bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Little Ice Age in Scientific Perspective: Cold Spells and Caveats
Authors: Büntgen Ulf , Hellmann Lena
Published: November 2013

Contrary to the position taken by Kelly and Ó Gráda, a rich body of regional- to large-scale temperature reconstructions that span from the last millennium to almost the entire Holocene confirms the existence of several temperature depressions that occurred at different intensities and spatial ranges between c. 1350 and 1900, thus supporting the conception of a Little Ice Age. Nonetheless, the genuine uncertainties that continue to surround paleoclimatic study suggest that methodologies and findings are subject to further refinement.
Redefinition of the genus Silphitrombium (Trombidiformes: Neothrombiidae) with description of two new species parasitizing beetles (Coleoptera: Elateridae, Tenebrionidae) from Iran
Authors: TASHAKOR SAMANEH , HAJIQANBAR HAMIDREZA , SABOORI ALIREZA
Published: November 2013

Two new species of Silphitrombium Fain, 1992 (Acari: Prostigmata: Neothrombiidae), ectoparasites of beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera), are described from Sistan and Baluchestan Province, eastern Iran: S. elateridum sp. nov. on Heteroderes heideni Reitter, 1891 (Col.: Elateridae) and S. iranicum sp. nov. on Opatroides punctulatus Brullé, 1832 (Col.: Tenebrionidae) and the genus Silphitrombium is redefined. It is the first record of the relationship between beetles of the families Elateridae and Tenebrionidae, and mites of the genus Silphitrombium. A key to the species of the genus is presented.
Four new species of Acoela from Chile
Authors: KÅNNEBY TOBIAS , JONDELIUS ULF
Published: November 2013

Acoels are with few exceptions marine worms and a common component of the interstitial meiofauna. In this study we present new species to science belonging to Isodiametridae and Solenofilomorphidae. The new species, Isodiametra finkei n. sp., Postaphanostoma nilssoni n. sp., Pseudaphanostoma hyalinorhabdoida n. sp. and Solenofilomorpha pellucida n. sp. were all collected in Chile during March 2012. Nucleotide sequences for the ribosomal genes 18S rDNA and 28S rDNA as well as COI mtDNA have been determined for the new species and used in a maximum likelihood analysis to further support their classification.
Poor Man’s Atomic Bomb? Exploring the Relationship between “Weapons of Mass Destruction”
Authors: Horowitz Michael C. , Narang Neil
Published: November 2013

The causes and consequences of nuclear proliferation have received a great deal of academic attention. However, nuclear weapons are rarely discussed in isolation in policy circles. Instead, nuclear weapons are relevant as part of a category of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) that includes chemical and biological weapons (CBWs). Are the factors that drive CBWs proliferation similar to those that drive nuclear proliferation? What is the relationship between these weapons types? In this article, we explore whether nuclear weapons and CBWs serve as complements or substitutes. Using newly collected data on both CBWs pursuit and possession over time, we find that nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons generally function as complements at the pursuit stage. In addition, countries that acquire nuclear weapons become less interested in pursuing other types of WMDs and are even willing to give them up in some cases.
Security Guarantees and Allied Nuclear Proliferation
Authors: Bleek Philipp C. , Lorber Eric B.
Published: November 2013

As Iran continues its apparent pursuit of a nuclear weapons breakout capability and North Korea resists efforts to roll back its proliferation, policy makers in Washington eager to prevent further proliferation in both regions regard security guarantees to allies as crucial tools. But recent scholarship calls into question whether security guarantees ameliorate proliferation risks. Relying on a combination of large- N quantitative analysis and a case study of South Korea from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s, this article argues that, consistent with policy makers’ conventional wisdom, security guarantees significantly reduce proliferation proclivity among their recipients.
Mechanistic Investigations of Test Article–Induced Pancreatic Toxicity at the Endocrine–Exocrine Interface in the Rat
Authors: Brenneman Karrie A. , Ramaiah Shashi K. , Rohde Cynthia M. , Messing Dean M. , O’Neil Shawn P. , Gauthier Lauren M. , Stewart Zachary S. , Mantena Srinivasa R. , Shevlin Kimberly M. , Leonard Christopher G. , Sokolowski Sharon A. , Lin Hungyun , Carraher Deborah C. , Jesson Michael I. , Tomlinson Lindsay , Zhan Yutian , Bobrowski Walter F. , Bailey Steven A. , Vogel W. Mark , Morris Dale L. , Whiteley Laurence O. , Davis John W.
Published: November 2013

