bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Between a rock and a hard place: integration or independence of humanitarian action?
Authors: Donini Antonio
Published: January 2011

This article looks at the tension between principles and politics in the response to the Afghan crisis, and more specifically at the extent to which humanitarian agencies have been able to protect themselves and their activities from overt instrumentalization by those pursuing partisan political agendas. After a short historical introduction, it focuses on the tensions around the issue of ‘coherence’ – the code word for the integration of humanitarian action into the wider political designs of the United Nations itself and of the UN-mandated military coalition that has been operating in Afghanistan since late 2001. The article ends with some more general conclusions on the humanitarian–political relationship and what Afghanistan ‘means’ for the future of humanitarian action.
DddY, a periplasmic dimethylsulfoniopropionate lyase found in taxonomically diverse species of Proteobacteria
Authors: Curson Andrew R J , Sullivan Matthew J , Todd Jonathan D , Johnston Andrew W B
Published: January 2011

The abundant compatible solute dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is made by many marine algae. Different marine bacteria catabolise DMSP by various mechanisms, some of which liberate the environmentally important gas dimethyl sulfide (DMS). We describe an enzyme, DddY, which cleaves DMSP into DMS plus acrylate and is located in the bacterial periplasm, unlike other DMSP lyases that catalyse this reaction. There are dddY-like genes in strains of Alcaligenes, Arcobacter and Shewanella, in the β-, ɛ- and γ-proteobacteria, respectively. In Alcaligenes, dddY is in a cluster of ddd and acu genes that resemble, but also have significant differences to, those in other bacteria that catabolise both DMSP and acrylate. Although production of DMS and transcription of Alcaligenes dddY are both apparently inducible by pre-growth of cells with DMSP, this substrate must be catabolised to form acrylate, the bona fide coinducer.
Explained and Unexplained Regional Variation in Canadian Obesity Prevalence
Authors: Dutton Daniel J. , McLaren Lindsay
Published: January 2011

The objective of our study was to examine sociodemographic and behavioral variables underlying the geographic variation of obesity in Canada. We aimed to quantify the share of regional variation in average BMI attributable to commonly cited determinants of obesity and the remaining share, which is attributable to the idiosyncrasies of the regional environment (“regional effects”). Using data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) (2004), ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, and Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition to decompose the difference in mean BMI between regions, we quantify two parts of the difference: a share explained by different levels of the covariates and a share explained by those covariates having different effects on BMI in the different regions, using the Atlantic provinces as the reference group. We observed that some differences (e.g., average BMI for males in Quebec compared to the Atlantic provinces) are mostly explained by the different levels of socio‐demographic and behavioral covariates, while others (e.g., average BMI for females in Quebec compared to the Atlantic provinces) are mostly explained by the different effects of the covariates on BMI. In the latter scenario, even if covariates were made to be identical in the different regions, the difference in average BMI would persist. Thus, targeting covariates in different regions through plans like physical activity or nutrition policy, income equalization, or education subsidies will have ambiguous effects for addressing disparate obesity levels, being plausible policy options in some regions but less so in others. Future research and policy would benefit from identifying these region‐specific attributes that have local implications for BMI.
Energy Crops: Introduction
Authors: Karp Angela , Halford Nigel G.
Published: January 2011

This Chapter provides an introduction to the general topic and to the Chapters that follow. We describe the history of energy crop development, introduce and define the bioenergy terms and outline how feedstock from energy crops can be converted into energy through combustion or thermal, biological and chemical conversion. The distinction between first, second and advanced generation technologies is explained. The different types of energy crops are described, including grain and seed crops, sugar crops, oil crops, dedicated biomass crops and algae, as an introduction to the detailed chapters on individual crops that follow. Aspects of the debate surrounding energy crop production are discussed.
Challenges and Opportunities for Using Wheat for Biofuel Production
Authors: Shewry Peter R , Freeman Jackie , Wilkinson Mark , Pellny Till , Mitchell Rowan A C
Published: January 2011

Wheat is an attractive raw material for biofuel production, with over 600 million tonnes grain being harvested annually, and a potentially similar amount of straw available as a bi-product. Wheat whole grain has a starch content of about 70% dry weight, but about 10% consists of cell wall polysaccharides which are not currently saccharified for fermentation and limit the quality of the residual grain for livestock feed. The major cell wall polysaccharides in wheat grain are arabinoxylans, with smaller amounts of β-glucans. However, in outer grain tissues (bran) and straw the dominant polysaccharides are cellulose and glucuronoarabinoxylan, with large quantities of lignin. We discuss our current knowledge of arabinoxylan synthesis in wheat and how this can be exploited by manipulating the expression of key biosynthetic enzymes to change the structures and interactions of the cell wall xylans to improve the yield of biofuels from whole grain and straw.
Sweet Sorghum as a Biofuel Crop
Authors: Stevens Gene , Holou Roland A.Y.
Published: January 2011

