bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implications of multiple risk factors for delineation of disease control zones: case study on foot-and-mouth disease occurrence in Uganda.
Authors: Chrisostom A. , Okurut A. A. R. , Tjørnehøj K.
Published: September 2013

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is the most economically important livestock disease worldwide. It is endemic in Uganda and most other African countries because of multiple risk factors including high livestock density, animal movements, proximity to wild animals, cross-border transactions, wind, water, animal products, utensils and livestock-human contacts. Like other developing countries, animal production and marketing are heavily constrained by limited access to lucrative international markets because of failure to meet the required standards by the World Trade Organization. One of the major strategies to promote disease control and livestock trade in endemic countries was to introduce the concept of disease-free zones within which specific sanitary and market standards have to be met. In Africa, it is only Namibia, Botswana and South Africa that have ever had FMD free OIE-declared zones. In pursuit of possibilities of beef export to EU and other markets within Africa by the year 2020, Uganda delineated two disease control zones (DCZs) in areas with large livestock populations and as a consequence high risk for FMD, thus requiring high capital investment. This paper highlights the multiple risk factors for spread of FMD and the feasibility of creating effective DCZs in pursuit of the international markets. The overall payback and the constraints of setting up such initiatives are discussed, including necessary parallel interventions way beyond setting up the prescribed areas.
Between Motion and Action: The Dialectical Role of Affective Identification in Kenneth Burke
Authors: Kraemer Don J.
Published: September 2013

Taking seriously Kenneth Burke's claim that identification follows property's logic discloses identification's rootedness not only in nonsymbolic motion but also in attitudinal sensation, that midway realm between sheer motion and symbolic action. Burke's key distinction is among three terms, not two—implying consubstantial (not antithetical) relations between pure persuasion and identification. Thus understood, these relations have implications for the New Rhetoric, in particular for how it frames the question of justice.
The Influence of Theology on the Rhetorical Theory of Austin Phelps
Authors: Hirst Russel
Published: September 2013

Studies in the history of rhetoric can be enriched by paying more attention to the relationship between theological belief and rhetorical theory. This article describes ways in which theology shaped the rhetorical theory of Austin Phelps (1820–1890), the fifth Bartlet professor of sacred rhetoric at Andover Theological Seminary, America's first graduate school of theology and a premiere institution for rhetorical education during the nineteenth century.
Use of a perceptually‐regulated test to measure maximal oxygen uptake is valid and feels better
Authors: Evans Harrison , Parfitt Gaynor , Eston Roger
Published: September 2013

A maximal, perceptually‐regulated exercise test (PRETmax) whereby participants control the intensity according to preset ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) may induce more positive affective responses than a conventional ‘experimenter controlled’ incremental ramp test (Iramp). The authors aimed to assess (1) if a PRETmax could be used to measure O2max and (2) if affective responses differed between the PRETmax and Iramp. Sixteen participants (age 20.5, s=1.2 y) completed a PRETmax which required them to adjust the resistance on a recumbent cycle ergometer to correspond to prescribed RPEs of 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 20 and an Iramp. Both tests ended with volitional exhaustion. Affect was recorded every minute throughout exercise using the Feeling Scale (FS). There was no difference (P>0.05) between O2max measured by PRETmax (43.5, s=4.1 ml kg−1 min−1) and Iramp (44.3, s=4.9 ml kg−1 min−1). Participants reported feeling significantly less negative (P<0.001) throughout the PRETmax compared to Iramp (average mean difference FS = 1.4, s=0.1). The PRETmax has application in situations where the direct measurement of O2max is required and the affective responses of the individual are considered to be important.
Modelling Response Selection in Task Switching: Testing the Contingent Encoding Assumption
Authors: Schneider Darryl W. , Logan Gordon D.
Published: September 2013

The contingent encoding assumption is the idea that response selection in task-switching situations does not begin until the cue and the target have both been encoded. The authors tested the assumption by manipulating response congruency, stimulus order, and stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) in two experiments. They found evidence of response selection prior to cue encoding for congruent targets with target–cue order at a long SOA, indicating that the contingent encoding assumption is invalid. The authors describe how contingent encoding can be removed from an existing task-switching model by introducing baseline evidence—task-neutral evidence that serves as a baseline for response selection prior to stimulus encoding. Simulations revealed that the modified model could reproduce the full pattern of response time data and generate responses prior to cue encoding. The authors conclude by discussing directions for further model development.
A time-reversal invariant topological phase at the surface of a 3D topological insulator
Authors: Bonderson Parsa , Nayak Chetan , Qi Xiao-Liang
Published: September 2013

A 3D fermionic topological insulator has a gapless Dirac surface state protected by time-reversal symmetry and charge conservation symmetry. The surface state can be gapped by introducing ferromagnetism to break time-reversal symmetry, introducing superconductivity to break charge conservation, or entering a topological phase. In this paper, we construct a minimal gapped topological phase that preserves both time-reversal and charge conservation symmetries and supports Ising-type non-Abelian anyons. This phase can be understood heuristically as emerging from a surface s-wave superconducting state via the condensation of eight-vortex composites. The topological phase inherits vortices supporting Majorana zero modes from the surface superconducting state. However, since it is time-reversal invariant, the surface topological phase is a distinct phase from the Ising topological phase, which can be viewed as a quantum-disordered spin-polarized p

x
 + ip

y
superconductor. We discuss the anyon model of this topological phase and the manner in which time-reversal symmetry is realized in it. We also study the interfaces between the topological state and other surface gapped phases.
Distinguishing adrenal cortical carcinomas and adenomas: a study of clinicopathological features and biomarkers
Authors: Wang Cuiping , Sun Yang , Wu Huanwen , Zhao Dachun , Chen Jie
Published: September 2013

Aims

To determine clinicopathological criteria and molecular markers helpful in distinguishing adrenocortical carcinomas (ACCs) from adrenocortical adenomas (ACAs).

