bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An FTIR study of the induction and release of kiwifruit buds from dormancy
Authors: Judd Murray J , Meyer Denny H , Meekings John S , Richardson Annette C , Walton Eric F
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND: Many deciduous, perennial fruit crops require winter chilling for adequate budbreak and flowering. Recent research has shown that changes in sugar and amino acid profiles are associated with the release of buds from dormancy. This paper uses FTIR spectrometry to provide an alternative mechanism for tracking metabolic changes in the meristems of kiwifruit buds during winter dormancy. The results suggest that the application of multivariate analysis to FTIR spectra has the potential to be a reliable and fast method for detecting structural and compositional changes in fruit crops.

RESULTS: Ten wave numbers of the FTIR spectra are used to calculate a bud development function. This function has been validated using data from two seasons and four orchards, and by monitoring the effects of hydrogen cyanamide application, sugar concentrations and soil temperatures on this function. These wave numbers appear to be associated with carbohydrate, pectin and cellulose levels in the meristems.

CONCLUSION: It is expected that this FTIR signature can be used to advance our understanding of the influence of the various environmental and physiological factors on the breaking of bud dormancy and shoot outgrowth, including the optimum timing and concentrations of applications of budbreak regulators, such as hydrogen cyanamide. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Structure of Adsorption Layers of Amphiphilic Copolymers on Inorganic or Organic Particle Surfaces
Authors: Bulychev Nikolay , Dervaux Bart , Dirnberger Klaus , Zubov Vitali , Prez Filip E. Du , Eisenbach Claus D.
Published: March 2010

The structure of adsorption layers of amphiphilic block and block‐like copolymers of poly(isobornyl acrylate) and poly(acrylic acid) on the surface of hydrophilic titanium dioxide and hydrophobic copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) pigments in an aqueous dispersion has been studied by the electrokinetic sonic amplitude (ESA) method. The electroacoustic behaviour of the polyelectrolyte block copolymer‐coated particles could be described in the context of the polymer gel layer theory. The polymer layer around the particles was found to be much thinner for CuPc as compared to the TiO2 substrate. This is attributed to differences in the adsorption mechanism and the composition of the adsorption layer normal to the substrate surface. Adsorption models were established that consider effects of the copolymer structure.

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Controlled Synthesis of Alternating Copolymers by RAFT Copolymerization of N‐Vinylphthalimide with N‐Isopropylacrylamide
Authors: Maki Yuya , Mori Hideharu , Endo Takeshi
Published: March 2010

A nonconjugated N‐vinyl monomer, N‐vinylphthalimide (NVPI), was copolymerized with various comonomers via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process. Two different chain transfer agents (CTAs), O‐ethyl‐S‐(1‐ethoxycarbonyl) ethyldithiocarbonate (CTA 1) and benzyl 1‐pyrrolecarbodithioate (CTA 2), were compared for these copolymerizations with 2,2′‐azobis(isobutyronitrile) as an initiator. The effects of the nature of CTA, the comonomer structure, and solvent on the copolymerization were investigated in terms of the controlled character of the copolymerization and alternating structure. The copolymerization of NVPI and N‐isopropylacrylamide using CTA 2 in DMF or MeOH afforded well‐defined copolymers with predominantly alternating structure, controlled molecular weights, and low molecular mass distributions.

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Combining Living Anionic Polymerization with Branching Reactions in an Iterative Fashion to Design Branched Polymers
Authors: Higashihara Tomoya , Sugiyama Kenji , Yoo Hee‐Soo , Hayashi Mayumi , Hirao Akira
Published: March 2010

This paper reviews the precise synthesis of many‐armed and multi‐compositional star‐branched polymers, exact graft (co)polymers, and structurally well‐defined dendrimer‐like star‐branched polymers, which are synthetically difficult, by a commonly‐featured iterative methodology combining living anionic polymerization with branched reactions to design branched polymers. The methodology basically involves only two synthetic steps; (a) preparation of a polymeric building block corresponding to each branched polymer and (b) connection of the resulting building unit to another unit. The synthetic steps were repeated in a stepwise fashion several times to successively synthesize a series of well‐defined target branched polymers.

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Formation and Degradation of Biodegradable Triple‐Layered Microparticles
Authors: Lee Wei Li , Hong Meiju , Widjaja Effendi , Loo Say Chye Joachim
Published: March 2010

In this work, we report how biodegradable triple‐layered microparticles can be fabricated through a simple, reliable, and economical one‐step solvent evaporation technique. Characterization of triple‐layered PLGA (shell)/PLLA (middle layer)/EVA (core) microparticles was conducted and their formation mechanism was described. Subsequently, in vitro hydrolytic degradation of these microparticles was investigated. It was found that the PLGA shell degraded rapidly leaving behind double‐walled microparticles of PLLA/EVA after 40 days. The middle PLLA layer degraded more rapidly than expected because of the migration of PLGA oligomers that created a hydrophilic and acidic microenvironment in the PLLA layer. These degradation results therefore provide important insights into how triple‐layered microparticles degrade, and how their degradation characteristics affect the drug releasing properties of these novel microparticles.

