bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of MltG as a potential terminase for peptidoglycan polymerization in bacteria
Authors: Yunck Rachel , Cho Hongbaek , Bernhardt Thomas G. 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBacterial cells are fortified against osmotic lysis by a cell wall made of peptidoglycan (PG). Synthases called penicillin‐binding proteins (PBPs), the targets of penicillin and related antibiotics, polymerize the glycan strands of PG and crosslink them into the cell wall meshwork via attached peptides. The average length of glycan chains inserted into the matrix by the PBPs is thought to play an important role in bacterial morphogenesis, but polymerization termination factors controlling this process have yet to be discovered. Here, we report the identification of Escherichia coli MltG (YceG) as a potential terminase for glycan polymerization that is broadly conserved in bacteria. A clone containing mltG was initially isolated in a screen for multicopy plasmids generating a lethal phenotype in cells defective for the PG synthase PBP1b. Biochemical studies revealed that MltG is an inner membrane enzyme with endolytic transglycosylase activity capable of cleaving at internal positions within a glycan polymer. Radiolabeling experiments further demonstrated MltG‐dependent nascent PG processing in vivo, and bacterial two‐hybrid analysis identified an MltG‐PBP1b interaction. Mutants lacking MltG were also shown to have longer glycans in their PG relative to wild‐type cells. Our combined results are thus consistent with a model in which MltG associates with PG synthetic complexes to cleave nascent polymers and terminate their elongation.
Swarming and mating activity of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes in semi‐field enclosures
Authors: ACHINKO D. , THAILAYIL J. , PATON D. , MIREJI P. O. , TALESA V. , MASIGA D. , CATTERUCCIA F. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAnopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto (Diptera: Culicidae) is the major Afro‐tropical vector of malaria. Novel strategies proposed for the elimination and eradication of this mosquito vector are based on the use of genetic approaches, such as the sterile insect technique (SIT). These approaches rely on the ability of released males to mate with wild females, and depend on the application of effective protocols to assess the swarming and mating behaviours of laboratory‐reared insects prior to their release. The present study evaluated whether large semi‐field enclosures can be utilized to study the ability of males from a laboratory colony to respond to natural environmental stimuli and initiate normal mating behaviour. Laboratory‐reared males exhibited spatiotemporally consistent swarming behaviour within the study enclosures. Swarm initiation, peak and termination time closely tracked sunset. Comparable insemination rates were observed in females captured in copula in the semi‐field cages relative to females in small laboratory cages. Oviposition rates after blood feeding were also similar to those observed in laboratory settings. The data suggest that outdoor enclosures are suitable for studying swarming and mating in laboratory‐bred males in field‐like settings, providing an important reference for future studies aimed at assessing the comparative mating ability of strains for SIT and other vector control strategies.
Phosphorus cycling in deciduous forest soil differs between stands dominated by ecto‐ and arbuscular mycorrhizal trees
Authors: Rosling Anna , Midgley Meghan G. , Cheeke Tanya , Urbina Hector , Fransson Petra , Phillips Richard P. 
Published: October 2015

Summary

Although much is known about how trees and their associated microbes influence nitrogen cycling in temperate forest soils, less is known about biotic controls over phosphorus (P) cycling. Given that mycorrhizal fungi are instrumental for P acquisition and that the two dominant associations – arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi – possess different strategies for acquiring P, we hypothesized that P cycling would differ in stands dominated by trees associated with AM vs ECM fungi.

We quantified soil solution P, microbial biomass P, and sequentially extracted inorganic and organic P pools from May to November in plots dominated by trees forming either AM or ECM associations in south‐central Indiana, USA.

Overall, fungal communities in AM and ECM plots were functionally different and soils exhibited fundamental differences in P cycling. Organic forms of P were more available in ECM plots than in AM plots. Yet inorganic P decreased and organic P accumulated over the growing season in both ECM and AM plots, resulting in increasingly P‐limited microbial biomass.

