bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conservation genomics of natural and managed populations: building a conceptual and practical framework
Authors: Benestan Laura Marilyn , Ferchaud Anne‐Laure , Hohenlohe Paul A. , Garner Brittany A. , Naylor Gavin J. P. , Baums Iliana Brigitta , Schwartz Michael K. , Kelley Joanna L. , Luikart Gordon
Published: April 2016

The boom of massive parallel sequencing (MPS) technology and its applications in conservation of natural and managed populations brings new opportunities and challenges to meet the scientific questions that can be addressed. Genomic conservation offers a wide range of approaches and analytical techniques, with their respective strengths and weaknesses that rely on several implicit assumptions. However, finding the most suitable approaches and analysis regarding our scientific question are often difficult and time‐consuming. To address this gap, a recent workshop entitled ‘ConGen 2015’ was held at Montana University in order to bring together the knowledge accumulated in this field and to provide training in conceptual and practical aspects of data analysis applied to the field of conservation and evolutionary genomics. Here, we summarize the expertise yield by each instructor that has led us to consider the importance of keeping in mind the scientific question from sampling to management practices along with the selection of appropriate genomics tools and bioinformatics challenges.
Congruent patterns of connectivity can inform management for broadcast spawning corals on the Great Barrier Reef
Authors: Lukoschek Vimoksalehi , Riginos Cynthia , van Oppen Madeleine J. H.
Published: April 2016

Connectivity underpins the persistence and recovery of marine ecosystems. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the world's largest coral reef ecosystem and managed by an extensive network of no‐take zones; however, information about connectivity was not available to optimize the network's configuration. We use multivariate analyses, Bayesian clustering algorithms and assignment tests of the largest population genetic data set for any organism on the GBR to date (Acropora tenuis, >2500 colonies; >50 reefs, genotyped for ten microsatellite loci) to demonstrate highly congruent patterns of connectivity between this common broadcast spawning reef‐building coral and its congener Acropora millepora (~950 colonies; 20 reefs, genotyped for 12 microsatellite loci). For both species, there is a genetic divide at around 19°S latitude, most probably reflecting allopatric differentiation during the Pleistocene. GBR reefs north of 19°S are essentially panmictic whereas southern reefs are genetically distinct with higher levels of genetic diversity and population structure, most notably genetic subdivision between inshore and offshore reefs south of 19°S. These broadly congruent patterns of higher genetic diversities found on southern GBR reefs most likely represent the accumulation of alleles via the southward flowing East Australia Current. In addition, signatures of genetic admixture between the Coral Sea and outer‐shelf reefs in the northern, central and southern GBR provide evidence of recent gene flow. Our connectivity results are consistent with predictions from recently published larval dispersal models for broadcast spawning corals on the GBR, thereby providing robust connectivity information about the dominant reef‐building genus Acropora for coral reef managers.
Using dense locality sampling resolves the subtle genetic population structure of the dispersive fish species Plecoglossus altivelis
Authors: Takeshima Hirohiko , Iguchi Kei'ichiro , Hashiguchi Yasuyuki , Nishida Mutsumi
Published: April 2016

In dispersive species with continuous distributions, genetic differentiation between local populations is often absent or subtle and thus difficult to detect. To incorporate such subtle differentiation into management plans, it may be essential to analyse many samples from many localities using adequate numbers of high‐resolution genetic markers. Here, we evaluated the usefulness of dense locality sampling in resolving genetic population structure in the ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis), a dispersive fish important in Japanese inland fisheries. Genetic variability in, and differentiation between, ayu populations around the Japan–Ryukyu Archipelago were investigated in 4746 individuals collected from 120 localities by genotyping 12 microsatellite markers. These individuals represented the two subspecies of ayu, namely the Ryukyuan subspecies (Plecoglossus altivelis ryukyuensis) and both amphidromous and landlocked forms of the nominotypical subspecies (P. a. altivelis) along the archipelago. We successfully detected an absence of genetic differentiation within the landlocked form and subtle but significant differentiation and clear geographic patterns of genetic variation among populations of the amphidromous form, which had been considered genetically homogeneous. This suggests that dense locality sampling effectively resolves subtle differences in genetic population structure, reducing stochastic deviation in the detection of genetic differentiation and geographic patterns in local populations of this dispersive species. Resampling analyses based on empirical data sets clearly demonstrate the effectiveness of increasing the number of locality samples for stable and reliable estimations of genetic fixation indices. The genetic population structure observed within the amphidromous form provides useful information for identifying management or conservation units in ayu.
Biogeographic patterns of soil diazotrophic communities across six forests in the North America
Authors: Tu Qichao , Deng Ye , Yan Qingyun , Shen Lina , Lin Lu , He Zhili , Wu Liyou , Van Nostrand Joy D. , Buzzard Vanessa , Michaletz Sean T. , Enquist Brian J. , Weiser Michael D. , Kaspari Michael , Waide Robert B. , Brown James H. , Zhou Jizhong
Published: April 2016

