bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DELAY-INDUCED DYNAMICAL TRANSITIONS IN SINGLE HINDMARSH–ROSE SYSTEM
Authors: ZHENG Y. G.
Published: October 2013

The dynamical transitions resulting from time delay in single Hindmarsh–Rose system are investigated in the present paper. As the time delay varies, the change of the structure of slow manifold is first formulated by using the method of stability switch. Then, the delay-induced dynamical transitions are investigated through the analysis of geometric singular perturbation, and in several case studies, the mechanism of the dynamical transitions is illuminated. Numerical results demonstrate the validity of the theoretical results.
FINITE SYMMETRY GROUP AND COHERENT SOLITON SOLUTIONS FOR THE BROER–KAUP–KUPERSHMIDT SYSTEM
Authors: YU JUN , HU HANWEI
Published: October 2013

A modified CK direct method is generalized to find finite symmetry groups of nonlinear mathematical physics systems. For the (2 + 1)-dimensional Broer–Kaup–Kupershmidt (BKK) system, both the Lie point symmetry and the non-Lie symmetry groups are obtained by this method. While using the traditional Lie approach, one can only find the Lie symmetry groups. Furthermore, abundant localized structures of the BKK equation are also obtained from the non-Lie symmetry group.
Implications of Time-Averaged Death Assemblages for Ecology and Conservation Biology
Authors: Kidwell Susan M. , Tomasovych Adam
Published: October 2013

Biologists increasingly appreciate the importance of community-level attributes in the functioning and temporal turnover of ecosystems, but data other than species richness are difficult to acquire over the habitat-to-regional and decadal-to-millennial scales needed to recognize biodiversity change, discriminate between natural and anthropogenic drivers, and inform theoretical and applied ecology. Death assemblages (DAs)—the actively accumulating organic remains encountered in present-day seabeds and landscapes, as distinct from permanently buried fossil assemblages—are an underexploited source of historical information at precisely these scales. Meta-analyses, dynamic modeling, and individual case studies, particularly of mollusks and mammals, reveal that DAs differ from censused living assemblages (LAs) primarily because they are temporally coarse, time-averaged samples, contrary to concerns that postmortem bias dominates. Temporal pooling predictably damps the ability of DAs to detect small-scale variation, but promotes their ability to inventory rare species; estimate the abundance structure of the metacommunity; document range changes; evaluate historic habitat use; and identify now-absent species, community states, and anthropogenically shifted baselines.
microRNA Therapeutics in Cardiovascular Disease Models
Authors: Dangwal Seema , Thum Thomas
Published: October 2013

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of human morbidity and mortality, posing a high socioeconomic burden on the health sector worldwide. microRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a new class of unique molecular regulators involved in the pathophysiology of a wide range of disorders. Studies in the past decade have identified miRNA signatures of various cardiovascular disorders and successfully validated miRNA-based therapeutic options in various small and a few large experimental cardiovascular disease models. In these models, researchers manipulate the expression of miRNAs and downstream signaling cascades, aiming to prevent and cure cardiovascular disease. Here, we review and discuss the recent reports on the in vivo use of miRNA animal models and miRNA therapeutic development as well as provide an outlook for clinical applications in the near future.
Tetraplegia is a risk factor for central sleep apnea
Authors: Sankari Abdulghani , Bascom Amy T. , Chowdhuri Susmita , Badr M. Safwan
Published: October 2013

Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI); the exact mechanism(s) or the predictors of disease are unknown. We hypothesized that patients with cervical SCI (C-SCI) are more susceptible to central apnea than patients with thoracic SCI (T-SCI) or able-bodied controls. Sixteen patients with chronic SCI, level T6 or above (8 C-SCI, 8 T-SCI; age 42.5 ± 15.5 years; body mass index 25.9 ± 4.9 kg/m2) and 16 matched controls were studied. The hypocapnic apneic threshold and CO2 reserve were determined using noninvasive ventilation. For participants with spontaneous central apnea, CO2 was administered until central apnea was abolished, and CO2 reserve was measured as the difference in end-tidal CO2 (PetCO2) before and after. Steady-state plant gain (PG) was calculated from PetCO2 and VE ratio during stable sleep. Controller gain (CG) was defined as the ratio of change in VE between control and hypopnea or apnea to the ΔPetCO2. Central SDB was more common in C-SCI than T-SCI (63% vs. 13%, respectively; P < 0.05). Mean CO2 reserve for all participants was narrower in C-SCI than in T-SCI or control group (−0.4 ± 2.9 vs.−2.9 ± 3.3 vs. −3.0 ± 1.2 l·min−1·mmHg−1, respectively; P < 0.05). PG was higher in C-SCI than in T-SCI or control groups (10.5 ± 2.4 vs. 5.9 ± 2.4 vs. 6.3 ± 1.6 mmHg·l−1·min−1, respectively; P < 0.05) and CG was not significantly different. The CO2 reserve was an independent predictor of apnea-hypopnea index. In conclusion, C-SCI had higher rates of central SDB, indicating that tetraplegia is a risk factor for central sleep apnea. Sleep-related hypoventilation may play a significant role in the mechanism of SDB in higher SCI levels.
New Exact Jacobi Elliptic Function Solutions for the Coupled Schrödinger-Boussinesq Equations
Authors: Hong Baojian , Lu Dianchen
Published: October 2013

