bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐throughput protoplast transactivation (PTA) system for the analysis of Arabidopsis transcription factor function
Authors: Wehner Nora , Hartmann Laura , Ehlert Andrea , Böttner Stefan , Oñate‐Sánchez Luis , Dröge‐Laser Wolfgang
Published: July 2011

Genomic approaches have generated large Arabidopsis open reading frame (ORF) collections. However, molecular tools are required to characterize this ORFeome functionally. A high‐throughput microtiter plate‐based protoplast transactivation (PTA) system has been established that can be used in a screening approach to define which transcription factor (TF) regulates a given promoter in planta. Using to this procedure, the transactivation properties of 96 TFs can be analyzed rapidly, making use of promoter:Luciferase (LUC)‐reporters and luciferase imaging. Applying GATEWAY® technology, we have established a platform to assay more than 700 Arabidopsis TFs. As a proof‐of‐principle, the ethylene response factor (ERF) family has been studied to evaluate this system. Importantly, distinct subsets of related ERF factors were found to activate specifically the well described target promoters RD29A and PDF1.2 that are under control of DRE or GCC box cis‐elements, respectively. Furthermore, several applications of the PTA system have been demonstrated, such as analysis of transcriptional repressors, salt‐inducible gene expression or functional interaction of signaling molecules like kinases and TFs. This novel molecular tool will improve functional studies on transcriptional regulation in plants significantly.
Impact of rotavirus vaccination on diarrhoea mortality and hospital admissions in Brazil
Authors: Gurgel Ricardo Q. , Ilozue Chinenye , Correia Jailson B. , Centenari Chiara , Oliveira Sandala M. T. , Cuevas Luis E.
Published: July 2011

Objective  To analyse the data reported by the national surveillance system of Brazil, including data on diarrhoea mortality and hospital admissions before and after rotavirus vaccine introduction, and evaluate the impact of its widespread use under operational conditions.

Method  Retrospective analysis of routinely collected data was reported by several surveillance systems of Brazil, comprising an 8‐year period of all diarrhoea‐related hospitalisations and deaths in children <5 years old (2002–2009). Linear regressions were used to compare trends of diarrhoea hospitalisations and deaths before and after vaccine introduction (2002–2005 vs. 2006–2009).

Results  There was a long‐term reduction in hospitalisations that preceded the introduction of the vaccine. This reduction was more marked in <1‐year‐old than in 1– to 4‐year‐old children. All‐cause diarrhoea hospitalisations decreased further after vaccine introduction and the decrease was larger in <1‐year‐old (−35.6%) than in 1– to 4‐year‐old children (−12.3%). The number of deaths was decreasing before vaccine introduction, and the decrease also accelerated after vaccine introduction, with deaths halving in <1‐year‐old and decreasing by 32.9% in 1‐ to 4‐year‐old children. The linear relationships between hospitalisations and deaths were statistically different before and after vaccine introduction.

Conclusions  The data demonstrate a decreasing trend in all‐cause diarrhoea‐related hospitalisations and deaths in children <5 years of age. These reductions were steeper between 2006 and 2009, highlighting the potential beneficial effect of the rotavirus vaccine associated with all‐cause diarrhoeal disease.
Use of a novel virus detection assay to identify coronavirus HKU1 in the lungs of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient with fatal pneumonia
Authors: Uhlenhaut C. , Cohen J.I. , Pavletic S. , Illei G. , Gea‐Banacloche J.C. , Abu‐Asab M. , Krogmann T. , Gubareva L. , McClenahan S. , Krause P.R.
Published: July 2011

C. Uhlenhaut, J.I. Cohen, S. Pavletic, G. Illei, J.C. Gea‐Banacloche, M. Abu‐Asab, T. Krogmann, L. Gubareva, S. McClenahan, P.R. Krause. Use of a novel virus detection assay to identify coronavirus HKU1 in the lungs of a hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient with fatal pneumonia. Transpl Infect Dis 2011. All rights reserved

Abstract: A 38‐year‐old female patient with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with pulmonary infiltrates and hypoxemia for several months following immunodepleting autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. She was treated for influenza, which was isolated repeatedly from oropharynx and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids, and later empirically for lupus pneumonitis, but died 6 months after transplant. Autopsy findings failed to show influenza in the lungs or lupus pneumonitis. A novel generic polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assay using degenerate primers identified human coronavirus (CoV) HKU1 RNA in BAL fluid at autopsy. CoV was confirmed by virus‐specific PCRs of lung tissue at autopsy. Electron microscopy showed viral particles consistent with CoV HKU1 in lung tissue both at autopsy and from a previous biopsy. Although human CoV HKU1 infection is not usually severe, in highly immunocompromised patients, it can be associated with fatal pneumonia.
Nutrient co‐limitation of primary producer communities
Authors: Harpole W. Stanley , Ngai Jacqueline T. , Cleland Elsa E. , Seabloom Eric W. , Borer Elizabeth T. , Bracken Matthew E.S. , Elser James J. , Gruner Daniel S. , Hillebrand Helmut , Shurin Jonathan B. , Smith Jennifer E.
Published: July 2011

