bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinetics and thermodynamics of binding reactions as exemplified by anthrax toxin channel blockage with a cationic cyclodextrin derivative
Authors: Nestorovich Ekaterina M. , Karginov Vladimir A. , Berezhkovskii Alexander M. , Parsegian V. Adrian , Bezrukov Sergey M.
Published: October 2012

The thermodynamics of binding reactions is usually studied in the framework of the linear van’t Hoff analysis of the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constant. The logarithm of the equilibrium constant is plotted versus inverse temperature to discriminate between two terms: an enthalpic contribution that is linear in the inverse temperature, and a temperature-independent entropic contribution. When we apply this approach to a particular case—blockage of the anthrax PA
63
channel by a multicharged cyclodextrin derivative—we obtain a nearly linear behavior with a slope that is characterized by enthalpy of about 1 kcal/mol. In contrast, from blocker partitioning between the channel and the bulk, we estimate the depth of the potential well for the blocker in the channel to be at least 8 kcal/mol. To understand this apparent discrepancy, we use a simple model of particle interaction with the channel and show that this significant difference between the two estimates is due to the temperature dependence of the physical forces between the blocker and the channel. In particular, we demonstrate that if the major component of blocker–channel interaction is van der Waals interactions and/or Coulomb forces in water, the van’t Hoff enthalpy of the binding reaction may be close to zero or even negative, including cases of relatively strong binding. The results are quite general and, therefore, of importance for studies of enzymatic reactions, rational drug design, small-molecule binding to proteins, protein–protein interactions, and protein folding, among others.
Why does ingroup essentialism increase prejudice against minority members?
Authors: Zagefka Hanna , Nigbur Dennis , Gonzalez Roberto , Tip Linda
Published: October 2012

A study with British participants (N = 90) tested a potential mediator of the effect of essentialist beliefs about the national ingroup on prejudice against immigrants. Essentialist beliefs were defined as beliefs in genetic determinism, a basic assumption that group membership is “written in the blood” and that the groups’ boundaries and characteristics are determined by genetic and/or biological factors. Essentialist beliefs were expected to play an important role in the formation of prejudice. They were predicted to be associated with a reduction in the perceived possibility of immigrants’ adopting the mainstream culture. Further, it was expected that essentialist beliefs would be positively associated with perceptions of intergroup threat, which in turn would be associated with a stronger demand for immigrants adopting the mainstream culture. Taken together, essentialist beliefs were predicted to be associated with a greater discrepancy between the demand for and perceived feasibility of culture adoption. This discrepancy was hypothesized to mediate the effect of essentialist beliefs on prejudice against immigrants. Structural equation modeling analysis and mediation analysis supported the hypotheses, showing that essentialism attributed to the national ingroup results in people demanding something seemingly impossible from immigrants, and that this situation in which immigrants have little chance of fulfilling majority members’ expectations results in prejudice against them. Thus, results show that perceptions of the ingroup are associated with attitudes to the outgroup, and they outline an explanatory mechanism for the positive correlation between essentialism and prejudice which has been found in previous research. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
The effect of charge mode transition on electrohydrodynamic flow in a multistage negative air corona discharge
Authors: Kim C , Hwang J
Published: October 2012

We study the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) flow induced by a multistage negative air corona discharge with two main subjects: unipolar-to-bipolar charge mode transition, mechanism of EHD flow. Charge mode transition is identified through the maximum-current-based numerical analysis of a six-stage cylindrical ionic wind generator, and confirmed by the experimental data. After formulating the degree of charge mode transition β, we discuss how β affects the electric-to-kinetic energy conversion efficiency and the thrust performance of the EHD flow. We suggest 35 Td of reduced electric field on the collector surface as the occurrence criterion of charge mode transition. As an essential feature of the multistage EHD flow, the highest negative pressure is created in the intake. Accordingly, air is drawn into the intake and subsequent flow climbs up a positive static pressure slope, and exhausted into the atmosphere with a high linearity. We explain the physical mechanism of this interesting flow pattern using the first-principle based analysis.
The effect of the driving frequencies on the electrical asymmetry of dual-frequency capacitively coupled plasmas
Authors: Korolov Ihor , Donkó Zoltán , Czarnetzki Uwe , Schulze Julian
Published: October 2012

In capacitively coupled radio frequency discharges driven by two consecutive phase-locked harmonics, the electrical asymmetry effect (EAE) allows one to generate a dc self-bias as a function of the phase shift, θ, between the driving harmonics. If the two frequencies are chosen to be 13.56 and 27.12 MHz, the mean ion energy at both electrodes can be varied by a factor of about 2 by tuning θ at nearly constant ion flux. Until now the EAE has only been investigated in discharges operated at a fundamental frequency of f = 13.56 MHz. Here, we study the effect of changing this fundamental frequency on the performance of the EAE, i.e. on the electrical generation of a dc self-bias, the control range of the mean ion energy, and on the ion flux at both electrodes as a function of θ, by kinetic particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo simulations and theoretical modelling. We use argon gas and cover a wide range of fundamental frequencies (0.5 MHz ⩽ f ⩽ 60 MHz) and secondary electron yields. We find that the performance of the EAE is significantly worse at lower frequencies, i.e. the control range of the dc self-bias and, thus, the control range of the mean ion energy are strongly reduced. Based on the analytical model (i) the enhanced charged dynamics at lower frequencies and (ii) the transition of the electron heating mode induced by changing f are found to be the reasons for this effect.
Energy equation formulations for two-temperature modelling of ‘thermal’ plasmas
Authors: Freton P , Gonzalez J J , Ranarijaona Z , Mougenot J
Published: October 2012

Based on an equilibrium fluid model, built from the commercial Fluent software previously validated for thermal plasma characterizations on several geometries, a non-equilibrium two-temperature model was developed. This kind of model needs the use of two energy equations: one for the electrons, and the other for heavy particles.

