bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stenocalcic properties in the serpentine-endemic plant Alyssum inflatum Nyárády
Authors: Ghasemi Rasoul , Chavoshi Zohreh Zare , Ghaderian Seyed Majid
Published: March 2015

Serpentine-endemic plants need to grow in substrates with low calcium (Ca). To test this hypothesis, we compared some of the survival-related physiological responses to different concentrations of Ca in Alyssum inflatum (serpentine endemic) and A. lanceolatum (non-serpentine plant). Accordingly, we grew the plants by using solution culture, and the death of root cells was estimated by using Evan’s blue staining. The electrolyte and protein leakage from roots and NADH oxidation activity in the leaked contents were measured as indices of cell death. The results showed that despite the higher growth of shoots in serpentine plants, the high concentration of Ca caused less root growth. Meanwhile, we observed root-cell death, whole-plant death, more electrolyte and protein leakage from roots and a greater NADH oxidation activity in Ca-treated serpentine plants. In non-serpentine plants, both root and shoot showed more growth, whereas no evidence of cell death in the roots was observed. On the basis of the responses to different concentrations of Ca, we introduce the serpentine plant A. inflatum as a stenocalcic that has to live in substrates with a narrow range of Ca concentrations so that it could prevent lethal Ca toxicity. The results demonstrated the reason behind the uneven distribution of the plant on serpentine patches in its habitat.
A revision of Melicytus (Violaceae) in mainland Australia and Tasmania
Authors: Stajsic V. , Walsh N. G. , Douglas R. , Messina A. , Molloy B. P. J.
Published: March 2015

The genus Melicytus (Violaceae), formerly regarded as comprising a single species, M. dentatus, in mainland Australia and Tasmania, is revised. We recognise M. dentatus, M. angustifolius subsp. angustifolius and M. angustifolius subsp. divaricatus following detailed herbarium and field studies, and morphological and molecular analyses. Full nomenclature is provided, and each species and subspecies is illustrated and mapped.
Biogeography by revelation: investigating a world shaped by miracles
Authors: Heads Michael
Published: March 2015

This article reviews the methods of biogeographic analysis in current use, as summarised by Alan de Queiroz, 2014 (The Monkey’s Voyage, Basic Books, New York). The methods rely on molecular clock dates (the weakest part of molecular research) rather than analysis of the distributions of clades defined in phylogenies (the strongest part of the research). One of the main findings of the molecular work is the unexpected, high levels of geographic structure in clades, especially allopatry. The modern synthesis and many molecular clock studies suggest that allopatric speciation is caused by founder dispersal, whereas panbiogeography attributes it to vicariance. De Queiroz and many modern studies have accepted that panbiogeography ignores critical evidence, and that vicariance theory was dominant in the 1970s–1990s, but has since declined. Closer examination shows that these claims are incorrect. Other popular misconceptions include the ideas that fossils and fossil-calibrated molecular clocks provide maximum possible ages of clades, that vicariance theory rejects the fossil record and molecular clock dates, that DNA sequences ‘reveal’ long-distance dispersal, that distribution is chaotic, and that chance dispersal can generate repeated patterns. The conclusions of modern island biogeography, as discussed in detail by de Queiroz, are reviewed here for the following islands: São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea, Madagascar, the Seychelles, New Zealand, the Chatham Islands off mainland New Zealand, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, the Hawaiian Islands, the Falkland Islands and Fernando de Noronha off Brazil. Biogeographic analyses of particular groups are illustrated here with respect to ratite birds and primates. Finally, modern methods of ancestral-area analysis are reviewed. These make the unjustified assumption that the location of a basal paraphyletic grade represents a centre of origin.
The BRAIN Initiative: developing technology to catalyse neuroscience discovery
Authors: Jorgenson Lyric A. , Newsome William T. , Anderson David J. , Bargmann Cornelia I. , Brown Emery N. , Deisseroth Karl , Donoghue John P. , Hudson Kathy L. , Ling Geoffrey S. F. , MacLeish Peter R. , Marder Eve , Normann Richard A. , Sanes Joshua R. , Schnitzer Mark J. , Sejnowski Terrence J. , Tank David W. , Tsien Roger Y. , Ugurbil Kamil , Wingfield John C.
Published: March 2015

The evolution of the field of neuroscience has been propelled by the advent of novel technological capabilities, and the pace at which these capabilities are being developed has accelerated dramatically in the past decade. Capitalizing on this momentum, the United States launched the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative to develop and apply new tools and technologies for revolutionizing our understanding of the brain. In this article, we review the scientific vision for this initiative set forth by the National Institutes of Health and discuss its implications for the future of neuroscience research. Particular emphasis is given to its potential impact on the mapping and study of neural circuits, and how this knowledge will transform our understanding of the complexity of the human brain and its diverse array of behaviours, perceptions, thoughts and emotions.
Dwelling quietly in the rich club: brain network determinants of slow cortical fluctuations
Authors: Gollo Leonardo L. , Zalesky Andrew , Hutchison R. Matthew , van den Heuvel Martijn , Breakspear Michael
Published: March 2015

