bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MEASURING PRODUCTIVITY
Authors: Del Gatto Massimo , Di Liberto Adriana , Petraglia Carmelo
Published: April 2010

AbstractQuantifying productivity is aconditio sine qua nonfor empirical analysis in a number of research fields. The identification of the measure that best fits with the specific goals, as well as being data driven, is currently complicated by the fact that an array of methodologies is available. This paper provides economic researchers with an up‐to‐date overview of issues and relevant solutions associated with this choice. Methods of productivity measurement are surveyed and classified according to three main criteria: (i) macro/micro; (ii) frontier/non‐frontier and (iii) deterministic/econometric.
Delivering Flexibility: Contrasting Patterns in the French and the UK Food Processing Industry
Authors: Caroli Eve , Gautié Jérôme , Lloyd Caroline , Lamanthe Annie , James Susan
Published: April 2010

This article provides a comparative analysis of changes in numerical and functional labour flexibility in the French and the UK food processing industry. Based upon case study data, it explores the interaction between competitive pressures and institutional and regulatory structures and their impact on workplace practices. The findings indicate that, faced with a similar competitive environment, firms in both countries have sought to increase labour flexibility. However, the predominant forms of flexibility vary across the two countries, partly reflecting the characteristics of national labour market institutions. Numerical flexibility dominates in the UK, with high levels of paid overtime and temporary agency work. In contrast, French workplaces rely more on internal functional flexibility while also achieving numerical flexibility through seasonal variations in work schedules and a wide range of short‐term employment contracts.
Pressure Group Direct Action on Climate Change: The Role of the Media and the Web in Britain—A Case Study
Authors: Gavin Neil T.
Published: April 2010

This article addresses prominent, disruptive direct action around the climate change issue, in the context of comparable activity across a range of political groupings. It exposes the processes by which such activities are refracted through the conventional media and the web, in a way that comparable studies fail to do. Results suggest they garner significant but unflattering attention from the former, partly as a consequence of the persistent pressures and imperatives that drive conventional journalism. Moreover, they put a question mark against the notion of the web as an egalitarian, democratised, alternative and separate avenue of communication for the otherwise disadvantaged. The conclusions question the viability of direct action activity and the unforeseen consequences that follow, as well as the overall balance of forces in the pressure group domain.
The effect of inflation on growth
Authors: Gillman Max , Harris Mark N.
Published: April 2010

The paper examines the effect of inflation on growth in transition countries. It presents panel data evidence for 13 transition countries over the 1990–2003 period; it uses a fixed effects panel approach to account for possible bias from correlations among the unobserved effects and the observed country heterogeneity. The results find a strong, robust, negative effect on growth of inflation or its standard deviation, and one that appears to decline in magnitude as the inflation rate increases, as seen for OECD countries. And the results include a role for a normalized money demand in affecting growth, as well as for a convergence variable, a trade variable and a government share variable. Robustness of the baseline single‐equation model is examined by expanding this into a three‐equation simultaneous system of output growth, inflation and money demand that allows for possible simultaneity bias in the baseline model.
Revisiting the End of Public Space: Assembling the Public in an Urban Park
Authors: Madden David J.
Published: April 2010

A case study of the renovation of New York City's Bryant Park, this article revisits the end of public space thesis. the renovated park signifies not the end of public space but the new ends to which public space is oriented. in Bryant Park, a new logic of urban publicity was assembled and built into the landscape. the social and technical means by which this transformation was achieved are analyzed. New public spaces of this sort promulgate a conception of the public that is decoupled from discourses of democratization, citizenship, and self–development and connected ever more firmly to consumption, commerce, and social surveillance. If such places do not herald the end of public space, they do represent “publicity without democracy.”
What Do Bureaucrats Like Doing? Bureaucratic Preferences in Response to Institutional Reform
Authors: Gains Francesca , John Peter
Published: April 2010

