bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is the new cognitive neuroscience of social inequality equal? Deconstructing the current neurocognitive research on children’s attention
Authors: D'Angiulli Amedeo , Grebenkov Pavel
Published: May 2010

The relation between socioeconomic status (SES) and various outcomes, such as cognitive ability, behavior, social skills and health, has been studied for over half a century. The general consensus in interpreting the results as been that low SES is necessarily associated with cognitive and/or behavioral pathologies or deficits. Contrary to this deficit hypothesis new evidence suggests that the differences between low- and high-SES populations may be due to cognitive preferences associated with the social context where children develop. Much of this evidence has come from developmental neuroimaging studies on attention and executive control generally showing that despite differences between low- and high-SES children in neural correlates, there are no behavioral differences. Still, from within the new cognitive neuroscience of social inequality the observed differences are used to argue that low-SES children have neurocognitive impairments needing intervention/remediation. Other current research shows that low SES is associated with elevated levels of stress, and that elevated levels of stress or treatments with stress-related neuropeptides can alter certain aspects of attention. Thus, variations in attention across different SES backgrounds may be mediated by environmental stress. We review critically the connections among SES, stress and attention as well as a number of ethical, methodological and theoretical implications for health research. We argue that the deficit hypothesis is too limiting and that a comprehensive explanation of the association between SES and attention, and possibly cognition in general, requires a much broader explanatory framework grounded in both ecological and developmental theorizing that takes social context seriously.
Transient enhanced diffusion of B mediated by self-interstitials in preamorphized Ge
Authors: Napolitani E. , Bisognin G. , Bruno E. , Mastromatteo M. , Scapellato G. G. , Boninelli S. , De Salvador D. , Mirabella S. , Spinella C. , Carnera A. , Priolo F.
Published: May 2010

The dissolution of interstitial-type end-of-range (EOR) damage in preamorphized Ge is shown to induce a transient enhanced diffusion of an epitaxially grown boron delta at temperatures above 350 °C that saturates above 420 °C. The B diffusion events are quantitatively correlated with the measured positive strain associated with the EOR damage as a function of the annealing temperature with an energy barrier for the EOR damage dissolution of 2.1±0.3 eV. These results unambiguously demonstrate that B diffuses in Ge through a mechanism assisted by self-interstitials, and impose considering the interstitial implantation damage for the modeling of impurity diffusion in Ge.
Scaling of asymmetric reconnection in compressible plasmas
Authors: Birn J. , Borovsky J. E. , Hesse M. , Schindler K.
Published: May 2010

The scaling of the reconnection rate with external parameters is reconsidered for antiparallel reconnection in a single-fluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model, allowing for compressibility as well as asymmetry between the plasmas and magnetic fields in the two inflow regions. The results show a modest dependence of the reconnection rate on the plasma beta (ratio of plasma to magnetic pressure) in the inflow regions and demonstrate the importance of the conversion of magnetic energy to enthalpy flux (that is, convected thermal energy) in the outflow regions. The conversion of incoming magnetic to outgoing thermal energy flux remains finite even in the limit of incompressibility, while the scaling of the reconnection rate obtained earlier [P. A. Cassak and M. A. Shay, Phys. Plasmas 14, 102114 (2007)] is recovered. The assumptions entering the scaling estimates are critically investigated on the basis of two-dimensional resistive MHD simulations, confirming and even strengthening the importance of the enthalpy flux in the outflow from the reconnection site.
Electrode material dependent breakdown and recovery in advanced high-κ gate stacks
Authors: Wu X. , Pey K. L. , Zhang G. , Bai P. , Li X. , Liu W. H. , Raghavan N.
Published: May 2010

In this paper, the mechanism and physics governing the breakdown and recovery in metal-gated high-κ (MG-HK) dielectric stacks is investigated. Postbreakdown recovery is observed in NiSi and TiN-gated, but not TaN-gated, HfO2-based logic devices in voltage-stress tests. Failure analysis studies reveal that metal-filamentation, besides oxygen vacancies, is responsible for the breakdown of these MG-HK dielectrics. First-principle studies show that the 5d orbitals of Hf and migrated metal atoms in the filamentation process reduce the band gap and increase the leakage current, eventually causing percolative breakdown of the dielectric. Postbreakdown recovery is feasible only for gate stacks with a low enough defect formation energy, which can be realized by selecting appropriate gate electrode materials, such as NiSi and TiN.
Control of magnetoconductance through modifying the amount of dissociated excited states in tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum-based organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Chen P. , Lei Y. L. , Song Q. L. , Zhang Q. M. , Zhang Y. , Liu R. , Xiong Z. H.
Published: May 2010

Magnetoconductance (MC) is generally believed to be controlled by the ratio of singlet to triplet excited states. In this study, it is found that the MC magnitude of tris-(8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum-based organic light-emitting diodes decreases substantially upon the introduction of narrow band gap fluorescent dopants. Since singlet to triplet ratio of excited states keeps unchanged in doped devices, this large reduction in MC means that other underlying mechanism affects the MC. The charge carrier trapping effect is proposed here to vary the magnitude of MC. By using this trapping effect, the controlling of the total amount of dissociated electron-hole pairs and consequently the magnitude of MC are realized by changing the dopant’s concentration or band gaps.
Shape-independent permeability model for uniaxially-anisotropic ferromagnetic thin films
Authors: Jamieson Brice , O’Donnell Terence , Kulkarni Santosh , Roy Saibal
Published: May 2010

