bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomic Encyclopedia of Type Strains of the Genus Bifidobacterium
Authors: Milani Christian , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Duranti Sabrina , Turroni Francesca , Bottacini Francesca , Mangifesta Marta , Sanchez Borja , Viappiani Alice , Mancabelli Leonardo , Taminiau Bernard , Delcenserie Véronique , Barrangou Rodolphe , Margolles Abelardo , van Sinderen Douwe , Ventura Marco
Published: August 2014

Bifidobacteria represent one of the dominant microbial groups that are present in the gut of various animals, being particularly prevalent during the suckling stage of life of humans and other mammals. However, the overall genome structure of this group of microorganisms remains largely unexplored. Here, we sequenced the genomes of 42 representative (sub)species across the
Bifidobacterium
genus and used this information to explore the overall genetic picture of this bacterial group. Furthermore, the genomic data described here were used to reconstruct the evolutionary development of the
Bifidobacterium
genus. This reconstruction suggests that its evolution was substantially influenced by genetic adaptations to obtain access to glycans, thereby representing a common and potent evolutionary force in shaping bifidobacterial genomes.
Identification of Hypoxia-Inducible Target Genes of Aspergillus fumigatus by Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Cellular Respiration as an Important Contributor to Hypoxic Survival
Authors: Kroll Kristin , Pähtz Vera , Hillmann Falk , Vaknin Yakir , Schmidt-Heck Wolfgang , Roth Martin , Jacobsen Ilse D. , Osherov Nir , Brakhage Axel A. , Kniemeyer Olaf
Published: August 2014

Aspergillus fumigatus
is an opportunistic, airborne pathogen that causes invasive aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. During the infection process,
A. fumigatus
is challenged by hypoxic microenvironments occurring in inflammatory, necrotic tissue. To gain further insights into the adaptation mechanism,
A. fumigatus
was cultivated in an oxygen-controlled chemostat under hypoxic and normoxic conditions. Transcriptome analysis revealed a significant increase in transcripts associated with cell wall polysaccharide metabolism, amino acid and metal ion transport, nitrogen metabolism, and glycolysis. A concomitant reduction in transcript levels was observed with cellular trafficking and G-protein-coupled signaling. To learn more about the functional roles of hypoxia-induced transcripts, we deleted
A. fumigatus
genes putatively involved in reactive nitrogen species detoxification (
fhpA
), NAD
+
regeneration (
frdA
and
osmA
), nitrogen metabolism (
niaD
and
niiA
), and respiration (
rcfB
). We show that the nitric oxygen (NO)-detoxifying flavohemoprotein gene
fhpA
is strongly induced by hypoxia independent of the nitrogen source but is dispensable for hypoxic survival. By deleting the nitrate reductase gene
niaD
, the nitrite reductase gene
niiA
, and the two fumarate reductase genes
frdA
and
osmA
, we found that alternative electron acceptors, such as nitrate and fumarate, do not have a significant impact on growth of
A. fumigatus
during hypoxia, but functional mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes are essential under these conditions. Inhibition studies indicated that primarily complexes III and IV play a crucial role in the hypoxic growth of
A. fumigatus
.
Ascorbic Acid Inhibition of Candida albicans Hsp90-Mediated Morphogenesis Occurs via the Transcriptional Regulator Upc2
Authors: Van Hauwenhuyse Frédérique , Fiori Alessandro , Van Dijck Patrick
Published: August 2014

Morphogenetic transitions of the opportunistic fungal pathogen
Candida albicans
are influenced by temperature changes, with induction of filamentation upon a shift from 30 to 37°C. Hsp90 was identified as a major repressor of an elongated cell morphology at low temperatures, as treatment with specific inhibitors of Hsp90 results in elongated growth forms at 30°C. Elongated growth resulting from a compromised Hsp90 is considered neither hyphal nor pseudohyphal growth. It has been reported that ascorbic acid (vitamin C) interferes with the yeast-to-hypha transition in
C. albicans
. In the present study, we show that ascorbic acid also antagonizes the morphogenetic change caused by hampered Hsp90 function. Further analysis revealed that Upc2, a transcriptional regulator of genes involved in ergosterol biosynthesis, and Erg11, the target of azole antifungals, whose expression is in turn regulated by Upc2, are required for this antagonism. Ergosterol levels correlate with elongated growth and are reduced in cells treated with the Hsp90 inhibitor geldanamycin (GdA) and restored by cotreatment with ascorbic acid. In addition, we show that Upc2 appears to be required for ascorbic acid-mediated inhibition of the antifungal activity of fluconazole. These results identify Upc2 as a major regulator of ascorbic acid-induced effects in
C. albicans
and suggest an association between ergosterol content and elongated growth upon Hsp90 compromise.
A Ric8/Synembryn Homolog Promotes Gpa1 and Gpa2 Activation To Respectively Regulate Cyclic AMP and Pheromone Signaling in Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Gong Jinjun , Grodsky Jacob D. , Zhang Zhengguang , Wang Ping
Published: August 2014