For more than a century, cerebral cartography has been driven by investigations of structural and morphological properties of the brain across spatial scales and the temporal/functional phenomena that emerge from these underlying features. The next era of brain mapping will be driven by studies that consider both of these components of brain organization simultaneously—elucidating their interactions and dependencies. Using this guiding principle, we explored the origin of slowly fluctuating patterns of synchronization within the topological core of brain regions known as the rich club, implicated in the regulation of mood and introspection. We find that a constellation of densely interconnected regions that constitute the rich club (including the anterior insula, amygdala and precuneus) play a central role in promoting a stable, dynamical core of spontaneous activity in the primate cortex. The slow timescales are well matched to the regulation of internal visceral states, corresponding to the somatic correlates of mood and anxiety. In contrast, the topology of the surrounding ‘feeder’ cortical regions shows unstable, rapidly fluctuating dynamics likely to be crucial for fast perceptual processes. We discuss these findings in relation to psychiatric disorders and the future of connectomics.
The brain timewise: how timing shapes and supports brain function
Authors: Hari Riitta , Parkkonen Lauri
Published: March 2015

We discuss the importance of timing in brain function: how temporal dynamics of the world has left its traces in the brain during evolution and how we can monitor the dynamics of the human brain with non-invasive measurements. Accurate timing is important for the interplay of neurons, neuronal circuitries, brain areas and human individuals. In the human brain, multiple temporal integration windows are hierarchically organized, with temporal scales ranging from microseconds to tens and hundreds of milliseconds for perceptual, motor and cognitive functions, and up to minutes, hours and even months for hormonal and mood changes. Accurate timing is impaired in several brain diseases. From the current repertoire of non-invasive brain imaging methods, only magnetoencephalography (MEG) and scalp electroencephalography (EEG) provide millisecond time-resolution; our focus in this paper is on MEG. Since the introduction of high-density whole-scalp MEG/EEG coverage in the 1990s, the instrumentation has not changed drastically; yet, novel data analyses are advancing the field rapidly by shifting the focus from the mere pinpointing of activity hotspots to seeking stimulus- or task-specific information and to characterizing functional networks. During the next decades, we can expect increased spatial resolution and accuracy of the time-resolved brain imaging and better understanding of brain function, especially its temporal constraints, with the development of novel instrumentation and finer-grained, physiologically inspired generative models of local and network activity. Merging both spatial and temporal information with increasing accuracy and carrying out recordings in naturalistic conditions, including social interaction, will bring much new information about human brain function.
Mucilaginibacter vulcanisilvae sp. nov., isolated from a volcanic forest
Authors: Baek Kyunghwa , Ok Jeon Che
Published: March 2015

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, pale-pink-pigmented bacterium, designated strain G27T, was isolated from a volcanic forest of Jeju Island, South Korea. Cells were catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-motile rods producing exopolysaccharide and flexirubin-type and pale pink pigments. Growth of strain G27T was observed at 4–30 °C (optimum, 25 °C) and pH 5.0–8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain G27T formed a phyletic lineage within the genus Mucilaginibacter of the family Sphingobacteriaceae. Strain G27T was related most closely to Mucilaginibacter gossypii Gh-67T at 96.5 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. Strain G27T contained menaquinone 7 (MK-7) as the sole isoprenoid quinone and summed feature 3 (comprising C16:
1ω7c/C16:
1ω6c), iso-C15:
0, C16:
0, C16:
1ω5c and C16:
1ω5c as the major cellular fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine was identified as the major polar lipid. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 46.5 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular properties, strain G27T represents a novel species of the genus Mucilaginibacter, for which the name Mucilaginibacter vulcanisilvae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is G27T ( = KACC 18231T = JCM 30363T).
Long‐lasting partnership between insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction: role of metabolic memory
Authors: Tallapragada Divya Sri Priyanka , Karpe Pinakin Arun , Tikoo Kulbhushan
Published: March 2015

Background and Purpose

The persistence of deleterious effects of hyperglycaemia even after glucose normalization is referred to as ‘metabolic memory’. However, similar persistent effects of the metabolic consequences of a high fat diet (HFD) have not been described.

Experimental Approach

Rats were given a normal pellet diet (NPD) or a HFD for 3 months. The animals from the HFD group were then returned to the NPD to observe the long‐term effects of insulin resistance. Endothelial dysfunction was assessed by carbachol‐mediated vasorelaxation and eNOS phosphorylation.

Key Results

As expected, HFD consumption resulted in insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction. Phosphorylation of eNOS at S1177 was decreased in HFD rats, compared with that in the NPD group. Rats on 3 months of HFD showed glucose intolerance and impaired insulin sensitivity and were then switched back to NPD (REV group) . Levels of cholesterol and triglyceride, and adiposity returned to normal in REV rats. However, endothelium‐dependent vascular responses to carbachol which were impaired in HFD rats, continued to be impaired in REV rats. Similarly, decreased eNOS phosphorylation after HFD was not improved after 1 or 6 months of REV.

