bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is bigger better when it comes to defining target populations for aged care programs?
Authors: Howe Anna L
Published: February 2008

Objectives:  To compare the Home and Community Care Program (HACC) target population defined on the basis of the ABS Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers (SDAC) with 2006 census data on need for assistance.

Methods:  The number of people with different levels of core activity limitation as defined in the SDAC was estimated for the 2006 population aged 65 and older and compared with the number reporting a need for assistance in the 2006 census.

Results:  The two target populations differ in size, age and disability levels, but the differences are reconciled when components within the total SDAC‐defined target population are taken into account.

Discussion:  Assessment of different definitions of target populations in terms of validity in identifying program beneficiaries, accuracy in measurement and usefulness in monitoring program performance leads to the conclusion that the bigger SDAC‐defined population is better aligned with the goals of the HACC program.
Home care clients’ participation in fall prevention activities
Authors: Smith Joanna , Lewin Gill
Published: February 2008

Objective:  To determine whether home care clients have accessed or been influenced by fall prevention programs.

Methods:  Mail survey of 4743 home care clients from several home care agencies.

Results:  Among the clients, 47.2% completed the survey and 46% had fallen within the last year. Faller and non‐fallers differed in attitude to falls and fall risk factors. Only 15% of fallers and 7% of non‐fallers had taken part in a fall prevention program and only 8% knew how to access information about such activities.

Conclusions:  Fall prevention strategies should be targeted at the home care population. Such programs should take into consideration the specific needs of this group.
KCNE4 can co‐associate with the IKs (KCNQ1–KCNE1) channel complex
Authors: Manderfield Lauren J. , George Alfred L.
Published: February 2008

Voltage‐gated potassium (KV) channels can form heteromultimeric complexes with a variety of accessory subunits, including KCNE proteins. Heterologous expression studies have demonstrated diverse functional effects of KCNE subunits on several KV channels, including KCNQ1 (KV7.1) that, together with KCNE1, generates the slow‐delayed rectifier current (IKs) important for cardiac repolarization. In particular, KCNE4 exerts a strong inhibitory effect on KCNQ1 and other KV channels, raising the possibility that this accessory subunit is an important potassium current modulator. A polyclonal KCNE4 antibody was developed to determine the human tissue expression pattern and to investigate the biochemical associations of this protein with KCNQ1. We found that KCNE4 is widely and variably expressed in several human tissues, with greatest abundance in brain, liver and testis. In heterologous expression experiments, immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting was used to establish that KCNE4 directly associates with KCNQ1, and can co‐associate together with KCNE1 in the same KCNQ1 complex to form a ‘triple subunit’ complex (KCNE1–KCNQ1–KCNE4). We also used cell surface biotinylation to demonstrate that KCNE4 does not impair plasma membrane expression of either KCNQ1 or the triple subunit complex, indicating that biophysical mechanisms probably underlie the inhibitory effects of KCNE4. The observation that multiple KCNE proteins can co‐associate with and modulate KCNQ1 channels to produce biochemically diverse channel complexes has important implications for understanding KV channel regulation in human physiology.
Parkinson’s disease: genetic versus toxin‐induced rodent models
Authors: Terzioglu Mügen , Galter Dagmar
Published: February 2008

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by degeneration of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra and neuronal proteinaceous aggregates called Lewy bodies (LBs). The etiology of PD is probably a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Recent progress in molecular genetics has identified several genes causing PD, including α‐synuclein, leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), Parkin, DJ‐1 and PTEN‐induced kinase 1 (PINK1), many of them coding for proteins found in LBs and/or implicated in mitochondrial function. However, the mechanism(s) leading to the development of the disease have not been identified, despite intensive research. Animal models help us to obtain insights into the mechanisms of several symptoms of PD, allowing us to investigate new therapeutic strategies and, in addition, provide an indispensable tool for basic research. As PD does not arise spontaneously in animals, characteristic and specific functional changes have to be induced by administration of toxins or by genetic manipulations. This review will focus on the comparison of three types of rodent animal models used to study different aspects of PD: (a) animal models using neurotoxins; (b) genetically modified mouse models reproducing findings from PD linkage studies or based on ablation of genes necessary for the development and survival of dopamine neurons; and (c) tissue‐specific knockouts in mice targeting dopamine neurons. The advantages and disadvantages of these models are discussed.
Conserved residues in the N‐domain of the AAA+ chaperone ClpA regulate substrate recognition and unfolding
Authors: Erbse Annette H. , Wagner Judith N. , Truscott Kaye N. , Spall Sukhdeep K. , Kirstein Janine , Zeth Kornelius , Turgay Kürsad , Mogk Axel , Bukau Bernd , Dougan David A.
Published: February 2008

