bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zur Koordination von Thiocyanat in ternären Metallkomplexen: CdZn(NCS)4 und die Kristallstruktur von BaZn(NCS)4 · 7H2O / On the Coordination of Thiocyanate in Ternary Metal Complexes: CdZn(NCS)4 and the Crystal Structure of BaZn(NCS)4 · 7H2O
Authors: Brodersen Klaus , Hummel Hans-Ulrich , Böhm Karl , Procher Heribert
Published: February 2015

CdZn(NCS)4 (1): studied by means of Precession and Guinier technique. The compound seems to be isomorphous to CdHg(SCN)4 but with exchanged metal positions consisting of tetrahedral Cd(SCN)4 and Zn(NCS)4 groups. (Mr = 410.1, space group I 4̄, Z = 2, a = 1110.89(2) pm, c = 444.36(2) pm, V = 548.37 · 106 pm3, dc = 2.48 g · cm-3.)

BaZn(NCS)4-7H2O (2): prepared by reaction of Ba(NCS)2-3H2O with Zn(NCS)2 in H2O . The crystal structure was solved with X-ray methods. (Mr= 561.14, space group I 4̄, Z = 8, a = 1894.7(6) pm, c = 1032.4(3) pm, V = 3706.2 · 106 pm3, λ(AgKa) = 55.83 pm, dc = 2.00 g · cm-3, μ(AgKa) = 18.89 cm-1 , F(000) = 2143.8, T = 298 K, final R = 0.0548 for 1475 independent reflections.)

The structure consists of two crystallographic independent Zn(NCS)4 tetrahedra, while the Ba2+ cations are surrounded by 9 oxygen atoms of water molecules and 1 sulfur atom of thiocyanate. The crystal water forms one-dimensional chains, consisting of alternant four- and fivemembered rings.
Cell-Specific Activity-Dependent Fractionation of Layer 2/3→5B Excitatory Signaling in Mouse Auditory Cortex
Authors: Joshi Ankur , Middleton Jason W. , Anderson Charles T. , Borges Katharine , Suter Benjamin A. , Shepherd Gordon M. G. , Tzounopoulos Thanos
Published: February 2015

Auditory cortex (AC) layer 5B (L5B) contains both corticocollicular neurons, a type of pyramidal-tract neuron projecting to the inferior colliculus, and corticocallosal neurons, a type of intratelencephalic neuron projecting to contralateral AC. Although it is known that these neuronal types have distinct roles in auditory processing and different response properties to sound, the synaptic and intrinsic mechanisms shaping their input–output functions remain less understood. Here, we recorded in brain slices of mouse AC from retrogradely labeled corticocollicular and neighboring corticocallosal neurons in L5B. Corticocollicular neurons had, on average, lower input resistance, greater hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih), depolarized resting membrane potential, faster action potentials, initial spike doublets, and less spike-frequency adaptation. In paired recordings between single L2/3 and labeled L5B neurons, the probabilities of connection, amplitude, latency, rise time, and decay time constant of the unitary EPSC were not different for L2/3→corticocollicular and L2/3→corticocallosal connections. However, short trains of unitary EPSCs showed no synaptic depression in L2/3→corticocollicular connections, but substantial depression in L2/3→corticocallosal connections. Synaptic potentials in L2/3→corticocollicular connections decayed faster and showed less temporal summation, consistent with increasedIhin corticocollicular neurons, whereas synaptic potentials in L2/3→corticocallosal connections showed more temporal summation. Extracellular L2/3 stimulation at two different rates resulted in spiking in L5B neurons; for corticocallosal neurons the spike rate was frequency dependent, but for corticocollicular neurons it was not. Together, these findings identify cell-specific intrinsic and synaptic mechanisms that divide intracortical synaptic excitation from L2/3 to L5B into two functionally distinct pathways with different input–output functions.
Mapping of Functionally Characterized Cell Classes onto Canonical Circuit Operations in Primate Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Ardid Salva , Vinck Martin , Kaping Daniel , Marquez Susanna , Everling Stefan , Womelsdorf Thilo
Published: February 2015

Microcircuits are composed of multiple cell classes that likely serve unique circuit operations. But how cell classes map onto circuit functions is largely unknown, particularly for primate prefrontal cortex during actual goal-directed behavior. One difficulty in this quest is to reliably distinguish cell classes in extracellular recordings of action potentials. Here we surmount this issue and report that spike shape and neural firing variability provide reliable markers to segregate seven functional classes of prefrontal cells in macaques engaged in an attention task. We delineate an unbiased clustering protocol that identifies four broad spiking (BS) putative pyramidal cell classes and three narrow spiking (NS) putative inhibitory cell classes dissociated by how sparse, bursty, or regular they fire. We speculate that these functional classes map onto canonical circuit functions. First, two BS classes show sparse, bursty firing, and phase synchronize their spiking to 3–7 Hz (theta) and 12–20 Hz (beta) frequency bands of the local field potential (LFP). These properties make cells flexibly responsive to network activation at varying frequencies. Second, one NS and two BS cell classes show regular firing and higher rate with only marginal synchronization preference. These properties are akin to setting tonically the excitation and inhibition balance. Finally, two NS classes fired irregularly and synchronized to either theta or beta LFP fluctuations, tuning them potentially to frequency-specific subnetworks. These results suggest that a limited set of functional cell classes emerges in macaque prefrontal cortex (PFC) during attentional engagement to not only represent information, but to subserve basic circuit operations.
Overexpression of Sox11 Promotes Corticospinal Tract Regeneration after Spinal Injury While Interfering with Functional Recovery
Authors: Wang Zimei , Reynolds Ashley , Kirry Adam , Nienhaus Christopher , Blackmore Murray G.
Published: February 2015

