bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of domain configurations and sizes in crystallographically engineered ferroelectric single crystals: Phase field modeling
Authors: Rao Wei-Feng , Xiao Ke-Wei , Cheng Tian-Le , Zhou Jie E. , Wang Yu U.
Published: October 2010

Computer simulation is performed to study the mechanisms for controlling domain configurations and sizes in crystallographically engineered ferroelectric crystals. It is found that minimal domain sizes and highest domain wall densities are obtained with intermediate electric field applied along nonpolar axis of ferroelectric crystals, while lower and higher fields produce coarser domains, and temperature also plays important role in domain size control. The simulation shows that selection of polar domain variants by external electric field during nucleation stage of ferroelectric phase transition significantly affects subsequent domain growth and evolution kinetics, controlling the formation and sizes of lamellar domains.
The role of Bi3+ ions in magneto-optic Ce and Bi comodified epitaxial iron garnet films
Authors: Hwang Jae-Yeol , Ferrera Marcello , Razzari Luca , Pignolet Alain , Morandotti Roberto
Published: October 2010

Epitaxial Ce and Bi comodified iron garnet and Ce-modified yttrium iron garnet thin films were grown on (100)-oriented Gd3Ga5O12 substrates by pulsed laser deposition, in order to investigate the role of Bi3+ ions and their contribution to the structural, chemical, and magneto-optical properties. Both films showed a strong Faraday rotation of 0.65 deg/μm and 0.52 deg/μm at 1.55 μm, respectively. The valence state of the Ce ions was significantly changed by the substitution with Bi3+, which in turn was demonstrated to lead to an increase in the concentration of Ce3+ as well as to the decrease in the lattice mismatch.
Single-material multilayer with enhanced photoactivity
Authors: Beydaghyan Gisia , Boudreau Mathieu , Riordon Jason , Haché Alain , Ashrit P. V.
Published: October 2010

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) patterned at the nanometer scale is combined with the same material in its bulk form to produce Bragg mirrors with enhanced photoactive properties. MoO3 undergoes coloration with exposure to UV light but a multilayer structure which alternates between nanostructured and bulk MoO3 is 2.5 times more effective. Measurements with various multilayer arrangements suggest the proximity of bulk and nanostructured MoO3 favors the photoreaction with structural water. A possible minor contribution from electronic band shifting is also discussed.
Time-resolved, optically detected NMR of fluids at high magnetic field
Authors: Pagliero Daniela , Dong Wei , Sakellariou Dimitris , Meriles Carlos A.
Published: October 2010

We report on the use of optical Faraday rotation to monitor the nuclear-spin signal in a set of model F19- and H1-rich fluids. Our approach integrates optical detection with high-field, pulsed NMR so as to record the time-resolved evolution of nuclear-spins after rf excitation. Comparison of chemical-shift-resolved resonances allows us to set order-of-magnitude constrains on the relative amplitudes of hyperfine coupling constants for different bonding geometries. When evaluated against coil induction, the present detection modality suffers from poorer sensitivity, but improvement could be attained via multipass schemes. Because illumination is off-resonant i.e., the medium is optically transparent, this methodology could find extensions in a broad class of fluids and soft condensed matter systems.
A T-shaped piezoelectric cantilever for fluid energy harvesting
Authors: Kwon Soon-Duck
Published: October 2010

This paper proposes a T-shaped piezoelectric cantilever for generating electric power from fluid flow. The working principle of the device is based on aeroelastic flutter and utilizes a bimorph cantilever with T-shape which hastens occurrence of flutter at a low fluid speed. A prototype device (100×60×30 mm3) was tested in a wind tunnel. The device was found to provide power from a wind speed of 4 m/s and a continuous peak electrical power output of 4.0 mW. The simplicity of the present device consisting of only a bimorph cantilever is considered to be cost effective.
Efficiency limiting processes in 1.55 μm InAs/InP-based quantum dots lasers
Authors: Sayid Sayid A. , Marko Igor P. , Sweeney Stephen J. , Barrios Pedro , Poole Philip J.
Published: October 2010

The threshold current density, Jth, and its radiative component, Jrad, in 1.55 μm InAs/InP (100) quantum dot lasers are measured as a function of temperature and hydrostatic pressure. We find that Jrad is relatively temperature insensitive. However, Jth increases significantly with temperature leading to a characteristic temperature T0=72 K over the range 220–290 K. Nonradiative recombination accounts for up to 94% of Jth at T=293 K. Jth decreases with increasing pressure by 35% over 8 kbar causing an increase in T0 from 72 to 88 K. The results indicate that nonradiative Auger recombination determines temperature behavior of these devices and T0 value.
Phase periodic conductance oscillations at subgap Andreev resonances in Nb–Al–AlOx–Al–Nb tunnel junctions
Authors: Senapati Kartik , Blamire Mark G. , Barber Zoe H.
Published: October 2010

