bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
International Peoples’ Tribunals in Asia: Political Theatre, Juridical Farce, or Meaningful Intervention?
Authors: SIMM Gabrielle , BYRNES Andrew
Published: November 2013

Since the 1960s, over eighty international peoples’ tribunals have been established outside formal state and international structures. Many have drawn on the forms and procedures of state-sponsored international tribunals and investigated whether states, international organizations, and transnational corporations have violated established norms of international law, while also seeking to infuse it with more progressive values. This paper first provides an overview of the history of international peoples’ tribunals in Asia, then examines three tribunals that have focused on situations in Asia. We argue that not only do peoples’ tribunals respond to a perceived gap in official structures of accountability, but they also perform other functions. These include building solidarity and networks, and recording and memorializing otherwise unacknowledged experiences. Further, such tribunals not only engage in holding states and others accountable informally but also articulate claims about the right of civil society to “own”, interpret, and develop international law.
Marfan-Syndrom und andere genetisch bedingte Aortenerkrankungen
Authors: Steindl Katharina
Published: November 2013

Beim Marfan-Syndrom (MFS) handelt es sich um eine autosomal-dominant vererbte Erkrankung des Bindegewebes mit einer Prävalenz von ca. 1:5000 Personen. Typische Manifestationen betreffen das Herz-Kreislauf-System, Auge, Skelett sowie Lunge, Haut und Dura mater. Die meisten Patienten weisen einen sogenannten marfanoiden Habitus mit Hochwuchs, langen und schmalen Gliedmassen, einer langen und schmalen Kopfform und anderen skelettalen Auffälligkeiten auf. Von medizinischer Bedeutung sind insbesondere die möglichen Komplikationen wie schwerwiegende Skoliose oder Trichterbrust, Spontanpneumothorax, Netzhautablösung oder ein durch Linsenluxation hervorgerufenes akutes Glaukom. Die gefährlichste Komplikation ist jedoch die akute Dissektion der aufsteigenden Aorta, die in der Regel die Folge einer langsam fortschreitenden Aortendilatation darstellt. Mit Einführung moderner Therapieformen konnte die durchschnittliche Lebenserwartung von nur 32 auf über 60 Jahre gehoben werden.
A copper-mediated tandem reaction through isocyanide insertion into N–H bonds: efficient access to unsymmetrical tetrasubstituted ureas
Authors: Huang Xiaomei , Xu Shuguang , Tan Qitao , Gao Mingchun , Li Minjie , Xu Bin
Published: November 2013

A copper-mediated multi-component reaction was developed through isocyanide insertion into N–H bonds of less active secondary arylamines. This approach leads to an efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical tetrasubstituted ureas in one pot.
Bi2WO6: A highly chemoselective visible light photocatalyst toward aerobic oxidation of benzylic alcohols in water
Authors: Zhang Yanhui , Xu Yi-Jun
Published: November 2013

The visible-light-driven flower-like Bi2WO6 photocatalyst toward “green” chemistry oriented selective organic transformations in water is an essential pathway to sustainable development.
Direct visualisation of carbon dioxide adsorption in gate-opening zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-7
Authors: Zhao Pu , Lampronti Giulio I. , Lloyd Gareth O. , Suard Emmanuelle , Redfern Simon A. T.
Published: November 2013

Gate opening in ZIF-7 by CO2 adsorption at varying pCO2, controlled by benzimidazolate ligands, is observed by neutron diffraction.
Flexible symmetrical planar supercapacitors based on multi-layered MnO2/Ni/graphite/paper electrodes with high-efficient electrochemical energy storage
Authors: Feng Jin-Xian , Li Qi , Lu Xue-Feng , Tong Ye-Xiang , Li Gao-Ren
Published: November 2013

We develop a cheap and simple drawing-electrodeposition method to fabricate highly flexible MnO2/Ni/graphite/paper electrodes and assemble a paper-based energy storage device with high specific capacitance and excellent cycle stability.
The Clinical Applications of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy With Clients Who Stutter
Authors: Palasik Scott , Hannan Jaime
Published: November 2013

The field of fluency disorders has used Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help clients who stutter manage their thoughts about stuttering by engaging in cognitive restructuring activities. In the late ‘90s, a new form of cognitive therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emerged, stemming from classic CBT and Relational Frame Theory (RFT). Though there is only one documented study in which ACT is used with clients who stutter, there is tremendous clinical potential to assist clients who stutter of all ages using the six core principles of ACT (contact with the present moment, acceptance, thought defusion, self as a context, defining values, and committed actions). The core principles encourage clients who stutter to live a values‐based life by assisting them in defusing adverse thoughts related to stuttering and choosing committed action behaviors and goals in accordance with their individual values through mindfulness practices. Participating in activities related to the core principles of ACT can help clients who stutter to become more psychologically flexible when managing their perceptions related to stuttering. Using ACT can further lead clients toward acceptance of all thoughts while learning to observe themselves in the present moment and make values‐based choices for future behaviors.
Evidence Supporting Dysarthria Intervention: An Update of Systematic Reviews
Authors: Yorkston Kathryn M. , Beukelman David R.
Published: November 2013

