bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The N‐terminal region of the Neurospora NDR kinase COT1 regulates morphology via its interactions with MOB2A/B
Authors: Ziv Carmit , Feldman Daria , Aharoni‐Kats Liran , Chen She , Liu Yi , Yarden Oded
Published: August 2013

Nuclear Dbf2p‐related (NDR) protein kinases are important for cell differentiation and polar morphogenesis in various organisms, yet some of their functions are still elusive. Dysfunction of the Neurospora crassa NDR kinase COT1 leads to cessation of tip extension and hyperbranching. NDR kinases require the physical interaction between the kinase's N‐terminal region (NTR) and the MPS1‐binding (MOB) proteins for their activity and functions. To study the interactions between COT1 and MOB2 proteins, we mutated several conserved residues and a novel phosphorylation site within the COT1 NTR. The phenotypes of these mutants suggest that the NTR is required for COT1 functions in regulating hyphal elongation and branching, asexual conidiation and germination. Interestingly, while both MOB2A and MOB2B promote proper hyphal growth, they have distinct COT1‐dependent roles in regulation of macroconidiation. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicate physical association of COT1 with both MOB2A and MOB2B, simultaneously. Furthermore, the binding of the two MOB2 proteins to COT1 is mediated by different residues at the COT1 NTR, suggesting a hetero‐trimer is formed. Thus, although MOB2A/B may have some overlapping functions in regulating hyphal tip extension, their function is not redundant and they are both required for proper fungal development.
Psychological Contract Breach, Negative Reciprocity, and Abusive Supervision: The Mediated Effect of Organizational Identification
Authors: Wei Feng , Si Steven
Published: August 2013

Previous research has indicated that abusive supervision negatively influences various organizational outcomes. However, the antecedents and psychological mechanisms of abusive supervision are not well understood, especially in the Chinese context. In this study, we propose and test a mediated moderation model to explore the interactive effect of psychological contract breach and negative reciprocity belief on abusive supervision, and the mediating effect of organizational identification. Using a sample of 268 dyads of employees and their immediate supervisors (N = 536) from six companies and two industries in China, we find that when supervisors experience breaches in psychological contract they are likely to increase abusive behaviours toward subordinates, and that the positive association is stronger the more the supervisor holds negative reciprocity beliefs. Moreover, the results indicate that organizational identification mediates the joint effect of psychological contract breach and negative reciprocity belief on abusive supervision. Theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and future research directions are discussed.
An overview of the role of diet in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: O'Connor Á.
Published: August 2013

Rheumatoid arthritis is the second most common form of arthritis that affects more than half a million adults in the UK. Medications can be used to relieve symptoms and/or help slow the progression of the disease, but some medicines have side effects and thus patients frequently turn to complimentary therapies including dietary modification. Studies of the effects of diet and nutrient supplementation on rheumatoid arthritis are hampered by study design issues (e.g. differences in the wide spectrum of clinical phenotypes among study participants). Despite this, there is good evidence to suggest that fish oil supplements may be helpful in relieving some symptoms, such as decreased morning stiffness, in those with long‐standing rheumatoid arthritis. Evidence relating to specialised diets, plant seed oils, antioxidants, minerals and trace elements, folate and other B‐vitamins, vitamin D and antioxidants are also considered in this paper. This paper provides a general overview of the scientific evidence of the role of specialised diets and nutrients in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Genetic variation in yield under hot ambient temperatures spotlights a role for cytokinin in protection of developing floral primordia
Authors: SOBOL SHIRI , CHAYUT NOAM , NAVE NAHUM , KAFLE DINESH , HEGELE MARTIN , KAMINETSKY RINA , WÜNSCHE JENS N. , SAMACH ALON
Published: August 2013

Unusually hot ambient temperatures (HAT) can cause pre‐anthesis abortion of flowers in many diverse species, limiting crop production. This limitation is becoming more substantial with climate change. Flower primordia of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims) vines exposed to HAT summers, normally abort. Flower abortion can also be triggered by gibberellin application. We screened for, and identified a genotype capable of reaching anthesis during summer as well as controlled HAT conditions, and also more resistant to gibberellin. Leaves of this genotype contained higher levels of endogenous cytokinin. We investigated a possible connection between higher cytokinin levels and response to gibberellin. Indeed, the effects of gibberellin application were partially suppressed in plants pretreated with cytokinin. Can higher cytokinin levels protect flowers from aborting under HAT conditions? In passion fruit, flowers at a specific stage showed more resistance in response to HAT after cytokinin application. We further tested this hypothesis in Arabidopsis. Transgenic lines with high or low cytokinin levels and cytokinin applications to wild‐type plants supported a protective role for cytokinin on developing flowers exposed to HAT. Such findings may have important implications in future breeding programmes as well as field application of growth regulators.
MtZR1, a PRAF protein, is involved in the development of roots and symbiotic root nodules in Medicago truncatula
Authors: HOPKINS JULIE , PIERRE OLIVIER , KAZMIERCZAK THÉOPHILE , GRUBER VÉRONIQUE , FRUGIER FLORIAN , CLEMENT MATHILDE , FRENDO PIERRE , HEROUART DIDIER , BONCOMPAGNI ERIC
Published: August 2013

