bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Swarming and mating activity of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in semi‐field enclosures
Authors: ACHINKO D. , THAILAYIL J. , PATON D. , MIREJI P. O. , TALESA V. , MASIGA D. , CATTERUCCIA F.
Published: October 2015

Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto (Diptera: Culicidae) is the major Afro‐tropical vector of malaria. Novel strategies proposed for the elimination and eradication of this mosquito vector are based on the use of genetic approaches, such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). These approaches rely on the ability of released males to mate with wild females, and depend on the application of effective protocols to assess the swarming and mating behaviours of laboratory‐reared insects prior to their release. The present study evaluated whether large semi‐field enclosures can be utilized to study the ability of males from a laboratory colony to respond to natural environmental stimuli and initiate normal mating behaviour. Laboratory‐reared males exhibited spatiotemporally consistent swarming behaviour within the study enclosures. Swarm initiation, peak and termination time closely tracked sunset. Comparable insemination rates were observed in females captured in copula in the semi‐field cages relative to females in small laboratory cages. Oviposition rates after blood feeding were also similar to those observed in laboratory settings. The data suggest that outdoor enclosures are suitable for studying swarming and mating in laboratory‐bred males in field‐like settings, providing an important reference for future studies aimed at assessing the comparative mating ability of strains for SIT and other vector control strategies.
Phosphorus cycling in deciduous forest soil differs between stands dominated by ecto‐ and arbuscular mycorrhizal trees
Authors: Rosling Anna , Midgley Meghan G. , Cheeke Tanya , Urbina Hector , Fransson Petra , Phillips Richard P.
Published: October 2015

Although much is known about how trees and their associated microbes influence nitrogen cycling in temperate forest soils, less is known about biotic controls over phosphorus (P) cycling. Given that mycorrhizal fungi are instrumental for P acquisition and that the two dominant associations – arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi – possess different strategies for acquiring P, we hypothesized that P cycling would differ in stands dominated by trees associated with AM vs ECM fungi.

We quantified soil solution P, microbial biomass P, and sequentially extracted inorganic and organic P pools from May to November in plots dominated by trees forming either AM or ECM associations in south‐central Indiana, USA.

Overall, fungal communities in AM and ECM plots were functionally different and soils exhibited fundamental differences in P cycling. Organic forms of P were more available in ECM plots than in AM plots. Yet inorganic P decreased and organic P accumulated over the growing season in both ECM and AM plots, resulting in increasingly P‐limited microbial biomass.

Collectively, our results suggest that P cycling in hardwood forests is strongly influenced by biotic processes in soil and that these are driven by plant‐associated fungal communities.
AN EVOLUTIONARY GAME‐THEORETIC MODEL OF CANNIBALISM
Authors: CUSHING J. M. , HENSON SHANDELLE M. , HAYWARD JAMES L.
Published: October 2015

Cannibalism, which functions as a life history trait in at least 1300 species of both invertebrates and vertebrates, plays important ecological and evolutionary roles in populations. During times of low resource availability, cannibalism of juveniles by adults can redirect reproductive energy to times of higher resource availability. For example, prolonged increases in sea surface temperature depress marine food webs and lead to increased egg cannibalism among glaucous‐winged gulls (Larus glaucescens); consumption of a single cannibalized egg provides almost half the daily energy needs for an adult gull. Motivated by the glaucous‐winged gull system, we use matrix models and bifurcation theory to investigate population and evolutionary dynamic consequences of adult‐on‐juvenile cannibalism. We show that in the presence of cannibalism, a population can survive under circumstances of low resource availability which, in the absence of cannibalism, lead to extinction. The evolutionary version of the model shows that cannibalism can be an evolutionarily stable strategy.
Bioactive natural products from novel microbial sources
Authors: Challinor Victoria L. , Bode Helge B.
Published: October 2015

Despite the importance of microbial natural products for human health, only a few bacterial genera have been mined for the new natural products needed to overcome the urgent threat of antibiotic resistance. This is surprising, given that genome sequencing projects have revealed that the capability to produce natural products is not a rare feature among bacteria. Even the bacteria occurring in the human microbiome produce potent antibiotics, and thus potentially are an untapped resource for novel compounds, potentially with new activities. This review highlights examples of bacteria that should be considered new sources of natural products, including anaerobes, pathogens, and symbionts of humans, insects, and nematodes. Exploitation of these producer strains, combined with advances in modern natural product research methodology, has the potential to open the way for a new golden age of microbial therapeutics.
Removing interactions, rather than species, casts doubt on the high robustness of pollination networks
Authors: Santamaría Silvia , Galeano Javier , Pastor Juan Manuel , Méndez Marcos
Published: October 2015

