bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria with copy number‐neutral 6pLOH in GPI (+) but not in GPI (−) granulocytes
Authors: Ueda Yasutaka , Nishimura Jun‐ichi , Murakami Yoshiko , Kajigaya Sachiko , Kinoshita Taroh , Kanakura Yuzuru , Young Neal S.
Published: December 2013

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired bone marrow disorder caused by expansion of a clone of hematopoietic cells lacking glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored membrane proteins. Multiple lines of evidence suggest immune attack on normal hematopoietic stem cells provides a selective growth advantage to PNH clones. Recently, frequent loss of HLA alleles associated with copy number‐neutral loss of heterozygosity in chromosome 6p (CN‐6pLOH) in aplastic anemia (AA) patients was reported, suggesting that AA hematopoiesis ‘escaped’ from immune attack by loss of HLA alleles. We report here the first case of CN‐6pLOH in a Japanese PNH patient only in GPI‐anchored protein positive (59%) granulocytes, but not in GPI‐anchored protein negative (41%) granulocytes. CN‐6pLOH resulted in loss of the alleles A*02:06‐DRB1*15:01‐DQB1*06:02, which have been reported to be dominant in Japanese PNH patients. Our patient had maintained nearly normal blood count for several years. Our case supports the hypothesis that a hostile immune environment drives selection of resistant hematopoietic cell clones and indicates that clonal evolution may occur also in normal phenotype (non‐PNH) cells in some cases.
Pest survey of softwood boxes, with special emphasis on pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae)
Authors: Meissner H. , DeWald P. , Jones E. , Lemay A. , Millar L. , Ye W.
Published: December 2013

Wood packaging material (WPM) is an important pathway for the spread of non‐native plant pests. To reduce the likelihood of plant pest movement with WPM, the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15: “Regulation of Wood Packaging Material in International Trade” (ISPM 15) was developed in the framework of the International Plant Protection Convention. To be compliant with this Standard, WPM shipped internationally must be either heat‐treated or fumigated, regardless of any specific characteristics of the WPM. The objective of this survey was to determine if Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae) or insects, especially Monochamus spp. (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), were present in a specific subset of softwood boxes. While not compliant with ISPM 15, these boxes had been treated with wood preservatives, stored indoors for over five years, and, in addition to meeting various quality standards, almost all had a moisture content below 20 percent. United States Department of Agriculture staff inspected a sample of 630 softwood boxes, focusing on those showing signs of possible pest infestation. Based on a binomial distribution with an efficacy of detection equal to 0.95, a sample size of 630 provides a 95 percent confidence of detecting pests if >0.5 % of boxes are infested. No B. xylophilus or insect pests were found in the boxes, though other nematode genera (Aphelenchoides, Aphelenchus, and Filenchus), which feed on decomposing fungi in wood and do not damage trees, were found in 21 boxes. This study demonstrates that not all types of WPM present a high phytosanitary risk. It may be worthwhile to consider an amendment to ISPM 15 to differentiate between various risk categories of WPM in order to minimize costs and environmental impacts associated with treatments currently prescribed in ISPM 15.
Monilinia species identified on peach and nectarine in Croatia, with the first record of Monilinia fructicola
Authors: Ivić Dario , Fazinić Tina , Cole Jennifer , Novak Adrijana
Published: December 2013

During 2012, an official survey was conducted for Monilinia species present on peach and nectarine in Croatia. In total, 169 Monilinia spp. isolates were collected from 24 commercial orchards and identified according to morphology in culture and PCR. Eighty of the isolates were identified as Monilinia laxa, 70 as M. fructigena and 19 as M. fructicola. M. fructicola was found only at one location in the Mediterranean part of the country, and this is the first record of this quarantine fungus in Croatia. PCR diagnostic tests using M. fructicola‐specific primer pair MO368‐5/MO368‐10R repeatedly gave false negatives for some isolates. PCR tests using primer pair ITS1‐Mfc1/ITS4‐Mfc1 amplified M. fructicola‐specific product in all isolates and was therefore shown to be more suitable for diagnostic purposes.
Brachycaudus schwartzi Börner, un nouveau ravageur sur pêcher et prunier en Tunisie
Authors: Ben Halima‐Kamel M. , Karboul H.
Published: December 2013

Brachycaudus schwartzi Börner (peach aphid), is a new pest on peach and plum trees which has been observed in Tunisia since 2010. A brief description of its morphology, biology and distribution is given in this paper.
Predator‐induced morphological defences in two invasive dreissenid mussels: implications for species replacement
Authors: Naddafi Rahmat , Rudstam Lars G.
Published: December 2013

Induced morphological defences as a response to chemical cues from predators are common in aquatic systems. We evaluated predator‐induced defences and the costs of these responses measured as growth rate reductions in two invasive mussel species.

One mussel species (quagga mussel, Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) often dominates the other (zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha) in lakes where they co‐occur. We exposed both species to cues from three important North American predators: round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), which is native in the ancestral range of the mussels, and pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) and rusty crayfish (Orconectes rusticus) that are native in North America.

