bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization, genetic diversity and distribution of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris races causing black rot disease in cruciferous crops of India
Authors: Singh D. , Rathaur P. S. , Vicente J. G.
Published: January 2016

Black rot, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) is a disease of crucifer crops. The objective of this study was to characterize races of Xcc, their distribution and genetic diversity in India. Two hundred and seventeen isolates of bacteria were obtained from 12 different black rot‐infected crucifer crops from 19 states of India; these were identified as Xcc based on morphology, hrpF gene and 16S rRNA gene based molecular markers and pathogenicity tests. Characterization of races was performed by using a set of seven differential crucifer hosts, comprising two cultivars of turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa) and cultivars of Indian mustard (B. juncea), Ethiopian mustard (B. carinata), rapeseed mustard (B. napus), cauliflower (B. oleracea) and Savoy cabbage (B. oleracea var. sabauda). Races 1, 4 and 6 of Xcc were identified and, among these races, race 1 followed by race 4 dominated most of the states of India. Genetic diversity of the Indian isolates of Xcc was analysed using repetitive sequence‐based PCR (rep‐PCR) including primers for REP (repetitive extragenic palindromic), ERIC (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus) and BOX (amplifying with BOX A1 R primer) repetitive elements. This method of fingerprinting grouped the isolates into 56 different DNA types (clusters) with a 75% similarity coefficient. Among these clusters, DNA types 22 and 53 contained two different races 1 and 4, whereas DNA type 12 contained races 1, 4 and 6. However, no clear relationship was observed between fingerprints and races, hosts or geographical origin.
A novel allele, HLA‐B*15:259, was identified in a Taiwanese individual by sequence‐based typing
Authors: Chang C. L. , Lin C. Y.
Published: January 2016

A one nucleotide replacement in codon 24 of HLA‐B*15:54 results in a novel allele, HLA‐B*15:259.
Prognostic significance of Ki67 evaluated by flow cytometry in dogs with high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Poggi A. , Miniscalco B. , Morello E. , Gattino F. , Delaude A. , Ferrero Poschetto L. , Aresu L. , Gelain M. E. , Martini V. , Comazzi S. , Riondato F.
Published: January 2016

Ki67 can discriminate between high‐ and low‐grade canine lymphomas, but its prognostic role in specific subtypes of the neoplasm is unknown. We assessed the prognostic significance of Ki67% (percentage of Ki67‐positive cells), evaluated by flow cytometry, in 40 dogs with high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma, treated with a modified Wisconsin–Madison protocol (UW‐25). The following variables were investigated for association with lymphoma specific survival (LSS) and relapse free interval (RFI): Ki67%, breed, sex, age, stage, substage, complete remission (CR). By multivariate analysis, Ki67% (P = 0.009) and achievement ofCR(P = 0.001) were independent prognostic factors forLSS. Dogs with intermediate Ki67% (20.1–40%) presented longerLSSandRFI(median = 866 and 428 days, respectively) than dogs with low (median = 42 days,P < 0.001; median = 159 days,P = 0.014) or high (median = 173 days,P = 0.038; median = 100 days,P = 0.126) values. Determination of Ki67 is a prognostic tool that improves the clinical usefulness of flow cytometric analysis in canine high‐grade B‐cell lymphoma.
Evaluation of isolated caprine pancreatic islets cytoarchitecture by laser scanning confocal microscopy and flow cytometry
Authors: Hani Homayoun , Nazariah Allaudin Zeenathul , Mohd‐Lila Mohd‐Azmi , Sarsaifi Kazhal , Tengku‐Ibrahim Tengku‐Azmi , Mazni Othman Abas
Published: January 2016

Background

Pancreatic islets are composed of different hormone‐secreting cell types. A finely balanced combination of endocrine cells in the islets regulates intraportal vein secretions and plasma nutrient levels. Every islet cell type is distinguished by its specific secretory granule pattern and hormone content, endocrine and cell signaling mechanisms, and neuronal interactions. The scarcity of pancreatic islet donors for patients with diabetes has caused a considerable interest in the field of islet xenotransplantation. Previous studies have shown that cell arrangement in the pancreatic islets of ruminants differs from that of other mammals; however, caprine islet cytoarchitecture has not yet been comprehensively described. This investigation aimed to characterize caprine islets in regard to better understanding of caprine islet structure and compare with previously reported species, by conducting a detailed analysis of islet architecture and composition using confocal microscopy and immunofluorescence staining for pancreatic islet hormones.

Methodology

After collection and purification of caprine islets with Euro‐Ficoll density gradients, islets were considered for viability and functionality procedures with DTZ (dithizone) staining and GSIST (glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion test) subsequently. Batches of islet were selected for immunostaining and study through confocal microscopy and flow cytometry.

