bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Songbird frequency selectivity and temporal resolution vary with sex and season
Authors: Gall Megan D. , Salameh Therese S. , Lucas Jeffrey R.
Published: November 2012

Many species of songbirds exhibit dramatic seasonal variation in song output. Recent evidence suggests that seasonal changes in auditory processing are coincident with seasonal variation in vocal output. Here, we show, for the first time, that frequency selectivity and temporal resolution of the songbird auditory periphery change seasonally and in a sex-specific manner. Male and female house sparrows (
Passer domesticus
) did not differ in their frequency sensitivity during the non-breeding season, nor did they differ in their temporal resolution. By contrast, female house sparrows showed enhanced frequency selectivity during the breeding season, which was matched by a concomitant reduction of temporal resolution. However, males failed to show seasonal plasticity in either of these auditory properties. We discuss potential mechanisms generating these seasonal patterns and the implications of sex-specific seasonal changes in auditory processing for vocal communication.
Fine-scale local adaptation in an invasive freshwater fish has evolved in contemporary time
Authors: Westley Peter A. H. , Ward Eric J. , Fleming Ian A.
Published: November 2012

Adaptive evolutionary change in only a few generations can increase the ability of non-native invasive species to spread, and yet adaptive divergence is rarely assessed in recently established populations. In this study, we experimentally test for evidence of fine-scale local adaptation in juvenile survival and growth among three populations of an invasive freshwater fish with reciprocal transplants and common-garden experiments. Despite intrinsic differences in habitat quality, in two of three populations we detected evidence of increased survival in ‘home’ versus ‘away’ environments with a Bayesian occupancy model fitted to mark–recapture data. We found support for the ‘local’ versus ‘foreign’ criterion of local adaptation as 14 of 15 pairwise comparisons of performance were consistent with local adaptation (p< 0.001). Patterns in growth were less clear, though we detected evidence of location- and population-level effects. Although the agents of divergent ecological selection are not known in this system, our results combine to indicate that adaptive divergence—reflected by higher relative survival of local individuals—can occur in a small number of generations and only a few kilometres apart on the landscape.
An allometry-based approach for understanding forest structure, predicting tree-size distribution and assessing the degree of disturbance
Authors: Anfodillo Tommaso , Carrer Marco , Simini Filippo , Popa Ionel , Banavar Jayanth R. , Maritan Amos
Published: November 2012

Tree-size distribution is one of the most investigated subjects in plant population biology. The forestry literature reports that tree-size distribution trajectories vary across different stands and/or species, whereas the metabolic scaling theory suggests that the tree number scales universally as −2 power of diameter. Here, we propose a simple functional scaling model in which these two opposing results are reconciled. Basic principles related to crown shape, energy optimization and the finite-size scaling approach were used to define a set of relationships based on a single parameter that allows us to predict the slope of the tree-size distributions in a steady-state condition. We tested the model predictions on four temperate mountain forests. Plots (4 ha each, fully mapped) were selected with different degrees of human disturbance (semi-natural stands versus formerly managed). Results showed that the size distribution range successfully fitted by the model is related to the degree of forest disturbance: in semi-natural forests the range is wide, whereas in formerly managed forests, the agreement with the model is confined to a very restricted range. We argue that simple allometric relationships, at an individual level, shape the structure of the whole forest community.
Specificity of resistance to dengue virus isolates is associated with genotypes of the mosquito antiviral geneDicer-2
Authors: Lambrechts Louis , Quillery Elsa , Noël Valérie , Richardson Jason H. , Jarman Richard G. , Scott Thomas W. , Chevillon Christine
Published: November 2012

In contrast to the prevailing view that invertebrate immunity relies on broad-spectrum recognition and effector mechanisms, intrinsic genetic compatibility between invertebrate hosts and their pathogens is often highly specific in nature. Solving this puzzle requires a better understanding of the molecular basis underlying observed patterns of invertebrate host–pathogen genetic specificity, broadly referred to as genotype-by-genotype interactions. Here, we identify an invertebrate immune gene in which natural polymorphism is associated with isolate-specific resistance to an RNA virus.Dicer-2(dcr2) encodes a key protein upstream of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, a major antiviral component of innate immunity in invertebrates. We surveyed allelic polymorphism at thedcr2locus in a wild-type outbred population and in three derived isofemale families of the mosquitoAedes aegyptithat were experimentally exposed to several, genetically distinct isolates of dengue virus. We found thatdcr2genotype was associated with resistance to dengue virus in a virus isolate-specific manner. By contrast, no such association was found for genotypes at two control loci flankingdcr2, making it likely thatdcr2contains the yet-unidentified causal polymorphism(s). This result supports the idea that host–pathogen compatibility in this system depends, in part, on a genotype-by-genotype interaction betweendcr2and the viral genome, and points to the RNAi pathway as a potentially important determinant of intrinsic insect-virus genetic specificity.
Among-sibling differences in the phenotypes of juvenile fish depend on their location within the egg mass and maternal dominance rank
Authors: Burton Tim , Hoogenboom M. O. , Beevers N. D. , Armstrong J. D. , Metcalfe N. B.
Published: November 2012

