bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geographic distribution and socio-economic determinants of women's nutritional status in Mali households
Authors: Gewa Constance A , Leslie Timothy F , Pawloski Lisa R
Published: October 2012

Objective

Mali is one of the poorest countries in Africa, with 72 % of its population surviving on less than $US 1·00 per day. Health and demographic indicators are bleak. With few exceptions, studies related to the health of women in Mali have largely been under-represented. In addition, in recent years a new type of malnutrition stemming from weight gain and obesity has been observed throughout Africa. The present study aimed to (i) describe geographic and health variations of women of reproductive age, (ii) describe geographic variations of household salt iodine levels and (iii) investigate potential factors associated with women's anthropometric status and use of adequately iodized salt among households in Mali.

Design

Demographic and Health Survey data, multistage-stratified cluster sampling methodology.

Setting

Rural and urban areas of Mali.

Subjects

Non-pregnant women (n6015) between the ages of 19 and 44 years.

Results

Nineteen per cent of the women were overweight or obese while 11 % were underweight. Seventy-eight per cent of the households utilized adequately iodized salt. Underweight women were more prevalent in southern Mali, while obesity was more frequent in the north-east and within the major urban areas. Households located within the southern parts of Mali were more likely to utilize adequately iodized salt. Education, age, modern contraceptive use, breast-feeding status at time of the survey and household wealth index were significantly associated with the women's BMI or households’ use of adequately iodized salt.

Conclusions

The combined use of statistical and geographic system analysis contributes to improve targeting of interventions among vulnerable populations.
Sociodemographic factors and risk-taking behaviour during adolescence and obesity among more than 40 000 Danes
Authors: Frederiksen Pernille , Jensen Kirsten E , Kjaer Susanne K
Published: October 2012

Objective

The prevalence of obesity has increased in the last decades in the Western world. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between risk-taking behaviour in adolescence and adult obesity in men and women. Furthermore, we wished to describe social differences in obesity in Denmark.

Design

Two population-based questionnaire studies (2004–2005 and 2006–2007) were used to collect information on weight and height, sociodemographic factors and factors regarding risk-taking behaviour during adolescence. Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression.

Setting

Denmark.

Subjects

Individuals aged 18–45 years (men:n22 827, participation rate 71·0 %; women:n20 870, participation rate 81·4 %).

Results

The prevalence of overweight and obesity was respectively 37·8 % and 10·6 % in men and 20·1 % and 9·7 % in women. In both sexes, obesity was found to be associated with older age, low level of schooling and living outside the capital centre. In relation to risk-taking behaviour, young age (≤13 years) at first intercourse significantly increased the odds of being obese in adulthood (men: OR = 1·34, 95 % CI 1·04, 1·71; women: OR = 1·66, 95 % CI 1·27, 1·99). In women specifically, young age at start drinking alcohol (≤12 years) was associated with obesity.

Conclusions

Sociodemographic factors, in particular age, level of schooling and area of residence, are associated with obesity in both men and women. Risk-taking behaviour during adolescence seems to cluster in both obese men and obese women, however most convincingly in women.
The dilemmas of protecting civilians in occupied territory: the precursory example of World War I
Authors: Becker Annette
Published: October 2012

Advances in the law of Geneva and the law of The Hague did not remain a dead letter during the World War I, but this was essentially with regard to the wounded and prisoners of war. Those categories of persons were better protected than civilians by treaty-based humanitarian law, which was still in its infancy. Although the ideal of humanity was realized on a large scale thanks to the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and myriad other charitable, denominational, or non-denominational organizations, none of the belligerents hesitated to infringe and violate the law whenever they could. The various occupied populations, on the Western and Eastern fronts and in the Balkans, served as their guinea pigs and were their perfect victims.
Professionalisierung von Lehrerinnen und Lehrern: Editorial zum Themenheft
Authors: Retelsdorf Jan , Südkamp Anna
Published: October 2012

Professionalisierung von Lehrerinnen und Lehrern gilt als zentraler Prozess für die Sicherung der Qualität im Bildungssystem. Die Entwicklung der damit verbundenen professionellen Kompetenz wird als individueller Lernprozess unter den jeweiligen Bedingungen der Lernumwelt beschrieben. Das vorliegende Editorial beschreibt zunächst Modelle der Entwicklung professioneller Kompetenz, bevor ein Überblick über die Forschungsarbeiten dieses Themenhefts gegeben wird. Dabei soll vor allem der Mehrwert der gebündelten Untersuchungen herausgearbeitet werden.
Zum Zusammenhang von Intelligenz und Urteilsgenauigkeit bei der Beurteilung von Schülerleistungen im Simulierten Klassenraum **Dieser Beitrag wurde von dem geschäftsführenden Herausgeber Oliver Dickhäuser angenommen.
Authors: Kaiser Johanna , Helm Friederike , Retelsdorf Jan , Südkamp Anna , Möller Jens
Published: October 2012