Nevertheless, depending on the authors, divergences exist in the expressions of equations. The main differences are related to the attribution of the ionization term and to the components of thermal conductivity in the energy equations.

The two-temperature model developed is applied in a transferred arc configuration where the medium is described using the different formulations for the energy equations.

The right formulation, based on the Boltzmann equation, is then applied in a transferred arc configuration for two values of current intensity of 100 and 600 A. We show that in order to obtain coherent and physical results in all the cases, special attention needs to be given: the ionization term, the reactive thermal conductivity and the radiation line contribution need to be considered in electron energy equations, whereas the reactive thermal conductivity due to dissociations and the continuum radiation contributions need to be associated with the heavy energy equations.
Intraoperative Non–Record-keeping Usage of Anesthesia Information Management System Workstations and Associated Hemodynamic Variability and Aberrancies
Authors: Wax David B. , Lin Hung-Mo , Reich David L.
Published: October 2012

Background

Anesthesia information management system workstations in the anesthesia workspace that allow usage of non-record-keeping applications could lead to distraction from patient care. We evaluated whether non-record-keeping usage of the computer workstation was associated with hemodynamic variability and aberrancies.

Methods

Auditing data were collected on eight anesthesia information management system workstations and linked to their corresponding electronic anesthesia records to identify which application was active at any given time during the case. For each case, the periods spent using the anesthesia information management system record-keeping module were separated from those spent using non-record-keeping applications. The variability of heart rate and blood pressure were also calculated, as were the incidence of hypotension, hypertension, and tachycardia. Analysis was performed to identify whether non-record-keeping activity was a significant predictor of these hemodynamic outcomes.

Results

Data were analyzed for 1,061 cases performed by 171 clinicians. Median (interquartile range) non-record-keeping activity time was 14 (1, 38) min, representing 16 (3, 33)% of a median 80 (39, 143) min of procedure time. Variables associated with greater non-record-keeping activity included attending anesthesiologists working unassisted, longer case duration, lower American Society of Anesthesiologists status, and general anesthesia. Overall, there was no independent association between non-record-keeping workstation use and hemodynamic variability or aberrancies during anesthesia either between cases or within cases.

Conclusion

Anesthesia providers spent sizable portions of case time performing non-record-keeping applications on anesthesia information management system workstations. This use, however, was not independently associated with greater hemodynamic variability or aberrancies in patients during maintenance of general anesthesia for predominantly general surgical and gynecologic procedures.
CpG islands and GC content dictate nucleosome depletion in a transcription-independent manner at mammalian promoters
Authors: Fenouil Romain , Cauchy Pierre , Koch Frederic , Descostes Nicolas , Cabeza Joaquin Zacarias , Innocenti Charlène , Ferrier Pierre , Spicuglia Salvatore , Gut Marta , Gut Ivo , Andrau Jean-Christophe
Published: October 2012

One clear hallmark of mammalian promoters is the presence of CpG islands (CGIs) at more than two-thirds of genes, whereas TATA boxes are only present at a minority of promoters. Using genome-wide approaches, we show that GC content and CGIs are major promoter elements in mammalian cells, able to govern open chromatin conformation and support paused transcription. First, we define three classes of promoters with distinct transcriptional directionality and pausing properties that correlate with their GC content. We further analyze the direct influence of GC content on nucleosome positioning and depletion and show that CpG content and CGI width correlate with nucleosome depletion both in vivo and in vitro. We also show that transcription is not essential for nucleosome exclusion but influences both a weak +1 and a well-positioned nucleosome at CGI borders. Altogether our data support the idea that CGIs have become an essential feature of promoter structure defining novel regulatory properties in mammals.
[N,N′-Bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthene-1,2-diimine-1κ2N,N′]heptacarbonyl-1κC,2κ3C,3κ3C-di-μ3-tellurido-triiiron(II)(2Fe—Fe)
Authors: Piryazev Dmitry A. , Ogienko Mikhail A. , Virovets Alexander V. , Pushkarevsky Nikolay A. , Konchenko Sergey N.
Published: October 2012

The sterically hindered title complex, [Fe3Te2(C36H40N2)(CO)7], was obtained by substitution of two carbonyl groups in the [Fe3(μ3-Te)2(CO)9] cluster by the bulky redox-activeN,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthene-1,2-diimine (dpp-BIAN) ligand. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules of the same geometry. The C=N bond lengths in dpp-BIAN indicate a rather low level of electron transfer from the cluster core to the dpp-BIAN ligand.
Friend or foe: genetic and functional characterization of plant endophytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Kumar A. , Munder A. , Aravind R. , Eapen S. J. , Tümmler B. , Raaijmakers J. M.
Published: October 2012

Endophytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain BP35 was originally isolated from black pepper grown in the rain forest in Kerala, India. Strain PaBP35 was shown to provide significant protection to black pepper against infections by Phytophthora capsici and Radopholus similis. For registration and implementation in disease management programmes, several traits of PaBP35 were investigated including its endophytic behaviour, biocontrol activity, phylogeny and toxicity to mammals. The results showed that PaBP35 efficiently colonized black pepper shoots and displayed a typical spatiotemporal pattern in its endophytic movement with concomitant suppression of Phytophthora rot. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed high populations of PaBP35::gfp2 inside tomato plantlets, supporting its endophytic behaviour in other plant species. Polyphasic approaches to genotype PaBP35, including BOX‐PCR, recN sequence analysis, multilocus sequence typing and comparative genome hybridization analysis, revealed its uniqueness among P. aeruginosa strains representing clinical habitats. However, like other P. aeruginosa strains, PaBP35 exhibited resistance to antibiotics, grew at 25–41°C and produced rhamnolipids and phenazines. PaBP35 displayed strong type II secretion effectors‐mediated cytotoxicity on mammalian A549 cells. Coupled with pathogenicity in a murine airway infection model, we conclude that this plant endophytic strain is as virulent as clinical P. aeruginosa strains. Safety issues related to the selection of plant endophytic bacteria for crop protection are discussed.
Hopeahainol A attenuates memory deficits by targeting β‐amyloid in APP/PS1 transgenic mice
Authors: Zhu Xiaolei , Ye Lan , Ge Huiming , Chen Ling , Jiang Nan , Qian Lai , Li Lingling , Liu Rong , Ji Shen , Zhang Su , Jin Jiali , Guan Dening , Fang Wei , Tan Renxiang , Xu Yun
Published: October 2012

Increasing evidence demonstrates that amyloid beta (Aβ) elicits mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Identification of the molecules targeting Aβ is thus of particular significance in the treatment of AD. Hopeahainol A (HopA), a polyphenol with a novel skeleton obtained from Hopea hainanensis, is potentially acetylcholinesterase‐inhibitory and anti‐oxidative in H2O2‐treated PC12 cells. In this study, we reported that HopA might bind to Aβ1–42 directly and inhibit the Aβ1–42 aggregation using a combination of molecular dynamics simulation, binding assay, transmission electron microscopic analysis and staining technique. We also demonstrated that HopA decreased the interaction between Aβ1–42 and Aβ‐binding alcohol dehydrogenase, which in turn reduced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. In addition, HopA was able to rescue the long‐term potentiation induction by protecting synaptic function and attenuate memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice. Our data suggest that HopA might be a promising drug for therapeutic intervention in AD.
Increased dosage of Ink4/Arf protects against glucose intolerance and insulin resistance associated with aging
Authors: González‐Navarro Herminia , Vinué Ángela , Sanz María Jesús , Delgado Mercedes , Pozo Miguel Angel , Serrano Manuel , Burks Deborah J. , Andrés Vicente
Published: October 2012

Recent genome‐wide association studies have linked type‐2 diabetes mellitus to a genomic region in chromosome 9p21 near the Ink4/Arf locus, which encodes tumor suppressors that are up‐regulated in a variety of mammalian organs during aging. However, it is unclear whether the susceptibility to type‐2 diabetes is associated with altered expression of the Ink4/Arf locus. In the present study, we investigated the role of Ink4/Arf in age‐dependent alterations of insulin and glucose homeostasis using Super‐Ink4/Arf mice which bear an extra copy of the entire Ink4/Arf locus. We find that, in contrast to age‐matched wild‐type controls, Super‐Ink4/Arf mice do not develop glucose intolerance with aging. Insulin tolerance tests demonstrated increased insulin sensitivity in Super‐Ink4/Arf compared with wild‐type mice, which was accompanied by higher activation of the insulin receptor substrate (IRS)‐PI3K‐AKT pathway in liver, skeletal muscle and heart. Glucose uptake studies in Super‐Ink4/Arf mice showed a tendency toward increased 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in skeletal muscle compared with wild‐type mice (P = 0.079). Furthermore, a positive correlation between glucose uptake and baseline glucose levels was observed in Super‐Ink4/Arf mice (P < 0.008) but not in wild‐type mice. Our studies reveal a protective role of the Ink4/Arf locus against the development of age‐dependent insulin resistance and glucose intolerance.
Caenorhabditis elegans HSF‐1 is an essential nuclear protein that forms stress granule‐like structures following heat shock
Authors: Morton Elizabeth A. , Lamitina Todd
Published: October 2012