We investigated whether among-sibling differences in the phenotypes of juvenile fish were systematically related to the position in the egg mass where each individual developed during oogenesis. We sampled eggs from the front, middle and rear thirds of the egg mass in female brown trout of known dominance rank. In the resulting juveniles, we then measured traits that are related to individual fitness: body size, social status and standard metabolic rate (SMR). When controlling for differences among females in mean egg size, siblings from dominant mothers were initially larger (and had a lower mass-corrected SMR) if they developed from eggs at the rear of the egg mass. However, heterogeneity in the size of siblings from different positions in the egg mass diminished in lower-ranking females. Location of the egg within the egg mass also affected the social dominance of the resulting juvenile fish, although the direction of this effect varied with developmental age. This study provides the first evidence of a systematic basis for among-sibling differences in the phenotypes of offspring in a highly fecund organism.
The Distribution between the Dissolved and the Particulate Forms of 49 Metals across the Tigris River, Baghdad, Iraq
Authors: Hamad Samera Hussein , Schauer James Jay , Shafer Martin Merrill , Abed Al-Raheem Esam , Satar Hyder
Published: November 2012

The distribution of dissolved and particulate forms of 49 elements was investigated along transect of the Tigris River (one of the major rivers of the world) within Baghdad city and in its major tributary (Diyala River) from 11 to 28 July 2011. SF-ICP-MS was used to measure total and filterable elements at 17 locations along the Tigris River transect, two samples from the Diyala River, and in one sample from the confluence of the two rivers. The calculated particulate forms were used to determine the particle-partition coefficients of the metals. No major changes in the elements concentrations down the river transect. Dissolved phases dominated the physical speciation of many metals (e.g., As, Mo, and Pt) in the Tigris River, while Al, Fe, Pb, Th, and Ti were exhibiting high particulate fractions, with a trend of particle partition coefficients of [Ti(40) > Th(35) > Fe(15) > Al(13) > Pb(4.5)] * 106 L/kg. Particulate forms of all metals exhibited high concentrations in the Diyala River, though the partition coefficients were low due to high TSS (~270 mg/L). A comparison of Tigris with the major rivers of the world showed that Tigris quality in Baghdad is comparable to Seine River quality in Paris.
Extracellular Membrane Vesicles and Phytopathogenicity ofAcholeplasma laidlawiiPG8
Authors: Chernov Vladislav M. , Chernova Olga A. , Mouzykantov Alexey A. , Baranova Natalija B. , Gorshkov Oleg V. , Trushin Maxim V. , Nesterova Tatiana N. , Ponomareva Anastasia A.
Published: November 2012

For the first time, the phytopathogenicity of extracellular vesicles ofAcholeplasma laidlawiiPG8 (a ubiquitous mycoplasma that is one of the five common species of cell culture contaminants and is a causative agent for phytomycoplasmoses) inOryza sativaL. plants was studied. Data on the ability of extracellular vesicles ofAcholeplasma laidlawiiPG8 to penetrate from the nutrient medium into overground parts ofOryza sativaL. through the root system and to cause alterations in ultrastructural organization of the plants were presented. As a result of the analysis of ultrathin leaf sections of plants grown in medium withA. laidlawiiPG8 vesicles, we detected significant changes in tissue ultrastructure characteristic to oxidative stress in plants as well as their cultivation along with bacterial cells. The presence of nucleotide sequences of some mycoplasma genes within extracellular vesicles ofAcholeplasma laidlawiiPG8 allowed a possibility to use PCR (with the following sequencing) to perform differential detection of cells and bacterial vesicles in samples under study. The obtained data may suggest the ability of extracellular vesicles of the mycoplasma to display in plants the features of infection from the viewpoint of virulence criteria—invasivity, infectivity—and toxigenicity—and to favor to bacterial phytopathogenicity.
Gene Expression Profiles for Predicting Metastasis in Breast Cancer: A Cross-Study Comparison of Classification Methods
Authors: Burton Mark , Thomassen Mads , Tan Qihua , Kruse Torben A.
Published: November 2012

Machine learning has increasingly been used with microarray gene expression data and for the development of classifiers using a variety of methods. However, method comparisons in cross-study datasets are very scarce. This study compares the performance of seven classification methods and the effect of voting for predicting metastasis outcome in breast cancer patients, in three situations: within the same dataset or across datasets on similar or dissimilar microarray platforms. Combining classification results from seven classifiers into one voting decision performed significantly better during internal validation as well as external validation in similar microarray platforms than the underlying classification methods. When validating between different microarray platforms, random forest, another voting-based method, proved to be the best performing method. We conclude that voting based classifiers provided an advantage with respect to classifying metastasis outcome in breast cancer patients.
Functional Divergence of the Glutathione S-Transferase Supergene Family in Physcomitrella patens Reveals Complex Patterns of Large Gene Family Evolution in Land Plants
Authors: Liu Yan-Jing , Han Xue-Min , Ren Lin-Ling , Yang Hai-Ling , Zeng Qing-Yin
Published: November 2012

