bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β-Alanine Biosynthesis in Methanocaldococcus jannaschii
Authors: Wang Yu , Xu Huimin , White Robert H. 
Published: June 2014

ABSTRACT

One efficient approach to assigning function to unannotated genes is to establish the enzymes that are missing in known biosynthetic pathways. One group of such pathways is those involved in coenzyme biosynthesis. In the case of the methanogenic archaeon
Methanocaldococcus jannaschii
as well as most methanogens, none of the expected enzymes for the biosynthesis of the β-alanine and pantoic acid moieties required for coenzyme A are annotated. To identify the gene(s) for β-alanine biosynthesis, we have established the pathway for the formation of β-alanine in this organism after experimentally eliminating other known and proposed pathways to β-alanine from malonate semialdehyde,
l
-alanine, spermine, dihydrouracil, and acryloyl-coenzyme A (CoA). Our data showed that the decarboxylation of aspartate was the only source of β-alanine in cell extracts of
M. jannaschii
. Unlike other prokaryotes where the enzyme producing β-alanine from
l
-aspartate is a pyruvoyl-containing
l
-aspartate decarboxylase (PanD), the enzyme in
M. jannaschii
is a pyridoxal phosphate (PLP)-dependent
l
-aspartate decarboxylase encoded by MJ0050, the same enzyme that was found to decarboxylate tyrosine for methanofuran biosynthesis. A

K
m

of ∼0.80 mM for
l
-aspartate with a specific activity of 0.09 μmol min
−1
mg
−1
at 70°C for the decarboxylation of
l
-aspartate was measured for the recombinant enzyme. The MJ0050 gene was also demonstrated to complement the
Escherichia coli
panD
deletion mutant cells, in which
panD
encoding aspartate decarboxylase in
E. coli
had been knocked out, thus confirming the function of this gene
in vivo
.
Systematic review and network meta-analysis comparing antithrombotic agents for the prevention of stroke and major bleeding in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Cameron Chris , Coyle Doug , Richter Trevor , Kelly Shannon , Gauthier Kasandra , Steiner Sabine , Carrier Marc , Coyle Kathryn , Bai Annie , Moulton Kristen , Clifford Tammy , Wells George 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveTo examine the comparative efficacy and safety of antithrombotic treatments (apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, rivaroxaban and vitamin K antagonists (VKA) at a standard adjusted dose (target international normalised ratio 2.0–3.0), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), ASA and clopidogrel) for non-valvular atrial fibrillation and among subpopulations.DesignSystematic review and network meta-analysis.Data sourcesA systematic literature search strategy was designed and carried out using MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and the grey literature including the websites of regulatory agencies and health technology assessment organisations for trials published in English from 1988 to January 2014.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesRandomised controlled trials were selected for inclusion if they were published in English, included at least one antithrombotic treatment and involved patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation eligible to receive anticoagulant therapy.ResultsFor stroke or systemic embolism, dabigatran 150 mg and apixaban twice daily were associated with reductions relative to standard adjusted dose VKA, whereas low-dose ASA and the combination of clopidogrel plus low-dose ASA were associated with increases. Absolute risk reductions ranged from 6 fewer events per 1000 patients treated for dabigatran 150 mg twice daily to 15 more events for clopidogrel plus ASA. For major bleeding, edoxaban 30 mg daily, apixaban, edoxaban 60 mg daily and dabigatran 110 mg twice daily were associated with reductions compared to standard adjusted dose VKA. Absolute risk reductions with these agents ranged from 18 fewer per 1000 patients treated each year for edoxaban 30 mg daily to 24 more for medium dose ASA.ConclusionsCompared with standard adjusted dose VKA, new oral anticoagulants were associated with modest reductions in the absolute risk of stroke and major bleeding. People on antiplatelet drugs experienced more strokes compared with anticoagulant drugs without any reduction in bleeding risk. To fully elucidate the comparative benefits and harms of antithrombotic agents across the various subpopulations, rigorously conducted comparative studies or network meta-regression analyses of patient-level data are required.Systematic review registration numberPROSPERO registry—CRD42012002721.
Criminalisation of clients: reproducing vulnerabilities for violence and poor health among street-based sex workers in Canada—a qualitative study
Authors: Krüsi A , Pacey K , Bird L , Taylor C , Chettiar J , Allan S , Bennett D , Montaner J S , Kerr T , Shannon K 
Published: June 2014

