bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peddlers and Pen Pushers
Authors: Hardwick Tom
Published: August 2024

A legal trade in antiquities existed in Egypt until 1983. A recent publication on the antiquities trade provides the opportunity to scrutinize the process by which the Egyptian Service des Antiquités attempted to control the trade through the issuing of licenses to dealers. This offers a corrective view of Egyptology as something that is as much a bureaucratic process as an academic discipline.
The Use of Technology in Support of the Basic Sciences Labs at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic
Authors: Goubran Emile Z. , Doss Thomas A. , Awad Sameh A.
Published: August 2024

The use of technology in the classroom has been a subject of great interest to health care educators. The literature provides many examples on how technology can support the educational process in various aspects of the health care field. On that basis, the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic began to find ways to implement technology in some of its classes. The purpose of this paper is to share the authors' experience on how technology is used to deliver instruction and develop testing material for the students. Some of the basic sciences labs at the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic have taken advantage of the available video and computer technology to develop instructional material for class presentations as well as setting on-screen testing for the students in histology, pathology, and microbiology laboratories. The developed instructional material and on-screen test material are available for students' use on the college's intranet, which can be accessed from on campus or off campus.
A Primer on Sexual Harassment for Chiropractic Practice and Educational Settings
Authors: Wells Keith A.
Published: August 2024

Although sexual harassment is a widely discussed and examined topic in today's public arena, there are less than 10 citations about this subject written by chiropractors directed to the chiropractic profession in the peer-reviewed literature. The purposes of this review are to provide a brief history of the development of sexual harassment law, define and describe sexual harassment according to the law, educate chiropractic practitioners and educators about the legal obligations for employers and the penalties for violations, and provide a suggested prevention paradigm against harassment. Several general and health science databases were searched for citations on the subject of sexual harassment. Search terms included sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, professional-patient relationship, doctor-patient relationship, professional boundaries, and multiple combinations of these terms and phrases using Boolean operators. This review explores sexual harassment from its legal historical development to a “virtues-based” prevention paradigm. Much of the research performed on sexual harassment is consistent and has been duplicated. Men are usually the perpetrators of sexual harassment and women are usually the victims. Sexual harassment in the health science practice and educational settings is prevalent. It is unknown to what extent sexual harassment exists in chiropractic offices and on chiropractic college campuses. There is a need for research on this topic within chiropractic. Chiropractors are positioned either to perpetuate sexual harassment or be change agents in reducing its prevalence in their surroundings. It is reasonable to believe if chiropractors behave according to the premium they place on human health and dignity, sexual harassment could fade away in their spheres of influence.
Microcontroller Based Intelligent Volume Measurement Instrument Using Loadcells
Authors: B. A. Anand , H S. Kathyayini , Hazare Debdip
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a microcontroller-based weight measurement system designed specifically for liquid agricultural produce. The system addresses the limitations of traditional volumetric methods by leveraging a load cell to convert liquid weight into an electrical signal. This signal is then digitized by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) for processing by the microcontroller, the brain of the system. The microcontroller performs calculations, controls component operation, and displays weight data on a user-friendly interface. Additionally, a Bluetooth module enables wireless data transmission for further analysis or integration with farm management software. Performance evaluation using eight different liquid products demonstrated the system's functionality and linearity across a range of volumes. Future advancements could focus on incorporating higher-resolution ADCs for enhanced measurement precision and exploring automated calibration methods for improved user experience. Overall, this microcontroller-based system offers a promising alternative for efficient, accurate, and potentially farm-management integrated measurement of liquid agricultural produce.
Appraising Motivational Factors on Employee Performance: Empirical Evidence of Private Sector in Malaysia
Authors: Basir Siti Norayu Mohd , Ibrahim Siti Balkis Mohamed , Johanis Mohd Arsad , Sultan Nor Hafizan Habib
Published: August 2024

The main focus of this study is to investigates the effect of motivational factors on employee performance in the private sector in Malaysia. The motivation factors that has been investigate in this study includes wages & salary, reward & recognition and working environment. A questionnaire was adapted in this study in order to collect all the data needed from the respondents. This study uses a simple random sampling method in order to choose the respondents for answer the questionnaire that prepared. A cross-sectional survey was employed, and the primary data were purposively collected through the distribution of copies of the questionnaires to 97 staff of private companies in Northern Malaysia validly filled and returned representing 100 % response rate. According to the findings of this study using regression analysis, it shows that wages, salary, reward & recognition have recorded not significant relationship with the employee performance in the private sector in Malaysia. This is said because wages salary, variable recorded p – value is at 0.492, reward and recognition variable recorded p – value is 0.756. This study has confirmed that working environment motivational factor have a significant relationship with the employee performance in the private sector in Malaysia. This can be seen when the working environment motivational factor recorded the p – value less than 0.05 in the regression analysis which is at 0.000. Based on this study finding and other supported findings from the other journals, it is clear that there is a significant relationship between the working environment motivational factor and employee performance in the private sector in Malaysia.
Anesthesia Management in an Eclampsia Patient
Authors: Sirait Robert H
Published: August 2024

