bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical Investigation of Ce3+‐Activated Borogermanate Glass Induced by Substitution of BaF2 for BaO
Authors: Sun Xin‐Yuan , Yuan Yong , Xiao Zhuo‐Hao , Yu Xiao‐Guang , Wang Wen‐Feng , Jiang Da‐Guo , Zheng Guo‐Tai , Kang Zhitao
Published: October 2015

Transparent and colorless CeO2‐activated borogermanate glasses, with the nominal molar composition of 25B2O3–40GeO2–14Gd2O3–1CeO2–(20−x) BaO–xBaF2 (x = 0, 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 20), were synthesized by a melt‐quenching method in air. Their optical investigation on the transmittance, photoluminescence (excitation and emission spectra), the luminescence decay curves, as well as the temperature‐dependent Ce3+ emission are studied systematically with the gradual substitution of BaF2 for BaO. The room‐temperature photoluminescence results reveal that the emission intensity can be improved by about 2.5 times with the full substitution of BaF2 for BaO. The blue shift of the cut‐off edge, excitation and emission spectra of Ce3+‐activated borogermanate glass, and the emission intensity of Ce3+ ions as a function of temperature range in 80–500 K are also discussed.
Examining the moral grey zone: The role of moral disengagement, authenticity, and situational strength in predicting unethical managerial behavior
Authors: Knoll Michael , Lord Robert G. , Petersen Lars‐Eric , Weigelt Oliver
Published: October 2015

In the business context, there is a broad spectrum of practices that potentially harm others, yet might benefit the organization. We examined the influence of individual and situational differences in predicting (un)ethical behavior in these moral gray zones using an in‐basket exercise that included covert moral issues in which managers could give unethical instructions to their followers. Results show that individual differences in moral disengagement directly predicted unethical behavior and functioned as a mediator of the relationship between authenticity and unethical behavior. Furthermore, effects differed in weak compared to strong situations. Study 2, replicated the results from Study 1, developed a direct test of the situational strength hypothesis, and showed that high versus low situation strength moderated the relation of moral disengagement to unethical behavior.
Computerized writing and reading instruction for students in grades 4–9 with specific learning disabilities affecting written language
Authors: Tanimoto S. , Thompson R. , Berninger V.W. , Nagy W. , Abbott R.D.
Published: October 2015

Computer scientists and educational researchers evaluated effectiveness of computerized instruction tailored to evidence‐based impairments in specific learning disabilities (SLDs) in students in grades 4–9 with persisting SLDs despite prior extra help. Following comprehensive, evidence‐based differential diagnosis for dysgraphia (impaired handwriting), dyslexia (impaired word reading and spelling), and oral and written language learning disability, students completed 18 sessions of computerized instruction over about 3 months. The 11 students taught letter formation with sequential, numbered, coloured arrow cues with full contours who wrote letters on lines added to iPAD screen showed more and stronger treatment effects than the 21 students taught using only visual motion cues for letter formation who wrote on an unlined computer monitor. Teaching to all levels of language in multiple functional language systems (by ear, eye, mouth and hand) close in time resulted in significant gains in reading and writing skills for the group and in diagnosed SLD hallmark impairments for individuals; also, performance on computerized learning activities correlated with treatment gains. Results are discussed in reference to need for both accommodations and explicit instruction for persisting SLDs and the potential for computers to teach handwriting, morphophonemic orthographies, comprehension and composition
Titanium‐zirconium narrow‐diameter versus titanium regular‐diameter implants for anterior and premolar single crowns: 3‐year results of a randomized controlled clinical study
Authors: Ioannidis Alexis , Gallucci German O. , Jung Ronald E. , Borzangy Sary , Hämmerle Christoph H. F. , Benic Goran I.
Published: October 2015

Aim

To test whether titanium‐zirconium (Ti‐Zr) 3.3 mm diameter implants perform differently from titanium (Ti) 4.1 mm diameter implants with respect to marginal bone level (MBL) and clinical parameters.

Material and Methods

Forty patients in need of a single‐implant crown in the anterior or premolar regions were enrolled in two centres. Following random allocation, either a Ti‐Zr or a Ti implant was inserted. Porcelain‐fused‐to‐metal crowns were inserted 6 months after implantation. Implant survival, change in MBL, clinical parameters, change in mid‐facial mucosa and papilla levels, and the occurrence of biological and technical complications were assessed at the 3‐year follow‐up.

Results

At 3 years, 32 of the 40 included patients were examined (15 Ti and 17 Ti‐Zr implants). There were no implant failures. From the implant placement to 3 years, the median change in mean MBL amounted to 0.21 mm (mean: −0.31) in the Ti group and 0.10 mm (mean: −0.40) in the Ti‐Zr group. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to the change in MBL, the change in mucosa levels, and the occurrence of complications.

