bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foliar Substrate Affects Cuticular Hydrocarbon Profiles and Intraspecific Aggression in the Leafcutter Ant Atta sexdens
Authors: Valadares Lohan , Nascimento Daniela , Nascimento Fabio
Published: February 2015

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are traditionally considered to be one of the most important chemical cues used in the nestmate recognition process of social hymenopterans. However, it has been suggested that in the leafcutter ant genus Atta, it is not the CHCs, but the alarm pheromone that is involved in the nestmate recognition process. In this study we used a laboratory population of Atta sexdens to explore the association between their CHC profile variation and intraspecific aggression. In the first part of the experiment, four colonies were divided into two groups with distinct diets to stimulate differentiation of their CHC profiles. In the second part of the experiment, all colonies received the same diet to examine resemblance of chemical profiles. At the end of each part of the experiment we extracted the CHCs from workers. The results demonstrated that colonies that shared the same food resource had similar cuticular hydrocarbon profiles. Furthermore, colonies were significantly more aggressive towards conspecifics that used a different foliar substrate and consequently had greater differences in their cuticular chemical composition. This study suggests that the CHC profiles of A. sexdens can be affected by the foliar substrates used, and that the CHCs are used in the nestmate recognition process of this species.
Association of OCT-Derived Drusen Measurements with AMD-Associated Genotypic SNPs in the Amish Population
Authors: Chavali Venkata , Diniz Bruno , Huang Jiayan , Ying Gui-Shuang , Sadda SriniVas , Stambolian Dwight
Published: February 2015

Purpose: To investigate the association of optical coherence tomography (OCT)-derived drusen measures in Amish age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients with known loci for macular degeneration. Methods: Members of the Old Order Amish community in Pennsylvania ages 50 and older were assessed for drusen area, volume and regions of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy using a Cirrus High-Definition OCT. Measurements were obtained in the macula region within a central circle (CC) of 3 mm in diameter and a surrounding perifoveal ring (PR) of 3 to 5 mm in diameter using the Cirrus OCT RPE analysis software. Other demographic information, including age, gender and smoking status, were collected. Study subjects were further genotyped to determine their risk for the AMD-associated SNPs in the SYN3, LIPC, ARMS2, C3, CFB, CETP, CFI and CFH genes using TaqMan genotyping assays. The association of genotypes with OCT measures were assessed using linear trend p-values calculated from univariate and multivariate generalized linear models. Results: 432 eyes were included in the analysis. Multivariate analysis (adjusted by age, gender and smoking status) confirmed the known significant association between AMD and macular drusen with the number of CFH risk alleles for the drusen area (the area increased 0.12 mm2 for a risk allele increase, p < 0.01), drusen volume (the volume increased 0.01 mm3 for a risk allele increase, p ≤ 0.05) and the area of RPE atrophy (the area increased 0.43 mm2 for a risk allele increase, p = 0.003). SYN3 risk allele G is significantly associated with larger area PR (the area increased 0.09 mm2 for a risk allele increase, p = 0.03) and larger drusen volume in the central circle (the volume increased 0.01 mm3 for a risk allele increase, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Among the genotyped SNPs tested, the CFH risk genotype appears to play a major role in determining the drusen phenotype in the Amish AMD population.
Potential Role of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSCs) for Cell-Based Therapy of the Ocular Surface
Authors: Casaroli-Marano Ricardo , Nieto-Nicolau Núria , Martínez-Conesa Eva , Edel Michael , B.Álvarez-Palomo Ana
Published: February 2015

The integrity and normal function of the corneal epithelium are crucial for maintaining the cornea’s transparency and vision. The existence of a cell population with progenitor characteristics in the limbus maintains a dynamic of constant epithelial repair and renewal. Currently, cell-based therapies for bio replacement—cultured limbal epithelial transplantation (CLET) and cultured oral mucosal epithelial transplantation (COMET)—present very encouraging clinical results for treating limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) and restoring vision. Another emerging therapeutic approach consists of obtaining and implementing human progenitor cells of different origins in association with tissue engineering methods. The development of cell-based therapies using stem cells, such as human adult mesenchymal or induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs), represent a significant breakthrough in the treatment of certain eye diseases, offering a more rational, less invasive, and better physiological treatment option in regenerative medicine for the ocular surface. This review will focus on the main concepts of cell-based therapies for the ocular surface and the future use of IPSCs to treat LSCD.
Conformational Analysis of the Oligosaccharides Related to Side Chains of Holothurian Fucosylated Chondroitin Sulfates
Authors: Gerbst Alexey , Dmitrenok Andrey , Ustyuzhanina Nadezhda , Nifantiev Nikolay
Published: February 2015

