bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mineralization of mono‐nitrophenols by Bjerkandera adusta and Lentinus squarrosulus and their extracellular ligninolytic enzymes
Authors: Tripathi Astha , Upadhyay R. C. , Singh Surendra
Published: June 2011

Nitroaromatic compounds constitute a major class of widely distributed environmental contaminants. Fifty fungal strains were screened for their potential to tolerance with 2‐nitrophenol, 3‐nitrophenol and 4‐nitrophenol on solid medium supplemented with 2% malt extract (MEA). Growth rate (mm/day) was determined at three concentrations (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mM) of all the three nitrophenols. From the fifty fungal strains only Bjerkandera adusta and Lentinus squarrosulus were able to tolerate all the three nitrophenols (NPs). These white‐rot fungi (WRF) were chosen for liquid medium studies for the mineralization of mono‐nitrophenols and ligninolytic enzyme activity at 0.25 mM concentration. Both varieties completely removed 2‐NP and 3‐NP while 4‐NP was hard to mineralize. AAO (Aryl Alcohol Oxidase) is the main oxidase enzyme in B. adusta while laccase plays important role in L. squarrosulus. MnP (Manganese peroxidase) is the main peroxidase enzyme in both varieties. These fungal strains were capable to degrade nitrophenols and could be used for bioremediation applications on large scale. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Flushing distances of ferruginous hawks nesting in rural and exurban New Mexico
Authors: Keeley William H. , Bechard Marc J.
Published: June 2011

As natural environments become increasingly modified by humans, land managers should devise plans to protect sensitive species from human activities that disturb these species. We explored behavioral responses of nesting ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) to an approaching human in areas where the level of human activity on the landscaped varied. Contrary to other reports, hawks were aggressive in nest defense and female hawks defended nests more aggressively than male hawks. Adult hawks decreased nest‐defense intensity as nestling age increased but increased intensity with consecutive human visits to the nest. Flushing distance was considerably higher than that documented in other studies and was negatively related to degree of urbanization. We found that a distance of 650 m prevented 95% of nest‐attending ferruginous hawks from flushing in response to human intruders; thus we recommend establishing a spatial buffer of this distance or greater to minimize adverse effects of human activities on hawks nesting in New Mexico. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
Consumer (goal) satisfaction: A means‐ends chain approach
Authors: Orsingher Chiara , Marzocchi Gian Luca , Valentini Sara
Published: June 2011

This study investigates the role that service attributes, customer subgoals, and goals play in forming the satisfaction judgment. Drawing on means‐ends chain theory, and on satisfaction research, satisfaction is conceptualized as the result of a process in which customers activate multiple comparative referents. In a pilot study, a paper‐and‐pencil laddering technique was used to collect attributes and goals connected to the satisfaction judgment. These elements were then used as items in a satisfaction survey of 200 customers. A mixture regression model revealed that both attribute‐related dimensions and goal‐related dimensions determine overall satisfaction, albeit not homogeneously among customers. Two customer segments were identified: Socializers, whose satisfaction is driven primarily by the goal of well‐being, and Achievers, whose satisfaction is generated mainly by the goal of efficiency. Two directed graphs describe the satisfaction path of the two groups of customers, illustrating how service attributes are connected to the satisfaction of lower‐order and higher‐order goals. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Laser therapy for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
Authors: Chalouhi G. E. , Essaoui M. , Stirnemann J. , Quibel T. , Deloison B. , Salomon L. , Ville Y.
Published: June 2011

Monochorionic twins are subjected to specific complications which originate in either imbalance or abnormality of the single placenta serving two twins including twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome. The diagnosis is well established in overt clinical forms with the association of polyuric polyhydramnios and oliguric oligohydramnios. The best treatment of cases presenting before 26 weeks of gestion is fetoscopic laser ablation of the intertwin anastomoses on the chorionic plate. Although subjected to subtle variations, the core technique follows robust guidelines which could help understanding and acquiring the required skills and experience to perform this procedure. However appropriate and tailored hands‐on training and appropriate perinatal set‐up are critical not only for surgical management but also for the follow‐up and management of related complications. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vb/Ron improvement and current collapse suppression for high power AlGaN/GaN HFETs on Si substrates
Authors: Ikeda Nariaki , Kaya Shusuke , Kokawa Takuya , Kato Sadahiro
Published: June 2011

In this paper, GaN‐based HFET devices on 4‐inch Si substrates were fabricated, and the device characteristics were examined. In order to improve a trade‐off between the specific on‐resistance (RonA) and the breakdown voltage (Vb), a combination of a thin uid (Un‐Intentional Doped)‐GaN layer and a thick carbon doped GaN layer as a back‐barrier layer, resulting in an improvement of Vb without degrading on‐state characteristics or current collapse (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth and characterization of InAlN layers nearly lattice‐matched to GaN
Authors: Mánuel J. M. , Morales F. M. , Lozano J. G. , García R. , Lim T. , Kirste L. , Aidam R. , Ambacher O.
Published: June 2011

