bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A critical evaluation of current and future roles of police community support officers and neighbourhood wardens within the Metropolitan Police Service and London boroughs
Authors: Loveday Barry , Smith Richard
Published: May 2015

The article considers problems surrounding the delivery of visible policing in London, particularly in relation to the continuing challenge for police managers of delivering neighbourhood policing in the capital. It assesses the value of police community support officers (PCSOs) in terms of delivery of neighbourhood policing against a background of high abstraction rates. It also considers the changing role and purpose of the community support officer function within many police forces. It evaluates the potential benefits of an expansion of community wardens who might provide a ‘high-value low-cost’ option to what can be, aside from the enforcement role, a ‘high-cost low-value’ policing alternative.
Interculturality, postethnicity and the Aboriginal Australian policy future
Authors: Moore Terry
Published: May 2015

Though now under some challenge, the policy orthodoxy in Australian Aboriginal affairs since the 1970s has been progressive in its social justice orientation, postcolonial in its amelioration of the colonial legacy, and culturalist in its privileging of ethnicity. In this paper I argue that its attempt to recover the past in the face of increasing postethnicity is becoming counter-productive, by stultifying cultural adaptation and compromising individuals’ capacity to engage with modernity. The notions of interculturality and postethnicity point to coexisting ancestral cultures, an imagined, symbolic national Aboriginality, and deep intersection with settler-Australia and the world, and so cultural ‘changing-sameness’ and simultaneous ‘bothness’. The paper argues that a dialectic of public policy and Aboriginal identity politics resists this lived reality, with negative effects. It proposes that a way forward is to engage more fully with the lived reality.
Association of polymorphisms in the AGT gene(M235T, T174M) with ischemic stroke in the Chinese population
Authors: Gao Tao , Huang Lina , Fu Qizhi , Bai Yongjie
Published: May 2015

Objective:

The angiotensinogen (AGT) gene polymorphisms has been shown to be involved in the development of ischemic stroke. However, the published studies have yielded inconsistent results. We performed a meta-analysis to assess the correlation.

Methods:

Published literature from PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI and Wanfang Data was searched. The association was assessed by odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Publication bias was also calculated.

Results:

Eight studies (1636 cases and 1433 controls) on M235T polymorphism and four studies (726 cases and 495 controls) on T174M polymorphism were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that M235T polymorphism was significantly associated with risk of ischemic stroke risk (TT vs. MM: OR=2.60, 95% CI=1.77–3.83; MT vs. MM: OR=1.37, 95% CI=1.01–1.86; TT+MT vs. MM: OR=0.43, 95% CI=0.35–0.54; MM+MT vs. TT: OR=1.74, 95% CI=1.31–2.32). There was also significant association between T174M polymorphism and ischemic stroke risk (MM vs. TT: OR=3.66, 95% CI=1.89–7.08; TT+MT vs. MM: OR=0.28, 95% CI=0.14–0.54). Further sensitivity analysis confirmed the significant association between AGT gene polymorphisms and risk of ischemic stroke. No evidence indicated publication bias.

Conclusions:

The meta-analysis indicated the significant association of AGT gene polymorphisms (M235T, T174M) with risk of ischemic stroke in the Chinese population.
Beyond analytic and continental in contemporary political thought: Pragmatic methodological pluralism and the situated turn
Authors: Chin Clayton
Published: May 2015

In the division between analytic and continental thought, pragmatism has often been cast as a middle way. Fundamentally critical of each, it also shares resonances with both of these traditions. However, while this observation is common, remarkably little has been done to examine its truth in contemporary political thought. Drawing on recent trends in political theory, including ‘New Realism’, critical genealogical methods and a surge in pragmatic approaches, this article identifies an emerging situated turn in political thought. Emerging from several major traditions in contemporary political thinking, this trend has pragmatic themes at its centre. Having identified this as a fertile opportunity for inter-methodological work across the analytic/continental divide, it then turns to the late work of Richard Rorty in order to expose his productive framework for such cross-border exchanges. Arguing for its fundamentally democratic and pluralistic nature, this analysis also exposes this framework’s weaknesses before illustrating how recent methodological exchanges between genealogy and pragmatism rectify these deficiencies while providing a viable model for future work across traditional philosophical boundaries.
An investigation into the effect of play-based instruction on the development of play skills and oral language
Authors: Stagnitti Karen , Bailey Alison , Hudspeth Stevenson Edwina , Reynolds Emily , Kidd Evan
Published: May 2015

The current study investigated the influence of a play-based curriculum on the development of pretend play skills and oral language in children attending their first year of formal schooling. In this quasi-experimental design, two groups of children were followed longitudinally across the first 6 months of their first year at school. The children in the experimental group were attending a school with a play-based curriculum; the children in the control group were attending schools following a traditional curriculum. A total of 54 children (Time 1 Mage = 5;6, range: 4;10–6;2 years) completed standardised measures of pretend play and narrative language skills upon school entry and again 6 months later. The results showed that the children in the play-based group significantly improved on all measures, whereas the children in the traditional group did not. A subset of the sample of children ( N = 28, Time 1 Mage = 5;7, range: 5;2 – 6;1) also completed additional measures of vocabulary and grammar knowledge, and a test of non-verbal IQ. The results suggested that, in addition to improving play skills and narrative language ability, the play-based curriculum also had a positive influence on the acquisition of grammar.
Establishing Policy Foundations and Regulatory Systems to Enhance Nursing Practice in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Brownie Sharon M. , Hunter Lyndal H. , Aqtash Salah , Day Gary E.
Published: May 2015

