bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A survey of optimal filament shape in a Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex H− ion source
Authors: Ikegami K. , Ueno A. , Oguri H. , Namekawa Y. , Ohkoshi K.
Published: February 2010

Dependence of various shapes of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) filaments on H− ion currents (I_H−’s) was examined by using the first Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) test ion source. It is almost the same with the J-PARC H− ion source (J-PARC-IS) except for the maximum arc current (290 A instead of 400 A). An I_H− of 35.2 mA was extracted by using a cylindrical double-spiral LaB6 filament with a diameter of 29.5 mm and a length of 35.5 mm, which is the same one used in J-PARC-IS. It increased to 43.4 mA with a flat triple-hairpin LaB6 filament. The I_H− is considered to be increased by the enlargement of the high density plasma region near the plasma electrode aperture and the reduction of the LaB6 filament unemission area located in the high density plasma region.
Addendum to papers from JT-60 NBI Group, published in Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Ion Sources, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, September 2009
Authors: Akino N. , Usui K. , Endo Y. , Oasa K. , Oshima K. , Kazawa M. , Kawai M. , Kikuchi K. , Kojima A. , Komata M. , Sasaki S. , Simizu T. , Seki N. , Nemoto S. , Tanaka Y. , Noto K. , Hanada M. , Mogaki K.
Published: February 2010

This addendum applies to two papers authored by contributors from the JT-60 NBI Group published in Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Ion Sources, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, September 2009. This addendum provides the full list of JT-60 NBI Group and their affiliations.
Particle-in-cell simulations of kinetic effects in plasma-based backward Raman amplification in underdense plasmas
Authors: Wang T.-L. , Clark D. S. , Strozzi D. J. , Wilks S. C. , Martins S. F. , Kirkwood R. K.
Published: February 2010

A one dimensional particle-in-cell study of the kinetic effects involved in plasma-based backward Raman amplification is presented for nonrelativistic laser pulses interacting in underdense thermal plasmas. Simulations are performed to study how effects such as particle heating and trapping, frequency modulations, and wave breaking of the plasma wave can change with different plasma conditions. The result of this parametric scan of plasma density and temperature is the identification of optimal plasma conditions for amplification of an ultrashort seed laser pulse by a pump laser of nonrelativistic intensity. The relevance of this study to possible experimental scenarios is discussed.
Metastable chimera states in community-structured oscillator networks
Authors: Shanahan Murray
Published: February 2010

A system of symmetrically coupled identical oscillators with phase lag is presented, which is capable of generating a large repertoire of transient (metastable) “chimera” states in which synchronization and desynchronization coexist. The oscillators are organized into communities, such that each oscillator is connected to all its peers in the same community and to a subset of the oscillators in other communities. Measures are introduced for quantifying metastability, the prevalence of chimera states, and the variety of such states a system generates. By simulation, it is shown that each of these measures is maximized when the phase lag of the model is close, but not equal, to π/2. The relevance of the model to a number of fields is briefly discussed with particular emphasis on brain dynamics.
Efficient computation of free energy of crystal phases due to external potentials by error-biased Bennett acceptance ratio method
Authors: Apte Pankaj A.
Published: February 2010

Free energy of crystal phases is commonly evaluated by thermodynamic integration along a reversible path that involves an external potential. However, this method suffers from the hysteresis caused by the differences in the center of mass position of the crystal phase in the presence and absence of the external potential. To alleviate this hysteresis, a constraint on the translational degrees of freedom of the crystal phase is imposed along the path and subsequently a correction term is added to the free energy to account for such a constraint. The estimation of the correction term is often computationally expensive. In this work, we propose a new methodology, termed as error-biased Bennett acceptance ratio method, which effectively solves this problem without the need to impose any constraint. This method is simple to implement and it does not require any modification to the path. We show the applicability of this method in the computation of crystal-melt interfacial energy by cleaving wall method [R. L. Davidchack and B. B. Laird, J. Chem. Phys. 118, 7651 (2003)] and bulk crystal-melt free energy difference by constrained fluid λ-integration method [G. Grochola, J. Chem. Phys. 120, 2122 (2004)] for a model potential of silicon.
An open-photoacoustic-cell method for thermal characterization of a two-layer system
Authors: Astrath Nelson G. C. , Astrath Francine B. G. , Shen Jun , Lei Chao , Zhou Jianqin , Sheng (Simon) Liu Zhong , Navessin Titichai , Baesso Mauro L. , Bento Antonio C.
Published: February 2010

In the present work, we use an open-photoacoustic-cell (OPC) operating at high frequency to measure thermal properties of two-layer system samples. Photothermal deflection technique is also employed to measure the samples. The effective thermal diffusivity measured using the OPC method is interpreted using the concept of effective thermal resistance for a series two-layer system. The results show the reliability of the photoacoustic method for a complete thermal characterization of the samples. In addition, by varying the sample effective thickness, the thermal diffusivity and conductivity of each layer are precisely determined. The effective thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat of a porous catalyst layer (thickness varying from 13 to 53 μm) deposited on an aluminum foil (53 μm in thickness) were thus measured and found to be (3.7±0.3)×10−3 cm2/s, (7.5±0.7)×10−3 W/cm K, and (1.6±0.2) J/gK, respectively.
An experimental investigation of the near surface flow over air-water and air-solid interfaces
Authors: Shaikh Nasiruddin , Siddiqui Kamran
Published: February 2010

