bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gelcasting of Aluminum Nitride Ceramics
Authors: Xue Jianfeng , Dong Manjiang , Li Jun , Zhou Guohong , Wang Shiwei
Published: December 2009

Aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramics has been prepared by nonaqueous gelcasting in air and sintering in nitrogen atmosphere. The influence of pH and dispersant on the ζ potential of AlN–ethanol slurry was studied. And the rheological behavior of the slurry was evaluated to optimize the dispersant content and solid loading. Concentrated AlN slurry (53.8 vol%) with low viscosity was prepared using polyethyleneimine as the dispersant. Sorbitol polyglycidyl ether and tetraethylenepentamine were used as gelling and hardening agents, respectively. A green body with a relative density of 63.3% was obtained. After sintering at 1800°C for 4 h, AlN ceramics with a relative density of 99.6% and a thermal conductivity of 200 W·(m·K)−1 were produced.
Sol–Gel Synthesis and Characterization of CeOx–SiO2–TiO2 Thin Films
Authors: Yang Huaming , Tao Qiufen
Published: December 2009

CeOx–SiO2–TiO2 (CST) thin films deposited on glass are successfully prepared by sol–gel dip‐coating method and characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐vis) absorption, and water contact angle measurement techniques. XPS results indicate that Ti exists mainly in the form of Ti4+. Ce4+ and Ce3+ coexist and Si exists in the form of Si4+ on the surface of the CST films. The asymmetric O 1s peaks fitted by Gaussian–Lorentz function are also discussed. AFM analysis reveals that no spherical particles are observed for the CST film due to its smaller particles, and it has lower surface roughness as compared with pure TiO2 film. The UV‐vis spectra demonstrate that absorption edges for the CST film with Ce/Ti=5% exhibit obvious red shift as compared with pure TiO2 film. Especially for Si/Ti=10% samples, band gap energy reduces to a minimum of about 2.87 eV. Moreover, CST films have much smaller water contact angle of less than 10°, while the pure TiO2 film shows a water contact angle of 60°. The Si/Ti=20% samples reach superhydrophilicity with water contact angle of 3° after UV irradiation for 30 min.
Low‐Temperature Sintering and Microwave Dielectric Properties of the Li2CO3‐Added Ba2V2O7 Ceramics
Authors: Joung Mi‐Ri , Kim Jin‐Seong , Song Myung‐Eun , Nahm Sahn , Paik Jong‐Hoo
Published: December 2009

Li2CO3 was added to Ba2V2O7 ceramics at various contents up to 20 mol% to decrease their sintering time and temperature. The Li2CO3‐added Ba2V2O7 ceramics sintered at 750°C for 2 h had a dense microstructure with a high density. A liquid phase, which existed as an amorphous phase after cooling, was formed during the sintering due to the melting of Li2CO3 and aided the densification of the specimens. The 6.0 mol% Li2CO3‐added ceramic sintered at 750°C showed good microwave dielectric properties of ɛr=10.93, Q×f=74 513 GHz, and τf=−19.86 ppm/°C, indicating that the Li2CO3‐added Ba2V2O7 ceramic is a good candidate material for low‐temperature cofired ceramics.
Ba4Ln2Fe2Ta8O30 (Ln=Pr, Eu): Temperature‐Stable Low Loss Dielectrics with a Tungsten Bronze Structure
Authors: Fang Liang , Peng Xiyang , Li Chunchun , Hu Changzheng , Wu Bolin , Zhou Huanfu
Published: December 2009

The dielectric ceramics Ba4Pr2Fe2Ta8O30 and Ba4Eu2Fe2Ta8O30 with a tetragonal tungsten bronze structure were synthesized and characterized. Dielectric and ferroelectric behaviors indicated that the ceramics are paraelectric above room temperature. Dielectric measurement showed that the present ceramics have high‐temperature stability, a comparatively low temperature coefficient of dielectric constant (τɛ) of −30 and −63 ppm/°C, with a high dielectric constant (ɛr) of 110 and 87.6 together with a low dielectric loss (tan δ) of 0.0010 and 0.0012 (at 1 MHz) for Ba4Pr2Fe2Ta8O30 and Ba4Eu2Fe2Ta8O30, respectively. These results indicated that the Ba4Ln2Fe2Ta8O30 (Ln=Pr, Eu) ceramics might be promising in temperature‐stable multilayer ceramic capacitors.
Large Piezoelectric Coefficient in Tb‐Doped BiFeO3 Films
Authors: Chen Xuemei , Hu Guangda , Wu Weibing , Yang Changhong , Wang Xi , Fan Suhua
Published: December 2009

Polycrystalline BiFeO3 and Bi1−xTbxFeO3 (BTFO) (x=0.05–0.16) thin films were deposited on indium tin oxide/glass substrates via a metal organic deposition method. The influence of Tb doping content on the structure and multiferroic properties was investigated. X‐ray diffraction results reveal that there may exist a structure transition around x=0.11 in the BTFO system. Well‐saturated and rectangular P–E hysteresis loops can be observed in all BTFO films. The BTFOx=0.11 film exhibits the maximum values of the remanent out‐of‐plane piezoelectric coefficient (d33=140 pm/V) and saturated magnetization (Ms=22.2 emu/cm3).
Improved Dielectric Properties of Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7/(111)‐Oriented Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 Bilayered Films for Tunable Microwave Applications
Authors: Yang Lihui , Wang Genshui , Dong Xianlin , Rémiens Denis
Published: December 2009