Ecology Letters(2011)14: 852–862

Synergistic interactions between multiple limiting resources are common, highlighting the importance of co‐limitation as a constraint on primary production. Our concept of resource limitation has shifted over the past two decades from an earlier paradigm of single‐resource limitation towards concepts of co‐limitation by multiple resources, which are predicted by various theories. Herein, we summarise multiple‐resource limitation responses in plant communities using a dataset of 641 studies that applied factorial addition of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in freshwater, marine and terrestrial systems. We found that more than half of the studies displayed some type of synergistic response to N and P addition. We found support for strict definitions of co‐limitation in 28% of the studies: i.e. community biomass responded to only combined N and P addition, or to both N and P when added separately. Our results highlight the importance of interactions between N and P in regulating primary producer community biomass and point to the need for future studies that address the multiple mechanisms that could lead to different types of co‐limitation.
Characterization of the normal dark adaptation curve of the horse
Authors: Ben‐Shlomo Gil , Plummer Caryn , Barrie Kathleen , Brooks Dennis
Published: July 2011

Objective  The goal of this work is to study the dark adaptation curve of the normal horse electroretinogram (ERG).

Procedures  The electroretinographic responses were recorded from six healthy female ponies using a contact lens electrode and a mini‐Ganzfeld electroretinographic unit. The horses were sedated intravenously with detomidine, an auriculopalpebral nerve block was then performed, and the pupil was fully dilated. The ERG was recorded in response to a low intensity light stimulus (30 mcd.s/m2) that was given at times (T) T = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 60 min of dark adaptation. Off‐line analysis of the ERG was then performed.

Results  Mean b‐wave amplitude of the full‐field ERG increased continuously from 5 to 25 min of dark adaptation. The b‐wave amplitude peaked at T = 25, however, there was no statistical significance between T = 20 and T = 25. The b‐wave amplitude then remained elevated with no significant changes until the end of the study at T = 60 (P > 0.49). The b‐wave implicit time increased continuously between T = 5 and T = 20, then gradually decreased until T = 60. No distinct a‐wave was observed during the testing time.

Conclusions  Evaluation of horse rod function or combined rod/cone function by means of full‐field ERG should be performed after a minimum 20 min of dark adaptation.
Clinical ocular findings in cows with malignant catarrhal fever: ocular disease progression and outcome in 25 cases (2007–2010)
Authors: Zemljič Tadej , Pot Simon A. , Haessig Michael , Spiess Bernhard M.
Published: July 2011

Objective  To describe the ocular clinical signs in a group of cows diagnosed with sheep associated malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), and to investigate a possible correlation between the severity and progression of certain typical clinical signs and disease outcome.

Procedure  This prospective study involved cows diagnosed with MCF between 2007 and 2010, and included cows enrolled in a larger clinical trial. Signalment of affected cows, presence and progression of ocular lesions, as well as disease outcome were recorded. Cows were divided into two groups based on the disease outcome: (1) survival and (2) nonsurvival. The degree of corneal edema at first examination was statistically compared between groups. The progression of corneal edema, uveitis and the examining ophthalmologists’ subjective assessment of disease progression between the first and last examination were also compared between groups.

Results  Twenty‐five cows (22 F, 3 M) of six different breeds and one mixed breed were included. Median age was 21 months (range 8–113). Ten cows survived, 13 cows were euthanized, and two died. No statistical association was identified between the degree of corneal edema at the first examination and the disease outcome. Deterioration of corneal edema was not noticed in any of the surviving animals. Anterior uveitis improved in all 10 surviving cows.

Conclusions  The degree of corneal edema at first examination had no prognostic value for the disease outcome. The results of this study suggest that the progression of corneal edema correlates well with disease outcome, and that nonimprovement of uveitis is a bad prognostic sign.
Comparison of intraocular pressure measurements between the Tono‐Pen XL®and Perkins®applanation tonometers in dogs and cats
Authors: Andrade Silvia Franco , Palozzi Rodrigo Jesus , Giuffrida Rogério , de Campos Renata Juliane , de Campos Santos Gabriela , Fukui Rosimery Missuzu
Published: July 2011

Objective To compare the accuracy between two applanation tonometers, Tono‐Pen XL®and Perkins®, in ophthalmoscopically normal dogs and cats.

Animals Both eyes of 25 conscious and healthy dogs and cats were evaluated. Both eyes of five dogs and cats immediately after sacrifice were used as controls for the postmortem study.

Procedure In conscious animals, the tonometry was performed with topical anesthesia using 0.5% proxymetacaine eye drops for both tonometers and 1% fluorescein eye drops for the Perkins tonometer. Readings of intraocular pressure (IOP) in the postmortem study were taken using manometry and tonometry by Tono‐Pen XL®and Perkins®.

Results The correlation coefficient (r2) in dogs between manometry and applanation tonometers Tono‐Pen XL®and Perkins®were, respectively, 0.896 and 0.981 and in cats were 0.905 and 0.988. The mean IOP values in conscious dogs with Tono‐Pen XL®and Perkins®were, respectively, 17.5 ± 3.7 mmHg (10.0–25.0 mmHg) and 15.3 ± 2.1 mmHg (12.0–19.8 mmHg) and in conscious cats were 16.8 ± 3.6 mmHg (10.5–24.5 mmHg) and 15.5 ± 1.3 mmHg (13.0–18.5 mmHg).