Embryonic neurons, peripheral neurons, and CNS neurons in zebrafish respond to axon injury by initiating pro-regenerative transcriptional programs that enable axons to extend, locate appropriate targets, and ultimately contribute to behavioral recovery. In contrast, many long-distance projection neurons in the adult mammalian CNS, notably corticospinal tract (CST) neurons, display a much lower regenerative capacity. To promote CNS repair, a long-standing goal has been to activate pro-regenerative mechanisms that are normally missing from injured CNS neurons. Sox11 is a transcription factor whose expression is common to a many types of regenerating neurons, but it is unknown whether suboptimal Sox11 expression contributes to low regenerative capacity in the adult mammalian CNS. Here we show in adult mice that dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGs) and CST neurons fail to upregulate Sox11 after spinal axon injury. Furthermore, forced viral expression of Sox11 reduces axonal dieback of DRG axons, and promotes CST sprouting and regenerative axon growth in both acute and chronic injury paradigms. In tests of forelimb dexterity, however, Sox11 overexpression in the cortex caused a modest but consistent behavioral impairment. These data identify Sox11 as a key transcription factor that can confer an elevated innate regenerative capacity to CNS neurons. The results also demonstrate an unexpected dissociation between axon growth and behavioral outcome, highlighting the need for additional strategies to optimize the functional output of stimulated neurons.
Anticipatory Anxiety Disrupts Neural Valuation during Risky Choice
Authors: Engelmann Jan B. , Meyer Friederike , Fehr Ernst , Ruff Christian C.
Published: February 2015

Incidental negative emotions unrelated to the current task, such as background anxiety, can strongly influence decisions. This is most evident in psychiatric disorders associated with generalized emotional disturbances. However, the neural mechanisms by which incidental emotions may affect choices remain poorly understood. Here we study the effects of incidental anxiety on human risky decision making, focusing on both behavioral preferences and their underlying neural processes. Although observable choices remained stable across affective contexts with high and low incidental anxiety, we found a clear change in neural valuation signals: during high incidental anxiety, activity in ventromedial prefrontal cortex and ventral striatum showed a marked reduction in (1) neural coding of the expected subjective value (ESV) of risky options, (2) prediction of observed choices, (3) functional coupling with other areas of the valuation system, and (4) baseline activity. At the same time, activity in the anterior insula showed an increase in coding the negative ESV of risky lotteries, and this neural activity predicted whether the risky lotteries would be rejected. This pattern of results suggests that incidental anxiety can shift the focus of neural valuation from possible positive consequences to anticipated negative consequences of choice options. Moreover, our findings show that these changes in neural value coding can occur in the absence of changes in overt behavior. This suggest a possible pathway by which background anxiety may lead to the development of chronic reward desensitization and a maladaptive focus on negative cognitions, as prevalent in affective and anxiety disorders.
Cerebellar Direct Current Stimulation Enhances On-Line Motor Skill Acquisition through an Effect on Accuracy
Authors: Cantarero Gabriela , Spampinato Danny , Reis Janine , Ajagbe Loni , Thompson Tziporah , Kulkarni Kopal , Celnik Pablo
Published: February 2015

The cerebellum is involved in the update of motor commands during error-dependent learning. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), a form of noninvasive brain stimulation, has been shown to increase cerebellar excitability and improve learning in motor adaptation tasks. Although cerebellar involvement has been clearly demonstrated in adaptation paradigms, a type of task that heavily relies on error-dependent motor learning mechanisms, its role during motor skill learning, a behavior that likely involves error-dependent as well as reinforcement and strategic mechanisms, is not completely understood. Here, in humans, we delivered cerebellar tDCS to modulate its activity during novel motor skill training over the course of 3 d and assessed gains during training (on-line effects), between days (off-line effects), and overall improvement. We found that excitatory anodal tDCS applied over the cerebellum increased skill learning relative to sham and cathodal tDCS specifically by increasing on-line rather than off-line learning. Moreover, the larger skill improvement in the anodal group was predominantly mediated by reductions in error rate rather than changes in movement time. These results have important implications for using cerebellar tDCS as an intervention to speed up motor skill acquisition and to improve motor skill accuracy, as well as to further our understanding of cerebellar function.
Stabilization of Nontoxic Aβ-Oligomers: Insights into the Mechanism of Action of Hydroxyquinolines in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Ryan Timothy M. , Roberts Blaine R. , McColl Gawain , Hare Dominic J. , Doble Philip A. , Li Qiao-Xin , Lind Monica , Roberts Anne M. , Mertens Haydyn D. T. , Kirby Nigel , Pham Chi L. L. , Hinds Mark G. , Adlard Paul A. , Barnham Kevin J. , Curtain Cyril C. , Masters Colin L.
Published: February 2015

