bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silviculture and planted species interact to influence reforestation success on a Kalmia-dominated site – a 15-year study
Authors: Thiffaul Nelson , Titus Brian D , Moroni Martin T
Published: February 2014

Successful regeneration following harvesting or natural disturbance is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable forest management. However, some regenerating stands have poor juvenile growth rates, which compromise sustainable management objectives. In particular, the presence of some ericaceous species that proliferate after forest disturbance, such as Kalmia angustifolia, can slow succession of boreal stands to the point that ecosystem retrogression is induced. We used data from a silvicultural field trial established in central Newfoundland to evaluate how various combinations of silvicultural treatments (trench scarification, herbicide application, fertilization at planting) influenced growth of three conifer species planted on a Kalmia-dominated cutover. Ground-level diameter (GLD), height, diameter at breast height (DBH), and percent Kalmia cover were assessed at the end of 15 growing seasons after planting. We detected several interactions between silvicultural treatments and planted conifer species. Globally, height and estimates of foliar biomass of all conifer species responded positively to scarification. Fifteen-year height in both scarified and unscarified treatments was in the order Picea mariana < Pinus banksiana < Larix laricina. Black spruce and jack pine height increased when Kalmia was controlled with herbicide, but height of tamarack was not. The use of herbicide significantly increased 15-year GLD and volume index of all three conifer species, but only black spruce responded positively to fertilization at planting. Our results confirm that species-specific responses to silvicultural treatments are to be expected when managing Kalmia-dominated sites. Although chemical vegetation management has great silvicultural potential, our results suggest that mechanical site preparation can also be effective in promoting early conifer seedling growth that leads to rapid canopy closure. It is anticipated that canopy closure will lead to exclusion of Kalmia later in the rotation through natural successional pathways.

Key words: Kalmia angustifolia, vegetation management, scarification, herbicide, fertilizer, black spruce, jack pine, tamarack
Maintaining the role of Canada’s forests and peatlands in climate regulation
Authors: Carlson Matthew , Chen Jing , Elgie Stewart , Henschel Chris , Montenegro Álvaro , Roulet Nigel , Scott Neal , Tarnocai Charles , Wells Jeff
Published: February 2014

Canada’s forest and peatland ecosystems are globally significant carbon stores, whose management will be influenced by climate change mitigation policies such as offset systems. To be effective, these policies must be grounded in objective information on the relationships between land use, ecosystem carbon dynamics, and climate. Here, we present the outcomes of a workshop where forest, peatland, and climate experts were tasked with identifying management actions required to maintain the role of Canada’s forest and peatland ecosystems in climate regulation. Reflecting the desire to maintain the carbon storage roles of these ecosystems, a diverse set of management actions is proposed, incorporating conservation, forest management, and forest products. Key words: forests, peatlands, carbon, Canada, climate change, management, forest products, conservation
Stabilité mécanique et caractéristiques racinaires de plants de fortes dimensions de Picea mariana produits en récipients ou à racines nues
Authors: Thiffault Nelson
Published: February 2014

In Québec (Canada), large planting stock are used for reforestation of high-competition sites, sometimes in combination with soil scarification. Large conifer seedlings are typically produced in containers >300 cm3, or as bare-root stock. Nursery practices are expected to influence seedling mechanical stability. We measured large containerized and bare-root black spruce (Picea mariana) seedling stability (resistance to winching), and characterized their root architecture, during their seventh growing season since planting in scarified or non-scarified plots devoid of any competing vegetation. We detected no significant stock type or scarification effect on seedling height, diameter, height/diameter ratio, stability, total number of roots and adventive roots. Occurrences of root deformations, as well as vertical and horizontal root distributions, were not influenced significantly by the treatments. The height/diameter ratio was the sole significant predictor of the resistance to winching. Our results indicate that the use of either large containerized or large bare-root stock has limited silvicultural consequences. In this context, the choice of large stock type should be based on other factors, such as handling constraints.Key words: black spruce, reforestation, stock type, scarification, root system
Evaluating local multi-stakeholder platforms in forest management in Ontario
Authors: Robson Mark , Hunt Len M.
Published: February 2014

Ontario’s Local Citizens’ Committees (LCCs) are the oldest local multi-stakeholder platforms in forest management inCanada (since 1994) and one of the most researched. This paper is a meta-analysis of LCC research from large-scale surveys,document analysis of audits and case study interviews of members from two LCCs. Multi-stakeholder Platforms areexpected to lead to better and more acceptable decisions than traditional approaches because they involve multiple stakeholders;consequently, the focus of the paper is on stakeholder representation and success. Our analysis concludes thatrepresentation is an issue and that LCCs have a mixed level of success.Key words: public participation, success, representation, surveys, interviews
Histoire du Coetus Internationalis Patrum au concile Vatican II
Authors: Roy-Lysencourt Philippe
Published: February 2014

