bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conciliatory gestures promote forgiveness and reduce anger in humans
Authors: McCullough Michael E. , Pedersen Eric J. , Tabak Benjamin A. , Carter Evan C.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Conflict is a common feature of social life among group-living animals, but many social relationships often retain value even after conflicts have occurred. Consequently, natural selection has likely endowed humans and other animal species with cognitive systems that motivate reconciliation with interaction partners that they perceive as valuable and nonthreatening, notwithstanding prior conflict. In a large sample of people who had recently been harmed by an interaction partner, we found that conciliatory gestures, such as apologies and offers of compensation, accelerated forgiveness and reduced anger toward transgressors, largely by altering victims’ perceptions of their transgressors’ relationship value and exploitation risk. These results give insight into the design logic behind the cognitive systems that motivate human postconflict reconciliation.
The tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3, A20) imposes a brake on antitumor activity of CD8 T cells
Authors: Giordano Marilyn , Roncagalli Romain , Bourdely Pierre , Chasson Lionel , Buferne Michel , Yamasaki Sho , Beyaert Rudi , van Loo Geert , Auphan-Anezin Nathalie , Schmitt-Verhulst Anne-Marie , Verdeil Grégory
Published: July 2014

Significance

Mechanisms controlling immune reactivity prevent excessive inflammation and autoimmunity, but generally dampen antitumor activity. The tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 gene encoding the A20 protein, a key molecule controlling NF-κB activation, has been linked to the development of multiple inflammatory pathologies in humans, some of which are recapitulated in mice with selective deletion of A20 in myeloid, dendritic, or B cells. Here, mice with selective deletion of A20 in mature conventional T cells presented no detectable pathology. CD8 T cells from these mice showed increased antigen sensitivity with enhanced production of IL-2 and IFNγ. Importantly, A20-deleted CD8 T cells possessed heightened antitumor activity in vivo. Targeting this gene in adoptively transferred CD8 T cells could represent a promising mechanism to achieve tumor rejection.
Immunosignature system for diagnosis of cancer
Authors: Stafford Phillip , Cichacz Zbigniew , Woodbury Neal W. , Johnston Stephen Albert
Published: July 2014

Significance

Over much of the world, healthcare systems are facing an unprecedented challenge to meet the medical needs of an aging population while controlling costs. The early detection and treatment of diseases that are prevalent in older people is likely to be a key aspect of economically efficient, high-quality healthcare. In the case of cancer, the resection of a stage I or stage II tumor is often effectively a cure. An ideal diagnostic would allow early detection of disease on a single platform that could be used for any disease. Here, we demonstrate that the immunosignature diagnosis platform could potentially meet the universal platform requirement. Ongoing work will address the early detection requirement separately.
Small-scale universality in fluid turbulence
Authors: Schumacher Jörg , Scheel Janet D. , Krasnov Dmitry , Donzis Diego A. , Yakhot Victor , Sreenivasan Katepalli R.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Since the time Kolmogorov postulated the universality of small-scale turbulence, an important research topic has been to experimentally establish it beyond doubt. The likelihood of small-scale universality increases with increasing distance (say, in wave number space) from the nonuniversal large scales. This distance increases as some power of the flow Reynolds number, and so a great deal of emphasis has been put on creating and quantifying very high Reynolds number flows under controlled conditions. The present paper shows that the universal properties of inertial range turbulence (thought to exist only at very high Reynolds numbers) are already present in an incipient way even at modest Reynolds numbers and hence changes the paradigm of research in this field.
Infants’ brain responses to speech suggest Analysis by Synthesis
Authors: Kuhl Patricia K. , Ramírez Rey R. , Bosseler Alexis , Lin Jo-Fu Lotus , Imada Toshiaki
Published: July 2014

Significance

Infants discriminate speech sounds universally until 8 mo of age, then native discrimination improves and nonnative discrimination declines. Using magnetoencephalography, we investigate the contribution of auditory and motor brain systems to this developmental transition. We show that 7-mo-old infants activate auditory and motor brain areas similarly for native and nonnative sounds; by 11–12 mo, greater activation in auditory brain areas occurs for native sounds, whereas greater activation in motor brain areas occurs for nonnative sounds, matching the adult pattern. We posit that hearing speech invokes an Analysis by Synthesis process: auditory analysis of speech is coupled with synthesis that predicts the motor plans necessary to produce it. Both brain systems contribute to the developmental transition in infant speech perception.
Synergistic tumor suppression by combined inhibition of telomerase and CDKN1A
Authors: Gupta Romi , Dong Yuying , Solomon Peter D. , Wettersten Hiromi I. , Cheng Christopher J. , Min JIn-Na , Henson Jeremy , Dogra Shaillay Kumar , Hwang Sung H. , Hammock Bruce D. , Zhu Lihua J. , Reddel Roger R. , Saltzman W. Mark , Weiss Robert H. , Chang Sandy , Green Michael R. , Wajapeyee Narendra
Published: July 2014