We show evidence of a magnetic field dependent oscillation of subgap dynamic conductivity in a series of Nb–Al–AlOx–Al–Nb Josephson tunnel junctions in the voltage biased state. Our measurements show that the amplitude of conductance oscillations was maximum close to the subharmonic conductance peaks of the junctions, which are collective resonances of multiple Andreev reflected quasiparticles via pinholes in the tunnel barrier. The period of oscillations was commensurate with the macroscopic phase evolution of the junction. This observation suggests that under certain conditions practical Josephson tunnel junctions are analogous to Andreev interferometers, where the junction itself acts as the flux quantizer.
Electron attachment to propargyl chloride, 305–540 K
Authors: Bopp Joseph C. , Miller Thomas M. , Friedman Jeffrey F. , Shuman Nicholas S. , Viggiano A. A.
Published: October 2010

Electron attachment to propargyl chloride (HC≡C–CH2Cl) was studied in a flowing-afterglow Langmuir-probe apparatus from 305 to 540 K. The sole ion product in this temperature range is Cl−. Electron attachment is very inefficient, requiring correction for a competing process of electron recombination with molecular cations produced in reaction between Ar+ and propargyl chloride and subsequent ion-molecule reactions. The electron attachment rate coefficient was measured to be 1.6×10−10 cm3 s−1 at 305 K and increased to 1.1×10−9 cm3 s−1 at 540 K.
Elevated [CO2] and forest vegetation: more a water issue than a carbon issue?
Authors: Holtum Joseph A. M. , Winter Klaus
Published: October 2010

Studies of responses of forest vegetation to steadily increasing atmospheric concentrations of CO2 have focussed strongly on the potential of trees to absorb extra carbon; the effects of elevated [CO2] on plant–soil water relations via decreased stomatal conductance and increased ambient temperature have received less attention, but may be significant in the long term at the ecosystem level. CO2 augmentation experiments with young trees demonstrate small increases in aboveground carbon content, but these increases tend to diminish as trees get older. By contrast, several experiments suggest continued decreases in transpiration and increased soil water content under these conditions. In tropical forests, the major cause of increases in aboveground biomass observed in the recent past is not necessarily elevated [CO2]. Undoubtedly, the potential of monitoring trees in forest dynamics plots to deduce CO2-specific alterations in forest structure and standing biomass will unfold in the decades to come. The comprehensive understanding of responses of forest vegetation to elevated [CO2] in the Anthropocene will depend upon the inclusion of detailed measurements of soil water pools and water fluxes through the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum in future tree CO2 augmentation experiments and forest dynamics plot studies.
Grazing winter wheat relieves plant water stress and transiently enhances photosynthesis
Authors: Harrison Matthew T. , Kelman Walter M. , Moore Andrew D. , Evans John R.
Published: October 2010

To model the impact of grazing on the growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), we measured photosynthesis in the field. Grazing may affect photosynthesis as a consequence of changes to leaf water status, nitrogen content per unit leaf area (Na) or photosynthetic enzyme activity. While light-saturated CO2 assimilation rates (Asat) of field-grown wheat were unchanged during grazing, Asat transiently increased by 33–68% compared with ungrazed leaves over a 2- to 4-week period after grazing ended. Grazing reduced leaf mass per unit area, increased stomatal conductance and increased intercellular CO2 concentrations (Ci) by 36–38%, 88–169% and 17–20%, respectively. Grazing did not alter Na. Using a photosynthesis model, we demonstrated that the increase in Asat after grazing required an increase in Rubisco activity of up to 53%, whereas the increase in Ci could only increase Asat by up to 13%. Increased Rubisco activity was associated with a partial alleviation of leaf water stress. We observed a 68% increase in leaf water potential of grazed plants that could be attributed to reduced leaf area index and canopy evaporative demand, as well as to increased rainfall infiltration into soil. The grazing of rain-fed grain cereals may be tailored to relieve plant water stress and enhance leaf photosynthesis.
Understanding Our Understanding of Strategic Scenarios: What Role Do Chunks Play?
Authors: Linhares Alexandre , Brum Paulo
Published: October 2010

There is a crucial debate concerning the nature of chess chunks: One current possibility states that chunks are built by encoding particular combinations of pieces‐on‐squares (POSs), and that chunks are formed mostly by “close” pieces (in a “Euclidean” sense). A complementary hypothesis is that chunks are encoded by abstract, semantic information. This article extends recent experiments and shows that chess players are able to perceive strong similarity between very different positions if the pieces retain the same abstract roles in both of them. This casts doubt on the idea that POS information is the key information encoded in chess chunks, and this article proposes, instead, that the key encoding involves the abstract roles that pieces (and sets of pieces) play—a theoretical standpoint in line with the research program in semantics that places analogy at the core of cognition.
Extending the E‐Z Reader Model of Eye Movement Control to Chinese Readers
Authors: Rayner Keith , Li Xingshan , Pollatsek Alexander
Published: October 2010

Chinese readers' eye movements were simulated in the context of the E‐Z Reader model, which was developed to account for the eye movements of readers of English. Despite obvious differences between English and Chinese, the model did a fairly good job of simulating the eye movements of Chinese readers. The successful simulation suggests that the control of eye movements in reading Chinese is similar to that in an alphabetic language such as English.
The Dynamics of Lexical Competition During Spoken Word Recognition
Authors: Magnuson James S. , Dixon James A. , Tanenhaus Michael K. , Aslin Richard N.
Published: October 2010