PRAF proteins are present in all plants, but their functions remain unclear. We investigated the role of one member of the PRAF family, MtZR1, on the development of roots and nitrogen‐fixing nodules in Medicago truncatula. We found that MtZR1 was expressed in all M. truncatula organs. Spatiotemporal analysis showed that MtZR1 expression in M. truncatula roots was mostly limited to the root meristem and the vascular bundles of mature nodules. MtZR1 expression in root nodules was down‐regulated in response to various abiotic stresses known to affect nitrogen fixation efficiency. The down‐regulation of MtZR1 expression by RNA interference in transgenic roots decreased root growth and impaired nodule development and function. MtZR1 overexpression resulted in longer roots and significant changes to nodule development. Our data thus indicate that MtZR1 is involved in the development of roots and nodules. To our knowledge, this work provides the first in vivo experimental evidence of a biological role for a typical PRAF protein in plants.
Salicylic acid‐dependent and ‐independent impact of an RNA‐binding protein on plant immunity
Authors: HACKMANN CHRISTIAN , KORNELI CHRISTIN , KUTYNIOK MAGDALENE , KÖSTER TINO , WIEDENLÜBBERT MATTHIAS , MÜLLER CAROLINE , STAIGER DOROTHEE
Published: August 2013

Plants overexpressing the RNA‐binding protein AtGRP7 (AtGRP7‐ox plants) constitutively express the PR‐1 (PATHOGENESIS‐RELATED‐1), PR‐2 and PR‐5 transcripts associated with salicylic acid (SA)‐mediated immunity and show enhanced resistance against Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000. Here, we investigated whether the function of AtGRP7 in plant immunity depends on SA. Endogenous SA was elevated fivefold in AtGRP7‐ox plants. The elevated PR‐1, PR‐2 and PR‐5 levels were eliminated upon expression of the salicylate hydroxylase nahG in AtGRP7‐ox plants and elevated PR‐1 levels were suppressed by sid (salicylic acid deficient) 2‐1 that is impaired in SA biosynthesis. RNA immunoprecipitation showed that AtGRP7 does not bind the PR‐1 transcript in vivo, whereas it binds PDF1.2. Constitutive or inducible AtGRP7 overexpression increases PR‐1 promoter activity, indicating that AtGRP7 affects PR‐1 transcription. In line with this, the effect of AtGRP7 on PR‐1 is suppressed by npr (non‐expressor of PR genes) 1. Whereas AtGRP7‐ox plants restricted growth of Pto DC3000 compared with wild type (wt), sid2‐1 AtGRP7‐ox plants allowed more growth than AtGRP7‐ox plants. Furthermore, we show an enhanced hypersensitive response triggered by avirulent Pto DC3000 (AvrRpt2) in AtGRP7‐ox compared with wt. In sid2‐1 AtGRP7‐ox, an intermediate phenotype was observed. Thus, AtGRP7 has both SA‐dependent and SA‐independent effects on plant immunity.
The effect of MC1R variants and sunscreen on the response of human melanocytes in vivo to ultraviolet radiation and implications for melanoma
Authors: Hacker Elke , Boyce Zachary , Kimlin Michael G. , Wockner Leesa , Pollak Thomas , Vaartjes Sam A. , Hayward Nicholas K. , Whiteman David C.
Published: August 2013

We conducted a clinical trial to compare the molecular and cellular responses of human melanocytes and keratinocytes in vivo to solar‐simulated ultraviolet radiation (SSUVR) in 57 Caucasian participants grouped according to MC1R genotype. We found that, on average, the density of epidermal melanocytes 14 days after exposure to 2 minimal erythemal dose (MED) SSUVR was twofold higher than baseline (unirradiated) skin. However, the change in epidermal melanocyte counts among people carrying germline MC1R variants (97% increase) was significantly less than those with wild‐type MC1R (164% increase; P = 0.01). We also found that sunscreen applied to the skin before exposure to 2 MED SSUVR completely blocked the effects of DNA damage, p53 induction, and cellular proliferation in both melanocytes and keratinocytes.
Investigation on “Excimer” Formation Mechanism of Linear Oligofluorenes‐Functionalized Anthracenes by Using Transient Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Ying‐Hui , Zou Lu , Kang Zhi‐Hui , Qian Cheng , Wang Fuyin , Ma Yu‐Guang , Lu Ran , Ji Hong , Zhang Han‐Zhuang
Published: August 2013

We study the photophysical characters of two oligofluorenes‐functionalized anthracenes molecules with different fluorine‐vinylene (FV) units, which exhibits that “excimer” state appears in the solution after photoexcitation. The dynamic data shows that two mechanisms are responsible for the generation of “excimer”. The fast one is controlled by the arene‐arene interaction between molecules and the slow one is influenced by the diffusion motion of molecules. Increasing the number of FV units may suppress the DM‐dependent “excimer” and enhance the yield of intrinsic fluorescence, which finally improves the fluorescence property of molecules in solution.
Aristotle's Cognitive Science: Belief, Affect and Rationality
Authors: Mccready‐Flora Ian
Published: August 2013