Protein degradation in the cytosol of Escherichia coli is carried out by a variety of different proteolytic machines, including ClpAP. The ClpA component is a hexameric AAA+ (ATPase associated with various cellular activities) chaperone that utilizes the energy of ATP to control substrate recognition and unfolding. The precise role of the N‐domains of ClpA in this process, however, remains elusive. Here, we have analysed the role of five highly conserved basic residues in the N‐domain of ClpA by monitoring the binding, unfolding and degradation of several different substrates, including short unstructured peptides, tagged and untagged proteins. Interestingly, mutation of three of these basic residues within the N‐domain of ClpA (H94, R86 and R100) did not alter substrate degradation. In contrast mutation of two conserved arginine residues (R90 and R131), flanking a putative peptide‐binding groove within the N‐domain of ClpA, specifically compromised the ability of ClpA to unfold and degrade selected substrates but did not prevent substrate recognition, ClpS‐mediated substrate delivery or ClpP binding. In contrast, a highly conserved tyrosine residue lining the central pore of the ClpA hexamer was essential for the degradation of all substrate types analysed, including both folded and unstructured proteins. Taken together, these data suggest that ClpA utilizes two structural elements, one in the N‐domain and the other in the pore of the hexamer, both of which are required for efficient unfolding of some protein substrates.
Replacement of two invariant serine residues in chorismate synthase provides evidence that a proton relay system is essential for intermediate formation and catalytic activity
Authors: Rauch Gernot , Ehammer Heidemarie , Bornemann Stephen , Macheroux Peter
Published: February 2008

Chorismate synthase is the last enzyme of the common shikimate pathway, which catalyzes the anti‐1,4‐elimination of the 3‐phosphate group and the C‐(6proR) hydrogen from 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate 3‐phosphate (EPSP) to generate chorismate, a precursor for the biosynthesis of aromatic compounds. Enzyme activity relies on reduced FMN, which is thought to donate an electron transiently to the substrate, facilitating C(3)–O bond breakage. The crystal structure of the enzyme with bound EPSP and the flavin cofactor highlighted two invariant serine residues interacting with a bound water molecule that is close to the C(3)–O of EPSP. In this article we present the results of a mutagenesis study where we replaced the two invariant serine residues at positions 16 and 127 of the Neurospora crassa chorismate synthase with alanine, producing two single‐mutant proteins (Ser16Ala and Ser127Ala) and a double‐mutant protein (Ser16AlaSer127Ala). The residual activity of the Ser127Ala and Ser16Ala single‐mutant proteins was found to be six‐fold and 70‐fold lower, respectively, than that of the wild‐type protein. No residual activity was detected for the Ser16AlaSer127Ala double‐mutant protein, and formation of the typical transient intermediate, characteristic for the chorismate synthase‐catalysed reaction, was not observed, in contrast to the single‐mutant proteins. On the basis of the structure of the enzyme, we propose that Ser16 and Ser127 form part of a proton relay system among the isoalloxazine ring of FMN, histidine 106 and the phosphate group of EPSP that is essential for the formation of the transient intermediate and for substrate turnover.
A novel metallobridged bis(β‐cyclodextrin)s fluorescent probe for the determination of glutathione
Authors: Tang Bo , Liu Fang , Xu Kehua , Tong Lili
Published: February 2008

A novel metallobridged bis(β‐cyclodextrin)s 2 [bis(β‐CD)s 2] was synthesized and characterized by means of 1H NMR, IR, element analysis and redox iodometric titration. The fluorescence of metallobridged bis(β‐CD)s 2 was weak compared with bis(β‐CD)s 1 because of the paramagnetism of copper (II) ions. Glutathione was able to form complexes with copper (II) derived from the metallobridged bis(β‐CD)s 2. This competitive complexation with copper (II) may lead to a significant fluorescence recovery of the bis(β‐CD)s. Therefore, a rapid and simple spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of glutathione. The analytical application for glutathione was investigated in NaCl/Pi (pH 6.00) at room temperature. The linear range of the method was 0.30–20.0 μmol·L−1 with a detection limit of 63.8 nmol·L−1. There was no interference from the plasma constituents. The proposed method had been successfully used to determine glutathione in human plasma.
Possible signature of hypernova nucleosynthesis in a beryllium-rich
halo dwarf
Authors: Smiljanic R. , Pasquini L. , Primas F. , Mazzali P. A. , Galli D. , Valle G.
Published: February 2008

As part of a large survey of halo and thick disc stars, we found one halo star, HD 106038, exceptionally overabundant in beryllium. In spite of its low metallicity, [Fe/H]=−1.26, the star has log(Be/H) =−10.60, which is similar to the solar meteoritic abundance, log(Be/H) =−10.58. This abundance is more than 10 times higher the abundance of stars with similar metallicity and cannot be explained by models of chemical evolution of the Galaxy that include the standard theory of cosmic ray spallation. No other halo star exhibiting such a beryllium overabundance is known. In addition, overabundances of Li, Si, Ni, Y and Ba are also observed. We suggest that all these chemical peculiarities, excepting the Ba abundance, can be simultaneously explained if the star was formed in the vicinity of a hypernova.
3D‐Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship Studies on Benzothiadiazepine Hydroxamates as Inhibitors of Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α Converting Enzyme
Authors: Murumkar Prashant R. , Giridhar Rajani , Yadav Mange Ram
Published: February 2008