A set of InxAl1‐xN films lattice‐matched (LM) to GaN/sapphire substrates were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and studied using X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy with the aim of implementing barrier and channels in high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs). Although all InAlN epilayers grow pseudomorphic to GaN, two sublayers with different compositions formed when a direct deposition onto the bare GaN buffer was carried out. On the other hand, heterostructures having single‐layered In∼0.18Al∼0.82N are achieved when a spacer consisting of an AlN interlayer or an AlN/GaN/AlN stack is placed between the InAlN and the buffer. These spacers not only yield a better compositional and structural homogeneity of the InAlN, but also improve electrical properties with respect to HEMT applications. Compared to one single AlN interlayer, the use of a triple AlN/GaN/AlN multilayer further improves the structural quality of the InAlN film (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Spectral features in different sized InGaN/GaN micropyramids
Authors: Wächter Clemens , Meyer Alexander , Metzner Sebastian , Jetter Michael , Bertram Frank , Christen Jürgen , Michler Peter
Published: June 2011

Pyramidal GaN structures were deposited by selective metal‐organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) to create semipolar facets. On top of these pyramids InGaN was deposited as active region. We have studied the emission properties of these pyramids using low‐temperature time‐resolved photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectroscopy.

The observed PL spectra revealed that changing the size of the pyramids and the Indium supply leads to variations in the emission wavelength of the ensemble. Spatially resolved cathodoluminescence (CL) experiments were performed to analyze locally the emission properties all over the pyramidal structures. We have found that the Indium accumulates at the edges and the apex of the pyramids for small pyramids and high Indium flows. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Study of carrier dynamics and radiative efficiency in InGaN/GaN LEDs with Monte Carlo method
Authors: Lu I‐Lin , Wu Yuh‐Renn , Singh Jasprit
Published: June 2011

In this paper, we have applied the Monte Carlo method to study carrier dynamics in InGaN quantum well. Vertical and lateral transport and its impact on device radiative efficiency is studied for different In compositions, dislocation densities, temperatures, and carrier densities. Our results show that the non‐radiative recombination caused by the defect trapping plays a dominating role for higher indium composition and this limits the internal quantum efficiency (IQE). For lower indium composition cases, carrier leakage plays some role in the mid to high injection conditions and carrier leakage is strong in very high carrier density in all cases. Our results suggest that reducing the trap density and QCSE are still the key factors to improve the IQE. The paper examines the relative roles of leakage and non‐radiative processes on IQE. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In‐situ deposited SiNx nanomask for crystal quality improvement in AlGaN
Authors: Forghani Kamran , Gharavipour Mohammadreza , Klein Martin , Scholz Ferdinand , Klein Oliver , Kaiser Ute , Feneberg Martin , Neuschl Benjamin , Thonke Klaus
Published: June 2011

We report the growth of high crystal quality Al0.3Ga0.7N directly on sapphire substrates with metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy. We studied the improvements in crystal quality by introducing an in‐situ deposited SiNx interlayer. It acts as a nanomask which results in termination of the dislocations near the interface between the nanomask and epilayer. The epilayers with no SiNx interlayer have very low density of screw type dislocations evident from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations confirmed by a very narrow X‐ray diffraction symmetric reflection (60”). This is a result of our oxygen doped AlN nucleation layer used to grow such epilayers. On the other hand, such epilayers have very broad XRD asymmetric reflections (typically a few thousand arcsec) indicating a high density of edge type dislocations. We could decrease the latter which are the main existing dislocations in our AlGaN epilayers. In TEM micrographs, we observed the formation of dislocation “bundles” when introducing SiNx interlayers. This phenomenon promotes the dislocation free areas on the surface of the wafer. We carried out accurate optimizations of the SiNx deposition. Consequently, we could grow high quality Al0.3Ga0.7N epilayers with much narrower XRD asymmetric peaks–782” with total sample thickness of 1.4 µm (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electronic and lattice dynamical properties of II‐IV‐N2 semiconductors
Authors: Punya Atchara , Paudel Tula R. , Lambrecht Walter R. L.
Published: June 2011

The II‐IV‐N2 semiconductors constitute a family of heterovalent ternary semiconductors with properties closely related to those of the III‐Nitrides. We here focus on Zn‐IV‐N2 semiconductors with the group IV‐element Si, Ge and Sn. We present results on their electronic band structures obtained with the quasiparticle self‐consistent GW method and the full‐potential linearized muffin‐tin orbital method.

The latter is also used to calculate the energies of formation of these compounds from the constituent elements. The lattice dynamical properties were presented earlier in a series of papers and the main properties are briefly reviewed here. We emphasize the trends in the family of materials compared to those of the III‐N and discuss the experimental data for the phonons. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
An evaluation of FY‐3A satellite data for numerical weather prediction
Authors: Lu Qifeng , Bell W. , Bauer P. , Bormann N. , Peubey C.
Published: June 2011

