bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Six-coordinate manganese(3+) in catalysis by yeast manganese superoxide dismutase
Authors: Sheng Yuewei , Butler Gralla Edith , Schumacher Mikhail , Cascio Duilio , Cabelli Diane E. , Selverstone Valentine Joan
Published: August 2012

Reduction of superoxide (

) by manganese-containing superoxide dismutase occurs through either a “prompt protonation” pathway, or an “inner-sphere” pathway, with the latter leading to formation of an observable Mn-peroxo complex. We recently reported that wild-type (WT) manganese superoxide dismutases (MnSODs) from
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
and
Candida albicans
are more gated toward the “prompt protonation” pathway than human and bacterial MnSODs and suggested that this could result from small structural changes in the second coordination sphere of manganese. We report here that substitution of a second-sphere residue, Tyr34, by phenylalanine (Y34F) causes the MnSOD from
S. cerevisiae
to react exclusively through the “inner-sphere” pathway. At neutral pH, we have a surprising observation that protonation of the Mn-peroxo complex in the mutant yeast enzyme occurs through a fast pathway, leading to a putative six-coordinate Mn
3+
species, which actively oxidizes

in the catalytic cycle. Upon increasing pH, the fast pathway is gradually replaced by a slow proton-transfer pathway, leading to the well-characterized five-coordinate Mn
3+
. We here propose and compare two hypothetical mechanisms for the mutant yeast enzyme, differing in the structure of the Mn-peroxo complex yet both involving formation of the active six-coordinate Mn
3+
and proton transfer from a second-sphere water molecule, which has substituted for the ─OH of Tyr34, to the Mn-peroxo complex. Because WT and the mutant yeast MnSOD both rest in the 2+ state and become six-coordinate when oxidized up from Mn
2+
, six-coordinate Mn
3+
species could also actively function in the mechanism of WT yeast MnSODs.
Evolution of cooperation and skew under imperfect information
Authors: Akçay Erol , Meirowitz Adam , Ramsay Kristopher W. , Levin Simon A.
Published: August 2012

The evolution of cooperation in nature and human societies depends crucially on how the benefits from cooperation are divided and whether individuals have complete information about their payoffs. We tackle these questions by adopting a methodology from economics called mechanism design. Focusing on reproductive skew as a case study, we show that full cooperation may not be achievable due to private information over individuals’ outside options, regardless of the details of the specific biological or social interaction. Further, we consider how the structure of the interaction can evolve to promote the maximum amount of cooperation in the face of the informational constraints. Our results point to a distinct avenue for investigating how cooperation can evolve when the division of benefits is flexible and individuals have private information.
Implementing the democratic principles and practices of student‐centred curriculum integration in primary schools
Authors: Brough Chris Jane
Published: August 2012

Student‐centred curriculum integration (CI) is a concept underpinned by democratic education. It places students at the centre of learning, involving them in classroom decisions and curriculum planning. Most research on this approach has been situated in the middle years, but this study focuses on primary schooling.

 This project examined what happened when three teachers, located in three New Zealand schools, explored the democratic principles and practices inherent in student‐centred curriculum integration. The project utilised participatory action research (PAR) methodology supported by multiple data sources. The findings indicated that this form of curriculum design provides relevant, engaging and equitable learning environments. The teachers found that by slowly increasing the level of student inclusion they gained the confidence and competence to collaboratively co‐construct curriculum with students.
IL-1R–MyD88 signaling in keratinocyte transformation and carcinogenesis
Authors: Cataisson Christophe , Salcedo Rosalba , Hakim Shakeeb , Moffitt B. Andrea , Wright Lisa , Yi Ming , Stephens Robert , Dai Ren-Ming , Lyakh Lyudmila , Schenten Dominik , Yuspa H. Stuart , Trinchieri Giorgio
Published: August 2012

Constitutively active RAS plays a central role in the development of human cancer and is sufficient to induce tumors in two-stage skin carcinogenesis. RAS-mediated tumor formation is commonly associated with up-regulation of cytokines and chemokines that mediate an inflammatory response considered relevant to oncogenesis. In this study, we report that mice lacking IL-1R or MyD88 are less sensitive to topical skin carcinogenesis than their respective wild-type (WT) controls. MyD88−/− or IL-1R−/− keratinocytes expressing oncogenic RAS are hyperproliferative and fail to up-regulate proinflammatory genes or down-regulate differentiation markers characteristic of RAS-expressing WT keratinocytes. Although RAS-expressing MyD88−/− keratinocytes form only a few small tumors in orthotopic grafts, IL-1R–deficient RAS-expressing keratinocytes retain the ability to form tumors in orthotopic grafts. Using both genetic and pharmacological approaches, we find that the differentiation and proinflammatory effects of oncogenic RAS in keratinocytes require the establishment of an autocrine loop through IL-1α, IL-1R, and MyD88 leading to phosphorylation of IκBα and NF-κB activation. Blocking IL-1α–mediated NF-κB activation in RAS-expressing WT keratinocytes reverses the differentiation defect and inhibits proinflammatory gene expression. Collectively, these results demonstrate that MyD88 exerts a cell-intrinsic function in RAS-mediated transformation of keratinocytes.
Smad3 binding to the foxp3 enhancer is dispensable for the development of regulatory T cells with the exception of the gut
Authors: Schlenner Susan M. , Weigmann Benno , Ruan Qingguo , Chen Youhai , von Boehmer Harald
Published: August 2012