The heat shock transcription factor (HSF) is a conserved regulator of heat shock‐inducible gene expression. Organismal roles for HSF in physiological processes such as development, aging, and immunity have been defined largely through studies of the single Caenorhabditis elegans HSF homolog, hsf‐1. However, the molecular and cell biological properties of hsf‐1 in C. elegans are incompletely understood. We generated animals expressing physiological levels of an HSF‐1::GFP fusion protein and examined its function, localization, and regulation in vivo. HSF‐1::GFP was functional, as measured by its ability to rescue phenotypes associated with two hsf‐1 mutant alleles. Rescue of hsf‐1 development phenotypes was abolished in a DNA‐binding‐deficient mutant, demonstrating that the transcriptional targets of hsf‐1 are critical to its function even in the absence of stress. Under nonstress conditions, HSF‐1::GFP was found primarily in the nucleus. Following heat shock, HSF‐1::GFP rapidly and reversibly redistributed into dynamic, subnuclear structures that share many properties with human nuclear stress granules, including colocalization with markers of active transcription. Rapid formation of HSF‐1 stress granules required HSF‐1 DNA‐binding activity, and the threshold for stress granule formation was altered by growth temperature. HSF‐1 stress granule formation was not induced by inhibition of IGF signaling, a pathway previously suggested to function upstream of hsf‐1. Our findings suggest that development, stress, and aging pathways may regulate HSF‐1 function in distinct ways, and that HSF‐1 nuclear stress granule formation is an evolutionarily conserved aspect of HSF‐1 regulation in vivo.
Real‐world effectiveness of clozapine in patients with bipolar disorder: results from a 2‐year mirror‐image study
Authors: Nielsen Jimmi , Kane John M , Correll Christoph U
Published: October 2012

Nielsen J, Kane JM, Correll CU. Real‐world effectiveness of clozapine in patients with bipolar disorder: results from a 2‐year mirror‐image study.  Bipolar Disord 2012: 14: 863–869. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.Published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Objectives:  Clozapine remains the drug of choice for treatment‐resistant schizophrenia but the evidence for its use in severe bipolar disorder (BD) remains sparse.

Methods:  A pharmaco‐epidemiologic database study was carried out in Denmark, investigating the effectiveness of clozapine in BD patients (without a schizophrenia‐spectrum disorder), between 1996 and 2007, using a two‐year mirror‐image design.

Results:  A total of 21473 patients with a lifetime diagnosis of International Classification of Diseases‐10 (ICD‐10) BD were identified, of which only 326 (1.5%) were treated with clozapine and were included in the mirror‐image analysis. The mean follow‐up time was 544 ± 280 days, the mean clozapine dose was 307.4 mg [95% confidence interval (CI): 287.9–328.2], and 39.3% were male. During clozapine treatment, the mean number of bed‐days decreased from 177.8 (95% CI: 149.4–211.6) to 34.6 (95% CI: 24.8–48.2) (p < 0.001). The mean number of admissions was reduced from 3.2 (95% CI: 2.9–3.7) to 2.0 (95% CI: 1.6–2.4) (p < 0.001). Overall, 240 patients (73.6%) had reduced bed‐days and 130 (39.9%) were not admitted while treated with clozapine. Moreover, the number of psychotropic co‐medications was reduced from 4.5 defined daily doses (DDD) (25–75 percentiles: 2.4–8.2) to 3.9 DDD (25–75 percentiles: 2.4–6.1) (p = 0.045). Somatic hospital visits for intentional self‐harm/overdose reduced significantly from 8.3% to 3.1% (p = 0.004). However, non‐psychotropic co‐medication use for medical conditions did not increase; 0.7 DDD (25–75 percentiles: 0.0–2.9) to 0.8 DDD (25–75 percentiles: 0.1–2.89) (p = 0.3).

Conclusions:  Clozapine use for BD was associated with a significant and clinically relevant reduction in the number of bed‐days, psychiatric admissions, psychotropic co‐medications, and hospital contact for self‐harm/overdose, without increased medical treatments. Clozapine seems to be an appropriate choice for treatment‐resistant BD and should be investigated in randomized controlled trials.
Clustering of drinker prototype characteristics: What characterizes the typical drinker?
Authors: van Lettow Britt , Vermunt Jeroen K. , de Vries Hein , Burdorf Alex , van Empelen Pepijn
Published: October 2012

Prototypes (social images) have been shown to influence behaviour, which is likely to depend on the type of image. Prototype evaluation is based on (un)desirable characteristics related to that image. By an elicitation procedure we examined which adjectives are attributed to specific drinker prototypes. In total 149 young Dutch adults (18–25 years of age) provided adjectives for five drinker prototypes: abstainer, moderate drinker, heavy drinker, tipsy, and drunk person. Twenty‐three unique adjectives were found. Multilevel latent class cluster analysis revealed six adjective clusters, each with unique and minor overlapping adjectives: ‘negative, excessive drinker,’ ‘moderate, responsible drinker,’ ‘funny tipsy drinker,’ ‘determined abstainer cluster,’ ‘uncontrolled excessive drinker,’ and ‘elated tipsy cluster.’ In addition, four respondent classes were identified. Respondent classes showed differences in their focus on specific adjective clusters. Classes could be labelled ‘focus‐on‐control class,’ ‘focus‐on‐hedonism class,’ ‘contrasting‐extremes‐prototypes class,’ and ‘focus‐on‐elation class.’ Respondent classes differed in gender, educational level and drinking behaviour. The results underscore the importance to differentiate between various prototypes and in prototype adjectives among young adults: subgroup differences in prototype salience and relevance are possibly due to differences in adjective labelling. The results provide insights into explaining differences in drinking behaviour and could potentially be used to target and tailor interventions aimed at lowering alcohol consumption among young adults via prototype alteration.
Potential links between the emerging risk factors for food allergy and vitamin D status
Authors: Vuillermin P. J. , Ponsonby A.‐L. , Kemp A. S. , Allen K. J.
Published: October 2012