A set of 29 benzothiadiazepine hydroxamates having selective tumor necrosis factor‐α converting enzyme inhibitory activity were used to compare the quality and predictive power of 3D‐quantitative structure–activity relationship, comparative molecular field analysis, and comparative molecular similarity indices models for the atom‐based, centroid/atom‐based, data‐based, and docked conformer‐based alignment. Removal of two outliers from the initial training set of molecules improved the predictivity of models. Among the 3D‐quantitative structure–activity relationship models developed using the above four alignments, the database alignment provided the optimal predictive comparative molecular field analysis model for the training set with cross‐validated r2 (q2) = 0.510, non‐cross‐validated r2 = 0.972, standard error of estimates (s) = 0.098, and F = 215.44 and the optimal comparative molecular similarity indices model with cross‐validated r2 (q2) = 0.556, non‐cross‐validated r2 = 0.946, standard error of estimates (s) = 0.163, and F = 99.785. These models also showed the best test set prediction for six compounds with predictive r2 values of 0.460 and 0.535, respectively. The contour maps obtained from 3D‐quantitative structure–activity relationship studies were appraised for activity trends for the molecules analyzed. The comparative molecular similarity indices models exhibited good external predictivity as compared with that of comparative molecular field analysis models. The data generated from the present study helped us to further design and report some novel and potent tumor necrosis factor‐α converting enzyme inhibitors.
Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Photo‐affinity Peptide Ligands to Study Rhodopsin–G Protein Interaction†
Authors: Chen Yihui , Herrmann Rolf , Fishkin Nathan , Henklein Peter , Nakanishi Koji , Ernst Oliver P.
Published: February 2008

G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are involved in the control of virtually all aspects of our behavior and physiology. Activated receptors catalyze nucleotide exchange in heterotrimeric G proteins (composed of α·GDP, β and γ subunits) on the inner surface of the cell membrane. The GPCR rhodopsin and the G protein transducin (Gt) are key proteins in the early steps of the visual cascade. The main receptor interaction sites on Gt are the C‐terminal tail of the Gtα‐subunit and the farnesylated C‐terminal tail of the Gtγ‐subunit. Synthetic peptides derived from these C‐termini specifically bind and stabilize the active rhodopsin conformation (R*). Here we report the synthesis of R*‐interacting peptides containing photo‐reactive groups with a specific isotope pattern, which can facilitate detection of cross‐linked products by mass spectrometry. In a preliminary set of experiments, we characterized such peptides derived from the farnesylated Gtγ C‐terminus (Gtγ(60‐71)far) in terms of their capability to bind R*. Here, we describe novel peptides with photo‐affinity labels that bind R* with affinities similar to that of the native Gtγ(60‐71)far peptide. Such peptides will enable an improved experimental strategy to probe rhodopsin–Gt interaction and to map so far unknown interaction sites between both proteins.
Role of the N‐terminal Region in the Function of the Photosynthetic Bacterium Transcription Regulator PpsR†
Authors: Yamazaki Yoichi , Fukusumi Hayato , Kamikubo Hironari , Kataoka Mikio
Published: February 2008

PpsR is a transcription repressor for the gene cluster encoding photosystem genes in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Repression activity is accomplished by DNA binding on the promoter regions of the photosystem gene clusters, and depends on both the redox potential and the presence of antirepressor protein AppA. To understand DNA repression regulation by PpsR, we investigated the function of PpsR domains in self‐association for DNA binding. We constructed domain‐deletion mutants and verified DNA‐binding activity and dimer formation. Gel shift assay for measuring the DNA‐binding activity of three sequential N‐terminal deletion mutants revealed that N‐terminal deletions (of minimum 121 residues) caused loss of binding activity. Size‐exclusion gel chromatography revealed that deletion mutant which lacks the N‐terminal 121‐amino acid deletion mutant to exist as a dimer, although it was less stable than the intact PpsR. The mutants lacking the adjacent regions, Q‐linker region and the first Per‐Ant‐Sim domain, did not form dimers, suggesting the involvement of the N‐terminal region in dimer formation. This region is thus considered to be a functional domain in self‐association, although not yet identified as a structural domain. Circular dichroism spectrum of the N‐terminal region fragment exhibited a α/β structure. We conclude that this region is a structural and functional domain, contributing to PpsR repression through dimer stabilization.
The Frequency of Elevated Blood Pressure in Obese Minority Youth
Authors: Puri Mala , Flynn Joseph T. , Garcia Mireya , Nussbaum Hadassa , Freeman Katherine , DiMartino‐Nardi Joan R.
Published: February 2008

In this study, 167 obese persons were recruited (45 African Americans, 122 Caribbean Hispanic persons), with a mean age of 14.6±2.1 years, a mean body mass index (BMI) of 38±7.5 kg/m2, and mean BMI Z‐score of 2.47±0.36; 31 nonobese youth were recruited as controls (7 African Americans, 24 Caribbean Hispanic persons), with a mean age of 14.6±2.1 years, a mean BMI of 20±2.8 kg/m2, and a mean BMI Z‐score of −0.08±0.87. The objective was to assess the frequency of elevated blood pressure in obese minority youth. Weight, height, blood pressure (BP), and various biochemical markers were measured in each participant. Overall, 31% of the obese patients had elevated BP, compared with 3% of the control participants. Obese persons with elevated BP had significantly higher BMI, BMI Z‐scores, and hemoglobin A1c levels. The frequency of elevated BP and the degree of systolic BP elevation increased with increasing BMI Z‐score. Elevated BP was 10 times more frequent in obese minority youth, emphasizing the importance of screening for hypertension in this high‐risk population.
Seasonality of Hypertension
Authors: Al‐Tamer Yassar Y. , Al‐Hayali Jasim M. T. , Al‐Ramadhan Eman A. H.
Published: February 2008