Pancreatic toxicity commonly affects the endocrine or exocrine pancreas. However, it can also occur at the endocrine–exocrine interface (EEI), where the capillary network of the islet merges with the capillaries of the surrounding acinar tissue, that is, the insulo-acinar portal system. The goal of this article is to describe a novel, test article–induced pancreatic toxicity that originated at the EEI and to summarize investigations into the mechanistic basis of the injury. This injury was initially characterized by light microscopy in 7/14 day-toxicity studies in Sprague-Dawley (Crl: CD®[SD]) rats with undisclosed test articles. Microvascular injury at the interface resulted in peri-islet serum exudation, fibrin deposition, hemorrhage, inflammation, and secondary degeneration/necrosis of surrounding exocrine tissue. More chronic injury presented as islet fibrosis and lobular atrophy. Direct cytotoxicity affecting the capillary endothelium at the EEI was confirmed ultrastructurally on day 4. Endothelial microparticle and blood flow studies further confirmed endothelial involvement. Similar lesions occurred less frequently in 2 other rat strains and not in the mouse, dog, or cynomolgus macaque. In summary, in vivo and investigative study data confirmed primary endothelial cytotoxicity in the pathogenesis of this lesion and suggested that the lesion may be rat/rat strain–specific and of uncertain relevance for human safety risk assessment.
Composite growth model applied to human oral and pharyngeal structures and identifying the contribution of growth types
Authors: Wang Yuan , Chung Moo K , Vorperian Houri K
Published: November 2013

The growth patterns of different anatomic structures in the human body vary in terms of growth amount over time, growth rate and growth periods. The oral and pharyngeal structures, also known as vocal tract structures, are housed in the craniofacial complex where the cranium/brain follows a distinct neural growth pattern, and the face follows a distinct somatic or skeletal growth pattern. Thus, it is reasonable to expect the oral and pharyngeal structures to follow a combined or mixed growth pattern. Existing parametric growth models are limited in that they are mainly focused on modeling one particular type of growth pattern. In this paper, we propose a novel composite growth model using neural and somatic baseline curves to fit the combined growth pattern of select vocal tract structures. The method can also determine the overall percent contribution of each of the growth types.
Prevalence of otitis externa in stray cats in northern Italy
Authors: Perego Roberta , Proverbio Daniela , Bagnagatti De Giorgi Giada , Della Pepa Alessandra , Spada Eva
Published: November 2013

Feline otitis externa is a dermatological disorder that has not been evaluated much in stray cats. One hundred and eighty-seven stray cats were randomly selected during a trap–neuter–release programme to investigate the prevalence of otitis externa in stray cat colonies in northern Italy. Swabs for cytological examination were obtained from the external ear canal of each cat. A direct otoscopic assessment of the external ear canal was made in 86/187 cats. Cytological evidence of otitis externa was present in 55.1% of cats. The influence on otitis of age, gender, habitat and season of sampling was tested, but no risk factors were found. Otodectes cynotis (as a sole agent or in combination) was the primary cause of otitis in 53.3% of cats. Cocci and rods, either alone or in combination with other agents, were perpetuating factors in 71.8% and 29.1% of cats, respectively. Pregnancy status was a risk factor for otitis caused by coccal infections. Malassezia species, alone or in combination, was the perpetuating factor in 50.5% of cats with otitis. Urban habitat and winter season were risk factors for otitis associated with Malassezia species. Demodex cati was identified as an incidental finding in two cats. There was good agreement between otoscopy and cytology with regard to the diagnosis of otitis externa. The results of this study show a high prevalence of otitis externa in stray colony cats and provide information on causal factors for feline otitis externa.
Toward an Understanding of Food Pantry Food Recipients and the Agencies that Serve Them
Authors: Will Jeffry A. , Milligan Tracy A.
Published: November 2013

Second Harvest North Florida (Second Harvest) provides food for approximately 450 organizations/agencies covering 17 counties in North Florida. These organizations that receive food include meal providers (“soup kitchens”), food pantries, religious organizations, and small, independent groups. In 2011, Second Harvest distributed more than 20 million pounds of food, an increase of 162% since 2008 (Second Harvest 2012). While it is clear that Second Harvest provides a large number of agencies and providers with increasing amounts of food for distribution, much less is known about who is hungry and what the “profile” of these recipients looks like. Local news reports and anecdotes from providers cite the increased number and “changing face” of poor requesting food assistance, but a more in-depth analysis of recipients is very much needed. In this paper we reflect on the process and results of surveys conducted with approximately 250 North Florida agencies and with more than 500 people waiting in line at 26 food pantries across the seven-county Northeast Florida region. The findings from the surveys with the agencies and the clients are clear that a number of people are facing significant problems with regard to food security, and that little optimism exists that things will get better anytime soon.
Hispanic Overweight and Obese Children
Authors: Ogu Linda C. , Janakiram Jayasri , Hoffman Heather J. , McDonough Libia , Valencia Ana P. , Mackey Eleanor R. , Klein Catherine J.
Published: November 2013

