bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of temperature and fish oil supplementation on ovarian development and foxl2 mRNA expression in spotted scat Scatophagus argus
Authors: Li G.‐L. , Zhang M.‐Z. , Deng S.‐P. , Chen H.‐P. , Zhu C.‐H.
Published: November 2014

In this study, the complete foxl2 complementary (c)DNA sequence was isolated by simple modular‐architecture research tool (SMART)er rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). Two year‐old female spotted scat, Scatophagus argus, were reared at different temperatures (23, 26 and 29° C) for 6 weeks, or fed with different concentrations of dietary fish oil (0, 2 or 6%) for 8 weeks. Ovarian development, serum oestradiol‐17β (E2) levels, as well as ovarian foxl2 expression were measured. At the end of experiment, ovarian foxl2 messenger (m)RNA expression in fish reared at 23 and 26° C was significantly higher than that in fish reared at 29° C, and that in 2 and 6% fish oil groups was also significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0·05). Serum E2 levels exhibited the same trend with foxl2 mRNA expression in temperature treatment groups and fish oil fed groups. There was a significant positive correlation between stage of oocytes and foxl2 expressions. Results showed that from 23 to 29° C, the optimal temperature for ovarian development in S. argus was 23–26° C, and 6% fish oil supplementation could effectively promote ovarian development. Optimal temperature and fish oil supplement might increase ovarian foxl2 mRNA expressions to promote ovarian development in S. argus.
Morphometric variation in bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus in lentic and lotic systems
Authors: Gaston K. A. , Lauer T. E.
Published: November 2014

Bluegill Lepomis macrochirus and green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus were examined using geometric morphometrics to evaluate the variation in morphology between fishes that reside in lentic (e.g. lakes) and lotic (e.g. streams) ecosystems. Live fishes were collected from reservoirs and rivers in central Indiana, while additional fishes were sampled from museum collections at Ball State University and the Illinois Natural History Survey. Male and female L. macrochirus and female L. cyanellus from lentic systems display a deeper body than those from lotic systems, while no differences were found in male L. cyanellus morphometry. A deeper body promotes greater manoeuverability, typically desirable in lentic systems. In contrast, the more streamlined body of the fishes found in lotic systems reduces drag as it contends with flowing water, ultimately maximizing energy efficiency. The absence of morphological differences, such as those found in male L. cyanellus, may be caused by fish occupying both lentic and lotic systems, from the population not having been present in the body of water long enough to display any adaptations, or from a lack of statistical power caused by the small sample size.
Using record linkage to investigate perinatal factors and neonatal thyroid‐stimulating hormone
Authors: Lain Samantha J , Roberts Christine L , Wilcken Bridget , Wiley Veronica , Jack Michelle M , Nassar Natasha
Published: November 2014

Aim

Studies examining the relationship between maternal and infant thyroid parameters have shown conflicting results. Record linkage provides an opportunity to examine the association between maternal and infant thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels. Our aim was to demonstrate the feasibility of record linkage of newborn screening (NBS), laboratory and birth databases for research by investigating the association between maternal and newborn TSH levels.

Methods

The records of 2802 women with first trimester serum TSH concentrations were linked with population‐based birth data and NBS data containing infant TSH levels. Association between moderately high neonatal TSH levels (>5 mIU/L) and maternal and infant characteristics was evaluated. The correlation and association between maternal and infant TSH levels were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and multivariable linear regression, respectively.

Results

Of maternal and birth records, 99.3% linked with an NBS record. Mother's country of birth, gestational age (>41 weeks) and lower birthweight were associated with neonatal TSH levels >5 mIU/L. Neonatal and maternal first trimester TSH levels were not correlated, although statistically significant (r = 0.05, P = 0.008). The association between neonatal TSH and maternal TSH, after adjusting for maternal age, gestational age and age at NBS testing, was also small (b = 0.039, P = 0.009).

Conclusions

Record linkage is a feasible and cost‐efficient way to investigate the association between maternal factors and neonatal hormone levels. First trimester maternal thyroid levels are not correlated with neonatal TSH levels. This method of outcome assessment can be used for future research examining long‐term outcomes for infants with different NBS results.
Prevalence of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria on Pepper in Brazil
Authors: Areas Maysa S. , Gonçalves Ricardo M. , Soman José M. , Sakate Renate K. , Gioria Ricardo , da Silva Júnior Tadeu A. F. , Maringoni Antonio C.
Published: November 2014

Bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas spp., is one of the major diseases of pepper in Brazil, causing considerable losses to crop productivity. The efficient management of the disease is hampered by the high variability of the causal agents. In Brazil, there is no knowledge of which species of Xanthomonas occurs on pepper. In this study, 59 strains of Xanthomonas spp. isolated from different pepper‐producing regions of Brazil were characterized by biochemical and molecular techniques. Results showed the prevalence of X. euvesicatoria as the causal agent of bacterial spot on pepper in Brazil.
Qualitative Accounts of Patients' Determinants of Vaginal Dilator Use after Pelvic Radiotherapy
Authors: Bakker Rinske M. , Vermeer Willemijn M. , Creutzberg Carien L. , Mens Jan Willem M. , Nout Remi A. , ter Kuile Moniek M.
Published: November 2014

Introduction

Treatment with pelvic external beam radiotherapy with brachytherapy (EBRT/BT) for gynecological cancers may cause sexual dysfunction because of vaginal shortening and tightening. Regular vaginal dilator use is thought to reduce vaginal shortening and/or tightening, but compliance is poor.

