoliubov compensation principle to the problem of forward–backward asymmetry in [Formula: see text] production at TEVATRON. The nontrivial solution of compensation equation for anomalous four-fermion effective interaction of doublets of heavy and light quarks leads to possibility of existence of [Formula: see text] vector bound states (resonance). The coupling of the bound state to [Formula: see text], u pair is calculated. With this result we obtain satisfactory description of totality of data on the effect of FB asymmetry including slope of effect dependence on invariant [Formula: see text] mass. Predictions for the resonance mass and production cross-section at LHC are presented.
PHASE TRANSITION, ELASTIC AND THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF BERYLLIUM VIA FIRST PRINCIPLES
Authors: CHENG YAN , CHEN HAI-HUA , XUE FAN-XIANG , JI GUANG-FU , GONG MIN
Published: August 2013

The phase transition, elastic and thermodynamic properties of beryllium (Be) have been studied at high pressures by plane-wave ultrasoft pseudopotential density functional theory (DFT) within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). It is found that the hcp → bcc phase transition of Be occurs at 506 GPa (T = 0 K ) and occurs at 1200 K (P = 0 GPa ). The coefficients of linear thermal expansion of the hexagmal close-packed (hcp), bcc and orthorhombic Be have been calculated. The hcp → orthorhombic → bcc phase transitions do not occur in all range of pressures, that is to say, the orthorhombic Be is not an intermediate phase between the hcp and bcc Be. The obtained bulk modulus (B0) are 113.2 GPa (for hcp Be), 113.1 GPa (for bcc Be) and 70.5 GPa (for orthorhombic Be), respectively.
Cardiovascular and autonomic responses to physiological stressors before and after six hours of water immersion
Authors: Florian John P. , Simmons Erin E. , Chon Ki H. , Faes Luca , Shykoff Barbara E.
Published: August 2013

The physiological responses to water immersion (WI) are known; however, the responses to stress following WI are poorly characterized. Ten healthy men were exposed to three physiological stressors before and after a 6-h resting WI (32–33°C): 1) a 2-min cold pressor test, 2) a static handgrip test to fatigue at 40% of maximum strength followed by postexercise muscle ischemia in the exercising forearm, and 3) a 15-min 70° head-up-tilt (HUT) test. Heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), cardiac output (Q̇), limb blood flow (BF), stroke volume (SV), systemic and calf or forearm vascular resistance (SVR and CVR or FVR), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and HR variability (HRV) frequency-domain variables [low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF), and normalized (n)] were measured. Cold pressor test showed lower HR, SBP, SV, Q̇, calf BF, LFnHRV, and LF/HFHRVand higher CVR and HFnHRVafter than before WI ( P < 0.05). Handgrip test showed no effect of WI on maximum strength and endurance and lower HR, SBP, SV, Q̇, and calf BF and higher SVR and CVR after than before WI ( P < 0.05). During postexercise muscle ischemia, HFnHRVincreased from baseline after WI only, and LFnHRVwas lower after than before WI ( P < 0.05). HUT test showed lower SBP, DBP, SV, forearm BF, and BRS and higher HR, FVR, LF/HFHRV, and LFnHRVafter than before WI ( P < 0.05). The changes suggest differential activation/depression during cold pressor and handgrip (reduced sympathetic/elevated parasympathetic) and HUT (elevated sympathetic/reduced parasympathetic) following 6 h of WI.
MicroRNA-218 Inhibits Glioma Invasion, Migration, Proliferation, and Cancer Stem-like Cell Self-Renewal by Targeting the Polycomb Group Gene Bmi1
Authors: Tu Yanyang , Gao Xingchun , Li Gang , Fu Hualin , Cui Daxiang , Liu Hui , Jin Weilin , Zhang Yongsheng
Published: August 2013

