bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tunable translational control using site-specific unnatural amino acid incorporation in Escherichia coli
Authors: Kato Yusuke
Published: January 2018

Translation of target gene transcripts in Escherichia coli harboring UAG amber stop codons can be switched on by the amber-codon-specific incorporation of an exogenously supplied unnatural amino acid, 3-iodo-L-tyrosine. Here, we report that this translational switch can control the translational efficiency at any intermediate magnitude by adjustment of the 3-iodo-L-tyrosine concentration in the medium, as a tunable translational controller. The translational efficiency of a target gene reached maximum levels with 10-5 M 3-iodo-L-tyrosine, and intermediate levels were observed with suboptimal concentrations (approximately spanning a 2-log10 concentration range, 10-7 to 10-5 M). Such intermediate-level expression was also confirmed in individual bacteria.
The hexamer hypothesis explains apparent irregularities in the plating of early and extant crinoids
Authors: de Lussanet Marc HE
Published: January 2018

In 2011, I proposed a new hypothesis for the evolution and development of the five-rayed structure of echinoderms, the Hexamer Hypothesis (Lussanet, 2011). According to this hypothesis, the five-rayed structure develops by reduction from a six-rayed Bauplan. Crinoids (sea lilies) are unique as the only extant clade with stalked representatives, reaching back at least to the early Ordovician. Their extraordinary rich fossil record and the known embryology of recent forms make them ideal to test the Hexamer Hypothesis. It is concluded that the plating of the calyx and the stalk can be explained by the new hypothesis.
Persistent burnout theory of chronic fatigue syndrome
Authors: Jameson David
Published: January 2018

There is no agreement on the etiology of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and the main theories (behavioural and viral/immune) do not satisfactorily explain all findings. A growing body of evidence shows that CFS appears to be a dysfunction of the stress system—and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in particular—as a result of chronic stress. CFS shares many similarities to occupational burnout, including similar symptoms, physiological abnormalities and triggers. After a review of the available evidence, I hypothesize that CFS is a state of persistent burnout that remains after the initial stressors have been removed. This persistence may be due to a combination of a dysregulation of the HPA axis and behavioural factors.
Morphological variation in Naomichelys (Testudinata: Solemydidae): insights from a new specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation of Montana
Authors: Lawver Daniel
Published: January 2018

Background. Solemydidae is an enigmatic clade of stem turtles, which is primarily represented by fragmentary shell material found in Upper Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits of Europe and North America. Specimens are typically identified by a distinct surface ornamentation comprised of tall, narrow tubercles, which are often incompletely preserved due to taphonomic processes. The only currently recognized North American species of Solemydidae, Naomichelys speciosa was erected in 1908 on the basis of a nearly complete entoplastron from the Lower Cretaceous Cloverly Formation of Montana; however, a far more complete specimen from the Lower Cretaceous Antler Formation of Texas (FMNH PR273) was recently referred to this species and has shed light on the morphology of Naomichelys. Here, I describe a partial skeleton (MOR 941) that was discovered in 1995 near the type locality in Montana, which allows for the first look at variation in many of the skeletal elements of the genus. Methods. Morphological variation of Naomichelys was determined by comparison of MOR 941 to the holotype specimen and FMNH PR273 from the literature. Results. MOR 941 is referable to Solemydidae based on a large, diamond shaped entoplastron, which exhibits the distinctive solemydid surface ornamentation and an entoplastral scute, and is referable to Naomichelys because of its near identical morphology to that of the holotype. This specimen consists of the carapace, plastron, four cervical vertebrae, both shoulder girdles, and the right femur. Preserved carapacial elements are the right costals and peripherals in articulation, albeit somewhat crushed, disarticulated left costals, and a single neural. Using peripheral and costal sutures as well as marginal sulci as landmarks, peripherals 1 – 4 are identified, which indicates that the nuchal notch is either reduced or lacking completely. The plastron is well preserved with only portions of the left bridge and xiphiplastra missing and a central plastral fontanel is completely lacking. Cervical vertebrae 5 – 8 are preserved and show varying states of completeness with C7 being the most complete. Cervical 5 preserves a ventral keel on the centrum that is well developed and projects well beyond the central articulations. The shoulder girdle elements are similar to FMNH PR273 but are less well preserved and are not sutured together. The femur is complete and almost identical to FMNH PR273; however, the distal condyles are equally developed. Discussion. The morphological differences between MOR 941 and the Texas material suggest two plausible conclusions. 1) They demonstrate two different ontogenetic stages of development, with MOR 941 representing a skeletally more mature, albeit smaller individual; or 2) there are two distinct species of Naomichelys from the Lower Cretaceous of North America.
The role of habitat heterogeneity on signal evolution in predator–prey interactions, with implications for the evolution of crypsis and aposematism
Authors: Pie Marcio R
Published: January 2018