Collectively, our results suggest that P cycling in hardwood forests is strongly influenced by biotic processes in soil and that these are driven by plant‐associated fungal communities.
AN EVOLUTIONARY GAME‐THEORETIC MODEL OF CANNIBALISM
Authors: CUSHING J. M. , HENSON SHANDELLE M. , HAYWARD JAMES L. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCannibalism, which functions as a life history trait in at least 1300 species of both invertebrates and vertebrates, plays important ecological and evolutionary roles in populations. During times of low resource availability, cannibalism of juveniles by adults can redirect reproductive energy to times of higher resource availability. For example, prolonged increases in sea surface temperature depress marine food webs and lead to increased egg cannibalism among glaucous‐winged gulls (Larus glaucescens); consumption of a single cannibalized egg provides almost half the daily energy needs for an adult gull. Motivated by the glaucous‐winged gull system, we use matrix models and bifurcation theory to investigate population and evolutionary dynamic consequences of adult‐on‐juvenile cannibalism. We show that in the presence of cannibalism, a population can survive under circumstances of low resource availability which, in the absence of cannibalism, lead to extinction. The evolutionary version of the model shows that cannibalism can be an evolutionarily stable strategy.
Changes in QTc associated with a rapid bolus dose of dexmedetomidine in patients receiving TIVA: a retrospective study
Authors: Görges Matthias , Whyte Simon D. , Sanatani Shubhayan , Dawes Joy , Montgomery Carolyne J. , Ansermino J. Mark 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBackgroundClinical indications for the perioperative use of dexmedetomidine in pediatric anesthesia are accumulating. However, in 2013, dexmedetomidine was added to the list of medications with possible risk of prolonging the QT interval and/or inducing Torsades de Pointes. Unfortunately, current evidence for dexmedetomidine‐induced QT prolongation is sparse and somewhat contradictory.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate temporal changes in corrected QT interval (QTc) after a rapid bolus administration of dexmedetomidine under total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with a standardized propofol and remifentanil administration.MethodsElectrocardiography (ECG) and corresponding trend data were extracted from automated electronic data capture of physiological monitoring. Ten‐second epochs of ECG data were extracted in 1‐min intervals for 12 min, starting 1 min before dexmedetomidine bolus administration, and ending 10 min after. QT intervals were extracted using an automated routine in MATLAB, and corrected for heart rate (HR) using Bazett's (QTcB) and Fridericia's formulas (QTcF). QTcB and QTcF were compared using Wilcoxon signed‐rank test between baseline measurements and the subsequent four interval values.ResultsData from 21 subjects (17 male) with median (range) age 7.1 (5.4–9.5) yr, weight 23.6 (16.2–36.7) kg, and height 121 (103–140) cm were analyzed. Bolus administration of dexmedetomidine reduced HR in all subjects (median 22%), and caused transient reduction of QT interval, with its peak at 1‐min postbolus administration: QTcB (median reduction 30.7 ms, P < 0.001) or QTcF (median reduction 15.4 ms, P = 0.001); QT shortening became statistically insignificant 4 min following dexmedetomidine bolus administration for QTcB and 2 min for QTcF.ConclusionIn this study, a rapid bolus of dexmedetomidine transiently shortened corrected QT intervals. However, these effects are confounded by dexmedetomidine‐induced bradycardia. These findings should be confirmed in pediatric studies without concomitant TIVA administration and with optimized correction of baseline HR.
Radionuclide cholescintigraphy in genetically confirmed Rotor syndrome
Authors: Sirucek Pavel , Sulakova Astrida , Jirsa Milan , Mrhac Lubomir , Havel Martin , Kraft Otakar 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA 7‐year‐old girl had been followed up for persistent conjugated hyperbilirubinemia since birth. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase activity was within the normal range, and liver protein synthesis had always been normal. Infectious etiology of jaundice, autoimmune diseases, drug‐induced liver injury, hemolytic anemia, α‐1 anti‐trypsin deficiency, Wilson disease and Gilbert syndrome were ruled out. At the age of 8 years the patient underwent radionuclide dynamic cholescintigraphy, indicating poor accumulation of the radiotracer in the liver on one hand, and severe retention of the radiopharmaceutical in the blood pool (including the heart) on the other hand. Rotor syndrome was suspected and finally confirmed on molecular analysis. This case represents the first cholescintigraphy report in a pediatric patient with genetically proven Rotor syndrome.
Features of children with positive celiac serology and type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Tanpowpong Pornthep , Broder‐Fingert Sarabeth , Katz Aubrey J , Camargo Carlos A 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPrior studies have reported disparate clinical presentations between children with celiac disease and type 1 diabetes mellitus and those with celiac disease alone. Studies focusing on differences in endoscopic and histopathological findings, however, are limited. We reviewed children aged 2–18 years, presenting for an initial evaluation between January 2000 and December 2010. Data on medical history, serologic markers, upper endoscopy, and histopathology were collected. Only the children with positive celiac serology who had upper endoscopy performed within 3 months of the initial visit were included. We identified 294 children who fulfilled the criteria, 21 of whom had diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus. Diabetic children were more likely to have absence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Erythematous duodenal and esophageal mucosa on endoscopy, and histopathology suggestive of reflux esophagitis were more common in the diabetes group. Diabetic children with positive celiac serology had different histopathological features as compared with their non‐diabetic counterparts.
Iteration Principles in Epistemology II: Arguments Against
Authors: Greco Daniel 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe prequel to this paper introduced the topic of iteration principles in epistemology and surveyed some arguments in support of them. In this sequel, I'll consider two influential families of objection to iteration principles. The first turns on the idea that they lead to some variety of skepticism, and the second turns on ‘margin for error’ considerations adduced by Timothy Williamson (2000).
Rearrangement of the flagellar apparatuses and eyespots of isogametes during the fertilization of the marine green alga, Monostroma nitidum (Ulvophyceae, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Miyamura Shinichi , Nagumo Tamotsu , Maegawa Miyuki , Hori Terumitsu 
Published: October 2015

