bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influences of Sr-90 beta-ray irradiation on electrical characteristics of carbon nanoparticles
Authors: Kasani H. , Taghi Ahmadi M. , Khoda-bakhsh R. , RezaeiOchbelagh D. , Ismail Razali
Published: March 2016

This work is concerned with the low cost fabrication of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs), and its application to beta ray detection. The structural and morphological properties of the CNPs were obtained by spectral and microscopy techniques. A system based on CNPs application in the metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) junction platform, which acts as a beta-ray (β-ray) sensor, is fabricated. The prototype is characterised by modelling, Monte Carlo simulation, and electrical investigations. Changes to the electrical behaviour of the proposed MSM system due to β-ray irradiation are validated by experimental results in both Ohmic and non-Ohmic (Schottky) contacts. The simulation was performed using the MCNPX code, which showed that most of the β-ray energies are deposited into CNPs and electrodes. However, in the Ohmic contact, because the β-ray is induced, the current of CNPs is decreased. The reduction of the current might be due to the change of the carrier properties by increasing the scattering of electrons. The current-density equation for electrons was employed for understanding the effects of β-ray in Ohmic contact of CNPs. On the contrary, in the Schottky contact case, CNPs current was increased with constant voltage when biased by β-ray irradiation. In this paper, the electron–hole generation using β-rays is dominant when compared to other significant effects of radiation exposure on semiconducting CNP-based Schottky contact. Hence, the current increment of CNPs can be justified by electron–hole generation in the depletion region.
How electricity generation regimes are interacting in Portugal. Does it matter for sustainability and economic activity?
Authors: Marques António Cardoso , Fuinhas José Alberto
Published: March 2016

This paper uses monthly data for the time span 2006:M01 to 2014:M06, to study the relationship between electricity generation regimes, both ordinary and special, and economic activity in Portugal. An autoregressive distributed lag bounds test approach is pursued to analyse the short- and long-run dynamics between renewable/non-renewable electricity sources and industrial production. Results show that both ordinary thermal sources and hydro sources are driving forces behind electricity from the special regime. Economic activity is stimulating the special regime, but, conversely, the special regime hampers the growth of industrial production. It is demonstrated that a crucial role is being played by large-scale hydropower in accommodating the special regime in the electricity mix. This source is causing economic activity, while at the same time, backing up new renewable sources.
High-speed modulator with interleaved junctions in zero-change CMOS photonics
Authors: Alloatti L. , Cheian D. , Ram R. J.
Published: March 2016

A microring depletion modulator is demonstrated with T-shaped lateral p-n junctions used to realize efficient modulation while maximizing the RC limited bandwidth. The device having a 3 dB bandwidth of 13 GHz has been fabricated in a standard 45 nm microelectronics CMOS process. The cavity has a linewidth of 17 GHz and an average wavelength-shift of 9 pm/V in reverse-bias conditions.
Characterising canola pollen germination across a temperature gradient
Authors: Morrison Malcolm J. , Gutknecht Allison , Chan John , Miller S. Shea
Published: March 2016

If predictions are correct, heat stress during reproduction will become a yield limiting factor in many world crops and breeding heat stress tolerance a major goal. The objective of our paper was to highlight a novel system to investigate the influence of temperature (T) on pollen germination using a thermal gradient PCR programmed to establish differential Ts across 12 wells of a PCR plate. Seven cultivars of Brassica napus L. were grown through flowering in a cool growth cabinet (20/15°C day/night) or a heat stress cabinet (HST, 27/22°C day/night). Pollen from each cultivar × cabinet combination was aspirated from 6 opened flowers, and suspended in germination media. Drops of the pollen suspension were floated on media in each well, and the PCR T was set to 30°C with a gradient of ± 10°C, creating a range from ~20 to 40°C from left to right. After an 8 h treatment, the pollen germination (pg, %) and pollen tube growth score (ptg, 1–5) were evaluated using a microscope. There were significant differences among cultivars for pg and ptg score and significant differences among well T for pg and ptg score. Pollen tubes grew best at T from 20 to 23°C. Well T exceeding 33°C reduced pg and ptg score, although 3 of the 8 cultivars had good pg even at 36°C. HST >29°C, in a growth cabinet, generally resulted in B. napus raceme sterility, although our experiment showed that pollen was still capable of germinating up to 33°C, indicating that pollen germination may not be the only reason for heat stress susceptibility.
Isokinetic imbalance of adductor–abductor hip muscles in professional soccer players with chronic adductor‐related groin pain
Authors: Belhaj K. , Meftah S. , Mahir L. , Lmidmani F. , Elfatimi A.
Published: March 2016