Results from an experimental study, investigating the similarities and dissimilarities of the airflow structure over water and solid surfaces for smooth and wavy conditions, are reported. The experiments were conducted at the same location, under identical flow conditions. The two-dimensional velocity fields were measured using particle image velocimetry technique over a wind speed range from 1.5 to 4.4 m s−1. The mean velocity profiles for all surface configurations showed the logarithmic behavior. The profiles of different turbulent properties followed similar trend over water and solid surfaces, however, their magnitudes varied over different surface types. The results show that the level of enhancement of normalized Reynolds stress, rates of energy production, and dissipation from the free-stream region toward the surface is higher over the water surface especially in the presence of waves as compared to that over the solid surface. It is also observed that the normalized magnitudes of turbulent properties are largest above the water surface and smallest above the wavy solid wall. It is concluded that, at a given free stream condition, the flow behavior over the solid surface is not necessarily similar to that over the water surface.
Highly sensitive passive radio frequency identification based sensor systems
Authors: Wissenwasser J. , Vellekoop M. , Heer R.
Published: February 2010

A novel platform for sensor applications based on radio frequency (rf) identification technology, where passive tags are powered by the rf-field of a reader, is presented. The sophisticated energy harvesting system of the tag enables a blanking of the rf-field for a defined period, while supplying the tag electronics with a highly stable voltage and a power of 25 mW for 100 ms. During this time, span measurements can be performed without interferences of the rf-field. The presented tags work without batteries and are designed for impedance measurements on microbiological cell cultures under physiological relevant conditions as well as in harsh environments.
Matrix isolation and computational study of isodifluorodibromomethane (F2CBr–Br): A route to Br2 formation in CF2Br2 photolysis
Authors: George Lisa , Kalume Aimable , El-Khoury Patrick Z. , Tarnovsky Alexander , Reid Scott A.
Published: February 2010

The photolysis products of dibromodifluoromethane (CF2Br2) were characterized by matrix isolation infrared and UV/Visible spectroscopy, supported by ab initio calculations. Photolysis at wavelengths of 240 and 266 nm of CF2Br2:Ar samples (∼1:5000) held at ∼5 K yielded iso-CF2Br2 (F2CBrBr), a weakly bound isomer of CF2Br2, which is characterized here for the first time. The observed infrared and UV/Visible absorptions of iso-CF2Br2 are in excellent agreement with computational predictions at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level. Single point energy calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ level on the B3LYP optimized geometries suggest that the isoform is a minimum on the CF2Br2 potential energy surface, lying some 55 kcal/mol above the CF2Br2 ground state. The energies of various stationary points on the CF2Br2 potential energy surface were characterized computationally; taken with our experimental results, these show that iso-CF2Br2 is an intermediate in the Br+CF2Br→CF2+Br2 reaction. The photochemistry of the isoform was also investigated; excitation into the intense 359 nm absorption band resulted in isomerization to CF2Br2. Our results are discussed in view of the rich literature on the gas-phase photochemistry of CF2Br2, particularly with respect to the existence of a roaming atom pathway leading to molecular products.
Search for Br∗ production in the D+DBr reaction
Authors: Zhang Jianyang , Jankunas Justin , Bartlett Nate C.-M. , Goldberg Noah T. , Zare Richard N.
Published: February 2010

Deuterium bromide (DBr) is expanded from a pulsed jet into a vacuum and a synchronized pulsed laser causes photodissociation of some of the DBr molecules to produce primarily (∼85%) ground-state bromine atoms (P23/2) and fast D atoms. The latter collide with the cold DBr molecules and react to produce molecular deuterium (D2) via two possible channels, the adiabatic channel D2+Br(P23/2) and the nonadiabatic channel D2+Br∗(P21/2), which are asymptotically separated in energy by the spin-orbit splitting (0.457 eV) of the bromine atom. Ion images are recorded for D2(v′=1, J′=16, 18–21), D2(v′=2, J′=6,7, 10–12, 14–16), and D2(v′=3, J′=2–5) for various collision energies. For the nonadiabatic production of spin-orbit-excited Br∗ in the D+DBr reaction for the conditions studied we estimate that this channel contributes 1% or less.
A new fractal interaction by exchange with the mean mixing model for large eddy simulation/filtered mass density function applied to a multiscalar three-stream turbulent jet
Authors: Shetty Dinesh A. , Chandy Abhilash J. , Frankel Steven H.
Published: February 2010

A newly developed fractal interaction by exchange with the mean (FIEM) subgrid mixing model is comparatively assessed against several other popular mixing models in the context of the large eddy simulation (LES) and filtered mass density function approaches. A novel multiscalar three-stream turbulent jet mixing problem, consisting of acetone-doped air surrounded by a pure ethylene stream issuing into an air coflow, is used for the assessment. LES predictions using the FIEM, IEM, Euclidean minimum spanning tree, and parametrized scalar profile mixing models are compared with experimental measurements of scalar mean and rms profiles and demonstrate that FIEM is in better agreement with the data than the other models for this case.
Artificial flagellates: Analysis of advancing motions of biflagellate micro-objects
Authors: Mori Nobuhito , Kuribayashi Kaori , Takeuchi Shoji
Published: February 2010