In Studien zur diagnostischen Kompetenz zeigen sich häufig große Unterschiede in der Fähigkeit von Lehrkräften, Schülerleistungen akkurat einzuschätzen. Als ursächlich für diese Unterschiede werden unter anderem Merkmale der Lehrkräfte angenommen, wie z. B. ihre Berufserfahrung oder ihre Intelligenz. In zwei Studien wurde der Zusammenhang von Intelligenz und Urteilsgenauigkeit untersucht. Es wird angenommen, dass hohe kognitive Grundfähigkeiten mit hoher Urteilsgenauigkeit einhergehen. Die Urteilsgenauigkeit wurde mithilfe des Simulierten Klassenraums erhoben. Der Simulierte Klassenraum ist die Computersimulation einer Unterrichtssituation, in der experimentell manipulierte Leistungen von Schülern durch Probanden beurteilt werden. In Studie 1 mit N = 44 Lehramtsstudierenden zeigte sich ein positiver Zusammenhang zwischen deren Intelligenz und Urteilsgenauigkeit. Studie 2 mit N = 133 Lehramtsstudierenden bestätigte diesen Befund.
Will kooperieren gelernt sein? Ein Quasi-Experiment im Lehramtsstudium
Authors: Schwartz Katja , Klusmann Uta , Ihme Toni , Möller Jens
Published: October 2012

Die vorliegende Studie untersucht Effekte kooperativer Lehre im Lehramtsstudium und vergleicht in einem quasi-experimentellen 2 x 2-Design kooperative mit individueller Lehre von Lehramtsstudierenden, die sich in ihrem Ausmaß an Studienzeit unterscheiden (Studienanfänger vs. Fortgeschrittene). Die N = 164 Teilnehmenden bereiteten kooperativ oder einzeln ein Referat vor und hielten es anschließend entsprechend kooperativ oder einzeln. In unserer Studie wurden keine Hinweise gefunden, dass kooperative Lehre individueller Lehre generell überlegen ist. Vielmehr wurden die kooperativen Referate der Studienanfänger von den Zuhörenden als weniger motivierend erlebt und schlechter bewertet. Bei den fortgeschrittenen Studierenden zeigten sich keine Unterschiede zwischen individueller und kooperativer Lehre.
Inferring transport characteristics in a fractured rock aquifer by combining single‐hole ground‐penetrating radar reflection monitoring and tracer test data
Authors: Dorn Caroline , Linde Niklas , Le Borgne Tanguy , Bour Olivier , Klepikova Maria
Published: October 2012

Investigations of solute transport in fractured rock aquifers often rely on tracer test data acquired at a limited number of observation points. Such data do not, by themselves, allow detailed assessments of the spreading of the injected tracer plume. To better understand the transport behavior in a granitic aquifer, we combine tracer test data with single‐hole ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) reflection monitoring data. Five successful tracer tests were performed under various experimental conditions between two boreholes 6 m apart. For each experiment, saline tracer was injected into a previously identified packed‐off transmissive fracture while repeatedly acquiring single‐hole GPR reflection profiles together with electrical conductivity logs in the pumping borehole. By analyzing depth‐migrated GPR difference images together with tracer breakthrough curves and associated simplified flow and transport modeling, we estimate (1) the number, the connectivity, and the geometry of fractures that contribute to tracer transport, (2) the velocity and the mass of tracer that was carried along each flow path, and (3) the effective transport parameters of the identified flow paths. We find a qualitative agreement when comparing the time evolution of GPR reflectivity strengths at strategic locations in the formation with those arising from simulated transport. The discrepancies are on the same order as those between observed and simulated breakthrough curves at the outflow locations. The rather subtle and repeatable GPR signals provide useful and complementary information to tracer test data acquired at the outflow locations and may help us to characterize transport phenomena in fractured rock aquifers.
A probabilistic estimate of global marine N‐fixation and denitrification
Authors: Eugster Olivier , Gruber Nicolas
Published: October 2012

We determine the global rates of marine N‐fixation and denitrification and their associated uncertainties by combining marine geochemical and physical data with a new two‐dimensional box model that separates the Atlantic from the IndoPacific basins. The uncertainties are estimated using a probabilistic approach on the basis of a suite of 2500 circulation configurations of this box model. N‐fixation and denitrification are diagnosed in an inverse manner for each of these configurations usingN*, P*, and the stable nitrogen isotope composition of nitrate as data constraints. Our approach yields a median water column denitrification rate of 52 TgN yr−1 (39 to 66 TgN yr−1, 5th to 95th percentile) and a median benthic denitrification rate of 93 TgN yr−1 (68 to 122 TgN yr−1). The resulting benthic‐to‐water column denitrification ratio of 1.8 confirms that the isotopic signature of water column denitrification has a limited influence on the global mean stable isotopic value of nitrate due to the dilution of the waters with a denitrification signal with the remainder of the ocean's nitrate pool. On the basis of two different approaches, we diagnose a global N‐fixation rate of between 94 TgN yr−1 and 175 TgN yr−1, with a best estimate of 131 TgN yr−1 and 134 TgN yr−1, respectively. Most of the N‐fixation occurs in the IndoPacific suggesting a relative close spatial coupling between sources and sinks in the ocean. Our N‐fixation and denitrification estimates plus updated estimates of atmospheric deposition and riverine input yield a pre‐industrial marine N cycle that is balanced to within 3 TgN yr−1 (−38 to 40 TgN yr−1). Our budget implies a median residence time for fixed N of 4,200 yr (3,500 to 5,000 yr).
The effects of seasonal and diurnal variations in the Earth's magnetic dipole orientation on solar wind–magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling
Authors: Cnossen Ingrid , Wiltberger Michael , Ouellette Jeremy E.
Published: October 2012