Aims

This study identified determinants of patients' adherence with dilator use after EBRT/BT.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 women, aged 32–67 years, treated with EBRT/BT for gynecological cancers at two university medical centers in the past 36 months. Transcriptions were coded and analyzed with N-Vivo software.

Main Outcome Measures

Determinants of dilator use were clustered based on the Health Action Process Approach, which describes (i) motivation processes that lead to a behavioral intention and (ii) volition processes that lead to the initiation or maintenance of actual behavior.

Results

Almost all women attempted to perform long-term regular vaginal dilator use. Intended dilator use was determined by the expectation that it would prevent the development of vaginal adhesions and stenosis. Planning dilator use and making it part of a routine, using it under the shower, using lubricants, a smaller dilator size, or vibrators helped women. Others reported a lack of time or privacy, forgetting, or feeling tired. Women self-regulated dilator use by rotating the dilator and timing dilator use. Influencing factors were negative emotions regarding dilator use or its hard plastic design, (being anxious for) pain or blood loss, and an association with EBRT/BT. Some women mentioned a lack of instrumental support, for example, lubricants. Others received reassurance through informational support or were supported socially.

Conclusion

Motivation and volition processes that determined dilator use were identified and used in the development of a sexual rehabilitation intervention. It is important to provide sufficient patient information and support, and enlarge patients' perceived self-efficacy.
FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY IN LONG‐TERM INVESTIGATIONS: 100 COLD YEARS
Authors: Kimmerle Erin H.
Published: November 2014

The objective of this paper is to examine how a humanitarian approach to long‐term missing and/or unidentified persons and cold cases can increase case solvability exemplified through the investigation of deaths at the Florida Industrial School for Boys (a.k.a. Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys) in Marianna, Florida. The school closed following a century of controversy regarding abuse, malfeasance, and allegations of murder; prior to closure, the school was subjected to repeated State and Federal investigations. Through the course of this investigation (2011–current), 55 unmarked burials were located and excavated for identification and repatriation using a range of forensic anthropology field and laboratory methods. In 2014, the first child victim was positively identified. This event occurred 100 years after the first reported death at the school and more than 70 years after George Owen Smith went missing. The identity of the decedents, and circumstances surrounding their deaths are established based on archival research forensic interviews, skeletal analysis, and DNA comparisons. These analytical tools are establishing patterns among those who died at the school, which include a disproportionate amount of African American deaths, a high number of runaway deaths, and a high prevalence of death due to infectious disease and illness, likely resulting from the practices and policies of the institution. The historical significance of human and civil rights violations in Florida in the area of juvenile justice and the rights of families to have accountability and transparency, decades after the deaths occurred, are discussed.
Mineral nutrition of campos rupestres plant species on contrasting nutrient‐impoverished soil types
Authors: Oliveira Rafael S. , Galvão Hugo C. , de Campos Mariana C. R. , Eller Cleiton B. , Pearse Stuart J. , Lambers Hans
Published: November 2014

In Brazil, the campos rupestres occur over the Brazilian shield, and are characterized by acidic nutrient‐impoverished soils, which are particularly low in phosphorus (P). Despite recognition of the campos rupestres as a global biodiversity hotspot, little is known about the diversity of P‐acquisition strategies and other aspects of plant mineral nutrition in this region.

To explore nutrient‐acquisition strategies and assess aspects of plant P nutrition, we measured leaf P and nitrogen (N) concentrations, characterized root morphology and determined the percentage arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of 50 dominant species in six communities, representing a gradient of soil P availability. Leaf manganese (Mn) concentration was measured as a proxy for carboxylate‐releasing strategies.

Communities on the most P‐impoverished soils had the highest proportion of nonmycorrhizal (NM) species, the lowest percentage of mycorrhizal colonization, and the greatest diversity of root specializations. The large spectrum of leaf P concentration and variation in root morphologies show high functional diversity for nutritional strategies. Higher leaf Mn concentrations were observed in NM compared with AM species, indicating that carboxylate‐releasing P‐mobilizing strategies are likely to be present in NM species.