Regulatory T cells (T reg cells) are essential for the prevention of autoimmunity throughout life. T reg cell development occurs intrathymically but a subset of T reg cells can also differentiate from naive T cells in the periphery. In vitro, Smad signaling facilitates conversion of naive T cells into T reg cells but results in unstable Foxp3 expression. The TGF-β–Smad response element in the foxp3 locus is located in the CNS1 region in close proximity to binding sites for transcription factors implicated in TCR and retinoic acid signaling. From in vitro experiments it was previously postulated that foxp3 transcription represents a hierarchical process of transcription factor binding in which Smad3 would play a central role in transcription initiation. However, in vitro conditions generate T reg cells that differ from T reg cells encountered in vivo. To address the relevance of Smad3 binding to the CNS1 enhancer in vivo, we generated mice that exclusively lack the Smad binding site (foxp3CNS1mut). We show that binding of Smad3 to the foxp3 enhancer is dispensable for T reg cell development in newborn and adult mice with the exception of the gut.
Self-collimated slow sound in sonic crystals
Authors: Kaya Olgun Adem , Cicek Ahmet , Ulug Bulent
Published: August 2012

Self-collimated slow-sound propagation in a two-dimensional rectangular sonic crystal composed of elliptical scatterers in air is numerically demonstrated. The group velocity at the centre and the edges of the fourth acoustic band is reduced to 45 m s−1 and 30 m s−1, corresponding to 1/8 and 1/12 of the speed of sound in air, respectively. Elimination of omni-directional reflections encountered in linear waveguides and the reduction of group-velocity dispersion at the mid-band frequencies lead to preservation of pulse shape and amplitude upon traversal of the sonic crystal. Wave transmission is increased from approximately −20 to −2.5 dB, with almost an order of magnitude enhancement, via injector layers optimized through a pattern search algorithm. Self-collimating performance of the system is not degraded under oblique incidence, except for pulse broadening due to increased effective source width.
Site occupancy and luminescence of Ce3+ in NaSr4(BO3)3
Authors: Ding Xuemei , Liang Hongbin , Hou Dejian , Jia Sicong , Su Qiang , Sun Shuaishuai , Tao Ye
Published: August 2012

This work is aimed at understanding the site occupancies of Ce3+ ions in NaSr4(BO3)3 by luminescence spectra. A series of Ce3+-doped NaSr4(BO3)3 powder samples are prepared by a traditional high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. The luminescence properties in the VUV–UV–vis range are studied. It is demonstrated that Ce3+ ions enter two different Sr2+ sites in the host. The nature of each site is assigned by the centroid shift and the crystal field splitting of Ce3+ 5d states. The decay characteristics of Ce(1)3+ and Ce(2)3+ are discussed.
The effect of simultaneous size reduction and transient network formation on the dynamics of microemulsions
Authors: Amirkhani Masoud , Sharifi Soheil , Marti Othmar
Published: August 2012

We studied a mixture of C12E5 microemulsion with an end-capped hydrophobically modified polymer (C12–PEO–C12). The end-capped polymer adsorbed on the core of the microemulsion, changed the bending properties of the interface and connected two nearby droplets. The core size and width of the structure factor of the microemulsion decreased upon adding the end-capped polymer. For all polymer concentrations, two relaxational modes corresponding to different diffusion coefficients were observed. The fast and slow diffusion coefficients showed a repulsive and an attractive interaction, respectively. The results of both small-angle x-ray scattering and dynamic light scattering suggested that fast relaxation is affected by size reduction and increasing the repulsive interaction between droplets.
Single laser based dual-wavelength ablation technique for emission enhancement during LIBS
Authors: Antony Jobin K , Vasa Nilesh J , Raja V L N Sreedhar , Laxmiprasad A S
Published: August 2012

In this paper, a novel method of the dual-wavelength (laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy LIBS) technique using a single laser system is proposed and demonstrated. Experiments are performed using a pulsed Nd3+ : YAG laser with a pair of 355–1064 nm and also with 532–1064 nm. The shorter wavelength laser is used for ablation and plasma formation, and the fundamental wavelength (1064 nm) is used for plasma re-excitation. The proposed dual-wavelength LIBS technique is used for lunar simulant samples under different ambient pressure conditions. Various characteristic parameters, such as the emission line-intensity enhancement, plasma temperature, lifetime and plasma area, are studied. Experimental studies clearly showed the emission line-intensity enhancement up to a factor of 3. Emission lifetime showed a longer sustained emission with an increase of up to 33% for the dual-wavelength approach. A theoretical simulation based on the hydrodynamic equations is also performed for dual-wavelength ablation and re-excitation. The estimated plasma temperature and ablation plume-front velocity clearly showed an increase in dual wavelength, which is in agreement with the experimental results.
Commutators on 𝐿_{𝑝}, 1≤𝑝<∞
Authors: Dosev Detelin , Johnson William , Schechtman Gideon
Published: August 2012