Malignant gliomas are the most common central nervous system tumors and the molecular mechanism driving their development and recurrence is still largely unknown, limiting the treatment of this disease. Here, we show that restoring the expression of miR-218, a microRNA commonly downregulated in glioma, dramatically reduces the migration, invasion, and proliferation of glioma cells. Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and Western blotting analysis revealed that expression of the stem cell-promoting oncogene Bmi1 was decreased after overexpression of miR-218 in glioma cells. Mechanistic investigations defined Bmi1 as a functional downstream target of miR-218 through which miR-218 ablated cell migration and proliferation. We documented that miR-218 also blocked the self-renewal of glioma stem-like cells, consistent with the suggested role of Bmi1 in stem cell growth. Finally, we showed that miR-218 regulated a broad range of genes involved in glioma cell development, including Wnt pathways that suppress glioma cell stem-like qualities. Taken together, our findings reveal miR-218 as a tumor suppressor that prevents migration, invasion, proliferation, and stem-like qualities in glioma cells. Cancer Res; 73(19); 6046–55. ©2013 AACR.
Intraindividual Variation in One-Carbon Metabolism Plasma Biomarkers
Authors: Cope Elizabeth L. , Shrubsole Martha J. , Cohen Sarah S. , Cai Qiuyin , Wu Jie , Ueland Per Magne , Midttun Øivind , Sonderman Jennifer S. , Blot William J. , Signorello Lisa B.
Published: August 2013

Interest in the relationship between one-carbon metabolism (OCM) and carcinogenesis is intensifying, leading to increased use of related biomarkers as measures of exposure. Little is known, however, about the intraindividual variation in these markers and whether or not the use of a single measure is appropriate for assessing exposure–disease relationships in epidemiologic studies. We evaluated the intraindividual variation in plasma concentrations of 19 OCM biomarkers in a sample of 147 African American and 68 non-Hispanic white participants from the Southern Community Cohort Study who donated blood samples and responded to questionnaires at two time points from 2005 to 2008. Weighted kappa coefficients (κ) were calculated to assess the agreement between quartile assignments based on the repeated measures. Adjusted intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were also used to assess the consistency of the two measurements. Most (16/19) OCM biomarkers showed a moderate or better agreement for quartile assignment at the two time points, with only methionine, methionine sulfoxide, and cystathionine having κ ≤ 0.40. The median-adjusted ICC across the 19 biomarkers was 0.60. Reproducibility was highest for flavin mononucleotide [ICC = 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.79–0.87] and lowest for methionine and its oxidative product methionine sulfoxide (ICC = 0.22, 95% CI 0.09–0.34; ICC = 0.20, 95% CI 0.07–0.32, respectively). Overall, the intraindividual variation in OCM biomarkers was similar for African Americans and whites and for males and females. Our results suggest that with the exception of methionine and methionine sulfoxide, OCM biomarkers generally have good intraindividual reproducibility and can be considered as reliable exposure measures in epidemiologic studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(10); 1894–9. ©2013 AACR.
Melanoma Genetic Counseling and Test Reporting Improve Screening Adherence Among Unaffected Carriers 2 Years Later
Authors: Aspinwall Lisa G. , Taber Jennifer M. , Leaf Samantha L. , Kohlmann Wendy , Leachman Sancy A.
Published: August 2013

Background: A major goal of predictive genetic testing for melanoma is to promote early detection to reduce mortality. This study evaluated the long-term impact of melanoma genetic test reporting and counseling on screening adherence.

Methods: This study assessed adherence to recommendations for annual total body skin examinations (TBSE) and monthly skin self-examinations (SSE) among 37 members of Utah CDKN2A/p16 kindreds (10 unaffected carriers, 11 affected carriers, and 16 unaffected noncarriers; response rate = 64.9% of eligible participants).

Results: Two years following test reporting, adherence to annual TBSE among unaffected carriers increased from 40% to 70%. However, unaffected noncarriers' adherence decreased from 56% to 13%. Affected carriers reported TBSEs at both assessments (91% and 82%, respectively). Monthly SSE frequency remained highly variable in all patient groups: at 2 years, 29.7% reported monthly SSEs, 27.0% reported more frequent self-examinations, and 43.2% reported underscreening. However, SSE quality improved significantly: participants checked more body sites at 2 years than at baseline, especially feet, shoulders, legs, and genitals. Perceived logistic barriers to TBSEs (e.g., expensive, inconvenient) and SSEs (hard to remember, time-consuming) predicted lower adherence.