Plant glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are multifunctional proteins encoded by a large gene family that play major roles in the detoxification of xenobiotics and oxidative stress metabolism. To date, studies on the GST gene family have focused mainly on vascular plants (particularly agricultural plants). In contrast, little information is available on the molecular characteristics of this large gene family in nonvascular plants. In addition, the evolutionary patterns of this family in land plants remain unclear. In this study, we identified 37 GST genes from the whole genome of the moss Physcomitrella patens, a nonvascular representative of early land plants. The 37 P. patens  GSTs were divided into 10 classes, including two new classes (hemerythrin and iota). However, no tau GSTs were identified, which represent the largest class among vascular plants. P. patens  GST gene family members showed extensive functional divergence in their gene structures, gene expression responses to abiotic stressors, enzymatic characteristics, and the subcellular locations of the encoded proteins. A joint phylogenetic analysis of GSTs from P. patens and other higher vascular plants showed that different class GSTs had distinct duplication patterns during the evolution of land plants. By examining multiple characteristics, this study revealed complex patterns of evolutionary divergence among the GST gene family in land plants.
Encapsulant materials systems for flip‐chip‐on‐board assemblies: addressing manufacturing issues
Authors: Gamota Daniel R. , Melton Cindy M.
Published: November 2012

Encapsulant materials for flip‐chip‐on‐board (FCOB) were developed to address issues that have been observed during assembly of consumer electronic products on a high volume manufacturing FCOB/SMT line. The viscosity, surface tension, and filler particle sizes of several encapsulants were studied in an attempt to correlate these properties to their recorded underfill times and to observe their flow properties under the gap. Materials characterization studies were performed to determine their glass transition temperatures (Tg), tensile elastic and loss moduli (E′ and E′′), coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), and apparent strengths of adhesion (ASA). In addition, reliability tests were conducted, and several promising materials were identified. The ASA of the encapsulant to the die passivation and the printed circuit board (PCB) is critical to the robustness of the assembly. Studies were conducted to observe the ASA as a function of FCOB assembly conditioning prior to underfilling and the degradation of the ASA as a function of humidity exposure. The ASA of the FCOB encapsulants was highest when the assembly was “baked‐out” prior to underfilling. Conditioning the assemblies for 24 hours at 23°C/85 per cent RH, to simulate the “worse case” factory environment, reduced the ASA. The ASA was also reduced when the “baked‐out” assemblies were placed in the 85°C/85 per cent RH chamber after underfilling. Although the ASA was decreased when the boards were not “baked‐out”, the reliability performance was not affected during air to air temperature cycling (AATC). A new class of low stress encapsulant materials systems were developed to reduce the stress state of the backside of the die. Studies showed that for specific materials compositions, the stress was proportional to the glass transition temperature of the encapsulant. In addition, it was observed that the stress state was a function of humidity, temperature, and time. FCOB assemblies were built with several low stress encapsulants and placed in reliability testing and they performed as well as assemblies underfilled with the qualified encapsulant.
Conformal coating removal techniques
Authors: Horrocks Hal
Published: November 2012

Summarizes the different techniques for the removal of conformal coatings from printed circuit boards and other electronic assemblies. Addresses each of the four techniques for the removal of conformal coating (thermal, mechanical, chemical and abrasive), along with how they work with each type of conformal coating (urethane, acrylic, silicone, epoxy, parylene and UV curable coatings). Also provides summaries for the removal times and clean up for each technique.
A low‐cost chip size package – NuCSP
Authors: Chou T. , Lau J.
Published: November 2012

Presents a new wire bondable land grid array (LGA) chip scale package called NuCSP. NuCSP is a minimized body size wire bondable package with rigid substrate interposer. The design concept is to utilize the plating bars on the edges of the package substrate as the wire bond fingers. Bond fingers are redistributed inward to an array of plated through hole vias underneath the chip, then are connected to copper pads on the bottom of the package. NuCSP package size is about equal to die size + 3 mm. Using conventional PCB substrate manufacturing with 4/4 mils routing width/space and wire bonding process, NuCSP offers a very low cost package suitable for memory chips and low pin count application specific IC (ASIC) applications. The other advantages are that the use of wirebonding allow NuCSP be applicable for die size, pad count and pitch variations. Because it is wire bondable, NuCSP may be as generic as plastic quad flat pack (PQFP), yet providing smaller body size, lower cost and smaller package electrical parasitic parameters.
Faecal incontinence persisting after childbirth: a 12 year longitudinal study
Authors: MacArthur C , Wilson D , Herbison P , Lancashire RJ , Hagen S , Toozs‐Hobson P , Dean N , Glazener C ,   On behalf of the ProLong study group
Published: November 2012

Objectives

To investigate persistent faecal incontinence (FI) 12 years after birth and association with delivery mode history and quality of life.

Design

Twelve‐year longitudinal study.

Setting

Maternity units in Aberdeen, Birmingham and Dunedin.

Population

Women who returned questionnaires 3 months and 12 years after index birth.

Methods

Data on all births over 12 months were obtained from units and women were contacted 3 months, 6 years and 12 years post birth.

Main outcome measure

Persistent FI, defined as reported at 12 years and one or more previous contacts. SF12 assessed quality of life.