In 2009, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established a Nursing and Midwifery Council with a mandate to develop standards for the registration and regulation of nursing and midwifery and to strengthen the nursing and midwifery workforce. Priorities included workforce Emiratization and the development of regulatory standards to support advanced and speciality nursing practice and new models of care—particularly for the management of noncommunicable diseases. This article provides background, context for, and best practice inputs to the effort to provide one unified framework of nursing regulation and licensure across the whole of the UAE. This article is intended for nurse leaders, policy makers, and regulators who are reviewing or developing nursing regulatory processes and advancing nursing workforce capacity building activities; and nurse educators and nurses wishing to work in the UAE.
Efficacy of a unique straight, conformable, bare platinum coil in the treatment of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Harada Kei , Kakumoto Kohsuke
Published: May 2015

In embolization of a cavernous sinus (CS) by transvenous embolization (TVE) for a CS dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF), selection of embolization coils is difficult owing to the complex anatomical structure of the CS. Moreover, overpacking of the CS with embolization coils may cause permanent cranial nerve palsies. The ED coil-10 (EDC-10) infini is an extremely soft platinum coil without shape-memory that has excellent conformability with surrounding structures. The goal of this study was to evaluate use of the EDC-10 infini coil for embolization of a CS DAVF.

Six patients with a CS DAVF were treated with TVE. Refluxing cerebral and ophthalmic veins were embolized with shape-memory type coils other than EDC-10 infini, and CSs were embolized with the EDC-10 infini coils. In five cases, CSs were loosely embolized with EDC-10 infini coils. In one case, reflux of the cerebral vein worsened from the CS during the procedure, and embolization of the CS tightly using three-dimensional shape-memory type coils other than EDC-10 infini. Overall, three to 19 (average 7.3) coils were used fozr each CS and the total coil volume was 33–284 (average 95.1) mm3 in each CS. Postoperative transient abducens palsy occurred in two cases, but both patients recovered completely. There was no case of recurrence.

The EDC-10 infini coil showed excellent conformability with the complex inner structure of the CS and excellent safety without postoperative permanent cranial nerve palsy.
Transforaminal approach for cerebral dural arteriovenous fistula embolization
Authors: Ashour Ramsey , Pandey Sachin , Ali Aziz-Sultan Mohammad
Published: May 2015

A transverse sinus dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) not easily accessible by standard transfemoral (transarterial or transvenous) endovascular approaches is presented. An enlarged transosseous retromastoid foramen harboring the occipital artery branch feeding the lesion was identified on CT angiogram (CTA). Curative Onyx embolization was achieved via percutaneous CT-guided direct puncture of the transosseous occipital arterial branch followed by microcatheter navigation through the needle distally towards the site of the fistula.
Neuromeningeal access for transarterial intravenous carotid-cavernous fistula embolization
Authors: Ashour Ramsey , Chavali Ram
Published: May 2015

While numerous endovascular access routes have been described for carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) treatment, transarterial embolization via the neuromeningeal trunk of the ascending pharyngeal artery is typically avoided due to the risk of cranial nerve palsy or non-target embolization via external-to-internal carotid anastamoses. We present the case of a dural CCF in which access to the venous side of the fistula was achieved via the neuromeningeal trunk and allowed for curative transarterial intravenous coil/liquid embolic embolization of the lesion. The utility of a transarterial intravenous approach in the face of venous sinus occlusion is highlighted. The neuromeningeal trunk should not be overlooked as a potential access route for transarterial intravenous CCF embolization in cases where traditional endovascular access is limited; this approach does not carry the same risks that are generally associated with pure transarterial embolization along this pathway.
Fantasies of Sovereignty: Civic Secularism in Canada
Authors: Klassen Pamela E
Published: May 2015

To ask whether the postcolonial is postsecular demands asking for whom, where, and when? To that end, what follows is a reflection situated in two Canadian contexts, separated by time and place, but both connected to the ‘colonial secular’. Engaged in the public deliberation and storytelling of civic secularism, through which political legitimacy is achieved through comparing religions, these two contexts are twenty-first century Québec and early-twentieth-century British Columbia. More specifically, I consider two moments in which the state (or its agents) exerted its authority in order to reshape bodily practice and stories of place: the debate over the ‘secular charter’ in Québec and the founding of the railway town of Prince Rupert on Tsimshian land. These acts of negotiation and law-making turned to religious forms of legitimation in a way that was at once ambivalent, comparative, and forgetful of the historical founding of the state’s own power. That is, in forming their ‘natural sovereignty’ over others, states often forget that their claims to power are, in part, acts of pretending.
Prospective study of profile of hepatic osteodystrophy in patients with non‐choleastatic liver cirrhosis and impact of bisphosphonate supplementation
Authors: Bansal Rinkesh Kumar , Kumar Mandhir , Sachdeva Piyush Ranjan Munish , Kumar Ashish
Published: May 2015

