bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Femtosecond laser-induced asymmetric large scale waves on gold surfaces
Authors: Yong Hwang Taek , Guo Chunlei
Published: July 2012

With femtosecond (fs) pulse irradiation, we investigate the morphological evolution of a unique type of fs laser-induced periodic surface structure, called nanostructure-covered large scale waves (NC-LSWs), covered by iterating stripe patterns of nanostructures and microstructures with a period of tens of microns. By monitoring the morphological profile of NC-LSWs following fs laser heating of Au, we show that the NC-LSWs are highly asymmetrically formed and propagate on a gold surface. We believe that the selective laser ablation of Au surface and the subsequent mass transfer of liquid Au following nonuniform energy deposition result in the asymmetric NC-LSW propagation on metals.
Microwave spectra of molecules of astrophysical interest XIV. Vinyl cyanide (acrylonitrile)
Authors: Gerry M. C. L. , Yamada K. , Winnewisser G.
Published: July 2012

The available data of the microwave spectrum of vinyl cyanide are critically reviewed and tabulated. Molecular data such as rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, hyperfine coupling constants, dipole moments, and structural parameters are tabulated. Rotational transitions from 400 MHz to 200 GHz, which are likely to be of interest to radio astronomy, are calculated and tabulated along with their estimated 95% confidence limits.
Relativistic atomic form factors and photon coherent scattering cross sections
Authors: Hubbell J. H. , O/verbo/ I.
Published: July 2012

Tabulations are presented of relativistic Hartree-Fock atomic form factors F (x,Z), for values of x (=sin(ϑ/2)/λ from 0.01 to 109 Å−1, for all elements Z=1 to 100. For Z=1, F (x,Z) is given by the exact expression of Pirenne. For Z=2 to 98, x=0.01 to 2.0 Å−1, the tabulated values are those of Cromer and Waber given in the International Tables for X−Ray Crystallography (Vol. IV, 1974), based in part on the work of Doyle and Turner. For Z=21 to 92, x=2.2 to 6.0 Å−1, the present tables are based on the values of Doyle and Turner and additional values (Z=44,60,68, and 74) as given by O/verbo/. For Z=3 to 20.x=2.2 to 45 Å−1, Z=21 to 92,x=62 to 45 Å−1 the tables are interpolated from values given for 36 elements by O/verbo/, extended to x=109 Å−1 using O/verbo/’s corrections to the Bethe-Levinger K-shell expression. The remainder of the table is filled in by interpolation and extrapolation, guided for high x-values by the Bethe-Levinger result. Tables of relativistic coherent (Rayleigh) scattering cross sections, obtained by numerical integration of the Thomson formula weighted by F2(x,Z), are presented for all elements Z=1 to 100, for photon energies 100 eV (λ=124 Å=12.4 nm) to 100 MeV (λ=0.000 124 Å=12.4 fm). Departures from the nonrelativistic coherent scattering cross sections tabulated in J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data 4, 471 (1975) are less than 1% for Z<20. However for a high-Z element such as lead, for example, the relativistic coherent scattering cross section is systematically higher by less than 0.4% below 1 keV, by 8% at 100 keV and by 13% above 1 MeV.
Exploring the Influences of Density on Travel Behavior Using Propensity Score Matching
Authors: Cao Xinyu , Fan Yingling
Published: July 2012

The causality issue has become one of the key questions in the debate over the relationship between the built environment and travel behavior. Since a residential self-selection effect exists, it is important to know if the observed influence of the built environment on travel behavior diminishes substantially once we control for self-selection. Using 5537 adult respondents to the 2006 Great Triangle Travel Survey in North Carolina, this study applied the propensity score matching approach to identify the causal effect of density on travel behavior and the relative contribution of self-selection to travel behavior. The results showed that, after removing self-selection bias, residents living in high-density neighborhoods travel, on average, 3.31 fewer miles per person per day than those who live in low-density neighborhoods. Self-selection effects account for 28%, 64%, and 49% of the observed influences of density on personal miles travelled, driving duration, and transit duration, respectively. We also found that different modeling approaches produce different point estimates, and that interval estimates of treatment effects tend to have a large variation. This points to a caveat of using point estimates to evaluate the impacts of the built environment on travel behavior.
On ‘cultural revolution’ and the Arab culture of revolution
Authors: Lux Abdullah R.
Published: July 2012

Given the media hype and attention devoted to the events of the 2010–2011 ‘Arab Spring’ it may perhaps be overlooked that the Arabs, and more than many other nations, possess long experience with diverse and profound long-term revolutions in the twentieth century. For numerous reasons and especially the sweeping and pervasive socio-economic and political changes some of these introduced, they may well be more appropriately categorized as ‘revolutions’ than those termed as such at the moment. This article explores one dimension of this phenomenon and demonstrates that the concept of what was specifically termed a ‘cultural revolution’ (originally by Lenin about 1923) was first introduced in the Arab world by Jamal ‘Abd al-Nasser on 19 December 1961, nearly four years before Mao Tse Tung’s launch of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in 1966. For his part, Mu‘ammar Qadhafi, who admitted borrowing the term (if not the mechanism) from Mao, would announce a ‘cultural revolution’ with markedly different connotations on 15 April 1973 at Zuwarah, which signalled the beginning of the road towards implementation of the ‘Third Universal Theory’ (reaching final form in the Green Book) and the subsequent inception of the Jamahiriya in 1977. Although the theoretical and practical implications were distinct for Lenin, Nasser, Mao and Qadhafi, history suggests that it was Nasser – the giant of Pan-Arabism who would come to define and represent Arab socialism – who preceded Mao as the first to call for a ‘cultural revolution’ as a policy at the level of state. He saw this as indispensable to the project of political and socio-economic revolution in the service of a just and sufficient society, where ‘sound democracy’ was not the pro-forma Western variant in the service of unmitigated capitalism and powerful elites, but rather an expression of socio-economic parity and a guarantee against exploitation by one group or one human being of another.
Myo1c facilitates G-actin transport to the leading edge of migrating endothelial cells
Authors: Fan Yi , Eswarappa Sandeepa M. , Hitomi Masahiro , Fox Paul L.
Published: July 2012