Results

Histological sections of caprine pancreatic islets showed that α‐cells were segregated at the periphery of β‐cells. In caprine islets, α‐ and δ‐cells remarkably were intermingled with β‐cells in the mantle. Such cytoarchitecture was observed in all examined caprine pancreatic islets and was also reported for the islets of other ruminants. In both small and large caprine islets (< 150 and > 150 μm in diameter, respectively), the majority of β‐cells were positioned at the core and α‐cells were arranged at the mantle, while some single α‐cells were also observed in the islet center. We evaluated the content of β‐, α‐, and δ‐cells by confocal microscopy (n = 35, mean ± SD; 38.01 ± 9.50%, 30.33 ± 10.11%, 2.25 ± 1.10%, respectively) and flow cytometry (n = 9, mean ± SD; 37.52 ± 9.74%, 31.72 ± 4.92%, 2.70 ± 2.81%, respectively). Our findings indicate that the caprine islets are heterogeneous in cell composition. The difference could be attributed to species‐specific interaction between endocrine cells and blood.

Conclusions

Comparative studies of islet architecture may lead to better understanding of islet structure and cell type population arrangement. These results suggest the use of caprine islets as an addition to the supply of islets for diabetes research.
Rotordynamic Analysis of Rotor–Stator Rub Using Rough Surface Contact
Authors: Varney Philip , Green Itzhak
Published: January 2016

Undesirable rotor–stator rub is frequently observed in rotordynamic systems, and has been the subject of many investigations. Most of these studies employ a simple piecewise-smooth linear-elastic contact model (LECM), where the rotor switches between noncontacting and contacting operation once the clearance is exceeded (various complications have been incorporated, though the essential model premises endure). Though useful as a first step, the LECM relies on an arcane contact stiffness estimate, and therefore does not emulate the actual contacting surfaces. Consequentially, the LECM fails to elucidate how real surface parameters influence contact severity and surface durability. This work develops a novel model for rotor–stator rub which is commensurate with reality by treating the surfaces as a collection of stochastically distributed asperities. Specifically, the elastoplastic Jackson–Green (JG) rough surface contact model is used to calculate the quasistatic contact force as a function of rotor displacement, where bulk material deformation and surface cumulative damage are ignored. A simple exponential fit of the contact force is proposed to reduce computational burden associated with evaluating the JG rough surface contact model at each simulation time step. The rotor's response using the LECM and JG rough surface contact model is compared via shaft speed bifurcations and orbit analysis. Significant differences are observed between the models, though some similarities exist for responses with few contacts per rotor revolution.
Modeling and Optimization of Friction and Wear Characteristics of Ti3Al2.5V Alloy Under Dry Sliding Condition
Authors: Dutt Sharma Mukund , Sehgal Rakesh , Pant Mohit
Published: January 2016

Modeling of dry sliding friction and wear behavior of Ti3Al2.5V alloy sliding against EN31 steel using a multi-tribotester has been presented. Mathematical model equations in the form of natural log transformation for wear rate (WR), average coefficient of friction (μa), and a square root transformation for maximum contact temperature (Tm) considering the effect of tribological variables have been developed and validated by comparing them with the experimental results. The authors claim novelty with regard to modeling and optimization of friction and wear characteristics of Ti-3Al2.5V alloy. The results reveal that the magnitude of wear rate and maximum contact temperature increases with increase in sliding velocity and increasing normal load with few exceptions. Whereas average coefficient of friction first increases with increasing sliding velocity up to 2.51 m/s, and then decreases at highest sliding velocity. The load is found to have strongest influence on both wear rate and average coefficient of friction followed by sliding velocity, whereas sliding velocity has strongest influence on the maximum contact temperature followed by load. The perturbation plot results are also in accordance with the analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis. The theoretical and experimental results have an average error of 5.06%, 1.78%, and 1.42%, respectively, for wear rate, average coefficient of friction, and maximum contact temperature. Optimization resulted in a maximum desirability of 0.508 at a load of 60 N and a sliding velocity of 1.5 m/s. For these values, the predicted minimum wear rate is 0.0001144 g/m, the coefficient of friction is 0.3181, and the tool-tip temperature is 59.03 °C.
Characterizing Tight Oil Reservoirs With Dual- and Triple-Porosity Models
Authors: Daniel Obinna Ezulike , Hassan Dehghanpour
Published: January 2016

The response of existing transient triple-porosity models for fractured horizontal wells do not converge to that of linear dual-porosity model (DPM) in the absence of natural/microfractures (MFs). The main reason is the assumption of sequential-depletion from matrix to MF, and from MF to hydraulic-fractures (HFs). This can result in unreasonable estimates of MF and/or HF parameters. Hence, the authors proposed a quadrilinear flow model (QFM) in a previous paper which relaxes this sequential-depletion assumption to allow simultaneous matrix–MF and matrix–HF depletion. Also, it is proved that QFM simplifies to both DPM and linear sequential triple-porosity model (STPM). This work considers the implications of applying QFM, STPM, and DPM type-curves and analysis equations on production data of two fractured horizontal wells completed in the Bakken and Cardium Formations. A comparative study of the reservoir parameters estimated from the application of these models to the same production data reveals two key results. First, the application of DPM on the production data from reservoirs with active MF could result in overestimation of HF half-length. This happens to compensate for the extra fluid depletion pathways provided by MF. Second, the application of STPM on the production data from the reservoirs with active matrix–HF communication could result in overestimation of the MF intensity. Results from this study are significant when selecting the appropriate model for interpreting production data from fractured horizontal wells completed in formations with or without active MF. The DPM is appropriate if analog studies (e.g., outcrop, microseismic and image log analyses) reveal high fracture spacing aspect ratio (negligible MF) in the reservoir. Fracture spacing aspect ratio is MF spacing divided by the HF spacing. The STPM is appropriate if analog studies reveal low spacing aspect ratio (e.g., matrix–HF face damage or high MF intensity within a given HF spacing). QFM is appropriate for all fracture spacing aspect ratios.
An Optimization Framework for Decision Making in Large, Collaborative Energy Supply Systems
Authors: DuPont Bryony , Azam Ridwan , Proper Scott , Cotilla-Sanchez Eduardo , Hoyle Christopher , Piacenza Joseph , Oryshchyn Danylo , Zitney Stephen E. , Bossart Stephen
Published: January 2016

