bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An enumeration to the orchids and their conservation status in greater Sylhet, Bangladesh
Authors: Islam M. M. , Huda M. K. , Halim M.
Published: June 2016

The present investigation deals with enumeration including diversity, ecology and conservation of the family Orchidaceae of greater Sylhet region of Bangladesh. Extensive field trips were made at 11 different sites of this region during early monsoon, late monsoon and winter seasons. Relevant literature and different herbaria were consulted to gather information about the orchids of this region. Orchidaceae is represented in greater Sylhet by 75 species under 49 genera. Out of these, 25 species are terrestrial, 48 are epiphytic, one is saprohytic and one is hemiepiphytic. Presence of 37 monotypic genera indicates a narrow diversity in Orchidaceae of this area. The present investigation revealed that 26 orchid species are restricted and distributed only in Sylhet region in Bangladesh. The currently accepted taxonomic nomenclature, synonyms, habit, flowering time, present conservation status and geographical distribution are provided under each taxon.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(1): 13-25, 2016 (June)
Floral anomalies in Calotropis procera (Aiton) Dryand  Natures Bizarre play
Authors: Srivastava Piush , Tripathi Vineeta , Mishra Dipak Kumar
Published: June 2016

Not available.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(1): 79-81, 2016 (June)
A new variety of Solanum americanum Mill. (Solanaceae), from Eastern Ghats, India
Authors: Murugan P. , Kalidass C. , Panda P. C.
Published: June 2016

Not available.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 23(1): 83-85, 2016 (June)
Aeromedical Hazard Comparison of FAA Medically Certified Third-Class and Medically Uncertified Pilots
Authors: Ricaurte Eduard M. , Mills William D. , DeJohn Charles A. , Laverde-Lopez Maria C. , Porras-Sanchez Daniel F.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND: Since 2004, in the United States, light sport aircraft (LSA) and some aircraft with standard airworthiness certificates can be operated for recreational purposes with a valid state driver’s license rather than a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-issued aeromedical
certificate. There have been recent efforts to allow operation of much larger, heavier, faster, and more complex aircraft without requiring a medical certificate. The primary objective of this research was to compare hazards to flight safety identified in fatally injured pilots required to
possess a valid FAA third-class medical certificate to hazards in fatally injured pilots who were not required to possess a valid medical certificate.METHODS: A search of all fatal U.S. aircraft accidents in the FAA Medical ANalysis and TRAcking (MANTRA) registry between January
1, 2011, and April 30, 2014, identified 1084 individuals. A review of accident pilots’ medical, autopsy, and toxicological data was conducted. After applying exclusion criteria, 467 pilots remained, including 403 medically certified and 64 medically uncertified pilots.RESULTS:
A significant difference was found in a surrogate measure for risk between medically certified and uncertified pilots (25% vs. 59%). This difference remained significant after adjustment for age. No significant difference was found in the proportions of hazards identified on toxicological
review.CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the risk of an adverse medical event is reduced in pilots required to possess a valid medical certificate.Ricaurte EM, Mills WD, DeJohn CA, Laverde-Lopez MC, Porras-Sanchez DF. Aeromedical hazard comparison of FAA
medically certified third-class and medically uncertified pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(7):618–621.
Neuromuscular Adaptations Following 90 Days Bed Rest With or Without Resistance Exercise
Authors: Alkner Björn A. , Norrbrand Lena , Tesch Per A.
Published: June 2016