A general algebraic method based on the generalized Jacobi elliptic functions expansion method, the improved general mapping deformation method, and the extended auxiliary function method with computerized symbolic computation is proposed to construct more new exact solutions for coupled Schrödinger-Boussinesq equations. As a result, several families of new generalized Jacobi elliptic function wave solutions are obtained by using this method, some of them are degenerated to solitary wave solutions and trigonometric function solutions in the limited cases, which shows that the general method is more powerful than plenty of traditional methods and will be used in further works to establish more entirely new solutions for other kinds of nonlinear partial differential equations arising in mathematical physics.
Double Ballbar Measurement for Identifying Kinematic Errors of Rotary Axes on Five-Axis Machine Tools
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Yi , Yang Jianguo
Published: October 2013

This paper proposes a novel measuring method which uses double ballbar (DBB) to inspect the kinematic errors of the rotary axes of five-axis machine tool. In this study, kinematic error mathematical model is firstly established based on the analysis of the rotary axes errors which originated from five-axis machine tools. In the simulation, working conditions considering different error origins are simulated to find the relationship between the DBB measuring patterns and the kinematic errors. In the measuring experiment, the machine rotary axes move simultaneously along a specified circular path while all the linear axes are kept stationary. The original DBB measuring data are processed to draw the measuring patterns in the polar plots which can be employed to observe and identify the kinematic errors. Rotary error compensation is implemented based on the function of external machine origin shift. Both the simulation and the experiment results show the convenience and effectiveness of the proposed measuring method as well as its operability as a calibration method of five-axis machine tools.
Superconductivity in an Inhomogeneous Bundle of Metallic and Semiconducting Nanotubes
Authors: Grigorenko Ilya , Zakhidov Anvar
Published: October 2013

Using Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism for inhomogeneous systems, we have studied superconducting properties of a bundle of packed carbon nanotubes, making a triangular lattice in the bundle's transverse cross-section. The bundle consists of a mixture of metallic and doped semiconducting nanotubes, which have different critical transition temperatures. We investigate how a spatially averaged superconducting order parameter and the critical transition temperature depend on the fraction of the doped semiconducting carbon nanotubes in the bundle. Our simulations suggest that the superconductivity in the bundle will be suppressed when the fraction of the doped semiconducting carbon nanotubes will be less than 0.5, which is the percolation threshold for a two-dimensional triangular lattice.
Evaluation ofMallotus oppositifoliusMethanol Leaf Extract on the Glycaemia and Lipid Peroxidation in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Nwaehujor C. O. , Ezeigbo I. I. , Nwinyi F. C.
Published: October 2013

Objective. Mallotus oppositifolius(Geiseler) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is folklorically used to “treat” diabetic conditions in some parts of Nigeria therefore the study, to investigate the extract of the leaves for activities on hyperglycaemia, lipid peroxidation, and increased cholesterol levelsin vivoin alloxan diabetic rats as well as its potential antioxidant activityin vitro.Methods. Albino rats (240–280 g) were given an injection of 120 mg/kg body weight, i.p. of alloxan monohydrate. After 8 days, diabetic animals with elevated fasting blood glucose levels (>9 mmol/L) were considered and selected for the study.Results. Oral treatment with the extract administered every 12 h by gavage at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of the extract to the test rats, for 14 days, resulted in a significant dose-dependent decrease in blood glucose levels from 12.82 ± 1.02 mmol/dL to 4.92 ± 2.01 mmol/dL at the highest dose of 400 mg/kg compared to the control drug and glibenclamide as well as attendant significant decline in diabetic rats employed in the study.Conclusion. The extract also showedin vitroconcentration-dependent antioxidant activity following the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing assays. Findings further suggest the presence of active antidiabetic and antioxidant principles inM. oppositifoliusleaves.
Automatic Measurement in Large-Scale Space with the Laser Theodolite and Vision Guiding Technology
Authors: Wu Bin , Wang Bing
Published: October 2013