Conclusions and Implications

Our data indicate that returning to NPD did not improve the insulin sensitivity or the endothelial dysfunction induced by HFD. Although some biochemical parameters responsible for insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction were normalized, molecular and vascular abnormalities, involving NO, persisted for several months, highlighting the long‐lasting effects of metabolic memory.
Evaluation of risk‐factor‐based screening for thyroid peroxidase antibody positivity in pregnancy
Authors: Aghajanian Paola , Spencer Carole A. , Wilson Melissa L. , Lee Richard H. , Goodwin Thomas M. , Mestman Jorge H.
Published: March 2015

Objective

To determine whether risk‐factor‐based screening for thyroid dysfunction in pregnancy performs well for detecting thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), a marker for autoimmune thyroid disease.

Study Design

We prospectively evaluated pregnant women for thyroid dysfunction using The Endocrine Society's eleven screening questions. Serum was analysed for TPOAb.

Result

We enrolled 546 women. TPOAb positivity was higher in women with a personal (odds ratio (OR) = 8·0; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1·7–37·4; P = 0·02) or family history of thyroid disease (OR = 2·7; 95% CI = 1·3–5·7; P = 0·02). There was no association between the number of positive responses and TPOAb positivity (P = 0·41). Risk‐factor‐based screening missed 18 women (33%) with TPOAb.

Conclusion

One‐third of women with TPOAb were missed by the case‐finding method. A personal or family history of thyroid disease was most strongly associated with TPOAb positivity.
Effect of biogeographic history on population vulnerability in European amphibians
Authors: Dufresnes Christophe , Perrin Nicolas
Published: March 2015

The genetic diversity of populations, which contributes greatly to their adaptive potential, is negatively affected by anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and destruction. However, continental‐scale losses of genetic diversity also resulted from the population expansions that followed the end of the last glaciation, an element that is rarely considered in a conservation context. We addressed this issue in a meta‐analysis in which we compared the spatial patterns of vulnerability of 18 widespread European amphibians in light of phylogeographic histories (glacial refugia and postglacial routes) and anthropogenic disturbances. Conservation statuses significantly worsened with distances from refugia, particularly in the context of industrial agriculture; human population density also had a negative effect. These findings suggest that features associated with the loss of genetic diversity in post‐glacial amphibian populations (such as enhanced fixation load or depressed adaptive potential) may increase their susceptibility to current threats (e.g., habitat fragmentation and pesticide use). We propose that the phylogeographic status of populations (i.e., refugial vs. post‐glacial) should be considered in conservation assessments for regional and national red lists.
Learner Performance in Mandarin Immersion and High School World Language Programs: A Comparison
Authors: Xu Xiaoqiu , Padilla Amado M. , Silva Duarte M.
Published: March 2015

This study compared the Mandarin performance of elementary immersion program students and high school world language program students in the same school district. A cross‐sectional design was employed to gather information on Mandarin proficiency of fourth and fifth graders and Level 4 and Level 5 (AP Chinese) high school students who took the Mandarin Standards‐Based Measurement of Proficiency assessment at the end of the school year. Results indicated that immersion students slightly outperformed the comparison high school group in reading but lagged slightly behind in writing and speaking skills, for which assessment tasks required higher levels of cognitive awareness. Findings also showed that while only a few nonheritage speakers in the high school world language program continued to Level 5 (AP), most nonheritage speakers remained in the immersion program for the full duration and performed as well, or nearly as well, as the heritage speakers when exiting the program. Further studies are needed, but the findings provide a strong rationale for the role of Mandarin immersion programs in assisting students to develop higher levels of linguistic proficiency in Mandarin.
Facial disfigurement due to osteitis fibrosa cystica or brown tumor from secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients on dialysis: A systematic review and an illustrative case report
Authors: Baracaldo Rafael M. , Bao Dashi , Iampornpipopchai Pichet , Fogel Joshua , Rubinstein Sofia
Published: March 2015

Osteitis fibrosa cystica (OFC) is the most frequent type of osseous change in renal osteodystrophy affecting the majority of dialysis patients. Brown tumors are a severe form of OFC. The involvement of the craniofacial skeleton causing facial disfigurement in patients on dialysis appears to be limited to case reports. After searching PubMed, we performed a systematic review of 127 cases with a severe form of OFC resulting in a facial disfigurement to understand possible determinants for this condition. We found that since the first published case in 1974, and after a peak in 1996, there appears to be an increase in published reported cases. Only 27.6% of these cases were published in nephrology journals. The most common region for reported cases was North America. Mean age of these patients was 31.2 years with a mean dialysis duration of 7 years. Almost 67% were women, and almost all were on hemodialysis. The disease tended to most commonly localize to the maxilla (73.2%) and mandible (57.5%). As part of the treatment, 59% of patients had a parathyroidectomy. More than one‐third (35.4%) had symptomatic improvement at follow‐up. Mean follow‐up was 1.6 years. Clinicians should be aware of this clinical presentation of a severe form of OFC and/or brown tumors. Timely diagnosis and intervention may help to prevent or decrease destructive bone changes and reduce negative psychological consequences of facial disfigurement.
Biocompounds from rapeseed oil industry co‐stream as active ingredients for skin care applications
Authors: Rivera D. , Rommi K. , Fernandes M. M. , Lantto R. , Tzanov T.
Published: March 2015

Synopsis

Objective

Despite the great number of substances produced by the skincare industry, very few of them seem to truly have an effect on the skin. Therefore, given the social implications surrounding physical appearance, the search for new bioactive compounds to prevent or attenuate skin ageing and enhance self‐image is a priority of current research. In this context, being rich in valuable compounds, such as proteins, phenolics, lipids and vitamins, this study is focused on the potential activity of rapeseed press cake hydrolysates to be used as raw materials for skincare applications.