In this study, a group of controls and patients with essential hypertension were followed up for 1 year. Four measurements at different day temperatures were performed. In each visit, blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) were measured. The results showed a significant inverse relationship between mean blood pressure and serum total cholesterol levels with day temperature, while a direct relationship was observed for HDL‐C value. These results suggest that in areas where significant changes in day temperature and daylight duration exist at different times of the year, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, and HDL‐C levels change accordingly in a cycle with higher blood pressure and serum total cholesterol and lower HDL‐C values in the coldest season.
The Morning Blood Pressure Surge: Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Patel Priyesh V. , Wong Justin L. , Arora Rohit
Published: February 2008

Adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death are well known to follow a circadian pattern, peaking in the morning hours of 6 am to 12 pm. Many physiologic factors have been shown to follow a circadian pattern and together may create an environment that promotes intraluminal thrombi formation. Blood pressure follows this pattern with a “dip” at night and an increase on awakening. This morning surge may lead to hemodynamic forces that predispose patients to plaque rupture. The clinical impression of these known physiologic patterns associated with adverse cardiovascular events suggests that a strict treatment schedule targeting this phenomenon is needed. The goal of this review is to provide clinicians with an overview, allowing for informed decisions about chronotherapeutic formulations tailored to provide blood pressure control throughout the day and night.
Pseudohyperaldosteronism, Liquorice, and Hypertension
Authors: Sontia Bruno , Mooney Jan , Gaudet Lise , Touyz Rhian M.
Published: February 2008

Consumption of large quantities of liquorice can cause hypokalemia and hypertension. These effects are associated with increased cortisol‐mediated activation of renal mineralocorticoid receptors and hypoaldosteronism. The authors describe a patient with long‐standing hypokalemia and uncontrolled hypertension related to excessive ingestion of liquorice. The case highlights the importance of obtaining a detailed dietary history, especially considering the increasing use of liquorice‐containing foods, teas, and herbal products. The authors also discuss secondary causes of hypertension, focusing on pseudohyperaldosteronism.
Comparative Efficacy of Two Different β‐Blockers on 24‐Hour Blood Pressure Control
Authors: Sarafidis Pantelis , Bogojevic Zvezdana , Basta Emad , Kirstner Emily , Bakris George L.
Published: February 2008

Atenolol and metoprolol succinate, dosed once daily, have different pharmacokinetic profiles. This study tests the hypothesis that differences that are especially noted in the early morning period, when cardiovascular risk is highest, in 24‐hour blood pressure (BP) control exist between these 2 β‐blockers. This was a small, randomized open‐label study with blinded end point evaluation in 36 hypertensive patients. All participants received hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg for 2 weeks before randomization to either 50 mg atenolol or metoprolol succinate given every morning; both treatments were force‐titrated to 100 mg/d at 4 weeks. The primary end point was the change in early morning ambulatory systolic BP. Early morning (12 am–6 am) systolic BP differences were 3±14 mm Hg with atenolol vs −7±8 mm Hg with metoprolol succinate (P=.03). The overall 24‐hour changes in systolic BP were 1±15 mm Hg with atenolol vs −9±11 mm Hg with metoprolol (P=.03). In conclusion, metoprolol succinate was more effective in sustaining 24‐hour and early morning BP reductions compared with atenolol in a small group of hypertensive patients also treated with once‐daily low‐dose hydrochlorothiazide. It is possible that differences in outcome between atenolol‐based and other therapies may be the result of inadequate dosing of atenolol, a medication that may not be effective for the entire 24‐hour period.
Analysis of the Cavitating Draft Tube Vortex in a Francis Turbine Using Particle Image Velocimetry Measurements in Two-Phase Flow
Authors: Iliescu Monica Sanda , Ciocan Gabriel Dan , Avellan François
Published: February 2008

Partial flow rate operation of hydroturbines with constant pitch blades causes complex unstable cavitating flow in the diffuser cone. A particle image velocimetry (PIV) system allows investigating the flow velocity field in the case of a developing cavitation vortex, the so-called vortex rope, at the outlet of a Francis turbine runner. The synchronization of the PIV flow survey with the rope precession allows applying the ensemble averaging by phase technique to extract both the periodic velocity components and the rope shape. The influence of the turbine setting level on the volume of the cavity rope and its centerline is investigated, providing a physical knowledge about the hydrodynamic complex phenomena involved in the development of the cavitation rope in Francis turbine operating regimes.
Frequency in Shedding/Discharging Cavitation Clouds Determined by Visualization of a Submerged Cavitating Jet
Authors: Hutli Ezddin A. F. , Nedeljkovic Milos S.
Published: February 2008