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the effects of long-term bed rest with or without a concurrent resistance exercise protocol on different muscle function indices of the knee extensors and their influence on previously shown atrophy, neural impairment, and slow-to-fast phenotype
shift.METHODS: Nine men underwent 90 d of bed rest only (BR), while eight men in addition performed maximal supine squats every third day (BRE). Before and at day 1 and 5 following bed rest, surface quadriceps electromyographic (EMG) activity was measured during a sustained (60-s)
submaximal isometric action and rate of force development (RFD) was assessed during a maximal isometric action, both in the supine squat position. Maximal torque was measured during isokinetic knee extensions at different angular velocities before and after (day 2 and 11) bed rest.RESULTS:
EMG amplitude at a fixed submaximal load increased in BR, but not in BRE. The increase in amplitude during the sustained action was elevated in BR but not in BRE. RFD decreased in BR; this effect was attenuated day 1 and normalized day 5 in BRE. RFD expressed relative to maximal force was
maintained in both groups. Angle-specific torque decreased equally for all velocities in BR. The decrease in isokinetic strength was attenuated day 2 in BRE.DISCUSSION: Phenotype changes were not reflected in muscle function measurements, probably because they were overridden by
the effects of atrophy and neural adaptation. The protective effect of resistance exercise was more pronounced in tasks similar to the training action, inferring great impact of neural mechanisms.Alkner BA, Norrbrand L, Tesch PA. Neuromuscular adaptations following 90 days bed rest
with or without resistance exercise. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(7):610–617.
Sleep Disturbance in Female Flight Attendants and Teachers
Authors: Grajewski Barbara , Whelan Elizabeth A. , Nguyen Mimi M. , Kwan Lorna , Cole Roger J.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND: Flight attendants (FAs) may experience circadian disruption due to travel during normal sleep hours and through multiple time zones. This study investigated whether FAs are at higher risk for sleep disturbance compared to teachers, as assessed by questionnaire, diary,
and activity monitors.METHODS: Sleep/wake cycles of 45 FAs and 25 teachers were studied. For one menstrual cycle, participants wore an activity monitor and kept a daily diary. Sleep metrics included total sleep in the main sleep period (MSP), sleep efficiency (proportion of MSP
spent sleeping), and nocturnal sleep fraction (proportion of sleep between 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. home time). Relationships between sleep metrics and occupation were analyzed with mixed and generalized linear models.RESULTS: Both actigraph and diary data suggest that FAs sleep longer
than teachers. However, several actigraph indices of sleep disturbance indicated that FAs incurred significant impairment of sleep compared to teachers. FAs were more likely than teachers to have poor sleep efficiency [adjusted odds ratio (OR) for lowest quartile of sleep efficiency = 1.9,
95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.2 – 3.0] and to have a smaller proportion of their sleep between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. home time (adjusted OR for lowest quartile of nocturnal sleep fraction = 3.1, CI 1.1 -9.0).DISCUSSION: Study FAs experienced increased sleep disturbance compared
to teachers, which may indicate circadian disruption.Grajewski B, Whelan EA, Nguyen MM, Kwan L, Cole RJ. Sleep disturbance in female flight attendants and teachers. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(7)638–645.
Demographic, Lifestyle Factors, and Reasons for Use of Dietary Supplements by Air Force Personnel
Authors: Austin Krista G. , Price Lori Lyn , McGraw Susan M. , Leahy Guy , Lieberman Harris R.
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplement (DS) use is common among U.S. Army personnel to purportedly improve health, provide energy, and increase strength. However, a comprehensive analysis of DS use among U.S. Air Force (USAF) personnel has not been conducted using the same survey instrument,
which would permit direct comparisons to DS use by Army personnel.METHODS: A standardized questionnaire was used to assess DS use, demographic factors, and reasons for use of DS by USAF personnel (N = 1750). Logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, and rank were
used to determine relationships among categories of DS (multivitamin and multimineral, individual vitamins and minerals, protein/amino acid supplements, combination products, herbal supplements, purported steroid analogs, and other) and demographic factors. Findings were compared to reports
from other military services and civilian populations.RESULTS: DS were used by 68% of USAF personnel: 35% used 1–2 DS ≥ 1 time/wk, 13% 3–4 DS ≥ 1 time/wk, and 20% ≥ 5 DS ≥ 1 time/wk. There were 45% of personnel who used a multivitamin and mineral, 33% protein
supplements, 22% individual vitamins/minerals, 22% combination products, and 7% herbals. Logistic regression demonstrated aerobic exercise duration and strength training were associated with increased DS use. Individuals who previously deployed were more likely to use DS.CONCLUSIONS:
Like Army personnel, college students and athletes, USAF personnel use more DS than the general population and are more likely to use purported performance enhancing DS, such as protein supplements, and concurrently consume multiple DS.Austin KG, Price LL, McGraw SM, Leahy G, Lieberman
HR. Demographic, lifestyle factors, and reasons for use of dietary supplements by Air Force personnel. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(7):628–637.
Cognitive Performance Effects of Bilastine 20 mg During 6 Hours at 8000 ft Cabin Altitude
Authors: Valk Pierre J. L. , Simons Ries , Jetten Andrea M. , Valiente Román , Labeaga Luis
Published: June 2016

INTRODUCTION: Bilastine is a new oral, second generation antihistamine used in the symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and urticaria. It is considered a nonsedating antihistamine and might be recommended for use in pilots, pending research on the effects on
flying-related performance under hypobaric conditions that prevail in an airliner. We assessed the effects of a single dose of bilastine 20 mg on alertness and complex task performance of healthy volunteers in a hypobaric chamber at 75.2 kPa (8000 ft/2438 m cabin altitude).METHODS:
In a randomized, double-blind, crossover study, 24 volunteers received a single dose of bilastine 20 mg, hydroxyzine 50 mg (active control), and placebo. Using the Vigilance and Tracking Task, Multi-Attribute Task Battery, and Stanford Sleepiness Scale, assessments were made before and up
to 6 h after intake of the study medication.RESULTS: Bilastine 20 mg had no impairing effects on sleepiness levels, vigilance, or complex task performance for up to 6 h post-dose. Hydroxyzine 50 mg (active control) was associated with significant sleepiness and impaired performance
across this time period, confirming the sensitivity of the tests.CONCLUSION: Bilastine 20 mg did not cause sleepiness or impaired performance on tasks related to flying. It is anticipated that a single dose of bilastine 20 mg will not affect flying performance. Bilastine may provide
a safe therapeutic alternative for pilots suffering from allergic rhinitis or urticaria. Our findings might also have implications for the treatment of allergic disorders of personnel involved in other safety-sensitive jobs.Valk PJL, Simons R, Jetten AM, Valiente R, Labeaga L. Cognitive
performance effects of bilastine 20 mg during 6 hours at 8000 ft cabin altitude. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(7):622–627.
Use of Gene Expression Biomarkers to Predict Suicidality
Authors: Simons Ries
Published: June 2016

