bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deconvolution of pigment and physiologically related photochemical reflectance index variability at the canopy scale over an entire growing season
Authors: HMIMINA G. , MERLIER E. , DUFRÊNE E. , SOUDANI K.
Published: January 2015

The sensitivity of the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) to leaf pigmentation and its impacts on its potential as a proxy for light‐use efficiency (LUE) have recently been shown to be problematic at the leaf scale. Most leaf‐to‐leaf and seasonal variability can be explained by such a confounding effect. This study relies on the analysis of PRI light curves that were generated at the canopy scale under natural conditions to derive a precise deconvolution of pigment‐related and physiologically related variability in the PRI. These sources of variability were explained by measured or estimated physiologically relevant variables, such as soil water content, that can be used as indicators of water availability and canopy chlorophyll content. The PRI mainly reflected the variability in the pigment content of the canopy. However, the corrected PRI, which was obtained by subtracting the pigment‐related seasonal variability from the PRI measurement, was highly correlated with the upscaled LUE measurements. Moreover, the sensitivity of the PRI to the leaf pigment content may mask the PRI versus LUE relationship or result in an artificial relationship that reflects the relationship of chlorophyll versus LUE, depending on the species phenology.
The impact of technological convergence on firms' product portfolio strategy: an information‐based imitation approach
Authors: Giachetti Claudio , Dagnino Giovanni Battista
Published: January 2015

Technological convergence in the electronics industry has enabled disparate new functionalities to be added to existing basic products. Although the main drivers of technological convergence have been examined by the technological change literature, the impact of technological convergence on firms' product portfolio strategies remains a largely unexplored issue. Drawing on the technological change and information‐based imitation literatures, we develop hypotheses on how the introduction in the market of technologies from other product categories affects the way firms modify their product portfolio vis‐à‐vis the market leader. Data on nearly 300 imitation strategies at the product portfolio level, which cover over 3,500 handset models introduced by 55 mobile phone vendors from 1994 to 2010, show that the relationship between the level of technological convergence in a product category and the firms' level of imitation of the market leader product portfolio strategy is U‐shaped. Data also show that the firm's prior experience plays an important role in moderating this curvilinear relationship.
Two Kinds of Structural Noun Incorporation
Authors: Barrie Michael
Published: January 2015

This paper proposes a novel solution to the problem of noun incorporation constructions in which both an incorporated noun and a nominal double, hyponymous object, or stranded modifier are present. Such doubling constructions have been difficult to reconcile with a syntactic approach to noun incorporation. I propose that doubling constructions arise from an underlying structure in which the incorporated nominal and the double are merged as a constituent. In doing so, I argue against the parameterized φ‐deletion analysis proposed in Baker et al. (2005), pointing out some shortcomings of their analysis. This proposal also ties together doubling and stranding into a unified phenomenon, a result I show is supported by cross‐linguistic evidence. I also tie doubling/stranding in with the availability ofNIwith unaccusatives and show how this also falls out from the current proposal. Thus, this proposal makes a strong testable prediction on the distribution of the properties ofNIfound in natural language.
Does native title merely provide an entitlement to be native? Indigenes, identities, and applied anthropological practice
Authors: Martin David F.
Published: January 2015

This paper is directed to two immediate purposes which lie beyond anthropology as practiced within academia: to contribute to the ongoing dialogue within the discipline on applied anthropological engagement in and with the Australian native title and Indigenous development arenas; and secondly, to add to our conversations with Indigenous people themselves on what it means to be Indigenous in contemporary Australia. It aims to do this by focusing initially on what I argue are two ostensibly alternative constructions of contemporary Indigenous identities implicitly established through different provisions of Australia's Native Title Act, one of which I propose draws from the particular legal construction of Indigenous tradition in that Act and in native title jurisprudence, and the other from certain aspects of identity held to be associated with modernity. I argue, however, that there is a false dichotomy between tradition and modernity in contemporary circumstances, and that Indigenous identities are better understood as ‘hybrid’ in the sense that they involve a complex interpenetration of forms of identity and practice drawn from diverse domains. I further argue that these arguments have important implications for an applied anthropological practice well beyond the native title arena, and for Indigenous people themselves.
Time, indigeneity and white anti‐racism in Australia
Authors: Kowal Emma
Published: January 2015

Time is one mechanism through which Indigenous‐modern dichotomies are created and maintained and an enduring trope of difference in the settler‐colonial imaginary. This article explores the strange temporality of indigeneity within ‘progressive’ discourses in Australia. Taking Johannes Fabian's concept of ‘allochronism’ as a point of departure, and drawing on ethnography of non‐Indigenous people working in Indigenous health in the Northern Territory, I show how there is a kind of cultural Lamarckianism in operation. ‘Western’ individuals are seen to inherit the cumulative cultural knowledge, acquired over centuries, of germ theory and responsible alcohol consumption. By contrast, Indigenous people are seen to struggle with banking and infectious diseases because they have not had sufficient time to develop the appropriate cultural knowledge. Through the anthropomorphising of culture and the culturalisation of individuals, the Indigenous person/culture becomes the 40,000‐year history of human occupation of the continent. I point to the limits of this settler‐colonial imaginary and potential alternatives.
Meetings with and without meat: How images of consubstantiality shape intercultural relationships in the northern Kimberley region of Western Australia
Authors: Redmond Anthony
Published: January 2015

