bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highlighting the effects of land‐use change on a threatened amphibian in a human‐dominated landscape
Authors: Cayuela Hugo , Lambrey Julie , Vacher Jean‐Pierre , Miaud Claude
Published: April 2015

In Western Europe, habitat loss and landscape fragmentation has led to significant population decline in various animal groups, including amphibians. The extinction of the last natural populations of the yellow‐bellied toad in Belgium, Luxembourg and several regions of southern and western France suggests a widespread decline. By using site‐occupancy models and adding covariates corresponding to the human‐influenced features of the landscape, we tried to identify the relative effects of different land‐use types on the species’ distribution pattern in a man‐made environment (the Alsatian Rhine floodplain in France). We recorded presence–absence data in 150 forest sample plots (300 × 300 m) and then modeled species distribution while taking into account detection errors in the field. Land‐use was recorded on two spatial scales: within the forest sample plots and in a 1500 m radius buffer area around the forest plots. In the forest plots, toad occurrence was negatively correlated with loss of forest cover to agricultural land. In contrast, occurrence is positively correlated with the density of human‐made rutted dirt paths and tracks, which provide semi‐natural breeding sites. In the 1500 m radius buffer zones around forest plots, toad occurrence was negatively correlated with the density of urbanization and road networks. These results can be used to plan conservation strategies for amphibians in human‐dominated landscapes.
Work–Family Demands and Subjective Well-being among Female Academicians: The Role of Muslim Religiosity
Authors: Achour Meguellati , Mohd Nor Mohd Roslan , Mohd Yusoff Mohd Yakub Zulkifli
Published: April 2015

The current study examines the relationship between work–family demands and the subjective well-being of female academicians. It analyses the role of religiosity as a moderator of work–family demands and well-being. The determinants of work–family demands included in this research are workload, log working hours, irregular work schedule, number of children and their ages, and time spent on family activities. The researcher sampled 300 female academic staff employed in research universities in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Their ages ranged from 30 to 60 years. The findings show that there is a negative and significant relationship of work–family demands with well-being. There is also a positive and significant relationship between religiosity and female well-being, where religiosity increases employee well-being. Thus, religiosity has a moderating effect on work–family demands and Muslim women's well-being.
Structural insight into the calcium ion modulated interdomain electron transfer in cellobiose dehydrogenase
Authors: Kadek Alan , Kavan Daniel , Felice Alfons K.G. , Ludwig Roland , Halada Petr , Man Petr
Published: April 2015

Cellobiose dehydrogenase (CDH) from wood degrading fungi represents a subclass of oxidoreductases with unique properties. Consisting of two domains exhibiting interdomain electron transfer, this is the only known flavocytochrome involved in wood degradation. High resolution structures of the separated domains were solved, but the overall architecture of the intact protein and the exact interface of the two domains is unknown. Recently, it was shown that divalent cations modulate the activity of CDH and its pH optimum and a possible mechanism involving bridging of negative charges by calcium ions was proposed. Here we provide a structural explanation of this phenomenon confirming the interaction between negatively charged surface patches and calcium ions at the domain interface.
Say no more! The liability of strong ties on desire for special experiences
Authors: Goode Miranda R. , Hart Kendra , Thomson Matthew
Published: April 2015

Interpersonal connections are often involved in the planning, consuming, and reminiscing of special consumption experiences. Yet we have limited understanding of how consumers in different stages (planning versus reminiscing) influence one another and how this might vary as a function of relationship strength. From two experiments, our findings suggest that when planning a novel special experience, consumers should be cautious of others' reminiscences and, specifically, of memories shared by strong ties. In study 1, we found that a memory shared by a strong tie increases a consumer's desire to switch a novel experience. In study 2, we unpacked this effect by examining the role of savoring and internalization of memory details. When a memory was shared by a stronger (versus weaker) tie, the expected utility of savoring was reduced, and the desire to switch to a new experience increased. Post analyses suggest that this may be due to differences in the extent to which the memory is assimilated as one's own experience.
Prevention of immediate recurrence of atrial fibrillation with low‐dose landiolol after radiofrequency catheter ablation
Authors: Ishigaki Daisuke , Arimoto Takanori , Iwayama Tadateru , Hashimoto Naoaki , Kutsuzawa Daisuke , Kumagai Yu , Nishiyama Satoshi , Takahashi Hiroki , Shishido Tetsuro , Miyamoto Takuya , Watanabe Tetsu , Kubota Isao
Published: April 2015

Background

Immediate recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) after radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation is commonly observed within 3 d after the procedure. The mechanism and pharmacological management of immediate AF recurrence remain unclear.

Methods

A total of 50 consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF were randomized to receive either low‐dose landiolol (landiolol group) or a placebo (placebo group). In the landiolol group, intravenous landiolol (0.5 μg kg−1 min−1) was administered for 3 d after AF ablation.

Results

No serious adverse event associated with RF catheter ablation or landiolol administration was observed. The prevalence of immediate AF recurrence (≤3 d after RF catheter ablation) was significantly lower in the landiolol group than in the placebo group (16% vs. 48%, p=0.015). Although the postprocedural change in heart rate was significantly lower in the landiolol group compared to that in the placebo group, the changes in blood pressure and body temperature were not different between the two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that landiolol treatment was the only independent predictor of immediate AF recurrence after ablation (odds ratio: 0.180; 95% confidence interval: 0.044–0.729; p=0.016).

