bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Starspots and spin-orbit alignment in the WASP-4 exoplanetary system
Authors: Sanchis-Ojeda Roberto , Winn Joshua N. , Holman Matthew J. , Carter Joshua A. , Osip David J. , Fuentes Cesar I.
Published: November 2011

We present the photometric analysis of 4 transits of the exoplanet WASP-4b, obtained with the Baade 6.5m telescope, one of the two Magellan telescopes at Las Campanas. The light curves have a photometric precision of 0.5 mmag and a time sampling of 30s. This high precision has allowed us to detect several “spot anomalies”: temporary brightenings due to the occultation of a starspot on the transit chord. By analyzing these anomalies we find the sky-projected stellar obliquity to be λ = 1°+12°−14°. The small value suggests that the planet migration mechanism preserved the initially low obliquity, or that tidal evolution has realigned the system.
Stellar noise and planet detection. I. Oscillations, granulation and sun-like spots
Authors: Dumusque Xavier , Santos Nuno C. , Udry Stéphane , Lovis Cristophe , Bonfils Xavier
Published: November 2011

Spectrographs like HARPS can now reach a sub-ms−1 precision in radial-velocity (RV) (Pepe & Lovis 2008). At this level of accuracy, we start to be confronted with stellar noise produced by 3 different physical phenomena: oscillations, granulation phenomena (granulation, meso- and super-granulation) and activity. On solar type stars, these 3 types of perturbation can induce ms−1 RV variation, but on different time scales: 3 to 15 minutes for oscillations, 15 minutes to 1.5 days for granulation phenomena and 10 to 50 days for activity. The high precision observational strategy used on HARPS, 1 measure per night of 15 minutes, on 10 consecutive days each month, is optimized, due to a long exposure time, to average out the noise coming from oscillations (Dumusque et al. 2011a) but not to reduce the noise coming from granulation and activity (Dumusque et al. 2011a and Dumusque et al. 2011b). The smallest planets found with this strategy (Mayor et al. 2009) seems to be at the limit of the actual observational strategy and not at the limit of the instrumental precision. To be able to find Earth mass planets in the habitable zone of solar-type stars (200 days for a K0 dwarf), new observational strategies, averaging out simultaneously all type of stellar noise, are required.
Gravitation Astrometric Measurement Experiment (GAME)
Authors: Gai Mario , Vecchiato Alberto , Sozzetti Alessandro , Ligori Sebastiano , Lattanzi Mario G.
Published: November 2011

GAME (Gravitation Astrometric Measurement Experiment) is a mission concept based on astronomical techniques for high precision measurements of interest to Fundamental Physics and cosmology, in particular the γ and β parameters of the Parameterized Post-Newtonian formulation of gravitation theories extending the General Relativity.

High precision astrometry also provides the light deflection induced by the quadrupole moment of Jupiter and Saturn, and, by high precision determination of the orbits of Mercury and high elongation asteroids, the PPN parameter β.

The astrometric and photometric capabilities of GAME may also provide crucial complementary information on a selected set of known exo-planets.
The Italian contribution to the Gaia data processing and archiving
Authors: Martino Michele , Ciampolini Armando , Messineo Rosario , Mulone Angelo , Pigozzi Enrico , Icardi Vilma , Solitro Filomena , Castronuovo Marco M. , Lattanzi Mario G. , Morbidelli Roberto , Drimmel Ronald , Sarasso Maria , Busonero Deborah , Crosta Mariateresa , Gardiol Daniele , Vecchiato Alberto ,   the Italian Gaia Team
Published: November 2011

Gaia is an ESA Cornerstone mission, scheduled to be launched in spring 2013, dedicated to precisely measure the positions and motions of over a billion stars in our galaxy: the Milky Way. Gaia Data Processing Center Turin (DPCT), the Italian DPC, is hosted and operated at ALTEC in Turin. The primary objective of DPCT is to provide the infrastructure and operations support to the Astrometric Verification Unit (AVU) activities for CU3 and the Italian participation to the Gaia data processing tasks. DPCT will archive all of the data, produced for and delivered to DPAC as part of the Italian contribution to the activities of CU4, CU5, CU7, and CU8.
Chorus intensification in response to interplanetary shock
Authors: Fu H. S. , Cao J. B. , Mozer F. S. , Lu H. Y. , Yang B.
Published: November 2011

On 3 September 2009, the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) satellites observed a significant intensification of chorus in response to the interplanetary shock in the Earth's dayside plasma trough. We analyze the wave‐particle interaction and reveal that the chorus intensification can be caused by the gyroresonance between the chorus and the energetic electrons. When the electrons are scattered from resonance points to low‐density regions along the diffusion curves, a part of their energy can be lost and then transferred to amplify the chorus. During the compression of the magnetosphere, the temperature anisotropy of electrons is enhanced. This makes the electron diffusion and chorus intensification very effective. The maximum growth rate after the shock is about 50% greater than that before the shock. The lower‐energy (15–25 keV) electrons contribute more to the growth of chorus due to the larger density gradient along the diffusion curve. The <10 keV electrons are almost isotropic, so they contribute little to the amplification of chorus. We investigate the free energy for the chorus intensification and find that it can be generated through the local betatron acceleration and radial diffusion processes. The local betatron acceleration results from the shock‐induced compression of the magnetosphere. The linear and nonlinear growth rates are also compared. We find that the linear diffusion process works well for the present case.
Analysis of canonical low‐profile radiators on isoimpedance metamaterial substrates
Authors: Odabasi H. , Teixeira F. L.
Published: November 2011

