bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A bestrophin‐like protein modulates the proton motive force across the thylakoid membrane in Arabidopsis
Authors: Duan Zhikun , Kong Fanna , Zhang Lin , Li Wenjing , Zhang Jiao , Peng Lianwei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDuring photosynthesis, photosynthetic electron transport generates a proton motive force (pmf) across the thylakoid membrane, which is used for ATP biosynthesis via ATP synthase in the chloroplast. The pmf is composed of an electric potential (ΔΨ) and an osmotic component (ΔpH). Partitioning between these components in chloroplasts is strictly regulated in response to fluctuating environments. However, our knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that regulate pmf partitioning is limited. Here, we report a bestrophin‐like protein (AtBest), which is critical for pmf partitioning. While the ΔpH component was slightly reduced in atbest, the ΔΨ component was much greater in this mutant than in the wild type, resulting in less efficient activation of nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) upon both illumination and a shift from low light to high light. Although no visible phenotype was observed in the atbest mutant in the greenhouse, this mutant exhibited stronger photoinhibition than the wild type when grown in the field. AtBest belongs to the bestrophin family proteins, which are believed to function as chloride (Cl−) channels. Thus, our findings reveal an important Cl− channel required for ion transport and homeostasis across the thylakoid membrane in higher plants. These processes are essential for fine‐tuning photosynthesis under fluctuating environmental conditions.
“I Like it!” Preference Actions Separated from Hedonic Reactions
Authors: Booth David A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn 1952–1957, Peryam and colleagues developed nine ordinal phrases of liking and dislike to assess consumers' dispositions to accept or reject a food or drink. They named their questionnaire a Food Preference Scale. Others called it the Hedonic Scale, which means assessment of pleasure, not choice. It is still widely assumed that the word “like” distinguishes felt pleasure from observed wanting to consume the sample. The quantitative results presented here complement an earlier qualitative finding that preference scores do not provide evidence of the experiencing of pleasure. Rather, “I like it!” simply indicates high acceptance of the sampled variant of a product. Nevertheless, in this experiment, some assessors did also get a convulsive thrill from oral stimulation, as distinct from just enjoying the mouthful, or being pleased by it. However, this sensual pleasure came only from strongly disliked levels of stimulation and is probably unique to samples sensed as intensely sweet.Practical ApplicationsThis experiment's separation of preference from pleasure depended on overcoming practitioners' division between sensory vocabulary and preference scores. Instead of seeking statistical patterns that bridge the supposed gap between sensory concepts and acts of acceptance, sensory studies should design test samples capable of measuring the impact of specified variations in the product range, first on a fully integrative judgment such as match to the personal ideal, or to the most familiar or usual brand. Second, if analytical characterization might help to test the specification, samples can be rated on vocabulary learned in life or in the laboratory, with one anchor on the standard to be matched, such “exactly as I like it” or “just right” (not “like extremely” or “just about right”), and only one other anchor, such as “neither like nor dislike” or “just too wrong to be tolerable.” Existing data collection and analysis software are easily adapted this way.
Morphology of congenital portosystemic shunts involving the left colic vein in dogs and cats
Authors: White R. N. , Parry A. T. 
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVETo describe the anatomy of congenital portosystemic shunts involving the left colic vein in dogs and cats.METHODSRetrospective review of a consecutive series of dogs and cats managed for congenital portosystemic shunts. For inclusion a shunt involving the left colic vein with recorded intraoperative mesenteric portovenography or computed tomography angiography along with direct gross surgical observations at the time of surgery was required.RESULTSSix dogs and three cats met the inclusion criteria. All cases had a shunt which involved a distended left colic vein. The final communication with a systemic vein was variable; in seven cases (five dogs, two cats) it was via the caudal vena cava, in one cat it was via the common iliac vein and in the remaining dog it was via the internal iliac vein. In addition, two cats showed caudal vena cava duplication.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThe morphology of this shunt type appeared to be a result of an abnormal communication between either the left colic vein or the cranial rectal vein and a pelvic systemic vein (caudal vena cava, common iliac vein or internal iliac vein). This information may help with surgical planning in cases undergoing shunt closure surgery.
The good, the bad, and the ugly: which Australian terrestrial mammal species attract most research?
Authors: Fleming Patricia A. , Bateman Philip W. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

The Australian mammalian fauna is marked by high endemism and evolutionary distinctiveness and comprises monotreme, marsupial, and eutherian (‘placental’) native species. It has suffered the highest extinction rate of any mammalian fauna in any global region; surviving species are threatened by competition and predation from a range of introduced mammal species, and receive low levels of conservation‐oriented funding compared with species in many other countries.