How do bureaucrats respond to administrative reform in relation to their overall administrative goals? The authors test the bureau‐shaping thesis, which holds that bureaucrats’ preferences for certain kinds of roles and tasks motivate their support for bureau reform. Drawing on attitudinal and behavioral data from a survey of English local government officials, the findings underscore how bureaucrats with different interests and motivations sort themselves into job types. Their preferences drive support for reform, which, in turn, strengthens the executive structure of English local government. Drawing on the literature on bureaucratic responses to institutional reform, the authors offer a more nuanced portrayal of bureaucratic preferences in line with the bureau‐shaping model. A key conclusion: political principals need improved empirical awareness of bureaucratic preferences when undertaking public institutional reforms.
Incrementalism in Appropriations: Small Aggregation, Big Changes
Authors: Anderson Sarah , Harbridge Laurel
Published: April 2010

U.S. federal budget dynamics, as a major attribute of the legislative and bureaucratic decision‐making processes, increasingly calls into question the scholarly focus on incrementalism. What constitutes a “small” change is largely unspecified in previous research that has also been unable to assess incrementalism across multiple levels of aggregation. Using a unique budgetary database, this article analyzes whether budgetary changes are in fact “small” at different levels of aggregation. Surprisingly, a low proportion of changes are small by any logical standard. During most years, more than one‐fifth of budgetary changes are greater than 50 percent, and nearly half are more than 10 percent. The level of aggregation is also important for assessing whether political variables influence incrementalism. A salient finding: change in party control reflects greater influence within micro‐level budget decisions, while divided government manifests more impact on aggregate‐level budget decisions.
New Microshaping Concepts for Ceramic/Polymer Nanocomposite and Nanoceramic Fibers
Authors: De Hazan Yoram , Wozniak Maciej , Heinecke Judit , Müller Gregor , Graule Thomas
Published: April 2010

New, general, and versatile concepts for the fabrication of continuous ceramic and ceramic/polymer nanocomposite fibers have been developed. These enable the fabrication of new ceramic and highly loaded nanocomposite fibers with controlled compositions and microstructures. Continuous fibers with dimensions of 15–500 μm have been demonstrated using several spinning approaches.
Synthesis of Rod‐Like High‐Purity β‐Sialon Powder by a Novel Carbothermal Reduction–Nitridation Method with a Nanocasting Procedure
Authors: Yan Qiang , Liu Qian , Liu Qingfeng
Published: April 2010

Rod‐like high‐purity β‐Sialon(Si6−zAlzOzN8−z, z=1,2,3) powders were synthesized from the mesoporous SiO2/C/Al2O3 composites, that were prepared using a nanocasting procedure, through a carbothermal reduction–nitridation method at 1420°C. The XRD analysis provided considerable evidence regarding the high purity of resultant β‐Sialon powders with various z‐values. In SEM observation, it was also found that the particle morphology of the resultant product is nearly the same as that of the parent SBA‐15 (SiO2 source). The resultant rod‐like β‐Sialon powders may provide the ceramic composites with an ideal enhancement material.
Modeling physical quantities of food and nutrients consumed from aggregate data—with an application to Finland
Authors: Irz Xavier
Published: April 2010

Anticipating the impact of changes in economic incentives on dietary quality and nutritional health requires knowledge of how physical quantities of food consumed respond to price and income variations. A problem arises, however, because physical quantities are: (1) not consistent aggregates in demand models; and (2) not measured at final/retail level in national statistics. The article develops a solution by establishing explicitly the theoretical link between composite demand and physical quantities, from which a novel empirical approach to the estimation of nutrient elasticities is derived. It is applied to Finnish aggregate data from the National Accounts and Food Balance Sheets over the 1975–2006 period, and the results are used to assess the potential effectiveness of several incentive‐based nutritional policy instruments.
Factor content of bilateral trade: the role of firm heterogeneity and transaction costs
Authors: Kancs D'Artis , Ciaian Pavel
Published: April 2010

