bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genetic crisis of the Mexican Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus: Testudinidae)
Authors: Ureña-Aranda Cinthya Alejandra , de los Monteros Alejandro Espinosa
Published: March 2012

Gopherusflavomarginatus(Testudinidae) is endemic to a series of discontinuous, isolated basins collectively known as the Bolson de Mapimí in the Chihuahuan Desert. Its numbers declined after catastrophic levels of exploitation during the mid-20th century. However currently, the Bolson Tortoise appears to be on a path to recovery owing to intensive, sustained conservation efforts. We sequenced an 842-bp-long fragment of the D-loop from 76 individuals distributed throughout the species’ range. The results revealed only two haplotypes. An AMOVA showed that 95% of the variance occurred among populations, whereas the remaining 5% was explained by genetic differences within populations. Tectonic processes together with ecological transformation during the Pleistocene and Holocene may be responsible for the reduction in this species’ genetic variation. A bottleneck during which a significant percentage of the haplotype diversity was lost would result in genetic homogeneity. Although there is demographic growth, the lack of genetic diversity is indicative of the potential crisis that the Bolson Tortoise is facing, and awareness must be brought to this situation.
Taxonomy, distribution and geographic variation of Eirenis punctatolineatus (Boettger, 1892) (Reptilia: Colubridae)
Authors: Rajabizadeh Mehdi , Schmidtler Josef F. , Javanmardi Soheila , Rastegar-Pouyani Nasrullah , Esmaeili Hamid Reza
Published: March 2012

Distribution and geographic variation in Eirenis punctatolineatus are studied in the whole distribution range of the species. The results show that the species is distributed from eastern central Turkey in the west to east up to northern Khorasan mountains in Iran and from central Armenia in the north to the south up to the adjacency of the seashores of the Persian Gulf. An univariate analysis shows that there is possibly a clinal variation in two morphometric and one meristic characters through the latitudes. Percent ratio of tail length on total length and number of Subcaudal scales increase from north to south and conversely, percent ratio of head length to total length decrease. A subsequent multivariate analysis revealed that populations of Turkey, Transcaucasia and northwestern Iran, referred to as northern populations of Eirenis punctatolineatus, and populations of the southern Zagros Mountains and adjacent areas, referred to as southern populations of Eirenis punctatolineatus are clearly different morphologically, but intermix in an intermediate area. A subspecific subdivision is suggested for the northern and southern populations. As a new combination, Eirenis punctatolineatus condoni (Boulenger, 1920), is proposed for the southern populations.
Geographic variations of melanocortine 1 receptor gene (MC1R) in the common frog (Rana temporaria) in Northern Europe
Authors: Matsuba Chikako
Published: March 2012

The melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R, or MSH receptor) of melanophores (pigment-containing cells) receives pigmentation signals from the pituitary, and is likely to play a crucial role in the background color adaptation and the dorsal pigment patterning in amphibians. As such, these genes are likely to be under strong selection at particular habitats and at the same time exhibit geographic variations by neutral substitution at other habitat within species. To investigate geographic clines in the MC1R gene variability in the common frog (Rana temporaria), the coding region sequence was analyzed across Northern European populations. Interestingly, the two colonization routes in Fennoscandia (Eastern and Western) showed different evolutionary stories regarding the MC1R gene. Higher variation in both nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences were found on the Eastern as compared to the Western side of Fennoscandia. The variation in Western Fennonscandia was very low and nearly mono-allelic. This result is consistent with a recent and rapid recolonization from the South (Denmark), and/or strong selection on one favorable allele in the western side of Fennoscandia.
Origin and genetic diversity of an introduced wall lizard population and its cryptic congener
Authors: Schulte Ulrich , Gassert Franz , Geniez Philippe , Veith Michael , Hochkirch Axel
Published: March 2012

The Common Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) has been introduced within large parts of Central Europe, the UK and parts of North America. In an introduced population of this species in Lower Saxony, Germany, we found in addition to mtDNA haplotypes ofP. muralisalso haplotypes of its congenerPodarcis liolepis, a species that hitherto has never been recorded outside its native range. We therefore, (1) wanted to identify the geographic origin of the founder individuals of both non-native populations, (2) test for hybridization between introduced individuals of both species in Germany and (3) compare levels of genetic diversity between native and introduced populations. We sequenced a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochromebgene and genotyped individuals of the introduced as well as native populations of both species at eleven microsatellite loci. Our results suggest that the founders presumably stem from a region in the eastern Pyrenees, where sympatric populations ofP. muralisandP. liolepisare known. No evidence for gene flow between the two species was found in the introduced population. These results are consistent with behavioural observations indicating agonistic interactions ofP. muralistowardsP. liolepisrather than cross-species attraction. Compared to the native populations, high levels of genetic diversity have been retained in the introduced population of both species and no evidence for a genetic bottleneck was found. The effective population size was high inP. muralis, but substantially smaller inP. liolepis.
Religious Transnationalism: The case of Zimbabwean Catholics in Britain
Authors: Pasura Dominic
Published: March 2012