Eclampsia is always considered as a very serious complication of pregnancy which is responsible for numerous maternal and perinatal mortality in global setting. Eclampsia is characterized by seizures in a pregnant or postpartum patient as a result of hypertension. It is an escalation of preeclampsia, which is characterized by high blood pressure associated with pregnancy and is usually accompanied by protein in the urine. This report a case of eclampsia diagnosed in a pregnant woman which underwent anaesthesia management prior to section caesarea. Role of an anesthesiologist in this case is basically to help the obstetrician in charge to prepare the patient for safe operation and prevent any complication. The case is being reported to improve awareness regarding this life threatening entity in women.
Case Presentation: A 27 years old (G2P0A1) patient at 36 weeks of gestation, referred to our ER with a history seizure, reduced consciousness with a bitten tongue and gestational hypertension. Her vital signs: NIBP 185/115 mmHg, HR: 90 beats/minute, RR 38x/minute, SpO2 96-97% on NRM 10 lpm. The patient has been infusion with a 5% Dextrose + 6 g MgSO4 (2 g IV + 4 g drip) and a 100 ml Dower Catheter from the regional general hospital. Working diagnosis when admitted to our hospital was 36 weeks of pregnancy G2P0A1 with severe eclampsia and gestational hypertension.
Physical and laboratory examinations showed that the lungs showed smooth wet rhonchi (+/+), then on the extremities there were bilateral leg edema with hemoglobin of 10.8 g/dL, hematocrit 33.9%, platelet count was 85.000/mm3, and proteinuria +2. The clinico-pathologic features were consistent with the diagnosis of eclampsia. The patient was planned for Sectio Caesaria (SC) Cito with general anesthesia. After 7 minutes incision, the baby was born with an APGAR ssore 6/9. The operation procedure took 40 minutes. After surgery the patient transferred to ICU room, connect to ventilator, infusion of MgSO4 was continued, hemodynamic improvement, awareness, extubated, and then discharge from ICU because the anticipated medical complications did not arise and the patient has been deemed fit for step down care.
Application of Water Quality Index for Loktak Lake
Authors: Meitei Shougrakpam Poireiton , Myrthong Ibadaiahun
Published: August 2024

Water quality is a significant contributor to all spheres of life. It is vital to test the water before it is used for drinking, domestic, agricultural or industrial purposes. Loktak lake is the major freshwater wetland of Manipur (India) and was declared a Ramsar site in 1990. The study aimed to check the water quality status of Loktak lake. The results showed that the maximum pH was7.58 recorded at Sendra, and the minimum pH was 7.10 at Phubala. The maximum EC was 173 recorded at Komlakhong and the minimum was 99 recorded at Phubala. The DO was recorded maximum at Ningthoukhong at 7.9 mg/ l and minimum was 6.2 mg/l recorded at Mayang Imphal. The maximum BOD was 2.7 mg/l recorded at Mayang Imphal and the minimum was 1.9 mg/l recorded at Ningthoukhong. The maximum Total Hardness was 50 mg/l recorded at Komlakhong and the minimum 30 mg/l recorded at Phubala. The maximum total alkalinity was 78 mg/l recorded at Komlakhong, and the minimum was 50 mg/l recorded at Phubala. The maximum acidity was 20.1 mg/l recorded at Komlakhong and the minimum was 12.5 mg/l recorded at Phubala. The maximum chloride was 11.36 mg/l recorded at Mayang Imphal and the minimum was 6.10 mg/l at Phubala. The maximum TDS was 68 mg/l at Mayang Imphal and the minimum was 33 mg/l at Phubala. The maximum sulphate was 31 mg/l recorded at Sendra and the minimum was 18 mg/l recorded at Phubala. The maximum COD was 26 mg/l recorded at Mayang Imphal and the minimum was 7mg/l recorded at Ningthoukhong and Mayang Imphal. The present study revealed that most parameters are within the permissible limit when compared with BIS/WHO/ICMR. The value of the water quality index were good as per the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index.
Effect of Black Soldier Fly Larval Frass on Growth and Yield of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.)
Authors: Nileesha Palaparthi , Parameswari Y. S. , Bindu G. S. Madhu , Madhavi A. , Anitha V.
Published: August 2024

