bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of long wool insecticide treatments on lice numbers and wool damage on sheep
Authors: Campbell N. J. , James P. J. , Horton B. J.
Published: December 2014

Merino sheep infested with lice (Bovicola ovis) and with 8 months’ wool were hand jetted with a commercial spinosad formulation or treated with an α-cypermethrin backline product to examine the effect of long wool treatment on lice numbers and wool damage, relative to untreated controls. Mean lice numbers were reduced significantly (P < 0.05) by treatment and then remained relatively constant until shearing 20 weeks later. Treatment with either product resulted in significant improvements in mean clean and greasy wool cut, yield, staple length, both visually assessed and measured colour, and the proportion of fleeces classed into the main fleece line. There was no significant difference between the two treatments in either efficacy in reducing louse numbers or on production characters. Wool rub score and cotting assessed on the sheep increased slightly after treatment and then did not change until shearing whereas both scores increased significantly in the untreated group. There was a strong relationship between the visual rub score and the loss of wool at shearing, indicating that rub score can be a good predictor of lice-induced reduction in fleece weights.
Ability of sire breeding values to predict progeny bodyweight, fat and muscle using various transformations across environments in terminal sire sheep breeds
Authors: Huisman A. E. , Brown D. J. , Fogarty N. M.
Published: December 2014

Data used for the genetic evaluation of the terminal sire sheep breeds in Australia originate from a large range of genotypes and environments. This means there are large differences in the level of production and therefore contemporary group means and variances within the data. This study examined four transformations to account for the heterogeneity of variance in the observed data and their effect on the ability of estimated breeding values of sires (sire EBV) to predict progeny performance. This predictive ability was described by regressing offspring performance on sire EBV. The expected value of this regression is 0.5, which indicates that half of the sire EBV differences can be expected in the progeny. The transformations of observed data were investigated in low, medium and high production environments for weight and ultrasound scan traits (fat and muscle) in terminal sire sheep breeds. There were records from over 300 000 sheep in the LAMBPLAN terminal sire dataset, predominately from Poll Dorset, Texel, Suffolk and White Suffolk breeds. The transformation methods applied to the observed data were: traits expressed as a percentage of the contemporary group mean; traits re-scaled to a common contemporary group mean in units of measurement; a logarithmic transformation; and a square root transformation. The heritabilities and other variance ratios estimated from the transformed traits were not significantly different from those using the observed data. Phenotypes transformed to a proportion of the contemporary group mean, either as a percentage or in units of measurement, resulted in the most consistent EBV across all production environments for weight and fat traits, with little effect of transformations for muscle traits. The transformation of data to the contemporary mean in units of measurement for weight and fat traits has been implemented in the Sheep Genetics evaluation system. The consistency of the progeny–sire EBV regressions around 0.5 in the data from these purebred industry flocks is heartening for terminal sire evaluation.
Hidden carbon in Earth’s inner core revealed by shear softening in dense Fe
7
C
3
Authors: Chen Bin , Li Zeyu , Zhang Dongzhou , Liu Jiachao , Hu Michael Y. , Zhao Jiyong , Bi Wenli , Alp E. Ercan , Xiao Yuming , Chow Paul , Li Jie
Published: December 2014

Significance

Seismic studies revealed that shear wave (
S
wave) travels through the inner core at an anomalously low speed, thus challenging the notion of its solidity. Here we show that for the candidate inner core component Fe
7
C
3
, shear softening associated with a pressure-induced spin-pairing transition leads to exceptionally low
S
-wave velocity (
v
S
) in its low-spin and nonmagnetic phase. An Fe
7
C
3
-dominant inner core would match seismic observations and imply a major carbon reservoir in Earth’s deepest interior.
Computational design of a leucine-rich repeat protein with a predefined geometry
Authors: Rämisch Sebastian , Weininger Ulrich , Martinsson Jonas , Akke Mikael , André Ingemar
Published: November 2014

Significance

Repeat proteins are used in nature to bind to proteins and peptides. The shape of their binding surfaces can vary substantially, even for proteins within the same family. This variability likely arose because they evolved to match the proteins they interact with geometrically. Repeat proteins are often engineered to develop binders specific to new target proteins. It would be highly beneficial to design repeat proteins with predefined geometrical shapes because such a method would enable development of engineered repeat proteins that are shape-optimized to their targets. Here, we demonstrate that repeat proteins with a predefined shape can be designed using a computational design method. The approach is exemplified by the design of a protein that forms a ring structure not seen in nature.
Structural interactions of a voltage sensor toxin with lipid membranes
Authors: Mihailescu Mihaela , Krepkiy Dmitriy , Milescu Mirela , Gawrisch Klaus , Swartz Kenton J. , White Stephen
Published: December 2014

Significance

Tarantula venom contains protein toxins that interact with diverse families of ion channels and alter their activity. A number of tarantula toxins are known to interact with membranes and are thought to bind to ion channel proteins within the lipid bilayer. In the present study, we find that tarantula toxins influence the structure and dynamics of the lipid bilayer, and that the toxin orients itself within membranes to facilitate formation of the toxin–channel complexes. Our results have implications for the mechanisms of toxin action on ion channels, and more generally for protein–protein interactions within membranes.
Hume and the phenomenology of agency
Authors: Wood Joshua M.
Published: December 2014