In the last 15 years, a complex networks perspective has been increasingly used in the robustness assessment of ecological systems. It is therefore crucial to assess the reliability of such tools. Based on the traditional simulation of node (species) removal, mutualistic pollination networks are considered to be relatively robust because of their 1) truncated power‐law degree distribution, 2) redundancy in the number of pollinators per plant and 3) nested interaction pattern. However, species removal is only one of several possible approaches to network robustness assessment. Empirical evidence suggests a decline in abundance prior to the extinction of interacting species, arguing in favour of an interaction removal‐based approach (i.e. interaction disruption), as opposed to traditional species removal. For simulated networks, these two approaches yield radically different conclusions, but no tests are currently available for empirical mutualistic networks. This study compared this new robustness evaluation approach based on interaction extinction versus the traditional species removal approach for 12 alpine and subalpine pollination networks. In comparison with species removal, interaction removal produced higher robustness in the worst‐case extinction scenario but lower robustness in the best‐case extinction scenario. Our results indicate that: 1) these two approaches yield very different conclusions and 2) existing assessments of ecological network robustness could be overly optimistic, at least those based on a disturbance affecting species at random or beginning with the least connected species. Therefore, further empirical study of plant–pollinator interactions in disturbed ecosystems is imperative to understand how pollination networks are disassembled.
Changes in QTc associated with a rapid bolus dose of dexmedetomidine in patients receiving TIVA: a retrospective study
Authors: Görges Matthias , Whyte Simon D. , Sanatani Shubhayan , Dawes Joy , Montgomery Carolyne J. , Ansermino J. Mark
Published: October 2015

Background

Clinical indications for the perioperative use of dexmedetomidine in pediatric anesthesia are accumulating. However, in 2013, dexmedetomidine was added to the list of medications with possible risk of prolonging the QT interval and/or inducing Torsades de Pointes. Unfortunately, current evidence for dexmedetomidine‐induced QT prolongation is sparse and somewhat contradictory.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate temporal changes in corrected QT interval (QTc) after a rapid bolus administration of dexmedetomidine under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with a standardized propofol and remifentanil administration.

Methods

Electrocardiography (ECG) and corresponding trend data were extracted from automated electronic data capture of physiological monitoring. Ten‐second epochs of ECG data were extracted in 1‐min intervals for 12 min, starting 1 min before dexmedetomidine bolus administration, and ending 10 min after. QT intervals were extracted using an automated routine in MATLAB, and corrected for heart rate (HR) using Bazett's (QTcB) and Fridericia's formulas (QTcF). QTcB and QTcF were compared using Wilcoxon signed‐rank test between baseline measurements and the subsequent four interval values.

Results

Data from 21 subjects (17 male) with median (range) age 7.1 (5.4–9.5) yr, weight 23.6 (16.2–36.7) kg, and height 121 (103–140) cm were analyzed. Bolus administration of dexmedetomidine reduced HR in all subjects (median 22%), and caused transient reduction of QT interval, with its peak at 1‐min postbolus administration: QTcB (median reduction 30.7 ms, P < 0.001) or QTcF (median reduction 15.4 ms, P = 0.001); QT shortening became statistically insignificant 4 min following dexmedetomidine bolus administration for QTcB and 2 min for QTcF.

Conclusion

In this study, a rapid bolus of dexmedetomidine transiently shortened corrected QT intervals. However, these effects are confounded by dexmedetomidine‐induced bradycardia. These findings should be confirmed in pediatric studies without concomitant TIVA administration and with optimized correction of baseline HR.
Radionuclide cholescintigraphy in genetically confirmed Rotor syndrome
Authors: Sirucek Pavel , Sulakova Astrida , Jirsa Milan , Mrhac Lubomir , Havel Martin , Kraft Otakar
Published: October 2015

A 7‐year‐old girl had been followed up for persistent conjugated hyperbilirubinemia since birth. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase activity was within the normal range, and liver protein synthesis had always been normal. Infectious etiology of jaundice, autoimmune diseases, drug‐induced liver injury, hemolytic anemia, α‐1 anti‐trypsin deficiency, Wilson disease and Gilbert syndrome were ruled out. At the age of 8 years the patient underwent radionuclide dynamic cholescintigraphy, indicating poor accumulation of the radiotracer in the liver on one hand, and severe retention of the radiopharmaceutical in the blood pool (including the heart) on the other hand. Rotor syndrome was suspected and finally confirmed on molecular analysis. This case represents the first cholescintigraphy report in a pediatric patient with genetically proven Rotor syndrome.
Features of children with positive celiac serology and type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tanpowpong Pornthep , Broder‐Fingert Sarabeth , Katz Aubrey J , Camargo Carlos A
Published: October 2015

Prior studies have reported disparate clinical presentations between children with celiac disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus and those with celiac disease alone. Studies focusing on differences in endoscopic and histopathological findings, however, are limited. We reviewed children aged 2–18 years, presenting for an initial evaluation between January 2000 and December 2010. Data on medical history, serologic markers, upper endoscopy, and histopathology were collected. Only the children with positive celiac serology who had upper endoscopy performed within 3 months of the initial visit were included. We identified 294 children who fulfilled the criteria, 21 of whom had diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus. Diabetic children were more likely to have absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Erythematous duodenal and esophageal mucosa on endoscopy, and histopathology suggestive of reflux esophagitis were more common in the diabetes group. Diabetic children with positive celiac serology had different histopathological features as compared with their non‐diabetic counterparts.
Iteration Principles in Epistemology II: Arguments Against
Authors: Greco Daniel
Published: October 2015