Visualization of a highly submerged cavitating water jet was done by high-speed camera photography in order to study and understand the jet structure and the behavior of cloud cavitation within time and space. The influencing parameters, such as injection pressure, nozzle diameter and geometry, and nozzle direction (convergent and divergent), were experimentally proven to be very significant. Periodical shedding and discharging of cavitation clouds have been also analyzed and the corresponding frequency was determined by cloud shape analysis. Additionally, the dependence of this frequency on injection pressure and nozzle geometry has been analyzed and a simple formula of correspondence has been proposed. The formula has been tested on self-measured and literature data. The recordings of sonoluminescence phenomenon proved the bubble collapse everywhere along the jet.
A Differential Quadrature Solution of MHD Natural Convection in an Inclined Enclosure With a Partition
Authors: Kahveci Kamil , Öztuna Semiha
Published: February 2008

Magnetohydrodynamics natural convection in an inclined enclosure with a partition is studied numerically using a differential quadrature method. Governing equations for the fluid flow and heat transfer are solved for the Rayleigh number varying from 104 to 106, the Prandtl numbers (0.1, 1, and 10), four different Hartmann numbers (0, 25, 50, and 100), the inclination angle ranging from 0degto90deg, and the magnetic field with the x and y directions. The results show that the convective flow weakens considerably with increasing magnetic field strength, and the x-directional magnetic field is more effective in reducing the convection intensity. As the inclination angle increases, multicellular flows begin to develop on both sides of the enclosure for higher values of the Hartmann number if the enclosure is under the x-directional magnetic field. The vorticity generation intensity increases with increase of Rayleigh number. On the other hand, increasing Hartmann number has a negative effect on vorticity generation. With an increase in the inclination angle, the intensity of vorticity generation is observed to shift to top left corners and bottom right corners. Vorticity generation loops in each region of enclosure form due to multicelluar flow for an x-directional magnetic field when the inclination angle is increased further. In addition, depending on the boundary layer developed, the vorticity value on the hot wall increases first sharply with increasing y and then begins to decrease gradually. For the high Rayleigh numbers, the average Nusselt number shows an increasing trend as the inclination angle increases and a peak value is detected. Beyond the peak point, the foregoing trend reverses to decrease with the further increase of the inclination angle. The results also show that the Prandtl number has only a marginal effect on the flow and heat transfer.
The Effect of Free Surface on the Vortex Shedding From Inclined Circular Cylinders
Authors: Vlachos P. P. , Telionis D. P.
Published: February 2008

Spectral analysis of laser Doppler velocimetry measurements and flow visualization are employed to study the wake of inclined cylinders piercing a free surface. The results indicate that the free surface affects vortex shedding almost two to three cylinder diameters below the free surface. Variation of the vortex axis inclination and cells of shedding were visually observed. These effects induce a phase difference in the vortex-shedding mechanism. Streamwise vortical structures are formed along the primary vortex axis. Furthermore, for the case of the highest Froude number, evidence is provided that vortex shedding is suppressed in the region near the free surface.
Multiobjective Design Study of a Flapping Wing Power
Generator
Authors: Shimizu Eriko , Isogai Koji , Obayashi Shigeru
Published: February 2008

In conventional windmills, the high tip speed creates aerodynamic noise, and when they are used at very low Reynolds numbers, their performance deteriorates due to laminar separation. These are important issues in modern windmills. Present study deals with a new windmill concept, the “flapping wing power generator,” which would solve such problems. The concept is to extract energy via the flutter phenomena and the concept has been developed by some researchers. In 2003, Isogai et al. 2003, “Design Study of Elastically Supported Flapping Wing Power Generator,” International Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics, Amsterdam) proposed a new system. The system utilizes dynamic stall vortices efficiently and generates high power. The dynamic stall vortex is something that should be avoided in conventional windmills. They optimized the system to maximize the efficiency and obtained the set of design parameters, which achieved best efficiency. The system works at low frequencies and it enables high efficiency. To realize the system, it is necessary to consider the power and the efficiency. Thus, the present study optimized the system to maximize both the power and the efficiency. To obtain nondominated solutions, which are widely distributed in the design space, adaptive neighboring search, which is one of evolutionary algorithms, has been extended to handle multiple objectives and was used in the present study. Self-organizing map was used for the data mining. The trade-off between the power and the efficiency has been visualized. The trade-off curve was shaped by the constraints on the reduced frequency and the phase delay angle, which were imposed so that the dynamic stall phenomenon gives favorable effects on the power generation. The heaving amplitude was a parameter correlated to the objective functions. The reduced frequency and the phase delay angle change to control the heaving amplitude. Consequently, when the power is emphasized, the system undergoes a large heaving motion with a low frequency. On the other hand, when the efficiency is emphasized, the system undergoes a small heaving motion with a high frequency. Multiobjective optimization and data mining revealed the trade-off of the objective functions and the parameters correlated to the objective functions. The power obtained was comparable to that of present windmills at low tip-speed ratio region.
Suppression of Cavitation Instabilities in an Inducer by J Groove
Authors: Shimiya Noriyuki , Fujii Akira , Horiguchi Hironori , Uchiumi Masaharu , Kurokawa Junichi , Tsujimoto Yoshinobu
Published: February 2008