The utilization of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larval frass as an organic manure is gaining more attention in sustainable agriculture because of it’s potential to improve soil fertility and promote circular economy. Frass, the excrement of BSF larvae, is rich in nutrients and is a derivative from the larvae's processing of organic waste materials. The present study was carried out at the Horticulture garden, College of Agriculture, Rajendranagar, Telangana, India, during the rabi season of 2023-24 to examine the impact of frass when compared to vermicompost in combination with inorganic fertilizers and their combination on the growth and yield parameters of radish. The experimental design employed was the Randomized Block Design with eight treatments and three replications. Among the growth parameters plant height (cm), number of leaves and dry matter production (g m-2) showed the highest values in the treatment 75% RDN + 25% N through black soldier fly larval frass at 20, 40 DAS and at harvest, which were comparable with 75% RDN + 25% N through vermicompost and Recommended dose of fertilizers. The lowest values were observed in untreated control. Similar trend was recorded in root length (19.95 cm), root diameter (2.96 cm), root girth (10.48 cm), fresh root weight (91.33 g plant-1) and yield (60.27 t ha-1) among the above treatments. The root length (11.74 cm), root diameter (1.45 cm), root girth (5.14 cm), fresh root weight (29.65 g plant-1) and yield (19.77 t ha-1) were notably lower in untreated control. Hence the BSF frass may be considered a suitable component in INM for production of radish.
Dietary Practices and Nutritional Status of Adult Cancer Patients: A Case Study of Texas Cancer Center, Kenya
Authors: Oduor Elizabeth Achieng , Odongo Alfred Owino , Kiboi Willy
Published: August 2024

Background: Cancer remains a significant public health challenge globally, with profound impact on patients' nutritional status. Despite the critical role of nutrition in cancer care, there is a notable research gap regarding the specific dietary practices and nutritional status of cancer patients in Kenya. Therefore, this study focused on examining the dietary practices and nutritional status of adult cancer patients at the Texas Cancer Center in Kenya.
Methods: The study employed analytical cross-sectional research design, with a sample size of 384 adult cancer patients through systematic sampling, at an interval of two participants. Nutritional status was assessed using the BMI, while dietary practices were assessed using a dietary diversity score, food frequency questionnaire, and meal frequency. Data was analyzed using the software 'STATA version 17', incorporating descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, and percentages. Inferential statistics (Pearson’s chi-square) and logistics regression were used to test for associations between nutrition status and dietary practices. Bivariate regression (Crude odds ratio- COR) was done to establish, and dietary factors with a p-value of <0.05 were subjected to multivariate regression (Adjusted odds ratio- AOR) to establish the predictors of dietary practices and nutritional status.
Results: The findings revealed that only 41% (n=157) of participants exhibited optimal nutrition status, with more than half of the respondents being malnourished. The overweight respondents accounted for 28%, while those underweight and obese were at 17% and 14% respectively. Among the respondents, 96% (n=369) had three meals or more per day, with only 15 (4%) having less than three meals a day, hence 104 respondents (27%) had a low dietary diversity score. Dietary patterns (AOR=0.55; CI, 0.15-1.13; p- value= 0.032) had a significant association with the nutritional status of the respondents.
Conclusion: This study established the need for regular nutrition screening of all cancer patients to enhance their healthcare management by providing them the need based nutritional support.
Eddy Current Losses in Soft Magnetic Materials
Authors: MOSES A. J.
Published: March 2015

Magnetic losses in static and rotating electrical machine cores, most commonly assembled from electrical steel strip or laminations, consume more than 5% of all the generated electrical energy. The origins of the losses and the merits and pitfalls of traditional approaches to separation into classical eddy current and hysteresis components are described. Physical and structural characteristics of nonoriented and grain‐oriented electrical steels that have the greatest influence on their losses are discussed. Limitations of present‐day approaches to measurement or computational analysis of flux distributions and losses in electrical machine cores are summarized prior to explaining the occurrence of additional eddy current losses due to practical factors, such as flux harmonics, mechanical stress, sheet edge burrs, and rotational magnetization occurring in core joints.
Long‐term change of CO2 latitudinal distribution in the upper troposphere
Authors: Matsueda Hidekazu , Machida Toshinobu , Sawa Yousuke , Niwa Yosuke
Published: March 2015

We analyzed temporal variations in the annual mean latitudinal distribution of upper tropospheric CO2 using the aircraft measurements taken between Japan and Australia over the period 1993–2013, plus earlier data from 1984 and 1985. The observed CO2 latitudinal gradient between 30°N and 30°S showed large interannual variations that are clearly associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation events. We also found long‐term increasing trends of the CO2 gradients in the most northern latitudes that are proportionally associated with increasing fossil fuel emissions, while decreasing trends were found around the tropical regions. Extrapolation of the changes in the CO2 gradient back to zero fossil fuel emissions showed a negative north‐south gradient with lower CO2 in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere, as well as a regional CO2 elevation in the tropical regions. These features provide a useful constraint on model estimates of CO2 fluxes from the ocean and the land biosphere.
Redistribution of black carbon in aerosol particles undergoing liquid‐liquid phase separation
Authors: Brunamonti S. , Krieger U. K. , Marcolli C. , Peter T.
Published: March 2015

