bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrieval of atmospheric H15NO3/H14NO3 isotope ratio profile from MIPAS/ENVISAT limb‐scanning measurements
Authors: Brizzi G. , Arnone E. , Carlotti M. , Dinelli B. M. , Flaud J.‐M. , Papandrea E. , Perrin A. , Ridolfi M.
Published: August 2009

We report the first measurement of the isotopic partitioning between stratospheric H14NO3 and H15NO3. The vertical distribution of the isotope ratio of the two isotopologues of nitric acid was derived using the ν5 band Q branch of H15NO3 that was recently identified in measurements from the MIPAS experiment using newly generated spectral line parameters for the minor isotopologue. Because of the very low intensity of the spectral features adopted for the retrieval, we established an “ad hoc” inversion procedure based on a regularized linear Kalman filter approach. This procedure permits the retrieval of the deviations from the natural H15NO3/H14NO3 isotope ratio profile, averaged over different latitude bands and time intervals, in the altitude range from 18 to 42 km. The resulting profiles show an overall substantial depletion with height of H15NO3, with respect to the natural partitioning, and no significant latitude and time dependence. The developed retrieval procedure can be readily extended to other atmospheric trace gas isotope ratios.
West Antarctic paleotopography estimated at the Eocene‐Oligocene climate transition
Authors: Wilson Douglas S. , Luyendyk Bruce P.
Published: August 2009

One generally recognized limitation of models for rapid growth of Antarctic ice near the Eocene‐Oligocene transition is that they are based on present topography, corrected only for removal of modern ice. For West Antarctica, this results in large areas below sea level that would not readily host ice. In the recently active West Antarctic rift system, other factors may have contributed to significant vertical motions since the Eocene: Additional corrections for thermal contraction resulting from tectonic extension and for erosion and sedimentation since 34 Ma restore most of West Antarctica to above sea level, increasing total Antarctic land area by 10–20%. Because ice sheets have convex slopes, the potential increase in ice volume is larger than the increase in land area. Accounting for large changes in West Antarctic topography may resolve conflicts between ice models and data by demonstrating the possibility of an early, large West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Inferring the composition and concentration of aerosols by combining AERONET and MPLNET data: Comparison with other measurements and utilization to evaluate GCM output
Authors: Ganguly Dilip , Ginoux P. , Ramaswamy V. , Dubovik O. , Welton J. , Reid E. A. , Holben B. N.
Published: August 2009

In this work we demonstrate a method to derive the concentration of aerosol components from the spectral measurements of AOD (aerosol optical depth) and single scattering albedo along with their size distribution and extinction profile available from AERONET (Aerosol Robotic Network) and MPLNET (Micro‐pulse Lidar Network) stations. The technique involves finding the best combination of aerosol concentration by minimizing differences between measured and calculated values of aerosol parameters such as AOD, single scattering albedo, and size distribution. We applied this technique over selected sites in three different regions of the United States (West coast, Great Plains, and North‐East). Our results are then compared with the measured concentration of aerosol components available from IMPROVE (Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) network, as well as two different versions of the GFDL (Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory) General Circulation Model AM2 with online and offline aerosols. In general, concentrations retrieved by our technique compare well with the ground‐based measurements, but there are some discrepancies possibly due to the inherent differences in temporal and spatial scales of data averaging or some of the assumptions made in our study. Over continental North America, the online version of AM2 appears to overestimate sulfate concentration approximately by a factor of two and underestimate organic carbon by nearly the same amount. Results of our sensitivity study show that the errors in the retrieval of black carbon and sulfate concentrations could be as high as 100% when there is a large bias of ∼0.05 in the reference values of single scattering albedo under high AOD (≥0.5 at 0.44 μm) conditions. Knowledge on the vertical distribution of aerosols is crucial for an accurate retrieval of surface concentration of aerosols. We also determine the composition and concentration of elevated aerosol layers using this technique.
Spermatozoa and seminal plasma induce a greater inflammatory response in the ovine uterus at oestrus than dioestrus
Authors: Scott Jennifer L. , Ketheesan Natkunam , Summers Phillip M.
Published: August 2009

Leukocyte infiltration and increased synthesis of cytokines in response to insemination is considered to enhance reproductive success. The present study investigated the inflammatory response to whole semen, spermatozoa and seminal plasma, with and without the addition of antibiotics, in the ovine uterus at oestrus and dioestrus. Seminal plasma and spermatozoa both contributed to increased IL-8 secretion (P < 0.01) by endometrial epithelial cells and a concurrent infiltration by neutrophils (P < 0.01). Increased GM-CSF secretion (P < 0.01) occurred in response to whole semen and spermatozoa when antibiotics were not used. Macrophages and eosinophils increased (P < 0.05) in the endometrial stroma when antibiotics were not used, and fewer mast cells were detected in the deep endometrial stroma after treatments containing antibiotics (P < 0.05). Neutrophil and IL-8 responses to insemination were greater at oestrus (P < 0.01) than at dioestrus and the GM-CSF response followed a similar trend. Eosinophil numbers were increased at oestrus (P < 0.01) but minimally affected by insemination. More macrophages were located in the superficial endometrial stroma at oestrus. These results indicate that spermatozoa, seminal plasma and possibly bacteria contribute to the post-insemination inflammatory response, and that leukocytes, GM-CSF and IL-8 secretion in the ovine uterus are influenced by ovarian hormones.
In vitro production and cryotolerance of prepubertal and adult goat blastocysts obtained from oocytes collected by laparoscopic oocyte-pick-up (LOPU) after FSH treatment
Authors: Leoni Giovanni Giuseppe , Succu Sara , Satta Valentina , Paolo Mereu , Bogliolo Luisa , Bebbere Daniela , Spezzigu Antonio , Madeddu Manuela , Berlinguer Fiammetta , Ledda Sergio , Naitana Salvatore
Published: August 2009