Methods and results

We analysed retrospectively the clinical and pathological features of 50 adrenal cortical tumours, and tested the expression of miR483‐3p by in‐situ hybridization as well as the expression of IGF2 and Smad4 by immunohistochemistry. We found that tumour size, tumour weight, hormonal function and the Weiss system are all high‐efficacy criteria for differentiating malignant from benign tumours (P < 0.001). MiR483‐3p was overexpressed in 68% (17 of 25) of ACCs compared to 12% (three of 25) of ACAs (P < 0.05). Using a combination of miR483‐3p and Smad4 improved diagnostic accuracy. Molecular markers were then tested in an independent set of 15 borderline tumours. We confirmed that the combined use of miR483‐3p and Smad4 immunochemistry can complement the Weiss score in the diagnosis of ACC in cases that display borderline histology.

Conclusions

Tumour size, tumour weight, hormonal function and the Weiss system are useful clinicopathological criteria that can result in accurate diagnosis of most ACCs and ACAs. In challenging cases, miR483‐3p and Smad4 expression may help in distinguishing these two entities.
Long‐ and short‐distance signaling in the regulation of lateral plant growth
Authors: Brackmann Klaus , Greb Thomas
Published: September 2013

Lateral growth of shoot and root axes by the formation of secondary vascular tissues is an instructive example for the plasticity of plant growth processes. Being purely postembryonic, lateral growth strongly depends on environmental input and is tightly regulated by long‐ and short‐distance signaling. In general, plant vasculature represents the main route for long‐distance transport of compounds throughout the plant body, thereby providing also a fast and efficient signaling pipeline for the coordination of growth and development. The vasculature consists of three major tissues; the xylem conducts water and nutrients, the phloem transports mainly organic compounds and the vascular cambium is a group of undifferentiated stem cells responsible for the continuous production of secondary vascular tissues. Notably, the close proximity to functional vascular tissues makes the vascular cambium especially accessible for the regulation by long‐distance‐derived signaling molecules as well as by the physical and physiological properties of transport streams. Thus, the vascular cambium offers unique opportunities for studying the complex regulation of plant growth processes. In this review, we focus on recent findings about long‐ and short‐distance signaling mechanisms regulating cambium activity and, thereby, lateral expansion of plant growth axes by the formation of additional vascular tissues.
Endwall Contouring Using Continuous Diffusion: A New Method and its Application to a Three-Stage High Pressure Turbine
Authors: Schobeiri M. T. , Lu K.
Published: September 2013

Blades of high pressure turbines have a relatively small aspect ratio that produces major secondary flow regions close to the hub and tip. The secondary flows caused by a system of hub and tip vortices induce drag forces resulting in an increase of secondary flow losses, and thus, a reduction of stage efficiency. Given the high level of technological maturity and the current state of turbine aerodynamic efficiency, major efficiency improvement, if any, can be achieved only by significant R&D effort. In contrast, a moderate increase in aerodynamic efficiency is attainable by reducing the effect of parasitic vortices such as those mentioned above. Introducing an appropriate nonaxisymmetric endwall contouring reduces the secondary flow effect caused by the pressure difference between pressure and suction surfaces. Likewise, attaching leading edge fillets reduces the strength of horseshoe vortices. While an appropriate endwall contouring design requires special care, the design of the leading edge fillet is straightforward. In this paper, we present a physics based method which enables researchers and engineers to design endwall contours for any arbitrary blade type regardless of the blade loading, degree of reaction, stage load and flow coefficients. A thorough step-by-step design instruction is followed by its application to the second rotor row of the three-stage research turbine of the Turbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Laboratory (TPFL) of Texas A&M University. Comprehensive numerical calculations of the flow field, including the secondary flow, show the positive impact of an appropriately designed endwall contouring on the efficiency. The results also show how an inappropriately designed contour can be detrimental to turbine efficiency.
Film Cooling Using Antikidney Vortex Pairs: Effect of Blowing Conditions and Yaw Angle on Cooling and Losses
Authors: Gräf Lars , Kleiser Leonhard
Published: September 2013