Conclusion There was a strong correlation between the IOP values obtained by direct ocular manometry and the Tono‐Pen XL®and Perkins®tonometers in dogs and cats. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean IOP obtained with both tonometers in conscious animals, there was, however, a difference between the minimum and mainly in the maximum values that were on average 5–6 mmHg higher with Tono‐Pen XL®than those measured with Perkins®, which justifies a table of normal values differentiated for each tonometer.
Differentiating Processes of Control and Understanding in the Early Development of Emotion and Cognition
Authors: Blankson A. Nayena , O'Brien Marion , Leerkes Esther M. , Marcovitch Stuart , Calkins Susan D.
Published: July 2011

In this study, we examined the hypothesis that preschoolers' performance on emotion and cognitive tasks is organized into discrete processes of control and understanding within the domains of emotion and cognition. Additionally, we examined the relations among component processes using mother report, behavioral observation, and physiological measures of emotion control. Participants were 263 children (42 percent non‐White) and their mothers. Results indicated that the three approaches of measuring emotion control were unrelated. Regardless of the measurement method, a four‐factor solution differentiating emotion control and understanding and cognitive control and understanding fits the data better than did either of two two‐factor models, one based on domains of emotion and cognition across processes, and one based on processes of control and understanding across domains. Results of this research replicate those of Leerkes et al. in describing a differentiated underlying structure of emotion and cognition processes in early childhood while also extending these conclusions across samples and across measurement approaches for assessing emotion control.
Intergroup Evaluations and Norms about Learning Ability
Authors: Nowicki Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2011

Children's evaluations of classmates with learning difficulties tend to be less positive than their evaluations of classmates without learning difficulties; but it is not clear if these evaluations are associated with age, group norms, and group identification. These associations were examined within the context of inclusive elementary school classrooms. Participants (N = 192) were asked about their attitudes and their peers' attitudes towards children with or without learning difficulties. They were also asked to evaluate fictional target children who gave biased or unbiased opinions about children with or without learning difficulties. Results showed that group identification was predicted by age and group judgment. Participants with high group identification and judgment scores in favour of children without learning difficulties were inclined to believe other children would be similarly biased. However, most participants preferred the target child who gave unbiased opinions. Theoretical and educational implications are discussed.
Romantic Relationships, Relationship Styles, Coping Strategies, and Psychological Distress among Chinese and Australian Young Adults
Authors: Leung Cynthia , Moore Susan , Karnilowicz Wally , Lung C. L.
Published: July 2011

This study examined the association between relationship styles, coping strategies, and psychological distress among 144 Anglo‐Australian and 250 Hong Kong Chinese undergraduate students. The results indicated that relationship styles (secure, clingy, and fickle) influenced psychological distress through their association with coping strategies (avoidance and self‐punishment). Society of residence was a moderating factor for the association between clingy relationship style and psychological distress. Females also reported higher levels of psychological distress than males. Among participants who had experienced a romantic relationship break up, participants endorsing clingy relationship style and those whose partners initiated the break up expressed more hurt in comparison, whereas those who endorsed avoidance strategy reported less hurt. The results of the present study also suggested that psychosocial variables (relationship styles, coping strategies) were generally more important than demographic factors (e.g., age) in predicting mental health outcomes. However, relationship styles and coping strategies may operate differently under different contexts.
Implementing Consumer Choice in Long‐term Care: The Impact of Individual Budgets on Social Care Providers in England
Authors: Wilberforce Mark , Glendinning Caroline , Challis David , Fernandez Jose‐Luis , Jacobs Sally , Jones Karen , Knapp Martin , Manthorpe Jill , Moran Nicola , Netten Ann , Stevens Martin
Published: July 2011

In common with many advanced welfare states, England has increasingly relied on consumerist principles to deliver both greater quality and improved efficiency in the long‐term care system. The Individual Budget (IB) pilots marked the next step in this process, through a new system of funding whereby greater control of resources is given to service users, in lieu of direct in‐kind care provision. IBs have the potential to transform the market for care services as well as the relationships between key stakeholders within it. Purchasing will increasingly be shaped by the demands of IB holders, with providers expected to deliver a wider range of personalized services. What will this mean for providers, and what can they do to prepare for these changes? These questions are relevant not just in England but in many other countries adopting similar mechanisms for devolving control over the design, delivery and funding of care to the end‐user. The article explores the early impact of IBs on providers' services, on their workforces, and on the administrative implications for providers of managing IBs. The study finds that providers were positive about the opportunities for better‐quality services that IBs can bring about. However, participants highlighted a number of obstacles to their effectiveness, and reported a range of potentially adverse administrative and workforce consequences which have the potential to jeopardize the consumerist policy objectives of increased choice and efficiency.
RULES VERSUS DISCRETION IN FISCAL POLICY*
Authors: BIANCHI CARLUCCIO , MENEGATTI MARIO
Published: July 2011

This paper applies the Kydland–Prescott framework of dynamic inconsistency to fiscal policy by considering the trade‐off between output and debt stabilization. In a static framework, commitment to debt stabilization is superior to discretion only when the public debt–GDP ratio is high. Discretion, though, is always inferior to an optimal fiscal rule, which however entails a positive predetermined debt growth. As usual, the introduction of uncertainty determines an additional advantage for discretion. Finally, if dynamic considerations are introduced, the optimal fiscal rule is characterized by positive debt growth in the short run and debt stabilization in the long run.
PRICE AND WAGE STICKINESS, INFLATION AND PROFITS*
Authors: GWIN CARL , VanHOOSE DAVID D.
Published: July 2011

