bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy Study of Temperature‐Dependent Magnetization Switching Dynamics in Magnetic Nanoparticle Arrays
Authors: Tirosh Einat , Taub Nurit , Majetich Sara A. , Markovich Gil
Published: December 2008

Scanning tunneling microscopy measurements were performed on close‐packed arrays of surfactant‐capped magnetite (Fe3O4) nanocrystals. Current noise measurements over individual nanoparticles (NPs) at 2–3‐particle‐thick positions displayed enhanced low‐frequency noise power around the magnetization blocking temperature of the array. This noise originated in a time‐varying spin filter effect due to slow magnetization switching of individual particles in the arrays, changing their magnetization orientation with respect to their neighbors. The magnetite nanocrystals, being half‐metallic, highly spin‐polarized conductors, enabled this new observation. Consequently, this type of experiment may provide new insight into the microscopic details of magnetization dynamics in strongly interacting arrays of dipoles, which resemble spin‐glasses.
Effect of vasopressin 1b receptor blockade on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal response of chronically stressed rats to a heterotypic stressor
Authors: Spiga Francesca , Harrison Louise R , MacSweeney Cliona P , Thomson Fiona J , Craighead Mark , Lightman Stafford L
Published: December 2008

Exposure to chronic restraint (CR) modifies the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis response to subsequent acute stressors with adaptation of the response to a homotypic and sensitization of the response to a heterotypic stressor. Since vasopressin (AVP) activity has been reported to change during chronic stress, we investigated whether this was an important factor in HPA facilitation. We therefore tested whether vasopressin 1b receptor (AVPR1B) blockade altered the ACTH and corticosterone response to heterotypic stressors following CR stress. Adult male rats were exposed to CR, single restraint, or were left undisturbed in the home cage. Twenty-four hours after the last restraint, rats were injected with either a AVPR1B antagonist (Org, 30 mg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle (5% mulgofen in saline, 0.2/kg, s.c.) and then exposed to either restraint, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or white noise. CR resulted in the adaptation of the ACTH and corticosterone response to restraint and this effect was not prevented by pretreatment with Org. Although we found no effect of CR on LPS-induced ACTH and corticosterone secretion, both repeated and single episodes of restraint induced the sensitization of the ACTH, but not corticosterone response to acute noise. Pretreatment with Org reduced the exaggerated ACTH response to noise after both single and repeated exposure to restraint.
Hypothalamic alterations in fetuses of high fat diet-fed obese female rats
Authors: Gupta Anshu , Srinivasan Malathi , Thamadilok Supaporn , Patel Mulchand S
Published: December 2008

The offspring of high fat (HF) diet-fed rats display increased body weight during adulthood. However, it is not known whether the changes in appetite regulation in these animals occur in utero or postnatally. We investigated the effects of maternal obesity induced by a HF diet prior to and during pregnancy on leptin and insulin signaling and the expression of orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides in term fetal hypothalami. The consumption of a HF diet prior to and during pregnancy resulted in obesity in HF female rats; additionally, HF female rats exhibited hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia which were exaggerated in late gestation compared with control female rats that were fed a standard rodent laboratory chow (LC). Term fetuses of HF female rats (FHF) also had significantly higher serum leptin and insulin levels compared with control fetuses (FLC) while there was no difference in average fetal weight between the two groups. FHF hypothalami showed elevated levels of mRNA and proteins for leptin long receptor and insulin receptor β-subunit. However, the protein levels of signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 and insulin receptor substrate-2, the downstream signaling components of leptin and insulin signaling respectively were decreased. Also, FHF hypothalami had increased mRNA levels of neuropeptide Y and agouti-related polypeptide indicating that orexigenic neuropeptides in HF progeny are already upregulated by term fetal stage. Additionally, the mRNA levels of pro-opiatemelanocortin and melanocortin receptor-4 were also increased in the HF fetal hypothalami. These findings indicate potential programming effects of an altered intrauterine environment induced by HF diet consumption on appetite-regulating neuropeptides and leptin and insulin signaling in the late fetal period.
The Impact of International Institutions on Bilateral Trade: Economic and Political
Authors: Kim Myeong Hwan , Kim Dongsoo , Han Yongseung
Published: December 2008

This study aims to contribute to drawing a more complete picture of the role of multilateral economic and political institutions. Particularly, we pursue answers to questions such as how much influence participation in multilateral trade arrangements and military alliance has on bilateral trade of the states involved. Our results show that political institutions, set apart from trade issues, do affect bilateral trade--even though these effects are demonstrably smaller than those that occur within economic institutions. Military disputes between two states are sure to decrease bilateral trade, while joint democracy and policy similarity between two states, although moderate, increase bilateral trade, but military alliance is indeterminate.
The China Factor Blunts the Cutting-Edge of the Japan-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement
Authors: Rahman Khondaker Mizanur , Molla Rafiqul Islam , Murad Md. W.
Published: December 2008