This study aims to compare the isokinetic profile of hip abductor and adductor muscle groups between soccer players suffering from chronic adductor‐related groin pain (ARGP), soccer players without ARGP and healthy volunteers from general population. Study included 36 male professional soccer players, who were randomly selected and followed‐up over two years. Of the 21 soccer players eligible to participate in the study, 9 players went on to develop chronic ARGP and 12 players did not. Ten healthy male volunteers were randomly selected from the general population as a control group. Comparison between the abductor and adductor muscle peak torques for players with and without chronic ARGP found a statistically significant difference on the dominant and non‐dominant sides (p < .005), with the abductor muscle significantly stronger than the adductor muscle. In the group of healthy volunteers, the adductor muscle groups were significantly stronger than the abductor muscle groups on both dominant and non‐dominant sides (p < .05). For the group of players who had developed chronic ARGP, abductor–adductor torque ratios were significantly higher on the affected side (p = .008). The adductor muscle strength was also significantly decreased on the affected side. This imbalance appears to be a risk factor for adductor‐related groin injury. Therefore, restoring the correct relationship between these two agonist and antagonist hip muscles may be an important preventative measure that should be a primary concern of training and rehabilitation programmes.
G3BP–Caprin1–USP10 complexes mediate stress granule condensation and associate with 40S subunits
Authors: Kedersha Nancy , Panas Marc D. , Achorn Christopher A. , Lyons Shawn , Tisdale Sarah , Hickman Tyler , Thomas Marshall , Lieberman Judy , McInerney Gerald M. , Ivanov Pavel , Anderson Paul
Published: March 2016

Mammalian stress granules (SGs) contain stalled translation preinitiation complexes that are assembled into discrete granules by specific RNA-binding proteins such as G3BP. We now show that cells lacking both G3BP1 and G3BP2 cannot form SGs in response to eukaryotic initiation factor 2α phosphorylation or eIF4A inhibition, but are still SG-competent when challenged with severe heat or osmotic stress. Rescue experiments using G3BP1 mutants show that G3BP1-F33W, a mutant unable to bind G3BP partner proteins Caprin1 or USP10, rescues SG formation. Caprin1/USP10 binding to G3BP is mutually exclusive: Caprin binding promotes, but USP10 binding inhibits, SG formation. G3BP interacts with 40S ribosomal subunits through its RGG motif, which is also required for G3BP-mediated SG formation. We propose that G3BP mediates the condensation of SGs by shifting between two different states that are controlled by binding to Caprin1 or USP10.
Shape–motion relationships of centering microtubule asters
Authors: Tanimoto Hirokazu , Kimura Akatsuki , Minc Nicolas
Published: March 2016

Although mechanisms that contribute to microtubule (MT) aster positioning have been extensively studied, still little is known on how asters move inside cells to faithfully target a cellular location. Here, we study sperm aster centration in sea urchin eggs, as a stereotypical large-scale aster movement with extreme constraints on centering speed and precision. By tracking three-dimensional aster centration dynamics in eggs with manipulated shapes, we show that aster geometry resulting from MT growth and interaction with cell boundaries dictates aster instantaneous directionality, yielding cell shape–dependent centering trajectories. Aster laser surgery and modeling suggest that dynein-dependent MT cytoplasmic pulling forces that scale to MT length function to convert aster geometry into directionality. In contrast, aster speed remains largely independent of aster size, shape, or absolute dynein activity, which suggests it may be predominantly determined by aster growth rate rather than MT force amplitude. These studies begin to define the geometrical principles that control aster movements.
Separating neuronal compartments gives clues as to local effect of ubiquitin conjugates in synaptogenesis
Authors: Kim Ju Youn , Jaffrey Samie R.
Published: March 2016

Presynaptic differentiation is a critical and poorly understood step in synapse formation. Using compartmentalized culture systems that isolate axons and nascent synapses, Pinto et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201509039) show that the axonal ubiquitin–proteasome system locally regulates the accumulation of ubiquitinated substrates, triggering presynaptic differentiation.
On the move, lysosomal CAX drives Ca2+ transport and motility
Authors: Lloyd-Evans Emyr
Published: March 2016

Acidic Ca2+ stores are important sources of Ca2+ during cell signaling but little is known about how Ca2+ enters these stores. In this issue, Melchionda et al. (2016. J. Cell Biol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201510019) identify a Ca2+/H+ exchanger (CAX) that is required for Ca2+ uptake and cell migration in vertebrates.
NFκB1 is essential to prevent the development of multiorgan autoimmunity by limiting IL-6 production in follicular B cells
Authors: de Valle Elisha , Grigoriadis George , O’Reilly Lorraine A. , Willis Simon N. , Maxwell Mhairi J. , Corcoran Lynn M. , Tsantikos Evelyn , Cornish Jasper K.S. , Fairfax Kirsten A. , Vasanthakumar Ajithkumar , Febbraio Mark A. , Hibbs Margaret L. , Pellegrini Marc , Banerjee Ashish , Hodgkin Philip D. , Kallies Axel , Mackay Fabienne , Strasser Andreas , Gerondakis Steve , Gugasyan Raffi
Published: March 2016

