bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality control one chloroplast at a time
Authors: Hurtley Stella M.
Published: October 2015

Singlet oxygen accumulation marks severely stressed chloroplasts for degradation.
Multifunctional root regulators
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: October 2015

Plant tissue organization is maintained at all formative steps during root growth by the same set of transcription factors.
Cell-selective arrhythmia ablation for photomodulation of heart rhythm
Authors: Avula Uma Mahesh R. , Yoon Hyung Ki , Lee Chang H. , Kaur Kuljeet , Ramirez Rafael J. , Takemoto Yoshio , Ennis Steven R. , Morady Fred , Herron Todd , Berenfeld Omer , Kopelman Raoul , Kalifa Jérôme
Published: October 2015

An injectable cardiomyocyte-targeted photosensitizer nanoparticle allows for specific in vivo arrhythmia ablation.
Inflammation activation and resolution in human tendon disease
Authors: Dakin Stephanie G. , Martinez Fernando O. , Yapp Clarence , Wells Graham , Oppermann Udo , Dean Benjamin J. F. , Smith Richard D. J. , Wheway Kim , Watkins Bridget , Roche Lucy , Carr Andrew J.
Published: October 2015

Resolution of inflammatory pathway gene expression signatures in diseased tendons correlates with reduced tendon pain.
Mortality factor 4 like 1 protein mediates epithelial cell death in a mouse model of pneumonia
Authors: Zou Chunbin , Li Jin , Xiong Sheng , Chen Yan , Wu Qin , Li Xiuying , Weathington Nathaniel M. , Han SeungHye , Snavely Courtney , Chen Bill B. , Mallampalli Rama K.
Published: October 2015

Antagonism of Morf4l1 protein reduces lung cytotoxicity in a mouse model of pneumonia.
IL-2Rα mediates temporal regulation of IL-2 signaling and enhances immunotherapy
Authors: Su Ee W. , Moore Caitlin J. , Suriano Samantha , Johnson Christopher Bryce , Songalia Neizel , Patterson Alicia , Neitzke Daniel J. , Andrijauskaite Kristina , Garrett-Mayer Elizabeth , Mehrotra Shikhar , Paulos Chrystal M. , Doedens Andrew L. , Goldrath Ananda W. , Li Zihai , Cole David J. , Rubinstein Mark P.
Published: October 2015

IL-2Rα sustains IL-2 immunotherapy response after cytokine withdrawal by recycling and cell surface reservoirs.
Autophagy-Related Protein ATG8 Has a Noncanonical Function for Apicoplast Inheritance in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Lévêque Maude F. , Berry Laurence , Cipriano Michael J. , Nguyen Hoa-Mai , Striepen Boris , Besteiro Sébastien
Published: October 2015

Autophagy is a catabolic process widely conserved among eukaryotes that permits the rapid degradation of unwanted proteins and organelles through the lysosomal pathway. This mechanism involves the formation of a double-membrane structure called the autophagosome that sequesters cellular components to be degraded. To orchestrate this process, yeasts and animals rely on a conserved set of autophagy-related proteins (ATGs). Key among these factors is ATG8, a cytoplasmic protein that is recruited to nascent autophagosomal membranes upon the induction of autophagy.
Toxoplasma gondii
is a potentially harmful human pathogen in which only a subset of ATGs appears to be present. Although this eukaryotic parasite seems able to generate autophagosomes upon stresses such as nutrient starvation, the full functionality and biological relevance of a canonical autophagy pathway are as yet unclear. Intriguingly, in
T. gondii
, ATG8 localizes to the apicoplast under normal intracellular growth conditions. The apicoplast is a nonphotosynthetic plastid enclosed by four membranes resulting from a secondary endosymbiosis. Using superresolution microscopy and biochemical techniques, we show that TgATG8 localizes to the outermost membrane of this organelle. We investigated the unusual function of TgATG8 at the apicoplast by generating a conditional knockdown mutant. Depletion of TgATG8 led to rapid loss of the organelle and subsequent intracellular replication defects, indicating that the protein is essential for maintaining apicoplast homeostasis and thus for survival of the tachyzoite stage. More precisely, loss of TgATG8 led to abnormal segregation of the apicoplast into the progeny because of a loss of physical interactions of the organelle with the centrosomes.

IMPORTANCE
By definition, autophagy is a catabolic process that leads to the digestion and recycling of eukaryotic cellular components. The molecular machinery of autophagy was identified mainly in model organisms such as yeasts but remains poorly characterized in phylogenetically distant apicomplexan parasites. We have uncovered an unusual function for autophagy-related protein ATG8 in
Toxoplasma gondii
: TgATG8 is crucial for normal replication of the parasite inside its host cell. Seemingly unrelated to the catabolic autophagy process, TgATG8 associates with the outer membrane of the nonphotosynthetic plastid harbored by the parasite called the apicoplast, and there it plays an important role in the centrosome-driven inheritance of the organelle during cell division. This not only reveals an unexpected function for an autophagy-related protein but also sheds new light on the division process of an organelle that is vital to a group of important human and animal pathogens.
Enzymatic Degradation of Phenazines Can Generate Energy and Protect Sensitive Organisms from Toxicity
Authors: Costa Kyle C. , Bergkessel Megan , Saunders Scott , Korlach Jonas , Newman Dianne K.
Published: October 2015