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Self‐Aligned Micropatterns of Bifunctional Polymer Surfaces with Independent Chemical and Topographical Contrast
Authors: Baxamusa Salmaan H. , Montero Laura , Borrós Salvador , Gleason Karen K.
Published: March 2010

Bifunctional surfaces are micropatterned using a self‐aligned, dual‐purpose lithographic mask and pairs of conformally deposited iCVD polymers. A first layer is deposited, then physically masked and etched in oxygen plasma. A second layer is deposited with the mask still in place. Lift‐off reveals the micropatterned surface. The thicknesses of the two layers are independently controlled so that the resultant surface displays both chemical and topographical contrast. The patterning scheme is independent of the polymers used and order of deposition. We use this scheme to create surfaces that spatially confine microcondensation, as well as chemical functionality. We also demonstrate microwells whose depth can be altered in response to a water stimulus.

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The Effect of Hofmeister Salts on the LCST Transition of Poly(2‐oxazoline)s with Varying Hydrophilicity
Authors: Bloksma Meta M. , Bakker Daniël J. , Weber Christine , Hoogenboom Richard , Schubert Ulrich S.
Published: March 2010

The influence of Hofmeister salts was investigated on the cloud point of three poly(2‐oxazoline)s, namely poly(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline) [PEtOx], poly(2‐n‐propyl‐2‐oxazoline) [PnPropOx], and poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline) [PiPropOx]. In addition, a comb polymer based on oligo‐2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline side chains and a methacrylate backbone (POEtOxMA) was included in this investigation. It was found that the ionic response of the poly(2‐oxazoline)s strongly depends on their hydrophilicity. The comb polymer POEtOxMA revealed a strikingly similar response to the salts as linear PEtOx even though the cloud points of the polymers in water differ. This indicates that the architecture does not significantly influence the effect of the Hofmeister ions, even though there is a difference in the absolute cloud point.

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Synthesis of Composite Polystyrene/Silica Nanoparticles via Precipitation and Emulsion Polymerization Methods
Authors: Kotti Katerina , Kiparissides Costas
Published: March 2010

Polystyrene/silica composite nanoparticles were synthesized via precipitation and emulsion polymerization methods, in the presence of a basic co‐monomer (e.g., 4‐VP and 1‐VID), and a colloidal aqueous silica solution. The effects of key process parameters, that is, solvent type, monomer/co‐monomer volume ratio and total monomers concentration for precipitation polymerization, and reaction temperature, pH value, initial silica‐sol concentration and initial monomer/co‐monomer molar ratio for emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization on the particle morphology, silica content, and particle size distribution of the composite nanoparticles were experimentally investigated. Stable, spherical, and uniform in size composite nanoparticles were synthesized by both techniques. The average particle diameter varied from 108 to 182 nm for the emulsifier‐free emulsion polymerization and from 400 to 800 nm for the precipitation polymerization, while the silica content was as high as 38.3 wt.‐% for the former method and up to 15.5 wt.‐% for the later. The synthesized composite polymer/silica particles were then electrolytically co‐deposited with zinc on steel plates to improve the corrosion resistance of the metal's surface.

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Reducing Copper Concentration in Polymers Prepared via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization
Authors: Mueller Laura , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: March 2010

Three different initiation systems for atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP): normal ATRP, activators regenerated by electron transfer (ARGET) ATRP, and initiators for continuous activator regeneration (ICAR) ATRP were used to synthesize polystyrene with a number‐average molecular weight ≈20 000 g · mol−1. Each polymerization mixture was divided and subjected to one or more purification methods including passing through a column filled with neutral alumina, stirring with an ion exchange resin (ATRP Pure), or precipitation into hexanes or methanol. Inductively coupled mass spectrometry was used to analyze the concentration of copper in each sample. For the polystyrene prepared by normal ATRP, purification by a neutral alumina column was the most effective at removing copper (down to ≈2 parts per million by mass). For the ARGET and ICAR ATRP, purification by a neutral alumina column and stirring with 10 wt.‐% ATRP Pure gave comparable results (each ≈1 part per million by mass).

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Analytische Chemie 2008/2009
Authors: Nießner Reinhard
Published: March 2010

Echte analytische Verfahrensentwicklungen laufen fast nur noch im kleinskaligen Bereich ab, etwa bei der Entwicklung von Nanomaterialien, neuen Reagenzien oder von Trennverfahren sowie bei Anwendung und Validierung. Das Wissen zur Entwicklung komplexer Spektrometer oder autonom arbeitender Analysenplattformen ist zwar nach wie vor die Schlüssel zur Technologieführerschaft, aber kaum noch bei den universitären Analytik‐Arbeitsgruppen vorzufinden. In der Anwendung schieben sich Lebensmittelanalytik und klinische Diagnostik weiter nach vorn. Prozessanalytik löst die Umweltüberwachung ab.
Anorganische Chemie 2009
Authors: Baumgartner Thomas , Pietschnig Rudolf , Schatzschneider Ulrich , Rau Sven
Published: March 2010