Conclusions

Ti‐Zr implants with 3.3 mm diameter used for the support of single crowns in the anterior and the premolar regions did not differ from Ti implants with 4.1 mm diameter regarding the clinical performance over a 3‐year period.
Effect of Controlled Freezing‐Point Vacuum Drying on Color and Flavor of Muraenesox cinereus Fillets
Authors: Li Jia , Wan Jin‐Qing , Bian Hua , Zhong Yao‐Guang , Cai Li‐Yan , Zou Lei , Zhao Yan‐Feng
Published: October 2015

In this study, the method of maintaining the controlled freezing point and the effect of controlled freezing‐point vacuum drying (CFVD) on the quality of Muraenesox cinereus fillets were investigated. The quality assessment was based on color, 5‐inosine monophosphate (IMP), free amino acids (FAAs) and volatile compounds. Furthermore, comparisons were made among CFVD samples, those dried by hot air drying (HAD) and vacuum freeze drying (VFD). The results showed that the fillet temperature can be controlled within the scope of controlled freezing point by setting the vacuum pressure at 10–12 mbar, turning on the cold trap 40 min after CFVD (at −1 ± 1C) and regulating the heating plate temperature during the drying period. The highest increase in IMP (22.17%) and FAA content (34.54%) compared with the fresh fillets as well as the best color were observed in CFVD fillets. As to the carbonyl compounds, the major contributors to the odor and flavor of fresh fillets, the amount and types were the largest in HAD fillets, while the HAD fillets showed the significant browning. Therefore, CFVD is an effective method to control browning and increase the taste of fillets compared with HAD and VFD.

Practical Applications

Fish is a greatly perishable product because of its high protein content. Drying has been shown to be an efficient method of conservation. Controlled freezing‐point vacuum drying (CFVD) has been developed. In this study, the key technology challenge of CFVD and its effect on color and flavor of fillet, as well as the differences among the hot air drying and vacuum freeze drying, have been studied. The result shows that CFVD enables best quality in appearance and taste, which is quite helpful to establish an optimal drying condition for a more nutritious and high‐quality dried products.
Does Mode of Contact with Different Types of Social Relationships Predict Depression in Older Adults? Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey
Authors: Teo Alan R. , Choi HwaJung , Andrea Sarah B. , Valenstein Marcia , Newsom Jason T. , Dobscha Steven K. , Zivin Kara
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To determine associations between use of three different modes of social contact (in person, telephone, written or e‐mail), contact with different types of people, and risk of depressive symptoms in a nationally representative, longitudinal sample of older adults.

Design

Population‐based observational cohort.

Setting

Urban and suburban communities throughout the contiguous United States.

Participants

Individuals aged 50 and older who participated in the Health and Retirement Survey between 2004 and 2010 (N = 11,065).

Measurements

Frequency of participant use of the three modes of social contact with children, other family members, and friends at baseline were used to predict depressive symptoms (measured using the eight‐item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) 2 years later using multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Probability of having depressive symptoms steadily increased as frequency of in‐person—but not telephone or written or e‐mail contact—decreased. After controlling for demographic, clinical, and social variables, individuals with in‐person social contact every few months or less with children, other family, and friends had a significantly higher probability of clinically significant depressive symptoms 2 years later (11.5%) than those having in‐person contact once or twice per month (8.1%; P < .001) or once or twice per week (7.3%; P < .001). Older age, interpersonal conflict, and depression at baseline moderated some of the effects of social contact on depressive symptoms.

Conclusion

Frequency of in‐person social contact with friends and family independently predicts risk of subsequent depression in older adults. Clinicians should consider encouraging face‐to‐face social interactions as a preventive strategy for depression.
Microglial Janus kinase/signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 pathway activity directly impacts astrocyte and spinal neuron characteristics
Authors: Molet Jenny , Mauborgne Annie , Diallo Mickael , Armand Vincent , Geny David , Villanueva Luis , Boucher Yves , Pohl Michel
Published: October 2015

After peripheral nerve injury microglial reactivity change in the spinal cord is associated with an early activation of Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 transduction pathway whose blockade attenuates local inflammation and pain hypersensitivity. However, the consequences of microglial JAK/STAT3‐mediated signaling on neighboring cells are unknown. Using an in vitro paradigm we assessed the impact of microglial JAK/STAT3 activity on functional characteristics of astrocytes and spinal cord neurons.

