bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurite outgrowth induced by NGF or L1CAM via activation of the TrkA receptor is sustained also by the exocytosis of enlargeosomes
Authors: Colombo Federico , Racchetti Gabriella , Meldolesi Jacopo
Published: November 2014

Significance

Much of the available information on NGF-induced neural cell differentiation has been first obtained by the study of a cultured cell line, the pheochromocytoma PC12. Using the pheochromocytoma PC12 cells, we now demonstrate two new aspects of the differentiation process, possibly important also in neurons: (
i
) the direct binding, activation, and signaling of the NGF receptor TrkA by a neural adhesion protein, L1CAM, when administered as a soluble construct and also when surface-exposed by adjacent cells; and (
ii
) the expression, in the PC12 exposed for a few hours to NGF treatment, of an exocytic vesicle, the enlargeosome, that cooperates with an endocytic vesicle in the enlargement of the cell surface, which is necessary for neurite outgrowth to take place.
Complementarity in the provision of ecosystem services reduces the cost of mitigating amplified natural disturbance events
Authors: Sims Charles , Aadland David , Powell James , Finnoff David C. , Crabb Ben
Published: November 2014

Significance

Climate change has been implicated as a root cause of the recent surge in natural disturbance events, leading to a greater focus on disturbance-mitigating benefits of ecosystem management. Quantifying these benefits requires knowledge of the relationship between natural and anthropogenic disturbances, which is lacking at the temporal and spatial scales needed to inform ecosystem-based management. This study investigates a specific relationship between timber harvesting and climate-amplified insect outbreaks. If harvesting is located to mitigate long-distance insect dispersal, there is potential for a win–win outcome, in which both timber production and forest conservation can be increased. This spatially targeted harvesting strategy lowers the cost of providing disturbance-mitigating ecosystem services and produces net gains in forest conservation across various stakeholder groups.
Spiral precipitation patterns in confined chemical gardens
Authors: Haudin Florence , Cartwright Julyan H. E. , Brau Fabian , De Wit A.
Published: November 2014

Significance

Chemical gardens are plant-like mineral forms existing in nature at various scales. Even though they have been described for more than three centuries thanks to their beauty and analogies with biological forms, their growth mechanisms remain largely not understood. To gain insight into their formation processes, we develop an innovative strategy to study these systems in which chemical gardens grow in a quasi-2D confined geometry upon injecting one reagent solution into the other. The advantage of this procedure over previous works is to allow studying, in controlled and reproducible conditions, the effects of variable concentrations and injection rates on the selected morphology.
Peptide and small molecule inhibitors of HECT-type ubiquitin ligases
Authors: Mund Thomas , Lewis Michael J. , Maslen Sarah , Pelham Hugh R.
Published: November 2014

Significance

The ubiquitin system controls a wide range of processes in cells and provides attractive drug targets for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. However, it has proved difficult to obtain inhibitors of the ligases that conjugate ubiquitin to substrates, of which there are hundreds. One class, the HECT (homologous to E6AP C terminus) domain ligases, receives ubiquitin from an E2 enzyme and transfers it to substrate. We have selected bicyclic peptides that block the E2 binding site of individual HECT ligases, as well as a small molecule, heclin (HECT ligase inhibitor), that broadly inhibits these ligases in cells. These inhibitors demonstrate that HECT domains are druggable targets and provide tools to study ubiquitination. The same approach could be used to select further HECT inhibitors.
Shortwave and longwave radiative contributions to global warming under increasing CO
2
Authors: Donohoe Aaron , Armour Kyle C. , Pendergrass Angeline G. , Battisti David S.
Published: November 2014

Significance

The greenhouse effect is well-established. Increased concentrations of greenhouse gases, such as CO
2
, reduce the amount of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) to space; thus, energy accumulates in the climate system, and the planet warms. However, climate models forced with CO
2
reveal that global energy accumulation is, instead, primarily caused by an increase in absorbed solar radiation (ASR). This study resolves this apparent paradox. The solution is in the climate feedbacks that increase ASR with warming—the moistening of the atmosphere and the reduction of snow and sea ice cover. Observations and model simulations suggest that even though global warming is set into motion by greenhouse gases that reduce OLR, it is ultimately sustained by the climate feedbacks that enhance ASR.
The pathogenBatrachochytrium dendrobatidisdisturbs the frog skin microbiome during a natural epidemic and experimental infection
Authors: Jani Andrea J. , Briggs Cheryl J.
Published: November 2014

Significance

Animals are inhabited by communities of microbes (the microbiome) that potentially interact with pathogens. Detailed studies of microbiome–pathogen interactions in nature are rare, and even when correlations are observed, determining causal relationships is challenging. The microbiome–pathogen relationship is of particular interest in the case ofBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a chytrid fungus that infects the skin of amphibians and is causing amphibian declines worldwide. We documented a strong correlation between pathogen load and skin bacterial communities of frogs during natural disease episodes. We then showed experimentally that infection alters the microbiome, with similar bacteria responding in both laboratory and field. The results indicate that the chytrid pathogen drives changes in the amphibian skin microbiome during disease episodes in wild frogs.
Gill bacteria enable a novel digestive strategy in a wood-feeding mollusk
Authors: O’Connor Roberta M. , Fung Jennifer M. , Sharp Koty H. , Benner Jack S. , McClung Colleen , Cushing Shelley , Lamkin Elizabeth R. , Fomenkov Alexey I. , Henrissat Bernard , Londer Yuri Y. , Scholz Matthew B. , Posfai Janos , Malfatti Stephanie , Tringe Susannah G. , Woyke Tanja , Malmstrom Rex R. , Coleman-Derr Devin , Altamia Marvin A. , Dedrick Sandra , Kaluziak Stefan T. , Haygood Margo G. , Distel Daniel L.
Published: November 2014