ObjectivesTo explore how criminalisation and policing of sex buyers (clients) rather than sex workers shapes sex workers’ working conditions and sexual transactions including risk of violence and HIV/sexually transmitted infections (STIs).DesignQualitative and ethnographic study triangulated with sex work-related violence prevalence data and publicly available police statistics.SettingVancouver, Canada, provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the impact of policies that criminalise clients as the local police department adopted a sex work enforcement policy in January 2013 that prioritises sex workers’ safety over arrest, while continuing to target clients.Participants26 cisgender and 5 transgender women who were street-based sex workers (n=31) participated in semistructured interviews about their working conditions. All had exchanged sex for money in the previous 30 days in Vancouver.Outcome measuresThematic analysis of interview transcripts and ethnographic field notes focused on how police enforcement of clients shaped sex workers’ working conditions and sexual transactions, including risk of violence and HIV/STIs, over an 11-month period postpolicy implementation (January–November 2013).ResultsSex workers’ narratives and ethnographic observations indicated that while police sustained a high level of visibility, they eased charging or arresting sex workers and showed increased concern for their safety. However, participants’ accounts and police statistics indicated continued police enforcement of clients. This profoundly impacted the safety strategies sex workers employed. Sex workers continued to mistrust police, had to rush screening clients and were displaced to outlying areas with increased risks of violence, including being forced to engage in unprotected sex.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that criminalisation and policing strategies that target clients reproduce the harms created by the criminalisation of sex work, in particular, vulnerability to violence and HIV/STIs. The current findings support decriminalisation of sex work to ensure work conditions that support the health and safety of sex workers in Canada and globally.
Pain education to prevent chronic low back pain: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Traeger Adrian C , Moseley G Lorimer , Hübscher Markus , Lee Hopin , Skinner Ian W , Nicholas Michael K , Henschke Nicholas , Refshauge Kathryn M , Blyth Fiona M , Main Chris J , Hush Julia M , Pearce Garry , McAuley James H 
Published: June 2014

IntroductionLow back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Of those patients who present to primary care with acute LBP, 40% continue to report symptoms 3 months later and develop chronic LBP. Although it is possible to identify these patients early, effective interventions to improve their outcomes are not available. This double-blind (participant/outcome assessor) randomised controlled trial will investigate the efficacy of a brief educational approach to prevent chronic LBP in ‘at-risk’ individuals.Methods/analysisParticipants will be recruited from primary care practices in the Sydney metropolitan area. To be eligible for inclusion participants will be aged 18–75 years, with acute LBP (<4 weeks’ duration) preceded by at least a 1 month pain-free period and at-risk of developing chronic LBP. Potential participants with chronic spinal pain and those with suspected serious spinal pathology will be excluded. Eligible participants who agree to take part will be randomly allocated to receive 2×1 h sessions of pain biology education or 2×1 h sessions of sham education from a specially trained study physiotherapist. The study requires 101 participants per group to detect a 1-point difference in pain intensity 3 months after pain onset. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of chronic LBP, disability, pain intensity, depression, healthcare utilisation, pain attitudes and beliefs, global recovery and recurrence and are measured at 1 week post-intervention, and at 3, 6 and 12 months post LBP onset.Ethics/disseminationEthical approval was obtained from the University of New South Wales Human Ethics Committee in June 2013 (ref number HC12664). Outcomes will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conference meetings.Trial registration numberhttps://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12612001180808
Did compulsory wear regulations increase personal flotation device (PFD) use by boaters in small power recreational vessels? A before-after observational study conducted in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Cassell Erin , Newstead Stuart 
Published: June 2014

