bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proteolytically Activated, Recombinant Anti-Müllerian Hormone Inhibits Androgen Secretion, Proliferation, and Differentiation of Spermatogonia in Adult Zebrafish Testis Organ Cultures
Authors: Skaar K. S. , Nóbrega R. H. , Magaraki A. , Olsen L. C. , Schulz R. W. , Male R.
Published: July 2011

Anti-Müllerian hormone (Amh) is in mammals known as a TGFβ type of glycoprotein processed to yield a bioactive C-terminal homodimer that directs regression of Müllerian ducts in the male fetus and regulates steroidogenesis and early stages of folliculogenesis. Here, we report on the zebrafish Amh homologue. Zebrafish, as all teleost fish, do not have Müllerian ducts. Antibodies raised against the N- and C-terminal part of Amh were used to study the processing of endogenous and recombinant Amh. The N-terminally directed antibody detected a 27-kDa protein, whereas the C-terminally directed one recognized a 32-kDa protein in testes extracts, both apparently not glycosylated. The C-terminal fragment was present as a monomeric protein, because reducing conditions did not change its apparent molecular mass. Recombinant zebrafish Amh was cleaved with plasmin to N- and C-terminal fragments that after deglycosylation were similar in size to endogenous Amh fragments. Mass spectrometry and N-terminal sequencing revealed a 21-residue N-terminal leader sequence and a plasmin cleavage site after Lys or Arg within Lys-Arg-His at position 263–265, which produce theoretical fragments in accordance with the experimental results. Experiments using adult zebrafish testes tissue cultures showed that plasmin-cleaved, but not uncleaved, Amh inhibited gonadotropin-stimulated androgen production. However, androgens did not modulate amh expression that was, on the other hand, down-regulated by Fsh. Moreover, plasmin-cleaved Amh inhibited androgen-stimulated proliferation as well as differentiation of type A spermatogonia. In conclusion, zebrafish Amh is processed to become bioactive and has independent functions in inhibiting both steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.
Animal escapology I: theoretical issues and emerging trends in escape trajectories
Authors: Domenici Paolo , Blagburn Jonathan M. , Bacon Jonathan P.
Published: July 2011

Escape responses are used by many animal species as their main defence against predator attacks. Escape success is determined by a number of variables; important are the directionality (the percentage of responses directed away from the threat) and the escape trajectories (ETs) measured relative to the threat. Although logic would suggest that animals should always turn away from a predator, work on various species shows that these away responses occur only approximately 50–90% of the time. A small proportion of towards responses may introduce some unpredictability and may be an adaptive feature of the escape system. Similar issues apply to ETs. Theoretically, an optimal ET can be modelled on the geometry of predator–prey encounters. However, unpredictability (and hence high variability) in trajectories may be necessary for preventing predators from learning a simple escape pattern. This review discusses the emerging trends in escape trajectories, as well as the modulating key factors, such as the surroundings and body design. The main ET patterns identified are: (1) high ET variability within a limited angular sector (mainly 90–180 deg away from the threat; this variability is in some cases based on multiple peaks of ETs), (2) ETs that allow sensory tracking of the threat and (3) ETs towards a shelter. These characteristic features are observed across various taxa and, therefore, their expression may be mainly related to taxon-independent animal design features and to the environmental context in which prey live – for example whether the immediate surroundings of the prey provide potential refuges.
Myostatin levels in skeletal muscle of hibernating ground squirrels
Authors: Brooks Naomi E. , Myburgh Kathryn H. , Storey Kenneth B.
Published: July 2011

Myostatin, a negative regulator of muscle mass, is elevated during disuse and starvation. Mammalian hibernation presents a unique scenario, where animals are hypocaloric and in torpor, but the extent of muscle protein loss is minimized. We hypothesized that myostatin expression, which is usually increased early in disuse and under hypocaloric conditions, could be suppressed in this unique model. Skeletal muscle was collected from thirteen-lined ground squirrels, Spermophilus tridecemlineatus, at six time points during hibernation: control euthermic (CON); entrance into hibernation (ENT), body temperature (Tb) falling; early hibernation (EHib), stable Tb in torpor for 24 h; late hibernation (LHib), stable Tb in torpor for 3 days; early arousal (EAr), Tb rising; and arousal (AR), Tb restored to 34–37°C for about 18 h. There was no significant increase of myostatin during ENT, EHib or LHib. Unexpectedly, there were approximately sixfold increases in myostatin protein levels as squirrels arose from torpor. The elevation during EAr remained high in AR, which represented an interbout time period. Mechanisms that could release the suppression or promote increased levels of myostatin were assessed. SMAD2 and phosphorylated SMAD2 were increased during EHib, but only the phosphorylated SMAD2 during AR mirrored increases in myostatin. Follistatin, a negative regulator of myostatin, did not follow the same time course as myostatin or its signaling pathway, indicating more control of myostatin at the signaling level. However, SMAD7, an inhibitory SMAD, did not appear to play a significant role during deep hibernation. Hibernation is an excellent natural model to study factors involved in the endogenous intracellular mechanisms controlling myostatin.
Functional impacts of ocean acidification in an ecologically critical foundation species
Authors: Gaylord Brian , Hill Tessa M. , Sanford Eric , Lenz Elizabeth A. , Jacobs Lisa A. , Sato Kirk N. , Russell Ann D. , Hettinger Annaliese
Published: July 2011