The soils of the campos rupestres are similar to the most P‐impoverished soils in the world. The prevalence of NM strategies indicates a strong global functional convergence in plant mineral nutrition strategies among severely P‐impoverished ecosystems.
Early evolution of the Eukaryota
Authors: Butterfield Nicholas J.
Published: November 2014

The evolution of eukaryotes represents one of the most fundamental transitions in the history of life on Earth; however, there is little consensus as to when or over what timescale it occurred. Review of recent hypotheses and data in a phylogenetic context yields a broadly coherent account. Critical re‐assessment of the palaeontological record provides convincing evidence for the presence of crown‐group eukaryotes in the late Palaeoproterozic, and stem‐group eukaryotes extending back to the early Archaean. Despite their relatively early establishment, crown‐eukaryotes appear not to have become ecologically significant until the middle Neoproterozoic. I argue that this billion‐year delay was due to the singular, contingent evolution of crown‐group animals and their unique capacity to drive co‐evolutionary change.
Pediatric solid organ transplant recipients: Transition to home and chronic illness care
Authors: Lerret Stacee M. , Weiss Marianne E. , Stendahl Gail L. , Chapman Shelley , Menendez Jerome , Williams Laurel , Nadler Michelle L. , Neighbors Katie , Amsden Katie , Cao Yumei , Nugent Melodee , Alonso Estella M. , Simpson Pippa
Published: November 2014

Pediatric SOT recipients are medically fragile and present with complex care issues requiring high‐level management at home. Parents of hospitalized children have reported inadequate preparation for discharge, resulting in problems transitioning from hospital to home and independently self‐managing their child's complex care needs. The aim of this study was to investigate factors associated with the transition from hospital to home and chronic illness care for parents of heart, kidney, liver, lung, or multivisceral recipients. Fifty‐one parents from five pediatric transplant centers completed questionnaires on the day of hospital discharge and telephone interviews at three wk, three months, and six months following discharge from the hospital. Care coordination (p = 0.02) and quality of discharge teaching (p < 0.01) was significantly associated with parent readiness for discharge. Readiness for hospital discharge was subsequently significantly associated with post‐discharge coping difficulty (p = 0.02) at three wk, adherence with medication administration (p = 0.03) at three months, and post‐discharge coping difficulty (p = 0.04) and family management (p = 0.02) at six months post‐discharge. The results underscore the important aspect of education and care coordination in preparing patients and families to successfully self‐manage after hospital discharge. Assessing parental readiness for hospital discharge is another critical component for identifying risk of difficulties in managing post‐discharge care.
Lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein and leptin are associated with stress‐induced interleukin‐6 cytokine expression ex vivo in obesity
Authors: Huang Chun‐Jung , Stewart Jennifer K. , Shibata Yoshimi , Slusher Aaron L. , Acevedo Edmund O.
Published: November 2014

Obesity is associated with enhanced inflammation and mental stress, but limited information has addressed the potential additive effect of psychological stress on obesity‐associated inflammation. This study examined whether obese subjects would elicit a greater host immune response (IL‐6 mRNA and cytokine) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in response to mental stress. Blood samples for LPS‐stimulated IL‐6 mRNA and cytokine were collected prior to and following mental stress. Results showed that obese subjects elicited a greater LPS‐induced IL‐6 along with its mRNA expression following mental stress compared to normal‐weight subjects. Stress‐induced IL‐6 cytokine response to LPS was correlated with the baseline levels of plasma LPS binding protein (LBP) and leptin. These findings are consistent with the idea that endogenous inflammatory agents (e.g., LBP and leptin), often elevated with obesity, enhance inflammatory responses to psychological stress.
Acute onset of generalized tremors, mild ataxia, and hyperesthesia in a young dog after presumptive ingestion of a giant sea hare belonging to the genus Aplysia
Authors: Chia Michael P. C.
Published: November 2014

Objective

To describe an unusual case of canine toxicosis from presumptive sea hare ingestion, its management, and outcome.

Case Summary

A young dog was treated for acute toxicosis after partially ingesting a giant sea hare washed up on a beach. The primary symptoms of generalized tremors, mild ataxia, and hyperesthesia occurred rapidly within 20 minutes of ingestion. Decontamination procedures were performed early and the dog made a full recovery within an approximate period of 6 hours.

New or Unique Information Provided

Sea hare toxicosis should be considered as a potential cause of acute onset of tremors, ataxia, and hyperesthesia in previously healthy dogs living in coastal areas.
Fiber tip-based electron source
Authors: Casandruc Albert , Kassier Günther , Zia Haider , Bücker Robert , Miller R. J. Dwayne
Published: November 2014

The authors report on the first experimental characterization of a fiber tip-based electron source, where electron emission can be triggered by both electric field and optical excitation. Our approach consists of coating the open aperture of a commercial 100 nm apex size near-field scanning optical microscopy fiber tip with a 10 nm thick tungsten (W) layer, which is back-illuminated by a 405 nm continuous-wave laser beam in the presence of an extraction electric field. Despite the very low optical transmission of the fiber due to the subwavelength aperture size, measurements show a clearly enhanced emission when photoexciting the W layer with respect to pure field emission. The emission response time is slower than the optical trigger time, suggesting that thermal effects are predominant in the studied regime. To back up this hypothesis, the authors fabricated a nanometric thermocouple probe based on a Pt/Au junction and measured the temporal response of the tip temperature. The measured switch-on time for the tip temperature is consistent with the switch-on time of the optically enhanced electron emission.
LAOS: The strain softening/strain hardening paradox
Authors: Mermet-Guyennet M. R. B. , Gianfelice de Castro J. , Habibi M. , Martzel N. , Denn M. M. , Bonn D.
Published: November 2014