The highly visceral ways in which forms of consubstantiality are produced between kin in Indigenous Australian social worlds can be explored through close attention to local understandings of bodily substances and their modes of exchange and transformation. Recalling here Paul Schilder's observation that ‘our attitude towards the different parts of the body can be to a great extent determined by the interest other persons take in our body’ (1964: 299), this paper traces some of the ways in which images of the self and others are deployed in Euro‐Australian (‘whitefella’) and Kimberley Aboriginal (‘blackfella’) images and practices circulating around the provision, avoidance and consumption of meat which is, of course, nothing if not an assortment of bodily parts which most human‐beings have an abiding interest in. The circulation of meat is something which is focal to a great range of Kimberley social relationships and inevitably comes to permeate the organisation of the never‐ending stream of meetings with Euro‐Australians through Aboriginal land councils and other local government agencies.
Optimization of the freezing process for hematopoietic progenitor cells: effect of precooling, initial dimethyl sulfoxide concentration, freezing program, and storage in vapor‐phase or liquid nitrogen on in vitro white blood cell quality
Authors: Dijkstra‐Tiekstra Margriet J. , Setroikromo Airies C. , Kraan Marcha , Gkoumassi Effimia , de Wildt‐Eggen Janny
Published: January 2015

Background

Adding dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) causes an exothermic reaction, potentially affecting their viability. The freezing method might also influence this. The aim was to investigate the effect of 1) precooling of DMSO and plasma (D/P) and white blood cell (WBC)‐enriched product, 2) DMSO concentration of D/P, 3) freezing program, and 4) storage method on WBC quality.

Study Design and Methods

WBC‐enriched product without CD34+ cells was used instead of HPCs. This was divided into six or eight portions. D/P (20 or 50%; precooled or room temperature [RT]) was added to the WBC‐enriched product (precooled or RT), resulting in 10% DMSO, while monitoring temperature. The product was frozen using controlled‐rate freezing (“fast‐rate” or “slow‐rate”) and placed in vapor‐phase or liquid nitrogen. After thawing, WBC recovery and viability were determined.

Results

Temperature increased most for precooled D/P to precooled WBC‐enriched product, without influence of 20 or 50% D/P, but remained for all variations below 30°C. WBC recovery for both freezing programs was more than 95%. Recovery of WBC viability was higher for slow‐rate freezing compared to fast‐rate freezing (74% vs. 61%; p < 0.05) and also for 50% compared to 20% D/P (two test variations). Effect of precooling D/P or WBC‐enriched product and of storage in vapor‐phase or liquid nitrogen was marginal.

Conclusion

Based on these results, precooling is not necessary. Fifty percent D/P is preferred over 20% D/P. Slow‐rate freezing is preferred over fast‐rate freezing. For safety reasons storage in vapor‐phase nitrogen is preferred over storage in liquid nitrogen. Additional testing using real HPCs might be necessary.
Variations of plasma protein electrophoresis in healthy captive Green Iguanas (Iguana iguana)
Authors: Musilová Anna , Knotková Zora , Pinterová Kateřina , Knotek Zdeněk
Published: January 2015

Background

Serum or plasma protein electrophoresis is used as a routine test for health assessment in veterinary medicine, but there are only a limited number of studies regarding clinical use of electrophoresis in reptile species.

Objective

The goals of this study were to establish reference intervals for plasma protein electrophoresis in the Green Iguana (Iguana iguana), compare values between males and females, and to identify season‐related changes.

Methods

Plasma samples were obtained from 21 healthy captive male and female Green Iguanas. Agarose gel electrophoresis was performed using an automated Hydrasys system.

Results

Four main protein fractions were observed: albumin, α globulins, β globulins, and γ globulins. Bisalbuminemia was observed in 4 of 21 healthy iguanas. Minimum and maximum values were reported for healthy Green Iguanas in March, June, September, and December. Seasonal changes in albumin were determined between March and December, and in γ globulins between June and September. Differences between males and females were seen in albumin concentration in September.

Conclusions

Reference intervals of the plasma protein fractions according to electrophoresis in the Green Iguana can be affected by seasonal changes and sex of animals. It should be taken into account when clinical evaluation is performed.
Multilocus phylogeography of the sea snake Hydrophis curtus reveals historical vicariance and cryptic lineage diversity
Authors: Ukuwela Kanishka D. B. , de Silva Anslem , Mumpuni  , Fry Bryan G. , Sanders Kate L.
Published: January 2015