The multitheodolite intersection measurement is a traditional approach to the coordinate measurement in large-scale space. However, the procedure of manual labeling and aiming results in the low automation level and the low measuring efficiency, and the measurement accuracy is affected easily by the manual aiming error. Based on the traditional theodolite measuring methods, this paper introduces the mechanism of vision measurement principle and presents a novel automatic measurement method for large-scale space and large workpieces (equipment) combined with the laser theodolite measuring and vision guiding technologies. The measuring mark is established on the surface of the measured workpiece by the collimating laser which is coaxial with the sight-axis of theodolite, so the cooperation targets or manual marks are no longer needed. With the theoretical model data and the multiresolution visual imaging and tracking technology, it can realize the automatic, quick, and accurate measurement of large workpieces in large-scale space. Meanwhile, the impact of artificial error is reduced and the measuring efficiency is improved. Therefore, this method has significant ramification for the measurement of large workpieces, such as the geometry appearance characteristics measuring of ships, large aircraft, and spacecraft, and deformation monitoring for large building, dams.
The Incidence of Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism in Type 2 Diabetic Men in Polish Population
Authors: Rabijewski Michał , Papierska Lucyna , Zgliczyński Wojciech , Piątkiewicz Paweł
Published: October 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) in type 2 diabetic men (T2DM) in population of Polish men and examine the possible influence of estradiol levels and glycemic control. We evaluated TT, cfT, estradiol, and glycemic control (HbA1c) in 184 diabetic men and in 149 nondiabetic control group. The mean HbA1c was 8.6 ± 0.2% and 6.1 ± 0.3% and cfT concentration was 0.315 ± 0.08 nmol/L and 0.382 ± 0.07 nmol/L, respectively. T2DM had higher E2 concentration than nonobese control men (29.4 ± 3.7 pg/mL versus 24.5 ± 2.9 pg/mL). Forty-six percent of T2DM were hypogonadal and 93% had HH. We observed inverse relationship between BMI and cfT (r=-0.341,P<0.01) and positive between BMI and E2 (r=0.329,P<0.01). E2 concentration was higher in T2DM with HH versus T2DM with normal TT/cfT concentration (34.5 ± 5.2 versus 27.4 ± 3.4 pg/mL). We observed negative correlation between HbA1c and cfT (r=-0.336,P<0.005) but positive between HbA1c and E2 levels (r=0.337,P<0.002). The prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and CVD was higher in men with hypogonadism. High incidence of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism in type 2 diabetic men in Polish population is associated with poor glycemic control and can be secondary to an increase in estradiol concentrations.
Relationship of Sternal Foramina to Vital Structures of the Chest: A Computed Tomographic Study
Authors: Gossner J.
Published: October 2013

Sternal foramina are a well-known variant anatomy of the sternum and carry the risk of life-threatening complications like pneumothorax or even pericardial/cardial punction during sternal biopsy or acupuncture. There have been numerous studies numerous studies examinimg prevalence of sternal foramina, but the study of the exact anatomical relationship to intrathoracic structures has received little attention. In a retrospective study of 15 patients with sternal foramina, the topographical anatomy in respect to vital chest organs was examined. In most patients, the directly adjacent structure was the lung (53.3%) or mediastinal fat (33.3%). Only in three patients, the heart was located directly adjacent to a sternal foramen (20%). Theoretically, if the needle is inserted deep enough it will at some point perforate the pericardium in all examined patients. There was no correlation between the patient habitus (i.e., thickness of the subcutaneous fat) and the distance to a vital organ. In this sample, pericardial punction would have not occured if the needle is not inserted deeper than 2.5 cm. Given the preliminary nature of the data, general conclusions of a safe threshold for needle depth should be made with caution. To minimize the risk of hazardous complications, especially with sternal biopsy, preprocedural screening or image guidance is advocated.
The Properties of a New Subclass of Harmonic Univalent Mappings
Authors: Liu Zhi-Hong , Li Ying-Chun
Published: October 2013

We introduced a new subclass of univalent harmonic functions defined by the shear construction in the present paper. First, we showed that the convolutions of two special subclass harmonic mappings are convex in the horizontal direction. Secondly, we proved a necessary and sufficient condition for the above subclass of harmonic mappings to be convex in the horizontal direction. We also presented some basic examples of univalent harmonic functions explaining the behavior of the image domains.
Hall Effect on Bénard Convection of Compressible Viscoelastic Fluid through Porous Medium
Authors: Singh Mahinder , Mehta Chander Bhan
Published: October 2013

An investigation made on the effect of Hall currents on thermal instability of a compressible Walter’s B′ elasticoviscous fluid through porous medium is considered. The analysis is carried out within the framework of linear stability theory and normal mode technique. For the case of stationary convection, Hall currents and compressibility have postponed the onset of convection through porous medium. Moreover, medium permeability hasten postpone the onset of convection, and magnetic field has duel character on the onset of convection. The critical Rayleigh numbers and the wave numbers of the associated disturbances for the onset of instability as stationary convection have been obtained and the behavior of various parameters on critical thermal Rayleigh numbers has been depicted graphically. The magnetic field, Hall currents found to introduce oscillatory modes, in the absence of these effects the principle of exchange of stabilities is valid.
Estrogen Induces Metastatic Potential of Papillary Thyroid Cancer Cells through Estrogen Receptorαandβ
Authors: Dong Wenwu , Zhang Hao , Li Jing , Guan Haixia , He Liang , Wang Zhihong , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping
Published: October 2013

Estradiol (E2) promotes metastatic propensity. However, the detailed mechanism remains largely unknown. E-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP-9 play a dominant role in the metastatic process. We aimed to investigate the effects of E2 on metastatic potential of PTC cell line BCPAP and on E-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP-9 protein expression. PTC cell line BCPAP was evaluated for the presence of estrogen receptor (ER) by western blot analysis. The effects of E2, PPT (a potent ERα-selective agonist), and DPN (a potent ERβ-selective agonist) on modulation of metastatic phenotype were determined by usingin vitroscratch wound assay and invasion assay. In addition, the effects on E-cadherin, vimentin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein expression were evaluated by Western blot analysis. We found that BCPAP cells expressed ERαand ERβ. E2 and PPT enhanced, but DPN inhibited, the migration and invasion of BCPAP cells in anin vitroexperimental model system that is modulated by E-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP-9. These findings indicate that E2 induces the metastatic potential of BCPAP cells through ERαand ERβ. The two ER subtypes play differential roles in modulation of BCPAP cell metastasis and the related molecule expressions including E-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP-9.
From Prion Diseases to Prion-Like Propagation Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Acquatella-Tran Van Ba Isabelle , Imberdis Thibaut , Perrier Véronique
Published: October 2013

