bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-temperature dielectric response in pulsed laser deposited Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7 thin films
Authors: Singh Jitendra , Kalghatgi A. T. , Parui Jayanta , Krupanidhi S. B.
Published: September 2010

Cubic pyrochlore Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7 thin films were deposited by pulsed laser ablation on Pt(200)/SiO2/Si at 500, 550, 600, and 650 °C. The thin films with (222) preferred orientation were found to grow at 650 °C with better crystallinity which was established by the lowest full-width half maxima of ∼0.38. The dielectric response of the thin films grown at 650 °C have been characterized within a temperature range of 270–650 K and a frequency window of 0.1–100 kHz. The dielectric dispersion in the thin films shows a Maxwell–Wagner type relaxation with two different kinds of response confirmed by temperature dependent Nyquist plots. The ac conduction of the films showed a varied behavior in two different frequency regions. The power law exponent values of more than 1 at high frequency are explained by a jump-relaxation-model. The possibility of grain boundary related large polaronic hopping, due to two different power law exponents and transformation of double to single response in Nyquist plots at high temperature, has been excluded. The “attempt jump frequency” obtained from temperature dependent tangent loss and real part of dielectric constants, has been found to lie in the range of their lattice vibronic frequencies (1012–1013 Hz). The activation energy arising from a large polaronic hopping due to trapped charge at low frequency region has been calculated from the ac conduction behavior. The range of activation energies (0.26–0.59 eV) suggests that the polaronic hopping at low frequency is mostly due to oxygen vacancies.
Fermi-level pinning and charge neutrality level in nitrogen-doped Ge2Sb2Te5: Characterization and application in phase change memory devices
Authors: Fang Lina Wei-Wei , Zhang Zheng , Zhao Rong , Pan Jisheng , Li Minghua , Shi Luping , Chong Tow-Chong , Yeo Yee-Chia
Published: September 2010

We study the dependence of the hole barrier height at the metal/α-Ge2Sb2Te5 interface as a function of nitrogen doping in Ge2Sb2Te5 as well as the vacuum work function of the metal. Materials parameters such as the band gap, dielectric constant, and electron affinity values of these nitrogen-doped films were also determined. All Ge2Sb2Te5 films studied in this work are amorphous. Following further physical analysis, the effective work functions of metals on nitrogen-doped Ge2Sb2Te5 films were obtained and found to differ from that of their values in vacuum. This led to the extraction of the slope parameter Sx and charge neutrality level ΦCNL which characterizes Ge2Sb2Te5. Appreciable metal Fermi-level pinning to the charge neutrality level of Ge2Sb2Te5, which is located near the valence band edge, was observed. We then demonstrate application of the extracted parameters to obtain the band alignment of α-Ge2Sb2Te5 with various other materials such as SiO2, giving good agreement with experimental results.
Electrical control of capacitance dispersion for single-electron turnstile operation in common-gated junction arrays
Authors: Yokoi Kiyohito , Moraru Daniel , Mizuno Takeshi , Tabe Michiharu
Published: September 2010

We have studied single-electron turnstile operation in common-gated one-dimensional arrays of four tunnel junctions (three dots) having inhomogeneous junction capacitances. Analytical calculations show that the source-drain voltage range with a current plateau due to single-electron turnstile operation is increased when the outer two tunnel capacitances are adjusted to be smaller than the inner ones. In fact, we have demonstrated in phosphorous-doped silicon-on-insulator field-effect transistors (FETs) that back-gate voltage works to assist the turnstile operation, which is primarily ascribed to electrical control of junction capacitance dispersion, i.e., reduction in outer junction capacitances. As a result, postfabrication control of capacitance dispersion in multijunction FETs can be achieved, resulting in successful turnstile operation.
Only signaling modules that discriminate sharply between stimulatory and nonstimulatory inputs require basal signaling for fast cellular responses
Authors: Artomov Mykyta , Kardar Mehran , Chakraborty Arup K.
Published: September 2010

In many types of cells, binding of molecules to their receptors enables cascades of intracellular chemical reactions to take place (signaling). However, a low level of signaling also occurs in most unstimulated cells. Such basal signaling in resting cells can have many functions, one of which is that it is thought to be required for fast cellular responses to external stimuli. A mechanistic understanding of why this is true and which features of cellular signaling networks make basal signaling necessary for fast responses is unknown. We address this issue by obtaining the time required for activation of common types of cell signaling modules with and without basal signaling. Our results show that the absence of basal signaling does not have any dramatic effects on the response time for signaling modules that exhibit a graded response to increasing stimulus levels. In sharp contrast, signaling modules that exhibit sharp dose-response curves which discriminate sensitively between stimuli to which the cell needs to respond and low-grade inputs (or stochastic noise) require basal signaling for fast cellular responses. In such cases, we find that an optimal level of basal signaling balances the requirements for fast cellular responses while minimizing spurious activation without appropriate stimulation.
Photobleaching reduced fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Mondal Partha P. , Gilbert Richard J. , So Peter T. C.
Published: September 2010