Anionic polysaccharides fucosylated chondroitin sulfates (FCS) from holothurian species were shown to affect various biological processes, such as metastasis, angiogenesis, clot formation, thrombosis, inflammation, and some others. To understand the mechanism of FCSs action, knowledge about their spatial arrangement is required. We have started the systematic synthesis, conformational analysis, and study of biological activity of the oligosaccharides related to various fragments of these types of natural polysaccharides. In this communication, five molecules representing distinct structural fragments of chondroitin sulfate have been studied by means of molecular modeling and NMR. These are three disaccharides and two trisaccharides containing fucose and glucuronic acid residues with one sulfate group per each fucose residue or without it. Long-range C–H coupling constants were used for the verification of the theoretical models. The presence of two conformers for both linkage types was revealed. For the Fuc–GlA linkage, the dominant conformer was the same as described previously in a literature as the molecular dynamics (MD) average in a dodechasaccharide FCS fragment representing the backbone chain of the polysaccharide including GalNAc residues. This shows that the studied oligosaccharides, in addition to larger ones, may be considered as reliable models for Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) studies to reveal pharmacophore fragments of FCS.
Structural Analysis of Metabolites of Asiatic Acid and Its Analogue Madecassic Acid in Zebrafish Using LC/IT-MSn
Authors: Xia Binbin , Bai Lu , Li Xiaorong , Xiong Jie , Xu Pinxiang , Xue Ming
Published: February 2015

Although zebrafish has become a significant animal model for drug discovery and screening, drug metabolism in zebrafish remains largely unknown. Asiatic acid (AA) and madecassic acid (MA), two natural pentacyclic triterpenoids mainly obtained from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, have been found to possess many pharmacological effects. This study is to probe the metabolic capability of zebrafish via investigation of the drug metabolism of AA and MA in zebrafish, using a sensitive LC/IT-MSn method. In addition, the main fragmentation pathways of AA and MA were reported for the first time. Nineteen metabolites of AA and MA were firstly identified after zebrafish was exposed to the drug, which all were the phase I metabolites and mainly formed from hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, hydroxylation and dehydrogenation, dihydroxylation and dehydrogenation, and dehydroxylation reaction. The results indicated that zebrafish possessed strong metabolic capacity, and the metabolites of AA and MA were formed via similar metabolic pathways and well matched with the known metabolic rules in vivo and in vitro, which supports the widely use of this system in drug metabolism research. This investigation would also contribute to the novel information on the structural elucidation, in vivo metabolites and metabolic mechanism of pentacyclic triterpenoids.
Inhibitors of the AAA+ Chaperone p97
Authors: Chapman Eli , Maksim Nick , De la Cruz Fabian , La Clair James
Published: February 2015

It is remarkable that a pathway as ubiquitous as protein quality control can be targeted to treat cancer. Bortezomib, an inhibitor of the proteasome, was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) more than 10 years ago to treat refractory myeloma and later extended to lymphoma. Its use has increased the survival rate of myeloma patients by as much as three years. This success was followed with the recent accelerated approval of the natural product derived proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib (Kyprolis®), which is used to treat patients with bortezomib-resistant multiple myeloma. The success of these two drugs has validated protein quality control as a viable target to fight select cancers, but begs the question why are proteasome inhibitors limited to lymphoma and myeloma? More recently, these limitations have encouraged the search for additional targets within the protein quality control system that might offer heightened cancer cell specificity, enhanced clinical utility, a lower rate of resistance, reduced toxicity, and mitigated side effects. One promising target is p97, an ATPase associated with various cellular activities (AAA+) chaperone. p97 figures prominently in protein quality control as well as serving a variety of other cellular functions associated with cancer. More than a decade ago, it was determined that up-regulation of p97 in many forms of cancer correlates with a poor clinical outcome. Since these initial discoveries, a mechanistic explanation for this observation has been partially illuminated, but details are lacking. Understandably, given this clinical correlation, myriad roles within the cell, and its importance in protein quality control, p97 has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. This review provides an overview of efforts towards the discovery of small molecule inhibitors of p97, offering a synopsis of efforts that parallel the excellent reviews that currently exist on p97 structure, function, and physiology.
Selective C–C Coupling Reaction of Dimethylphenol to Tetramethyldiphenoquinone Using Molecular Oxygen Catalyzed by Cu Complexes Immobilized in Nanospaces of Structurally-Ordered Materials
Authors: Maeno Zen , Mitsudome Takato , Mizugaki Tomoo , Jitsukawa Koichiro , Kaneda Kiyotomi
Published: February 2015

Two high-performance Cu catalysts were successfully developed by immobilization of Cu ions in the nanospaces of poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimer and magadiite for the selective C–C coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol (DMP) to 3,3',5,5'-tetramethyldiphenoquinone (DPQ) with O2 as a green oxidant. The PPI dendrimer encapsulated Cu ions in the internal nanovoids to form adjacent Cu species, which exhibited significantly high catalytic activity for the regioselective coupling reaction of DMP compared to previously reported enzyme and metal complex catalysts. The magadiite-immobilized Cu complex acted as a selective heterogeneous catalyst for the oxidative C–C coupling of DMP to DPQ. This heterogeneous catalyst was recoverable from the reaction mixture by simple filtration, reusable without loss of efficiency, and applicable to a continuous flow reactor system. Detailed characterization using ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), electronic spin resonance (ESR), and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopies and the reaction mechanism investigation revealed that the high catalytic performances of these Cu catalysts were ascribed to the adjacent Cu species generated within the nanospaces of the PPI dendrimer and magadiite.
Classification of Herbaceous Vegetation Using Airborne Hyperspectral Imagery
Authors: Burai Péter , Deák Balázs , Valkó Orsolya , Tomor Tamás
Published: February 2015