The prequel to this paper introduced the topic of iteration principles in epistemology and surveyed some arguments in support of them. In this sequel, I'll consider two influential families of objection to iteration principles. The first turns on the idea that they lead to some variety of skepticism, and the second turns on ‘margin for error’ considerations adduced by Timothy Williamson (2000).
Rearrangement of the flagellar apparatuses and eyespots of isogametes during the fertilization of the marine green alga, Monostroma nitidum (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Miyamura Shinichi , Nagumo Tamotsu , Maegawa Miyuki , Hori Terumitsu
Published: October 2015

Behaviors of the flagellar apparatuses (flagella, basal bodies, microtubular roots, etc.), mating structures and eyespots of gametes during the fertilization of Monostroma nitidum were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The biflagellate isogamete (mt+ and mt−) mating structure has a position that is converse between mt+ and mt− gametes relative to the flagellar beat plane and the eyespot. After the adhesion of mt+ and mt− gametes, gamete fusion occurred between the two mating structures. The cell fusion plane expanded to the cell surface as circumscribed by 1s–2d roots in mt+ gamete and 1d–2s roots in the mt− gamete. Two sets of flagellar apparatuses lay side by side in the planozygote and soon become mutually close. The no. 1 basal body of mt+ gamete and the no. 2 basal body of mt− gamete rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the cell anterior. Then, the no. 2 basal body of mt+ gamete and the no. 1 basal body of mt− gamete slid into a face to face position. Finally, four flagella and basal bodies exhibited a cruciate arrangement. The basal bodies of the opposing pair (no. 1 and no. 2) were offset in a counterclockwise orientation by the basal body diameter. The 1s and 2d roots of the mt+ gamete lay nearly parallel to the 1d and 2s roots of the mt− gamete, respectively, at the cell fusion plane. Because of the asymmetric localization of the mating structure, association, and subsequent rearrangement of basal bodies and microtubular roots, two eyespots lay on the same side of the planozygote. After the settlement of the planozygote, the flagellar apparatus started to disintegrate in the zygote cytoplasm.
Lifetime versus Annual Tax‐and‐Transfer Progressivity: Sweden, 1968–2009
Authors: Bengtsson Niklas , Holmlund Bertil , Waldenström Daniel
Published: October 2015

In this paper, we analyze the evolution of tax‐and‐transfer progressivity in Sweden over both annual and lifetime horizons. Using a rich micro panel covering the period 1968–2009, we calculate tax rates over a cohort's entire working life cycle. Our main finding is that taxes are considerably less progressive over the lifetime than in any single year. Social insurance transfers to transitory low‐income earners account for most of this result. We offer a number of robustness checks of the measurement of lifetime incomes and progressivity, but none of them changes our overall findings.
A decadal historical satellite data analysis for flood hazard evaluation: A case study of Bihar (North India)
Authors: Manjusree Panchagnula , Bhatt Chandra Mohan , Begum Asiya , Rao Goru Srinivasa , Bhanumurthy Veerubhotla
Published: October 2015

Flood is one of the major recurrent natural disasters faced by the state of Bihar in north India. In the present study the authors assess the severity of flood hazard in Bihar, using 128 decadal historical satellite datasets acquired during different flood magnitudes during 1998 to 2010. The satellite‐based observations have been analysed in conjunction with the hydrological data, for assessing the frequency of inundation, severity of flood hazard and cropped land under flood hazard. This study assesses the spatial distribution of flooding and creation of systematic flood hazard database, which can be analysed from a spatial dimension in GIS. It is observed that about 24.56 lakh ha of the state's area and about 15.85 lakh ha of the cropped area are vulnerable to flood hazard. North Bihar is more vulnerable to flooding; 8 of the 10 areas identified as worst flood‐affected districts lie in this region.
Is It a Pleasure to Eat Together? Theoretical Reflections on Conviviality and the Mediterranean Diet
Authors: Phull Surinder , Wills Wendy , Dickinson Angela
Published: October 2015

In 2013 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized by UNESCO as anintangible cultural heritageof Spain, Greece, Italy and Morocco. Conviviality – the pleasure of eating together – was recognized as the cornerstone of food culture in the region. Although the concept ofcommensalityhas been explored widely in the literature, studies onconvivialityand convivial dining are almost non‐existent. This review explores the concept of conviviality and its significance in relation to the Mediterranean Diet. It draws on sociological and anthropological literature to define conviviality and to address the perceived benefits of eating together as well as the social constraints on pleasurable meals. The paper draws upon the work of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu and his ideas of Habitus, Field and Cultural Capital, examining how these concepts relate to pleasurable eating and conviviality. It offers an interdisciplinary perspective on who and what makes conviviality happen and the potential obstacles to the experience and promotion of convivial dining.
Mafias, Markets, Mules: Gender Stereotypes in Discourses About Drug Trafficking
Authors: Fleetwood Jennifer
Published: October 2015

Popular and political discourses about drug trafficking are premised on a gender binary based on sexist stereotypes. Simply put, popular and political discourses about drug trafficking tend to describe men as the brains and women as mere bodies. Academic research on drug mules and drug trafficking tends to rely on, rather than problematise, this gender binary, limiting contemporary enquiry and knowledge about drug trafficking. Furthermore, this gendered binary informs anti‐drug trafficking policy international in harmful ways.
Twenty‐Five Years After the Fall of Communism: The Cultural Peculiarities of Fighting Corruption and Building Civil Society in Romania
Authors: Toma Roxana
Published: October 2015