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative sporadic, inherited, or acquired disorders. In humans, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is the most studied prion disease. In animals, the most frequent prion diseases are scrapie in sheep and goat, bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, and the emerging chronic wasting disease in wild and captive deer in North America. The hallmark of prion diseases is the deposition in the brain of PrPSc, an abnormalβ-sheet-rich form of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) (Prusiner 1982). According to the prion hypothesis, PrPSccan trigger the autocatalytic conversion of PrPCinto PrPSc, presumably in the presence of cofactors (lipids and small RNAs) that have been recently identified. In this review, we will come back to the original works that led to the discovery of prions and to the protein-only hypothesis proposed by Dr. Prusiner. We will then describe the recent reports on mammalian synthetic prions and recombinant prions that strongly support the protein-only hypothesis. The new concept of “deformed templating” regarding a new mechanism of PrPScformation and replication will be exposed. The review will end with a chapter on the prion-like propagation of other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and tauopathies.
Expression of Type IIA Secretory Phospholipase A
2
Inhibits Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Activity in Transgenic Mice
Authors: Hurt-Camejo Eva , Gautier Thomas , Rosengren Birgitta , Dikkers Arne , Behrendt Margareta , Grass David S. , Rader Daniel J. , Tietge Uwe J.F.
Published: October 2013

Objective—

High circulating levels of group IIA secretory phospholipase A
2
(sPLA
2
-IIA) activity and mass are independent cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, inhibition of sPLA
2
-IIA may be a target for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The present study evaluated the effects of sPLA
2
-IIA inhibition with varespladib acid in a novel mouse model, human apolipoprotein B (apoB)/human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP)/human sPLA
2
-IIA triple transgenic mice (TTT) fed a Western-type diet.

Approach and Results—

sPLA
2
-IIA expression increased atherosclerotic lesion formation in TTT compared with human apoB/human CETP double transgenic mice (
P
<0.01). Varespladib acid effectively inhibited plasma sPLA
2
-IIA activity. Surprisingly, however, administration of varespladib acid to TTT had no impact on atherosclerosis, which could be attributed to a proatherogenic plasma lipoprotein profile that appears in response to sPLA
2
-IIA inhibition because of increased plasma CETP activity. In the TTT model, sPLA
2
-IIA decreased CETP activity by reducing the acceptor properties of sPLA
2
-IIA–modified very low-density lipoproteins specifically because of a significantly lower apoE content. Increasing very low-density lipoprotein-apoE content by means of adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in sPLA
2
-IIA transgenic mice restored the acceptor properties for CETP.

Conclusions—

These data show that in a humanized triple transgenic mouse model with hypercholesterolemia, sPLA
2
-IIA inhibition increases CETP activity via increasing the very low-density lipoprotein-apoE content, resulting in a proatherogenic lipoprotein profile.
Helix-Loop-Helix Factor Inhibitor of Differentiation 3 Regulates Interleukin-5 Expression and B-1a B Cell Proliferation
Authors: Perry Heather M. , Oldham Stephanie N. , Fahl Shawn P. , Que Xuchu , Gonen Ayelet , Harmon Daniel B. , Tsimikas Sotirios , Witztum Joseph L. , Bender Timothy P. , McNamara Coleen A.
Published: October 2013

Objective—

Natural immunity is emerging as an important mediator of protection from atherogenesis. Natural IgM antibodies that recognize oxidation-specific epitopes on low-density lipoprotein or phospholipids and the B-1a B cells that produce them attenuate atherosclerosis. We previously demonstrated that
Apoe
−/−
mice globally deficient in the helix-loop-helix protein inhibitor of differentiation 3 (Id3) develop early diet-induced atherosclerosis. Furthermore, B cell–mediated attenuation of atherosclerosis in B cell–deficient mice was dependent on Id3. Here, we sought to determine whether Id3 regulates B-1a B cells and the natural antibodies that they produce and identify mechanisms mediating these effects.

Approach and Results—

Mice lacking Id3 had significantly fewer B-1a B cells in the spleen and peritoneal cavity and reduced serum levels of the natural antibody E06. B cell–specific deletion of Id3 revealed that this effect was not because of the loss of Id3 in B cells. Interleukin (IL)-33 induced abundant, Id3-dependent IL-5 production in the recently identified innate lymphoid cell, the natural helper (NH) cell, but not Th2 or mast cells. In addition, delivery of IL-5 to Id3-deficient mice restored B-1a B cell proliferation. B-1a B cells were present in aortic samples also containing NH cells. Aortic NH cells produced IL-5, a B-1a B cell mitogen in response to IL-33 stimulation.