Both mussel species responded to risk cues by increasing shell thickness and decreasing growth rates. The response to round goby was smaller than the response to the two new predators.

The strength of the induced response was negatively correlated with growth in both mussel species and both the strength of the induced defence and the decrease in growth were larger for zebra mussels than for quagga mussels. Survival was higher in zebra mussels than in quagga mussels, but there was no significant difference in survival among different risk cue treatments.

The lower response and correlated faster growth of quagga mussels than zebra mussels in response to risk cues may be an additional reason for the replacement of zebra mussels by quagga mussels in North America, at least as long as native predators are not a major source of mortality. If true, we predict that both mussel species will co‐occur after the exotic round goby becomes a dominant mussel predator in North America.
The Returns to Migration: The Influence of Education and Migration Type
Authors: Knapp Thomas A. , White Nancy E. , Wolaver Amy M.
Published: December 2013

We show the impact of migration type on real wages over time. We create a migration and earnings history from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth over the period 1979–2002. We estimate the effects of primary, onward, and two types of return migration on real wages using a panel data model with individual, location, and time fixed effects. Panel data are well suited for the study of the returns to U.S. internal migration because the influence of migration on wages has been found to occur years after the event. We differentiate return migration into two types: return to a location with ties that form a geographical anchor (“home”) and return to a prior place of work. We find that real wage growth varies by migration type. Education attainment is a significant factor in real wage growth. Our results show that onward migration is an important channel by which the monetary rewards to a college education are manifested.
Does Sprawl Induce Affordable Housing?
Authors: Aurand Andrew
Published: December 2013

The costs of sprawl are well documented, but there are fewer studies of its potential benefits. One such benefit is argued to be the facilitation of the filtering process, resulting in a greater quantity of affordable and available housing for low‐income households. While metropolitan area data indicate a positive correlation between sprawl and the supply of affordable housing for very low‐income households, regression analysis does not provide evidence for this hypothesis, after controlling for other metropolitan characteristics. The results put into question the argument that sprawl expands housing opportunities for households of all incomes, specifically those who are the poorest.
Impaired immune defense in hemodialysis patients: Role of α‐defensins?
Authors: Grupp Clemens , Troche‐Polzien Ilka , Noeding Christian , Mueller Claudia A. , Mueller Gerhard A.
Published: December 2013

The mechanisms underlying the impaired immune response in hemodialysis (HD) patients are not completely understood. The α‐defensins human neutrophil peptides‐1, 2, and 3 are low molecular weight peptides with antimicrobial activity and important effector molecules of innate immune responses. We now examined the expression of these peptides in HD patients. Seventy‐six patients on chronic HD treatment (mean time on HD 5.8 years; mean age 70 years) were studied and compared with 38 healthy volunteers and 20 patients with infections and normal renal function. Expression of α‐defensins was analyzed semiquantitatively in leukocytes on the messenger RNA (mRNA) level by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; the α‐defensin protein levels in serum were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. α‐Defensin concentrations (140 ± 10.5 ng/mL; mean ± standard error of the mean) as well as mRNA levels in leukocytes (82.9 ± 7.9 arbitrary units [a.u.]) in HD patients were not significantly different from those in healthy volunteers (156 ± 15.2 ng/mL; 81.4 ± 11.3 a.u.). Defensin levels were independent of the time of the patient on HD and their age. During infection periods (mean increase of the C‐reactive protein to 161 ± 17.3 mg/L), defensin serum levels increased to 321 ± 65 ng/mL (P < 0.005) and mRNA expression in leukocytes to 159 ± 19.2 a.u. (P < 0.05). These increases were not significantly different from those in patients with normal renal function (298 ± 46.8 ng/mL and 128 ± 9.1 a.u., respectively) suffering from infections (C‐reactive protein 222 ± 26.6 mg/L). Our results suggest that the impaired immune defense in dialysis patients is not due to a deficiency in α‐defensins in these patients as neither basal levels nor expression during infections were reduced compared with subjects with normal renal function.
Do community pharmacists actively engage elderly patients in the dialogue? Results from pharmaceutical care consultations
Authors: Pelicano‐Romano João , Neves Mariana R. , Amado Ana , Cavaco Afonso M.
Published: December 2013

Background

Little is known about community pharmacist–patient interaction within a consultation room, particularly in terms of patient activation and engagement.

Objective

To explore pharmacists' communication and attitudes while providing advanced medication‐related services.

Methods

A cross‐sectional descriptive study, using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) framework, to analyse a sample of audio‐recorded pharmaceutical care consultations with elderly patients.

Results

Around 15.0 per cent of pharmacists' utterances and 3.6 per cent of patients' were related to engagement with the latter during the exchange. To improve health outcomes, such as adherence to a therapeutic regime, pharmacists should augment patients' participation in the dialogue, facilitating concerns and disclosure of doubts, thus improving correct medication use behaviour.
Investigation of Co‐firing Process Conditions of Low Temperature Co‐fired Ceramics Using Design of Experiment
Authors: Jurków Dominik
Published: December 2013

Low temperature co‐fired ceramics (LTCC) was developed around three decades ago. The technology is used in the fabrication of many various electronic components and devices. The aim of this paper is to present the possibility of applying Design of Experiment (DoE) methodology in the investigations of how co‐firing process conditions influence several properties of fired substrates. The achieved results are compared with literature data to verify whether DoE enables us to predict final LTCC properties without expensive analyses.
Prescribing for comorbid disease in a palliative population: focus on the use of lipid‐lowering medications
Authors: Russell B. J. , Rowett D. , Abernethy A. P. , Currow D. C.
Published: December 2013

Background

The balance of benefit versus burden of ongoing treatments for comorbid disease in palliative populations as death approaches needs careful consideration given their particular susceptibility to adverse drug effects.

