bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungal nutrient allocation in common mycorrhizal networks is regulated by the carbon source strength of individual host plants
Authors: Fellbaum Carl R. , Mensah Jerry A. , Cloos Adam J. , Strahan Gary E. , Pfeffer Philip E. , Kiers E. Toby , Bücking Heike
Published: May 2014

Common mycorrhizal networks (CMNs) of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in the soil simultaneously provide multiple host plants with nutrients, but the mechanisms by which the nutrient transport to individual host plants within one CMN is controlled are unknown.

Using radioactive and stable isotopes, we followed the transport of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in the CMNs of two fungal species to plants that differed in their carbon (C) source strength, and correlated the transport to the expression of mycorrhiza‐inducible plant P (MtPt4) and ammonium (1723.m00046) transporters in mycorrhizal roots.

AM fungi discriminated between host plants that shared a CMN and preferentially allocated nutrients to high‐quality (nonshaded) hosts. However, the fungus also supplied low‐quality (shaded) hosts with nutrients and maintained a high colonization rate in these plants. Fungal P transport was correlated to the expression of MtPt4. The expression of the putative ammonium transporter 1723.m00046 was dependent on the fungal nutrient supply and was induced when the CMN had access to N.

Biological market theory has emerged as a tool with which the strategic investment of competing partners in trading networks can be studied. Our work demonstrates how fungal partners are able to retain bargaining power, despite being obligately dependent on their hosts.
The evolution of the regulatory framework for antibacterial agents
Authors: Rex John H. , Goldberger Mark , Eisenstein Barry I. , Harney Carrie
Published: May 2014

The rising tide of antibacterial resistance and the lack of a diverse, vibrant pipeline of novel antibacterial agents is a global crisis that impairs our ability to treat life‐threatening infections. The recent introduction of a tiered approach to the regulatory framework in this area offers one path to resolving some of the challenges. By drawing heavily on the predictive power of the related sciences of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, smaller, focused clinical trial programs have become possible for agents that might not otherwise have been possible to progress. There are limitations to these pathways, and they are not easy to implement, but making reliable noninferiority‐based approaches available is critical to reinvigorating the global antibiotic pipeline. With the recognition of these ideas by key regulatory authorities in recent guidance, the next challenges in this area will focus on interpretive breakpoints, the extent of data in the prescribing information, ensuring that multiple agents can be progressed, and the challenge of the antibiotic business model.
Barriers to the effective treatment of sepsis: antimicrobial agents, sepsis definitions, and host‐directed therapies
Authors: Lyle Ngan H. , Pena Olga M. , Boyd John H. , Hancock Robert E. W.
Published: May 2014

Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome involving both infection and a deleterious host immune response. Antimicrobial agents are key elements of sepsis treatment, yet despite great strides in antimicrobial development in the last decades, sepsis continues to be associated with unacceptably high mortality (∼30%). This is the result, on one hand, of the rise of antimicrobial resistant organisms and, on the other hand, of the dearth of effective host‐directed immune therapies. A major obstacle to the development of good host‐directed therapies is the lack of understanding of the host immune response. The problem is exacerbated by poor nonspecific clinical definitions of disease. Poor definitions have had a profound impact on sepsis research, from epidemiologic studies to the failed clinical trials of host‐directed therapies. Therefore, better definitions must be developed to enable advancement in the field.
Heart Rhythm Society Members’ Views on Pacemaker and Implantable Cardioverter‐Defibrillator Reuse
Authors: HUGHEY ANDREW B. , DESAI NIMIT , BAMAN TIMIR S. , GAKENHEIMER LINDSEY , HAGAN LINDSAY , KIRKPATRICK JAMES N. , ORAL HAKAN , EAGLE KIM A. , CRAWFORD THOMAS C.
Published: May 2014

Background

Reuse of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) may help address the unmet need among patients in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).

Methods

To examine Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) physicians’ opinions regarding CIED reuse, an online survey eliciting attitudes toward CIED reuse was sent to all 3,380 HRS physician members.

Results

There were 429 responses (response rate 13%). A large majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that resterilization of devices for reimplantation in patients who cannot afford new devices may be safe (370, 87%) and, if proven to be safe, would be ethical (375, 88%). A total of 340 (81%) respondents would be comfortable asking their patients to consider donating their device, and 353 (84%) would be willing to reimplant a resterilized device if it were legal. The most commonly cited concerns about device reuse were infection (270, 64%) and device malfunction (125, 29%). Respondents from the United States and Canada had more favorable impressions of device reuse than respondents from other high‐income countries (P < 0.05 for three of five positive statements regarding reuse), and were less likely to cite ethical concerns (P < 0.001). However, when responses from all high‐income countries were compared with lower‐ and upper‐middle income countries, there were no significant differences in the rates of approval.

Conclusions

HRS survey respondents support the concept of CIED reuse for patients in LMICs who cannot afford new devices. Studies are needed to demonstrate the clinical efficacy and safety of this practice and to identify potential barriers to adoption among physicians.
Third‐Degree Burn from Cooled Radiofrequency Ablation of Medial Branch Nerves for Treatment of Thoracic Facet Syndrome
Authors: Walega David , Roussis Christiana
Published: May 2014

Radiofrequency ablation of medial branch nerves is considered a safe and effective treatment for chronic facet joint pain in the cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral spine. Cooled radiofrequency ablation (C‐RFA) is gaining popularity over conventional thermal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in pain management. However, complications of C‐RFAhave not been reported in the literature. We present a first report of third‐degree skin burn resulting from C‐RFAelectrode use for the treatment of facet syndrome.