Conclusions—

These studies are the first to identify NH and B-1a B cells in the aorta and provide evidence that Id3 is a key regulator of NH cell IL-5 production and B-1a B cell homeostasis.
Dynamic Parieto-premotor Network for Mental Image Transformation Revealed by Simultaneous EEG and fMRI Measurement
Authors: Sasaoka Takafumi , Mizuhara Hiroaki , Inui Toshio
Published: October 2013

Previous studies have suggested that the posterior parietal cortices and premotor areas are involved in mental image transformation. However, it remains unknown whether these regions really cooperate to realize mental image transformation. In this study, simultaneous EEG and fMRI were performed to clarify the spatio-temporal properties of neural networks engaged in mental image transformation. We adopted a modified version of the mental clock task used by Sack et al. [Sack, A. T., Camprodon, J. A., Pascual-Leone, A., & Goebel, R. The dynamics of interhemispheric compensatory processes in mental imagery. Science, 308, 702–704, 2005; Sack, A. T., Sperling, J. M., Prvulovic, D., Formisano, E., Goebel, R., Di Salle, F., et al. Tracking the mind's image in the brain II: Transcranial magnetic stimulation reveals parietal asymmetry in visuospatial imagery. Neuron, 35, 195–204, 2002]. In the modified mental clock task, participants mentally rotated clock hands from the position initially presented at a learned speed for various durations. Subsequently, they matched the position to the visually presented clock hands. During mental rotation of the clock hands, we observed significant beta EEG suppression with respect to the amount of mental rotation at the right parietal electrode. The beta EEG suppression accompanied activity in the bilateral parietal cortices and left premotor cortex, representing a dynamic cortical network for mental image transformation. These results suggest that motor signals from the premotor area were utilized for mental image transformation in the parietal areas and for updating the imagined clock hands represented in the right posterior parietal cortex.
Direct Control of Visual Perception with Phase-specific Modulation of Posterior Parietal Cortex
Authors: Jaegle Andrew , Ro Tony
Published: October 2013

We examined the causal relationship between the phase of alpha oscillations (9–12 Hz) and conscious visual perception using rhythmic TMS (rTMS) while simultaneously recording EEG activity. rTMS of posterior parietal cortex at an alpha frequency (10 Hz), but not occipital or sham rTMS, both entrained the phase of subsequent alpha oscillatory activity and produced a phase-dependent change on subsequent visual perception, with lower discrimination accuracy for targets presented at one phase of the alpha oscillatory waveform than for targets presented at the opposite phase. By extrinsically manipulating the phase of alpha before stimulus presentation, we provide direct evidence that the neural circuitry in the parietal cortex involved with generating alpha oscillations plays a causal role in determining whether or not a visual stimulus is successfully perceived.
Influencing Food Choices by Training: Evidence for Modulation of Frontoparietal Control Signals
Authors: Schonberg Tom , Bakkour Akram , Hover Ashleigh M. , Mumford Jeanette A. , Poldrack Russell A.
Published: October 2013

To overcome unhealthy behaviors, one must be able to make better choices. Changing food preferences is an important strategy in addressing the obesity epidemic and its accompanying public health risks. However, little is known about how food preferences can be effectively affected and what neural systems support such changes. In this study, we investigated a novel extensive training paradigm where participants chose from specific pairs of palatable junk food items and were rewarded for choosing the items with lower subjective value over higher value ones. In a later probe phase, when choices were made for real consumption, participants chose the lower-valued item more often in the trained pairs compared with untrained pairs. We replicated the behavioral results in an independent sample of participants while they were scanned with fMRI. We found that, as training progressed, there was decreased recruitment of regions that have been previously associated with cognitive control, specifically the left dorsolateral pFC and bilateral parietal cortices. Furthermore, we found that connectivity of the left dorsolateral pFC was greater with primary motor regions by the end of training for choices of lower-valued items that required exertion of self-control, suggesting a formation of a stronger stimulus–response association. These findings demonstrate that it is possible to influence food choices through training and that this training is associated with a decreasing need for top–down frontoparietal control. The results suggest that training paradigms may be promising as the basis for interventions to influence real-world food preferences.
Opposing Dorsal/Ventral Stream Dynamics during Figure-ground Segregation
Authors: Wokke Martijn E. , Scholte H. Steven , Lamme Victor A. F.
Published: October 2013

The visual system has been commonly subdivided into two segregated visual processing streams: The dorsal pathway processes mainly spatial information, and the ventral pathway specializes in object perception. Recent findings, however, indicate that different forms of interaction (cross-talk) exist between the dorsal and the ventral stream. Here, we used TMS and concurrent EEG recordings to explore these interactions between the dorsal and ventral stream during figure-ground segregation. In two separate experiments, we used repetitive TMS and single-pulse TMS to disrupt processing in the dorsal (V5/HMT+) and the ventral (lateral occipital area) stream during a motion-defined figure discrimination task. We presented stimuli that made it possible to differentiate between relatively low-level (figure boundary detection) from higher-level (surface segregation) processing steps during figure-ground segregation. Results show that disruption of V5/HMT+ impaired performance related to surface segregation; this effect was mainly found when V5/HMT+ was perturbed in an early time window (100 msec) after stimulus presentation. Surprisingly, disruption of the lateral occipital area resulted in increased performance scores and enhanced neural correlates of surface segregation. This facilitatory effect was also mainly found in an early time window (100 msec) after stimulus presentation. These results suggest a “push–pull” interaction in which dorsal and ventral extrastriate areas are being recruited or inhibited depending on stimulus category and task demands.
In the Language of the Land: Native Conversion in Jesuit Public Letters from Brazil and India
Authors: Chakravarti Ananya
Published: October 2013