Aim

To provide descriptive data regarding the medications being prescribed to patients who have a life‐limiting illness at the time of referral to a palliative care service in regional Australia, with particular focus on lipid‐lowering medications.

Methods

A prospective case note review of 203 patients reporting the number of medications prescribed and, for lipid‐lowering medications, the indication and level of prevention sought (primary, secondary, tertiary). Rates were compared by performance status, disease phase and comorbidity burden.

Results

Mean number of regular medications prescribed was 7.2, with higher rates observed in those patients with a non‐malignant primary diagnosis (rate ratio 1.28, confidence interval (CI) 1.11–1.50) or poorer performance status (rate ratio 1.37, CI 1.11–1.69) and lower rates for those in the terminal phase of disease (rate ratio 0.48, CI 0.30–0.76). Over one fifth of patients were prescribed a lipid‐lowering medication, and two fifths of these prescriptions were for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Patients in the highest quartile of Charlson Comorbidity Index score were 4.6 (CI 2.06–10.09) times more likely to be prescribed a lipid‐lowering medication than those in the lowest quartile.

Conclusions

Polypharmacy is prevalent for this group of patients, placing them at high risk of drug‐drug and drug‐host interactions. Prescribing may be driven by risk factors and disease guidelines rather than a rational, patient‐centred approach.
Empleo informal en economías desarrolladas y en desarrollo. Perspectivas y políticas aplicadas
Authors: WILLIAMS Colin C. , LANSKY Mark A.
Published: December 2013

En esta introducción se ofrece un breve análisis crítico de las definiciones y métodos de medición del empleo informal, se destacan algunos hallazgos importantes acerca de su frecuencia y su carácter, y se presentan las principales perspectivas en cuanto a su función en las economías contemporáneas y a las políticas aplicadas para afrontarlo. Con ello se establece un marco conceptual que permite comprender tanto la ingente literatura sobre el tema como lo que aportan a dicha literatura los demás artículos que componen el presente número monográfico.
Inter‐patch movement in an experimental system: the effects of life history and the environment
Authors: O’Sullivan Daniel , Benton Tim G. , Cameron Tom C.
Published: December 2013

An important process for the persistence of populations subjected to habitat loss and fragmentation is the dispersal of individuals between habitat patches. Dispersal involves emigration from a habitat patch, movement between patches through the surrounding landscape, and immigration into a new suitable habitat patch. Both landscape and physical condition of the disperser are known to influence dispersal ability, although disentangling these effects can often be difficult in the wild. In one of the first studies of its kind, we used an invertebrate model system to investigate how dispersal success is affected by the interaction between the habitat condition, as determined by food availability, and life history characteristics (which are also influenced by food availability). Dispersal of juvenile and adult mites (male and female) from either high food or low food natal patches were tested separately in connected three patch systems where the intervening habitat patches were suitable (food supplied) or unsuitable (no food supplied). We found that dispersal success was reduced when low food habitat patches were coupled to colonising patches via unsuitable intervening patches. Larger body size was shown to be a good predictor of dispersal success, particularly when the intervening landscape is unsuitable. Our results suggest that there is an interaction between habitat fragmentation and habitat suitability in determining dispersal success: if patches degrade in suitability and this affects the ability to disperse successfully then the effective connectance across landscapes may be lowered. Understanding these consequences will be important in informing our understanding of how species, and the communities in which they are embedded, may potentially respond to habitat fragmentation.
Genetic Analysis of Grain Yield and Other Traits of Early‐Maturing Maize Inbreds under Drought and Well‐Watered Conditions
Authors: Oyekunle M. , Badu‐Apraku B.
Published: December 2013