Addition of actin monomer (G-actin) to growing actin filaments (F-actin) at the leading edge generates force for cell locomotion. The polymerization reaction and its regulation have been studied in depth. However, the mechanism responsible for transport of G-actin substrate to the cell front is largely unknown; random diffusion, facilitated transport via myosin II contraction, local synthesis as a result of messenger ribonucleic acid localization, or F-actin turnover all might contribute. By tracking a photoactivatable, nonpolymerizable actin mutant, we show vectorial transport of G-actin in live migrating endothelial cells (ECs). Mass spectrometric analysis identified Myo1c, an unconventional F-actin–binding motor protein, as a major G-actin–interacting protein. The cargo-binding tail domain of Myo1c interacted with G-actin, and the motor domain was required for the transport. Local microinjection of Myo1c promoted G-actin accumulation and plasma membrane ruffling, and Myo1c knockdown confirmed its contribution to G-actin delivery to the leading edge and for cell motility. In addition, there is no obvious requirement for myosin II contractile–based transport of G-actin in ECs. Thus, Myo1c-facilitated G-actin transport might be a critical node for control of cell polarity and motility.
Control of vertebrate intraflagellar transport by the planar cell polarity effector Fuz
Authors: Brooks Eric R. , Wallingford John B.
Published: July 2012

Cilia play key roles in development and homeostasis, and defects in cilia structure or function lead to an array of human diseases. Ciliogenesis is accomplished by the intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, a set of proteins governing bidirectional transport of cargoes within ciliary axonemes. In this paper, we present a novel platform for in vivo analysis of vertebrate IFT dynamics. Using this platform, we show that the planar cell polarity (PCP) effector Fuz was required for normal IFT dynamics in vertebrate cilia, the first evidence directly linking PCP to the core machinery of ciliogenesis. Further, we show that Fuz played a specific role in trafficking of retrograde, but not anterograde, IFT proteins. These data place Fuz in the small group of known IFT effectors outside the core machinery and, additionally, identify Fuz as a novel cytoplasmic effector that differentiates between the retrograde and anterograde IFT complexes.
Sexual and social competition: broadening perspectives by defining female roles
Authors: Rubenstein Dustin R.
Published: July 2012

Males figured more prominently than females in Darwin's view of sexual selection. He considered female choice of secondary importance to male–male competition as a mechanism to explain the evolution of male ornaments and armaments. Fisher later demonstrated the importance of female choice in driving male trait evolution, but his ideas were largely ignored for decades. As sexual selection came to embrace the notions of parent–offspring and sexual conflict, and experimental tests of female choice showed promise, females began to feature more prominently in the framework of sexual selection theory. Recent debate over this theory has centred around the role of females, not only over the question of choice, but also over female–female competition. Whereas some have called for expanding the sexual selection framework to encompass all forms of female–female competition, others have called for subsuming sexual selection within a broader framework of social selection, or replacing it altogether. Still others have argued for linking sexual selection more clearly to other evolutionary theories such as kin selection. Rather than simply debating terminology, we must take a broader view of the general processes that lead to trait evolution in both sexes by clearly defining the roles that females play in the process, and by focusing on intra- and inter-sexual interactions in males and females.
Family feuds: social competition and sexual conflict in complex societies
Authors: Rubenstein Dustin R.
Published: July 2012

Darwin was initially puzzled by the processes that led to ornamentation in males—what he termed sexual selection—and those that led to extreme cooperation and altruism in complex animal societies—what was later termed kin selection. Here, I explore the relationships between sexual and kin selection theory by examining how social competition for reproductive opportunities—particularly in females—and sexual conflict over mating partners are inherent and critical parts of complex altruistic societies. I argue that (i) patterns of reproductive sharing within complex societies can drive levels of social competition and reproductive conflict not only in males but also in females living in social groups, and ultimately the evolution of female traits such as ornaments and armaments; (ii) mating conflict over female choice of sexual partners can influence kin structure within groups and drive the evolution of complex societies; and (iii) patterns of reproductive sharing and conflict among females may also drive the evolution of complex societies by influencing kin structure within groups. Ultimately, complex societies exhibiting altruistic behaviour appear to have only arisen in taxa where social competition over reproductive opportunities and sexual conflict over mating partners were low. Once such societies evolved, there were important selective feedbacks on traits used to regulate and mediate intra-sexual competition over reproductive opportunities, particularly in females.
Looking for sexual selection in the female brain
Authors: Cummings Molly E.
Published: July 2012

