bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over auditory cortex degrades frequency discrimination by affecting temporal, but not place, coding
Authors: Tang Matthew F. , Hammond Geoffrey R. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe report three studies of the effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over auditory cortex on audition in humans. Experiment 1 examined whether tDCS enhances rapid frequency discrimination learning. Human subjects were trained on a frequency discrimination task for 2 days with anodal tDCS applied during the first day with the second day used to assess effects of stimulation on retention. This revealed that tDCS did not affect learning but did degrade frequency discrimination during both days. Follow‐up testing 2–3 months after stimulation showed no long‐term effects. Following the unexpected results, two additional experiments examined the effects of tDCS on the underlying mechanisms of frequency discrimination, place and temporal coding. Place coding underlies frequency selectivity and was measured using psychophysical tuning curves with broader curves indicating poorer frequency selectivity. Temporal coding is determined by measuring the ability to discriminate sounds with different fine temporal structure. We found that tDCS does not broaden frequency selectivity but instead degraded the ability to discriminate tones with different fine temporal structure. The overall results suggest anodal tDCS applied over auditory cortex degrades frequency discrimination by affecting temporal, but not place, coding mechanisms.
Chronic treatment with taurine ameliorates diabetes‐induced dysfunction of nitric oxide‐mediated neurogenic and endothelium‐dependent corpus cavernosum relaxation in rats
Authors: Dalaklioglu Selvinaz , Kuscu Nilay , Celik‐Ozenci Ciler , Bayram Zeliha , Nacitarhan Cahit , Ozdem Sadi Satilmis 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThis study was aimed to examine the effect of chronic taurine treatment on corpus cavernosum dysfunction in diabetic rats and to investigate possible underlying mechanisms. Thirty male rats were randomized to three groups of 10 each, including control, diabetic, and taurine‐treated diabetic. Diabetes was induced in rats by streptozotocin (STZ, single intraperitoneal dose of 50 mg/kg body weight). Taurine was administered orally for 12 weeks (1% w/v in drinking water) from the day on which STZ was injected. At the end of the 12th week, strips of corpus cavernosum were suspended in an organ bath system for functional studies. Nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated endothelium‐dependent and neurogenic corpus cavernosum relaxation were evaluated by acetylcholine (ACh, 0.1–100 μm) and electrical field stimulation (EFS, 30 V, 5 ms, 2–32 Hz), respectively. The expressions of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phosphorylated eNOS (p‐eNOS) (Ser‐1177), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), NADPH oxidase subunit gp91phox, Rho A, and Rho kinase in corpus cavernosum were semi‐quantitatively assessed by immunohistochemistry. Induction of diabetes resulted in significant inhibition of NO‐mediated endothelium‐dependent and neurogenic corpus cavernosum relaxation. Furthermore, eNOS, p‐eNOS, and nNOS expressions decreased significantly in diabetic rats compared to controls, while gp91phox, RhoA and Rho kinase expressions increased significantly. The diminished relaxation response to ACh and EFS as well as diabetes‐related changes in expressions of these proteins in corpus cavernosum of diabetic rats was significantly improved by taurine. Taurine treatment improves NO‐mediated relaxations of corpus cavernosum in diabetic rats probably by inhibiting NADPH oxidase/Rho kinase pathways.
A glycolytic metabolon in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is stabilized by F‐actin
Authors: Araiza‐Olivera Daniela , Chiquete‐Felix Natalia , Rosas‐Lemus Mónica , Sampedro José G. , Peña Antonio , Mujica Adela , Uribe‐Carvajal Salvador 
Published: June 2013