Most industrialized and industrializing countries of the world were highly nervous about the spread effect of the surge of investment, industrialization and economic growth in China during early years of the 2000s. They were anxiously searching for ways and means to protect their economic interests from this effect. To describe this phenomenon eloquently the mass media used the term `China factor in world trade.' Against this backdrop the Japan-Malaysia free trade agreement (FTA) under an economic partnership agreement was signed in 2005 and implemented from 2006 with the expectation that it would be able to protect their bilateral trade from the sharp edge of the China factor and further enhance trade and investment relationships between the two countries. This study examines its effectiveness in influencing their bilateral trade growth in the face of this so called China factor. From analyses of the time series data on Malaysia's trade during 1986-2007 it is observed that the bilateral trade between Malaysia and Japan became stagnant during 2001-2005 with an average annual value of US$25.35 billion as a result of the impact of the China factor. However, during 2006-2007, the initial two years of its operation, the FTA was able to minimize the impacts of the China factor and revamp the growth of the bilateral trade at a modest rate. It is projected that their bilateral trade will grow marginally and reach to US$50.34 billion in 2010; but the growth rate will start declining from that year. This, in effect, indicates that the China factor's massive impact has blunted the sharp-edge of the Japan-Malaysia FTA's `tactical merit' for promoting bilateral trade growth. As a result, it is found to have only a modest and short lived influence on bilateral trade growth in the presence of China's increasing involvement in Malaysia's industrial growth. However, for a more reliable assessment a longer experience of FTA will be required.
After-School Supervision and Children's Cognitive Achievement
Authors: Welsch David M. , Zimmer David M.
Published: December 2008

This paper estimates the relationship between after-school supervision and cognitive achievement using a nationally-representative sample of children. The topic has important public policy implications due to the large role assumed by the government in providing childcare. The effects of family and nonfamily supervision are considered separately. Estimates suggest that adult supervision, regardless of whether it is provided by a family or nonfamily member, is not directly related to a child's cognitive performance. Instead, children who are likely to receive after-school adult supervision from a family member possess unmeasured personal- or family-specific traits that induce improved cognitive performance. In contrast, children who are likely to receive supervision from nonfamily members possess unmeasured traits that lead to lower cognitive outcomes.
The SideWinder for powering a hand-coring auger in drilling and lifting
Authors: Kyne Jay , McConnell Joe
Published: December 2008

The SideWinder is a power delivery system for a hand-coring ice auger. It not only greatly increases the rate of drilling, it also makes it possible for a single operator to drill to depths difficult and cumbersome for hand-coring systems. The SideWinder power is delivered by an electric drill that is used for both the drilling and the lifting of the drill string. A high-strength low-stretch synthetic-fiber rope lifts and lowers the drill string as it winds around a tube attached to the electric drill. During winding, the synthetic-fiber rope is guided onto the winding tube by rope cleats that also serve as a quick way to secure the rope for drilling. The end of the winding tube connects directly to the protruding extension of the drill string for drilling. The rope always remains attached to the drill string by a rope-pin that replaces the bottommost connecting pin; the winding tube holds the rope and always stays attached to the electric drill. For lifting and lowering the drill string, cradle arms on a frame that hinges on a plywood platform hold the winding tube.
The Berkner Island (Antarctica) ice-core drilling project
Authors: Mulvaney Robert , Alemany Olivier , Possenti Philippe
Published: December 2008

We describe a project to retrieve a 948m deep ice core from Berkner Island, Antarctica. Using relatively lightweight logistics and a small team, the drilling operation over three austral summer seasons used electromechanical drilling technology, described in detail, from a covered shallow pit and a fluid-filled borehole. A basal temperature well below pressure-melting point meant that no drilling problems were encountered when approaching the bed and the borehole penetrated through to the base of the ice sheet, and sediment was retrieved from beneath the ice.
Closure of deep boreholes in ice sheets: a discussion
Authors: Talalay P.G. , Hooke Roger LeB.
Published: December 2008

The most frequently used relation between ice deformation rate, έ, and stress, ፐ, is the power law, commonly called Glen’s flow law, έ = Aፐn, in which A is an ice stiffness parameter and n is an empirical constant. A can be estimated from the simple exponential relation where A0 is a constant independent of temperature; E, commonly called the enhancement factor, depends on ice crystal orientation, impurity content and other factors; Q is the activation energy for creep; R is the universal gas constant; and T is the absolute temperature. Laboratory experiments yield values of A0 = 9.514MPa–3a–1 for secondary creep. Typical borehole closure experiments then give E ≈ 0.16. This low value probably results from the fact that, when deforming into a borehole, ice is subject to stresses that are inconsistent with the preferred orientation of c axes that has developed over many years under a stress configuration with no borehole present. Closure data from Vostok hole 3G yield E ≈ 0.7. This higher value may reflect a unique stress environment yielding fabrics that are somewhat better oriented for borehole closure.
A new 122 mm electromechanical drill for deep ice-sheet coring (DISC): 1. Design concepts
Authors: Shturmakov Alexander J. , Lebar Donald A. , Mason William P. , Bentley Charles R.
Published: December 2008