We examined the role of NFκB1 in the homeostasis and function of peripheral follicular (Fo) B cells. Aging mice lacking NFκB1 (Nfκb1−/−) develop lymphoproliferative and multiorgan autoimmune disease attributed in large part to the deregulated activity of Nfκb1−/− Fo B cells that produce excessive levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6). Despite enhanced germinal center (GC) B cell differentiation, the formation of GC structures was severely disrupted in the Nfκb1−/− mice. Bone marrow chimeric mice revealed that the Fo B cell–intrinsic loss of NFκB1 led to the spontaneous generation of GC B cells. This was primarily the result of an increase in IL-6 levels, which promotes the differentiation of Fo helper CD4+ T cells and acts in an autocrine manner to reduce antigen receptor and toll-like receptor activation thresholds in a population of proliferating IgM+ Nfκb1−/− Fo B cells. We demonstrate that p50-NFκB1 represses Il-6 transcription in Fo B cells, with the loss of NFκB1 also resulting in the uncontrolled RELA-driven transcription of Il-6. Collectively, our findings identify a previously unrecognized role for NFκB1 in preventing multiorgan autoimmunity through its negative regulation of Il-6 gene expression in Fo B cells.
Arid5a regulates naive CD4+ T cell fate through selective stabilization of Stat3 mRNA
Authors: Masuda Kazuya , Ripley Barry , Nyati Kishan Kumar , Dubey Praveen Kumar , Zaman Mohammad Mahabub-Uz , Hanieh Hamza , Higa Mitsuru , Yamashita Kazuo , Standley Daron M. , Mashima Tsukasa , Katahira Masato , Okamoto Toru , Matsuura Yoshiharu , Takeuchi Osamu , Kishimoto Tadamitsu
Published: March 2016

Balance in signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activation is a key factor in regulating the fate of naive CD4+ T cells. Here, we demonstrate that AT-rich interactive domain-containing protein 5a (Arid5a) in T cells directs naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate into inflammatory CD4+ T cells, especially Th17 cells, through selective stabilization of Stat3 (but not Stat1 and Stat5) mRNA in an IL-6–dependent manner. Loss of Arid5a in T cells led to reduction of STAT3 level under Th17-polarizing conditions, whereas STAT1 and STAT5 in Arid5a-deficient T cells were highly activated compared with those of WT T cells under the same conditions. These cells displayed the feature of antiinflammatory (Il10-expressing) CD4+ T cells. Thus, we show a T cell–intrinsic role of Arid5a on fate decisions of naive CD4+ T cells through selective stabilization of Stat3 mRNA.
Stabilization of a prokaryotic LAT transporter by random mutagenesis
Authors: Rodríguez-Banqueri Arturo , Errasti-Murugarren Ekaitz , Bartoccioni Paola , Kowalczyk Lukasz , Perálvarez-Marín Alex , Palacín Manuel , Vázquez-Ibar José Luis
Published: March 2016

The knowledge of three-dimensional structures at atomic resolution of membrane transport proteins has improved considerably our understanding of their physiological roles and pathological implications. However, most structural biology techniques require an optimal candidate within a protein family for structural determination with (a) reasonable production in heterologous hosts and (b) good stability in detergent micelles. SteT, the Bacillus subtilis l-serine/l-threonine exchanger is the best-known prokaryotic paradigm of the mammalian l–amino acid transporter (LAT) family. Unfortunately, SteT’s lousy stability after extracting from the membrane prevents its structural characterization. Here, we have used an approach based on random mutagenesis to engineer stability in SteT. Using a split GFP complementation assay as reporter of protein expression and membrane insertion, we created a library of 70 SteT mutants each containing random replacements of one or two residues situated in the transmembrane domains. Analysis of expression and monodispersity in detergent of this library permitted the identification of evolved versions of SteT with a significant increase in both expression yield and stability in detergent with respect to wild type. In addition, these experiments revealed a correlation between the yield of expression and the stability in detergent micelles. Finally, and based on protein delipidation and relipidation assays together with transport experiments, possible mechanisms of SteT stabilization are discussed. Besides optimizing a member of the LAT family for structural determination, our work proposes a new approach that can be used to optimize any membrane protein of interest.
Role of physiological ClC-1 Cl− ion channel regulation for the excitability and function of working skeletal muscle
Authors: Pedersen Thomas Holm , Riisager Anders , de Paoli Frank Vincenzo , Chen Tsung-Yu , Nielsen Ole Bækgaard
Published: March 2016

Electrical membrane properties of skeletal muscle fibers have been thoroughly studied over the last five to six decades. This has shown that muscle fibers from a wide range of species, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, are all characterized by high resting membrane permeability for Cl− ions. Thus, in resting human muscle, ClC-1 Cl− ion channels account for ∼80% of the membrane conductance, and because active Cl− transport is limited in muscle fibers, the equilibrium potential for Cl− lies close to the resting membrane potential. These conditions—high membrane conductance and passive distribution—enable ClC-1 to conduct membrane current that inhibits muscle excitability. This depressing effect of ClC-1 current on muscle excitability has mostly been associated with skeletal muscle hyperexcitability in myotonia congenita, which arises from loss-of-function mutations in the CLCN1 gene. However, given that ClC-1 must be drastically inhibited (∼80%) before myotonia develops, more recent studies have explored whether acute and more subtle ClC-1 regulation contributes to controlling the excitability of working muscle. Methods were developed to measure ClC-1 function with subsecond temporal resolution in action potential firing muscle fibers. These and other techniques have revealed that ClC-1 function is controlled by multiple cellular signals during muscle activity. Thus, onset of muscle activity triggers ClC-1 inhibition via protein kinase C, intracellular acidosis, and lactate ions. This inhibition is important for preserving excitability of working muscle in the face of activity-induced elevation of extracellular K+ and accumulating inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. Furthermore, during prolonged activity, a marked ClC-1 activation can develop that compromises muscle excitability. Data from ClC-1 expression systems suggest that this ClC-1 activation may arise from loss of regulation by adenosine nucleotides and/or oxidation. The present review summarizes the current knowledge of the physiological factors that control ClC-1 function in active muscle.
SMART precision cancer medicine: a FHIR-based app to provide genomic information at the point of care
Authors: Warner Jeremy L , Rioth Matthew J , Mandl Kenneth D , Mandel Joshua C , Kreda David A , Kohane Isaac S , Carbone Daniel , Oreto Ross , Wang Lucy , Zhu Shilin , Yao Heming , Alterovitz Gil
Published: March 2016

