bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Propagating phonons coupled to an artificial atom
Authors: Gustafsson Martin V. , Aref Thomas , Kockum Anton Frisk , Ekström Maria K. , Johansson Göran , Delsing Per
Published: September 2014

Quantum information can be stored in micromechanical resonators, encoded as quanta of vibration known as phonons. The vibrational motion is then restricted to the stationary eigenmodes of the resonator, which thus serves as local storage for phonons. In contrast, we couple propagating phonons to an artificial atom in the quantum regime and reproduce findings from quantum optics, with sound taking over the role of light. Our results highlight the similarities between phonons and photons but also point to new opportunities arising from the characteristic features of quantum mechanical sound. The low propagation speed of phonons should enable new dynamic schemes for processing quantum information, and the short wavelength allows regimes of atomic physics to be explored that cannot be reached in photonic systems.
Draft Genome Sequence of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Strain W2 Associated with
Crocus sativus
(Saffron)
Authors: Gupta Rikita , Vakhlu Jyoti , Agarwal Atima , Nilawe Pravin D.
Published: September 2014

Bacillus
sp. strain W2 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium isolated from saffron fields of Kashmir, India. Here, we report the draft genome sequence (3.9 Mb) of
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
strain W2 having 65 contigs (3, 997, 511 bp), 4,163 coding sequences, and an average 46.45% GC content. Despite the 99% identity of the 16S rRNA gene with that of
Bacillus amyloliquefaciens
subsp.
plantarum
FZB42, the genome comparison revealed that only 48.7% of the W2 genome has homology with that of FZB42.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Serratia
sp. Strain DD3, Isolated from the Guts of
Daphnia magna
Authors: Poehlein Anja , Freese Heike M. , Daniel Rolf , Simeonova Diliana D.
Published: September 2014

We report the draft genome sequence of
Serratia
sp. strain DD3, a gammaproteobacterium from the family
Enterobacteriaceae
. It was isolated from homogenized guts of
Daphnia magna
. The genome size is 5,274 Mb.
Draft Genome Sequence of aPantoeasp. Isolated from a Preterm Neonatal Blood Sepsis Patient
Authors: Kropp K. A. , Lucid A. , Carroll J. , Belgrudov V. , Walsh P. , Kelly B. , Templeton K. , Smith C. , Dickinson P. , O'Driscoll A. , Ghazal P. , Sleator R. D.
Published: September 2014

Herein, we report the draft genome sequence ofPantoeasp.ED-NGS-1003, cultivated from a blood sample taken from a neonatal sepsis patient at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Exophthalmia due to intracranial abscess from grass seed foreign material in a dog
Authors: Dawson Charlotte , Volk Holger Andreas , Lam Richard , Sanchez Rick F
Published: September 2014

This is a unique report of a patient diagnosed antemortem with mild to moderate signs of retrobulbar cellulitis, secondary brain abscessation and absent neurological signs. Ocular ultrasound yielded a negative result whereas MRI supported the diagnosis and confirmed the need for immediate surgery. The cause was confirmed to have been the migrating grass seed foreign bodies that were surgically retrieved from the abscess inside the calvarium before medical treatment and resolution of clinical signs.
Structural, geochronological and geochemical evidence for two distinct thrust sheets in the ‘Main Central thrust zone’, the Main Central thrust and Ramgarh–Munsiari thrust: implications for upper crustal shortening in central Nepal
Authors: Khanal S. , Robinson D. M. , Mandal S. , Simkhada P.
Published: September 2014

Two orogen-scale thrusts structurally underneath Greater Himalayan (GH) rocks characterize the structural architecture of Himalaya in central Nepal. The Main Central thrust (MCT) is at the base of the GH with the Lesser Himalayan (LH) Robang Formation in the footwall, which is the hanging wall of the Ramgarh–Munsiari thrust (RMT). At Kodari-Tatopani and Malekhu, U–Pb detrital zircon age populations from the RMT sheet yield a maximum depositional age of
c.
1838 and
c.
1871 Ma. U–Pb analyses of igneous zircons from the RMT sheet yield a crystallization age of
c.
1750 Ma at both Galchhi and Kodari-Tatopani. The εNd(0) values of pelitic rocks from the RMT sheet at Kodari-Tatopani range from
c.
−23 to −25; whereas, GH rocks have values from
c.
−12 to −18. These data indicate that the RMT sheet carries the Palaeoproterozoic LH rock and the MCT carries the GH rock. At Kodari-Tatopani, the thrust previously mapped as the MCT is interpreted to be the RMT. Positively identifying the RMT sheet in all three locations yields a more accurate kinematic evolution and confirms its orogenic-scale presence in central Nepal.