The G protein α subunits Gpa1, Gpa2, and Gpa3 mediate signal transduction and are important in the growth and virulence of
Cryptococcus neoformans
. To understand how Gpa1 functions without a conventional Gβ subunit, we characterized a resistance to inhibitors of cholinesterase 8 (Ric8) homolog from
C. neoformans
, which shares amino acid sequence homology with other Ric8 proteins that exhibit guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity toward Gα. We found that the
ric8
mutant was reduced in capsule size and melanin formation, which could be suppressed by cyclic AMP (cAMP) supplementation or by introducing the activated
GPA1

Q284L

allele. Consistent with the fact that Ric8 participates in cAMP signaling to regulate virulence, the
ric8
mutant was attenuated in virulence toward mice. Interestingly, disruption of
RIC8
also resulted in opposing effects on pheromone signaling, as the
ric8
mutant showed reduced mating but an enhanced ability to induce the pheromone response in the mating partner. To identify Ric8 functional mechanisms, we examined the interactions between Ric8 and the three Gα proteins. Ric8 interacted with Gpa1 and Gpa2, but not Gpa3. The presence of Gpa1
Q284L
negatively affected its interaction with Ric8, whereas the activated Gpa2
Q203L
allele abolished the interaction. Collectively, these findings suggest that Ric8 functions as a GEF to facilitate the activation of Gpa1-cAMP signaling and to promote Gpa2, affecting mating efficiency. Our study highlights the distinct and conserved characteristics associated with G protein signaling and contributes to our overall understanding of how G protein α subunits function with or without a canonical Gβ partner in
C. neoformans
.
LIA4
Encodes a Chromoshadow Domain Protein Required for Genomewide DNA Rearrangements in Tetrahymena thermophila
Authors: Horrell Scott A. , Chalker Douglas L.
Published: August 2014

Extensive DNA elimination occurs as part of macronuclear differentiation during
Tetrahymena
sexual reproduction. The identification of sequences to excise is guided by a specialized RNA interference (RNAi) machinery that targets the methylation of histone H3 lysine 9 (K9) and K27 on chromatin associated with these internal eliminated sequences (IESs). This modified chromatin is reorganized into heterochromatic subnuclear foci, which is a hallmark of their subsequent elimination. Here, we demonstrate that Lia4, a chromoshadow domain-containing protein, is an essential component in this DNA elimination pathway.
LIA4
knockout (
ΔLIA4
) lines fail to excise IESs from their developing somatic genome and arrest at a late stage of conjugation. Lia4 acts after RNAi-guided heterochromatin formation, as both H3K9 and H3K27 methylation are established. Nevertheless, without
LIA4
, these cells fail to form the heterochromatic foci associated with DNA rearrangement, and Lia4 accumulates in the foci, indicating that Lia4 plays a key role in their structure. These data indicate a critical role for Lia4 in organizing the nucleus during
Tetrahymena
macronuclear differentiation.
Lager Yeast Comes of Age
Authors: Wendland Jürgen
Published: August 2014

Alcoholic fermentations have accompanied human civilizations throughout our history. Lager yeasts have a several-century-long tradition of providing fresh beer with clean taste. The yeast strains used for lager beer fermentation have long been recognized as hybrids between two
Saccharomyces
species. We summarize the initial findings on this hybrid nature, the genomics/transcriptomics of lager yeasts, and established targets of strain improvements. Next-generation sequencing has provided fast access to yeast genomes. Its use in population genomics has uncovered many more hybridization events within
Saccharomyces
species, so that lager yeast hybrids are no longer the exception from the rule. These findings have led us to propose network evolution within
Saccharomyces
species. This “web of life” recognizes the ability of closely related species to exchange DNA and thus drain from a combined gene pool rather than be limited to a gene pool restricted by speciation. Within the domesticated lager yeasts, two groups, the Saaz and Frohberg groups, can be distinguished based on fermentation characteristics. Recent evidence suggests that these groups share an evolutionary history. We thus propose to refer to the Saaz group as
Saccharomyces carlsbergensis
and to the Frohberg group as
Saccharomyces pastorianus
based on their distinct genomes. New insight into the hybrid nature of lager yeast will provide novel directions for future strain improvement.
Limited role for routine EEG in the assessment of staring in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Hughes Rebecca , Poon Wai-Yan , Harvey A Simon
Published: August 2014

Aim

The assessment of staring episodes in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is difficult due to the range of diagnostic possibilities, the increased frequency of epileptiform activity on electroencephalogram (EEG), and the inability of normal EEG to exclude seizures. We reviewed the diagnostic use of routine EEG in this setting.

Method

The routine EEG database of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne was searched for recordings during 2005–2010 in children with ASD below 16 years of age who were referred for staring. EEG reports and recordings were reviewed and epileptiform activity was characterised.

Results

Ninety-two EEGs in children with ASD were requested for episodes of staring. No child had absence or focal dyscognitive seizures confirmed on EEG. Findings were normal or showed non-epileptiform abnormalities in 80 children. Interictal epileptiform abnormalities were recorded in 12 children, but were judged potentially significant in only three. Seven children had epileptiform activity typical of benign focal epilepsy of childhood, such discharges seen not uncommonly in developmentally normal and delayed children without seizures.