Significance

In animals, gut microbes are essential for digestion. Here, we show that bacteria outside the gut can also play a critical role in digestion. In shipworms, wood-eating marine bivalves, endosymbiotic bacteria are found within specialized cells in the gills. We show that these endosymbionts produce wood-degrading enzymes that are selectively transported to the shipworm’s bacteria-free gut, where wood digestion occurs. Because only selected wood-degrading enzymes are transported, the shipworm system naturally identifies those endosymbiont enzymes most relevant to lignocellulose deconstruction without interference from other microbial proteins. Thus, this work expands the known biological repertoire of bacterial endosymbionts to include digestion of food and identifies previously undescribed enzymes and enzyme combinations of potential value to biomass-based industries, such as cellulosic biofuel production.
Prediction of interindividual differences in hepatic functions and drug sensitivity by using human iPS-derived hepatocytes
Authors: Takayama Kazuo , Morisaki Yuta , Kuno Shuichi , Nagamoto Yasuhito , Harada Kazuo , Furukawa Norihisa , Ohtaka Manami , Nishimura Ken , Imagawa Kazuo , Sakurai Fuminori , Tachibana Masashi , Sumazaki Ryo , Noguchi Emiko , Nakanishi Mahito , Hirata Kazumasa , Kawabata Kenji , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki
Published: November 2014

Significance

We found that individual cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolism capacity and drug sensitivity could be predicted by examining them in the primary human hepatocytes–human induced pluripotent stem cells–hepatocyte-like cells (PHH-iPS-HLCs). We also confirmed that interindividual differences of CYP metabolism capacity and drug responsiveness that are due to the diversity of individual single nucleotide polymorphisms in the CYP gene could also be reproduced in the PHH-iPS-HLCs. These findings suggest that interindividual differences in drug metabolism capacity and drug response could be predicted by using HLCs differentiated from human iPS cells. We believe that iPS-HLCs would be a powerful technology not only for accurate and efficient drug development, but also for personalized drug therapy.
In vitro evolution of high-titer, virus-like vesicles containing a single structural protein
Authors: Rose Nina F. , Buonocore Linda , Schell John B. , Chattopadhyay Anasuya , Bahl Kapil , Liu Xinran , Rose John K.
Published: November 2014

Significance

All known membrane-enveloped RNA viruses have capsid proteins that encase their RNA genomes. This paper shows that infectious, membrane-enveloped, virus-like vesicles with RNA genomes can evolve in vitro to grow to high titers without a capsid protein. The infectious vesicles are apparently generated from RNA replication factories called spherules that bud from the cell surface. They evolve in vitro to bud with high efficiency through the acquisition of multiple mutations in the non-structural replicase proteins. One mutation generates a critical motif found in many viral structural proteins. This motif is involved in recruiting cellular machinery to drive efficient budding. Prior to the evolution of capsid proteins, primitive RNA viruses may have used this budding mechanism.
Long-term effects of marijuana use on the brain
Authors: Filbey Francesca M. , Aslan Sina , Calhoun Vince D. , Spence Jeffrey S. , Damaraju Eswar , Caprihan Arvind , Segall Judith
Published: November 2014

Significance

The existing literature on the long-term effects of marijuana on the brain provides an inconsistent picture (i.e., presence or absence of structural changes) due to methodological differences across studies. We overcame these methodological issues by collecting multimodal measures in a large group of chronic marijuana using adults with a wide age range that allows for characterization of changes across lifespan without developmental or maturational biases as in other studies. Our findings suggest that chronic marijuana use is associated with complex neuroadaptive processes and that onset and duration of use have unique effects on these processes.
Brothers in arms: Libyan revolutionaries bond like family
Authors: Whitehouse Harvey , McQuinn Brian , Buhrmester Michael , Swann William B.
Published: November 2014

Significance

The human propensity to sacrifice one’s life for genetic strangers has puzzled scientists since Darwin. Here, we sought answers to this puzzle by embedding ourselves within groups of individuals prepared to die for one another—Libyan revolutionary battalion members who fought against Gaddafi’s regime in 2011. We found striking evidence of extraordinarily tight, familial-like bonds among those who put themselves directly in harm’s way (i.e., frontline combatants). In fact, for nearly half of combatants, their bonds to each other werestrongerthan bonds to their own families. Moreover, these kin-like bonds to one another predispose them to extreme self-sacrifice.
Structure of Crumbs tail in complex with the PALS1 PDZ–SH3–GK tandem reveals a highly specific assembly mechanism for the apical Crumbs complex
Authors: Li Youjun , Wei Zhiyi , Yan Yan , Wan Qingwen , Du Quansheng , Zhang Mingjie
Published: November 2014