Abstract

This paper begins with a simple problem: given the implicit Ignatian model for conversion and of conversion narratives for those already within the Christian fold, how did Jesuit missionaries in the colonies represent native conversion? To what extent were these colonial conversion narratives responding to the demands of Jesuit representational norms and to what extent did they reflect local realities? To address this question, this paper will examine stories of conversions of natives in public letters sent from Bahía and Goa and their immediate environs during the first thirty years of the missions in Brazil and India—annual letters but also other letters which were published in popular collections such as the Nuovi Avisi delle Indie di Portogallo series printed in Venice. The public cartas particulares, as opposed to the private hijuelas, were meant to be carefully crafted, and were explicitly intended to give a good account of the mission to the public in Europe. Since the public letters considered here were guided by Ignatius’ epistolary conventions and often placed into wide circulation, they provide an index of the rhetorical strategies and conversion narratives deemed successful by the Jesuit order in Europe in a period when Ignatius’ influence was still strongly felt.
Portuguese New Christians in the Turkish “Carrefour” Between the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean in the Sixteenth Century: Decentralization and Conversion
Authors: Tavim José Alberto Rodrigues da Silva
Published: October 2013

Abstract

This article analyzes some cases of multiple conversion among Portuguese Jews in the Ottoman Empire. Paradoxically, it was the lack of homogeneity of the Ottoman Sephardic communities that explained the success of “three-faced” men, such as Duarte da Paz, Tomé Pegado da Paz, and Matias Bicudo. They were able to change dress, religion, and masters during their careers as informers because they remained inconspicuous within the Ottoman Empire due to their marginal social position; there were many possibilities for identity change without the general knowledge of the different religious groups. The inability of more visible personalities like D. Grácia Nasci, D. Joseph Nasci, and D. Salomon ibn Ya’ish to perform so easily this type of change had something to do with their “centrality”: they possessed strong social, economic, and cultural ties to Sephardic communities, and their close relationship with the Osmanli Sultans made such a metamorphosis virtually impossible.
Hassallia littoralis sp. nov. (Cyanobacteria, Microchaetaceae) from Mexico’s marine supralittoral based on morphological and molecular evidence
Authors: González-Resendiz Laura , León-Tejera Hilda Patricia , Díaz-Larrea Jhoana , Alba-Lois Luisa , Segal-Kischinevzky Caludia
Published: October 2013

A new species of Hassallia (Cyanobacteria, Nostocales, Microchaetaceae) from a supralittoral tropical marine biotope is described. Hassallia littoralis is a false-branched nostocalean cyanobacterium with caespitose free filaments or with fasciculated individual filaments not in a common sheath. Filaments are mainly heteropolar, bearing mono- and bi-pored heterocysts and isopolar or heteropolar hormogonia. The sheath is often widening, with pronounced rounded terminals. This new species is defined according to molecular, morphological and ecological criteria, considering data from different stages of its life cycle as well as the 16S rRNA partial gene sequence.
The genus Cyphoderopsis Carpenter (Collembola: Paronellidae) in Thailand and a faunal transition at the Isthmus of Kra in Troglopedetinae
Authors: JANTARIT SOPARK , SATASOOK CHUTAMAS , DEHARVENG LOUIS
Published: October 2013

The genus Cyphoderopsis Carpenter is recorded for the first time from continental Southeast Asia, with four new species described from Peninsular Thailand. New characters of taxonomic importance are introduced. The new species herein described are distinguished from other species of the genus by the following combination of characters: dens with two rows of spines, absence of eyes and pigment, and claw with inner teeth. They differ among them in the number of inner teeth on claw, morphology of tenent hairs (pointed versus clavate), number of dental spines and number of central macrochaetae on Th.II (3+3 versus 4+4). The genus Cyphoderopsis in Thailand is shown to be restricted to the South of the Isthmus of Kra, while the closely related genus, Troglopedetes Absolon, replaces it further north, providing new evidence that the Isthmus of Kra is an important biogeographical boundary in Southeast Asia. A checklist and a key to world species of the genus are given.
Revision of the ocellatus species-group of the genus Plumarius Philippi 1873 (Hymenoptera, Chrysidoidea, Plumariidae), with description of three new species from Argentina
Authors: DIEZ PATRICIA A. , FIDALGO PATRICIO , ROIG-ALSINA ARTURO
Published: October 2013

This contribution presents the study of species-group of Plumarius Philippi 1873, as the result of a survey of the morphological variation in males. The group is characterized by the large ocelli and transverse head. It consists of the following three new species: P. culminatus Diez, Fidalgo & Roig-Alsina, sp. nov., P. ocellatus Diez, Fidalgo & Roig-Alsina, sp. nov., and P. stangei Diez, Fidalgo & Roig-Alsina, sp. nov. A characterization of the group, descriptions, and illustrations are provided.
Descriptions of the final stadium larva and female adult
of Coeliccia mingxiensis Xu (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae)
Authors: XU QI-HAN
Published: October 2013