A permeability model based on the three-dimensional shape demagnetization effect is developed to estimate the permeability of any uniaxially-anisotropic ferromagnetic thin-film for integrated micromagnetic structures. The model is validated by comparison to measured ferromagnetic thin films (NiFe and CoPRe) with different anisotropies and saturation magnetizations. The dependence of permeability on film-thickness is modeled as a function of the demagnetization effect and verified against fabricated samples of varying thicknesses.
Dynamics of charge leakage from self-assembled CdTe quantum dots
Authors: Kłopotowski Ł. , Goryca M. , Kazimierczuk T. , Kossacki P. , Wojnar P. , Karczewski G. , Wojtowicz T.
Published: May 2010

We study the leakage dynamics of charge stored in an ensemble of CdTe quantum dots embedded in a field-effect structure. Optically excited electrons are stored and read out by a proper time sequence of bias pulses. We monitor the dynamics of electron loss and find that the rate of the leakage is strongly dependent on time, which we attribute to an optically generated electric field related to the stored charge. A rate equation model quantitatively reproduces the results.
Improved microwave and noise performance of InAlAs/InGaAs metamorphic high-electron-mobility transistor with a liquid phase oxidized InGaAs gate without gate recess
Authors: Lee Kuan-Wei , Lin Hsien-Cheng , Lee Fang-Ming , Huang Hou-Kuei , Wang Yeong-Her
Published: May 2010

The metal-oxide-semiconductor metamorphic high-electron-mobility transistor (MOS-MHEMT) with an oxide grown by liquid phase oxidation on the InGaAs capping layer without a gate recess exhibits a lower leakage current density with suppressed impact ionization, better microwave characteristics, and improved high frequency noise performance compared to the conventional MHEMT with a recessed gate. The improved high frequency performance is due to the lower gate-source and gate-drain capacitances of the InAlAs/InGaAs MOS-MHEMT. Reduced surface recombination and impact ionization may also contribute to the improved frequency response, noise performance, and associated gain.
The effects of rotation, electric field, and recycling neutrals on determining the edge pedestal density profile
Authors: Stacey W. M.
Published: May 2010

The edge density profile is calculated from the continuity and momentum balance equations, using experimental electric field and rotation velocities and a calculated recycling neutral source, to evaluate the relative importance of these quantities in determining the observed structure of the edge density profile in a DIII-D [J. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614 (2002)] high-confinement mode discharge.
Study of the recruitment and retention of medical officers to Australian Football League clubs in Australia
Authors: Bulsara Caroline
Published: May 2010

The problems for Australian Football League clubs in accessing medical services during the football season in Australia are escalating. This study surveyed medical officers, club officials and Sports Medicine Australia members nationally. Issues for all those involved were explored and any difficulties highlighted in regard to the reasons why doctors were reluctant to provide services to this sporting group. Overall, 132 Sports Medicine Australia members responded to the survey. In addition, 53 medical officers and 28 club officials were surveyed by telephone. This study revealed that there was a definite mismatch between club officials and medical officers as to what was important to doctors in deciding to provide services to a club. The main issues were time demands, the lack of equipment and facilities, remuneration, and impact on family life during the football season. The future of medical officers within Australian football clubs is in need of review if a shortage of trained medical officers providing services to the clubs is to avoid a crisis in the near future.
Frequency and content analysis of chronic fatigue syndrome in medical text books
Authors: Jason Leonard A. , Paavola Erin , Porter Nicole , Morello Morgan L.
Published: May 2010

Text books are a cornerstone in the training of medical staff and students, and they are an important source of references and reviews for these professionals. The objective of this study was to determine both the quantity and quality of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) information included in medical texts. After reviewing 119 medical text books from various medical specialties, we found that 48 (40.3%) of the medical text books included information on CFS. However, among the 129 527 total pages within these medical text books, the CFS content was presented on only 116.3 (0.090%) pages. Other illnesses that are less prevalent, such as multiple sclerosis and Lyme disease, were more frequently represented in medical text books. These findings suggest that the topic of CFS is underreported in published medical text books.
General health care service utilisation: where, when and by whom in a socioeconomically disadvantaged population
Authors: Achat Helen M. , Thomas Paul , Close Glenn R. , Moerkerken Leendert R. , Harris Mark F.
Published: May 2010

This paper aimed to examine the utilisation of and preferences related to health care services by residents of a disadvantaged area and to identify factors associated with levels of current and future use. Data were collected from face-to-face structured interviews of randomly selected residents of a disadvantaged local government area in 2003–04. Information about respondents’ health and socioeconomic status and patterns of use and preferred features of health care was analysed in PASW Statistic 17. Chi-square statistics were used to examine differences in utilisation by sex and simple logistic regression provided sex specific age-adjusted odds ratios about frequent visits. Most respondents (95%) attended a ‘usual’ general practitioner (GP) service and about two-fifths had obtained other health care in the last 12 months. The median number of visits was four and most providers offered bulk billing (83%). Less common were visits to the dentist (32%), emergency department (14%), specialists (29%) and the hospital (5%). Providers’ skills and traits, physical access and bulk billing were key considerations for men and women when choosing a health care provider. Disadvantaged communities want skilled practitioners who reflect their demographic mix and are located at convenient and accessible clinics, which preferably bulk bill. Apart from GP visits, this group appears to make only moderate use of specialists and emergency departments, and little routine use of other primary health services.
Implementing mental health peer support: a South Australian experience
Authors: Franke Carmen C. D. , Paton Barbara C. , Gassner Lee-Anne J.
Published: May 2010

