bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Narrow tuning of an odorant receptor to plant volatiles in Spodoptera exigua (Hübner)
Authors: Liu Chengcheng , Liu Yang , Guo Mengbo , Cao Depan , Dong Shuanglin , Wang Guirong
Published: April 2014

Olfaction plays an important role in insects in recognizing volatile compounds, which are used to find food and mates, as well as avoid danger, predators and pathogens. The key players in the detection of volatile compounds are olfactory receptor (OR) proteins, which are located within the dendritic membrane of sensory neurons and extend into the lymph of sensilla on insect antennae. In the present study, we identify an OR gene, named SexiOR3, which is expressed in adult antenna in both sexes, but with female bias, in the beet armyworm moth Spodoptera exigua. Further in situ hybridization analysis revealed that SexiOR3 was mainly located in short trichoid sensilla. In in vitro heterologous expression experiments, SexiOR3 was narrowly tuned to E‐β‐farnesene and several compounds of related structure, among 62 different compounds tested in this study. Furthermore, SexiOR3 responds to E‐β‐farnesene at a low concentration of 10−9 M, comparable to that of pheromone receptors (PRs) responding to the pheromones. This is a very interesting finding for a general OR, indicating that high specificity is a feature of at least one general OR and not only the PRs. The results suggest that the OR3 gene may play an important role in the moth olfactory system, and underpins important insect behaviour.
Usable Values of Nickel Ore and Nickel Concentrate Certified Reference Materials
Authors: Cheng Zhizhong , Liu Mei , Huang Hongku , Gu Tiexin , Yan Weidong , Wen Hongli
Published: May 2014

The preparation and characterisation of three nickel ores and two nickel concentrate certified reference materials are described in this paper. The samples of nickel ore and nickel concentrate were collected from the Hongqiling nickel deposit in Jilin province. The raw materials were crushed and passed through a 2.0‐mm sieve. The rough samples were then ground for 48 hr in a high‐alumina ball mill to a final size of < 0.074 mm. Homogeneity of the samples was tested by X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (WD‐XRF) and inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES). The relative standard deviations (RSD) of results on mass fraction measurements by WD‐XRF were < 1.0% m/m for eighteen components. F‐tests showed that all five samples were homogeneous. Nineteen laboratories contributed with measurement results (2127 in total) for the certification of mass fractions for twenty‐three elements and compounds. Twenty‐three components in the nickel ores and twenty components in the nickel concentrates were characterised as certified values, while the Ni mass fractions ranges from 0.1 to 9.02% m/m in these certified reference materials. These five samples were approved as national certified reference materials by the National Organisation of Reference Materials of China in 2012.
Distinct roles of age and abdominal visceral fat in reducing androgen receptor‐dependent negative feedback on LH secretion in healthy men
Authors: Takahashi P. Y. , Liu P. Y. , Veldhuis J. D.
Published: April 2014

Testosterone (T) impacts luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion through negative feedback via the androgen receptor (AR) in the hypothalamo‐pituitary system. An untested postulate is that increasing body mass index (BMI), abdominal visceral fat (AVF) or total abdominal fat (TAF) with ageing decreases LH secretion by heightening T negative feedback via AR. This hypothesis was tested in a prospective, randomized double‐blind cross‐over study of 19 healthy men comparing the effects of flutamide, a selective non‐steroidal AR antagonist and placebo administration on basal and pulsatile LH secretion as a function of age and obesity measures. To this end, serum levels of 2‐hydroxyflutamide (2‐OHF), a major active flutamide metabolite, were measured by mass spectrometry, and AVF/TAF quantified by abdominal computerized tomography. Statistical analysis showed that antiandrogen administration elevated 6‐h mean LH concentrations to 5.4 ± 1.3 IU/L compared with 3.3 ± 1.2 IU/L for placebo (p < 10−3), and total T by 35% (p < 10−4). The LH‐T concentration product doubled (p < 10−8). According to deconvolution analysis, flutamide exposure increased total LH secretion (p < 10−3) and pulsatile LH secretion (p = 0.0077), along with LH pulse frequency (p = 0.019). Despite feedback inhibition, the LH‐T product declined as a linear function of AVF (p = 0.021) and TAF (p = 0.017). This was explained by the fact that higher BMI was associated with lower 2‐OHF concentrations (R = −0.562, p = 0.012). In contrast, age was associated with less pulsatile LH secretion (R = −0.567, p = 0.011) even when LH responses were normalized to antiantrogen levels. In conclusion, increased AVF, TAF and BMI predict decreased LH and flutamide blood levels, whereas older age is marked by impaired stimulation of pulsatile LH secretion even when normalized for antiandrogen levels, suggesting different mechanisms of regulation by adiposity and age.
Conservation Agriculture – A Portuguese Case Study
Authors: Carvalho M. , Lourenço E.
Published: May 2014