Sweet sorghum is a C4 grass which is traditionally cultivated for making syrup from the sugars in the stalks. Sweet and grain sorghum are in the same species, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. In optimum conditions, sweet sorghum can grow 4.5 meters tall and produce 45 to 110 Mg of fresh weight biomass per hectare with less N and water than maize. Ethanol can be produced from sweet sorghum stalks by extracting the juice and fermenting the sugars with yeast. Bagasse remaining after extraction can be fed to livestock or converted to useable energy by burning to produce steam for generating electricity, anaerobic digestion to make methane, or reacting with oxygen at high temperature to produce synthetic gas. Sweet sorghum can be grown in most climates. Some cultivars will grow as far north and south as the 45° latitude. It is normally grown as an annual crop. But, in warm climates, a single seed planting can be managed for two or three years by leaving lower stalks and roots at harvest to produce new tillers for the next growing cycle. Rotating sweet sorghum in alternate years with a non-grass crop is an effective management tool for reducing insect, weed, and disease pests. Nitrogen fertilizer can often be reduced when sweet sorghum is planted after a legume crop such as soybean. Most of the sugar for syrup and ethanol from sweet sorghum is currently produced with open pollinating cultivars. Recently, hybrid sweet sorghums with increased sugar content and biomass yield have been developed in India, China, and the United States.
Pongamia pinnata, a Sustainable Feedstock for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Kazakoff Stephen H. , Gresshoff Peter M. , Scott Paul T.
Published: January 2011

Fuel and not energy may be the most critical bottleneck for sustainable maintenance of the global economy. The biggest challenge facing the future of the emerging liquid biofuels industry is selection of appropriate crops that will provide reliable and sustainable feedstocks for the increasing energy demands of a growing world population. With few exceptions, current first generation biofuel feedstocks are food crops that have been bred for attributes that are desirable for food production and quality, not biofuel content. In selecting the most appropriate bioenergy candidate species, a number of important issues should be addressed. Upper most in the thoughts of both scientific and lay communities is the so-called ‘food versus fuel’ debate. Further, it is argued that lands currently, or projected to be cultivated with biofuel crops should not be destined for food production. Similarly, lands currently not under agricultural production are being cleared for the cultivation of energy crops. In this chapter we describe the emerging biofuel feedstock Pongamia pinnata and in doing so address the issues concerning opponents of the biofuels industry and current biofuel feedstocks.
Willow
Authors: Hanley S. J.
Published: January 2011

Willow is already recognised as a promising dedicated bioenergy crop in several countries. Of most importance is a capacity for rapid growth in several species, which is further promoted by cultivation as Short Rotation Coppice (SRC). Moreover, compared to some other bioenergy crops, yields are less reliant on the input of high levels of fertiliser, the production and use of which is costly in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. Willows, which are naturally adapted to a wide range of habitats, also offer promise in terms of production on subprime land, somewhat mitigating concerns over potential competition for land for both food and fuel crop production. Willow may also be the crop of choice at northerly latitudes where sufficient yields from other crops are difficult to obtain. While the wealth of diversity represented within the genus is yet to be fully exploited, breeding programmes have already made considerable progress in terms of yield improvement. Molecular underpinning work that aims to improve understanding of key traits and increase selection efficiency is also well underway. Although not yet comprehensive, early studies on the potential environmental impacts associated with increased SRC willow cultivation are encouraging.
Poplar
Authors: Dillen S. Y. , El Kasmioui O. , Marron N. , Calfapietra C. , Ceulemans R.
Published: January 2011

Poplar has many advantages as a short-rotation coppice (SRC) crop, i.e. rapid juvenile growth rates, good coppice and resprout ability, and easy vegetative propagation. Further, a large genetic variation available within the genus can be explored in breeding programmes aiming at improving the poplar plant material in terms of yield, wood quality and resistance against disease and insect attacks. Besides, the strong scientific support turned poplar into the “guinea pig” in tree research which recently led – as first for a tree species – to the release of its relatively small genome sequence. Hence, traditional poplar breeding programmes may be further improved by means of molecular genetic techniques, with particular attention to the deployment of poplar in SRC.
Algae
Authors: Levine Ira A.
Published: January 2011

Algae have been and are used as a source of: food, industrial and fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, cosmaceuticals, animal fodder, energy, effluent bioremediation, and fertilizer for the past five thousand years. Algal utilization as a feedstock for biofuel development is not a new concept having been initiated over the past forty years utilizing both macro and microalgae. Utilization of algae as a potential biofuel feedstock, reducing global reliance on petroleum-based transportation fuels, has attracted significant attention. Algal-based biofuels represents many different forms of liquid transportation fuel or energy source including: alkanes, biobutanol, biodiesel, bioethanol, biohydrogen, biomethane, gasoline, green diesel, and jet fuel.