Molekülchemie der Hauptgruppenelemente: Trends wie die Donorstabilisierung niedervalenter Zentren oder allgemein Donor‐Akzeptor‐Synergien wurden weiter entwickelt. Bioanorganik: Neben den Forschungsfeldern der Metalloenzyme und des Metalloprotein‐Engineerings war die medizinische anorganische Chemie sehr dynamisch. Koordinationschemie: Artifizielle Systeme, die Methan in Methanol umwandeln, stehen möglicherweise am Beginn einer rasanten Entwicklung.
Biochemie 2009
Authors: Skerra Arne , Gebauer Michaela , Wagenknecht Achim , Sieber Volker , Kettling Ulrich
Published: March 2010

Durch Scaffold‐Engineering lassen sich neuartige Bindungsproteine konstruieren. Die sich kontinuierlich verbessernden Methoden des Enzymengineerings erzeugen neuartige Enzyme für effiziente biotechnische Prozesse in der Industrie. Neue Methoden zur Modifizierung mit reaktiven Gruppen oder Sonden ermöglichen die synthetische Funktionalisierung von Nukleinsäuren.
Dual adaptive finite element refinement for multiple local quantities in linear elastostatics
Authors: Almeida Pereira O. J. B. , Moitinho de Almeida J. P.
Published: March 2010

In this paper, we summarize how dual analysis techniques can be used to determine upper bounds of the discretization error, both in terms of global and local outputs. We present formulas for the bounds of the error in local outputs, based on the approach proposed by Greenberg in 1948 and we show that the resulting intervals are the same as those previously presented, based on the approach proposed by Washizu in 1953. We then explain how the elemental contributions to these bounds can be used to define an adaptive strategy that considers multiple quantities and we present its application to a simple plane stress problem. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extended rotation‐free plate and beam elements with shear deformation effects
Authors: Oñate Eugenio , Zárate Francisco
Published: March 2010

This paper describes a methodology for extending rotation‐free plate and beam elements to accounting for transverse shear deformation effects. The ingredients for the element formulation are a Hu–Washizu‐type mixed functional, a linear interpolation for the deflection and the shear angles over standard finite elements and a finite volume approach for computing the bending moments and the curvatures over a patch of elements. As a first application of the general procedure, we present an extension of the three‐noded rotation‐free basic plate triangle (BPT) originally developed for thin plate analysis to account for shear deformation effects of relevance for thick plates and composite‐laminated plates. The nodal deflection degrees of freedom (DOFs) of the original BPT element are enhanced with the two shear deformation angles. This allows to compute the bending and shear deformation energies leading to a simple triangular plate element with three DOFs per node (termed BPT+ element). For the thin plate case, the shear angles vanish and the element reproduces the good behaviour of the original thin BPT element. As a consequence the element is applicable to thick and thin plate situations without exhibiting shear locking effects. The numerical solution for the thick case can be found iteratively starting from the deflection values for the Kirchhoff theory using the original thin BPT element. A two‐noded rotation‐free beam element termed CCB+ applicable to slender and thick beams is derived as a particular case of the plate formulation. The examples presented show the robustness and accuracy of the BPT+ and the CCB+ elements for thick and thin plate and beam problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Topology optimization of metallic devices for microwave applications
Authors: Aage N. , Mortensen N. A. , Sigmund O.
Published: March 2010

In electromagnetic optimization problems of metallic radio‐frequency devices, such as antennas and resonators for wireless energy transfer, the volumetric distribution of good conductors, e.g. copper, has been known to cause numerical bottlenecks. In finite element analysis the limiting factor is the skin depth, which calls for highly refined meshing in order to capture the physics. The skin depth problem has therefore prohibited the application of topology optimization to this class of problem. We present a design parameterization that remedies these numerical issues, by the interpolation of Maxwell's equations and a fictitious element impedance condition. The validity of the proposed design parameterization is confirmed by several numerical examples. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact dynamics simulation for multilayer fabrics
Authors: Rabb Robert J. , Fahrenthold Eric P.
Published: March 2010

High‐strength fabrics are employed in a wide range of ballistic protection and blast mitigation applications. They are normally used in a multilayer configuration. General numerical models of impact, perforation, and fragmentation processes in multilayer fabrics must account for complex contact–impact dynamics and include general thermomechanical coupling. A hybrid particle‐element formulation has been developed to simulate impact and perforation in plain weave fabrics. Simulation results show good agreement with experiment, for fragment simulating projectile impacts on both aramid and ultra high molecular weight polyethelene soft armor materials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A data‐driven stochastic collocation approach for uncertainty quantification in MEMS
Authors: Agarwal Nitin , Aluru N. R.
Published: March 2010