Dysarthria represents a group of motor speech disorders (MSDs) characterized by weakness, slowness, and/or lack of coordination of the speech musculature as a result of damage to the nervous system. This article reviews the history of our attempt to provide an evidence base for dysarthria intervention, to describe some recent efforts, and to propose some directions for the future. From 2001 to 2007, the Dysarthria Writing Committee published a series of 7 systematic reviews evaluating 333 articles focusing on specific components of speech production, such as velopharyngeal dysfunction, or intervention for specific conditions, such as spasmodic dysphonia. These reviews offer evidence for the benefits of dysarthria intervention for speakers with selected dysarthria characteristics. More recently, scoping reviews have been used to map areas of relevant literature on the topics of speech supplementation and intervention in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Two trends will influence the future: (a) the movement from evidence-based care to value-based care including evidence of intervention effectiveness, perceived value by the patients/clients and their families, and relative cost, and (b) the increasing availability of client report outcomes measures. These trends point to the need to incorporate client reports in our intervention studies by asking patient/client about the value of our interventions.
Feeding and Swallowing Management in Infants With Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies
Authors: Dailey Scott
Published: November 2013

Infants with cleft and craniofacial anomalies may have feeding difficulties related to structural anomalies but also due to some physiologic dysfunction Pierre Robin Sequence and in 22q11.2 syndromes. This article discusses the feeding and swallowing difficulties in infants with cleft and craniofacial anomalies and how these difficulties are best managed by an interdisciplinary team. Management is based on individualized assessment of structural and physiologic abilities. Cleft-craniofacial teams and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association/Cleft Palate Foundation are valuable resources for parents and professions dealing with infants with feeding and swallowing disorders related to cleft and craniofacial anomalies.
Compact antenna element for high‐resolution SAR polarimetry applications
Authors: Jun Jiao Jun , Feng Sun Hui , Kai Deng Yun , Xue Jia Xiao
Published: November 2013

For high‐resolution synthetic aperture radar polarimetry applications, a compact broadband dual‐polarised antenna element with high port isolation and low cross‐polarisation is investigated. The size of the element is 19 × 19 × 40 mm, which is much smaller than the traditional dual‐polarised horn. The measured results show that the operating frequencies of both the ports are used from 8.2 to 11.0 GHz, about 30% centred about 9.6 GHz, the port isolation level is below −40 dB and the cross‐polarisation is below −35 dB. The radiation patterns and the gain of the element are presented.
30–50 GHz high‐gain CMOS UWB LNA
Authors: Yang Ge Liang , Liu Faen , Muhammad Amin , Wang Zhigong
Published: November 2013

A 30–50 GHz CMOS ultra‐wideband (UWB) low‐noise amplifier (LNA) with a flat high power gain (S21), along with a flat low‐noise figure (NF) is demonstrated for the Atacama large millimetre array (ALMA) band‐1 (31.3–45 GHz) system applications. The high S21 and low NF are achieved because the triple‐well transistors are utilised with their respective source and body terminals connected together. Furthermore, the bandwidth extension and gain flatness is achieved due to the careful design of the inductive‐peaking networks. The LNA has a measured S21 of 21.5 ± 1.5 dB, a minimum NF (NFmin) of 3.8 dB at 32.5 GHz, an average NF (NFavg) of 4.67 dB over the range of 30–50 GHz and an input third‐order intercept point (IIP3) of 0 dBm, with a DC power consumption of 20.4 mW at 1.2 V supply. The proposed LNA outperforms all the reported commercial standard CMOS Q‐band LNAs, with the highest gain bandwidth product and highest IIP3 suitable for the ALMA band‐1 system applications.
Acoustic echo cancellation by minimising mutual information within sliding DFT window
Authors: Gower E.S. , Hawksford M.O.J.
Published: November 2013

An acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) algorithm based on minimising the mutual information between the loudspeaker and system output signals over a sliding discrete Fourier transform (DFT) window, for single AEC parameter estimation, is introduced. Unlike the conventional least‐mean‐square (LMS) systems, the proposed algorithm requires no double‐talk detection (DTD) and its AEC parameter can be continually updated. Although it has been shown that independent component analysis (ICA) allows continual adaptation of the AEC parameters under DTD, current ICA‐based algorithms estimate a filter of the same length as that of the LMS techniques. The sliding DFT window is utilised to facilitate adaptation of only one AEC parameter for deflation of the far‐end signal, thereby greatly reducing the computational load.
Monolithically integrated terahertz quantum cascade array laser
Authors: Chen Jian‐Yan , Liu Junqi , Wang Tao , Liu Fengqi , Wang Zhanguo
Published: November 2013

By integrating triple terahertz quantum cascade lasers (at ∼3.25 THz) monolithically into an array, a peak power of 213 mW is obtained at 10 K with a threshold current density of only 257 A/cm2. The device shows distinct single‐lobe far‐field behaviour in the temperature range from 10 to 90 K, with a full‐width at half‐maximum of 36°. The highest operating temperature of the array laser is identical to that of the single ridge laser, indicating good heat dissipation design in the array. These results are promising for realising high power THz quantum cascade lasers.
Microstrip bandpass single‐pole quadruple‐throw switch and independently switchable quadruplexer
Authors: Weng Sz‐Chi , Hsu Ko‐Wen , Tu Wen‐Hua
Published: November 2013