Soil diazotrophs play important roles in ecosystem functioning by converting atmospheric N2 into biologically available ammonium. However, the diversity and distribution of soil diazotrophic communities in different forests and whether they follow biogeographic patterns similar to macroorganisms still remain unclear. By sequencing nifH gene amplicons, we surveyed the diversity, structure and biogeographic patterns of soil diazotrophic communities across six North American forests (126 nested samples). Our results showed that each forest harboured markedly different soil diazotrophic communities and that these communities followed traditional biogeographic patterns similar to plant and animal communities, including the taxa–area relationship (TAR) and latitudinal diversity gradient. Significantly higher community diversity and lower microbial spatial turnover rates (i.e. z‐values) were found for rainforests (~0.06) than temperate forests (~0.1). The gradient pattern of TARs and community diversity was strongly correlated (r2 > 0.5) with latitude, annual mean temperature, plant species richness and precipitation, and weakly correlated (r2 < 0.25) with pH and soil moisture. This study suggests that even microbial subcommunities (e.g. soil diazotrophs) follow general biogeographic patterns (e.g. TAR, latitudinal diversity gradient), and indicates that the metabolic theory of ecology and habitat heterogeneity may be the major underlying ecological mechanisms shaping the biogeographic patterns of soil diazotrophic communities.
The influence of plant defensive chemicals, diet composition, and winter severity on the nutritional condition of a free‐ranging, generalist herbivore
Authors: Parikh Grace L. , Forbey Jennifer Sorensen , Robb Brecken , Peterson Rolf O. , Vucetich Leah M. , Vucetich John A.
Published: April 2016

When consuming plants, herbivores must deal with both low nutritional quality from cell wall constituents and potentially toxic plant secondary metabolites, which are often inversely related. Herbivores that consume a highly nutritious, but chemically defended plant, may consume high levels of toxins that require energy for detoxification. Alternatively, herbivores may avoid consuming high levels of toxins by consuming a diverse diet that may be lower in overall nutritional quality. In this study, we assessed the relationship among nutritional restriction, detoxification and diet diversity in a free‐ranging wild herbivore. We collected urine deposited in the snow (hereafter, snow‐urine) and feces by free‐ranging moose Alces americanus, a generalist browser, during winter. We used the ratio of urinary urea nitrogen to creatinine (UN:C), measured in snow‐urine samples, as an indicator of nutritional restriction, and the ratio of glucuronic acid to creatinine (GA:C), as an indicator of investment in detoxification. We used microhistology to determine diet composition from fecal pellets. GA:C and UN:C were positively associated, suggesting that nutritional condition tends to be worse for individuals investing more in detoxification. We found, after accounting for the influence of winter severity, diet diversity and UN:C to be negatively related, suggesting that increasingly diverse diets were associated with improved nutritional condition. Overall, the most important predictor of UN:C was winter severity and proportion of diet comprised of balsam fir Abies balsamea. Physiological indicators of nutritional restriction tended to be worse during severe winters and among individuals that had consumed more balsam fir. These results highlight complex relationships among environmental conditions, foraging decisions, and costs of detoxification that can influence nutritional condition of herbivores.
Tolerance to ischemia reperfusion injury in a congenital heart disease model
Authors: Asada Dai , Itoi Toshiyuki , Nakamura Akihiro , Hamaoka Kenji
Published: April 2016

Background

Open heart surgery‐associated ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury affects postoperative outcome, and a leading cause of this is lipid peroxidation. Congenital heart disease (CHD) patients, however, are less sensitive to I/R injury. Although little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms, CHD‐associated hypoxia alters the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition of membranes, which are the preferential targets for reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during I/R. Here, using an animal model, we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying I/R tolerance in CHD.

Methods

In order to reproduce I/R injury in vitro, we used a working heart perfusion model, isolated from juvenile control and CHD model rats (CHD rats), and examined the recovery of cardiac function during a period of I/R. PUFA composition of the plasma membrane was determined on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Oxidative stress‐related cellular responses were investigated on immunoblotting, using antibodies against nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor (Nrf‐2), hemeoxygenase‐1 (HO‐1), and 4‐hydroxy‐2‐hexanal (4‐HHE)‐modified protein.

Results

Ischemia/reperfusion‐induced cardiac dysfunction was markedly suppressed in CHD rats, compared with the control rats. n‐3/n‐6 PUFA ratio was significantly increased in both the pre‐ and post‐I/R phase in CHD rats, but not in the controls. Four‐HHE‐modified protein, Nrf‐2, and HO‐1 were significantly increased in CHD rats as well, compared with the controls.