FY‐3A, launched in May 2008, is the first in a series of seven polar‐orbiting meteorological satellites due to be launched by China's Meteorological Administration in the period leading up to 2020. The FY‐3A payload includes four instruments of particular interest for numerical weather prediction (NWP): microwave temperature and humidity sounders, a microwave imager, and an infrared sounder. The main features of these instruments are described. Data from the calibration–validation phase of the FY‐3A mission were introduced into the ECMWF Integrated Forecasting System in order to assess the data quality and the influence of the data on analyses and forecasts. An analysis of first‐guess departures has shown the data to be of good quality overall. Several issues with instrument performance and ground segment processing have been identified. The most serious of these are: uncertainties in the temperature sounder passbands on‐orbit, orbital biases in the infrared instrument affecting the highest peaking channels, and scan biases in the microwave humidity sounder. Variational bias correction partially corrects for these errors, but more work remains to be done to correct the problems before the full benefit of the data is realised. In observing system experiments, the FY‐3A instruments, both individually and as a package, show considerable skill when added to observation depleted control experiments. When added to a full observing system, the impacts are neutral to slightly positive, as expected. These initial results are encouraging and build confidence that the following series of FY‐3 instruments will be widely used in NWP data assimilation systems. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Do We Really Need a New ‘Constructivist Institutionalism’ to Explain Institutional Change?
Authors: Bell Stephen
Published: June 2011

Rational choice, historical institutionalism and sociological institutionalism are under criticism from a new ‘constructivist institutionalism’ – with critics claiming that established positions cannot explain institutional change effectively, because agents are highly constrained by their institutional environments. These alleged problems in explaining institutional change are exaggerated and can be dealt with by using a suitably tailored historical institutionalism. This places active, interpretive agents at the centre of analysis, in institutional settings modelled as more flexible than those found in ‘sticky’ versions of historical institutionalism. This alternative approach also absorbs core elements of constructivism in explaining institutional change. The article concludes with empirical illustrations, mainly from Australian politics, of the key claims about how agents operate within institutions with ‘bounded discretion’, and how institutional environments can shape and even empower agency in change processes.
Marketization via Compensation: Health Care and the Politics of the Right in Advanced Industrialized Nations
Authors: Jensen Carsten
Published: June 2011

A novel theory of the healthcare policy of right-wing governments is presented in this article. It posits that the politics of health care is inherently different from the politics of a social policy related to the labour market. Health care protects against risks that are in the main uncorrelated with the income distribution. This implies that median voters will favour public provision, while high-income voters will not. This generates a unique challenge to right-wing governments that have to balance the interests of the two. The solution is marketization via compensation, where public spending is expanded but where public support of private market solutions is given special priority.
A Constructivist Solution to the Problem of Induction
Authors: Lee Byeong D.
Published: June 2011

ABSTRACT: Ever since Hume raised the problem of induction, many philosophers have tried to solve this problem; however, there still is no solution that has won wide acceptance among philosophers. According to Wilfrid Sellars, the reason is mainly that these philosophers have tried to justify induction by theoretical reasoning rather than by practical reasoning. In this paper I offer a sort of Sellarsian proposal. On the basis of the instrumental principle and the constructivist view of the concept of epistemic justification, I argue that it is reasonable to accept induction.
Genetic heterogeneity in natural beds of the razor clamEnsis siliquarevealed by microsatellites
Authors: Varela Miguel A. , Martínez-Lage Andrés , González-Tizón Ana M.
Published: June 2011

The aim of this study was to analyse the genetic diversity and population structure in the razor clamEnsis siliquaalong the European Atlantic coast taking into account their recent history of exploitation and the ‘Prestige' oil spill. To this end we examined the genetic variability of microsatellite markers in 211 razor clams from five populations in Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Microsatellite data revealed a low genetic differentiation between the Spanish and Portuguese populations (FST = 0–0.032) and a moderate differentiation of these populations and the Irish samples (FST = 0.071–0.100). Although we observed changes in genetic diversity in accordance with the level of exploitation and the distribution of the oil spill, these changes were mild and not significant after Bonferroni correction. This could be the result of a genuine low impact, lack of statistical power and/or the capacity of this species to recolonize quickly after the impact of anthropogenic stressors. Supporting the latter argument we found a significant temporal heterogeneity of allelic frequencies in samples coming from the same sampling locality that could be attributed to the movement of adults or larvae from unaffected source populations.
Parasites of polychaetes and their impact on host survival in Otago Harbour, New Zealand
Authors: Peoples R.C. , Randhawa H.S. , Poulin R.
Published: June 2011

Parasitism is increasingly recognized as an important determinant of population dynamics, productivity and community structure in intertidal ecosystems, and yet there is very little known about the effect of parasites on polychaetes, which represent a major component of the benthic fauna. We surveyed 11 polychaete species from a mudflat in Otago Harbour, New Zealand, and found that seven of these were infected by five parasite species: four trematodes and one apicomplexan gregarine. The gregarine found in Spirobranchus cariniferus and a strigeid trematode using Streblosoma toddae as its first intermediate host are both likely to have negative fitness impacts on their hosts. Other trematodes found were at the metacercarial stage and thus use polychaetes as second intermediate hosts. The most common, an opecoelid, infected the polychaetes Heteromastus filiformis and Abarenicola affinis at relatively high abundance. There was no indication of parasite-induced mortality in these two hosts based on the relationship between host size and infection intensity. However, a comparison of intact H. filiformis individuals with those that fragmented during collection revealed a significantly higher number of opecoelid metacercariae per segment in the fragments than in the complete individuals, suggesting that infection may compromise the structural integrity of the polychaetes. These results suggest that there exists a great diversity of both trematodes and host–trematode associations within the polychaete fauna, whose ecological impact remains to be quantified.
Adolescents in the United States can identify familiar foods at the time of consumption and when prompted with an image 14 h postprandial, but poorly estimate portions
Authors: Schap TusaRebecca E , Six Bethany L , Delp Edward J , Ebert David S , Kerr Deborah A , Boushey Carol J
Published: June 2011

Objective

To evaluate adolescents’ abilities to identify foods and estimate the portion size of foods consumed in order to inform development of the mobile telephone food record (mpFR).