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important staple food crop in West and Central Africa (WCA). However, its production is constrained by drought. Knowledge and understanding of the genetics of hybrid performance under drought is invaluable in designing breeding strategies for improving maize yield. One hundred and fifty hybrids obtained by crossing 30 inbreds in sets using the North Carolina Design II plus six checks were evaluated under drought and well‐watered conditions for 2 years at three locations in Nigeria. The objectives of the studies were to (i) determine the mode of gene action controlling grain yield and other important agronomic traits of selected early inbred lines, (ii) examine the relationship between per se performance of inbreds and their hybrids and (iii) identify appropriate testers for maize breeding programmes in WCA. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) mean squares were significant (P < 0.01) for grain yield and other traits under the research environments. The GCA accounted for 64.5 % and 62.3 % of the total variation for grain yield under drought and well‐watered conditions, indicating that additive gene action largely controlled the inheritance of grain yield of the hybrids. Narrow‐sense heritability was 67 % for grain yield under drought and 49 % under well‐watered conditions. The correlations between traits of early‐maturing parental lines and their hybrids were significant (P < 0.01) under drought, well‐watered and across environments. Mid‐parent and better‐parent heterosis for grain yield were 45.3 % and 18.4 % under drought stress and 111.9 % and 102.6 % under well‐watered conditions. Inbreds TZEI 31, TZEI 17, TZEI 129 and TZEI 157 were identified as the best testers. Drought‐tolerant hybrids with superior performance under stress and non‐stress conditions could be obtained through the accumulation of favourable alleles for drought tolerance in both parental lines.
Long‐Term Chemical Fertilization Along with Farmyard Manure Enhances Resistance and Resilience of Soil Microbial Activity against Heat Stress
Authors: Kumar S. , Patra A. K. , Singh D. , Purakayastha T. J.
Published: December 2013

The effect of fertilization on resistance and resilience of soil microbial activity against heat stress in the tropical soils is largely unknown. We investigated the impact of long‐term (36 years) application of chemical fertilizers and farmyard manure (FYM) on substrate‐induced respiration (SIR) and dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and their resistance and resilience against heat stress in a sandy clay loam soil (Typic Haplustept). Surface soils from five selected treatments (Control, N, NP, NPK, NPK + FYM) under maize (Zea mays) crop were assessed immediately after sampling (0 Day) and at 1, 14, 28 and 56 day(s) after heat stress (48 °C for 24 h). The heat stress significantly decreased soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity by 20–80 %. Recovery after stress was up to 100 % within 56 days. The combined application of NPK (balanced) and FYM was most effective in enhancing resistance and resilience (stability) of soil microbial activity against heat stress. Correlation between resistance of dehydrogenase activity and substrate‐induced respiration revealed a significant relationship (R2 = 0.85). However, after stress, this correlation was initially weak but subsequently improved with time (R2 = 0.38–57), indicating different time lags to restore the normalcy of these parameters.
Adaptive Responses of Beta Vulgaris L. and Cichorium Intybus L. Root and Leaf Forms to Drought Stress
Authors: Hoffmann C. M.
Published: December 2013

Plants respond to drought with a restriction of leaf and root growth. The study aimed at analysing the morphological and functional adaptation mechanisms of Beta and Cichorium storage root and leaf forms to limited water supply. Two pot experiments were conducted: (i) with sugar beet, swiss chard, root and leaf chicory at 100 %, 50 % and 30 % water supply, (ii) with sugar beet, fodder beet and swiss chard at 100 % and 30 % water supply. The results indicate that there is no general response mechanism of root and leaf forms to better sustain drought stress. Sugar beet adapted to limited water supply with a marked decrease in the storage root to leaf ratio, indicating in particular a restriction of the predominant sink, while maintaining a very low transpiration coefficient. In contrast, swiss chard, root and leaf chicory kept their storage root to leaf ratio almost constant while adapting the transpiration coefficient. Sucrose storage was inversely related to the accumulation of solutes in the storage root of sugar beet and fodder beet. There is some evidence that the formation of a storage root in sugar beet and root chicory is inhibited by the inability of the plants to establish new sink capacities under drought conditions.
Are Individual Investors Influenced by the Optimism and Credibility of Stock Spam Recommendations?
Authors: Nelson Karen K. , Price Richard A. , Rountree Brian R.
Published: December 2013

This study examines attention‐driven investment decisions using a sample of firms essentially unknown to investors prior to becoming the target of a stock spam campaign. We show that the market reaction to spam varies predictably with the content of the spam message. Spam date returns and volume are significantly higher for stocks targeted by spam emails containing optimistic target price projections bundled with ostensibly credible information quoted from a previously issued company press release. There is also some evidence that disclaimers in spam messages reduce, but do not eliminate, the market response. Attention effects also contribute to spammers’ selection of stocks to target and to spam‐related enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Miocene rivers and taxon cycles clarify the comparative biogeography ofNorthAmerican highland fishes
Authors: Hoagstrom Christopher W. , Ung Visotheary , Taylor Kathie
Published: December 2013

Aim

Our aims were: (1) to use recently published phylogenies of six widely distributed clades of highland‐type fishes in a comparative analysis that investigates relationships among North American highlands; (2) to construct a map of relevant (pre‐historic) river geography; and (3) to apply ecological paradigms to interpret patterns of highland‐fish cladogenesis. Our principal questions were: (1) does highland endemism correspond to pre‐historic river drainages; and (2) do patterns of speciation conform to any relevant paradigm?

Location

Twenty‐two North American highlands, east to west from Appalachia to the Basin and Range, north to south from the Canadian Shield to the Mesa Central.

Methods

We used three‐item analysis to find shared highland‐area relationships, and we used dated phylogenies and geological literature to construct a map of relevant, pre‐historic river drainages. We applied the taxon‐cycle concept to interpret results.

