bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passenger acceptance of counter‐terrorism security measures in stations
Authors: Carter Emma , Paragreen Jonathan , Valfrè Guilio , Fletcher David
Published: September 2015

Terrorist attacks pose a serious threat to the EU, particularly in public transport (PT) hubs such as railway stations due to their level of accessibility and where the individual passenger security screening methods used in airports are impractical. Consequently, methods of increasing station resilience against terrorist attacks in Europe have been explored as part of the recent SecureStation project. To support this work, PT passengers from across Europe were surveyed to gauge their opinion on current counter‐terrorism security measures in stations and the acceptability and perceived effectiveness of potential security enhancements. The results, from a total sample of 489 respondents, provide indications of passenger priorities, their opinions of current station security, the acceptability of different security measures and the degree to which they increase feelings of safety. The results, together with summaries of similar studies, give an overview of passenger acceptance of various counter‐terrorism security measures and point to areas for further research.
Winding‐centre‐tapped switched reluctance motor drive for multi‐source charging in electric vehicle applications
Authors: Hu Yihua , Gan Chun , Hu Sideng , Cao Wenping , Wang Xiaoming , Finney Stephen
Published: September 2015

Switched reluctance motors (SRMs) can provide an attractive traction drive for electric vehicle applications. To lower the investment in the off‐board charging station facilities, a multi‐functional switched reluctance motor topology is proposed on the basis of the traditional asymmetrical half‐bridge converter. The SRM phase windings are employed as input filter inductors and centre‐tapped windings are also developed to form symmetrical inductors for three‐phase grid supply. Owing to the varying rotor position, phase inductors are unequal between one another. A hysteresis control scheme is therefore developed for grid‐connection operation. In addition to AC supplies, the proposed topology can also supports the DC‐source charging. A new current sharing strategy is employed to diminish the influence of the unequal winding inductances. The simulation and experimental tests are carried out to verify the proposed topology and control methods. Since this work eliminates the need for building charging station infrastructure, its potential economic impact on the automotive market can be significant.
Discrimination of active false targets in multistatic radar using spatial scattering properties
Authors: Zhao Shanshan , Zhang Linrang , Zhou Yu , Liu Nan , Liu Jieyi
Published: September 2015

The anti‐jamming methods available in multistatic radar are mostly based on data fusion processing and therefore do not fully explore its anti‐jamming ability. In the view of multistatic radar, the echoes of real targets received by the widely separated receivers would be independent from each other due to the independence of target radar cross sections in different scattering directions. However, the deception jamming received by the same receivers would be highly correlated since the jamming signals transmitted to different directions are identical. Therefore, real targets would differ from false targets in the spatial scattering property in multistatic radar. By exploiting this phenomenon, a new signal fusion‐based method for discriminating active false targets from desired real targets is proposed in this study based on Neyman–Pearson lemma. In this method, false targets are identified by correlation test between the complex envelopes of arbitrary two targets in different receivers. The new method can discriminate false targets generated by deception signals with arbitrary modulation. The closed‐form expression for the rejection probability of false targets is derived. Both theoretical analysis and simulations verify the feasibility of the proposed method.
Statistical properties of the polarisation ratio for dual‐polarisation radar operating at simultaneous reception mode
Authors: Ren Bo , Shi Longfei , Wang Guoyu
Published: September 2015

The polarisation ratio (PR) of an electromagnetic wave can provide information on the scattering from natural targets or on the emission from radio sources. In this study, a dual‐polarisation radar operating at simultaneous reception mode is taken into account. Statistical properties of the PR of the radar signals on the basis of complex Gaussian models with zero and non‐zero means are derived, respectively. Especially for the non‐zero‐mean case, the probability density functions (PDFs) and moments of the amplitude distribution in a single polarimetric channel are expressed in closed forms. PDFs of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference between orthogonal polarimetric channels are also derived. Comparisons of statistical properties are presented between theoretical PDFs and simulated data, as well as real polarimetric radar data. The well fitted results demonstrate the advantages of the PR models.
Evolutionary relationships of Heimioporus and Boletellus (Boletales), with an emphasis on Australian taxa including new species and new combinations in Aureoboletus, Hemileccinum and Xerocomus
Authors: Halling Roy E. , Fechner Nigel , Nuhn Mitchell , Osmundson Todd , Soytong Kasem , Arora David , Binder Manfred , Hibbett David
Published: September 2015