This paper gives a glance about the conservation agriculture concept and the worldwide increase in agricultural area where this technique has been adopted. The main constraints to agricultural production in the Mediterranean region are discussed, highlighting the importance of conservation agriculture to mitigate them. Results of long‐term studies with this technique, in Portugal, showed an increase in organic matter, improvement of aggregates stability and continuity of biological porosity along the soil profile. These changes in soil properties are helping to overcome edaphic and climatic constrains under Mediterranean conditions. The saturated hydraulic conductivity is improved allowing a better drainage during wet winters, and together with higher soil cohesion, the transitability of the soil is enhanced, allowing a correct timing of field operations like nitrogen top dressing and herbicide application. Nitrogen‐use efficiency is improved either by the timing of application and by the improvement of soil organic matter content. Soil productivity is also enhanced and the overall energy‐use efficiency is double when soil organic matter content is raised from 1 to 2 % in the top 30 cm of the soil. Therefore, conservation agriculture is advantageous from the economic and environmental point of view contributing to the sustainability of rainfed agriculture.
Novel Synthesis of ZrB2 Powder Via Molten‐Salt‐Mediated Magnesiothermic Reduction
Authors: Zhang Shaowei , Khangkhamano Matthana , Zhang Haijun , Yeprem Hasibe Aygul
Published: April 2014

Zirconium diboride (ZrB2) powder was synthesized at a low temperature via a molten‐salt‐mediated reduction route using ZrO2, Na2B4O7 and Mg powders as starting raw materials. By using appropriately excessive amounts of Mg and Na2B4O7 to compensate for their evaporation losses, ZrO2 could be completely converted into ZrB2 after 3 h at 1200°C. In addition, the formation of undesirable Mg3B2O6 could be effectively avoided. As‐prepared ZrB2 powders were phase pure, 300–400 nm in size and generally well dispersed. SEM images showed that to a large extent the reactively formed ZrB2 retained the morphology and size of the starting ZrO2. The salt melt formed from MgCl2 and Na2B4O7 at test temperatures is believed to be responsible for the reduced synthesis temperature and good dispersion of the final ZrB2 product powder.
Sintering Process and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Bi8TiO14 Ceramics
Authors: Joung Mi‐Ri , Jeong Byoung‐Jik , Kim Jin‐Seong , Woo Sung‐Ran , Park Hyun‐Min , Nahm Sahn
Published: April 2014

The formation of a homogeneous Bi8TiO14 phase was successfully achieved in a specimen calcined at 600°C. However, a Bi4Ti3O12 secondary phase also developed in specimens calcined at temperatures higher than 600°C, probably because of Bi2O3 evaporation. For specimens sintered above 800°C, a small amount of the Bi8TiO14 phase melted during sintering, with the liquid phase contributing to the densification of the specimens; however, Bi4Ti3O12 and Bi12TiO20 secondary phases were still formed in these specimens. The microwave dielectric properties of the Bi8TiO14 phase were considerably affected by variations in the microstructure of the specimens. When the sintering temperature exceeded 825°C, the amount of secondary phases increased, and this decreased the density and Q×f values of the specimens. Bi8TiO14 ceramics sintered at 825°C exhibited promising microwave dielectric properties, with εr = 47.4, Q×f = 5370 GHz, and τf = −16.01 ppm/°C.
Thermal Expansion of Ln6WO12 (Ln = Y,Ho,Er,Yb) and Ln2WO6 (Ln = Gd,Dy,Ho) – an In Situ Synchrotron X‐ray Diffraction Study
Authors: Apostolov Zlatomir D. , Sarin Pankaj , Hughes Robert W. , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: April 2014

The thermal expansion (TE) behavior of cubic and rhombohedral Ln6WO12 (Ln = Y, Ho, Er, Yb) and monoclinic Ln2WO6 (Ln = Gd, Dy, Ho) was investigated by synchrotron X‐ray diffraction from room temperature to approximately 1500°C. The volumetric and lattice parameter expansions were measured for all compositions in both systems, and the respective expansion coefficients were derived and fitted over the observed temperature range with a second‐order polynomial. The relative TE evolution along the unit cell edges in each phase was described from a crystallographic perspective, with the reasons for TE dynamics explained in terms of the fundamental constituent units of the structure. Analysis of the TE ellipsoid of the monoclinic Ln2WO6 revealed a continuous change in both its shape and orientation, with the latter effect strongly manifested in the (010) plane. A noticeable reversal of the relative expansion rates between a, and b and c lattice parameters was attributed to the rotation of the ellipsoid cross section in this plane, bringing the larger of the two eigenvectors closer to a, while the smaller one to c. Investigating the structural dynamics of the constituent layers in Ln2WO6 suggested that the bridging role of the Ln polyhedron centered on the only general position in the unit cell may be the reason for the rotating TE ellipsoid.
A 576‐Year Weber River Streamflow Reconstruction from Tree Rings for Water Resource Risk Assessment in the Wasatch Front, Utah
Authors: Bekker Matthew F. , Justin DeRose R. , Buckley Brendan M. , Kjelgren Roger K. , Gill Nathan S.
Published: April 2014

We present a 576‐year tree‐ring‐based reconstruction of streamflow for northern Utah's Weber River that exhibits considerable interannual and decadal‐scale variability. While the 20th Century instrumental period includes several extreme individual dry years, it was the century with the fewest such years of the entire reconstruction. Extended droughts were more severe in duration, magnitude, and intensity prior to the instrumental record, including the most protracted drought of the record, which spanned 16 years from 1703 to 1718. Extreme wet years and periods are also a regular feature of the reconstruction. A strong early 17th Century pluvial exceeds the early 20th Century pluvial in magnitude, duration, and intensity, and dwarfs the 1980s wet period that caused significant flooding along the Wasatch Front. The long‐term hydroclimatology of northern Utah is marked by considerable uncertainty; hence, our reconstruction provides water managers with a more complete record of water resource variability for assessment of the risk of droughts and floods for one of the largest and most rapidly growing population centers in the Intermountain West.
Water temperatures influence the marine area use of Salvelinus alpinus and Salmo trutta
Authors: Jensen J. L. A. , Rikardsen A. H. , Thorstad E. B. , Suhr A. H. , Davidsen J. G. , Primicerio R.
Published: May 2014