Conclusions

Prophylactic administration of low‐dose landiolol after AF ablation may be effective and safe for preventing immediate AF recurrence within 3 d after AF ablation.
Where Do Injectable Stem Cell Treatments Apply in Treatment of Muscle, Tendon, and Ligament Injuries?
Authors: Mautner Kenneth , Blazuk Joseph
Published: April 2015

Treatment options for muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries span a constantly evolving spectrum. For years, treatments focused on symptomatic relief. Closer scrutiny of symptomatic treatment suggests that the provision of transient relief of symptoms may have caused more harm than good. Cortisone injections provide a trade‐off of short‐term relief for poorer long‐term outcomes. When conventional treatment failed, patients have faced limited options including surgery, which has increased risk and limited efficacy. Regenerative injections offer a more robust option for soft tissue disease. Basic science and clinical studies show conflicting results to support the use of platelet‐rich plasma injections for soft tissue disorders, and even fewer trials have focused on injectable stem cells with limited findings. Additional studies are needed to determine the potential benefits of this regenerative therapy.
Sphingosin-1-phosphate Receptor 1: a Potential Target to Inhibit Neuroinflammation and Restore the Sphingosin-1-phosphate Metabolism
Authors: Kolahdooz Zeynab , Nasoohi Sanaz , Asle-Rousta Masoumeh , Ahmadiani Abolhassan , Dargahi Leila
Published: April 2015

Background: Recent evidence suggests that an extreme shift may occur in sphingosine metabolism in neuroinflammatory contexts. Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)-metabolizing enzymes (SMEs) regulate the level of S1P. We recently found that FTY720, a S1P analogue, and SEW2871, a selective S1P receptor 1 (S1P1) agonist, provide protection against neural damage and memory deficit in amyloid beta (Aβ)-injected animals. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these two analogues on the expression of SMEs as well as their anti-inflammatory roles. Methods: Rats were treated with intracerebral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or Aβ. Memory impairment was assessed by Morris water maze and the effects of drugs on SMEs as well as inflammatory markers, TNF- α and COX-II, were determined by immunoblotting. Results: Aβ and LPS differentially altered the expression profile of SMEs. In Aβ-injected animals, FTY720 and SEW2871 treatments exerted anti-inflammatory effects and restored the expression profile of SMEs, in parallel to our previous findings. In LPS animals however, in spite of anti-inflammatory effects of the two analogues, only FTY720 restored the levels of SMEs and prevented memory deficit. Conclusion: The observed ameliorating effects of FTY720 and SEW7821 can be partly attributed to the interruption of the vicious cycle of abnormal S1P metabolism and neuro-inflammation. The close imitation of the FTY720 effects by SW2871 in Aβ-induced neuro-inflammation may highlight the attractive role of S1P1 as a potential target to restore S1P metabolism and inhibit inflammatory processes.
Are Patients with Limb and Head Tremor a Clinically Distinct Subtype of Essential Tremor?
Authors: Lenka Abhishek , Bhalsing Ketaki Swapnil , Jhunjhunwala Ketan Ramakant , Chandran Vijay , Pal Pramod Kumar
Published: April 2015

Background:Essential tremor (ET) is the most common tremor disorder in adults. In addition to upper limbs, the tremor in ET may also involve head, jaw, voice, tongue, and trunk. Though head tremor (HT) is commonly present in patients with ET, large comparative studies of ET patients with HT (HT+) and without HT (HT−) are few.Methods:To determine whether ET with HT is a distinct clinical subtype by comparing ET patients with and without HT, a chart review of 234 consecutive patients with ET attending the neurology clinics of the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India, was done. A movement disorder specialist confirmed the diagnosis of ET in all patients using the National Institutes of Health collaborative genetic criteria.Results:HT was present in 44.4% of the patients. Comparison between HT+ and HT− showed that the HT+ group patients: (1) were older, (2) had later onset of tremor, (3) had unimodal distribution of age at onset with a single peak in the fifth decade, (4) had more frequent voice tremor, and (5) were more likely to have mild cervical dystonia. HT was part of presenting symptoms in nearly two thirds of the ET patients and in the rest it was detected during clinical examination.Conclusions:Several demographic and clinical variables suggest that ET patients with HT have a distinct clinical phenotype.
The Incidence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Floods: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Chen Long , Liu Aizhong
Published: April 2015

This study analyzes the incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among flood victims, between different flood intensities, and between different time points after a flood. A search of several electronic literature databases was conducted to collect data on the incidence of PTSD after a flood. Loney criteria for research quality were used to evaluate the quality of selected search results. The combined incidence of PTSD was estimated using the Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation method. Subgroup analyses were conducted on different trauma intensities and different time points after a flood. Sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of research quality. Fourteen articles were included in this meta-analysis, including a total of 40 600 flood victims; 3862 victims were diagnosed with PTSD. The combined incidence of PTSD was 15.74%. The subgroup analyses showed that the incidence of PTSD in victims who experienced severe and moderate flood intensity was higher than that in victims who experienced mild flood intensity. The incidence of PTSD was lower at 6 or more months after a flood (11.45%) than within 6 months (16.01%) of a flood. In conclusion, the incidence of PTSD among floods of different trauma intensities was statistically significant. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:329-333)
Clinical Decision Support in the Management of Patients With Suspected Ebola Infection
Authors: Landman Adam B. , Goralnick Eric , Teich Jonathan M.
Published: April 2015

