bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thymus-autonomous T cell development in the absence of progenitor import
Authors: Martins Vera C. , Ruggiero Eliana , Schlenner Susan M. , Madan Vikas , Schmidt Manfred , Fink Pamela J. , von Kalle Christof , Rodewald Hans-Reimer
Published: July 2012

Thymus function is thought to depend on a steady supply of T cell progenitors from the bone marrow. The notion that the thymus lacks progenitors with self-renewal capacity is based on thymus transplantation experiments in which host-derived thymocytes replaced thymus-resident cells within 4 wk. Thymus grafting into T cell–deficient mice resulted in a wave of T cell export from the thymus, followed by colonization of the thymus by host-derived progenitors, and cessation of T cell development. Compound Rag2−/−γc−/−KitW/Wv mutants lack competitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and are devoid of T cell progenitors. In this study, using this strain as recipients for wild-type thymus grafts, we noticed thymus-autonomous T cell development lasting several months. However, we found no evidence for export of donor HSCs from thymus to bone marrow. A diverse T cell antigen receptor repertoire in progenitor-deprived thymus grafts implied that many thymocytes were capable of self-renewal. Although the process was most efficient in Rag2−/−γc−/−KitW/Wv hosts, γc-mediated signals alone played a key role in the competition between thymus-resident and bone marrow–derived progenitors. Hence, the turnover of each generation of thymocytes is not only based on short life span but is also driven via expulsion of resident thymocytes by fresh progenitors entering the thymus.
Time-resolved diagnostics and kinetic modelling of the ignition transient of a H2 + 10% N2 square wave modulated hollow cathode discharge
Authors: Carrasco E , Herrero V J , Tanarro I
Published: July 2012

Time-resolved emission spectroscopy and quadrupole mass spectrometry are used for the experimental diagnostics of a low pressure (8 Pa) modulated dc hollow cathode discharge of H2 + 10% N2. The time-dependent experimental results are reasonably accounted for by a zero-order kinetic model developed in our group and checked previously with steady-state measurements (Carrasco et al 2011 Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.
13 19561), which is now validated under more stringent conditions. In addition to the discharge precursors, which are partly recycled in wall reactions, NH3 is produced in small but appreciable amounts. The slower evolution of NH3, as compared with H2 and N2, is traced back to the multistep surface reaction mechanism responsible for its production. An analysis of the time variation of optical emission measurements shows that excited NH(c 1Π) radicals are essentially formed in the electron-impact dissociation of NH3.
Large piezoelectric response of Bi0.5(Na(1 − x)Kx)0.5TiO3 thin films near morphotropic phase boundary identified by multi-peak fitting
Authors: Yueqiu Gong , Hui Dong , Xuejun Zheng , Jinfeng Peng , Xujun Li , Renjie Huang
Published: July 2012

Bi0.5(Na(1 − x)K
x
)0.5TiO3 (BNKT100x) (x = 0.11, 0.13, 0.15, 0.17, 0.19) thin films were deposited on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si(1 0 0) substrates by metal-organic decomposition, and the effects of potassium content on the microstructure and ferroelectric/piezoelectric properties were investigated in detail. The coexistence of typical rhombohedral and tetragonal phases can be identified by multi-peak fitting in grazing incidence x-ray diffraction patterns, which indicates that morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) can be obtained for BNKT100x thin films. The results show that all the thin films are of single-phase perovskite structure and there is intimate coexistence of two phases in the potassium content range x = 0.13–0.17. The BNKT17 thin film is of the largest effective piezoelectric coefficient (d
33eff = 98 pm V−1), which is attributed to a high degree of alignment of ferroelectric domains in the MPB region and its largest grain size. The BNKT17 thin film exhibits the classical diffuse phase transition of a relaxor ferroelectric, which is discussed by compositional inhomogeneity and polar nanoregions. This study offers useful guidelines to identify MPB of ferroelectric thin films with improved piezoelectric performance.
Boundedness of the successive minima on arithmetic varieties
Authors: Ikoma Hideaki
Published: July 2012

In this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior of the successive minima associated with high powers of a Hermitian invertible sheaf on an arithmetic variety. As a consequence, we prove that the arithmetic

χ
^

\hat {\chi }

-volume function, which is introduced by Yuan, is homogeneous, birationally invariant, and continuous on the arithmetic Picard group. We also obtain the arithmetic Hilbert-Samuel formula for vertically nef Hermitian invertible sheaves.
Distribution by origin and sea age of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the sea around the Faroe Islands based on analysis of historical tag recoveries
Authors: Jacobsen Jan Arge , Hansen Lars P. , Bakkestuen Vegar , Halvorsen Rune , Reddin David G. , White Jonathan , Ó Maoiléidigh Niall , Russell Ian C. , Potter E. C. E. (Ted) , Fowler Mark , Smith Gordon W. , Mork Kjell A. , Isaksson Arni , Oskarsson Sumarlidi , Karlsson Lars , Pedersen Stig
Published: July 2012