The migratory behaviour and spatial area use of sympatric Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus and brown trout Salmo trutta were investigated during their marine feeding migration. The likelihood of finding individuals of both species in the inner or outer fjord areas was dependent on water temperature in the inner area (especially for S. alpinus), the temperature difference between the inner and outer areas (especially for S. trutta) and fish fork length (both species). The strongest predictor was the water temperature in the inner area, and particularly S. alpinus left this area and moved to the outer areas with increasing temperatures in the inner area. At 8° C in the inner area, the likelihood of finding S. alpinus in the outer areas was >50%. This predictor had a smaller effect on S. trutta, and the likelihood of finding S. trutta in the outer areas only started to increase at around 14° C. The relationships between temperature and area use did not correspond to the species' optimal growth temperatures, but to their previously documented temperature preferences. Individuals of both species used mainly the littoral fjord areas, and to a lesser extent the pelagic areas. In conclusion, temperature differences between the inner and outer marine areas probably resulted in the segregated area use between the species, because water temperatures or factors influenced by temperature affected their migratory behaviour and habitat use differently. The results indicate that increased marine temperatures with global warming may lead to increased spatial overlap between S. trutta and S. alpinus, which again may lead to increased interspecific competition during their marine phase, and with S. alpinus probably being the more negatively affected.
Eco‐evolutionary dynamics induced by massive mortality events
Authors: Vincenzi S. , Crivelli A. J. , Satterthwaite W. H. , Mangel M.
Published: April 2014

An eco‐genetic model tuned on a population of marble trout Salmo marmoratus subject to periodic flood events was used to explore how the evolution of growth rates interacting with density‐dependent processes can modify size at age and population structure and in turn influence the resilience of populations. Fish with greater growth potential were assumed to have higher mortality rates. The results of simulations were compared between two scenarios, one in which populations may evolve growth rates and the other one in which the distribution of growth rates within a population is kept fixed. Evolving populations had a greater proportion of age 1 year individuals in the population, greater median length at age 3 years (the typical age at sexual maturity for S. marmoratus) and lower population sizes. The slightly smaller population sizes did not affect realized extinction risk. Resilience, defined as the number of years necessary to rebound from flood‐induced population collapse, was on average from 2 to 3 years in both scenarios, with no significant difference between them. Moderate heritability of growth, relaxation of density‐dependent processes at low densities and rapid recovery to a safe population size combine to limit the capacity to evolve faster recovery after flood‐induced population collapses via changing growth rates.
Differences in immunohistochemical biomarkers between intra‐ and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wiggers Jimme K. , Ruys Anthony T. , Groot Koerkamp Bas , Beuers Ulrich , ten Kate Fiebo J. , van Gulik Thomas M
Published: May 2014

Background and Aim

Cholangiocarcinomas of different locations differ in growth patterns, symptoms, treatment response, and survival. Still, they are regarded in many studies as a uniform malignancy. Because intra‐ (iCCA) and extrahepatic (eCCA) cholangiocarcinoma display such differences, we performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to analyze differences in the immunohistochemical profile of these tumors.

Methods

In February 2014, we searched the two main medical literature databases MEDLINE and EMBASE. We extracted risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals from the identified studies and performed random‐effects model meta‐analyses in accordance with PRISMA and REMARK guidelines.

Results

A total of 54 cohort studies, including 4458 patients and studying 102 individual markers met the inclusion criteria. Of the 57 markers that were evaluated in more than 30 iCCA and eCCA patients, 18 showed a statistically significant difference in expression between iCCA and eCCA. Biomarkers expressed differently between iCCA and eCCA included potential targets of therapy: EGFR, c‐erbB‐2 and VEGF‐A. Several markers showed no statistical difference but large 95% confidence intervals, suggesting insufficient sample size.

Conclusions

This systematic review shows differences in marker expression between iCCA and eCCA. Consequently, patients with iCCA and eCCA may benefit from different treatment strategies.
Dynamic plasticity of NMDA receptor‐mediated calcium entry in neurons exposed to HIV‐tat
Authors: Popescu Gabriela K.
Published: April 2014

Read the full article ‘HIV‐1 protein tat produces biphasic changes in NMDA‐evoked increases in intracellular Ca2+ concentration via activation of Src kinase and nitric oxide signaling pathways’ on page 642
Oestradiol‐Induced Synapse Formation in the Female Hippocampus: Roles of Oestrogen Receptor Subtypes
Authors: Zhou L. , Fester L. , Haghshenas S. , de Vrese X. , von Hacht R. , Gloger S. , Brandt N. , Bader M. , Vollmer G. , Rune G. M.
Published: April 2014