Le Coetus Internationalis Patrum, dirigé par Mgr Marcel Lefebvre, fut le principal groupe d’opposants au sein du concile Vatican II (1962-1965). Dans cet article, après avoir présenté l’historiographie et les sources permettant d’écrire l’histoire de ce mouvement, l’auteur propose une évaluation de l’organisation, de l’activité et de la stratégie du Coetus tout au long des sessions et intersessions du Concile. Il analyse ensuite l’impact du groupe sur les documents promulgués par Vatican II.
Les actes de l’homme
Authors: Trego Kristell
Published: February 2014

Qui agit quand j’agis ? Cet article s’intéresse à la réception philosophique de deux versets scripturaires, Jn 15,5 et Ph 2,13, qui, l’un comme l’autre, énoncent une certaine intervention de Dieu dans les actes que l’homme effectue. On prend en premier lieu en considération l’occasionnalisme malebranchiste. On envisage ensuite, au sein du kalâm, le courant asharite, souvent présenté comme « occasionnaliste », et sa réfutation par le philosophe chrétien de l’école de Baghdad Yaḥyâ ibn ‘Adî. On regarde enfin comment la tradition médiévale a, à la suite d’Augustin, concilié nos deux versets avec l’affirmation de la libre volonté humaine.
Reconstructing individual hand models from motion capture data
Authors: Endo Yui , Tada Mitsunori , Mochimaru Masaaki
Published: February 2014

In this paper, we propose a new method of reconstructing the hand models for individuals, which include the link structure models, the homologous skin surface models and the homologous tetrahedral mesh models in a reference posture. As for the link structure model, the local coordinate system related to each link consists of the joint rotation center and the axes of joint rotation, which can be estimated based on the trajectories of optimal markers on the relative skin surface region of the subject obtained from the motion capture system. The skin surface model is defined as a three-dimensional triangular mesh, obtained by deforming a template mesh so as to fit the landmark vertices to the relative marker positions obtained motion capture system. In this process, anatomical dimensions for the subject, manually measured by a caliper, are also used as the deformation constraints.
Qualitative Evaluation of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy in a Patient With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: A Brief Report
Authors: Diniz Leonardo Rios , Nesi Jacson , Curi Ana Christina , Martins Wagner
Published: February 2014

Context: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic condition that affects a growing number of people and is currently among the most common disorders seen in clinical practice.

Objective: To develop a protocol for the management of GERD with osteopathic manipulative therapy (OMTh) applied to the diaphragm and esophagus, and to evaluate the protocol's effectiveness using the quality of life scale (QS-GERD) for the disease.

Methods: In this single-blinded prospective study, an OMTh protocol focusing on the diaphragm and esophagus was applied to a single patient, who had received a diagnosis of GERD 4 years previously. Outcomes were measured using the QS-GERD, which has a total possible score ranging from 0 to 45 (the lower the score, the better the quality of life) and a level of satisfaction from very satisfied to incapacitated. The OMTh protocol was applied at 3 sessions (initial session, second session 1 week after the first, and third session 2 weeks after the second), and the patient completed the QS-GERD 4 times (before the first session, before the third session, and 2 and 4 weeks after the third session).

Results: The OMTh protocol was administered without adverse events, and the patient reported positive outcomes after the third session. The QS-GERD showed a score improvement from 13 of 45 to 4 of 45.

Conclusion: The results in the present report show that OMTh applied to the diaphragm and esophagus may improve symptoms of GERD and should be added to the somatovisceral approach to the care of patients with this condition.
Management of Ionizing Radiation Injuries and Illnesses, Part 1: Physics, Radiation Protection, and Radiation Instrumentation
Authors: Christensen Doran M. , Jenkins Mark S. , Sugarman Stephen L. , Glassman Erik S.
Published: February 2014

Ionizing radiation injuries and illnesses are exceedingly rare; therefore, most physicians have never managed such conditions. When confronted with a possible radiation injury or illness, most physicians must seek specialty consultation. Protection of responders, health care workers, and patients is an absolute priority for the delivery of medical care. Management of ionizing radiation injuries and illnesses, as well as radiation protection, requires a basic understanding of physics. Also, to provide a greater measure of safety when working with radioactive materials, instrumentation for detection and identification of radiation is needed. Because any health care professional could face a radiation emergency, it is imperative that all institutions have emergency response plans in place before an incident occurs. The present article is an introduction to basic physics, ionizing radiation, radiation protection, and radiation instrumentation, and it provides a basis for management of the consequences of a radiologic or nuclear incident.
Die abweichende Vereinbarung zu Lasten des Mieters
Authors: Schmid Michael J.
Published: February 2014

Zu den häufigsten Regelungen des Wohnraummietrechts gehört: Eine zum Nachteil des Mieters abweichende Vereinbarung ist unwirksam. Der kategorische Wortlaut dieser Bestimmungen scheint auf eine einfache Rechtsanwendung hinzudeuten. Dem ist jedoch nicht so, da sowohl die Rechtsprechung als auch die Literatur Aufweichungen zulassen. Wann liegt überhaupt ein Nachteil vor? Kann der Nachteil durch andere Vorteile kompensiert werden? Kann der Schutzzweck der Norm ihre Nichtanwendung gebieten? Diesen und anderen Fragen geht der folgende Beitrag nach.
A Rhodium‐Catalyzed Cascade Cyclization: Direct Synthesis of N‐Substituted Phthalimides from Isocyanates and Benzoic Acids
Authors: Shi Xian‐Ying , Renzetti Andrea , Kundu Soumen , Li Chao‐Jun
Published: February 2014

A rhodium(III)‐catalyzed amidation between benzoic acids and isocyanates via direct functionalization of an ortho CH bond followed by intramolecular cyclization is described. This cascade cyclization affords N‐substituted phthalimides in one step in 26–91% yields. The reaction is highly atom‐economical, since no theoretical waste except for water is generated in the reaction.

