bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pressure and entropy changes in the flow‐braking region during magnetic field dipolarization
Authors: Dubyagin S. , Sergeev V. , Apatenkov S. , Angelopoulos V. , Nakamura R. , McFadden J. , Larson D. , Bonnell J.
Published: October 2010

Changes in plasma moments and entropy during dipolarizations are studied using Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms observations made near the neutral sheet at 6–12 RE on the nightside. Plasma tube entropy (pV5/3) at the observation point is estimated for the data set of 147 dipolarizations using the formula of Wolf et al. (2006). Plasma pressure began to increase shortly before dipolarization and proceeded without considerable entropy change until the arrival of the dipolarization front, after which major entropy changes occurred. We have found that on average, postdipolarization plasma pressure changes very little from predipolarization plasma pressure at r = 10–12 RE and increases only slightly in the near‐Earth region. Although the associated plasma tube entropy always decreases in the region downtail of r = 8 RE, this decrease becomes smaller closer to the Earth. The local entropy estimate pn−5/3 shows a large increase, however, suggesting ∼40% reduction in flux tube particle content after dipolarization. Our statistical results provide a constraint for dipolarization theories and support the bubble model of dipolarizations.
An explanation for the lack of ion cyclotron wave generation by pickup ions at Titan: 1‐D hybrid simulation results
Authors: Cowee M. M. , Gary S. P. , Wei H. Y. , Tokar R. L. , Russell C. T.
Published: October 2010

Titan's dense atmosphere is thought to be an important source of pickup ions in the Saturnian magnetosphere. Cassini spacecraft measurements of the plasmas near Titan show evidence of pickup ions, yet electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, which are direct indicators of ion pickup, have not yet been detected. Pickup ions and their associated ion cyclotron waves have been observed at Saturn's Extended Neutral Cloud (∼4–10 Rs), as well as at Jupiter's moon, Io, suggesting that the plasma and pickup conditions near Titan may be fundamentally different than these other environments. Using 1‐D hybrid simulations, we investigate ion cyclotron wave growth for variable conditions in the Titan environment to test which conditions could yield waves with sufficient amplitude to be clearly detected by spacecraft. Results suggest that ion cyclotron waves have not been observed at Titan because their growth time is too long compared to the convection time of background plasma through the interaction region and therefore will not be of sufficient amplitude to be observed by Cassini. Because Titan can be located in either the magnetically noisy Saturnian current sheet or in the magnetically quiet lobe region, we consider both of these environments in this study.
Southern Argentina Agile Meteor Radar: Initial assessment of gravity wave momentum fluxes
Authors: Fritts D. C. , Janches D. , Hocking W. K.
Published: October 2010

The Southern Argentina Agile Meteor Radar (SAAMER) was installed on Tierra del Fuego (53.8°S) in May 2008 and has been operational since that time. This paper describes tests of the SAAMER ability to measure gravity wave momentum fluxes and applications of this capability during different seasons. Test results for specified mean, tidal, and gravity wavefields, including tidal amplitudes and gravity wave momentum fluxes varying strongly with altitude and/or time, suggest that the distribution of meteors throughout the diurnal cycle and averaged over a month allows characterization of both monthly mean profiles and diurnal variations of the gravity wave momentum fluxes. Applications of the same methods for real data suggest confidence in the monthly mean profiles and the composite day diurnal variations of gravity wave momentum fluxes at altitudes where meteor counts are sufficient to yield good statistical fits to the data. Monthly mean zonal winds and gravity wave momentum fluxes exhibit anticorrelations consistent with those seen at other midlatitude and high‐latitude radars during austral spring and summer, when no strong local gravity wave sources are apparent. When stratospheric variances are significantly enhanced over the Drake Passage “hot spot” during austral winter, however, MLT winds and momentum fluxes over SAAMER exhibit very different correlations that suggest that MLT dynamics are strongly influenced by strong local gravity wave sources within this “hot spot.” SAAMER measurements of mean zonal and meridional winds at these times and their differences from measurements at a conjugate site provide further support for the unusual momentum flux measurements.
Attribution of the present‐day total greenhouse effect
Authors: Schmidt Gavin A. , Ruedy Reto A. , Miller Ron L. , Lacis Andy A.
Published: October 2010

The relative contributions of atmospheric long‐wave absorbers to the present‐day global greenhouse effect are among the most misquoted statistics in public discussions of climate change. Much of the interest in these values is however due to an implicit assumption that these contributions are directly relevant for the question of climate sensitivity. Motivated by the need for a clear reference for this issue, we review the existing literature and use the Goddard Institute for Space Studies ModelE radiation module to provide an overview of the role of each absorber at the present‐day and under doubled CO2. With a straightforward scheme for allocating overlaps, we find that water vapor is the dominant contributor (∼50% of the effect), followed by clouds (∼25%) and then CO2 with ∼20%. All other absorbers play only minor roles. In a doubled CO2 scenario, this allocation is essentially unchanged, even though the magnitude of the total greenhouse effect is significantly larger than the initial radiative forcing, underscoring the importance of feedbacks from water vapor and clouds to climate sensitivity.
Ozone and NO2 variations measured during the 1 August 2008 solar eclipse above Eureka, Canada with a UV‐visible spectrometer
Authors: Adams Cristen , McLinden Chris A. , Strong Kimberly , Umlenski Vasil
Published: October 2010