The angle μ between the geomagnetic dipole axis and the geocentric solar magnetospheric (GSM) zaxis, sometimes called the “dipole tilt,” varies as a function of UT and season. Observations have shown that the cross‐polar cap potential tends to maximize near the equinoxes, when on averageμ= 0, with smaller values observed near the solstices. This is similar to the well‐known semiannual variation in geomagnetic activity. We use numerical model simulations to investigate the role of two possible mechanisms that may be responsible for the influence ofμon the magnetosphere‐ionosphere system: variations in the coupling efficiency between the solar wind and the magnetosphere and variations in the ionospheric conductance over the polar caps. Under southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions, variations in ionospheric conductance at high magnetic latitudes are responsible for 10–30% of the variations in the cross‐polar cap potential associated withμ, but variations in solar wind–magnetosphere coupling are more important and responsible for 70–90%. Variations in viscous processes contribute slightly to this, but variations in the reconnection rate with μare the dominant cause. The variation in the reconnection rate is primarily the result of a variation in the length of the section of the separator line along which relatively strong reconnection occurs. Changes in solar wind–magnetosphere coupling also affect the field‐aligned currents, but these are influenced as well by variations in the conductance associated with variations inμ, more so than the cross‐polar cap potential. This may be the case for geomagnetic activity too.
Laboratory triggering of stick‐slip events by oscillatory loading in the presence of pore fluid with implications for physics of tectonic tremor
Authors: Bartlow N. M. , Lockner D. A. , Beeler N. M.
Published: October 2012

The physical mechanism by which the low‐frequency earthquakes (LFEs) that make up portions of tectonic (also called non‐volcanic) tremor are created is poorly understood. In many areas of the world, tectonic tremor and LFEs appear to be strongly tidally modulated, whereas ordinary earthquakes are not. Anomalous seismic wave speeds, interpreted as high pore fluid pressure, have been observed in regions that generate tremor. Here we build upon previous laboratory studies that investigated the response of stick‐slip on artificial faults to oscillatory, tide‐like loading. These previous experiments were carried out using room‐dry samples of Westerly granite, at one effective stress. Here we augment these results with new experiments on Westerly granite, with the addition of varying effective stress using pore fluid at two pressures. We find that raising pore pressure, thereby lowering effective stress can significantly increase the degree of correlation of stick‐slip to oscillatory loading. We also find other pore fluid effects that become important at higher frequencies, when the period of oscillation is comparable to the diffusion time of pore fluid into the fault. These results help constrain the conditions at depth that give rise to tidally modulated LFEs, providing confirmation of the effective pressure law for triggering and insights into why tremor is tidally modulated while earthquakes are at best only weakly modulated.
Intraseasonal variability of the North Brazil Undercurrent forced by remote winds
Authors: Veleda D. , Araujo M. , Zantopp R. , Montagne R.
Published: October 2012

Intraseasonal signals with periods of 2 to 3 weeks in near‐surface alongshore current measurements are detected from four moorings (K1–K4) deployed from 2000 to 2004 at the 11°S section close to the Brazilian coast as part of the German CLIVAR Tropical Atlantic Variability Project. This section crosses the path of the North Brazil Undercurrent, the most powerful western boundary current in the South Atlantic Ocean. We investigate the origin of this intraseasonal variability of the North Brazil Undercurrent by relating the oceanic oscillation of the alongshore currents to its atmospheric counterpart, the meridional wind stress. On average, the results indicate a well‐defined lagged (10 days) correlation (∼0.6) structure between meridional wind stress and alongshore currents. The oceanic region with the highest cross‐correlations is identified as a relatively narrow band along the Brazilian coast, from 22°–36°S and 40°–50°W, bounded in the north by an eastward change in coastline orientation. The cross‐wavelet transform establishes the common power between the time series of meridional wind stress and alongshore currents, predominantly during austral winter and spring. These signals propagate equatorward with an alongshore speed of 285 ± 63 km day−1, consistent with Coastal Trapped Wave theory.
A quantitative study on accumulation of age mass around stagnation points in nested flow systems
Authors: Jiang Xiao‐Wei , Wan Li , Ge Shemin , Cao Guo‐Liang , Hou Guang‐Cai , Hu Fu‐Sheng , Wang Xu‐Sheng , Li Hailong , Liang Si‐Hai
Published: October 2012

The stagnant zones in nested flow systems have been assumed to be critical to accumulation of transported matter, such as metallic ions and hydrocarbons in drainage basins. However, little quantitative research has been devoted to prove this assumption. In this paper, the transport of age mass is used as an example to demonstrate that transported matter could accumulate around stagnation points. The spatial distribution of model age is analyzed in a series of drainage basins of different depths. We found that groundwater age has a local or regional maximum value around each stagnation point, which proves the accumulation of age mass. In basins where local, intermediate and regional flow systems are all well developed, the regional maximum groundwater age occurs at the regional stagnation point below the basin valley. This can be attributed to the long travel distances of regional flow systems as well as stagnancy of the water. However, when local flow systems dominate, the maximum groundwater age in the basin can be located around the local stagnation points due to stagnancy, which are far away from the basin valley. A case study is presented to illustrate groundwater flow and age in the Ordos Plateau, northwestern China. The accumulation of age mass around stagnation points is confirmed by tracer age determined by 14C dating in two boreholes and simulated age near local stagnation points under different dispersivities. The results will help shed light on the relationship between groundwater flow and distributions of groundwater age, hydrochemistry, mineral resources, and hydrocarbons in drainage basins.
PHLPP1 Gene Deletion Protects the Brain from Ischemic Injury
Authors: Chen Bo , Van Winkle Jessica A , Lyden Patrick D , Brown Joan H , Purcell Nicole H
Published: October 2012