Patients with suspected public health threats, such as Ebola, must be quickly identified and isolated on presentation to health care facilities. Patients can be screened by intake staff or other health care providers; however, perfect compliance is difficult to achieve. Well-designed, carefully placed clinical decision support (CDS) within the electronic health record can be a reliable partner in helping to rapidly identify, isolate, and care for patients with suspected Ebola infection and other emerging public health threats. We describe how different types of CDS can be applied in the clinical workflow and share how we implemented CDS to force Ebola screening upon patient presentation to our emergency department. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:591–594)
Four Moments for Patient Hand Hygiene: A Patient-Centered, Provider-Facilitated Model to Improve Patient Hand Hygiene
Authors: Sunkesula Venkata CK , Knighton Shanina , Zabarsky Trina F. , Kundrapu Sirisha , Higgins Patricia A. , Donskey Curtis J.
Published: April 2015

We found that a majority of hospitalized patients were aware of the importance of hand hygiene, but observations indicated that performance of hand hygiene was uncommon. An intervention in which healthcare personnel facilitated hand hygiene at specific moments significantly increased performance of hand hygiene by patients.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(8): 986–989
HISTORY, CREATIVE IMAGINATION, AND FORGIVENESS IN MEDIATION ON AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE: PRACTICAL LESSONS FROM PAUL RICOEUR'S HERMENEUTICS
Authors: Zwier Paul J.
Published: April 2015

This article discusses Paul Ricoeur's moral philosophy as a tool for the mediation of international disputes. It argues that Ricoeur's hermeneutics provides a lens to examine how a mediator can use language to explore with representatives of the disputing parties a deeper sense of their histories as a pathway to creative imagination and problem solving. It shows how even, and perhaps especially, religious disputants can be led into a more profound sense of the complexity of their identity and history, in order to discover the sense of urgency and responsibility that opens disputants to imaginative steps toward peace and reconciliation.

In addition the article discusses Ricoeur's clear-eyed view of forgiveness as an important correction to modern-day uses of truth and reconciliation commissions. With this better understanding of the meaning and conditions of forgiveness in hand peacemakers will be able to help disputants design processes that are necessary for a lasting and just peace.

Finally it briefly discusses the challenges to applying Ricoeur's hermeneutics to international conflicts.
Revisit of the Dual Bem using SVD Updating Technique
Authors: Chen J.-T. , Huang W.-S. , Fan Y. , Kao S.-K.
Published: April 2015

The boundary element method (BEM) is easier than the finite element method (FEM) on the viewpoint of the discretization of one dimension reduction rather than the domain discretization of finite element method. The disadvantage of BEM is the rank deficiency in the influence matrix,e.g., degenerate boundary, degenerate scale, spurious eigenvalues and fictitious frequencies, which do not occur in the FEM. The conventional BEM can not be straightforward applied to solve a problem which contains a degenerate boundary without decomposing the domain to multi-regions. A hypersingular integral equation is used to ensure a unique solution for the problem containing a degenerate boundary. By combining the singular and hypersingular equations, it’s termed the dual BEM due to its dual frame. Following the successful experience on the retrieval of information using the singular value decomposition (SVD) updating term and updating document, this technique is also used to extract out the degenerate-boundary information and the rigid-body information in the dual BEM. It is interesting to find that true information due to a rigid-body mode in physics is found in the right singular vector with respect to the corresponding zero singular value while the degenerate-boundary mode (geometry degeneracy) in mathematics is imbedded in the left singular vector with respect to the corresponding zero singular value. The role of the common right and left singular vectors of SVD for the four influence matrices in the dual BEM is also discussed in this paper. Two examples, a potential flow problem across a cutoff wall and a cracked bar under torsion were demonstrated to see the mathematical SVD structure of four influence matrices in the dual BEM.
A New Procedure for Simulating Active Lateral Force in Spatially Variable Clay Modeled by Anisotropic Random Field
Authors: Hu Y.-G. , Ching J.
Published: April 2015

A new procedure for simulating the active lateral force (Pa) is proposed for clays with anisotropic spatially variable undrained shear strength (su). With the proposed procedure, the Pasamples can be simulated without the use of the random field finite element method (RFEM). It requires only simple algebraic calculations and chart checking. Two retaining wall examples with isotropic or anisotropic random field are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed procedure.
Stabilization of Regular Solutions for the Zakharov-Kuznetsov Equation Posed on Bounded Rectangles and on a Strip
Authors: Doronin G. G. , Larkin N. A.
Published: April 2015

