bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Petrological and geochemical characteristics of Mesoproterozoic dyke swarms in the Gardar Province, South Greenland: Evidence for a major sub-continental lithospheric mantle component in the generation of the magmas
Authors: Bartels Alexander , Nielsen Troels F. D. , Lee Seung Ryeol , Upton Brian G. J.
Published: September 2015

The Mesoproterozoic Gardar Province in South Greenland developed in a continental rift-related environment. Several alkaline intrusions and associated dyke swarms were emplaced in Archaean and Ketilidian basement rocks during two main magmatic periods at 1300–1250 Ma and 1180–1140 Ma. The present investigation focuses on mafic dykes from the early magmatic period ('Older Gardar') and the identification of their possible mantle sources.

The rocks are typically fine- to coarse-grained dolerites, transitional between tholeiitic and alkaline compositions with a general predominance of Na over K. They crystallized from relatively evolved, mantle-derived melts and commonly show minor degrees of crustal contamination. Selective enrichment of the large ion lithophile elements Cs, Ba and K and the light rare-earth elements when compared to high field-strength elements indicate significant involvement of a sub-continental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) component in the generation of the magmas. This component was affected by fluid-dominated supra-subduction zone metasomatism, possibly related to the Ketilidian orogeny ∼500 Ma years prior to the onset of Gardar magmatism. Melt generation in the SCLM is further documented by the inferential presence of amphibole in the source region, negative calculated εNd(i) values (–0.47 to –4.40) and slightly elevated87Sr/86Sr(i) (0.702987 to 0.706472) ratios when compared to bulk silicate earth as well as relatively flat heavy rare-earth element (HREE) patterns ((Gd/Yb)N= 1.4 –1.9) indicating melt generation above the garnet stability field.

The dyke rocks investigated show strong geochemical and geochronological similarities to penecontemporaneous mafic dyke swarms in North America and Central Scandinavia and a petrogenetic link is hypothesized. Considering recent plate reconstructions, it is further suggested that magmatism was formed behind a long-lived orogenic belt in response to back-arc basin formation in the time interval between 1290–1235 Ma.
Redefinition of thalénite-(Y) and discreditation of fluorthalénite-(Y): A re-investigation of type material from the Österby pegmatite, Dalarna, Sweden, and from additional localities
Authors: Škoda Radek , Plášil Jakub , Jonsson Erik , Čopjaková Renata , Langhof Jörgen , Galiová Michaela Vašinová
Published: September 2015

Using type material from the Österby pegmatite in Dalarna, Sweden, the chemical composition and structural parameters of thalénite-(Y) [ideally Y3Si3O10(OH)] were examined by wavelength dispersive spectroscopy electron microprobe (WDS EMP) analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. High contrast back-scatter electron images of the Österby material show at least two generations of thalénite-(Y). The formula of the primary thalénite-(Y) normalized to 11 anions is (Y2.58Dy0.11Yb0.09Gd0.06Er0.06Ho0.02Sm0.02Tb0.02Lu0.02Nd0.01Tm0.01)Σ3.00Si3.01O10F0.97OH0.03. The secondary thalénite-(Y), replacing the primary material, is weakly enhanced in Y and depleted in the lightest and the heaviest rare-earth elements, yielding the formula (Y2.63Dy0.12Yb0.06Gd0.06Er0.05Ho0.02Sm0.02Tb0.02Tm0.01Nd0.01Lu0.01)Σ3.00Si3.01O10F0.98OH0.02. Structural data for thalénite-(Y) from Österby clearly indicate the monoclinic space group P21/n, with a = 7.3464(4), b = 11.1726(5), c = 10.4180(5) Å, β = 97.318(4)°, V = 848.13(7) Å3, Z = 4, which is consistent with previous investigations. The structure was refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R1 = 0.0371 for 1503 unique observed reflections, and the final chemical composition obtained from the refinement, (Y2.64Dy0.36)Σ3.00F0.987[Si3O10], Z = 4, is in good agreement with the empirical formula resulting from electron microprobe (EMP) analysis. Both techniques reveal a strong dominance of F over OH, which means that the type material actually corresponds to the fluorine analogue. Moreover, new EMP analyses of samples of thalénite-(Y) from an additional seven localities (Åskagen and Reunavare in Sweden; White Cloud and Snow Flake in Colorado, USA; the Guy Hazel claim in Arizona, USA; Suishoyama and Souri in Japan) clearly show the prevalence of F over OH as well. Based on these observations, the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association has recommended a redefinition of the chemical composition of thalénite-(Y) to represent the F-dominant species with the ideal formula Y3Si3O10F, as it has historical priority. Consequently, the later described fluorthalénite-(Y) has to be discredited.
Host-parasite coevolution in populations of constant and variable size
Authors: Song Yixian , Gokhale Chaitanya S , Papkou Andrei , Schulenburg Hinrich , Traulsen Arne
Published: September 2015

Background

The matching-allele and gene-for-gene models are widely used in mathematical approaches that study the dynamics of host-parasite interactions. Agrawal and Lively (Evolutionary Ecology Research 4:79–90, 2002) captured these two models in a single framework and numerically explored the associated time discrete dynamics of allele frequencies.