Methods

In this study, the protein‐rich press residue from the rapeseed oil industry was converted enzymatically into short‐chain biologically active peptides using four protease products with varying substrate specificity – Alcalase 2.4L FG, Protex 6L, Protamex and Corolase 7089. The antioxidant, anti‐wrinkle and anti‐inflammatory activities of the obtained hydrolysates were evaluated in vitro while their biocompatibility with human skin fibroblasts was tested.

Results

All hydrolysates were biocompatible with skin fibroblasts after 24 h of exposure, while the non‐hydrolysed extract induced cell toxicity. Alcalase 2,4L FG and Protex 6L‐obtained hydrolysates were the most promising extracts showing improved bioactivities suitable for skin anti‐ageing formulations, namely antioxidant activity, inhibiting approximately 80% cellular reactive oxidative species, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐wrinkle properties, inhibiting around 36% of myeloperoxidase activity and over 83% of elastase activity.

Conclusion

The enzymatic technology applied to the rapeseed oil industry costream results in the release of bioactive compounds suitable for skincare applications.
Copper Speciation in a Collection of Geochemical Reference Materials Using Sequential Extraction and Evaluation of the Validity Using XANES Spectroscopy
Authors: Ohta Atsuyuki , Kubota Ran
Published: March 2015

Copper speciation in a collection of Japanese geochemical reference materials (JSO‐1, JLk‐1, JSd‐1, ‐2, ‐3 and ‐4, JMs‐1 and JMs‐2) was achieved by sequential extraction and characterised using X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy. In the first step of the extraction, referred to as the acid fraction, between 1% and 20% total Cu within the reference materials was extracted. Such a result is typically accounted for by absorption of Cu onto clay minerals. However, the presence of Cu sulfate (an oxidation product of chalcopyrite) was observed in some of the stream sediments affected by mining activity (JSd‐2 and JSd‐3) instead. Copper was extracted in the reducible fraction (targeting Fe hydroxide and Mn oxide) (2–49% total Cu). Between 2% and 51% Cu was extracted in the oxidised fraction (targeting sulfides and organic matter). X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure spectroscopy clarified that the reducible fraction consisted of Cu bound to Fe hydroxide, whereas the oxidised fraction was a mixture of Cu bound to humic acid (HA) and Cu sulfide. In the oxidisable fraction, chalcopyrite was the predominant species identified in JSd‐2, and Cu bound to HA was the major species identified in JSO‐1 (a soil sample).
Relationship between perilipin genes polymorphisms and growth, carcass and meat quality traits in pigs
Authors: Gol S. , Ros‐Freixedes R. , Zambonelli P. , Tor M. , Pena R.N. , Braglia S. , Zappaterra M. , Estany J. , Davoli R.
Published: March 2015

The perilipins (PLIN) belong to a family of structural proteins that play a role regulating intracellular lipid storage and mobilization. Here, PLIN1 and PLIN2 have been evaluated as candidate genes for growth, carcass and meat quality traits in pigs. A sample of 607 Duroc pigs were genotyped for two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, one in intron 2 of the PLIN1 gene (JN860199:g.173G>A) and the other at the 3′ untranslated region of the PLIN2 gene (GU461317:g.98G>A). Using a Bayesian approach, we have been able to find evidence of additive, dominant and epistatic associations of the PLIN1 and PLIN2 polymorphisms with early growth rate and carcass length. However, the major effects were produced by the dominant A allele at the PLIN2 polymorphism, which also affected the carcass lean weight. Thus, pigs carrying an additional copy of the A allele at the g.98G>A PLIN2 polymorphism had a probability of at least 98% of producing carcasses with heavier lean weight (+0.41 kg) and ham weight (+0.10 kg). The results obtained indicate that the PLIN2 polymorphism could be a useful marker for lean growth. In particular, it may help to reduce the undesired negative correlated response in lean weight to selection for increased intramuscular fat content, a common scenario in some Duroc lines involved in the production of high quality pork products.
Postnatal ontogeny of the cochlea and flight ability in Jamaican fruit bats (Phyllostomidae) with implications for the evolution of echolocation
Authors: Carter Richard T. , Adams Rick A.
Published: March 2015

Recent evidence has shown that the developmental emergence of echolocation calls in young bats follow an independent developmental pathway from other vocalizations and that adult‐like echolocation call structure significantly precedes flight ability. These data in combination with new insights into the echolocation ability of some shrews suggest that the evolution of echolocation in bats may involve inheritance of a primitive sonar system that was modified to its current state, rather than the ad hoc evolution of echolocation in the earliest bats. Because the cochlea is crucial in the sensation of echoes returning from sonar pulses, we tracked changes in cochlear morphology during development that included the basilar membrane (BM) and secondary spiral lamina (SSL) along the length of the cochlea in relation to stages of flight ability in young bats. Our data show that the morphological prerequisite for sonar sensitivity of the cochlea significantly precedes the onset of flight in young bats and, in fact, development of this prerequisite is complete before parturition. In addition, there were no discernible changes in cochlear morphology with stages of flight development, demonstrating temporal asymmetry between the development of morphology associated with echo‐pulse return sensitivity and volancy. These data further corroborate and support the hypothesis that adaptations for sonar and echolocation evolved before flight in mammals.
Genetic factors implied in melanin‐based coloration of the Italian wall lizard
Authors: Fulgione D. , Lega C. , Trapanese M. , Buglione M.
Published: March 2015

