bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity in tuberculosis transmission and the role of geographic hotspots in propagating epidemics
Authors: Dowdy David W. , Golub Jonathan E. , Chaisson Richard E. , Saraceni Valeria
Published: May 2012

The importance of high-incidence “hotspots” to population-level tuberculosis (TB) incidence remains poorly understood. TB incidence varies widely across countries, but within smaller geographic areas (e.g., cities), TB transmission may be more homogeneous than other infectious diseases. We constructed a steady-state compartmental model of TB in Rio de Janeiro, replicating nine epidemiological variables (e.g., TB incidence) within 1% of their observed values. We estimated the proportion of TB transmission originating from a high-incidence hotspot (6.0% of the city’s population, 16.5% of TB incidence) and the relative impact of TB control measures targeting the hotspot vs. the general community. If each case of active TB in the hotspot caused 0.5 secondary transmissions in the general community for each within-hotspot transmission, the 6.0% of people living in the hotspot accounted for 35.3% of city-wide TB transmission. Reducing the TB transmission rate (i.e., number of secondary infections per infectious case) in the hotspot to that in the general community reduced city-wide TB incidence by 9.8% in year 5, and 29.7% in year 50—an effect similar to halving time to diagnosis for the remaining 94% of the community. The importance of the hotspot to city-wide TB control depended strongly on the extent of TB transmission from the hotspot to the general community. High-incidence hotspots may play an important role in propagating TB epidemics. Achieving TB control targets in a hotspot containing 6% of a city’s population can have similar impact on city-wide TB incidence as achieving the same targets throughout the remaining community.
Homologous chromosomes make contact at the sites of double-strand breaks in genes in somatic G
0
/G
1
-phase human cells
Authors: Gandhi Manoj , Evdokimova Viktoria N. , T.Cuenco Karen , Nikiforova Marina N. , Kelly Lindsey M. , Stringer James R. , Bakkenist Christopher J. , Nikiforov Yuri E.
Published: May 2012

Double-strand DNA breaks (DSBs) are continuously induced in cells by endogenously generated free radicals and exogenous genotoxic agents such as ionizing radiation. DSBs activate the kinase activity in sensor proteins such as ATM and DNA-PK, initiating a complex DNA damage response that coordinates various DNA repair pathways to restore genomic integrity. In this study, we report the unexpected finding that homologous chromosomes contact each other at the sites of DSBs induced by either radiation or the endonuclease I-PpoI in human somatic cells. Contact involves short segments of homologous chromosomes and is centered on a DSB in active genes but does not occur at I-PpoI sites in intergenic DNA. I-PpoI-induced contact between homologous genes is abrogated by the transcriptional inhibitors actinomycin D and α-amanitin and requires the kinase activity of ATM but not DNA-PK. Our findings provide documentation of a common transcription-related and ATM kinase-dependent mechanism that induces contact between allelic regions of homologous chromosomes at sites of DSBs in human somatic cells.
Joint control of
Drosophila
male courtship behavior by motion cues and activation of male-specific P1 neurons
Authors: Pan Yufeng , Meissner Geoffrey W. , Baker Bruce S.
Published: May 2012

Sexual behaviors in animals are governed by inputs from multiple external sensory modalities. However, how these inputs are integrated to jointly control animal behavior is still poorly understood. Whereas visual information alone is not sufficient to induce courtship behavior in
Drosophila melanogaster
males, when a subset of male-specific
fruitless
(
fru
)- and
doublesex
(
dsx
)-expressing neurons that respond to chemosensory cues (P1 neurons) were artificially activated via a temperature-sensitive cation channel (dTRPA1), males followed and extended their wing toward moving objects (even a moving piece of rubber band) intensively. When stationary, these objects were not courted. Our results indicate that motion input and activation of P1 neurons are individually necessary, and under our assay conditions, jointly sufficient to elicit early courtship behaviors, and provide insights into how courtship decisions are made via sensory integration.
Development of insulin resistance in mice lacking PGC-1α in adipose tissues
Authors: Kleiner Sandra , Mepani Rina J. , Laznik Dina , Ye Li , Jurczak Michael J. , Jornayvaz Francois R. , Estall Jennifer L. , Chatterjee Bhowmick Diti , Shulman Gerald I. , Spiegelman Bruce M.
Published: May 2012

Reduced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) expression and mitochondrial dysfunction in adipose tissue have been associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Whether this association is causally involved in the development of insulin resistance or is only a consequence of this condition has not been clearly determined. Here we studied the effects of adipose-specific deficiency of PGC-1α on systemic glucose homeostasis. Loss of PGC-1α in white fat resulted in reduced expression of the thermogenic and mitochondrial genes in mice housed at ambient temperature, whereas gene expression patterns in brown fat were not altered. When challenged with a high-fat diet, insulin resistance was observed in the mutant mice, characterized by reduced suppression of hepatic glucose output. Resistance to insulin was also associated with an increase in circulating lipids, along with a decrease in the expression of genes regulating lipid metabolism and fatty acid uptake in adipose tissues. Taken together, these data demonstrate a critical role for adipose PGC-1α in the regulation of glucose homeostasis and a potentially causal involvement in the development of insulin resistance.
Edwardsiella ictaluri as the Causative Agent of Mortality in Cultured Nile Tilapia
Authors: Soto Esteban , Griffin Matt , Arauz Maziel , Riofrio Andres , Martinez Alexis , Cabrejos Maria Eugenia
Published: May 2012

