bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Establishment of a microsatellite set for noninvasive paternity testing in free-ranging Macaca mulatta tcheliensis in Mount Taihangshan area, Jiyuan, China
Authors: Wang Bai-Shi , Wang Zhen-Long , Tian Jun-Dong , Cui Zhen-Wei , Lu Ji-Qi
Published: January 2015

Background

Within multi-male and multi-female mammalian societies, paternity assignment is crucial for evaluating male reproductive success, dominance hierarchy, and inbreeding avoidance. It is, however, difficult to determine paternity because of female promiscuity during reproduction. Noninvasive molecular techniques (e.g., fecal DNA) make it possible to match the genetic father to his offspring. In the current study, a troop of free-ranging Taihangshan macaques (Macaca mulatta tcheliensis) in Mt. Taihangshan area, Jiyuan, China, was selected for studying the paternity. We successfully screened a set of microsatellite loci from fecal DNA and evaluated the efficiency of these loci for paternity testing using clearly recorded data of maternity.

Results

The results showed that: 1) ten loci out of 18 candidate microsatellite loci were amplified successfully in the fecal samples of Taihangshan macaques. The error probability in maternity assignments and paternity testing was very low as indicated by their power of discrimination (0.70 to 0.95), power of exclusion (0.43 to 0.84), and the values of polymorphic information content ranging from 0.52 to 0.82; 2) the combined probability of exclusion in paternity testing for ten qualified loci was as high as 99.999%, and the combined probability of exclusion reached 99.99% when the seven most polymorphic loci were adopted; 3) the offspring were assigned to their biological mother correctly and also matched with their genetic father.

Conclusions

We concluded that the ten polymorphic microsatellite loci, especially a core set of seven most polymorphic loci, provided an effective and reliable tool for noninvasive paternity testing in free-ranging rhesus macaques.
Membrane dynamics in autophagosome biogenesis
Authors: Carlsson Sven R. , Simonsen Anne
Published: January 2015

Bilayered phospholipid membranes are vital to the organization of the living cell. Based on fundamental principles of polarity, membranes create borders allowing defined spaces to be encapsulated. This compartmentalization is a prerequisite for the complex functional design of the eukaryotic cell, yielding localities that can differ in composition and operation. During macroautophagy, cytoplasmic components become enclosed by a growing double bilayered membrane, which upon closure creates a separate compartment, the autophagosome. The autophagosome is then primed for fusion with endosomal and lysosomal compartments, leading to degradation of the captured material. A large number of proteins have been found to be essential for autophagy, but little is known about the specific lipids that constitute the autophagic membranes and the membrane modeling events that are responsible for regulation of autophagosome shape and size. In this Commentary, we review the recent progress in our understanding of the membrane shaping and remodeling events that are required at different steps of the autophagy pathway.

This article is part of a Focus on Autophagosome biogenesis. For further reading, please see related articles: ‘ERES: sites for autophagosome biogenesis and maturation?’ by Jana Sanchez-Wandelmer et al. (J. Cell Sci. 128, 185-192) and ‘WIPI proteins: essential PtdIns3P effectors at the nascent autophagosome’ by Tassula Proikas-Cezanne et al. (J. Cell Sci. 128, 207-217).
WIPI proteins: essential PtdIns3P effectors at the nascent autophagosome
Authors: Proikas-Cezanne Tassula , Takacs Zsuzsanna , Dönnes Pierre , Kohlbacher Oliver
Published: January 2015

Autophagy is a pivotal cytoprotective process that secures cellular homeostasis, fulfills essential roles in development, immunity and defence against pathogens, and determines the lifespan of eukaryotic organisms. However, autophagy also crucially contributes to the development of age-related human pathologies, including cancer and neurodegeneration. Macroautophagy (hereafter referred to as autophagy) clears the cytoplasm by stochastic or specific cargo recognition and destruction, and is initiated and executed by autophagy related (ATG) proteins functioning in dynamical hierarchies to form autophagosomes. Autophagosomes sequester cytoplasmic cargo material, including proteins, lipids and organelles, and acquire acidic hydrolases from the lysosomal compartment for cargo degradation. Prerequisite and essential for autophagosome formation is the production of phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns3P) by phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase class III (PI3KC3, also known as PIK3C3) in complex with beclin 1, p150 (also known as PIK3R4; Vps15 in yeast) and ATG14L. Members of the human WD-repeat protein interacting with phosphoinositides (WIPI) family play an important role in recognizing and decoding the PtdIns3P signal at the nascent autophagosome, and hence function as autophagy-specific PtdIns3P-binding effectors, similar to their ancestral yeast Atg18 homolog. The PtdIns3P effector function of human WIPI proteins appears to be compromised in cancer and neurodegeneration, and WIPI genes and proteins might present novel targets for rational therapies. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on the roles of the four human WIPI proteins, WIPI1–4, in autophagy.

