bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency Ablation with an Enhanced‐Irrigation Flexible‐Tip Catheter versus a Standard‐Irrigation Rigid‐Tip Catheter
Authors: HUSSEIN AYMAN A. , OBERTI CARLOS , WAZNI OUSSAMA M. , HEGRENES JAMI A. , SRAL JOHN A. , LOPEZ JOHN , KOWALEWSKI WILLIAM , KATTAR JACQUELINE , KANJ MOHAMED , LINDSAY BRUCE , SALIBA WALID 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundThe flexible‐tip irrigated ablation catheter Cool Flex™ (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) was introduced to enhance cooling of the catheter‐tissue interface and to conform to endocardial surface with better contact. Little is known about the performance of such catheter design compared to the widely used rigid‐tip catheters.MethodsIn a thigh muscle preparation, ablation using the flexible‐tip and rigid‐tip catheters was performed in seven pigs across a range of ablation settings and catheter orientation. Postprocedure, the thigh muscle was stained with 2,3,5‐triphenyltetrazolium‐chloride injected into the femoral artery. The muscle was excised, fixed with formalin, and examined grossly.ResultsA total of 196 lesions (95 flexible tip, 101 rigid tip) were evaluated. The flexible‐tip catheter was associated with enhanced cooling of catheter‐tissue interface (31.1 ± 3.3°C vs 36.3 ± 3.7°C, P = 0.0001) in both perpendicular and nonperpendicular catheter orientations. This allowed more energy delivery (37.3 ± 8.9 W vs 33.7 ± 8.1 W, P = 0.004) to targeted tissue and resulted in larger lesions (median 194.7 [interquartile range: 113.1–333.8] mm3 vs 170.9 [88.7–261.6] mm3, P = 0.03) than the rigid‐tip catheter with larger maximum diameter (11.1 ± 2.6 mm vs 10.3 ± 2.1 mm, P = 0.03) and larger diameter at tissue surface (10.3 ± 2.4 mm vs 9.6 ± 1.7 mm, P = 0.01). Catheter orientation during ablation affected the efficiency of rigid‐tip but not the flexible‐tip catheter. The use of the flexible‐tip catheter was associated with significantly less char formation on tissue (none vs 5.1% with rigid tip, P = 0.009).ConclusionThe Cool Flex™ catheter performed better than a rigid‐tip catheter with enhanced cooling, larger ablation lesions, and no charring of targeted tissue.
Jasmonate in plant defence: sentinel or double agent?
Authors: Yan Chun , Xie Daoxin 
Published: June 2015