Interpretation

Given the difficulties of performing EEG in children with ASD, the low yield of positive diagnostic findings and the high frequency of insignificant abnormalities, we suggest that EEG should be undertaken judiciously when evaluating children with ASD and staring episodes.
Estimating the prevalence of chronic conditions in children who die in England, Scotland and Wales: a data linkage cohort study
Authors: Hardelid Pia , Dattani Nirupa , Gilbert Ruth
Published: August 2014

Objectives

To estimate the proportion of children who die with chronic conditions and examine time trends in childhood deaths involving chronic conditions.

Design

Retrospective population-based death cohort study using linked death certificates and hospital discharge records.

Setting

England, Scotland and Wales.

Participants

All resident children who died aged 1–18 years between 2001 and 2010.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was the proportion of children who died with chronic conditions according to age group and type of chronic condition. The secondary outcome was trends over time in mortality rates involving chronic conditions per 100 000 children and trends in the proportion of children who died with chronic conditions.

Results

65.4% of 23 438 children (95% CI 64.8%, 66.0%) died with chronic conditions, using information from death certificates. This increased to 70.7% (95% CI 70.1% to 71.3%) if hospital records up to 1 year before death were also included and was highest (74.8–79.9% depending on age group) among children aged less than 15 years. Using data from death certificates only led to underascertainment of all types of chronic conditions apart from cancer/blood conditions. Neurological/sensory conditions were most common (present in 38.5%). The rate of children dying with a chronic condition has declined since 2001, whereas the proportion of deaths affected by chronic conditions remained stable.

Conclusions

The majority of children who died had a chronic condition. Neurological/sensory conditions were the most prevalent. Linkage between death certificate and hospital discharge data avoids some of the under-recording of non-cancer conditions on death certificates, and provides a low-cost, population-based method for monitoring chronic conditions in children who die.
A fresh look at the costs of non-fatal consumer product injuries
Authors: Lawrence Bruce A , Spicer Rebecca S , Miller Ted R
Published: August 2014

Background

Products under the purview of the Consumer Product Safety Commission are involved in a large share of injuries and injury costs in the USA.

Methods

This study analyses incidence data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) and cost data based on the Injury Cost Model, integrated with the NEISS. We examined the magnitude of non-fatal consumer product related injury, the distribution of products involved in these injuries and the cost of these injuries. We compared these findings with an earlier identical study from 2000.

Results

In 2008–2010, 43.8% of the annual 30.4 million non-fatal injuries treated in hospital emergency departments involved consumer products. Of these consumer product related injuries, in 2009–2010, just three product groups accounted for 77% of the $909 billion annual cost: sports and recreation; home structures and construction materials; and home furnishings and fixtures. Sports and recreation was a leading cause of injury costs among 5–24-year-olds, particularly football, basketball, bicycling, baseball/softball and soccer. Since 1996, football surpassed basketball in becoming the number one cause of injury costs for children aged 10–19 years and the fifth ranked cause of product related injury costs overall. Among those over age 30 years, stairs and floors were a leading cause of consumer product related injury costs, in particular among those over age 70 years where they were responsible for over one-fifth of costs.

Conclusions

The findings of this study highlight priority areas for intervention and generate questions for future research.
Toker cells of the nipple are commonly associated with underlying sebaceous glands but not with lactiferous ducts
Authors: Saeed Duaa , Shousha Sami
Published: August 2014

Aims

Toker cells are clear cells present in the squamous epithelium of the nipple of some women. In contrast to squamous epithelium, they are cytokeratin 7 (CK7) positive. The origin of these cells is not completely understood. It has been suggested that they may represent abortive glands or migratory ductal cells; and may be precursors of Paget's disease of the nipple. Our aim was to investigate the incidence and distribution of Toker cells and their relationship with lactiferous ducts.

Methods

We examined nipple sections from 100 consecutive mastectomies performed at Charing Cross hospital. New sections were stained for CK7 using the immunoperoxidase technique.

Results

Toker cells were identified in 11 cases. They were always clustered within the squamous epithelium superficial to sebaceous glands with no relationship with lactiferous ducts. Two cases in the study had Paget's disease and these were not associated with underlying sebaceous glands.

Conclusions

This study suggests that Toker cells are more likely to be developmentally related to sebaceous glands rather than lactiferous ducts. This raises doubts about the presence of a relationship between Toker cells and the common forms of Paget's disease, as the latter are commonly seen in association with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) involving underlying lactiferous ducts. Toker cells, however, may be related to a less common form of Paget's disease which is not associated with underlying DCIS.
Do recruitment patterns of young men who have sex with men (YMSM) recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) violate assumptions?
Authors: Phillips Gregory , Kuhns Lisa M , Garofalo Rob , Mustanski Brian
Published: August 2014

Background

To generate unbiased estimates for data collected using respondent-driven sampling (RDS), a number of assumptions need to be met: individuals recruit randomly from their social network and people can accurately report their eligible network size. However, research has shown that these assumptions are often violated.

Methods

This study used baseline data from Crew 450, a longitudinal study of young men who have sex with men in Chicago who were recruited via a modified form of RDS and its network substudy, in which a subset of 175 participants reported details on the composition and characteristics of their social network at either 1 or 2 years postbaseline.