ObjectiveTo estimate the effect of the 2005 Victorian mandatory personal flotation device (PFD) wearing regulations on PFD use by occupants of small (hull length ≤4.8 m) power recreational vessels.DesignBefore-after observational study investigating the probability of PFD use among occupants of small vessels before and after the regulations were introduced compared with the probability of use by their counterparts on large power vessels (hull length >4.8–12 m) who were not required to wear PFDs before or after the regulations were introduced in the low-risk conditions in which observations occurred.MethodsStatewide observation surveys of boaters were conducted in peak boating periods between January and March 2005 (prelegislation) and 2007 (postlegislation). Data collection included size of vessel, age and sex of boaters, life jacket use, boat type, activity of boaters, type of waterway and weather and water conditions. Logistic regression modelling tested whether there were statistically significant differences in the change in the relative odds of occupants wearing PFDs from the preintervention to the postintervention period in small compared with large power recreational vessels.ResultsThe probability of PFD use increased from 22% to 63% on small power vessels compared with 12% to 13% on large vessels. Regression analysis showed a high statistically significant increase in the odds of PFD use on small vessels relative to large vessels (OR 6.2, 95% CI 4.2 to 9.3, p<0.001). No statistically significant effect on use on large vessels was associated with the regulation (OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.70, p=0.15). Relative to large vessels, on small vessels the odds of PFD use increased significantly in both sexes, all age groups, all vessel types and activity groupings except for towed water sports where the increase was only marginally statistically significant.ConclusionsThe legislative intervention was successful in increasing PFD wearing in small vessels. However, visible enforcement and tougher penalties are needed to optimise compliance.
Analysis of short-term total hospital costs and current primary cost drivers of coiling versus clipping for unruptured intracranial aneurysms
Authors: Duan Yifei , Blackham Kristine , Nelson Jeff , Selman Warren , Bambakidis Nicholas 
Published: June 2014

BackgroundNo randomized controlled trial has successfully compared outcomes between endovascular coiling and microsurgical clipping for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs).ObjectiveTo perform a cost comparison between index hospitalizations of patients with UIAs treated with coil embolization or surgical clipping to identify the current primary drivers of costs of either management approach.MethodsWe obtained index hospitalization costs for 125 cases of UIAs treated with coiling or clipping from 2010 to 2012 at our institution. Comparisons were stratified based on patient age, gender, aneurysm size, and aneurysm location. Using linear regressions, we identified clinical parameters that drive total hospital costs.Results69 cases were treated with clipping and 56 cases were treated with coiling. Morbidity and length of stay for patients treated with clipping was higher. Total hospital costs and variable direct costs for clipping were significantly lower than for coiling (p=0.003, p<0.001, respectively). Fixed direct costs and fixed indirect costs for clipping were higher than for coiling (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). Variable direct costs comprised 50.5% and 68.6% of total hospital costs for clipping and coiling, respectively (p<0.001). Length of stay, aneurysm size, and patient age drove total hospital costs for clipping. Length of stay was a weak driver of total hospital costs for coiling.ConclusionsTotal index hospitalization costs for clipping are lower than for coiling. Costs of clipping and coiling are driven by different clinical variables. The cost of coils and devices is the predominant contributor to the higher total costs of coiling.
Gondwana margin evolution from zircon REE, O and Hf signatures of Western Province gneisses, Zealandia
Authors: Hiess Joe , Yi Keewook , Woodhead Jon , Ireland Trevor , Rattenbury Mark 
Published: June 2014

Abstract

U–Th–Pb dated zircons from Western Province paragneisses and orthogneisses were analysed for rare earth element (REE) concentrations, as well as oxygen and hafnium isotopic compositions. Experiments performed
in situ
using a sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) and laser ablation multicollection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-MC-ICPMS) allow better understanding of crustal growth on the Zealandia margin of Gondwana from the micron scale. Paragneiss zircons were probably derived from similar sources to those that supplied the regional Ordovician Greenland Group and correlative southern Australian and Antarctic meta-sedimentary rocks. Detrital zircon grains record variable REE patterns relating to magmatic and metamorphic crystallization processes operating prior to and following Ordovician deposition. δ
18
O and ε
Hf(T)
values trace major phases of juvenile crust formation and subsequent reworking in provenance sources, signifying an increase in the recycling of compositionally diverse, evolved crustal materials through time. Orthogneiss zircons relate to two episodes of magmatism that record similar REE concentration patterns. Devonian zircons have elevated δ
18
O and un-radiogenic ε
Hf(T)
; Cretaceous zircons record more primitive δ
18
O and radiogenic ε
Hf(T)
. Both orthogneiss suites require thorough mixing of mantle-derived magmas with a component of Greenland Group rocks. The relative proportion of this crustal contamination is
c.
20–50% for the Devonian orthogneisses and
c.
10–40% for the Cretaceous orthogneisses. Orthogneiss protolith materials were largely hybridized prior to and during zircon crystallization, suggesting that plutonic assembly occurred over restricted structural levels. These results demonstrate the ability of zircon to retain detailed petrogenetic information through amphibolite-facies metamorphism with excellent fidelity.