Results

Of 7879 women recruited at 3 months, 3763 responded at 12 years, 2944 of whom also responded at 6 years: nonresponders were similar in obstetric factors. Prevalence of persistent FI was 6.0% (227/3763); 43% of 12‐year responders who reported FI at 3 months also reported it at 12 years. Women with persistent FI had significantly lower SF12 scores. Compared with only spontaneous vaginal deliveries, women who had one or more forceps delivery were more likely to have persistent FI (odds ratio [OR] 2.08, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.53–2.85) but it was no less likely with exclusively caesarean births (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.54–1.58). More obese women than normal weight women reported persistent FI (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.06–2.17).

Conclusions

This longitudinal study has demonstrated persistence of FI many years after birth and shown that one forceps birth increased the likelihood, whereas exclusive caesarean birth showed no association. Obesity, which increased symptom likelihood, is a modifiable risk factor.
Validation of the Patient Global Impression scales for use in detrusor overactivity: secondary analysis of the RELAX study
Authors: Tincello DG , Owen RK , Slack MC , Abrams KR
Published: November 2012

Objective

To assess construct validity of the Patient Global Impression scales (Severity [PGI‐S], Bother [PGI‐B] and Improvement [PGI‐I]) for symptoms of detrusor overactivity (DO).

Design

Secondary analysis of a randomised trial of onabotulinum toxin A.

Setting

Eight UK urogynaecology departments.

Population

A total of 240 women with DO refractory to medical treatment randomised to receive 200 iu onabotulinum toxin A or placebo in the RELAX trial and followed up for 6 months.

Main outcome measures

Urinary diaries and disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were completed at baseline and during follow up. Discriminatory ability of the PGI‐S, PGI‐B and PGI‐I scales to identify symptom severity and change in severity was assessed by comparing mean diary and QoL outcomes across the response categories, analysed by one‐way analysis of variance.

Results

Data were available from 237 women (98.8%) for validation of PGI‐S and PGI‐B at baseline, and 192 women (80%) at 6 weeks follow up for validation of PGI‐I. Leakage episodes (P = 0.01), urgency episodes (P = 0.019), urgency severity (P = 0.012), and QoL scores (all P < 0.001) were greater in women with more severe problems on PGI‐S. Similar results were seen for PGI‐B: leakage (P = 0.051), urgency episodes (P < 0.001), urgency severity (P < 0.001), and QoL scores (all P < 0.001). PGI‐I responses demonstrated significant relationships with size of change of all variables (P < 0.001). The generic instrument EQ‐5D had weaker relationships (PGI‐S, P = 0.09; PGI‐B, P = 0.004; PGI‐I, P = 0.06), suggesting that it was less sensitive.

Conclusions

The PGI scales are robust and valid instruments to assess disease severity, bother and improvement after treatment in women with detrusor overactivity.
Atypical upswing at initial part of phase III in capnograms due to technical cause
Authors: CHON J.‐Y. , KANG J.‐M.
Published: November 2012

We sporadically experienced three paediatric cases of atypical upswing at the initial part of phase III in the capnograms via side‐stream capnometer immediately following endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. No fault was found in the monitor or anaesthetic system including breathing circuits, carbon dioxide (CO2) sampling tube, water trap, and unidirectional valves. The upsurge of CO2 disappeared with increasing the respiratory rate; however, it reappeared with decreasing the respiratory rate and vice versa. We experimentally reproduced the phenomenon of overshooting CO2 measurement after the luer lock connection of the sample gas line at the water trap had been unscrewed a little bit.
Academic buoyancy and academic outcomes: Towards a further understanding of students with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), students without ADHD, and academic buoyancy itself
Authors: Martin Andrew J.
Published: November 2012

Background

Academic buoyancy is students' capacity to successfully overcome setback and challenge that is typical of the ordinary course of everyday academic life. It may represent an important factor on the psycho‐educational landscape assisting students who experience difficulties in school and schoolwork.

Aims

This study investigated the role of academic buoyancy in the achievement and cognitive, affective and behavioural engagement of (1) students with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and (2) ‘regular’ (or ‘general’) students residing in the same classrooms and schools. The study also sought to extend prior research into academic buoyancy by including previously neglected and potentially influential factors such as personality and socio‐economic status.

Sample

Participants were n = 87 high school students with ADHD, n = 3374 non‐ADHD peers, and n = 87 randomly drawn non‐ADHD students.

Method

Survey‐based data were analysed using multigroup (ADHD, non‐ADHD, randomly weighted non‐ADHD) multivariate (multiple independent/covariate and dependent variables) path analysis.

Results

The findings revealed a significant and positive association between academic buoyancy and outcomes for students with ADHD that generalized to non‐ADHD groups. On occasion where academic buoyancy effects differed between the groups, effects favoured students with ADHD. Furthermore, academic buoyancy explained significant variance in outcomes for both groups of students after covariates (age, gender, parent education, language background, socio‐economic status, personality) were entered.