This paper investigates the relationship between firm mark‐ups and inflation. In sectors of the economy with industries characterized by flexible prices and sticky wages, mark‐ups should respond positively to inflation. Industry mark‐ups in sectors with both flexible prices and flexible wages theoretically may rise or fall in response to an increase in the price level. Mark‐ups of industries in sectors of the economy in which prices are sticky should respond negatively to inflation, with an absolutely larger negative response occurring in sticky‐price industries with flexible wages. Empirical analysis of US industries provides support for nearly all of these theoretical predictions.
PURCHASING POWER PARITY VERSUS FIXED EXCHANGE RATE RULES: A STABILITY AND WELFARE ANALYSIS*
Authors: SHIN JONG KOOK , SUBRAMANIAN CHETAN
Published: July 2011

This paper evaluates the desirability of PPP rules vis‐á‐vis fixed exchange rates both in terms of welfare and stability properties. The analysis is conducted within a small open‐economy New Keynesian framework extended to include a cost channel. In terms of stability, we find that while the equilibrium is always unique under fixed exchange rates its uniqueness critically depends upon the presence/absence of the cost channel under a PPP rule. Overall, then, in terms of welfare a fixed exchange rate always outperforms a PPP rule.
COST ASYMMETRIES AND INDUSTRIAL POLICY IN VERTICALLY RELATED MARKETS*
Authors: KAWABATA YASUSHI
Published: July 2011

In this paper we examine how the conventional finding from de Meza (Canadian Journal of Economics, Vol. 19 (1986), pp. 347–350) and Neary (Journal of International Economics, Vol. 37 (1994), pp. 197–218) that the country with the lowest‐cost firm provides the highest subsidy modifies in a model of vertically related markets characterized by Cournot competition. We show that the country where the sum of the costs of final‐good production and intermediate‐good production are the lowest provides the largest production subsidies to the final good and/or the intermediate good.
EQUILIBRIUM DYNAMICS OF AN ENDOGENOUS GROWTH MODEL WITH AN EROSION EFFECT AND DUPLICATION IN R&D*
Authors: GÓMEZ MANUEL A.
Published: July 2011

This paper devises an endogenous growth model with physical capital accumulation, knowledge formation and R&D, in which technological progress has an erosion effect in human capital, and innovation is subject to externalities associated to the duplication of research effort. We provide conditions for the existence of a unique feasible steady‐state equilibrium with positive long‐run growth. For appropriate parameter values, the transitional dynamics of the model is represented by a two‐dimensional stable manifold. Numerical simulations show that the incorporation of an erosion effect, as well as duplication externalities, significantly increases the ability of the model to fit the observed data.
SKILLED MIGRATION AND EDUCATION POLICIES: IS THERE STILL SCOPE FOR A BHAGWATI TAX?*
Authors: SCALERA DOMENICO
Published: July 2011

Recent literature has criticized the Bhagwati ‘brain drain tax' because it may hamper accumulation of human capital by reducing gains from skilled migration. In this paper, it is argued that when taking into account social externalities of human capital, and optimal policies implemented by a government caring only for the remaining residents, a brain drain tax tends rather to foster the investment in human capital and increase residents' income and welfare. The Bhagwati tax could even be universally welfare improving if a fiscal burden borne by migrants might be outweighed by a higher human capital and gross income.
Vestigial structures in the appendicular skeletons of eight African skink species (Squamata, Scincidae)
Authors: Moch J. G. , Senter P.
Published: July 2011

Limb reduction and loss, with reduction of limb and girdle skeletons to a vestigial state, has occurred several times independently within the skink family (Scincidae). The vestigial appendicular skeletons of most limbless skinks have not been described before now. Here we describe those of eight African skink species, all with a burrowing lifestyle: Acontias percivali, Acontias meleagris, Typhlosaurus cregoi, Typhlosaurus lineatus, Typhlacontias gracilis, Sepsina bayonii, Scelotes anguina and Scelotes arenicola. For all but two (A. meleagris and Sc. arenicola) the appendicular skeletons were previously undescribed. Limbs are absent in all specimens except for vestigial hindlimbs in Se. bayonii and vestigial femurs in one specimen of Sc. arenicola. In our sample, the pectoral girdle is reduced to a pair of tiny slivers in A. percivali, Ty. gracilis, Se. bayonii and Sc. anguina. It is absent in the other specimens. The pelvic girdle is absent in Ty. cregoi. In all the rest but Se. bayonii it is vestigial, retaining only the ilium in A. meleagris, Ty. lineatus and one specimen of Sc. arenicola. This study adds to the number of skink species with vestigial appendicular skeletons that have been described. It also adds to the range of documented intraspecific variation in the vestigial appendicular skeletons of A. meleagris, Sc. arenicola and the Australian skinks Lerista stylis and Lerista carpentariae. We observed asymmetry between the left and right sides in the vestigial appendicular skeletons of four of the African skink species: A. meleagris, Sc. anguina, Sc. arenicola and Se. bayonii.
A cell‐permeable phosphine‐borane complex delays retinal ganglion cell death after axonal injury through activation of the pro‐survival extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 pathway
Authors: Almasieh Mohammadali , Lieven Christopher J. , Levin Leonard A. , Di Polo Adriana
Published: July 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 118, 1075–1086.

The reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide has been recognized as a critical signal triggering retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death after axonal injury. Although the downstream targets of superoxide are unknown, chemical reduction of oxidized sulfhydryls has been shown to be neuroprotective for injured RGCs. On the basis of this, we developed novel phosphine‐borane complex compounds that are cell permeable and highly stable. Here, we report that our lead compound, bis (3‐propionic acid methyl ester) phenylphosphine borane complex 1 (PB1) promotes RGC survival in rat models of optic nerve axotomy and in experimental glaucoma. PB1‐mediated RGC neuroprotection did not correlate with inhibition of stress‐activated protein kinase signaling, including apoptosis stimulating kinase 1 (ASK1), c‐jun NH2‐terminal kinase (JNK) or p38. Instead, PB1 led to a striking increase in retinal BDNF levels and downstream activation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2 entirely blocked RGC neuroprotection induced by PB1. We conclude that PB1 protects damaged RGCs through activation of pro‐survival signals. These data support a potential cross‐talk between redox homeostasis and neurotrophin‐related pathways leading to RGC survival after axonal injury.
Preparation of Ce:YAG Glass‐Ceramics with Low SiO2
Authors: Wang Lili , Mei Lin , He Gang , Li Jiangtao , Xu Lihua
Published: July 2011

The Ce3+‐doped Y2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 (YAS) bulk glasses with low SiO2 (≤40 mol%) were prepared by flame spray‐quench method and hot press sintering. YAG nanoglass‐ceramics were derived from YAS bulk glass by a controlled crystallization. The differential thermal analysis (DTA) results showed that the glass‐forming ability of YAS system was strongly dependent on SiO2 content and the supercooling degree required for forming YAS glass increased with the decrease of SiO2 content. The YAS glass compositions had been extended to low SiO2 phase region (10–40 mol%) by flame spray‐quench method. The study of crystallization process showed that glass matrixes experienced initially a phase‐separation followed by crystallization during the heat treatment. The phase‐separated grains (100–300 nm) that were composed of YAG nanocrystallites precipitated in the glass matrix. And the intensity of emission spectra increased with the decreasing SiO2 content.
Salome, Isolde und Dalila. Zur gendertheoretischen Interpretierbarkeit der Opern in Thomas Manns Doktor Faustus
Authors: Elsaghe Yahya
Published: July 2011

Warum greift Adrian Leverkühn bei seiner einzigen Opernkomposition ausgerechnet auf Shakespeares Verlorene Liebesmüh zurück? Weshalb zieht er sich seine fatale Infektion unter dem Vorwand zu, eine von Strauss selber dirigierte Salome‐Premiere zu besuchen? Wieso wird, im Gegensatz zu dieser besonders authentischen Aufführung, Saint‐Saëns’Samson et Dalila nur noch als Schallplattenreproduktion eingespielt? Und weswegen wird bei einer kammermusikalischen Darbietung von Wagners Tristan und Isolde ausgerechnet eine Arie vom Löschen des Lichts herausgegriffen? Solche und ähnliche Fragen sollen hier im Rahmen einer ideologie‐, aber auch quellenkritischen Relektüre des Doktor Faustus ihre Antworten finden. Geleitet ist diese von der so vice versa erhärtbaren These, daß sich der Roman als Teil und Ausdruck einer Bachofen‐Renaissance verstehen läßt, wie sie im Umkreis der Konservativen Revolution aufkam.
Salted with Fire. Biblical Allusions, Heraclitus and Judgement by Fire in Julio Cortázar’s ‘All Fires the Fire’
Authors: Monballieu Aagje , Praet Danny , Janse Mark
Published: July 2011

Julio Cortázar was extremely well read in ancient literature and philosophy. He collected editions and translations of Heraclitus and based the short story ‘Todos los fuegos el fuego’ (‘All Fires the Fire’) on his philosophy in which Fire steered the Universe. The enigmatic ‘obscure’ style of the Ephesian philosopher, his use of riddles and dark metaphors, his philosophy of language, and his philosophy of time (eternal recurrence) all fascinated Cortázar. He knew the Stoics ascribed the concept of ecpyrosis, final conflagration, to Heraclitus and he knew these ideas influenced Christian apocalyptic imagery and eschatological teachings. We argue that the metaphors and the experimental narrative of ‘All Fires the Fire’ (merging a modern story and a story set in Roman Antiquity, both ending in a final conflagration) are inspired by Heraclitus and by the Bible. This paper explores the interaction between the use Cortázar made of Heraclitus and the Christian traditions: the function of the biblical allusions (to Matthew 5:13; Revelation 22) he inserted in the story, to early Christian symbolism (the fish), and to an ancient Christian numerical riddle (888) on the name of Jesus taken from the Sibylline Oracles. In this way we hope to clarify his view of the reader as an intellectual accomplice of the author.1
A novel mechanism of V‐type zinc inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase results from disruption of subunit interactions necessary for efficient catalysis
Authors: Bailey Jaclyn , Powell Lakeila , Sinanan Leander , Neal Jacob , Li Ming , Smith Thomas , Bell Ellis
Published: July 2011