Some philosophers argue that Hume, given his theory of causation, is committed to an implausibly thin account of what it is like to act voluntarily. Others suggest, on the basis of his argument against free will, that Hume takes no more than an illusory feature of action to distinguish the experience of performing an act from the experience of merely observing an act. In this paper, I argue that Hume is committed to neither an unduly parsimonious nor a sceptical account of the phenomenology of agency.
Renewable energy in South Africa's minerals-energy complex: a ‘low carbon’ transition?
Authors: Baker Lucy
Published: November 2014

This paper questions the extent to which the introduction of utility-scale, privately generated renewable energy into South Africa's coal-dominated electricity supply can be considered a ‘low-carbon transition’. Rather, the renewable energy projects in question are embedded within and contribute to South Africa's high-carbon, electricity-intensive ‘minerals–energy complex’. An empirical consideration is provided of some of the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the wind industry in South Africa, and the possibilities and pitfalls for its long-term sustainability.
Chronic nicotine exposure augments gustatory plasticity inCaenorhabditis elegans:involvement of dopamine signaling
Authors: Matsuura Tetsuya , Urushihata Takuya
Published: November 2014

The chemotaxis of wild-type NaCl-conditioned nematodes exposed to 100 mM NaCl, maintained on a growth medium containing 0.3 mM nicotine from first larva to young adult (YA) hermaphrodite, was significantly weaker than the chemotaxis of those maintained on a medium without nicotine. The result indicates that chronic nicotine exposure augments gustatory plasticity. The gustatory plasticity was also augmented when tph-1 mutants, with a defect in serotonin biosynthesis, were maintained on a medium containing nicotine until the YA stage. Chronic nicotine exposure did not augment gustatory plasticity in bas-1 mutants, which had defects in both serotonin and dopamine biosynthesis, and in cat-2 mutants, which had a defect in dopamine biosynthesis. However, augmentation of gustatory plasticity was observed when bas-1 and cat-2 mutants were maintained on a growth medium containing nicotine along with dopamine, suggesting that dopamine signaling is involved in the augmentation of gustatory plasticity due to chronic nicotine exposure.
Sport facility proximity and physical activity: Results from the Study of Community Sports in China
Authors: Guo Xiujin , Dai Jian , Xun Pengcheng , Jamieson Lynn M. , He Ka
Published: November 2014

Increased sport facility proximity is associated with higher likelihood of meeting physical activity (PA) recommendations in western studies, but it is uncertain whether the findings can be generalized to the Chinese population. From September 2012 to December 2012, 3926 participants drawn from China using a multi‐stage sampling strategy were invited to participate in the Study of Community Sports in China. Participants' demographics, commuting time to the nearest sport facility and PA levels were assessed. Among 3926 participants included (51.2% female) in the final analysis, 878 (22.4%) of them met the PA recommendation. Participants who spent ≥30 minutes in commuting time had 80% odds [odds ratio (OR): 0.80 (95% CI: 0.65–0.98)] of meeting the PA recommendation compared to those who spent less than 10 minutes. For every 10‐minute increment in commuting time, the odds reduced by 6% [OR = 0.94 (0.88–0.99)]. The observed associations were not appreciably modified by age, gender or education level. In this cross‐sectional community‐based study, we found that residents in China were less likely to meet the PA recommendation if they needed more commuting time to the nearest sport facility. Increasing sport facility proximity may be effective in improving the PA levels in the Chinese population.
Ground reaction forces of Olympic and World Championship race walkers
Authors: Hanley Brian , Bissas Athanassios
Published: November 2014

Race walking is an Olympic event where no visible loss of contact should occur and the knee must be straightened until midstance. The purpose of this study was to analyse ground reaction forces of world‐class race walkers and associate them with key spatiotemporal variables. Nineteen athletes race walked along an indoor track and made contact with two force plates (1000 Hz) while being filmed using high‐speed videography (100 Hz). Race walking speed was correlated with flight time (r =. 46, p =. 049) and flight distance (r =. 69, p =. 001). The knee's movement from hyperextension to flexion during late stance meant the vertical push‐off force that followed midstance was smaller than the earlier loading peak (p <. 001), resulting in a flattened profile. Athletes with narrower stride widths experienced reduced peak braking forces (r =. 49, p =. 046), peak propulsive forces (r =. 54, p =. 027), peak medial forces (r =. 63, p =. 007) and peak vertical push‐off forces (r =. 60, p =. 011). Lower fluctuations in speed during stance were associated with higher stride frequencies (r =. 69, p =. 001), and highlighted the importance of avoiding too much braking in early stance. The flattened trajectory and consequential decrease in vertical propulsion might help the race walker avoid visible loss of contact (although non‐visible flight times were useful in increasing stride length), while a narrow stride width was important in reducing peak forces in all three directions and could improve movement efficiency.
APTWG: The 4th Asia-Pacific Transport Working Group Meeting
Authors: Ida K. , Kwon J.M. , Leconte M. , Ko W.H. , Inagaki S. , Todo Y. , Kosuga Y.
Published: December 2014