The sounds that make up spoken words are heard in a series and must be mapped rapidly onto words in memory because their elements, unlike those of visual words, cannot simultaneously exist or persist in time. Although theories agree that the dynamics of spoken word recognition are important, they differ in how they treat the nature of the competitor set—precisely which words are activated as an auditory word form unfolds in real time. This study used eye tracking to measure the impact over time of word frequency and 2 partially overlapping competitor set definitions: onset density and neighborhood density. Time course measures revealed early and continuous effects of frequency (facilitatory) and on set based similarity (inhibitory). Neighborhood density appears to have early facilitatory effects and late inhibitory effects. The late inhibitory effects are due to differences in the temporal distribution of similarity within neighborhoods. The early facilitatory effects are due to subphonemic cues that inform the listener about word length before the entire word is heard. The results support a new conception of lexical competition neighborhoods in which recognition occurs against a background of activated competitors that changes over time based on fine‐grained goodness‐of‐fit and competition dynamics.
The Effect of Information Overlap on Communication Effectiveness
Authors: Wu Shali , Keysar Boaz
Published: October 2010

It makes sense that the more information people share, the better they communicate. To evaluate the effect of knowledge overlap on the effectiveness of communication, participants played a communication game where the “director” identified objects to the “addressee”. Pairs either shared information about most objects' names (high overlap), or about the minority of objects' names (low overlap). We found that high‐overlap directors tended to use more names than low overlap directors. High overlap directors also used more names with objects whose names only they knew, thereby confusing their addressees more often than low‐overlap directors. We conclude that while sharing more knowledge can be beneficial to communication overall, it can cause communication to be locally ineffective. Sharing more information reduces communication effectiveness precisely when there is an opportunity to inform—when people communicate information only they themselves know.
Switching Between Sensory and Affective Systems Incurs Processing Costs
Authors: Vermeulen Nicolas , Niedenthal Paula M. , Luminet Olivier
Published: October 2010

Recent models of the conceptual system hold that concepts are grounded in simulations of actual experiences with instances of those concepts in sensory‐motor systems (e.g., , ; ). Studies supportive of such a viewhave shown that verifying a property of a concept in one modality, and then switching to verify a property of a different concept in a different modality generates temporal processing costs similar to the cost of switching modalities in perception. In addition to non‐emotional concepts, the present experiment investigated switching costs in verifying properties of positive and negative (emotional) concepts. Properties of emotional concepts were taken from vision, audition, and the affective system. Parallel to switching costs in neutral concepts, the study showed that for positive and negative concepts, verifying properties from different modalities produced processing costs such that reaction times were longer and error rates were higher. Importantly, this effect was observed when switching from the affective system to sensory modalities, and vice‐versa. These results support the embodied cognition view of emotion in humans.
Language Evolution by Iterated Learning With Bayesian Agents
Authors: Griffiths Thomas L. , Kalish Michael L.
Published: October 2010

Languages are transmitted from person to person and generation to generation via a process of iterated learning: people learn a language from other people who once learned that language themselves. We analyze the consequences of iterated learning for learning algorithms based on the principles of Bayesian inference, assuming that learners compute a posterior distribution over languages by combining a prior (representing their inductive biases) with the evidence provided by linguistic data. We show that when learners sample languages from this posterior distribution, iterated learning converges to a distribution over languages that is determined entirely by the prior. Under these conditions, iterated learning is a form of Gibbs sampling, a widely‐used Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. The consequences of iterated learning are more complicated when learners choose the language with maximum posterior probability, being affected by both the prior of the learners and the amount of information transmitted between generations. We show that in this case, iterated learning corresponds to another statistical inference algorithm, a variant of the expectation‐maximization (EM) algorithm. These results clarify the role of iterated learning in explanations of linguistic universals and provide a formal connection between constraints on language acquisition and the languages that come to be spoken, suggesting that information transmitted via iterated learning will ultimately come to mirror the minds of the learners.
What Makes People Revise Their Beliefs Following Contradictory Anecdotal Evidence?: The Role of Systemic Variability and Direct Experience
Authors: Markovits Henry , Schmeltzer Christophe
Published: October 2010

The extent to which belief revision is affected by systematic variability and direct experience of a conditional (if A then B) relation was examined in two studies. The first used a computer generated apparatus. This presented two rows of 5 objects. Pressing one of the top objects resulted in one of the bottom objects being lit up. The 139 adult participants were given one of two levels of experience (5 or 15 trials) and one of two types of apparatus. One of these was completely uniform, while the other had an element that randomly alternated in its result. Following the testing of the apparatus, participants were asked to rate their certainty of the action of the middle element, which was always uniform (the AB belief). Then they were told of an observation inconsistent with this belief. Participants were then asked whether they considered the AB belief or the anecdotal observation to be more believable. Results showed that increased experience decreased the tendency to reject the AB belief, when the apparatus did not have any randomness. However, the presence of a single element showing random variation in the system strongly increased rejection of this belief. A second study looked at the effect of a single random element on a mechanical system as well as an electronic system using graphical representations. This confirmed the generality of the effect of randomness on belief revision, and provided support for the effects of embedding a belief into a system of relations. These results provide some insight into the complex factors that determine belief revision.
Spatial Visualization in Physics Problem Solving
Authors: Kozhevnikov Maria , Motes Michael A. , Hegarty Mary
Published: October 2010