Even when the domestic political system has undergone reform, it sometimes seems unlikely that any outside force can introduce enough of a “carrot and stick” approach to persuade a country to maintain momentum. This article is concerned with understanding the cultural peculiarities of fighting corruption and building civil society in Romania, where despite the tough EU monitoring and domestic anti‐sleaze efforts, corruption, and low trust remain significant problems. Many of the theorists in the post‐communist literature argue that socioeconomic factors and the communist legacy have weakened post‐communist civil society in the region. This article explores the question whether corruption has replaced the legacy of communism as a factor undermining trust in others and government in Romania and presents an examination of the association between corruption and post‐communist civil society. The article argues that future research needs to switch focus from discussing Romanian social, political, and cultural behaviors from a longue durée perspective to evaluating the impact of political corruption on trust and, hence, civil society in Romania.
Mastery, Homeownership, and Adult Roles During the Transition to Adulthood
Authors: Tyndall Benjamin D. , Christie‐Mizell C. André
Published: October 2015

We investigate the relationship between homeownership and personal sense of mastery in the transition to adulthood and examine whether three important adult transitions (employment, marriage/cohabitation, and parenthood) moderate the impact of homeownership on mastery. Utilizing the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth—Young Adult Sample (N = 1,609), we estimate change models to assess the direct effects of homeownership on mastery as well as whether this impact is modified by the transition to adult roles. Homeownership increases the sense of mastery among young adults. Homeowners who are unemployed paradoxically receive a boost to mastery not experienced by those who are employed, and homeowners who are parents experience increased mastery, compared to those who do not have children. Owning a home has a positive influence on young adults' sense of mastery during a period when their mastery is in flux and they are accumulating new roles.
Problems of Projection: The Role of Language Change in Labeling Paradoxes
Authors: van Gelderen Elly
Published: October 2015

Chomsky's latest linguistic work has problematized projection and labeling. With the earlier Phrase Structure Grammar and X’‐bar theory, it is taken for granted that a phrase contains a specifier, head, and complement; the current work only assumes a labeling algorithm to meet requirements of the conceptual‐intentional interface. Such an algorithm automatically rules out particular configurations, for instance, ones with a specifier unless they share certain features. In this brief paper, I point out how regular patterns of language change can be seen as resolutions to the labeling paradox and how they themselves can possibly shed light on the precise nature of this labeling algorithm. I focus on the change where specifiers are reanalyzed as heads.
Intravenous administration of tranexamic acid effectively reduces blood loss in primary total knee arthroplasty in a 610‐patient consecutive case series
Authors: Pitta Michael , Zawadsky Mark , Verstraete Richard , Rubinstein Aaron
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been reported to demonstrate efficacy in reducing blood loss during arthroplasty procedures.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study examines the effectiveness of TXA as a central element of a patient blood management program (PBMP) by evaluating blood loss and transfusion of red blood cells in three consecutive groups of patients undergoing routine total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Approximately 200 patients were in each group as follows: Group 1 was a control without TXA, Group 2 was intraarticular administration, and Group 3 was intravenous (IV) administration.

RESULTS

The IV group demonstrated a small but significant lower blood loss compared to the two other groups measured by hemoglobin (Hb) drift and nadir Hb levels. The routine use of TXA along with the other aspects of our PBMP provided significant cost savings due to the reduction in transfusions as well as a decrease in length of stay and has been an important element of our successful implementation of a PBMP.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a significant benefit from the routine use of TXA for total knee arthroplasty and is one of the first studies to demonstrate a small but significant benefit for IV administration in comparison to intraarticular administration. The routine use of TXA as a central element of a PBMP provides a cost savings and can help reduce the rate of transfusions for total knee arthroplasty.
Impact of red blood cell alloimmunization on sickle cell disease mortality: a case series
Authors: Nickel Robert Sheppard , Hendrickson Jeanne E. , Fasano Ross M. , Meyer Erin K. , Winkler Anne M. , Yee Marianne M. , Lane Peter A. , Jones Yuritzi A. , Pashankar Farzana D. , New Tamara , Josephson Cassandra D. , Stowell Sean R.
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Although red blood cell (RBC) transfusion represents an integral component of sickle cell disease (SCD) care, transfusion support for some patients can result in alloimmunization to RBC antigens. Alloimmunized patients with SCD appear to experience worse survival compared to nonalloimmunized patients. While this difference in mortality may in part be due to underlying immunologic differences related to disease severity, it may also reflect direct clinical consequences of RBC alloimmunization. Alloimmunized patients have an increased risk of serious hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) and may not receive adequate RBC transfusion support due to lack of compatible RBC units.

CASE REPORT

This study reports on five RBC alloimmunized patients with SCD who died, to illustrate the concept that RBC alloimmunization itself contributes to premature death.

RESULTS

The clinical course for each of the reported patients provides insight into the direct and indirect consequences of RBC alloimmunization, where patients experienced delayed HTRs or did not receive needed RBC transfusions.