Anthropogenic CO2 is reducing the pH and altering the carbonate chemistry of seawater, with repercussions for marine organisms and ecosystems. Current research suggests that calcification will decrease in many species, but compelling evidence of impaired functional performance of calcium carbonate structures is sparse, particularly in key species. Here we demonstrate that ocean acidification markedly degrades the mechanical integrity of larval shells in the mussel Mytilus californianus, a critical community member on rocky shores throughout the northeastern Pacific. Larvae cultured in seawater containing CO2 concentrations expected by the year 2100 (540 or 970 ppm) precipitated weaker, thinner and smaller shells than individuals raised under present-day seawater conditions (380 ppm), and also exhibited lower tissue mass. Under a scenario where mussel larvae exposed to different CO2 levels develop at similar rates, these trends suggest a suite of potential consequences, including an exacerbated vulnerability of new settlers to crushing and drilling attacks by predators; poorer larval condition, causing increased energetic stress during metamorphosis; and greater risks from desiccation at low tide due to shifts in shell area to body mass ratios. Under an alternative scenario where responses derive exclusively from slowed development, with impacted individuals reaching identical milestones in shell strength and size by settlement, a lengthened larval phase could increase exposure to high planktonic mortality rates. In either case, because early life stages operate as population bottlenecks, driving general patterns of distribution and abundance, the ecological success of this vital species may be tied to how ocean acidification proceeds in coming decades.
Neuroepithelial cells and the hypoxia emersion response in the amphibious fishKryptolebias marmoratus
Authors: Regan Kelly S. , Jonz Michael G. , Wright Patricia A.
Published: July 2011

Teleost fish have oxygen-sensitive neuroepithelial cells (NECs) in the gills that appear to mediate physiological responses to hypoxia, but little is known about oxygen sensing in amphibious fish. The mangrove rivulus, Kryptolebias marmoratus, is an amphibious fish that respires via the gills and/or the skin. First, we hypothesized that both the skin and gills are sites of oxygen sensing in K. marmoratus. Serotonin-positive NECs were abundant in both gills and skin, as determined by immunohistochemical labelling and fluorescence microscopy. NECs retained synaptic vesicles and were found near nerve fibres labelled with the neuronal marker zn-12. Skin NECs were 42% larger than those of the gill, as estimated by measurement of projection area, and 45% greater in number. Moreover, for both skin and gill NECs, NEC area increased significantly (30–60%) following 7 days of exposure to hypoxia (1.5 mg l–1 dissolved oxygen). Another population of cells containing vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) proteins were also observed in the skin and gills. The second hypothesis we tested was that K. marmoratus emerse in order to breathe air cutaneously when challenged with severe aquatic hypoxia, and this response will be modulated by neurochemicals associated chemoreceptor activity. Acute exposure to hypoxia induced fish to emerse at 0.2 mg l–1. When K. marmoratus were pre-exposed to serotonin or acetylcholine, they emersed at a significantly higher concentration of oxygen than untreated fish. Pre-exposure to receptor antagonists (ketanserin and hexamethonium) predictably resulted in fish emersing at a lower concentration of oxygen. Taken together, these results suggest that oxygen sensing occurs at the branchial and/or cutaneous surfaces in K. marmoratus and that serotonin and acetylcholine mediate, in part, the emersion response.
Sensory mediation of memory blocking stressors in the pond snailLymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Dalesman Sarah , Karnik Vikram , Lukowiak Ken
Published: July 2011

The great pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, is commonly used as a model species to study how stress affects the ability to form long-term memory (LTM); however, we still have little information about how the snail senses stressful stimuli. The osphradium is an external sensory organ that demonstrates electrophysiological responses to a variety of external chemical stimuli. We examined the role, if any, played by the osphradium in sensing two environmental stressors, crowding and low environmental calcium, both known to block LTM in intact animals. We severed the osphradial nerve, blocking external sensory input from this organ to the central nervous system, and then exposed the snails to low environmental calcium or crowding stress to assess whether these stressors continued to block LTM formation. When exposed to low environmental calcium, snails with their osphradial nerve severed responded as if they were maintained in our standard calcium environment. That is, they did not respond to low calcium as a stressor blocking LTM; therefore, the osphradium plays a crucial role in mediating how snails respond to this stressor. However, following crowding, LTM formation was blocked in both control groups and snails that had the osphradial nerve severed, indicating that sensory information from the osphradium is not required to sense crowded conditions. Together these data show that two stressors that result in the same behavioural phenotype, blocking LTM formation, do so via two distinct sensory pathways.
Determination of Artemisinin and Moisture Content of Artemisia Annua L. Dry Powder Using a Hand-Held near Infrared Spectroscopy Device
Authors: Camps Cédric , Toussirot Marine , Quennoz Mélanie , Simonnet Xavier
Published: July 2011