The extracellular accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, formation of diffusible, oligomeric forms of Aβ, both on and off pathways to amyloid fibrils, is thought to include neurotoxic species responsible for synaptic loss and neurodegeneration, rather than polymeric amyloid aggregates. The 8-hydroxyquinolines (8-HQ) clioquinol (CQ) and PBT2 were developed for their ability to inhibit metal-mediated generation of reactive oxygen species from Aβ:Cu complexes and have both undergone preclinical and Phase II clinical development for the treatment of AD. Their respective modes of action are not fully understood and may include both inhibition of Aβ fibrillar polymerization and direct depolymerization of existing Aβ fibrils. In the present study, we find that CQ and PBT2 can interact directly with Aβ and affect its propensity to aggregate. Using a combination of biophysical techniques, we demonstrate that, in the presence of these 8-HQs and in the absence of metal ions, Aβ associates with two 8-HQ molecules and forms a dimer. Furthermore, 8-HQ bind Aβ with an affinity of 1–10 μmand suppress the formation of large (>30 kDa) oligomers. The stabilized low molecular weight species are nontoxic. Treatment with 8-HQs also reduces the levels ofin vivosoluble oligomers in aCaenorhabditis elegansmodel of Aβ toxicity. We propose that 8-HQs possess an additional mechanism of action that neutralizes neurotoxic Aβ oligomer formation through stabilization of small (dimeric) nontoxic Aβ conformers.
Alpha Phase Determines Successful Lexical Decision in Noise
Authors: Strauß Antje , Henry Molly J. , Scharinger Mathias , Obleser Jonas
Published: February 2015

Psychophysical target detection has been shown to be modulated by slow oscillatory brain phase. However, thus far, only low-level sensory stimuli have been used as targets. The current human electroencephalography (EEG) study examined the influence of neural oscillatory phase on a lexical-decision task performed for stimuli embedded in noise. Neural phase angles were compared for correct versus incorrect lexical decisions using a phase bifurcation index (BI), which quantifies differences in mean phase angles and phase concentrations between correct and incorrect trials. Neural phase angles in the alpha frequency range (8–12 Hz) over right anterior sensors were approximately antiphase in a prestimulus time window, and thus successfully distinguished between correct and incorrect lexical decisions. Moreover, alpha-band oscillations were again approximately antiphase across participants for correct versus incorrect trials during a later peristimulus time window (∼500 ms) at left-central electrodes. Strikingly, lexical decision accuracy was not predicted by either event-related potentials (ERPs) or oscillatory power measures. We suggest that correct lexical decisions depend both on successful sensory processing, which is made possible by the alignment of stimulus onset with an optimal alpha phase, as well as integration and weighting of decisional information, which is coupled to alpha phase immediately following the critical manipulation that differentiated words from pseudowords. The current study constitutes a first step toward characterizing the role of dynamic oscillatory brain states for higher cognitive functions, such as spoken word recognition.
Stimulus Statistics Shape Oscillations in Nonlinear Recurrent Neural Networks
Authors: Lefebvre Jérémie , Hutt Axel , Knebel Jean-François , Whittingstall Kevin , Murray Micah M.
Published: February 2015

Rhythmic activity plays a central role in neural computations and brain functions ranging from homeostasis to attention, as well as in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. Despite this pervasiveness, little is known about the mechanisms whereby the frequency and power of oscillatory activity are modulated, and how they reflect the inputs received by neurons. Numerous studies have reported input-dependent fluctuations in peak frequency and power (as well as couplings across these features). However, it remains unresolved what mediates these spectral shifts among neural populations. Extending previous findings regarding stochastic nonlinear systems and experimental observations, we provide analytical insights regarding oscillatory responses of neural populations to stimulation from either endogenous or exogenous origins. Using a deceptively simple yet sparse and randomly connected network of neurons, we show how spiking inputs can reliably modulate the peak frequency and power expressed by synchronous neural populations without any changes in circuitry. Our results reveal that a generic, non-nonlinear and input-induced mechanism can robustly mediate these spectral fluctuations, and thus provide a framework in which inputs to the neurons bidirectionally regulate both the frequency and power expressed by synchronous populations. Theoretical and computational analysis of the ensuing spectral fluctuations was found to reflect the underlying dynamics of the input stimuli driving the neurons. Our results provide insights regarding a generic mechanism supporting spectral transitions observed across cortical networks and spanning multiple frequency bands.
Loss ofClcc1Results in ER Stress, Misfolded Protein Accumulation, and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Jia Yichang , Jucius Thomas J. , Cook Susan A. , Ackerman Susan L.
Published: February 2015