CONCLUSION

Future work examining the clinical impact of RBC alloimmunization should not only consider HTRs but should also address the potential consequences associated with difficulties in obtaining compatible blood.
DEVELOPING AND CALIBRATING A STOCHASTIC RAINFALL GENERATOR MODEL FOR SIMULATING DAILY RAINFALL BY MARKOV CHAIN APPROACH
Authors: Dlamini N. S. , Rowshon M. K. , Sahab Ujjwal , Fikri A. , Lai S. H. , Mohd M. S. F.
Published: October 2015

Rainfall is an important parameter in tropical humid regions for which paddy production systems depend. A significant portion of paddy water requirements is supplied by natural rainfall. Several studies have predicted changes in rainfall patterns and in the amount of rain that may be obtainable in future owing to climate change. There is increased concern about future water availability for an important crop such as rice. Need to develop new water management tools for sustainable production is inevitable, but such tools require long-term climate data that is credible and consistent with the time. This study concerns itself with evaluating a stochastic weather generator (WGEN) model for simulating daily rainfall series. The model is assessed using long-term historical rainfall data obtained from a rice growing irrigation schemes in Malaysia. The model is based on a first-order two-state Markov chain approach which uses two transition probabilities and random number to generate rainfall series. Selected statistical properties were computed for each station and compared against those retrieved from the model after model training and testing. The results obtained from these comparisons are quite satisfactory giving confidence about the performance and future outputs from the model. The model has shown good skill in describing the rainfall occurrence process and rainfall amounts for the area. The model will be adapted in a subsequent study for downscaling and simulating effective daily rainfall series corresponding to future climate scenarios.
QUANTIFYING WATER BALANCE OF SUBAK PADDY FIELD BASED ON CONTINUOUS FIELD MONITORING
Authors: Saptomo Satyanto K. , Chadirin Yudi , Setiawan Budi I. , Budiasa I Wayan , Kato Hisaaki , Kubota Junpei
Published: October 2015

Subak had been known as superior and sustainable water management system in Bali’s paddy field, and had a long history as an interesting topic for study. Water management in Subak is more or less based on religious practices and the philosophy of the harmony among God, human and nature, that ensures equity and sufficiency of water diversion. Traditionally there is no water regulation in the meaning of gate operation as most Subak has their own water source from definite location, and fixed system was used for water diversion that defined portion of water discharge and not quantity. In this study, field monitoring system had been set up to continuously observe the water balance components such as: rainfall, evapotranspiration, percolation, field water status. With the available data, water balance equation can be used to obtain net inflow, which in this case only minimum, median and maximum for each particular month. These values were used to summarize total annual net inflow to the field, which ranges from 4575 to 7419 mm.  This is accounted as total water use for rice production at the site and generally it can be concluded as the amount of water required to sustain the present paddy field of the Subak.
DEVELOPMENT OF 3D MODEL VIEW OF POTENTIAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER FOR IRRIGATION USING GEOPHYSICAL TECHNIQUE
Authors: Azizan Fathin Ayuni , Mohamed Zawawi Mohamed Azwan , Abdullah Ahmad Fikri
Published: October 2015

A 2D surface electrical resistivity is one of non-destructive methods to investigate groundwater. In this study, 2D resistivity method was used to produce subsurface imaging profiles which are known as ERT (Electrical Resistivity Tomography) at Block C, Sawah Sempadan, Tanjung Karang, Selangor. These ERT profiles were then used to create 3D model view of potential aquifer at the study area. Overall, there were 3 ERT profiles of 1600m for major survey lines and 6 ERT profiles of 400m for minor lines. ERT profiles were then compared to lithology log from nearby tube wells of same geological formation in order to locate potential aquifer location in these profiles. Results show that there were 7 locations of identified potential aquifer in this study area. Later, the resistivity data were added with longitude and latitude data before imported into Voxler to achieve the objective of the study. The 3D model view of skeleton shape was productively built in Voxler as it visibly illustrates the whole subsurface profiles of study area. Locations of potential aquifers were identified in this 3D model view to show the exact location and depth of each potential aquifer.
TEXTILE DIPOLE ANTENNA FOR WEARABLE APPLICATION
Authors: Abdullah M. A. , A. Rahim Mohamad Kamal , Samsuri N. A. , Murad N. A. , Jalil M. E.
Published: October 2015

The idea of wearable electronic system has triggered a vast research on the capability of implementing the system on daily garment. As a wearable system, the human body friction should be taken into account. Antenna is one of the main structure in wearable communication system. This paper presents a study on a textile dipole antenna with two different conducting materials. The conducting materials are Shieldit fabric and copper fabric while the substrate is denim. The denim has a dielectric constant of 1.67 with 0.85 mm thickness and loss tangent of 0.019. The antenna resonates at Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band which is at 2.45 GHz. Antenna performances are observed in terms of reflection coefficient, bandwidth, and radiation pattern. Three different investigations are analysed: antenna measurement with two different bending sizes, under wet conditions and on-body conditions. The bending and wetness effect of the textile antenna are also investigated. No significant changes to the antenna performance under the bending condition. The antenna cannot operate in wet condition at desired frequency. In addition, on-body measurement is done to investigate the antenna properties in wearable system. A suitable placement of the antenna on the human body has been discovered between the front and back of the body and the arm.
FEATURE SELECTION AND MACHINE LEARNING CLASSIFICATION FOR MALWARE DETECTION
Authors: Khammas Ban Mohammed , Monemi Alireza , Stephen Bassi Joseph , Ismail Ismahani , Mohd Nor Sulaiman , Marsono Muhammad Nadzir
Published: October 2015