A variety of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the recently described increase in food allergy among children living in developed countries. In this study, we summarize the emerging risk factors for IgE‐mediated food allergy in early life, and then review the evidence for and against an association between low vitamin status (VDS) and food allergy. We consider whether each of the epidemiological variables that have been associated with food allergy may also be associated with VDS; and argue that future studies must adequately account for the potential relationships between risk factors for food allergy and VDS, and must also discriminate between vitamin D derived by sun exposure, diet and oral supplementation.
Warming and drought reduce temperature sensitivity of nitrogen transformations
Authors: Auyeung Dolaporn S. Novem , Suseela Vidya , Dukes Jeffrey S.
Published: October 2012

Shifts in nitrogen (N) mineralization and nitrification rates due to global changes can influence nutrient availability, which can affect terrestrial productivity and climate change feedbacks. While many single‐factor studies have examined the effects of environmental changes on N mineralization and nitrification, few have examined these effects in a multifactor context or recorded how these effects vary seasonally. In an old‐field ecosystem in Massachusetts, USA, we investigated the combined effects of four levels of warming (up to 4 °C) and three levels of precipitation (drought, ambient, and wet) on net N mineralization, net nitrification, and potential nitrification. We also examined the treatment effects on the temperature sensitivity of net N mineralization and net nitrification and on the ratio of C mineralization to net N mineralization. During winter, freeze–thaw events, snow depth, and soil freezing depth explained little of the variation in net nitrification and N mineralization rates among treatments. During two years of treatments, warming and altered precipitation rarely influenced the rates of N cycling, and there was no evidence of a seasonal pattern in the responses. In contrast, warming and drought dramatically decreased the apparent Q10 of net N mineralization and net nitrification, and the warming‐induced decrease in apparent Q10 was more pronounced in ambient and wet treatments than the drought treatment. The ratio of C mineralization to net N mineralization varied over time and was sensitive to the interactive effects of warming and altered precipitation. Although many studies have found that warming tends to accelerate N cycling, our results suggest that warming can have little to no effect on N cycling in some ecosystems. Thus, ecosystem models that assume that warming will consistently increase N mineralization rates and inputs of plant‐available N may overestimate the increase in terrestrial productivity and the magnitude of an important negative feedback to climate change.
Does more mean less? The value of information for conservation planning under sea level rise
Authors: Runting Rebecca K. , Wilson Kerrie A. , Rhodes Jonathan R.
Published: October 2012

Many studies have explored the benefits of adopting more sophisticated modelling techniques or spatial data in terms of our ability to accurately predict ecosystem responses to global change. However, we currently know little about whether the improved predictions will actually lead to better conservation outcomes once the costs of gaining improved models or data are accounted for. This severely limits our ability to make strategic decisions for adaptation to global pressures, particularly in landscapes subject to dynamic change such as the coastal zone. In such landscapes, the global phenomenon of sea level rise is a critical consideration for preserving biodiversity.

Here, we address this issue in the context of making decisions about where to locate a reserve system to preserve coastal biodiversity with a limited budget. Specifically, we determined the cost‐effectiveness of investing in high‐resolution elevation data and process‐based models for predicting wetland shifts in a coastal region of South East Queensland, Australia. We evaluated the resulting priority areas for reserve selection to quantify the cost‐effectiveness of investment in better quantifying biological and physical processes.

We show that, in this case, it is considerably more cost effective to use a process‐based model and high‐resolution elevation data, even if this requires a substantial proportion of the project budget to be expended (up to 99% in one instance). The less accurate model and data set failed to identify areas of high conservation value, reducing the cost‐effectiveness of the resultant conservation plan. This suggests that when developing conservation plans in areas where sea level rise threatens biodiversity, investing in high‐resolution elevation data and process‐based models to predict shifts in coastal ecosystems may be highly cost effective. A future research priority is to determine how this cost‐effectiveness varies among different regions across the globe.
The times are changing: temporal shifts in patterns of fish invasions in central European fresh waters
Authors: Rabitsch W. , Milasowszky N. , Nehring S. , Wiesner C. , Wolter C. , Essl F.
Published: October 2012

