bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pathway to a phenocopy: Heat stress effects in early embryogenesis
Authors: Crews Sarah M. , McCleery W. Tyler , Hutson M. Shane
Published: October 2015

Background: Heat shocks applied at the onset of gastrulation in early Drosophila embryos frequently lead to phenocopies of U‐shaped mutants—having characteristic failures in the late morphogenetic processes of germband retraction and dorsal closure. The pathway from nonspecific heat stress to phenocopied abnormalities is unknown. Results: Drosophila embryos subjected to 30‐min, 38 °C heat shocks at gastrulation appear to recover and restart morphogenesis. Post–heat‐shock development appears normal, albeit slower, until a large fraction of embryos develop amnioserosa holes (diameters > 100 µm). These holes are positively correlated with terminal U‐shaped phenocopies. They initiate between amnioserosa cells and open over tens of minutes by evading normal wound healing responses. They are not caused by tissue‐wide increases in mechanical stress or decreases in cell–cell adhesion, but instead appear to initiate from isolated apoptosis of amnioserosa cells. Conclusions: The pathway from heat shock to U‐shaped phenocopies involves the opening of one or more large holes in the amnioserosa that compromise its structural integrity and lead to failures in morphogenetic processes that rely on amnioserosa‐generated tensile forces. The proposed mechanism by which heat shock leads to hole initiation and expansion is heterochonicity, i.e., disruption of morphogenetic coordination between embryonic and extra‐embryonic cell types. Developmental Dynamics 245:402–413, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An examination of fitness costs of glyphosate resistance in the common morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea
Authors: Debban Catherine L. , Okum Sara , Pieper Kathleen E. , Wilson Ariana , Baucom Regina S.
Published: October 2015

Fitness costs are frequently invoked to explain the presence of genetic variation underlying plant defense across many types of damaging agents. Despite the expectation that costs of resistance are prevalent, however, they have been difficult to detect in nature. To examine the potential that resistance confers a fitness cost, we examined the survival and fitness of genetic lines of the common morning glory, Ipomoea purpurea, that diverged in the level of resistance to the herbicide glyphosate. We planted a large field experiment and assessed survival following herbicide application as well as fitness of the divergent selection lines in the absence of the herbicide. We found that genetic lines selected for increased resistance exhibited lower death compared to control and susceptible lines in the presence of the herbicide, but no evidence that resistant lines produced fewer seeds in the absence of herbicide. However, susceptible lines produced more viable seeds than resistant or control lines, providing some evidence of a fitness cost in terms of seed germination, and thus potential empirical support for the expectation of trait trade‐offs as a consequence of adaptation to novel environments.
Investigation of the Corey Bromolactamization with N‐Functionalized Allylamines
Authors: Schulte Adrian , Janich Simon , Würthwein Ernst‐Ulrich , Saito Susumu , Wünsch Bernhard
Published: October 2015

N‐Allylamines were employed for the diastereoselective synthesis of
8‐bromo‐substituted, cis‐configured perhydroquinoxalines and β‐bromoalcohols. The yield and constitution of the products depend considerably on the functionalization of the allylic N‐atom. Herein the reaction of glycine‐derived cyclohex‐2‐enamines 5 under bromolactamization conditions (LiOtBu, NBS) is reported. Methyl carbamate 5a led diastereoselectively to the cis‐configured perhydroquinoxaline 6a, whereas the amides 5b and 5c provided cis,trans‐configured ‐bromoalcohols 7b and 7c. Based on high level theoretical calculations (DFT) factors controlling the cyclization of lithiated intermediates and the relative energies of possible products are discussed.
Assessment of liver fibrosis in rats by MRI with apparent diffusion coefficient and T1 relaxation time in the rotating frame
Authors: Hu Genwen , Zhang Xuhui , Liang Wen , Zhong Xing , Chan Queenie , Lin Xiaoying , Lin Ting , Li Yufa , Quan Xianyue
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To explore the value of T1 relaxation times in the rotating frame (T1ρ or T1rho) for evaluating liver fibrosis stage, compared to apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs).

Materials and Methods

Liver fibrosis in model rats (n = 50) was produced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) injection. Five rats died during the experiment. Surviving model rats (n = 45) and controls (n = 15) were subjected to 3.0T MRI and the ADCs (b‐values: 0, 800 s/mm2) and T1ρ values were determined. Liver fibrosis stage (F0–F4) was defined based on METAVIR scoring. Nonparametric statistical methods and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were employed to determine diagnostic accuracy.

Results

Mean ADC and T1ρ associated negatively (r = −0.732 P < 0.001) and positively (r = 0.863 P < 0.001), respectively, with severity of fibrosis stage. Analysis of ROC curves for fibrosis staging showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for T1ρ (stage F0 vs. F1–F4 = 0.976, stage F0–F1 vs. F2–F4 = 0.920, stage F0–F2 vs. F3–F4 = 0.938, and stage F0–F3 vs. F4 = 0.931) was larger than that for ADCs (0.917, 0.924, 0.842, and 0.781, respectively).