Malware is a computer security problem that can morph to evade traditional detection methods based on known signature matching. Since new malware variants contain patterns that are similar to those in observed malware, machine learning techniques can be used to identify new malware. This work presents a comparative study of several feature selection methods with four different machine learning classifiers in the context of static malware detection based on n-grams analysis. The result shows that the use of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) feature selection and Support Vector Machines (SVM) classification gives the best classification accuracy using a minimum number of features.
AGRICULTURE MONITORING SYSTEM: A STUDY
Authors: Hashim N. M. Z. , Mazlan S. R. , Abd Aziz M. Z. A. , Salleh A. , Ja’afar A. S. , Mohamad N. R.
Published: October 2015

This study is a review on controlling an electronic device (Arduino) apply for temperature and soil moisture process using Android based Smart phone application in order to address the issues of flexibility and functionality. Beside, this study in future will also develop a low cost and flexible for agriculture control due to not to incorporate with an expensive components such as high end personal computers. On peak of that, now anyone, from anytime and anywhere can have connectivity for anything and it is expected that these connections will extend and create an entirely advanced dynamic network of the internet of things. Thus, this study is to review several design of smart monitoring system using an embedded micro-web server, with IP connectivity for accessing. There are three principal components in this study, which are an electronic device (Arduino), software development (eclipse), and system prototype internet protocol layer. The aim is to build the web organization and ultimately to combine all three components together. The solution of this whole study is a complete review to design a complete application with an electronic device that can help landlord agriculture to start out a dependable quality product in the marketplace.
ULTRASONICATED JATROPHA CURCAS SEED RESIDUAL AS POTENTIAL BIOFUEL FEEDSTOCK
Authors: M. Zahari M. Shahrir , Ismail S. B. , Ibrahim Mohd Zamri , Shiung Lam Su , Mat Ramli
Published: October 2015

This study focuses on the prospect of Jatropha Curcas seed residual from the ultrasonic in-situ process which is used as a biofuel raw material especially for producing bioethanol. Reactive extraction process coupled with ultrasonic system were used for simultaneous oil extraction and transesterification of Jatropha Curcas seed. Using ethanol as the solvent, alkaline catalyst (sodium hydroxide) and with the aid of ultrasonic device, about 50% oil from the initial seeds was extracted, which is equivalent to Soxhlet extraction performance. The seeds were being chemically and physically characterized with ultimate analyses, with SEM and XRD as potential bioethanol raw material. SEM and XRD profile exhibited loosen compounds in the ultrasonicated residues and provided a better accessible and easier degradable fiber for assisting bioethanol production process compared to the initial seeds. The positive effects of the ultrasonic reactive extraction for Jatropha Curcas seed pre-treatment is beneficial towards bioethanol production and could further be used as a solvent in the latter process.
IMPROVED YIELD OF β-CAROTENE FROM MICROALGAE SPIRULINA PLATENSIS USING ULTRASOUND ASSISTED EXTRACTION
Authors: Hadiyanto H. , Marsya M. A. , Fatkhiyatul P.
Published: October 2015

Microalgae Spirulina has been considered as the rich nutrition microorganism including β-carotene. The β-carotene plays an important role in human’s body as an antioxidant. The extraction of this compound from microalgae by using conventional method resulted low yield and required longer extraction time. The objective of this research was to investigate the use of ultrasound irradiation to assist extraction of β-carotene in order to accelerate the extraction process and increase the yield. The experiment was conducted by varying extraction variables such as solvent volume (20, 40, 60 ml) and extraction time (5, 15, 25 minutes) on a fixed temperature of 40°C.  The result showed that the optimum condition was at ultrasound frequency of 40kHz, extraction time of 25 minutes and ratio of biomass to solvent 1:6, while the maximum yield was 1.38 mg/mL.
WATER TREATMENT PERFOMANCE: APPLICATION OF ELECTROSPUN NANOFIBERS
Authors: Mataram A. , Ismail A. F. , Yuliwati E. , Matsuura T. , Zamheri A. , Rizal S.
Published: October 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of nanofiber microfiltration membranes, spun by an innovative electrospinning technique, in water filtration applications. This study bridges between developments in electrospinning techniques for the production of flat sheet membranes and the application of these membranes in water filtration. The functionalized or non-functionalized for the removal of pathogens was investigated, in term of culture mechanism of bacteria spot in the waste water. Physical properties such as clean water permeability (CWP) and strength were also examined. The test showed that the electrospun membranes can be used for water filtration applications.
Deficiency of GABAergic synaptic inhibition in the Kölliker–Fuse area underlies respiratory dysrhythmia in a mouse model of Rett syndrome
Authors: Abdala Ana Paula , Toward Marie A. , Dutschmann Mathias , Bissonnette John M. , Paton Julian F. R.
Published: October 2015

Key points

Life threatening breathing irregularity and central apnoeas are highly prevalent in children suffering from Rett syndrome.