Bi1.5Zn1.0Nb1.5O7/(111)‐oriented Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 [BZN/BST (111)] bilayered films (∼500‐nm‐thick) have been prepared on Pt/TiOx/SiO2/Si substrates by RF‐magnetron sputtering. Experimental results suggested that the BZN layer has played a positive role in improving the dielectric properties of the films. With the increased thickness of BZN, the dielectric loss was significantly lowered, accompanied with a tolerable reduction of tunability. The thickness effect was discussed with a series connection model of multilayered capacitors, and the calculated permittivity was obtained. At 400 kV/cm, moderate tunability of 50.55%, low dielectric loss of 0.0108, and the largest figure of merit of 46.8 can be achieved for BZN (50 nm)/BST(450 nm) bilayered films.
DJ‐1‐deficient mice show less TH‐positive neurons in the ventral tegmental area and exhibit non‐motoric behavioural impairments
Authors: Pham T. T. , Giesert F. , Röthig A. , Floss T. , Kallnik M. , Weindl K. , Hölter S. M. , Ahting U. , Prokisch H. , Becker L. , Klopstock T. , Hrabé de Angelis M. , Beyer K. , Görner K. , Kahle P. J. , Vogt Weisenhorn D. M. , Wurst W.
Published: December 2009

Loss of function of DJ‐1 (PARK7) is associated with autosomal recessive early‐onset Parkinson's disease (PD), one of the major age‐related neurological diseases. In this study, we extended former studies on DJ‐1 knockout mice by identifying subtle morphological and behavioural phenotypes. The DJ‐1 gene trap‐induced null mutants exhibit less dopamine‐producing neurons in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). They also exhibit slight changes in behaviour, i.e. diminished rearing behaviour and impairments in object recognition. Furthermore, we detected subtle phenotypes, which suggest that these animals compensate for the loss of DJ‐1. First, we found a significant upregulation of mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities, a mechanism known to protect against oxidative stress. Second, a close to significant increase in c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase 1 phosphorylation in old DJ‐1‐deficient mice hints at a differential activation of neuronal cell survival pathways. Third, as no change in the density of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐positive terminals in the striatum was observed, the remaining dopamine‐producing neurons likely compensate by increasing axonal sprouting. In summary, the present data suggest that DJ‐1 is implicated in major non‐motor symptoms of PD appearing in the early phases of the disease—such as subtle impairments in motivated behaviour and cognition—and that under basal conditions the loss of DJ‐1 is compensated
Does genetic background moderate the association between parental education and school achievement?
Authors: Keltikangas‐Järvinen L. , Jokela M. , Hintsanen M. , Salo J. , Hintsa T. , Alatupa S. , Lehtimäki T.
Published: December 2009

This study was conducted with a purpose to examine whether the T102C polymorphism of the serotonin receptor 2A (HTR2A) gene moderates the association between parental education and children's school achievement across nine compulsory school years. The study was carried out in a population‐based sample of Finnish students (aged 9, 12 and 15 years, n = 982). It was found that the HTR2A gene was not related to the school achievement at any school level, but moderated the association between maternal education and the children's grade point averages. The T/T genotype carriers benefited most from high‐maternal education, and suffered from a low one more than the carriers of the other variants of the HTR2A gene. The present finding may at least partly answer the important question why academic outcomes of environmental interventions vary even at the same intelligence levels of the students.
Do Noneconomic Damages Caps and Attorney Fee Limits Reduce Access to Justice for Victims of Medical Negligence?
Authors: Garber Steven , Greenberg Michael D. , Rhodes Hilary , Zhuo Xiaohui , Adams John L.
Published: December 2009

We analyze effects of noneconomic damages caps and attorney fee limits (AFLs) on the ability of people injured by negligent physicians to retain qualified lawyers to represent them. We employ survey data from 965 plaintiffs' attorneys who reported likelihoods of accepting hypothetical meritorious cases described by scenarios. We estimate how willingness to accept such cases increases with the expected hourly fees associated with them, and the estimates suggest substantial effects and plausible tradeoffs. We conclude that caps and AFLs make it harder to retain counsel in various circumstances, and we present policy simulations elucidating how several factors combine to determine these effects.
Measuring the Value of Class and Collective Action Employment Settlements: A Preliminary Assessment
Authors: Estreicher Samuel , Yost Kristina
Published: December 2009

This article represents an initial effort to test, quantitatively, whether the class or collective action is a necessary vehicle for resolving employment disputes because typical claims are not valuable enough for individuals to pursue on their own. Because most class actions ultimately settle, this study begins the process of evaluating the hypothesis by calculating the potential recoveries individual members of class actions are likely to receive in class action settlements as a comparison point for awards obtained in individual employment arbitration. Examining public data on employment class or collective action settlements, we find that with the exception perhaps of certain “off the clock” wage‐hour and ERISA claims, the average individual potential recovery found was not an insignificant amount, and though still generally smaller than the average employment arbitration awards, calls into question the “negative value” justification for the claimed superiority of class action litigation. Much work needs to be done to determine if these potential recoveries would be obtainable in individual litigation or arbitration, or whether there is something special about the class or collective action vehicle that makes possible such potential recoveries. We would also need to account for a selection bias in class action cases—that plaintiffs’ lawyers may underreport less favorable settlements and are highly selective in picking cases for class action treatment. If so, the characteristics of individual and class claims may differ in systematic ways. In the interim, our data show that potential individual recoveries for many types of employment disputes are valuable enough to place in question the arguments that these are “negative value” cases that will be brought forward, if at all, only through the class or collective action vehicle.
Capital Flows and Hedge Fund Regulation
Authors: Cumming Douglas , Dai Na
Published: December 2009