Microalgae or phytoplankton have rapidly gained acceptance as a significant feedstock second-generation biofuel feedstock. Several advantages of microalgae over terrestrial crops include: Large areal productivities and yields (estimates 5000-7000 gallons/acre/year); Short lifecycle; Use of marginal, non-arable land; and Avoidance of feedstock vs. food conflict. Macroalgae or seaweeds represent an alternative to microalgal cultivation as a source of algal-based biofuels exhibiting several advantages including harvesting ease and long-established farming efforts and yielding ∼16 million wet tons per year. Algal-based biofuels stands ready to take its place amongst the evolving second-generation biofuel feedstocks. Incremental biological and technological enhancements along with the development of new methodologies will drive the commercialization of this nascent industry to realize its fullest potential; a significant source of biologically-based transportation fuels.
Aging and vascular endothelial function in humans
Authors: Seals Douglas R. , Jablonski Kristen L. , Donato Anthony J.
Published: January 2011

Advancing age is the major risk factor for the development of CVD (cardiovascular diseases). This is attributable, in part, to the development of vascular endothelial dysfunction, as indicated by reduced peripheral artery EDD (endothelium-dependent dilation) in response to chemical [typically ACh (acetylcholine)] or mechanical (intravascular shear) stimuli. Reduced bioavailability of the endothelium-synthesized dilating molecule NO (nitric oxide) as a result of oxidative stress is the key mechanism mediating reduced EDD with aging. Vascular oxidative stress increases with age as a consequence of greater production of reactive oxygen species (e.g. superoxide) without a compensatory increase in antioxidant defences. Sources of increased superoxide production include up-regulation of the oxidant enzyme NADPH oxidase, uncoupling of the normally NO-producing enzyme, eNOS (endothelial NO synthase) (due to reduced availability of the cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin) and increased mitochondrial synthesis during oxidative phosphorylation. Increased bioactivity of the potent endothelial-derived constricting factor ET-1 (endothelin-1), reduced endothelial production of/responsiveness to dilatory prostaglandins, the development of vascular inflammation, formation of AGEs (advanced glycation end-products), an increased rate of endothelial apoptosis and reduced expression of oestrogen receptor α (in postmenopausal females) also probably contribute to impaired EDD with aging. Several lifestyle and biological factors modulate vascular endothelial function with aging, including regular aerobic exercise, dietary factors (e.g. processed compared with non-processed foods), body weight/fatness, vitamin D status, menopause/oestrogen deficiency and a number of conventional and non-conventional risk factors for CVD. Given the number of older adults now and in the future, more information is needed on effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of vascular endothelial aging.
Complex conductivity of 2D electron crystals over liquid helium in the dynamic transition region
Authors: Syvokon V. E. , Nasyedkin K. A.
Published: January 2011

The complex conductivity of electron crystals with surface densities of 3.2×108–12.6×108cm−2 is studied under dynamic transition conditions. Measurements at temperatures of 70–90mK, well below the thermodynamic equilibrium melting point, show that a transition is observed as the driving electric field in the plane of the electron layer is increased. This is accompanied by jumps in both components of the inverse conductivity of the layer when the critical field is reached. The dependence of the critical field on the surface density of the electron layer is determined.
Superconductivity of bulk molybdenum samples with carbidized surfaces
Authors: Dzyuba M. O. , Chiang Yu. N. , Shevchenko O. G. , Semenov A. V. , Khirnyi V. Ph.
Published: January 2011

Results are presented from a study of the superconducting properties of molybdenum carbide synthesized in the surface layer of bulk molybdenum using an original technology: ion-plasma bombardment of metallic molybdenum with carbon and silicon ions to implant carbon in the surface layer of the molybdenum. The temperature evolution of the superconducting resistive transition of samples with a carbidized surface is studied as a function of the thickness and continuity of the carbide layer. A generalization of the parameters of the superconducting transition for all the samples indicates that the carbide layers produced by this technology have a mosaic-island structure and a nonuniform superconductivity associated with this structure. The main contribution to the smearing out of the superconducting transition under these conditions may come from pulling of the potential at the N-S boundaries between normal molybdenum and carbide clusters.
Orientational order parameter in CO2–Kr solid solutions
Authors: Danchuk V. V. , Strizhemechny M. A. , Solodovnik A. A.
Published: January 2011

Orientational order in binary CO2–Kr cryoalloys is studied at a fixed temperature of 30K as a function of the krypton content x in the deposited gas mixture ranging from 0to59mol.% by transmission electron diffraction. The integrated intensities of two regular reflections, (111) and (200), and two superlattice reflections, (210) and (211), are determined. The absolute values of the orientational order parameter η in the CO2 subsystem is recovered for all x using a previously proposed method modified for binary solid substitution solutions with randomly distributed components. For small x⩽0.05, where the predominant clusters are isolated krypton atoms, η decreases linearly with x and for 0.05<x⩽0.25 the orientational order parameter is constant to within the measurement error. For larger x, η manifests an unphysical increase. This last point means that for x⩾0.25 the assumption of a random distribution of the components is not valid. An analysis of these data shows that the first signs of a deviation from a random distribution (an indication of the onset of a phase transition) appear at x≃0.258. The maximum concentration of krypton in a regular solution is about 33mol.%, rather than the 38mol.% derived from an analysis of the dependence of the lattice parameter on x. Values of the rank-4 orientational order parameter η4 are recovered. Peculiarities in the behavior of η4 for x>0.25 confirm the results of this analysis of η(x).
Low-temperature plastic deformation of AZ31 magnesium alloy with different microstructures
Authors: Estrin Yu. Z. , Zabrodin P. A. , Braude I. S. , Grigorova T. V. , Isaev N. V. , Pustovalov V. V. , Fomenko V. S. , Shumilin S. E.
Published: January 2011