This study compares the developmental capacity and cryotolerance of embryos produced from oocytes of stimulated prepubertal and adult Sarda goats. Twelve prepubertal and 13 adult goats were each given 110 and 175 IU FSH, respectively, and cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected by laparoscopic oocyte-pick-up (LOPU). After in vitro maturation, fertilisation and culture (IVMFC), blastocysts were vitrified, warmed and blastocoel re-expansion and gene expression were evaluated. Prepubertal goats produced a higher COCs number than adults (mean ± s.e.m., 89.67 ± 5.74 and 26.69 ± 3.66, respectively; P < 0.01). Lower developmental competence was demonstrated in the prepubertal oocytes as shown by a higher number of COCs discarded before IVM (21.1% and 14.7% for prepubertals and adults, respectively; P < 0.01) and IVF (23.4% v. 9.1%; P < 0.01) and by the lower cleavage (55.6% and 70.3%, respectively; P < 0.01) and blastocyst rates (24.2% and 33.9%, respectively; P < 0.05). Compared with the adult, prepubertal vitrified/warmed blastocysts showed significantly (P < 0.05) lower in vitro viability, as determined by the re-expansion rate (62.5% and 40.3%). No differences were observed in the time required for blastocoel re-expansion or in cyclin B1, E-cadherin, Na/K ATPase, HSP90β and aquaporin 3 messenger RNA quantity. These results show that in vitro-produced embryos produced from prepubertal goat oocytes have a lower developmental rate and cryotolerance compared with their adult counterparts. However, we can assume that the quality of re-expanded embryos does not differ between the two groups.
Disruption in the expression and immunolocalisation of steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzymes in letrozole-induced polycystic ovaries in rat
Authors: Zurvarra Francisco M. , Salvetti Natalia R. , Mason J. Ian , Velazquez Melisa M. L. , Alfaro Natalia S. , Ortega Hugo H.
Published: August 2009

The objective of the present study was to characterise the expression and tissue distribution of steroid receptors (oestrogen receptor-α and –β (ERα, ERβ), androgen receptor (AR) and progesterone receptor (PR)) and steroidogenic enzymes (P450 aromatase (P450arom), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)) in letrozole-induced polycystic ovaries of rats. Changes in serum hormone levels, protein expression in whole ovaries by western blot analysis and protein localisation by immunohistochemistry were determined in female rats treated with the aromatase inhibitor letrozole and compared with controls in proestrous and diestrous rats. Increases in the serum LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations were observed in letrozole-treated rats whereas serum oestradiol and progesterone levels were reduced. Protein expression as analysed by western immunoblot was consistent with the immunohistochemical data. Letrozole treatment induced an increase in the expression of AR, StAR and 3β-HSD and a decrease in ERβ. ERα, PR and P450arom showed partial changes in relation to some cycle stages. These results indicate that cystogenesis in this experimental model is characterised by changes in steroid receptors and steroidogenic enzyme expression that may be essential to proper ovarian functioning and are in agreement with similar changes observed in women with PCOS.
Involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in gonadal steroidogenesis and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression
Authors: Kowalewski Mariusz P. , Dyson Matthew T. , Manna Pulak R. , Stocco Douglas M.
Published: August 2009

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ belongs to the PPAR family of nuclear transcription factors whose ligands, such as eicosanoids, fatty acids and prostaglandins, are known to affect gonadal function. Although several of these enhance the expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) and steroid production, the role of PPARγ in regulating STAR-mediated steroidogenesis remains unclear. In the present study, we used ciglitazone to selectively activate PPARγ and examine its role in STAR-mediated steroidogenesis in immortalised KK1 mouse granulosa cells and MA-10 mouse Leydig tumour cells. Cotreatment with both dibutyryl-cAMP and ciglitazone revealed a dose-dependent, significant increase in progesterone synthesis, Star promoter activity, Star mRNA and STAR protein relative to either compound alone. The overexpression of PPARγ further increased Star-promoter activity. The ciglitazone-induced activity of the Star-promoter appears to be mediated through the cAMP-response element half-sites located within its proximal 151 bp. Combined treatment with ciglitazone and dibutyryl-cAMP significantly increased the expression and activity of transcriptional pathways impacted by the activator protein-1 family member c-JUN. The present study demonstrates that ciglitazone and dibutyryl-cAMP synergistically enhance STAR expression in MA-10 and KK1 cells. Ciglitazone-activated PPARγ appears to increase the sensitivity of Leydig and granulosa cells to cAMP stimulation, possibly via upregulation of c-JUN expression.
Aurora B answers an XIST-ential question
Authors: Short Ben
Published: August 2009