A film-cooling configuration generating an antikidney vortex pair is studied. The configuration features cylindrical cooling holes inclined at an angle of α=35  deg and arranged in two spanwise rows with row-wise alternating yaw angles ±β. Results of several large-eddy simulations are presented with varying blowing conditions and yaw angles. The effects on the achieved cooling and the generated losses are studied. The film-cooling Reynolds number (based on the fully turbulent hot boundary layer along a flat plate and the cooling hole diameter) is 6570 and the Mach number is 0.2. The density as well as mass-flux ratios (DR and M) range from 1 to 2 and the yaw angles from β=±30  deg to ±60  deg. We identify scaling parameters and explain relevant mechanisms. Moreover, the flow field is subdivided into three regions featuring different physical mechanisms: the single-jet, the jet-interaction, and the diffusion region. A strong antikidney vortex pair occurs for high momentum ratios I. For the highest ratio, I = 2.3, our configuration may provide even better effectiveness than cooling with particular fan-shaped holes.
Time-Averaged and Time-Accurate Aerodynamic Effects of Rotor Purge Flow for a Modern, One and One-Half Stage High-Pressure Turbine—Part II: Analytical Flow Field Analysis
Authors: Green Brian R. , Mathison Randall M. , Dunn Michael G.
Published: September 2013

The detailed mechanisms of purge flow interaction with the hot-gas flow path were investigated using both unsteady computationally fluid dynamics (CFD) and measurements for a turbine operating at design corrected conditions. This turbine consisted of a single-stage high-pressure turbine and the downstream, low-pressure turbine nozzle row with an aerodynamic design equivalent to actual engine hardware and typical of a commercial, high-pressure ratio, transonic turbine. The high-pressure vane airfoils and inner and outer end walls incorporated state-of-the-art film cooling, and purge flow was introduced into the cavity located between the high-pressure vane and disk. The flow field above and below the blade angel wing was characterized by both temperature and pressure measurements. Predictions of the time-dependent flow field were obtained using a three-dimensional, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes CFD code and a computational model incorporating the three blade rows and the purge flow cavity. The predictions were performed to evaluate the accuracy obtained by a design style application of the code, and no adjustment of boundary conditions was made to better match the experimental data. Part I of this paper compared the predictions to the measurements in and around the purge flow cavity and demonstrated good correlation. Part II of this paper concentrates on the analytical results, looking at the primary gas path ingestion mechanism into the cavity as well as the effects of the rotor purge on the upstream vane and downstream rotor aerodynamics and thermodynamics. Ingestion into the cavity is driven by high static pressure regions downstream of the vane, high-velocity flow coming off the pressure side of the vane, and the blade bow waves. The introduction of the purge flow is seen to have an effect on the static pressure of the vane trailing edge in the lower 5% of span. In addition, the purge flow is weak enough that upon exiting the cavity, it is swept into the mainstream flow and provides no additional cooling benefits on the platform of the rotating blade.
Modeling and Validation of the Nonlinear Dynamic Behavior of Bolted Flange Joints
Authors: Schwingshackl C. W. , Di Maio D. , Sever I. , Green J. S.
Published: September 2013

Linear dynamic finite element analysis can be considered very reliable today for the design of aircraft engine components. Unfortunately, when these individual components are built into assemblies, the level of confidence in the results is reduced since the joints in the real structure introduce nonlinearity that cannot be reproduced with a linear model. Certain types of nonlinear joints in an aircraft engine, such as underplatform dampers and blade roots, have been investigated in great detail in the past, and their design and impact on the dynamic response of the engine is now well understood. With this increased confidence in the nonlinear analysis, the focus of research now moves towards other joint types of the engine that must be included in an analysis to allow an accurate prediction of the engine behavior. One such joint is the bolted flange, which is present in many forms on an aircraft engine. Its main use is the connection of different casing components to provide the structural support and gas tightness to the engine. This flange type is known to have a strong influence on the dynamics of the engine carcase. A detailed understanding of the nonlinear mechanisms at the contact is required to generate reliable models and this has been achieved through a combination of an existing nonlinear analysis capability and an experimental technique to accurately measure the nonlinear damping behavior of the flange. Initial results showed that the model could reproduce the correct characteristics of flange behavior, but the quantitative comparison was poor. From further experimental and analytical investigations it was identified that the quality of the flange model is critically dependent on two aspects: the steady stress/load distribution across the joint and the number and distribution of nonlinear elements. An improved modeling approach was developed that led to a good correlation with the experimental results and a good understanding of the underlying nonlinear mechanisms at the flange interface.
Effect of process parameters on properties of argon–nitrogen plasma for titanium nitride film deposition
Authors: Saikia Partha , Kakati Bharat
Published: September 2013

In this study, the effect of working pressure and input power on the physical properties and sputtering efficiencies of argon–nitrogen (Ar/N2) plasma in direct current magnetron discharge is investigated. The discharge in Ar/N2 is used to deposit TiN films on high speed steel substrate. The physical plasma parameters are determined by using Langmuir probe and optical emission spectroscopy. On the basis of the different reactions in the gas phase, the variation of plasma parameters and sputtering rate are explained. A prominent change of electron temperature, electron density, ion density, and degree of ionization of Ar is found as a function of working pressure and input power. The results also show that increasing working pressure exerts a negative effect on film deposition rate while increasing input power has a positive impact on the same. To confirm the observed physical properties and evaluate the texture growth as a function of deposition parameters, x-ray diffraction study of deposited TiN films is also done.
Thin film Ni-Si solid-state reactions: Phase formation sequence on amorphized Si
Authors: Turcotte-Tremblay Pierre , Guihard Matthieu , Gaudet Simon , Chicoine Martin , Lavoie Christian , Desjardins Patrick , Schiettekatte François
Published: September 2013