The article studies the determinants of the factor content in foreign trade in countries from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The theoretical model relaxes several important assumptions such as factor price equalization, firm heterogeneity, and introduces technological differences into the standard Heckscher–Ohlin model. Based on the agricultural production and trade data for the CEE, we examine empirically three hypotheses, which relate cross‐country differences in technology, relative factor abundance and transaction costs and market imperfections to the factor content of trade. We find that the first two hypotheses are confirmed by the majority of the developed EU countries, but rejected by roughly one half of the CEE transition country pairs. Second, we find that when accounting for the transaction costs of farm (re)organization, both hypotheses are confirmed by the majority of the CEE country pairs. These findings provide indirect evidence of market imperfections, and particularly, of transaction costs of farm (re)organization in the CEE.
Relationship between socio‐economic position and general, maxillofacial and dental trauma: A National Trauma Registry Study
Authors: Levin Liran , Lin Shaul , Goldman Sharon , Peleg Kobi
Published: April 2010

Abstract –  Trauma, a major public health problem, has been extensively studied. However, characteristics of maxillofacial and dental injuries and their association with socio‐economic position (SEP) have not been thoroughly documented. This study retrospectively investigated the occurrence of maxillofacial, dental and general trauma in Israel, and examined the relationship between socio‐economic status and trauma‐related hospitalizations. Records were obtained for all trauma patients hospitalized and recorded in the National Israel Trauma Registry (ITR) between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005. Maxillofacial and dental injuries were separated and further analyzed by residence locality and SEP. The socio‐economic index, developed by the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, was used to determine the socio‐economic status of 50 selected localities. During the study period, 77 072 trauma patients were hospitalized, of whom 3972 (5%) were diagnosed with maxillofacial or dental injuries. Among the selected localities, 42 303 hospitalizations were recorded, of which 1886 (4.5%) involved maxillofacial or dental injuries. For all traumas, lower injury rates were found among residents living in high socio‐economic localities. The difference in hospitalization rates for maxillofacial and dental injuries was not significant. The cause of injury differed by age, SEP and category of injury. A fall (35%) or road crash (33%) caused most of the maxillofacial injuries, with 50% of dental injuries because of a road crash. Intentional injuries constituted 22% of the maxillofacial‐related hospitalizations and were more prevalent among adults living in low SEP localities. These data should be used to promote injury prevention programs with emphasis directed at high risk populations.
AdipoR2 is transcriptionally regulated by ER stress‐inducible ATF3 in HepG2 human hepatocyte cells
Authors: Koh In‐uk , Lim Joo H. , Joe Myung K. , Kim Won H. , Jung Myeong H. , Yoon Jong B. , Song Jihyun
Published: April 2010

Adiponectin acts as an insulin‐sensitizing adipokine that protects against obesity‐linked metabolic disease, which is generally associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The physiological effects of adiponectin on energy metabolism in the liver are mediated by its receptors. We found that the hepatic expression of adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2) was lower, but the expression of markers of the ER stress pathway, 78 kDa glucose‐regulated protein (GRP78) and activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), was higher in the liver of ob/ob mice compared with control mice. To investigate the regulation of AdipoR2 by ER stress, we added thapsigargin, an ER stress inducer, to a human hepatocyte cell line, HepG2. Addition of the ER stress inducer increased the levels of GRP78 and ATF3, and decreased that of AdipoR2, whereas addition of a chemical chaperone, 4‐phenyl butyric acid (PBA), could reverse them. Up‐ or down‐regulation of ATF3 modulated the AdipoR2 protein levels and AdipoR2 promoter activities. Reporter gene assays using a series of 5′‐deleted AdipoR2 promoter constructs revealed the location of the repressor element responding to ER stress and ATF3. In addition, using electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, we identified a region between nucleotides −94 and −86 of the AdipoR2 promoter that functions as a putative ATF3‐binding site in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our findings suggest that the ER stress‐induced decrease in both protein and RNA of AdipoR2 results from a concomitant increase in expression of ATF3, which may play a role in the development of obesity‐induced insulin resistance and related ER stress in hepatocytes.
Involvement of 5‐HT2AReceptors in the Serotonin (5‐HT) Syndrome caused by Excessive 5‐HT Efflux in Rat Brain
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Swapna , Ma Zhiyuan , Zhang Gongliang , Wei Jianning , Auerbach Sidney B. , Tao Rui
Published: April 2010