The plastic deformation of AZ31 magnesium alloy under tension at temperatures of 4.2–295K is studied as a function of its microstructure following squeeze casting (SC) and after severe plastic deformation (SPD) by hot rolling and equal-channel angular pressing. SPD reduces the average grain size and creates a texture that favors basal-plane dislocation glide. It is found that plastic deformation becomes unstable (serrated) at temperatures of 4.2–25K and more stress jerks occur in the SPD polycrystal than in the SC alloy. The temperature dependence of the yield stress of the alloy is typical of thermally activated unpinning of dislocations from short-range barriers. The ratio of the yield stresses for the SPD and SC alloys at a given temperature is explained by hardening owing to a reduction in grain size and softening owing to a favorable texture. As the grain size is reduced, the rate of strain hardening of the alloy falls off, but its ductility (strain to fracture) increases because of the texture. The strain rate sensitivity of the alloy for T⩽100K is independent of microstructure and is determined by intersections with forest dislocations. As the temperature is raised over 150–295K the strain rate sensitivity becomes greater owing to activation of dynamic recovery and an enhanced contribution from diffusion processes during plastic deformation of micrograined materials.
Using length data in the Schnute Model to describe growth in a metapenaeid from waters off Australia
Authors: Montgomery Steven S. , Walsh Chris T. , Haddon Malcolm , Kesby Caitlin L. , Johnson Daniel D.
Published: January 2011

This paper presents a novel approach for fitting length data to the Schnute growth model. Cohorts were fitted manually to a time series of length distributions from two stocks (Clarence and Hunter Rivers) of Metapenaeus macleayi and considered analogous to individuals from tag–recapture data, in order to estimate growth parameters. Data for Clarence males best fitted the three-parameter Schnute Model (L∞ = 21.3 mm CL, κ = 0.025 day–1 and γ = –1.35), whereas those for Hunter males were best fitted to a two-parameter version of the model (L∞ = 33.5 mm CL, κ = 0.009 day–1 and γ = 0 fixed). The equivalent to the von Bertalanffy growth function was the best fit to female data from both stocks (L∞ = 36.6 and 40.2 mm CL, κ = 0.004 and 0.005 day–1 and γ = 1 fixed for Clarence and Hunter respectively). Females grew larger than males and took longer to achieve their maximum size. No significant differences in female growth were found between stocks; however, males from the Hunter grew to a longer mean maximum length but at a slower rate than those from the Clarence. This study shows how the Schnute Model can be fitted to length based data and thus include the flexibility of comparing fits between asymptotic and non-asymptotic growth functions.
Destined to decline? Intrinsic susceptibility of the threatened estuary stingray to anthropogenic impacts
Authors: Pierce Simon J. , Bennett Michael B.
Published: January 2011

Evaluating the extinction risk of poorly known fishes is one of the key problems in marine conservation biology. Elasmobranchs are widely recognised to be highly susceptible to anthropogenic impacts, with ecological specialists being particularly at risk. The estuary stingray Dasyatis fluviorum is endemic to near-shore, estuarine and riverine habitats along the eastern coast of Australia. The present study aimed to obtain basic data on the biology and demography of D. fluviorum to inform conservation evaluation of the species. Age and growth data were collected from rays caught in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Maturity occurred at 630 mm disc width (WD) (13.4 years) in females and 412 mm WD (7.0 years) in males, with maximum age estimates of 21 and 16 years from females and males, respectively. These parameters produced a positive population growth of 1.02 year–1 in a stochastic demographic model based on indirect estimates of mortality. The life history parameters of D. fluviorum confer a high to very high vulnerability to population decline, emphasising the need for directed conservation efforts for the species. Without management intervention, even minor levels of additive anthropogenic mortality are likely to lead to the species’ conservation status declining further to Endangered based on IUCN classification criteria.
Population connectivity of neon damsel, Pomacentrus coelestis, inferred from otolith microchemistry and mtDNA
Authors: Liu Shang-Yin Vanson , Wang Chia-Hui , Shiao Jen-Chieh , Dai Chang-Feng
Published: January 2011

Understanding dispersal patterns and population connectivity is crucial to the conservation and management of fish assemblages in reef ecosystems. To reveal the population connectivity of reef fishes in the northern West Pacific, we examined the otolith chemistry and the mtDNA control region of Pomacentrus coelestis collected from six localities between Hainan Island (China) and Okinawa (Japan). The results of otolith chemistry analyses on pre-settlement signatures showed that fishes in north-west Taiwan may have a similar origin, whereas those in southern Taiwan might have a separate origin from the South China Sea. Furthermore, the elemental ratios of post-settlement signatures showed clear separation among localities, reflecting their sedentary behaviour after settlement and the influence of local environment. Population genetic analyses revealed that significant genetic differentiation occurred between populations in north-west Taiwan and populations in the South China Sea and the Kuroshio ecosystems. This study demonstrated that otolith chemistry and mtDNA analyses revealed consistent and complementary results of the dispersal and connectivity of P. coelestis populations, and provided evidence supporting that fish populations around Taiwan should be considered as two stocks. Thus, two marine protected area networks should be established for the conservation and management of reef fishes in this area.
Changes in diversity in the fish assemblage of a southern Australian embayment: consistent spatial structuring at decadal scales
Authors: Jung C. A. , Swearer S. E. , Jenkins G. P.
Published: January 2011