Diverse bacteria, including several
Pseudomonas
species, produce a class of redox-active metabolites called phenazines that impact different cell types in nature and disease. Phenazines can affect microbial communities in both positive and negative ways, where their presence is correlated with decreased species richness and diversity. However, little is known about how the concentration of phenazines is modulated
in situ
and what this may mean for the fitness of members of the community. Through culturing of phenazine-degrading mycobacteria, genome sequencing, comparative genomics, and molecular analysis, we identified several conserved genes that are important for the degradation of three
Pseudomonas
-derived phenazines: phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA), phenazine-1-carboxamide (PCN), and pyocyanin (PYO). PCA can be used as the sole carbon source for growth by these organisms. Deletion of several genes in
Mycobacterium fortuitum
abolishes the degradation phenotype, and expression of two genes in a heterologous host confers the ability to degrade PCN and PYO. In cocultures with phenazine producers, phenazine degraders alter the abundance of different phenazine types. Not only does degradation support mycobacterial catabolism, but also it provides protection to bacteria that would otherwise be inhibited by the toxicity of PYO. Collectively, these results serve as a reminder that microbial metabolites can be actively modified and degraded and that these turnover processes must be considered when the fate and impact of such compounds in any environment are being assessed.

IMPORTANCE
Phenazine production by
Pseudomonas
spp. can shape microbial communities in a variety of environments ranging from the cystic fibrosis lung to the rhizosphere of dryland crops. For example, in the rhizosphere, phenazines can protect plants from infection by pathogenic fungi. The redox activity of phenazines underpins their antibiotic activity, as well as providing pseudomonads with important physiological benefits. Our discovery that soil mycobacteria can catabolize phenazines and thereby protect other organisms against phenazine toxicity suggests that phenazine degradation may influence turnover
in situ
. The identification of genes involved in the degradation of phenazines opens the door to monitoring turnover in diverse environments, an essential process to consider when one is attempting to understand or control communities influenced by phenazines.
Methamphetamine Alters the Antimicrobial Efficacy of Phagocytic Cells during Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection
Authors: Mihu Mircea Radu , Roman-Sosa Jessica , Varshney Avanish K. , Eugenin Eliseo A. , Shah Bhavikkumar P. , Ham Lee Hiu , Nguyen Long N. , Guimaraes Allan J. , Fries Bettina C. , Nosanchuk Joshua D. , Martinez Luis R.
Published: October 2015

Methamphetamine (METH) is a major drug of abuse in the United States and worldwide. Furthermore,
Staphylococcus aureus
infections and METH use are coemerging public health problems.
S. aureus
is the single most important bacterial pathogen in infections among injection drug users, with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) being extremely common. Notably, the incidence of SSTI, especially in drug users, is difficult to estimate because such infections are often self-treated. Although there is substantial information on the behavioral and cognitive defects caused by METH in drug users, there is a dearth of knowledge regarding its impact on bacterial infections and immunity. Therefore, we hypothesized that METH exacerbates
S. aureus
skin infection. Using a murine model of METH administration and wound infection, we demonstrated that METH reduces wound healing and facilitates host-mediated collagen degradation by increased expression and production of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Additionally, we found that METH induces
S. aureus
biofilm formation and leads to detrimental effects on the functions of human and murine phagocytic cells, enhancing susceptibility to
S. aureus
infection. Our findings provide empirical evidence of the adverse impact of METH use on the antimicrobial efficacy of the cells that comprise innate immunity, the initial host response to combat microbial infection.

IMPORTANCE
METH is an extremely addictive central nervous system stimulant that is frequently administered by injection. SSTI, common problems among injection drug users, result in serious morbidity for patients and costly hospitalizations for treatment of superficial wounds and incision and drainage of abscesses; however, there has been little etiologic or preventive epidemiological research on this problem. In addition, the evasive nature of injection drug users toward medical care complicates our ability to accurately predict the prevalence of these infections. Hence, this study investigated the impact of METH use on
S. aureus
skin infection. Our findings demonstrate that this drug of abuse promotes biofilm formation and negatively impacts the wound healing process and innate immune function, exacerbating susceptibility to
S. aureus
infection. The findings may translate into new knowledge and development of therapeutic and public health strategies to deal with the devastating complications of METH abuse.
Effects and Mechanisms of Acupuncture and Moxibustion on Reproductive Endocrine Function in Male Rats with Partial Androgen Deficiency
Authors: Ren Yi , Yang Xiaoguang , Zhang Yu , Wang Ying , Li Xuezhi
Published: October 2015

Objectives

Partial androgen deficiency of the aging male (PADAM) is characterised by a deficiency in serum androgen levels. Both electroacupuncture (EA) and mild moxibustion (MM) can raise serum testosterone levels in PADAM. We investigated the mechanisms underlying the use of EA and MM in a rodent model of PADAM.