The operators on

L
p

=

L
p

[
0
,
1
]

L_p=L_p[0,1]

,

1
≤
p
>
∞

1\leq p>\infty

, which are not commutators are those of the form

λ
I
+
S

\lambda I + S

, where

λ
≠
0

\lambda \neq 0

and

S
S

belongs to the largest ideal in

L

(

L
p

)

\mathcal {L}(L_p)

. The proof involves new structural results for operators on

L
p

L_p

which are of independent interest.
Regulation of hypoxia‐inducible factor in kidney disease
Authors: Nangaku Masaomi , Rosenberger Christian , Heyman Samuel N , Eckardt Kai‐Uwe
Published: August 2012

Hypoxia plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) and presumably also chronic kidney disease (CKD). Hypoxia‐inducible factor (HIF) is the master transcription factor that regulates adaptive responses against hypoxia. Under hypoxic conditions, HIF activates target genes with hypoxia‐responsive elements in their regulatory regions. The HIF isoforms and regulators of HIF (i.e. prolyl hydroxylases) show cell type‐specific distributions.

Hypoxia is observed in both ischaemic and so‐called non‐ischaemic forms of AKI. In addition to the acute phase, hypoxia may ensue during the recovery phase of AKI, possibly due to the oxygen‐consuming processes of cell growth and proliferation for repair. Although HIF protects the kidney against AKI, intrinsic HIF activation is submaximal in AKI and further augmentation of HIF ameliorates disease manifestations.

The kidney in CKD also suffers from hypoxia caused by multiple mechanisms, including sustained oxygen demands in the remaining nephrons due to maladaptive tubuloglomerular feedback. Whether HIF is chronically upregulated in CKD is contentious. Hypoxia‐inducible factor activation is a promising therapeutic approach to CKD, but excessive activation of HIF may be deleterious. It is likely that there is a therapeutic window of HIF activation in chronic conditions.

Under certain circumstances, animals with CKD are protected against AKI and this may be explained by non‐physiological hypoxia of the kidney and subsequent HIF expression. In addition, an acute hypoxic insult may induce long‐lasting changes, possibly including epigenetic modifications induced by HIF. These observations suggest a complex interaction between AKI and CKD via hypoxia and HIF activation.
When to Run and When to Hide: The Influence of Concealment, Visibility, and Proximity to Refugia on Perceptions of Risk
Authors: Camp Meghan J. , Rachlow Janet L. , Woods Bonnie A. , Johnson Timothy R. , Shipley Lisa A.
Published: August 2012

An animal's ability to avoid predation likely depends on its ability to detect approaching predators, conceal itself, and seek refuge or protection from predators. Habitat, especially vegetation structure, can influence all of these factors concurrently. Binary categorical assessments of habitat as ‘open’ or ‘closed’, however, confound at least two functions of habitat structure that could influence the perceived risk of predation: concealment, which functions to hide an individual, and visibility, which enhances detection of a potential predator. Both can influence predation risk independently and simultaneously. In this study, we decoupled these functional properties of vegetation and studied the effects of concealment, visibility, and proximity to a refuge on the distance at which pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) fled from an approaching threat (flight initiation distance; FID). Concealment by vegetation decreased perceptions of risk; however, pygmy rabbits exhibited elevated risk at high levels of visibility, regardless of the amount of concealment. Proximity to burrow entrances also influenced perceptions of risk, such that risk was significantly lower when rabbits were on or near burrow systems. Disentangling the functional properties of habitat can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence perceived risk and escape behaviors of prey and provide insight into how habitat structure mechanistically relates to predation risk.
Management of severe epidermolysis bullosa by haematopoietic transplant: principles, perspectives and pitfalls
Authors: Tolar Jakub , Wagner John E.
Published: August 2012

People with severe forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) develop widespread blistering and progressively debilitating multisystem complications that may result in a shortened lifespan. As some wounds in EB individuals are difficult or impossible to access with topical therapy, we examined the potential of systemic therapy with normal haematopoietic stem cells. In both animal models and children with EB, healthy donor cells from the haematopoietic graft migrated to the injured skin; simultaneously, there was an increase in the production of skin‐specific structural proteins deficient in EB, increased skin integrity and reduced tendency to blister formation. Even though the majority of evaluable individuals have had a positive response in skin healing, frequently changing their quality of life, the improvement in lifestyle has been varied and the overall clinical response incomplete. To change the current amelioration of disease into a full cure, we propose to (i) increase safety as well as efficacy of haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) using co‐infusion of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells with haematopoietic stem cells and non‐myeloablative conditioning for transplant; (ii) optimize homing of donor cells into the skin erosions in animal models of EB; and (iii) discover and test new drugs for EB therapy using patient‐specific induced pluripotent stem cells. We conclude that although HCT has always been a risky treatment restricted to those with serious life‐threatening or debilitating diseases, by most benchmarks, the results of HCT in EB have shown that HCT has the potential of being a durable, systemic therapy for people with severe forms of EB.
Higher temperature reduces the effects of litter quality on decomposition by aquatic fungi
Authors: FERNANDES ISABEL , PASCOAL CLÁUDIA , GUIMARÃES HELENA , PINTO RUTE , SOUSA INÊS , CÁSSIO FERNANDA
Published: August 2012

1. We investigated the effects of riparian plant diversity (species number and identity) and temperature on microbially mediated leaf decomposition by assessing fungal biodiversity, fungal reproduction and leaf mass loss.