SummaryPlants and their biotic enemies, such as microbial pathogens and herbivorous insects, are engaged in a desperate battle which would determine their survival–death fate. Plants have evolved efficient and sophisticated systems to defend against such attackers. In recent years, significant progress has been made towards a comprehensive understanding of inducible defence system mediated by jasmonate (JA), a vital plant hormone essential for plant defence responses and developmental processes. This review presents an overview of JA action in plant defences and discusses how microbial pathogens evade plant defence system through hijacking the JA pathway.
Taxonomy, morphology, and genetic variation of Nitella flexilis var. bifurcata (Charales, Characeae) from Japan
Authors: Sakayama Hidetoshi , Kai Atsushi , Nishiyama Mio , Watanabe Makoto M. , Kato Syou , Ito Motomi , Nozaki Hisayoshi , Kawai Hiroshi 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe taxonomic status of Nitella flexilis var. bifurcata (Charales, Characeae), which is endemic to Japan, has remained unclear because there have been no records since its description in 1964, and the detailed morphology of fully mature individuals as well as its molecular phylogeny have not been studied. Recently, we collected a fully mature N. flexilis var. bifurcata from two lakes near the type locality in Japan. The morphological characteristics of the thalli agreed well with that in the original description of the taxon, with distinctive fertile and sterile branchlets that divided twice and unicellular dactyls. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the fine oospore structure of N. flexilis var. bifurcata was different from that of related taxa. In addition, molecular phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses using the chloroplast rbcL DNA sequences and the intergenic spacer regions between atpB and rbcL genes demonstrated that N. flexilis var. bifurcata and N. flexilis var. flexilis were distinct.
Intracellular nitrite accumulation: The cause of growth inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa exposure to high nitrite level
Authors: Chen Weimin , Liu Hao 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThe aim of the present study is to test the role of intracellular nitrite in external nitrite suppressing algal growth. We examined the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa at different nitrite levels under high nitrate conditions and without nitrate conditions. There were higher intracellular nitrite and lower Pmchla, Rd chla, αchl, maximum cell density and specific growth rate in high nitrate group than nitrate absence group at 5 mg NO2−‐N L−1. At 10 and 15 mg NO2−‐N L−1, Pmchla, Rd chla, αchl, maximum cell densities and specific growth rates in the high nitrate group became higher than those of the nitrate absence group, while a lower intracellular nitrite in the high nitrate group than nitrate absence group was observed. In addition, the intracellular nitrite and the growth of M. aeruginosa in the high nitrate group did not change from 5 to 10 mg NO2−‐N L−1. In the nitrite uptake experiment, with nitrite concentration increasing from 5 to 15 mg NO2−‐N L−1, maximum nitrite uptake rate of alga increased, and half‐saturation constant of alga decreased. These results indicate that external nitrite inhibited algal growth through stimulating intracellular nitrite rise, which resulted from overexpression of nitrite transporter.
Resting heart rate variability is associated with inhibition of conditioned fear
Authors: Wendt Julia , Neubert Jörg , Koenig Julian , Thayer Julian F. , Hamm Alfons O. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractStartle blink as well as skin conductance responses (SCR) are widely used indices of learning processes associated with fear conditioning and extinction. During safety learning, the amygdala is under top‐down inhibitory control by the prefrontal cortex (PFC). The capacity of the PFC to exert inhibitory control over subcortical brain structures may be indexed by resting state vagally mediated heart rate variability (HRV). The present study investigated the association of resting HRV with startle blink and SCR during conditioned fear inhibition and extinction. Participants first learned to discriminate a threat cue (A) signaling an aversive unconditioned stimulus from a safety signal (B), which were each presented together with a third stimulus X (AX+/BX−). Then, both the threat and safety signal were presented together (AB) to test whether the presence of the learned safety signal inhibits the fear response to the danger signal. Finally, AX was presented without reinforcement (AX−) to investigate fear extinction. Higher HRV was associated with pronounced fear inhibition and fear extinction. Resting HRV levels were associated with fear extinction as indexed by startle blink potentiation but not SCR, which presumably reflect more cognitive aspects of learning. Resting HRV may reflect the capacity of the prefrontal cortex to inhibit subcortical fear responses in the presence of safety or when former threat cues are presented in the absence of threat.
Effect of commercial cleansers on skin barrier permeability
Authors: Hornby S. , Walters R. , Tierney N. , Appa Y. , Dorfman G. , Kamath Y. 
Published: June 2015

BackgroundAddition of hydrophobically modified polymers (HMPs) to cleansers can reduce the negative impact of surfactant‐based cleansers. In this study, the effects of a cleanser containing HMPs, a gentle lotion cleanser (GLC), water, and 1% sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on barrier permeability, were evaluated in vitro in pig skin and in vivo in humans.MethodsSkin stratum corneum (SC) barrier function was quantitated by imaging fluorescence intensity of the sulforhodamine B (SRB) in a pig skin model system using 2‐photon and conventional fluorescence confocal microscopy. Solutions containing SRB were applied to pig skin in Franz diffusion cells over a period of 2 h. Penetration of SRB into the skin was monitored from 2 μm to 38 μm. In vivo surfactant/cleanser penetration in human skin was determined using tape stripping.ResultsAfter 2 h, water, 1% SLS, and GLC, significantly increased SRB intensity at all depths measured. SRB intensity was reduced in the HMP‐cleanser group compared with other groups at each depth. In vivo, the presence of HMP reduced SLS penetration as measured by tape stripping.ConclusionThe cleanser containing HMP prevented changes in SC permeability and surfactant penetration, indicating a protective effect on skin barrier properties.
Slow thinking and deep learning: Tversky and Kahneman's taxi cabs
Authors: Bedwell Mike 
Published: June 2015