This conference report summarizes the contributions to, and discussions at, the 4th Asia-Pacific Transport Working Group Meeting held at Kyushu University, Japan, during 10–13 June 2014. The topics of the meeting were organized under five main headings: turbulence suppression and transport barrier formation, effect of magnetic topology on MHD activity and transport, non-diffusive contribution of momentum and particle transport, non-local transport and turbulence spreading and coupling, energetic particles and instability. The Young Researchers' Forum which was held in this meeting is also described in this report.
Macrophages phagocytose nonopsonized silica particles using a unique microtubule-dependent pathway
Authors: Gilberti Renée M. , Knecht David A.
Published: November 2014

Silica inhalation leads to the development of the chronic lung disease silicosis. Macrophages are killed by uptake of nonopsonized silica particles, and this is believed to play a critical role in the etiology of silicosis. However, the mechanism of nonopsonized-particle uptake is not well understood. We compared the molecular events associated with nonopsonized- and opsonized-particle phagocytosis. Both Rac and RhoA GTPases are activated upon nonopsonized-particle exposure, whereas opsonized particles activate either Rac or RhoA. All types of particles quickly generate a PI(3,4,5)P3and F-actin response at the particle attachment site. After formation of a phagosome, the events related to endolysosome-to-phagosome fusion do not significantly differ between the pathways. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, actin polymerization, and the phosphatidylinositol cascade prevent opsonized- and nonopsonized-particle uptake similarly. Inhibition of silica particle uptake prevents silica-induced cell death. Microtubule depolymerization abolished uptake of complement-opsonized and nonopsonized particles but not Ab-opsonized particles. Of interest, regrowth of microtubules allowed uptake of new nonopsonized particles but not ones bound to cells in the absence of microtubules. Although complement-mediated uptake requires macrophages to be PMA-primed, untreated cells phagocytose nonopsonized silica and latex. Thus it appears that nonopsonized-particle uptake is accomplished by a pathway with unique characteristics.
Transcriptional factor specificity protein 1 (SP1) promotes the proliferation of glioma cells by up-regulating midkine (MDK)
Authors: Luo Jingyan , Wang Xiaoxiao , Xia Zhibo , Yang Lixuan , Ding Zhiming , Chen Shiyuan , Lai Bingquan , Zhang Nu
Published: November 2014

Midkine (MDK) expression is associated with the proliferation of many cancers, including glioma. However, the upstream signaling that leads to MDK accumulation remains elusive. This study investigates the molecular mechanism that induces MDK overexpression in human glioma. The Repository for Molecular Brain Neoplasia Data was analyzed to identify potential MDK regulators. Expression of MDK and specificity protein 1 (SP1) was compared in glioma specimens. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay was used to confirm the transcriptional regulation. MDK-force–expressed, SP1-silenced glioma cells were used to test rescue effects in vitro and in vivo. MDK and SP1 expression in gliomas was significantly higher than in adjacent tissues and was positively correlated in glioma clinical samples and cell lines. The promoter of the human MDK gene has a putative SP1 binding site. SP1 binds to the promoter of the MDK gene and directly regulates MDK expression. MDK or SP1 gene silencing inhibited the proliferation of glioma cells and reduced the tumor volume in nude mice. Overexpression of MDK in SP1-silenced cells could partially rescue the SP1 inhibition effects in vivo and in vitro. SP1 directly up-regulated the expression of MDK, and the SP1-MDK axis cooperated in glioma tumorigenesis.
Child Psychology: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Goswami Usha
Published: November 2014

Child Psychology: A Very Short Introduction examines modern child psychology, tracing its development from birth up until early adolescence. Child Psychology studies the process of attachment and ‘bonding’, and it considers how secure attachments will enable the child to progress in the development of self-understanding. The volume also considers an individual’s psychological development during the adolescent years. It poses and discusses a number of questions: how do babies and toddlers develop an understanding of the physical, biological, and social worlds that surrounds them? How do they develop complex abilities and senses such as language and morality? How specifically do children learn languages? How do they develop relationships with siblings and friends?
Iran: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Ansari Ali
Published: November 2014

Iran has rarely been out of the headlines. Yet extensive media interest has tended to hinder rather than help our understanding of Iran as an idea, an identity, and a people, leading to a superficial understanding of what is a complex and nuanced political culture and civilization. Iran: A Very Short Introduction presents a radical reinterpretation of Iranian history and politics, placing the Islamic Revolution in the context of a century of political change and social transformation. It considers the various factors that have contributed towards the construction of the idea of Iran and the complex identity of Iranians themselves, to provide a more realistic understanding for us all.
World War II: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Weinberg Gerhard L.
Published: November 2014

World War II: A Very Short Introduction examines the origins, course, and impact of the Second World War on those who fought and the ordinary citizens who lived through it. Starting with the inter-war years and the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, it examines how the war progressed by examining a number of key events: the war in the West in 1940, Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, the expansion of Japan's war with China, developments on the home front, and the Allied victory from 1944–45. Exploring the costs and effects of the war, this VSI considers the long-lasting mark World War II has left on society today.
HiTSelect: a comprehensive tool for high-complexity-pooled screen analysis
Authors: Diaz Aaron A. , Qin Han , Ramalho-Santos Miguel , Song Jun S.
Published: November 2014