We analyze some canonical low‐profile electromagnetic radiators in the presence of “isoimpedance” substrates configured as anisotropic metamaterials having constitutive tensors that are impedance‐matched to free space for all incidence angles. The metamaterials considered here are devised to increase the electrical thickness of the substrate without producing surface waves. We study the effect of such metamaterial substrates on basic properties such as input impedance, return loss, and radiation pattern.
Analysis of the community structure of abyssal kinetoplastids revealed similar communities at larger spatial scales
Authors: Salani Faezeh Shah , Arndt Hartmut , Hausmann Klaus , Nitsche Frank , Scheckenbach Frank
Published: November 2011

Knowledge of the spatial scales of diversity is necessary to evaluate the mechanisms driving biodiversity and biogeography in the vast but poorly understood deep sea. The community structure of kinetoplastids, an important group of microbial eukaryotes belonging to the Euglenozoa, from all abyssal plains of the South Atlantic and two areas of the eastern Mediterranean was studied using partial small subunit ribosomal DNA gene clone libraries. A total of 1364 clones from 10 different regions were retrieved. The analysis revealed statistically not distinguishable communities from both the South-East Atlantic (Angola and Guinea Basin) and the South-West Atlantic (Angola and Brazil Basin) at spatial scales of 1000–3000 km, whereas all other communities were significantly differentiated from one another. It seems likely that multiple processes operate at the same time to shape communities of deep-sea kinetoplastids. Nevertheless, constant and homogenous environmental conditions over large spatial scales at abyssal depths, together with high dispersal capabilities of microbial eukaryotes, maintain best the results of statistically indistinguishable communities at larger spatial scales.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Chewing Gum for Weight Loss
Authors: Shikany James M. , Thomas Amy S. , McCubrey Raymond O. , Beasley T. Mark , Allison David B.
Published: November 2011

The possible effects on body weight of chewing gum on a regular schedule have not been tested in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). We conducted an 8‐week RCT in 201 overweight and obese adults to test the hypothesis that receiving printed material on good nutrition and chewing gum for a minimum of 90 min/day (n= 102) would lead to greater weight loss than receiving printed nutrition information only (n= 99). Changes in BMI, waist circumference, and blood pressure were secondary outcomes. Adherence to the gum‐chewing protocol in the intervention group was >95%. In the intention‐to‐treat analysis, there were virtually no changes in weight or BMI in either group between baseline and the end of the intervention at 8 weeks. Waist circumference decreased significantly in the intervention group between baseline and 8 weeks (mean ± SD change = −1.4 ± 5.3 cm;P= 0.0128); however, there was no significant difference in change in waist circumference comparing the groups. Similarly, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly in the intervention group between baseline and 8 weeks (−3.0 ± 9.9 mm Hg;P= 0.0032 and −3.2 ± 7.3 mm Hg;P= 0.0001, respectively); however, there were no significant differences in the changes in systolic or diastolic blood pressure between the groups. Analyses including completers only produced essentially the same results. We conclude that chewing gum on a regular schedule for 8 weeks did not facilitate weight loss in these overweight and obese adults.
Levitation and collection of diamond fine particles in the rf plasma chamber equipped with a hot filament
Authors: Shimizu S. , Shimizu T. , Jacob W. , Thomas H. M. , Morfill G. E.
Published: November 2011

We demonstrate the levitation of diamond fine particles in a H2 rf plasma chamber equipped with a hot filament and heated electrodes. The levitation conditions should be carefully chosen to compensate the strong thermophoretic forces caused by the filament and the electrodes. This levitation technique with the existence of a hot filament can be applied, e.g., for the efficient growth of diamond layers on seed particles injected and levitated in an rf plasma with reactive gases, e.g., CH4/H2. Additionally, the method for direct capture of levitated particles on a planar substrate was established, which is useful if it is necessary to analyze the particles after the levitation.
Effects of self-focusing on tunnel-ionization-induced injection in a laser wakefield accelerator
Authors: Xia Changquan , Liu Jiansheng , Wang Wentao , Lu Haiyang , Cheng Wang , Deng Aihua , Li Wentao , Zhang Hui , Liang Xiaoyan , Leng Yuxin , Lu Xiaoming , Wang Cheng , Wang Jianzhou , Nakajima Kazuhisa , Li Ruxin , Xu Zhizhan
Published: November 2011

We report on the study of the self-focusing effects on the tunnel-ionization-induced injection in a laser wakefield accelerator. Targets composed of a gas mixture of 94% helium and 6% oxygen were used. The energy, energy spread, and charge of the generated electron beams can be adjusted by changing the input laser intensity and the plasma density, but the different aspects of the properties of the electron beams were not independent. It was inferred that the K-shell electrons of oxygen were ionized and injected into the plasma wake for acceleration when the laser intensity was increased beyond the threshold for generating O7+ by tunnel-ionization, due to the relativistic self-focusing in the propagation. Controlling the self-focusing of the laser beam by adjusting the input laser energy to shorten the distance over which the electrons were injected into the wake, quasi-monoenergetic electron beams were observed.
Electron and hole traps in Ag-doped lithium tetraborate (Li2B4O7) crystals
Authors: Brant A. T. , Kananan B. E. , Murari M. K. , McClory J. W. , Petrosky J. C. , Adamiv V. T. , Burak Ya. V. , Dowben P. A. , Halliburton L. E.
Published: November 2011