As demand for electricity in the U.S. continues to increase, it is necessary to explore the means through which the modern power supply system can accommodate both increasing affluence (which is accompanied by increased per-capita consumption) and the continually growing global population. Though there has been a great deal of research into the theoretical optimization of large-scale power systems, research into the use of an existing power system as a foundation for this growth has yet to be fully explored. Current successful and robust power generation systems that have significant renewable energy penetration—despite not having been optimized a priori—can be used to inform the advancement of modern power systems to accommodate the increasing demand for electricity. This work explores how an accurate and state-of-the-art computational model of a large, regional energy system can be employed as part of an overarching power systems optimization scheme that looks to inform the decision making process for next generation power supply systems. Research scenarios that explore an introductory multi-objective power flow analysis for a case study involving a regional portion of a large grid will be explored, along with a discussion of future research directions.
Coping with real world data: Artifact reduction and denoising for motion‐compensated cardiac C‐arm CT
Authors: Taubmann Oliver , Maier Andreas , Hornegger Joachim , Lauritsch Günter , Fahrig Rebecca
Published: January 2016

Purpose:

Detailed analysis of cardiac motion would be helpful for supporting clinical workflow in the interventional suite. With an angiographic C‐arm system, multiple heart phases can be reconstructed using electrocardiogram gating. However, the resulting angular undersampling is highly detrimental to the quality of the reconstructed images, especially in nonideal intraprocedural imaging conditions. Motion‐compensated reconstruction has previously been shown to alleviate this problem, but it heavily relies on a preliminary reconstruction suitable for motion estimation. In this work, the authors propose a processing pipeline tailored to augment these initial images for the purpose of motion estimation and assess how it affects the final images after motion compensation.

Methods:

The following combination of simple, direct methods inspired by the core ideas of existing approaches proved beneficial: (a) Streak reduction by masking high‐intensity components in projection domain after filtering. (b) Streak reduction by subtraction of estimated artifact volumes in reconstruction domain. (c) Denoising in spatial domain using a joint bilateral filter guided by an uncompensated reconstruction. (d) Denoising in temporal domain using an adaptive Gaussian smoothing based on a novel motion detection scheme.

Results:

Experiments on a numerical heart phantom yield a reduction of the relative root‐mean‐square error from 89.9% to 3.6% and an increase of correlation with the ground truth from 95.763% to 99.995% for the motion‐compensated reconstruction when the authors' processing is applied to the initial images. In three clinical patient data sets, the signal‐to‐noise ratio measured in an ideally homogeneous region is increased by 37.7% on average. Overall visual appearance is improved notably and some anatomical features are more readily discernible.

Conclusions:

The authors' findings suggest that the proposed sequence of steps provides a clear advantage over an arbitrary sequence of individual image enhancement methods and is fit to overcome the issue of lacking image quality in motion‐compensated C‐arm imaging of the heart. As for future work, the obtained results pave the way for investigating how accurately cardiac functional motion parameters can be determined with this modality.
Implementing digital holograms to create and measure complex-plane optical fields
Authors: Dudley Angela , Majola Nombuso , Chetty Naven , Forbes Andrew
Published: January 2016

The coherent superposition of a Gaussian beam with an optical vortex can be mathematically described to occupy the complex plane. We provide a simple analogy between the mathematics, in the form of the complex plane, and the visual representation of these two superimposed optical fields. We provide detailed instructions as to how one can experimentally produce, measure, and control these fields with the use of digital holograms encoded on a spatial light modulator.
Drift waves and chaos in a LAPTAG plasma physics experiment
Authors: Gekelman Walter , Pribyl Patrick , Birge-Lee Henry , Wise Joe , Katz Cami , Wolman Ben , Baker Bob , Marmie Ken , Patankar Vedang , Bridges Gabriel , Buckley-Bonanno Samuel , Buckley Susan , Ge Andrew , Thomas Sam
Published: January 2016

In a project involving an alliance between universities and high schools, a magnetized plasma column with a steep pressure gradient was established in an experimental device. A two-dimensional probe measured fluctuations in the plasma column in a plane transverse to the background magnetic field. Correlation techniques determined that the fluctuations were that of electrostatic drift waves. The time series data were used to generate the Bandt-Pompe entropy and Jensen-Shannon complexity for the data. These quantities, when plotted against one another, revealed that a combination of drift waves and other background fluctuations were a deterministically chaotic system. Our analysis can be used to tell the difference between deterministic chaos and random noise, making it a potentially useful technique in nonlinear dynamics.
Relationship between tongue positions and formant frequencies in female speakers
Authors: Lee Jimin , Shaiman Susan , Weismer Gary
Published: January 2016