Background Precision cancer medicine (PCM) will require ready access to genomic data within the clinical workflow and tools to assist clinical interpretation and enable decisions. Since most electronic health record (EHR) systems do not yet provide such functionality, we developed an EHR-agnostic, clinico-genomic mobile app to demonstrate several features that will be needed for point-of-care conversations.

Methods Our prototype, called Substitutable Medical Applications and Reusable Technology (SMART)® PCM, visualizes genomic information in real time, comparing a patient’s diagnosis-specific somatic gene mutations detected by PCR-based hotspot testing to a population-level set of comparable data. The initial prototype works for patient specimens with 0 or 1 detected mutation. Genomics extensions were created for the Health Level Seven® Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR)® standard; otherwise, the prototype is a normal SMART on FHIR app.

Results The PCM prototype can rapidly present a visualization that compares a patient’s somatic genomic alterations against a distribution built from more than 3000 patients, along with context-specific links to external knowledge bases. Initial evaluation by oncologists provided important feedback about the prototype’s strengths and weaknesses. We added several requested enhancements and successfully demonstrated the app at the inaugural American Society of Clinical Oncology Interoperability Demonstration; we have also begun to expand visualization capabilities to include cancer specimens with multiple mutations.

Discussion PCM is open-source software for clinicians to present the individual patient within the population-level spectrum of cancer somatic mutations. The app can be implemented on any SMART on FHIR-enabled EHRs, and future versions of PCM should be able to evolve in parallel with external knowledge bases.
Rapid Quantification of Soilborne Pathogen Communities in Wheat-Based Long-Term Field Experiments
Authors: Smiley Richard W. , Machado Stephen , Rhinhart Karl E. L. , Reardon Catherine L. , Wuest Stewart B.
Published: March 2016

Rainfed experiments operated continuously for up to 84 years in semiarid eastern Oregon are among the oldest agronomic trials in North America. Disease incidence and severity had been quantified visually but quantification of inoculum density had not been attempted. Natural inoculum of 17 fungal and nematode pathogens were quantified for each of 2 years on eight trials using DNA extracts from soil. Crop type, tillage, rotation, soil fertility, year, and their interactions had large effects on the pathogens. Fusarium culmorum and Pratylenchus thornei were more dominant than F. pseudograminearum and P. neglectus where spring crops were grown, and the opposite species dominances occurred where winter wheat was the only crop. Bipolaris sorokiniana and Phoma pinodella were restricted to the presence of spring cereals and pulse crops, respectively. Helgardia spp. occurred in winter wheat-fallow rotations but not in annual winter wheat. Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici was more prevalent in cultivated than noncultivated soils and the opposite generally occurred for Rhizoctonia solani AG-8. Densities of Pythium spp. clade F were high but were also influenced by treatments. Significant treatment effects and interactions were more prevalent in two long-standing (>50-year) annually cropped experiments (29%) than two long-standing 2-year wheat-fallow rotations (14%). Associations among pathogens occurred mostly in an 84-year-old annual cereals experiment. This survey provided guidance for research on dynamics of root-infecting pathogens of rainfed field crops and identified two pathogens (Drechslera tritici-repentis and P. pinodella) not previously identified at the location.
Detection of Dual Heterodera avenae Resistance plus Tolerance Traits in Spring Wheat
Authors: Smiley Richard W. , Marshall Juliet M.
Published: March 2016

The cereal cyst nematode Heterodera avenae reduces wheat yield in the Pacific Northwest. Resistance and tolerance traits among spring wheat cultivars were poorly defined. Screening trials were conducted with 39 cultivars over a 2-year period in irrigated commercial fields that were infested by H. avenae. Comparisons were made between drill strips treated or untreated with aldicarb at the time of planting. Root sampling at the time of plant anthesis indicated that cultivars differed greatly in susceptibility to H. avenae, with numbers of newly produced white H. avenae females ranging from <5 to 70 per plant. Aldicarb reduced mean numbers of white females as much as 99% on the most susceptible cultivar (‘Glee’) and increased mean grain yield as much as 77% for the least tolerant cultivar (‘Cataldo’). Density of H. avenae eggs in untreated soil following harvest was significantly higher than the density in aldicarb-treated plots. Agronomically acceptable traits of resistance plus tolerance were identified in one cultivar of hard red spring wheat (‘WB-Rockland’) and two cultivars of hard white spring wheat (‘Klasic’ and ‘LCS Star’) but in none of the soft white spring wheat cultivars. This is the first report of spring wheat cultivars expressing the dual traits of resistance plus tolerance to H. avenae.
A Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Differentiates FourXanthomonasSpecies Associated with Bacterial Spot of Tomato
Authors: Strayer A. L. , Jeyaprakash A. , Minsavage G. V. , Timilsina S. , Vallad G. E. , Jones J. B. , Paret M. L.
Published: March 2016

