bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notch signaling regulates PD‐1 expression during CD8+ T‐cell activation
Authors: Mathieu Mélissa , Cotta‐Grand Natacha , Daudelin Jean‐François , Thébault Paméla , Labrecque Nathalie
Published: October 2012

Programmed cell death 1 (PD‐1) is an inhibitory receptor involved in T‐cell activation, tolerance and exhaustion. Little is known on how the expression of PD‐1 is controlled during T‐cell activation. Recent studies demonstrated that NFATc1 and IRF9 regulate Pdcd1 (PD‐1) transcription and that T‐bet acts as a transcriptional repressor. In this study, we have investigated the role of the Notch signaling pathway in PD‐1 regulation. Using specific inhibitors of the Notch signaling pathway, we showed decreased PD‐1 expression and inhibition of Pdcd1 transcription by activated CD8+ T cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation further showed occupancy of the Pdcd1 promoter with RBPJk and Notch1 intracellular domain at RBPJk‐binding sites. Our results identify the Notch signaling pathway as an important regulator of PD‐1 expression by activated CD8+ T cells.
Inferring the metabolism of human orphan metabolites from their metabolic network context affirms human gluconokinase activity
Authors: Rolfsson Óttar , Paglia Giuseppe , Magnusdóttir Manuela , Palsson Bernhard Ø. , Thiele Ines
Published: October 2012

Metabolic network reconstructions define metabolic information within a target organism and can therefore be used to address incomplete metabolic information. In the present study we used a computational approach to identify human metabolites whose metabolism is incomplete on the basis of their detection in humans but exclusion from the human metabolic network reconstruction RECON 1. Candidate solutions, composed of metabolic reactions capable of explaining the metabolism of these compounds, were then identified computationally from a global biochemical reaction database. Solutions were characterized with respect to how metabolites were incorporated into RECON 1 and their biological relevance. Through detailed case studies we show that biologically plausible non-intuitive hypotheses regarding the metabolism of these compounds can be proposed in a semi-automated manner, in an approach that is similar to de novo network reconstruction. We subsequently experimentally validated one of the proposed hypotheses and report that C9orf103, previously identified as a candidate tumour suppressor gene, encodes a functional human gluconokinase. The results of the present study demonstrate how semi-automatic gap filling can be used to refine and extend metabolic reconstructions, thereby increasing their biological scope. Furthermore, we illustrate how incomplete human metabolic knowledge can be coupled with gene annotation in order to prioritize and confirm gene functions.
Market choices of a Chinese outsourcing vendor: The Case of ChilTech company
Authors: Su Fang , Mao Ji-Ye
Published: October 2012

This case describes a Chinese software outsourcing vendor's struggle with its market choices, in response to the rippling effect of the global financial crisis. It also introduces Chinese software outsourcing vendors’ capability development, market conditions, and idiosyncrasies. ChiITech is representative of Chinese software vendors, in terms of its development history, environment conditions, experience of the financial crisis, and countermeasures. Students can learn about the evolution and current status of the China-Japan software outsourcing industry through this case, and more specifically how vendors make market choices in a highly volatile market.
Triage of referrals to outpatient hepatology services: an ineffective tool to prioritise patients?
Authors: Horsfall Leigh , Skoien Richard , Moss Cathy , Scott Ian , Macdonald Graeme A. , Powell Elizabeth E.
Published: October 2012

Background. Appropriate and uniform prioritisation (‘triaging’) of outpatient referrals is critical to good patient outcomes, equity of access to services and efficient use of resources. Objective. To determine whether there is uniformity in the allocation of triage categories for hepatology outpatient referrals at public hospitals in Queensland. Methods. A series of 10 recent hepatology referrals were de-identified for both patient and referring clinician details and sent to nine gastroenterology or hepatology centres throughout Queensland. Consultant gastroenterologists and hepatologists (n = 25) were asked to triage the referrals using the process in place in their centre. Responses were de-identified and analysed. Each case was reviewed and allocated an ‘agreed triage category’ based upon the majority view of respondents. Results. Nineteen responses were received. There was substantial variation amongst consultants in the allocation of triage categories. Although almost two-thirds of respondents agreed with the majority view in 60–80% of cases, none agreed with the majority for every case and some agreed in as few as 50% cases. Disagreement with the majority view of an appropriate triage category was not associated with geography or specialist experience. Conclusions. Variability in triage categorisation suggests that similar cases may be allocated different priorities by those responsible for determining the urgency of outpatient review. This has implications for equity of access to treatment. The development of triage guidelines and formal training in their implementation, along with periodic audits of triage practices in different centres, may reduce variability. What is known about the topic? Outpatient clinic appointments are allocated within categories according to ‘agreed’ clinical urgency. The process of triaging referrals seeks to prioritise referrals based on the severity of patients’ conditions and the potential for improving outcomes. At present there are no statewide guidelines or training for the triaging process in hepatology and no recommendations for who should take responsibility for prioritising referrals. What does the paper add? In Queensland, gastroenterologists (including hepatologists) triage hepatology cases differently and most likely interpret and weight clinical information provided in the referral differently. Disagreement with the majority view of an appropriate triage category is not associated with geography or specialist experience. What are the implications for practitioners? Variability in triage categorisation suggests that similar cases may be allocated different priorities by those responsible for determining the urgency of outpatient review. This has implications for equity of access to treatment. The development of triage guidelines and formal training in their implementation, along with periodic audits of triage practices in different centres, may reduce variability.
Blend-feeding or feeding a single diet to pigs has no impact on growth performance or carcass quality
Authors: Moore K. L. , Mullan B. P. , Kim J. C.
Published: October 2012