Supplementary material:

U–Pb geochronological analyses are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18775
Role of corticosterone in the murine enteric nervous system during fasting
Authors: Lowette Katrien , Tack Jan , Vanden Berghe Pieter
Published: September 2014

Food intake depends on a tightly controlled interplay of appetite hormones and the enteric (ENS) and central nervous system. Corticosterone (CORT) levels, which are mainly studied with regard to stress, are also increased during fasting. However, the role of CORT in the ENS remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated whether CORT modulates activity of enteric neurons and whether its intracellular regulator, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) type 1, is present in the myenteric plexus, using immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR. Effects of CORT on neuronal activity and expression of neuronal markers in the myenteric plexus were assessed via Ca2+ imaging and RT-qPCR, respectively, whereas modulations in mixing behavior were measured by video imaging. 11β-HSD-1 was present in enteric neurons along the gastrointestinal tract, and its expression increased after fasting (control: 0.58 ± 0.09 vs. fasted: 1.5 ± 0.23; P < 0.05). CORT incubation significantly reduced neuronal Ca2+ transients in tissues stimulated by electrical pulses (control: 1.31 ± 0.01 vs. CORT: 1.27 ± 0.01, P < 0.01) and in cultured neurons (control: 1.85 ± 0.03 vs. CORT: 1.76 ± 0.03, P < 0.05). CORT decreased small intestinal mixing ( P < 0.05). Incubation of muscle myenteric plexus preparations with CORT induced an increase in cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1, P < 0.05) and synaptobrevin ( P < 0.05) but not in 11β-HSD-1 mRNA expression. In addition, fasting induced significant elevations in synaptobrevin ( P < 0.05) and CB1 ( P < 0.01) mRNA expression. In conclusion, we suggest CORT to be a downstream factor in a feeding state-related pathway that modulates important proteins in the fine tuning of enteric neurotransmission and gastrointestinal motility.
Human thrombin-derived host defense peptides inhibit neutrophil recruitment and tissue injury in severe acute pancreatitis
Authors: Merza Mohammed , Rahman Milladur , Zhang Songen , Hwaiz Rundk , Regner Sara , Schmidtchen Artur , Thorlacius Henrik
Published: September 2014

Severe acute pancreatitis (AP) is characterized by leukocyte infiltration and tissue injury. Herein, we wanted to examine the potential effects of thrombin-derived host defense peptides (TDPs) in severe AP. Pancreatitis was provoked by infusion of taurocholate into the pancreatic duct or by intraperitoneal administration of l-arginine in C57BL/6 mice. Animals were treated with the TDPs GKY20 and GKY25 or a control peptide WFF25 30 min before induction of AP. TDPs reduced blood amylase levels, neutrophil infiltration, hemorrhage, necrosis, and edema formation in the inflamed pancreas. Treatment with TDPs markedly attenuated the taurocholate-induced increase in plasma levels of CXCL2 and interleukin-6. Moreover, administration of TDPs decreased histone 3, histone 4, and myeloperoxidase levels in the pancreas in response to taurocholate challenge. Interestingly, administration of TDPs abolished neutrophil expression of Mac-1 in mice with pancreatitis. In addition, TDPs inhibited CXCL2-induced chemotaxis of isolated neutrophils in vitro. Fluorescent-labeled TDP was found to directly bind to isolated neutrophils. Finally, a beneficial effect of TDPs was confirmed in l-arginine-induced pancreatitis. Our novel results demonstrate that TDPs exert protective effects against pathological inflammation and tissue damage in AP. These findings suggest that TDPs might be useful in the management of patients with severe AP.
The tell-tale heart: molecular and cellular responses to childhood anthracycline exposure
Authors: Lindsey Merry L. , Lange Richard A. , Parsons Helen , Andrews Thomas , Aune Gregory J.
Published: September 2014

Since the modern era of cancer chemotherapy that began in the mid-1940s, survival rates for children afflicted with cancer have steadily improved from 10% to current rates that approach 80% ( 60 ). Unfortunately, many long-term survivors of pediatric cancer develop chemotherapy-related health effects; 25% are afflicted with a severe or life-threatening medical condition, with cardiovascular disease being a primary risk ( 96 ). Childhood cancer survivors have markedly elevated incidences of stroke, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease, and valvular disease ( 96 ). Their cardiac mortality is 8.2 times higher than expected ( 93 ). Anthracyclines are a key component of most curative chemotherapeutic regimens used in pediatric cancer, and approximately half of all childhood cancer patients are exposed to them ( 78 ). Numerous epidemiologic and observational studies have linked childhood anthracycline exposure to an increased risk of developing cardiomyopathy and CHF, often decades after treatment. The acute toxic effects of anthracyclines on cardiomyocytes are well described; however, myocardial tissue is comprised of additional resident cell types, and events occurring in the cardiomyocyte do not fully explain the pathological processes leading to late cardiomyopathy and CHF. This review will summarize the current literature regarding the cellular and molecular responses to anthracyclines, with an important emphasis on nonmyocyte cardiac cell types as well as those that mediate the myocardial injury response.
Cyclooxygenase inhibition does not alter methacholine-induced sweating
Authors: Fujii Naoto , McGinn Ryan , Paull Gabrielle , Stapleton Jill M. , Meade Robert D. , Kenny Glen P.
Published: September 2014