The Indo‐Australian archipelago (IAA) supports the world's highest diversity of marine fish, invertebrates and reptiles. Many of the marine fish and invertebrates show congruent phylogeographic patterns, supporting a view that the region's complex geo‐climatic history has played an important role in generating its exceptional biodiversity. Here, we examine population genetic structure of the viviparous sea snake, Hydrophis curtus, to assess how past and present barriers to gene flow in the IAA have contributed to genetic and species diversity in a fully marine reptile. Mitochondrial and anonymous nuclear sequences and ten microsatellite loci were used to identify patterns of historical genetic structure and population expansion, reconstruct dated genealogies and assess levels of recent gene flow. These markers revealed strong concordant geographic structure within H. curtus with a prominent genetic break between populations broadly distributed in the Indian Ocean and the West Pacific. These populations were estimated to have diverged in the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene, and microsatellite admixture analyses suggested limited recent gene flow between them despite the current lack of barriers to dispersal, indicating possible cryptic species. Subsequent divergence in the mid–late Pleistocene was detected within the West Pacific clade among the populations in the Phuket‐Thailand region, South‐East Asia and Australia, and two of these populations also showed genetic signals of recent range expansions. Our results show that climatic fluctuations during the Plio‐Pleistocene generated high levels of cryptic genetic diversity in H. curtus, and add to similar findings for diverse other marine groups in the IAA.
C*‐norms for tensor products of discrete group C*‐algebras
Authors: Wiersma Matthew
Published: January 2015

Let be a discrete group. We show that if is nonamenable, then the algebraic tensor products and do not admit unique ‐norms. Moreover, when and are discrete groups containing copies of noncommutative free groups, then and admit ‐norms. Analogues of these results continue to hold when these familiar group ‐algebras are replaced by appropriate intermediate group ‐algebras.
Protein kinase C and Ca2+–calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II mediate the enlarged reverse INCX induced by ouabain‐increased late sodium current in rabbit ventricular myocytes
Authors: Wu Ying , Wang Leilei , Ma Jihua , Song Yejia , Zhang Peihua , Luo Antao , Fu Chen , Cao Zhenzhen , Wang Xiaojing , Shryock John C. , Belardinelli Luiz
Published: January 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

What are the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) and Ca2+–calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) on late sodium current (INaL), reverse Na+–Ca2+ exchange current (reverse INCX) or intracellular Ca2+ levels changed by ouabain?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Ouabain, even at low concentrations (0.5–8.0 μm), can increase INaL and reverse INCX, and these effects may contribute to the effect of the glycoside to increase Ca2+ transients and contractility. Both PKC and CaMKII activities may mediate or modulate these processes.

It has been reported that the cardiac glycoside ouabain can increase the late sodium current (INaL), as well as the diastolic intracellular calcium concentration and contractile shortening. Whether an increase of INaL participates in a pathway that can mediate the positive inotropic response to ouabain is unknown. We therefore determined the effects of ouabain on INaL, reverse Na+–Ca2+ exchange current (reverse INCX), intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) levels and contractile shortening in rabbit isolated ventricular myocytes. Ouabain (0.1–8 μm) markedly increased INaL and reverse INCX in a concentration‐dependent manner, with significant effects at concentrations as low as 0.5 and 1 μm. These effects of ouabain were suppressed by the INaL inhibitors TTX and ranolazine, the protein kinase C inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide and the Ca2+–calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN‐93. The enhancement by 0.5 μm ouabain of ventricular myocyte contractility and intracellular Ca2+ transients was suppressed by 2.0 μm TTX. We conclude that ouabain, even at low concentrations (0.5–8.0 μm), can increase INaL and reverse INCX, and these effects may contribute to the effect of the glycoside to increase Ca2+ transients and contractility. Both protein kinase C and Ca2+–calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II activities may mediate or modulate these processes.
Physiological geroscience: targeting function to increase healthspan and achieve optimal longevity
Authors: Seals Douglas R. , Justice Jamie N. , LaRocca Thomas J.
Published: January 2015

Most nations of the world are undergoing rapid and dramatic population ageing, which presents great socio‐economic challenges, as well as opportunities, for individuals, families, governments and societies. The prevailing biomedical strategy for reducing the healthcare impact of population ageing has been ‘compression of morbidity’ and, more recently, to increase healthspan, both of which seek to extend the healthy period of life and delay the development of chronic diseases and disability until a brief period at the end of life. Indeed, a recently established field within biological ageing research, ‘geroscience’, is focused on healthspan extension. Superimposed on this background are new attitudes and demand for ‘optimal longevity’ – living long, but with good health and quality of life. A key obstacle to achieving optimal longevity is the progressive decline in physiological function that occurs with ageing, which causes functional limitations (e.g. reduced mobility) and increases the risk of chronic diseases, disability and mortality. Current efforts to increase healthspan centre on slowing the fundamental biological processes of ageing such as inflammation/oxidative stress, increased senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired proteostasis and reduced stress resistance. We propose that optimization of physiological function throughout the lifespan should be a major emphasis of any contemporary biomedical policy addressing global ageing. Effective strategies should delay, reduce in magnitude or abolish reductions in function with ageing (primary prevention) and/or improve function or slow further declines in older adults with already impaired function (secondary prevention). Healthy lifestyle practices featuring regular physical activity and ideal energy intake/diet composition represent first‐line function‐preserving strategies, with pharmacological agents, including existing and new pharmaceuticals and novel ‘nutraceutical’ compounds, serving as potential complementary approaches. Future research efforts should focus on defining the temporal patterns of functional declines with ageing, identifying the underlying mechanisms and modulatory factors involved, and establishing the most effective lifestyle practices and pharmacological options for maintaining function. Continuing development of effective behavioural approaches for enhancing adherence to healthy ageing practices in diverse populations, and ongoing analysis of the socio‐economic costs and benefits of healthspan extension will be important supporting goals. To meet the demands created by rapid population ageing, a new emphasis in physiological geroscience is needed, which will require the collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts of investigators working throughout the translational research continuum from basic science to public health.
Modeling and experimental investigation of the plasma uniformity in CF4/O2 capacitively coupled plasmas, operating in single frequency and dual frequency regime
Authors: Zhang Yu-Ru , Tinck Stefan , Schepper Peter De , Wang You-Nian , Bogaerts Annemie
Published: January 2015