Edwardsiella ictaluri was consistently isolated from the spleens, livers, and head kidneys of diseased Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus from a farm experiencing mortality events in several culture ponds. We describe the first published outbreak of E. ictaluri–induced edwardsiellosis in Nile tilapia. Pure cultures of the isolated bacteria were characterized both biochemically and molecularly. Biochemical analysis was performed using the API-20E and RapID One systems, and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the broth microdilution method. Molecular analysis involved sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, species-specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and PCR-mediated genomic fingerprinting (rep-PCR). Pairwise sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene identified the case isolates to be a 100% match to E. ictaluri cultured from channel catfish in the southeastern United States. However, rep-PCR analysis identified the case isolates to be genetically different from representative strains isolated from disease outbreaks in cultured channel catfish in Mississippi. Infectivity challenges (intraperitoneal injection and immersion) demonstrated that a representative E. ictaluri strain isolated from tilapia was pathogenic to naïve tilapia, reproducing clinical signs and mortality, thereby establishing Koch's postulates.

Received August 30, 2011; accepted January 30, 2012
Myth and the creative imagination in The Book of Urizen
Authors: Dawson Terence
Published: May 2012

William Blake is best known and admired forSongs of Innocence and Experience. The same year as he completed it, he also published the earliest in his series of so-called ‘prophetic books’ that explore creation. Etched in double columns in imitation of the Bible,The First Book of Urizen(1794) is about the creation of earth, the first female, her son and his near sacrifice and what humankind lost when separated forever from Eternity. It tells of horrendous pain and disillusionment. Ever since the 1970s, critical interest in the work has been dominated by new historicist approaches that relate its interactions to events in the outer world of Blake's time. This article explores them as an expression of an autonomous process unfolding in hisinnerworld. Its objective is to show not only how Jungian theory helps to identify and follow its concerns and intrinsic logic, but also how Blake's work broadens our understanding of the nature of unconscious processes.
Particle and power deposition on divertor targets in EAST H-mode plasmas
Authors: Wang L. , Xu G.S. , Guo H.Y. , Chen R. , Ding S. , Gan K.F. , Gao X. , Gong X.Z. , Jiang M. , Liu P. , Liu S.C. , Luo G.N. , Ming T.F. , Wan B.N. , Wang D.S. , Wang F.M. , Wang H.Q. , Wu Z.W. , Yan N. , Zhang L. , Zhang W. , Zhang X.J. , Zhu S.Z.
Published: May 2012

The effects of edge-localized modes (ELMs) on divertor particle and heat fluxes were investigated for the first time in the Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST). The experiments were carried out with both double null and lower single null divertor configurations, and comparisons were made between the H-mode plasmas with lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) and those with combined ion cyclotron resonance heating (ICRH). The particle and heat flux profiles between and during ELMs were obtained from Langmuir triple-probe arrays embedded in the divertor target plates. And isolated ELMs were chosen for analysis in order to reduce the uncertainty resulting from the influence of fast electrons on Langmuir triple-probe evaluation during ELMs. The power deposition obtained from Langmuir triple probes was consistent with that from the divertor infra-red camera during an ELM-free period. It was demonstrated that ELM-induced radial transport predominantly originated from the low-field side region, in good agreement with the ballooning-like transport model and experimental results of other tokamaks. ELMs significantly enhanced the divertor particle and heat fluxes, without significantly broadening the SOL width and plasma-wetted area on the divertor target in both LHCD and LHCD + ICRH H-modes, thus posing a great challenge for the next-step high-power, long-pulse operation in EAST. Increasing the divertor-wetted area was also observed to reduce the peak heat flux and particle recycling at the divertor target, hence facilitating long-pulse H-mode operation. The particle and heat flux profiles during ELMs appeared to exhibit multiple peak structures, and were analysed in terms of the behaviour of ELM filaments and the flux tubes induced by modified magnetic topology during ELMs.
Plasma equilibrium reconstructions in the lithium tokamak experiment
Authors: Berzak Hopkins L. , Menard J. , Majeski R , Lundberg D.P. , Granstedt E. , Jacobson C. , Kaita R. , Kozub T. , Zakharov L.
Published: May 2012

The lithium tokamak experiment (LTX) (R
0 = 0.4 m, a = 0.26 m) is designed to explore the low-recycling, lithium wall operating regime for magnetically confined plasmas. A set of shell quadrants internal to the vacuum vessel and conformal to the plasma last closed flux surface is designed to be coated with lithium to produce the lithium plasma-facing surface. The shell quadrants are highly conductive in order to maintain an even thermal distribution, but this conductivity also permits eddy currents to flow that can be larger in magnitude than the plasma current. Due to this effect, plasma start-up is greatly complicated as is the development of an applicable equilibrium solver code. A suitable code, LTX LRDFIT, has been developed and benchmarked and has now been used to compare plasma flux surface reconstructions for discharges before and after initial lithium wall conditioning. Dramatic improvements in plasma performance and shaping have been noted with the introduction of lithium.
AS-EAST: a functional annotation tool for putative proteins encoded by alternatively spliced transcripts
Authors: Shionyu Masafumi , Takahashi Ken-ichi , Go Mitiko
Published: May 2012

Summary: Alternative Splicing Effects ASsessment Tools (AS-EAST) is an online tool for the functional annotation of putative proteins encoded by transcripts generated by alternative splicing (AS). When provided with a transcript sequence, AS-EAST identifies regions altered by AS events in the putative protein sequence encoded by the transcript. Users can evaluate the predicted function of the putative protein by inspecting whether functional domains are included in the altered regions. Moreover, users can infer the loss of inter-molecular interactions in the protein network according to whether the AS events affect interaction residues observed in the 3D structure of the reference isoform. The information obtained from AS-EAST will help to design experimental analyses for the functional significance of novel splice isoforms.

