bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Eukaryotic picophytoplankton community response to copper enrichment in a metal‐perturbed coastal environment
Authors: Henríquez‐Castillo Carlos , Rodríguez‐Marconi Susana , Rubio Francisca , Trefault Nicole , Andrade Santiago , De la Iglesia Rodrigo 
Published: June 2015

SummaryCopper is an essential micronutrient, especially for photosynthetic organisms, but can be toxic at high concentrations. In the past years, coastal waters have been exposed to an increase in copper concentration due to anthropogenic inputs. One well known case is the Chañaral area (Easter South Pacific coast), where a long term coastal copper enrichment event has occurred. That event strongly affected benthic marine diversity, including microbial communities. In this work, microcosm experiments were carried out to address the changes on picophytoplankton community composition of the disturbed area, when challenged to copper additions. Eukaryotic picophytoplankton communities from two areas were analyzed: one in the most copper‐perturbed area and another at the north edge of the perturbed area. Flow cytometry data showed that 25 μg L−1 of copper addition exerted a positive effect in the growth kinetics on part of the eukaryotic picophytoplankton communities, independently of the site. 16S‐plastid terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms analysis suggested that eukaryotic picophytoplankton display a short and directional response to high copper levels. Members of the Prasinophyceae class, a Coscinodiscophyceae diatom, as well as Phaeocystis, respond in a short time to the environmental disturbance, making them excellent candidates for further studies to evaluate phytoplanktonic species as sentinels for copper disturbances in coastal marine ecosystems.
Gauging the Effects of Social Accountability on Services, Governance, and Citizen Empowerment
Authors: Brinkerhoff Derick W. , Wetterberg Anna 
Published: June 2015

AbstractEngaging citizens in holding public officials and service providers accountable, referred to as social accountability, is a popular remedy for public sector performance weaknesses, figuring prominently in many international donor‐funded projects and leading to widespread replication. However, the contextual factors that influence the successful transfer of social accountability are debated. Demand‐side factors (civil society and citizens) are overemphasized in much of the literature. Yet supply‐side factors (state structures and processes) and the nature of state–society relations are also important. This article examines four projects in developing countries to explore how these contextual factors influenced social accountability aims and outcomes. The salience of supply factors in enabling social accountability for service delivery and government performance stands out, particularly the degree of decentralization and the availability of space for citizen engagement. The capacity and motivation of citizens to occupy the available space, aggregate and voice their concerns, and participate with state actors in assessing service delivery performance and problems are critical.
Comparison of in vivo probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy with histopathology in lung cancer: A move toward optical biopsy
Authors: Wellikoff Adam S. , Holladay Robert C. , Downie Gordon H. , Chaudoir Catherine S. , Brandi Luis , Turbat‐Herrera Elba A. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveThe development of novel technologies has increased the yield from transbronchial biopsies while preserving patient safety by guiding biopsies to the area of interest. Other technologies have helped identify pre‐cancerous or sessile lesions in the endobronchial space by utilizing interactions between tissue and light at varying wavelengths. Probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a new technology that encompasses the benefits of both guided biopsies and novel optical imaging in one device. This project compares pCLE images to the findings of light microscopy in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsPatients who underwent bronchoscopies between July 2012 and January 2013 for evaluation of pulmonary lesions (transbronchial and endobronchial) were recruited. Histopathological images from malignant lesions were compared with the pCLE images obtained from the same area. The microscopic and pCLE images were reviewed side by side with the microscopic findings.ResultsImages from pCLE correlate with some histopathological findings. pCLE changes seen in NSCLC consist of mottled elastin, septal studding and disorganization/fragmentation with increased friability. These changes also seem to correlate with degrees of differentiation.ConclusionspCLE can identify changes to the elastin composition of the airways and alveoli in lung cancer. These changes correlate with histopathology and may help indicate the presence of malignant changes in vivo.
Dimensionality of stress experiences: Factorial structure of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) in a population‐based Swedish sample
Authors: Rönnlund Michael , Vestergren Peter , Stenling Andreas , Nilsson Lars‐Göran , Bergdahl Maud , Bergdahl Jan 
Published: June 2015