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), and thermoluminescence (TL) are used to characterize the primary electron and hole trapping centers in a lithium tetraborate (Li2B4O7) crystal doped with Ag. Three defects, two holelike and one electronlike, are observed after exposure at room temperature to 60 kV x-rays. The as-grown crystal contains both interstitial Ag+ ions and Ag+ ions substituting for Li+ ions. During the irradiation, substitutional Ag+ ions (4d10) trap holes and two distinct Ag2+ centers (4d9) are formed. These Ag2+ EPR spectra consist of doublets (i.e., the individual 107Ag and 109Ag hyperfine lines are not resolved). One of these hole centers is an isolated unperturbed Ag2+ ion and the other is a Ag2+ ion with a nearby perturbing defect. EPR and ENDOR angular-dependence data provide the g matrix and the 107Ag and 109Ag hyperfine matrices for the more intense isolated hole center. In contrast, the electronlike EPR spectrum produced during the irradiation exhibits large nearly isotropic hyperfine interactions with 107Ag and 109Ag nuclei and a neighboring I = 3/2 nucleus (either 7Li or 11B). This spectrum is assigned to a trapped electron shared between an interstitial Ag ion and the substitutional I = 3/2 ion. Upon warming, the radiation-induced trapped electrons and holes seen with EPR recombine between 100 and 200 °C, in agreement with a single strong TL peak observed near 160 °C.
Compact model for photo-generation current in organic solar cell
Authors: Li Ling , Hyuk Kwon Jang , Jang Jin
Published: November 2011

A compact model is presented for the photo-generation current in organic solar cell. It is developed rigorously by extending the photo-generation current in Goodman [A. M. Goodman and A. Rose, J. Appl. Phys. 7, 2823 (1971)] to include charge variable range hopping transport and recombination in organic semiconductors. Based on the extended model, a variety of temperature/material disorders and light intensity dependence of the photo-generation current can be well described. Good agreement between the calculation and recent experimental data is also observed.
Electroplated CoPt magnets for actuation of stiff cantilevers
Authors: Loke Y. C. , Hofbauer W. , Lu P. , Ansari K. , Tang X. S. , O’Shea S. J.
Published: November 2011

A cantilever has been microfabricated for use in non-contact Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) using a very thick magnetic film to actuate the cantilever motion. The thick magnetic block is deposited electrochemically over a defined area of the cantilever. This cantilever is particularly suitable for driving stiff AFM cantilevers in a liquid environment. Clean mechanical resonances are easily observed. Examples are given of a hard (CoPt) magnet of dimension 29 × 21 × 6 μm3 electroplated on Silicon cantilevers of stiffness ∼22 N/m, giving a static displacement of ∼0.2 nm in an applied field of 10−3 T.
Symmetries in the third Painlevé equation arising from the modified Pohlmeyer-Lund-Regge hierarchy
Authors: Kikuchi Tetsuya
Published: November 2011

We propose a modification of the Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur (AKNS) hierarchy that includes the “modified” Pohlmeyer-Lund-Regge (mPLR) equation. Similarity reductions of this hierarchy give the second, third, and fourth Painlevé equations. Especially, we present a new Lax representation and a complete description of the symmetry of the third Painlevé equation through the similarity reduction. We also show the relation between the tau-function of the mPLR hierarchy and Painlevé equations.
Simulation of quantum cascade lasers
Authors: Li Z.-M. Simon , Li Ying-Ying , Ru Guo-Ping
Published: November 2011

We report a simulation of quantum cascade lasers based on the integration of a number of optoelectronic models on both microscopic and macroscopic scales. On the microscopic scale, quantum mechanical computation was performed to find the quantization states and a rate equation approach was used to compute the optical gain. On the macroscopic scale, we solved the drift-diffusion equations with modification of current density to account for long-range carrier transport, including quantum tunneling, mini-band tunneling, and hot carrier transport. Multiple lateral optical modes were computed by solving a scalar wave equation as an eigenvalue problem. Finally, multiple lateral mode laser cavity photon rate equations were solved with the drift-diffusion equations in a self-consistent manner to predict the lasing characteristics of a quantum cascade laser. The simulation compared the integrated models with experimental data from a number of AlInGaAs/InP systems with variable quantum wells and at different temperatures. Reasonable agreements with experiments have been obtained for both electrical and lasing characteristics.
Rectosigmoid vaginoplasty in patients with vaginal agenesis: sexual and psychosocial outcomes
Authors: Labus Ljiljana D. , Djordjevic Miroslav L. , Stanojevic Dusan S. , Bizic Marta R. , Stojanovic Borko Z. , Cavic Tamara M.
Published: November 2011