The phase formation sequence during the thermally induced solid-state reaction of a 10-nm-thick magnetron-sputtered Ni film with a Si(001) substrate amorphized by ion implantation (a-Si) is investigated using a combination of in situ temperature-resolved x-ray diffraction and ex situ x-ray pole figure analyses, transmission electron microscopy, and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Our results reveal (1) that the metastable θ-phase grows from δ-Ni2Si and directly transforms into NiSi and (2) that cleaving the as-prepared, amorphized samples are often subject to a spontaneous reaction possibly resulting from cleaving. In the spontaneously reacted samples, a mixture of θ and NiSi is observed from the beginning of the thermal treatment. The θ phase exhibits a (110) fiber texture with a ±10° misorientation, which is then inherited by NiSi. The rest of the phase sequence is the same as for nonreacted samples, the NiSi2 growing from 390 °C if the amorphized Si is not completely consumed.
Circadian Clock NAD
+
Cycle Drives Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism in Mice
Authors: Peek Clara Bien , Affinati Alison H. , Ramsey Kathryn Moynihan , Kuo Hsin-Yu , Yu Wei , Sena Laura A. , Ilkayeva Olga , Marcheva Biliana , Kobayashi Yumiko , Omura Chiaki , Levine Daniel C. , Bacsik David J. , Gius David , Newgard Christopher B. , Goetzman Eric , Chandel Navdeep S. , Denu John M. , Mrksich Milan , Bass Joseph
Published: September 2013

Dinner Time!

Biological clocks allow organisms to anticipate cycles of feeding, activity, and rest so that metabolic enzymes in mitochondria are ready when needed.

Peek
et al.

(
10.1126/science.1243417
, published online 19 September; see the Perspective by

Rey and Reddy

) describe a mechanism by which the biochemical elements of the circadian clock are linked to such control of mitochondrial metabolism. The clock controls rhythmic transcription of the gene encoding the rate-limiting enzyme required for synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD
+
). The concentration of NAD
+
in mitochondria determines the activity of the deacetylase SIRT3, which then controls acetylation and activity of key metabolic enzymes. NAD+ also influences clock function, and thus appears to be a versatile point at which regulation of oxidative metabolism is coordinated with the daily cycles of energy consumption.
Stalemate in the Golgi Battle
Authors: Morriswood Brooke , Warren Graham
Published: September 2013

A similar approach to analyze protein trafficking arrives at two opposing models of movement through the cell's secretory pathway.
Complete Genome Sequence of Antarctic Bacterium
Psychrobacter
sp. Strain G
Authors: Che Shuai , Song Lai , Song Weizhi , Yang Meng , Liu Guiming , Lin Xuezheng
Published: September 2013

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of
Psychrobacter
sp. strain G, isolated from King George Island, Antarctica, which can produce lipolytic enzymes at low temperatures. The genomics information of this strain will facilitate the study of the physiology, cold adaptation properties, and evolution of this genus.
Draft Genome Sequences of Helicobacter pylori Strains Isolated from Regions of Low and High Gastric Cancer Risk in Colombia
Authors: Sheh Alexander , Piazuelo M. Blanca , Wilson Keith T. , Correa Pelayo , Fox James G.
Published: September 2013

The draft genome sequences of six Colombian
Helicobacter pylori
strains are presented. These strains were isolated from patients from regions of high and low gastric cancer risk in Colombia and were characterized by multilocus sequence typing. The data provide insights into differences between
H. pylori
strains of different phylogeographic origins.
Draft Genome Sequence of Sphingobium lactosutens Strain DS20
T
, Isolated from a Hexachlorocyclohexane Dumpsite
Authors: Kumar Roshan , Dwivedi Vatsala , Negi Vivek , Khurana J. P. , Lal Rup
Published: September 2013

Sphingobium lactosutens
DS20
T
has been isolated from the hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) dumpsite in Lucknow, India, but does not degrade any of the HCH isomers. Here, we present the ~5.36-Mb draft genome sequence of strain DS20
T
, which consists of 110 contigs and 5,288 coding sequences, with a G+C content of 63.1%.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Channel Catfish Epidemic Isolate, Aeromonas hydrophila Strain ML09-119
Authors: Tekedar Hasan C. , Waldbieser Geoffrey C. , Karsi Attila , Liles Mark R. , Griffin Matt J. , Vamenta Stefanie , Sonstegard Tad , Hossain Mohammad , Schroeder Steven G. , Khoo Lester , Lawrence Mark L.
Published: September 2013

Aeromonas hydrophila
is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, mesophilic bacterium that infects both aquatic poikilothermic animals and mammals, including humans. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of
Aeromonas hydrophila
strain ML09-119, which represents a clonal group of
A. hydrophila
isolates causing outbreaks of bacterial septicemia in channel catfish since 2009.
Lessons learnt from managing an avulsion fracture of the tibial tubercle extending into the tibial physis
Authors: Subbu Rajiv , Nandra Rajpal , Jordan Robert , Krikler Steve
Published: September 2013