Two switchable microstrip bandpass circuits are investigated. Owing to the low loading effect from the distributed coupling technique, many channels are obtained without a complicated matching network. Each passband can be turned on and off independently. Both the bandpass single‐pole quadruple‐throw switch and the switchable quadruplexer consisting of asymmetrical quarter‐wavelength resonators, shunt open stubs and p‐i‐n diodes feature compactness, high isolation and wide stopband. The isolation is better than 35 dB, and the 20‐dB stopband extends up to 13 times of the lowest operation centre frequency. To validate this design concept, theory as well as experiment are presented and compared.
Public harm or public value? Towards coproduction in research with communities
Authors: Beebeejaun Yasminah , Durose Catherine , Rees James , Richardson Jo , Richardson Liz
Published: November 2013

This paper develops a critique of the current model of research governance ethics which casts communities as vulnerable subjects. The paper constructs an alternative approach to thinking about the twin challenges of research governance and reflexive research practice through reframing ideas of public value and rejecting a public harm model. We use the insights of coproduction as a way of positively rethinking the relationship between researchers and ‘the researched’ to create new ways of thinking about public value. We argue that reflexive research practice should draw upon the principles and examples of empowerment within governance. These aspire to work ‘with’ communities and create space for greater community control in defining and creating publically valuable research.
Collective polarization model for gradient sensing via Dachsous-Fat intercellular signaling
Authors: Mani Madhav , Goyal Sidhartha , Irvine Kenneth D. , Shraiman Boris I.
Published: November 2013

Significance

Morphogenesis is a biological process that generates the physical form and structure of multicellular organisms. Although many of the genes controlling morphogenesis are known, little is understood of the mechanisms that define tissue shape and size. Prominent among these mechanisms is the contact signaling between cells mediated by two cell adhesion-type proteins Dachsous and Fat, which regulate cell division in response to the spatially graded distribution of morphogens, factors governing tissue patterning and growth. Here, based on the known behavior of this signaling pathway, we develop a model of the underlying mechanism that relates signaling to the polarization of Dachsous/Fat heterodimers on cell interfaces. This model explains observed phenotypes, makes quantitative predictions, and provides a framework for further experimental studies.
Tuberous sclerosis 1 (Tsc1)-dependent metabolic checkpoint controls development of dendritic cells
Authors: Wang Yanyan , Huang Gonghua , Zeng Hu , Yang Kai , Lamb Richard F. , Chi Hongbo
Published: November 2013

Significance

A fundamental question in immunology is how the coordination of immune signals and metabolic programs regulates immune responses. The identification of metabolic pathways orchestrating the activation of lymphocytes and dendritic cells (DCs) has advanced our understanding of immune activation, but whether cell metabolism contributes to development of immune cells is unknown. Here we have genetically defined a crucial metabolic checkpoint for DC development that is mediated by the interplay between Tsc1-mTOR complex 1 signaling and Myc-dependent bioenergetic and biosynthetic programs. Dysregulation of this pathway impairs survival, proliferation, and functional differentiation of DCs, thereby highlighting the importance of metabolic programming of DC development.
Deletion of microRNA-155 reduces autoantibody responses and alleviates lupus-like disease in theFaslprmouse
Authors: Thai To-Ha , Patterson Heide Christine , Pham Duc-Hung , Kis-Toth Katalin , Kaminski Denise A. , Tsokos George C.
Published: November 2013

Significance

The host immune system provides diverse defense mechanisms to fight harmful bacteria and viruses. One of these mechanisms is the production of antibodies targeting infectious agents. However, the production of antibodies has to be tightly controlled. Insufficient control of the immune system may result in the development of autoimmune diseases, including lupus. Lupus is characterized by the production of antibodies attacking the kidneys, leading to life-threatening kidney failure if untreated. In this study, we show that microRNA-155, one member of a family of regulatory molecules, promotes the production of antibodies. By deleting microRNA-155, we can prevent the production of harmful antibodies and alleviate lupus-like disease in mice. Our results suggest the possibility of targeting microRNA-155 to treat autoimmune diseases.
Characterization of the human ESC transcriptome by hybrid sequencing
Authors: Au Kin Fai , Sebastiano Vittorio , Afshar Pegah Tootoonchi , Durruthy Jens Durruthy , Lee Lawrence , Williams Brian A. , van Bakel Harm , Schadt Eric E. , Reijo-Pera Renee A. , Underwood Jason G. , Wong Wing Hung
Published: November 2013

Significance

Isoform identification and discovery are an important goal for transcriptome analysis because the majority of human genes express multiple isoforms with context- and tissue-specific functions. Better annotation of isoforms will also benefit downstream analysis such as expression quantification. Current RNA-Seq methods based on short-read sequencing are not reliable for isoform discovery. In this study we developed a new method based on the combined analysis of short reads and long reads generated, respectively, by second- and third-generation sequencing and applied this method to obtain a comprehensive characterization of the transcriptome of the human embryonic stem cell. The results showed that large gain in sensitivity and specificity can be achieved with this strategy.
Introduction
Authors: Conte Jon R.
Published: November 2013

