bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell lineage tracing in human epithelial tissues using mitochondrial DNA mutations as clonal markers
Authors: Walther Viola , Alison Malcolm R.
Published: August 2015

The study of cell lineages through heritable genetic lineage tracing is well established in experimental animals, particularly mice. While such techniques are not feasible in humans, we have taken advantage of the fact that the mitochondrial genome is highly prone to nonpathogenic mutations and such mutations can be used as clonal markers to identify stem cell derived clonal populations in human tissue sections. A mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation can spread by a stochastic process through the several copies of the circular genome in a single mitochondrion, and then through the many mitochondria in a single cell, a process called ‘genetic drift.’ This process takes many years and so is likely to occur only in stem cells, but once established, the fate of stem cell progeny can be followed. A cell having at least 80% of its mtDNA genomes bearing the mutation results in a demonstrable deficiency in mtDNA‐encoded cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), optimally detected in frozen tissue sections by dual‐color histochemistry, whereby CCO activity stains brown and CCO deficiency is highlighted by subsequent succinate dehydrogenase activity, staining the CCO‐deficient areas blue. Cells with CCO deficiency can be laser captured and subsequent mtDNA sequencing can ascertain the nature of the mutation. If all cells in a CCO‐deficient area have an identical mutation, then a clonal population has been identified; the chances of the same mutation initially arising in separate cells are highly improbable. The technique lends itself to the study of both normal epithelia and can answer several questions in tumor biology. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:103–117. doi: 10.1002/wdev.203

This article is categorized under:

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Methods and Principles

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Tissue Stem Cells and Niches

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Stem Cells and Disease
Genetic analysis reveals multiple parentage in captive reared eastern hellbender salamanders (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis)
Authors: Unger Shem D. , Williams Rod N.
Published: August 2015

Information on the parentage of captive reared clutches is vital for conservation head‐starting programs. Molecular methods, such as genotyping individuals with hyper‐variable markers, can elucidate the genealogical contribution of captive‐reared, reintroduced individuals to native populations. In this study, we used 12 polymorphic microsatellite loci to infer parentage of a clutch of 18 eastern hellbenders collected from a single nest from Buffalo Creek, West Virginia, subsequently reared in captivity, and used for translocations in Indiana. Collectively, these markers successfully detected the presence of multiple parentage for this species of conservation concern presently used in captive management programs in zoos across many states. This study highlights the need for genetic analysis of captive reared clutches used in translocations to minimize the loss of genetic diversity and potential for genetic swamping at release sites. Zoo Biol. 34:535–537, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psychotherapy with Women
Authors: Marilyn Marilyn , Maguire Marie
Published: August 2015

Psychotherapy with Women provides a clear account of current feminist practice in working with women within the helping professions bringing together contributions from eminent women psychotherapists. A wide range of issues are explored including sexuality, ageing, family dynamics, disability and ethnicity. It will appeal to students studying social work, nursing, psychology and counselling as well as to a wide range of practitioners working in the caring professions.
Pathologic Assessment of Pancreatic Fibrosis for Objective Prediction of Pancreatic Fistula and Management of Prophylactic Drain Removal After Pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Kiyochi Hidenori , Matsukage Shouichi , Nakamura Taro , Ishida Naoki , Takada Yasutsugu , Kajiwara Shinsuke
Published: August 2015

Background

Soft pancreatic texture is a commonly accepted risk factor associated with pancreatic fistula (PF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, its evaluation is subjective and its predictive value is limited. The present study was performed to establish intraoperative PF prediction parameter: the pathological assessment of pancreatic fibrosis, which was an objective evaluation that was strongly related to pancreatic consistency.

Methods

Based on the results of a retrospective investigation on grades of pancreatic fibrosis and PF occurrence in 51 consecutive patients, an algorithm for intraoperative selection of early prophylactic drain removal was established. Prophylactic drains of patients with pancreatic fibrosis ≥30 % in the frozen section of pancreatic stump were removed on postoperative day (POD) 4. As CRP ≥10 mg/dL on POD 4 was a strong risk factor for PF in patients with fibrosis <30 %, the drains of these patients were maintained.

Results

The algorithm was applied to 26 consecutive patients. Prophylactic drains were removed in 14 patients and retained in 12 patients on POD 4. No PF was observed in patients with pancreatic fibrosis ≥30 % (n = 8). Among six patients with fibrosis <30 %, CRP <10 mg/dL, and without infection in the drain fluid, only two developed grade A PF. All nine patients with pancreatic fibrosis <30 % and CRP ≥10 mg/dL developed grade B PF. No grade C PF was observed in any group.