We investigated the factorial structure of the Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ‐recent; Levenstein, Prantera, Varvo et al., 1993) in a large (N = 1516; 35–95 years) population‐based Swedish sample (Nilsson, Adolfsson, Bäckman et al., 2004; Nilsson, Bäckman, Erngrund et al., 1997). Exploratory principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted on a first, randomly drawn subsample (n = 506). Next, the model based on the PCA was tested in a second sample (n = 505). Finally, a third sample (n = 505) was used to cross‐validate the model. Five components were extracted in the PCA (eigenvalue > 1) and labeled “Demands,” “Worries/Tension,” “Lack of joy,” “Conflict,” and “Fatigue,” respectively. Twenty‐one out of the 30 original PSQ items were retained in a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model that included the five (first‐order) factors and, additionally, a general (second‐order) stress factor, not considered in prior models. The model showed reasonable goodness of fit [χ2(184) = 511.2, p < 0.001; CFI = 0.904; RMSEA = 0.059; and SRMR = 0.063]. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses supported the validity of the established model. The results are discussed in relation to prior investigations of the factorial structure of the PSQ.
Antisocial behavior reduces the association between subdimensions of ADHDsymptoms and alcohol use in a large population‐based sample of adolescents
Authors: Lövenhag Sara , Larm Peter , Åslund Cecilia , Nilsson Kent W. 
Published: June 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of antisocial behavior on reducing the association between subdimensions ofADHDsymptoms (inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity) and alcohol use. Boys and girls were analyzed separately using a population‐based Swedish adolescent sample. A randomly selected cross‐sectional survey was performed in secondary and upper secondary schools in Västmanland County during 2010. Participants were a population of 2,439 15–16 year‐olds and 1,425 17–18 year‐olds (1,947 girls and 1,917 boys). Psychosocial adversity, antisocial behaviors, symptoms ofADHDand alcohol use were assessed by questionnaires. Except for girls' inattention, subdimensions ofADHDsymptoms were not associated with alcohol use when variance due to antisocial behavior was accounted for. Among boys, instead of an indirect effect of antisocial behavior on the association between impulsivity and alcohol use, a moderating effect was found. Among girls, the inattention component ofADHDwas independently associated with alcohol use even when adjusted for antisocial behavior. The reduced associations between symptoms of hyperactivity, impulsivity, and alcohol use for boys and girls after adjusting for antisocial behavior suggest a considerable overlap between hyperactivity, impulsivity, and antisocial behavior. The direct pathway between inattention and alcohol use among girls suggests that girls with inattention symptoms are at risk of alcohol use regardless of antisocial behavior. Special attention should be given to these girls. Accounting for antisocial behavior reduced the relation between subdimensions ofADHDsymptoms and alcohol use, and antisocial behaviors should therefore be screened for when symptoms ofADHDare present.
Asymmetric Behaviour of Inflation around the Target in Inflation‐Targeting Countries
Authors: Akdoğan Kurmaş 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe explore the asymmetric behaviour of inflation around the target level for inflation‐targeting countries. The first rationale behind this asymmetry is the asymmetric policy response of the central bank around the target. Central banks could have a stronger bias towards overshooting rather than undershooting the inflation target. Consequently, the policy response would be stronger once the inflation jumps above the target, compared to a negative deviation. Second rationale is the asymmetric inflation persistence. We suggest that recently developed Asymmetric Exponential Smooth Transition Autoregressive (AESTAR) model provides a convenient framework to capture the asymmetric behaviour of inflation driven by these two effects. We further conduct an out‐of‐sample forecasting exercise and show that the predictive power ofAESTARmodel for inflation is high for some countries in our sample, especially at long‐horizons.
Superiority in English and German: Cross‐Language Grammatical Differences?
Authors: Häussler Jana , Grant Margaret , Fanselow Gisbert , Frazier Lyn 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDo the grammars of English and German contain a ban on moving the lower of two wh‐phrases (Superiority), or is the lower acceptability due simply to the complexity of processing the longer dependency that results when the lower wh‐phrase is moved? The results of four acceptability‐judgment studies suggest that a pure processing account is inadequate. Crossing wh‐dependencies lower the acceptability of both German and English questions but with a significantly larger penalty in English than in German (experiment 1). The larger penalty in English cannot be attributed to greater sensitivity to violations in English, because relative clause island violations result in similar effects in the two languages (experiment 2). A pure processing account might claim long dependencies are easier to process in German than in English because of richer case, but a control experiment did not support this possibility (experiment 4). We suggest that moving the lower of two wh‐phrases is banned in the grammar of English but not in the grammar of German. This predicts that there should be a penalty for crossing dependencies in English even in helpful (Bolinger) contexts, as confirmed in experiment 3, and even in short easy‐to‐process sentences, as confirmed by simple six‐word sentences in Clifton, Fanselow & Frazier 2006. Finally, if German grammar does not contain a ban on crossing, it is not surprising that the penalty in German is smaller than in English or that like animacy of the two wh‐phrases plays a larger role in German than in English because feature similarity generally gives rise to difficulty in processing, whereas in English a grammatical ban on crossing will reduce acceptability regardless of whether there is processing difficulty.
A metamorphic perspective on foreland flexure during intraplate orogeny: evidence for the involvement of weak lithosphere
Authors: Walsh Alec K. , Hand Martin , Kelsey David E. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractConstraining depth–temperature conditions of syn‐orogenic burial metamorphism of syn‐orogenic sediments in a foreland basin provides an innovative way to investigate the thermomechanical state of the lithosphere. In central Australia, major intraplate deformation resulted in 10 km of syn‐orogenic sedimentation in a basin approximately 70 km wide. The deep level of burial in the foreland of the intraplate orogen requires the involvement of weak lithosphere with an elastic thickness of ≤20 km. The profound flexural response of the foreland region indicates that major intraplate deformation in central Australia was localised into a region of dramatically weakened lithosphere.
Readiness of Ugandan health services for the management of outpatients with chronic diseases
Authors: Katende David , Mutungi Gerald , Baisley Kathy , Biraro Samuel , Ikoona Eric , Peck Robert , Smeeth Liam , Hayes Richard , Munderi Paula , Grosskurth Heiner 
Published: June 2015

