bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seasonal movements of crayfish in a fluctuating wetland: implications for restoring wading bird populations
Authors: Cook Mark I. , Call Erynn M. , Kobza R. Mac , Hill Steven D. , Saunders Colin J.
Published: April 2014

Among aquatic fauna of fluctuating wetlands, seasonal interhabitat movement is a widespread phenomenon that can strongly influence predator–prey interactions and population dynamics of vertebrate predators. For example, movements increase the availability of small fishes during seasonal drying, which is critical to the reproductive success of many wading bird (Ciconiiformes) species. However, few studies have examined movements of aquatic fauna in relation to changes in water depth, especially for those taxa that can physiologically tolerate periods of drying and whose responses to hydrology are difficult to predict (e.g. crayfish).

Here, we experimentally explore the movement responses of a key prey species in the Florida Everglades – the slough crayfish Procambarus fallax – to a seasonal decline in water depth. The study was conducted in four replicate wetland impoundments (wetlands) which comprise habitats characteristic of the Florida Everglades. In two wetlands, we induced a 60‐cm drop in water level and examined crayfish movements between higher‐elevation ridge habitats and lower‐elevation slough habitats when water levels were (i) relatively deep on ridges; (ii) relatively shallow on ridges; and (iii) below ground on ridges but above ground in sloughs. In two control wetlands, we followed the identical sampling protocol but maintained the deep stage on the ridges. Crayfish movements were quantified by changes in abundance and mark–release–recapture (MRR).

Crayfish abundance changed little within habitats while water remained on the ridges, but it decreased on the ridges and considerably increased in the sloughs after the ridges dried. These changes were clearly due to loss of water on the ridges as abundances in control wetlands remained constant throughout sampling. Elevated slough abundances were not explained by differences in trapping efficiency or episodic releases of recently hatched crayfish, suggesting they were due largely to movements from ridges to sloughs. This was supported by the MRR data.

Our results show that seasonal water‐level recessions can induce crayfish to move from higher to lower‐elevation habitats where they become concentrated and potentially available to foraging birds. We discuss the potential implications of these movements for restoring hydrologic conditions for wading birds in large fluctuating wetlands.
Predicting the responsiveness of soil biodiversity to deforestation: a cross‐biome study
Authors: Crowther Thomas W. , Maynard Daniel S. , Leff Jonathan W. , Oldfield Emily E. , McCulley Rebecca L. , Fierer Noah , Bradford Mark A.
Published: April 2014

The consequences of deforestation for aboveground biodiversity have been a scientific and political concern for decades. In contrast, despite being a dominant component of biodiversity that is essential to the functioning of ecosystems, the responses of belowground biodiversity to forest removal have received less attention. Single‐site studies suggest that soil microbes can be highly responsive to forest removal, but responses are highly variable, with negligible effects in some regions. Using high throughput sequencing, we characterize the effects of deforestation on microbial communities across multiple biomes and explore what determines the vulnerability of microbial communities to this vegetative change. We reveal consistent directional trends in the microbial community response, yet the magnitude of this vegetation effect varied between sites, and was explained strongly by soil texture. In sandy sites, the difference in vegetation type caused shifts in a suite of edaphic characteristics, driving substantial differences in microbial community composition. In contrast, fine‐textured soil buffered microbes against these effects and there were minimal differences between communities in forest and grassland soil. These microbial community changes were associated with distinct changes in the microbial catabolic profile, placing community changes in an ecosystem functioning context. The universal nature of these patterns allows us to predict where deforestation will have the strongest effects on soil biodiversity, and how these effects could be mitigated.
A nurse‐guided, basal‐prandial insulin treatment protocol for achieving glycaemic control of hospitalized, non‐critically ill diabetes patients, is non‐inferior to physician‐guided therapy: A pivotal, nurse‐empowerment study
Authors: Segal Gad , Karniel Eli , Mahagna Ahmed , Kaa'dan Fadi , Levi Zehava , Balik Chaya
Published: April 2014

Basal‐prandial insulin is established for glycaemic control for hospitalized, type 2 diabetes patients. Empowering nurses to guide such protocols could be advantageous.The study aims to comparatively assess the efficacy and safety of glycaemic control by a nurse‐guided protocol with physician‐guided therapy. It also aims to assess the impact of empowerment on the nurses' sense of competence. This is a prospective, controlled, randomized, single‐blinded study. Validated protocol utilizing basal‐prandial insulin was used. Glycaemic control was the primary efficacy outcome, whereas hypoglycaemia and laboratory parameters were followed for safety. Assessment of nurses' psychological empowerment was done. One hundred fifty‐eight treatment days of 53 patients were included. Patients were randomized to either study group (n = 27) or control group (n = 26). Glycaemia deviation from liberal range (60–300 mg/dL) was 7.4% of days for nurse‐guided, basal‐prandial insulin treatment protocol (NGP) and 7.84% for physician‐guided therapy (PGT), P = 0.901. Rate of glycaemia deviation from the strict range (100–180 mg/dL) was 49.76% for NGP and 47.38% for PGT, P = 0.703. Mean range of daily deviation was similar (77.05 mg/dL for NGP and 76.04 mg/dL for PGT, P = 0.93). There were no significant differences in safety parameters. An empowerment questionnaire showed tendency for increased nurses' sense of competence. Nurse‐guided protocol is non‐inferior to physician‐guided treatment in efficacy and safety parameters. Nurses' sense of competence was positively influenced.
Nurse competence between three generational nurse cohorts: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Meretoja Riitta , Numminen Olivia , Isoaho Hannu , Leino‐Kilpi Helena
Published: April 2014