The Deep Ice Sheet Coring (DISC) drill, developed by Ice Coring and Drilling Services (ICDS) under contract with the US National Science Foundation, is an electromechanical drill designed to take 122 mm diameter ice cores to depths of 4000 m. The conceptual design of the DISC drill was developed in 2002/03 based on science requirements written by K. Taylor and the United States ice-coring community and on engineering performance objectives. Detailed design of the drill began in June 2003. Special attention was paid to building safety into the design and operation of the drill system. The drill was designed and manufactured by a team of engineers and technicians from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and various subcontractors with assistance from the science community, the European ice-drilling community and polar logistical support organizations. ICDS successfully tested the drill in Greenland in 2006 and will continue its development to meet the science objectives of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet Divide Ice Core Project.
Heat generated by cutting ice in deep ice-core drilling
Authors: Azuma Nobuhiko , Tanabe Ikuo , Motoyama Hideaki
Published: December 2008

In order to understand and solve the ‘warm-ice problem’ in deep ice-core drilling, we applied the metal-cutting theory to ice and estimated the heat generated during ice coring taking into account the mechanical and thermal properties of the ice and cutters. We found that (1) most of the heat in cutting is generated by shear deformation at the shear plane of ice, and the heat could increase the chip temperature by several degrees; (2) the rake angle of the cutter has more influence on the temperature increase in chips than the barrel rotation speed and penetration pitch; (3) if the cutter is made of a material with larger thermal conductivity, the temperature increase in the chips can be reduced; and (4) if the density of the liquid is less than the density of ice, the cutting chips sink to the bottom and the friction heat generated by the drill head and slush can raise the ambient temperature of the drill head by several degrees.
Regulation of mTOR and p70 S6 kinase by the muscarinic M4 receptor in PC12 cells
Authors: Chan Grace P.W. , Wu Eddy H.T. , Wong Yung H.
Published: December 2008

The Gi‐coupled M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) has recently been shown to stimulate the survival of PC12 cells through the PI3K/Akt/tuberin pathway. Since mTOR and p70S6K are critical components in activating translation which lie downstream of tuberin, we examined the ability of M4 mAChR to regulate these targets in PC12 cells. Carbachol (CCh) dose‐dependently stimulated both mTOR and p70S6K phosphorylations and these responses were abolished by pertussis toxin pretreatment, indicating the involvement of the Gi‐coupled M4 mAChR. Phosphorylations of both mTOR and p70S6K were effectively blocked upon inhibition of PI3K by wortmannin. As compared to similar responses elicited by the nerve growth factor (NGF), the M4 mAChR‐induced activation of Akt/tuberin/mTOR/p70S6K occurred in a relatively transient manner. Although inhibition of protein phosphatase 2A by okadaic acid augmented the transient effects of CCh on Akt/tuberin phosphorylations, it failed to significantly prolong these responses. The total protein level of PTEN (tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten) was attenuated upon NGF, but not CCh treatment. This indicates that downregulation of PTEN may help to sustain the phosphorylation of Akt/tuberin by NGF. Collectively, these findings suggest that PP2A and PTEN may be involved in fine tuning the regulation of Akt/tuberin/mTOR/p70S6K in PC12 cells by M4 mAChR and TrkA, respectively.
Human initiation factor eIF3 subunit b interacts with HCV IRES RNA through its N‐terminal RNA recognition motif
Authors: Pérard Julien , Rasia Rodolfo , Medenbach Jan , Ayala Isabel , Boisbouvier Jérôme , Drouet Emmanuel , Baudin Florence
Published: December 2008

Many viral mRNAs contain a 5′‐UTR RNA element called internal ribosome‐entry site (IRES), which bypasses the requirement of some canonical initiation factors allowing cap‐independent translation. The IRES of hepatitis‐C virus drives translation by directly recruiting 40S ribosomal subunits and binds to eIF3 which plays a critical role in both cap‐dependent and cap‐independent translation. However, the molecular basis for eIF3 activity in either case remains enigmatic. Here we report that subunit b of the eIF3 complex directly binds to HCV IRES domain III via its N‐terminal‐RRM. Because eIF3b was previously shown to be involved in eIF3j binding, biological implications are discussed.
Control of ascorbic acid synthesis and accumulation and glutathione by the incident light red/far red ratio in Phaseolus vulgaris leaves
Authors: Bartoli Carlos G. , Tambussi Eduardo A. , Diego Fanello , Foyer Christine H.
Published: December 2008

The effects of red/far red (R/FR) ratios on leaf ascorbate (AA) and glutathione (GSH) accumulation were examined in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Growth under low R/FR ratios resulted in a “shade” phenotype and much lower leaf AA and GSH contents than high (R/FR) ratios. Photosynthesis rates were unaffected by changes in the R/FR ratio but leaf respiration rates, pyridine nucleotide pools and antioxidant enzyme activities were decreased under the low R/FR regime. The GSH pool changed slowly in response to altered R/FR ratios but leaf ascorbate acclimated over a single photoperiod. We conclude that light quality signals, particularly R/FR ratios, are important regulators of antioxidant synthesis and accumulation. These acclimatory changes are an early response to changing light environment.
SP600125 negatively regulates the mammalian target of rapamycin via ATF4‐induced Redd1 expression
Authors: Jin Hyeon-Ok , Seo Sung-Keum , Woo Sang-Hyeok , Kim Eun-Sung , Lee Hyung-Chahn , Yoo Doo-Hyun , Choe Tae-Boo , Hong Seok-Il , Kim Jong-Il , Park In-Chul
Published: December 2008