Purified rat primary microglia was stimulated with JAK/STAT3 classical activator interleukin‐6 in the presence or absence of a selective STAT3 inhibitor and rat primary astrocytes or spinal cord neurons were exposed to microglia conditioned media (CM). JAK/STAT3 activity‐generated microglial CM modulated both astrocyte and neuron characteristics. Beyond inducing mRNA expression changes in various targets of interest in astrocytes and neurons, microglia CM activated c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, STAT3 and NF‐κB intracellular pathways in astrocytes and promoted their proliferation. Without modifying neuronal excitability or survival, CM affected the nerve processes morphology and distribution of the post‐synaptic density protein 95, a marker of glutamatergic synaptic contacts. These findings show that JAK/STAT3 activity in microglia impacts the functional characteristics of astrocytes and neurons. This suggests its participation in spinal cord tissue plasticity and remodeling occurring after peripheral nerve injury.

image

We show that the activity of JAK/STAT3 pathway in microglial cells confers them a specific signaling modality toward neighboring cells, promoting astrocyte proliferation and changes in neuronal morphology. These in vitro data suggest that the early JAK/STAT3 activation in spinal cord microglia, associated with peripheral nerve injury, participates in functional alteration of various cell populations and in spinal tissue remodeling.
Critical Connections: Health and Academics
Authors: Michael Shannon L. , Merlo Caitlin L. , Basch Charles E. , Wentzel Kathryn R. , Wechsler Howell
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

While it is a national priority to support the health and education of students, these sectors must better align, integrate, and collaborate to achieve this priority. This article summarizes the literature on the connection between health and academic achievement using the Whole School, Whole Community, and Whole Child (WSCC) framework as a way to address health‐related barriers to learning.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted on the association between student health and academic achievement.

RESULTS

Most of the evidence examined the association between student health behaviors and academic achievement, with physical activity having the most published studies and consistent findings. The evidence supports the need for school health services by demonstrating the association between chronic conditions and decreased achievement. Safe and positive school environments were associated with improved health behaviors and achievement. Engaging families and community members in schools also had a positive effect on students' health and achievement.

CONCLUSIONS

Schools can improve the health and learning of students by supporting opportunities to learn about and practice healthy behaviors, providing school health services, creating safe and positive school environments, and engaging families and community. This evidence supports WSCC as a potential framework for achieving national educational and health goals.
Building Sustainable Health and Education Partnerships: Stories From Local Communities
Authors: Blank Martin J.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Growing health disparities have a negative impact on young people's educational achievement. Community schools that involve deep relationships with partners across multiple domains address these disparities by providing opportunities and services that promote healthy development of young people, and enable them to graduate from high school ready for college, technical school, on‐the‐job training, career, and citizenship.

METHODS

Results from Milwaukie High School, North Clackamas, OR; Oakland Unified School District, Oakland, CA; and Cincinnati Community Learning Centers, Cincinnati, OH were based on a review of local site documents, web‐based information, interviews, and e‐mail communication with key local actors.

RESULTS

The schools and districts with strong health partnerships reflecting community schools strategy have shown improvements in attendance, academic performance, and increased access to mental, dental, vision, and health supports for their students.

CONCLUSIONS

To build deep health‐education partnerships and grow community schools, a working leadership and management infrastructure must be in place that uses quality data, focuses on results, and facilitates professional development across sectors. The leadership infrastructure of community school initiatives offers a prototype on which others can build. Moreover, as leaders build cross‐sector relationships, a clear definition of what scaling up means is essential for subsequent long‐term systemic change.
What Have We Learned From Collaborative Partnerships to Concomitantly Improve Both Education and Health?
Authors: Kolbe Lloyd J. , Allensworth Diane D. , Potts‐Datema William , White Douglas R.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Collaborative partnerships are an essential means to concomitantly improve both education outcomes and health outcomes among K‐12 students.

METHODS

We describe examples of contemporaneous, interactive, and evolving partnerships that have been implemented, respectively, by a national governmental health organization, national nongovernmental education and health organizations, a state governmental education organization, and a local nongovernmental health organization that serves partner schools.

RESULTS

Each of these partnerships strategically built operational infrastructures that enabled partners to efficiently combine their resources to improve student education and health.

CONCLUSIONS

To implement a Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Framework, we need to purposefully strengthen, expand, and interconnect national, state, and local collaborative partnerships and supporting infrastructures that concomitantly can improve both education and health.
Placing Students at the Center: The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model
Authors: Morse Linda L. , Allensworth Diane D.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Students are the heart of the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model. Students are the recipients of programs and services to ensure that they are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged and also serve as partners in the implementation and dissemination of the WSCC model.

METHODS

A review of the number of students nationwide enjoying the 5 Whole Child tenets reveals severe deficiencies while a review of student‐centered approaches, including student engagement and student voice, appears to be one way to remedy these deficiencies.

RESULTS

Research in both education and health reveals that giving students a voice and engaging students as partners benefits them by fostering development of skills, improvement in competence, and exertion of control over their lives while simultaneously improving outcomes for their peers and the entire school/organization.

CONCLUSIONS

Creating meaningful roles for students as allies, decision makers, planners, and consumers shows a commitment to prepare them for the challenges of today and the possibilities of tomorrow.
Resveratrol Stimulates Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Formation to Relax Murine Corpus Cavernosum
Authors: Yetik-Anacak G. , Dereli M. V. , Sevin G. , Ozzayım O. , Erac Y. , Ahmed A.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Resveratrol (RVT) found in red wine protects against erectile dysfunction and relaxes penile tissue (corpus cavernosum) via a nitric oxide (NO) independent pathway. However, the mechanism remains to be elucidated. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a potent vasodilator and neuromodulator generated in corpus cavernosum.