SummaryThis article is based on classroom application of a problem story constructed by Amos Tversky in the 1970s. His intention was to evaluate human beings' intuitions about statistical inference. The problem was revisited by his colleague, the Nobel Prize winner Daniel Kahneman. The aim of this article is to show how popular science textbooks can serve as a source for rich classroom activity, with a little care in the implementation by teachers. Kahneman describes the problem as ‘standard’ and answers using a fixed point number. I describe how I have encouraged my students to challenge the certainty of this assertion by identifying ambiguities that are left unexplained in the story. This way, I claim to stimulate individuals to indeed move towards Thinking, Fast and Slow, the title of Kahneman's book.
Interfacing Mind and Environment: The Central Role of Search in Cognition
Authors: Fu Wai‐Tat , Hills Thomas , Todd Peter M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSearch can be found in almost every cognitive activity, ranging across vision, memory retrieval, problem solving, decision making, foraging, and social interaction. Because of its ubiquity, research on search has a tendency to fragment into multiple areas of cognitive science. The proposed topic aims at providing integrative discussion of the central role of search from multiple perspectives. We focus on controlled search processes, which require (a) a goal, (b) uncertainty about the nature, location, or acquisition method of the objects to be searched for, and (c) a method for sampling through the search environment. While this definition of search is general and applicable to different domains, the specific mechanisms in the search process will likely differ. The goal of this issue is to compare and contrast how these search processes are similar and differ in different cognitive activities, with the goal of understanding the general nature of search in terms of the three characteristics stated above. We expect that given its cross‐domain nature, the topic on search will be of broad interest to cognitive scientists, including psychologists, behavioral ecologists, computer scientists, neuroscientists, linguists, and sociologists.
A laser ablation ICP‐MS based method for multiplexed immunoblot analysis: applications to manganese‐dependent protein dynamics of photosystem II in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)
Authors: de Bang Thomas Christian , Petersen Jørgen , Pedas Pai Rosager , Rogowska‐Wrzesinska Adelina , Jensen Ole Noerregaard , Schjoerring Jan Kofod , Jensen Poul Erik , Thelen Jay J. , Husted Søren 
Published: June 2015

SummaryManganese (Mn) constitutes an essential co‐factor in the oxygen‐evolving complex of photosystem II (PSII). Consequently, Mn deficiency reduces photosynthetic efficiency and leads to changes in PSII composition. In order to study these changes, multiplexed protein assays are advantageous. Here, we developed a multiplexed antibody‐based assay and analysed selected PSII subunits in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). A selection of antibodies were labelled with specific lanthanides and immunoreacted with thylakoids exposed to Mn deficiency after western blotting. Subsequently, western blot membranes were analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS), which allowed selective and relative quantitative analysis via the different lanthanides. The method was evaluated against established liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐ESI‐MS/MS) methods, based on data‐dependent acquisition (DDA) and selected reaction monitoring (SRM). Manganese deficiency resulted in a general decrease in PSII protein abundances, an effect that was shown to be reversible upon Mn re‐supplementation. Specifically, the extrinsic proteins PsbP and PsbQ showed Mn‐dependent changes in abundances. Similar trends in the response to Mn deficiency at the protein level were observed when comparing DDA, SRM and LA‐ICP‐MS results. A biologically important exception to this trend was the loss of PsbO in the SRM analysis, which highlights the necessity of validating protein changes by more than one technique. The developed method enables a higher number of proteins to be multiplexed in comparison to existing immunoassays. Furthermore, multiplexed protein analysis by LA‐ICP‐MS provides an analytical platform with high throughput appropriate for screening large collections of plants.
Epigenetic control of juvenile‐to‐adult phase transition by the Arabidopsis SAGA‐like complex
Authors: Kim Ji‐Yun , Oh Jee Eun , Noh Yoo‐Sun , Noh Bosl 
Published: June 2015

SummaryDuring growth and development, plants undergo a series of phase transitions from the juvenile‐to‐adult vegetative phase to the reproductive phase. In Arabidopsis, vegetative phase transitions and flowering are regulated by SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN‐LIKE (SPL) factors. SPL mRNAs are post‐transcriptionally regulated by miR156 in an age‐dependent manner; however, the role of other mechanisms in this process is not known. In this study, we demonstrate that the HAG1/GCN5‐ and PRZ1/ADA2b‐containing SAGA‐like histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex directly controls the transcription of SPLs and determines the time for juvenile‐to‐adult phase transition. Thus, epigenetic control by the SAGA‐like HAT complex determines the transcriptional output of SPLs, which might be a prerequisite for the subsequent post‐transcriptional regulation by miR156. Importantly, this epigenetic control mechanism is also crucial for miR156‐independent induction of SPLs and acceleration of phase transition by light and photoperiod or during post‐embryonic growth.
Identification of mutations allowing Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage Proteins (NRAMP) to discriminate against cadmium
Authors: Pottier Mathieu , Oomen Ronald , Picco Cristiana , Giraudat Jérôme , Scholz‐Starke Joachim , Richaud Pierre , Carpaneto Armando , Thomine Sébastien 
Published: June 2015