Conclusions

The pathological evaluation of pancreatic fibrosis could objectively predict PF occurrence. Intraoperative assessment of pancreatic fibrosis could be applied to tailor postoperative drain management after PD.
Expression of plectasin in Bacillus subtilis using SUMO technology by a maltose-inducible vector
Authors: Zhang Licong , Li Xiaodan , Wei Dandan , Wang Jue , Shan Anshan , Li Zhongyu
Published: August 2015

Plectasin, the first fungus defensin, is especially efficient against Gram-positive bacteria. To explore an effective approach for expressing plectasin in Bacillus subtilis, the sequence encoding plectasin fused with the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) gene, the 6 × His gene and the signal peptide of SacB were cloned into an E. coli–B. subtilis shuttle vector pGJ148 in which the maltose utilization operon promoter Pglv directed the expression. The fusion protein successfully secreted in culture and approximately, 41 mg of the recombinant fusion protein SUMO-plectasin was purified per liter of culture supernatant. After purification by Ni-NTA resin column and digestion by SUMO protease, 5.5 mg of plectasin with a purity of 94 % was obtained from 1 L fermentation culture. Recombinant plectasin was found inhibition activity against S. pneumoniae, S. aureus and S. epidermidis. These results indicate that the maltose-induced expression system may be a safe and efficient way for the large-scale production of soluble peptides in B. subtilis.
Africans in the American Labor Market
Authors: Elo Irma T. , Frankenberg Elizabeth , Gansey Romeo , Thomas Duncan
Published: August 2015

The number of migrants to the United States from Africa has grown exponentially since the 1930s. For the first time in America’s history, migrants born in Africa are growing at a faster rate than migrants from any other continent. The composition of African-origin migrants has also changed dramatically: in the mid-twentieth century, the majority were white and came from only three countries; but today, about one-fifth are white, and African-origin migrants hail from across the entire continent. Little is known about the implications of these changes for their labor market outcomes in the United States. Using the 2000–2011 waves of the American Community Survey, we present a picture of enormous heterogeneity in labor market participation, sectoral choice, and hourly earnings of male and female migrants by country of birth, race, age at arrival in the United States, and human capital. For example, controlling a rich set of human capital and demographic characteristics, some migrants—such as those from South Africa/Zimbabwe and Cape Verde, who typically enter on employment visas—earn substantial premiums relative to other African-origin migrants. These premiums are especially large among males who arrived after age 18. In contrast, other migrants—such as those from Sudan/Somalia, who arrived more recently, mostly as refugees—earn substantially less than migrants from other African countries. Understanding the mechanisms generating the heterogeneity in these outcomes—including levels of socioeconomic development, language, culture, and quality of education in countries of origin, as well as selectivity of those who migrate—figures prominently among important unresolved research questions.
Reactions of iron with calcium carbonate at 6 GPa and 1273–1873 K: implications for carbonate reduction in the deep mantle
Authors: Martirosyan N.S. , Litasov K.D. , Shatskiy A.F. , Ohtani E.
Published: August 2015

Experimental data on Fe–CaCO3 interaction at 6 GPa and 1273–1873 K are presented. The system models the hypothetical redox interaction in subducting slabs at the contact with the reduced mantle and a putative process at the core–mantle boundary. The reaction is accompanied by carbonatite melt formation. It also produces Fe3C and calcium wüstite, which form solid or liquid phases depending on experimental conditions. In iron-containing systems at 6 GPa, calcium carbonate melts in the range 1473–1573 K, which is consistent with aragonite disappearance from complex carbonate systems. The composition of calcium carbonate liquid is not influenced by metallic Fe. It corresponds to nearly pure CaCO3. Along the mantle adiabat or at slightly higher temperatures, nearly pure CaCO3 coexists with metallic iron or calcium wüstite. This hypothesis explains the coexistence of metallic iron and carbonate inclusions in lithospheric and superdeep diamonds.
Complex regional pain syndrome following viper-bite
Authors: Kleggetveit Inge Petter , Skulberg Per Kristian , Jørum Ellen
Published: August 2015

Background

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) may occur following fractures, surgery or different trauma. Development of CRPS following snake-bite has only been published in three reports (from Turkey, Nepal and Korea), although snake bites occur frequently world-wide. There has been no report from Western Europe. Vipera Berus is a common snake in European countries and the only venomous snake in Norway. We here describe the development of CRPS in a young woman as a consequence of a viper bite (Vipera Berus) in the right arm.

Methods

We performed a clinical investigation (inspection, measurement of skin temperatures, sensory and motor evaluation) of the patient six months following the viper-bite, measurement of thermal thresholds (quantitative sensory testing, QST), measurement of resting sweat output (RSO) and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex (QSART) from both arms.

Results

The patient fulfilled the Budapest criteria for a CRPS-condition, with continuous pain and symptoms and findings of autonomic dysfunction. In addition, we found elevated thresholds of warmth and cold, evidence of an affection of afferent A-delta and C-fibres as well as an affection of the efferent sympathetic sudomotor C-fibres by QSART. An increased RSO-volume was in inverse relationship to the decreased QSART result.

Conclusion and implications

It is important to be aware of viper-bite as a possible eliciting event for CRPS for early diagnosis and treatment of a patient. As long-lasting pain and oedema are known complications, it is probable that CRPS after viper-bites previously may have been underdiagnosed. As many patients are unaware of being bit, viper bite should be considered in cases of unexplained sudden pain and swelling of a limb.
CAEP 2014 Academic Symposium: “How to make research succeed in your department: Promoting excellence in Canadian emergency medicine resident research”
Authors: Calder Lisa A. , Abu-Laban Riyad B. , Artz Jennifer D. , McLeod Shelley , Blackie Barbara , Das Bijon , Woods Robert , Perry Jeffrey J. , Vaillancourt Christian , Stiell Ian G. , Frank Jason R.
Published: August 2015

Objectives

To characterize the current state of Canadian emergency medicine (EM) resident research and develop recommendations to promote excellence in this area.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and ERIC using search terms relevant to EM resident research. We conducted an online survey of EM residency program directors from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) and College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). An expert panel reviewed these data, presented recommendations at the Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2014 Academic Symposium, and refined them based on feedback received.