Female mate choice behaviour has significant evolutionary consequences, yet its mechanistic origins are not fully understood. Recent studies of female sensory systems have made great strides in identifying internal mechanisms governing female preferences. Only recently, however, have we begun to identify the dynamic genomic response associated with mate choice behaviour. Poeciliids provide a powerful comparative system to examine genomic responses governing mate choice and female preference behaviour, given the great range of mating systems: from female mate choice taxa with ornamental courting males to species lacking male ornamentation and exhibiting only male coercion. Furthermore, they exhibit laboratory-tractable preference responses without sexual contact that are decoupled from reproductive state, allowing investigators to isolate mechanisms in the brain without physiological confounds. Early investigations with poeciliid species (Xiphophorus nigrensisandGambusia affinis) have identified putative candidate genes associated with female preference response and highlight a possible genomic pathway underlying female social interactions with males linked functionally with synaptic plasticity and learning processes. This network is positively correlated with female preference behaviour in the female mate choice species, but appears inhibited in the male coercive species. This behavioural genomics approach provides opportunity to elucidate the fundamental building blocks, and evolutionary dynamics, of sexual selection.
The evolution of optimal female mating rate changes the coevolutionary dynamics of female resistance and male persistence
Authors: Kazancıoğlu Erem , Alonzo Suzanne H.
Published: July 2012

Mating decisions usually involve conflict of interests between sexes. Accordingly, males benefit from increased number of matings, whereas costs of mating favour a lower mating rate for females. The resulting sexual conflict underlies the coevolution of male traits that affect male mating success (‘persistence’) and female traits that affect female mating patterns (‘resistance’). Theoretical studies on the coevolutionary dynamics of male persistence and female resistance assumed that costs of mating and, consequently, the optimal female mating rate are evolutionarily constant. Costs of mating, however, are often caused by male ‘persistence’ traits that determine mating success. Here, we present a model where the magnitude of costs of mating depend on, and evolve with, male persistence. We find that allowing costs of mating to depend on male persistence results in qualitatively different coevolutionary dynamics. Specifically, we find that male traits such as penis spikes that harm females are not predicted to exhibit runaway selection with female resistance, in contrast to previous theory that predicts indefinite escalation. We argue that it is essential to determine when and to what extent costs of mating are caused by male persistence in order to understand and accurately predict coevolutionary dynamics of traits involved in mating decisions.
2-[(E)-(4-Fluorobenzyl)iminomethyl]-6-methoxyphenol
Authors: Yu Hong , Jin Yue-Bao , Chang Yong-Kang , Lei Ke-Wei
Published: July 2012

In the title Schiff base, C15H14FNO2, the dihedral angle between the benzene rings is 53.32 (8)°. In the crystal, molecules related by a twofold rotation axis are linked by pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds into dimers withR22(18) ring motifs. An intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond is also observed.
(1′S,6′S,8′S,9′R)-9′-Bromo-12′-oxaspiro[1,3-dioxolane-2,4′-tricyclo[6.3.1.01,6]dodecane]
Authors: Mehta Goverdhan , Khan Tabrez Babu
Published: July 2012

In an endeavor directed towards the construction of the oxabicyclic[3.2.1]octane segment present in the bioactive natural products of cortistatins and icetexanes genre, the title compound, C13H19BrO3, was synthesized from (4aR,9aS)-1,3,4,4a,5,6,9,9a-octahydrospiro[benzo[7]annulene-2,2′-[1,3]dioxolane]-4a-olviaa transannular bromo-etherification protocol. The six-membered ring adopts a twist-boat conformation, while the fused cycloheptane ring adopts a chair conformation. The crystal packing is effected through two distinct intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen-bond patterns and molecules are arranged to define an interesting motif along thebaxis.
Potassium [(1S)-1-azido-2-phenylethyl]trifluoridoborate
Authors: Lejon Tore , Gorovoy Alexey S. , Khrustalev Victor N.
Published: July 2012

The title compound, K+·C8H8BF3N3−, is a salt containing the chiral organic trifluoridoborate anion. The organic anions and potassium cations are tightly bound to each other by the coordination K—F [2.654 (3)–3.102 (3) Å] and K—N [2.951 (4)–3.338 (4) Å] interactions. Thus, the potassium cation adopts a nine-vertex coordination polyhedron, which can be described as a distorted monocapped tetragonal antiprism. In the crystal, the organic anions and potassium cations form layers parallel to (001). Weak C—H...π interactions between neighbouring phenyl rings further stabilize the crystal.
(E)-2-[2-(3-Fluorophenyl)ethenyl]quinolin-8-yl acetate
Authors: Huo Yan-Ping , Nie Xiao-Li , Fang Xiao-Ming
Published: July 2012

In the crystal of the title compound, C19H14FNO2, the molecules are linked by C—H...O hydrogen bonds in translational chains along thebaxis. The dihedral angles formed by the quinoline system with the fluorobenzene ring and the acetoxy group are 8.15 (3) and 77.42 (4)°, respectively.
Diiodido{2-[(4-methoxyphenyl)iminomethyl]pyridine-κ2N,N′}zinc
Authors: Salehzadeh Sadegh , Khalaj Mehdi , Dehghanpour Saeed
Published: July 2012