Initial–boundary-value problems for the two-dimensional Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation posed on bounded rectangles and on a strip are considered. Spectral properties of a linearized operator and critical sizes of domains are studied. An exponential decay rate of regular solutions for the original nonlinear problems is proved.
Evaluation of three tagging methods in the sea urchin Diadema antillarum
Authors: Rodríguez-Barreras Ruber , Sabat Alberto M.
Published: April 2015

Multiple tagging devices have been developed for long-term studies and estimating demographic parameters in sea urchins. In this study, we evaluated the use of passive integrated transponders (PIT-tag), and two types of nylon tags (T-bar and S-tag) in the sea urchin Diadema antillarum by measuring retention rate and apparent survival. The PIT-tags exhibited the highest retention, followed by T-bars, and lastly the S-tags. Differences in recapture were detected among the three types of tags (H = 6.99, P = 0.030). An a posteriori pairwise comparison test found significant differences between PIT-tags and each of the other two types (P < 0.05), whereas T-bar and S-tag did not exhibit significant differences between them (P > 0.05). The semi-captivity experiment exhibited similar results to the field experiment in terms of retention. This experiment also found higher mortality with T-bars. Differences between previous studies conducted under controlled conditions and experiments carried out in the field reflect high variability and the necessity of testing tagging procedures under both settings. The S-tag induced high spine autotomy and low retention; whereas the T-bar demonstrated low retention and low survival. Although the retention rate of PIT-tags was significantly higher than the other two, retention rates were still too low for practical utility in long-term field experiments. In conclusion, the present study does not support the use of any of these tags for long-term studies in D. antillarum.
Temperature-induced variation in sexual maturation of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus
Authors: Yoneda Michio , Yamamoto Masayuki , Yamada Tetsuo , Takahashi Makoto , Shima Yasuhiro
Published: April 2015

Temperature is one of the most influential factors for the sexual maturation of fishes, but understanding of the extent to which temperature affects the maturational schedules is limited in multiple-spawning fishes over a protracted season. This study examined the effect of temperature on sexual maturation of Japanese anchovy Engraulis japonicus siblings under high and low temperature regimes on different birthdates. The maturation probability differed between the two temperature regimes. Specimens in high temperature regimes matured at much smaller size and younger age than their counterparts. Also, a significant difference in the maturation probability between sexes was found at low temperatures, but not at high temperatures. Our findings show that temperature affects the maturational schedules of siblings of Japanese anchovy, suggesting that the size and age at sexual maturation could differ among cohorts, even in a given sampling location and/or year.
Insight into neonatal septicaemicEscherichia colifrom India with respect to phylogroups, serotypes, virulence, extended-spectrum-β-lactamases and association of ST131 clonal group
Authors: ROY S. , DATTA S. , DAS P. , GAIND R. , PAL T. , TAPADER R. , MUKHERJEE S. , BASU S.
Published: April 2015

The study characterizes a collection of 67 neonatal septicaemicEscherichia coliisolates on the basis of phylogroup, serotype, virulence, antibiotic resistance and also the association of CTX-M-producingE. coliand the ST131 clone in a developing country. Phylogroups B2 and D were predominant (33% and 19%, respectively). The most prevalent virulence factors (VFs) weretraT(69%) andiucC(68%) and most VFs were concentrated in the B2 isolates. High levels of resistance (⩾70%) to cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was recorded but meropenem remained the most active antimicrobial. Six (9%) of the study isolates belonged to the ST131 clone, five of which were from the same hospital, and were either indistinguishable or closely related by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Although the prevalence of CTX-M-15-producing isolates was high (81%), the ST131 clone was relatively infrequent (11%) in extended spectrumβ-lactamase (ESBL)-producers. The ST131 clone was characterized by the presence ofblaCTX-M-15,qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, IncF plasmids and virulence determinants such asiucC, papC, traT, usp, hlyA, iroNE.coli,cnf, andsat. We conclude that clonal spread of ST131 did not contribute directly to the high prevalence of CTX-M-15 in our settings.
Neuroimaging findings in disruptive behavior disorders
Authors: Baker Rosalind H. , Clanton Roberta L. , Rogers Jack C. , De Brito Stéphane A.
Published: April 2015

Decades of research have shown that youths with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) are a heterogeneous population. Over the past 20 years, researchers have distinguished youths with DBD as those displaying high (DBD/HCU) versus low (DBD/LCU) callous-unemotional (CU) traits. These traits include flat affect and reduced empathy and remorse, and are associated with more severe, varied, and persistent patterns of antisocial behavior and aggression. Conduct problems in youths with HCU and LCU are thought to reflect distinct causal vulnerabilities, with antisocial behavior in youths with DBD/HCU reflecting a predominantly genetic etiology, while antisocial behavior in youths with DBD/LCU is associated primarily with environmental influences. Here we selectively review recent functional (fMRI) and structural (sMRI) magnetic resonance imaging research on DBD, focusing particularly on the role of CU traits. First, fMRI studies examining the neural correlates of affective stimuli, emotional face processing, empathy, theory of mind, morality, and decision-making in DBD are discussed. This is followed by a review of the studies investigating brain structure and structural connectivity in DBD. Next, we highlight the need to further investigate females and the role of sex differences in this population. We conclude the review by identifying potential clinical implications of this research.
Phonological coactivation in the bilinguals’ two languages: Evidence from the color naming task
Authors: MACIZO PEDRO
Published: April 2015

