bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomized Phase II Trial of Onartuzumab in Combination With Erlotinib in Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Spigel David R. , Ervin Thomas J. , Ramlau Rodryg A. , Daniel Davey B. , Goldschmidt Jerome H. , Blumenschein George R. , Krzakowski Maciej J. , Robinet Gilles , Godbert Benoit , Barlesi Fabrice , Govindan Ramaswamy , Patel Taral , Orlov Sergey V. , Wertheim Michael S. , Yu Wei , Zha Jiping , Yauch Robert L. , Patel Premal H. , Phan See-Chun , Peterson Amy C.
Published: October 2013

Purpose

Increased hepatocyte growth factor/MET signaling is associated with poor prognosis and acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) –targeted drugs in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We investigated whether dual inhibition of MET/EGFR results in clinical benefit in patients with NSCLC.

Patients and Methods

Patients with recurrent NSCLC were randomly assigned at a ratio of one to one to receive onartuzumab plus erlotinib or placebo plus erlotinib; crossover was allowed at progression. Tumor tissue was required to assess MET status by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Coprimary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) in the intent-to-treat (ITT) and MET-positive (MET IHC diagnostic positive) populations; additional end points included overall survival (OS), objective response rate, and safety.

Results

There was no improvement in PFS or OS in the ITT population (n = 137; PFS hazard ratio [HR], 1.09; P = .69; OS HR, 0.80; P = .34). MET-positive patients (n = 66) treated with erlotinib plus onartuzumab showed improvement in both PFS (HR, .53; P = .04) and OS (HR, .37; P = .002). Conversely, clinical outcomes were worse in MET-negative patients treated with onartuzumab plus erlotinib (n = 62; PFS HR, 1.82; P = .05; OS HR, 1.78; P = .16). MET-positive control patients had worse outcomes versus MET-negative control patients (n = 62; PFS HR, 1.71; P = .06; OS HR, 2.61; P = .004). Incidence of peripheral edema was increased in onartuzumab-treated patients.

Conclusion

Onartuzumab plus erlotinib was associated with improved PFS and OS in the MET-positive population. These results combined with the worse outcomes observed in MET-negative patients treated with onartuzumab highlight the importance of diagnostic testing in drug development.
Long-Term Cardiovascular Mortality in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: An Observational Study
Authors: Klein Hesselink Esther N. , Klein Hesselink Mariëlle S. , de Bock Geertruida H. , Gansevoort Ron T. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , Vredeveld Eline J. , van der Horst-Schrivers Anouk N.A. , van der Horst Iwan C.C. , Kamphuisen Pieter W. , Plukker John T.M. , Links Thera P. , Lefrandt Joop D.
Published: October 2013

Purpose

The primary aim was to study the risk of cardiovascular mortality in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). Secondary aims were to evaluate all-cause mortality and explore the relation between thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH; also known as thyrotropin) level and these outcome parameters.

Patients and Methods

Subjects from two cohorts were retrospectively compared by Cox regression analyses; 524 patients with DTC and 1,572 sex- and age-matched controls from a large population-based study in the same geographic region.

Results

Mean age plus or minus standard deviation was 49 ± 14 years. Median follow-up was 8.5 years (interquartile range [IQR], 4.1 to 15.9 years) for patients with DTC and 10.5 years (IQR, 9.9 to 10.9 years) for controls. One hundred patients with DTC (19.1%) died, 22 (4.2%) as a result of cardiovascular disease, 39 (7.4%) as a result of DTC, and 39 (7.4%) as a result of other/unknown causes. Eighty-five controls (5.4%) died, 24 (1.5%) as a result of cardiovascular disease and 61 (3.9%) as a result of other/unknown causes. Patients with DTC had an increased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (hazard ratios [HRs], 3.35 [95% CI, 1.66 to 6.74] and 4.40 [95% CI, 3.15 to 6.14], respectively, adjusted for age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors). Within the DTC group, TSH level was predictive for cardiovascular mortality; the adjusted HR was 3.08 (95% CI, 1.32 to 7.21) for each 10-fold decrease in geometric mean TSH level.

Conclusion

The risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality is increased in patients with DTC, independent of age, sex, and cardiovascular risk factors. A lower TSH level is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality, supporting the current European Thyroid Association and the American Thyroid Association guidelines of tempering TSH suppression in patients with low risk of cancer recurrence. Furthermore, patients with DTC may benefit from assessment and treatment of cardiovascular risk factors.
Randomized Trial of Hypofractionated External-Beam Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Pollack Alan , Walker Gail , Horwitz Eric M. , Price Robert , Feigenberg Steven , Konski Andre A. , Stoyanova Radka , Movsas Benjamin , Greenberg Richard E. , Uzzo Robert G. , Ma Charlie , Buyyounouski Mark K.
Published: October 2013

Purpose

To determine if escalated radiation dose using hypofractionation significantly reduces biochemical and/or clinical disease failure (BCDF) in men treated primarily for prostate cancer.