Abstract: Previous studies have demonstrated that serotonin (5‐HT) syndromes, particularly for the malignant cases, can be alleviated by ice water mists, cooling blankets and many other external cooling measures. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that external cooling measures reduce the responsivity of 5‐HT2Areceptors to excessive 5‐HT efflux, which may be a possible mechanism underlying the treatment of serotonin syndrome. To test this, rat experiments were carried out in the standard and cool ambient temperature (Tamb) by administration of the 5‐HT precursor 5‐hydroxy‐l‐tryptophan combined with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor clorgyline. The first set of experiments was to assess severity of the syndromes by measuring body temperature responses. Consistent with the hypothesis, we found that the syndrome was malignant at the standardTambof 22°C but alleviated at 12 or 6°C, these results being similar to those in rats pre‐treated with the 5‐HT2Areceptor antagonist ketanserin. The second set of experiments was to utilize microdialysis to determine the relationship between the syndrome severity and 5‐HT levels at the above‐mentionedTamb. We found that excessive 5‐HT efflux consisted of primary and secondary components through two distinct mechanisms. Furthermore, the secondary component efflux, which can be ascribed to 5‐HT2Areceptor activation, was proportionally reduced at the coolTambof 12 and 6°C. In conclusion, results of this study support the hypothesis that coolingTambreduces the functional activity of 5‐HT2Areceptors, thus alleviating the malignant syndrome.
Angiogenesis Therapy for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Lysiak Jeffrey J. , Kavoussi Parviz K. , Ellati Riyad T. , Steers William D. , Annex Brian H.
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Over the past 15 years, significant advances have been made in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). The most significant of these advances has been pharmacological treatment of ED with phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. This therapy greatly increased the awareness of ED and has helped stimulate research into the underlying causes of ED. While treatment with PDE5 inhibitors continues to be the current therapy of choice, approximately 40% of men treated with PDE5 inhibitors fail to have significant improvement in erectile function and PDE5 inhibitors do not reverse the vasculopathic processes associated with ED. With this in mind, new therapies must be developed. The treatment with angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) may be one such therapy.

Aim

This review will focus on defining key terms in the angiogenic process, angiogenic growth factors, and different delivery methods, and summarize results from angiogenic therapies for the treatment of ED.

Methods

A review of the literature was performed on all angiogenic therapies for the treatment of ED. A brief review on the angiogenic factors was also performed

Results

Angiogenic therapies for the treatment of ED are possible and promising; however, further investigation is needed to advance clinically.

Conclusions

Although numerous studies have now employed angiogenic factors for the possible treatment of ED in several animal models, we are still not at the point to begin human investigations. Future studies need to examine proper dosage of the angiogenic agent, route of delivery, time course for delivery, and combination therapies.
Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibition Reverses Nitrergic Neurovascular Dysfunctions in Penile Erectile Tissue from Streptozotocin-Diabetic Mice
Authors: Nangle Matthew R. , Cotter Mary A. , Cameron Norman E.
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Activation of the DNA repair enzyme, poly(adenosine diphosphate [ADP]-ribose) polymerase (PARP), in response to hyperglycemia-driven oxidative/nitrosative stress, may be an important mechanism in the development of vascular and neural complications in diabetes mellitus. However, a role for PARP in diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED) has not been demonstrated.