A rapid, low-cost method, based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), was developed to determine artemisinin and moisture content in dry powder of Artemisia annua (A. annua) leaves. A calibration set of 60 samples and validation set of 40 samples of A. annua hybrids exhibiting artemisinin content of between 0.7% and 1.6% was used. Results of partial least squares modelling indicated that NIR was accurate in predicting artemisinin content. Root mean square error values of cross-validation ( RMSECV) and prediction ( RMSEV) of 0.1% were calculated, in both cases. A model of moisture content was particularly accurate with RMSECV and RMSEP values of 0.8% ( R=0.99) and 1.4%, respectively.
Near Infrared Reflectance Calibration Optimisation to Predict Lignocellulosic Compounds in Sugarcane Samples with Coarse Particle Size
Authors: Sabatier Damien , Dardenne Pierre , Thuriès Laurent
Published: July 2011

Frequent variations in spectral intensity due to particle size and/or of particle size distribution are observed in plant products processed in powder form and scanned with near infrared reflectance (NIR). In this study, two grinders, with differences in time consumption, practicality and providing homogenates with different particle size range and distribution, were tested to evaluate their effects on NIR spectra. Optimisation of NIR calibration was necessary before predicting lignocellulosic compounds in sugarcane ( Saccharum spp.) samples with coarse particle size to supply a pre-existing ecophysiological growth model. Sixty samples from three varieties, grown in four contrasting pedoclimatic areas and from five anatomical parts were scanned and then analysed by biochemical fractionation. Different calibration methods, resulting in a combination of multiple linear regressions (MLR) applied to three calibration sets (fine, coarse and mixed particle sizes) treated with six data pretreatments—first derivative (D), second derivative (D2), multiplicative scatter correction (MSC), standard normal variate and detrend (SNVD), standard normal variate and detrend successively followed by first derivative (SNVD-D) or second derivative (SNVD-D2)—were investigated. The best NIR model statistical values were obtained by calibration developed on a mixed calibration set treated by SNVD-D2. Results confirmed that NIR spectroscopy could be an accurate and efficient method to predict lignocellulosic compounds in different botanical parts of sugarcane samples when used as input to an ecophysiological growth model.
The Effect of Region of Interest Size on Model Calibration for Soil Organic Carbon Prediction from Hyperspectral Images of Prepared Soils
Authors: O'Rourke Sharon M. , Argentati Irene , Holden Nicholas M.
Published: July 2011

Hyperspectral imaging is an attractive technique for soil analysis that provides both spectral and spatial information in a three-dimensional image. Scanning a larger sample area than that permitted in soil spectroscopy allows a larger spatial area to be selected to represent the “average spectra” by means of an interactive region of interest (ROI) tool. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of ROI size on the prediction accuracy of soil organic carbon (SOC) for homogenised soils from a diverse dataset collected on a national scale. Five ROI sizes, 72 × 72 pixels, 54 × 54 pixels, 36 × 36 pixels, 18 × 18 pixels and 7 × 7 pixels were selected in the near infrared (NIR) region and partial least square calibrations were developed for each ROI size and compared. Cross-validation results demonstrated that increasing the area of sample considered for partial least square regression modelling improved SOC accuracy. Increasing the dimensions of a ROI size by 100-fold reduced root mean square error of cross-validation from 4.60% to 3.88% SOC, a 16% improvement, while R2 increased from 0.62 to 0.75. Independently validated models showed further improved accuracy whereby root mean square error of prediction was reduced to 3.49% SOC overall, comparable to that reported elsewhere for geographically diverse samples. The spectral variables contributing to the SOC prediction ( P<0.05) compared for each ROI size showed that the 7 × 7 pixels ROI could not differentiate between important and unimportant variables indicating loss of information at this spatial scale.
Genomic evolution and phenotypic distinctions of Chikungunya viruses causing the Indian Ocean outbreak
Authors: Powers Ann M
Published: July 2011

In our current global community with the rapid movement of products and people across and between continents, the emergence of a human pathogen can have devastating consequences. One dramatic example of this has been the emergence of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV), which causes a severe, prolonged, and debilitating arthralgic disease. This virus emerged in a large outbreak on the east coast of Africa in 2004; over the subsequent seven years, CHIKV has spread across the Indian Ocean, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and even reached Europe, leaving more than two million people affected. Because CHIKV has a small genome, currently available tools to analyze complete viral genomes have provided scientists with unique opportunities to understand the epidemiology, pathogenesis and transmission of the virus. The most commonly used application of these cutting edge tools has been to track the movement of the virus over time and space. While this is an important concept for identifying areas that remain at risk for outbreaks, these postgenomic era tools can also be applied to the highly significant tasks of understanding how viral microevolutionary changes can affect both invertebrate transmission and vertebrate virulence. Significant alterations in the patterns of CHIKV movement have already been identified using microevolutionary studies. These approaches now need to be further expanded to aid in expanding vaccine, therapeutic and control options. This review will highlight some of the most significant recent research developments obtained using these cutting edge approaches for CHIKV.
Testing for Prudence and Skewness Seeking
Authors: Ebert Sebastian , Wiesen Daniel
Published: July 2011

Numerous theoretical predictions such as precautionary saving or preventive behavior have been derived for prudent decision makers. Further, prudence can be characterized as downside risk aversion and plays a key role in preference for skewness. We use a simple experimental method to test for prudence and skewness preference in the laboratory and compare the two. To this end, we introduce a novel graphical representation of compound lotteries that is easily accessible to subjects and test it for robustness, using a factorial design. Prudence is observed on the aggregate and individual level. We find that prudence does not boil down to skewness seeking. We further provide some theoretical explanations for this result.