We evaluate whether bilinguals activate the phonology of their first language (L1) when they speak in their second language (L2). In Experiment 1, Spanish–English (L1–L2) bilinguals performed a color naming task in which they named the color of pictures in L2 while the phonological relationship between the color names and picture names in L1 was evaluated. The bilinguals were slower when color names and picture names were phonologically related in L1 relative to a control condition in which they were unrelated. The same pattern of results was obtained in Experiment 2 when bilinguals with less L2 proficiency were evaluated. These results suggest that bilinguals coactivated the phonology of their two languages and that the phonology in L1 influenced the production of speech in L2. This finding is explained in terms of cascade models of bilingual language production.
Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix Texture Analysis of Breast Tumor Images in Prognosis of Distant Metastasis Risk
Authors: Vujasinovic Tijana , Pribic Jelena , Kanjer Ksenija , Milosevic Nebojsa T. , Tomasevic Zorica , Milovanovic Zorka , Nikolic-Vukosavljevic Dragica , Radulovic Marko
Published: April 2015

Owing to exceptional heterogeneity in the outcome of invasive breast cancer it is essential to develop highly accurate prognostic tools for effective therapeutic management. Based on this pressing need, we aimed to improve breast cancer prognosis by exploring the prognostic value of tumor histology image analysis. Patient group (n=78) selection was based on invasive breast cancer diagnosis without systemic treatment with a median follow-up of 147 months. Gray-level co-occurrence matrix texture analysis was performed retrospectively on primary tumor tissue section digital images stained either nonspecifically with hematoxylin and eosin or specifically with a pan-cytokeratin antibody cocktail for epithelial malignant cells. Univariate analysis revealed stronger association with metastasis risk by texture analysis when compared with clinicopathological parameters. The combination of individual clinicopathological and texture variables into composite scores resulted in further powerful enhancement of prognostic performance, with an accuracy of up to 90%, discrimination efficiency by the area under the curve [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 0.94 (0.87–0.99) and hazard ratio (95% CI) of 20.1 (7.5–109.4). Internal validation was successfully performed by bootstrap and split-sample cross-validation, suggesting that the models are generalizable. Whereas further validation is needed on an external set of patients, this preliminary study indicates the potential use of primary breast tumor histology texture as a highly accurate, simple, and cost-effective prognostic indicator of distant metastasis risk.
FIAT IUSTITIA, PEREAT MUNDUS: IMMANUEL KANT, FRIEDRICH GENTZ, AND THE POSSIBILITY OF PRUDENTIAL ENLIGHTENMENT
Authors: GREEN JONATHAN
Published: April 2015

Since the early twentieth century, historians of political thought have read Immanuel Kant's interventions into debates over the French Revolution—his essay on “Theory and Practice” (1795), and his tract onPerpetual Peace(1793)—against Edmund Burke'sReflections on the Revolution in France(1790). Kant is said to have upheld the sovereignty of pure reason for political practice, over and against Burke's stubborn traditionalism. What this dichotomy ignores, however, is that Kant's first public comments on the Revolution were directed not against Burke'sReflections, but against a heavily edited German version of the text published in 1793 by Kant's former student, Friedrich Gentz (1764–1832). The central thrust of Gentz's translation was that while Kant's normative theory of politics was admirable, it needed to be complemented with a prudential grasp of statecraft in order to be made practicable. Without prudence, the rights of man would remain an empty ideal. In responding to Gentz, Kant entered into a debate over whether philosophical reason and political prudence are mutually compatible. His dogmatic refusal to endorse such an alliance, even in the face of the Terror, places his political thought in an unfavourable light.
Massive Elliptical Galaxies: BH Scouring or a Bottom-Heavy IMF?
Authors: Thomas Jens , Saglia Roberto , Bender Ralf , Erwin Peter , Fabricius Maximilian
Published: April 2015

We present indirect constraints on the stellar initial-mass-function (IMF) in nine massive elliptical galaxies with σ ≈ 300 km/s, via a comparison of dynamical and stellar-population based stellar masses. We use adaptive-optics assisted, high resolution kinematical data from the SINFONI Search for Supermassive Black Holes that allow us to constrain the dynamical stellar mass-to-light ratio in the very centre of each galaxy. Hence we measure the IMF in a galaxy region where the stellar mass dominates over dark matter, minimising any potential degeneracy between the two mass components. In six of our galaxies – those which have depleted stellar cores – we find an IMF consistent with the one measured in the Milky-Way via direct star counts. The three remaining, power-law galaxies have instead stellar masses about a factor of two times larger than expected from a Milky-Way type IMF, indicating either a more bottom-heavy IMF (like, e.g., the Salpeter IMF) or a dark-matter distribution that is degenerate with the stellar mass down to the very centres of these galaxies. The bottom-light IMF in our core galaxies is surprising in view of previous studies that suggested a systematic IMF variation where early-type galaxies with σ ≈ 300 km/s have a Salpeter or even more dwarf-dominated IMF. Core galaxies are particularly important since their unique central orbital structure offers an independent crosscheck for the dynamical models. Our models with a bottom-light IMF are consistent with the distribution of orbits predicted by SMBH-binary core-formation models. This indicates that spatially well resolved central kinematical data are important for determining unbiased dynamical stellar mass-to-light ratios. Our results imply either that the IMF in massive galaxies varies over a wider range than previously anticipated, and is not the same in core and power-law ellipticals, or else that there are systematic variations in the distribution of dark matter among massive early-type galaxies.
X-Ray Measurements of the Mass Profiles in Massive Isolated Elliptical Galaxies
Authors: Buote David A. , O'Sullivan Ewan , Ponman Trevor J.
Published: April 2015