Atmospheric black carbon (BC) is a major anthropogenic greenhouse agent, yet substantial uncertainties obstruct understanding its radiative forcing. Particularly debated is the extent of the absorption enhancement by internally compared to externally mixed BC, which critically depends on the interior morphology of the BC‐containing particles. Here we suggest that a currently unaccounted morphology, optically very different from the customary core‐shell and volume‐mixing assumptions, likely occurs in aerosol particles undergoing liquid‐liquid phase separation (LLPS). Using Raman spectroscopy on micrometer‐sized droplets, we show that LLPS of an organic/inorganic model system drives redistribution of BC into the outer (organic) phase of the host particle. This results in an inverted core‐shell structure, in which a transparent aqueous core is surrounded by a BC‐containing absorbing shell. Based on Mie theory calculations, we estimate that such a redistribution can increase the absorption efficiency of internally mixed BC aerosols by up to 25% compared to the core‐shell approximation.
The 2014 effusive eruption at Stromboli volcano (Italy): Inferences from soil CO2 flux and 3He/4He ratio in thermal waters
Authors: Rizzo Andrea Luca , Federico Cinzia , Inguaggiato Salvatore , Sollami Aldo , Tantillo Mariano , Vita Fabio , Bellomo Sergio , Longo Manfredi , Grassa Fausto , Liuzzo Marco
Published: March 2015

A new eruption started at Stromboli on 6 August 2014, which had been preceded by 2 months of increased Strombolian activity and several lava overflows from the craters. The eruption was characterized by a lava effusion in Sciara del Fuoco from a fracture at 650 m above sea level that lasted until 13–17 November. Here we present the first geochemical observations of this eruption, based on the soil CO2 flux in the summit area and on 3He/4He ratios in the thermal waters near Stromboli village. We infer that this eruption was triggered by the gradual replenishment of the feeding system by a CO2‐ and 3He‐rich magma at the end of 2013 and after June 2014, suggested by the increase in 3He/4He ratio before eruption, which reached its highest value since 2007. We thus infer that this eruption was unusual, and we finally speculate on the evolutionary scenario of posteruption.
MC‐PEPTITA: A Monte Carlo model for Photon, Electron and Positron Tracking In Terrestrial Atmosphere—Application for a terrestrial gamma ray flash
Authors: Sarria D. , Blelly P.‐L. , Forme F.
Published: March 2015

Terrestrial gamma ray flashes are natural bursts of X and gamma rays, correlated to thunderstorms, that are likely to be produced at an altitude of about 10 to 20 km. After the emission, the flux of gamma rays is filtered and altered by the atmosphere and a small part of it may be detected by a satellite on low Earth orbit (RHESSI or Fermi, for example). Thus, only a residual part of the initial burst can be measured and most of the flux is made of scattered primary photons and of secondary emitted electrons, positrons, and photons. Trying to get information on the initial flux from the measurement is a very complex inverse problem, which can only be tackled by the use of a numerical model solving the transport of these high‐energy particles. For this purpose, we developed a numerical Monte Carlo model which solves the transport in the atmosphere of both relativistic electrons/positrons and X/gamma rays. It makes it possible to track the photons, electrons, and positrons in the whole Earth environment (considering the atmosphere and the magnetic field) to get information on what affects the transport of the particles from the source region to the altitude of the satellite. We first present the MC‐PEPTITA model, and then we validate it by comparison with a benchmark GEANT4 simulation with similar settings. Then, we show the results of a simulation close to Fermi event number 091214 in order to discuss some important properties of the photons and electrons/positrons that are reaching satellite altitude.
High‐resolution projections of 21st century daily precipitation for the contiguous U.S.
Authors: Schoof J. T.
Published: March 2015

Changes in precipitation have the potential to produce wide ranging impacts across human and natural systems. Here precipitation projections from select Atmosphere‐Ocean General Circulation Models and Earth Systems Models participating in Phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project are downscaled to a high‐resolution (0.25° × 0.25°) grid covering the contiguous U.S. to improve spatial and temporal characteristics of the model‐derived projections and derive multiple descriptors of 21st century precipitation climate. Projections for the Northeast, Pacific Northwest, and the high elevations of the Rocky Mountains are characterized by increases in total annual precipitation, with the magnitude depending strongly on the level of radiative forcing. Parts of the southern U.S. are projected to experience moderate precipitation decreases under all forcing scenarios. Increases in total annual precipitation are associated primarily with changes in precipitation intensity during the cold season. Significant precipitation decreases are projected for parts of the southern U.S. in all seasons except autumn and are associated primarily with changes in precipitation occurrence. Many locations in the eastern U.S. are projected to experience longer extreme dry spells and longer extreme wet spells, reflecting an increase in the serial correlation of precipitation. Conversely, many western locations are projected to experience shorter dry spells and wet spells, reflecting a decrease in the serial correlation of precipitation. Most locations are projected to experience an increase in extreme precipitation, reflected in increases in the mean annual single‐day maximum precipitation and the number of heavy (>10 mm) and very heavy (>20 mm) precipitation days.
Streamer formation and branching from model hydrometeors in subbreakdown conditions inside thunderclouds
Authors: Sadighi Samaneh , Liu Ningyu , Dwyer Joseph R. , Rassoul Hamid K.
Published: March 2015