A two-dimensional hybrid Monte Carlo–fluid model, incorporating a full-wave solution of Maxwell's equations, is employed to describe the behavior of high frequency (HF) and very high frequency capacitively coupled plasmas (CCPs), operating both at single frequency (SF) and dual frequency (DF) in a CF4/O2 gas mixture. First, the authors investigate the plasma composition, and the simulations reveal that besides CF4 and O2, also COF2, CF3, and CO2 are important neutral species, and CF3+ and F− are the most important positive and negative ions. Second, by comparing the results of the model with and without taking into account the electromagnetic effects for a SF CCP, it is clear that the electromagnetic effects are important, both at 27 and 60 MHz, because they affect the absolute values of the calculation results and also (to some extent) the spatial profiles, which accordingly affects the uniformity in plasma processing. In order to improve the plasma radial uniformity, which is important for the etch process, a low frequency (LF) source is added to the discharge. Therefore, in the major part of the paper, the plasma uniformity is investigated for both SF and DF CCPs, operating at a HF of 27 and 60 MHz and a LF of 2 MHz. For this purpose, the authors measure the etch rates as a function of position on the wafer in a wide range of LF powers, and the authors compare them with the calculated fluxes toward the wafer of the plasma species playing a role in the etch process, to explain the trends in the measured etch rate profiles. It is found that at a HF of 60 MHz, the uniformity of the etch rate is effectively improved by adding a LF power of 2 MHz and 300 W, while its absolute value increases by about 50%, thus a high etch rate with a uniform distribution is observed under this condition.
Fabrication of long-range surface plasmon hydrogen sensors on Cytop membranes integrating grating couplers
Authors: Fong Norman R. , Berini Pierre , Tait Niall
Published: January 2015

The fabrication process for a long-range surface plasmon polariton hydrogen sensor is presented. The device, referred to as the cladded membrane waveguide, features a 5 μm wide and 20 nm thick gold stripe embedded in a 160 nm free standing Cytop membrane. Broadside excitation and output are achieved with integrated grating couplers. Hydrogen sensitivity is provided by an overlaid 5 nm thick palladium patch, which acts as a transduction medium. The device is fabricated by integrating several process techniques including blind through-wafer alignment, optical photolithography, overlaid electron beam lithography, metal lift-off, and through-substrate silicon wet etching. Fabricated results are presented along with a detailed discussion. The devices are characterized optically via a cutback measurement with the measured waveguide attenuation being consistent with simulated values.
The Role of the Coach in Action Sports: Using a Problem-based Learning Approach
Authors: Ojala Anna-Liisa , Thorpe Holly
Published: January 2015

Action sports (e.g., snowboarding, skateboarding, windsurfing, BMX) have traditionally celebrated antiauthoritarian, do-it-yourself and anticompetition cultural values. With the institutionalization and commercialization of action sports over the past two decades, and the introduction of mega-sports events such as the X Games, and the inclusion of some action sports into the Olympic Games (i.e., snowboarding, freestyle skiing, BMX), action sport athletes are increasingly working with coaches, psychologists, agents, managers and personal trainers to improve their performances. In this Insights paper we consider coaching in action sports via the case of Finnish professional snowboarders’ attitudes to coaches. Drawing upon conversations with elite freestyle snowboarders we briefly present insights into their perceptions of the various positions of coaches in professional snowboarding before we offer suggestions built upon a Problem-based learning approach for coaches interested in working with action sport athletes.
Coaching and Coach Education in Poland
Authors: Panfil Ryszard , Krawczynski Marcin , Marek Piotr , Panfil Lukasz
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this paper is to describe the current status of coaching and coach education in Poland. Currently, the dynamics of legal rulers that govern the sport coaching market in Poland are dictated by several broader phenomena, such as the globalisation of sport culture, European integration, decentralisation of power and deregulation of the labour market that has been occurring over recent years. The coaching labour market, which is determined by various needs of institutions and individuals, points to appropriate forms and methods of education for coaches. This new situation allows us to specify coaching roles and respective competences that are adapted to the dynamic needs of the market. It also allows Polish sport associations and “Akademia Trenerska” (“Coaching Academy”) to actively and innovatively stimulate the sport coaching labour market in Poland.
Increase in Daily Steps After an Exercise Specialist Led Lifestyle Intervention for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes in Primary Care: A Controlled Implementation Trial
Authors: Johnson Steven T. , Mundt Clark , Qiu Weiyu , Soprovich Allison , Wozniak Lisa , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Johnson Jeffrey A.
Published: January 2015

Objective:

To determine the effectiveness of an exercise specialist led lifestyle program for adults with type 2 diabetes in primary care.