Aims

We investigated whether RVT caused the relaxation of mice corpus cavernosum (MCC) through H2S.

Methods

H2S formation is measured by methylene blue assay and vascular reactivity experiments have been performed by DMT strip myograph in CD1 MCC strips.

Main Outcome Measures

Endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) inhibitor Nω-Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 0.1 mM) or H2S inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA, 2 mM) which inhibits both cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) enzyme or combination of AOAA with PAG (CSE inhibitor) has been used in the presence/absence of RVT (0.1 mM, 30 min) to elucidate the role of NO or H2S pathways on the effects of RVT in MCC. Concentration-dependent relaxations to RVT, L-cysteine, sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS) and acetylcholine (ACh) were studied.

Results

Exposure of murine corpus cavernosum to RVT increased both basal and L-cysteine-stimulated H2S formation. Both of these effects were reversed by AOAA but not by L-NNA. RVT caused concentration-dependent relaxation of MCC and that RVT-induced relaxation was significantly inhibited by AOAA or AOAA+PAG but not by L-NNA. L-cysteine caused concentration-dependent relaxations, which are inhibited by AOAA or AOAA+PAG significantly. Incubation of MCC with RVT significantly increased L-cysteine-induced relaxation, and this effect was inhibited by AOAA+PAG. However, RVT did not alter the effect of exogenous H2S (NaHS) or ACh-induced relaxations.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that RVT-induced relaxation is at least partly dependent on H2S formation and acts independent of eNOS pathway. In phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE-5i) nonresponder population, combination therapy with RVT may reverse erectile dysfunction via stimulating endogenous H2S formation.
Symbolic Boundaries and Collective Violence. A New Theoretical Argument for an Explanatory Sociology of Collective Violent Action
Authors: Hartmann Eddie
Published: October 2015

The sociology of violence still struggles with two critical questions: What motivates people to act violently on behalf of groups and how do they come to identify with the groups for which they act?Methodologicallythe article addresses these puzzling problems in favor of a relational sociology that argues against both micro‐ and macro‐reductionist accounts, whiletheoreticallyit proposes a twofold reorientation: first, it makes a plea for the so called cognitive turn in social theory; second, it proposes following praxeological accounts of social action that focus on the dynamic interpenetration of cognition and socio‐cultural practices. The argument is thatsymbolic boundariesconstitute the “missing link” that allows for overcoming the micro‐macro gap in violence research: Symbolic boundaries can cause people's participation in collective violence by providing the essential relational resources for violent action and by triggering the cognitive/affective mechanisms necessary for social actors to become drawn into mobilization processes that can cause their engaging in coordinated attacks on sites across the boundary. The article offers a new theoretical argument by drawing on knowledge from violence research, social action theory and cognitive science allowing for a non‐reductionist theory of action that explains how and why people engage in collective violence.
Effects of Carboxymethylcellulose, Yoghurt and Transglutaminase on Textural Properties of Oat Bread
Authors: Nitcheu Ngemakwe Patrick Hermaan , Le Roes‐Hill Marilize , Jideani Victoria Adaora
Published: October 2015

Oat bread was baked with carboxylmethylcellulose (CMC), yoghurt (YG) and transglutaminase (TG) following a 33 Box‐Behnken design consisting of CMC (1, 2 g), YG (10.75, 33.75 g) and TG (0.5, 1.5 g) as independent variables. The dependent variables of interest for the textural properties were hardness, chewiness, gumminess, springiness and specific loaf volume. Increasing CMC (1–2 g) significantly (P < 0.05) increased all the textural parameters of the bread, but not its specific volume (1.49–1.46 mL/g). YG significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the hardness (786.01–593.39 N), chewiness (36.44–20.22 N) and gumminess (2.28–1.21 N), but sightly (P > 0.05) increased the springiness (11.28–11.41 mm) and specific loaf volume (1.51–1.67 mL/g) of the resulting bread. TG significantly (P < 0.05) affected all the textural parameters of oat bread, increased bread hardness (537.85–692.41 N), but decreased other parameters such as gumminess (4.66–2.14 N), springiness (6.47–4.14 mm), and specific loaf volume (1.61–1.54 mL/g) as the level of TG increased from 0.5 to 1.5 g. The objective of the optimization was to establish the amount of CMC, YG and TG required for optimal oat bread production. Hardness, chewiness, gumminess and springiness were used for numerical optimization to estimate the optimal level of ingredients for the production of oat bread. The predicted optimal ingredients for preparing oat bread were: CMC (1 g), yoghurt (33.75 g) and TG (0.98 g) with a desirability of 0.93.