Conclusions: Unaffected carriers reported increased TBSE adherence and thoroughness of SSEs 2 years following melanoma genetic test reporting, suggesting clinical benefit in this modest sample. Unaffected noncarriers reported comparable gains in SSE thoroughness, but decreased TBSEs.

Impact: Melanoma genetic counseling and test reporting may improve adherence among unaffected carrier members of p16 families. Further interventions to reduce logistic barriers and to promote continued screening adherence among unaffected noncarrier family members may be needed. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(10); 1687–97. ©2013 AACR.
Human Breast Cancer Cells Harboring a Gatekeeper T798M Mutation in HER2 Overexpress EGFR Ligands and Are Sensitive to Dual Inhibition of EGFR and HER2
Authors: Rexer Brent N. , Ghosh Ritwik , Narasanna Archana , Estrada Mónica Valeria , Chakrabarty Anindita , Song Youngchul , Engelman Jeffrey A. , Arteaga Carlos L.
Published: August 2013

Purpose: Mutations in receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) genes can confer resistance to receptor-targeted therapies. A T798M mutation in the HER2 oncogene has been shown to confer resistance to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) lapatinib. We studied the mechanisms of HER2-T798M–induced resistance to identify potential strategies to overcome that resistance.

Experimental Design: HER2-T798M was stably expressed in BT474 and MCF10A cells. Mutant cells and xenografts were evaluated for effects of the mutation on proliferation, signaling, and tumor growth after treatment with combinations of inhibitors targeting the EGFR/HER2/HER3/PI3K axis.

Results: A low 3% allelic frequency of the T798M mutant shifted 10-fold the IC50 of lapatinib. In mutant-expressing cells, lapatinib did not block basal phosphorylation of HER2, HER3, AKT, and ERK1/2. In vitro kinase assays showed increased autocatalytic activity of HER2-T798M. HER3 association with PI3K p85 was increased in mutant-expressing cells. BT474-T798M cells were also resistant to the HER2 antibody trastuzumab. These cells were sensitive to the pan-PI3K inhibitors BKM120 and XL147 and the irreversible HER2/EGFR TKI afatinib but not the MEK1/2 inhibitor CI-1040, suggesting continued dependence of the mutant cells on ErbB receptors and downstream PI3K signaling. BT474-T798M cells showed increased expression of the EGFR ligands EGF, TGFα, amphiregulin, and HB-EGF. Addition of the EGFR neutralizing antibody cetuximab or lapatinib restored trastuzumab sensitivity of BT474-T798M cells and xenografts, suggesting that increased EGFR ligand production was causally associated with drug resistance.

Conclusions: Simultaneous blockade of HER2 and EGFR should be an effective treatment strategy against HER2 gene–amplified breast cancer cells harboring T798M mutant alleles. Clin Cancer Res; 19(19); 5390–401. ©2013 AACR.
Maternal Hypercholesterolemia in Pregnancy Associates With Umbilical Vein Endothelial Dysfunction
Authors: Leiva Andrea , de Medina Camila Diez , Salsoso Rocío , Sáez Tamara , San Martín Sebastián , Abarzúa Fernando , Farías Marcelo , Guzmán-Gutiérrez Enrique , Pardo Fabián , Sobrevia Luis
Published: August 2013

Objective—

Human pregnancy that courses with maternal supraphysiological hypercholesterolemia (MSPH) correlates with atherosclerotic lesions in fetal arteries. It is known that hypercholesterolemia associates with endothelial dysfunction in adults, a phenomenon where nitric oxide (NO) and arginase are involved. However, nothing is reported on potential alterations in the fetoplacental endothelial function in MSPH. The aim of this study was to determine whether MSPH alters fetal vascular reactivity via endothelial arginase/urea and
l
-arginine transport/NO signaling pathways.