Since the tragic accident of Germanwings flight 4U9525, there has been discussion about methods to identify and prevent suicidality in pilots. Neurogenetic scientists claim that biomarker tests for suicidality as part of healthcare assessments may lead to early identification of suicidal
behavior. In this commentary the value of these gene expression biomarkers for aeromedical purposes is evaluated based on relevant literature. It is concluded that the currently identified biomarkers for suicidality need thorough validation before they can be used. The aeromedical examiner’s
most important tool is still an anamnesis, in which warning signs of suicidal behavior can be picked up.Simons R. Use of gene expression biomarkers to predict suicidality. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(7):659–660.
UK/European Co-productions: The Case of Ken Loach
Authors: Jones Huw David
Published: June 2016

Ken Loach stands out as one of the few British directors whose films are regularly co-produced with European partners. Of the nineteen films he has directed since 1990, fourteen have been UK/continental European co-productions. This article draws on interviews with Loach's long-term producer Rebecca O'Brien, content analysis of his films and the statistical analysis of box-office data to examine how and why Loach came to work with continental European co-production partners and how these partnerships have affected the cultural identity of his films and their box-office performance. It argues that while some of Loach's co-production partnerships were initiated for creative reasons, most have proceeded on a ‘finance-only’ basis, whereby the partners have had very little creative input into his films. Co-production has therefore allowed Loach to continue making ‘culturally British’ films without the creative interference which often comes with this mode of film-making. This creative freedom has been vital in terms of maintaining Loach's reputation as one of Europe's leading auteurs and attracting the attention of film festivals like Cannes and Berlin, which in turn has played a key role in the marketing of his films and increasing their admissions in key continental European territories. Co-production has also boosted the performance and circulation of Loach's films in mainland Europe by making it easier to access EU MEDIA distribution support. These findings not only offer new insights into Loach's films in terms of their production, content and reception, but also contribute to wider debates surrounding co-production and transnational cinema.
BBC4 Biopics: Lessons in Trashy Respectability
Authors: Andrews Hannah
Published: June 2016

Between its launch in March 2002 and 2013, BBC4, the BBC's niche arts and culture digital channel, broadcast a cycle of biographical dramas, largely about the unhappy personal lives of British cultural and political icons of the twentieth century. Alongside stylish continental European drama imports, world cinema and documentary programmes, biopics became a key marker of the BBC4 brand and its dominant home-grown dramatic output. In scholarly work on television biopics to date, the genre has been seen as akin to tabloid newspapers, conceived as a trashy cultural form that reduces the importance and seriousness of biographical narrative. However, in recent years biographical drama has been used by upmarket television brands like HBO, Showtime or, indeed, the BBC as a mark of distinction and respectability. This article analyses this dynamic in relation to BBC biopics, exploring how a specific dramatic genre is used to reinforce the brand image of a niche digital channel. It focuses not only on the benefits of such material for attracting both within and beyond the channel's intended demographic, but also on certain of the ethical and legal challenges intrinsic to a genre that exploits the personal stories of real people.
Prunes and Posses: Individuation and Team Cohesion inSilent Witness
Authors: Khorikian Anousch
Published: June 2016

Silent Witness (BBC, 1996–) is a long-running and successful forensic crime drama. Although academic attention to the series has thus far focused on the iconic original protagonist Sam Ryan (Amanda Burton), an intriguing period featuring a team of three protagonists followed her departure in 2004. This article analyses this ‘team era’ of Silent Witness, suggesting that these later series can use their new team dynamics to dramatise a tension between individualism and communality. Until 2012, Silent Witness developed this team's bond, yet also occasionally created tension between an individual protagonist and the team – disrupting the latter's normative cohesion. To demonstrate this, this article provides a close analysis of character interaction in the team era episode ‘Body of Work’ (2006, series 10, episodes 5 and 6). While describing the patterns of individuation and team cohesion found therein, it also explores their connection to innovations in aesthetics and cumulative narration and to a wider cultural tension in popular neo-liberal thought. The article then indicates how such innovations have affected the series’ potential ideological significance and suggests wider applications of this approach for other post-millennial British television crime teams.
The Tripods: Distinction, Science Fiction and the BBC
Authors: Sexton Max
Published: June 2016

This article focuses on how mode and genre shaped the formal and narrative possibilities in The Tripods (BBC, 1984–5). It explores how the first and second series are substantially different from each other and offers an approach that attempts to explain the complex ways in which generic boundaries are made to operate within television. Such an approach can offer insight into how modifications in mode were a desire to replace an existing but ailing show, Doctor Who (BBC, 1963–) with one that would be successful because it fitted the existing industrial model of televisual flow. However, The Tripods ultimately failed because it deployed a strategy of visual distinction in contravention of the prevailing industrial televisual model. The regulation of form can be shown to be historically specific on British television, and the article examines assumptions regarding the fluidity of genre in this particular medium. The modification of The Tripods from an adventure show that addressed a general television audience to one that specifically addressed fans of science fiction demonstrates how shifts in genre can be linked to wider arguments about the increased complexity of the television image and a strategy of visual distinction as an example of the ‘era of availability’ on British television. Finally, a discussion of genre demonstrates the tensions between stability and uncertainty in an extensive cultural form such as television, and how the modality of genre is made complex by bringing together the social and the technological.
A Study on a Linear Magnetic-Geared Interior Permanent Magnet Generator for Direct-Drive Wave Energy Conversion
Authors: Feng Ningjun , Yu Haitao , Hu Minqiang , Liu Chunyuan , Huang Lei , Shi Zhenchuan
Published: June 2016