Methods

Fifty rats received cyclophosphamide injection over 5 consecutive days to induce PADAM, which was verified by comparing total testosterone (TT) and free testosterone (FT) levels with 10 non-PADAM healthy control rats (CON). Successful modelling was confirmed in 43 of 50 rats, 40 of which were randomly divided into untreated (PADAM), EA-treated (PADAM+EA), MM-treated (PADAM+MM), and androlin (AD)-treated (PADAM+AD) groups (n=10 each). EA and MM were administered at BL23 and CV4 acupuncture points for 8 weeks, and no treatment was given to rats in the PADAM and CON groups. Serum levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), mRNA expression of cytochrome P450c17 (P450c17) and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (3β-HSD1), and protein levels of cytochrome P450 side chain cleavage (P450scc), 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 3 (17β-HSD3) and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) were evaluated after 8 weeks.

Results

Both EA and mild MM significantly increased serum TT and FT levels with MM displaying superiority. P450scc, 17β-HSD3 and SF-1 protein expression, and P450c17 and 3β-HSD1 mRNA expression, were significantly increased and serum LH and FSH levels were significantly decreased in PADAM+EA and PADAM+MM relative to PADAM rats. Moreover, serum LH and FSH levels were significantly lower and 17β-HSD3 protein expression significantly higher in PADAM+MM relative to PADAM+EA rats.

Conclusions

EA and MM at the BL23 and CV4 acupuncture points appear to be effective treatments for PADAM, and MM displays superior efficacy to EA.
Anatomical Relationship between Bl23 and the Posterior Ramus of the L2 Spinal Nerve
Authors: Umemoto Kanae , Saito Toshiyuki , Naito Munekazu , Hayashi Shogo , Yakura Tomiko , Steinke Hanno , Nakano Takashi
Published: October 2015

Background

The acupuncture point BL23 is located in the region of the posterior ramus of the second lumbar spinal nerve (L2) and has historically been used to treat conditions such as lower back pain, pollakiuria, erectile dysfunction, dysmenorrhoea, tinnitus, and vertigo. Some of these treatment effects have been hypothesised to be mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. It was recently discovered that the posterior ramus of the spinal nerve (PRSN) at L2 forms not two but three branches.

Objective

To examine the relationship between the acupuncture point BL23 and the L2 PRSN in order to consider the pathways possibly affected by BL23 acupuncture.

Methods

Acupuncture needles were inserted through the skin at BL23 to a depth of 3 cm a total of 13 times in eight donor cadavers (seven right-sided, six left-sided). Leaving the needle in place, ventral dissection was performed to determine the PRSN anatomy between the L1 and L3 spinal segments. In four cadavers, the relationship between the L2 spinal nerve and sympathetic branches was additionally evaluated. Following dissection, three-dimensional (3D) data were acquired using a photo scanner and 3D structural images were created using 3D computer graphics software. One additional (female) cadaver was studied without insertion of an acupuncture needle (due to significant scoliosis).

Results

The L2 PRSN was divided into medial, intermediate and lateral branches. The needle inserted at BL23 came to lie in the region of the intermediate or lateral branches in all cases. Rami communicantes were found between the L2 spinal nerve and sympathetic trunk with fibres going on to supply the superior hypogastric plexus.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that acupuncture needles inserted at BL23 come into close proximity with the intermediate or lateral branch of the L2 PRSN, which could result in stimulation of both the somatic and sympathetic nervous systems.
Obesity-related behaviours and BMI in five urban regions across Europe: sampling design and results from the SPOTLIGHT cross-sectional survey
Authors: Lakerveld Jeroen , Ben Rebah Maher , Mackenbach Joreintje D , Charreire Hélène , Compernolle Sofie , Glonti Ketevan , Bardos Helga , Rutter Harry , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse , Brug Johannes , Oppert Jean-Michel
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To describe the design, methods and first results of a survey on obesity-related behaviours and body mass index (BMI) in adults living in neighbourhoods from five urban regions across Europe.

Design

A cross-sectional observational study in the framework of an European Union-funded project on obesogenic environments (SPOTLIGHT).

Setting

60 urban neighbourhoods (12 per country) were randomly selected in large urban zones in Belgium, France, Hungary, the Netherlands and the UK, based on high or low values for median household income (socioeconomic status, SES) and residential area density.

Participants

A total of 6037 adults (mean age 52 years, 56% female) participated in the online survey.

Outcome measures

Self-reported physical activity, sedentary behaviours, dietary habits and BMI. Other measures included general health; barriers and motivations for a healthy lifestyle, perceived social and physical environmental characteristics; the availability of transport modes and their use to specific destinations; self-defined neighbourhood boundaries and items related to residential selection.

Results

Across five countries, residents from low-SES neighbourhoods ate less fruit and vegetables, drank more sugary drinks and had a consistently higher BMI. SES differences in sedentary behaviours were observed in France, with residents from higher SES neighbourhoods reporting to sit more. Residents from low-density neighbourhoods were less physically active than those from high-density neighbourhoods; during leisure time and (most pronounced) for transport (except for Belgium). BMI differences by residential density were inconsistent across all countries.

Conclusions

The SPOTLIGHT survey provides an original approach for investigating relations between environmental characteristics, obesity-related behaviours and obesity in Europe. First descriptive results indicate considerable differences in health behaviours and BMI between countries and neighbourhood types.
Long-term mortality of patients surviving firearm violence
Authors: Fahimi Jahan , Larimer Emily , Hamud-Ahmed Walid , Anderson Erik , Schnorr C Daniel , Yen Irene , Alter Harrison J
Published: October 2015

Objective

We aim to calculate the 5-year mortality after surviving to hospital discharge after a firearm injury and estimate the association of firearm injury with later mortality.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients from an urban emergency department (ED) and trauma centre in Oakland, California, USA, in 2007. We created three cohorts of patients presenting for (1) gunshot wound (GSW), (2) MVC and (3) assault without a firearm. Demographic and clinical information was obtained from the clinical chart, and the California Department of Public Health Vital Statistics and Social Security Death Master File (2007–2012) were queried to identify patients who died.