Alkali landscapes hold an extremely fine-scale mosaic of several vegetation types, thus it seems challenging to separate these classes by remote sensing. Our aim was to test the applicability of different image classification methods of hyperspectral data in this complex situation. To reach the highest classification accuracy, we tested traditional image classifiers (maximum likelihood classifier—MLC), machine learning algorithms (support vector machine—SVM, random forest—RF) and feature extraction (minimum noise fraction (MNF)-transformation) on training datasets of different sizes. Digital images were acquired from an AISA EAGLE II hyperspectral sensor of 128 contiguous bands (400–1000 nm), a spectral sampling of 5 nm bandwidth and a ground pixel size of 1 m. For the classification, we established twenty vegetation classes based on the dominant species, canopy height, and total vegetation cover. Image classification was applied to the original and MNF (minimum noise fraction) transformed dataset with various training sample sizes between 10 and 30 pixels. In order to select the optimal number of the transformed features, we applied SVM, RF and MLC classification to 2–15 MNF transformed bands. In the case of the original bands, SVM and RF classifiers provided high accuracy irrespective of the number of the training pixels. We found that SVM and RF produced the best accuracy when using the first nine MNF transformed bands; involving further features did not increase classification accuracy. SVM and RF provided high accuracies with the transformed bands, especially in the case of the aggregated groups. Even MLC provided high accuracy with 30 training pixels (80.78%), but the use of a smaller training dataset (10 training pixels) significantly reduced the accuracy of classification (52.56%). Our results suggest that in alkali landscapes, the application of SVM is a feasible solution, as it provided the highest accuracies compared to RF and MLC. SVM was not sensitive in the training sample size, which makes it an adequate tool when only a limited number of training pixels are available for some classes.
An Overview of Distributed Microgrid State Estimation and Control for Smart Grids
Authors: Rana Md , Li Li
Published: February 2015

Given the significant concerns regarding carbon emission from the fossil fuels, global warming and energy crisis, the renewable distributed energy resources (DERs) are going to be integrated in the smart grid. This grid can spread the intelligence of the energy distribution and control system from the central unit to the long-distance remote areas, thus enabling accurate state estimation (SE) and wide-area real-time monitoring of these intermittent energy sources. In contrast to the traditional methods of SE, this paper proposes a novel accuracy dependent Kalman filter (KF) based microgrid SE for the smart grid that uses typical communication systems. Then this article proposes a discrete-time linear quadratic regulation to control the state deviations of the microgrid incorporating multiple DERs. Therefore, integrating these two approaches with application to the smart grid forms a novel contributions in green energy and control research communities. Finally, the simulation results show that the proposed KF based microgrid SE and control algorithm provides an accurate SE and control compared with the existing method.
Sustainable Development for Solar Heating Systems in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Keh-Chin , Lin Wei-Min , Chung Kung-Ming
Published: February 2015

In response to the impact of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, developing and using renewable energy sources and technologies have become vital for managing energy supply and demand in Taiwan. The long-term subsidy programs (1986–1991, 2000–present) for solar water heaters (SWHs) launched by the Taiwanese government constitute the main driving force for market expansion. By the end of 2013, the cumulative area of installed solar collectors was 2.27 million m2. Approximately 0.3 million systems (or 1.545 million m2) are in operation. This corresponds to an annual collector yield of 0.92 TWh, which is equivalent to savings of 98.7 thousand tons of oil and 319 thousand tons of CO2,eq. The market-driven mechanism is associated with cost-to-benefit ratios, construction businesses, types of building architecture, degree of urbanization and household composition. The strong wind load of typhoons is another major concern. For sustaining the solar thermal industry in Taiwan, the dominant factor for disseminating SWHs in metropolitan areas involves developing building-integrated solar thermal systems. Alternative financial incentives are required for industrial heating processes in the commercial sector.
État et illégalisme : quelle géographie ? Une approche par les flux marchands depuis l'Afrique et le Moyen-Orient
Authors: Bennafla Karine
Published: February 2015

Cet article interroge les pratiques de transgression de la loi et le lien entre illégalité et espace en prenant pour exemple le commerce transnational de biens ordinaires. Après avoir rappelé la difficulté à nommer les flux et les limites d’une classification selon des catégorisations binaires et stato-centriques, l’article pointe, dans une perspective foucaldienne, le rôle clé de l’État dans la délimitation légal/illégal. Celle-ci est construite par des dirigeants au pouvoir qui mettent en œuvre de façon différentielle la loi et l’instrumentalisent selon leurs intérêts. Les relations locales entre agents de l’État et trafiquants relèvent ainsi plus de la symbiose que d’une opposition. Jeu transgressif avec les règles, l’informalité se trouve non pas en dehors, mais au cœur de l’État. Enfin, l’article aborde l’impact spatial des activités informelles et illégales, arguant qu’elles sont spatialement sélectives et privilégient certains lieux, telles les zones frontalières.
Contrôle politico-territorial et culture illégale de plantes à drogue
Authors: Chouvy Pierre-Arnaud
Published: February 2015