Abnormalities in inhibitory synaptic transmission have been associated with the physiopathology of this syndrome, and may underlie the respiratory disorder.

In a mouse model of Rett syndrome, GABAergic terminal projections are markedly reduced in the Kölliker–Fuse nucleus (KF) in the dorsolateral pons, an important centre for control of respiratory rhythm regularity.

Administration of a drug that augments endogenous GABA localized to this region of the pons reduced the incidence of apnoea and the respiratory irregularity of Rett female mice. Conversely, the respiratory disorder was recapitulated by blocking GABAergic transmission in the KF area of healthy rats.

This study helps us understand the mechanism for generation of respiratory abnormality in Rett syndrome, pinpoints a brain site responsible and provides a clear anatomical target for the development of a translatable drug treatment.

Central apnoeas and respiratory irregularity are a common feature in Rett syndrome (RTT), a neurodevelopmental disorder most often caused by mutations in the methyl‐CpG‐binding protein 2 gene (MECP2). We used a MECP2 deficient mouse model of RTT as a strategy to obtain insights into the neurobiology of the disease and into mechanisms essential for respiratory rhythmicity during normal breathing. Previously, we showed that, systemic administration of a GABA reuptake blocker in MECP2 deficient mice markedly reduced the occurrence of central apnoeas. Further, we found that, during central apnoeas, post‐inspiratory drive (adductor motor) to the upper airways was enhanced in amplitude and duration in Mecp2 heterozygous female mice. Since the pontine Kölliker–Fuse area (KF) drives post‐inspiration, suppresses inspiration, and can reset the respiratory oscillator phase, we hypothesized that synaptic inhibition in this area is essential for respiratory rhythm regularity. In this study, we found that: (i) Mecp2 heterozygous mice showed deficiency of GABA perisomatic bouton‐like puncta and processes in the KF nucleus; (ii) blockade of GABA reuptake in the KF of RTT mice reduced breathing irregularity; (iii) conversely, blockade of GABAA receptors in the KF of healthy rats mimicked the RTT respiratory phenotype of recurrent central apnoeas and prolonged post‐inspiratory activity. Our results show that reductions in synaptic inhibition within the KF induce rhythm irregularity whereas boosting GABA transmission reduces respiratory arrhythmia in a murine model of RTT. Our data suggest that manipulation of synaptic inhibition in KF may be a clinically important strategy for alleviating the life threatening respiratory disorders in RTT.
Respiratory modulated sympathetic activity: a putative mechanism for developing vascular resistance?
Authors: Briant Linford J. B. , O'Callaghan Erin L. , Champneys Alan R. , Paton Julian F. R.
Published: October 2015

Key points

Sympathetic activity exhibits respiratory modulation that is amplified in hypertensive rats.

Respiratory modulated sympathetic activity produces greater changes in vascular resistance than tonic stimulation of the same stimulus magnitude in normotensive but not hypertensive rats.

Mathematical modelling demonstrates that respiratory modulated sympathetic activity may fail to produce greater vascular resistance changes in hypertensive rats because the system is saturated as a consequence of a dysfunctional noradrenaline reuptake mechanism.

Respiratory modulated sympathetic activity is an efficient mechanism to raise vascular resistance promptly, corroborating its involvement in the ontogenesis of hypertension.

Sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) exhibits respiratory modulation. This component of SNA is important – being recruited under cardiorespiratory reflex conditions and elevated in the spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rat – and yet the exact influence of this modulation on vascular tone is not understood, even in normotensive conditions. We constructed a mathematical model of the sympathetic innervation of an arteriole, and used it to test the hypothesis that respiratory modulation of SNA preferentially increases vasoconstriction compared to a frequency‐matched tonic pattern. Simulations supported the hypothesis, where respiratory modulated increases in vasoconstriction were mediated by a noradrenergic mechanism. These predictions were tested in vivo in adult Wistar rats. Stimulation of the sympathetic chain (L3) with respiratory modulated bursting patterns, revealed that bursting increases vascular resistance (VR) more than tonic stimulation (57.8 ± 3.3% vs. 44.8 ± 4.2%; P < 0.001; n = 8). The onset of the VR response was also quicker for bursting stimulation (rise time constant = 1.98 ± 0.09 s vs. 2.35 ± 0.20 s; P < 0.01). In adult SH rats (n = 8), the VR response to bursting (44.6 ± 3.9%) was not different to tonic (37.4 ± 3.5%; P = 0.57). Using both mathematical modelling and in vivo techniques, we have shown that VR depends critically on respiratory modulation and revealed that this pattern dependency in Wistar rats is due to a noradrenergic mechanism. This respiratory component may therefore contribute to the ontogenesis of hypertension in the pre‐hypertensive SH rat – raising VR and driving vascular remodelling. Why adult SH rats do not exhibit a pattern‐dependent response is not known, but further modelling revealed that this may be due to dysfunctional noradrenaline reuptake.
Investigation on the Effect of Type and Size of Nanoparticles and Surfactant on Pool Boiling Heat Transfer of Nanofluids
Authors: Sayahi Tofigh , Bahrami Masoud
Published: October 2015