This paper describes an analysis of advancing motions of micro-objects with two flagella separated from a unicellular alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. We harnessed their flagella as actuators of the micro-objects. The isolated flagella can be attached to microbeads and propel them. We found that the biflagellate beads tend to advance, while the uniflagellate microbeads only rotate. Our model for the motion of the biflagellate beads led to conditions for generating an advancing motion. This approach is important since it provides general guidelines for designing micro-objects driven by flagellalike actuators.
Dual role of lignin in plant litter decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Austin Amy T. , Ballaré Carlos L.
Published: February 2010

Plant litter decomposition is a critical step in the formation of soil organic matter, the mineralization of organic nutrients, and the carbon balance in terrestrial ecosystems. Biotic decomposition in mesic ecosystems is generally negatively correlated with the concentration of lignin, a group of complex aromatic polymers present in plant cell walls that is recalcitrant to enzymatic degradation and serves as a structural barrier impeding microbial access to labile carbon compounds. Although photochemical mineralization of carbon has recently been shown to be important in semiarid ecosystems, litter chemistry controls on photodegradative losses are not understood. We evaluated the importance of litter chemistry on photodegradation of grass litter and cellulose substrates with varying levels of lignin [cellulose-lignin (CL) substrates] under field conditions. Using wavelength-specific light attenuation filters, we found that light-driven mass loss was promoted by both UV and visible radiation. The spectral dependence of photodegradation correlated with the absorption spectrum of lignin but not of cellulose. Field incubations demonstrated that increasing lignin concentration reduced biotic decomposition, as expected, but linearly increased photodegradation. In addition, lignin content in CL substrates consistently decreased in photodegradative incubations. We conclude that lignin has a dual role affecting litter decomposition, depending on the dominant driver (biotic or abiotic) controlling carbon turnover. Under photodegradative conditions, lignin is preferentially degraded because it acts as an effective light-absorbing compound over a wide range of wavelengths. This mechanistic understanding of the role of lignin in plant litter decomposition will allow for more accurate predictions of carbon dynamics in terrestrial ecosystems.
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is functionally important for stress-induced social avoidance
Authors: Lagace Diane C. , Donovan Michael H. , DeCarolis Nathan A. , Farnbauch Laure A. , Malhotra Shveta , Berton Olivier , Nestler Eric J. , Krishnan Vaishnav , Eisch Amelia J.
Published: February 2010

The long-term response to chronic stress is variable, with some individuals developing maladaptive functioning, although other “resilient” individuals do not. Stress reduces neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus subgranular zone (SGZ), but it is unknown if stress-induced changes in neurogenesis contribute to individual vulnerability. Using a chronic social defeat stress model, we explored whether the susceptibility to stress-induced social avoidance was related to changes in SGZ proliferation and neurogenesis. Immediately after social defeat, stress-exposed mice (irrespective of whether they displayed social avoidance) had fewer proliferating SGZ cells labeled with the S-phase marker BrdU. The decrease was transient, because BrdU cell numbers were normalized 24 h later. The survival of BrdU cells labeled before defeat stress was also not altered. However, 4 weeks later, mice that displayed social avoidance had more surviving dentate gyrus neurons. Thus, dentate gyrus neurogenesis is increased after social defeat stress selectively in mice that display persistent social avoidance. Supporting a functional role for adult-generated dentate gyrus neurons, ablation of neurogenesis via cranial ray irradiation robustly inhibited social avoidance. These data show that the time window after cessation of stress is a critical period for the establishment of persistent cellular and behavioral responses to stress and that a compensatory enhancement in neurogenesis is related to the long-term individual differences in maladaptive responses to stress.
Dissipation and displacement of hotspots in reaction-diffusion models of crime
Authors: Short Martin B. , Brantingham P. Jeffrey , Bertozzi Andrea L. , Tita George E.
Published: February 2010

The mechanisms driving the nucleation, spread, and dissipation of crime hotspots are poorly understood. As a consequence, the ability of law enforcement agencies to use mapped crime patterns to design crime prevention strategies is severely hampered. We also lack robust expectations about how different policing interventions should impact crime. Here we present a mathematical framework based on reaction-diffusion partial differential equations for studying the dynamics of crime hotspots. The system of equations is based on empirical evidence for how offenders move and mix with potential victims or targets. Analysis shows that crime hotspots form when the enhanced risk of repeat crimes diffuses locally, but not so far as to bind distant crime together. Crime hotspots may form as either supercritical or subcritical bifurcations, the latter the result of large spikes in crime that override linearly stable, uniform crime distributions. Our mathematical methods show that subcritical crime hotspots may be permanently eradicated with police suppression, whereas supercritical hotspots are displaced following a characteristic spatial pattern. Our results thus provide a mechanistic explanation for recent failures to observe crime displacement in experimental field tests of hotspot policing.
Critical role of IRF-5 in regulation of B-cell differentiation
Authors: Lien Chunyang , Fang Chee-Mun , Huso David , Livak Ferenc , Lu Runqing , Pitha Paula M.
Published: February 2010

IFN-regulatory factor 5 (IRF-5), a member of the IRF family, is a transcription factor that has a key role in the induction of the antiviral and inflammatory response. When compared with C57BL/6 mice,