Patients and Methods

Between June 2002 and May 2006, men with favorable- to high-risk prostate cancer were randomly allocated to receive 76 Gy in 38 fractions at 2.0 Gy per fraction (conventional fractionation intensity-modulated radiation therapy [CIMRT]) versus 70.2 Gy in 26 fractions at 2.7 Gy per fraction (hypofractionated IMRT [HIMRT]); the latter was estimated to be equivalent to 84.4 Gy in 2.0 Gy fractions. High-risk patients received long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), and some intermediate-risk patients received short-term ADT. The primary end point was the cumulative incidence of BCDF. Secondarily, toxicity was assessed.

Results

There were 303 assessable patients with a median follow-up of 68.4 months. No significant differences were seen between the treatment arms in terms of the distribution of patients by clinicopathologic or treatment-related (ADT use and length) factors. The 5-year rates of BCDF were 21.4% (95% CI, 14.8% to 28.7%) for CIMRT and 23.3% (95% CI, 16.4% to 31.0%) for HIMRT (P = .745). There were no statistically significant differences in late toxicity between the arms; however, in subgroup analysis, patients with compromised urinary function before enrollment had significantly worse urinary function after HIMRT.

Conclusion

The hypofractionation regimen did not result in a significant reduction in BCDF; however, it is delivered in 2.5 fewer weeks. Men with compromised urinary function before treatment may not be ideal candidates for this approach.
Signaling by Folded gastrulation is modulated by mitochondrial fusion and fission
Authors: Ratnaparkhi Anuradha
Published: October 2013

Mitochondria are increasingly being identified as integrators and regulators of cell signaling pathways. Folded gastrulation (Fog) is a secreted signaling molecule best known for its role in regulating cell shape change at the ventral furrow (VF) during gastrulation in Drosophila. Fog is thought to signal via a G-protein coupled receptor, to effect downstream cytoskeletal changes necessary for cell shape change. However, the mechanisms regulating Fog signaling that lead to change in cell morphology are poorly understood. This study describes identification of proteins involved in mitochondrial fusion and fission as regulators of Fog signaling. Pro-fission factors were found to function as enhancers of signaling, while pro-fusion factors were found to have the opposite effect. Consistent with this, activation of Fog signaling was seen to result in mitochondrial fragmentation and inhibiting this process could attenuate Fog signaling. The findings here show that mitochondria, through regulation of fusion –fission, function as downstream effectors and modulators of Fog signaling and Fog dependent cell shape change.
A synthetic nanofibrillar matrix promotes in vitro hepatic differentiation of embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Yamazoe Taiji , Shiraki Nobuaki , Toyoda Masashi , Kiyokawa Nobutaka , Okita Hajime , Miyagawa Yoshitaka , Akutsu Hidenori , Umezawa Akihiro , Sasaki Yutaka , Kume Kazuhiko , Kume Shoen
Published: October 2013

Embryonic stem (ES) cells recapitulate normal developmental processes and serve as an attractive source for routine access to a large number of cells for research and therapies. We previously reported that ES cells cultured on M15 cells, or a synthesized basement membrane (sBM) substratum, efficiently differentiated into an endodermal fate and subsequently adopted fates of various digestive organs, such as the pancreas and liver. Here, we established a novel hepatic differentiation procedure using the synthetic nanofiber (sNF) as a cell culture scaffold. We first compared endoderm induction and hepatic differentiation between murine ES cells grown on sNF and several other substrata. The functional assays for hepatocytes reveal that the ES cells grown on sNF were directed into hepatic differentiation. To clarify the mechanisms for the promotion of ES cell differentiation in the sNF system, we focused on the function of Rac1, which is a Rho family member protein known to regulate the actin cytoskeleton. We observed the activation of Rac1 in undifferentiated and differentiated ES cells cultured on sNF plates, but not in those cultured on normal plastic plates. We also show that Rac1 inhibition blocked the potentiating effects of sNF on endoderm and hepatic differentiation, throughout the entire differentiation stages. Taken together, our results suggested that morphological changes resulted in Rac1 activation controlled cellular differentiation, and that motility is not only the consequence, but also able to trigger differentiation. In conclusion, we believe that sNF is a promising material that might contribute to tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Managing Retention in Service Relationships
Authors: Aflaki Sam , Popescu Ioana
Published: October 2013

In a repeat business context, past experiences with a service provider affect customers' decisions to renew their contract. How should a strategic firm manage customized service over time to maximize the long-term value from each customer relationship? We propose a dynamic model that relies on behavioral theories and empirical evidence to capture the effect of past service experiences on service quality expectations, customer satisfaction, and retention. Although firms can benefit from managing service expectations at the beginning of a relationship, we find that varying service in the long run is not optimal. Behavioral regularities explain the structure of optimal service policies and limit the value of responsive service. Loss aversion expands the range of optimal constant policies; however, if satisfying experiences are more salient, then firms should constantly vary service levels. Loyal or high-margin customers need not warrant better service; those who anchor less on past service experiences do—provided that retention is improved by better past experiences. The effect of customer memory on service levels is determined by whether habituation or rather goodwill drives defection decisions.