Cholinergic agents (e.g., methacholine) induce cutaneous vasodilation and sweating. Reports indicate that either nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase (COX), or both can contribute to cholinergic cutaneous vasodilation. Also, NO is reportedly involved in cholinergic sweating; however, whether COX contributes to cholinergic sweating is unclear. Forearm sweat rate (ventilated capsule) and cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC, laser-Doppler perfusion units/mean arterial pressure) were evaluated in 10 healthy young (24 ± 4 yr) adults (7 men, 3 women) at four skin sites that were continuously perfused via intradermal microdialysis with 1) lactated Ringer (control), 2) 10 mM ketorolac (a nonselective COX inhibitor), 3) 10 mM NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME, a nonselective NO synthase inhibitor), or 4) a combination of 10 mM ketorolac + 10 mM l-NAME. At the four skin sites, methacholine was simultaneously infused in a dose-dependent manner (1, 10, 100, 1,000, 2,000 mM). Relative to the control site, forearm CVC was not influenced by ketorolac throughout the protocol (all P > 0.05), whereas l-NAME and ketorolac + l-NAME reduced forearm CVC at and above 10 mM methacholine (all P < 0.05). Conversely, there was no main effect of treatment site ( P = 0.488) and no interaction of methacholine dose and treatment site ( P = 0.711) on forearm sweating. Thus forearm sweating (in mg·min−1·cm−2) from baseline up to the maximal dose of methacholine was not different between the four sites (at 2,000 mM, control 0.50 ± 0.23, ketorolac 0.44 ± 0.23, l-NAME 0.51 ± 0.22, and ketorolac + l-NAME 0.51 ± 0.23). We show that both NO synthase and COX inhibition do not influence cholinergic sweating induced by 1–2,000 mM methacholine.
Time of day affects chemoreflex sensitivity and the carbon dioxide reserve during NREM sleep in participants with sleep apnea
Authors: El-Chami Mohamad , Shaheen David , Ivers Blake , Syed Ziauddin , Badr M. Safwan , Lin Ho-Sheng , Mateika Jason H.
Published: September 2014

Our investigation was designed to determine whether the time of day affects the carbon dioxide reserve and chemoreflex sensitivity during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Ten healthy men with obstructive sleep apnea completed a constant routine protocol that consisted of sleep sessions in the evening (10 PM to 1 AM), morning (6 AM to 9 AM), and afternoon (2 PM to 5 PM). Between sleep sessions, the participants were awake. During each sleep session, core body temperature, baseline levels of carbon dioxide (PetCO2) and minute ventilation, as well as the PetCO2that demarcated the apneic threshold and hypocapnic ventilatory response, were measured. The nadir of core body temperature during sleep occurred in the morning and was accompanied by reductions in minute ventilation and PetCO2compared with the evening and afternoon (minute ventilation: 5.3 ± 0.3 vs. 6.2 ± 0.2 vs. 6.1 ± 0.2 l/min, P < 0.02; PetCO2: 39.7 ± 0.4 vs. 41.4 ± 0.6 vs. 40.4 ± 0.6 Torr, P < 0.02). The carbon dioxide reserve was reduced, and the hypocapnic ventilatory response increased in the morning compared with the evening and afternoon (carbon dioxide reserve: 2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 3.6 ± 0.5 vs. 3.5 ± 0.3 Torr, P < 0.002; hypocapnic ventilatory response: 2.3 ± 0.3 vs. 1.6 ± 0.2 vs. 1.8 ± 0.2 l·min−1·mmHg−1, P < 0.001). We conclude that time of day affects chemoreflex properties during sleep, which may contribute to increases in breathing instability in the morning compared with other periods throughout the day/night cycle in individuals with sleep apnea.
Oral Low-Dose Glucocorticoids Should Be Included in Any Recommendation for the Use of Non-Biologic and Biologic Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Caporali Roberto , Todoerti Monica , Scirè Carlo Alberto , Montecucco Carlomaurizio , Cutolo Maurizio
Published: September 2014

At present, growing scientific evidence from the medical literature and expert opinion provides strong consideration for a mandatory role of glucocorticoids (GCs) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Earlier application strategies were based on initial high doses, with subsequent tapering schedules, resulting in dose-related side effects. Recent low-dose GC schemes are more feasible in routine care, while providing evidence of clinical, functional and structural efficacy. Thus, initial low-dose GC ‘bridging' treatment on a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug background should be included in any existing recommendations for RA management, as very recently advocated by the EULAR Task Force 2013 updated guidelines. Long-term low-dose therapy appears to provide acceptable safety, leading to long-standing slowing of structural damage, seen even after GC therapy withdrawal. Gaps in knowledge about the optimal method to taper and possibly discontinue GC treatment remain, and this topic should be addressed in clinical trials and observational studies. Recent efforts in GC medication have also included the introduction of a modified-release drug formulation capable of drug delivery consistent with chronobiological pathogenetic rhythms of disease, which has been quite efficacious in controlling the signs and symptoms related to pathways of circadian cytokines. Long-term data will further clarify the add-on benefits of such modified-release formulations.
Circadian Use of Glucocorticoids in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Cutolo Maurizio , Sulli Alberto , Pincus Theodore
Published: September 2014