Design

Data were collected from two samples of adolescents (11–18 years). Adolescents in sample 1 participated in one lunch (n 63) and fifty-five of the sixty-three adolescents (87 %) returned for breakfast the next morning. Sample 2 volunteers received all meals and snacks for a 24 h period. At mealtime, sample 1 participants were asked to write down the names of the foods. Sample 2 participants identified foods in an image of their meal 10–14 h postprandial. Adolescents in sample 2 also estimated portion sizes of their breakfast foods and snacks.

Results

Sample 1 identified thirty of the thirty-eight food items correctly, and of the misidentified foods all were identified within the correct major food group. For sample 2, eleven of the thirteen food items were identified correctly 100 % of the time. Half of the breakfast and snack foods had at least one portion size estimate within 10 % of the true amount using a variety of measurement descriptors.

Conclusions

The results provide evidence that adolescents can correctly identify familiar foods and they can look at an image of their meal and identify the foods in the image up to 14·5 h postprandial. The results of the present study not only inform the development of the mpFR but also provide strong evidence of the use of digital images of eating occasions in research and clinical settings.
Always look at the bright side of non-delivery: WTO and Preferential Trade Agreements, yesterday and today
Authors: MAVROIDIS PETROS C.
Published: June 2011

The disciplining of Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) by the WTO has been ‘relaxed’ recently as a result of the new context (theTransparency Mechanism) within which notified PTAs are being multilaterally reviewed. This is probably a blessing for a number of reasons, including the success of the multilateral trading system in bringing tariffs down over the years (and the ensuing reduced trade diversion), the fact that modern PTAs deal with many non-trade issues as well (for which no WTO disciplines exist), and the recent empirical literature suggesting overall positive welfare implications for those participating in similar schemes. This paper discusses these and other reasons to support the view that the WTO should rather focus on the multilateral agenda instead of diverting its attention towards disciplining PTAs. In more concrete terms, this paper argues in support of the thesis that theTransparency Mechanismshould not be simply ade factosubstitute of the previous regime (where outlawing a PTA could nota prioribe excluded), but thede jurenew forum to discuss PTAs within the multilateral trading system, at least for the time being. A first do-no-harm-policy is one of the rationales for the thesis advocated here.
Metabolic Syndrome and Incident Coronary Heart Disease in Australian Indigenous Populations
Authors: Li Ming , McCulloch Brad , McDermott Robyn
Published: June 2011

This report aims to compare the prediction of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components for morbidity and mortality of coronary heart disease (CHD) in a cohort of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (TSIs). A total of 2,100 adults (1,283 Aborigines and 817 TSIs) was followed up for 6 years from 2000. Outcome measures were all CHD events (deaths and hospitalizations). Baseline anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP), fasting blood lipids and glucose were collected. Smoking and alcohol intake was self‐reported. We found MetS was more prevalent in TSI (50.3%) compared to Aborigines (33.0%). Baseline MetS doubled the risk of a CHD event in Aborigines. Increased fasting triglycerides was stronger in predicting CHD (hazard ratio (HR): 2.8) compared with MetS after adjusted for age, sex, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and baseline diabetes and albuminuria for Aborigines but not among TSIs. MetS was not more powerful than its components in predicting CHD event. In Australian Aborigines, the “triglyceridemic waist” phenotype strongly predicts CHD event, whereas among TSI, baseline diabetes mediated the prediction of increased fasting glucose for CHD event.
Effect of the reference electrode size on the ionization instability in the plasma sheath of a small positively biased electrode
Authors: Bliokh Y. P. , Brodsky Yu. L. , Chashka Kh. B. , Felsteiner J. , Slutsker Ya. Z.
Published: June 2011

It is well known that additional ionization in the vicinity of a positively biased electrode immersed into a weakly ionized plasma is responsible for a hysteresis in the electrode current–voltage characteristics and the current self-oscillations rise. Here we show both experimentally and theoretically that under certain conditions these phenomena cannot be correctly interpreted once considered separately from the reference electrode current–voltage characteristics. It is shown that small electrodes can be separated into three groups according to the relation between the electrode and the reference electrode areas. Each group is characterized by its own dependence of the collected current on the bias voltage.
Device quality Sb-based compound semiconductor surface: A comparative study of chemical cleaning
Authors: Nainani Aneesh , Sun Yun , Irisawa Toshifumi , Yuan Ze , Kobayashi Masaharu , Pianetta Piero , Bennett Brian. R. , Brad Boos J. , Saraswat Krishna C.
Published: June 2011