This paper was accepted by Christian Terwiesch, operations management.
Gender Differences in Willingness to Guess
Authors: Baldiga Katherine
Published: October 2013

We present the results of an experiment that explores whether women are less willing than men to guess on multiple-choice tests. Our test consists of practice questions from SAT II history tests; we vary whether a penalty is imposed for a wrong answer and the salience of the evaluative nature of the task. We find that when no penalty is assessed for a wrong answer, all test takers answer every question. But, when there is a penalty for wrong answers, women answer significantly fewer questions than men. We see no differences in knowledge of the material or confidence in the test takers, and differences in risk preferences explain less than half of the observed gap. Making the evaluative aspect of the test more salient does not impact the gender gap. We show that, conditional on their knowledge of the material, test takers who skip questions do significantly worse on our test.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2013.1776

This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Control of gastrointestinal nematode species in horses: an evidence-based approach
Authors: Chapman Stella
Published: October 2013

The nematode species that are of most clinical significance to the horse owner are the large redworms (particularly Strongylus vulgaris) small redworms (Cyathostomins), ascarids (particularly Parascaris equorum) and the pinworm (Oxyuris equi). They have a direct life cycle (no intermediate host) and the females are capable of producing thousands of eggs that can pass out in the faeces and then subsequently contaminate pasture and cause infection in susceptible horses. There are many factors that contribute to the clinical relevance of these species and much research has been undertaken into the factors that cause disease in susceptible equine populations. Many control strategies (for example faecal egg counts) and anthelmintic treatment programmes have been recommended in order to limit the clinical effects of these intestinal parasites; however due to the lack of clinical signs seen in horses most owners have relied on the routine prophylactic use of anthelmintics, and as a result anthelmintic resistance has become a growing concern. A better understanding by veterinary staff of the current research in this area would give them the ability to provide targeted therapeutic advice so that owners have a cost-effective and efficacious means of parasite control.
Editing I Will Not Hope
Authors: Macdonald Anna
Published: October 2013

This article discusses I Will Not Hope, a Screendance made in 2013, which involved a group of people trying to catch falling leaves in autumn. It is the last in a trilogy of Screendance works, by the author, that explore the tension between predictability, stillness and death, and contingency, movement and life. The analysis focuses, on the significance of I Will Not Hope’s editing, specifically the tension, referred to by film theorist Doane, between the edit as the creator of narrative predictability, and the edit as the creator of stillness, the creator of endings. In it I suggest that I Will Not Hope offers a connection between the ontological status of film, with its combination of contingency and structure embodied in the edit, and the relationship of these elements within the experience of hope.
The Importance of the Raw Idea in Innovation: Testing the Sow's Ear Hypothesis
Authors: Kornish Laura J. , Ulrich Karl T.
Published: October 2013

How important is the original conception of an idea—the “raw” idea— to an innovation's success? In this article, the authors explore whether raw ideas judged as “better” fare better in the market and also determine the strength of that relationship. The empirical context is Quirky.com , a community-driven product development company for household consumer products. The data include descriptions of the raw ideas as originally proposed, the ultimate product designs that resulted from those ideas, and sales figures. In addition, they contain two measures of idea quality: those from online consumer panelists and those from expert evaluators. The authors note the following findings: First, online consumer panels are a better way to determine a “good” idea than are ratings by experts. Second, predictions with samples as small as 20 consumers are reliable. Third, there is a stronger predictive link between raw ideas and consumers’ purchase intent of final product designs than there is between those intentions and market outcomes. Fourth, the commercial importance of the raw idea is large, with ideas one standard deviation better translating to an approximately 50% increase in sales rate.
The Right to Silence
Authors: Gray Anthony
Published: October 2013

In recent years, we have seen continued erosion of an individual’s right to silence. The most recent attempts in the author’s home country, Australia, include a current proposal to adopt the United Kingdom approach, and allow inferences to be drawn from a failure to answer questions at an early stage of investigation, in circumstances where later the person does provide an explanation. An attempt to protect the right to silence in Australia at constitutional level is challenging, because Australia is one of the few Western nations that has not seen fit to enact an express bill of rights. This article will consider whether arguments might be made that, at least in some contexts, infringement of the right to silence is, nevertheless, contrary to the requirements of the Australian Constitution.

Courts in other countries around the world have also recognized the right to silence in some circumstances where legislatures have attempted to limit it, and these will be considered in the Australian context, acknowledging appropriate contextual differences. Many countries are faced with the difficulty of reconciling fundamental due process principles with the need for effective investigatory powers sufficient to deal with evolving criminal threats. It will be instructive to consider how a successful balance has been accommodated in a range of jurisdictions. It is believed that the law of the author’s home country could be greatly enriched by engaging with North American and European case law, as this article will seek to demonstrate. The article is considered to be of interest to those outside of Australia, to understand the difficulties in protecting fundamental human rights when an express bill of rights does not exist in the relevant country, and to consider how other ways may be found to protect such rights. In this way, this article will use Australia as the example of a country without an express bill of rights, and will consider how, in that context, fundamental human rights can practically be protected by the courts. The conclusions are considered relevant to a range of nations. Specific examples include Singapore and Malaysia, and to a lesser extent India, as will be explained.
Ultrastructure of spermatogenesis in Spix's yellow-toothed cavy (Galea spixii)
Authors: Santos P R S , Oliveira M F , Arroyo M A M , Silva A R , Rici R E G , Miglino M A , Assis Neto A C
Published: October 2013