Folding of transmembrane and secretory proteins occurs in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) before transportation to the cell surface and is monitored by the unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling pathway. The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER activates the UPR that restores ER homeostasis by regulating gene expression that leads to an increase in the protein-folding capacity of the ER and a decrease in the ER protein-folding load. However, prolonged UPR activity has been associated with cell death in multiple pathological conditions, including neurodegeneration. Here, we report a spontaneous recessive mouse mutation that causes progressive cerebellar granule cell death and peripheral motor axon degeneration. By positional cloning, we identify the mutation in this strain as a retrotransposon insertion in theClcc1gene, which encodes a putative chloride channel localized to the ER. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the C3H/HeSnJ inbred strain has late onset cerebellar degeneration due to this mutation. Interestingly, acute knockdown ofClcc1expression in cultured cells increases sensitivity to ER stress. In agreement, GRP78, the major HSP70 family chaperone in the ER, is upregulated inClcc1-deficient granule cellsin vivo, and ubiquitinated proteins accumulate in these neurons before their degeneration. These data suggest that disruption of chloride homeostasis in the ER disrupts the protein-folding capacity of the ER, leading to eventual neuron death.
SIRT1-FOXO3a Regulate Cocaine Actions in the Nucleus Accumbens
Authors: Ferguson Deveroux , Shao Ningyi , Heller Elizabeth , Feng Jian , Neve Rachael , Kim Hee-Dae , Call Tanessa , Magazu Samantha , Shen Li , Nestler Eric J.
Published: February 2015

Previous studies have shown that chronic cocaine administration induces SIRT1, a Class III histone deacetylase, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a key brain reward region, and that such induction influences the gene regulation and place conditioning effects of cocaine. To determine the mechanisms by which SIRT1 mediates cocaine-induced plasticity in NAc, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq), 1 d after 7 daily cocaine (20 mg/kg) or saline injections, to map SIRT1 binding genome-wide in mouse NAc. Our unbiased results revealed two modes of SIRT1 action. First, despite its induction in NAc, chronic cocaine causes depletion of SIRT1 from most affected gene promoters in concert with enrichment of H4K16ac (itself a deacetylation target of SIRT1), which is associated with increased expression of these genes. Second, we deduced the forkhead transcription factor (FOXO) family to be a downstream mechanism through which SIRT1 regulates cocaine action. We proceeded to demonstrate that SIRT1 induction causes the deacetylation and activation of FOXO3a in NAc, which leads to the induction of several known FOXO3a gene targets in other systems. Finally, we directly establish a role for FOXO3a in promoting cocaine-elicited behavioral responses by use of viral-mediated gene transfer: we show that overexpressing FOXO3a in NAc enhances cocaine place conditioning. The discovery of these two actions of SIRT1 in NAc in the context of behavioral adaptations to cocaine represents an important step forward in advancing our understanding of the molecular adaptations underlying cocaine action.
DBZ Regulates Cortical Cell Positioning and Neurite Development by Sustaining the Anterograde Transport of Lis1 and DISC1 through Control of Ndel1 Dual-Phosphorylation
Authors: Okamoto Masayuki , Iguchi Tokuichi , Hattori Tsuyoshi , Matsuzaki Shinsuke , Koyama Yoshihisa , Taniguchi Manabu , Komada Munekazu , Xie Min-Jue , Yagi Hideshi , Shimizu Shoko , Konishi Yoshiyuki , Omi Minoru , Yoshimi Tomohiko , Tachibana Taro , Fujieda Shigeharu , Katayama Taiichi , Ito Akira , Hirotsune Shinji , Tohyama Masaya , Sato Makoto
Published: February 2015

Cell positioning and neuronal network formation are crucial for proper brain function. Disrupted-in-Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is anterogradely transported to the neurite tips, together with Lis1, and functions in neurite extension via suppression of GSK3β activity. Then, transported Lis1 is retrogradely transported and functions in cell migration. Here, we show that DISC1-binding zinc finger protein (DBZ), together with DISC1, regulates mouse cortical cell positioning and neurite developmentin vivo. DBZ hindered Ndel1 phosphorylation at threonine 219 and serine 251. DBZ depletion or expression of a double-phosphorylated mimetic form of Ndel1 impaired the transport of Lis1 and DISC1 to the neurite tips and hampered microtubule elongation. Moreover, application of DISC1 or a GSK3β inhibitor rescued the impairments caused by DBZ insufficiency or double-phosphorylated Ndel1 expression. We concluded that DBZ controls cell positioning and neurite development by interfering with Ndel1 from disproportionate phosphorylation, which is critical for appropriate anterograde transport of the DISC1-complex.
Role of Pgrmc1 in estrogen maintenance of meiotic arrest in zebrafish oocytes through Gper/Egfr
Authors: Aizen Joseph , Thomas Peter
Published: February 2015