Background and objectives

Patients with liver cirrhosis are more prone to develop reduced bone mineral density (BMD), i.e. hepatic osteodystrophy (HOD). There are few data on the prevalence of HOD in the Indian population and its treatment. We aimed to determine the prevalence of HOD, factors associated with it and the impact of bisphosphonates on BMD in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Patients and methods

Consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis admitted at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, between August 2012 and July 2013 were enrolled. Patients with chronic kidney disease, hyperparathyroidism and those on steroids were excluded. BMD was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were defined according to WHO criteria. Ibandronic acid 150 mg per day orally for six months was given to patients with osteoporosis and DEXA scan repeated.

Results

A total of 215 patients (males 179, 83%) with a mean age of 50.9 ± 11 years were enrolled in this study. Prevalence of HOD was found to be 66% (142/215). On multivariate analysis BMI, TLC, total serum bilirubin and transient elastography values were found to be independently associated with HOD. All the patients with osteoporosis (n  = 47) were treated with ibandronic acid as per protocol. Treated patients had significant improvement in DEXA scans after six months as compared to baseline.

Conclusions

HOD was seen in two‐thirds of patients with liver cirrhosis. Higher liver stiffness as determined by transient elastography is significantly associated with HOD. Severity scores of liver disease (CTP and MELD) and etiology of liver cirrhosis did not determine HOD. Ibandronic acid is a safe drug that showed significant improvement in BMD in patients with liver disease along with osteoporosis.
Correlation of esophageal clearance and dysphagia symptom assessment after treatment for achalasia
Authors: Krieger‐Grübel Claudia , Tutuian Radu , Borovicka Jan
Published: May 2015

Background

Early relapse after treatment of achalasia occurs in 10–32 % of patients. The best method to follow up these patients is not known. Symptoms often do not correlate with esophageal clearance: some patients are oligosymptomatic despite persistent esophageal stasis/dilatation.

Aim

The aim was to compare two methods of measurement of esophageal clearance (impedance manometry with barium swallow) in achalasia patients following treatment. Symptom assessment (Eckardt score/detailed dysphagia questions) was correlated with objective measurements of esophageal stasis (barium swallow and impedance manometry) in achalasia patients following treatment.

Methods

Post‐treatment patients were followed up after median 38.4 months (median range 1–144 months). Symptoms were quantified using the Eckardt score and detailed dysphagia questions. Timed barium swallow quantified distal esophageal retention 0.5, 1, 3, and 5 minutes after oral contrast and impedance manometry assessed total and segmental esophageal clearance during water/viscous swallows and free drinking (200 mL).

Results

Thirty‐two patients (7 women, age 48.3; range 20–74) completed all investigations. Bolus retention in the distal esophagus assessed by impedance correlated well with barium swallow. There were no differences in impedance and timed barium swallow parameters between patients with Eckardt score 0–2 points or ≥3 points. Nine (28%) patients had an Eckardt score ≥3 points and 21 (66%) had ≥1 point in the detailed dysphagia questions. Patients without any dysphagia history had lower barium column height and width at 3 and 5 minutes compared to those with ≥1 positive answer in the detailed dysphagia questions. Correlation between the Eckardt score and detailed dysphagia questions was moderately good (r  = 0.546; p  = 0.001).

Conclusion

A detailed history of esophageal dysphagia rather than the Eckardt score is more sensitive to detect oligosymptomatic patients with disturbed esophageal clearance. Impedance manometry correlates well with the timed‐barium swallow examination and represents an alternative objective assessment as it avoids radiation exposure.
Addressing barriers to physical activity among women: A feasibility study using social networking-enabled technology
Authors: Arigo Danielle , Schumacher Leah M , Pinkasavage Emilie , Butryn Meghan L
Published: May 2015

Objective

Automated physical activity (PA) monitoring technology and associated social networks have potential to address barriers to PA, but have rarely been tested for PA promotion. This technology may be especially beneficial for women, who experience particular barriers to health-based social networking. The present study tested the feasibility and acceptability of pairing women as PA partners via technology-connected social networking. Social comparison (i.e. tendency to make self-evaluations relative to others) was examined as a mechanism of interest.

Method

Overweight women ( n = 12, Mage = 46, MBMI = 32.60 kg/m2) used a PA sensor (daily wear = 93%) and communicated with an assigned partner (introduced via technology-connected social networking) for four weeks. Partners did not know one another prior to study enrollment.

Results

PA meaningfully increased during the program, and was highest among participants who endorsed stronger (vs. weaker) tendencies toward social comparisons ( r = 0.64). Participants identified several benefits of partner communication; however, some partners had difficulty initiating communication, and direct comparisons with partners were seen as unhelpful in this context. Most participants found the PA sensor beneficial, showed high compliance with daily wear recommendations, and reported an intent to continue using the PA sensor. Participants endorsed satisfaction with the program's approach and confidence in maintaining PA gains.