Significance

The Crumbs–PALS1–PATJ complex is vital for the development and maintenance of the polarity of diverse tissues. Defects in Crumbs–PALS1–PATJ complex formation are known to cause diseases such as cancer and blindness. The highly conserved cytoplasmic tail of the transmembrane protein Crumbs is responsible for the apical targeting of the Crumbs–PALS1–PATJ complex. However, the molecular basis governing the formation of the highly specific Crumbs–PALS1 complex is poorly understood. We discovered that the PDZ–SH3–GK tandem of PALS1 forms a structural supramodule interacting with the large part of the Crumbs tail with high affinity and specificity, supporting the apical–basal polarity of epithelial cells. Our work suggests that formation of the PDZ–SH3–GK supramodule is a general property of MAGUKs for recognizing specific targets.
Optic flow instructs retinotopic map formation through a spatial to temporal to spatial transformation of visual information
Authors: Hiramoto Masaki , Cline Hollis T.
Published: November 2014

Significance

Topographic maps of the sensory world are distributed throughout the brain. Maps are important because they facilitate information transfer within and between brain regions. We know that sensory experience is required for the development and plasticity of sensory maps, but the elements of natural sensory experience that instruct map formation have not been identified. Here we show that natural optic flow produces a temporal code of retinal activity that instructs the spatial organization of retinotopic maps. Our study demonstrates that visual information is transformed from a temporal code to a spatial code in the brain. Such transformations of information codes are likely to occur throughout the brain.
Targeting the minor pocket of C5aR for the rational design of an oral allosteric inhibitor for inflammatory and neuropathic pain relief
Authors: Moriconi Alessio , Cunha Thiago M. , Souza Guilherme R. , Lopes Alexandre H. , Cunha Fernando Q. , Carneiro Victor L. , Pinto Larissa G. , Brandolini Laura , Aramini Andrea , Bizzarri Cinzia , Bianchini Gianluca , Beccari Andrea R. , Fanton Marco , Bruno Agostino , Costantino Gabriele , Bertini Riccardo , Galliera Emanuela , Locati Massimo , Ferreira Sérgio H. , Teixeira Mauro M. , Allegretti Marcello
Published: November 2014

Significance

Persistent pain in inflammatory and neuropathic conditions is often refractory to conventional analgesic therapy, with most patients suffering with unrelieved pain and serious treatment-related side effects. There is still a tremendous need to identify novel therapeutics for pain control with innovative biological mechanisms and minimal side effects. In this paper we challenge the hypothesis that a conserved structural motif across the G protein-coupled receptor family plays a regulatory role in the negative modulation of receptor activation and use a multidisciplinary approach to the rational drug design and characterization of a novel potent allosteric inhibitor of the C5a anaphylatoxin receptor (C5aR), thus providing a new promising avenue for the improvement of pharmacotherapy of chronic pain.
Specific functions of the Wnt signaling system in gene regulatory networks throughout the early sea urchin embryo
Authors: Cui Miao , Siriwon Natnaree , Li Enhu , Davidson Eric H. , Peter Isabelle S.
Published: November 2014

Significance

This paper presents a system-level analysis of Wnt-signaling functions in the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) controlling pregastrular development of the sea urchin embryo. We include the spatial expression of signaling ligands, receptors, and antagonists and determine regulatory roles of Wnt signaling in local GRNs operating throughout the embryo and the control of
wnt
gene expression by these GRNs. Wnt signaling affects only certain cell-fate specification processes operating in particular domains without affecting others. We show that Wnt ligands function by short-range signaling between and within regulatory-state domains. We enumerate the specific functions of each expressed Wnt ligand and find that these differ, despite the expression of only one Frizzled receptor and despite partially overlapping expression patterns.
Potential function for the Huntingtin protein as a scaffold for selective autophagy
Authors: Ochaba Joseph , Lukacsovich Tamás , Csikos George , Zheng Shuqiu , Margulis Julia , Salazar Lisa , Mao Kai , Lau Alice L. , Yeung Sylvia Y. , Humbert Sandrine , Saudou Frédéric , Klionsky Daniel J. , Finkbeiner Steven , Zeitlin Scott O. , Marsh J. Lawrence , Housman David E. , Thompson Leslie M. , Steffan Joan S.
Published: November 2014

Significance

The normal function of the Huntingtin (HTT) protein is emerging. Here we report that selective autophagy requires an intact HTT protein in
Drosophila
and mouse CNS. We describe similarities in structure and binding activity between the C-terminal domain of HTT and the yeast autophagy scaffold protein Atg11, suggesting that HTT may normally function as a scaffold for various types of selective autophagy. Mice expressing an expanded repeat form of HTT also show deficits in protein clearance. Because autophagy is critical for clearance of cellular proteins, including mutant HTT, the impairment of normal HTT function by the polyQ expansion could suppress activity of the autophagy machinery. These results may have important implications when evaluating therapeutic strategies for HD.
Coherence in multimodal arts installations
Authors: Huemer Birgit
Published: November 2014