Comprehensive assessment of spatio–temporal variation in assemblages, particularly relating to management and conservation efforts, should include examination of variation across scales. The present study investigated spatio–temporal variation at various scales in the fish fauna of Port Phillip, Australia, over 17 years. There were significant increases in diversity and changes in faunal composition in the most recent study, compared with 17 (+38%) and 7 (+151%) years ago. No significant year-to-year differences and no fortnightly differences within a season were found, supporting the notion of long-term changes. However, inter-seasonal variation was significant, with diversity highest in summer and lowest in winter (42.3% of summer diversity), illustrating substantial variation only at particular scales. The spatial structuring of assemblages was consistent at all temporal scales over 17 years. Fish assemblages and diversity varied significantly among sites and regions, but diversity was always highest on reefs in the eastern region of Port Phillip. However, the majority of spatial variation occurred among replicate transects (up to 75% of overall variation). Despite the high degree of small-scale spatio–temporal variability, the results provide evidence of long-term changes in faunal composition and diversity within the bay. Moreover, the results underline the necessity for multi-scalar approaches in ecological studies like abundance assessments.
Iron conservation by reduction of metalloenzyme inventories in the marine diazotroph
Crocosphaera watsonii
Authors: Saito Mak A. , Bertrand Erin M. , Dutkiewicz Stephanie , Bulygin Vladimir V. , Moran Dawn M. , Monteiro Fanny M. , Follows Michael J. , Valois Frederica W. , Waterbury John B.
Published: January 2011

The marine nitrogen fixing microorganisms (diazotrophs) are a major source of nitrogen to open ocean ecosystems and are predicted to be limited by iron in most marine environments. Here we use global and targeted proteomic analyses on a key unicellular marine diazotroph
Crocosphaera watsonii
to reveal large scale diel changes in its proteome, including substantial variations in concentrations of iron metalloproteins involved in nitrogen fixation and photosynthesis, as well as nocturnal flavodoxin production. The daily synthesis and degradation of enzymes in coordination with their utilization results in a lowered cellular metalloenzyme inventory that requires ∼40% less iron than if these enzymes were maintained throughout the diel cycle. This strategy is energetically expensive, but appears to serve as an important adaptation for confronting the iron scarcity of the open oceans. A global numerical model of ocean circulation, biogeochemistry and ecosystems suggests that
Crocosphaera
’s ability to reduce its iron-metalloenzyme inventory provides two advantages: It allows
Crocosphaera
to inhabit regions lower in iron and allows the same iron supply to support higher
Crocosphaera
biomass and nitrogen fixation than if they did not have this reduced iron requirement.
Myxobacteria gliding motility requires cytoskeleton rotation powered by proton motive force
Authors: Nan Beiyan , Chen Jing , Neu John C. , Berry Richard M. , Oster George , Zusman David R.
Published: January 2011

Myxococcus xanthus
is a Gram-negative bacterium that glides over surfaces without the aid of flagella. Two motility systems are used for locomotion: social-motility, powered by the retraction of type IV pili, and adventurous (A)-motility, powered by unknown mechanism(s). We have shown that AgmU, an A-motility protein, is part of a multiprotein complex that spans the inner membrane and periplasm of
M. xanthus
. In this paper, we present evidence that periplasmic AgmU decorates a looped continuous helix that rotates clockwise as cells glide forward, reversing its rotation when cells reverse polarity. Inhibitor studies showed that the AgmU helix rotation is driven by proton motive force (PMF) and depends on actin-like MreB cytoskeletal filaments. The AgmU motility complex was found to interact with MotAB homologs. Our data are consistent with a mechanochemical model in which PMF-driven motors, similar to bacterial flagella stator complexes, run along an endless looped helical track, driving rotation of the track; deformation of the cell surface by the AgmU-associated proteins creates pressure waves in the slime, pushing cells forward.
Intake of High-Intensity Sweeteners Alters the Ability of Sweet Taste to Signal Caloric Consequences: Implications for the Learned Control of Energy and Body Weight Regulation
Authors: Davidson Terry L. , Martin Ashley A. , Clark Kiely , Swithers Susan E.
Published: January 2011

Recent results from both human epidemiological and experimental studies with animals suggest that intake of noncaloric sweeteners may promote, rather than protect against, weight gain and other disturbances of energy regulation. However, without a viable mechanism to explain how consumption of noncaloric sweeteners can increase energy intake and body weight, the persuasiveness of such results has been limited. Using a rat model, the present research showed that intake of noncaloric sweeteners reduces the effectiveness of learned associations between sweet tastes and postingestive caloric outcomes (Experiment 1) and that interfering with this association may impair the ability of rats to regulate their intake of sweet, but not nonsweet, high-fat and high-calorie food (Experiment 2). The results support the hypothesis that consuming noncaloric sweeteners may promote excessive intake and body weight gain by weakening a predictive relationship between sweet taste and the caloric consequences of eating.
Rapid communication: Global–local processing affects recognition of distractor emotional faces
Authors: Srinivasan Narayanan , Gupta Rashmi
Published: January 2011