2. Leaves of five riparian plant species were first immersed in a stream to allow microbial colonisation and were then exposed, alone or in all possible combinations, at 16 or 24 °C in laboratory microcosms.

3. Fungal biodiversity was reduced by temperature but was not affected by litter diversity. Temperature altered fungal community composition with species of warmer climate, such as Lunulospora curvula, becoming dominant.

4. Fungal reproduction was affected by litter diversity, but not by temperature. Fungal reproduction in leaf mixtures did not differ or was lower than that expected from the weighted sum of fungal sporulation on individual leaf species. At the higher temperature, the negative effect of litter diversity on fungal reproduction decreased with the number of leaf species.

5. Leaf mass loss was affected by the identity of leaf mixtures (i.e. litter quality), but not by leaf species number. This was mainly explained by the negative correlation between leaf decomposition and initial lignin concentration of leaves.

6. At 24 °C, the negative effects of lignin on microbially mediated leaf decomposition diminished, suggesting that higher temperatures may weaken the effects of litter quality on plant litter decomposition in streams.

7. The reduction in the negative effects of lignin at the higher temperature resulted in an increased microbially mediated litter decomposition, which may favour invertebrate‐mediated litter decomposition leading to a depletion of litter stocks in streams.
ICH E14 Q & A (R1) document: perspectives on the updated recommendations on thorough QT studies
Authors: Shah Rashmi R. , Morganroth Joel
Published: August 2012

The International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidance ICH E14 provides recommendations, focusing on a clinical ‘thorough QT/QTc (TQT) study’, to evaluate the QT liability of a drug during its development. An Implementation Working Group (IWG) was also established to assist the sponsors with any uncertainties and clarify any ambiguities. In April 2012, the IWG updated its June 2008 version of the Questions and Answers document to address additional issues. These include the gender of the study population, a reasonable approach to evaluating QTc changes in late stage clinical development and the recommended approach to correcting the measured QT interval. This commentary provides our observations and, when appropriate, recommendations, on these issues. We review briefly evidence that suggests that (i) the greater QT effect observed in females is not entirely related to differences in drug exposure and (ii) the Fridericia correction of measured QT interval is adequate for a majority of TQT studies. Until further evidence suggests otherwise, we recommend balanced gender representation in TQT studies, unless warranted otherwise, and for positive studies, subgroup analysis of key data by common demographic variables including the gender and ethnicity. We provide a general scheme for ECG monitoring in late phase clinical trials and consider that while intensive monitoring and centralized reading of ECGs in late phase clinical trials is the norm when a TQT study is positive, there are other circumstances that also call for high quality ECG reading. Therefore, locally read ECGs should only be acceptable as long as accurate high quality ECG data can be guaranteed.
Altered expression of intestinal human leucocyte antigen D-related and immune signalling molecules in juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Arvonen M , Vähäsalo P , Turunen S , Salo H M , Mäki M , Laurila K , Vaarala O , Karttunen T J
Published: August 2012

We aimed to study intestinal immune activation status in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) by assessing intestinal human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II expression and the mRNA expression levels of the pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators and pattern recognition receptors. HLA-D-related (HLA-DR) expression was assessed using immunohistochemical staining of frozen sections in 11 children with JIA and 17 controls. The gene expression levels of the anti- and proinflammatory cytokines, lymphocyte recognition receptors and pattern recognition receptors were studied with reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) in 14 children with JIA and 12 controls. All subjects had various gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms indicating endoscopic examinations, but eventually were not diagnosed with GI disease. In JIA patients, the expression of HLA-DR was increased in the crypt epithelial cells and in the epithelial basement membrane of the ileum when compared with the controls. Positive HLA-DR staining in the ileal mucosa was associated with the presence of high clinical disease activity of JIA and low mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory mediators, such as forkhead box protein P3 (FoxP3), glucocorticoid-induced tumour necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta. Low ileal expression of interleukin (IL)-10, TGF-β, FoxP3, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) and TLR-4 transcripts correlated significantly with a high clinical disease activity in the JIA patients. The increased HLA-DR expression suggests enhanced intestinal antigen presentation in JIA. A correlation between clinical disease activity and low gene expression of tolerogenic mediators in the ileum supports the hypothesis that a link exists between the gut immune system and JIA.
Connecting dynamic vegetation models to data – an inverse perspective
Authors: Hartig Florian , Dyke James , Hickler Thomas , Higgins Steven I. , O’Hara Robert B. , Scheiter Simon , Huth Andreas
Published: August 2012