Bovine glutamate dehydrogenase is potently inhibited by zinc and the major impact is on Vmax suggesting a V‐type effect on catalysis or product release. Zinc inhibition decreases as glutamate concentrations decrease suggesting a role for subunit interactions. With the monocarboxylic amino acid norvaline, which gives no evidence of subunit interactions, zinc does not inhibit. Zinc significantly decreases the size of the pre‐steady state burst in the reaction but does not affect NADPH binding in the enzyme–NADPH–glutamate complex that governs the steady state turnover, again suggesting that zinc disrupts subunit interactions required for catalytic competence. While differential scanning calorimetry suggests zinc binds and induces a slightly conformationally more rigid state of the protein, limited proteolysis indicates that regions in the vicinity of the antennae regions and the trimer–trimer interface become more flexible. The structures of glutamate dehydrogenase bound with zinc and europium show that zinc binds between the three dimers of subunits in the hexamer, a region shown to bind novel inhibitors that block catalytic turnover, which is consistent with the above findings. In contrast, europium binds to the base of the antenna region and appears to abrogate the inhibitory effect of zinc. Structures of various states of the enzyme have shown that both regions are heavily involved in the conformational changes associated with catalytic turnover. These results suggest that the V‐type inhibition produced with glutamate as the substrate results from disruption of subunit interactions necessary for efficient catalysis rather than by a direct effect on the active site conformation.

Structured digital abstract

 GHD binds to GHD by x‐ray crystallography (View interaction)
VALIDATION OF A SIMPLIFIED NUMERICAL MODEL FOR HOT‐AIR TREATMENT OF EGG SHELL SURFACE
Authors: FABBRI A. , CEVOLI C. , GIUNCHI A.
Published: July 2011

The aim of the study was to simulate a hot‐air‐based treatment of the egg shell by a simplified finite element model.

The calculated temperatures were compared with experimental data observed on an egg shell instrumented with thermocouples. A simple plant was used to make eggs roll while hot and cold air jets impinged the shell on opposite sides.

The results have shown good agreement between calculated and observed temperatures on the inner part of the shell, despite the simplicity of the 2D numerical model. The observed temperature profiles, compatible both with albumen coagulation condition and shell pasteurization, support the hot air treatment as a possible and innovative surface decontamination technique for table eggs.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

As hot‐air decontamination is an innovative one, several tests will be necessary to assess the technique and to engineer the process. Unfortunately, each trial needs a number of microbial and quality tests requiring a remarkable amount of time and money. The numerical model made possible the testing of several thermal cycles, optimizing the value of the process parameters involved, reducing experimental effort. Moreover, the 2D model enhanced the advantages, with respect to the full 3D model, balancing an acceptable feasibility loss with much shorter calculus time.
PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF RESVERATROL/HYDROXYPROPYL‐β‐CYCLODEXTRIN INCLUSION COMPLEX USING SUPERCRITICAL ANTISOLVENT TECHNOLOGY
Authors: ZHOU R. , WANG F. , GUO Z. , ZHAO Y.L.
Published: July 2011

The inclusion complex of resveratrol (RV) and hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD) prepared by supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process was investigated to improve its aqueous solubility. The phase solubility diagram with HP‐β‐CD was classified as AL type, and the calculated apparent complexation constant (KC) was 5,988 M−1 at 298K. Inclusion complexes were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X‐ray diffractometry (PXRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). No endothermic and characteristic diffraction peaks corresponding to RV were observed for the inclusion complex in DSC and PXRD. FT‐IR study demonstrated the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between RV and HP‐β‐CD in inclusion complex, resulting in the formation of amorphous form. Furthermore, the SAS‐processed RV/ HP‐β‐CD powders showed a significant enhancement in the solubility of RV (up to 25.13 mg/mL) in an aqueous medium. The percent dissolution of RV increased considerably and about 100% of RV was dissolved within 5–10 min.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

In this study, the supercritical antisolvent (SAS) process was effectively utilized to prepare solid‐state inclusion complexes of resveratrol (RV) and hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (HP‐β‐CD). The SAS‐processed RV/HP‐β‐CD powders showed a significant enhancement in the solubility of RV (up to 25.13 mg/mL) in an aqueous medium. The percent dissolution of RV increased considerably and about 100% of RV was dissolved within 5–10 min. This work thoroughly overcomes the high hydrophobicity and sensitivity of resveratrol to air and light, so that obviously enlarges the application in pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic industries.
RHEOLOGICAL AND MACROMOLECULAR QUALITY OF PECTIN EXTRACTED WITH NITRIC ACID FROM PASSION FRUIT RIND
Authors: CANTERI M.H.G. , SCHEER A.P. , GINIES C. , REICH M. , RENARD C.M.C.G. , WOSIACKI G.
Published: July 2011