Background
The main goal in women with Mayer–Rokitansky–Küster–Hauser syndrome (vaginal agenesis) is creation of a neovagina that will satisfy the patient’s desire. We evaluated sexual and psychosocial adjustment in patients who underwent rectosigmoid vaginoplasty because of vaginal agenesis. Methods: A total of 36 women, aged 21 to 38 years (mean = 26) who underwent rectosigmoid vaginoplasty from 1997 to 2006 were evaluated. Sexual and psychosocial appraisal included the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI), and standardised questionnaires about postoperative satisfaction, social and sexual adjustment. Results: Mean FSFI score was 28.9 (range = 11.5–35.7) with a cut-off score of 26.55 for sexual dysfunction. Out of the 36 women, 10 (27, 8%) had sexual dysfunction. Mean BDI score was 7.55 (cut-off score = 0–9 for non-depression). Twenty-eight women (77.8%) were without symptoms of depression, six women (BDI range = 10–29) had moderate and two women had severe depression (BDI = 42). There were a significant number of patients (P < 0.01) with a high satisfaction score in FSFI and low BDI results. Thirty-two (88.9%) of the patients believed that surgery was done at the right time and the main postoperative support came from their family. Thirty-four (94.4%) of the patients reported satisfactory femininity, with a heterosexual orientation. Thirty patients (83. 3%) were very satisfied with the surgery, while 34 considered surgery as the best treatment. Conclusions: The sexual function and psychosocial status of these patients should be followed long-term to estimate their quality of life.
Detection of the sexually transmissible genital mycoplasmas by polymerase chain reaction in women
Authors: Ouzounova-Raykova Vessela V. , Markovska Rumyana , Mizgova Gergana , Mitov Ivan G.
Published: November 2011

Background The role of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium in the development of clinical disorders is still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine their prevalence in symptomatic and asymptomatic women. Methods: A total of 348 women were examined by applying polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. Results: The registered prevalence was as follows: U. urealyticum 14.66%; M. hominis 3.16%; and M. genitalium 0.29%. Co-infection was established in 11 swabs. Conclusions: This is the first study in Bulgaria for the detection of mycoplasmas by PCR. Our results demonstrate similar or lower values in comparison with other researchers and further investigations are needed.
The first simultaneous study of the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis infections by polymerase chain reaction and standard methods
Authors: Ouzounova-Raykova Vessela V. , El Tibi Mohamed , Mitov Ivan G.
Published: November 2011

Background Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis are important sexually transmissible pathogens. The aim of the present study was to determine their prevalence in symptomatic and asymptomatic people. Methods: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and standard methods were tested for 413 specimens. Results: The registered prevalence with PCR was N. gonorrhoeae 2.66% and C. trachomatis 0.73%. One man showed co-infection. Standard methods demonstrated lower sensitivity in finding N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis in comparison with the PCR. Conclusions: This is the first simultaneous study in Bulgaria for detection of N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis by PCR and standard methods. N. gonorrhoeae was found to be a more frequent infection. Further investigations are needed.
miR-503 represses CUG-binding protein 1 translation by recruiting CUGBP1 mRNA to processing bodies
Authors: Cui Yu-Hong , Xiao Lan , Rao Jaladanki N. , Zou Tongtong , Liu Lan , Chen Yu , Turner Douglas J. , Gorospe Myriam , Wang Jian-Ying
Published: November 2011

microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) jointly regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level and are involved in many aspects of cellular functions. The RBP CUG-binding protein 1 (CUGBP1) destabilizes and represses the translation of several target mRNAs, but the exact mechanism that regulates CUGBP1 abundance remains elusive. In this paper, we show that miR-503, computationally predicted to associate with three sites of the CUGBP1 mRNA, represses CUGBP1 expression. Overexpression of an miR-503 precursor (pre-miR-503) reduced the de novo synthesis of CUGBP1 protein, whereas inhibiting miR-503 by using an antisense RNA (antagomir) enhanced CUGBP1 biosynthesis and elevated its abundance; neither intervention changed total CUGBP1 mRNA levels. Studies using heterologous reporter constructs revealed a greater repressive effect of miR-503 through the CUGBP1 coding region sites than through the single CUGBP1 3′-untranslated region target site. CUGBP1 mRNA levels in processing bodies (P-bodies) increased in cells transfected with pre-miR-503, while silencing P-body resident proteins Ago2, RCK, or LSm4 decreased miR-503–mediated repression of CUGBP1 expression. Decreasing the levels of cellular polyamines reduced endogenous miR-503 levels and promoted CUGBP1 expression, an effect that was prevented by ectopic miR-503 overexpression. Repression of CUGBP1 by miR-503 in turn altered the expression of CUGBP1 target mRNAs and thus increased the sensitivity of intestinal epithelial cells to apoptosis. These findings identify miR-503 as both a novel regulator of CUGBP1 expression and a modulator of intestinal epithelial homoeostasis.
Epigenetic priors for identifying active transcription factor binding sites
Authors: Cuellar-Partida Gabriel , Buske Fabian A. , McLeay Robert C. , Whitington Tom , Noble William Stafford , Bailey Timothy L.
Published: November 2011

Motivation Accurate knowledge of the genome-wide binding of transcription factors in a particular cell type or under a particular condition is necessary for understanding transcriptional regulation. Using epigenetic data such as histone modification and DNase I, accessibility data has been shown to improve motif-based in silico methods for predicting such binding, but this approach has not yet been fully explored.

Results We describe a probabilistic method for combining one or more tracks of epigenetic data with a standard DNA sequence motif model to improve our ability to identify active transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). We convert each data type into a position-specific probabilistic prior and combine these priors with a traditional probabilistic motif model to compute a log-posterior odds score. Our experiments, using histone modifications H3K4me1, H3K4me3, H3K9ac and H3K27ac, as well as DNase I sensitivity, show conclusively that the log-posterior odds score consistently outperforms a simple binary filter based on the same data. We also show that our approach performs competitively with a more complex method, CENTIPEDE, and suggest that the relative simplicity of the log-posterior odds scoring method makes it an appealing and very general method for identifying functional TFBSs on the basis of DNA and epigenetic evidence.

