bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing technological initiatives for youth participation and local community engagement
Authors: Burd Leo
Published: January 2011

Recent advances in technology are transforming our lives, but in many cases they are also limiting the way children are exposed to local communities and physical spaces. Technology can help young people actively connect with their neighborhoods, but doing that requires different methods and tools from the ones typically available in schools, homes, and youth centers. This article introduces a theoretical framework describing the technical and nontechnical elements that must be considered in the implementation of technology initiatives for youth participation and local community engagement. The article then describes the application of the framework in two multiyear initiatives.
Insulin Stimulates Lipogenesis and Attenuates Beta‐Oxidation in White Adipose Tissue of Fed Rainbow Trout
Authors: Polakof S. , Médale F. , Larroquet L. , Vachot C. , Corraze G. , Panserat S.
Published: January 2011

As lipid deposition tissue in fish, the white adipose tissue (WAT) has important functions related to reproduction and the challenges of long‐term fasting. In the study reported here, we infused fish fed a high‐carbohydrate diet with two doses of insulin for 5 days in order to explore the effects of this hormone on lipogenesis and beta‐oxidation‐related enzymes. We demonstrated the presence of some of the main lipogenic enzymes at molecular, protein and activity levels (ATP‐citrate lyase and fatty acid synthase). However, while ATP‐citrate lyase was unexpectedly down‐regulated, fatty acid synthase was up‐regulated (at protein and activity levels) in an insulin dose‐dependent manner. The main enzymes acting as NADPH donors for lipogenesis were also characterized at biochemical and molecular levels, although there was no evidence of their regulation by insulin. On the other hand, lipid oxidation potential was found in this tissue through the measurement of gene expression of enzymes involved in β‐oxidation, highlighting two carnitine palmitoyltransferase isoforms, both down‐regulated by insulin infusion. We found that insulin acts as an important regulator of trout WAT lipid metabolism, inducing the final stage of lipogenesis at molecular, protein and enzyme activity levels and suppressing β‐oxidation at least at a molecular level. These results suggest that WAT in fish may have a role that is important not only as a lipid deposition tissue but also as a lipogenic organ (with possible involvement in glucose homeostasis) that could also be able to utilize the lipids stored as a local energy source.
Unabhängige Patientenberatung in Deutschland
Authors: Schröder Jane , Lochner Sophie , Kirch Wilhelm
Published: January 2011

Einleitung

Im Jahr 2000 wurden die gesetzlichen Krankenversicherungen in Deutschland verpflichtet, im Rahmen von Modellvorhaben Einrichtungen zur Verbraucher- oder Patientenberatung zu fördern. In einer ersten Modellphase wurden zunächst 30 Projekte mit unterschiedlichen Konzepten und inhaltlichen Schwerpunkten finanziell unterstützt. Aufbauend auf den gewonnenen Erkenntnissen und Erfahrungen wurde in einer zweiten Förderphase der Modellverbund „Unabhängige Patientenberatung Deutschland“ (UPD) initiiert.
Weight structures vs.t-structures; weight filtrations, spectral sequences, and complexes (for motives and in general)
Authors: Bondarko M.V.
Published: January 2011

In this paper we introduce a new notion ofweight structure (w)for a triangulated categoryC; this notion is an important natural counterpart of the notion oft-structure. It allows extending several results of the preceding paper [Bon09] to a large class of triangulated categories and functors.

Theheartofwis an additive categoryHw⊂C. We prove that a weight structure yields Postnikov towers for anyX∈ObjC(whose 'factors'Xi∈ObjHw). For any (co)homological functorH:C→A(Ais abelian) such a tower yields aweight spectral sequenceT : H(Xi[j]) ⇒H(X[i + j]); Tis canonical and functorial inXstarting fromE2.Tspecializes to the usual (Deligne) weight spectral sequences for 'classical' realizations of Voevodsky's motivesDMeffgm(if we considerw = wChowwithHw=Choweff) and to Atiyah-Hirzebruch spectral sequences in topology.

We prove that there often exists an exact conservative weight complex functorC→K(Hw). This is a generalization of the functort:DMeffgm→Kb(Choweff) constructed in [Bon09] (which is an extension of the weight complex of Gillet and Soulé). We prove thatK0(C) ≅K0(Hw) under certain restrictions.

We also introduce the concept of adjacent structures: at-structure isadjacenttowif their negative parts coincide. This is the case for the Postnikovt-structure for the stable homotopy categorySH(of topological spectra) and a certain weight structure for it that corresponds to the cellular filtration. We also define a new (Chow)t-structuretChowforDMeff_⊃DMeffgmwhich is adjacent to the Chow weight structure. We haveHtChow≅ AddFun(Choweffop,Ab);tChowis related to unramified cohomology. Functors left adjoint to those that aret-exact with respect to somet-structures are weight-exact with respect to the corresponding adjacent weight structures, and vice versa. Adjacent structures identify two spectral sequences converging toC(X,Y): the one that comes from weight truncations ofXwith the one coming fromt-truncations ofY(forX,Y∈ObjC). Moreover, the philosophy of adjacent structures allows expressing torsion motivic cohomology of certain motives in terms of the étale cohomology of their 'submotives'. This is an extension of the calculation of E2of coniveau spectral sequences (by Bloch and Ogus).
ASSESSMENT OF THE LIVESTOCK-FEED AND WATER NEXUS ACROSS A MIXED CROP-LIVESTOCK SYSTEM'S INTENSIFICATION GRADIENT: AN EXAMPLE FROM THE INDO-GANGA BASIN
Authors: HAILESLASSIE AMARE , BLÜMMEL MICHAEL , CLEMENT FLORIANE , DESCHEEMAEKER KATRIEN , AMEDE TILAHUN , SAMIREDDYPALLE ANANDAN , ACHARYA N. SREEDHAR , RADHA A. VENKATA , ISHAQ SABA , SAMAD MADAR , MURTY M. V. R. , KHAN M. A.
Published: January 2011