Genetic screens of an unprecedented scale have recently been made possible by the availability of high-complexity libraries of synthetic oligonucleotides designed to mediate either gene knockdown or gene knockout, coupled with next-generation sequencing. However, several sources of random noise and statistical biases complicate the interpretation of the resulting high-throughput data. We developed HiTSelect, a comprehensive analysis pipeline for rigorously selecting screen hits and identifying functionally relevant genes and pathways by addressing off-target effects, controlling for variance in both gene silencing efficiency and sequencing depth of coverage and integrating relevant metadata. We document the superior performance of HiTSelect using data from both genome-wide RNAi and CRISPR/Cas9 screens. HiTSelect is implemented as an open-source package, with a user-friendly interface for data visualization and pathway exploration. Binary executables are available at http://sourceforge.net/projects/hitselect/, and the source code is available at https://github.com/diazlab/HiTSelect.
Resistance Patterns and Clinical Significance of Candida Colonization and Infection in Combat-Related Injured Patients From Iraq and Afghanistan
Authors: Blyth Dana M. , Mende Katrin , Weintrob Amy C. , Beckius Miriam L. , Zera Wendy C. , Bradley William , Lu Dan , Tribble David R. , Murray Clinton K.
Published: November 2014

Background.  Penetrating wounds with environmental contamination are associated with a range of infectious complications, including fungus. This is the first study to examine the epidemiology, resistance patterns, and outcomes of Candida infections and colonization in United States military patients injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Methods.  Clinical information associated with initial unique and serial Candida isolates collected from patients (June 2009–October 2013) through the Trauma Infectious Disease Outcomes Study (TIDOS) was evaluated. Susceptibilities were performed using Sensititre YeastOne (YO-9) plates and interpreted by Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute (CLSI) and adjusted-European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria.

Results.  The analysis included 127 patients with 131 unique Candida isolates, of which 102 were Candida albicans and 29 non-albicans Candida spp. Overall, 99% of patients were male with a median age of 23 and an injury severity score of 22. Injuries were primarily due to blasts (77%) and sustained among personnel serving in Afghanistan (89%). There was a median of 7 days from injury to Candida isolation, and 74 isolates were associated with infection. In the multivariate analysis, non-albicans Candida spp were associated with prior antifungal exposure, blood isolates, and wound isolates (P < .01). Nonsusceptibility by CLSI and EUCAST criteria was associated with non-albicans Candida spp (P < .05). Patients with Candida isolation had a 7.1% mortality rate, compared with 1.4% from the overall TIDOS population.

Conclusions.  Candida isolation from patients with penetrating war injuries may identify a population at higher risk for death. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether targeted antifungals and surgical management will affect this mortality rate.
Optimal Regulation in the Presence of Reputation Concerns *
Authors: Atkeson Andrew , Hellwig Christian , Ordoñez Guillermo
Published: November 2014

In all markets, firms go through a process of creative destruction: entry, random growth, and exit. In many of these markets there are also regulations that restrict entry, possibly distorting this process. We study the public interest rationale for entry taxes in a general equilibrium model with free entry and exit of firms in which firm dynamics are driven by reputation concerns. In our model firms can produce high-quality output by making a costly but efficient initial unobservable investment. If buyers never learn about this investment, an extreme “lemons problem” develops, no firm invests, and the market shuts down. Learning introduces reputation incentives such that a fraction of entrants do invest. We show that if the market operates with spot prices, entry taxes always enhance the role of reputation to induce investment, improving welfare despite the impact of these taxes on equilibrium prices and total production.
Up-regulation of Programmed Cell Death 1 Ligand 1 on Neutrophils May Be Involved in Sepsis-induced Immunosuppression
Authors: Wang Jia-Feng , Li Jin-Bao , Zhao Yan-Jun , Yi Wen-Jing , Bian Jin-Jun , Wan Xiao-Jian , Zhu Ke-Ming , Deng Xiao-Ming
Published: November 2014

AbstractAbstract

Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 is up-regulated on neutrophils during sepsis, which may be associated with sepsisinduced immunosuppression.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

Background:

Recent studies have shown that neutrophils may display an antigen-presenting function and inhibit lymphocyte proliferation by expressing programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1). The current study was performed to investigate the effect of neutrophils and their pathophysiological significance during sepsis.

Methods:

Neutrophil PD-L1 expression was determined in both septic mice (n = 6) and patients (n = 41). Neutrophils from septic mice were subtyped into PD-L1− and PD-L1+ populations to determine their phenotypes and functions. Septic neutrophils were cocultured with lymphocytes to observe the effect of septic neutrophils on lymphocyte apoptosis.