Results

Three‐item analysis identified 375 most‐parsimonious trees with a retention index of 80.4%. An intersection tree reconstructed from shared three‐area statements had a completeness index of 80.3%. Nodes on the tree identified seven major branches of one to eight highland areas each that were congruent with late Miocene river drainage patterns. Sister‐area relationships within nodes were congruent with Plio‐Pleistocene events. Older taxa have restricted distributions and some younger members of each clade are broadly distributed, consistent with predictions of the taxon cycle.

Main conclusions

Progenitors of highland endemics were widespread across an aggraded, alluvial landscape by the early Miocene. Middle Miocene drainage rearrangements facilitated further range expansion. Accelerated erosion in the middle Miocene, caused by tectonic uplift and climate change, created highland‐type (sediment‐starved) habitats. Parallel colonization and adaptation to these habitats and geographical isolation in the late Miocene and early Pliocene led to speciation of highland endemics. Plio‐Pleistocene drainage rearrangements allowed populations of tolerant (derivative) taxa to expand again and colonize highland areas, including emerging ones.
Cancer‐related genes in the transcription signature of facioscapulohumeral dystrophy myoblasts and myotubes
Authors: Dmitriev Petr , Kairov Ulykbek , Robert Thomas , Barat Ana , Lazar Vladimir , Carnac Gilles , Laoudj‐Chenivesse Dalila , Vassetzky Yegor S.
Published: December 2013

Muscular dystrophy is a condition potentially predisposing for cancer; however, currently, only Myotonic dystrophy patients are known to have a higher risk of cancer. Here, we have searched for a link between facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) and cancer by comparing published transcriptome signatures of FSHD and various malignant tumours and have found a significant enrichment of cancer‐related genes among the genes differentially expressed in FSHD. The analysis has shown that gene expression profiles of FSHD myoblasts and myotubes resemble that of Ewing's sarcoma more than that of other cancer types tested. This is the first study demonstrating a similarity between FSHD and cancer cell expression profiles, a finding that might indicate the existence of a common step in the pathogenesis of these two diseases.
Semidirect Composite Onlay With Cavity Sealing: A Review of Clinical Procedures
Authors: Alharbi Amal , Rocca Giovanni Tommaso , Dietschi Didier , Krejci Ivo
Published: December 2013

The evolution in adhesive dentistry has broadened the indication of esthetic restorative procedures especially with the use of resin composite material. Depending on the clinical situation, some restorative techniques are best indicated. As an example, indirect adhesive restorations offer many advantages over direct techniques in extended cavities. In general, the indirect technique requires two appointments and a laboratory involvement, or it can be prepared chairside in a single visit either conventionally or by the use of computer‐aided design/computer‐aided manufacturing systems. In both cases, there will be an extra cost as well as the need of specific materials. This paper describes the clinical procedures for the chairside semidirect technique for composite onlay fabrication without the use of special equipments. The use of this technique combines the advantages of the direct and the indirect restoration.

Clinical Significance

The semidirect technique for composite onlays offers the advantages of an indirect restoration and low cost, and can be the ideal treatment option for extended cavities in case of financial limitations.
Behaviour, physiology and carotenoid pigmentation in Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus
Authors: Backström T. , Brännäs E. , Nilsson J. , Magnhagen C.
Published: December 2013

The behaviour during an exploration task and the response to a confinement stress of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus were evaluated. Behaviour of individuals during 90 min of exploration was classified into high and low activity. High‐activity individuals had higher plasma cortisol levels following stress compared to low‐activity individuals. This indicates that high‐ and low‐activity individuals correspond to reactive and proactive stress‐coping styles. Further, a pigmentation analysis showed that high‐activity individuals had a higher number of carotenoid spots cm−2 than low‐activity individuals. Thus, carotenoid pigmentation, as melanin pigmentation in other salmonids, could be linked to stress‐coping style in S. alpinus.
Temperature‐mediated survival, development and hatching variation of Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus eggs
Authors: Bian X. , Zhang X. , Sakurai Y. , Jin X. , Gao T. , Wan R. , Yamamoto J.
Published: December 2013

Laboratory‐validated data on the survival, development and hatching responses of fertilized Pacific cod Gadus macrocephalus eggs from the northern Japan stock were determined through an incubation experiment. The optimum temperature for survival until hatching ranged from 4 to 8° C. No significant difference in development rates was found between the populations from Mutsu Bay, Japan, and western Canadian coastal waters even though the samples may belong to different G. macrocephalus stocks. Gadus macrocephalus larvae hatched asynchronously from egg batches despite incubation under the same environment during their development. Both incubation temperature and temperature‐mediated hatch rank affect size and yolk reserve. These data suggest that variations in water temperatures within an ecological range markedly influence the development rates, survival and hatching of the eggs, as well as the stage at hatch larvae of G. macrocephalus. Asynchronous hatching and the production of offspring with variable sizes and yolk reserves are considered evolutionary bet‐hedging strategies that enable the species to maximize their likelihood of survival in an environment with variable temperatures.
Theme and variations: amphibious air‐breathing intertidal fishes
Authors: Martin K. L.
Published: December 2013