Research indicates significant differences between nurse cohorts in many work‐related factors. This study compared nurse competence between three generational cohorts comprising the current nursing workforce. The Nurse Competence Scale was used to collect data for this cross‐sectional study from 2052 nurses in a university hospital in Finland. Data were analysed statistically. Significant differences were found between nurse cohorts in their competence. The length of work experience had a significant impact on the development of competence. The oldest cohort, with the longest work experience, had the highest competence scores (70.1 on a visual analogue scale), and the youngest had the lowest (59.0). All cohorts were most competent in patient‐related nursing tasks, in maintenance of professional competence and in ethical care. Nurses were weakest in the development of nursing practice and the use of evidence‐based knowledge. Targeted interventions in teaching–coaching for different nurse generations are needed to ensure the maintenance of nurse competence and high‐quality patient care.
Psychometric testing of the Chinese Mandarin version of the Mental Health Inventory among Chinese patients with coronary heart disease in Mainland China
Authors: Liu Meili , Chow Aloysius , Lau Ying , He Hong‐Gu , Wang Wenru
Published: April 2014

This study aimed to develop a Chinese Mandarin version of the Mental Health Inventory (CM:MHI). The English version MHI was translated into Chinese (simple Chinese character) using the forward‐backward translation method while establishing the semantic equivalence and content validity. A convenience sample of 204 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients was recruited to evaluate the internal consistency, concurrent validity and construct validity of the CM:MHI. Forty patients completed the CM:MHI to evaluate the test–retest reliability after 2 weeks. The CM:MHI demonstrated good semantic equivalent rate (92%) and satisfactory content validity index (0.91). The internal consistency was acceptable for total and all subscales with Cronbach's alpha greater than 0.70, with the exception of the subscale of Emotional Ties (Cronbach's alpha = 0.64). The test–retest reliability was also satisfactory with intraclass correlation coefficients higher than 0.75. The concurrent validity was acceptable with significantly strong correlations between the CM:MHI and the Chinese Mandarin versions of Short Form 36 Health survey and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis further supported the five‐factor structure of the CM:MHI. The CM:MHI demonstrated to be a valid and reliable measure for assessing psychological distress and well‐being in Chinese‐speaking CHD patients.
Mast cells are activated by Staphylococcus aureus in vitro but do not influence the outcome of intraperitoneal S. aureus infection in vivo
Authors: Rönnberg Elin , Johnzon Carl‐Fredrik , Calounova Gabriela , Garcia Faroldi Gianni , Grujic Mirjana , Hartmann Karin , Roers Axel , Guss Bengt , Lundequist Anders , Pejler Gunnar
Published: April 2014

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen that can cause a broad spectrum of serious infections including skin infections, pneumonia and sepsis. Peritoneal mast cells have been implicated in the host response towards various bacterial insults and to provide mechanistic insight into the role of mast cells in intraperitoneal bacterial infection we here studied the global effects of S. aureus on mast cell gene expression. After co‐culture of peritoneal mast cells with live S. aureus we found by gene array analysis that they up‐regulate a number of genes. Many of these corresponded to pro‐inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin‐3, interleukin‐13 and tumour necrosis factor‐α. The cytokine induction in response to S. aureus was confirmed by ELISA. To study the role of peritoneal mast cells during in vivo infection with S. aureus we used newly developed Mcpt5‐Cre+ × R‐DTA mice in which mast cell deficiency is independent of c‐Kit. This is in contrast to previous studies in which an impact of mast cells on bacterial infection has been proposed based on the use of mice whose mast cell deficiency is a consequence of defective c‐Kit signalling. Staphylococcus aureus was injected intraperitoneally into mast‐cell‐deficient Mcpt5‐Cre+ × R‐DTA mice using littermate mast‐cell‐sufficient mice as controls. We did not observe any difference between mast‐cell‐deficient and control mice with regard to weight loss, bacterial clearance, inflammation or cytokine production. We conclude that, despite peritoneal mast cells being activated by S. aureus in vitro, they do not influence the in vivo manifestations of intraperitoneal S. aureus infection.
Dendritic cells treated with crude Plasmodium berghei extracts acquire immune‐modulatory properties and suppress the development of autoimmune neuroinflammation
Authors: Thomé Rodolfo , Issayama Luidy K. , Alves da Costa Thiago , Gangi Rosária D. , Ferreira Isadora T. , Rapôso Catarina , Lopes Stefanie C. P. , da Cruz Höfling Maria Alice , Costa Fábio T. M. , Verinaud Liana
Published: April 2014