Results

Of 654 potentially relevant citations, 35 articles were included. These were categorized into four themes: 1) expectations and requirements, 2) training and assessment, 3) infrastructure and support, and 4) dissemination. We received 31 responses from all 31 RCPSC-EM and CFPC-EM programs. The majority of EM programs reported requiring a resident scholarly project; however, we found wide-ranging expectations for the type of resident research performed and how results were disseminated, as well as the degree of completion expected. Although 93% of RCPSC-EM programs reported providing formal training on how to conduct research, only 53% of CFPC-EM programs reported doing so. Almost all programs (94%) reported having infrastructure in place to support resident research, but the nature of support was highly variable. Finally, there was marked variability regarding the number of resident-published abstracts and manuscripts.

Conclusions

Based on the literature, our national survey, and discussions with stakeholders, we offer 14 recommendations encompassing goals, expectations, training, assessment, infrastructure, and dissemination in order to improve Canadian EM resident research.
Maternal supplementation of seaweed-derived polysaccharides improves intestinal health and immune status of suckling piglets
Authors: Heim G. , O'Doherty J. V. , O'Shea C. J. , Doyle D. N. , Egan A. M. , Thornton K. , Sweeney T.
Published: August 2015

The experiment investigated the effect of maternal dietary supplementation of seaweed-derived polysaccharides (SDP) (–SDPv.+SDP,n   20) from day 83 of gestation until weaning (day 28) on selected sow faeces and piglet digesta microbiota populations, piglet small-intestinal morphology, and intestinal nutrient transporter and inflammatory cytokine gene expression at birth, 48 h after birth and weaning. The effect of maternal dietary treatment on the piglet gene expression profile of inflammatory cytokines in the colon following a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge was also investigated. Dietary SDP reduced sow faecal Enterobacteriaceae gene numbers at parturition. Small-intestinal morphology, nutrient transporter and cytokine gene expression in newborn piglets did not differ between maternal dietary treatments (P > 0·10). At 48 h after birth, sodium–glucose-linked transporter 1 gene expression was down-regulated in the ileum of piglets suckling the SDP-supplemented sows compared with those suckling the basal sows (P = 0·050). There was a SDP × LPS challenge interaction onIL-1andIL-6gene expression in the colon of piglets (P < 0·05). The gene expression ofIL-1andIL-6was down-regulated in the LPS-challenged colon of piglets suckling the SDP sows compared with those suckling the basal sows (P < 0·05). However, there was no difference inIL-1andIL-6gene expression in the unchallenged colon between treatment groups. At weaning, piglets suckling the SDP-supplemented sows had increased villus height in the jejunum and ileum compared with those suckling the basal-fed sows (P < 0·05). In conclusion, maternal dietary SDP supplementation enhanced the immune response of suckling piglets and improved gut morphology, making them more immune competent to deal with post-weaning adversities.
Altered folate metabolism modifies cell proliferation and progesterone secretion in human placental choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cells
Authors: Moussa Carolyne , Ross Nikia , Jolette Philippe , MacFarlane Amanda J.
Published: August 2015

Folate is an essential B vitamin required forde novopurine and thymidylate synthesis, and for the remethylation of homocysteine to form methionine. Folate deficiency has been associated with placenta-related pregnancy complications, as have SNP in genes of the folate-dependent enzymes, methionine synthase (MTR) and methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1 (MTHFD1). We aimed to determine the effect of altered folate metabolism on placental cell proliferation, viability and invasive capacity and on progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) secretion. Human placental choriocarcinoma (JEG-3) cells cultured in low folic acid (FA) (2 nm) demonstrated 13 % (P<0·001) and 26 % (P<0·001) lower proliferation, 5·5 % (P=0·025) and 7·5 % (P=0·004) lower invasion capacity, and 5 to 7·5 % (P=0·004–0·025) lower viability compared with control (20 nm) or supplemented (100 nm) cells, respectively. FA concentration had no effect on progesterone or hCG secretion. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown ofMTRgene and protein expression resulted in 17·7 % (P<0·0001) lower proliferation and 61 % (P=0·014) higher progesterone secretion, but had no effect on cell invasion and hCG secretion. siRNA knockdown ofMTHFD1gene expression in the absence of detectable changes in protein expression resulted in 10·3 % (P=0·001) lower cell proliferation, but had no effect on cell invasion and progesterone or hCG secretion. Our data indicate that impaired folate metabolism can result in lower trophoblast proliferation, and could alter viability, invasion capacity and progesterone secretion, which may explain in part the observed associations between folate and placenta-related complications.
Prevalence and characteristics of misreporting of energy intake in US adults: NHANES 2003–2012
Authors: Murakami Kentaro , Livingstone M. Barbara E.
Published: August 2015

Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2012, we investigated the prevalence and characteristics of under-reporting and over-reporting of energy intake (EI) among 19 693 US adults ≥20 years of age. For the assessment of EI, two 24-h dietary recalls were conducted using the US Department of Agriculture Automated Multiple-Pass Method. Under-reporters, acceptable reporters and over-reporters of EI were identified by two methods based on the 95 % confidence limits: (1) for agreement between the ratio of EI to BMR and a physical activity level for sedentary lifestyle (1·55) and (2) of the expected ratio of EI to estimated energy requirement (EER) of 1·0. BMR was calculated using Schofield’s equations. EER was calculated using equations from the US Dietary Reference Intakes, assuming ‘low active’ level of physical activity. The risk of being an under-reporter or over-reporter compared with an acceptable reporter was analysed using multiple logistic regression. Percentages of under-reporters, acceptable reporters and over-reporters were 25·1, 73·5 and 1·4 %, respectively, based on EI:BMR, and 25·7, 71·8 and 2·5 %, respectively, based on EI:EER. Under-reporting was associated with female sex, older age, non-Hispanic blacks (compared with non-Hispanic whites), lower education, lower family poverty income ratio and overweight and obesity. Over-reporting was associated with male sex, younger age, lower family poverty income ratio, current smoking (compared with never smoking) and underweight. Similar findings were obtained when analysing only the first 24-h recall data from NHANES 1999–2012 (n 28 794). In conclusion, we found that misreporting of EI, particularly under-reporting, remains prevalent and differential in US adults.
Knowing More from Less: How the Information Environment Increases Knowledge of Party Positions
Authors: Banducci Susan , Giebler Heiko , Kritzinger Sylvia
Published: August 2015

Access to information is a hallmark of democracy, and democracy demands an informed citizenry. Knowledge of party positions is necessary for voters so that electoral choices reflect preferences, allowing voters to hold elected officials accountable for policy performance. Whereas most vote choice models assume that parties perfectly transmit positions, citizens in fact obtain political information via the news media, and this news coverage can be biased in terms of salience – which leads to asymmetric information. This study examines how information asymmetries in news coverage of parties influence knowledge about political party positions. It finds that the availability of information in the news media about a party increases knowledge about its position, and that party information in non-quality news reduces the knowledge gap more than information in quality news.
Resolving Civil Wars before They Start: The UN Security Council and Conflict Prevention in Self-Determination Disputes
Authors: Beardsley Kyle , Cunningham David E. , White Peter B.
Published: August 2015

A large literature has demonstrated that international action can promote the resolution of civil wars. However, international actors do not wait until violence starts to seek to manage conflicts. This article considers the ways in which the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reduces the propensity for self-determination movements to escalate to civil war, through actions that directly pertain to the disputing actors or that indirectly shape actor incentives. It examines the relationship between the content of UNSC resolutions in all self-determination disputes from 1960 to 2005 and the onset of armed conflict in the disputes. The study finds that diplomatic actions that directly address disputes reduce the likelihood of armed conflict, and that military force and sanctions have more indirect preventive effects.
DIO CHRYSOSTOM IN EXILE: OR. 36.1 AND THE DATE OF THE SCYTHIAN JOURNEY
Authors: Bekker-Nielsen Tønnes , Hinge George
Published: August 2015

In the opening chapter of his thirty-sixth oration, Dio Chrysostom tells his listeners how in the course of a journey ‘through the lands of the Scythians to that of the Getae’, he stopped over in the city of Borysthenes (Olbia) ‘in the summer after my exile’ (τὸ θέρος … μετὰ τὴν φυγήν). Dio had been exiled by Domitian, probably in a.d. 83 or 84; since his exile ended after the death of Domitian in September 96, it is generally accepted that his visit to Borysthenes took place in the summer of 97.
Inertial-range kinetic turbulence in pressure-anisotropic astrophysical plasmas
Authors: Kunz M. W. , Schekochihin A. A. , Chen C. H. K. , Abel I. G. , Cowley S. C.
Published: August 2015

A theoretical framework for low-frequency electromagnetic (drift-)kinetic turbulence in a collisionless, multi-species plasma is presented. The result generalises reduced magnetohydrodynamics (RMHD) and kinetic RMHD (Schekochihinet al.,Astrophys. J. Suppl. Ser., vol. 182, 2009, pp. 310–377) to the case where the mean distribution function of the plasma is pressure-anisotropic and different ion species are allowed to drift with respect to each other – a situation routinely encountered in the solar wind and presumably ubiquitous in hot dilute astrophysical plasmas such as the intracluster medium. Two main objectives are achieved. First, in a non-Maxwellian plasma, the relationships between fluctuating fields (e.g. the Alfvén ratio) are order-unity modified compared to the more commonly considered Maxwellian case, and so a quantitative theory is developed to support quantitative measurements now possible in the solar wind. Beyond these order-unity corrections, the main physical feature of low-frequency plasma turbulence survives the generalisation to non-Maxwellian distributions: Alfvénic and compressive fluctuations are energetically decoupled, with the latter passively advected by the former; the Alfvénic cascade is fluid, satisfying RMHD equations (with the Alfvén speed modified by pressure anisotropy and species drifts), whereas the compressive cascade is kinetic and subject to collisionless damping (and for a bi-Maxwellian plasma splits into three independent collisionless cascades). Secondly, the organising principle of this turbulence is elucidated in the form of a conservation law for the appropriately generalised kinetic free energy. It is shown that non-Maxwellian features in the distribution function reduce the rate of phase mixing and the efficacy of magnetic stresses, and that these changes influence the partitioning of free energy amongst the various cascade channels. As the firehose or mirror instability thresholds are approached, the dynamics of the plasma are modified so as to reduce the energetic cost of bending magnetic-field lines or of compressing/rarefying them. Finally, it is shown that this theory can be derived as a long-wavelength limit of non-Maxwellian slab gyrokinetics.
Indexing one's own previous action as inadequate: Onah-prefaced repeats as receipt tokens in French talk-in-interaction
Authors: Persson Rasmus
Published: August 2015