Availability: The online tool is freely available at http://as-alps.nagahama-i-bio.ac.jp/ASEAST/.

Contact:  m_shionyu@nagahama-i-bio.ac.jp
Triploid plover female provides support for a role of the W chromosome in avian sex determination
Authors: Küpper Clemens , Augustin Jakob , Edwards Scott , Székely Tamás , Kosztolányi András , Burke Terry , Janes Daniel E.
Published: May 2012

Two models,
Z Dosage
and
Dominant W
, have been proposed to explain sex determination in birds, in which males are characterized by the presence of two Z chromosomes, and females are hemizygous with a Z and a W chromosome. According to the
Z Dosage
model, high dosage of a Z-linked gene triggers male development, whereas the
Dominant W
model postulates that a still unknown W-linked gene triggers female development. Using 33 polymorphic microsatellite markers, we describe a female triploid Kentish plover
Charadrius alexandrinus
identified by characteristic triallelic genotypes at 14 autosomal markers that produced viable diploid offspring. Chromatogram analysis showed that the sex chromosome composition of this female was ZZW. Together with two previously described ZZW female birds, our results suggest a prominent role for a female determining gene on the W chromosome. These results imply that avian sex determination is more dynamic and complex than currently envisioned.
Vortex-type elastic structured media and dynamic shielding
Authors: Brun M. , Jones I. S. , Movchan A. B.
Published: May 2012

The paper presents an approach to modelling a novel elastic metamaterial structure that possesses non-trivial dispersion features. A system of spinners has been embedded into a two-dimensional periodic lattice system. The analysis of the motion of the spinners is used to derive an expression for a ‘chiral term’ in the equations describing the dynamics of the lattice. Dispersion of elastic waves is shown to possess innovative filtering and polarization properties induced by the vortex-type nature of the structured media. The related effective behaviour in a continuous medium is implemented to build a shielding cloak around an obstacle. Analytical work is accompanied by numerical illustrations.
Oxidative stress and condition-dependent sexual signals: more than just seeing red
Authors: Garratt Michael , Brooks Robert C.
Published: May 2012

The links between fitness, health, sexual signals and mate choice are complex and subject to ongoing study. In 1999, von Schantz
et al
. made the valuable suggestion that oxidative stress may be an important missing piece of this complex puzzle. Their suggestion has been enthusiastically tested, with over 300 studies citing their paper, but most effort has concerned carotenoid-based (and to a lesser extent melanin-based) visual signals, predominantly in birds and fishes. Today, we know a great deal more about oxidative stress and related physiology, in both a pathological and regulatory sense, than we did in 1999. We revisit von Schantz
et al
.'s predictions and, more importantly, highlight novel mechanisms that could link oxidative stress with a range of energetically demanding signals, greatly increasing the scope from visual signalling systems that are usually discussed and nearly always tested. In particular, we argue that differences between individuals in their ability to regulate physiology related to oxidative stress may be an important factor influencing the production of sexual signals and the costs that are incurred from investment.
Genomic characterization of theBacillus cereussensu lato species: Backdrop to the evolution ofBacillus anthracis
Authors: Zwick Michael E. , Joseph Sandeep J. , Didelot Xavier , Chen Peter E. , Bishop-Lilly Kimberly A. , Stewart Andrew C. , Willner Kristin , Nolan Nichole , Lentz Shannon , Thomason Maureen K. , Sozhamannan Shanmuga , Mateczun Alfred J. , Du Lei , Read Timothy D.
Published: May 2012

The key genes required forBacillus anthracisto cause anthrax have been acquired recently by horizontal gene transfer. To understand the genetic background for the evolution ofB. anthracisvirulence, we obtained high-redundancy genome sequences of 45 strains of theBacillus cereussensu lato (s.l.) species that were chosen for their genetic diversity within the species based on the existing multilocus sequence typing scheme. From the resulting data, we called more than 324,000 new genes representing more than 12,333 new gene families for this group. The core genome size for theB. cereuss.l. group was ∼1750 genes, with another 2150 genes found in almost every genome constituting the extended core. There was a paucity of genes specific and conserved in any clade. We found no evidence of recent large-scale gene loss inB. anthracisor for unusual accumulation of nonsynonymous DNA substitutions in the chromosome; however, severalB. cereusgenomes isolated from soil and not previously associated with human disease were degraded to various degrees. AlthoughB. anthracishas undergone an ecological shift within the species, its chromosome does not appear to be exceptional on a macroscopic scale compared with close relatives.
Random X inactivation in the mule and horse placenta
Authors: Wang Xu , Miller Donald C. , Clark Andrew G. , Antczak Douglas F.
Published: May 2012