Abstract

This article examines the ways in which mainstream churches engender migrants’ maintenance of transnational ties and improve their integration into British society. It uses the Zimbabwean Catholic congregation in Birmingham as a case study. The central thrust of this article is that African diaspora congregations have emerged as public spaces to construct transnational identities and provide alternative forms of belonging, and have reinvented themselves as agents of re-evangelization to the host society. In contrast to other transnational ties such as remittances and hometown associations whose activities are orientated toward the homeland, reverse evangelization embodies the giving out of something to the host society. It is the awareness and ability to influence and shape the face of Christianity in Britain that gives African Christian migrants the agency to participate in other aspects of British society, providing an alternative path to integration. As the article argues, religious identities among Zimbabwean migrants should be seen not just as a religious phenomenon but also as markers of cultural difference from the host society, which constructs them as ‘other’.
‘Truly We Have a Good Heritage’: Musical Mediations in a Yoruba Christian Diaspora
Authors: Brennan Vicki L.
Published: March 2012

Abstract

This essay discusses the Asaphs of Seraph, a Yoruba Christian organization based in the United States whose primary activity consists of holding an annual convention for current and former members of Cherubim and Seraphim churches in Nigeria. I examine how the Asaphs of Seraph use musical performances and media to circulate Yoruba Christian forms of practice and subjectivity. Through an analytic focus on processes of mediation and circulation, I explore how the Asaphs of Seraph produce and maintain diasporic consciousness and community through the use of religious music.
The Changing Nature of Literary Censorship, 1961-1965
Authors: Loewenstein Karl E.
Published: March 2012

From 1961-1965, the Writers’ Union was transformed from a place where writers debated and primarily made their own decisions about what to publish to an organization under watchful gaze of official censors at Glavlit (the Main Administration for the Protection of Military and State Secrets in the Press). In these years, decision-making authority switched from give and take within the union to censors who had ideological, not literary expertise.

Although Glavlit played a secondary role in late Stalinist and early Khrushchev censorship, its power and relevance grew before Khrushchev’s fall. Glavlit began to censor ideological content and remove the decision-making process from the hands of editors. Censorship began to take on the same characteristics as ideological work throughout society in that it became increasingly disconnected from real questions of the moment. The censors strove to reproduce approved ideological formulations with much less attention to actual content. Glavlit’s new approach to censorship and increasing power drove innovative writers away from the official channels of publication. Thus, the internal struggles of the Moscow Writers’ Union and their confrontation with literary censors during the early years of the 1960s were crucial for ushering in a more repressive age.
« Фабрики Мысли » и Центры Публичной Политики в России и в Других Пост-Комунистических Странах: Развитие и Функции
Authors: Сунгуров Александр
Published: March 2012

Alexander Sungurov

“Think Tanks” and Public Policy Centers in Russia and Other Post-Communist Countries: Development and Function

The main objective of this paper is the analysis of the development of Think Tanks and Public Policy Centers in Russia and other post-communist countries. Think Tanks are small practically oriented research teams comprising both academic researchers and experts who are familiar with political practices and capable of implementing proposed solutions to topical problems in social and political life. In the community of Think Tanks, which usually carry out commissions we can distinguish one type, the activities of which are based on a socially significant idea, i.e. the promotion of development in post-authoritarian and post-communist states by encouraging truly public and open policy. In early 21st century such organizations were named “Public Policy Centers” (PPC).
1917-1922
Authors: Ерегина Н. Т.
Published: March 2012

Natalia T. Eregina

The Professors of the Russian Medical Higher School under Soviet Rule (1917–1922)

This article, based on archival documents, considers the difficulties of the training of medical personnel in the universities of Russia during the Civil War. Special attention is paid to an analysis of the relationship between medical professorship and Soviet power as well as to the dynamics of the qualitative changes of the teaching body and the changing conditions of teaching activities during this period.
Implementation of the Daytime Cloud Optical and Microphysical Properties Algorithm (DCOMP) in PATMOS-x
Authors: Walther Andi , Heidinger Andrew K.
Published: March 2012

This paper describes the daytime cloud optical and microphysical properties (DCOMP) retrieval for the Pathfinder Atmosphere’s Extended (PATMOS-x) climate dataset. Within PATMOS-x, DCOMP is applied to observations from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer and employs the standard bispectral approach to estimate cloud optical depth and particle size. The retrievals are performed within the optimal estimation framework. Atmospheric-correction and forward-model parameters, such as surface albedo and gaseous absorber amounts, are obtained from numerical weather prediction reanalysis data and other climate datasets. DCOMP is set up to run on sensors with similar channel settings and has been successfully exercised on most current meteorological imagers. This quality makes DCOMP particularly valuable for climate research. Comparisons with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) collection-5 dataset are used to estimate the performance of DCOMP.
Data Clustering Reveals Climate Impacts on Local Wind Phenomena
Authors: Clifton Andrew , Lundquist Julie K.
Published: March 2012