Practical Applications

The consumption of oats is increasing worldwide, mainly due to the interest in novel and healthy foods as potential alternative ingredients to wheat flour for breadmaking. However, the absence of gluten development in oat dough leads to bread with a crumbling texture and other postbaking defects. This technological problem has created the need for functional food ingredients such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), yoghurt (YG) and transglutaminase (TG) to counteract these undesirable baking and postbaking defects. CMC increased all the textural parameters of bread, except its specific loaf volume. YG decreased the hardness, chewiness and gumminess but increased the resilience (cohesion energy and cohesion force), springiness and specific loaf volume of the resulting bread. TG decreased all the physical and textural parameters of oat bread with exception of hardness which increased. Optimizing the amount of CMC, YG and TG required for oat bread with the most desirable properties is vital because the quality and price of the final product depend on this parameter.
Potential of Sponge Cake Making using Infrared–Hot Air Dried Carrot
Authors: Salehi Fakhreddin , Kashaninejad Mahdi , Akbari Ehsan , Sobhani Seyyede Mahshid , Asadi Fereshteh
Published: October 2015

The potential of carrot powder was evaluated for production of fiber rich sponge cakes. In this study, first, the carrots slices were dried in an infrared‐hot air dryer (250 W, 60C and 1 m/s flow rate). Then, the rheological properties of cake batters and physicochemical, textural and sensory properties of sponge cake supplemented with five different levels of carrot powder (0, 5, 10, 20 and 30%) were evaluated. The apparent viscosity of cake batters increased from 12.3 to 37.2 Pa s with increasing carrot powder levels from 0 to 30%. Increasing the level of substitution from 0 to 30%, carrot powder decreased the volume of cakes from 66.67 to 56.29 cm3. The density, ash, β‐carotene and moisture content of baked cakes increased with increasing carrot powder levels from 0 to 30%, whereas the protein and carbohydrate content of samples showed a reverse trend. Sensory evaluation results indicated that cake with 10% carrot powder was rated the most acceptable. The hardness, cohesiveness and chewiness values were in the range of 693.82–869.18 g, 0.55–0.58 g and 358.99–450.56 g, respectively. The sponge cake with 10% carrot exhibited a color, with L*, a* and b* equal to 76.81, 1.81 and 68.45, respectively.

Practical Applications

Bakery products are consumed all over the world and the enrichment of these products with fibers and β‐carotene may be achieved through the incorporation of rich fibers and β‐carotene sources. Carrot is one of these sources, which have a great potential. In this study, a novel formulation of sponge cake production with carrot was developed.
Multiple glacial refugia for cool‐temperate deciduous trees in northern East Asia: the Mongolian oak as a case study
Authors: Zeng Yan‐Fei , Wang Wen‐Ting , Liao Wan‐Jin , Wang Hong‐Fang , Zhang Da‐Yong
Published: October 2015

In East Asia, temperate forests are predicted to have retracted southward to c. 30° N during the last glacial maximum (LGM) based on fossil pollen data, whereas phylogeographic studies have often suggested glacial in situ survival of cool‐temperate deciduous trees in their modern northern ranges. Here we report a study of the genetic diversity and structure of 29 natural Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica) populations using 19 nuclear simple sequence repeat (nSSR) loci and four chloroplast DNA fragments. Bayesian clustering analysis with nSSRs revealed five groups, which were inferred by approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) to have diverged in multiple refugia through multiple glacial–interglacial cycles. Analysis of chloroplast DNA variation revealed four lineages that were largely but incompletely geographically disjunct. Ecological niche modelling (ENMs) indicated a southward range shift of the oak's distribution at the LGM, although high suitability scores were also evident in the Changbai Mts. (Northeast China), the Korean Peninsula, areas surrounding the Bohai Sea, and along the coast of the Russian Far East. In addition, endemic chloroplast DNA haplotypes and nuclear lineages occurred in high‐latitude northern areas where the ENM predicted no suitable habitat. The combined evidence from nuclear and chloroplast DNA, and the results of the ENM clearly demonstrate that multiple northern refugia, including cryptic ones, were maintained across the current distributional range of the Mongolian oak during the LGM or earlier glacial periods. Though spatially limited, postglacial expansions from these refugia have led to a pattern of decreased genetic diversity with increasing latitude.
Identification of the HrpS binding site in the hrpL promoter and effect of the RpoN binding site of HrpS on the regulation of the type III secretion system in Erwinia amylovora
Authors: Lee Jae Hoon , Sundin George W. , Zhao Youfu
Published: October 2015