This article is part of a Focus on Autophagosome biogenesis. For further reading, please see related articles: ‘ERES: sites for autophagosome biogenesis and maturation?’ by Jana Sanchez-Wandelmer et al. (J. Cell Sci. 128, 185-192) and ‘Membrane dynamics in autophagosome biogenesis’ by Sven R. Carlsson and Anne Simonsen (J. Cell Sci. 128, 193-205).
Synchronized Activation of π-Conjugated Molecules toward Self-Assembly: Precisely Controlling the Hysteresis of the Metastable State along Microflow
Authors: Numata Munenori , Kozawa Tomohiro , Nogami Rie , Tanaka Kaori , Sanada Yusuke , Sakurai Kazuo
Published: January 2015

In this article, we have demonstrated that π–π stacking interactions can be synchronized through the rapid hydration of π-conjugated molecules, generating a sort of metastable state. The self-assembly process of the group of molecules activated with the same timing was directly correlated to the spatial pathway along the microflow channel. Various micrometer-sized molecular architectures having desired molecular packing, therefore, can be created through the precise regulation of the flowing self-assembly field in a top-down fashion, where the hysteresis of the spatial pathway was recorded in the resultant assemblies.
Mind the gap: overview of space maintaining appliances
Authors: Green James
Published: January 2015

The primary teeth are nature's space maintainers and the development of the permanent dentition can be disturbed without them. This article examines dental appliances that preserve space when the primary teeth do not develop or are lost prematurely
The modern day dental nurse: record-taking clinics
Authors: Hughes Rachel
Published: January 2015

Rachel Hughes has successfully implemented a nurse-led clinic at her practice based solely on using the extended Scope of Practice. Here she explains how the dental nurse can play an integral role in the delivery of orthodontic systems
Uma Análise Crítica da Revolução Cognitiva: Implicações Epistemológicas
Authors: Lopes Ederaldo José , Lopes Renata Ferrarez Fernandes
Published: January 2015

Este artigo apresenta um histórico da revolução cognitiva em psicologia, uma discussão crítica sobre ela e as implicações epistemológicas para o status científico da psicologia. Surgida na década de 50 e tendo o paradigma do processamento de informação como base, a psicologia cognitiva foi difundida como uma revolução científica, tal como proposta por T. Kuhn. Essa proposta se mostrou falsa, colocando dúvidas sobre a cientificidade da psicologia. Propõe-se o abandono da filosofia de Kuhn e a adoção do naturalismo normativo como uma saída frutífera para as psicologias.
Experiência Óptima e Cortisol: A Psicofisiologia no Quotidiano
Authors: Matias Gabriela P. , Freire Teresa
Published: January 2015

A Psicologia Positiva procura conhecer e desenvolver as qualidades e forças individuais que promovem a qualidade de vida óptima. É no quotidiano, através das experiências subjectivas que vivencia, que o indivíduo vai expressar as suas capacidades e construir a sua trajectória de vida pessoal. O Experience Fluctuation Model (EFM) explica a variação da experiência subjectiva tendo em conta a percepção subjectiva de desafios e competências, através de oito canais experienciais que diferem no tónus afectivo e no grau de activação mental e física. Este artigo tem como objectivos explorar as conexões entre a fisiologia e conceitos explorados pela Psicologia Positiva, através da revisão de alguma literatura já desenvolvida, compreender de que forma este modelo poderá expressar estados fisiológicos distintos de acordo com a experiência subjectiva do indivíduo, e como a vivência do quotidiano poderá reflectir ou ser reflexo de estados psicossociais e seus correlatos fisiológicos.
A violência na programação infantil da televisão aberta no Brasil
Authors: Medeiros Leila Maria Vieira , Melo Mônica Cristina Batista de , Barros Érika Neves de , Lages Andréa
Published: January 2015

Um dos maiores problemas da humanidade é a violência. Propor ações e soluções para essa realidade não é algo simples, pela complexidade do tema. O fato é que de tanto participar do nosso dia-a-dia, a violência parece ter se cronificado, deixando-nos cada vez mais tendenciosos a praticá-la como uma ação legitimada. Estudos revelam a magnitude do problema e a grande proposta científica é conhecer as possíveis origens do comportamento agressivo/violento para preveni-lo. Partindo desse princípio, estudar a violência tendo como foco a criança e a televisão atende a essa demanda. O trabalho em foco analisou as cenas de violência veiculadas na programação infantil da televisão aberta no Brasil e determinou a freqüência de veiculação dos atos de violência. O estudo é do tipo descritivo, de corte transversal. Foi analisada a programação infantil de duas redes de televisão durante o dia de sábado. Para a coleta dos dados utilizou-se um questionário e os resultados revelaram que foi veiculado um total de 632 atos de violência, o filme infantil que com maior número de cenas violentas foi o Pica-pau e o tipo de violência mais comum foi a interpessoal.
Caracterização do Perfil Sócio-Demográfico de Gestantes Adolescentes: Revisão da Literatura Brasileira
Authors: Levandowski Daniela Centenaro , Benetti Bruna Angélica , Fontoura Laura Ostrowski , Hohendorff Jean Von , Prati Laíssa Eschiletti
Published: January 2015

O presente estudo apresenta uma pesquisa bibliográfica de estudos brasileiros publicados e/ou produzidos entre 1987 e 2007, que investigaram o perfil sócio-demográfico de gestantes adolescentes atendidas em instituições públicas de saúde. A partir da realização de uma pesquisa em sites de busca (Scielo, BVS-Psi, Google Acadêmico), foram localizados 23 trabalhos sobre o tema, que foram analisados em relação às características informadas. Verificou-se que em geral a faixa etária considerada para análise foi de 10 a 19 anos, sendo o número de gestações mais elevado em jovens de nível socioeconômico baixo e com 17 anos. Também se evidenciou carência de informações que proporcionassem a caracterização de aspectos relacionais e familiares, o que pode dificultar o planejamento de intervenções junto a essa população. Sugere-se que estudos futuros incluam outras informações relevantes para a caracterização de um perfil sócio-demográfico ampliado dessa clientela, como dados do parceiro e dos genitores da adolescente.
Adaptação do Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships Scale (PAIR) para a população Portuguesa: Estudo das suas características psicométricas
Authors: Moreira Helena , Amaral Anabela , Canavarro Maria Cristina
Published: January 2015