SummaryBehaviors of the flagellar apparatuses (flagella, basal bodies, microtubular roots, etc.), mating structures and eyespots of gametes during the fertilization of Monostroma nitidum were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The biflagellate isogamete (mt+ and mt−) mating structure has a position that is converse between mt+ and mt− gametes relative to the flagellar beat plane and the eyespot. After the adhesion of mt+ and mt− gametes, gamete fusion occurred between the two mating structures. The cell fusion plane expanded to the cell surface as circumscribed by 1s–2d roots in mt+ gamete and 1d–2s roots in the mt− gamete. Two sets of flagellar apparatuses lay side by side in the planozygote and soon become mutually close. The no. 1 basal body of mt+ gamete and the no. 2 basal body of mt− gamete rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the cell anterior. Then, the no. 2 basal body of mt+ gamete and the no. 1 basal body of mt− gamete slid into a face to face position. Finally, four flagella and basal bodies exhibited a cruciate arrangement. The basal bodies of the opposing pair (no. 1 and no. 2) were offset in a counterclockwise orientation by the basal body diameter. The 1s and 2d roots of the mt+ gamete lay nearly parallel to the 1d and 2s roots of the mt− gamete, respectively, at the cell fusion plane. Because of the asymmetric localization of the mating structure, association, and subsequent rearrangement of basal bodies and microtubular roots, two eyespots lay on the same side of the planozygote. After the settlement of the planozygote, the flagellar apparatus started to disintegrate in the zygote cytoplasm.
Lifetime versus Annual Tax‐and‐Transfer Progressivity: Sweden, 1968–2009
Authors: Bengtsson Niklas , Holmlund Bertil , Waldenström Daniel 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we analyze the evolution of tax‐and‐transfer progressivity in Sweden over both annual and lifetime horizons. Using a rich micro panel covering the period 1968–2009, we calculate tax rates over a cohort's entire working life cycle. Our main finding is that taxes are considerably less progressive over the lifetime than in any single year. Social insurance transfers to transitory low‐income earners account for most of this result. We offer a number of robustness checks of the measurement of lifetime incomes and progressivity, but none of them changes our overall findings.
Is It a Pleasure to Eat Together? Theoretical Reflections on Conviviality and the Mediterranean Diet
Authors: Phull Surinder , Wills Wendy , Dickinson Angela 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIn 2013 the Mediterranean Diet was recognized by UNESCO as anintangible cultural heritageof Spain, Greece, Italy and Morocco. Conviviality – the pleasure of eating together – was recognized as the cornerstone of food culture in the region. Although the concept ofcommensalityhas been explored widely in the literature, studies onconvivialityand convivial dining are almost non‐existent. This review explores the concept of conviviality and its significance in relation to the Mediterranean Diet. It draws on sociological and anthropological literature to define conviviality and to address the perceived benefits of eating together as well as the social constraints on pleasurable meals. The paper draws upon the work of French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu and his ideas of Habitus, Field and Cultural Capital, examining how these concepts relate to pleasurable eating and conviviality. It offers an interdisciplinary perspective on who and what makes conviviality happen and the potential obstacles to the experience and promotion of convivial dining.
Mafias, Markets, Mules: Gender Stereotypes in Discourses About Drug Trafficking
Authors: Fleetwood Jennifer 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPopular and political discourses about drug trafficking are premised on a gender binary based on sexist stereotypes. Simply put, popular and political discourses about drug trafficking tend to describe men as the brains and women as mere bodies. Academic research on drug mules and drug trafficking tends to rely on, rather than problematise, this gender binary, limiting contemporary enquiry and knowledge about drug trafficking. Furthermore, this gendered binary informs anti‐drug trafficking policy international in harmful ways.
Twenty‐Five Years After the Fall of Communism: The Cultural Peculiarities of Fighting Corruption and Building Civil Society in Romania
Authors: Toma Roxana 
Published: October 2015