Numerous materials, from biopolymers to filled rubbers, exhibit strain softening at high strain amplitudes during a strain sweep in oscillatory rheology: The modulus decreases with increasing deformation. On the other hand, if the nonlinear elastic response is analyzed within a single oscillation cycle (described by a Lissajous curve), these systems are often reported to exhibit strain hardening. We compare strain sweeps and single cycle LAOS (large amplitude oscillatory shear) analyses of stress vs strain on three very different materials. We conclude that the reported strain hardening is due to the use of a tangent modulus in the LAOS analysis, and that the overall rheology remains strain softening. To show that this conclusion is robust, we demonstrate a rescaling of the modulus that collapses the data from all the oscillatory measurements onto a single master curve that clearly exhibits the correct strain softening behavior.
Chromosomal Transfers in Mycoplasmas: When Minimal Genomes Go Mobile
Authors: Dordet-Frisoni Emilie , Sagné Eveline , Baranowski Eric , Breton Marc , Nouvel Laurent Xavier , Blanchard Alain , Marenda Marc Serge , Tardy Florence , Sirand-Pugnet Pascal , Citti Christine
Published: November 2014

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a main driving force of bacterial evolution and innovation. This phenomenon was long thought to be marginal in mycoplasmas, a large group of self-replicating bacteria characterized by minute genomes as a result of successive gene losses during evolution. Recent comparative genomic analyses challenged this paradigm, but the occurrence of chromosomal exchanges had never been formally addressed in mycoplasmas. Here, we demonstrated the conjugal transfer of large chromosomal regions within and among ruminant mycoplasma species, with the incorporation of the incoming DNA occurring by homologous recombination into the recipient chromosome. By combining classical mating experiments with high-throughput next-generation sequencing, we documented the transfer of almost every position of the mycoplasma chromosome. Mycoplasma conjugation relies on the occurrence of an integrative conjugative element (ICE) in at least one parent cell. While ICE propagates horizontally from ICE-positive to ICE-negative cells, chromosomal transfers (CTs) occurred in the opposite direction, from ICE-negative to ICE-positive cells, independently of ICE movement. These findings challenged the classical mechanisms proposed for other bacteria in which conjugative CTs are driven by conjugative elements, bringing into the spotlight a new means for rapid mycoplasma innovation. Overall, they radically change our current views concerning the evolution of mycoplasmas, with particularly far-reaching implications given that over 50 species are human or animal pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
Horizontal gene transfers (HGT) shape bacterial genomes and are key contributors to microbial diversity and innovation. One main mechanism involves conjugation, a process that allows the simultaneous transfer of significant amounts of DNA upon cell-to-cell contact. Recognizing and deciphering conjugal mechanisms are thus essential in understanding the impact of gene flux on bacterial evolution. We addressed this issue in mycoplasmas, the smallest and simplest self-replicating bacteria. In these organisms, HGT was long thought to be marginal. We showed here that nearly every position of the
Mycoplasma agalactiae
chromosome could be transferred via conjugation, using an unconventional mechanism. The transfer involved DNA blocks containing up to 80 genes that were incorporated into the host chromosome by homologous recombination. These findings radically change our views concerning mycoplasma evolution and adaptation with particularly far-reaching implications given that over 50 species are human or animal pathogens.
An Inner Membrane Cytochrome Required Only for Reduction of High Redox Potential Extracellular Electron Acceptors
Authors: Levar Caleb E. , Chan Chi Ho , Mehta-Kolte Misha G. , Bond Daniel R.
Published: November 2014

Dissimilatory metal-reducing bacteria, such as
Geobacter sulfurreducens
, transfer electrons beyond their outer membranes to Fe(III) and Mn(IV) oxides, heavy metals, and electrodes in electrochemical devices. In the environment, metal acceptors exist in multiple chelated and insoluble forms that span a range of redox potentials and offer different amounts of available energy. Despite this, metal-reducing bacteria have not been shown to alter their electron transfer strategies to take advantage of these energy differences. Disruption of
imcH
, encoding an inner membrane
c-
type cytochrome, eliminated the ability of
G. sulfurreducens
to reduce Fe(III) citrate, Fe(III)-EDTA, and insoluble Mn(IV) oxides, electron acceptors with potentials greater than 0.1 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), but the
imcH
mutant retained the ability to reduce Fe(III) oxides with potentials of ≤−0.1 V versus SHE. The
imcH
mutant failed to grow on electrodes poised at +0.24 V versus SHE, but switching electrodes to −0.1 V versus SHE triggered exponential growth. At potentials of ≤−0.1 V versus SHE, both the wild type and the
imcH
mutant doubled 60% slower than at higher potentials. Electrodes poised even 100 mV higher (0.0 V versus SHE) could not trigger
imcH
mutant growth. These results demonstrate that
G. sulfurreducens
possesses multiple respiratory pathways, that some of these pathways are in operation only after exposure to low redox potentials, and that electron flow can be coupled to generation of different amounts of energy for growth. The redox potentials that trigger these behaviors mirror those of metal acceptors common in subsurface environments where
Geobacter
is found.