During the oestrus cycle, varying spine synapse density correlates positively with varying local synthesis of oestradiol in the hippocampus. In this context, the roles of the oestrogen receptor (ER) subtypes ERα and β are not fully understood. In the present study, we used neonatal hippocampal slice cultures from female rats because these cultures synthesise oestradiol and express both receptor subtypes, and inhibition of oestradiol synthesis in these cultures results in spine synapse loss. Using electron microscopy, we tested the effects on spine synapse density in response to agonists of both ERα and ERβ. Application of agonists to the cultures had no effect. After inhibition of oestradiol synthesis, however, agonists of ERα induced spine synapse formation, whereas ERβ agonists led to a reduction in spine synapse density in the CA1 region of these cultures. Consistently, up‐regulation of ERβ in the hippocampus of adult female aromatase‐deficient mice is paralleled by hippocampus‐specific spine synapse loss in this mutant. Finally, we found an increase in spine synapses in the adult female ERβ knockout mouse, but no effect in the adult female ERα knockout mouse. Our data suggest antagonistic roles of ERβ and ERα in spine synapse formation in the female hippocampus, which may contribute to oestrus cyclicity of spine synapse density in the hippocampus.
Complete Genome Sequence and Genome Analysis of Eggplant mottled dwarf virus‐Iranian Isolate
Authors: Babaie Ghobad , Kouhi Habibi Mina , Massah Amir , Dizadji Akbar , Izadinejad Laleh , Simon Anne
Published: May 2014

The full‐length nucleotide sequence of the Iranian isolate of Eggplant mottled dwarf virus (EMDV), a phytorhabdovirus, was determined using the random polymerase chain reaction method (rPCR) followed by PCR with specific primers to fill in the gaps. The negative‐sense RNA genome of the Iranian isolate of EMDV contains 13154 nucleotides and seven open‐reading frames (ORFs) in the order 3′‐leader‐N‐X‐P‐Y‐M‐G‐L‐trailer‐5′. These ORFs encode the nucleocapsid, X protein (of unknown function), phosphoprotein, Y protein (putative movement protein), matrix protein, glycoprotein and RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, respectively. EMDV has a 199 nt 3′ leader RNA and a 151 nt 5′ trailer, and the ORFs are separated by conserved intergenic sequences. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that EMDV is most closely related to Potato yellow dwarf virus, which has a distinctly different geographical distribution.
Revisiting the phylogeny of Ranunculeae: Implications for divergence time estimation and historical biogeography
Authors: WANG Wei , LI Hong‐Lei , XIANG Xiao‐Guo , CHEN Zhi‐Duan
Published: April 2014

Previous studies based on different molecular datasets have generated conflicting topologies for Ranunculeae. Here, we revisit the phylogeny of Ranunculeae by analyzing the individual matK/trnK, psbJ‐petA, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) data, the combined matK/trnK, psbJ‐petA, and ITS dataset, and the combined rbcL, trnL‐F, matK/trnK, psbJ‐petA, and ITS dataset. Based on the tree‐based comparisons, BLAST searches against NCBI of the sequences, and close examination of the alignment, we found that 10 psbJ‐petA sequences previously used were questionable (erroneous or problematic) and responsible for previous conflicting topologies. After omitting these questionable sequences, we provide a new phylogeny for Ranunculeae, in which Beckwithia–Cyrtorhyncha, Kumlienia, and Peltocalathos were replaced. These new replacements are supported by corresponding morphological characters. Moreover, three previously proposed intercontinental disjunct distributions within Ranunculus were also refuted. In our framework, our divergence time and biogeographic analyses indicate that divergence time estimates and the ancestral areas reconstructed for 10 of the 15 nodes in the genus‐level phylogeny were influenced by elimination of the questionable sequences. The most recent common ancestor of Ranunculeae was inferred to be present in Europe and North America during the late Eocene. Clades I and II began to diversify in Europe and North America, respectively, and subsequently migrated to other continents. This study shows that it is necessary to analyze individual chloroplast DNA region datasets separately to detect questionable sequences early in the study. The combined dataset including the questionable sequences resulted in an erroneous phylogenetic tree, and the use of this tree subsequently affected age estimates and biogeographic analyses.
Texture and Sensory Evaluation of Composite Wheat‐Oat Bread Prepared with Novel Two‐Phase Method Using Oat Yeast‐Fermented Leaven
Authors: Różyło Renata , Dziki Dariusz , Laskowski Janusz , Skonecki Stanisław , Łysiak Grzegorz , Kulig Ryszard , Różyło Krzysztof
Published: April 2014

A novel method that uses bioprocessed oat flour (yeast‐fermented leaven) for the preparation of composite wheat‐oat (50:50%) bread was proposed. The objective of the study was to compare physical (loaf volume and specific weight, crumb texture, changes in texture during storage, crumb heterogeneity) and sensorial (aroma, flavor, texture, overall acceptability) properties of bread produced by this method with the properties of bread produced by the standard methods (straight‐dough and two‐phase). It was observed that, after fermentation, oat leaven compared with wheat leaven had a more concise consistency and that, during dough preparation, a greater addition of water was required. The bread produced in this way is characterized by a comparable volume to bread produced from wheat yeast‐fermented leaven, while crumb firmness and elasticity are significantly greater. Methods using yeast‐fermented leaven prepared from different types of flour should be tested for other composite wheat breads.