A 61‐year‐old woman (BMIof 21.8 kg/m2) with thoracic facet syndrome underwent C‐RFAof the T1–4 medial branch nerves (Thoracool System, Baylis Medical Company, Montreal, QC, Canada). Lesioning at the superior‐lateral aspect of the thoracic transverse processes at each level was performed. During lesioning of the T2MBNon the T3 transverse process, skin blanching 15 mm in diameter was noted around the introducer needle with patient complaints of severe, localized pain. Postprocedurally the skin injury at this level worsened in appearance, with a 20 mm × 4 mm skin defect, which took nearly 5 months to heal.

With C‐RFA, internally cooled electrodes are capable of creating large volume spherical lesions, a size advantage over conventionalRFA. Although C‐RFAlesion size may overcome the anatomic variability of target nerve location and potentially improve pain outcomes, added vigilance is required in thin patients and in anatomic regions of minimal subcutaneous tissue between the lesion target and the dermis. Skin burns at the site of theRFelectrode are a potential risk under such conditions.
From Inverted Spectra to Colorless Qualia: AWittgensteinian Critique
Authors: Brenner William H.
Published: May 2014

This is terribly hard, Thouless, I'm sorry. I have thought over all this for years. … It is now as if we had ploughed furrows in different parts of a field. There is a lot left to do. (Wittgenstein, to a psychologist friend on how hard it is to get clear about experiential concepts)

Judging from their writings, most contemporary analytic philosophers have not been persuaded that “the inverted spectrum problem” is – as Wittgenstein maintained – really a conceptual puzzle calling for dissolution, rather than a straight problem calling for a solution. In this paper, I present Wittgenstein's view as clearly and persuasively as I can, contrasting it with the views of Sidney Shoemaker and Ned Block, two of his more prominent critics. I conclude with a look at Frank Jackson's well‐known Knowledge Argument, which, if successful, would demonstrate the futility of looking for a physicalist solution to the inverted spectrum and related philosophical problems. My goal is to combat what I take to be the common and unfortunate failure – among both physicalistically inclined philosophers, including Shoemaker and Block, and anti‐physicalists, such as Jackson – to appreciate the force of Wittgenstein's arguments.
Measuring the Contribution of Workers' Health and Psychosocial Work‐Environment on Production Efficiency
Authors: Ødegaard Fredrik , Roos Pontus
Published: May 2014

Increasingly many firms have started to implement programs intended to improve the workers' health and the psychosocial work‐environment, as well as other attributes of labor quality. Motivated by the need for evaluating to what extent the programs affect a firm's productivity performance, this study discusses a model for analyzing the contribution of labor quality attributes toward firm productivity. To assess the contribution from the labor quality attributes, we model firm productivity as the outcome of two separate processes within a firm: the physical production process and the labor quality process. Firm productivity is measured by a Malmquist‐like productivity index and is computed by Data Envelopment Analysis. Based on bootstrap methods we analyze potential statistical bias and provide bias‐corrected productivity estimates. The labor quality attributes are first modeled at an individual worker level as latent variables using Item Response Theory, and then aggregated to a firm‐level. The model is empirically validated using data from three manufacturing plants that participated in a coordinated worksite health promotion program. Over a 4‐year period (2000–2003), we observed a general improvement in efficiency of 2–5%, half of which could be attributed to an improvement in workers' health and psychosocial work‐environment. A key benefit with the model is that it is practical, easy to implement, and very fast to compute. The model also constructively contributes to the discourse on sustainability by providing a framework for deriving meaningful metrics and providing tangible measurements on the effect of sustainability‐related issues.
Lower Cost Arrivals for Airlines: Optimal Policies for Managing Runway Operations under Optimized Profile Descent
Authors: Chen Heng , Solak Senay
Published: May 2014

Optimized profile descent (OPD) is an operating procedure being used by airlines to improve fuel and environmental efficiency during arrival operations at airports. In this study, we develop a stochastic dynamic programming framework to manage the sequencing and separation of flights during OPD operations. We find that simple calculation based measures can be used as optimal decision rules, and that the expected annual savings can be around $29 million if such implementations are adapted by major airports in the United States. Of these savings, $24 million are direct savings for airlines due to reduced fuel usage, corresponding to a potential savings of 10%–15% in fuel consumption over current practice. We also find that most of these savings will be due to the optimal spacing of OPD flights, as opposed to the optimal sequencing policies which contribute only 14% to the total savings. Hence, optimal spacing of OPD flights is much more important than optimal sequencing of these flights. We also conclude that there is not much difference between the environmental costs of fuel‐optimal and sustainably‐optimal spacing policies. Hence, an airline‐centric approach in improving OPD operations is likely to be not in conflict with objectives that might be prioritized by other stakeholders.
Reassessment of rust fungi on weeping willows in the Americas and description of Melampsora ferrinii sp. nov.
Authors: Toome M. , Aime M. C.
Published: May 2014