Acute avulsions of the tibial tubercle apophysis are uncommon, with reported incidence of 0.4–2.7% of all physeal injuries. In our case the extent of the injury was not realised at first presentation and initial internal fixation was attempted. At first outpatient follow-up, repeat radiographs indicated the fracture was not reduced and further CT imaging requested. The three-dimensional CT reconstructed images provide considerably more information on the fracture pattern and retrospectively these may have been helpful during the initial procedure. Therefore we would recommend obtaining a preoperative CT scan if extension of the fracture into the tibial physis is suspected. During the second procedure arthroscopy was tried to aid fracture reduction, but visualisation of the anterior articular surface under the anterior horns of the menisci was difficult through the anterior portals with a standard 30° arthroscope and we further recommend having a 70° scope available to ensure optimal visualisation.
Pycnodysostosis with novel gene mutation and severe obstructive sleep apnoea: management of a complex case
Authors: Girbal Inês , Nunes Teresa , Medeira Ana , Bandeira Teresa
Published: September 2013

Pycnodysostosis is a rare genetic disease. Impaired osteoclastic function is the basis for typical phenotypic features and bone fragility. The main differential diagnosis is osteopetrosis, also associated with altered bone remodelling, but with a more severe prognosis. We describe the case of an 8-year-old boy who presented life-threatening obstructive sleep apnoea successfully managed with non-invasive ventilation. Haematological overlap phenotype included anaemia and altered bone marrow, more common in osteopetrosis. Molecular analysis of the CTSK gene revealed a mutation not previously described in the literature.
Left-sided Poland's syndrome in a girl with rare associations like spina bifida and diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: C Sunitha V , Narayanan Sathya , Nair Pradeep Pankajakshan , Prakash Manikka Lakshmanan
Published: September 2013

Poland's syndrome is a rare congenital anomaly characterised by partial or complete absence of sternocostal head of pectoralis major muscle and anomalies of ipsilateral hand and digits. Other associated anomalies involving anterior thoracic wall, breast, diaphragm and vertebrae have also been reported in various cases. We report a case of a 10-year-old girl, with features of left-sided Poland's syndrome associated with spina bifida, dextroposition of the heart and left-sided diaphragmatic hernia. These are rare associations of Poland's syndrome. She was investigated with chest X-ray, contrast-enhanced CT of the thorax, ultrasonography of abdomen and echocardiography which helped in arriving at an accurate diagnosis and assessing all the associated abnormalities.
Risk factors for sports concussion: an evidence-based systematic review
Authors: Abrahams Shameemah , Fie Sarah Mc , Patricios Jon , Posthumus Michael , September Alison V
Published: September 2013

Concussion is a common sports injury with approximately 1.6–3.8 million sport-related concussions reported in the USA annually. Identifying risk factors may help in preventing these injuries. This systematic review aims to identify such risk factors. Three electronic databases; ScienceDirect, PubMed and SpringerLink, were searched using the keywords ‘RISK FACTORS’ or ‘PREDISPOSITION’ in conjunction with ‘SPORT’ and ‘CONCUSSION’. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 628 identified titles were independently analysed by two of the authors to a final list of 86 articles. Only articles with a level of evidence of I, II and III were included according to robust study design and data analysis. The level of certainty for each risk factor was determined. A high level of certainty for increased risk of a subsequent concussion in athletes sustaining more than one previous concussion was reported in 10 of 13 studies. Further, a high level of certainty was assigned to match play with all 29 studies reporting an increased concussion risk during matches. All other risk factors were evaluated as having a low level of certainty. Although several risk factors were identified from the appraised studies, prospective cohort studies, larger sample sizes, consistent and robust measures of risk should be employed in future research.
Oestrogen receptor polymorphisms are an associated risk factor for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer disease in women APOE ɛ4 carriers: a case–control study
Authors: Fernández-Martínez Manuel , Elcoroaristizabal Martín Xabier , Blanco Martín Elisa , Galdos Alcelay Luis , Ugarriza Serrano Iratxe , Gómez Busto Fernando , Álvarez-Álvarez Maite , Molano Salazar Ana , Bereincua Gandarias Rocio , Inglés Borda Sandra , Uterga Valiente Juan María , Indakoetxea Juanbeltz Begoña , Gómez Beldarraín María Ángeles , Moraza López Josefa , Barandiarán Amillano Myriam , M de Pancorbo Marian
Published: September 2013

Objectives

Examine the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oestrogen receptor (ER) genes: rs9340799, rs2234693, rs2228480 (in theESR1gene) and rs4986938 (in theESR2gene) as a risk factor for amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCIa) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its possible association with the apolipoprotein E (APOE)gene.

Design

We have investigated the independent and combined association of different alleles of the oestrogen receptor genes and APOE*ɛ4 allele with cognitive impairment using a case–control design.

Setting

Participants were prospectively recruited from the neurology departments of several Basque Country hospitals.

Participants

This study comprised 816 Caucasian participants who were aged 50 years and older: 204 MCIa, 350 sporadic patients with AD and 262 healthy controls.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Clinical criteria and neuropsychological tests were used to establish the diagnostic groups (MCIa, AD and healthy controls). A dichotomous variable was used for each allele and genotype and the association with MCIa and AD was established using Logistic Regression Models.

