bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of chemical pressure in Sn-substituted Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy: Experimental and theoretical studies
Authors: Passamani E. C. , Lozano E. , Larica C. , Marcelo C. A. C. , Scopel W. L. , Merino I. , Alves A. L. , Takeuchi A. Y. , Nascimento V. P.
Published: October 2012

The influence of the chemical pressure on the magneto-structural properties of the Ni2MnGa Heusler alloy after a gradual substitution of Ga by Sn atoms was theoretical and experimentally studied in this work. Our data clearly show that an expansion of the L21-cell volume due Sn-substitution causes a diminution of the internal structural stress and favors the austenitic state in low temperatures where martensitic phase should prevail. It is also shown that the total magnetization reduces with increasing Sn-content, a behavior explained by a reduction of the Ni-magnetic moment, since an increase of Mn-magnetic moment was theoretically calculated. The Sn-substitution effect in the Ni2MnGa compound is similar to that found in experiments performed under high applied magnetic fields, which means that in both cases there is an increase of the L21 cell-volume favoring the austenitic state in low temperatures. Magnetization values in martensitic state of the pure Ga-compound systematically reduce after consecutive M(T) thermal cycle recorded at 5 mT; an effect not yet reported within our knowledge and attributed here to modifications in local magnetic anisotropies during the field cycles.
Nano-islands integrated evanescence-based lab-on-a-chip on silica-on-silicon and polydimethylsiloxane hybrid platform for detection of recombinant growth hormone
Authors: Ozhikandathil J. , Packirisamy M.
Published: October 2012

Integration of nano-materials in optical microfluidic devices facilitates the realization of miniaturized analytical systems with enhanced sensing abilities for biological and chemical substances. In this work, a novel method of integration of gold nano-islands in a silica-on-silicon-polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic device is reported. The device works based on the nano-enhanced evanescence technique achieved by interacting the evanescent tail of propagating wave with the gold nano-islands integrated on the core of the waveguide resulting in the modification of the propagating UV-visible spectrum. The biosensing ability of the device is investigated by finite-difference time-domain simulation with a simplified model of the device. The performance of the proposed device is demonstrated for the detection of recombinant growth hormone based on antibody-antigen interaction.
Local structural disorder in Zn0.9Co0.1O nanocrystals studied using neutron total scattering analysis
Authors: Jeong I.-K. , Lee Seunghun , Llobet A.
Published: October 2012

Neutron total scattering measurements were performed at 300 K and 15 K to study local structural disorder in deuterium plasma treated and as-prepared Zn0.9Co0.1O nanocrystalline powder. We found that static disorder becomes a determining factor for atomic pair correlations on the length scale larger than r∼9Å. On the source of the static disorder, we propose a partial occupancy of Zn/Co further away from its crystallographic site along the c-axis. Between the deuterium plasma treated and as-prepared Zn0.9Co0.1O samples, we observed no local structural difference, which suggests that no additional disorder is induced by the deuterium plasma treatment.
Hyperbolic transmission-line metamaterials
Authors: Chshelokova Alyona V. , Kapitanova Polina V. , Poddubny Alexander N. , Filonov Dmitry S. , Slobozhanyuk Alexey P. , Kivshar Yuri S. , Belov Pavel A.
Published: October 2012

We demonstrate how to realize an indefinite media with hyperbolic isofrequency surfaces in wavevector space by employing two-dimensional metamaterial transmission lines. We classify different types of such media, and visualize the peculiar character of wave propagation by study of the cross-like emission pattern of a current source placed in the lattice center. Our results are supported by a solution of the Kirchhoff equations, an analytical theory, and experimental data.
A microfluidic device for on-chip agarose microbead generation with ultralow reagent consumption
Authors: Desbois Linda , Padirac Adrien , Kaneda Shohei , Genot Anthony J. , Rondelez Yannick , Hober Didier , Collard Dominique , Fujii Teruo
Published: October 2012

Water-in-oil microdroplets offer microreactors for compartmentalized biochemical reactions with high throughput. Recently, the combination with a sol-gel switch ability, using agarose-in-oil microdroplets, has increased the range of possible applications, allowing for example the capture of amplicons in the gel phase for the preservation of monoclonality during a PCR reaction. Here, we report a new method for generating such agarose-in-oil microdroplets on a microfluidic device, with minimized inlet dead volume, on-chip cooling, and in situ monitoring of biochemical reactions within the gelified microbeads. We used a flow-focusing microchannel network and successfully generated agarose microdroplets at room temperature using the “push-pull” method. This method consists in pushing the oil continuous phase only, while suction is applied to the device outlet. The agarose phase present at the inlet is thus aspirated in the device, and segmented in microdroplets. The cooling system consists of two copper wires embedded in the microfluidic device. The transition from agarose microdroplets to microbeads provides additional stability and facilitated manipulation. We demonstrate the potential of this method by performing on-chip a temperature-triggered DNA isothermal amplification in agarose microbeads. Our device thus provides a new way to generate microbeads with high throughput and no dead volume for biochemical applications.
Mimicing surface phonon polaritons in microwave band based on ionic-type phononic crystal
Authors: Hu Xi-kui , Ming Yang , Zhang Xue-jin , Lu Yan-qing , Zhu Yong-yuan
Published: October 2012