A recently discovered protein phosphatase PHLPP (PH domain Leucine-rich repeat Protein Phosphatase) has been shown to dephosphorylate Akt on its hydrophobic motif (Ser473) thereby decreasing Akt kinase activity. We generated PHLPP1 knockout (KO) mice and used them to explore the ability of enhanced in vivo Akt signaling to protect the brain against ischemic insult. Brains from KO mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours showed significantly greater increases in Akt activity and less neurovascular damage after reperfusion than wild-type (WT) mice. Remarkably, infarct volume in the PHLPP1 KO was significantly reduced compared with WT (12.7 ± 2.7% versus 22.9 ± 3.1%) and this was prevented by Akt inhibition. Astrocytes from KO mice and neurons in which PHLPP1 was downregulated showed enhanced Akt activation and diminished cell death in response to oxygen-glucose deprivation. Thus, deletion of PHLPP1 can enhance Akt activation in neurons and astrocytes, and can significantly increase cell survival and diminish infarct size after MCAO. Inhibition of PHLPP could be a therapeutic approach to minimize damage after focal ischemia.
We Say What we are and We do What We Say: Feminisms in Educational Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Pausé Caitliń Jeffrey , Powell Kimberley , Waitere Hine , Wright Jeannie , Gilling Marg
Published: October 2012

From four countries (Canada, England, New Zealand and the United States of America) and five disciplines (Counselling & Guidance, Adult Education, Early Years Education, Indigenous Education and Human Development), five feminists in academia come together to share how feminism affects their practice. Ranging in reflections on teaching, research, service and scholarship, this article describes a cooperative enquiry into feminism in action in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
On the Orgasm of the Species: Female Sexuality, Science and Sexual Difference
Authors: Musser Amber Jamilla
Published: October 2012

This essay interrogates the assemblage of female sexuality. Drawing on an analysis of Masters and Johnson's anatomical research and primatological research on monkeys, I argue that the female sexuality was the product of encounters between women, machines and monkeys. Orgasm's extra-species life produced a conception of female sexuality as natural in evolutionary and anatomical terms. The set of assumptions that follow this naturalisation of female sexuality through an emphasis on orgasm allow us to further deconstruct notions of female sexuality, naturalness and the politics of knowledge that produce this assemblage. Ultimately, I argue that this focus on anatomy and female orgasm allows us to see the stakes of an anatomically based sexual difference.
Metal Template Synthesis of a Tripodal Tris(bipyridyl) Receptor that Encapsulates a Proton and an Iron(II) Centre in a Pseudo Cage
Authors: Glasson Christopher R. K. , Meehan George V. , Motti Cherie A. , Clegg Jack K. , Davies Murray S. , Lindoy Leonard F.
Published: October 2012

The Fe(ii) template synthesis of the first member of a new category of tripodal tris-bipyridine ligands incorporating a nitrogen bridgehead is reported. The X-ray structure of the reaction product shows that the ligand adopts a pseudo cage-like structure that encapsulates both a proton and an Fe(ii) ion in its cavity. The complex shows an extended helical arrangement that is effectively ‘capped’ at its open end by a hydrogen bonded PF6– counter ion that is symmetrically aligned with the 3-fold axis of the helix. A 1H NMR study demonstrated that the encapsulated proton can be reversibly exchanged under acid/base conditions in CD3CN.
Highly Sheared Anti-Parallel Dipolar Carbonyl···Carbonyl Interaction in the Crystal Packing of Strapped Crown-3-Pyromellitimide
Authors: Howe Ethan Nam Wei , Bhadbhade Mohan , Thordarson Pall
Published: October 2012

Non-covalent dipolar interactions between pairs of carbonyls have been demonstrated to play a significant role in the crystal packing and formation of supramolecular structural architecture of small organic molecules. Under high dilution, the strapped crown-3-pyromellitimide 4 and macrocyclic crown-6-bispyromellitimide 5 were synthesised in concert and demonstrated selective molecular recognition towards Na+ and K+, respectively. The molecular structure of strapped crown-3-pyromellitimide 4 was solved using X-ray crystallography and an unusual highly sheared anti-parallel dipolar carbonyl···carbonyl interaction was observed in the crystal packing. The intermolecular interaction has a torsion angle of 44.1°, and deviates from the three idealised motifs reported in literature. This finding further highlights the importance and versatility of dipolar carbonyl···carbonyl interaction in the crystal packing of organic molecules.
Oxidative Dimerisation of Isoflavones: Synthesis of Kudzuisoflavone A and Related Compounds
Authors: Deodhar Mandar , Wood Kasey , Black David StClair , Kumar Naresh
Published: October 2012