A dual beam excitation-depletion pulse technique is proposed for photobleaching reduced fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). Excitation pulse promote the molecules to the excited singlet state (S1), a fraction of that population goes to energetically favorable metastable triplet state (T1) due to strong intersystem crossing. The depletion pulse followed by excitation pulse instantaneously depletes the triplet states thereby recycling the bleached molecules back to the ground state (S0). FCS study on diffusing Fluorescein and Rh6G molecules show more than 95% reduction in triplet state population and the associated photobleaching.
Modulated surface textures for enhanced light trapping in thin-film silicon solar cells
Authors: Isabella Olindo , Krč Janez , Zeman Miro
Published: September 2010

Substrates with a modulated surface texture were prepared by combining different interface morphologies. The spatial frequency surface representation method is used to evaluate the surface modulation. When combining morphologies with appropriate geometrical features, substrates exhibit an increased scattering level in a broad wavelength region. We demonstrate that the improved scattering properties result from a superposition of different light scattering mechanisms caused by the different geometrical features integrated in a modulated surface texture.
Sound focusing by gradient index sonic lenses
Authors: Climente Alfonso , Torrent Daniel , Sánchez-Dehesa José
Published: September 2010

Gradient index sonic lenses based on two-dimensional sonic crystals are here designed, fabricated, and characterized. The index-gradient is achieved in these type of flat lenses by a gradual modification of the sonic crystal filling fraction along the direction perpendicular to the lens axis. The focusing performance is well described by an analytical model based on ray theory as well as by numerical simulations based on the multiple-scattering theory.
Relationship between yield, carbon isotope discrimination and stem carbohydrate concentration in spring wheat grown in Ningxia Irrigation Region (North-west China)
Authors: Zhu Lin , Li Shu Hua , Liang Zong Suo , Zhang Zhan Feng , Xu Xing
Published: September 2010

Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) in flag leaf, grain and basal stem, grain yield (GY), and harvest index (HI), were determined in a collection of 20 bread wheat cultivars (landraces, released cultivars and advanced lines) in Yinchuan, located in the central region of the Ningxia region (North-west of China), in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, specific stem DW (SSDW) and carbohydrates, including water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), non-water-soluble carbohydrates (NWSC) and total non-structural carbohydrate (TNSC) in stem were also measured. Relationships between GY, HI, SSDW, accumulation and mobilisation of stem carbohydrates and Δ were analysed. There were positive and significant correlations between grain Δ, basal stem Δ and GY in 2007 and 2008. A significant and positive correlation between Δ and HI was found. In 2008, positive correlations were recorded between stem WSC concentration, SSDW sampled 7 days after anthesis and Δ. Carbon isotope discrimination was associated positively with remobilisation efficiency of stem WSC and TNSC. While negative relationships were noted between Δ and SSDW at maturity, stronger association was noted between Δ, carbohydrate concentration, accumulation and mobilisation efficiencies on stem length basis than on stem DW basis. In conclusion, there is a good relationship between Δ and carbohydrate in stem of wheat when irrigation does not meet the crop’s water requirement and wheat experiences a slight water stress after anthesis.
Coincident quantitative trait loci effects for dormancy, water sensitivity and malting quality traits in the BCD47×Baronesse barley mapping population
Authors: Castro Ariel Julio , Benitez Andrea , Hayes Patrick M. , Viega Luis , Wright Les
Published: September 2010

A degree of seed dormancy (SD) is required for malting barley varieties in Uruguay, and many other parts of the world, in order to prevent pre-harvest sprouting. Water sensitivity (WS) (a decrease in germination under excess water) is a related trait that can create problems at the malthouse. Both traits are affected by environmental conditions during grain filling. We used a population of 100 doubled haploid lines derived from the cross BCD47 × Baronesse to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) affecting SD, WS, and malting quality traits. Preliminary experiments revealed that BCD47 has low SD and Baronesse has high SD. WS for these accessions was not known before this research. A major SD QTL – detected in four experiments – is on chromosome 5H, with BCD47 contributing the low dormancy allele. Four other regions with QTL effects for SD were mapped, but these QTL were significant in data from only one or two environments. Four regions were detected with QTL effects for WS, but only two – in 5H coincident with the SD QTL, and 3H – were significant in more than one environment. SD and WS were affected by the average temperature at the end of the grain-filling period, with higher temperatures associated with lower values for SD. At the same region on 5H where SD and WS QTL were detected, we found significant QTL for malt extract, α-amylase activity, β-glucans, FAN, Kolbach index, wort turbidity and protein content, with BCD47 contributing favourable alleles for all traits. These results underscore the importance of environmental effects on both SD and WS as well as the difficulties of combining good malting quality with adequate levels of SD and WS.
A heterodimeric complex of the LRR proteins LRIM1 and APL1C regulates complement-like immunity in
Anopheles gambiae
Authors: Baxter Richard H. G. , Steinert Stefanie , Chelliah Yogarany , Volohonsky Gloria , Levashina Elena A. , Deisenhofer Johann
Published: September 2010

The leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins LRIM1 and APL1C control the function of the complement-like protein TEP1 in
Anopheles
mosquitoes. The molecular structure of LRIM1 and APL1C and the basis of their interaction with TEP1 represent a new type of innate immune complex. The LRIM1/APL1C complex specifically binds and solubilizes a cleaved form of TEP1 without an intact thioester bond. The LRIM1 and APL1C LRR domains have a large radius of curvature, glycosylated concave face, and a novel C-terminal capping motif. The LRIM1/APL1C complex is a heterodimer with a single intermolecular disulfide bond. The structure of the LRIM1/APL1C heterodimer reveals an interface between the two LRR domains and an extensive C-terminal coiled-coil domain. We propose that a cleaved form of TEP1 may act as a convertase for activation of other TEP1 molecules and that the LRIM1/APL1C heterodimer regulates formation of this TEP1 convertase.
Stochastic models for large interacting systems and related correlation inequalities
Authors: Liggett Thomas M.
Published: September 2010

A very large and active part of probability theory is concerned with the formulation and analysis of models for the evolution of large systems arising in the sciences, including physics and biology. These models have in their description randomness in the evolution rules, and interactions among various parts of the system. This article describes some of the main models in this area, as well as some of the major results about their behavior that have been obtained during the past 40 years. An important technique in this area, as well as in related parts of physics, is the use of correlation inequalities. These express positive or negative dependence between random quantities related to the model. In some types of models, the underlying dependence is positive, whereas in others it is negative. We give particular attention to these issues, and to applications of these inequalities. Among the applications are central limit theorems that give convergence to a Gaussian distribution.
Fuelling characteristics of supersonic molecular beam injection in JT-60U
Authors: Takenaga H. , Miyo Y. , Bucalossi J. , Marty V. , Urano H. , Asakura N. , Nishiyama T. , Sasajima T. , Masaki K. , Kaminaga A.
Published: September 2010

Supersonic molecular beam injection (SMBI) was successfully operated in JT-60U after improving the performance of the vacuum seal used inside the injector head. Frequent density jumps were clearly observed in the main plasma against the SMBI pulses with filling gas pressures (P
FG) of 0.2–0.6 MPa. The fuelling efficiency exhibited a weak dependence on P
FG and the injection direction (high- and low-field-side injections). The amount of fuelling necessary for achieving the same density level is much smaller for SMBI than for gas puffing. It is comparable for SMBI and pellet injection even with shallower penetration of SMBI as discussed. The SMBI ionization area was estimated based on emission measured using a fast TV camera with a time resolution of 0.167 ms. The estimations indicated a similar penetration position for P
FG = 0.6 and 0.2 MPa, although the ionization area was larger for 0.6 MPa. This result supports the weak P
FG dependence of the fuelling efficiency. The front of the ionization area moved between the first and second frames of the fast TV camera and it reached just inside the separatrix in the second frame. The ionization area was significantly expanded even in the first frame from the expected SMB size and the expansion was enhanced in the second frame. These relatively slow changes between the two frames suggest that the interaction between the SMB and the plasma significantly influences the fuelling characteristics.
Nutrient Control of Yeast PKA Activity Involves Opposing Effects on Phosphorylation of the Bcy1 Regulatory Subunit
Authors: Budhwar Roli , Lu Ailan , Hirsch Jeanne P.
Published: September 2010

GPB1 and GPB2 encode kelch repeat-containing proteins that regulate protein kinase A (PKA) in yeast by a cAMP-independent process. Here we show that Gpb1 and Gpb2 stimulate phosphorylation of PKA regulatory subunit Bcy1 in low glucose concentrations, thereby promoting the inhibitory function of Bcy1 when nutrients are scarce and PKA activity is expected to be low. Gpb1 and Gpb2 stimulate Bcy1 phosphorylation at an unknown site, and this modification stabilizes Bcy1 that has been phosphorylated by PKA catalytic subunits at serine-145. The BCY1S145Amutation eliminates the effect of gpb1Δ gpb2Δ on Bcy1 stability but maintains their effect on phosphorylation and signaling, indicating that modulation of PKA activity by Gpb1 and Gpb2 is not solely due to increased levels of Bcy1. Inhibition of PKA catalytic subunits that are ATP analog-sensitive causes increased Bcy1 phosphorylation at the unknown site in high glucose. When PKA is inhibited, gpb1Δ gpb2Δ mutations have no effect on Bcy1 phosphorylation. Therefore, Gpb1 and Gpb2 oppose PKA activity by blocking the ability of PKA to inhibit Bcy1 phosphorylation at a site other than serine-145. Stimulation of Bcy1 phosphorylation by Gpb1 and Gpb2 produces a form of Bcy1 that is more stable and is a more effective PKA inhibitor.
Feeding ecology of the southern lanternshark (Etmopterus baxteri) and the brown lanternshark (E. unicolor) off southeastern Australia
Authors: Hallett Chris S. , Daley Ross K.
Published: September 2010