Through Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment and other techniques, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) engages clients to set their own nutrition goals. A case series of 30 Hispanic children (2-4.5 years) at ≥85th body mass index (BMI) percentile and their caregivers were followed through an urban WIC clinic. The dyads received either standard counseling ( n = 15) or motivational interviewing (MI; n = 15) by one bilingual WIC nutritionist during 4 regularly scheduled visits over 6 months. Repeated measurements of anthropometric data, dietary patterns, and physical activity were obtained at each visit. Longitudinal bivariate analyses of caregiver concerns and goal selection were conducted along with mean comparisons of anthropometric and food frequency measures. Participation in counseling sessions as rated by the nutritionist was assessed by comparing Wilcoxon rank-sum scores. After counseling, children lost an adjusted mean weight of 0.878 kg (95% confidence interval = 0.280-1.717). A decline in median BMI of more than 3 percentiles ( P = .042) was observed with both counseling approaches. Caregiver-reported vegetable intake of children increased an average of one additional serving in the MI-counseled group by visit 3 ( P = .013) despite MI recipient caregivers being scored as significantly more distracted than standard WIC participants in the first visit ( P = .036). MI is a viable option for WIC counseling to improve diet and health outcomes in participants, particularly in addressing child BMI status and vegetable intake. Public health professionals should examine scalability of the MI approach among larger samples of WIC participants and other innovative techniques to improve client focus during counseling.
Glaucoma management: relative value and place in therapy of available drug treatments
Authors: Sambhara Deepak , Aref Ahmad A.
Published: November 2013

Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only proven therapeutic intervention for glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Despite advances in laser and microsurgical techniques, medical IOP reduction remains the first-line treatment option for the majority of patients with open-angle glaucoma. Prostaglandin analogs are the most efficacious topical agents and carry a remarkable safety profile. Topical beta-blockers, alpha-agonists, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are often employed as adjunctive agents for further IOP control. Newer preserved and nonpreserved formulations are available and appear to be less toxic to the ocular surface. Oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, miotic agents, and hyperosmotics are infrequently used due to a host of potentially serious adverse events. Medical therapies on the horizon include rho-kinase inhibitors, neuroprotective interventions, and gene therapies.
Experimental and numerical analysis of influence of carbide on austenitisation kinetics in 5Mn TRIP steel
Authors: Luo H. W. , Qiu C. H. , Dong H. , Shi J.
Published: November 2013

To retain a large fraction of austenite in 5 wt-Mn alloyed transformation induced plasticity (TRIP) steel after short intercritical annealing (IA), the influence of the carbide that precipitates during various heating processes on austenitisation kinetics and amount of retained austenite was investigated. It was found that a considerable amount of Mn rich cementite particles precipitated when heating was interrupted at 550°C for 5 min; they remained undissolved during IA at 650°C, impairing the austenitisation kinetics and decreasing the fraction of retained austenite. In contrast, relatively fine para-carbide particles precipitated extensively, without Mn enrichment, when heating was interrupted at 250°C for 20 min. Both, experimental investigations and numerical simulations, indicate that these para-carbide particles were quickly dissolved during IA, thereby accelerating the austenitisation kinetics and increasing the fraction of retained austenite. In addition, the influence of the heating rate was investigated and is discussed. It is concluded that the carbide particles that precipitate before IA can either positively or negatively influence the fraction of retained austenite in the TRIP steel, depending on whether they dissolve during IA. Moreover, their dissolution kinetics strongly depends on the extent of Mn enrichment of the carbide compared to that of austenite, which can be predicted by the presented numerical simulations on dissolution kinetics of cementite.
Transcriptome sequencing and microarray design for functional genomics in the extremophile Arabidopsis relative Thellungiella salsuginea (Eutrema salsugineum)
Authors: Lee Yang Ping , Giorgi Federico M , Lohse Marc , Kvederaviciute Kotryna , Klages Sven , Usadel Björn , Meskiene Irute , Reinhardt Richard , Hincha Dirk K
Published: November 2013

Background

Most molecular studies of plant stress tolerance have been performed withArabidopsis thaliana, although it is not particularly stress tolerant and may lack protective mechanisms required to survive extreme environmental conditions.Thellungiella salsugineahas attracted interest as an alternative plant model species with high tolerance of various abiotic stresses. While theT. salsugineagenome has recently been sequenced, its annotation is still incomplete and transcriptomic information is scarce. In addition, functional genomics investigations in this species are severely hampered by a lack of affordable tools for genome-wide gene expression studies.

Results

Here, we report the results ofThellungiella de novotranscriptome assembly and annotation based on 454 pyrosequencing and development and validation of aT. salsugineamicroarray. ESTs were generated from a non-normalized and a normalized library synthesized from RNA pooled from samples covering different tissues and abiotic stress conditions. Both libraries yielded partially unique sequences, indicating their necessity to obtain comprehensive transcriptome coverage. More than 1 million sequence reads were assembled into 42,810 unigenes, approximately 50% of which could be functionally annotated. These unigenes were compared to all availableThellungiellagenome sequence information. In addition, the groups of Late Embryogenesis Abundant (LEA) proteins, Mitogen Activated Protein (MAP) kinases and protein phosphatases were annotated in detail. We also predicted the target genes for 384 putative miRNAs. From the sequence information, we constructed a 44 k Agilent oligonucleotide microarray. Comparison of same-species and cross-species hybridization results showed superior performance of the newly designed array forT. salsugineasamples. The developed microarrays were used to investigate transcriptional responses ofT. salsugineaandArabidopsisduring cold acclimation using the MapMan software.