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen‐presenting cells specifically targeted during Plasmodium infection. Upon infection, DCs show impaired antigen presentation and T‐cell activation abilities. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether cellular extracts obtained from Plasmodium berghei‐infected erythrocytes (PbX) modulate DCs phenotypically and functionally and the potential therapeutic usage of PbX‐modulated DCs in the control of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE, the mouse model for human multiple sclerosis). We found that PbX‐treated DCs have impaired maturation and stimulated the generation of regulatory T cells when cultured with naive T lymphocytes in vitro. When adoptively transferred to C57BL/6 mice the EAE severity was reduced. Disease amelioration correlated with a diminished infiltration of cytokine‐producing T cells in the central nervous system as well as the suppression of encephalitogenic T cells. Our study shows that extracts obtained from P. berghei‐infected erythrocytes modulate DCs towards an immunosuppressive phenotype. In addition, the adoptive transfer of PbX‐modulated DCs was able to ameliorate EAE development through the suppression of specific cellular immune responses towards neuro‐antigens. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present evidence that DCs treated with P. berghei extracts are able to control autoimmune neuroinflammation.
Macmillan's children? Young workers and trade unions in the early 1960s
Authors: Williams Glynne , Quinn Martin
Published: April 2014

The challenge facing unions in recruiting younger workers is a comparatively recent concern, prompted by years of decline. As such, there is very little comparable discussion prior to the 1980s. This article takes a longer view. Using previously unpublished survey data from the early 1960s, we show that patterns of membership and attitudes to unions were more complex than headline figures might suggest. Specifically, we highlight areas of weakness associated with organising strategy at the time, and suggest some implications with subsequent trends. More generally, the data presents a unique insight into the lives of young workers in the early 1960s and their relationship with their trade unions.
A Retrospective Study Comparing the Outcome of Horses Undergoing Small Intestinal Resection and Anastomosis With A Single Layer (Lembert) or Double Layer (Simple Continuous and Cushing) Technique
Authors: Close Kristyn , Epstein Kira L. , Sherlock Ceri E.
Published: April 2014

Objectives

To (1) compare postoperative complications and survival in horses after small intestinal resection and anastomosis using 2 anastomosis techniques (single layer Lembert; double layer simple continuous oversewn with Cushing), and (2) to compare outcome by anastomosis type (jejunoileostomy; jejunojejunostomy).

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Horses (n = 53).

Methods

Medical records (July 2006–July 2010) of all horses that had small intestinal resection and anastomosis. Horses were divided into groups based on technique and type of anastomosis. Comparisons of pre‐ and intraoperative findings (disease severity), postoperative complications, and survival rates were made between groups.

Results

There were no differences in disease severity, postoperative complications, or survival between single layer (n = 23) or double layer (n = 31) anastomoses. There were no differences in disease severity or survival between jejunoileostomy (n = 16) or jejunojejunostomy (n = 38). There was a higher incidence of postoperative colic in hospital after jejunoileostomy (13/16) compared with jejunojejunostomy (18/38) (P = .0127).

Conclusions

Postoperative complications and survival are comparable between horses undergoing single layer and double layer small intestinal end‐to‐end anastomoses. With the exception of increased postoperative colic in the hospital, postoperative complications and survival after jejunoileostomy and jejunojejunostomy are also comparable.
Upper thermal tolerance of closely related Danio species
Authors: Sidhu R. , Anttila K. , Farrell A. P.
Published: April 2014

The main finding of this study was that measuring maximum heart rate during incremental warming was an effective tool to estimate upper thermal limits in three small cyprinid Danio species, which differed significantly. Arrhenius breakpoint temperature for maximum heart rate, purportedly an index of optimum temperature, was 21·2 ± 0·4, 20·1 ± 0·4 and 18·9 ± 0·8° C (mean ± s.e.) for zebrafish Danio rerio, pearl danio Danio albolineatus and glowlight danio Danio choprae, respectively. The temperature where cardiac arrhythmias were first induced during warming (Tarr) was 36·6 ± 0·7, 36·9 ± 0·8 and 33·2 ± 0·8° C (mean ± s.e.) and critical thermal maximum (TCm) was 39·9 ± 0·1, 38·9 ± 0·1 and 37·2 ± 0·1° C (mean ± s.e.) for D. rerio, D. albolineatus and D. choprae, respectively. The finding that Tarr was consistently 3–4° C lower than TCm suggests that collapse of the cardiac life support system may be a critical trigger for upper temperature tolerance. The upper thermal limits established here, which correlate well with a broad natural environmental temperature range for D. rerio and a narrow one for D. choprae, suggest that upper thermal tolerance may be a genetic trait even among closely related species acclimated to common temperatures.
The Place of Africa, in Theory: Pan‐Africanism, Postcolonialism, Beyond
Authors: Tageldin Shaden M
Published: April 2014

Twentieth‐century African theory translated two destructive diasporas – of peoples by the slave trade, of lands by empire – into a creative third: a pan‐Africanist philosophy of decolonization that recovered Africa's pluralism as a powerfully “diasporic” defiance of imperial taxonomies. Comparing a 1967 lecture given in Cairo by Senegalese poet‐president Léopold Sédar Senghor with a 1955 treatise on the philosophy of revolution by Egyptian president Gamal Abdul Nasser (Jamal cAbd al‐Nasir), and both with Achille Mbembe's 2001 On the Postcolony, this essay shows how Senghor marshals race/culture hybridities, Nasser historical/geographic alignments, and Mbembe temporal entanglements to deconstruct monolithic constructions of “Arab”, “Black”, and “African” being, space, and time – and to pluralize and “world” a continent. It argues that the logics of trans‐territoriality and trans‐temporality that informed Third World solidarity in the 1950s–1970s represent a forgotten legacy of pan‐Africanism to postcolonialism and to global theory generally. Africa's place, in theory, decenters Eurocentrism.
2,6‐Dimethoxy‐1,4‐Benzoquinone Enhances Resistance Against the Rice Blast Fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Ueno Makoto , Yoshikiyo Keisuke
Published: April 2014