Jacobsen, J. A., Hansen, L. P., Bakkestuen, V., Halvorsen, R., Reddin, D. G., White, J., Ó Maoiléidigh, N., Russell, I.C., Potter, E. C. E., Fowler, M., Smith, G. W., Mork, K. A., Isaksson, A., Oskarsson, S., Karlsson, L., and Pedersen, S. 2012. Distribution by origin and sea age of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the sea around the Faroe Islands based on analysis of historical tag recoveries. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1598–1608. A database of 2651 tags applied to Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts in 13 countries or jurisdictions and recovered in the Faroes longline salmon fishery from 1968 to 2000 was analysed for geographic distribution and origin of the salmon captured with respect to differences in sea age, season of the fishery, and hydrographic features in the Faroes area. The results indicated that salmon were not distributed randomly in the Faroes area by fishing season, sea age, or country of origin. The distribution of salmon in the Faroes zone partly depends on their geographic origin; salmon from countries in the northern European stock complex were distributed significantly farther northeast than those from countries in the southern European stock complex. Furthermore, the proportion of tag recoveries from southern European countries was higher in autumn, and the proportion recovered from northern European countries higher in winter. The apparent temporal and spatial segregation of stocks of different origin suggests that there may have been differential exploitation on these stocks, which provides information that could inform fishery management with regard to temporal and/or spatial fishery options for the Faroes commercial salmon fishery should it recommence in future.
The Effect of Plant Age on Resistance to Colletotrichum truncatum in Lens culinaris
Authors: Vail Sally , Vandenberg Albert
Published: July 2012

Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum truncatum, is a major disease of lentil (Lens culinaris) on the Canadian prairies. Age-dependent resistance to the pathogen was elucidated on (i) the partially resistant line ‘CDC Redberry’ compared with both resistant (LR59-81) and susceptible (‘Eston’) lines at different ages across the life cycle of the plant, and (ii) a range of lines with varying resistance at key ages, using both races of the pathogen (races Ct0 and Ct1). CDC Redberry appears moderately susceptible when inoculated at a young age and is more resistant when inoculated 19 to 26 days after planting. The highest disease levels were observed on the oldest plants studied (inoculated at podding stage, 47 days after planting). This pattern of age-dependent resistance in CDC Redberry was the same after inoculation with either race of the pathogen and indicated that the best differentiation occurs when plants are inoculated at the podding stage. ‘CDC Robin’ showed consistent separation between races at all ages but the most substantial differences were observed on plants inoculated at 47 days of age. Resistant lines LR59-81 and VIR 421 were relatively unaffected by age or by race of C. truncatum compared with partially resistant and susceptible lines. Overall, results suggest that differentiation between resistant and susceptible lines is optimal using older, adult-phased plants.
First Report of Leaf Spot of Sesame Caused by Xanthomonas sp. In the United States
Authors: Isakeit T. , Hassett B. T. , Ong K. L.
Published: July 2012

In July 2010 in Texas, extensive leaf spots (10 to 30% leaf area affected) occurred on a commercial planting of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) in Hidalgo County and to a lesser extent (1 to 5% leaf area) on leaves of several varieties in experimental trials in Colorado and Victoria Counties. The leaf spots were light to dark brown, somewhat circular, and 1 to 3 mm in diameter. A symptomatic leaf from each of three to five plants per county was sampled for isolations. Leaves were sprayed with 70% ethanol and immediately blotted dry with a paper towel. The margins of spots (2 mm2) were excised with a scalpel and placed in a drop of sterile water for 5 min. Drops were streaked on nutrient agar (NA) and incubated at 30°C. The 12 isolations consistently yielded gram-negative, rod-shaped bacteria with yellow, translucent colonies that were visible after 2 days of incubation. The DNA of 11 isolates was extracted with the Norgen (Thorold, ON) Bacterial genomic DNA isolation kit (Cat. #17900) and the ITS region was amplified by 16S uni 1330 and 23S uni 322 anti primers (1). PCR products were treated with the ZymoResearch (Irvine, CA) DNA clean & concentrator kit (Cat. #D4003) and sequenced. With the NCBI database, a BLAST search of the 1,100 bp amplicons showed 93 to 99% identity with pathovars of either Xanthomonas oryzae or X. axonopodis (GenBank Accession Nos. CP003057.1 and CP002914.1, respectively). Amplicon sequences of the sesame isolates were deposited in GenBank as Accession Nos. JQ975037 through JQ975047. The reported species on sesame is X. campestris pv. sesami (2). To fulfill Koch's postulates, potted sesame plants (var. Sesaco 25), 15 to 20 cm tall, were sprayed until runoff with a suspension of bacteria (106 to 107 CFU/ml) from a 2-day-old NA culture. All 12 isolates were evaluated, with five to seven plants per isolate. Plants were maintained in a mist chamber in a greenhouse at 27 to 30°C and 100% relative humidity. The pathogenicity trial was repeated once. Leaf spots were first seen 7 days after inoculation and were prevalent 14 days after inoculation. All 12 isolates were pathogenic. There were no symptoms on leaves sprayed with sterile water. Bacteria that produced colonies consistent with Xanthomonas were reisolated on NA from symptomatic leaves but not from controls. The identities of three isolates were reconfirmed with PCR analysis and sequencing. In 2007, more than 2,000 ha of sesame were grown in the continental United States, with 80% of that in Texas. Currently, acreage of shatter-free varieties of sesame is increasing in arid areas of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. In such areas, the yield impact of this disease is likely to be minimal, except in years with above-average rainfall. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this disease in the United States.