Results

Nearly two-thirds of participants reported giving coupons to at least one alter (64%), and 56.3% believed their alter(s) used the coupons. Frequency of communication, closeness and type of relationship played a major role in determining coupon distribution. Participants whose alters used coupons were significantly less likely to describe the strength of their relationship as ‘not at all close’ (OR=0.08; 95% CI 0.02 to 0.36) compared with ‘very close’ and to communicate weekly (OR=0.20; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.49) or 1–6 times in the past 6 months (OR=0.18; 95% CI 0.06 to 0.59).

Conclusions

Contrary to RDS assumptions, we found that relationship characteristics played a significant role when individuals decided to whom they would give coupons.
Acute effects of pea protein and hull fibre alone and combined on blood glucose, appetite, and food intake in healthy young men – a randomized crossover trial
Authors: Mollard Rebecca C. , Luhovyy Bohdan L. , Smith Christopher , Anderson G. Harvey
Published: August 2014

Whether pulse components can be used as value-added ingredients in foods formulated for blood glucose (BG) and food intake (FI) control requires investigation. The objective of this study was to examine of the effects of pea components on FI at an ad libitum meal, as well as appetite and BG responses before and after the meal. In a repeated-measures crossover trial, men (n = 15) randomly consumed (i) pea hull fibre (7 g), (ii) pea protein (10 g), (iii) pea protein (10 g) plus hull fibre (7 g), (iv) yellow peas (406 g), and (v) control. Pea hull fibre and protein were served with tomato sauce and noodles, while yellow peas were served with tomato sauce. Control was noodles and tomato sauce. FI was measured at a pizza meal (135 min). Appetite and BG were measured pre-pizza (0–135 min) and post-pizza (155–215 min). Protein plus fibre and yellow peas led to lower pre-pizza BG area under the curve compared with fibre and control. At 30 min, BG was lower after protein plus fibre and yellow peas compared with fibre and control, whereas at 45 and 75 min, protein plus fibre and yellow peas led to lower BG compared with fibre (p < 0.05). Following the pizza meal (155 min), yellow peas led to lower BG compared with fibre (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in FI or appetite. This trial supports the use of pea components as value-added ingredients in foods designed to improve glycemic control.
Spatial community concordance of summer phytoplankton and profundal macroinvertebrates in boreal lakes
Authors: Jyväsjärvi Jussi , Järvinen Marko , Hämäläinen Heikki
Published: August 2014

Reliance of profundal benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages on epilimnetic algal production — a key element of pelagic–benthic coupling — is a well-recognized phenomenon in the literature but the details are still poorly understood. In particular, the importance of taxonomic composition of algal communities and associated qualitative aspects of the settling material to benthic invertebrates is poorly known. We addressed this issue by investigating concordance of summer phytoplankton and profundal macroinvertebrate community composition using data from 47 boreal lakes. We examined community variation and environmental correlates of phytoplankton and macroinvertebrates with nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordinations. We also used cluster analysis to group sites according to their macroinvertebrate assemblages and evaluated the differences in phytoplankton composition and class-specific relative abundance among the clusters. Community concordance was evaluated with Procrustes rotation and partial Mantel tests, using oxygen concentration and phytoplankton biomass — the main drivers of macroinvertebrate community structure — as controlling factors. Procrustes and Mantel tests suggested congruence between macroinvertebrate and summer phytoplankton community composition. The concordance remained significant even after controlling for oxygen and biomass, by partial Mantel tests, suggesting a unique effect of phytoplankton species composition on macroinvertebrate assemblages. The four groups of lakes clustered by their macroinvertebrate assemblages also differed significantly in their phytoplankton taxa composition, and there were among-cluster differences in relative abundance of the seven most abundant phytoplankton classes. Our findings of community concordance of phytoplankton and profundal macroinvertebrates suggest a functional dependency of these two components, but further studies are needed to verify the actual causal mechanisms.
Transition probabilities, oscillator strengths, and test of J-file sum rule for the 2p53p → 2p53s transition array in the neon emission spectra
Authors: Piracha Naveed K. , Delanis Dan , Kaminsky John , Duncan-Chamberlin K. V. , Asghar Haroon , Ali Raheel , Baig M.A.
Published: August 2014

In this work experimental transition probabilities, line strengths, and atomic oscillator strengths of 30 spectral lines corresponding to the 2p53p → 2p53s transitions array of neon have been deduced using a neon-filled hollow cathode lamp in conjunction with two spectrographs covering the wavelength region from 500 to 1000 nm. The experimental absolute transition probabilities have been determined using the relative intensity method and lifetimes of the excited states. The transition probabilities have been converted to the line strengths data and used for testing the J-file sum rule. Relative line strengths of all the lines have been computed to determine the oscillator strength values. The measured transition probabilities, oscillator strengths, and relative line strengths agree well with the previously reported data.
Resveratrol protects against experimental induced Reye’s syndrome by prohibition of oxidative stress and restoration of complex I activity
Authors: Abdin Amany , Sarhan Naglaa
Published: August 2014