This paper was accepted by Peter Wakker, decision analysis.
An Economic Model for Resource Allocation in Grid Computing
Authors: Caramia Massimiliano , Giordani Stefano
Published: July 2011

Allocating resources in grid computing requires local and external schedulers to communicate in order to achieve an efficient management of the resources themselves. To this end, some economic/market-based models have been introduced in the literature, where users, external schedulers, and local schedulers negotiate to optimize their objectives. In this paper, we propose a tender/contract-net model for the grid resource allocation problem, showing the interactions among the involved actors. The performance of the proposed market-based approach is experimentally compared with a round-robin allocation protocol, a system-centric least-cost allocation approach, and also a market-based approach available from the literature.
Posterior pituitary (PP) evaluation in patients with anterior pituitary defect associated with ectopic PP and septo-optic dysplasia
Authors: Secco Andrea , Allegri Anna Elsa Maria , di Iorgi Natascia , Napoli Flavia , Calcagno AnnaLisa , Bertelli Enrica , Olivieri Irene , Pala Giovanna , Parodi Stefano , Gastaldi Roberto , Rossi Andrea , Maghnie Mohamad
Published: July 2011

Objective

Controversies exist about posterior pituitary (PP) function in subjects with ectopic PP (EPP) and with cerebral midline defects and/or their co-occurrence. We investigate water and electrolyte disturbances in patients at risk for PP dysfunction.

Design

The study was conducted in a single Pediatric Endocrinology Research Unit.

Methods

Forty-two subjects with childhood-onset GH deficiency were subdivided into five groups: normal magnetic resonance imaging (n=8, group 1); EPP (n=15, group 2); septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) with normal PP (n=4, group 3); EPP and SOD without (n=7, group 4), and with additional midline brain abnormalities (n=8, group 5). At a mean age of 16.0±1.1 years, they underwent a 120 min i.v. infusion with hypertonic 5% saline and evaluation of plasma osmolality (Posm), arginine vasopressin (AVP), thirst score (in groups 1 and 2), and urinary osmolality were performed.

Results

Mean Posm and AVP significantly increased from baseline scores (284.7±4.9 mosm/kg and 0.6±0.2 pmol/l) to 120 min after saline infusion (300.5±8.0 mosm/kg and 10.3±3.3 pmol/l,P<0.0001). Group 5 showed higher mean Posm and lower mean AVP at all time points (P<0.0001). Mean thirst score did not show a significantly different trend between the groups 1 and 2. Urine osmolality was above 750 mosm/kg in all but seven patients after osmotic challenge.

Conclusions

Patients with midline brain abnormalities and EPP have defective osmoregulated AVP. Patients with EPP and congenital hypopituitarism have normal PP function.
The Genetic Architecture of Ecophysiological and Circadian Traits in Brassica rapa
Authors: Edwards Christine E , Ewers Brent E , Williams David G , Xie Qiguang , Lou Ping , Xu Xiaodong , McClung C Robertson , Weinig Cynthia
Published: July 2011

Developmental mechanisms that enable perception of and response to the environment may enhance fitness. Ecophysiological traits typically vary depending on local conditions and contribute to resource acquisition and allocation, yet correlations may limit adaptive trait expression. Notably, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance vary diurnally, and the circadian clock, which is an internal estimate of time that anticipates diurnal light/dark cycles, may synchronize physiological behaviors with environmental conditions. Using recombinant inbred lines of Brassica rapa, we examined the quantitative-genetic architecture of ecophysiological and phenological traits and tested their association with the circadian clock. We also investigated how trait expression differed across treatments that simulated seasonal settings encountered by crops and naturalized populations. Many ecophysiological traits were correlated, and some correlations were consistent with expected biophysical constraints; for example, stomata jointly regulate photosynthesis and transpiration by affecting carbon dioxide and water vapor diffusion across leaf surfaces, and these traits were correlated. Interestingly, some genotypes had unusual combinations of ecophysiological traits, such as high photosynthesis in combination with low stomatal conductance or leaf nitrogen, and selection on these genotypes could provide a mechanism for crop improvement. At the genotypic and QTL level, circadian period was correlated with leaf nitrogen, instantaneous measures of photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance as well as with a long-term proxy (carbon isotope discrimination) for gas exchange, suggesting that gas exchange is partly regulated by the clock and thus synchronized with daily light cycles. The association between circadian rhythms and ecophysiological traits is relevant to crop improvement and adaptive evolution.
RIC8 Is a Guanine-Nucleotide Exchange Factor for Gα Subunits That Regulates Growth and Development in Neurospora crassa
Authors: Wright Sara J , Inchausti Regina , Eaton Carla J , Krystofova Svetlana , Borkovich Katherine A
Published: July 2011