SP600125 (SAPK Inhibitor II) is reported to function as a reversible ATP competitive inhibitor of c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). In the present study, we show that SP600125 induces a dose‐dependent decrease in mTOR activity, as assessed by reduced phosphorylation of the downstream targets S6K1 and S6, and a significant increase in the expression of Redd1. Knockdown of Redd1 expression by siRNA resulted in a recovery of decreased S6 phosphorylation by SP600125. Overexpression of ATF4 upregulated the expression of Redd1, while suppression of ATF4 expression by siRNA enhanced the level of S6 phosphorylation by downregulating the SP600125‐induced increase in Redd1 expression. Together, these results indicate that SP600125 inhibits mTOR activity via an ATF4‐induced increase in Redd1 expression.
NMR structural characterization of the penta‐peptide calpain inhibitor
Authors: Deshmukh Lalit , Wu Liping , Guttmann Rodney P. , Vinogradova Olga
Published: December 2008

Calpains are ubiquitous intracellular calcium‐ and thiol‐dependent proteases. Their over activation, resulting in the degradation of various substrates, has been implicated in a number of cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Here, we present the first structural characterization of LSEAL penta‐peptide, a potent calpain inhibitor, bound to the calmodulin‐like domain of calpain. Our in vitro binding data supports the idea that domains other than calpain's active site may be suitable targets for future development of therapeutic agents to be used to treat heart attack, traumatic brain injuries or a variety of neurodegenerative conditions, such as ischemic stroke.
Capsaicin, a component of red peppers, induces expression of androgen receptor via PI3K and MAPK pathways in prostate LNCaP cells
Authors: Malagarie-Cazenave Sophie , Olea-Herrero Nuria , Vara Diana , Díaz-Laviada Inés
Published: December 2008

In this study, capsaicin (trans‐8‐methyl‐N‐vanillyl‐6‐nonenamide) induced an increase in the cell viability of the androgen‐responsive prostate cancer LNCaP cells, which was reversed by the use of the TRPV1 antagonists capsazepine, I‐RTX and SB 366791. In further studies we observed that capsaicin induced a decrease in ceramide levels as well as Akt and Erk activation. To investigate the mechanism of capsaicin action we measured androgen (AR) receptor levels. Capsaicin induced an increase in the AR expression that was reverted by the three TRPV1 antagonists. AR silencing by the use of siRNA, as well as blocking the AR receptor with bicalutamide, inhibited the proliferative effect of capsaicin.
An ISFET biosensor for the monitoring of maltose‐induced conformational changes in MBP
Authors: Park Hye-Jung , Kim Sang Kyu , Park Kyoungsook , Lyu Hong-Kun , Lee Chang-Soo , Chung Sang J. , Yun Wan Soo , Kim Moonil , Chung Bong Hyun
Published: December 2008

Here we describe an ion sensitive field effect transistor (ISFET) biosensor, which was designed to monitor directly the surface charge of structurally altered maltose binding protein (MBP) upon stimulation with maltose. This study is the first report of the application of a FET biosensor to the monitoring of conformationally changed proteins. Consequently, a significant drop in current on the basis of the charge‐dependent capacitance measurement has been clearly observed in response to maltose, but not for the glucose control, thereby indicating that the substrate‐specific conformational properties of the target protein could be successfully monitored using the ISFET. Collectively, our results clearly suggest that ISFET provide a high fidelity system for the detection of maltose‐induced structural alterations in MBP.
Functional expression of plant alternative oxidase decreases antimycin A‐induced reactive oxygen species production in human cells
Authors: Matsukawa Kazushige , Kamata Takashi , Ito Kikukatsu
Published: December 2008

Alternative oxidase (AOX) plays a pivotal role in cyanide‐resistance respiration in the mitochondria of plants, fungi and some protists. Here we show that AOX from thermogenic skunk cabbage successfully conferred cyanide resistance to human cells. In galactose medium, HeLa cells with mitochondria‐targeted AOX proteins were found to have significantly less reactive oxygen species production in response to antimycin‐A exposure, a specific inhibitor of respiratory complex III. These results suggest that skunk cabbage AOX can be used to create an alternative respiration pathway, which might be important for therapy against various mitochondrial diseases.
Structural analysis of human glutamine:fructose‐6‐phosphate amidotransferase, a key regulator in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nakaishi Yuichiro , Bando Masahiko , Shimizu Hiroshi , Watanabe Kenji , Goto Fumitaka , Tsuge Hideaki , Kondo Kazumi , Komatsu Makoto
Published: December 2008