Conclusions

Following open heart surgery in CHD patients, the increased n‐3/n‐6 PUFA ratio may lead to the upregulation of cellular antioxidative system components through the oxidation product, 4‐HHE, resulting in an increased tolerance to I/R injury.
Completing the Circuit: Routine, Reflection, and Ethical Consumption
Authors: Schoolman Ethan D.
Published: April 2016

Efforts to explain why some people incorporate ethical concerns into everyday shopping for food and household goods, while many do not, have so far left significant variation in “ethical consumption” unexplained. Seeking to move beyond explanations that rely mainly on differences in consumers' social class, gender, and political engagement, I draw on concepts associated with “practice theory” to argue that ethical consumption is closely tied to people's willingness and ability to spend time, while shopping, on distinct activities associated with breaking old routines and establishing new ones. The central insight of practice theory is that most consumption is the product of unconscious routine. And it is precisely because consciously departing from routine is, according to my study, a fundamentally time‐consuming process, that lack of time emerges as a crucial obstacle to translating abstract ethical concerns into concrete action as a consumer.
Henry has arisen: Gender and hierarchy in Vanuatu's Anglican Church
Authors: Lind Craig
Published: April 2016

Although Christianity and kastom can be opposed in many important respects, ni‐Vanuatu are far from limited by the different opportunities that they each offer. Here, I draw on gender as an ethnographically derived form of description to stress that the relations composing encounters of Christianity and kastom, church leader and chief, allow ni‐Vanuatu to imagine and create possibilities for engaging these alternatives in order to share, exchange or take on their specific capacities. I consider the example of an event in which a Church leader offered to extend an emplaced island identity, through the Anglican Church, in exchange for a kastom chief's assistance to scale‐up the appearance of his clan support during his ordination ceremony. In this case gendered difference, and not opposition or conflict, characterises kastom and Christianity's relationship.
Trends in prevalence of soil‐transmitted helminth and major intestinal protozoan infections among school‐aged children in Nepal
Authors: Kunwar Ritu , Acharya Lokendra , Karki Surendra
Published: April 2016

Objectives

To assess the trends in prevalence of soil‐transmitted helminths (STHs), Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia among school‐aged children in Nepal between 1990 and 2015.

Methods

Systematic literature search in PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar and local peer‐reviewed journals for papers published between 1990 and December 2015. We conducted metaregression and meta‐analyses to pool studies where applicable.

Results

Thirty‐nine studies that examined a total of 14 729 stool specimens were included in the meta‐analyses. The metaregression of prevalence of hookworms, roundworm, and whipworm showed a significantly decreasing trend over time. In or after 2004, the pooled prevalence of hookworm infections was 1.53% (95% CI, 0.73–2.59), of roundworm 4.31% (95% CI, 2.52–6.53) and of whipworm 2.89% (95% CI, 1.33–4.97) vs. 16.54% (95% CI, 7.64–27.97) for hookworm, 25.20% (95% CI, 13.59–38.97) for roundworm and 11.54% (95% CI 4.25–21.76) for whipworm in 1993–2003. E. histolytica and G. lamblia had stable prevalence since early 1990s, with a pooled prevalences of 4.12% (95% CI, 2.73–5.77) and 9.40% (95% CI, 7.15–11.92), respectively. The prevalence of G. lamblia was significantly higher in urban areas.

Conclusions

We observed a sharp decrease in prevalence of STHs among school‐aged children in Nepal in the past decade with prevalences dropping below 5% for STHs with no variation in prevalence in rural and urban areas. However, the prevalence of E. histolytica and G. lamblia remained stable over time. These results suggest that school‐based deworming programmes rolled out during the study period had an observable impact on prevalence of STHs.
Evaluation of immunomodulatory effect of recombinant human granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor on polymorphonuclear cell from dogs with cancer in vitro
Authors: Zhang Y. , Axiak‐Bechtel S. , Friedman Cowan C. , Amorim J. , Tsuruta K. , DeClue A. E.
Published: April 2016

The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of recombinant human granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (rhGM‐CSF) on polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) function in dogs with cancer. PMNs were harvested from dogs with naturally developing cancer as a pre‐clinical model to evaluate the immunomodulatory effects of rhGM‐CSF on PMN phagocytic and cytotoxic functions, cytokine production and receptor expression. Some aspects of cancer‐related PMN dysfunction in dogs with cancer were restored following incubation with rhGM‐CSF including PMN phagocytosis, respiratory burst and LPS‐induced TNF‐α production. In addition, rhGM‐CSF increased surface HLA‐DR expression on the PMNs of dogs with cancer. These data suggests that dysfunction of innate immune response in dogs with cancer may be improved by rhGM‐CSF. The results of this study provided a pathophysiologic rationale for the initiation of clinical trials to continue evaluating rhGM‐CSF as an immunomodulatory therapy in dogs with cancer.
Improving Design Preference Prediction Accuracy Using Feature Learning
Authors: Burnap Alex , Pan Yanxin , Liu Ye , Ren Yi , Lee Honglak , Gonzalez Richard , Papalambros Panos Y.
Published: April 2016

Quantitative preference models are used to predict customer choices among design alternatives by collecting prior purchase data or survey answers. This paper examines how to improve the prediction accuracy of such models without collecting more data or changing the model. We propose to use features as an intermediary between the original customer-linked design variables and the preference model, transforming the original variables into a feature representation that captures the underlying design preference task more effectively. We apply this idea to automobile purchase decisions using three feature learning methods (principal component analysis (PCA), low rank and sparse matrix decomposition (LSD), and exponential sparse restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM)) and show that the use of features offers improvement in prediction accuracy using over 1 million real passenger vehicle purchase data. We then show that the interpretation and visualization of these feature representations may be used to help augment data-driven design decisions.
Integrating BalloonSAT and Atmospheric Dynamic Concepts into the Secondary Classroom
Authors: Fong B. N. , Kennon J. T. , Roberts E.
Published: April 2016

