bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deformation of HyFlex CM instruments and their shape recovery following heat sterilization
Authors: Alfoqom Alazemi M. , Bryant S. T. , Dummer P. M. H.
Published: July 2014

Aim

To assess the deformation of HyFlex CM instruments (Coltene Whaledent) when used in two instrumentation sequences and to assess their shape recovery after heat sterilization.

Methodology

Simulated root canals with four different shapes were prepared with HyFlex CM instruments using a single‐length technique (n = 40) or a crown down technique (n = 40). Pre‐preparation, post‐preparation and post‐sterilization standardized images of each instrument were recorded. Assessment of instrument deformation and their subsequent shape recovery was carried out visually and by comparing the digitised images. Data analysis was carried out using chi‐square tests.

Results

None of the 400 instruments fractured. Visual assessment of instruments post‐preparation revealed that 30.5% had unwound and 0.5% had reverse winding. Following sterilization 8.5% remained unwound and 0.5% remained with reverse winding. When assessing instrument shape using digital images, 35.25% were unwound post‐preparation, which reduced to 11% post‐sterilization. Nine size 25, 0.08 instruments deformed, but none fully regained their original shape after sterilization; however, other sizes of deformed instruments did regain their shape (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Approximately one third of instruments became deformed as a result of use. However, two thirds of these fully recovered their shape following sterilization. The number of deformed instruments was underestimated when no magnification was used for assessment. Instrument size was related to incidence of deformation and shape recovery.
The macrophage activation marker sCD163 is associated with changes in NAFLD and metabolic profile during lifestyle intervention in obese children
Authors: Kazankov K. , Møller H. J. , Lange A. , Birkebæk N. H. , Holland‐Fischer P. , Solvig J. , Hørlyck A. , Kristensen K. , Rittig S. , Handberg A. , Vilstrup H. , Grønbæk H.
Published: July 2014

Background

Obesity is associated with metabolic derangement and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Macrophages are involved in liver inflammation and fibrosis, and soluble (s)CD163 is a macrophage activation marker.

Objectives

To associate sCD163 with parameters of paediatric obesity and NAFLD, as well as changes in these parameters during lifestyle intervention.

Methods

We studied 117 obese children during a 10‐week lifestyle intervention; 71 completed the 12‐month follow‐up. We recorded clinical and biochemical data, and performed liver ultrasonography.

Results

Baseline sCD163 was higher in children with elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 2.0 ± 0.6 mg L−1, P = 0.03), steatosis (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 2.0 ± 0.6 mg L−1, P = 0.01) and high paediatric NAFLD fibrosis index (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 1.9 ± 0.6 mg L−1, P = 0.03). Baseline sCD163 was independently associated with ALT, cholesterol and high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP). The change in sCD163 during lifestyle intervention was associated with changes in ALT, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), hs‐CRP and cholesterol, and inversely associated with the change in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Conclusion

sCD163 was associated with markers of liver injury and metabolic parameters in obese children, and changes in these parameters during lifestyle intervention. This may suggest that activated macrophages play a role in NAFLD and sCD163 may serve as a marker of liver disease severity and treatment effect.
Chimeric antibodies with extended half‐life in ferrets
Authors: Nesspor Thomas C. , Scallon Bernard
Published: July 2014

Background

Ferrets have long been used as a disease model for the study of influenza vaccines, but a more recent use has been for the study of human monoclonal antibodies directed against influenza viruses. Published data suggest that human antibodies are cleared unusually quickly from the ferret and that immune responses may be partially responsible. This immunogenicity increases variability within groups and may present an obstacle to long‐term studies.

Objective

Our aim was to identify an antibody design with reduced immunogenicity and longer circulating half‐life in ferrets.

Methods

The constant region coding sequences for ferret immunoglobulin G were cloned, and chimeric human/ferret antibodies were expressed and purified. Some of the chimeric antibodies included substitutions that have been shown to extend the half‐life of human IgG antibodies. These chimeric antibodies were tested for binding to recombinant ferret FcRn receptor and then evaluated in pharmacokinetic studies in ferrets.

Results

A one‐residue substitution in the ferret Fc domain, S252Y, was identified that increased binding affinity to the ferret neonatal receptor by 24‐fold and extended half‐life from 65 ± 27 to 206 ± 28 hours or ~9 days. Ferrets dosed twice with this surrogate antibody showed no indications of an immune response.

Conclusion

Expressing the variable region of a candidate human therapeutic antibody with ferret constant regions containing the S252Y substitution can offer long half‐life and limit immunogenicity.
Evaluation of Thoracic Limb Loads, Elbow Movement, and Morphology in Dogs Before and After Arthroscopic Management of Unilateral Medial Coronoid Process Disease
Authors: Galindo‐Zamora Vladimir , Dziallas Peter , Wolf Davina C. , Kramer Sabine , Abdelhadi Jalal , Lucas Karin , Nolte Ingo , Wefstaedt Patrick
Published: July 2014

Objective

To (1) evaluate thoracic limb loads and symmetry, and elbow function and morphology, before and after arthroscopic treatment of unilateral medial coronoid process disease (MCPD), and (2) determine if functional variables correlate with morphologic findings.