Over 70 species of intertidal fishes from 12 families breathe air while emerging from water. Amphibious intertidal fishes generally have no specialized air‐breathing organ but rely on vascularized mucosae and cutaneous surfaces in air to exchange both oxygen and carbon dioxide. They differ from air‐breathing freshwater fishes in morphology, physiology, ecology and behaviour. Air breathing and terrestrial activity are present to varying degrees in intertidal fish species, correlated with the tidal height of their habitat. The gradient of amphibious lifestyle includes passive remainers that stay in the intertidal zone as tides ebb, active emergers that deliberately leave water in response to poor aquatic conditions and highly mobile amphibious skipper fishes that may spend more time out of water than in it. Normal terrestrial activity is usually aerobic and metabolic rates in air and water are similar. Anaerobic metabolism may be employed during forced exercise or when exposed to aquatic hypoxia. Adaptations for amphibious life include reductions in gill surface area, increased reliance on the skin for respiration and ion exchange, high affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen and adjustments to ventilation and metabolism while in air. Intertidal fishes remain close to water and do not travel far terrestrially, and are unlikely to migrate or colonize new habitats at present, although in the past this may have happened. Many fish species spawn in the intertidal zone, including some that do not breathe air, as eggs and embryos that develop in the intertidal zone benefit from tidal air emergence. With air breathing, amphibious intertidal fishes survive in a variable habitat with minimal adjustments to existing structures. Closely related species in different microhabitats provide unique opportunities for comparative studies.
Combining TNFSF15 and ASCA IgA can be used as a predictor for the stenosis/perforating phenotype of Crohn's disease
Authors: Tung Chien‐Chih , Wong Jau‐Min , Lee Wen‐Chung , Liu Heng‐Hsiu , Chang Chin‐Hao , Chang Ming‐Chu , Chang Yu‐Ting , Shieh Ming‐Jium , Wang Cheng‐Yi , Wei Shu‐Chen
Published: December 2013

Background and Aim

Focusing on TNFSF15 instead of NOD2, we set out to evaluate whether combining serologic and genetic markers could distinguish between Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), and whether they could be used to stratify the disease behavior of Taiwanese CD patients.

Methods

Clinical information, serum isolation, and DNA were collected after obtaining informed consent. The serological markers were analyzed by ELISA kits and the genetic analysis for TNFSF15 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by Sequenom. Statistic analyses were conducted by SAS 9.2 (Cary, NC, USA).

Results

This study included 108 patients (55 CD, 53 UC) and 60 healthy controls. An initial low positive rate and low sensitivity for the serological markers led us to reset the cut‐off values. This reset cut‐off for ASCA IgA yielded a sensitivity of 0.291 and specificity of 0.925 for differentiating CD from UC patients. The reset cut‐off value for p‐ANCA (anti‐MPO) had a sensitivity of 0.461 and a specificity of 0.817 for differentiating inflammatory bowel disease patients from healthy controls. Among the TNFSF15 SNPs, rs4263839 associated with CD in Taiwan (P = 0.005), haplotype analysis did not increase the association. Combining the genetic marker TNFSF15 (rs4263839) and serological marker ASCA IgA increased the area under the curve from 0.61 to 0.70 for predicting stenosis/perforating phenotype, compared to ASCA IgA alone.

Conclusions

Serological markers need to be tested and tailored to different countries/ethnicities. Combining the genetic marker TNFSF15 with ASCA IgA increased the power of predicting stenosis/perforating phenotype in CD patients with TNFSF15 but not with a NOD2 genetic background.
The Birth of the Mineral Species “Aguilarite” and What Came Next: A Twice‐Told Tale
Authors: Ferry Elizabeth Emma
Published: December 2013

Este artículo explora la emergencia del mineral ‘aguilarita’ descubierta por Ponciano Aguilar en Guanajuato, México, a principios de los años 1890. Por sí misma, la aguilarita no es especialmente importante—es un mineral oscuro y opaco que no tiene un uso económico y posee un moderado interés para los coleccionistas y mineralogistas. Sin embargo, las circunstancias de su descubrimiento y designación posterior se prestan a dos modos de análisis y tipos de conocimiento: uno proviene del trabajo de Bruno Latour y otros en el campo conocido como la Teoría del Actor‐Red, y el otro está influenciado por la economía política en la antropología, con particular énfasis en los estudios sobre la cadenas de mercancías. En este artículo, utilizo el nacimiento de la aguilarita para analizar algunas de las formas de cómo estos enfoques tratan la relación entre los objetos y las personas, y las consecuencias de ello. ¿Qué revelan y qué esconden estas dos formas de contar la historia de la aguilarita? ¿Cómo pueden trabajar juntas?
An Indigenous Tuberculosis? Pasteurian Strategies and Indian Problems in the Making of Bolivian National Science
Authors: Scott Stephen Kingsley
Published: December 2013