In eutherian mammals, dosage compensation of X-linked genes is achieved by X chromosome inactivation. X inactivation is random in embryonic and adult tissues, but imprinted X inactivation (paternal X silencing) has been identified in the extra-embryonic membranes of the mouse, rat, and cow. Few other species have been studied for this trait, and the data from studies of the human placenta have been discordant or inconclusive. Here, we quantify X inactivation using RNA sequencing of placental tissue from reciprocal hybrids of horse and donkey (mule and hinny). In placental tissue from the equid hybrids and the horse parent, the allelic expression pattern was consistent with random X inactivation, and imprinted X inactivation can clearly be excluded. We characterized horse and donkey XIST gene and demonstrated that XIST allelic expression in female hybrid placental and fetal tissues is negatively correlated with the other X-linked genes chromosome-wide, which is consistent with the XIST-mediated mechanism of X inactivation discovered previously in mice. As the most structurally and morphologically diverse organ in mammals, the placenta also appears to show diverse mechanisms for dosage compensation that may result in differences in conceptus development across species.
5-Diethylamino-2-{(E)-[(3-iodophenyl)imino]methyl}phenol
Authors: Vesek Hilal , Kazak Canan , Ağar Erbil , Gümüş Sümeyye
Published: May 2012

The title Schiff base, C17H19IN2O, is not planar, displaying a dihedral angle of 34.9 (2)° between the two aromatic rings. The molecular conformation allows the formation of a strong intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond with graph-set motif S(6) between the hydroxy group and the imine N atom.
N-Benzyl-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,1-dioxo-2H-1λ6,2-benzothiazine-3-carboxamide
Authors: Aman Farhana , Siddiqui Waseeq Ahmad , Ashraf Adnan , Siddiqui Hamid Latif , Parvez Masood
Published: May 2012

In the title molecule, C17H16N2O4S, the heterocyclic thiazine ring adopts a half-chair conformation, with the S and N atoms displaced by 0.546 (4) and 0.281 (4) Å, respectively, on opposite sides of the mean plane formed by the remaining ring atoms. The molecular structure is stabilized by an intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond. The two aromatic rings are inclined to one another by 42.32 (11)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers. The dimers are linked via a series of C—H...O interactions, leading to the formation of a three-dimensional network.
2-Methylpiperidinium bromide
Authors: Xu Qian
Published: May 2012

In the title organic–inorganic hybrid salt, C6H14N+·Br−, N—H...Br hydrogen bonds link the cations and anions, forming extended hydrogen-bonded chains along the c axis.
1,2-Bis[4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)benzylidene]hydrazine
Authors: Jin Yue-Bao , Li Jie , Zhang Ying , Lei Ke-Wei
Published: May 2012

The title compound, C20H16N6, is centrosymmetric with the mid-point of the N—N bond located on an inversion center. The imidazole ring is oriented at a dihedral angle of 28.03 (6)° with respect to the attached benzene ring. In the crystal, molecules are linked via C—H...N interactions.
Dibromido{N′-[1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]picolinohydrazide-κ2
N′,O}cadmium
Authors: Akkurt Mehmet , Khandar Ali Akbar , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Yazdi Seyed Abolfazl Hosseini , Afkhami Farhad Akbari
Published: May 2012

The title compound, [CdBr2(C13H12N4O)], was obtained from the reaction of Cd(NO3)2·4H2O with methyl(pyridin-2-yl)methanone picolinoylhydrazone and sodium bromide. The Cd2+ cation is ligated by one O atom and two N atoms of the tridentate ligand and two bromide anions, forming a Br2CdN2O polyhedron with a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry. In the crystal, non-classical C—H...Br hydrogen bonds are observed. In addition, π–π stacking interactions [centroid–centroid distance = 3.7455 (19) Å] contribute to the stabilization of the crystal structure.
Ethyl (2E,4Z)-5-diethylamino-2-(phenylsulfonyl)penta-2,4-dienoate
Authors: Song Guo-Qiang , Yu Pei-Pei , Huang Xian-Feng
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C17H23NO4S, the pentadiene group adopts a planar conformation, with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.0410 (14) Å. The phenyl ring makes a dihedral angle of 85.73 (11)° with the pentadiene group, while the pentadiene group makes dihedral angles of 11.38 (11) and 14.08 (10)°, respectively, with the amino and ester groups. In the crystal, molecules are linked via pairs of C—H...O interactions, forming inversion dimers.
(2,3-Di-2-pyridylpyrazine-κ2
N
2,N
3)diiodidoplatinum(II)
Authors: Ha Kwang
Published: May 2012

The PtII ion in the title complex, [PtI2(C14H10N4)], exists in a distorted square-planar environment defined by the two pyridine N atoms of the chelating 2,3-di-2-pyridylpyrazine ligand and two iodide anions. The pyridine rings are inclined to the least-squares plane of the PtI2N2 unit [maximum deviation = 0.070 (3) Å] at 66.1 (2) and 65.9 (2)°; the pyrazine ring is perpendicular to this plane [dihedral angle = 89.7 (2)°]. Two intermolecular C—H...I hydrogen bonds, both involving the same I atom as hydrogen-bond acceptor, generate a layer structure extending parallel to (001). Molecules are stacked in columns along the a axis. Along the b axis, successive molecules stack in opposite directions.
catena-Poly[[[bis(nitrato-κO)copper(II)]-bis[μ-1,3-bis(imidazol-1-yl)-5-methylbenzene-κ2
N
3:N
3′]] dihydrate]
Authors: Liu Guang-Xiang
Published: May 2012