Study Design

Prospective case series.

Animals

Dogs (n = 14) with thoracic limb lameness.

Methods

Dogs were included when unilateral MCPD was confirmed as the cause of lameness. Kinetic analysis of both thoracic limbs, along with kinematic analysis and goniometry of both elbows were carried out before, and 60, 120, and 180 days after partial coronoidectomy by arthroscopy. Radiography and computed tomography of both elbows were performed before and 180 days after arthroscopy.

Results

A nonsignificant (P = .11) increase in the peak vertical loads (PFz), and a significant (P = .022) increase in the vertical impulse (iFz) applied by the affected limb were seen. Symmetry indices improved, with significant differences between sessions (PFz:P = .019; iFz:P = .003). Kinematic variables showed no significant differences, between sessions or when comparing both elbows within sessions. Goniometry revealed no significant differences between sessions, but some significant differences were identified when comparing both elbows within sessions. Osteophytosis and degree of lameness showed no correlation, before (rs = −0.077;P = .79) or after arthroscopy (rs = 0.27;P = .35).

Conclusions

Kinetic variables improved after arthroscopy, without full restoration of function. Kinematic variables did not change significantly. Osteoarthritis and goniometric measurements in the affected joint worsened. Functional variables did not correlate with morphologic findings.
A novel CYLD germline mutation in Brooke‐Spiegler syndrome
Authors: Guardoli D. , Argenziano G. , Ponti G. , Nasti S. , Zalaudek I. , Moscarella E. , Lallas A. , Piana S. , Specchio F. , Martinuzzi C. , Raucci M. , Pellacani G. , Longo C.
Published: July 2014

Background

Brooke‐Spiegler syndrome (BSS) is a rare, inherited, autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the development of multiple adnexal neoplasms including spiradenomas, cylindromas, trichoepitheliomas and major and minor salivary glands neoplasms. This syndrome encompasses a wide variability of clinical phenotypes depending on the variable number of tumours present in the given patient.

Objective

Somatic mutations in adjunct to CYLD germline mutations may play a central role in the development of the tumour phenotype and in the genotype‐phenotype correlations.

Methods

Blood sample and paraffin embedded tissue biopsied from three cylindromas, one trichoepithelioma and one spiradenomas were collected after obtaining informed consent from our patient and genomic DNA was isolated.

Results

We found out a novel germline mutation in the CYLD gene in exon 15 that resulted in the deletion of one nucleotide. This gives rise to a premature translational termination codon at amino acid position 693 prior to four Cys‐X‐X‐Cys pairs and one of the two catalytic domains of ubiquitin carboxy‐terminal hydrolases. In only one cylindroma we detected the same germline mutation (c.2070delT/p.F690FfsX3) in addition to two somatic events (I645V and R936X). The presence of this unique mutation could be linked to the peculiar phenotype of our patient who presented an attenuated form of BSS, an autosomal dominant inheritance with low penetrance and no additional visceral tumours.

Conclusions

The overall phenotype of our patient may support the hypothesis that somatic mutations in adjunct to CYLD germline mutations may play a central role in the development of the tumour phenotype and in the genotype‐phenotype correlations.
Treatment of facial erythema in patients with rosacea with topical brimonidine tartrate: correlation of patient satisfaction with standard clinical endpoints of improvement of facial erythema
Authors: Fowler J. , Tan J. , Jackson J.M. , Meadows K. , Jones T. , Jarratt M. , Leoni M.
Published: July 2014

Background

Once‐daily brimonidine tartrate (BT) 0.5% gel was shown to provide significantly greater efficacy vs. vehicle for the treatment of facial erythema in patients with rosacea.

Objectives

To demonstrate that patient satisfaction with overall appearance is correlated with reduction in facial erythema, as measured by clinician and patient assessments.

Methods

Data from two identical phase III, multicentre, randomized, controlled trials of moderate facial erythema of rosacea (study A: n = 260; study B: n = 293) with topical BT 0.5% compared to vehicle gel once‐daily for 4 weeks were analysed. Correlations of Patient's Assessment of Appearance (PAA) with Clinician's Erythema Assessment (CEA) and Patient's Self‐Assessment (PSA) of erythema were evaluated by calculation of gamma statistics.

Results

PAA correlated with CEA post‐application on Days 1, 15 and 29 for the intent‐to‐treat population and provided a median gamma value of 0.57 (min = 0.28, max = 0.61). PAA and PSA was also highly correlated post‐application on Days 1, 15 and 29; with a median gamma value of 0.87 (min = 0.66, max = 0.89). Subjects who achieved a clinically meaningful improvement in both CEA and PSA scales were more likely to report satisfaction with the overall appearance of their skin (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Both one‐ and two‐grade improvements in facial erythema assessed by subjects (PSA) and clinicians (CEA) correlate well with PAA, a patient‐centered representation of meaningful change.
Psoriasis and sport: a new ally?
Authors: Balato N. , Megna M. , Palmisano F. , Patruno C. , Napolitano M. , Scalvenzi M. , Ayala F.
Published: July 2014

Background

Psoriasis is a common chronic multifactorial disease which can result in restrictions to social and recreational activities. Psoriasis subjects are at high risk to develop metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity, a vital component in prevention and management of these diseases, is reported to be potentially associated in a negative way with psoriasis.