Results

We analysed 516 GSW patients, 992 MVC patients and 695 non-GSW assault patients. Of the GSW patients, 86.4% were alive at 5 years. All-cause 5-year mortality among GSW victims surviving to discharge after injury was 5.1%. Compared with MVC patients, both GSW and non-GSW assault patients have higher risk of death at 5 years (HR 2.54 (95% CI 1.41 to 4.59) and HR 1.64 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.68), respectively), adjusting for age, sex and race. Risk of death was higher in the first year for the GSW cohort (HR 6.14 (95% CI 2.35 to 16.08) and HR 5.06 (95% CI 1.88 to 13.63) as compared with MVC and non-GSW assault cohorts, respectively). Homicide was the cause of death in 79.2% of GSW patients who died after surviving the index injury.

Conclusion

Among individuals presenting to the ED after injury or assault and surviving to discharge, firearm injury exposure is an important predictor of death within 5 years and most pronounced in the first year after injury.
Education improves referral of patients suspected of having spondyloarthritis by general practitioners: a study with unannounced standardised patients in daily practice
Authors: van Onna Marloes , Gorter Simone , Maiburg Bas , Waagenaar Gerrie , van Tubergen Astrid
Published: October 2015

Objectives

To evaluate the practice performance of general practitioners (GPs) and GP residents in recognising and referring patients suspected for having axial or peripheral spondyloarthritis (SpA), and to investigate the influence of education on this performance.

Methods

GP (residents) were visited in two rounds by standardised patients (SPs) simulating axial SpA, peripheral SpA or carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with in between an educational intervention on SpA for part of the participants. Participants were unaware of the nature of the medical problem and study purpose. CTS was included as diversionary tactic. The primary outcome was ≥40% improvement in (considering) referral of the SPs with SpA to the rheumatologist after education. Secondary outcomes included ordering additional diagnostic tests, correct recognition of SpA and identification of variables contributing to this.

Results

68 participants (30 GPs and 38 GP residents) were included, of which 19 received education. The primary outcome was met. A significantly higher proportion of GP (residents) from the intervention group referred patients to the rheumatologist compared with the control group after education (change scores, axial SpA +71% vs +15% (p<0.01); peripheral SpA +48% vs 0% (p<0.001)). Participants who received education, more frequently correctly recognised SpA compared with controls (change scores, axial SpA +50% vs −5% (p<0.001); peripheral SpA +21% vs 0% (p=0.01).

Conclusions

Recognition and referral of patients suspected for having SpA by GP (residents) is low, but targeted education markedly improved this. This supports the development of educational initiatives to improve recognition of SpA and hence referral to a rheumatologist.
Vesicle distribution in basalt lava flow units in the Mesozoic rift basins of northeast China and its application in gas reservoir prediction
Authors: Yi Jian , Wang Pujun , Gao Youfeng , Yao Ruishi , Zhao Ranlei , Chen Chongyang
Published: October 2015

The Mesozoic rift basins of northeast China are characterized by a significant proportion of basalt due to the progressive emplacement of basalt lava flows. The objective of this study was to construct vesicle distribution models of the basalt lava flow units, including conceptual geological models and thickness models, to understand the architecture of the basalt and the gas reservoir distribution. The conceptual geological models were constructed based on the characteristics of outcropping basalt lava flows, with supplemental seismic data used to extrapolate the lateral extents of large-scale basalt lava flows. The thickness models were constructed using data on the thicknesses of basalt lava flow units and vesicle zones. These data were obtained from 27 units in outcrop and 204 units interpreted from well logs in the basin. The conceptual geological models revealed that the shapes of the basalt lava flow units change from braided to tabular with increasing thickness and that their inner structures can be divided into three vesicle zones: the top vesicle zone, the massive core zone, and the base vesicle zone. The thickness models revealed that trends in the thickness of the top vesicle zone relative to the thickness of the basalt lava flow unit can be expressed using a piecewise function that can be separated into a linear function and a logarithmic function. Similarly, trends in the thickness of the massive core zone and the base vesicle zone relative to the basalt lava flow unit thickness can be expressed by a piecewise linear function. Vesicle distribution models provide an effective means of determining the proportion and distribution of vesicle zones in basalt with limited borehole data. We also constructed a reservoir model based on our vesicle distribution models, and this model revealed that suitable petroleum reservoirs are primarily located in the thinner braided lava flows.
Carbon storage, net primary production, and net ecosystem production in four major temperate forest types in northeastern China
Authors: Cai Huiying , Di Xueying , Chang Scott X. , Wang Chuankuan , Shi Baoku , Geng Pengfei , Jin Guangze
Published: October 2015