This study was designed to investigate whether resveratrol could provide protection against Reye’s syndrome induced by 4-pentenoic acid in Wistar albino rats. Compared with rats with untreated Reye’s syndrome, 1 h pretreatment by low dose resveratrol (10 mg/kg by oral gavage) resulted in marked amelioration in liver functions in the form of significant decrease in serum transaminases (AST, ALT) and plasma ammonia levels, shortening of prothrombin time, and increase in serum albumin levels. In addition, resveratrol prohibited oxidative stress markers, as indicated by a significant increase in GSH and decrease in MDA, with restoration of complex I activity in liver tissues. The classical histopathological presentation in Reye’s syndrome of microvesicular steatosis by light microscope and mitochondria distortion by electron microscope has been improved by resveratrol pretreatment. The efficient protection by resveratrol was determined by normalization in serum levels of AST and albumin, as well as complex I activity, GSH, and MDA. In conclusion, pretreatment by resveratrol in low doses could protect against Reye’s syndrome partially via prohibition of oxidative stress and restoration of complex I activity. This may provide the opportunity to reconsider aspirin therapy for infants and young children. However, the verification of such results in clinical practice remains a challenge.
Quantitative 3D microstructural analysis of naturally deformed amphibolite from the Southern Alps (Italy): microstructures, CPO and seismic anisotropy from a fossil extensional margin
Authors: Zucali Michele , Barberini Valentina , Voltolini Marco , Ouladdiaf Bachir , Chateigner Daniel , Mancini Lucia , Lutterotti Luca
Published: August 2014

The anisotropy of a rock is intimately related to the development of shape-preferred orientations (SPOs) and crystallographic-preferred orientations (CPOs). Quantifying the three-dimensional (3D) CPOs and SPOs in natural rocks is therefore critical for understanding the processes underlying the development of anisotropy. In this work, we present a CPO study of six amphibolite samples from the western Southern Alps (Italy) that have been characterized previously. Quantitative texture analyses using neutron diffraction data provided 3D CPOs for amphibole and plagioclase and were used to calculate seismic properties. We describe the relations between mesoscopic foliation and lineation, crystallographic fabrics and seismic anisotropies for lower–middle crust amphibolites. Based on these relations and in the context of lower–middle crust within fossil extensional margin, we suggest that seismic profiles should display large-scale geological features commonly present in extensional tectonics, such as folds and shear zones, rather than flat-lying structures. Moreover, from the integration of CPOs with geological data, we observe that samples from the Strona Ceneri boundary are characterized by a granulite to amphibolite facies transition while those from the Scisti dei Laghi only record the amphibolite facies evolution, supporting the idea of two independent tectono-metamorphic units pre-dating the amphibolite re-equilibration.
Descriptive tools for the analysis of texture projects with large datasets using
MTEX
: strength, symmetry and components
Authors: Mainprice David , Bachmann Florian , Hielscher Ralf , Schaeben Helmut
Published: August 2014

This paper presents the background for the calculation of various numbers that can be used to characterize crystal-preferred orientation (CPO), also known as texture in materials science, for large datasets using the combined scripting possibilities of
MTEX
and MatLab®. The paper is focused on three aspects in particular: the strength of CPO represented by orientation and misorientation distribution functions (ODFs, MDFs) or pole figures (PFs); symmetry of PFs and components of ODFs; and elastic tensors. The traditional measurements of texture strength of ODFs, MDFs and PFs are integral measurements of the distribution squared. The M-index is a partial measure of the MDF as the difference between uniform and measured misorientation angles. In addition there other parameters based on eigen analysis, but there are restrictions on their use. Eigen analysis does provide some shape factors for the distributions. The maxima of an ODF provides information on the modes.
MTEX
provides an estimate of the lower bound uniform fraction of an ODF. Finally, we illustrate the decomposition of arbitrary elastic tensor into symmetry components as an example of components in anisotropic physical properties. Ten examples scripts and their output are provided in the appendix.
Mercury fluxes from volcanic and geothermal sources: an update
Authors: Bagnato E. , Tamburello G. , Avard G. , Martinez-Cruz M. , Enrico M. , Fu X. , Sprovieri M. , Sonke J. E.
Published: August 2014

We review the state of knowledge on global volcanogenic Hg emissions to the atmosphere and present new data from seven active volcanoes (Poás, Rincón de la Vieja, Turrialba, Aso, Mutnovsky, Gorely and Etna) and two geothermal fields (Las Pailas and Las Hornillas). The variability of Hg contents (
c.
4–125 ng m
−3
) measured in gaseous emissions reflects the dynamic nature of volcanic plumes, where the abundances of volatiles are determined by the physical nature of degassing and variable air dilution. Based on our dataset and previous work, we propose that an average Hg/SO
2
plume mass ratio of
c.
7.8×10
−6
(±1.5×10
−6
; 1 SE,
n
=13) is best representative of open-conduit quiescent degassing. Taking into account the uncertainty in global SO
2
emissions, we infer a global volcanic Hg flux from persistent degassing of
c.
76±30 t a
−1
. Our data are derived from active volcanoes during non-eruptive periods and we do not have any direct constraint on the Hg flux during periods of elevated SO
2
flux associated with large-scale effusive or explosive eruptions. This suggests that the time-averaged Hg flux from these volcanoes is even larger if the eruptive contribution is considered. Conversely, closed-conduit degassing and geothermal emissions contribute modest amounts of Hg.
Magmatic volatile distribution as recorded by rhyolitic melt inclusions in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand
Authors: Bégué Florence , Gravley Darren M. , Chambefort Isabelle , Deering Chad D. , Kennedy Ben M.
Published: August 2014