In the title complex, {[Cu(NO3)2(C13H12N4)2]·2H2O}
n
, the CuII atom is located on a crystallographic center of symmetry and adopts an N4O2 octahedral coordination geometry with four imidazole N atoms in the equatorial sites and two O atoms in the axial sites. The dihedral angles between the central benzene ring and the imidazole rings are 4.93 (11) and 46.08 (12)°. The 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-yl)-5-methylbenzene ligand is bis-monodentate, linking symmetry-related CuII atoms into sheets in the bc plane. These sheets are further bridged into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure by O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
3-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-phenyl-7-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine
Authors: Liu Ju , Cai Zhi-Qiang , Wang Yang , Sang Yu-Li , Xu Li-Feng
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C25H13Cl2F4N3, there are four planar systems, viz. three benzene rings and a pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.002 Å]. The dihedral angle between the dichlorophenyl ring and the unsubstituted phenyl ring is 69.95 (5)°, while that between the fluorophenyl ring and the unsubstituted phenyl ring is 7.97 (10)°. The crystal packing is dominated by van der Waals interactions. A Cl...Cl interaction of 3.475 (3) Å also occurs.
catena-Poly[[(5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine-κ2
N,N′)cadmium]-di-μ-bromido]
Authors: Shirvan Sadif A. , Haydari Dezfuli Sara
Published: May 2012

In the crystal of the title polymeric compound, [CdBr2(C12H12N2)]
n
, the CdII cation is located on a twofold rotation axis. The CdII cation is six-coordinated in a distorted octahedral geometry formed by two N atoms from the 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine ligand and four bridging Br− anions. The bridging function of the Br− anions leads to a polymeric chain running along the c axis.
2-Chloro-N-(2-methylphenyl)benzamide
Authors: Rodrigues Vinola Z. , Gowda B. Thimme , Sivý Július , Vrábel Viktor , Kožíšek Jozef
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C14H12ClNO, the two aromatic rings are almost coplanar, making a dihedral angle of 4.08 (18)°. In the crystal, N—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into infinite chains running along the a axis.
N′-(2-Chlorobenzylidene)-4-methylbenzohydrazide
Authors: Wang De-Cheng , Li Xiao-Rong , Gao Lei , Hai Yong , Wang Jiang-Ning
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C15H13ClN2O, the molecule displays a trans conformation with respect to the C=N bond. The two aromatic rings form a dihedral angle of 12.0 (3)°. In the crystal, molecules are connected via N—H...O hydrogen bonds into chains propagating along the c-axis direction.
N-Methyl-4-nitroanilinium chloride
Authors: Wang Jian-Long , Zhou Fu-Rong , Wei Fei-Yun
Published: May 2012

The asymmetric unit of the title salt, C7H9N2O2
+·Cl−, contains two independent cations and anions. In the crystal, each N-methyl-4-nitroanilinium cation is linked to two Cl− anions via N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds. π–π stacking is observed between the benzene rings of adjacent cations [centroid-to-centroid distances = 3.7684 (14) and 3.7917 (7) Å].
(E)-3-(2-Ethoxyphenyl)-1-{4-[(2-fluorophenyl)(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]piperazin-1-yl}prop-2-en-1-one
Authors: Zhong Yan , Wu Bin
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C28H28F2N2O2, the piperazine ring has a chair conformation with the pendant N—C bonds in equatorial orientations. The C=C double bond has an E conformation and the dihedral angle between the fluorobenzene rings is 70.8 (3)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C—H...O and C—H...F hydrogen bonds.
2-Amino-4-(4-chlorophenyl)-7,7-dimethyl-5-oxo-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-chromene-3-carbonitrile propan-2-one monosolvate
Authors: Mohamed Shaaban K. , Akkurt Mehmet , Tahir Muhammad N. , Abdelhamid Antar A. , Albayati Mustafa R.
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C18H17ClN2O2·C3H6O, the 4H-pyran ring is nearly planar [maximum deviation = −0.108 (1) Å] and the cyclohexene ring is puckered [puckering parameters Q
T = 0.4596 (17) Å, θ = 55.9 (2)° and φ = 226.5 (3)°]. The 4H-pyran ring is approximately perpendicular to the benzene ring [dihedral angle = 84.35 (7)°] and is almost coplanar with the mean plane of the cyclohexene ring [dihedral angle = 8.64 (7)°]. In the crystal, inversion-related main molecules are linked into dimers by pairs of N—H...N hydrogen bonds, generating an R
2
2(12) graph-set motif. These dimers are further connected by N—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming a layer structure extending parallel to the (011) plane. In addition, the molecules within the layers interact with each other via C—H...π interactions.
2-[(2-Aminophenyl)sulfanyl]-N-(4-methoxyphenyl)acetamide
Authors: Murtaza Shahzad , Tahir M. Nawaz , Tariq Javaria , Abbas Aadil , Kausar Naghmana
Published: May 2012

In the title compound, C15H16N2O2S, the dihedral angle between the 4-methoxyaniline and 2-aminobenzenethiole fragments is 35.60 (9)°. A short intramolecular N—H...S contact leads to an S(5) ring. In the crystal, molecules are consolidated in the form of polymeric chains along [010] as a result of N—H...O hydrogen bonds, which generate R
3
2(18) and R
4
3(22) loops. The polymeric chains are interlinked through C—H...O interaction and complete R
2
2(8) ring motifs.
Boldness and aggressiveness in early and late hatched three‐spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus
Authors: Ruiz‐Gomez M. L. , Huntingford F. A.
Published: May 2012