A completely randomised block experiment was conducted using 216 female pigs (Large White × Landrace, six pigs/pen and 12 replicate pens/treatment), at an average liveweight (LW) of 22.6 kg ± 0.56 (mean ± s.e.m.), to examine the effect of feeding strategies on performance during the grower–finisher phase. Pigs were blocked and randomly allocated to the following treatments on the basis of initial LW: (1) phase-feeding: diets changed when the average LW of pigs in the pen reached 20, 50 or 80 kg; (2) blend: diets changed weekly to meet the requirements of the average LW of pigs in the pen and; (3) single: the same diet fed throughout (formulated to meet the requirements of the pig at 60 kg LW). The experimental diets were fed from 22 to 102 kg LW. Between 68 and 98 days of age, pigs fed the single diet grew more slowly (P < 0.001) due to poorer feed conversion (P < 0.001) than did pigs fed the phase-feeding or blend diets. However, between 99 and 133 days of age, pigs fed the single diet utilised feed more efficiently (P < 0.001) than did pigs fed the phase-feeding and blend diets. Therefore, there was no significant effect of the feeding strategies on overall growth performance (P > 0.05) and there was no significant difference in carcass quality (P > 0.05) among treatment groups. However, it was 3.74% and 3.51% cheaper to use the blend- and single-diet feeding strategies, respectively, than it was to use a phase-feeding program (P = 0.002). The present experiment has shown that blend-feeding could be a strategy to reduce the cost of production. Feeding a single diet appears to have merit and may have appeal for certain circumstances; however, it would need to be investigated further before being implemented commercially.
Historical fire regimes in a poorly understood, fire-prone ecosystem: eastern coastal fynbos
Authors: Kraaij Tineke , Baard Johan A. , Cowling Richard M. , van Wilgen Brian W. , Das Sonali
Published: October 2012

We characterised the historical fire regime (1900–2010) in eastern coastal fynbos shrublands, which occur in a poorly studied part of the Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK). Natural (lightning-ignited) fires dominated the fire regime. Fire seasonality decreased from west (Outeniqua region) to east (Tsitsikamma region) within the study area, and between the study area and further west in the CFK. This is consistent with a west–east climatic gradient in the CFK, where rainfall is concentrated in winter in the west, and evenly distributed across months in the east. Median fire return intervals (FRIs) (1980–2010) were broadly comparable to other fynbos areas but estimates varied widely depending on whether or not the data were censored (16–26 years with and 8–13 years without censoring). FRIs appeared to be shorter in the Tsitsikamma, where rainfall and plant growth rates are higher, than in the Outeniqua. The total area burnt annually has increased significantly since 1980, coinciding with an increase in weather conducive to fires, suggesting that fire regimes may be responding to climate change. Frequent recurrence of very large fires and the virtual absence of vegetation in older post-fire age classes are potential causes for concern in achieving fynbos conservation objectives.
Induced pluripotent stem cell model recapitulates pathologic hallmarks of Gaucher disease
Authors: Panicker Leelamma M. , Miller Diana , Park Tea Soon , Patel Brijesh , Azevedo Judi L. , Awad Ola , Masood M. Athar , Veenstra Timothy D. , Goldin Ehud , Stubblefield Barbara K. , Tayebi Nahid , Polumuri Swamy K. , Vogel Stefanie N. , Sidransky Ellen , Zambidis Elias T. , Feldman Ricardo A.
Published: October 2012

Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the acid β-glucocerebrosidase gene. To model GD, we generated human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), by reprogramming skin fibroblasts from patients with type 1 (N370S/N370S), type 2 (L444P/Rec
NciI
), and type 3 (L444P/L444P) GD. Pluripotency was demonstrated by the ability of GD hiPSC to differentiate to all three germ layers and to form teratomas in vivo. GD hiPSC differentiated efficiently to the cell types most affected in GD, i.e., macrophages and neuronal cells. GD hiPSC-macrophages expressed macrophage-specific markers, were phagocytic, and were capable of releasing inflammatory mediators in response to LPS. Moreover, GD hiPSC-macrophages recapitulated the phenotypic hallmarks of the disease. They exhibited low glucocerebrosidase (GC) enzymatic activity and accumulated sphingolipids, and their lysosomal functions were severely compromised. GD hiPSC-macrophages had a defect in their ability to clear phagocytosed RBC, a phenotype of tissue-infiltrating GD macrophages. The kinetics of RBC clearance by types 1, 2, and 3 GD hiPSC-macrophages correlated with the severity of the mutations. Incubation with recombinant GC completely reversed the delay in RBC clearance from all three types of GD hiPSC-macrophages, indicating that their functional defects were indeed caused by GC deficiency. However, treatment of induced macrophages with the chaperone isofagomine restored phagocytosed RBC clearance only partially, regardless of genotype. These findings are consistent with the known clinical efficacies of recombinant GC and isofagomine. We conclude that cell types derived from GD hiPSC can effectively recapitulate pathologic hallmarks of the disease.
Aberrant S-nitrosylation mediates calcium-triggered ventricular arrhythmia in the intact heart
Authors: Cutler Michael J. , Plummer Bradley N. , Wan Xiaoping , Sun Qi-An , Hess Douglas , Liu Haiyan , Deschenes Isabelle , Rosenbaum David S. , Stamler Jonathan S. , Laurita Kenneth R.
Published: October 2012