Hallett, C. S., and Daley, R. K. 2011. Feeding ecology of the southern lanternshark (Etmopterus baxteri) and the brown lanternshark (E. unicolor) off southeastern Australia. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 157–165. Little is known about the ecological interactions between bycatch species and orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) within exploited slope and seamount communities off Tasmania. The diet of Etmopterus baxteri and E. unicolor, two important bycatch species of these fisheries, is described using four indices [percentage frequency of occurrence, percentage by number, percentage by weight, and percentage by the index of relative importance (%IRI)] calculated for broad prey categories, individual prey taxa, and functional prey groups. The identifiable diet of E. unicolor was dominated by benthic cephalopods (96%IRI), whereas benthic teleost prey, notably orange roughy (43%IRI), dominated the diet of E. baxteri. Similar trophic mechanisms appear to support aggregations of orange roughy and Etmopterus spp. off Tasmania; they feed on demersal species and mesopelagic or vertically migrating nekton advected laterally onto the mid-slope. The importance of teleost prey in the diet of E. baxteri apparently increases with shark length, whereas crustaceans become less important, which is a similar diet shift to that of orange roughy. Etmopterus baxteri is both a potential competitor and predator of orange roughy in these ecosystems. Fishery managers need to understand and consider the complex trophic interactions between orange roughy, sharks, and other exploited species in managing recently reopened deep-water fisheries off southeastern Australia.
An indigenous religious ritual selects for resistance to a toxicant in a livebearing fish
Authors: Tobler M. , Culumber Z. W. , Plath M. , Winemiller K. O. , Rosenthal G. G.
Published: September 2010

Human-induced environmental change can affect the evolutionary trajectory of populations. In Mexico, indigenous Zoque people annually introduce barbasco, a fish toxicant, into the Cueva del Azufre to harvest fish during a religious ceremony. Here, we investigated tolerance to barbasco in fish from sites exposed and unexposed to the ritual. We found that barbasco tolerance increases with body size and differs between the sexes. Furthermore, fish from sites exposed to the ceremony had a significantly higher tolerance. Consequently, the annual ceremony may not only affect population structure and gene flow among habitat types, but the increased tolerance in exposed fish may indicate adaptation to human cultural practices in a natural population on a very small spatial scale.
Eastward from Africa: palaeocurrent-mediated chameleon dispersal to the Seychelles islands
Authors: Townsend Ted M. , Tolley Krystal A. , Glaw Frank , Böhme Wolfgang , Vences Miguel
Published: September 2010

Madagascar and the Seychelles are Gondwanan remnants currently isolated in the Indian Ocean. In the Late Cretaceous, these islands were joined with India to form the Indigascar landmass, which itself then split into its three component parts around the start of the Tertiary. This history is reflected in the biota of the Seychelles, which appears to contain examples of both vicariance- and dispersal-mediated divergence from Malagasy or Indian sister taxa. One lineage for which this has been assumed but never thoroughly tested is the Seychellean tiger chameleon, a species assigned to the otherwise Madagascar-endemic genus
Calumma
. We present a multi-locus phylogenetic study of chameleons, and find that the Seychellean species is actually the sister taxon of a southern African clade and requires accomodation in its own genus as
Archaius tigris
. Divergence dating and biogeographic analyses indicate an origin by transoceanic dispersal from Africa to the Seychelles in the Eocene–Oligocene, providing, to our knowledge, the first such well-documented example and supporting novel palaeocurrent reconstructions.
John Edwin Harris. 2 June 1932 — 3 February 2009
Authors: Crossland Ian
Published: September 2010

John Edwin (‘Jack’) Harris (1932–2009) was a metallurgist, born in Monmouthshire and trained at Birmingham University. His principal research interests were in the fields of creep, creep fracture, vacancy flow and oxidation-induced stress. Working for the Central Electricity Generating Board at Berkeley Nuclear Laboratories, he led a team that pointed the way to significant improvements in nuclear fuel endurance. This permitted a near-doubling of the energy extracted from ‘Magnox’ reactor fuel, for which he received the Royal Society's Esso Gold Medal for Energy Conservation in 1979. After retirement from the electricity supply industry in 1990 he turned increasingly to popular science writing, publishing hundreds of articles inMaterials World,New Scientist,Science and Public AffairsandPhysics World, among others. These beautifully written pieces reflected his wide range of interests, covering subjects such as nuclear power, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, environmental issues, the decline of UK research, art appreciation and penal reform. Often they displayed his keen eye for curious facts and the ironies and vagaries of life.
A framework for understanding the architecture of collective movements using pairwise analyses of animal movement data
Authors: Polansky Leo , Wittemyer George
Published: September 2010

The study of collective or group-level movement patterns can provide insight regarding the socio-ecological interface, the evolution of self-organization and mechanisms of inter-individual information exchange. The suite of drivers influencing coordinated movement trajectories occur across scales, resulting from regular annual, seasonal and circadian stimuli and irregular intra- or interspecific interactions and environmental encounters acting on individuals. Here, we promote a conceptual framework with an associated statistical machinery to quantify the type and degree of synchrony, spanning absence to complete, in pairwise movements. The application of this framework offers a foundation for detailed understanding of collective movement patterns and causes. We emphasize the use of Fourier and wavelet approaches of measuring pairwise movement properties and illustrate them with simulations that contain different types of complexity in individual movement, correlation in movement stochasticity, and transience in movement relatedness. Application of this framework to movements of free-ranging African elephants (
Loxodonta africana
) provides unique insight on the separate roles of sociality and ecology in the fission–fusion society of these animals, quantitatively characterizing the types of bonding that occur at different levels of social relatedness in a movement context. We conclude with a discussion about expanding this framework to the context of larger (greater than three) groups towards understanding broader population and interspecific collective movement patterns and their mechanisms.
Rho-associated kinase-dependent contraction of stress fibres and the organization of focal adhesions
Authors: Katoh Kazuo , Kano Yumiko , Noda Yasuko
Published: September 2010