The authors demonstrate the utility of k-means clustering for identifying relationships between winds at turbine heights and climate oscillations, thereby developing a method suited for predicting the impacts of climate change on wind resources. Fourteen years of data from an 80-m tower at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) in Colorado have been reduced to four dominant flow phenomena using k-means clustering. At this location, this method identifies two clusters of westerly inflow (strong and weak), another cluster of flow from the north, and one of flow from the south. Similar clusters are found for the data at all heights on the tower, and each follow distinct seasonal cycles. Time series of each cluster, as well as the mean wind speed at the NWTC, are retained for comparison with climate oscillations along with the local 500-hPa pressure gradient. The mean wind speed in the surface layer is strongly correlated with the local north–south pressure gradient. The frequency of strong westerly flow is also negatively correlated with the Niño-3.4 index, whereas weaker westerly winds are negatively correlated with the Pacific–North American pattern (PNA) and Arctic Oscillation (AO). Northerly winds at the NWTC did not strongly correlate with any of the investigated climate indices (AO, PNA, and Niño-3.4). These northerly winds occur more frequently in the summer months, suggesting that these winds are more influenced by local conditions than by mesoscale forcing. This method of identifying clusters in wind data allows objective identification of wind phenomena that may benefit the deployment of wind turbines, for example, in choosing combinations of wind speed and direction to investigate for turbine siting.
Observation-Consistent Input and Whitecapping Dissipation in a Model for Wind-Generated Surface Waves: Description and Simple Calculations
Authors: Rogers W. Erick , Babanin Alexander V. , Wang David W.
Published: March 2012

A new wind-input and wind-breaking dissipation for phase-averaged spectral models of wind-generated surface waves is presented. Both are based on recent field observations in Lake George, New South Wales, Australia, at moderate-to-strong wind-wave conditions. The respective parameterizations are built on quantitative measurements and incorporate new observed physical features, which until very recently were missing in source terms employed in operational models. Two novel features of the wind-input source function are those that account for the effects of full airflow separation (and therefore relative reduction of the input at strong wind forcing) and for nonlinear behavior of this term. The breaking term also incorporates two new features evident from observational studies; the dissipation consists of two parts—a strictly local dissipation term and a cumulative term—and there is a threshold for wave breaking, below which no breaking occurs. Four variants of the dissipation term are selected for evaluation, with minimal calibration to each. These four models are evaluated using simple calculations herein. Results are generally favorable. Evaluation for more complex situations will be addressed in a forthcoming paper.
An Overview of the Global Historical Climatology Network-Daily Database
Authors: Menne Matthew J. , Durre Imke , Vose Russell S. , Gleason Byron E. , Houston Tamara G.
Published: March 2012

A database is described that has been designed to fulfill the need for daily climate data over global land areas. The dataset, known as Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN)-Daily, was developed for a wide variety of potential applications, including climate analysis and monitoring studies that require data at a daily time resolution (e.g., assessments of the frequency of heavy rainfall, heat wave duration, etc.). The dataset contains records from over 80 000 stations in 180 countries and territories, and its processing system produces the official archive for U.S. daily data. Variables commonly include maximum and minimum temperature, total daily precipitation, snowfall, and snow depth; however, about two-thirds of the stations report precipitation only. Quality assurance checks are routinely applied to the full dataset, but the data are not homogenized to account for artifacts associated with the various eras in reporting practice at any particular station (i.e., for changes in systematic bias).

Daily updates are provided for many of the station records in GHCN-Daily. The dataset is also regularly reconstructed, usually once per week, from its 20+ data source components, ensuring that the dataset is broadly synchronized with its growing list of constituent sources. The daily updates and weekly reprocessed versions of GHCN-Daily are assigned a unique version number, and the most recent dataset version is provided on the GHCN-Daily website for free public access. Each version of the dataset is also archived at the NOAA/National Climatic Data Center in perpetuity for future retrieval.
Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Presence of Nursing Scale
Authors: Kostovich Carol T.
Published: March 2012

Nursing presence has been conceptualized in the literature. However, no instrument has been developed to measure it. The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure patients’ perceptions of nursing presence and to examine its psychometric properties. A conceptual definition of nursing presence was operationalized and integrated into the 25-item Presence of Nursing Scale and tested on 330 hospitalized patients. Reliability and validity of the Presence of Nursing Scale were supported when tested with this sample. The study represents the first time the phenomenon of nursing presence has been measured.
Illumination of Parse’s Theory of Humanbecoming
Authors: Delis Pamela Coombs
Published: March 2012

The theory of humanbecoming can be illuminated through utilizing popular literature as a situation study. The living experience of Morrie Schwartz as related in Tuesdays with Morrie, serves as exemplar for lingering presence, the emerging now, and the three themes of meaning, rhythmicity, and transcendence. This exemplar formed the basis for an educational session for graduate nursing students in a nursing theory course. The response to this teaching methodology suggests popular literature can be used successfully in teaching nursing theory.
Nursing in Malawi
Authors: Bultemeier Kaye I.
Published: March 2012

Nursing in Malawi has been predominately a technical trade and only recently has begun the transition to a profession with autonomy and advanced degree preparation. Nursing theories provide a framework for the evolution of nursing to an independent profession. Theories provide a means for the articulation of the nursing role to other members of the healthcare team including consumers. Healthcare and human needs are basic and the guidance provided by nursing theories, including Nightingale’s, gives language and structure to the education of nurses as the profession moves into advanced practice in a developing country.
The Future of Nursing
Authors: Butts Janie B. , Rich Karen L. , Fawcett Jacqueline
Published: March 2012