In the title complex, [ZnI2(C13H12N2O)], the ZnIIatom has a distorted tetrahedral coordination. The organic ligand is bidentate, coordinating the ZnIIatomviathe two N atoms. The benzene and pyridine rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 11.67 (9)°. In the crystal, weak C—H...I and C—H...O hydrogen bonds are observed, in addition to π–π stacking interactions, with a centroid–centroid distance of 3.72 (5) Å.
2-[3,5-Bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-4,6-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)pyrimidine
Authors: Kant Rajni , Gupta Vivek K. , Kapoor Kamini , Samshuddin S. , Narayana B.
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C35H32N4O4, the pyrazole ring forms a dihedral angle of 15.04 (8)° with the adjacent pyrimidine ring. The pyrimidine ring forms dihedral angles of 9.95 (8) and 1.86 (7)° with its adjacent methoxy-substituted benzene rings, whereas the equivalent angles are 80.24 (9) and 11.55 (9)° for the pyrazole ring and its adjacent benzene rings. The crystal packing features π–π interactions, the centroid–centroid distance between the pyrimidine and methoxyphenyl rings being 3.604 (1) Å. The pyrazole ring is nearly planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.020 (3) Å for the –CH2– carbon.
3-(3-Methoxyphenyl)benzo[d]thiazolo[3,2-a]imidazol-9-ium hydrogen sulfate
Authors: Fun Hoong-Kun , Chia Tze Shyang , Alafeefy Ahmed M. , Abdel-Aziz Hatem A.
Published: July 2012

In the title molecular salt, C16H13N2OS+·HSO4−, the thiazolo[3,2-a]benzimidazolium ring system is roughly planar [maximum deviation = 0.046 (3) Å] and makes a dihedral angle of 58.22 (11)° with the benzene ring. The methoxy group is almost coplanar with its attached benzene ring [Cmethyl—O—C—C = −1.6 (5)°]. In the crystal, the cation is linked to the anion by a bifurcated N—H...(O,O) hydrogen bond, generating anR12(4) ring motif. The ion pairs are then connected by a C—H...O hydrogen bond into inversion dimers and these dimers are further linked by O—H...O hydrogen bonds into an infinite tape along [100]. A π–π stacking interaction [centroid-to-centroid distance = 3.5738 (18) Å] and a short intermolecular contact [S...O = 2.830 (3) Å] are also observed.
trans-Bis(nitrato-κO)tetrakis(1-vinyl-1H-imidazole-κN3)copper(II)
Authors: Şen Fatih , Şahin Ramazan , Andaç Ömer , Taş Murat
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, [Cu(NO3)2(C5H6N2)4], the CuIIion is located on an inversion centre. It features a Jahn–Teller-distorted octahedral coordination geometry, defined by four N atoms of four 1-vinylimidazole ligands in the equatorial plane and two nitrate O atoms in the axial positions. The nitrate anion is disordered over two sets of sites in a 0.801 (6):0.199 (6) ratio. In the crystal, the complex molecules are linked by weak intermolecular C—H...O and C—H...π interactions.
Dimethyl 2-[24-acetyl-28-oxo-8,11,14-trioxa-24,27-diazapentacyclo[19.5.1.122,26.02,7.015,20]octacosa-2,4,6,15(20),16,18-hexaen-27-yl]but-2-enedioate
Authors: Hieu Truong Hong , Anh Le Tuan , Soldatenkov Anatoly T. , Kolyadina Nadezhda M. , Khrustalev Victor N.
Published: July 2012

The title compound, C31H34N2O9, is a product of the Michael addition of the cyclic secondary amine subunit of the (bispidino)aza-14-crown-4 ether to dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate. The molecule comprises a tricyclic system containing the aza-14-crown-3 ether macrocycle and two six-membered piperidinone rings. The aza-14-crown-3-ether ring adopts a bowl conformation with a dihedral angle between the planes of the fused benzene rings of 51.14 (5)°. The central piperidone ring has a boat conformation, whereas the terminal piperidone ring adopts a chair conformation. The dimethyl ethylenedicarboxylate fragment has acisconfiguration with a dihedral angle of 56.56 (7)° between the two carboxylate groups. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
N-Benzyl-3,5-dideoxy-3,5-imino-1,2-O-isopropylidene-β-L-lyxofuranose
Authors: Edgeley David S. , Jenkinson Sarah F. , Lenagh-Snow Gabriel , Rutherford Catherine , Fleet George W. J. , Thompson Amber L.
Published: July 2012

X-ray crystallography confirmed the formation, structure and relative stereochemistry of the title compound, C15H19NO3, which contains a sterically congested four-membered azetidine ring system. The absolute configuration was determined by the use of L-arabinose as the starting material.
5-(Adamantan-1-yl)-3-(benzylsulfanyl)-4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole
Authors: Al-Abdullah Ebtehal S. , El-Emam Ali A. , Ghabbour Hazem A. , Chantrapromma Suchada , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: July 2012

In the asymmetric unit of the title adamantyl derivative, C20H25N3S, there are two crystallographic independent molecules with slightly different conformations. In one molecule, the whole benzyl group is disordered over two orientations with the refined site-occupancy ratio of 0.63 (2):0.37 (2). The dihedral angles between the 1,2,4-triazole and phenyl rings are 24.3 (8) (major component) and 25.8 (13)° (minor component) in the disordered molecule, whereas the corresponding angle is 51.53 (16)° in the other molecule. In the crystal, molecules are linked into a chain along theaaxis by a weak C—H...N interaction. Weak C—H...π interactions are also observed.
1-(3-Chlorophenyl)thiourea
Authors: Fun Hoong-Kun , Quah Ching Kheng , Nayak Prakash S. , Narayana B. , Sarojini B. K.
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C7H7ClN2S, the thiourea N—C(=S)—N plane forms a dihedral angle of 64.80 (6)° with the benzene ring. In the crystal, molecules are linkedviaintermolecular N—H...S and N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds into a sheet extending parallel to the (101) plane.
Treatment with Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand reverses lung dendritic cell immunoparalysis and ameliorates zymosan-induced secondary lung injury in mice
Authors: Wang H W , Yang W , Lu J Y , Tian G , Li F , Wang X H , Kang J R , Yang Y
Published: July 2012