Le déficit de contrôle politico-territorial propre à certains pays explique en partie que des dizaines de milliers d’hectares de cultures illégales y existent. Les raisons d’un tel manque de contrôle politico-territorial sont diverses et non exclusives : conflits armés, corruption, territoire non ou trop faiblement intégré ou contrôlé, déficit de moyens humains, économiques, matériels, etc. En effet, la culture illégale de dizaines de milliers d’hectares de cannabis, de cocaïer et de pavot à opium sur le territoire de certains États implique, de deux choses l’une, que les autorités étatiques soient impliquées dans cette production, ou que l’État ne contrôle pas l’intégralité du territoire dont il a la charge. Le déficit de contrôle politico-territorial s’apparente à trois cas de figure : guerre totale mais inefficace contre la drogue ; tolérance étatique ; incapacité à faire face à une contestation armée. L’impossibilité du contrôle politico-territorial complet, même par les plus puissants, démontre si besoin est qu’en dépit du nombre de batailles gagnées ici et là par les États, la guerre contre la drogue est perdue d’avance. En fin de compte, les limites du contrôle politico-territorial des États appliqué à la lutte antidrogue posent en filigrane la question de la pertinence de l’illégalité d’une pratique que certains estiment être légitime.
Penser et agir la triade parents-bébé pendant la grossesse et après la naissance
Authors: Favez Nicolas , Frascarolo-Moutinot France , Lavanchy Scaiola Chloé , Corboz-Warnery Antoinette , Fivaz-Depeursinge Élisabeth
Published: February 2015

Cet article présente une étude visant à explorer l’influence des représentations familiales et des interactions coparentales chez les mères et les pères durant la grossesse sur les interactions postnatales triadiques mère-père-bébé. 42 familles tout-venant ont été vues au 5 e mois de grossesse, ainsi qu’à 3 et 18 mois après la naissance. Pendant la grossesse, les parents ont joué la première rencontre avec leur bébé selon la procédure du Jeu Trilogique de Lausanne Prénatal. Les représentations familiales ont été évaluées à l’aide du Family System Test. À 3 et 18 mois, les interactions ont été évaluées dans le Jeu Trilogique de Lausanne Postnatal. Les résultats montrent d’une part que les interactions prénatales et postnatales sont liées et, d’autre part, que les représentations paternelles sont prédictives des interactions familiales à 3 mois. Ces résultats indiquent qu’il est possible d’évaluer pendant la grossesse des dimensions liées aux futures interactions familiales. Ils montrent également l’importance de tenir compte des représentations paternelles qui constituent une variable significative dans la construction des relations familiales.
La conversion en héritage. Crypto-judaïsants dans l'Europe des XVI e et XVII e siècles (Espagne, France, Angleterre)
Authors: Muchnik Natalia
Published: February 2015

Cet article interroge la spécificité du crypto-judaïsme comme religion clandestine et la relation des judéoconvers d’origine ibérique au judaïsme en les étudiant dans plusieurs contextes socio-politiques de l’Europe des XVI e et XVII e siècles : les communautés marranes d’Espagne, confrontées à l’Inquisition et coupées du judaïsme, et les foyers crypto-judaïsants de France et d’Angleterre, relativement tolérés et qui se dotent parfois d’institutions cultuelles. La diversité des positions influe sur l’investissement social du secret, les modalités d’appartenance au groupe et les constructions identitaires. Sachant que d’ordinaire les crypto-judaïsants ne sont plus des convertis mais des descendants de convertis. On voit comment le souvenir de la conversion originelle est réactivé tant par les institutions répressives et les sociétés d’accueil que par les judéoconvers. L’ambiguïté de leur statut se lit dans leur rapport complexe au judaïsme et l’ambivalence de leur position dans la diaspora, particulièrement manifeste lorsqu’ils intègrent une congrégation officielle.
Dangerous Politics, Dangerous Liaisons: Love and Terror among Jewish Women Radicals in Czarist Russia
Authors: Hertz Deborah
Published: February 2015

Pendant les années 1870 et 1880, les femmes juives sont très représentées dans les mouvements de gauche qui ont émergé en Russie. Dans cet article, nous explorons les origines sociales, les expériences de vie, et les motivations des femmes attirées par la politique socialiste à cette époque. Nous portons une attention particulière à la mixité sociale parmi les militants, et établissons un modèle de romances judéo-nobles qui figure aussi dans les salons dans d’autres époques et villes. Quatre notes biographiques approfondissent ce que nous pouvons apprendre des statistiques. Les femmes mises en exergue sont Gesia Gelfman, Anna Kuliscioff, Anna Epshtein et Rosalie Idelson.
Exploring the chemical safety of fly larvae as a source of protein for animal feed
Authors: Charlton A.J. , Dickinson M. , Wakefield M.E. , Fitches E. , Kenis M. , Han R. , Zhu F. , Kone N. , Grant M. , Devic E. , Bruggeman G. , Prior R. , Smith R.
Published: February 2015