Mental illness is among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life and reduced productivity. Mental health policy aims to reform services to meet consumers’ needs and one of the strategies is to increase the number of consumers working in the mental health service system. In South Australia, the Peer Work Project was established to provide a program for the training of consumers to work alongside mental health services. The project developed a flexible training pathway that consisted of an information session, the Introduction to Peer Work (IPW) course and further training pathways for peer workers. External evaluation indicated that the IPW course was a good preparation for peer workers, but a crucial factor in the implementation process of employing peer workers was commitment and leadership within the organisation in both preparing the organisation and supporting peer workers in their role. To assist organisations wanting to employ peer workers, a three step model was developed: prepare, train and support. The project has been successful in establishing employment outcomes for IPW graduates. The outcomes increased with time after graduation and there was a shift from voluntary to paid employment.
Phylogenetic analysis of the subtribe Chloraeinae (Orchidaceae): a preliminary approach based on three chloroplast markers
Authors: Chemisquy M. Amelia , Morrone Osvaldo
Published: May 2010

The systematic position and relationships between some South American terrestrial orchids, such as Bipinnula Comm. ex Juss., Chloraea Lindl., Gavilea Poepp. and Geoblasta Barb. Rodr., is unclear. These four genera have been grouped in the subtribe Chloraeinae by several authors. Previous phylogenetic studies of the group have included only a few species of Chloraea and Gavilea and not of Bipinnula or Geoblasta. Relationships among these four genera were explored and the monophyly of the subtribe Chloraeinae and the genera Chloraea and Gavilea were tested in this contribution. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted, using the following three chloroplast markers: the matK–trnK intron, the atpB–rbcL spacer and the rpoC1 gene. Sequences were analysed under maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. In all the analyses, Bipinnula, Chloraea, Gavilea and Geoblasta were grouped in a clade with high support, where Bipinnula, Geoblasta and Gavilea were nested inside Chloraea. Consequently, Chloraea was paraphyletic, whereas Gavilea turned out to be monophyletic with high values of support. The other species of tribe Cranichideae appeared as sister groups of the Chloraeinae. A more exhaustive taxonomic sampling is needed to resolve the systematic placement of the subtribe Chloraeinae and the internal relationships between the genera and species that form it.
DNA sequences from three genomes reveal multiple long-distance dispersals and non-monophyly of sections in Australasian Plantago (Plantaginaceae)
Authors: Tay Mei Lin , Meudt Heidi M. , Garnock-Jones Philip J. , Ritchie Peter A.
Published: May 2010

We examined the geographic origins and taxonomic placements of New Zealand and Australian Plantago (Plantaginaceae) by using molecular phylogenetic data. Plantago comprises over 200 species distributed worldwide. Analyses of three markers from the nuclear (ITS), chloroplast (ndhF–rpl32) and mitochondrial (coxI) genomes showed that the New Zealand species form three distinct, well supported clades that are not each others’ closest relatives, and were each derived relative to the sampled Australian species. Therefore, at least three long-distance directional dispersal events into New Zealand can be inferred for Plantago, likely from Australian ancestors. This result differs from the biogeographic pattern often reported for New Zealand plant genera of a single dispersal event followed by rapid radiation, and may be attributed to ready biotic dispersal of mucilaginous seeds and habitat similarities of the Australasian species. Molecular dating placed the arrival time and diversification of the New Zealand species between 2.291 and 0.5 million years ago, which coincides with the geological dates for the uplift of mountain ranges in New Zealand. The mitochondrial DNA substitution rate of the Australasian clade relative to the rest of the genus is discussed, as well as implications of the non-monophyly of sections Oliganthos, Mesembrynia and Plantago within subgenus Plantago.
Hard wiring of T cell receptor specificity for the major histocompatibility complex is underpinned by TCR adaptability
Authors: Burrows Scott R. , Chen Zhenjun , Archbold Julia K. , Tynan Fleur E. , Beddoe Travis , Kjer-Nielsen Lars , Miles John J. , Khanna Rajiv , Moss Denis J. , Liu Yu Chih , Gras Stephanie , Kostenko Lyudmila , Brennan Rebekah M. , Clements Craig S. , Brooks Andrew G. , Purcell Anthony W. , McCluskey James , Rossjohn Jamie
Published: May 2010

αβ T cell receptors (TCRs) are genetically restricted to corecognize peptide antigens bound to self-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules; however, the basis for this MHC specificity remains unclear. Despite the current dogma, evaluation of the TCR–pMHC-I structural database shows that the nongermline-encoded complementarity-determining region (CDR)-3 loops often contact the MHC-I, and the germline-encoded CDR1 and -2 loops frequently participate in peptide-mediated interactions. Nevertheless, different TCRs adopt a roughly conserved docking mode over the pMHC-I, in which three MHC-I residues (65, 69, and 155) are invariably contacted by the TCR in one way or another. Nonetheless, the impact of mutations at these three positions, either individually or together, was not uniformly detrimental to TCR recognition of pHLA-B*0801 or pHLA-B*3508. Moreover, when TCR–pMHC-I recognition was impaired, this could be partially restored by expression of the CD8 coreceptor. The structure of a TCR–pMHC-I complex in which these three (65, 69, and 155) MHC-I positions were all mutated resulted in shifting of the TCR footprint relative to the cognate complex and formation of compensatory interactions. Collectively, our findings reveal the inherent adaptability of the TCR in maintaining peptide recognition while accommodating changes to the central docking site on the pMHC-I.
Determinants of Influenza Vaccination among Healthcare Workers
Authors: Godin Gaston , Vézina-Im Lydi-Anne , Naccache Herminé
Published: May 2010

Objective.