Heterotrimeric (αβγ) G proteins are crucial components of eukaryotic signal transduction pathways. G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) act as guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) for Gα subunits. Recently, facilitated GDP/GTP exchange by non-GPCR GEFs, such as RIC8, has emerged as an important mechanism for Gα regulation in animals. RIC8 is present in animals and filamentous fungi, such as the model eukaryote Neurospora crassa, but is absent from the genomes of baker’s yeast and plants. In Neurospora, deletion of ric8 leads to profound defects in growth and asexual and sexual development, similar to those observed for a mutant lacking the Gα genes gna-1 and gna-3. In addition, constitutively activated alleles of gna-1 and gna-3 rescue many defects of Δric8 mutants. Similar to reports in Drosophila, Neurospora Δric8 strains have greatly reduced levels of G-protein subunits. Effects on cAMP signaling are suggested by low levels of adenylyl cyclase protein in Δric8 mutants and suppression of Δric8 by a mutation in the protein kinase A regulatory subunit. RIC8 acts as a GEF for GNA-1 and GNA-3 in vitro, with the strongest effect on GNA-3. Our results support a role for RIC8 in regulating GNA-1 and GNA-3 in Neurospora.
Modelling of a roof runoff harvesting system: the use of rainwater for toilet flushing
Authors: Vialle C. , Sablayrolles C. , Lovera M. , Huau M.-C. , Montréjaud-Vignoles M.
Published: July 2011

The water balance of a four-people family rainwater harvesting system was calculated in a case study. The experimental water saving efficiency (WSE) was calculated as 87%. A simple computer model was implemented to simulate the behaviour of the rainwater harvesting system. In general, the rainwater collector volumes predicted by the daily model had shown a good correlation with the experimental values. The difference between the experimental and the predicted values for the stored volume can be explained by the lack of maintenance of the system that can affect its performance. On the basis of a long-term simulation of 20-year rainfall data, the following parameters were calculated: rainfall, water demand, mains water, rainwater used, over-flow and WSE. The collection of rainwater from roofs, its storage and subsequent use for toilet flushing can save 42 m3 of potable water per year for the studied system. The model was also used to find the optimal size of the tank for the single-family household: a storage capacity of approximately 5 m3 was found to be appropriate. The storage capacity and tank size were distinguished. The importance to take into account the dead volume of the tank for the sizing was indeed highlighted.
Random Forests for Genetic Association Studies
Authors: Goldstein Benjamin A , Polley Eric C , Briggs Farren B. S.
Published: July 2011

The Random Forests (RF) algorithm has become a commonly used machine learning algorithm for genetic association studies. It is well suited for genetic applications since it is both computationally efficient and models genetic causal mechanisms well. With its growing ubiquity, there has been inconsistent and less than optimal use of RF in the literature. The purpose of this review is to breakdown the theoretical and statistical basis of RF so that practitioners are able to apply it in their work. An emphasis is placed on showing how the various components contribute to bias and variance, as well as discussing variable importance measures. Applications specific to genetic studies are highlighted. To provide context, RF is compared to other commonly used machine learning algorithms.
Raising Awareness about Latin American/Latino Cultural Heritage through an Online Course
Authors: Conceição Simone C. O. , Antrop-González René , Kline Julie
Published: July 2011

Given that Latinas/os make up the fastest-growing population group in the U.S., according to the 2000 U.S. Census, classroom teachers increasingly are in need of meaningful resources and learning strategies for students of Latin American heritage. These same resources can also serve to help internationalize/diversify classrooms serving non-Latino student populations. An online course focused on childrens books was offered twice with the purpose of helping students develop or raise awareness of the Latin American/Latino cultural heritage through meaningful resources and learning strategies. These learning strategies, which drew upon guest speakers, conceptual readings, and children and young adult books, included: audioconferencing presentations, online group discussions, a team project, and a synthesis paper. Students perceptions of their online experiences in this online course are analyzed and implications for practice presented.
Short separating geodesics for multiply connected domains
Authors: Comerford Mark
Published: July 2011

We consider the following questions: given a hyperbolic plane domain and a separation of its complement into two disjoint closed sets each of which contains at least two points, what is the shortest closed hyperbolic geodesic which separates these sets and is it a simple closed curve? We show that a shortest geodesic always exists although in general it may not be simple. However, one can also always find a shortest simple curve and we call such a geodesic a meridian of the domain. We prove that, although they are not in general uniquely defined, if one of the sets of the separation of the complement is connected, then they are unique and are also the shortest possible geodesics which separate the complement in this fashion.
Multiplicative isometries on the Smirnov class
Authors: Hatori Osamu , Iida Yasuo
Published: July 2011

We show that T is a surjective multiplicative (but not necessarily linear) isometry from the Smirnov class on the open unit disk, the ball, or the polydisk onto itself, if and only if there exists a holomorphic automorphism Φ such that T(f)=f ○ Φ for every class element f or T(f) = $\overline {f^\circ \bar \varphi } $ for every class element f, where the automorphism Φ is a unitary transformation in the case of the ball and Φ(z
1, ..., z
n) = $(\lambda _1 z_{i_1 } ,...,\lambda _n z_{i_n } )$ for |λ
j| = 1, 1 ≤ j ≤ n, and (i
1; ..., i
n)is some permutation of the integers from 1through n in the case of the n-dimensional polydisk.
Factors Influencing Learners' Satisfaction in an Open E-Learning Environment
Authors: Klaos Sirje
Published: July 2011