As largely demonstrated for a wide range of vertebrates, the melanin‐based coloration can be the effect of both mutations in the melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R) gene and of differential expression of the same gene. However, in lizards, this mechanism is poorly known and some populations exhibit a high variation of melanism. Some populations ofPodarcis siculusshow a gradual melanization, suggesting a case of a quantitative phenomenon rather than a qualitative one. Here, we objectively quantify the continuous colour variation by spectrophotometric analysis demonstrating that the changes in the skin reflectance are not associated to mutations in the coding region of theMC1Rgene but seem to be related to a concomitant variation of expression for this gene.
Anatomically related gray and white matter alterations in the brains of functional dyspepsia patients
Authors: Nan J. , Liu J. , Mu J. , Zhang Y. , Zhang M. , Tian J. , Liang F. , Zeng F.
Published: March 2015

Background

Previous studies summarized altered brain functional patterns in functional dyspepsia (FD) patients, but how the brain structural patterns are related to FD remains largely unclear. The objective of this study was to determine the brain structural characteristics in FD patients.

Methods

Optimized voxel‐based morphometry and tract‐based spatial statistics were employed to investigate the changes in gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) respectively in 34 FD patients with postprandial distress syndrome and 33 healthy controls based on T1‐weighted and diffusion‐weighted imaging. The Pearson's correlation evaluated the link among GM alterations, WM abnormalities, and clinical variables in FD patients. The optimal brain structural parameters for identifying FD were explored using the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Key Results

Compared to controls, FD patients exhibited a decrease in GM density (GMD) in the right posterior insula/temporal superior cortex (marked as pINS), right inferior frontal cortex (IFC), and left middle cingulate cortex, and an increase in fractional anisotropy (FA) in the posterior limb of the internal capsule, posterior thalamic radiation, and external capsule (EC). Interestingly, the GMD in the pINS was significantly associated with GMD in the IFC and FA in the EC. Moreover, the EC adjacent to the pINS provided the best performance for distinguishing FD patients from controls.

Conclusions & Inferences

Our results showed pINS‐related structural abnormalities in FD patients, indicating that GM and WM parameters were not affected independently. These findings would lay the foundation for probing an efficient target in the brain for treating FD.
Weighing in on a method to discriminate maize haploid from hybrid seed
Authors: Smelser Andrew , Blanco Michael , Lübberstedt Thomas , Schechert Axel , Vanous Adam , Gardner Candice
Published: March 2015

The doubled haploid breeding method can produce maize inbred lines faster than traditional methods, but there are challenges associated with it. Sorting haploid from hybrid seed based on visual colour markers is time consuming and can be difficult due to colour inhibitors that obscure pigmentation needed to distinguish between haploid, hybrid and outcrossed seed. In this study, weight was evaluated as a method to sort haploid from hybrid seed. A first experiment utilized two families for analysis in a preliminary study. Eleven haploid and hybrid kernels from both families were weighed for a total of 44 experimental units. A second experiment was carried out using six families, using the same format as the previous, for 132 experimental units. Hybrid seed weighed significantly more than haploid seed in both experiments. However, the interaction between line and kernel type was significant in the second experiment. In conclusion, efficacy of sorting haploid from hybrid kernels based on weight depends on the genotypes involved.
Matched related donor hematopoietic stem cell transplantation results in a long‐term follow‐up of a pediatric acquired severe aplastic anemia subset: A stem cell source perspective
Authors: Hamidieh Amir Ali , Mozafari Mohammad , Noshad Sina , Alimoghaddam Kamran , Behfar Maryam , Ghavamzadeh Ardeshir
Published: March 2015

HSCT has substantially improved pediatric acquired SAA patients' outcomes. Retrospectively, we attempted to assess the outcome of MRD HSCT in 65 pediatric patients referred to a single center from 1992 to 2012. We were particularly interested to find out whether source of SC (PB, n = 40 and BM, n = 25) significantly impacts EFS and GVHD incidence. With a median follow‐up of 45 months, total EFS was 87.7%; EFS for PB and BM groups was 87.5% and 88%, respectively. Acute GVHD (grades 3–4) occurred in 13 patients (PB, n = 10 [25%] and BM, n = 3 [12%]), acute GVHD (grades 2–4) occurred in 24 (PB, n = 16 [40%] and BM, n = 8 [32%]). Extensive chronic GVHD occurred in five patients (PB, n = 3 [7.5%] and BM, n = 2 [8%]). Cox regression revealed that elapsed time of <10 months between diagnosis and HSCT is associated with improved survival (hazard ratio, 95% CI = 1.204, 1.010–1.434, p = 0.038). SC source did not significantly affect EFS, incidence of acute GVHD (grades 3–4), or extensive chronic GVHD (p = 0.938, 0.121, and 0.487, respectively). Based on our findings, pediatric acquired SAA patients are benefitted most if MRD‐HSCT is carried out early in disease process and SC source does not affect outcome of MRD‐HSCT in these patients.
Aggregating Smallholder Farmers in Emerging Economies
Authors: An Jaehyung , Cho Soo‐Haeng , Tang Christopher S.
Published: March 2015