Mitotic release of chromatin-binding RNA gives insight into X chromosome silencing.
The Retransition as Sign: Listener-Orientated Approaches to Tonal Closure in Haydn's Sonata-Form Movements
Authors: Spitzer Michael
Published: August 2009

Music psychologists interested in the perception of tonal closure might do worse than investigate the Classical retransition as a sign of impending resolution. Haydn tends to attract more than his fair share of ‘listener-orientated’ approaches, perhaps on account of his attested sensitivity to his audience's cognitive ‘processing limits’. His well-known remark to Griesinger that, isolated at Eszterháza, he ‘could make experiments, observe what elicited or weakened an impression, and thus correct, add, delete, take risks’ conveys the impression of an artist clearly in touch with his public. And yet this most playful of composers exploited this rapport to mislead his listeners, making aesthetic capital out of systematic disinformation.
The Utility of Musical Instruments in the Racial and Colonial Agendas of Late Nineteenth-Century France
Authors: Pasler Jann
Published: August 2009

Throughout the nineteenth century, musical instruments were seen as embodiments of a country's distinction, useful in ‘the study of man, the diverse races, and their degree of civilization’. This article, focusing on the illustrated French press between 1870 and 1900, examines popular colonial representations of instruments in the context of the complex racial ideologies and the material as well as ideological struggles underlying imperialism. Images of exotic instruments, I argue, served not only to teach about foreign cultures, but also to shape French perceptions of Africa and Indo-China during imperialist expansion there. As such, they help us to situate ethnomusicology's prehistory within French colonialism.
Japanese version of Cutaneous Body Image Scale: Translation and validation
Authors: HIGAKI Yuko , WATANABE Ikuko , MASAKI Tomoko , KAMO Toshiko , KAWASHIMA Makoto , SATOH Toshihiko , SAITOH Shiroh , NOHARA Michiko , GUPTA Madhulika A.
Published: August 2009

Cutaneous body image, defined as the individual’s mental perception of the appearance of their skin, hair and nails, is an important psychodermatological element in skin diseases. To measure individuals’ cutaneous body image, a practical and accurate instrument is necessary. In this study, we translated the Cutaneous Body Image Scale (CBIS), a 7‐item instrument originally created by Gupta et al. in 2004, into Japanese using a forward‐ and back‐translation method and evaluated the reliability and validity of the instrument by psychometric tests. A total of 298 healthy adults (64 men and 234 women, aged 28.9 ± 9.9 years) and 165 dermatology patients (56.7% eczema/dermatitis, 9.8% acne, 7.5% alopecia, 6.9% psoriasis, 19.1% skin tumor/fleck/other) (30 men and 135 women, aged 37.9 ± 15.2 years) responded to the Japanese version of the CBIS. The internal‐consistency reliability of the instrument was high (Cronbach’s α, healthy adults 0.88, patients 0.84). The CBIS measure demonstrates good test–retest reliability (healthy adults γ = 0.92, P < 0.0001; patients γ = 0.79, P < 0.001). Compared to the healthy adults (4.11 ± 1.80), the CBIS scores among dermatology patients (3.18 ± 1.69, P = 0.000) were significantly low. The CBIS scores showed moderate correlation with the “emotions“ and “global” scores of Skindex‐16 in healthy adults (γ = −0.397 and −0.373, respectively) and in patients (γ = −0.431 and −0.38, respectively). A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that an emotional aspect of skin‐condition related quality of life was the best predictor of cutaneous body image in both healthy adults and patients (β = −0.31 and −0.41, respectively) followed by “body dissatisfaction” (β = −0.17, and −0.23, respectively). Adjusted R2 was 0.246 in healthy adults and 0.264 in patients. These were consistent with the results from the original the CBIS. These results suggest that the Japanese version of the CBIS is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the cutaneous body image of Japanese adults and also dermatology patients.
The influence of tree canopies and elephants on sub‐canopy vegetation in a savannah
Authors: Guldemond Robert , Van Aarde Rudi
Published: August 2009

The apparent influence of elephants on the structure of savannahs in Africa may be enhanced by management activities, fire and other herbivores. We separated the effect elephants have on grasses, woody seedlings (<0.5 m) and saplings (0.5–2 m) from the effect of tree canopies (canopy effect), and herbivory (park effect). We defined the canopy effect as the differences between plant abundances and diversity indices under tree canopies and 20 m away from these. Our testing of the park effect relied on the differences in the sub‐canopy plant indices inside and outside a protected area that supported a range of herbivores. We based our assessment of the elephant effect on sub‐canopy vegetation indices associated with elephant induced reductions in tree canopies. The park and canopy effects were more pronounced than the elephant effect. The park effect suppressed the development of woody seedlings into saplings. Conditions associated with tree canopies benefited woody plants, but not the grasses, as their indices were lower under trees. Elephants reducing canopies facilitated grass species tolerant of direct solar radiation. We concluded that management should consider other agents operating in the system when deciding on reducing the impact that elephants may have on vegetation.
Soil biodiversity monitoring in Europe: ongoing activities and challenges
Authors: Gardi C. , Montanarella L. , Arrouays D. , Bispo A. , Lemanceau P. , Jolivet C. , Mulder C. , Ranjard L. , Römbke J. , Rutgers M. , Menta C.
Published: August 2009