Levels of boldness and the degree of aggressiveness were compared in juvenile three‐spined sticklebacks Gasterosteus aculeatus that had hatched early and late in the breeding season. The most striking result found in this study was that early hatched individuals were bolder when exploring a novel environment than were late‐hatched individuals. No differences in levels of aggression between early and late hatchlings were found, but a relationship between boldness and aggressiveness was present regardless of hatching date. The implications of these findings are discussed in the light of research on individual variation in behaviour and the development of behavioural syndromes.
Inside the heads of David and Goliath: environmental effects on brain morphology among wild and growth‐enhanced coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch
Authors: Kotrschal A. , Sundström L. F. , Brelin D. , Devlin R. H. , Kolm N.
Published: May 2012

Transgenic and wild‐type individual coho salmon Oncorhynchus kisutch were reared in hatchery and near‐natural stream conditions and their brain and structure sizes were determined. Animals reared in the hatchery grew larger and developed larger brains, both absolutely and when controlling for body size. In both environments, transgenics developed relatively smaller brains than wild types. Further, the volume of the optic tectum of both genotypes was larger in the hatchery animals and the cerebellum of transgenics was smaller when reared in near‐natural streams. Finally, wild types developed a markedly smaller telencephalon under hatchery conditions. It is concluded that, apart from the environment, genetic factors that modulate somatic growth rate also have a strong influence on brain size and structure.
Effect of positioning from supine and left lateral positions to left lateral tilt on maternal blood flow velocities and waveforms in full‐term parturients
Authors: Kundra P. , Velraj J. , Amirthalingam U. , Habeebullah S. , Yuvaraj K. , Elangovan S. , Venkatesan V.
Published: May 2012

Positioning the parturient from supine to the left lateral tilt position (supine‐to‐tilt) may not effectively displace the gravid uterus, but turning from the left lateral position to the left lateral tilt position (left lateral‐to‐tilt) may keep the gravid uterus displaced and prevent aortocaval compression. Fifty‐one full‐term parturients were randomly placed in the left lateral position, supine‐to‐tilt and left lateral‐to‐tilt positions using a Crawford wedge. Femoral vein area, femoral vein velocity, femoral artery area, pulsatility index, resistance index and right arm mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded. Our results showed a lower mean (SD) femoral vein area (82.2 (14.9) vs 96.2 (16.4) mm2), a lower pulsatility index (3.83 (1.3) vs 5.8 (2.2)), a lower resistance index (0.93 (0.06) vs 0.98 (0.57)), a higher femoral artery area (33.3 (3.8) vs 30.9 (4.4) mm2) and a higher femoral vein velocity (7.9 (1.2) vs 6.1 (1.6) cm.s−1) with left lateral‐to‐tilt when compared with supine‐to‐tilt (all p < 0.001). Our results suggest that moving a full‐term parturient from the full left lateral to the lateral tilt position may prevent aortocaval compression in full‐term parturients more efficiently than when positioning the parturient from a supine to left lateral tilt position.
Functional responses of stream biofilms to flow cessation, desiccation and rewetting
Authors: TIMONER XISCA , ACUÑA VICENÇ , VON SCHILLER DANIEL , SABATER SERGI
Published: May 2012

1.  Mediterranean climate regions are characterised by long summer droughts that usually involve flow intermittency in low‐ to mid‐order streams. Flow intermittency implies flow cessation, drying and subsequent rewetting of the streambed, and affects both autotrophic and heterotrophic processes. The balance between these processes, as well as the balance in the use of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) may change because of the ongoing increase in stream flow intermittency caused by global change in many regions. It is therefore crucial to understand better the consequences of this phenomenon.

2. Our two initial hypotheses were (i) that flow intermittency would impact more on autotrophic than on heterotrophic processes in stream biofilms owing to the higher water dependence of autotrophs, as well as differences in the water storage capacity of the stream biofilm compartments where autotrophic and heterotrophic processes mainly occur (surface cobbles versus hyporheic sediments) and (ii) that the C‐N‐P use by biofilms would change during the dry period (terrestrial phase) owing to the extreme water stress conditions. These hypotheses were tested by analysing the functional response of the main stream biofilms (epilithic, epipsammic and hyporheic) during flow cessation, desiccation and rewetting in a Mediterranean forested stream. The autotrophic response was characterised through changes in the photon yield, whereas the heterotrophic response was characterised by changes in the extracellular enzyme activities.

3. Streambed desiccation had clear effects on the functioning of stream biofilms. Autotrophic biomass decreased by 80% with streambed desiccation, but recovered rapidly after flow resumption. Heterotrophs were more resistant to water stress, especially in the epipsammic and hyporheic biofilms where bacterial cell density decreased only by 20%.

4. Extracellular enzyme activities remained relatively high, and the balance in the C‐N‐P use by biofilms changed during the dry period. The C and P breakdown capacities were maintained during dry conditions, especially in the epipsammic and hyporheic biofilms, but the degradation of N compounds sharply decreased. Elemental molar ratios (C:N and C:P) of the different biofilms also changed with streambed desiccation. C:P ratios increased from 80 to 300, while the C:N ratios increased from 10 to 16.