AbstractObjectiveTraditionally, health systems in sub‐Saharan Africa have focused on acute conditions. Few data exist on the readiness of African health facilities (HFs) to address the growing burden of chronic diseases (CDs), specifically chronic, non‐communicable diseases (NCDs).MethodsA stratified random sample of 28 urban and rural Ugandan HFs was surveyed to document the burden of selected CDs by analysing the service statistics, service availability and service readiness using a modified WHO Service Availability and Readiness Assessment questionnaire. Knowledge, skills and practice in the management of CDs of 222 health workers were assessed through a self‐completed questionnaire.ResultsAmong adult outpatient visits at hospitals, 33% were for CDs including HIV vs. 14% and 4% at medium‐sized and small health centres, respectively. Many HFs lacked guidelines, diagnostic equipment and essential medicines for the primary management of CDs; training and reporting systems were weak. Lower‐level facilities routinely referred patients with hypertension and diabetes. HIV services accounted for most CD visits and were stronger than NCD services. Systems were weaker in lower‐level HFs. Non‐doctor clinicians and nurses lacked knowledge and experience in NCD care.ConclusionCompared with higher level HFs, lower‐level ones are less prepared and little used for CD care. Health systems in Uganda, particularly lower‐level HFs, urgently need improvement in managing common NCDs to cope with the growing burden. This should include the provision of standard guidelines, essential diagnostic equipment and drugs, training of health workers, supportive supervision and improved referral systems. Substantially better HIV basic service readiness demonstrates that improved NCD care is feasible.
PAY1 improves plant architecture and enhances grain yield in rice
Authors: Zhao Lei , Tan Lubin , Zhu Zuofeng , Xiao Langtao , Xie Daoxin , Sun Chuanqing 
Published: June 2015