To identify the determinants of influenza vaccination and the moderators of the intention-behavior relationship among healthcare workers (HCWs).

Design.

Prospective survey with 2-month follow-up.

Setting.

Three university-affiliated public hospitals.

Participants.

Random sample of 424 HCWs.

Methods.

The intention of an HCW to get vaccinated against influenza was measured by means of a self-administered questionnaire based on an extended version of the theory of planned behavior. An objective measure of behavior was extracted 2 months later from the vaccination database of the hospitals.

Results.

Controlling for past behavior, we found that the determinants of influenza vaccination were intention (odds ratio [OR], 8.32 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 2.82–24.50]), moral norm (OR, 3.01 [95% CI, 1.17–7.76]), anticipated regret (OR, 2.33 [95% CI, 1.23–4.41]), and work status (ie, full time vs part time; OR, 1.99 [95% CI, 1.92–3.29]). Moral norm also interacted with intention as a significant moderator of the intention-behavior relationship (OR, 0.09 [95% CI, 0.03–0.30]). Again, apart from the influence of past behavior, intention to get vaccinated was predicted by use of the following variables: attitude (ß = .32;P< .001), professional norm (β = .18;P< .001), moral norm (β = .18;P< .001), subjective norm (ß = .09;P< .001), and self-efficacy (ß = .08;P< .001). This latter model explained 89% of the variance in HCWs' intentions to get vaccinated against influenza during the next vaccination campaign.

Conclusions.

Our study suggests that influenza vaccination among HCWs is mainly a motivational issue. In this regard, it can be suggested to reinforce the idea that getting vaccinated can reduce worry and protect family members.
Plasma agents in bio-decontamination by dc discharges in atmospheric air
Authors: Machala Zdenko , Chládeková Lenka , Pelach Michal
Published: May 2010

Bio-decontamination of water and surfaces contaminated by bacteria (Salmonella typhimurium) was investigated in two types of positive dc discharges in atmospheric pressure air, in needle-to-plane geometry: the streamer corona and its transition to a novel regime called transient spark with short high current pulses of limited energy. Both generate a cold non-equilibrium plasma. Electro-spraying of treated water through a needle electrode was applied for the first time and resulted in fast bio-decontamination. Experiments providing separation of various biocidal plasma agents, along with the emission spectra and coupled with oxidation stress measurements in the cell membranes helped to better understand the mechanisms of microbial inactivation. The indirect exposure of contaminated surfaces to neutral active species was almost as efficient as the direct exposure to the plasma, whereas applying only UV radiation from the plasma had no biocidal effects. Radicals and reactive oxygen species were identified as dominant biocidal agents.
Head-disk interface nanotribology for Tbit/inch2 recording densities: near-contact and contact recording
Authors: Vakis Antonis I , Polycarpou Andreas A
Published: May 2010

In the effort to achieve Tbit/inch2 recording densities, thermal fly-height control (TFC) nanotechnology was developed to effectively reduce the clearance (which is of the order of a few nanometres) at the head-disk interface (HDI) of hard-disk drives. In this work, we present a model of the HDI that can predict the dynamic flying and nanotribological contacting behaviour, allowing for accurate predictions and characterization of the operating regime as a function of TFC actuation. A geometric model for TFC is presented and an improved definition of contact at the interface is developed in the presence of nanoscale topographical roughness and dynamic microwaviness. A new methodology is proposed for the calculation of the nominal area of contact, which affects both near- and at-contact behaviour, while the stiffening of the air bearing force with TFC actuation is also accounted for. Slider behaviour is analysed by quantifying the approach, jump-to-contact, lubricant and solid contact regimes of operation and identifying the critical and optimum TFC actuations. The feasibility of near-contact, light molecularly thin lubricant contact versus solid contact recording is explored under the effect of the interfacial forces and stresses present at the HDI. The clearance and the state of vibrations are analysed and design guidelines are proposed for improved performance.
Aurora-C Kinase Deficiency Causes Cytokinesis Failure in Meiosis I and Production of Large Polyploid Oocytes in Mice
Authors: Yang Kuo-Tai , Li Shu-Kuei , Chang Chih-Chieh , Tang Chieh-Ju C. , Lin Yi-Nan , Lee Sheng-Chung , Tang Tang K.
Published: May 2010