This article introduces a cross‐country law and finance analysis of the regulatory impact on the level of capital flows and the sensitivity of capital flows in response to prior performance (i.e., the “flow‐performance” relationship) in the hedge fund industry. The data indicate that distribution channels in the form of wrappers (securities that combine different products) mitigate flow‐performance sensitivity. Distribution channels via investment managers and fund distribution companies enhance flow‐performance sensitivity. Funds registered in countries that have larger minimum capitalization requirements have higher levels of capital flows. Funds registered in countries that restrict the location of key service providers have lower levels of capital flows. Further, offshore fund flows and calendar effects evidenced in the data are consistent with tax factors influencing capital flows. The findings are robust to selection effects for offshore registrants, among other robustness checks.
Empirical Legal Studies Before 1940: A Bibliographic Essay
Authors: Kritzer Herbert M.
Published: December 2009

The modern empirical legal studies movement has well‐known antecedents in the law and society and law and economics traditions of the latter half of the 20th century. Less well known is the body of empirical research on legal phenomena from the period prior to World War II. This article is an extensive bibliographic essay that surveys the English‐language empirical legal research from approximately 1940 and earlier. The article is arranged around the themes in the research: criminal justice, civil justice (general studies of civil litigation, auto accident litigation and compensation, divorce, small claims, jurisdiction and procedure, civil juries), debt and bankruptcy, banking, appellate courts, legal needs, legal profession (including legal education), and judicial staffing and selection. Accompanying the article is an extensive bibliography of research articles, books, and reports.
Modelling Multifunctionality, Territorial Development, and Policy Scenarios in Rural Europe: an Alternative Perspective on CAP Reform Debates  Modéliser la multifonctionnalité, le développement territorial et les scénarios de politiques dans l’Europe rurale : une autre perspective sur les débats concernant la réforme de la PAC  Modellierung von Multifunktionalität, Territorialentwicklung und Politikszenarien im ländlichen Raum Europas: Eine Alternativperspektive zu den Debatten über die GAP‐Reform
Authors: Bryden John M. , Johnson Tom , Thomson Kenneth J. , Ferenczi Tibor
Published: December 2009

summary

Modelling Multifunctionality, Territorial Development, and Policy Scenarios in Rural Europe: an Alternative Perspective on CAP Reform Debates

This article reports an analysis of CAP alternatives using a system dynamics model developed for 11 diverse European rural regions within a recent EU Framework 6 Research Project, TOP‐MARD (Towards a Policy Model of Multifunctional Agriculture and Rural Development). System dynamics, commonly used in ecological and climate change analysis, embodies a range of ‘feedback loops’ and allows the incorporation of a variety of novel indicators. The model includes regional economic sectors, households, a demographic module, and a quality of life module. It explicitly incorporates some of the ‘new’ policy concerns, especially those concerning the rural environment, populations and their quality of life, and territorial rural development. The outputs of the model are economic, social and environmental outcomes estimated for a baseline scenario (current policies) and for reform scenarios, all extended out to 2025. The analysis shows the varying economic, agricultural, social and environmental outcomes from a range of post‐2013 CAP and rural development policy scenarios in different regional contexts. It further indicates variations in policy efficiency in different regions and contexts. The results, although provisional, support the view that policy impacts need to be considered in particular rural contexts. They also support a ‘place‐based’ approach to sustainable development in rural regions.
Can we perceptually rate alaryngeal voice? Developing the Sunderland Tracheoesophageal Voice Perceptual Scale
Authors: Hurren A. , Hildreth A.J. , Carding P.N.
Published: December 2009

Objective:  To investigate the inter and intra reliability of raters (in relation to both profession and expertise) when judging two alaryngeal voice parameters: ‘Overall Grade’ and ‘Neoglottal Tonicity’. Reliable perceptual assessment is essential for surgical and therapeutic outcome measurement but has been minimally researched to date.

Design:  Test of inter and intra rater agreement from audio recordings of 55 tracheoesophageal speakers.

Setting:  Cancer Unit.

Participants:  Twelve speech and language therapists and ten Ear, Nose and Throat surgeons.

Main outcome measures:  Perceptual voice parameters of ‘Overall Grade’ rated with a 0–3 equally appearing interval scale and ‘Neoglottal Tonicity’ with an 11‐point bipolar semantic scale.

Results:  All raters achieved ‘good’ agreement for ‘Overall Grade’ with mean weighted kappa coefficients of 0.78 for intra and 0.70 for inter‐rater agreement. All raters achieved ‘good’ intra‐rater agreement for ‘Neoglottal Tonicity’ (0.64) but inter‐rater agreement was only ‘moderate’ (0.40). However, the expert speech and language therapists sub‐group attained ‘good’ inter‐rater agreement with this parameter (0.63). The effect of ‘Neoglottal Tonicity’ on ‘Overall Grade’ was examined utilising only expert speech and language therapists data. Linear regression analysis resulted in an r‐squared coefficient of 0.67. Analysis of the perceptual impression of hypotonicity and hypertonicity in relation to mean ‘Overall Grade’ score demonstrated neither tone was linked to a more favourable grade (P = 0.42).