References: (1) E. R. Gonçalves and Y. B. Rosato. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 52:355, 2002. (2) J. M. Young et al., New Zealand J. Agric. Res. 21:153, 1978.
Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Host Range of Fusarium virguliforme, the Causal Agent of Soybean Sudden Death Syndrome
Authors: Kolander T. M. , Bienapfl J. C. , Kurle J. E. , Malvick D. K.
Published: July 2012

Sudden death syndrome, caused by Fusarium virguliforme, is an important disease of soybean in the United States. Fifteen species of crops, weeds, or prairie plants were evaluated for their potential as hosts of F. virguliforme. Root and foliar symptoms and plant biomass were assessed following greenhouse inoculation studies. Root colonization of F. virguliforme was determined with isolations and with polymerase chain reaction assays. Soybean, alfalfa, pinto and navy bean, white and red clover, pea, and Canadian milk vetch developed root necrosis. Soybean, alfalfa, and red clover also developed foliar symptoms following inoculation. Sugar beet and canola did not develop symptoms but had significant reductions in biomass, suggesting that they are also hosts of F. virguliforme. Corn, wheat, ryegrass, pigweed, and lambsquarters did not develop symptoms. However, these species appeared to be asymptomatic hosts because quantities of pathogen DNA detected in inoculated roots were similar to quantities detected in inoculated soybean roots. These results suggest that the number and diversity of hosts for F. virguliforme are greater than previously reported. The likely broad host range limits the efficacy of crop rotation and indicates that crops other than soybean can be damaged by F. virguliforme and maintain or increase inoculum in soil.
Effect of Lactofen, Azoxystrobin, and Genotypes on Charcoal Rot, Phomopsis Seed Decay, and Pod and Stem Blight in Soybean
Authors: Cross Cory , Wrather Allen , Fothergill Kent , Shannon Grover , Li Shuxian , Shumway Calvin , Rupe John
Published: July 2012

Yield-limiting diseases such as charcoal rot and Phomopsis seed decay have a significant impact on the economic potential for soybean because there are few methods for management of these diseases. The objectives of this study were to determine the development of charcoal rot, infection of seed by Phomopsis spp., and severity of pod and stem blight on Asgrow 4403, Delta Pine 5806, United States Department of Agriculture–introduced DT 97-4290 and plant introduction (PI) number PI 567562A, and Asgrow 4403 treated and not treated with lactofen or azoxystrobin. This is the first report of high levels of resistance in PI 567562A to charcoal rot, and resistance in this PI was greater than for DT 97-4290. Application of lactofen at growth stage R1 and azoxystrobin at either planting, R3, or R6 had no significant impact on severity of charcoal rot, percentage of harvested seed infected by Phomopsis spp., or severity of pod and stem blight on genotype Asgrow 4403. Of four genotypes evaluated, none were resistant to infection by Phomopsis spp. The genotypes Asgrow 4403, DP 5806, and DT 97-4290 were susceptible to pod and stem blight and PI 567562A was resistant.
Molecular Mapping of the Blast Resistance Genes Pi2-1 and Pi51(t) in the Durably Resistant Rice ‘Tianjingyeshengdao’
Authors: Wang Yue , Wang Dan , Deng Xiaojuan , Liu Jinling , Sun Pingyong , Liu Yang , Huang Hongmei , Jiang Nan , Kang Houxiang , Ning Yuese , Wang Zhilong , Xiao Yinghui , Liu Xionglun , Liu Erming , Dai Liangying , Wang Guo-Liang
Published: July 2012

Tianjingyeshengdao' (TY) is a rice cultivar with durable resistance to populations of Magnaporthe oryzae (the causal agent of blast) in China. To understand the genetic basis of its resistance to blast, we developed a population of recombinant inbred lines from a cross between TY and the highly susceptible ‘CO39’ for gene mapping analysis. In total, 22 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling rice blast resistance were identified on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, and 12 from the evaluation of four disease parameters in both greenhouse and blast nursery conditions. Among these QTLs, 19 were contributed by TY and three by CO39. Two QTL clusters on chromosome 6 and 12 were named Pi2-1 and Pi51(t), respectively. Pi2-1 was detected under both growth chamber and natural blast nursery conditions, and explained 31.24 to 59.73% of the phenotypic variation. Pi51(t) was only detected in the natural blast nursery and explained 3.67 to 10.37% of the phenotypic variation. Our results demonstrate that the durable resistance in TY is controlled by two major and seven minor genes. Identification of the markers linked to both Pi2-1 and Pi51(t) in this study should be useful for marker-aided selection in rice breeding programs as well as for molecular cloning of the identified resistance genes.
Differential Expression of a β-1,4-Endoglucanase Induced by Diet Change in the Foliar Nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae
Authors: Fu Zhen , Agudelo Paula , Wells Christina E.
Published: July 2012

We identified and characterized a β-1,4-endoglucanase, Afr-ENG-1, in the foliar nematode Aphelenchoides fragariae that is differentially expressed when the nematode feeds on fungi or plants. When individuals from hosta plants were transferred to a fungus culture, expression of the enzyme decreased 1,812-fold after five generations on the fungus diet. Afr-eng-1 was readily detected in the genome of 75% of nematodes from the plant population but only in 38% of the diet-changed population. The gene cannot be detected in nematodes maintained on fungus for over 100 generations. Diet was also associated with changes in nematode body size and in the severity of symptoms caused on hosta leaves. Plant-diet nematodes caused larger lesions and were longer and thinner than fungus-diet nematodes. Nematodes moved from a plant diet to a fungus diet for five generations had the same body size as the nematodes that had fed on the fungus for 100 generations. Full-length sequences of Afr-eng-1 were obtained and found to encode a glycosyl hydrolase family 5 protein. This is the first β-1,4-endoglucanase and plant-parasitism-related gene described in the genus Aphelenchoides.
Insulin at normal physiological levels does not prolong QTc interval in thorough QT studies performed in healthy volunteers
Authors: Taubel Jorg , Lorch Ulrike , Ferber Georg , Singh Jatinder , Batchvarov Velislav N. , Savelieva Irina , Camm A. John
Published: July 2012