We investigated research foci on this unique fauna by using species h‐indices (SHI), and identified both taxonomic bias and subject bias in research effort and research impact for 331 Australian terrestrial mammal species. Species broadly fell into categories we labelled as the ‘good’, the ‘bad’, and the ‘ugly’.

The majority of studies on monotremes and marsupials (the ‘good’) are directed towards their physiology and anatomy, with a smaller ecological focus. By contrast, introduced eutherians (the ‘bad’) have attracted greater attention in terms of ecological research, with greater emphasis on methods and technique studies for population control. Despite making up 45% of the 331 species studied, native rodents and bats (the ‘ugly’) have attracted disproportionately little study.

While research on invasive species is directed towards problem solving, many Australian native species of conservation significance have attracted little research effort, little recognition, and little funding. Current global and national conservation funding largely overlooks non‐charismatic species, and yet these species may arguably be most in need of scientific and management research effort.
Cold curation of pristine astromaterials: Insights from the Tagish Lake meteorite
Authors: Herd Christopher D. K. , Hilts Robert W. , Skelhorne Aaron W. , Simkus Danielle N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe curation and handling of volatile‐bearing astromaterials is of prime importance in current and future plans for sample return missions to targets containing organic compounds, ices, or other volatile components. We report on the specific curation constraints required for the preservation of the Tagish Lake meteorite, a C2 ungrouped chondrite that contains significant concentrations of organic matter, including compounds of prebiotic interest or volatile in character, and which was recovered from a frozen lake surface a few days after its fall. Here, we review the circumstances of the meteorite's handling, its complement of intrinsic and contaminant organic compounds, and an unusual reaction between some of the specimens and the Al foil in which they were enclosed. From our results, we derive the requirements for curation of the meteorite, and describe a specialized facility that enables its curation and handling. The Subzero Facility for Curation of Astromaterials consists of a purified Ar glove box enclosed within a freezer chamber, and enables investigations relevant to curation of samples at or below −10 °C. We provide several recommendations based on insights obtained from the commissioning and initial use of the facility that are relevant to collection of freshly fallen meteorites, curation of volatile‐bearing meteorites and other astromaterials, and planning and implementation of curation plans for future sample return missions to volatile‐bearing targets.
Private Versus Public Sector Wage Gap: Does Origin Matter?
Authors: Berson Clémence 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe integration of immigrants and their children is a burning issue in France. Governments mainly build their integration policies on the labour market. The public sector is reputed to better assimilate minorities because of its entrance exams and pay scales. In this article, using a switching model, a comparison of the public and private sectors shows that second‐generation immigrants are not treated equally in both sectors. A wage gap is observed between workers of French origin and those of Southern European origin. The wage differential between workers of French and North African origins is mostly explained by observable variables.
The putative phospholipase Lip2 counteracts oxidative damage and influences the virulence of Ustilago maydis
Authors: Lambie Scott C. , Kretschmer Matthias , Croll Daniel , Haslam Tegan M. , Kunst Ljerka , Klose Jana , Kronstad James W. 
Published: March 2016

SummaryUstilago maydis is an obligate biotrophic fungal pathogen which causes common smut disease of corn. To proliferate in host tissue, U. maydis must gain access to nutrients and overcome plant defence responses, such as the production of reactive oxygen species. The elucidation of the mechanisms by which U. maydis meets these challenges is critical for the development of strategies to combat smut disease. In this study, we focused on the contributions of phospholipases (PLs) to the pathogenesis of corn smut disease. We identified 11 genes encoding putative PLs and characterized the transcript levels for these genes in the fungus grown in culture and during infection of corn tissue. To assess the contributions of specific PLs, we focused on two genes, lip1 and lip2, which encode putative phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes with similarity to platelet‐activating factor acetylhydrolases. PLA2 enzymes are known to counteract oxidative damage to lipids in other organisms. Consistent with a role in the mitigation of oxidative damage, lip2 mutants were sensitive to oxidative stress provoked by hydrogen peroxide and by increased production of reactive oxygen species caused by inhibitors of mitochondrial functions. Importantly, mutants defective in lip2, but not lip1, were attenuated for virulence in corn seedlings. Finally, a comparative analysis of fatty acid and cardiolipin profiles in the wild‐type strain and a lip2 mutant revealed differences consistent with a protective role for Lip2 in maintaining lipid homeostasis and mitochondrial health during proliferation in the hostile host environment.
Peroxisomal fission is induced during appressorium formation and is required for full virulence of the rice blast fungus
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Lin , Shen Mi , Yang Jun , Xing Yunfei , Chen Deng , Li Zhigang , Zhao Wensheng , Zhang Yan 
Published: March 2016