We investigated the effect of 2,6‐dimethoxy‐1,4‐benzoquinone (DMBQ) on induced resistance to Magnaporthe oryzae in rice. DMBQ concentrations greater than 50 μg/ml inhibited spore germination and appressorium formation in M. oryzae. When rice leaves pretreated with 10 μg/ml DMBQ, which did not show antifungal activity against spore germination and appressorium formation of M. oryzae, were inoculated with M. oryzae spores 5 days after DMBQ pretreatment, blast lesion formation was inhibited compared with control leaves pretreated with distilled water. In addition, infection‐inhibiting activity against M. oryzae was significantly enhanced in rice leaf sheaths pretreated with 10 μg/ml DMBQ. H2O2 generation was observed in rice leaves pretreated with DMBQ, and PAL, POX, CHS and PR10a were significantly expressed in these leaves. These results suggested that DMBQ can protect rice from blast disease caused by M. oryzae.
Altitudinal variation in maternal investment and trade‐offs between egg size and clutch size in the Andrew's toad
Authors: Liao W. B. , Lu X. , Jehle R.
Published: April 2014

Environmental variation along altitudinal gradients can promote life‐history trait differentiation in ectothermic animals. Life‐history theory predicts that increased environmental stress results in a shift in reproductive allocation from offspring quantity to quality and a stronger trade‐off between egg size and clutch size. To test this prediction, we investigated patterns of variation in life‐history traits (i.e. age, body size, clutch size and egg size) among four populations of Bufo andrewsi from Baoxing County, western China, at different altitudes. We found that body size, age, egg size and total reproductive output, but not clutch size, differed between populations. Clutch size and total reproductive output increased with female size and age. However, egg size decreased with female size and did not change with female age. The egg size and clutch size trade‐off was evident for all populations except at lowest altitude, and the strength of trade‐off between egg size and clutch size increased with altitude. Our findings suggest that environmental constraints at high altitude select for investment in larger eggs at a cost of offspring number.
The impact of translocations on neutral and functional genetic diversity within and among populations of the Seychelles warbler
Authors: Wright David J. , Spurgin Lewis G. , Collar Nigel J. , Komdeur Jan , Burke Terry , Richardson David S.
Published: April 2014

Translocations are an increasingly common tool in conservation. The maintenance of genetic diversity through translocation is critical for both the short‐ and long‐term persistence of populations and species. However, the relative spatio‐temporal impacts of translocations on neutral and functional genetic diversity, and how this affects genetic structure among the conserved populations overall, have received little investigation. We compared the impact of translocating different numbers of founders on both microsatellite and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I diversity over a 23‐year period in the Seychelles warbler (Acrocephalus sechellensis). We found low and stable microsatellite and MHC diversity in the source population and evidence for only a limited loss of either type of diversity in the four new populations. However, we found evidence of significant, but low to moderate, genetic differentiation between populations, with those populations established with fewer founders clustering separately. Stochastic genetic capture (as opposed to subsequent drift) was the main determinant of translocated population diversity. Furthermore, a strong correlation between microsatellite and MHC differentiation suggested that neutral processes outweighed selection in shaping MHC diversity in the new populations. These data provide important insights into how to optimize the use of translocation as a conservation tool.
Cryptic ecology among host generalist Campylobacter jejuni in domestic animals
Authors: Sheppard Samuel K. , Cheng Lu , Méric Guillaume , de Haan Caroline P. A. , Llarena Ann‐Katrin , Marttinen Pekka , Vidal Ana , Ridley Anne , Clifton‐Hadley Felicity , Connor Thomas R. , Strachan Norval J. C. , Forbes Ken , Colles Frances M. , Jolley Keith A. , Bentley Stephen D. , Maiden Martin C. J. , Hänninen Marja‐Liisa , Parkhill Julian , Hanage William P. , Corander Jukka
Published: April 2014

Homologous recombination between bacterial strains is theoretically capable of preventing the separation of daughter clusters, and producing cohesive clouds of genotypes in sequence space. However, numerous barriers to recombination are known. Barriers may be essential such as adaptive incompatibility, or ecological, which is associated with the opportunities for recombination in the natural habitat. Campylobacter jejuni is a gut colonizer of numerous animal species and a major human enteric pathogen. We demonstrate that the two major generalist lineages of C. jejuni do not show evidence of recombination with each other in nature, despite having a high degree of host niche overlap and recombining extensively with specialist lineages. However, transformation experiments show that the generalist lineages readily recombine with one another in vitro. This suggests ecological rather than essential barriers to recombination, caused by a cryptic niche structure within the hosts.
Rich and cold: diversity, distribution and drivers of fungal communities in patterned‐ground ecosystems of the North American Arctic
Authors: Timling I. , Walker D. A. , Nusbaum C. , Lennon N. J. , Taylor D. L.
Published: April 2014