The conventional linear permanent magnet generator (CLPMG) for direct-drive wave energy conversion (WEC) has experienced many drawbacks that are difficult to overcome such as low power density and bulky system volume. To improve power density, this paper proposes a linear magnetic-geared interior permanent magnet generator (LMGIPMG) with tubular topology, which artfully incorporates a linear magnetic gear into a linear permanent magnet generator. The operating principle of the LMGIPMG is introduced, and a detailed analysis of air gap flux density, thrust force characteristics, and no-load and load performances are presented and discussed by using finite element method. The CLPMG, which produces the same power as the LMGIPMG, has about four times the volume of the latter. A prototype CLPMG is manufactured to verify simulation results against experimental tests. The design method and the operation conditions of LMGIPMG and CLPMG are both consistent; thus, the performance of LMGIPMG meets the operation requirements of the direct-drive WEC.
Toxicological Evaluation of Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan in Vitro and in Vivo
Authors: Hwang Pai-An , Yan Ming-De , Lin Hong-Ting , Li Kuan-Lun , Lin Yen-Chang
Published: June 2016

For a long time, fucoidan has been well known for its pharmacological activities, and recently low molecular weight fucoidan (LMF) has been used in food supplements and pharmaceutical products. In the present study, LMF was extracted from Laminaria japonica by enzyme hydrolysis. The toxicity of LMF in mouse and rat models was determined by many methods, such as total arsenic content, bacterial reverse mutation assay, chromosome aberration assay, and in vivo micronucleus assay. The present findings showed that LMF at 5000 μg/mL exhibited no mutagenicity. It also produced no formatting disruption of red blood cells in vivo. At 2000 mg/kg BW/day there were no toxicological indications. LMF is expected to be used as a safe food supplement.
Novel Action of Carotenoids on Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Macrophage Polarization and Liver Homeostasis
Authors: Ni Yinhua , Zhuge Fen , Nagashimada Mayumi , Ota Tsuguhito
Published: June 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. It is characterized by a wide spectrum of hepatic changes, which may progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. NAFLD is considered a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome; however, mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of NAFLD are still unclear. Resident and recruited macrophages are key players in the homeostatic function of the liver and in the progression of NAFLD to NASH. Progress has been made in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the polarized activation of macrophages. New NAFLD therapies will likely involve modification of macrophage polarization by restraining M1 activation or driving M2 activation. Carotenoids are potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory micronutrients that have been used to prevent and treat NAFLD. In addition to their antioxidative action, carotenoids can regulate macrophage polarization and thereby halt the progression of NASH. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of macrophage polarization and the function of liver macrophages/Kupffer cells in NAFLD. From our review, we propose that dietary carotenoids, such as β-cryptoxanthin and astaxanthin, be used to prevent or treat NAFLD through the regulation of macrophage polarization and liver homeostasis.
Four National Maps of Broad Forest Type Provide Inconsistent Answers to the Question of What Burns in Canada
Authors: Castilla Guillermo , Rodrigue Sebastien , Skakun Rob , Hall Ron
Published: June 2016

Wildfires are burning increasingly extensive areas of forest in Canada, reducing their capacity as carbon sinks. Here we compare the answers that four independent land cover datasets, produced from different satellite images (SPOT, Landsat, and MODIS), provide for the question of what burned in Canada in recent years. We harmonized the different datasets into a common, simpler legend consisting of three classes of forest (needle-leaf, broadleaf, and mixed) plus non-forest, and resampled them to a common pixel size (250 m). Then we used annual maps of burned area to count, for each map and year from 2011 to 2014, the number of burned pixels of each class, and we tabulated them by terrestrial ecozone and Canada-wide. While all four maps agree that needle-leaf forest is the most frequently burned class in Canada, there is great disparity in the results from each map regarding the proportion of burned area that each class represents. Proportions reported by one map can be more than double those reported by another map, and more than four times at the ecozone level. We discuss the various factors that can explain the observed discrepancies and conclude that none of the maps provides a sufficiently accurate answer for applications such as carbon accounting. There is a need for better information in areas lacking forest inventory, especially in the vast unmanaged forest of Canada.
Remote Sensing Measures Restoration Successes, but Canopy Heights Lag in Restoring Floodplain Vegetation
Authors: Dawson Samantha , Fisher Adrian , Lucas Richard , Hutchinson David , Berney Peter , Keith David , Catford Jane , Kingsford Richard
Published: June 2016