Practical Applications

In general, a straight dough‐baking method sometimes with process modifications is applied for the preparation of composite wheat‐oat bread, but there is still lack of information describing the potential of using oat yeast‐fermented leaven. Besides the importance of health (latest studies show that longer fermentation process can be used to increase the antioxidant activity of bread), the preparation of oat yeast‐fermented leaven significantly increases dough yield and enhances the success – ease of dough formation. In this method, to initiate the fermentation of the leaven, a small amount of yeast (1%) is required. Using oat yeast‐fermented leaven produces satisfactory baking results and also economic benefits and it can be used for organic bread. In addition, there is no need to change the bakery equipment that enables the rapid introduction of this method into practice.
Dickens in New Zealand
Authors: Wevers Lydia
Published: May 2014

Four months after the first settlers of the New Zealand Company landed on a windswept beach in Wellington New Zealand in 1840, they founded the first Pickwick Club outside Great Britain. The expressed aim of the Club was to spread the ‘fame of the author’ in ‘this savage land’, but it is an interesting paradox that a novel which makes fun of British institutions should also be the inspiration to earnestly reproduce them in the shanty towns of empire. This paper examines the social history of the Pickwick Club of New Zealand and its relation to colonialism and Victorian cultural ambitions.
The combination of liver stiffness measurement and NAFLD fibrosis score improves the noninvasive diagnostic accuracy for severe liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Petta Salvatore , Vanni Ester , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Di Marco Vito , Cammà Calogero , Cabibi Daniela , Mezzabotta Lavinia , Craxì Antonio
Published: May 2014

Background & Aims

The accuracy of noninvasive tools for the diagnosis of severe fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) in clinical practice is still limited. We aimed at assessing the diagnostic performance of combined noninvasive tools in two independent cohorts of Italian NAFLD patients.

Methods

We analysed data from 321 Italian patients(179 Sicilian‐training cohort, and 142 northern Italy‐validation cohort) with an histological diagnosis of NAFLD. Severe fibrosis was defined as fibrosis ≥ F3 according to Kleiner classification. The APRI, AST/ALT, BARD, FIB‐4, and NFS scores were calculated according to published algorithms. Liver stiffness measurement(LSM) was performed by FibroScan. Cut‐off points of LSM, NFS and FIB‐4 for rule‐in or rule‐out F3‐F4 fibrosis were calculated by the reported formulas.

Results

In the Sicilian cohort AUCs of LSM, NFS, FIB‐4, LSM plus NFS, LSM plus FIB‐4, and NFS plus FIB‐4 were 0.857, 0.803, 0.790, 0.878, 0.888 and 0.807, respectively, while in the northern Italy cohort the corresponding AUCs were 0.848, 0.730, 0.703, 0.844, 0.850, and 0.733 respectively. In the training cohort, the combination of LSM plus NFS was the best performing strategy, providing false positive, false negative and uncertainty area rates of 0%,1.1% and 48% respectively. Similar results were obtained in the validation cohort with false positive, false negative and uncertainty area rates of 0%,7.3% and 40.8%.

Conclusions

The combination of LSM with NFS, two complementary, easy‐to‐perform, and widely available tools, is able to accurately diagnose or exclude the presence of severe liver fibrosis, also reducing of about 50–60% the number of needed diagnostic liver biopsies.
Conceptions of Agency in Social Movement Scholarship: Mack on African American Civil Rights Lawyers
Authors: Carle Susan D.
Published: April 2014

This essay examines the theory of individual agency that propels the central thesis in Kenneth Mack's Representing the Race: The Creation of the Civil Rights Lawyer (2012)—namely, that an important yet understudied means by which African American civil rights lawyers changed conceptions of race through their work was through their very performance of the professional role of lawyer. Mack shows that this performance was inevitably fraught with tension and contradiction because African American lawyers were called upon to act both as exemplary representatives of their race and as performers of a professional role that traditionally had been reserved for whites only. Mack focuses especially on the tensions of this role in courtrooms, where African American lawyers were necessarily called upon to act as the equals of white judges, opposing counsel, and witnesses. Mack's thesis, focused on the contradictions and tensions embodied in the performance of a racially loaded identity, reflects the influence of postmodern identity performance theory as articulated by Judith Butler and others. Mack and others belong to a new generation of civil rights history scholars who are asking new questions about contested identities related to race, gender, sexuality, and class. This essay offers an evaluation of this new direction for civil rights scholarship, focusing especially on its implicit normative orientation and what it contributes to the decade‐old debate over how to conceive of agency in social movement scholarship.
Cryptic habitats and cryptic diversity: unexpected patterns of connectivity and phylogeographical breaks in a Mediterranean endemic marine cave mysid
Authors: Rastorgueff Pierre‐Alexandre , Chevaldonné Pierre , Arslan Defne , Verna Caroline , Lejeusne Christophe
Published: April 2014