Projections suggest that annual per capita water availability in the Indo-Ganga Basin (IGB) will reduce to a level typical for water-stressed areas. Producing more crop and livestock products, per unit of agricultural water invested, is advocated as a key strategy for future food production and environmental security in the basin. The objective of this study was to understand the spatio-temporal dynamics of water requirements for livestock feed production, attendant livestock water productivity (LWP) and implications for the future sustainable use of water resources. We focused on three districts in the IGB representing intensive (higher external inputs, e.g. fertilizer, water) and semi-intensive (limited external input) crop-livestock systems. LWP is estimated based on principles of water accounting and is defined as the ratio of livestock beneficial outputs and services to the water depleted and degraded in producing these. In calculating LWP and crop water productivity (CWP), livestock, land use, land productivity and climatic data were required. We used secondary data sources from the study districts, field observations and discussions with key informants to generate those data sets. Our result showed that the volume of water depleted for livestock feed production varied among the study systems and was highly affected by the type of feed and the attendant agronomic factors (e.g. cropping pattern, yield). LWP value was higher for intensive systems and affected by agricultural water partitioning approaches (harvest index, metaolizable energy). LWP tended to decrease between 1992 and 2003. This can be accounted for by the shift to a feeding regime that depletes more water despite its positive impacts on animal productivity. This is a challenging trend with the advent of and advocacy for producing more agricultural products using the same or lower volume of water input and evokes a need for balanced feeding, by considering the nutritive value, costs and water productivity of feed, and better livestock management to improve LWP.
UNDERSTANDING COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS OF LAND USE CHANGES IN THE RANGELANDS, ZIMBABWE
Authors: SIBANDA ANDREW , TUI SABINE HOMANN-KEE , VAN ROOYEN ANDRÉ , DIMES JOHN , NKOMBONI DANIEL , SISITO GIVIOUS
Published: January 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the user communities' understanding and interpretation of changes in rangeland use and productivity in the communal lands of Zimbabwe. While external knowledge has been instrumental in defining the drivers and effects of ecological changes hitherto, the role of local knowledge is becoming increasingly important in explaining factors that inform user community perceptions and guide their decisions on the use of rangeland resources. Data on community perceptions were collected in four villages, using Participatory Rural Appraisals in each village and household surveys with a total of 104 households. This study showed that user communities in Nkayi district differentiate rangelands among seven categories of livestock feed resources and how these have changed over time. Communities viewed rangelands not as one continuous, designated and specialized land parcel, but differentiated the land by location, productivity, management and uses in different times of the year. Although land use changes affecting these livestock feed resources were considered to be widespread and multi-directional (both negative and positive) they did not cause widespread degradation. Rangelands converted to croplands were not completely lost, but became important dual purpose land parcels fulfilling both household food security needs and dry season livestock feed requirements. The importance of croplands as a feed resource is reflected in the emergence of new institutions governing their use for livestock grazing and to guarantee security of tenure. On the other hand institutions governing the use of common property rangelands decreased or weakened in their application. The study concludes that while this situation presents ecological challenges for the rangelands, it offers opportunities to find innovative ways of utilizing croplands as the new frontier in the provision of dry season feed resources to smallholder farmers in highly variable environments. Implications for livestock water productivity need to be investigated and water saving technologies should be promoted in the land use intensification processes.
GENDERED LIVELIHOOD IMPLICATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS OF LIVESTOCK WATER PRODUCTIVITY IN ZIMBABWE
Authors: SENDA TRINITY S. , PEDEN DON , TUI SABINE HOMANN-KEE , SISITO GIVIOUS , VAN ROOYEN ANDRÉ F. , SIKOSANA JOSEPH L. N.
Published: January 2011