Results

Here, we present a detailed analytical investigation of this unifying framework in continuous time and provide a generalization. We extend the model to take into account changing population sizes, which result from the antagonistic nature of the interaction and follow the Lotka-Volterra equations. Under this extension, the population dynamics become most complex as the model moves away from pure matching-allele and becomes more gene-for-gene-like. While the population densities oscillate with a single oscillation frequency in the pure matching-allele model, a second oscillation frequency arises under gene-for-gene-like conditions. These observations hold for general interaction parameters and allow to infer generic patterns of the dynamics.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that experimentally inferred dynamical patterns of host-parasite coevolution should typically be much more complex than the popular illustrations of Red Queen dynamics. A single parasite that infects more than one host can substantially alter the cyclic dynamics.
Divergence and adaptive evolution of the gibberellin oxidase genes in plants
Authors: Huang Yuan , Wang Xi , Ge Song , Rao Guang-Yuan
Published: September 2015

Background

The important phytohormone gibberellins (GAs) play key roles in various developmental processes. GA oxidases (GAoxs) are critical enzymes in GA synthesis pathway, but their classification, evolutionary history and the forces driving the evolution of plant GAox genes remain poorly understood.

Results

This study provides the first large-scale evolutionary analysis of GAox genes in plants by using an extensive whole-genome dataset of 41 species, representing green algae, bryophytes, pteridophyte, and seed plants. We defined eight subfamilies under the GAox family, namely C19-GA2ox, C20-GA2ox, GA20ox,GA3ox, GAox-A, GAox-B, GAox-C and GAox-D. Of these, subfamilies GAox-A, GAox-B, GAox-C and GAox-D are described for the first time. On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and characteristic motifs of GAox genes, we demonstrated a rapid expansion and functional divergence of the GAox genes during the diversification of land plants. We also detected the subfamily-specific motifs and potential sites of some GAox genes, which might have evolved under positive selection.

Conclusions

GAox genes originated very early—before the divergence of bryophytes and the vascular plants and the diversification of GAox genes is associated with the functional divergence and could be driven by positive selection. Our study not only provides information on the classification of GAox genes, but also facilitates the further functional characterization and analysis of GA oxidases.
In silico evolution of diauxic growth
Authors: Chu Dominique F.
Published: September 2015

Background

The glucose effect is a well known phenomenon whereby cells, when presented with two different nutrients, show a diauxic growth pattern, i.e. an episode of exponential growth followed by a lag phase of reduced growth followed by a second phase of exponential growth. Diauxic growth is usually thought of as a an adaptation to maximise biomass production in an environment offering two or more carbon sources. While diauxic growth has been studied widely both experimentally and theoretically, the hypothesis that diauxic growth is a strategy to increase overall growth has remained an unconfirmed conjecture.

Methods

Here, we present a minimal mathematical model of a bacterial nutrient uptake system and metabolism. We subject this model to artificial evolution to test under which conditions diauxic growth evolves.

Results

As a result, we find that, indeed, sequential uptake of nutrients emerges if there is competition for nutrients and the metabolism/uptake system is capacity limited.

Discussion

However, we also find that diauxic growth is a secondary effect of this system and that the speed-up of nutrient uptake is a much larger effect. Notably, this speed-up of nutrient uptake coincides with an overall reduction of efficiency.

Conclusions

Our two main conclusions are: (i) Cells competing for the same nutrients evolve rapid but inefficient growth dynamics. (ii) In the deterministic models we use here no substantial lag-phase evolves. This suggests that the lag-phase is a consequence of stochastic gene expression.
Pre-differentiation of human neural stem cells into GABAergic neurons prior to transplant results in greater repopulation of the damaged brain and accelerates functional recovery after transient ischemic stroke
Authors: Abeysinghe Hima C. S. , Bokhari Laita , Quigley Anita , Choolani Mahesh , Chan Jerry , Dusting Gregory J. , Crook Jeremy M. , Kobayashi Nao R. , Roulston Carli L.
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Despite attempts to prevent brain injury during the hyperacute phase of stroke, most sufferers end up with significant neuronal loss and functional deficits. The use of cell-based therapies to recover the injured brain offers new hope. In the current study, we employed human neural stem cells (hNSCs) isolated from subventricular zone (SVZ), and directed their differentiation into GABAergic neurons followed by transplantation to ischemic brain.

Methods

Pre-differentiated GABAergic neurons, undifferentiated SVZ-hNSCs or media alone were stereotaxically transplanted into the rat brain (n=7/group) 7 days after endothelin-1 induced stroke. Neurological outcome was assessed by neurological deficit scores and the cylinder test. Transplanted cell survival, cellular phenotype and maturation were assessed using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy.

Results

Behavioral assessments revealed accelerated improvements in motor function 7 days post-transplant in rats treated with pre-differentiated GABAergic cells in comparison to media alone and undifferentiated hNSC treated groups. Histopathology 28 days-post transplant indicated that pre-differentiated cells maintained their GABAergic neuronal phenotype, showed evidence of synaptogenesis and up-regulated expression of both GABA and calcium signaling proteins associated with neurotransmission. Rats treated with pre-differentiated cells also showed increased neurogenic activity within the SVZ at 28 days, suggesting an additional trophic role of these GABAergic cells. In contrast, undifferentiated SVZ-hNSCs predominantly differentiated into GFAP-positive astrocytes and appeared to be incorporated into the glial scar.

