bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent habitat association and the historical decline of Notropis simus pecosensis
Authors: Hoagstrom Christopher W. , Brooks James E. , Davenport Stephen R.
Published: April 2008

Small‐bodied, riverine minnows that historically characterized fish assemblages of Great Plains rivers in North America have declined because of river fragmentation, dewatering, river channel degradation, river salinization and nonnative species introductions. The Pecos bluntnose shiner Notropis simus pecosensis, a member of this guild, persists in one segment of the Pecos River, New Mexico, USA. We characterized habitat associations for the species at two spatial scales. In general, N. s. pecosensis associated with fluvial habitats, but velocity association depended on body size, with larger individuals using swifter habitats. All N. s. pecosensis associated with relatively low depths (3–51 cm), which were most abundant in sites with relatively wide river channels (>25 m), especially when discharge was between 0.5 and 4.0 m3 s−1. The Pecos River sub‐segment that is occupied by the core population of N. s. pecosensis (V‐ii) had a unique combination of being buffered from direct dam effects by intervening segments and sub‐segments, high sub‐segment length, substantial sediment inputs from numerous uncontrolled tributaries, substantial base flow provided by irrigation return flows and groundwater inflows, high channel width in relation to discharge and low salinity. Although no unoccupied Pecos River segment appears to be suitable for N. s. pecosensis, habitat restoration opportunities exist within all occupied sub‐segments (V‐i, V‐ii and V‐iii) via base flow enhancement and river channel restoration. Restoration that offsets chronic effects of dams may be necessary to conserve the species. Restoration would also benefit other rare riverine minnows that coexist with N. s. pecosensis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mechanistic model of woody debris jam evolution and its application to wood‐based restoration and management
Authors: Manners R. B. , Doyle M. W.
Published: April 2008

The natural tendency of woody debris to accumulate into complex debris jams has been adapted by the restoration industry because of the morphological and ecological benefits of these structures. While much work has been done on woody debris, there is a lack of understanding of the dynamics of debris jams including the controls on their formation and the associated changes in hydraulics. Treatment of jams as static structures, whose hydraulics may be described by that of a single‐solid object, prevents optimal success of wood‐based restoration projects. This paper reviews the state of the science on the initiation and accumulation of wood forming a debris jam. This review is used to develop a conceptual model of the evolution of a single debris jam focussing on the relationship between the structure and hydraulics and the feedback that exists between them. The proposed mechanisms behind debris jam evolution are supported by a case‐study of three natural jams. Incorporation of this model into restoration and management plans will result in more successful and cost‐efficient projects. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The emergence of team creative cognition: the role of diverse outside ties, sociocognitive network centrality, and team evolution
Authors: Shalley Christina E. , Perry‐Smith Jill E.
Published: April 2008

We introduce the concept of team creative cognition and discuss how it is transferred and infused within the team to enable the team's creativity. Specifically, we propose that diverse personal ties outside of the team shape and strengthen individual team member's ‘creative muscle,’ and that this individual creative cognition is infused within the team through modeling processes, ultimately resulting in team creative cognition. We further propose that team member centrality in the team's sociocognitive network, as well as the evolution of the entrepreneurial team, are critical to fully understanding the infusion process and the resulting emergence of team creative cognition. Copyright © 2008 Strategic Management Society.
A risk‐adjusted CUSUM in continuous time based on the Cox model
Authors: Biswas Pinaki , Kalbfleisch John D.
Published: April 2008

There was a mistake in the contact information of the second author in the above paper (DOI: 10.1002/sim.3216). The correct affiliation is shown above. We apologise for the error and any inconvenience caused.
A method for the meta‐analysis of mutually exclusive binary outcomes
Authors: Trikalinos Thomas A. , Olkin Ingram
Published: April 2008

Meta‐analyses of multiple outcomes need to take into account the within‐study correlation across the different outcomes. Here we focus on the meta‐analysis of dichotomous outcomes that are mutually exclusive and exhaustive. Correlations between effect sizes for mutually exclusive outcomes are negative and can be obtained from data already available. We present both fixed‐effects and random‐effects methods that account for the negative correlations and yield correct simultaneous confidence intervals for both the marginal outcome‐specific effect sizes and the relative effect sizes between outcomes. Formulae for the odds ratio, risk ratio, risk difference, and the differences in the arcsin‐transformed risks are provided. An example of a meta‐analysis of randomized trials of radiotherapy and mastectomy with axillary lymph node clearance versus only mastectomy with axillary clearance for early breast cancer is presented. The mutually exclusive outcomes of breast cancer deaths and deaths secondary to other causes are examined in separate meta‐analyses, and also by taking the between‐outcome correlation into account. We argue that mutually exclusive outcomes in the meta‐analyses of binary data are optimally analyzed in a multinomial setting. This may also be applicable when a meta‐analysis examines only one out of several mutually exclusive outcomes. For large sample sizes and/or low event counts, the covariances between outcome‐specific effect sizes are small, and either ignoring them or accounting for them would result in similar estimates for any practical purpose. However, meta‐analysts should explore the robustness of the findings from individual meta‐analyses when mutually exclusive outcomes are assessed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A framework for managing knowledge in strategic alliances in the biotechnology sector
Authors: Standing Susan , Standing Craig , Lin Chad
Published: April 2008