We previously isolated Aurora-C/Aie1 in a screen for kinases expressed in mouse sperm and eggs. Here, we show the localization of endogenous Aurora-C and examine its roles during female mouse meiosis. Aurora-C was detected at the centromeres and along the chromosome arms in prometaphase I–metaphase I and was concentrated at centromeres at metaphase II, in which Aurora-C also was phosphorylated at Thr171. During the anaphase I–telophase I transition, Aurora-C was dephosphorylated and relocalized to the midzone and midbody. Microinjection of the kinase-deficient Aurora-C (AurC-KD) mRNA into mouse oocytes significantly inhibited Aurora-C activity and caused multiple defects, including chromosome misalignment, abnormal kinetochore–microtubule attachment, premature chromosome segregation, and cytokinesis failure in meiosis I. Furthermore, AurC-KD reduced Aurora-C and histone H3 phosphorylation and inhibited kinetochore localization of Bub1 and BubR1. Similar effects also were observed in the oocytes injected with INCNEP-delIN mRNAs, in which the Aurora-C binding motif was removed. The most dramatic effect observed in AurC-KD–injected oocytes is cytokinesis failure in meiosis I, resulting in producing large polyploid oocytes, a pattern similar to Aurora-C deficiency human spermatozoa. Surprisingly, we detected no Aurora-B protein in mouse oocytes. We propose that Aurora-C, but not Aurora-B, plays essential roles in female mouse meiosis.
Prediction of protein–RNA binding sites by a random forest method with combined features
Authors: Liu Zhi-Ping , Wu Ling-Yun , Wang Yong , Zhang Xiang-Sun , Chen Luonan
Published: May 2010

Motivation: Protein–RNA interactions play a key role in a number of biological processes, such as protein synthesis, mRNA processing, mRNA assembly, ribosome function and eukaryotic spliceosomes. As a result, a reliable identification of RNA binding site of a protein is important for functional annotation and site-directed mutagenesis. Accumulated data of experimental protein–RNA interactions reveal that a RNA binding residue with different neighbor amino acids often exhibits different preferences for its RNA partners, which in turn can be assessed by the interacting interdependence of the amino acid fragment and RNA nucleotide.

Results: In this work, we propose a novel classification method to identify the RNA binding sites in proteins by combining a new interacting feature (interaction propensity) with other sequence- and structure-based features. Specifically, the interaction propensity represents a binding specificity of a protein residue to the interacting RNA nucleotide by considering its two-side neighborhood in a protein residue triplet. The sequence as well as the structure-based features of the residues are combined together to discriminate the interaction propensity of amino acids with RNA. We predict RNA interacting residues in proteins by implementing a well-built random forest classifier. The experiments show that our method is able to detect the annotated protein–RNA interaction sites in a high accuracy. Our method achieves an accuracy of 84.5%, F-measure of 0.85 and AUC of 0.92 prediction of the RNA binding residues for a dataset containing 205 non-homologous RNA binding proteins, and also outperforms several existing RNA binding residue predictors, such as RNABindR, BindN, RNAProB and PPRint, and some alternative machine learning methods, such as support vector machine, naive Bayes and neural network in the comparison study. Furthermore, we provide some biological insights into the roles of sequences and structures in protein–RNA interactions by both evaluating the importance of features for their contributions in predictive accuracy and analyzing the binding patterns of interacting residues.

Availability: All the source data and code are available at http://www.aporc.org/doc/wiki/PRNA or http://www.sysbio.ac.cn/datatools.asp

Contact:  lnchen@sibs.ac.cn

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Locating the Acupoint Baihui (GV20) Beneath the Cerebral Cortex with MRI Reconstructed 3D Neuroimages
Authors: Shen Ein-Yiao , Chen Fun-Jou , Chen Yun-Yin , Lin Ming-Fan
Published: May 2010

Baihui (GV20) is one of the most important acupoints of the Du meridian (the government vessel) and is commonly used in neurology and psychiatry and as a distal point of anorectal disorders by general practitioners. The anatomical relationship between the scalp region of the acupoint and the underlying corresponding cortex remains obscure. In this study, we first prepared the indicator for MRI scanning on a GE 1.5 T excite machine in a mode suitable for 3D reconstruction. The 3D Avizo software system (version 6.0, Mercury Computer Systems, Inc., Germany) was then used for image processing and the resulting data subsequently analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The mean distance from the Baihui anterior to the central sulcus in the adult group was greater than that in the child group (22.7 ± 2.2 and 19.7 ± 2.2 mm, resp., P = .042), whereas in the child group the distance between the Baihui anterior and the precentral sulcus was greater than in the adult group (6.8 ± 0.8 and 3.8 ± 0.8 mm, resp., P < .001). This MRI presentation demonstrates that the location of Baihui (GV20) can be identified using the distance from the central or precentral sulcus.
Anti‐Cancer Effects of Protein Extracts from Calvatia lilacina, Pleurotus ostreatus and Volvariella volvacea
Authors: Wu Jin-Yi , Chen Chi-Hung , Chang Wen-Huei , Chung King-Thom , Liu Yi-Wen , Lu Fung-Jou , Chen Ching-Hsein
Published: May 2010