Three studies were conducted to examine the relation of spatial visualization to solving kinematics problems that involved either predicting the two‐dimensional motion of an object, translating from one frame of reference to another, or interpreting kinematics graphs. In Study 1, 60 physics‐naíve students were administered kinematics problems and spatial visualization ability tests. In Study 2, 17 (8 high‐ and 9 low‐spatial ability) additional students completed think‐aloud protocols while they solved the kinematics problems. In Study 3, the eye movements of fifteen (9 high‐ and 6 low‐spatial ability) students were recorded while the students solved kinematics problems. In contrast to high‐spatial students, most low‐spatial students did not combine two motion vectors, were unable to switch frames of reference, and tended to interpret graphs literally. The results of the study suggest an important relationship between spatial visualization ability and solving kinematics problems with multiple spatial parameters.
A little Cdc20 goes a long way
Authors: Short Ben
Published: October 2010

Hypomorphic mice reveal new details of Cdc20 and cyclin B1's mitotic activities.
Ankyrin G restricts ion channel diffusion at the axonal initial segment before the establishment of the diffusion barrier
Authors: Brachet Anna , Leterrier Christophe , Irondelle Marie , Fache Marie-Pierre , Racine Victor , Sibarita Jean-Baptiste , Choquet Daniel , Dargent Bénédicte
Published: October 2010

In mammalian neurons, the precise accumulation of sodium channels at the axonal initial segment (AIS) ensures action potential initiation. This accumulation precedes the immobilization of membrane proteins and lipids by a diffusion barrier at the AIS. Using single-particle tracking, we measured the mobility of a chimeric ion channel bearing the ankyrin-binding motif of the Nav1.2 sodium channel. We found that ankyrin G (ankG) limits membrane diffusion of ion channels when coexpressed in neuroblastoma cells. Site-directed mutants with decreased affinity for ankG exhibit increased diffusion speeds. In immature hippocampal neurons, we demonstrated that ion channel immobilization by ankG is regulated by protein kinase CK2 and occurs as soon as ankG accumulates at the AIS of elongating axons. Once the diffusion barrier is formed, ankG is still required to stabilize ion channels. In conclusion, our findings indicate that specific binding to ankG constitutes the initial step for Nav channel immobilization at the AIS membrane and precedes the establishment of the diffusion barrier.
A mechanism for vertebrate Hedgehog signaling: recruitment to cilia and dissociation of SuFu–Gli protein complexes
Authors: Tukachinsky Hanna , Lopez Lyle V. , Salic Adrian
Published: October 2010

In vertebrates, Hedgehog (Hh) signaling initiated in primary cilia activates the membrane protein Smoothened (Smo) and leads to activation of Gli proteins, the transcriptional effectors of the pathway. In the absence of signaling, Gli proteins are inhibited by the cytoplasmic protein Suppressor of Fused (SuFu). It is unclear how Hh activates Gli and whether it directly regulates SuFu. We find that Hh stimulation quickly recruits endogenous SuFu–Gli complexes to cilia, suggesting a model in which Smo activates Gli by relieving inhibition by SuFu. In support of this model, we find that Hh causes rapid dissociation of the SuFu–Gli complex, thus allowing Gli to enter the nucleus and activate transcription. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA), an inhibitor of Hh signaling, blocks ciliary localization of SuFu–Gli complexes, which in turn prevents their dissociation by signaling. Our results support a simple mechanism in which Hh signals at vertebrate cilia cause dissociation of inactive SuFu–Gli complexes, a process inhibited by PKA.
Cells in tight spaces: the role of cell shape in cell function
Authors: Shah Jagesh V.
Published: October 2010

In this issue, Pitaval et al. (2010. J. Cell Biol. doi:10.1083/jcb.201004003) demonstrate that cell geometry can regulate the elaboration of a primary cilium. Their findings and approaches are part of a historical line of inquiry investigating the role of cell shape in intracellular organization and cellular function.
Fixed‐Effect Estimation of Highly Mobile Production Technologies
Authors: Horrace William C. , Schnier Kurt E.
Published: October 2010

We consider fixed‐effect estimation of a production function where inputs and outputs vary over time, space, and individual, and identify estimates of time‐varying individual effects, without parametric assumptions on the effects. We discuss sufficient conditions for unbiasedness and for consistency and asymptotic normality along the spatial dimension. Results are applied to estimation of a harvest function for bottom trawler fishing vessels in the flatfish and groundfish fisheries of the Bering Sea. We conclude that vessel individual effects did not change between 2002 and 2004. Ranking and selection theory determines that individual effects are not statistically significant across vessels.
The role of asymmetric dimethylarginine and arginine in the failing heart and its vasculature
Authors: Visser Marlieke , Paulus Walter J. , Vermeulen Mechteld A.R. , Richir Milan C. , Davids Mariska , Wisselink Willem , de Mol Bas A.J.M. , van Leeuwen Paul A.M.
Published: October 2010