Electric field values measured inside thunderclouds have consistently been reported to be up to an order of magnitude lower than the value required for the conventional electrical breakdown of air. This result has made it difficult to explain how lightning frequently occurs in thunderclouds. A few different theories have been offered to explain the lightning initiation process, one of them being the theory of lightning initiation from hydrometeors. According to this theory, lightning can be initiated from electrical discharges originating around thundercloud water or ice particles in the measured thundercloud electric field. These particles, called hydrometeors, are believed to cause significant enhancement of the thundercloud electric field in their vicinity and then initiate streamers that are the precursor discharges for the hot lightning leader channel. Previously, Liu et al. (2012a) reported streamer formation from a model hydrometeor in an electric field value of half of the conventional breakdown threshold (Ek) for air. In this paper, we present modeling results for streamer formation in electric fields as low as one third of the breakdown threshold. According to our results, initiation of stable streamers from thundercloud hydrometeors in a 0.3Ek electric field is possible, only if enhanced ambient ionization levels (e.g., the ionization created by corona discharges around the same or other nearby hydrometeors) are present ahead of the streamer. The magnitude and distribution of this ambient density may be a determining factor on whether the streamer branches, recovers after the prebranching stage, or continues propagating stably. We investigate the streamer branching behavior and characteristics and test a theory that has recently been proposed to explain this phenomenon. We find that the geometry of the streamer head plays an important role in the streamer branching phenomena. The fast radial movement of the maximum streamer head curvature, combined with the slow reduction of the maximum curvature value, eventually leads the streamer head to branching. Finally, we compare our modeling results with laboratory experiments and realistic thundercloud conditions and discuss the implications of this study to lightning initiation and other lightning‐related phenomena.
Is climate change implicated in the 2013–2014 California drought? A hydrologic perspective
Authors: Mao Yixin , Nijssen Bart , Lettenmaier Dennis P.
Published: March 2015

California has experienced severe drought in 2012–2014 (which appears to be continuing into 2015), with especially low winter precipitation and mountain snowpack in winter 2013–2014. However, the extent to which climate change is implicated in the drought, if at all, is not clear. By applying modeling and statistical approaches, we construct a historical record of California snowpack, runoff, and other hydrological variables of almost 100 years in length and use the reconstructed records to analyze climate trends in the Sierra Nevada and their impact on extreme drought events in the historic record. We confirm a general warming trend and associated decreasing trends in spring snowpack and runoff. We find that the warming may have slightly exacerbated some extreme events (including the 2013–2014 drought and the 1976–1977 drought of record), but the effect is modest; instead, these drought events are mainly the result of variability in precipitation.
A case study on ionospheric scintillations at low latitude associated with a plasma blob observed in situ
Authors: Wang Z. , Shi J. K. , Torkar K. , Wang G. J. , Wang X.
Published: March 2015

In general, ionospheric scintillations at low latitude are considered as signatures of equatorial plasma bubbles (depletions). However, some authors considered that scintillations may also be associated with plasma blobs (enhancements), but there was no in situ measurement hitherto to confirm it. We performed a case study on the concurrent observation of an ionospheric plasma blob with in situ measurements by ROCSAT‐1 (i.e. Formosa satellite‐1) and of GPS amplitude scintillations in the low‐latitude ionosphere on 1 June 2003. The blob measured in situ had a scale size of about 800 km in the F layer, and the ion density inside the blob was severely disturbed. Amplitude scintillation with S4 > 0.3 was observed concurrently in the same longitude range as the blob measured. This case study provides evidence of simultaneously observed GPS amplitude scintillations and a blob in situ, and it confirms that scintillations can be associated with plasma blobs in the low‐latitude ionosphere.
Effect of rainpower on hurricane intensity
Authors: Sabuwala Tapan , Gioia Gustavo , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: March 2015

Rain pours in a hurricane at a rate of some 2 km3/d, the equivalent of river Ganges cascading from the sky. The “rainpower,” or energy per unit time that is lost to friction as rain falls through a hurricane, has not been quantified, and its effect on hurricane intensity remains unknown. Here we use satellite data to show that the rainpower is on the same order of magnitude as the ocean‐derived power that fuels the hurricane. By coupling the satellite data to a suitably modified version of the Carnot‐heat‐engine model of hurricanes, we estimate that rainpower lessens hurricane intensity by 20% on average, bringing the predicted intensities of North Atlantic hurricanes into a much improved accord with a 30 year record of observations. Our findings have implications for weather and climate change forecasting.
Interlayer bonding energy of layered minerals: Implication for the relationship with friction coefficient
Authors: Sakuma Hiroshi , Suehara Shigeru
Published: March 2015

The frictional strength of layered minerals is an important component of fault slip physics. A low‐friction coefficient of these minerals has been attributed to the interlayer bonding energy (ILBE) of their weak interlayer bonding. The ILBE used for discussing the friction coefficient is based on a simple electrostatic calculation; however, the values should be revisited by precise calculations based on quantum mechanics. In this study, the ILBEs of layered minerals were calculated by using the density functional theory (DFT) method with van der Waals correction. The ILBEs calculated by the simple electrostatic method for hydrogen‐bonding minerals such as kaolinite, lizardite, gibbsite, and brucite strongly overestimated the reliable energies calculated by the DFT method. This result should be ascribed to the inaccurate approximation of the point charges at the basal plane. A linear relationship between the experimentally measured friction coefficients of layered minerals and the ILBEs determined by the simple method was not confirmed by using the reliable ILBEs calculated by our DFT method. The results, however, do not remove the possibility of a relationship between interlayer bonding energy and the friction coefficient because the latter, used for comparing the former, was obtained through experiments conducted under various conditions.
Geminiviridae
Authors: Briddon Rob W
Published: March 2015