Boletellus and Heimioporus, two genera of Boletaceae with ornamented basidiospores, are shown to be distinct genera on the basis of phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal large-subunit and translation elongation-factor 1α DNA sequences. Comparison of spore ornamentation type – longitudinally ribbed in Boletellus v. punctate, alveolate-reticulate in Heimioporus – are further evidence for distinction. Analyses of multiple accessions from the Americas, Asia and Australia support the monophyly of Heimioporus and a ‘core Boletellus’ clade, containing the type species, B. ananas (M.A.Curt.) Murrill, and approximately seven additional species. Tests of alternative phylogenetic topologies could not reject monophyly of a more inclusive group containing the core Boletellus clade and six other species. Heimioporus australis Fechner & Halling, H. cooloolae Fechner & Halling, Boletellus deceptivus Halling & Fechner, B. reminiscens Halling & Fechner and B. sinapipes Fechner, K.Syme, R.Rob. & Halling are described as new species. Phylogenetic analyses also support the following new combinations: Aureoboletus projectellus (Murrill) Halling, A. mirabilis (Murrill) Halling, Hemileccinum subglabripes (Peck) Halling and the new name, Xerocomus tenax Nuhn & Halling.
Molecular homology and multiple-sequence alignment: an analysis of concepts and practice
Authors: Morrison David A. , Morgan Matthew J. , Kelchner Scot A.
Published: September 2015

Sequence alignment is just as much a part of phylogenetics as is tree building, although it is often viewed solely as a necessary tool to construct trees. However, alignment for the purpose of phylogenetic inference is primarily about homology, as it is the procedure that expresses homology relationships among the characters, rather than the historical relationships of the taxa. Molecular homology is rather vaguely defined and understood, despite its importance in the molecular age. Indeed, homology has rarely been evaluated with respect to nucleotide sequence alignments, in spite of the fact that nucleotides are the only data that directly represent genotype. All other molecular data represent phenotype, just as do morphology and anatomy. Thus, efforts to improve sequence alignment for phylogenetic purposes should involve a more refined use of the homology concept at a molecular level. To this end, we present examples of molecular-data levels at which homology might be considered, and arrange them in a hierarchy. The concept that we propose has many levels, which link directly to the developmental and morphological components of homology. Of note, there is no simple relationship between gene homology and nucleotide homology. We also propose terminology with which to better describe and discuss molecular homology at these levels. Our over-arching conceptual framework is then used to shed light on the multitude of automated procedures that have been created for multiple-sequence alignment. Sequence alignment needs to be based on aligning homologous nucleotides, without necessary reference to homology at any other level of the hierarchy. In particular, inference of nucleotide homology involves deriving a plausible scenario for molecular change among the set of sequences. Our clarifications should allow the development of a procedure that specifically addresses homology, which is required when performing alignment for phylogenetic purposes, but which does not yet exist.
Population, genetic, and antigenic diversity of the apicomplexanEimeria tenellaand their relevance to vaccine development
Authors: Blake Damer P. , Clark Emily L. , Macdonald Sarah E. , Thenmozhi Venkatachalam , Kundu Krishnendu , Garg Rajat , Jatau Isa D. , Ayoade Simeon , Kawahara Fumiya , Moftah Abdalgader , Reid Adam James , Adebambo Ayotunde O. , Álvarez Zapata Ramón , Srinivasa Rao Arni S. R. , Thangaraj Kumarasamy , Banerjee Partha S. , Dhinakar-Raj G. , Raman M. , Tomley Fiona M.
Published: September 2015

Significance

Sixty billion chickens are produced worldwide each year, and all are at risk fromEimeria, parasites that cause coccidiosis. Control relies widely on chemoprophylaxis, but pressure to reduce drug use in farming urges development of cost-effective vaccines. Antigens such as apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) offer promise as anticoccidial vaccine candidates, but experience with related apicomplexans such asPlasmodium, in which pre-existing antigenic diversity and incompatible population structure have undermined vaccine development, tempers confidence. Parasite genotyping identified enormous region-specific variation in haplotype diversity forEimeria tenellabut a contrastingly low level of polymorphism forEtAMA1. Although high levels of polyclonalEimeriainfection and hybridization indicate an ability to disseminate vaccine resistance rapidly, the low level ofEtAMA1 diversity promotes vaccine development.
Automated measurement of mouse social behaviors using depth sensing, video tracking, and machine learning
Authors: Hong Weizhe , Kennedy Ann , Burgos-Artizzu Xavier P. , Zelikowsky Moriel , Navonne Santiago G. , Perona Pietro , Anderson David J.
Published: September 2015

Significance

Accurate, quantitative measurement of animal social behaviors is critical, not only for researchers in academic institutions studying social behavior and related mental disorders, but also for pharmaceutical companies developing drugs to treat disorders affecting social interactions, such as autism and schizophrenia. Here we describe an integrated hardware and software system that combines video tracking, depth-sensing technology, machine vision, and machine learning to automatically detect and score innate social behaviors, such as aggression, mating, and social investigation, between mice in a home-cage environment. This technology has the potential to have a transformative impact on the study of the neural mechanisms underlying social behavior and the development of new drug therapies for psychiatric disorders in humans.
Ion channel degeneracy enables robust and tunable neuronal firing rates
Authors: Drion Guillaume , O’Leary Timothy , Marder Eve
Published: September 2015