The regulation of receptor trafficking to the cell surface and its effect on responses of target cells to growth factors and hormones remain poorly understood. Initial evidence has been recently obtained using cancer cells that surface expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is dependent on its association with progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1). Estrogen inhibition of oocyte maturation (OM) in zebrafish is mediated through G-protein-coupled estrogen membrane receptor 1 (Gper1) and involves activation of Egfr. Therefore, in this study, the potential roles of Pgrmc1 in the cell surface expression and functions of Egfr in normal cells were investigated in this in vitro OM model of Egfr action using an inhibitor of PGMRC1 signaling, AG205. A single ∼60 kDa protein band, which corresponds to the size of the Pgrmc1 dimer, was detected on plasma membranes of fully grown oocytes by western blotting. Co-treatment with the PGRMC1 inhibitor AG205 (20 μM) blocked the inhibitory effects of 100 nM estradiol-17β and the GPER agonist, G-1, on spontaneous maturation of denuded zebrafish oocytes. Moreover, reversal of these estrogen effects on OM by the EGFR inhibitors AG1478 and AG825 (50 μM) was prevented by co-incubation with the PGRMC1 inhibitor. Inhibition of Pgrmc1 signaling with AG205 also caused a decrease in Egfr-dependent signaling and Egfr expression on oocyte cell membranes. These results indicate that maintenance of Pgrmc1 signaling is required for Egfr expression on zebrafish oocyte cell membranes and for conserving the functions of Egfr in maintaining meiotic arrest through estrogen activation of Gper.
The community structure of macroscopic basidiomycetes (Fungi) in Brazilian mangroves influenced by temporal and spatial variations
Authors: Santos Nogueira-Melo Georgea , Parreira Santos Paulo Jorge , Baptista Gibertoni Tatiana
Published: February 2015

Mangroves are transitional ecosystems between terrestrial and marine environments, and are distinguished by a high abundance of animals, plants, and fungi. Although macrofungi occur in different types of habitat, including mangroves, little is known about their community structure and dynamic. Therefore the aim of this study was to analyze the diversity of macrofungi in a number of Brazilian mangroves, and the relationship between such diversity, precipitation and area of collection. A total of 32 field trips were undertaken from 2009 to 2010, and macrofungi were studied in four 250×40m transects: Timbó and Santa Cruz Channel on the Northern coast, and Maracaípe and Ariquindá on the Southern coast. All basidiomata found along the transects were placed in paper bags, air-dried and identified using existing literature. It was found that Northern areas predominantly featured Avicennia schaueriana mangroves, while Rhizophora mangle dominated in Southern transects. A total of 275 specimens were collected, and 33 species, 28 genera, 14 families and six orders were represented. Overall abundance and species richness did not vary significantly among areas, but varied according to time, being higher during the rainy season. Subtle differences in composition were observed over time and between areas, probably due to variations in plant species occurrence. Further studies with collections during months of greater precipitation in transects dominated by different mangrove species of the same ecosystem are suggested to assess the overall diversity of mycobiota in these ecosystems.

 
Morphological and physiological responses of seagrasses (Alismatales) to grazers (Testudines: Cheloniidae) and the role of these responses as grazing patch abandonment cues
Authors: Lacey Elizabeth A. , Collado-Vides Ligia , Fourqurean James W.
Published: February 2015

Green sea turtles, Chelonia mydas, are grazers influencing the distribution of seagrass within shallow coastal ecosystems, yet the drivers behind C. mydas patch use within seagrass beds are largely unknown. Current theories center on food quality (nutrient content) as the plant responds to grazing disturbances; however, no study has monitored these parameters in a natural setting without grazer manipulation. To determine the morphological and physiological responses potentially influencing seagrass recovery from grazing disturbances, seagrasses were monitored for one year under three different grazing scenarios (turtle grazed, fish grazed and ungrazed) in a tropical ecosystem in Akumal Bay, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Significantly less soluble carbohydrates and increased nitrogen and phosphorus content in Thalassia testudinum were indicative of the stresses placed on seagrasses during herbivory. To determine if these physiological responses were the drivers of the heterogeneous grazing behavior by C. mydas recorded in Akumal Bay, patches were mapped and monitored over a six-month interval. The abandoned patches had the lowest standing crop rather than leaf nutrient or rhizome soluble carbohydrate content. This suggests a modified Giving Up Density (GUD) behavior: the critical threshold where cost of continued grazing does not provide minimum nutrients, therefore, new patches must be utilized, explains resource abandonment and mechanism behind C. mydas grazing. This study is the first to apply GUD theory, often applied in terrestrial literature, to explain marine herbivore grazing behavior.
ncing. About 737 (527 unigenes) clones from the forward library and 757 (483 unigenes) clones from the reversed library were informative. Sequence BlastX analysis showed that there were more transporters and adenosylhomocysteinase-like proteins in E. crassipes cultured in nitrogen deficient medium; while, those cultured in nitrogen replete medium had more proteins such as UBR4-like e3 ubiquitin-protein ligase and fasciclin-like arabinogalactan protein 8-like, as well as more cytoskeletal proteins, including actin and tubulin. Cluster of Orthologous Group (COG) analysis also demonstrated that in the forward library, the most ESTs were involved in coenzyme transportation and metabolism. In the reversed library, cytoskeletal ESTs were the most abundant. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis categories demonstrated that unigenes involved in binding, cellular process and electron carrier were the most differentially expressed unigenes between the forward and reversed libraries. All these results suggest that E. crassipescan respond to different nitrogen status by efficiently regulating and controlling some transporter gene expressions, certain metabolism processes, specific signal transduction pathways and cytoskeletal construction. 
 