Aims

Food is known to shorten the QTc (QTcI and QTcF) interval and has been proposed as a non‐pharmacological method of confirming assay sensitivity in thorough QT (TQT) studies and early phase studies in medicines research. Intake of food leads to a rise in insulin levels together with the release of C‐peptide in equimolar amounts. However, it has been reported that euglycaemic hyperinsulinemia can prolong the QTc interval, whilst C‐peptide has been reported to shorten the QTc interval. Currently there is limited information on the effects of insulin and C‐peptide on the electrocardiogram (ECG). This study was performed to assess the effect of insulin, glucose and C‐peptide on the QTc interval under the rigorous conditions of a TQT study.

Methods

Thirty‐two healthy male and female, Caucasian and Japanese subjects were randomized to receive six treatments: (1) placebo, (2) insulin euglycaemic clamp, (3) carbohydrate rich ‘continental’ breakfast, (4) calorie reduced ‘American’ FDA breakfast, (5) moxifloxacin without food, and (6) moxifloxacin with food. Measurements of ECG intervals were performed automatically with subsequent adjudication in accordance with the ICH E14 guideline and relevant amendments.

Results

No effect was observed on QTcF during the insulin euglycaemic clamp period (maximal shortening of QTcF by 2.6 ms, not significant). Following ingestion of a carbohydrate rich ‘continental’ breakfast or a calorie reduced ‘American’ FDA standard breakfast, a rapid increase in insulin and C‐peptide concentrations were observed. Insulin concentrations showed a peak response after the ‘continental’ breakfast observed at the first measurement time point (0.25 h) followed by a rapid decline. Insulin concentrations observed with the ‘American’ breakfast were approximately half of those seen with the ‘continental’ breakfast and showed a similar pattern. C‐peptide concentrations showed a peak response at the first measurement time point (0.25 h) with a steady return to baseline at the 6 h time point. The response to the ‘continental’ breakfast was approximately double that of the ‘American’ FDA breakfast. A rapid onset of the effect on QTcF was observed with the ‘continental’ breakfast with shortening by >5 ms in the time interval from 1 to 4 h. After the ‘American’ FDA breakfast, a similar but smaller effect was seen.

Conclusions

The findings of this study demonstrate that there was no change in QTc during the euglycaemic clamp. Given that insulin was raised to physiological concentrations comparable with those seen after a meal, whilst the release of C‐peptide was suppressed, insulin appears to have no effect on the QTc interval in either direction. The results suggest a relationship exists between the shortening of QTc and C‐peptide concentrations and indicate that glucose may have a QTc prolonging effect, which will require further research.
An oral TRPV1 antagonist attenuates laser radiant‐heat‐evoked potentials and pain ratings from UVB‐inflamed and normal skin
Authors: Schaffler Klaus , Reeh Peter , Duan W. Rachel , Best Andrea E. , Othman Ahmed A. , Faltynek Connie R. , Locke Charles , Nothaft Wolfram
Published: July 2012

Aims

Laser (radiant‐heat) evoked potentials (LEPs) from vertex‐EEG peak‐to‐peak (PtP) amplitude were used to determine acute antinociceptive/antihyperalgesic efficacy of ABT‐102, a novel TRPV1 antagonist efficacious in preclinical pain models, compared with active controls and placebo in normal and UVB‐inflamed skin.

Methods

This was a randomized, placebo‐ and active‐controlled, double‐blind, intra‐individual, crossover trial. Twenty‐four healthy subjects received six sequences of single doses of ABT‐102 (0.5, 2, 6 mg), etoricoxib 90 mg, tramadol 100 mg and placebo. Painful stimuli were induced by CO2‐laser on normal and UVB‐inflamed skin. LEPs and visual analogue scale (VAS‐pain) ratings were taken at baseline and hourly up to 8 h post‐dose from both skin types.

Results

Compared with placebo, significant mean decreases in the primary variable of LEP PtP‐amplitude from UVB‐inflamed skin were observed with ABT‐102 6 mg (P < 0.001), ABT‐102 2 mg (P = 0.002), tramadol 100 mg (P < 0.001), and etoricoxib 90 mg (P = 0.001) over the 8 h period; ABT‐102 0.5 mg was similar to placebo. ABT‐102 6 mg was superior to active controls over the 8 h period (P < 0.05) whereas ABT‐102 2 mg was comparable. Improvements in VAS scores compared with placebo were observed with ABT‐102 6 mg (P < 0.001) and ABT‐102 2 mg (P = 0.002). ABT‐102 average plasma concentrations were 1.3, 4.4 and 9.4 ng ml−1 for the 0.5, 2 and 6 mg doses, respectively. There were no clinically significant safety findings.

Conclusions

TRPV‐1 antagonism appears promising in the management of clinical pain, but requires further investigation.
Expressed emotion as an assessment of family environment with mothers and fathers of 1‐year‐old children
Authors: Psychogiou L. , Netsi E. , Sethna V. , Ramchandani P. G.
Published: July 2012

Background

High levels of expressed emotion (EE) in parents have been found to put children at risk for emotional and behavioural problems. However, the majority of existing studies have focused on mothers of school‐aged children and adolescents rather than younger children, and have only rarely included fathers.