A clear temporal relationship exists in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients between increased nocturnal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6, pro-inflammatory hormones (i.e. melatonin, prolactin) and insufficient night production of the anti-inflammatory cortisol (circadian rhythm). Under long-standing chronic stress of disease, insufficient cortisol is available to inhibit an ongoing nocturnal immune/inflammatory reaction. Clinical RA symptoms follow the same circadian rhythm with highest morning severity. Chronotherapy with nighttime glucocorticoid (GC) availability optimizes the treatment of RA patients with low-dose GCs through more efficient targeting of mediators of the immune/inflammatory reaction during the night to be available on arising. Circadian use of low-dose, long-term prednisone, by using night-release formulations (ingested at 10 to 11 p.m.) especially in early RA patients, appears characterized by a significantly superior efficacy on decreasing morning stiffness and IL-6 serum levels, compared to conventional daytime immediate-release prednisone. Shift from medium-dose, immediate-release prednisone (over 7.5-10 mg/day) to night-release formulations GC low-dose, long-term chronotherapy requires a gradual passage, since the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis of the treated RA patients, potentially altered by a negative feedback induced by the medium/high daily exogenous GC administration, needs time to re-synchronize control of endogenous GC production into a circadian and more physiological nocturnal hormone availability/optimized efficacy.
Emodin Ameliorates Ethanol-Induced Fatty Liver Injury in Mice
Authors: Liu Ying , Chen Xiaolan , Qiu Mochang , Chen Weiqiang , Zeng Zhi , Chen Yinghua
Published: September 2014

The liver plays a central role in ethanol (EtOH) metabolism, and oxidative stress is implicated in alcohol-mediated liver injury. The present study aimed to investigate the role of emodin in EtOH-induced fatty liver injury. Liver histology, biochemistry and gene-expression studies were performed. Mice fed with an EtOH-containing diet exhibited severe macrovesicular steatosis and higher serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels. However, emodin ameliorated liver steatosis and lowered ALT and AST. Emodin also decreased hepatic triglyceride in mice fed with EtOH. In addition, emodin attenuates Oil Red O staining in alcoholic fatty liver in mice. Hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 protein levels were upregulated in EtOH-fed mice, but downregulated in emodin-treated mice. In addition, emodin decreased hepatic oxidative stress. Furthermore, emodin significantly reduced liver α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type I, whereas it increased the mRNA levels of PPAR-γ. Taken together, emodin plays protective roles in alcohol-mediated liver steatosis.
Palliative Endoscopic Treatment Options in Malignancies of the Biliopancreatic System
Authors: Feisthammel Jürgen , Mössner Joachim , Hoffmeister Albrecht
Published: September 2014

In most of the cases, pancreatic cancer and malignancies of the bile tract can only be treated palliatively. Endoscopy offers several methods for effective control of the symptoms in those situations. In pancreatic cancer, stenting of bile ducts enables a control of jaundice most of the time. Stenting of an obstructed duodenum can relieve symptoms of gastric outlet obstruction without the need for major surgery. In biliary tract cancer, stenting of the bile ducts can provide effective drainage of the biliary system. Photodynamic therapy and radiofrequency ablation can sometimes be a valuable tool in symptom control. This review tries to provide an overview on endoscopic palliative treatment options in pancreatic cancer and biliary tract cancer.
CKM
and
LILRB5
Are Associated With Serum Levels of Creatine Kinase
Authors: Dubé Marie-Pierre , Zetler Rosa , Barhdadi Amina , Brown Andrew M.K. , Mongrain Ian , Normand Valérie , Laplante Nathalie , Asselin Géraldine , Zada Yassamin Feroz , Provost Sylvie , Bergeron Jean , Kouz Simon , Dufour Robert , Diaz Ariel , de Denus Simon , Turgeon Jacques , Rhéaume Eric , Phillips Michael S. , Tardif Jean-Claude
Published: September 2014

Background—

Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) are the most prescribed class of lipid-lowering drugs for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Creatine kinase (CK) is a commonly used biomarker to assist in the diagnosis of statin-induced myotoxicity but the normal range of CK concentrations is wide, which limits its use as a diagnostic biomarker.

Methods and Results—

We conducted a genome-wide association study of serum CK levels in 3412 statin users. Patients were recruited in Quebec, Canada, and genotyped on Illumina Human610-Quad and an iSelect panel enriched for lipid homeostasis, hypertension, and drug metabolism genes. We found a strong association signal between serum levels of CK and the muscle CK (
CKM
) gene (rs11559024:
P
=3.69×10
−16
;
R
2
=0.02) and with the leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptor subfamily B member 5 (
LILRB5
) gene (rs2361797:
P
=1.96×10
−10
;
R
2
=0.01). Genetic variants in those 2 genes were independently associated with CK levels in statin users. Results were successfully replicated in 5330 participants from the Montreal Heart Institute Biobank in statin users for
CKM
(rs11559024:
P
=4.32×10
−16
;
R
2
=0.02) and
LILRB5
(rs12975366
P
=4.45×10
−10
;
R
2
=0.01) and statin nonusers (
P
=4.08×10
−7
,
R
2
=0.01;
P
=3.17×10
−9
,
R
2
=0.02, respectively).