Rust fungi in the genus Melampsora usually cause disease on hosts in the Salicaceae. Identification of Melampsora species is often complicated due to few differences in spore morphology and little publicly available comparative sequence data. Weeping willow trees (primarily Salix babylonica and its hybrids) have been reported to be infected by 11 Melampsora species; however, most of these records are based on morphological characterization. New collections of rust fungi on weeping willows from the central USA were analysed using a combination of morphology, ITS and LSU rDNA sequencing, and host data to determine that they represent an undescribed rust fungus, Melampsora ferrinii sp. nov. Additional studies of herbarium material revealed that M. ferrinii has occasionally been collected but identified as M. epitea. In addition to North America, M. ferrinii is also present in South America and has been infecting weeping willows there since at least the 1990s.
Factors affecting the development and control of black dot on potato tubers
Authors: Brierley J. L. , Hilton A. J. , Wale S. J. , Peters J. C. , Gladders P. , Bradshaw N. J. , Ritchie F. , MacKenzie K. , Lees A. K.
Published: May 2014

Field trials were carried out over a 4 year period (2004–2007) to determine the effect of agronomic factors, specifically cultivar resistance, irrigation, crop duration and chemical control (in‐furrow application of azoxystrobin), on black dot development on potato tubers grown in fields where soilborne inoculum of Colletotrichum coccodes was present. In 2004, 2005 and 2006, two field trials were performed each year and in 2007, 19 mini‐field trials were carried out across Scotland and England. Cultivar resistance was clearly demonstrated to be an effective method of reducing black dot disease severity on tubers (described here as the percentage of unmarketable tubers, i.e. those with symptoms covering a surface area of >10%). In the four field trials carried out in 2004 and 2005, in irrigated and fungicide‐untreated plots, 43·8% of tubers of cv. Maris Piper were unmarketable, compared with 17·0% of tubers of cv. Sante. Assessments of disease development on underground plant parts (stems, stolons and roots) revealed that cultivar resistance acted only at the tuber level, as disease symptoms on other parts were often high irrespective of published disease resistance ratings. Irrigation increased the severity of disease on tubers in two trials (England 2004 and 2006), but its effect was less significant when rainfall was high. Delaying harvest by 2 weeks increased disease severity in all six trials, whilst application of azoxystrobin consistently reduced black dot severity. There were significant interactions between factors. The results clearly show how black dot disease severity can be reduced through an integrated approach to disease management.
Differential expression of a novel gene EaF82a in green and yellow sectors of variegated Epipremnum aureum leaves is related to uneven distribution of auxin
Authors: Hung Chiu‐Yueh , Umstead Makendra L. , Chen Jianjun , Holliday Bronwyn M. , Kittur Farooqahmed S. , Henny Richard J. , Burkey Kent O. , Xie Jiahua
Published: May 2014

EaF82, a gene identified in previous studies of the variegated plant Epipremnum aureum, exhibited a unique expression pattern with greater transcript abundance in yellow sectors than green sectors of variegated leaves, but lower abundance in regenerated pale yellow plants than in green plants derived from leaf tissue culture. Studies of its full‐length cDNA and promoter region revealed two members with only the EaF82a expressed. Immunoblotting confirmed that EaF82a encodes a 12 kDa protein and its accumulation consistent with its gene expression patterns in different color tissues. Transient expression of EaF82a‐sGFP fusion proteins in protoplasts showed that EaF82a seems to be present in the cytosol as unidentified spots. Sequence motif search reveals a potential auxin responsive element in promoter region. Using transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings carrying EaF82a promoter driving the bacterial uidA (GUS) gene, an increased GUS activity was observed when IAA (indole‐3‐acetic acid) concentration was elevated. In E. aureum, EaF82a is more abundant at the site where axillary buds emerge and at the lower side of bending nodes where more IAA accumulates relative to the upper side. The measurement of endogenous IAA levels in different color tissues revealed the same pattern of IAA distribution as that of EaF82a expression, further supporting that EaF82a is an IAA responsive gene. EaF82a expression in etiolated transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings responded to IAA under the influence of light suggesting a microenvironment of uneven light condition affects the EaF82a transcript levels and protein accumulation in variegated leaves.
Stress‐induced cortisol secretion impairs detection performance in x‐ray baggage screening for hidden weapons by screening novices
Authors: Thomas Livia , Schwaninger Adrian , Heimgartner Nadja , Hedinger Patrik , Hofer Franziska , Ehlert Ulrike , Wirtz Petra H.
Published: May 2014

Aviation security strongly depends on screeners' performance in the detection of threat objects in x‐ray images of passenger bags. We examined for the first time the effects of stress and stress‐induced cortisol increases on detection performance of hidden weapons in an x‐ray baggage screening task. We randomly assigned 48 participants either to a stress or a nonstress group. The stress group was exposed to a standardized psychosocial stress test (TSST). Before and after stress/nonstress, participants had to detect threat objects in a computer‐based object recognition test (X‐ray ORT). We repeatedly measured salivary cortisol and X‐ray ORT performance before and after stress/nonstress. Cortisol increases in reaction to psychosocial stress induction but not to nonstress independently impaired x‐ray detection performance. Our results suggest that stress‐induced cortisol increases at peak reactivity impair x‐ray screening performance.
“Signs of Suicide” Shows Promise as a Middle School Suicide Prevention Program
Authors: Schilling Elizabeth A. , Lawless Martha , Buchanan Laurel , Aseltine Robert H.
Published: May 2014