Nurses have long attempted to secure a unique identity for the profession. Many scholars are now promoting an interdisciplinary framework for nursing practice. Fawcett is convinced that interdisciplinary practice poses a danger for nursing to lose its identity and that interdisciplinary practice cannot be successful if members of each discipline do not understand the conceptual models, practice, and research of their own discipline. Dr. Janie Butts and Dr. Karen Rich interviewed Dr. Jacqueline Fawcett about her views related to discipline-specific knowledge and nursing’s future. The authors conclude that Fawcett’s scientific foundation gives nursing the solidarity and power necessary to determine the unique internal goods of its practice.
Priority setting of ICU resources in an influenza pandemic: a qualitative study of the Canadian public's perspectives
Authors: Silva Diego S , Gibson Jennifer L , Robertson Ann , Bensimon Cécile M , Sahni Sachin , Maunula Laena , Smith Maxwell J
Published: March 2012

Background

Pandemic influenza may exacerbate existing scarcity of life-saving medical resources. As a result, decision-makers may be faced with making tough choices about who will receive care and who will have to wait or go without. Although previous studies have explored ethical issues in priority setting from the perspective of clinicians and policymakers, there has been little investigation into how the public views priority setting during a pandemic influenza, in particular related to intensive care resources.

Methods

To bridge this gap, we conducted three public town hall meetings across Canada to explore Canadian's perspectives on this ethical challenge. Town hall discussions group discussions were digitally recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results

Six interrelated themes emerged from the town hall discussions related to: ethical and empirical starting points for deliberation; criteria for setting priorities; pre-crisis planning; in-crisis decision-making; the need for public deliberation and input; and participants' deliberative struggle with the ethical issues.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the importance of public consultation in pandemic planning for sustaining public trust in a public health emergency. Participants appreciated the empirical and ethical uncertainty of decision-making in an influenza pandemic and demonstrated nuanced ethical reasoning about priority setting of intensive care resources in an influenza pandemic. Policymakers may benefit from a better understanding the public's empirical and ethical 'starting points' in developing effective pandemic plans.
Understanding determinants of socioeconomic inequality in mental health in Iran's capital, Tehran: a concentration index decomposition approach
Authors: Morasae Esmaeil Khedmati , Forouzan Ameneh Setareh , Majdzadeh Reza , Asadi-Lari Mohsen , Noorbala Ahmad Ali , Hosseinpoor Ahmad Reza
Published: March 2012

Background

Mental health is of special importance regarding socioeconomic inequalities in health. On the one hand, mental health status mediates the relationship between economic inequality and health; on the other hand, mental health as an "end state" is affected by social factors and socioeconomic inequality. In spite of this, in examining socioeconomic inequalities in health, mental health has attracted less attention than physical health. As a first attempt in Iran, the objectives of this paper were to measure socioeconomic inequality in mental health, and then to untangle and quantify the contributions of potential determinants of mental health to the measured socioeconomic inequality.

Methods

In a cross-sectional observational study, mental health data were taken from an Urban Health Equity Assessment and Response Tool (Urban HEART) survey, conducted on 22 300 Tehran households in 2007 and covering people aged 15 and above. Principal component analysis was used to measure the economic status of households. As a measure of socioeconomic inequality, a concentration index of mental health was applied and decomposed into its determinants.

Results

The overall concentration index of mental health in Tehran was -0.0673 (95% CI = -0.070 - -0.057). Decomposition of the concentration index revealed that economic status made the largest contribution (44.7%) to socioeconomic inequality in mental health. Educational status (13.4%), age group (13.1%), district of residence (12.5%) and employment status (6.5%) also proved further important contributors to the inequality.

Conclusions

Socioeconomic inequalities exist in mental health status in Iran's capital, Tehran. Since the root of this avoidable inequality is in sectors outside the health system, a holistic mental health policy approach which includes social and economic determinants should be adopted to redress the inequitable distribution of mental health.
Genetic variants of p27 and p21 as predictors for risk of second primary malignancy in patients with index squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck
Authors: Wang Zhongqiu , Sturgis Erich M , Zhang Fenghua , Lei Dapeng , Liu Zhensheng , Xu Li , Song Xicheng , Wei Qingyi , Li Guojun
Published: March 2012

Background

Cell cycle deregulation is common in human cancer, and alterations of p27 and p21, two critical cell cycle regulators, have been implicated in the development of many human malignancies. Therefore, we hypothesize that p27 T109G polymorphism individually or in combination with p21 (C98A and C70T) polymorphisms modifies risk of second primary malignancy (SPM) in patients with index squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN).

Methods

A cohort of 1,292 patients with index SCCHN was recruited between May 1995 and January 2007 at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and followed for SPM occurrence. Patients were genotyped for the three polymorphisms. A log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare SPM-free survival and SPM risk.