Conclusion

Our study is the first to show enhanced exogenous repopulation of a neuronal phenotype after stroke using techniques aimed at GABAergic cell induction prior to delivery that resulted in accelerated and improved functional recovery.
Mann iteration process for monotone nonexpansive mappings
Authors: Bin Dehaish Buthinah Abdullatif , Khamsi Mohamed Amine
Published: September 2015

Let $(X,\|\cdot\|)$
(
X
,
∥
⋅
∥
)
be a Banach space. Let C be a nonempty, bounded, closed, and convex subset of X and $T: C \rightarrow C$
T
:
C
→
C
be a monotone nonexpansive mapping. In this paper, it is shown that a technique of Mann which is defined by
$$x_{n+1} = t_{n} T(x_{n}) + (1-t_{n})x_{n}, \quad n = 1, 2, \ldots, $$

x

n
+
1

=

t
n

T
(

x
n

)
+
(
1
−

t
n

)

x
n

,

n
=
1
,
2
,
…
,
is fruitful in finding a fixed point of monotone nonexpansive mappings.
Impacts of sustainable value and business stewardship on lifestyle practices in clothing consumption
Authors: Lee Stacy Hyun-Nam , Kim HaeJung , Yang Kiseol
Published: September 2015

With a rising interest in the sustainable issue on the part of society and industry, comprehending the dynamics of the sustainable phenomenon can empower marketers and researchers to devise effective marketing strategies and advance theoretical knowledge for the fashion and textile discipline. While consumer sustainable lifestyle practices and business stewardship implementation have been neglected in the fashion and textiles industries, this study aims to test the sustainable VALS framework by identifying the sustainable value and lifestyle practices, and examining the impacts of business stewardship on consumer sustainable practices. The results of the data (n = 239) from a US university identified feasible dimensions of sustainable value, lifestyle practices, and business stewardships. Upon testing multiple regression analysis for the sustainable VALS framework, all 12 hypotheses were supported to validate the significant impacts of sustainable values and business stewardship on the consumers’ practices of a sustainable lifestyle on fashion product consumption. Specifically, altruistic, openness to change, anthropocentrism, and ecocentrism values are of interest; and the business stewardship of eco-labels and CSR drives play pivotal roles in promoting consumers’ sustainable lifestyle practices.
In the eye of the neutrophil swarm—navigation signals that bring neutrophils together in inflamed and infected tissues
Authors: Lämmermann Tim
Published: September 2015

Neutrophils are sentinel cells that express in higher vertebrates >30 chemokine and chemoattractant receptors to sense and quickly react to tissue damage signals. Intravital microscopy studies in mouse models of wounding, inflammation, and infection have revealed that neutrophils form cell swarms at local sites of tissue injury and cell death. This swarming response is choreographed by chemokines, lipids, and other chemoattractants, controlling sequential phases of highly coordinated chemotaxis, intercellular signal relay, and cluster formation among neutrophils. This review will give a brief overview about the basic principles and key molecules that have led to the refined multistep model of how neutrophils come together to isolate sites of tissue injury and microbial invasion from healthy tissue. Whereas auto- and paracrine signaling among neutrophils during later phases of swarming can provide a level of self-organization for robust navigation in diverse inflammatory settings, guidance factors from primary tissue lesions, resident bystander cells, and dying cells regulate the initial phases of the swarming response. This review will discuss how the specific environmental context and mixture of attractants at the locally inflamed site can lead to variants of the multistep attraction model and influence the extent of neutrophil swarming, ranging from accumulations of only few individual cells to the aggregation of several hundreds of neutrophils, as found in abscesses. Given the critical roles of neutrophils in both host protection and tissue destruction, novel insights on neutrophil swarming might provide useful for the therapeutic modulation of neutrophil-dependent inflammatory processes.
Epirubicin Plus Cyclophosphamide Followed by Docetaxel Versus Epirubicin Plus Docetaxel Followed by Capecitabine As Adjuvant Therapy for Node-Positive Early Breast Cancer: Results From the GEICAM/2003-10 Study
Authors: Martín Miguel , Ruiz Simón Amparo , Ruiz Borrego Manuel , Ribelles Nuria , Rodríguez-Lescure Álvaro , Muñoz-Mateu Montserrat , González Sonia , Margelí Vila Mireia , Barnadas Agustí , Ramos Manuel , Del Barco Berron Sonia , Jara Carlos , Calvo Lourdes , Martínez-Jáñez Noelia , Mendiola Fernández César , Rodríguez César A. , Martínez de Dueñas Eduardo , Andrés Raquel , Plazaola Arrate , de la Haba-Rodríguez Juan , López-Vega Jose Manuel , Adrover Encarna , Ballesteros Ana Isabel , Santaballa Ana , Sánchez-Rovira Pedro , Baena-Cañada José M. , Casas Maribel , del Carmen Cámara María , Carrasco Eva Maria , Lluch Ana
Published: September 2015

Purpose

Capecitabine is an active drug in metastatic breast cancer (BC). GEICAM/2003-10 is an adjuvant trial to investigate the integration of capecitabine into a regimen of epirubicin and docetaxel for node-positive early BC.