Fungi are abundant and functionally important in the Arctic, yet comprehensive studies of their diversity in relation to geography and environment are not available. We sampled soils in paired plots along the North American Arctic Transect (NAAT), which spans all five bioclimatic subzones of the Arctic. Each pair of plots contrasted relatively bare, cryoturbated patterned‐ground features (PGFs) and adjacent vegetated between patterned‐ground features (bPGFs). Fungal communities were analysed via sequencing of 7834 ITS‐LSU clones. We recorded 1834 OTUs – nearly half the fungal richness previously reported for the entire Arctic. These OTUs spanned eight phyla, 24 classes, 75 orders and 120 families, but were dominated by Ascomycota, with one‐fifth belonging to lichens. Species richness did not decline with increasing latitude, although there was a decline in mycorrhizal taxa that was offset by an increase in lichen taxa. The dominant OTUs were widespread even beyond the Arctic, demonstrating no dispersal limitation. Yet fungal communities were distinct in each subzone and were correlated with soil pH, climate and vegetation. Communities in subzone E were distinct from the other subzones, but similar to those of the boreal forest. Fungal communities on disturbed PGFs differed significantly from those of paired stable areas in bPGFs. Indicator species for PGFs included lichens and saprotrophic fungi, while bPGFs were characterized by ectomycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi. Our results suggest that the Arctic does not host a unique mycoflora, while Arctic fungi are highly sensitive to climate and vegetation, with potential to migrate rapidly as global change unfolds.
Dynamics of Microvascular Blood Flow and Oxygenation Measured Simultaneously in Human Skin
Authors: Kuliga Katarzyna Z. , McDonald Erin F. , Gush Rodney , Michel Charles , Chipperfield Andrew J. , Clough Geraldine F.
Published: April 2014

Objective

To evaluate the dynamics of skin microvascular blood flow (BF) and tissue oxygenation parameters (OXY) measured simultaneously at the same site using a combined non‐invasive BF+OXY+temperature probe.

Methods

Skin BF, oxygenated (oxyHb) and deoxygenated (deoxyHb) haemoglobin and mean oxygen saturation (SO2) were measured in 50 healthy volunteers at rest and during perturbation of local blood flow by post‐occlusive reactive hyperaemia, sympathetic nervous system‐mediated vasoconstriction (deep inspiratory breath‐hold) and local skin warming. Signals were analysed in time and frequency domains.

Results

The relationship between BF and SO2 over the range of flows investigated was described by a non‐linear equation with an asymptote for SO2 of 84% at BF >50 PU. SO2 was independently associated with BF, skin temperature, BMI and age, which together identified 59% of the variance in SO2 (p<0.0001). Fourier analysis revealed periodic low frequency fluctuations in both BF and SO2, attributable to endothelial (~0.01 Hz), neurogenic (~0.04 Hz) and myogenic (~0.1Hz) flow motion activity. The frequency coherence between the BF and SO2 signals was greatest in the endothelial and neurogenic frequency bands.

Conclusions

The simultaneous evaluation of microvascular blood flow and oxygenation kinetics in healthy skin provides a platform from which to investigate microvascular impairment in the skin and more generally the pathogenesis of microvascular disease.
The movement protein (NSm) of Tomato spotted wilt virus is the avirulence determinant in the tomato Sw‐5 gene‐based resistance
Authors: Peiró Ana , Cañizares M. Carmen , Rubio Luis , López Carmelo , Moriones Enrique , Aramburu José , Sánchez‐Navarro Jesús
Published: April 2014

The avirulence determinant triggering the resistance conferred by the tomato gene Sw‐5 against Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is still unresolved. Sequence comparison showed two substitutions (C118Y and T120N) in the movement protein NSm present only in TSWV resistance‐breaking (RB) isolates. In this work, transient expression of NSm of three TSWV isolates [RB1 (T120N), RB2 (C118Y) and non‐resistance‐breaking (NRB)] in Nicotiana benthamiana expressing Sw‐5 showed a hypersensitive response (HR) only with NRB. Exchange of the movement protein of Alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) with NSm supported cell‐to‐cell and systemic transport of the chimeric AMV RNAs into N. tabacum with or without Sw‐5, except for the constructs with NBR when Sw‐5 was expressed, although RB2 showed reduced cell‐to‐cell transport. Mutational analysis revealed that N120 was sufficient to avoid the HR, but the substitution V130I was required for systemic transport. Finally, co‐inoculation of RB and NRB AMV chimeric constructs showed different prevalence of RB or NBR depending on the presence or absence of Sw‐5. These results indicate that NSm is the avirulence determinant for Sw‐5 resistance, and mutations C118Y and T120N are responsible for resistance breakdown and have a fitness penalty in the context of the heterologous AMV system.
Ultrastructural changes of podocyte foot processes during the remission phase of minimal change disease of human kidney
Authors: Liu Xiao‐Jing , Zhang Yi‐Miao , Wang Su‐Xia , Liu Gang
Published: April 2014

Aim

The current study was designed to observe the ultrastructural changes of podocyte foot processes during the remission phase and its relationship with the amount of the proteinuria in patients with minimal change disease (MCD).