Depletion and dysfunction of dendritic cells in the lung can induce local immunoparalysis, which often leads to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS)-associated mortality. A therapeutic strategy that reverses this immunoparalysis is required. In the present study, we examined the effects of in vivo Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L) treatment on zymosan (zym)-induced secondary lung injury and dendritic cell (DC) immunoparalysis. BALBc mice were divided randomly into four groups (20/group): (1) sham [intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline] + vehicle [subcutaneous (s.c.) 0·01% mouse serum albumin]; (2) sham + Flt3L (s.c.); (3) zym (i.p.) + vehicle; and (4) zym + Flt3L. Injections were for 9 consecutive days; 12 days later we examined: survival rate (monitored for 12 days); lung tissue histopathology (haematoxylin and eosin staining); plasma indices of lung function (pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3–); DC subsets in lung tissue; and lung DCs production of interleukin (IL)-12p70 and IL-10. Zym administration resulted in increased mortality associated with significant lung histopathological changes and abnormal blood gas indices; however, these pathological changes were ameliorated by Flt3L treatment. Zym injections also resulted in significant reductions in DC subsets recovered from lungs [CD11c+major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-II/I-Ad+, CD11c+CD11b+ and CD11c+B220+]. Importantly, in-vivo Flt3L treatment reversed these trends for DC immunoparalysis by increasing the percentages of recovered DC subsets concomitant with increased DC production of IL-12 p70 and decreased IL-10 production. These results suggest that Flt3L may have therapeutic potential for reversing DC immunoparalysis and ameliorating lung injury secondary to MODS.
Patterns of temporal community turnover are spatially synchronous across boreal lakes
Authors: ANGELER DAVID G. , JOHNSON RICHARD K.
Published: July 2012

1. Ecosystems are often exposed to broad‐scale environmental change, which can potentially synchronise community dynamics and biodiversity trends. Detection of temporal coherence may, however, depend on the metrics used and their sensitivity to detect change, requiring several lines of evidence to elucidate the full range of temporal responses to environmental change.

2. Here, we tested whether the patterns of synchrony among littoral invertebrate communities of Swedish lakes over 20 years (1988–2007) differed when analysed using univariate (taxon richness, evenness, Shannon diversity and total abundance) or multivariate (temporal turnover in community composition) metrics. We included both culturally acidified and circumneutral lakes to examine whether anthropogenic stress influenced the patterns of synchrony.

3. Average total abundance, taxon richness and temporal turnover in community composition changed monotonically with time, while evenness and Shannon diversity fluctuated around a long‐term mean. However, among‐lake variability was high, resulting in a weak temporal coherence. Only trends of temporal turnover changed synchronously across lakes, irrespective of their acidification history.

4. Spatially synchronous trends in turnover across lakes were correlated with increasing water colour and decreasing sulphate concentrations, showing the importance of regional drivers of spatiotemporal coherence.

5. Our results underpin an increasing body of evidence that the detection of diversity patterns varies among metrics that ignore (taxon richness, evenness, Shannon diversity) or consider (turnover) species identities. More generally, our results suggest that community‐level studies of synchrony are suitable for elucidating the role of intrinsic versus extrinsic factors in mediating complex community assembly processes in the long term. This, in turn, contributes to our understanding of temporal patterns of biodiversity.
A quantitative method for determining the antiwashout characteristics of cement‐based dental materials including mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Formosa L. M. , Mallia B. , Camilleri J.
Published: July 2012

Aim

To introduce and assess a novel method for measuring washout resistance of cement‐based dental materials, including mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), to qualitatively verify the results with a clinical simulation and to evaluate the washout resistance of a new root‐end filling material.

Methodology

A method for assessment of washout resistance of root‐end filling materials was developed by adapting the CRD‐C 661‐06 (a method for evaluating the resistance of freshly mixed concrete to washout in water), to permit testing of dental cements. White Portland cement (PC), MTA‐Plus mixed with either water or a polymer‐based antiwashout gel (MTA‐AW), MTA‐Angelus, IRM and amalgam were tested with either distilled water or HBSS as washout media. Additionally, the washout resistance was tested qualitatively by spraying the test materials at the terminus of simulated canals with a metered jet of water.

Results

A mass loss of 2–7% for PC, 0.4–4% for MTA‐Plus, −0.9% for MTA‐AW, 5–10% for MTA‐Angelus and 0% for IRM and amalgam was recorded with the modified CRD‐C 661‐06 method. No significant difference was found between using water and HBSS as washout media for the same material. The results of the modified CRD‐C 661‐06 method were similar to those obtained on the simulated canals.

Conclusions

The modified CRD‐C 661‐06 method provided repeatable results that were comparable to the simulated clinical method. The antiwashout gel used with MTA‐Plus reduced the material washout and was similar to IRM and amalgam.
Institutional peer support mediates the impact of physical declines on depressive symptoms of nursing home residents
Authors: Yeung Dannii Y. , Kwok Sylvia Y.C. , Chung Annie
Published: July 2012

Aims

This paper tests the mediating effect of institutional peer support on the relationship between physical declines and depressive symptoms among nursing home residents.