Significance

Neurons need to be able to tune their firing rates to the input they receive. This requires a complex balance of different kinds of ion channels in the neuronal membrane, and most neurons express many more kinds of ion channels than are strictly necessary to produce spikes. We apply recently developed analysis techniques to uncover a hidden fragility in the spiking properties of neurons. Achieving a smooth relationship between input and output in a neuron is more difficult than previously thought, but reliable spiking rates can be achieved using multiple ion channel types with overlapping or degenerate properties. Our findings therefore suggest that biology exploits degeneracy to solve a difficult physiological tuning problem.
On the principled polysemy of-kaiin Chinese resultative verbs
Authors: Wang Ben Pin-Yun , I-wen Su Lily
Published: September 2015

The present study sets out to construct a semantic network for-kaiin Chinese resultative verbs based on the framework of Principled Polysemy. Our analysis concerning the cognitive-pragmatic motivations for the meaning extensions of postverbal-kaipinpoints the significance of perspective-taking and real-world force dynamics in the conceptual structure of Chinese resultative verbs. With the aid of corpus data, we further demonstrate how pertinent textual cues help to disambiguate polysemous V-kaicomplex verbs and evoke metaphorical readings of the gestalt V–V constructions, hinting at the distributed and context-sensitive nature of the meaning construction of Chinese resultative verbs.
Lexicalization and grammaticalization
Authors: Van Rompaey Tinne , Davidse Kristin , Petré Peter
Published: September 2015

In this article we show that verbo-nominal expressionsbe on the/one’s way/roademerged as lexical composite predicates in Old English. These templates came to be elaborated by directional adjuncts, adjuncts describing states or events, and purpose clauses. In Late Modern English, the structure with ato-infinitive was functionally reinterpreted as a secondary auxiliary + lexical head, whose core sense is imminential aspect. On the basis of this case study, we develop a theoretical reflection on the differences between lexicalization and grammaticalization, as they emerge within a functional-constructional approach. On the syntagmatic axis, we adopt Boye & Harder’s (2007, 2012) principles for distinguishing lexicalized from grammaticalized uses on the basis of their having primary or secondary status in discourse usage. On the paradigmatic axis, we rethink the neo-Firthian distinction between lexis and grammar in diachronic terms. Individual lexical items are defined by their collocations (Sinclair 1991) and grammatical values by their systemic interdependencies (Halliday 1992). Lexicalization is then characterized by the development of distinctive collocational networks and grammaticalization by the acquisition of the defining interdependencies with values from related grammatical systems.
Identifying the causal mechanisms of the quiet eye
Authors: Gonzalez C. C. , Causer J. , Miall R. C. , Grey M. J. , Humphreys G. , Williams A. M.
Published: September 2015

Scientists who have examined the gaze strategies employed by athletes have determined that longer quiet eye (QE) durations (QED) are characteristic of skilled compared to less‐skilled performers. However, the cognitive mechanisms of the QE and, specifically, how the QED affects performance are not yet fully understood. We review research that has examined the functional mechanism underlying QE and discuss the neural networks that may be involved. We also highlight the limitations surrounding QE measurement and its definition and propose future research directions to address these shortcomings. Investigations into the behavioural and neural mechanisms of QE will aid the understanding of the perceptual and cognitive processes underlying expert performance and the factors that change as expertise develops.
Governance
Authors: Shin Ki-young
Published: September 2015

This chapter provides a brief overview of the concept of governance, comparing Foucauldian, mainstream, and feminist approaches. It compares central tenets of governmentality and governance, and presents feminist critiques of both. To demonstrate feminist contributions to debates on governance, it analyzes neoliberal imperatives in new governance regimes, gendered dimensions of governance and governmentality neglected by mainstream approaches, and feminist engagement with governance through civil society and NGOization. It demonstrates that while the concept of governance offers new perspectives on the state and the operation of power in an era of neoliberal globalization, the neoliberal reconfiguration of the state and the devolution of responsibilities to the market and civil society pose new challenges for feminists in dealing with far-reaching changes in governmentality and governance.
Metacognitive Quality-Control Processes in Memory Retrieval and Reporting
Authors: Goldsmith Morris
Published: September 2015

Quality control in memory retrieval and reporting is achieved both by “back-end” processes designed to identify and screen out defective (false) retrieval products and by “front-end” processes that attempt to prevent the retrieval of false information in the first place. Front-end processes utilize metacognitive knowledge in choosing an appropriate retrieval strategy and in specifying and applying effective and constraining retrieval cues. Back-end processes monitor the correctness of the retrieved information and on that basis, together with strategic considerations concerning the perceived payoffs for accuracy and informativeness, control whether or not to report the retrieved information and if so, at what level of precision to report it. This chapter presents a selective overview of research and theory on these complementary aspects of memory quality control, guided by an overarching metacognitive framework that delineates the underlying metacognitive mechanisms and their potential contributions to the quantity and accuracy of information reported from memory.
Work–Family Practice in Multinational Organizations
Authors: Massman Adam , Gregory Jane Brodie , McCance A. Silke , Biga Andrew
Published: September 2015