Irf5
−/−

mice show higher susceptibility to viral infection and decreased serum levels of type I IFN and the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. Here, we demonstrate that IRF-5 is involved in B-cell maturation and the stimulation of Blimp-1 expression. The

Irf5
−/−

mice develop an age-related splenomegaly, associated with a dramatic accumulation of CD19
+
B220
−
B cells and a disruption of normal splenic architecture. Splenic B cells from

Irf5
−/−

mice also exhibited a decreased level of plasma cells. The CD19
+

Irf5
−/−

B cells show a defect in Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7- and TLR9-induced IL-6 production, and the aged

Irf5
−/−

mice have decreased serum levels of natural antibodies; however, the antigen-specific IgG1 primary response was already dependent in IRF-5 in young mice, although the IgM response was not. Analysis of the profile of transcription factors associated with plasma cell differentiation shows down-regulation of Blimp-1 expression, a master regulator of plasma cell differentiation, which can be reconstituted with ectopic IRF-5. IRF-5 stimulates transcription of the
Prdm1
gene encoding Blimp-1 and binds to the IRF site in the
Prdm1
promoter. Collectively, these results reveal that the age-related splenomegaly in

Irf5
−/−

mice is associated with an accumulation of CD19
+
B220
−
B cells with impaired functions and show the role of IRF-5 in the direct regulation of the plasma cell commitment factor Blimp-1 and in B-cell terminal differentiation.
Multiple translational products from a five-nucleotide ribozyme
Authors: Turk Rebecca M. , Chumachenko Nataliya V. , Yarus Michael
Published: February 2010

An indispensable step in protein biosynthesis is the 2
′
(3
′
) aminoacylation of tRNA by aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Here we show that a similar activity exists in a tiny, 5-nt-long RNA enzyme with a 3-nt active center. The small ribozyme initially
trans
-phenylalanylates a partially complementary 4-nt RNA selectively at its terminal 2
′
-ribose hydroxyl using PheAMP, the natural form for activated amino acid. The initial 2
′
Phe-RNA product can be elaborated into multiple peptidyl-RNAs. Reactions do not require divalent cations, and have limited dependence on monovalent cations. Small size and minimal requirements for regiospecific translational activity strongly support the hypothesis that minuscule RNA enzymes participated in early forms of translation.
Human face recognition ability is specific and highly heritable
Authors: Wilmer Jeremy B. , Germine Laura , Chabris Christopher F. , Chatterjee Garga , Williams Mark , Loken Eric , Nakayama Ken , Duchaine Bradley
Published: February 2010

Compared with notable successes in the genetics of basic sensory transduction, progress on the genetics of higher level perception and cognition has been limited. We propose that investigating specific cognitive abilities with well-defined neural substrates, such as face recognition, may yield additional insights. In a twin study of face recognition, we found that the correlation of scores between monozygotic twins (0.70) was more than double the dizygotic twin correlation (0.29), evidence for a high genetic contribution to face recognition ability. Low correlations between face recognition scores and visual and verbal recognition scores indicate that both face recognition ability itself and its genetic basis are largely attributable to face-specific mechanisms. The present results therefore identify an unusual phenomenon: a highly specific cognitive ability that is highly heritable. Our results establish a clear genetic basis for face recognition, opening this intensively studied and socially advantageous cognitive trait to genetic investigation.
Vitrification and levitation of a liquid droplet on liquid nitrogen
Authors: Song Young S. , Adler Douglas , Xu Feng , Kayaalp Emre , Nureddin Aida , Anchan Raymond M. , Maas Richard L. , Demirci Utkan
Published: February 2010

The vitrification of a liquid occurs when ice crystal formation is prevented in the cryogenic environment through ultrarapid cooling. In general, vitrification entails a large temperature difference between the liquid and its surrounding medium. In our droplet vitrification experiments, we observed that such vitrification events are accompanied by a Leidenfrost phenomenon, which impedes the heat transfer to cool the liquid, when the liquid droplet comes into direct contact with liquid nitrogen. This is distinct from the more generally observed Leidenfrost phenomenon that occurs when a liquid droplet is self-vaporized on a hot plate. In the case of rapid cooling, the phase transition from liquid to vitrified solid (i.e., vitrification) and the levitation of droplets on liquid nitrogen (i.e., Leidenfrost phenomenon) take place simultaneously. Here, we investigate these two simultaneous physical events by using a theoretical model containing three dimensionless parameters (i.e., Stefan, Biot, and Fourier numbers). We explain theoretically and observe experimentally a threshold droplet radius during the vitrification of a cryoprotectant droplet in the presence of the Leidenfrost effect.
Functional analysis of human mismatch repair gene mutations identifies weak alleles and polymorphisms capable of polygenic interactions
Authors: Martinez Sandra L. , Kolodner Richard D.
Published: February 2010