Conclusion

ADC and T1ρ values correlate with liver fibrosis stage. The performance of the T1ρ parameter was superior to that of the ADC parameter in the differentiation of liver fibrosis stages in a CCl4 rat model. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1082–1089.
Effect of pH value on corrosion of carbon steel under an applied alternating current
Authors: Tang D.‐Z. , Du Y.‐X. , Lu M.‐X. , Liang Y. , Jiang Z.‐T. , Dong L.
Published: October 2015

In this work, corrosion behavior of carbon steel under the application of alternating current (AC) was investigated in electrolyte solutions with five different pH levels, from near‐neutral to alkaline condition, through weight loss measurements, potential monitoring techniques, potentiodynamic polarization tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) tests, and surface examination. It is found that the corrosion rate of carbon steel decreases with increasing pH value toward the alkaline end while increases with increasing AC current density. When the solution pH becomes highly alkaline, say, 12, passivation occurs on carbon steel surfaces, with an enlarging passive region as pH increases. However, it is worth noting that the passive film suffers from mechanical breakdown when the applied AC current density reaches a critical level. Based on these results, an AC corrosion mechanism of carbon steel in near‐neutral and alkaline environment is proposed.
Reorganization of Lamellar Diblock Copolymer Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) in the Melting Temperature Range
Authors: Chen Lanlan , Jiang Jing , Zhuravlev Evgeny , Wei Lai , Schick Christoph , Xue Gi , Zhou Dongshan
Published: October 2015

The reorganization kinetics of the “original” lamellar diblock copolymer poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) crystals formed at 260 K is studied in the melting region from 270 K (10 K below the onset of the melting peak of original crystals) to 310 K (the melting peak temperature) on the time scale starting from 10−4 to 102 s by ultrafast differential scanning calorimetry. Different reorganization pathways are observed in this temperature range. Annealing at temperatures below 295 K leads to further stabilization of original crystals by secondary crystallization. At annealing temperatures higher than 295 K, crystals partially melt and the reorganization occurs via the melting–recrystallization. For even higher temperature, such as 310 K, the melting is completed within a few milliseconds and recrystallization starts from the nuclei formation. The sigmoidal recrystallization kinetics is analyzed by the Avrami equation. It is found that the copolymer experiences about one order of magnitude slower recrystallization rate and has higher melting peak temperatures of crystals formed after recrystallization than the homopolymer. The slower recrystallization kinetics in the copolymer is discussed from the viewpoint of the nanoscale spatial constraint and the intermediate state prior to the recrystallization.

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Photoinduced Cross‐Linking of Dynamic Poly(disulfide) Films via Thiol Oxidative Coupling
Authors: Feillée Noémi , Chemtob Abraham , Ley Christian , Croutxé‐Barghorn Céline , Allonas Xavier , Ponche Arnaud , Le Nouen Didier , Majjad Hicham , Jacomine Léandro
Published: October 2015

Initially developed as an elastomer with an excellent record of barrier and chemical resistance properties, poly(disulfide) has experienced a revival linked to the dynamic nature of the S–S covalent bond. A novel photobase‐catalyzed oxidative polymerization of multifunctional thiols to poly(disulfide) network is reported. Based solely on air oxidation, the single‐step process is triggered by the photodecarboxylation of a xanthone acetic acid liberating a strong bicyclic guanidine base. Starting with a 1 μm thick film based on trithiol poly(ethylene oxide) oligomer, the UV‐mediated oxidation of thiols to disulfides occurs in a matter of minutes both selectively, i.e., without overoxidation, and quantitatively as assessed by a range of spectroscopic techniques. Thiolate formation and film thickness determine the reaction rates and yield. Spatial control of the photopolymerization serves to generate robust micropatterns, while the reductive cleavage of S–S bridges allows the recycling of 40% of the initial thiol groups.

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Facile Synthesis of DendriMac Polymers via the Combination of Living Anionic Polymerization and Highly Efficient Coupling Reactions
Authors: Ma Hongwei , Wang Qiuyun , Sang Wei , Han Li , Liu Pibo , Sheng Heyu , Wang Yurong , Li Yang
Published: October 2015

Two DendriMac polymers (Dendri‐hydr and Dendri‐click) are efficiently and conveniently synthesized via the combination of living anionic polymerization (LAP) and hydrosilylation/click chemistry. Based on the end‐capping of DPE derivatives (DPE‐SiH and DPE‐DA) toward polymeric anions, the polymeric core and arms are effectively synthesized, and the base polymers can be regarded as polymeric bricks. Hydrosilylation and click chemistry are used as coupling reactions to construct the DendriMac polymers with high efficiency and convenience. The numbers of branched arms are calculated by SEC as 5.84 and 6.08 for Dendri‐hydr and Dendri‐click, respectively, which indicate that the DendriMac architectures exhibit high structural integrity. Because of its independence, high efficiency, and convenience, the whole construction can be regarded as the “building of polymeric bricks.”