In the Saccharomyces cerevisiae glycolytic pathway, 11 enzymes catalyze the stepwise conversion of glucose to two molecules of ethanol plus two CO2 molecules. In the highly crowded cytoplasm, this pathway would be very inefficient if it were dependent on substrate/enzyme diffusion. Therefore, the existence of a multi‐enzymatic glycolytic complex has been suggested. This complex probably uses the cytoskeleton to stabilize the interaction of the various enzymes. Here, the role of filamentous actin (F‐actin) in stabilization of a putative glycolytic metabolon is reported. Experiments were performed in isolated enzyme/actin mixtures, cytoplasmic extracts and permeabilized yeast cells. Polymerization of actin was promoted using phalloidin or inhibited using cytochalasin D or latrunculin. The polymeric filamentous F‐actin, but not the monomeric globular G‐actin, stabilized both the interaction of isolated glycolytic pathway enzyme mixtures and the whole fermentation pathway, leading to higher fermentation activity. The associated complexes were resistant against inhibition as a result of viscosity (promoted by the disaccharide trehalose) or inactivation (using specific enzyme antibodies). In S. cerevisiae, a glycolytic metabolon appear to assemble in association with F‐actin. In this complex, fermentation activity is enhanced and enzymes are partially protected against inhibition by trehalose or by antibodies.Structured digital abstract

ALD physically interacts with PGK and GAPDH by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)

ALD physically interacts with GAPDH and PGK by affinity chromatography technology (View interaction)
Probabilistic accounting of uncertainty in forecasts of species distributions under climate change
Authors: Wenger Seth J. , Som Nicholas A. , Dauwalter Daniel C. , Isaak Daniel J. , Neville Helen M. , Luce Charles H. , Dunham Jason B. , Young Michael K. , Fausch Kurt D. , Rieman Bruce E. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractForecasts of species distributions under future climates are inherently uncertain, but there have been few attempts to describe this uncertainty comprehensively in a probabilistic manner. We developed a Monte Carlo approach that accounts for uncertainty within generalized linear regression models (parameter uncertainty and residual error), uncertainty among competing models (model uncertainty), and uncertainty in future climate conditions (climate uncertainty) to produce site‐specific frequency distributions of occurrence probabilities across a species' range. We illustrated the method by forecasting suitable habitat for bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in the Interior Columbia River Basin, USA, under recent and projected 2040s and 2080s climate conditions. The 95% interval of total suitable habitat under recent conditions was estimated at 30.1–42.5 thousand km; this was predicted to decline to 0.5–7.9 thousand km by the 2080s. Projections for the 2080s showed that the great majority of stream segments would be unsuitable with high certainty, regardless of the climate data set or bull trout model employed. The largest contributor to uncertainty in total suitable habitat was climate uncertainty, followed by parameter uncertainty and model uncertainty. Our approach makes it possible to calculate a full distribution of possible outcomes for a species, and permits ready graphical display of uncertainty for individual locations and of total habitat.
Early season dry matter production of three hybrid ryegrass (Lolium boucheanum) and two perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivars
Authors: Kennedy E. , O'Donovan M. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractHybrid ryegrass (HRG) is purported to have high overwinter growth characteristics and may have a role in Irish grassland systems. In a 3‐year small‐plot study at Fermoy, Cork, Ireland, the dry matter (DM) production and herbage quality of HRG cultivars in early spring were compared with diploid and tetraploid perennial ryegrass (PRG) cultivars. Treatments comprised ryegrass cultivars × defoliation managements × defoliation heights in a 5 × 3 × 2 factorial arrangement. The cultivars were Navan (tetraploid PRG), Foxtrot (diploid PRG), Foyle (tetraploid HRG), Brutus (diploid HRG) and Belleek (tetraploid HRG). Defoliation dates were: (A) 2 February and 20 April; (B) 2 February, 3 March and 20 April; and (C): 2 February, 23 March and 20 April. Defoliation heights were 4 and 7 cm, applied across each management. The HRG cultivars yielded similarly to cv. Navan on 2 February. Cumulative spring DM production was higher in cvs. Brutus and Belleek than all other cultivars. During this period, the managements A and B had similar DM yields (2765 kg DM ha−1) but were greater than management C. Defoliating swards to 4 cm height increased DM yield compared with 7 cm height. Organic matter digestibility of grass at the silage‐harvest growth stage was greater for PRG cultivars. The study indicates that early spring growth of the three HRG cultivars evaluated here was not sufficiently greater than the tetraploid PRG cv. Navan to compensate for their poorer midseason sward quality.
Field prediction of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) fibre constituents in northern Europe
Authors: Andrzejewska J. , Contreras‐Govea F. E. , Albrecht K. A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractModels to predict neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) of alfalfa before harvest have been developed in the USA, but have not been tested in northern Europe or above 50°N latitude. Our objective was to test predictive equations for alfalfa quality (PEAQ) and the New York prediction equation for alfalfa quality (NYPQ) for estimating alfalfa NDF and ADF in northern Poland. A total of 275 alfalfa samples, varying in height and maturity, were collected from twenty farm fields over 3 years. Observed NDF and ADF values were regressed on predicted values. The accuracy of PEAQ for predicting NDF and ADF in Poland was equal to that observed in the USA (r2 > 0·89; RMSE < 21·6). In most cases regression equations were not biased (slope = 1 and y‐intercept = 0), and when there was bias it was minimal. The relationship between observed and NYPQ prediction of NDF was also strong (r2 > 0·88; RMSE < 23·0), but these equations were extremely biased. The results demonstrate that the PEAQ model provides a simple, rapid and reasonably accurate means to estimate fibre concentrations of alfalfa before harvest, appropriate for the growing conditions of northern Europe.
Effect of La2O3 Addition on Copper‐Nickel Manganese Thermistors for Low‐Temperature Applications
Authors: Yao Jincheng , Wang Junhua , Zhao Qing , Chang Aimin 
Published: June 2013