The suppression of cavitation instabilities was attempted through the control of tip leakage vortex cavitation. The control was made by using shallow grooves, called J groove, on the casing wall. With J grooves, the onset regions of the rotating cavitation and the asymmetric cavitation could be diminished. However, a cavitation surge appeared at higher cavitation numbers. From the observation of cavitation, it was found that the cavitation surge occurred when the tip leakage vortex cavitation started to interact with the leading edge of the next blade. This type of cavitation surge could be avoided by extending the leading edge of the J groove upstream. However, in this case, another type of cavitation surge occurred at much lower cavitation numbers, which was caused by the cavitation between the blade surface and the tip leakage vortex cavitation. These results highlight the importance of the tip leakage vortex cavitation for cavitation instabilities.
Lumped Parameter Analysis of an Enclosed Incompressible Squeeze Film and a Central Gas Bubble
Authors: Anderson M. , Richards C. , Richards R. , Bahr D.
Published: February 2008

A lumped-parameter dynamic model for an enclosed incompressible squeeze film with a central gas bubble has been derived. A new approach was applied to derive closed-form expressions for the lumped-parameter mass and damping coefficients caused by liquid motion. It was assumed that plate motions were small and the fluid behaved as a continuum. The values of the lumped-parameter mass and damping were found to depend on the aspect ratio and nondimensional squeeze-film thickness. The nondimensional thickness was given by the ratio of the actual squeeze-film thickness to the viscous penetration depth of the liquid. A nondimensional squeeze-film thickness of a value of 5 was found to divide between categories of thick and thin incompressible squeeze films. Amplification of the liquid mass and damping over and above squeeze films open to the atmosphere at the edges was found. The amplification was attributed to converging flow caused by enclosed boundaries. Comparisons between the lumped-parameter model predictions and finite-element computations showed a surprising degree of accuracy for the lumped-parameter model despite large liquid velocities in the squeeze film.
Sensitivity Analysis and Multiobjective Optimization for LES Numerical Parameters
Authors: Jouhaud J.-C. , Sagaut P. , Enaux B. , Laurenceau J.
Published: February 2008

Accuracy and reliability of large-eddy simulation data in a really complex industrial geometry are invesigated. An original methodology based on a response surface for LES data is introduced. This surrogate model for the full LES problem is built using the Kriging technique, which enables a low-cost optimal linear interpolation of a restricted set of large-eddy simulation (LES) solutions. Therefore, it can be used in most realistic industrial applications. Using this surrogate model, it is shown that (i) optimal sets of simulation parameters (subgrid model constant and artificial viscosity parameter in the present case) can be found; (ii) optimal values, as expected, depend on the cost functional to be minimized. Here, a realistic approach, which takes into account experimental data sparseness, is introduced. It is observed that minimization of the error evaluated using a too small subset of reference data may yield a global deterioration of the results.
Adapting Proteostasis for Disease Intervention
Authors: Balch William E. , Morimoto Richard I. , Dillin Andrew , Kelly Jeffery W.
Published: February 2008

The protein components of eukaryotic cells face acute and chronic challenges to their integrity. Eukaryotic protein homeostasis, or proteostasis, enables healthy cell and organismal development and aging and protects against disease. Here, we describe the proteostasis network, a set of interacting activities that maintain the health of proteome and the organism. Deficiencies in proteostasis lead to many metabolic, oncological, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disorders. Small-molecule or biological proteostasis regulators that manipulate the concentration, conformation, quaternary structure, and/or the location of protein(s) have the potential to ameliorate some of the most challenging diseases of our era.
A Global Map of Human Impact on Marine Ecosystems
Authors: Halpern Benjamin S. , Walbridge Shaun , Selkoe Kimberly A. , Kappel Carrie V. , Micheli Fiorenza , D'Agrosa Caterina , Bruno John F. , Casey Kenneth S. , Ebert Colin , Fox Helen E. , Fujita Rod , Heinemann Dennis , Lenihan Hunter S. , Madin Elizabeth M. P. , Perry Matthew T. , Selig Elizabeth R. , Spalding Mark , Steneck Robert , Watson Reg
Published: February 2008

The management and conservation of the world's oceans require synthesis of spatial data on the distribution and intensity of human activities and the overlap of their impacts on marine ecosystems. We developed an ecosystem-specific, multiscale spatial model to synthesize 17 global data sets of anthropogenic drivers of ecological change for 20 marine ecosystems. Our analysis indicates that no area is unaffected by human influence and that a large fraction (41%) is strongly affected by multiple drivers. However, large areas of relatively little human impact remain, particularly near the poles. The analytical process and resulting maps provide flexible tools for regional and global efforts to allocate conservation resources; to implement ecosystem-based management; and to inform marine spatial planning, education, and basic research.
Spin-Dependent WIMP Limits from a Bubble Chamber
Authors: Behnke E. , Collar J. I. , Cooper P. S. , Crum K. , Crisler M. , Hu M. , Levine I. , Nakazawa D. , Nguyen H. , Odom B. , Ramberg E. , Rasmussen J. , Riley N. , Sonnenschein A. , Szydagis M. , Tschirhart R.
Published: February 2008