This study examined the relationship (1) between acoustic vowel space and the corresponding tongue kinematic vowel space and (2) between formant frequencies (F1 and F2) and tongue x-y coordinates for the same time sampling point. Thirteen healthy female adults participated in this study. Electromagnetic articulography and synchronized acoustic recordings were utilized to obtain vowel acoustic and tongue kinematic data across ten speech tasks. Intra-speaker analyses showed that for 10 of the 13 speakers the acoustic vowel space was moderately to highly correlated with tongue kinematic vowel space; much weaker correlations were obtained for inter-speaker analyses. Correlations of individual formants with tongue positions showed that F1 varied strongly with tongue position variations in the y dimension, whereas F2 was correlated in equal magnitude with variations in the x and y positions. For within-speaker analyses, the size of the acoustic vowel space is likely to provide a reasonable inference of size of the tongue working space for most speakers; unfortunately there is no a priori, obvious way to identify the speakers for whom the covariation is not significant. A second conclusion is that F1 variations reflect tongue height, but F2 is a much more complex reflection of tongue variation in both dimensions.
Pitch and spectral resolution: A systematic comparison of bottom-up cues for top-down repair of degraded speech
Authors: Clarke Jeanne , Başkent Deniz , Gaudrain Etienne
Published: January 2016

The brain is capable of restoring missing parts of speech, a top-down repair mechanism that enhances speech understanding in noisy environments. This enhancement can be quantified using the phonemic restoration paradigm, i.e., the improvement in intelligibility when silent interruptions of interrupted speech are filled with noise. Benefit from top-down repair of speech differs between cochlear implant (CI) users and normal-hearing (NH) listeners. This difference could be due to poorer spectral resolution and/or weaker pitch cues inherent to CI transmitted speech. In CIs, those two degradations cannot be teased apart because spectral degradation leads to weaker pitch representation. A vocoding method was developed to evaluate independently the roles of pitch and spectral resolution for restoration in NH individuals. Sentences were resynthesized with different spectral resolutions and with either retaining the original pitch cues or discarding them all. The addition of pitch significantly improved restoration only at six-bands spectral resolution. However, overall intelligibility of interrupted speech was improved both with the addition of pitch and with the increase in spectral resolution. This improvement may be due to better discrimination of speech segments from the filler noise, better grouping of speech segments together, and/or better bottom-up cues available in the speech segments.
Biden seeks clear course for his cancer moonshot
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn , Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: January 2016

Researchers have plenty of ideas for the vice president's bid to boost collaboration and improve treatments.
Mutually beneficial pollinator diversity and crop yield outcomes in small and large farms
Authors: Garibaldi Lucas A. , Carvalheiro Luísa G. , Vaissière Bernard E. , Gemmill-Herren Barbara , Hipólito Juliana , Freitas Breno M. , Ngo Hien T. , Azzu Nadine , Sáez Agustín , Åström Jens , An Jiandong , Blochtein Betina , Buchori Damayanti , García Fermín J. Chamorro , Oliveira da Silva Fabiana , Devkota Kedar , Ribeiro Márcia de Fátima , Freitas Leandro , Gaglianone Maria C. , Goss Maria , Irshad Mohammad , Kasina Muo , Filho Alípio J.S. Pacheco , Kiill Lucia H. Piedade , Kwapong Peter , Parra Guiomar Nates , Pires Carmen , Pires Viviane , Rawal Ranbeer S. , Rizali Akhmad , Saraiva Antonio M. , Veldtman Ruan , Viana Blandina F. , Witter Sidia , Zhang Hong
Published: January 2016

More-diverse pollinators improve crop yields

It is known that increased pollinator diversity can improve the yield of agricultural crops. However, how best to both produce food and maintain diversity is still debated. Garibaldi
et al.
show that on small farms, which provide food for the most vulnerable populations globally, pollinator diversity can significantly increase productivity. Thus, the management of crops and surrounding areas for ecological health is likely to benefit both wild pollinator populations and farmers.

Science
, this issue p.
388
Direct observation of triplet energy transfer from semiconductor nanocrystals
Authors: Mongin Cédric , Garakyaraghi Sofia , Razgoniaeva Natalia , Zamkov Mikhail , Castellano Felix N.
Published: January 2016

A different way to put triplets in play

Most molecules adopt a singlet spin configuration: All their electrons are arranged in pairs. Unpaired triplet states engage in a variety of useful reactions but are hard to produce. Quantum mechanics dictates that photo-excitation from singlet to triplet states is inefficient. Instead, chemists rely on sensitizers, which populate the triplet states of their neighbors through energy transfer after absorbing light themselves. Mongin
et al.
now show that certain nanoparticles can act as triplet sensitizers.

Science
, this issue p.
369
Editing policy to fit the genome?
Authors: Isasi R. , Kleiderman E. , Knoppers B. M.
Published: January 2016

Framing genome editing policy requires setting thresholds of acceptability
Knowledge capital, growth, and the East Asian miracle
Authors: Hanushek Eric A. , Woessmann Ludger
Published: January 2016

Access to schools achieves only so much if quality is poor
Interlacing molecular threads
Authors: Gutierrez-Puebla Enrique
Published: January 2016

Materials with a fabric-like microstructure are highly elastic

[Also see Report by

Liu
et al.