Conclusions:  Expert speech and language therapist raters may be the optimal judges for tracheoesophageal voice assessment. Tonicity appears to be a good predictor of ‘Overall Grade’. These scales have clinical applicability to investigate techniques that facilitate optotonic neoglottal voice quality.

Clin. Otolaryngol. 2009, 34, 533–538.
Internships for Future Faculty: Meeting the Career Goals of the Next Generation of Educators in Marriage and Family Therapy
Authors: Miller John K. , Todahl Jeff , Platt Jason J. , Lambert‐Shute Jennifer , Eppler Christie S.
Published: December 2009

A key component of a doctoral education in marriage and family therapy (MFT) is the completion of an internship. Virtually all MFT doctoral internships are focused on advanced clinical practice and often are located in agencies unconnected with an academic setting. This article describes an MFT doctoral internship specifically designed to foster the skills needed as a faculty member. The primary purpose of this “future faculty” internship is to expose doctoral interns to faculty life, including participation in graduate teaching, clinical supervision, research, and faculty service—while still meeting typical clinical requirements. Results of semistructured qualitative interviews with five doctoral interns associated with the site are reported. Guidelines for the development of other doctoral internships designed for future MFT faculty members are discussed.
No relationship between lung function and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein in adolescence
Authors: Nybo Mads , Hansen Henrik Steen , Siersted Hans Christian , Rasmussen Finn
Published: December 2009

Introduction:  Several studies on adults have indicated that lower spirometric lung function may be associated with increased systemic inflammation, but no studies have investigated if this association is already present in adolescence.

Objective:  We explored the temporal relationship between changes in lung function and concentrations of plasma C‐reactive protein (CRP) in a population‐based cohort study at ages 14 and 20 years using a high‐sensitivity CRP assay.

Methods:  CRP measurements were performed in a total of 420 subjects at mean age of 13.9 years. Of these, 262 subjects (62%) participated in the follow‐up investigation at mean age of 20.1 years.

Results:  Levels of log‐CRP at age 14 were not significantly associated with forced expiratory volume (FEV1) or FEV1/ forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio at age 20, nor with the change in FEV1, FVC or FEV1/FVC ratio between 14 and 20 years after controlling for body mass index (BMI), airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), asthma, smoking, sex, and height at 14 years, and change in height between 14 and 20 years. Sex, BMI, AHR, ECP and change in height between 14 and 20 years were identified as independent factors associated with the change in FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC ratio in adolescence.

Conclusion:  We did not find an association between CRP levels at age 14 and change in lung function by age 20; whereas, sex, change in height, BMI, AHR and ECP were associated with lung function change in adolescence. Our findings indicate that systemic inflammation is of less importance for change in lung function in adolescence.

Please cite this paper as: Nybo M, Hansen HS, Siersted HC and Rasmussen F. No relationship between lung function and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein in adolescence. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2010; 4: 230–236.
The Global Financial Crisis and Behavioural Economics*
Authors: McDonald Ian M.
Published: December 2009

Conventional economics, which is based on Homo economicus, cannot provide a satisfactory explanation for the global financial crisis. However, behavioural economics, and the concept of present bias, self‐serving bias, ‘new era’ stories, money illusion, comparisons with reference levels and herding, can provide an explanation.
Banking Crises and Economic Activity: Observations from Past Crises in Developed Countries*
Authors: Connolly Ellis
Published: December 2009

This paper examines twelve banking crises that occurred in developed countries between the 1970s and 1990s and highlights the macroeconomic adjustment paths experienced during these episodes. The banking crises were generally preceded by financial deregulation, which sparked rapid real credit growth and asset price inflation. During the booms, the lending standards of banks deteriorated and prudential supervision was inadequate. The most serious crises coincided with deep and prolonged slowdowns in economic activity, starting with falling credit growth and asset prices, followed by a sharp fall in investment and a slowing in consumption, partly offset by a rise in net exports. Governments responded with a range of policies to restore the health of the banking sector, along with monetary and fiscal stimulus. The paper concludes by comparing these past crises with the recent banking crises in the United States and parts of Europe, where the deterioration of lending standards appears to have been an important factor once again.
Equity‐Based, Asset‐Based and Asset‐Backed Transactional Structures in Shari’a‐Compliant Financing: Reflections on the Current Financial Crisis*
Authors: Abdul Aziz Razi Pahlavi , Gintzburger Anne‐Sophie
Published: December 2009

This paper presents interest‐free equity‐based, asset‐based and asset‐backed transactional structures endorsed by Shari’a‐compliant finance. These structures could explain the potential and relative insulation, yet not immunity, of Islamic financial institutions from the financial crisis. Although Shari’a‐compliant financing cannot solve the current financial crisis, the recovering market could consider incorporating some of the insulating principles underlying Shari’a‐compliant financing and securitization products, as exemplified in the sample of Shari’a‐compliant products in this paper, so as to offer better consumer protection.
Mozambican Grass Seed Consumption During the Middle Stone Age
Authors: Mercader Julio
Published: December 2009

Seed for Food

The seeds of grain-producing plants are more difficult to harvest than nuts or fruits as food. It has been unclear when early humans began to rely extensively on grains, but
Mercader
(p.
1680
) has discovered films of starch residues on stone tools at a cave site in Mozambique dating to about 100,000 years ago. The residues are consistent with starch grains from wild sorghum and indicate that early humans relied on cereals much earlier than previously thought. The Mozambican example of sorghum exploitation thus represents the longest known tradition of cereal use in the world.
Mining Our Reality
Authors: Mitchell Tom M.
Published: December 2009

Real-time data on the whereabouts and behaviors of much of humanity advance behavioral science and offer practical benefits, but also raise privacy concerns.
The Nation's Report Card: A Vision of Large-Scale Science Assessment
Authors: Fu Alice C. , Raizen Senta A. , Shavelson Richard J.
Published: December 2009

The 2009 National Assessment of Educational Progress uses an expanded variety of tasks to probe student science achievement.
The Subtle Transmission of Race Bias via Televised Nonverbal Behavior
Authors: Weisbuch Max , Pauker Kristin , Ambady Nalini
Published: December 2009

Silent Hate

A great deal of information can be communicated nonverbally.