Results:

The PD-L1 level on neutrophils from septic mice was significantly up-regulated (21.41 ± 4.76%). This level increased with the progression of sepsis and the migration of neutrophils from the bone marrow to the blood and peritoneal cavity. The percentages of CD11a, CD62L, and C-C chemokine receptor type 2 were lower, whereas the percentages of CD16 and CD64 were higher on PD-L1+ neutrophils than on PD-L1− neutrophils. The migratory capacity of PD-L1+ neutrophils was compromised. Septic neutrophils induced lymphocyte apoptosis via a contact mechanism, and this process could be reversed by anti-PD-L1 antibody. PD-L1 was also up-regulated on neutrophils from patients with severe sepsis (14.6% [3.75%, 42.1%]). The levels were negatively correlated with the monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR level and positively correlated with the severity of septic patients. Neutrophil PD-L1 was a predictor for the prognosis of severe sepsis, with an area of 0.74 under the receiver operating curve.

Conclusions:

PD-L1 is up-regulated on neutrophils during sepsis, which may be related to sepsis-induced immunosuppression.
High-risk Prostate Cancer Treated With Dose-escalated RT
Authors: Son Christina H. , Hamstra Daniel A. , Feng Felix Y. , Liauw Stanley L.
Published: November 2014

Objectives:

To determine prognostic factors to select high-risk men receiving dose-escalated radiation therapy (RT) who will have favorable outcomes with short-term (ST) or no androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).

Methods:

Medical records of 458 men treated with definitive RT for high-risk, nonmetastatic prostate cancer at 3 academic referral centers from 1988 to 2009 were examined. Median dose was 76.4 Gy. Men received no ADT (n=105), STADT (<12 mo, n=194), or long-term ADT (LTADT: ≥12 mo, n=160). Univariate and multivariable analysis for freedom from distant metastases (FFDM) and cause-specific survival (CSS) were performed. Median follow-up was 71 months.

Results:

Seven-year FFDM was 83% and CSS was 91%. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir ≤0.2 (HR=0.36; 95% CI, 0.20-0.64) and Gleason score (GS) were associated with FFDM and CSS (all P<0.05). ADT duration was not associated (P>0.05). Those with PSA nadir ≤0.2 ng/mL had improved outcomes. Men with GS 9 disease did poorly despite a PSA nadir ≤0.2 ng/mL and had improved CSS with LTADT (95% vs. 71%, P<0.05).

Conclusions:

Select men with high-risk disease treated with dose-escalated RT may not require LTADT. In men treated with ADT, PSA nadir ≤0.2 is an independent prognostic factor associated with FFDM and CSS. Men without GS 9 may have acceptable outcomes with STADT if PSA nadir is ≤0.2 ng/mL. Further investigation is necessary to elucidate the role of PSA nadir in determining the optimal length of adjuvant ADT.
Hypomagnesemia and Chemotherapy, Diagnostic Dilemma, and Treatment Challenge: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Haroon Nivin , Raza Syed M. , Bhat Zeenat Y.
Published: December 2014

Magnesium is the second most common intracellular cation after potassium and plays pivotal role in the majority of metabolic process. Several studies have shown the prevalence of hypomagnesemia ranging from 2.5% to 12% in general population and even up to 60% in intensive care unit patients. Hypomagnesemia might be more prevalent in patients with cancer owing to a combination of several factors such as gastrointestinal loss, renal loss, poor intake, and use of certain chemotherapeutic drugs. It is imperative that we identify the exact cause of hypomagnesemia to aid and guide treatment. We report a case of a 63-year-old white woman with hypomagnesemia who was undergoing treatment for metastatic colon cancer. The chemotherapy regimen was with FOLFIRI (folinic acid, 5-fluorouracil, and irinotecan) and bevacizumab. This was followed by maintenance therapy with Xeloda (capecitabine). Her hypomagnesium was attributed to her chemotherapy. During our workup, the renal fractional excretion of magnesium was found to be low excluding the cause as renal wasting. This patient's hypomagnesemia could very well be explained by gastrointestinal losses (diarrhea) from short bowel after colectomy, her chemotherapeutic agents and metformin, as well as poor oral intake from medications, or malignancy itself.
Impact of the Use of Benznidazole Followed by Antioxidant Supplementation in the Prevalence of Ventricular Arrhythmias in Patients With Chronic Chagas Disease: Pilot Study
Authors: Barbosa João Luís , Thiers Clarissa Antunes , de Bragança Pereira Basílio , do Nascimento Emília Matos , Ribeiro Frazon Carine Muniz , Budni Patricia , Wilhelm Filho Danilo , Pedrosa Roberto Coury
Published: December 2014