We discuss some results for mass profiles that we have obtained from hydrostatic studies of the hot gas in isolated, massive elliptical galaxies.
The Stellar Mass of M31 as inferred by the Andromeda Optical & Infrared Disk Survey
Authors: Sick Jonathan , Courteau Stephane , Cuillandre Jean-Charles , Dalcanton Julianne , de Jong Roelof , McDonald Michael , Simard Dana , Brent Tully R.
Published: April 2015

Our proximity and external vantage point make M31 an ideal testbed for understanding the structure of spiral galaxies. The Andromeda Optical and Infrared Disk Survey (ANDROIDS) has mapped M31's bulge and disk out to R=40 kpc in ugriJKs bands with CFHT using a careful sky calibration. We use Bayesian modelling of the optical-infrared spectral energy distribution (SED) to estimate profiles of M31's stellar populations and mass along the major axis. This analysis provides evidence for inside-out disk formation and a declining metallicity gradient. M31's i-band mass-to-light ratio (M/Li*) decreases from 0.5 dex in the bulge to ~ 0.2 dex at 40 kpc. The best-constrained stellar population models use the full ugriJKs SED but are also consistent with optical-only fits. Therefore, while NIR data can be successfully modelled with modern stellar population synthesis, NIR data do not provide additional constraints in this application. Fits to the gi-SED alone yield M/Li* that are systematically lower than the full SED fit by 0.1 dex. This is still smaller than the 0.3 dex scatter amongst different relations for M/Li via g – i colour found in the literature. We advocate a stellar mass of M*(30 kpc) = 10.3+2.3-1.7 × 1010 M⊙ for the M31 bulge and disk.
The Secret Life of Galaxies
Authors: Dressler Alan , Abramson Louis
Published: April 2015

We have learned much about galaxy evolution since z = 2, and something to even higher redshifts. How can it be that we know so little about! the star formation histories (SFHs) of individual galaxies? Although great progress has been made accumulating huge samples with only rudimentary properties, progress in galaxy evolution means connecting what we've learned to detailed measurements of the life-histories of specific –- not just representative –- systems.
Kinematic Evolution of Field and Cluster Spiral Galaxies
Authors: Ziegler Bodo L. , Böhm Asmus
Published: April 2015

We investigate the evolution of the Tully–Fisher relation out to z = 1 with 137 emission-line galaxies in the field that display a regular rotation curve. They follow a linear trend with lookback time being on average brighter by 1.1 Bmag and 60% smaller at z = 1. For a subsample of 48 objects with very regular gas kinematics and stellar structure we derive a TF scatter of 1.15mag, which is two times larger than local samples exhibit. This is probably due to modest variations in their star formation history and chemical enrichment.

In another study of 96 members of Abell 901/902 at z = 0.17 and 86 field galaxies with similar redshifts we find a difference in the TFR of 0.42mag in the B-band but no significant difference in stellar mass. Comparing specifically red spirals with blue ones in the cluster, the former are fainter on average by 0.35 Bmag and have 15% lower stellar masses. This is probably due to star formation quenching caused by ram-pressure in the cluster environment. Evidence for this scenario comes from strong distortions of the gas disk of red spirals that have at the same time a very regular stellar disk structure.
First Record of the anchialine shrimp Parhippolyte sterreri (Decapoda, Barbouriidae) from San Salvador Island, Bahamas, with observations on Barbouria cubensis
Authors: Ditter Robert E. , Goebel Anna M. , Erdman Robert B.
Published: April 2015

Sterrer's cave shrimp (Parhippolyte sterreri) is recorded for the first time from San Salvador Island, Bahamas. A single adult specimen was collected in June 2011 with hand nets at the southern conduit mouth in Mermaid Pond, an anchialine pond on the south-east corner of the island. Twelve additional specimens were collected in June 2013 from two additional sites near Mermaid Pond (Dunk City Pond and the Pigeon Creek Conduit). These collections represent a minor range extension ofP. sterreriin the Bahamas. Additionally, we report on populations ofBarbouria cubensisobserved in 17 other anchialine ponds on San Salvador Island.
Intertidal Echinoderms (Astroidea, Echinoidea, Ophiuroidea) from Hormuz Island in the Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf, Iran)
Authors: Pourvali Naser
Published: April 2015