Glutamine:fructose‐6‐phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) is a rate‐limiting enzyme in the hexoamine biosynthetic pathway and plays an important role in type 2 diabetes. We now report the first structures of the isomerase domain of the human GFAT in the presence of cyclic glucose‐6‐phosphate and linear glucosamine‐6‐phosphate. The C‐terminal tail including the active site displays a rigid conformation, similar to the corresponding Escherichia coli enzyme. The diversity of the CF helix near the active site suggests the helix is a major target for drug design. Our study provides insights into the development of therapeutic drugs for type 2 diabetes.
Regulation of growth and survival of activated T cells by cell‐transducing inhibitors of Ras
Authors: Malik Nasser M. , Gilroy Derek W. , Kabouridis Panagiotis S.
Published: December 2008

MINT‐6802882: RAF1 (uniprotkb:P04049) physically interacts (MI:0218) with RAS (uniprotkb:P01112) by anti tag co‐immunoprecipitation (MI:0007)
Quantitative climate and vegetation trends since the late glacial on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau deduced from Koucha Lake pollen spectra
Authors: Herzschuh Ulrike , Kramer Annette , Mischke Steffen , Zhang Chengjun
Published: December 2008

Quantitative information on vegetation and climate history from the late glacial–Holocene on the Tibetan Plateau is extremely rare. Here, we present palynological results of a 4.30-m-long sediment record collected from Koucha Lake in the Bayan Har Mountains, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Vegetation change has been traced by biomisation, ordination of pollen data, and calculation of pollen ratios. The application of a pollen–climate calibration set from the eastern Tibetan Plateau to Koucha Lake pollen spectra yielded quantitative climate information. The area was covered by alpine desert/steppe, characteristic of a cold and dry climate (with 50% less precipitation than today) between 16,700 and 14,600 cal yr BP. Steppe vegetation, warm (∼ 1°C higher than today) and wet conditions prevailed between 14,600 and 6600 cal yr BP. These findings contradict evidence from other monsoon-influenced areas of Asia, where the early Holocene is thought to have been moist. Low effective moisture on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau was likely due to high temperature and evaporation, even though precipitation levels may have been similar to present-day values. The vegetation changed to tundra around 6600 cal yr BP, indicating that wet and cool climate conditions occurred on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau during the second half of the Holocene.
Paleo-climate of the Boise area, Idaho from the last glacial maximum to the present based on groundwater δ2H and δ18O compositions
Authors: Schlegel Melissa E. , Mayo Alan L. , Nelson Steve , Tingey Dave , Henderson Rachel , Eggett Dennis
Published: December 2008

A 30 ka paleo-climate record of the Boise area, Idaho, USA has been delineated using groundwater stable isotopic compositions. Groundwater ages are modern (cold batholith), 5–15 ka (thermal batholith), 10–20 ka (frontal fault), and 20–30 ka (Snake River plain thermal). The stable isotopic composition of groundwaters have been used as a surrogate for the stable isotopic composition of precipitation. Using δ2H and δ18O compositions, local groundwater lines (LGWL's) were defined for each system. Each LGWL has been evaluated with defined slopes of 6.94 and 8, respectively, and resulting deuterium excess values (d) were found for each groundwater system for each slope. Time dependent changes in moisture source humidity and temperature, and Boise area recharge temperatures, calculated from stable isotopic data and the deuterium excess factors, agree with previous paleo-climate studies. Results indicate that from the last glacial maximum to the present time the humidity over the ocean moisture source increased by 9%, sea surface temperature at the moisture source increased 6–7°C, and local Boise temperature increased by 4–5°C. A greater increase of temperature at the moisture source as compared to the Boise area may impart be due to a shift in the moisture source area.
Transcription factor neuromancer/TBX20 is required for cardiac function in
Drosophila
with implications for human heart disease
Authors: Qian Li , Mohapatra Bhagyalaxmi , Akasaka Takeshi , Liu Jiandong , Ocorr Karen , Towbin Jeffrey A. , Bodmer Rolf
Published: December 2008

neuromancer
/
Tbx20
(
nmr
) genes are cardiac T-box transcription factors that are evolutionarily conserved from flies to humans. Along with other known congenital heart disease genes, including
tinman
/
Nkx2–5
,
dorsocross
/
Tbx5
/
6
, and
pannier
/
Gata4
/
6
, they are important for specification and morphogenesis of the embryonic heart. The
Drosophila
heart has proven to be an excellent model to study genes involved in establishing and maintaining the structural integrity of the adult heart, as well as genes involved in maintaining physiological function. Using this model, we have identified
nmr
as a gene required in adult fly hearts for the maintenance of both normal myofibrillar architecture and cardiac physiology. Moreover, we have discovered synergistic interactions between
nmr
and other cardiac transcription factors, including
tinman
/
Nkx2–5
, in regulating cardiac performance, rhythmicity, and cardiomyocyte structure, reminiscent of similar interactions in mice. This suggests a remarkably conserved role for this network of cardiac transcription factors in the genetic control of the adult heart. In addition,
nmr-tinman
interactions also influence the expression of potential downstream effectors, such as ion channels. Interestingly, genetic screening of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and congenital heart disease has revealed TBX20 variants in three sporadic and two familial cases that were not found in controls. These findings suggest that the fly heart might serve as an identifier of candidate genes involved in human heart disease.
Computation of mutual fitness by competing bacteria
Authors: Keymer Juan E. , Galajda Peter , Lambert Guillaume , Liao David , Austin Robert H.
Published: December 2008