Conclusions

This study provides the first comprehensive transcriptome information for the extremophileArabidopsisrelativeT. salsuginea. The data constitute a more than three-fold increase in the number of publicly available unigene sequences and will greatly facilitate genome annotation. In addition, we have designed and validated the first genome-wide microarray forT. salsuginea, which will be commercially available. Together with the publicly available MapMan software this will become an important tool for functional genomics of plant stress tolerance.
Study protocol: rehabilitation including social and physical activity and education in children and teenagers with cancer (RESPECT)
Authors: Thorsteinsson Troels , Helms Anne Sofie , Adamsen Lis , Andersen Lars Bo , Andersen Karen Vitting , Christensen Karl Bang , Hasle Henrik , Heilmann Carsten , Hejgaard Nete , Johansen Christoffer , Madsen Marianne , Madsen Svend Aage , Simovska Venka , Strange Birgit , Thing Lone Friis , Wehner Peder Skov , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Larsen Hanne Baekgaard
Published: November 2013

Background

During cancer treatment children have reduced contact with their social network of friends, and have limited participation in education, sports, and leisure activities. During and following cancer treatment, children describe school related problems, reduced physical fitness, and problems related to interaction with peers.

Methods/design

The RESPECT study is a nationwide population-based prospective, controlled, mixed-methods intervention study looking at children aged 6-18 years newly diagnosed with cancer in eastern Denmark (n = 120) and a matched control group in western Denmark (n = 120). RESPECT includes Danish-speaking children diagnosed with cancer and treated at pediatric oncology units in Denmark. Primary endpoints are the level of educational achievement one year after the cessation of first-line cancer therapy, and the value of VO2maxone year after the cessation of first-line cancer therapy. Secondary endpoints are quality of life measured by validated questionnaires and interviews, and physical performance. RESPECT includes a multimodal intervention program, including ambassador-facilitated educational, physical, and social interventions. The educational intervention includes an educational program aimed at the child with cancer, the child’s schoolteachers and classmates, and the child’s parents. Children with cancer will each have two ambassadors assigned from their class. The ambassadors visit the child with cancer at the hospital at alternating 2-week intervals and participate in the intervention program. The physical and social intervention examines the effect of early, structured, individualized, and continuous physical activity from diagnosis throughout the treatment period. The patients are tested at diagnosis, at 3 and 6 months after diagnosis, and one year after the cessation of treatment. The study is powered to quantify the impact of the combined educational, physical, and social intervention programs.

Discussion

RESPECT is the first population-based study to examine the effect of early rehabilitation for children with cancer, and to use healthy classmates as ambassadors to facilitate the normalization of social life in the hospital. For children with cancer, RESPECT contributes to expanding knowledge on rehabilitation that can also facilitate rehabilitation of other children undergoing hospitalization for long-term illness.

Trial registration

Clinical Trials.gov: file.NCT01772849andNCT01772862
Wilms’ tumour suppressor gene 1 (WT1) is involved in the carcinogenesis of Lung cancer through interaction with PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Wang Xi , Gao Ping , Lin Fang , Long Min , Weng Yuanyuan , Ouyang Yongri , Liu Li , Wei Junxia , Chen Xi , He Ting , Zhang Huizhong , Dong Ke
Published: November 2013

Absract

Although studies have shown the oncogene WT1 is overexpressed in lung cancer, there is no data showing the implication of WT1 in lung cancer biology. In the present study, we first demonstrated that isotype C of WT1 was conservely overexpressed in 20 lung cancer patient specimens. Knockdown of WT1 by small interference RNA (siRNA) transfection resulted in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation, induction of cell cycle arrest at G1phase, and the expression change of BCL-2 family genes in WT1+A549 cells. Furthermore, we found that DDP treatment could decrease the WT1 mRNA expression level by 5% and 15% at a dose of 1 μg/ml, by 25% and 40% at a dose of 2 μg/ml for 24 and 48 h, respectively. In the mean time, DDP treatment also reduced the PI3K/AKT pathway activity. Further analysis by using siRNA targeting the AKT-1 and the PI3K pathway inhibitor Ly294002 revealed that the AKT-1 siRNA reduced the WT1 expression effectively in A549 cells, and the same result was observed in Ly294002 treated cells, indicating that DDP treatment could down regulate WT1 expression through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Of particular interest, knockdown of WT1 also inhibited the AKT expression effectively, Chip assay further confirmed that WT1 is a transcription factor of AKT-1. We thus concluded that there is a positive feedback loop between WT1 and AKT-1. Taken together, DDP treatment downregulates the WT1 expression through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and there is a feedback between WT1 and AKT-1; WT1 is involved in cellular proliferation in A549 cells, WT1 inhibition in combination with DDP will provide a new light for lung cancer therapy.
3-D aluminum nanostructure with microhole array synthesized by femtosecond laser radiation for enhanced light extinction
Authors: Mahmood Abdul Salam , Venkatakrishnan Krishnan , Tan Bo
Published: November 2013