Methods

The present study examined the reliability of EE in mothers and fathers of 1‐year old children. It also investigated whether depression and marital problems in the postnatal period predicted EE toward the child at 12 months. EE was assessed with the Preschool Five Minute Speech Sample in 163 families.

Results

The rater–interrater and code–recode reliability was high for most EE dimensions. Mothers and fathers were found to display quite similar EE scores. Regression analyses showed that depression and couple relationship significantly predicted EE in mothers, but not fathers.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that EE provides a reliable and useful assessment of the family environment in families of young children.
Significant impact of recurrent respiratory tract infections in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Verstegen R. H. J. , van Gameren‐Oosterom H. B. M. , Fekkes M. , Dusseldorp E. , de Vries E. , van Wouwe J. P.
Published: July 2012

Objective

Parents and health professionals believe that recurrent respiratory tract infections (RRTI) have a large impact on children with Down syndrome (DS). We studied the relation between parent‐reported RRTI and development, behaviour and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in 8‐year‐old children with DS.

Method

During a 3‐year period, 325 children with DS were recruited for inclusion in this observational study. Parents were asked to fill in the Child Behavior Checklist and TNO‐AZL Children's Quality of Life Parent Form. A psychological assistant administrated the McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities. The children were divided into a group with presence of RRTI (RRTI
+) and a group without RRTI (RRTI
−), on the basis of parental report. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the effect of RRTI, while correcting for the influence of confounders.

Results

Compared with RRTI
− children (n = 176), RRTI
+ children (n = 149, 46%) showed decreased mental and motor development (mean developmental age 3.67 vs. 4.08 years), more behavioural problems and lower scores on most HRQoL scales (P < 0.05). Moreover, school enrolment is less favourable in RRTI
+ children.

Conclusion

In 8‐year‐olds with DS, the children with parent‐reported RRTI show more delayed development, more behavioural problems and lower HRQoL compared with the children without RRTI. Although this association does not prove a causal relationship, further studies should focus on this, because RRTI are potentially preventable.
Catch the wave! Time‐window sequential analysis of alertness stimulation in individuals with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
Authors: Munde V. S. , Vlaskamp C. , Maes B. , Ruijssenaars A. J. J. M.
Published: July 2012

Background

While optimally activities are provided at those moments when the individual with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is ‘focused on the environment’ or ‘alert’, detailed information about the impact that the design and timing of the activity has on alertness is lacking. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to shed light on the sequential relationship between different stimuli and alertness levels in individuals with PIMD.

Method

Video observations were conducted for 24 participants during one‐on‐one interactions with a direct support person in multisensory environments. Time‐window sequential analyses were conducted for the 120 s following four different stimuli.

Results

For the different stimuli, different patterns in terms of alertness became apparent. Following visual stimuli, the alertness levels of the individuals with PIMD changed in waves of about 20 s from ‘active alert’ to ‘passive alert’. While auditory and tactile stimuli led to ‘alert’ reactions shortly after the stimulation, alertness levels decreased between seconds 20 and 120. Reactions to vestibular stimuli were only visible after 60 s; these were ‘active alert’ or ‘withdrawn’.

Conclusions

The results of the present study show that individuals with PIMD show their reactions to stimuli only slightly, so that ‘waves’ might reflect the optimal alertness pattern for learning and development. Consequently, it is especially important that direct support persons follow and stimulate these individual ‘waves’ in the activities they provide to their clients.
Host activity and wasp experience affect parasitoid wasp foraging behaviour and oviposition on nematode‐infected larvae of the forestry pest Hylobius abietis
Authors: HARVEY CHRISTOPHER D. , GRIFFIN CHRISTINE T.
Published: July 2012

1. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) are currently being used as introduced biological control agents against the larvae of the native European forestry pest Hylobius abietis L. which develop under the bark of stumps and roots of newly dead conifer trees.

2. The potential for resource competition between gregarious ectoparasitoid Bracon hylobii Ratz and EPN by recording oviposition and related behaviours of B. hylobii females on EPN‐infected H. abietis larvae was investigated. Wasps did not parasitise EPN‐infected host larvae that were dead when presented, but naÏve and experienced wasps parasitised live EPN‐infected hosts. NaÏve wasps parasitised live EPN‐infected hosts significantly less frequently than healthy hosts only when the infected larvae were close to death (i.e. died during 24‐h trial). Parasitism by experienced wasps was unaffected by host infection.

3. Wasp probing and oviposition were positively associated with the amount of host movement. Preventing H. abietis larvae from chewing on bark significantly reduced parasitism by naÏve, but not experienced wasps.

4. The number of eggs per clutch was not affected by bark chewing or EPN‐infection of H. abietis larvae.

5. NaÏve and experienced B. hylobii parasitised two abnormal hosts (larvae of coleopteran Rhagium bifasciatum Fabricius and lepidopteran Galleria mellonella L.), both of which moved and chewed on bark during trials.