SummaryPeroxisomes are involved in various metabolic processes and are important for virulence in different pathogenic fungi. How peroxisomes rapidly emerge in the appressorium during fungal infection is poorly understood. Here, we describe a gene, PEF1, which can regulate peroxisome formation in the appressorium by controlling peroxisomal fission, and is required for plant infection in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Targeted deletion of PEF1 resulted in a reduction in virulence and a delay in penetration and invasive growth in host cells. PEF1 was particularly expressed during appressorial development, and its encoding protein was co‐localized with peroxisomes during appressorial development. Compared with the massive vesicle‐shaped peroxisomes formed in the wild‐type appressorium, the Δpef1 mutant could only form stringy linked immature peroxisomes, suggesting that PEF1 was involved in peroxisomal fission during appressorium formation. We also found that the Δpef1 mutant could not utilize fatty acids efficiently, which can improve significantly the expression level of PEF1 and induce peroxisomal fission. As expected, the Δpef1 mutant showed reduced intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during appressorium formation and induced ROS accumulation in host cells during infection. Taken together, PEF1‐mediated peroxisomal fission is important for fungal infection by controlling the number of peroxisomes in the appressorium.
OPTIMAL HARVESTING AND SPATIAL PATTERNS IN A SEMIARID VEGETATION SYSTEM
Authors: UECKER HANNES 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe consider an infinite time horizon spatially distributed optimal harvesting problem for a vegetation and soil water reaction diffusion system, with rainfall as the main external parameter. By Pontryagin's maximum principle, we derive the associated four‐component canonical system (CS), and numerically analyze this and hence the optimal control problem in two steps. First, we numerically compute a rather rich bifurcation structure of flat (spatially homogeneous) canonical steady states and patterned canonical steady states (FCSS and PCSS, respectively), in 1D and 2D. Then, we compute time‐dependent solutions of the CS that connect to some FCSS or PCSS. The method is efficient in dealing with nonunique canonical steady states, and thus also with multiple local maxima of the objective function. It turns out that over wide parameter regimes the FCSS, i.e., spatially uniform harvesting, are not optimal. Instead, controlling the system to a PCSS yields a higher profit. Moreover, compared to (a simple model of) private optimization, the social control gives a higher yield, and vegetation survives for much lower rainfall. In addition, the computation of the optimal (social) control gives an optimal tax to incorporate into the private optimization.
Selectivity of conditioned fear of touch is modulated by somatosensory precision
Authors: Harvie Daniel S. , Meulders Ann , Reid Emily , Camfferman Danny , Brinkworth Russell S. A. , Moseley G. Lorimer 
Published: March 2016