On 1 August 2008, a solar eclipse of 98% totality passed over the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory at Eureka, Canada (80.05°N, 86.42°W), which is run by the Canadian Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Change. During the eclipse, a zenith‐sky UV‐visible spectrometer measured slant column densities (SCDs) and vertical column densities (VCDs) of ozone up to 82% occultation and NO2 up to 96% occultation, beyond which low light intensities and changes in the solar spectrum due to limb darkening compromised data quality. Ozone VCDs during the eclipse remained within natural variability, and this study is inconclusive regarding ozone oscillations due to limited temporal resolution and measurement errors toward eclipse maximum. Measured NO2 SCDs increased and decreased symmetrically around the eclipse maximum. NO2 SCDs were also calculated using a photochemical box model and a one‐dimensional radiative transfer model. The modeled ratio of eclipse day SCDs to the previous day's SCDs was compared to the measurements. They agreed within error bars leading up to maximum occultation, but the model ratio was systematically larger than the measured ratio for the second half of the eclipse, perhaps due to changing cloud conditions throughout the eclipse. The measured NO2 SCD ratio of 1.84−0.43+0.12 at 96% totality is larger than observed in past studies and agrees with modeled ratio of 1.91. Therefore our current understanding of stratospheric photochemistry is sufficient to predict the evolution of NOx chemistry through a solar eclipse.
Evaluation of the impacts of defoliation by tropical cyclones on a Japanese forest's carbon budget using flux data and a process‐based model
Authors: Ito Akihiko
Published: October 2010

Tropical cyclones (“typhoons”) affect ecosystem processes by disturbing the ecosystem's biogeochemistry, population dynamics, and services. The impact of 10 typhoons that struck the Japanese Islands in 2004 was studied using a process‐based ecosystem model (Vegetation Integrative SImulator for Trace gases) and by interpreting deviations in the carbon budget observed at the Takayama forest site in central Japan. The site‐calibrated model appropriately simulated gross and net CO2 fluxes in most years but could not capture the clear depression of CO2 uptake in 2004, probably because it neglected the impact of defoliation on the canopy's carbon gain due to strong typhoon winds. The defoliation intensity caused by each typhoon event was inversely estimated from the flux measurement data and using a Monte Carlo approach. Accounting for the repeated 10%–20% defoliation that occurred in 2004 lowered the canopy carbon gain by nearly 200 g C m−2 yr−1, resulting in better agreement between the estimated and observed flux values. Comparison of the estimated defoliation pattern with satellite‐based estimates of leaf area index indicated that such moderate defoliation from midsummer to autumn was plausible. The influence of CO2 emissions from typhoon‐generated debris on the carbon budget in subsequent years was estimated to be tiny in this case. These results have implications for regional carbon accounting studies, because both devastating and moderate defoliation caused by tropical cyclones can have a marked effect on the regional carbon budget, especially when defoliation occurs repeatedly within a single growing season.
Geological modeling of submeter scale heterogeneity and its influence on tracer transport in a fluvial aquifer
Authors: Ronayne Michael J. , Gorelick Steven M. , Zheng Chunmiao
Published: October 2010

We developed a new model of aquifer heterogeneity to analyze data from a single‐well injection‐withdrawal tracer test conducted at the Macrodispersion Experiment (MADE) site on the Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi (USA). The physical heterogeneity model is a hybrid that combines 3‐D lithofacies to represent submeter scale, highly connected channels within a background matrix based on a correlated multivariate Gaussian hydraulic conductivity field. The modeled aquifer architecture is informed by a variety of field data, including geologic core sampling. Geostatistical properties of this hybrid heterogeneity model are consistent with the statistics of the hydraulic conductivity data set based on extensive borehole flowmeter testing at the MADE site. The representation of detailed, small‐scale geologic heterogeneity allows for explicit simulation of local preferential flow and slow advection, processes that explain the complex tracer response from the injection‐withdrawal test. Based on the new heterogeneity model, advective‐dispersive transport reproduces key characteristics of the observed tracer recovery curve, including a delayed concentration peak and a low‐concentration tail. Importantly, our results suggest that intrafacies heterogeneity is responsible for local‐scale mass transfer.
Programma 2000: a star‐shaped organizational model
Authors: Cocchi A. , Meneghelli A. , Galvan F.
Published: October 2010

The realization of early detection and intervention programs needs to combine the preexisting mental health servicesorganization on the territory with modalities specific for professionals' competence, setting, procedures and attitude. Actually, services mostly function with current standard practices and professionals having different backgrounds: then they could be operatively and culturally revitalized by the link with a more focused, outreaching and research‐oriented working style. The authors describe the organizational strategies to overcome the problems of connecting an ad hoc early detection and intervention Service, set up on a STAR‐SHAPED MODEL, the core of which is a team acquired by counselling contracts, with the existing network of Psychiatric Services (4 CMHC, 2 Psychiatric Wards, 1 day Centre, 2 Residential Facilities) and Agencies of the area (GPs, Child Neuropsychiatry, Schools, etc.). In the next 3‐year period (2002–2005) the increase of cases and the enlargement of the catchment area, making the system more complex, will require further adaptation and improvement of the model.
Early intervention outpatient clinic for psychotic patients (EOP)
Authors: Severinsen T.
Published: October 2010