Nitric oxide (NO) is formed from arginine by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) can inhibit NO production by competing with arginine for NOS binding. Therefore, the net amount of NO might be indicated by the arginine/ADMA ratio. In turn, arginine can be metabolized by the enzyme arginase, and ADMA by the enzyme dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH). While ADMA has been implicated as a cardiovascular risk factor, arginine supplementation has been indicated as a treatment in cardiac diseases. This review discusses the roles of ADMA and arginine in the failing heart and its vasculature. Furthermore, it proposes nutritional therapies to improve NO availability.
Assessment of a novel device‐based diagnostic algorithm to monitor patient status in moderate‐to‐severe heart failure: rationale and design of the CLEPSYDRA study
Authors: Auricchio Angelo , Brugada Josep , Ellenbogen Kenneth A. , Gold Michael R. , Leyva Francisco ,   for the CLEPSYDRA investigators
Published: October 2010

Aims

Monitoring systems integrated into electronic implantable devices for heart failure (HF) have significantly expanded the possibility of obtaining diagnostic information and can be used to enhance patient follow‐up. The ability to obtain advance warning of worsening HF is currently being explored using a variety of diagnostic parameters. A novel device‐based algorithm, physiological diagnostic (PhD), combines data from minute ventilation and accelerometer sensors to provide an indicator of the overall status of HF patients and detect clinically relevant acute HF events. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the PhD algorithm for detecting HF events in patients with HF.

Methods

CLEPSYDRA is a multicentre, prospective, non‐randomized, single‐arm double‐blinded study in 62 centres in Europe, the USA, and Canada. Patients with moderate‐to‐severe HF, on stable optimal pharmacological therapy, QRS ≥ 120 ms, and ejection fraction ≤0.35% will be included. Patients will be followed at 3‐month intervals until study end, or for a minimum of 13 months. The primary endpoint is the sensitivity of the PhD (proportion of HF‐related clinical events occurring within a 4‐week period after a PhD HF indication). Secondary endpoints include the sensitivity of PhD with regard to HF events related to oral treatment modification, and adverse events. The first patient was included in October 2009. At the time of manuscript submission (Week 26, 2010), 214 patients had been enrolled. Study results are expected in 2012.

Perspective

CLEPSYDRA will provide essential data on the utility of the PhD algorithm in a HF population with blinded investigators and patients. A successful outcome will demonstrate the potential for the algorithm to be implemented in clinical practice. This would improve clinical management and further the ability to generate dynamic and reliable risk profiles for patients with HF.
Close connection between improvement in left ventricular function by cardiac resynchronization therapy and the incidence of arrhythmias in cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator patients
Authors: Schaer Beat A. , Osswald Stefan , Di Valentino Marcello , Soliman Osama I. , Sticherling Christian , ten Cate Folkert J. , Jordaens Luc , Theuns Dominic A.
Published: October 2010

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between improved ejection fraction (EF) and occurrence of arrhythmias in patients with cardiac resynchronization therapy devices with defibrillator function (CRT‐D). The hypothesis was that patients who experienced a marked improvement in EF also had fewer appropriate defibrillator interventions.

Methods and results

We analysed data of 270 patients from2 prospective registries with follow‐up of ≥12 months and echocardiography performed ≥8 months after CRT‐D implantation. The discriminator was whether left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improved to >35% [cut‐off for primary prevention implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) implantation]. Mean age was 61 ± 11 years, LVEF 22 ± 5%, and follow‐up 40 ± 22 months. Ischaemic cardiomyopathy was present in 48%, and secondary prevention indication was present in 25%. Implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator interventions were delivered to 35% of patients. Echocardiography (20 ± 15 months after implantation) showed an improvement in LVEF from 22% (SD 5.4%) to 30% (SD 9.8%). Improvement to >35% was seen in 21% of patients. Those who improved to >35% had fewer ICD interventions than those who did not (23 vs.38%; P‐value 0.03). Analysing only patients with a primary prevention indication and stratifying again in patients with and without improvement of LVEF to >35%, the latter had highly significant more ICD‐therapies (6 vs. 31%; P‐value 0.0008).

Conclusion

Patients with CRT‐D for primary prevention, whose LVEF improved to >35% during mid‐term follow‐up, are at low risk of first ICD therapies beyond year 1. If similar findings are reported in other patient cohorts, this might impact on decision‐making at the time of battery depletion.
Effects of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and of rosuvastatin on left ventricular function in chronic heart failure: a substudy of GISSI‐HF trial
Authors: Ghio Stefano , Scelsi Laura , Latini Roberto , Masson Serge , Eleuteri Ermanno , Palvarini Michela , Vriz Olga , Pasotti Michele , Gorini Marco , Marchioli Roberto , Maggioni Aldo , Tavazzi Luigi ,   for the GISSI‐HF investigators
Published: October 2010

Aims

The GISSI‐HF trial showed that n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), but not rosuvastatin, reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) of any cause. The aim of this echocardiographic substudy of GISSI‐HF was to investigate the effects of n‐3 PUFA and of rosuvastatin on left ventricular (LV) function in such patients.