This was a pioneer study of the spermatogenic process from the onset of puberty in Spix's yellow-toothed cavies (SYC,Galea spixii) bred in captivity. The study aimed to characterize fine structure of spermatogenesis. Twelve testes from pubertal and post-pubertal SYC males were studied using transmission electron microscopy. Spermatogenesis can be divided into three phases: proliferation, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. In proliferation phase, three types of spermatogonia were identified and characterized as Adark, Apale, and B. In the second phase, spermatocytes (2n) undergo meiotic divisions that generate spermatids (n); the process begins in spermatocytes in the preleptotene stage when they increase their nuclear size, differentiating into spermatocytes in the leptotene stage when cell division is initiated. In addition, we found chromatin condensation, and formation of a structure composed of proteins that formed a central shaft and two lateral bars associated with pairing of homologous chromosomes. During spermiogenesis, the following main events occurred: condensation of nuclear chromatin, formation of acrosome with perfuratorium, elimination of residual cytoplasm, and development of the flagellum. The sperm head is different from that of other rodents. The endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex are the two main organelles demonstrated during this process. These organelles collaborate through synthesis of proteins and hormones for the development of germ cells during spermatogenesis in SYC.
A Large-Scale Behavioral Screen to Identify Neurons Controlling Motor Programs in the Drosophila Brain
Authors: Flood Thomas F , Gorczyca Michael , White Benjamin H , Ito Kei , Yoshihara Motojiro
Published: October 2013

Drosophila is increasingly used for understanding the neural basis of behavior through genetically targeted manipulation of specific neurons. The primary approach in this regard has relied on the suppression of neuronal activity. Here, we report the results of a novel approach to find and characterize neural circuits by expressing neuronal activators to stimulate subsets of neurons to induce behavior. Classical electrophysiological studies demonstrated that stimulation of command neurons could activate neural circuits to trigger fixed action patterns. Our method was designed to find such command neurons for diverse behaviors by screening flies in which random subsets of brain cells were activated. We took advantage of the large collection of Gal4 lines from the NP project and crossed 835 Gal4 strains with relatively limited Gal4 expression in the brain to flies carrying a UAS transgene encoding TRPM8, a cold-sensitive ion channel. Low temperatures opened the TRPM8 channel in Gal4-expressing cells, leading to their excitation, and in many cases induced overt behavioral changes in adult flies. Paralysis was reproducibly observed in the progeny of crosses with 84 lines, whereas more specific behaviors were induced with 24 other lines. Stimulation performed using the heat-activated channel, TrpA1, resulted in clearer and more robust behaviors, including flight, feeding, and egg-laying. Through follow-up studies starting from this screen, we expect to find key components of the neural circuits underlying specific behaviors, thus providing a new avenue for their functional analysis.
Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome Misdiagnosed as Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Rudman Spergel Amanda , Walkovich Kelly , Price Susan , Niemela Julie E. , Wright Dowain , Fleisher Thomas A. , Rao V. Koneti
Published: October 2013

Autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS) is a rare inherited disorder of apoptosis, most commonly due to mutations in the FAS (TNFRSF6) gene. It presents with chronic lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and symptomatic multilineage cytopenias in an otherwise healthy child. Unfortunately, these clinical findings are also noted in other childhood lymphoproliferative conditions, such as leukemia, lymphoma, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, which can confound the diagnosis. This report describes a 6-year-old girl with symptoms misdiagnosed as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and treated with chemotherapy before the recognition that her symptoms and laboratory values were consistent with a somatic FAS mutation leading to ALPS. This case should alert pediatricians to include ALPS in the differential diagnosis of a child with lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, and cytopenias; obtain discriminating screening laboratory biomarkers, such as serum vitamin B-12 and ferritin levels; and, in the setting of a highly suspicious clinical scenario for ALPS, pursue testing for somatic FAS mutations when germ-line mutation testing is negative.
Análise multivariada para seleção de clones de eucalipto destinados à produção de carvão vegetal
Authors: Castro Ana Flávia Neves Mendes , Castro Renato Vinícius Oliveira , Carneiro Angélica de Cássia Oliveira , Lima João Eustáquio de , Santos Rosimeire Cavalcante dos , Pereira Bárbara Luísa Corradi , Alves Isabel Cristina Nogueira
Published: October 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade da madeira de clones de Eucalyptus spp. destinados à produção de carvão vegetal, estudar correlações entre propriedades da madeira e do carvão e identificar os clones com maior potencial para uso energético. Os dados de clones de 18 povoamentos, no Cerrado mineiro, foram submetidos às análises multivariada de correlação canônica; de componentes principais; e de agrupamento. As propriedades do carvão vegetal são fortemente correlacionadas às da madeira, principalmente a densidade aparente do carvão vegetal e o rendimento gravimétrico. Os materiais mais velhos e de maior densidade básica da madeira apresentam maior qualidade para uso energético. A análise de componentes principais é eficiente para ranquear os materiais quanto à qualidade da madeira, e o método de agrupamento é capaz de estratificar com sucesso os clones pela qualidade da madeira.
Growth and hematology of pacu subjected to sustained swimming and fed different protein levels
Authors: Nunes Cleujosí da Silva , Moraes Gilberto , Fabrizzi Fernando , Hackbarth Araceli , Arbeláez-Rojas Gustavo Alberto
Published: October 2013