Wetlands worldwide are becoming increasingly degraded, and this has motivated many attempts to manage and restore wetland ecosystems. Restoration actions require a large resource investment, so it is critical to measure the outcomes of these management actions. We evaluated the restoration of floodplain wetland vegetation across a chronosequence of land uses, using remote sensing analyses. We compared the Landsat-based fractional cover of restoration areas with river red gum and lignum reference communities, which functioned as a fixed target for restoration, over three time periods: (i) before agricultural land use (1987–1997); (ii) during the peak of agricultural development (2004–2007); and (iii) post-restoration of flooding (2010–2015). We also developed LiDAR-derived canopy height models (CHMs) for comparison over the second and third time periods. Inundation was crucial for restoration, with many fields showing little sign of similarity to target vegetation until after inundation, even if agricultural land uses had ceased. Fields cleared or cultivated for only one year had greater restoration success compared to areas cultivated for three or more years. Canopy height increased most in the fields that were cleared and cultivated for a short duration, in contrast to those cultivated for >12 years, which showed few signs of recovery. Restoration was most successful in fields with a short development duration after the intervention, but resulting dense monotypic stands of river cooba require future monitoring and possibly intervention to prevent sustained dominance. Fields with intensive land use histories may need to be managed as alternative, drier flood-dependent vegetation communities, such as black box (Eucalyptus largiflorens) grasslands. Remotely-sensed data provided a powerful measurement technique for tracking restoration success over a large floodplain.
Closed-Loop Supply Chain Planning Model for a Photovoltaic System Manufacturer with Internal and External Recycling
Authors: Kim Songi , Jeong Bongju
Published: June 2016

The photovoltaic (PV) generation system has been widely used since the late 1990s. Considering its lifespan of 20 to 30 years, many end-of-life systems will emerge in the near future. This is why recycling PV systems will be beneficial (and may even be detrimental) to both the environment and the economy. Through the recycling process, hazardous by-product substances such as cadmium and lead can be treated properly. Moreover, valuable materials including indium, gallium, and tellurium can be extracted and reused for manufacturing purposes. Even though many studies have dealt with issues related to the PV system and its recycling policy, they lack significant factors regarding the recycling policy. This study analyzes and compares three real cases of manufacturer’s recycling policy, including Deutsche Solar, First Solar, and PV Cycle, from the perspective of a closed-loop supply chain. Two mathematical models are developed to help PV system manufacturers establish supply chain planning and choose suitable recycling policies in consideration of different circumstances. Furthermore, an experimental example of these models will be used to validate and conclude the significance of the models. The results from this study will show that recycling CdTe PV systems is much more efficient than recycling c-Si PV systems and that, in the case of c-Si, it is better to outsource recycling end-of-life systems and dispose of all manufacturing scrap.
Impact on Water Quality of Nandoni Water Reservoir Downstream of Municipal Sewage Plants in Vhembe District, South Africa
Authors: Gumbo Jabulani , Dzaga Ratshilumela , Nethengwe Nthaduleni
Published: June 2016

The deterioration of water quality in our freshwater sources is on the increase worldwide and, in South Africa, mostly due to the discharge of municipal sewage effluent. Here we report on the use of principal component analysis, coupled with factor and cluster analysis, to study the similarities and differences between upstream and downstream sampling sites that are downstream of municipal sewage plants. The contribution of climatic variables, air temperature, humidity, and rainfall were also evaluated with respect to variations in water quality at the sampling sites. The physicochemical and microbial values were higher than the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The cluster analysis showed the presence of two clusters for each of the Mvudi, Dzindi, and Luvuvhu Rivers and Nandoni reservoir sampling sites. The principal component analysis (PCA) accounted for 40% of the water quality variation and was associated strongly with pH, electrical conductivity, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bromide, nitrate, and total coliform, and negatively with rainfall, which represented Mvudi downstream and was attributed to the Thohoyandou sewage plant. The PCA accounted for 54% of the variation and was associated strongly with electrical conductivity, sulfate; total dissolved solids, fluoride, turbidity, nitrate, manganese, alkalinity, magnesium, and total coliform represented Dzindi downstream, with inflows from the Vuwani sewage plant and agriculture. The PCA accounted for 30% of the variation and was associated strongly with total dissolved solids, electrical conductivity, magnesium, fluoride, nitrate, sulfate, total coliform average air temperature, and total rainfall, and negatively associated with manganese and bromide represented Luvuvhu upstream and was associated with commercial agriculture. The PCA accounted for 21% of the variation and was associated strongly with turbidity, alkalinity, magnesium, chloride, fluoride, nitrate, and strongly negatively associated with rainfall, which represented Luvuvhu downstream, associated with inflows from Vuwani oxidation ponds, Elim and Waterval sewage plants, and agriculture. The PCA accounted for 14% of the variation and was moderately associated with rainfall and weakly associated with chloride and bromide and negatively associated with nitrate, which represented the natural Nandoni reservoir system. The continued discharge of effluent may render the raw water supply unsuitable for human consumption and lead to eutrophication due to nitrate enrichment and proliferation of harmful algal blooms and schistomiasis infections in the long term.
Cooperative Activity of GABP with PU.1 or C/EBPε Regulates Lamin B Receptor Gene Expression, Implicating Their Roles in Granulocyte Nuclear Maturation
Authors: Malu Krishnakumar , Garhwal Rahul , Pelletier Margery G. H. , Gotur Deepali , Halene Stephanie , Zwerger Monika , Yang Zhong-Fa , Rosmarin Alan G. , Gaines Peter
Published: June 2016