Scarcity, lack of access, and ineffective and inefficient use of water in Nkayi District, Zimbabwe, threaten agricultural production. The purpose of this study is to augment understanding of opportunities to increase livestock water productivity (LWP) in Nkayi District by taking into account key differences in the capacities, opportunities, and needs of women and men. There are two important types of female-headed households, de facto and de jure. The results from this study showed that male-headed and de facto and de jure female-headed households share much in common. They all had similar areas of cropland and access to education, finances, veterinary and extension services, and transportation and markets. Households of all types had similar herd sizes. All were desperately poor with incomes much less than a dollar a day. To rise out of poverty, the knowledge, skills and effort of all household heads will be needed. In spite of severe poverty, household heads of all types are literate and have sufficient education that can help enable adoption of intervention options that can lead to increased agricultural production and improved livelihoods. The results also showed that major differences exist in terms of the roles of men and women in ownership, management and decision making related to livestock keeping and animal production. Men clearly dominate in both ownership and decision making even though women play a major role in animal management. Only in de jure female-headed households were women more likely than men to own cattle and goats. They were also more likely to be involved in farming as a primary livelihood activity. Surprisingly, men were more likely to be involved in animal management in these de jure female-headed households. Women were also excluded from water users' and livestock producers' associations although a minority of men was members. By not involving the already-developed capacity of women, the community loses out on a significant opportunity to increase LWP and animal production more widely. Greater inclusion of women in decision making will be an important part of future efforts to improve livelihoods through livestock development.
The effect of rumen-protected methionine and choline on plasma metabolites of Holstein dairy cows
Authors: ARDALAN M. , DEHGHAN-BANADAKY M. , REZAYAZDI K. , GHAVI HOSSEIN-ZADEH N.
Published: January 2011

Forty Holstein dairy cows in their first and second lactations were used from 4 weeksprepartumto 10 weekspostpartumto investigate the effects of feeding ruminally protected methionine and choline on plasma metabolites. Cows were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments in a 2×2 factorial design 4 weeks before their expected calving dates, using randomized blocks based on parity: no supplement (control), 18 g/d of rumen-protected methionine (RPM) product, 60 g/d of rumen-protected choline (RPC) product, or 18 g/d of RPM+60 g/d of RPC. Treatments did not affect plasma triglycerides, glucose, total protein, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA),β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), plasma urea nitrogen (PUN) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST) during theprepartumperiod. Forpostpartumplasma NEFA concentrations, there were interactions between RPC or RPM and weekpostpartum. Feeding RPM increased plasma AST concentrations (P<0·05) and decreased plasma protein concentrations (P<0·05) inpostpartumcows. After calving, feeding RPC increased (P<0·05) dry matter intake (DMI), milk yield, 40 g/kg fat-corrected milk (FCM) yield and energy-corrected milk (ECM) yield. This suggests that supplemental RPC can improve lactation performance of dairy cows.
The conflicting effects of maternal nutrient restriction and early-life obesity on renal health
Authors: Fainberg H. P. , Budge H. , Symonds M. E.
Published: January 2011

Epidemiological and animal studies have demonstrated that early-life nutrition alters the metabolic responses and generates structural changes in complex tissues, such as the kidneys, which may lead to a reduction in the offspring lifespan. Independently, obesity induces a spontaneous low-grade chronic inflammatory response by modulating several of the major metabolic pathways that ultimately compromise long-term renal health. However, the combined effects of maternal nutrition and early-life obesity in the development of renal diseases are far from conclusive. Previous results, using the ovine model, demonstrated that the combination of a reduction in fetal nutrition and juvenile obesity induced a series of adaptations associated with severe metabolic syndrome in the heart and adipose tissue. Surprisingly, exposure to an obesogenic environment in the kidney of those offspring produced an apparent reduction in glomerulosclerosis in relation to age- and weight-matched controls. However, this reduction in cellular apoptosis was accompanied by a rise in glomerular filtration rate and blood pressure of equal intensity when compared with obese controls. The intention of this review is to explain the adaptive responses observed in this model, based on insights into the mechanism of renal fetal programming, and their potential interactions with some of the metabolic changes produced by obesity.
Tributes to John Paynter
Authors: Glover Jo
Published: January 2011

The big challenge of John Paynter's work in music education from the late 1960s on was that his approach to children's music was that of composer to composer. This was markedly at odds with the training of most music teachers at that time whose specialism – whose status even – was most likely to be rooted in their performance skills. For many teachers, composition was an entirely alien activity, with ‘real’ composers as distanced figures, to be approached through history and appreciation or possibly performance of their works.
Tribute to John Paynter
Authors: Hoskyns Janet
Published: January 2011

One of the most impressive things about John Paynter was that he was an excellent teacher; not flashy or showy, but quietly unassuming. Numerous friends and colleagues have commented on how he could walk into a classroom of children or adults and with a few quiet words get them all concentrating on making music together and thinking hard about what they were doing. This certainly inspired me to become a teacher, although it took me many years to learn how to direct and organise with apparently such small interventions. He could pick a few apt words and create a perfect environment for working.
Tribute to John Paynter
Authors: Salaman William
Published: January 2011

In 1970 I abandoned a career in orchestral playing to become a teacher of music in schools. Although I am glad that I had the chance to play professionally, I am even more pleased that I pursued the profession for which I had been trained because interesting things were occurring in school music. As it happens, 1970 was also the year in which Sound and Silence by Paynter and Aston was published.
Leaving home and entering service: the age of apprenticeship in early modern London
Authors: WALLIS PATRICK , WEBB CLIFF , MINNS CHRIS
Published: January 2011

Leaving home and entering service was a key transition in early modern England. This article presents evidence on the age of apprenticeship in London. Using a new sample of 22,156 apprentices bound between 1575 and 1810, we find that apprentices became younger (from 17.4 to 14.7 years) and more homogeneous in age, irrespective of background. We examine the effect of region of origin, parental occupation, Company entered and paternal mortality on age of entry. The fall in apprentices' ages has significant implications for our understanding of the labour supply, training structures, experiences of apprenticeship and family economy in this period.
Social Networks in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Siegel David A.
Published: January 2011