Patients with chronic Chagas disease have a higher prevalence of premature ventricular contraction (PVC) because of immunoinflammatory response magnified by the increased oxidative stress. Thus, the sequential treatment with benznidazole (BZN) and antioxidants can reduce the prevalence of PVC. We wish to establish whether the etiological treatment of Chagas disease followed by supplementation with the antioxidant vitamins E and C decreases the prevalence of PVC in these patients. A sample of 41 patients with chronic Chagas disease at different stages of the heart disease was selected for the treatment against the causative agent using BZN (5 mg·kg−1·d−1, minimum dose 300 mg daily) for 2 months followed by supplementation with antioxidants such as vitamins E (800 UI/d) and C (500 mg/d) for 6 months. The prevalence of PVC was observed by conducting 24-hour Holter. To evaluate the oxidative status of the patients, serum markers of oxidative stress like glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione S-transferase were measured, and also reduced glutathione, vitamin E, and markers of tissue damage like thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyl. A decrease in the prevalence of PVC in patients with advanced Chagas heart disease was observed (5391 vs. 1185, P = 0.0068). This reduction was followed by decrease of serum markers of oxidative stress. In patients with a lower degree of cardiac damage, the reduction on prevalence of PVC was not significant. The etiological treatment with BZN followed by supplementation with antioxidant vitamins E and C reduces episodes of PVC in patients with severe Chagas heart disease.
Heritability and cross-sex genetic correlations of early-life circulating testosterone levels in a wild mammal
Authors: Pavitt Alyson T. , Walling Craig A. , Pemberton Josephine M. , Kruuk Loeske E. B.
Published: November 2014

Testosterone is an important hormone that has been shown to have sex-specific links to fitness in numerous species. Although testosterone concentrations vary substantially between individuals in a population, little is known about its heritable genetic basis or between-sex genetic correlations that determine its evolutionary potential. We found circulating neonatal testosterone levels to be both heritable (0.160 ± 0.064 s.e.) and correlated between the sexes (0.942 ± 0.648 s.e.) in wild red deer calves (
Cervus elaphus
). This may have important evolutionary implications if, as in adults, the sexes have divergent optima for circulating testosterone levels.
Generation time, life history and the substitution rate of neutral mutations
Authors: Lehtonen Jussi , Lanfear Robert
Published: November 2014

Our understanding of molecular evolution is hampered by a lack of quantitative predictions about how life-history (LH) traits should correlate with substitution rates. Comparative studies have shown that neutral substitution rates vary substantially between species, and evidence shows that much of this diversity is associated with variation in LH traits. However, while these studies often agree, some unexplained and contradictory results have emerged. Explaining these results is difficult without a clear theoretical understanding of the problem. In this study, we derive predictions for the relationships between LH traits and substitution rates in iteroparous species by using demographic theory to relate commonly measured life-history traits to genetic generation time, and by implication to neutral substitution rates. This provides some surprisingly simple explanations for otherwise confusing patterns, such as the association between fecundity and substitution rates. The same framework can be applied to more complex life histories if full life-tables are available.
The minimum number of rotations about two axes for constructing an arbitrarily fixed rotation
Authors: Hamada Mitsuru
Published: November 2014

For any pair of three-dimensional real unit vectors

m
^

and

n
^

with

|

m
^

T

n
^

|

<
1

and any rotation
U
, let

N

m
^

,

n
^

(
U
)

denote the least value of a positive integer
k
such that
U
can be decomposed into a product of
k
rotations about either

m
^

or

n
^

. This work gives the number

N

m
^

,

n
^

(
U
)

as a function of
U
. Here, a rotation means an element
D
of the special orthogonal group
SO
(3) or an element of the special unitary group
SU
(2) that corresponds to
D
. Decompositions of
U
attaining the minimum number

N

m
^

,

n
^

(
U
)

are also given explicitly.
Silent katydid females are at higher risk of bat predation than acoustically signalling katydid males
Authors: Raghuram Hanumanthan , Deb Rittik , Nandi Diptarup , Balakrishnan Rohini
Published: November 2014

Males that produce conspicuous mate attraction signals are often at high risk of predation from eavesdropping predators. Females of such species typically search for signalling males and their higher motility may also place them at risk. The relative predation risk faced by males and females in the context of mate-finding using long-distance signals has rarely been investigated. In this study, we show, using a combination of diet analysis and behavioural experiments, that katydid females, who do not produce acoustic signals, are at higher risk of predation from a major bat predator,
Megaderma spasma
, than calling males. Female katydids were represented in much higher numbers than males in the culled remains beneath roosts of
M. spasma
. Playback experiments using katydid calls revealed that male calls were approached in only about one-third of the trials overall, whereas tethered, flying katydids were always approached and attacked. Our results question the idea that necessary costs of mate-finding, including risk of predation, are higher in signalling males than in searching females.
Exposing the grey seal as a major predator of harbour porpoises
Authors: Leopold Mardik F. , Begeman Lineke , van Bleijswijk Judith D. L. , IJsseldijk Lonneke L. , Witte Harry J. , Gröne Andrea
Published: November 2014

Harbour porpoises (
Phocoena phocoena
) stranding in large numbers around the southern North Sea with fatal, sharp-edged mutilations have spurred controversy among scientists, the fishing industry and conservationists, whose views about the likely cause differ. The recent detection of grey seal (
Halichoerus grypus
) DNA in bite marks on three mutilated harbour porpoises, as well as direct observations of grey seal attacks on porpoises, have identified this seal species as a probable cause. Bite mark characteristics were assessed in a retrospective analysis of photographs of dead harbour porpoises that stranded between 2003 and 2013 (
n
= 1081) on the Dutch coastline. There were 271 animals that were sufficiently fresh to allow macroscopic assessment of grey seal-associated wounds with certainty. In 25% of these, bite and claw marks were identified that were consistent with the marks found on animals that had tested positive for grey seal DNA. Affected animals were mostly healthy juveniles that had a thick blubber layer and had recently fed. We conclude that the majority of the mutilated harbour porpoises were victims of grey seal attacks and that predation by this species is one of the main causes of death in harbour porpoises in The Netherlands. We provide a decision tree that will help in the identification of future cases of grey seal predation on porpoises.
Loktanella sediminum sp. nov., isolated from marine surface sediment
Authors: Liang Jing , Zhang Zenghu , Liu Yan , Wang Min , Zhang Xiao-Hua
Published: November 2014