Many authors have argued that it is important to give patients with schizophrenia specialized treatment an (re‐)habilitation as early as possible to reduce the number of chronic patients. And there are some studies supporting this. At Telemark Hospital a specialized EOP was started in January 1998. We treat patients with nonaffective psychosis and with affective psychosis with positive psychotic symptoms. The catchment area has 120 000 inhabitants. We have developed a programme for evaluation and follow up that will be presented. The EOP consists of a psychologist, psychiatric nurse, social worker and psychiatrist. Our programme consists of individual supportive psychoterapy/CBT, medical treatment, social and work/school (re‐)habilitation and psychoeducation in single family groups. The plan is to follow most patients for 2 years and make a thorough evaluation of how the follow up shall be in primary and secondary care. About 30% of our patients will be followed up until 5 years by the EOP. The first 3 years we have included 76 patients and preliminary data will be presented.
Primary care of early psychosis in Switzerland: a comprehensive assessment of attitudes, knowledge and needs among general practitioners
Authors: Simon A. , Umbricht D. , Merlo M.
Published: October 2010

Due to their accessibility and their longstanding position as family physicians, general practitioners (GPs) are often the first contact for patients in early stages of psychosis.

In a large nationwide, two‐phased survey among GPs in Switzerland, we assessed their attitudes, knowledge and needs with respect to treatment of patients suffering from early schizophrenia psychosis, using a comprehensive questionnaire. Of the 3878 GPs contacted, 1089 (28.2%) responded once, and 185 GPs responded twice. Among the core items crucial for the assessment and corroboration of the diagnosis of early schizophrenia two core items – social decline and an observation over several months – were regularly underidentified independent of geographic variables, former psychiatric training or recent education in the field of early psychosis. Most GPs expressed a wish for collaborations with psychiatrists and low threshold referral services. Our results suggest that we have to improve the dissemination of crucial information about signs and symptoms of early psychosis. There is a high need for establishing easily accessible services across the country.
Early detection and intervention programme for psychosis
Authors: Berman I. , Klegon D. , Chang H. , Fiedosewicz H.
Published: October 2010

We will present the demographics, quality of life, and illness characteristics of a group of patients with new‐onset psychosis, assessed by the Early Detection and Intervention Programme of Psychosis (EDIPP), initiated 1 year ago by the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH), Southeastern Area. The EDIPP is conducted by the crisis team, which includes clinicians, nurses, and psychiatrists and serves a population of approximately half a million people. Patients diagnosed with new‐onset psychosis (according to preset criteria) are referred for assessments, using the premorbid, quality of life, psychiatric, and cognitive evaluations. Up to 60% of patients cooperated with the follow up visits.

A significant number of new‐onset psychotic patients (up to 50%), however, could not be contacted by staff for follow‐up, because during the crisis evaluation were sent to facilities outside the geographical area. Patients who cooperated with the follow‐up appointments had significant support in the community,especially families who understood their illness.

The high likelihood of noncompliance in patients with new‐onset psychosis points to the need of integrated programmes that will address education and antistigma efforts in the community and provide sufficient therapeutic support. Such a programme needs to be based on a case‐management system and cannot be successfully accomplished as part of an academic or private endeavour alone outside DMH guidelines.
A population assessment of young people's mental health literacy
Authors: Wright A. , McGorry P. D. , Harris M. , Harrigan S. , Jorm A.
Published: October 2010

The aim of this study was to assess young people's mental health literacy in relation to psychosis and depression. It forms part of the baseline measure for the evaluation of a community awareness campaign called The Compass Strategy.

A cross‐sectional telephone survey using structured interviews was conducted. Vignettes of a person with either depression or psychosis were presented. The randomly selected sample was comprised of 1207 young people aged 12–25 from Melbourne and surrounding rural areas.

Overall depression was far more frequently correctly identified than psychosis. A significantly higher proportion of females were able to correctly identify depression and psychosis. Counsellors, family members and friends were the preferred source of help overall followed by General Practitioners and Psychiatrists. However, there were significant differences between disorders in ranking of these sources of help. Vitamins and herbal treatments were rated as more helpful than antidepressants and antipsychotics.