Este trabajo examina la difusión de la ciencia pastueriana en Bolivia a principios del siglo XX. Se explora cómo el cientista y pasteuriano boliviano, el Dr. Néstor Morales Villazón (“el padre de la microbiología boliviana”) hizo uso estratégico de una pequeña controversia sobre la tuberculosis en Bolivia para promocionar su Instituto Nacional de Bacteriología ante las élites. Utilizando su laboratorio para revelar algo de otra manera invisible en Bolivia ‐microbios con una “predilección particular” por los indios, una “tuberculosis indígena” que podría atribuirse a las instituciones coloniales‐, Morales vinculó la ciencia pastueriana a los debates acerca de la “cuestión del indio” y las aspiraciones de los liberales criollos para la reconciliación nacional. Como muestra este trabajo, la tuberculosis indígena fue un objeto para la experimentación, que requirió el laboratorio pasteuriano para su análisis, pero también sirvió como recurso retórico utilizado estratégicamente ante las élites bolivianas. Morales se formó en el Instituto Pasteur de París, y tanto la dimensión científica como retórica de su trabajo pueden relacionarse con esa formación.
Artificial neural networks for bilateral prediction of formulation parameters and drug release profiles from cochlear implant coatings fabricated as porous monolithic devices based on silicone rubber
Authors: Nemati Pedram , Imani Mohammad , Farahmandghavi Farhid , Mirzadeh Hamid , Marzban-Rad Ehsan , Nasrabadi Ali Motie
Published: December 2013

Objectives

The coating of cochlear implants for topical delivery of drugs, for example, corticosteroids, or antibiotics is a novel approach to manage post-surgical complications associated with cochlear implantation surgery like inflammation or infections. Many variables, including formulation parameters, can be changed to modulate the amount and duration of drug release from these devices. Mathematical modeling of drug release profile from a delivery system may be helpful to accelerate formulations in a more cost-efficient way. To attain specific in vitro drug release characteristics, a model should be capable to provide good estimates on the initial formulation parameters, for example, composition, geometry and drug loading vice versa. Here, artificial neural networks (ANNs) are used to predict dexamethasone (DEX) release profile and formulation parameters, bilaterally, from cochlear implant coatings designed as porous, monolithic silicone rubber-based matrices.

Methods

The devices were fabricated as monolithic dispersions of DEX in a silicone rubber matrix containing porogens. A newly developed mathematical function was fitted on the experimental DEX release curves, and the function coefficients were fed into the network as input variables to simulate drug release profile from the porous devices. Formulation variables consisted of drug loading percentage (0.05–0.5% w/w), porogen type (dextran (dext) or sodium chloride particles) and porogen content (5–40% w/w). The ANN was also examined to determine optimal levels of the formulation parameters to provide a specifically desired drug release profile.

Key findings

The results showed that DEX release profile from porous cochlear implant devices can be modelled accurately and precisely using ANN in order to predict optimal levels for the formulation parameters to provide a specific drug release profile vice versa.

Conclusions

The developed ANNs were used to achieve shorter formulation development process, and to provide tailor-made drug delivery regimens. ANNs were also successfully simulated non-linear relationships present between the initial formulation variable(s) and predict the subsequent drug release patterns.
Spatio‐temporal variations in the trophic status of Lake Naivasha, Kenya
Authors: Ndungu Jane , Augustijn Denie C. M. , Hulscher Suzanne J. M. H. , Kitaka Nzula , Mathooko Jude
Published: December 2013

The spatio‐temporal dynamics of the trophic state of a lake are crucial in defining its water quality, as well as biodiversity. Accordingly, this study focused on the spatio‐temporal variations of the trophic state, and the possible causes of the heterogeneous turbidity in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. The trophic state of the lake oscillated between a eutrophic and hypereutrophic condition, being found to be more eutrophic than reported in previous studies, indicating a progressive deterioration of its water quality. Inferences from the graphical representation of the deviations of total phosphorus and Secchi depth from the chlorophyll‐a trophic state indices revealed that the lake is predominantly phosphorus limited. Furthermore, the turbidity in the northern part of the lake is dominated by suspended sediment and dissolved coloured material. Discriminant analysis resulted in identification of three distinct trophic state regions in Lake Naivasha, namely the northern region, the mid and southern part and the more or less isolated Crescent Lake. The results of this study provide a good basis for further investigation of the current loading magnitude of both nutrients and sediments, in order to facilitate sustainable management to ensure community integrity and ecosystem functions of the lake.
Prediction of sediment inflows to Angereb dam reservoir using the SRH‐1D sediment transport model
Authors: Zeleke Takele , Moussa Ahmed Moustafa , El‐Manadely Mohamed S.
Published: December 2013

Angereb Dam, located in Ethiopia, was constructed in early 1994 as a water supply for the town of Gondar up to the year 2020. The reservoir could not achieve this objective, however, because of significant sedimentation problems. Accordingly, one objective of this study was to simulate the historical reservoir sedimentation pattern, as well as predict the near future (until 2015) sedimentation pattern of Angereb Reservoir. The Sedimentation and River Hydraulics one‐dimensional model (SRH‐1D), version 2.6, was used for this purpose. Another objective was to propose possible mitigation measures to reduce the quantity and rate of sedimentation in the reservoir. There was generally good agreement between measurements and model simulations, with the observed trends being well simulated. The exception was that the model tended to overpredict the sediment deposition volumes in the upstream reaches of the reservoir. The two mitigation alternatives for addressing the sedimentation problem, namely managing sediments in the watershed and flushing sediment through the dam bottom outlet, appear to be technically feasibility, with a predicted reduction of the volume of deposited sediment between 63 and 80% be achievable.
Plasmodium falciparum is dependent on de novo myo‐inositol biosynthesis for assembly of GPI glycolipids and infectivity
Authors: MacRae James I. , Lopaticki Sash , Maier Alexander G. , Rupasinghe Thusitha , Nahid Amsha , Cowman Alan F. , McConville Malcolm J.
Published: December 2013