Arkansas BalloonSAT is an educational outreach and scientific research program that is part of Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR. The following is a unit of instruction to incorporate BalloonSAT measurements into secondary science classes. Students interpret graphs and identify several atmospheric trends and properties of a typical balloon flight. Students engage critical thinking skills in developing and answering their own questions relevant to the BalloonSAT program. Prerequisite concepts students should know are how to interpret graphs and unit conversions. Students should have a basic understanding of gravity, units of temperature and distance, and error in measurements. The unit is designed for one week after end-of-course exams and before the end of school. The unit may take two to five 50-minute periods, depending on how many activities are completed.
Group Work Tests for Context-Rich Problems
Authors: Meyer Chris
Published: April 2016

The group work test is an assessment strategy that promotes higher-order thinking skills for solving context-rich problems. With this format, teachers are able to pose challenging, nuanced questions on a test, while providing the support weaker students need to get started and show their understanding. The test begins with a group discussion phase, when students are given a “number-free” version of the problem. This phase allows students to digest the story-like problem, explore solution ideas, and alleviate some test anxiety. After 10–15 minutes of discussion, students inform the instructor of their readiness for the individual part of the test. What follows next is a pedagogical phase change from lively group discussion to quiet individual work. The group work test is a natural continuation of the group work in our daily physics classes and helps reinforce the importance of collaboration. This method has met with success at York Mills Collegiate Institute, in Toronto, Ontario, where it has been used consistently for unit tests and the final exam of the grade 12 university preparation physics course.
“Reverse engineering” in introductory physics education
Authors: Badraslioglu Duruhan
Published: April 2016

One of the intermediate goals of STEM education has been turning our students into problem solvers and critical thinkers who are equipped with better scientific analysis skills. In light of this initiative, it is imperative that we, the educators, modify the way we teach classic introductory physics topics, and in the long run all sciences, and offer students more opportunities to hone their forementioned STEM skills.
The tiniest titan
Authors: Monahan Patrick
Published: April 2016

Fossil of a baby titanosaur shows that even the youngest of these giant dinosaurs were ready to take on the world.
The village recruiter
Authors: Roberts Leslie
Published: April 2016

In tests of a controversial strategy, advance liaison to often-skeptical villagers is crucial.
Continental arc volcanism as the principal driver of icehouse-greenhouse variability
Authors: McKenzie N. Ryan , Horton Brian K. , Loomis Shannon E. , Stockli Daniel F. , Planavsky Noah J. , Lee Cin-Ty A.
Published: April 2016

Erosion overwhelmed by eruption

Volcanism and erosion can feed into long-term climate change, but determining their relative importance is challenging. Erosion is known to be a carbon sink and is thought to play an outsized role in shifting global climate. However, McKenzie
et al.
suggest that long-term oscillations in climate may be tied to the amount of continental arc volcanism (see the Perspective by Kump). A global compilation of arc volcano-produced zircons over the past 700 million years revealed good correlation between warm and cool epochs with the waxing and waning of volcanism. Thus, volcanism may be a more important driver and erosion a less important sink for very long-term climate changes.

Science
, this issue p.
444
; see also p.
411
Atomic-scale control of graphene magnetism by using hydrogen atoms
Authors: González-Herrero Héctor , Gómez-Rodríguez José M. , Mallet Pierre , Moaied Mohamed , Palacios Juan José , Salgado Carlos , Ugeda Miguel M. , Veuillen Jean-Yves , Yndurain Félix , Brihuega Iván
Published: April 2016

Hydrogen atom makes graphene magnetic

Graphene has many extraordinary mechanical and electronic properties, but it's not magnetic. To make it so, the simplest strategy is to modify its electronic structure to create unpaired electrons. Researchers can do that by, for example, removing individual carbon atoms or adsorbing hydrogen onto graphene. This has to be done in a very controlled way because of a peculiarity of the graphene's crystal lattice, which consists of two sublattices. Gonzales-Herrero
et al.
deposited a single hydrogen atom on top of graphene and used scanning tunneling microscopy to detect magnetism on the sublattice lacking the deposited atom (see the Perspective by Hollen and Gupta).

Science
, this issue p.
437
; see also p.
415
Mx1 reveals innate pathways to antiviral resistance and lethal influenza disease
Authors: Pillai Padmini S. , Molony Ryan D. , Martinod Kimberly , Dong Huiping , Pang Iris K. , Tal Michal C. , Solis Angel G. , Bielecki Piotr , Mohanty Subhasis , Trentalange Mark , Homer Robert J. , Flavell Richard A. , Wagner Denisa D. , Montgomery Ruth R. , Shaw Albert C. , Staeheli Peter , Iwasaki Akiko
Published: April 2016

Flu immunity shows its age

As we age, our immune systems change; in many ways not for the better. For instance, the elderly account for 90% of influenza deaths annually. Pillai
et al.
now report that influenza-infected human monocytes, a type of immune cell, exhibit reduced antiviral activity. In influenza-infected mice, two innate immune sensing pathways work together to promote antiviral immunity to influenza. Mice lacking antiviral immunity (similar to the situation in elderly people) had elevated bacterial burdens in their lungs and increased inflammatory responses, which both contributed to their increased susceptibility to influenza.