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A Bis(Triazolecarboxamido) Ligand for Enantio‐ and Regioselective Molybdenum‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Alkylation Reactions
Authors: Ozkal Erhan , Pericàs Miquel A.
Published: February 2014

A modular, enantiomerically pure bis(1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐4‐carboxamide) has been assembled from N,N′‐[(1R,2R)‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyl]dipropiolamide through a copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction and evaluated as a ligand in the molybdenum‐catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation (MoAAA) reaction, very high regio‐ and enantioselectivities being recorded.

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Lesion of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway induces trigeminal dynamic mechanical allodynia
Authors: Dieb Wisam , Ouachikh Omar , Durif Franck , Hafidi Aziz
Published: February 2014

Background

Pain constitutes the major non motor syndrome in Parkinson's disease (PD) and includes neuropathic pain; however current drug therapies used to alleviate it have only limited efficacy. This is probably due to poor understanding of the mechanisms underlying it.

Aims

We investigated a major class of trigeminal neuropathic pain, dynamic mechanical allodynia (DMA), in a rat model of PD and in which a bilateral 6‐hydroxy dopamine (6‐OHDA) injection was administered to produce a lesion of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway.

Results and discussion

Lesioned animals presented significant DMA in the orofacial area that occurred from 4 days to 5 weeks post‐injury. To investigate a segmental implication in the neuropathic pain induced by dopamine depletion, the expression of the isoform gamma of the protein kinase C (PKCg) and phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 (pERK1/2) was explored in the medullary dorsal horn (MDH). There was a high increase in PKCg expression in the III and IIi laminae of the MDH of lesioned‐animals compared to shams. pERK1/2 expression was also significantly high in the ipsilateral MDH of lesioned rats in response to non‐noxious tactile stimulus of the orofacial region. Since pERK1/2 is expressed only in response to nociceptive stimuli in the dorsal spinal horn, the current study demonstrates that non‐noxious stimuli evoke allodynic response. Intraperitoneal and intracisternal administrations of bromocriptine, a dopamine 2 receptor (D2R) agonist, significantly decreased DMA compared to control rats injected with saline. These data demonstrate for the first time that nigrostriatal dopaminergic depletion produces trigeminal neuropathic pain that at least involves a segmental mechanism. In addition, bromocriptine was shown to have a remarkable analgesic effect on this neuropathic pain symptom.
Structure and morphological stability of (Lu1–xEux)2O3 thin films
Authors: Bezkrovnyi O. S. , Babayevskaya N. V. , Mateychenko P. V. , Vovk O. M. , Doroshenko A. G. , Sofronov D. S.
Published: February 2014

(Lu1–xEux)2O3 smooth, crack‐free, transparent films were prepared by the Pechini sol–gel method and a spin‐coating technique. Thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and FITR spectroscopy were used to study the chemical processes during annealing of the films. Film structure, morphology and optical properties were investigated. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals the cubic phase of (Lu1–xEux)2O3 films annealed in the 600–1000 °C temperature range. Smooth and crack‐free films with thicknesses of 250–1000 nm were obtained in the 600–800 °C temperature range. The thickness upper limit (1000 nm) of morphological stability of films (Lu1–xEux)2O3 on sapphire substrates has been studied.
Data traffic‐based analysis of delay and energy consumption in cognitive radio networks with and without resource reservation
Authors: Elmachkour Mouna , Kobbane Abdellatif , Sabir Essaid , Ben‐othman Jalel , El koutbi Mohammed
Published: February 2014

A new opportunistic cross‐layer MAC protocol involving channel allocation and packet scheduling for cognitive radio networks is proposed. Cognitive radio allows secondary users (SUs) to exploit the available portions of the licensed spectrum bands without interfering with primary users. In particular, we consider a cognitive radio system, where SUs are equipped with two transceivers: a control transceiver and a software‐defined radio transceiver. Data traffic characteristics of SUs are considered to ameliorate system performance. So, we propose a mechanism of resource reservation to improve QoS requirements that favors successful SUs to transmit data during x time slots without interfering with primary users. The key novelty of this paper is giving priority for SUs with important data traffic and which frequently solicits data channels to transmit for the remaining time of the ongoing time slot and for the next time slots directly after checking the channel availability. We develop a new analytical model to evaluate delay parameter for two scenarios with and without resource reservation and we then investigate the impact of those scenarios on the energy consumption. We show through simulations that cognitive radio performances increase noticeably with the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interspecific diversity in root antioxidative enzyme activities reflect root turnover strategies and preferred habitats in wetland graminoids
Authors: Yücel Çağdaş Kera , Bor Melike , Ryser Peter
Published: February 2014