Nitric oxide (NO) derived from the activity of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS1) is involved in S-nitrosylation of key sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca
2+
handling proteins. Deficient S-nitrosylation of the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2) has a variable effect on SR Ca
2+
leak/sparks in isolated myocytes, likely dependent on the underlying physiological state. It remains unknown, however, whether such molecular aberrancies are causally related to arrhythmogenesis in the intact heart. Here we show in the intact heart, reduced NOS1 activity increased Ca
2+
-mediated ventricular arrhythmias only in the setting of elevated myocardial [Ca
2+
]
i
. These arrhythmias arose from increased spontaneous SR Ca
2+
release, resulting from a combination of decreased RyR2 S-nitrosylation (RyR2-SNO) and increased RyR2 oxidation (RyR-SOx) (i.e., increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) from xanthine oxidoreductase activity) and could be suppressed with xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) inhibition (i.e., allopurinol) or nitric oxide donors (i.e., S-nitrosoglutathione, GSNO). Surprisingly, we found evidence of NOS1 down-regulation of RyR2 phosphorylation at the Ca
2+
/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMKII) site (S2814), suggesting molecular cross-talk between nitrosylation and phosphorylation of RyR2. Finally, we show that nitroso–redox imbalance due to decreased NOS1 activity sensitizes RyR2 to a severe arrhythmic phenotype by oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that nitroso–redox imbalance is an important mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias in the intact heart under disease conditions (i.e., elevated [Ca
2+
]
i
and oxidative stress), and that therapies restoring nitroso–redox balance in the heart could prevent sudden arrhythmic death.
Exploiting olfactory learning in alien rats to protect birds’ eggs
Authors: Price Catherine J. , Banks Peter B.
Published: October 2012

Predators must ignore unhelpful background “noise” within information-rich environments and focus on useful cues of prey activity to forage efficiently. Learning to disregard unrewarding cues should happen quickly, weakening future interest in the cue. Prey odor, which is rapidly investigated by predators, may be particularly appropriate for testing whether consistently unrewarded cues are ignored, and whether such behavior can be exploited to benefit prey. Using wild free-ranging populations of black rats,Rattus rattus, an alien predator of global concern, we tested whether the application of bird-nesting odors before the introduction of artificial nests (odor preexposure), enhanced the survival of birds eggs (prey) compared with areas where prey and nesting odors were introduced concurrently. In areas where predators had encountered prey odor before prey being available, the subsequently introduced eggs showed 62% greater survival than in areas where prey and odor were introduced together. We suggest that black rats preexposed to prey odor learned to ignore the unrewarding cue, leading to a significant improvement in prey survival that held for the 7-d monitoring period. Exploiting rapid learning that underpins foraging decisions by manipulating sensory contexts offers a nonlethal, but effective approach to reducing undesirable predatory impacts. Techniques based on olfactory preexposure may provide prey with protection during critical periods of vulnerability, such as immediately following a prey reintroduction. These results also highlight the potential benefits to species conservation to be gained from a greater understanding of the cognitive mechanisms driving alien predator behavior within ecological contexts.
High prevalence of serum antibodies reacting with simian virus 40 capsid protein mimotopes in patients affected by malignant pleural mesothelioma
Authors: Mazzoni Elisa , Corallini Alfredo , Cristaudo Alfonso , Taronna Angelo , Tassi Gianfranco , Manfrini Marco , Comar Manola , Bovenzi Massimo , Guaschino Roberto , Vaniglia Francesca , Magnani Corrado , Casali Ferruccio , Rezza Giovanni , Barbanti-Brodano Giuseppe , Martini Fernanda , Tognon Mauro G.
Published: October 2012

Human malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is considered a rare tumor, but recent estimations indicate that one-quarter million people will die of this neoplasm in Europe in the next three decades. The mineral asbestos is considered the main causative agent of this neoplasm. MPM is largely unresponsive to conventional chemotherapy/radiotherapy. In addition to asbestos exposure, genetic predisposition to asbestos carcinogenesis and to simian virus (SV)40 infection has also been suggested. SV40 is a DNA tumor virus found in some studies to be associated at high prevalence with MPM. SV40 sequences have also been detected, although at a lower prevalence than in MPM, in blood specimens from healthy donors. However, some studies have failed to reveal SV40 footprints in MPM and its association with this neoplasm. These conflicting results indicate the need for further investigations with new approaches. We report on the presence of antibodies in serum samples from patients affected by MPM that specifically react with two different SV40 mimotopes. The two SV40 peptides used in indirect ELISAs correspond to viral capsid proteins. ELISA with the two SV40 mimotopes gave overlapping results. Our data indicate that in serum samples from MPM-affected patients (
n
= 97), the prevalence of antibodies against SV40 viral capsid protein antigens is significantly higher (26%,
P
= 0.043) than in the control group (15%) represented by healthy subjects (
n
= 168) with the same median age (66 y) and sex. Our results suggest that SV40 is associated with a subset of MPM and circulates in humans.
Structure of the Mediator Head module bound to the carboxy-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II
Authors: Robinson Philip J. J. , Bushnell David A. , Trnka Michael J. , Burlingame Alma L. , Kornberg Roger D.
Published: October 2012