A intimidade é um dos componentes principais de uma relação interpessoal próxima (Clark & Reis, 1988). Ainda que muitos investigadores se tenham dedicado ao estudo deste constructo, não existe ainda uma definição consensual. Para Schaefer e Olson (1981), a intimidade é um processo e uma experiência, que resulta da revelação de assuntos íntimos e da partilha de experiências. Partindo de uma conceptualização multidimensional, construíram o Personal Assessment of Intimacy in Relationships Scale (PAIR), destinado a avaliar cinco áreas distintas de intimidade: emocional, intelectual, social, recreacional e sexual. O presente trabalho teve como objectivo adaptar e avaliar o comportamento psicométrico deste instrumento, numa amostra da população Portuguesa. A estrutura factorial original não foi confirmada, tendo a análise factorial efectuada resultado numa solução de três factores, que receberam as designações de Validação Pessoal, Comunicação e Abertura ao Exterior. Os resultados atestaram também uma boa fiabilidade e validade do instrumento.
Gravidez na adolescência e estruturação da identidade feminina
Authors: Silva Carla , Ferreira Joaquim Armando
Published: January 2015

A presente investigação qualitativa tem como objectivo analisar o impacto da gravidez na adolescência no desenvolvimento da identidade feminina. A amostra é constituída por 5 mulheres, mães na adolescência, com idade materna até aos 19 anos. Os resultados obtidos evidenciam que a maternidade precoce, para além das conhecidas alterações que suscita, parece relacionar-se com dificuldades no desenvolvimento da identidade, prévias à ocorrência da gravidez e após o termo da mesma. Estas dificuldades, ainda que não determinem a gravidez, surgem associadas no seu risco de ocorrência, quer pela dinâmica relacional implícita, patente na escolha de parceiros propensos ao “acting-out” e na vivência de uma sexualidade agida, quer pelas problemáticas internas ao nível do desenvolvimento da identidade. As dificuldades identitárias das grávidas adolescentes sugerem estar relacionadas com vários aspectos: a ausência e/ou presença conflitual do pai e/ou mãe, dificuldades de comunicação entre pais-filhos, desunião, dificuldades de integração da sexualidade adulta, baixa auto-estima e carências afectivas. A gravidez e a prossecução da mesma parecem constituir-se como ocorrências que permitem à adolescente integrar a faceta maternal da identidade adulta. Contudo, os resultados indicam que as mães estudadas parecem funcionar a um nível psicologicamente imaturo e indiferenciado ao nível do Eu, visível na ausência de projectos pessoais e profissionais, na ausência de exploração de papéis e valores, e na dificuldade em tomar decisões de forma autónoma.
Avaliação de estímulos emocionais em Ex-Combatentes de Guerra com e sem PTSD
Authors: Pinto Carla , Esteves Francisco
Published: January 2015

O presente estudo teve por objectivo averiguar a forma como são avaliadas imagens emocionais por Ex-Combatentes de Guerra. O estudo foi realizado com uma amostra de 72 sujeitos que foram submetidos a duas escalas de avaliação de PTSD, e à visualização e categorização das imagens através do Self-Assessement Manikin (SAM; Lang, Bradley & Cuthbert, 1997). Foram comparados três grupos, um com diagnóstico de PTSD (Grupo PTSD) e dois sem diagnóstico de PTSD, constituídos com base nas escalas de auto-avaliação: um com valores baixos (Grupo Não-Clínico Baixo – NCB) e outro com valores mais elevados (Grupo Não-Clínico Alto – NCA). Verificou-se que tanto o grupo com PTSD como o grupo NCA avaliam mais negativamente as imagens desagradáveis (imagens de guerra e “caras zangadas”) em comparação com o grupo NCB. Além disso, globalmente, os mesmos grupos também avaliam as imagens desagradáveis como mais activadoras e dominantes que o grupo NCB. Em relação às imagens agradáveis, a diferenciação entre os três grupos não foi significativa.
A avaliação das expectativas de auto-eficácia nos papéis da carreira: O Inventário de Crenças de Auto-Eficácia Relativamente aos Papéis da Carreira
Authors: Cardoso Paulo , Vale Isabel do
Published: January 2015

Analisam-se as características psicométricas do Inventário de Crenças de Auto-eficácia Relativamente aos Papéis da Carreira (ICARPC: Vale, 1997) a partir dos resultados obtidos numa investigação em que participaram 488 estudantes do 9º ano e 517 do 12º ano de escolaridade. Os resultados obtidos constituem-se bons indicadores de precisão e de validade do ICARPC, confirmando os de investigações anteriores. Conclui-se este trabalho com a apresentação das possibilidades de utilização do ICARPC na intervenção psicológica.
A formação inicial de terapeutas infantis: o caso do Serviço de Atendimento Clínico da Faculdade de Psicologia da Universidade de Lisboa
Authors: Sá Isabel , Silva Adelina Lopes da
Published: January 2015