Multimodal and process-oriented design in digital installation art is pushing

for the resolution of physical, spatial and temporal borders as well as coherent

structures, which may make visitor perception substantially difficult. Hence,

this form of art is well suited for the discussion of the concept of coherence in

terms of applicability and constraints. In order to analyse and discuss coherence

in multimodal and process-oriented design, I have developed a five-layer

framework, based on systemic functional and multimodal theory and capable

of analysing coherence relations in the digital installation art that this paper

will look at.
Towards a historical and cultural atlas of colour terms in the Near East
Authors: Borg Alexander
Published: November 2014

This chapter addresses evolutionary aspects tangential to the categorization of green and blue in selected contemporary varieties of Arabic and Aramaic spoken in the Near East. Its objective is to focus attention on the need for a combined linguistic and cultural study of this region on a macro-areal scale, after the model of R. E. MacLaury’s (1997) Mesoamerican colour survey. The present research intimates that the Bedouin Arabic hybrid colour paradigm – with its minimal set of basic categories, lexicalized alongside an elaborate word-stock for non-basic, (though functionally salient) unsaturated, natural hues
(of livestock, steppe terrain, and more) – represents an early evolutionary stage in Semitic colour categorization focused essentially on brightness values. Hence the undifferentiated dark / cool region of the Old Arabic spectrum covered by the basic term axd̩ar “green, blue, and black”. The comparative chromatic data here adduced from ancient and modern Semitic suggest that the tendency to fuse green and blue into a single category in this region represents a relic trait in certain parts of the Near East, concomitant with a still ongoing shift from brightness to hue categories.
Linguistic categorization of BLUE in Standard Italian
Authors: Uusküla Mari
Published: November 2014

The chapter aims to establish the status of three salient colour terms for blue: blu, azzurro and celeste, in the standard variety of Italian. A number of experiments were performed to examine the context-free and context-sensitive behaviour of blue terms. The results, consistent with previous studies, reveal that Italian speakers tend to distinguish lighter blue(s) from darker blue in daily speech, regarding them as autonomous categories. Although blu seems to be the most prevalent term, used with high consensus, both azzurro and celeste also tend to be salient high-frequency terms. The choice between azzurro and celeste depends on speakers’ dialectal background. Furthermore, it is conjectured which linguistic and non-linguistic factors tend to bias the linguistic categorization of colour terms in general.
From blood to worms
Authors: Swearingen Andrew
Published: November 2014

The historical record provides evidence of an apparent semantic shift in the denotational range of the Portuguese colour term roxo, whereby its referent, initially designating the colour red, came to designate the colour purple. Drawing on colour term research from the World Colour Survey, prototype theory and cognitive semantics, I argue that such a process was set in motion by an adjacent semantic shift in the colour term vermelho from non-basic to the basic colour term for red in Portuguese. Supported by empirical evidence from historical texts as well as comparative linguistics, I document an overall timeline for this change and argue that extra-linguistic factors involving the dyeing industry in Iberia serve as the motivation for these shifts, a view supported by colour term cognates in other Ibero-Romance varieties such as Catalan and Galician. The evolution of Portuguese roxo and vermelho provides an example of one possible evolutionary path that basic colour terms can take in the history of a language, demonstrating the cognitive mechanics involved in the division and shift of colour category boundaries and the relocation of prototypes.
The spread of RED in the Historical Thesaurus of English
Authors: Alexander Marc , Kay Christian
Published: November 2014

The basic colour category red and its exponents occupies an important place in the development of colour vocabulary, whether in the evolution of colour perception, infant language learning, or the history of particular languages. This chapter focuses on the development of the red category in English using data from the Historical Thesaurus of English, which lists synonyms from the earliest English records until the present day. Comparison with other English BCCs shows that red has by far the largest number of exponents over history and the steepest increase in lexis in the modern period. The close relationship of red and pink, the youngest of the English BCCs, is also explored.
Personality and gender-schemata contributions to colour preferences
Authors: Bimler David , Brunt Jennifer , Lanning Laura , Bonnardel Valérie
Published: November 2014

A gender difference in color preference has been repeatedly reported among English speakers, with a secondary preference among females for pink-purple colors, modulating a primary preference from both sexes for “cool” over “warm” hues. However, this group difference leaves much individual variation in preference patterns unaccounted-for. Here we examine personality traits and gender schemata as possible determinants. Preference choices across sixteen hue samples were elicited from 120 young British psychology students, who also rated themselves on the International Personality Item Pool and Bem Sex Role Inventory questionnaires. Principal Component Analysis reduced their individual preference variations to four prototypical patterns. Some associations emerged between preference and personality; these may be culturally determined. Links with gender schemata were less substantial.
The metaphysical significance of colour categorization
Authors: Chirimuuta Mazviita
Published: November 2014

In this chapter I approach the ancient metaphysical question concerning the reality – or otherwise – of colour. Certain philosophers (Hardin 1993; Pautz 2006) have argued that the existence of colour categories, and colour spaces which instantiate similarity relationships between the categories, give reason for concluding that colour is an entirely subjective and illusory phenomenon. In this chapter I argue instead that an understanding of categorization gives us strong motivation for rejecting any simple dichotomy between real / physical properties and unreal / psychological attributes. This undermines the extreme anti-realist view and leads to a novel argument in favour of a relationist theory of colour, according to which colours are perceiver-dependent but nonetheless real properties of objects.
Synaesthetic associations
Authors: Moos Anja , Simmons David R. , Smith Rachel
Published: November 2014