There is an urgent need to increase the supply of sustainable protein for use in animal feed and the use of insect protein provides a potential alternative to protein crops and fishmeal. For example, fly larvae are highly compatible with use in animal feed containing much digestible protein with levels of key amino acids that are comparable with those found in high value alternatives such as soybean. However, the safety of protein from insects and subsequently the meat and fish from animals fed on such a diet requires further assessment. Here we present safety data from the larvae of the four fly species that have perhaps the greatest economic relevance in relation to their use as animal feed being: house fly (Musca domestica), blue bottle (Calliphora vomitoria), blow fly (Chrysomya spp.) and black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens). Diverse rearing methods were used to produce larvae fed on a range of waste substrates and in four geographically dispersed locations being; UK, China, Mali and Ghana. Chemical safety data were collected by a fully accredited laboratory in the UK. The levels of the main subclasses of chemical contaminants considered for animal feed were determined, being; veterinary medicines, pesticides, heavy metals, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and mycotoxins. The larvae analysed generally possessed levels of chemical contaminants which were below recommended maximum concentrations suggested by bodies such as the European Commission, the World Health Organisation and Codex. However, the toxic heavy metal cadmium was found to be of concern in three of the M. domestica samples analysed.
Ultra-high performance liquid chromatographic determination of aflatoxin M1 in urine
Authors: Redzwan S. Mohd , Jamaluddin R. , Sokhini A.M. Mohd , Aqilah A.R. Nurul , Zuraini A. , Karimi G. , Parvaneh K.
Published: February 2015

The development of analytical methods to detect aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in foodstuffs and its metabolites in human biological samples is useful for risk assessment. The latter methodology, i.e. the measurement of AFB1 biomarkers, has become important to assess human aflatoxin exposure. AFB1-lysine adduct, AFB1-DNA adduct and urinary aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) are some of the AFB1 biomarkers that can be measured by several analytical methods, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, radioimmunoassay, and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC coupled to a fluorescence detector is useful and preferable due to its high degree of sensitivity, but the analysis may take time and consume large amount of solvents. Therefore, the present study extrapolated the HPLC method to ultra-HPLC for the determination of urinary AFM1. After the extraction procedure with an immunoaffinity column, chromatographic separation was done using a high performance 1.8 μm microparticulate C18 column. The mean recovery from urine samples spiked with 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ng/ml AFM1 was 84.4±4.0%, with acceptable recovery values, interday (6.0±5.3%) and intraday (2.6±0.6%) coefficients of variation. The retention time was 5.7 min. This method was used to measure urinary AFM1 in 71 subjects, of which 13 had AFM1 levels above the limit of detection (0.018 ng/ml). The mean urinary AFM1 level of the positive samples was 18.8±28.6 pg/ml, ranging from 2.4 to 100.4 pg/ml. As this is one of the few studies investigating the occurrence of aflatoxin biomarkers in human biological samples in Malaysia, a study with a larger sample size is necessary to investigate the magnitude of aflatoxin exposure among the population.
Dickkopf-3 Acts as a Modulator of B Cell Fate and Function
Authors: Ludwig Julia , Federico Giuseppina , Prokosch Sandra , Küblbeck Günter , Schmitt Sabine , Klevenz Alexandra , Gröne Hermann-Josef , Nitschke Lars , Arnold Bernd
Published: February 2015

The mechanisms responsible for the generation of a mature B1 and B2 cell compartment are still poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that absence of Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) led to changes in the composition of the B cell compartment, which were due to an altered development and maintenance program of B cells. Development of B2 cells was impaired at the pre- and immature B cell stage, resulting in decreased numbers of follicular B cells in adult DKK3-deficient mice. Furthermore, DKK3 limited B1 cell self-maintenance in the periphery, by decreasing the survival and proliferation behavior of B1 cells. DKK3 may act via the BCR signaling pathway, as Ca2+ influx upon BCR stimulation was increased and SiglecG, a molecule shown to inhibit Calcium signaling, was downregulated in the absence of DKK3. DKK3-deficient mice exhibited altered Ab responses and an increased secretion of the cytokine IL-10. Additionally, DKK3 limited autoimmunity in a model of systemic lupus erythematosus. In summary, we identified DKK3 as a novel modulator interfering with B cell fate as well as the maintenance program of B cells, leading to changes in B cell immune responses.
Cutting Edge: Identification and Characterization of Human Intrahepatic CD49a+ NK Cells
Authors: Marquardt Nicole , Béziat Vivien , Nyström Sanna , Hengst Julia , Ivarsson Martin A. , Kekäläinen Eliisa , Johansson Helene , Mjösberg Jenny , Westgren Magnus , Lankisch Tim O. , Wedemeyer Heiner , Ellis Ewa C. , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Michaëlsson Jakob , Björkström Niklas K.
Published: February 2015

Although NK cells are considered innate, recent studies in mice revealed the existence of a unique lineage of hepatic CD49a+DX5− NK cells with adaptive-like features. Development of this NK cell lineage is, in contrast to conventional NK cells, dependent on T-bet but not Eomes. In this study, we describe the identification of a T-bet+Eomes−CD49a+ NK cell subset readily detectable in the human liver, but not in afferent or efferent hepatic venous or peripheral blood. Human intrahepatic CD49a+ NK cells express killer cell Ig-like receptor and NKG2C, indicative of having undergone clonal-like expansion, are CD56bright, and express low levels of CD16, CD57, and perforin. After stimulation, CD49a+ NK cells express high levels of inflammatory cytokines but degranulate poorly. CD49a+ NK cells retain their phenotype after expansion in long-term in vitro cultures. These results demonstrate the presence of a likely human counterpart of mouse intrahepatic NK cells with adaptive-like features.
Professional Identity of Elementary School Health Teachers: A Grounded Theory Approach.
Authors: Kwon Jin Ok , Oh Jina , Kim Eun Ha , Hahn Dae Dong
Published: February 2015