Conclusions—

This is the first genome-wide study to report on the underlying genetic determinants of CK variation in a population of statin users. We found statistically significant association for variants in the
CKM
and
LILRB5
genes.
A.L.I.E.N. databases: addressing the lack in establishment of non-natives databases
Authors: James J. , James J. , Slater F. , James J. , Slater F. , Cable J.
Published: September 2014

Among the principal threats to the conservation of global biodiversity are biological invasions. To monitor their range expansion and develop control programmes, comprehensive, national species’ databases need to be created and maintained. This is particularly important for invaders that are known to cause broad and significant ecological problems, such as decapod crustaceans, in particular crayfish. Initiatives such as the U.K. National Biodiversity Network have recognised the need to promote data exchange and are a valuable resource for collating individual survey records. However, for these data to be used efficiently for research and/or management purposes they need to be combined into national databases. This is challenging and time consuming as individual data-sets are typically in different formats. Here, we compile 25 459 non-native and native crayfish records (reported between 1870 and 2013) from England, Wales and Scotland into one database, CrayBase. Such national databases will help facilitate risk assessments for non-native species and promote conservation strategies for indigenous species by identifying populations under the greatest threat from invasives.
A new species of Labidocera (Copepoda, Calanoida, Pontellidae) from the Arabian Gulf
Authors: Prusova Irina , Prusova Irina , Al-Yamani Faiza
Published: September 2014

A new species of marine epiplanktonic copepod of the genus Labidocera Lubbock, 1853 (Calanoida, Pontellidae), Labidocera kuwaitiana sp. nov., is described from the coastal waters of the Arabian Gulf [=Persian Gulf] near Kuwait. The species belongs to the ‘darwinii’ species group because it has an endopod on the left fifth leg of the male, but differs distinctly from other members of the group in having a dorsal process on the genital double-somite in the female and a greatly elongated, toothed process on segments XXI-XXIII at the prehensile antennule in the male. The new species is closely related to L. acutifrons (Dana, 1849), but may be distinguished from L. acutifrons by details of the urosome and fifth leg in the female and details of the fifth leg and prehensile antennule in the male. The size of the eye lenses in Labidocera kuwaitiana sp. nov. males is shortly discussed. A key to the species of the ‘darwinii’ group is presented.
Cambial activity in the young branches and peduncles of couroupita guianensis (lecythidaceae)
Authors: Rajput Kishore S. , Saiyed Amreen , Patil Vidya S. , Rao K.S.
Published: September 2014

Peduncles of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. undergo extensive secondary growth, which is a rare and unexplored feature so far. In the present investigation seasonal behaviour of vascular cambium was studied in fruit-bearing peduncles and compared with the vegetative branches of similar diameter. In peduncles, the cambium remained active throughout the year. The number of cambium cells and differentiating xylem cells increased from May and reached a maximum in July-August. Although cambial growth occurred throughout the year, it was relatively sluggish in February despite the development of new leaves and ongoing extension growth. In contrast, cambial cell division in young branches initiated in February, peaked in the same months as peduncle cambium while cambial cell division and differentiation of xylem remained suspended from October to January. Cessation of cambial cell division in the branches during this period may be correlated with the presence of mature leaves. In both (branches and peduncle), rapid cell division and increase in the number of differentiating xylem elements in April-May is positively correlated with the development of flower buds and new leaves. The present anatomical investigation revealed that cambial activity in both peduncle and vegetative branches are independent of phenology and climatic conditions. In conclusion, we believe that variations in the number of differentiating cambium derivatives in peduncles benefits from a dual source of growth hormone supply, i.e. from developing new leaves and flower buds.
Age trends in the wood anatomy of Quercus faginea
Authors: Sousa Vicelina B. , Cardoso Sofia , Pereira Helena
Published: September 2014

The wood anatomy of Quercus faginea, an oak native to the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb in Africa, is described and age trends of fibres and ray dimensions are recorded. The analysis was made on a total of 20 trees from two different sites in Portugal. The wood structure within both sites was similar. Quercus faginea shares its microscopic characteristics with other species of the white oak group; i.e., it was not easily distinguishable from other European oaks. The wood is ring porous with wide multiseriate rays and a high proportion of fibres and vasicentric tracheids. There was an increase of fibre and ray dimensions from the pith outwards. Fibre length started to stabilize around 30 years of age up to 50–60 years and decreased afterwards under a traditional rotation period (100–150 years). Linear and polynomial adjustments fitted better the fibre variation at younger and older ages, respectively. Rays were quite homogeneous within the trees. Cambial age accounted less to total variation than individual trees at both sites; i.e., tree-to-tree variation is greater than variation related to maturation or cambial age. The average dimensions of fibres and rays were similar between sites.
Hidden diversity within the polychaete Onuphis eremita sensu lato (Annelida: Onuphidae)—redescription of O. eremita Audouin & Milne-Edwards, 1833 and reinstatement of Onuphis pancerii Claparède, 1868
Authors: ARIAS ANDRÉS , PAXTON HANNELORE
Published: September 2014

Onuphis eremita, type species of the genus, and Onuphis pancerii, originally from La Rochelle (France) and Gulf of Naples (Italy) respectively, are two of the earliest described species of the family Onuphidae. Yet, the definition of the former was extremely confused, the latter was considered its synonym for nearly a century, and types do not exist. We have examined a large amount of material, old museum collections and newly collected specimens from the European Atlantic and Mediterranean and conclude that both, O. eremita and O. pancerii, are valid species. The most obvious differences are that O. eremita is a slender species with only tridentate pseudocompound hooks while O. pancerii is much more robust and has pseudocompound hooks with bi- and tridentate (or even multidentate) tips. Neotypes have been designated for both species and the two taxa are redescribed and illustrated. We regard O. eremita sensu stricto, as redefined on the neotype here, to be restricted to the European Atlantic and western and central Mediterranean; other records need to be re-evaluated. Some specimens of both species were collected with eggs (~ 200 µm diameter) protruding through openings in the body wall, and some O. eremita had ect-aquasperm, suggesting that reproduction is by broadcast spawning and indirect development.
New taxa of the subfamily Picobiinae (Cheyletoidea: Syringophilidae) parasitizing antbirds and gnateaters (Passeriformes: Thamnophilidae, Conopophagidae) in Guyana
Authors: GLOWSKA ELIZA , SCHMIDT BRIAN K.
Published: September 2014