The increasing interest in soil biodiversity and its protection includes both the biodiversity conservation issues and the mostly unknown economic and ecological values of services provided by soil biodiversity. Inventory and monitoring are necessary tools for the achievement of an adequate level of knowledge regarding soil biodiversity status and for the detection of biodiversity hot spots as well as areas where current levels of biodiversity are under threat of decline. In this paper the main tools and methodological approaches for soil biodiversity measurement are presented. Technical aspects related to the inventory and monitoring activities at a large spatial scale are discussed. A short review of some current experiences of soil biodiversity monitoring at the European level is also presented.
The leaf economics spectrum and the prediction of photosynthetic light–response curves
Authors: Marino Giancarlo , Aqil Marouane , Shipley Bill
Published: August 2009

1. In this paper we determine whether interspecific variation in entire photosynthetic light–response curves correlates with the leaf traits of the ‘leaf economics spectrum’ (LES) and the degree to which such traits can predict interspecific variation in light–response curves. This question is important because light–response curves are included in many ecosystem models of plant productivity and gas exchange but such models do not take into account interspecific variation in such response curves.

2. We answer this question using original observations from 260 leaves from 130 plants of 65 different species of herbaceous (25) and woody (40) angiosperms. Herbs were grown in growth chambers and gas exchange measurements were taken in the laboratory. Leaf traits and gas exchange measurements for the woody plants were taken in the field. Leaf traits measured were leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf nitrogen concentration (N) and leaf chlorophyll concentration (Chl). We fitted the Mitscherlich and Michaelis–Menten equations of the light–response curve separately for each leaf. This gave (for the Mitscherlich equation) the light compensation point (ϕ), the quantum yield at the light compensation point (q(ϕ)), and maximum net photosynthesis (Amax) and (for the Michaelis–Menten equation), the maximum gross photosynthesis (Gmax), the half saturation coefficient (k) and the dark respiration rate (Rd).

3. Amax and q(ϕ) were highly correlated with the measured leaf traits but ϕ was not. All three parameters of the Michaelis–Menten equations were correlated with the leaf traits. Allometric equations predicting the parameters of the Mitscherlich and Michaelis–Menten equations by N and LMA are presented. Replacing the leaf‐specific parameters by these general allometric equations based on leaf N and LMA gave good predictions of net photosynthetic rates over the entire range of irradiance (r = 0·79–0·98) but with a downward bias for the herbs when the most general allometric equations are used.

4. These results further extend the generality of the LES and may allow available information from large leaf trait data bases to be incorporated into ecosystem models of plant growth and gas exchange.
Soil‐based habitat partitioning in understorey palms in lower montane tropical forests
Authors: Andersen Kelly M. , Turner Benjamin L. , Dalling James W.
Published: August 2009

Aim  Dispersal assembly and niche assembly are two competing theories proposed to explain the maintenance of species diversity in tropical forests. Dispersal theory emphasizes the role of chance colonization events and distance‐limited seed dispersal in explaining species abundance and distribution, whereas niche theory emphasizes differences among species in requirements for potentially limiting resources. Species distribution patterns in tropical forests often correlate with geology and topography, but tests of the relative importance of dispersal and niche partitioning have been hampered by an inadequate characterization of resource availability. The aim of this study was to explore how soil chemical and physical properties, climate, and geographic distance affect understorey palm communities in lower montane forests.

Location  Fortuna Forest Reserve, Chiriqui Province, and Palo Seco Forest Reserve, Bocas del Toro Province, in western Panama.

Methods  Understorey palms and soil nutrient concentrations were surveyed within 10 sites on different soil types across a 13‐km transect. Variation in palm community composition was examined in relation to spatial and environmental variables.

Results  The 25 understorey palm species recorded in the study were non‐randomly distributed among forests differing in soil nutrient availability. In support of dispersal theory, floristic similarity decreased predictably with increasing geographic distance. However, environmental and soil variables were also correlated with geographic distance. Floristic similarity was also highly associated with a subset of environmental variables. Variation in palm community similarity was most strongly correlated with inorganic nitrogen availability and cation concentration. A subset of soil variables had a stronger relationship with floristic similarity when geographic distance was controlled for than did geographic distance when differences in soils were controlled for.