Significance

Over 90% of cancer cells express telomerase, which is required for their survival. However, telomerase inhibitors alone have so far failed to provide any significant clinical benefit. Therefore, identifying and targeting genes that can enhance the effects of telomerase inhibitors will greatly benefit a large population of cancer patients. We find that simultaneous inhibition of p21 and telomerase synergistically suppresses tumor growth. We also show that our approach is useful for treating p53 mutant cancers, when used with therapies that restore the function of mutant p53. We anticipate that simultaneous targeting of p21 and telomerase will overcome the current limitation of single-agent telomerase therapeutics and provide an effective method to treat cancers that rely on telomerase activity for survival.
Functional genomics of
Lactobacillus casei
establishment in the gut
Authors: Licandro-Seraut Hélène , Scornec Hélène , Pédron Thierry , Cavin Jean-François , Sansonetti Philippe J.
Published: July 2014

Significance

Lactobacillus casei,
a food bacterium recognized for its beneficial effects, was selected as a model microorganism to proceed to genomewide identification of the functions required for a symbiont to establish colonization in the gut. We recently have developed a mutagenesis tool that overcomes the barrier that prevented
L. casei
random mutagenesis. After identifying 9,250 mutations, we assembled a library of 1,110 mutants disrupted in different genes and tested them for their ability to colonize an in vivo model, the rabbit ligated ileal loop. With this global functional genomic analysis of
L. casei
symbiosis (the first, to our knowledge), we identified a core of 47
L. casei
genes necessary for its establishment in the gut.
Chapter 4.1 Expanding Multi-Dimensional analysis with qualitative research techniques
Authors: Conrad Susan
Published: July 2014

This research describes a case study from engineering education that explores the potential for integrating Multi-Dimensional (MD) analysis into mixed methods research so that MD analyses can address more specific educational problems. The study investigates a specific problem in civil engineering: the mismatch between students’ writing skills and the demands of writing in the workplace. An MD analysis compares a small number of registers of student and practitioner writing, applying the dimensions of variation in English from Biber (1988). Data from interviews with students, faculty, and practitioners are used to interpret the MD findings more fully, assess the importance of the findings, and refine the teaching applications. The two methods together result in a stronger study than either would alone.
Constructing discourse and discourse constructions
Authors: Ruiz de Mendoza Ibáñez Francisco José , Gómez González María de los Ángeles
Published: July 2014

In line with previous work on the Lexical Constructional Model or LCM(Ruiz de Mendoza & Mairal, 2008; Ruiz de Mendoza, 2013), the present paperpostulates the existence of fixed form-meaning pairings, or constructions, atdiscourse level. The paper first argues that discourse relations such as restatement,contrast, condition, and others, provide cognitive base domains againstwhich the fixed elements of discourse constructions are profiled. Then, thepaper claims that the different constructions that profile the same base domainare members of the same family and discusses the degree of interchangeability,in terms of discourse connectivity, among members of the same family. Finally,the paper studies some examples of how such connectivity can also be achievedon the basis of coherence relations arising from other levels of linguisticdescription.
Parental Monitoring Affects the Relationship between Depressed Mood and Alcohol-Related Problems in Adolescents
Authors: O'Brien Kimberly H. McManama , Hernandez Lynn , Spirito Anthony
Published: July 2014

Background

Parental monitoring has been identified as a protective factor for adolescent drinking, whereas depressed mood, peer substance use, and peer tolerance of substance use have been identified as risk factors. The purpose of this study was to test the association between depressed mood and alcohol-related problems in adolescents, and to test whether parental monitoring and peer substance use/tolerance of use moderate the strength of this relationship.

Methods

Participants included 227 adolescents ( Mage = 15.36; 51.5% female) recruited from a hospital emergency department and surrounding community who completed self-report assessments.

Results

Hierarchical linear regression analysis demonstrated that depressed mood was associated with more alcohol-related problems. A significant interaction between depressed mood and parental monitoring indicated a moderating effect, with high levels of depressed mood being associated with alcohol-related problems when parental monitoring was low; at low levels of depressed mood, parental monitoring was not related to alcohol-related problems.

Conclusions

This study highlights the protective role that parental monitoring may play in the association between depressed mood and alcohol-related problems and suggests that parenting practices, in addition to individual counseling, should be addressed in treatment of depressed adolescents who drink.
Psychiatric Morbidity in Ketamine Users Attending Counselling and Youth Outreach Services
Authors: Tang Wai Kwong , Morgan Celia J. A. , Lau Grace C. , Liang Hua Jun , Tang Alan , Ungvari Gabor S.
Published: July 2014

Background

No study has examined ketamine users’ psychiatric morbidity using structured diagnostic instruments. The aim of this study was thus to determine the psychiatric comorbidity of community-based ketamine users using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition), Axis I Disorders (SCID).

Methods

A convenience sample of 200 frequent ketamine users was recruited from community organizations in Hong Kong. Participants were screened with the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADSA), and SCID psychotic symptoms. Those who scored above the threshold (cutoff point of 8/9 on the BDI and 4/5 on HADSA) or displayed evidence of psychotic symptoms were referred for a structured clinical interview conducted by a psychiatrist.