Little is known about mechanisms promoting the diversity of antipredation strategies found in nature. In this study I explore how habitat heterogeneity may have profound effects on predator–prey communication. Habitat heterogeneity inevitably increases background noise in communication systems. Therefore, as habitat heterogeneity increases, an organism must produce more signal in order to convey the same amount of information (signal–to–noise ratio; S/N). Therefore, all else equal, strategies maximizing S/N (e.g. aposematism, sexually–selected traits) should become more exacerbated as habitat heterogeneity increases, whereas strategies minimizing S/N (e.g. crypsis) should show the opposite trend. A test of this hypothesis is provided based on information on detection-avoidance strategies of Ghanaian preying mantids. If this hypothesis is widely applicable, it can provide a parsimonious explanation for the origin of aposematism, given that the same organisms can become more cryptic or aposematic simply by shifting their habitats and the corresponding levels of background noise.
Not all jellyfish are equal: isotopic evidence for inter- and intraspecific variation in jellyfish trophic ecology
Authors: Fleming Nicholas E.C. , Harrod Chris , Newton Jason , Houghton Jonathan D.R.
Published: January 2018

Jellyfish are highly topical within studies of pelagic food-webs and there is a growing realisation that their role is more complex than once thought. Efforts being made to include jellyfish within fisheries and ecosystem models are an important step forward, but our present understanding of their underlying trophic ecology can lead to their over-simplification in these models. Gelatinous zooplankton represent a polyphyletic assemblage spanning >1,400 species that inhabit coastal seas to the deep-ocean and employ a wide variety of foraging strategies. Despite this diversity, many contemporary modelling approaches include jellyfish as a single functional group feeding at one or two trophic levels at most. Recent reviews have drawn attention to this issue and highlighted the need for improved communication between biologists and theoreticians if this problem is to be overcome. We used stable isotopes to investigate the trophic ecology of three co-occurring scyphozoan jellyfish species (Aurelia aurita, Cyanea lamarckii and C. capillata) within a temperate, coastal food-web in the NE Atlantic. Using information on individual size, time of year and δ13C and δ15N stable isotope values we examined: (1) whether all jellyfish could be considered as a single functional group, or showed distinct inter-specific differences in trophic ecology; (2) Were size-based shifts in trophic position, found previously in A. aurita, a common trait across species?; (3) When considered collectively, did the trophic position of three sympatric species remain constant over time? Differences in δ15N (trophic position) were evident between all three species, with size-based and temporal shifts in δ15N apparent in A. aurita and C. capillata. The isotopic niche width for all species combined increased throughout the season, reflecting temporal shifts in trophic position and seasonal succession in these gelatinous species. Taken together, these findings support previous assertions that jellyfish require more robust inclusion in marine fisheries or ecosystem models.
Server side algorithms for WHLK (Watermark, Hardware Parameters and License Key) framework
Authors: Gupta Nishant , Jamwal Shubhnandan S.
Published: January 2018

Software piracy is the most significant and burning issue in the age of the internet. Software piracy has been a direct threat for software vendors in terms of revenue and, therefore, a number of effective and efficient techniques have been employed for the detection and prevention of software piracy. One very important technique is software watermarking and using registration keys. This paper proposes the Server-side algorithms for registration and embedding the watermark into the software using the WHLK (Watermark, Hardware Parameters and License Key) approach. We have tested the algorithms and the analysis of the proposed algorithms proves that these registration algorithms are more reliable and efficient in comparison to other techniques.
The Copenhagen Women Study: preliminary data related to cardiovascular health
Authors: Hellsten Ylva , Slingsby Martina , Egelund Jon , Bangsbo Jens , Nyberg Michael
Published: January 2018

Background : After menopause women experience a markedly increased risk of cardiovascular events due to the loss of estrogen. As estrogen replacement is associated with negative side effects, a more attractive alternative to help maintain a good cardiovascular and metabolic health status may be regular physical activity. In this ongoing study, our aim is to elucidate the beneficial effects of a period of physical activity on a number of health related parametres in pre- and post-menopausal women. Methods : The study has been approved by the ethics committee of Capitol Region of Denmark (H-1-2012-150). Informed consent was given by the participants prior to inclusion in the study. Pre and post menopausal women, between the age of 45 and 57 years of age are recruited. The women are sedentary non-smokers with no known chronic diseases. The women undergo a three month training program with spinning training three times per week. Before and after the training period they are characterized with regard to daily activity level by use of accelerometry ( actibelt ® ), food intake, body composition, fitness level, cardiac function, platelet function, and vascular function. Results : As the study is ongoing, results are preliminary. Based on our practical experience so far we can conclude that actibelt ® is an effective and well-functioning means of determining daily activity. Moreover, the preliminary data indicate that post-menopausal women have reduced vascular and platelet function compared to pre-menopausal women. The study also shows that aspects of both vascular and platelet function appear to be improved by the three month training period. Both pre and post-menopausal women experience improved fitness levels and plasma lipid profile. Discussion/conclusion : The preliminary data from this study show that already soon after menopause impairments occur in cardiovascular health status and that these impairments may be more related to the loss of estrogen than to age. Exercise training by spinning is an effective mean to improve fitness and a number of health related parametres in middle aged women. We propose that physical activity can be a valuable alternative to estrogen replacement.
A new pleurodire turtle (Chelonii) from Adamantina Formation (Bauru Group), Upper Cretaceous of Brazil
Authors: Kischlat Edio-Ernst
Published: January 2018