To increase early recognition of mental illness by the general public, efforts need to focus on improving knowledge of both signs and symptoms, and effectiveness of treatments. Family, friends and young males are particularly important targets.
When does experience of psychosis result in a need for care? (NEMESIS)
Authors: Bak M. , Hanssen M. , Janssen I. , Bijl R. , Delespaul P. , Van Os J.
Published: October 2010

Not all individuals with experience of psychosis develop need for care. 7076 general population individuals were studied for 3 years. 47 individuals experienced psychosis with no previous diagnosis of psychotic disorder. They were interviewed by telephone. Need for care was associated with severity of psychotic experiences rather than distress or total level of coping used. Also, individuals with need for care more often resorted to symptomatic coping style (giving in to symptoms; OR=6.07, 95% CI: 1.94, 18.95), which was associated with less perceived control (OR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.98). Any type of coping was associated with level of distress, severity of hallucinations and presence of suspiciousness in both groups, but suspiciousness was larger in those in need for care (OR=2.27, 95% CI: 1.33, 3.87). A symptomatic coping style predicts decreased experience of control and results in need for care. Attribution of locus ofcontrol and a more submissive style vis à vis the psychotic experience may contribute to becoming a mental health patient.
Comparative study of sexuality‐related characteristics in young adults with schizophrenia treated with novel neuroleptics and in normal young adults
Authors: Fortier P. , Mottard J‐P. , Fortier P. , Trudel G. , Even‐Gaudin S.
Published: October 2010

This study compared characteristics related to sexual history, sexual activities, sexual functioning and psychological tendencies associated with sexuality in 45 young adults with schizophrenia treated with novel neuroleptics and 61 control young adults. A smaller proportion of young adults with schizophrenia currently had a sexual partner or had ever engaged in sexual relations. They also had sexual relations and sexual desires less often. Whether affected by schizophrenia or not, a smaller proportion of women had ever masturbated. They felt less sexual desire and desired sexual relations less often. Compared to controls, a higher proportion of men with schizophrenia treated with Risperidone or Olanzapine had at least one sexual dysfunction, lacked sexual desire and reported problems with sexual arousal and ejaculation. Women with schizophrenia were more likely to report problems with sexual arousal and galactorrhea. Finally, young adults with schizophrenia develop more negative psychological tendencies associated with sexuality than were normal young adults. Sexual problems are highly prevalent among young adults with schizophrenia. Sexuality should occupy the space it deserves within psychosocial rehabilitation programs and the treatment of schizophrenia.
Insight and quality of life in Asian patients with first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Choo L. , Png C. , Chan S. , Subramaniam M. , Chong S. A.
Published: October 2010

Objective  Quality of life (QOL) is increasingly perceived as an important outcome measure in psychosis. The study aims to identify determinants of QOL at first presentation with psychosis in an Asian context.

Methods  33 patients presented to the Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) were assessed with a battery of validated clinical instruments. Relationships between QOL, insight, psychopathology, duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and socio‐demographic variables were examined.

Results  While QOL was found to be independent of age of onset, DUP, gender, race and symptoms at baseline, it was influenced by insight and psychopathology. The insight scores were inversely correlated with the Physical Health domain of the WHO‐QOL BREF (r=−0.367, P < 0.05). General psychopathology on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was negatively correlated with the WHO‐QOL BREF (r=−0.370, P < 0.05).

Conclusion  The present study appears to indicate that for patients in an Asian setting, the somatic experiences of ill health shaped the perceptions of insight.
Talk about life: subjective experience in early psychosis
Authors: Brown J. , Stadnyk R. , Whitehorn D. , Kopala L. , Townsend E.
Published: October 2010

Objective  To explore the complex ways that early psychosis affects young people, and the things they do to look after themselves, enjoy life, and be productive, and the influence of the environmental factors.

Methods  An occupational life history approach, based on phenomenology, guided interviews with five participants.

Results  Data analysis identified eight common themes, that coalesced into the following: (1) There was no ‘life before psychosis’, (2) Life becomes increasingly narrow with the onset of symptoms after treatment, life expands again through an active learning process, which involves taking action with limited awareness about what one can actually do, (3) Maintaining productive roles limits the impact of psychosis however, few were enjoying life, had a boyfriend or girlfriend, or lived independently, (4) People with early psychosis maintain a feeling of competence, make their own decisions, and use meaningful occupations to rebuild their identities.

Conclusions  Qualitative research is useful in gaining an understanding into what young people with early psychosis experience in trying to recover in everyday life.
Pharmacological treatment of hospitalized first episode psychotic patients in Belgium
Authors: De Hert M. , Wampers M. , Peuskens J.
Published: October 2010

PECC (Psychosis Evaluation tool for Common use by Caregivers) is a recently developed computerized assessment instrument that allows regular assessments by psychiatric nurses and combines different functional and symptomatic outcome measures including the presence of symptoms, side‐effects of pharmacological treatment, and current pharmacological treatment. Currently, 1211 psychotic are being followed with PECC in Belgium. The majority of these patients are chronic but 15% of them are hospitalized for afirst psychotic episode. This group is of particular clinical importance since adequate interventions during this period are expected to be most effective by the prevention of irreversible neurobiological and social changes. Our study will outline demographic and clinical characteristics of these first episode psychotic patients but will mainly concentrate on their pharmacological treatment and compare it with the treatment of more chronic patients. The results show that monotherapy of novel antipsychotics is more frequent in first episode than in chronic psychotic patients. These novel antipsychotics are in addition administered in significantly lower doses. Although polypharmacy is more frequently observed in chronic patients, it is also very common in first episodes.
Protein phosphatase 1γ is responsible for dephosphorylation of histone H3 at Thr 11 after DNA damage
Authors: Shimada Midori , Haruta Mayumi , Niida Hiroyuki , Sawamoto Kazunobu , Nakanishi Makoto
Published: October 2010