Dynamic vegetation models provide process‐based explanations of the dynamics and the distribution of plant ecosystems. They offer significant advantages over static, correlative modelling approaches, particularly for ecosystems that are outside their equilibrium due to global change or climate change. A persistent problem, however, is their parameterization. Parameters and processes of dynamic vegetation models (DVMs) are traditionally determined independently of the model, while model outputs are compared to empirical data for validation and informal model comparison only. But field data for such independent estimates of parameters and processes are often difficult to obtain, and the desire to include better descriptions of processes such as biotic interactions, dispersal, phenotypic plasticity and evolution in future vegetation models aggravates limitations related to the current parameterization paradigm. In this paper, we discuss the use of Bayesian methods to bridge this gap. We explain how Bayesian methods allow direct estimates of parameters and processes, encoded in prior distributions, to be combined with inverse estimates, encoded in likelihood functions. The combination of direct and inverse estimation of parameters and processes allows a much wider range of vegetation data to be used simultaneously, including vegetation inventories, species traits, species distributions, remote sensing, eddy flux measurements and palaeorecords. The possible reduction of uncertainty regarding structure, parameters and predictions of DVMs may not only foster scientific progress, but will also increase the relevance of these models for policy advice.
Temperature dependence of the reproduction niche and its relevance for plant species distributions
Authors: Bykova Olga , Chuine Isabelle , Morin Xavier , Higgins Steven I.
Published: August 2012

The distribution and abundance of plant species are intimately related to their reproductive success, which in turn is affected by a large number of environmental variables. Yet, reproductive success is rarely taken into account in species distribution models (SDMs). In this paper we examine the extent to which consideration of the reproduction niche and its relationship with temperature could improve SDMs. We review the literature on plant reproductive responses to temperature and the influence of these relationships on species range delimitation. We define the reproduction niche and discuss how temperature influences several stages of the reproductive process. Furthermore, we review examples that illustrate how the reproduction niche influences species distributions and discuss how aspects of the reproduction niche could be considered in SDMs. We show that the reproduction niche fundamentally influences species distributions and that in principle it is easy to include aspects of the reproduction niche in SDMs, although sufficient data are only available for a restricted number of species. Bayesian methods and inverse parameterization may be the most efficient way to use existing data.
Response to breast health screening program at a not‐for‐profit clinic for working poor, uninsured, ethnically diverse women
Authors: Morrison Theresa L
Published: August 2012

Aims and objectives.  Examine the effect of an ongoing breast health screening program, at a not‐for‐profit, non‐government assisted, volunteer clinic, specifically examining mammography usage and to discover variables to improve the rate of mammography.

Background.  Detection of breast cancer in women of low socio‐economic status, lacking health insurance, can be improved by increasing annual mammography rates, yet little is known about their screening behaviour.

Design.  Quantitative, retrospective subject‐controlled study.

Methods.  Subject‐controlled, longitudinal study of English and Spanish‐speaking women 40 years old and over, working poor, and uninsured, who participated in a comprehensive screening program that included a 7‐minute breast health educational DVD (n = 223).

Results.  Radiology records, breast health behaviours and beliefs indicated 76% of women invited for a second test completed it over a year after viewing the educational DVD. Chi‐square and t‐test indicated two significant findings for completing annual mammography in the 12th month: receiving a reminder postcard and scoring lower on perceptions of breast cancer susceptibility. Two significant findings for completing annual mammography even if late are knowledgeable about screening recommendations and ethnically identifying as Hispanic.

Conclusions.  This study shows statistically significant actions that can be undertaken to strengthen programs: reminder postcards, assessing susceptibility score and screening recommendation education.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Simple, inexpensive interventions encourage working, uninsured, Hispanic women to complete mammography.
Misdiagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever in patients with Anderson–Fabry disease
Authors: Zizzo C , Colomba P , Albeggiani G , Gallizzi R , Iemolo F , Nuzzo D , Vasto S , Caruso C , Duro G
Published: August 2012

Fabry disease (FD) is an underdiagnosed pathology due to its symptomatology that overlaps with various systemic and rheumatic disorders, including familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). We examined the Mediterranean fever (MEFV) and α‐galactosidase A (GLA) genes, whose mutations are responsible for FMF and FD, respectively, in 42 unrelated patients diagnosed with FMF, which revealed significant ambiguity regarding some of the symptoms which are also present in FD. The objective of this study was to determine the spectrum of mutations present in these genes, in order to identify cases of mistaken diagnosis of FMF and/or missed diagnosis of FD. Ten out of 42 patients had one mutation in homozygosis or two different mutations in heterozygosis in the
MEFV gene; 20/42 had a single heterozygous mutation, and 12/42 did not have genetic alterations in MEFV. The analysis of the GLA gene conducted on all the samples revealed that three subjects, and some members of their families, had two different exonic mutations associated with FD. Family studies allowed us to identify eight other cases of FD, bringing the total undiagnosed subjects to 11/53. Analyzing the MEFV and GLA genes in patients with clinical diagnoses of FMF proved to be fundamentally important for the reduction of diagnostic errors.
CD74 expression is increased in high‐grade, invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Choi Jung‐Woo , Kim Younghye , Lee Ju‐Han , Kim Young‐Sik
Published: August 2012