The X-ray crystal structure of the Head module, one-third of the Mediator of transcriptional regulation, has been determined as a complex with the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II. The structure reveals multiple points of interaction with an extended conformation of the CTD; it suggests a basis for regulation by phosphorylation of the CTD. Biochemical studies show a requirement for Mediator–CTD interaction for transcription.
Effects of long DNA folding and small RNA stem–loop in thermophoresis
Authors: Maeda Yusuke T. , Tlusty Tsvi , Libchaber Albert
Published: October 2012

In thermophoresis, with the fluid at rest, suspensions move along a gradient of temperature. In an aqueous solution, a PEG polymer suspension is depleted from the hot region and builds a concentration gradient. In this gradient, DNA polymers of different sizes can be separated. In this work the effect of the polymer structure for genomic DNA and small RNA is studied. For genome-size DNA, individual single T4 DNA is visualized and tracked in a PEG solution under a temperature gradient built by infrared laser focusing. We find that T4 DNA follows steps of depletion, ring-like localization, and accumulation patterns as the PEG volume fraction is increased. Furthermore, a coil–globule transition for DNA is observed for a large enough PEG volume fraction. This drastically affects the localization position of T4 DNA. In a similar experiment, with small RNA such as ribozymes we find that the stem–loop folding of such polymers has important consequences. The RNA polymers having a long and rigid stem accumulate, whereas a polymer with stem length less than 4 base pairs shows depletion. Such measurements emphasize the crucial contribution of the double-stranded parts of RNA for thermal separation and selection under a temperature gradient. Because huge temperature gradients are present around hydrothermal vents in the deep ocean seafloor, this process might be relevant, at the origin of life, in an RNA world hypothesis. Ribozymes could be selected from a pool of random sequences depending on the length of their stems.
Language learners restructure their input to facilitate efficient communication
Authors: Fedzechkina Maryia , Jaeger T. Florian , Newport Elissa L.
Published: October 2012

Languages of the world display many structural similarities. We test the hypothesis that some of these structural properties may arise from biases operating during language acquisition that shape languages over time. Specifically, we investigate whether language learners are biased toward linguistic systems that strike an efficient balance between robust information transfer, on the one hand, and effort or resource demands, on the other hand, thereby increasing the communicative utility of the acquired language. In two experiments, we expose learners to miniature artificial languages designed in such a way that they do not use their formal devices (case marking) efficiently to facilitate robust information transfer. We find that learners restructure such languages in ways that facilitate efficient information transfer compared with the input language. These systematic changes introduced by the learners follow typologically frequent patterns, supporting the hypothesis that some of the structural similarities found in natural languages are shaped by biases toward communicatively efficient linguistic systems.
Ocean acidification slows nitrogen fixation and growth in the dominant diazotroph
Trichodesmium
under low-iron conditions
Authors: Shi Dalin , Kranz Sven A. , Kim Ja-Myung , Morel François M. M.
Published: October 2012

Dissolution of anthropogenic CO
2
increases the partial pressure of CO
2
(
p
CO
2
) and decreases the pH of seawater. The rate of Fe uptake by the dominant N
2
-fixing cyanobacterium
Trichodesmium
declines as pH decreases in metal-buffered medium. The slower Fe-uptake rate at low pH results from changes in Fe chemistry and not from a physiological response of the organism. Contrary to previous observations in nutrient-replete media, increasing
p
CO
2
/decreasing pH causes a decrease in the rates of N
2
fixation and growth in
Trichodesmium
under low-Fe conditions. This result was obtained even though the bioavailability of Fe was maintained at a constant level by increasing the total Fe concentration at low pH. Short-term experiments in which
p
CO
2
and pH were varied independently showed that the decrease in N
2
fixation is caused by decreasing pH rather than by increasing
p
CO
2
and corresponds to a lower efficiency of the nitrogenase enzyme. To compensate partially for the loss of N
2
fixation efficiency at low pH,
Trichodesmium
synthesizes additional nitrogenase. This increase comes partly at the cost of down-regulation of Fe-containing photosynthetic proteins. Our results show that although increasing
p
CO
2
often is beneficial to photosynthetic marine organisms, the concurrent decreasing pH can affect primary producers negatively. Such negative effects can occur both through chemical mechanisms, such as the bioavailability of key nutrients like Fe, and through biological mechanisms, as shown by the decrease in N
2
fixation in Fe-limited
Trichodesmium
.
Contact-induced grammatical change
Authors: Lucas Christopher
Published: October 2012