Results

We found that patients with p27 109 TG/GG, p21 98 CA/AA and p21 70 CT/TT variant genotypes had a worse SPM-free survival and an increased SPM risk than those with the corresponding p27 109 TT, p21 98 CC, and p21 70 CC common genotypes, respectively. After combining the three polymorphisms, there was a trend for significantly increased SPM risk with increasing number of the variant genotypes (P
trend = 0.0002). Moreover, patients with the variant genotypes had an approximately 2.4-fold significantly increased risk for SPM compared with those with no variant genotypes (HR, 2.4, 95% CI, 1.6-3.6).

Conclusions

These results suggest that p27 T109G polymorphism individually or in combination with p21 (C98A and C70T) polymorphisms increases risk of SPM in patients with index SCCHN.
Acute regional improvement of myocardial function after interventional transfemoral aortic valve replacement in aortic stenosis: A speckle tracking echocardiography study
Authors: Schattke Sebastian , Baldenhofer Gerd , Prauka Ines , Zhang Kun , Laule Michael , Stangl Verena , Sanad Wasiem , Spethmann Sebastian , Borges Adrian C , Baumann Gert , Stangl Karl , Knebel Fabian
Published: March 2012

Background

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is a promising therapy for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and high perioperative risk. New echocardiographic methods, including 2D Strain analysis, allow the more accurate measurement of left ventricular (LV) systolic function. The goal of this study was to describe the course of LV reverse remodelling immediately after TAVI in a broad spectrum of patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis.

Methods

Thirty consecutive patients with symptomatic aortic valve stenosis and preserved LVEF underwent transfemoral aortic valve implantation. We performed echocardiography at baseline and one week after TAVI. Echocardiography included standard 2D and Doppler analysis of global systolic and diastolic function as well as 2D Strain measurements of longitudinal, radial and circumferential LV motion and Tissue Doppler echocardiography.

Results

The baseline biplane LVEF was 57 ± 8.2%, the mean pressure gradient was 46.8 ± 17.2 mmHg and the mean valve area was 0.73 ± 0.27 cm2. The average global longitudinal 2D strain of the left ventricle improved significantly from -15.1 (± 3.0) to -17.5 (± 2.4) % (p < .001). This was reflected mainly in improvement in the basal and medial segments while strain in the apex did not change significantly [-11.6 (± 5.2) % to -15.1 (± 5.5) % (p < .001), -13.9 (± 5.1) % to -16.8 (± 5.6) % (p < .001) and -19.2 (± 7.0) % to -20.0 (± 7.2) % (p = .481) respectively]. While circumferential strain [-18.1 (± 5.1) % vs. -18.9 (± 4.2) %, p = .607], radial strain [36.5 (± 13.7) % vs. 39.7 (± 17.2) %, p = .458] and the LVEF remained unchanged after one week [57.0 (± 8.2) % vs. 59.1 (± 8.1) %, p = .116].

Conclusion

There is an acute improvement of myocardial longitudinal systolic function of the basal and medial segments measured by 2D Strain analysis immediately after TAVI. The radial, circumferential strain and LVEF does not change significantly in all patients acutely after TAVI. These data suggest that sensitive new echo methods can reliably detect early regional changes of myocardial function after TAVI before benefits in LVEF are detectable.
Stimulation of TLR4 by recombinant HSP70 requires structural integrity of the HSP70 protein itself
Authors: Luong Michael , Zhang Yanyu , Chamberlain Tim , Zhou Tianhui , Wright Jill F , Dower Ken , Hall J Perry
Published: March 2012

Background

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is activated by bacterial endotoxin, a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP). It has been suggested that TLR4 can also be activated by damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) proteins such as HSP70. It remains a challenge to provide unequivocal evidence that DAMP proteins themselves play a role in TLR4 activation, as the DAMP proteins used are often contaminated with endotoxin and other TLR ligands introduced during protein expression and/or purification.

Results

Here we report that the activation of TLR4 on primary human macrophage cultures by recombinant HSP70 is not solely due to contaminating endotoxin. Polymyxin B pretreatment of HSP70 preparations to neutralize contaminating endotoxin caused significant reductions in the amount of TNF-α induced by the recombinant protein. However, digestion of HSP70 with Proteinase K-agarose beads also dramatically reduced the TNF-α response of macrophages to HSP70, while leaving levels of contaminating endotoxin largely unchanged relative to controls.

Conclusions

These results indicate that the stimulatory effect of recombinant HSP70 requires both the presence of endotoxin and structural integrity of the heat shock protein itself.
Efficient RNA interference in patients' acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells amplified as xenografts in mice
Authors: Höfig Ines , Ehrhardt Harald , Jeremias Irmela
Published: March 2012

Background

Signaling studies in cell lines are hampered by non-physiological alterations obtained in vitro. Physiologic primary tumor cells from patients with leukemia require passaging through immune-compromised mice for amplification. The aim was to enable molecular work in patients' ALL cells by establishing siRNA transfection into cells amplified in mice.

Results

We established delivering siRNA into these cells without affecting cell viability. Knockdown of single or multiple genes reduced constitutive or induced protein expression accompanied by marked signaling alterations.