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to explore the professional identity of elementary school health teachers.METHODS: In-depth interviews with fifteen elementary school health teachers were conducted from July 2010 to August 2012. Qualitative data collected by the researcher including transcription and field notes were analyzed through an adapted methodology based on the Grounded Theory of Strauss and Corbin.RESULTS: Fifteen categories, 35 sub-categories and 120 concepts were obtained. The key category that was consistently maintained in identity formation was 'keeping themselves being a teacher providing nursing' which has three styles, 'focusing on health education', 'combining nursing and education' and 'focusing on providing nursing care'.CONCLUSION: Results of this study will provide basic information for preparing manuals regarding the range of activities in school health teachers' jobs, improving promotion and merit payment systems for school health teachers, creating support programs for them, and contributing to the formation and establishment of their professional identity.
Toolbox for Mobile-Element Insertion Detection on Cancer Genomes
Authors: Lee Wan-Ping , Wu Jiantao , Marth Gabor T.
Published: February 2015

Mobile elements constitute greater than 45% of the human genome as a result of repeated insertion events during human genome evolution. Although most of mobile elements are fixed within the human population, some elements (including ALU, long interspersed elements (LINE) 1 (L1), and SVA) are still actively duplicating and may result in life-threatening human diseases such as cancer, motivating the need for accurate mobile-element insertion (MEI) detection tools. We developed a software package, TANGRAM, for MEI detection in next-generation sequencing data, currently serving as the primary MEI detection tool in the 1000 Genomes Project. TANGRAM takes advantage of valuable mapping information provided by our own MOSAIK mapper, and until recently required MOSAIK mappings as its input. In this study, we report a new feature that enables TANGRAM to be used on alignments generated by any mainstream short-read mapper, making it accessible for many genomic users. To demonstrate its utility for cancer genome analysis, we have applied TANGRAM to the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) mutation calling benchmark 4 dataset. TANGRAM is fast, accurate, easy to use, and open source on https://github.com/jiantao/Tangram .
windex: Analyzing Convergent Evolution Using the Wheatsheaf Index in R
Authors: Arbuckle Kevin , Minter Amanda
Published: February 2015

windex is a package developed for the R statistical environment to provide novel tools for the analysis of convergent evolution. The recently described Wheatsheaf index provides quantitative measures of the strength of convergence and opens up new possibilities for exploring this evolutionary phenomenon. The windex package allows implementation of this method with additional functions that can be used to create plots and perform statistical tests. R provides compatibility with other packages, and the R environment is familiar to many researchers.

Availability

The windex package is freely available from CRAN: http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/windex /. Consequently, windex can be installed directly from R and is distributed under the GNU General Public License 2.0.
Сопряженные функции и их связь с равномерными рациональными и кусочно-полиномиальными приближениями
Authors: Pekarskii Alexandr Antonovich
Published: February 2015

Как известно, между рациональными и кусочно-полиномиальными приближениями функций существует тесная связь. Эта связь наиболее ярко проявляется при приближении в пространствах Лебега $L_p$ при $0<p<\infty$, $1/p\notin\mathbb N$. В настоящей работе, в частности, показано, что скорость равномерной рациональной
аппроксимации функций достаточно хорошо описывается с помощью скоростей равномерных кусочно-полиномиальных приближений самой функции и ее сопряженной. Верно и обратное.
Библиография: 14 названий.
Критерии $C^m$-приближаемости бианалитическими функциями на плоских компактах
Authors: Mazalov Maksim Yakovlevich , Paramonov Petr Vladimirovich
Published: February 2015

В работе получены критерии приближаемости бианалитическими функциями в нормах пространств $C^m$ типа Уитни на плоских компактах при $m \in (0, 2)$. Эти результаты, являющиеся аналогами
известных критериев А. Г. Витушкина для равномерных рациональных аппроксимаций, вместе с результатами А. Г. О'Фаррелла и Дж. Вердеры (случаи $m \geqslant 2$) и М. Я. Мазалова (случай $m=0$) дают
полный список критериев приближаемости бианалитическими функциями для всех $m \ge 0$. Указанные условия приближаемости получены как для индивидуальных функций, так и (как следствия) для классов
функций в терминах геометрической теории меры.
Библиография: 21 название.
О семействах векторных мер, равновесных во внешнем поле
Authors: Lapik Mariya Aleksandrovna
Published: February 2015

Рассматриваются векторные экстремальные задачи теории логарифмического потенциала с внешним полем на примере двумерных задач с матрицей взаимодействия Никишина и переменными массами первой и второй компонент векторной меры: $2x$ и $x$ соответственно. Изучается зависимость носителей равновесных мер,
констант равновесия, энергии от параметра $x$. Получены интегральные формулы для восстановления экстремальной меры массы $x$ по носителям экстремальных мер меньшей массы.
Библиография: 27 названий.
Differences in the Amount of Fluoride Release among Fluoride-Releasing Cements
Authors: Ueda Takayuki , Sakurai Kaoru , Koike Takashi , Ogami Koichiro , Yokomoto Mituhiro , Tomura Kyoko
Published: February 2015

Purpose

The abutment teeth of removable partial dentures are susceptible to root surface caries and secondary caries, and such caries sometimes result in crown destruction. In particular, in aged patients, this risk increases due to age-associated gingival recession, periodontal disease, decreased amount of saliva, and inadequate brushing caused by decreased finger motor function. Fluoride-releasing materials may prevent such caries. In this study, we evaluated the amounts of fluoride release from various fluoride-releasing cements based on the amount of fluoride release into artificial saliva.