Many of the mutations reported as potentially causing Lynch syndrome are missense mutations in human mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Here, we used a
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
-based system to study polymorphisms and suspected missense mutations in human MMR genes by modeling them at the appropriate
S. cerevisiae
chromosomal locus and determining their effect on mutation rates. We identified a number of weak alleles of MMR genes and MMR gene polymorphisms that are capable of interacting with other weak alleles of MMR genes to produce strong polygenic MMR defects. We also identified a number of alleles of
MSH2
that act as if they inactivate the Msh2-Msh3 mispair recognition complex thus causing weak MMR defects that interact with an
msh6Δ
mutation to result in complete MMR defects. These results indicate that weak MMR gene alleles capable of polygenic interactions with other MMR gene alleles may be relatively common.
Viewing cancer genes from co-evolving gene modules
Authors: Zhu Jing , Xiao Hui , Shen Xiaopei , Wang Jing , Zou Jinfeng , Zhang Lin , Yang Da , Ma Wencai , Yao Chen , Gong Xue , Zhang Min , Zhang Yang , Guo Zheng
Published: February 2010

Motivation: Studying the evolutionary conservation of cancer genes can improve our understanding of the genetic basis of human cancers. Functionally related proteins encoded by genes tend to interact with each other in a modular fashion, which may affect both the mode and tempo of their evolution.

Results: In the human PPI network, we searched for subnetworks within each of which all proteins have evolved at similar rates since the human and mouse split. Identified at a given co-evolving level, the subnetworks with non-randomly large sizes were defined as co-evolving modules. We showed that proteins within modules tend to be conserved, evolutionarily old and enriched with housekeeping genes, while proteins outside modules tend to be less-conserved, evolutionarily younger and enriched with genes expressed in specific tissues. Viewing cancer genes from co-evolving modules showed that the overall conservation of cancer genes should be mainly attributed to the cancer proteins enriched in the conserved modules. Functional analysis further suggested that cancer proteins within and outside modules might play different roles in carcinogenesis, providing a new hint for studying the mechanism of cancer.

Contact:  guoz@ems.hrbmu.edu.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Role of Acu‐TENS in Hemodynamic Recovery after Open‐Heart Surgery
Authors: Ng Maggie C. S. , Jones Alice Y. M. , Cheng L. C.
Published: February 2010

Increased heart rate (HR) and reduced blood pressure (BP) are common consequences of cardiac surgery. This study investigated the effect of transcutaneous electrical nervous stimulation applied over acupuncture points (Acu‐TENS) on HR, BP, rate pressure product (RPP) and nausea and vomiting score after open‐heart surgery. After open heart surgery, 40 patients were randomly allocated to either an Acu‐TENS group, which received a 40‐min session of TENS applied bilaterally over the acupuncture point PC6 on postoperative days 1–5, or a Placebo‐TENS group, which received identical electrode placement but with no electrical output from the TENS unit, despite an output indicator light appearing activated. HR, systolic and diastolic BPs (SBP and DBP) were recorded and RPP computed. Nausea and vomiting symptoms were quantified using a 4‐point Likert scale before and after TENS intervention. Daily HR, BP and antiemetic administration data were recorded from a further 20 consecutive subjects who received no intervention and formed the Control group. A trend of decreasing HR and increasing BP in the Acu‐TENS group was observed over the five postoperative days, with all variables returning to preoperative values by Day 4 (P > .2). In the Placebo‐TENS and Control groups the HR remained higher (P < .0001), BP lower (P < .05) and RPP higher (P = .01) than respective preoperative values at Day 4. The dose of Maxolon required was lowest in the Acu‐TENS group (P = .038). We concluded that Acu‐TENS facilitated an earlier return to preoperative BP, HR and RPP values in patients after acute heart surgery.
T‐cell exhaustion: characteristics, causes and conversion
Authors: Yi John S. , Cox Maureen A. , Zajac Allan J.
Published: February 2010

Summary T‐cell exhaustion is characterized by the stepwise and progressive loss of T‐cell functions and can culminate in the physical deletion of the responding cells. Exhaustion is well‐defined during chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection and commonly develops under conditions of antigen‐persistence, which occur following many chronic infections that are of significant public health concern including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and human immunodeficiency virus infections, as well as during tumour outgrowth. Exhaustion is not a uniformly disabled setting as a gradation of phenotypic and functional defects can manifest, and these cells are distinct from prototypic effector, memory and also anergic T cells. We are gaining insights into the extrinsic and intrinsic factors that determine the severity of exhaustion. These include the duration and magnitude of antigenic activation, availability of CD4 T‐cell help, the levels of stimulatory and suppressive cytokines, as well as the expression of activatory and inhibitory receptors. More information is now becoming available regarding the molecular mechanisms that attenuate the responsiveness of exhausted T cells. As the parameters that dictate exhaustion are more thoroughly defined, this is fostering the development of methods that prevent and rejuvenate functionally inferior responses. In this article we discuss our current understanding of the properties of exhausted T cells and the mechanisms that promote and maintain this state.
Sugar transporters of the major facilitator superfamily in aphids; from gene prediction to functional characterization
Authors: Price D. R. G. , Tibbles K. , Shigenobu S. , Smertenko A. , Russell C. W. , Douglas A. E. , Fitches E. , Gatehouse A. M. R. , Gatehouse J. A.
Published: February 2010