We propose an approach to scale the frequency of surface phonon polariton to megahertz-gigahertz region via an artificial microstructure, ionic-type phononic crystal (ITPC). The period of ITPC can be intentionally controlled on all relevant length scales, which allows the creation of surface phonon polariton with almost arbitrary dispersion in frequency and space. A field of surface phonon polariton optics in microwave band is expected with similar optical properties to those of ionic crystals in infrared.
Highly efficient potentiometric glucose biosensor based on functionalized InN quantum dots
Authors: Alvi N. H. , Soto Rodriguez P. E. D. , Gómez V. J. , Kumar Praveen , Amin G. , Nur O. , Willander M. , Nötzel R.
Published: October 2012

We present a fast, highly sensitive, and efficient potentiometric glucose biosensor based on functionalized InN quantum-dots (QDs). The InN QDs are grown by molecular beam epitaxy. The InN QDs are bio-chemically functionalized through physical adsorption of glucose oxidase (GOD). GOD enzyme-coated InN QDs based biosensor exhibits excellent linear glucose concentration dependent electrochemical response against an Ag/AgCl reference electrode over a wide logarithmic glucose concentration range (1 × 10−5 M to 1 × 10−2 M) with a high sensitivity of 80 mV/decade. It exhibits a fast response time of less than 2 s with good stability and reusability and shows negligible response to common interferents such as ascorbic acid and uric acid. The fabricated biosensor has full potential to be an attractive candidate for blood sugar concentration detection in clinical diagnoses.
Roles of Schottky barrier and oxygen vacancies in the electroforming of SrTiO3
Authors: Guo Xin
Published: October 2012

Single crystalline SrTiO3 was used as a model system to evaluate the roles of the Schottky barrier and oxygen vacancies in electroforming. An advantage of single crystalline SrTiO3 is that the electrochemical processes at intermediate temperatures have been thoroughly investigated. To take this advantage, the electroforming was performed at 200 °C and subsequently at 24 °C; an electrical stress of 4 × 103 V/cm, which was about two orders of magnitude lower than the electrical stress in previous works, decreased the cell resistance by orders of magnitude. After the electroforming, bipolar resistive switching was realized at 24 °C.
Absorptivity modulation on wavy molten steel surfaces: The influence of laser wavelength and angle of incidence
Authors: Kaplan A. F. H.
Published: October 2012

The modulation of the angle-dependent Fresnel absorptivity across wavy molten steel surfaces during laser materials processing, like drilling, cutting, or welding, has been calculated. The absorptivity is strongly altered by the grazing angle of incidence of the laser beam on the processing front. Owing to its specific Brewster-peak characteristics, the 10.64 μm wavelength CO2-laser shows an opposite trend with respect to roughness and angle-of-incidence compared to lasers in the wavelength range of 532-1070 nm. Plateaus or rings of Brewster-peak absorptivity can lead to hot spots on a wavy surface, often in close proximity to cold spots caused by shadow domains.
High temperature oxidation event of gelatin nanoskin-coated copper fine particles observed by in situ TEM
Authors: Narushima Takashi , Tsukamoto Hiroki , Yonezawa Tetsu
Published: October 2012

Metallic copper fine particles were prepared using CuO slurry by hydrazine reduction in the presence of gelatin. To observe a behavior of these particles at high temperature, in situ heating TEM observations were carried out. Oxygen gas was introduced and the pressure of the TEM column was kept at 10−3 Pa, corresponding the pressure around the sample at 10−1 Pa. The gelatin, which acts as a protective nanoskin on the particle surface was gradually decomposed. Around approximately 140 °C, it was observed that Cu2O dots formed on the surface of the copper particle. This result is well consistent with the behavior of the TG-DTA curve of the copper fine particles under ambient conditions, and provides key information of oxidative behavior of copper fine particles.
Inferring population connectivity across the range of the purple-crowned fairy-wren (Malurus coronatus) from mitochondrial DNA and morphology: implications for conservation management
Authors: Skroblin Anja , Lanfear Robert , Cockburn Andrew , Legge Sarah
Published: October 2012

Knowledge of population structure and patterns of connectivity is required to implement effective conservation measures for the purple-crowned fairy-wren (Malurus coronatus), a threatened endemic of northern Australia. This study aimed to identify barriers to dispersal across the distribution of M. coronatus, investigate the impact that the recent declines may have on population connectivity, and propose conservation actions to maintain natural patterns of gene flow. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA sequences from 87 M. coronatus identified two phylogenetic clusters that corresponded with the phenotypically defined western (M. c. coronatus) and eastern (M. c. macgillivrayi) subspecies. The genetic divergence between these subspecies was consistent with isolation by a natural barrier to gene flow, and supports their separate conservation management. Within the declining M. c. coronatus, the lack of genetic divergence and only slight morphological difference between remnant populations indicates that populations were recently linked by gene flow. It is likely that widespread habitat degradation and the recent extirpation of M. c. coronatus from the Ord River will disrupt connectivity between, and dynamics within, remnant populations. To prevent further declines, conservation of M. coronatus must preserve areas of quality habitat and restore connectivity between isolated populations.
Didymo Control: Increasing the Effectiveness of Decontamination Strategies and Reducing Spread
Authors: Root Samantha , O'Reilly Catherine M
Published: October 2012