Objective

To investigate the relationship between psoriasis and physical activity.

Materials and methods

Anamnestic and physical examination as well as a specific doctor‐administered questionnaire was performed to a group of 416 consecutive sportive subjects and 489 sex and age‐matched controls. Moreover, similar investigations were executed on 400 consecutive psoriatic patients without psoriatic arthritis.

Results

Psoriasis was significantly more common in controls respect to sportive group (n = 27, 5.4% vs. n = 7, 1.7%, P < 0.01) whereas a positive familial history of psoriasis was observed in similar percentages in both groups (n = 51, 10.2% vs. n = 40, 9.6%). The number of subjects performing sports activities was significantly lower in psoriasis group compared to controls (n = 44, 11% vs. n = 106, 21.3%; P < 0.001). Of these psoriatic patients, 35/44 referred that sporting activities showed a positive influence on the natural course of their disease, whereas the remaining 11 patients did not highlight positive or negative influences on their illness. Interestingly, 23.75% of psoriatic patients (n = 95) related that they had regularly carried out sporting activities before the onset of the dermatosis referring that psoriasis represented a huge obstacle to continue practicing physical activities.

Conclusion

Our survey showed that regular physical activity may lower the risk of psoriasis and have a beneficial effect on the natural course of the disease, positively influencing not only the severity as well as the incidence of metabolic comorbidities, but also, through possible epigenomic, metabolic, anti‐inflammatory and psycho‐emotional effects, the onset of the dermatosis. However, larger birth cohort studies are needed to confirm these results.
Emotion and Mood Adaptations in the Peripartum Female: Complementary Contributions of GABA and Oxytocin
Authors: Lonstein J. S. , Maguire J. , Meinlschmidt G. , Neumann I. D.
Published: July 2014

Peripartum hormones and sensory cues from young modify the maternal brain in ways that can render females either at risk for, or resilient to, elevated anxiety and depression. The neurochemical systems underlying these aspects of maternal emotional and mood states include the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and the neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT). Data from laboratory rodents indicate that increased activity at the GABAA receptor contributes to the postpartum suppression of anxiety‐related behaviour that is mediated by physical contact with offspring, whereas dysregulation in GABAergic signalling results in deficits in maternal care, as well as anxiety‐ and depression‐like behaviours during the postpartum period. Similarly, activation of the brain OXT system accompanied by increased OXT release within numerous brain sites in response to reproductive stimuli also reduces postpartum anxiety‐ and depression‐like behaviours. Studies of peripartum women are consistent with these findings in rodents. Given the similar consequences of elevated central GABA and OXT activity on maternal anxiety and depression, balanced and partly reciprocal interactions between these two systems may be essential for their effects on maternal emotional and mood states, in addition to other aspects of postpartum behaviour and physiology.
SRAP as an Informative Molecular Marker to Study the Fusarium poae Genetic Variability
Authors: Dinolfo María I. , Castañares Eliana , Stenglein Sebastián A.
Published: July 2014

Fusarium poae is one of the Fusarium species isolated from grains associated with Fusarium head blight (FHB), whose occurrence has increased in the last years. In this study, a total of 105 F. poae isolates from Argentina, Belgium, Canada, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Switzerland and Uruguay were evaluated using sequence‐related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) to analyse the capacity of this molecular marker to evaluate the F. poae genetic variability. The molecular analysis showed high intraspecific variability within F. poae isolates, and a partial relationship was revealed between variability and the host/geographic origin. Analysis of molecular variance (amova) indicated a high genetic variability in the F. poae collection, with most of the genetic variability resulting from differences within, rather than between American and European populations. The analysis of sequenced SRAP fragments targets into hypothetical proteins from different Fusarium species showing that the SRAP technique not only allows studying F. poae genetic variability, but also targets coding regions into the F. poae genome. To our knowledge, this is the first report on genetic variability of F. poae using SRAP technique and also demonstrates the efficacy of this molecular marker to amplify open reading frames in fungus.
Effects of pistachio by‐products on digestibility, milk production, milk fatty acid profile and blood metabolites in Saanen dairy goats
Authors: Sedighi‐Vesagh R. , Naserian A. A. , Ghaffari M. H. , Petit H. V.
Published: July 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of pistachio by‐products (PBP) on nutrient digestibility, blood metabolites and milk fatty acid (FA) profile in Saanen dairy goats. Nine multiparous lactating Saanen goats (on day 90 post‐partum, 45 ± 2/kg BW) were randomly assigned to a 3 × 3 Latin square design with three treatment diets: 1) control diet (alfalfa hay based), 2) 32% PBP and 3) 32% PBP + polyethylene glycol (PEG‐4000; 1 g/kg dry matter). Each period lasted 21 days, including 14 day for treatment adaptation and 7 day for data collection. Pistachio by‐products significantly decreased (p < 0.01) crude protein (CP) digestibility compared with the control diet (64.4% vs. 58.7%), but PEG addition did not differ for CP digestibility of goats fed 32% PBP + PEG and those fed the two other diets. The digestibility of NDF tended (p = 0.06) to decrease for goats fed PBP compared with those fed the control diet. Yields of milk and 4% fat‐corrected milk were not affected by dietary treatments. Compared with the control diet, PBP supplementation appreciably changed the proportions of almost all the milk FA measured; the main effects were decreases (p < 0.01) in FA from 8:0 to 16:0 and increases (p < 0.01) proportions of cis‐9, trans‐11 18:2 and trans‐11 18:1, monounsaturated FA, polyunsaturated FA and long‐chain FA. The saturated FA, short‐chain FA and medium‐chain FA proportions were lower (p < 0.01) in goats fed the two PBP supplemented diet than in those fed the control diet and PEG addition led to intermediate proportions of saturated FA, unsaturated and monounsaturated FA. Inclusion of PBP in the diet decreased (p < 0.01) plasma concentrations of glucose and urea nitrogen compared with the control diet. It was concluded that PBP can be used as forage in the diet of dairy goats without interfering with milk yield. Inclusion of 32% PBP in the diet of dairy goats had beneficial effects on milk FA profile but PEG addition to PBP did not contribute to enhance further milk FA profile.
Transcriptomic Insights into the Life History of Bolidophytes, the Sister Lineage to Diatoms
Authors: Kessenich Colton R. , Ruck Elizabeth C. , Schurko Andrew M. , Wickett Norman J. , Alverson Andrew J.
Published: July 2014