Main conclusions  Both dispersal and niche processes affect palm species distribution patterns. Although spatially limited dispersal may influence species distribution patterns, soil‐based habitat associations, particularly with respect to soil nitrogen, cation availability and aluminium concentrations, remain important factors influencing palm community composition at the mesoscale level in this tropical montane forest.
Plant and fungal identity determines pathogen protection of plant roots by arbuscular mycorrhizas
Authors: Sikes Benjamin A. , Cottenie Karl , Klironomos John N.
Published: August 2009

1. A major benefit of the mycorrhizal symbiosis is that it can protect plants from below‐ground enemies, such as pathogens. Previous studies have indicated that plant identity (particularly plants that differ in root system architecture) or fungal identity (fungi from different families within the Glomeromycota) can determine the degree of protection from infection by pathogens. Here, we test the combined effects of plant and fungal identity to assess if there is a strong interaction between these two factors.

2. We paired one of two plants (Setaria glauca, a plant with a finely branched root system and Allium cepa, which has a simple root system) with one of six different fungal species from two families within the Glomeromycota. We assessed the degree to which plant identity, fungal identity and their interaction determined infection by Fusarium oxysporum, a common plant pathogen.

3. Our results show that the interaction between plant and fungal identity can be an important determinant of root infection by the pathogen. Infection by Fusarium was less severe in Allium (simple root system) or when Setaria (complex root system) was associated with a fungus from the family Glomeraceae. We also detected significant plant growth responses to the treatments; the fine‐rooted Setaria benefited more from associating with a member of the family Glomeraceae, while Allium benefited more from associating with a member of the family Gigasporaceae.

4. Synthesis. This study supports previous claims that plants with complex root systems are more susceptible to infection by pathogens, and that the arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis can reduce infection in such plants – provided that the plant is colonized by a mycorrhizal fungus that can offer protection, such as the isolates of Glomus used here.
Automatic control of mechanical forces acting on cell biomembranes using a vision‐guided microrobotic system in computer microscopy
Authors: ZHANG Y.L. , HAN M.L. , VIDYALAKSHMI J. , SHEE C.Y. , ANG W.T.
Published: August 2009

A prototype for automatic control of mechanical forces acting on cell biomembranes is proposed in this paper. This prototype consists of vision‐guided position control of the holder and micro‐force sensor, automatic mechanical property characterization of cell biomembranes and automatic control of mechanical forces acting on cell biomembranes. A template‐free calibration method and autofocusing of multiple objects are introduced in the vision‐guided position control to minimize external biological contamination and position the cell, holder and micro‐force sensor into the same focal plane, respectively. A third‐order polynomial modified from biomembrane point‐load model describing the relationship between the measured mechanical force and the deformations of biomembranes is proposed. This simplified model is easily identified and inversed to facilitate the automatic control of mechanical forces. Experimental results based on zebrafish embryos demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed prototype.
Time‐lapse imaging of In Vitro myogenesis using atomic force microscopy
Authors: STÄDLER B. , BLÄTTLER T. M. , FRANCO‐OBREGÓN A.
Published: August 2009

Myoblast therapy relies on the integration of skeletal muscle stem cells into distinct muscular compartments for the prevention of clinical conditions such as heart failure, or bladder dysfunction. Understanding the fundamentals of myogenesis is hence crucial for the success of these potential medical therapies. In this report, we followed the rearrangement of the surface membrane structure and the actin cytoskeletal organization in C2C12 myoblasts at different stages of myogenesis using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). AFM imaging of living myoblasts undergoing fusion unveiled that within minutes of making cell–cell contact, membrane tubules appear that unite the myoblasts and increase in girth as fusion proceeds. CLSM identified these membrane tubules as built on scaffolds of actin filaments that nucleate at points of contact between fusing myoblasts. In contrast, similarly behaving membrane tubules are absent during cytokinesis. The results from our study in combination with recent findings in literature further expand the understanding of the biochemical and membrane structural rearrangements involved in the two fundamental cellular processes of division and fusion.
Mutagenic lesion bypass and two functionally different RecA proteins in Deinococcus deserti
Authors: Dulermo Rémi , Fochesato Sylvain , Blanchard Laurence , De Groot Arjan
Published: August 2009

RecA is essential for extreme radiation tolerance in Deinococcus radiodurans. Interestingly, Sahara bacterium Deinococcus deserti has three recA genes (recAC, recAP1, recAP3) that code for two different RecA proteins (RecAC, RecAP). Moreover, and in contrast to other sequenced Deinococcus species, D. deserti possesses homologues of translesion synthesis (TLS) DNA polymerases, including ImuY and DnaE2. Together with a lexA homologue, imuY and dnaE2 form a gene cluster similar to a widespread RecA/LexA‐controlled mutagenesis cassette. After having developed genetic tools, we have constructed mutant strains to characterize these recA and TLS polymerase genes in D. deserti. Both RecAC and RecAP are functional and allow D. deserti to survive, and thus repair massive DNA damage, after exposure to high doses of radiation. D. deserti is mutable by UV, which requires ImuY, DnaE2 and RecAC, but not RecAP. RecAC, but not RecAP, facilitates induced expression of imuY and dnaE2 following UV exposure. We propose that the extra recAP1 and recAP3 genes may provide higher levels of RecA protein for efficient error‐free repair of DNA damage, without further increasing error‐prone lesion bypass by ImuY and DnaE2, whereas limited TLS may contribute to adaptation to harsh conditions by generating genetic variability.
Estimation of parameters of a biochemically based model of photosynthesis using a genetic algorithm
Authors: SU YONGHONG , ZHU GAOFENG , MIAO ZEWEI , FENG QI , CHANG ZONGQIANG
Published: August 2009