AbstractEven when the domestic political system has undergone reform, it sometimes seems unlikely that any outside force can introduce enough of a “carrot and stick” approach to persuade a country to maintain momentum. This article is concerned with understanding the cultural peculiarities of fighting corruption and building civil society in Romania, where despite the tough EU monitoring and domestic anti‐sleaze efforts, corruption, and low trust remain significant problems. Many of the theorists in the post‐communist literature argue that socioeconomic factors and the communist legacy have weakened post‐communist civil society in the region. This article explores the question whether corruption has replaced the legacy of communism as a factor undermining trust in others and government in Romania and presents an examination of the association between corruption and post‐communist civil society. The article argues that future research needs to switch focus from discussing Romanian social, political, and cultural behaviors from a longue durée perspective to evaluating the impact of political corruption on trust and, hence, civil society in Romania.
Mastery, Homeownership, and Adult Roles During the Transition to Adulthood
Authors: Tyndall Benjamin D. , Christie‐Mizell C. André 
Published: October 2015

We investigate the relationship between homeownership and personal sense of mastery in the transition to adulthood and examine whether three important adult transitions (employment, marriage/cohabitation, and parenthood) moderate the impact of homeownership on mastery. Utilizing the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth—Young Adult Sample (N = 1,609), we estimate change models to assess the direct effects of homeownership on mastery as well as whether this impact is modified by the transition to adult roles. Homeownership increases the sense of mastery among young adults. Homeowners who are unemployed paradoxically receive a boost to mastery not experienced by those who are employed, and homeowners who are parents experience increased mastery, compared to those who do not have children. Owning a home has a positive influence on young adults' sense of mastery during a period when their mastery is in flux and they are accumulating new roles.
Intravenous administration of tranexamic acid effectively reduces blood loss in primary total knee arthroplasty in a 610‐patient consecutive case series
Authors: Pitta Michael , Zawadsky Mark , Verstraete Richard , Rubinstein Aaron 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUNDTranexamic acid (TXA) has been reported to demonstrate efficacy in reducing blood loss during arthroplasty procedures.STUDY DESIGN AND METHODSThis study examines the effectiveness of TXA as a central element of a patient blood management program (PBMP) by evaluating blood loss and transfusion of red blood cells in three consecutive groups of patients undergoing routine total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Approximately 200 patients were in each group as follows: Group 1 was a control without TXA, Group 2 was intraarticular administration, and Group 3 was intravenous (IV) administration.RESULTSThe IV group demonstrated a small but significant lower blood loss compared to the two other groups measured by hemoglobin (Hb) drift and nadir Hb levels. The routine use of TXA along with the other aspects of our PBMP provided significant cost savings due to the reduction in transfusions as well as a decrease in length of stay and has been an important element of our successful implementation of a PBMP.CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrates a significant benefit from the routine use of TXA for total knee arthroplasty and is one of the first studies to demonstrate a small but significant benefit for IV administration in comparison to intraarticular administration. The routine use of TXA as a central element of a PBMP provides a cost savings and can help reduce the rate of transfusions for total knee arthroplasty.
Impact of red blood cell alloimmunization on sickle cell disease mortality: a case series