Materials and methods

In this study, the following three types of cement were used: Vitremer 2 Paste (3M Health Care: V2 hereafter) and Fuji Luting EX (GC: EX hereafter) as resin-modified glass-ionomer cements, and Clearfil SA Luting (Kuraray Medical: SA hereafter) as a fluoride-containing adhesive resin cement. Using the method indicated by the manufactures, 5 samples (diameter, 8 mm; thickness, 2 mm) for each type of cement were prepared. The samples were immersed in artificial saliva (5 ml) and left at room temperature. The artificial saliva used for immersion was replaced every 24 hours until 14 days after the initiation of immersion and every 48 hours thereafter until after 30 days. Fluoride release was measured in the immersion solution using a combination fluoride ion-selective electrode connected to an ion analyzer. For statistical analysis, one-way analysis of variance and the Bonferroni test were performed to compare the amount of fluoride ion release among the groups (? = 0.05).

Results

The cumulative amount of fluoride ion release 30 days after the initiation of immersion was the highest for V2 (363.6 ± 87.1 μg/mm2), followed in order by EX (115.6 ± 7.9 μg/mm2) and SA (57.4 ± 23.9 μg/mm2). Significant differences were observed even from 1 day after the initiation of immersion between V2 and EX as well as SA. Concerning daily changes, the amount of fluoride ion release after 1 day was the highest for each type of cement; it was the highest for V2 (89.8 ± 13.5 μg/mm2), followed by SA (35.9 ± 8.3 μg/mm2) and EX (34.3 ± 3.2 μg/mm2). The amount of release gradually decreased after 2 days or more. Significant differences were observed from 1 day after the initiation of immersion between V2 and EX as well as SA. A significant difference between EX and SA was present from 2 until 4 days after the initiation of immersion.

Conclusion

V2 as a resin-modified glass-ionomer cement showed the highest amount of fluoride release, indicating continuous sustained fluoride release.

How to cite this article

Ogami K, Yokomoto M, Koike T, Ueda T, Tomura K, Sakurai K. Differences in the Amount of Fluoride Release among Fluoride-Releasing Cements. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2014;4(3):78-81.
Apexification of Immature Necrotic Tooth with MTA using Platelet Rich Fibrin as an Internal Matrix
Authors: Bansode Pradnya Vilas , Pathak Seema , Wavdhane Manthara , Khedgikar Shirish
Published: February 2015

If dental pulp injury occurs in immature tooth, root develop- ment is halted producing several complications. There are a number of protocols to manage nonvital open-apex teeth. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is widely used to accelerate soft and hard tissue healing which can be used as matrix. A 21-year-old male reported with the chief complaint of broken, discolored tooth, occasional pain, swelling and pus discharge in upper front region. Based on the clinical and radiologic findings the diagnosis of chronic periapical abscess with open apex with 11 was made. On first visit, triple antibiotic paste was placed in canal. On second visit after 21 days PRF was placed in periapical region over which mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) plug was placed. On follow-up visit after 6 months, tooth was asymptomatic and nontender.

Key messages

This article presents a novel case report about the use of PRF as an autogenous, cost-effective and resorbable internal matrix prior to placement of MTA as an apical barrier.