Although theSigns ofSuicide (SOS) suicide prevention program has been implemented at both the middle and high school levels, its efficacy has been demonstrated previously only among high school students. The current study evaluatedSOSimplemented in high military impact middle schools. Compared to controls,SOSparticipants demonstrated improved knowledge about suicide and suicide prevention, and participants with pretest ideation reported fewer suicidal behaviors at posttest than controls with pretest ideation. These results provide preliminary evidence forSOS's efficacy as a suicide prevention program for middle school students.
The Police Officer's Dilemma: A Decade of Research on Racial Bias in the Decision to Shoot
Authors: Correll Joshua , Hudson Sean M. , Guillermo Steffanie , Ma Debbie S.
Published: May 2014

We review sociological, correlational, and experimental research that examines the effect of a target's race on the decision to shoot. Much of this work involves computer‐based simulations of a police encounter, in which a participant must decide whether or not to shoot a potentially hostile target who is either Black or White. Experimental work with undergraduate participants reveals a clear pattern of bias (a tendency to shoot Black targets but not Whites), which is associated with stereotypes linking Blacks with the concept of danger. Subsequent work with police officers presents a more complex pattern. Although police are affected by target race in some respects, they generally do not show a biased pattern of shooting. We suggest that police performance depends on the exercise of cognitive control, which allows officers to overcome the influence of stereotypes, and we conclude with potential implications of this research for law enforcement.
Agency's Role in Dehumanization: Non‐human Metaphors of Out‐groups
Authors: Tipler Caroline , Ruscher Janet B.
Published: May 2014

Dehumanization, the psychological process by which individuals or groups of individuals are denied human qualities or are believed to be less than human, has important negative consequences for intergroup relations: dehumanization reduces intergroup helping and excuses aggression towards members of other groups. Current models of dehumanization are unable to explain the variety of dehumanization that occurs in metaphorical thought. For example, they cannot account for the labeling of comatose individuals as “vegetables,” nor do they adequately distinguish between of humans as predators vs. metaphors of humans as prey. We argue that this results from the paucity of attention devoted to the role of agency in the dehumanization process. The ABC model of dehumanization proposed in this paper broadens the scope of dehumanization theory by describing three unique components of agency: affective, behavioral, and cognitive. This article then delineates how the differential attribution of agency components impacts emotional responses toward out‐groups in addition to the metaphors used to describe them. By incorporating both traditional types of dehumanization (extreme and overt negative evaluations) and ambivalent types of dehumanization (mixed positive and negative evaluations) into our model, we provide a more nuanced view of the dehumanization process that accounts for the variance in dehumanization by analogy.
Effect of phosphorus‐enriched biochar and poultry manure on growth and mineral composition of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. cv.) grown in alkaline soil
Authors: Gunes A. , Inal A. , Taskin M. B. , Sahin O. , Kaya E. C. , Atakol A.
Published: May 2014

The use of pyrolysis products of manures gives positive effects on soil fertility, crop productivity and soil carbon sequestration. However, effects depend on soil characteristics, plant species and the raw material from which the biochar is derived, and some negative effects of biochar have been reported. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of poultry manure (PM)‐derived biochar on the growth, and P, N, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn concentration of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plant. The treatments as follows: control, 20 g/kg poultry manure (PM), 20 g/kg phosphorus‐enriched poultry manure (PM+P), 10 g/kg Biochar (B), 10 g/kg Biochar+P (B+P). Application of biochar and PM significantly increased lettuce growth, and P‐enriched forms of PM and biochar gave the higher growth. PM has no significant effect on the N concentrations but biochar and, P‐enriched PM and biochar treatments significantly increased N concentrations. Phosphorus concentration of the lettuce leaves significantly increased by PM and biochar treatments. Plant K concentrations were also increased by PM and biochar, and their P‐enriched forms. Leaf Ca and Mg concentrations were lower in Biochar and B+P treatments than that of PM and PM+P treatments. Compared to control and PM treatments, biochar applications reduced Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu concentrations of the lettuce plants. The results of this study indicated that application of biochar to alkaline soil is beneficial for crop growth and N, P and K nutrition, but it certainly reduced Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn nutrition of lettuce.
Evaluation of a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for measurements of soluble HLA‐G protein
Authors: Rasmussen M. , Dahl M. , Buus S. , Djurisic S. , Ohlsson J. , Hviid T. V. F.
Published: May 2014