With all of the changes in the workforce, there is increasing strain on the delicate balance between work time and personal time. Work–family issues have also been impacted by trends such as an increase in expectations for work hours, rising numbers of women in managerial and executive positions, changes in family structures, and decisions about balancing career and life. Both researchers and organizations recognized the narrow scope of work–family balance, and have expanded the focus to include the employee’s life outside of work. This chapter begins with a brief overview of what work–life effectiveness means in the current business environment, and provides a business case for why work–life effectiveness matters. It also provides two case studies detailing the types of efforts that leading organizations are making today to meet their employees’ expectations for work–life effectiveness. It concludes with a perspective on work–life evaluation and future thoughts.
Feminist Perspectives in Music Therapy
Authors: Hadley Susan , Hahna Nicole
Published: September 2015

This chapter presents an overview of the developments of feminist perspectives in music therapy. The authors outline the history of feminist thought in music therapy and how this framework applies to the discipline and profession of music therapy. Basic tenets of feminism are described including the importance placed on valuing women’s perspectives, egalitarianism, examining social constructs, examining discursive practices, and empowerment. Additionally, systems of oppression are considered with reference to inequalities that exist within the field of music therapy. The chapter ends with an examination of ways in which a feminist framework can inform assessment, clinical practice, research, ethics, and pedagogy in music therapy.
Thinking Like An Archaeologist and Thinking Like an Engineer
Authors: Minnis Paul E.
Published: September 2015

In this chapter it is argued that an alternative approach for archaeology, namely, utilitarian-perspective archaeology, may be a useful adjunct to more standard protocols for dealing with serious problems facing humanity. The value of utilitarian archaeology is illustrated through consideration of how prehistoric information might help to assure a sustainable agricultural future. Specifically, the archaeological record throughout the world documents: (1) the presence of little known or now extinct crops that might be used in the future, and (2) the diversity of farming strategies that could be models for farming, especially in locations that are now considered marginal for agriculture.
New Paths into the Anthropocene
Authors: Crumley Carole
Published: September 2015

Historical ecology is a practical framework of concepts and methods for studying the past and future of the relationship between people and their environments. Its holistic, ethical, and place-based approach can ‘grow’ regional expertise in managing the future. This chapter offers an overview of the origins and growing integration of several strands that comprise historical ecology, paying particular attention to theoretical contexts and offering examples of practical applications. Historical ecology is not a new discipline so much as a ‘cluster’ or ‘cloud’ of mutually compatible questions, concepts, methods, and values that provide a rich environment within which to find common cause with other initiatives; such communities are taking shape and broadening their inclusivity.
Quality of Life and Prosperity in Ancient Households and Communities
Authors: Smith Michael E.
Published: September 2015

This chapter proposes conceptual and methodological approaches to measure ancient quality of life and prosperity using archaeological data. For households, the author draws on Amartya Sen’s writings to measure the quality of life from two elements. First, the standard of living can be reconstructed from quantities of valuable goods. Second, the choices or capabilities of households can be measured from the diversity of goods available to households, and from their participation in external social networks. For communities, the author proposes archaeological measures of prosperity based on network concepts from the work of Samuel Bowles, Herbert Gintis, and Elinor Ostrom. These include joint participation in collective projects, stability of residence, population growth, longevity of settlement, and resilience of external shocks. The chapter’s political-economy approach brings the archaeological study of households and communities into the broader domain of contemporary research on quality of life and prosperity.
The Incorporation of Shari‘a in North America
Authors: Bakht Natasha
Published: September 2015

This article examines the shari‘a debate in North America, particularly the argument that shari‘a must be banned in Canada and the United States based on the belief that Islam is a threat to western culture and that Muslim men are dangerously sexist against women. It contends that the mahr or bridal gift, a key element of every Islamic marriage agreement, must be enforced in North America as a means to combat poverty among post-relationship dissolution women. The article begins by assessing false assumptions and myths about shari‘a law and its interaction with state law and policy. It then considers how US and Canadian courts have actually recognized the diverse desires of their Muslim citizenry, paying attention to various Muslim requests and shari‘a-based rules. It argues that an outright denial of the mahr as contrary to vague notions of public policy is unjust and contrary to longstanding American and Canadian traditions.
Islamic Law and Theology
Authors: Ahmed Rumee
Published: September 2015

Whereas Islamic law and Islamic theology are usually discussed separately, this article examines the relationship between the two in Islamic Studies scholarship. After defining the terms “law” and “theology,” this article offers three historiographical approaches to the subject, namely: “Orientalist,” “Revisionist,” and “Pragmatist”, each reflecting assumptions about the function of Islamic law in Muslim communities. Orientalists are skeptical of Islamic religious texts, and argue that Islamic law and theology are unconnected, static sciences that have little to offer modern Muslims. Revisionists re-read Islamic sources to suggest that Islamic law was once a theological enterprise that devolved into legalism, but that it can be revived by returning to theology. Pragmatists, using subaltern and feminist lenses, argue that Islamic law and theology are interconnected and evolving sciences that perpetually animate Muslim discourse. The article concludes by discussing the political import of this topic, and suggesting avenues for further research.
Penury Traps and Prosperity Tales
Authors: Fish M. Steven
Published: September 2015