Antioxidant enzymes protect cells against oxidative stress and are associated with stress tolerance and longevity. In animals, variation in their activities has been shown to relate to species ecology, but in plants, comparative studies with wild species are rare. We investigated activities of five antioxidant enzymes – ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), peroxidase (POX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) – in roots of four perennial graminoid wetland species over a growing season to find out whether differences in root turnover or habitat preferences would be associated with variation in seasonal patterns of antioxidant enzyme activities. The investigated species differ in their root turnover strategies (fine roots senesce in the fall or fine roots survive the winter) and habitat preferences (nutrient‐poor vs. productive wetlands). Roots were collected both in the field and from garden‐grown plants. Antioxidant enzyme activities were higher and lipid peroxidation rates lower in species with annual root systems, and for species of the nutrient‐poor wetland, compared with perennial roots and species of productive wetlands, respectively. There was variation in the activities of individual antioxidant enzymes, but discriminant analyses with all enzymes revealed a clear picture, indicating consistent associations of antioxidant enzyme activities with the type of root turnover strategy and with the preferred habitat. We conclude that antioxidant enzyme activities in plant roots are associated with the species' ecological strategies and can be used as traits for the characterization of the species' position along plant economics spectrum.
Novel Lu3+ Carbon Paste Electrode Based on Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Tamaddon Atefeh , Amiri Rahebeh , Hazini Fatemeh
Published: February 2014

A novel carbon paste ion selective electrode for determination of trace amount of lutetium was prepared. Modified (functionalized) multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNTs) were used for improvement of a lutetium carbon paste sensor response. MWCNTs have a good conductivity which helps the transduction of the signal in carbon paste electrode. In this work it is shown that introducing certain functional groups on MWCNTs can improve the electrode signals. The electrode composition of 20 % paraffin oil, 56 % graphite powder, 18 % ionophore and 6 % f‐MWCNTs showed the stable potential response to Lu3+ ions with the Nernstian slope of 21.1 (±0.3) mV decade−1 over a wide linear concentration range of 1.0×10−6–1.0×10−1 mol L−1. The electrode has fast response time (<15 s) and long term stability (about one month).
Organic solvent‐assisted crystallization of inorganic salts from acidic media
Authors: Moldoveanu Georgiana A. , Demopoulos George P.
Published: February 2014

BACKGROUND

Solvent displacement crystallization (SDC) provides an energy‐efficient alternative to evaporative crystallization potentially leading to crystal products of superior quality, both in terms of purity and size, due to better supersaturation control. The present work investigates the SDC process in terms of appropriate organic solvent selection and application to several metal (K+, Na+, Mg2+ Fe2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Zn2+, Fe3+ and Al3+) sulfate and chloride systems of hydrometallurgical interest.

RESULTS

Criteria for the screening of organic compounds with suitable physical and chemical properties have been established and 2‐propanol was selected as an effective salting out agent to precipitate crystalline metal sulfates of practical interest; differences in crystallization behaviour among the various salts were linked to the hydration energy of the cation. None of the tested metal chlorides could be successfully separated, due to enhanced metal chloride solubility in non‐aqueous solvents relative to water by formation of chloro‐complexes with larger stability constants.

CONCLUSIONS

The solvent displacement crystallization process was investigated and selection criteria for the organic solvent were established. 2‐propanol proved to be the most effective salting out agent for metal sulfates resulting in > 90% cation removal. By contrast none of the metal chlorides could be successfully separated due to salting‐in behaviour. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Extracorporeal shockwave increases the effectiveness of systemic antibiotic treatment in implant‐related chronic osteomyelitis: Experimental study in a rat model
Authors: Inanmaz Mustafa Erkan , Uslu Mustafa , Isik Cengiz , Kaya Ertugrul , Tas Tekin , Bayram Recep
Published: February 2014

Implant‐related chronic osteomyelitis is a serious complication of orthopedic surgery requiring implant removal and radical debridement. Extracorporeal shockwave (ESW) have demonstrated significant bactericidal effectiveness in vitro and effectiveness and safety were evaluated in an animal model of osteomyelitis. In this experimental study, we aimed to test our hypothesis that the use of ESW together with systemic antibiotic treatment will provide synergy for the treatment of implant‐related chronic osteomyelitis caused by methicillin‐susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The proximal tibia of 32 rats was contaminated with 108 CFU/ml methicillin‐sensitive S. aureus (MSSA‐ATCC 29213) and Kirschner‐wires were placed into the medulla of the tibia. After 4 weeks, Kirschner‐wires were removed and the rats were randomly divided into four groups: group I, untreated contaminated control group; group II, receiving only ESW therapy; group III, receiving only systemic teicoplanin; group IV, treated with a combination of ESW and systemic teicoplanin. ESW was applied twice to the infected limbs and all rats were sacrificed at the end of 8th week. The degree of tibial osteomyelitis was assessed by quantitative culture analysis. Bacterial counts in groups III and IV were significantly reduced relative to the control (p = 0.002 and 0.001, respectively). The decrease in bacterial counts was more pronounced and significant in group IV compared to group III (p = 0.024). In group II, bacterial counts also decreased, but the differences were in significant (p = 0.068). Our experimental model suggests that ESW provides significant synergy for systemic antibiotic treatment. However, further clinical trials are required in order to use this treatment modality safely in patients, even though our study demonstrated successful results in the treatment of implant‐related chronic osteomyelitis in rats. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:752–756, 2014.
On partially ample divisors
Authors: Choi Sung Rak
Published: February 2014