Nuisance algal blooms formed by the benthic diatom Didymosphenia geminata (didymo) have been spreading rapidly, with negative ecological and economic effects. This microscopic alga is transported on fishing equipment, and controlling the spread of didymo involves proper cleaning of gear. Our study experimentally tested several common decontamination treatments and determined the response of state agencies and fishermen to decontamination procedures. In testing decontamination products, we found that dish liquid detergent was the most effective, followed by bleach, Virkon, and salt. Decontaminants were more effective on cells that were not still attached to their stalks. From the fishermen's perspective, didymo was the aquatic invasive species of highest concern, but there was a wide range of approaches to didymo control. Our final recommendations concentrate on the importance of comprehensive information sources and standards for didymo decontamination and education, specifically, and for invasive/nuisance species more generally.

RESUMEN

Los afloramientos nocivos generados por la diatomea Didymosphenia geminata (didymo) se han expandido rapidamente, provocando efectos ecológicos y económicos negativos. Esta alga microscópica es transportada en equipos de pesca y su control implica una limpieza adecuada de los artes. En este estudio experimental se prueban varios tratamientos descontaminantes y se estudia la respuesta de las agencias estatales y de los pescadores ante los procedimientos de descontaminación. Al probar los productos descontaminantes, se encontró que el líquido detergente para trastes fue el más efectivo, seguido por los blanqueadores, el Virkon y la sal. Los descontaminantes probaron ser más efectivos en las células que aun no se encontraban fijas a su tallo. Desde la perspectiva de los pescadores, didymo fue la especie acuática invasiva de mayor cuidado, pero hubo una enorme variedad de enfoques para el control del alga. Las recomendaciones finales se concentran, de manera general, en la importancia de fuentes de información comprensibles, estándares para la descontaminación por didymo y educación, y de manera particular en el control de especies invasivas/nocivas.
Swimways: Protecting Paddlefish through Movement-centered Management
Authors: Pracheil Brenda M , Pegg Mark A , Powell Larkin A , Mestl Gerald E
Published: October 2012

Attempts to mitigate lack of formal interjurisdictional paddlefish management have been made in the United States through the Mississippi River Interstate Cooperative Resource Association (MICRA). We used 1988–2009 data from the MICRA paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) stock assessment database—a database containing mark-recapture and biometric information on more than 30,000 individually marked wild paddlefish and more than 2 million hatchery origin paddlefish—to estimate survival and movement across large and potentially biologically relevant spatial scales. Paddlefish frequently moved between political jurisdictions with differing conservation strategies and harvest regulations and showed differences in survival parameter estimates throughout their range. We argue that the degree of interjursidictional movements, spatially variant survival rates, and conservation concerns associated with paddlefish necessitate more cohesive interjurisdictional management. Based on criteria used to establish flyways for migratory bird management, we offer swimways as a potential spatial configuration for biologically relevant management units.

RESUMEN

La Asociación Interestatal de Recursos Cooperativos del Río Mississippi (AIRCRM) ha hecho intentos para mitigar la falta de manejo inter-jurisdiccional del pez espátula en los EEUU. Se utilizó información sobre evaluación de los stocks de pez espátula (Polyodon spathula) contenida en la base de datos de AIRCRM para el periodo 1995–2009, la cual contiene información biométrica y de marca-recaptura de >30,000 peces espátula marcados individualmente y de >2 milliones de especímenes provenientes de cultivo, con el fin de estimar la supervivencia y movimiento a escalas espaciales amplias y con potencial biológico relevante. El pez espátula frecuentemente se mueve entre jurisdicciones políticas que difieren en cuanto a sus estrategias de conservación y regulaciones de captura, y muestra diferencias en sus parámetros de supervivencia a lo largo de su ambito geografico. Se argumenta que el grado de movimiento inter-jurisdiccional, el cambio espacial en las tasas de supervivencia y las preocupaciones de conservación asociadas a esta especie, demandan de un manejo inter-jurisdiccional con mayor cohesión. Sobre la base de criterios usados para establecer corredores de vuelo para el manejo de aves migratorias, aquí se muestra un corredor de nado como una potencial configuración espacial para unidades de manejo biológicamente-relevantes.
CULTURAL POLICY IN EUROPEAN CITIES
Authors: Navarro Clemente J. , Clark Terry N.
Published: October 2012

Culture policy is a rising issue in local governance. However, the character of this policy is not clear according to the classical division between developmental and redistributive local policies. A first reaction is that culture does not fit into either. But if we dig deeper, we can distinguish three different perspectives on the role of culture in city development following three conceptualisations of cities: (i) creative cities (culture as developmental policy), (ii) planning or educational city (welfare policy), and (iii) cultural scenes approach that stress cultural consumption (transversal policy). These conceptualisations are used by analysts as well as mayors, suggesting three hypotheses to be analysed using a cross-national survey of European mayors. The main results show the transversal character of cultural issues in mayors' agendas, as well as differences in handling cultural issues according the classical growth and welfare approaches to local policy analysis.
Null category-length and target–lure relatedness effects in episodic recognition: A constraint on item-noise interference models
Authors: Cho Kit W. , Neely James H.
Published: October 2012