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is a key pathogenicity factor in Erwinia amylovora. Previous studies have demonstrated that the T3SS in E. amylovora is transcriptionally regulated by an RpoN–HrpL sigma factor cascade, which is activated by the bacterial alarmone (p)ppGpp. In this study, the binding site of HrpS, an enhancer binding protein, was identified for the first time in plant‐pathogenic bacteria. Complementation of the hrpL mutant with promoter deletion constructs of the hrpL gene and promoter activity analyses using various lengths of the hrpL promoter fused to a promoter‐less green fluorescent protein (gfp) reporter gene delineated the upstream region for HrpS binding. Sequence analysis revealed a dyad symmetry sequence between −138 and −125 nucleotides (TGCAA‐N4‐TTGCA) as the potential HrpS binding site, which is conserved in the promoter of the hrpL gene among plant enterobacterial pathogens. Results of quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and electrophoresis mobility shift assay coupled with site‐directed mutagenesis (SDM) analysis showed that the intact dyad symmetry sequence was essential for HrpS binding, full activation of T3SS gene expression and virulence. In addition, the role of the GAYTGA motif (RpoN binding site) of HrpS in the regulation of T3SS gene expression in E. amylovora was characterized by complementation of the hrpS mutant using mutant variants generated by SDM. Results showed that a Y100F substitution of HrpS complemented the hrpS mutant, whereas Y100A and Y101A substitutions did not. These results suggest that tyrosine (Y) and phenylalanine (F) function interchangeably in the conserved GAYTGA motif of HrpS in E. amylovora.
Photorespiration participates in the assimilation of acetate in Chlorella sorokiniana under high light
Authors: Xie Xiujun , Huang Aiyou , Gu Wenhui , Zang Zhengrong , Pan Guanghua , Gao Shan , He Linwen , Zhang Baoyu , Niu Jianfeng , Lin Apeng , Wang Guangce
Published: October 2015

The development of microalgae on an industrial scale largely depends on the economic feasibility of mass production. High light induces productive suspensions during cultivation in a tubular photobioreactor. Herein, we report that high light, which inhibited the growth of Chlorella sorokiniana under autotrophic conditions, enhanced the growth of this alga in the presence of acetate.

We compared pigments, proteomics and the metabolic flux ratio in C. sorokiniana cultivated under high light (HL) and under low light (LL) in the presence of acetate.

Our results showed that high light induced the synthesis of xanthophyll and suppressed the synthesis of chlorophylls. Acetate in the medium was exhausted much more rapidly in HL than in LL. The data obtained from LC‐MS/MS indicated that high light enhanced photorespiration, the Calvin cycle and the glyoxylate cycle of mixotrophic C. sorokiniana. The results of metabolic flux ratio analysis showed that the majority of the assimilated carbon derived from supplemented acetate, and photorespiratory glyoxylate could enter the glyoxylate cycle.

Based on these data, we conclude that photorespiration provides glyoxylate to speed up the glyoxylate cycle, and releases acetate‐derived CO2 for the Calvin cycle. Thus, photorespiration connects the glyoxylate cycle and the Calvin cycle, and participates in the assimilation of supplemented acetate in C. sorokiniana under high light.
Structure of RagB, a major immunodominant outer‐membrane surface receptor antigen of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Goulas T. , Garcia‐Ferrer I. , Hutcherson J.A. , Potempa B.A. , Potempa J. , Scott D.A. , Gomis‐Rüth F. Xavier
Published: October 2015

Porphyromonas gingivalis is the main causative agent of periodontitis. It deregulates the inflammatory and innate host immune responses through virulence factors, which include the immunodominant outer‐membrane surface receptor antigens A (PgRagA) and B (PgRagB), co‐transcribed from the rag pathogenicity island. The former is predicted to be a Ton‐dependent porin‐type translocator but the targets of this translocation and the molecular function of PgRagB are unknown. Phenomenologically, PgRagB has been linked with epithelial cell invasion and virulence according to murine models. It also acts as a Toll‐like receptor agonist and promotes multiple mediators of inflammation. Hence, PgRagB is a candidate for the development of a periodontitis vaccine, which would be facilitated by the knowledge of its atomic structure. Here, we crystallized and solved the structure of 54‐kDa PgRagB, which revealed a single domain centered on a curved helical scaffold. It consists of four tetratrico peptide repeats (TPR1–4), each arranged as two helices connected by a linker, plus two extra downstream capping helices. The concave surface bears four large intertwined irregular inserts (A–D), which contribute to an overall compact moiety. Overall, PgRagB shows substantial structural similarity with Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron SusD and Tannerella forsythia NanU, which are, respectively, engaged in binding and uptake of malto‐oligosaccharide/starch and sialic acid. This suggests a similar sugar‐binding function for PgRagB for uptake by the cognate PgRagA translocator, and, consistently, three potential monosaccharide‐binding sites were tentatively assigned on the molecular surface.
Stripe rust resistance gene Yr18 and its suppressor gene in Chinese wheat landraces
Authors: Wu Ling , Xia Xianchun , Rosewarne Garry M. , Zhu Huazhong , Li Shizhao , Zhang Zhengyu , He Zhonghu
Published: October 2015