This article examines why some countries remain poor while others are able to overcome poverty. It looks at some of the plausible causes of poverty and wealth, including culture, politics, economic statism, reliance on natural resources, reliance on foreign aid, and reliance on market-nurturing reform. The article considers some of the lessons that can be learned from China with respect to undertaking market-nurturing reforms. It also discusses four reasons that explain why more countries do not pursue a market-oriented strategy despite its manifest advantages: aversion to political risk, greed, laziness, and the enduring intellectual and ideological appeal of statism. Finally, it argues that countries that adopt good economic policies have the best chance of getting out of poverty.
Sacraments in Lutheranism, 1600–1800
Authors: Stephenson John
Published: September 2015

Beginning with the elasticity of the concept “sacrament,” which in Lutheran usage could accommodate more or fewer rites, this essay emphasizes how Lutheranism downplayed (while not wholly abandoning) the Augustinian “sign of a sacred thing” definition of sacrament in favor of an understanding of “means of salvation [or grace]” that emphasized certain rites as “bestowing instruments” (media dotika) of grace, particularly justification. Reformed incursions through the “Second Reformation” and the impact of Pietism caused private absolution and Eucharistic worship to move from the center to the periphery of Lutheran church life by the end of the time frame addressed here, while the internal development of Lutheran orthodoxy saw Luther’s understanding of the real presence replaced by Melanchthon’s quasi-Reformed view.
A search for a keV signature of radiatively decaying dark matter with Suzaku XIS observations of the X-ray diffuse background
Authors: Sekiya Norio , Yamasaki Noriko Y. , Mitsuda Kazuhisa
Published: September 2015

We performed the deepest search for an X-ray emission line at between 0.5 and 7 keV from non-baryonic dark matter by the Suzaku XIS. Dark matter associated with the Milky Way was selected as the target to obtain the best signal-to-noise ratio. From the Suzaku archive, we selected 187 data sets of blank-sky regions that were dominated by the X-ray diffuse background. The data sets were from 2005 to 2013. The instrumental responses were adjusted by multiple calibration data sets of the Crab Nebula. We also improved the technique of subtracting lines of instrumental origin. These energy spectra were well described by X-ray emission due to charge exchange around the Solar System, hot plasma in and around the Milky Way, and the superposition of extra-galactic point sources. A signal of a narrow emission-line was searched for, and the significance of detection was evaluated in consideration of the blind search method (the Look-elsewhere Effect). Our results exhibited no significant detection of an emission line feature from dark matter. The 3 σ upper limit for the emission line intensity between 1 and 7 keV was ∼ 10−2 photons cm−2 s−1 sr−1, or ∼ 5 × 10−4 photons cm−2 s−1 sr−1 per M⊙ pc−2, assuming a dark matter distribution with the Galactic rotation curve. The parameters of sterile neutrinos as candidates of dark-matter were also constrained.
Seed Treatment Effects on Maize Seedlings Coinfected with Fusarium spp. and Pratylenchus penetrans
Authors: da Silva M. P. , Tylka G. L. , Munkvold G. P.
Published: September 2015

Seedling diseases of maize are caused by a complex of organisms, including fungi in the genus Fusarium. Root-lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.) are common in fields where maize is grown, and they are known to interact with Fusarium spp. in several crops. The objectives of this study were to assess the impacts of seed treatment combinations on maize seedlings coinfected with Pratylenchus penetrans and two Fusarium spp. that cause seedling disease symptoms (Fusarium graminearum and F. verticillioides) and to determine whether there were interactions between P. penetrans and the Fusarium spp. Growth-chamber experiments were conducted with fungicide- or nematicide-treated or untreated maize seed planted in a sand-soil mixture infested with inoculum of either F. graminearum or F. verticillioides. A suspension of 4,000 P. penetrans (mixed stages) was added to the pots at the time of planting. After 30 days, shoot length and fresh and dry shoot and root weights were determined. Total root length and fine root length, root volume, numbers of root tips and forks, and root surface area were measured through analysis of digital images of the root systems. After 42 days, P. penetrans nematodes were extracted and quantified from roots and soil. There were significant effects of the treatments on root health with interactions between Fusarium spp. and P. penetrans. F. graminearum caused the greatest reductions in root and shoot growth, and interactions with P. penetrans were more evident for F. verticillioides than for F. graminearum. Image analysis of root system architecture showed that seed treatment significantly improved root system characteristics. Seed treatments containing the nematicide abamectin in combination with fungicides reduced root infection by P. penetrans and provided the healthiest root system when under attack by the Fusarium–Pratylenchus complex.
Minimally Invasive Transaortic Mitral Decalcification during Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Totsugawa Toshinori , Sakaguchi Taichi , Hiraoka Arudo , Matsushita Hiroshi , Hirai Yuki , Yoshitaka Hidenori
Published: September 2015