Kudzuisoflavone-A was successfully synthesised via oxidative dimerisation of daidzein in the presence of cuprous chloride. Appropriately substituted isoflavones also undergo regioselective oxidative dimerisation when treated with thallium trifluoroacetate to give novel 6′,6′″-biisoflavones in good yield. A rationale for the regioselectivity is proposed.
Neural latencies across auditory cortex of macaque support a dorsal stream supramodal timing advantage in primates
Authors: Camalier Corrie R. , D’Angelo William R. , Sterbing-D’Angelo Susanne J. , de la Mothe Lisa A. , Hackett Troy A.
Published: October 2012

Sensory systems across the brain are specialized for their input, yet some principles of neural organization are conserved across modalities. The pattern of anatomical connections from the primate auditory cortex to the temporal, parietal, and prefrontal lobes suggests a possible division into dorsal and ventral auditory processing streams, with the dorsal stream originating from more caudal areas of the auditory cortex, and the ventral stream originating from more rostral areas. These streams are hypothesized to be analogous to the well-established dorsal and ventral streams of visual processing. In the visual system, the dorsal processing stream shows substantially faster neural response latencies than does the ventral stream. However, the relative timing of putative dorsal and ventral stream processing has yet to be explored in other sensory modalities. Here, we compare distributions of neural response latencies from 10 different areas of macaque auditory cortex, confirmed by individual anatomical reconstructions, to determine whether a similar timing advantage is found for the hypothesized dorsal auditory stream. Across three varieties of auditory stimuli (clicks, noise, and pure tones), we find that latencies increase with hierarchical level, as predicted by anatomical connectivity. Critically, we also find a pronounced timing differential along the caudal-to-rostral axis within the same hierarchical level, with caudal (dorsal stream) latencies being faster than rostral (ventral stream) latencies. This observed timing differential mirrors that found for the dorsal stream of the visual system, suggestive of a common timing advantage for the dorsal stream across sensory modalities.
Neutralizing the function of a β-globin–associated
cis
-regulatory DNA element using an artificial zinc finger DNA-binding domain
Authors: Barrow Joeva J. , Masannat Jude , Bungert Jörg
Published: October 2012

Gene expression is primarily regulated by
cis
-regulatory DNA elements and
trans
-interacting proteins. Transcription factors bind in a DNA sequence–specific manner and recruit activities that modulate the association and activity of transcription complexes at specific genes. Often, transcription factors belong to families of related proteins that interact with similar DNA sequences. Furthermore, genes are regulated by multiple, sometimes redundant,
cis
-regulatory elements. Thus, the analysis of the role of a specific DNA regulatory sequence and the interacting proteins in the context of intact cells is challenging. In this study, we designed and functionally characterized an artificial DNA-binding domain that neutralizes the function of a
cis
-regulatory DNA element associated with adult β-globin gene expression. The zinc finger DNA-binding domain (ZF-DBD), comprising six ZFs, interacted specifically with a CACCC site located 90 bp upstream of the transcription start site (–90 β-ZF-DBD), which is normally occupied by KLF1, a major regulator of adult β-globin gene expression. Stable expression of the –90 β-ZF-DBD in mouse erythroleukemia cells reduced the binding of KLF1 with the β-globin gene, but not with locus control region element HS2, and led to reduced transcription. Transient transgenic embryos expressing the –90 β-ZF-DBD developed normally but revealed reduced expression of the adult β-globin gene. These results demonstrate that artificial DNA-binding proteins lacking effector domains are useful tools for studying and modulating the function of
cis
-regulatory DNA elements.
Structure and molecular mechanism of an anion-selective mechanosensitive channel of small conductance
Authors: Zhang Xiaozhe , Wang Jingjing , Feng Yue , Ge Jingpeng , Li Wenfei , Sun Wending , Iscla Irene , Yu Jie , Blount Paul , Li Yang , Yang Maojun
Published: October 2012

Mechanosensitive (MS) channels are universal cellular membrane pores. Bacterial MS channels, as typified by MS channel of small conductance (MscS) from
Escherichia coli
(
Ec
MscS), release osmolytes under hypoosmotic conditions. MS channels are known to be ion selective to different extents, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here we identify an anion-selective MscS channel from
Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis
(
Tt
MscS). The structure of
Tt
MscS closely resembles that of
Ec
MscS, but it lacks the large cytoplasmic equatorial portals found in
Ec
MscS. In contrast, the cytoplasmic pore formed by the C-terminal β-barrel of
Tt
MscS is larger than that of
Ec
MscS and has a strikingly different pattern of electrostatic surface potential. Swapping the β-barrel region between
Tt
MscS and
Ec
MscS partially switches the ion selectivity. Our study defines the role of the β-barrel in the ion selection of an anion-selective MscS channel and provides a structural basis for understanding the ion selectivity of MscS channels.
Oxytocin facilitates protective responses to aversive social stimuli in males
Authors: Striepens Nadine , Scheele Dirk , Kendrick Keith M. , Becker Benjamin , Schäfer Lea , Schwalba Knut , Reul Jürgen , Maier Wolfgang , Hurlemann René
Published: October 2012