This study examines the invasion history of alien fish species based on exhaustive national data sets on fish invasions of two contiguous central European countries (Germany and Austria). Fifteen alien fish species are currently established in both countries, constituting 14 and 17% of the total freshwater fish fauna of Germany and Austria, respectively. In both countries, six alien species are present, but not established. The status of five alien species in Germany and three species in Austria remains unknown. Accumulation rates of alien fish species have increased in recent decades with >50% of them reported after 1971. North America and Asia were the primary sources of alien fish species in Germany and Austria up to the 1980s, whereas European species of Ponto‐Caspian origin dominate now. Fisheries (including aquaculture) and the animal trade were responsible for most earlier introductions, whereas waterways were the main pathway for recent invaders. The extent of the spatial distribution of alien species was positively correlated with residence time,i.e.the time elapsed since the first national record. Different thermal preferences of early invaders (mostly coldwater species) and new invaders (typically warmwater adapted) may benefit the latter in the face of climate change. It is concluded that new challenges for alien fish management arise and that ecosystem‐based approaches as endorsed by the E.U. Water Framework Directive (maintaining or restoring good ecological status of rivers and streams) should become the centrepiece of river management in Europe.
Ageing of vanadium in soils and consequences for bioavailability
Authors: Baken S. , Larsson M. A. , Gustafsson J. P. , Cubadda F. , Smolders E.
Published: October 2012

Total vanadium (V) concentrations in soils commonly range from 20 to 120 mg kg−1. Vanadium added directly to soils is more soluble than geogenic V and can be phytotoxic at doses within this range of background concentrations. However, it is unknown how slow sorption reactions change the fate and effect of added V in soils. This study addresses the changes in V solubility, toxicity and bioavailability in soils over time. Four soils were amended with pentavalent V in the form of a soluble vanadate salt, and extractable V concentrations were monitored over 100 days. The toxicity to barley and tomato plants was evaluated in freshly spiked soils and in the corresponding aged soils that were equilibrated for up to 330 days after spiking. The V concentrations in 0.01 m CaCl2 soil extracts decreased approximately two‐fold between 14 and 100 days after soil spiking, and the reaction kinetics were similar for all soils. The phytotoxicity of added V decreased on average two‐fold between freshly spiked and aged soils. The reduced toxicity was associated with a corresponding decrease in V concentrations in the isolated soil solutions and in the shoots. The V speciation in the soil solution of the aged soils was dominated by V(V); less than 8% was present as V(IV). Oxalate extractions suggest that the V(V) added to soils is predominantly sorbed onto poorly crystalline oxyhydroxides. It is concluded that the toxicity of V measured in freshly spiked soils may not be representative of soils subject to a long‐term V contamination in the field.
Asymmetric conspecific sperm precedence in relation to spawning times in the Montastraea annularis species complex (Cnidaria: Scleractinia)
Authors: Fogarty N. D. , Lowenberg M. , Ojima M. N. , Knowlton N. , Levitan D. R.
Published: October 2012

In broadcast spawners, prezygotic reproductive isolation depends on differences in the spatial and temporal patterns of gamete release and gametic incompatibility. Typically, gametic incompatibility is measured in no‐choice crosses, but conspecific sperm precedence (CSP) can prevent hybridization in gametes that are compatible in the absence of sperm competition. Broadcast spawning corals in the Montastraea annularis species complex spawn annually on the same few evenings. Montastraea franksi spawns an average of 110 min before M. annularis, with a minimum gap of approximately 40 min. Gametes are compatible in no‐choice heterospecific assays, but it is unknown whether eggs exhibit choice when in competition. Hybridization depends on either M. franksi eggs remaining unfertilized and in proximity to M. annularis when the latter species spawns or M. franksi sperm remaining in sufficient viable concentrations when M. annularis spawns. We found that the eggs of the early spawning M. franksi demonstrate strong CSP, whereas CSP appears to be lacking for M. annularis eggs. This study provides evidence of diverging gamete affinities between these recently separated species and suggests for the first time that selection may favour CSP in earlier spawning species when conspecific sperm is diluted and aged and is otherwise at a numeric and viability disadvantage with heterospecific sperm.
Lower urinary tract symptoms and depression
Authors: Rom Maximilian , Schatzl Georg , Swietek Natalia , Rücklinger Ernst , Kratzik Christian
Published: October 2012

Study Type – Symptom prevalence (cohort)

Level of Evidence 2b

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Depression plays an important role in pathogenesis of BPH. Our study shows that prostatic symptoms can be helpful in the screening for depression.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and depression in men through validated questionnaires.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Healthy male workers (n= 673) were invited to a free health check‐up.

Patients underwent a detailed medical examination.

All participants completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

RESULTS

Under multiple logistic regression analysis (adjusted for total testosterone and age), a significant effect of IPSS on BDI score was observed: mild depression (BDI score >9): odds ratio (OR) 1.092, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.056–1.129; P < 0.001; moderate‐to‐severe depression (BDI score >19): OR 1.093, 95% CI 1.031–1.159; P= 0.003; and severe depression (BDI score >29): OR 1.176, 95% CI 1.048–1.320; P= 0.006.

CONCLUSIONS

In healthy men, LUTS are significantly associated with depression.