Bacterial spot of tomato, a major problem in many tomato production areas, is caused by Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, X. vesicatoria, X. perforans, and X. gardneri. In order to detect and identify the bacterial spot pathogens, we evaluated a region of hrpB operon as a source for primers and probes for real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A 420-bp fragment of the hrpB7 gene was amplified by PCR from 75 strains representing the four species. The PCR products were sequenced and phylogenetic analysis revealed that hrpB7 is highly conserved within each species, with a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) among the X. vesicatoria strains. X. euvesicatoria and X. perforans varied by two SNP. Four probes and two primer sets were designed to target the four bacterial spot pathogens based on their hrpB7 gene sequences. In order to simultaneously detect the four bacterial spot pathogens, the four probes and two primer sets were optimized for a multiplex real-time TaqMan PCR assay. The optimized multiplex assay was determined to be highly specific to the four bacterial spot pathogens. Because the optimized multiplex assay facilitated the identification of each bacterial spot pathogen from pure cultures and infected plant tissue, it holds great potential as a diagnostic tool.
Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani Can Produce both Web Blight and Root Rot Symptoms in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
Authors: Valentín Torres Suheidy , Vargas María M. , Godoy-Lutz Graciela , Porch Timothy G. , Beaver James S.
Published: March 2016

In common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), Rhizoctonia solani Kühn is an important pathogen causing web blight (WB) in the tropics, and it is also a soilborne pathogen causing root rot (RR) worldwide. This pathogen is a species complex classified into 14 anastomosis groups (AG). AG 1-IA, AG 1-IB, AG 1-IE, AG 1-IF, AG 2-2, and AG 4 have been reported to cause WB of the aboveground structures of the plant, while AG 4 and AG 2-2 have been associated with RR. There is limited information, however, concerning the ability of particular isolates of specific AG to cause both diseases in common bean. Nine R. solani isolates, including three AG 1 and three AG 4 WB isolates and three AG 4 RR isolates collected from both leaves and roots, respectively, of common bean in Puerto Rico, were used to evaluate the response of 12 common bean genotypes to WB inoculated using a detached-leaf method and to RR inoculated using a solution suspension of R. solani mycelia in the greenhouse. All R. solani isolates were able to induce both RR and WB symptoms. RR readings were generally more severe than the WB readings. The RR isolate RR1 (AG 4) produced the most severe RR scores. A few bean lines had mean RR scores ≤4.4 for specific R. solani isolates on a scale of 1 to 9, with 1 representing resistant and 9 highly susceptible. However, all of the bean lines had mean RR scores ≥5.0 when inoculated with the isolates RR1, RR2, and RR3, which were determined to be AG 4 in this study. Significant line–isolate interactions were observed for the WB and RR inoculations for the three planting dates, suggesting a differential response of the common bean lines to the pathogen. This genotypic interaction may require bean breeders and pathologists to monitor the virulence patterns of R. solani in specific growing environments, while the compatibility of specific R. solani isolates to both aerial and root tissue needs to be considered for disease control strategies.
Genetic Structure of Colletotrichum fructicola Associated to Apple Bitter Rot and Glomerella Leaf Spot in Southern Brazil and Uruguay
Authors: Rockenbach Mathias F. , Velho Aline C. , Gonçalves Amanda E. , Mondino Pedro E. , Alaniz Sandra M. , Stadnik Marciel J.
Published: March 2016

Colletotrichum fructicola is the main species causing apple bitter rot (ABR) and Glomerella leaf spot (GLS) in southern Brazil, and ABR in Uruguay where GLS remains unnoticed. Thus, this work aimed to determine the genetic structure of C. fructicola isolates of both the countries. A total of 28 out of 31 Brazilian isolates (90.3%) caused typical symptoms of GLS, while only 6 of 25 Uruguayan isolates (24.0%) originating from fruits were able to infect leaves, but causing atypical symptoms. Both populations showed similar levels of Nei’s gene diversity (h = 0.088 and 0.079, for Brazilian and Uruguayan populations, respectively), and Bayesian cluster analysis inferred two genetic clusters correlated with the geographical origin of isolates. A principal coordinates analysis scatter plot and an unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean-based dendrogram also grouped Brazilian and Uruguayan isolates into two groups. By pairwise comparison of nitrate-nonutilizing (nit) mutants with a proposed set of testers, all Uruguayan isolates were grouped into a unique vegetative compatibility group (namely VCG 1), while Brazilian isolates were grouped into four VCGs (VCG 1 to 4). Brazilian and Uruguayan populations of C. fructicola were found to be genetically distinct. Our results suggest that isolates of C. fructicola from Brazil capable of causing GLS and ABR arose independently of those from Uruguay. Possible causes leading to the evolutionary differences between populations are discussed.
Predictive computational phenotyping and biomarker discovery using reference-free genome comparisons
Authors: Drouin Alexandre , Giguère Sébastien , Déraspe Maxime , Marchand Mario , Tyers Michael , Loo Vivian G. , Bourgault Anne-Marie , Laviolette François , Corbeil Jacques
Published: March 2016

Background

The identification of genomic biomarkers is a key step towards improving diagnostic tests and therapies. We present a reference-free method for this task that relies on ak-mer representation of genomes and a machine learning algorithm that produces intelligible models. The method is computationally scalable and well-suited for whole genome sequencing studies.