The neuropeptide oxytocin (OXT) can enhance the impact of positive social cues but may reduce that of negative ones by inhibiting amygdala activation, although it is unclear whether the latter causes blunted emotional and mnemonic responses. In two independent double-blind placebo-controlled experiments, each involving over 70 healthy male subjects, we investigated whether OXT affects modulation of startle reactivity by aversive social stimuli as well as subsequent memory for them. Intranasal OXT potentiated acoustic startle responses to negative stimuli, without affecting behavioral valence or arousal judgments, and biased subsequent memory toward negative rather than neutral items. A functional MRI analysis of this mnemonic effect revealed that, whereas OXT inhibited amygdala responses to negative stimuli, it facilitated left insula responses for subsequently remembered items and increased functional coupling between the left amygdala, left anterior insula, and left inferior frontal gyrus. Our results therefore show that OXT can potentiate the protective and mnemonic impact of aversive social information despite reducing amygdala activity, and suggest that the insula may play a role in emotional modulation of memory.
Variant Ciz1 is a circulating biomarker for early-stage lung cancer
Authors: Higgins Gillian , Roper Katherine M. , Watson Irene J. , Blackhall Fiona H. , Rom William N. , Pass Harvey I. , Ainscough Justin F. X. , Coverley Dawn
Published: October 2012

There is an unmet need for circulating biomarkers that can detect early-stage lung cancer. Here we show that a variant form of the nuclear matrix-associated DNA replication factor Ciz1 is present in 34/35 lung tumors but not in adjacent tissue, giving rise to stable protein quantifiable by Western blot in less than a microliter of plasma from lung cancer patients. In two independent sets, with 170 and 160 samples, respectively, variant Ciz1 correctly identified patients who had stage 1 lung cancer with clinically useful accuracy. For set 1, mean variant Ciz1 level in individuals without diagnosed tumors established a threshold that correctly classified 98% of small cell lung cancers (SCLC) and non-SCLC patients [receiver operator characteristic area under the curve (AUC) 0.958]. Within set 2, comparison of patients with stage 1 non-SCLC with asymptomatic age-matched smokers or individuals with benign lung nodules correctly classified 95% of patients (AUCs 0.913 and 0.905), with overall specificity of 76% and 71%, respectively. Moreover, using the mean of controls in set 1, we achieved 95% sensitivity among patients with stage 1 non-SCLC patients in set 2 with 74% specificity, demonstrating the robustness of the classification. RNAi-mediated selective depletion of variant Ciz1 is sufficient to restrain the growth of tumor cells that express it, identifying variant Ciz1 as a functionally relevant driver of cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. The data show that variant Ciz1 is a strong candidate for a cancer-specific single marker capable of identifying early-stage lung cancer within at-risk groups without resort to invasive procedures.
Intramolecular13C pattern in hexoses from autotrophic and heterotrophic C3plant tissues
Authors: Gilbert Alexis , Robins Richard J. , Remaud Gérald S. , Tcherkez Guillaume G. B.
Published: October 2012

The stable carbon isotope13C is used as a universal tracer in plant eco-physiology and studies of carbon exchange between vegetation and atmosphere. Photosynthesis fractionates against13CO2so that source sugars (photosynthates) are on average13C depleted by 20‰ compared with atmospheric CO2. The carbon isotope distribution within sugars has been shown to be heterogeneous, with relatively13C-enriched and13C-depleted C-atom positions. The13C pattern within sugars is the cornerstone of13C distribution in plants, because all metabolites inherit the13C abundance in their specific precursor C-atom positions. However, the intramolecular isotope pattern in source leaf glucose and the isotope fractionation associated with key enzymes involved in sugar interconversions are currently unknown. To gain insight into these, we have analyzed the intramolecular isotope composition in source leaf transient starch, grain storage starch, and root storage sucrose and measured the site-specific isotope fractionation associated with the invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) and glucose isomerase (EC 5.3.1.5) reactions. When these data are integrated into a simple steady-state model of plant isotopic fluxes, the enzyme-dependent fractionations satisfactorily predict the observed intramolecular patterns. These results demonstrate that glucose and sucrose metabolism is the primary determinant of the13C abundance in source and sink tissue and is, therefore, of fundamental importance to the interpretation of plant isotopic signals.
Effects of dopamine depletion on LFP oscillations in striatum are task- and learning-dependent and selectively reversed by
l
-DOPA
Authors: Lemaire Nuné , Hernandez Ledia F. , Hu Dan , Kubota Yasuo , Howe Mark W. , Graybiel Ann M.
Published: October 2012

A major physiologic sign in Parkinson disease is the occurrence of abnormal oscillations in cortico-basal ganglia circuits, which can be normalized by
l
-DOPA therapy. Under normal circumstances, oscillatory activity in these circuits is modulated as behaviors are learned and performed, but how dopamine depletion affects such modulation is not yet known. We here induced unilateral dopamine depletion in the sensorimotor striatum of rats and then recorded local field potential (LFP) activity in the dopamine-depleted region and its contralateral correspondent as we trained the rats on a conditional T-maze task. Unexpectedly, the dopamine depletion had little effect on oscillations recorded in the pretask baseline period. Instead, the depletion amplified oscillations across delta (∼3 Hz), theta (∼8 Hz), beta (∼13 Hz), and low-gamma (∼48 Hz) ranges selectively during task performance times when each frequency band was most strongly modulated, and only after extensive training had occurred. High-gamma activity (65–100 Hz), in contrast, was weakened independent of task time or learning stage. The depletion also increased spike-field coupling of fast-spiking interneurons to low-gamma oscillations.
l
-DOPA therapy normalized all of these effects except those at low gamma. Our findings suggest that the task-related and learning-related dynamics of LFP oscillations are the primary targets of dopamine depletion, resulting in overexpression of behaviorally relevant oscillations.
l
-DOPA normalizes these dynamics except at low-gamma, linked by spike-field coupling to fast-spiking interneurons, now known to undergo structural changes after dopamine depletion and to lack normalization of spike activity following
l
-DOPA therapy.
Ideophones in Alto Perené (Arawak) from Eastern Peru
Authors: Mihas Elena
Published: October 2012