While colour terms are occasionally used to describe a voice metaphorically, people with a neurological multi-sensory condition called synaesthesia have non-metaphorical, automatic and involuntary colour associations with the sound of a voice. After extensive research on other types of synaesthesia, this study is the first to investigate voice-induced synaesthesia on a group level, and to compare results with phoneticians and control participants. It was found that pitch and pitch range of a voice influenced brightness and colour associations with a voice for all groups. Group differences were mainly found in verbal descriptions of the voices: many synaesthetes used their additional perceptions to describe the voice, phoneticians used technical terms, and controls mostly described (personality) characteristics of the speaker.
“Miss Gartside’s immediate eye”
Authors: Loske Alexandra
Published: November 2014

This chapter examines three publications by the English colour theorist Mary Gartside (active 1781–1809) with regard to their role as illustrated publications on the subject of colour. Gartside’s works are exemplary of a category of experimental illustrated books published shortly before the rise of lithography. In the early nineteenth century, authors and publishers were faced with the challenge of adequately representing concepts of colour in colour and relied largely on the work-intensive method of hand-colouring. These books are now rare and reflect a particular phase in print culture and in the material history of colour studies. The chapter closely examines Gartside’s books and sets them into the context of earlier, contemporary and later illustrated publications on colour.
Evaluating positive leadership: pilot study on the psychometric properties of a reduced version of the Positive Leadership Assessment Scale / Evaluando el liderazgo positivo: estudio piloto de las propiedades psicométricas de una versión reducida del Positive Leadership Assessment Scale
Authors: Antino Mirko , Gil-Rodríguez Francisco , Rodríguez-Muñoz Alfredo , Borzillo Stefano
Published: November 2014

Positive leadership is considered a fundamental factor which contributes significantly to the development of healthy organizations. Positive leadership has been address via other leadership models, primarily transformational and authentic leadership, with which some affinities have been established. Although there is a large body of literature on positive leadership, especially related to its practical aspects, the construct is not properly delimited and there are only a few relevant contributions on how to measure it. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a pilot study to examine the psychometric properties of a reduced version of the PLAS (Positive Leadership Assessment Scale). Results from a confirmatory factorial analysis show that a five-correlated factors model achieves a good fit with the empirical data (on a sample of Spanish students). Likewise, this study also offers a range of evidence of validity, showing a relationship with the constructs of both transformational and authentic leadership and engagement.
Abiotic predictors of faunal communities in an ombrotrophic peatland lagg and an open peat bog
Authors: Mieczan T. , Tarkowska-Kukuryk M. , Płaska W. , Rechulicz J.
Published: November 2014

Most ecological research has hitherto focused more on sea and lake ecosystems than on peatland habitats. The primary objectives of this paper were to analyse the ciliate, rotifer, cladoceran, copepod and insect assemblages in a horizontal lagg and an open peat bog, and to assess the influence of physical and chemical parameters on their communities. Sampling was done in a transitional bog from May to October 2012 in a transect comprising the lagg and the open peatbog. The first two axes of a principal component analysis accounted for 49.8% of the total variance in the composition of the faunal communities studied. The distribution of samples in ordination space suggested that the habitats are distributed along the gradient of water level and the gradients of total organic carbon and nutrients. Assemblages of all groups investigated showed a strong compositional gradient correlated with surface water and phosphates. However, species composition of ciliates and rotifers was explained by conductivity and/or chlorophyll-aconcentration. The results suggest that the lagg zone of a bog can function as an ecotone, with significantly greater species richness and abundance of faunal communities.
An inherited mutation in NLRC4 causes autoinflammation in human and mice
Authors: Kitamura Akiko , Sasaki Yuki , Abe Takaya , Kano Hirotsugu , Yasutomo Koji
Published: November 2014

Autoinflammatory syndromes cause sterile inflammation in the absence of any signs of autoimmune responses. Familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome (FCAS) is characterized by intermittent episodes of rash, arthralgia, and fever after exposure to cold stimuli. We have identified a missense mutation in the NLRC4 gene in patients with FCAS. NLRC4 has been known as a crucial sensor for several Gram-negative intracellular bacteria. The mutation in NLRC4 in FCAS patients promoted the formation of NLRC4-containing inflammasomes that cleave procaspase-1 and increase production of IL-1β. Transgenic mice that expressed mutant Nlrc4 under the invariant chain promoter developed dermatitis and arthritis. Inflammation within tissues depended on IL-1β–mediated production of IL-17A from neutrophils but not from T cells. Our findings reveal a previously unrecognized link between NLRC4 and a hereditary autoinflammatory disease and highlight the importance of NLRC4 not only in the innate immune response to bacterial infections but also in the genesis of inflammatory diseases.
A regional look at HANPP: human consumption is increasing, NPP is not
Authors: Running Steven W
Published: November 2014

Abdi et al (2014 Environ. Res. Lett.