Competing populations in shared spaces with nonrenewable resources do not necessarily wage a battle for dominance at the cost of extinction of the less-fit strain if there are fitness advantages to the presence of the other strain. We report on the use of nanofabricated habitat landscapes to study the population dynamics of competing wild type and a growth advantage in stationary phase (GASP) mutant strains of
Escherichia coli
in a sealed and heterogeneous nutrient environment. Although GASP mutants are competitors with wild-type bacteria, we find that the 2 strains cooperate to maximize fitness (long-term total productivity) via spatial segregation: despite their very close genomic kinship, wild-type populations associate with wild-type populations and GASP populations with GASP populations. Thus, wild-type and GASP strains avoid each other locally, yet fitness is enhanced for both strains globally. This computation of fitness enhancement emerges from the local interaction among cells but maximizes global densities. At present we do not understand how fluctuations in both spatial and temporal dimensions lead to the emergent computation and how multilevel aggregates produce this collective adaptation.
Reward or persuasion? The battle to define the meaning of a citation
Authors: DAVIS Philip M.
Published: December 2008

The history and development of the Science Citation Index (SCI) is an example of the power of users in defining and influencing the development of a new technology. The SCI was developed as a tool for the historian of science for the purpose of tracing the history of ideas, but it was appropriated by users for purposes for which it was unintended – as a tool for evaluating the literature, individuals, institutions, and countries. The development of a citation tool gave rise to a debate over what is actually measured by citations. The citation‐as‐reward camp views citations as indicators of quality and impact, whereas the citation‐as‐persuasion camp views citations as no more than rhetorical devices. While neither view can fully explain how authors use citations, citation‐as‐reward prevails as the dominant interpretation.
E‐books in practice: the librarian's perspective
Authors: BALL Rafael
Published: December 2008

It has become unimaginable to provide information – particularly scientific information – without e‐books. They have become part of today's combination of media, which includes printed books and journals, e‐journals, e‐books, and databases. When e‐books first appeared on the market, librarians very quickly formulated their key requirements. The most important requirement is functionality: it must be possible to look through a book chapter by chapter, and also to get a quick overview of a comprehensive monograph. Usage arrangements, including concurrent usage and use for interlibrary loans, are also important. The use of uniform technical standards increases the acceptance of e‐books.
Recognizing referees at the American Physical Society
Authors: SPROUSE Gene D.
Published: December 2008

The American Physical Society (APS) started a program in 2008 to recognize its most outstanding referees. The award, based on the quality, number, and timeliness of reports, was made to 534 referees chosen from the 42,000 active APS referees. The award is not money or subscriptions, but a certificate and a pin, and more importantly, recognition of an outstanding job done for the community. The program will continue with the selection of around 140 referees each year. The design and implementation of this award program are described, with some indications of how it has been received.
The Berg Fashion Library
Authors: EARLE Kathryn
Published: December 2008

Berg is a small academic publisher based in Oxford, UK. The Berg Fashion Library (BFL), launching in 2010, will be a new interdisciplinary online portal focusing on dress, and offering fully cross‐searchable access to an expanding range of content collections – including books, journals, images and reference works, all underpinned by a specially created taxonomy. The BFL will be offered to library customers by annual subscription on a ‘pick and mix’ basis. This is a massive project for a small publisher to undertake. This case study describes our experience of its development to date and what we learned, as well as the impact on our business. (Subsequent to the writing of this article, Berg Publishers was purchased by Bloomsbury Publishing plc.)
The Gutenberg‐e project: opportunities and challenges in publishing born‐digital monographs
Authors: WITTENBERG Kate
Published: December 2008

The Gutenberg‐e project was created as an experiment to explore whether peer‐reviewed, born‐digital monographs would alter the way in which historical scholarship is presented, whether scholars would receive the same professional credit for these publications as for work published in print, and whether the project would enable publication of monographs that would otherwise be turned down by university presses for financial reasons. The project reached the following conclusions: authors and publishing staff collaborated in creating new models of scholarship and writing; over the course of the project, attitudes toward digital publications evolved toward acceptance of this new form of publication; the time and costs involved in creating these models exceeded expectations; continued experimentation is necessary in order to keep up with authors' growing expectations in publishing digital scholarship.
Bringing Chinese research to the world: Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China
Authors: Wei SHI , BENSON Nancy
Published: December 2008

Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering in China (FESEC) is a quarterly English‐language journal jointly published by Higher Education Press of China and Springer of Germany, and edited by Higher Education Press and Tsinghua University in China. The journal, launched in February 2007, publishes articles highlighting the latest environmental science and engineering research in China, sharing the work of Chinese researchers with other researchers throughout the world. The aim of the journal is to extend the influence and input of Chinese research to the rest of the world.
National vs. international journals: views of medical professionals in Croatia
Authors: SAMBUNJAK Dario , HUIĆ Mirjana , HREN Darko , KATIĆ Milica , MARUŠIĆ Ana , MARUŠIĆ Matko
Published: December 2008