This work presents a data‐driven stochastic collocation approach to include the effect of uncertain design parameters during complex multi‐physics simulation of Micro‐ElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS). The proposed framework comprises of two key steps: first, probabilistic characterization of the input uncertain parameters based on available experimental information, and second, propagation of these uncertainties through the predictive model to relevant quantities of interest. The uncertain input parameters are modeled as independent random variables, for which the distributions are estimated based on available experimental observations, using a nonparametric diffusion‐mixing‐based estimator, Botev (Nonparametric density estimation via diffusion mixing.Technical Report, 2007). The diffusion‐based estimator derives from the analogy between the kernel density estimation (KDE) procedure and the heat dissipation equation and constructs density estimates that are smooth and asymptotically consistent. The diffusion model allows for the incorporation of the prior density and leads to an improved density estimate, in comparison with the standard KDE approach, as demonstrated through several numerical examples. Following the characterization step, the uncertainties are propagated to the output variables using the stochastic collocation approach, based on sparse grid interpolation, Smolyak (Soviet Math. Dokl.1963;4:240–243). The developed framework is used to study the effect of variations in Young's modulus, induced as a result of variations in manufacturing process parameters or heterogeneous measurements on the performance of a MEMS switch. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Local dual contributions: Representing dual surfaces for block meshing
Authors: Roca X. , Sarrate J.
Published: March 2010

In this work we present a tool based on the new concept of local dual contributions for directly representing the topology and the approximated geometry of the dual of a block mesh. This tool allows us to obtain a valid block decomposition of a given geometry without a previous discretization of its boundary. Specifically, our tool is composed of a hierarchical scheme and a set of matching rules that explicitly insert descriptions of dual surfaces and handle their intersections. That is, the proposed tool generates a dual of the block mesh with intersections of the proper multiplicity without gaps and which respects the boundary features of the domain. Finally, we present several examples that illustrate the applicability of the tool. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A higher order method based on local maximum entropy approximation
Authors: González David , Cueto Elías , Doblaré Manuel
Published: March 2010

We present here a generalization of local maximum entropy (max‐ent) approximation for high orders of consistency (i.e. quadratic, cubic, …). The method is based upon the application of the de Boor's algorithm to the standard, linear local max‐ent approximation. The resulting approximation possesses some interesting properties, such as non‐negativity, 𝒞∞ smoothness, exact interpolation on the boundary and variation diminishing (no Gibbs effect). The resulting structure has many similarities with B‐spline surfaces, but without the tensor‐product structure typical of that approximation. Examples are provided of its use in the framework of a Galerkin method showing the potential of the proposed method in solving boundary value problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Six Sigma in industry: some observations after twenty‐five years
Authors: Goh T. N.
Published: March 2010

Six Sigma has enjoyed considerable popularity in the industry for about a quarter of a century. While the standard contents of Six Sigma have been described and discussed widely, some little articulated aspects of Six Sigma implementation deserve the attention of serious practitioners. In this paper, a ‘5W+1H’ (What, Why, When Where, Who, How) format is used to elucidate the nature of Six Sigma in a non‐mathematical discussion, followed by observations peculiar to the usual mode of development of Six Sigma professionals. It is pointed out that Six Sigma has Statistical Thinking as its foundation; for Six Sigma and its associated frameworks such as Design for Six Sigma and Lean Six Sigma to continue to be effective, it is important that users have a clear understanding of the nature of Six Sigma and be able to address the related challenges in practice. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Midpregnancy cordocentesis training of maternal–fetal medicine fellows
Authors: Tongprasert F. , Srisupundit K. , Luewan S. , Phadungkiatwattana P. , Pranpanus S. , Tongsong T.
Published: March 2010

Objective

To describe systematic cordocentesis training among maternal–fetal medicine (MFM) fellows.

Methods

During their 2‐year training period, five MFM fellows, who had completed systematic model training, performed 1116 midpregnancy diagnostic cordocentesis procedures (mean, 223 (range, 185–259) procedures each) under expert supervision. The details of the procedures were recorded prospectively. Multiple pregnancies and those with fetal chromosomal or structural anomalies were excluded from analysis. The outcome measures included success rate, duration of the procedure, fetal loss and complications.

Results

Of the 1116 procedures performed, 184 were excluded because of fetal abnormalities; the remaining 932 were available for analysis. Cordocentesis was performed on free‐floating umbilical cord (79.3%) and at the placental insertion site (20.7%). There was an immediate complication of transient fetal bradycardia in 10% of cases. Individual success rates ranged from 98.1 to 100% and the mean cumulative success rate had plateaued by approximately 60 procedures. The overall fetal loss rate was 1.3%. The overall mean ± SD duration of successful procedures was 4.4 ± 4.7 min, individual mean durations ranging from 3.7 to 5.9 min.

Conclusions

MFM fellows with systematic training are able to perform cordocentesis with very high success rates, and with an acceptable procedure‐related fetal loss rate. An intensive course of preclinical training with the model, and more than 60 procedures on patients under supervision is recommended. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of K+ and H+ transport systems during glucose‐ and H2O2‐induced cell death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Hoeberichts Frank A. , Perez‐Valle Jorge , Montesinos Consuelo , Mulet José M. , Planes María D. , Hueso Guillem , Yenush Lynne , Sharma Sukesh C. , Serrano Ramón
Published: March 2010