Analysis of the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum) genome using signatures specific to the Major Facilitator Superfamily (Pfam Clan CL0015) and the Sugar_tr family (Pfam Family PF00083) has identified 54 genes encoding potential sugar transporters, of which 38 have corresponding ESTs. Twenty‐nine genes contain the InterPro IPR003663 hexose transporter signature. The protein encoded byAp_ST3, the most abundantly expressed sugar transporter gene, was functionally characterized by expression as a recombinant protein. Ap_ST3 acts as a low‐affinity uniporter for fructose and glucose that does not depend on Na+or H+for activity.Ap_ST3was expressed at elevated levels in distal gut tissue, consistent with a role in gut sugar transport. TheA. pisumgenome shows evidence of duplications of sugar transporter genes.
A full‐length cDNA resource for the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum
Authors: Shigenobu S. , Richards S. , Cree A. G. , Morioka M. , Fukatsu T. , Kudo T. , Miyagishima S. , Gibbs R. A. , Stern D. L. , Nakabachi A.
Published: February 2010

Large collections of full‐length cDNAs are important resources for genome annotation and functional genomics. We report the creation of a collection of 50 599 full‐length cDNA clones from the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum. Sequencing from 5′ and 3′ ends of the clones generated 97 828 high‐quality expressed sequence tags, representing approximately 9000 genes. These sequences were imported to AphidBase and are shown to play crucial roles in both automatic gene prediction and manual annotation. Our detailed analyses demonstrated that the full‐length cDNAs can further improve gene models and can even identify novel genes that are not included in the current version of the official gene set. This full‐length cDNA collection can be utilized for a wide variety of functional studies, serving as a community resource for the study of the functional genomics of the pea aphid.
Use of survival analysis to assess management options for ray blight in Australian pyrethrum fields
Authors: Pethybridge S. J. , Ngugi H. K. , Hay F. S.
Published: February 2010

The effects of fungicide, cultivar and plant density on the time‐to‐death of pyrethrum flowers affected by ray blight (caused by Phoma ligulicola var. inoxydablis) in Australia were analysed using nonparametric Kaplan–Meier (KM) estimates and accelerated failure time (AFT) models with a Weibull probability distribution. Analyses using KM estimates and AFT models yielded similar results. The median survival time (T) for all flowers in the fungicide trial was estimated at 53 days [95% confidence interval (CI) = 43–53] in 2000 and 60 days (CI = 51–60) in 2001. In both years, all fungicides tested except copper oxychloride significantly (P ≤ 0·0495) increased the duration of flower survival compared with nontreated plots. Significant variation (P < 0·0001) was noted between years and among four cultivars in terms of flower survival, with T values for different cultivars ranging from 41 to 81 days, and averaging 69 days (CI = 60–69) in 2005 and 64 days (CI = 56–64) in 2006 for all cultivars. Planting at a quarter the density currently recommended increased flower survival by 41·8% (χ2 = 29·19; P < 0·0001), but did not increase yield. Linear regression indicated that defoliation severity accounted for at least 94% of variation in median survival time. Improved management may be achieved via an integrated strategy incorporating these factors.
Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome: long‐term follow‐up and genetic heterogeneity
Authors: Jung C , Dagoneau N , Baujat G , Le Merrer M , David A , Di Rocco M , Hamel B , Mégarbané A , Superti‐Furga A , Unger S , Munnich A , Cormier‐Daire V
Published: February 2010

Jung C, Dagoneau N, Baujat G, Le Merrer M, David A, Di Rocco M, Hamel B, Mégarbané A, Superti‐Furga A, Unger A, Munnich A, Cormier‐Daire V. Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome: long‐term follow‐up and genetic heterogeneity.

Stüve–Wiedemann syndrome (SWS, OMIM 601559) is a severe autosomal recessive condition caused by mutations in the leukemia inhibitory receptor (LIFR) gene. The main characteristic features are bowing of the long bones, neonatal respiratory distress, swallowing/sucking difficulties and dysautonomia symptoms including temperature instability often leading to death in the first years of life. We report here four patients with SWS who have survived beyond 36 months of age with no LIFR mutation. These patients have been compared with six unreported SWS survivors carrying null LIFR mutations. We provide evidence of clinical homogeneity of the syndrome in spite of the genetic heterogeneity.
Only two mutations detected in 15 Tunisian patients with 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency: the p.Q356X and the novel p.G379V
Authors: Kharrat M , Trabelsi S , Chaabouni M , Maazoul F , Kraoua L , Ben Jemaa L , Gandoura N , Barsaoui S , Morel Y , M’rad R , Chaabouni H
Published: February 2010

Kharrat M, Trabelsi S, Chaabouni M, Maazoul F, Kraoua L, Ben Jemaa L, Gandoura N, Barsaoui S, Morel Y, M’rad R, Chaabouni H. Only two mutations detected in 15 Tunisian patients with 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency: the p.Q356X and the novel p.G379V.

Steroid 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency is the second most common cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, resulting in virilization, glucocorticoid deficiency and hypertension. The 11β‐hydroxylase enzyme is encoded by the CYP11B1 gene and mutations in this gene are responsible for this disease. The aim of this study was to characterize mutations in the CYP11B1 gene and to determine their frequencies in a cohort of Tunisian patients. The molecular genetic analysis was performed by direct nucleotide sequencing of the CYP11B1 gene in 15 unrelated Tunisian patients suffering from classical 11β‐hydroxylase deficiency. Only two mutations were detected in homozygous state in the CYP11B1 gene of all patients, the p.Q356X in exon 6 (26.6%) and the novel p.G379V in exon 7 with large prevalence (73.3%). This is the first report of screening for mutations of CYP11B1 gene in the Tunisian population and even in the Arab population.
The contribution of founder mutations in BRCA1 to breast and ovarian cancer in Lithuania
Authors: Elsakov P , Kurtinaitis J , Petraitis S , Ostapenko V , Razumas M , Razumas T , Meskauskas R , Petrulis K , Luksite A , Lubiński J , Górski B , Narod SA , Gronwald J
Published: February 2010

Elsakov P, Kurtinaitis J, Petraitis S, Ostapenko V, Razumas M, Razumas T, Meskauskas R, Petrulis K, Luksite A, Lubiński J, Górski B, Narod SA, Gronwald J. The contribution of founder mutations in BRCA1 to breast and ovarian cancer in Lithuania.