9 094003), have adapted the concept of comparing supply and demand of annual plant production known as human appropriation of net primary production (HANPP) to a region of the Sahel with rapid population growth. They found that HANPP more than doubled over the study period of 2000–2010, from 19% to 41%, suggesting increasing vulnerability of these populations to food insecurity.
Carotid Artery Stiffness and Hemodynamic Pulsatility During Cognitive Engagement in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Investigation
Authors: Heffernan Kevin S. , Spartano Nicole L. , Augustine Jacqueline A. , Lefferts Wesley K. , Hughes William E. , Mitchell Gary F. , Jorgensen Randall S. , Gump Brooks B.
Published: November 2014

BACKGROUND

The matching of vascular supply to neuronal metabolic demand during cognitive engagement is known as neurovascular coupling (NVC). Arterial stiffness is a prominent determinant of pulsatility in the systemic circulation and may thus indirectly impact NVC. In this pilot investigation, we explored changes in carotid artery stiffness and cerebrovascular hemodynamic pulsatiltiy during cognitive engagement in healthy adults.

METHODS

Twenty-seven adults (age 39±3 years, BMI 24±1kg/m2) underwent Doppler ultrasonography of the common carotid artery (CCA) combined with applanation tonometry to derive (i) CCA elastic modulus (Ep) and β-stiffness index; (ii) CCA flow pulsatility index (PI); (iii) CCA pulse pressure, (iv) CCA augmentation index (AIx). Cerebral PI was assessed using transcranial Doppler at the middle cerebral artery (MCA). All measures were made at rest and during an incongruent Stroop task.

RESULTS

CCA PI was reduced (1.75±0.06 to 1.57±0.06, P < 0.05) while MCA PI was unchanged (0.75±0.02 to 0.75±0.02, P > 0.05) during Stroop. Brachial pulse pressure increased during Stroop (43±1 to 46±1mm Hg, P < 0.05) while CCA pulse pressure was unchanged (36±1 to 35±1mm Hg, P > 0.05). Similarly, CCA Ep (54.5±5.5 to 53.8 ± 4.9 kPa, P > 0.05) and β-stiffness index (4.4±0.4 to 4.2±0.3 aU, P > 0.05) were unchanged. CCA AIx increased (1±4 to 13±4%, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Carotid pressure pulsatility is unaltered while carotid flow pulsatility is reduced during cognitive engagement. Carotid artery stiffness does not change suggesting that factors other than the dynamic elastic properties of the CCA buffer cerebrovascular hemodynamic pulsatility during cognitive engagement.
Characteristic signatures in the thermal emission from accreting binary black holes
Authors: Farris Brian D. , Duffell Paul , MacFadyen Andrew I. , Haiman Zoltán
Published: November 2014

We present the results of a calculation of the thermal spectrum from a 2D, moving mesh, high-accuracy, viscous hydrodynamical simulation of an accreting supermassive black hole (SMBHs) binary. We include viscous heating, shock heating, and radiative cooling, evolving for longer than a viscous time so that we reach a quasi-steady accretion state. In agreement with previous work, we find that gas is efficiently stripped from the inner edge of the circumbinary disc and enters the cavity along accretion streams, which feed persistent ‘minidiscs’ surrounding each black hole. We also find that emission from the shock-heated minidiscs and accretion streams prevents any deficit in high-energy emission that may be expected inside the circumbinary cavity, and instead leads to a characteristic brightening of the spectrum beginning in soft X-rays.
Are turbulent spheres suitable initial conditions for star-forming clouds?
Authors: Rey-Raposo Ramon , Dobbs Clare , Duarte-Cabral Ana
Published: November 2014

To date, most numerical simulations of molecular clouds, and star formation within them, assume a uniform density sphere or box with an imposed turbulent velocity field. In this work, we select molecular clouds from galactic scale simulations as initial conditions, increase their resolution, and re-simulate them using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics code gadget2. Our approach provides clouds with morphologies, internal structures and kinematics that constitute more consistent and realistic initial conditions for simulations of star formation. We perform comparisons between molecular clouds derived from a galactic simulation, and spheres of turbulent gas of similar dimensions, mass and velocity dispersion. We focus on properties of the clouds such as their density, velocity structure and star formation rate. We find that the inherited velocity structure of the galactic clouds has a significant impact on the star formation rate and evolution of the cloud. Our results indicate that, although we can follow the time evolution of star formation in any simulated cloud, capturing the entire history is difficult as we ignore any star formation that might have occurred before initialization. Overall, the turbulent spheres do not match the complexity of the galactic clouds.
Three-dimensional graphene networks: synthesis, properties and applications
Authors: Ma Yanfeng , Chen Yongsheng
Published: November 2014

Recently, three-dimensional graphene/graphene oxide (GO) networks (3DGNs) in the form of foams, sponges and aerogels have attracted much attention. 3D structures provide graphene materials with high specific surface areas, large pore volumes, strong mechanical strengths and fast mass and electron transport, owing to the combination of the 3D porous structures and the excellent intrinsic properties of graphene. This review focuses on the latest advances in the preparation, properties and potential applications of 3D micro-/nano-architectures made of graphene/GO-based networks, with emphasis on graphene foams and sponges.
Exopolysaccharide Production in Response to Medium Acidification Is Correlated With an Increase in Competition for Nodule Occupancy
Authors: Geddes Barney A. , González Juan E. , Oresnik Ivan J.
Published: November 2014