Conclusions

These findings support the use of automated PA sensors and facilitated partner communication via social networking to promote PA among women. Insights from participant feedback identify specific avenues for program improvement; specifically, with respect to the potential difficulties of negative social comparisons.
Resting state brain activity in patients with migraine: a magnetoencephalography study
Authors: Liu Hongxing , Ge Huaiting , Xiang Jing , Miao Ailiang , Tang Lu , Wu Ting , Chen Qiqi , Yang Lu , Wang Xiaoshan
Published: May 2015

Background

Recent advances in migraine research have shown that the cerebral cortex serves a primary role in the pathogenesis of migraine. Since aberrant brain activity in migraine can be noninvasively detected with magnetoencephalography (MEG), The object of this study was to investigate the resting state cortical activity differences between migraineurs and controls and its related clinical characteristics.

Methods

Twenty-two subjects with an acute migraine and twenty-two age- and gender-matched controls were studied using MEG. MEG recordings were recorded 120 seconds during the headache attack. Analyze MEG signals from low (1–4 Hz) to high (200–1000 Hz)-frequency ranges.

Results

In comparison with the controls, brain activity in migraine subjects was significantly different from that of the controls both in two frequency ranges (55–90 Hz, p < 0.001) and (90–200 Hz, p < 0.004). But the power value showed no significantly differences between control and migraines in all frequency ranges (p > 0.05). All the clinical characteristics had no significant correlation with aberrant brain activity.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that migraine subjects in resting state had significantly aberrant ictal brain activity that can be measured with neuromagnetic imaging techniques. The findings may facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies in migraine treatment via alterations in cortical excitability with TMS and other medications in the future.
Physical inactivity is associated with narrower lumbar intervertebral discs, high fat content of paraspinal muscles and low back pain and disability
Authors: Teichtahl Andrew J , Urquhart Donna M , Wang Yuanyuan , Wluka Anita E , O’Sullivan Richard , Jones Graeme , Cicuttini Flavia M
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Although physical inactivity has been associated with numerous chronic musculoskeletal complaints, few studies have examined its associations with spinal structures. Moreover, previously reported associations between physical activity and low back pain are conflicting. This study examined the associations between physical inactivity and intervertebral disc height, paraspinal fat content and low back pain and disability.

Methods

Seventy-two community-based volunteers not selected for low back pain underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their lumbosacral spine (L1 to S1) between 2011 and 2012. Physical activity was assessed between 2005 and 2008 by questionnaire, while low back pain and disability were assessed by the Chronic Pain Grade Scale at the time of MRI. Intervertebral disc height and cross-sectional area and fat content of multifidus and erector spinae were assessed from MRI.

Results

Lower physical activity levels were associated with a more narrow average intervertebral disc height (β −0.63 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI) −1.17 mm to −0.08 mm, P = 0.026) after adjusting for age, gender and body mass index (BMI). There were no significant associations between physical activity levels and the cross-sectional area of multifidus or erector spinae. Lower levels of physical activity were associated with an increased risk of high fat content in multifidus (odds ratio (OR) 2.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 6.7, P = 0.04) and high-intensity pain/disability (OR = 5.0, 95% CI 1.5 to 16.4, P = 0.008) after adjustment for age, gender and BMI.

Conclusions

Physical inactivity is associated with narrower intervertebral discs, high fat content of the multifidus and high-intensity low back pain and disability in a dose-dependent manner among community-based adults. Longitudinal studies will help to determine the cause and effect nature of these associations.
Inclusion complexes of trihexyphenidyl with natural and modified cyclodextrins
Authors: Maeda Hideko , Tanaka Risa , Nakayama Hirokazu
Published: May 2015

The solubility of trihexyphenidyl (Thp) was improved by its combination with β-cyclodextrin (β−CD) and modified β-CDs. The solubility of Thp was found to be increased in the presence of β-CD, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Me-β-CD) and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBE-β-CD). In particular, the solubility of Thp in conjunction with SBE-β-CD was increased by a factor of 11. The formation constant (K

c
) for the Thp/SBE-β-CD inclusion complex was determined to be 2300 L/mol based on fluorometry data. The structure of the Thp/SBE-β-CD complex in aqueous solution was examined by 1H-1H rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (ROESY) NMR, and the phenyl moiety of the Thp was found to coordinate with the secondary hydroxyl face of the SBE-β-CD. A solid Thp/SBE-β-CD inclusion complex was prepared by freeze-drying.
Ocular cysticercosis with vitreous hemorrhage: a rare complication of a common disease
Authors: Jain Rajendra Singh , Kumar Sunil , Bhana Indu , Agarwal Rakesh
Published: May 2015

Introduction

Cysticercosis, a helminthic infestation caused by Taenia solium, can produce central nervous system, muscles, visceral, subcutaneous tissues and skin manifestations. Ophthalmological involvement can affect eyelids, conjunctiva, anterior chamber, uvea, vitreous, retina, extraocular muscles and optic nerve. Simultaneous co-occurrence of intracranial and intraocular cysticercosis is a common presentation in clinical practice.