Echinoderm samples were collected from Hormuz Island in 2010–2011. The sampling was based on a qualitative survey, conducted in intertidal areas. The collected specimens were transferred to a laboratory for identification according to the valid literature. In this study, ten species of echinoderms were collected, including: six Asteroidea (Astropecten monoacanthus,Luidia hardwicki,Aquilonastra iranica,Aquilonastra samyni,Astropecten polyacanthus pheragmorus,Astropecten polyacanthus polyacanthus); two Ophiuroidea (Macrophiothrix elongate,Ophiocoma scalopendarina); and three Echinoidea (Echinometra mathaei,Echinodiscus bisperforatus,Echinodiscus auritus).
New parties, information uncertainty, and government formation: evidence from Central and Eastern Europe
Authors: Grotz Florian , Weber Till
Published: April 2015

Government formation in multi-party democracies is notoriously ridden with information uncertainty. Uncertainty is aggravated when new parties enter parliament, which generally suggests a ‘newcomer handicap’ in government formation. However, relegating newcomers to the opposition comes with uncertainty in its own right, which suggests immediate cabinet participation as new leaders seize the opportunity and established parties pursue containment. We explore elite responses to this strategic problem in the postcommunist democracies of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) where new parties often gain parliamentary representation. Even in CEE, a newcomer handicap in government formation is apparent, controlling for other detrimental party attributes. However, this applies to small newcomers only. For larger parties the handicap turns into a bonus, an effect only qualified once the newcomer outnumbers its competitors. Either way, newness-induced uncertainty thus intensifies the strategic rationale of government formation. As party systems become more volatile, these findings are relevant beyond CEE.
Improvement in metabolic effects by dietary intervention is dependent on the precise nature of the developmental programming challenge
Authors: Bautista C. J. , Guzmán C. , Rodríguez-González G. L. , Zambrano E.
Published: April 2015

Predisposition to offspring metabolic dysfunction due to poor maternal nutrition differs with the developmental stage at exposure. Post-weaning nutrition also influences offspring phenotype in either adverse or beneficial ways. We studied a well-established rat maternal protein-restriction model to determine whether post-weaning dietary intervention improves adverse outcomes produced by a deficient maternal nutritional environment in pregnancy. Pregnant rats were fed a controlled diet (C, 20% casein) during pregnancy and lactation (CC) or were fed a restricted diet (R, 10% casein isocaloric diet) during pregnancy and C diet during lactation (RC). After weaning, the offspring were fed the C diet. At postnatal day (PND) 70 (young adulthood), female offspring either continued with the C diet (CCC and RCC) or were fed commercial Chow Purina 5001 (I) to further divide the animals into dietary intervention groups CCI and RCI. Another group of mothers and offspring were fed I throughout (III). Offspring food intake was averaged between PND 95–110 and 235–250 and carcass and liver compositions were measured at PND 25 and 250. Leptin (PND 110 and 250) and serum glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol (PND 250) levels were measured. Statistical analysis was carried out using ANOVA. At PND 25, body and liver weights were similar between groups; however, CCC and RCC carcass protein:fat ratios were lower compared with III diet. At PND 110 and 250, offspring CCC and RCC had higher body weight, food intake and serum leptin compared with CCI and RCI. CCI had lower carcass fat and increased protein compared with CCC and improved fasting glucose and triglycerides. Adult dietary intervention partially overcomes adverse effects of programming. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanisms involved.
NASA Hopes to Find Strong Indications of Life Beyond Earth Soon
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: April 2015

With the search for water and habitable planetary bodies proceeding at an increasing pace, NASA scientists say they are getting closer to finding evidence of extraterrestrial life.
From mouse to man: safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of a candidate leishmaniasis vaccine LEISH‐F3+GLA‐SE
Authors: Coler Rhea N , Duthie Malcolm S , Hofmeyer Kimberly A , Guderian Jeffery , Jayashankar Lakshmi , Vergara Julie , Rolf Tom , Misquith Ayesha , Laurance John D , Raman Vanitha S , Bailor H Remy , Cauwelaert Natasha Dubois , Reed Steven J , Vallur Aarthy , Favila Michelle , Orr Mark T , Ashman Jill , Ghosh Prakash , Mondal Dinesh , Reed Steven G
Published: April 2015

Key antigens of Leishmania species identified in the context of host responses in Leishmania‐exposed individuals from disease‐endemic areas were prioritized for the development of a subunit vaccine against visceral leishmaniasis (VL), the most deadly form of leishmaniasis. Two Leishmania proteins—nucleoside hydrolase and a sterol 24‐c‐methyltransferase, each of which are protective in animal models of VL when properly adjuvanted— were produced as a single recombinant fusion protein NS (LEISH‐F3) for ease of antigen production and broad coverage of a heterogeneous major histocompatibility complex population. When formulated with glucopyranosyl lipid A‐stable oil‐in‐water nanoemulsion (GLA‐SE), a Toll‐like receptor 4 TH1 (T helper 1) promoting nanoemulsion adjuvant, the LEISH‐F3 polyprotein induced potent protection against both L. donovani and L. infantum in mice, measured as significant reductions in liver parasite burdens. A robust immune response to each component of the vaccine with polyfunctional CD4 TH1 cell responses characterized by production of antigen‐specific interferon‐γ, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), and low levels of IL‐5 and IL‐10 was induced in immunized mice. We also demonstrate that CD4 T cells, but not CD8 T cells, are sufficient for protection against L. donovani infection in immunized mice. Based on the sum of preclinical data, we prepared GMP materials and performed a phase 1 clinical study with LEISH‐F3+GLA‐SE in healthy, uninfected adults in the United States. The vaccine candidate was shown to be safe and induced a strong antigen‐specific immune response, as evidenced by cytokine and immunoglobulin subclass data. These data provide a strong rationale for additional trials in Leishmania‐endemic countries in populations vulnerable to VL.
miR-26a and miR-384-5p are required for LTP maintenance and spine enlargement
Authors: Gu Qin-Hua , Yu Danni , Hu Zhonghua , Liu Xing , Yang Yanqin , Luo Yan , Zhu Jun , Li Zheng
Published: April 2015