Factors Influencing Learners' Satisfaction in an Open E-Learning Environment

A number of new open learning environments have risen aside to common e-learning environments. Wikiversity is an open environment to all community members. Students' behaviours change in the community creation process, and their self-satisfaction impacts learning. The study methodology is qualitative content analysis, and the data is collected from students' blogs, online and focus group interviews. Data is based on a monitored course for bachelor students of special pedagogy (n=21). There was a possibility to test and assess modern e-learning technologies and use a socio-constructive learning process. The results are studied in light of social-exchange theory. The outcome of this study indicated that learners' satisfaction increases with free access to fellow students' works, full and equal membership of the community and an opportunity to compare oneself to the others. The future research should focus on optimization of policies and sustainable development in education to establish successful exchange systems.
Local Duality and Polarized Hodge Modules
Authors: Schnell Christian
Published: July 2011

We establish a relationship between the graded quotients of a filtered holonomic

{\mathcal{D}}

-module, their duals as coherent sheaves, and the characteristic variety, in case the filtered

\mathcal{D}

-module underlies a polarized Hodge module on a smooth algebraic variety. The proof is based on M. Saito's result that the associated graded module is Cohen–Macaulay, and on local duality for the cotangent bundle. The result plays a role in the study of Néron models for families of intermediate Jacobians, recently constructed by the author.
The Primacy of Relationship in Teaching Boys
Authors: Reichert Michael C. , Hawley Richard
Published: July 2011

In a large-scale survey of effective teaching practices with boys conducted in 2008 across 18 schools in 6 different English-speaking countries, we collected lessons in a wide variety of subject areas (math, literature, science, art) shaped to fit boys’ particular learning needs and preferences. At a time of widely-published claims about boys’ relative failure to thrive in contemporary school settings, we surveyed schools dedicated to boys in particular—boys’ schools—in hopes of discovering the outlines of a pedagogy that might have broader relevance for boys everywhere. Nearly 1,000 teachers responded with detailed descriptions of teaching approaches that succeeded in engaging boys. Boys themselves—1,500 of them, aged 12-19—corroborated the features of effective instruction reported by their teachers. We suggest that the practices identified were “chafed” into being by sustained interactions between teachers and their male students. In this mutually-attuned, coordinated interaction between boy learner and adult instructor, we found qualities of responsiveness and connection echoing regulatory communication commonly associated with earlier periods in child development. Given current concerns about widespread gaps in many boys’ school performance, these stories affirming educational relationships could point the way to a clearer understanding of how best to engage boys in scholastic endeavor.
"I Feel Older"
Authors: Jennings William John
Published: July 2011

This article reports on the impact of a school based father and son, “rites of passage” program on its participants in two Australian Catholic boys’ schools. The author conducted a mixed methodology study investigating quantitative differences between 15- to 17-year-old adolescent participants and non-participants in how they rated their “father relationships” and the impact that specific program elements (the “rite of passage,” planned conversations, and public acknowledgements) had on both program participants. The research found evidence to support the program’s positive impact on father-son relationships. As a result of planned conversations with their fathers in the program, participants reported feeling “older” and more mature.
Limnology of wastewater treatment lagoons at Pagla, Narayanganj
Authors: Gani Md Ataul , Alfasane Md Almujaddade , Khondker Moniruzzaman
Published: July 2011

Limnology of two wastewater treatment lagoons, (Lagoon numbers 1 and 10 are treated as L-1 and L-2, respectively) at Pagla, Narayanganj considering 15 water quality variables had been carried out for 10 months. Air and water temperature did not vary significantly. Secchi depth (Zs) showed gradual improvement from the lagoon 1 to lagoon 10 due to low loading of suspended matters. Improvement of water quality from L-1 to L-2 has also been observed in respect to alkalinity, conductivity and TDS. Similar trends were also seen for SRS and SRP. In L-1 anoxia occurred three times whereas it was absent in L-2. In the present study, improved DO prompted NO3-N and TDS concentration. However in L-2, mean values of SRP dropped by about 13% than L-1. A significant positive correlation between the density of phytoplankton and SRP in L-2 at 5% level was obtained. A total of 105 species of phytoplankton belonging to 6 different algal classes were recorded from the lagoons. Highest number of species was obtained from Chlorophyceae followed by Euglenophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Cyanophyceae, Cryptophyceae and Dinophyceae. The population density of phytoplankton and that of zooplankton in L-1 was low compared to L-2. Higher number of genera and species occurred in L-2 than L-1. Chl a and pheopigment concentrations were also higher in L-2. Results indicated that water quality has increased in the treatment pond number 10. Key words: Limnology; Wastewater treatment lagoons; Pagla; Bangladesh DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v40i1.7995 Bangladesh J. Bot. 40(1): 35-40, 2011 (June)
Reassessing Domain Architecture Evolution of Metazoan Proteins: Major Impact of Gene Prediction Errors
Authors: Nagy Alinda , Szláma György , Szarka Eszter , Trexler Mária , Bányai László , Patthy László
Published: July 2011