SummaryEach essential transition metal plays a specific role in metabolic processes and has to be selectively transported. Living organisms need to discriminate between essential and non‐essential metals such as cadmium (Cd2+), which is highly toxic. However, transporters of the natural resistance‐associated macrophage protein (NRAMP) family, which are involved in metal uptake and homeostasis, generally display poor selectivity towards divalent metal cations. In the present study we used a unique combination of yeast‐based selection, electrophysiology on Xenopus oocytes and plant phenotyping to identify and characterize mutations that allow plant and mammalian NRAMP transporters to discriminate between their metal substrates. We took advantage of the increased Cd2+ sensitivity of yeast expressing AtNRAMP4 to select mutations that decrease Cd2+ sensitivity while maintaining the ability of AtNRAMP4 to transport Fe2+ in a population of randomly mutagenized AtNRAMP4 cDNAs. The selection identified mutations in three residues. Among the selected mutations, several affect Zn2+ transport, whereas only one, E401K, impairs Mn2+ transport by AtNRAMP4. Introduction of the mutation F413I, located in a highly conserved domain, into the mammalian DMT1 transporter indicated that the importance of this residue in metal selectivity is conserved among NRAMP transporters from plant and animal kingdoms. Analyses of overexpressing plants showed that AtNRAMP4 affects the accumulation of metals in roots. Interestingly, the mutations selectively modify Cd2+ and Zn2+ accumulation without affecting Fe transport mediated by NRAMP4 in planta. This knowledge may be applicable for limiting Cd2+ transport by other NRAMP transporters from animals or plants.
The role of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase in jasmonate‐induced ion fluxes and stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yan Suli , McLamore Eric S. , Dong Shanshan , Gao Haibo , Taguchi Masashige , Wang Ningning , Zhang Ting , Su Xiaohua , Shen Yingbai 
Published: June 2015

SummaryMethyl jasmonate (MeJA) elicits stomatal closure in many plant species. Stomatal closure is accompanied by large ion fluxes across the plasma membrane (PM). Here, we recorded the transmembrane ion fluxes of H+, Ca2+ and K+ in guard cells of wild‐type (Col‐0) Arabidopsis, the CORONATINE INSENSITIVE1 (COI1) mutant coi1‐1 and the PM H+‐ATPase mutants aha1‐6 and aha1‐7, using a non‐invasive micro‐test technique. We showed that MeJA induced transmembrane H+ efflux, Ca2+ influx and K+ efflux across the PM of Col‐0 guard cells. However, this ion transport was abolished in coi1‐1 guard cells, suggesting that MeJA‐induced transmembrane ion flux requires COI1. Furthermore, the H+ efflux and Ca2+ influx in Col‐0 guard cells was impaired by vanadate pre‐treatment or PM H+‐ATPase mutation, suggesting that the rapid H+ efflux mediated by PM H+‐ATPases could function upstream of the Ca2+ flux. After the rapid H+ efflux, the Col‐0 guard cells had a longer oscillation period than before MeJA treatment, indicating that the activity of the PM H+‐ATPase was reduced. Finally, the elevation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration and the depolarized PM drive the efflux of K+ from the cell, resulting in loss of turgor and closure of the stomata.
Rising BRIC and Changes in Sub‐Saharan Africa's Business Cycle Patterns
Authors: Diallo Oumar , Tapsoba Sampawende J.‐A. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThis paper assesses the extent to which Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA)'s business cycle is synchronized with that of the rest of the world (RoW). SSA's business cycle has not only moved in the same direction as that of the RoW, but has also gradually drifted away from the G7 in favor of the BRIC. Trade with the BRIC has been the strongest driver of this shift. As fiscal policy stances in SSA and the BRIC are not synchronized, they have not caused output correlation. Also, financial openness, which is at an early stage in SSA, has acted as a neutral force.
Pocket technique or pocket technique combined with modified orbital rim anchorage for the replacement of a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid in dogs: 353 dogs
Authors: Multari Domenico , Perazzi Anna , Contiero Barbara , De Mattia Giada , Iacopetti Ilaria 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results obtained in 353 dogs (420 eyes) using two different surgical techniques for correction of a prolapsed gland of the third eyelid: the Morgan's pocket technique and a technique combining Morgan's approach with a slightly modified periosteal anchoring technique of Stanley and Kaswan. The pocket technique was used in 234 eyes and the combined technique in 186 eyes. Successful repositioning was obtained in 95% of all cases, with recurrence occurring in 5%. The recurrence rate in large breed dogs such as the English Bulldog and Boxer was lower with the combined technique than with the pocket technique.
Antigenic Detection of Human Strain of Influenza Virus A (H3N2) in Swine Populations at Three Locations in Nigeria and Ghana during the Dry Early Months of 2014
Authors: Adeola O. A. , Olugasa B. O. , Emikpe B. O. 
Published: June 2015