Photosynthesis response to carbon dioxide concentration can provide data on a number of important parameters related to leaf physiology. The genetic algorithm (GA), which is a robust stochastic evolutionary computational algorithm inspired by both natural selection and natural genetics, is proposed to simultaneously estimate the parameters [including maximum carboxylation rate allowed by ribulose 1·5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) carboxylation rate (Vcmax), potential light‐saturated electron transport rate (Jmax), triose‐phosphate utilization (TPU), leaf dark respiration in the light (Rd) and mesophyll conductance (gm)] of the photosynthesis models presented by Farquhar, von Caemmerer and Berry, and Ethier and Livingston. The results show that by properly constraining the parameter bounds the GA‐based estimate methods can effectively and efficiently obtain globally (or, at least near globally) optimal solutions, which are as good as or better than those obtained by non‐linear curve fitting methods used in previous studies. More complicated problems such as taking the gm variation response to CO2 into account can be easily formulated and solved by using GA. The influence of the crossover probability (Pc), mutation probability (Pm), population size and generation on the performance of GA was also investigated.
Marine palaeoseismology from very high resolution seismic imaging: the Gondola Fault Zone (Adriatic foreland)
Authors: Di Bucci D. , Ridente D. , Fracassi U. , Trincardi F. , Valensise G.
Published: August 2009

We present a marine palaeoseismology analysis of a dense network of very high resolution seismic profiles along the Gondola Fault Zone (GFZ), a right‐lateral, E–W‐striking, active fault system in the Adriatic foreland. This case‐study aims to show how time and space variations in the activity of a dominantly right‐lateral fault system can be assessed using the vertical component of slip. The GFZ has been investigated for a length of 50 km. It includes two parallel subvertical fault sets and two main anticlines. The late Middle Pleistocene to Holocene vertical component of displacement along the fault is bell‐shaped, suggesting that in the long‐term the fault zone acts as a single, kinematically coherent structure. Slip rates are 0–0.18 mm a−1and vary temporally on individual segments. This variability is consistent with a model in which individual fault segments rupture independently during earthquakes with magnitudes up to 6.4 and 1.3–1.8 ka recurrence intervals.
Effect of selective vaccination on a decrease in the rate of hepatitis B virus‐positive Japanese first‐time blood donors
Authors: Yoshikawa A. , Suzuki K. , Abe A. , Tanaka T. , Yamaguchi K. , Tanaka T. , Ishikawa Y. , Minegishi K. , Gotanda Y. , Yugi H. , Uchida S. , Satake M. , Mizoguchi H. , Tadokoro K.
Published: August 2009

summary.

The government of Japan started a selective vaccination programme to prevent mother‐to‐infant infection by hepatitis B virus (HBV) since January 1986. The effect of the programme on first‐time blood donors has not been examined in detail. Data of first‐time blood donors aged 16–25 years from 1996 to 2007 were extracted from the Japanese Red Cross (JRC) donors' database. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to visualize the birth‐year‐dependent group of rate of HBV‐positive donors. According to the birth of year, donors were divided into four groups by PCA. After the start of the programme, donors born in 1986–1989 comprised a single group. Before the start of the programme, three groups (1980, 1981–1984 and 1985) were identified. Although a significant time‐dependent decrease in the rate of HBV‐positive donors was observed before the start of the programme, a significant difference in the rate of HBV‐positive donors was observed around the start of the programme by regression analysis for 16–19‐year‐old first‐time blood donors. The selective vaccination programme has been effective to prevent the vertical transmission of HBV from the analysis of first‐time blood donors. On the other hand, vaccination of blood donors should be considered to reduce the risk of post‐transfusion HBV infection, because the horizontal transmission increases in HBV‐positive blood donors.
A comparative cohort study on transfusion practice and outcome in two Dutch tertiary neonatal centres
Authors: Khodabux C. M. , Hack K. E. A. , Von Lindern J. S. , Brouwers H. , Walther F. J. , Brand A.
Published: August 2009

summary.

The objective of this study was to investigate how a red blood cell transfusion volume of 15 or 20 mL kg−1 body weight affects the total number of administered transfusions and neonatal complications in premature infants born before 32 gestational weeks. In this observational study, we analysed clinical data from two cohorts of 218 and 241 premature infants admitted to two neonatal centres which used the same transfusion guideline and product, but different transfusion volumes. Outcome parameters were the number of administered transfusions and the composite outcome of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular haemorrhage and mortality. The proportion of transfused infants was significantly lower (59 vs. 77%) in the centre using a lower transfusion volume of 15 mL kg−1. In infants born between a gestational age of 24 0/7 weeks and 27 6/7 weeks. a similar proportion received transfusions in both centres, with an equal number of transfusions per infant. In infants born between a gestational age of 28 0/7 weeks and 31 6/7 weeks, the proportion of transfused infants (49 vs. 74%) was significantly higher in the centre using a larger transfusion volume. In these infants, transfusion with 20 mL kg−1 resulted, however, in a mean reduction of one transfusion episode per infant. The higher proportion of transfused infants was associated with a higher pre‐transfusion haematocrit in less ill infants, suggesting the use of different triggers based on clinical grounds. Composite clinical complications were similar in both cohorts. Clinical neonatal outcome was similar disregard of a higher proportion of transfused patients and a higher total amount of RBC transfused in one of the centres. A larger transfusion volume of 20 mL kg−1 prolonged the interval until next transfusion and can reduce donor exposure in infants born between a gestational age of 28 0/7 weeks and 31 6/7 weeks.
Alternative oxidase involvement in Daucus carota somatic embryogenesis
Authors: Frederico António Miguel , Campos Maria Doroteia , Cardoso Hélia Guerra , Imani Jafargholi , Arnholdt‐Schmitt Birgit
Published: August 2009