In a sense, the study of comparative politics is the study of the role that context plays in structuring behavior. Institutional contexts, such as the nature of the electoral system or the existence of an independent judiciary, drive differences in electoral outcomes or human rights across nations. Individual-level contextual factors such as norms, culture, or ethnic or religious identity can be determinative in understanding when social movements will likely flourish and which cleavages will lead to political parties or ethnic strife. Variation in context leads to variation in political outcomes and behavior across both peoples and nations, and provides comparative politics with its richness.
Service and Gender Inequity among Faculty
Authors: Pyke Karen
Published: January 2011

This article describes social structural inequities in the academy that contribute to gender imbalances in faculty service demands, which can slow women's career advancement. The author criticizes as ill-considered and ineffective the popular notion that the solution rests with individual female faculty, who should “just say no” to service. Instead, she proposes structural and cultural solutions to this systemic problem, including a revaluation of faculty labor required to maintain the day-to-day operation of institutions of higher learning and research.
Distinguishing Sex and Gender
Authors: McDermott Rose , Hatemi Peter K.
Published: January 2011

We argue for the importance of adequately distinguishing between the concepts of sex, gender, and sexual orientation. We review the literature across disciplines to suggest ways that political scientists might benefit by taking into account important biological distinctions in addition to cultural factors regarding sex, gender, and sexuality in their research. We clarify the distinction between these concepts in an effort to help reduce discrimination and defuse misconceptions, stereotypes, and imposed social roles. We believe that it would be fruitful for us as a discipline to better communicate this research to the wider public in the hope that public opinion and elite discourse will shift in a more tolerant and positive direction as a result.
Barack Obama: The Man and His Presidency at the Midterm
Authors: Greenstein Fred I.
Published: January 2011

The American president is not Aristotle's unmoved mover, but there have been episodes such as the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 in which it was up to the chief executive to take actions of incalculable importance. It should therefore be no surprise that there is intense interest in understanding the qualities that each new chief executive brings to his (or, at some point, her) responsibilities. In what follows, I attempt to provide insight into the qualities that Barack Obama brings to his presidency by reviewing his formative years, pre-presidential years, and presidency as of November 2010. I conclude by discussing his strengths and weaknesses in the realms of public communication, organizational capacity, political skill, policy vision, cognitive style, and emotional intelligence (Greenstein 2009a; Greenstein 2009b; see also Barnes 2010).
Managing self-pollinated germplasm collections to maximize utilization
Authors: Nelson Randall L.
Published: January 2011

The primary mission of germplasm collections is to preserve genetic diversity, but germplasm is preserved so that it can be used. Historically, the standard practice is that all germplasm accessions should be maintained as collected, so that even self-pollinated accessions are maintained as heterogeneous seed lots. In theory, this seems like an ideal strategy for preserving genetic diversity, but in practice, it is simply not workable. Heterogeneous accessions are in constant risk of change and loss. It is possible to mitigate the risk factors, but they can only be lessened and not eliminated. Maintaining pure-lined accessions for self-pollinated species not only eliminates the problems associated with genetic drift and natural selection, but also enhances the accuracy of the evaluations and fosters effective germplasm utilization. Neither the current potential to characterize entire germplasm collections with tens of thousands of DNA markers nor the future potential of whole genome sequencing to completely characterize the diversity of all accessions in collections can be fully realized for self-pollinated species unless accessions are homogeneous and homozygous. In this manuscript, the case is made for pure-lining self-pollinated germplasm accessions using the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection, which has maintained pure-lined accessions for over 50 years, as an example. There is also an analysis of the extensive seed distribution from this collection to indicate the value of a diverse collection of genotypes.
Thermo-mechanical analyses of mirror for NSLS-II beamline
Authors: Ravindranath V. , Sharma S. , Reininger R. , Wang N.
Published: January 2011

Finite-element analysis (FEA) is utilized to model the temperature distribution and heat-induced deformation of the first mirror of the coherent soft X-ray beamline at NSLS-II. The FEA results of the cooling design show a thermal bump on the area illuminated by the beam plus an overall mirror bending. The resulting slope errors are almost linear over the area where the power is absorbed and have a complex dependence on the mirror thickness. The linear change of the slope error means a constant convex radius of curvature whose defocusing effect can be corrected with a bendable mirror positioned downstream in the beamline. In this paper we discuss the design optimization of the mirror thickness using FEA as a tool.
Investigation of minute strain in silicon on insulator and strained-silicon/silicon–germanium/silicon-substrate semiconductor materials using a synchrotron radiation X-ray microbeam
Authors: Matsui J. , Tsusaka Y. , Takano H. , Kagoshima Y. , Senda T. , Izunome K. , Horikawa T. , Urushihara Y. , Yokoyama K.
Published: January 2011