Language contact plays a key part among the factors leading to change in grammars, and yet the study of syntactic change, especially in the generative or innatist tradition, has tended to neglect the role of contact in this process. At the same time, work on contact-induced change remains largely descriptive, with theoretical discussion restricted mostly to the putative limits on borrowing. This article aims at moving beyond these restrictions by outlining a psycholinguistically-based account of some of the ways in which contact leads to change. This account takes Van Coetsem’s (1988, 2000) distinction between recipient-language and source-language agentivity as its starting point, building on this insight in the light of work on language acquisition and first language attrition, and showing how these principles can be integrated into a unified acquisitionist model of syntactic change in general. The model is then applied to case studies of contact-induced syntactic change in Yiddish and Berber.
Shifting voices, shifting worlds
Authors: Howard Rosaleen
Published: October 2012

This paper examines evidentiality and epistemic modality in Quechua narrative discourse from the central highlands of Peru. Huamalíes Quechua falls into the broad Quechua ‘I’ dialect grouping established by Alfredo Torero (1964); evidential usage here can be compared to that of southern Conchucos Quechua as studied by Diane and Daniel Hintz (2007; 2006) while it differs in interesting ways from the Quechua ‘II’ dialects of southern Peru as studied by Faller (2002; 2006). The analysis focuses on an orally performed traditional narrative that deals with the theme of social interaction between a human protagonist and a spirit being of the ‘other world’. It describes the human protagonist’s gradual realization of the nature of the spirit being with whom he has become involved; evidential and epistemic markings grammatically structure this transition from conjecture, to supposition, to direct witness. The aim is to show how the story’s cultural content, and the way in which evidentials and epistemic modality are operationalized, are mutually entailing. Form and content taken together throw light both on how evidentiality and epistemic modality work in social interaction and on how Amerindian understandings of the interface between the ‘natural’ and ‘supernatural’ worlds, and between ‘humans’ and ‘non-humans’, inform grammatical usage.
Transforming faith in corporate capitalism through business ethics
Authors: Hoffman W. Michael , McNulty Robert E.
Published: October 2012

Although faith is typically associated with religious experience, it is the contention of this paper that people are faith-guided creatures, and the practice of business is itself based on an experience of faith – not a religious faith, but an existential faith, by which we mean
a deeply held belief embedded in one’s understanding of what the fundamental nature of reality is and how one ought to act. In our contemporary industrialized society, the dominant system for organizing work is corporate capitalism, which, as we see it, is neither inherently good nor
bad. Corporate capitalism, however, has been infused with a normative faith that gives primacy to profit maximization and personal enrichment, and in so doing opens the door to corrupting forces that debase business. In this paper, we will suggest that business ethics can infuse corporate
capitalism with a transforming faith that affirms a personal dignity through service to the greater good.
Spirituality and organizational misbehavior
Authors: Weitz Ely , Vardi Yoav , Setter Ora
Published: October 2012

Alongside the emerging interest in workplace spirituality, there is an ever-growing interest in the antecedents, manifestations, and consequences of organizational misbehavior (OMB). In this study, we hypothesized that spirituality can mitigate the intention to misbehave at work and thus moderate the relationship between multilevel workplace antecedents and a measure of OMB. Special attention is given to job design, organization justice perceptions, and fulfillment of the psychological contract with the organization. Our findings show that while organizational spirituality (OS) is negatively correlated with OMB, individual spirituality (IS) serves as a moderator variable – but in a direction opposite to our predictions: highly spiritual people engage in more OMB in negative circumstances. We discuss some implications for managing human resources in work organizations.
Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the overtraining syndrome: Joint consensus statement of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Authors: Meeusen Romain , Duclos Martine , Foster Carl , Fry Andrew , Gleeson Michael , Nieman David , Raglin John , Rietjens Gerard , Steinacker Jürgen , Urhausen Axel
Published: October 2012

Successful training must involve overload, but also must avoid the combination of excessive overload plus inadequate recovery. Athletes can experience short‐term performance decrement, without severe psychological, or lasting other negative symptoms. This Functional Overreaching (FOR) will eventually lead to an improvement in performance after recovery. When athletes do not sufficiently respect the balance between training and recovery, Non‐Functional Overreaching (NFOR) can occur. The distinction between NFOR and the Overtraining Syndrome (OTS) is very difficult and will depend on the clinical outcome and exclusion diagnosis. The athlete will often show the same clinical, hormonal and other signs and symptoms. A keyword in the recognition of OTS might be ‘prolonged maladaptation’ not only of the athlete, but also of several biological, neurochemical, and hormonal regulation mechanisms. It is generally thought that symptoms of OTS, such as fatigue, performance decline and mood disturbances, are more severe than those of NFOR. However, there is no scientific evidence to either confirmor refute this suggestion. One approach to understanding the aetiology of OTS involves the exclusion of organic diseases or infections and factors such as dietary caloric restriction (negative energy balance) and insufficient carbohydrate and/or protein intake, iron deficiency, magnesium deficiency, allergies, etc., together with identification of initiating events or triggers. In this paper, we provide the recent status of possible markers for the detection of OTS. Currently several markers (hormones, performance tests, psychological tests, biochemical and immune markers) are used, but none of them meets all criteria to make its use generally accepted.
Charge movement in gating-locked HCN channels reveals weak coupling of voltage sensors and gate
Authors: Ryu Sujung , Yellen Gary
Published: October 2012