Stress fibres and associated focal adhesions in cells constitute a contractile apparatus that regulates cell motility and contraction. Rho-kinase, an effector molecule of small GTPases, regulates non-muscle cell motility and contractility. Rho-kinase mediates the contraction of stress fibres in a Ca
2+
-independent manner, and is responsible for slower and more finely tuned contraction of stress fibres than that regulated by myosin light chain kinase activity in living cells. The specific inhibition of the Rho-kinase activity causes cells to not only lose their stress fibres and focal adhesions, but also to appear to lose their cytoplasmic tension. Activated Rho-kinase is also involved in the organization of newly formed stress fibres and focal adhesions in living cells.
Suction component in adhesion of mushroom-shaped microstructure
Authors: Heepe Lars , Varenberg Michael , Itovich Yan , Gorb Stanislav N.
Published: September 2010

To shed light on the role of suction in adhesion of microstructure with mushroom-shaped terminal elements, we compared pull-off forces measured at different retraction velocities on structured and smooth surfaces under different pressure conditions. The results obtained allow us to suggest that suction may contribute up to 10 per cent of the pull-off force measured on the structured surfaces at high velocities. We therefore conclude that the attachment ability of this biomimetic adhesive must not be solely based on van der Waals forces. Our experiments also suggest a change in visco-elastic properties of the structured surfaces compared with the bulk material. Based on the results obtained, it is assumed that this adhesive may be suitable in dynamic pick-and-drop processes even under vacuum conditions at which sufficiently high adhesive capability is maintained.
Individual behaviour in firebugs (Pyrrhocoris apterus)
Authors: Gyuris Enikő , Feró Orsolya , Tartally András , Barta Zoltán
Published: September 2010

The concept of animal personalities has recently become of major interest as researchers began to wonder why animals within a given population show consistent behaviour across situations and contexts, what led to the evolution of such behavioural inflexibility and what mechanisms might underlie the phenomenon. A recent model explains individual differences in a population as the result of trade-off between present and future reproduction. We tested this model on the two wing morphs, i.e. short-winged (brachypterous) and long-winged (macropterous) specimens of the firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus). Since it has been already demonstrated that the two wing morphs differ in their life-history strategies, this species is an ideal subject to test whether the specimens with different life-history strategies have different personalities as well. The results show that individuals behave consistently over time and across contexts, meaning observed bugs do have personalities. We also have found that in females, the two wing morphs have different personalities supporting the theoretical predictions, i.e. winged ones, which are supposed to have lower future reproductive value, are braver and more exploratory. We found no difference between the morphs in males. Differences in reproductive investment might explain this discrepancy between the sexes.
Temporal recalibration of vision
Authors: Arnold Derek H. , Yarrow Kielan
Published: September 2010

Our sense of relative timing is malleable. For instance, visual signals can be made to seem synchronous with
earlier
sounds following prolonged exposure to an environment wherein auditory signals
precede
visual ones. Similarly, actions can be made to seem to precede their own consequences if an artificial delay is imposed for a period, and then removed. Here, we show that our sense of relative timing for combinations of visual changes is similarly pliant. We find that direction reversals can be made to seem synchronous with unusually early colour changes after prolonged exposure to a stimulus wherein colour changes precede direction changes. The opposite effect is induced by prolonged exposure to colour changes that lag direction changes. Our data are consistent with the proposal that our sense of timing for changes encoded by distinct sensory mechanisms can adjust, at least to some degree, to the prevailing environment. Moreover, they reveal that visual analyses of colour and motion are sufficiently independent for this to occur.
Endemic predators, invasive prey and native diversity
Authors: Wanger Thomas C. , Wielgoss Arno C. , Motzke Iris , Clough Yann , Brook Barry W. , Sodhi Navjot S. , Tscharntke Teja
Published: September 2010

Interactions between native diversity and invasive species can be more complex than is currently understood. Invasive ant species often substantially reduce diversity in the native ants diversity that act as natural control agents for pest insects. In Indonesia (on the island of Sulawesi), the third largest cacao producer worldwide, we show that a predatory endemic toad (Ingerophrynus celebensis) controls invasive ant (Anoplolepis gracilipes) abundance, and positively affects native ant diversity. We call this the invasive-naivety effect (an opposite of enemy release), whereby alien species may not harbour anti-predatory defences against a novel native predator. A positive effect of the toads on native ants may facilitate their predation on insect vectors of cacao diseases. Hence, toads may increase crop yield, but further research is needed on this aspect. Ironically, amphibians are globally the most threatened vertebrate class and are strongly impacted by the conversion of rainforest to cacao plantations in Sulawesi. It is, therefore, crucial to manage cacao plantations to maintain these endemic toads, as they may provide critical ecosystem services, such as invasion resistance and preservation of native insect diversity.
Translating environmental gradients into discontinuous reaction norms via hormone signalling in a polyphenic butterfly
Authors: Oostra Vicencio , de Jong Maaike A. , Invergo Brandon M. , Kesbeke Fanja , Wende Franziska , Brakefield Paul M. , Zwaan Bas J.
Published: September 2010