There is no question that the scope and complexity of forensic practice has expanded over the past two decades, as has the scientific evidence for vari-ous issues which come before Courts throughout much of the world. The rule of law is a hallmark of democratic societies. The pursuit of justice is not just the concern for legal professionals, but a wide range of professionals whose clients’ lives are touched by law or law breakers. The application of the best available evidence applied through a professional practice which is unbiased, reliable, and seeks the truth is the hallmark of a forensic expert. It is meaningless to try to balance one injustice against another injus-tice. The mentally ill adult, battered woman, as well as the child who becomes the victim of injustice, all suffer an outrage in a free society. Injustice whether because of biased testimony or ill-informed knowledge makes the forensic “expert” no expert at all. As children are among the most unheard, oppressed, and easy victims of those who break the law, forensic practice with children makes the duties of the expert even more critical than in areas where the subject of forensic practice is better able to speak for and advocate for her/himself or where scientific findings are robust and clear. In no area of the law or forensic practice is the pursuit of new knowledge more critical than it is practice with children. The manuscripts in this Special Issue rise out of the need for new knowledge to inform forensic practice with children. We are fortunate to have articles from among the leading researchers and experts on areas of knowledge that directly impact forensic practice with children. Each article expands our knowledge of forensic practice with and for children.
Pathogenic Penicillium spp. on Apple and Pear
Authors: Louw Johannes Petrus , Korsten Lise
Published: November 2013

Numerous Penicillium spp. have been associated with postharvest fruit spoilage. This study investigates pathogenicity and aggressiveness of selected Penicillium spp. previously isolated from South African and European Union fruit export chains. Penicillium expansum was the most aggressive and P. crustosum the second most aggressive on all apple cultivars (‘Royal Gala’, ‘Granny Smith’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Topred’, and ‘Cripps Pink’) and two pear cultivars (‘Packham's Triumph’ and ‘Forelle’) tested. P. digitatum was the most aggressive on ‘Beurre Bosc’, ‘Beurre Hardy’, and ‘Sempre’ (‘Rosemarie’) pear cultivars and the third most aggressive on Granny Smith and Cripps Pink apple cultivars. To our knowledge, this is the first report where P. digitatum has been described as aggressive on certain pome fruit cultivars. These pear cultivars are also the most commonly associated with decay on the export markets, resulting in considerable end-market losses. P. brevicompactum was detected as pathogenic on pear but was not further evaluated in the study. P. solitum covered a broader cultivar range, expressed higher disease incidence, and was more aggressive (larger lesions) on pear cultivars than on apple cultivars. This study provides new information on host specificity and the importance of pathogenic Penicillium spp. isolated from various environments in the shipping and marketing channels.
Lr72 Confers Resistance to Leaf Rust in Durum Wheat Cultivar Atil C2000
Authors: Herrera-Foessel S. A. , Huerta-Espino J. , Calvo-Salazar V. , Lan C. X. , Singh R. P.
Published: November 2013

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt), has become a globally important disease for durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum) since the detection of race group BBG/BN, which renders ineffective a widely deployed seedling resistance gene present in several popular cultivars including Mexican cultivars Altar C84 and Atil C2000. The resistance gene continues to play a key role in protecting durum wheat against bread wheat–predominant races since virulence among this race group has not been found. We developed F3 and F5 mapping populations from a cross between Atil C2000 and the susceptible line Atred #1. Resistance was characterized by greenhouse seedling tests using three Pt races. Segregation tests indicated the presence of a single gene, which was mapped to the distal end of 7BS by bulk segregant analysis. The closest marker, wmc606, was located 5.5 cM proximal to the gene. No known leaf rust resistance genes are reported in this region; this gene was therefore designated as Lr72. The presence of Lr72 was further investigated in greenhouse tests in a collection of durum wheat using 13 Pt races. It was concluded that at least one additional gene protects durum wheat from bread wheat–predominant Pt races.
Fitness Attributes ofFusarium graminearumIsolates from Wheat in New York Possessing a 3-ADON or 15-ADON Trichothecene Genotype
Authors: Spolti Pierri , Del Ponte Emerson M. , Cummings Jaime A. , Dong Yanhong , Bergstrom Gary C.
Published: November 2013

In all, 50 isolates of Fusarium graminearum from wheat spikes in New York, including 25 isolates each of the 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON) and 3-ADON genotype, were tested to determine whether 3-ADON isolates are more fit for saprophytic survival and pathogenicity on wheat spikes than are 15-ADON isolates. The isolates were characterized and compared for 14 different attributes of saprophytic fitness and pathogenic fitness on a susceptible wheat variety. Isolates of the two genotypes could not be differentiated for most of these traits. Three principle components—ascospore production on corn stalks, total trichothecene amount in wheat kernels, and incidence of diseased spikelets up from the point of inoculation—accounted for 29.4, 18.9, and 10.8% of the variation among the isolates, respectively. A bootstrapping procedure grouped the isolates into two distinct groups, with 27 and 23 isolates each, with isolates from both genotypes represented in similar proportions (15-ADON/3-ADON, n = 14/13 and 11/12). Within the contemporary population of F. graminearum causing wheat head blight in New York, isolates with a 3-ADON genotype did not possess any detectable advantage over isolates with a 15-ADON genotype in saprophytic fitness or in pathogenic fitness on a susceptible wheat cultivar.
Diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum in French Guiana Expands Knowledge of the “Emerging Ecotype”
Authors: Deberdt P. , Guyot J. , Coranson-Beaudu R. , Launay J. , Noreskal M. , Rivière P. , Vigné F. , Laplace D. , Lebreton L. , Wicker E.
Published: November 2013