Results

One hundred and seventy participants scored above the cutoff point on 1 or more of the scales, and 115 participants attended the SCID interview. Fifty-one of these 115 participants received a psychiatric diagnosis of 1 or more comorbidities for the month preceding the interview. Mood disorders accounted for 80.4% of the diagnoses, anxiety disorders for 33.3%, and psychotic disorders for 7.8%.

Conclusions

Female gender and history of psychiatric/psychological clinic attendance were significantly associated with comorbid psychiatric disorders, whereas ketamine dependence had a borderline association.
The Relation between Moment-To-Moment Mindful Attention and Anxiety among Young Adults in Substance use Treatment
Authors: Shorey Ryan C. , Anderson Scott , Lookatch Samantha , Moore Todd M. , Stuart Gregory L.
Published: July 2014

Background

A growing body of research has examined the intersection of mindfulness and substance use, and a large body of research has examined the relation between mindfulness and anxiety. Unfortunately, no research has been conducted on the relation between mindfulness and anxiety symptoms among young adults (i.e., 18–25 years old) in treatment for substance use. The purpose of the current study was to examine the relation between one facet of mindfulness, moment-to-moment attention, and anxiety (panic and generalized anxiety) among young adults in treatment for substance use.

Methods

Preexisting patient records from a residential substance use treatment center for young adults were reviewed ( N = 148). Patient records were examined from May 2012 to August 2013, which represented all young adult patients admitted to the residential treatment facility during this time.

Results

Findings demonstrated that moment-to-moment mindful attention was associated with symptoms of panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder even after controlling for gender, age, education, alcohol use, drug use, and the shared variance in generalized and panic symptoms. There were no gender differences in moment-to-moment mindful attention.

Conclusions

These findings provide preliminary evidence that moment-to-moment mindful attention is associated with panic and generalized anxiety in young adults in substance use treatment. Combined with previous research on mindfulness-based interventions among adults in substance use treatment, research should examine the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions for young adults in substance use treatment.
A comparative analysis of characteristic floral scent compounds in Prunus mume and related species
Authors: Hao Ruijie , Du Dongliang , Wang Tao , Yang Weiru , Wang Jia , Zhang Qixiang
Published: July 2014

In order to investigate the difference in their characteristic floral scents between Prunus mume Siebold & Zucc. and the related Prunus species, their headspace volatiles and endogenous extraction were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The efficiency of substrate utilization of the flowers was studied by incubating them with different alcohol substrates. Our results indicated that benzyl acetate is a dominant compound influencing the characteristic floral scent of P. mume. An alcohol substrate concentration of 4 mmol L−1 and a reaction time of 2 h were constituted the reaction condition for catalysis of exogenous alcohol substrates by the flowers. Under these conditions, Prunus sibirica exhibited the highest utilization efficiency for benzyl alcohol substrate while the utilization efficiency of Prunus persica was the lowest. Comparative analysis of several alcohol substrates indicated that the flowers of the tested species had selective specificity for benzyl alcohol substrates.
Direct kinetochore–spindle pole connections are not required for chromosome segregation
Authors: Sikirzhytski Vitali , Magidson Valentin , Steinman Jonathan B. , He Jie , Le Berre Maël , Tikhonenko Irina , Ault Jeffrey G. , McEwen Bruce F. , Chen James K. , Sui Haixin , Piel Matthieu , Kapoor Tarun M. , Khodjakov Alexey
Published: July 2014

Segregation of genetic material occurs when chromosomes move to opposite spindle poles during mitosis. This movement depends on K-fibers, specialized microtubule (MT) bundles attached to the chromosomes′ kinetochores. A long-standing assumption is that continuous K-fibers connect every kinetochore to a spindle pole and the force for chromosome movement is produced at the kinetochore and coupled with MT depolymerization. However, we found that chromosomes still maintained their position at the spindle equator during metaphase and segregated properly during anaphase when one of their K-fibers was severed near the kinetochore with a laser microbeam. We also found that, in normal fully assembled spindles, K-fibers of some chromosomes did not extend to the spindle pole. These K-fibers connected to adjacent K-fibers and/or nonkinetochore MTs. Poleward movement of chromosomes with short K-fibers was uncoupled from MT depolymerization at the kinetochore. Instead, these chromosomes moved by dynein-mediated transport of the entire K-fiber/kinetochore assembly. Thus, at least two distinct parallel mechanisms drive chromosome segregation in mammalian cells.
Force on spindle microtubule minus ends moves chromosomes
Authors: Elting Mary Williard , Hueschen Christina L. , Udy Dylan B. , Dumont Sophie
Published: July 2014