Polyphenisms—the expression of discrete phenotypic morphs in response to environmental variation—are examples of phenotypic plasticity that may potentially be adaptive in the face of predictable environmental heterogeneity. In the butterflyBicyclus anynana, we examine the hormonal regulation of phenotypic plasticity that involves divergent developmental trajectories into distinct adult morphs for a suite of traits as an adaptation to contrasting seasonal environments. This polyphenism is induced by temperature during development and mediated by ecdysteroid hormones. We reared larvae at separate temperatures spanning the natural range of seasonal environments and measured reaction norms for ecdysteroids, juvenile hormones (JHs) and adult fitness traits. Timing of peak ecdysteroid, but not JH titres, showed a binary response to the linear temperature gradient. Several adult traits (e.g. relative abdomen mass) responded in a similar, dimorphic manner, while others (e.g. wing pattern) showed a linear response. This study demonstrates that hormone dynamics can translate a linear environmental gradient into a discrete signal and, thus, that polyphenic differences between adult morphs can already be programmed at the stage of hormone signalling during development. The range of phenotypic responses observed within the suite of traits indicates both shared regulation and independent, trait-specific sensitivity to the hormone signal.
Speed–accuracy trade-offs during foraging decisions in the acellular slime mould
Physarum polycephalum
Authors: Latty Tanya , Beekman Madeleine
Published: September 2010

Speed–accuracy trade-offs (SATs) are thought to be a fundamental feature of biological information processing, yet most evidence of SATs comes from animals. Here, we examine SATs in the foraging decisions of an acellular, amoeboid organism: the slime mould
Physarum polycephalum
. Slime moulds were given a simple discrimination task: selecting the highest-quality food item from a set of three options. We investigated the effect of two stressors, light exposure and hunger, on the speed and accuracy of decision-making. We also examined the effect of task difficulty. When given a difficult discrimination task, stressed individuals tend to make faster decisions than non-stressed individuals. This effect was reversed in plasmodia given easy discrimination tasks, where stressed individuals made slower decisions than non-stressed individuals. We found evidence of SATs, such that individuals who made fast decisions were more likely to make costly errors by selecting the worst possible food option. Our results suggest that SATs occur in a wider range of taxa than previously considered.
Identification of Putative Stage-Specific Grapevine Berry Biomarkers and Omics Data Integration into Networks
Authors: Zamboni Anita , Di Carli Mariasole , Guzzo Flavia , Stocchero Matteo , Zenoni Sara , Ferrarini Alberto , Tononi Paola , Toffali Ketti , Desiderio Angiola , Lilley Kathryn S. , Pè M. Enrico , Benvenuto Eugenio , Delledonne Massimo , Pezzotti Mario
Published: September 2010

The analysis of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) berries at the transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic levels can provide great insight into the molecular events underlying berry development and postharvest drying (withering). However, the large and very different data sets produced by such investigations are difficult to integrate. Here, we report the identification of putative stage-specific biomarkers for berry development and withering and, to our knowledge, the first integrated systems-level study of these processes. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data were integrated using two different strategies, one hypothesis free and the other hypothesis driven. A multistep hypothesis-free approach was applied to data from four developmental stages and three withering intervals, with integration achieved using a hierarchical clustering strategy based on the multivariate bidirectional orthogonal projections to latent structures technique. This identified stage-specific functional networks of linked transcripts, proteins, and metabolites, providing important insights into the key molecular processes that determine the quality characteristics of wine. The hypothesis-driven approach was used to integrate data from three withering intervals, starting with subdata sets of transcripts, proteins, and metabolites. We identified transcripts and proteins that were modulated during withering as well as specific classes of metabolites that accumulated at the same time and used these to select subdata sets of variables. The multivariate bidirectional orthogonal projections to latent structures technique was then used to integrate the subdata sets, identifying variables representing selected molecular processes that take place specifically during berry withering. The impact of this holistic approach on our knowledge of grapevine berry development and withering is discussed.
A laboratory X-ray microbeam for combined X-ray diffraction and fluorescence measurements
Authors: Rouzière S. , Jourdanneau E. , Kasmi B. , Joly P. , Petermann D. , Albouy P.A.
Published: September 2010

A prototype instrument has been developed which allows the simultaneous acquisition of both X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence data at a microscopic length scale for mapping studies on materials. The instrument takes full advantage of the performance of recently developed optics and detectors to optimize the detection of low-intensity signals with a monochromatic X-ray microbeam of 20 µm diameter with a laboratory X-ray source.
Crystallographic features of the primary Al3Fe phase in as-cast Al–3.31wt% Fe alloy
Authors: Li Lei , Zhang Yudong , Esling Claude , Jiang Huixue , Zhao Zhihao , Zuo Yubo , Cui Jianzhong
Published: September 2010