5. Given the contrasting responses of autotrophic and heterotrophic processes in the different biofilms, our results suggest that the current increase in flow intermittency extent is likely to increase the relative importance of heterotrophic processes in stream ecosystems, as well as the relative contribution of the hyporheic biofilm to C‐N‐P use. Our results further suggest that the longer streams remain dry, the more the biofilm stoichiometry will change.
Carbon flux through fungi and bacteria into the forest soil animal food web as indicated by compound‐specific13Cfatty acid analysis
Authors: Pollierer Melanie M. , Dyckmans Jens , Scheu Stefan , Haubert Dominique
Published: May 2012

1.Soil food webs are compartmentalized and comprise major energy channels, such as the plant litter, fungal and bacterial channel. However, the relative contribution of basal resources to these channels for nutrition of higher trophic levels is largely unknown.

2.The study took advantage of the Swiss Canopy Crane Project, where a mature temperate forest was labelled with13C‐depletedCO2. By exchanging leaf litter between the13CO2‐enriched area and an unlabelled control area, we were able to separate carbon fluxes originating from leaf litter and roots, respectively.

3.Fatty acid (FA) composition and δ13Csignatures of individual FAs of basal resources and soil animals, including decomposers and predators, were analysed. Marker FAs allowed differentiation of the contribution of plant litter, fungi and bacteria to the nutrition of higher trophic levels.

4.Our findings suggest that root‐derived carbon is of major importance for the soil animal food web and that it enters the soil animal food web mainly via feeding on ectomycorrhizal fungi.

5.In contrast to previous studies that emphasized the dominance of the fungal energy channel, significant amounts of bacterial FAs in each of the predator species studied indicate that the bacterial energy channel is considerably more important for the nutrition of higher trophic levels than previously assumed. The flux of energy along the two channels presumably contributes to food web stability.

6.Compound‐specific13(CO2) FA analysis of basal resources and soil animals allowed the separation of energy fluxes originating from ectomycorrhizal vs. saprotrophic fungi, from bacteria feeding on leaf litter vs. bacteria feeding on root exudates, and from leaf litter itself, providing information on the partitioning of these different energy channels in unprecedented detail.
Ankle muscle activation in people with haemophilia
Authors: Kurz E. , Anders C. , Herbsleb M. , Puta C. , Czepa D. , Hilberg T.
Published: May 2012

Since normative surface EMG (SEMG) values for muscles acting at the knee joint are available for people with haemophilia, increasing interest is noticeable for other joints affected by haemophilic arthropathy. Adequate activity of shank muscles is an important key for appropriate postural control. The aim of this study was to determine differences in muscle activation patterns of lower leg muscles between people with and without haemophilia during upright standing. SEMG of tibialis anterior (TA), fibularis longus (FL), lateral (LG) and medial (MG) heads of gastrocnemius, and soleus (SO) muscles of both sides were recorded in 25 haemophilic patients (H) and 25 non‐haemophilic control subjects (C) while standing on even ground. The Gilbert‐Score was used to assign sides to major (H‐MA) and minor (H‐MI) affected ankle joints in H. To normalize the SEMG amplitudes, amplitude ratios (percentage of cumulated activity) were calculated. Compared to controls, TA ratios showed higher and MG reduced levels in both H groups (P < 0.01). In the H‐MA subgroup of H, FL also joined the TA behaviour whereas SO had similar activation direction as MG. Although possible descending influences from the knee joints cannot be excluded, this can be interpreted as a compensational mechanism due to the severity of the orthopaedic status of the ankle, which with increasing heaviness is accompanied by reduced plantar flexion capability. However, ankle joint integrity appears to be reduced in H, with TA and MG seeming to play key roles for neuromuscular control of upright posture.
Effect of a self‐help program for mothers of hemophilic children in Korea
Authors: Kang H. S. , Kim W. O. , Jeong Y. , Kim S. Y. , Yoo K. Y.
Published: May 2012

Mothers of hemophilic children are under stressful situations because of the characteristics of disease and inheritance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the self‐help group program for the mothers of hemophilic children. Fifty one mothers of hemophilic children were participated. The experiment group (n = 24) participated in the self‐help group program for 5 weeks, while the control group (n = 27) received a self‐help booklet only. Knowledge, self‐efficacy, depression, parenting stress, and quality of life were evaluated using questionnaires. Data were analyzed using χ2‐test, t‐test, and analysis of covariance (ancova). The experiment and control groups were homogeneous in general characteristics and depending variables except knowledge (P < 0.05; P > 0.05, respectively). Knowledge, self‐efficacy, and quality of life in the experiment group were increased after the program (P < 0.001). Especially, the knowledge in the experiment group was lower than the control group in pretest, but higher in the posttest (P < 0.001). Depression and parenting stress were reduced in the experiment group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). It is suggestive that the self‐help group program can be a useful opportunity for mothers of hemophilic children to improve knowledge and self‐efficay of child care and quality of life of themselves; to decrease depression and parenting stress. Extended application of the program to fathers or all family members may be needed to investigate in the future.
Evaluation of a novel flow chamber system to assess clot formation in factor VIII‐deficient mouse and anti‐factor IXa‐treated human blood
Authors: Ogawa S. , Szlam F. , Dunn A. L. , Bolliger D. , Ohnishi T. , Hosokawa K. , Tanaka K. A.
Published: May 2012