The DNA‐damage‐induced transcriptional suppression of cell cycle regulatory genes correlates with a reduction in histone H3‐Thr 11 phosphorylation (H3‐pThr 11) on their promoters that is partly mediated by the dissociation of Chk1 from chromatin. In this study, we identify protein phosphatase 1γ (PP1γ) as a phosphatase responsible for DNA‐damage‐induced H3‐pThr 11 dephosphorylation. PP1γ is activated after DNA damage, which is mainly mediated by a reduction in Cdk‐dependent phosphorylation of PP1γ at Thr 311. The depletion of PP1γ sensitizes HCT116 cells to DNA damage. Our results suggest that the ataxia telangiectasia, mutated and Rad3‐related–Chk1 axis regulates H3‐pThr 11 dephosphorylation on DNA damage, at least in part by the activation of PP1γ through Chk1‐dependent inhibition of Cdks.
The hotspot conversion paradox
Authors: Pineda-Krch Mario , Redfield Rosemary
Published: October 2010

The contradiction between the long-term persistence of the chromosomal hotspots that initiate meiotic recombination and the self-destructive mechanism by which they act strongly suggests that our understanding of recombination is incomplete. This "hotspot paradox" has been reinforced by the finding that biased gene conversion also removes active hotspots from human sperm. To investigate the requirements for hotspot persistence, we developed a detailed computer simulation model of their activity and its evolutionary consequences. With this model, unopposed hotspot activity could drive strong hotspots from 50% representation to extinction within 70 generations. Although the crossing over that hotspots cause can increase population fitness, this benefit was always too small to slow the loss of hotspots. Hotspots could not be maintained by plausible rates of de novo mutation, nor by crossover interference, which alters the frequency and/or spacing of crossovers. Competition among hotspots for activity-limiting factors also did not prevent their extinction, although the rate of hotspot loss was slowed. Key factors were the probability that the initiating hotspot allele is destroyed and the nonmeiotic contributions hotspots make to fitness. Experimental investigation of these deserves high priority, because until the paradox is resolved all components of the mechanism are open to doubt.
Microfouling of Manganese-oxidizing microorganisms in Rameswaram Coastal Waters.
Authors: Muraleedharan Hari , Kalaigandhi V , Kannapiran E
Published: October 2010

Manganese oxidizing marine microorganisms was studied from the coupons of PVC, Titanium, Brass, Copper and Stainless Steel were immersed one meter below water surface, using wooden rafts. The metal coupons, Brass, Titanium and Brass were exposed for a period of six months (October 2005 to March 2006). The PVC and SS were suspended in the sea for two months (February and March 2006). Sea water samples were also collected from the study area using water sampler to estimate the physiochemical and nutrients were analyzed. The population of HB and MHB on PVC was registered as 3.62 x 107 CFU/cm2 and 2.87 x 107 CFU/cm2, respectively while on Stainless Steel the population density of HB and MHB was recorded as 3.79 x 105 CFU/cm2 and 1.34 x 105 CFU/cm2. The PVC and titanium coupons were recorded relatively higher values comparing with other coupons, and it may be due to the non-toxic nature of the substratum. Brass also recorded higher bacterial population density compared to copper. The least population density observed in copper coupons could be due to it toxic nature. The generic composition of heterotrophic bacterial strains isolated from biofilm samples, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative groups were noted on all the materials studied. The notable thing was that Gram-positive group was fond to be dominant. The genera identified under Gram-positive were Bacillus sp., Staphylococcus sp. and Micrococcus sp. and the Gram-negative strains identified as Pseudomonas sp., Salmonella sp., Vibrio sp. and Proteus sp. Among the five types of coupons tested PVC exhibited highest Mn value of 5543 mg/g. Bacterial slim samples generated on the exposed coupons were scrapped and characterized by Bergey’s method.
Closed bioregenerative life support systems: Applicability to hot deserts
Authors: Polyakov Yuriy , Musaev Ibrahim , Polyakov Sergey
Published: October 2010