Calvatia lilacina (CL), Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) and Volvariella volvacea (VV) are widely distributed worldwide and commonly eaten as mushrooms. In this study, cell viabilities were evaluated for a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line (SW480 cells) and a human monocytic leukemia cell line (THP‐1 cells). Apoptotic mechanisms induced by the protein extracts of PO and VV were evaluated for SW480 cells. The viabilities of THP‐1 and SW480 cells decreased in a concentration‐dependent manner after 24 h of treatment with the protein extracts of CL, PO or VV. Apoptosis analysis revealed that the percentage of SW480 cells in the SubG1 phase (a marker of apoptosis) was increased upon PO and VV protein‐extract treatments, indicating that oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation existed concomitantly with cellular death. The PO and VV protein extracts induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glutathione (GSH) depletion and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) loss in SW480 cells. Pretreatment with N‐acetylcysteine, GSH or cyclosporine A partially prevented the apoptosis induced by PO protein extracts, but not that induced by VV extracts, in SW480 cells. The protein extracts of CL, PO and VV exhibited therapeutic efficacy against human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells and human monocytic leukemia cells. The PO protein extracts induced apoptosis in SW480 cells partially through ROS production, GSH depletion and mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, the protein extracts of these mushrooms could be considered an important source of new anti‐cancer drugs.
Correction for Klewicki
et al.
, A physical model of the turbulent boundary layer consonant with mean momentum balance structure
Authors: Klewicki Joe , Fife Paul , Wei Tie , McMurtry Pat
Published: May 2010

Correction for ‘A physical model of the turbulent boundary layer consonant with mean momentum balance structure’ by Joe Klewicki, Paul Fife, Tei Wei and Pat McMurtry (Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A
365
, 823–839.
(doi:
10.1098/rsta.2006.1944
)).

Line 19 of §3(
f
) is incorrect in the print version but is correct as follows.

It follows that an exactly logarithmic mean profile will occur when the locally normalized second derivative of the Reynolds stress (gradient of the Lamb vector) remains invariant over a range of
y
(i.e. for a range of β).
The RNA Binding Protein Tudor-SN Is Essential for Stress Tolerance and Stabilizes Levels of Stress-Responsive mRNAs Encoding Secreted Proteins in Arabidopsis
Authors: dit Frey Nicolas Frei , Muller Philippe , Jammes Fabien , Kizis Dimosthenis , Leung Jeffrey , Perrot-Rechenmann Catherine , Bianchi Michele Wolfe
Published: May 2010

Tudor-SN (TSN) copurifies with the RNA-induced silencing complex in animal cells where, among other functions, it is thought to act on mRNA stability via the degradation of specific dsRNA templates. In plants, TSN has been identified biochemically as a cytoskeleton-associated RNA binding activity. In eukaryotes, it has recently been identified as a conserved primary target of programmed cell death–associated proteolysis. We have investigated the physiological role of TSN by isolating null mutations for two homologous genes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The double mutant tsn1 tsn2 displays only mild growth phenotypes under nonstress conditions, but germination, growth, and survival are severely affected under high salinity stress. Either TSN1 or TSN2 alone can complement the double mutant, indicating their functional redundancy. TSN accumulates heterogeneously in the cytosol and relocates transiently to a diffuse pattern in response to salt stress. Unexpectedly, stress-regulated mRNAs encoding secreted proteins are significantly enriched among the transcripts that are underrepresented in tsn1 tsn2. Our data also reveal that TSN is important for RNA stability of its targets. These findings show that TSN is essential for stress tolerance in plants and implicate TSN in new, potentially conserved mechanisms acting on mRNAs entering the secretory pathway.
New capabilities for Mycosphaerella graminicola research
Authors: BOWLER JUDITH , SCOTT EILEEN , TAILOR RAVI , SCALLIET GABRIEL , RAY JOHN , CSUKAI MICHAEL
Published: May 2010

Mycosphaerella graminicola is a major pathogen of wheat worldwide, causing Septoria leaf blotch disease. Targeted gene disruption in M. graminicola, by Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation, has become an established functional genomics tool for M. graminicola research in recent years. However, in order to advance research into this economically important pathogen, further functional genomics tools need to be developed. Here, we report three new capabilities for M. graminicola research: (i) two selectable markers have been shown to work robustly in M. graminicola, namely G418 and the fungicide carboxin; (ii) the generation of a strain of M. graminicola in which the KU70 (MUS‐51) homologue has been disrupted; in this strain, homologous recombination efficiencies increased to more than 95%, whilst maintaining wild‐type growth in vitro and full pathogenicity on wheat leaves; (iii) the ability to efficiently target and generate precise mutations of specific genes in the genomic context in M. graminicola. In addition, the insertion of the E198A mutation into the β‐tubulin gene (MgTUB1), conferring resistance to the fungicide benomyl, suggests that this mutant allele may provide an additional selectable marker. The collective use of these tools will permit further advancements in our knowledge of the biology and pathogenicity of this important plant pathogen.
Inadvertent gene silencing of argininosuccinate synthase (bcass1) in Botrytis cinerea by the pLOB1 vector system
Authors: PATEL RISHA M. , VAN KAN JAN A. L. , BAILEY ANDY M. , FOSTER GARY D.
Published: May 2010