There are two main classes of model of interference effects in recognition memory: item-noise and context-noise. Item-noise models predict that a loss of memory discriminability will occur with an increase in the number of studied items from the same taxonomic category (category length, CL) and that forced-choice recognition performance will be higher when the target and lure are related rather than unrelated. Context-noise models, however, predict null effects for both of these manipulations. Although results from some recent experiments suggest that CL and target–lure relatedness have a trivial or no effect on memory discriminability when the related items from the same taxonomic category are “not back to back in the study list but are separated (spaced) by interleaving items from other semantic categories,” these experiments have methodological limitations that were eliminated in the present experiment in which exemplars representing category lengths of 2, 8, or 14 were presented spaced apart within the same study list. Recognition was tested using a yes/no recognition test or a two-alternative forced-choice recognition test in which the target and lure were either related or unrelated. In yes/no recognition, d′ decreased as CL increased, replicating prior research. However, when the slope of the z-ROC function is less than 1.0, as is typically so and was so in the present results, d′ differences can arise due to criterion shifts and are not necessarily due to memory discriminability differences. When the more appropriate measure of memory discriminability, d a, was computed, CL had no effect in yes/no recognition, nor did it have an effect in forced-choice recognition, which also was not affected by target–lure relatedness. Thus, the present results are congruent with context-noise models and pose a challenge for item-noise models.
Phosphoinositide 3-kinase β regulates chromosome segregation in mitosis
Authors: Silió Virginia , Redondo-Muñoz Javier , Carrera Ana C.
Published: October 2012

Class IA phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) are enzymes composed of a p85 regulatory and a p110 catalytic subunit that control formation of 3-poly-phosphoinositides (PIP3). The PI3K pathway regulates cell survival, migration, and division, and is mutated in approximately half of human tumors. For this reason, it is important to define the function of the ubiquitous PI3K subunits, p110α and p110β. Whereas p110α is activated at G1-phase entry and promotes protein synthesis and gene expression, p110β activity peaks in S phase and regulates DNA synthesis. PI3K activity also increases at the onset of mitosis, but the isoform activated is unknown; we have examined p110α and p110β function in mitosis. p110α was activated at mitosis entry and regulated early mitotic events, such as PIP3 generation, prometaphase progression, and spindle orientation. In contrast, p110β was activated near metaphase and controlled dynein/dynactin and Aurora B activities in kinetochores, chromosome segregation, and optimal function of the spindle checkpoint. These results reveal a p110β function in preserving genomic stability during mitosis.
A WAVE2–Arp2/3 actin nucleator apparatus supports junctional tension at the epithelial zonula adherens
Authors: Verma Suzie , Han Siew Ping , Michael Magdalene , Gomez Guillermo A. , Yang Zhe , Teasdale Rohan D. , Ratheesh Aparna , Kovacs Eva M. , Ali Radiya G. , Yap Alpha S.
Published: October 2012

The epithelial zonula adherens (ZA) is a specialized adhesive junction where actin dynamics and myosin-driven contractility coincide. The junctional cytoskeleton is enriched in myosin II, which generates contractile force to support junctional tension. It is also enriched in dynamic actin filaments, which are replenished by ongoing actin assembly. In this study we sought to pursue the relationship between actin assembly and junctional contractility. We demonstrate that WAVE2–Arp2/3 is a major nucleator of actin assembly at the ZA and likely acts in response to junctional Rac signaling. Furthermore, WAVE2–Arp2/3 is necessary for junctional integrity and contractile tension at the ZA. Maneuvers that disrupt the function of either WAVE2 or Arp2/3 reduced junctional tension and compromised the ability of cells to buffer side-to-side forces acting on the ZA. WAVE2–Arp2/3 disruption depleted junctions of both myosin IIA and IIB, suggesting that dynamic actin assembly may support junctional tension by facilitating the local recruitment of myosin.
Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism
Authors: Monkhouse Alexandra
Published: October 2012

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a dynamic disease process that results in two distinct but related conditions: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT is thrombus formation that most commonly, but not exclusively, affects the lower limbs. The estimated incidence of symptomatic DVT is 1 per 1000 per year in the general population of the UK; however, it is often asymptomatic and thus the overall incidence is likely to be higher. Significant complications arising from DVT include PE (often from an asymptomatic DVT) and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS), which occurs in 30% of patients with proven DVT. There is significant morbidity and mortality associated with both of these conditions, but with timely diagnosis and treatment much of this is potentially preventable. Therefore, a high index of suspicion within primary care is needed to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. This article aims to highlight the current evidence-based management of DVT and PE, from clinical suspicion to treatment.
Features for damage detection with insensitivity to environmental and operational variations
Authors: Cross E. J. , Manson G. , Worden K. , Pierce S. G.
Published: October 2012