The introduction of La2O3 to Mn0.75Ni1.25CuO4 ceramics was studied on the microstructure and electrical properties. The sintered Mn0.75Ni1.25CuO4‐xLa2O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) bodies was typical polycrystalline, with cubic spinel structure of copper manganese oxide, rocksalt structure of nickel copper oxide, along with monoclinic phase of copper oxide and orthorhombic perovskite structure of lanthanum manganese oxide. It is found that La doping reduces the material grain size and changes its morphology from the plate‐like form to a spherical staking‐like form. The shape and size of the grains are strongly influenced by the addition of La to the system. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis corroborates the presence of nonequivalent ions at octahedral sites. The obtained ρ77K, B77K/90K constant and activation energy of the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) Mn0.75Ni1.25CuO4‐xLa2O3 thermistors were in the range of 13.19–30.39 Ω cm, 315–326 K, and 0.0272–0.0281 eV, respectively. This means that the electrical properties can be adjusted to desired values, depending on the La content. Such ceramics could be used as potential candidates for NTC thermistors in a temperature range from 20 K to 90K. So these prepared NTC thermistors were intended to be used under low‐temperature conditions.
Polish Immigration in Barcelona: The Sagrada Familia Neighbourhood as an Arena for Interaction
Authors: Wladyka Dawid , Morén‐Alegret Ricard 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBig cities play a dominant role in European research and policies on immigration. However, in recent years the focus has shifted to smaller units. The research upon which this article is based assumes that neighbourhoods' spatial configuration and social tissue constitute an influencing context where interactions develop. Mainly using semi‐structured interviews and ethnographic fieldwork, this article examines the experiences of Polish immigrants who live and/or work in the Sagrada Familia neighbourhood in Barcelona. This article highlights some patterns emerging from the accounts of inter‐ethnic interactions there, namely that for a number of native interviewees, Polish immigrants are ‘invisible’ and, in contrast, among Polish immigrants, there are difficulties in understanding Catalan/Spanish cultures, but interactions with Latin‐American immigrants are highlighted as frequent. Additionally, the article concludes that urban fabrics (e.g. scarce public areas), local policies (e.g. commercial bias) and socio‐economic characteristics (e.g. over‐exposition to massive tourism) are factors influencing on inter‐ethnic interactions.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) contributes to T‐cell homeostasis by regulating pro‐survival Bcl‐2 family genes
Authors: Lee Jin‐Ku , Won Cheolhee , Yi Eun Hee , Seok Seung‐Hyeok , Kim Myoung‐Hwan , Kim Sang‐Jeong , Chung Myung‐Hee , Lee Hyun Gyu , Ikuta Koichi , Ye Sang‐Kyu 
Published: June 2013