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Co‐Deposition of Plasma‐Polymerized Polyacrylic Acid and Silver Nanoparticles for the Production of Nanocomposite Coatings Using a Non‐Equilibrium Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet
Authors: Liguori Anna , Traldi Enrico , Toccaceli Elena , Laurita Romolo , Pollicino Antonino , Focarete Maria Letizia , Colombo Vittorio , Gherardi Matteo
Published: October 2015

A single step process for the deposition of nanocomposite coatings with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded in a plasma‐polymerized polyacrylic acid (pPAA) matrix and performed using a non‐equilibrium atmospheric pressure plasma jet is presented. Acrylic acid (AA) and AgNPs dispersed in ethanol (EtOH) are used as precursors and are separately injected in the plasma region directly; Ar is used as plasma gas and also as carrier gas for both precursors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ATR‐FTIR analysis show the deposition of a micrometric pPAA coating on the polyethylene (PE) film used as substrate; AgNPs embedded in the polymeric matrix are visible in SEM pictures and their presence is confirmed by XPS and EDS analysis. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) also highlights a high retention of carboxylic groups in the pPAA chemical structure and the surface oxidation of AgNPs. Preliminary results of the antibacterial activity of the co‐deposited coatings are presented.
Charge compensating defects study of YbF‐doped BaF crystals using dielectric loss
Authors: Nicoara Irina , Stef Marius
Published: October 2015

YbF‐doped BaF crystals with various concentrations of YbF (0.05, 0.1, 0.17, 0.2 mol) have been grown using the conventional Bridgman method. Dielectric relaxation is used to study the charge compensating defects in BaF crystals with low YbF concentration. The optical absorption spectra reveal the existence of both Yb (in UV domain) and Yb (in IR domain) ions. In the investigated temperature range (150–320 K) we have observed only one type of dielectric relaxation. This relaxation with activation energy eV is associated with trigonal‐type () centers. The charge compensating defects are discussed while taking also into account the optical absorption spectra and the calculated number of NNN dipoles whose relaxation is observed.
A Procedure for Predicting and Controlling the Ship Fuel Consumption: Its Implementation and Test
Authors: Erto Pasquale , Lepore Antonio , Palumbo Biagio , Vitiello Luigi
Published: October 2015

In light of the International Maritime Organization guidelines, the new Regulation of the European Union urges shipping companies to set up a system for monitoring, reporting and verification of CO2 emissions based on ship fuel consumption. However, in nowadays market, there is a lack of techniques for fuel consumption monitoring that can be adopted in a real environment. The proposed procedure overcomes the use of Speed–Power curves, which are commonly utilized in the Naval Architecture, by means of a multiple linear regression model that exploits the navigation information usually available in modern ships. This procedure can be used both to alert technical management of a shipping company for anomalous fuel consumption and to quantify the fuel consumption reduction connected with any specific policy adopted to improve energy efficiency. Therefore, this can be particularly profitable for shipping companies and operators in order to claim for carbon credits. The proposed approach is currently implemented by the Energy Saving Technical Department of the Grimaldi Group on a Ro‐Ro Pax ship. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regression models for expected length of stay
Authors: Grand Mia Klinten , Putter Hein
Published: October 2015

In multi‐state models, the expected length of stay (ELOS) in a state is not a straightforward object to relate to covariates, and the traditional approach has instead been to construct regression models for the transition intensities and calculate ELOS from these. The disadvantage of this approach is that the effect of covariates on the intensities is not easily translated into the effect on ELOS, and it typically relies on the Markov assumption. We propose to use pseudo‐observations to construct regression models for ELOS, thereby allowing a direct interpretation of covariate effects while at the same time avoiding the Markov assumption. For this approach, all we need is a non‐parametric consistent estimator for ELOS. For every subject (and for every state of interest), a pseudo‐observation is constructed, and they are then used as outcome variables in the regression model. We furthermore show how to construct longitudinal (pseudo‐) data when combining the concept of pseudo‐observations with landmarking. In doing so, covariates are allowed to be time‐varying, and we can investigate potential time‐varying effects of the covariates. The models can be fitted using generalized estimating equations, and dependence between observations on the same subject is handled by applying the sandwich estimator. The method is illustrated using data from the US Health and Retirement Study where the impact of socio‐economic factors on ELOS in health and disability is explored. Finally, we investigate the performance of our approach under different degrees of left‐truncation, non‐Markovianity, and right‐censoring by means of simulation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variability in large‐scale wind power generation
Authors: Kiviluoma Juha , Holttinen Hannele , Weir David , Scharff Richard , Söder Lennart , Menemenlis Nickie , Cutululis Nicolaos A. , Danti Lopez Irene , Lannoye Eamonn , Estanqueiro Ana , Gomez‐Lazaro Emilio , Zhang Qin , Bai Jianhua , Wan Yih‐Huei , Milligan Michael
Published: October 2015