]
The do-it-all nitrifier
Authors: Santoro Alyson E.
Published: January 2016

The discovery of bacteria that can oxidize both ammonia and nitrite upends a long-held dogma
Plasmonics—turning loss into gain
Authors: Ndukaife Justus C. , Shalaev Vladimir M. , Boltasseva Alexandra
Published: January 2016

The optical losses usually associated with plasmonic materials could be used in applications
Oligodendrocytes follow blood vessel trails in the brain
Authors: Dejana Elisabetta , Betsholtz Christer
Published: January 2016

Brain microvasculature is a scaffold for neuroglial migration

[Also see Report by

Tsai
et al.

]
The P1N-PISPO
trans
-Frame Gene of Sweet Potato Feathery Mottle Potyvirus Is Produced during Virus Infection and Functions as an RNA Silencing Suppressor
Authors: Mingot Ares , Valli Adrián , Rodamilans Bernardo , San León David , Baulcombe David C. , García Juan Antonio , López-Moya Juan José
Published: January 2016

The positive-sense RNA genome of
Sweet potato feathery mottle virus
(SPFMV) (genus
Potyvirus
, family
Potyviridae
) contains a large open reading frame (ORF) of 3,494 codons translatable as a polyprotein and two embedded shorter ORFs in the −1 frame: PISPO, of 230 codons, and PIPO, of 66 codons, located in the P1 and P3 regions, respectively. PISPO is specific to some sweet potato-infecting potyviruses, while PIPO is present in all potyvirids. In SPFMV these two extra ORFs are preceded by conserved G
2
A
6
motifs. We have shown recently that a polymerase slippage mechanism at these sites could produce transcripts bringing these ORFs in frame with the upstream polyprotein, thus leading to P1N-PISPO and P3N-PIPO products (B. Rodamilans, A. Valli, A. Mingot, D. San Leon, D. B. Baulcombe, J. J. Lopez-Moya, and J.A. Garcia, J Virol 89:6965–6967, 2015, doi:10.1128/JVI.00337-15). Here, we demonstrate by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry that both P1 and P1N-PISPO are produced during viral infection and coexist in SPFMV-infected
Ipomoea batatas
plants. Interestingly, transient expression of SPFMV gene products coagroinfiltrated with a reporter gene in
Nicotiana benthamiana
revealed that P1N-PISPO acts as an RNA silencing suppressor, a role normally associated with HCPro in other potyviruses. Moreover, mutation of WG/GW motifs present in P1N-PISPO abolished its silencing suppression activity, suggesting that the function might require interaction with Argonaute components of the silencing machinery, as was shown for other viral suppressors. Altogether, our results reveal a further layer of complexity of the RNA silencing suppression activity within the
Potyviridae
family.

IMPORTANCE
Gene products of potyviruses include P1, HCPro, P3, 6K1, CI, 6K2, VPg/NIaPro, NIb, and CP, all derived from the proteolytic processing of a large polyprotein, and an additional P3N-PIPO product, with the PIPO segment encoded in a different frame within the P3 cistron. In sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), another out-of-frame element (PISPO) was predicted within the P1 region. We have shown recently that a polymerase slippage mechanism can generate the transcript variants with extra nucleotides that could be translated into P1N-PISPO and P3N-PIPO. Now, we demonstrate by mass spectrometry analysis that P1N-PISPO is indeed produced in SPFMV-infected plants, in addition to P1. Interestingly, while in other potyviruses the suppressor of RNA silencing is HCPro, we show here that P1N-PISPO exhibited this activity in SPFMV, revealing how the complexity of the gene content could contribute to supply this essential function in members of the
Potyviridae
family.
C-Terminal DxD-Containing Sequences within Paramyxovirus Nucleocapsid Proteins Determine Matrix Protein Compatibility and Can Direct Foreign Proteins into Budding Particles
Authors: Ray Greeshma , Schmitt Phuong Tieu , Schmitt Anthony P.
Published: January 2016

Paramyxovirus particles are formed by a budding process coordinated by viral matrix (M) proteins. M proteins coalesce at sites underlying infected cell membranes and induce other viral components, including viral glycoproteins and viral ribonucleoprotein complexes (vRNPs), to assemble at these locations from which particles bud. M proteins interact with the nucleocapsid (NP or N) components of vRNPs, and these interactions enable production of infectious, genome-containing virions. For the paramyxoviruses parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) and mumps virus, M-NP interaction also contributes to efficient production of virus-like particles (VLPs) in transfected cells. A DLD sequence near the C-terminal end of PIV5 NP protein was previously found to be necessary for M-NP interaction and efficient VLP production. Here, we demonstrate that 15-residue-long, DLD-containing sequences derived from either the PIV5 or Nipah virus nucleocapsid protein C-terminal ends are sufficient to direct packaging of a foreign protein,
Renilla
luciferase, into budding VLPs. Mumps virus NP protein harbors DWD in place of the DLD sequence found in PIV5 NP protein, and consequently, PIV5 NP protein is incompatible with mumps virus M protein. A single amino acid change converting DLD to DWD within PIV5 NP protein induced compatibility between these proteins and allowed efficient production of mumps VLPs. Our data suggest a model in which paramyxoviruses share an overall common strategy for directing M-NP interactions but with important variations contained within DLD-like sequences that play key roles in defining M/NP protein compatibilities.