Science
, this issue p.
463
The Herpes Simplex Virus Virion Host Shutoff Protein Enhances Translation of Viral True Late mRNAs Independently of Suppressing Protein Kinase R and Stress Granule Formation
Authors: Dauber Bianca , Poon David , dos Santos Theodore , Duguay Brett A. , Mehta Ninad , Saffran Holly A. , Smiley James R.
Published: April 2016

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) virion host shutoff (vhs) RNase destabilizes cellular and viral mRNAs, suppresses host protein synthesis, dampens antiviral responses, and stimulates translation of viral mRNAs. vhs mutants display a host range phenotype: translation of viral true late mRNAs is severely impaired and stress granules accumulate in HeLa cells, while translation proceeds normally in Vero cells. We found that vhs-deficient virus activates the double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase R (PKR) much more strongly than the wild-type virus does in HeLa cells, while PKR is not activated in Vero cells, raising the possibility that PKR might play roles in stress granule induction and/or inhibiting translation in restrictive cells. We tested this possibility by evaluating the effects of inactivating PKR. Eliminating PKR in HeLa cells abolished stress granule formation but had only minor effects on viral true late protein levels. These results document an essential role for PKR in stress granule formation by a nuclear DNA virus, indicate that induction of stress granules is the consequence rather than the cause of the translational defect, and are consistent with our previous suggestion that vhs promotes translation of viral true late mRNAs by preventing mRNA overload rather than by suppressing eIF2α phosphorylation.

IMPORTANCE
The herpes simplex virus vhs RNase plays multiple roles during infection, including suppressing PKR activation, inhibiting the formation of stress granules, and promoting translation of viral late mRNAs. A key question is the extent to which these activities are mechanistically connected. Our results demonstrate that PKR is essential for stress granule formation in the absence of vhs, but at best, it plays a secondary role in suppressing translation of viral mRNAs. Thus, the ability of vhs to promote translation of viral mRNAs can be largely uncoupled from PKR suppression, demonstrating that this viral RNase modulates at least two distinct aspects of RNA metabolism.
Similarly Lethal Strains of Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Trigger Markedly Diverse Host Responses in a Zebrafish Model of Sepsis
Authors: Barber Amelia E. , Fleming Brittany A. , Mulvey Matthew A.
Published: April 2016

Sepsis is a life-threatening systemic inflammatory condition that is initiated by the presence of microorganisms in the bloodstream. In the United States, sepsis due to ExPEC and other pathogens kills well over a quarter of a million people each year and is associated with tremendous health care costs. A high degree of heterogeneity in the signs and symptomology of sepsis makes this disease notoriously difficult to effectively diagnose and manage. Here, using a zebrafish model of sepsis, we find that similarly lethal but genetically distinct ExPEC isolates can elicit notably disparate host responses. These variances are in part due to differences in the levels and types of flagellin that are expressed by the infecting ExPEC strains. A better understanding of the variable impact that bacterial factors like flagellin have on host responses during sepsis could lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these often deadly infections.
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated with cardiac syncope
Authors: Burfield Laura , Ahmad Faheem , Adams Jacqueline
Published: April 2016

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a rare pain syndrome presenting with paroxysms of pain in the region of the glossopharyngeal nerve. Even more uncommon is the association between glossopharyngeal neuralgia and cardiac syncope. In these patients, the cardiovascular consequences may include bradycardia, hypotension and cardiac arrest. We describe the case of a 40-year-old patient who presented with this rare association of glossopharyngeal neuralgia and syncope. Multiple pauses including one lasting 14 s were noted on ambulatory ECG monitoring. In this case, the patient declined pharmacological treatment with carbamazepine or with permanent pacing and so far has been in remission from symptoms for 3 months.
A scoping review of online repositories of quality improvement projects, interventions and initiatives in healthcare
Authors: Bytautas Jessica P , Gheihman Galina , Dobrow Mark J
Published: April 2016

Background

Quality improvement (QI) is becoming an important focal point for health systems. There is increasing interest among health system stakeholders to learn from and share experiences on the use of QI methods and approaches in their work. Yet there are few easily accessible, online repositories dedicated to documenting QI activity.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of publicly available, web-based QI repositories to (i) identify current approaches to sharing information on QI practices; (ii) categorise these approaches based on hosting, scope and size, content acquisition and eligibility, content format and search, and evaluation and engagement characteristics; and (iii) review evaluations of the design, usefulness and impact of their online QI practice repositories. The search strategy consisted of traditional database and grey literature searches, as well as expert consultation, with the ultimate aim of identifying and describing QI repositories of practices undertaken in a healthcare context.