How to cite this article

Bansode PV, Pathak S, Wavdhane M, Khedgikar S. Apexification of Immature Necrotic Tooth with MTA using Platelet Rich Fibrin as an Internal Matrix. Int J Prosthodont Restor Dent 2014;4(3):96-99.
Wind extraction potential from ensemble Kalman filter assimilation of stratospheric ozone using a global shallow water model
Authors: Allen D. R. , Hoppel K. W. , Kuhl D. D.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. The feasibility of extracting wind information from stratospheric ozone observations is tested using ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) data assimilation (DA) and a global shallow water model that includes advection of an ozone-like tracer. Simulated observations are created from a truth run (TR) that resembles the Northern Hemisphere winter stratosphere with a polar vortex disturbed by planetary-scale wave forcing. Ozone observations mimic sampling of a polar-orbiting satellite, while geopotential height observations are randomly placed in space and time. EnKF experiments are performed assimilating ozone, height, or both over a 10 day period. The DA is also implemented using two different pairs of flow variables: zonal and meridional wind (EnKF-uv) and streamfunction and velocity potential (EnKF-ψ χ). Each experiment is tuned for optimal localization length, while the ensemble spread is adaptively inflated using the TR. The experiments are evaluated using the maximum wind extraction potential (WEP). Ozone-only assimilation improves winds (WEP = 46% for EnKF-uv, and 58% for EnKF-ψ χ), but suffers from spurious gravity wave generation. Application of nonlinear normal mode initialization (NMI) greatly reduces the unwanted imbalance and increases the WEP for EnKF-uv (84%) and EnKF-ψ χ (81%). Assimilation of only height observations also improved the winds (WEP = 59% for EnKF-uv, and 67% for EnKF-ψ χ), with much less imbalance compared to the ozone experiment. The assimilation of both height and ozone performed the best, with WEP increasing to ~ 87% (~ 90% with NMI) for both EnKF-uv and EnKF-ψ χ, demonstrating that wind extraction from ozone assimilation can be beneficial even in a data-rich environment. Ozone assimilation particularly improves the tropical winds, which are not well constrained by height observations due to lack of geostrophy.
Survival and ice nucleation activity of bacteria as aerosols in a cloud simulation chamber
Authors: Amato P. , Joly M. , Schaupp C. , Attard E. , Möhler O. , Morris C. E. , Brunet Y.. , Delort A.-M.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. The residence time of bacterial cells in the atmosphere is predictable by numerical models. However, estimations of their aerial dispersion as living entities are limited by lacks of information concerning survival rates and behavior in relation to atmospheric water. Here we investigate the viability and ice nucleation (IN) activity of typical atmospheric ice nucleation active bacteria (Pseudomonas syringae and P. fluorescens) when airborne in a cloud simulation chamber (AIDA, Karlsruhe, Germany). Cell suspensions were sprayed into the chamber and aerosol samples were collected by impingement at designated times over a total duration of up to 18 h, and at some occasions after dissipation of a cloud formed by depressurization. Aerosol concentration was monitored simultaneously by online instruments. The cultivability of airborne cells decreased exponentially over time with a half-life time of 250 ± 30 min (about 3.5 to 4.5 h). In contrast, IN activity remained unchanged for several hours after aerosolization, demonstrating that IN activity was maintained after cell death. Interestingly, the relative abundance of IN active cells still airborne in the chamber was strongly decreased after cloud formation and dissipation. This illustrates the preferential precipitation of IN active cells by wet processes. Our results indicate that from 106 = cells aerosolized from a surface, one would survive the average duration of its atmospheric journey estimated at 3.4 days. Statistically, this corresponds to the emission of 1 cell that achieves dissemination every ~33 min per m2 of cultivated crops fields, a strong source of airborne bacteria. Based on the observed survival rates, depending on wind speed, the trajectory endpoint could be situated several hundreds to thousands of kilometers from the emission source. These results should improve the representation of the aerial dissemination of bacteria in numeric models.
Biogeochemical variations at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain sustained Observatory in the northeast Atlantic Ocean, from weekly to inter-annual timescales
Authors: Hartman S. E. , Jiang Z.-P. , Turk D. , Lampitt R. S. , Frigstad H. , Ostle C. , Schuster U.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. We present high-resolution autonomous measurements of carbon dioxide partial pressure p(CO2) taken in situ at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain sustained Observatory (PAP-SO) in the northeast Atlantic (49° N, 16.5° W; water depth of 4850 m) for the period 2010–2012. Measurements of p(CO2) made at 30 m depth on a sensor frame are compared with other autonomous biogeochemical measurements at that depth (including chlorophyll a fluorescence and nitrate concentration data) to analyse weekly to seasonal controls on p(CO2) flux in the inter-gyre region of the North Atlantic. Comparisons are also made with in situ regional time series data from a ship of opportunity and mixed layer depth (MLD) measurements from profiling Argo floats. There is a persistent under-saturation of CO2 in surface waters throughout the year which gives rise to a perennial CO2 sink. Comparison with an earlier data set collected at the site (2003–2005) confirms seasonal and inter-annual changes in surface seawater chemistry. There is year-to-year variability in the timing of deep winter mixing and the intensity of the spring bloom. The 2010–2012 period shows an overall increase in p(CO2) values when compared to the 2003–2005 period as would be expected from increases due to anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The surface temperature, wind speed and MLD measurements are similar for both periods of time. Future work should incorporate daily CO2 flux measurements made using CO2 sensors at 1 m depth and the in situ wind speed data now available from the UK Met Office Buoy.
Effects of land management on large trees and carbon stocks
Authors: Kauppi P. E. , Birdsey R. A. , Pan Y. , Ihalainen A. , Nöjd P. , Lehtonen A.
Published: February 2015

Abstract. Large trees are important and unique organisms in forests, providing ecosystem services including carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere and long-term storage. Some reports have raised concerns about the global decline of large trees. Based on observations from two regions in Finland and three regions in the United States we report that trends of large trees during recent decades have been surprisingly variable among regions. In southern Finland, the growing stock volume of trees larger than 30 cm at breast height increased nearly five-fold during the second half of the 20th century, yet more recently ceased to expand. In the United States, large hardwood trees have become increasingly common in the Northeast since the 1950s, while large softwood trees declined until the mid 1990s as a consequence of harvests in the Pacific region, and then rebounded when harvesting there was reduced. We conclude that in the regions studied, the history of land use and forest management governs changes of the diameter-class distributions of tree populations. Large trees have significant benefits; for example, they can constitute a large proportion of the carbon stock and affect greatly the carbon density of forests. Large trees usually have deeper roots and long lifetimes. They affect forest structure and function and provide habitats for other species. An accumulating stock of large trees in existing forests may have negligible direct biophysical effects on climate through transpiration or forest albedo. Understanding changes in the demography of tree populations makes a contribution to estimating the past impact and future potential of forests in the global carbon budget and to assessing other ecosystem services of forests.