Background. A new podocnemidid taxon from the Adamantina Formation (Campanian to Maastrichtian), Bauru Group - Paraná Basin (southeastern Brazil) is presented. Some multifragmented specimens were discovered near 30 years ago, in the region of Álvarez Machado (State of São Paulo) on the farm of Mr. Yoshitoshi Myzobuchi (a.k.a "Myzobuchi Site"), and they were mounted piece by piece of a huge puzzle. The remains comprise two incomplete carapace, 4 fragmented plastra, some cervical vertebrae, scapular and pelvic girdles, and limb bones of at least 4 specimens. The sauropod Gondwanatitan faustoi was described from this same site that also provided some crocodile remains. Methods. This new Adamantina taxon was codified according Gabriel S. Ferreira’s pleurodire dataset (unpublished MSc thesis) which comprises an extensive taxonomic sampling (85 taxa, 226 characters, some multistate), including fossil and recent taxa from all pleurodiran lineages. Three software packages (PAUP*, WinClada and TNT) were used to evaluate its phylogenetic position. Results. All searches resulted on most parsimonious trees of same lenght (1011 steps), and similar strict consensus topology. The new Adamantina taxon is in Bairdemys-Stereogenys lineage, after the Podocnemis split and sequentially between the eocenic Egyptian fossil Neochelys fajumensis and the recent South American Peltocephalus dumerilianus. Discussion. The plastral bones of this new taxon are relatively thick and the most striking feature is the ankylosed suture between the pubis and the xiphiplastron. In any other pleurodire the articular faces between the pubis and the xiphiplastron have several osseous lamellae but in the new taxon this ankylosed articulation is simply broken (to the contrary, the articular faces between the ischium and xiphisplastron are preserved and have these lamellae). This apparently is also the case for Podocnemis harrisi Pacheco, 1910, which is considered a nomen dubium by several authors. It also has a thick xiphiplastron, which is the only holotypic bone preserved (but lost long time ago) and shows the pubic articular face apparently with no lamellae, but the ischiadic one clearly showing them, as illustrated in Pacheco (1910). It also shows some minor differences in the morphology with an intumescence mainly in the region of the pubic articular face which is absent in the present specimens. Podocnemis harrisi is also from Adamantina Formation, but from the City of Colina away 300 km NE from the City of Álvarez Machado, and the ankylosed puboxiphiplastral suture suggest a close phylogenetic relationship between both that is here expressed as a new combination with the Álvarez Machado new nominative genus.
Programming languages popularity and implications to testing programmable logic controllers
Authors: Enoiu Eduard P
Published: January 2018

The popularity of domain-specific programming languages has implications on how we test software in these domain industries. For example for programmable logic controllers five standard languages were defined and used in practice. Detailed data on popularity of these languages should show some implications on what languages to target when testing. We suggest that massive new data sources resulting from programmers may offer a new perspective on how we test domain-specific languages. By analyzing Google query volumes for search terms related to programmable logic controllers languages, we find patterns that may be interpreted as signs of actual usage in practice. Comparing with the current test generation approaches proposed by researchers our results illustrate both potentials and threats on what is needed in reality when testing programmable logic controllers.
Progressive enlargement of a previously coiled posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm
Authors: Karsy Michael , Cutler Aaron , Bowers Christian , Schmidt Richard
Published: January 2018

Multidisciplinary treatment of cerebral aneurysms includes endovascular coiling and open neurosurgical clipping techniques, however our understanding of long-term outcomes after coiling of large cerebral aneurysms remains limited. We present a case involving the development of a previously coiled posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysm in a 64-year-old man with lesion enlargement and symptomatic mass effect. CT angiogram demonstrated a 3.9×2.6×2.4-cm partially thrombosed aneurysm adjacent to the left vertebral artery. The patient underwent resection to relieve the compressive effect. We discuss the efficacy of endovascular coiling and surgical clipping in this case as well as review the relevant literature.
Gender-based violence in 140 characters or fewer: a #BigData case study of Twitter
Authors: Purohit Hemant , Banerjee Tanvi , Hampton Andrew , Shalin Valerie , Bhandutia Nayanesh , Sheth Amit
Published: January 2018