Sinorhizobium meliloti strains unable to utilize galactose as a sole carbon source, due to mutations in the De-Ley Doudoroff pathway (dgoK), were previously shown to be more competitive for nodule occupancy. In this work, we show that strains carrying this mutation have galactose-dependent exopolysaccharide (EPS) phenotypes that were manifested as aberrant Calcofluor staining as well as decreased mucoidy when in an expR+genetic background. The aberrant Calcofluor staining was correlated with changes in the pH of the growth medium. Strains carrying dgoK mutations were subsequently demonstrated to show earlier acidification of their growth medium that was correlated with an increase expression of genes associated with succinoglycan biosynthesis as well as increased accumulation of high and low molecular weight EPS in the medium. In addition, it was shown that the acidification of the medium was dependent on the inability of S. meliloti strains to initiate the catabolism of galactose. To more fully understand why strains carrying the dgoK allele were more competitive for nodule occupancy, early nodulation phenotypes were investigated. It was found that strains carrying the dgoK allele had a faster rate of nodulation. In addition, nodule competition experiments using genetic backgrounds unable to synthesize either succinoglycan or EPSII were consistent with the hypothesis that the increased competition phenotype was dependent upon the synthesis of succinoglycan. Fluorescent microscopy experiments on infected root-hair cells, using the acidotropic dye Lysotracker Red DND-99, provide evidence that the colonized curled root hair is an acidic compartment.
Rhythm in joint action: psychological and neurophysiological mechanisms for real-time interpersonal coordination
Authors: Keller Peter E. , Novembre Giacomo , Hove Michael J.
Published: November 2014

Human interaction often requires simultaneous precision and flexibility in the coordination of rhythmic behaviour between individuals engaged in joint activity, for example, playing a musical duet or dancing with a partner. This review article addresses the psychological processes and brain mechanisms that enable such rhythmic interpersonal coordination. First, an overview is given of research on the cognitive-motor processes that enable individuals to represent joint action goals and to anticipate, attend and adapt to other's actions in real time. Second, the neurophysiological mechanisms that underpin rhythmic interpersonal coordination are sought in studies of sensorimotor and cognitive processes that play a role in the representation and integration of self- and other-related actions within and between individuals' brains. Finally, relationships between social–psychological factors and rhythmic interpersonal coordination are considered from two perspectives, one concerning how social-cognitive tendencies (e.g. empathy) affect coordination, and the other concerning how coordination affects interpersonal affiliation, trust and prosocial behaviour. Our review highlights musical ensemble performance as an ecologically valid yet readily controlled domain for investigating rhythm in joint action.
Take a breath and take the turn: how breathing meets turns in spontaneous dialogue
Authors: Rochet-Capellan Amélie , Fuchs Susanne
Published: November 2014

Physiological rhythms are sensitive to social interactions and could contribute to defining social rhythms. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the implications of breathing in conversational turn exchanges remains limited. In this paper, we addressed the idea that breathing may contribute to timing and coordination between dialogue partners. The relationships between turns and breathing were analysed in unconstrained face-to-face conversations involving female speakers. No overall relationship between breathing and turn-taking rates was observed, as breathing rate was specific to the subjects' activity in dialogue (listening versus taking the turn versus holding the turn). A general inter-personal coordination of breathing over the whole conversation was not evident. However, specific coordinative patterns were observed in shorter time-windows when participants engaged in taking turns. The type of turn-taking had an effect on the respective coordination in breathing. Most of the smooth and interrupted turns were taken just after an inhalation, with specific profiles of alignment to partner breathing. Unsuccessful attempts to take the turn were initiated late in the exhalation phase and with no clear inter-personal coordination. Finally, breathing profiles at turn-taking were different than those at turn-holding. The results support the idea that breathing is actively involved in turn-taking and turn-holding.
Attentional entrainment and perceived event duration
Authors: McAuley J. Devin , Fromboluti Elisa Kim
Published: November 2014

This study considered the contribution of dynamic attending theory (DAT) and attentional entrainment to systematic distortions in perceived event duration. Three experiments were conducted using an auditory oddball paradigm, in which listeners judged the duration of a deviant (oddball) stimulus embedded within a series of identical (standard) stimuli. To test for a role of attentional entrainment in perceived oddball duration, oddballs were presented at either temporally expected (on time) or unexpectedly early or late time points relative to extrapolation of the context rhythm. Consistent with involvement of attentional entrainment in perceived duration, duration judgements about the oddball were least distorted when the oddball occurred on time with respect to the entrained rhythm, whereas durations of early and late oddballs were perceived to be shorter and longer, respectively. This pattern of results was independent of the absolute time interval preceding the oddball. Moreover, as expected, an irregularly timed sequence context weakened observed differences between oddballs with on-time and late onsets. Combined with other recent work on the role of temporal preparation in duration distortions, the present findings allot at least a portion of the oddball effect to increased attention to events that are more expected, rather than on their unexpected nature
per se
.
Pseudomonas yamanorum sp. nov., a psychrotolerant bacterium isolated from a subantarctic environment
Authors: Arnau Víctor Gonzalo , Sánchez Leandro Arturo , Delgado Osvaldo Daniel
Published: November 2014