Availability and implementation: FIMO, part of the MEME Suite software toolkit, now supports log-posterior odds scoring using position-specific priors for motif search. A web server and source code are available at http://meme.nbcr.net. Utilities for creating priors are at http://research.imb.uq.edu.au/t.bailey/SD/Cuellar2011.

Contact:  t.bailey@uq.edu.au

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
First Report of Gray Mold of Blackberry Caused by Botrytis cinerea in South Carolina
Authors: Li X. , Schnabel G.
Published: November 2011

Botrytis cinerea Pers.: Fr. is a causal agent of gray mold of blackberry but may also affect grapevine, tomato, bulb flowers, and ornamental crops (2). In August 2010, blackberries (Rubus fruticosus and other species) showing gray mold symptoms were found in Longcreek, Six Mile, and Cheddar, SC. Symptomatic blackberry fruit exhibited patterns of brown-to-gray mycelia and conidiophores. Upon isolation, the mycelium grew at a rate of 12.3 mm per day at 22°C on potato dextrose agar, forming pale white-to-gray colonies with concentric rings and conidiophores (less than 12 h of fluorescent light per day). Some isolates formed dark brown sclerotia in the dark after 18 days. The lemon-shaped spores averaged 12 × 9 μm and were consistent with descriptions of B. cinerea. (1) The ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region was amplified via PCR from genomic DNA obtained from mycelia using primers ITS1 and ITS4. A BLAST search in GenBank revealed highest similarity (99 to 100%) to sequences from various Botrytis spp. collected in China, Canada, and Spain (GenBank Accession Nos. FJ169666.1, GU934505.1, and EF207414.1). The ITS sequence amplified from the blackberry isolate was submitted to GenBank (Accession No. JN164269). The pathogen was further identified to the species level as B. cinerea using glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, heat-shock protein 60 (HSP60), and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase subunit II (RPB2) gene sequences (2) (GenBank Accession Nos. JN164270, JN164271, JN164272). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating three surface-sterilized (soaked in 5% bleach for 15 min), mature blackberry fruit (R. fruticosus) with a conidial suspension (105 spores/ml) of the blackberry isolate. A 20-μl droplet was placed on the fruit; control fruit received sterile water without conidia. After 5 days of incubation at room temperature in an air-tight Magenta box, the inoculated fruit developed typical signs and symptoms of gray mold. The developing spores on inoculated fruit were confirmed to be B. cinerea. All control fruit remained healthy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of B. cinerea on blackberry in South Carolina. The disease must be managed with fungicides to obtain high quality fruit with market-requested shelf life.

References: (1) D. F. Farr and A. Y. Rossman. Fungal Databases. Systematic Mycology and Microbiology Laboratory, ARS, USDA. Retrieved from http://nt.ars-grin.gov/fungaldatabases/ , June 17, 2011. (2) M. Staats et al. Mol. Biol. Evol. 22:333, 2005.
Fungicide Sensitivity of Pythium spp. Associated with Cavity Spot of Carrot in California and Michigan
Authors: Lu Xiao Hong , Michael Davis R. , Livingston S. , Nunez J. , Hao Jianjun J.
Published: November 2011

The identity of 172 isolates of Pythium spp. from cavity spot lesions on carrot produced in California and Michigan was determined, and their sensitivity to three fungicides was examined. Pythium violae accounted for 85% of California isolates, with P. irregulare, P. dissotocum (the first report as a carrot pathogen in the United States), P. ultimum, and P. sulcatum making the balance. P. sulcatum, P. sylvaticum, and P. intermedium were the most commonly recovered (85%) species in Michigan; others from Michigan included P. intermedium, P. irregulare, and an unclassified strain, M2-05. On fungicide-amended media, 93% of isolates were sensitive to mefenoxam (inhibition of mycelial growth was >60% at 10 μg active ingredient [a.i.]/ml); however, two of five isolates of P. irregulare from California were highly resistant (≤60% inhibition at 100 μg a.i./ml); about half of the isolates of P. intermedium and P. sylvaticum and a single isolate of P. violae were highly or intermediately resistant to mefenoxam (>60% inhibition at 100 μg a.i./ml, or ≤60% inhibition at 10 μg a.i./ml). P. dissotocum, P. irregulare, P. sulcatum, M2-05, and three of seven isolates of P. intermedium were insensitive to fluopicolide (effective concentrations for 50% growth inhibition [EC50] were >50 μg a.i./ml), while P. sylvaticum, P. ultimum, P. violae, and some isolates in P. intermedium were sensitive (EC50 < 1 μg a.i./ml). All isolates were sensitive to zoxamide (EC50 < 1 μg a.i./ml). Sensitivity baselines of P. violae to zoxamide and fluopicolide were established.
Hypoxia: developments in basic science, physiology and clinical studies
Authors: Ward D. S. , Karan S. B. , Pandit J. J.
Published: November 2011