This paper explores and compares the application of three different approaches to the data normalization problem in structural health monitoring (SHM), which concerns the removal of confounding trends induced by varying operational conditions from a measured structural response that correlates with damage. The methodologies for singling out or creating damage-sensitive features that are insensitive to environmental influences explored here include cointegration, outlier analysis and an approach relying on principal component analysis. The application of cointegration is a new idea for SHM from the field of econometrics, and this is the first work in which it has been comprehensively applied to an SHM problem. Results when applying cointegration are compared with results from the more familiar outlier analysis and an approach that uses minor principal components. The ability of these methods for removing the effects of environmental/operational variations from damage-sensitive features is demonstrated and compared with benchmark data from the Brite-Euram project DAMASCOS (BE97 4213), which was collected from a Lamb-wave inspection of a composite panel subject to temperature variations in an environmental chamber.
A Novel Image Encryption Algorithm Based on DNA Subsequence Operation
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Xue Xianglian , Wei Xiaopeng
Published: October 2012

We present a novel image encryption algorithm based on DNA subsequence operation. Different from the traditional DNA encryption methods, our algorithm does not use complex biological operation but just uses the idea of DNA subsequence operations (such as elongation operation, truncation operation, deletion operation, etc.) combining with the logistic chaotic map to scramble the location and the value of pixel points from the image. The experimental results and security analysis show that the proposed algorithm is easy to be implemented, can get good encryption effect, has a wide secret key's space, strong sensitivity to secret key, and has the abilities of resisting exhaustive attack and statistic attack.
Frequency of peripheral arterial disease and venous insufficiency in toenail onychomycosis
Authors: OZKAN Fuat , OZTURK Perihan , OZYURT Kemal , İNCİ Mehmet F. , KALENDER Ali M. , BAKAN Betul , YUKSEL Murvet
Published: October 2012

Onychomycosis in toenails is a common fungal infection and vascular abnormalities of lower extremities have been thought as one of the predisposing conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate predisposition effect of venous insufficiency and peripheral arterial disease on toenail onychomycosis. Thirty‐three patients with bilateral onychomycosis in toenails and 37 control subjects, who had healthy nails, were enrolled in the study. Veins and arteries of lower extremities were examined with Doppler ultrasound in terms of venous insufficiency or peripheral arterial disease. Patients with onychomycosis presented more frequent venous insufficiency than the control group (42.4% and 10.8%, respectively; P = 0.003). Although all patients had bilateral onychomycosis, reflux was bilateral in six out of 14 patients with onychomycosis (42.8%). No significant difference in frequency of peripheral arterial disease was found in patients, compared to healthy controls. Our study demonstrated a significant relationship between onychomycosis and venous insufficiency, but not with peripheral arterial disease. Also, we point out discordance with bilateral onychomycosis and unilateral venous insufficiency.
The effect of different host plants on the reproduction and longevity ofNysius natalensis
Authors: du Plessis H. , Byrne M.J. , van den Berg J.
Published: October 2012

Nysius natalensisEvans (Hemiptera:Orsillidae) is a pest of sunflower inSouthAfrica. Adults invade sunflower fields from their weedy hosts which occur inside crop fields and on surrounding headlands. The host plant suitability for survival and reproduction as well as the effect of within‐generation host switching was studied on different wild host plants and sunflower. Life history parameters used to assess host plant suitability were F1adult survival, pre‐oviposition period, fecundity, and longevity. Nymphs and adults were provided with stems and seeds of five host plants, viz.,Amaranthus hybridusL. (Amaranthaceae),Portulaca oleraceaL. (Portulacaceae),Chenopodium albumL. (Chenopodiaceae),Conyza albidaSpreng. (Asteraceae), and sunflower,Helianthus annuusL. (Asteraceae). Nymphs were reared on crushed seed of the five plant species. After completion of the nymphal stage, emerging adults of each host plant group were provided with seed of a different host plant species for food. Adults did not survive long on stems only and very few eggs were laid. Seeds of the host plant species were shown to be an essential source of nutrients forN.natalensisreproduction, whereas the vegetative plant parts were unsuitable. Nymphal food and host‐plant switching between the nymphal and adult stages significantly affected the pre‐oviposition period. Nymphal and adult food source also affected female longevity. The number of eggs laid was not influenced by nymphal food, but was influenced by adult food and the switch between nymphal and adult food. The comparative attractiveness of sunflower and wild host plants for oviposition was also investigated and showed that females preferred to lay eggs on wild host plants, compared with sunflower. These results may explain whyN. natalensiswill lay their eggs on sunflower after weeds in the vicinity are controlled, or senesce toward the end of the growing season.
Koalas use young Eucalyptus plantations in an agricultural landscape on the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales
Authors: Kavanagh Rodney P. , Stanton Matthew A.
Published: October 2012