The paper demonstrates the characteristics of wind power variability and net load variability in multiple power systems based on real data from multiple years. Demonstrated characteristics include probability distribution for different ramp durations, seasonal and diurnal variability and low net load events. The comparison shows regions with low variability (Sweden, Spain and Germany), medium variability (Portugal, Ireland, Finland and Denmark) and regions with higher variability (Quebec, Bonneville Power Administration and Electric Reliability Council of Texas in North America; Gansu, Jilin and Liaoning in China; and Norway and offshore wind power in Denmark). For regions with low variability, the maximum 1 h wind ramps are below 10% of nominal capacity, and for regions with high variability, they may be close to 30%. Wind power variability is mainly explained by the extent of geographical spread, but also higher capacity factor causes higher variability. It was also shown how wind power ramps are autocorrelated and dependent on the operating output level. When wind power was concentrated in smaller area, there were outliers with high changes in wind output, which were not present in large areas with well‐dispersed wind power. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surfactant‐Assisted Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for Sensitive Spectrophotometric Determination of Iron in Food and Water Samples and Comparison with Atomic Absorption Spectrometry
Authors: Shrivas Kamlesh , Dewangan Khemchand
Published: October 2015

A technique of selective and sensitive surfactant‐assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with spectrophotometry was developed for determination of iron in water and food samples. This method involves the formation of a red‐colored iron‐thiocyanate complex in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as cationic surfactant. The use of CTAB assisted in color formation and effective extraction of the complex into the organic solvent through micelle formation prior to spectrophotometric and flame atomic absorption spectrometry measurement. Optimum absorbance and extraction of the iron complex was obtained with concentrations of ammonium thiocyanate, N‐phenylbenzimidoyl thiourea, CTAB and sodium chloride of 0.30 M, 3.0 × 10−3 M, 0.40 × 10−3 M and 1.0 %, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over a range of 20–350 ng mL−1 iron with correlation of estimation (R2) of 0.997. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of iron in food (cereal, fruit and vegetable) and water samples.
Long-term outcome for patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita
Authors: Dubousset Jean , Guillaumat Michel
Published: October 2015

Purpose

To access the long-term outcomes for patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita at adult age.

Materials and Methods

The cases were traced for most of them thanks to direct contact maintained from child hood, from colleagues interested from other parts of the country, and from the list from Alliance arthrogryposis association (parents and patients). The methods used were: mostly direct clinical examination, some phone calls or email. All answered a questionnaire for general life and mainly for function. One of these questions was: what is the function you missed most during your life?

Results

65 patients(41 females and 24 males) were reviewed at adult age from 22 to 65 years. For the personal life: 38 are married and had 34 children with only 4 having arthrogryposis. Only 27 (15 F/12 M) were living alone. Self-sufficiency was observed in 35, partial in 20, total dependence in 10 people. 38 reached university level, 20 had secondary school level, 10 had primary school level. Ambulation was made possible with wheelchair: permanent for 18, partial for 9 ambulating at home only, 8 ambulating outside with crutches and 29 were free walkers. 36 patients out of 65 were driving a car sometimes modified with special equipment. The involvement of spine was seen in 26 patients requiring surgical treatment sometimes complex combining anterior and posterior approach in 14 cases. Surgery of the lower limbs (hips, knee, feet) was very often repeated, with almost always stability, pain free and function. The most important finding was that 52 patients had more or less severe involvement of the upper limbs which was considered by the majority of the patients to be the most disabling, more than the absence of walking!

Conclusion

Finally, it appeared that for the care of these patients, priority goes to the upper limbs function, because majority of these patients have a high level of intelligence. A remarkable fact is that many of these patients had to spend a lot of time during infancy and childhood in rehabilitation centers with education adapted for schools and teachers. Finally, they are grateful for that, telling often that it would have been much more difficult if not impossible to have such a treatment and education at home.
The interplay of socio‐psychological factors on school engagement among early adolescents
Authors: Awang‐Hashim Rosna , Kaur Amrita , Noman Mohammad
Published: October 2015

The study examined a conceptual model integrating existing knowledge on the linkages between life satisfaction, affect, purpose in life, and resilience with school engagement. This model posits direct relationships between all the social psychological variables and school engagement, and also indirect relationships between life satisfaction and school engagement as mediated by all the other variables in the study. The participants were 2381 students (1119 boys and 1262 girls) with average age of 15 years, from 40 national secondary schools in Malaysia. The findings supported the theoretical conceptualization. All variables were positively associated with school engagement. The strongest relationship was observed between overall life satisfaction and school engagement. The mediating model was partially supported. The study reiterates the adage that “it takes a village to raise a child”. Implications for practice and future research are discussed in the context of engagement in school learning.
Back to Basics: Guideline Review and Commenting
Authors: Conner Ramona L. , Spruce Lisa , Hicks Rodney W.
Published: October 2015

Professional guidelines are based on evidence. AORN develops the Guidelines for Perioperative Practice based on a review of pertinent evidence; however, perioperative nurses should participate in the review and public commenting process for these practice guidelines. This article explains how nurses can participate to strengthen the guidelines and help make them accurate and applicable to perioperative practice.
Clinical Issues‐November 2015
Authors: Burlingame Byron L. , Maxwell‐Downing Denise
Published: October 2015

This Month

Unique device identifier

Key words: unique device identifier, UDI, FDA UDI.