For several years, researchers working on the plant pathogen Botrytis cinerea and a number of other related fungi have routinely used the pLOB1 vector system, based on hygromycin resistance, under the control of the Aspergillus nidulans oliC promoter and what was reported to be the β‐tubulin (tubA) terminator. Recently, it has been demonstrated that this vector contains a 446‐bp portion of the B. cinerea argininosuccinate synthase gene (bcass1) rather than the tubA terminator. As argininosuccinate synthase is essential for the production of l‐arginine, inadvertent gene silencing of bcass1 may result in partial l‐arginine auxotrophy and, indeed, may lead to altered phenotypes in planta. In this article, we report our findings relating to possible problems arising from this incorrect plasmid construction. As an absolute baseline, gene disruption of bcass1 was carried out and generated a strict auxotroph, unable to grow without exogenous arginine supplementation. The knockout displayed an alteration in host range in planta, showing a reduction in pathogenicity on strawberries, French bean leaves and tomatoes, but maintained wild‐type growth on grape, which is in accordance with the reported arginine availability in such tissues. Deliberate gene silencing of bcass1 mirrored these effects, with strongly silenced lines showing reduced virulence. The degree of silencing as seen by partial auxotrophy was correlated with an observed reduction in virulence. We also showed that inadvertent silencing of bcass1 is possible when using the pLOB1 vector or derivatives thereof. Partial arginine auxotrophy and concomitant reductions in virulence were triggered in approximately 6% of transformants obtained when expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein, luciferase, monomeric red fluorescent protein or β‐glucuronidase using the pLOB1‐based expression system, which inadvertently contains 446 bp of the bcass1 coding sequence. We recommend the testing of transformants obtained using this vector system for arginine auxotrophy in order to provide assurance that any observed effects on the development or virulence are a result of the desired genetic alteration rather than accidental bcass1 silencing.
Agrobacterium‐produced and exogenous cytokinin‐modulated Agrobacterium‐mediated plant transformation
Authors: HWANG HAU‐HSUAN , WANG MING‐HSUAN , LEE YING‐LING , TSAI YUN‐LONG , LI YI‐HO , YANG FONG‐JHIH , LIAO YU‐CHEN , LIN SHAO‐KAI , LAI ERH‐MIN
Published: May 2010

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a plant pathogenic bacterium that causes neoplastic growths, called ‘crown gall’, via the transfer and integration of transferred DNA (T‐DNA) from the bacterium into the plant genome. We characterized an acetosyringone (AS)‐induced tumour‐inducing (Ti) plasmid gene, tzs (trans‐zeatin synthesizing), that is responsible for the synthesis of the plant hormone cytokinin in nopaline‐type A. tumefaciens strains. The loss of Tzs protein expression and trans‐zeatin secretions by the tzs frameshift (tzs‐fs) mutant is associated with reduced tumorigenesis efficiency on white radish stems and reduced transformation efficiencies on Arabidopsis roots. Complementation of the tzs‐fs mutant with a wild‐type tzs gene restored wild‐type levels of trans‐zeatin secretions and transformation efficiencies. Exogenous application of cytokinin during infection increased the transient transformation efficiency of Arabidopsis roots infected by strains lacking Tzs, which suggests that the lower transformation efficiency resulted from the lack of Agrobacterium‐produced cytokinin. Interestingly, although the tzs‐fs mutant displayed reduced tumorigenesis efficiency on several tested plants, the loss of Tzs enhanced tumorigenesis efficiencies on green pepper and cowpea. These data strongly suggest that Tzs, by synthesizing trans‐zeatin at early stage(s) of the infection process, modulates plant transformation efficiency by A. tumefaciens.
Growth and movement patterns of early juvenile European anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus L.) in the Bay of Biscay based on otolith microstructure and chemistry
Authors: ALDANONDO NAROA , COTANO UNAI , TIEPOLO MASSIMO , BOYRA GUILLERMO , IRIGOIEN XABIER
Published: May 2010

Various hypotheses have been put forward to explain the mechanisms in the Bay of Biscay that result in a good recruitment of European anchovy. Anchovy larvae from the spawning area in the Gironde River plume are advected towards off‐shelf waters, where juveniles are commonly observed. Otolith microstructural and chemical analysis were combined to assess the importance of this off‐shelf transport and to determine the relative contribution of these areas for anchovy survival. Chemical analysis of otoliths showed that anchovy juveniles in the Bay of Biscay can be divided into two groups: a group that drifts towards off‐shelf waters early in their life and returns later, and a group that remains in the low salinity waters of the coastal area. The first group presents significantly faster growth rates (0.88 mm day−1) than those remaining in the coastal waters (0.32 mm day−1). This may be due to off‐shelf waters being warmer in spring/summer, and to the fact that the lower food concentration is compensated for by higher prey visibility. Furthermore, the group of juveniles that drifted off the spawning area and had faster growth rates represents 99% of the juvenile population. These findings support the hypothesis that anchovy in the Bay of Biscay may use off‐shelf waters as a spatio‐temporal loophole, suggesting that transport off the shelf may be favourable for recruitment.
Growth‐dependent survival mechanisms during the early life of a temperate seabass (Lateolabrax japonicus): field test of the ‘growth–mortality’ hypothesis
Authors: ISLAM MD. SHAHIDUL , UENO MASAHIRO , YAMASHITA YOH
Published: May 2010