Humanitarian and public institutions are increasingly relying on data from social media sites to measure public attitude, and provide timely public engagement. Such engagement supports the exploration of public views on important social issues such as gender-based violence (GBV). In this study, we examine Big (Social) Data consisting of nearly fourteen million tweets collected from the Twitter platform over a period of ten months to analyze public opinion regarding GBV, highlighting the nature of tweeting practices by geographical location and gender. The exploitation of Big Data requires the techniques of Computational Social Science to mine insight from the corpus while accounting for the influence of both transient events and sociocultural factors. We reveal public awareness regarding GBV tolerance and suggest opportunities for intervention and the measurement of intervention effectiveness assisting both governmental and non-governmental organizations in policy development
What do programmers know about the energy consumption of software?
Authors: Pang Candy , Hindle Abram , Adams Bram , Hassan Ahmed E
Published: January 2018

Traditionally, programmers have received a wide range of training on programming languages and methodologies, but rarely about software energy consumption. Yet, the popularity of mobile devices and cloud computing require increased awareness about software energy consumption. On a mobile device, computation is often limited by the battery life. Under the demands of cloud computing, data centers struggle to reduce energy consumption through vir- tualization and data center infrastructure management (DCIM) systems. Efficient energy consumption of software is increasingly becoming an important non-functional requirement for programmers. However, are programmers knowledgeable enough about software energy consumption? Do programmers base their implementation decision on popular beliefs? In this article, we survey over 100 programmers for their knowledge of software energy con- sumption. We find that programmers have limited knowledge about energy efficiency, lack the knowledge about the best practice to reduce energy consumption of software, and are often unsure about how software consumes energy. Education about the importance of energy effective software will benefit the programmers. Our results highlight the need for training about energy consumption and efficiency.
Development of a cognitive bias methodology for measuring low mood in chimpanzees
Authors: Bateson Melissa , Nettle Daniel
Published: January 2018

There is an ethical and scientific need for objective, well-validated measures of low mood in captive chimpanzees. We describe the development of a novel cognitive task designed to measure ‘pessimistic’ bias in judgments of expectation of reward, a cognitive marker of low mood previously validated in a wide range of species, and report training and test data from three common chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). The chimpanzees were trained on an arbitrary visual discrimination in which lifting a pale grey paper cone was associated with reinforcement with a peanut, whereas lifting a dark grey cone was associated with no reward. The discrimination was trained by sequentially presenting the two cone types until significant differences in latency to touch the cone types emerged, and was confirmed by simultaneously presenting both cone types in choice trials. Subjects were subsequently tested on their latency to touch unrewarded cones of three intermediate shades of grey not previously seen. Pessimism was indicated by the similarity between the latency to touch intermediate cones and the latency to touch the trained, unreinforced, dark grey cones. Three subjects completed training and testing, two adult males and one adult female. All subjects learnt the discrimination (107-240 trials), and retained it during five sessions of testing. There was no evidence that latencies to lift intermediate cones increased over testing, as would have occurred if subjects learnt that these were never rewarded, suggesting that the task could be used for repeated testing of individual animals. There was a significant difference between subjects in their relative latencies to touch intermediate cones (pessimism index) that emerged following the second test session, and was not changed by the addition of further data. The most dominant male subject was least pessimistic, and the female most pessimistic. We argue that the task has the potential to be used to assess longitudinal changes in sub-clinical levels of low mood in chimpanzees, however further work with a larger sample of animals is required to validate this claim.
Crossing the streams: a framework for streaming analysis of short DNA sequencing reads
Authors: Zhang Qingpeng , Awad Sherine , Brown C. Titus
Published: January 2018

We present a semi-streaming algorithm for k-mer spectral analysis of DNA sequencing reads, together with a derivative approach that is fully streaming. The approach can also be applied to genomic, transcriptomic, and metagenomic data sets. We develop two tools for short-read analysis based on these approaches, a method for semi-streaming k-mer-based error trimming, and a method for the analysis of error profiles in short reads using a streaming sublinear approach. These tools are implemented in the khmer software package, which is freely available under the BSD License at github.com/ged-lab/khmer/.
A new specimen of Puppigerus from the London Clay of Walton on the Naze, Essex, United Kingdom and the speciation and palaeo-distribution of marine turtles during the Eocene
Authors: Moody Richard T. J. , Chapman Sandra , King Christopher
Published: January 2018