The central Taupo Volcanic Zone (TVZ) is an actively rifting continental arc and is well known for its exceptionally high rate of rhyolitic magma generation and frequent caldera-forming eruptions. Two end-member types of rhyolites (R1 and R2) have been previously identified based on differences in their bulk-rock chemistry and mineral assemblage with hydrous phases crystallizing in the R1 type, which are not present or only rare in R2 rhyolites. Here we present new trace element and volatile data from rhyolitic melt inclusions measured in several representative eruptive deposits (R1 and R2 rhyolites) from the central TVZ to examine their volatile concentrations and origin. R1 and R2 show very distinct Cl concentrations, with R2 rhyolites being enriched in Cl by
c.
1000 ppm. H
2
O is slightly higher in the R1 rhyolites, whereas CO
2
concentrations are similar between the two end-member types. The origin of these volatile disparities between R1 and R2 melts is assigned to differences in the initial bulk volatile content of the parental magma, possibly associated with distinct input of fluids from the subduction zone. These disparities in bulk volatile concentrations can lead to variations in relative timing of exsolution of volatile phase(s) prior to melt inclusion entrapment.

Supplementary material:

Major, trace and volatile composition for the analysed central TVZ rhyolites, and comparison of H
2
O data between the transmission and reflectance FTIR are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18767
.
Effects of volatile behaviour on dome collapse and resultant pyroclastic surge dynamics: Gunung Merapi 2010 eruption
Authors: Genareau Kimberly , Cronin Shane J. , Lube Gert
Published: August 2014

In 2010, Gunung Merapi (Central Java, Indonesia) generated two violent eruption sequences on 26 October and 5 November culminating in widespread pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) associated with the destruction of lava domes. Tephra from PDC deposits were analysed to examine pre-dome collapse volatile behaviour and evidence of carbonate assimilation. Secondary-ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) depth profiles of plagioclase phenocrysts reveal that the
7
Li/
30
Si ratios in 26 October products are higher in the glass compared to the crystal, indicating a build-up of Li in the groundmass not observed in the 5 November samples. Higher Li in the groundmass suggests gas accumulation and rapid development of conduit overpressure in the shallow plumbing system prior to the initial 26 October explosion, which was only captured through the behaviour of quickly diffusing Li and not H
2
O. Following the explosion-induced decompression, juvenile magma rapidly ascended in great volume to generate extremely destructive PDCs following subsequent dome collapses, particularly on 5 November. Additionally, 26 October tephras contain carbonate grains in the ash component and abundant CO
2
within the lava lapilli groundmass glass, which supports previous studies indicating assimilation of calc-silicate lithologies by the Merapi magma at depth in the plumbing system prior to the onset of 2010 activity.

supplementary material:

Feldspar microlite compositions and SIMS volatile data for the glass measurements are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18762
.
Alterations of field potentials in isotropic cardiomyocyte cell layers induced by multiple endogenous pacemakers under normal and hypothermal conditions
Authors: Kienast R. , Stöger M. , Handler M. , Hanser F. , Baumgartner C.
Published: August 2014

The use of autonomous contracting randomly grown cardiomyocyte monolayers cultivated on microelectrode arrays (MEAs) represents an accepted experimental setting for preclinical experimental research in the field of cardiac electrophysiology. A dominant pacemaker forces a monolayer to adhere to a regular and synchronized contraction. Randomly distributed multiple pacemakers interfere with this dominant center, resulting in more or less frequent changes of propagation direction. This study aims to characterize the impact of changing propagation directions at single electrodes of the MEA on the four intrinsic parameters of registered field potentials (FPs) FPrise, FPMIN, FPpre, and FPdur and conduction velocity (CV) under normal and hypothermal conditions. Primary cultures of chicken cardiomyocytes ( n = 18) were plated directly onto MEAs and FPs were recorded in a temperature range between 37 and 29°C. The number and spatiotemporal distribution of biological and artificial pacemakers of each cell layer inside and outside of the MEA registration area were evaluated using an algorithm developed in-house. In almost every second myocardial cell layer, interfering autonomous pacemakers were detected at stable temperatures, showing random spatial distributions with similar beating rates. Additionally, a temperature-dependent change of the dominant pacemaker center was observed in n = 16 experiments. A significant spread-direction-dependent variation of CV, FPrise, FPMIN, and FPpre up to 14% could be measured between different endogenous pacemakers. In conclusion, based on our results, disregarding the spatial origin of excitation may lead to misinterpretations and erroneous conclusions of FP parameters in the verification of research hypotheses in cellular electrocardiology.
Mitochondrial uncoupling does not decrease reactive oxygen species production after ischemia-reperfusion
Authors: Quarrie Ricardo , Lee Daniel S. , Reyes Levy , Erdahl Warren , Pfeiffer Douglas R. , Zweier Jay L. , Crestanello Juan A.
Published: August 2014

Cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) leads to myocardial dysfunction by increasing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mitochondrial H+leak decreases ROS formation; it has been postulated that increasing H+leak may be a mechanism of decreasing ROS production after IR. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) decreases ROS formation after IR, but the mechanism is unknown. We hypothesize that pharmacologically increasing mitochondrial H+leak would decrease ROS production after IR. We further hypothesize that IPC would be associated with an increase in the rate of H+leak. Isolated male Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were subjected to either control or IPC. Mitochondria were isolated at end equilibration, end ischemia, and end reperfusion. Mitochondrial membrane potential (mΔΨ) was measured using a tetraphenylphosphonium electrode. Mitochondrial uncoupling was achieved by adding increasing concentrations of FCCP. Mitochondrial ROS production was measured by fluorometry using Amplex-Red. Pyridine dinucleotide levels were measured using HPLC. Before IR, increasing H+leak decreased mitochondrial ROS production. After IR, ROS production was not affected by increasing H+leak. H+leak increased at end ischemia in control mitochondria. IPC mitochondria showed no change in the rate of H+leak throughout IR. NADPH levels decreased after IR in both IPC and control mitochondria while NADH increased. Pharmacologically, increasing H+leak is not a method of decreasing ROS production after IR. Replenishing the NADPH pool may be a means of scavenging the excess ROS thereby attenuating oxidative damage after IR.
Cardiac-specific suppression of NF-κB signaling prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy via inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system
Authors: Thomas Candice M. , Yong Qian Chen , Rosa Rodolfo M. , Seqqat Rachid , Gopal Shanthi , Casarini Dulce E. , Jones W. Keith , Gupta Sudhiranjan , Baker Kenneth M. , Kumar Rajesh
Published: August 2014

Activation of NF-κB signaling in the heart may be protective or deleterious depending on the pathological context. In diabetes, the role of NF-κB in cardiac dysfunction has been investigated using pharmacological approaches that have a limitation of being nonspecific. Furthermore, the specific cellular pathways by which NF-κB modulates heart function in diabetes have not been identified. To address these questions, we used a transgenic mouse line expressing mutated IκB-α in the heart (3M mice), which prevented activation of canonical NF-κB signaling. Diabetes was developed by streptozotocin injections in wild-type (WT) and 3M mice. Diabetic WT mice developed systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction by the 12th week, as measured by echocardiography. In contrast, cardiac function was preserved in 3M mice up to 24 wk of diabetes. Diabetes induced an elevation in cardiac oxidative stress in diabetic WT mice but not 3M mice compared with nondiabetic control mice. In diabetic WT mice, an increase in the phospholamban/sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2 ratio and decrease in ryanodine receptor expression were observed, whereas diabetic 3M mice showed an opposite effect on these parameters of Ca2+ handling. Significantly, renin-angiotensin system activity was suppressed in diabetic 3M mice compared with an increase in WT animals. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that inhibition of NF-κB signaling in the heart prevents diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction through preserved Ca2+ handling and inhibition of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system.
Proinflammatory role of neutrophil extracellular traps in abdominal sepsis
Authors: Luo Lingtao , Zhang Su , Wang Yongzhi , Rahman Milladur , Syk Ingvar , Zhang Enming , Thorlacius Henrik
Published: August 2014

Excessive neutrophil activation is a major component in septic lung injury. Neutrophil-derived DNA may form extracellular traps in response to bacterial invasions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in septic lung injury. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with recombinant human (rh)DNAse (5 mg/kg) after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Extracellular DNA was stained by Sytox green, and NET formation was quantified by confocal microscopy and cell-free DNA in plasma, peritoneal cavity, and lung. Blood, peritoneal fluid, and lung tissue were harvested for analysis of neutrophil infiltration, NET levels, tissue injury, as well as CXC chemokine and cytokine formation. We observed that CLP caused increased formation of NETs in plasma, peritoneal cavity, and lung. Administration of rhDNAse not only eliminated NET formation in plasma, peritoneal cavity, and bronchoalveolar space but also reduced lung edema and tissue damage 24 h after CLP induction. Moreover, treatment with rhDNAse decreased CLP-induced formation of CXC chemokines, IL-6, and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in plasma, as well as CXC chemokines and IL-6 in the lung. In vitro, we found that neutrophil-derived NETs had the capacity to stimulate secretion of CXCL2, TNF-α, and HMGB1 from alveolar macrophages. Taken together, our findings show that NETs regulate pulmonary infiltration of neutrophils and tissue injury via formation of proinflammatory compounds in abdominal sepsis. Thus we conclude that NETs exert a proinflammatory role in septic lung injury.
Bifurcation of Traveling Wave Solutions of the Dual Ito Equation
Authors: Fan Xinghua , Li Shasha
Published: August 2014

The dual Ito equation can be seen as a two-component generalization of the well-known Camassa-Holm equation. By using the theory of planar dynamical system, we study the existence of its traveling wave solutions. We find that the dual Ito equation has smooth solitary wave solutions, smooth periodic wave solutions, and periodic cusp solutions. Parameter conditions are given to guarantee the existence.
Correlation Analysis of Sleep Quality and Youth Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Zhang Shunqing , Chang Cheng , Zhang Juan , Song Bo , Fang Hui , Xu YuMing
Published: August 2014