Wearing a dosimeter

Key words: dosimeter, radiation monitoring device.
Use of Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Blocks for Pain Management in Elderly Surgical Patients
Authors: Sammons Gay , Ritchey William
Published: October 2015

Elderly patients who require surgical interventions often have multiple comorbidities that complicate their intraoperative and postoperative care. Surgical team members should consider all potential problems that elderly patients may experience and base perioperative care on their assessment. This article discusses the use of the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in elderly patients undergoing surgical procedures to relieve pain and reduce the use of narcotics or sedatives during the immediate and extended postoperative recovery period. By reducing postoperative pain and the use of sedatives and narcotics, the TAP block improves pain management and helps reduce the incidence of postoperative delirium, pneumonia, urinary retention, and falls.
Molecular heterogeneity of midbrain dopaminergic neurons – Moving toward single cell resolution
Authors: Anderegg Angela , Poulin Jean-Francois , Awatramani Rajeshwar
Published: October 2015

Since their discovery, midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons have been researched extensively, in part because of their diverse functions and involvement in various neuropsychiatric disorders. Over the last few decades, reports have emerged that midbrain DA neurons were not a homogeneous group, but that DA neurons located in distinct anatomical locations within the midbrain had distinctive properties in terms of physiology, function, and vulnerability. Accordingly, several studies focused on identifying heterogeneous gene expression across DA neuron clusters. Here we review the importance of understanding DA neuron heterogeneity at the molecular level, previous studies detailing heterogeneous gene expression in DA neurons, and finally recent work which brings together previous heterogeneous gene expression profiles in a coordinated manner, at single cell resolution.
Bent out of shape: α‐Synuclein misfolding and the convergence of pathogenic pathways in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Luna Esteban , Luk Kelvin C.
Published: October 2015

Protein inclusions made up primarily of misfolded α‐synuclein (α‐Syn) are the hallmark of a set of disorders known as synucleinopathies, most notably Parkinson's disease (PD). It is becoming increasingly appreciated that α‐Syn misfolding can spread to anatomically connected regions in a prion‐like manner. The protein aggregates that ensue are correlated with neurodegeneration in the various yet select neuronal populations that are affected. Recent advances have begun to shed light on the spreading and toxicity mechanisms that may be occurring in PD. Several key emerging themes are arising from this work suggesting that α‐Syn mediated neurodegeneration is due to a combination of relative α‐Syn expression level, connectivity to affected brain regions, and intrinsic vulnerability to pathology.
Assessing Alzheimer's disease patients' quality of life: Discrepancies between patient and caregiver perspectives
Authors: Andrieu Sandrine , Coley Nicola , Rolland Yves , Cantet Christelle , Arnaud Catherine , Guyonnet Sophie , Nourhashemi Fati , Grand Alain , Vellas Bruno ,   PLASA group
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Quality of life (QOL) is an important dimension to consider in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but few large‐scale studies have analyzed self and caregiver reports of patient QOL.

Methods

Patient QOL was evaluated in a cohort of 574 AD patients with the QOL‐AD scale over 2 years.

Results

Caregiver reports of patient QOL were lower at baseline than self reports. Older patient age was associated with overestimation of QOL by caregivers, whereas neuropsychiatric inventory score and caregiver burden were associated with underestimation. Activities of daily living limitation, depressive symptoms, and caregiver burden were systematically associated with poorer QOL, whereas caregiver relationship and apathy were associated with poorer QOL only for self reports or caregiver reports, respectively. Cognitive function and professional care were not associated with QOL. Self‐rated patient QOL did not change over time, whereas disease severity markers and caregiver‐rated patient QOL declined.

Discussion

It is important to assess both self and caregiver ratings when assessing patient QOL.
GROUP FOLIATION OF DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS USING MOVING FRAMES
Authors: THOMPSON ROBERT , VALIQUETTE FRANCIS
Published: October 2015

We incorporate the new theory of equivariant moving frames for Lie pseudogroups into Vessiot’s method of group foliation of differential equations. The automorphic system is replaced by a set of reconstruction equations on the pseudogroup jets. The result is a completely algorithmic and symbolic procedure for finding both invariant and noninvariant solutions of differential equations admitting a symmetry group.
The decay of wall-bounded MHD turbulence at low
Authors: Pothérat Alban , Kornet Kacper
Published: October 2015

We present direct numerical simulations of decaying magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence at low magnetic Reynolds number. The domain considered is bounded by periodic boundary conditions in the two directions perpendicular to the magnetic field and by two plane Hartmann walls in the third direction. Regimes of high magnetic fields (Hartmann number of up to 896) are reached thanks to a new spectral method using the eigenvectors of the dissipation operator. The decay is found to proceed through two phases: first, energy and integral length scales vary rapidly during a two-dimensionalisation phase extending over approximately a Hartmann friction time. During this phase, the evolution of the former appears significantly more impeded by the presence of walls than that of the latter. Once the large scales are nearly quasi-two-dimensional, the decay results from the competition of a two-dimensional dynamics driven by dissipation in the Hartmann boundary layers and the three-dimensional dynamics of smaller scales. In the later stages of the decay, three-dimensionality subsists under the form of barrel-shaped structures. A purely quasi-two dimensional decay entirely dominated by friction in the Hartmann layers is not reached because of residual dissipation in the bulk. However, this dissipation is not generated by the three-dimensionality that subsists, but by residual viscous friction due to horizontal velocity gradients. In the process, the energy in the velocity component aligned with the magnetic field is found to be strongly suppressed, as is skewness. This result reproduces the experimental findings of Kolesnikov & Tsinober (Fluid Dyn., vol. 9, 1974, pp. 621–624), where, as in the present simulations, Hartmann walls were present.
On the contact-line pinning in cavity formation during solid–liquid impact
Authors: Ding H. , Chen B.-Q. , Liu H.-R. , Zhang C.-Y. , Gao P. , Lu X.-Y.
Published: October 2015