Approach and Results—

Total cholesterol <280 mg/dL was considered as maternal physiological hypercholesterolemia (n=46 women) and ≥280 mg/dL as MSPH (n=28 women). Maternal but not fetal total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels were elevated in MSPH. Umbilical veins were used for vascular reactivity assays (wire myography), and primary cultures of umbilical vein endothelial cells to determine arginase, endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and human cationic amino acid transporter 1 and human cationic amino acid transporter 2A/B expression and activity. MSPH reduced calcitonine gene–related peptide-umbilical vein relaxation and increased intima/media ratio (histochemistry), as well as reduced eNOS activity (
l
-citrulline synthesis from
l
-arginine, eNOS phosphorylation/dephosphorylation), but increased arginase activity and arginase II protein abundance. Arginase inhibition increased eNOS activity and
l
-arginine transport capacity without altering human cationic amino acid transporter 1 or human cationic amino acid transporter 2A/B protein abundance in maternal physiological hypercholesterolemia and MSPH.

Conclusions—

MSPH is a pathophysiological condition altering umbilical vein reactivity because of fetal endothelial dysfunction associated with arginase and eNOS signaling imbalance. We speculate that elevated maternal circulating cholesterol is a factor leading to fetal endothelial dysfunction, which could have serious consequences to the growing fetus.
Overexpression of Catalase in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Prevents the Formation of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Authors: Parastatidis Ioannis , Weiss Daiana , Joseph Giji , Taylor W. Robert
Published: August 2013

Objective—

Elevated levels of oxidative stress have been reported in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), but which reactive oxygen species promotes the development of AAA remains unclear. Here, we investigate the effect of hydrogen peroxide (H
2
O
2
)–degrading enzyme catalase on the formation of AAA.

Approach and Results—

AAA were induced with the application of calcium chloride (CaCl
2
) on mouse infrarenal aortas. The administration of PEG-catalase, but not saline, attenuated the loss of tunica media and protected against AAA formation (0.91±0.1 versus 0.76±0.09 mm). Similarly, in a transgenic mouse model, catalase overexpression in the vascular smooth muscle cells preserved the thickness of tunica media and inhibited aortic dilatation by 50% (0.85±0.14 versus 0.57±0.08 mm). Further studies showed that injury with CaCl
2
decreased catalase expression and activity in the aortic wall. Pharmacological administration or genetic overexpression of catalase restored catalase activity and subsequently decreased matrix metalloproteinase activity. In addition, a profound reduction in inflammatory markers and vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis was evident in aortas of catalase-overexpressing mice. Interestingly, as opposed to infusion of PEG-catalase, chronic overexpression of catalase in vascular smooth muscle cells did not alter the total aortic H
2
O
2
levels.

Conclusions—

The data suggest that a reduction in aortic wall catalase activity can predispose to AAA formation. Restoration of catalase activity in the vascular wall enhances aortic vascular smooth muscle cell survival and prevents AAA formation primarily through modulation of matrix metalloproteinase activity.
Walking Clouds and Augmented Reverie
Authors: Delprat Nathalie
Published: August 2013

This work focuses on the imaginary aspects of the embodied exploration of virtual matter. Thanks to a motion capture device and a real-time simulation system, modifications of bodily density can be experienced through a cloud-avatar. The mutual influence of the cloud behaviour and the user's action offers a great deal of freedom for expressive performances and creative interactions. It also provides a new mode of engagement in virtual images, allowing for the experience of a peculiar kind of dynamic reverie, which is virtually augmented and poetically enriched through the dialog with the cloud-matter.
The Durance: Interlaced Waters: Art-Science Collaborations and Audiovisual Research
Authors: Sapiega Jacques
Published: August 2013

“La Durance, parcours et regards” is the title of an audiovisual experiment (2003–2004) carried out in association with the laboratory “Environment, genome, evolution” (EGEE/Aix Marseille Université). Conceived at first as a scientific documentary, the project advanced mixing different approaches, including biology, biodiversity, eco-paleontology, history, geography, sociology and arts. The support of new digital technologies appeared a better way than a linear documentary to reproduce a multidisciplinary conception and the complexity of the Durance River.