Authors: Nickel Robert Sheppard , Hendrickson Jeanne E. , Fasano Ross M. , Meyer Erin K. , Winkler Anne M. , Yee Marianne M. , Lane Peter A. , Jones Yuritzi A. , Pashankar Farzana D. , New Tamara , Josephson Cassandra D. , Stowell Sean R. 
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUNDAlthough red blood cell (RBC) transfusion represents an integral component of sickle cell disease (SCD) care, transfusion support for some patients can result in alloimmunization to RBC antigens. Alloimmunized patients with SCD appear to experience worse survival compared to nonalloimmunized patients. While this difference in mortality may in part be due to underlying immunologic differences related to disease severity, it may also reflect direct clinical consequences of RBC alloimmunization. Alloimmunized patients have an increased risk of serious hemolytic transfusion reactions (HTRs) and may not receive adequate RBC transfusion support due to lack of compatible RBC units.CASE REPORTThis study reports on five RBC alloimmunized patients with SCD who died, to illustrate the concept that RBC alloimmunization itself contributes to premature death.RESULTSThe clinical course for each of the reported patients provides insight into the direct and indirect consequences of RBC alloimmunization, where patients experienced delayed HTRs or did not receive needed RBC transfusions.CONCLUSIONFuture work examining the clinical impact of RBC alloimmunization should not only consider HTRs but should also address the potential consequences associated with difficulties in obtaining compatible blood.
QUANTIFYING WATER BALANCE OF SUBAK PADDY FIELD BASED ON CONTINUOUS FIELD MONITORING
Authors: Saptomo Satyanto K. , Chadirin Yudi , Setiawan Budi I. , Budiasa I Wayan , Kato Hisaaki , Kubota Junpei 
Published: October 2015

Subak had been known as superior and sustainable water management system in Bali’s paddy field, and had a long history as an interesting topic for study. Water management in Subak is more or less based on religious practices and the philosophy of the harmony among God, human and nature, that ensures equity and sufficiency of water diversion. Traditionally there is no water regulation in the meaning of gate operation as most Subak has their own water source from definite location, and fixed system was used for water diversion that defined portion of water discharge and not quantity. In this study, field monitoring system had been set up to continuously observe the water balance components such as: rainfall, evapotranspiration, percolation, field water status. With the available data, water balance equation can be used to obtain net inflow, which in this case only minimum, median and maximum for each particular month. These values were used to summarize total annual net inflow to the field, which ranges from 4575 to 7419 mm. This is accounted as total water use for rice production at the site and generally it can be concluded as the amount of water required to sustain the present paddy field of the Subak.
IMPROVED YIELD OF β-CAROTENE FROM MICROALGAE SPIRULINA PLATENSIS USING ULTRASOUND ASSISTED EXTRACTION
Authors: Hadiyanto H. , Marsya M. A. , Fatkhiyatul P. 
Published: October 2015

Microalgae Spirulina has been considered as the rich nutrition microorganism including β-carotene. The β-carotene plays an important role in human’s body as an antioxidant. The extraction of this compound from microalgae by using conventional method resulted low yield and required longer extraction time. The objective of this research was to investigate the use of ultrasound irradiation to assist extraction of β-carotene in order to accelerate the extraction process and increase the yield. The experiment was conducted by varying extraction variables such as solvent volume (20, 40, 60 ml) and extraction time (5, 15, 25 minutes) on a fixed temperature of 40°C. The result showed that the optimum condition was at ultrasound frequency of 40kHz, extraction time of 25 minutes and ratio of biomass to solvent 1:6, while the maximum yield was 1.38 mg/mL.