Diatoms are perhaps the most diverse lineage of eukaryotic algae, with their siliceous cell wall and diplontic life history often considered to have played important roles in their extraordinary diversification. The characteristic diminution of the diatom cell wall over the course of vegetative growth provides a reliable, intrinsic trigger for sexual reproduction, establishing a direct link between the evolution of their cell‐wall and life‐history features. It is unclear, however, whether the diplontic life cycle of diatoms represents an ancestral or derived trait. This uncertainty is based in part on our lack of understanding of the life cycle of the sister lineage to diatoms, which includes a mix of two free‐living and separately classified forms: naked biflagellate unicells in the genus Bolidomonas and silicified forms in the order Parmales. These two forms might represent different life‐history stages, although directly establishing such links can be difficult. We sequenced transcriptomes for Bolidomonas and two diatoms and found that ~0.1% of the coding regions in the two diploid diatoms are heterozygous, whereas Bolidomonas is virtually devoid of heterozygous alleles, consistent with expectations for a haploid genome. These results suggest that Bolidomonas is haploid and predict that parmaleans represent the diploid phase of a haplodiplontic life cycle. These data fill an important gap in our understanding of the origin of the diplontic life history of diatoms, which may represent an evolutionarily derived, adaptive feature.
Keeping up with the Cadillacs: What Health Insurance Disparities, Moral Hazard, and the Cadillac Tax Mean to The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Authors: Fletcher Rebecca Adkins
Published: July 2014

A major goal of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is to broaden health care access through the extension of insurance coverage. However, little attention has been given to growing disparities in access to health care among the insured, as trends to reduce benefits and increase cost sharing (deductibles, co‐pays) reduce affordability and access. Through a political economic perspective that critiques moral hazard, this article draws from ethnographic research with the United Steelworkers (USW) at a steel mill and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) at a food‐processing plant in urban Central Appalachia. In so doing, this article describes difficulties of health care affordability on the eve of reform for differentially insured working families with employer‐sponsored health insurance. Additionally, this article argues that the proposed Cadillac tax on high‐cost health plans will increase problems with appropriate health care access and medical financial burden for many families.
Drowned, buried and carried away: effects of plant traits on the distribution of native and alien species in riparian ecosystems
Authors: Catford Jane A. , Jansson Roland
Published: July 2014

Riparian vegetation is exposed to stress from inundation and hydraulic disturbance, and is often rich in native and alien plant species. We describe 35 traits that enable plants to cope with riparian conditions. These include traits for tolerating or avoiding anoxia and enabling underwater photosynthesis, traits that confer resistance and resilience to hydraulic disturbance, and attributes that facilitate dispersal, such as floating propagules. This diversity of life‐history strategies illustrates that there are many ways of sustaining life in riparian zones, which helps to explain high riparian biodiversity. Using community assembly theory, we examine how adaptations to inundation, disturbance and dispersal shape plant community composition along key environmental gradients, and how human actions have modified communities. Dispersal‐related processes seem to explain many patterns, highlighting the influence of regional processes on local species assemblages. Using alien plant invasions like an (uncontrolled) experiment in community assembly, we use an Australian and a global dataset to examine possible causes of high degrees of riparian invasion. We found that high proportions of alien species in the regional species pools have invaded riparian zones, despite not being riparian specialists, and that riparian invaders disperse in more ways, including by water and humans, than species invading other ecosystems.