The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class Ib molecule, HLA‐G, has gained increased attention because of its assumed important role in immune regulation. The HLA‐G protein exists in several soluble isoforms. Most important are the actively secreted HLA‐G5 full‐length isoform generated by alternative splicing retaining intron 4 with a premature stop codon, and the cleavage of full‐length membrane‐bound HLA‐G1 from the cell surface, so‐called soluble HLA‐G1 (sHLA‐G1). A specific and sensitive immunoassay for measurements of soluble HLA‐G is mandatory for conceivable routine testing and research projects. We report a novel method, a competitive immunoassay, for measuring HLA‐G5/sHLA‐G1 in biological fluids. The sHLA‐G immunoassay is based upon a competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) principle. It includes a recombinant sHLA‐G1 protein in complex with β2‐microglobulin and a peptide as a standard, biotinylated recombinant sHLA‐G1 as an indicator, and the MEM‐G/9 anti‐HLA‐G monoclonal antibody (mAb) as the capture antibody. The specificity and sensitivity of the assay were evaluated. Testing with different recombinant HLA class I proteins and different anti‐HLA class I mAbs showed that the sHLA‐G immunoassay was highly specific. Optimal combinations of competitor sHLA‐G1 and capture mAb concentrations were determined. Two versions of the assay were tested. One with a relatively wide dynamic range from 3.1 to 100.0 ng/ml, and another more sensitive version ranging from 1.6 to 12.5 ng/ml. An intra‐assay coefficient of variation (CV) of 15.5% at 88 ng/ml and an inter‐assay CV of 23.1% at 39 ng/ml were determined. An assay based on the competitive sHLA‐G ELISA may be important for measurements of sHLA‐G proteins in several conditions: assisted reproduction, organ transplantation, cancer, and certain pregnancy complications, both in research studies and possibly in the future also for clinical routine use.
On Indirect Sense and Reference
Authors: Skiba Lukas
Published: May 2014

According to Frege, expressions shift their reference when they occur in indirect contexts: in “Anna believes that Plato is wise” the expression “Plato” no longer refers to Plato but to what is ordinarily its sense. Many philosophers, including Carnap, Davidson, Burge, Parsons, Kripke and Künne, believe that on Frege's view the iteration of indirect context creating operators gives rise to an infinite hierarchy of senses. While the former two take this to be problematic, the latter four welcome the hierarchy with open arms. In this paper I argue (against the quartet) that the hierarchy should be avoided and (against all of them) that it can be avoided.
The proteolysis adaptor, NblA, initiates protein pigment degradation by interacting with the cyanobacterial light‐harvesting complexes
Authors: Sendersky Eleonora , Kozer Noga , Levi Mali , Garini Yuval , Shav‐Tal Yaron , Schwarz Rakefet
Published: May 2014

Degradation of the cyanobacterial protein pigment complexes, the phycobilisomes, is a central acclimation response that controls light energy capture. The small protein, NblA, is essential for proteolysis of these large complexes, which may reach a molecular mass of up to 4 MDa. Interactions of NblA in vitro supported the suggestion that NblA is a proteolysis adaptor that labels the pigment proteins for degradation. The mode of operation of NblA in situ, however, remained unresolved. Particularly, it was unclear whether NblA interacts with phycobilisome proteins while part of the large complex, or alternatively interaction with NblA, necessitates dissociation of pigment subunits from the assembly. Fluorescence intensity profiles demonstrated the preferential presence of NblA::GFP (green fluorescent protein) at the photosynthetic membranes, indicating co‐localization with phycobilisomes. Furthermore, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy provided in situ evidence for interaction of NblA with phycobilisome protein pigments. Additionally, we demonstrated the role of NblA in vivo as a proteolysis tag based on the rapid degradation of the fusion protein NblA::GFP compared with free GFP. Taken together, these observations demonstrated in vivo the role of NblA as a proteolysis adaptor. Additionally, the interaction of NblA with phycobilisomes indicates that the dissociation of protein pigment subunits from the large complex is not a prerequisite for interaction with this adaptor and, furthermore, implicates NblA in the disassembly of the protein pigment complex. Thus, we suggest that, in the case of proteolysis of the phycobilisome, the adaptor serves a dual function: undermining the complex stability and designating the dissociated pigments for degradation.
The effects of intravenous romifidine on intraocular pressure in clinically normal horses and horses with incidental ophthalmic findings
Authors: Stine Jessica M. , Michau Tammy M. , Williams Megan K. , Kuebelbeck Karen Leann , Stengard Michele E.
Published: May 2014

Design

Original study.

Objective

To evaluate the effect of sedation with romifidine hydrochloride 1% (Sedivet: Boehringer‐Ingelheim) on intraocular pressure (IOP) in the normal horse and horses with incidental ophthalmic findings as measured by applanation tonometry.

Animals

Nineteen clinically normal horses (13 geldings, six mares) and eight horses (three geldings, five mares) with incidental ophthalmic findings were included in this study.

Procedures

All horses underwent complete ophthalmic examination with pharmacologic mydriasis a minimum of 2 weeks prior toIOPevaluation. Baseline intraocular pressure values were obtained following auriculopalpebral nerve block and topical anesthetic. Immediately thereafter, romifidine was administered intravenously (75 µg/kg) and theIOPrecorded at 5, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min postsedation in both eyes. Five successive readings were obtained at each time point, the low and high value discarded, and three remaining readings averaged for a mean.