Weisbuch
et al.

(p.
1711
; see the Perspective by

Dovidio

) have used experimental, archival, and survey studies to find that the nonverbal communication of racial bias in popular television shows perpetuates implicit racism in viewers. A subsequent field data analysis yielded a correlation between U.S. viewer ratings and a Federal Bureau of Investigation tally of anti-black hate crimes in the same localities.
Crystal Structure of the Eukaryotic Strong Inward-Rectifier K
+
Channel Kir2.2 at 3.1 Å Resolution
Authors: Tao Xiao , Avalos Jose L. , Chen Jiayun , MacKinnon Roderick
Published: December 2009

Bio-Diodes

Inward rectifier potassium channels conduct K
+
ions into the cell at internal negative membrane voltages, but at internal positive membrane voltages they are blocked by intracellular multivalent ions. These channels control the resting membrane voltage and are required for the healthy function of many electrically excitable cells. Mutations can result in transient paralysis causing, for example, heart problems.

Tao
et al.

(p.
1668
) now report a 3.1 angstrom resolution structure of the inward rectifier, Kir2.2 from chicken, which has a similar structure to the human equivalent. The combination of observations of conductive and inhibitory ion binding sites with electrophysiological data finally explains the mechanism of action of these long-studied channels and reveals how they maintain their low sensitivity to toxins, as well as provides a basis for the design of therapeutic drugs.
Regiodivergent Ring Opening of Chiral Aziridines
Authors: Wu Bin , Parquette Jon R. , RajanBabu T. V.
Published: December 2009

A bimetallic catalyst selects different ring-opening sites, depending on the chiral configuration of the substrate.
Enabling New Missions for Robotic Aircraft
Authors: Langelaan Jack W. , Roy Nicholas
Published: December 2009

Improved sensing and planning for enhanced flight duration allow unpiloted small aircraft to fly autonomously in cluttered environments over long distances.
Rich Financial Lives of Poor People
Portfolios of the Poor
How the World's Poor Live on $2 a Day

by Daryl Collins, Jonathan Morduch, Stuart Rutherford, and Orlanda Ruthven

Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2009. 295 pp. $29.95, £20.95. ISBN 9780691141480.
Authors: Krishna Anirudh
Published: December 2009

The authors document the variety of ways by which poor families manage their finances to feed, shelter, and care for themselves.
Universal Few-Body Binding
Authors: Modugno Giovanni
Published: December 2009

Cold atoms are providing insights into binding processes within systems of a small number of interacting particles.
Ardipithecus ramidus
Authors: Gibbons Ann
Published: December 2009

A rare 4.4-million-year-old skeleton has drawn back the curtain of time to reveal the surprising body plan and ecology of our earliest ancestors.
The Novel H1N1 Influenza
Authors: Enserink Martin , Cohen Jon
Published: December 2009

For years, scientists have been warning about the potential for an influenza pandemic on the order of the 1918 Spanish flu. But the pandemic that erupted last spring looks nothing like the one health officials have been preparing to combat.
U.S. Poised to Adopt National Ocean Policy
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: December 2009

Faced with more action in the ocean, a new federal council will try to improve planning and resolve conflicts.
Melanoma Drug Vindicates Targeted Approach
Authors: Garber Ken
Published: December 2009

A mutation-targeted molecular therapy has shown promise against one of the most devastating types of cancer, but how it works is unclear.
Ecological Genomics Gets Down to Genes—and Function
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: December 2009

The promise of genomics has been luring ecologists into the once-alien world of molecular biology.
Pharmacologic Induction of CD8
+
T Cell Memory: Better Living Through Chemistry
Authors: Gattinoni Luca , Klebanoff Christopher A. , Restifo Nicholas P.
Published: December 2009

Drugs already in clinical use can enhance the generation of memory T cells, creating new prospects for T cell–based immunotherapies for infectious diseases and cancer.
Toward a Systems-Level Analysis of Infection Biology: A New Method for Conducting Genetic Screens in Human Cells
Authors: Stanley Sarah A. , Hung Deborah T.
Published: December 2009

A library of loss-of-function alleles generated from a largely haploid human cell line facilitated genome-wide screens designed to interrogate host-pathogen interactions and promote a systems-level understanding of infectious disease.
Metabolites on the Brain
Authors: LaMarco Kelly
Published: December 2009

A mutated metabolic enzyme gains a new catalytic activity that may enhance the progression of metastatic brain cancer.
Evaluation of a Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis Virus/Maedi-Visna Virus Indirect Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay in the Serological Diagnosis of Ovine Progressive Pneumonia Virus in U.S. Sheep
Authors: Herrmann-Hoesing Lynn M. , Broughton-Neiswanger Liam E. , Gouine Kimberly C. , White Stephen N. , Mousel Michele R. , Lewis Gregory S. , Marshall Katherine L. , Knowles Donald P.
Published: December 2009

A caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV)/maedi-visna virus (MVV) indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA) was validated with samples from U.S. sheep and by the use of radioimmunoprecipitation as the standard for comparison. The sensitivity and the specificity were 86.0% (±5.8%) and 95.9% (±2.9%), respectively. The iELISA format and phylogenetic differences based on the MVVgagsequence contribute to the reduced sensitivity.
Nonhemolytic
Streptococcus pyogenes
Isolates That Lack Large Regions of the
sag
Operon Mediating Streptolysin S Production
Authors: Yoshino Miho , Murayama Somay Y. , Sunaoshi Katsuhiko , Wajima Takeaki , Takahashi Miki , Masaki Junko , Kurokawa Iku , Ubukata Kimiko
Published: December 2009

Among nonhemolytic
Streptococcus pyogenes
(group A streptococcus) strains (
n
= 9) isolated from patients with pharyngitis or acute otitis media, we identified three deletions in the region from the
epf
gene, encoding the extracellular matrix binding protein, to the
sag
operon, mediating streptolysin S production.
Use of
fimH
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms for Strain Typing of Clinical Isolates of
Escherichia coli
for Epidemiologic Investigation
Authors: Dias Rubens C. S. , Moreira Beatriz M. , Riley Lee W.
Published: December 2009

Strain typing methods that compare electrophoresis banding patterns are commonly used but are difficult to standardize and poorly portable. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) is a sequence-based alternative, but it is not practical for large-scale epidemiological studies. In the present study, the usefulness of
fimH
single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for
Escherichia coli
typing was explored.
fimH
SNPs were determined for 345
E. coli
clinical isolates (including 3 reference strains) and compared to PCR-based ECOR (
E. coli
reference collection) phylogrouping. The
fimH
gene could be amplified for 316 (92%) of the 345 isolates.
fimH
SNP analysis found 46 distinct terminal groups in the nucleotide sequence-based phylogenetic tree (
fimH
types). A subset of the
E. coli
isolates (162 clinical isolates and the 3 reference strains) were compared by
fimH
type, PCR phylogroup, and MLST. These isolates fell into 27
fimH
types and 18 MLST clonal complexes (CCs) that contained 2 to 28 isolates per complex. The combination of PCR phylogroup and
fimH
type corresponded to a single CC for 113 (68%) isolates and 2 or 3 CCs for the other 52 (32%) isolates. We propose that the combination of PCR phylogrouping and
fimH
SNP analysis may be a useful method to type a large collection of clinical
E. coli
isolates for epidemiologic studies.
The Potent Anti-HIV Activity of CXCL12γ Correlates with Efficient CXCR4 Binding and Internalization
Authors: Altenburg Jeffrey D. , Jin Qingwen , Alkhatib Bashar , Alkhatib Ghalib
Published: December 2009

We previously demonstrated that the naturally occurring splice variant stromal cell-derived factor 1γ/CXCL12γ is the most potent CXCL12 isoform in blocking X4 HIV-1, with weak chemotactic activity. A conserved BBXB domain (B for basic and X for any residue) located in the N terminus (
24
KHLK
27
) is found in all six isoforms of CXCL12. To determine whether the potent antiviral activity of CXCL12γ is due to the presence of the extra C-terminal BBXB domains, we mutated each domain individually as well as in combination. Although binding of CXCL12γ to heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) was 10-fold higher than that observed with CXCL12α, the results did not demonstrate a direct correlation between HSPG binding and the potent antiviral activity. CXCL12γ mutants lacking the conserved BBXB domain (designated γB1) showed increased binding to HSPG but reduced anti-HIV activity. In contrast, the mutants lacking the C-terminal second and/or third BBXB domain but retaining the conserved domain (designated B2, B3, and B23) showed decreased binding to HSPG but increased anti-HIV activity. The B2, B3, and B23 mutants were associated with enhanced CXCR4 binding, receptor internalization, and restored chemotaxis. Internalization of CXCR4 was more potent with CXCL12γ than with CXCL12α and was significantly reduced when the conserved BBXB domain was mutated. We concluded that the observed potent anti-HIV-1 activity of CXCL12γ is due to increased affinity for CXCR4 and to efficient receptor internalization.
Genomewide Association Analysis of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Mice
Authors: Stark James M. , Barmada M. Michael , Winterberg Abby V. , Majumber Nilanjana , Gibbons William J. , Stark Marilyn A. , Sartor Maureen A. , Medvedovic Mario , Kolls Jay , Bein Kiflai , Mailaparambil Beena , Krueger Marcus , Heinzmann Andrea , Leikauf George D. , Prows Daniel R.
Published: December 2009

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants, with about half being infected in their first year of life. Yet only 2 to 3% of infants are hospitalized for RSV infection, suggesting that individual susceptibility contributes to disease severity. Previously, we determined that AKR/J (susceptible) mice developed high lung RSV titers and showed delayed weight recovery, whereas C57BL/6J (resistant) mice demonstrated low lung RSV titers and rapid weight recovery. In addition, we have reported that gene-targeted mice lacking the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (Cftr; ATP-binding cassette subfamily C, member 7) are susceptible to RSV infection. For this report, recombinant backcross and F2 progeny derived from C57BL/6J and AKR/J mice were infected with RSV, their lung titers were measured, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was performed. A major QTL, designatedRsvs1, was identified on proximal mouse chromosome 6 in both recombinant populations. Microarray analysis comparing lung transcripts of the parental strains during infection identified several candidate genes that mapped to theRsvs1interval, includingCftr. These findings add to our understanding of individual RSV susceptibility and strongly support a modifier role forCFTRin RSV infection, a significant cause of respiratory morbidity in infants with cystic fibrosis.
Comparative Immunogenicity of Subtype A Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Envelope Exhibiting Differential Exposure of Conserved Neutralization Epitopes
Authors: Blish Catherine A. , Sather D. Noah , Sellhorn George , Stamatatos Leonidas , Sun Yide , Srivastava Indresh , Barnett Susan W. , Cleveland Brad , Overbaugh Julie , Hu Shiu-lok
Published: December 2009