A Gram-staining-negative, strictly aerobic and short rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain S3B03T, was isolated from the sediment of the northern Okinawa Trough. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain S3B03T belonged to the genus

Loktanella

(family

Rhodobacteraceae

) and showed the highest sequence similarity with

Loktanella litorea

KCTC 23883T (96.16 %) and 92.99–95.90 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to other members of the genus

Loktanella

. Optimal growth occurred in the presence of 2–5 % (w/v) NaCl at pH 7.0–8.0 and 28–32 °C. Ubiquinone-10 (Q-10) was the predominant respiratory quinone. The major fatty acids (>10 % of the total fatty acids) were C18 : 1ω7c and/or C18 : 1ω6c. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified polar lipids. The DNA G+C content of strain S3B03T was 57.6 mol%. On the basis of polyphasic analysis, strain S3B03T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus

Loktanella

, for which the name Loktanella sediminum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S3B03T ( = JCM 30120T = DSM 28715T = MCCC 1K00257T).
Social communication in mice – Are there optimal cage conditions?
Authors: FERHAT Allain-Thibeault , Le Sourfd Anne-Marie , de Chamont Fabrice , Olivo- Marin Jean-Christophe , Bourgeron Thomas , Ey Elodie
Published: November 2014

Social communication is heavily affected in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders. Accordingly, mouse models designed to study the mechanisms leading to these disorders are tested for this phenotypic trait. Test conditions vary between different models, and the effect of these test conditions on the quantity and quality of social interactions and ultrasonic communication is unknown. The present study examines to which extent the habituation time to the test cage as well as the shape / size of the cage influence social communication in freely interacting mice. We tested 8 pairs of male mice in free dyadic social interactions, with two habituation times (20 min and 30 min) and three cage formats (rectangle, round, square). We tested the effect of these conditions on the different types of social contacts, approach-escape sequences, follow behavior, and the time each animal spent in the vision field of the other one, as well as on the emission of ultrasonic vocalizations and their contexts of emission. We provide for the first time an integrated analysis of the social interaction behavior and ultrasonic vocalizations. Surprisingly, we did not highlight any significant effect of habituation time and cage shape / size on the behavioral events examined. There was only a slight increase of social interactions with the longer habituation time in the round cage. Remarkably, we also showed that vocalizations were emitted during specific behavioral sequences especially during close contact or approach behaviors. The present study provides a protocol reliably eliciting social contacts and ultrasonic vocalizations in male mice. This protocol is therefore well adapted for standardized investigation of social interactions in mouse models of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Recent Y chromosome divergence despite ancient origin of dioecy in poplars (Populus)
Authors: Geraldes Armando , Hefer Charles A , Capron Arnaud , Kolosova Natalia , Martinez-Nuñez Felix , Soolanayakanahally Raju Y , Stanton Brian , Guy Robert D , Mansfield Shawn D , Douglas Carl J , Cronk Quentin C B
Published: November 2014

All species of the genus Populus (poplar, aspen) are dioecious, suggesting an ancient origin of this trait. Theory suggests that non-recombining sex-linked regions should quickly spread, eventually becoming heteromorphic chromosomes. In contrast, we show using whole genome scans that the sex-associated region in P. trichocarpa is small and much younger than the age of the genus. This indicates that sex-determination is highly labile in poplar, consistent with recent evidence of “turnover” of sex determination regions in animals. We performed whole genome resequencing of 52 Populus trichocarpa (black cottonwood) and 34 P. balsamifera (balsam poplar) individuals of known sex. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in these unstructured populations identified 650 SNPs significantly associated with sex. We estimate the size of the sex-linked region to be ∼100 Kbp. All significant SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium despite the fact that they were mapped to six different chromosomes (plus 3 unmapped scaffolds) in version 2.2 of the reference genome. We show that this is likely due to genome misassembly. The segregation pattern of sex associated SNPs revealed this to be an XY sex determining system. Estimated divergence times of X and Y haplotype sequences (6-7 MYA) are much more recent than the divergence of P. trichocarpa (poplar) and P. tremuloides (aspen). Consistent with this, in P. tremuloides we found no XY haplotype divergence within the P. trichocarpa sex-determining region. These two species therefore have a different genomic architecture of sex, suggestive of at least one turnover event in the recent past.
Cellular Metabolites Enhance the Light Sensitivity of Arabidopsis Cryptochrome through Alternate Electron Transfer Pathways
Authors: Engelhard Christopher , Wang Xuecong , Robles David , Moldt Julia , Essen Lars-Oliver , Batschauer Alfred , Bittl Robert , Ahmad Margaret
Published: November 2014