Mitral annular calcification accompanied by aortic stenosis is hazardous for both double-valve replacement and transcatheter aortic valve implantation. Less invasive mitral procedure is required in this condition, and minimally invasive approach may further reduce the operative risk in high-risk patients. Here, we report minimally invasive transaortic mitral decalcification during aortic valve replacement through minithoracotomy. We believe that this option is feasible in patients who are at prohibitive risk for double-valve replacement or transcatheter aortic valve implantation because of severe mitral annular calcification.
Fasudil is an Effective Graft Vasodilator for Gastroepiploic Artery in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Watanabe Go , Yamaguchi Shojiro , Tomita Shigeyuki , Nishida Yuji
Published: September 2015

Objective

The gastroepiploic artery (GEA) has been used as an alternative arterial in situ graft for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, because of the large individual differences and the spastic nature of the GEA, caution has to be exercised during harvesting. We evaluated the usefulness of fasudil, a Rho kinase inhibitor, as a vasodilator for right GEA (RGEA) graft after harvesting, compared with the conventional agents papaverine and verapamil-nitroglycerin.

Methods

Between June 2009 and January 2013, 30 patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent isolated CABG using RGEA graft were randomly assigned to fasudil (n = 10), papaverine (n = 10), or verapamil-nitroglycerin (n = 10) group. Fasudil (2.67 mmol/L), papaverine (1.0 mmol/L) mixed with heparinized blood, or verapamil-nitroglycerin (30 μmol/L each) was injected intraluminally into the RGEA graft after harvesting. Right GEA graft free flow (GFF), hemodynamic changes, and histopathology of RGEA were evaluated.

Results

Intraluminal injection of fasudil increased GFF significantly (P < 0.001) and markedly from 41.5 ± 31.5 mL/min at baseline to 149.3 ± 46.7 mL/min after injection. Papaverine increased GFF (P < 0.001) from 40.0 ± 35.8 to 64.9 ± 33.7 mL/min, and verapamil-nitroglycerin also increased GFF (P < 0.001) from 38.8 ± 32.1 to 79.0 ± 35.2 mL/min. The GFF was significantly higher (P = 0.001) in the fasudil group than in the other two groups. Histopathologically, fasudil treatment markedly increased the diameter of RGEA graft, while maintaining integrity of the multiple elastic lamellae. Blood pressure did not change significantly after drug injection in all groups.

Conclusions

Fasudil is more potent than papaverine or verapamilnitroglycerin in increasing GFF of RGEA graft for CABG.
Failed Cartilaginous Grafts in the Eyelid: A Retrospective Clinicopathological Analysis of 5 Cases
Authors: MacIntosh Peter W. , Jakobiec Frederick A. , Stagner Anna , Rashid Alia , Sutula Francis C. , Yoon Michael K. , Fay Aaron M.
Published: September 2015

Purpose:

To analyze the clinical and histopathologic features of 5 failed autologous cartilaginous grafts to the lower eyelids and to analyze the reasons for these failures.

Methods:

In this retrospective case series, the data collected included patient ages, reasons for and duration of cartilaginous graft implants, sources of cartilaginous grafts, and clinical and histopathologic findings at time of graft removal using hematoxylin and eosin, elastic, Alcian blue, and Masson trichrome staining for analysis of tissue alterations.

Results:

Five cartilaginous, posterior lamellar lower eyelid grafts were complicated by eyelid thickening or retraction, graft extrusion, and entropion. Histopathologic findings included segmentation of the original single implant, stripped of its perichondrium, due to “kerfing,” sometimes with overlapping of the segments and scar formation between the segments. In place of the perichondrium that had been removed during the preparation the graft implants, a fibrous pseudoperichondrial capsule had formed. Pyknotic nuclei in varying degrees were typically found in the center of the grafts, despite a high degree of preservation of the extracellular matrix (collagenous, elastic, and proteoglycan components). No evidence of inflammation, cartilaginous vascularization, or necrosis was identified in any graft.

Conclusion:

Despite minimal reactive processes, kerfing (partial thickness cuts made in the graft to increase its pliancy) may be partially responsible for graft migration, deformation, and surgical failure. The consequences were graft fragmentation and overlapping of the multiple fragments. Graft migration can be exacerbated if a posterior lamellar graft is used to correct an anterior lamellar deficiency. Interference with the overall architectural integrity of the graft and its extracellular matrix appears to play no role in failure, despite removal of the perichondrium. Mild to moderate degrees of chondrocytic dropout in the absence of necrosis and inflammation are probably attributable to the thick and coarsely textured collagen of the fibrous pseudoperichondrial capsule that may impede diffusion of nutrients into the center of the graft.
A comparison of hyperelastic constitutive models applicable to brain and fat tissues
Authors: Mihai L. Angela , Chin LiKang , Janmey Paul A. , Goriely Alain
Published: September 2015