Conclusion

Our novel technique allows using patient-derived tumor cells instead of cell lines for signaling studies in leukemia.
Sodium Channels and Mammalian Sensory Mechanotransduction
Authors: Raouf Ramin , Rugiero Francois , Kiesewetter Hannes , Hatch Rachel , Hummler Edith , Nassar Mohammed A , Wang Fan , Wood John N
Published: March 2012

Background:

Members of the degenerin/epithelial (DEG/ENaC) sodium channel family are mechanosensors in C elegans, and Nav1.7 and Nav1.8 voltage-gated sodium channel knockout mice have major deficits in mechanosensation. β and γENaC sodium channel subunits are present with acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) in mammalian sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The extent to which epithelial or voltage-gated sodium channels are involved in transduction of mechanical stimuli is unclear.

Results:

Here we show that deleting β and γENaC sodium channels in sensory neurons does not result in mechanosensory behavioural deficits. We had shown previously that Nav1.7/Nav1.8 double knockout mice have major deficits in behavioural responses to noxious mechanical pressure. However, all classes of mechanically activated currents in DRG neurons are unaffected by deletion of the two sodium channels. In contrast, the ability of Nav1.7/Nav1.8 knockout DRG neurons to generate action potentials is compromised with 50% of the small diameter sensory neurons unable to respond to electrical stimulation in vitro.

Conclusion:

Behavioural deficits in Nav1.7/Nav1.8 knockout mice reflects a failure of action potential propagation in a mechanosensitive set of sensory neurons rather than a loss of primary transduction currents. DEG/ENaC sodium channels are not mechanosensors in mouse sensory neurons.
Expression of fatty acid synthesis genes and fatty acid accumulation in haematococcus pluvialis under different stressors
Authors: Lei Anping , Chen Huan , Shen Guoming , Hu Zhangli , Chen Lei , Wang Jiangxin
Published: March 2012

Background

Biofuel has been the focus of intensive global research over the past few years. The development of 4thgeneration biofuel production (algae-to-biofuels) based on metabolic engineering of algae is still in its infancy, one of the main barriers is our lacking of understanding of microalgal growth, metabolism and biofuel production. Although fatty acid (FA) biosynthesis pathway genes have been all cloned and biosynthesis pathway was built up in some higher plants, the molecular mechanism for its regulation in microalgae is far away from elucidation.

Results

We cloned main key genes for FA biosynthesis inHaematococcus pluvialis, a green microalga as a potential biodiesel feedstock, and investigated the correlations between their expression alternation and FA composition and content detected by GC-MS under different stress treatments, such as nitrogen depletion, salinity, high or low temperature. Our results showed that high temperature, high salinity, and nitrogen depletion treatments played significant roles in promoting microalgal FA synthesis, while FA qualities were not changed much. Correlation analysis showed that acyl carrier protein (ACP), 3-ketoacyl-ACP-synthase (KAS), and acyl-ACP thioesterase (FATA) gene expression had significant correlations with monounsaturated FA (MUFA) synthesis and polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) synthesis.

Conclusions

We proposed that ACP, KAS, and FATA inH. pluvialismay play an important role in FA synthesis and may be rate limiting genes, which probably could be modified for the further study of metabolic engineering to improve microalgal biofuel quality and production.
Methods for identifying lipoxygenase producing microorganisms on agar plates
Authors: Nyyssölä Antti , Heshof Ruud , Haarmann Thomas , Eidner Jasmin , Westerholm-Parvinen Ann , Langfelder Kim , Kruus Kristiina , de Graaff Leo , Buchert Johanna
Published: March 2012

Plate assays for lipoxygenase producing microorganisms on agar plates have been developed. Both potassium iodide-starch and indamine dye formation methods were effective for detecting soybean lipoxygenase activity on agar plates. A positive result was also achieved using the β-carotene bleaching method, but the sensitivity of this method was lower than the other two methods. The potassium iodide-starch and indamine dye formation methods were also applied for detecting lipoxygenase production by Trichoderma reesei and Pichia pastoris transformants expressing the lipoxygenase gene of the fungus Gaeumannomyces graminis. In both cases lipoxygenase production in the transformants could be identified. For detection of the G. graminis lipoxygenase produced by Aspergillus nidulans the potassium iodide-starch method was successful. When Escherichia coli was grown on agar and soybean lipoxygenase was applied on the culture lipoxygenase activity could clearly be detected by the indamine dye formation method. This suggests that the method has potential for screening of metagenomic libraries in E. coli for lipoxygenase activity.
Development of Three-Dimensional Tissue Models Based on Hierarchical Cell Manipulation Using Nanofilms
Authors: Matsusaki Michiya
Published: March 2012