Partially ample divisors are defined by relaxing the different conditions that characterize the ample divisors. We prove that for nef and big divisors such notions coincide. We also prove that the partial ampleness of big divisors are preserved in the positive parts of the Fujita‐Zariski decomposition.
The Preparation and property of poly(lactic acid)/tourmaline blends and melt‐blown nonwoven
Authors: Yu Bin , Han Jian , Sun Hui , Zhu Feichao , Zhang Qi , Kong Jinjin
Published: February 2014

Poly(lactic acid) melt‐blown (MB) webs were melt‐spun by MB processing of poly(lactic acid) and poly(lactic acid)/filler blends. The effect of tourmaline particles on the structure, morphology, mechanical and filtration properties of poly(lactic acid) blends, and MB webs were reported. The blends and MB webs were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and pore size meter (PSM). The degree of crystallinity of blends with tourmaline particles was more than that of poly(lactic acid) alone. SEM micrographs revealed a good dispersion of the additive in the blends and fiber webs. The tourmaline particles offered some benefits to the mechanical properties of the MB web. MB web samples with tourmaline had larger pore size, high surface charge density, and higher filtration efficiency. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:264–271, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
X‐ray investigations of GaInN single quantum wells grown by atomic layer epitaxy and metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Ju Guangxu , Kato Yoshihiro , Honda Yoshio , Tabuchi Masao , Takeda Yoshikazu , Amano Hiroshi
Published: February 2014

A set of GaN/GaInN single quantum wells (SQWs) were grown on c‐plane GaN/sapphire templates using metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) and atomic layer epitaxy (ALE). The structural information on the interfaces and surfaces was obtained by fitting the experimental X‐ray spectra and was compared between MOVPE and ALE mode. The X‐ray crystal truncation rod (CTR) scattering measurement results showed that the samples grown by ALE had sharper interfaces than those grown by MOVPE. Both the X‐ray reflectivity (XRR) curve‐fitting results and atomic force microscope (AFM) results indicated that the surfaces of the ALE‐grown SQWs were smoother than those of MOVPE‐grown SQWs. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Poor Eyesight and Educational Outcomes in Ethiopia
Authors: Poppe Robert
Published: February 2014

This paper is one of the few papers to investigate the relationship between poor eyesight and educational outcomes. Using data from rural Ethiopia that collected data on visual acuity, results show that girls with poor eyesight have an increased probability of dropping out of school. Girls that suffer from poor eyesight have an 8 percentage points higher probability of dropping out of school. No such relationship for boys is found. Results also show that, for both boys and girls, learning achievement is negatively related with poor eyesight. The paper sheds light on the potential benefits to educational outcomes of providing eyeglasses to visually impaired children.
USP22 is a positive regulator of NFATc2 on promoting IL2 expression
Authors: Gao Yayi , Lin Fang , Xu Peng , Nie Jia , Chen Zuojia , Su Jinsong , Tang Jiayou , Wu Qingsi , Li Yangyang , Guo Zhixiang , Gao Zhimei , Li Dan , Shen Jijia , Ge Shenglin , Tsun Andy , Li Bin
Published: February 2014

Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is an important regulator of T cell activation. However, the molecular mechanism whereby NFATc2 regulates IL2 transcription is not fully understood. In this study, we showed that ubiquitin‐specific protease 22 (USP22), known as a cancer stem cell marker, specifically interacted with and deubiquitinated NFATc2. USP22 stabilized NFATc2 protein levels, which required its deubiquitinase activity. Consistent with these observations, depletion of USP22 in T cells reduced the expression of IL2, which is a cytokine that signifies T effector cell activation. Our findings thus unveil a previously uncharacterized positive regulator of NFATc2, suggesting that targeting the deubiquitinase activity of USP22 could have therapeutic benefit to control IL2 expression and T cell function.
Crystal structure of the RNA demethylase ALKBH5 from zebrafish
Authors: Chen Weizhong , Zhang Liang , Zheng Guanqun , Fu Ye , Ji Quanjiang , Liu Fange , Chen Hao , He Chuan
Published: February 2014

ALKBH5, a member of AlkB family proteins, has been reported as a mammalian N
6‐methyladenosine (m6A) RNA demethylase. Here we report the crystal structure of zebrafish ALKBH5 (fALKBH5) with the resolution of 1.65 Å. Structural superimposition shows that fALKBH5 is comprised of a conserved jelly‐roll motif. However, it possesses a loop that interferes potential binding of a duplex nucleic acid substrate, suggesting an important role in substrate selection. In addition, several active site residues are different between the two known m6A RNA demethylases, ALKBH5 and FTO, which may result in their slightly different pathways of m6A demethylation.
Analysis of essential pathways for self‐renewal in common marmoset embryonic stem cells
Authors: Nii Takenobu , Marumoto Tomotoshi , Kawano Hirotaka , Yamaguchi Saori , Liao Jiyuan , Okada Michiyo , Sasaki Erika , Miura Yoshie , Tani Kenzaburo
Published: February 2014