Case description

We report a case of young girl who was diagnosed with multiple intracranial neurocysticercosis lesions and was on antiepileptic drugs, following which she presented with progressive painless vision loss from both the eyes. Indirect ophthalmoscopic examination showed evidence of subretinal cysts, retinal hemorrhage and retinal detachment in both the eyes. Surprisingly, bilateral vitreous hemorrhage was also detected. Ocular B-scan ultrasonography, orbital MRI and computed tomography revealed retinal detachment with vitreous hemorrhage in both the eyes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain showed multiple intraparenchymal small cystic lesions in bilateral cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres, basal ganglia, thalami and brainstem.

Conclusions

Vitreous and retinal detachment are well known complications of intraocular cysticercosis, however, vitreous hemorrhage as preoperative feature has never been reported before, although vitreous hemorrhage as postoperative complication is common.
Enhanced production of fructose ester by biocatalyzed continuous flow process
Authors: Sutili Felipe K , Ruela Halliny S , Nogueira Daniel De O , Leal Ivana CR , Miranda Leandro SM , De Souza Rodrigo OMA
Published: May 2015

Background

Fatty acid sugar esters are non-toxic, odorless, non-irritanting surfactants. They can be synthesized by renewable resources and are completely biodegradable in aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Their application has been expanded in innumerous areas including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, detergents and food industry. Lipase-catalyzed esterification have been investigated as a potential substitute to the traditional chemical, demanding milder reaction conditions, allowing better reaction control and providing higher-quality products. So, the lipase catalyzed sugar ester synthesis becomes an interesting strategy for producing biodegradable, non- ionic surfactants. The main disadvantage of this protocol is the poor solubility of substrates and long reaction time required for performed the esterification reaction with moderated to good yields.

Results

Here in, we report the enzymatic esterification of steric hindered fructose derivative with free fatty acids derived from palm oil refining process (RePO) under continuous flow conditions at concentrations up to 0.5 M, increasing the productivity up to 100 mg. min −1.g immob. enzyme −1.

Conclusions

The immobilized commercial enzyme from Rhizomucor miehei generated the best performance between the catalysts tested.
Comparison Study of One-Dimensional Site Response Analysis Methods
Authors: Tsai Chi-Chin , Chen Chun-Way
Published: May 2015

The ground responses computed via frequency domain (FD) equivalent linear (EQL) and time domain (TD) nonlinear (NL) methods can considerably differ because of the constitutional differences in numerical approaches, damping formulations, and modeling of nonlinear soil response. To systematically evaluate the TD-NL and FD-EQL approaches, this study performs TD-NL, TD-EQL, and FD-EQL site response analyses considering different input motions, intensities of input motions, depths of soil columns, and nonlinear properties. Results show that the differences in the site responses calculated by the two approaches are highly influenced by dynamic soil properties, the significant nonlinearities of which (e.g., sand) tend to magnify such differences and the high damping of which tend to mitigate the differences. An amplification factor by TD-NL exhibits more nonlinearity than that by FD-EQL but agrees well with the nonlinearity in the 2015 NEHRP site factor, indicating that TD-NL is a better method than FD-EQL for modeling soil nonlinear behavior.
On certain mean values of the double zeta-function
Authors: Ikeda Soichi , Matsuoka Kaneaki , Nagata Yoshikazu
Published: May 2015

In this article we discuss three types of mean values of the Euler double zeta-function. To get the results, we introduce three approximate formulas for this function.
Sun1 deficiency leads to cerebellar ataxia in mice
Authors: Wang Jing-Ya , Yu I-Shing , Huang Chien-Chi , Chen Chia-Yen , Wang Wan-Ping , Lin Shu-Wha , Jeang Kuan-Teh , Chi Ya-Hui
Published: May 2015

Nuclear migration and organization are essential for the proliferation and differentiation of cells, including neurons. However, the relationship between nuclear positioning and cellular morphogenesis remains poorly understood. Inherited recessive cerebellar ataxia has been attributed to mutations in SYNE1, a component of the LINC (linker of nucleoskeleton and cytoskeleton) complex. Regardless, Syne1 mutant mice present normal cerebellar development. The SUN (Sad1-Unc-84 homology)-domain proteins are located at the inner nuclear membrane and recruit SYNE proteins through the KASH domain to the outer nuclear membrane. Here we report an unrecognized contribution of Sun1 and Sun2 to the postnatal development of murine cerebellum. Mice depleted for Sun1 showed marked reduction in the cerebellar volume, and this phenotype is exacerbated with additional loss of a Sun2 allele. Consistent with these histological changes, Sun1−/− and Sun1−/−Sun2+/− mice exhibited defective motor coordination. The immunohistochemical result suggested that Sun1 is highly expressed in Purkinje cells and recruits Syne2 to the nuclear periphery. Approximately 33% of Purkinje cells in Sun1−/− mice and 66% of Purkinje cells in Sun1−/−Sun2+/− mice were absent from the surface of the internal granule layer (IGL), while the proliferation and migration of granule neurons were unaffected. Furthermore, the Sun1−/−Sun2+/− Purkinje cells presented retarded primary dendrite specification, reduced dendritic complexity, and aberrant patterning of synapses. Our findings revealed a cell type-specific role for Sun1/2 in nucleokinesis during cerebellar development, and propose the application of Sun-deficient mice as a model for studying Purkinje cell loss- and human SYNE- associated cerebellar ataxia.
ADrosophilamodel for mito-nuclear diseases generated by an incompatible tRNA-tRNA synthetase interaction
Authors: Holmbeck Marissa A. , Donner Julia R. , Villa-Cuesta Eugenia , Rand David M.
Published: May 2015