Biotechnology is a rapidly expanding field of science that has led to the formation of a large number of companies that together form a significant sector within the Australian economy. Even though there has been considerable growth in the Australian biotechnology sector as a whole, a large percentage of Australian biotechnology firms are small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) that suffer from a lack of funding and expertise. The development and management of effective strategic alliances are critical to the success and development of biotechnology firms as they provide opportunities to share resources and expertise, access funding and develop new ideas. However, developing and managing strategic alliances is fraught with difficulties which are compounded by size and resource asymmetries and the nature of the biotechnology market. In this paper, we identify the difficulties faced by biotechnology firms and examine the importance of knowledge management related to alliance formation and development with special reference to the Australian context. We examine the knowledge and expertise that are required to be effective in developing strategic alliances in the biotechnology sector and provide a framework for managing knowledge related to strategic alliances. We suggest that critical systems approaches, in particular creative holism, are needed to manage the various forms of knowledge associated with strategic alliances. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
6. Management of uncomplicated urinary tract infections
Authors: Irwin Paul
Published: April 2008

Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are those that are confined to the lower urinary tract and that present with lower urinary tract symptoms or ‘cystitis’. Paul Irwin discusses the diagnosis and initial treatment of these infections, and outlines the management of recurrent symptoms. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
The Black Enterprise Magazine Ranking of Colleges for African Americans: A Structural Analysis
Authors: Poyer David A.
Published: April 2008

This paper assesses the Black Enterprise Magazine (BE) ranking of the “top 50 colleges for African Americans,” which it publishes biennially. Its principal objective is to evaluate the statistical consistency in the ranking over the distribution of institutions that compose it. The paper attempts to address two-related questions. Does the BE report provide an unbiased and consistent assessment of the educational value associated with the institutions included in their listing? Is the ranking method internally consistent? Two experiments were used to evaluate the consistency of the BE ranking. First, structural difference in the model used to rank the institutions in the upper and lower half of the distribution is tested. Second, structural difference in the model used to rank HBCU and non-HBCU institutions included in the BE listed ranking is tested. In both cases the null hypothesis of the same structure is rejected.
Adiponectin promotes endothelial progenitor cell number and function
Authors: Shibata Rei , Skurk Carsten , Ouchi Noriyuki , Galasso Gennaro , Kondo Kazuhisa , Ohashi Taiki , Shimano Masayuki , Kihara Shinji , Murohara Toyoaki , Walsh Kenneth
Published: April 2008

Obesity‐linked diseases are associated with suppressed endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function. Adiponectin is an adipose‐derived protein that is downregulated in obese and diabetic subjects. Here, we investigated the effects of adiponectin on EPCs. EPC levels did not increase in adiponectin deficient (APN‐KO) in response to hindlimb ischemia. Adenovirus‐mediated delivery of adiponectin increased EPC levels in both WT and APN‐KO mice. Incubation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with adiponectin led to an increase of the number of EPCs. Adiponectin induced EPC differentiation into network structures and served as a chemoattractant in EPC migration assays. These data suggest that hypoadiponectinemia may contribute to the depression of EPC levels that are observed in patients with obesity‐related cardiovascular disorders.
Generalization of the Harris current sheet model for non-relativistic, relativistic and pair plasmas
Authors: BALIKHIN M. , GEDALIN M.
Published: April 2008

Reconnection is believed to be responsible for plasma acceleration in a large number of space and astrophysical objects. Onset of reconnection is usually related to instabilities of current sheet equilibria. Analytical self-consistent models of an equilibrium current sheet (Harris equilibrium) are known for non-relativistic plasmas and some special cases of relativistic plasmas. We develop a description of generalized Harris equilibria in collisionless non-relativistic and relativistic plasmas. Possible shapes of the magnetic field are analyzed.
An Uncontrolled Evaluation of Group Behavioural Activation for Depression
Authors: Houghton Simon , Curran Joe , Saxon Dave
Published: April 2008

Behavioural Activation is a contemporary contextual psychological treatment for depression. The outcome of a series of five treatment groups involving a total of 42 patients presenting to a psychotherapy department with self-reported depression is reported. Three of the treatment groups were delivered by two cognitive behavioural psychotherapists, two of the groups were delivered by a single cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and a trainee with no previous experience of the approach. The results suggest that group Behavioural Activation is an effective and tolerable treatment as indicated by BDI-II, CORE scores and the low drop-out rate. The methodological limitations of the findings are discussed.
Nutritional profile of foods offered and consumed in a Belgian university canteen
Authors: Lachat Carl K , Huybregts Lieven F , Roberfroid Dominique A , Van Camp John , Remaut-De Winter Anne-Marie E , Debruyne Petra , Kolsteren Patrick W
Published: April 2008

Objective

To evaluate the nutritional profile of a lunch offered and consumed in a university canteen in Belgium.

Design

The qualitative and quantitative content of 4365 meals theoretically available and 330 meals consumed was recorded during five weekdays spread over three weeks. Meal combinations were evaluated using a scoring system based on recommendations for Na content, energy from fat, and fruit and vegetable portions.

Setting

University canteen in Belgium.

Results

Only a 5 % of the meal combinations available and consumed complied with the three basic dietary recommendations for a hot lunch. The nutritional profile of the meals consumed was in line with that of the meals available.