Recent studies have shown links between happy faces and global, distributed attention as well as sad faces to local, focused attention. Emotions have been shown to affect global–local processing. Given that studies on emotion–cognition interactions have not explored the effect of perceptual processing at different spatial scales on processing stimuli with emotional content, the present study investigated the link between perceptual focus and emotional processing. The study investigated the effects of global–local processing on the recognition of distractor faces with emotional expressions. Participants performed a digit discrimination task with digits at either the global level or the local level presented against a distractor face (happy or sad) as background. The results showed that global processing associated with broad scope of attention facilitates recognition of happy faces, and local processing associated with narrow scope of attention facilitates recognition of sad faces. The novel results of the study provide conclusive evidence for emotion–cognition interactions by demonstrating the effect of perceptual processing on emotional faces. The results along with earlier complementary results on the effect of emotion on global–local processing support a reciprocal relationship between emotional processing and global–local processing. Distractor processing with emotional information also has implications for theories of selective attention.
Large character degrees of solvable 3’-groups
Authors: Yang Yong
Published: January 2011

We prove that if

G
G

is a finite solvable group and

3
∤

|

G
:

F

(
G
)

|

3 \nmid |G:\mathbf {F}(G)|

, then the index of the Fitting subgroup of

G
G

is at most the square of the largest irreducible character degree of

G
G

.
Toeplitz operators with BMO symbols on the Segal-Bargmann space
Authors: Coburn L. , Isralowitz J. , Li Bo
Published: January 2011

We show that Zorboska’s criterion for compactness of Toeplitz operators with

BMO
1

\text {BMO}^1

symbols on the Bergman space of the unit disc holds, by a different proof, for the Segal-Bargmann space of Gaussian square-integrable entire functions on

C

n

\mathbb {C}^n

. We establish some basic properties of

BMO
p

\text {BMO}^p

for

p
≥
1

p \geq 1

and complete the characterization of bounded and compact Toeplitz operators with

BMO
1

\text {BMO}^1

symbols. Via the Bargmann isometry and results of Lo and Englis̆, we also give a compactness criterion for the Gabor-Daubechies “windowed Fourier localization operators” on

L
2

(

R

n

,
d
v
)

L^2(\mathbb {R}^n, dv)

when the symbol is in a

BMO
1

\text {BMO}^1

Sobolev-type space. Finally, we discuss examples of the compactness criterion and counterexamples to the unrestricted application of this criterion for the compactness of Toeplitz operators.
Identification of an inhibitory budding signal that blocks the release of HIV particles and exosome/microvesicle proteins
Authors: Gan Xin , Gould Stephen J.
Published: January 2011

Animal cells bud exosomes and microvesicles (EMVs) from endosome and plasma membranes. The combination of higher-order oligomerization and plasma membrane binding is a positive budding signal that targets diverse proteins into EMVs and retrovirus particles. Here we describe an inhibitory budding signal (IBS) from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Gag protein. This IBS was identified in the spacer peptide 2 (SP2) domain of Gag, is activated by C-terminal exposure of SP2, and mediates the severe budding defect of p6-deficient and PTAP-deficient strains of HIV. This IBS also impairs the budding of CD63 and several other viral and nonviral EMV proteins. The IBS does not prevent cargo delivery to the plasma membrane, a major site of EMV and virus budding. However, the IBS does inhibit an interaction between EMV cargo proteins and VPS4B, a component of the endosomal sorting complexes required for transport (ESCRT) machinery. Taken together, these results demonstrate that inhibitory signals can block protein and virus budding, raise the possibility that the ESCRT machinery plays a role in EMV biogenesis, and shed new light on the role of the p6 domain and PTAP motif in the biogenesis of HIV particles.
Satellites and fisheries: a personal view
Authors: Koeller Peter
Published: January 2011

Koeller, P. 2011. Satellites and fisheries: a personal view. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 68: . Satellite remote-sensing data have become indispensable in fishery oceanography, but are rarely used in applied fishery science, i.e. stock assessment. However, they are likely to be a key data source in the implementation of ecosystem approaches to fisheries management.
The cellular endosomal sorting complex required for transport pathway is not involved in avian metapneumovirus budding in a virus-like-particle expression system
Authors: Weng Yuejin , Lu Wuxun , Harmon Aaron , Xiang Xiaoxiao , Deng Qiji , Song Minxun , Wang Dan , Yu Qingzhong , Li Feng
Published: January 2011