The spindle is a dynamic self-assembling machine that coordinates mitosis. The spindle’s function depends on its ability to organize microtubules into poles and maintain pole structure despite mechanical challenges and component turnover. Although we know that dynein and NuMA mediate pole formation, our understanding of the forces dynamically maintaining poles is limited: we do not know where and how quickly they act or their strength and structural impact. Using laser ablation to cut spindle microtubules, we identify a force that rapidly and robustly pulls severed microtubules and chromosomes poleward, overpowering opposing forces and repairing spindle architecture. Molecular imaging and biophysical analysis suggest that transport is powered by dynein pulling on minus ends of severed microtubules. NuMA and dynein/dynactin are specifically enriched at new minus ends within seconds, reanchoring minus ends to the spindle and delivering them to poles. This force on minus ends represents a newly uncovered chromosome transport mechanism that is independent of plus end forces at kinetochores and is well suited to robustly maintain spindle mechanical integrity.
DrosophilaSirt2/mammalian SIRT3 deacetylates ATP synthase β and regulates complex V activity
Authors: Rahman Motiur , Nirala Niraj K. , Singh Alka , Zhu Lihua Julie , Taguchi Kaori , Bamba Takeshi , Fukusaki Eiichiro , Shaw Leslie M. , Lambright David G. , Acharya Jairaj K. , Acharya Usha R.
Published: July 2014

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase β, the catalytic subunit of mitochondrial complex V, synthesizes ATP. We show that ATP synthase β is deacetylated by a human nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)–dependent protein deacetylase, sirtuin 3, and its Drosophila melanogaster homologue, dSirt2. dsirt2 mutant flies displayed increased acetylation of specific Lys residues in ATP synthase β and decreased complex V activity. Overexpression of dSirt2 increased complex V activity. Substitution of Lys 259 and Lys 480 with Arg in human ATP synthase β, mimicking deacetylation, increased complex V activity, whereas substitution with Gln, mimicking acetylation, decreased activity. Mass spectrometry and proteomic experiments from wild-type and dsirt2 mitochondria identified the Drosophila mitochondrial acetylome and revealed dSirt2 as an important regulator of mitochondrial energy metabolism. Additionally, we unravel a ceramide–NAD+–sirtuin axis wherein increased ceramide, a sphingolipid known to induce stress responses, resulted in depletion of NAD+ and consequent decrease in sirtuin activity. These results provide insight into sirtuin-mediated regulation of complex V and reveal a novel link between ceramide and Drosophila acetylome.
Gata6 regulates aspartoacylase expression in resident peritoneal macrophages and controls their survival
Authors: Gautier Emmanuel L. , Ivanov Stoyan , Williams Jesse W. , Huang Stanley Ching-Cheng , Marcelin Genevieve , Fairfax Keke , Wang Peter L. , Francis Jeremy S. , Leone Paola , Wilson David B. , Artyomov Maxim N. , Pearce Edward J. , Randolph Gwendalyn J.
Published: July 2014

The transcription factor Gata6 regulates proliferation and differentiation of epithelial and endocrine cells and cancers. Among hematopoietic cells, Gata6 is expressed selectively in resident peritoneal macrophages. We thus examined whether the loss of Gata6 in the macrophage compartment affected peritoneal macrophages, using Lyz2-Cre x Gata6flox/flox mice to tackle this issue. In Lyz2-Cre x Gata6flox/flox mice, the resident peritoneal macrophage compartment, but not macrophages in other organs, was contracted, with only a third the normal number of macrophages remaining. Heightened rates of death explained the marked decrease in peritoneal macrophage observed. The metabolism of the remaining macrophages was skewed to favor oxidative phosphorylation and alternative activation markers were spontaneously and selectively induced in Gata6-deficient macrophages. Gene expression profiling revealed perturbed metabolic regulators, including aspartoacylase (Aspa), which facilitates generation of acetyl CoA. Mutant mice lacking functional Aspa phenocopied the higher propensity to death and led to a contraction of resident peritoneal macrophages. Thus, Gata6 regulates differentiation, metabolism, and survival of resident peritoneal macrophages.
Three charged amino acids in extracellular loop 1 are involved in maintaining the outer pore architecture of CFTR
Authors: Cui Guiying , Rahman Kazi S. , Infield Daniel T. , Kuang Christopher , Prince Chengyu Z. , McCarty Nael A.
Published: July 2014

The cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) bears six extracellular loops (ECL1–6); ECL1 is the site of several mutations associated with CF. Mutation R117H has been reported to reduce current amplitude, whereas D110H, E116K, and R117C/L/P may impair channel stability. We hypothesized that these amino acids might not be directly involved in ion conduction and permeation but may contribute to stabilizing the outer vestibule architecture in CFTR. We used cRNA injected oocytes combined with electrophysiological techniques to test this hypothesis. Mutants bearing cysteine at these sites were not functionally modified by extracellular MTS reagents and were blocked by GlyH-101 similarly to WT-CFTR. These results suggest that these three residues do not contribute directly to permeation in CFTR. In contrast, mutants D110R-, E116R-, and R117A-CFTR exhibited instability of the open state and significantly shortened burst duration compared with WT-CFTR and failed to be locked into the open state by AMP-PNP (adenosine 5′-(β,γ-imido) triphosphate); charge-retaining mutants showed mainly the full open state with comparably longer open burst duration. These interactions suggest that these ECL1 residues might be involved in maintaining the outer pore architecture of CFTR. A CFTR homology model suggested that E116 interacts with R104 in both the closed and open states, D110 interacts with K892 in the fully closed state, and R117 interacts with E1126 in the open state. These interactions were confirmed experimentally. The results suggest that D110, E116, and R117 may contribute to stabilizing the architecture of the outer pore of CFTR by interactions with other charged residues.
An Infection Preventionist’s View of the Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections: Structure, Process, and Outcome
Authors: Haas Janet P.
Published: July 2014