SummarySince the first detection of human H3N2 influenza virus in Taiwanese pigs in 1970, infection of pigs with wholly human viruses has been known to occur in other parts of the world. These viruses, referred to as human‐like H3N2 viruses, have been known to cause clinical and subclinical infections of swine populations. Due to the paucity and complete unavailability of information on transmission of influenza viruses from other species, especially humans, to swine in Nigeria and Ghana, respectively, this study was designed to investigate the presence and prevalence of a human strain of influenza A (H3N2) in swine populations at three locations in two cities within these two West African countries in January and February, 2014. Using stratified random technique, nasal swab specimens were collected from seventy‐five (75) pigs at two locations in Ibadan, Nigeria and from fifty (50) pigs in Kumasi, Ghana. These specimens were tested directly by a sensitive Quantitative Solid Phase Antigen‐detection Sandwich ELISA using anti‐A/Brisbane/10/2007 haemagglutinin monoclonal antibody. Influenza virus A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2) was detected among pigs at the three study locations, with an aggregate prevalence of 4.0% for the two locations in Ibadan, Nigeria and also 4.0% for Kumasi, Ghana. Transmission of influenza viruses from other species to swine portends serious sinister prospects for genetic reassortment and evolvement of novel viruses. We therefore recommend that further studies should be carried out to investigate the presence of other circulating human and avian influenza viruses in swine populations in West Africa and also determine the extent of genetic reassortment of strains circulating among these pigs. This would provide an early warning system for detection of novel influenza viruses, which could have pandemic potentials.
At the Mercy of the Gods: Associations Between Weather, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Time in Children
Authors: Lewis Lucy Kate , Maher Carol , Belanger Kevin , Tremblay Mark , Chaput Jean-Philippe , Olds Tim 
Published: June 2015

Objectives:This study investigated associations between weather conditions, physical activity, and sedentary time in primary school-aged children in Australia and Canada.Methods:Cross-sectional data on 9–11-year-old children from the Australian (n = 491) and Canadian (n = 524) sites of the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment were used. Minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous-physical-activity (MVPA) and sedentary time were determined from 7-day, 24-h accelerometry (Actigraph GT3X+ triaxial accelerometer). Day-matched weather data (temperature, rainfall, snowfall, relative humidity, wind speed) were obtained from the closest weather station to participants’ schools. Covariates included parental highest education level, day type, sex, and BMI z-scores. Generalized mixed model analyses allowing for clustering of participants within schools were completed. Scatterplots with Loess curves were created for maximum temperature, MVPA, and sedentary time.Results:Daily maximum temperature was significantly associated with MVPA and sedentary time in Australia (MVPA p = .05, sedentary p = .01) and Canada (p < .001, p = .001). Rainfall was negatively associated with MVPA in Australia (p < .001) and positively associated with sedentary time in Canada (p = .02).Conclusions:MVPA and sedentary time appear to be optimal when the maximum temperature ranges between 20°C and 25°C in both countries. The findings have implications for study design and interpretation for surveillance and intervention studies.
Genome Sequences of Six Paenibacillus larvae
Siphoviridae
Phages
Authors: Carson Susan , Bruff Emily , DeFoor William , Dums Jacob , Groth Adam , Hatfield Taylor , Iyer Aruna , Joshi Kalyani , McAdams Sarah , Miles Devon , Miller Delanie , Oufkir Abdoullah , Raynor Brinkley , Riley Sara , Roland Shelby , Rozier Horace , Talley Sarah , Miller Eric S. 
Published: June 2015

ABSTRACT

Six sequenced and annotated genomes of
Paenibacillus larvae
phages isolated from the combs of American foulbrood-diseased beehives are 37 to 45 kbp and have approximately 42% G+C content and 60 to 74 protein-coding genes. Phage Lily is most divergent from Diva, Rani, Redbud, Shelly, and Sitara.