Results

The method was validated by generating models that predict the antibiotic resistance ofC. difficile, M. tuberculosis, P. aeruginosa, andS. pneumoniaefor 17 antibiotics. The obtained models are accurate, faithful to the biological pathways targeted by the antibiotics, and they provide insight into the process of resistance acquisition. Moreover, a theoretical analysis of the method revealed tight statistical guarantees on the accuracy of the obtained models, supporting its relevance for genomic biomarker discovery.

Conclusions

Our method allows the generation of accurate and interpretable predictive models of phenotypes, which rely on a small set of genomic variations. The method is not limited to predicting antibiotic resistance in bacteria and is applicable to a variety of organisms and phenotypes. Kover, an efficient implementation of our method, is open-source and should guide biological efforts to understand a plethora of phenotypes (http://github.com/aldro61/kover/).
Mixing of Porpoise Ecotypes in South Western UK Waters Revealed by Genetic Profiling
Authors: Fontaine Michaël C. , Thatcher Oliver , Ray Nicolas , Piry Sylvain , Brownlow Andrew , Davison Nicholas J. , Jepson Paul , Deaville Rob , Goodman Simon J.
Published: March 2016

Contact zones between marine ecotypes are of interest for understanding how key pelagic predators may react to climate change. We analysed the fine scale genetic structure and morphological variation in harbour porpoises around the UK, at the proposed northern limit of a contact zone between southern and northern ecotypes in the Bay of Biscay. Using a sample of 591 stranded animals spanning a decade and microsatellite profiling at 9 loci, clustering and spatial analyses revealed that animals stranded around UK are composed of mixed genetic ancestries from two genetic pools. Porpoises from SW England displayed a distinct genetic ancestry, had larger body-sizes and inhabit an environment differentiated from other UK costal areas. Genetic ancestry blends from one group to the other along a SW-NE axis along the UK coastline, and showed a significant association with body size, consistent with morphological differences between the two ecotypes and their mixing around the SW coast. We also found significant isolation-by-distance among juveniles, suggesting that stranded juveniles display reduced intergenerational dispersal, while adults show larger variance. The fine scale structure of this admixture zone raises the question of how it will respond to future climate change and provides a reference point for further study.
Disentangling the representation of identity from head view along the human face processing pathway
Authors: Guntupalli J. Swaroop , Wheeler Kelsey G. , Gobbini M. Ida
Published: March 2016

Neural models of a distributed system for face perception implicate a network of regions in the ventral visual stream for recognition of identity. Here, we report an fMRI neural decoding study in humans that shows that this pathway culminates in a right inferior frontal cortex face area (rIFFA) with a representation of individual identities that has been disentangled from variable visual features in different images of the same person. At earlier stages in the pathway, processing begins in early visual cortex and the occipital face area (OFA) with representations of head view that are invariant across identities, and proceeds to an intermediate level of representation in the fusiform face area (FFA) in which identity is emerging but still entangled with head view. Three-dimensional, view-invariant representation of identities in the rIFFA may be the critical link to the extended system for face perception, affording activation of person knowledge and emotional responses to familiar faces.

Significance Statement

In this fMRI decoding experiment, we address how face images are processed in successive stages to disentangle the view-invariant representation of identity from variable visual features. Representations in early visual cortex and the occipital face area distinguish head views, invariant across identities. An intermediate level of representation in the fusiform face area distinguishes identities but still is entangled with head view. The face-processing pathway culminates in the right inferior frontal area with representation of view-independent identity. This paper clarifies the homologies between the human and macaque face processing systems. The findings show further, however, the importance of the inferior frontal cortex in decoding face identity, a result that has not yet been reported in the monkey literature.
Vessel recruitment and derecruitment mechanism and paradoxical behaviour of vasoconstriction during ischaemia
Authors: Lakshmanan Kayalvizhi , Majumdar Sarangam
Published: March 2016

In this paper, we introduce mathematical aspect of recruitment and derecruitment mechanism of blood vessels acting in such a way as to preserve physiological values of the capillary pressure and perspective of pressure drop effect which has been pointed out by a series of studies documenting a paradoxical vasoconstriction during ischaemia.
Fate mapping caudal lateral epiblast reveals continuous contribution to neural and mesodermal lineages and the origin of secondary neural tube
Authors: Albors Aida Rodrigo , Halley Pamela A. , Storey Kate G.
Published: March 2016