Methods and results

Six hundred and eight chronic HF patients were randomized to n‐3 PUFA (n = 312) or placebo (n = 296); a second randomization was performed to rosuvastatin (n = 212) or placebo (n = 207). Echocardiographic examinations were recorded at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 years; offline analysis was performed by a core laboratory to ensure consistent quantitative analysis. Baseline LV ejection fraction (EF) was 30% (95%CI 29–31). Left ventricular ejection fraction increased with n‐3 PUFA by 8.1% at 1 year, 11.1% at 2 years, and 11.5% at 3 years vs. 6.3% at 1 year, 8.2% at 2 years, and 9.9% at 3 years in the placebo group (P = 0.0050). No other echocardiographic parameter changed significantly. Rosuvastatin effects were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

n‐3 PUFA can provide a small but statistically significant advantage in terms of LV function in patients with symptomatic HF of any aetiology, already treated with recommended therapies.
Influence of cardiomegaly on disordered breathing during exercise in chronic heart failure
Authors: Olson Thomas P. , Johnson Bruce D.
Published: October 2010

Aims

Heart failure (HF) patients breathe with a rapid shallow pattern during exercise. This study examined the relationship between cardiac size and tachypnoeic breathing in HF patients during exercise.

Methods and results

Thirty‐seven HF patients [age = 55 ± 13 years, ejection fraction (EF) = 27 ± 10%, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class = 2.3 ± 1.2] and 42 controls (CTL) (age = 56 ± 14 years, EF = 63 ± 8%) were recruited. Participants underwent maximal exercise testing, pulmonary function testing, and chest radiography for calculation of total thoracic cavity volume (TTCV), diaphragm, heart, and lung volumes. Heart failure patients were divided into two groups: Group A = cardiac volume < median (n = 18) and Group B = cardiac volume ≥ median of the HF patients (n = 19). There was no difference between groups for TTCV (CTL = 8203 ± 1489 vs. Group A = 8694 ± 1249 vs. Group B = 8195 ± 1823 cm3). Cardiac volume was different between groups for both absolute (CTL = 630 ± 181 vs. Group A = 894 ± 186 vs. Group B = 1401 ± 382 cm3, P< 0.001 for all comparisons) and %TTCV (CTL = 8 ± 2 vs. Group A = 10 ± 1 vs. Group A = 18 ± 5%, P< 0.001 for all comparisons). Similarly, total lung volume as a %TTCV was significantly different among the groups (CTL = 70 ± 4 vs. Group A = 65 ± 5 vs. Group A = 58 ± 7%, P< 0.01 for all comparisons). In HF patients, there was a trend (P = 0.10) towards an independent association between cardiac size and tidal volume (VT) at 75% of VO2 peak whereas this relationship was statistically significant at VO2 peak (P = 0.02) as patients with larger cardiac size had reduced VT.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the close relationship between cardiac size and breathing pattern during exercise in HF patients. These results suggest cardiac size may pose a significant constraint on the lungs during exercise and may contribute to tachypnoeic breathing.
Sea lice dispersion and salmon survival in relation to salmon farm activity in the Broughton Archipelago
Authors: Morton Alexandra , Routledge Rick , McConnell Amy , Krkošek Martin
Published: October 2010

Morton, A., Routledge, R., McConnell, A., and Krkošek, M. 2011. Sea lice dispersion and salmon survival in relation to salmon farm activity in the Broughton Archipelago. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 144–156. The risk of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) transmission to wild juvenile Pacific salmon has spurred management change to reduce lice on salmon farms. We studied the abundance of planktonic lice preceding the juvenile salmon outmigration as well as the abundance of lice on juvenile pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and chum (Oncorhynchus keta) salmon in two distinct migration routes, one containing only fallow farms and the other active farms that applied a parasiticide. Results indicate that fallowing reduces the abundance and flattens the spatial distribution of lice relative to that expected in areas without farms. Active farms remained the primary source of lice, but transmission was reduced 100-fold relative to previous epizootics in the study area. On the migration route containing active farms, ∼50% of the juvenile salmon showed evidence of louse damage to surface tissues and the estimated direct louse-induced mortality was <10%, not including indirect effects of infection on predation risk or competition. The survival of the pink salmon cohort was not statistically different from a reference region without salmon farms. Although repeated use of a single parasiticide can lead to resistance, reducing louse transmission from farmed salmon may help conserve some wild Pacific salmon populations.
First estimates of age, growth, and maturity of boarfish (Capros aper): a species newly exploited in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: White Emma , Minto Cóilín , Nolan Conor P. , King Erna , Mullins Eugene , Clarke Maurice
Published: October 2010

White, E., Minto, C., Nolan, C. P., King, E., Mullins, E., and Clarke, M. 2011. First estimates of age, growth, and maturity of boarfish (Capros aper): a species newly exploited in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 61–66. Boarfish in the Northeast Atlantic have recently been exploited commercially for fishmeal. It is a sexually dimorphic species with an estimated maximum age of 26 years, late age at maturity (A50 = 5.25 years), relatively fast rate of growth (K = 0.186 year−1), and a small asymptotic length (L∞ = 128.9 mm).
Using a multi-experimental approach to assess the fate of angled-and-released yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi)
Authors: Roberts Lachlan W. , Butcher Paul A. , Broadhurst Matt K. , Cullis Brian R.
Published: October 2010