Methods

Electron micrographs of glomerular capillaries were taken from 33 adult cases with MCD, including 12 cases with nephrotic syndrome, 15 cases in partial remission and six cases in complete remission. The foot processes were classified into three grades by the ratio of the height to basal width: 0.5–1, 1–2 and ≥2. The foot process width (FPW) and the number of foot processes in different grades per 10 μm of glomerular basement membrane (GBM) were measured. Normal renal tissues from 12 nephrectomies for renal carcinoma were selected as controls.

Results

There were statistical differences (P = 0.001) in the mean FPW among the nephrotic group (1566.4 ± 429.4 nm), partial remission group (1007.8 ± 234.9 nm), complete remission group (949.8 ± 168.2 nm) and normal controls (471.9 ± 51.8 nm). For the height‐to‐width ratio ≥2, the number of foot process per 10 μm GBM was significantly greater in the normal group than that in the complete remission group (0.84 ± 0.24 vs. 3.84 ± 1.80, P = 0.016). Taking all three groups of patients together, the mean FPW showed correlation with the level of proteinuria (r = 0.506, P = 0.003).

Conclusion

There may be no causal relationship between proteinuria and foot process effacement. In complete remission phase, both FPW and shape of foot process had not returned to normal while proteinuria disappeared.
Widespread anti‐sense transcription in apple is correlated with siRNA production and indicates a large potential for transcriptional and/or post‐transcriptional control
Authors: Celton Jean‐Marc , Gaillard Sylvain , Bruneau Maryline , Pelletier Sandra , Aubourg Sébastien , Martin‐Magniette Marie‐Laure , Navarro Lionel , Laurens François , Renou Jean‐Pierre
Published: April 2014

Characterizing the transcriptome of eukaryotic organisms is essential for studying gene regulation and its impact on phenotype. The realization that anti‐sense (AS) and noncoding RNA transcription is pervasive in many genomes has emphasized our limited understanding of gene transcription and post‐transcriptional regulation. Numerous mechanisms including convergent transcription, anti‐correlated expression of sense and AS transcripts, and RNAi remain ill‐defined.

Here, we have combined microarray analysis and high‐throughput sequencing of small RNAs (sRNAs) to unravel the complexity of transcriptional and potential post‐transcriptional regulation in eight organs of apple (Malus × domestica).

The percentage of AS transcript expression is higher than that identified in annual plants such as rice and Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, we show that a majority of AS transcripts are transcribed beyond 3′UTR regions, and may cover a significant portion of the predicted sense transcripts. Finally we demonstrate at a genome‐wide scale that anti‐sense transcript expression is correlated with the presence of both short (21–23 nt) and long (> 30 nt) siRNAs, and that the sRNA coverage depth varies with the level of AS transcript expression.

Our study provides a new insight on the functional role of anti‐sense transcripts at the genome‐wide level, and a new basis for the understanding of sRNA biogenesis in plants.
Developing a dengue vaccine: progress and future challenges
Authors: Thomas Stephen J.
Published: April 2014

Dengue is an expanding public health problem in the tropics and subtropical areas. Millions of people, most from resource‐constrained countries, seek treatment every year for dengue‐related disease. Despite more than 70 years of effort, a safe and efficacious vaccine remains unavailable. Antidengue antiviral drugs also do not exist despite attempts to develop or repurpose drug compounds. Gaps in the knowledge of dengue immunology, absence of a validated animal or human model of disease, and suboptimal assay platforms to measure immune responses following infection or experimental vaccination are obstacles to drug and vaccine development efforts. The limited success of one vaccine candidate in a recent clinical endpoint efficacy trial challenges commonly held beliefs regarding potential correlates of protection. If a dengue vaccine is to become a reality in the near term, vaccine developers should expand development pathway explorations beyond those typically required to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
Inter‐ and intraspecific effects of body size on habitat use among sexually‐dimorphic macropodids
Authors: Garnick Sarah , Di Stefano Julian , Elgar Mark A. , Coulson Graeme
Published: April 2014

Body size affects key life‐history parameters including dietary requirements and predation risk. We examined these effects on diel habitat use in a community of three sexually‐dimorphic macropodid marsupial species: western grey kangaroo Macropus fuliginosus, red‐necked wallaby M. rufogriseus and swamp wallaby Wallabia bicolor. In particular, our study seeks evidence of these effects operating concurrently at the intra‐ and interspecific levels. We used radio‐tracking to quantify habitat use and characterised each used location by recording the cover of plant functional groups and the presence of plant species. During nocturnal foraging periods we predicted that smaller animals (between and within species) should use habitats with higher‐quality forage, which is often less abundant, than larger animals, as metabolic demand scales with body size. During diurnal resting periods we predicted that smaller animals (between and within species), being more vulnerable to predation, should use greater concealment cover than larger animals. Western grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies behaved as predicted during foraging periods, but red‐necked wallabies did not, using more open, poorer‐quality habitats than expected. Only western grey kangaroos showed a within‐species effect on habitat use: the relatively smaller females foraged in higher‐quality patches. Habitats used by animals during the resting period generally offered greater concealment cover than those used during the foraging period, but there were no clear body size effects on the density of vegetation used. In our system, body size alone could not explain all of the observed patterns, suggesting that there may also be individual differences in habitat requirements influenced by factors such as reproductive costs, predation risk and social facilitation.
Land Developers, States, and Collusive Clientelism in Marketizing China
Authors: Paik Wooyeal
Published: April 2014