Development of broadly cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) remains a major goal of HIV-1 vaccine development, but most candidate envelope immunogens have had limited ability to cross-neutralize heterologous strains. To evaluate the immunogenicity of subtype A variants of HIV-1, rabbits were immunized with pairs of closely related subtype A envelopes from the same individual. In each immunogen pair, one variant was readily neutralized by a variety of monoclonal antibodies and plasma antibodies, while the other was neutralization resistant, suggesting differences in the exposures of key epitopes. The breadth of the antibody response was evaluated against subtype A, B, C, and D variants of HIV-1. The specificity of the immunogen-derived neutralizing antibody response was also compared to that of the infected individuals from whom these variants were cloned. None of the immunogens produced broad neutralizing antibodies in immunized animals, and most of the neutralizing antibodies were directed to the variable loops, particularly the V3 loop. No detectable antibodies to either of the potentially exposed conserved epitopes, the membrane proximal external region, or the CD4 binding site were found with immunized rabbits. In contrast, relatively little of the neutralizing activity within the plasma samples of the infected individuals was directed to linear epitopes within the variable loops. These data indicate that immunogens designed to expose conserved regions did not enhance generation of broadly neutralizing antibodies in comparison with the immunogens that failed to expose those regions using this immunization approach.
Compartmentalization and Clonal Amplification of HIV-1 Variants in the Cerebrospinal Fluid during Primary Infection
Authors: Schnell Gretja , Price Richard W. , Swanstrom Ronald , Spudich Serena
Published: December 2009

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated dementia (HAD) is a severe neurological disease that affects a subset of HIV-1-infected individuals. Increased compartmentalization has been reported between blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) HIV-1 populations in subjects with HAD, but it is still not known when compartmentalization arises during the course of infection. To assess HIV-1 genetic compartmentalization early during infection, we compared HIV-1 populations in the peripheral blood and CSF in 11 primary infection subjects, with analysis of longitudinal samples over the first 18 months for a subset of subjects. We used heteroduplex tracking assays targeting the variable regions ofenvand single-genome amplification and sequence analysis of the full-lengthenvgene to identify CSF-compartmentalized variants and to examine viral genotypes within the compartmentalized populations. For most subjects, HIV-1 populations were equilibrated between the blood and CSF compartments. However, compartmentalized HIV-1 populations were detected in the CSF of three primary infection subjects, and longitudinal analysis of one subject revealed that compartmentalization during primary HIV-1 infection was resolved. Clonal amplification of specific HIV-1 variants was identified in the CSF population of one primary infection subject. Our data show that compartmentalization can occur in the central nervous system (CNS) of subjects in primary HIV-1 infection in part through persistence of the putative transmitted parental variant or via viral genetic adaptation to the CNS environment. The presence of distinct HIV-1 populations in the CSF indicates that independent HIV-1 replication can occur in the CNS, even early after HIV-1 transmission.
Augmented Latent Membrane Protein 1 Expression from Epstein-Barr Virus Episomes with Minimal Terminal Repeats
Authors: Repic Allison M. , Shi Mingxia , Scott Rona S. , Sixbey John W.
Published: December 2009

The major oncogene of the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), can be expressed from either of two promoters, ED-L1 or L1-TR, producing mRNAs of 2.8 kb or 3.5 kb, respectively. L1-TR, active in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and Hodgkin's lymphoma, is located within the first of a highly variable reiteration of terminal repeat (TR) sequences that are joined by random recombination upon circularization of the linear genome at entry into cells. To determine whether the resultant TR number affects LMP1 promoter activity, we isolated single-cell clones bearing episomes of distinct TR numbers (6TR to 12TR) from epithelial cells newly infected with EBV. LMP1 mRNA levels correlated directly with the quantity of LMP1 protein expressed but varied inversely to TR number. Unexpectedly, the 3.5-kb transcript predominated only at lower TR reiterations. Diminished L1-TR activity in the context of a higher TR count was confirmed with a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter construct driven by L1-TR. Various levels of LMP1, expressed from virus isogenic in all but TR number, produced divergent morphological and growth phenotypes in each cell clone. Abundant LMP1 in 6TR cells yielded a relatively cytostatic state compared to the proliferative one produced by intermediate and smaller amounts in 8TR and 12TR clones. These findings suggest that the diversification of TR number, inherent in a round of EBV reactivation and reinfection, may itself be a component of the oncogenic process. The replicative burst preceding onset of many EBV-linked cancers may increase the likelihood that LMP1 levels compatible with clonal outgrowth are achieved in a subset of infected cells.
Adsorption of 2-thiobarbituric acid at the electrochemical interface: Contrasted behaviours on mercury and gold
Authors: Doneux Thomas , El Achab Mustapha , Buess-Herman Claudine
Published: December 2009