Intra‐erythrocytic stages of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum, are thought to be dependent on de novo synthesis of phosphatidylinositol, as red blood cells (RBC) lack the capacity to synthesize this phospholipid. The myo‐inositol headgroup of PI can either be synthesized de novo or scavenged from the RBC. An untargeted metabolite profiling of P. falciparum infected RBC showed that trophozoite and schizont stages accumulate high levels of myo‐inositol‐3‐phosphate, indicating increased de novo biosynthesis of myo‐inositol from glucose 6‐phosphate. Metabolic labelling studies with 13C‐U‐glucose in the presence and absence of exogenous inositol confirmed that de novo myo‐inositol synthesis occurs in parallel with myo‐inositol salvage pathways. Unexpectedly, while both endogenous and scavenged myo‐inositol was used to synthesize bulk PI, only de novo‐synthesized myo‐inositol was incorporated into GPI glycolipids. Moreover, gene disruption studies suggested that the INO1 gene, encoding myo‐inositol 3‐phosphate synthase, is essential in asexual parasite stages. Together these findings suggest that P. falciparum asexual stages are critically dependent on de novo myo‐inositol biosynthesis for assembly of a sub‐pool of PI species and GPI biosynthesis. These findings highlight unexpected complexity in phospholipid biosynthesis in P. falciparum and a lack of redundancy in some nutrient salvage versus endogenous biosynthesis pathways.
Behavioral responses of Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) to environmental variations
Authors: Garlepp Linda , Logan Murray , Kirkwood Roger
Published: December 2013

Observing how pinnipeds respond to variations in climatic and oceanographic conditions informs marine managers on factors that could limit their range, foraging ability and breeding success. Here, we examine how Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) at Seal Rocks, Victoria, Australia, responded to normal climatic conditions from August 2009 to January 2010, which included their Austral spring‐summer breeding period, to investigate their tolerances to a range of environmental stimuli. Seal numbers ashore and a range of climatic variables were collected hourly during daylight periods and compared using Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMMs). Air temperature was the most consistent predictor of haul‐out behavior, with seal numbers ashore declining as air temperature increased (effect size −50%, edf 1.00, P < 0.001). Increased wave height (effect size 74%, edf 1.00, P < 0.001) and wind speed (effect size 79%, edf 1.00, P < 0.001) were associated with increased seal numbers ashore. Potentially, higher air temperatures reduce the seals tolerance to remain out of the water, while high wind/wave action increases at‐sea metabolic costs. These results demonstrate how changes in climate could alter a seal's ability to remain ashore, to rest or breed, and its ability to forage effectively, thus driving changes in population status and range.
Thirty‐six cases of epidemic infections due to Trichophyton violaceum in Siena, Italy
Authors: Romano Clara , Feci Luca , Fimiani Michele
Published: December 2013

Trichophyton violaceum is an anthropophilous dermatophyte endemic to parts of Africa and Asia, sporadic in Europe. It is an emerging pathogen in Italy due to immigration. We report 36 cases of infections due to T. violaceum, diagnosed in the last 5 years by mycological examination. The source of contagion was 13 children adopted from orphanages.
SYNONYMS FOR ENGAGEMENT: FORGING AN ENGAGED ANTHROPOLOGY IN NORTH TEXAS
Authors: Henry Lisa , Nuñez‐Janes Mariela , Jordan Ann , Re Cruz Alicia
Published: December 2013

This article examines the path toward engagement at the university level, college level, and departmental level at the University of North Texas (UNT). We explore the history of concepts such as public service, applied research, service learning, outreach, and community engagement at UNT by examining the university's strategic goals and the expansion of new programs. We highlight the tensions that emerge from inconsistencies in strategic goals at varying levels within the university. We feature the anthropology department's place within those developments and highlight our unique position within our college and university through examples of engaged scholarship from faculty and students in our department. The national trend toward an engaged university will undoubtedly benefit the field of applied anthropology. The field has been doing community engagement for decades, ahead of the national trend. However, a lack of clarity or uniformity in the concept of engagement is systematic in the academy—across universities and within universities. The field of applied anthropology has an opportunity to position itself in the discussion of how and why our way of doing community engagement is not only relevant, but necessary.
BRINGING COMMUNITIES AND THE UNIVERSITY TOGETHER: APPLIED ANTHROPOLOGY AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
Authors: LeMaster Barbara , Quintiliani Karen , Hunt Allison
Published: December 2013

California State University, Long Beach Applied Anthropology M.A. program actively engages in synergistic collaborations through applied faculty research, student MA projects, faculty–student collaborations, and classroom‐community partnerships. We highlight some of these collaborations and make suggestions for the sustainability of applied work in the academy.