IMPORTANCE
Insoluble metal oxides in the environment represent a common and vast reservoir of energy for respiratory microbes capable of transferring electrons across their insulating membranes to external acceptors, a process termed extracellular electron transfer. Despite the global biogeochemical importance of metal cycling and the ability of such organisms to produce electricity at electrodes, fundamental gaps in the understanding of extracellular electron transfer biochemistry exist. Here, we describe a conserved inner membrane redox protein in
Geobacter sulfurreducens
which is required only for electron transfer to high-potential compounds, and we show that
G. sulfurreducens
has the ability to utilize different electron transfer pathways in response to the amount of energy available in a metal or electrode distant from the cell.
Genomics Review of Holocellulose Deconstruction by Aspergilli
Authors: Segato Fernando , Damásio André R. L. , de Lucas Rosymar C. , Squina Fabio M. , Prade Rolf A.
Published: November 2014

Biomass is constructed of dense recalcitrant polymeric materials: proteins, lignin, and holocellulose, a fraction constituting fibrous cellulose wrapped in hemicellulose-pectin. Bacteria and fungi are abundant in soil and forest floors, actively recycling biomass mainly by extracting sugars from holocellulose degradation. Here we review the genome-wide contents of seven
Aspergillus
species and unravel hundreds of gene models encoding holocellulose-degrading enzymes. Numerous apparent gene duplications followed functional evolution, grouping similar genes into smaller coherent functional families according to specialized structural features, domain organization, biochemical activity, and genus genome distribution. Aspergilli contain about 37 cellulase gene models, clustered in two mechanistic categories: 27 hydrolyze and 10 oxidize glycosidic bonds. Within the oxidative enzymes, we found two cellobiose dehydrogenases that produce oxygen radicals utilized by eight lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases that oxidize glycosidic linkages, breaking crystalline cellulose chains and making them accessible to hydrolytic enzymes. Among the hydrolases, six cellobiohydrolases with a tunnel-like structural fold embrace single crystalline cellulose chains and cooperate at nonreducing or reducing end termini, splitting off cellobiose. Five endoglucanases group into four structural families and interact randomly and internally with cellulose through an open cleft catalytic domain, and finally, seven extracellular β-glucosidases cleave cellobiose and related oligomers into glucose. Aspergilli contain, on average, 30 hemicellulase and 7 accessory gene models, distributed among 9 distinct functional categories: the backbone-attacking enzymes xylanase, mannosidase, arabinase, and xyloglucanase, the short-side-chain-removing enzymes xylan α-1,2-glucuronidase, arabinofuranosidase, and xylosidase, and the accessory enzymes acetyl xylan and feruloyl esterases.
Plant-Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzymes from Basidiomycetes
Authors: Rytioja Johanna , Hildén Kristiina , Yuzon Jennifer , Hatakka Annele , de Vries Ronald P. , Mäkelä Miia R.
Published: November 2014

Basidiomycete fungi subsist on various types of plant material in diverse environments, from living and dead trees and forest litter to crops and grasses and to decaying plant matter in soils. Due to the variation in their natural carbon sources, basidiomycetes have highly varied plant-polysaccharide-degrading capabilities. This topic is not as well studied for basidiomycetes as for ascomycete fungi, which are the main sources of knowledge on fungal plant polysaccharide degradation. Research on plant-biomass-decaying fungi has focused on isolating enzymes for current and future applications, such as for the production of fuels, the food industry, and waste treatment. More recently, genomic studies of basidiomycete fungi have provided a profound view of the plant-biomass-degrading potential of wood-rotting, litter-decomposing, plant-pathogenic, and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) basidiomycetes. This review summarizes the current knowledge on plant polysaccharide depolymerization by basidiomycete species from diverse habitats. In addition, these data are compared to those for the most broadly studied ascomycete genus,
Aspergillus
, to provide insight into specific features of basidiomycetes with respect to plant polysaccharide degradation.
Use of systemic therapy in the treatment of choroidal metastases from breast cancer
Authors: Alzouebi Mymoona , Ramakrishnan Sundareswaran , Rennie Ian , Salvi Sachin
Published: November 2014

This is a case report on the use of systemic therapy to successfully regress choroidal metastases due to breast cancer. The choroid is the commonest site for intraocular metastatic disease. Breast and lung cancer are frequently the primary malignancies. Traditionally, choroidal metastases are treated with local therapy to the eye including using either external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy or, recently, with photodynamic therapy. We report on the impressive results obtained with the use of palliative paclitaxel chemotherapy and trastuzumab after only 8 weeks. Funduscopic images and ultrasound findings support this.
Unilateral opercular infarction presenting with Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome
Authors: Sá Francisca , Menezes Cordeiro Inês , Mestre Susana , Nzwalo Hipólito
Published: November 2014

Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome (FCMS) also known as bilateral anterior opercular syndrome is a form of suprabulbar palsy defined by the presence of bilateral voluntary facial, pharyngeal, lingual and masticatory paralysis with automatic–voluntary movement dissociation. We report an extremely rare case of FCMS in a patient with a unilateral left opercular lesion associated with a chronic asymptomatic contralateral cerebellar lesion. Despite intensive rehabilitation, little improvement was noticed at hospital discharge.
Experiences and meanings of integration of TCAM (Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medical) providers in three Indian states: results from a cross-sectional, qualitative implementation research study
Authors: Nambiar D , Narayan V V , Josyula L K , Porter J D H , Sathyanarayana T N , Sheikh K
Published: November 2014

Objectives

Efforts to engage Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medical (TCAM) practitioners in the public health workforce have growing relevance for India's path to universal health coverage. We used an action-centred framework to understand how policy prescriptions related to integration were being implemented in three distinct Indian states.