I offer a novel interpretation of Aristotle's psychology and notion of rationality, which draws the line between animal and specifically human cognition. Aristotle distinguishes belief (doxa), a form of rational cognition, from imagining (phantasia), which is shared with non‐rational animals. We are, he says, “immediately affected” by beliefs, but respond to imagining “as if we were looking at a picture.” Aristotle's argument has been misunderstood; my interpretation explains and motivates it. Rationality includes a filter that interrupts the pathways between cognition and behavior. This prevents the subject from responding to certain representations. Stress and damage compromise the filter, making the subject respond indiscriminately, as non‐rational animals do. Beliefs are representations that have made it past the filter, which is why they can “affect [us] immediately.” Aristotle's claims expressceteris paribusgeneralizations, subject to exceptions. No list of provisos could turn them into non‐vacuous universal claims, but this does not rob them of their explanatory power. Aristotle's cognitive science resolves a tension we grapple with today: it accounts for the specialness of human action and thinking within a strictly naturalistic framework. The theory is striking in its insight and explanatory power, instructive in its methodological shortcomings.
Temperature adaptation in Australasian populations of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici
Authors: Loladze A. , Druml T. , Wellings C. R.
Published: August 2013

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, is one of the major fungal pathogens of wheat. A new pathotype was introduced to Australia in 2002 and several derivative pathotypes were detected in subsequent seasons. It has been suggested that the severity of stripe rust outbreaks in Australia since 2002 could be as a result of traits other than virulence in the pathogen population. This study was conducted to investigate the hypothesis that the stripe rust pathogen population dominant in Australia since 2002 was better adapted to warm temperature conditions compared to previous pathogen populations. Sixteen pathotypes were selected to examine the influence of two contrasting temperature regimes during the 24 h incubation (10°C and 15°C) and the subsequent post‐inoculation (17°C and 23°C) periods on latent period and infection efficiency on four susceptible wheat cultivars. In addition, the effect of two contrasting incubation temperatures on urediniospore germination was examined. The results indicated that pathotypes of P. striiformis f. sp. tritici detected after 2002 did not show evidence of adaptation to high temperatures, which suggests that other factors contributed to the observed increased aggressiveness.
Integrative taxonomy of the freshwater worm Rhyacodrilus falciformis s.l. (Clitellata: Naididae), with the description of a new species
Authors: Martinsson Svante , Achurra Ainara , Svensson Marcus , Erséus Christer
Published: August 2013

The genetic and morphological variation within Rhyacodrilus falciformis Bretscher, 1901 (Clitellata: Naididae) in Europe was explored using an integrative approach, with three unlinked genetic markers [the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), the nuclear histone 3 (H3) and internal transcribed spacer region (ITS)] combined with morphology, to investigate whether this taxon constitutes a single or several species. Using Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery on the COI data set, the specimens were divided into seven clusters, used as hypothetical species that were further tested with the other data sources. Single‐gene trees were estimated for all three markers, using coalescence analysis and they were in many parts incongruent with each other. Only one of the clusters was supported by all trees; it was also morphologically differentiated from the other clusters by the shape of its modified penial chaetae. This group consists of two specimens from the Crotot Cave in south‐eastern France, and morphologically they fit a previously described but invalid variety, ‘pigueti’, which is here described as a new species, Rhyacodrilus pigueti Achurra & Martinsson sp. n. The study highlights the fact that a single data source (e.g. COI barcodes) seldom provides a sufficient basis for taxonomic decisions such as species delimitation.
Testing of High-Performance Concrete as a Thermal Energy Storage Medium at High Temperatures
Authors: Skinner Joel E. , Strasser Matthew N. , Brown Brad M. , Panneer Selvam R.
Published: August 2013

Concrete is tested as a sensible heat thermal energy storage (TES) material in the temperature range of 400–500 °C (752–932 °F). A molten nitrate salt is used as the heat transfer fluid (HTF); the HTF is circulated though stainless steel heat exchangers, imbedded in concrete test prisms, to charge the TES system. During charging, significant cracking occurs in both the radial and longitudinal directions in the concrete prisms. The cracking is due to hoop stress induced by the dissimilar thermal strain rates of concrete and stainless steel. A 2D finite element model (FEM) is developed and used to study the stress at the prism/exchanger interface. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and a heat-curing, fibered paste (HCFP) are tested as interface materials to mitigate the stress in the concrete. Significant reduction in the size and number of cracks is observed after incorporating interface materials. A heat exchanger with a helical fin configuration is incorporated to improve the heat transfer rate in the concrete. Testing confirms that the fins increase the rate of heat transfer in the concrete; however, large cracks form at each of the fin locations. Only the HCFP is tested as an interface material for the finned heat exchanger. The HCFP decreases the number and size of the cracks, however, not to the desired hairline levels.
Dynamic Model of a Vanadium Redox Flow Battery for System Performance Control
Authors: Yu Victor , Chen Dongmei
Published: August 2013

The vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is an attractive grid scale energy storage option, but high operating cost prevents widespread commercialization. One way of mitigating cost is to optimize system performance, which requires an accurate model capable of predicting cell voltage under different operating conditions such as current, temperature, flow rate, and state of charge. This paper presents a lumped isothermal VRFB model based on principles of mass transfer and electrochemical kinetics that can predict transient performance with respect to the aforementioned operating conditions. The model captures two important physical phenomena: (1) mass transfer at the electrode surface and (2) vanadium crossover through the membrane. Mass transfer effects increase the overpotential and thus reduce the battery output voltage during discharge. Vanadium crossover causes a concentration imbalance between the two half-cells that negatively affects the voltage response particularly after long term cycling. Further analysis on the system linearity is conducted to assess the feasibility of using a linear control design methodology.
Deposition of Corrosive Alkali Salt Vapors on the Blades of Gas Turbines Fueled by Coal-Derived Syngases
Authors: Young John B. , Tabberer Richard J. , Fackrell John E.
Published: August 2013

Many proposed clean coal technologies for power generation couple a gasification process with a gas turbine combined cycle unit. In the gasifier, the coal is converted into a syngas which is then cleaned and fired before entering the turbine. A problem is that coal-derived syngases may contain alkali metal impurities that combine with the sulfur and chlorine from the coal to form salts that deposit on the turbine blades, causing corrosion. This paper describes a new model, applicable to most types of coal, for predicting the dewpoint temperatures and deposition rates of these sodium and potassium salts. When chlorine is present the main alkali species in the mainstream gas flow are the chlorides; but when chlorine is absent, the superoxides dominate. However, because the high-pressure turbine blades are film-cooled, they are at much lower temperatures than the mainstream gas flow and analysis then shows that the deposit is composed almost entirely of the sulfates in either liquid or solid form. This is true whether or not chlorine is present. Detailed calculations using the new model to predict the alkali salt deposition rates on three stages of an example utility turbine are presented. The calculations show how the dewpoint temperatures and deposition rates vary with the gas-phase chlorine and sulfur levels as well as with the concentrations of sodium and potassium. It is shown that the locations where corrosion is to be expected vary considerably with the type of coal and the levels of impurities present.
Simulations of Anisotropic Grain Growth Subject to Thermal Gradients Using Q-State Monte Carlo
Authors: Allen J. B. , Cornwell C. F. , Devine B. D. , Welch C. R.
Published: August 2013

The Q-state Monte Carlo, Potts model is used to investigate 2D, anisotropic, grain growth of single-phase materials subject to temperature gradients. Anisotropy is simulated via the use of nonuniform grain boundary surface energies, and thermal gradients are simulated through the use of variable grain boundary mobilities. Hexagonal grain elements are employed, and elliptical Wulff plots are used to assign surface energies to grain lattices. The mobility is set to vary in accordance with solutions to a generalized heat equation and is solved for two separate values of the mobility coefficient. Among other findings, the results reveal that like isotropic grain growth, under the influence of a thermal gradient, anisotropic grain growth also demonstrates locally normal growth kinetics.
Development of Accelerating Pipe Flow Starting From Rest
Authors: Annus Ivar , Koppel Tiit , Sarv Laur , Ainola Leo
Published: August 2013

A uniformly accelerated laminar flow in a pipe, initially at rest, is analyzed. One-dimensional unsteady flow equations for start-up flow were derived from the Navier–Stokes and continuity equations. The dynamical boundary layer in a pipe is described theoretically with the Laplace transformation method for small values of time. A mathematical model describing the development of the velocity profile for accelerating flow starting from rest up to the point of transition to turbulence is given. The theoretical results are compared with experimental findings gained in a large-scale pipeline. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique is used to deduce the development of accelerating pipe flow starting from rest. The measured values of the axial velocity component are found to be in a good agreement with the analytical values.
Whole-Range Nonlinear Large Disturbance Attenuation Controller Design for Turbo Generator Steam Valve Systems
Authors: Jiang Nan , Liu Ting , Li Shengtao , Dong Xiujuan
Published: August 2013

For a class of strongly nonlinear reheat-type turbo generator steam valve control problem, a whole-range nonlinear adaptive large disturbance attenuation control scheme is investigated based on the Minimax and adaptive Backstepping method. The effect of unknown external disturbances on the rotor angle and the rotor speed of the generator are considered. The Minimax method is used to reduce effectively the conservativeness of the disturbance treatment, which is brought by the estimation of the upper bound of the disturbance and the inequality scaling. The purpose is to ensure the robustness and insensitivity to effects of large disturbances of the closed-loop system. By considering the effect of the short-circuit ground fault and the mechanical power of disturbances, an application of the single-machine infinite-bus system is researched. Simulation results show that the control scheme can effectively improve the dynamic process of the transient stability of the power system. Compared with the conventional nonlinear controller, the control scheme has more advantages for large disturbances, and the process of controller design is simple and intuitive.
Development of a Tool for Temperature Estimation From Microstructural Condition of a Nicoraly+Re Coating Applied on the Surface of Gas Turbine Hot Components
Authors: Costa Alessio , Erica Vacchieri , Barbareschi Emma , Guarnone Paola , Bonadei Alessandra , Calcagno Claudia
Published: August 2013