Contents

Summary
19

I.
Introduction
19

II.
Functional traits and life‐history adaptations of riparian plants
20

III.
Local and regional patterns in the distribution of riparian plants
24

IV.
Alien plant invasion in riparian zones
26

V.
Modification and management of riparian plant communities
30

VI.
Conclusions and future research
32

Acknowledgements
33

References
33
Preterm birth and risk of type 1 and type 2 diabetes: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li S. , Zhang M. , Tian H. , Liu Z. , Yin X. , Xi B.
Published: July 2014

Preterm birth is suggested to play an important role in the development of diabetes. However, results have been inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to clarify the relationship between preterm birth and type 1 and type 2 diabetes. PubMed, Embase and ISI Web of Science were searched. A total of 18 studies (including 2,176,480 participants and 22,073 cases) for type 1 diabetes and five studies (including 31,478 participants and 1,898 cases) for type 2 diabetes were included in the current meta‐analyses. We calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using fixed‐effects model to evaluate the relations between preterm birth and type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The results suggested that preterm birth was significantly associated with increased risk of type 1 diabetes (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.11–1.25), with no evidence of between‐study heterogeneity (I2 = 13.2%, P = 0.296). Preterm birth was also significantly associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (OR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.32–1.72), with no evidence of (I2 = 0.0%, P = 0.557). Subgroup analyses suggested that there was significant association in both case‐control studies (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.06–1.26) and cohort studies (relative risk = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.11–1.29) for type 1 diabetes, and similar results were found for type 2 diabetes. The results suggested that preterm birth was a significant and independent risk factor for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Predictors of Cerebral Microembolization during Phased Radiofrequency Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Role of the Ongoing Rhythm and the Site of Energy Delivery
Authors: NAGY‐BALO EDINA , KISS ALEXANDRA , CONDIE CATHERINE , STEWART MARK , EDES ISTVAN , CSANADI ZOLTAN
Published: July 2014

Background

Pulmonary vein isolation with phased radiofrequency current and use of a pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) has recently been associated with a high incidence of clinically silent brain infarcts on diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging, and a high microembolic signal (MES) count detected by transcranial Doppler. We investigated the potential effects of the ongoing rhythm and the target vein during energy delivery (ED) on MES generation during PVAC ablations.

Methods and Results

A total of 735 EDs during 48 PVAC ablations were analyzed. MES counts were recorded for each ED and time‐stamped for correlation with the ongoing rhythm and the target vein for each ED. Significantly higher MES counts were observed during ablations of the left‐sided as compared with the right‐sided pulmonary veins (P = 0.0003). Similarly, higher MES counts were detected during EDs in atrial fibrillation as compared with sinus rhythm when the temperature was >56°C (P < 0.0001). The ongoing rhythm had no effect on the number of MESs at lower temperatures during ablation.

Conclusions

Both the ongoing rhythm during ED and the site of ablation influence microembolus generation during PVAC ablation procedures.
Human tyrosinase is able to oxidize both enantiomers of rhododendrol
Authors: Ito Shosuke , Gerwat Wolfram , Kolbe Ludger , Yamashita Toshiharu , Ojika Makoto , Wakamatsu Kazumasa
Published: July 2014

Racemic RS‐4‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐butanol (rhododendrol, RD) was used as a topical skin‐whitening agent until it was recently reported to induce leukoderma. We then showed that oxidation of RD with mushroom tyrosinase rapidly produces RD‐quinone, which is quickly converted to RD‐cyclic quinone and RD‐hydroxy‐p‐quinone. In this study, we examined whether either or both of the enantiomers of RD can be oxidized by human tyrosinase. Using a chiral HPLC column, racemic RD was resolved optically to R(−)‐RD and S(+)‐RD enantiomers. In the presence of a catalytic amount of l‐dopa, human tyrosinase, which can oxidize l‐tyrosine but not d‐tyrosine, was found to oxidize both R(−)‐ and S(+)‐RD to give RD‐catechol and its oxidation products. S(+)‐RD was more effectively oxidized than l‐tyrosine, while R(−)‐RD was less effective. These results support the notion that the melanocyte toxicity of RD depends on its tyrosinase‐catalyzed conversion to toxic quinones and the concomitant production of reactive oxygen species.
Larval fish assemblage recovery: a reflection of environmental change in a large degraded river
Authors: Mapes Robert L. , DuFour Mark R. , Pritt Jeremy J. , Mayer Christine M.
Published: July 2014