The treatment of LUTS is very important for the mental health of older men.
Patient‐focused research supported practices in an intensive family therapy unit
Authors: Sundet Rolf
Published: October 2012

The aim of this study is to explain how families evaluate and describe the use of two measures, the session rating scale and the outcome rating scale, in order to monitor therapeutic work. This study is methodologically based on modifications of methodical hermeneutics and consensual qualitative research. The results confirm the feasibility of these scales although some difficulties were identified. The analysis of the family interviews identified four conversational processes: communicating, focusing, structuring and exploration. These arise through the application of the scales, indicating their usefulness as conversational tools. In general, it is suggested that all the measurements and tools applied can be seen as therapeutic tools that are especially useful for establishing conversations and strengthening collaboration between service users and therapists. This brings the practice of monitoring therapeutic work into close contact with postmodern‐oriented forms of therapy.
Adapting family‐based therapy to a day hospital programme for adolescents with eating disorders: preliminary outcomes and trajectories of change
Authors: Girz Laura , Lafrance Robinson Adele , Foroughe Mirisse , Jasper Karin , Boachie Ahmed
Published: October 2012

Adolescent eating disorder symptoms, depression and anxiety, the impact of their symptoms on their parents, and parental self‐efficacy were assessed before beginning family‐based day hospital treatment, and at 3 and 6 months post‐assessment. Parents’ self‐efficacy increased during the first 3 months of treatment, and their knowledge and confidence in their effectiveness against the eating disorder continued to increase between 3 and 6 months post‐assessment. Adolescent eating disorder symptoms, depression and anxiety, and the impact of the symptoms on their parents decreased between 3 and 6 months post‐assessment. The results suggest that family‐based treatment can be adapted to day hospital programmes for adolescents. The results also provide preliminary support for a treatment duration of at least 6 months.
SOCIAL CAPITAL, GOVERNANCE AND PERFORMANCE OF ETHIOPIAN COFFEE COOPERATIVES
Authors: RUBEN Ruerd , HERAS Jorge
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT: The performance of agrarian cooperatives strongly depends on the interaction between internal cohesion and external exchange. Empirical assessments of social capital and trust within cooperatives suggest that market involvement could enhance collective action. This relationship may not hold, however, under circumstances of heterogeneous membership and strong state control. We use field data from a comparative sample of 500 coffee farmers belonging to five cooperatives of Sidama Cooperative Union, Ethiopia to outline how differences in economic performance are related to the structure of social networks. We identify clear trade‐offs between bonding and bridging social capital that favour remotely located cooperatives.
CageR: Cage‐Based Reverse Engineering of Animated 3D Shapes
Authors: Thiery Jean‐Marc , Tierny Julien , Boubekeur Tamy
Published: October 2012

We present CageR: A novel framework for converting animated 3D shape sequences into compact and stable cage‐based representations. Given a raw animated sequence with one‐to‐one point correspondences together with an initial cage embedding, our algorithm automatically generates smoothly varying cage embeddings which faithfully reconstruct the enclosed object deformation. Our technique is fast, automatic, oblivious to the cage coordinate system, provides controllable error and exploits a GPU implementation. At the core of our method, we introduce a new algebraic algorithm based on maximum volume sub‐matrices (maxvol) to speed up and stabilize the deformation inversion. We also present a new spectral regularization algorithm that can apply arbitrary regularization terms on selected subparts of the inversion spectrum. This step allows to enforce a highly localized cage regularization, guaranteeing its smooth variation along the sequence. We demonstrate the speed, accuracy and robustness of our framework on various synthetic and acquired data sets. The benefits of our approach are illustrated in applications such as animation compression and post‐editing.
Impact of telework on exhaustion and job engagement: a job demands and job resources model
Authors: Sardeshmukh Shruti R. , Sharma Dheeraj , Golden Timothy D.
Published: October 2012

Teleworking, the increasingly common practice, which involves working away from the office using technology, entails changes in the experience of work. Such changes may influence the demands and resources associated with a job. While research on burnout has addressed the role of exhaustion and job engagement using the Job Demands‐Resources model, existing literature has focused on traditional work modes. This paper explores the effects on job demands and resources to understand the processes through which telework impacts the exhaustion and engagement of the teleworker. We find that the positive effect of telework revolves around reduced work pressure and role conflict and increased autonomy. The negative effect of telework is expressed through increased role ambiguity and reduced support and feedback. Overall, we find that telework is negatively related to both exhaustion and job engagement and that job demands and resources mediate these relationships.
Good to be home? Time‐use and satisfaction levels among home‐based teleworkers
Authors: Wheatley Dan
Published: October 2012

Home‐based teleworking (HbTW) has the potential to provide significant benefits to both employer and employee, but also presents considerable challenges. This paper considers HbTW among UK employees, specifically exploring distinctions in the time‐use of men and women home‐based teleworkers and the impacts of HbTW on employee satisfaction levels, using cross‐section fixed effects panel regression analysis of the British Household Panel Survey. Findings reveal that total time‐use in work activities among men and women home‐based teleworkers is relatively comparable, but the distribution significantly different. For women, housework represents a particular time constraint, reflecting continued presence of the ‘double‐shift’. Homeworkers report greater levels of satisfaction, yet they are more pronounced in respect to paid work than leisure time. Extensive hours of housework reported among women may explain these differences. Nevertheless, home‐based teleworkers report greater levels of satisfaction than other workers, suggesting considerable benefits especially for working mothers.
Role of vernalization and of duplicated FLOWERING LOCUS C in the perennial Arabidopsis lyrata
Authors: Kemi Ulla , Niittyvuopio Anne , Toivainen Tuomas , Pasanen Anu , Quilot‐Turion Bénédicte , Holm Karl , Lagercrantz Ulf , Savolainen Outi , Kuittinen Helmi
Published: October 2012

FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) is one of the main genes influencing the vernalization requirement and natural flowering time variation in the annual Arabidopsis thaliana. Here we studied the effects of vernalization on flowering and its genetic basis in the perennial Arabidopsis lyrata.