Background. A well preserved skull reported from the London Clay of the Walton on the Naze in Essex, UK adds an additional record to a rich turtle assemblage from the Eocene (Ypresian-Lutetian) of several depositional basins across NW Europe and North Africa including the London and Belgian Basins. The London Clay and age equivalent formations are dated as c.50 million years by the analysis of the microfossils, vertebrates, volcanic ash beds found throughout the sequence. The London Clay in the area of Walton on the Naze, Essex is comprised of fine grained, clay-rich deposits that yield a host of invertebrates, fossil plant debris, including seeds, together with mostly disarticulated skeletons of fish, birds, mammals and reptiles; the better specimens being enclosed in septarian nodules. The biostratigraphy of the various levels is confirmed by Chistopher King (deceased). Methods. In 1977 a fossil rich calcareous nodule was presented to the NHM, London, UK and the preparatory work was undertaken the same year by Ron Croucher of the former NHM, Palaeontology Conservation Unit and produced a complete 3 dimensional skull and lower jaw, complete limb and girdle material plus hyoid bones and numerous vertebrae and the incomplete presentation of a small delicate shell. Several years elapsed before the specimen was ready for study but its research potential has only recently been recognised. Results. The published discoveries of primitive cheloniids in Russia and North Africa have provided evidence for the global distribution of the cheloniids. The shell material seemingly belongs to a juvenile whereas the skull is comparable to the largest specimens of either Puppigerus or Argillochelys found in the London Clay of the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, UK or the Eocene sediments of the Belgian Basin. The excellent preservation of this ‘Walton’ skull (NHMUK R14375) enables the authors to draw comparisons with the exceptional material housed in The Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles in Bruxelles. A detailed description of the skull NHMUK R1437 will be presented. Discussion. In an earlier study Moody (1974) examined an endocranial cast taken from the skull of Puppigerus camperi (IRSNB. IG 8402) that showed the principal flexures of the brain and so to extend this study we include an analysis of recent CT scans of several skulls of Puppigerus and Argillochelys. The cranial characteristics are almost identical to the skull of the Moroccan specimen described by Tong et al 2012 but there is a definitive lack of the ‘spatulate’ palatines found in Puppigerus camperi. The development of the spatulate palatine is found in both juvenile and adult specimens of P. camperi whereas flatter less developed palatines are characteristic throughout the growth cycle in other species.
HapFlow: Visualising haplotypes in sequencing data
Authors: Sullivan Mitchell J , Bachmann Nathan L , Timms Peter , Polkinghorne Adam
Published: January 2018

Summary: HapFlow is a python application for visualising haplotypes present in high-throughput sequencing data. HapFlow identifies nucleotide variant profiles in raw read sequences and creates an abstract visual representation of these profiles to make haplotypes easier to identify. Availablity: HapFlow is freely available (under a GPL license) for download (for Mac OS X, Unix and Microsoft Windows) from github (http://mjsull.github.io/HapFlow).
Feeding behaviour in a ‘basal’ tortoise provides insights on the transitional feeding mode at the dawn of modern land turtle evolution
Authors: Natchev Nikolay , Tzankov Nikolay , Werneburg Ingmar , Heiss Egon
Published: January 2018

Almost all extant land turtles are highly associated with terrestrial habitats and the few tortoises with high affinity to aquatic environment are found within the genus Manouria. Manouria belongs to a clade which forms the sister taxon to all remaining tortoises and is suitable to be used as a model for studying evolutionary transitions from water to land within modern turtles. We analysed the feeding behaviour of M. emys and due to its phylogenetic position, we hypothesise that the species might have retained some ancestral characteristics associated to aquatic lifestyle. We tested whether M. emys is able to feed both in aquatic and terrestrial environments as mud turtles do. In fact, M. emys repetitively tried to reach submerged food items in water, but always failed to grasp them and no suction feeding mechanism was applied. When feeding on land, M. emys showed another peculiar behaviour; it grasped food items by its jaws – a behaviour typical for aquatic or semiaquatic turtles – and not by the tongue as in the typical feeding mode in all tortoises studied so far. In M. emys, the hyolingual complex remained retracted during all food uptake sequences, but the food transport was entirely lingual based. The kinematical profile significantly differed from those described for other tortoises and from those proposed from the general models on the function of the feeding systems in lower tetrapods. We conclude that the feeding behaviour of M. emys might reflect a remnant of the primordial condition expected in the aquatic ancestor of tortoises.
Evolutionary role of the nucleus
Authors: Agoni Valentina
Published: January 2018

Communication is of great importance in cells: it is matter of survival. Cells communicate each other in many ways. Inside the cell, the information proceeds through the form of signal transduction pathways. We consider a possible role of the nucleus in the regulation of the flow of information at the last step of signal transduction pathways. In particular, we evaluate the importance of clarity for the report about the environmental conditions and the relative response of cells using over-estimating and under-estimating probabilities concepts.
Psychosocial functioning before and after surgical treatment for morbid obesity: reliability and validation of the Norwegian version of obesity-related problem scale
Authors: Aasprang Anny , Andersen John Roger , Våge Villy , Kolotkin Ronette L , Natvig Gerd Karin
Published: January 2018