Although bacterial wilt remains a major plant disease throughout South America and the Caribbean, the diversity of prevalent Ralstonia solanacearum populations is largely unknown. The genetic and phenotypic diversity of R. solanacearum strains in French Guiana was assessed using diagnostic polymerase chain reactions and sequence-based (egl and mutS) genotyping on a 239-strain collection sampled on the families Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae, revealing an unexpectedly high diversity. Strains were distributed within phylotypes I (46.9%), IIA (26.8%), and IIB (26.3%), with one new endoglucanase sequence type (egl ST) found within each group. Phylotype IIB strains consisted mostly (97%) of strains with the emerging ecotype (IIB/sequevar 4NPB). Host range of IIB/4NPB strains from French Guiana matched the original emerging reference strain from Martinique. They were virulent on cucumber; virulent and highly aggressive on tomato, including the resistant reference Hawaii 7996; and only controlled by eggplant SM6 and Surya accessions. The emerging ecotype IIB/4NPB is fully established in French Guiana in both cultivated fields and uncultivated forest, rendering the hypothesis of introduction via ornamental or banana cuttings unlikely. Thus, this ecotype may have originated from the Amazonian region and spread throughout the Caribbean region.
Fatal attraction: sexually cannibalistic invaders attract naive native mantids
Authors: Fea Murray P. , Stanley Margaret C. , Holwell Gregory I.
Published: November 2013

Overlap in the form of sexual signals such as pheromones raises the possibility of reproductive interference by invasive species on similar, yet naive native species. Here, we test the potential for reproductive interference through heterospecific mate attraction and subsequent predation of males by females of a sexually cannibalistic invasive praying mantis.
Miomantis caffra
is invasive in New Zealand, where it is widely considered to be displacing the only native mantis species,
Orthodera novaezealandiae
, and yet mechanisms behind this displacement are unknown. We demonstrate that native males are more attracted to the chemical cues of introduced females than those of conspecific females. Heterospecific pairings also resulted in a high degree of mortality for native males. This provides evidence for a mechanism behind displacement that has until now been undetected and highlights the potential for reproductive interference to greatly influence the impact of an invasive species.
Evolutionary origins and diversification of proteobacterial mutualists
Authors: Sachs Joel L. , Skophammer Ryan G. , Bansal Nidhanjali , Stajich Jason E.
Published: November 2013

Mutualistic bacteria infect most eukaryotic species in nearly every biome. Nonetheless, two dilemmas remain unresolved about bacterial–eukaryote mutualisms: how do mutualist phenotypes originate in bacterial lineages and to what degree do mutualists traits drive or hinder bacterial diversification? Here, we reconstructed the phylogeny of the hyperdiverse phylum Proteobacteria to investigate the origins and evolutionary diversification of mutualistic bacterial phenotypes. Our ancestral state reconstructions (ASRs) inferred a range of 34–39 independent origins of mutualist phenotypes in Proteobacteria, revealing the surprising frequency with which host-beneficial traits have evolved in this phylum. We found proteobacterial mutualists to be more often derived from parasitic than from free-living ancestors, consistent with the untested paradigm that bacterial mutualists most often evolve from pathogens. Strikingly, we inferred that mutualists exhibit a negative net diversification rate (speciation minus extinction), which suggests that mutualism evolves primarily via transitions from other states rather than diversification within mutualist taxa. Moreover, our ASRs infer that proteobacterial mutualist lineages exhibit a paucity of reversals to parasitism or to free-living status. This evolutionary conservatism of mutualism is contrary to long-standing theory, which predicts that selection should often favour mutants in microbial mutualist populations that exploit or abandon more slowly evolving eukaryotic hosts.
The effect of socio-economic status and food availability on first birth interval in a pre-industrial human population
Authors: Nenko Ilona , Hayward Adam D. , Lummaa Virpi
Published: November 2013

Individual variation in nutritional status has direct implications for fitness and thus is crucial in shaping patterns of life-history variation. Nevertheless, it is difficult to measure in natural populations, especially in humans. Here, we used longitudinal data on individual life-histories and annual crop yield variation collected from pre-industrial Finnish populations experiencing natural mortality and fertility to test the validity of first birth interval (FBI; time between marriage and first birth) as a surrogate measure of nutritional status. We evaluated whether women with different socio-economic groups differ in length of FBI, whether women of poorer socio-economic status and experiencing lower crop yields conceive slower following marriage, and whether shorter FBI is associated with higher lifetime breeding success. We found that poorer women had longer FBI and reduced probability of giving birth in months with low food availability, while the FBI of richer women was not affected by variation in food availability. Women with shorter FBI achieved higher lifetime breeding success and a faster reproductive rate. This is, to our knowledge, the first study to show a direct relationship between environmental conditions and speed of childbirth following marriage, highlighting the value of FBI as an indicator of nutritional status when direct data are lacking.
CO2-induced ocean acidification increases anxiety in Rockfish via alteration of GABAAreceptor functioning
Authors: Hamilton Trevor James , Holcombe Adam , Tresguerres Martin
Published: November 2013