The adsorption of 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) from acid solutions (pH ~1) has been investigated at the Au(111) single crystal electrode and at the dropping mercury electrode. In contrast to the gold electrode where the adsorption is driven by the strong interaction between Au and the S atom, the TBA adsorption at the mercury electrode is more contrasted and distinct features such as capacitance pits are observed in the capacitance–potential curves. The kinetics of phase transformation were investigated by the potential step technique. The formation of films B and C prevailing in two distinct capacity pit regions is controlled by a nucleation and growth mechanism. Ordering of film A observed at the positive end of the potential region is also evidenced on the basis of the charge transients associated with its formation from film B or C. The two successive sigmoidal parts in the charge transient obtained at small overpotentials for the transformation of C to A is explained by the presence of an intermediate metastable film.
TERMINAL AMINO ACIDS OF HUMAN AND BOVINE GAMMA GLOBULIN
Authors: Lay Woo-Pok , Polglase W. J.
Published: December 2009

The N-terminal amino acids of a preparation of human gamma globulin have been found to be aspartic acid and glutamic acid in confirmation of other work. The C-terminal amino acids in this protein appear to be glycine and serine. Bovine gamma globulin has aspartic acid, glutamic acid, serine, alanine, and valine in N-terminal positions as other work has indicated. This protein has the same C-terminal residues (glycine and serine) as has human gamma globulin.
THE MECHANISM OF SCHRADAN ACTIVATION BY LIVER MICROSOMES
Authors: O'Brien R. D.
Published: December 2009

The mechanism by which schradan is converted to a powerful anticholinesterase by fortified liver homogenates has been studied. A scheme is proposed involving the production from DPNH of hydrogen peroxide, which then oxidizes an unknown microsomal factor with the aid of catalase. The factor in turn oxidizes schradan. The evidence for this proposal is that all the factors involved are present in the preparations that oxidize schradan and that, in general, appropriate additions can replace the endogenous factors. However, difficulties are introduced by the very low efficiency of the over-all system.
STUDIES ON ALDOSTERONE: I. ISOLATION FROM ADRENAL CORTICAL EXTRACT AND A TEST FOR ITS IDENTITY
Authors: Gornall Allan G. , Gwilliam Cynthia
Published: December 2009

Details are given of a method which has proved very satisfactory for the isolation of aldosterone from commercial aqueous adrenal cortical extracts. The hormone was extracted with chloroform and separated by chromatography in the following systems: System I, benzene: 5% ethyl acetate/methanol: water; System II, toluene/propylene glycol; System III, benzene: 10% ethyl acetate/methanol: water. Identification of the isolated steroid was provided by: U.V. absorption, acetylation followed by chromatography, bio-assay, qualitative tests with blue tetrazolium and phenylhydrazine, absorption spectra in sulphuric and phosphoric acids, and crystallization. Quantitative estimations were made by U.V. absorption and the dinitrophenylhydrazine reaction. The latter method has been shown to exhibit with aldosterone a characteristic behavior that can assist in establishing the identity of this hormone. The yield from the extract principally employed was 4 μg. per ml.
THE EFFECT OF NORADRENALINE ON THE SURVIVAL OF RATS SUBJECTED TO HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK
Authors: Lansing A. M. , Stevenson J. A. F. , Gowdey C. W.
Published: December 2009

Reports of the efficacy of l-noradrenaline in the treatment of clinical shock stimulated an investigation of its effect in controlled hemorrhagic hypotension. Seventy-three 350-g. male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to a standardized hemorrhagic shock procedure. Of 15 control animals that received no treatment, only one survived for 48 hours; none survived of the five controls that received a constant intravenous infusion, after the shock procedure, of 5% glucose in distilled water until death or for 36 hours. The treated animals received, after the shock procedure, an infusion of l-noradrenaline (0.5–2.0 μg./min.) in 5% glucose in distilled water. The survival rates for the treated animals were: treatment for 1 hour, 1/8; treatment for 4 hours, 4/15; treatment until death or for 36 hours, 8/15. Fifteen animals received, in addition to noradrenaline for 36 hours, hydrocortisone administered intravenously (0.7 μg./min.) or intramuscularly (2.5 mg. every 6 hours); seven of these animals survived.Analysis of variance showed that there was no difference in the shock procedure undergone by the controls and by the treated survivors. The Chi square test on the survival rates revealed that the infusion of noradrenaline for 1 hour or 4 hours did not improve survival, but infusion for 36 hours produced a very significant increase in survival time and in total survival rate. The addition of hydrocortisone neither enhanced nor impaired this improvement.
THE METABOLISM OF URACIL
Authors: Goldman Jerrold G. , Schein Arnold H. , McKay Bruce
Published: December 2009

Oxygen uptake could not be demonstrated when uracil, uridine, or uridylic acid and various supplements were incubated with rat liver preparations. Attention was directed towards the likelihood that the initial step of uracil catabolism in mammals is a reduction such as occurs in yeasts. Various techniques were employed to measure the possible reduction of uracil to 4,5-dihydrouracil but no experimental evidence was uncovered that this latter compound was formed. While Canellakis has recently shown that the reaction uracil → 4,5-dihydrouracil does take place in mammalian tissues and that TRPH is required, this requirement must be specific since addition of DPNH in the experiments described below was without effect. A small fraction of the ureido carbon (C-2) of uracil-2-C14was released as carbon dioxide by rat liver slices. None of the results obtained can be reconciled with the oxidative pathway for uracil catabolism in mammals proposed by Cerecedo.