Setting

Health departments and district-level primary care facilities in the states of Kerala, Meghalaya and Delhi.

Participants

In each state, two or three districts were chosen that represented a variation in accessibility and distribution across TCAM providers (eg, small or large proportions of local health practitioners, Homoeopaths, Ayurvedic and/or Unani practitioners). Per district, two blocks or geographical units were selected. TCAM and allopathic practitioners, administrators and representatives of the community at the district and state levels were chosen based on publicly available records from state and municipal authorities. A total of 196 interviews were carried out: 74 in Kerala, and 61 each in Delhi and Meghalaya.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We sought to understand experiences and meanings associated with integration across stakeholders, as well as barriers and facilitators to implementing policies related to integration of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative (TCA) providers at the systems level.

Results

We found that individual and interpersonal attributes tended to facilitate integration, while system features and processes tended to hinder it. Collegiality, recognition of stature, as well as exercise of individual personal initiative among TCA practitioners and of personal experience of TCAM among allopaths enabled integration. The system, on the other hand, was characterised by the fragmentation of jurisdiction and facilities, intersystem isolation, lack of trust in and awareness of TCA systems, and inadequate infrastructure and resources for TCA service delivery.

Conclusions

State-tailored strategies that routinise interaction, reward individual and system-level individual integrative efforts, and are fostered by high-level political will are recommended.
Observed high incidence of buried bumper syndrome associated with Freka PEG tubes
Authors: Dowman Joanna K , Ditchburn Linda , Chapman Warren , Lidder Par , Wootton Nicola , Ryan Nicola , Cooney Rachel M
Published: November 2014

Background

Buried bumper syndrome (BBS) is an uncommon but significant complication of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), which occurs due to overgrowth of gastric mucosa over the inner bumper of the gastrostomy tube. A high incidence of BBS was observed in patients with Freka PEG tubes.

Objective

To review case numbers of BBS and confirm the observed association with Freka tubes to determine whether change of practice should be considered.

Design

Data was collected on the number of cases of BBS reported to the community nutrition team Birmingham, UK. Data on type of PEG kit and total number of PEGs inserted between 2009 and 2013 were collected. The electronic endoscopy reporting database was used to compare case numbers of BBS in our Trust in years when Corflo and Freka PEG tubes were used, respectively. Data from our Trust were also compared with that from a Trust using Corflo only.

Results

Fifty-eight cases of BBS were reported in the area covered by the Birmingham community nutrition team between 2009 and 2013, all of which were associated with Freka PEG tubes. An estimated 1000–1200 PEGs were inserted during this period, representing an incidence of BBS of 4.8–5.8%. No cases of BBS occurred over the same period in the comparison Trust (451 Corflo PEGs inserted).

Conclusions

Our review confirmed our observation of an increased risk of BBS with Freka PEG tubes. Clinicians should be aware of our findings when deciding which brand of PEG tube to insert, particularly in patients with a previous history of BBS.
Recovery facilitation with Montmorency cherries following high-intensity, metabolically challenging exercise
Authors: Bell Phillip G. , Walshe Ian H. , Davison Gareth W. , Stevenson Emma J. , Howatson Glyn
Published: November 2014

The impact of Montmorency tart cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) concentrate (MC) on physiological indices and functional performance was examined following a bout of high-intensity stochastic cycling. Trained cyclists (n = 16) were equally divided into 2 groups (MC or isoenergetic placebo (PLA)) and consumed 30 mL of supplement, twice per day for 8 consecutive days. On the fifth day of supplementation, participants completed a 109-min cycling trial designed to replicate road race demands. Functional performance (maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), cycling efficiency, 6-s peak cycling power) and delayed onset muscle soreness were assessed at baseline, 24, 48, and 72 h post-trial. Blood samples collected at baseline, immediately pre- and post-trial, and at 1, 3, 5, 24, 48, and 72 h post-trial were analysed for indices of inflammation (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)), oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides), and muscle damage (creatine kinase). MVIC (P < 0.05) did not decline in the MC group (vs. PLA) across the 72-h post-trial period and economy (P < 0.05) was improved in the MC group at 24 h. IL-6 (P < 0.001) and hsCRP (P < 0.05) responses to the trial were attenuated with MC (vs. PLA). No other blood markers were significantly different between MC and PLA groups. The results of the study suggest that Montmorency cherry concentrate can be an efficacious functional food for accelerating recovery and reducing exercise-induced inflammation following strenuous cycling exercise.
Investigation of changes in the arrangement of water molecules and salt ions surrounding different atoms of the DNA molecule during the melting process: a molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Izanloo C.
Published: November 2014