This article considers a practice in French talk-in-interaction, formally characterized as other-repeats prefaced by the change-of-state particleah. The target practice accomplishes a claim of receipt, while at the same time indexing as somehow inadequate a previous turn by the receipt speaker. Evidence drawn upon includes: (i) the sequential locations of the examined phenomenon; (ii) ensuing developments of the sequence, wherein the indexed inadequacy is more explicitly acknowledged; and (iii) the discriminability of the focal practice with respect to alternative practices. Two phonetically distinguished variants of the practice, and their respective sequential projections (‘problematizing’ topicalization or ‘accepting’ closure), are discussed. This article contributes to the study of how intersubjectivity is managed and administered by participants, and to research on the management of accountability for producing ‘adequate’ turns and actions. Finally, it addresses ongoing discussions concerning the analysis of multiple actions (first- and second-order) conveyed simultaneously in single turns. (French, talk-in-interaction, repetition, receipts, particles, indexicality, intersubjectivity, prosody, phonetics)*
Mtac: A monad for typed tactic programming in Coq
Authors: ZILIANI BETA , DREYER DEREK , KRISHNASWAMI NEELAKANTAN R. , NANEVSKI ALEKSANDAR , VAFEIADIS VIKTOR
Published: August 2015

Effective support for custom proof automation is essential for large-scale interactive proof development. However, existing languages for automation via tactics either (a) provide no way to specify the behavior of tactics within the base logic of the accompanying theorem prover, or (b) rely on advanced type-theoretic machinery that is not easily integrated into established theorem provers.

We present Mtac, a lightweight but powerful extension to Coq that supports dependently typed tactic programming. Mtac tactics have access to all the features of ordinary Coq programming, as well as a new set of typed tactical primitives. We avoid the need to touch the trusted kernel typechecker of Coq by encapsulating uses of these new tactical primitives in a monad, and instrumenting Coq so that it executes monadic tactics during type inference.
Prosodic Rhythm in Ontario French
Authors: KAMINSKAÏA SVETLANA , TENNANT JEFF , RUSSELL ALEXANDER
Published: August 2015

This article presents the results of a study of rhythm in Ontario French in local minority and majority contexts. To determine whether French in a minority situation shows a less syllabic rhythm due to English influence than it does in a majority situation, we used the following rhythm measurements: %V, ΔV, ΔC, VarcoV, VarcoC and nPVI-V. The results suggest no effect of language contact on the minority setting data where we find even more syllable-timed rhythm than in the majority variety. In addition, we observe that women and older speakers exhibit a more syllabic rhythm than men and younger speakers.
Same process, different meaning: /ε/ lowering over time in Louisiana Regional French
Authors: BLAINEY DARCIE
Published: August 2015

This paper examines /ɛ/ lowering before /r/ in Louisiana Regional French (e.g.,père, /pɛr/ → [pær], [pɛr] ‘father’) between 1977 and 2011 in a small geographic region. The analysis of 436 tokens from 32 speakers shows that /ɛ/ lowering has changed through time from a generational to a geographical boundary marker. This explains differing /ɛ/ lowering rates reported in the literature (Guilbeau, 1950; Dubois, 2005; Salmon, 2009). Results confirm that sociolinguistic factors play an active role in Louisiana Regional French, despite its endangered status (Dajko, 2009; Dubois, 2005), underscoring the need to better control for diatopic factors in future research.
A matter of good taste: investigating preferences for in-house water treatment in peri-urban communities in Cambodia
Authors: Jeuland Marc , Orgill Jennifer , Shaheed Ameer , Revell Geoff , Brown Joe
Published: August 2015

Low demand for safe water may partly result from a perceived distaste towards or the inconvenience of treatment methods. This paper analyzes preferences for water quality improvements in peri-urban Phnom Penh. The authors first analyze data from a discrete choice experiment in which respondents selected their preferred alternative from generic options varying in cost, taste acceptability, effectiveness against diarrhea and quantity of water treated. The choice patterns suggest that demand for water treatment is highly dependent on taste acceptability. The authors also use double-blinded taste tests to show that respondents are sensitive to one common taste in treated drinking water, that stemming from chlorine disinfection. While many compounds (natural and anthropogenic) may contribute to taste problems in drinking water, the lack of alignment between household preferences for taste and water safety may play a role in the low use of household water treatment methods in many settings.
Diluvian Clustering: A Fast, Effective Algorithm for Clustering Compositional and Other Data
Authors: Ritchie Nicholas W. M.
Published: August 2015