Aim

To assess whether treatment with a novel PARP-1 inhibitor, GPI 15427, could improve neurovascular dysfunction in corpus cavernosum (CC) from diabetic mice.

Methods

Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin in male MF1 mice; duration was 6 weeks. Intervention GPI 15427 treatment (20 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal [i.p.]) was given for 2 weeks following 4 weeks of untreated diabetes. CC strips were mounted in aerated organ baths for measurement of pharmacological or electrical stimulation-evoked changes in smooth muscle tension.

Main Outcome Measures

Contractile responses to noradrenergic stimulation and to pharmacological agents stimulating endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxation, and nerve-mediated relaxations against a background precontraction.

Results

Contractions in response to phenylephrine or activation of noradrenergic nerves were not significantly altered by diabetes. In contrast, maximum nitrergic nerve-mediated relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted CC was approximately 28% reduced by diabetes: GPI 15427 treatment completely corrected this diabetic deficit. Similarly, maximal nitric oxide (NO)-mediated endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations to acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside, against phenylephrine precontraction, were attenuated approximately 37% and 23% by diabetes, respectively. These deficits were completely reversed by PARP-1 inhibition. Furthermore, GPI 15427 corrected a modest diabetic deficit in sensitivity to nitroprusside (EC50 reduced by 0.14 log units); a similar trend was observed for acetylcholine-induced relaxation.

Conclusions

GPI 15427 treatment provides marked benefits for NO-dependent neurovascular function in diabetic mouse CC. Therefore, PARP-1 inhibition may be worthy of further investigation for diabetes-associated ED.
Is Obesity a Further Cardiovascular Risk Factor in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction?
Authors: Corona Giovanni , Monami Matteo , Boddi Valentina , Balzi Daniela , Melani Cecilia , Federico Nelli , Balzi Daniela , Sforza Alessandra , Rotella Carlo M. , Forti Gianni , Mannucci Edoardo , Maggi M.
Published: April 2010

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and, in particular, arteriogenic ED have been proposed as new markers of risk for incident major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Reduced penile blood flow is more common in obese people than in leaner ED subjects.

Aim

To explore the interaction of overweight/obesity and penile blood flow in the prediction of incident MACE.

Methods

This is an observational prospective cohort study evaluating a consecutive series of 1,687 patients attending our andrological unit for ED. Different clinical, biochemical, and instrumental (penile flow at color Doppler ultrasound: PCDU) parameters were evaluated.

Main Outcomes Measures

According to body mass index (BMI), subjects were divided into three groups: normal weight (BMI=18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI=25.0–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2). Information on MACE was obtained through the City of Florence Registry Office.

Results

Among patients studied, 39.8% were normal weight, while 44.1% and 16.1% showed BMI 25–29.9 and 30 kg/m2 or higher, respectively. During a mean follow-up of 4.3 ± 2.6 years, 139 MACE, 15 of which were fatal, were observed. Cox regression model, after adjusting for age and Chronic Diseases Score, showed that obesity classes along with the presence of arteriogenic ED (peak systolic velocity at PCDU <25 cm/second) were significantly and independently associated with incident MACE (hazard ratio=1.47 [1.1–1.95], P <0.05 and 2.58 [1.28–5.09], P <0.001, respectively). When a separate analysis was performed for classes of obesity, reduced peak systolic velocity at PCDU (<25 cm/second) was significantly associated with incident MACE in obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), but not in leaner, subjects.