HCN (hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide gated) pacemaker channels have an architecture similar to that of voltage-gated K+ channels, but they open with the opposite voltage dependence. HCN channels use essentially the same positively charged voltage sensors and intracellular activation gates as K+ channels, but apparently these two components are coupled differently. In this study, we examine the energetics of coupling between the voltage sensor and the pore by using cysteine mutant channels for which low concentrations of Cd2+ ions freeze the open–closed gating machinery but still allow the sensors to move. We were able to lock mutant channels either into open or into closed states by the application of Cd2+ and measure the effect on voltage sensor movement. Cd2+ did not immobilize the gating charge, as expected for strict coupling, but rather it produced shifts in the voltage dependence of voltage sensor charge movement, consistent with its effect of confining transitions to either closed or open states. From the magnitude of the Cd2+-induced shifts, we estimate that each voltage sensor produces a roughly three- to sevenfold effect on the open–closed equilibrium, corresponding to a coupling energy of ∼1.3–2 kT per sensor. Such coupling is not only opposite in sign to the coupling in K+ channels, but also much weaker.
Dissociations in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Neuroscience
Authors: Machery Edouard
Published: October 2012

In this article, I compare the epistemic standing of the function-to-structure inferences found in cognitive neuroscience and of the inferences based on dissociations in neuropsychology. I argue that the former have a poorer epistemic standing than the latter.
Experiments and Theory in the Preparative Sciences
Authors: Goodwin William
Published: October 2012

In this essay I consider, by way of the reflections of accomplished synthetic chemists, how the experimental work of the synthetic organic chemist supports the testing, refinement, and creation of theories of organic chemistry. The role of experiments in modern Baconian sciences like organic chemistry is contrasted with their role in fields of more traditional philosophical concern, such as experimental physics.
The Gibbs Paradox and the Definition of Entropy in Statistical Mechanics
Authors: Ainsworth Peter M.
Published: October 2012

This article considers the Gibbs paradox and its implications for three definitions of entropy in statistical mechanics: (i) the “classical” Boltzmann entropy (SB1); (ii) the modified Boltzmann entropy that is usually proposed in response to the paradox (SB2); and (iii) a generalized version of the latter (SB2G). It is argued that (i) notwithstanding a recent suggestion to the contrary, the paradox does imply that SB1 is not a satisfactory definition of entropy; (ii) SB2 is undermined by “second-order” versions of the paradox; and (iii) SB2G solves the paradox but is not a satisfactory definition of entropy.
Magneto-optical Faraday spectroscopy of completely bismuth-substituted Bi3Fe5O12 garnet thin films
Authors: Deb M , Popova E , Fouchet A , Keller N
Published: October 2012

We performed a magneto-optical (MO) Faraday spectroscopy study of bismuth iron garnet Bi3Fe5O12 thin single-crystalline films with thickness from 5 to 220 nm. The Faraday rotation and ellipticity spectra were measured for photon energies ranging from 1.7 to 4.2 eV. Using a model based on two electric dipole transitions associated with tetrahedral and octahedral iron sites, we successfully reproduce the observed rotation and ellipticity spectra. The sign of both site contributions to the Faraday rotation and ellipticity spectra has been used to interpret the complex thermal dependence of the Faraday rotation and ellipticity. For a Faraday ellipticity, anomalous hysteresis loops have been observed around specific photon energies. To explain the surprising shape of hysteresis loop, a model based on the superposition of two hysteresis loops with opposite sign associated with both sites is proposed. The modelling of these hysteresis loops allows accessing the magnetic properties of each individual sublattice. Finally, we have studied the dependence of the energy level parameters on bismuth content in Yi3−x
Bi
x
Fe5O12 garnet and on the thickness of bismuth iron garnet. Based on this analysis, we show that MO spectroscopy is a fast and non-destructive technique to determine the bi-deficiency of BIG films.
The effects of ZnO buffer layers on the properties of phosphorus doped ZnO thin films grown on sapphire by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Kim K-W , Lugo F J , Lee J H , Norton D P
Published: October 2012

The properties of phosphorus doped ZnO thin films grown on sapphire by pulsed laser deposition were examined, specifically focusing on the effects of undoped ZnO buffer layers. In particular, buffer layers were grown under different conditions; the transport properties of as-deposited and rapid thermal annealed ZnO : P films were then examined. As-deposited films showed n-type conductivity. After rapid thermal annealing, the film on buffer layer grown at a low temperature showed the conversion of carrier type to p-type for specific growth conditions while the films deposited on buffer layer grown at a high temperature remained n-type regardless of growth condition. The films deposited on buffer layer grown at a low temperature showed higher resistivity and more significant change of the transport properties upon rapid thermal annealing. These results suggest that more dopants are incorporated in films with higher defect density. This is consistent with high resolution x-ray diffraction results for phosphorus doped ZnO films on different buffer layers. In addition, the microstructure of phosphorus doped ZnO films is substantially affected by the buffer layer.
Transition from equilibrium to nonequilibrium combustion of premixed burner flame by microwave irradiation
Authors: Sasaki Koichi , Shinohara Koji
Published: October 2012