Supplementary material:

Analytical methods and data are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18755
Cheating in Online Games
Authors: Blackburn Jeremy , Kourtellis Nicolas , Skvoretz John , Ripeanu Matei , Iamnitchi Adriana 
Published: June 2014

Online gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry that entertains a large, global population. One unfortunate phenomenon, however, poisons the competition and spoils the fun: cheating. The costs of cheating span from industry-supported expenditures to detect and limit it, to victims’ monetary losses due to cyber crime.
This article studies cheaters in the Steam Community, an online social network built on top of the world’s dominant digital game delivery platform. We collected information about more than 12 million gamers connected in a global social network, of which more than 700 thousand have their profiles flagged as cheaters. We also observed timing information of the cheater flags, as well as the dynamics of the cheaters’ social neighborhoods.
We discovered that cheaters are well embedded in the social and interaction networks: their network position is largely indistinguishable from that of fair players. Moreover, we noticed that the number of cheaters is not correlated with the geographical, real-world population density, or with the local popularity of the Steam Community. Also, we observed a social penalty involved with being labeled as a cheater: cheaters lose friends immediately after the cheating label is publicly applied.
Most importantly, we observed that cheating behavior spreads through a social mechanism: the number of cheater friends of a fair player is correlated with the likelihood of her becoming a cheater in the future. This allows us to propose ideas for limiting cheating contagion.
Bursaphelenchus fagi sp. n. (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae), an insect-pathogenic nematode in the Malpighian tubules of the bark beetle, Taphrorychus bicolor (Herbst.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Scolytinae), in European beech, Fagus silvatica L.
Authors: Tomalak Marek , Filipiak Anna 
Published: June 2014

Bursaphelenchus fagisp. n. is described from the bark of European beech,Fagus silvatica. All propagative stages of the nematode are numerous in larval galleries of the beech bark beetle,Taphrorychus bicolor, while dauer juveniles aggregate in Malpighian tubules of adult beetles. The new species is characterised by the body length of 871 (763-1110) μm in female and 852 (718-992) μm in male, very slender body (a = 56.8 (50.4-67.1) and 64.5 (56.5-73.8) in female and male, respectively), and spicules 15.2 (14.0-17.0) μm long. The extended anterior vulval lip in female, lateral fields with four incisures, and number (7) and arrangement of male caudal papillae may indicate thatB. fagisp. n. is closely related to thexylophilusgroup. It differs from this group by the relatively small, claw-like spicules with narrow capitulum, indistinct condylus in almost continuous line with dorsal lamina, and lack of distinct cucullus at the spicule tip. The close relation ofB. fagisp. n. with thexylophilusgroup has been confirmed by DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 28S rDNA region.Bursaphelenchus fagisp. n. most closely resemblesB. tokyoensisandB. idius, but can be separated by differences in the arrangement of the male caudal papillae, a unique feature for each species. The taxonomic separation of the new species is also confirmed by the unique molecular profile of the ITS region (ITS-RFLP). The mass presence of dauer juveniles ofB. fagisp. n. in Malpighian tubules of adultT. bicolorleads to degradation of the tubule cellular epithelium and local expansion of its basement membrane. These changes clearly indicate direct pathogenicity of the nematode to its vector insect. In laboratory rearing,B. fagisp. n. can grow and reproduce onBotryotinia fuckelianacultures.
Description of Aphelenchoides stellatus n. sp. (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) found in packaging wood from Japan
Authors: Fang Yiwu , Gu Jianfeng , Wang Xuan , Li Hongmei 
Published: June 2014