Estuaries are globally important to fisheries but face many anthropogenic stressors that reduce water quality and degrade benthic habitat. The Maumee River estuary has been degraded by industrial contaminants, high sediment and nutrient loads, channelization and elimination of surrounding wetlands, lessening its value as spawning habitat for fishes of Lake Erie. Regulation and better management practices (BMPs) in the watershed have improved the water quality in this estuary, which should result in a response of the biotic community. We compared recent (2010/2011) larval fish assemblage data to similar data from the 1970s (1976/1977) in order to identify changes due to improved water and habitat quality. Family‐level diversity was greater in recent study years compared to the 1970s and family richness increased from 6 to 10. In addition, the abundance of lithophilic spawning fishes was significantly greater in the recent study years. Increased diversity and family richness were consistent with increased water quality in the Maumee River whereas the observed increase in abundance of lithophilic spawners was consistent with an increase in the amount or quality of benthic habitat used by species in these families for spawning. Better wastewater management and agricultural practices in coastal watersheds can benefit the early life stages of fishes, thus benefitting coastal fisheries. Furthermore, larval fish assemblages may be useful indicators of biological integrity because of their sensitivities to environmental change. Routine sampling of estuarine larval fish assemblages could provide practitioners with insight into ecosystem changes and measure the response of the biotic community to restoration.
Root Inputs Influence Soil Water Holding Capacity and Differentially Influence the Growth of Native versus Exotic Annual Species in an Arid Ecosystem
Authors: McKinney Jordan , Cleland Elsa E.
Published: July 2014

Invasion by exotic annual species is increasingly impacting Southern California arid lands, altering ecosystem processes and plant community composition. With climate change, the Southwestern United States is expected to experience increasingly variable rainfall. Larger rainfall events could facilitate invasion by exotic species that can capitalize on high resource conditions. Exotic annual species also have dense shallow root systems that could create positive feedbacks to further invasion by increasing soil organic matter and water holding capacity. Alternatively, fine root inputs could create negative feedbacks to exotic plant growth if they stimulate microbial nutrient immobilization. The dual influences of rainfall regime and fine root inputs on species performance were evaluated in an experiment where native and exotic species were grown individually and in combination under varying watering regimes (large infrequent or small frequent pulses, holding total rainfall constant) and root additions (with or without sterilized exotic roots). Mean soil moisture increased with larger infrequent watering events, and also with root addition. Plant growth (both native and exotic) increased with larger watering events, but declined with root addition. Exotic species growth declined more than native species growth with root additions. Mechanistically, root addition lowered inorganic nitrogen (N) availability, and microbial N immobilization increased with soil moisture content. Together these results show that increased fine root production promotes negative feedbacks to growth of exotic species via microbial N immobilization, especially under conditions of high soil moisture. Further, our results suggest that organic carbon additions are a potentially effective strategy for suppressing growth of problematic desert invaders.
Mowing Reduces Exotic Annual Grasses but Increases Exotic Forbs in a Semiarid Grassland
Authors: Prevéy Janet S. , Knochel David G. , Seastedt Timothy R.
Published: July 2014

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and other exotic winter‐active plants can be persistent invaders in native grasslands, growing earlier in the spring than native plants and pre‐empting soil resources. Effective management strategies are needed to reduce their abundance while encouraging the reestablishment of desirable native plants. In this 4‐year study, we investigated whether mowing and seeding with native perennial grasses could limit growth of exotic winter‐actives, and benefit growth of native plants in an invaded grassland in Colorado, United States. We established a split‐plot experiment in October 2008 with 3 mowing treatments: control, spring‐mowed, and spring/summer‐mowed (late spring, mid‐summer, and late summer), and 3 within‐plot seeding treatments: control, added B. tectorum seeds, and added native grass seeds. Cover of plant species and aboveground biomass were measured for 3 years. In March and June of 2010, 2011, and March of 2012, B. tectorum and other winter‐annual grasses were half as abundant in both mowing treatments as in control plots; however, cover of non‐native winter‐active forbs increased 2‐fold in spring‐mowed plots and almost 3‐fold in spring/summer‐mowed plots relative to controls. These patterns remained consistent 1 year after termination of treatments. Native cool‐season grasses were most abundant in spring‐mowed plots, and least abundant in control plots. There was higher cover of native warm‐season grasses in spring/summer‐mowed plots than in control plots in July 2011 and 2012. The timing of management can have strong effects on plant community dynamics in grasslands, and this experiment indicates that adaptive management can target the temporal niche of undesirable invasive species.
Computer‐assisted reading intervention with a phonics approach for children using cochlear implants or hearing aids
Authors: Nakeva von Mentzer Cecilia , Lyxell Björn , Sahlén Birgitta , Dahlström Örjan , Lindgren Magnus , Ors Marianne , Kallioinen Petter , Uhlén Inger
Published: July 2014

The present study examined computer‐assisted reading intervention with a phonics approach for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children in Sweden using cochlear implants or hearing aids, or a combination of both. The study included 48 children, 5, 6 and 7 years of age. Sixteen children with normal hearing (NH) served as a reference group. The first purpose of the study was to compare NH and DHH children's reading ability at pre and post‐intervention. The second purpose was to investigate effects of the intervention. Cognitive and demographic factors were analyzed in relation to reading improvement. Results showed no statistically significant difference for reading ability at the group level, although NH children showed overall higher reading scores at both test points. Age comparisons revealed a statistically significant higher reading ability in the NH 7‐year‐olds compared to the DHH 7‐year‐olds. The intervention proved successful for word decoding accuracy, passage comprehension and as a reduction of nonword decoding errors in both NH and DHH children. Reading improvement was associated with complex working memory and phonological processing skills in NH children. Correspondent associations were observed with visual working memory and letter knowledge in the DHH children. Age was the only demographic factor that was significantly correlated with reading improvement. The results suggest that DHH children's beginning reading may be influenced by visual strategies that might explain the reading delay in the older children.
The Selves of Social Animals: Comments on Gruen
Authors: Shoemaker David
Published: July 2014