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of sustained swimming and dietary protein levels on growth and hematological responses of juvenile pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus). A completely randomized design was used in a 3x2 factorial arrangement, with three levels of dietary protein (24, 28, and 32% crude protein), two rearing conditions (sustained swimming or motionless water), and 15 replicates. Fish were subjected to sustained swimming at the velocity of two body lengths per second (2 BL s-1), for 45 days. The level of dietary protein and the swimming conditions affected the performance, growth, and hematological profile of pacu. Swimming conditions influenced nutritional factors, increasing daily weight gain, specific growth rate, number of erythrocytes, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. Fish under sustained swimming and fed with 24% crude protein showed better growth performance, with higher specific growth rate (4.11±0.88) and higher daily weight gain (2.19±0.47 g per day). Sustained swimming can increase the productive performance of pacu and simultaneously reduce dietary protein levels.
Effect of Formulation and Application Time of Day on Detecting Dicamba in the Air under Field Conditions
Authors: Mueller Thomas C. , Wright Daniel R. , Remund Kirk M.
Published: October 2013

The development of dicamba-tolerant and other auxin-tolerant crops will enable the use of these effective herbicides in soybean and cotton at application timings such as at planting or over-the-top that are not currently possible. This research examined the effect of various factors on detection of postapplication amounts of dicamba in the air under field conditions by coupling a sample collection system with advanced chemical analysis of those samples. The quantity of dimethylamine salt of dicamba that was detected within 48 hr after application was two times greater (P < 0.05) than the quantity of diglycoamine salt formulation based on field studies in 2009. Regardless of application timing, the amount of detected dicamba was greatest during the 0 to 12 hr time period after application. However, the total detected after 48 hr was less for evening applications (5 micrograms [µg]) compared with midday (17 µg) or morning (14 µg) applications based on 2010 field trials. Average ambient air temperature (and other weather variables) correlated with higher detection levels of dicamba in the air in the field.
Ecology of Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) Seed Germination for Grasslands of Temperate Climates
Authors: Han Chengchou , Young Stephen L.
Published: October 2013

Musk thistle is an invasive weed that is widely distributed throughout much of North America, including grasslands in temperate climates of the midwest USA. A series of laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted to determine the effect of various environmental factors on germination of musk thistle seeds. In temperature-fluctuation experiments, seed germination was greater than 65% in both alternating (30/20 C) and constant (20 or 25 C) temperature regimes with an 8-h day but less (33%) in warmer regimes (35/20 C). Germination of musk thistle seeds was 37% in alternating temperature regimes of 30/20 C in total darkness, but less than 67% in pots in the greenhouse. Differences of 10 and 15 C between day and night temperatures resulted in 91 and 75% maximum germination of musk thistle, respectively. Increasingly dryer soils reduced germination of musk thistle seeds from 35% (−0.03 MPa) to 0% (−1.2 MPa), whereas saline soils (> 80 mM) reduced maximum germination to less than 10%. Musk thistle seeds collected from populations in a bare-ground area had 96% germination, which was greater than that of seeds collected from populations growing in a perennial grass pasture (71%). A residence time (i.e., period that seeds remained on the parent plant) of 9 to 12 wk after capitulum maturity resulted in seeds germinating more quickly than those dispersed earlier. Overall, reduced light levels, cool and fluctuating temperatures, and amount of time seeds remained in residence are some of the most important factors that contribute to germination of musk thistle seeds. Information on germination dynamics of musk thistle seeds provides an understanding of the interactions that affect this process and underscores the importance of timely management strategies in temperate grasslands.
Atomic force microscopic study on lipid bilayer nanoscale phase separation
Authors: Liu Rui
Published: October 2013

Phase separation of copolymers or lipid membranes in nanoscale has attracted increasing interests for their applications in the synthesis of inorganic nanomaterial. The nanoscale phase separation of liquid bilayer as a supported membrane is systematically investigated by atomic force microscope (AFM). Moreover, the position of the fluorescence indicator, which is commonly used in the phase separation study in optical microscope, is also probed in this study to complete the knowledge of tradition microscopy research. Overall, the authors demonstrate the advantages of using AFM for phase separation study in this article.
Gustave Eiffel: aerodynamic experiments 1903–1921
Authors: Durant Stuart
Published: October 2013

Gustave Eiffel's Laboratoire d'Aérodynamique was inaugurated in 1912 in Auteuil, not far from the Eiffel Tower, where he had earlier begun meteorological and aerodynamic research. Eiffel obtained data by means of accurate models tested in large wind tunnels (souffleries) with fans driven by electric motors. Eiffel tested the models without charge for the benefit of the science of aeronautics. Eiffel retired in 1921, but the work of the laboratory continued. It is still in operation, although aeronautical research is no longer carried out. The key source of information for this paper has been Eiffel's two-volume publication Nouvelles recherches sur la résistance de l'air et l'aviation faites au Laboratoire d'Auteuil (New research in air resistance and aviation conducted at the laboratory at Auteuil), Paris, 1914. Eiffel's other two books on aerodynamics are accessible on line – Recherches expérimentales sur la résistance de l'air executées à la tour Eiffel (Experimental research on the resistance of air carried out at the Eiffel Tower), Paris, 1907 and La résistance de l'air et de l'aviation. Expériences effectuées au laboratoire du Champ-de-Mars (The resistance of air and aviation, tests carried out at the Champ-de-Mars laboratory), Paris, 1910. Eiffel donated his laboratory to the state in 1921.
Estimating Soybean Genetic Gain for Yield in the Northern United States—Influence of Cropping History
Authors: Fox Carolyn M. , Cary Troy R. , Colgrove Alison L. , Nafziger Emerson D. , Haudenshield James S. , Hartman Glen L. , Specht James E. , Diers Brian W.
Published: October 2013