Os objectivos deste estudo são: (a) descrever a intervenção psicológica proporcionada pelo Serviço de Atendimento Clínico do Núcleo Cognitivo Comportamental Integrativo da FPCE–UL no que se refere às modalidades de intervenção e à supervisão clínica; e (b) caracterizar as crianças, jovens e pais que solicitam ajuda, em termos de sexo, idade, nível sócio-cultural, problemas apresentados e fonte de referência. Foi utilizada uma metodologia documental retrospectiva através da análise dos processos clínicos. Os dados revelam que nos últimos oito anos, foram atendidos no Serviço 93 crianças e adolescentes (61 rapazes e 32 raparigas), entre os 4 e os 18 anos de idade (M=11,3), apresentando diversos problemas emocionais e de comportamento e os processos de intervenção têm a duração média de 12 sessões. Por fim, os resultados são discutidos e analisados retirando-se implicações para a adequação deste tipo de Serviço à formação clínica inicial de psicólogos.
Altered Sensory Experience Exacerbates Stable Dendritic Spine and Synapse Loss in a Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease
Authors: Murmu Reena Prity , Li Wen , Szepesi Zsuzsanna , Li Jia-Yi
Published: January 2015

A key question in Huntington's disease (HD) is what underlies the early cognitive deficits that precede the motor symptoms and the characteristic neuronal death observed in HD. The mechanisms underlying cognitive symptoms in HD remain unknown. Postmortem HD brain and animal model studies demonstrate pathologies in dendritic spines and abnormal synaptic plasticity before motor symptoms and neurodegeneration. Experience-dependent synaptic plasticity caused by mechanisms such as LTP or novel sensory experience potentiates synaptic strength, enhances new dendritic spine formation and stabilization, and may contribute to normal cognitive processes, such as learning and memory. We have previously reported that under baseline conditions (without any sensory manipulation) neuronal circuitry in HD (R6/2 mouse model) was highly unstable, which led to a progressive loss of persistent spines in these mice, and that mutanthuntingtinwas directly involved in the process. Here, we investigated whether pathological processes of HD interfere with the normal experience-dependent plasticity of dendritic spines in the R6/2 model. Six weeks of two-photonin vivoimaging before and after whisker trimming revealed that sensory deprivation exacerbates loss of persistent-type, stable spines in R6/2 mice compared with wild-type littermates. In addition, sensory deprivation leads to impaired transformation of newly generated spines into persistent spines in R6/2 mice. As a consequence, reduced synaptic density and decreased PSD-95 protein levels are evident in their barrel cortical neurons. These data suggest that mutanthuntingtinis implicated in maladaptive synaptic plasticity, which could be one of the plausible mechanisms underlying early cognitive deficits in HD.
The Neural Substrate for Binaural Masking Level Differences in the Auditory Cortex
Authors: Gilbert Heather J. , Shackleton Trevor M. , Krumbholz Katrin , Palmer Alan R.
Published: January 2015

The binaural masking level difference (BMLD) is a phenomenon whereby a signal that is identical at each ear (S0), masked by a noise that is identical at each ear (N0), can be made 12–15 dB more detectable by inverting the waveform of either the tone or noise at one ear (Sπ, Nπ). Single-cell responses to BMLD stimuli were measured in the primary auditory cortex of urethane-anesthetized guinea pigs. Firing rate was measured as a function of signal level of a 500 Hz pure tone masked by low-passed white noise. Responses were similar to those reported in the inferior colliculus. At low signal levels, the response was dominated by the masker. At higher signal levels, firing rate either increased or decreased. Detection thresholds for each neuron were determined using signal detection theory. Few neurons yielded measurable detection thresholds for all stimulus conditions, with a wide range in thresholds. However, across the entire population, the lowest thresholds were consistent with human psychophysical BMLDs. As in the inferior colliculus, the shape of the firing-rate versus signal-level functions depended on the neurons' selectivity for interaural time difference. Our results suggest that, in cortex, BMLD signals are detected from increases or decreases in the firing rate, consistent with predictions of cross-correlation models of binaural processing and that the psychophysical detection threshold is based on the lowest neural thresholds across the population.
Brg1-Dependent Chromatin Remodelling Is Not Essentially Required during Oligodendroglial Differentiation
Authors: Bischof Melanie , Weider Matthias , Küspert Melanie , Nave Klaus-Armin , Wegner Michael
Published: January 2015

Myelinating Schwann cells in the vertebrate peripheral nervous system rely on Brg1 (Smarca4) for terminal differentiation. Brg1 serves as central ATP-hydrolyzing subunit of the chromatin remodelling BAF complexes and is recruited during myelination as part of these complexes by the transcription factor Sox10 in Schwann cells. Here, we analyzed the role of Brg1 during development of myelinating oligodendrocytes in the CNS of the mouse. Following Brg1 deletion in oligodendrocyte precursors, these cells showed normal survival, proliferation, and migration. A mild but significant reduction in the number of oligodendrocytes with myelin gene expression in the absence of Brg1 points to a contribution to oligodendroglial differentiation but also shows that the role of Brg1 is much less prominent than during Schwann cell differentiation. Additionally, we failed to obtain evidence for a genetic interaction between Brg1 and Sox10 comparable with the one in Schwann cells. This argues that similarities exist between the regulatory networks and mechanisms in both types of myelinating glia but that the exact mode of action and the relevance of functional interactions differ, pointing to a surprising degree of variability in the control of myelination.
Expanded Terminal Fields of Gustatory Nerves Accompany Embryonic BDNF Overexpression in Mouse Oral Epithelia
Authors: Sun Chengsan , Dayal Arjun , Hill David L.
Published: January 2015