Avian metapneumovirus (AMPV) is a paramyxovirus that principally causes respiratory disease and egg production drops in turkeys and chickens. Together with its closely related human metapneumovirus (HMPV), they comprise the genus Metapneumovirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. Little is currently known about the mechanisms involved in the budding of metapneumovirus. By using AMPV as a model system, we showed that the matrix (M) protein by itself was insufficient to form virus-like-particles (VLPs). The incorporation of M into VLPs was shown to occur only when both the viral nucleoprotein (N) and the fusion (F) proteins were co-expressed. Furthermore, we provided evidence indicating that two YSKL and YAGL segments encoded within the M protein were not a functional late domain, and the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery was not involved in metapneumovirus budding, consistent with a recent observation that human respiratory syncytial virus, closely related to HMPV, uses an ESCRT-independent budding mechanism. Taken together, these results suggest that metapneumovirus budding is independent of the ESCRT pathway and the minimal budding machinery described here will aid our future understanding of metapneumovirus assembly and egress.
Epstein–Barr virus latent gene sequences as geographical markers of viral origin: unique EBNA3 gene signatures identify Japanese viruses as distinct members of the Asian virus family
Authors: Sawada Akihisa , Croom-Carter Deborah , Kondo Osamu , Yasui Masahiro , Koyama-Sato Maho , Inoue Masami , Kawa Keisei , Rickinson Alan B. , Tierney Rosemary J.
Published: January 2011

Polymorphisms in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) latent genes can identify virus strains from different human populations and individual strains within a population. An Asian EBV signature has been defined almost exclusively from Chinese viruses, with little information from other Asian countries. Here we sequenced polymorphic regions of the EBNA1, 2, 3A, 3B, 3C and LMP1 genes of 31 Japanese strains from control donors and EBV-associated T/NK-cell lymphoproliferative disease (T/NK-LPD) patients. Though identical to Chinese strains in their dominant EBNA1 and LMP1 alleles, Japanese viruses were subtly different at other loci. Thus, while Chinese viruses mainly fall into two families with strongly linked ‘Wu’ or ‘Li’ alleles at EBNA2 and EBNA3A/B/C, Japanese viruses all have the consensus Wu EBNA2 allele but fall into two families at EBNA3A/B/C. One family has variant Li-like sequences at EBNA3A and 3B and the consensus Li sequence at EBNA3C; the other family has variant Wu-like sequences at EBNA3A, variants of a low frequency Chinese allele ‘Sp’ at EBNA3B and a consensus Sp sequence at EBNA3C. Thus, EBNA3A/B/C allelotypes clearly distinguish Japanese from Chinese strains. Interestingly, most Japanese viruses also lack those immune-escape mutations in the HLA-A11 epitope-encoding region of EBNA3B that are so characteristic of viruses from the highly A11-positive Chinese population. Control donor-derived and T/NK-LPD-derived strains were similarly distributed across allelotypes and, by using allelic polymorphisms to track virus strains in patients pre- and post-haematopoietic stem-cell transplant, we show that a single strain can induce both T/NK-LPD and B-cell-lymphoproliferative disease in the same patient.
Photosynthesis-Dependent But Neochrome1-Independent Light Positioning of Chloroplasts and Nuclei in the FernAdiantum capillus-veneris
Authors: Sugiyama Yuka , Kadota Akeo
Published: January 2011

Chloroplasts change their positions in the cell depending on the light conditions. In the dark, chloroplasts in fern prothallia locate along the anticlinal wall (dark position). However, chloroplasts become relocated to the periclinal wall (light position) when the light shines perpendicularly to the prothallia. Red light is effective in inducing this relocation in Adiantum capillus-veneris, and neochrome1 (neo1) has been identified as the red light receptor regulating this movement. Nevertheless, we found here that chloroplasts in neo1 mutants still become relocated from the dark position to the light position under red light. We tested four neo1 mutant alleles (neo1-1, neo1-2, neo1-3, and neo1-4), and all of them showed the red-light-induced chloroplast relocation. Furthermore, chloroplast light positioning under red light occurred also in Pteris vittata, another fern species naturally lacking the neo1-dependent phenomenon. The light positioning of chloroplasts occurred independently of the direction of red light, a response different to that of the neo1-dependent movement. Photosynthesis inhibitors 3-(3,4 dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea or 2,5-dibromo-3-isopropyl-6-methyl-p-benzoquinone blocked this movement. Addition of sucrose (Suc) or glucose to the culture medium induced migration of the chloroplasts to the periclinal wall in darkness. Furthermore, Suc could override the effects of 3-(3,4 dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea. Interestingly, the same light positioning was evident for nuclei under red light in the neo1 mutant. The nuclear light positioning was also induced in darkness with the addition of Suc or glucose. These results indicate that photosynthesis-dependent nondirectional movement contributes to the light positioning of these organelles in addition to the neo1-dependent directional movement toward light.
Secrets of the subterranean pathosystem ofArmillaria
Authors: BAUMGARTNER KENDRA , COETZEE MARTIN P. A. , HOFFMEISTER DIRK
Published: January 2011

Armillaria root disease affects fruit and nut crops, timber trees and ornamentals in boreal, temperate and tropical regions of the world. The causal pathogens are members of the genusArmillaria(Basidiomycota, Physalacriaceae). This review summarizes the state of knowledge and highlights recent advances inArmillariaresearch.

Taxonomy:Armillariaincludes more than 40 morphological species. However, the identification and delineation of species on the basis of morphological characters are problematic, resulting in many species being undetected. Implementation of the biological species' concept and DNA sequence comparisons in the contemporary taxonomy ofArmillariahave led to the discovery of a number of new species that are not linked to described morphological species.