The average surface pH of the ocean is dropping at a rapid rate due to the dissolution of anthropogenic CO2, raising concerns for marine life. Additionally, some coastal areas periodically experience upwelling of CO2-enriched water with reduced pH. Previous research has demonstrated ocean acidification (OA)-induced changes in behavioural and sensory systems including olfaction, which is due to altered function of neural gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. Here, we used a camera-based tracking software system to examine whether OA-dependent changes in GABAAreceptors affect anxiety in juvenile Californian rockfish (Sebastes diploproa). Anxiety was estimated using behavioural tests that measure light/dark preference (scototaxis) and proximity to an object. After one week in OA conditions projected for the next century in the California shore (1125 ± 100 µatm, pH 7.75), anxiety was significantly increased relative to controls (483 ± 40 µatm CO2, pH 8.1). The GABAA-receptor agonist muscimol, but not the antagonist gabazine, caused a significant increase in anxiety consistent with altered Cl−flux in OA-exposed fish. OA-exposed fish remained more anxious even after 7 days back in control seawater; however, they resumed their normal behaviour by day 12. These results show that OA could severely alter rockfish behaviour; however, this effect is reversible.
Adaptation through genetic time travel? Fluctuating selection can drive the evolution of bacterial transformation
Authors: Engelstädter Jan , Moradigaravand Danesh
Published: November 2013

Natural transformation is a process whereby bacteria actively take up DNA from the surrounding environment and incorporate it into their genome. Natural transformation is widespread in bacteria, but its evolutionary significance is still debated. Here, we hypothesize that transformation may confer a fitness advantage in changing environments through a process we term ‘genetic time travel’: by taking up old genes that were retained in the environment, the bacteria may revert to a past genotypic state that proves advantageous in the present or a future environment. We scrutinize our hypothesis by means of a mathematical model involving two bacterial types (transforming and non-transforming), a single locus under natural selection and a free DNA pool. The two bacterial types were competed in environments with changing selection regimes. We demonstrate that for a wide range of parameter values for the DNA turnover rate, the transformation rate and the frequency of environmental change, the transforming type outcompetes the non-transforming type. We discuss the empirical plausibility of our hypothesis, as well as its relationship to other hypotheses for the evolution of transformation in bacteria and sex more generally, speculating that ‘genetic time travel’ may also be relevant in eukaryotes that undergo horizontal gene transfer.
Rho of Plant GTPase Signaling Regulates the Behavior of Arabidopsis Kinesin-13A to Establish Secondary Cell Wall Patterns
Authors: Oda Yoshihisa , Fukuda Hiroo
Published: November 2013

Plant cortical microtubule arrays determine the cell wall deposition pattern and proper cell shape and function. Although various microtubule-associated proteins regulate the cortical microtubule array, the mechanisms underlying marked rearrangement of cortical microtubules during xylem differentiation are not fully understood. Here, we show that local Rho of Plant (ROP) GTPase signaling targets an Arabidopsis thaliana kinesin-13 protein, Kinesin-13A, to cortical microtubules to establish distinct patterns of secondary cell wall formation in xylem cells. Kinesin-13A was preferentially localized with cortical microtubules in secondary cell wall pits, areas where cortical microtubules are depolymerized to prevent cell wall deposition. This localization of Kinesin-13A required the presence of the activated ROP GTPase, MICROTUBULE DEPLETION DOMAIN1 (MIDD1) protein, and cortical microtubules. Knockdown of Kinesin-13A resulted in the formation of smaller secondary wall pits, while overexpression of Kinesin-13A enlarged their surface area. Kinesin-13A alone could depolymerize microtubules in vitro; however, both MIDD1 and Kinesin-13A were required for the depolymerization of cortical microtubules in vivo. These results indicate that Kinesin-13A regulates the formation of secondary wall pits by promoting cortical microtubule depolymerization via the ROP-MIDD1 pathway.
The Actin-Related Protein2/3 Complex Regulates Mitochondrial-Associated Calcium Signaling during Salt Stress inArabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Yi , Pan Zhen , Zhang Yan , Qu Xiaolu , Zhang Yuguo , Yang Yongqing , Jiang Xiangning , Huang Shanjin , Yuan Ming , Schumaker Karen S. , Guo Yan
Published: November 2013