Patients and Methods

Patients with operable node-positive BC (T1-3/N1-3) were eligible. After surgery, 1,384 patients were randomly assigned to receive epirubicin plus cyclophosphamide (EC; 90 and 600 mg/m2, respectively, × four cycles), followed by docetaxel (100 mg/m2 × four cycles; EC-T) or epirubicin plus docetaxel (ET; 90 and 75 mg/m2, respectively, × four cycles), followed by capecitabine (1,250 mg/m2 twice a day on days 1 to 14, × four cycles; ET-X); all regimens were given every 3 weeks. The primary end point was invasive disease-free survival. Secondary end points included safety (with an alopecia-specific study) and overall survival (OS).

Results

After a median follow-up of 6.6 years and 297 events, 86% of patients who received EC-T and 82% of those who received ET-X were invasive disease free at 5 years (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.64; log-rank P = .03). The OS difference between arms was not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.55; log-rank P = .46). The most frequent grade 3 to 4 adverse events in the EC-T versus ET-X arms were neutropenia (19% v 10%), with 7% febrile neutropenia across arms; fatigue (13% v 11%); diarrhea (3% v 11%); hand-foot syndrome (2% v 20%); mucositis (6% v 5%); vomiting (both, 5%); and myalgia (4.5% v 1%). Incomplete scalp hair recovery was more frequent in the EC-T than ET-X arm (30% v 14%), and patients who received EC-T wore wigs significantly longer than those who received ET-X (8.35 v 6.03 months).

Conclusion

Invasive disease-free survival, but not OS, was significantly superior for patients with node-positive early BC who received the adjuvant standard schedule EC-T than for those who received the experimental ET-X regimen. Toxicity profiles differed substantially across arms.
Pathogenesis of Adrenal Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas Carrying Mutations of the Na+/K+-ATPase
Authors: Stindl J. , Tauber P. , Sterner C. , Tegtmeier I. , Warth R. , Bandulik S.
Published: September 2015

Aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) is a major cause of primary aldosteronism, leading to secondary hypertension. Somatic mutations in the gene for the α1 subunit of the Na+/K+-ATPase were found in about 6% of APAs. APA-related α1 subunit of the Na+/K+-ATPase mutations lead to a loss of the pump function of the Na+/K+-ATPase, which is believed to result in membrane depolarization and Ca2+-dependent stimulation of aldosterone synthesis in adrenal cells. In addition, H+ and Na+ leak currents via the mutant Na+/K+-ATPase were suggested to contribute to the phenotype. The aim of this study was to investigate the cellular pathophysiology of adenoma-associated Na+/K+-ATPase mutants (L104R, V332G, G99R) in adrenocortical NCI-H295R cells. The expression of these Na+/K+-ATPase mutants depolarized adrenal cells and stimulated aldosterone secretion. However, an increase of basal cytosolic Ca2+ levels in Na+/K+-ATPase mutant cells was not detectable, and stimulation with high extracellular K+ hardly increased Ca2+ levels in cells expressing L104R and V332G mutant Na+/K+-ATPase. Cytosolic pH measurements revealed an acidification of L104R and V332G mutant cells, despite an increased activity of the Na+/H+ exchanger. The possible contribution of cellular acidification to the hypersecretion of aldosterone was supported by the observation that aldosterone secretion of normal adrenocortical cells was stimulated by acetate-induced acidification. Taken together, mutations of the Na+/K+-ATPase depolarize adrenocortical cells, disturb the K+ sensitivity, and lower intracellular pH but, surprisingly, do not induce an overt increase of intracellular Ca2+. Probably, the autonomous aldosterone secretion is caused by the concerted action of several pathological signaling pathways and incomplete cellular compensation.
ProNodal acts via FGFR3 to govern duration of Shh expression in the prechordal mesoderm
Authors: Ellis Pam , Burbridge Sarah , Soubes Sandrine , Ohyama Kyoji , Ben-Haim Nadav , Chen Canhe , Dale Kim , Shen Michael M. , Constam Daniel , Placzek Marysia
Published: September 2015

The secreted glycoprotein Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is expressed in the prechordal mesoderm, where it plays a critical role in induction and patterning of the ventral forebrain. As yet, little is known about how Shh expression and duration are regulated there. Here we show that in the embryonic chick, Shh is expressed transiently in prechordal mesoderm, closely correlating with expression of Nodal. Exposure of prechordal mesoderm microcultures to Nodal conditioned-medium, the Nodal inhibitor CerS, or to an ALK4/5/7 inhibitor reveals that Nodal is required to maintain both Shh and Gsc expression, but whereas Gsc is largely maintained through canonical signalling, Nodal signals through a non-canonical route to maintain Shh expression. Further, Shh expression appears to be governed by unprocessed Nodal, since a recombinant Nodal cleavage mutant, proNodal, but not purified mature Nodal, maintains its expression. proNodal appears to act via FGFR3: FgfR3 is expressed in prechordal mesoderm and prechordal mesoderm cells in which FgfR3 expression is reduced by FgfR3 siRNA fail to bind to proNodal. Further, proNodal and FGFR3 co-immunoprecipitate and proNodal increases FGFR3 tyrosine phosphorylation. In microcultures, soluble FGFR3 abolishes Shh without affecting Gsc expression. Similarly, targeted electroporation of FgfR3 siRNA to prechordal mesoderm in vivo results in premature Shh downregulation without affecting Gsc. We report an inverse correlation between proNodal/FGFR3 signalling and pSmad1//5/8 and show that proNodal/FGFR3 signalling antagonises BMP-mediated pSmad1/5/8 signalling, which is poised to downregulate Shh. Together, our studies show that the essential role of Nodal in prechordal mesoderm development does not operate through one simple mechanism. Our studies suggest that proNodal/FGFR3 signalling governs Shh duration by repressing canonical BMP signalling, and are consistent with a model in which local BMPs are poised to rapidly silence Shh once endogenous Nodal/FGFR3 signalling is downregulated
Genome-wide assessment of differential effector gene use in embryogenesis
Authors: Barsi Julius C. , Tu Qiang , Calestani Cristina , Davidson Eric H.
Published: September 2015