Conclusions

In obese subjects, more than in leaner ED subjects, impaired penile blood flow is associated with an increased risk of incident cardiovascular disease. The interaction with concomitant risk factors, such as obesity, should be taken into account when assessing the predictive value of penile blood flow for cardiovascular diseases.
THE INFLUENCE OF SAE LOCUS KNOCKOUT ON EXOPROTEINS IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS
Authors: TANG JUNNI , KANG MINGSONG , CHEN HUANCHUN , ZHENG YUCAI , TANG SHANHU , ZI XIANG‐DONG , ZHANG RONG , ZHOU RUI , SHI XIANMING
Published: April 2010

The sae operon is a key regulator in Staphylococcus aureus, which is known as an important infective and toxigenic bacterial pathogen. For the exploration of virulence factors expressed in the secreted exoprotein fraction are being controlled by sae operon, the relationship between the sae locus and exoproteins was investigated in this study. The homologous recombination vector pBT2Δsae was constructed and the sae deletion mutant strain was successfully obtained. The results showed that the sae locus played an important role in the production of thermonucleases and other exoproteins. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed different exoprotein profiles between parent strain and mutant strain, in which three bands were visibly weakened. The results revealed that sae locus was involved in the regulation on exoproteins, some of which play a known fundamental role in the virulence of S. aureus.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This study presents that knocking out the sae gene locus in a specific Staphylococcus aureus strain results in reduced thermonuclease action, and also in reduced levels of proteins in the vicinity of 42 and 32 kDa molecular weight in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) gels, indicating that their production is dependent on the sae locus. Practically, these proteins are associated with virulence traits, and with the pathogen's response to the environment and in potential hosts, which could be helpful for understanding the pathogenicity of S. aureus and also for further studies on the role of selected genes in the pathogenicity of S. aureus.
DEVELOPMENT OF AN ACOUSTIC MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR ANALYZING CRISPINESS DURING MECHANICAL AND SENSORY TESTING
Authors: ARIMI J.M. , DUGGAN E. , O'SULLIVAN M. , LYNG J.G. , O'RIORDAN E.D.
Published: April 2010

The objective of this study was to develop an acoustic measurement system for analyzing crispiness and correlate its results with sensory evaluation. Four biscuits (Crackerbread, Table Water, Rich Tea and Shortbread) were punctured using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. The force–displacement and sound amplitude–time signals were simultaneously recorded during puncturing. The acoustic recording system was also used to capture sound emitted during sensory evaluation. From the force–displacement signal, the number of peaks, maximum force, curve length, work, crispiness work and initial slope were extracted. From the sound data, the maximum sound pressure, number of sound peaks, sound curve length and area under amplitude–time curve were obtained. The number of force and sound peaks, spatial ruptures, sound curve length and area under the sound curve correlated well (R2 > 0.77) with sensory crispiness data. An acoustic measurement system for analyzing crispiness was developed which can be used with most food texture‐analyzing instruments and during sensory evaluation.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The method proposed in this study provides an acoustic system for capturing and analyzing sound data during mechanical testing of crispy foods using Instron Universal Testing Machine. The system is designed in such a way that it can be used as an attachment with any food texture‐analyzing system. In addition, the acoustic system can be used independently from texture‐analyzing instrument especially during sensory evaluation.
Handgrip contraction induces a linear increase in arterial pressure by peripheral vasoconstriction, increased heart rate and a decrease in stroke volume
Authors: Toska K.
Published: April 2010

Aim:  The hypothesis that isometric handgrip induces a progressive increase in arterial pressure and a linear increase in setpoint for arterial pressure control was tested.

Methods:  The continuous time course of changes in heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) was recorded during a 2‐min handgrip contraction of 40% of maximal voluntary contraction force. Twice during the development of the handgrip‐induced, gradual pressure increase of ∼25 mmHg, additional, transient changes in arterial pressure were mechanically induced. The subsequent baroreflex responses to these additional pressure changes were studied. The additional steep increase in arterial pressure (∼10 mmHg) was induced both after 70 and 100 s of handgrip contraction, by inflating bilateral thigh cuffs to suprasystolic pressure. Cuff pressure was released after 10 s, thus introducing a steep decrease in MAP.