Results

We identified 13 QI repositories and found substantial variation across the five categories. The QI repositories used different terminology (eg, practices vs case studies) and approaches to content acquisition, and varied in terms of primary areas of focus. All provided some means for organising content according to categories or themes and most provided at least rudimentary keyword search functionality. Notably, none of the QI repositories included evaluations of their impact.

Discussion

With growing interest in sharing and spreading best practices and increasing reliance on QI as a key contributor to health system performance, the role of QI repositories is likely to expand. Designing future QI repositories based on knowledge of the range and type of features available is an important starting point for improving their usefulness and impact.
Progesterone therapy for the treatment of non-cancer cachexia: a systematic review
Authors: Taylor Joanne K , Pendleton Neil
Published: April 2016

Background

Cachexia describes a complex pathological syndrome of muscle wasting, anorexia and weight loss. Progesterone therapies have been shown to improve appetite and promote weight gain in patients with cachexia; however, research has focused heavily on patients with cancer, and its effectiveness in other diseases remains unclear.

Aims

This systematic review aimed to present the evidence available for progesterone therapy as a treatment for non-cancer cachexia.

Method

Surrogate outcome measures used were weight change, lean body mass (LBM), muscle strength, appetite, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and serum albumin. Both randomised and non-randomised trials were included. A literature search of clinical trials using the medical subject heading (MeSH) terms ‘cachexia’ OR ‘anorexia’ OR ‘weight’ OR ‘frail (truncated)’ OR ‘appetite’ OR ‘wasting syndrome’ PLUS ‘megestrol acetate’ OR ‘medroxyprogesterone acetate’ was performed.

Results

Eighteen studies were included in this review; 12 randomised control trials and 6 non-randomised trials. This collated results from 916 patients with HIV/AIDS, end-stage renal failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and geriatric cachexia. Meta-analysis comparing progesterone therapy with placebo concluded mean change in weight was not significant (mean difference (MD) 1.56, 95% CI −0.36 to 3.52, p=0.12). There was little evidence to show significant impact on LBM, and no trials looked at muscle strength. There was a paucity of evidence looking at appetite and HRQOL; however, results were generally positive.

Conclusions

Current evidence does not support the use of progesterone therapies for non-cancer cachexia. There may however be a limited role for its use as an appetite stimulant in a palliative context on a case-by-case basis.
Bluetongue: vets and farmers urged to remain vigilant
Authors: Gibbens Nigel
Published: April 2016

Nigel Gibbens, the UK's Chief Veterinary Officer, gives an update on the developing bluetongue situation in France and explains how vets can help their clients prepare for possible outbreaks in the UK this summer
Winkler load-transfer analysis for laterally loaded piles
Authors: Zhang Chenrong , Yu Jian , Huang Maosong
Published: April 2016

The Winkler modulus for a vertical beam buried in elastic soil is reassessed for the problem of a horizontal loaded pile in the framework of linear elasticity. By matching the integral solution in elastic continuum and the expression with the elastic Winkler modulus, the subgrade modulus of an infinitely long pile embedded into elastic space is obtained first. Then the influence of embedment depth and pile rigidity on the subgrade modulus is evaluated by virtue of Mindlin’s and Kelvin’s solutions, which gives the variation of the Winkler spring stiffness along the pile length. Comparison of the results by the present method for single piles in homogeneous and nonhomogeneous soils has shown good agreement with those obtained from the more rigorous elastic continuum solutions and boundary element method, which also revealed the disadvantage of the conventional Winkler expression in evaluating the displacement of the pile. Finally, the present method is used to analyze the pile–soil–pile interaction of a pile group, which also shows good agreement with the finite element method and the elastic continuum method, and proves the feasibility of extending the active subgrade modulus into the realm of the horizontal loaded pile group.
Performance analysis of junctionless carbon nanotube field effect transistors using NEGF formalism
Authors: Barbastegan Saber , Shahhoseini Ali
Published: April 2016

This paper presents the simulation study of a junctionless carbon nanotube field effect transistor (JL-CNTFET) and a comparison is made with the conventional CNTFET using the atomistic scale simulation, within the non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) formalism. In order to have a comprehensive analysis, both analog and digital parameters of the device are studied. Results have shown that JL-CNTFET with respect to C-CNTFET shows slightly higher [Formula: see text] ratio about two times larger than that of C-CNTFET, smaller electric field along channel more than three order of magnitude and reduced tunneling current about 100 times. In addition, the investigation of analog properties of both devices has exhibited that junctionless structure has a transconductance about two times and an intrinsic gain of 15 dB larger than C-CNTFET in same bias condition which makes JL-CNTFET a promising candidate for low voltage analog applications.
Synthesis of tetraferrocenylporphyrin and new metal complexes: Searching for reliable synthetic procedures
Authors: Tiravia Martina , Vecchi Andrea , Sabuzi Federica , Pomarico Giuseppe , Coletti Alessia , Floris Barbara , Conte Valeria , Galloni Pierluca
Published: April 2016