6. It was concluded that B. hylobii can use vibrational cues generated by host movement and feeding to locate hosts at short range and accepts unsuitable (EPN‐infected or abnormal) hosts as long as these create such cues. The implications for competition between B. hylobii and EPN and possible ways of minimising it when applying EPN are discussed.
Influence of submergence and subsequent drainage on the partitioning and lability of added selenium fertilizers in a sulphur‐containing Fluvisol
Authors: Premarathna H. M. P. L. , Mclaughlin M. J. , Kirby J. K. , Hettiarachchi G. M. , Stacey S.
Published: July 2012

We used an isotope dilution method to examine the time‐dependent changes in the partitioning and lability of selenium (Se) in a Sri Lankan rice soil after adding fertilizer with selenite (Se(IV)) and selenate (Se(VI)) (1 mg kg−1) and incubation under anaerobic (submerged) (30 days) and subsequent aerobic (drained) conditions (7 days) in controlled reaction vessels mimicking rice paddy water management practices. The Kd (the ratio of sorbed ion to that in solution) values for Se(IV) were significantly (P≤ 0.001) larger than those for Se(VI) in all treatments and at all sampling times. The Kd values for Se(IV) and Se(VI) decreased significantly (P≤ 0.001) with time during the anaerobic and subsequent aerobic phases. Applied Se(IV) fertilizer was rapidly removed into non‐labile pools during the anaerobic phase (day 0 = 60% labile and day 14 = no labile Se), with no significant increase in the labile pool following short‐term aeration. The results suggest that the rapid decrease in Se(IV) lability may be caused by the strong non‐reversible (at least for 7 days) sorption of Se (IV). In contrast, applied Se(VI) fertilizer was 90% labile at 0 day and decreased during the anaerobic phase to 30% after 30 days. There was no significant change in the lability of Se(VI) following the short‐term aerobic phase following anaerobic conditions. These results indicate that Se(IV) would not be an effective pre‐planting fertilizer for rice production. Selenate is likely to be more effective, but losses to non‐labile forms during the submerged phase of rice production may mean that efficiency of pre‐planting Se(VI) fertilizer is also compromised.
A numerical comparison of time and frequency‐domain marine electromagnetic methods for hydrocarbon exploration in shallow water
Authors: Connell Dylan , Key Kerry
Published: July 2012

In shallow water the frequency domain controlled source electromagnetic method is subject to airwave saturation that strongly limits the sensitivity to resistive hydrocarbon targets at depth. It has been suggested that time‐domain CSEM may offer an improved sensitivity and resolution of these deep targets in the presence of the airwave. In order to examine and test these claims, this work presents a side‐by‐side investigation of both methods with a main focus on practical considerations, and how these effect the resolution of a hydrocarbon reservoir. Synthetic noisy data for both time‐domain and frequency domain methods are simulated using a realistic frequency dependent noise model and frequency dependent scaling for representative source waveforms. The synthetic data studied here include the frequency domain response from a compact broadband waveform, the time‐domain step‐response from a low‐frequency square wave and the time‐domain impulse response obtained from pseudo‐random binary sequences. These data are used in a systematic resolution study of each method as a function of water‐depth, relative noise and stacking length. The results indicate that the broadband frequency domain data have the best resolution for a given stacking time, whereas the time‐domain data require prohibitively longer stacking times to achieve similar resolution.
Reconstructing frequency‐magnitude statistics from detection limited microseismic data
Authors: Williams Michael J. , Calvez Joel Le
Published: July 2012

Microseismic monitoring, particularly the monitoring of hydraulic fracturing in gas‐ and oil‐bearing shales, has developed significantly over the last ten years. Early work focused on the location of microseismic events but more recently there have been attempts to extract more of the information afforded by this rich data source. In particular, the recovery of the frequency‐magnitude distribution, which is expected to follow a Gutenberg‐Richter distribution, may provide insights into the prevailing effective stress regime in the vicinity of the events. This stress regime varies with distance from the hydraulic fracturing: at the propagating fracture one expects conditions for tensile or shear failure, away from the fracture one may broadly expect microseismicity associated with pre‐existing weakness in the rock, occurring at effective stress conditions close to the conditions existing prior to the treatment.

All geophysical experiments are detection limited and the microseismic monitoring case does not differ in this regard. In constructing a statistical indicator such as the distribution of moment magnitudes we would like the estimate to be robust and use as much of the data as possible. In analysing earthquake catalogues the predominant practise is to determine a magnitude of completeness denoting the detection limit of the catalogue. This approach defines a minimum magnitude above which all events are thought to have been reliably recorded. In effect, this imposes an artificial, conservative detection limit to replace the unknown detection limit of the catalogue. We present the case of an arbitrary detection limit and introduce an approach from astronomy that is particularly suited to the single‐well observing geometry most prevalent in hydraulic fracture monitoring.

We calculate b‐values for a set of event magnitudes from the Barnett Shale formation, where multiple stimulation treatments were applied in a pair of wells (‘zipper frac’) followed by a four‐stage treatment in a third well and find significant variations in the b‐value between the pumped stages.
Multidisciplinary management of patients with haemophilia with inhibitors undergoing surgery in the United States: perspectives and best practices derived from experienced treatment centres
Authors: Escobar M. , Maahs J. , Hellman E. , Donkin J. , Forsyth A. , Hroma N. , Young G. , Valentino L. A. , Tachdjian R. , Cooper D. L. , Shapiro A. D.
Published: July 2012