In view of the fact that appearance of novel protein domain architectures (DA) is closely associated with biological innovations, there is a growing interest in the genome-scale reconstruction of the evolutionary history of the domain architectures of multidomain proteins. In such analyses, however, it is usually ignored that a significant proportion of Metazoan sequences analyzed is mispredicted and that this may seriously affect the validity of the conclusions. To estimate the contribution of errors in gene prediction to differences in DA of predicted proteins, we have used the high quality manually curated UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot database as a reference. For genome-scale analysis of domain architectures of predicted proteins we focused on RefSeq, EnsEMBL and NCBI’s GNOMON predicted sequences of Metazoan species with completely sequenced genomes. Comparison of the DA of UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot sequences of worm, fly, zebrafish, frog, chick, mouse, rat and orangutan with those of human Swiss-Prot entries have identified relatively few cases where orthologs had different DA, although the percentage with different DA increased with evolutionary distance. In contrast with this, comparison of the DA of human, orangutan, rat, mouse, chicken, frog, zebrafish, worm and fly RefSeq, EnsEMBL and NCBI’s GNOMON predicted protein sequences with those of the corresponding/orthologous human Swiss-Prot entries identified a significantly higher proportion of domain architecture differences than in the case of the comparison of Swiss-Prot entries. Analysis of RefSeq, EnsEMBL and NCBI’s GNOMON predicted protein sequences with DAs different from those of their Swiss-Prot orthologs confirmed that the higher rate of domain architecture differences is due to errors in gene prediction, the majority of which could be corrected with our FixPred protocol. We have also demonstrated that contamination of databases with incomplete, abnormal or mispredicted sequences introduces a bias in DA differences in as much as it increases the proportion of terminal over internal DA differences. Here we have shown that in the case of RefSeq, EnsEMBL and NCBI’s GNOMON predicted protein sequences of Metazoan species, the contribution of gene prediction errors to domain architecture differences of orthologs is comparable to or greater than those due to true gene rearrangements. We have also demonstrated that domain architecture comparison may serve as a useful tool for the quality control of gene predictions and may thus guide the correction of sequence errors. Our findings caution that earlier genome-scale studies based on comparison of predicted (frequently mispredicted) protein sequences may have led to some erroneous conclusions about the evolution of novel domain architectures of multidomain proteins. A reassessment of the DA evolution of orthologous and paralogous proteins is presented in an accompanying paper [1].
A Review of Frameworks for Developing Environmental Health Indicators for Climate Change and Health
Authors: Hambling Tammy , Weinstein Philip , Slaney David
Published: July 2011

The role climate change may play in altering human health, particularly in the emergence and spread of diseases, is an evolving area of research. It is important to understand this relationship because it will compound the already significant burden of diseases on national economies and public health. Authorities need to be able to assess, anticipate, and monitor human health vulnerability to climate change, in order to plan for, or implement action to avoid these eventualities. Environmental health indicators (EHIs) provide a tool to assess, monitor, and quantify human health vulnerability, to aid in the design and targeting of interventions, and measure the effectiveness of climate change adaptation and mitigation activities. Our aim was to identify the most suitable framework for developing EHIs to measure and monitor the impacts of climate change on human health and inform the development of interventions. Using published literature we reviewed the attributes of 11 frameworks. We identified the Driving force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action (DPSEEA) framework as the most suitable one for developing EHIs for climate change and health. We propose the use of EHIs as a valuable tool to assess, quantify, and monitor human health vulnerability, design and target interventions, and measure the effectiveness of climate change adaptation and mitigation activities. In this paper, we lay the groundwork for the future development of EHIs as a multidisciplinary approach to link existing environmental and epidemiological data and networks. Analysis of such data will contribute to an enhanced understanding of the relationship between climate change and human health.
Putative Biomarkers and Targets of Estrogen Receptor Negative Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Sahab Ziad J. , Man Yan-Gao , Byers Stephen W. , Sang Qing-Xiang A.
Published: July 2011

Breast cancer is a progressive and potentially fatal disease that affects women of all ages. Like all progressive diseases, early and reliable diagnosis is the key for successful treatment and annihilation. Biomarkers serve as indicators of pathological, physiological, or pharmacological processes. Her2/neu, CA15.3, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and cytokeratins are biomarkers that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for disease diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy selection. The structural and functional complexity of protein biomarkers and the heterogeneity of the breast cancer pathology present challenges to the scientific community. Here we review estrogen receptor-related putative breast cancer biomarkers, including those of putative breast cancer stem cells, a minor population of estrogen receptor negative tumor cells that retain the stem cell property of self renewal. We also review a few promising cytoskeleton targets for ER alpha negative breast cancer.
Politiques du spectacle vivant en France et désenchantement des mondes de l’art
Authors: Urrutiaguer Daniel
Published: July 2011

Since cultural standardization is impossible, cultural policies are the source of disenchantment because of their inability to democratize access to the performing arts. Checking the efficency of cultural policies with quantitative criteria has some limits as missions are combined that are not easily compatible. However, creative exchanges between artists and spectators should justify public support.
La question des amateurs et des professionnels à l’Usine Hollander de Choisy-le-Roi
Authors: Bigel Patrice , Roques Sylvie
Published: July 2011