The tetraferrocenylporphyrin synthetic procedure was performed varying different reaction conditions. Mg, Mn, Pd and Cd complexes were synthesized and preliminarily studied. The results obtained show that the synthetic procedure strongly depends on catalyst, solvent and reagents concentration, even more than what observed with similar tetraarylporphyrins; concentration of substrates plays an important role in determining the outcome of the reactions.
Planet Imaging Coronagraphic Technology Using a Reconfigurable Experimental Base (PICTURE-B): The Second in the Series of Suborbital Exoplanet Experiments
Authors: Chakrabarti Supriya , Mendillo Christopher B. , Cook Timothy A. , Martel Jason F. , Finn Susanna C. , Howe Glenn A. , Hewawasam Kuravi , Douglas Ewan S.
Published: April 2016

The PICTURE-B sounding rocket mission is designed to directly image the exozodiacal light and debris disk around the Sun-like star Epsilon Eridani. The payload used a 0.5[Formula: see text]m diameter silicon carbide primary mirror and a visible nulling coronagraph which, in conjunction with a fine pointing system capable of 5[Formula: see text]milliarcsecond stability, was designed to image the circumstellar environment around a nearby star in visible light at small angles from the star and at high contrast. Besides contributing an important science result, PICTURE-B matures essential technology for the detection and characterization of visible light from exoplanetary environments for future larger missions currently being imagined. The experiment was launched from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on 2015 November 24 and demonstrated the first space operation of a nulling coronagraph and a deformable mirror. Unfortunately, the experiment did not achieve null, hence did not return science results.
The Rapid Acquisition Imaging Spectrograph Experiment (RAISE) Sounding Rocket Investigation
Authors: Laurent Glenn T. , Hassler Donald M. , DeForest Craig , Slater David D. , Thomas Roger J. , Ayres Thomas , Davis Michael , De Pontieu Bart , Diller Jed , Graham Roy , Michaelis Harald , Schuele Udo , Warren Harry
Published: April 2016

We present a summary of the solar observing Rapid Acquisition Imaging Spectrograph Experiment (RAISE) sounding rocket program including an overview of the design and calibration of the instrument, flight performance, and preliminary chromospheric results from the successful November 2014 launch of the RAISE instrument. The RAISE sounding rocket payload is the fastest scanning-slit solar ultraviolet imaging spectrograph flown to date. RAISE is designed to observe the dynamics and heating of the solar chromosphere and corona on time scales as short as 100–200[Formula: see text]ms, with arcsecond spatial resolution and a velocity sensitivity of 1–2[Formula: see text]km/s. Two full spectral passbands over the same one-dimensional spatial field are recorded simultaneously with no scanning of the detectors or grating. The two different spectral bands (first-order 1205–1251[Formula: see text]Å and 1524–1569[Formula: see text]Å) are imaged onto two intensified Active Pixel Sensor (APS) detectors whose focal planes are individually adjusted for optimized performance. RAISE reads out the full field of both detectors at 5–10[Formula: see text]Hz, recording up to 1800 complete spectra (per detector) in a single 6-min rocket flight. This opens up a new domain of high time resolution spectral imaging and spectroscopy. RAISE is designed to observe small-scale multithermal dynamics in Active Region (AR) and quiet Sun loops, identify the strength, spectrum and location of high frequency waves in the solar atmosphere, and determine the nature of energy release in the chromospheric network.
PDGF induces SphK1 expression via Egr-1 to promote pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation
Authors: Sysol Justin R. , Natarajan Viswanathan , Machado Roberto F.
Published: April 2016

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive, life-threatening disease for which there is currently no curative treatment available. Pathologic changes in this disease involve remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, including marked proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Recently, the bioactive lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and its activating kinase, sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1), have been shown to be upregulated in PAH and promote PASMC proliferation. The mechanisms regulating the transcriptional upregulation of SphK1 in PASMCs are unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), a PAH-relevant stimuli associated with enhanced PASMC proliferation, on SphK1 expression regulation. In human PASMCs (hPASMCs), PDGF significantly increased SphK1 mRNA and protein expression and induced cell proliferation. Selective inhibition of SphK1 attenuated PDGF-induced hPASMC proliferation. In silico promoter analysis for SphK1 identified several binding sites for early growth response protein 1 (Egr-1), a PDGF-associated transcription factor. Luciferase assays demonstrated that PDGF activates the SphK1 promoter in hPASMCs, and truncation of the 5′-promoter reduced PDGF-induced SphK1 expression. Stimulation of hPASMCs with PDGF induced Egr-1 protein expression, and direct binding of Egr-1 to the SphK1 promoter was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. Inhibition of ERK signaling prevented induction of Egr-1 by PDGF. Silencing of Egr-1 attenuated PDGF-induced SphK1 expression and hPASMC proliferation. These studies demonstrate that SphK1 is regulated by PDGF in hPASMCs via the transcription factor Egr-1, promoting cell proliferation. This novel mechanism of SphK1 regulation may be a therapeutic target in pulmonary vascular remodeling in PAH.
Role of apoptotic hepatocytes in HCV dissemination: regulation by acetaldehyde
Authors: Ganesan Murali , Natarajan Sathish Kumar , Zhang Jinjin , Mott Justin L. , Poluektova Larisa I. , McVicker Benita L. , Kharbanda Kusum K. , Tuma Dean J. , Osna Natalia A.
Published: April 2016