Since the 1980s, major surgical interventions in patients with congenital haemophilia with inhibitors have been performed utilizing bypassing agents for haemostatic coverage. While reports have focused on perioperative management and haemostasis, the US currently lacks consensus guidelines for the management of patients with inhibitors during the surgical procedure, and pre‐ and postoperatively. Many haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs) have experience with surgery in haemophilia patients, including those with inhibitors, with approximately 50% of these HTCs having performed orthopaedic procedures. The aim of this study was to present currently considered best practices for multidisciplinary care of inhibitor patients undergoing surgery in US HTCs. Comprehensive haemophilia care in the US is provided by ~130 federally designated HTCs staffed by multidisciplinary teams of healthcare professionals. Best practices were derived from a meeting of experts from leading HTCs examining the full care spectrum for inhibitor patients ranging from identification of the need for surgery through postoperative rehabilitation. HTCs face challenges in the care of inhibitor patients requiring surgery due to the limited number of surgeons willing to operate on this complex population. US centres of excellence have developed their own best practices around an extended comprehensive care model that includes preoperative planning, perioperative haemostasis and postoperative rehabilitation. Best practices will benefit patients with inhibitors and allow improvement in the overall care of these patients when undergoing surgical procedures. In addition, opportunities for further education and outcomes assessment in the care of this patient population have been identified.
Clinical antimicrobial efficacy of NiTi rotary instrumentation with NaOCl irrigation, final rinse with chlorhexidine and interappointment medication: a molecular study
Authors: Paiva S. S. M. , Siqueira J. F. , Rôças I. N. , Carmo F. L. , Leite D. C. A. , Ferreira D. C. , Rachid C. T. C. , Rosado A. S.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To evaluate clinically the antibacterial effects of root canal treatment procedures using molecular microbiology analyses.

Methodology

Samples were taken from 14 necrotic root canals of teeth with apical periodontitis before (S1) and after instrumentation with NaOCl irrigation (S2), a final rinse with chlorhexidine (CHX) (S3) and then one‐week interappointment medication with calcium hydroxide/CHX paste (S4). The parameters examined included the following: incidence of positive broad‐range PCR results for bacterial presence; impact on bacterial community structures evaluated by PCR‐Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (DGGE); quantitative bacterial reduction determined by real‐time PCR; and identification of bacterial persisters by cloning and sequencing. Data from the different tests were subjected to statistical analyses and diversity indicator calculations.

Results

All S1 samples were positive for bacteria in all tests. Treatment procedures promoted a decrease in microbial diversity and significantly reduced the incidence of positive results and the bacterial counts (P < 0.05). In general, each subsequent treatment step improved disinfection. No specific taxon or community pattern was associated with post‐treatment samples.

Conclusion

Supplementary steps consisting of a final rinse with CHX followed by calcium hydroxide interappointment medication promoted further decrease in the bacterial bioburden to levels significantly below those achieved by the chemomechanical procedures alone. Because the long‐term outcome of root canal treatment is dependent upon maximal bacterial reduction, the present results are of clinical relevance.
Physicochemical properties of radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement as a root‐end filling material in an acidic environment
Authors: Chiang T. Y. , Ding S. J.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To investigate the effect of two solutions differing by pH (7.4 and 4.0) on the physicochemical properties of a radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement.

Methodology

The cement was prepared by hand‐mixing the dicalcium silicate powder with distilled water in a liquid‐to‐powder ratio of 0.4 mL g−1. A total of 253 cement specimens with dimension of 6 mm (diameter) × 3 mm (height) were used. The morphology, weight loss, porosity and diametral tensile strength of the cement were evaluated after soaking in a solution for different time intervals, in addition to pH changes in the cement‐immersed solutions.

Results

After soaking in a pH 7.4 solution for 1 day, the particle size of precipitated apatite spherulites on the cement surfaces was greater than that obtained in a pH 4.0 solution. Solution pH did not result in a significant difference (P > 0.05) in diametral tensile strength of cement specimens at the same soaking time‐point. On day 30, the sample was associated with a weight loss of 0.8% in a pH 4.0 solution, whereas in a pH 7.4 solution, a weight increase of 0.2% occurred. A greater porosity of the cement soaked in a pH 4.0 was found compared with that in the solution with pH 7.4. Soaking time affected significantly (P < 0.05) the porosity, weight change and strength of the cements in an acidic environment more than at pH 7.4.

Conclusions

High apatite–forming activity and low degradation were the characteristics of a radiopaque dicalcium silicate cement.
Health care in adults with Down syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Jensen K. M. , Davis M. M.
Published: July 2012

Background  Individuals with Down syndrome increasingly survive into adulthood, yet little is known about their healthcare patterns as adults. Our study sought to characterise patterns of health care among adults with Down syndrome based on whether they had fully transitioned to adult‐oriented providers by their inception in this cohort.

Methods  In this retrospective observational cohort study, healthcare utilisation and annualised patient charges were evaluated in patients with Down syndrome aged 18–45 years who received care in a single academic health centre from 2000 to 2008. Comparisons were made based on patients' provider mix (only adult‐focused or ‘mixed’ child‐ and adult‐focused providers).

Results  The cohort included 205 patients with median index age = 28 years; 52% of these adult patients had incompletely transitioned to adult providers and received components of their care from child‐focused providers. A higher proportion of these ‘mixed’ patients were seen exclusively by subspecialty providers (mixed = 81%, adult = 46%, P < 0.001), suggesting a need for higher intensity specialised services. Patients in the mixed provider group incurred higher annualised charges in analyses adjusted for age, mortality, total annualised encounters, and number of subspecialty disciplines accessed. These differences were most pronounced when stratified by whether patients were hospitalised during the study period (e.g. difference in adjusted means between mixed versus adult provider groups: $571 without hospitalisation, $19 061 with hospitalisation).