A psychrotolerant strain, 8H1T, was isolated from soil samples collected in Isla de los Estados, Ushuaia, Argentina. Cells were Gram-negative, aerobic, straight rods, occurring singly or in pairs, non-spore-forming and motile by means of two polar flagella. The isolate was able to grow in the range 4–35 °C, with optimum growth at 28 °C. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω6cand/or C16 : 1ω7c), C16 : 0and summed feature 8 (C18 : 1ω6cand/or C18 : 1ω7c). The polar lipid pattern of strain 8H1Tcomprised phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and an unknown phospholipid. Ubiquinone 9 (Q-9) was the predominant lipoquinone. The DNA G+C content was 59.8 mol%. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based phylogeny suggested the affiliation of strain 8H1Tto the ‘Pseudomonas fluorescensgroup’, displaying ≥98.5 % sequence similarity to 29 type strains. A multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) study performed by concatenating 16S rRNA,gyrB,rpoDandrpoBgene sequences showed that isolate 8H1Tcould be discriminated from closely related species of the genusPseudomonasand placed in the ‘Pseudomonas gessardiisubgroup’, including the species with the highest MLSA sequence similarities:Pseudomonas brenneri(96.2 %),P. gessardii(96.1 %),P. proteolytica(96.0 %),P. meridiana(96.0 %) andP. mucidolens(95.4 %). DNA–DNA hybridization analysis between 8H1Tand the type strains of these closely related species revealed relatedness values of 27.0, 8.8, 41.2, 39.7 and 46.1 %, respectively. These results, together with differences in several phenotypic features, support the classification of a novel species, for which the namePseudomonas yamanorumsp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 8H1T( = DSM 26522T = CCUG 63249T = LMG 27247T).
Brenneria populi sp. nov., isolated from symptomatic bark of Populus×euramericana canker
Authors: Li Yong , Fang Wei , Xue Han , Liang Wen-xing , Wang Lai-fa , Tian Guo-zhong , Wang Xi-zhuo , Lin Cai-li , Li Xia , Piao Chun-gen
Published: November 2014

Five Gran-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, motile, bacterial strains were isolated from symptomatic bark tissue of Populus×euramericana canker. Strains grew at 4–41 °C, pH 4–10 and 0–6 % (w/v) salinity. They were positive with respect to catalase activity and negative for oxidase activity, nitrate reduction and the Voges–Proskauer reaction. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that these five poplar isolates belong to the genus

Brenneria

, having highest sequence similarity of 95.98 % with

Brenneria goodwinii

LMG 26270T. These five isolates formed a single cluster based on multilocus sequence analysis, indicating that they all belong to a single taxon within the genus

Brenneria

, which was confirmed by DNA–DNA hybridization. The DNA G+C content was 54.9–55.7 mol%, and the main fatty acids were C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c, C17 : 0 cyclo and C16 : 1ω7c/iso-C15 : 0 2-OH. Based on these results, we describe a novel species of the genus

Brenneria

with the proposed name Brenneria populi sp. nov. The type strain is D9-5T ( = CFCC 11963T = KCTC 42088T).
Reappraisal of the taxonomy of Streptococcus suis serotypes 20, 22 and 26: Streptococcus parasuis sp. nov.
Authors: Nomoto R. , Maruyama F. , Ishida S. , Tohya M. , Sekizaki T. , Osawa Ro
Published: November 2014

In order to clarify the taxonomic position of serotypes 20, 22 and 26 of

Streptococcus suis

, biochemical and molecular genetic studies were performed on isolates (SUT-7, SUT-286T, SUT-319, SUT-328 and SUT-380) reacted with specific antisera of serotypes 20, 22 or 26 from the saliva of healthy pigs as well as reference strains of serotypes 20, 22 and 26. Comparative recN gene sequencing showed high genetic relatedness among our isolates, but marked differences from the type strain

S. suis

NCTC 10234T, i.e. 74.8–75.7 % sequence similarity. The genomic relatedness between the isolates and other strains of species of the genus

Streptococcus

, including

S. suis,
was calculated using the average nucleotide identity values of whole genome sequences, which indicated that serotypes 20, 22 and 26 should be removed taxonomically from

S. suis

and treated as a novel genomic species. Comparative sequence analysis revealed 99.0–100 % sequence similarities for the 16S rRNA genes between the reference strains of serotypes 20, 22 and 26, and our isolates. Isolate STU-286T had relatively high 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with

S. suis

NCTC 10234T (98.8 %). SUT-286T could be distinguished from

S. suis

and other closely related species of the genus

Streptococcus

using biochemical tests. Due to its phylogenetic and phenotypic similarities to

S. suis

we propose naming the novel species Streptococcus parasuis sp. nov., with SUT-286T ( = JCM 30273T = DSM 29126T) as the type strain.