Temperate forests in northeastern China play a key role in the national carbon (C) budget; however, this role has been poorly quantified. The objective of this study was to quantify C storage, net primary production (NPP), and net ecosystem production (NEP) in four major temperate forest types in northeastern China. The four forest types include a primary mixed broadleaf – Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold & Zucc.) old-growth forest and three mid-aged regenerating forests, i.e., a secondary birch (Betula platyphylla Sukaczev) forest, a Korean pine plantation, and a Dahurian larch (Larix gmelinii (Rupr.) Rupr.) plantation. Total C storage differed significantly among the four forest types, with the highest storage (315.4 t C·ha−1) in the old-growth forest. Soil organic C accounted for 55%–70% of the ecosystem C, whereas vegetation C accounted for 28%–43% of the ecosystem C. Soil organic C storage in the two plantations was significantly lower than that in old-growth and secondary birch forests. The allocation (aboveground and belowground) of NPP, but not the total NPP, differed significantly among the forest types. Litterfall (44%–60%) and fine root production (43%–47%) contributed the largest proportion of the aboveground and belowground NPP, respectively. The highest NEP was in the Korean pine plantation (328.0 g C·m−2·year−1), followed by the old-growth (311.9 g C·m−2·year−1) and secondary birch (231.1 g C·m−2·year−1) forests, with the lowest NEP in the Dahurian larch plantation (187.9 g C·m−2·year−1). These results suggest that the major forest types are currently C sinks and Korean pine plantation establishment can be a promising approach for increasing C sequestration in northeastern China.
Multifunctionality in European mountain forests — an optimization under changing climatic conditions
Authors: Härtl Fabian H. , Barka Ivan , Hahn W. Andreas , Hlásny Tomáš , Irauschek Florian , Knoke Thomas , Lexer Manfred J. , Griess Verena C.
Published: October 2015

Forests provide countless ecological, societal, and climatological benefits. With changing climate, maintaining certain services may lead to a decrease in the quantity or quality of other services available from that source. Accordingly, our research objective is to analyze the effects of the provision of a certain ecosystem service on the economically optimized harvest schedules and how harvest schedules will be influenced by climate change. Based on financial portfolio theory, we determined, for two case study regions in Austria and Slovakia, treatment schedules based on nonlinear programming, which integrates climate-sensitive biophysical risks and risk-averting behavior of the management. In both cases, results recommend reducing the overaged stocking volume within several decades to establish new ingrowth, leading to an overall reduction of age and related risk, as well as an increase in growth. Under climate change conditions, the admixing of hardwoods towards spruce–fir–beech (Austria) or spruce–pine–beech (Slovakia) stands should be emphasized to account for the changing risk and growth conditions. Moreover, climate change scenarios either increased (Austria) or decreased (Slovakia) the economic return slightly. In both cases, the costs for providing the ecosystem service “rock fall protection” increases under climate change. Although in the Austrian case there is no clear tendency between the management options, in the Slovakian case, a close-to-nature management option is preferred under climate change conditions. Increasing tree species richness, increasing structural diversity, replacing high-risk stands, and reducing average growing stocks are important preconditions for a successful sustainable management of European mountain forests in the long term.
Inactivation ofLactobacillus rhamnosusGG by fixation modifies its probiotic properties
Authors: Markowicz C. , Kubiak P. , Grajek W. , Schmidt M.T.
Published: October 2015

Probiotics are microorganisms that have beneficial effects on the host and are safe for oral intake in a suitable dose. However, there are situations in which the administration of living microorganisms poses a risk for immunocompromised host. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of several fixation methods on selected biological properties of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG that are relevant to its probiotic action. Fixation of the bacterial cells with ethanol, 2-propanol, glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde, and heat treatment resulted in a significant decrease of alkaline phosphatase, peroxidase, and β-galactosidase activities. Most of the fixation procedures reduced bacterial cell hydrophobicity and increased adhesion capacity. The fixation procedures resulted in a different perception of the bacterial cells by enterocytes, which was shown as changes in gene expression in enterocytes. The results show that some procedures of inactivation allow a fraction of the enzymatic activity to be maintained. The adhesion properties of the bacterial cells were enhanced, but the response of enterocytes to fixed cells was different than to live bacteria. Inactivation allows maintenance and modification of some of the properties of the bacterial cells.
Householder methods for quantum circuit design
Authors: Urías Jesús , Quiñones Diego A.
Published: October 2015

Algorithms to resolve multiple-qubit unitary transformations into a sequence of simple operations on one-qubit subsystems are central to the methods of quantum-circuit simulators. We adapt Householder’s theorem to the tensor-product character of multi-qubit state vectors and translate it to a combinatorial procedure to assemble cascades of quantum gates that recreate any unitary operation U acting on n-qubit systems. U may be recreated by any cascade from a set of combinatorial options that, in number, are not lesser than super-factorial of 2n, [Formula: see text]. Cascades are assembled with one-qubit controlled-gates of a single type. We complement the assembly procedure with a new algorithm to generate Gray codes that reduce the combinatorial options to cascades with the least number of CNOT gates. The combined procedure —factorization, gate assembling, and Gray ordering — is illustrated on an array of three qubits.
Differential temperature preferences of vertebral phenotypes inGasterosteus
Authors: Reimchen T.E. , Cox K.D.
Published: October 2015