Background

As the number of older adults living in nursing homes increases, peer support received from other residents in the institutions is critical to the psychological well‐being of residents who face physical declines and reduction in family support. This study tested whether institutional peer support would account for the detrimental effect of physical declines on depressive symptoms ofChinese older people residing in nursing homes.

Design

A cross‐sectional design was used.

Method

The study was conducted between January–March 2009 by convenience sampling. The sample consisted of 187 nursing home residents, with 54 men and 133 women. Interviews were conducted by an experienced research assistant, and responses on physical abilities and institutional peer support were collected. Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptoms of each participant.

Results

Participants with poor physical abilities reported more depressive symptoms. Institutional peer support was negatively correlated with physical declines and depressive symptoms. Results of the regression analysis showed that the effect of physical declines on depressive symptoms was no longer significant when the influence of institutional peer support was statistically controlled, indicating a full mediation of institutional peer support on depression of older people.

Conclusion

Findings of this study reveal that institutional peer support positively contributes to the psychological well‐being of nursing home residents.
Locked Nucleic Acid‐Based In Situ Hybridisation Reveals miR‐7a as a Hypothalamus‐Enriched MicroRNA with a Distinct Expression Pattern
Authors: Herzer S. , Silahtaroglu A. , Meister B.
Published: July 2012

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short (∼22 nucleotides) noncoding RNA molecules that post‐transcriptionally repress the expression of protein‐coding genes by binding to 3′‐untranslated regions of the target mRNAs. To identify miRNAs selectively expressed within the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that controls vital bodily functions, we employed locked nucleic acid (LNA)‐fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH). The expression pattern of the mature miRNAs miR‐7a, miR‐7b, miR‐137 and miR‐153 in mouse brain tissue sections was investigated. Although all studied miRNAs were present in the hypothalamus, miR‐7a, was the only miRNA found to be enriched in the hypothalamus, with low or no expression in other parts of the central nervous system (CNS). Within the hypothalamus, strong miR‐7a expression was distinct and restricted to some hypothalamic nuclei and adjacent areas. miR‐7a expression was particularly prominent in the subfornical organ, as well as the suprachiasmatic, paraventricular, periventricular, supraoptic, dorsomedial and arcuate nuclei. Identical expression patterns for miR‐7a were seen in mouse and rat hypothalamus. By combining LNA‐FISH with immunohistochemistry, it was shown that miR‐7a was preferentially present in small orexigenic neuropeptide Y/agouti‐related protein‐containing‐neurones located in the ventromedial aspect of the arcuate nucleus but not in large pro‐opiomelanocortin/cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript‐containing anorexigenic neurones of the ventrolateral part of the arcuate nucleus. The limited and distinct expression of miR‐7a in the CNS suggests that miR‐7a has a role in post‐transcriptional regulation in hypothalamic neurones. Particularly strong expression of miR‐7a in neurones located in the ventromedial division of the arcuate nucleus, a subregion with a weak blood–brain barrier, raises the possibility that miR‐7a is influenced by circulating hormones and is a regulator of the genes involved in body weight control.
Evolution of gene expression and expression plasticity in long‐term experimental populations of Drosophila melanogaster maintained under constant and variable ethanol stress
Authors: YAMPOLSKY LEV Y. , GLAZKO GALINA V. , FRY JAMES D.
Published: July 2012

Gene expression responds to the environment and can also evolve rapidly in response to altered selection regimes. Little is known, however, about the extent to which evolutionary adaptation to a particular type of stress involves changes in the within‐generation (‘plastic’) responses of gene expression to the stress. We used microarrays to quantify gene expression plasticity in response to ethanol in laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster differing in their history of ethanol exposure. Two populations (‘R’ populations) were maintained on regular medium, two (‘E’) were maintained on medium supplemented with ethanol, and two (‘M’) were maintained in a mixed regime in which half of the population was reared on one medium type, and half on the other, each generation. After more than 300 generations, embryos from each population were collected and exposed to either ethanol or water as a control, and RNA was extracted from the larvae shortly after hatching. Nearly 2000 transcripts showed significant within‐generation responses to ethanol exposure. Evolutionary history also affected gene expression: the E and M populations were largely indistinguishable in expression, but differed significantly in expression from the R populations for over 100 transcripts, the majority of which did not show plastic responses. Notably, in no case was the interaction between selection regime and ethanol exposure significant after controlling for multiple comparisons, indicating that adaptation to ethanol in the E and M populations did not involve substantial changes in gene expression plasticity. The results give evidence that expression plasticity evolves considerably more slowly than mean expression.
A sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) reference FISH karyotype for chromosome and chromosome‐arm identification, integration of genetic linkage groups and analysis of major repeat family distribution
Authors: Paesold Susanne , Borchardt Dietrich , Schmidt Thomas , Dechyeva Daryna
Published: July 2012