Diluvian Clustering is an unsupervised grid-based clustering algorithm well suited to interpreting large sets of noisy compositional data. The algorithm is notable for its ability to identify clusters that are either compact or diffuse and clusters that have either a large number or a small number of members. Diluvian Clustering is fundamentally different from most algorithms previously applied to cluster compositional data in that its implementation does not depend upon a metric. The algorithm reduces in two-dimensions to a case for which there is an intuitive, real-world parallel. Furthermore, the algorithm has few tunable parameters and these parameters have intuitive interpretations. By eliminating the dependence on an explicit metric, it is possible to derive reasonable clusters with disparate variances like those in real-world compositional data sets. The algorithm is computationally efficient. While the worst case scales asO(N2) most cases are closer toO(N) whereNis the number of discrete data points. On a mid-range 2014 vintage computer, a typical 20,000 particle, 30 element data set can be clustered in a fraction of a second.
Regulatory Differences in the Approval of GMOs: Extent and Development over Time
Authors: DE FARIA ROSANE NUNES , WIECK CHRISTINE
Published: August 2015

Considering the regulatory approval developments for cotton, maize, and soybean within the time period 2000–2013, this paper assesses the extent of asymmetry in the authorizations of new genetically modified organism (GMO) events between importing and exporting countries. The results show an increase in the asynchronous approval across the majority of country pairs. However, focusing only on commercialized events and considering only regulatory approval differences in which the importers are more stringent than the exporters, the asynchronous approval is considerably lower, and the result indicates that the major trade leaders have synchronized their approval status for GMOs over time. Some countries, such as Norway, Switzerland, Thailand, and Turkey seem to face the highest potential for trade disruption, while the opposite holds for Japan and South Korea.
JEAN-PHILIPPE RAMEAU: INTERNATIONAL ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE ST HILDA’S COLLEGE OXFORD, 11–14 SEPTEMBER 2014
Authors: FAVIER THIERRY , DEMEILLIEZ MARIE
Published: August 2015

This conference coincided with the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the composer's death and formed part of the Rameau Project, a large-scale multidisciplinary research programme devoted to the operas of Jean-Philippe Rameau, supported by The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities and directed by Graham Sadler (University of Oxford and Birmingham Conservatoire), Alain Viala (University of Oxford) and Jonathan Williams (University of Oxford).
THE MORTE: A GALANT VOICE-LEADING SCHEMA AS EMBLEM OF LAMENT AND COMPOSITIONAL BUILDING-BLOCK
Authors: RICE JOHN A.
Published: August 2015

Eighteenth-century composers wrote many passages in which a treble line rises from scale degrees 1 or 3 up to 5, while the bass descends chromatically from 1 down to 5. The diverging lines reach an octave by way of an augmented-sixth interval. These passages represent a voice-leading schema analogous to those introduced by Robert O. Gjerdingen in his bookMusic in the Galant Style. Following Gjerdingen's use of Italian words to refer to some of his schemata, I propose the word ‘Morte’ for this schema and survey its use by musicians, who relied on it not only as an intensely expressive gesture that could effectively enhance the most tragic moments of a work but also as a compositional building-block: an ornate half cadence that they found especially useful in transitional passages and development sections.
Severe mutilation of a baleen whale in a longline fishery off the Brazilian coast
Authors: Pinheiro Flavia C.F. , Siciliano Salvatore , de Moura Jailson F. , Tavares Davi C.
Published: August 2015

The interaction between baleen whales and longline fisheries is poorly known worldwide and likely underestimated. This article presents one of the most severe scenarios of this interaction; an incident that resulted in the severe mutilation of the entire fluke of a whale and probably lead to its death. Considering the characteristic of the fluke, we strongly suggest that the fluke belonged to a small balaenopterid, most likely a dwarf minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). The episode reported here seems to be the first in its nature involving a baleen whale entangled in longline fishing gear off the Brazilian coast, and so, it represents, at the very least, the need for further investigation into the magnitude of such interactions in the south-west Atlantic Ocean.
Caspase-independent apoptosis in infected macrophages triggered by sulforaphane via Nrf2/p38 signaling pathways
Authors: Bonay M , Roux A-L , Floquet J , Retory Y , Herrmann J-L , Lofaso F , Deramaudt TB
Published: August 2015