Methods:

Eligible participants from 4 primary care networks in Alberta, Canada were assigned to either a lifestyle program or a control group. The program targeted increased daily walking through individualized daily pedometer step goals for the first 3 months and brisk walking speed, along with substitution of low-relative to high-glycemic index foods over the next 3 months. The outcomes were daily steps, diet, and clinical markers, and were compared using random effects models.

Results:

198 participants were enrolled (102 in the intervention and 96 in the control). For all participants, (51% were women), mean age 59.5 (SD 8.3) years, A1c 6.8% (SD 1.1), BMI 33.6 kg/m2 (SD 6.5), systolic BP 125.6 mmHg (SD 16.2), glycemic index 51.7 (4.6), daily steps 5879 (SD 3130). Daily steps increased for the intervention compared with the control at 3-months (1292 [SD 2698] vs. 418 [SD 2458] and 6-months (1481 [SD 2631] vs. 336 [SD 2712]; adjusted P = .002). No significant differences were observed for diet or clinical outcomes.

Conclusions:

A 6-month lifestyle program delivered in primary care by an exercise specialist can be effective for increasing daily walking among adults with recently diagnosed type 2 diabetes. This short-term increase in daily steps requires longer follow-up to estimate the potential impact on health outcomes.
Decoupling circadian clock protein turnover from circadian period determination
Authors: Larrondo Luis F. , Olivares-Yañez Consuelo , Baker Christopher L. , Loros Jennifer J. , Dunlap Jay C.
Published: January 2015

Defining necessary circadian clock elements

The circadian clock in organisms as diverse as fungi and humans have a rather similar structure: Timing depends on daily cycles of transcription in circuits in which feedback loops control the timing of oscillations. A critical role has been ascribed to negative elements, which lead to inhibition of their own transcription, and to degradation of these elements, which is signaled by phosphorylation events. However, Larrando
et al.
show that in the fungus
Neurospora
, after manipulations that prevent phosphorylation-signaled degradation of the negative element FREQUENCY (FRQ), rhythms still persist (see the Perspective by Kramer). They suggest a model in which other phosphorylation events on Frq (of which there are over 100) must have critical roles in controlling the clock, independent of negative element degradation.

Science
, this issue
10.1126/science.1257277
; see also p.
476
Crystal structures of translocator protein (TSPO) and mutant mimic of a human polymorphism
Authors: Li Fei , Liu Jian , Zheng Yi , Garavito R. Michael , Ferguson-Miller Shelagh
Published: January 2015

Structural clues to protein function

Translocator protein (TSPO) is a mitochondrial membrane protein thought to transport cholesterol and porphyrins. Its detailed function remains unclear, but interest in it is high because TSPO is involved in a variety of human diseases. Two papers now present crystal structures of bacterial TSPOs. Li
et al.
show that a mutant that mimics a human single polymorphism associated with psychiatric disorders has structural changes in a region implicated in cholesterol binding. Guo
et al.
suggest that TSPO may be more than a transporter. They show how it catalyzes the degradation of porphyrins, a function that could be important in protection against oxidative stress.

Science
, this issue p.
555
, p.
551
Meet two new science spending cardinals in Congress
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: January 2015

Representatives Cole, Culberson share enthusiasm for research, but differ in approach.
The end of privacy
Authors: Enserink Martin , Chin Gilbert
Published: January 2015

From big data to ubiquitous Internet connections, technology empowers researchers and the public—but makes traditional notions of privacy obsolete
Hiding in plain sight
Authors: You Jia
Published: January 2015

Software lets you use location-based apps without revealing where you are.
Faculty: Making Your Research Count
Authors: Tachibana Chris
Published: January 2015

Managing an academic research group means keeping an eye on the big picture—long-term goals, funding agency priorities, and a publication plan. Faculty members are also charged with training students and postdoctoral fellows. To meet these dual demands, principal investigators must match people to projects in way that gets the group to its goals while encouraging its members to mature as scientists. Faculty members don't usually get formal training in research program management, but that might be changing.
Vibrational relaxation and microsolvation of DF after F-atom reactions in polar solvents
Authors: Dunning G. T. , Glowacki D. R. , Preston T. J. , Greaves S. J. , Greetham G. M. , Clark I. P. , Towrie M. , Harvey J. N. , Orr-Ewing A. J.
Published: January 2015

Deuterium fluoride gets born shivering

Modern spectroscopic techniques can analyze collisions between gas phase molecules in exquisite detail, highlighting exactly which vibrations and rotations come into play. However, much chemistry of interest takes place in solution, where it's harder to tease out what happens. Dunning
et al.
applied infrared spectroscopy to study solution-phase formation of deuterium fluoride (DF) from F atoms, a longstanding test bed of gas phase dynamics. The DF product vibrated for a surprisingly long time before dissipating its energy to the surrounding solvent molecules.