Results

Neither alleles nor genotypes of SNPs rs9340799, rs2234693, rs2228480 and rs4986938 of oestrogen receptor genes (ESR1andESR2) are independently associated with the risk of MCIa or AD. However, the genetic profile created with the combination of the less represented alleles of these SNPs (expressed as XPAA) was associated with an increased risk for MCIa (OR=3.30, 95% CI 1.28 to 8.54, p=0.014) and AD (OR=5.16, 95% CI 2.19 to 12.14, p<0.001) in women APOE*ɛ4 allele carriers.

Conclusions

The less represented alleles of SNPs studied are associated with MCIa and AD in APOE*E4 carriers. In particular, the genetic profile created with the less represented alleles ofESR1andESR2SNPs are associated with an increased risk for MCIa and AD in women APOEɛ4 allele carriers.
Predicting adult obesity from measures in earlier life
Authors: Potter Caroline M , Ulijaszek Stanley J
Published: September 2013

Background

As most obese adults were not overweight as children, the prediction of adult obesity from childhood body size alone is limited. We constructed a two-way, multifactor risk assessment framework for predicting adult obesity during childhood using the Foresight Obesity System Map and tested it against longitudinal data from the 1958 National Child Development Study.

Methods

The framework divided study participants according to two categories of risk: ‘conditioning factors’ (past/fixed events and conditions) and ‘intervention factors’ (present and modifiable). At the age of 11 years, conditioning factors were ‘low/high birth weight’ and ‘absence of breastfeeding’, and intervention factors were ‘low childhood activity level’ and ‘having at least one obese parent’. From a composite score of all four variables, study participants were assigned to one of the four risk groups: low risk, past ‘conditioning’ risk only, present ‘intervention’ risk only and high combined risk. ORs and relative risks for the development of future overweight/obesity at ages 23, 33 and 42 years were calculated for each risk group.

Results

Those identified in the highest risk category at the age of 11 were around twice as likely to become overweight (body mass index (BMI)≥25 kg/m2) by the age of 23 years, and obese (BMI≥30 kg/m2) by ages 33 and 42 years, in comparison to their low-risk peers (total sample, N=11 752). Increased prevalence of future obesity was also observed for high-risk children who were not already overweight at the age of 11 (filtered sample, N=9549).

Conclusions

This framework identifies a greater proportion of the population that is at risk for future obesity than does childhood weight assessment alone.
‘Bling with bite’ – the rise of status and weapon dogs
Authors: Harding Simon
Published: September 2013

Simon Harding looks into what motivates people to own ‘status’ or ‘weapon’ dogs, and why numbers are increasing
Bis(9,10-phenanthrenocyclopentadienyl)yttrium complexes: synthesis and solution behaviour
Authors: Sun Jianlong , Berg David J. , Twamley Brendan
Published: September 2013

The synthesis of a number of yttrium metallocenes based on the phenanthrene-fused Cp ligand PCpR (R = H, Me, Ph) is reported. Acid−base (σ-bond metathesis) reactions between the parent HPCpR ligands and Y(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 afford the monomeric alkyl complexes Y(PCpR)2(CH2SiMe3)(THF) (R = H, 1; Me, 2; Ph, 3). Salt metathesis between Li+PCpMe− and YCl3 in THF similarly affords the monomeric chloride complex Y(PCpMe)2(Cl)(THF) (4), which reacts further with methyllithium to generate the bridging “ate” complex Y(PCpMe)2(μ-Me)2Li(THF)2 (5). Complex 3 undergoes rapid hydrogenolysis in the presence of phenylsilane to afford the crystalline bridging hydride dimer [Y(PCpPh)2]2(μ-H)2 (6). The X-ray structures of complexes 2 and 6 are reported along with the solution behaviour of 2.
Geographic variation in environmental factors regulating outmigration timing of coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) smolts
Authors: Spence Brian C. , Dick E.J.
Published: September 2013

The environmental cues that regulate smoltification and trigger downstream movement by salmon should vary across space in response to differences in the predictability of favorable conditions for migration and ocean entry. To examine this, we modeled the short-term outmigration probability of four coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) populations in three distinct geographic regions in relation to photoperiod, temperature, streamflow, lunar phase, and interactions among these variables. For smolts in Deer and Flynn creeks, Oregon (1960–1972), migration probability was influenced by numerous factors, including photoperiod, temperature (absolute and change), flow (absolute and change), and lunar phase, with certain factors interacting. Smolts from Carnation Creek, British Columbia (1972–1986) responded to a similarly diverse suite of factors (excluding lunar phase), though in somewhat different ways. In contrast, migration timing of smolts in Sashin Creek, Alaska (1959–1969) was best explained by a model that included only photoperiod, temperature, and the interaction between these terms. These population differences suggest fundamental differences across regions in the selection processes operating in both marine and freshwater environments.
NONCOMMUTATIVE PATH INTEGRAL FOR SPINLESS RELATIVISTIC EQUATION IN THE TWO-COMPONENT THEORY
Authors: BENZAIR H. , MERAD M. , BOUDJEDAA T.
Published: September 2013