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is expressed in gustatory epithelia and is required for gustatory neurons to locate and innervate their correct target during development. When BDNF is overexpressed throughout the lingual epithelium, beginning embryonically, chorda tympani fibers are misdirected and innervate inappropriate targets, leading to a loss of taste buds. The remaining taste buds are hyperinnervated, demonstrating a disruption of nerve/target matching in the tongue. We tested the hypothesis here that overexpression of BDNF peripherally leads to a disrupted terminal field organization of nerves that carry taste information to the brainstem. The chorda tympani, greater superficial petrosal, and glossopharyngeal nerves were labeled in adult wild-type (WT) mice and in adult mice in which BDNF was overexpressed (OE) to examine the volume and density of their central projections in the nucleus of the solitary tract. We found that the terminal fields of the chorda tympani and greater superficial petrosal nerves and overlapping fields that included these nerves in OE mice were at least 80% greater than the respective field volumes in WT mice. The shapes of terminal fields were similar between the two groups; however, the density and spread of labels were greater in OE mice. Unexpectedly, there were also group-related differences in chorda tympani nerve function, with OE mice showing a greater relative taste response to a concentration series of sucrose. Overall, our results show that disruption in peripheral innervation patterns of sensory neurons have significant effects on peripheral nerve function and central organization of their terminal fields.
Stress Induces the Danger-Associated Molecular Pattern HMGB-1 in the Hippocampus of Male Sprague Dawley Rats: A Priming Stimulus of Microglia and the NLRP3 Inflammasome
Authors: Weber Michael D. , Frank Matthew G. , Tracey Kevin J. , Watkins Linda R. , Maier Steven F.
Published: January 2015

Exposure to acute and chronic stressors sensitizes the proinflammatory response of microglia to a subsequent immune challenge. However, the proximal signal by which stressors prime microglia remains unclear. Here, high mobility group box-1 (HMGB-1) protein was explored as a potential mediator of stress-induced microglial priming and whether HMGB-1 does so via the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat, pyrin domain containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Exposure to 100 inescapable tail shocks (ISs) increased HMGB-1 and NLRP3 protein in the hippocampus and led isolated microglia to release HMGB-1ex vivo. To determine whether HMGB-1 signaling is necessary for stress-induced sensitization of microglia, the HMGB-1 antagonist BoxA was injected into the cisterna magna before IS. Hippocampal microglia were isolated 24 h later and stimulated with LPSex vivoto probe for stress-induced sensitization of proinflammatory responses. Previous IS potentiated gene expression of NLRP3 and proinflammatory cytokines to LPS, that is, microglia were sensitized. Treatment with BoxA abolished this effect. To determine whether HMGB-1 is sufficient to prime microglia, IS was replaced with intracerebral administration of disulfide or fully reduced HMGB-1. Intracerebral disulfide HMGB-1 mimicked the effect of the stressor, because microglia isolated from HMGB-1-treated rats expressed exaggerated NLRP3 and proinflammatory cytokine expression after LPS treatment, whereas fully reduced HMGB-1 had no effect. The present results suggest that the CNS innate immune system can respond to an acute stressor as if it were cellular damage, thereby releasing the danger signal HMGB-1 in the brain to prime microglia by acting on the NLRP3 inflammasome, in preparation for a later immune challenge.
Genetic Markers for Western Corn Rootworm Resistance to Bt Toxin
Authors: Flagel Lex E , Swarup Shilpa , Chen Mao , Bauer Christopher , Wanjugi Humphrey , Carroll Matthew , Hill Patrick , Tuscan Meghan , Bansal Raman , Flannagan Ronald , Clark Thomas L , Michel Andrew P , Head Graham P , Goldman Barry S
Published: January 2015

Western corn rootworm (WCR) is a major maize (Zea mays L.) pest leading to annual economic losses of more than 1 billion dollars in the United States. Transgenic maize expressing insecticidal toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely used for the management of WCR. However, cultivation of Bt-expressing maize places intense selection pressure on pest populations to evolve resistance. Instances of resistance to Bt toxins have been reported in WCR. Developing genetic markers for resistance will help in characterizing the extent of existing issues, predicting where future field failures may occur, improving insect resistance management strategies, and in designing and sustainably implementing forthcoming WCR control products. Here, we discover and validate genetic markers in WCR that are associated with resistance to the Cry3Bb1 Bt toxin. A field-derived WCR population known to be resistant to the Cry3Bb1 Bt toxin was used to generate a genetic map and to identify a genomic region associated with Cry3Bb1 resistance. Our results indicate that resistance is inherited in a nearly recessive manner and associated with a single autosomal linkage group. Markers tightly linked with resistance were validated using WCR populations collected from Cry3Bb1 maize fields showing significant WCR damage from across the US Corn Belt. Two markers were found to be correlated with both diet (R2 = 0.14) and plant (R2 = 0.23) bioassays for resistance. These results will assist in assessing resistance risk for different WCR populations, and can be used to improve insect resistance management strategies.
Theoretical and Experimental Investigations on the Novel Involute-Helix Gear Drive
Authors: Dong  , Bingkui  , Haixiang  , Yane
Published: January 2015