Scholarly journals, especially in non‐English‐speaking countries, may perform very different functions depending on whether they are published for national or international audiences. Four hundred and sixty‐six academic physicians and non‐academic general practitioners in Croatia were surveyed on their knowledge about two Croatian medical journals: Liječnički vjesnik (published in Croatian) and Croatian Medical Journal (published in English). The physicians were also surveyed about the importance of all national and international journals published in Croatia, and the types of articles they thought should be published in these journals. More respondents rated national (n = 329, 72.6%) than international journals (n = 275, 63.5%, P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test) as very important for the medical profession. On the other hand, publishing in international journals was more often rated as important than publishing in national journals (n = 184, 42.5% vs. n = 125, 27.8%; P < 0.001, Wilcoxon test). Guidelines for clinical practice were rated as the most important publication item in national journals, and original scientific articles in international journals.
Book Reviews
Authors: GREEN Toby
Published: December 2008

Scholarly Publishing Practice 3: Academic Journals Publishers' Policies and Practices in Online Publishing
, 3rd edition John Cox, John Cox Associates Ltd. Laura Cox, Frontline Global Marketing Services Ltd. Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers, 2008, 108 pp. ISBN 978 0 907341 39 0, pbk, £60/$115/€80 (ALPSP members) ISBN 978 0 907341 40 6, e‐book, free to ALPSP members; print plus e‐book, £115/$225/€150 (non‐members)
Book Reviews
Authors: RICHMOND Carole
Published: December 2008

Handbook on Book Paper and the Environment
Association of American Publishers, 2008, 61pp. Available for free download from http://www.publishers.org/main/Conferences/documents/PAPERPAPERFINAL_000.pdf
Book Reviews
Authors: MURPHY Kevin
Published: December 2008

Author‐perceived Quality Characteristics of Science, Technology and Medicine (STM) Journals
John J. Regazzi and Selenay Aytac Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers, 2008, 80 pp. ISBN 978‐0‐907341‐38‐3, pbk ALPSP members: print plus PDF, £40/$80/€58 Non‐members: print plus PDF, £70/$140/€102
Are flawed MPAs any good or just a new way of making old mistakes?
Authors: Le Quesne Will J. F.
Published: December 2008

Le Quesne, W. J. F. 2009. Are flawed MPAs any good or just a new way of making old mistakes? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 132–136. The case for Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is often supported by the observation that present fisheries management has failed. This overlooks the fact that, often, management plans are not implemented in accordance with advice and that subsequent regulations are frequently violated. Evidence is emerging that MPAs may be equally open to mismanagement, either because MPAs are smaller than recommended or through lack of compliance. Therefore, it is interesting to ask whether MPAs would also fail if they are not properly implemented or enforced. A population model was used to examine this question. The model demonstrates that biomass and yield are reduced, and can collapse under “bad” MPA management. When illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing occurred within the MPA, yield and biomass declined almost linearly with increasing poaching pressure. Yield was more robust than biomass to the effects of making MPAs smaller than the optimum size for limited reductions in MPA size. Varying the degree of mobility had little impact on the response of yield and biomass. This analysis demonstrates the vulnerability of MPAs to design and governance failings, and the importance of considering enforcement during MPA design.
Managing mobile species with MPAs: the effects of mobility, larval dispersal, and fishing mortality on closure size
Authors: Le Quesne W. J. F. , Codling Edward A.
Published: December 2008

Le Quesne, W. J. F., and Codling, E. A. 2009. Managing mobile species with MPAs: the effects of mobility, larval dispersal, and fishing mortality on closure size. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 122–131. The use of closed areas (marine protected areas, marine reserves, no-take zones) has been suggested as a possible solution to the perceived global fisheries crisis. However, to optimize the design and evaluate the effectiveness of closed areas, we need to understand the interaction between larval dispersal, adult mobility, and fishing mortality. In this paper, a simple, spatially explicit dynamic population model was developed to examine the effects of these interacting factors on optimal closure size and resulting yields. The effect of using one large or several smaller closed areas was also examined. Our model confirmed previous results: closed areas do not improve the yield of populations that are optimally managed or underexploited and, as mobility increases, optimum closure size increases. The model also predicted some interesting counter-intuitive results; for overexploited stocks, the greatest benefit from closed areas can be obtained for stocks with highest mobility, although this may require closure of 85% of the total area. For the tested parameter settings, adult spillover had greater potential to improve yield than larval export, and using several small closed areas rather than a single larger one had the same effect as increasing the mobility of the population.
Infrastructure and the Vision Thing
Authors: Ericson Matthew
Published: December 2008