Science
, this issue p.
530
Privacy and human behavior in the age of information
Authors: Acquisti Alessandro , Brandimarte Laura , Loewenstein George
Published: January 2015

This Review summarizes and draws connections between diverse streams of empirical research on privacy behavior. We use three themes to connect insights from social and behavioral sciences: people’s uncertainty about the consequences of privacy-related behaviors and their own preferences over those consequences; the context-dependence of people’s concern, or lack thereof, about privacy; and the degree to which privacy concerns are malleable—manipulable by commercial and governmental interests. Organizing our discussion by these themes, we offer observations concerning the role of public policy in the protection of privacy in the information age.
Control use of data to protect privacy
Authors: Landau Susan
Published: January 2015

Massive data collection by businesses and governments calls into question traditional methods for protecting privacy, underpinned by two core principles: (i) notice, that there should be no data collection system whose existence is secret, and (ii) consent, that data collected for one purpose not be used for another without user permission. But notice, designated as a fundamental privacy principle in a different era, makes little sense in situations where collection consists of lots and lots of small amounts of information, whereas consent is no longer realistic, given the complexity and number of decisions that must be made. Thus, efforts to protect privacy by controlling use of data are gaining more attention. I discuss relevant technology, policy, and law, as well as some examples that can illuminate the way.
The superresolved brain
Authors: Dodt Hans-Ulrich
Published: January 2015

Physically enlarged neurons can be observed at high resolution with light microscopy

[Also see Report by

Chen
et al.

]
Connecting the dots
The Black Box Society: The Secret Algorithms That Control Money and Information
Frank Pasquale
Harvard University Press, 2015. 319 pp.
Authors: Mayer-Schönberger Viktor
Published: January 2015

When it comes to the data that can make or break us, who holds the power?
Bridging the opinion gap
Authors: Leshner Alan I.
Published: January 2015

There is a wide opinion gap between scientists and the general public in the United States when it comes to their attitudes about the state of science and science-related policy. According to survey results released this week by the Pew Research Center, in collaboration with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS),
*
when asked whether U.S. scientific achievements are either the best or among the world's best, only 54% of the public said “yes,” compared to 92% of the scientists. Such disparity is alarming because it ultimately affects both science policy and scientific progress. How can we bridge this gap? Forget the staged “town hall” meetings—studies show that they are not very effective. What does work is respectful bidirectional communication, where scientists truly listen, as well as speak, to the public.
A Large Portion of Meningococcal Antigen Typing System-Negative Meningococcal Strains from Spain Is Killed by Sera from Adolescents and Infants Immunized with 4CMenB
Authors: Abad R. , Biolchi A. , Moschioni M. , Giuliani M. M. , Pizza M. , Vázquez J. A.
Published: January 2015

A new vaccine (the 4CMenB 4-component protein vaccine [Bexsero], which includes PorA, factor H-binding protein [fHbp], neisserial heparin-binding antigen [NHBA], andNeisseriaadhesin A [NadA]) against serogroup B meningococci has recently been approved for use in people older than age 2 months in Europe, Australia, and Canada. Preapproval clinical efficacy studies are not feasible for invasive meningococcal disease because its incidence is low/very low, and the serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) titer (or the human SBA [hSBA] titer when human complement is used in the assay) has been used as a surrogate marker of protection. However, the hSBA assay cannot be used on a large scale, and therefore, a meningococcal antigen typing system (MATS) was developed. MATS combines conventional PorA genotyping with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that quantifies both the expression and the cross-reactivity of antigenic variants. The assay has been used to evaluate the potential of the 4CMenB meningococcal group B vaccine to cover group B strains in several countries. Some recent data suggest that MATS is a conservative predictor of strain coverage. We used pooled sera from adolescents and infants to test by the hSBA assay 10 meningococcal group B strains isolated in Spain that were negative for the 3 antigens (n= 9) or that had very low levels of the 3 antigens (n= 1) by MATS. We found that all strains were killed by sera from adolescents and that 5 of the 10 strains were also killed, although at a low titer, by sera from infants. Our data confirm that MATS underestimates vaccine coverage.
Evaluation of the Boson Chemiluminescence Immunoassay as a First-Line Screening Test in the ECDC Algorithm for Syphilis Serodiagnosis in a Population with a High Prevalence of Syphilis
Authors: Qiu Xin-Hui , Zhang Ya-Feng , Chen Yu-Yan , Zhang Qiao , Chen Fu-Yi , Liu Long , Fan Jin-Yi , Gao Kun , Zhu Xiao-Zhen , Zheng Wei-Hong , Zhang Hui-Lin , Lin Li-Rong , Liu Li-Li , Tong Man-Li , Zhang Chang-Gong , Niu Jian-Jun , Yang Tian-Ci
Published: January 2015

We developed a new Boson chemiluminescence immunoassay (CIA) and evaluated its application with cross-sectional analyses. Our results indicated that the Boson CIA demonstrated strong discriminatory power in diagnosing syphilis and that it can be used as a first-line screening test for syphilis serodiagnosis using the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control algorithm or as a confirmatory test when combined with a patient's clinical history.
Diagnosing Rhodococcus equi Infections in a Setting Where Tuberculosis Is Highly Endemic: a Double Challenge
Authors: Le Thuy , Cash-Goldwasser Shama , Tho Phan Vinh , Lan Nguyen Phu Huong , Campbell James I. , van Doorn H. Rogier , Lam Nguyen Tien , Trung Nguyen Vu , Trinh Dao Tuyet , Kinh Nguyen Van , Wertheim Heiman F. L.
Published: January 2015