Strain in silicon on insulator (SOI) and strained-silicon(s-Si)/silicon–germanium (SiGe)/Si-substrate crystals is analysed by means of synchrotron X-ray microbeam diffraction. It is found that strain features of the s-Si/SiGe/Si crystals are much different from those of SOI crystals from the lattice tilt and lattice parameter distribution points of view. The two-dimensional lattice tilt maps obtained by scanning the synchrotron X-ray microbeam of about 1 μm in size on the sample surface are useful to study local strain distribution in those materials.
Non-destructive measurement of the depth profile of the constituent in iron oxide scale by X-ray diffraction at SPring-8
Authors: Sato M. , Doi T. , Hidaka Y. , Higashida Y. , Masaki Y. , Otsuka N.
Published: January 2011

The depth profiles of the constituent in iron oxide scales were investigated by X-ray diffraction measurement with controlling X-ray penetration depth at SPring-8. We successfully observed the interface region of scales non-destructively using X-ray with energy of 28 keV. The results indicated that the volume fraction ratio of Fe3O4 to FeO around the surface of samples increased by isothermal heat treatment. This suggested that the transformation of FeO to Fe3O4 due to isothermal heat treatment proceeds from surface into the inside of scale.
Multivariate statistical methods in the forensic investigation of the post-blast residues measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Banas K. , Banas A. , Moser H. O. , Bahou M. , Cholewa M. , Yang P. , Lim S. K.
Published: January 2011

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has gained significant attention among the forensic scientists because it shows high sensitivity and selectivity, and offers near-real-time detection. Application of the multivariate statistical techniques for the analysis of the spectra is necessary in order to enable feature extraction, proper evaluation and identification of obtained spectra. In this paper we show the development of a feasible procedure for the characterization of spectroscopic signatures of the explosive materials in the remnants after explosion. In our research especially designed and prepared sample catchers were used during the blasts of three various high explosives: C-4, TNT and PETN. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using broad spectral data range (600–4000 cm−1) for sample classification into separate classes. Most of the information contained in spectral data was compressed by PCA in few relevant principal components that explain most of the variance of spectral data. The results show that FTIR spectroscopy in combination with multivariate methods are well suited for identification and differentiation purposes even in very large data sets and could be employed by forensic laboratories for rapid screening analysis.
A nucleotide insertion between two adjacent methyltransferases in Helicobacter pylori results in a bifunctional DNA methyltransferase
Authors: Kumar Ritesh , Rao Desirazu N.
Published: January 2011

Helicobacter pylori has a dynamic R-M (restriction–modification) system. It is capable of acquiring new R-M systems from the environment in the form of DNA released from other bacteria or other H. pylori strains. Random mutations in R-M genes can result in non-functional R-M systems or R-M systems with new properties. hpyAVIAM and hpyAVIBM are two solitary DNA MTase (methyltransferase) genes adjacent to each other and lacking a cognate restriction enzyme gene in H. pylori strain 26695. Interestingly, in an Indian strain D27, hpyAVIAM–hpyAVIBM encodes a single bifunctional polypeptide due to insertion of a nucleotide just before the stop codon of hpyAVIBM and, when a similar mutation was made in hpyAVIAM–hpyAVIBM from strain 26695, a functional MTase with an N-terminal C5-cytosine MTase domain and a C-terminal N6-adenine MTase domain was constructed. Mutations in the AdoMet (S-adenosylmethionine)-binding motif or in the catalytic motif of M.HpyAVIA or M.HpyAVIB selectively abrogated the C5-cytosine or N6-adenine methylation activity of M.HpyAVIA–M.HpyAVIB fusion protein. The present study highlights the ability of H. pylori to evolve genes with unique functions and thus generate variability. For organisms such as H. pylori, which have a small genome, these adaptations could be important for their survival in the hostile host environment.
Cell-cycle-dependent telomere elongation by telomerase in budding yeast
Authors: Li Shang
Published: January 2011

Telomeres are essential for the stability and complete replication of linear chromosomes. Telomere elongation by telomerase counteracts the telomere shortening due to the incomplete replication of chromosome ends by DNA polymerase. Telomere elongation is cell-cycle-regulated and coupled to DNA replication during S-phase. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie such cell-cycle-dependent telomere elongation by telomerase remain largely unknown. Several aspects of telomere replication in budding yeast, including the modulation of telomere chromatin structure, telomere end processing, recruitment of telomere-binding proteins and telomerase complex to telomere as well as the coupling of DNA replication to telomere elongation during cell cycle progression will be discussed, and the potential roles of Cdk (cyclin-dependent kinase) in these processes will be illustrated.
Crystal Structures and Luminescence Behaviour of d10 Metal - Organic Complexes with Multipyridine Ligands
Authors: Yan Chunfeng , Chen Qihui , Chen Lian , Feng Rui , Shan Xiaochen , Jiang Feilong , Hong Maochun
Published: January 2011