This article presents 3-D aluminum micro-nanostructures for enhanced light absorption. Periodic microhole arrays were created by firing a train of femtosecond laser pulses at megahertz pulse frequency onto the surface of an aluminum target at ambient conditions. The laser trains ablated the target surface and created microholes leading to the generation of deposited nanostructures inside and around the microholes. These micro-nanostructures showed enhanced light absorption, which is attributed to surface plasmonics induced by the generation of both nano- and microstructures. These micro-nanostructures may be promising for solar cell applications.
Quantification of calcium content in bone by using ToF-SIMS–a first approach
Authors: Henss Anja , Rohnke Marcus , Knaack Sven , Kleine-Boymann Matthias , Leichtweiss Thomas , Schmitz Peter , El Khassawna Thaqif , Gelinsky Michael , Heiss Christian , Janek Jürgen
Published: November 2013

The determination of the spatially resolved calcium distribution and concentration in bone is essential for the assessment of bone quality. It enables the diagnosis and elucidation of bone diseases, the course of bone remodelling and the assessment of bone quality at interfaces to implants. With time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) the calcium distribution in bone cross sections is mapped semi-quantitatively with a lateral resolution of up to 1 μm. As standards for the calibration of the ToF-SIMS data calcium hydroxyapatite collagen scaffolds with different compositions were synthesized. The standards were characterised by loss of ignition, x-ray diffractometry (XRD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The secondary ion count rate for calcium and the calcium content of the standards show a linear dependence. The obtained calibration curve is used for the quantification of the calcium content in the bone of rats. The calcium concentration within an animal model for osteoporosis induction is monitored. Exemplarily the calcium content of the bones was quantified by XPS for validation of the results. Furthermore a calcium mass image is compared with an XPS image to demonstrate the better lateral resolution of ToF-SIMS which advances the locally resolved quantification of the calcium content.
Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion presenting with head and neck fibrosclerosing lesions and orbital pseudotumors: a case report
Authors: Kusaka Soichi , Nishimura Sho , Kawakami Fumi , Ohbayashi Chiho , Shibuya Yasuyuki , Iwata Kentaro
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion is an idiopathic fibrosclerosing disorder occurring in the head and neck region. It is one of a broad spectrum of entities named inflammatory pseudotumors and, as the name suggests, it mimics a lot of diseases such as malignancies or infections. Combined with its rarity, tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion can be a tremendous diagnostic challenge. This case report describes a case of tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion, which was initially thought to be peri-orbital and mandibular osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus. A lengthy work up ensued and was required to reach the final diagnosis.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old Asian man with a history of diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease who was on hemodialysis presented with worsening exophthalmos and relapsing trismus. He was diagnosed as “mandibular osteomyelitis” about 20 years ago. Since then he had suffered chronic relapsing exophthalmos and jaw pain with numerous medical treatments. In 2011 he was diagnosed as peri-orbital and intramandibular aspergillosis because a serum Aspergillus galactomannan assay was positive. He was treated with multiple antifungal medications to no avail. A biopsy of his orbital lesions was not revealing. After repeated biopsies, we finally concluded that the patient was suffering from tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion. Corticosteroid therapy was initiated with prompt response.

Conclusions

Tumefactive fibroinflammatory lesion is a rare inflammatory benign tumor, which mimics many inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. Conventional work up including biopsy may not lead to the diagnosis without understanding this entity. Awareness of this disorder will aid early diagnosis and treatment.
Effects of tea saponin on glucan conversion and bonding behaviour of cellulolytic enzymes during enzymatic hydrolysis of corncob residue with high lignin content
Authors: Feng Yue , Jiang Jianxin , Zhu Liwei , Yue Linyan , Zhang Junhui , Han Shijie
Published: November 2013

Background

Recently, interest in the utilization of corncob residue (CCR, with high lignin of 45.1%) as a feedstock for bioethanol has been growing. Surfactants have been one of the most popular additives intended to prevent the inhibitory effect of lignin on cellulolytic enzymes, thereby improving hydrolysis. In this study, the effects of biosurfactant tea saponin (TS) on the enzymatic hydrolysis of CCR and the bonding behavior of cellulolytic enzymes to the substrate were investigated. The surface tension in the supernatant was also detected to obtain information about the characteristics and stability of TS.

Results

The glucose concentration was 17.15 mg/mL at 120 hours of hydrolysis with the low loading of cellulolytic enzymes (7.0 FPU/g cellulose and 10.5 BGU/g cellulose) and 5% CCR. The optimal dosage of TS was its critical micelle concentration (cmc, 1.80 mg/mL). The glucose yield was enhanced from 34.29 to 46.28 g/100 g dry matter by TS. The results indicate that TS can promote the adsorption of cellulolytic enzymes on the substrate and mediate the release of adsorbed enzymes. Meanwhile, TS improves the recovery of the cellulolytic enzymes after a hydrolysis cycle and prevents deactivation of the enzymes during the intense shaking process. The surface tension in supernatants of digested CCR with TS remained at 50.00 mN/m during the course of hydrolysis. It is interesting to note that biosurfactant TS can maintain the surface tension in supernatants, despite its digestibility by cellulolytic enzymes.