This study aimed to identify the clinicopathological features of bladder cancer patients with high CD74 expression, as milatuzumab humanized anti‐CD74 antibody is being evaluated in clinical trials for hematological malignancies. Expression of CD74 was examined in 342 urothelial carcinomas of the bladder, and two urothelial carcinoma cell lines by immunohistochemistry and western blotting, respectively. CD74 was overexpressed in 192 (56.1%) of the 342 cancer tissues, although it was not expressed in the cancer cell lines. CD74 staining was intense in tumor cells and inflammatory cells in the tumor stroma, but not in normal urothelium. CD74 expression was significantly associated with older age at diagnosis (≥68 years, P = 0.048), high World Health Organization grade (P = 0.019), advanced stages (P = 0.001) and non‐papillary growth pattern (P = 0.040). CD74 expression was also correlated with the absence of tumor‐infiltrating inflammatory cells (P < 0.001) and the presence of tumor‐associated inflammatory cells (P = 0.017). However, CD74 expression was not related to recurrence‐free and overall survivals in primary and subgroup analyses. In conclusion, urothelial bladder carcinomas with high CD74 expression are characterized by older age, high World Health Organization grade, non‐papillary growth and advanced stages.
Where do adaptive shifts occur during invasion? A multidisciplinary approach to unravelling cold adaptation in a tropical ant species invading the Mediterranean area
Authors: Rey Olivier , Estoup Arnaud , Vonshak Merav , Loiseau Anne , Blanchet Simon , Calcaterra Luis , Chifflet Lucila , Rossi Jean‐Pierre , Kergoat Gaël J. , Foucaud Julien , Orivel Jérôme , Leponce Maurice , Schultz Ted , Facon Benoit
Published: August 2012

Evolution may improve the invasiveness of populations, but it often remains unclear whether key adaptation events occur after introduction into the recipient habitat (i.e. post‐introduction adaptation scenario), or before introduction within the native range (i.e. prior‐adaptation scenario) or at a primary site of invasion (i.e. bridgehead scenario). We used a multidisciplinary approach to determine which of these three scenarios underlies the invasion of the tropical ant Wasmannia auropunctata in a Mediterranean region (i.e. Israel). Species distribution models (SDM), phylogeographical analyses at a broad geographical scale and laboratory experiments on appropriate native and invasive populations indicated that Israeli populations followed an invasion scenario in which adaptation to cold occurred at the southern limit of the native range before dispersal to Israel. We discuss the usefulness of combining SDM, genetic and experimental approaches for unambiguous determination of eco‐evolutionary invasion scenarios.
Weekend gold returns in bull and bear markets
Authors: Blose Laurence E. , Gondhalekar Vijay
Published: August 2012

This study examines the weekend effect in gold returns during bull and bear markets over the period 1975 through 2011. It shows that gold returns from close on Friday to close on Monday are significantly lower than returns during the rest of the week. This result is due largely to gold returns during bear markets. During gold bull markets, gold weekend returns are not significantly different from weekday returns. The study shows that the effect has substantial economic implications for gold investors. The effect is shown to be related to a significantly negative skewness in the weekend returns.
The effect of cultural orientation and leadership style on self‐ versus other‐oriented organizational citizenship behaviour in Turkey and the Netherlands
Authors: Cem Ersoy Nevra , Born Marise Ph. , Derous Eva , van der Molen Henk T.
Published: August 2012

This paper investigated the effects of a paternalistic and empowering leadership style on organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) in an experimental design using 100 Turkish and 100 Dutch students who held part‐time jobs. Confirming our expectations, a paternalistic leadership style had a more positive effect on job dedication and organizational support in Turkey than in the Netherlands. Contradicting our expectations, an empowering leadership style did not have a more positive effect on any of the OCB dimensions in the Netherlands than it did in Turkey. However, in the Netherlands an empowering leadership style had a stronger effect on interpersonal facilitation, job dedication, and organizational support than a paternalistic leadership style. Paternalistic and empowering leadership styles both had positive effects on OCB dimensions in Turkey. As expected, collectivism moderated the relationship between paternalistic leadership style and other oriented OCB (i.e., interpersonal facilitation). Specifically, people who had more collectivistic tendencies were more positively influenced by a paternalistic leader than people who had low collectivistic tendencies in both countries. However, individualism did not have any moderating effects on the relationship between empowering leadership style and self‐oriented OCB (i.e., job dedication). Our findings are relevant for understanding the effects of leadership styles and cultural orientations on self‐ versus other‐oriented OCB in Turkey and the Netherlands.
Policies and Institutions for Grid‐Connected Renewable Energy: “Best Practice” and The Case of China
Authors: GARCÍA CLARA
Published: August 2012