Mycobacterium abscessus (Mabs), a non-tuberculous mycobacterium, is an emerging and rapidly growing opportunistic pathogen that is frequently found in patients with cystic fibrosis and in immunosuppressed patients. Its high tolerance to antibiotics is of great concern for public health. In this study, our results showed that human THP-1-derived macrophages infected with M. abscessus presented an increase in ROS production and cell necrosis. In addition, M. abscessus infection triggered activation of the Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, and the induction of HO-1 and NQO1 expression levels. Interestingly, pretreatment of macrophages with sulforaphane (SFN), an activator of the antioxidant key regulator Nrf2, followed by M. abscessus infection significantly decreased mycobacterial burden. We demonstrated that this reduction in mycobacterial growth was due to an activation in cell apoptosis in SFN-pretreated and M. abscessus-infected macrophages. Pretreatment with specific MAPK inhibitors, PD98059, SP600125, and SB203580 to ERK, JNK, and p38 respectively, failed to inhibit induction of Nrf2 expression, suggesting that Nrf2 signaling pathway was upstream of MAPK signaling. Activation of cell apoptosis was caspase 3/7 independent but p38 MAPK dependent. Moreover, p38 MAPK induction was abolished in macrophages transfected with Nrf2 siRNA. In addition, p38 inhibitor abolished Nrf2-dependent apoptosis in infected macrophages. Taken together, our results indicate that modulation of the Nrf2 signaling using Nrf2 activators may help potentiate the actual drug therapies used to treat mycobacterial infection.
The MDM2 small-molecule inhibitor RG7388 leads to potent tumor inhibition in p53 wild-type neuroblastoma
Authors: Lakoma A , Barbieri E , Agarwal S , Jackson J , Chen Z , Kim Y , McVay M , Shohet J M , Kim E S
Published: August 2015

Neuroblastoma is an aggressive pediatric malignancy which is >98% p53 wild-type at diagnosis. As a primary repressor of p53 activity and part of a p53-activated negative feedback loop, targeting of mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) is an attractive therapeutic approach to reactivation of p53. Since development of the first selective MDM2 inhibitor, Nutlin-3a, newer compounds have been developed for increased potency and improved bioavailability. Herein, we sought to determine the efficacy and specificity of a second-generation MDM2 inhibitor, RG7388, in neuroblastoma cell lines and xenografts and examine its effect on the p53-independent pathway of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Cell viability and apoptosis studies were performed on the neuroblastoma cell lines, NGP, SH-SY5Y, LAN-5, LAN-5 si-p53 (p53 silenced), and SK-N-AS (p53 null). RG7388 potently decreased cell proliferation and activated p53-dependent apoptosis. Tumor-bearing mice treated with RG7388 demonstrated significant tumor inhibition by 59% in NGP (P=0.003), 67% in SH-SY5Y (P=0.006), and 75% in LAN-5 (P=0.0019) p53 wild-type xenograft tumors, but no inhibitory effect on LAN-5 si-p53 or SK-N-AS p53-silenced/null xenograft tumors. Moreover, RG7388 was found to inhibit the p53-independent pathway of HIF-1α/VEGF with decreased gene expression and alteration of angiogenesis. Our study supports the further evaluation of RG7388 as a novel treatment option in p53 wild-type neuroblastoma at diagnosis and relapse.
A chameleon-inspired stretchable electronic skin with interactive colour changing controlled by tactile sensing
Authors: Chou Ho-Hsiu , Nguyen Amanda , Chortos Alex , To John W.F. , Lu Chien , Mei Jianguo , Kurosawa Tadanori , Bae Won-Gyu , Tok Jeffrey B.-H. , Bao Zhenan
Published: August 2015

Some animals, such as the chameleon and cephalopod, have the remarkable capability to change their skin colour. This unique characteristic has long inspired scientists to develop materials and devices to mimic such a function. However, it requires the complex integration of stretchability, colour-changing and tactile sensing. Here we show an all-solution processed chameleon-inspired stretchable electronic skin (e-skin), in which the e-skin colour can easily be controlled through varying the applied pressure along with the applied pressure duration. As such, the e-skin’s colour change can also be in turn utilized to distinguish the pressure applied. The integration of the stretchable, highly tunable resistive pressure sensor and the fully stretchable organic electrochromic device enables the demonstration of a stretchable electrochromically active e-skin with tactile-sensing control. This system will have wide range applications such as interactive wearable devices, artificial prosthetics and smart robots.
Rhomboid domain containing 1 promotes colorectal cancer growth through activation of the EGFR signalling pathway
Authors: Song Wei , Liu Wenjie , Zhao Hong , Li Shangze , Guan Xin , Ying Jianming , Zhang Yefan , Miao Fei , Zhang Mengmeng , Ren Xiaoxia , Li Xiaolu , Wu Fan , Zhao Yuechao , Tian Yuanyuan , Wu Wenming , Fu Jun , Liang Junbo , Wu Wei , Liu Changzheng , Yu Jia , Zong Shudong , Miao Shiying , Zhang Xiaodong , Wang Linfang
Published: August 2015

Rhomboid proteins perform a wide range of important functions in a variety of organisms. Recent studies have revealed that rhomboid proteins are involved in human cancer progression; however, the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unclear. Here we show that RHBDD1, a rhomboid intramembrane serine protease, is highly expressed and closely associated with survival in patients with colorectal cancer. We observe that inactivation of RHBDD1 decreases tumor cell growth. Further studies show that RHBDD1 interacts with proTGFα and induces the ADAM-independent cleavage and secretion of proTGFα. The secreted TGFα further triggers the activation of the EGFR/Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway. Finally, the positive correlation of RHBDD1 expression with the EGFR/Raf/MEK/ERK signalling pathway is further corroborated in a murine model of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. These findings provide evidence of a growth-promoting role for RHBDD1 in colorectal cancer and may aid the development of tumor biomarkers or antitumor therapeutics.
Electrical detection of ortho–para conversion in fullerene-encapsulated water
Authors: Meier Benno , Mamone Salvatore , Concistrè Maria , Alonso-Valdesueiro Javier , Krachmalnicoff Andrea , Whitby Richard J. , Levitt Malcolm H.
Published: August 2015