Conclusion

It is concluded that there is merit in widely promoting and fostering academic buoyancy among ADHD and non‐ADHD students alike – and that academic buoyancy explains variance in outcomes beyond major intrapersonal factors such as personality, socio‐economic status, ethnicity, and the like.
The echogenicity of the intima–media complex in the common carotid artery is related to insulin resistance measured by the hyperinsulinemic clamp in elderly men
Authors: Lind Lars , Wohlin Martin , Andren Bertil , Sundström Johan
Published: November 2012

The echogenicity of the intima–media complex (IM‐GSM) has recently been shown to be related to the echogenicity in carotid artery plaque and to predict cardiovascular (CV) mortality. The present study aims to evaluate the relationship between metabolic CV risk factors, with special emphasis on insulin resistance, and IM‐GSM in the carotid artery. Carotid artery ultrasound with grey‐scale median analysis of the intima–media complex, IM‐GSM, was performed in a population sample of 480 men aged 75 years. In these subjects, a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp to investigate insulin resistance was performed together with measurements of conventional CV risk factors at the age of 70. The metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined by the NCEP/ATPIII‐criteria. In univariate analysis, IM‐GSM in the common carotid artery was inversely correlated with the intima–media thickness (IMT), body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, fasting glucose, serum triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol and insulin resistance at the clamp (r = −0·24, P<0·001). In multiple regression analysis, only insulin resistance at the clamp and BMI were independently related to IM‐GSM. Subjects with the MetS (22%) showed a reduced IM‐GSM when compared to those without (64 ± 20 SD versus 68 ± 19, P<0·05). Because the echogenicity of the intima–media complex in the carotid artery is related to obesity and insulin resistance at clamp independently of IMT, this new vascular characteristic would serve as a marker of vascular alterations induced by insulin resistance and the MetS and has the advantage to be obtainable in almost all subjects.
A comparison of dynamic contrast‐enhanced CT and MR imaging‐derived measurements in patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Kim Sun Mo , Haider Masoom A , Milosevic Michael , Yeung Ivan W T
Published: November 2012

This work is to compare the kinetic parameters derived from the DCE‐CT and ‐MR data of a group of 37 patients with cervical cancer. The modified Tofts model and the reference tissue method were applied to estimate kinetic parameters. In the MR kinetic analyses using the modified Tofts model for each patient data set, both the arterial input function (AIF) measured from DCE‐MR images and a population‐averaged AIF from the literature were applied to the analyses, while the measured AIF was used for the CT kinetic analysis. The kinetic parameters obtained from both modalities were compared. Significant moderate correlations were found in modified Tofts parameters [volume transfer constant(Ktrans) and rate constant (kep)] between CT and MR analysis for MR with the measured AIFs (R = 0·45, P<0·01 and R = 0·40, P<0·01 in high‐Ktrans region; R = 0·38, P<0·01 and R = 0·80, P<0·01 in low‐Ktrans region) as well as with the population‐averaged AIF (R = 0·59, P<0·01 and R = 0·62, P<0·01 in high‐Ktrans region; R = 0·50, P<0·01 and R = 0·63, P<0·01 in low‐Ktrans region), respectively. In addition, from the Bland–Altman plot analysis, it was found that the systematic biases (the mean difference) between the modalities were drastically reduced in magnitude by adopting the population‐averaged AIF for the MR analysis instead of the measured ones (from 51·5% to 18·9% for Ktrans and from 21·7% to 4·1% for kep in high‐Ktrans region; from 73·0% to 29·4% for Ktrans and from 63·4% to 24·5% for kep in low‐Ktrans region). The preliminary results showed the feasibility in the interchangeable use of the two imaging modalities in assessing cervical cancers.
Poikilodermatous mycosis fungoides with a CD8+ CD56+ immunophenotype: a case report and literature review
Authors: Shiomi Tatsushi , Monobe Yasumasa , Kuwabara Chiaki , Hayashi Haruko , Yamamoto Takenobu , Sadahira Yoshito
Published: November 2012

Mycosis fungoides (MF) represents the most common type of cutaneous lymphoma. MF shows varieties in both its clinical presentation and immunophenotype. We herein report one case of poikilodermatous MF with a CD8+ CD56+ immunophenotype and present a literature review. A 20‐year‐old Japanese woman presented with a 10‐year history of multiple poikilodermatous and reddish or brownish patches with mild pruritus on the chest, abdomen, back, buttock and thighs. Histopathologically, small‐ to medium‐sized atypical lymphocytes infiltrated into the epidermis, indicating epidermotropism, along the basal layer, and distributed in band‐like appearance in the papillary dermis. Immunohistochemically, atypical lymphocytes expressed CD3, CD8, CD56, T‐cell intracellular antigen (TIA)‐1, granzyme B and beta F1 but lacked expression of CD4, CD20, CD30 and Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1. An EBV‐encoded small non‐polyadenylated RNA‐1 (EBER‐1) signal was not detected. On the basis of these findings, the diagnosis of CD8+ CD56+ MF was established. Poikilodermatous MF with a CD8+ CD56+ immunophenotype, as presented herein, is extremely rare. Although further investigation is needed to fully clarify the nature of this aberrant phenotype of MF, we stress that it is important to recognize this rare immunophenotype of MF to distinguish it from aggressive cytotoxic cutaneous lymphomas.
Transcutaneous Aortic Valve Implantation in Patients with Combined Aortic Stenosis and Mitral Regurgitation: Does the Choice of Prosthesis Matter?
Authors: Silbiger Jeffrey J.
Published: November 2012