We have studied the surface cleaning of Sb-based compound semiconductors using HF, NH4OH, and HCl cleans and the metal–oxide–semiconductor (MOS) capacitors fabricated subsequently. GaSb, InGaSb, and AlGaSb surfaces are investigated using low-energy radiation from the synchrotron. Capacitance–voltage (C–V) and photoluminescence measurements are carried out on capacitors made with Al2O3 from atomic layer deposition and corroborated with the results from synchrotron spectroscopy. Excellent C–V characteristics with a mid-band-gap interface state density of 3 × 1011/cm2eV are obtained on samples with the HCl clean. This is consistent with the finding that only the HCl acid clean is able to remove the native oxides present on GaSb and InGaSb surfaces, and produce clean and stable surfaces suitable for MOSFET development. Complete removal of AlOx on the AlGaSb surface was not possible using chemical cleaning. Termination of AlGaSb with two monolayers of GaSb is proposed as a solution.
Large change in perpendicular magnetic anisotropy induced by an electric field in FePd ultrathin films
Authors: Bonell F. , Murakami S. , Shiota Y. , Nozaki T. , Shinjo T. , Suzuki Y.
Published: June 2011

The magnetic properties of FePd ultrathin films and their variation under the influence of an electric field are investigated by magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) measurements. L10-ordered FePd shows a spin reorientation transition when varying the thickness. The easy axis of magnetization is found to be normal to the plane at thicknesses above 9 monolayers (MLs) and in-plane below 9 ML. The coercive field, the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the MOKE signal at saturation vary with the applied electric field. The sensitivity of the interface magnetic anisotropy is estimated to be 602 fJ/V m.
A ZnO cross-bar array resistive random access memory stacked with heterostructure diodes for eliminating the sneak current effect
Authors: Won Seo Jung , Baik Seung Jae , Kang Sang Jung , Hong Yun Ho , Yang Ji Hwan , Lim Koeng Su
Published: June 2011

We report cross-bar array resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices based on a ZnO thin film fabricated at room temperature. To prevent the sneak current path in a conventional cross-bar array device, two types of heterostructure diodes, a NiO/ZnO p-n junction and a WO3/ZnO tunnel barrier both stacked on cross-bar array RRAM were employed. With rectifying characteristics and high forward current density, the sneak current path was effectively eliminated. We believe that the proposed structures are promising for cross-bar type RRAM applications.
Does Cognitive Perception Have Access to Brief Temporal Events?
Authors: Hess Robert F , Maehara Goro
Published: June 2011

To determine whether conscious perception has access to brief temporal event, we asked subjects in an odd-man out paradigm to determine which of the four Gaussian blobs was flickering asynchronously in time. We measure synchrony thresholds as a function of the base temporal frequency for spatially scaled stimuli in foveal and peripheral vision. The results are consistent with a time delay of around 67 milliseconds (ms) for foveal vision and 91 ms for peripheral vision. We conclude that conscious perception has access to only relatively long (∼ 67 ms) time events.
Atypical protein kinase C (aPKCζ and aPKCλ) is dispensable for mammalian hematopoietic stem cell activity and blood formation
Authors: Sengupta Amitava , Duran Angeles , Ishikawa Eri , Florian Maria Carolina , Dunn Susan K. , Ficker Ashley M. , Leitges Michael , Geiger Hartmut , Diaz-Meco Maria , Moscat Jorge , Cancelas Jose A.
Published: June 2011

The stem-cell pool is considered to be maintained by a balance between symmetric and asymmetric division of stem cells. The cell polarity model proposes that the facultative use of symmetric and asymmetric cell division is orchestrated by a polarity complex consisting of partitioning-defective proteins Par3 and Par6, and atypical protein kinase C (aPKCζ and aPKCλ), which regulates planar symmetry of dividing stem cells with respect to the signaling microenvironment. However, the role of the polarity complex is unexplored in mammalian adult stem-cell functions. Here we report that, in contrast to accepted paradigms, polarization and activity of adult hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) do not depend on either aPKCζ or aPKCλ or both in vivo. Mice, having constitutive and hematopoietic-specific (Vav1-Cre) deletion of aPKCζ and aPKCλ, respectively, have normal hematopoiesis, including normal HSC self-renewal, engraftment, differentiation, and interaction with the bone marrow microenvironment. Furthermore, inducible complete deletion of aPKCλ (Mx1-Cre) in aPKCζ
−/−
HSC does not affect HSC polarization, self-renewal, engraftment, or lineage repopulation. In addition, aPKCζ- and aPKCλ-deficient HSCs elicited a normal pattern of hematopoietic recovery secondary to myeloablative stress. Taken together, the expression of aPKCζ, aPKCλ, or both are dispensable for primitive and adult HSC fate determination in steady-state and stress hematopoiesis, contrary to the hypothesis of a unique, evolutionary conserved aPKCζ/λ-directed cell polarity signaling mechanism in mammalian HSC fate determination.
Regulation of growth factor receptor degradation by ADP-ribosylation factor domain protein (ARD) 1
Authors: Meza-Carmen Victor , Pacheco-Rodriguez Gustavo , Kang Gi Soo , Kato Jiro , Donati Chiara , Zhang Chun-Yi , Vichi Alessandro , Payne D. Michael , El-Chemaly Souheil , Stylianou Mario , Moss Joel , Vaughan Martha
Published: June 2011