Six different populations of cells were isolated by FACS from disaggregated late blastula and gastrula stage sea urchin embryos according to the regulatory states expressed in these cells, as reported by recombineered BACs producing fluorochromes. Transcriptomes recovered from these embryonic cell populations revealed striking, early differential expression of large cohorts of effector genes. The six cell populations were presumptive pigment cells, presumptive neurogenic cells, presumptive skeletogenic cells, cells from the stomodeal region of the oral ectoderm, ciliated band cells, and cells from the endoderm/ectoderm boundary that will give rise both to hindgut and to border ectoderm. Transcriptome analysis revealed that each of these domains specifically expressed several hundred effector genes at significant levels. Annotation indicates the qualitative individuality of the functional nature of each cell population, even though they were isolated from embryos only 1 to 2 days old. In no case was more than a tiny fraction of the transcripts enriched in one population also enriched in any other of the six populations studied. As was particularly clear in the cases of the presumptive pigment, neurogenic, and skeletogenic cells, all three of which represent precociously differentiating cell types of this embryo, most specifically expressed genes of given cell types are not significantly expressed at all in the other cell types. Thus at the effector gene level a dramatic, cell type specific pattern of differential gene regulation is established well before any significant embryonic morphogenesis has occurred
Labelling and imaging of single endogenous messenger RNA particlesin vivo
Authors: Spille Jan-Hendrik , Kubitscheck Ulrich
Published: September 2015

RNA molecules carry out widely diverse functions in numerous different physiological processes in living cells. The RNA life cycle from transcription, through the processing of nascent RNA, to the regulatory function of non-coding RNA and cytoplasmic translation of messenger RNA has been studied extensively using biochemical and molecular biology techniques. In this Commentary, we highlight how single molecule imaging and particle tracking can yield further insight into the dynamics of RNA particles in living cells. In the past few years, a variety of bright and photo-stable labelling techniques have been developed to generate sufficient contrast for imaging of single endogenous RNAs in vivo. New imaging modalities allow determination of not only lateral but also axial positions with high precision within the cellular context, and across a wide range of specimen from yeast and bacteria to cultured cells, and even multicellular organisms or live animals. A whole range of methods to locate and track single particles, and to analyze trajectory data are available to yield detailed information about the kinetics of all parts of the RNA life cycle. Although the concepts presented are applicable to all types of RNA, we showcase here the wealth of information gained from in vivo imaging of single particles by discussing studies investigating dynamics of intranuclear trafficking, nuclear pore transport and cytoplasmic transport of endogenous messenger RNA.
Patterns of oxygen consumption during simultaneously occurring elevated metabolic states in the viviparous snake,Thamnophis marcianus
Authors: Jackson Alexander G.S. , Leu Szu-Yun , Ford Neil B. , Hicks James W.
Published: September 2015

Snakes exhibit large factorial increments in oxygen consumption during digestion, and physical activity, and long-lasting sub-maximal increments during reproduction. Under natural conditions, all three physiological states may occur simultaneously, but the integrated response is not well understood. Adult male and female Checkered Gartersnakes (Thamnophis maricanus) were used to examine increments in oxygen consumption (i.e., V̇O2) and carbon dioxide production (i.e., V̇CO2) associated with activity (ACT), digestion (DIG), and post-prandial activity (ACT+DIG). For females, we carried out these trials in the non-reproductive state, and also during the vitellogenic (V) and embryogenic (E) phases of a reproductive cycle. Endurance time (i.e., time to exhaustion, TTE) was recorded for all groups during ACT and ACT+DIG trials. Our results indicate that male and non-reproductive female Thamnophis marcianus exhibit significant increments in V̇O2 during digestion (∼5 fold) and activity (∼9 fold), and that ACT+DIG results in a similar increments in V̇O2 (∼9-10 fold). During reproduction, resting V̇O2 increased by 1.6–1.7 fold, and peak increments during digestion were elevated by 30 to 50% above non-reproductive values, but values associated with ACT and ACT+DIG were not significantly different. During ACT+DIG, endurance time remained similar for all of the groups in the present study. Overall, our results indicate that prioritization is the primary pattern of interaction in oxygen delivery exhibited by this species. We propose that the metabolic processes associated with digestion, and perhaps reproduction, are temporarily compromised during activity.
Chela asymmetry in a durophagous crab: predominance of right handedness, and handedness reversal linked with chela size and closing force
Authors: Masunari Nobufumi , Hiro-oku Masanori , Dan Shigeki , Nanri Takahiro , Kondo Masayoshi , Goto Masaki , Takada Yoshitake , Saigusa Masayuki
Published: September 2015