See Article on Page 250
Transient Symptomatic Severe Mitral Regurgitation after Electric Cardioversion of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Stampfli Tomoe , Monnard Simon , Müller Hajo
Published: November 2012

Introduction: After electric cardioversion (EC), several cases of cardiac stunning with cardiogenic shock have been reported. Several hypotheses have been proposed, including stunning of the left ventricle (LV) and modifications in the LV conformation that could lead to severe mitral regurgitation (MR). We report 2 cases of cardiogenic shock with severe MR after EC for atrial fibrillation (AF). Case 1: A 75‐year‐old man presented with AF. A transesophageal echocardiography before the EC showed moderate MR. Shortly after successful EC, the patient developed a cardiogenic shock. The transthoracic and a transesophageal echocardiography showed severe MR. Four days later, an echocardiography showed recovery of MR to a moderate grade. Case 2: An 85‐year‐old woman with a history of percutaneous aortic valve replacement presented with AF. After EC, she developed a cardiogenic shock. The transthoracic echocardiography showed severe MR. After recovery, the echocardiography showed moderate MR. Discussion: Cardiac stunning after EC is well known and could explain the development of severe MR due to restrictive movement of leaflets. The transient character of the MR favors a functional origin with an alteration in the geometry of the mitral apparatus. Some cases of so‐called “eclipsed MR” are described in the literature, however, independently to electric shocks. Conclusion: In some patients, flash pulmonary edema seems to be due to transient severe functional MR, although the exact underlying physiopathologic mechanism remains unclear. An ischemic origin with papillary muscle dysfunction due to transient low perfusion could also be advocated.
Severe Mitral Regurgitation Caused by Perivalvular Abnormal Communication of the Mitral Valve Due to Blunt Chest Trauma
Authors: Wu Wei‐Hua , Xie Xiao‐Yi , Ma Lan , Lu Jing
Published: November 2012

Perivalvular leaks are usually caused by suture interruption in prosthetic valves or infective endocarditis. Traumatic mitral annular dehiscence is a very uncommon event. We present a rare case of severe mitral regurgitation secondary to perivalvular abnormal communication in a 35‐year‐old man with a history of blunt chest trauma. He presented with symptoms of cough and chest tightness for 3 months. Preoperative two‐dimensional and real time three‐dimensional transesophageal echocardiography clearly showed the position and size of the perivalvular abnormal communication and the incident damage of the left ventricular wall. The patient finally underwent successful surgical repair.
Anthropogenic noise decreases urban songbird diversity and may contribute to homogenization
Authors: Proppe Darren S. , Sturdy Christopher B. , St. Clair Colleen Cassady
Published: November 2012

More humans reside in urban areas than at any other time in history. Protected urban green spaces and transportation greenbelts support many species, but diversity in these areas is generally lower than in undeveloped landscapes. Habitat degradation and fragmentation contribute to lowered diversity and urban homogenization, but less is known about the role of anthropogenic noise. Songbirds are especially vulnerable to anthropogenic noise because they rely on acoustic signals for communication. Recent studies suggest that anthropogenic noise reduces the density and reproductive success of some bird species, but that species which vocalize at frequencies above those of anthropogenic noise are more likely to inhabit noisy areas. We hypothesize that anthropogenic noise is contributing to declines in urban diversity by reducing the abundance of select species in noisy areas, and that species with low‐frequency songs are those most likely to be affected. To examine this relationship, we calculated the noise‐associated change in overall species richness and in abundance for seven common songbird species. After accounting for variance due to vegetative differences, species richness and the abundance of three of seven species were reduced in noisier locations. Acoustic analysis revealed that minimum song frequency was highly predictive of a species' response to noise, with lower minimum song frequencies incurring greater noise‐associated reduction in abundance. These results suggest that anthropogenic noise affects some species independently of vegetative conditions, exacerbating the exclusion of some songbird species in otherwise suitable habitat. Minimum song frequency may provide a useful metric to predict how particular species will be affected by noise. In sum, mitigation of noise may enhance habitat suitability for many songbird species, especially for species with songs that include low‐frequency elements.
A Mutagenesis Method for the Addition and Deletion of Highly Repetitive DNA Regions: The Paradigm of EPIYA Motifs in the cagA Gene of Helicobacter pylori
Authors: Papadakos Konstantinos S. , Sougleri Ioanna S. , Mentis Andreas F. , Sgouras Dionyssios N.
Published: November 2012

Background

CagA protein of Western origin Helicobacter pylori isolates contains at its carboxyl‐terminal end repeating types of EPIYA motifs, depending on the surrounding sequence, which dictate hierarchic tyrosine phosphorylation. To produce, in an isogenic background, mutant strains expressing CagA protein with variable numbers of EPIYA‐C terminal motifs, we have adopted a mutagenesis assay using a megaprimer approach.

Materials and Methods

The H. pylori P12 reference strain containing two terminal EPIYA‐C motifs was utilized. Initially, we cloned, full‐length cagA gene, next to the Campylobacter jejuni kanamycin‐resistance cassette, followed by the 1200‐bp region located immediately after cagA gene (metacagA region). Then, we generated a megaprimer consisting of three consecutive copies of the EPIYA‐C coding sequence of cagA gene, followed by the 140‐bp region of the cagA genomic sequence present immediately after the second EPIYA‐C repeat. We utilized these two products to perform a QuikChange mutagenesis assay and were able to obtain all desired combinations of EPIYA‐C motifs, followed by Kanr cassette and metacagA region. These constructions were used to perform natural transformation of the P12 parental strain, by directional homologous recombination.