The creation of artificial three-dimensional (3D) tissues possessing structure and function similar to natural tissue is a key challenge for implantable tissues in tissue engineering, and for model tissues in pharmaceutical assays. This account is a summary of our current research toward this challenge. We have developed a simple and unique bottom-up approach, hierarchical cell manipulation technique, using nanometer-sized layer-by-layer films consisting of fibronectin and gelatin (FN–G) as a nano-extracellular matrix (nano-ECM). The FN–G nanofilms were prepared directly on the cell surface, and we discovered that at least 6 nm thick FN–G films acted as a stable adhesive surface for adhesion of the second cell layer. Various 3D-layered constructs consisting of single or multiple types of cells were successfully fabricated, and the higher cellular activities induced from the 3D-structures as compared to monolayer structure were observed. Furthermore, the multilayered constructs like a blood vessel wall structure indicated almost the same drug response as in vivo natural blood vessels, suggesting the possibility to use as an in vitro blood vessel model to analyze drug response. Recently, we also developed a rapid bottom-up approach by a single cell coating using FN–G nanofilms, because the fabrication of two-layers (2L) is limited through the above technique due to the time required for stable cell adhesion. This rapid approach easily provided approximately eight-layered (8L) 3D-tissues after only one day of incubation. The layer number, cell type, and location were all successfully controlled by altering the seeding cell number and order. Moreover, fully and homogeneously vascularized tissues of 1 cm width and 50 µm height were obtained by a sandwich culture of the endothelial cells. These hierarchical cell manipulations will be promising to achieve one of the dreams of biomedical field, in vitro creation of artificial 3D-tissue models.
Synthesis, Structure, and Physiological Effects of Peroxovanadium(V) Complexes Containing Amino Acid Derivatives as Ancillary Ligands
Authors: Sugiyama Hironori , Matsugo Seiichi , Konishi Tetsuya , Takamura Toshinari , Kaneko Shuichi , Kubo Yukari , Sato Kyouhei , Kanamori Kan
Published: March 2012

We have synthesized and structurally characterized novel peroxovanadium(V) compounds containing amino acid derivatives as ancillary ligands; N-(4-imidazolylmethyl)-l-alanate (imala) and N-(4-imidazolylmethyl)-l-phenylalanate (imphe). The structure of the imala complex was determined using X-ray crystallography. These compounds stimulated the proliferation of H4IIEC3 rat hepatoma cells at low doses but were cytotoxic at high doses. They also exhibited insulin-mimetic effects.
CeO2 Hollow Nanospheres as Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Sasidharan Manickam , Gunawardhana Nanda , Yoshio Masaki , Nakashima Kenichi
Published: March 2012

CeO2 hollow nanospheres were synthesized using polymeric micelle poly(styrene-block-acrylic acid-block-ethylene oxide) with core–shell–corona architecture. The CeO2 hollow nanospheres were investigated as anode materials for rechargeable lithium ion batteries for the first time. The nanostructured electrode shows desirable electrochemical properties such as high capacity, good capacity retention, and rate performance.
Unprecedented Temperature-dependent Formation of 3- and 7-Methyl-3H-azepine Derivatives by the Reaction of o-Nitrotoluene with Tributylphosphine in Nucleophilic Media
Authors: Ulfa Siti Mariyah , Okamoto Hideki , Satake Kyosuke
Published: March 2012

The reaction of o-methylphenylnitrene in the presence of alcohol and amine was expected to give isomeric pairs of 3- and 7-methyl-3H-azepine derivatives. The formation ratio between these isomers was found to be obviously influenced by reaction temperature, that is, reaction at 150 °C gave 7-methyl-3H-azepine derivative, however, it became minor under 70 °C in both media. The ratio between 3- and 7-methyl derivatives is explained by a scheme of kinetic- and thermodynamic-controlled product distribution from o-methylphenylnitrene to 3- and 7-methyldehydroazepine intermediates which are trapped by nucleophilic media to give 3- and 7-methyl-3H-azepine derivatives.
Investigation of the Copper Binding Site on the Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Hormone
Authors: Kim Mi-Ji , Kim Ho-Tae
Published: March 2012

The metal ion binding sites of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) have been investigated to explain the biological activity difference in the fibril formation process. The structures of [hIAPPṫCu (or Al)] n+ and [hIAPP17–30ṫCu]2+ complex were investigated by electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The fragmentation patterns of [hIAPPṫCu (or Al)] n+ and [hIAPP17–30ṫCu]2+ complex were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and multi-stage mass spectrometry (MS3) spectra. The [hIAPP+Cu+H]3+, [hIAPP+Al+H]4+ and [hIAPP17–30+Cu]2+ complexes were observed in MS spectra. The Cu binding site of hIAPP is suggested to be the N22–F–G–A–I26 part for the [hIAPP+Cu+H]3+ gas-phase complex. The original hIAPP conformation was supposed to be changed by the interaction between the Cu ion and the N22–F–G–A–I26 part in the [hIAPP+Cu+H]3+ gas-phase complex.
Value Transformation in the Mobile Service Ecosystem: A Study of App Store Emergence and Growth
Authors: Basole Rahul C. , Karla Jürgen
Published: March 2012

The mobile service ecosystem is in a state of fundamental and rapid transformation. Fueled by enormous revenue opportunities enabled by the emergence of smartphones, improvements in mobile network infrastructure, and an explosive global growth of and demand for mobile applications, significant changes in industry structure, collaboration, and dynamics have been observed, with new players entering the ecosystem and traditional players reshaping their roles. One new player—the mobile app store—is playing a particularly transformative role in how value is created, delivered, distributed, and consumed. This paper examines the emergence and growth of mobile app stores in the mobile service ecosystem. Based on theories of technology platforms, strategic networks, and business ecosystems, we first visualize the evolving interfirm network structure of value cocreation in the mobile service ecosystem. Second, drawing on theories of service science and the economics of digital goods, we investigate through a comprehensive field study in what ways mobile app stores are transforming value creation. Together, these two analysis perspectives provide important insights to the evolution of the mobile service ecosystem. We conclude the paper with a discussion of theoretical and managerial implications as well as future research opportunities.
Editorial Column—Launching Service Science
Authors: Qiu Robin
Published: March 2012