ADP-ribosylation factor domain protein 1 (ARD1) is a 64-kDa protein containing a functional ADP-ribosylation factor (GTP hydrolase, GTPase), GTPase-activating protein, and E3 ubiquitin ligase domains. ARD1 activation by the guanine nucleotide-exchange factor cytohesin-1 was known. GTPase and E3 ligase activities of ARD1 suggest roles in protein transport and turnover. To explore this hypothesis, we used mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) from ARD1-/- mice stably transfected with plasmids for inducible expression of wild-type ARD1 protein (KO-WT), or ARD1 protein with inactivating mutations in E3 ligase domain (KO-E3), or containing persistently active GTP-bound (KO-GTP), or inactive GDP-bound (KO-GDP) GTPase domains. Inhibition of proteasomal proteases in mifepristone-induced KO-WT, KO-GDP, or KO-GTP MEFs resulted in accumulation of these ARD1 proteins, whereas KO-E3 accumulated without inhibitors. All data were consistent with the conclusion that ARD1 regulates its own steady-state levels in cells by autoubiquitination. Based on reported growth factor receptor-cytohesin interactions, EGF receptor (EGFR) was investigated in induced MEFs. Amounts of cell-surface and total EGFR were higher in KO-GDP and lower in KO-GTP than in KO-WT MEFs, with levels in both mutants greater (
p
 = 0.001) after proteasomal inhibition. Significant differences among MEF lines in content of TGF-β receptor III were similar to those in EGFR, albeit not as large. Differences in amounts of insulin receptor mirrored those in EGFR, but did not reach statistical significance. Overall, the capacity of ARD1 GTPase to cycle between active and inactive forms and its autoubiquitination both appear to be necessary for the appropriate turnover of EGFR and perhaps additional growth factor receptors.
Prediction of transporter targets using efficient RBF networks with PSSM profiles and biochemical properties
Authors: Chen Shu-An , Ou Yu-Yen , Lee Tzong-Yi , Gromiha M. Michael
Published: June 2011

Summary: Transporters are proteins that are involved in the movement of ions or molecules across biological membranes. Currently, our knowledge about the functions of transporters is limited due to the paucity of their 3D structures. Hence, computational techniques are necessary to annotate the functions of transporters. In this work, we focused on an important functional aspect of transporters, namely annotation of targets for transport proteins. We have systematically analyzed four major classes of transporters with different transporter targets: (i) electron, (ii) protein/mRNA, (iii) ion and (iv) others, using amino acid properties. We have developed a radial basis function network-based method for predicting transport targets with amino acid properties and position specific scoring matrix profiles. Our method showed a 10-fold cross-validation accuracy of 90.1, 80.1, 70.3 and 82.3% for electron transporters, protein/mRNA transporters, ion transporters and others, respectively, in a dataset of 543 transporters. We have also evaluated the performance of the method with an independent dataset of 108 proteins and we obtained similar accuracy. We suggest that our method could be an effective tool for functional annotation of transport proteins.

Availability:  http://rbf.bioinfo.tw/~sachen/ttrbf.html

Contact:  yien@csie.org; gromiha@iitm.ac.in

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Data collection on the small-scale fisheries of México
Authors: Ramírez-Rodríguez Mauricio
Published: June 2011

Ramírez-Rodríguez, M. 2011. Data collection on the small-scale fisheries of México. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: 1611–1614. To improve data collection and analysis of basic fishery statistics provided by Mexican small-scale fishers, the official fishery-information system was modified by codes for fishing sites and species that facilitate data handling when used for estimating exploitation patterns related to fleet behaviour (zones/seasons) and production (catch and value per species). This is exemplified by analysing the relative importance of 14 fisheries and the dynamics of the black ark fishery in Bahia Magdalena, Baja California Sur, México.
Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Iqbal Rafay , Shah Shahzad Hussain
Published: June 2011

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of renal failure in UK, accounting for 24% of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In addition, it is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Clinical trials have shown that it is possible to alter the natural history of diabetic nephropathy by targeting multiple risk factors. In clinical practice, this includes tight glycaemic control, aggressive antihypertensive therapy and the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). This article aims to describe management of diabetic nephropathy in primary care and provide guidance on when to refer to secondary care.
Tips for Managing Chalazion
Authors: Zvandasara Tafadzwa , Diaper Charles
Published: June 2011

The term chalazion, from the Greek meaning ‘hailstone’, refers to a lipogranuloma of the meibomian gland. Chalazia are very common and the majority can be managed conservatively in primary care. This review provides an overview of management for GPs.
Cross-protective immunity against influenza pH1N1 2009 viruses induced by seasonal influenza A (H3N2) virus is mediated by virus-specific T-cells
Authors: Hillaire Marine L. B. , van Trierum Stella E. , Kreijtz Joost H. C. M. , Bodewes Rogier , Geelhoed-Mieras Martina M. , Nieuwkoop Nella J. , Fouchier Ron A. M. , Kuiken Thijs , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E , Rimmelzwaan Guus F.
Published: June 2011