Airway management is primarily designed to avoid hypoxia, yet hypoxia remains the main ultimate cause of anaesthetic‐related death and morbidity. Understanding some of the physiology of hypoxia is therefore essential as part of a ‘holistic’ approach to airway management. Furthermore, it is strategically important that national specialist societies dedicated to airway management do not only focus upon the technical aspects of airway management, but also embrace some of the relevant scientific questions. There has been a great deal of research into causation of hypoxia and the body’s natural protective mechanisms and responses to it. This enables us to think of ways in which we might manipulate the cellular and molecular responses to confer greater protection against hypoxia‐induced tissue injury. This article reviews some of those aspects.
Infancy- and childhood-onset dyschromatoses
Authors: Vachiramon V. , Thadanipon K. , Chanprapaph K.
Published: November 2011

The dyschromatoses are a group of pigmentary disorders characterized clinically by mixed and often guttate hypopigmented and hyperpigmented lesions. There are many conditions that present with dyschromatosis, including genodermatoses, inflammatory skin diseases, infections, drug and chemical use, and nutritional disorders. Some conditions have extracutaneous features. Poikiloderma (a combination of hypo- and hyperpigmentation with telangiectasia and atrophy) must be excluded. In this article, we describe the dyschromatoses typically presenting in infancy and childhood, most of which are genodermatoses. The approach we have taken in classifying them is based on organ involvement. We hope this article will serve as a guide for dermatologists to the recognition of these uncommon conditions.
Neck circumference as a novel parameter to determine metabolic risk factors in obese children
Authors: Kurtoglu Selim , Hatipoglu Nihal , Mazicioglu M Mümtaz , Kondolot Meda
Published: November 2011

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (6): 623–630

Background  To establish the association between neck circumference and cardiometabolic risk factors and to determine the utility of the neck circumference as a parameter in predicting children at cardiometabolic risk.

Materials and methods  Five ‐ hundred and eighty‐one children (461: overweight/obese, 120: normal body mass index) aged between 5 and 18 years were enrolled. Neck circumference, waist circumference, blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were recorded, and the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance score was calculated.

Results  Neck circumference was negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol and positively correlated with all other parameters, with the exception of fasting plasma glucose in pubertal boys and girls and total cholesterol in pubertal girls. Linear regression analysis by designating neck circumference as a dependent variable revealed that insulin and TG levels in prepubertal boys and blood pressure and TG levels in pubertal boys were positively correlated with neck circumference. We found that diastolic blood pressure and insulin were positively correlated, while HDL levels were negatively correlated with neck circumference in prepubertal girls. Systolic blood pressure and insulin were positively correlated with neck circumference in pubertal girls. The cut‐off value for neck circumference, as an indicator for metabolic syndrome (MS), was calculated as 36cm in boys and 35cm in girls.

Conclusions  Neck circumference measurement was shown to be associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in children. We suggest the use of neck circumference as a novel, simple, practical and reliable anthropometric index in predicting children at risk for cardiometabolic diseases.
Influence of customized composite resin fibreglass posts on the mechanics of restored treated teeth
Authors: Anchieta R. B. , Rocha E. P. , Almeida E. O. , Freitas Junior A. C. , Martin Junior M. , Martini A. P. , Archangelo C. M. , Ko C.‐C.
Published: November 2011

Anchieta RB, Rocha EP, Almeida EO, Freitas Junior AC, Martin Junior M, Martini AP, Archangelo CM, Ko C‐C. Influence of customized composite resin fibreglass posts on the mechanics of restored treated teeth. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 146–155, 2012.

Aim  To evaluate the mechanical behaviour of the dentine/cement/post interface of a maxillary central incisor using the finite element method and to compare the stresses exerted using conventional or customized post cementation techniques.

Methodology  Four models of a maxillary central incisor were created using fibreglass posts cemented with several techniques: FGP1, a 1‐mm‐diameter conventionally cemented post; CFGP1, a 1‐mm‐diameter customized composite resin post; FGP2, a 2‐mm‐diameter conventionally cemented post; CFGP2, a 2‐mm‐diameter customized composite resin post. A distributed load of 1N was applied to the lingual aspect of the tooth at 45° to its long axis. Additionally, polymerization shrinkage of 1% was simulated for the resin cement. The surface of the periodontal ligament was fixed in the three axes (X =Y = Z = 0). The maximum principal stress (σmax), minimum principal stress (σmin), equivalent von Mises stress (σvM) and shear stress (σshear) were calculated for the dentine/cement/post interface using finite element software.

Results  The peak of σmax for the cement layer occurred first in CFGP1 (1.77 MPa), followed by CFGP2 (0.99), FGP2 (0.44) and FGP1 (0.2). The shrinkage stress (σvM) of the cement layer occurred as follows: FGP1 (35 MPa), FGP2 (34), CFGP1 (30.7) and CFGP2 (30.1).

Conclusions  Under incisal loading, the cement layer of customized posts had higher stress concentrations. The conventional posts showed higher stress because of polymerization shrinkage.
Oral rosmarinic acid‐enhanced Mentha spicata modulates synovial fluid biomarkers of inflammation in horses challenged with intra‐articular LPS
Authors: PEARSON W. , FLETCHER R. S. , KOTT L. S.
Published: November 2011

Pearson, W., Fletcher, R. S., Kott, L. S. Oral rosmarinic acid‐enhanced Mentha spicata modulates synovial fluid biomarkers of inflammation in horses challenged with intra‐articular LPS. J. vet. Pharmacol. Therap. 35, 495–502.