IMPORTANCE
Paramyxoviruses are responsible for a wide range of diseases that affect both humans and animals. Paramyxovirus pathogens include measles virus, mumps virus, human respiratory syncytial virus, and the zoonotic paramyxoviruses Nipah virus and Hendra virus. Infectivity of paramyxovirus particles depends on matrix-nucleocapsid protein interactions which enable efficient packaging of encapsidated viral RNA genomes into budding virions. In this study, we have defined regions near the C-terminal ends of paramyxovirus nucleocapsid proteins that are important for matrix protein interaction and that are sufficient to direct a foreign protein into budding particles. These results advance our basic understanding of paramyxovirus genome packaging interactions and also have implications for the potential use of virus-like particles as protein delivery tools.
Autonomic Responses to Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis of the Patellar Tendon in Healthy Male Footballers
Authors: de la Cruz Torres Blanca , Albornoz Cabello Manuel , García Bermejo Paula , Naranjo Orellana José
Published: January 2016

Background

Ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) is a novel minimally invasive approach, which involves the application of a galvanic current via an acupuncture needle. As in any procedure involving needling, vagal reactions have been reported during PNE.

Objective

To examine for changes in autonomic activity during the US-guided PNE technique on healthy patellar tendons by measurement and analysis of heart rate variability (HRV).

Methods

Twenty-two male footballers were randomly allocated to: a control group (11 players), for whom HRV was recorded for 10 min, both at rest and during an exhaustive US examination of the patellar tendon and adjacent structures; and an experimental group (11 players), for whom HRV was recorded for 10 min, both at rest and during application of US-guided PNE on the patellar tendon. The following HRV parameters were assessed: mean NN interval, mean heart rate, time domain parameters (SDNN, rMSSD, pNN50), diameters of the Poincaré plot (SD1, SD2), stress score, and sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio.

Results

There were no differences between groups in any baseline measurements, nor were there any significant differences between control group measurements (baseline vs intervention). The experimental group exhibited statistically significant increases in SDNN/SD1 (p=0.02/p=0.03) and SD2 (p=0.03), indicating increased parasympathetic and decreased sympathetic activity, respectively.

Conclusions

US-guided PNE was associated with an autonomic imbalance characterised by greater parasympathetic activity, which could potentially result in a vasovagal reaction. Care should be taken to monitor for adverse reactions during US-guided PNE and simple HRV indicators may have a role in early detection.
Comparing sutures versus staples for skin closure after orthopaedic surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Krishnan Rohin , MacNeil S Danielle , Malvankar-Mehta Monali S
Published: January 2016

Objective

To determine whether there still remains a significant advantage in the use of sutures to staples for orthopaedic skin closure in adult patients.

Design

Systematic Review/ Meta-Analysis.

Data sources

MEDLINE-OVID, EMBASE-OVID, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. Grey and unpublished literature was also explored by searching: International Clinical Trial Registry, Grey Matters BIOSIS Previews, Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, ClinicalTrials.gov, UK Clinical Trials Gateway, UK Clinical Research Network Study Portfolio, Open Grey, Grey Literature Report, and Web of Science.

Selection criteria

Articles were from any country, written in English and published after 1950. We included all randomised control trials and observational studies comparing adults (≥18 years) undergoing orthopaedic surgery who either received staples or sutures for skin closure. The primary outcome was the incidence of surgical site infection. Secondary outcomes included closure time, inflammation, length of stay, pain, abscess formation, necrosis, discharge, wound dehiscence, allergic reaction and health-related quality of life.

Results

13 studies were included in our cumulative meta-analysis conducted using Review Manager V.5.0. The risk ratio was computed as a measure of the treatment effect taking into account heterogeneity. Random-effect models were applied. There was no significant difference in infection comparing sutures to staples. The cumulative relative risk was 1.06 (0.46 to 2.44). In addition, there was no difference in infection comparing sutures to staples in hip and knee surgery, respectively. Lastly, except for closure time, there was no significant difference in secondary outcomes comparing sutures to staples.

Conclusions

Except for closure time, there was no significant difference in superficial infection and secondary outcomes comparing sutures to staples was found. Given that there may in fact be no difference in effect between the two skin closure and the methodological limitations of included studies, authors should begin to consider the economic and logistic implications of using staples or sutures for skin closure.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42015017481.
Referral patterns after a seizure admission in an English region: an opportunity for effective intervention? An observational study of routine hospital data
Authors: Grainger Ruth , Pearson Michael , Dixon Peter , Devonport Elizabeth , Timoney Michelle , Bodger Keith , Kirkham Jamie , Marson Anthony
Published: January 2016

Objectives

To identify emergency seizure admissions to hospital and their subsequent access to specialist outpatient services.

Design

Algorithmic analysis of anonymised routine hospital data over 7 years using specialist follow-up by 3 months as the target outcome.

Population

All adults resident in Merseyside and Cheshire, England.

Main Outcomes

Whether, and when, access to the specialist advice that might prevent further admissions was offered.