The agricultural sector plays an important role in emerging economies even though most farmers are trapped in the poverty cycle owing to their smallholdings. Aggregating farmers through formal or informal cooperatives (coops) can enable them to: (i) reduce production cost; (ii) increase/stabilize process yield; (iii) increase brand awareness; (iv) eliminate unnecessary intermediaries; and (v) eliminate price uncertainty. To examine whether these effects will benefit the members of such aggregation when they compete with other individual farmers, we present separate models to capture the essence of these five effects. For each effect, we find that it is beneficial for a farmer to be part of the aggregation only when the size of the aggregation is below a certain threshold. Also, while certain effects are beneficial to the market as a whole, other effects are hurtful due to higher market price and/or lower production quantity.
Supply Chain Design and Carbon Penalty: Monopoly vs. Monopolistic Competition
Authors: Park Seung Jae , Cachon Gérard P. , Lai Guoming , Seshadri Sridhar
Published: March 2015

This paper studies whether imposing carbon costs changes the supply chain structure and social welfare. We explore the problem from a central policymaker's perspective who wants to maximize social welfare. We consider two stakeholders, retailers, and consumers, who optimize their own objectives (i.e., profits and net utility) and three competitive settings (i.e., monopoly, monopolistic competition with symmetric market share, and monopolistic competition with asymmetric market share). For the monopoly case, we find that when the retailer's profit is high, imposing some carbon emission charges on the retailer and the consumers does not substantially change the supply chain structure or the social welfare. However, when the retailer's profit is low, imposing carbon costs optimally can lead to a significant increase in social welfare. Moreover, the impact of imposing carbon emission charges becomes more significant when the degree of competition increases. Additionally, the quantum of benefit may depend only on factors common across industries, such as fuel and carbon costs.
Gene targeting by the TAL effector PthXo2 reveals cryptic resistance gene for bacterial blight of rice
Authors: Zhou Junhui , Peng Zhao , Long Juying , Sosso Davide , Liu Bo , Eom Joon‐Seob , Huang Sheng , Liu Sanzhen , Vera Cruz Casiana , Frommer Wolf B. , White Frank F. , Yang Bing
Published: March 2015

Bacterial blight of rice is caused by the γ‐proteobacterium Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, which utilizes a group of type III TAL (transcription activator‐like) effectors to induce host gene expression and condition host susceptibility. Five SWEET genes are functionally redundant to support bacterial disease, but only two were experimentally proven targets of natural TAL effectors. Here, we report the identification of the sucrose transporter gene OsSWEET13 as the disease‐susceptibility gene for PthXo2 and the existence of cryptic recessive resistance to PthXo2‐dependent X. oryzae pv. oryzae due to promoter variations of OsSWEET13 in japonica rice. PthXo2‐containing strains induce OsSWEET13 in indica rice IR24 due to the presence of an unpredicted and undescribed effector binding site not present in the alleles in japonica rice Nipponbare and Kitaake. The specificity of effector‐associated gene induction and disease susceptibility is attributable to a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), which is also found in a polymorphic allele of OsSWEET13 known as the recessive resistance gene xa25 from the rice cultivar Minghui 63. The mutation of OsSWEET13 with CRISPR/Cas9 technology further corroborates the requirement of OsSWEET13 expression for the state of PthXo2‐dependent disease susceptibility to X. oryzae pv. oryzae. Gene profiling of a collection of 104 strains revealed OsSWEET13 induction by 42 isolates of X. oryzae pv. oryzae. Heterologous expression of OsSWEET13 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaf cells elevates sucrose concentrations in the apoplasm. The results corroborate a model whereby X. oryzae pv. oryzae enhances the release of sucrose from host cells in order to exploit the host resources.
Enhanced Specific Heat Capacity of Molten Salt-Based Carbon Nanotubes Nanomaterials
Authors: Jo Byeongnam , Banerjee Debjyoti
Published: March 2015

This study aims to investigate the specific heat capacity of a carbonate salt eutectic-based multiwalled carbon nanomaterial (or high temperature nanofluids). The specific heat capacity of the nanomaterials was measured both in solid and liquid phase using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of the carbon nanotube (CNT) concentrations on the specific heat capacity was examined in this study. The carbonate molten salt eutectic with a high melting point around 490 °C, which consists of lithium carbonate of 62% and potassium carbonate of 38% by the molar ratio, was used as a base material. Multiwalled CNTs were dispersed in the carbonate salt eutectic. A surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was utilized to obtain homogeneous dispersion of CNT into the eutectic. Four different concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1, and 5 wt.%) of CNT were employed to explore the specific heat capacity enhancement of the nanomaterials as the concentrations of the nanotubes varies. In result, it was observed that the specific heat capacity was enhanced by doping with the nanotubes in both solid and liquid phase. Additionally, the enhancements in the specific heat capacity were increased with increase of the CNT concentration. In order to check the uniformity of dispersion of the nanotubes in the salt, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images were obtained for pre-DSC and post-DSC samples. Finally, the specific heat capacity results measured in present study were compared with the theoretical prediction.
Microporous Coatings to Maximize Pool Boiling Heat Transfer of Saturated R-123 and Water
Authors: Han Kim Joo , Gurung Ajay , Amaya Miguel , Muk Kwark Sang , You Seung M.
Published: March 2015