Six d10 metal–organic complexes with multipyridine ligands, [Cd(terpy)2](NO3)2·2H2O (1), [Cd(terpy)(NO3)2(H2O)] (2), [Hg(terpy)I2] (3), [Zn(tpt)(NO3)(H2O)2]NO3 (4), [Zn2(tpt)2(4,4′-bipy)(4H2O)](NO3)4·4H2O (5), [Zn(tpt)(OAc)2]·5H2O (6) (terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′-terpyridine, tpt = 2,4,6-tri(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The abundant hydrogen-bonding interactions extend complex 2 into ladder-like 1D chains, discrete molecules of 4 into a 2D layer structure, complex 5 into a 2D hydrogen-bonded network through linking the hydrogen-bonded ribbons with hexagonal and four-sided rings, and complex 6 into a 3D hydrogen-bonded network through combining water helical chains. Fluorescence analyses of 1–6 in the solid state are investigated at both room temperature and 10 K. The emission spectra of 1–2 show a large red shift, which is ascribed to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer combined with ligand-to-metal charge transfer, whereas emissions of 4–6 all originate from intraligand π-π* transitions. In organic solvents, 1–6 behave very differently and their emission spectra exhibit various luminescences, with an obvious blue shift indicating strong solvent effects. The X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analyses for complexes 1–6 are also reported.
pH-Dependent Wettability of Carboxyphenyl Films Grafted to Glassy Carbon
Authors: Packwood Daniel M. , Brooksby Paula A. , Abell Andrew D. , Downard Alison J.
Published: January 2011

Surfaces than can switch their properties in response to external stimuli are of fundamental as well as technological interest. A prerequisite for successful switching in thin surface layers is sufficient free volume in the layer to allow molecular motions or reactions. Multilayer films grafted from aryldiazonium salts have a loosely packed structure and are good candidates for preparation of switchable surfaces. In this work, the pH-dependent wettability of carboxyphenyl films on glassy carbon surfaces is examined using water contact angle measurements. The film structure is manipulated by exposing freshly grafted films to solvents of different polarity; this influences the wettability differences observed between low- and high-pH measurements. The order of measurement of contact angles (from low pH to high, or vice versa) also influences the pH-dependent wettability. The results are consistent with film reorganization, including the formation of dimeric hydrogen-bonded structures, in response to the polarity and pH of the surrounding medium.
Robust Electrophysiological Assays using Solid Supported Membranes: the Organic Cation Transporter OCT2
Authors: Gaiko Olga , Janausch Ingo , Geibel Sven , Vollert Henning , Arndt Petra , Gonski Sigrid , Fendler Klaus
Published: January 2011

An electrophysiological assay platform based on solid supported membranes (SSM) for the organic cation transporter (OCT) is presented. Stable Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines overexpressing the human (hOCT2) and rat transporters (rOCT2) were generated and validated. Membrane preparations from the cell lines were investigated using SSM-based electrophysiology. Baculovirus transfected insect cells (HighFive and Mimic Sf9) were also tested with the same assay but yielded less than optimal results. The assays were validated by the determination of substrate affinities and inhibition by standard inhibitors. The study demonstrates the suitability of the SSM-based electrophysiological OCT assay for rapid and automatic screening of drug candidates.
Imaging on the Nanoscale: Super-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy
Authors: Hirvonen Liisa M. , Smith Trevor A.
Published: January 2011

Although the resolution of a light microscope is fundamentally limited by diffraction to about half of the wavelength of light, in recent years several techniques have been developed that can overcome this limitation in fluorescence microscopy, allowing imaging with nanometre scale resolution. Many of these techniques are based on photoswitchable molecules that can switch between a bright, fluorescent and a dark, nonfluorescent state. Some of these techniques, as well as their limitations, are discussed.
Membrane-Based Sensing Approaches
Authors: Braunagel Julia , Junghans Ann , Köper Ingo
Published: January 2011

Tethered bilayer lipid membranes can be used as model platforms to host membrane proteins or membrane-active peptides, which can act as transducers in sensing applications. Here we present the synthesis and characterization of a valinomycin derivative, a depsipeptide that has been functionalized to serve as a redox probe in a lipid bilayer. In addition, we discuss the influence of the molecular structure of the lipid bilayer on its ability to host proteins. By using electrical impedance techniques as well as neutron scattering experiments, a clear correlation between the packing density of the lipids forming the membrane and its ability to host membrane proteins could be shown.
Chemical Evidence for the Dawn of Life on Earth
Authors: Krammer Eva-Maria , Bernad Sophie , Ullmann G. Matthias , Hickman Arthur , Sebban Pierre
Published: January 2011

The dating of the dawn of life on Earth is a difficult task, requiring an accumulation of evidences from many different research fields. Here we shall summarize findings from the molecular scale (proteins) to cells and photosynthesis-related-fossils (stromatolites from the early and the late Archaean Eon), which indicate that life emerged on Earth 4.2–3.8 Ga (i.e. 4.2–3.8 × 109 years) ago. Among the data supporting this age, the isotopic and palaeontological fingerprints of photosynthesis provide some of the strongest evidence. The reason for this is that photosynthesis, carried out in particular by cyanobacteria, was responsible for massive changes to the Earth’s environment, i.e. the oxygenation of the Earth’s atmosphere and seawater, and the fixation of carbon from atmospheric CO2 in organic material. The possibility of a very early (>3.8 Ga ago) appearance of complex autotrophic organisms, such as cyanobacteria, is a major change in our view of life’s origins.
Volumes of Picard modular surfaces
Authors: Stover Matthew
Published: January 2011

We show that the conjectural cusped complex hyperbolic 2-orbifolds of minimal volume are the two smallest arithmetic complex hyperbolic 2-orbifolds. We then show that every arithmetic cusped complex hyperbolic 2-manifold of minimal volume covers one of these two orbifolds. We also give all minimal volume manifolds that simultaneously cover both minimal orbifolds.
Invariant distributions on projective spaces over local fields
Authors: Robertson Guyan
Published: January 2011