Background: The aims of this study were to translate the Obesity-Related Problem scale (OP scale) into the Norwegian language and test its reliability, validity and responsiveness in a Norwegian sample. Method: The questionnaire (OP scale) was translated from the original language (Swedish) into Norwegian. Patients completed the questionnaire prior to and one year after sleeve gastrectomy. Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach`s α. Floor and ceiling effect were calculated as percentages. Construct validity was tested by correlating the OP-scale with the SF-36 and the Cantril Ladder using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Exploratory factor analysis, using principal component analysis with varimax rotation, was used to test the unidimensionality of the OP scale. Responsiveness was tested by assessing changes in the OP scale from baseline to one year post-surgery using the paired sample t-test. Result: A total of 181 patients (123 women) accepted for bariatric surgery was included in the study. The mean age was 43.1 ± 12.5 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) before surgery was 45 ± 6.9. The mean value of the OP scale at baseline was 63.30 ± 24.43 (severe impairment) and 21.01 ± 20.98 at one year follow-up (mild impairment). Cronbach`s α was high at baseline (0. 91), as well as one year after surgery (0.88). The floor effect was small at baseline and moderate at one year. The ceiling effect was small at baseline and at one year. Exploratory factor analysis showed one factor with a high percent of explained variance (baseline and post-surgery). Correlations between OP scale at baseline, SF-36, Cantril Ladder and BMI were statistically significant and in the predicted direction to support validity of the Norwegian OP scale . After one year correlations between the change in OP scale and the change in SF-36 scores, Cantril Ladder and BMI were also statistically significant, except for the change in the Role Physical-scale. The OP scale showed greater responsiveness than either the SF-36 or Cantril Ladder. Conclusion: These results confirm that the Norwegian version of the OP scale is a valid and reliable instrument for measuring psychosocial functioning in patients with clinically severe obesity.
Molecular investigation of the microbial community associated with the fire sponge, Tedania ignis, in Bermuda
Authors: Jouett Nicholas J , Bibbings Meredith E , Sullivan Clarisse E , Parsons Rachel J
Published: January 2018

The complex, phylogenetically diverse, and specific microbial communities associated with marine sponges are a key aspect of the ecology and evolution of the metazoan host and the endosymbiotic microbes. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) methods, terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T RFLP), and functional gene probing via PCR, the current study investigates the microbial associations in the common Caribbean fire sponge, Tedania ignis. Sponge and water samples were collected from different sites around Bermuda from 2012 to 2014 in order to assess their respective microbial communities. Using FISH, SAR202 (Chloroflexi) (5.82% ± 0.59%) and Crenarchaea (7.97% ± 1.08%) were identified as the most abundant contributors to the microbial assemblage of T. ignis while the Alphaproteobacterium SAR11 (30.68% ± 1.68%) was identified as the most dominant species in the surrounding seawater. Due to the presence of Crenarchaea, the Archaeal gene for ammonia oxidation (amoA) was probed via PCR and found to be present. T RFLP identified the most abundant fragment length present in the sponge as 336 bp (>60% of T RFLP peak abundance). The sponge community was consistent and markedly distinct from that of the ambient seawater as identified by both FISH and T RFLP. Epifluorescent microscopy with DAPI staining also identified T. ignis as a high microbial abundance (HMA) sponge, in contrast to previous studies. Together, these data characterize the microbiome of T. ignis in much further detail than has previously been described.
Large amplitude, short wave peristalsis and its implications for transport
Authors: Waldrop Lindsay D , Miller Laura A.
Published: January 2018

Valveless, tubular pumps are widespread in the animal kingdom, but the mechanism by which these pumps generate fluid flow are often in dispute. Where the pumping mechanism of many organs was once described as peristalsis, other mechanisms, such as dynamic suction pumping, have been suggested as possible alternative mechanisms. Peristalsis is often evaluated using criteria established in a technical definition for mechanical pumps, but this definition is based on a small-amplitude, long-wave approximation which biological pumps often violate. In this study, we use a direct numerical simulation of large-amplitude, short-wave peristalsis to investigate the relationships between fluid flow, compression frequency, compression wave speed, and tube occlusion. We also explore how the flows produced differ from the criteria outlined in the technical definition of peristalsis. We find that many of the technical criteria are violated by our model: fluid flow speeds produced by peristalsis are greater than the speeds of the compression wave; fluid flow is pulsatile; and flow speed have a non-linear relationship with compression frequency when compression wave speed is held constant. We suggest that the technical definition is inappropriate for evaluating peristalsis as a pumping mechanism for biological pumps because they too frequently violate the assumptions inherent in these criteria. Instead, we recommend that a simpler, more inclusive definition be used for assessing peristalsis as a pumping mechanism based on the presence of non-stationary compression sites that propagate uni-directionally along a tube without the need for a structurally fixed flow direction.
Association between virtues and posttraumatic growth: Preliminary evidence from a Chinese community sample after earthquakes
Authors: Duan Wenjie , Guo Pengfei
Published: January 2018