We evaluated the prevalence of BRCA1 founder mutations in unselected cases of breast, ovarian and colon cancer from Lithuania. We identified a founder mutation (4153delA, 5382insC or C61G) in 6% of 235 unselected cases of breast cancer and in 19% of 43 unselected cases of ovarian cancer. Only one patient with a mutation was identified among 178 cases of colon cancer. No mutation was identified among 422 newborn controls. This data indicates that the genetic burden of breast and ovarian cancer attributable to BRCA1 mutations in Lithuania is very high and supports the recommendation that all cases of breast and ovarian cancer in Lithuania be offered genetic testing.
Genetic and environmental effects on a condition‐dependent trait: feather growth in Siberian jays
Authors: GIENAPP P. , MERILÄ J.
Published: February 2010

Condition, defined as the amount of ‘internal resources’ an individual can freely allocate, is often assumed to be environmentally determined and to reflect an individual’s health and nutritional status. However, an additive genetic component of condition is possible if it ‘captures’ the genetic variance of many underlying traits as many fitness‐related traits appear to do. Yet, the heritability of condition can be low if selection has eroded much of its additive genetic variance, or if the environmental influences are strong. Here, we tested whether feather growth rate – presumably a condition‐dependent trait – has a heritable component, and whether variation in feather growth rate is related to variation in fitness. To this end, we utilized data from a long‐term population study of Siberian jays (Perisoreus infaustus), and found that feather growth rate, measured as the width of feather growth bars (GB), differed between age‐classes and sexes, but was only weakly related to variation in fitness as measured by annual and life‐time reproductive success. As revealed by animal model analyses, GB width was significantly heritable (h2 = 0.10 ± 0.05), showing that this measure of condition is not solely environmentally determined, but reflects at least partly inherited genetic differences among individuals. Consequently, variation in feather growth rates as assessed with ptilochronological methods can provide information about heritable genetic differences in condition.
Rapid test for detection of imidazolinone resistance in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)
Authors: Breccia G. , Vega T. , Nestares G. , Mayor M. L. , Zorzoli R. , Picardi L.
Published: February 2010

With 2 figures

The development of imidazolinone (IMI) resistant sunflower cultivars represents a great advantage in controlling weeds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of sunflower genotypes to the presence of IMIs in a soil‐less bioassay. Six genotypes differing in IMI resistance were planted in pots filled with perlite and watered with different imazapyr doses. Differences among resistant, intermediate and susceptible genotypes were observed 8–15 days after planting. The susceptible genotype showed stunted plantlets. The intermediate genotypes developed reduced lateral roots when exposed to imazapyr. The resistant inbred line was only affected at the highest herbicide concentrations. Differences in aerial growth were also observed among genotypes. The bioassay described in this study is a rapid, simple and cost‐effective method for early screening herbicide resistant genotypes. This diagnostic test could be a useful tool when breeding for IMI resistance in sunflower.
Glomus tumor of the kidney
Authors: Sugimoto Koichi , Yamamoto Yutaka , Hashimoto Kiyoshi , Esa Atsunobu , Okamoto Shigeru
Published: February 2010

A 41‐year‐old man was diagnosed with a glomus tumor of the kidney, which was incidentally found by ultrasonography. Partial nephrectomy revealed a 10‐mm encapsulated mass. We diagnosed it as a glomus tumor using morphological and immunohistochemical stains.
A new approach for peri‐operative analgesia of cleft palate repair in infants: the bilateral suprazygomatic maxillary nerve block
Authors: MESNIL MALCIE , DADURE CHRISTOPHE , CAPTIER GUILLAUME , RAUX OLIVIER , ROCHETTE ALAIN , CANAUD NANCY , SAUTER MAGALI , CAPDEVILA XAVIER
Published: February 2010

Background:  Congenital cleft palate (CP) is a common and painful surgical procedure in infants. CP repair is associated with the risk of postoperative airway obstruction, which may be increased with administration of opioids, often needed for analgesia. No described regional anesthesia technique can provide adequate pain control following CP repair in infants. The primary aim of this prospective and descriptive study was to observe the effectiveness of bilateral maxillary nerve blocks (BMB) using a suprazygomatic approach on pain relief and consumption of rescue analgesics following CP repair in infants. Analgesic consumption was compared to retrospective data. Complications related to this new technique in infants were also reviewed.

Methods:  The landmarks and measurements recently defined in a three‐dimensional study using computed tomography in infants were used. After general anesthesia, a BMB was performed bilaterally with 0.15 ml·kg−1 0.2% ropivacaine in infants scheduled for CP repair. Postoperative analgesia, administration of rescue analgesics, adverse effects, and time to feed were recorded in the 48‐h period following surgery and compared to retrospective data.