The hot gas path components of gas turbines have to withstand to severe conditions in terms of high temperature oxidation, hot corrosion, and creep-fatigue phenomena. The evaluation of components residual life is an important matter for gas turbines producers and the estimation of service temperatures is a key tool for this evaluation. The most diffused methods to estimate service temperatures of gas turbines blades and vanes in Ni based superalloys are related to the microstructural evolution of the dispersed intermetallic phase γ′, Ni3Al. The aim of this work has been the determination of a tool to estimate service temperature on the basis of the microstructural evolutions of a NiCoCrAlY+Re coating. In order to obtain a deep characterization of the coating after exposure at different durations and temperatures, an extensive experimental test program has been planned. Samples of Ni based superalloys, covered by the investigated coating, have been aged in chamber furnaces in the temperature range 700 °C–1000 °C with durations up to 20,000 h. The microstructure of this coating is characterized by β phase, NiAl, which is the Al reservoir, embedded in the matrix, that is constituted by γ′ phase at low temperature and by γ phase over 900 °C. Moreover, electron back scattered diffraction and X-ray diffraction measurements on samples have revealed three classes of secondary phases: the first one has been identified as σ-Cr2Re3, the second one as Cr carbide-Cr23C6 and the third one as α-Cr. σ phase is very abundant at the lower temperatures while it disappears after long exposures at temperatures higher than 900 °C. The σ phase composition is different at different temperatures and the Re content in particular increases with the temperature. Starting from the σ phase composition determined at different temperatures, a tool has been constructed that relates the service temperature to the Re content in the same phase. The new tool has been applied to the analyses of different components. The results of the new method have been compared to those ones obtained with the method based on γ′ features, developed in the past through huge experimental campaigns. The agreement between the two methods is generally good, they can be used in a complementary way due to the fact that the γ′ one seems to be more suitable for high temperature ranges (T > 900 °C) where it gives a reliable estimation, while the σ method is more suitable in the temperature range 700 °C–900 °C.
Optimization of Reduced Kinetic Models for Reactive Flow Simulations
Authors: Gokulakrishnan P. , Joklik R. , Viehe D. , Trettel A. , Gonzalez-Juez E. , Klassen M.
Published: August 2013

A robust optimization scheme, known as rkmGen, for reaction rate parameter estimation has been developed for the generation of reduced kinetics models of practical interest for reactive flow simulations. It employs a stochastic optimization algorithm known as simulated annealing (SA), and is implemented in C++ and coupled with Cantera, a chemical kinetics software package, to automate the reduced kinetic mechanism generation process. Reaction rate parameters in reduced order models can be estimated by optimizing against target data generated from a detailed model or by experiment. Target data may be of several different kinds: ignition delay time, blow-out time, laminar flame speed, species time-history profiles, and species reactivity profiles. The software allows for simultaneous optimization against multiple target data sets over a wide range of temperatures, pressures, and equivalence ratios. In this paper, a detailed description of the optimization strategy used for the reaction parameter estimation is provided. To illustrate the performance of the software for reduced kinetic mechanism development, a number of test cases for various fuels were used: one-step, three-step, and four-step global reduced kinetic models for ethylene, Jet-A and methane, respectively, and a 50 step semiglobal reduced kinetic model for methane. The 50 step semiglobal reduced kinetic model was implemented in the Star*CCM+ commercial CFD code to simulate Sandia Flame D using laminar flamelet libraries and compared with the experimental data. Simulations were also performed with the GRI3.0 mechanism for comparisons.
Repairing the Heart
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: August 2013

An inflammatory response pathway mediates heart muscle regeneration in zebrafish.
Therapeutic Intervention of Ebola Virus Infection in Rhesus Macaques with the MB-003 Monoclonal Antibody Cocktail
Authors: Pettitt James , Zeitlin Larry , Kim Do H. , Working Cara , Johnson Joshua C. , Bohorov Ognian , Bratcher Barry , Hiatt Ernie , Hume Steven D. , Johnson Ashley K. , Morton Josh , Pauly Michael H. , Whaley Kevin J. , Ingram Michael F. , Zovanyi Ashley , Heinrich Megan , Piper Ashley , Zelko Justine , Olinger Gene G.
Published: August 2013

Ebola virus–infected macaques were successfully treated with a cocktail of monoclonals manufactured in plants.
XIST-ing Down Syndrome
Authors: Schaefer Anne
Published: August 2013

Harnessing the cell’s ability to silence X chromosomes yields a promising tool to inhibit the extra chromosome 21 in human induced pluripotent stem cells from Down syndrome patients.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Trypanosoma brucei Reveals Introgression between Subspecies That Is Associated with Virulence
Authors: Goodhead Ian , Capewell Paul , Bailey J. Wendi , Beament Tanja , Chance Michael , Kay Suzanne , Forrester Sarah , MacLeod Annette , Taylor Mark , Noyes Harry , Hall Neil
Published: August 2013

Human African trypanosomiasis is caused by two subspecies of
Trypanosoma brucei
.
Trypanosoma brucei
 
rhodesiense
is found in East Africa and frequently causes acute disease, while
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
is found in West Africa and is associated with chronic disease. Samples taken from a single focus of a Ugandan outbreak of
T
. 
b. rhodesiense
in the 1980s were associated with either chronic or acute disease. We sequenced the whole genomes of two of these isolates, which showed that they are genetically distinct from each other. Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism markers in a panel of 31 Ugandan isolates plus 32 controls revealed a mixture of East African and West African haplotypes, and some of these haplotypes were associated with the different virulence phenotypes. It has been shown recently that
T
. 
b. brucei
and
T
. 
b. rhodesiense
populations undergo genetic exchange in natural populations. Our analysis showed that these strains from the Ugandan epidemic were intermediate between the reference genome sequences of
T
. 
b. gambiense
and
T
. 
b. brucei
and contained haplotypes that were present in both subspecies. This suggests that the human-infective subspecies of
T. brucei
are not genetically isolated, and our data are consistent with genomic introgression between East African and West African
T
. 
b. brucei
subspecies. This has implications for the control of the parasite, the spread of drug resistance, and understanding the variation in virulence and the emergence of human infectivity.