The final stadium larva of Coeliccia mingxiensis Xu is described and illustrated. The female adult is also described for the first time. The larva can be easily separated from all known Coeliccia larvae by the following distinct morphological characters : (1) prementum longest in all known Coeliccia larvae; median lobe with 4 pairs of premental setae and palpal lobe with 6 palpal setae; (2) caudal gills shortest of all known Coeliccia larvae when compared with body length; median gill rounded at apex and lateral gill with a small median projection at apex. The female is similar to the male in many respects, differing chiefly in several respects as follows: the transverse yellow band on vertex of head broader and straighter than in male; antehumeral stripe on mesepisternum somewhat incurved basally, not forming a strong hook, which is present in male; distal abdomen with obviously different colour pattern; anal appendages brownish-black, shorter than S10; vulvar scales robust, brownish-yellow, projecting well beyond end of abdomen.
A Simple Technique to Infer the Missing Gravity Wave Drag in the Middle Atmosphere Using a General Circulation Model: Potential Vorticity Budget
Authors: Pulido Manuel
Published: October 2013

A simple technique to infer the missing momentum forcing in a general circulation model is developed and evaluated. The response of the large-scale dynamic equations to an external momentum forcing presents a nonlocal response in the zonal and meridional wind. On the other hand, the response to the external momentum forcing in the potential vorticity (PV) is a local growing geostrophic mode, so that there is a direct relationship between the external momentum forcing and the response in PV. In this work, this fact is exploited to diagnose the missing momentum forcing in the extratropics using a general circulation model. The capability of the simple technique to estimate a concentrated gravity wave forcing is evaluated. A dynamical model is evolved with prescribed sources and sinks of PV and then the technique is used to estimate these known momentum sources and sinks. PV is found to give a much better diagnostic of gravity wave drag compared to the more traditional zonal wind differences. The technique is also used in a realistic environment, in which the sources and sinks of PV in Met Office analyses are determined. The estimation of this missing forcing with this simple technique is compared with the estimation given by a more complex data assimilation technique developed by Pulido and Thuburn and, in general, a good agreement is found. The simple gravity wave drag estimation technique can be used in an online data assimilation cycle, using the increments of the analysis, and also offline, using a general circulation model and observations.
Vorticity Evolution Leading to Tornadogenesis and Tornadogenesis Failure in Simulated Supercells
Authors: Naylor Jason , Gilmore Matthew S.
Published: October 2013

A three-dimensional idealized cloud model was used to study the storm-scale differences between simulated supercells that produce tornado-like vortices and those that do not. Each simulation was initialized with a different Rapid Update Cycle, version 2 (RUC-2), sounding that was associated with tornadic and nontornadic supercells in nature. The focus is an analysis of vorticity along backward-integrated trajectories leading up to tornadogenesis (19 simulations) and tornadogenesis failure (14 simulations). In so doing, the differences between the nontornadic and tornadic cases can be explored in relation to their associated environmental sounding.

Backward-integrated trajectories seeded in the near-surface circulation indicate that the largest differences in vertical vorticity production between the tornadic and nontornadic simulations occur in parcels that descend to the surface from aloft (i.e., descending). Thus, the results from this study support the hypothesis that descending air in the rear of the storm is crucial to tornadogenesis. In the tornadic simulations, the descending parcels experience more negative vertical vorticity production during descent and larger tilting of horizontal vorticity into positive vertical vorticity after reaching the surface, owing to stronger horizontal gradients of vertical velocity. The larger vertical velocities experienced by the trajectories just prior to tornadogenesis in the tornadic simulations are associated with environmental soundings of larger CAPE, smaller convective inhibition (CIN), and larger 0–1-km storm-relative environmental helicity. Furthermore, in contrast with what might be expected from previous works, trajectories entering the incipient tornadic circulations are more negatively buoyant than those entering the nontornadic circulations.
Does Rotation Influence Double-Diffusive Fluxes in Polar Oceans?
Authors: Carpenter J. R. , Timmermans M.-L.
Published: October 2013

The diffusive (or semiconvection) regime of double-diffusive convection (DDC) is widespread in the polar oceans, generating “staircases” consisting of high-gradient interfaces of temperature and salinity separated by convectively mixed layers. Using two-dimensional direct numerical simulations, support is provided for a previous theory that rotation can influence DDC heat fluxes when the thickness of the thermal interface sufficiently exceeds that of the Ekman layer. This study finds, therefore, that the earth’s rotation places constraints on small-scale vertical heat fluxes through double-diffusive layers. This leads to departures from laboratory-based parameterizations that can significantly change estimates of Arctic Ocean heat fluxes in certain regions, although most of the upper Arctic Ocean thermocline is not expected to be dominated by rotation.
A distinct group of CpG islands shows differential DNA methylation between replicas of the same cell line in vitro
Authors: Cocozza Sergio , Scala Giovanni , Miele Gennaro , Castaldo Imma , Monticelli Antonella
Published: October 2013

Background

CpG dinucleotide-rich genomic DNA regions, known as CpG islands (CGIs), can be methylated at their cytosine residues as an epigenetic mark that is stably inherited during cell mitosis. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) are genomic regions showing different degrees of DNA methylation in multiple samples. In this study, we focused our attention on CGIs showing different DNA methylation between two culture replicas of the same cell line.