The
Geminiviridae
comprise a group of plant viruses with small, circular, single‐stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) genomes encapsidated in particles that have a twinned quasi‐icosahedral (geminate) shape, from which the family derives its name. They are among the smallest of viruses known and are transmitted exclusively by specific insect vectors. Some are associated with highly diverse circular, ssDNA satellites that play a part in disease progression and provide evidence of the interaction of geminiviruses with other families of plant‐infecting viruses. Collectively, geminiviruses are pathogens of cereals, vegetable and fibre crops, posing a serious threat to agriculture worldwide. Efforts to control these viruses by conventional means have either proven unsuccessful or have not been durable. For this reason, researchers are increasingly looking to engineered resistance as a means to control these important viruses. This has recently led to the first crop with engineered resistance to a geminivirus reaching the field.

Key Concepts

Geminiviruses are important insect‐transmitted pathogens of cereal, vegetable and fibre crops in tropical and temperate regions throughout the world, including developed and developing countries.

Geminiviruses often cause striking symptoms in plants, indeed the earliest description of virus symptoms in plants is believed to relate to those caused by a geminivirus and such symptoms occasionally are considered to be horticulturally desirable.

All geminiviruses have single‐stranded DNA genomes and a twinned particle morphology that is unique to this family of plant viruses.

Some geminiviruses are associated with single‐stranded DNA satellites, referred to as alpha‐ and betasatellites, the latter playing an essential role in maintenance of the disease.

Because their small DNA genomes encode only a limited number of genes, geminiviruses manipulate the metabolism of the infected cell to produce conditions suitable for their proliferation.

Geminiviruses are proving invaluable in the investigation of fundamental biological processes such as DNA replication, cell‐cycle regulation, gene expression and pathogen resistance in plants.

Geminiviruses are highly recombinogenic, and the derivation of a large number of geminivirus and satellite DNA sequences is providing important insights into their diversity, adaptability and evolution.

Conventional control strategies, such as the use of chemicals to eliminate their insect vectors and breeding natural host plant resistance, have proven ineffective in reducing crop losses to geminivirus infection, leading to the development of promising alternative (genetically engineered) strategies.

Sequences derived from geminiviruses are being used to develop systems for high‐level expression of valuable proteins in plants.
Protein–Ligand Interactions: Thermodynamic Basis and Mechanistic Consequences
Authors: Fisher Harvey F
Published: March 2015

It is difficult to imagine any biological process that is not initiated by the binding of some chemical entity (or ‘ligand’) to a protein. Thus, enzymatic catalysis, signal transduction, ion channel activity, immune responses and the various events involved in genetic expression are all obvious examples of events which, at the molecular level, must begin with the binding of some ligand to a specific binding site on a protein molecule. Furthermore, as each one of these processes proceeds along its reaction pathway, modulation of the affinities of such ligands, positive and negative interactions caused by the binding of other ligands and the release of these ligands either in their original or in altered form constitute obligatory steps in the driving forces and controlling restraints that adapt them to their specific tasks. We extend the basic conceptions set forth in this article to a on more detailed level focused the fundamental nature of ligand–ligand interactions of a protein–ligand complex and the energetic mechanistic consequences to which they lead.

Key Concepts

Every biological reaction is initiated by a protein–ligand binding step.

Such reactions never involve the binding of only a single ligand or a single step.

The binding of two ligands to the same protein always involves a mutual interaction.

The product of a ligand‐binding reaction is a new entity in itself; its structure and its properties may differ substantially from the simple sum of those of its initial components.

The concept of G Weber's ‘thermodynamic square’ permits the evaluation of a variety of interaction parameters.

Patterns of interaction parameters provide a basis for exploring ligand‐binding energy transduction.

Measurement of ligand‐binding heat by techniques using higher levels of mathematical integration provides more detailed dissection into parameters such as enthalpy, entropy, heat capacity and their corresponding interaction terms.

The ‘fluctuating protein’ concept suggests that protein reactions proceed as multiple traces on multi‐dimensional free‐energy landscapes.

Consequences of the thermodynamic complexity of ligand binding suggest new views of such processes as enzymatic catalysis, signalling events and evolutionary aspects.
Centrifugation Techniques
Authors: Rickwood David , Graham John
Published: March 2015

Centrifugation is the use of the centrifugal forces generated in a spinning rotor to separate biological particles, such as cells, viruses, sub‐cellular organelles, macromolecules (principally proteins and nucleic acids) and macromolecular complexes (such as ribonucleoproteins and lipoproteins). The three main methods of separation are differential pelleting, rate‐zonal centrifugation and isopycnic centrifugation. The first two methods separate particles primarily on the basis of size while isopycnic centrifugation separates particles on the basis of their density. The choice of centrifugation method depends on the nature of the particles and often more than one separation technique is required. For example, membrane fractionation often involves first making an enriched fraction from a cell homogenate by differential pelleting followed by isopycnic centrifugation to obtain purified fractions.