Influenza A (H1N1) viruses of swine origin were introduced into the human population in 2009 and caused a pandemic. The disease burden in the elderly was relatively low, which was attributed to the presence of cross-reacting serum antibodies in this age group, which were raised against seasonal influenza A (H1N1) viruses that circulated before 1957. It has also been described how infection with heterosubtypic influenza viruses can induce some degree of protection against infection by a novel strain of influenza virus. Here, we assess the extent of protective immunity against infection with the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) pandemic influenza virus that is afforded by infection with a seasonal influenza A (H3N2) virus in mice. Mice that experienced a primary A (H3N2) influenza virus infection displayed reduced weight loss after challenge infection and cleared the 2009 influenza A (H1N1) virus infection more rapidly. To elucidate the correlates of protection of this heterosubtypic immunity to pandemic H1N1 virus infection, adoptive transfer experiments were carried out by using selected post-infection lymphocyte populations. Virus-specific CD8+T-cells in concert with CD4+T-cells were responsible for the observed protection. These findings may not only provide an explanation for epidemiological differences in the incidence of severe pandemic H1N1 infections, they also indicate that the induction of cross-reactive virus-specific CD8+and CD4+T-cell responses may be a suitable approach for the development of universal influenza vaccines.
Genetic variants in the serotonin transporter influence the efficacy of bupropion and nortriptyline in smoking cessation
Authors: Quaak Marieke , van Schayck Constant P. , Postma Dirkje S. , Wagena Edwin J. , van Schooten Frederik J.
Published: June 2011

Aims  We investigated whether variants in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) influence smoking cessation rates using antidepressant therapy (i.e. bupropion and nortriptyline).

Design  Pharmacogenetic (secondary) analysis of a randomized, placebo‐controlled efficacy trial of bupropion and nortriptyline for smoking cessation.

Setting  Single‐centre study, Maastricht University, the Netherlands.

Participants  A total of 214 of 255 (84%) current daily smokers participating in a randomized controlled efficacy trial.

Measurements  Subjects were genotyped for three functional variants in SLC6A4 (5‐HTTLPR, STin2, rs25531). Primary outcome measures were prolonged abstinence from weeks 4–12, 4–26 and 4–52. Secondary outcome measures included 7‐day point prevalence abstinence at weeks 4, 12, 26 and 52.

Findings  Carriers of the 5‐HTTLPR high‐activity L‐variant had higher prolonged cessation rates with bupropion than placebo [odds ratio (OR) = 1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01–2.05, P = 0.04]. Combining the three variants resulted in increased prolonged cessation rates for both bupropion and nortriptyline among carriers of four to five high‐activity variants (bupropion: OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.21–3.29, P = 0.01; nortriptyline: OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.02–3.56, P = 0.04). Similar results were found for point prevalence abstinence.

Conclusions  Bupropion and nortriptyline seem to be more effective in smoking cessation among SLC6A4 high‐activity variant carriers, probably by blocking the increased serotonin transporter activity, thereby increasing serotonin levels. Prospective studies have to assess if this can improve cessation rates when treatment is targeted at individuals based on their genotypes.
Association of participation in a mindfulness programme with bowel symptoms, gastrointestinal symptom‐specific anxiety and quality of life
Authors: Kearney D. J. , McDermott K. , Martinez M. , Simpson T. L.
Published: June 2011

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 34: 363–373

Background  Stress perception and GI‐specific anxiety play key roles in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) is a widely available stress reduction course, which has not been evaluated for IBS.

Aim  To determine whether participation in MBSR is associated with improvement in bowel symptoms, GI‐specific anxiety, and IBS‐Quality of Life.

Methods  This is a prospective study of 93 participants in MBSR. We applied measures of Rome III IBS status, bowel symptoms (IBS‐Severity Scoring System, IBS‐SSS), IBS‐Quality of Life (IBS‐QOL), GI‐specific anxiety (Visceral Sensitivity Index, VSI), mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire‐FFMQ), and functional status (SF‐8) at baseline and 2 and 6 months after enrolment.

Results  At 2 months, participation in MBSR was associated with small nonsignificant changes in IBS‐SSS, IBS‐QOL and VSI: d = −0.25, d = 0.08, d = −0.16, respectively. At 6 months, there was no significant change in IBS‐SSS (d = −0.36); whereas for IBS‐QOL and VSI there were significant improvements (IBS‐QOL: d = 0.33, P = 0.044; VSI: d = −0.40, P = 0.014). For patients meeting Rome III IBS criteria (n = 43), changes in IBS‐SSS, IBS‐QOL and VSI were not statistically significant, but there was a significant correlation between the change in VSI and the change in FFMQ across the three time periods (r = 0.33).

Conclusions  Participation in MBSR is associated with improvement IBS‐related quality of life and GI‐specific anxiety. Randomised controlled trials are warranted to further assess the role of MBSR for IBS symptomatology.
Attitudes of haemophilic patients towards their health and socio‐economic problems in Iran
Authors: MEHRAMIRI A. , PARAND S. , HAGHPANAH S. , KARIMI M.
Published: June 2011

Summary.  Although new technologies and treatments have improved the quality of life of people with haemophilia, they still face many health and socio‐economic problems. We designed this study to identify some of these problems according to patients’ attitudes towards efforts to solve them. This cross‐sectional study was conducted in Shiraz, southern Iran, during January and May 2010. The participants were 100 patients with haemophilia who were referred to Shiraz Hemophilia Center, a major referral centre in southern Iran. A questionnaire was used to obtain data on the attitudes of haemophilic patients about some of their health and socio‐economic problems. Mean age of the patients was 28.2 ± 9.0 (range of 16–67 years). In univariate analysis, disease severity, joint involvement, HCV status, income level and educational level of the patients were found to have possible effect on patients’ attitude towards their health and socio‐economic problems. However, in multivariate model we found that only income level, educational level and HCV status as independent factors influencing the patients’ attitude towards childbearing, employment problems, occupational problems, social and friend relationship and continuing education. Haemophilic patients had many social and health problems, which could be alleviated with interdisciplinary interventions to improve their quality of life. Financial support of these patients should be taken into account to reduce their economic problems. Also, encouraging them and providing facilities to achieve a higher educational level could help them to have a better attitude towards their health and overcome the disease‐related problems.
Nutritional and sensory properties of a maize‐based snack food (kokoro) supplemented with treated Distillers’ spent grain (DSG)
Authors: Awoyale Wasiu , Maziya‐Dixon Busie , Sanni Lateef O. , Shittu Taofik A.
Published: June 2011