We investigate the cavity formation during the impact of spheres and cylinders into a liquid pool by using a combination of experiments, simulations and theoretical analysis, with particular interest in contact-line pinning and its relation with the subsequent cavity evolution. The flows are simulated by a Navier–Stokes diffuse-interface solver that allows for moving contact lines. On the basis of agreement on experimentally measured quantities such as the position of the pinned contact line and the interface shape, we investigate flow details that are not accessible experimentally, identify the interface regions in the cavity formation and examine the geometric effects of impact objects. We connect wettability, inertia, geometry of the impact object, interface bending and contact-line position with the contact-line pinning by analysing the force balance at a pinned meniscus, and the result compares favourably with those from simulations and experiments. In addition to adjusting the interface bending, the object geometry also has a significant effect on the magnitude of low pressure in the liquid and the occurrence of flow separation. As a result, it is easier for an object with sharp edges to generate a cavity than a smooth object. A theoretical model based on the Rayleigh–Besant equation is developed to provide a quantitative description of the radial expansion of the cavity after the pinning of the contact line. The accuracy of the solution is greatly affected by the geometrical information on the interface connected to the pinned meniscus, showing the dependence of the global cavity dynamics on the local flows around the pinned contact line. Vertical ripple propagation on the cavity wall is found to follow the dispersion relation for the perturbation evolution on a hollow jet.
The Influence of Family Context on Identity Processing
Authors: Ibáñez-Alfonso Joaquín , Sun Rong Wei , van Schalkwyk Gertina J.
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this project was to investigate the role of perceived parenting styles in the choice of identity processing and commitment among a group of Chinese youth. Examining the identity processing styles of 209 young people using the ISI-4 (Smits et al., 2008) and Parental Authority Questionnaire (PAQ; Buri, 1991), we hypothesised that parental styles and family socio-economic status would differentially impact the identity commitment of youth in Macao. The findings corroborated Berzonsky's ( 2004 ) model, with minor differences, showing a positive relation between authoritative parenting and informational processing and identity commitment. However, a negative relation between a normative processing style and identity commitment was found in the Chinese sample. Testing for the moderating effect of socioeconomic status showed that authoritative parenting combined with high SES levels lead to the informational processing style.
FLORAS OF THE MIDDLE EAST: A QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND BIOGEOGRAPHY OF THE FLORA OF IRAQ
Authors: Ghazanfar S. A. , McDaniel T.
Published: October 2015

The descriptive flora of Iraq is incomplete, with ± 900 species yet to be described. However, names of all species with their distribution in the different physiographic districts of Iraq are databased (in BRAHMS) from information obtained from published sources and herbarium records. A quantitative analysis of the flora shows ± 3300 species (accepted names) in 908 genera belonging to 136 families of flowering plants. The families Asteraceae (409 spp.), Fabaceae (393 spp.), Poaceae (264 spp.), Brassicaceae (195 spp.) and Apiaceae (155 spp.) are the largest. An analysis of the distribution of the flora in the different physiographic regions and districts of Iraq shows the Mountain Region (northern mountains of Iraq) and the Central Alluvial Plains District in the Lower Mesopotamian Region to be the most species rich. Iraq is influenced by two major phytochoria, the Saharo-Sindian and the Irano-Turanian, which are subdivided into regional phytochoria specific to the Middle East region. Endemism is high in the Irano-Turanian region of Iraq which occupies the Mountain and major part of the Upper Plains and Foothills Regions. These Regions also contain the majority of the endemic and near endemic species. Biodiversity surveys carried out by Nature Iraq during 2005–2010 propose 88 Key Biodiversity Areas in Iraq. The National Report on Biodiversity in Iraq (CBD) outlines the threats to biodiversity and habitats in Iraq and a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for the protection and conservation of species-rich and biodiverse habitats.
Supporting Young Dads’ Journeys through Fatherhood
Authors: Cundy Jessica
Published: October 2015