This research is a first attempt to survey ideophones in the Amazonian Arawak language Alto Perené (a.k.a. Ashéninka Perené). Based on fieldwork data, this study shows that ideophones constitute a separate class of words in Alto Perené in view of their distinctive phonological, morphological, syntactic, and semantic properties. The study also draws on primary and secondary data from three other genetically related neighboring language varieties (Ashéninka Pichis, Asháninka Tambo-Ene, and Kakinte) to demonstrate a moderate degree of interdialect variation. The study suggests the possibility that the following properties may be regional affinities: non-canonical stress assignment; word class-specific reduplication of the word-final syllabic segments -ri, -re, -ro, -pi, -po expressing spatial distribution, intensity, or repeated/durative/open-ended temporal structure of the reported event; productive (V)k-suffixation contributing to the expression of punctual/perfective aspect; syntactic functions of appositional or coordinated predicate, co-verb, complement, and adverb; prevalence of Gestalt packaging of sensory events; a dearth of ideophones describing states.
Politics of Property: Urban Democracy in the Age of Global Capital, Boston 1865–1900
Authors: Maggor Noam
Published: October 2012

The dissertation offers a new perspective on the transformation American capitalism in the late nineteenth century, with an emphasis on the urban and political dimensions of that momentous process. With Boston as a focal point, it examines the consolidation of a North American market by looking at the conflict between two groups of businessmen: the city's elite business class, led by merchants, bankers, and financiers, who sought to prioritize the imperatives of an interconnected continental economy, and a lower-middle-class coalition of shopkeepers, small manufacturers, and skilled workers, who espoused robust metropolitan development based on an expanded public sector and the proliferation of proprietary businesses. The dissertation explores the rival political economic visions of the two groups and their clashes in urban politics. It analyzes the battles they waged over fundamental policy questions such as municipal finance, tax reform, metropolitan integration, and the uses of urban space, interpreting them as competing political efforts to define the contours of the modern American economy.
A Survey of Resistance to Tomato bushy stunt virus in the Genus Nicotiana Reveals That the Hypersensitive Response Is Triggered by One of Three Different Viral Proteins
Authors: Angel Carlos A. , Schoelz James E.
Published: October 2012

In this study, we screened 22 Nicotiana spp. for resistance to the tombusviruses Tomato bushy stunt virus (TBSV), Cucumber necrosis virus, and Cymbidium ringspot virus. Eighteen species were resistant, and resistance was manifested in at least two different categories. In all, 13 species responded with a hypersensitive response (HR)-type resistance, whereas another five were resistant but either had no visible response or responded with chlorotic lesions rather than necrotic lesions. Three different TBSV proteins were found to trigger HR in Nicotiana spp. in an agroinfiltration assay. The most common avirulence (avr) determinant was the TBSV coat protein P41, a protein that had not been previously recognized as an avr determinant. A mutational analysis confirmed that the coat protein rather than the viral RNA sequence was responsible for triggering HR, and it triggered HR in six species in the Alatae section. The TBSV P22 movement protein triggered HR in two species in section Undulatae (Nicotiana glutinosa and N. edwardsonii) and one species in section Alatae (N. forgetiana). The TBSV P19 RNA silencing suppressor protein triggered HR in sections Sylvestres (N. sylvestris), Nicotiana (N. tabacum), and Alatae (N. bonariensis). In general, Nicotiana spp. were capable of recognizing only one tombusvirus avirulence determinant, with the exceptions of N. bonariensis and N. forgetiana, which were each able to recognize P41, as well as P19 and P22, respectively. Agroinfiltration failed to detect the TBSV avr determinants responsible for triggering HR in N. arentsii, N. undulata, and N. rustica. This study illustrates the breadth and variety of resistance responses to tombusviruses that exists in the Nicotiana genus.
Structural Basis for Interactions of thePhytophthora sojaeRxLR Effector Avh5 with Phosphatidylinositol 3-Phosphate and for Host Cell Entry
Authors: Sun Furong , Kale Shiv D. , Azurmendi Hugo F. , Li Dan , Tyler Brett M. , Capelluto Daniel G. S.
Published: October 2012