Nuclear segmentation is a hallmark feature of mammalian neutrophil differentiation, but the mechanisms that control this process are poorly understood. Gene expression in maturing neutrophils requires combinatorial actions of lineage-restricted and more widely expressed transcriptional regulators. Examples include interactions of the widely expressed ETS transcription factor, GA-binding protein (GABP), with the relatively lineage-restricted E-twenty-six (ETS) factor, PU.1, and with CCAAT enhancer binding proteins, C/EBPα and C/EBPε. Whether such cooperative interactions between these transcription factors also regulate the expression of genes encoding proteins that control nuclear segmentation is unclear. We investigated the roles of ETS and C/EBP family transcription factors in regulating the gene encoding the lamin B receptor (LBR), an inner nuclear membrane protein whose expression is required for neutrophil nuclear segmentation. Although C/EBPε was previously shown to bind the Lbr promoter, surprisingly, we found that neutrophils derived from Cebpe null mice exhibited normal Lbr gene and protein expression. Instead, GABP provided transcriptional activation through the Lbr promoter in the absence of C/EBPε, and activities supported by GABP were greatly enhanced by either C/EBPε or PU.1. Both GABP and PU.1 bound Ets sites in the Lbr promoter in vitro, and in vivo within both early myeloid progenitors and differentiating neutrophils. These findings demonstrate that GABP, PU.1, and C/EBPε cooperate to control transcription of the gene encoding LBR, a nuclear envelope protein that is required for the characteristic lobulated morphology of mature neutrophils.
Alternative Splice Transcripts for MHC Class I–like MICA Encode Novel NKG2D Ligands with Agonist or Antagonist Functions
Authors: Gavlovsky Pierre-Jean , Tonnerre Pierre , Gérard Nathalie , Nedellec Steven , Daman Andrew W. , McFarland Benjamin J. , Charreau Béatrice
Published: June 2016

MHC class I chain–related proteins A and B (MICA and MICB) and UL16-binding proteins are ligands of the activating NKG2D receptor involved in cancer and immune surveillance of infection. Structurally, MICA/B proteins contain an α3 domain, whereas UL16-binding proteins do not. We identified novel alternative splice transcripts for MICA encoding five novel MICA isoforms: MICA-A, -B1, -B2, -C, and -D. Alternative splicing associates with MICA*015 and *017 and results from a point deletion (G) in the 5′ splice donor site of MICA intron 4 leading to exon 3 and exon 4 skipping and/or deletions. These changes delete the α3 domain in all isoforms, and the α2 domain in the majority of isoforms (A, B1, C, and D). Endothelial and hematopoietic cells contained endogenous alternative splice transcripts and isoforms. MICA-B1, -B2, and -D bound NKG2D by surface plasmon resonance and were expressed at the cell surface. Functionally, MICA-B2 contains two extracellular domains (α1 and α2) and is a novel potent agonist ligand for NKG2D. We found that MICA-D is a new truncated form of MICA with weak affinity for NKG2D despite lacking α2 and α3 domains. MICA-D may functionally impair NKG2D activation by competing with full-length MICA or MICA-B2 for NKG2D engagement. Our study established NKG2D binding for recombinant MICA-B1 but found no function for this isoform. New truncated MICA isoforms exhibit a range of functions that may drive unexpected immune mechanisms and provide new tools for immunotherapy.
Extensive Allelic Diversity of MHC Class I in Wild Mallard Ducks
Authors: Fleming-Canepa Ximena , Jensen Shawna M. , Mesa Christine M. , Diaz-Satizabal Laura , Roth Alexa J. , Parks-Dely Julie A. , Moon Debra A. , Wong Janet P. , Evseev Danyel , Gossen Desolie A. , Tetrault David G. , Magor Katharine E.
Published: June 2016

MHC class I is critically involved in defense against viruses, and diversity from polygeny and polymorphism contributes to the breadth of the immune response and health of the population. In this article, we examine MHC class I diversity in wild mallard ducks, the natural host and reservoir of influenza A viruses. We previously showed domestic ducks predominantly use UAA, one of five MHC class I genes, but whether biased expression is also true for wild mallards is unknown. Using RT-PCR from blood, we examined expressed MHC class I alleles from 38 wild mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and identified 61 unique alleles, typically 1 or 2 expressed alleles in each individual. To determine whether expressed alleles correspond to UAA adjacent to TAP2 as in domestic ducks, we cloned and sequenced genomic UAA-TAP2 fragments from all mallards, which matched transcripts recovered and allowed us to assign most alleles as UAA. Allelic differences are primarily located in α1 and α2 domains in the residues known to interact with peptide in mammalian MHC class I, suggesting the diversity is functional. Most UAA alleles have unique residues in the cleft predicting distinct specificity; however, six alleles have an unusual conserved cleft with two cysteine residues. Residues that influence peptide-loading properties and tapasin involvement in chicken are fixed in duck alleles and suggest tapasin independence. Biased expression of one MHC class I gene may make viral escape within an individual easy, but high diversity in the population places continual pressure on the virus in the reservoir species.
Constitutive CD40 Signaling Calibrates Differentiation Outcomes in Responding B Cells via Multiple Molecular Pathways
Authors: Basu Srijani , Kaw Sheetal , D’Souza Lucas , Vaidya Tushar , Bal Vineeta , Rath Satyajit , George Anna
Published: June 2016