Communication between the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes is vital for cellular function. The assembly of mitochondrial enzyme complexes that produce the majority of cellular energy requires the coordinated expression and translation of both mitochondrial and nuclear encoded proteins. The joint genetic architecture of this system complicates the basis of mitochondrial diseases, and mutations in both mtDNA- and nuclear-encoded genes have been implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction. Previously, in a set of mitochondrial-nuclear introgression strains we characterized a dual genome epistasis in which a naturally occurring mutation in the D. simulans simw501 mtDNA-encoded tRNA for tyrosine interacts with a mutation in the nuclear encoded mitochondrial localized tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase from D. melanogaster. Here we show that the incompatible mitochondrial-nuclear combination results in locomotor defects, reduced mitochondrial respiratory capacity, decreased OXPHOS enzyme activity, and severe alterations in mitochondrial morphology. Transgenic rescue strains containing nuclear variants of the tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase are sufficient to rescue many of the deleterious phenotypes identified when paired with the simw501 mtDNA. However, the severity of this defective mito-nuclear interaction varies across traits and genetic backgrounds, suggesting that the impact of mitochondrial dysfunction may be tissue specific. Because mutations in mitochondrial tRNATyr are associated with exercise intolerance in humans, this mitochondrial-nuclear introgression model in Drosophila provides a means to dissect the molecular basis of these, and other mitochondrial diseases that are a consequence of the joint genetic architecture of mitochondrial function.
Fluid absorption in the isolated midgut of adult female yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti)
Authors: Onken Horst , Moffett David F.
Published: May 2015

In the present study, the transepithelial voltage (Vte) and the volume of isolated posterior midguts of adult female yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti) were monitored. In all experiments, the initial Vte after filling the midgut was lumen negative, but subsequently changed to lumen positive values at a rate of approximately 1 mV min−1. Simultaneously, the midgut volume decreased, indicating spontaneous fluid absorption. When the midguts were filled and bathed with mosquito saline, the average rate of fluid absorption was 36.5±3.0 nL min−1 (N=4,±s.e.m.). In the presence of theophylline (10 mM), Vte reached significantly higher lumen positive values, but the rate of fluid absorption was not affected (N=6). In the presence of NaCN (5 mM), Vte remained close to 0 mV (N=4) and fluid absorption was reduced (14.4±1.3 nL min−1, N=3,±s.e.m.). When midguts were filled with buffered NaCl (154 mM plus 1 mM HEPES) and bathed in mosquito saline with theophylline, fluid absorption was augmented (50.0±5.8 nL min−1, N=12,±s.e.m.). Concanamycin A (10 µM), ouabain (1 mM), and acetazolamide (1 mM) affected Vte in different ways, but all reduced fluid absorption by 60 to 70% of the value before addition of the drugs.
Consequences of calcium decline on the embryogenesis and life history of Daphnia magna
Authors: Giardini Jamie-Lee , Yan Norman D. , Heyland Andreas
Published: May 2015

Ambient calcium is declining in thousands of soft-water lake habitats in temperate regions as a consequence of unsustainable forestry practices, decreased atmospheric calcium deposition, and acidic deposition. As their exoskeleton is heavily reinforced with calcium, freshwater crustaceans have a high specific calcium requirement relative to other aquatic organisms. Daphnia in particular, is an ideal crustacean for investigating the consequences of calcium decline because it is an abundant and important member of freshwater zooplankton communities. Although it has been established that adult and juvenile Daphnia have different tolerances to low ambient calcium as a result of their different life stage specific calcium requirements, the consequences of declining calcium on embryonic development have never been investigated. Here we describe the distribution of calcium in embryonic stages of D. magna and introduce a novel and easy to use staging scheme. We then tested whether calcium can be traced from mothers to their offspring. Finally we assessed fitness consequences of maternal provisioning in limiting calcium environments. We found that while embryos require calcium for their development and molting they do not equilibrate with environmental calcium levels. Instead we were able to trace calcium from mothers to their offspring. Furthermore our data strongly suggest that females are faced with an allocation trade-off between providing calcium to their offspring and using it for growth and molting. Together these data provide novel insights into the consequences of calcium decline for freshwater zooplankton.
Theoretical and Computational Study of a Complex System Consisting of Transition Metal Element(s): How to Understand and Predict Its Geometry, Bonding Nature, Molecular Property, and Reaction Behavior
Authors: Sakaki Shigeyoshi
Published: May 2015