Portunus trituberculatus is a durophagous brachyuran. Right-handed crabs are predominant, but left-handed crabs are also found in nature. Left-handedness may arise from loss of the right crusher. We examined whether heterochely (morphology) was correlated with differences in closing force (physical property) and handedness (behaviour). The closing force was stronger in the larger chela and larger apodeme height, and handedness resided in the chela with stronger closing force. With loss of the right chela (autotomy), handedness was transitioned from the right to left chela, and all crabs were left-handed thereafter. Reversed handedness was accompanied with reduction of size and closing force in the regenerated right chela, and growth of the original left chela. After handedness reversal, dentition on the left dactylus of the newly-converted crusher was close to that of the original right crusher, but did not attain the same shape even 10 times of molt. So left-handed crabs were significantly worse at crushing hard-shelled preys than right-handed crabs. Chela formation was symmetric in the zoea; and heterochely and right handedness started in the megalopa, regardless of maternal handedness. Since the left chela is capable of being the crusher, heterochely may be caused by differences in morphogenetic velocity between the right and left chelae, under a signal discriminating right from left. Right handedness is an attribute of P. trituberculatus, and would be inheritable across generation. It is probable that right handedness was employed in the earliest durophagous crabs, and this trend has been succeeded to extant species.
Transcriptome profiling reveals mechanisms for the evolution of insect seasonality
Authors: Wadsworth Crista B. , Dopman Erik B.
Published: September 2015

Rapid evolutionary change in seasonal timing can facilitate ecological speciation and resilience to climate warming. However, the molecular mechanisms behind shifts in animal seasonality are still unclear. Evolved differences in seasonality occur in the European corn borer moth (Ostrinia nubilalis), in which early summer emergence in E-strain adults and later summer emergence in Z-strain adults is explained by a shift in the length of the termination phase of larval diapause. Here, we sample from the developmental time course of diapause in both strains and use transcriptome sequencing to profile regulatory and amino acid changes associated with timing divergence. Within a previously defined QTL, we nominate 48 candidate genes including several in the insulin signaling and circadian rhythm pathways. Genome-wide transcriptional activity is negligible during the extended Z-strain termination, whereas shorter E-strain termination is characterized by a rapid burst of regulatory changes involved in resumption of the cell cycle, hormone production, and stress response. Although gene expression during diapause termination in Ostrinia is similar to that found previously in flies, nominated genes for shifts in timing are species-specific. Hence, across distant relatives the evolution of insect seasonality appears to involve unique genetic switches that direct organisms into distinct phases of the diapause pathway through wholesale restructuring of conserved gene regulatory networks
Interactive effects of seawater acidification and elevated temperature on biomineralization and amino acid metabolism in the musselMytilus edulis
Authors: Li Shiguo , Liu Chuang , Huang Jingliang , Liu Yangjia , Zheng Guilan , Xie Liping , Zhang Rongqing
Published: September 2015

Seawater acidification and warming resulting from anthropogenic production of carbon dioxide are increasing threats to marine ecosystems. Previous studies have documented the effects of either seawater acidification or warming on marine calcifiers; however, the combined effects of these stressors are poorly understood. In our study, we examined the interactive effects of elevated carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) and temperature on biomineralization and amino acid contents in an ecologically and economically important mussel, Mytilus edulis. The adult M. edulis were reared at different combinations of pCO2 (pH 8.1 and pH 7.8) and temperature (19°C, 22°C, and 25°C) for 2 months. The results indicated that elevated pCO2 significantly decreased the net calcification rate, the calcium content and the Ca/Mg ratio of the shells, induced the differential expression of biomineralization-related genes, modified shell ultrastructure and altered amino acid contents, implying significant effects of seawater acidification on biomineralization and amino acid metabolism. Notably, elevated temperature enhanced the effects of seawater acidification on these parameters. The shell breaking force significantly decreased under elevated pCO2, but the effect was not exacerbated by elevated temperature. The results suggest that the interactive effects of seawater acidification and elevated temperature on mussels are likely to have ecological and functional implications. This study is therefore helpful to better understand the underlying effects of changing marine environments on mussels and other marine calcifiers.
Effect of Film Thickness and Air Atmosphere on Photochromic Properties of WO3-Based Composite Films
Authors: Miyazaki Hidetoshi , Ishigaki Takumi , Suzuki Hisao , Ota Toshitaka
Published: September 2015

WO3-based photochromic composite films with various film thickness were fabricated using peroxo-iso-polytungstic acid as filler and transparent urethane resin as matrix, and the thickness of the composite films were 180, 250, 620, and 1300 µm. All the composite films showed reversible photochromic properties. The coloring reaction rate constant of the composite films with the thickness of 180, 250, 620, and 1300 µm were 3.91 × 10−1, 3.80 × 10−1, 3.63 × 10−1, and 2.69 × 10−2 min−1, respectively. The bleaching half-life period of the composite films with the thickness of 180, 250, 620, and 1300 µm were 45.4, 67.8, 138, and 200 min, respectively. The coloring speed increased with decrease of the film thickness, and the bleaching speed decreased considerably with decrease of the film thickness.
Anna de Juan Capdevila
Authors: Downey Gerry
Published: September 2015