Results:  During the development of the handgrip‐induced pressure increase, HR increased, SV decreased, cardiac output (CO) increased slightly and total peripheral conductance (TPC = CO/MAP) increased (i.e. peripheral vasoconstriction). The circulatory responses to the additional, sudden increase and subsequent decrease in arterial pressure after 70 and 100 s perfectly adjusted arterial pressure back to the linear increase in MAP, indicating an effective baroreflex response.

Conclusion:  The increase in MAP which characterizes handgrip‐induced pressure response can be regarded as a result of a gradual increase in the set point of the arterial baroreflexes, with no change in the time course and magnitude of the baroreflex responses to additional, induced changes in MAP.
Sulfur Deficiency Changes Mycosporine‐like Amino Acid (MAA) Composition of Anabaena variabilis PCC 7937: A Possible Role of Sulfur in MAA Bioconversion
Authors: Singh Shailendra P. , Klisch Manfred , Sinha Rajeshwar P. , Häder Donat‐Peter
Published: April 2010

In the present investigation we show for the first time that bioconversion of a primary mycosporine‐like amino acid (MAA) into a secondary MAA is regulated by sulfur deficiency in the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis PCC 7937. This cyanobacterium synthesizes the primary MAA shinorine (RT = 2.2 min, λmax = 334 nm) under normal conditions (PAR + UV‐A + UV‐B); however, under sulfur deficiency, a secondary MAA palythine‐serine (RT = 3.9 min, λmax = 320 nm) appears. Addition of methionine to sulfur‐deficient cultures resulted in the disappearance of palythine‐serine, suggesting the role of primary MAAs under sulfur deficiency in recycling of methionine by donating the methyl group from the glycine subunit of shinorine to tetrahydrofolate to regenerate the methionine from homocysteine. This is also the first report for the synthesis of palythine‐serine by cyanobacteria which has so far been reported only from corals. Addition of methionine also affected the conversion of mycosporine‐glycine into shinorine, consequently, resulted in the appearance of mycosporine‐glycine (RT = 3.6 min, λmax = 310 nm). Our results also suggest that palythine‐serine is synthesized from shinorine. Based on these results we propose that glycine decarboxylase is the potential enzyme that catalyzes the bioconversion of shinorine to palythine‐serine by decarboxylation and demethylation of the glycine unit of shinorine.
Impact of Residential Soil Disturbance on Infiltration Rate and Stormwater Runoff1
Authors: Woltemade Christopher J.
Published: April 2010

Woltemade, Christopher J., 2010. Impact of Residential Soil Disturbance on Infiltration Rate and Stormwater Runoff. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(4): 700‐711. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2010.00442.x

Abstract:  Soil disturbances such as excavation and compaction in residential developments affect lawn infiltration rates and stormwater runoff. These effects were investigated via measuring saturated infiltration rates at 108 residential sites and 18 agricultural sites near Shippensburg, south‐central Pennsylvania, using a double‐ring infiltrometer. Residential sites included four neighborhoods distributed across three soil series classified as hydrologic soil group (HSG) B. Additional parcel data included date of house construction, percentage impervious area, lawn condition, and woody vegetation condition. Measured infiltration rates ranged from 0 to >40 cm/hour. Analysis of variance indicated significantly different mean infiltration rates (p < 0.001) for lots constructed pre‐2000 (9.0 cm/hour) and those constructed post‐2000 (2.8 cm/hour). Test results were used to determine a “field‐tested” HSG for each site, representing disturbed soil conditions. Stormwater runoff was estimated from residential lots for a range of 24‐hour design storms using the TR‐55 model and several alternative methods of determining curve numbers, including five different representations of soil conditions. Curve numbers and stormwater runoff were substantially higher when based on field‐tested HSGs for lots constructed post‐2000 compared with lots built pre‐2000 and when based on the HSG for undisturbed soils, documenting the magnitude of possible error in stormwater runoff models that neglect soil disturbance.
Switching from a preserved to a preservative‐free prostaglandin preparation in topical glaucoma medication
Authors: Uusitalo Hannu , Chen Enping , Pfeiffer Norbert , Brignole‐Baudouin Françoise , Kaarniranta Kai , Leino Markku , Puska Päivi , Palmgren Elina , Hamacher Thomas , Hofmann Günter , Petzold Gernot , Richter Ulrich , Riedel Tobias , Winter Martin , Ropo Auli
Published: April 2010