Microfilament and Ca2+ dynamics play important roles in stress signaling in plants. Through genetic screening of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants that are defective in stress-induced increases in cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]cyt), we identified Actin-Related Protein2 (Arp2) as a regulator of [Ca2+]cyt in response to salt stress. Plants lacking Arp2 or other proteins in the Arp2/3 complex exhibited enhanced salt-induced increases in [Ca2+]cyt, decreased mitochondria movement, and hypersensitivity to salt. In addition, mitochondria aggregated, the mitochondrial permeability transition pore opened, and mitochondrial membrane potential Ψm was impaired in the arp2 mutant, and these changes were associated with salt-induced cell death. When opening of the enhanced mitochondrial permeability transition pore was blocked or increases in [Ca2+]cyt were prevented, the salt-sensitive phenotype of the arp2 mutant was partially rescued. These results indicate that the Arp2/3 complex regulates mitochondrial-dependent Ca2+ signaling in response to salt stress.
RISING beamline (BL28XU) for rechargeable battery analysis
Authors: Tanida H. , Fukuda K. , Murayama H. , Orikasa Y. , Arai H. , Uchimoto Y. , Matsubara E. , Uruga T. , Takeshita K. , Takahashi S. , Sano M. , Aoyagi H. , Watanabe A. , Nariyama N. , Ohashi H. , Yumoto H. , Koyama T. , Senba Y. , Takeuchi T. , Furukawa Y. , Ohata T. , Matsushita T. , Ishizawa Y. , Kudo T. , Kimura H. , Yamazaki H. , Tanaka T. , Bizen T. , Seike T. , Goto S. , Ohno H. , Takata M. , Kitamura H. , Ishikawa T. , Ohta T. , Ogumi Z.
Published: November 2013

The newly installed BL28XU beamline at SPring-8 is dedicated toin situstructural and electronic analysis of rechargeable batteries. It supports the time range (1 ms to 100 s) and spatial range (1 µm to 1 mm) needed for battery analysis. Electrochemical apparatus for battery charging and discharging are available in experimental hutches and in a preparation room. Battery analysis can be carried out efficiently and effectively using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine-structure analysis and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Here, the design and performance of the beamline are described, and preliminary results are presented.
A reaction cell for time-resolvedin situXAS studies during wet chemical synthesis: the Cu2(OH)3Cl case
Authors: Boita Jocenir , do Carmo Martins Alves Maria , Morais Jonder
Published: November 2013

The use ofin situtime-resolved dispersive X-ray absorption spectroscopy (DXAS) to monitor the formation of Cu2(OH)3Cl particles in an aqueous solution is reported. The measurements were performed using a dedicated reaction cell, which enabled the evolution of the CuK-edge X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy to be followed during mild chemical synthesis. The formed Cu2(OH)3Cl particles were also characterized by synchrotron-radiation-excited X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on the electronic and structural properties of the formed particles was investigated. The results indicate clearly the formation of Cu2(OH)3Cl, with or without the use of PVP, which presents very similar crystalline structures in the long-range order. However, depending on the reaction, dramatic differences were observed byin situDXAS in the vicinities of the Cu atoms.
Floral neighbourhood effects on pollination success in red clover are scale‐dependent
Authors: Hegland Stein J.
Published: November 2013

Plant‐pollinator interactions are highly important because of its direct link to plant fitness and because such interactions involve species at different trophic levels. Our understanding of competitive and facilitative interactions among plants for pollination is of large importance to govern conservation of species and management of crop production. Still we know little about the scale dependency of plant–plant interactions for pollinator visitation which is central to both basic and applied ecology.

Here, I tested whether plant–plant interactions for bumblebee visitation and subsequent reproduction were scale‐dependent by studying the ecologically and economically important red clover (Trifolium pratense) and its floral neighbourhood. I expected that high floral densities at small scale could trigger facilitative interactions due to concentration effects of pollinators. This was expected to change into competitive interactions when floral densities became higher at coarser scales because of dilution effects. I also expected that increased bumblebee visitation would increase fruit production in red clover.

The interaction for pollination success in red clover appeared to be scale‐dependent in the landscape under study. At plot scale, the bumblebee visitation rate to red clover inflorescences increased with both intra‐ and interspecific floral density, indicating facilitative interaction for pollinator visitation among red clover flowers and its nearest floral neighbourhood. Increased visitation of bumblebees led to subsequent increased fruit set, but there was a saturating effect as fruit set did not increase when visitation rates exceeded a certain level. As the floral neighbourhood became denser at a coarser scale, the interactions for pollinator visitation changed towards competition.

This study shows that key ecological processes such as plant–pollinator interactions may indeed be scale‐dependent and that the relative importance of competition and facilitation among plants for attracting pollinators may change with scale. The density of the floral neighbourhood of a focal species (e.g. key‐, rare‐, crop species) may thus be of large importance for its pollination and fruit production. My findings suggest that increasing floral densities at fine scales may have facilitative effects on pollinator visitation to red clover, whereas pollinators may be drawn away when floral resources become denser at coarser scale.
Resource availability modulates above‐ and below‐ground competitive interactions between genotypes of a dominantC4grass
Authors: Chang Cynthia C. , Smith Melinda D.
Published: November 2013

The well‐described pattern of a few common and many rare species in plant communities (dominance‐diversity curves) also has been documented within populations of dominant plant species. Understanding how these common genotypes coexist has implications for how genotype richness of a dominant species may impact community and ecosystem processes. Some studies have shown that increased genotype richness of a dominant species leads to an increase in above‐ground productivity, suggesting niche complementarity between genotypes. However, mechanistic understanding of how genotypes may complement one another is lacking.