We developed a reference karyotype for B. vulgaris which is applicable to all beet cultivars and provides a consistent numbering of chromosomes and genetic linkage groups. Linkage groups of sugar beet were assigned to physical chromosome arms by FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) using a set of 18 genetically anchored BAC (bacterial artificial chromosome) markers. Genetic maps of sugar beet were correlated to chromosome arms, and North–South orientation of linkage groups was established. The FISH karyotype provides a technical platform for genome studies and can be applied for numbering and identification of chromosomes in related wild beet species. The discrimination of all nine chromosomes by BAC probes enabled the study of chromosome‐specific distribution of the major repetitive components of sugar beet genome comprising pericentromeric, intercalary and subtelomeric satellites and 18S‐5.8S‐25S and 5S rRNA gene arrays. We developed a multicolor FISH procedure allowing the identification of all nine sugar beet chromosome pairs in a single hybridization using a pool of satellite DNA probes. Fiber‐FISH was applied to analyse five chromosome arms in which the furthermost genetic marker of the linkage group was mapped adjacently to terminal repetitive sequences on pachytene chromosomes. Only on two arms telomere arrays and the markers are physically linked, hence these linkage groups can be considered as terminally closed making the further identification of distal informative markers difficult. The results support genetic mapping by marker localization, the anchoring of contigs and scaffolds for the annotation of the sugar beet genome sequence and the analysis of the chromosomal distribution patterns of major families of repetitive DNA.
Sirolimus use and incidence of venous thromboembolism in cardiac transplant recipients
Authors: Thibodeau Jennifer T. , Mishkin Joseph D. , Patel Parag C. , Kaiser Patricia A. , Ayers Colby R. , Mammen Pradeep P. A. , Markham David W. , Ring W. Steves , Peltz Matthias , Drazner Mark H.
Published: July 2012

Sirolimus is an immunosuppressive agent increasingly used in cardiac transplant recipients in the setting of allograft vasculopathy or worsening renal function. Recently, sirolimus has been associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in lung transplant recipients. To investigate whether this association is also present in cardiac transplant recipients, we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 67 cardiac transplant recipients whose immunosuppressive regimen included sirolimus and 134 matched cardiac transplant recipients whose regimen did not include sirolimus. Rates of VTE were compared. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models tested the association of sirolimus use with VTE. A higher incidence of VTE was seen in patients treated with vs. without sirolimus (8/67 [12%] vs. 9/134 [7%], log‐rank statistic: 4.66, p = 0.03). Lower body mass index (BMI) and total cholesterol levels were also associated with VTE (p < 0.05). The association of sirolimus with VTE persisted when adjusting for BMI (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 2.96 [1.13, 7.75], p = 0.03) but not when adjusting for total cholesterol (p = 0.08). These data suggest that sirolimus is associated with an increased risk of VTE in cardiac transplant recipients, a risk possibly mediated through comorbid conditions. Larger, more conclusive studies are needed. Until such studies are completed, a heightened level of awareness for VTE in cardiac transplant recipients treated with sirolimus appears warranted.
The frequencies of human neutrophil alloantigens among the Japanese population
Authors: Matsuhashi M. , Tsuno N. H. , Kawabata M. , Mishima Y. , Okochi N. , Santoso S. , Tozuka M. , Takahashi K.
Published: July 2012

Human neutrophil antigens (HNAs) play an important role in a variety of clinical conditions including immune‐mediated neutropenia, non‐hemolytic transfusion reactions, and transfusion‐related acute lung injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency distribution of HNAs‐1 to ‐5 among the Japanese population. We analyzed samples from 570 healthy Japanese by molecular and serologic techniques to estimate the gene frequencies of HNAs‐1 to ‐5. DNA samples were obtained and typed for the HNA‐1 (n = 523), ‐3 (n = 570), ‐4 (n = 570), and ‐5 (n = 508), by molecular techniques. The HNA‐1 genotype was determined by using a commercial polymerase chain reaction‐reverse sequence‐specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR‐rSSOP) kit. The HNA‐3 to ‐5 genotypes were determined by the PCR‐sequence specific primer (PCR‐SSP), previously described, with a small modification. The HNA‐2a phenotype was determined in 301 donors by granulocyte immunofluorescence test. In Japanese, the gene frequencies of HNA‐1a, ‐1b, and ‐1c were 0.623, 0.377, and 0.000, respectively. The frequency of HNA‐2a phenotype was 0.987, and the gene frequencies of HNA‐3a and ‐3b were 0.654 and 0.346, respectively. HNA‐4a and ‐4b were found at 1.000 and 0.000, respectively, and HNA‐5a and ‐5b at 0.840 and 0.160, respectively. We describe, for the first time, the frequencies of all HNAs (HNA‐1 to ‐5) among the Japanese population. This study will be helpful for the prediction of the risk of alloimmunization to HNA, especially to determine the risk of HNA alloantibody production by transfusion of HNA incompatible blood and feto‐maternal incompatibility.
New insights into family functioning and quality of life after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Denny Bianca , Beyerle Kathe , Kienhuis Mandy , Cora Ancuta , Gavidia‐Payne Susana , Hardikar Winita
Published: July 2012

Denny B, Beyerle K, Kienhuis M, Cora A, Gavidia‐Payne S, Hardikar W. New insights into family functioning and quality of life after pediatric liver transplantation.