Mean on‐farm U.S. soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield increased at a rate of 23.4 kg ha−1 yr−1 between 1924 and 2010 due to a combination of genetic improvements, agronomic technologies, and climatic changes. To estimate annual rates of genetic yield gain in three northern U.S. soybean maturity groups (MGs) and determine if these estimates are influenced by cropping history, 45 MG II, 40 MG III, and 45 MG IV cultivars released between 1923 and 2008 were evaluated in split‐plot trials conducted in Illinois in 2010 where the main plot prior cropping treatments were either 11 yr of continuous corn (Zea mays L.) or 11 yr of a soybean–corn rotation. The experiment‐wide genetic yield gain estimate was 22.8 kg ha−1 yr−1 and, after covariate adjustment of yields for maturity, the estimate was 19.8 kg ha−1 yr−1. These estimates show that soybean genetic yield potential has been a large contributor to the rate of on‐farm yield improvement. The rate of yield gain estimates were not significantly different (P = 0.38) between the two cropping history treatments on an experiment‐wide basis or at the MG III and MG IV individual locations but were significantly different at the MG II locations, where yield gain for soybean following continuous corn was significantly greater compared with the soybean–corn rotation treatment. Modern cultivars were not observed to be able to close the yield gap between the two cropping history treatments used in this experiment.
Mini Core Collection as a Resource to Identify New Sources of Variation
Authors: Upadhyaya H.D. , Dronavalli N. , Dwivedi S.L. , Kashiwagi J. , Krishnamurthy L. , Pande S. , Sharma H.C. , Vadez V. , Singh S. , Varshney R.K. , Gowda C.L.L.
Published: October 2013

In chickpea, bottlenecks associated with its domestication and low use of germplasm in improvement programs have resulted in a narrow genetic base and its vulnerability to abiotic and biotic stresses. The core and mini core collections, representing diversity in the entire collection, have been advocated for enhanced utilization of germplasm in crop improvement. A chickpea mini core (211 accessions) was evaluated for agronomic traits from 2000 and 2001 to 2003 and 2004 in post‐rainy seasons under irrigated and non‐irrigated conditions. The published information on the response of chickpea mini core accessions to stress revealed that 40 accessions had resistance to abiotic stress, 31 to biotic stress, and 24 had no resistance to either of the stresses. The abiotic and biotic stress resistant groups had six accessions in common. The mini core collection accessions were also a part of composite collection accessions in chickpea, which was genotyped using 48 simple sequence repeats (SSRs; BMC Plant Biol. 8:106, 2008). The agronomic evaluation, stress response, and molecular profiling data on 93 accessions, including four controls, were used to identify genetically diverse germplasm with agronomically beneficial traits. A number of genetically diverse accessions possessing agronomically beneficial traits, such as ICC 440, 637, 1098, 3325, 3362, 4872, 7441, 8621, 9586, 10399, 12307, 14402, 15680, and 15686, which meet breeders’ needs, have been identified for use in breeding and genetics to map genomic regions associated with beneficial traits and as source materials for developing high yielding and widely adapted chickpea cultivars with multiple resistance to abiotic and biotic stress.
Modelling catchment inflows into Lake Victoria: regionalisation of the parameters of a conceptual water balance model
Authors: Kizza Michael , Guerrero Jose-Luis , Rodhe Allan , Xu Chong-yu , Ntale Henry K.
Published: October 2013

The goal of this study was to evaluate regionalisation methods that could be used for modelling catchment inflows into Lake Victoria. WASMOD, a conceptual water balance model, was applied to nine gauged sub-basins in Lake Victoria basin in order to test the transferability of model parameters between the basins using three regionalisation approaches. Model calibration was carried out within the GLUE (generalised likelihood uncertainty estimation) framework for uncertainty assessment. The analysis was carried out for the period 1967–2000. Parameter transferability was assessed by comparing the likelihood values of regionalised simulations with the values under calibration for each basin. WASMOD performed well for all study sub-basins with Nash–Sutcliffe values ranging between 0.70 and 0.82. Transferability results were mixed. For the proxy-basin method, the best performing parameter donor basin was Mara with four proxy basins giving acceptable results. Sio, Sondu, Gucha and Duma also performed well. The global mean method gave acceptable performance for seven of the nine study basins. The ensemble regionalisation method provides the possibility to consider parameter uncertainty in the regionalisation. Ensemble regionalisation method performed best with an average departure of 40% from the observed mean annual flows compared to 48 and 60% for proxy-basin and global mean methods, respectively.
WaterWorld: a self-parameterising, physically based model for application in data-poor but problem-rich environments globally
Authors: Mulligan Mark
Published: October 2013