“Best practice” in policymaking and institution‐building for the deployment of grid‐connected renewable energy (GCRE) can be found scattered throughout reports and policy papers of major international actors and in the discourse of policymakers and businesspeople. This article collects and systematizes a “best practice” model and portrays it as a sector‐specific description of a liberal market economy (LME). Also, the article provides a comparison of China's policies and institutions for GCRE with “best practice,” finding that China's approach coincides with the latter only imperfectly. Divergences of the Chinese approach to GCRE as compared with the model can be explained, at least partially, in that “best practice” pertains to LMEs, and given that China is arguably not an LME. Hence, the particularities of China's approach to GCRE should be understood not as obstacles to renewables but as examples of regulatory and institutional diversity.
Understanding Organizational Reforms in the Modern State: Specialization and Integration in Norway and France
Authors: BEZES PHILIPPE , FIMREITE ANNE LISE , LIDEC PATRICK LE , LÆGREID PER
Published: August 2012

This article examines the challenge Norway and France face in coordinating specialized government activities after 10 years of comprehensive reforms. The focus is on the tension between territorial and sectoral specialization and between vertical and horizontal specialization. We describe both sector‐specific administrative reforms and more overarching general reforms, looking at similarities and differences in the reorganization choices made by the two countries and also at what drives change. We argue that a combination of factors is required to explain outcomes. These factors include not only home‐grown reforms but also sectoral challenges, diffusion and learning from abroad, adaptation to the financial crisis and budget deficit, and choices made by powerful political executives. Sometimes these factors work together and reinforce each other, producing radical reforms; at other times they have a mutually constraining influence, resulting in only minor changes.
Bank Branch Geographic Location Patterns in Spain: Some Implications for Financial Exclusion
Authors: Alamá Luisa , Tortosa‐Ausina Emili
Published: August 2012

Over the last 20 years, the Spanish banking industry has undergone a profound reshaping in several respects. One of the factors that has allowed this has been the geographic expansion of most savings banks into other regions outside their regions of origin that has been taking place at a significant pace since 1989. Almost simultaneously, the Spanish economy has grown at remarkable annual rates, a growth pattern that came to an abrupt halt in 2008. Under these circumstances, this paper analyzes the geographic expansion patterns of Spanish financial institutions during the postderegulation period. This goal extends previous analyses in two main ways: by considering a broader set of variables affecting bank branch location and by using a quantile regression in order to obtain results that go beyond conditional mean models. Results indicate that 1) location and geographic diversification patterns vary mostly across firms and by type of firm; 2) the evaluation of growth and financial development at municipal level indicates that some communities have experienced financial exclusion; and 3) it is difficult to establish a linear relationship to explain bank branch geographic diversification strategies.
Influence of prey depletion and human disturbance on tiger occupancy in Nepal
Authors: Barber‐Meyer S. M. , Jnawali S. R. , Karki J. B. , Khanal P. , Lohani S. , Long B. , MacKenzie D. I. , Pandav B. , Pradhan N. M. B. , Shrestha R. , Subedi N. , Thapa G. , Thapa K. , Wikramanayake E.
Published: August 2012

Tigers are globally endangered and continue to decline due to poaching, prey depletion and habitat loss. In Nepal, tiger populations are fragmented and found mainly in four protected areas (PAs). To establish the use of standard methods, to assess the importance of prey availability and human disturbance on tiger presence and to assess tiger occupancy both inside and outside PAs, we conducted a tiger occupancy survey throughout the Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal. Our model‐average estimate of the probability of tiger site occupancy was 0.366 [standard error (se) = 0.02, a 7% increase from the naive estimate] and the probability of detection estimate was 0.65 (se = 0.08) per 1 km searched. Modeled tiger site occupancy ranged from 0.04 (se = 0.05) in areas with a relatively lower prey base and higher human disturbance to 1 (se = 0 and 0.14) in areas with a higher prey base and lower human disturbance. We estimated tigers occupied just 5049 (se = 3) km2 (36%) of 13 915 km2 potential tiger habitat (forests and grasslands), and we detected sign in four of five key corridors linking PAs across Nepal and India, respectively indicating significant unoccupied areas likely suitable for tigers and substantial potential for tiger dispersal. To increase tiger populations and to promote long‐term persistence in Nepal, otherwise suitable areas should be managed to increase prey and minimize human disturbance especially in critical corridors linking core tiger populations.
Over‐expression of HSP70 attenuates caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent pathways and inhibits neuronal apoptosis
Authors: Sabirzhanov Boris , Stoica Bogdan A. , Hanscom Marie , Piao Chun‐Shu , Faden Alan I.
Published: August 2012

HSP70 is a member of the family of heat‐shock proteins that are known to be up‐regulated in neurons following injury and/or stress. HSP70 over‐expression has been linked to neuroprotection in multiple models, including neurodegenerative disorders. In contrast, less is known about the neuroprotective effects of HSP70 in neuronal apoptosis and with regard to modulation of programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms in neurons. We examined the effects of HSP70 over‐expression by transfection with HSP70‐expression plasmids in primary cortical neurons and the SH‐SY5Y neuronal cell line using four independent models of apoptosis: etoposide, staurosporine, C2‐ceramide, and β‐Amyloid. In these apoptotic models, neurons transfected with the HSP70 construct showed significantly reduced induction of nuclear apoptotic markers and/or cell death. Furthermore, we demonstrated that HSP70 binds and potentially inactivates Apoptotic protease‐activating factor 1, as well as apoptosis‐inducing factor, key molecules involved in development of caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent PCD, respectively. Markers of caspase‐dependent PCD, including active caspase‐3, caspase‐9, and cleaved PARP were attenuated in neurons over‐expressing HSP70. These data indicate that HSP70 protects against neuronal apoptosis and suggest that these effects reflect, at least in part, to inhibition of both caspase‐dependent and caspase‐independent PCD pathways.
Does returning sites of historic peri‐urban waste disposal to vegetable production pose a risk to human health? – A case study near Manchester, UK
Authors: Atkinson N. R. , Young S. D. , Tye A. M. , Breward N. , Bailey E. H.
Published: August 2012