SummaryThe naive T‐cell pool in peripheral lymphoid tissues is fairly stable in terms of number, diversity and functional capabilities in spite of the absence of prominent stimuli. This stability is attributed to continuous tuning of the composition of the T‐cell pool by various homeostatic signals. Despite extensive research into the link between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) and T‐cell survival, little is known about how Stat3 regulates homeostasis by maintaining the required naive T‐cell population in peripheral lymphoid organs. We assessed whether the elimination of Stat3 in T cells limits T‐cell survival. We demonstrated that the proportion and number of single‐positive thymocytes as well as T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes were significantly decreased in the Stat3‐deficient group as a result of the enhanced susceptibility of Stat3‐deleted T lymphocytes to apoptosis. Importantly, expression of the anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 and Bcl‐xL was markedly decreased in Stat3‐deleted single‐positive thymocytes and T lymphocytes, suggesting that Stat3 helps to maintain the T‐cell pool in the resting condition by promoting the expression of Bcl‐2 family genes. These findings suggest the importance of Stat3 in the integration of homeostatic cues for the maintenance and functional tuning of the T‐cell pool.
Characterization of neuraminidase inhibitor‐resistant influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses isolated in four seasons during pandemic and post‐pandemic periods in Japan
Authors: Takashita Emi , Fujisaki Seiichiro , Kishida Noriko , Xu Hong , Imai Masaki , Tashiro Masato , Odagiri Takato 
Published: June 2013

Background/ObjectivesJapan has the highest frequency of neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor use against influenza in the world. Therefore, Japan could be at high risk of the emergence and spread of NA inhibitor‐resistant viruses. The aim of this study was to monitor the emergence of NA inhibitor‐resistant viruses and the possibility of human‐to‐human transmission during four influenza seasons in Japan.MethodsTo monitor antiviral‐resistant A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses, we examined viruses isolated in four seasons from the 2008–2009 season through the 2011–2012 season in Japan by allelic discrimination, NA gene sequencing, and NA inhibitor susceptibility.ResultsWe found that 157 (1·3%) of 12 026 A(H1N1)pdm09 isolates possessed an H275Y substitution in the NA protein that confers about 400‐ and 140‐fold decreased susceptibility to oseltamivir and peramivir, respectively, compared with 275H wild‐type viruses. The detection rate of resistant viruses increased from 1·0% during the pandemic period to 2·0% during the post‐pandemic period. The highest detection rate of the resistant viruses was found in patients who were 0–9 years old. Furthermore, among the cases with resistant viruses, the percentage of no known exposure to antiviral drugs increased from 16% during the pandemic period to 44% during the post‐pandemic period, implying that suspected human‐to‐human transmission of the resistant viruses gradually increased in the post‐pandemic period.ConclusionsA(H1N1)pdm09 viruses resistant to oseltamivir and peramivir were sporadically detected in Japan, but they did not spread throughout the community. No viruses resistant to zanamivir and laninamivir were detected.
A qualitative study on non‐verbal sensitivity in nursing students
Authors: Chan Zenobia CY 
Published: June 2013