Oomycetes such as Phytophthora sojae employ effector proteins that enter plant cells to facilitate infection. Entry of some effector proteins is mediated by RxLR motifs in the effectors and phosphoinositides (PIP) resident in the host plasma membrane such as phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate (PtdIns(3)P). Recent reports differ regarding the regions on RxLR effectors involved in PIP recognition. We have structurally and functionally characterized the P. sojae effector, avirulence homolog-5 (Avh5). Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, we demonstrate that Avh5 is helical in nature, with a long N-terminal disordered region. NMR titrations of Avh5 with the PtdIns(3)P head group, inositol 1,3-bisphosphate, directly identified the ligand-binding residues. A C-terminal lysine-rich helical region (helix 2) was the principal lipid-binding site, with the N-terminal RxLR (RFLR) motif playing a more minor role. Mutations in the RFLR motif affected PtdIns(3)P binding, while mutations in the basic helix almost abolished it. Mutations in the RFLR motif or in the basic region both significantly reduced protein entry into plant and human cells. Both regions independently mediated cell entry via a PtdIns(3)P-dependent mechanism. Based on these findings, we propose a model where Avh5 interacts with PtdIns(3)P through its C terminus, and by binding of the RFLR motif, which promotes host cell entry.
Roguing with Replacement in Perennial Crops: Conditions for Successful Disease Management
Authors: Sisterson Mark S. , Stenger Drake C.
Published: October 2012

Replacement of diseased plants with healthy plants is commonly used to manage spread of plant pathogens in perennial cropping systems. This strategy has two potential benefits. First, removing infected plants may slow pathogen spread by eliminating inoculum sources. Second, replacing infected plants with uninfected plants may offset yield losses due to disease. The extent to which these benefits are realized depends on multiple factors. In this study, sensitivity analyses of two spatially explicit simulation models were used to evaluate how assumptions concerning implementation of a plant replacement program and pathogen spread interact to affect disease suppression. In conjunction, effects of assumptions concerning yield loss associated with disease and rates of plant maturity on yields were simultaneously evaluated. The first model was used to evaluate effects of plant replacement on pathogen spread and yield on a single farm, consisting of a perennial crop monoculture. The second model evaluated effects of plant replacement on pathogen spread and yield in a 100 farm crop growing region, with all farms maintaining a monoculture of the same perennial crop. Results indicated that efficient replacement of infected plants combined with a high degree of compliance among farms effectively slowed pathogen spread, resulting in replacement of few plants and high yields. In contrast, inefficient replacement of infected plants or limited compliance among farms failed to slow pathogen spread, resulting in replacement of large numbers of plants (on farms practicing replacement) with little yield benefit. Replacement of infected plants always increased yields relative to simulations without plant replacement provided that infected plants produced no useable yield. However, if infected plants produced useable yields, inefficient removal of infected plants resulted in lower yields relative to simulations without plant replacement for perennial crops with long maturation periods in some cases.
Perrault, Buffon and the natural history of animals
Authors: Guerrini Anita
Published: October 2012

In 1733, as part of a programme to publish its early works in a uniform format, the Paris Academy of Sciences reprinted
Mémoires pour servir à l'histoire naturelle des animaux
(
Histoire des animaux
), last published in 1676, a work of both natural history and mechanistic anatomy. However, unlike the other works in this enterprise,
Histoire des animaux
was extensively edited and updated. In 1749 Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon published the first volume of
Histoire naturelle
. Its volumes on quadrupeds, written with Louis-Jean-Marie Daubenton, held significant similarities to
Histoire des animaux
. The relationship between these works has not hitherto been examined. Buffon's early ideas on species, in particular, resemble the emphasis on particulars of
Histoire des animaux
.
The evolution of matrilineal kinship organization
Authors: Fortunato Laura
Published: October 2012

Matrilineal kinship organization is a human social system that emphasizes interactions between matrilineal kin, i.e. individuals related only through females. The ‘matrilineal puzzle’ refers to the potential for tension characteristic of this social system, owing to the conflict between the interests and responsibilities of men in their roles as brother/uncle versus husband/father. From an evolutionary perspective, matrilineal kinship organization is puzzling when it diverts investment of resources from the individuals who provide the potentially highest reproductive returns. I use a game-theoretic framework to investigate a particular form of matrilineal inheritance—the transfer of property from a maternal uncle to a sororal nephew. The analysis reveals two mechanisms that may make this strategy a stable evolutionary outcome. First, a polygynous male has multiple wives, and hence multiple brothers-in-law; with matrilineal inheritance, each additional brother-in-law may transfer resources to the male's wife's offspring, thus potentially contributing to the male's inclusive fitness. Second, the husband of a polyandrous female is effectively ‘sharing’ paternity with other men; depending on the number of husbands, he may be better off investing in his sister's offspring. I conclude by discussing how these results address the challenges posed by the occurrence of matrilineal kinship organization.
How chimpanzees solve collective action problems
Authors: Schneider Anna-Claire , Melis Alicia P. , Tomasello Michael
Published: October 2012

We presented small groups of chimpanzees with two collective action situations, in which action was necessary for reward but there was a disincentive for individuals to act owing to the possibility of free-riding on the efforts of others. We found that in simpler scenarios (experiment 1) in which group size was small, there was a positive relationship between rank and action with more dominant individuals volunteering to act more often, particularly when the reward was less dispersed. Social tolerance also seemed to mediate action whereby higher tolerance levels within a group resulted in individuals of lower ranks sometimes acting and appropriating more of the reward. In more complex scenarios, when group size was larger and cooperation was necessary (experiment 2), overcoming the problem was more challenging. There was highly significant variability in the action rates of different individuals as well as between dyads, suggesting success was more greatly influenced by the individual personalities and personal relationships present in the group.