Glucose, in the absence of additional nutrients, induces programmed cell death in yeast. This phenomenon is independent of yeast metacaspase (Mca1/Yca1) and of calcineurin, requires ROS production and it is concomitant with loss of cellular K+ and vacuolar collapse. K+ is a key nutrient protecting the cells and this effect depends on the Trk1 uptake system and is associated with reduced ROS production. Mutants with decreased activity of plasma membrane H+‐ATPase are more tolerant to glucose‐induced cell death and exhibit less ROS production. A triple mutant ena1‐4 tok1 nha1, devoid of K+ efflux systems, is more tolerant to both glucose‐ and H2O2‐induced cell death. We hypothesize that ROS production, activated by glucose and H+‐ATPase and inhibited by K+ uptake, triggers leakage of K+, a process favoured by K+ efflux systems. Loss of cytosolic K+ probably causes osmotic lysis of vacuoles. The nature of the ROS‐producing system sensitive to K+ and H+ transport is unknown. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phase field simulation and experimental investigation of the electro‐mechanical behavior of ferroelectrics
Authors: Xu B.X. , Schrade D. , Müller R. , Gross D. , Granzow T. , Rödel J.
Published: March 2010

The electro‐mechanical behavior of ferroelectric materials is studied by a joint experimental and numerical investigation. The experiments were performed on lead zirconate titanate PIC151 (PI Ceramics) samples, and the numerical simulations were done by a 2D Finite Element implementation of a continuum phase field model. To limit computational costs, the material is idealized as a single crystal. The phase field parameters for the material are determined through experimental parameter identification. Numerical results are presented to show the domain structure evolution within the crystal. In comparison to experimental results, calculations are carried out to disclose mesoscopic properties of the material under various poling scenarios, the dependence of the coercive field on the electric loading frequency, and the improvement of the material properties by stress‐assisted poling procedures.
Temperature fields in particles and in their environment due to sudden phase transformations
Authors: Fischer F.D. , Leindl M. , Dirschmid H. , Vollath D. , Clemens H.
Published: March 2010

Heat can be released or consumed in particles in a nearly adiabatic way due to phase transformation, thermal fluctuation, etc. In this case a temperature field, strongly varying in space and time, develops in the particle in addition to the global temperature field. Analytical as well as numerical solutions for this additional temperature field are presented for identical and different thermal properties of both the particle and its environment. The case of heat conduction and of heat transfer is dealt with. Consequences for nanoparticles are discussed.
What is adolescence?: Adolescents narrate their lives in Lima, Peru
Authors: Bayer Angela M. , Gilman Robert H. , Tsui Amy O. , Hindin Michelle J.
Published: March 2010

This study explores the lives of Peruvian adolescents in a low‐income human settlement outside of Lima. Twenty 12–17 year olds were asked to narrate their own life stories using the life history narrative research method. Holistic content analysis was coupled with a grounded‐theory approach to explore these data. Intergenerational responsibility, family tensions, economic pressures, racism and violence emerged without prompting and dominated the narrators' life stories, underscoring the degree to which these adolescents lack access to the supportive individuals and structures that are key to positive adolescent development. The challenges faced by these and the other 5.8 million 10–19 year olds in Peru require increased attention to the role of families, peers and communities in ensuring that adolescents are able to maintain their well‐being and achieve their future expectations.
QSOX contains a pseudo‐dimer of functional and degenerate sulfhydryl oxidase domains
Authors: Alon Assaf , Heckler Erin J. , Thorpe Colin , Fass Deborah
Published: March 2010

Quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase (QSOX) catalyzes formation of disulfide bonds between cysteine residues in substrate proteins. Human QSOX1 is a multi‐domain, monomeric enzyme containing a module related to the single‐domain sulfhydryl oxidases of the Erv family. A partial QSOX1 crystal structure reveals a single‐chain pseudo‐dimer mimicking the quaternary structure of Erv enzymes. However, one pseudo‐dimer “subunit” has lost its cofactor and catalytic activity. In QSOX evolution, a further concatenation to a member of the protein disulfide isomerase family resulted in an enzyme capable of both disulfide formation and efficient transfer to substrate proteins.
Identification of protein interaction regions of VINC/NEAT1/Men epsilon RNA
Authors: Sreenivasa Murthy U.M. , Rangarajan Pundi N.
Published: March 2010

The virus inducible non‐coding RNA (VINC) was detected initially in the brain of mice infected with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and rabies virus. VINC is also known as NEAT1 or Men epsilon RNA. It is localized in the nuclear paraspeckles of several murine as well as human cell lines and is essential for paraspeckle formation. We demonstrate that VINC interacts with the paraspeckle protein, P54nrb through three different protein interaction regions (PIRs) one of which (PIR‐1) is localized near the 5′ end while the other two (PIR‐2, PIR‐3) are localized near the 3′ region of VINC. Our studies suggest that VINC may interact with P54nrb through a novel mechanism which is different from that reported for protein coding RNAs.
Functional interaction of human neutrophil peptide‐1 with the cell wall precursor lipid II
Authors: de Leeuw Erik , Li Changqing , Zeng Pengyun , Li Chong , Buin Marlies Diepeveen-de , Lu Wei-Yue , Breukink Eefjan , Lu Wuyuan
Published: March 2010