Aims and objectivesTo explore nursing students’ perception of the meanings and roles of non‐verbal communication and sensitivity. It also attempts to understand how different factors influence their non‐verbal communication style.BackgroundThe importance of non‐verbal communication in the health arena lies in the need for good communication for efficient healthcare delivery. Understanding nursing students’ non‐verbal communication with patients and the influential factors is essential to prepare them for field work in the future.DesignQualitative approach based on 16 in‐depth interviews.MethodsSixteen nursing students from the Master of Nursing and the Year 3 Bachelor of Nursing program were interviewed. Major points in the recorded interviews were marked down for content analysis.ResultsThree main themes were developed: (1) understanding students’ non‐verbal communication, which shows how nursing students value and experience non‐verbal communication in the nursing context; (2) factors that influence the expression of non‐verbal cues, which reveals the effect of patients’ demographic background (gender, age, social status and educational level) and participants’ characteristics (character, age, voice and appearance); and (3) metaphors of non‐verbal communication, which is further divided into four subthemes: providing assistance, individualisation, dropping hints and promoting interaction.ConclusionsLearning about students’ non‐verbal communication experiences in the clinical setting allowed us to understand their use of non‐verbal communication and sensitivity, as well as to understand areas that may need further improvement.Relevance to clinical practiceThe experiences and perceptions revealed by the nursing students could provoke nurses to reconsider the effects of the different factors suggested in this study. The results might also help students and nurses to learn and ponder their missing gap, leading them to rethink, train and pay more attention to their non‐verbal communication style and sensitivity.
Does a therapeutic conversation intervention in an acute paediatric setting make a difference for families of children with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)?
Authors: Kamban Sólrún W , Svavarsdottir Erla Kolbrun 
Published: June 2013

Aims and objectivesTo measure the benefit of a short‐family therapeutic conversation (STC) intervention in an acute paediatric unit.BackgroundStudies of children with bronchiolitis caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have shown that this virus may have an impact on their respiratory system in the form of a wheezing disorder, asthma and even allergy during their childhood. Studies of the parents of these children indicate that they experience distress, vulnerability and anxiety through the illness period and therefore need support from healthcare professionals. However, little is known about what intervention is of most benefit for these parents.DesignQuasi‐experimental.MethodData were collected from a convenience sample from February throughout April 2009 at an acute unit at a children's hospital in Iceland. Parents of infants diagnosed with bronchiolitis caused by RSV were invited to attend. In total, there are 41 participants: 21 in the intervention group (n = 21) and 20 in the control group (n = 20). Parents in both groups answered questionnaires about perceived support and family expressive functioning both before the intervention and on an average of 11 days after the intervention.ResultsThe main findings showed that mothers in the intervention group perceive significantly higher support after the intervention compared with the control group. The findings also showed a significant difference between the genders (mothers and fathers) in the intervention group. The mothers perceived higher cognitive support than the fathers.ConclusionsDespite the often chaotic environment in an acute care setting, the research findings give paediatric nurses reason to conclude that a STC intervention benefits mothers of infants with bronchiolitis caused by RSV.Relevance to clinical practiceA STC intervention offered by a nurse within an acute paediatric unit can support families in handling the illness experience.
Slag Resistance of Al2O3–MgO Refractory Castables in Different Environmental Conditions
Authors: Sako Eric Y. , Braulio Mariana A. L. , Luz Ana Paula , Zinngrebe Enno , Pandolfelli Victor C. 
Published: June 2013

Although the corrosion performance of spinel‐containing castables has been extensively investigated in recent years, no previous studies accessed the different conditions present in the ladle bottom. In this region, strong variations in the atmospheric environment are often detected, which could drastically change the interactions between refractory and molten slag. In the present work, the main corrosion mechanisms of an alumina–magnesia castable in two environmental conditions (oxidizing – pO2 = 0.21 atm—or reducing – pO2 = 10−15 atm— atmosphere) were evaluated by means of scanning electron microscopy and EDS analyses of the corroded samples and thermodynamic simulations. The attained results showed that the slag penetration was suppressed in the presence of oxygen due to the precipitation of a great amount of calcium monoaluminate (CA) crystals as the refractory interacted with slag. Conversely, the CA phase was not stable under reducing conditions and, therefore, many more refractory components (Al2O3, MgO, and MgAl2O4) had to be dissolved to precipitate calcium dialuminate (CA2) by reacting with infiltrating slag. Thus, besides providing a suitable and more realistic understanding of the castable performance in service conditions, the results also indicated that the prediction of the environmental conditions is of utmost importance for the design of high performance refractories.