Key Concepts

Modern centrifuges and their rotors can generate centrifugal forces up to a million times that of the Earth's gravity that can separate very small particles.

Depending on the centrifugation force used, particles from cells to those as small as macromolecules can be separated.

Particles can be separated on the basis of their size using differential pelleting or rate‐zonal centrifugation. Alternatively, particles can be separated on the basis of their density using isopycnic centrifugation.

Once cells are broken open by homogenisation, they can be fractionated into a range of defined membrane fractions so that it is possible to analyse the functions of the different components of cells.

Many centrifugation purification procedures involve sequential centrifugation steps, often a size separation followed by purification using isopycnic gradient centrifugation.
Neural Orchestration of Food Intake and Energy Expenditure
Authors: Soleiman Matthew T
Published: March 2015

Eating is one of the most hard‐wired and ubiquitous behaviours. Yet, we have only begun to map the neural circuits underlying its control. By sensing peripheral metabolic states via hormonal signals such as leptin, insulin, ghrelin and cholecystokinin, circuits composed of specific cell types either drive or suppress food intake. Homeostatic inhibitory neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus co‐expressing agouti gene‐related protein and neuropeptide Y coordinate hunger through divergent projections, while additional circuitry seems dedicated to hedonic feeding and the motivation to eat. In contrast, the vagus nerve delivers visceral information to broadly projecting neurons of the nucleus tractus solitarius to acutely suppress appetite. One of their downstream targets includes excitatory calcitonin gene‐related peptide‐expressing neurons of the parabrachial nucleus that project to the central amygdala. Distinct circuitry seems to regulate energy expenditure and body weight independent of feeding. Hence, the nervous system differentially stimulates and suppresses eating via a number of separate, neuroanatomically distributed and molecularly distinct circuits.

Key Concepts

Peripheral metabolic signals influence neurons either by circulating through the blood and passing from vasculature into the central nervous system or by acting on interoceptive sensory neurons of the vagus nerve.

Each peripheral metabolic signal has the potential to have widespread and coordinated effects on different neural populations.

Separable neural circuitry is dedicated to appetite stimulation versus appetite suppression.

Considering either the neural circuitry of appetite stimulation or suppression, there are a number of circuit‐level mechanisms that likely interact and act in parallel.

Some neural circuits appear to affect energy expenditure independent of feeding.
Plant Behavioural Ecology
Authors: Trewavas Anthony J
Published: March 2015

Visible plant behaviour, exemplified by adaptive phenotypic plasticity, results from the challenge of exploiting patchy resource distribution and competition as well as herbivory and disease. Key concepts to understand plant behaviour and behavioural ecology require systems understanding and the consequences of self‐organisation and distributed control. This article extends these concepts into niche formation and its exploitation by intelligent foraging. Seed dormancy is employed to optimise the future niche for the seedling. Adaptive phenotypic plasticity, local signalling producing local responses, arises from distributed control. The ability of leaves to control their internal temperature is a prime example. Competition for plant resources is fundamental to selection and extends its system structure. Game theory describes the necessary individual interactions. The shade avoidance and root proliferation syndromes are reactive schedules designed to outwit other competing plants. The phenotypic changes necessary for these schedules are controlled by the cambium that demarcates resource distribution. Territory is also competed for and requires forms of self‐recognition, all experimentally observed. Finally, competition for mates, the ultimate determinant of fitness, occurs but in ways different to those in animals.

Key Concepts

Biology is a system of systems.

Self-organisation is key to behaviour.

Self-organisation requires distributed control.

The niche extends the plant system.

Intelligent foraging required for fitness.

Distributed control in tissues.

Competition extends the system.

Game theory and fitness.

Competition over territory requires self‐recognition.

Competition for plant mates.
Screening for Anti‐cancer Drugs inDrosophila
Authors: Richardson Helena E , Willoughby Lee , Humbert Patrick O
Published: March 2015

The vinegar fly,Drosophila melanogaster,has been a cornerstone of genetic analysis and cell and developmental biology research for over 100 years. Within the last decade,Drosophilais making its mark in translational research in its utilisation in modelling human diseases and in screens for small molecule inhibitors. In particular, its use in modelling cancer development and in identifying anti‐cancer therapeutics is beginning to make an important contribution to the current drug discovery pipeline, which to date has been only poorly successful in delivering drugs, identifiedin vitro,into the clinic for anti‐cancer therapy. The primary advantages of theDrosophilasystem for use in anti‐cancer drug screening are the conservation of cancer genes/pathways between flies and mammals, its suitability for rapid phenotypic screening of chemicals for anti‐cancer effectsin vivoin a high‐throughput and cost‐effective manner and its use in identifying drugs that can specifically target tumoursin vivo.