We found that the burning velocity in premixed burner flame was enhanced by heated electrons in the flame. The electron heating was realized by irradiating microwave power onto the flame, and was confirmed by observing optical emission intensity of molecular nitrogen at the second positive system. Since the increase in the observed gas temperature was negligible, the enhancement of the burning velocity can be attributed to the nonequilibrium combustion chemistry which is driven by energetic electrons. We examined the time constants for the transition between equilibrium and nonequilibrium combustion states by irradiating pulsed microwave power. As a result, we found >2 × 104 s−1 for the frequency of electron heating, ∼1 × 103 s−1 for the loss frequency of heated electrons, and ∼(0.5–1) × 103 s−1 for the loss frequencies of OH and CH radicals.
Interfacial energetics of NaCl–organic composite layer at an OLED anode
Authors: Kim Jeongho , Yi Yeonjin , Kim Jeong Won , Noh Seok Hwan , Kang Heon
Published: October 2012

Although low work function alkaline halides are widely used as a cathode interlayer for organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), NaCl–organic composites are shown to be an efficient anodic buffer. Here we suggest a mechanistic origin of the improved OLED performance upon the use of a NaCl-containing organic buffer layer between an indium tin oxide (ITO) anode and N, N′-bis(naphthalene-1-yl)-N, N′-bis(phenyl)benzidine (NPB), based on the studies with ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. While a pure NaCl interlayer has a high hole-injection barrier (1.40 eV), the NPB : NaCl composite layer exhibits a substantially lower barrier (0.84 eV), which is comparable to the value at a bare ITO/NPB interface. Furthermore, the wettability of the composite onto ITO is enhanced due to significant adhesive interactions of NaCl with both ITO and NPB, leading to effective electrical contacts. The two key factors, i.e. the plausible hole-injection barrier and better wettability of the NPB : NaCl composite, contribute to the improved hole injection efficiency and lifetime.
Habitat selection by hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Andersen Julie M. , Wiersma Yolanda F. , Stenson Garry B. , Hammill Mike O. , Rosing-Asvid Aqqalu , Skern-Maurizen Mette
Published: October 2012

Andersen, J. M., Wiersma, Y. F., Stenson, G. B., Hammill, M. O., Rosing-Asvid, A., and Skern-Maurizen, M. 2013. Habitat selection by hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 70:173–185. We examined annual habitat use for 65 hooded seals (32 adult females, 17 adult males, and 16 juveniles) equipped with satellite relay data loggers (SRDLs) in spring or summer during five field seasons (2004–2008). A combined approach using first passage time (FPT) analysis and a generalized additive model (GAM) was applied to test for habitat selection, with a focus on environmental parameters of depth, slope, ice, sea surface temperature (SST), and chlorophyll. The models were run on adult males, adult females, and juveniles separately, and the results identified SST, depth, and chlorophyll as the most important factors influencing habitat selection across all categories. Furthermore, males and females preferred similar habitat conditions, but were separated geographically, and by depth, at various times of the year. Males appeared to be more localized in their habitat use patterns, focusing their search effort in areas of complex seabed relief such as Baffin Bay, Davis Strait, and the Flemish cap, while females concentrated their search effort along shelf areas (e.g. the Labrador shelf). These findings support our hypothesis that hooded seals prefer areas where topography and oceanographic processes create favourable foraging conditions.
Relation Between Severity of Injury and Neurological Deficit in Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture
Authors: Lee Guangzhou , Wang Qing , Zhong Dejun , Li Shen , Kang Jianping
Published: October 2012

Study Design:

A prospective, consecutive case series.

Objective:

To evaluate which variable has a strong association with neurological damage in thoracolumbar burst fractures (T12 or L1): severity of injury or narrowing of the spinal canal.

Setting:

Department of Spine Surgery, the Affiliated Hospital, Luzhou Medical College, Sichuan Province, China.

Methods:

This study included 42 patients with thoracolumbar junction burst fractures (T12 or L1), 24 patients with neurological deficit, and 18 patients without deficit. The severity of injury was determined using the Injury Severity Score (ISS) and the New Injury Severity Score (NISS), and the narrowing of the spinal canal was measured by axial computed tomography. The statistical comparison of the neurological deficit and the non-neurological deficit was carried out using nonparametric tests (Mann-Whitney test). The correlation of these scores and narrowing of the spinal canal to the neurological status was determined using a Spearman correlation test.

Result:

Higher ISS (21 vs. 11), NISS (30 vs. 15), Injury Severity Score with modification (ISSM) (13 vs. 11), New Injury Severity Score with modification (NISSM) (21 vs. 15), and canal compromise (48 vs. 25) were found in patients with neurological deficit, which evidently yielded statistical differences between the patients with neurological deficit and those without (P<0.01), and they also had a positive correlation with the American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) score (r>0.5, P<0.001). Moreover, there was also a positive correlation (r=0.375, P<0.05) between ISSM and ASIA scores, although it seemed weak. The correlations between the NISS, NISSM, and neurological deficit (respectively r=0.868, P<0.001; r=0.676, P<0.001) were stronger than with the narrowing of the spinal canal (r=0.560, P<0.001).