Results

The changes with time were consistent between eyes andODandOSresults were pooled. The meanIOPat baseline was 26.35 ± 5.57 mmHg. MeanIOPvalues were significantly lower than baseline at 5 (P < 0.0001), 15 (P < 0.0001), 30 (P = 0.0003), 45 (P < 0.0001) and 60 (P = 0.0005) minutes. The largest change from baseline (16.7%) was noted att = 15 min.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Administration of romifidine significantly decreased theIOPfrom baseline at all time points measured. The greatest decline inIOPwas noted at 15 min postsedation. Results are consistent with other studies noting a decline inIOPwith administration of α‐2 agonists.
Scanning laser ophthalmoscopy and optical coherence tomography imaging of spectacular ecdysis in the corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) and the California king snake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae)
Authors: Cazalot Guillaume , Rival Franck , Linsart Adeline , Isard Pierre‐François , Tissier Marion , Peiffer Robert Louis , Dulaurent Thomas
Published: May 2014

Purpose

One of the singularities of the eyes of snakes is the presence of the spectacle, a transparent and vascularized integument covering the cornea. The spectacle is completely renewed during ecdysis. Combined scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (SLO), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and conventional macrophotography were used to image this phenomenon.

Material and Methods

A spectral OCT/SLO examination and macrophotography were performed in four healthy adult corn snakes (Pantherophis guttatus) and one healthy adult California king snake (Lampropeltis getulus californiae) the day before the start of ecdysis and then daily during ecdysis.

Results

In all animals, ecdysis lasted 5 days. The spectacle was hardly visible at baseline, but became obvious at day one, while the subspectacular space became larger and the superficial cornea presented a hyperechoic band. At day two, eye surface became translucent, and at the same time, vascularization of the spectacle was visible using SLO. At day 3, the vascularization was no longer visible, while the subspectacular space increased and the eye surface remained translucent. At day 4, the eye surface was transparent and the superficial hyperechoic band started to become less bright. At day 5, the old spectacle was shed and all the parameters returned to baseline.

Conclusion

We hypothesize that the echogenicity modifications of the anterior cornea correspond to major metabolic activity associated with new spectacle formation. This increased metabolic activity may contribute to the neovascularization and play an important role in the accumulation of fluid in the subspectacular space, facilitating the shedding of the old spectacle.
Ophthalmic diagnostic tests in captive red‐footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonaria) in Salvador, northeast Brazil
Authors: Oriá Arianne P. , Monção Silva Renata M. , Pinna Melissa H. , Oliveira Alberto Vinícius D. , Ferreira Paulo Roberto B. , Martins Filho Emanoel F. , Meneses Iris Daniela S. , Requião Kátia G. , Ofri Ron
Published: May 2014

Purpose

The aim of this study was to establish normal ophthalmic parameters for select diagnostic tests in red‐footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria). A total of 52 animals, approximately 20–30 years old, were studied.

Method

Ophthalmic diagnostic tests included culturing of the normal conjunctival bacterial flora in summer and winter, evaluation of tear production using Schirmer tear test (STT) and endodontic absorbent paper point tear test in two different environmental temperatures (EAPPTT‐1 at 32 °C andEAPPTT‐2 at 18 °C), cytology of conjunctival cells, B‐mode ultrasonography, measurement of palpebral fissure length (PFL), and applanation tonometry (in two different positions).

Results

In both seasons, Gram‐positive bacteria were predominant. Median (±IQR/2)STTwas 12.0 ± 3.5 mm/min,EAPPTT‐1 was 15.9 ± 0.7 mm/15 s, andEAPPTT‐2 was 15.4 ± 0.4 mm/min (OD) and 17.8 ± 1.0 mm/min (OS). Anterior chamber depth was 1.0 ± 0.1 mm, lens axial length was 2.3 ± 0.1 mm, vitreous chamber depth was 4.3 ± 0.2 mm, and axial globe length was 7.7 ± 0.3 mm.PFLwas 11.7 ± 1.7 mm. Intraocular pressure was 11.5 ± 2.8 mmHg for males and 14.0 ± 3.5 mmHg for females (dorsoventral position) and 18.0 ± 3.2 mmHg for males and 24.1 ± 3.0 mmHg for females (ventrodorsal position with inclination of 45°). The ophthalmic parameters reported here can aid in the diagnosis of eye diseases in red‐footed tortoises (Chelonoides carbonaria).
THYROID SCINTIGRAPHY FINDINGS IN 2096 CATS WITH HYPERTHYROIDISM
Authors: Peterson Mark E. , Broome Michael R.
Published: May 2014