Conclusions

Our results show how the nutritional profile of what is eaten is largely determined by what is offered. To ensure overall compliance with dietary recommendations, considerable changes on the supply side, i.e. an increase in fruit and vegetable portions and a reduction in salt and fat of the lunch, are needed first in our setting. Our assessment provides baseline data to pilot a nutrient profiling intervention and shows how a nutrient profiling system can be used for meal evaluation purposes.
A statistical filtering approach for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) gravity data
Authors: Davis J. L. , Tamisiea M. E. , Elósegui P. , Mitrovica J. X. , Hill E. M.
Published: April 2008

We describe and analyze a statistical filtering approach for Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data that uses a parameterized model for the temporal evolution of the GRACE coefficients. After least squares adjustment, a statistical test is performed to assess the significance of the estimated parameters. If the test is passed, the parameters are used by the filter in the reconstruction of the field; otherwise, they are rejected. The test is performed, and the filter is formed, separately for annual components of the model and the trend. This new approach is distinct from Gaussian smoothing since it uses the data themselves to test for specific components of the time‐varying gravity field. The statistical filter appears inherently to remove most of the “stripes” present in the GRACE fields, although destriping the fields prior to filtering seems to help the trend recovery. We demonstrate that the statistical filter produces reasonable maps for the annual components and trend. We furthermore assess the statistical filter for the annual components using ground‐based GPS data in South America by assuming that the annual component of the gravity signal is associated only with groundwater storage. The undestriped, statistically filtered field has a χ2 value relative to the GPS data consistent with the best result from smoothing. In the space domain, the statistical filters are qualitatively similar to Gaussian smoothing. Unlike Gaussian smoothing, however, the statistical filter has significant sidelobes, including large negative sidelobes on the north‐south axis, potentially revealing information on the errors, and the correlations among the errors, for the GRACE coefficients.
Meteorites on Mars observed with the Mars Exploration Rovers
Authors: Schröder C. , Rodionov D. S. , McCoy T. J. , Jolliff B. L. , Gellert R. , Nittler L. R. , Farrand W. H. , Johnson J. R. , Ruff S. W. , Ashley J. W. , Mittlefehldt D. W. , Herkenhoff K. E. , Fleischer I. , Haldemann A. F. C. , Klingelhöfer G. , Ming D. W. , Morris R. V. , de Souza P. A. , Squyres S. W. , Weitz C. , Yen A. S. , Zipfel J. , Economou T.
Published: April 2008

Reduced weathering rates due to the lack of liquid water and significantly greater typical surface ages should result in a higher density of meteorites on the surface of Mars compared to Earth. Several meteorites were identified among the rocks investigated during Opportunity's traverse across the sandy Meridiani plains. Heat Shield Rock is a IAB iron meteorite and has been officially recognized as “Meridiani Planum.” Barberton is olivine‐rich and contains metallic Fe in the form of kamacite, suggesting a meteoritic origin. It is chemically most consistent with a mesosiderite silicate clast. Santa Catarina is a brecciated rock with a chemical and mineralogical composition similar to Barberton. Barberton, Santa Catarina, and cobbles adjacent to Santa Catarina may be part of a strewn field. Spirit observed two probable iron meteorites from its Winter Haven location in the Columbia Hills in Gusev Crater. Chondrites have not been identified to date, which may be a result of their lower strengths and probability to survive impact at current atmospheric pressures. Impact craters directly associated with Heat Shield Rock, Barberton, or Santa Catarina have not been observed, but such craters could have been erased by eolian‐driven erosion.
Selection of bacterial populations in the mycosphere of Laccaria proxima: is type III secretion involved?
Authors: Warmink Jan Aaldrik , van Elsas Jan Dirk
Published: April 2008

The bacterial communities in the Laccaria proxima mycosphere (soil from beneath fruiting bodies) and the corresponding bulk soil were compared by cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent methods. To assess the distribution of type III secretion systems (TTSS), a PCR-based system for the broad detection of a highly conserved gene involved in TTSS, that is hrcR, was developed and used to assay the cultured bacteria from the L. proxima mycosphere and surrounding bulk soil. PCR-DGGE based on the 16S ribosomal RNA gene showed the selection of presumably mycosphere-specific bacterial groups in the mycosphere of L. proxima compared to the bulk soil in 3 sampling years. Moreover, plate counts revealed that the numbers of culturable heterotrophic bacteria were increased in the mycosphere as compared to the bulk soil. Strikingly, the percentage of randomly picked isolates that carried the hrcR gene showed a significant increase, from 2.8 in the bulk to 13.4 in the mycosphere soil. The increase could be mainly attributed to the emergence of a hrcR positive Pseudomonas fluorescens, denoted BS053, which constituted the most dominant species in the culturable mycosphere communities. This organism was, together with a hrcR-positive Burkholderia terrae BS110, exclusively found in mycosphere soil. Direct detection of hrcR genes using a cultivation-independent approach showed the selection of several hrcR gene types uniquely in the mycosphere, indicating the selection of several TTSS-harboring bacterial species. Thus, different bacteria were found to be enriched in the L. proxima mycosphere and TTSS can be involved in some of the interactions with the fungal host.
Effects of a Novel Y5 Antagonist in Obese Mice: Combination With Food Restriction or Sibutramine
Authors: Mashiko Satoshi , Ishihara Akane , Iwaasa Hisashi , Moriya Ryuichi , Kitazawa Hidefumi , Mitobe Yuko , Ito Junko , Gomori Akira , Matsushita Hiroko , Takahashi Toshiyuki , MacNeil Douglas J. , Van der Ploeg Lex H.T. , Fukami Takehiro , Kanatani Akio
Published: April 2008

Objective:To further address the function of the Y5 receptor in energy homeostasis, we investigated the effects of a novel spironolactone Y5 antagonist in diet‐induced obese (DIO) mice.