SummaryPlant architecture, a complex of the important agronomic traits that determine grain yield, is a primary target of artificial selection of rice domestication and improvement. Some important genes affecting plant architecture and grain yield have been isolated and characterized in recent decades; however, their underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here, we report genetic identification and functional analysis of the PLANT ARCHITECTURE AND YIELD 1 (PAY1) gene in rice, which affects plant architecture and grain yield in rice. Transgenic plants over‐expressing PAY1 had twice the number of grains per panicle and consequently produced nearly 38% more grain yield per plant than control plants. Mechanistically, PAY1 could improve plant architecture via affecting polar auxin transport activity and altering endogenous indole‐3‐acetic acid distribution. Furthermore, introgression of PAY1 into elite rice cultivars, using marker‐assisted background selection, dramatically increased grain yield compared with the recipient parents. Overall, these results demonstrated that PAY1 could be a new beneficial genetic resource for shaping ideal plant architecture and breeding high‐yielding rice varieties.
Arabidopsis dynamin‐related protein 1E in sphingolipid‐enriched plasma membrane domains is associated with the development of freezing tolerance
Authors: Minami Anzu , Tominaga Yoko , Furuto Akari , Kondo Mariko , Kawamura Yukio , Uemura Matsuo 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe freezing tolerance of Arabidopsis thaliana is enhanced by cold acclimation, resulting in changes in the compositions and function of the plasma membrane. Here, we show that a dynamin‐related protein 1E (DRP1E), which is thought to function in the vesicle trafficking pathway in cells, is related to an increase in freezing tolerance during cold acclimation. DRP1E accumulated in sphingolipid and sterol‐enriched plasma membrane domains after cold acclimation. Analysis of drp1e mutants clearly showed that DRP1E is required for full development of freezing tolerance after cold acclimation. DRP1E fused with green fluorescent protein was visible as small foci that overlapped with fluorescent dye‐labelled plasma membrane, providing evidence that DRP1E localizes non‐uniformly in specific areas of the plasma membrane. These results suggest that DRP1E accumulates in sphingolipid and sterol‐enriched plasma membrane domains and plays a role in freezing tolerance development during cold acclimation.
Arabidopsis ACT11 modifies actin turnover to promote pollen germination and maintain the normal rate of tube growth
Authors: Chang Ming , Huang Shanjin 
Published: June 2015

SummaryActin is an ancient conserved protein that is encoded by multiple isovariants in multicellular organisms. There are eight functional actin genes in the Arabidopsis genome, and the precise function and mechanism of action of each isovariant remain poorly understood. Here, we report the characterization of ACT11, a reproductive actin isovariant. Our studies reveal that loss of function of ACT11 causes a delay in pollen germination, but enhances pollen tube growth. Cytological analysis revealed that the amount of filamentous actin decreased, and the rate of actin turnover increased in act11 pollen. Convergence of actin filaments upon the germination aperture was impaired in act11 pollen, consistent with the observed delay of germination. Reduction of actin dynamics with jasplakinolide suppressed the germination and tube growth phenotypes in act11 pollen, suggesting that the underlying mechanisms involve an increase in actin dynamics. Thus, we demonstrate that ACT11 is required to maintain the rate of actin turnover in order to promote pollen germination and maintain the normal rate of pollen tube growth.
Optimization of an ex vivo wound healing model in the adult human skin: Functional evaluation using photodynamic therapy
Authors: Mendoza‐Garcia Jenifer , Sebastian Anil , Alonso‐Rasgado Teresa , Bayat Ardeshir 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACTLimited utility of in vitro tests and animal models of human repair, create a demand for alternative models of cutaneous healing capable of functional testing. The adult human skin Wound Healing Organ Culture (WHOC) provides a useful model, to study repair and enable evaluation of therapies such as the photodynamic therapy (PDT). Thus, the aim here was to identify the optimal WHOC model and to evaluate the role of PDT in repair. Wound geometry, system of support, and growth media, cellular and matrix biomarkers were investigated in WHOC models. Subsequently, cellular activity, extracellular matrix remodeling, and oxidative stress plus gene and protein levels of makers of wound repair measured the effect of PDT on the optimized WHOC. WHOCs embedded in collagen and supplemented DMEM were better organized showing stratified epidermis and compact dermis with developing neo‐epidermis. Post‐PDT, the advancing reepithelialization tongue was 3.5 folds longer, and was highly proliferative with CK‐14 plus p16 increased (p < 0.05) compared to controls. The neo‐epidermis was fully differentiated forming neo‐collagen. Proliferating nuclear antigen, p16, COLI, COLIII, MMP3, MMP19, and α‐SMA were significantly more expressed (p < 0.05) in dermis surrounding the healing wound. In conclusion, an optimal model of WHOC treated with PDT shows increased reepithelialization and extracellular matrix reconstruction and remodeling, supporting evidence toward development of an optimal ex vivo wound healing model.
Early life exposure to chronic intermittent hypoxia causes upper airway dilator muscle weakness, which persists into young adulthood
Authors: McDonald Fiona B. , Williams Robert , Sheehan David , O'Halloran Ken D. 
Published: June 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is a dominant feature of respiratory control disorders, which are common. We sought to examine the effects of exposure to CIH during neonatal development on respiratory muscle form and function in male and female rats.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Exposure to CIH during neonatal development caused sternohyoid muscle weakness in both sexes; an effect that persisted into young adult life upon return to normoxia. Upper airway dilator muscle dysfunction in vivo could predispose to airway collapse, leading to impaired respiratory homeostasis.

Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) is a feature of sleep‐disordered breathing, which is very common. Exposure to CIH is associated with aberrant plasticity in the respiratory control system including the final effector organs, the striated muscles of breathing. We reasoned that developmental age and sex are key factors determining the functional response of respiratory muscle to CIH. We tested the hypothesis that exposure to CIH causes persistent impairment of sternohyoid muscle function due to oxidative stress and that males are more susceptible to CIH‐induced muscle impairment than females. Wistar rat litters (with respective dams) were exposed to intermittent hypoxia for 12 cycles per hour, 8 h per day for 3 weeks from the first day of life [postnatal day (P) 0]. Sham experiments were run in parallel. Half of each litter was studied on P22; the other half was returned to normoxia and studied on P42. Functional properties of the sternohyoid muscle were determined ex vivo. Exposure to CIH significantly decreased sternohyoid muscle force in both sexes; an effect that persisted into young adult life. Chronic intermittent hypoxia had no effect on sternohyoid muscle endurance. Chronic intermittent hypoxia did not affect sternohyoid myosin fibre type, succinate dehydrogenase or glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase activities, or protein free thiol and carbonyl content. Muscles exposed to CIH had smaller cross‐sectional areas, consistent with the observation of muscle weakness. In human infants with disordered breathing, CIH‐induced upper airway dilator muscle weakness could increase the propensity for airway narrowing or collapse, which could serve to perpetuate impaired respiratory homeostasis.
Interleukin‐1 as a pharmacological target in acute brain injury
Authors: Brough David , Rothwell Nancy J. , Allan Stuart M. 
Published: June 2015

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?
This review discusses the latest findings on the contribution of inflammation to brain injury, how inflammation is a therapeutic target, and details of recent and forthcoming clinical studies.

What advances does it highlight?
Here we highlight recent advances on the role and regulation of inflammasomes, and the latest clinical progress in targeting inflammation.

Acute brain injury is one of the leading causes of mortality and disability worldwide. Despite this, treatments for acute brain injuries are limited, and there remains a massive unmet clinical need. Inflammation has emerged as a major contributor to non‐communicable diseases, and there is now substantial and growing evidence that inflammation, driven by the cytokine interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), worsens acute brain injury. Interleukin‐1 is regulated by large, multimolecular complexes called inflammasomes. Here, we discuss the latest research on the regulation of inflammasomes and IL‐1 in the brain, preclinical efforts to establish the IL‐1 system as a therapeutic target, and the promise of recent and future clinical studies on blocking the action of IL‐1 for the treatment of brain injury.