Results

1.4% of all emergency medical admissions are as a result of seizure. In the following 12 months 35% were readmitted and experienced a mean of 2.3 emergency department visits. Only 27% (48% of those already known to specialists and 13% of those not known) were offered appointments. Subsequent attendance at a specialist clinic is more likely if already known to a clinic, if aged <35 years, if female, or required a longer spell in hospital. Extrapolation from other work suggests 100 000 bed days per annum could be saved.

Conclusions

Most seizure admissions are not being referred for the help that could prevent future admissions. The majority of those that are referred are not seen within an appropriate time frame. Our service structures are not providing an optimum service for people with epilepsy.
Lay health supporters aided by a mobile phone messaging system to improve care of villagers with schizophrenia in Liuyang, China: protocol for a randomised control trial
Authors: Xu Dong (Roman) , Gong Wenjie , Caine Eric D , Xiao Shuiyuan , Hughes James P , Ng Marie , Simoni Jane , He Hua , Smith Kirk L , Brown Henry Shelton , Gloyd Stephen
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic and disabling mental illness. Non-adherence to medication and relapse may lead to poorer patient function. This randomised controlled study, under the acronym LEAN (Lay health supporter, e-platform, award, and iNtegration), is designed to improve medication adherence and high relapse among people with schizophrenia in resource poor settings.

Methods/analysis

The community-based LEAN has four parts: (1)Lay health supporters (LHSs), mostly family members who will help supervise patient medication, monitor relapse and side effects, and facilitate access to care, (2) anE-platform to support two-way mobile text and voice messaging to remind patients to take medication; and alert LHSs when patients are non-adherent, (3) anAward system to motivate patients and strengthen LHS support, and (4) iNtegration of the efforts of patients and LHSs with those of village doctors, township mental health administrators and psychiatrists via the e-platform. A random sample of 258 villagers with schizophrenia will be drawn from the schizophrenic ‘686’ Program registry for the 9 Xiang dialect towns of the Liuyang municipality in China. The sample will be further randomised into a control group and a treatment group of equal sizes, and each group will be followed for 6 months after launch of the intervention. The primary outcome will be medication adherence as measured by pill counts and supplemented by pharmacy records. Other outcomes include symptoms and level of function. Outcomes will be assessed primarily when patients present for medication refill visits scheduled every 2 months over the 6-month follow-up period. Data from the study will be analysed using analysis of covariance for the programme effect and an intent-to-treat approach.

Ethics and dissemination

University of Washington: 49464 G; Central South University: CTXY-150002-6. Results will be published in peer-reviewed journals with deidentified data made available on FigShare.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR-ICR-15006053; Pre-results.
Adolescents with disability report higher rates of injury but lower rates of receiving care: findings from a national school-based survey in New Zealand
Authors: Peiris-John Roshini , Ameratunga Shanthi , Lee Arier , Al-Ani Haya , Fleming Theresa , Clark Terryann
Published: January 2016

Objective

This study investigates the associations between living with a disabling condition and experiencing clinically attended injuries, risk behaviours and difficulties accessing healthcare for injury among adolescents attending secondary (high) schools in New Zealand.

Methods

A nationally representative cross-sectional self-report survey conducted in 2012 captured health and well-being data from 8500 secondary school students using a multimedia computer-assisted interview. Respondents reporting a disability or a long-term condition with functional limitations were defined as adolescents with a disabling condition (index group of interest). The association between experience of disability (or not) and injuries, related risk factors and access to healthcare was investigated using logistic regression models.

Results

One in six students (n=1268, 14.9%) reported a disabling condition. Compared with their peers, these students had significantly increased odds of needing treatment in the previous 12 months for an injury related to an RTC (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.11 to 2.10), fall (OR 1.30; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.57), near drowning (OR 2.50; 95% CI 1.40 to 4.48), assault (OR 2.13; 95% CI 1.50 to 3.02) and self-harm (OR 4.25; 95% CI 3.03 to 5.96). Students with disabilities were also at increased odds of reporting they had problems accessing healthcare for injury (OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.27 to 1.81). Adolescents with disability were more likely than their peers to have been a passenger in a vehicle where the driver was under the influence of drugs (OR 1.29; 95% CI 1.03 to 1.62) or was driving dangerously (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.62).

Conclusions

Acknowledging the likely underestimation of effects in a mainstream school survey, adolescents with disability face elevated odds of injury and yet have poorer access to healthcare. Environmental and systemic causes of these disparities require greater attention with implementation of effective interventions.
Independent at heart: persistent association of altitude with ischaemic heart disease mortality after consideration of climate, topography and built environment
Authors: Faeh David , Moser André , Panczak Radoslaw , Bopp Matthias , Röösli Martin , Spoerri Adrian ,   for the Swiss National Cohort Study Group
Published: January 2016

Background

Living at higher altitude was dose-dependently associated with lower risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD). Higher altitudes have different climatic, topographic and built environment properties than lowland regions. It is unclear whether these environmental factors mediate/confound the association between altitude and IHD. We examined how much of the altitude-IHD association is explained by variations in exposure at place of residence to sunshine, temperature, precipitation, aspect, slope and distance to main road.

Methods

We included 4.2 million individuals aged 40–84 at baseline living in Switzerland at altitudes 195–2971 m above sea level (ie, full range of residence), providing 77 127 IHD deaths. Mortality data 2000–2008, sociodemographic/economic information and coordinates of residence were obtained from the Swiss National Cohort, a longitudinal, census-based record linkage study. Environment information was modelled to residence level using Weibull regression models.