Results:  Thirty‐three children, mean age 5 ± 1.8 months and weight 8.3 ± 1.2 kg, were studied. Eighteen patients out of 33 (55%) did not require additional opioids intra‐operatively, vs two out of 20 (10%) without block. None needed morphine postoperatively, and intravenous nalbuphine was required in only six children (18%), vs 16 (80%) without block. Median time to feed was 8 h (range 2–24 h), vs 13 h (4–25) without block. No technical failure or complication related to the BMB was reported.

Conclusion:  BMB using a suprazygomatic approach seems to improve pain relief, to decrease peri‐operative consumption of opioids, and to favor early feeding resumption after CP repair in infants.
Labours in Vice or Virtue? Neo‐liberalism, Sexual Commerce, and the Case of Indian Bar Dancing
Authors: Kotiswaran Prabha
Published: February 2010

Of late, the Indian state has adopted an abolitionist stance towards sex work and bar dancing. This article argues that although in the Indian state of Maharashtra, the judicial overturning of the ban against bar dancing has been celebrated by feminists as a triumph of women's right to livelihood over patriarchal demands of women's sexual morality, the judgment is predicated on a sharp distinction between morally ‘good’ and ‘bad’ female labour, namely, bar dancing and sex work. This is ironic given their striking sociological similarities and the stigmatization and levels of state abuse inflicted against both. The article considers the usefulness of the totalizing logic of neo‐liberalism for explaining the increased judicial and feminist tolerance for bar dancing. The article argues that prospects for redistributive law reform for all sexual workers are dim unless the arbitrary legal distinctions drawn between markets in female sexual labour are overcome.
Male Sex Work: Exploring Regulation in England and Wales
Authors: Whowell Mary
Published: February 2010

Whilst sex‐work policy in England and Wales claims gender‐neutrality, local and national prostitution strategies primarily focus on female street‐based sex workers. Men who sell sex are generally absent or inadequately considered in such policies, and measures to regulate commercial sex markets are rarely considered in terms of their impact on male working practice. Drawing on the Coordinated Prostitution Strategy for England and Wales, this paper has two aims: first, to offer a gender‐based critique of the current policy framework for England and Wales by arguing that sex‐work policy is infused by a gendered understanding of sex work in which male identities are neglected or assumed deviant; and second to explore the notion that understanding sex work as it is performed locally is valuable when generating local and national policy. Informed by gendered readings of policy, social understandings of masculinity, and the (in)visibility of male sexual commerce this paper explores male sex work in the context of Manchester, England.
Interventions to promote healthy eating habits: evaluation and recommendations
Authors: Traill W. B. , Shankar B. , Brambila‐Macias J. , Bech‐Larsen T. , Aschemann‐Witzel J. , Strand M. , Mazzocchi M. , Capacci S. , Verbeke W. , Perez‐Cueto F. J. A. , D'Addesa D. , Saba A. , Turrini A. , Niedźwiedzka B. , Kozioł‐Kozakowska A. , Kijowska V. , Piórecka B. , Infantes M. , Wills J. , Smillie L. , Chalot F. , Lyle D.
Published: February 2010

Although in several EU Member States many public interventions have been running for the prevention and/or management of obesity and other nutrition‐related health conditions, few have yet been formally evaluated. The multidisciplinary team of the EATWELL project will gather benchmark data on healthy eating interventions in EU Member States and review existing information on the effectiveness of interventions using a three‐stage procedure (i) Assessment of the intervention's impact on consumer attitudes, consumer behaviour and diets; (ii) The impact of the change in diets on obesity and health and (iii) The value attached by society to these changes, measured in life years gained, cost savings and quality‐adjusted life years. Where evaluations have been inadequate, EATWELL will gather secondary data and analyse them with a multidisciplinary approach incorporating models from the psychology and economics disciplines. Particular attention will be paid to lessons that can be learned from private sector that are transferable to the healthy eating campaigns in the public sector. Through consumer surveys and workshops with other stakeholders, EATWELL will assess the acceptability of the range of potential interventions. Armed with scientific quantitative evaluations of policy interventions and their acceptability to stakeholders, EATWELL expects to recommend more appropriate interventions for Member States and the EU, providing a one‐stop guide to methods and measures in interventions evaluation, and outline data collection priorities for the future.
THE GRAPE PHYLLOXERA PLAGUE AS A NATURAL EXPERIMENT: THE UPKEEP OF VINEYARDS IN CATALONIA (SPAIN), 1858–1935
Authors: Badia‐Miró Marc , Tello Enric , Valls Francesc , Garrabou Ramon
Published: February 2010

This paper analyses the impact in Catalonia of the grape Phylloxera plague in Europe (1865–90). A statistical model is used to analyse the economic resilience of 35 districts in Catalonia to this external ecological and economic shock, and to explain why districts in the provinces of Barcelona and Tarragona resumed growing wine grapes after the plague, in contrast to districts in Girona and Lleida provinces. The opportunity cost of labour, the demand pull of Barcelona's commercial growth, and the agro‐climatic suitability of land for growing grapes are used to explain the differing capacities of districts to endure the Phylloxera plague in Catalonia.