We conducted a pairwise competition experiment between four common and naturally co‐occurring genotypes of a dominantC4grass species,Andropogon gerardii, in tallgrass prairie of the centralUnitedStates. The genotypes were grown under both intra‐ and intergenotypic competition with different combinations of resources (low and high light, water, and nitrogen) in the greenhouse.

We determined that there were above‐ and below‐ground phenotypic differences between genotypes which results in altered competitive interactions depending on resource conditions. Different genotypes were competitively dominant under low‐ and high‐light conditions and low and highNand water availability. Moreover, relative yield total values (RYT) for each genotype pairwise combination indicated that all four genotypes make demands on different resources, providing evidence for niche complementarity.

Finally, we found that differential success in resource acquisition, biomass accumulation, and subsequent competitive ability translated to variation in vegetative reproductive success of the genotypes, which has implications for the population dynamics of this primarily asexually reproducing perennial grass.

Our results suggest that naturally co‐occurring genotypes coexist because they are competitively dominant under different environmental conditions, providing insight into how genetic diversity within dominant plant species is maintained and may potentially affect important ecosystem processes.
Interactive effects of landscape history and current management on dispersal trait diversity in grassland plant communities
Authors: Purschke Oliver , Sykes Martin T. , Poschlod Peter , Michalski Stefan G. , Römermann Christine , Durka Walter , Kühn Ingolf , Prentice Honor C.
Published: November 2013

Plant communities and their ecosystem functions are expected to be more resilient to future habitat fragmentation and deterioration if the species comprising the communities have a wide range of dispersal and persistence strategies. However, the extent to which the diversity of dispersal and persistence traits in plant communities is determined by the current and historical characteristics of sites and their surrounding landscape has yet to be explored.

Using quantitative information on long‐distance seed dispersal potential by wind and animals (dispersal in space) and on species' persistence/longevity (dispersal in time), we (i) compared levels of dispersal and persistence trait diversity (functional richness, FRic, and functional divergence, FDiv) in seminatural grassland plant communities with those expected by chance, and (ii) quantified the extent to which trait diversity was explained by current and historical landscape structure and local management history – taking into account spatial and phylogenetic autocorrel.

Null model analysis revealed that more grassland communities than expected had a level of trait diversity that was lower or higher than predicted, given the level of species richness. Both the range (FRic) and divergence (FDiv) of dispersal and persistence trait values increased with grassland age. FDiv was mainly explained by the interaction between current grazing intensity and the amount of grassland habitat in the surrounding landscape in 1938.

Synthesis. The study suggests that the variability of dispersal and persistence traits in grassland plant communities is driven by deterministic assembly processes, with both history and current management (and their interactions), playing a major role as determinants of trait diversity. While a long continuity of grazing management is likely to have promoted the diversity of dispersal and persistence traits in present‐day grasslands, communities in sites that are well grazed at the present day, and were also surrounded by large amounts of grassland in the past, showed the highest diversity of dispersal and persistence strategies. Our results indicate that the historical context of a site within a landscape will influence the extent to which current grazing management is able to maintain a diversity of dispersal and persistence strategies and buffer communities (and their associated functions) against continuing habitat fragmentation.
Fears of happiness and compassion in relationship with depression, alexithymia, and attachment security in a depressed sample
Authors: Gilbert Paul , McEwan Kirsten , Catarino Francisca , Baião Rita , Palmeira Lara
Published: November 2013

Objectives

In a non‐clinical population, fears of compassion and fear of happiness have both been found to be highly correlated with alexithymia and depression. This study sought to explore these processes and their links with adult attachment and social safeness and pleasure in a depressed group.

Method

A total of 52 participants suffering from moderate to severe depression completed measures of fears of happiness, compassion from others and for self, in addition to measures of alexithymia, attachment, social safeness, and depression, anxiety, and stress.

Results

Fears of compassion and happiness were highly correlated with alexithymia, adult attachment, and depression, anxiety, and stress. Fear of happiness was found to be the best predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress, whereas fear of compassion from others was the best predictor of adult attachment. A path analysis showed that fears of positive emotion fully mediate the link between alexithymia and depression. This clinical sample had higher mean scores in fears of positive emotions, alexithymia, and depression, anxiety, and stress than a previously studied student sample.

Conclusions

This study adds to the evidence that fears of positive emotions are important features of mental health difficulties. Unaddressed, these fears can block positive emotions and may lead to emotional avoidance of positive affect thus contributing as blocks to successful therapy. Therapies for depression may therefore profitably assess and desensitize the fear of positive emotions.

Practitioner points

Many therapies focus on reducing negative affect and increasing positive affect.

However, clinicians should be aware that positive emotions can be feared: in this clinical sample, depression is strongly associated with fear of happiness and fears of compassion.

If clients fear happiness and compassion, they may resist or have difficulties in engaging in activities which evoke positive affect.

If not addressed these fears may become blocks to therapy.

Fears of different types of positive affect may require different interventions.