The slow‐rusting and mildewing gene Yr18/Lr34/Pm38/Sr57 confers partial, durable resistance to multiple fungal pathogens and has its origins in China. A number of diagnostic markers were developed for this gene based on the gene sequence, but these markers do not always predict the presence of the resistant phenotype as some wheat varieties with the gene are susceptible to stripe rust in China. We hypothesized that these varieties have a suppressor of Yr18. This study was undertaken to determine the presence of Yr18, the suppressor and/or another resistance gene in 144 Chinese wheat landraces using molecular markers and stripe rust field data. Forty‐three landraces were predicted to have Yr18 based on the presence of the markers, but had final disease severities higher than 70%, indicating that this gene may be under the influence of a suppressor. Four of these landraces, ‘Sichuanyonggang 2’, ‘Baikemai’, ‘Youmai’ and ‘Zhangsihuang’, were chosen for genetic studies. Crosses were made between the lines and ‘Avocet S’, with further crosses of Sichuanyonggang 2 ×  ‘Huixianhong’ and Sichuanyonggang 2 ×  ‘Chinese Spring’. The F1 plants of Sichuanyonggang 2/Chinese Spring was susceptible indicating the presence of a dominant suppressor gene. The results of genetic analyses of F2:3 and BC1F2 families derived from these crosses indicated the presence of Yr18, a Yr18 suppressor and another additive resistance gene. The Yr18 region in Sichuanyonggang 2 was sequenced to ensure that it contained the functional allele. This is the first report of a suppressor of Yr18/Lr34/Pm38/Sr57 gene with respect to stripe rust response.
Embodied simulation of emotional valence: Facial muscle responses to abstract and concrete words
Authors: Künecke Janina , Sommer Werner , Schacht Annekathrin , Palazova Marina
Published: October 2015

Semantic knowledge is thought to be at least partially grounded in sensory, motor, and affective information, acquired through experiences in our inner and outer world. The reactivation of experience‐related information during meaning access is called simulation. In the affective simulation account, it is assumed that the grounding information depends on the concepts’ concreteness. Whereas abstract concepts are thought to be mainly represented through affective experiential information, concrete words rely more on sensory‐motor experiential information. To test this hypothesis, we measured facial muscle activity as an indicator of affective simulation during visual word recognition. Words varied on the dimensions of concreteness and valence. Behavioral and electromyographic data were analyzed with linear mixed‐effects models with maximal random effect structure to optimize generalization over participants and word samples. Contrary to this hypothesis, we found a valence effect in the m. corrugator supercilii only in response to concrete but not to abstract words. Our data show that affective simulation as measured with facial muscle activity occurs in response to concrete rather than to abstract words. More concrete words are supposed to have higher context availability and richer visual imagery, which might promote affective simulation on the expressive level of facial muscle activity. The results are in line with embodied accounts of semantic representation but speak against its predominant role for representing affective information in abstract concepts.
Psychometric evaluation of the adolescent and parent versions of the Gaming Addiction Identification Test (GAIT)
Authors: Vadlin Sofia , Åslund Cecilia , Rehn Mattias , Nilsson Kent W.
Published: October 2015

The objective of the study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Gaming Addiction Identification Test (GAIT) and its parent version (GAIT‐P), in a representative community sample of adolescents and parents in Västmanland, Sweden. Self‐rated and parent‐rated gaming addictive symptoms identified by GAIT and GAIT‐P were analyzed for frequency of endorsement, internal consistency, concordance, factor structure, prevalence of Internet gaming disorder (IGD), concurrence with the Gaming Addiction Scale for Adolescents, 7‐item version (GAS) and the parent version of GAS (GAS‐P), and for sex differences. The 12‐month prevalence of IGD was found to be 1.3% with GAIT and 2.4% with GAIT‐P. Results also indicate promising psychometric results within this population, with high internal consistency, and high concurrent validity with GAS and GAS‐P. Concordance between adolescents and parents ratings was high, although moderate in girls. Although exploratory factor analysis indicated poor model fit, it also indicated unidimensionality and high factor loadings in all analyses. GAIT and GAIT‐P are suitable for continued use in measuring gaming addiction in adolescents, and, with the additional two items, they now cover all nine IGD criteria.
Revisiting dysanapsis: sex‐based differences in airways and the mechanics of breathing during exercise
Authors: Sheel A. William , Dominelli Paolo B. , Molgat‐Seon Yannick
Published: October 2015

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

This review focuses on sex‐based differences in the anatomy of the respiratory system, which manifest in mechanical ventilatory contraints and potentially alter the integrative response to exercise.

What advances does it highlight?

Recent evidence indicates that women have smaller conducting airways than men, even when matched for lung size. Consequently, women are more likely to experience mechanical ventilatory constraints to exercise hyperpnoea. Furthermore, at a given ventilation, women have a higher work and oxygen cost of breathing, both of which may lead to differences in the whole‐body integrative response to dynamic exercise.