Their undeniable contribution notwithstanding, the interlocked interests of land developers and local states are frequently condemned as clientelistic collusion and engendered corruption by the party leaders, not to mention a majority of ordinary citizens. Even though the “patron–client”‐type entanglement between these actors in the Chinese political economy has been widely recognized, the concrete conditions, which deepen such clientelist structure and mutual penetration, much more than other industries in China and its counterparts in other developing countries, have not been scrutinized. What are the political logics and dynamics of such dyadic relations between these two key actors in the Chinese context and in comparison with other industries? Who are the actors and what are the goods transacted in this industry? Which ownership types of land developer form the industry? How can we link the ownership forms to similar and distinct clientelistic characteristics and their variations? This paper tries to answer this set of questions in order to understand the enigmatic issue of land developers, whose importance is undeniable in contemporary Chinese politics, but on which the established literature has not provided concrete analysis.
Rising China and Turbulent East Asia: Asianization of China?
Authors: Kim Euikon
Published: April 2014

The international order in East Asia has been anchored on four pillars. The first pillar is the 1952 San Francisco peace treaty between the United States and Japan. The US–Japan mutual defense treaty was signed and Japan became demilitarized and its foreign policy was oriented toward the United States. Japan adopted the “peace” constitution. The second is the US–China Shanghai Communiqué of 1972. In this document, Nixon and Mao agreed that neither of their countries nor any power should seek hegemony in the Asia–Pacific region. The third pillar is the 1972 Sino–Japanese Joint Declaration. China recognized the US–Japan military alliance and Japan, in turn, recognized China as the sole legitimate government. The last is the 1965 ROK–Japan treaty to normalize bilateral relations. Japan recognized the ROK as the sole legitimate government representing the Korean people and nullified the treaties that led to Japan's forceful annexation of Korea in 1910. In the 2010s, tensions and disputes between the United States and China and between China and Japan are undermining the four pillars of order. The United States, China, and Japan are now engaged in a dangerous power game to create a new international order in this turbulent region. China's foreign policy toward East Asia will be predicated on three strategies. China will resort to soft balancing in dealing with the United States, unilateralism with Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam, and multilateralism vis‐à‐vis the remaining countries in East Asia. “The Asianization of China” would be a solution for future peace and prosperity in this region.
Diel behaviour and time budget of the adult pine weevil Hylobius abietis
Authors: Fedderwitz Frauke , Björklund Niklas , Ninkovic Velemir , Nordlander Göran
Published: April 2014

The pine weevil [Hylobius abietis (L.); Coleoptera: Curculionidae] has a high economic impact on forest regeneration in Europe. The general biology of the pine weevil has received considerable attention, although there is insufficient knowledge about its diel behaviour and time budget. Therefore, in the present study, the feeding and locomotion behaviour of individual adult weevils on Norway spruce seedlings [Picea abies (L.) Karst.] is observed for 24‐h periods in the laboratory. Both girdled and nongirdled seedlings are used to assess how the behaviour of weevils is influenced by the physiological response of plants to the girdling. The locomotion pattern shows a distinct maximum during the beginning of the dark phase, whereas most feeding occurs during the second half of the dark phase and the first hours of the subsequent light phase. The girdling treatment increases the time that weevils spend on the seedlings during the first part of an observation session, although it has no effect on their feeding pattern. The time budgets of weevils on girdled and nongirdled seedlings are similar. On average, weevils spend 34% of their time in locomotion and 6% on feeding. Females spend more time feeding than males (7.1% versus 4.2%), possibly because they have higher food requirements (e.g. for egg production). Females also spend more time in total on the seedlings than males (26.3% versus 7.0%). The present study reveals, in high temporal resolution, the diel feeding and locomotion behaviour and time budget of male and female pine weevils.
Human Error Data Collection and Comparison with Predictions by SPAR‐H
Authors: Liu Peng , Li Zhizhong
Published: April 2014

There is a scarcity of empirical data on human error for human reliability analysis (HRA). This situation can increase the variability and impair the validity of HRA outcomes in risk analysis. In this work, a microworld study was used to investigate the effects of performance shaping factors (PSFs) and their interrelationships and combined effects on the human error probability (HEP). The PSFs involved were task complexity, time availability, experience, and time pressure. The empirical data obtained were compared with predictions by the Standardized Plant Analysis Risk‐Human Reliability Method (SPAR‐H) and data from other sources. The comparison included three aspects: (1) HEP, (2) relative effects of the PSFs, and (3) error types. Results showed that the HEP decreased with experience and time availability levels. The significant relationship between task complexity and the HEP depended on time availability and experience, and time availability affected the HEP through time pressure. The empirical HEPs were higher than the HEPs predicted by SPAR‐H under different PSF combinations, showing the tendency of SPAR‐H to produce relatively optimistic results in our study. The relative effects of two PSFs (i.e., experience/training and stress/stressors) in SPAR‐H agreed to some extent with those in our study. Several error types agreed well with those from operational experience and a database for nuclear power plants (NPPs).
Ubiquitin–proteasome‐mediated degradation of S‐RNase in a solanaceous cross‐compatibility reaction
Authors: Entani Tetsuyuki , Kubo Ken‐ichi , Isogai Shin , Fukao Yoichiro , Shirakawa Masahiro , Isogai Akira , Takayama Seiji
Published: April 2014