The ability to monitor and manipulate epiblast cells in and around the primitive streak of the mouse embryo is important for investigating how cells maintain potency and how distinct cell fates are established. Here, we report development of a key resource for such studies, a mouse line in which a tamoxifen-inducible Cre recombinase construct replaces an endogenous gene,Nkx1.2, whose expression demarcates the epiblast adjacent to and including the primitive streak. We show that this Nkx1.2CreERT2line drives transgene expression in the endogenousNkx1.2domain. Labelling this caudal epiblast cell population at embryonic day (E) 7.5 confirmed contribution to all three germ layers at later stages. Labelled cells were also retained within the caudal lateral epiblast at E8.5 and E9.5 and E10.5 tailbud. A subset of these cells co-expressed early neural (Sox2) and mesodermal (Bra) markers. These findings support the existence of neuromesodermal progenitors within theNkx1.2cell lineage. Consistent with the retention of such bipotent progenitors throughout body axis elongation, labellingNkx1.2-expressing cells at E10.5 and assessment at E11.5 demonstrated continued contribution to both neural and mesodermal lineages. Furthermore, detailed analysis ofNkx1.2expression revealed a novel domain in tailbud mesenchyme that is contiguous with neural tissue. The presence of labelled Sox2/Bra co-expressing cells in this mesenchyme cell population suggests that this is the retained neuromesodermal progenitor pool, which gives rise to both new paraxial mesoderm and new neural tissue, generated now via secondary neurulation. Here, we introduce this caudal-mostNkx1.2domain as the neuromesodermal lip.
The neural correlates of two forms of spiritual love: an EEG study
Authors: Faber E. S. Louise
Published: March 2016

Spiritual practices are gaining an increasingly wider audience as a means to enhance positive affect in healthy individuals and to treat neurological disorders such as anxiety and depression. The current study aimed to examine the neural correlates of two different forms of love generated by spiritual practices using EEG; love generated during a loving kindness meditation performed by Buddhist meditators, and love generated during prayer, in a separate group of participants from a Christian-based faith. The loving kindness meditation was associated with significant increases in delta, alpha 1, alpha 2 and beta power compared to baseline, while prayer induced significant increases in power of alpha 1 and gamma oscillations, together with an increase in the gamma: theta ratio. An increase in delta activity occurred during the loving kindness meditation but not during prayer. In contrast increases in theta, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta and gamma power were observed when comparing both types of practice to baseline, suggesting that increases in these frequency bands are the neural correlates of spiritual love, independent of the type of practice used to attain the state of this type of love. These findings show that both spiritual love practices are associated with widespread changes in neural activity across the brain, in particular at frequency ranges that have been implicated in positive emotional experience, integration of distributed neural activity, and changes in short-term and longterm neural circuitry.
Content analysis of the professional journal of the College of Speech Therapists II: coming of age and growing maturity, 1946–65
Authors: Stansfield Jois , Armstrong Linda
Published: March 2016

Background

Following a content analysis of the first 10 years of the UK professional journal Speech, this study was conducted to survey the published work of the speech (and language) therapy profession in the 20 years following the unification of two separate professional bodies into the College of Speech Therapists.

Aim

To understand better the development of the speech (and language) therapy profession in the UK in order to support the development of an online history of the speech and language therapy profession in the UK.

Methods & Procedures

The 40 issues of the professional journal of the College of Speech Therapists published between 1946 and 1965 (Speech and later Speech Pathology and Therapy) were examined using content analysis and the content compared with that of the same journal as it appeared from 1935 to the end of the Second World War (1945).

Outcomes & Results

Many aspects of the journal and its authored papers were retained from the earlier years, for example, the range of authors’ professions, their location mainly in the UK, their number of contributions and the length of papers. Changes and developments included the balance of original to republished papers, the description and discussion of new professional issues, and an extended range of client groups/disorders.

Conclusions & Implications

The journal and its articles reflect the growing maturity of the newly unified profession of speech therapy and give an indication both of the expanding depth of knowledge available to speech therapists and of the rapidly increasing breadth of their work over this period.
Do overeducated individuals have increased risks of ill health?: a Swedish population‐based cohort study
Authors: Hultin Hanna , Lundberg Michael , Lundin Andreas , Magnusson Cecilia
Published: March 2016

Previous studies indicate that the increasing educational level in many post‐industrial nations may imply that subgroups of the population work in occupations for which they are overeducated. We aimed to investigate whether overeducation is associated with future self‐rated health and psychological distress. The analytical sample consisted of 21,159 participants from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort. Individuals with upper secondary or university education, who in 2006 or 2007 had occupations requiring less education, were considered overeducated. The outcomes were self‐rated health (SRH) and psychological distress in 2010. Overeducated women had an increased risk of less than goodSRH, compared to university‐educated women in matching occupations (adjusted odds ratios (OR): 2.44 confidence intervals (CI): 1.32–4.51 for overeducated women with secondary school education), but not compared to less educated women in the same occupational class (adjustedOR: 0.87CI:0.32–2.38 for overeducated women with secondary school education). We found no increased risk of less than goodSRHfor overeducated men, and no association between overeducation and psychological distress for either sex. The results indicate that overeducation is notper seassociated with onset of less than goodSRHor psychological distress in a short‐term perspective, and the findings support education expansion as a means of improving public health.
Comparative efficacy of tocilizumab, abatacept and rituximab after non‐TNF inhibitor failure: results from a multicentre study
Authors: Pascart Tristan , Philippe Peggy , Drumez Elodie , Deprez Xavier , Cortet Bernard , Duhamel Alain , Houvenagel Eric , Flipo René‐Marc
Published: March 2016

Aims

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of tocilizumab, rituximab and abatacept after a non‐tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (non‐TNFi) failure for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Materials and methods

This retrospective multi‐centre study included patients treated for RA with abatacept, rituximab or tocilizumab after having received in the previous line the first non‐TNFi. Data were collected from patient charts. The primary endpoint was the delta Disease Activity Index of 28 joints – erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28‐ESR) and DAS28‐CRP (C‐reactive protein) at 12 months. The relative change in primary outcome measures from baseline were calculated.