Bubble chambers were the dominant technology used for particle detection in accelerator experiments for several decades, eventually falling into disuse with the advent of other techniques. We report here on a new application for these devices. We operated an ultraclean, room-temperature bubble chamber containing 1.5 kilograms of superheated CF
3
I, a target maximally sensitive to spin-dependent and -independent weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) couplings. An extreme intrinsic insensitivity to the backgrounds that commonly limit direct searches for dark matter was measured in this device under operating conditions leading to the detection of low-energy nuclear recoils like those expected from WIMPs. Improved limits on the spin-dependent WIMP-proton scattering cross section were extracted during our experiments, excluding this type of coupling as a possible explanation for a recent claim of particle dark-matter detection.
Comment on "The Latitudinal Gradient in Recent Speciation and Extinction Rates of Birds and Mammals"
Authors: Tobias Joseph A. , Bates John M. , Hackett Shannon J. , Seddon Nathalie
Published: February 2008

Weir and Schluter (Reports, 16 March 2007, p. 1574) used variation in the age distribution of sister species to estimate that recent rates of speciation decline toward the tropics. However, this conclusion may be undermined by taxonomic biases, sampling artifacts, and the sister-species method, all of which tend to underestimate diversification rates at low latitudes.
The Premetazoan Ancestry of Cadherins
Authors: Abedin Monika , King Nicole
Published: February 2008

Cadherin-mediated cell adhesion and signaling is essential for metazoan development and yet is absent from all other multicellular organisms. We found cadherin genes at numbers similar to those observed in complex metazoans in one of the closest single-celled relatives of metazoans, the choanoflagellate
Monosiga brevicollis
. Because the evolution of metazoans from a single-celled ancestor required novel cell adhesion and signaling mechanisms, the discovery of diverse cadherins in choanoflagellates suggests that cadherins may have contributed to metazoan origins.
Axle-Less F
1
-ATPase Rotates in the Correct Direction
Authors: Furuike Shou , Hossain Mohammad Delawar , Maki Yasushi , Adachi Kengo , Suzuki Toshiharu , Kohori Ayako , Itoh Hiroyasu , Yoshida Masasuke , Kinosita Kazuhiko
Published: February 2008

F
1
–adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) is an ATP-driven rotary molecular motor in which the central γ subunit rotates inside a cylinder made of three α and three β subunits alternately arranged. The rotor shaft, an antiparallel α-helical coiled coil of the amino and carboxyl termini of the γ subunit, deeply penetrates the central cavity of the stator cylinder. We truncated the shaft step by step until the remaining rotor head would be outside the cavity and simply sat on the concave entrance of the stator orifice. All truncation mutants rotated in the correct direction, implying torque generation, although the average rotary speeds were low and short mutants exhibited moments of irregular motion. Neither a fixed pivot nor a rigid axle was needed for rotation of F
1
-ATPase.
Electron-Driven Acid-Base Chemistry: Proton Transfer from Hydrogen Chloride to Ammonia
Authors: Eustis Soren N. , Radisic Dunja , Bowen Kit H. , Bachorz Rafał A. , Haranczyk Maciej , Schenter Gregory K. , Gutowski Maciej
Published: February 2008

In contrast to widely familiar acid-base behavior in solution, single molecules of NH
3
and HCl do not react to form the ionic salt, NH
+
4
Cl
–
, in isolation. We applied anion photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio theory to investigate the interaction of an excess electron with the hydrogen-bonded complex NH
3
···HCl. Our results show that an excess electron induces this complex to form the ionic salt. We propose a mechanism that proceeds through a dipole-bound state to form the negative ion of ionic ammonium chloride, a species that can also be characterized as a deformed Rydberg radical, NH
4
, polarized by a chloride anion, Cl
–
.
The Critical Importance of Retrieval for Learning
Authors: Karpicke Jeffrey D. , Roediger Henry L.
Published: February 2008

Learning is often considered complete when a student can produce the correct answer to a question. In our research, students in one condition learned foreign language vocabulary words in the standard paradigm of repeated study-test trials. In three other conditions, once a student had correctly produced the vocabulary item, it was repeatedly studied but dropped from further testing, repeatedly tested but dropped from further study, or dropped from both study and test. Repeated studying after learning had no effect on delayed recall, but repeated testing produced a large positive effect. In addition, students' predictions of their performance were uncorrelated with actual performance. The results demonstrate the critical role of retrieval practice in consolidating learning and show that even university students seem unaware of this fact.
Metal Chelation and Inhibition of Bacterial Growth in Tissue Abscesses
Authors: Corbin Brian D. , Seeley Erin H. , Raab Andrea , Feldmann Joerg , Miller Michael R. , Torres Victor J. , Anderson Kelsi L. , Dattilo Brian M. , Dunman Paul M. , Gerads Russell , Caprioli Richard M. , Nacken Wolfgang , Chazin Walter J. , Skaar Eric P.
Published: February 2008

Bacterial infection often results in the formation of tissue abscesses, which represent the primary site of interaction between invading bacteria and the innate immune system. We identify the host protein calprotectin as a neutrophil-dependent factor expressed inside
Staphylococcus aureus
abscesses. Neutrophil-derived calprotectin inhibited
S. aureus
growth through chelation of nutrient Mn
2+
and Zn
2+
: an activity that results in reprogramming of the bacterial transcriptome. The abscesses of mice lacking calprotectin were enriched in metal, and staphylococcal proliferation was enhanced in these metal-rich abscesses. These results demonstrate that calprotectin is a critical factor in the innate immune response to infection and define metal chelation as a strategy for inhibiting microbial growth inside abscessed tissue.
High-Throughput Synthesis of Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks and Application to CO
2
Capture
Authors: Banerjee Rahul , Phan Anh , Wang Bo , Knobler Carolyn , Furukawa Hiroyasu , O'Keeffe Michael , Yaghi Omar M.
Published: February 2008