[Excerpt] According to Dictionary.com, service is defined as “an act of helpful activity; the supplying of utilities or commodities; the providing of accommodation and activities required by the public; or the supplying of public communication and transportation.”[Dictionary.com, s.v. “service,” http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/service (accessed February 12, 2012).] Numerous academic definitions of service can be found in the literature. The consensus is that performing an action that results in a benefit for an entity essentially defines a service, and the value of the service largely depends on what, when, where, and how the process of relevant service activities gets executed.
Doing family, contesting gender and expanding affinity: family practices of married women in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Anita Kit-wa
Published: March 2012

Despite rapid social and economic changes, the persistence of gender inequalities in the conventional nuclear family remains puzzling. It seems unlikely that women will contest gender inequalities if they have accepted the ideology of separate spheres or if they regard mothering and care giving as integral to their feminine identity. However, this article re-examines these issues by analysing the family practices of 23 married Chinese women. It argues that how and why women ‘do gender’ have to be understood along with their family circumstances and their broader social contexts. It also reveals how women in unhappy marriages have developed creative strategies to subvert the needs and authority of their husbands and de-centre the nuclear family as their sole source of care and support. The article contributes to the discussion by unfolding the complexity, fluidity and cultural specificity of practices, agency and change.
Family structure, family stability and outcomes of five-year-old children
Authors: Craigie Terry-Ann L. , Brooks-Gunn Jeanne , Waldfogel Jane
Published: March 2012

This study exploits data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort study of a diverse sample of children from 20 cities in the United States (N = 3,676), to examine how cognitive, behavioural and health outcomes of five-year-old children differ according to their family structure and family stability. We define three models: one that measures family structure at birth only, a second that measures current family structure at year five conditional on family structure at birth, and a third that measures changes in family structure from birth to age five. We find that while family structure has persistent links to early child outcomes, the effects are significantly altered by stability of the family structure over time. These findings remain robust even after addressing selection.
Public Opinion Revisited: The propagation of opinions in digital networks
Authors: Bastos Marco Toledo
Published: March 2012

The aim of this article is to discuss the propagation of opinions expressed on the Internet (digital media matrix) in view of a historical development of public opinion. In order to address that, the article examines the debate concerning public opinion based on the works of Walter
Lippmann (1961), Niklas Luhmann (1997; 2000; 2005), Jürgen Habermas (1991; 1997) and Dirk Baecker (2004), whereas the concept of a digital media matrix is discussed together with the theories of Niels Finnemann (2001), David White (1964) and Kurt Lewin (1947). The relationship between
media and public opinion is defined by the historical emergence of forms of coding between communication agents, previously comprising of senders and receivers (peer-to-peer communication), broadcasting (mass communication) and networks of nodes (digital communication). The propagation of
public opinion is depicted as a form shaped by a network of nodes, therefore suggesting a diagram for the distribution of messages and opinions in digital networks described as ‘netclustering’. The article offers a synthesis of the literature on public opinion to suggest a model
for the viral propagation of messages within networks such as Twitter and Facebook.
Messung von absoluten Kugelradiustopografien mit einem Kugelinterferometer — Interpolationsmethoden
Authors: Bartl Guido , Krystek Michael , Nicolaus Arnold
Published: March 2012

Das für das Kugelinterferometer der Physikalisch-Technischen Bundesanstalt entwickelte Stitching-Verfahren erlaubt es, an Stelle der üblicherweise erhaltenen Durchmesser die tatsächliche Kugelform als Radiustopografie mit wenigen Nanometern Unsicherheit zu rekonstruieren. Die laterale Auflösung der rekonstruierten Kugelform ist bei einem bereits vorgestellten Ansatz auf Basis von Kugelflächenfunktionen hardwarebedingt beschränkt. Eine Abwandlung des Modells mit einem Interpolationsgitter bietet hier Abhilfe. Die beiden Modellvarianten werden im Vergleich präsentiert.
Materialidentifikation mittels optisch realisierter Kreuzkorrelation der Reflektanzspektren
Authors: Taphanel Miro , Gruna Robin , Beyerer Jürgen
Published: March 2012

Dieser Artikel stellt ein neuartiges, zum Patent angemeldetes Unterscheidungsverfahren für Materialien [1] vor, welches die Ähnlichkeit zweier Spektren in Form eines normierten Kreuzkorrelationskoeffizienten misst. Die Besonderheit liegt in der optischen Realisierung des Verfahrens. Auf Grundlage des normierten Kreuzkorrelationskoeffizienten wird eine Messgleichung entwickelt, die dann zur Herleitung des Signal-Rausch-Verhältnisses (SNR) genutzt wird. Im Experiment wird untersucht, wie metamere Farben anhand ihrer Spektren unterschieden werden können. Die erzielten Resultate werden abschließend mit theoretisch vorhergesagten Ergebnissen verglichen.