Aphelenchoides stellatusn. sp. is described and figured. The new species was isolated from packaging wood from Japan imported to Ningbo harbour, China. The new species has a body length of 485-533 μm (males) and 547-699 μm (females). The cuticle is weakly annulated and there are four lines in the lateral field. The stylet is 9-11 μm long and has small basal swellings. The excretory pore is located posterior to the nerve ring. Spicules smoothly curved, rose-thorn shaped. Apex and rostrum round, only slightly offset, dorsal limb 19-21 μm long. Male tail bearing six (2 + 2 + 2) caudal papillae. The female spermatheca is axial and oblong with round sperm present in multiple rows. Both male and female tail pegs have 3-4 processes, appearing star-like under SEM. The new species belongs to the Group 3 category ofAphelenchoidesspecies. Phylogenetic analyses based on full length ITS and 28S D2/D3 region of rDNA confirmed its morphological status as a new species.
Women in Academic Atmospheric Sciences
Authors: MacPhee David , Canetto Silvia Sara 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPast studies suggest that the atmospheric sciences may have the fewest women of all geosciences occupations. The purpose of this study was to document the representation of women in the academic atmospheric sciences, specifically women’s representation among faculty in U.S. atmospheric sciences doctoral programs. A second purpose was to describe the demographic profile, educational preparation, and occupational destination of atmospheric sciences graduate students—as a way to gauge the characteristics and progress of women potentially in the pipeline for academic positions. Data on atmospheric sciences faculty (N = 813) were collected from the websites of 34 doctoral programs. Women constituted 17% of tenure-track and tenured atmospheric sciences faculty. Most departments (53%) had two or fewer female tenure-track or tenured faculty members. The proportion of female faculty members declined as academic rank increased. Institutional data for graduate students (N = 1,153) at a subset of these programs showed that at matriculation, women represented 39% of the students. The typical provenience disciplines of atmospheric sciences graduate students were majors with a low participation of women. Finally, significantly fewer women than men completed their doctoral degrees or pursued academic careers upon completion of the doctorate. Only 20% of doctoral degree completers who chose academia were women. Based on these findings and those of related studies, we forecast a persisting scarcity of female faculty members in U.S. atmospheric sciences doctoral programs.
Evaluation of Single-Doppler Radar Wind Retrievals in Flat and Complex Terrain
Authors: Newsom Rob K. , Berg Larry K. , Pekour Mikhail , Fast Jerome , Xu Qin , Zhang Pengfei , Yang Qing , Shaw William J. , Flaherty Julia 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe accuracy of winds derived from Next Generation Weather Radar (NEXRAD) level-II data is assessed by comparison with independent observations from 915-MHz radar wind profilers. The evaluation is carried out at two locations with very different terrain characteristics. One site is located in an area of complex terrain within the State Line Wind Energy Center in northeastern Oregon. The other site is located in an area of flat terrain on the east-central Florida coast. The National Severe Storm Laboratory’s two-dimensional variational data assimilation (2DVar) algorithm is used to retrieve wind fields from the KPDT (Pendleton, Oregon) and KMLB (Melbourne, Florida) NEXRAD radars. Wind speed correlations at most observation height levels fell in the range from 0.7 to 0.8, indicating that the retrieved winds followed temporal fluctuations in the profiler-observed winds reasonably well. The retrieved winds, however, consistently exhibited slow biases in the range of 1–2 m s−1. Wind speed difference distributions were broad, with standard deviations in the range from 3 to 4 m s−1. Results from the Florida site showed little change in the wind speed correlations and difference standard deviations with altitude between about 300 and 1400 m AGL. Over this same height range, results from the Oregon site showed a monotonic increase in the wind speed correlation and a monotonic decrease in the wind speed difference standard deviation with increasing altitude. The poorest overall agreement occurred at the lowest observable level (~300 m AGL) at the Oregon site, where the effects of the complex terrain were greatest.