CD40 signaling during B cell activation is known to inhibit terminal differentiation and promote memory generation. Blimp-1 is essential for efficient plasma cell (PC) generation, and although CD40 signaling is known to inhibit Blimp-1 induction during B cell activation, the mechanisms involved have been unclear. We report that CD40 signaling induces miR-125b that targets Blimp-1 transcripts, and increases amounts of the ubiquitin ligase Hrd1 that targets BLIMP-1 protein for proteasomal degradation. CD40 signaling also inhibits the early unfolded protein response (UPR) of activated B cells that precedes the induction of terminal differentiation, and Hrd1 feeds into this pathway by targeting the core UPR component IRE-1α. Strikingly, CD40 signaling in the absence of BCR- or TLR-ligation also repressed Blimp-1 transcripts, suggesting that noncognate ligation of CD40 via T–B interactions may repress Blimp-1 in vivo. In support of this, we find that naive B cells purified from CD40–CD154 interaction–deficient mice express higher amounts of Blimp-1 and lower amounts of microRNAs and Hrd1. Higher basal amounts of Blimp-1 in naive CD40−/− B cells correlate with an increased tendency of the cells to undergo terminal differentiation upon LPS stimulation. Conversely, a 24-h exposure to CD40 ligation during LPS stimulation of wild-type B cells is sufficient to inhibit PC generation. The data show that CD40-mediated inhibition of PC generation is via engagement of multiple pathways that involve repression of Blimp-1 and inhibition of the UPR that prepares cells to become professional secretors. They also show that constitutive CD40 signaling in vivo involving bystander T–B interactions can calibrate B cell differentiation outcomes.
A Cytokine-Independent Approach To Identify Antigen-Specific Human Germinal Center T Follicular Helper Cells and Rare Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cells in Blood
Authors: Dan Jennifer M. , Lindestam Arlehamn Cecilia S. , Weiskopf Daniela , da Silva Antunes Ricardo , Havenar-Daughton Colin , Reiss Samantha M. , Brigger Matthew , Bothwell Marcella , Sette Alessandro , Crotty Shane
Published: June 2016

Detection of Ag-specific CD4+ T cells is central to the study of many human infectious diseases, vaccines, and autoimmune diseases. However, such cells are generally rare and heterogeneous in their cytokine profiles. Identification of Ag-specific germinal center (GC) T follicular helper (Tfh) cells by cytokine production has been particularly problematic. The function of a GC Tfh cell is to selectively help adjacent GC B cells via cognate interaction; thus, GC Tfh cells may be stingy cytokine producers, fundamentally different from Th1 or Th17 cells in the quantities of cytokines produced. Conventional identification of Ag-specific cells by intracellular cytokine staining relies on the ability of the CD4+ T cell to generate substantial amounts of cytokine. To address this problem, we have developed a cytokine-independent activation-induced marker (AIM) methodology to identify Ag-specific GC Tfh cells in human lymphoid tissue. Whereas Group A Streptococcus–specific GC Tfh cells produced minimal detectable cytokines by intracellular cytokine staining, the AIM method identified 85-fold more Ag-specific GC Tfh cells. Intriguingly, these GC Tfh cells consistently expressed programmed death ligand 1 upon activation. AIM also detected non-Tfh cells in lymphoid tissue. As such, we applied AIM for identification of rare Ag-specific CD4+ T cells in human peripheral blood. Dengue, tuberculosis, and pertussis vaccine–specific CD4+ T cells were readily detectable by AIM. In summary, cytokine assays missed 98% of Ag-specific human GC Tfh cells, reflecting the biology of these cells, which could instead be sensitively identified by coexpression of TCR-dependent activation markers.
Avaliação bacteriológica e físico-química de águas de irrigação, solo e alface (Lactuca sativa L.)
Authors: Scherer Karine , Granada Camille Eichelberger , Stülp Simone , Sperotto Raul Antonio
Published: June 2016

A contaminação de hortaliças por micro-organismos patogênicos está diretamente relacionada com a qualidade das águas de irrigação utilizadas na agricultura e com o solo onde se encontram. Com o objetivo de se verificar as condições empregadas na produção de alface (Lactuca sativa L.) em três pequenas propriedades do interior do Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil), foram avaliadas a condição físico-química das águas de irrigação, e a condição microbiológica das águas, solo e folhas de alface. As análises bacteriológicas das águas de irrigação, hortaliças e do solo foram realizadas usando a técnica dos tubos múltiplos ou por contagem em placa, e levou em conta os coliformes totais, coliformes termotolerantes, e presença ou ausência de Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. e Listeria sp.. As análises físico químicas realizadas nas águas de irrigação foram pH, turbidez, oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, carbono orgânico total e nitrogênio total. As análises bacteriológicas nas águas de irrigação indicaram a ausência de Salmonella sp. e Listeria sp.. Entretanto, foi detectada a presença de E. coli e valores acima do permitido pela legislação para coliformes termotolerantes. Desta forma, estas águas se encontram fora dos padrões estabelecidos pela Resolução CONAMA n° 357. A pesquisa também mostrou a presença de E. coli, Salmonella sp. e Listeria sp. nas hortaliças irrigadas, sugerindo que a fonte de contaminação por Salmonella sp. e Listeria sp. deve ser a partir do solo, e não a partir da água de irrigação. Os dados físico-químicos mostraram que apenas uma das propriedades analisadas apresentou todos os parâmetros adequados, segundo a legislação vigente para águas doces de classe 1. Portanto, apenas uma das propriedades apresentou condições físico químicas para ser utilizada na irrigação de alface, embora nenhuma tenha apresentado condições higiênico-sanitárias para tal uso.
Índice de qualidade das águas e balneabilidade no Riacho da Bica, Portalegre, RN, Brasil
Authors: Medeiros Samylle Ruana Marinho de , Carvalho Rodrigo Guimarães de , Souza Luiz di , Barbosa Antônio Helton da Silva
Published: June 2016