In this commentary onLoriGruen's “Death as aSocialHarm,” I first lay out the basics ofGruen's argument, then I offer some critical discussion, and finally I explore whether there might be some metaphysical structure that would support her most provocative idea—that death harms oursocial selves. What would it take for this idea to be more than metaphor, so that when a loved one dies a part ofmehas died? In constructing one possibility, I draw from the distinction between identity and what matters in identity to paint a picture of social selves whose relationships are constructed out of the tendrils of psychological connectedness and continuity that serve to unite different stages of single persons. I conclude by exploring whether this metaphysical picture is sufficient to generate the conclusions at whichGruen aims.
Animalism and the Lives of Human Animals
Authors: Snowdon Paul
Published: July 2014

It is suggested that the best way to interpret animalism is as an identity thesis saying that each of us is identical to an animal. Since there are disagreements about the nature of animal persistence, this means that animalism itself not does not explicitly propose criteria of identity for persons. It implies the negative claim that features that have nothing to do with animal persistence have nothing to do with our persistence. Thinking of it as an identity thesis also makes sense of the nature of the arguments surrounding the thesis. Central to such arguments are claims about the persistence of animals and persons in certain imagined scenarios. To adjudicate such arguments, we need a secure grip on some claims about animal persistence. Often these are generated by a theory of animal persistence. In the second part of the paper, it is argued that the attempt to build such theories on the assumption that life is essential for animal existence is implausible. In the way we speak, we seem not to recognise death as the ceasing to exist of an animal. No better way to think of animals is proposed in this paper.
The long‐term use of soap does not affect the pH‐maintenance mechanism of human skin
Authors: Takagi Y. , Kaneda K. , Miyaki M. , Matsuo K. , Kawada H. , Hosokawa H.
Published: July 2014

Background

The pH at the surface of healthy human skin is around 5. Cleansing the skin with soap increases the pH of the skin, which then returns to a more acidic pH within a few hours. However, the effects of skin cleansing with soap over a long time on the pH regulatory system is still unclear.

Object

We compared the pH of the skin between users of a soap‐based cleanser and of a mild‐acidic cleanser prior to and following the cleansing.

Method

This study had two groups of subjects, one group who had used a soap‐based cleanser for more than 5 years and the other group who had used a mild‐acidic cleanser for more than 5 years. The pH on the inner forearm of each subject was measured prior to and for 6 h after cleansing with a soap bar.

Result

There were no differences between the pH of the skin these two groups prior to cleansing, immediately after cleansing or in the pH recovery rate for 6 h.

Conclusion

These results suggest that long‐term continuous use of a soap‐based cleanser does not affect the pH‐maintaining mechanism of human skin.
Analytic parallel‐polarized light imaging technique using various light‐emitting diodes: a comparison with skin conductance values
Authors: Kim D. H. , Choi J. E. , Ryu H. J. , Seo S. H. , Kye Y. C. , Ahn H. H.
Published: July 2014

Background

The quantitative difference of the light reflected from a skin surface can be analyzed using parallel‐polarized light (PPL) photography when combined with an analytic technique similar to colorimetric photography.

Objective

To improve the PPL photography technique as an assessment tool for the evaluation of skin condition using light‐emitting diodes (LED) of different colors.

Method

Parallel‐polarized light images were taken using white and green LED illuminators. The acquired images were transformed to CIELAB coordinates. An in‐house skin conductance meter was constructed to assess skin hydration level. A dermatologist evaluated the clinical grading of dryness and glossiness. These clinical severities were also compared statistically with the CIELAB values.

Results

As with the green illuminator, the correlation analysis of whole sites showed that the L* value positively correlated with age (r = 0.18677, P < 0.05), and that the a* value has negative and positive relationships with age (r = −0.20528, P < 0.05) and glossiness (r = 0.20885, P < 0.05) respectively.

Conclusion

The correlations between CIELAB values and multiple characteristics of skin were more significant when green LED was applied than when white light was applied. In addition, coherent relationships between the grade of dryness and skin conductance values showed that visual assessment could be appropriate for the study as with objective measurement.
Arabinogalactan Glycosyltransferases Target to a Unique Subcellular Compartment That May Function in Unconventional Secretion in Plants
Authors: Poulsen Christian Peter , Dilokpimol Adiphol , Mouille Grégory , Burow Meike , Geshi Naomi
Published: July 2014