In this interview, we have departed a little from profiles of mainstream NIR researchers and hear from Dr Anna de Juan Capdevila. Anna will be known to many of our readers as one of the leading chemometricians involved in developing new ways to process and interpret hyperspectral images. I hope you find her profile as interesting as I did.—Ed.
Blood Interferon Signatures Putatively Link Lack of Protection Conferred by the RTS,S Recombinant Malaria Vaccine to an Antigen-specific IgE Response
Authors: Rinchai Darawan , Presnell Scott , Chaussabel Damien
Published: September 2015

Malaria remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Progress has been made in recent years with the development of vaccines that could pave the way towards protection of hundreds of millions of exposed individuals. Here we used a modular repertoire approach to re-analyze a publically available microarray blood transcriptome dataset monitoring the response to malaria vaccination. We report the seminal identification of interferon signatures in the blood of subjects on days 1, 3 and 14 following administration of the third dose of the RTS,S recombinant malaria vaccine. These signatures at day 1 correlate with protection, and at days 3 and 14 to susceptibility to subsequent challenge of study subjects with live parasites. In addition we putatively link the decreased abundance of interferon-inducible transcripts observed at days 3 and 14 post-vaccination with the elicitation of an antigen specific IgE response in a subset of vaccine recipients that failed to be protected by the RTS,S vaccine.
Numerous Sigma Level Tables Need Correction: Commonly Used Tables Ignore Permitted “Left-Side” Defects
Authors: Weltman David , Swink Morgan
Published: September 2015

Many popular textbooks in the fields of operations management and quality contain process sigma level tables that are slightly inaccurate and inconsistent among each other. These discrepancies annoy and are confusing to fastidious educators and students and could lead to minor estimation errors in practice. We document instances of the error and provide explanation, calculations, and an accurate sigma level table.
Invited Editorial—A Descriptive Analysis of Publications in Marketing Science Over Its History
Authors: Murthi B. P. S. , Rao Ram C. , Ratchford Brian T.
Published: September 2015

Using the University of Texas at Dallas database on publications in the top 24 business journals, we examine the evolution of Marketing Science as reflected by participation of faculty from top ranked business schools on one hand, and diversity on the other hand, as evidenced by contributions from different countries and from faculty of a wider set of schools. We show that faculty from top-ranked business schools have always published in Marketing Science, and continue to do so. We also show that the variety of schools with authors who publish in Marketing Science has increased, and that much of this expansion has occurred outside of North America. This international expansion appears to be driven by collaborations between authors in North America and those in other areas. One of the factors that may be fueling the increase in the variety of schools with authors publishing in Marketing Science is an increased tendency for collaboration by three or more authors. In general, Marketing Science has remained an outlet for authors from top schools, and has also become a place where authors from a much broader array of schools, especially those outside the United States, can publish.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mksc.2015.0957 .
The Benefits of Relationship Lending in a Cross-Country Context: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Kysucky Vlado , Norden Lars
Published: September 2015

Relationship lending may create benefits for borrowers by reducing information asymmetries. However, empirical evidence is mixed. We conduct a meta-analysis to summarize and explain the heterogeneity in the results in the literature using hand-collected information from 101 studies in the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America from 1970 to 2010. We find that strong relationships are generally beneficial for borrowers, but lending outcomes differ across the relationships’ dimensions. Long-lasting, exclusive, and synergy-creating bank relationships are associated with higher credit volume and lower loan rates. These benefits are more likely in the United States and in countries where bank competition is high. They are not related to the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in an economy, suggesting that prevalence of relationship lending does not necessarily come along with borrower benefits. Our inferences are robust when we control for observed systematic heterogeneity in the original studies and hold in a bootstrapping analysis.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.2088 .

This paper was accepted by Wei Jiang, finance.
When Performance Trumps Gender Bias: Joint vs. Separate Evaluation
Authors: Bohnet Iris , van Geen Alexandra , Bazerman Max
Published: September 2015

Gender bias in the evaluation of job candidates has been demonstrated in business, government, and academia, yet little is known about how to overcome it. Blind evaluation procedures have been proven to significantly increase the likelihood that women musicians are chosen for orchestras, and they are employed by a few companies. We examine a new intervention to overcome gender bias in hiring, promotion, and job assignments: an “evaluation nudge” in which people are evaluated jointly rather than separately regarding their future performance. Evaluators are more likely to base their decisions on individual performance in joint than in separate evaluation and on group stereotypes in separate than in joint evaluation, making joint evaluation the profit-maximizing evaluation procedure. Our work is inspired by findings in behavioral decision research suggesting that people make more reasoned choices when examining options jointly rather than separately and is compatible with a behavioral model of information processing.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2015.2186 .

This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Using compression hosiery to prevent rebound swelling
Authors: Todd Marie
Published: September 2015

The management of chronic oedema often consists of a programme of compression bandaging to reduce swelling and improve skin changes and limb shape, followed by patient self-care management in compression hosiery. Occasionally, patients experience rebound swelling and require further episodes of bandaging. In such cases, a thorough assessment of the causes of the rebound swelling should be carried out so that they can be eliminated. By evidencing three case studies, this article demonstrates that Haddenham Custom Goldpunkt garments can be useful in preventing rebound swelling, making it a cost- and resource-effective method of managing stubborn chronic oedema and lymphoedema.
Assessing the effect of chronic oedema with associated ulceration
Authors: Hunter Megan
Published: September 2015