Summary  Revegetation within cleared farming landscapes offers the potential to restore habitat for many woodland‐dependent species that have declined since European settlement. Most species of arboreal marsupials require hollows for breeding and diurnal shelter, a resource that is usually available only in old trees; however, this constraint does not apply to the Koala. In this study, we describe the occupancy and use of young (4‐ to 7‐year old) eucalypt plantations by Koalas in a predominantly cleared landscape used for intensive cropping and grazing. We compare Koala occupancy in 27 eucalypt plantations, 5 paddocks and 11 remnant forest and woodland sites, and we report the relative usage of these three land cover types by two adult male Koalas that were radio‐tracked for 5 and 7 months using GPS transmitters. Koalas were recorded using young eucalypt plantations at 7 sites and remnant forest and woodland at 7 sites. Both radio‐collared Koalas used eucalypt plantations more than expected based on the availability of this land cover type in their home‐ranges. Occupancy of young eucalypt plantations and remnant patches by Koalas was strongly influenced by the proximity of these sites to remnant vegetation.
Multiple conditions: exploring literature from the consumer perspective in Australia
Authors: Walker Christine
Published: October 2012

Background

Following a workshop with people with multiple conditions, the Chronic Illness Alliance undertook a literature review to explore current literature about multiple conditions.

Methods

The literature search was performed using Medline, CINAHL, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library employing an extensive list of search terms and limited to English language journals between 1999 and 2009. Inclusion criteria for articles were those articles focussing on issues identified by consumers with more than one chronic illness and the health services working with them.

Results

The results reported in this article are definitions of multiple conditions, safety and quality of services, risks and benefits of treatments for multiple and rare conditions and coordination of services.

Discussion

The impact of multiple conditions or multimorbidities on health services has been researched internationally and identifies the barriers to good health care when multiple conditions are not recognized. While the issues for consumers with more than one condition are not well recognized, the barriers identified by the literature are of great importance to consumers.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates that services and policies in Australia require specific reforms to better meet the needs of people with multiple conditions.
The evaluation of depigmenting efficacy in the skin for the development of new whitening agents in Korea
Authors: Son K. H. , Heo M. Y.
Published: October 2012

Synopsis

In this review, the evaluation methods for the screening of depigmenting substrates were investigated. For this purpose, the evaluation method of tyrosinase, a key enzyme of melanin biosynthesis, is most frequently used, but evaluating methods based on the regulation of cellular signal transfer factors or the inhibition of melanosome transfer have also been developed. Evaluation of the depigmenting effect using melanocytes is complex. It has the advantage of being capable of analysing overall effects on melanin biosynthesis at cellular levels. Before the final clinical testing of depigmenting agents, in vitro testing should be conducted to confirm the depigmenting efficacy and safety. Clinical studies for depigmenting agents can be used to investigate the prevention of melanin biosynthesis and to determine whether melanin disappears from skin. Therefore, the most appropriate protocol has to be employed, depending on the mechanism of action of the depigmenting agent.
The effect of surface tension reduction on the clinical performance of sodium hypochlorite in endodontics
Authors: Rossi‐Fedele G. , Prichard J. W. , Steier L. , de Figueiredo J. A. P.
Published: October 2012

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is recommended as an endodontic irrigant in view of its broad antimicrobial and tissue dissolution capacities. To enhance its penetration into inaccessible areas of root canals and to improve its overall effect, the addition of surface‐active agents has been suggested. The aim of this investigation was to review the effect of the reduction of the surface tension on the performance of NaOCl in endodontics. A search was performed in the Medline electronic database (articles published up to 28 July 2012, in English) with the search terms and combinations as follows: ‘sodium hypochlorite AND surface tension or interfacial force or interfacial tension or surface‐active agent or amphiphilic agent or surface active agent or surfactant or tenside or detergent'. The purpose of this search was to identify publications that compared NaOCl alone and NaOCl modified with the addition of a surface‐active agent in endodontics. A hand search of articles published online (‘in‐press’ and ‘early view’), and appearing in the reference list of the articles included, was further performed, using the same search criteria as the electronic search. The search identified 302 publications, of which 11 fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria of the review. The evidence available suggests that surface‐active agents improve the penetration of NaOCl in the main canal and have no effect on its pulp tissue dissolution ability. There are, however, insufficient data to enable a sound conclusion to be drawn regarding the effect of modifying NaOCl's surface tension on lubrication, antimicrobial and smear layer or debris removal abilities.
CaWRKY58, encoding a groupI WRKYtranscription factor ofCapsicum annuum, negatively regulates resistance toRalstonia solanacearuminfection
Authors: Wang Yuna , Dang Fengfeng , Liu Zhiqin , Wang Xu , Eulgem Thomas , Lai Yan , Yu Lu , She Jianju , Shi Youliang , Lin Jinhui , Chen Chengcong , Guan Deyi , Qiu Ailian , He Shuilin
Published: October 2012