The preferred crystallographic extension directions of the primary Al3Fe phase formed during the solidification of the Al–3.31wt% Fe alloy have been confirmed as 〈010〉 or 〈011〉. Two sorts of twins related to the extension directions were found and their complete twinning elements determined. The morphologies of the primary Al3Fe phase related to the crystallographic extension directions and twinning modes are analysed. The crystallographic surface planes binding the primary phase in the extension directions are identified. The formation of the twins is attributed to these surface planes.
Structure and aggregation kinetics of vinyltriethoxysilane-derived organic/silica hybrids
Authors: Vollet Dimas R. , Donatti Dario A. , Awano Carlos M. , Chiappim William , Vicelli Marcio R. , Ibañez Ruiz Alberto
Published: September 2010

The aggregation kinetics of solutions of vinyltriethoxysilane-derived organic/silica hybrid species were studied by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) in a strongly basic medium. The SAXS intensity was analysed by a modified Sharp–Bloomfield (SB) global function and its evolution was found to be compatible with the growth, coiling and branching of the polymeric macromolecules in solution. A form factor valid for randomly and nonrandomly branched polycondensates and for polydisperse coils of linear chains was used in the modified SB model, instead of the Debye function valid for monodisperse coils of linear chains. The aggregation kinetics are accelerated with increasing base concentration in the studied range, but all the kinetics curves can be matched to a unique curve using an appropriate time scaling factor. The aggregation kinetics suggest that physical forces (hydrothermal forces) associated with phase coarsening could be active in the aggregation process, together with diffusion mechanisms.
Strain-profile determination in ion-implanted single crystals using generalized simulated annealing
Authors: Boulle Alexandre , Debelle Aurélien
Published: September 2010

A novel least-squares fitting procedure is presented that allows the retrieval of strain profiles in ion-implanted single crystals using high-resolution X-ray diffraction. The model is based on the dynamical theory of diffraction, including a B-spline-based description of the lattice strain. The fitting procedure relies on the generalized simulated annealing algorithm which, contrarily to most common least-squares fitting-based methods, allows the global minimum of the error function (the difference between the experimental and the calculated curves) to be found extremely quickly. It is shown that convergence can be achieved in a few hundred Monte Carlo steps,i.e.a few seconds. The method is model-independent and allows determination of the strain profile even without any `guess' regarding its shape. This procedure is applied to the determination of strain profiles in Cs-implanted yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). The strain and damage profiles of YSZ single crystals implanted at different ion fluences are analyzed and discussed.
Fityk: a general-purpose peak fitting program
Authors: Wojdyr Marcin
Published: September 2010

Fitykis portable, open-source software for nonlinear curve fitting and data analysis. It specializes in fitting a sum of bell-shaped functions to experimental data. In particular, it enables Pawley refinement of powder diffraction data and size–strain analysis.
Replacing a reservoir solution with desiccant in vapor diffusion protein crystallization screening
Authors: Lu Qin-Qin , Yin Da-Chuan , Chen Rui-Qing , Xie Si-Xiao , Liu Yong-Ming , Zhang Xian-Fang , Zhu Li , Liu Zheng-Tang , Shang Peng
Published: September 2010

This paper presents a modification to the conventional vapor diffusion (hanging- or sitting-drop) technique for protein crystallization screening. In this modified method, the reservoir solution is replaced with a desiccant to allow for a larger range of protein solution concentrations, thereby providing more opportunities for crystal formation. This method was tested in both reproducibility and screening studies, and the results showed that it significantly improves the efficiency and reduces the cost of protein crystallization screens.
A novel additive-free oxides–hydrothermal approach for monazite-type LaPO4nanomaterials with controllable morphologies
Authors: Ma Jie , Wu Qingsheng
Published: September 2010

A facile oxides–hydrothermal (O–HT) method is demonstrated to prepare high-purity monazite-type LaPO4nanomaterials. In this approach, La2O3and P2O5powder are first directly used as precursors under additive-free hydrothermal conditions. The as-prepared samples are characterized with X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (high-resolution TEM, energy dispersive spectroscopy) and selected-area electron diffraction. The typical sample obtained at 433 K in 24 h comprises uniform single-crystal nanofibres with a diameter of ∼15–28 nm and an aspect ratio of 30–50. The influences of treatment time, synthesis temperature and P/La molar ratio are investigated. The phase transition from hexagonal hydrate to monoclinic anhydrous lanthanum phosphate and the growth process of nanofibres are revealed by the experimental results. The formation mechanism of the monoclinic LaPO4is discussed. The result indicates that the P/La ratio does not influence the composition and crystal phase but changes the morphology of the product in the O–HT system.
Calcinosis cutis in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report and review of the published work
Authors: KIM Min Sung , CHOI Kyu Chul , KIM Hyun Sook , SONG In Guk , SHIN Bong Seok
Published: September 2010