Chronic oedema is a common problem in the UK and, given the country's ageing population, the numbers are predicted to rise. In an epidemiological study carried out in Derby, England, researchers found the prevalence of chronic oedema to be 3.99 in every 1000 people, with the prevalence increasing to 10.31 in those aged 65–74 years. Often, patients with untreated chronic oedema will develop an ulceration that can lead to further costs and hospital admissions. The cost of treating chronic wounds has been estimated at £2.3 billion–£3.1 billion a year. It is therefore surprising that given the number of patients living with these problems, there is still a lack of knowledge and skill among nurses when assessing patients with chronic oedema and associated ulceration. This article offers advice for nurses when assessing leg ulcers in patients with chronic oedema, detailing the visual skin changes most frequently seen in these patients. The article also discusses some of the treatment options available, briefly covering the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Woodcutting Activities in Tabuk Region (Saudi Arabia): Assessment of Conservation Knowledge
Authors: Al-Mutairi Khalid A. , Al-Atawi Adnan , Alajlan Abdulmajeed , Al-Shami Salman A.
Published: September 2015

The present study aims to investigate the effect of different social factors on the woodcutting frequency in Tabuk Region. A total of 100 people participated in this study by answering the questionnaire questions. The conservation knowledge of the participants was also assessed through 4 questions (Yes or No). The final score of the conservation knowledge assessment is 4. The present study findings showed that most of people like to cut the wood for heating during winter and fall seasons. The frequency of woodcutting in Tabuk Region was once a month. Among the social factors involved in this study, education showed negative and significant relationship with the number of logging times. However, age had positive relationship with the number of logging times. The most favourbale species to be cut and used for heating and cooking in Tabuk are; Acacia tortilis, Acacia ehrenbergiana, Retama reaetam and Calligonum comosum. For the assessment of the public conservation knowledge, it was found that most of participants had moderate to good conservation knowledge as most of them answered 3 questions correctly out of 4. The conservation knowledge showed to be affected positively by education level and negatively by the number of family members. In conclusion, it was found that there is remarkable woodcutting stress on wild plants in Tabuk Region and immediate and effective actions should be performed
Desenredando las identidades soberanistas vasca y catalana: un Análisis de Redes Sociales de las etiquetas de Twitter #BasquesDecide y #Up4Freedom
Authors: Morales i Gras Jordi
Published: September 2015

La intención de este artículo es identificar y comparar mediante técnicas de Análisis de Redes Sociales algunos de los agentes que contribuyen de manera relevante al proceso de configuración de identidades políticas soberanistas en el País Vasco y en Cataluña, así como atender a las relaciones establecidas entre los participantes de los debates bajo las etiquetas #BasquesDecide y #Up4Freedom. El artículo muestra que existen diferencias sustanciales entre las comunicaciones establecidas en Twitter bajo ambas etiquetas tanto por lo que respecta a la participación de sus usuarios como por el tipo de usuarios que gozan de mayor influencia o poder en las redes y las dinámicas que configuran sus comunidades.
Psicología Social e identidad: dificultades para un análisis psicosociológico
Authors: Ovejero Anastasio
Published: September 2015

La época dorada de la Psicología Social tuvo mucho que ver con su interdisciplinariedad. Pero el positivismo fue haciendo que los psicólogos sociales  colaboraran cada vez menos con otros científicos sociales, hasta el punto de que muchos de ellos hasta dejaron de sentirse científicos sociales. A esto se ha unido la progresiva sustitución de las explicaciones psicosociológicas por las meramente económicas a la hora de dar cuenta de la conducta humana e incluso de los hechos sociales. Y ambas cosas juntas han influido mucho en el actual declive de la psicología social como ciencia social. Ello se observa, por ejemplo, en la escasez de estudios realmente psicosociológicos sobre la identidad, un tema que debería ser central en esta disciplina. Por tanto, la psicología social debería hacer fundamentalmente dos cosas para recobrar la posición relevante que tenía entre las ciencias sociales: en primer lugar, hacerle frente a las propuestas economicistas y analizar cómo los procesos macrosociales conforman tanto personalidad humana como la propia identidad, superando así el énfasis que actualmente se está poniendo en la identidad como un concepto meramente individual; y en segundo lugar, abandonar el positivismo que tanto daño está haciéndole a la psicología social y que constituye la verdadera traba para convertirse en una disciplina socialmente relevante. El concepto de identidad es uno de los más psicosociales de nuestra disciplina, es decir, es un concepto que une muy estrechamente lo psicológico y subjetivo, por una parte, y lo social y colectivo, por otra. Por eso la psicología social necesita imprescindiblemente un enfoque interdisciplinar que el positivismo hace muy difícil.
Nota del editor
Authors: Gatti Gabriel
Published: September 2015

Nota del editor sobre el número 2015/2, de septiembre de 2015.
ABOUT THE UNIFORMITY AND THE STABILITY OF A VOLUME DISCHARGE IN HELIUM IN NEAR-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE
Authors: Kurbanismailov Vali Suliymanovich , Omarov Omar Alievich , Ragimkhanov Gadjimirza Balaglanovich , Aliverdiev Abutrab Alexandrovich
Published: September 2015

We present experimental electric and time-spatial characteristics of a volume discharge and of the transition from a volume burning stage into a channel mode nearing atmospheric pressure. We show that the discharge uniformity rises with the increase of cathode spots density and gas pressure.