Thyroid scintigraphy is currently the reference standard for diagnosing and staging cats with hyperthyroidism, but few studies describing the scintigraphic characteristics in a large number of cats have been reported. The objective of this study was to better characterize thyroid scintigraphy findings by evaluating 2096 consecutive cats with hyperthyroidism that were referred over a 3.5‐year period. Of these cats, 2068 (98.7%) had a high thyroid‐to‐salivary ratio (>1.5), whereas 2014 (96.1%) were found to have a high thyroid‐to‐background ratio (>6.1). When the patterns of the cats’ thyroid disease were recorded, 665 (31.7%) had unilateral disease, 1060 (50.6%) had bilateral‐asymmetric disease (two thyroid lobes unequal in size), 257 (12.3%) had bilateral‐symmetric disease (both lobes similar in size), and 81 (3.9%) had multifocal disease (≥3 areas of increased radionuclide uptake). The number of areas of99mTcO−4uptake in the 2096 cats ranged from 1 to 6 (median, 2), located in the cervical area in 2057 (98.1%), thoracic inlet in 282 (13.5%), and in the thoracic cavity in 115 (5.5%). Ectopic thyroid tissue (e.g. lingual or mediastinal) was diagnosed in 81 (3.9%) cats, whereas thyroid carcinoma was suspected in 35 (1.7%) of the cats. The results of this study support conclusions that most hyperthyroid cats have unilateral or bilateral thyroid nodules, but that multifocal disease will develop in a few cats that have ectopic thyroid disease or thyroid carcinoma. Both ectopic thyroid disease and thyroid carcinoma are relatively uncommon in hyperthyroid cats, with a respective prevalence of ∼4% and ∼2% in this study.
Concept for a Combustion System in Oxyfuel Gas Turbine Combined
Cycles
Authors: Sundkvist Sven Gunnar , Dahlquist Adrian , Janczewski Jacek , Sjödin Mats , Bysveen Marie , Ditaranto Mario , Langørgen Øyvind , Seljeskog Morten , Siljan Martin
Published: May 2014

A promising candidate for CO2 neutral power production is semiclosed oxyfuel combustion combined cycles (SCOC-CC). Two alternative SCOC-CCs have been investigated both with recirculation of the working fluid (WF) (CO2 and H2O) but with different H2O content due to different conditions for condensation of water from the working fluid. The alternative with low moisture content in the recirculated working fluid has shown the highest thermodynamic potential and has been selected for further study. The necessity to use recirculated exhaust gas as the working fluid will make the design of the gas turbine quite different from a conventional gas turbine. For a combined cycle using a steam Rankine cycle as a bottoming cycle, it is vital that the temperature of the exhaust gas from the Brayton cycle is well-suited for steam generation that fits steam turbine live steam conditions. For oxyfuel gas turbines with a combustor outlet temperature of the same magnitude as conventional gas turbines, a much higher pressure ratio is required (close to twice the ratio as for a conventional gas turbine) in order to achieve a turbine outlet temperature suitable for combined cycle. Based on input from the optimized cycle calculations, a conceptual combustion system has been developed, where three different combustor feed streams can be controlled independently: the natural gas fuel, the oxidizer consisting mainly of oxygen plus some impurities, and the recirculated working fluid. This gives more flexibility compared to air-based gas turbines, but also introduces some design challenges. A key issue is how to maintain high combustion efficiency over the entire load range using as little oxidizer as possible and with emissions (NOx, CO, unburnt hydrocarbons (UHC)) within given constraints. Other important challenges are related to combustion stability, heat transfer and cooling, and material integrity, all of which are much affected when going from air-based to oxygen-based gas turbine combustion. Matching with existing air-based burner and combustor designs has been done in order to use as much as possible of what is proven technology today. The selected stabilization concept, heat transfer evaluation, burner, and combustion chamber layout will be described. As a next step, the pilot burner will be tested both at atmospheric and high pressure conditions.
Low thermal budget Hf/Al/Ta ohmic contacts for InAlN/GaN-on-Si HEMTs with enhanced breakdown voltage
Authors: Liu Yi , Singh Sarab Preet , Ngoo Yi Jie , Kyaw Lwin Min , Bera Milan Kumar , Lo Quo Qiang , Chor Eng Fong
Published: May 2014

The authors have studied the electrical characteristics of Hf/Al/Ta ohmic contacts on In0.18Al0.82N/GaN heterostructure grown on Si (111) substrate. With annealing at 600 °C in vacuum (which is ∼200 °C lower than that for traditional Ti/Al/Ni/Au contacts), a minimum ohmic contact resistance of ∼0.58 Ω·mm and specific contact resistivity of ∼6.75 × 10−6 Ω·cm2 are obtained. The minimum contact resistance of Hf/Al/Ta contacts is comparable to that of Ti/Al/Ni/Au contacts. Owing to the lower annealing temperature, Hf/Al/Ta contacts exhibit better surface morphology and edge acuity. More importantly, Hf/Al/Ta contacts show a smooth interface with In0.18Al0.82N/GaN, whereas spike structures that penetrate the In0.18Al0.82N layer are observed for Ti/Al/Ni/Au contacts. As a result, the source–carrier-injection induced breakdown mechanism is reduced in the In0.18Al0.82N/GaN-on-Si high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with Hf/Al/Ta ohmic contacts, thereby leading to an improved three-terminal off-state breakdown voltage by about 100 V (∼53.5% improvement), in comparison to Ti/Al/Ni/Au based HEMTs.
Physiological, Psychometric, and Performance Effects of the Christmas Break in Australian Football
Authors: Buchheit Martin , Morgan Will , Wallace Jarryd , Bode Matthew , Poulos Nick
Published: May 2014

Purpose:

The aim of the current study was to quantify the physiological, psychometric, and performance effects of a 2-wk Christmas break in a professional Australian Football League club.

Methods:

A series of physiological (eg, heart-rate [HR] response to a 5-min submaximal run and skinfold thicknesses), psychometric (rating-of-perceived-exertion [RPE] responses and wellness variables), and performance (running activity during standardized handball games, isometric midthigh pull [IMTP] peak force, and countermovement jump [CMJ]) measures were conducted in the weeks before and after the break.