Across a broad diversity of freshwater and marine fish that have wide latitudinal distributions, intraspecific variability in vertebral number shows a robust trend for higher vertebral counts in colder latitudes (Jordan’s Rule). Variability in this meristic trait is determined during early larval development by a combination of heritable and temperature-mediated influences. We experimentally evaluate for the first time whether different vertebral phenotypes from a population actively segregate across a temperature gradient, and if so, whether the segregation is consistent with broad geographical trends across taxa of greater vertebral counts that are associated with cooler waters. Using threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus L., 1758) from two populations, we conducted 22 trials with ∼50 fish per trial and a temperature gradient ranging from 2 to 15 °C among trials. Results show that six trials yielded statistically significant or near-significant results, of which five trials were in the predicted direction of more vertebrae in cooler waters. The effects were more expressed in fish with small bodies (35–55 mm) than in fish with larger bodies (60–85 mm) and in longer duration trials. We believe that these data are novel and are consistent with recent studies on swimming efficacy among vertebral phenotypes; the data also hint at much greater ecological functionality than is currently assumed by intrapopulation variation in this meristic trait.
A Comprehensive Review of Energy Efficient Content Addressable Memory Circuits for Network Applications
Authors: Ali Syed Iftekhar , Islam Md Shafiqul , Islam Mohammad Rakibul
Published: October 2015

Content addressable memory (CAM) can perform high-speed table look-up with bit level masking capability. This feature makes CAMs extremely attractive for high-speed packet forwarding and classification in network routers. High-speed look-up implies all the CAM word entries to be accessed and compared with a search word to find a suitable match in a single clock cycle. This parallel search activity requires large energy consumption which needs to be reduced. In this paper, a review of the energy reduction techniques of CAM is presented. A comparative study of some popular techniques has been made with the help of simulations carried out in this work and published results.
Reduction of Circuit Devices in Developed Symmetrical/Asymmetrical Multilevel Converters
Authors: Oskuee Mohammad Reza Jannati , Khalilnasab Sahar , Ravadanegh Sajad Najafi , Gharehpetian Gevork B.
Published: October 2015

In this paper, a developed configuration for multilevel voltage source inverters (MVSIs) is proposed. The proposed topology can be used as symmetric and asymmetric inverters. In asymmetric mode, DC source magnitudes are defined in a way that the number of output levels gets more than the case when the symmetrical DC sources are applied. In this regard, to calculate the required magnitudes of DC voltage sources several different solutions are proposed. In multilevel inverters, the overall costs, circuit size and installation area, complexity of control scheme and reliability are directly dependent on the number of circuit devices needed. The provided comparison study among suggested inverter in all defined solutions, cascaded H-bridge (CHB) and recently proposed converters, validates that the proposed inverter uses reduced number of circuit devices. The given simulation results confirm the feasibility of the proposed modular structure. Also, to approve the practicability of the proposed inverter, a prototype of the proposed topology has been implemented. Finally, simulation and experimental results are compared with each other and the provided comparison shows that the obtained results are in good agreements.
DFT calculations on polarizabilities and hyperpolarizabilities for the neutral and anionic yttrium oxide clusters
Authors: Suvitha Ambigapathy , Venkataramanan Natarajan Sathiyamoorthy
Published: October 2015

The electronic properties, polarizabilities, first and second hyperpolarizabilities of YOn clusters of [Formula: see text]–12 were studied using the quantum chemical method. The vertical ionization potential (VIP) values for the anionic clusters increase monotonically with the cluster size. Among the neutral clusters YO3 and YO8 have the least chemical hardness values, where in anionic clusters with size [Formula: see text] possesses the least chemical hardness. Anionic clusters have more electrons attracting tendency than the neutral clusters. The computed static mean polarizability of neutral yttrium oxides has positive values but is close to zero. The incorporation of oxygen atom quenches the polarizability of yttrium. The computed polarizability anisotropy of neutral clusters shows an oscillatory effect both at static and at dynamic conditions. The first hyperpolarizability for many YOn clusters are close to zero. The existence of high symmetry in these clusters reduces the first hyperpolarizability values which was supported by the small dipole moments. The computed [Formula: see text] values for the static neutral and anionic clusters show only a small variation. The decrease in the polarizability and second hyperpolarizability with size can be interpreted in terms of the electronic delocalization and chemical bonding in the clusters.
Uranium–lead zircon systematics in the Sudbury impact crater-fill: implications for target lithologies and crater evolution
Authors: Petrus J. A. , Kenny G. G. , Ayer J. A. , Lightfoot P. C. , Kamber B. S.
Published: October 2015

The Sudbury impact structure is one of only a few terrestrial impact craters capable of providing insight into large impact processes. However, despite more than a century of study, no consensus exists regarding its depths of excavation and melting. This study presents 3920 U–Pb zircon dates for target lithologies and the crater-fill as well as new Pb-isotope data for target lithologies in an attempt to further constrain these depths and understand the behaviour of zircon in large impacts. Only 1.5% of the crater-fill zircons have dates within uncertainty of the 1.85 Ga impact event, with most seeming to preserve their pre-impact U–Pb systematics. The preponderance of undisturbed zircon in the crater-fill suggests that this mineral is an effective means of tracing target lithologies in impact basins. A significant fraction of crater-fill zircon was dated between 2.50 and 2.61 Ga, which is negligible amongst known target lithologies, and therefore identifies previously unrecognized target rocks. The Pb-isotope systematics are compatible with the proposal that the 2.6 Ga rock represents typical mid- to lower-crustal basement and could have been an important contributor to the melt-sheet. The combined data argue against a shallow melting scenario. With regard to Hadean terrestrial zircon, the lesson from Sudbury is that zircon can be recycled through multiple large impact events and still preserve the age of the original crust.