The theoretical and experimental investigations on involute-helix gear drive are carried out in this paper. Based on the generation principle and mathematical models, parametric design for tooth profiles is provided and three-dimensional solid models are established for simulation of motion. The general characteristics of involute-helix gears are discussed including undercutting condition, the separability of central distance, sliding and meshing characteristics. The meshing essence of tooth surfaces is revealed. Transmission efficiency experiment is made based on the developed gear prototype and the influence factors for the obtained results are also shown.
Optimizing the Updating Stopping Condition for a Predictive Maintenance Policy
Authors: Ming-Yi You
Published: January 2015

The updating stopping condition (USC) has great impact on the effectiveness of a predictive maintenance (PdM) policy, but did not receive enough attention. This paper reviews the common USCs, proposes a residual life based USC, and evaluates the influence of the USCs on the effectiveness of a PdM policy. The commonly used USCs are concretely defined in a PdM policy based on the stochastic linear degradation model. An extensive numerical investigation compares the performances of the PdM policy using different USCs. The investigation results verify the importance of optimizing the USC for a PdM policy.
Advances of Some Recent Mechanical Models on Emergency Evacuation
Authors: Y.S. Ma  , L. Fang  , Y. Wang
Published: January 2015

Since the rapid development of the society, the living area of human beings has become much wider and more complicated. Over the past decades, crowd evacuation of public places has always been a hot topic in terms of public security studies. From the early twentieth century, emergency evacuation models have emerged, developing from statistic methods to mathematical models and recently, computer simulation models. In this paper, the classic mechanical models from the very beginning are reviewed. Utilizing the available literatures, we compare the nouveau models with the classic ones and highlight their advances. The key observation is that the consideration of individual and collective behaviours of the crowd and the appropriate scale of the model should have significant influences on the modeling performances. Finally, the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics models are introduced as a recent advance, which takes into consideration both the individual and collective behaviours of the crowd.
Weapons Materials
Authors: Micheels Georges , Gavage Xavier
Published: January 2015

For many years, firearm's design has been based on extensive use of traditional metallic materials.

Regarding operating conditions severity, it was a comfortable position.

In the last fifteen years, users requirements were growing (weight budget, cost reduction, …) and designers had to consider potential use of new materials.

During P90 sub-machine-gun design, introduction of reinforced fiber composites like polyarylamide IXEF® induced design methodology reconsideration.

It was the first use of a material having highly temperature sensitive mechanical characteristics.

As environmental temperature became a key factor, failure modes analysis and performance assessment methods needed to be reviewed.

Those changes brought use of new scientific tools during design stage like structural dynamic analysis (experimental and finite elements computation), fatigue computation, mechanical simulation, … Testing programs and methods were also adapted in order to put in evidence environmental effects on product performance.

Thanks to this design process reengineering, performance goals have been achieved and user's safety has been preserved.
Understanding the thermal degradation of an electric fire-resistant cable
Authors: Henrist Catherine , Rulmont André , Cloots Rudi , Beyer Guenter
Published: January 2015

The processing of fire-resistant non-halogeneted electric cables is a specific challenge. Metal hydroxides have always been extensively used as fillers in the insulating polymer sheaths. Recently, an hydrated zinc borate has been said to act in synergy with the traditionnal aluminium trihydroxide. We report the results of a microstructural investigation of a cable containing zinc borate in combination with aluminium trihydroxide, submitted to different heat treatments in order to get information about the structural modifications and the degradation of the electrical properties. We conclude with a short proposal to improve its efficiency.
Stress Analysis of 4-Point Bend Test for Thin Film Adhesion
Authors: Roham Sassan , Hardikar Kedar , Woytowitz Peter
Published: January 2015

Four point bend (4PB) tests are currently used to characterize the adhesive strength of thin films. Of particular interest are low k films whose strength properties are normally less than traditional dielectrics. A finite element analysis (FEA) of a 4PB specimen is conducted in order to better understand the results and limitations of such testing. We discuss the classical equation used to convert 4PB test data into fracture energy and have validated this classical formula using finite element analysis. We also present a theory that explains one possible reason for the occurrence of anomalous test results where the film fails in a cohesive rather than an adhesive mode.
Grain Boundary Characters and Sliding of [0001] Symmetric Tilt Boundaries in Alumina
Authors: Matsunaga Katsuyuki , Nishimura Hitoshi , Muto Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Takahisa , Ikuhara Yuichi
Published: January 2015