A new genus and three new species of the picobiin quill mites (Cheyletoidea: Syringophilidae) are described from passeriform birds in Guyana, Phipicobia pygiptilae gen. nov. and sp. nov. parasitizing Pygiptila stellaris (Spix) (Thamnophilidae), Rafapicobia thamnophili sp. nov. from Thamnophilus insignis Salvin et Godman (type host), Myrmoborus leucophrys (Tschudi), Myrmeciza ferruginea (St. Müller), Myrmotherula longipennis Pelzeln, and Hypocnemis cantator (Boddaert) (Thamnophilidae), and Rafapicobia milenskyi sp. nov. from Conopophaga aurita (Gmelin) (Conopophagidae).
Resemblance and Representation
Authors: Blumson Ben
Published: September 2014

It’s a platitude – which only a philosopher would dream of denying – that whereas words are connected to what they represent merely by arbitrary conventions, pictures are connected to what they represent by resemblance. The most important difference between my portrait and my name, for example, is that whereas my portrait and I are connected by my portrait’s resemblance to me, my name and I are connected merely by an arbitrary convention. The first aim of this book is to defend this platitude from the apparently compelling objections raised against it, by analysing depiction in a way which reveals how it is mediated by resemblance. It’s natural to contrast the platitude that depiction is mediated by resemblance, which emphasises the differences between depictive and descriptive representation, with an extremely close analogy between depiction and description, which emphasises the similarities between depictive and descriptive representation. Whereas the platitude emphasises that the connection between my portrait and me is natural in a way the connection between my name and me is not, the analogy emphasises the contingency of the connection between my portrait and me. Nevertheless, the second aim of this book is to defend an extremely close analogy between depiction and description. The strategy of the book is to argue that the apparently compelling objections raised against the platitude that depiction is mediated by resemblance are manifestations of more general problems, which are familiar from the philosophy of language. These problems, it argues, can be resolved by answers analogous to their counterparts in the philosophy of language, without rejecting the platitude. So the combination of the platitude that depiction is mediated by resemblance with a close analogy between depiction and description turns out to be a compelling theory of depiction, which combines the virtues of common sense with the insights of its detractors.
Airway-Related Symptoms and Surgeries in Patients With Mucopolysaccharidosis I
Authors: Arn Pamela , Bruce Iain A. , Wraith James E. , Travers Helen , Fallet Shari
Published: September 2014

Objective:

Mucopolysaccharidosis I (MPS I) is a progressive, debilitating, and life-threatening genetic disease, which, owing to the nonspecific nature of the early symptoms, is often unrecognized and associated with significant diagnostic delays. To improve early recognition leading to early diagnosis and initiation of treatment, we characterized the extent of airway-related symptoms and surgeries among patients with MPS I.

Methods:

Analysis of the frequency of airway-related symptoms and surgeries from 1041 patients enrolled in the MPS I Registry and correlation with other systemic manifestations of MPS I.

Results:

Airway-related symptoms (macroglossia, enlarged tonsils, reactive airway disease/asthma, or sleep disturbances) were reported for as many as 85% of Hurler, 83% of Hurler-Scheie, and 65% of Scheie patients—very often before the diagnosis of MPS I was established. Surgeries for an airway indication were reported in 39% of patients and many had at least 1 airway-related surgery before the diagnosis of MPS I was confirmed. The mean percentage of patients with airway-related symptoms for whom hernias and/or dysostosis multiplex were also reported was 84% and 54%, respectively.

Conclusion:

Airway-related symptoms and surgeries are common and often the earliest presenting feature in MPS I. Improved recognition of early MPS I disease manifestations may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Reporting standards for Bland–Altman agreement analysis in laboratory research: a cross-sectional survey of current practice
Authors: Chhapola Viswas , Kanwal Sandeep Kumar , Brar Rekha
Published: September 2014

Background and objectives

To carry out a cross-sectional survey of the medical literature on laboratory research papers published later than 2012 and available in the common search engines (PubMed, Google Scholar) on the quality of statistical reporting of method comparison studies using Bland–Altman (B-A) analysis.

Methods

Fifty clinical studies were identified which had undertaken method comparison of laboratory analytes using B-A. The reporting of B-A was evaluated using a predesigned checklist with following six items: (1) correct representation of x-axis on B-A plot, (2) representation and correct definition of limits of agreement (LOA), (3) reporting of confidence interval (CI) of LOA, (4) comparison of LOA with a priori defined clinical criteria, (5) evaluation of the pattern of the relationship between difference ( y-axis) and average ( x-axis) and (6) measures of repeatability.

Results and interpretation

The x-axis and LOA were presented correctly in 94%, comparison with a priori clinical criteria in 74%, CI reporting in 6%, evaluation of pattern in 28% and repeatability assessment in 38% of studies.