The present research is an experimental study for the enhancement of boiling heat transfer using microporous coatings. Two types of coatings are investigated: one that is bonded using epoxy and the other by soldering. Effects on pool boiling performance were investigated, of different metal particle sizes of the epoxy-based coating, on R-123 refrigerants, and on water. All boiling tests were performed with 1 cm × 1 cm test heaters in the horizontal, upward-facing orientation in saturated conditions at atmospheric pressure and under increasing heat flux. The surface enhanced by the epoxy-based microporous coatings significantly augmented both nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficients and critical heat flux (CHF) of R-123 relative to those of a plain surface. However, for water, with the same microporous coating, boiling performance did not improve as much, and thermal resistance of the epoxy component limited the maximum heat flux that could be applied. Therefore, for water, to seek improved performance, the solder-based microporous coating was applied. This thermally conductive microporous coating, TCMC, greatly enhanced the boiling performance of water relative to the plain surface, increasing the heat transfer coefficient up to ∼5.6 times, and doubling the CHF.
Nanomechanical torque magnetometry of an individual aggregate of ∼350 nanoparticles
Authors: Firdous T. , Vick D. , Belov M. , Fani Sani F. , McDermott A. , Losby J.E. , Bazylinski D.A. , Prozorov T. , Potter D.K. , Freeman M.R.
Published: March 2015

The measurements of magnetic hysteresis for aggregates of nanoparticles deposited on a surface are reported. Magnetite nanoparticles derived from magnetotactic bacteria are studied using nanomechanical torque magnetometry. The nanoparticles are deposited on high-stress Si3N4 membranes, to allow inspection by electron microscopy, followed by focused ion-beam milling of torsional resonators precisely located to capture selected aggregates within the membrane area. Torque magnetometry is performed using the resonators. We investigate also the magnetic torque-driven AC resonant modes of the modified supporting membrane. The observations are compared to numerical simulations of the mechanical modes, and to micromagnetic modeling of the hysteresis of a specific measured cluster of ∼350 nanoparticles.
Realizing isomorphisms between first homology groups of closed 3-manifolds by borromean surgeries
Authors: Moussard D.
Published: March 2015

We refine Matveev's result asserting that any two closed oriented 3-manifolds can be related by a sequence of borromean surgeries if and only if they have isomorphic first homology groups and linking pairings. Indeed, a borromean surgery induces a canonical isomorphism between the first homology groups of the involved 3-manifolds, which preserves the linking pairing. We prove that any such isomorphism is induced by a sequence of borromean surgeries. As an intermediate result, we prove that a given algebraic square finite presentation of the first homology group of a 3-manifold, which encodes the linking pairing, can always be obtained from a surgery presentation of the manifold.
Some characterizations of fusion Banach frames
Authors: Pathak H. K. , Goswami Mayur Puri
Published: March 2015

Near exact fusion Banach frames have been discussed with the help of examples. Further, it has been proved that if a Banach space has a fusion Banach frame then it has a normalized tight and exact fusion Banach frame. In the sequel, we consider block perturbation of fusion Banach frames and proved that a block perturbation of a fusion Banach frame is also a fusion Banach frame. Some stability results for fusion Banach frames have also been obtained. Finally, we give an application of near exact fusion Banach frame.
Study on Relation between Hydrodynamic Feature Size of HPAM and Pore Size of Reservoir Rock in Daqing Oilfield
Authors: Fang Qing , Chen Jinfeng , Lu Chunnan , Yin Dandan , Li Yiqiang
Published: March 2015

The flow mechanism of the injected fluid was studied by the constant pressure core displacement experiments in the paper. It is assumed under condition of the constant pressure gradient in deep formation based on the characteristic of pressure gradient distribution between the injection and production wells and the mobility of different polymer systems in deep reservoir. Moreover, the flow rate of steady stream was quantitatively analyzed and the critical flow pressure gradient of different injection parameters polymer solutions in different permeability cores was measured. The result showed that polymer hydrodynamic feature size increases with the increasing molecular weight. If the concentration of polymer solutions overlaps beyond critical concentration, then molecular chains entanglement will be occur and cause the augment of its hydrodynamic feature size. The polymer hydrodynamic feature size decreased as the salinity of the dilution water increased. When the median radius of the core pore and throat was 5–10 times of the polymer system hydrodynamic feature size, the polymer solution had a better compatibility with the microscopic pore structure of the reservoir. The estimation of polymer solutions mobility in the porous media can be used to guide the polymer displacement plan and select the optimum injection parameters.
A New Acquisition Algorithm with Elimination Side Peak for All BOC Signals
Authors: Liu Fang , Feng Yongxin
Published: March 2015