Bicrystal experiments were performed to investigate atomic structures and high-temperature creep properties of [0001] symmetric tilt grain boundaries in Al2O3. Al2O3 bicrystals with Σ7, Σ31 and Σ39 boundaries were fabricated by a diffusion bonding technique, and their atomic arrangements at the grain boundary cores were analyzed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), in combination with static lattice calculations based on two-body ionic potentials. Compressive creep tests were also conducted to examine the behavior of grain boundary sliding for the above bicrystals. It was found that the behavior of grain boundary sliding depends on the grain boundary characters, whereas the trend of grain boundary sliding was not related to their Σ values. In contrast, HRTEM observations showed that the Σ31 boundary exhibiting the highest sliding rate has open spaces at the boundary core. Since grain boundary diffusion is expected to accommodate strains at grain boundary cores during sliding, it is likely that such open spaces give rise to high diffusivity at the grain boundary core, which results in the rapid grain boundary sliding of Σ31.
Diel patterns of temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen in an Amazon floodplain lake: description of a friagem phenomenon
Authors: Caraballo Pedro , Forsberg Bruce Rider , Almeida Fabiane Ferreira de , Leite Rosseval Galdino
Published: January 2015

AIM: The aim of this work was to study the diel stratification parameters temperature, dissolved oxygen and conductivity, providing a more detailed description of a friagem event. METHODS: the mixing behavior of the limnetic water column in Lago Catalão, an Amazon floodplain lake flooded by two of the world’s largest rivers (Solimões and Negro), was studied through diel profiling of temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen, between 2006 and 2007. Measurements were made every four hours at 1m depth intervals to the lake bottom. RESULTS: The water column remained stratified during most of the year with the exception of one month with low water level, when nocturnal mixing occurred and one friagem event during high water (May 2007) when an isothermal temperature profile and an atypical orthograde oxygen profile were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The friagem event, a large drop in air temperatures due to the intrusion of a polar air mass in the Amazon, constitutes an important force in the dynamics of the water column, which produces a profound redistribution of dissolved gases and solutes in the system. This is the first time that the effects of the friagem on the mixing patterns in a lowland Amazon lake have been documented in detail. The decline in air temperature, observed during the friagem event destabilized the normally stratified water column, which can be associated with an environmental disturb.
Human Urine-Derived Renal Progenitors for Personalized Modeling of Genetic Kidney Disorders
Authors: Lazzeri Elena , Ronconi Elisa , Angelotti Maria Lucia , Peired Anna , Mazzinghi Benedetta , Becherucci Francesca , Conti Sara , Sansavini Giulia , Sisti Alessandro , Ravaglia Fiammetta , Lombardi Duccio , Provenzano Aldesia , Manonelles Anna , Cruzado Josep M. , Giglio Sabrina , Roperto Rosa Maria , Materassi Marco , Lasagni Laura , Romagnani Paola
Published: January 2015

The critical role of genetic and epigenetic factors in the pathogenesis of kidney disorders is gradually becoming clear, and the need for disease models that recapitulate human kidney disorders in a personalized manner is paramount. In this study, we describe a method to select and amplify renal progenitor cultures from the urine of patients with kidney disorders. Urine-derived human renal progenitors exhibited phenotype and functional properties identical to those purified from kidney tissue, including the capacity to differentiate into tubular cells and podocytes, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy, Western blot analysis of podocyte-specific proteins, and scanning electron microscopy. Lineage tracing studies performed with conditional transgenic mice, in which podocytes are irreversibly tagged upon tamoxifen treatment (NPHS2.iCreER;mT/mG), that were subjected to doxorubicin nephropathy demonstrated that renal progenitors are the only urinary cell population that can be amplified in long-term culture. To validate the use of these cells for personalized modeling of kidney disorders, renal progenitors were obtained from (1) the urine of children with nephrotic syndrome and carrying potentially pathogenic mutations in genes encoding for podocyte proteins and (2) the urine of children without genetic alterations, as validated by next-generation sequencing. Renal progenitors obtained from patients carrying pathogenic mutations generated podocytes that exhibited an abnormal cytoskeleton structure and functional abnormalities compared with those obtained from patients with proteinuria but without genetic mutations. The results of this study demonstrate that urine-derived patient-specific renal progenitor cultures may be an innovative research tool for modeling of genetic kidney disorders.
Introducing Novitates Paleoentomologicae: An outlet for occasional fossil insect research at the University of Kansas
Authors: Engel Michael S. , McKellar Ryan C , Ortega-Blanco Jaime
Published: January 2015

A new journal is introduced which disseminates the results of research conducted at or in association with the University of Kansas on fossil insects and their relatives. The journal spans all aspects of paleoentomological research, extending beyond systematic studies to include works on insect-bearing deposits, and their taphonomy and ecology.
Whipspiders (Arachnida: Amblypygi) in amber from the Early Eocene and mid-Cretaceous, including maternal care
Authors: Engel Michael S. , Grimaldi David A
Published: January 2015

Two new genera and species of fossil whipspiders (Chelicerata: Arachnida: Amblypygi) are described from Tertiary and Cretaceous ambers of southern Asia.  Paracharonopsis cambayensis Engel & Grimaldi, new genus and species, preserved in Cambay amber of Ypresian age from western India is the first Tertiary and Asian fossil of the Paleoamblypygi, a highly relict taxon that includes the Late Carboniferous genus Graeophonus Scudder and the living West African species Paracharon caecus Hansen.  Paracharonopsis cambayensis is one of the few examples in Cambay amber of a biotic connection to Africa; most taxa show widespread or Laurasian distributions.  Kronocharon prendinii Engel & Grimaldi, new genus and species, is the first Cretaceous amber whipspider and putatively a sister group to the Phrynoidea (= Apulvillata).  The holotype female of K. prendinii is preserved with the remains of three nymphs near her, documenting the Early Cretaceous presence of the extended maternal care so distinctive for the order, and a behavioral repertoire widespread among arachnids.
Bison distribution under conflicting foraging strategies: site fidelity vs. energy maximization
Authors: Merkle Jerod A. , Cherry Seth G. , Fortin Daniel
Published: January 2015