Conclusions

There is incomplete reporting of B-A in published clinical studies. Despite its simplicity, B-A appears not to be completely understood by researchers, reviewers and editors of journals. There appear to be differences in the reporting of B-A between laboratory medicine journals and other clinical journals. A uniform reporting of B-A method will enhance the generalizability of results.
Providing Homeless Adults With Advantage
Authors: Sinatra Richard , Lanctot Melissa Kim
Published: September 2014

A university partnered with the New York City Department of Homeless Services (NYC DHS) to provide cohorts of adults a 60-credit Associate Degree Program in Business Administration over a 2-year period. Results of two cohorts of 30 Advantage Academy Program graduates revealed significant improvement in College Board AccuPlacer (ACPL) Arithmetic results and grade point averages (GPAs) near the 3.0 cumulative average. Eleven Cohort I completers also revealed a significant positive change in self-efficacy based on pre/post-administration of two scales whereas 19 Cohort II completers did not show evidence of such a change. Information is provided for 44 non-completers as well. Eighteen graduates have been employed as managers or in a customer service field related to the business major. With the third cohort graduation completed in May 2014, this is the first comprehensive and sustainable higher education program of its kind for homeless adults to help them end cycles of poverty and agency alliance.
The river, the levee, love, and confession: The thematics of Grazia Deledda’s L'argine
Authors: Cohen Henry
Published: September 2014

Grazia Deledda’s late novel L’argine is set in a modern Italy that is very different from the primitive peasant Sardinian society in which she situated the novels for which she is best known. Themes that play a prominent role in her earlier cycle of novels are still recognizable in her later work, but in an attenuated, less socially destructive form. The paired themes of a wild river and the embankment meant to control it are developed on literal, metaphorical, and symbolic levels. The complicated plot is built around a chain of unrequited loves and an intriguing conflation of the characters that, despite their differences, under the irresistible force of erotic desire, act out that desire in ways that tend to blur the distinctions among them. The linked themes of guilt, punishment, and atonement that are found in many of Deledda’s novels are embodied in a series of confessional narratives and relationships that I analyze in the framework of different theories about confession in the novel. I examine the variety and choice of narrative points of view and the relationship among the parts of the novel as they relate to the different forms of confession and the major themes of the novel.
How Effective is a Self-Help Group Led Microfinance Programme in Empowering Women? Evidence from Rural India
Authors: Sahu Gagan Bihari
Published: September 2014

Drawing upon recent data, this paper explores the relationship between women’s involvement in Self-Help Group (SHG) based microfinance programmes and their empowerment. The composite empowerment indicator shows that only 13.2% of women associated with microfinance are empowered. The paper finds that though the length of membership in SHGs increases the intensity of women’s economic and political empowerment, it does not show a significant relationship with their social empowerment. It is also observed that ‘economic empowerment’ does not necessarily lead to the attainment of social and/or political empowerment. The paper argues that although SHG-led microfinance programmes have the potential to empower women in some aspects, their capacity in ushering social transformation is limited.
Bayesian neural network approach for determining the risk of re-intervention after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair
Authors: Attallah Omneya , Ma Xianghong
Published: September 2014

This article proposes a Bayesian neural network approach to determine the risk of re-intervention after endovascular aortic aneurysm repair surgery. The target of proposed technique is to determine which patients have high chance to re-intervention (high-risk patients) and which are not (low-risk patients) after 5 years of the surgery. Two censored datasets relating to the clinical conditions of aortic aneurysms have been collected from two different vascular centers in the United Kingdom. A Bayesian network was first employed to solve the censoring issue in the datasets. Then, a back propagation neural network model was built using the uncensored data of the first center to predict re-intervention on the second center and classify the patients into high-risk and low-risk groups. Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted for each group of patients separately to show whether there is a significant difference between the two risk groups. Finally, the logrank test was applied to determine whether the neural network model was capable of predicting and distinguishing between the two risk groups. The results show that the Bayesian network used for uncensoring the data has improved the performance of the neural networks that were built for the two centers separately. More importantly, the neural network that was trained with uncensored data of the first center was able to predict and discriminate between groups of low risk and high risk of re-intervention after 5 years of endovascular aortic aneurysm surgery at center 2 ( p = 0.0037 in the logrank test).
Takashi Gomi: a bridge builder in robotics
Authors: Harvey Inman
Published: September 2014

Takashi Gomi’s death in September 2013 has left an enormous gap in the lives of his family and friends. Here I pay tribute to his multiple roles in bridging many gaps – so uniquely and charismatically – in the field of robotics over several decades. He was a principal player in the development of autonomous and evolutionary robotics over this period. He called his approach Non-Cartesian robotics, others used different terms such as Behavior Based Robotics or Nouvelle AI for broadly similar ideas; what united them was a critical rejection of many of the classical robotic assumptions that have been loosely called GOFAI – Good Old-Fashioned AI.
Language games with vague categories and negations
Authors: Eyre Henrietta , Lawry Jonathan
Published: September 2014