A molecular dynamics simulation was performed on a B-DNA duplex (CGCGAATTGCGC) at different temperatures. The DNA was immerged in a saltwater medium with 1 mol/L NaCl concentration. The arrangements of water molecules and cations around the different atoms of DNA on the melting pathway were investigated. Almost for all atoms of the DNA by double helix → single-stranded transition, the water molecules released from the DNA duplex and cations were close to single-stranded DNA, but this behavior was not clearly seen at melting temperatures. Therefore, release of water molecules and cations approaching the DNA by the increase of temperature does not have any effect on the sharpness of the transition curve. Most of the water molecules and cations were found to be around the negatively charged phosphate oxygen atoms. The number of water molecules released from the first shell hydration upon melting in the minor groove was higher than in the major groove, and intrusion of cations into the minor groove after melting was higher than into the major groove. The hydrations of imino protons were different from each other and were dependent on DNA bases.
Response of plant community structure and primary productivity to experimental drought and flooding in an Alaskan fen
Authors: Churchill Amber C. , Turetsky Merritt R. , McGuire A. David , Hollingsworth Teresa N.
Published: November 2014

Northern peatlands represent a long-term net sink for atmospheric CO2, but these ecosystems can shift from net carbon (C) sinks to sources based on changing climate and environmental conditions. In particular, changes in water availability associated with climate control peatland vegetation and carbon uptake processes. We examined the influence of changing hydrology on plant species abundance and ecosystem primary production in an Alaskan fen by manipulating the water table in field treatments to mimic either sustained flooding (raised water table) or drought (lowered water table) conditions for 6 years. We found that water table treatments altered plant species abundance by increasing sedge and grass cover in the raised water table treatment and reducing moss cover while increasing vascular green area in the lowered water table treatment. Gross primary productivity was lower in the lowered treatment than in the other plots, although there were no differences in total biomass or vascular net primary productivity among the treatments. Overall, our results indicate that vegetation abundance was more sensitive to variation in water table than total biomass and vascular biomass accrual. Finally, in our experimental peatland, drought had stronger consequences for change in vegetation abundance and ecosystem function than sustained flooding.
A new car following model from the perspective of visual imaging
Authors: Zheng Liang , He Zhengbing
Published: November 2014

The paper proposes a car following model from the perspective of visual imaging (VIM), where the visual imaging size of the preceding vehicle on a driver's retina is considered as the stimuli and determines the driving behaviors. NGSIM trajectory data are applied to calibrate and validate the VIM under two scenarios, i.e. following the car and following the truck, whose fitting performance outperforms that of visual angle car following model (VAM). Through linear stability analyses for VIM, it can be drawn that the asymmetry in traffic flow is preserved; the larger vehicle width, vehicle length and vehicle apparent size all benefit enlarging the traffic flow stable region; the traffic flow unstable region when following the car tends to fall in the relatively small distance headway range compared with that when following the truck. After that, numerical experiments demonstrate that the visual imaging information applied in VIM is more contributive to the traffic flow stability than the visual angle information in VAM when following the truck in the relatively large distance headway or involving the driver's perception threshold, i.e. Weber ratio; introducing Weber ratio would break the originally stable traffic flow or deteriorate the traffic fluctuation, which however can be alleviated by increasing drivers' sensitivity, e.g., decreasing Weber ratio. Finally, VIM is verified to be able to satisfy the consistency criteria well from the theoretical aspect.
Dimensional reduction in 6D standing waves braneworld
Authors: Sakhelashvili Otari
Published: November 2014

We found cosmological solution of the 6D standing wave braneworld model generated by gravity coupled to a massless scalar phantom-like field. By obtaining a full exact solution of the model, we found a novel dynamical mechanism in which the anisotropic nature of the primordial metric gives rise to expansion of three spatial brane dimensions and affectively reduction of other spatial directions. This dynamical mechanism can be relevant for dimensional reduction in string and other higher-dimensional theories in the attempt of getting a 4D isotropic expanding spacetime.
Carbon Dioxide Capture and Dyes Separation in a Porous Framework with Anionic Sql Net
Authors: Tan Yanxi , Zhang Ying , Zhang Jian , Zheng Yanjun
Published: November 2014

Presented here is a water-stable MOF material [ In (5- AIPA )2] ⋅ Me 2 NH 2(1; 5-AIPA = 5-Aminoisophthalic acid) built from the connecting of tetrahedral building units [ In ( COO )4]-. The sql net of compound 1 exhibits preferable chemical and thermal stability confirmed by thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA) and powder X-ray diffraction pattern (PXRD) measurements. The activated empty phase of 1a, as a good candidate material for CO 2 capture, shows a CO 2 uptake of 56.6 cm3/g and CH 4/ CO 2 selectivity in excess of 16.4. Remarkably, based on the cation exchange mechanism, 1a has excellent MB affinity and can adsorb MB over MO from water in two hours. The results further support the idea that the ionic MOFs can find more applications in the separation of ionic dyes for the purifying of dye wastewater.
Cycling Stability Performance of La0.75Mg0.25Ni3.5Si0.10 Hydrogen Storage Alloy in Discharge–Charge System
Authors: Liu Zhaojiang , Huang Lei , Wan Qi , Li Xu , Guang Ma , Li Ping
Published: November 2014