Rhodococcus equi
infection is increasing in regions with high HIV prevalence worldwide. The microbiological features and clinical mimicry of tuberculosis infection pose diagnostic challenges in high-tuberculosis-incidence settings. We present two HIV-associated cases of
R. equi
infection from Vietnam and discuss the unique diagnostic challenges in such settings.
Validation of Rapid Point-of-Care (POC) Tests for Detection of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen in Field and Laboratory Settings in the Gambia, Western Africa
Authors: Njai Harr Freeya , Shimakawa Yusuke , Sanneh Bakary , Ferguson Lynne , Ndow Gibril , Mendy Maimuna , Sow Amina , Lo Gora , Toure-Kane Coumba , Tanaka Junko , Taal Makie , D'alessandro Umberto , Njie Ramou , Thursz Mark , Lemoine Maud
Published: January 2015

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Point-of-care tests for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) could be an ideal tool for a large-scale HBV screening/treatment program in SSA. Using data from the PROLIFICA (Prevention of Liver Fibrosis and Cancer in Africa) program, we conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the diagnostic accuracy of three point-of-care tests (Determine, Vikia, and Espline) for the detection of HBsAg in the field or a laboratory setting in the Gambia. In the field, we used finger-prick whole blood for the Determine and Vikia tests and dried blood spots for the reference standard test (AxSYM HBsAg enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]). In the laboratory we used serum for the Determine, Espline, and reference test (Architect chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay). Of 773 participants recruited at the community and 227 known chronic HBV carriers (1,000 subjects in total), 293 were positive for HBsAg. The sensitivity and specificity of the Determine test were 88.5% and 100% in the field and 95.3% and 93.3% in the laboratory setting, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% and 99.8% for the Vikia test (in the field) and 93.9% and 94.7% for the Espline test (in the laboratory). There was no evidence that one kit was better than another. Most of the patients with false-negative results (18/19) were classified as inactive chronic carriers. In summary, the three point-of-care tests had acceptable ranges of diagnostic accuracy. These tests may represent accurate, rapid, and inexpensive alternatives to serology testing for the screening of HBV infection at field level in SSA.
Protein-Peptide Arrays for Detection of Specific Anti-Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) Genotype 1, 6, and 8 Antibodies among HDV-Infected Patients by Surface Plasmon Resonance Imaging
Authors: Villiers Marie-Bernadette , Cortay Jean-Claude , Cortès Sandra , Bloquel Bénédicte , Brichler Ségolène , Brakha Carine , Kay Alan , Falah Nisrine , Zoulim Fabien , Marquette Christophe , Marche Patrice N. , Dény Paul
Published: January 2015

Liver diseases linked to hepatitis B-hepatitis D virus co- or superinfections are more severe than those during hepatitis B virus (HBV) monoinfection. The diagnosis of hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection therefore remains crucial in monitoring patients but is often overlooked. To integrate HDV markers into high-throughput viral hepatitis diagnostics, we studied the binding of anti-HDV antibodies (Abs) using surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). We focused on the ubiquitous HDV genotype 1 (HDV1) and the more uncommon African-HDV6 and HDV8 genotypes to define an array with recombinant proteins or peptides. Full-length and truncated small hepatitis D antigen (S-HDAg) recombinant proteins of HDV genotype 1 (HDV1) and 11 HDV peptides of HDV1, 6, and 8, representing various portions of the delta antigen were grafted onto biochips, allowing SPRi measurements to be made. Sixteen to 17 serum samples from patients infected with different HDV genotypes were injected onto protein and peptide chips. In all, Abs against HDV proteins and/or peptides were detected in 16 out of 17 infected patients (94.12%), although the amplitude of the SPR signal varied. The amino-terminal part of the protein was poorly immunogenic, while epitope 65-80, exposed on the viral ribonucleoprotein, may be immunodominant, as 9 patient samples led to a specific SPR signal on peptide 65 type 1 (65#1), independently of the infecting genotype. In this pilot study, we confirmed that HDV infection screening based on the reactivity of patient Abs against carefully chosen HDV peptides and/or proteins can be included in a syndrome-based viral hepatitis diagnostic assay. The preliminary results indicated that SPRi studying direct physical HDAg–anti-HDV Ab interactions was more convenient using linear peptide epitopes than full-length S-HDAg proteins, due to the regeneration process, and may represent an innovative approach for a hepatitis syndrome–viral etiology-exploring array.
Ruminococcus gnavus Total Hip Arthroplasty Infection in a 62-Year-Old Man with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: Roux Anne-Laure , El Sayed Faten , Duffiet Pascal , Bauer Thomas , Heym Beate , Gaillard Jean-Louis , Herrmann Jean-Louis , Rottman Martin
Published: January 2015

We report the case of a total hip arthroplasty infection caused by
Ruminococcus gnavus
in a 62-year-old man with ulcerative colitis. The bacterium was perfectly identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry.
Clinical Relevance of Multiple Respiratory Virus Detection in Adult Patients with Acute Respiratory Illness
Authors: Choi Seong-Ho , Chung Jin-Won , Kim Hye Ryoun
Published: January 2015