Urban waste disposal occurred on fenland to the west of Manchester, England, between 1900 and 1964. The reclaimed fenland, Chat Moss, is now used for mixed arable farming. A total of 1.92 Mt of waste including privy midden, street sweepings, clinkers and slaughterhouse refuse was incorporated into the moss resulting in a modified topsoil with raised pH and reduced organic matter content compared with the subsoil. Elevated levels of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are observed in the topsoil beyond the typical depth of atmospheric contamination; Cd and As concentrations exceed soil guideline values (SGVs) at 1.8 and 43 mg/kg, respectively. Sequential extraction indicates that waste‐derived Pb, Zn and Ni remain predominantly in the residual fraction, whereas Cu was mainly organically bound. Arsenic was predominately found in oxide and organic matter fractions with Cd in carbonate, oxide, organic matter and residual fractions. Pot trials indicated limited uptake of PTEs by vegetables grown on the waste‐amended soil, with the exception of Cd uptake by lettuce (0.22 mg/kg FW) and Pb uptake by radish (0.16 mg/kg FW), which exceeded current EU limits of 0.2 and 0.1 mg/kg FW, respectively. Hazard quotients (HQs) identified no risks to adults from consumption of vegetables grown in these soils with the exception of lettuce consumption with a HQ of 1.4. Risks to children were slightly greater with HQs >1 for Cd in lettuce, spinach, carrots and onion, As in lettuce, parsley and onion and for Zn in spinach.
Afforestation effects on soil carbon stocks of low productivity grassland in New Zealand
Authors: Hewitt A. , Forrester G. , Fraser S. , Hedley C. , Lynn I. , Payton I.
Published: August 2012

Soil carbon stock change between two major land uses in New Zealand was measured by sampling paired plots across the boundaries of low productivity grassland and forest planted pre‐1990. The national soil carbon monitoring system uses low productivity grassland as a benchmark to evaluate soil carbon stock change for other land uses. The goal was to validate earlier estimates of the effect of pre‐1990 afforestation and to reduce their level of uncertainty. We selected a set of sites to represent the national stocks of forests planted pre‐1990. Previous studies derived estimates of the land‐use effect on soil carbon for afforestation ranging from +1.6 to −8.5 t/ha to 30 cm depth. For all estimates, the 95% confidence interval spanned zero. Our study used nine of the previous paired‐plot sites and sampled and analysed 21 new sites. The land‐use effect of change from grassland to forest planted pre‐1990 was estimated at −17.4 t/ha. The 95% confidence interval ranged from −10.1 to −24.6 t/ha and did not include zero change. The result supported the soil carbon monitoring system assumption that forests planted pre‐1990 have significantly lower soil carbon stocks than the low‐productivity‐grassland standard. Evidence of stock change occurred in depth increments to 0.2 m but with no significant change for the 0.2–0.3 m increment. This suggests that the sampling depth of 0.3 m was adequate for the estimation of soil carbon stock change.
Air‐oxidized linalool–a frequent cause of fragrance contact allergy
Authors: Bråred Christensson Johanna , Andersen Klaus E. , Bruze Magnus , Johansen Jeanne D. , Garcia‐Bravo Begoña , Gimenez Arnau Ana , Goh Chee‐Leok , Nixon Rosemary , White Ian R.
Published: August 2012

Background. Linalool is a common fragrance terpene that, in pure form, is not allergenic or is a very weak allergen. However, linalool autoxidizes on air exposure, and the oxidation products can cause contact allergy. In a Swedish study, oxidized linalool 6.0% in petrolatum (pet.) gave 5% positive patch test reactions in 2500 dermatitis patients.

Objectives. To investigate whether oxidized linalool 6%, with a stable concentration of the main haptens, the linalool hydroperoxides (Lin‐OOHs) in pet., could be a useful tool for the detection of contact allergy in an international setting.

Methods. Oxidized linalool 6.0% (Lin‐OOHs 1%) pet. was tested in 2900 consecutive dermatitis patients in Denmark, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and Australia.

Results. Overall, 6.9% (range 3–13%) of the patients showed positive patch test reactions to oxidized linalool. Doubtful reactions were found in 9.2% of the patients (range 0–36%). Few irritant reactions were seen.

Conclusions. In an international setting, oxidized linalool has been shown to be a common allergen. Oxidized linalool 6.0% (Lin‐OOHs 1%) pet. is a useful, standardized and stable tool for the detection of contact allergy in dermatitis patients. Many patients showing positive patch test reactions to oxidized linalool would not have been informed of their fragrance allergy if this specific test had not been performed.