WRKYtranscription factors are encoded by large gene families across the plant kingdom. So far, their biological and molecular functions in nonmodel plants, including pepper (Capsicum annuum) and other Solanaceae, remain poorly understood. Here, we report on the functional characterization of a new groupI WRKYprotein from pepper, termedCaWRKY58. Our data indicate thatCaWRKY58 can be localized to the nucleus and can activate the transcription of the reporterβ‐glucuronidase(GUS) gene driven by the35Score promoter with two copies of theW‐box in its proximal upstream region. In pepper plants infected with the bacterial pathogenRalstonia solanacearum,CaWRKY58transcript levels showed a biphasic response, manifested in an early/transient down‐regulation and late up‐regulation.CaWRKY58transcripts were suppressed by treatment with methyl jasmonate and abscisic acid. Tobacco plants overexpressingCaWRKY58did not show any obvious morphological phenotypes, but exhibited disease symptoms of greater severity than did wild‐type plants. The enhanced susceptibility ofCaWRKY58‐overexpressing tobacco plants correlated with the decreased expression of hypersensitive response marker genes, as well as various defence‐associated genes. Consistently,CaWRKY58pepper plants silenced by virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) displayed enhanced resistance to the highly virulentR. solanacearumstrainFJC100301, and this was correlated with enhanced transcripts of defence‐related pepper genes. Our results suggest thatCaWRKY58acts as a transcriptional activator of negative regulators in the resistance of pepper toR. solanacearuminfection.
Cohort monitoring of persons with diabetes mellitus in a primary healthcare clinic for Palestine refugees in Jordan
Authors: Khader Ali , Farajallah Loai , Shahin Yousef , Hababeh Majed , Abu‐Zayed Ishtaiwi , Kochi Arata , Harries Anthony D. , Zachariah Rony , Kapur Anil , Venter Wendy , Seita Akihiro
Published: October 2012

Objective  To illustrate the method of cohort reporting of persons with diabetes mellitus (DM) in a primary healthcare clinic in Amman, Jordan, serving Palestine refugees with the aim of improving quality of DM care services.

Method  A descriptive study using quarterly and cumulative case findings, as well as cumulative and 12‐month analyses of cohort outcomes collected through E‐Health in UNRWA Nuzha Primary Health Care Clinic.

Results  There were 55 newly registered patients with DM in quarter 1, 2012, and a total of 2851 patients with DM ever registered on E‐Health because this was established in 2009. By 31 March 2012, 70% of 2851 patients were alive in care, 18% had failed to present to a healthcare worker in the last 3 months and the remainder had died, transferred out or were lost to follow‐up. Cumulative and 12‐month cohort outcome analysis indicated deficiencies in several components of clinical care: measurement of blood pressure, annual assessments for foot care and blood tests for glucose, cholesterol and renal function. 10–20% of patients with DM in the different cohorts had serious late complications such as blindness, stroke, cardiovascular disease and amputations.

Conclusion  Cohort analysis provides data about incidence and prevalence of DM at the clinic level, clinical management performance and prevalence of serious morbidity. It needs to be more widely applied for the monitoring and management of non‐communicable chronic diseases.
Validation of a novel epicutaneous delivery system for patch testing of house dust mite‐hypersensitive dogs
Authors: Olivry Thierry , Linder Keith E. , Paps Judy S. , Bizikova Petra , Dunston Stan , Donne Nathalie , Mondoulet Lucie
Published: October 2012

Background – Patch tests with allergens are used for the evaluation of cellular hypersensitivity to food and environmental allergens in dogs and humans with atopic dermatitis. Viaskin is a novel allergen epicutaneous delivery system that enhances epidermal allergen capture by immune cells.

Objectives – To compare the use of Viaskin and Finn chamber patch tests in dogs hypersensitive to mite allergens.

Methods – Empty control or Dermatophagoides farinae house dust mite‐containing Viaskin or Finn chamber patches were applied to the thoracic skin of six mite‐hypersensitive Maltese‐beagle crossbred atopic dogs. Lesions were graded 49 and 72 h after patch test application, and skin biopsies were collected after 72 h. Overall microscopic inflammation, eosinophil and T‐lymphocyte infiltrations were scored.

Results – Positive macroscopic patch test reactions developed at five of six Viaskin application sites and four of six Finn chamber application sites. Median microscopic epidermal and dermal inflammation, as well as eosinophil and CD3 T‐lymphocyte dermal scores were always higher in biopsies collected at Viaskin than at Finn chamber sites. Microscopic inflammation scores were significantly higher after mite allergen‐containing Viaskin compared with empty patches, but this was not the case for mite‐containing Finn chambers compared with control chambers. Scores obtained using Viaskin were not significantly different from those obtained using Finn chambers. Macroscopic and microscopic scores were significantly correlated.

Conclusions and clinical importance – In mite‐allergic dogs, Viaskin epicutaneous delivery systems appear to induce stronger allergen‐specific inflammation than currently used Finn chamber patch tests. Consequently, Viaskin patches might offer a better alternative for screening cellular hypersensitivity to food and environmental allergens.
Genetic variants in Protocadherin‐1, bronchial hyper‐responsiveness, and asthma subphenotypes in German children
Authors: Toncheva Antoaneta A. , Suttner Kathrin , Michel Sven , Klopp Norman , Illig Thomas , Balschun Tobias , Vogelberg Christian , von Berg Andrea , Bufe Albrecht , Heinzmann Andrea , Laub Otto , Rietschel Ernst , Simma Burkhard , Frischer Thomas , Genuneit Jon , von Mutius Erika , Kabesch Michael
Published: October 2012

To cite this article: Toncheva AA, Suttner K, Michel S, Klopp N, Illig T, Balschun T, Vogelberg C, von Berg A, Bufe A, Heinzmann A, Laub O, Rietschel E, Simma B, Frischer T, Genuneit J, von Mutius E, Kabesch M. Genetic variants in Protocadherin‐1, bronchial hyper‐responsiveness, and asthma subphenotypes in German children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012.