A biological extract of high‐rosmarinic acid mint (HRAM) has previously demonstrated inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nitric oxide (NO) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release in vitro. This study was undertaken to determine whether HRAM added to feed produces similar effects in horses challenged with intra‐articular LPS. Eight horses received HRAM (0 or 28.1 ± 1.3 g/day; n = 4 per group) in their feed for 24 days in a blinded manner. On day 21, all horses received an intra‐articular injection of LPS (0.3 ng) into their left or right intercarpal joint. Synovial fluid (SF) samples were taken on postinjection day (PID)‐21 (i.e. prior to commencement of supplementation), PID0, PID0.25, PID0.5, PID1 and PID3 and analysed for PGE2, GAG, NO, protein and total nucleated cells counts. Blood biochemistry and haematology screens were conducted at PID‐21, PID0, PID1 and PID3. There was a significant reduction in LPS‐induced PGE2 and GAG in SF in horses supplemented with HRAM compared with controls and a tendency to increase complement recognition protein accumulation in synovial fluid of HRAM horses. Plasma from HRAM horses had reduced total white blood cells, segmented neutrophils (compared with baseline concentrations) and lymphocytes (compared with controls), and increased SF nucleated cell count (compared with baseline concentrations and controls). It is concluded that HRAM offered as part of the feed alter biomarkers of inflammation in SF of LPS‐challenged horses. Larger studies that seek to clarify effects of HRAM on synovial fluid cell counts and possible role of HRAM‐induced interference with complement signalling are warranted.
Steatosis is the predictor of relapse in HCV genotype 3‐ but not 2‐infected patients treated with 12 weeks of pegylated interferon‐α‐2a plus ribavirin and RVR
Authors: Restivo L. , Zampino R. , Guerrera B. , Ruggiero L. , Adinolfi L. E.
Published: November 2011

Summary.  HCV genotypes 2‐ or 3‐infected patients with a rapid virological response (RVR) to therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirins who have a low viral load, noncirrhotic and nonobese may be considered for a shorter course of treatment. However, no studies have assessed host‐viral factors associated with relapse in genotype 2 and 3 separately. Accordingly, we assessed whether 12 weeks of pegylated interferon and ribavirin was an optimized regimen for treatment of HCV genotype 2 and 3 with positive predictors of response. Power and sample size were a priori calculated and 96 consecutive chronic hepatitis C patients (53, genotype 2 and 43, genotype 3) without cirrhosis who were not obese and who achieved a RVR to therapy with peg‐IFN‐α‐2a and ribavirin were enrolled. Fibrosis, steatosis, homeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance and HCV RNA were predefined variables to be evaluated in relapse. An intention‐to‐treat analysis was performed. SVR rates were 98% and 84% for genotype 2 and 3, respectively. Analysis of genotype 3 patients who had relapse showed a negative correlation with steatosis (P < 0.0001) and HCV RNA (P < 0.015). Multivariate analysis showed that steatosis was the independent predictor of relapse (OR, 0.988; 95% CI, 0.981–0.993; P < 0.001). Genotype 3 patients with steatosis had a relapse rate of 36.4% and 15.8% in those with high and low viral load, respectively, whereas there was no relapse in those without steatosis. In conclusion, a 12‐week course of therapy is sufficient for patients without cirrhosis, not obese and infected with HCV genotype 2 achieve a RVR. This is not the case for genotype 3. Steatosis is the independent predictor of relapse. New therapeutic strategies are necessary for this subgroup of HCV genotype 3.
Managing the cellular redox hub in photosynthetic organisms
Authors: FOYER CHRISTINE H. , NOCTOR GRAHAM
Published: November 2011

Light‐driven redox chemistry is a powerful source of redox signals that has a decisive input into transcriptional control within the cell nucleus. Like photosynthetic electron transport pathways, the respiratory electron transport chain exerts a profound control over gene function, in order to balance energy (reductant and ATP) supply with demand, while preventing excessive over‐reduction or over‐oxidation that would be adversely affect metabolism. Photosynthetic and respiratory redox chemistries are not merely housekeeping processes but they exert a controlling influence over every aspect of plant biology, participating in the control of gene transcription and translation, post‐translational modifications and the regulation of assimilatory reactions, assimilate partitioning and export. The number of processes influenced by redox controls and signals continues to increase as do the components that are recognized participants in the associated signalling pathways. A step change in our understanding of the overall importance of the cellular redox hub to plant cells has occurred in recent years as the complexity of the management of the cellular redox hub in relation to metabolic triggers and environmental cues has been elucidated. This special issue describes aspects of redox regulation and signalling at the cutting edge of current research in this dynamic and rapidly expanding field.
Cold acclimation induces rapid and dynamic changes in freeze tolerance mechanisms in the cryophile Deschampsia antarctica E. Desv.
Authors: CHEW ORINDA , LELEAN SUZANNE , JOHN ULRIK P. , SPANGENBERG GERMAN C.
Published: November 2011