Objective. To study risk factors related to ischemic stroke (IS) in youth and the influence of sleep quality on youth ischemic stroke incidence.Methods. 223 patients aged 18 to 45 years who were admitted to Puyang People’s Hospital from June 2011 to February 2013 with a first-ever ischemic stroke were selected as the research cases. 158 young people with a normal physical examination were selected as the control group. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire was used to analyse the correlation between sleep quality and youth IS incidence. The US National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (MRS) scores were used to assess cases’ state of illness and prognosis three months after IS.Results. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the association of these risk factors with youth IS incidence, from highest to lowest, was hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, smoking history, high homocysteine, the quality of sleep, family history of stroke, and alcoholism. Poor sleep quality ranked fifth among all risk factors and was positively correlated with poor prognosis for youth IS patients.Conclusion. The results of this study showed that sleep quality is an important factor in the pathogenesis and prognosis of youth IS.
LpBounds for the Commutators of Oscillatory Singular Integrals with Rough Kernels
Authors: Chen Yanping , Zhu Kai
Published: August 2014

We establish theLpboundedness for some commutators of oscillatory singular integrals with the kernel condition which was introduced by Grafakos and Stefanov. Our theorems contain various conditions on the phase function.
Conservation Laws and Exact Solutions for a Reaction-Diffusion Equation with a Variable Coefficient
Authors: Cao Zhijie , Lin Yiping
Published: August 2014

In this paper a variable-coefficient reaction-diffusion equation is studied. We classify the equation into three kinds by different restraints imposed on the variable coefficientb(x)in the process of solving the determining equations of Lie groups. Then, for each kind, the conservation laws corresponding to the symmetries obtained are considered. Finally, some exact solutions are constructed.
Mathematical Modeling of Transient Responses in a Large Scale Multiconductor System
Authors: Sheng Caiwang , Zhang Xiaoqing
Published: August 2014

This paper proposes a reduced-order model for the large scale circuits representing the multiconductor systems. It is based on the block Arnoldi algorithm for calculating congruence transformation matrix. By setting up the state equations in frequency domain for the multiconductor systems, the transfer functions are calculated and so the frequency response curves are obtained. A comparison is made between those curves obtained from the circuits with and without reduced-order treatment and a better agreement appears between them. By using inverse Laplace transform, the lightning transient responses in the multiconductor systems are given in time-domain. A better agreement is shown between calculated and experimental results, which confirm the validity of the proposed model.
Research and Application of Personalized Modeling Based on Individual Interest in Mining
Authors: Huang Baocheng , Yu Guang
Published: August 2014

Weibo services, provided by the service providers, is simple and changeless. The research based on the content of microblog reflects the user’s personalized features. The method has important significance to improve user satisfaction and expand the scale of users. First, the interest classification problem called multiclass classification algorithm is proposed based on improving support vector machine of binary tree. Second, an improved model of mixed interest based on implicit feedback is proposed. This method is based on the shortcomings of the establishment of the interest model and the drift strategy in update phase among existing users. The improved model is applied to the user modeling of personalization, improving the authenticity and accuracy of the personalized modeling.
The Big Data Processing Algorithm for Water Environment Monitoring of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area
Authors: Zhong Yuanchang , Zhang Liang , Xing Shaojing , Li Fachuan , Wan Beili
Published: August 2014

Owing to the increase and the complexity of data caused by the uncertain environment, the water environment monitoring system in Three Gorges Reservoir Area faces much pressure in data handling. In order to identify the water quality quickly and effectively, this paper presents a new big data processing algorithm for water quality analysis. The algorithm has adopted a fast fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm to analyze water environment monitoring data. The fast clustering algorithm is based on fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm and hard C-means clustering algorithm. And the result of hard clustering is utilized to guide the initial value of fuzzy clustering. The new clustering algorithm can speed up the rate of convergence. With the analysis of fast clustering, we can identify the quality of water samples. Both the theoretical and simulated results show that the algorithm can quickly and efficiently analyze the water quality in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, which significantly improves the efficiency of big data processing. What is more, our proposed processing algorithm provides a reliable scientific basis for water pollution control in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area.
The Role of Chemokines in Breast Cancer Pathology and Its Possible Use as Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Palacios-Arreola M. Isabel , Nava-Castro Karen E. , Castro Julieta I. , García-Zepeda Eduardo , Carrero Julio C. , Morales-Montor Jorge
Published: August 2014

Chemokines are small proteins that primarily regulate the traffic of leukocytes under homeostatic conditions and during specific immune responses. The chemokine-chemokine receptor system comprises almost 50 chemokines and approximately 20 chemokine receptors; thus, there is no unique ligand for each receptor and the binding of different chemokines to the same receptor might have disparate effects. Complicating the system further, these effects depend on the cellular milieu. In cancer, although chemokines are associated primarily with the generation of a protumoral microenvironment and organ-directed metastasis, they also mediate other phenomena related to disease progression, such as angiogenesis and even chemoresistance. Therefore, the chemokine system is becoming a target in cancer therapeutics. We review the emerging data and correlations between chemokines/chemokine receptors and breast cancer, their implications in cancer progression, and possible therapeutic strategies that exploit the chemokine system.