Results

In the model not adjusted for other environmental factors, IHD mortality linearly decreased with increasing altitude resulting in a lower risk (HR, 95% CI 0.67, 0.60 to 0.74) for those living >1500 m (vs<600 m). This association remained after adjustment for all other environmental factors 0.74 (0.66 to 0.82).

Conclusions

The benefit of living at higher altitude was only partially confounded by variations in climate, topography and built environment. Rather, physical environment factors appear to have an independent effect and may impact on cardiovascular health in a cumulative way. Inclusion of additional modifiable factors as well as individual information on traditional IHD risk factors in our combined environmental model could help to identify strategies for the reduction of inequalities in IHD mortality.
Spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas
Authors: Brinjikji Waleed , Yin Rong , Nasr Deena M , Lanzino Giuseppe
Published: January 2016

Spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas (SEDAVFs) are rare complex lesions often presenting with protean clinical manifestations secondary to compressive symptoms or congestive myelopathy. The imaging manifestations of SEDAVFs on MR angiography/MRI include high T2 signal in the spinal cord, vascular engorgement of the epidural space, and prominent intradural vascular flow voids. Given the complexity of these lesions, they are best characterized anatomically on catheter angiography where careful inspection of arterial feeders and venous drainage patterns can be performed. The imaging hallmark of an SEDAVF on angiography is the presence of a dilated epidural venous pouch through which spinal and paraspinal veins are secondarily opacified. In the lower thoracic and lumbar spine, SEDAVFs are usually located in the ventral epidural space and fed mainly by the anteriorly coursing epidural arteries. In the cervical and upper thoracic spine, SEDAVFs and their feeding arteries are more typically located laterally in the spinal canal. Current treatment options include transarterial or transvenous endovascular embolization with liquid embolic agents or coils, and surgical resection/disconnection of the fistula. Further research is needed to better characterize how and why these lesions form and to identify the best treatment modalities.
Moving up in industry
Authors: Covell Charlotte
Published: January 2016

Charlotte Covell is commercial business manager at Virbac UK, a role that gives her responsibility for the company's sales to corporate practices, some buying groups and internet pharmacies. She began her career as a veterinary nurse, but moved into industry and now has a role in senior business management
Quantum-thermal self-diffusion as a hydrodynamic mechanism for the fluctuations’ relaxation
Authors: Golubjeva Olga , Sidorov Sergey
Published: January 2016

We propose a generalization of quantum mechanical equations in the hydrodynamic form by introducing, into the Lagrangian density, terms taking into account the diffusion velocity at zero and finite temperatures and the diffusion pressure energy of the warm vacuum. Based on this, for the model of one-dimensional hydrodynamics, we construct a system of equations that are analogous to the Euler equations, but with the inclusion of quantum and thermal effects. They are a generalization of the equations of the Nelson stochastic mechanics. The numerical analysis of the system’s solutions’ behavior determined that this system can be used to describe the process of quantum-thermal fluctuation relaxation.
Electronic structure and elastic properties of AgZn under pressure from first-principles calculations
Authors: Çiftci Yasemin Ö.
Published: January 2016

In this study, the structural, elastic, electronic, and bonding nature of AgZn in B2 structure under pressure have been investigated by performing first principles calculations using density functional theory. The exchange-correlation potentials were treated within the generalized gradient approximation. The calculated quantities agree well with the available results. The electronic properties, such as band structure and density of states reveal that AgZn is metallic in nature with a large overlap at the Fermi level. The single-crystal elastic stiffness constants of AgZn are investigated using the stress–strain method. Present results for elastic constants show that AgZn is mechanically stable. The chemical bonding is interpreted by calculating the density of states and electron density distribution analysis. AgZn has ionic bonding characteristic.
Source of the Kerr-Newman solution as a gravitating bag model: 50 years of the problem of the source of the Kerr solution
Authors: Burinskii Alexander
Published: January 2016

It is known that gravitational and electromagnetic fields of an electron are described by the ultra-extreme Kerr-Newman (KN) black hole solution with extremely high spin/mass ratio. This solution is singular and has a topological defect, the Kerr singular ring, which may be regularized by introducing the solitonic source based on the Higgs mechanism of symmetry breaking. The source represents a domain wall bubble interpolating between the flat region inside the bubble and external KN solution. It was shown recently that the source represents a supersymmetric bag model, and its structure is unambiguously determined by Bogomolnyi equations. The Dirac equation is embedded inside the bag consistently with twistor structure of the Kerr geometry, and acquires the mass from the Yukawa coupling with Higgs field. The KN bag turns out to be flexible, and for parameters of an electron, it takes the form of very thin disk with a circular string placed along sharp boundary of the disk. Excitation of this string by a traveling wave creates a circulating singular pole, indicating that the bag-like source of KN solution unifies the dressed and point-like electron in a single bag-string-quark system.
Integrable multidimensional gravitational and cosmological models and applications
Authors: Ivashchuk V. D. , Melnikov V. N.
Published: January 2016

Two families of exact solutions in multidimensional gravity with scalar fields and fields of forms are considered: fluxbrane and black brane ones. A brief overview of main results on billiard approach for cosmological-type models with branes is also presented.