History, applications, methodological issues and perspectives for the use environmental DNA (eDNA) in marine and freshwater environments
Authors: Díaz-Ferguson Edgardo E. , Moyer Gregory R.
Published: February 2015

Genetic material (short DNA fragments) left behind by species in nonliving components of the environment (e.g. soil, sediment, or water) is defined as environmental DNA (eDNA). This DNA has been previously described as particulate DNA and has been used to detect and describe microbial communities in marine sediments since the mid-1980’s and phytoplankton communities in the water column since the early-1990’s. More recently, eDNA has been used to monitor invasive or endangered vertebrate and invertebrate species. While there is a steady increase in the applicability of eDNA as a monitoring tool, a variety of eDNA applications are emerging in fields such as forensics, population and community ecology, and taxonomy. This review provides scientist an understanding of the methods underlying eDNA detection as well as applications, key methodological considerations, and emerging areas of interest for its use in ecology and conservation of freshwater and marine environments.
Diversidad, abundancia relativa y patrones de actividad de mamíferos medianos y grandes en una selva seca del Istmo de Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México
Authors: Cortés-Marcial Malinalli , Briones-Salas Miguel
Published: February 2015

The use of camera traps and mammal track search are complementary methods to monitoring species of which is not well documented their natural history, as in the case of medium and large mammals. To ensure its conservation and good management, it is necessary to generate information about the structure of the community and their populations. The objective of the present study was to estimate the diversity, relative abundance and activity patterns of medium and large mammals in a tropical deciduous forest located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, Mexico. Samplings were conducted in three month intervals, from September 2011 to May 2013. We used photographic-sampling and track search, two complementary sampling methods. For photographic-sampling, 12 camera traps were placed covering an area of 60km2, while for the tracks search a monthly tour of four line-transect surveys of three kilometers length each was undertaken. We obtained a total of 344 pictures with 5 292 trap-days total sampling effort; in addition, 187 track records in a total of 144km. With both methods we registered 21 species of mammals, in 13 families and seven orders, and five species resulted in new records to the area. The diversity index of Shannon-Wiener obtained with the method of tracks was H´=2.41, while the most abundant species were Urocyon cinereoargenteus (IAR=0.23) and Pecari tajacu (IAR=0.20). By the method of trap the most abundant species were P. tajacu (IAR=2.62) and Nasua narica (IAR=1.22). In terms of patterns of activity P. tajacu, N. narica and Odocoileus virginianus were primarily diurnal species; Canis latrans and Leopardus pardalis did not show preference for any schedule in particular, and Didelphis virginiana and Dasypus novemcinctus preferred to have nocturnal activity. This information can be of help to the creation of programs of management and conservation of mammals of medium and large in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Oaxaca, México.
Dinámica espacio-temporal del esfuerzo en una pesquería de buceo artesanal multiespecífica y sus efectos en la variabilidad de las capturas: Implicaciones para el manejo sostenible
Authors: Naranjo Madrigal Helven , Salas Márquez Silvia
Published: February 2015

Artisanal diving fisheries are a source of income, employment and food security of coastal areas in many countries. Understanding the dynamics of these fisheries, including the spatial and temporal dynamics of fishing effort, gears and species can help to address the challenges involved in fisheries management. We aimed to analyze the differences in fishing strategies undertaken by fishers that use two different diving methods (hookah and free diving), and the conditions and their potential impacts on catches when adjustments to those strategies are applied over time. For this, detailed information of fishing operations from artisanal boats in the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica was analyzed in two fishing seasons (2007-2008 and 2011-2012). Data were collected by onboard observers (fishing site, fishing time, species composition, depth and visibility). Additionally, interviews with divers were applied to obtain information of price per species, species volume and fishing operations. From the total number of trips during both seasons, hookah diving was represented by a sample size of 70.5%, while free diving, with a sample of 69.5%. More than 15 species were identified in each fishing season. Nevertheless, three categories had substantial contributions in both seasons with differences in the proportions for each case: green lobster (Panulirus gracilis), octopus (Octopus sp.) and parrotfish (Scarus perrico and S. ghobban). It is worth noting that an important proportion of catch was retained by fishers for personal consumption purposes, including species of high commercial value. Additional night diving activity, increased the number of dives from one season to another. Besides, cooperation processes in free diving fishing operations, and changes in fishing effort between seasons, defined important changes in fishing strategies. Potential causes of changes in fishing strategies and the implications for management to ensure the sustainability of these fisheries in the long term are discussed.
Crack: el inicio de la piedra en Brasil
Authors: Caravaca Morera Jaime Alonso
Published: February 2015

El consumo de drogas ha estado presente en la vida de los seres humanos desde el inicio de los tiempos. Este fenómeno estuvo acompañado de diferentes etapas que imprimieron inicialmente la divinización de la sustancia y después la satanización de su consumo. El crack es una droga devastadora, principalmente por sus efectos radicales en la salud físico-emocional, que convierte al consumidor en un esclavo de su adicción. La simplicidad en su elaboración, los efectos excitantes, así como su bajo costo son variables que han colaborado históricamente para su expansión desde finales de los años ochentas. El presente artículo tiene como objetivo presentar una revisión histórica/literaria sobre el inicio y evolución del crack y su subsecuente inserción en la sociedad brasileña. Las políticas públicas y los profesionales en Enfermería deben implementar acciones dirigidas al tratamiento del usuario, prevención del consumo, reinserción social, y reducción de daños.
Replacing styrene with bioderived alternatives in polyesters
Authors: Youngblood Jeffrey P. , Sellars Andrew B. , Clark Andrew J. , Coles Stuart R.
Published: February 2015