Abstract:  Thorough research of the medical aspects of pediatric liver transplantation has given way to recent interest in the impact of the transplantation process on the QOL of recipients and their families. In this cross‐sectional study, we compared the family functioning and QOL of children (n = 30) aged between three and 16 yr (M = 10.10, s.d. = 3.62) who had received a liver transplant in the previous 1–12 yr (M = 5.31, s.d. = 3.44) with non‐transplant children (n = 33), as reported via parent proxy. Results showed that parents of pediatric liver transplant recipients made significantly more adjustments to family routines to accommodate their children, particularly in relation to childcare. Impaired family functioning was also found to be associated with decreased QOL. These preliminary findings of relative deficits in family functioning may inform psychosocial interventions to assist pediatric liver transplant patients and their families. Further investigation beyond a single‐center study incorporating subjective information from pediatric patients and their parents is recommended.
Induction of palate epithelial mesenchymal transition by transforming growth factor β3 signaling
Authors: Jalali Azadeh , Zhu Xiujuan , Liu ChangChih , Nawshad Ali
Published: July 2012

Transforming growth factor (TGFβ)3 is essential for palate development, particularly during the late phase of palatogenesis when the disintegration of the palatal medial edge seam (MES) occurs resulting in mesenchymal confluence. The MES is composed of medial‐edge epithelium (MEE) of opposite palatal shelves; its complete disintegration is essential for mediating correct craniofacial morphogenesis. This phenomenon is initiated by TGFβ3 upon adherence of opposing palatal shelves, and subsequently epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) instigates the loss of E‐Cadherin, causing the MES to break into small epithelial islands forming confluent palatal mesenchyme; however, apoptosis and cell migration or in combination of all are other established mechanisms of seam disintegration. To investigate the molecular mechanisms that cause this E‐Cadherin loss, we isolated and cultured murine embryonic primary MES cells from adhered palates and employed several biological approaches to explore the mechanism by which TGFβ3 facilitates palatal seam disintegration. Here, we demonstrate that TGFβ3 signals by activating both Smad‐dependent and Smad‐independent pathways. However, activation of the two most common EMT related transcription factors, Snail and SIP, was facilitated by Smad‐independent pathways, contrary to the commonly accepted Smad‐dependent pathway. Finally, we provide the first evidence that TGFβ3‐activated Snail and SIP1, combined with Smad4, bind to the E‐Cadherin promoter to repress its transcription in response to TGFβ3 signaling. These results suggest that TGFβ3 uses multiple pathways to activate Snail and SIP1 and these transcription factors repress the cell–cell adhesion protein, E‐Cadherin, to induce palatal epithelial seam EMT. Manipulation and intervention of the pathways stimulated by TGFβ3 during palate development may have a significant therapeutic potential.
Higher glycosylated hemoglobin levels increase the risk of overactive bladder syndrome in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Chiu Aih‐Fung , Huang Mei‐Huang , Wang Chung‐Cheng , Kuo Hann‐Chorng
Published: July 2012

Objectives:  To assess overactive bladder and its component symptoms among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to explore whether higher glycosylated hemoglobin and other factors increase the risk of overactive bladder symptoms.

Methods:  A total of 279 diabetes mellitus patients from our outpatient clinic, and 578 age‐ and sex‐matched subjects without diabetes mellitus from public health centers were enrolled from May to September of 2010. The collected data included overactive bladder and its component symptoms measured by using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, and collecting demographic and clinical data. Overactive bladder was defined as total Overactive Bladder Symptom Score ≥3 and urgency score ≥2 (once a week or more).

Results:  Diabetes mellitus patients had a significantly higher proportion of overactive bladder symptoms/urgency compared with the controls (28.0% vs 16.3%, odds ratio 2.03, 95% confidence interval 1.44–2.86), as well as nocturia (48.0% vs 39.1%, odds ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.93). There were no significant effects of diabetes mellitus on urge urinary incontinence (14.0% vs 10.9%, odds ratio 1.32, 95% confidence interval 0.86–2.04) and daytime frequency (26.9% vs 32.4%, odds ratio 0.77, 95% confidence interval 0.56–1.05). After adjusting for all variables, high glycosylated hemoglobin levels were significantly associated with overactive bladder/urgency (odds ratio 1.24, 95% confidence interval 1.06–1.45), urge urinary incontinence (odds ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 1.00–1.45) and nocturia (odds ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.35).

Conclusions:  Patients with type 2 mellitus present more overactive bladder symptoms/urgency and nocturia than controls. Among diabetic patients, higher glycosylated hemoglobin level represents an independent predictor of overactive bladder /urgency, urge urinary incontinence and nocturia.
Age effects on survival from early breast cancer in clinical settings in Australia
Authors: Roder David M. , de Silva Primali , Zorbas Helen M. , Kollias James , Malycha Peter L. , Pyke Chris M. , Campbell Ian D.
Published: July 2012

Background:  The study aim was to determine whether age is an independent risk factor for survival from early invasive breast cancer in contemporary Australian clinical settings.

Methods:  The study included 31 493 breast cancers diagnosed in 1998–2005. Risk of death from breast cancer was compared by age, without and with adjustment for clinical risk factors, using Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results:  Risk of breast cancer death was elevated for cancers of larger size, higher grade, positive nodal status, oestrogen receptor negative status, vascular invasion and multiple foci. Ductal lesions presented a higher risk than other lesions. Adjusting for these factors, the relative risk of breast cancer death (95% confidence limits) was lower for 40–49‐year‐olds at 0.80 (0.66, 0.96) than for the reference category under 40 years, but higher for 70–79‐year‐olds at 1.64 (1.36, 1.98) and women aged 80 years or more at 2.19 (1.79, 2.69). The risk for 50–69‐year‐olds and women under 40 years was similar. Risk‐factor adjustment reduced the difference in risk between the reference category under 40 years and 40–49‐year‐olds, largely eliminated the lower relative risk for 50–69‐year‐olds, and increased the relative risks for women aged 70–79 years and older.

Discussion:  Survivals in women under 40 and over 70 years of age are poorer than for 40–69‐year‐olds. Research is needed into the best treatment modalities for younger women and older women with co‐morbidity.