Conclusions:

NISS have a closer correlation with neurological deficit in thoracolumbar burst fractures; thus, we can put forward a hypothesis that perhaps NISS is able to reflect the dynamic fracture process.
Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Rods in Lumbar Spine Degenerative Disease
Authors: Ormond D. Ryan , Albert Ladislau , Das Kaushik
Published: October 2012

Study Design:

Retrospective case series.

Objective:

The purpose of our study was to retrospectively review the results of posterior lumbar fusion using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods.

Summary of Background Data:

Pedicle screw and rod instrumentation has become the preferred technique for performing stabilization and fusion in the lumbar spine for degenerative disease. Rigid fixation with titanium rods leads to high fusion rates, but may also contribute to stress shielding and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). Thus, some have advocated using semirigid rods made of PEEK. Although the biomechanical properties of PEEK rods have shown improved stress-shielding characteristics and anterior load-sharing properties, there are very few clinical studies evaluating their application in the lumbar spine.

Methods:

We evaluated a retrospective cohort of 42 patients who underwent posterior lumbar fusion from 2007 to 2009 for the treatment of lumbar spine degenerative disease using PEEK rods. Reoperation rate was the primary outcome evaluated. Fusion rate was also evaluated.

Results:

Eight of the 42 patients with PEEK rods required reoperation. Reasons for reoperation mainly included ASD (5/8) and nonunion with cage migration (3/8). Radiographically, documented fusion rate was 86%. Mean follow-up was 31.4 months. No statistical differences were found in fusion rates or reoperation between age above 55 years and younger than 55 years (P=1.00), male and female (P=0.110), single or multilevel fusion (P=0.67), and fusion with and without an interbody graft (P=0.69). Smokers showed a trend towards increased risk of reoperation for ASD or instrumentation failure (P=0.056).

Conclusions:

PEEK rods demonstrate a similar fusion and reoperation rate in comparison to other instrumentation modalities in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spine disease.
The Evaluation of Thyroid Diseases in Patients with Pemphigus Vulgaris
Authors: Kavala Mukaddes , Kural Esra , Kocaturk Emek , Zindanci Ilkin , Turkoglu Zafer , Can Burce
Published: October 2012

Background. Thyroid disorders may affect all of the organ systems of the body and they are also highly associated with a wide variety of skin disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of thyroid function abnormalities and thyroid autoimmunity in patients with pemphigus vulgaris (PV) and to determine the association between thyroid disorders and clinical involvement and systemic corticosteroid treatment in patients with PV.Methods. The study consisted of eighty patients with PV and eighty healthy individuals. Thyroid functions (fT3, fT4, and TSH) and thyroid autoimmunity (anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies) were investigated in both groups. Primary thyroid disease (PTD) was diagnosed with one or more of the following diagnostic criteria: (i) positive antithyroid antibodies, (ii) primary thyroid function abnormalities.Results. Significant changes in the serum thyroid profile were found in 16% (13/80) of the PV group and 5% (4/80) of the control group. Positive titers of antithyroid antibodies (anti-TPO and anti-Tg) were observed in 7 patients (9%) with PV and one in the control group (1,2%). Hashimoto thyroiditis was diagnosed in 9% of PV patients and it was found to be more prevalent in the mucosal form of PV. PTD was found in 13 of (%16) PV patients which was significantly high compared to controls. PTD was not found to be associated with systemic corticosteroid use. Free T3 levels were significantly lower in PV group compared to the control group and free T4 levels were significantly higher in PV group compared to the controls.Conclusions. PV may exist together with autoimmune thyroid diseases especially Hashimoto thyroiditis and primer thyroid diseases. Laboratory work-up for thyroid function tests and thyroid autoantibodies should be performed to determine underlying thyroid diseases in patients with PV.
Distributions, Sources, and Backward Trajectories of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons at Lake Small Baiyangdian, Northern China
Authors: Qin Ning , Kong Xiang-Zhen , Zhu Ying , He Wei , He Qi-Shuang , Yang Bin , Ou-Yang Hui-Ling , Liu Wen-Xiu , Wang Qing-Mei , Xu Fu-Liu
Published: October 2012

Air samples were collected seasonally at Lake Small Baiyangdian, a shallow lake in northern China, between October 2007 and September 2008. Gas phase, particulate phase and dust fall concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured using a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The distribution and partitioning of atmospheric PAHs were studied, and the major sources were identified; the backward trajectories of air masses starting from the center of Lake Small Baiyangdian were calculated for the entire year. The following results were obtained: (1) The total concentration of 16 priority controlled PAHs (PAH16) in the gas phase was417.2±299.8 ng·m−3, in the particulate phase was150.9±99.2 ng·m−3, and in dust fall was6930.2±3206.5 ng·g−1. (2) Vehicle emission, coal combustion, and biomass combustion were the major sources in the Small Baiyangdian atmosphere and accounted for 28.9%, 45.1% and 26.0% of the total PAHs, respectively. (3) Winter was dominated by relatively greater PAHs polluted northwesterly air mass pathways. Summer showed a dominant relatively clean southern pathway, whereas the trajectories in autumn and spring might be associated with high pollution from Shanxi or Henan province.