Water exists in two spin isomers, ortho and para, that have different nuclear spin states. In bulk water, rapid proton exchange and hindered molecular rotation obscure the direct observation of two spin isomers. The supramolecular endofullerene H2O@C60 provides freely rotating, isolated water molecules even at cryogenic temperatures. Here we show that the bulk dielectric constant of this substance depends on the ortho/para ratio, and changes slowly in time after a sudden temperature jump, due to nuclear spin conversion. The attribution of the effect to ortho–para conversion is validated by comparison with nuclear magnetic resonance and quantum theory. The change in dielectric constant is consistent with an electric dipole moment of 0.51±0.05 Debye for an encapsulated water molecule, indicating the partial shielding of the water dipole by the encapsulating cage. The dependence of bulk dielectric constant on nuclear spin isomer composition appears to be a previously unreported physical phenomenon.
Obesity and carotid artery remodeling
Authors: Kozakova M , Palombo C , Morizzo C , Højlund K , Hatunic M , Balkau B , Nilsson P M , Ferrannini E ,   on behalf of the RISC Investigators
Published: August 2015

Background/Objective:

The present study tested the hypothesis that obesity-related changes in carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) might represent not only preclinical atherosclerosis but an adaptive remodeling meant to preserve circumferential wall stress (CWS) in altered hemodynamic conditions characterized by body size-dependent increase in stroke volume (SV) and blood pressure (BP).

Subjects/Methods:

Common carotid artery (CCA) luminal diameter (LD), IMT and CWS were measured in three different populations in order to study: (A) cross-sectional associations between SV, BP, anthropometric parameters and CCA LD (266 healthy subjects with wide range of body weight (24–159 kg)); (B) longitudinal associations between CCA LD and 3-year IMT progression rate (ΔIMT; 571 healthy non-obese subjects without increased cardiovascular (CV) risk); (C) the impact of obesity on CCA geometry and CWS (88 obese subjects without CV complications and 88 non-obese subjects matched for gender and age).

Results:

CCA LD was independently associated with SV that was determined by body size. In the longitudinal study, baseline LD was an independent determinant of ΔIMT, and ΔIMT of subjects in the highest LD quartile was significantly higher (28±3 μm) as compared with those in the lower quartiles (8±3, 16±4 and 16±3 μm, P=0.001, P<0.05 and P=0.01, respectively). In addition, CCA CWS decreased during the observational period in the highest LD quartile (from 54.2±8.6 to 51.6±7.4 kPa, P<0.0001). As compared with gender- and age-matched lean individuals, obese subjects had highly increased CCA LD and BP (P<0.0001 for both), but only slightly higher CWS (P=0.05) due to a significant increase in IMT (P=0.005 after adjustment for confounders).

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that in obese subjects, the CCA wall thickens to compensate the luminal enlargement caused by body size-induced increase in SV, and therefore, to normalize the wall stress. CCA diameter in obesity could represent an additional biomarker, depicting the impact of altered hemodynamics on arterial wall.
Differential expression of hypothalamic, metabolic and inflammatory genes in response to short-term calorie restriction in juvenile obese- and lean-prone JCR rats
Authors: Diane A , Pierce W D , Mangat R , Borthwick F , Nelson R , Russell J C , Heth C D , Jacobs R L , Vine D F , Proctor S D
Published: August 2015

Background:

Childhood obesity is an important early predictor of adult obesity and associated comorbidities. Common forms of obesity are underpinned by both environmental and genetic factors. However, the rising prevalence of obesity in genetically stable populations strongly suggests that contemporary lifestyle is a premier factor to the disease. In pediatric population, the current treatment/prevention options for obesity are lifestyle interventions such as caloric restriction (CR) and increase physical activity. In obese individuals, CR improves many metabolic parameters in peripheral tissues. Little is known about the effect of CR on the hypothalamus. This study aimed to assess the effect of CR on hypothalamic metabolic gene expression of young obese- and lean-prone animals.

Methods:

Male juvenile JCR:LA-cp obese-prone rats were freely fed (Obese-FF) or pair fed (Obese-FR) to lean-prone, free-feeding animals (Lean-FF). A group of lean-prone rats (Lean-FR) were matched for relative average degree of CR to Obese-FR rats.

Results:

In free-feeding conditions, obese-prone rats consumed more energy than lean-prone rats (P<0.001) and showed greater increases in body weight, fat mass, plasma glucose, insulin and lipids (P<0.01). These metabolic differences were associated with alterations of feeding-related neuropeptides expression in the hypothalamus, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. When submitted to the same degree of CR, the two genotypes responded differently; hypothalamic inflammatory and oxidative stress gene expression was improved in Obese-FR, while it was worsened in Lean-FR rats.

Conclusions:

We demonstrate in JCR rats that the metabolic and inflammatory response of the brain to CR is genotype dependent.