Supplementary materials:

Sample information, trace element and Pb-isotope data for granitoid and gneiss feldspar, Pb modelling parameters, U–Pb zircon data, concordia diagrams and airborne radiometric images are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18881
.
Middle Ordovician disorganized arc rifting in the peri-Laurentian Newfoundland Appalachians: implications for evolution of intra-oceanic arc systems
Authors: Zagorevski A. , McNicoll V. J. , Rogers N. , van Hees G. H.
Published: October 2015

The Annieopsquotch Accretionary Tract comprises a tectonic collage of Ordovician peri-Laurentian terranes that formed during closure of Iapetus Ocean and imbricated beneath the composite margin of Laurentia. New zircon U–Pb geochronological data (
n
 = 8) for felsic volcanic rocks representing three distinct tectonostratigraphic units (the Mary March Brook group, the Buchans Group and the Red Indian Lake Group) indicate deposition over a short interval between 465 and 462 Ma. These tectonostratigraphic units are characterized by submarine mafic and felsic magmatism, and sedimentation typical of intra-oceanic arc systems. New and compiled whole-rock geochemical (
n
 = 315) and Sm–Nd isotopic (
n
 = 33) data for mafic and felsic volcanic rocks indicate that these tectonostratigraphic units formed in tholeiitic island arc to calc-alkaline arc settings. Isotopic (ε
Nd
−11.2 to +6; T
DM
1.0–2.4 Ga) and zircon inheritance data (0.5–3.4 Ga) are consistent with presence of Laurentian continental crust in the basement. Relationships within and between these and adjacent tectonostratigraphic units in the Annieopsquotch Accretionary Tract suggest that they represent imbricated slices of a submarine arc that experienced disorganized arc rifting, similar to sectors of the modern Tonga–Kermadec and Izu–Bonin–Mariana arcs. The recognition of disorganized spreading in the Annieopsquotch Accretionary Tract has significant implications for along-strike correlations within the Appalachian orogen, as the nature of the arc systems is expected to differ significantly along-strike. The presence of a clear isotopic and inheritance signature of peri-Laurentian continental crust within the Annieopsquotch Accretionary Tract submarine arc system is consistent with the discoveries of older arc and continental basement in modern intra-oceanic arc systems.

Supplementary materials:

Geochronological analytical procedures and data, summary of geochemical data and isotopic data are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18860
.
Mesozoic to recent geological history of southern Crimea and the Eastern Black Sea region
Authors: Nikishin A. M. , Wannier M. , Alekseev A. S. , Almendinger O. A. , Fokin P. A. , Gabdullin R. R. , Khudoley A. K. , Kopaevich L. F. , Mityukov A. V. , Petrov E. I. , Rubtsova E. V.
Published: October 2015

We provide a synthesis of stratigraphic data to unravel the history of the geological evolution of South Crimea in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. The South Crimea Orogen consists of three major mega-sequences: (1) the Triassic–Early Jurassic; (2) the Aalenian–Bathonian; and (3) the Callovian–Eocene. The Late Triassic–Early Jurassic deposits formed in the environment of a forearc basin and a remnant basin. The Aalenian–Bathonian deposits formed above subduction extension and a volcanic belt. Three main Callovian–Eocene tectonic units can be identified in South Crimea: (1) the South Crimean Shelf Basin; (2) the Sudak Deepwater Trough; and (3) the Alchak–Kaya Shelf Basin at the northern margin of the Shatsky Ridge. The Oligocene–Quaternary deposits are considered to be syn-orogenic. A description of the anticipated stratigraphic units on the Shatsky Ridge is suggested for the Middle Jurassic, Callovian–Late Jurassic, Neocomian, Aptian–Albian, Late Cretaceous–Paleocene, Eocene and Maykopian. We propose a model for the geological history of the Eastern Black Sea Basin. Graben formed during the Late Barremian–Albian at the location of the future Eastern Black Sea Basin and a phase of volcanism occurred in the Albian. The main phase of rifting and spreading of oceanic crust took place during Cenomanian–Santonian time.

Supplementary material:
A Google Earth kmz file of the location of the outcrops and sections is available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18850
Thermochronometric evidence for Miocene tectonic reactivation of the Sevan–Akera suture zone (Lesser Caucasus): a far-field tectonic effect of the Arabia–Eurasia collision?
Authors: Cavazza W. , Albino I. , Zattin M. , Galoyan G. , Imamverdiyev N. , Melkonyan R.
Published: October 2015