Yellow passion fruit processing in Brazil releases large amounts of waste (300,000 metric tons per year) that could be used as an alternative raw material for extracting potentially 2,000 metric tons of pectin. Valorization of pectin extracted from passion fruit rind demands the establishment of a proper protocol to maintain a high standard of product quality. In this work, a central composite experimental design of 23 was used to verify the influence of different conditions on the molecular characteristics and rheological behavior of extracted pectin. The extraction conditions were time (5–45 min), temperature (63–97C) and nitric acid concentration (8–92 mM). The responses significantly influenced (P < 0.05) in the trials were yield extraction, the apparent viscosity and reduced viscosity. The ideal conditions for extracting pectin with the highest apparent viscosity and with a high molecular weight were obtained with short time (5 min), medium temperature (80C) and 50 mM nitric acid.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Extensive efforts have been directed toward minimizing the large amounts of waste that result from the processing of passion fruit juice in Brazil. There has also been recent interest, in Brazil and in other tropical countries, in the production of pectin from passion fruit. This article shows that controlling extraction conditions can produce high molecular weight pectin and, consequently, can improve its rheological quality for use. Furthermore, it shows that it is possible to obtain pectin from passion rinds similarly to that of the citrus and apple pectin found in markets.
AUTOMATIC IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR RAW POULTRY PORTIONS
Authors: KHASHMAN ADNAN
Published: July 2011

In poultry processing plants, the sorting of raw poultry portions into separate containers prior to packaging is performed mostly by human laborers. This sorting method has two problems: labor cost and health hazard due to possible contamination between raw meat and humans. Therefore, an automated sorting system is required to avoid these problems. In this article, we present an automatic portion identification system that uses image processing and a neural network to identify six different chicken portions that are usually preferred by consumers. The proposed rotational invariant system can identify the cut portions regardless of their orientation with an overall correct identification rate of 97.57%. Potentially, the output of the proposed identification system can be used to move robotic arms to physically separate the identified chicken portions into separate containers.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This work contributes to the development of an automated sorting system for practical use in poultry processing plants. The presented intelligent identification system is the main part of such an automated system. We train the system in this work to recognize the main chicken portions; however, other portions and other poultry birds can also be identified upon including their portion images in the training phase. This work differs from existing systems, in that it relies totally on the shape and coarse texture of a portion, using images as input data, and discards information like weight or size of the portion. Another advantage is the elimination of the need for using many birds during the development of the system; in fact, training the system can be achieved using only one bird and its portions.
INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT FREEZING REGIMES ON BIOELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF ATLANTIC CHUB MACKEREL (SCOMBER COLIAS)
Authors: VIDAČEK S. , MEDIĆ H. , MARUŠIĆ N. , TONKOVIĆ S. , PETRAK T.
Published: July 2011

Resistance and reactance of chilled, frozen‐thawed and double frozen‐thawed fillets of Atlantic chub mackerel (Scomber colias) were measured in a frequency range from 0.1 to 1,000 kHz. After the measurements in the fresh state, one group of samples was slow frozen in a freezer set at temperature −20 ± 2C, while the second group was fast frozen by immersion in liquid nitrogen. After 14 days of frozen storage, the samples were thawed and electrical parameters were measured. The measurements were repeated on double frozen‐thawed samples. Results showed that the reactance measured at frequencies higher than 150 kHz can distinguish fast frozen from slow frozen fillets. Obtained difference between freezing cycles measured with the reactance at low frequencies could have been influenced by electrode polarization and the consequence of the measuring setup. Overall findings are in accordance with the ones obtained on the farmed fish indicating that the reactance may point to the differences in a fish muscle structure caused by different freezing history.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This preliminary work is addressing the problem of varying quality of frozen fish fillets on the market today. Therefore, bioelectrical impedance measurements were used to monitor fish tissue properties after freezing under different conditions. Impedance measurements and especially reactance show the potential of detecting the differences among fillets with different freezing history. With further adjustments of the measuring setup and proving the advantage of this method over other spectroscopic techniques, this method may be used in a quality control of frozen fish.
MICROWAVE PRETREATMENT‐ASSISTED ETHANOL EXTRACTION OF CHLOROPHYLLS FROM SPIRULINA PLATENSIS
Authors: TONG YANG , GAO LIJING , XIAO GUOMIN , PAN XIAOMEI
Published: July 2011

Microwave pretreatment‐assisted ethanol extraction (MPAEE) was used to extract chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b from Spirulina platensis. The effects of microwave‐pretreated process and ethanol extraction process were investigated by single‐factor experiments and response surface analysis experiments. The results showed that the optimum process parameters for MPAEE were: acetone/water (1:1, V/V) as the ruptured walls co‐solvent (RWC), the volume of the RWC of 10 mL, microwave irradiation time of 60 s, microwave irradiation power of 560 W, extraction time of 52.8 min, extraction temperature of 55.1C, and ratio of solvent to material of 10.8 mL/g. The optimized chlorophylls extraction yield was 1.27%, matching the theoretical extraction yield. The comparison experimental results indicated that the yield of chlorophylls by MPAEE was higher than that obtained from conventional solvent extraction.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Chlorophylls and their derivatives were natural, safe, green pigments, which met the requirement of people for safe food additives. In the present study, microwave was first used to assist the extraction of chlorophylls from Spirulina platensis (SP), and the response surface methodology was applied to optimize the extraction process. The experimental results showed that the extraction efficiency was accelerated by Microwave pretreatment‐assisted ethanol extraction of chlorophylls from SP. The process described here would raise the additional value of SP, and supplied guidance of industrial applications of extraction of chlorophylls.
Low‐level Laser Therapy Improves Skeletal Muscle Performance, Decreases Skeletal Muscle Damage and Modulates mRNA Expression of COX‐1 and COX‐2 in a Dose‐dependent Manner
Authors: de Almeida Patrícia , Lopes‐Martins Rodrigo Álvaro Brandão , Tomazoni Shaiane Silva , Silva Jr José Antônio , Carvalho Paulo de Tarso Camillo de , Bjordal Jan Magnus , Leal Junior Ernesto Cesar Pinto
Published: July 2011