Conclusions  In this unique longitudinal cohort of over 200 adults aged 18–45 years with Down syndrome, over half demonstrated incomplete transition to adult care. Persistent use of child‐focused care, often with a subspecialty emphasis, has implications for healthcare charges. Future studies must identify reasons for distinct care patterns, examine their relationship with clinical outcomes, and evaluate which provider types deliver the highest quality care for adults with Down syndrome and a wide variety of comorbidities.
Phosphorylation of human La protein at Ser366 by casein kinase II contributes to hepatitis B virus replication and expression in vitro
Authors: Tang J. , Zhang Z.‐H. , Huang M. , Heise T. , Zhang J. , Liu G.‐L.
Published: July 2012

Summary.  Human La protein (hLa) is a multifunctional RNA‐binding protein involved in the regulation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) expression. Casein kinase II (CK2), a protein kinase, is known to activate hLa by phosphorylating Ser366. Tetrabromobenzimidazole (TBBz) has been shown to be a specific inhibitor of CK2 activity, which suggests that TBBz may be useful for reducing HBV gene expression. The aim of our study was to determine whether inhibition of CK2 by TBBz and decreased phosphorylation of hLa Ser366 (pLa) would reduce HBV gene expression. pLa and total La expression levels were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in human liver tissues with or without HBV infection. HepG2.2.15 cells (an HBV‐expressing cell line) were treated with TBBz, and cell viability and pLa levels were evaluated. Knockdown of hLa and CK2 levels by specific siRNA and mutant hLa Ala366 were utilized to establish the roles of pLa and CK2 in HBV gene expression. HBV DNA replication and HBsAg and HBeAg levels were analysed in HepG2.2.15 cell supernatants by standard methods. pLa was significantly overexpressed in HBV‐infected human liver samples. TBBz decreased the phosphorylation of hLa, which coincided with decreased HBV expression. Mutant hLa Ala366 had reduced viral expression compared with hLa Ser366 treatment in hLa siRNA knockdown cells. Knockdown of CK2 also decreased the HBV parameters. hLa plays a key role in the regulation of HBV gene expression in a CK2‐dependent mechanism via phosphorylation of hLa at Ser366.
High sCD36 plasma level is associated with steatosis and its severity in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C
Authors: Petta S. , Handberg A. , Marchesini G. , Cammà C. , Di Marco V. , Cabibi D. , Macaluso F. S. , Craxì A.
Published: July 2012

Summary.  Soluble CD36 (sCD36) plasma levels, a known marker of cardiometabolic disorders, are associated with surrogate markers of steatosis, while experimental and human studies show a link between CD36 expression in the liver and steatosis. In a cohort of patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (G1 CHC), we tested the association of sCD36 plasma levels with host and viral factors and sustained virological response (SVR). One hundred and seventy‐five consecutive biopsy‐proven patients were studied. sCD36 plasma levels were assessed by an in‐house ELISA. All biopsies were scored by one pathologist for staging and grading (Scheuer) and graded for steatosis, which was considered moderate–severe if ≥20%. Patients underwent standard of care therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The severity of steatosis progressively increased according to sCD36 quartiles (P = 0.02); total and low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly higher in patients in the lower quartile compared to all the others. Gamma‐glutamyl transferase (P = 0.02), homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score (P = 0.002) and sCD36 (P = 0.04) were independently associated with the severity of steatosis as continuous variable. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that HOMA (OR 1.243, 95% CI 1.04–1.484, P = 0.01) and sCD36 (OR 1.445, 95%CI 1.135–1.839, P = 0.003) were independently linked to steatosis ≥20%. No association was found between sCD36 and SVR. CD36 is linked to steatosis and insulin resistance in patients with G1 CHC, but does not predict response to treatment. The potential of sCD36 as a surrogate marker of steatosis should be further investigated.
Sarcosaprophagous Diptera assemblages in natural habitats in central Spain: spatial and seasonal changes in composition
Authors: MARTÍN‐VEGA D. , BAZ A.
Published: July 2012

The composition and spatial distribution of sarcosaprophagous Diptera assemblages were studied using carrion‐baited traps along a bioclimatic gradient of natural habitats in central Spain throughout the different seasons during 1 year. Calliphoridae and Muscidae were the most abundant families, accounting for, respectively, 41.9% and 35.1% of all Diptera specimens collected. Other abundant families were Heleomyzidae (8.4%), Sarcophagidae (6.9%) and Piophilidae (5.1%). Fly assemblage compositions differed among bioclimatic levels, with Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) being the dominant species in mesomediterranean habitats, Muscina levida (Harris) (Diptera: Muscidae) the dominant species in supramediterranean habitats, and Prochyliza nigrimana (Meigen) (Diptera: Piophilidae) the dominant species in oromediterranean habitats. Differences in assemblage composition were also found among seasons. Thermophobic species such as Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and some species of Heleomyzidae were well represented during autumn, winter and spring in the three bioclimatic levels sampled. By contrast, thermophilic species such as Ch. albiceps and Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) and most Muscidae and Sarcophagidae species were more abundant during summer and in mesomediterranean habitats located at lower elevations. Knowledge of the preferences of some species for certain habitats may be of ecological and forensic value and may establish a starting point for further research.