Background:  Recently, Protocadherin‐1 (PCDH1) was reported as a novel susceptibility gene for bronchial hyper‐responsiveness (BHR) and asthma. PCDH1 is located on chromosome 5q31‐33, in the vicinity of several known candidate genes for asthma and allergy. To exclude that the associations observed for PCDH1 originate from the nearby cytokine cluster, an extensive linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis was performed. Effects of polymorphisms in PCDH1 on asthma, BHR, and related phenotypes were studied comprehensively.

Methods:  Genotype information was acquired from Illumina HumanHap300Chip genotyping, MALDI‐TOF MS genotyping, and imputation. LD was assessed by Haploview 4.2 software. Associations were investigated in a population of 1454 individuals (763 asthmatics) from two German study populations [MAGICS and International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood phase II (ISAAC II)] using logistic regression to model additive effects.

Results:  No relevant LD between PCDH1 tagging polymorphisms and 98 single nucleotide polymorphisms within the cytokine cluster was detected. While BHR was not associated with PCDH1 polymorphisms, significant associations with subphenotypes of asthma were observed.

Conclusion:  Protocadherin‐1 polymorphisms may specifically affect the development of non‐atopic asthma in children. Functional studies are needed to further investigate the role of PCDH1 in BHR and asthma development.
Spectral Stability of Deep Two‐Dimensional Gravity‐Capillary Water Waves
Authors: Akers B. , Nicholls D. P.
Published: October 2012

In this contribution we study the spectral stability problem for periodic traveling gravity‐capillary waves on a two‐dimensional fluid of infinite depth. We use a perturbative approach that computes the spectrum of the linearized water wave operator as an analytic function of the wave amplitude/slope. We extend the highly accurate method of Transformed Field Expansions to address surface tension in the presence of both simple and repeated eigenvalues, then numerically simulate the evolution of the spectrum as the wave amplitude is increased. We also calculate explicitly the first nonzero correction to the flat‐water spectrum, which we observe to accurately predict the stability (or instability) for all amplitudes within the disk of analyticity of the spectrum. With this observation in mind, the disk of analyticity of the flat state spectrum is numerically estimated as a function of the Bond number and the Bloch parameter, and compared to the value of the wave slope at the first finite amplitude eigenvalue collision.
Anti‐fascism and Montenegrin Identity since 1990
Authors: ČAGOROVIĆ NEBOJŠA
Published: October 2012

This is an article about the complex role played by the concept of ‘anti‐fascism’ in the emergence of modern Montenegrin identity. The author shows how anti‐fascism becomes ‘a label of convenience’ which has been used and abused by politicians of all sides in the last twenty years. The article draws attention to the way in which anti‐fascist rhetoric was continually redefined and exploited by those in power in Montenegro to garner approval for a series of changing and frequently contradictory approaches and policies.
Commemorating a Disputed Past: Football Club and Supporters' Group War Memorials in the Former Yugoslavia
Authors: MILLS RICHARD
Published: October 2012

This article documents the existence of numerous football‐related war memorials throughout the former Yugoslavia. Utilizing photographic evidence of these monuments, plaques and other methods of memorialization, it illuminates the ways in which those involved in the game have written the deeds of their fallen members into the historical record, often harnessing these sacrifices in the service of a variety of political causes in the process. These commemorative gestures include socialist patriotic memorials erected in the aftermath of the Second World War Partisan victory, as well as monuments and murals created in honour of football supporters who went into battle as paramilitaries and members of incipient national armies during the dissolution wars of the 1990s. It is argued that the deeds of the fallen have been elevated, and at times manipulated, while the creativity of the latest wave of football remembrance is arguably heavily influenced by the traditional epic poetry and mythologized histories of the region. The fact that these disparate memorials have survived from various historical periods means that the region's built environment offers problematic and conflicting accounts of Yugoslav football's violent past. Memorials which honour impossibly pure socialist heroes coexist awkwardly alongside those dedicated to supporters who gave their lives in pursuit of ethnically exclusive states. In the case of one desecrated monument, these distinct periods are somewhat paradoxically remembered by the same symbolic object.
Stroke outcome in the ketogenic state – a systematic review of the animal data
Authors: Gibson Claire L. , Murphy Anne N. , Murphy Sean P.
Published: October 2012

As a predictor of potential clinical outcome, we performed a systematic review of controlled studies that assessed experimental stroke outcome in rodents maintained on special diets (calorie restriction and ketogenic diet) or following the direct administration of ketone bodies. Pre‐clinical studies were identified by searching web databases and the reference lists of relevant original articles and reviews. Sixteen published studies (a total of 733 experimental animals) met specific criteria and were analyzed using Cochrane Review Manager software. This resulted in objective evidence to suggest beneficial effects of the ketogenic pathway on pathological and functional outcomes following experimental stroke.