Australia faces a transport infrastructure problem requiring complex policy formulation and imaginative problem solving. In opposition, Kevin Rudd committed to improving the nation's infrastructure and addressing the ‘infrastructure bottlenecks’. This task is made more urgent by the Reserve Bank's concern that the infrastructure restraints are causing inflationary pressure. In the short term however, increased Commonwealth infrastructure expenditure would add to the pressure on interest rates. Consequently, the Commonwealth must work with industry and the states on improving operational efficiency in the short term, while planning for infrastructure investments in the longer term. With the political limitations of federalism, a shortage of skilled policy advice, and ministerial inexperience, the Rudd government must set a broad agenda to guide all infrastructure stakeholders.
National Policy‐Making in Indigenous Affairs: Blueprint for an Indigenous Review Council
Authors: Chesterman John
Published: December 2008

This article examines the dearth of any representative Indigenous role in national Indigenous affairs policy‐making and suggests a remedy. After making the case for a specific Indigenous place in national policy‐making, the article considers the reasons for the failure of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), the body that filled this brief for a decade and a half. The article then considers three possible ways of ensuring an Indigenous role in the policy‐making process: a replacement for ATSIC with specific policy powers; set seats for Indigenous representatives in federal parliament; and the creation of a new elected body whose role would be to review Indigenous affairs legislation. The article concludes that the latter proposal in particular is worth trialling as it would ensure a significant Indigenous voice in national policy‐making while learning from the mistakes that led to ATSIC's demise.
Ordering Disorder – On the Perplexities of the Partnership Literature
Authors: Weihe Guðrið
Published: December 2008

The literature on public‐private partnerships (PPP) has proliferated in recent years. However, confusion about the actual meaning of PPP still abounds. As a consequence, contradicting findings and statements about PPP flourish in the literature. This article reviews the literature, and argues that there are different streams of PPP research which operate with qualitatively different notions of the PPP concept. Accordingly the literature is divided into four different PPP ‘approaches’. By doing so the article offers some clarification concerning an increasingly complex concept. The article concludes that an authoritative definition of PPP – one that can encompass all the different variations of the concept currently in use – is not logically possible.
Achieving Effective Collaborations to Help Communities Age Well
Authors: Warburton Jeni , Everingham Jo‐Anne , Cuthill Michael , Bartlett Helen
Published: December 2008

Effective policy responses to the ageing of the population are a priority area for government and non‐government agencies across Australia, particularly at the community level. This article focuses on the policy goal of ageing well at the local level, and more specifically, the strong principle of collaboration that underpins this goal. Too little is known about how to achieve effective collaboration in the ageing field. This article aims to address this by developing an analytical framework from the broad literature on collaborative processes, and applying this framework to data collected from interviews with stakeholders in ageing across two local communities in Queensland. While participants recognise the importance and strength of working together and provide local examples of how this has been achieved effectively, they also acknowledge the associated challenges and complexity. This all spanned the six factors of the framework: the context of ageing; the characteristics and relationships between partners; the need for adequate procedures; as well as structure and relationships aimed at building capacity; a shared sense of purpose; and access to adequate resources.
A Tale of Two Pulp Mills: Realising Ecologically Sustainable Development in Australia
Authors: Curran Giorel , Hollander Robyn
Published: December 2008

Pulp mills can be fraught projects. This has certainly been the case in Tasmania with its two major attempts at building pulp mills generating much discord. The first project, Wesley Vale, was officially abandoned in 1989 after much conflict and conditionally controversy. The current project, Tamar Valley, has proved equally contentious and, although approved, remains problematic. Despite striking similarities between the two projects, the emergence of a new environmental policy regime in the intervening 20 years has engendered considerable differences as well. Yet the new regime's capacity to ensure smooth passage has shown itself to be limited. This article uses the opportunity presented by the two pulp mills to reflect on the merits of Australia's sustainability regime.
Long-Term Inactivation Study of Three Enteroviruses in Artificial Surface and Groundwaters, Using PCR and Cell Culture
Authors: de Roda Husman A. M. , Lodder W. J. , Rutjes S. A. , Schijven J. F. , Teunis P. F. M.
Published: December 2008

Since the transmission of pathogenic viruses via water is indistinguishable from the transmission via other routes and since the levels in drinking water, although significant for health, may be too low for detection, quantitative viral risk assessment is a useful tool for assessing disease risk due to consumption of drinking water. Quantitative viral risk assessment requires information concerning the ability of viruses detected in drinking water to infect their host. To obtain insight into the infectivity of viruses in relation to the presence of virus genomes, inactivation of three different enteroviruses in artificial ground and surface waters under different controlled pH, temperature, and salt conditions was studied by using both PCR and cell culture over time. In salt-peptone medium, the estimated ratio of RNA genomes to infectious poliovirus 1 in freshly prepared suspensions was about 10
0
. At 4°C this ratio was 10
3
after 600 days, and at 22°C it was 10
4
after 200 days. For poliovirus 1 and 2 the RNA/infectious virus ratio was higher in artificial groundwater than in artificial surface water, but this was not the case for coxsackievirus B4. When molecular detection is used for virus enumeration, it is important that the fraction of infectious virus (based on all virus genomes detected) decays with time, especially at temperatures near 22°C.