Conclusions

Serving as an accelerant of lignocellulose hydrolysis, TS can also be degraded by the cellulolytic enzymes and release glucose while retaining stability, which reduces the cost of both the cellulolytic enzymes and the additive. As the glucose from the TS could be utilized by yeast, further efforts will investigate the mechanism of function and the application of TS in the production of ethanol by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF).
A mammosphere formation RNAi screen reveals that ATG4A promotes a breast cancer stem-like phenotype
Authors: Wolf Jonas , Dewi Dyah Laksmi , Fredebohm Johannes , Müller-Decker Karin , Flechtenmacher Christa , Hoheisel Jörg D , Boettcher Michael
Published: November 2013

Introduction

Breast cancer stem cells are suspected to be responsible for tumour recurrence, metastasis formation as well as chemoresistance. Consequently, great efforts have been made to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer stem cell maintenance. In order to study these rare cells in-vitro, they are typically enriched via mammosphere culture. Here we developed a mammosphere-based negative selection shRNAi screening system suitable to analyse the involvement of thousands of genes in the survival of cells with cancer stem cell properties.

Methods

We describe a sub-population expressing the stem-like marker CD44+/CD24-/low in SUM149 that were enriched in mammospheres. To identify genes functionally involved in the maintenance of the sub-population with cancer stem cell properties, we targeted over 5000 genes by RNAi and tested their ability to grow as mammospheres. The identified candidate ATG4A was validated in mammosphere and soft agar colony formation assays. Further, we evaluated the influence of ATG4A expression on the sub-population expressing the stem-like marker CD44+/CD24low. Next, the tumorigenic potential of SUM149 after up- or down-regulation of ATG4A was examined by xenograft experiments.

Results

Using this method, Jak-STAT as well as cytokine signalling were identified to be involved in mammosphere formation. Furthermore, the autophagy regulator ATG4A was found to be essential for the maintenance of a sub-population with cancer stem cell properties and to regulate breast cancer cell tumourigenicity in vivo.

Conclusion

In summary, we present a high-throughput screening system to identify genes involved in cancer stem cell maintenance and demonstrate its utility by means of ATG4A.
N-glycosylation requirements in neuromuscular synaptogenesis
Authors: Parkinson William , Dear Mary Lynn , Rushton Emma , Broadie Kendal
Published: November 2013

Neural development requires N-glycosylation regulation of intercellular signaling, but the requirements in synaptogenesis have not been well tested. All complex and hybrid N-glycosylation requires MGAT1 (UDP-GlcNAc:α-3-D-mannoside-β1,2-N-acetylglucosaminyl-transferase I) function, and Mgat1 nulls are the most compromised N-glycosylation condition that survive long enough to permit synaptogenesis studies. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), Mgat1 mutants display selective loss of lectin-defined carbohydrates in the extracellular synaptomatrix, and an accompanying accumulation of the secreted endogenous Mind the gap (MTG) lectin, a key synaptogenesis regulator. Null Mgat1 mutants exhibit strongly overelaborated synaptic structural development, consistent with inhibitory roles for complex/hybrid N-glycans in morphological synaptogenesis, and strengthened functional synapse differentiation, consistent with synaptogenic MTG functions. Synapse molecular composition is surprisingly selectively altered, with decreases in presynaptic active zone Bruchpilot (BRP) and postsynaptic Glutamate receptor subtype B (GLURIIB), but no detectable change in a wide range of other synaptic components. Synaptogenesis is driven by bidirectional trans-synaptic signals that traverse the glycan-rich synaptomatrix, and Mgat1 mutation disrupts both anterograde and retrograde signals, consistent with MTG regulation of trans-synaptic signaling. Downstream of intercellular signaling, pre- and postsynaptic scaffolds are recruited to drive synaptogenesis, and Mgat1 mutants exhibit loss of both classic Discs large 1 (DLG1) and newly defined Lethal (2) giant larvae [L(2)GL] scaffolds. We conclude that MGAT1-dependent N-glycosylation shapes the synaptomatrix carbohydrate environment and endogenous lectin localization within this domain, to modulate retention of trans-synaptic signaling ligands driving synaptic scaffold recruitment during synaptogenesis.
Surface Structures and Electrochemical Activity of Palladium–Niobium Binary Alloy Electrodes, and Glucose Biosensor with Palladium–Niobium Binary Alloy Electrode
Authors: Matsumoto Toru , Sata Naoaki , Kobayashi Kiyoshi , Yamabe-Mitarai Yoko
Published: November 2013