The set of articles included in the 2008 “A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals” was groundbreaking because the articles distilled the latest information about 6 of the most pressing healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention problems into a compelling framework, with guidance for immediate interventions. Further, they were all included as a supplement to the regular monthly issue of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology that could be kept neatly in healthcare professionals' offices for reference. Importantly, colleagues from all disciplines could access these articles online free of charge, along with patient educational material available in English, Spanish, and several additional languages. One central topic missing from the 2008 Compendium was hand hygiene, a cornerstone of infection prevention. The World Health Organization (WHO) Clean Care Is Safer Care initiative was then the focus for hand hygiene monitoring and improvement, and it was unclear at that point whether another guidance document on the topic would have provided additional useful information.
A View from The Joint Commission Perspective: Updated Compendium Will Continue to Help Reduce Healthcare-Associated Infections
Authors: VanAmringe Margaret
Published: July 2014

There is a vast body of knowledge generated for the purpose of improving patient outcomes, including information on how to prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). However, it is a daunting task to ensure that the most valuable practices contained within the scientific domain become broadly, timely, and effectively used in practice. Much has been written about the unacceptably long lag time between new clinical knowledge development and its widespread use, even when that knowledge is produced using the gold standard of randomized controlled clinical trials. With this issue in mind, “A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals” was written to accelerate adoption of important practices known to be effective at reducing infections. Now updated, enhanced, and included within this and recent issues of Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology, the Compendium is more than the requisite synthesis of the expansive science on infection prevention and a distillation of that evidence for its relevancy to hospitals. What makes the Compendium unique is its commitment to the usability of its content at the ground level. By presenting information in a format that can make operational sense out of complicated knowledge, the Compendium jump-starts the ability of hospital healthcare professionals to translate essential information into practice.
A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals: 2014 Updates
Authors: Yokoe Deborah S. , Anderson Deverick J. , Berenholtz Sean M. , Calfee David P. , Dubberke Erik R. , Ellingson Katherine D. , Gerding Dale N. , Haas Janet P. , Kaye Keith S. , Klompas Michael , Lo Evelyn , Marschall Jonas , Mermel Leonard A. , Nicolle Lindsay E. , Salgado Cassandra D. , Bryant Kristina , Classen David , Crist Katrina , Deloney Valerie M. , Fishman Neil O. , Foster Nancy , Goldmann Donald A. , Humphreys Eve , Jernigan John A. , Padberg Jennifer , Perl Trish M. , Podgorny Kelly , Septimus Edward J. , VanAmringe Margaret , Weaver Tom , Weinstein Robert A. , Wise Robert , Maragakis Lisa L.
Published: July 2014

Since the publication of “A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals” in 2008, prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has become a national priority. Despite improvements, preventable HAIs continue to occur. The 2014 updates to the Compendium were created to provide acute care hospitals with up-to-date, practical, expert guidance to assist in prioritizing and implementing their HAI prevention efforts. They are the product of a highly collaborative effort led by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), the American Hospital Association (AHA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of a number of organizations and societies with content expertise, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), the Society for Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), the Society for Hospital Medicine (SHM), and the Surgical Infection Society (SIS).

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2014;35(8):967–977
Multichannel quantum defect theory of strontium bound Rydberg states
Authors: Vaillant C L , Jones M P A , Potvliege R M
Published: July 2014

Using the reactance matrix approach, we systematically develop new multichannel quantum defect theory (MQDT) models for the singlet and triplet S, P, D and F states of strontium below the first ionization limit, based on improved energy level measurements. The new models reveal additional insights into the character of doubly excited perturber states, and the improved energy level measurements for certain series allow fine structure to be resolved for those series’ perturbers. Comparison between the predictions of the new models and those of previous empirical and ab initio studies reveals good agreement with most series; however, some discrepancies are highlighted. Using the MQDT wave functions derived from our models we calculate other observables such as Landé

-factors and radiative lifetimes. The analysis reveals the impact of perturbers on the Rydberg state properties of divalent atoms, highlighting the importance of including two-electron effects in the calculations of these properties. The work enables future investigations of properties such as Stark maps and long-range interactions of Rydberg states of strontium.
Wine Prices and Quality Ratings: A Meta‐regression Analysis
Authors: Oczkowski Edward , Doucouliagos Hristos
Published: July 2014