The marine cave‐dwelling mysid Hemimysis margalefi is distributed over the whole Mediterranean Sea, which contrasts with the poor dispersal capabilities of this brooding species. In addition, underwater marine caves are a highly fragmented habitat which further promotes strong genetic structuring, therefore providing highly informative data on the levels of marine population connectivity across biogeographical regions. This study investigates how habitat and geography have shaped the connectivity network of this poor disperser over the entire Mediterranean Sea through the use of several mitochondrial and nuclear markers. Five deeply divergent lineages were observed among H. margalefi populations resulting from deep phylogeographical breaks, some dating back to the Oligo‐Miocene. Whether looking at the intralineage or interlineage levels, H. margalefi populations present a high genetic diversity and population structuring. This study suggests that the five distinct lineages observed in H. margalefi actually correspond to as many separate cryptic taxa. The nominal species, H. margalefi sensu stricto, corresponds to the westernmost lineage here surveyed from the Alboran Sea to southeastern Italy. Typical genetic breaks such as the Almeria‐Oran Front or the Siculo‐Tunisian Strait do not appear to be influential on the studied loci in H. margalefi sensu stricto. Instead, population structuring appears more complex and subtle than usually found for model species with a pelagic dispersal phase. The remaining four cryptic taxa are all found in the eastern basin, but incomplete lineage sorting is suspected and speciation might still be in process. Present‐day population structure of the different H. margalefi cryptic species appears to result from past vicariance events started in the Oligo‐Miocene and maintained by present‐day coastal topography, water circulation and habitat fragmentation.
Endoplasmic reticulum localized PerA is required for cell wall integrity, azole drug resistance, and virulence in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Chung Dawoon , Thammahong Arsa , Shepardson Kelly M. , Blosser Sara J. , Cramer Robert A.
Published: April 2014

GPI‐anchoring is a universal and critical post‐translational protein modification in eukaryotes. In fungi, many cell wall proteins are GPI‐anchored, and disruption of GPI‐anchored proteins impairs cell wall integrity. After being synthesized and attached to target proteins, GPI anchors undergo modification on lipid moieties. In spite of its importance for GPI‐anchored protein functions, our current knowledge of GPI lipid remodelling in pathogenic fungi is limited. In this study, we characterized the role of a putative GPI lipid remodelling protein, designated PerA, in the human pathogenic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. PerA localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum and loss of PerA leads to striking defects in cell wall integrity. A perA null mutant has decreased conidia production, increased susceptibility to triazole antifungal drugs, and is avirulent in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis. Interestingly, loss of PerA increases exposure of β‐glucan and chitin content on the hyphal cell surface, but diminished TNF production by bone marrow‐derived macrophages relative to wild type. Given the structural specificity of fungal GPI‐anchors, which is different from humans, understanding GPI lipid remodelling and PerA function in A. fumigatus is a promising research direction to uncover a new fungal specific antifungal drug target.
Phosphatase activity of the histidine kinases ensures pathway specificity of the ChrSA and HrrSA two‐component systems in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Hentschel Eva , Mack Christina , Gätgens Cornelia , Bott Michael , Brocker Melanie , Frunzke Julia
Published: April 2014

The majority of bacterial genomes encode a high number of two‐component systems controlling gene expression in response to a variety of different stimuli. The Gram‐positive soil bacterium Corynebacterium glutamicum contains two homologous two‐component systems (TCS) involved in the haem‐dependent regulation of gene expression. Whereas the HrrSA system is crucial for utilization of haem as an alternative iron source, ChrSA is required to cope with high toxic haem levels. In this study, we analysed the interaction of HrrSA and ChrSA in C. glutamicum. Growth of TCS mutant strains, in vitro phosphorylation assays and promoter assays of PhrtBA and PhmuO fused to eyfp revealed cross‐talk between both systems. Our studies further indicated that both kinases exhibit a dual function as kinase and phosphatase. Mutation of the conserved glutamine residue in the putative phosphatase motif DxxxQ of HrrS and ChrS resulted in a significantly increased activity of their respective target promoters (PhmuO and PhrtBA respectively). Remarkably, phosphatase activity of both kinases was shown to be specific only for their cognate response regulators. Altogether our data suggest the phosphatase activity of HrrS and ChrS as key mechanism to ensure pathway specificity and insulation of these two homologous systems.
An autopsy case of meningeal carcinomatosis with parenchymal invasion through the cranial and spinal nerve roots
Authors: Kon Tomoya , Funamizu Yukihisa , Miki Yasuo , Tomiyama Masahiko , Baba Masayuki , Kurotaki Hidekachi , Wakabayashi Koichi
Published: April 2014

Meningeal carcinomatosis is a well‐known complication of malignant neoplasms. We report a case of meningeal carcinomatosis of 2 months' duration in a 22‐year‐old man, in whom the initial symptom was gradually worsening headache. Postmortem examination revealed infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Carcinoma cells showed diffuse spread to the subarachnoid space of the brain and spinal cord. In many places, subarachnoid tumor cells had infiltrated to the cranial and spinal nerves. Moreover, carcinoma cells in the nerve roots extended to the parenchyma of the brain and spinal cord beyond the CNS‐peripheral nervous system junction. These findings suggest that cranial and spinal nerve roots can be a possible route of parenchymal invasion in meningeal carcinomatosis.
Pressure–volume curves: revisiting the impact of negative turgor during cell collapse by literature review and simulations of cell micromechanics
Authors: Ding Yiting , Zhang Yanxiang , Zheng Quan‐Shui , Tyree Melvin T.
Published: May 2014

The Scholander–Hammel pressure chamber has been used in thousands of papers to measure osmotic pressure, πc, turgor pressure, Pt, and bulk modulus of elasticity, ε, of leaf cells by pressure–volume (PV) curve analysis. PV analysis has been questioned in the past.

In this paper we use micromechanical analysis of leaf cells to examine the impact on PV curve analysis of negative turgor in living cells (Pt).