In this paper, we have constructed the Green function of the Feshbach–Villars (FV) spinless particle in a noncommutative (NC) phase-space coordinates, where the Pauli matrices describing the charge symmetry are replaced by the Grassmannian odd variables. Subsequently, for the perform calculations, we diagonalize the Hamiltonian governing the dynamics of the system via the Foldy–Wouthuysen (FW) canonical transformation. The exact calculations have been done in the cases of free particle and magnetic field interaction. In both cases, the energy eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenfunctions are deduced.
A SPINNING POLARIZER AND SPINNING ANALYZER METHOD FOR VISUALIZING THE ISOCHROMATES IN CONOSCOPIC INTERFEROMETERS
Authors: OLORUNSOLA OLUWATOBI , DADA OLUWASEYE , WANG PENGQIAN
Published: September 2013

We have developed a spinning polarizer and spinning analyzer (SPSA) method to visualize the whole isochromatic fringes in conoscopic interferometers for the study of optically anisotropic materials. This simple method completely eliminates the broad and dark isogyre fringes appearing in a conventional conoscopic interferometer where a linear polarizer and a linear analyzer (LPLA) are used. Our method allows the direct visualization of the isochromates on the viewing screen by eyes in real time, without the need of additional optics or detectors other than those used in a conventional conoscopic interferometer, and no additional computation is required. This method works at any polarization state of the input light, and at any wavelength permitted by the polarizers. In the case of polychromatic illumination our method reveals the isochromates of all colors indiscriminatively, in comparison to the method of circular polarizer and circular analyzer (CPCA), which is considerably subject to spectrum modulation due to the dispersion in the retardation of the quarter-wave plates. The proposed method is demonstrated in a lithium niobate ( LiNbO 3) crystal driven by an external electric field.
ON THE INCENTIVE COMPATIBILITY OF FUNDING ADAPTATION
Authors: BUOB SERAINA , STEPHAN GUNTER
Published: September 2013

Voluntary contributions of the industrialized countries are small compared to the financial resources, the developing countries need for adapting efficiently to global climate change. This leads to the conjecture that under the current climate policy architecture industrialized countries lack incentive for funding adaptation in developing ones. This paper discusses the incentive compatibility of funding adaptation. Focusing on the strategic interaction between mitigation and adaptation in a post Kyoto world it is shown that as long as the industrialized countries' adaptation funding as well as the developing countries' contributions to mitigation are voluntary, industrialized countries have only weak incentive to fund adaptation. Moreover tightening the industrialized countries' mitigation targets has an ambiguous effect on global mitigation if the industrialized countries voluntarily fund adaptation. This confirms the above mentioned conjecture and provides insight relevant for the design of future climate policies, which include adaptation funding as an instrument.
Genomics and the Evolution of Phenotypic Traits
Authors: Wray Gregory A.
Published: September 2013

Evolutionary genetics has entered an unprecedented era of discovery, catalyzed in large part by the development of technologies that provide information about genome sequence and function. An important benefit is the ability to move beyond a handful of model organisms in lab settings to identify the genetic basis for evolutionarily interesting traits in many organisms in natural settings. Other benefits are the abilities to identify causal mutations and validate their phenotypic consequences more readily and in many more species. Genomic technologies have reinvigorated interest in some of the most fundamental and persistent questions in evolutionary genetics, revealed previously unsuspected evolutionary phenomena, and opened the door to a wide range of new questions.
Wake Signature Detection
Authors: Spedding Geoffrey R.
Published: September 2013

An accumulated body of quantitative evidence shows that bluff-body wakes in stably stratified environments have an unusual degree of coherence and organization, so characteristic geometries such as arrays of alternating-signed vortices have very long lifetimes, as measured in units of buoyancy timescales, or in the downstream distance scaled by a body length. The combination of pattern geometry and persistence renders the detection of these wakes possible in principle. It now appears that identifiable signatures can be found from many disparate sources: Islands, fish, and plankton all have been noted to generate features that can be detected by climate modelers, hopeful navigators in open oceans, or hungry predators. The various types of wakes are reviewed with notes on why their signatures are important and to whom. A general theory of wake pattern formation is lacking and would have to span many orders of magnitude in Reynolds number.
Water Entry of Projectiles
Authors: Truscott Tadd T. , Epps Brenden P. , Belden Jesse
Published: September 2013

The free-surface impact of solid objects has been investigated for well over a century. This canonical problem is influenced by many physical parameters, including projectile geometry, material properties, fluid properties, and impact parameters. Through advances in high-speed imaging and visualization techniques, discoveries about the underlying physics have improved our understanding of these phenomena. Improvements to analytical and numerical models have led to critical insights into cavity formation, the depth and time of pinch-off, forces, and trajectories for myriad different impact parameters. This topic spans a wide range of regimes, from low-speed entry phenomena dominated by surface tension to high-speed ballistics, for which cavitation is important. This review surveys experimental, theoretical, and numerical studies over this broad range, utilizing canonical images where possible to enhance intuition and insight into the rich phenomena.
Control of Transcriptional Elongation
Authors: Kwak Hojoong , Lis John T.
Published: September 2013