Water scarcity in hot deserts, which cover about one-fifth of the Earth’s land area, along with rapid expansion of hot deserts into arable lands is one of the key global environmental problems. As hot deserts are extreme habitats characterized by the availability of solar energy with a nearly complete absence of organic life and water, space technology achievements in designing closed ecological systems may be applicable to the design of sustainable settlements in the deserts. This review discusses the key space technology findings for closed biogenerative life support systems (CBLSS), which can simultaneously produce food, water, nutrients, fertilizers, process wastes, and revitalize air, that can be applied to hot deserts. Among them are the closed cycle of water and the acceleration of the cycling times of carbon, biogenic compounds, and nutrients by adjusting the levels of light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide, and air velocity over plant canopies. Enhanced growth of algae and duckweed at higher levels of carbon dioxide and light intensity can be important to provide complete water recycling and augment biomass production. The production of fertilizers and nutrients can be enhanced by applying the subsurface flow wetland technology and hyper-thermophilic aerobic bacteria for treating liquid and solid wastes. The mathematical models, optimization techniques, and non-invasive measuring techniques developed for CBLSS make it possible to monitor and optimize the performance of such closed ecological systems. The results of long-duration experiments performed in BIOS-3, Biosphere 2, Laboratory Biosphere, and other ground-based closed test facilities suggest that closed water cycle can be achieved in hot-desert bioregenerative systems using the pathways of evapotranspiration, condensation, and biological wastewater treatment technologies. We suggest that the state of the art in the CBLSS design along with the possibility of using direct sunlight for photosynthesis and recent advances in photovoltaic engineering can be used as a basis for building sustainable settlements producing food, water, and energy in hot deserts.
Comparison of Cholesterol Lowering Diets: Apple, Casein Cytochrom P450 protein and Cholesterol 7α Hydroxylase Activities in Hamsters
Authors: Sharma Rakesh , Tandon Rakesh
Published: October 2010

Lithogenic diet, casein and apple fiber diets were fed to hamsters for 3-5 weeks. For control group, animals were fed on normal Purina chow without any supplement. The cholesterol lowering effect of lithogenic diet, casein and apple diets were compared. After dietary regimen, animals were screened for any gall stone formation. The isolated liver microsomes were separated from animals and tested for the cholesterol-7α Hydroxylase (CH) enzyme activity measurement in all three groups. The control animals did not show any gall stone formation and their CH enzyme activities were normal. The lithogenic diet showed significantly enhanced CH enzyme activities while animals fed on casein and apple diet regimen showed moderate increase in microsomal CH enzyme activity indicated cholesterol lowering in liver. In conclusion, cholesterol 7α hydroxylase may be a biomarker of cholesterol status in the body and microsomal CH enzyme may be lowered down after treatment of casein and apple diets.
Absolute Potentials of Standard Reference Electrodes at 25 C
Authors: Heyrovska Raji
Published: October 2010

Aqueous standard redox potentials are conventionally referred to that of the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) as zero (IUPAC definition), in the absence of the knowledge of its absolute value. Recently, the author obtained its value (4.20 V) from a newly found linear dependence of redox potentials on ionization potentials. This has enabled now to express the potentials of standard reference electrodes in terms of the absolute values.
Study of Sea level changes with Leckie method of the Abderaz Formation (Middle Turonian-Early Campanian) at type section based on foraminifera
Authors: Shafiee Ardestani Meysam , Abbasi Abbas
Published: October 2010

In this research the Abderaz Formation at its type section with an age of Turonian-early Campanian and a thickness of 300 m containing.light grey shale and marls was investigated. Statistical Studise of the morphotype groups of planktonic foraminifera shows that the majority of them are of shallow water forms (SWF) and deep water forms (DWF) and planktonic to benthic ratio is high indicating specific condition of oligotrophy and sedimentation in a relatively deeper marine condition
Osmotic stress and water isotope effects in kinesin-1 gliding motility assays
Authors: Koch Steven , Maloney Andy , Herskowitz Lawrence
Published: October 2010

The osmotic pressure and kinetic properties of water play important roles in biomolecular interactions. As pointed out by Parsegian, Rand, and Rau, these crucial roles are often overlooked[1]. In some fields, osmotic stress and isotope effects have been exploited for probing the role water plays in binding interactions of biomolecules. To our knowledge, there have been no studies of osmotic stress and water isotope effects for kinesin, and only a handful for myosin. We're currently using the gliding motility assay to see whether we can extract new information about kinesin-1 / microtubule interactions by changing osmotic stress and water isotopes. We will describe our open-source, automated analysis platform for extracting microtubule gliding speeds from image series. We will also show our preliminary analyses of the changes seen in gliding assays when done in heavy water (either heavy-hydrogen or heavy-oxygen) or osmolytes (betaine). We will discuss whether osmotic stress and isotopes, particularly heavy-oxygen water, might be an important tool for probing effects of water on binding interactions between kinesin and microtubules. We will also discuss potential applications of deuterium water for stabilizing microtubules and kinesin for lab or device applications.[1] Parsegian, V. A., Rand, R. P., & Rau, D. C. (1995). Macromolecules and water: probing with osmotic stress. Methods in Enzymology, 259.This work was supported by the DTRA CB Basic Research Program under Grant No. HDTRA1-09-1-008 in collaboration with Dr. Susan Atlas lab (UNM).
Research Objects: Towards Exchange and Reuse of Digital Knowledge
Authors: Bechhofer Sean , De Roure David , Gamble Matthew , Goble Carole , Buchan Iain
Published: October 2010

What will researchers be publishing in the future? Whilst there is little question that the Web will be the publication platform, as scholars move away from paper towards digital content, there is a need for mechanisms that support the production of self-contained units of knowledge and facilitate the publication, sharing and reuse of such entities. In this paper we discuss the notion of research objects, semantically rich aggregations of resources, that can possess some scientific intent or support some research objective. We present a number of principles that we expect such objects and their associated services to follow.
Copyrights and digitizing the systematic literature: the horror... the horror...
Authors: Pentcheff N. Dean
Published: October 2010