Three concepts based on size, time and growth rate are contained in the functional mechanisms of the ‘growth–mortality’ hypothesis, and are known as the ‘bigger is better’, ‘stage duration’ and ‘growth‐selective predation’ hypotheses, respectively. Although it is sufficiently documented in fishes that faster growing and bigger larvae selectively survive, synergistic operation of the three components of the ‘growth–mortality’ hypothesis within a species have received little attention. In this study, we have tested the components of the ‘growth–mortality’ hypothesis based on the growth characteristics of original population (OP) and survivors (SV) of Japanese seabass (JSB) Lateolabrax japonicus. Larval and juvenile JSB were repeatedly sampled from the Tango Sea in 2007 and 2008. Otoliths from larvae and juveniles were analyzed to produce back‐calculated daily records of size‐at‐age and growth rate, and were compared between OP and SV. Selective survival for fast‐growing and bigger larvae was evident, and our results strongly support the ‘bigger is better’ hypothesis as well as the ‘growth‐selective predation’ hypothesis. Growth rates of the individuals that metamorphosed into juveniles had significantly faster growth rates than non‐metamorphosing larvae older than 48 days, the minimum age for metamorphosis, suggesting a clear relationship between growth rates and the timing of metamorphosis. On average, SV completed the larval stage ∼13 days earlier than those of OP, supporting the ‘stage duration’ hypothesis. Thus, SV of JSB exhibited traits consistent with all aspects of the ‘growth–mortality’ hypothesis: faster growth, bigger size‐at‐age, and shorter larval stage duration (LSD), i.e., larvae with faster growth, bigger size‐at‐age and a shorter LSD selectively survived the larval period. Although maternal influence on growth and survival was evident, factors that regulate growth–mortality mechanisms remain to be explored for JSB.
Teratosphaeria pseudoeucalypti, new cryptic species responsible for leaf blight ofEucalyptusin subtropical and tropical Australia
Authors: Andjic V. , Pegg G. S. , Carnegie A. J. , Callister A. , Hardy G. E. StJ , Burgess T. I.
Published: May 2010

Sub‐tropical and tropical plantations ofEucalyptus grandishybrids in eastern Australia have been severely affected by anamorphs ofTeratosphaeria(formerlyKirramyces) causing a serious leaf blight disease. Initially the causal organism in Queensland, Australia, was identified asTeratosphaeria eucalypti, a known leaf parasite of endemicEucalyptusspp. However, some inconsistencies in symptoms, damage and host range suggested that the pathogen in Queensland may be a new species. Isolates ofT. eucalyptifrom throughout its known endemic range, including Queensland and New Zealand, where it is an exotic pathogen, were compared using multiple gene phylogenies. Phylogenetic studies revealed that the species responsible for leaf blight in Queensland represents a new taxon, described here asTeratosphaeria pseudoeucalypti. While the DNA sequence ofT. pseudoeucalyptiwas more similar toT. eucalypti,the symptoms and cultural characteristics resembled that ofT. destructans. The impact of this disease in central Queensland has increased annually and is the major threat to the eucalypt plantation industry in the region.
Current aspects of invasive candidiasis and aspergillosis in adult intensive care patients
Authors: Glöckner A. , Karthaus M.
Published: May 2010

Sepsis is a leading cause of death in the intensive care unit (ICU), with Candida spp. in the forefront among the important pathogens. As recent studies have shown, survival outcome is strongly influenced by adequate antifungal therapy at an early stage that is often delayed by the time lag associated with microbiological diagnosis. Risk factor‐based prediction models have a high negative predictive value, but positive prediction of candidaemia in the individual patient remains elusive. New antigen‐ or DNA‐based methods for early diagnosis still await clinical validation. Their routine use is hampered by methodological issues. Species distribution of invasive Candida isolates in the ICU appears to be influenced primarily by age, previous hospitalisation and colonising species. In the context of the importance of adequate first‐line treatment, recent guidelines favour the use of echinocandins in critically ill patients with symptoms evoking high suspicion of invasive candidiasis. This is supported by robust clinical trial data, a few interactions and low toxicity. Fluconazole is characterised by reduced activity against some important Candida species, elevated rates of persistent infection seen in comparative trials. Amphotericin B deoxycholate should be considered obsolete in ICU patients because of its high toxicity. Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a rare devastating infection in the general ICU population, but some centres have reported elevated incidences and underdiagnosis as determined in autopsy‐controlled studies. Treatment with mould‐active agents such as voriconazole must be initiated early in patients with suspected IA.
Brief PANSS to assess and monitor the overall severity of schizophrenia
Authors: Yamamoto Nobutomo , Inada Toshiya , Shimodera Shinji , Morokuma Ippei , Furukawa Toshiaki A.
Published: May 2010

Aims:  The aim of the present study was to develop a subscale of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) that would be brief and sensitive to changes in the clinical features of schizophrenia (i.e. the Brief PANSS, or bPANSS).

Methods:  The PANSS before and after treatment, and the Clinical Global Impression–Change (CGI‐C) was rated for 714 schizophrenia patients. Of these, Clinical Global Impression–Severity (CGI‐S) was also evaluated in 30 of these patients. The bPANSS items were extracted from full PANSS items based on the following aims: (i) to develop a brief scale; (ii) to develop a scale sensitive to changes resulting from antipsychotic treatment; and (iii) to reflect the broad spectrum of schizophrenia symptoms.

Results:  The following six items were extracted to serve as the bPANSS: delusion, suspiciousness, emotional withdrawal, passive/apathetic social withdrawal, tension, and unusual thought content. The coefficients of correlation between the bPANSS and full PANSS before and after treatment were 0.86 and 0.92, respectively (both P < 0.001). The coefficient of correlation between the degrees of change in the scores for the bPANSS and the full PANSS was 0.93 (P < 0.001), and that between delta bPANSS and CGI‐C was 0.73 (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:  bPANSS is able to capture the overall clinical features of schizophrenia within a short assessment period.