Results

We produced isogenic H. pylori strains that express CagA with variable number of EPIYA‐C motifs (AB, ABC, ABCCC) and their phosphorylation‐deficient counterparts. They exhibited similar growth characteristics to the parental strain, adhered equally well to gastric cells and successfully translocated CagA, following pilus induction.

Conclusions

Our method can be used in other cases where highly repetitive sequences need to be reproduced.
Preparation of titanium phosphates with additives in hydrothermal process and their powder properties for cosmetics
Authors: Onoda Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Taisuke
Published: November 2012

Synopsis

In this study, titanium phosphates were prepared from titanium chloride and phosphoric acid, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium triphosphate solutions with water retention compounds in hydrothermal process as a novel white pigment for cosmetics. Their chemical composition, powder properties, photo catalytic activity, water retention and smoothness were studied. The addition of glycerin in the preparation from sodium pyrophosphate has the useful method to obtain homogenized spherical particles of titanium phosphate pigments for the cosmetics. These titanium phosphates had less photo catalytic activity to protect the sebum on the skin.
Anaesthetic efficacy of supplemental lingual infiltration of mandibular molars after inferior alveolar nerve block plus buccal infiltration in patients with irreversible pulpitis
Authors: Dou L. , Luo J. , Yang D.
Published: November 2012

Aim

To investigate the effect of supplemental lingual infiltration (LI) of mandibular molars following an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) plus buccal infiltration (BI) in patients with irreversible pulpitis.

Methodology

Eighty adult patients diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis participated in this prospective study. All patients received standard IANB via injection of 4 mL of 2% lidocaine with 1 : 100 000 epinephrine. Ten minutes after the IANB, patients with numbness of the lower lip were randomly divided into two groups. In the BI group, 40 patients received supplemental BI of 0.9 mL of 4% articaine with 1 : 100 000 epinephrine. In the buccal plus lingual infiltration (BLI) group, 40 patients received supplemental BI of 0.9 mL of 4% articaine with 1 : 100 000 epinephrine and, subsequently, LIs with the same anaesthetic solution and dose. Endodontic access cavity preparation began 15 min after the IANB. Pain during treatment was recorded using a Heft–Parker visual analogue scale. Success was defined when pain was ‘none’ or ‘mild’ on endodontic access and initial instrumentation. The pain was estimated and statistically analysed by the chi‐squared test (α = 0.05).

Results

The success rates for the BI and BLI groups were 70% and 62.5%, respectively. No statistical difference was found between the two groups (P = 0.478).

Conclusions

Supplemental LIs are not recommended for administration in mandibular molars with irreversible pulpitis, because they do not improve the anaesthetic success after IANB plus BI.
Alloreactive CD8 T cells rescued from apoptosis during co‐stimulation blockade by Toll‐like receptor stimulation remain susceptible to Fas‐induced cell death
Authors: Priyadharshini Bhavana , Thornley Thomas B. , Daniels Keith A. , Cuthbert Amy , Welsh Raymond M. , Greiner Dale L. , Brehm Michael A.
Published: November 2012

Blockade of co‐stimulatory signals to T cells is extremely effective for the induction of transplantation tolerance in immunologically naive rodents. However, infections and inflammation compromise the efficacy of co‐stimulation blockade regimens for the induction of tolerance, thereby stimulating the rejection of allografts. Previous studies have shown that stimulation of innate immunity abrogates tolerance induction by preventing the deletion of alloreactive CD8+ T cells that normally occurs during co‐stimulation blockade. Although inflammation prevents the deletion of alloreactive T cells during co‐stimulation blockade, it is not known if this resistance to cell death is the result of a mechanism intrinsic to the T cell. Here, we used syngeneic bone marrow chimeric mice that contain a trace population of T‐cell receptor transgenic alloreactive CD8+ T cells to investigate the early apoptotic signature and activation status of alloreactive T cells following exposure to inflammatory signals during co‐stimulation blockade with an antibody specific for CD154. Our findings revealed that the presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide during co‐stimulation blockade enhanced the early activation of alloreactive CD8+ T cells, as indicated by the up‐regulation of CD25 and CD69, suppressed Fas ligand expression, and prevented apoptotic cell death. However, alloreactive CD8+ T cells from lipopolysaccharide‐treated mice remained sensitive to Fas‐mediated apoptosis in vitro. These findings suggest that alloreactive T cells rescued from deletion during co‐stimulation blockade by inflammation are still sensitive to pro‐apoptotic signals and that stimulating these apoptotic pathways during co‐stimulation blockade may augment the induction of tolerance.
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: a molecular pathway for the environmental control of the immune response
Authors: Quintana Francisco J.
Published: November 2012