Key Concepts

The current drug screening pipeline has been only poorly efficient in progressing anti‐cancer drugs to the clinic because of differences betweenin vitroandin vivosystems

Drosophila melanogasteris an excellent model organism for cost‐effective high‐throughputin vivoscreening for anti‐cancer compounds relevant to human cancer

Drosophilalarvae or adults can be readily screened in a high‐throughput manner for the effect of orally administered compounds on a particular phenotype using phenotypic or fluorescent read‐outs

Drosophilamodels of cancer used for chemical screens include those generated by expression of cancer‐causing genes, whole animal synthetic lethality with radiation and specific cancer phenotypes

Biological and technical limitations ofDrosophilamight restrict the discovery of compounds and their translation into the clinic

Screening of orally administered drugs in flies has already proven to be successful in identifying new compounds or FDA‐approved compounds for use in cancer therapy
Molecular Genetics of Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissections
Authors: Regalado Ellen S , Milewicz Dianna M
Published: March 2015

A genetic predisposition to aortic aneurysms and dissections can occur as part of a genetic syndrome, such as Marfan and Loeys‐Dietz syndrome, or as an isolated manifestation without other systemic features, referred to as familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections. These genetic disorders are inherited as autosomal dominant conditions with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity in terms of aortic disease presentation, age of onset and extent of cardiovascular and other systemic involvement. Mutations in the
FBN1
,
TGFBR1
,
TGFBR2
,
SMAD3
,
SMAD4
,
TGFB2
,
ACTA2
,
MYH11
,
MYLK
and
PRKG1
have been identified in patients with syndromic and non‐syndromic TAAD, emphasising the important roles of the transcription growth factor beta signalling pathway and smooth muscle contraction in aortic disease development.

Key Concepts

Thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections or TAAD can occur as part of a genetic syndrome, such as Marfan syndrome, Loeys‐Dietz syndrome or as an isolated manifestation without syndromic features.

Approximately 20% of patients with TAAD who do not have Marfan syndrome or related disorder have a similarly affected relative, referred to as familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection or FTAAD.

Marfan syndrome, Loeys‐Dietz syndrome and FTAAD are primarily inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with reduced penetrance and variable expressivity.

FTAAD is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous group of disorders caused by mutations in several genes, including
FBN1
,
TGFBR1
,
TGFBR2
,
SMAD3
,
SMAD4
,
TGFB2
,
ACTA2
,
MYH11
,
MYLK
and
PRKG1
.
Sergei Chetverikov (1880–1959)
Authors: Levit Georgy S
Published: March 2015

Chetverikov was a Russian (Soviet) geneticist and lepidopterologist, who significantly contributed to the growth of Darwinian evolutionary theory. He saw his primary task as overcoming a gap between Mendelism and Darwinian selectionism. In 1926, Chetverikov published his revolutionary paper ‘On Certain Features of the Evolutionary Process from the Viewpoint of Modem Genetics’, which laid the foundation for population genetics, along with the works by Ronald Fisher, Sewall Wright, and John Haldane. Chetverikov made significant efforts to develop a research programme synthesising biometric, naturalist and genetic approaches within a Darwinian framework. He played a special role in the history of Russian and Soviet biology, because he stood at the very cradle of the Russian (Soviet) school of evolutionary genetics.

Key Concept

Chetverikov (1880–1959), a Russian geneticist who made important conceptual contributions to population genetics and evolutionary theory.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Authors: Josephs Keith A
Published: March 2015

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disease that was first described approximately 50 years ago in 1964. When first described, PSP was thought to have a unique clinical presentation characterised by loss of balance leading to early falls, slowness of movements, stiffness of muscles and loss of the ability to voluntarily move the eyes up and down. Subsequently, it has been recognised that patients who have died and have shown microscopic changes in the brain consistent with PSP had other clinical presentations not involving balance, falls or eye movement problems. The term PSP is, therefore, now best reserved for pathological diagnosis. There have been numerous advances in our understanding of PSP, including the fact that patients with PSP can have many different clinical presentations. In this review, we will focus on the pathological, clinical, neuroimaging and genetic characteristics of PSP.

Key Concepts

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a pathological diagnosis.

The cause of PSP is unknown but is thought to be related to abnormal hyperphosphorylated 4R tau.

PSP can present as one of many different clinical syndromes.

Impaired balance with early falls and vertical eye movement problems are highly predictive of PSP pathology.

Atrophy of the premotor cortex, midbrain and superior cerebellar peduncle are the main MRI findings in PSP.

There is some evidence that PSP could have genetic underpinnings.
Burkholderiales ord. nov
Authors: Garrity George M. , Bell Julia A. , Lilburn Timothy
Published: March 2015

Burk.hol.de.ri.a' les
. M.L. fem. n.
Burkholderia
type genus of the order; ‐
ales
ending to denote order; M.L. fem. n.
Burkholderiales
the
Burkholderia
order.

Proteobacteria / Betaproteobacteria / Burkholderiales / Burkholderiales