This paper describes a spatially explicit, physically based global model for water balance. Its key innovations include the fact that it comes with all data required for application, is very high spatial resolution (1 km or 1-hectare resolution) and yet global in extent and is particularly well suited to heterogeneous environments with little or no available data. The model, WaterWorld, is capable of producing a hydrological baseline representing the mean water balance for 1950–2000 and allows users to apply ensemble scenarios for climate change or examine the impact of policy options for land cover change or land management interventions. WaterWorld is focused on policy support, especially in conservation hydrology and development applications and is delivered through a simple web interface, requiring little local capacity for use. The paper discusses the paucity of hydrological data and the urgency of hydrological problems in much of the less-developed world, which reinforce the need for tools like WaterWorld. We discuss the types of hydrological problems that models might contribute to managing and the requirements of models applied to such problems. By way of example, applications of WaterWorld to understanding large-scale patterns of water resources and uncertainty around adaptation to climate change are described.
A large-scale conjunctive management model of water resources for an arid irrigation district in China
Authors: Yue Weifeng , Zhan Chesheng
Published: October 2013

The quantity of available water resources has been recognized as the key limiting factor for development of most of the arid regions. This paper focuses on the simulation–optimization for conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater on a large scale. In this study, Hetao Irrigation District in China, one of the largest irrigation districts in the Yellow River basin, is selected as a representative study area. The conjunctive management model of water resources is developed by means of dynamically coupling a large-scale hydrological model with an optimal allocation model. A groundwater level is adopted in the coupled model as the constraint condition and the optimal conjunctive utilization quantity of surface water and groundwater is set as the objective function. Finally, the coupled model is applied to calculate the optimal water supply quantity of surface water and groundwater and sustainable utilization scheme of water resources for 2020 and 2030 in Hetao Irrigation District. The modeling results demonstrate the conjunctive management model of water resources is an effective tool for appraising water resources in large-scale arid regions.
Volunteerism and Positive Aging in Hong Kong: A Cultural Perspective
Authors: Chong Alice Ming Lin , Rochelle Tina Louisa , Liu Susu
Published: October 2013

This study aims to examine factors related to volunteerism and explore the relationship between volunteerism and positive aging across three age groups. A total of 1,170 Hong Kong Chinese respondents aged between 15 years and 79 years were recruited for the study via a random household survey. Results found that age was negatively related to participation in voluntary work. Older adults aged 60 years to 75 years demonstrated the lowest volunteer participation rate compared with younger adults (aged 15 years to 39 years) and midlife adults (aged 40 years to 59 years). Paradoxically, older volunteers exhibited the highest frequency of volunteering, operationalized as spending 10 hours or more on volunteer work in the past month. Compared with younger and midlife adults, older adults were motivated to volunteer by societal concern and esteem enhancement. Participation in voluntary work was associated with three positive aging outcomes: good health, caring engagement with significant others, and productive engagement in the community. The findings suggest great potential in promoting volunteering in old age because older volunteers tend to contribute more hours than younger volunteers do, and volunteering is associated with positive aging.
Genetic Deletion and Pharmacological Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase 10A Protects Mice From Diet-Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance
Authors: Nawrocki Andrea R. , Rodriguez Carlos G. , Toolan Dawn M. , Price Olga , Henry Melanie , Forrest Gail , Szeto Daphne , Keohane Carol Ann , Pan Yie , Smith Karen M. , Raheem Izzat T. , Cox Christopher D. , Hwa Joyce , Renger John J. , Smith Sean M.
Published: October 2013

Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) is a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of schizophrenia. Here we report a novel role of PDE10A in the regulation of caloric intake and energy homeostasis. PDE10A-deficient mice are resistant to diet-induced obesity (DIO) and associated metabolic disturbances. Inhibition of weight gain is due to hypophagia after mice are fed a highly palatable diet rich in fats and sugar but not a standard diet. PDE10A deficiency produces a decrease in caloric intake without affecting meal frequency, daytime versus nighttime feeding behavior, or locomotor activity. We tested THPP-6, a small molecule PDE10A inhibitor, in DIO mice. THPP-6 treatment resulted in decreased food intake, body weight loss, and reduced adiposity at doses that produced antipsychotic efficacy in behavioral models. We show that PDE10A inhibition increased whole-body energy expenditure in DIO mice fed a Western-style diet, achieving weight loss and reducing adiposity beyond the extent seen with food restriction alone. Therefore, chronic THPP-6 treatment conferred improved insulin sensitivity and reversed hyperinsulinemia. These data demonstrate that PDE10A inhibition represents a novel antipsychotic target that may have additional metabolic benefits over current medications for schizophrenia by suppressing food intake, alleviating weight gain, and reducing the risk for the development of diabetes.
Boyun ağrısı ve disfaji ile seyreden Forestier hastalığı
Authors: Çetin Mehmet Ali , Köseoğlu Sabri , Atan Doğan , Atan Tuğba , Dere Hacı Hüseyin
Published: October 2013