Because increasing numbers of nasopharyngeal swab specimens from adult patients with acute respiratory illness (ARI) are being tested by respiratory virus (RV) multiplex reverse transcriptase PCR (RVM-RT-PCR), multiple RV detection (MRVD) is being encountered more frequently. However, the clinical relevance of MRVD in adult patients has rarely been evaluated. The clinical characteristics of hospitalized adult patients with ARI and MRVD by RVM-RT-PCR tests were compared to those of patients with single RV detection (SRVD) during a single year at a tertiary care center. MRVD was observed in 26 of the 190 adult patients (13.7%). The patients with MRVD had a higher incidence of chronic lung disease than the patients with SRVD (34.6% versus 15.9%, crude odds ratio [OR] = 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13 to 6.98,
P
= 0.03). Although the former were more likely than the latter to receive mechanical ventilation (19.2% versus 6.7%, crude OR = 3.31, 95% CI = 1.05 to 10.47,
P
= 0.049), the length of hospital stay (median, 7 versus 6.5 days;
P
= 0.66), and the in-hospital mortality rate (7.7% versus 4.3%, crude OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 0.37 to 9.53,
P
= 0.35) were not different between the two groups. In multivariate analysis, chronic lung disease was associated with MRVD (adjusted OR = 3.08, 95% CI = 1.12 to 8.46,
P
= 0.03). In summary, it was not uncommon to encounter adult patients with ARI and MRVD by RVM-RT-PCR tests of nasopharyngeal swab specimens. MRVD was associated with chronic lung disease rather than the severity of the ARI.
Application of Whole-Genome Sequencing for Bacterial Strain Typing in Molecular Epidemiology
Authors: Salipante Stephen J. , SenGupta Dhruba J. , Cummings Lisa A. , Land Tyler A. , Hoogestraat Daniel R. , Cookson Brad T.
Published: January 2015

Nosocomial infections pose a significant threat to patient health; however, the gold standard laboratory method for determining bacterial relatedness (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis [PFGE]) remains essentially unchanged 20 years after its introduction. Here, we explored bacterial whole-genome sequencing (WGS) as an alternative approach for molecular strain typing. We compared WGS to PFGE for investigating presumptive outbreaks involving three important pathogens: vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
(
n
= 19), methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(
n
= 17), and
Acinetobacter baumannii
(
n
= 15). WGS was highly reproducible (average ≤ 0.39 differences between technical replicates), which enabled a functional, quantitative definition for determining clonality. Strain relatedness data determined by PFGE and WGS roughly correlated, but the resolution of WGS was superior (
P
= 5.6 × 10
−8
to 0.016). Several discordant results were noted between the methods. A total of 28.9% of isolates which were indistinguishable by PFGE were nonclonal by WGS. For
A. baumannii
, a species known to undergo rapid horizontal gene transfer, 16.2% of isolate pairs considered nonidentical by PFGE were clonal by WGS. Sequencing whole bacterial genomes with single-nucleotide resolution demonstrates that PFGE is prone to false-positive and false-negative results and suggests the need for a new gold standard approach for molecular epidemiological strain typing.
Endotoxemia as a Diagnostic Tool for Patients with Suspected Bacteremia Caused by Gram-Negative Organisms: a Meta-Analysis of 4 Decades of Studies
Authors: Hurley James C. , Nowak Piotr , Öhrmalm Lars , Gogos Charalambos , Armaganidis Apostolos , Giamarellos-Bourboulis Evangelos J.
Published: January 2015

The clinical significance of endotoxin detection in blood has been evaluated for a broad range of patient groups in over 40 studies published over 4 decades. The influences of Gram-negative (GN) bacteremia species type and patient inclusion criteria on endotoxemia detection rates in published studies remain unclear. Studies were identified after a literature search and manual reviews of article bibliographies, together with a direct approach to authors of potentially eligible studies for data clarifications. The concordance between GN bacteremia and endotoxemia expressed as the summary diagnostic odds ratios (DORs) was derived for three GN bacteremia categories across eligible studies by using a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) method. Forty-two studies met broad inclusion criteria, with between 2 and 173 GN bacteremias in each study. Among all 42 studies, the DORs (95% confidence interval) were 3.2 (1.7 to 6.0) and 5.8 (2.4 to 13.7) in association with GN bacteremias with
Escherichia coli
and those with
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, respectively. Among 12 studies of patients with sepsis, the proportion of endotoxemia positivity (95% confidence interval) among patients with
P. aeruginosa
bacteremia (69% [57 to 79%];
P
= 0.004) or with
Proteus
bacteremia (76% [51 to 91%];
P
= 0.04) was significantly higher than that among patients without GN bacteremia (49% [33 to 64%]), but this was not so for patients bacteremic with
E. coli
(57% [40 to 73%];
P
= 0.55). Among studies of the sepsis patient group, the concordance of endotoxemia with GN bacteremia was surprisingly weak, especially for
E. coli
GN bacteremia.
Laboratory Diagnosis of Sepsis? No SIRS, Not Just Yet
Authors: Dunne W. Michael
Published: January 2015

In order to maximize the benefit of prompt antimicrobial therapy and avoid the risk associated with inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents, patients with suspected sepsis must be rapidly differentiated from patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). In combination with standard microbiological testing, a number of biomarkers have been recently evaluated for this purpose, and the performance characteristics of the most promising of these are reviewed.