AbstractLearning to initiate defenses in response to specific signals of danger is adaptive. Some chronic pain conditions, however, are characterized by widespread anxiety, avoidance, and pain consistent with a loss of defensive response specificity. Response specificity depends on ability to discriminate between safe and threatening stimuli; therefore, specificity might depend on sensory precision. This would help explain the high prevalence of chronic pain in body areas of low tactile acuity, such as the lower back, and clarify why improving sensory precision may reduce chronic pain. We compared the acquisition and generalization of fear of pain‐associated vibrotactile stimuli delivered to either the hand (high tactile acuity) or the back (low tactile acuity). During acquisition, tactile stimulation at one location (CS+) predicted the noxious electrocutaneous stimulation (US), while tactile stimulation at another location (CS−) did not. Responses to three stimuli with decreasing spatial proximity to the CS+ (generalizing stimuli; GS1–3) were tested. Differential learning and generalization were compared between groups. The main outcome of fear‐potentiated startle responses showed differential learning only in the hand group. Self‐reported fear and expectancy confirmed differential learning and limited generalization in the hand group, and suggested undifferentiated fear and expectancy in the back group. Differences in generalization could not be inferred from the startle data. Specificity of fear responses appears to be affected by somatosensory precision. This has implications for our understanding of the role of sensory imprecision in the development of chronic pain.
Modeling fear‐conditioned bradycardia in humans
Authors: Castegnetti Giuseppe , Tzovara Athina , Staib Matthias , Paulus Philipp C. , Hofer Nicolas , Bach Dominik R. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAcross species, cued fear conditioning is a common experimental paradigm to investigate aversive Pavlovian learning. While fear‐conditioned stimuli (CS+) elicit overt behavior in many mammals, this is not the case in humans. Typically, autonomic nervous system activity is used to quantify fear memory in humans, measured by skin conductance responses (SCR). Here, we investigate whether heart period responses (HPR) evoked by the CS, often observed in humans and small mammals, are suitable to complement SCR as an index of fear memory in humans. We analyze four datasets involving delay and trace conditioning, in which heart beats are identified via electrocardiogram or pulse oximetry, to show that fear‐conditioned heart rate deceleration (bradycardia) is elicited and robustly distinguishes CS+ from CS−. We then develop a psychophysiological model (PsPM) of fear‐conditioned HPR. This PsPM is inverted to yield estimates of autonomic input into the heart. We show that the sensitivity to distinguish CS+ and CS− (predictive validity) is higher for model‐based estimates than peak‐scoring analysis, and compare this with SCR. Our work provides a novel tool to investigate fear memory in humans that allows direct comparison between species.
A log‐normal spectral analysis of inorganic grain‐size distributions from a Canadian boreal lake core: Towards refining depositional process proxy data from high latitude lakes
Authors: Gammon Paul R. , Neville Lisa A. , Patterson R. Timothy , Savard Martine M. , Swindles Graeme T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractBetter methods for interpreting grain‐size spectra will enhance current understanding of past transport–depositional processes. A high‐resolution inorganic grain‐size dataset has been measured from a freeze core extracted from ‘Alberta Lake E’ a boreal fresh water lake 40 km east of the Athabasca Oil Sands in north‐eastern Alberta, Canada. The grain‐size spectra are remarkably consistent throughout the core, exhibiting a structure comprising six persistent grain‐size distributions below ca 250 μm, plus a rare medium‐sand distribution. Automated deconvolution of the grain‐size spectra produced poor results. Constraining the modes of two of the distributions produced deconvolution solutions that were statistically excellent and consistent with the structure of each spectrum. Statistical analysis of the ‘constrained’ solutions indicates that deconvolution successfully extracted independent grain‐size populations. Conversely, the multimodal spectra generate traditional measures (for example, mean grain size) that are inconsistent combinations of different individual populations and thus are poor proxies of transport–depositional processes. Alberta Lake E is situated in a boreal wetland landscape where sediment delivery is dominated by overland flow transport during spring melt. This context means that the Alberta Lake E grain‐size spectra can be interpreted to reflect: (i) a bedload component transported during short‐duration high discharge events that reflect the intensity of the melt; and (ii) a finer suspended load component representing material whose magnitude is controlled by the volume of the spring melt. Stratigraphically, bedload and suspended load populations demonstrate different short‐wavelength and long‐wavelength cyclicity, suggesting that spring melt is likely to be driven by cyclic external forcing factors. The links between the grain‐size spectra and spring melt have potential for generating proxy records that better capture the external controls over spring melt in boreal systems and the risks associated with these energetic hydrodynamics. This is exemplified by the coarsest Alberta Lake E distributions, which indicate that more intense spring‐melt dynamics occurred in pre‐historical times.
Biases in Attention for Social Stimuli in Children are Associated with Patterns of Infant Attachment: A Brief Report
Authors: Meinz Paul , Morton J. Bruce , Pederson David R. , Moran Greg 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe way an individual attends to social information has implications for his/her ability to regulate behavior in social settings. The results of the present investigation suggest that early experiences in parent–child relationships contribute to later differences in the deployment of attention to social information. The quality of the mother–child relationship was assessed at one‐year‐of‐age. At seven to eight years of age, a dot‐probe paradigm assessed immediate and delayed attention to pictures of faces vs. pictures of neutral objects. Children who were more avoidant with their mother in infancy attended to neutral objects over social stimuli at delayed but not immediate time frames. This finding suggests that individual differences in attention to social stimuli in childhood are associated with the quality of the prior attachment relationship with a primary caregiver.
On Crack Detection in Tuned and Mistuned Repeating Structures Using the Modal Assurance Criterion
Authors: Rehman A. U. , Worden K. , Rongong J. A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRepeating structures in the form of multiple‐bladed rotors are used widely in turbomachinery. Mistuning in turbomachinery is caused by small differences in individual blade properties because of inevitable material and manufacturing variations, resulting in the splitting of vibration modes of the tuned system. Modal characteristics of the blades are quite sensitive to the level of mistuning present inside the structure. In addition, the existence of damage also results in changed dynamics of the complete system. This paper introduces a modal assurance criterion (MAC)‐based approach for the investigation of small defects such as cracks in a repeating structure. In order to understand the key issues involved, initial work involved a numerical study of a simple comb‐like repeating structure, followed by a detailed numerical and experimental investigation of a tuned and mistuned bladed disc. Changes to the system mode shapes and mode order arising from damage are related to the location and severity of damage. Damage, in the form of small, open cracks, is modelled using different techniques such as follows: material removal, monotonic reduction in the modulus of elasticity of selected elements at the required location and mass modification. Damage indices based on differences in the MAC that give a measure of the change in the mode shapes are introduced. MAC matrices are obtained using a reduced number of data points. The damage index is obtained from the Frobenius norm of the MAC matrix subtracted from the AutoMAC of a reference tuned model without crack. A clear correlation between the damage indices and the crack depth/location is shown. Application of this approach to the limited data obtainable from developing techniques such as blade tip timing is also explained.