Common marmoset (CM) is widely recognized as a useful non‐human primate for disease modeling and preclinical studies. Thus, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from CM have potential as an appropriate cell source to test human regenerative medicine using human ESCs. CM ESCs have been established by us and other groups, and can be cultured in vitro. However, the growth factors and downstream pathways for self‐renewal of CM ESCs are largely unknown. In this study, we found that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) rather than leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) promoted CM ESC self‐renewal via the activation of phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3K)‐protein kinase B (AKT) pathway on mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) feeders. Moreover, bFGF and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathways cooperatively maintained the undifferentiated state of CM ESCs under feeder‐free condition. Our findings may improve the culture techniques of CM ESCs and facilitate their use as a preclinical experimental resource for human regenerative medicine.
Flora Medica
Authors: Lindley John
Published: February 2014

John Lindley (1799–1865) was an English botanist and a leading authority on orchids. He attended Norwich Grammar School but was unable to afford university. Lindley's passion for botany helped him into the position of assistant in the herbarium of the naturalist and explorer Sir Joseph Banks. He soon established himself as a botanist of considerable talent, and was elected to the Linnean Society of London at the age of twenty-one. In 1822 he became assistant secretary to the Horticultural Society, and was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1828. He was Professor of Botany at University College, London, from 1829 to 1860. Published in 1838, Flora Medica is a systematic reference work written to help medical students understand the botanical characteristics and therapeutic properties of important medicinal plants from around the world. The book includes an appendix of indigenous names of Asiatic species, and a full index.
“A Little Book of Logic” – Reconstructing Colonial Arts of Suasion at Government College, Umuahia
Authors: Ochiagha Terri
Published: February 2014

Memories of political pedagogies in the elite colonial classroom are typically fragmentary and constitute limited historical evidence. But when contextualized and used in combination with coetaneous sources, such as textbooks and lesson notes, they can be crucial in the reconstruction of the transmission of political knowledge, its classroom assimilation and postcolonial negotiation. This article pieces together a number of unconnected but mutually consistent epiphanic moments in the life-writing and interviews of writers Chinua Achebe and Chike Momah, tracing and identifying a mysterious textbook of logic – R.W. Jepson’sClear Thinking(1936) – and its use as a tool to rein in and redirect anti-colonial nationalist undercurrents at Government College, Umuahia, the elite colonial school famous for having produced eight renowned Nigerian writers.
Modelling size segregation of granular materials: the roles of segregation, advection and diffusion
Authors: Fan Yi , Schlick Conor P. , Umbanhowar Paul B. , Ottino Julio M. , Lueptow Richard M.
Published: February 2014

Predicting segregation of granular materials composed of different-sized particles is a challenging problem. In this paper, we develop and implement a theoretical model that captures the interplay between advection, segregation and diffusion in size bidisperse granular materials. The fluxes associated with these three driving factors depend on the underlying kinematics, whose characteristics play key roles in determining particle segregation configurations. Unlike previous models for segregation, our model uses parameters based on kinematic measures from discrete element method simulations instead of arbitrarily adjustable fitting parameters, and it achieves excellent quantitative agreement with both experimental and simulation results when applied to quasi-two-dimensional bounded heaps. The model yields two dimensionless control parameters, both of which are only functions of control parameters (feed rate, particle sizes, and system size) and kinematic parameters (diffusion coefficient, flowing layer depth, and percolation velocity). The Péclet number, $\mathit{Pe}$, captures the interplay of advection and diffusion, and the second dimensionless parameter, $\Lambda $, describes the interplay between segregation and advection. A parametric study of $\Lambda $ and $\mathit{Pe}$ demonstrates how the particle segregation configuration depends on the interplay of advection, segregation and diffusion. The model can be readily adapted to other flow geometries.
Philosopher sur les concepts de santé : de l’Essaide Georges Canguilhem au débat anglo-américain
Authors: GIROUX ÉLODIE
Published: February 2014

Cet article a pour but de proposer une lecture comparative de l’analyse philosophique initiée par Georges Canguilhem dans sonEssai sur quelques problèmes concernant le normal et le pathologique, publié en 1943, et du débat qui s’est développé dans les milieux philosophiques de langue anglaise, depuis les années 1970, entre naturalistes et normativistes. À première vue, cette comparaison a tout pour illustrer l’opposition de traditions entre «style français» historique et épistémologique et philosophie des sciences anglo-américaine. Je relativise cette opposition en montrant d’importantes continuités et en insistant sur d’autres déplacements.
Dietary strategies for the management of cardiovascular risk: role of dietary carbohydrates
Authors: Macdonald Ian A.
Published: February 2014