Objective: Relationship, vitality, and conscientiousness are three fundamental virtues that have been identified recently, which are important individual differences to health, well being, and positive development. This cross-sectional study attempted to explore the relationship between the three constructs and post-traumatic growth (PTG) in three directions, including indirect trauma samples without post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), direct trauma samples without PTSD, and direct trauma samples with PTSD. Methods: A total of 340 community participants from Sichuan Province, Mainland China involved in the study, most of which experienced Wenchuan and Lushan Earthquake. Participants were required to complete the self-reported questionnaire packages at one time point for obtaining their scores on virtues (Chinese Virtues Questionnaire), PTSD (PTSD Checklist-Specific), and PTG (Post-traumatic Growth Inventory-Chinese). Results: Significant and positive correlations between the three virtues and PTG were identified (r = .39 to .56; p < .01). Further regression analysis by stepwise method reveled that: in the indirect trauma samples, vitality explained 32% variance of PTG. In reference to the direct trauma sample without PTSD, both relationship and conscientiousness explained 32% variance of PTG; whereas in the direct trauma sample with PTSD, only conscientiousness accounted for 31% the variance in PTG. Conclusion: This cross-sectional investigation partly revealed the roles of different virtues in trauma context. Findings suggest important implications for strengths-based treatment.
Relationships of NDVI, Biomass, and Leaf Area Index (LAI) for six key plant species in Barrow, Alaska
Authors: Goswami Santonu , Gamon John , Vargas Sergio , Tweedie Craig
Published: January 2018

Here we investigate relationships between NDVI, Biomass, and Leaf Area Index (LAI) for six key plant species near Barrow, Alaska. We explore how key plant species differ in biomass, leaf area index (LAI) and how can vegetation spectral indices be used to estimate biomass and LAI for key plant species. A vegetation index (VI) or a spectral vegetation index (SVI) is a quantitative predictor of plant biomass or vegetative vigor, usually formed from combinations of several spectral bands, whose values are added, divided, or multiplied in order to yield a single value that indicates the amount or vigor of vegetation. For six key plant species, NDVI was strongly correlated with biomass (R2 = 0.83) and LAI (R2 = 0.70) but showed evidence of saturation above a biomass of 100 g/m2 and an LAI of 2 m2/m2. Extrapolation of a biomass-plant cover model to a multi-decadal time series of plant cover observations suggested that Carex aquatilis and Eriophorum angustifolium decreased in biomass while Arctophila fulva and Dupontia fisheri increased 1972-2008.
An almost complete side-necked turtle shell (Pelomedusoides, Bothremydidae) from the Maria Farinha Formation (Paleogene, Paleocene), Paraíba Basin, NE Brazil
Authors: Oliveira Gustavo R. , Rezende Jessyca S. , Figueiredo Carina M. , Azevedo Sergio Alex K. , Campos Diogenes A.
Published: January 2018

Background. Pelomedusoides turtles are an important group in extant fauna of northern South America, Africa and Madagascar, which have a long fossil record, with numerous records through the Cretaceous, Paleogene, and Neogene in South America. One of high- diversified clade of this linage is Bothremydidae, and its record extends from Early Cretaceous (Barreminan) to Eocene. So far, no named species from the Paleocene of Brazil were described. The single Paleocene record is a peripheral bone associated to pelomedusoid turtle from the Maria Farinha Formation (Danian), of Pernambuco State. Herein we present an almost complete shell (DGM 1310LE) from the Maria Farinha Formation, Paraíba Basin, which is the first early Paleocene South American bothremydid turtle. Methods. The new specimen have been analyzed through traditional paleontological methodology. We performed a CT scan in DGM 1310LE in search for internal bones and structures. In addition, we scored DGM 1310LE in a modified data matrix of Pelomedusoides, with 43 taxa and 175 characters, and the phylogenetic analysis were performed in TNT. Branch supports were provided using bootstrap and Bremer support. Results. The new specimen is the most complete turtle coming of Maria Farinha Formation. DGM 1310LE has seven neurals, and an incomplete neural series to suprapygal, as the most Podocnemidoidae turtles. Our preliminary phylogeny resulted in 4 most parsimonious trees of 428 steps. The strict consensus tree places DGM 1310LE as a member of Bothremydidae, which was recovered in a polytomy together with early Cretaceous turtle Galianemys. 5th Turtle Evolution Symposium Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil | July, 2015 Discussion. Despite of the almost complete nature of the DGM 1310LE, we were unable to determine if DGM 1310LE is a new species due to the lack of diagnostic characteristics. However, this new Paleocene specimen is important because it expands the record of Bothremydidade to the Cenozoic of Brazil; up to date only the Early Cretaceous genera Cearachelys and Atolchelys were recognized. Moreover, Bothremydidae shows a great diversification, occupying marine environments as well as diverse freshwater environments. Since the depositional context of the Maria Farinha Formation is considered a shallow marine environment (continental shelf), including the presence of marine taxa such as lamniforms sharks (e.g. Cretolamna appendiculata) and the dyrosaurid crocodyliform Guarinisuchus munizi, the presence of a Bothremydidae in these strata confirm the great paleoecological diversification of this family, varying from near-shore marine to freshwater environments.
Juvenile specimens of Araripemys Price, 1973 (Pelomedusoides, Araripemydidae) from the Crato Formation, Araripe Basin
Authors: Oliveira Gustavo R , Kellner Alexander W. A.
Published: January 2018