Elongation is becoming increasingly recognized as a critical step in eukaryotic transcriptional regulation. Although traditional genetic and biochemical studies have identified major players of transcriptional elongation, our understanding of the importance and roles of these factors is evolving rapidly through the recent advances in genome-wide and single-molecule technologies. Here, we focus on how elongation can modulate the transcriptional outcome through the rate-liming step of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pausing near promoters and how the participating factors were identified. Among the factors we describe are the pausing factors—NELF (negative elongation factor) and DSIF (DRB sensitivity–inducing factor)—and P-TEFb (positive elongation factor b), which is the key player in pause release. We also describe the high-resolution view of Pol II pausing and propose nonexclusive models for how pausing is achieved. We then discuss Pol II elongation through the bodies of genes and the roles of FACT and SPT6, factors that allow Pol II to move through nucleosomes.
Genetic Techniques for the Archaea
Authors: Farkas Joel A. , Picking Jonathan W. , Santangelo Thomas J.
Published: September 2013

Genetic techniques for the Archaea have undergone a rapid expansion in complexity, resulting in increased exploration of the role of Archaea in the environment and detailed analyses of the molecular physiology and information-processing systems in the third domain of life. Complementary gains in describing the ever-increasing diversity of archaeal organisms have allowed these techniques to be leveraged in new and imaginative ways to elucidate shared and unique aspects of archaeal diversity and metabolism. In this review, we introduce the four archaeal clades for which advanced genetic techniques are available—the methanogens, halophiles, Sulfolobales, and Thermococcales—with the aim of providing an overall profile of the advantages and disadvantages of working within each clade, as essentially all of the genetically accessible archaeal organisms require unique culturing techniques that present real challenges. We discuss the full repertoire of techniques possible within these clades while highlighting the recent advances that have been made by taking advantage of the most prominent techniques and approaches.
Reproductive Justice
Authors: Luna Zakiya , Luker Kristin
Published: September 2013

The authors examine the development of reproductive rights, a law-focused movement, and reproductive justice, a social justice–aimed movement that emphasizes intersecting social identities (e.g., gender, race, and class) and community-developed solutions to structural inequalities. In examining the intertwining histories of the reproductive health, reproductive rights, and reproductive justice movements, we consider the relationship between law and social movements, including the limits of law to inform radical social movements. We highlight how the relationship between scholarship and activism on the right to not have children has expanded to include notions of the right to have children (e.g., for low-income people or with the aid of technology) and the right to parent with dignity (e.g., for incarcerated people or in nonmedicalized settings). We end the article with a discussion of best practices and future directions for research.
Nuclear Receptor Coactivators: Master Regulators of Human Health and Disease
Authors: Dasgupta Subhamoy , Lonard David M. , O'Malley Bert W.
Published: September 2013

Transcriptional coregulators (coactivators and corepressors) have emerged as the principal modulators of the functions of nuclear receptors and other transcription factors. During the decade since the discovery of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1), the first authentic coregulator, more than 400 coregulators have been identified and characterized, and deciphering their function has contributed significantly to our understanding of their role in human physiology. Deregulated expression of coregulators has been implicated in diverse disease states and related pathologies. The advancement of molecular technologies has enabled us to better characterize the molecular associations of the SRC family of coactivators with other protein complexes in the context of gene regulation. These continuing discoveries not only expand our knowledge of the roles of coactivators in various human diseases but allow us to discover novel coactivator-targeting strategies for therapeutic intervention in these diseases.
Delivering Value: Provider Efforts to Improve the Quality and Reduce the Cost of Health Care
Authors: Gordon Jonathan E. , Leiman Joan M. , Deland Emme Levin , Pardes Herbert
Published: September 2013

Growing concern regarding costs of care and health outcomes in the United States has led to widespread calls to address the issue of health care spending. Today, providers across the country are working both to improve the quality and to reduce the cost of health care. These activities span multiple care delivery settings and include care standardization and redesign, shared decision making, palliative care, care coordination, readmission reduction, patient engagement, predictive modeling, and direct cost reduction. These efforts differ from those undertaken in the past because of the availability of information technology tools to collect and analyze data, and because of the emphasis on cost reduction in conjunction with quality improvement. Although the available literature reflects only a small fraction of the provider activities currently in progress, there is cause for hope for achieving a sustainable, innovative, and value-driven health care system.
Nox Enzymes and New Thinking on Reactive Oxygen: A Double-Edged Sword Revisited
Authors: Lambeth J. David , Neish Andrew S.
Published: September 2013

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a chemical class of molecules that have generally been conceptualized as deleterious entities, albeit ones whose destructive properties could be harnessed as antimicrobial effector functions to benefit the whole organism. This appealingly simplistic notion has been turned on its head in recent years with the discovery of the NADPH oxidases, or Noxes, a family of enzymes dedicated to the production of ROS in a variety of cells and tissues. The Nox-dependent, physiological generation of ROS is highly conserved across virtually all multicellular life, often as a generalized response to microbes and/or other exogenous stressors. This review discusses the current knowledge of the role of physiologically generated ROS and the enzymes that form them in both normal biology and disease.