Complex chemical systems consisting of transition metal element(s) are important and attractive research targets in both experimental chemistry and theoretical chemistry. Transition-metal complexes with carbon dioxide are discussed as one example, in which the coordination geometry, bonding nature, and reactivity are understood well and predicted with the HOMO and the number of d electrons. The spin-multiplicity of inverse sandwich-type dinuclear transition-metal complexes, which have been synthesized recently as a new type of compound, is discussed as another example based on CASPT2 calculations, in which the clear relationship between the spin multiplicity of its ground state and the number of d electrons is presented. Theoretical understanding of various organometallic reactions has been an important endeavor over the last two decades. Insertion reactions of olefin and carbon dioxide into M–H and M–alkyl bonds and σ-bond activation reactions are discussed with orbital interaction diagrams based on perturbation theory. In particular, detailed discussion of the characteristic features of a new type of oxidative addition to an M–L moiety (L = neutral ligand such as alkene and alkyne) and heterolytic σ-bond activation by an M–X moiety (X = anionic ligand). It is still a central challenge to elucidate the reaction mechanisms of catalytic reactions by transition metal complexes. The reaction mechanisms and electronic processes of Ru-catalyzed hydrogenation of carbon dioxide, Pt-, Rh-, and Zr-catalyzed hydrosilylations of alkene, Ir-catalyzed borylation of benzene, and the Hiyama cross-coupling reaction are analyzed based on computational results. We wish to present how to understand the mechanism based on the number of d electrons and the energy of d orbitals in discussion. Also, the importance of solvation and crystalline effects in the theoretical study of transition-metal complexes is discussed based on our recent theoretical studies of mixed-valence complex and a single crystal of a Pt(II) complex.
Photoperiodic and circadian bifurcation theories of depression and mania
Authors: Kripke Daniel F. , Elliott Jeffrey A. , Welsh David K. , Youngstedt Shawn D.
Published: May 2015

Seasonal effects on mood have been observed throughout much of human history.  Seasonal changes in animals and plants are largely mediated through the changing photoperiod (i.e., the photophase or duration of daylight).  We review that in mammals, daylight specifically regulates SCN (suprachiasmatic nucleus) circadian organization and its control of melatonin secretion.  The timing of melatonin secretion interacts with gene transcription in the pituitary pars tuberalis to modulate production of TSH (thyrotropin), hypothalamic T3 (triiodothyronine), and tuberalin peptides which modulate pituitary production of regulatory gonadotropins and other hormones.  Pituitary hormones largely mediate seasonal physiologic and behavioral variations.  As a result of long winter nights or inadequate illumination, we propose that delayed morning offset of nocturnal melatonin secretion, suppressing pars tuberalis function, could be the main cause for winter depression and even cause depressions at other times of year.  Irregularities of circadian sleep timing and thyroid homeostasis contribute to depression.  Bright light and sleep restriction are antidepressant and conversely, sometimes trigger mania.  We propose that internal desynchronization or bifurcation of SCN circadian rhythms may underlie rapid-cycling manic-depressive disorders and perhaps most mania.  Much further research will be needed to add substance to these theories.
History of infrageneric classification, typification of supraspecific names and outstanding transfers in Curcuma (Zingiberaceae)
Authors: Leong-Škorničková Jana , Šída Otakar , Záveská Eliška , Marhold Karol
Published: May 2015

In this paper we provide a thorough overview of past attempts at infrageneric classification of the genus Curcuma (Zingiberaceae). As the recent results of phylogenetic analysis of the genus confirmed that previous infrageneric classifications are not tenable, we provide a revised circumscription of Curcuma with an outline of new infrageneric classification into three subgenera, C. subg. Curcuma, C. subg. Ecomatae and C. subg. Hitcheniopsis including lists of species to be included in each subgenus. Three previously recognized genera, Laosanthus, Smithatris and Stahlianthus, are sunk to Curcuma and two species previously recognized in the genus Hitchenia, H. caulina and H. glauca, are transferred/re–recognized to Curcuma. The previously proposed transfers of the monospecific genus Paracautleya, Hedychium scaposum (Kaempferia scaposa, Monolophus scaposus) and Kaempferia candida, to Curcuma are also confirmed. All connected nomenclatural innovations, corrections and outstanding typifications, inclusive those of infrageneric names, are effected in this paper. A list of excluded names originally described as members of Curcuma, but now accepted as members of other genera is also included.
Biogeography and diversification rates in hornworts: The limitations of diversification modeling
Authors: Villarreal Juan Carlos , Cusimano Natalie , Renner Susanne S.
Published: May 2015

Hornworts comprise ca. 220 species and are among the oldest landplant lineages, even though their precise phylogenetic position remains unclear. Deep within–hornwort divergences, highly uneven species numbers per genus, and the assumed high stem age together suggest a history of changing diversification (i.e., speciation minus extinction) rates. To study the geographic distribution of modern hornworts and their patterns of species accumulation, we generated a mitochondrial and plastid DNA matrix for 103 species representing all major groups and then applied molecular–clock dating, using a different calibration approach than in earlier work. We used the BAMM software to fit rate–variable and constant–rate birth–death diversification models to the dataset, and we also inferred ancestral areas to a time depth of 55 Ma (Early Eocene). We analyzed diversification rates for all hornworts and separately for species–rich subclades. Under BAMM's variable–rates model (which fits the data better than a constant–rate birth–death model, but still assumes that each species has the same speciation and extinction probability regardless of its age), hornworts have gradually increasing rates of speciation and a constant background extinction rate. No shifts in diversification rate could be detected. The implausible finding of a constant background extinction rate illustrates the limitations of diversification modeling especially as regards extinction rates.
The Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex (Rubiaceae: Spermacoceae) in Asia and the Pacific: Phylogeny revisited with new generic delimitations
Authors: Neupane Suman , Dessein Steven , Wikström Niklas , Lewis Paul O. , Long Chunlin , Bremer Birgitta , Motley Timothy J.
Published: May 2015