Models predict negative Pt (−0.1 to −1.8 MPa) depending on leaf cell size and shape in agreement with experimental values reported by J. J. Oertli. Modeled PV curves have linear regions even when Pt is quite negative, contrary to the arguments of M.T. Tyree. Negative Pt is totally missed by PV curve analysis and results in large errors in derived πc and Pt but smaller errors in ε.

A survey of leaf cell sizes vs habitat (arid, temperate, and rainforest), suggests that the majority of published PV curves result in errors of 0.1–1.8 MPa in derived πc and Pt, whereby the error increases with decreasing cell size. We propose that small cell size in leaves is an ecological adaptation that permits plants to endure negative values of water potential with relatively little water loss.
An insight into the sensitivity of maize to photoperiod changes under controlled conditions
Authors: CHEN QIANG , ZHONG HAO , FAN XIAN‐WEI , LI YOU‐ZHI
Published: April 2014

Response of maize to photoperiods affects adaption of this crop to environments. We characterize the phenotypes of four temperate‐adapted maize foundation parents, Huangzao 4, Chang 7‐2, Ye 478 and Zheng 58, and two tropically adapted maize foundation parents, M9 and Shuang M9 throughout the growth stage under three constant photoperiod regimes in a daily cycle of 24 h at 28 °C, and analysed expression of 48 photoperiod response‐associated genes. Consequently, long photoperiod (LP) repressed development of the tassels of photoperiod‐sensitive maize lines at V9 stage, and caused subsequent failure in flowering; failure of photoperiod‐sensitive maize lines in flowering under LP was associated with lower expression of flowering‐related genes; photoperiod changes could make a marked impact on spatial layout of maize inflorescence. The larger oscillation amplitude of expression of photoperiod‐responsive genes occurred in LP‐sensitive maize lines. In conclusion, failure in development of tassels at V9 stage under LP is an early indicator for judging photoperiod sensitivity. The adaptation of temperate‐adapted maize lines to LP is due to the better coordination of expression among photoperiod‐sensing genes instead of the loss of the genes. High photoperiod sensitivity of maize is due to high expression of circadian rhythm‐responding genes improperly early in the light.
Magnesium availability regulates the development of root hairs in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh
Authors: NIU YAOFANG , CHAI RUSHAN , LIU LIJUAN , JIN GULEI , LIU MIAO , TANG CAIXIAN , ZHANG YONGSONG
Published: April 2014

Root hairs are reported to be plastic in response to nutrient supply, but relatively little is known about their development in response to magnesium (Mg) availability. Here, we showed that development of root hairs of Arabidopsis decreased progressively with increasing Mg supply, which was related to the initiation of new trichoblast files and likelihood of trichoblasts to form hairs. Tip‐focused reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations [(Ca2+)c] during elongation of root hairs were enhanced under low Mg but decreased under high Mg. Under low Mg, application of diphenylene iodonium (DPI) or BAPTA [1,2‐bis(o‐aminophenoxy)ethane‐N,N,N′,N′‐tetraacetic acid] blocked the enhanced development of root hairs and the opposite was true when the plants under high Mg were treated with phenazine methosulphate (PMS), methyl viologen (MV) or CaCl2. Furthermore, Mg availability did not alter root hair growth in rhd2‐1 mutant that contains lower levels of ROS and cytosolic [Ca2+]c. Transcriptome data and qPCR results revealed a greater fraction of morphogenetic H‐genes, and cell wall organization genes were up‐regulated by low Mg but down‐regulated by high Mg. Our data suggest a profound effect of Mg supply on the development of root hairs in Arabidopsis, through the characterized Ca2+ and ROS signals that modulate the elongation of root hairs and the expression of root‐hair morphogenetic genes.
Frontal EEG asymmetry as predictor of physiological responses to aversive memories
Authors: Meyer Thomas , Quaedflieg Conny W. E. M. , Giesbrecht Timo , Meijer Ewout H. , Abiad Schahrasad , Smeets Tom
Published: April 2014

Evidence suggests that asymmetry in frontal electrical activity predicts responses to aversive experiences, such that higher left‐sided activity might dampen responses to trauma reminders. We measured frontal asymmetry at rest and during viewing of a trauma film, and assessed startle responses to film‐reminder images. To explore potential moderators, we compared two films (Study 1; N = 64) and modulated reappraisal (Study 2; N = 72). As expected, left frontal activation during film viewing predicted dampened responses in individuals who viewed a staged road accident. However, this effect tended to be reversed when a genocide documentary was used. In Study 2, all participants viewed the genocide film. Left frontal activity at rest again predicted higher startle responses, while reappraisal did not moderate the effects. Thus, the type of trauma film plays a crucial role in the effects of frontal asymmetry, which warrants further critical investigation.
Beyond Confession? ‘Political Religion’ and Ideological Incorrectness in the Study of Nazism
Authors: Wennberg Rebecca
Published: May 2014