Plant alternative oxidase (AOX) is a mitochondrial inner membrane enzyme involved in alternative respiration. The critical importance of the enzyme during acclimation upon stress of plant cells is not fully understood and is still an issue of intensive research and discussion. Recently, a role of AOX was suggested for the ability of plant cells to change easily its fate upon stress. In order to get new insights about AOX involvement in cell reprogramming, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and inhibitor studies were performed during cell redifferentiation and developmental stages of Daucus carota L. somatic embryogenesis. Transcript level analysis shows that D. carota AOX genes (DcAOX1a and DcAOX2a) are differentially expressed during somatic embryogenesis. DcAOX1a shows lower expression levels, being mainly down‐regulated, whereas DcAOX2a presented a large up‐regulation during initiation of the realization phase of somatic embryogenesis. However, when globular embryos start to develop, both genes are down‐regulated, being this state transient for DcAOX2a. In addition, parallel studies were performed using salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM) in order to inhibit AOX activity during the realization phase of somatic embryogenesis. Embryogenic cells growing in the presence of the inhibitor were unable to develop embryogenic structures and its growth rate was diminished. This effect was reversible and concentration dependent. The results obtained contribute to the hypothesis that AOX activity supports metabolic reorganization as an essential part of cell reprogramming and, thus, enables restructuring and de novo cell differentiation.
Genetic analysis and QTL mapping of stalk digestibility and kernel composition in a high‐oil maize mutant (Zea mays L.)
Authors: Wang H.‐W. , Han J. , Sun W.‐T. , Chen S.‐J.
Published: August 2009

With 1 figure and 5 tables

A high‐oil maize inbred line Ce03005 derived from ethylmethane‐sulphonate mutagenesis was used to study the genetic basis of stalk digestibility and kernel chemical compositions, and evaluate the genetic relationship between traits. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping employed 211 lines of F3 and F4 generations derived from Ce03005 × B73. Nuclear magnetic resonance and near‐infrared reflectance spectrometry were used to analyse the following phenotypic traits: stalk digestibility and related traits including in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro cell wall digestibility (IVNDFD), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), and kernel composition including kernel oil content (KOC), kernel protein content (KPC) and kernel starch content (KSC). Correlation analysis indicated that IVDMD, IVNDFD and WSC were significantly (P = 0.01) positively correlated with KOC, while ADF and NDF were negatively correlated with KOC. Six QTL for IVDMD, five for IVNDFD, six for NDF, eight for ADF, three for WSC, eight for KOC, seven for KPC and 10 for KSC were detected in F3 and F4 generations. Five major QTL (R2 > 10) of qIVDMD6, qIVNDFD6, qNDF6, qADF6, qWSC6 andOlicm6 shared the same confidence interval on chromosome 6. The results suggested that KOC may be closely related or share the same QTL for stalk quality traits, and its change may have influences to the stalk components.
State of the Arts and Innovation: Before and After the Review of the National Innovation System
Authors: Jaaniste Luke
Published: August 2009

This article examines the relationship between the arts and national innovation policy in Australia, pivoting around the Venturous Australia report released in September 2008 as part of the Review of the National Innovation System (RNIS). This came at a time of optimism that the arts sector would be included in Australia's federal innovation policy. However, despite the report's broad vision for innovation and specific commentary on the arts, the more ambitious hopes of arts sector advocates remained unfulfilled. This article examines the entwining discourses of creativity and innovation which emerged globally and in Australia prior to the RNIS, before analysing Venturous Australia in terms of the arts and the ongoing science‐and‐technology bias to innovation policy. It ends by considering why sector‐led policy research and lobbying has to date proved unsuccessful and then suggests what public policy development is now needed.
Testing the Discourse of Declining Policy Capacity: Rail Policy and the Department of Transport
Authors: Edwards Lindy
Published: August 2009

It has been observed that countries that implemented new public management (NPM) reforms are currently witnessing growing complaints about a decline in the policy capacity of their public services. Australia is a part of this trend with public sector leaders increasingly voicing concern about policy capacity decline within the Australian Public Service (APS). This article sets out to examine whether there is an empirical basis for this discourse and to assess allegations that NPM reforms have contributed to any related shifts. It draws on rail policy and the Department of Transport as its case study. It finds that the reforms transformed role of the department in a way that enhanced strategic policy capacity. However, the reforms also introduced a number of structural impediments that make it difficult for the new role to be effectively executed.
Measuring the Effectiveness of New Approaches to Housing Support Policy for Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Fisher Karen R. , Parker Sarah , Purcal Christiane
Published: August 2009