This article examines the empirical support for the hypothesized hedonic theoretical relation between the price of wine and its quality. The examination considers over 180 hedonic wine price models developed over 20 years, covering many countries. The research identifies that the relation between the price of wine and its sensory quality rating is a moderate partial correlation of +0.30. This correlation exists despite the lack of information held by consumers about a wine's quality and the inconsistency of expert tasters when evaluating wines. The results identify a moderate price‐quality correlation, which suggests the existence of strategic buying opportunities for better informed consumers. Strategic price setting possibilities may also exist for wine producers given the incomplete quality information held by consumers. The results from the meta‐regression analysis point to the absence of any publication bias, and attribute the observed asymmetry in estimates to study heterogeneity. The analysis suggests the observed heterogeneity is explained by the importance of a wine's reputation, the use of the 100‐point quality rating scale, the analysis of a single wine variety/style, and the employed functional form. The most important implication from the analysis is the relative importance of a wine's reputation over its sensory quality, inferring that producers need to sustain the sensory quality of a wine over time to extract appropriate returns. The reputation of the wine producer is found not to influence the strength of the price‐quality relationship. This finding does not contradict the importance of wine producer reputation in directly influencing prices.
Phosphorylation of Coat Protein by Protein Kinase CK2 Regulates Cell-to-Cell Movement ofBamboo mosaic virusThrough Modulating RNA Binding
Authors: Hung Chien-Jen , Huang Ying-Wen , Liou Ming-Ru , Lee Ya-Chien , Lin Na-Sheng , Meng Menghsiao , Tsai Ching-Hsiu , Hu Chung-Chi , Hsu Yau-Heiu
Published: July 2014

In this study, we investigated the fine regulation of cell-to-cell movement of Bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV). We report that the coat protein (CP) of BaMV is phosphorylated in planta at position serine 241 (S241), in a process involving Nicotiana benthamiana casein kinase 2α (NbCK2α). BaMV CP and NbCK2α colocalize at the plasmodesmata, suggesting that phosphorylation of BaMV may be involved in its movement. S241 was mutated to examine the effects of temporal and spatial dysregulation of phosphorylation on i) the interactions between CP and viral RNA and ii) the regulation of cell-to-cell movement. Replacement of S241 with alanine did not affect RNA binding affinity but moderately impaired cell-to-cell movement. A negative charge at position 241 reduced the ability of CP to bind RNA and severely interfered with cell-to-cell movement. Deletion of residues 240 to 242 increased the affinity of CP to viral RNA and dramatically impaired cell-to-cell movement. A threonine at position 241 changed the binding preference of CP toward genomic RNA and inhibited cell-to-cell movement. Together, these results reveal a fine regulatory mechanism for the cell-to-cell movement of BaMV, which involves the modulation of RNA binding affinity through appropriate phosphorylation of CP by NbCK2α.
Both Bilateral Breast Volume Discrepancy and Asymmetric Anterior Chest Wall Shape Contribute to the Unsightly Breast Contour in Female Right Thoracic Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Shi Benlong , Mao Saihu , Sun Xu , Xu Leilei , Zhu Feng , Zhu Zezhang , Qian Bangping , Wang Weijun , Qiu Yong
Published: July 2014

Study design:

A retrospective radiographic study.

Objective:

To evaluate the asymmetry of breast volume (BV) and shape in female adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients and to define their relationship with deformed components of the anterior chest wall and curved spine.

Summary of Background Data:

The higher incidence of asymmetric breast development in AIS was described by prior studies. However, the interplay between scoliosis curve magnitude and severity of breast asymmetry (BA) are unknown.

Methods:

A total of 73 surgically treated female right thoracic AIS patients classified as Lenke type I were enrolled in this study, with the average Cobb angle being 52.08±11.68 degrees. The Image J software was utilized to calculate BV. Both concave and convex radiographic parameters of breast shape were measured including the extraversion angle (EA), the coverage angle (CA), the axial breast height, the vertical breast height (VBH), and the nipple-to-sternum distance. The inclination angles of the concave and convex anterior chest wall were also assessed. BA was calculated according to the formula as follows: BA=(concave−convex)×BV/[(concave+convex)×BV]/2. The measurements of spinal deformity parameters included the Cobb angle, the RAsag angle, and the RAml angle. Paired t test was performed to analyze the asymmetry of breast shape, and Pearson correlation analysis was utilized to define the correlation between the breast shape, spinal deformity, and the inclination of anterior chest wall.

Results:

The concave BV, EA, axial breast height, and vertical breast height were significantly larger than those of the convex side (P<0.05), whereas the concave CA and the inclination angle of the anterior chest wall were significantly smaller than those of the convex side (P<0.05). No difference was detected between the concave and the convex nipple-to-sternum distance (P>0.05). The averaged BA was 11.4%, with the ratio of asymmetry beyond 10% being 52.1%. No statistically significant relationships between BA and Cobb angle, RAsag angle, RAml angle were detected (P>0.05). The inclination angle of the anterior chest wall demonstrated significant correlation with EA (P<0.001) and CA (P<0.001), respectively.