A new inhibition side peak acquisition (ISPA) algorithm is proposed for binary offset carrier (BOC) modulated signals, which will be utilized in global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). We eliminate all side peaks of the BOC correlation function (CF) by structuring special sequences composed of PRN code and cycle rectangular sequences. The new algorithm can be applied to both generic sine- and cosine-phased BOC signals, as well as to all modulation orders. Theoretical and simulation results demonstrate that the new algorithm can completely eliminate the ambiguity threat in the acquisition process, and it can adapt to lower SNR. In addition, this algorithm is better than the traditional algorithms in acquisition performance and inhibition side peak ability.
Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome in Double-Hit Lymphoma
Authors: Peddi Prakash , Gallagher Kevin M. , Chandrasekharan Chandrikha , Wang Qi , Gonzalez-Toledo Eduardo , Nair Binu S. , Munker Reinhold , Mills Glenn M. , Koshy Nebu V.
Published: March 2015

Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) is a painful condition characterized by hemicranial pain, retroorbital pain, loss of vision, oculomotor nerve paralysis, and sensory loss in distribution of ophthalmic and maxillary division of trigeminal nerve. Lymphomas rarely involve cavernous sinus and simulate Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. Here we present a first case of double-hit B cell lymphoma (DHL) relapsing and masquerading as Tolosa-Hunt syndrome. The neurological findings were explained by a lymphomatous infiltration of the right Gasserian ganglion which preceded systemic relapse. As part of this report, the diagnostic criteria for Tolosa-Hunt syndrome and double-hit lymphoma are reviewed and updated treatment recommendations are presented.
Durable Red Blood Cell Transfusion Independence in a Patient with an MDS/MPN Overlap Syndrome Following Discontinuation of Iron Chelation Therapy
Authors: Kochhar Harpreet , Leger Chantal S. , Leitch Heather A.
Published: March 2015

Background. Hematologic improvement (HI) occurs in some patients with acquired anemias and transfusional iron overload receiving iron chelation therapy (ICT) but there is little information on transfusion status after stopping chelation.Case Report. A patient with low IPSS risk RARS-T evolved to myelofibrosis developed a regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusion requirement. There was no response to a six-month course of study medication or to erythropoietin for three months. At 27 months of transfusion dependence, she started deferasirox and within 6 weeks became RBC transfusion independent, with the hemoglobin normalizing by 10 weeks of chelation. After 12 months of chelation, deferasirox was stopped; she remains RBC transfusion independent with a normal hemoglobin 17 months later. We report the patient’s course in detail and review the literature on HI with chelation.Discussion. There are reports of transfusion independence with ICT, but that transfusion independence may be sustained long term after stopping chelation deserves emphasis. This observation suggests that reduction of iron overload may have a lasting favorable effect on bone marrow failure in at least some patients with acquired anemias.
A New Double Stranded RNA Suppresses Bladder Cancer Development by Upregulating p21Waf1/CIP1Expression
Authors: Wang Chenghe , Ge Qiangqiang , Chen Zhong , Hu Jia , Li Fan , Song Xiaodong , Xu Hua , Ye Zhangqun
Published: March 2015

We have previously demonstrated that miR-1180-5p has potent ability to upregulate p21 expression by targeting promoter and inhibit bladder cancer. This prompted us to conjecture that a candidate dsRNA (dsP21-397) with perfect complementarity to the miR-1180-5p target site of p21 promoter may also trigger p21 expression. Transfection of dsP21-397 into T24 and EJ cells significantly activated p21 expression at 72 h and the activation presented in a time-course and dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the p21-activated activities of dsP21-397 and miR-1180-5p are not significantly different. Overexpression of p21 downregulated Cyclin D1, CDK4/6, and Cyclin A2 expression, and thereby induced cell cycle arrest and inhibited proliferation. Moreover, dsP21-397 suppressed bladder cancer largely depended on manipulating p21. In conclusion, our study identifies a pair of miRNA-dsRNA mediating endogenous p21 overexpression.
The Water Cycle, a Potential Source of the Bacterial PathogenBacillus cereus
Authors: Brillard Julien , Dupont Christian M. S. , Berge Odile , Dargaignaratz Claire , Oriol-Gagnier Stéphanie , Doussan Claude , Broussolle Véronique , Gillon Marina , Clavel Thierry , Bérard Annette
Published: March 2015

The behaviour of the sporulating soil-dwellingBacillus cereus sensu lato(B. cereus sl) which includes foodborne pathogenic strains has been extensively studied in relation to its various animal hosts. The aim of this environmental study was to investigate the water compartments (rain and soil water, as well as groundwater) closely linked to the primaryB. cereus slreservoir, for which available data are limited.B. cereus slwas present, primarily as spores, in all of the tested compartments of an agricultural site, including water from rain to groundwater through soil. During rain events, leachates collected after transfer through the soil eventually reached the groundwater and were loaded withB. cereus sl. In groundwater samples, newly introduced spores of aB. cereusmodel strain were able to germinate, and vegetative cells arising from this event were detected for up to 50 days. This firstB. cereus slinvestigation in the various types of interrelated environments suggests that the consideration of the aquatic compartment linked to soil and to climatic events should provide a better understanding ofB. cereus slecology and thus be relevant for a more accurate risk assessment of food poisoning caused byB. cereus slpathogenic strains.