Defensins constitute a major class of cationic antimicrobial peptides in mammals and vertebrates, acting as effectors of innate immunity against infectious microorganisms. It is generally accepted that defensins are bactericidal by disrupting the anionic microbial membrane. Here, we provide evidence that membrane activity of human α‐defensins does not correlate with antibacterial killing. We further show that the α‐defensin human neutrophil peptide‐1 (HNP1) binds to the cell wall precursor lipid II and that reduction of lipid II levels in the bacterial membrane significantly reduces bacterial killing. The interaction between defensins and lipid II suggests the inhibition of cell wall synthesis as a novel antibacterial mechanism of this important class of host defense peptides.
Solution structure and dynamics of mouse ARMET
Authors: Hoseki Jun , Sasakawa Hiroaki , Yamaguchi Yoshiki , Maeda Momoe , Kubota Hiroshi , Kato Koichi , Nagata Kazuhiro
Published: March 2010

ARMET is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress‐inducible protein that is required for maintaining cell viability under ER stress conditions. However, the exact molecular mechanisms by which ARMET protects cells are unknown. Here, we have analyzed the solution structure of ARMET. ARMET has an entirely α‐helical structure, which is composed of two distinct domains. Positive charges are dispersed on the surfaces of both domains and across a linker structure. Trypsin digestion and 15N relaxation experiments indicate that the tumbling of the N‐terminal and C‐terminal domains is effectively independent. These results suggest that ARMET may hold a negatively charged molecule using the two positively charged domains.
The role of mammalian NEIL1 protein in the repair of 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroadenine in DNA
Authors: Grin Inga R. , Dianov Grigory L. , Zharkov Dmitry O.
Published: March 2010

8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroadenine (8‐oxoAde) is a major product of adenine modification by reactive oxygen species. So far, only one mammalian DNA glycosylase, 8‐oxoguanine‐DNA‐glycosylase 1 (OGG1), has been shown to excise 8‐oxoAde, exclusively from pairs with Cyt. We have found that endonuclease VIII‐like protein 1 (NEIL1), a mammalian homolog of bacterial endonuclease VIII, can efficiently remove 8‐oxoAde from 8‐oxoAde:Cyt pairs but not from other contexts. In an in vitro reconstituted system, reactions containing OGG1 produced a fully repaired product, whereas NEIL1 caused an abortive initiation of repair, stopping after 8‐oxoAde removal and DNA strand cleavage. This block was partially relieved by polynucleotide kinase/3′‐phosphatase. Thus, two alternative routes of 8‐oxoAde repair may exist in mammals.
A health assessment tool for multiple risk factors for obesity: age and sex differences in the prediction of body mass index
Authors: Chambers Julie A. , Swanson Vivien
Published: March 2010

The aim was to establish the relative importance of multiple dietary, activity and other risk factors in determining BMI. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 322 adults (71 % female; aged 18–79 years; BMI 16·5–40·9 kg/m2) using a previously developed, psychometrically tested, seventy-three-item questionnaire covering a wide range of obesity risk factors (consisting of five dietary, five activity and seven other risk factor subscales). Outcome was self-reported weight and height for BMI, cross-validated with items on clothes size and perceived need to lose weight. Stepwise regression analysis predicted 25–55 % of the variance in BMI with physical activity participation, current and past dieting behaviour, amount eaten, and age being the most important predictors. The association of lower BMI and younger age appeared to be due to higher activity levels, as younger participants reported much less healthy eating behaviour than the older age group. Amount eaten and physical activity participation were stronger predictors of BMI than other factors including healthy eating and use of mechanised transport. Results showed that the relationship between various risk factors and obesity may differ by both sex and age group, suggesting that different interventions may need to be targeted at different groups. The higher-risk eating behaviour observed in younger participants is of concern and needs to be addressed, if the current trend of rising obesity levels is to be halted.
The landed endowment of the Anglo-Saxon minster at Hanbury (Worcs.)
Authors: Bassett Steven
Published: March 2010

Many of the minsters founded and generously endowed in the first century and a half of Anglo-Saxon christianity were evidently failing as efficient managers of their estates by the late eighth century, if we judge by the actions of the bishops in whose dioceses they sat. In the diocese of Worcester bishops can be seen transferring the administration of the lands of such minsters to the cathedral community, and then seeking ratification from the Mercian kings whose direct ancestors or royal predecessors had often been involved in the original acts of foundation. When ninth-century kings were acutely short of land, they alleviated the problem by engineering forced loans of the lands concerned from the see of Worcester. These processes are well exemplified in the history of the minster at Hanbury (Worcs.) and its landed endowment, for which particularly good contemporary evidence survives.
Concurrent and predictive validity of the Galician CDI
Authors: PÉREZ-PEREIRA MIGUEL , RESCHES MARIELA
Published: March 2010