Calcinosis cutis is a common clinical feature of dermatomyositis and scleroderma but rarely reported in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Calcinosis cutis in SLE occurs without calcium and phosphorus metabolic abnormalities and may be localized or generalized. The pathophysiology remains unclear and no effective therapy is currently available. We report a 30‐year‐old woman with a 13‐year history of SLE who developed multiple calcinosis cutis around both knees and we review the relevant published work.
In vitro and in vivo effects of the Mongolian drug Amu‐ru 7 on Helicobacter pylori growth and viability
Authors: Bai Cui Lan , Osaki Takako , Yonezawa Hideo , Hanawa Tomoko , Zaman Cynthia , Kurata Satoshi , Kamiya Shigeru , Tanaka Hideyuki
Published: September 2010

Amu‐ru 7, a Mongolian folk medicine, is used to treat digestive diseases such as gastritis and gastric and duodenal ulcers. We examined the effect of Amu‐ru 7 on the growth and viability of Helicobacter pylori in vivo and in vitro. By the agar dilution method, the MIC of Amu‐ru 7 for H. pylori strains was shown to be 100–200 μg/mL with a MIC90 of 200 μg/mL. Two hundred micrograms per milliliter of Amu‐ru 7 exhibited potent bactericidal activity against H. pylori in the stationary phase of growth 6 hr after treatment. Amu‐ru 7 inhibited the growth of both AMPC‐resistant and CAM‐resistant strains, and also had a combined effect with AMPC on AMPC‐resistant strain 403. The Amu‐ru 7 inhibited biofilm formation by H. pylori and induced morphological changes, such as bleb‐like formation and shortening of the cell. Although colonization of the stomach of the Mongolian gerbil by H. pylori was not cured by treatment with Amu‐ru 7, both the mean number of H. pylori colonized and the colonization rate were decreased in Amu‐ru 7 treated gerbils. These results suggest the effectiveness Amu‐ru 7 as an adjunct therapy for eradication therapies consisting of a PPI combined with antibiotics.
Modelling the resource implications of managing adults with Fabry disease in Norway favours home infusion
Authors: Guest Julian F. , Jenssen Trond , Houge Gunnar , Aaseboe Willy , Tøndel Camilla , Svarstad Einar
Published: September 2010

Eur J Clin Invest 2010; 40 (12): 1104–1112

Background  The aim of this study was to estimate the resource implications and budget impact of managing adults with Fabry disease in Norway, from the perspective of the publicly funded healthcare system.

Methods  A decision model was constructed using published clinical outcomes and clinician‐derived resource utilization estimates. The model was used to estimate the annual healthcare cost of managing a cohort of 64 adult Fabry patients in an average year.

Results  The expected annual cost of managing 60 existing Fabry patients and four new patients in Norway each year was estimated to be NOK 55·8 million (€6·7 million). In an average year, patients receiving enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with agalsidase alfa (Replagal®) at 0·2 mg kg−1 or agalsidase beta (Fabrazyme®) at 1·0 mg kg−1 are collectively expected to make 586 attendances to their family practitioner’s office for their infusions, which equates to 128 eight‐hour days associated with ERT. Encouraging more patients to undergo home‐based infusions has substantial potential to free‐up community‐based resources. In comparison, the community‐related benefit that can be obtained by switching from agalsidase beta (1·0 mg kg−1) to agalsidase alpha (0·2 mg kg−1) is marginal, and dependent on the two doses being clinically equivalent.

Conclusion  Maximizing the proportion of adults with Fabry disease undergoing home‐based infusions has the potential to release community‐based resources for alternative use by non‐Fabry patients, thereby improving the efficiency of the publicly funded healthcare system in Norway.
Outcome of pediatric renal transplantation in north India
Authors: Sinha Aditi , Hari Pankaj , Guleria Sandeep , Gulati Ashima , Dinda Amit K. , Mehra N. K. , Srivastava R. N. , Bagga Arvind
Published: September 2010

Sinha A, Hari P, Guleria S, Gulati A, Dinda AK, Mehra NK, Srivastava RN, Bagga A. Outcome of pediatric renal transplantation in north India. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:836–843. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Abstract:  We report our experience and long‐term outcome of pediatric renal transplantation at a referral center in New Delhi. During 1995–2008, 45 transplants were performed in 43 patients at a mean age of 13.3 ± 4.0 (range 3.8–18) yr. The chief causes for ESRD were reflux nephropathy, obstructive uropathy, vasculitis, renal dysplasia, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Most (91.1%) donors were living related. Post‐transplant immunosuppression comprised prednisolone, a calcineurin inhibitor and azathioprine or MMF. AR and CR were seen in 14 (31.1%) and 12 (26.7%) allografts, respectively. Predictors of CR were unsatisfactory compliance and multiple episodes of AR (p = 0.002 each). Urinary infections (n = 13), septicemia (4), tuberculosis (4), CMV disease (7), viral hepatitis (7), and pneumonia (3) were important causes of morbidity. Two patients each had lymphoproliferative disease and new‐onset diabetes. There were eight (17.8%) graft losses and six (14%) deaths. The one‐, five‐ and 10‐yr graft survivals were 91.1%, 80.4% and 75.1%, respectively; the mean graft survival was 119.4 ± 8.38 months. The respective patient survivals were 95.3%, 87.9%, and 76.9% at one‐, five‐ and 10 yr. Our results affirm that despite scarcity of resources and frequent infections, long‐term outcomes of pediatric renal transplantation are highly satisfactory.