Two tandemly duplicated FLC genes (FLC1 and FLC2) were compared with respect to expression and DNA sequence. The effect of vernalization on flowering and on the expression of FLC1 was studied in three European populations. The genetic basis of the FLC1 expression difference between two of the populations was further studied by expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) mapping and sequence analysis.

FLC1 was shown to have a likely role in the vernalization requirement for flowering in A. lyrata. Vernalization decreased its expression and the northern study populations showed higher FLC1 expression than the southern one. eQTL mapping between two of the populations revealed one eQTL affecting FLC1 expression in the genomic region containing the FLC genes. Most FLC1 sequence differences between the study populations were found in the promoter region and in the first intron.

Variation in the FLC1 sequence may cause differences in FLC1 expression between late‐ and early‐flowering A. lyrata populations.
From Grave to Cradle
Authors: Valero Alicia , Valero Antonio
Published: October 2012

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a promising tool in the pursuit of sustainable mining. However, the accounting methodologies used in LCA for abiotic resource depletion still have some shortcomings and need to be improved. In this article a new thermodynamic approach is presented for the evaluation of the depletion of nonfuel minerals. The method is based on quantifying the exergy costs required to replace the extracted minerals with current available technologies, from a completely degraded state in what we term “Thanatia” to the conditions currently found in nature. Thanatia is an estimated reference model of a commercial end of the planet, where all resources have been extracted and dispersed, and all fossil fuels have been burned. Mineral deposits constitute an exergy bonus that nature gives us for free by providing minerals in a concentrated state and not dispersed in the crust. The exergy replacement costs provide a measure of the bonus lost through extraction. This approach allows performing an LCA by including a new stage in the analysis: namely the grave to cradle path. The methodology is explained through the case study of nickel depletion.
Most in Need But Least Served: Legal and Practical Barriers to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for Federally Detained Minors
Authors: Baum Jennifer , Kamhi Alison , Russell C. Mario
Published: October 2012

Abused, neglected, and abandoned immigrant youth face numerous obstacles to physical safety, including potential repatriation (deportation) to abusive caretakers from whom they fled. In recognition of the special needs of abused children, Congress enacted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) to provide a previously unavailable child welfare defense to deportation. The remedy is contingent upon a State court declaration that the youth is, in fact, in need of protection. However, unlike their counterparts in foster care or guardianships, youth detained by the federal government face numerous practical and legal roadblocks to accessing the necessary State court declarations. This article identifies several gaps in State laws which impede detained youths' access to State court declarations, and proposes several remedies which would enable the States to carry out Congress' intent that detained youth have access to SIJS, regardless of detention status.
Unbalanced Scales of Justice: How Ice is Preventing Noncitizens from Having Equal Access to Diversion Programs and Therapeutic Courts
Authors: Elizabeth Dill Sara
Published: October 2012

This article examines the evolution of the criminal justice system to focus on rehabilitation, deterrence, and punishment through the creation of therapeutic courts and diversion programs that benefit society and decrease recidivism rates. However, unknown to many, these programs are unavailable to an overwhelming majority of noncitizens due to pretrial detention solely as a result of an immigration detainer, resulting in an inequity with a high personal cost to the individual, his or her family and community, and society as a whole. This article will discuss the harsh immigration penalties associated with criminal convictions or other lesser contacts with the criminal justice system as well as provide recommendations for diversion programs and therapeutic courts so that participation does not create severe collateral consequences, as it often does with noncitizen defendants. By allowing all eligible defendants equal access to therapeutic courts and diversion programs, our system will also have a positive impact on children and families. Not only will defendants receive treatment and skills necessary for reentry to the community, but they will remain in the United States with their families.

Key Points for the Family Court Community:

The immigration penalties of criminal convictions (or even arrests) have become so severe that deportation has become the norm, rather than the exception

Diversion programs and therapeutic courts provide rehabilitation and treatment and often do not result in immigration penalties, yet are frequently unavailable to noncitizens solely due to immigration issues

Family ties no longer provide relief in a majority of cases where an alien has criminal issues, thus creating a system where immigration interferes with issues of custody, child support, and marriage

Practitioner's Key Points:

Provide attorneys with a background in the issues facing noncitizens in the criminal justice system, including the harsh immigration penalties that result from a conviction

Explain the importance and benefits of therapeutic courts and diversion programs

Discuss the inequities in access to justice that result when noncitizens are facing criminal charges but have an immigration detainer, preventing admission into therapeutic courts or diversion programs