Our understanding of the human ventilatory response to exercise is largely based on a historical body of literature focused primarily on male rather than female research subjects. In recent years, important sex‐based differences in the anatomy of the human respiratory system have been identified; for a given lung size, women appear to have smaller‐diameter conducting airways than men. The presence of such inherent differences in the tracheobronchial tree greatly affects the mechanics of airflow generation, especially during conditions of high ventilation rates, such as exercise. Data from a growing number of studies suggest that women may be more susceptible to respiratory system limitations during exercise than their male counterparts. Specifically, women are more likely to experience expiratory flow limitation and exercise‐induced arterial hypoxaemia and have a higher metabolic cost of breathing for a given ventilation. Collectively, the available evidence suggests that sex differences in the ventilatory response to exercise are present and may have important ramifications for the integrated response to exercise; however, several fundamental questions remain unanswered.
Sex differences in fatigability of dynamic contractions
Authors: Hunter Sandra K.
Published: October 2015

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

Women are usually less fatigable than men for isometric fatiguing contractions of similar intensity, but whether this occurs for dynamic tasks is less clear. This review presents evidence that the sex difference in muscle fatigue of repeated dynamic contractions is specific to the task requirements, including the velocity of shortening and the muscle group involved.

What advances does it highlight?

Contractile mechanisms are responsible for the sex differences in muscle fatigue for slow‐velocity and low‐load dynamic tasks. The variability of the sex difference in fatigability among dynamic tasks has implications for fatiguing contractions prescribed in training and rehabilitation to men and women.

Women are usually less fatigable than men during single‐limb isometric contractions, primarily because of sex‐related differences in contractile mechanisms. It is less clear whether these sex differences in muscle fatigue occur for dynamic fatiguing tasks. This review highlights new findings that the sex difference in fatigability for dynamic shortening contractions with a single limb is dependent on the contraction velocity and the muscle group involved. Recent studies demonstrate that women are less fatigable than men for a dynamic task as follows: (i) the elbow‐flexor muscles at slow‐ but not high‐velocity contractions; and (ii) the knee‐extensor muscles when muscle fatigue was quantified as a reduction in the maximal voluntary isometric contraction force after the dynamic fatiguing task. Contractile mechanisms are responsible for the sex difference in muscle fatigue of the dynamic contractions, with no evidence for a sex difference in the reduction in voluntary activation (i.e. central fatigue). Thus, these findings indicate that the sex difference in muscle fatigue of dynamic contractions is task specific. These data also challenge the assumption that men and women respond in a similar manner to training and rehabilitation that involve fatiguing contractions to overload the neuromuscular system. There is, however, a tremendous opportunity for conducting high‐impact studies to gain insight into those factors that define the sex‐based differences in muscle fatigue during dynamic tasks. Such studies can define the boundaries to human performance in both men and women during athletic endeavours, ergonomic tasks and rehabilitation.
Impact of sympathetic nervous system activity on post‐exercise flow‐mediated dilatation in humans
Authors: Atkinson Ceri L. , Lewis Nia C.S. , Carter Howard H. , Thijssen Dick H.J. , Ainslie Philip N. , Green Daniel J.
Published: October 2015

Key points

Previous studies indicate a transient reduction in arterial function following large muscle group exercise, but the mechanisms involved are unknown.

Sympathetic nervous system activation may contribute to such reductions through direct effects in the artery wall, or because of decreases in arterial shear stress.

Administration of prazosin (an α1‐adrenoreceptor blocker) abolished the transient reduction in vascular function observed under placebo conditions following exercise. This effect could not be explained by drug‐induced changes in arterial shear stress.

These results suggest that sympathetic vasoconstriction directly competes with endothelium‐dependent dilator activity to influence post‐exercise vascular function.

These findings have implications for understanding the stimuli responsible for exercise‐induced adaptations in arterial function and health in humans.

Transient reduction in vascular function following systemic large muscle group exercise has previously been reported in humans. The mechanisms responsible are currently unknown. We hypothesised that sympathetic nervous system activation, induced by cycle ergometer exercise, would contribute to post‐exercise reductions in flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD). Ten healthy male subjects (28 ± 5 years) undertook two 30 min sessions of cycle exercise at 75% HRmax. Prior to exercise, individuals ingested either a placebo or an α1‐adrenoreceptor blocker (prazosin; 0.05 mg kg−1). Central haemodynamics, brachial artery shear rate (SR) and blood flow profiles were assessed throughout each exercise bout and in response to brachial artery FMD, measured prior to, immediately after and 60 min after exercise. Cycle exercise increased both mean and antegrade SR (P < 0.001) with retrograde SR also elevated under both conditions (P < 0.001). Pre‐exercise FMD was similar on both occasions, and was significantly reduced (27%) immediately following exercise in the placebo condition (t‐test, P = 0.03). In contrast, FMD increased (37%) immediately following exercise in the prazosin condition (t‐test, P = 0.004, interaction effect P = 0.01). Post‐exercise FMD remained different between conditions after correction for baseline diameters preceding cuff deflation and also post‐deflation SR. No differences in FMD or other variables were evident 60 min following recovery. Our results indicate that sympathetic vasoconstriction competes with endothelium‐dependent dilator activity to determine post‐exercise arterial function. These findings have implications for understanding the chronic impacts of interventions, such as exercise training, which affect both sympathetic activity and arterial shear stress.