It is time for us to take full advantage of the investment that our societies have made in documenting the biodiversity of the world. It is time for us to fully, and legally, make systematic literature available worldwide. Using U.S. "Fair Use" guidelines, we can.
Impacts – The Key to Understand Earth
Authors: Huang Hua
Published: October 2010

A significant factor, where are the major elements e.g. Mg, Fe, Si, Al, Ca, P, Ni that make up the asteroid or comet after the impact, has been ignored since the proposal of the impact events. In a striking contrast, there are many remaining unanswered or poorly answered questions regarding the formation and nature of banded iron formation (BIF), iron stone, phosphorite, bedded manganese ore, dolomite and carbonaceous black shales. The appearance of Lake Superior type banded ion formation associated with dolomite, quartzite, and black shale, the deposition of manganese ore and the occurrence of large phosphate repository during the Plaeoproterozoic; the onset of BIF with phosphate deposition and sedimentary manganese deposits and cap dolomite during the Neoproterozoic; the penecontemporary formation of oolitic iron stone taking place of the BIF, bedded manganese deposit, phosphorite, dolomite, and black shale during the Phanerozoic, which suggest a genetic link among them from the perspective of chemical elements. Actually, during hypervelocity impact cratering events, the main part of the asteroid or comet and target material are vaporizing, which forms a mushroom cloud of vapor in the atmosphere.The previous study shows that the calcite, magnetite, clay minerals and organic compounds condense from a solar gas at 10−4 atm with temperature less than 400 K, which provides an analog for the generation of the chemical sedimentary ore deposits. This also supported by table isotopes fractionation at small sacle (grain size, cm scale), all stable isotopes fractionation e.g. (Cr, Fe, S, Si, O,C) and mass-independent fractionation of sulphur isotopes following the rule of isotope fractionation during impacts: the earlier the condensed material, the more enriched in lighter isotopes. Thus, the impact of the asteroid or comet provides not only the elements source of chemical sedimentary ore deposits and the mechanism for their formation. The enrichment in iridium in BIFs and their associated impact spherule units are the other evidence to demonstrate that BIFs are the products of impacts. Impacts produce black shale, banded iron formation, limestone and dolomite. Based on the coeval sub-continental lithosphere mantle (SCLM) formation, juvenile crust generation, banded iron formations, mantle plumes and black shale, it seems that impacts maybe the driving force for Earth.
An approach able to escape the most common problem during protein Crystallization i.e. formation of salt crystal
Authors: Singh K. Awaneesh , Celie Patrick , Rao G. R. K. , Jagannatham M.
Published: October 2010

Formation and differentiation of salt crystal is a most common as well as challenging problem during protein crystallography. Although there are some methods used for their differentiation i.e. physical manipulation, birefringence, dye absorption and run a gel but all of them are totally depends on own perception and expertise as well as also require a good crystal (final stage crystal). To escape this problem the screening was done with PACT, JCSG and other automated screens as everyone do. But during optimization the additives/salts were ignored at first and optimization screen was made just based on different buffers and precipitant. After selecting suitable buffer, the type and percentage of precipitant was optimized. We got some ugly crystals and with the help of previous screening the effective additives/salts were chosen. On the basis of relation between pH and additive/salt concentration, the additive/salt and their concentration were optimized. At last optimization of methods, protein and crystallization ratio and physical conditions were done to get good crystals better in size and shape. This approach is completely able to escape the risk of salt crystal formation which can reduce our wastage of time and money.
Targeting Human Dendritic Cells with Lewis X Modified Liposomes
Authors: Kalvodova Lucie , Zhang Yongmin
Published: October 2010

In this short report, we demonstrate that liposomes bearing the Lewis X trisaccharide on the surface (“Awesosomes”) efficiently target human dendritic cells. We chose a glycolipid with Lewis X trisaccharide headgroup to facilitate the targeted liposome uptake via the DC-SIGN internalization pathway. While no uptake of Awesosomes was detected with wild-type human HEK293 cells, HEK293 cells transfected with human DC-SIGN internalized Awesosomes extensively. In samples of human blood-derived leukocytes, the extent of uptake of Awesosomes correlated with the expression of DC-SIGN, which is a dendritic cells marker. There was a marked difference in the uptake of Awesosomes and plain liposomes by DC-SIGN expressing dendritic cells. There was no difference in uptake of Awesosomes and plain liposomes by wt HEK293 cells or macrophages. These results indicate that Lewis X trisaccharide can “sweet-talk” dendritic cells into internalizing a delivery vehicle, and that Awesosomes are promising as “magic bullets” for specific delivery of drugs, antigens, or immunostimulatory molecules to human dendritic cells without influencing other cell types.
Studies on Utilizing the Three Famous International Index Systems to Evaluate Scientific Research Level of Higher Learning Institutions
Authors: Liu Xun , Huang Changyu , Qian Wei-Liang , Huang Yong-Chang
Published: October 2010