Environmental factors have significant effects on the development of autoimmune diseases. The ligand‐activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is controlled by endogenous and environmental small molecules. Hence, AHR provides a molecular pathway by which endogenous and environmental signals can influence the immune response and the development of autoimmune diseases. AHR also provides a target for therapeutic intervention in immune‐mediated disorders. In this review, we discuss the role of AHR in the regulation of T‐cell differentiation and autoimmunity.
Promising ‐ Part 2
Authors: Heuer Ulrike
Published: November 2012

The explanation of promising is fraught with problems. In particular the problem that promises can be valid even when nothing good comes of keeping the promise (the problem of ‘bare wrongings’), and the bootstrapping problem with explaining how the mere intention to put oneself under an obligation can create such an obligation have been recognized since Hume’s famous discussion of the topic. In part 1, I showed that two main views of promising which attempt to solve these problems fall short of explaining the promissory obligation nonetheless. In this second part, I will explain what it takes to show that there is such an obligation (rather than just a reason of a different kind) to keep one’s promises, and discuss a further account of promissory obligation – the normative powers account – which perhaps stands a chance to solve both the bootstrapping and the bare wrongings problem (or rather, to show why we needn’t be worried about those problems after all), and to successfully explain promissory obligation. It comes in at least two different forms: one which regards the normative power to promise as based on our ability to form special relationships, and another which regards the promisee’s ‘authority interest’ as the basis.
Doing Philosophy in Style: A New Look at the Analytic/Continental Divide
Authors: Trakakis N. N.
Published: November 2012

Questions of style are often deemed of marginal importance in philosophy, as well as in metaphilosophical debates concerning the analytic/Continental divide. I take issue with this common tendency by showing how style – suitably conceived not merely as a way of writing, but as a form of expression intimately linked to a form of life – occupies a central role in philosophy. After providing an analysis of the concept of style, I take a fresh look at the analytic/Continental division by examining the various stylistic differences between philosophers on each side. Despite these differences, I argue, both sides of the divide suffer from a common stylistic deficiency, and if this deficiency were rectified the gulf separating the two traditions may not appear as insurmountable as it presently does. To show this, I draw principally from the philosophy of religion, a field that has recently experienced a renewal in both the analytic and Continental traditions.
Philosophy of the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle
Authors: Tuominen Miira
Published: November 2012

From the first century BCE onwards, philosophers started to write commentaries on those Aristotle’s treatises that were meant for the internal use of his school. Plato’s works had been commented on already earlier, the first reported commentary originates in the 300s BCE. Commentaries are treatises that follow an object text in a more or less linear fashion. The format was not unknown before the first century BCE but new in extensive philosophical use. This review essay focuses on authors who commented on Aristotle’s works. The commentaries emerged when Platonists and Aristotelians observed the need to teach the philosophy of these ancient masters to their students and to systematise their philosophy to respond to rival schools. In the late ancient schools, Plato and Aristotle were considered great thinkers, whose views needed to be studied carefully when considering any matter at hand. Many also argued that, despite the initial appearance to the contrary, there is no deep disagreement between Plato and Aristotle but, rather, a division of labour; Aristotle is dominant in natural philosophy and Plato in theology. However, this harmony thesis was not universally accepted. Despite their respect for Plato and Aristotle, the commentators were not mere followers of these authors. They developed, criticised and transformed the doctrines in significant ways, not only by suggesting different answers to the same questions but also by transforming the questions themselves.
Single‐Crystalline Mesoporous Molybdenum Nitride Nanowires with Improved Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Lee Kyung‐Hoon , Lee Young‐Woo , Ko A‐Ra , Cao Guozhong , Park Kyung‐Won
Published: November 2012

We report single‐crystalline mesoporous molybdenum nitride nanowires (meso‐Mo3N2‐NWs) prepared by topotactic reaction using single‐crystalline molybdenum oxide nanowires. The single‐crystalline nature of meso‐Mo3N2‐NWs was clearly observed by field‐emission transmission electron microscopy. The meso‐Mo3N2‐NWs exhibited mesoporous structure with ∼45 m2/g in specific surface area and ∼4.6 nm in average pore size confirmed by a nitrogen sorption measurement. Due to high specific surface area and mesoporous structure, meso‐Mo3N2‐NWs showed much higher specific capacitance and excellent charging–discharging performance as compared with Mo3N2 prepared using conventional nitridation process.
Developing a measure of work uncertainty
Authors: Leach Desmond , Hagger‐Johnson Gareth , Doerner Nadin , Wall Toby , Turner Nick , Dawson Jeremy , Grote Gudela
Published: November 2012

Uncertainty is a key contingency in the relationship between work characteristics and outcomes such as employee performance and well‐being. In this paper, we specify and test a self‐report measure of work uncertainty for use in any setting to facilitate research and decision making regarding the design of work. Using data collected from three diverse samples, analyses found support for a multi‐dimensional model that corresponds to resource, task, and input/output sources of uncertainty. The scales showed discriminant validity, and task uncertainty was found to moderate the relationship between job control and intrinsic job satisfaction in a form consistent with theoretical predictions.

Practitioner Points

The self‐report measure of work uncertainty may be used to evaluate existing work design and facilitate its redesign.

As research demonstrates, it is critical that the level of job control afforded to employees is congruent with the level of uncertainty they experience. Failure to consider the role of uncertainty in linking job control to outcomes (e.g., performance, well‐being) can undermine work redesign investment.