We tested if modulation in mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase isoforms (COX‐1 and COX‐2) can be related to protective effects of phototherapy in skeletal muscle. Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups receiving either one of four laser doses (0.1, 0.3, 1.0 and 3.0 J) or a no‐treatment control group. Laser irradiation (904 nm, 15 mW average power) was performed immediately before the first contraction for treated groups. Electrical stimulation was used to induce six tetanic tibial anterior muscle contractions. Immediately after sixth contraction, blood samples were collected to evaluate creatine kinase activity and muscles were dissected and frozen in liquid nitrogen to evaluate mRNA expression of COX‐1 and COX‐2. The 1.0 and 3.0 J groups showed significant enhancement (P < 0.01) in total work performed in six tetanic contractions compared with control group. All laser groups, except the 3.0 J group, presented significantly lower post‐exercise CK activity than control group. Additionally, 1.0 J group showed increased COX‐1 and decreased COX‐2 mRNA expression compared with control group and 0.1, 0.3 and 3.0 J laser groups (P < 0.01). We conclude that pre‐exercise infrared laser irradiation with dose of 1.0 J enhances skeletal muscle performance and decreases post‐exercise skeletal muscle damage and inflammation.
Melanocortin 1 Receptor Variants: Functional Role and Pigmentary Associations
Authors: Dessinioti Clio , Antoniou Christina , Katsambas Andreas , Stratigos Alexander J.
Published: July 2011

The significance of human cutaneous pigmentation lies in its protective role against sun‐induced DNA damage and photocarcinogenesis. Fair skin and red hair are characterized by a low eumelanin to pheomelanin ratio, and have been associated with increased risk of skin cancer. Cutaneous pigmentation is a complex genetic trait, with more than 120 genes involved in its regulation, among which the melanocortin 1 receptor gene (MC1R) plays a key role. Although a large number of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in pigmentation genes, very few SNPs have been examined in relation to human pigmentary phenotypes and skin cancer risk. Recent GWAS have identified new candidate determinants of pigmentation traits, but MC1R remains the best characterized genetic determinant of human skin and hair pigmentation as well as the more firmly validated low‐penetrance skin cancer susceptibility gene. In this review, we will address how the melanocortin system regulates pigmentation, the effect of MC1R variants on the physiologic function of the MC1 receptor, and how specific MC1R variants are associated with distinct human pigmentation phenotypes.
The Nature of Intellectual Deficit in Schizophrenia
Authors: FOULDS G. A. , DIXON PENELOPE
Published: July 2011

Scores on Progressive Matrices (1938) and the Mill Hill Vocabulary Scale of 270 schizophrenics, both acute and chronic, were analysed in relation to a control group of 280 neurotics.

On the Vocabulary Scale only the female schizophrenics were inferior to the neurotics. This, together with a much larger Matrices discrepancy between the two groups for both sexes, suggested a considerable degree of intellectual deficit in schizophrenics. Schizophrenics showed no faster decline with age on Matrices scores than normals or neurotics. It was concluded that the intellectual deficit produced by schizophrenia is confined largely to the initial impact of the illness and is not of a progressive type.
Maternal Attitudes to Child Socialization: Some Social and National Differences
Authors: LYNN R. , GORDON I. E.
Published: July 2011

The finding of Sears, Maccoby & Levin (1957) that in the U.S.A. middle‐class mothers are more permissive and less punitive in socializing their children than working‐class mothers was made the basis of a similar investigation in Britain. It was found (1) that in Britain also middle‐class mothers are more permissive and less punitive towards their children's unsocialized behaviour; (2) British mothers as a whole are less permissive and more punitive than American mothers.
Teachers' Attitudes to Education
Authors: OLIVER R. A. C. , BUTCHER H. J.
Published: July 2011

Three attitude scales were constructed on the hypothesis that attitudes to education might be partially represented by the dimensions of naturalism, radicalism and tendermindedness. The development of these scales and their administration to a representative sample of 300 teachers are described, and evidence of their reliability, validity and reproducibility is given. A factor analysis of items from the three scales was carried out. The extent to which this analysis supported the hypothesis of three independent dimensions is discussed.
The Effects of Distraction on Psychomotor Slowness in Co‐operative Depressed, and Schizophrenic Subjects
Authors: SHAPIRO M. B. , SLATER P. , CAMPBELL D.
Published: July 2011

Cooperative depressed, schizophrenic and normal subjects were given the Porteus Maze Test under ordinary conditions and conditions of ‘distraction’, using Foulds' (1952) technique. The distraction groups included fifteen from each of the three classes, and the control groups included twenty of each. Measurements of starting time and tracing time were recorded on a logarithmic scale. Distraction had a significant effect in speeding up the starting times for all three groups; it affected the tracing times of the depressed and schizophrenic subjects similarly, but did not affect the normal subjects' tracing times. It is concluded that the outcomes of distraction experiments seem to be a function of the nature of the conditions, the distractions and the tasks involved, and that systematic further investigation of the effects of these factors is necessary before precise theory‐making can become possible.