Results

We used methylation data of 35 cell lines from the Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) consortium to identify CpG islands that were differentially methylated between replicas of the same cell line and denoted them Inter Replicas Differentially Methylated CpG islands (IRDM-CGIs). We identified a group of IRDM-CGIs that was consistently shared by different cell lines, and denoted it common IRDM-CGIs. X chromosome CGIs were overrepresented among common IRDM-CGIs. Autosomal IRDM-CGIs were preferentially located in gene bodies and intergenic regions had a lower G + C content, a smaller mean length, and a reduced CpG percentage. Functional analysis of the genes associated with autosomal IRDM-CGIs showed that many of them are involved in DNA binding and development.

Conclusions

Our results show that several specific functional and structural features characterize common IRDM-CGIs. They may represent a specific subset of CGIs that are more prone to being differentially methylated for their intrinsic characteristics.
Histoplasma yeast and mycelial transcriptomes reveal pathogenic-phase and lineage-specific gene expression profiles
Authors: Edwards Jessica A , Chen Chenxi , Kemski Megan M , Hu Jinnan , Mitchell Thomas K , Rappleye Chad A
Published: October 2013

Background

The dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum causes respiratory and systemic disease in mammalian hosts by expression of factors that enable survival within phagocytic cells of the immune system. Histoplasma’s dimorphism is distinguished by growth either as avirulent mycelia or as pathogenic yeast. Geographically distinct strains of Histoplasma differ in their relative virulence in mammalian hosts and in production of and requirement for specific virulence factors. The close similarity in the genome sequences of these diverse strains suggests that phenotypic variations result from differences in gene expression rather than gene content. To provide insight into how the transcriptional program translates into morphological variation and the pathogenic lifestyle, we compared the transcriptional profile of the pathogenic yeast phase and the non-pathogenic mycelial phase of two clinical isolates of Histoplasma.

Results

To overcome inaccuracies in ab initio genome annotation of the Histoplasma genome, we used RNA-seq methodology to generate gene structure models based on experimental evidence. Quantitative analyses of the sequencing reads revealed 6% to 9% of genes are differentially regulated between the two phases. RNA-seq-based mRNA quantitation was strongly correlated with gene expression levels determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Comparison of the yeast-phase transcriptomes between strains showed 7.6% of all genes have lineage-specific expression differences including genes contributing, or potentially related, to pathogenesis. GFP-transcriptional fusions and their introduction into both strain backgrounds revealed that the difference in transcriptional activity of individual genes reflects both variations in the cis- and trans-acting factors between Histoplasma strains.

Conclusions

Comparison of the yeast and mycelial transcriptomes highlights genes encoding virulence factors as well as those involved in protein glycosylation, alternative metabolism, lipid remodeling, and cell wall glycanases that may contribute to Histoplasma pathogenesis. These studies lay an essential foundation for understanding how gene expression variations contribute to the strain- and phase-specific virulence differences of Histoplasma.
Descending necrotizing Mediastinitis caused by Kocuria rosea: a case report
Authors: Lee Mi Kyung , Choi Soon Ho , Ryu Dae Woong
Published: October 2013

Background

Kocuria species are gram-positive, non-pathogenic commensals. However, in immunocompromised patients such as transplant recipients, cancer patients, or patients with chronic medical conditions, they can cause opportunistic infections.

Case presentation

We report the first case of descending necrotizing mediastinitis in a 58-year-old, relatively healthy woman caused by Kocuria rosea.

Conclusion

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis due to Kocuria rosea can be successfully treated with prompt surgical drainage combined with antimicrobial therapy.
Classification tree analysis to enhance targeting for follow-up exam of colorectal cancer screening
Authors: Ishikawa Yoshiki , Zheng Ying-Fang , Nishiuchi Hiromu , Suda Takeo , Hasumi Tadahiko , Saito Hiroshi
Published: October 2013

Background

Follow-up rate after a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is low worldwide. In order to increase the follow-up rate, segmentation of the target population has been proposed as a promising strategy, because an intervention can then be tailored toward specific subgroups of the population rather than using one type of intervention for all groups. The aim of this study is to identify subgroups that share the same patterns of characteristics related to follow-up exams after FOBT.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 143 patients aged 50–69 years who were requested to undergo follow-up exams after FOBT. A classification tree analysis was performed, using the follow-up rate as a dependent variable and sociodemographic variables, psychological variables, past FOBT and follow-up exam, family history of colorectal cancer (CRC), and history of bowel disease as predictive variables.

Results

The follow-up rate in 143 participants was 74.1% (n = 106). A classification tree analysis identified four subgroups as follows; (1) subgroup with a high degree of fear of CRC, unemployed and with a history of bowel disease (n = 24, 100.0% follow-up rate), (2) subgroup with a high degree of fear of CRC, unemployed and with no history of bowel disease (n = 17, 82.4% follow-up rate), (3) subgroup with a high degree of fear of CRC and employed (n = 24, 66.7% follow-up rate), and (4) subgroup with a low degree of fear of CRC (n = 78, 66.7% follow-up rate).

Conclusion

The identification of four subgroups with a diverse range of follow-up rates for CRC screening indicates the direction to take in future development of an effective tailored intervention strategy.