Carbohydrate-rich foods are an essential component of the diet, providing the glucose that is continuously required by the nervous system and some other cells and tissues in the body for normal function. There is some concern that too much carbohydrate or certain types of carbohydrate such as fructose or the high glycaemic index carbohydrate foods that produce large, rapid increases in blood glucose may be detrimental to health. This review considers these issues and also summarises the public health advice currently available in Europe and the USA concerning dietary carbohydrates. The UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition is currently reviewing carbohydrates and health, and the subsequent report should help clarify some of the concerns regarding carbohydrates and health.
Categorizing threatened species: an analysis of the Red List of the flora of Brazil
Authors: Moraes M. A. , Borges R.A.X. , Martins E. M. , Fernandes R. A. , Messina T. , Martinelli G.
Published: February 2014

In Brazil most of the effort for the conservation of plant species has comprised evaluation of taxa for the Lista Oficial das Espécies Ameaçadas de Extinção da Flora Brasileira (Official Threatened Flora Species List), and little has been done to conserve individual species. This is a result of the listing process being interpreted as the final goal rather than as a means to achieve conservation effectiveness. In addition, a variety of systems for the classification of extinction risk have been applied, resulting in an inaccurate view of the conservation status of the flora of the country. Here we review the national listing process to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the Official Threatened Flora Species List. We used all available information to compile a list of taxa officially recorded as threatened in Brazil. The list was revised using the Flora do Brasil database. The resulting list has 4,967 taxa in 1,235 genera and 232 families. Despite controversies about advances in the Red Listing process, several improvements have been made at the institutional level, such as: (1) improving conservation databases, (2) developing information systems, and (3) increasing the number of taxonomists working in conservation biology. However, there is still no classification system for extinction risk that facilitates standardization of the listing process at the national level. In addition, regulatory processes related to the conservation of threatened plant species are not up-to-date with the conceptual and methodological advances made by the scientific community. We conclude that adjustments are needed to ensure the effectiveness of the conservation of plant species in Brazil.
Progress and prospects for targeting Hsp90 to treat fungal infections
Authors: VERI AMANDA , COWEN LEAH E.
Published: February 2014

Fungal pathogens pose a major threat to human health worldwide. They infect billions of people each year, leading to at least 1·5 million deaths. Treatment of fungal infections is difficult due to the limited number of clinically useful antifungal drugs, and the emergence of drug resistance. A promising new strategy to enhance the efficacy of antifungal drugs and block the evolution of drug resistance is to target the molecular chaperone Hsp90. Pharmacological inhibitors of Hsp90 function that are in development as anticancer agents have potential to be repurposed as agents for combination antifungal therapy for some applications, such as biofilm infections. For systemic infections, however, effective combination therapy regimens may require Hsp90 inhibitors that can selectively target Hsp90 in the pathogen, or alternate strategies to compromise function of the Hsp90 chaperone machine. Selectively impairing Hsp90 function in the pathogen could in principle be achieved by targeting Hsp90 co-chaperones or regulators of Hsp90 function that are more divergent between pathogen and host than Hsp90. Antifungal combination therapies could also exploit downstream effectors of Hsp90 that are critical for fungal drug resistance and virulence. Here, we discuss the progress and prospects for establishing Hsp90 as an important therapeutic target for life-threatening fungal infections.
Toxoplasma gondiiHsp90: potential roles in essential cellular processes of the parasite
Authors: ANGEL SERGIO O. , FIGUERAS MARIA J. , ALOMAR MARIA L. , ECHEVERRIA PABLO C. , DENG BIN
Published: February 2014

Hsp90 is a widely distributed and highly conserved molecular chaperone that is ubiquitously expressed throughout nature, being one of the most abundant proteins within non-stressed cells. This chaperone is up-regulated following stressful events and has been involved in many cellular processes. InToxoplasma gondii, Hsp90 could be linked with many essential processes of the parasite such as host cell invasion, replication and tachyzoite-bradyzoite interconversion. A Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network approach of TgHsp90 has allowed inferring how these processes may be altered. In addition, data mining ofT. gondiiphosphoproteome and acetylome has allowed the generation of the phosphorylation and acetylation map of TgHsp90. This review focuses on the potential roles of TgHsp90 in parasite biology and the analysis of experimental data in comparison with its counterparts in yeast and humans.
The population size and breeding range of the Scaly-sided MerganserMergus squamatus
Authors: SOLOVYEVA DIANA V. , LIU PEIQI , ANTONOV ALEXEY I. , AVERIN ANDREY A. , PRONKEVICH VLADIMIR V. , SHOKHRIN VALERY P. , VARTANYAN SERGEY L. , CRANSWICK PETER A.
Published: February 2014