Low-temperature thermochronological data for the Eurasian foreland north of the Bitlis–Zagros suture zone suggest that the tectonic stresses related to the Arabian collision during mid-Miocene time were transmitted efficiently over large distances, focusing preferentially at rheological discontinuities. Since the late Middle Miocene a new tectonic regime has been active as the westwards translation of Anatolia is accommodating most of the Arabia–Eurasia convergence, thus precluding the efficient transfer of stress northwards. Apatite fission-track data from the central Lesser Caucasus show that a portion of this orogen underwent a discrete phase of cooling/exhumation at 18–12 Ma (late Early–early Middle Miocene) as a result of the structural reactivation of a segment of the Late Cretaceous–Palaeogene Sevan–Akera suture zone. This inference contradicts the notion that the post-collisional history of the study area was dominated by strike-slip tectonics with relatively minor dip-slip components. Reactivation and exhumation was focused along those segments of the suture zone at high angles to the inferred collisional stress field; the remaining areas were not exhumed enough to expose a new apatite partial annealing zone and thus retained the thermochronological record of a phase of Late Cretaceous cooling/exhumation associated with ophiolite obduction and the following continental collision along the suture zone.
Progressive orocline formation in the Eastern Pontides–Lesser Caucasus
Authors: Meijers Maud J. M. , Smith Brigitte , Pastor-Galán Daniel , Degenaar Renzo , Sadradze Nino , Adamia Shota , Sahakyan Lilit , Avagyan Ara , Sosson Marc , Rolland Yann , Langereis Cor G. , Müller Carla
Published: October 2015

The Eastern Pontides–Lesser Caucasus fold–thrust belt displays a peculiar northwards arc-shaped geometry that was defined as an orocline in earlier studies. The Lesser Caucasus was affected by two main tectonic events that could have caused orocline formation: (1) Paleocene–Eocene collision of the South Armenian Block with Eurasia; and (2) Oligocene–Miocene Arabia–Eurasia collision. We tested the hypothesis that the Lesser Caucasus is an orocline and aimed to time the formation of this orocline. To determine the vertical axis rotations, 37 sites were sampled for palaeomagnetism in rocks of Upper Cretaceous–Miocene age in Georgia and Armenia. In addition, we compiled a review of
c.
100 available datasets. A strike test was applied to the remaining datasets, which were divided into four chronological sub-sets, leading us to conclude that the Eastern Pontides–Lesser Caucasus fold–thrust belt forms a progressive orocline. We concluded that: (1) some pre-existing curvature must have been present before the Late Cretaceous; (2) the orocline acquired part of its curvature after the Paleocene and before the Middle Eocene as a result of South Armenian Block–Eurasia collision; and (3) about 50% of the curvature formed after the Eocene and probably before the Late Miocene, probably as a result of Arabia–Eurasia collision.

Supplementary material:
Results from rock magnetic experiments, reversal and fold tests and equal area projections of the characteristic remanent magnetizations for each site, as well as biostratigraphic ages and a table with palaeomagnetic results from the literature review (with assigned numbers referred to in the text) are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18852
.
Stratigraphic comparisons along the Pontides (Turkey) based on new nannoplankton age determinations in the Eastern Pontides: geodynamic implications
Authors: Hippolyte J.-C. , Müller C. , Sangu E. , Kaymakci N.
Published: October 2015

We compared the stratigraphic formations along the southern margin of the Black Sea using 196 nannoplankton ages determined in the Western and Central Pontides and 112 new samples from the Eastern Pontides. We inferred that the İstanbul and Sakarya zones were amalgamated prior to the Early Cretaceous. Extensional subsidence migrated eastwards along the Pontides from the Barremian to the Paleocene. The eastwards younging of the Cretaceous magmatism suggested that the eastern Black Sea Basin is younger. Locally, angular unconformities and a stratigraphic gap testify to the Late Albian uplift of the Central Pontides as a consequence of the collision of an oceanic edifice. Cretaceous Oceanic Red Beds are marker beds of Santonian age along the much of the Pontides and are of mainly Campanian age within the Eastern Pontides. The Middle Campanian–Paleocene was a non-volcanic period characterized by extensional subsidence mainly along the eastern Black Sea Basin. The end of Cretaceous volcanism can be correlated with a southwards subduction jump. Syn-compressional basins show that contraction started during the Ypresian along the entire Pontide belt. Eocene volcanism started earlier in the north (Lutetian) than in the south (Bartonian) of the Eastern Pontides. This propagation of syn-collisional volcanism could have resulted from slab steepening under the Eastern Pontides.
Smith Woodward's contributions on fossil tetrapods
Authors: Milner Angela C. , Barrett Paul M.
Published: October 2015

Although primarily a pre-eminent palaeoichthyologist, Arthur Smith Woodward's research and publications ranged across all major tetrapod groups: nevertheless, his contributions in this area have generally been overshadowed by involvement in the ‘Piltdown Man’ affair. Smith Woodward published on fossil amphibians, every major group of reptiles and on mammals. Most of the new taxa he named remain valid, a testament to his wide knowledge and understanding of fossil vertebrates beyond his principal speciality, although some of these have now been extensively revised. He travelled widely in Europe and the Americas, resulting in some of the earliest work on Gondwanan Cretaceous reptiles. Several of his taxa revealed the existence of previously unknown groups (e.g. notosuchian crocodiles) or provided important character data that have fuelled various phylogenetic debates (e.g. snake and tyrannosauroid origins). His influence extended beyond his own scientific efforts to incorporate his role as a senior administrator, supporting the acquisition of significant reptile specimens for the collection, and as an educator, producing articles for museum visitors and the general public.