This paper explores the concurrent and predictive validity of the long and short forms of the Galician version of the MacArthur-Bates CDI (IDHC). Forty-two Galician-speaking children were longitudinally evaluated at age 1 ; 6, 2 ; 0 and 4 ; 0. On the first two occasions, the subjects' vocabulary and grammar skills were assessed through the IDHC. Simultaneously, lexical and grammatical measures were obtained from spontaneous speech samples. Standardized measures of general cognitive abilities (WPPSI-R) and receptive and expressive language (RDLS-III) were obtained at age 4 ; 0. Results showed high and significant levels of concurrent and short-term validity of the IDHC. Strong associations were found between lexical development at age 2 ; 0 and language scores two years later. These results coincide with those obtained with other CDI versions, and suggest that the IDHC is an effective and reliable tool.
Wader, gull and tern population estimates for a key breeding and stopover site in Central Kazakhstan
Authors: SCHIELZETH HOLGER , KAMP JOHANNES , EICHHORN GÖTZ , HEINICKE THOMAS , KOSHKIN MAXIM A. , LACHMANN LARS , SHELDON ROBERT D. , KOSHKIN ALEXEJ V.
Published: March 2010

Population size estimates of waders, gulls and terns passing through or breeding in Central Asia are very scarce, although highly important for global flyway population estimates as well as for targeting local conservation efforts. The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region is one of the largest wetland complexes in Central Asia. We conducted surveys in this region between 1999 and 2008 and present estimates of population size as well as information on phenology and age structure for 50 species of Charadriiformes. The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn wetlands are especially important for Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus and Ruffs Philomachus pugnax with, respectively, 41% and 13% of their flyway populations using the area during spring migration. The region is also an important post-breeding moulting site for Pied Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa used by, respectively, 5% and 4% of their flyway populations. Besides its key importance as a migratory stopover site, the study area is a key breeding site for the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius, the Near Threatened Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni and for Pallas’s Gull Larus ichthyaetus with 16%, 6% and 5% of their world populations, respectively. We identified 29 individual sites that held more than 1% of the relevant flyway populations of at least one species of Charadriiformes. Including data on other species of waterbirds (mainly waterfowl), there were 93 sites that qualify for Important Bird Areas (IBA). About half of them are protected in a state nature reserve, while an additional 20% are recognised as IBAs. Nevertheless, 28 important sites are currently not recognised as IBAs nor are they protected by other conservation means. These sites require conservation attention.
Blood parasites in Brazilian Atlantic Forest birds: effects of fragment size and habitat dependency
Authors: SEBAIO FABIANE , BRAGA ÉRIKA MARTINS , BRANQUINHO FELIPE , MANICA LILIAN TONELLI , MARINI MIGUEL ÂNGELO
Published: March 2010

Deforestation, fragmentation and habitat disturbance may alter the relationship between pathogens and hosts. We tested, apparently for the first time, whether habitat fragmentation and degree of dependence on forests affect the prevalence of avian blood parasites. We estimated the prevalence of Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Trypanosoma through the inspection of 925 blood smears from 109 species captured in six pairs of small (< 30 ha) and large (> 1,000 ha) Brazilian Atlantic Forest fragments. Prevalence of the three types of parasites did not differ between small and large forest patches. Forest-independent birds were usually more infected with Plasmodium and Haemoproteus than other birds, but forest-dependent birds were more infected with Trypanosoma. Parasite richness on birds was not affected by patch size.
Observations on the behavioural ecology of the Atiu Swiftlet Aerodramus sawtelli
Authors: FULLARD JAMES H. , BARCLAY ROBERT M. R. , THOMAS DONALD W.
Published: March 2010

The Atiu Swiftlet Aerodramus sawtelli is endemic to the Cook Island of Atiu and has an estimated total population of less than 400, rendering it one of the world’s most globally endangered bird species. Over a series of five visits to Atiu, we collected data on the distribution of foraging swiftlets on the island, and their foraging and echolocation behaviour. The bird favours forests, agriculturally developed areas such as croplands, and populated sections of the island (e.g. gardens) but avoids the dry, upraised coral ring (makatea) of Atiu. It appears able to readily exploit new insects after they have immigrated to Atiu and may act as a natural control agent on pest species (e.g. Xyleborus perforans and Atrichopogon jacobsoni). We reanalysed the swiftlets’ echolocation calls within one of their roost caves in conjunction with new recordings. The calls do not contain ultrasonic components and are uniquely single clicks compared to the echolocation vocalisations of other swiftlet species. The minimal impact of human disturbance on the remote nesting caves of this bird suggests that its numbers, although small, represent a stable population.
SOCIAL COMMON CAPITAL, IMPUTED PRICE, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Uzawa H.
Published: March 2010

In this paper, we prove in terms of the prototype model of social common capital that the optimum conditions for sustainable processes of capital accumulation involving both private capital and social common capital coincide precisely with those for market equilibrium with the social common capital taxes at certain specific rates under the stationary expectations hypothesis concerning the future schedule of marginal productivity of capital of all kinds.
Implicit language learning: Adults' ability to segment words in Norwegian
Authors: KITTLESON MEGAN M. , AGUILAR JESSICA M. , TOKERUD GRY LINE , PLANTE ELENA , ASBJØRNSEN ARVE E.
Published: March 2010