Language games model the communication protocols between two agents who aim to match category labels with objects encountered in a simulated or real environment. Here we present a new representation framework for such games, in which category definitions explicitly incorporate semantic uncertainty and typicality. More specifically, we propose a conceptual model based on prototype and random set theory, in which categories are defined within a metric conceptual space. We argue that this conceptual framework is both expressive and naturally generates robust assertion and concept updating models. In particular, we define both assertion and updating rules for language games involving a mixture of labels and negated labels. Finally, the results of language game simulations are presented, where a multi-agent system evolves through pairwise language games incorporating an assertion and an updating algorithm. Our results suggest that, within this framework, a mixture of both positive and negative assertions may be required in order for agent interpretations to converge, whilst retaining sufficiently discriminatory categories for effective communication.
Anatomical Predisposition of the Ankle Joint for Lateral Sprain or Lateral Malleolar Fracture Evaluated by Radiographic Measurements
Authors: Lee Kyoung Min , Chung Chin Youb , Sung Ki Hyuk , Lee SeungYeol , Kim Tae Gyun , Choi Young , Jung Ki Jin , Kim Yeon Ho , Koo Seung Bum , Park Moon Seok
Published: September 2014

Background:

Injury mechanism and the amount of force are important factors determining whether a fracture or sprain occurs at the time of an ankle inversion injury. However, the anatomical differences between the ankle fracture and sprain have not been investigated sufficiently. This study was performed to investigate whether an anatomical predisposition of the ankle joint results in a lateral malleolar fracture or lateral ankle sprain.

Methods:

Two groups of consecutive patients, one with lateral malleolar fracture (274 patients, mean age 49.0 years) and the other with lateral ankle sprain (400 patients, mean age 38.4 years), were evaluated. Ankle radiographs were examined for 7 measures: distal tibial articular surface (DTAS) angle, bimalleolar tilt (BT), medial malleolar relative length (MMRL), lateral malleolar relative length (LMRL), medial malleolar slip angle (MMSA), anterior inclination of tibia (AI), and fibular position (FP). After an interobserver reliability test, the radiographic measurements were compared between the 2 groups. Linear regression analysis was performed to correct for age and sex effects between the groups.

Results:

The fracture group and the sprain group showed significant differences in BT ( P = .001), MMSA ( P < .001), AI ( P = .023), and FP ( P < .001). In multiple regression analysis, after adjusting for age and sex effects, fracture and sprain groups showed a significant difference in BT ( P = .001), MMRL ( P < .001), MMSA ( P < .001), and FP ( P < .001).

Conclusions:

The lateral malleolar fracture group tended to show more bony constraint than that of the lateral ankle sprain group. Further 3-dimensional assessment of the bony structure and subsequent biomechanical studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of injury according to the various types of ankle fractures and ankle sprain.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Sandwich structures with periodic assemblies on elastic foundation under moving loads
Authors: Chen Jung-San , Tsai Song-Mao
Published: September 2014

Wave propagation in sandwich structures with periodic assemblies on elastic foundation under external moving load is studied. Two types of periodic assemblies are considered, namely, a periodic core, and a core with periodically embedded resonators. Wave numbers and traveling wave characteristics are analyzed by introducing a moving coordinate system. Depending on whether the bandgap (attenuation zone) exists, the perturbation due to the external moving load can/cannot propagate through the structure. The bandgap properties of both types of structures in the velocity field are also investigated. It is found that the location and range of the bandgap can be tailored by the physical properties of the core/resonator.
Five stories of accidental ethnography: turning unplanned moments in the field into data
Authors: Fujii Lee Ann
Published: September 2014

Observations of daily life are the bread and butter of ethnography but rarely feature as data in other kinds of work. Could non-ethnographic studies also benefit from such observations? If so, how? This article proposes ‘accidental ethnography’ as a method that field researchers can use to gain better understanding of the research context and their own social positioning within that context. Accidental ethnography involves paying systematic attention to the unplanned moments that take place outside an interview, survey, or other structured methods. In these moments the researcher might hear a surprising story or notice an everyday scene she had previously overlooked. The importance of these observations lies not in what they tell us about the particular, but rather what they suggest about the larger political and social world in which they (and the researcher) are embedded. The paper illustrates the argument by presenting five stories from the author’s experiences conducting research on local violence in Rwanda, Bosnia, the US, and elsewhere.
The effect of liraglutide on endothelial function in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nandy Debashis , Johnson Christopher , Basu Rita , Joyner Michael , Brett Jason , Svendsen Claus Bo , Basu Ananda
Published: September 2014

This single-centre, 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed how the human glucagon-like-peptide 1 analogue liraglutide impacted endothelial function in adult patients (n = 49) with type 2 diabetes and no overt cardiovascular disease. Patients were randomized to liraglutide, placebo or glimepiride. At baseline and Week 12, venous occlusion plethysmography was used to measure forearm blood flow (FBF) in response to acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) before and after l-NG-monomethyl arginine (L-NMMA) infusion. At Week 12, ACh-mediated FBF increased with liraglutide and decreased with placebo; however, the between-treatment difference was not significant ( p = 0.055). Inhibition of ACh-mediated FBF after L-NMMA infusion increased with liraglutide and decreased with placebo; this between-treatment difference was also not significant ( p = 0.149). No change in FBF was observed with SNP. Liraglutide did not significantly impact endothelium-dependent vasodilation after 12 weeks; however, additional investigations looking at the effect of liraglutide on endothelial function in alternative vasculature and during the postprandial period are warranted.