Results

One hundred patients started a second non‐TNFi between 2006 and 2013, including 15 patients treated with rituximab, 36 with tocilizumab and 49 with abatacept. The change of DAS28‐ESR was significantly different between the three groups (P = 0.001). In post hoc pairwise comparisons, patients treated with tocilizumab had a higher decrease of the DAS28‐ESR than patients treated by abatacept (median [interquartile range: IQR]: 36% [0; 54%] vs. 0% [0; 20%], P = 0.002). A similar non‐significant difference was found between tocilizumab and rituximab (median [IQR] decrease: 36% [0; 54%] vs. 0% [−11; 34%], P = 0.07). Similar results were found with the 12 months change in DAS28‐CRP.

Conclusions

This study suggests a better efficacy of tocilizumab compared with abatacept and rituximab in situations of non‐TNFi failure.
The American Board of Emergency Medicine ConCert Examination: Emergency Physicians' Perceptions of Learning and Career Benefits
Authors: Marco Catherine A. , Wahl Robert P. , Counselman Francis L. , Heller Barry N. , Harvey Anne L. , Joldersma Kevin B. , Kowalenko Terry , Coombs Andrea B. , Reisdorff Earl J.
Published: March 2016

Objective

As part of the American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program, ABEM‐certified physicians are required to pass the Continuous Certification (ConCert) examination at least every 10 years. With the 2015 ConCert examination, ABEM sought to better understand emergency physicians' perceptions of the benefits of preparing for and taking the examination and the career benefits of staying ABEM‐certified.

Methods

This was a prospective survey study. A voluntary postexamination survey was administered at the end of the 2015 ABEM ConCert examination (September 21–26, 2015). Physicians were asked about the benefits of preparing for the examination and maintaining ABEM certification. Examination performance was compared to perceptions of learning and career benefits.

Results

Of the 2,601 on‐time test takers, 2,511 respondents participated (96.5% participation rate). The majority of participants (92.0%) identified a benefit to preparing for the ConCert examination, which included reinforced medical knowledge (73.9%), increased knowledge (66.8%), and making them a better clinician (39.4%). The majority of respondents (90.8%) identified a career benefit of maintaining ABEM certification, which included more employment options (73.8%), more positively viewed by other physicians (56.8%), and better financial outcomes (29.8%). There was a statistically significant association between the perception of knowledge reinforcement and examination performance (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant association between the perception that staying certified created more career opportunities and examination performance (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Most emergency physicians identified benefits of preparing for and taking the ABEM ConCert examination, which included reinforcing or adding medical knowledge and making them better clinicians. Most physicians also found career benefits to remaining ABEM‐certified, which included greater employment choices, higher financial compensation, and higher esteem from other physicians. The belief that preparing for and taking the examination reinforced medical knowledge was associated with better examination performance.
Potentially Avoidable Pediatric Interfacility Transfer Is a Costly Burden for Rural Families: A Cohort Study
Authors: Mohr Nicholas M. , Harland Karisa K. , Shane Dan M. , Miller Sarah L. , Torner James C.
Published: March 2016

Objectives

Interhospital transfer is a common strategy to provide high‐quality regionalized care in rural emergency departments (EDs), but several reports have highlighted problems with selection of children for transfer. The purpose of this study is to characterize the burden of potentially avoidable transfer (PAT) and to estimate the medical and family‐oriented costs associated with PAT.

Methods

This study was a cohort study of all children treated in Iowa EDs between 2004 and 2013. PAT was defined as a child who was transferred and then either discharged from the receiving ED or admitted for ≤ 1 day, without having any separately billed procedures performed. Costs of care were estimated from 1) medical costs, 2) ambulance transfer, and 3) family costs (travel and lodging).

Results

Over 10 years, 2,117,317 children were included (1% transferred to another hospital). Only 63% were transferred to a designated children's hospital, and PATs were identified in 39% of all transfers. PAT was associated with $909 in additional cost. The conditions most strongly associated with PAT were seizure (additional cost $1,138), fracture ($814), isolated traumatic brain injury without extra‐axial bleeding ($1,455), respiratory infection ($556), and wheezing ($804). Few of these charges are attributable to nonmedical family costs ($21).

Conclusions

Potentially avoidable pediatric interhospital transfer is common and is responsible for significant healthcare‐related costs. Future work should focus on improving selection of children who benefit from interhospital transfer for high‐yield conditions, to reduce the costly and distressing burden that PAT places on rural patients and their families.