The electrochemical activities of binary metals in a Pd–Nb system were investigated as a function of their compositions, crystal structures, using a hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid redox reaction. High activities for the redox reaction of hydrogen peroxide were observed when an alloy of composition 75 atom % Pd–25 atom % Nb (Pd–25Nb) with Pd3Nb phase was used. Tests on six electrodes showed that at a constant potential of 0.7 V, the Pd–25Nb electrode had the best hydrogen peroxide detection capability (Pd–25Nb: 3.2 µA mm−2; Pd: 2.4 µA mm−2; Pt: 2.2 µA mm−2; Pd–10Nb: 1.8 µA mm−2; Pd–30.8Nb: 2.4 µA mm−2; Pd–54.4Nb: 0.6 µA mm−2 for 2 mM hydrogen peroxide). And then, Pd–25Nb gave the best performance in terms of preferential hydrogen peroxide oxidation against ascorbic acid. Subsequently, the Pd–25Nb electrode which had excellent hydrogen peroxide detection capability, Pd and Pt were used for the fabrication of amperometric glucose sensors. To fabricate the glucose sensors, we coated the three electrodes first with γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane, and then with crosslinked bovine serum albumin and glutaraldehyde containing glucose oxidase. Tests on the Pd–25Nb, Pd, and Pt electrode glucose sensors showed that the Pd–25Nb glucose sensor had a better glucose detection capability than the Pd and Pt glucose sensors: 0.468 µA mm−2 mM−1 for the Pd–25Nb sensor, 0.307 µA mm−2 mM−1 for the Pd sensor, and 0.276 µA mm−2 mM−1 for the Pt sensor with 1.67 mM glucose. We discuss the relation between electrode responses to both hydrogen peroxide and ascorbic acid and electrode surface structures.
Oppositional Identities and Resource Partitioning: Distillery Ownership in Scotch Whisky, 1826–2009
Authors: McKendrick David G. , Hannan Michael T.
Published: November 2013

We build on recent theory and research on the role of categories in resource partitioning. We analyze Scotch whisky making between 1826 and 2009—a case that seemed initially to fail to conform to the pattern of the beer industry now treated as prototypical. On close examination (both qualitative and quantitative), we find that high concentration in the center of the market is not sufficient to generate a partition. Rather, we see a long delay between the heightening of concentration in the industry and the emergence of a cluster of peripheral producers that claim an identity in opposition to the dominant generalists. We explain the source of the delay as a function of the nature of the audience, which until recently did not regard conglomerate or foreign ownership of distilleries as an impediment to producing authentic whisky. Only when critics started to question how ownership of distilleries related to authenticity did the revival of the traditional form of ownership begin to occur. By analyzing entries of focused firms in the recent period, we find that widespread ownership of distilleries of diversified corporations (but not foreign ownership) supported the formation of more traditional types of whisky distillers. But endurance of identity-based resource partitioning might require development of a collective identity and collective strategy by producers. In the case we studied, each focused producer has an idiosyncratic identity, which may be insufficient to cause audiences to agree on a code that excludes the mainstream producers from membership in the new category and thereby maintain a partitioned market.
Crime in popular fiction: Remembering the Algerian War of Independence in contemporary French crime fiction
Authors: Kimyongür Angela
Published: November 2013

Critics have evoked parallels between the French experience of Vichy during World War II and the Algerian War of Independence, in terms of their intensely divisive nature and the difficulty the French have had, and continue to have, in acknowledging repressed memories of both conflicts. France has come rather further in confronting its Vichy past than it has in facing up to repressed memories of the Algerian War. In addition to the memory work done by historians and film-makers, occluded memories of Vichy and occupation have been tackled by writers of crime fiction. While the investigatory framework of the crime novel has been identified as an ideal narrative tactic for unearthing forgotten or hidden memories of the past, little critical attention has yet been paid to its deployment in remembering the Algerian War of Independence. This article aims to examine the ways in which the conflict is remembered through selected crime novels by three French writers: Maurice Attia, Didier Daeninckx and Maurice Gouiran, and the part these texts play in ongoing memory work.
Francoism and the formula of fear in Spanish crime fiction: The case of Jordi Sierra i Fabra’s Cinco días de octubre/Five Days in October
Authors: King Stewart
Published: November 2013

This article explores the generic conventions of Jordi Sierra i Bosch’s third novel of his ‘Inspector Mascarell’ series, Cinco días de octubre/Five Days in October (2011). The article situates this novel and the series in the context of the so-called return of historical memory in democratic, post-Franco Spain. In particular, it argues that Sierra i Fabra uses the narrative conventions of the detective thriller to transport readers to the past so they can experience the fear felt by the Republican losers of the Spanish Civil War living under the Franco regime and, in so doing, engage readers emotionally in this traumatic past with the aim of overcoming the nation’s historical disengagement.
What’s broken in Peter Temple’s The Broken Shore?
Authors: West-Sooby John
Published: November 2013

Crime fiction, in its various forms, has produced many remarkable and memorable characters. But beyond the interest we might take in the individual destinies of the protagonists crime novels arouse in us a more fundamental and deep-seated desire: the yearning for order to be reestablished following the scandalous transgression of society’s laws and conventions. Dysfunction and rupture, and the quest for their repair, are thus defining features of the crime genre. In Peter Temple’s 2005 novel The Broken Shore, however, disorder and disruption extend to every facet of society, and are even reflected in the prose itself. By examining the omnipresence of rupture in the novel, this essay seeks to provide a greater appreciation both of Peter Temple’s vision of Australian society and of the originality of his approach to the conventions of crime fiction.
Exploring the online playground: Understanding motivation in children’s virtual worlds
Authors: Sarachan Jeremy
Published: November 2013