Background. The Santana Group of Araripe Basin has an important turtle fauna in which five monotypic genera are formally described, all from the Albian Romualdo Formation. Araripemys barretoi is the unique identified species that has been found in the Crato and Romualdo formations of the Santana Group. Herein, we report two juvenile araripemydid provided from the light-beige colored laminated limestone from the Crato Formation: AMNH 30651 and MN 4893-V. Methods. The specimens have been analyzed through traditional paleontological methods. For taxonomic and morphological identification were realized comparisons with living and extinct taxa, moreover, specialized bibliography and photos. Results. The small size of the specimens (among 40-50 mm) and its poor degree of ossification with costal bones not fused suggest that both are juvenile individuals. AMNH 30651 is identified as Araripemys cf. barretoi and can be distinguished to other turtles from Araripe Basin based on the follow characteristics: (1) long vertebral body; (2) long neck; (3) the angle of curvature of the axillary and inguinal buttress; (4) mesoplastron absent; and (5) arrow-shaped unguals. MN 4893-V is also identified as Araripemys cf. barretoi and can be distinguished from the other turtles from Araripe based on characteristics 2, 3, and 5 (described above) plus (6) a nearly oval skull in dorsal view with closely spaced orbits; and (7) a long vertebral body. Discussion. Juvenile turtles are rare in the fossil record. Although the description of these two incomplete specimens does not completely elucidate the ontogeny of this taxon, the analysis of these specimens yield relevant information about taxonomic characters such as: skull with nearly oval shape in dorsal view with closely spaced orbits; long vertebral body; long neck; the angle of curvature of the axillary notch; and unguals arrow-shaped. The small size of the specimens (40-50 mm) and its poor degree of ossification of unfused costal bones indicates that both are very young individuals. Some researchers postulate that the paleoenvironment of the Crato Formation was similar to mangroves, which is corroborated by the presence of juvenile turtles and fishes, anurans and insects. Araripemys barretoi was also recorded in the Romualdo Formation, which represents a lagoon. The fact that this turtle is found in those quite distinct paleoenvironments suggests that this species could be tolerant to distinct salinities levels.
Direct dilution of cell aliquot for high temporal resolution bacteria cell surface charge measurement
Authors: Ng Wenfa , Ting Yen-Peng
Published: January 2018

Bacteria surface charge mediates important cell-environment and microbe-host interactions, and its accurate and precise measurement by microelectrophoresis requires removing metabolites adhered to the cell surface - where repeated centrifugation and washing by buffers is the gold standard method for sample preparation. Unfortunately, the need for time-consuming centrifugation limits the temporal resolution of sampling and profiling of experiment system dynamics; especially for samples requiring immediate treatment after sampling. Herein, the feasibility of diluting cell aliquots with buffer as a single step sample preparation technique for surface charge measurement was investigated by characterizing the effects of dilution ratio, cation type, and buffer conductivity on measuring surface charge of Escherichia coli DH5α (ATCC 53868) grown in LB Lennox medium. Results indicated that dilution ratio was critical to accurate surface charge measurement since low signal-to-noise ratio in high or low cell concentration samples generated substantial error. Type of buffer cation was also important since putative binding of high affinity cations to the negatively-charged cell surface underestimated surface charge. Finally, high conductivity buffers enabled greater removal of adsorbed metabolites through increased charge screening; however, a broader statistical distribution of measured surface charge and less accurate data were also observed. At extreme conductivity values, measured surface charge exhibited multi-modal distribution; due probably to removal of both intrinsic cell surface ions and exogenous adsorbed metabolites, and called into question the accuracy of data. Altogether, one step dilution of cell aliquot with deionized water reliably reproduced E. coli surface charge values obtained using the gold standard approach. But, since the ensemble of secreted metabolites is bacteria and medium specific, distinct diluent and experiment parameters exist for each system. The described methodology may find use in preparing samples for cell surface characterization studies, where it would help reduce sample preparation time – and thus, improve temporal resolution at which scientific questions can be probed and answered.