Housing support policy for persons with disabilities who require access to 24‐hour formal or informal support is changing throughout Australia. This is consistent with international trends including: independent living in generic housing; facilitating choices about where and with whom people live; individualised home‐based support; and community integration. Are these trends leading to policies that are effective in the Australian context? This article presents a framework for analysing the effectiveness of new approaches to housing support using a rights perspective. The framework consists of four domains: client outcomes; administrative systems; service viability; and coordination between formal and informal carers. Applying the framework to six case studies found that they all aim to foster independence, while providing effective individualised, holistic housing support.
Revealing Habitus, Illuminating Practice: Bourdieu, Photography and Visual Methods
Authors: Sweetman Paul
Published: August 2009

Having taken taking as one of its starting points a concern to avoid fetishising method – or employing any form of method for its own sake – this paper then argues that visual methods of research may be particularly helpful in investigating areas that are difficult otherwise to verbalise or articulate. These include Bourdieu's understanding of habitus; our predisposed ways of being, acting and operating in the social environment that Bourdieu himself suggests are ‘beyond the grasp of consciousness, and hence cannot be touched by voluntary, deliberate transformation, cannot even be made explicit’ ( Bourdieu, 1977 : 94). Having outlined what Bourdieu means by habitus and considered some of the difficulties surrounding its operationalisation, the paper goes on to consider Bourdieu's own use of photography and understanding of photographic practice. It is then argued that we can move beyond Bourdieu's position by employing visual methods specifically to uncover and illuminate aspects of habitus. Where research participants are directly involved in this process this also means that visual methods can be potentially transformative, allowing for the development of forms of critical self-awareness amongst research participants of the sort that Bourdieu attributes to ‘socioanalysis’ ( Bourdieu, 1999 : 611).
FIRM‐LEVEL DETERMINANTS OF POLITICAL INFLUENCE
Authors: CHONG ALBERTO , GRADSTEIN MARK
Published: August 2009

This paper uses a large cross‐country survey of business firms to assess their influence on government policies. When controlling for endogeneity, we find that such an influence is associated with larger firms and to a lesser extent with government ownership, but not with the degree of competition. We also find that firms' perception of being politically influential is enhanced with the country's level of institutional quality.
Atypical Work and Employment Continuity
Authors: ADDISON JOHN T. , SURFIELD CHRISTOPHER J.
Published: August 2009

Atypical employment arrangements have long been criticized as offering more precarious and unstable work than regular employment. Using data from the Contingent and Alternative Employment Arrangement Supplement and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 Cohort, we determine whether workers who take such jobs rather than regular employment, or the alternative of continued job search, experience greater or lesser employment continuity. Controlling for unobserved individual heterogeneity, the advantage of regular work over atypical work and atypical work over continued joblessness dissipates.
On‐The‐Job Skills and Earnings of Returned Migrants
Authors: Lianos Theodore , Pseiridis Anastasia
Published: August 2009

Abstract1

In this paper we study the factors altering the probability of migrants to acquire additional on‐the‐job skills while abroad, and the determinants of their earnings level, using a sample of 6120 returned migrants from Bosnia, Bulgaria, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Romania, and Tadjikistan. We use a two‐stage procedure to estimate a system of two equations where on‐the‐job skills and earnings are determined simultaneously. The probability of acquiring skills on‐the‐job is found to be positively affected by the level of earnings. It is also higher for migrants who are employed in the same sector (pre‐ and during migration), and for migrants with lower initial financial status. Interestingly, the probability is lower for migrants with university education. The earnings level is positively affected by acquired on‐the‐job skills, the level of education, and the duration of migration. Women have lower earnings while those (males and females) who have learned the language of the destination country have higher earnings. The country variables are statistically significant in all cases but one, indicating that there are differences in the acquisition of skills and earnings reflecting unspecified differences among the countries of origin.
The impact of the pH value on skin integrity and cutaneous wound healing
Authors: Schreml S , Szeimies R‐M , Karrer S , Heinlin J , Landthaler M , Babilas P
Published: August 2009

The process of cutaneous wound healing comprises three overlapping major phases: inflammation, proliferation and tissue remodelling. However, while mechanisms are studied scientifically on the cellular and subcellular level, there is still a lack of knowledge concerning basic clinical parameters like wound pH or pO2. It could be proven that wound healing is affected by wound pH changes as they can lead to an inhibition of endogenous and therapeutically applied enzymes. Besides, the conformational structure of proteins and their functionality in wound healing is altered. Furthermore, the likelihood of bacterial colonization, which is a common problem in chronic wound pathogenesis, is affected by wound pH alterations. However, wound pH is rarely taken into account in current wound therapy strategies. A routinely performed monitoring of the wound pH and a subsequently adapted wound therapy would most possibly improve chronic wound therapy.