IMPORTANCE
We present a genetic study of the acute form of “sleeping sickness” caused by the protozoan parasite
Trypanosoma brucei
rhodesiense
from a single outbreak in Uganda. This represents an advance in our understanding of the relationship between the
T
. 
b. rhodesiense
and
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense
subspecies that have previously been considered geographically distinct. Our data suggest that introgression of West African-derived
T. brucei
haplotypes may be associated with differences in disease presentation in the East African disease. These findings are not only of scientific interest but also important for parasite control, as they suggest that the human-infective
T. brucei
subspecies are not genetically isolated.
The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome—How Worried Should We Be?
Authors: Perlman Stanley
Published: August 2013

Ten years after the severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic, a second coronavirus, the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), has been identified as the cause of a highly lethal pneumonia in patients in the Middle East and in travelers from this region. Over the past 9 months, since the virus was first isolated, much has been learned about the biology of the virus. It is now clear that MERS-CoV is transmissible from person to person, and its close relationship with several bat coronaviruses suggests that these animals may be the ultimate source of the infection. However, many key issues need to be addressed, including identification of the proximate, presumably zoonotic, source of the infection, the prevalence of the infection in human populations, details regarding clinical and pathological features of the human infection, the establishment of a small rodent model for the infection, and the virological and immune basis for the severe disease observed in most patients. Most importantly, we do not know whether a MERS-CoV epidemic is likely or not. Infection with the virus has so far resulted in only 91 cases and 46 deaths (as of 29 July 2013), but it is nonetheless setting off alarm bells among public health officials, including Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, who called MERS-CoV “a threat to the entire world.” This article reviews some of the progress that has been made and discusses some of the questions that need to be answered.
EBV-driven diffuse large B-cell lymphoma confined to the liver in a patient with a history of idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia
Authors: Dziadzio Magdalena , Chee Ronnie , McNamara Christopher , Deheragoda Maesha , Wagner Thomas , Seneviratne Suranjith L
Published: August 2013

Idiopathic CD4 lymphocytopenia (ICL) is a rare immunodeficiency disorder. We describe a 49-year-old woman with a history of ICL who developed hepatic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). ICL was diagnosed at a time of her presentation with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) meningoencephalitis and chorioretinitis. Her CD4 count subsequently improved but remained at the lower limits of the normal range. Five years later she presented with cough, fever and night-sweat. She was found to have multiple liver nodules on MRI, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid on the positron emission tomography (PET) CT, histologically defined as DLBCL, EBV positive and of non-germinal centre type. To our knowledge this is the first reported case of EBV-positive DLBCL localised to the liver in the context of ICL. EBV-positive DLBCL typically occurs in immunocompromised individuals. The corticosteroid therapy she received for VZV meningoencephalitis may have contributed to the EBV reactivation with subsequent EBV-driven malignant transformation of B-cells.
Isolated cerebellar tuberculoma mimicking posterior cranial fossa tumour
Authors: Binesh Fariba , Taghipour Zahir Shokouh , Roshan Bovanlu Taghi
Published: August 2013

Isolated central nervous system (CNS) tuberculoma is a rare disease. This disease is associated with high morbidity and mortality, despite modern methods of detection and treatment. CNS tuberculosis can present as meningitis, arachnoiditis, tuberculomas or the uncommon form of tuberculous subdural empyema and brain abscess. We present the clinical, radiological and pathological findings of cerebellar tuberculoma in an Iranian immunocompetent patient mimicking a malignant tumour.
Isolated sacral dislocation in a 4-year-old child
Authors: Isik Mustafa , Subasi Mehmet , Cebesoy Oguz , Uludag Abuzer
Published: August 2013

Sacral dislocation is an uncommon form of injury in childhood. A 4-year-old girl who was injured in a motor vehicle accident was seen in the emergency room. On physical examination, ecchymosis and tenderness in the abdomen and sacral region was identified. Radiographs revealed no pelvic pathology. CT was performed owing to the patient's sacral and abdominal tenderness. Dislocations were identified at the sacral third and fourth vertebrae without any fractures. The patient was discharged 10 days later with a recommendation for 6 weeks bed rest and an appointment for an outpatient follow-up examination. At the post-traumatic second-month examination, the patient was walking normally. In the radiograph and MRI that were taken a year later, the dislocation was observed to have fused completely, and no pressure was seen on any anatomical structure. No functional pathology was identified during the interview with the family
Superior compliance with a neuromuscular training programme is associated with fewer ACL injuries and fewer acute knee injuries in female adolescent football players: secondary analysis of an RCT
Authors: Hägglund Martin , Atroshi Isam , Wagner Philippe , Waldén Markus
Published: August 2013

Background

Little is known about the influence of compliance with neuromuscular training (NMT) on the knee injury rate in football.