Host range:Armillariaexhibits a range of symbioses with both plants and fungi. As plant pathogens,Armillariaspecies have broad host ranges, infecting mostly woody species.Armillariacan also colonize orchidsGaleolaandGastrodiabut, in this case, the fungus is the host and the plant is the parasite. Similar to its contrasting relationships with plants,Armillariaacts as either host or parasite in its interactions with other fungi.

Disease control:Recent research on post‐infection controls has revealed promising alternatives to the former pre‐plant eradication attempts with soil fumigants, which are now being regulated more heavily or banned outright because of their negative effects on the environment. New study tools for genetic manipulation of the pathogen and characterization of the molecular basis of the host response will greatly advance the development of resistant rootstocks in a new stage of research. The depth of the research, regardless of whether traditional or genomic approaches are used, will depend on a clear understanding of where the different propagules ofArmillariaattack a root system, which of the pathogen's diverse biolymer‐degrading enzymes and secondary metabolites facilitate infection, and how the course of infection differs between resistant and susceptible hosts.
Pubarche and serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels in children with Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Siemensma Elbrich P. C. , de Lind van Wijngaarden Roderick F. A. , Otten Barto J. , de Jong Frank H. , Hokken‐Koelega Anita C. S.
Published: January 2011

Context  Premature pubarche (PP) is reported in children with Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS). Pubarche is preceded by adrenarche – an increase in serum levels of adrenal androgens, most specifically dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS).

Objectives  To assess DHEAS levels, the age at and progression of pubarche and the prevalence of PP in children with PWS.

Design/Patients  In the Dutch PWS Cohort Study, 120 children (6 months–17 years) are prospectively followed. Their age at onset of pubarche and various pubic hair stages and prevalence of PP were determined. Serum DHEAS levels were assessed in 97 children.

Results  Median serum DHEAS levels were significantly higher in children with PWS than in healthy age‐matched controls at ages 3–6 years (girls: P = 0·004 and boys: P = 0·010) and 6–10 years (girls: P = 0·045 and boys: P = 0·001). Age and gender significantly influenced DHEAS levels in children with PWS. The median [P10–P90] age at onset of pubarche in children with PWS was significantly younger than in healthy peers, 9·04[6·75–11·84] years in PWS girls (P < 0·0001) and 10·31 [8·65–12·29] years in PWS boys (P = 0·003). The prevalence of PP in children with PWS was 30·0% in girls and 16·1% in boys.

Conclusions  Compared to healthy children, children with PWS have significantly higher DHEAS levels from 3 to 10 years of age. They are younger at onset of pubarche and have a higher prevalence of premature pubarche. DHEAS levels in PWS are influenced by age and gender. Our findings indicate earlier maturation of the zona reticularis of the adrenal glands in children with PWS.
The young Earth and the story of the early Archaean rocks of West Greenland
Authors: Brooks Kent
Published: January 2011

Broadly the science of geology has passed through a number of distinct phases. In the early days attention was focussed on establishing a stratigraphic framework, concentrating on fossils and lithologies—the days of mapping and systematizing of sedimentary successions and the uncovering of the succession of life. Later, in the early twentieth century, geologists became much more interested in igneous rocks. By the 1960s attention turned to the ocean basins, culminating in the acceptance of the paradigm of plate tectonics. At the end of the 1960s, one area of geology that remained relatively little understood was the huge span of time represented by the Precambrian, about 80 per cent of Earth's history. By the 1960s this was changing. Radiometric dating was beginning to show the relative ages of such terranes and new methods of mapping were beginning to be used.
Beachcombing and palaeoecology
Authors: Donovan Stephen K.
Published: January 2011

Beachcombing is not just a diversion for the idle; it can provide unique data for the observant geologist. The perspicacious palaeontologist may find informative specimens either in pebbles or in unusual Recent shells that provide analogues of, for example, ancient organisms or interactions between extinct species. Examples of rare specimens from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean demonstrate how these unique data that can be used by the discriminating beachcomber.
The Isle of Portland, Dorset, England
Authors: Falcon‐Lang Howard
Published: January 2011

The Isle of Portland is one of the jewels in the crown of the ‘Jurassic Coast’ of Dorset, southern England. Thomas Hardy aptly described this limestone peninsula as the ‘Gibraltar of Wessex’, and used its stone quarries as the backdrop for one of his novels (The Well‐Beloved). Quarries then, as now, work the world‐famous Portland Stone—a Jurassic oolitic limestone—from which St Paul's Cathedral and many other well‐known buildings are constructed. Rocks exposed in the numerous disused quarries scattered across the isle, together with exposures in spectacular sea‐cliffs, paint a vivid picture of life and environments, ∼150 million years ago. In addition to Jurassic patch‐reefs, coastal sabhkas, fossil forests and dinosaur footprints found in the bedrock, more recent geological phenomena include two Quaternary raised beaches, solution caves filled with vertebrates, and massive coastal landslips. The aim of this article is to provide a field guide for those wishing to explore the geology of this little‐known region for themselves.