Methods and Procedures:Male C57BL/6 orNpy5r−/−mice were adapted to high‐fat (HF) diet for 6–10 months and were submitted to three experimental treatments. First, the Y5 antagonist at a dose of 10 or 30 mg/kg was administered for 1 month to DIO C57BL/6 orNpy5r−/−mice. Second, the Y5 antagonist at 30 mg/kg was administered for 1.5 months to DIO C57BL/6 mice, and insulin sensitivity was evaluated using an insulin tolerance test. After a recovery period, nuclear magnetic resonance measurement was performed to evaluate body composition. Third, DIO mice were treated with the Y5 antagonist alone, or in combination with 10% food restriction, or with another anorectic agent, sibutramine at 10 mg/kg, for 1.5 months. Plasma glucose, insulin, and leptin levels, and adipose tissue weights were quantified.

Results:The spironolactone Y5 antagonist significantly reduced body weight in C57BL DIO mice, but not inNpy5r−/−DIO mice. The Y5 antagonist produced a fat‐selective loss of body weight, and ameliorated obesity‐associated insulin resistance in DIO mice. In addition, the Y5 antagonist combined with either food restriction or sibutramine tended to produce greater body weight loss, as compared with single treatment.

Discussion:These findings demonstrate that the Y5 receptor is an important mediator of energy homeostasis in rodents.
Ability to Taste 6‐n‐Propylthiouracil and BMI in Low‐income Preschool‐aged Children
Authors: Lumeng Julie C. , Cardinal Tiffany M. , Sitto Jacinta R. , Kannan Srimathi
Published: April 2008

Background: Sensitivity to the bitter compound 6‐n‐propylthiouracil (PROP) is genetically mediated. Sensitivity to PROP has been associated with weight status in both adults and children.

Objective: To determine whether there is an association between PROP sensitivity and BMI in low‐income children of diverse race/ethnicity, among whom there is a high prevalence of obesity.

Methods and Procedures: Eighty‐one preschool‐aged children attending Head Start tasted a solution of 560 μmol/l PROP and reported whether it tasted “like water” or “like something else”. Mothers reported child's race, age, maternal education, maternal weight and height, child's reluctance to sample new foods via the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), and child's dietary intake using a food frequency questionnaire. Child weight and height were measured. BMI was calculated and for children, expressed in z‐scores. Regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between child's PROP taster status and BMI z‐score, testing covariates child's age, gender, race, maternal education and BMI, and child's FNS score. Children's dietary intake was compared by PROP taster status.

Results: PROP tasters, compared with nontasters, had significantly higher BMI z‐scores (0.99 (s.d. 1.24) vs. 0.03 (1.12), P = 0.004) and had a significantly higher prevalence of overweight (31.8% vs. 5.6%, P = 0.025), but demonstrated no differences in reported dietary intake. The most parsimonious model predicting the child's BMI z‐score included only maternal BMI and the child's PROP taster status (R 2 = 22.3%).

Discussion: A genetically mediated ability to taste bitter may contribute to obesity risk in low‐income, preschool‐aged children.
Estradiol and the Estradiol Metabolite, 2‐Hydroxyestradiol, Activate AMP‐activated Protein Kinase in C2C12 Myotubes
Authors: D'Eon Tara M. , Rogers Nicole H. , Stancheva Zlatina S. , Greenberg Andrew S.
Published: April 2008

Objective:Systemic loss of estradiol (E2) during menopause is associated with increased adiposity which can be prevented with E2 replacement. Rodent studies suggest that E2, or lack of, is a key mediator in menopause‐related metabolic changes. We have previously demonstrated that E2 treatment produces a rapid, dose‐dependent activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) in murine skeletal muscle. Activation of AMPK is implicated in the therapeutic benefits of many insulin sensitizing agents including metformin and thiazolidinediones. Here, we expand our observations and provide novel data which demonstrate that in addition to E2, its metabolite 2‐hydroxyestradiol (2‐HE2), activate AMPK in C2C12 myotubes.

Methods and Procedures:C2C12 myotubes were used to examine the effects on E2 and the by‐products of its metabolism on AMPK activation.

Results:Low concentrations of E2 (10 and 100 nmol/l) were found to increase AMPK phosphorylation by ∼1.6‐fold, while a higher concentration (10 μmol/l) resulted in a ∼3.0‐fold increase. In comparison to E2 treatment alone, incubation of myotubes with E2 and 1‐aminobenzotriazole (ABT) (a CYP450 inhibitor that blocks metabolism of E2) caused AMPK activation to be enhanced at low E2 concentrations, but attenuated at higher concentrations. The effects of ABT suggested that one or more E2 metabolites contribute to the maximal activation of AMPK at high E2 concentrations. Indeed, the estrogen metabolite 2‐HE2, but not 2‐methoxyestradiol (2‐ME2), directly activated AMPK in C2C12 myotubes.

Discussion:We propose a model where E2, acting through its metabolite 2‐HE2 and the estrogen receptors (ERs), activates AMPK in myotubes. Finally, activation is abolished when all E2 is metabolized to 2‐ME2.
BMI Compared With Central Obesity Indicators in Relation to Diabetes and Hypertension in Asians
Authors:   The Decoda Study Group, Nyamdorj R.
Published: April 2008

Objective: To compare BMI with waist circumference (WC), waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR), and waist‐to‐stature ratio (WSR) in association with diabetes or hypertension.