Science Citation Index (SCI), The Engineering Index (EI) and Index to Scientific & Technical Proceeding (ISTP) are widely accepted and used to evaluate the scientific research level of higher learning institutions by many country's science and technology field currently. After research, we point out the blemishes in this method and put forward the problems that need to be noticed, and then, under current conditions, bring forward brand-new standard and method to estimate research level, efficiency, fund exploitation and so on. One shouldn't over-emphasize the total amount of papers collected in SCI, EI & ISTP when evaluating the scientific research level of higher learning institutions, whereas using ‘comprehensive factor’ analysis method can make it more scientific and efficient.
Cloning and expression of first gene for biodegrading microcystins by Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05
Authors: Yan Hai , Wang Junfeng , Chen Jian , Wei Wei , Wang Hui
Published: October 2010

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCBs) in natural waters are a growing environmental problem worldwide because microcystins (MCs) produced by cyanobacteria are potent hepatotoxins and tumor promoters. MCs are resistant against physical and chemical factors. Thus, biodegradation is the most efficient method for removing MCs, and a number of bacterial strains, especially genus Sphingomonas, have been isolated for biodegrading MCs. Although the pathway, enzyme, and gene for biodegrading MCs by Sphingomonas sp. have been widely identified recently, no gene concerned with the biodegradation of MCs has been successfully cloned and expressed. In this study, we show that the first and most important gene of mlrA, containing 1,008 bp nucleotides in length, in the biodegradation pathway of MCs by Sphingopyxis sp. USTB-05, which encodes an enzyme MlrA containing 336 amino acid residues, is firstly cloned and expressed in E. coli DH5&x03B1;, with a cloning vector of pGEM-T easy and an expression vector of pGEX-4T-1. The encoded and expressed enzyme MlrA is responsible for cleaving the target peptide bond between 3-amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-10-phenyl-deca-4,6-dienoic acid (Adda) and Arg in the cyclic structure of microcystin-RR &xFF08;MC-RR&xFF09;and microcystin-LR&xFF08;MC-LR), two typical and toxic types of MCs. Linear MC-RR and MC-LR are produced as the first products. These findings are important in constructing a new genetic bacterial strain for the efficient removal of MCs from the important water supplies and resolving the controversy on the biodegradation pathway of different types of MCs by genus Sphingomonas.
Without magic bullets: the biological basis for public health interventions against protein folding disorders
Authors: Wallace Rodrick
Published: October 2010

Protein folding disorders of aging like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases currently present intractable medical challenges. 'Small molecule' interventions - drug treatments - often have, at best, palliative impact, failing to alter disease course. The design of individual or population level interventions will likely require a deeper understanding of protein folding and its regulation than currently provided by contemporary 'physics' or culture-bound medical magic bullet models. Here, a topological rate distortion analysis is applied to the problem of protein folding and regulation that is similar in spirit to Tlusty's (2010a) elegant exploration of the genetic code. The formalism produces large-scale, quasi-equilibrium 'resilience' states representing normal and pathological protein folding regulation under a cellular-level cognitive paradigm similar to that proposed by Atlan and Cohen (1998) for the immune system. Generalization to long times produces diffusion models of protein folding disorders in which epigenetic or life history factors determine the rate of onset of regulatory failure, in essence, a premature aging driven by familiar synergisms between disjunctions of resource allocation and need in the context of socially or physiologically toxic exposures and chronic powerlessness at individual and group scales. Application of an HPA axis model is made to recent observed differences in Alzheimer's onset rates in White and African American subpopulations as a function of an index of distress-proneness.
A novel mathematical tool for generating highly conserved protein domain via different organismal genomic landscapes
Authors: Goswami Arunava , Pal Choudhury Pabitra , Singh Rajneesh , Hassan Sk. Sarif
Published: October 2010

Darwinian evolution hypothesizes that a short stretch of DNA was first constructed and then it expanded to give rise to a long strand. This long strand then produced a mix of exons, introns and repetitive DNA sequence. The order of production of above three kinds of DNA sequence is unknown. Reshuffling of stretches of DNA like above within organisms has given rise to different chromosomes. Till date it is not known how this process is governed. In this paper we show that starting with a sixteen base-pair human olfactory DNA sequence one can form a highly conserved protein domain. Once this domain is formed repetitive DNA sequences of a particular kind starts generating which signifies that this particular conserved protein domain will be unique in nature. The entire mathematical exercise presented in this paper is based on simplest possible context free L-System which we think has been adopted by biological system in general.
Wikis as platforms for scholarly publishing
Authors: Mietchen Daniel
Published: October 2010

While scholarly publishing has traditionally focused on stand-alone articles describing how a specific act of research advanced knowledge in a particular area for once, wikis and similar collaborative online environments provide the technical means to focus on contextually interlinked concepts instead and to update them continuously as new research results come in. Some platforms based totally or in part on these principles have already been put to practical tests whose relevance for Open Access publishing are discussed here, paying special attention to implementations of the review process. The presentation was given "on-wiki":http://en.citizendium.org/wiki/User:Daniel_Mietchen/Talks/COASP_2010/Start .