Children’s virtual worlds attract millions of preteens. This article, which uses ethnographic methods and usability testing techniques, examines children’s interest in virtual worlds and how behaviours associated with socializing, gaming, exploring and creating influence their use of the spaces. The study, which consisted of interviews and observations of sixteen children between 6 and 11, examined how cognitive and social development influence their use of virtual worlds. Specifically, the study considers whether children behave in the spaces according to the expectations established by the rules or play on their own terms. The results suggest that children use the spaces in ways that fit their style of play, despite limits created by membership-only features and virtual wealth accumulation. They often ignore the social aspects of play and focus on arcade style games and quests. Some children cited a preference for more creative options.
Machinima Review
Authors: Johnson Phylis
Published: November 2013

The Drax Files: The World Makers – documenting real lives via machinima: Interview with Filmmaker Bernhard Drax (Draxtor Despres)
Attributing Conversions in a Multichannel Online Marketing Environment: An Empirical Model and a Field Experiment
Authors: Li Hongshuang (Alice) , Kannan P.K.
Published: November 2013

Technology enables a firm to produce a granular record of every touchpoint consumers make in their online purchase journey before they convert at the firm's website. However, firms still depend on aggregate measures to guide their marketing investments in multiple online channels (e.g., display, paid search, referral, e-mail). This article introduces a methodology to attribute the incremental value of each marketing channel in an online environment using individual-level data of customers’ touches. The authors propose a measurement model to analyze customers’ (1) consideration of online channels, (2) visits through these channels over time, and (3) subsequent purchases at the website to estimate the carryover and spillover effects of prior touches at both the visit and purchase stages. The authors use the estimated carryover and spillover effects to attribute the conversion credit to different channels and find that these channels’ relative contributions are significantly different from those found by other currently used metrics. A field study validates the proposed model's ability to estimate the incremental impact of a channel on conversions. In targeting customers with different patterns of touches in their purchase funnel, these estimates help identify cases in which retargeting strategies may actually decrease conversion probabilities.
Sealab II and Skylab
Authors: Karafantis Layne
Published: November 2013

Sealab II, an underwater habitat experiment conducted by the Navy in 1965, and Skylab, NASA’s proto-space station launched into Earth orbit in 1973, are examples of extreme environments in which psychological research was carried out on the inhabitants of these spaces. These vessels showcase attention paid to psychological field research during the Cold War, a time when isolated confined environments and small group studies were funded under federal auspices for national defense purposes. These case studies challenge historians to re-evaluate existing definitions of the laboratory and of fieldwork, as their application to novel spaces in postwar social science research differed from prior uses of these terms.
Learned vs. Commercial?
Authors: Kinukawa Tomomi
Published: November 2013

Using two sets of correspondences centered around specimen exchanges, this paper analyzes daily practices of naturalists to shed light on ambiguities and contradictions in early modern European naturalists’ conception of commodified nature, which mere reading of literature on ideal conduct would not allow us to capture. Keenly aware of the difference between the code of reciprocity and gift giving in the learned world on one hand, and the code of monetary profit making in commercial transactions on the other, correspondents nonetheless recklessly crossed the boundary between the two, and kept the distinction between the different codes ambiguous: naturalists claimed natural specimens as gifts, while at the same time they profited from them monetarily. The concept of nature as objects of reciprocal gift exchanges reflected the hierarchy in the world of learning; this reciprocal conduct was alleged to be proper for scholars, in contrast with profit-motivated merchants. The conception of nature as objects of reciprocal gift exchanges also allowed European naturalists to collectively imagine colonial nature as a gift from non-European people and to claim individual rights to own and profit from it. Consequently the academic hierarchy and the colonization project reinforced each other in the daily practice of commodifying nature based on the halfhearted claim of nature as gift, and practical acceptance of profit-making out of the natural specimens themselves.
Resistência de acessos de meloeiro à mosca-minadora Liriomyza spp. (Diptera: Agromyzidae)
Authors: Nunes Glauber Henrique de Sousa , Medeiros Alexis Calafange , Araujo Elton Lucio , Nogueira Carlos Henrique Feitosa , Sombra Karla Diana da Silva
Published: November 2013

A mosca-minadora é a principal praga do cultivo do melão no Nordeste brasileiro. Dentro de um programa do manejo integrado de pragas, o uso de resistência genética é um método de fácil adoção, ecológico e que proporciona a redução dos custos com aplicação de defensivos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a resistência de acessos de meloeiro à mosca-minadora. Vinte e dois acessos e três híbridos foram avaliados em casadevegetação e em dois experimentos conduzidos em condições de campo. Em casa de vegetação, os acessos foram avaliados com chance de escolha para as características número de larvas, número de pupários e número de moscas em um delineamento em látice, com cinco repetições. Em condições de campo, os acessos foram avaliados em dois experimentos conduzidos nos anos de 2009 e 2010, no delineamento em blocos completos casualizados, com três repetições. Contabilizou-se o número de minas por folha. Há variabilidade entre os acessos de meloeiro para resistência à mosca-minadora nos acessos avaliados. O acesso AC-22 é o mais promissor como fonte de resistência à mosca- minadora nas avaliações em campo e casa de vegetação, seguido do acesso AC-10. Os demais acessos são suscetíveis.