Composites offer high strength and stiffness at a lower density compared to other structural materials, therefore are of growing use to a variety of lightweight structures in order to reduce emissions and improve performance. However, traditional composites have the highest embodied carbon content of all engineering materials with limited methods of recycling. Therefore moving composites to a biobased sourcing can have a large impact in the eco-footprint of these materials. 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenol has previously been shown to be sustainably biosourced from microbial degradation of lignin and has been termed ‘biostyrene’. In this work, the authors investigate the use of 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol analogues as a replacement for styrene as a reactive thinner for thermoset polyester, which is commonly used in fibreglass composite. 2-Methoxy-4-vinylphenyl acetate and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenyl oleate were synthesised and along with unmodified 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol and 1,2-dimethoxy-4-vinylbenzene (3,4-dimethoxystyrene) were compared to styrene in typical polyester formulations. The mechanical properties by way of tensile tests and water-uptake tests and thermal properties by way of dynamic scanning calorimetry were used for comparison. Overall, the solubility issues were apparent using the biostyrenes, however, blends of biostyrenes with styrene of up to 50% showed no statistical difference with pure styrene in properties and so may be a viable styrene replacement in polyester used for fibreglass.
Employment as a Social Determinant of Health: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies Exploring the Relationship Between Employment Status and Physical Health
Authors: Hergenrather Kenneth C. , Zeglin Robert J. , McGuire-Kuletz Maureen , Rhodes Scott D.
Published: February 2015

Purpose:To explore employment as a social determinant of health through examining the relationship between employment status and physical health.

Method:The authors explored the causal relationship between employment status and physical health through conducting a systematic review of 22 longitudinal studies conducted in Finland, France, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Sweden, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Results:Five common trajectories were identified as employment, unemployment, job loss, reemployment, and retired. Unemployment and job loss were associated with poorer physical health. Employment and reemployment were associated with better physical health.

Conclusion:To enhance employment outcomes, it is important for service providers to acknowledge the interaction between the client’s physical health and employment status, and assess client physical functioning. Additional research is necessary to further elucidate this interaction.
Core Self-Evaluations as a Mediator Between Functional Disability and Life Satisfaction in College Students With Disabilities Majoring in Science and Technology
Authors: Smedema Susan Miller , Pfaller Joseph S. , Yaghmaian Rana A. , Weaver Hayley , da Silva Cardoso Elizabeth , Chan Fong
Published: February 2015

Purpose: To examine the mediational effect of core self-evaluations (CSE) on the relationship between functional disability and life satisfaction.

Methods: A quantitative descriptive design using multiple regression analysis. The participants were 97 college students with disabilities receiving services through Hunter College’s Minority-Disability Alliance (MIND Alliance) in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Results: CSE was a partial mediator between functional disability and life satisfaction. After controlling for CSE, functional disability was no longer a significant predictor of life satisfaction.

Conclusions: CSE partially mediated the impact of functional disability on life satisfaction. Future research should explore the development of interventions to increase CSE to reduce the effect of disability and to improve life satisfaction and employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Field-Proven Effectiveness of Self-degrading Diversion Particulates as a Diversion Method in High- and Ultra-Low-Permeability Formations
Authors: Gutierrez Guillermo , Araujo Oscar , Medina Eber
Published: February 2015

The optimization of stimulation treatments in Mexico has required the use of novel diversion technologies to increase the productivity of wells by improving the coverage of stimulation fluids and reducing completion costs. Self-degrading particulate has become widely used in the country because of the diverter flexibility. Job experiences range from hydraulically fracturing unconventional reservoirs to the matrix acidizing of naturally fractured carbonate formations. The purpose of this paper is to verify the effectiveness of this material for achieving the selective stimulation of multiple intervals, either in horizontal or vertical wells.

Because there is no confidence in a complete stimulation of all open intervals, diagnostic techniques have been implemented to determine the effectiveness of diversions. For near-wellbore (NWB) monitoring, technologies such as radioactive tracers and distributed temperature sensing (DTS) have been used to determine treatment fluid locations after the application or in real-time. Downhole microseismic monitoring has been performed for far-field indications of diversion success in hydraulic fractures of vertical wells with multiple intervals open at the same time. This paper discusses four wells from the north, central, and south regions in Mexico. All of them have completely different reservoir properties and completion types.

Improved production increase was the main difference between wells where diversion with self-degrading particulate diverters was used compared to those that were not treated with diverters; a production increase from 30 to 70% was achieved. Completion time was reduced with the implementation of the novel self-degrading particulates vs. other possible methods, allowing faster return of investment (ROI). Real-time decision making could be performed using both a diverter and monitoring techniques to assure a uniform treatment placement. Another differentiator was the simple logistics required to handle the material compared to other additives employed in the past. Because of the performance of the diverter, it has been applied in more reservoirs with extremely variable permeabilities across the country (tight gas and oil sandstones, gas and oil shales, and naturally fractured oil-bearing carbonates).