Foraging strategies based on site fidelity and maximization of energy intake rate are two adaptive forces shaping animal behavior. Whereas these strategies can both be evolutionarily stable, they predict conflicting optimal behaviors when population abundance is in decline. In such a case, foragers employing an energy‐maximizing strategy should reduce their use of low‐quality patches as interference competition becomes less intense for high‐quality patches. Foragers using a site fidelity strategy, however, should continue to use familiar patches. Because natural fluctuations in population abundance provide the only non‐manipulative opportunity to evaluate adaptation to these evolutionary forces, few studies have examined these foraging strategies simultaneously. Using abundance and space use data from a free‐ranging bison (Bison bison) population living in a meadow–forest matrix in Prince Albert National Park, Canada, we determined how individuals balance the trade‐off between site fidelity and energy‐maximizing patch choice strategies with respect to changes in population abundance. From 1996 to 2005, bison abundance increased from 225 to 475 and then decreased to 225 by 2013. During the period of population increase, population range size increased. This expansion involved the addition of relatively less profitable areas and patches, leading to a decrease in the mean expected profitability of the range. Yet, during the period of population decline, we detected neither a subsequent retraction in population range size nor an increase in mean expected profitability of the range. Further, patch selection models during the population decline indicated that, as density decreased, bison portrayed stronger fidelity to previously visited meadows, but no increase in selection strength for profitable meadows. Our analysis reveals that an energy‐maximizing patch choice strategy alone cannot explain the distribution of individuals and populations, and site fidelity is an important evolutionary force shaping animal distribution. Animals may not always forage in the richest patches available, as ecological theory would often predict, but their use of profitable patches is dependent on population dynamics and the strength of site fidelity. Our findings are likewise relevant to applied inquiries such as forecasting species range shifts and reducing human–wildlife conflicts.
How far away is the next basket of eggs? Spatial memory and perceived cues shape aggregation patterns in a leaf beetle
Authors: Stephan Jörg G. , Stenberg Johan A. , Björkman Christer
Published: January 2015

Gregarious organisms need to handle the trade‐off between increasing food competition and the positive effects of group living, and this is particularly important for ovipositing females. We hypothesized that insect females consider how many conspecifics previously visited a host plant. In a no‐choice assay, we show that the gregarious blue willow leaf beetle (Phratora vulgatissima) laid the most eggs and the largest clutches on plants where a sequence of few individual females was released, compared to plants where one or many different females were repeatedly released. Therefore, this species is more sensitive to the indirectly perceived number of conspecifics than the directly perceived number of eggs on a plant. We further hypothesized that females adjust their own intra‐plant egg clutch distribution to that of conspecifics and discovered a new behavioral component, i.e., the modulation of distances between clutches. Females adjusted these distances in ways indicating the use of spatial memory, because the largest distance increases were observed on plants with their own clutches, compared to plants with clutches from conspecifics. However, adjustment of aggregation level and distance between clutches occurred only on a suitable, and not on an unsuitable, Salix genotype. We conclude that both behaviors should reduce competition between sibling and non‐sibling larvae.
Use of the Rasch Model for Initial Testing of Fit Statistics and Rating Scale Diagnosis for a General Anesthesia Satisfaction Questionnaire
Authors: Hawkins Robert J. , Kremer Michael J. , Swanson Barbara , Fogg Lou , Pierce Penny , Pearson Julie
Published: January 2015

Background and Purpose: The level of patient satisfaction is a result of a complex set of interactions between the patient and the health care provider. It is important to quantify satisfaction with care because it involves the patient in the care experience and decreases the potential gap between expected and actual care delivered. Methods: We tested a preliminary 23-item instrument to measure patient satisfaction with general anesthesia care. The rating scale Rasch model was chosen as the framework. Results: There were 10 items found to have sufficient evidence of stable fit statistics. Items included 2 questions related to information provided, 2 questions related to concern and kindness of the provider, and 1 question each for interpersonal skills of the provider, attention by the provider, feeling safe, well-being, privacy, and overall anesthesia satisfaction. Conclusion: Such actions as providing enough time to understand the anesthesia plan, answering questions related to the anesthetic, showing kindness and concern for the patient, displaying good interpersonal skills, providing adequate attention to the patient, providing a safe environment that maintains privacy and provides a sense of well-being are important actions that are well within the control of individual anesthesia providers and may lead to improved care from the perception of the patient.
Validation of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in Black Single Mothers
Authors: Atkins Rahshida
Published: January 2015

Background and Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the factor structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale in a community sample of Black single mothers and to evaluate the scale’s construct validity. Methods: Principal components and exploratory factor analysis were used. The participants responded to the CES-D scale and Spielberger’s State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory. Results: The final sample consisted of 208 Black single mothers aged 18–45 years. A 2-factor structure was accepted. Construct validity was confirmed via significant correlations with the anger scales. A method artifact for the 2-factor solution was ruled out. Conclusion: The CES-D scale is valid for use with Black single mothers. Additional psychometric evidence for the CES-D for Black single mothers is warranted.