Diffüz idiyopatik iskelet hiperostozisi (DISH) olarak da adlandırılan Forestier hastalığı (FH) daha çok torasik bölgeden kaynaklanır ve genellikle asemptomatiktir. Servikal bölgede nadiren görülür. Boyun ağrısı, disfaji, odinofaji, otalji, horlama, dispne, stridor ve ses kısıklığı bu hastalığın ana semptomlarıdır. Radyolojik görüntüleme yöntemleri tanıda yardımcıdır. Direkt grafide tendonlarda osteofit oluşumu tipiktir. Bu yazımızda boyun ağrısı ve yutma güçlüğü şikayetleri olan iki olgunun tanı ve tedavisi güncel literatür eşliğinde tartışılmıştır.
Herbaceous periwinkle, Vinca herbacea Waldst. et Kit. 1799 (Apocynaceae), a new species of the Croatian flora
Authors: Csiky János , Purger Dragica
Published: October 2013

- Populations of herbaceous periwinkle, Vinca herbacea Waldst. et Kit., were found on April 2007 on Bansko Hill (Baranja, Croatia), which lies on the south-western edge of the range of this Pontic-Pannonian species. Since V. herbacea was included neither in the handbooks for plant identification nor in the current Croatian Flora Database, a new key for the determination of Vinca L. species of Croatia is presented herein. The herbaceous periwinkle should be treated as a critically endangered (CR) species in Croatia, considering the low number of individuals and the small extent of its occurrence in extremely rare habitats at the margin of its distribution. New recordings of some very rare or »data deficient « (DD) taxa of Croatia are also presented here: Scorzonera hispanica L. and Inula germanica L.
Three new species of Cymbella (Bacillariophyta) from high altitude lakes, China
Authors: Hu Zhujun , Li Yanling , Metzeltin Ditmar
Published: October 2013

- This paper describes three new Cymbella species from high altitude lakes of Hengduan Mountains region, southwest China. Cymbella heihainensis Li et Gong nov. spec. is similar to C. modicepunctata Krammer, C. asiatica Metzeltin, Lange-Bertalot et Li, Y., but differs from them in valve size, stigmata, raphe ending and also striae number. Cymbella shudunensis Li et Metzeltin nov. spec. is related to C. terrafuegiana, but differs in wider valve size, larger central area and coarser puncta. C. shudunensis differs from C. proxima Reimer in Patrick et Reimer group in reverse lateral raphes at the proximal endings, and distinguished from C.cistula (Ehrenberg) O.Kirchner group in the absent central area on dorsal side. Cymbella xingyunnensis Li and Gong sp. nov. resembles the group around C. proxima, and the most similar taxon is C. sinensis Metzeltn et Krammer, which can be distinguished by its lack of stigmata.
Lichenized fungi of a chestnut grove in Livari (Rumija, Montenegro)
Authors: Mayrhofer Helmut , Drescher Anton , Stešević Danijela , Bilovitz Peter O.
Published: October 2013

- Sixty taxa (59 species and 1 variety) of lichenized fungi are reported from a chestnut grove in Livari. The majority of them (55 species and 1 variety) occurred on Castanea sativa. The recently described Xylographa soralifera is new to the Balkan Peninsula. The lichenicolous fungus Monodictys epilepraria growing on Lepraria rigidula is new to Montenegro. The lichen mycota is compared with similar localities in Italy and Switzerland. The species composition in Livari is most similar to the Montieri site in Tuscany.
Leaf and stem anatomy in eight Hypericum species (Clusiaceae)
Authors: Perrone Rosaria , Rosa Paolode , Castro Olgade , Colombo Paolo
Published: October 2013

- Foliar micromorphology, epicuticular wax morphology and anatomical features of leaves and stem, particularly secondary xylem, were examined with light microscopy, general and histochemical staining and scanning electron microscopy in eight Hypericum species. Outer tegument tissue and type of secondary xylem are determining characteristics. Secondary xylem is ring-porous in H. perforatum, H. perfoliatum, H. tetrapterum, H. triquetrifolium, H. androsaemum and H. hircinum. In H. aegypticum and H. pubescens xylem is diffuse-porous, which is considered to be a more primitive type. These characteristics may be considered an additional criterion for species identification.
Cryoseston of the Pirin Mountains, Bulgaria
Authors: Cepák Vladislav , Lukavský Jaromír
Published: October 2013

- In the cryoseston community of the Pirin Mountains, 18 species were determined. Chlorophyta: Chlamydomonas nivalis (predominant), Chloromonas brevispina, Chloromonas rostafinski, Chlainomonas rubra (new genus and species for Bulgaria, documented in Europe for only the second time), Cystococcus nivicolus and Stichococcus nivalis. Bacillariophyceae: Aulacoseira granulata var. angustissima, Hantzchia amphioxys, cf. Surirella. Fungi: cf. Chytridium chlamydococcii. Deuteromycetes: Selenotila nivalis, Chionaster nivalis, and saprophytic fungae cf. Myzocytium, Rhodosporidium toruloides, Alternaria sp. and cf. Cladosporium, in pollen grains. Bacteria: Leptothrix ochracea. Ciliata: Vorticella campanula. The composition of cryoseston in the Pirin Mountains is characteristic for high mountains where Chlamydomonas nivalis predominates.