A high-throughput protocol was developed for the synthesis of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs). Twenty-five different ZIF crystals were synthesized from only 9600 microreactions of either zinc(II)/cobalt(II) and imidazolate/imidazolate-type linkers. All of the ZIF structures have tetrahedral frameworks: 10 of which have two different links (heterolinks), 16 of which are previously unobserved compositions and structures, and 5 of which have topologies as yet unobserved in zeolites. Members of a selection of these ZIFs (termed ZIF-68, ZIF-69, and ZIF-70) have high thermal stability (up to 390°C) and chemical stability in refluxing organic and aqueous media. Their frameworks have high porosity (with surface areas up to 1970 square meters per gram), and they exhibit unusual selectivity for CO
2
capture from CO
2
/CO mixtures and extraordinary capacity for storing CO
2
: 1 liter of ZIF-69 can hold ∼83 liters of CO
2
at 273 kelvin under ambient pressure.
HLA Class II Haplotypes Distinctly Associated with Vaso-Occlusion in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Mahdi Najat , Al-Ola Khadija , Al-Subaie Abeer M. , Ali Muhallab E. , Al-Irhayim Zaid , Al-Irhayim A. Qader , Almawi Wassim Y.
Published: February 2008

We investigated the association of HLA class II alleles and haplotypes with sickle cell anemia vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC).
DRB1*100101
was positively associated, while
DRB1*140101
,
DRB1*150101
, and
DQB1*060101
were negatively associated, with VOC. Both susceptible (
DRB1*100101
-
DQB1*050101
) and protective (
DRB1*110101
-
DQB1*030101
and
DRB1*150101
-
DQB1*060101
) haplotypes were identified, indicating that HLA class II haplotypes influence VOC risk.
Smallpox Virus Resequencing GeneChips Can Also Rapidly Ascertain Species Status for Some Zoonotic Non-
Variola
Orthopoxviruses
Authors: Sulaiman Irshad M. , Sammons Scott A. , Wohlhueter Robert M.
Published: February 2008

We recently developed a set of seven resequencing GeneChips for the rapid sequencing of
Variola
virus strains in the WHO Repository of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this study, we attempted to hybridize these GeneChips with some known non-
Variola
orthopoxvirus isolates, including monkeypox, cowpox, and vaccinia viruses, for rapid detection.
Variation of a Newcastle Disease Virus Hemagglutinin-Neuraminidase Linear Epitope
Authors: Cho Sun-Hee , Kwon Hyuk-Joon , Kim Tae-Eun , Kim Jae-Hong , Yoo Han-Sang , Kim Sun-Joong
Published: February 2008

Fifty-six Newcastle disease virus strains collected from 2000 to 2006 could be grouped into subgenotype VIId. However, they displayed cumulative mutations in and around the linear epitope of hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (residues 345 to 353) with time. The antigenicities of the variants that became predominant in Korea differ from each other and from the wild type.
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Senftenberg Human Clinical Isolates Lacking SPI-1
Authors: Hu Qinghua , Coburn Bryan , Deng Wanyin , Li Yuling , Shi Xiaolu , Lan Quanxue , Wang Bing , Coombes Brian K. , Finlay B. Brett
Published: February 2008

Nontyphoidal
Salmonella
species cause gastrointestinal disease worldwide. The prevailing theory of
Salmonella
enteropathogenesis is that bacterial invasion of the intestinal epithelium is essential for virulence and that this requires the virulence-associated genomic region
Salmonella
pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). Recent studies of
Salmonella enterica
infection models have demonstrated that enterocolitis and diarrhea in mice and cows can occur independently of SPI-1. In this study, we sought to confirm whether two
S. enterica
serovar Senftenberg clinical isolates lacked genes essential for SPI-1 function. Two clinical strains were isolated and identified as being
S. enterica
serovar Senftenberg from four stool samples from a food-borne disease outbreak affecting seven individuals in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, using conventional methods, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing. The possibility of coinfection with other potential bacteria or usual viruses was excluded. Two isolates were analyzed for the presence of
invA
,
sipA
,
ssaR
,
sifA
, and
sopE2
by PCR and Southern blotting and were then assayed for the presence of SPI-1 by PCR and long-range PCR for
fhlA-hilA
,
hilA-spaP
, and
spaP-invH
and Southern blot analysis. A long-range PCR fragment from
fhlA
to
mutS
covering the 5′ and 3′ flanks of SPI-1 was also amplified from the two clinical isolates and sequenced. In addition, the two clinical isolates were assayed for enteroinvasiveness in vitro. Murine infection models were also examined. Biochemical tests and serotyping confirmed that the two clinical isolates are
S. enterica
serovar Senftenberg. However, they lacked genes critical for SPI-1 function but contained SPI-2 genes and were attenuated for the invasion of cultured intestinal epithelial cells. In conclusion, clinical
S. enterica
serovar Senftenberg strains isolated from a food-borne disease outbreak lack the invasion-associated locus SPI-1, indicating that SPI-1 is not essential for human gastroenteritis.