Results:

There was a possible and small increase in the sum of 7 skinfolds, while body mass and fat-free mass remained possible and likely unchanged, respectively. Sleep and stress scores remained likely to almost certainly unchanged, but there were some small, possible to likely decreases in fatigue and soreness scores. HR and RPE responses to the 5-min submaximal run were likely slightly lower (ie, improved) after the break. High-intensity running and acceleration distance during a standard handball game were very likely slightly greater, while HR and RPE responses to the game were possibly to very likely unchanged. HR responses to a high-intensity training session remained very likely unchanged. There was also a likely small increase in IMTP peak force but likely to very likely no change in CMJ variables.

Conclusions:

The results show that players returned from a 2-wk break during preseason well recovered, with preserved to improved levels of strength and cardiorespiratory fitness, despite small increases in skinfold thickness.
Redefining Racial Residential Segregation and its Association With Physical Activity Among African Americans 50 years and Older: A Mixed Methods Approach
Authors: Armstrong-Brown Janelle , Eng Eugenia , Hammond Wizdom Powell , Zimmer Catherine , Bowling J. Michael
Published: May 2014

Physical inactivity is one of the factors contributing to disproportionate disease rates among older African Americans. Previous literature indicates that older African Americans are more likely to live in racially segregated neighborhoods and that racial residential segregation is associated with limited opportunities for physical activity. A cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted guided by the concept of therapeutic landscapes. Multilevel regression analyses demonstrated that racial residential segregation was associated with more minutes of physical activity and greater odds of meeting physical activity recommendations. Qualitative interviews revealed the following physical activity related themes: aging of the neighborhood, knowing your neighbors, feeling of safety, and neighborhood racial identity. Perceptions of social cohesion enhanced participants’ physical activity, offering a plausible explanation to the higher rates of physical activity found in this population. Understanding how social cohesion operates within racially segregated neighborhoods can help to inform the design of effective interventions for this population.
Escherichia coli
and the French School of Molecular Biology
Authors: Ullmann Agnes
Published: May 2014

André Lwoff, Jacques Monod, and François Jacob, the leaders of the French school of molecular biology, greatly contributed between 1937 and 1965 to its development and triumph. The main discovery of Lwoff was the elucidation of the mechanism of bacteriophage induction, the phenomenon of lysogeny, that led to the model of genetic regulation uncovered later by Jacob and Monod. Working on bacterial growth, Monod discovered in 1941 the phenomenon of diauxy and uncovered the nature of enzyme induction. By combining genetic and biochemical approaches, Monod brought to light the structure and functions of the
Escherichia coli
lactose system, comprising the genes necessary for lactose metabolism, i.e., β-galactosidase and lactose permease, a pump responsible for accumulation of galactosides into the cells. An additional genetic factor (the
i
gene) determines the inducibility and constitutivity of enzyme synthesis. Around the same time, François Jacob and Elie Wollman dissected the main events of bacterial conjugation that enabled them to construct a map of the
E. coli
chromosome and to demonstrate its circularity. The genetic analysis of the lactose system led Monod and Jacob to elucidate the mechanism of the regulation of gene expression and to propose the operon model: a unit of coordinate transcription. One of the new concepts that emerged from the operon model was messenger RNA. In 1963, Monod developed one of the most elegant concepts of molecular biology, the theory of allostery. In 1965, Lwoff, Monod and Jacob were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
The Legacy of 20th Century Phage Research
Authors: Campbell Allan M.
Published: May 2014

The Golden Age of Phage Research, where phage was the favored material for attacking many basic questions in molecular biology, lasted from about 1940 to 1970. The era was initiated by Ellis and Delbrück, whose analysis defined the relevant parameters to measure in studying phage growth, and depended on the fact that the contents of a plaque can comprise descendants of a single infecting particle. It ended around 1970 because definitive methods had then become available for answering the same questions in other systems. Some of the accomplishments of phage research were the demonstration by Hershey and Chase that the genetic material of phage T2 is largely composed of DNA, the construction of linkage maps of T2 and T4 by Hershey and Rotman and their extension to very short molecular distances by Benzer, and the isolation of conditionally lethal mutants in T4 by Epstein et al. and in λ by Campbell. The dissection of the phage life cycle into causal chains was explored by Edgar and Wood for T4 assembly and later in the regulation of lysogeny by Kaiser, extended to the molecular level by Ptashne and others. Restriction/modification was discovered in λ by Bertani and Weigle, and the biochemical mechanism was elucidated by Arber and by Smith.
Fimbriae: Classification and Biochemistry
Authors: Thanassi David G. , Nuccio Sean-Paul , Shu Kin So Stephane , Bäumler Andreas J.
Published: May 2014

Proteinaceous, nonflagellar surface appendages constitute a variety of structures, including those known variably as fimbriae or pili. Constructed by distinct assembly pathways resulting in diverse morphologies, fimbriae have been described to mediate functions including adhesion, motility, and DNA transfer. As these structures can represent major diversifying elements among
Escherichia
and
Salmonella
isolates, multiple fimbrial classification schemes have been proposed and a number of mechanistic insights into fimbrial assembly and function have been made. Herein we describe the classifications and biochemistry of fimbriae assembled by the chaperone/usher, curli, and type IV pathways.