Roberts, L. W., Butcher, P. A., Broadhurst, M. K., and Cullis, B. R. 2011. Using a multi-experimental approach to assess the fate of angled-and-released yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 67–75. Yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi) are angled throughout their global distribution and released in large numbers under the unsubstantiated assumption of few impacts. The validity of this supposition was tested for southeastern Australian stocks. In all, 54 fish were angled and released into cages with 36 controls and monitored for 5 d. Of the angled fish, 15% died, mostly as a consequence of gill-hooking and the associated physiological and mechanical damage. A biotelemetry experiment was then performed to determine if cutting the line on gill-hooked fish could improve their post-release fate. The attachment of transmitters was validated in an aquarium experiment before 12 jaw- and 10 gill-hooked fish were tagged, released, and tracked. One gill-hooked fish was detected motionless within 10 min, and another was last detected 7 min after release; both presumed dead. No jaw-hooked fish died within the first 24 h. The remaining fish were last detected between 3 and 49 d after release and, apart from subtle differences in their short-term responses, maintained similar wide-ranging movements and accelerations. The results justify cutting the line on deep-hooked fish to minimize post-release mortality and illustrate the utility of combining confinement and biotelemetry studies to assess the fate of released fish.
Use of selective devices in trawls to support recovery of the Kattegat cod stock: a review of experiments and experience
Authors: Madsen Niels , Valentinsson Daniel
Published: October 2010

Madsen, N., and Valentinsson, D. 2010. Use of selective devices in trawls to support recovery of the Kattegat cod stock: a review of experiments and experience. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 2042–2050. The spawning-stock biomass of cod (Gadus morhua) in the Kattegat area is at a historically low level. Throughout the past decade considerable efforts have been devoted to research on improving both species and size selectivity of the trawls used in the mixed demersal fishery in the area, because this provides a valuable management tool for reducing the bycatch of cod and reducing mortality, and thus helping to rebuild the depleted stock. Gear research in the area has been focused on devices that allow for continued exploitation of the Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) and flatfish, but minimizing the bycatch. We review the results of previous and continuing experiments with various codend mesh sizes, mesh configurations, escape windows, sorting grids, sorting frames, and separator panels, but also changes in whole-trawl designs. Based on our review, we compare and discuss the gear-related technical measures and their effectiveness in maintaining a commercial fishery on viable stocks, yet protecting cod. We discuss the results in relation to changes in legislation and experience with implementation of new selective devices in recent years. We also discuss ways to create stronger incentives for fishers to participate in gear research and to increase acceptance of more selective gears.
Molecular Weight of β‐Glucan Affects Physical Characteristics, In Vitro Bile Acid Binding, and Fermentation of Muffins
Authors: Kim Hyun Jung , White Pamela J.
Published: October 2010

Muffins containing different amounts and molecular weights (MW) of β‐glucan were evaluated for the effect of β‐glucan on the physical characteristics of the muffins and on in vitro bile acid binding and fermentation with human fecal flora. Wheat flour muffins were prepared with the addition of β‐glucan extracts with high‐, medium‐, or low‐MW. For oat flour muffins, the native oat flour contained high‐MW β‐glucan; the oat flours were treated to create medium‐ and low‐MW β‐glucan within the prepared muffin treatments. For each 60‐g muffin, the amounts of β‐glucan were 0.52, 0.57, and 0.59 g for high‐, medium‐, and low‐MW β‐glucan wheat flour muffins, and 2.38, 2.18, and 2.23 g for high‐, medium‐, and low‐MW β‐glucan oat flour muffins, respectively. The lower the MW of the β‐glucan in muffins, the lower the height and volume of the muffins. The oat flour muffins were less firm and springy than the wheat flour muffins as measured on a texture analyzer; however, MW had no effect on muffin texture. The oat flour muffins bound more bile acid than did the wheat flour muffins. The muffins with high‐MW β‐glucan bound more bile acid than did those with low‐ and medium‐MW β‐glucan. Muffin treatment affected the formation of gas and total short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) compared with the blank without substrate during in vitro fermentation. There were no differences in pH changes and total gas production among muffin treatments. The high‐MW β‐glucan wheat flour muffins produced greater amounts of SCFA than did the wheat flour muffin without β‐glucan and the oat flour muffins; however, there were no differences in SCFA production among muffins with different MW. In general, the β‐glucan MW affected the physical qualities of muffins and some potential biological functions in humans.
Callose Deposition: A Multifaceted Plant Defense Response
Authors: Luna Estrella , Pastor Victoria , Robert Jérôme , Flors Victor , Mauch-Mani Brigitte , Ton Jurriaan
Published: October 2010