La 0.75 Mg 0.25 Ni 3.5 Si 0.10 hydrogen storage alloy was prepared by vacuum induction melting furnace and subsequently heated treatment at 940°C for 8 h and cooled to room temperature in the oven. The electrochemical properties of La 0.75 Mg 0.25 Ni 3.5 Si 0.10 compound were measured by LAND CT2001A battery test system. The morphologies of the samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The surface state of samples was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the charge–discharge rate plays the key impact on the cycling stability of the alloy. During the cycle test, the prepared La 0.75 Mg 0.25 Ni 3.5 Si 0.10 compound presented an excellent capacity retention at the charge–discharge of 1 C while the capacity of sample declined rapidly at 0.2 C. The excellent cycling stability performance of La 0.75 Mg 0.25 Ni 3.5 Si 0.10 electrode at 1 C could be attributed to the less powder and less oxidation of surface effective active elements. The pulverization inevitably leads to the separation of the part of the cracking alloy and the electrode, resulting in reduction of the effective active substance and increasing attenuation of the capacity per cycle. In addition, on the analysis of the different cut-off potential effects on the electrode, it was found that the La 0.75 Mg 0.25 Ni 3.5 Si 0.10 electrode shows good comprehensive electrochemical properties at 1 C cut-off 0.6–0.7 V. During charging, heavy overcharge will not be conducive to cycling stability performance during the charging test.
Aerobic oxidative N-dealkylation of secondary amines in aqueous solution catalyzed by rhodium porphyrins
Authors: Yun Lin , Zhen Ling , Wang Zikuan , Fu Xuefeng
Published: November 2014

N-dealkylation demonstrates an important biochemical oxidation reaction by cytochrome P450 and other monooxygenases. In this article, catalytic oxidative N-dealkylation of secondary amines was achieved using rhodium(III) tetra (p-sulfonato-phenyl) porphyrin (( TSPP ) Rh III ) in aqueous solution with oxygen as the sole oxidant. Addition of benzaldehyde to trap primary amine product inhibited catalyst deactivation and dramatically increased reaction turnover numbers (TONs). Substrate scope examination suggested the reaction was performed with a preference for bulkier secondary amines. Kinetic study exhibited first-order kinetics with regard of ( TSPP ) Rh III catalyst. Results from the Hammett study gave a ρ value of -1.38, suggesting formation of an iminium ion intermediate in the rate determining step.
Submodeling Simulations in Fusion Welds: Part II
Authors: Bonifaz E. A.
Published: November 2014

In part I, three-dimensional transient non-linear sub modeling heat transfer simulations were performed to study the thermal histories and thermal cycles that occur during the welding process at the macro, meso and micro scales. In the present work, the corresponding non-uniform temperature changes were imposed as load conditions on structural calculations to study the evolution of localized plastic strains and residual stresses at these sub-level scales. To reach the goal, a three-dimensional finite element elastic-plastic model (ABAQUS code) was developed. The sub-modeling technique proposed to be used in coupling phase-field (and/or digital microstructures) codes with finite element codes, was used to mesh a local part of the model with a refined mesh based on interpolation of the solution from an initial, relatively coarse, macro global model. The meso-sub-model is the global model for the subsequent micro sub-model. The strategy used to calculate temperatures, strains and residual stresses at the macro, meso and micro scale level, is very flexible to be used to any number of levels. The objective of this research was to initiate the development of microstructural models to identify fusion welding process parameters for preserving the single crystal nature of gas turbine blades during repair procedures. The multi-scale submodeling approach can be used to capture weld pool features at the macro-meso scale level, and micro residual stress and secondary dendrite arm spacing features at the micro scale level.
Computers versus Humanity: Do we compete?
Authors: Greenfeld Liah , Simes Mark
Published: November 2014

Liah Greenfeld and Mark Simes have long worked together, integrating the perspectives of two very different disciplinary traditions: cultural history/historical sociology and human neuroscience. The combination of their areas of expertise in the empirical investigation of mental disorders, which severely affect intelligence---among other things---has led them to certain conclusions that may throw a special light on the question of this symposium: Will computers outcompete us all?
Editor's introduction
Authors: Procaccia Ariel D.
Published: November 2014

Issue 13.1 of SIGecom Exchanges includes a letter from the PC chairs of EC'14, a survey, and six research letters.
Notes from the EC'14 program chairs
Authors: Conitzer Vincent , Easley David
Published: November 2014

This short document describes the process used to create the EC'14 program, as well some comments on our experience. This year the conference, which had been called the ACM Conference on Electronic Commerce, was renamed the ACM Conference on Economics and Computation to better reflect the actual makeup of the papers to be presented at the conference. The acronym EC was retained and EC'14 is the fifteenth iteration of the conference.