Conclusions:

The incidence of BA in AIS is notable, with the concave breast being larger, more extroversive, and more concentrated than the convex breast. The discrepancy between concave and convex anterior chest wall inclination bound to scoliosis could have a major influence on breast orientation and profile, suggesting a synergistic role of anterior chest wall deformity and bilateral BV discrepancy in the formation of BA.
Intramuscular Lipoma of Superior Rectus Muscle
Authors: Hristodulopulos Vanessa , Medel Ramón
Published: July 2014

The authors describe a case of a 27-year-old man with progressive diplopia and proptosis in whom imaging studies revealed the presence of a mass in the superior rectus muscle. Biopsy showed an infiltrative tumor of mature adipocytes with striated muscle fibres, corresponding to an intramuscular lipoma. Although extraocular muscle lipomas are very rare, with only two cases reported, they must be considered in the differential diagnosis of an orbital mass. They may cause significant morbidity to the patient, thus requiring surgical removal. Complete excision is usually difficult because of their infiltrative nature to the surrounding muscular fibres and their tendency to recur.
Delivering better power: the role of simulation in reducing the environmental impact of aircraft engines
Authors: Menzies Kevin
Published: July 2014

The growth in simulation capability over the past 20 years has led to remarkable changes in the design process for gas turbines. The availability of relatively cheap computational power coupled to improvements in numerical methods and physical modelling in simulation codes have enabled the development of aircraft propulsion systems that are more powerful and yet more efficient than ever before. However, the design challenges are correspondingly greater, especially to reduce environmental impact. The simulation requirements to achieve a reduced environmental impact are described along with the implications of continued growth in available computational power. It is concluded that achieving the environmental goals will demand large-scale multi-disciplinary simulations requiring significantly increased computational power, to enable optimization of the airframe and propulsion system over the entire operational envelope. However even with massive parallelization, the limits imposed by communications latency will constrain the time required to achieve a solution, and therefore the position of such large-scale calculations in the industrial design process.
Enabling the environmentally clean air transportation of the future: a vision of computational fluid dynamics in 2030
Authors: Slotnick Jeffrey P. , Khodadoust Abdollah , Alonso Juan J. , Darmofal David L. , Gropp William D. , Lurie Elizabeth A. , Mavriplis Dimitri J. , Venkatakrishnan Venkat
Published: July 2014

As global air travel expands rapidly to meet demand generated by economic growth, it is essential to continue to improve the efficiency of air transportation to reduce its carbon emissions and address concerns about climate change. Future transports must be ‘cleaner’ and designed to include technologies that will continue to lower engine emissions and reduce community noise. The use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) will be critical to enable the design of these new concepts. In general, the ability to simulate aerodynamic and reactive flows using CFD has progressed rapidly during the past several decades and has fundamentally changed the aerospace design process. Advanced simulation capabilities not only enable reductions in ground-based and flight-testing requirements, but also provide added physical insight, and enable superior designs at reduced cost and risk. In spite of considerable success, reliable use of CFD has remained confined to a small region of the operating envelope due, in part, to the inability of current methods to reliably predict turbulent, separated flows. Fortunately, the advent of much more powerful computing platforms provides an opportunity to overcome a number of these challenges. This paper summarizes the findings and recommendations from a recent NASA-funded study that provides a vision for CFD in the year 2030, including an assessment of critical technology gaps and needed development, and identifies the key CFD technology advancements that will enable the design and development of much cleaner aircraft in the future.
High-fidelity simulations of unsteady civil aircraft aerodynamics: stakes and perspectives. Application of zonal detached eddy simulation
Authors: Deck Sébastien , Gand Fabien , Brunet Vincent , Ben Khelil Saloua
Published: July 2014

This paper provides an up-to-date survey of the use of zonal detached eddy simulations (ZDES) for unsteady civil aircraft applications as a reflection on the stakes and perspectives of the use of hybrid methods in the framework of industrial aerodynamics. The issue of zonal or non-zonal treatment of turbulent flows for engineering applications is discussed. The ZDES method used in this article and based on a fluid problem-dependent zonalization is briefly presented. Some recent landmark achievements for conditions all over the flight envelope are presented, including low-speed (aeroacoustics of high-lift devices and landing gear), cruising (engine–airframe interactions), propulsive jets and off-design (transonic buffet and dive manoeuvres) applications. The implications of such results and remaining challenges in a more global framework are further discussed.
High-performance computing-based exploration of flow control with micro devices
Authors: Fujii Kozo
Published: July 2014

The dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator that controls flow separation is one of the promising technologies to realize energy savings and noise reduction of fluid dynamic systems. However, the mechanism for controlling flow separation is not clearly defined, and this lack of knowledge prevents practical use of this technology. Therefore, large-scale computations for the study of the DBD plasma actuator have been conducted using the Japanese Petaflops supercomputer ‘K’ for three different Reynolds numbers. Numbers of new findings on the control of flow separation by the DBD plasma actuator have been obtained from the simulations, and some of them are presented in this study. Knowledge of suitable device parameters is also obtained. The DBD plasma actuator is clearly shown to be very effective for controlling flow separation at a Reynolds number of around 10
5
, and several times larger lift-to-drag ratio can be achieved at higher angles of attack after stall. For higher Reynolds numbers, separated flow is partially controlled. Flow analysis shows key features towards better control. DBD plasma actuators are a promising technology, which could reduce fuel consumption and contribute to a green environment by achieving high aerodynamic performance. The knowledge described above can be obtained only with high-end computers such as the supercomputer ‘K’.
The prospect of using large eddy and detached eddy simulations in engineering design, and the research required to get there
Authors: Larsson Johan , Wang Qiqi
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we try to look into the future to envision how large eddy and detached eddy simulations will be used in the engineering design process about 20–30 years from now. Some key challenges specific to the engineering design process are identified, and some of the critical outstanding problems and promising research directions are discussed.
Evolutionarily diverse determinants of meiotic DNA break and recombination landscapes across the genome
Authors: Fowler Kyle R. , Sasaki Mariko , Milman Neta , Keeney Scott , Smith Gerald R.
Published: July 2014

Fission yeast Rec12 (Spo11 homolog) initiates meiotic recombination by forming developmentally programmed DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). DSB distributions influence patterns of heredity and genome evolution, but the basis of the highly nonrandom choice of Rec12 cleavage sites is poorly understood, largely because available maps are of relatively low resolution and sensitivity. Here, we determined DSBs genome-wide at near-nucleotide resolution by sequencing the oligonucleotides attached to Rec12 following DNA cleavage. The single oligonucleotide size class allowed us to deeply sample all break events. We find strong evidence across the genome for differential DSB repair accounting for crossover invariance (constant cM/kb in spite of DSB hotspots). Surprisingly, about half of all crossovers occur in regions where DSBs occur at low frequency and are widely dispersed in location from cell to cell. These previously undetected, low-level DSBs thus play an outsized and crucial role in meiosis. We further find that the influence of underlying nucleotide sequence and chromosomal architecture differs in multiple ways from that in budding yeast. DSBs are not strongly restricted to nucleosome-depleted regions, as they are in budding yeast, but are nevertheless spatially influenced by chromatin structure. Our analyses demonstrate that evolutionarily fluid factors contribute to crossover initiation and regulation.
Connectivity networks reveal the risks of crown‐of‐thorns starfish outbreaks on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Hock Karlo , Wolff Nicholas H. , Condie Scott A. , Anthony Kenneth R. N. , Mumby Peter J.
Published: July 2014

Many ecosystems suffer systemwide outbreaks of damaging species propagating from primary outbreak sites. Connectivity patterns can identify parts of the ecosystem that help turn local outbreaks into a systemwide contagion through a series of transmission events. Here, we show that patterns of larval connectivity among reefs can help explain periodic crown‐of‐thorns starfish (COTS) epidemics across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR).

We simulated potential dispersal of COTS larvae to obtain a connectivity network of coral reefs across the entire GBR. Network analysis revealed areas of high local connectivity where any outbreaks could be amplified locally, as well as those areas with potential to cause large‐scale epidemics with ecosystem‐wide impacts.

We find that the regions where COTS epidemics are known to originate are predictable from their high local and systemwide connectivity. Extensive larval exchanges among reef clusters in these regions can start a chain reaction of COTS population build‐up. The same regions also have high potential to reach and affect other parts of the GBR, thereby maximizing the likelihood that any outbreaks would eventually propagate throughout the ecosystem.

Hydrodynamic properties and geography of the GBR make it vulnerable to COTS epidemics. Using network analysis to identify regions with high‐risk high‐impact sources could help control these devastating events in future.

Synthesis and applications. The observed centre of origin for COTS epidemics (the Cooktown–Cairns region) can be predicted from its elevated short‐ and long‐range levels of larval connectivity. Connectivity analysis of per‐reef risks provides spatially explicit targets to guide surveillance and control measures that might help curtail COTS epidemics through prioritization of highly connected reefs. The analytical approach developed here for COTS connectivity can also be applied to identify well‐connected patches and regions in other interconnected ecological systems.
Politique d'augmentation des taxes sur les cigarettes au Cameroun: Comment réaliser à la fois les objectifs de santé publique et de recettes fiscales
Authors: Nketcha Nana P.V. , Ndekouong Frank Kano , Ediellé Jackson Ngwa , Choub Faha Christophe Peguy
Published: July 2014

L'augmentation des taxes sur les produits du tabac est largement promue comme politique efficace pour enrayer le tabagisme. Toutefois, les craintes que cette politique pourrait faire baisser les recettes fiscales contribuent à ralentir sa mise en œuvre dans la plupart des pays en développement. Cet article examine le problème dans le cas du Cameroun, notamment en essayant de déterminer le niveau optimal des taxes sur les cigarettes. À l'aide des données d'enquête auprès des fumeurs, nous estimons l'élasticité‐prix de la consommation des cigarettes, et nous simulons les effets que des hausses hypothétiques des taxes frappant les cigarettes pourraient avoir sur la consommation et les recettes fiscales. Les résultats permettent de souligner comment les pouvoirs publics pourraient, à travers une hausse substantielle des taxes sur les cigarettes, réaliser à la fois des objectifs de santé publique et de recettes fiscales.