Aim

To evaluate team and player compliance with an NMT programme in adolescent female football and to study the association between compliance and acute knee injury rates.

Methods

Prospective cohort study based on a cluster randomised controlled trial on players aged 12–17 years with 184 intervention teams (2471 players) and 157 control teams (2085 players). Exposure and acute time loss knee injuries were recorded. Team and player compliance was recorded by the coaches on a player attendance form. The intervention group was divided into tertiles of compliance. Injury rates were compared by calculating rate ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs using exact Poisson tests with the low-compliance tertile as reference. Seasonal compliance trends were analysed using linear regression.

Results

Players in the high-compliance tertile had an 88% reduction in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury rate (RR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.85), whereas the rate in the control group players was not significantly different from those in the low-compliance tertile (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.27 to 2.21). A significant deterioration occurred in team (b=−3.0% per month, 95% CI −5.2 to −0.8) and player (b=−5.0% per month, 95% CI −7.1 to −2.9) compliance over the season.

Conclusions

Players with high compliance with the NMT programme had significantly reduced ACL injury rate compared with players with low compliance. Significant deterioration in team and player compliance occurred over the season.
Experience feedback committee in emergency medicine: a tool for security management
Authors: Lecoanet André , Sellier Elodie , Carpentier Françoise , Maignan Maxime , Seigneurin Arnaud , François Patrice
Published: August 2013

Objective

Emergency departments are high-risk structures. The objective was to analyse the functioning of an experience feedback committee (EFC), a security management tool for the analysis of incidents in a medical department.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive study based on the analysis of the written documents produced by the EFC between November 2009 and May 2012. We performed a double analysis of all incident reports, meeting minutes and analysis reports.

Results

During the study period, there were 22 meetings attended by 15 professionals. 471 reported incidents were transmitted to the EFC. Most of them (95%) had no consequence for the patients. Only one reported incident led to the patient's death. 12 incidents were analysed thoroughly and the committee decided to set up 14 corrective actions, including eight guideline writing actions, two staff trainings, two resource materials provisions and two organisational changes.

Conclusions

The staff took part actively in the EFC. Following the analysis of incidents, the EFC was able to set up actions at the departmental level. Thus, an EFC seems to be an appropriate security management tool for an emergency department.
Effect of azathioprine intolerance on outcomes of inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lee Lennard Y W , Gardezi Anjum Syed , Santharam Vidya , Boyd Jason , Lanzon-Miller Sandro
Published: August 2013

Background

Azathioprine is well established for the maintenance of remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, a significant proportion of patients are intolerant to azathioprine. It is not clear if intolerance of azathioprine is a marker of poor prognosis for patients who will have a more aggressive disease or be more likely to require surgery.

Objective

To determine if intolerance to azathioprine is a marker of poor prognosis, indicating patients who have a more aggressive disease course, and to analyse the risk factors and causes of intolerance.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using the Milton Keynes Hospital IBD database was performed to compare azathioprine-intolerant and azathioprine-tolerant patients.

Results

Two hundred and thirty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria comprising 141 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 98 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Overall, 28.0% of patients were intolerant to azathioprine. Risk factors for intolerance were female sex and age 50–70 years. Common reasons for intolerance were nausea and vomiting (34.3%), deranged liver function tests (28.4%) and headaches (11.9%). In patients with UC, there was no statistical difference in the disease activity scores between those who were azathioprine intolerant versus tolerant. In patients with CD, azathioprine intolerance was associated with significantly worse disease activity; 25% fewer patients were in clinical remission and 20% more had moderate/severe disease. Rates of surgery were similar between the groups for both UC/CD.

Conclusions

We conclude that azathioprine intolerance acts as a surrogate marker for patients with CD who in future have poorer symptom control. Azathioprine intolerance marks out a group of patients with CD in whom increased vigilance of symptom control and early escalation of treatment is required.
Meta-analysis of prevalence
Authors: Barendregt Jan J , Doi Suhail A , Lee Yong Yi , Norman Rosana E , Vos Theo
Published: August 2013

Meta-analysis is a method to obtain a weighted average of results from various studies. In addition to pooling effect sizes, meta-analysis can also be used to estimate disease frequencies, such as incidence and prevalence. In this article we present methods for the meta-analysis of prevalence. We discuss the logit and double arcsine transformations to stabilise the variance. We note the special situation of multiple category prevalence, and propose solutions to the problems that arise. We describe the implementation of these methods in the MetaXL software, and present a simulation study and the example of multiple sclerosis from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 project. We conclude that the double arcsine transformation is preferred over the logit, and that the MetaXL implementation of multiple category prevalence is an improvement in the methodology of the meta-analysis of prevalence.
Effect of coflowering Mimulus ringens on phenotypic selection on floral traits of gynodioecious Lobelia siphilitica
Authors: Wassink Erica , Caruso Christina M.
Published: August 2013