In some soft biological structures such as brain and fat tissues, strong experimental evidence suggests that the shear modulus increases significantly under increasing compressive strain, but not under tensile strain, whereas the apparent Young's elastic modulus increases or remains almost constant when compressive strain increases. These tissues also exhibit a predominantly isotropic, incompressible behaviour. Our aim is to capture these seemingly contradictory mechanical behaviours, both qualitatively and quantitatively, within the framework of finite elasticity, by modelling a soft tissue as a homogeneous, isotropic, incompressible, hyperelastic material and comparing our results with available experimental data. Our analysis reveals that the Fung and Gent models, which are typically used to model soft tissues, are inadequate for the modelling of brain or fat under combined stretch and shear, and so are the classical neo-Hookean and Mooney–Rivlin models used for elastomers. However, a subclass of Ogden hyperelastic models are found to be in excellent agreement with the experiments. Our findings provide explicit models suitable for integration in large-scale finite-element computations.
The invasive plant,
Brassica nigra
, degrades local mycorrhizas across a wide geographical landscape
Authors: Pakpour Sepideh , Klironomos John
Published: September 2015

Disruption of mycorrhizal fungi that form symbioses with local native plants is a strategy used by some invasive exotic plants for competing within their resident communities. Example invasive plants include
Alliaria petiolata
(garlic mustard) and
Brassica nigra
(black mustard), both non-mycorrhizal plants in the Family Brassicaceae. Although there is clear evidence for mycorrhizal degradation, it is not known if such an effect is widespread across the naturalized range. In this study, we tested the ability of black mustard to degrade the local mycorrhizal symbiosis and supress the growth of native flora from across a variety of locations where black mustard has invaded. We found that the effects on mycorrhizal fungi and on the growth of native plants were consistently negative at the various sites. The present results indicate that degradation of the mycorrhizal symbiosis by black mustard is of general significance, and may be highly problematic considering the large range that it has occupied in open fields across North America.
Competition for resources can explain patterns of social and individual learning in nature
Authors: Smolla Marco , Gilman R. Tucker , Galla Tobias , Shultz Susanne
Published: September 2015

In nature, animals often ignore socially available information despite the multiple theoretical benefits of social learning over individual trial-and-error learning. Using information filtered by others is quicker, more efficient and less risky than randomly sampling the environment. To explain the mix of social and individual learning used by animals in nature, most models penalize the quality of socially derived information as either out of date, of poor fidelity or costly to acquire. Competition for limited resources, a fundamental evolutionary force, provides a compelling, yet hitherto overlooked, explanation for the evolution of mixed-learning strategies. We present a novel model of social learning that incorporates competition and demonstrates that (i) social learning is favoured when competition is weak, but (ii) if competition is strong social learning is favoured only when resource quality is highly variable and there is low environmental turnover. The frequency of social learning in our model always evolves until it reduces the mean foraging success of the population. The results of our model are consistent with empirical studies showing that individuals rely less on social information where resources vary little in quality and where there is high within-patch competition. Our model provides a framework for understanding the evolution of social learning, a prerequisite for human cumulative culture.
Genome size correlates with reproductive fitness in seed beetles
Authors: Arnqvist Göran , Sayadi Ahmed , Immonen Elina , Hotzy Cosima , Rankin Daniel , Tuda Midori , Hjelmen Carl E. , Johnston J. Spencer
Published: September 2015

The ultimate cause of genome size (GS) evolution in eukaryotes remains a major and unresolved puzzle in evolutionary biology. Large-scale comparative studies have failed to find consistent correlations between GS and organismal properties, resulting in the ‘C-value paradox’. Current hypotheses for the evolution of GS are based either on the balance between mutational events and drift or on natural selection acting upon standing genetic variation in GS. It is, however, currently very difficult to evaluate the role of selection because within-species studies that relate variation in life-history traits to variation in GS are very rare. Here, we report phylogenetic comparative analyses of GS evolution in seed beetles at two distinct taxonomic scales, which combines replicated estimation of GS with experimental assays of life-history traits and reproductive fitness. GS showed rapid and bidirectional evolution across species, but did not show correlated evolution with any of several indices of the relative importance of genetic drift. Within a single species, GS varied by 4–5% across populations and showed positive correlated evolution with independent estimates of male and female reproductive fitness. Collectively, the phylogenetic pattern of GS diversification across and within species in conjunction with the pattern of correlated evolution between GS and fitness provide novel support for the tenet that natural selection plays a key role in shaping GS evolution.
Epistasis and destabilizing mutations shape gene expression variability in humans via distinct modes of action
Authors: Yang Ence , Wang Gang , Yang Jizhou , Zhou Beiyan , Tian Yanan , Cai James J.
Published: September 2015