The project of Patrice Bigel is singular in more than one way: he chose an unusual place of representation, that of an industrial fallow; new experimental perspectives by crossing amateur and professional practices; new project content mixing dance and theatre. This project explores discipline in full evolution and rebuffs habitually hermetic boundaries between two antagonists of the same artistic field: amateurs and professionals.
Pour une réception « musicale » du théâtre contemporain
Authors: Corvin Michel
Published: July 2011

Le théâtre a conquis sa spécificité visuelle en inventant l’écriture scénique; il a su aussi proposer une spécificité sonore en dotant les textes d’une allure musicale, à l’époque classique, à l’aide de figures de style et de mots, avant que la voix de l’acteur (souffle et sons) devienne la matière première d’une langue nouvelle chez des écrivains contemporains (Novarina notamment).
Théâtre et intermédialité
Authors: Lesage Marie-Christine
Published: July 2011

This essay investigates three different uses of visual technology (integration, differential and simulation) in three North-American productions: the solo Elseneur (1997) by Robert Lepage,

Hamlet (2006) by The Wooster Group and Les Aveugles (2002) by Denis Marleau. It demonstrates how, in these cases, the use of visual technology stimulates the spectator’s imagination, moving its perception and reinventing theatrical dynamism.
La rumeur, ou la preuve ordinaire
Authors: Paillard Bernard
Published: July 2011

La preuve est-elle étrangère aux raisonnements qui se déploient dans la vie sociale quotidienne ? En quelque sorte, y aurait-il une preuve « ordinaire » ? Cet article examine ce point en considérant le cas des rumeurs, celles-ci se transmettant parce qu’elles se donnent les allures de la véracité. Aussi développent-elles un arsenal argumentaire probatoire, de la preuve par le témoignage à celle par la formule tautologique selon laquelle « il n’y a pas de fumée sans feu ». Et où la conviction s’appuie sur des thèmes fonctionnant comme autant d’axiomes, comme des propositions évidentes n’ayant nul besoin d’être démontrées, des « prêts-à-penser ».
Observer, raconter ou ressusciter les rêves ?
Authors: CARROY Jacqueline
Published: July 2011

Alfred Maury est apparu au milieu du XIXe siècle comme le fondateur d’une science des rêves. Son autorité scientifique fut ébranlée par une controverse qui mit en question, à la fin du siècle, l’un de ses rêves célèbres, dit de « Maury guillotiné ». La narration onirique au réveil rendait-elle bien compte de la complexité des voix et des visions nocturnes ? Ne fallait-il pas trouver d’autres modes d’écriture et d’analyse ? Dans une perspective savante, on pouvait déconstruire la cohérence du récit onirique et proposer d’en fragmenter l’analyse. Dans une perspective littéraire, on pouvait entreprendre de réinventer et de réenchanter les rêves. Cette discussion eut des résonances importantes pour l’écriture des rêves freudienne.
Les malheurs de la perspective contemporaine
Authors: de Ruyter Thibaut
Published: July 2011

En architecture, le mot perspective est à double emploi. En effet, il évoque autant le fait de dessiner un projet en trois dimensions de façon plus ou moins exacte que la possibilité de bâtir un axe qui, traversant toute une ville, crée des perspectives construites et dirige le regard des habitants. En analysant d’abord la façon dont l’architecture est actuellement représentée, puis en faisant un retour historique sur la reconstruction de Berlin après la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le texte évoque certaines réalités de la perspective contemporaine.
Clinical Features, Oseltamivir Treatment and Outcome in Infants Aged <12 Months with Laboratory-Confirmed Influenza a in 2009
Authors: Khandaker Gulam , Zurynski Yvonne , Lester-Smith David , Kesson Alison , Heron Leon , Dwyer Dominic E , Elliott Elizabeth J , Booy Robert
Published: July 2011

Background

Data on the use of oseltamivir in infants is limited. We documented the clinical presentations of infants aged <12 months hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza A in the southern hemisphere winter of 2009 and compared outcomes in relation to oseltamivir therapy.

Methods

Data were extracted from prospectively collected and collated influenza case reports (June– September 2009) ascertained through Paediatric Active Enhanced Disease Surveillance, an in-patient surveillance system operating at the Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW), Sydney, NSW, Australia. Nosocomial cases were excluded.

Results

Of 56 infants with definite influenza (35 pandemic H1N1 2009) admitted to the CHW, 20 were treated with oseltamivir. Overall, 12 (60%) of those treated with oseltamivir were aged <6 months. Cough, fever and coryza were the most common clinical features (≥70%). Vomiting was present on admission in 31.4%. All 7 cases presenting with vomiting then given antiviral treatment had reduction of vomiting and the other 13 did not develop vomiting on treatment. There were three infants with hypoxaemia (oxygen saturation ≤93%) on presentation in the treatment group compared with none in the control group ( P=0.04). The median duration of hospital stay was the same in both groups (2.5 days).

Conclusions

The use of oseltamivir was well tolerated in hospitalized infants. Vomiting, one of the widely reported side effects of oseltamivir, was found to be more a presenting symptom of influenza than a side effect of oseltamivir. Based on pulse oximetry, oseltamivir-treated cases may have been more severe on presentation, but there was no significant difference in length of hospital stay.