Downhole temperature is the main controlling factor to accelerate or retard the degradation of the particulate, as it must take into account that in cooler formations, longer times are required to achieve complete degradation. Its independence of the wellbore geometry has increased the implementation in openhole and cased-hole completions, despite the final shape of the perforations.
Variations in Maize Dry Matter, Harvest Index, and Grain Yield with Plant Density
Authors: Li J. , Xie R. Z. , Wang K. R. , Ming B. , Guo Y. Q. , Zhang G. Q. , Li S. K.
Published: February 2015

Modern maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids are generally regarded as strongly population dependent because maximum grain yields (GYs) per area are achieved primarily in high‐density populations. This study was conducted to analyze changes in density independence with plant density based on the response of GY, dry matter (DM) accumulation, and the harvest index (HI) to changes in plant density. Two modern cultivars, ZhengDan958 and ZhongDan909, were planted at 12 densities ranging from 1.5 to 18 plants m−2. The experiment was conducted for 3 yr, with drip irrigation and plastic mulching, at the 71 Group and Qitai Farms located in Xinjiang, China. With increased plant density, DM accumulation per area increased logarithmically, the HI decreased according to a cubic curve, and GY per area increased quadratically; the optimum density was 10.57 plants m−2. Further analysis showed that the response of GY per area, DM per area, and the HI to changes in plant density could be divided into four density ranges: Range I (≤4.7 plants m−2), in which DM per area, the HI, and GY per area were significantly affected by density; Range II (4.7–8.3 plants m−2), in which the HI was unaffected by density but DM per area and GY per area were significantly affected; Range III (8.3–10.75 plants m−2), in which GY per area was unaffected by density but DM per area and the HI were significantly affected; and Range IV (≥10.7 plants m−2), in which DM per area was unaffected by density but the HI and GY per area were significantly affected. These results indicated that Range II is a density‐independent range and Range III is a GY‐stable range.
Risk Effects on Optimal Nitrogen Rates for Corn Rotations in Tennessee
Authors: Boyer Christopher N. , Roberts Roland K. , Larson James A. , McClure M. Angela , Tyler Donald D.
Published: February 2015

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of risk exposure on optimal N fertilizer rates for continuous corn (Zea mays L.), corn grown after cotton (Gossypium ssp.), and corn grown after soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and identify the optimal corn rotation for risk‐averse corn producers. Data were collected from a 7‐yr, corn‐rotation, N‐fertilizer experiment in Tennessee. Partial budgets were used to calculate net returns to N for corn grown after corn, corn grown after cotton, and corn grown after soybean. The flexible moment method was used for risk analysis, a unique application of this method that provides producers with information concerning traditional risk effects on decisions about crop rotations and N rates augmented by the effects of downside risk. Results from this study show rotating corn with cotton and soybean increased yields and net returns relative to continuous corn, but profit‐maximizing N rates for corn were not greatly impacted by the crop planted in the previous year. Optimal N rates decreased for producers with more risk aversion, indicating that N fertilizer is a risk‐increasing input. Downside risk was found for continuous corn and corn grown after soybean, increasing the risk premiums for these rotations above the risk premium for corn grown after cotton. Slightly to moderately risk‐averse corn producers would prefer growing corn after soybean, but highly risk‐averse producers would prefer rotating corn with cotton. Results provide corn producers with enhanced information about the effects of risk exposure on choices among corn rotations and N fertilizer rates.
Developmental effects and genotoxicity of 10 water disinfection by-products in zebrafish
Authors: Teixidó Elisabet , Piqué Esther , Gonzalez-Linares Javier , Llobet Joan M. , Gómez-Catalán Jesús
Published: February 2015

Disinfection by-products are contaminants produced during drinking water disinfection. Several DBPs have been implicated in a variety of toxic effects, mainly carcinogenic and genotoxic effects. Moreover, DBPs exposure has also been associated with an increased risk of developmental effects. In this study, the developmental toxicity and genotoxicity of 10 DBPs (four trihalomethanes [THMs], five haloacetic acids [HAAs] and sodium bromate) in the zebrafish embryo model were evaluated. Embryos exposed for 72 hours were observed for different endpoints such as growth, hatching success, malformations and lethality. THMs exposure resulted in adverse developmental effects and a significant reduced tail length. Two HAAs, tribromoacetic acid and dichloroacetic acid, along with sodium bromate were found to cause a significant increase in malformation rate. Chloroform, chlorodibromomethane and sodium bromate produced a weak induction of DNA damage to whole embryos. However, developmental effects occurred at a range of concentrations (20–100 μg/mL) several orders of magnitude above the levels that can be attained in fetal blood in humans exposed to chlorinated water. In conclusion, the teratogenic and genotoxic activity observed by some DBPs in zebrafish reinforce the view that there is a weak capacity of disinfection products to cause developmental effects at environmentally relevant concentrations.