Methods and Procedures: Cross‐sectional data from 16 cohorts from the DECODA (Diabetes Epidemiology: Collaborative Analysis of Diagnostic criteria in Asia) study, comprising 9,095 men and 11,732 women, aged 35–74 years, of different ethnicities were included in this meta‐analysis.

Results: Age‐adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for diabetes in men (women) for 1 s.d. increase in BMI, WC, WHR, and WSR were 1.52 (1.59), 1.54 (1.70), 1.53 (1.50), and 1.62 (1.70), respectively; and the corresponding ORs for hypertension were 1.68 (1.55), 1.66 (1.51), 1.45 (1.28), and 1.63 (1.50). Paired homogeneity tests (BMI with each of the three) adjusted for age and cohort showed that diabetes had stronger association with WSR than BMI (P = 0.001) in men but with WC and WSR than BMI (both P < 0.05) in women. Hypertension had stronger association with BMI than WHR in men (P < 0.001) and had the strongest with BMI than the others (WHR P < 0.001; WSR P < 0.01; and WC P < 0.05) in women. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves adjusted for age and cohort were slightly larger for diabetes for WSR 0.735 (0.748) in men (women) and WC 0.749 (women only) than BMI 0.725 (0.742) while for hypertension larger for BMI 0.760 (0.766) than WHR 0.748 (0.751), but their 95% CIs were all overlapped.

Discussion: WSR was stronger than BMI in association with diabetes, but these indicators were equally strongly associated with hypertension in Asians.
A Dynamic Multiscale Magnifying Tool for Exploring Large Sparse Graphs
Authors: Wong Pak Chung , Foote Harlan , Mackey Patrick , Chin George , Sofia Heidi , Thomas Jim
Published: April 2008

We present an information visualization tool, known as GreenMax, to visually explore large small-world graphs with up to a million graph nodes on a desktop computer. A major motivation for scanning a small-world graph in such a dynamic fashion is the demanding goal of identifying not just the well-known features but also the unknown–known and unknown–unknown features of the graph. GreenMax uses a highly effective multilevel graph drawing approach to pre-process a large graph by generating a hierarchy of increasingly coarse layouts that later support the dynamic zooming of the graph. This paper describes the graph visualization challenges, elaborates our solution, and evaluates the contributions of GreenMax in the larger context of visual analytics on large small-world graphs. We report the results of two case studies using GreenMax and the results support our claim that we can use GreenMax to locate unexpected features or structures behind a graph.
Extending the Attribute Explorer to Support Professional Team-Sport Analysis
Authors: Albinsson Pär-Anders , Andersson Dennis
Published: April 2008

Advances in interactive systems and the ability to manage increasing amounts of high-dimensional data provide new opportunities in numerous domains. Information visualization techniques are especially useful in situations where analysts seek patterns and information of interest in massive data sets. In this article, we propose an extension of the original Attribute Explorer (AE) technique by Spence and colleagues to take on the challenges presented in the domain of professional team-sport analysis. We describe the implementation of an extended AE and use football game-event data to highlight the new possibilities.
Chemical Evolution of Heavy Elements in the Early Galaxy: Implications for Stellar Sources
Authors: Qian Yong-Zhong
Published: April 2008

An overview of the sources for heavy elements in the early Galaxy is given. It is shown that observations of abundances in metal-poor stars can be used along with a basic understanding of stellar models to guide the search for the source of the heavy r-process nuclei (r-nuclei). Observations show that this source produces very little of the elements from C through Zn, including Fe. This strongly suggests that O–Ne–Mg core-collapse supernovae (SNe) from progenitors of ∼8–11 M⊙ are the source for the heavy r-nuclei. It is shown that a two-component model based on the abundances of Fe (from Fe core-collapse SNe) and Eu (from O–Ne–Mg core-collapse SNe) gives very good quantitative predictions for the abundances of all the other elements in metal-poor stars.
Hero, saint or revolutionary? Nineteenth-century politics and the cult of Garibaldi
Authors: Riall Lucy
Published: April 2008

Giuseppe Garibaldi was the most enduring political hero of nineteenth-century Italy. His political image was inspired by both the romantic movement and religion and, in turn, inspired a new kind of charismatic popular politics. The first part of this article explores the sources and assesses the impact of the cult of Garibaldi during the Risorgimento. The second part examines the use made of Garibaldi's image after Italian unification and, especially, after his death. It finds that government attempts to glorify Garibaldi were relatively unsuccessful while the parallel, republican cult of Garibaldi had a considerable impact. Thus, Garibaldi's extraordinary popularity highlighted the failed official ‘nationalization’ of Italians. At the same time, support for Garibaldi points to the emergence of an alternative sense of Italian national identity
Silvio Berlusconi and the myth of the creative entrepreneur
Authors: Poli Emanuela
Published: April 2008

Berlusconi became a high-profile entrepreneur in the course of the 1980s, founding his empire on construction, television and department stores. His transformation of AC Milan into a powerful force in football and popular culture set the scene for his entry into politics in 1994. Berlusconi presented himself as an outsider and a possible saviour of the nation in crisis. With his appealing image and constant repetition of his personal success story, he conveyed to the electorate a reassuring message of future prosperity. However, he lacked the visionary energy of the true charismatic leader. Instead he was a corporate politician who filled the personality vacuum left by the removal of the old élite.
Phosphorylation of SDT repeats in the MDC1 N terminus triggers retention of NBS1 at the DNA damage–modified chromatin
Authors: Melander Fredrik , Bekker-Jensen Simon , Falck Jacob , Bartek Jiri , Mailand Niels , Lukas Jiri
Published: April 2008

DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) trigger accumulation of the MRE11–RAD50–Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1 (NBS1 [MRN]) complex, whose retention on the DSB-flanking chromatin facilitates survival. Chromatin retention of MRN requires the MDC1 adaptor protein, but the mechanism behind the MRN–MDC1 interaction is unknown. We show that the NBS1 subunit of MRN interacts with the MDC1 N terminus enriched in Ser-Asp-Thr (SDT) repeats. This interaction was constitutive and mediated by binding between the phosphorylated SDT repeats of MDC1 and the phosphate-binding forkhead-associated domain of NBS1. Phosphorylation of the SDT repeats by casein kinase 2 (CK2) was sufficient to trigger MDC1–NBS1 interaction in vitro, and MDC1 associated with CK2 activity in cells. Inhibition of CK2 reduced SDT phosphorylation in vivo, and disruption of the SDT-associated phosphoacceptor sites prevented the retention of NBS1 at DSBs. Together, these data suggest that phosphorylation of the SDT repeats in the MDC1 N terminus functions to recruit NBS1 and, thereby, increases the local concentration of MRN at the sites of chromosomal breakage.
The Endocytic Adaptor Protein ARH Associates with Motor and Centrosomal Proteins and Is Involved in Centrosome Assembly and Cytokinesis
Authors: Lehtonen Sanna , Shah Mehul , Nielsen Rikke , Iino Noriaki , Ryan Jennifer J. , Zhou Huilin , Farquhar Marilyn G.
Published: April 2008

Numerous proteins involved in endocytosis at the plasma membrane have been shown to be present at novel intracellular locations and to have previously unrecognized functions. ARH (autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia) is an endocytic clathrin-associated adaptor protein that sorts members of the LDL receptor superfamily (LDLR, megalin, LRP). We report here that ARH also associates with centrosomes in several cell types. ARH interacts with centrosomal (γ-tubulin and GPC2 and GPC3) and motor (dynein heavy and intermediate chains) proteins. ARH cofractionates with γ-tubulin on isolated centrosomes, and γ-tubulin and ARH interact on isolated membrane vesicles. During mitosis, ARH sequentially localizes to the nuclear membrane, kinetochores, spindle poles and the midbody. Arh−/−embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) show smaller or absent centrosomes suggesting ARH plays a role in centrosome assembly. Rat-1 fibroblasts depleted of ARH by siRNA and Arh−/−MEFs exhibit a slower rate of growth and prolonged cytokinesis. Taken together the data suggest that the defects in centrosome assembly in ARH depleted cells may give rise to cell cycle and mitotic/cytokinesis defects. We propose that ARH participates in centrosomal and mitotic dynamics by interacting with centrosomal proteins. Whether the centrosomal and mitotic functions of ARH are related to its endocytic role remains to be established.
Anesthesia Depth–dependent Features of Electroencephalographic Bicoherence Spectrum during Sevoflurane Anesthesia
Authors: Hayashi Kazuko , Sawa Teiji , Matsuura Megumi
Published: April 2008

Background

Growth pattern in the electroencephalographic bicoherence spectrum has recently been found to relate to anesthetic depth, and bicoherence analysis can reflect behavior of the thalamocortical reverberating network. Because the thalamocortical network is known to represent a key factor in sleep by anesthesia, systematic and qualitative bicoherence studies of different anesthetic depths is necessary throughout all pairs of frequencies.

Methods

Sixteen patients were anesthetized using sevoflurane (1, 2, or 3%) combined with remifentanil (0.4 microg x kg x min). Raw electroencephalographic signals were collected, and bicoherence was estimated in all pairs of frequencies, between 0.5 and 40 Hz at 0.5-Hz intervals.

Results

Sevoflurane (1%) caused two main peaks, spindle frequencies (11.0 +/- 1.2 Hz, 44.7 +/- 12.3% [bicoherence growth]) and delta-theta frequencies (5.4 +/- 0.5 Hz, 33.0 +/- 8.4%), in the diagonal line of biphasic bicoherence plots. High concentrations of sevoflurane (2% and 3%) shifted these peaks to 9.8 +/- 1.1 Hz, 46.2 +/- 12.7%; 8.7 +/- 1.3 Hz, 37.2 +/- 13.7% and 4.9 +/- 0.5 Hz, 44.6 +/- 7.0%; 4.3 +/- 0.8 Hz, 45.2 +/- 10.6%, respectively. Sevoflurane caused a third bicoherence peak to appear in another heterogeneous pair frequency (pair of alpha basal frequency and its double frequency), outside the diagonal line, which also inherited the behavior of alpha bicoherence peaks at different anesthetic depths.

Conclusions

Sevoflurane anesthesia caused bicoherence peaks in alpha and delta-theta areas and also formed secondary third peaks. Deeper sevoflurane anesthesia shifted all bicoherence peaks to lower frequencies and caused increased bicoherence growth in the delta-theta area. The obtained features are consistent with characteristics of the thalamocortical reverberating network and suggest the importance of bicoherence analysis for the thalamic system.
Toxicology Profile of N -Methyl-d-aspartate Antagonists Delivered by Intrathecal Infusion in the Canine Model
Authors: Yaksh Tony L. , Tozier Nicolle , Horais Kjersti A. , Malkmus Shelle , Rathbun Michael , LaFranco Lisa , Eisenach James
Published: April 2008

Background

Intrathecal N-methyl-d-aspartate antagonists have antihyperalgesic efficacy. The authors examined toxicity in a canine model of chronic lumbar intrathecal infusion.