A qualidade das águas é caracterizada por parâmetros físicos, químicos e microbiológicos, os quais são submetidos constantemente a interferências de ordem natural, do próprio ecossistema, e de ordem antrópica, advindas das atividades de uso e ocupação do solo. No Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil, a melhoria da qualidade das águas exige atenção, tendo em vista que a região perde parte significativa de suas águas pelas altas taxas de evaporação. A cidade de Portalegre apresenta um conjunto paisagístico formado por nascentes perenes, brejos de altitude e cachoeiras. Considerando as características do local, este trabalho caracterizou a qualidade hídrica do Riacho da Bica que percorre a área de microbacia que se encontra na vertente norte do município e é bastante procurado para fins de recreação de contato primário. O objetivo da pesquisa foi a análise do Índice de Qualidade das Águas (IQA) em três pontos do Riacho da Bica e a análise da balneabilidade na Cachoeira do Pinga, frequentemente usada por banhistas. Os resultados mostram que a qualidade das águas é melhor na nascente do Riacho da Bica em que o IQA foi classificado como “regular”. Os demais pontos do riacho foram classificados como “ruim”. A balneabilidade das águas da Cachoeira do Pinga foi classificada como excelente.
Classificação de estratos florestais utilizando redes neurais artificiais e dados de sensoriamento remoto
Authors: Gonçalves Wanderson Gonçalves e , Ribeiro Hebe Morganne Campos , Sá José Alberto Silva de , Morales Gundisalvo Piratoba , Filho Hélio Raymundo Ferreira , Almeida Arthur Da Costa
Published: June 2016

O presente estudo objetivou a classificação de tipologias florestais por meio de redes neurais artificiais utilizando dados provenientes de um inventário florestal, fornecido pelo Instituto de Desenvolvimento Florestal e da Biodiversidade do Estado do Pará (IDEFLOR-BIO), e das bandas 3, 4 e 5 do TM do satélite Landsat 5. As informações provenientes das imagens de satélite foram extraídas por meio do aplicativo QGIS 2.8.1 Wien e utilizadas no banco de dados para o treinamento das redes neurais pertencentes às ferramentas do software MATLAB® R2011b. Foram treinadas redes neurais como classificadores de dois tipos florestais: Floresta Ombrófila Densa de Terras baixas Dossel emergente (Dbe) e Floresta Ombrófila Densa Terras baixas Dossel emergente mais Aberta com palmeiras (Dbe + Abp) no conjunto de glebas estaduais Mamuru Arapiuns, Pará, e avaliadas usando os indicadores matriz de confusão, cálculo de acurácia global, coeficiente Kappa e o gráfico de características do receptor operacional (ROC). O melhor resultado de classificação foi obtido por meio da rede neural probabilística de função de base radial (RBF) “newpnn”, com uma acurácia global de 88%, e coeficiente Kappa de 76%, sendo avaliado como um classificador muito bom, evidenciando a aplicação dessa metodologia na análise de áreas com potencial para prestar serviços ecossistêmicos e, principalmente, na prestação de serviços ambientais em áreas antrópicas que adotam sistema de produção agropecuária com baixa emissão de carbono na Amazônia.
Estrutura da vegetação herbácea em paisagens ciliares no sul de Santa Catarina, Brasil
Authors: Guislon Aline Votri , Ceron Karoline , Elias Guilherme Alves , Santos Robson , Citadini-Zanette Vanilde
Published: June 2016

As características estruturais e ecológicas da vegetação herbácea fazem com que ela seja sensível às alterações do ambiente, atuando como indicador da qualidade ambiental. No entanto, o estudo dessa comunidade ainda é incipiente em regiões neotropicais. Este estudo descreve a florística e os aspectos fitossociológicos da vegetação herbácea terrícola na mata ciliar de sete rios, no município de Urussanga, sul do estado de Santa Catarina, além de analisar e quantificar o status do conhecimento científico relacionado às herbáceas terrícolas no Brasil. Foram levantadas 320 unidades amostrais de 4 m², nas quais todos os indivíduos foram identificados e dados relacionados aos parâmetros fitossociológicos foram coletados. A amostragem resultou em 58 táxons, 38 pertencentes às angiospermas e 20 às samambaias, distribuídos em 25 famílias botânicas. Poaceae apresentou maior riqueza, com 11 espécies. Estruturalmente, destacaram-se Goeppertia monophylla (Vell.) Borchs. e S. Suárez, Blechnum brasiliense Desv. e Heliconia farinosa Raddi. A forma de vida mais frequente foi a hemicriptófita reptante. Os resultados revelam uma elevada riqueza de herbáceas terrícolas adaptadas às condições climáticas das matas ciliares, contribuindo para a diversidade da flora regional. Quanto à produção científica, foram encontrados 50 trabalhos indexados nas bases de dados eletrônicas (1990 a 2015), com destaque ao ano de 2011, que teve maior produção científica enfocando as herbáceas terrícolas. Embora com baixo número, a quantidade de indexações tende a crescer, em virtude do avanço da tecnologia de acesso às bases de dados e pela crescente adesão de periódicos em portais de busca.