While the recent Coalition government committed to some initiatives supporting the role of parents, relationships and the early years, there remains a lack of focus on fathers as a distinct policy area. This is reflected at local government level, as lead professionals for young fathers are rare and data on the number of young fathers in each local area are not routinely collected. Barnardo's was funded by the Department for Education in 2012, as part of the Family Strategic Partnership, to highlight the needs and experiences of young fathers in England, and the joint role of statutory and voluntary services in supporting them (fully reported by Barnardo's in Cundy, 2012). Based on selected case studies drawn from research and a range of practice organisations, this article presents the journeys of five young fathers and their experience of maternity services, children's centres, schools, housing services and the secure estate.
Maternal gestational diabetes mellitus and overweight and obesity in offspring: a study in Chinese children
Authors: Zhao Y. L. , Ma R. M. , Lao T. T. , Chen Z. , Du M. Y. , Liang K. , Huang Y. K. , Zhang L. , Yang M. H. , Sun Y. H. , Li H. , Ding Z. B.
Published: October 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and breast feeding on childhood overweight and obesity in a mainland Chinese population. The incidence of and factors associated with overweight and obesity were compared between children of mothers with (n=1068) and without (n=1756) GDM. The independent roles of the associated factors were examined by multiple logistic regression analysis. The incidence of overweight was higher (16.6 v. 12.6%, P=0.002) in the GDM group, but that of obesity was not different (10.7 v. 12.0%, P=0.315). At age 1–2 and 2–5 years, no difference in overweight (11.0 v. 12.0%, P=0.917, and 15.7 v. 14.6%, P=0.693, respectively) was found, while obesity (8.0 v. 13.6%, P=0.019, and 8.4 v. 13.4%, P=0.014, respectively) was less frequent in the GDM offspring. At age 5–10 years, increased overweight (22.2 v. 12.1%, P<0.001) and obesity (15.9 v. 9.0%, P=0.001) were found in the GDM group, which was associated with maternal obesity, being born large-for-gestational age, male gender and formula feeding. After adjusting for confounding factors, GDM remained an independent determinant of offspring overweight and obesity (aOR 2.28, 95% CI 1.61–3.22), suggesting that the effects of GDM were independent of breast feeding, as well as of maternal obesity and birth size.
Multi-level engineering facilitates the production of phenylpropanoid compounds in tomato
Authors: Zhang Yang , Butelli Eugenio , Alseekh Saleh , Tohge Takayuki , Rallapalli Ghanasyam , Luo Jie , Kawar Prashant G. , Hill Lionel , Santino Angelo , Fernie Alisdair R. , Martin Cathie
Published: October 2015

Phenylpropanoids comprise an important class of plant secondary metabolites. A number of transcription factors have been used to upregulate-specific branches of phenylpropanoid metabolism, but by far the most effective has been the fruit-specific expression of AtMYB12 in tomato, which resulted in as much as 10% of fruit dry weight accumulating as flavonols and hydroxycinnamates. We show that AtMYB12 not only increases the demand of flavonoid biosynthesis but also increases the supply of carbon from primary metabolism, energy and reducing power, which may fuel the shikimate and phenylalanine biosynthetic pathways to supply more aromatic amino acids for secondary metabolism. AtMYB12 directly binds promoters of genes encoding enzymes of primary metabolism. The enhanced supply of precursors, energy and reducing power achieved by AtMYB12 expression can be harnessed to engineer high levels of novel phenylpropanoids in tomato fruit, offering an effective production system for bioactives and other high value ingredients.
Embryo-scale tissue mechanics during Drosophila gastrulation movements
Authors: Rauzi Matteo , Krzic Uros , Saunders Timothy E. , Krajnc Matej , Ziherl Primož , Hufnagel Lars , Leptin Maria
Published: October 2015

Morphogenesis of an organism requires the development of its parts to be coordinated in time and space. While past studies concentrated on defined cell populations, a synthetic view of the coordination of these events in a whole organism is needed for a full understanding. Drosophila gastrulation begins with the embryo forming a ventral furrow, which is eventually internalized. It is not understood how the rest of the embryo participates in this process. Here we use multiview selective plane illumination microscopy coupled with infrared laser manipulation and mutant analysis to dissect embryo-scale cell interactions during early gastrulation. Lateral cells have a denser medial–apical actomyosin network and shift ventrally as a compact cohort, whereas dorsal cells become stretched. We show that the behaviour of these cells affects furrow internalization. A computational model predicts different mechanical properties associated with tissue behaviour: lateral cells are stiff, whereas dorsal cells are soft. Experimental analysis confirms these properties in vivo.
Population genomic datasets describing the post-vaccine evolutionary epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Croucher Nicholas J. , Finkelstein Jonathan A. , Pelton Stephen I. , Parkhill Julian , Bentley Stephen D. , Lipsitch Marc , Hanage William P.
Published: October 2015

Streptococcus pneumoniae is common nasopharyngeal commensal bacterium and important human pathogen. Vaccines against a subset of pneumococcal antigenic diversity have reduced rates of disease, without changing the frequency of asymptomatic carriage, through altering the bacterial population structure. These changes can be studied in detail through using genome sequencing to characterise systematically-sampled collections of carried S. pneumoniae. This dataset consists of 616 annotated draft genomes of isolates collected from children during routine visits to primary care physicians in Massachusetts between 2001, shortly after the seven valent polysaccharide conjugate vaccine was introduced, and 2007. Also made available are a core genome alignment and phylogeny describing the overall population structure, clusters of orthologous protein sequences, software for inferring serotype from Illumina reads, and whole genome alignments for the analysis of closely-related sets of pneumococci. These data can be used to study both bacterial evolution and the epidemiology of a pathogen population under selection from vaccine-induced immunity.
Detection and characterization of mineralo-organic nanoparticles in human kidneys
Authors: Wong Tsui-Yin , Wu Cheng-Yeu , Martel Jan , Lin Cheng-Wei , Hsu Fu-Yung , Ojcius David M. , Lin Paul Y. , Young John D.
Published: October 2015