Many plants have a self‐incompatibility (SI) system in which the rejection of self‐pollen is determined by multiple haplotypes at a single locus, termed S. In the Solanaceae, each haplotype encodes a single ribonuclease (S‐RNase) and multiple S‐locus F‐box proteins (SLFs), which function as the pistil and pollen SI determinants, respectively. S‐RNase is cytotoxic to self‐pollen, whereas SLFs are thought to collaboratively recognize non‐self S‐RNases in cross‐pollen and detoxify them via the ubiquitination pathway. However, the actual mechanism of detoxification remains unknown. Here we isolate the components of a SCFSLF (SCF = SKP1‐CUL1‐F‐box‐RBX1) from Petunia pollen. The SCFSLF polyubiquitinates a subset of non‐self S‐RNases in vitro. The polyubiquitinated S‐RNases are degraded in the pollen extract, which is attenuated by a proteasome inhibitor. Our findings suggest that multiple SCFSLF complexes in cross‐pollen polyubiquitinate non‐self S‐RNases, resulting in their degradation by the proteasome.
Pathogen reduction treatment using riboflavin and ultraviolet light impairs platelet reactivity toward specific agonists in vitro
Authors: Zeddies Sabrina , De Cuyper Iris M. , van der Meer Pieter F. , Daal Brunette B. , de Korte Dirk , Gutiérrez Laura , Thijssen‐Timmer Daphne C.
Published: April 2014

Background

Recent studies showed that Mirasol pathogen reduction treatment (PRT) leads to increased P‐selectin expression and increased oxygen and glucose consumption in resting platelets (PLTs). This study investigates the effect of PRT on PLT activation.

Study Design and Methods

Untreated or Mirasol‐treated PLTs were analyzed at different time points during storage. Microaggregation upon stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), convulxin, and ristocetin was measured. Alpha granule contents and release upon thrombin stimulation were assessed by flow cytometry and Western blotting. PLT spreading was determined on collagen‐coated glass slides.

Results

Mirasol PRT led to spontaneous aggregation (hyperreactivity), as measured by flow cytometry in the absence of agonist throughout storage time. PMA‐induced aggregation was significantly higher in Mirasol PRT PLTs compared to controls. Aggregation in response to convulxin and ristocetin was significantly lower and directly influenced by storage time after Mirasol PRT, compared to untreated stored PLT concentrates. Despite the reported hyperreactivity of resting PLTs, PLT activation with thrombin on Day 8 after Mirasol PRT resulted in less P‐selectin–positive PLTs. Furthermore, platelet factor 4 (PF4) secretion was reduced upon thrombin stimulation on Day 8 after PRT compared to controls. Significantly decreased spreading of Mirasol PRT PLTs over collagen‐coated slides was observed directly after PRT and persisted throughout storage.

Conclusion

Mirasol PRT leads to hyperreactive PLTs, probably caused by continuous basal degranulation through storage time. This results in a reduction in the degranulation capacity upon acute stimulation, which influences PLT spreading, but not overtly microaggregation. The clinical relevance needs to be investigated.
Performance Analysis and Technical Feasibility Assessment of a Transforming Roving-Rolling Explorer Rover for Mars Exploration
Authors: Edwin Lionel E. , Denhart Jason D. , Gemmer Thomas R. , Ferguson Scott M. , Mazzoleni Andre P.
Published: April 2014

This paper explores a two state rover concept called the Transforming Roving-Rolling Explorer (TRREx). The first state allows the rover to travel like a conventional 6-wheeled rover. The second state is a sphere to permit faster descent of steep inclines. Performance of this concept is compared to a traditional rocker-bogie (RB) architecture using hi-fidelity simulations in Webots. Results show that for missions involving very rugged terrain, or a considerable amount of downhill travel, the TRREx outperforms the rocker-bogie. Locomotion of the TRREx system using a continuous shifting of the center of mass through “actuated rolling” is also explored. A dynamics model for a cylindrical representation of the rover is simulated to identify feasible configurations capable of generating and maintaining continuous rolling motion even on sandy terrain. Results show that in sufficiently benign terrain gradual inclines can be traversed with actuated rolling. This model allows for increased exploration of the problem's design space and assists in establishing parameters for an Earth prototype.
Development of a Mini Heat Sink Model With Homogeneous Heat Transfer Capability
Authors: Zhou J. F.
Published: April 2014

A model of mini heat sink with microchannels was developed to obtain homogeneous heat transfer capability. The channels are constructed in the form of eight triangular arrays based on a square substrate. Air is sucked from the periphery to the center of the substrate by a vacuum pump and heat transferred from the bottom surface of substrate can be removed by air flowing through channels. Corresponding to the given heat transfer power and the target temperature of substrate, the relationship among length, width and depth of channel was analytically established. By numerical simulation, local pressure drops at the joint of channels and air duct are first obtained and then the dimensions of each channel in a triangular array can be determined one by one. The investigation reveals that the widths of channels will vary with their depths, lengths and pressure differences between two ends. Since all channels are required for the same cooling power, the homogeneous heat transfer of heat sink can be realized. By assembling a certain number of heat sink units, the area of dissipation of heat sink can be enlarged and contoured to fit close to heating surface.