Based on surveys during 2000–2012 and best available knowledge, we estimate the global population size of the Endangered Scaly-sided MerganserMergus squamatusto be c.1,940 pairs (or c.4,660 birds prior to reproduction). In Russia, surveys identified the breeding range in the Sikhote-Alin mountain range and the area adjoining the lower Amur River. Particular effort was made to define the edge of the range. Breeding densities in the Sikhote-Alin were applied to un-surveyed rivers within the range to estimate overall numbers. The breeding range comprises c.7,800 km of 120 rivers: 6,800 km in Russia, 600 in China and 400 in DPR Korea. In Russia it comprises 88 rivers of both the western and eastern slopes of the Sikhote-Alin Range, and two small isolated areas, one in central Khabarovsk and the other in the Jewish Autonomous Oblast. All known and potential breeding areas were surveyed in China, where the breeding range comprises the western slope of the Changbai Mountains, and one isolated river system in the Lesser Xingan Mountains. Scaly-sided Mergansers are also assumed to breed on the eastern slope of the Changbai Mountains in DPR Korea. No recent surveys have been made there but numbers were estimated by applying densities from China to rivers with apparently suitable habitat. Detailed examination of past records suggests that an earlier claim of breeding Scaly-sided Mergansers on the Dep River was erroneous and we conclude that the breeding range never extended as far west as has been portrayed in most literature. The lack of comparable surveys previously precludes an assessment of change in population range or size, though it seems inevitable that habitat loss in China is likely to have resulted in some loss of range and numbers, particularly in Heilongjiang Province, in recent decades.
Exploring the Limits to Observational Diffuse Interstellar Band Studies
Authors: Foing B. H.
Published: February 2014

The status of DIB research (Herbig 1995) has strongly advanced since the DIB conference in Boulder in 1994. In the same year we reported the discovery of two near IR diffuse bands coincident with C60+, that was confirmed in subsequent years. Since then a number of DIB observational studies have been published such as DIB surveys, measurements of DIB families, correlations and environment dependences as well as DIBs in extra-galactic sources. Resolved substructures were measured and compared to predicted rotational contours of large molecules. Polarisation studies provided constraints on possible carrier molecules and upper limits. DIBs carriers have been linked with several classes of organic molecules observed in the interstellar medium, in particular to the UIR bands (assigned to PAHs), the Extended Red Emission (ERE) or the recently detected Anomalous Microwave Emission (AME, assigned to spinning dust). In particular fullerenes and PAHs have been proposed to explain some DIBs and specific molecules were searched for in DIB spectra. DIB carriers could be present in various dehydrogenation and ionization states. Experiments in the laboratory and in space contribute to our understanding of the photo-stability of possible DIB carriers. In summary, the status of DIB research in the last 20 years has strongly advanced. We review DIB observational results and their interpretation and introduce the relevant plenary discussion.
Probing the Local Bubble with Diffuse Interstellar Bands
Authors: Farhang A. , Khosroshahi H. G. , Javadi A. , van Loon J.
Published: February 2014

The Sun is located inside an enormous local cavity filled with a million degree, ionized hydrogen gas and surrounded by a wall of dense and cold gas, this cavity is known as the Local Bubble (LB). Since the tempreture of Local Bubble is high, the typical singly-ionized atoms or molecules can not survive at this high tempreture. To overcome this problem we should probe the Local Bubble using species which survive under this condition so we have done a whole sky survey in north hemisphere by observing absorptions in the Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) for sight-lines with distance >300 pc. We have done 30 nights observation and have observed 473 bright stars. We found that the correlations between 5780 Å DIBs and Na I D doublets inside of the LB is much more than carriers outside of the LB.
The Properties of Near-Infrared Diffuse Interstellar Bands
Authors: Rawlings M. G. , Adamson A. J. , McCall B. J. , Kerr T. H.
Published: February 2014

In addition to the hundreds of known visual-wavelength Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs), a number of DIBs in the near-infrared (NIR) are now also known to exist. We present here high-resolution UKIRT echelle spectroscopy of two of the NIR DIBs toward sightlines exhibiting a range of visual extinctions. Variations in the strengths and profile shapes of the bands are considered in the context of known properties of the narrow DIBs at visual wavelengths.
Type Ia Supernovae as Probes of the Interstellar Medium in Galaxies
Authors: Cox N. L. J. , Patat F.
Published: February 2014

We present and discuss recent results from observations of bright Type Ia supernovae as probes of physical and chemical condtions of extra-galactic interstellar clouds. To illustrate the case we present new results obtained for SN 2009ig.
C2 and Diffuse Interstellar Bands
Authors: Kaźmierczak M. , Schmidt M. , Weselak T. , Galazutdinov G. , Krełowski J.
Published: February 2014

C2, the simplest multicarbon molecule is a useful astronomical tool, because the analysis of its lines allows to determine the physical conditions in interstellar clouds. C2 abundances give information about the chemistry of interstellar clouds, especially on the pathway to the formation of long-chain carbon molecules, which may be connected with carriers of diffuse interstellar bands (Douglas 1977, Thorburn et al. 2003). Here we summarize all relations between C2 and diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs).
Relating Diffuse Interstellar Band Strengths to Line of Sight Properties
Authors: Rashedi H. , Cami J. , Cox N. L. J. , van Winckel H.
Published: February 2014

We present a preliminary analysis of a set of optical (3800-8800 Å) high resolution (R = 80,000) spectra for 69 diffuse interstellar band targets. We carried out a sensitive search for interstellar features in the wavelength range 8470-8740 Å that will be covered by the upcoming GAIA mission. We also investigate how the λ8620Å DIB strength varies as a function of other interstellar parameters (other DIBs, E(B-V) and atomic and molecular column densities).