Let

Γ
\Gamma

be an

A
~

n

\widetilde A_n

subgroup of

PGL

n
+
1

⁡
(

K

)

\operatorname {PGL}_{n+1}(\mathbb {K})

, with

n
≥
2

n\ge 2

, where

K

\mathbb K

is a local field with residue field of order

q
q

and let

P

K

n

\mathbb P^n_{\mathbb K}

be projective

n
n

-space over

K

\mathbb K

. The module of coinvariants

H
0

(
Γ
;
C
(

P

K

n

,

Z

)
)

H_0(\Gamma ; C(\mathbb P^n_{\mathbb K},\mathbb Z))

is shown to be finite. Consequently there is no nonzero

Γ
\Gamma

-invariant

Z

\mathbb Z

-valued distribution on

P

K

n

\mathbb P^n_{\mathbb K}

.
Primality tests for 2^{𝑝}±2^{(𝑝+1)/2}+1 using elliptic curves
Authors: Tsumura Yu
Published: January 2011

Using the properties of elliptic curves, we propose primality tests for integers of the form

2

p

±

2

(
p
+
1
)

/

2

+
1

2^{p}\pm 2^{(p+1)/2}+1

, where

p
p

is a prime number.
Making “Goop” Out of Lemons: The Permanente Metals Corporation, Magnesium Incendiary Bombs, and the Struggle for Profits during World War II
Authors: Wilson Mark R.
Published: January 2011

On May 29, 1945, Charles F. Calhoun, a vice president of the Permanente Metals Corporation (PMC), composed a telegram to his fellow company officers that celebrated a long-awaited triumph. “This is to confirm delivery to Tokyo, May 26th, during high wind, of large Permanente shipment by way Marion, Ohio, and B-29 express,” Calhoun began. “It is reported there was no loss of goods in transit but that considerable damage resulted from cargo being jettisoned within Tokyo city limits.” He could not resist adding, tongue firmly in cheek, “All ... claims of property damage will be forwarded to Permanente claims adjustment department.”
An extracytoplasmic function sigma factor cotranscribed with its cognate anti-sigma factor confers tolerance to NaCl, ethanol and methylene blue in Azospirillum brasilense Sp7
Authors: Mishra Mukti Nath , Kumar Santosh , Gupta Namrata , Kaur Simarjot , Gupta Ankush , Tripathi Anil K.
Published: January 2011

Azospirillum brasilense, a plant-growth-promoting rhizobacterium, is exposed to changes in its abiotic environment, including fluctuations in temperature, salinity, osmolarity, oxygen concentration and nutrient concentration, in the rhizosphere and in the soil. Since extra-cytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors play an important role in stress adaptation, we analysed the role of ECF sigma factor (also known as RpoE or σ
E) in abiotic stress tolerance in A. brasilense. An in-frame rpoE deletion mutant of A. brasilense Sp7 was carotenoidless and slow-growing, and was sensitive to salt, ethanol and methylene blue stress. Expression of rpoE in the rpoE deletion mutant complemented the defects in growth, carotenoid biosynthesis and sensitivity to different stresses. Based on data from reverse transcriptase-PCR, a two-hybrid assay and a pull-down assay, we present evidence that rpoE is cotranscribed with chrR and the proteins synthesized from these two overlapping genes interact with each other. Identification of the transcription start site by 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends showed that the rpoE–chrR operon was transcribed by two promoters. The proximal promoter was less active than the distal promoter, whose consensus sequence was characteristic of RpoE-dependent promoters found in alphaproteobacteria. Whereas the proximal promoter was RpoE-independent and constitutively expressed, the distal promoter was RpoE-dependent and strongly induced in response to stationary phase and elevated levels of ethanol, salt, heat and methylene blue. This study shows the involvement of RpoE in controlling carotenoid synthesis as well as in tolerance to some abiotic stresses in A. brasilense, which might be critical in the adaptation, survival and proliferation of this rhizobacterium in the soil and rhizosphere under stressful conditions.
Expression, Splicing, and Evolution of the Myosin Gene Family in Plants
Authors: Peremyslov Valera V. , Mockler Todd C. , Filichkin Sergei A. , Fox Samuel E. , Jaiswal Pankaj , Makarova Kira S. , Koonin Eugene V. , Dolja Valerian V.
Published: January 2011

Plants possess two myosin classes, VIII and XI. The myosins XI are implicated in organelle transport, filamentous actin organization, and cell and plant growth. Due to the large size of myosin gene families, knowledge of these molecular motors remains patchy. Using deep transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics, we systematically investigated myosin genes in two model plants, Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and Brachypodium (Brachypodium distachyon). We improved myosin gene models and found that myosin genes undergo alternative splicing. We experimentally validated the gene models for Arabidopsis myosin XI-K, which plays the principal role in cell interior dynamics, as well as for its Brachypodium ortholog. We showed that the Arabidopsis gene dubbed HDK (for headless derivative of myosin XI-K), which emerged through a partial duplication of the XI-K gene, is developmentally regulated. A gene with similar architecture was also found in Brachypodium. Our analyses revealed two predominant patterns of myosin gene expression, namely pollen/stamen-specific and ubiquitous expression throughout the plant. We also found that several myosins XI can be rhythmically expressed. Phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that the last common ancestor of the angiosperms possessed two myosins VIII and five myosins XI, many of which underwent additional lineage-specific duplications.
Phasing medium-size structures and proteins by the VLD algorithm
Authors: Burla Maria Cristina , Giacovazzo Carmelo , Polidori Giampiero
Published: January 2011