Cryptochromes are blue light receptors with multiple signaling roles in plants and animals. Plant cryptochrome (cry1 and cry2) biological activity has been linked to flavin photoreduction via an electron transport chain comprising three evolutionarily conserved tryptophan residues known as the Trp triad. Recently, it has been reported that cry2 Trp triad mutants, which fail to undergo photoreduction in vitro, nonetheless show biological activity in vivo, raising the possibility of alternate signaling pathways. Here, we show that Arabidopsis thaliana cry2 proteins containing Trp triad mutations indeed undergo robust photoreduction in living cultured insect cells. UV/Vis and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy resolves the discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro photochemical activity, as small metabolites, including NADPH, NADH, and ATP, were found to promote cry photoreduction even in mutants lacking the classic Trp triad electron transfer chain. These metabolites facilitate alternate electron transfer pathways and increase light-induced radical pair formation. We conclude that cryptochrome activation is consistent with a mechanism of light-induced electron transfer followed by flavin photoreduction in vivo. We further conclude that in vivo modulation by cellular compounds represents a feature of the cryptochrome signaling mechanism that has important consequences for light responsivity and activation.
Myrosin Cell Development Is Regulated by Endocytosis Machinery and PIN1 Polarity in Leaf Primordia ofArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Shirakawa Makoto , Ueda Haruko , Shimada Tomoo , Kohchi Takayuki , Hara-Nishimura Ikuko
Published: November 2014

Myrosin cells, which accumulate myrosinase to produce toxic compounds when they are ruptured by herbivores, form specifically along leaf veins in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, the mechanism underlying this pattern formation is unknown. Here, we show that myrosin cell development requires the endocytosis-mediated polar localization of the auxin-efflux carrier PIN1 in leaf primordia. Defects in the endocytic/vacuolar SNAREs (syp22 and syp22 vti11) enhanced myrosin cell development. The syp22 phenotype was rescued by expressing SYP22 under the control of the PIN1 promoter. Additionally, myrosin cell development was enhanced either by lacking the activator of endocytic/vacuolar RAB5 GTPase (VPS9A) or by PIN1 promoter-driven expression of a dominant-negative form of RAB5 GTPase (ARA7). By contrast, myrosin cell development was not affected by deficiencies of vacuolar trafficking factors, including the vacuolar sorting receptor VSR1 and the retromer components VPS29 and VPS35, suggesting that endocytic pathway rather than vacuolar trafficking pathway is important for myrosin cell development. The phosphomimic PIN1 variant (PIN1-Asp), which is unable to be polarized, caused myrosin cells to form not only along leaf vein but also in the intervein leaf area. We propose that Brassicales plants might arrange myrosin cells near vascular cells in order to protect the flux of nutrients and water via polar PIN1 localization.
Energy optimization of a regular macromolecular crystallography beamline for ultra-high-resolution crystallography
Authors: Rosenbaum Gerd , Ginell Stephan L. , Chen Julian C.-H.
Published: November 2014

A practical method for operating existing undulator synchrotron beamlines at photon energies considerably higher than their standard operating range is described and applied at beamline 19-ID of the Structural Biology Center at the Advanced Photon Source enabling operation at 30 keV. Adjustments to the undulator spectrum were critical to enhance the 30 keV flux while reducing the lower- and higher-energy harmonic contamination. A Pd-coated mirror and Al attenuators acted as effective low- and high-bandpass filters. The resulting flux at 30 keV, although significantly lower than with X-ray optics designed and optimized for this energy, allowed for accurate data collection on crystals of the small protein crambin to 0.38 Å resolution.
Stewardship of public service renewal and reform
Authors: Wilkins John
Published: November 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to examine how stewardship of public service renewal and reform is changing and influencing contemporary public leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

– The literature is reviewed to close the gap between theory and international practice. New evidence from innovation awards, scenario building, surveys, and interviews help demystify leadership dynamics.

Findings

– International stakeholders remain unconvinced about the role of leadership and claim that public service behaviour cannot be predicted. Scholars maintain that collaborative leadership prevails in thought and practice over the transformational leadership of the New Public Management era. Innovation and stewardship are particularly important aspects of values-based leadership in times of uncertainty. Emerging evidence and patterns of stewardship in public service renewal and reform confirm that “where leaders stand depends upon where they sit”.

Research limitations/implications

– Leadership practice is running ahead of theory. Research does not differentiate the roles and impact of leaders at the centre, front, and middle of government. Action research is needed to fill knowledge gaps and make the business case for leadership development.

Practical implications

– Role, capacity, and ethical considerations frame the implications for public leaders. Middle managers play a strategic role in networking government for change. Good governance depends upon developing their strategic leadership competencies and values.

Social implications

– In turn, where nations stand on the economic ladder depends upon strategic development of their public service. Turning individual competence into organizational capacity requires institutional change.

Originality/value

– Leaders in the middle are increasingly instrumental as change makers and disciples of reform in today's networked government. Harnessing their leadership capabilities is integral to stewardship of public service renewal and reform.