We report that fluorescently tagged arabinogalactan glycosyltransferases target not only the Golgi apparatus but also uncharacterized smaller compartments when transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Approximately 80% of AtGALT31A [Arabidopsis thaliana galactosyltransferase from family 31 (At1g32930)] was found in the small compartments, of which, 45 and 40% of AtGALT29A [Arabidopsis thaliana galactosyltransferase from family 29 (At1g08280)] and AtGlcAT14A [Arabidopsis thaliana glucuronosyltransferase from family 14 (At5g39990)] colocalized with AtGALT31A, respectively; in contrast, N‐glycosylation enzymes rarely colocalized (3–18%), implicating a role of the small compartments in a part of arabinogalactan (O‐glycan) biosynthesis rather than N‐glycan processing. The dual localization of AtGALT31A was also observed for fluorescently tagged AtGALT31A stably expressed in an Arabidopsis atgalt31a mutant background. Further, site‐directed mutagenesis of a phosphorylation site of AtGALT29A (Y144) increased the frequency of the protein being targeted to the AtGALT31A‐localized small compartments, suggesting a role of Y144 in subcellular targeting. The AtGALT31A localized to the small compartments were colocalized with neither SYP61 (syntaxin of plants 61), a marker for trans‐Golgi network (TGN), nor FM4‐64‐stained endosomes. However, 41% colocalized with EXO70E2 (Arabidopsis thaliana exocyst protein Exo70 homolog 2), a marker for exocyst‐positive organelles, and least affected by Brefeldin A and Wortmannin. Taken together, AtGALT31A localized to small compartments that are distinct from the Golgi apparatus, the SYP61‐localized TGN, FM4‐64‐stained endosomes and Wortmannin‐vacuolated prevacuolar compartments, but may be part of an unconventional protein secretory pathway represented by EXO70E2 in plants.
ULTRASONOGRAPHIC FEATURES OF UTERUS MASCULINUS IN SIX DOGS
Authors: Lim Chee Kin , Heng Hock Gan , Hui Timothy Y. , Thompson Craig A. , Childress Michael O. , Adams Larry G.
Published: July 2014

Uterus masculinus (persistent Mullerian duct) is a vestigial embryological remnant of the paramesonephric duct system in males and has been associated with clinical signs such as dysuria, incontinence, tenesmus and urethral obstruction in dogs. The radiological appearance of cystic uterus masculinus in dogs has been described previously with the aid of retrograde positive or negative contrast cystography. The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe ultrasonographic features of confirmed or presumed uterus masculinus in a group of dogs with confirmed or presumed disease. Ultrasonographic findings were recorded based on a consensus opinion of two readers. A uterus masculinus was defined as cylindrical when no lumen was observed and tubular when it had lumen that was filled with anechoic fluid. Six dogs met the inclusion criterion with a mean age of 8 years and 9 months. Uterus masculinus appeared as single (four dogs) or two (two dogs) horn‐like, tubular (four dogs) or cylindrical (two dogs) structures, originating from the craniodorsal aspect of the prostate gland and extending cranially. The walls of the uterus masculinus were isoechoic to the urinary bladder wall. The diameter of the observed uterus masculinus varied from 0.3 cm to 1 cm. The length of the uterus masculinus varied from 2 cm to 6.5 cm but the cranial terminal end was not identified in two dogs. Concomitant prostatomegaly was seen in five dogs (83.3%) and urinary tract infection was noted in three dogs (50%). Findings indicated that uterus masculinus should be included as a differential diagnosis for male dogs with these ultrasonographic characteristics.
Trading Safety Versus Performance: Rapid Deployment of Robotic Swarms With Robust Performance Constraints
Authors: Chow Yin-Lam , Pavone Marco , Sadler Brian M. , Carpin Stefano
Published: July 2014

In this paper, we consider a stochastic deployment problem, where a robotic swarm is tasked with the objective of positioning at least one robot at each of a set of pre-assigned targets while meeting a temporal deadline. Travel times and failure rates are stochastic but related, inasmuch as failure rates increase with speed. To maximize chances of success while meeting the deadline, a control strategy has therefore to balance safety and performance. Our approach is to cast the problem within the theory of constrained Markov decision processes (CMDPs), whereby we seek to compute policies that maximize the probability of successful deployment while ensuring that the expected duration of the task is bounded by a given deadline. To account for uncertainties in the problem parameters, we consider a robust formulation and we propose efficient solution algorithms, which are of independent interest. Numerical experiments confirming our theoretical results are presented and discussed.
Numerical Investigation of Channel Leak Geometry for Blast Overpressure Attenuation in a Muzzle Loaded Large Caliber Cannon
Authors: Carson R. A. , Sahni O.
Published: July 2014

This study examines the effect of channel leak geometry on blast overpressure attenuation in the rear of a muzzle-loaded large caliber cannon. Effects of three primary geometric parameters including leak volume as well as number and length of channels are studied. Reduction in blast overpressure, and thus peak overpressure, is most influenced by the leak volume; however, leak volume needs to be selected carefully to limit the loss in the projectile exit velocity. Modification of the channel height in the current range has a minimal effect on peak overpressure, but the number of channels can have a significant effect due to the constriction experienced by the leaking flow, thereby limiting the attenuation. Two channel lengths are considered where the longer channel length, is found to be more effective. The best configuration showed over 50% reduction in peak overpressure at all monitored locations with about 4.8% loss in the projectile exit velocity.