Ectopic calcification is associated with various human diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancer, chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. Although mineral nanoparticles have been detected in calcified blood vessels, the nature and role of these particles in the human body remain unclear. Here we show for the first time that human kidney tissues obtained from end-stage chronic kidney disease or renal cancer patients contain round, multilamellar mineral particles of 50 to 1,500 nm, whereas no particles are observed in healthy controls. The mineral particles are found mainly in the extracellular matrix surrounding the convoluted tubules, collecting ducts and loops of Henle as well as within the cytoplasm of tubule-delineating cells and consist of polycrystalline calcium phosphate similar to the mineral found in bones and ectopic calcifications. The kidney mineral nanoparticles contain several serum proteins that inhibit ectopic calcification in body fluids, including albumin, fetuin-A and apolipoprotein A1. Since the mineralo-organic nanoparticles are found not only within calcified deposits but also in areas devoid of microscopic calcifications, our observations indicate that the nanoparticles may represent precursors of calcification and renal stones in humans.
A parabolic model of drag coefficient for storm surge simulation in the South China Sea
Authors: Peng Shiqiu , Li Yineng
Published: October 2015

Drag coefficient (Cd) is an essential metric in the calculation of momentum exchange over the air-sea interface and thus has large impacts on the simulation or forecast of the upper ocean state associated with sea surface winds such as storm surges. Generally, Cd is a function of wind speed. However, the exact relationship between Cd and wind speed is still in dispute and the widely-used formula that is a linear function of wind speed in an ocean model could lead to large bias at high wind speed. Here we establish a parabolic model of Cd based on storm surge observations and simulation in the South China Sea (SCS) through a number of tropical cyclone cases. Simulation of storm surges for independent Tropical cyclones (TCs) cases indicates that the new parabolic model of Cd outperforms traditional linear models.
Vagal modulation of high mobility group box-1 protein mediates electroacupuncture-induced cardioprotection in ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Zhang Juan , Yong Yue , Li Xing , Hu Yu , Wang Jian , Wang Yong-qiang , Song Wei , Chen Wen-ting , Xie Jian , Chen Xue-mei , Lv Xin , Hou Li-li , Wang Ke , Zhou Jia , Wang Xiang-rui , Song Jian-gang
Published: October 2015

Excessive release of high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein from ischemic cardiomyocytes activates inflammatory cascades and enhances myocardial injury after reperfusion. Here we report evidence that electroacupuncture of mice at Neiguan acupoints can inhibit the up-regulation of cardiac HMGB1 following myocardial ischemia and attenuate the associated inflammatory responses and myocardial injury during reperfusion. These benefits of electroacupuncture were partially reversed by administering recombinant HMGB1 to the mice and further potentiated by administering anti-HMGB1 antibody. Electroacupuncture-induced inhibition of HMGB1 release was markedly reduced by unilateral vagotomy or administration of nicotinic receptor antagonist, but not by chemical sympathectomy. The cholinesterase inhibitor neostigmine mimicked the effects of electroacupuncture on HMGB1 release and myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury. Culture experiments with isolated neonatal cardiomyocytes showed that acetylcholine, but not noradrenaline, inhibited hypoxia-induced release of HMGB1 via a α7nAchR-dependent pathway. These results suggest that electroacupuncture acts via the vagal nerve and its nicotinic receptor-mediated signaling to inhibit HMGB1 release from ischemic cardiomyocytes. This helps attenuate pro-inflammatory responses and myocardial injury during reperfusion.
Integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA paired expression profiling of prenatal skeletal muscle development in three genotype pigs
Authors: Tang Zhonglin , Yang Yalan , Wang Zishuai , Zhao Shuanping , Mu Yulian , Li Kui
Published: October 2015

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a vital role in muscle development by binding to messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Based on prenatal skeletal muscle at 33, 65 and 90 days post-coitus (dpc) from Landrace, Tongcheng and Wuzhishan pigs, we carried out integrated analysis of miRNA and mRNA expression profiling. We identified 33, 18 and 67 differentially expressed miRNAs and 290, 91 and 502 mRNA targets in Landrace, Tongcheng and Wuzhishan pigs, respectively. Subsequently, 12 mRNAs and 3 miRNAs differentially expressed were validated using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and 5 predicted miRNA targets were confirmed via dual luciferase reporter or western blot assays. We identified a set of miRNAs and mRNA genes differentially expressed in muscle development. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis suggests that the miRNA targets are primarily involved in muscle contraction, muscle development and negative regulation of cell proliferation. Our data indicated that more mRNAs are regulated by miRNAs at earlier stages than at later stages of muscle development. Landrace and Tongcheng pigs also had longer phases of myoblast proliferation than Wuzhishan pigs. This study will be helpful to further explore miRNA-mRNA interactions in myogenesis and aid to uncover the molecular mechanisms of muscle development and phenotype variance in pigs.