Methods

Dogs (10-16 kg) were prepared with lumbar intrathecal catheters connected to vest-mounted pumps (100 microl/h). In phase 1, stepwise incrementations in infusion concentration were performed at 48- to 72-h intervals to determine an infusion dose with minimal but detectable behavioral effects. In phase 2, the dose/concentration defined in phase 1 was infused for 28 days. Behavioral function during infusion and histopathology at sacrifice was assessed. Drugs examined were 2-amino-5-phosphono-valorate (AP5), MK801, memantine, amitriptyline, S-methadone, and saline.

Results

In the phase 1 dose ranging, the minimum effect doses for the several agents were as follows: AP5, 1 mg/day; amitriptyline, 1 mg/day; ketamine, 10 mg/day; MK801, 1 mg/day; and memantine, 4 mg/day. In phase 2, infusion of these doses typically resulted in mild hind limb weakness by 3-5 days after initiation of infusion, which progressed over the 28-day infusion interval. In a limited number of animals, a similar effect was observed with S-methadone. Histopathologically, vehicle-infused animals displayed a minor local catheter reaction. With the drug treatments, a gradient of increasing pathology from cervical to lumbar segments was noted. Pathology ranged from local demyelination to necrotizing lesions of spinal parenchyma near the catheter tip. All drugs given at their respective doses produced pathology scores significantly worse than saline controls.

Conclusions

These drugs given for 28 days at acutely tolerable doses lead to spinal pathology. These data suggest a reevaluation of the use of these agents in chronic spinal delivery.
Altered chemotactic response of myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells from patients with chronic hepatitis C: role of alpha interferon
Authors: Cicinnati Vito R. , Kang Jinyu , Sotiropoulos Georgios C. , Hilgard Philip , Frilling Andrea , Broelsch Christoph E. , Gerken Guido , Beckebaum Susanne
Published: April 2008

Dendritic cell (DC) frequencies in the blood of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been shown to be reduced significantly compared with those in healthy individuals. There is a further reduction of circulating myeloid DCs (MDCs) and plasmacytoid DCs (PDCs) in HCV patients receiving alpha interferon (IFN-α)-based antiviral therapy. Altered homing behaviour of DCs may be a possible mechanism for their ‘loss’ in peripheral blood in these clinical conditions. Systemic chemokine levels were measured by ELISA. Phenotypes and migratory properties of MDCs and PDCs from HCV patients were analysed by flow cytometry and chemotaxis assay. Compared with healthy controls, HCV patients had increased serum levels of inflammatory and constitutively expressed chemokines. Spontaneously generated MDCs from HCV patients were less mature, and both MDCs and PDCs showed intrinsic activation of receptors for inflammatory chemokines, thus suggesting an increased propensity to migrate towards inflammatory sites. IFN-αtreatmentin vitroinduced MDC maturation and skewed the migratory response of both MDCs and PDCs towards chemokines expressed constitutively in secondary lymphoid organs. In conclusion, our results hint at altered homing behaviour of DCs during chronic HCV infection. IFN-αtherapy may redirect DC migration from inflamed hepatic portal areas towards secondary lymphoid tissue.
The conserved N-terminal domain of herpes simplex virus 1 UL24 protein is sufficient to induce the spatial redistribution of nucleolin
Authors: Bertrand Luc , Pearson Angela
Published: April 2008

UL24is widely conserved among herpesviruses but its function during infection is poorly understood. Previously, we discovered a genetic link betweenUL24and the herpes simplex virus 1-induced dispersal of the nucleolar protein nucleolin. Here, we report that in the absence of viral infection, transiently expressed UL24 accumulated in both the nucleus and the Golgi apparatus. In the majority of transfected cells, nuclear staining for UL24 was diffuse, but a minor staining pattern, whereby UL24 was present in nuclear foci corresponding to nucleoli, was also observed. Expression of UL24 correlated with the dispersal of nucleolin. This dispersal did not appear to be a consequence of a general disaggregation of nucleoli, as foci of fibrillarin staining persisted in cells expressing UL24. The conserved N-terminal region of UL24 was sufficient to cause this change in subcellular distribution of nucleolin. Interestingly, a bipartite nuclear localization signal predicted within the C terminus of UL24 was dispensable for nuclear localization. None of the five individual UL24 homology domains was required for nuclear or Golgi localization, but deletion of these domains resulted in the loss of nucleolin-dispersal activity. We determined that a nucleolar-targeting signal was contained within the first 60 aa of UL24. Our results show that the conserved N-terminal domain of UL24 is sufficient to specifically induce dispersal of nucleolin in the absence of other viral proteins or virus-induced cellular modifications. These results suggest that UL24 directly targets cellular factors that affect the composition of nucleoli.
The C, V and W proteins of Nipah virus inhibit minigenome replication
Authors: Sleeman Katrina , Bankamp Bettina , Hummel Kimberly B. , Lo Michael K. , Bellini William J. , Rota Paul A.
Published: April 2008