Previous language learning research reveals that the statistical properties of the input offer sufficient information to allow listeners to segment words from fluent speech in an artificial language. The current pair of studies uses a natural language to test the ecological validity of these findings and to determine whether a listener's language background influences this process. In Study 1, the “guessibility” of potential test words from the Norwegian language was presented to 22 listeners who were asked to differentiate between true words and nonwords. In Study 2, 22 adults who spoke one of 12 different primary languages learned to segment words from continuous speech in an implicit language learning paradigm. The task consisted of two sessions, approximately three weeks apart, each requiring participants to listen to 7.2 minutes of Norwegian sentences followed by a series of bisyllabic test items presented in isolation. The participants differentially accepted the Norwegian words and Norwegian-like nonwords in both test sessions, demonstrating the capability to segment true words from running speech. The results were consistent across three broadly-defined language groups, despite differences in participants’ language background.
AN APPROXIMATE MATRIX INVERSION PROCEDURE BY PARALLELIZATION OF THE SHERMAN–MORRISON FORMULA
Authors: MORIYA KENTARO , ZHANG LINJIE , NODERA TAKASHI
Published: March 2010

The Sherman–Morrison formula is one scheme for computing the approximate inverse preconditioner of a large linear system of equations. However, parallelizing a preconditioning approach is not straightforward as it is necessary to include a sequential process in the matrix factorization. In this paper, we propose a formula that improves the performance of the Sherman–Morrison preconditioner by partially parallelizing the matrix factorization. This study shows that our parallel technique implemented on a PC cluster system of eight processing elements significantly reduces the computational time for the matrix factorization compared with the time taken by a single processor. Our study has also verified that the Sherman–Morrison preconditioner performs better than ILU or MR preconditioners.
TRAVELLING WAVE SOLUTIONS IN NONLOCAL REACTION–DIFFUSION SYSTEMS WITH DELAYS AND APPLICATIONS
Authors: YU ZHI-XIAN , YUAN RONG
Published: March 2010

This paper deals with two-species convolution diffusion-competition models of Lotka–Volterra type with delays which describe more accurate information than the Laplacian diffusion-competition models. We first investigate the existence of travelling wave solutions of a class of nonlocal convolution diffusion systems with weak quasimonotonicity or weak exponential quasimonotonicity by a cross-iteration technique and Schauder’s fixed point theorem. When the results are applied to the convolution diffusion-competition models with delays, we establish the existence of travelling wave solutions as well as asymptotic behaviour.
RUIN PROBABILITIES UNDER AN OPTIMAL INVESTMENT AND PROPORTIONAL REINSURANCE POLICY IN A JUMP DIFFUSION RISK PROCESS
Authors: QIAN YIPING , LIN XIANG
Published: March 2010

In this paper, we consider an insurance company whose surplus (reserve) is modeled by a jump diffusion risk process. The insurance company can invest part of its surplus in n risky assets and purchase proportional reinsurance for claims. Our main goal is to find an optimal investment and proportional reinsurance policy which minimizes the ruin probability. We apply stochastic control theory to solve this problem. We obtain the closed form expression for the minimal ruin probability, optimal investment and proportional reinsurance policy. We find that the minimal ruin probability satisfies the Lundberg equality. We also investigate the effects of the diffusion volatility parameter, the market price of risk and the correlation coefficient on the minimal ruin probability, optimal investment and proportional reinsurance policy through numerical calculations.
After War: The Political Economy of Exporting Democracy, by Christopher J. Coyne
Authors: del Castillo Graciana
Published: March 2010

This is a highly readable book that provides strong and rigorous arguments to prove a thesis that is intuitive to many but still denied by some—that the United States foreign policy of using military intervention, occupation, and reconstruction to establish liberal democracies across the world is more likely to fail than to succeed.
Response to Coyne's review of Rebuilding War-Torn States: The Challenge of Post-Conflict Economic Reconstruction
Authors: del Castillo Graciana
Published: March 2010

As an academic and editor of a theoretical journal on Austrian economics it is understandable that Christopher J. Coyne fails to grasp what is at stake on the ground. Like Dambisa Momo, Coyne has a dogmatic and unflinching belief in the markets and naively thinks that poor countries coming out war or chaos can do it on their own.
Editor's Introduction
Authors: Isaac Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2010

As Perspectives on Politics enters its eighth year of operation, this issue marks some important changes in the journal. The most obvious change is the journal's cover design which, in bringing Perspectives in line with its two APSA sister publications, is intended to make the journal more inviting (and while you can't judge a journal by its cover, it's surely a good thing for a journal cover to look good and invite readers to discover what is inside). A second set of changes affect the journal's editorial philosophy and policy. When I assumed the journal's editorship last June I promised that I would soon share a general statement of my editorial vision. This statement immediately follows the Introduction you are now reading (it is also posted online on our website). As you will see when you read it, my editorial team and I intend to build upon the previous achievements of Perspectives at the same time that we attempt some exciting changes.
Perspectives on Politics: A Political Science Public Sphere
Authors: Isaac Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2010

Perspectives on Politics seeks to provide a space for broad and synthetic discussion within the political science profession and between the profession and the broader scholarly and reading publics. Such discussion necessarily draws on and contributes to the scholarship published in the more specialized journals that dominate our discipline. At the same time, Perspectives seeks to promote a complementary form of broad public discussion and synergistic understanding within the profession that is essential to advancing scholarship and promoting academic community.