Alcohol consumption exacerbates hepatitis C virus (HCV) pathogenesis and promotes disease progression, although the mechanisms are not quite clear. We have previously observed that acetaldehyde (Ach) continuously produced by the acetaldehyde-generating system (AGS), temporarily enhanced HCV RNA levels, followed by a decrease to normal or lower levels, which corresponded to apoptosis induction. Here, we studied whether Ach-induced apoptosis caused depletion of HCV-infected cells and what role apoptotic bodies (AB) play in HCV-alcohol crosstalk. In liver cells exposed to AGS, we observed the induction of miR-122 and miR-34a. As miR-34a has been associated with apoptotic signaling and miR-122 with HCV replication, these findings may suggest that cells with intensive viral replication undergo apoptosis. Furthermore, when AGS-induced apoptosis was blocked by a pan-caspase inhibitor, the expression of HCV RNA was not changed. AB from HCV-infected cells contained HCV core protein and the assembled HCV particle that infect intact hepatocytes, thereby promoting the spread of infection. In addition, AB are captured by macrophages to switch their cytokine profile to the proinflammatory one. Macrophages exposed to HCV+ AB expressed more IL-1β, IL-18, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNAs compared with those exposed to HCV− AB. The generation of AB from AGS-treated HCV-infected cells even enhanced the induction of aforementioned cytokines. We conclude that HCV and alcohol metabolites trigger the formation of AB containing HCV particles. The consequent spread of HCV to neighboring hepatocytes via infected AB, as well as the induction of liver inflammation by AB-mediated macrophage activation potentially exacerbate the HCV infection course by alcohol and worsen disease progression.
Impaired ADP channeling to mitochondria and elevated reactive oxygen species in hypertensive hearts
Authors: Power Amelia S. C. , Pham Toan , Loiselle Denis S. , Crossman David H. , Ward Marie-Louise , Hickey Anthony J.
Published: April 2016

Systemic hypertension initially promotes a compensatory cardiac hypertrophy, yet it progresses to heart failure (HF), and energetic deficits appear to be central to this failure. However, the transfer of energy between the mitochondria and the myofibrils is not often considered as part of the energetic equation. We compared hearts from old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar controls. SHR hearts showed a 35% depression in mitochondrial function, yet produced at least double the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in all respiration states in left ventricular (LV) homogenates. To test the connectivity between mitochondria and myofibrils, respiration was further tested in situ with LV permeabilized fibers by addition of multiple substrates and ATP, which requires hydrolysis to mediate oxidative phosphorylation. By trapping ADP using a pyruvate kinase enzyme system, we tested ADP channeling towards mitochondria, and this suppressed respiration and elevated ROS production more in the SHR fibers. The ADP-trapped state was also less relieved on creatine addition, likely reflecting the 30% depression in total CK activity in the SHR heart fibers. Confocal imaging identified a 34% longer distance between the centers of myofibril to mitochondria in the SHR hearts, which increases transverse metabolite diffusion distances (e.g., for ATP, ADP, and creatine phosphate). We propose that impaired connectivity between mitochondria and myofibrils may contribute to elevated ROS production. Impaired energy exchange could be the result of ultrastructural changes that occur with hypertrophy in this model of hypertension.
Leptin receptor null mice with reexpression of LepR in GnRHR expressing cells display elevated FSH levels but remain in a prepubertal state
Authors: Allen Susan J. , Garcia-Galiano David , Borges Beatriz C. , Burger Laura L. , Boehm Ulrich , Elias Carol F.
Published: April 2016

Leptin signals energy sufficiency to the reproductive hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Studies using genetic models have demonstrated that hypothalamic neurons are major players mediating these effects. Leptin receptor (LepR) is also expressed in the pituitary gland and in the gonads, but the physiological effects of leptin in these sites are still unclear. Female mice with selective deletion of LepR in a subset of gonadotropes show normal pubertal development but impaired fertility. Conditional deletion approaches, however, often result in redundancy or developmental adaptations, which may compromise the assessment of leptin's action in gonadotropes for pubertal maturation. To circumvent these issues, we adopted a complementary genetic approach and assessed if selective reexpression of LepR only in gonadotropes is sufficient to enable puberty and improve fertility of LepR null female mice. We initially assessed the colocalization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) and LepR in the HPG axis using GnRHR-IRES-Cre (GRIC) and LepR-Cre reporter (tdTomato or enhanced green fluorescent protein) mice. We found that GRIC and leptin-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 are expressed in distinct hypothalamic neurons. Whereas LepR-Cre was observed in theca cells, GRIC expression was rarely found in the ovarian parenchyma. In contrast, a subpopulation of gonadotropes expressed the LepR-Cre reporter gene (tdTomato). We then crossed the GRIC mice with the LepR null reactivable ( LepR loxTB) mice. These mice showed an increase in FSH levels, but they remained in a prepubertal state. Together with previous findings, our data indicate that leptin-selective action in gonadotropes serves a role in adult reproductive physiology but is not sufficient to allow pubertal maturation in mice.