Nipah virus (NiV) is a recently emergent, highly pathogenic, zoonotic paramyxovirus of the genus Henipavirus. Like the phosphoprotein (P) gene of other paramyxoviruses, the P gene of NiV is predicted to encode three additional proteins, C, V and W. When the C, V and W proteins of NiV were tested for their ability to inhibit expression of the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene in plasmid-based, minigenome replication assays, each protein inhibited CAT expression in a dose-dependent manner. The C, V and W proteins of NiV also inhibited expression of CAT from a measles virus (MV) minigenome, but not from a human parainfluenzavirus 3 (hPIV3) minigenome. Interestingly, the C and V proteins of MV, which have previously been shown to inhibit MV minigenome replication, also inhibited NiV minigenome replication; however, they were not able to inhibit hPIV3 minigenome replication. In contrast, the C protein of hPIV3 inhibited minigenome replication of hPIV3, NiV and MV. Although there is very limited amino acid sequence similarity between the C, V and W proteins within the paramyxoviruses, the heterotypic inhibition of replication suggests that these proteins may share functional properties.
Low multiplicity of infection in vivo results in purifying selection against baculovirus deletion mutants
Authors: Zwart Mark P. , Erro Eloy , van Oers Monique M. , de Visser J. Arjan G. M. , Vlak Just M.
Published: April 2008

The in vivo fate of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus deletion mutants originating from serial passage in cell culture was investigated by passaging a population enriched in these mutants in insect larvae. The infectivity of polyhedra and occlusion-derived virion content per polyhedron were restored within two passages in vivo. The frequency of occurrence of deletion mutants was determined by real-time PCR. The frequency of the non-homologous region origin (non-HR ori) of DNA replication was reduced to wild-type levels within two passages. The frequency of the polyhedrin gene did not increase and remained below wild-type levels. A low m.o.i. during the initial infection in insect larvae, causing strong purifying selection for autonomously replicating viruses, could explain these observations. The same virus population used in vivo was also passaged once at a different m.o.i. in cell culture. A similar effect (i.e. lower non-HR ori frequency) was observed at low m.o.i. only, indicating that m.o.i. was the key selective condition.
Quasispecies dynamics and fixation of a synonymous mutation in hantavirus transmission
Authors: Sironen Tarja , Kallio Eva R. , Vaheri Antti , Lundkvist Åke , Plyusnin Alexander
Published: April 2008

RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, the key enzymes in replication of RNA viruses, have a low fidelity; thus, these viruses replicate as a swarm of mutants termed viral quasispecies. Constant generation of new mutations allows RNA viruses to adapt swiftly to a novel environment through selection of both pre-existing and de novo-generated genetic variants. Here, quasispecies dynamics were studied in vivo in controlled hantavirus transmission from experimentally infected to naïve rodents through infested cage bedding. An elementary step of virus microevolution was apparent, as one synonymous mutation (A759G) repeatedly became fixed in the viral RNA quasispecies populations in the recipient animals.
Three-Dimensional Gas Exchange Pathways in Pome Fruit Characterized by Synchrotron X-Ray Computed Tomography
Authors: Verboven Pieter , Kerckhofs Greet , Mebatsion Hibru Kelemu , Ho Quang Tri , Temst Kristiaan , Wevers Martine , Cloetens Peter , Nicolaï Bart M.
Published: April 2008

Our understanding of the gas exchange mechanisms in plant organs critically depends on insights in the three-dimensional (3-D) structural arrangement of cells and voids. Using synchrotron radiation x-ray tomography, we obtained for the first time high-contrast 3-D absorption images of in vivo fruit tissues of high moisture content at 1.4-μm resolution and 3-D phase contrast images of cell assemblies at a resolution as low as 0.7 μm, enabling visualization of individual cell morphology, cell walls, and entire void networks that were previously unknown. Intercellular spaces were always clear of water. The apple (Malus domestica) cortex contains considerably larger parenchyma cells and voids than pear (Pyrus communis) parenchyma. Voids in apple often are larger than the surrounding cells and some cells are not connected to void spaces. The main voids in apple stretch hundreds of micrometers but are disconnected. Voids in pear cortex tissue are always smaller than parenchyma cells, but each cell is surrounded by a tight and continuous network of voids, except near brachyssclereid groups. Vascular and dermal tissues were also measured. The visualized network architecture was consistent over different picking dates and shelf life. The differences in void fraction (5.1% for pear cortex and 23.0% for apple cortex) and in gas network architecture helps explain the ability of tissues to facilitate or impede gas exchange. Structural changes and anisotropy of tissues may eventually lead to physiological disorders. A combined tomography and internal gas analysis during growth are needed to make progress on the understanding of void formation in fruit.
Case of adult T‐cell leukemia with pulmonary involvement presenting as nodular shadows
Authors: OYAMA Kimitaka , KANEKURA Takuro , YOSHII Noriko , YONEKURA Kentaro , MERA Kentaro , HIRAYAMA Yoshikazu , UMEKITA Yoshihisa , YOSHIDA Hiroki , UMEMURA Yoshiro , KANZAKI Tamotsu
Published: April 2008

A 60‐year‐old man with a diagnosis of smoldering adult T‐cell leukemia (ATL) had been treated successfully for 4 years with psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy, γ‐interferon, oral etoposide and sobuzoxane. He subsequently developed rapidly‐growing skin nodules over his entire body. Chest X‐ray and thoracic computed tomography showed nodular shadows in the right lower lung field and nodules in both lower lung lobes. Despite combined chemotherapy, he died. Upon autopsy, numerous nodules were found in the bilateral lower lobes; microscopically, the nodules were diffusely infiltrated by ATL cells. Our review of the published work found only two previously reported cases of ATL with pulmonary involvement manifested as nodular shadows. Herein, we present details on the third case.