In our efforts to improve the pool boiling heat transfer of water, three sets of experiments are carried out to investigate the best coolant for heat removal among alumina, silica, and zinc oxide as nanoparticles and water as base fluid: (a) pool boiling heat transfer of γ-alumina/water nanofluid with and without surfactant in both distilled water and treated water as base fluids, (b) pool boiling heat transfer of silica/water nanofluid with two different nanoparticle sizes, and (c) pool boiling heat transfer of zinc oxide/water nanofluid with surfactant. In all the above experiments, the effect of heater surface on boiling heat transfer coefficient has been investigated by repeating the experiment using pure water on the coated surface before cleaning it. Moreover, two effective thermophysical properties of fluids, dynamic viscosity and surface tension, are measured to explain the boiling behavior of the nanofluids. The experimental results indicate that (a) the presence of γ-alumina in the base fluid enhances the pool boiling heat transfer coefficient, but sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) as surfactant deteriorates the performance of pool boiling heat transfer of γ-alumina/water nanofluid and (b) silica nanoparticles reduce the boiling performance of pure water. Moreover, the larger particle size of silica nanoparticles shows less reduction in heat transfer coefficient, (c) zinc oxide/water nanofluid is the best coolant among all the above-mentioned nanoparticles for heat removal.
Phosphorylation of STAT3 mediates the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by cortisol in the human amnion at parturition
Authors: Wang Wangsheng , Guo Chunming , Zhu Ping , Lu Jiangwen , Li Wenjiao , Liu Chao , Xie Huiliang , Myatt Leslie , Chen Zi-jiang , Sun Kang
Published: October 2015

Activation of the transcription factor STAT3 promotes the feed-forward production of prostaglandins in response to cortisol during labor.
Extracellular cAMP drives gut morphogenesis
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: October 2015

Pigment cells release cAMP to drive morphogenesis of the sea urchin gut.
Committing
Leishmania
vaccine to memory
Authors: Colmone Angela
Published: October 2015

A
Leishmania
protein vaccine elicited immune responses and mediated strong cross-species protection.
Mouse work may lead to male contraceptive
Authors: Purnell Beverly A.
Published: October 2015

Inhibiting the function of a protein involved in sperm maturation may help in the development of future male contraceptives.
Metered rehydration in pollen grains
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: October 2015

Hydration of pollen activates a mechanosensory channel as the plasma membrane stretches.
Iron fuels glioblastoma growth
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: October 2015

Glioblastoma stem-like cells co-opt an iron scavenging system to stimulate proliferation.
SUMO wrestles PKC to the immunological synapse
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: October 2015

SUMOylation of protein kinase C θ is required for stable immunological synapse formation and T cell activation.
A hop, skip, and a protein away
Authors: Parekkadan Biju
Published: October 2015

Exon skipping creates a truncated version of a protein missing in muscular dystrophy patients and ameliorates disease symptoms in flies and mice.
Out with the old (myelin), in with the new
Authors: Statland Jeffrey
Published: October 2015

A pathway involved in clearing myelin debris offers new potential therapeutic targets for chronic demyelinating diseases.
Lung cancer: A sanguine approach
Authors: Thomas Anish
Published: October 2015

Blood-based identification of resistance mechanisms can noninvasively select patients for treatment with third-generation EGFR inhibitors.
Dendritic Cell Autophagy Contributes to Herpes Simplex Virus-Driven Stromal Keratitis and Immunopathology
Authors: Jiang Yike , Yin Xiaotang , Stuart Patrick M. , Leib David A.
Published: October 2015

Herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) is a blinding ocular disease that is initiated by HSV-1 and characterized by chronic inflammation in the cornea. Although HSK immunopathology of the cornea is well documented in animal models, events preceding this abnormal inflammatory cascade are poorly understood. In this study, we have examined the activation of pathological CD4+T cells in the development of HSK. Dendritic cell autophagy (DC-autophagy) is an important pathway regulating major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII)-dependent antigen presentation and proper CD4+T cell activation during infectious diseases. Using DC-autophagy-deficient mice, we found that DC-autophagy significantly and specifically contributes to HSK disease without impacting early innate immune infiltration, viral clearance, or host survival. Instead, the observed phenotype was attributable to the abrogated activation of CD4+T cells and reduced inflammation in HSK lesions. We conclude that DC-autophagy is an important contributor to primary HSK immunopathology upstream of CD4+T cell activation.

IMPORTANCEHerpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the United States and a rising cause worldwide. HSK is induced by herpes simplex virus 1 but is considered a disease of inappropriately sustained inflammation driven by CD4+T cells. In this study, we investigated whether pathways preceding CD4+T cell activation affect disease outcome. We found that autophagy in dendritic cells significantly contributed to the incidence of HSK. Dendritic cell autophagy did not alter immune control of the virus or neurological disease but specifically augmented CD4+T cell activation and pathological corneal inflammation. This study broadens our understanding of the immunopathology that drives HSK and implicates the autophagy pathway as a new target for therapeutic intervention against this incurable form of infectious blindness.