The cryophilic Antarctic hair grass, Deschampsia antarctica E. Desv., one of two higher plants indigenous to Antarctica, represents a unique resource for the study of freeze tolerance mechanisms. We have previously characterized a multi‐gene family in D. antarctica encoding ice recrystallization inhibition proteins (IRIPs) whose transcript levels are responsive to cold acclimation, and whose products confer ice recrystallization inhibition (RI) activity that can account for activity seen in cold acclimated plants. We used molecular and physiological analyses to investigate temporal responses of D. antarctica to cold acclimation and de‐acclimation, and sub‐zero acclimation. Quantitative profiling revealed that IRIP transcript levels significantly increased and decreased within hours of cold acclimation and de‐acclimation, respectively, becoming up to 1000‐fold more abundant in fully acclimated plants. Western analysis detected three major immuno‐reactive bands whose pattern of accumulation mirrored that of transcript. These data correlated with the onset and decline of RI activity in acclimated and de‐acclimated leaves. Plant survival‐based testing revealed that cold acclimation enhanced freeze tolerance by 5 °C within 4 d, and that sub‐zero acclimation conferred an additional 3 °C of tolerance. Thus, D. antarctica is highly responsive to temperature fluctuations, able to rapidly deploy IRIP based RI activity and enhance its freeze tolerance.
Integrating fluctuating nitrate uptake and assimilation to robust homeostasis
Authors: HUANG YONGSHUN , DRENGSTIG TORMOD , RUOFF PETER
Published: November 2011

Nitrate is an important nitrogen source used by plants. Despite of the considerable variation in the amount of soil nitrate, plants keep cytosolic nitrate at a homeostatic controlled level. Here we describe a set of homeostatic controller motifs and their interaction that can maintain robust cytosolic nitrate homeostasis at fluctuating external nitrate concentrations and nitrate assimilation levels. The controller motifs are divided into two functional classes termed as inflow and outflow controllers. In the presence of high amounts of environmental nitrate, the function of outflow controllers is associated to efflux mechanisms removing excess of nitrate from the cytosol that is taken up by low‐affinity transporter systems (LATS). Inflow controllers on the other hand maintain homeostasis in the presence of a high demand of nitrate by the cell relative to the amount of available environmental nitrate. This is achieved by either remobilizing nitrate from a vacuolar store, or by taking up nitrate by means of high‐affinity transporter systems (HATS). By combining inflow and outflow controllers we demonstrate how nitrate uptake, assimilation, storage and efflux are integrated to a regulatory network that maintains cytosolic nitrate homeostasis at changing environmental conditions.
Complex genetics controls natural variation among seed quality phenotypes in a recombinant inbred population of an interspecific cross between Solanum lycopersicum × Solanum pimpinellifolium
Authors: KAZMI RASHID H. , KHAN NOORULLAH , WILLEMS LEO A. J. , VAN HEUSDEN ADRIAAN W. , LIGTERINK WILCO , HILHORST HENK W. M.
Published: November 2011

Seed quality in tomato is associated with many complex physiological and genetic traits. While plant processes are frequently controlled by the action of small‐ to large‐effect genes that follow classic Mendelian inheritance, our study suggests that seed quality is primarily quantitative and genetically complex. Using a recombinant inbred line population of Solanum lycopersicum × Solanum pimpinellifolium, we identified quantitative trait loci (QTLs) influencing seed quality phenotypes under non‐stress, as well as salt, osmotic, cold, high‐temperature and oxidative stress conditions. In total, 42 seed quality traits were analysed and 120 QTLs were identified for germination traits under different conditions. Significant phenotypic correlations were observed between germination traits under optimal conditions, as well as under different stress conditions. In conclusion, one or more QTLs were identified for each trait with some of these QTLs co‐locating. Co‐location of QTLs for different traits can be an indication that a locus has pleiotropic effects on multiple traits due to a common mechanistic basis. However, several QTLs also dissected seed quality in its separate components, suggesting different physiological mechanisms and signalling pathways for different seed quality attributes.
A new ant genus from the Greater Antilles and Central America, Zatania (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), exemplifies the utility of male and molecular character systems
Authors: LAPOLLA JOHN S. , KALLAL ROBERT J. , BRADY SEÁN G.
Published: November 2011

The ant genus Prenolepis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is the nominal member of the recently established Prenolepis genus‐group within the subfamily Formicinae. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses using fragments from five nuclear genes (arginine kinase, carbomoylphosphate synthase, elongation factor 1‐alpha F1, elongation factor 1‐alpha F2, wingless) and one mitochondrial gene (cytochrome oxidase I) indicate that this genus is polyphyletic. Although the majority of Prenolepis species was found to belong to the same monophyletic group (Prenolepis sensu stricto), a smaller subset of Prenolepis species, all found in either Central America or the Greater Antilles, was robustly inferred to comprise a distinct lineage that is sister to the Old World genus Paraparatrechina. Here we describe this newly discovered lineage within the larger Prenolepis genus‐group clade. The genus Zatania, gen.n. is composed of five extant species (Zatania albimaculata, Zatania cisipa, Zatania gibberosa, Zatania gloriosa, sp.n. and Zatania karstica) and one Dominican amber fossil species (Zatania electra†, sp.n.). These are medium‐sized ants (generally between 2.5 and 3 mm in total length) that are characterized by having long scapes and legs, and elongated mesosomata. A reliance on worker‐based taxonomy has previously prevented the discovery of this new lineage because of worker convergence consisting of various combinations of elongated mesosomata, long scapes and legs, and a constriction immediately behind the pronotum, observed in several distinct lineages within the Prenolepis genus‐group. However, we did find that male morphology complements our molecular results in revealing important diagnostic and potentially phylogenetically informative characters. Our study highlights the value for ant systematics to expand beyond its traditional foundation of worker‐based morphology and embrace character systems from other castes and molecular data.