The VLD algorithm is based on the properties of a new difference Fourier synthesis and allows the recovery of the correct structure starting from a random model. It has previously been applied to a set of small structures. The first aim of this paper is to extend the complexity range to medium-size molecules and to proteins, provided the data have atomic resolution. The algorithm always works in the correct space group and uses electron density maps rather than molecular models. It has been modified in order to (i) provide, at the end of the procedure, molecular models that are automatically interpreted (in a chemical sense), rather than electron density maps, and (ii) show the variety of ways in which VLD may be implemented. The applications show that VLD is able to solve large structures, in favorable cases by using a small number of attempts, and that this property also extends to some of its variants.
Failures of fractional crystallization: ordered co-crystals of isomers and near isomers
Authors: Kelley Steven P. , Fábián László , Brock Carolyn Pratt
Published: January 2011

A list of 270 structures of ordered co-crystals of isomers, near isomers and molecules that are almost the same has been compiled. Searches for structures containing isomers could be automated by the use of IUPAC International Chemical Identifier (InChI™) strings but searches for co-crystals of very similar molecules were more labor intensive. Compounds in which the heteromolecular A...B interactions are clearly better than the average of the homomolecular A...A and B...B interactions were excluded. The two largest structural classes found include co-crystals of configurational diastereomers and of quasienantiomers (or quasiracemates). These two groups overlap. There are 114 co-crystals of diastereomers and the same number of quasiracemates, with 71 structures being counted in both groups; together the groups account for 157 structures or 58% of the total. The large number of quasiracemates is strong evidence for inversion symmetry being very favorable for crystal packing. Co-crystallization of two diastereomers is especially likely if a 1,1 switch of a methyl group and an H atom, or of an inversion of a [2.2.1] or [2.2.2] cage, in one of the diastereomers would make the two molecules enantiomers.
Temperature-dependent analysis of thermal motion, disorder and structures of tris(ethylenediamine)zinc(II) sulfate and tris(ethylenediamine)copper(II) sulfate
Authors: Smeets Stef , Parois Pascal , Bürgi Hans-Beat , Lutz Martin
Published: January 2011

The crystal structures of the title compounds have been determined in the temperature range 140–290 K for the zinc complex, and 190–270 K for the copper complex. The two structures are isostructural in the trigonal space group P{\bar{3}1c} with the sulfate anion severely disordered on a site with 32 (D
3) symmetry. This sulfate disorder leads to a disordered three-dimensional hydrogen-bond network, with the N—H atoms acting as donors and the sulfate O atoms as acceptors. The displacement parameters of the N and C atoms in both compounds contain disorder contributions in the out-of-ligand plane direction owing to ring puckering and/or disorder in hydrogen bonding. In the Zn compound the vibrational amplitudes in the bond directions are closely similar. Their differences show no significant deviations from rigid-bond behaviour. In the Cu compound, a (presumably) dynamic Jahn–Teller effect is identified from a temperature-independent contribution to the displacement ellipsoids of the N atom along the N—Cu bond. These conclusions derive from analyses of the atomic displacement parameters with the Hirshfeld test, with rigid-body models at different temperatures, and with a normal coordinate analysis. This analysis considers the atomic displacement parameters (ADPs) from all different temperatures simultaneously and provides a detailed description of both the thermal motion and the disorder in the cation. The Jahn–Teller radii of the Cu compound derived on the basis of the ADP analysis and from the bond distances in the statically distorted low-temperature phase [Lutz (2010). Acta Cryst. C66, m330–m335] are found to be the same.
Current progress in pharmacogenetics
Authors: Blakey John D. , Hall Ian P.
Published: January 2011

The study of genetic variation has the potential to aid understanding of the mechanisms underlying the observed inter‐individual variation in drug response and by which idiosyncratic adverse effects occur. In this review, we outline current progress in pharmacogenetics using examples to highlight both mechanisms of influence of polymorphisms and research strategies for their detection. In the final sections we discuss contemporary challenges for both researchers and clinicians.
Prevention of clinical and histological signs of proteolipid protein (PLP)-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice by the water-soluble carbon monoxide-releasing molecule (CORM)-A1
Authors: Fagone P , Mangano K , Quattrocchi C , Motterlini R , Di Marco R , Magro G , Penacho N , Romao C C , Nicoletti F
Published: January 2011

We have evaluated the effects of the carbon monoxide-releasing molecule CORM-A1 [Na2(BH3CO2); ALF421] on the development of relapsing–remitting experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SJL mice, an established model of multiple sclerosis (MS). The data show that the prolonged prophylactic administration of CORM-A1 improves the clinical and histopathological signs of EAE, as shown by a reduced cumulative score, shorter duration and a lower cumulative incidence of the disease as well as milder inflammatory infiltrations of the spinal cords. This study suggests that the use of CORM-A1 might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.