Holocaust studies have seen the rise of ‘political religion’ as part of a ‘confessional turn’. To account for the fact that Nazism experienced widespread support from the German population, ‘ideology’ was replaced with the broader and culturally more inclusive term ‘religion’. This article examines the mechanisms behind the rise of ‘political religion’ as well as the factors behind its subsequent decline. It argues that ‘political religion’, despite its culturally inclusive label, persists in connoting dogma and indoctrination. In this respect, the concept resembles rather than differs from the abandoned term ‘ideology’. Finally, the article draws from research on the Nazi principle of transgression and presents this principle as a form of ‘ideological incorrectness’. The concept of ‘ideological incorrectness’ should be seen as a move beyond belief simply understood as confession and, thus, a move beyond the conceptual constraints of ‘political religion’.
Comparison of peripheral venous and arterial blood gas analyses
Authors: Fujinaga Jun , Kuriyama Akira , Fukuoka Toshio
Published: April 2014

See reply, page 769
The osteogenic effects of swimming, jumping, and vibration on the protection of bone quality from disuse bone loss
Authors: Falcai M. J. , Zamarioli A. , Okubo R. , de Paula F. J. A. , Volpon J. B.
Published: April 2014

We assessed and compared the effects of swimming, jumping, and vibration therapies on the prevention of bone loss because of unloading. Eighty Wistar rats were randomly divided into eight groups: S, permanent hind limb‐suspended rats; CON, control rats; S + Swim, unloading interrupted by swimming exercise; S + CSwim, suspension interrupted by regular weight‐bearing with the same duration as in the S + Swim protocol; S + Jump, unloading interrupted by jumping exercise; S + CJump, suspension interrupted for regular weight‐bearing as in the S + Jump group; S + Vibr, unloading interrupted by vibration; and S + CVibr, suspension with interruptions for regular weight‐bearing with the same protocol as that used for the S + Vibr rats. At the end of the experiment, the bone mineral density, bone strength, histomorphometric parameters, and serum levels of the bone markers were analyzed. The hind limb‐suspended rats exhibited bone quality loss. In contrast, the trained rats showed a significant increase in bone mass, bone strength, bone formation, and serum levels of bone markers compared with the respective controls. Although we did not find a significant difference among the three physical exercises, the osteogenic effect of vibration was slightly lower than that of swimming and jumping. Thus, all physical exercises were efficient in preventing bone loss because of unloading and preserving bone quality.
Psychologisation and Critique in Modern‐day Western Culture
Authors: Madsen Ole Jacob
Published: May 2014

The paper reflects on the advancement of the psychologisation of Western society through the notion of «the therapeutic ethos» and discusses political and moral implications of its “triumph”. It is argued that the attempt to exorcise a “therapeutic Zeitgeist” showcases the problems of critique of contemporary culture. The Zeitgeist reveals itself as much in the tools of critique as the objective of critique. I therefore conclude that popular critical methods like discourse analysis have itself become a hegemonic discourse, which rarely equals its philosophical originator Michel Foucault's imaginative radical ambition.
Rhodococcus globerulus bacteremia in an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient: report of the first transplant case and review of the literature
Authors: Ramanan P. , Deziel P.J. , Razonable R.R.
Published: May 2014

Rhodococcus species are environmental organisms that predominantly cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised hosts. Rhodococcus equi is the most common species associated with human infections, but there are uncommon but increasing number of cases of infections caused by non‐equi Rhodococcus species. We report a case of Rhodococcus globerulus bacteremia in an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient, who presented with subacute systemic illness accompanied by severe hepatitis. In the context of this case, we review the literature on Rhodococcus species infections in transplant recipients.
Demographic, risk factors and motivations among blood donors with reactive serologic tests for syphilis in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Ferreira S. C. , de Almeida‐Neto C. , Nishiya A. S. , Oliveira C. D. L. , Ferreira J. E. , Alencar C. S. , Levi J. E. , Salles N. A. , Mendrone Jr. A. , Sabino E. C.
Published: April 2014

Objective

To identify the demographic characteristics, risk factors and motivations for donating among blood donors with reactive serologic tests for syphilis.

Background

Post‐donation interviews with syphilis seropositive blood donors improve recruitment and screening strategies.

Methods

This case–control study compares 75 Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) > 8, EIA+ (enzyme immunoassay) and FTA‐ABS+ (fluorescent treponemal antibody); 80 VDRL−, EIA+ and FTA‐ABS+; and 34 VDRL− and EIA− donors between 2004 and 2009. Donors were assessed by their demographic characteristics, sexual behaviour, history of alcohol and illicit drugs use, and motivations to donate.

Results

Donors with VDRL > 8 were more likely to be divorced [AOR = 12·53; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·30–120·81], to have had more than six sexual partners (AOR=7·1; 95% CI 1·12–44·62) and to report male–male‐sex in the past 12 months (AOR=8·18; 95% CI 1·78–37·60). Donors with VDRL−, EIA+ and FTA‐ABS+ were less likely to be female (AOR=0·26; 95% CI 0·07–0·96), more likely to be older (AOR=10·2; 95% CI 2·45–42·58 ≥ 39 and <60 years old) and to have had more than six sexual partners in the past 12 months (AOR = 8·37; 95% CI 1·49–46·91). There was no significant difference among groups regarding illicit drugs use; 30·7% (VDRL > 8) and 12·5% (VDRL−, EIA+ and FTA‐ABS+) of donors reported that they had been at risk for HIV infection (P = 0·004). One‐third of donors came to the blood bank to help a friend or a relative who needed blood.

Conclusion

Although donors exposed to syphilis reported and recognised some high risk behaviour, most were motivated by direct appeal to donate blood. Monitoring the risk profile of blood donors can benefit public health and improve blood safety.