Although interspecific competition for pollination is hypothesized to result in divergence in floral traits (i.e., character displacement), few studies have tested whether selection on these traits differs in the presence and absence of a competitor for pollination. We measured phenotypic selection on floral traits of Lobelia siphilitica L. growing in the presence and absence of Mimulus ringens L., a potential competitor for pollination. Because L. siphilitica is gynodioecious, we estimated selection separately for female and hermaphrodite plants. The presence of M. ringens did not decrease seed set of L. siphilitica. However, the presence of M. ringens did affect selection on daily display size of female L. siphilitica; there was significant selection for smaller daily displays in the absence of M. ringens, but nonsignificant selection for larger displays in the presence of M. ringens. In addition, selection on flower colour did not differ in the presence and absence of M. ringens, but did differ between female and hermaphrodite L. siphilitica. Consequently, our results suggest that the evolution of floral traits in L. siphilitica, but not the evolution of sexual dimorphism in these traits, can be affected by interactions for pollination with M. ringens.
NEUTRAL MASSIVE SPIN ½ PARTICLES EMISSION IN A RINDLER SPACE
Authors: LONGHI PIETRO , SOLDATI ROBERTO
Published: August 2013

The Unruh effect for the rate of emission and absorption of neutral massive Majorana spinor particles — plausible constituents of the Dark Matter — in a Rindler space–time is thoroughly investigated. The corresponding Bogoliubov coefficients are explicitly calculated and the consistency with Fermi–Dirac statistics and the Pauli principle is actually verified.
NANOSECOND RESPONSE POLYMER ELECTRO-OPTIC SWITCH WITH HIGH POLING EFFICIENCY AND GOOD LONG-TERM STABILITY
Authors: SUN JIAN , WANG XIBIN , YUE YUANBIN , MENG JIE , SUN XIAOQIANG , CHEN CHANGMING , WANG FEI , ZHANG DAMING
Published: August 2013

In this paper, a Mach–Zehnder interferometer (MZI) electro-optic (EO) polymer switch with a guest–host material Disperse Red 19(DR19)/SU-8 has been designed and fabricated. The optical properties of the DR19/SU-8 were characterized in detail. By optimizing the poling temperature, the DR19/SU-8 material exhibits a high poling efficiency and a good long-term stability. The order parameter Φ is calculated as 0.65 and electro-optic coefficient γ33 is measured to be 11 pm/V. After about 1440 h, the γ33 remains stable at 7.4 pm/V. The characteristic parameters of the waveguide were carefully designed and fabrication process was strictly controlled. At 1550 nm, the insertion loss of the device is 11.2 dB. The rise time and fall time of the switch are 26.6 ns and 22.5 ns, respectively. Owing to the nanosecond response speed and good long-term stability, this switch exhibits potential for planar active lightwave circuit applications.
MODELING CITATION NETWORKS BASED ON VIGOROUSNESS AND DORMANCY
Authors: WANG XUE-WEN , ZHANG LI-JIE , YANG GUO-HONG , XU XIN-JIAN
Published: August 2013

In citation networks, the activity of papers usually decreases with age and dormant papers may be discovered and become fashionable again. To model this phenomenon, a competition mechanism is suggested which incorporates two factors: vigorousness and dormancy. Based on this idea, a citation network model is proposed, in which a node has two discrete stage: vigorous and dormant. Vigorous nodes can be deactivated and dormant nodes may be activated and become vigorous. The evolution of the network couples addition of new nodes and state transitions of old ones. Both analytical calculation and numerical simulation show that the degree distribution of nodes in generated networks displays a good right-skewed behavior. Particularly, scale-free networks are obtained as the deactivated vertex is target selected and exponential networks are realized for the random-selected case. Moreover, the measurement of four real-world citation networks achieves a good agreement with the stochastic model.
THEORETICAL STUDY OF TRANSMISSION SPECTRUM IN CAVITY-WAVEGUIDE SIDE-COUPLED SYSTEMS
Authors: DONG CHUANBO , WANG TAO , YAN WEI , LI XIAOMING
Published: August 2013

Starting with one-cavity side-coupled with waveguide system, we theoretically study on transmission spectrum for a two-cavity side-coupled with waveguide system based on coupled mode theory by using light-tracing method. Interesting effects called all-optical analog to EIT appear in some cases. 3D finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method provides optical modes distributions at different wavelengths, including the EIT-like wavelength. Influences of different parameters on the narrow EIT-like peak such as cavity quality factors Q, frequency difference detuning Δω, and phase difference detuning between cavities ΔΦ are discussed. Compared with previous studies, this method is easier to understand and can be used as a model for both standing cavities like line-defect photonic crystal cavities and whispering gallery modes cavities like microring cavities.
JOINT REMOTE PREPARATION OF ARBITRARY THREE-QUBIT STATES
Authors: PENG JIA-YIN , LUO MING-XING , MO ZHI-WEN , QU ZHI-GUO
Published: August 2013

The protocols for jointly preparing three-particle state from a spatially separated multi-sender to one receiver are presented in this paper. The first scheme with two senders is proposed and shown to be a flexible deterministically. And then it is generalized to the multi-sender with improved success probability, by only adding some classical communications.