Blood flow properties play important roles in the regulation and formation of thrombus. To evaluate the influence of blood flow on thrombus formation in haemophilia, whole blood samples were obtained from FVIII‐deficient (FVIII−/−) and wild‐type (FVIII+/+) mice (n = 6 respectively), and from six human volunteers. Anti‐FIXa aptamer was added to human blood to model acquired haemophilia B. Recalcified whole blood samples containing corn trypsin inhibitor and danaproid were perfused over the microchip coated with collagen and tissue thromboplastin at shear rates of 1100 and 110 s−1. Thrombus formation in the capillary was quantified by monitoring flow pressure changes. The intervals to 5 kPa (T5) and 40 k Pa (T40) reflect the onset and growth of thrombus formation respectively. Furthermore, fibrin and platelets in thrombi were quantified by immunostaining. T5 at both shear rates were similar in FVIII−/− and FVIII+/+ mice. T40 of FVIII−/− mice (1569 ± 565 s) was significantly delayed compared with FVIII+/+ mice (339 ± 78 s) at 110 s−1 (P < 0.05), but not at 1100 s−1. The delay was normalized by adding human FVIII (2 IU mL−1). Similarly, adding anti‐FIXa aptamer to human blood prolonged T40 at 110 s−1 (P < 0.01), but not at 1100 s−1. Impaired production of fibrin due to anti‐FIXa aptamer at 110 s−1 was shown in the immunostained thrombus. Our perfusion experiments demonstrated that shear rates influence thrombus formation patterns in haemophilia, and that reduced activity of intrinsic tenase (FIXa‐FVIIIa) becomes evident under venous shear rates.
Low‐level laser therapy for pain relief after episiotomy: a double‐blind randomised clinical trial
Authors: Santos Jaqueline de O , de Oliveira Sonia MJV , da Silva Flora MB , Nobre Moacyr RC , Osava Ruth H , Riesco Maria LG
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  To evaluate the effectiveness of a low‐level laser therapy for pain relief in the perineum following episiotomy during childbirth.

Background.  Laser irradiation is a painless and non‐invasive therapy for perineal pain treatment and its effects have been investigated in several studies, with no clear conclusion on its effectiveness.

Design.  A double‐blind randomised controlled clinical trial.

Method.  One hundred and fourteen women who underwent right mediolateral episiotomies during vaginal birth in an in‐hospital birthing centre in São Paulo, Brazil and reported pain ≥3 on a numeric scale (0–10) were randomised into three groups of 38 women each: two experimental groups (treated with red and infrared laser) and a control group. The experimental groups were treated with laser applied at three points directly on the episiotomy after suturing in a single session between 6–56 hours postpartum. We used a diode laser with wavelengths of 660 nm (red laser) and 780 nm (infrared laser). The control group participants underwent all laser procedures, excluding the emission of irradiation. The participants and the pain scores evaluator were blinded to the type of intervention. The perineal pain scores were assessed at three time points: before, immediately after and 30 minutes after low‐level laser therapy.

Results.  The comparison of perineal pain between the three groups showed no significant differences in the three evaluations (p =  0·445), indicating that the results obtained in the groups treated with low‐level laser therapy were equivalent to the control group.

Conclusions.  Low‐level laser therapy did not decrease the intensity of perineal pain reported by women who underwent right mediolateral episiotomy.

Relevance to clinical practice.  The effect of laser in perineal pain relief was not demonstrated in this study. The dosage may not have been sufficient to provide relief from perineal pain after episiotomy during a vaginal birth.
Characteristics of hypertension‐related factors in female home caregivers in Japan—comparison with general community non‐caregivers
Authors: Hoshino Junko , Hori Yoko , Kondo Takaaki , Tamakoshi Koji , Toyoshima Hideaki , Sakakibara Hisataka
Published: May 2012

Aims and objectives.  To examine the characteristics of hypertension‐related factors in female family caregivers in Japan who provide care in the home, in comparison with general community non‐caregivers.

Background.  Hypertension is more frequently encountered in female caregivers than in non‐caregivers. Lifestyle factors including sleep and eating habits differ in Japanese female caregivers and the general population. Therefore, hypertension‐related factors in caregivers may also differ from those in the general population.

Design.  A cross‐sectional study.

Methods.  The subjects were 150 female caregivers (aged 62·4, SD 12·2 years) who provided home care for persons with physical impairments and/or dementia and 154 female controls (aged 62·7, SD 2·2 years) who did not provide home care. Persons with a history of ischaemic heart disease or cerebral stroke were excluded. Subjects were examined using a self‐reporting questionnaire that included a food frequency questionnaire and the tri‐axial coping scale. Urine examinations and blood pressure measurements were also done. Logistic regression analysis was conducted for each group with the same variables as explanatory variables.

Results.  Hypertension was present in 46·7% of caregivers and 34·4% of controls (p < 0·05). Menopause was a factor related to hypertension in both the caregivers and controls. In the caregiver group, hypertension was associated with the estimated 24‐h Na excretion in urine and the carbohydrate‐energy ratio for nutriti. BMI was associated with hypertension in the control group, but not in the caregiver group.

Conclusions.  Hypertension was associated with nutritional factors, such as greater Na excretion in urine and higher carbohydrate energy ratio, in Japanese female caregivers and with obesity in non‐caregivers.

Relevance to clinical practice.  To prevent hypertension, it is necessary to carefully monitor salt intake and nutritional balance in female caregivers in Japan.