Hedyotis and related genera (here called the Hedyotis–Oldenlandia complex) are highly debated groups in the Rubiaceae family with no consensus to date on their generic delimitations. The present study focuses on Asian–Pacific taxa from these groups and aims at resolving taxonomic inconsistencies by describing monophyletic genera within the complex. The generic circumscriptions presented in our study are based on the phylogenetic trees of nuclear (ITS, ETS) and plastid (petD, rps16) sequence data inferred using Bayesian and maximum likelihood methods. Morphological key features of the group such as habit, fruit type, seed form, and pollen type are studied and compared with the phylogeny to characterize the clades. Based on these results, the Asian–Pacific members are placed in 14 monophyletic groups across the Hedyotis–Oldenlandia complex. Of these, we accept and circumscribe 13 monophyletic genera: Debia, Dentella, Dimetia, Edrastima, Exallage, Hedyotis, Involucrella, Kadua, Kohautia, Leptopetalum, Neanotis, Oldenlandia, and Scleromitrion. Two of these, Debia and Involucrella, are here described as new genera.
Domingo Bello y Espinosa (1817–1884) and the new taxa published in his Apuntes para la flora de Puerto-Rico
Authors: Santiago-Valentín Eugenio , Sánchez-Pinto Lázaro , Francisco-Ortega Javier
Published: May 2015

Domingo Bello y Espinosa (1817–1884) was an attorney and naturalist from the Canary Islands who lived in Mayagüez (Puerto Rico) between 1848 and 1878. He is the author of a two–part publication dated 1881 and 1883, which represents one of the first contributions on plant taxonomy made by an island resident. These studies include a total of 88 new taxa. Eighty–four of them are new taxonomic descriptions (3 genera, 59 species, 22 varieties) and 4 of them are new combinations. Eight of these species are still accepted either as published originally by Bello (3 species) or as basionyms of subsequent taxonomic combinations (5 names). Stahlia Bello is also currently accepted. Twelve of Bello's names are not legitimate (11 species, 1 variety). Bello did not leave a herbarium and published illustrations for only 3 of the new species that he described. Therefore, Bello's names need to be interpreted on the basis of his descriptions and indirect accounts primarily provided by Ignatz Urban. This German botanist had access to illustrations (made by Leopold Krug) and plant collections (from Krug and Agustín Stahl) that were originally identified with Bello's names. Here we assign neotypes for 42 of the 59 species described by Bello. The remaining 17 species not typified include 3 names typified in previous works, 9 illegitimate names, 3 names that we could not assign to any infrageneric taxon, and 2 names that are both illegitimate and can not be interpreted taxonomically. In addition, we lectotypify Caesalpinia monosperma (synonym of Stahlia maritima). We present a summary of the life of Domingo Bello that includes new data from archival research in the Canary Islands and Puerto Rico, as well as the only known portrait of him.
On some extensions of the class of MV-algebras
Authors: Mruczek-Nasieniewska Krystyna
Published: May 2015

In the present paper we will ask for the lattice L(MVEx) of subvarieties of the variety defined by the set Ex(MV) of all externally compatible identities valid in the variety MV of all MV-algebras. In particular, we will find all subdirectly irreducible algebras from the classes in the lattice L(MVEx) and give syntactical and semantical characterization of the class of algebras defined by P-compatible identities of MV-algebras.
A cassava mosaic disease epidemiologic factors analysis in the Bas-Congo (DR Congo) zone of savannah. case study: â€œSecteur de Bokoâ€
Authors: J.-Roger Bansimba Mukiese
Published: May 2015

This paper aims at evaluating epidemiologic parameters of the African Cassava Viral Mosaic Disease (CMVD) in 25 cassava farmer's fields of Â«Secteur de BokoÂ» (DR Congo) on the basis of foliar symptoms observation. The results showed that the infection of the local varieties comes mainly from the cuttings whereas that of the improved varieties comes from the flies. The disease incidence varied between 10% and 88.33% with an average of 43.8%. Severity varied between 2.42 and 3.42 with an average of 2.913. The gravity varied between 17.86% and 87.81% while the systemicity varied between 21.42 and 96.66%. The mean number of whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) by plant (2.068) revealed a preference of the vectors for the improved variety Kindombe which, however, presents a low severity and a less marked gravity. Globally, the CMVD was more severe for the local variety Mpeko with a score of 3.00. A high correlation was found between the gravity and the number of neighbour fields (-0,437*), the density of culture (-0,431*) and also the systemicity of the disease (0,779**). In addition; it appeared that the land topography strongly influences the disease severity (-0,542**).