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a form of synaptic plasticity that results in enhanced synaptic strength. It is associated with the formation and enlargement of dendritic spines—tiny protrusions accommodating excitatory synapses. Both LTP and spine remodelling are crucial for brain development, cognition and the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the maintenance of LTP, however, is not well understood. Using next-generation sequencing to profile miRNA transcriptomes, we demonstrate that miR-26a and miR-384-5p specifically affect the maintenance, but not induction, of LTP and different stages of spine enlargement by regulating the expression of RSK3. Using bioinformatics, we also examine the global effects of miRNA transcriptome changes during LTP on gene expression and cellular activities. This study reveals a novel miRNA-mediated mechanism for gene-specific regulation of translation in LTP, identifies two miRNAs required for long-lasting synaptic and spine plasticity and presents a catalogue of candidate ‘LTP miRNAs’.
Plant macrofossil evidence for an early onset of the Holocene summer thermal maximum in northernmost Europe
Authors: Väliranta M. , Salonen J. S. , Heikkilä M. , Amon L. , Helmens K. , Klimaschewski A. , Kuhry P. , Kultti S. , Poska A. , Shala S. , Veski S. , Birks H. H.
Published: April 2015

Holocene summer temperature reconstructions from northern Europe based on sedimentary pollen records suggest an onset of peak summer warmth around 9,000 years ago. However, pollen-based temperature reconstructions are largely driven by changes in the proportions of tree taxa, and thus the early-Holocene warming signal may be delayed due to the geographical disequilibrium between climate and tree populations. Here we show that quantitative summer-temperature estimates in northern Europe based on macrofossils of aquatic plants are in many cases ca. 2 °C warmer in the early Holocene (11,700–7,500 years ago) than reconstructions based on pollen data. When the lag in potential tree establishment becomes imperceptible in the mid-Holocene (7,500 years ago), the reconstructed temperatures converge at all study sites. We demonstrate that aquatic plant macrofossil records can provide additional and informative insights into early-Holocene temperature evolution in northernmost Europe and suggest further validation of early post-glacial climate development based on multi-proxy data syntheses.
Liquid crystals for organic thin-film transistors
Authors: Iino Hiroaki , Usui Takayuki , Hanna Jun-ichi
Published: April 2015

Crystalline thin films of organic semiconductors are a good candidate for field effect transistor (FET) materials in printed electronics. However, there are currently two main problems, which are associated with inhomogeneity and poor thermal durability of these films. Here we report that liquid crystalline materials exhibiting a highly ordered liquid crystal phase of smectic E (SmE) can solve both these problems. We design a SmE liquid crystalline material, 2-decyl-7-phenyl-[1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (Ph-BTBT-10), for FETs and synthesize it. This material provides uniform and molecularly flat polycrystalline thin films reproducibly when SmE precursor thin films are crystallized, and also exhibits high durability of films up to 200 °C. In addition, the mobility of FETs is dramatically enhanced by about one order of magnitude (over 10 cm2 V−1 s−1) after thermal annealing at 120 °C in bottom-gate-bottom-contact FETs. We anticipate the use of SmE liquid crystals in solution-processed FETs may help overcome upcoming difficulties with novel technologies for printed electronics.
Pharmacologically blocking p53-dependent apoptosis protects intestinal stem cells and mice from radiation
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Wei Liang , Cramer Julie M. , Leibowitz Brian J. , Judge Colleen , Epperly Michael , Greenberger Joel , Wang Fengchao , Li Linheng , Stelzner Matthias G. , Dunn James C. Y. , Martin Martin G. , Lagasse Eric , Zhang Lin , Yu Jian
Published: April 2015

Exposure to high levels of ionizing radiation (IR) leads to debilitating and dose-limiting gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. Using three-dimensional mouse crypt culture, we demonstrated that p53 target PUMA mediates radiation-induced apoptosis via a cell-intrinsic mechanism and identified the GSK-3 inhibitor CHIR99021 as a potent radioprotector. CHIR99021 treatment improved Lgr5+ cell survival and crypt regeneration after radiation in culture and mice. CHIR99021 treatment specifically blocked apoptosis and PUMA induction and K120 acetylation of p53 mediated by acetyl-transferase Tip60, while it had no effect on p53 stabilization, phosphorylation or p21 induction. CHIR99021 also protected human intestinal cultures from radiation by PUMA but not p21 suppression. These results demonstrate that p53 posttranslational modifications play a key role in the pathological and apoptotic response of the intestinal stem cells to radiation and can be targeted pharmacologically.