Increasing evidence shows that, like phenotypic mean, phenotypic variance is also genetically determined, but the underlying mechanisms of genetic control over the variance remain obscure. Here, we conducted variance-association mapping analyses to identify expression variability QTLs (evQTLs), i.e., genomic loci associated with gene expression variance, in humans. We discovered that common genetic variations may contribute to increasing gene expression variability via two distinct modes of action—epistasis and destabilization. Specifically, the epistasis model explains a quarter of the identified evQTLs, of which the formation is attributed to the presence of “third-party” eQTLs that influence the level of gene expression in a fraction, rather than the entire set, of sampled individuals. The destabilization model explains the other three-quarters of evQTLs, which tend to be associated with mutations that disrupt the stability of the transcription process of genes. To show the destabilizing effect, we measured discordant gene expression between monozygotic twins, and time-course stability of gene expression in single samples using repetitive qRT-PCR assays. The destabilizing evQTL SNPs were found to be associated with more pronounced expression discordance between twin pairs and less stable gene expression in single samples. Together, our results suggest that common SNPs may work interactively or independently to shape the variability of gene expression in humans. These findings contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms of genetic control over phenotypic variance and may have implications for the development of variability-centered analytic methods for quantitative trait mapping.
Growing neuronal islands on multi-electrode arrays using an Accurate Positioning-µCP device
Authors: Samhaber Robert , Schottdorf Manuel , Hady Ahmed El , Bröking Kai , Daus Andreas , Thielemann Christiane , Stühmer Walter , Wolf Fred
Published: September 2015

Background

Multi-electrode arrays (MEAs) allow non-invasive multiunit recording in-vitro from cultured neuronal networks. For sufficient neuronal growth and adhesion on such MEAs, substrate preparation is required. Plating of dissociated neurons on a uniformly prepared MEA’s surface results in the formation of spatially extended random networks with substantial inter-sample variability. Such cultures are not optimally suited to study the relationship between defined structure and dynamics in neuronal networks. To overcome these shortcomings, neurons can be cultured with pre-defined topology by spatially structured surface modification. Spatially structuring a MEA surface accurately and reproducibly with the equipment of a typical cell-culture laboratory is challenging.

New Method

In this paper, we present a novel approach utilizing microcontact printing (μCP) combined with a custom-made device to accurately position patterns on MEAs with high precision. We call this technique AP-μCP (accurate positioning micro-contact printing).

Comparison with existing Methods

Other approaches presented in the literature using μCP for patterning either relied on facilities or techniques not readily available in a standard cell culture laboratory, or they did not specify means of precise pattern positioning.

Conclusion

Here we present a relatively simple device for reproducible and precise patterning in a standard cell-culture laboratory setting. The patterned neuronal islands on MEAs provide a basis for high throughput electrophysiology to study the dynamics of single neurons and neuronal networks.
Structural constraints to information flow within cortical circuits: a TMS/EEG-dMRI study
Authors: Amico Enrico , Bodart Olivier , Gosseries Olivia , Heine Lizette , Rosanova Mario , Mierlo Pieter Van , Martial Charlotte , Massimini Marcello , Marinazzo Daniele , Laureys Steven
Published: September 2015

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used for more than 20 years to investigate brain function by perturbing and observing the consequent behavioral, pathophysiological and electrophysiological modulations. These latter, mainly measured by high-density electroencephalography (hd-EEG), revealed signatures of the functional organization in a brain network. In order to unveil the nature and the underlying mechanism of these signatures, we here mapped TMS-induced hd-EEG changes onto changes in information flow and brain structural architecture, using multimodal modeling of source reconstructed TMS/hd-EEG recordings and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) tractography in a cohort of awake healthy volunteers. We observed that the relationship between information flow and structural connections depend on the stimulation site and on the frequency of the TMS-induced brain rhythms. These findings highlight the importance of taking into account the dynamics of different local oscillations when investigating the mechanisms for integration and segregation of information in the human brain. Our whole-brain analysis sheds light on the function-structure organization of the brain network after TMS, and on the huge variety of information contained in it. TMS/EEG dMRI directed functional connectivity structural connectivity structure-function brain information flow
Characterizing and comparing phylogenies from their Laplacian spectrum
Authors: Lewitus Eric , Morlon Hélène
Published: September 2015

Phylogenetic trees are central to many areas of biology, ranging from population genetics and epidemiology to microbiology, ecology, and macroevolution. The ability to summarize properties of trees, compare different trees, and identify distinct modes of division within trees is essential to all these research areas. But despite wide-ranging applications, there currently exists no common, comprehensive framework for such analyses. Here we present a graph-theoretical approach that provides such a framework. We show how to construct the spectral density profiles of phylogenetic trees from their Laplacian graphs. Using ultrametric simulated trees as well as non-ultrametric empirical trees, we demonstrate that the spectral density successfully identifies various properties of the trees and clusters them into meaningful groups. Finally, we illustrate how the eigengap can identify modes of division within a given tree. As phylogenetic data continue to accumulate and to be integrated into various areas of the life sciences, we expect that this spectral graph-theoretical framework to phylogenetics will have powerful and long-lasting applications.