Callose deposition in Arabidopsis has emerged as a popular model system to quantify activity of plant immunity. However, there has been a noticeable rise in contradicting reports about the regulation of pathogen-induced callose. To address this controversy, we have examined the robustness of callose deposition under different growth conditions and in response to two different pathogen-associated molecular patterns, the flagellin epitope Flg22 and the polysaccharide chitosan. Based on a commonly used hydroponic culture system, we found that variations in growth conditions have a major impact on the plant's overall capacity to deposit callose. This environmental variability correlated with levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Depending on the growth conditions, pretreatment with abscissic acid stimulated or repressed callose deposition. Despite a similar effect of growth conditions on Flg22- and chitosan-induced callose, both responses showed differences in timing, tissue responsiveness, and colocalization with H2O2. Furthermore, mutant analysis revealed that Flg22- and chitosan-induced callose differ in the requirement for the NADPH oxidase RBOHD, the glucosinolate regulatory enzymes VTC1 and PEN2, and the callose synthase PMR4. Our study demonstrates that callose is a multifaceted defense response that is controlled by distinct signaling pathways, depending on the environmental conditions and the challenging pathogen-associated molecular pattern.
Genomic and Evolutionary Features of the SPI-1 Type III Secretion System That Is Present inXanthomonas albilineansbut Is Not Essential for Xylem Colonization and Symptom Development of Sugarcane Leaf Scald
Authors: Marguerettaz Mélanie , Pieretti Isabelle , Gayral Philippe , Puig Jérôme , Brin Chrystelle , Cociancich Stéphane , Poussier Stéphane , Rott Philippe , Royer Monique
Published: October 2010

Xanthomonas albilineans is the causal agent of sugarcane leaf scald. Interestingly, this bacterium, which is not known to be insect or animal associated, possesses a type III secretion system (T3SS) belonging to the injectisome family Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1). The T3SS SPI-1 of X. albilineans shares only low similarity with other available T3SS SPI-1 sequences. Screening of a collection of 128 plant-pathogenic bacteria revealed that this T3SS SPI-1 is present in only two species of Xanthomonas: X. albilineans and X. axonopodis pv. phaseoli. Inoculation of sugarcane with knockout mutants showed that this system is not required by X. albilineans to spread within xylem vessels and to cause disease symptoms. This result was confirmed by the absence of this T3SS SPI-1 in an X. albilineans strain isolated from diseased sugarcane. To investigate the importance of the T3SS SPI-1 during the life cycle of X. albilineans, we analyzed T3SS SPI-1 sequences from 11 strains spanning the genetic diversity of this species. No nonsense mutations or frameshifting indels were observed in any of these strains, suggesting that the T3SS SPI-1 system is maintained within the species X. albilineans. Evolutionary features of T3SS SPI-1 based on phylogenetic, recombination, and selection analyses are discussed in the context of the possible functional importance of T3SS SPI-1 in the ecology of X. albilineans.
Genetic and Morphological Evidence that Phoma sclerotioides, Causal Agent of Brown Root Rot of Alfalfa, Is Composed of a Species Complex
Authors: Wunsch Michael J. , Bergstrom Gary C.
Published: October 2010

Phoma sclerotioides, causal agent of brown root rot of alfalfa, causes severe root and crown lesions on alfalfa and other perennial forage legumes in regions with harsh winters. Isolates of P. sclerotioides exhibit diverse cultural morphologies on potato dextrose agar (PDA), suggesting that they may exhibit a high degree of genetic diversity. To investigate the genetic relatedness of P. sclerotioides isolates, 154 isolates from North America were sequenced at 10 loci. Maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood analyses of the complete 10-locus data set placed isolates into multiple strongly supported clades, and analyses of gene-jackknife and single-gene partitions of the data set indicated robust support for six major clades and three subclades. Genetic differences corresponded closely to differences in conidial size and septation, pycnidial neck length, mycelial pigmentation, and growth rate in axenic culture at 18 and 25°C. Isolates exhibited morphologies broadly consistent with the species description of P. sclerotioides, and new species were not designated. On the basis of genetic and morphological differences, we propose establishing seven infraspecific varieties within P. sclerotioides: P. sclerotioides var. sclerotioides, champlainii, viridis, obscurus, steubenii, macrospora, and saskatchewanii. All varieties of P. sclerotioides caused brown root rot of alfalfa and grew well at low temperatures.
Water reuse for irrigated agriculture in Jordan: challenges of soil sustainability and the role of management strategies
Authors: Carr G. , Nortcliff S. , Potter R. B.
Published: October 2010

Reclaimed water provides an important contribution to the water balance in water-scarce Jordan, but the quality of this water presents both benefits and challenges. Careful management of reclaimed water is required to maximize the nutrient benefits while minimizing the salinity risks. This work uses a multi-disciplinary research approach to show that soil response to irrigation with reclaimed water is a function of the management strategies adopted on the farm by the water user. The adoption of management methods to maintain soil productivity can be seen to be a result of farmers’ awareness to potentially plant-toxic ions in the irrigation water (70% of Jordan Valley farmers identified salinization as a hazard from irrigation with reclaimed water). However, the work also suggests that farmers’ management capacity is affected by the institutional management of water. About a third (35%) of farmers in the Jordan Valley claimed that their ability to manage salinization was limited by water shortages. Organizational interviews revealed that institutional awareness of soil management challenges was quite high (34% of interviewees described salinization as a risk from water reuse), but strategies to address this challenge at the institutional level require greater development.