The effect of treated Distillers’ spent grain (DSG) supplementation on the nutritional and sensory properties of kokoro, a maize‐based snack, was investigated. Treated DSG was used to replace 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 35% of maize flour. Mean water absorption capacity of DSG was 291%, swelling capacity 2.27 bulk density was 58%, oil absorption capacity 216, protein content of 27% and a total dietary fibre content 24.2%. The swelling, water and oil absorption capacities of the flour blends increased while bulk density decreased significantly. The ash, fat, protein, insoluble and total dietary fibre and total nonessential and essential amino acids contents of the flour blends increased with DSG inclusion. Processing the flour blends to kokoro slightly increased the ash, fat and protein contents, while the total nonessential and essential amino acids, total sugar and total dietary fibre decreased. The addition of DSG increased the lysine and tryptophan contents of kokoro. Although the sensory evaluation results indicate that kokoro with 5%, 10% and 15% DSG were well accepted and compared favourably with those made from whole maize for overall acceptability, it was observed that generally, there is a consumer dislike of the new product as the amount of DSG added increased.
The efficacy of chest radiographs in detecting parapneumonic effusions
Authors: BRIXEY ANUPAMA G. , LUO YIFENG , SKOURAS VASILEIOS , AWDANKIEWICZ ANNA , LIGHT RICHARD W.
Published: June 2011

Background and objective:  Current guidelines recommend parapneumonic effusions (PPEs) with a thickness of ≥ 10 mm be sampled via thoracentesis. We hypothesized that anteroposterior (AP) CXRs are not as sensitive as posteroanterior (PA) and lateral radiographs in identifying PPEs and should not be routinely used in patients with suspected pneumonia.

Methods:  Sixty‐one hospitalized patients with pneumonia and PPE were retrospectively studied, all of whom had a CXR and CT scan within 24 h of each other. The CXRs of these patients were independently read by three pulmonologists for an effusion in each hemithorax, which was correlated with measured pleural fluid thickness on chest CT.

Results:  Lateral, PA and AP radiographs were equivalent in identifying the presence of PPEs. All three views missed more than 10% of PPEs. The sensitivities of lateral, PA and AP CXRs were 85.7%, 82.1% and 78.4%, respectively (P = 0.749); the specificity was 87.5%, 81.3% and 76.4%, respectively (P = 0.198). The majority of effusions missed in each view were on films with lower lobe consolidation.

Conclusions:  All three CXR views missed effusions of a size significant enough to warrant thoracentesis. Consideration should be given to obtaining additional imaging at the time patients present with pneumonia, particularly in those with lower lobe consolidation.
The effect of vitamin D receptor BsmI genotype on the response to osteoporosis treatment in postmenopausal women: A pilot study
Authors: Creatsa Maria , Pliatsika Paraskevi , Kaparos George , Antoniou Aristidis , Armeni Eleni , Tsakonas Efstratios , Panoulis Costantinos , Alexandrou Andreas , Dimitraki Evangelia , Christodoulakos George , Lambrinoudaki Irene
Published: June 2011

Aim:  The purpose of our study was to investigate the possible effect of BsmI vitamin D receptor (VDR's) polymorphism on changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women receiving different treatments.

Material and Methods:  This pilot study included 42 postmenopausal women with elevated fracture risk, randomized into 1‐year treatment with weekly oral alendronate or daily subcutaneous teriparatide. Both groups received daily supplements of 1000 mg calcium and 800 IU vitamin D. Blood samples were obtained for biochemical evaluation and genotyping. BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck were assessed with dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. Baseline, follow‐up BMD and markers of bone turnover were assessed according to the BsmI genotype.

Results:  BMD at the lumbar spine increased in patients carrying at least one b allele, while it decreased in patients with the BB genotype (P = 0.041). Whereas no gene‐treatment interaction was observed in teriparatide‐receiving patients, women with the BB genotype receiving alendronate resulted in negative BMD (−0.056 ± 0.032 g/m2) and T‐score (−0.295 ± 0.190) gradient, compared to carriers of the b allele (BMD: +0.020 ± 0.017 g/m2, P = 0.054; T‐score: +0.217 ± 0.100, P = 0.030). No effect of genotype was apparent with respect to gradients of biochemical bone markers.

Conclusions:  These preliminary results indicate that alendronate has a differential effect on BMD, depending on the VDR genotype. Carriers of the b allele may be more responsive to treatment compared to patients with the BB genotype. The interaction of VDR's BsmI polymorphism with the efficacy of the anti‐osteoporotic treatment needs further investigation by larger prospective studies.