Purpose:  The purpose of this study was to investigate the tolerability and intraocular pressure (IOP) reducing effect of the first preservative‐free prostaglandin tafluprost (Taflotan®) in patients exhibiting ocular surface side‐effects during latanoprost (Xalatan®) treatment.

Methods:  A total of 158 patients were enrolled in this open‐label multicentre study. Eligible patients had to have at least two ocular symptoms, or one sign and one symptom, during treatment with latanoprost. At baseline, the patients were directly switched from latanoprost to preservative‐free tafluprost for 12 weeks. The patients were queried for ocular symptoms, and ocular signs were assessed by using tear break‐up time, Schirmer’s test, fluorescein staining and evaluation of conjunctival hyperaemia and blepharitis. In addition, HLA‐DR and MUC5AC in conjunctival impression cytology specimens were analyzed, and a drop discomfort/quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was employed. IOP was measured at all visits.

Results:  Preservative‐free tafluprost maintained IOP at the same level after 12‐ weeks treatment (16.4 ± 2.7 mmHg) as latanoprost at baseline (16.8 ± 2.5 mmHg). During treatment with preservative‐free tafluprost, the number of patients having irritation/burning/stinging (56.3%), itching (46.8%), foreign body sensation (49.4%), tearing (55.1%) and dry eye sensation (64.6%) decreased to 28.4%, 26.5%, 27.1%, 27.1% and 39.4% correspondingly. The number of the patients with abnormal fluorescein staining of cornea (81.6%) and conjunctiva (84.2%), blepharitis (60.1%), conjunctival hyperaemia (84.2%) and abnormal Schirmer’s test (71.5%) was also reduced significantly to 40.6%, 43.2%, 40.6%, 60.0% and 59.4% correspondingly. The tear break‐up time improved significantly from 4.5 ± 2.5 seconds to 7.8 ± 4.9 seconds. A reduction in the number of patients with abnormal conjunctival cells based on HLA‐DR and MUC5AC was also detected.

Conclusions:  Preservative‐free tafluprost maintained IOP at the same level as latanoprost, but was better tolerated in patients having signs or symptoms while on preserved latanoprost. Preservative‐free tafluprost treatment resulted in improved QoL, increased patient satisfaction and drop comfort.
Aboveground plant biomass, carbon, and nitrogen dynamics before and after burning in a seminatural grassland of Miscanthus sinensis in Kumamoto, Japan
Authors: TOMA YO , FERNÁNDEZ FABIÁN G. , NISHIWAKI AYA , YAMADA TOSHIHIKO , BOLLERO GERMÁN , STEWART J. RYAN
Published: April 2010

Although fire has been used for several thousand years to maintain Miscanthus sinensis grasslands in Japan, there is little information about the nutrient dynamics in these ecosystems immediately after burning. We investigated the loss of aboveground biomass; carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics; surface soil C change before and after burning; and carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes 2 h after burning in a M. sinensis grassland in Kumamoto, Japan. We calculated average C and N accumulation rates within the soil profile over the past 7300 years, which were 58.0 kg C ha−1 yr−1 and 2.60 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively. After burning, 98% of aboveground biomass and litter were consumed. Carbon remaining on the field, however, was 102 kg C ha−1. We found at least 43% of C was possibly lost due to decomposition. However, remaining C, which contained ash and charcoal, appeared to contribute to C accumulation in soil. There was no difference in the amount of 0–5 cm surface soil C before and after burning. The amount of remaining litter on the soil surface indicated burning appeared not to have caused a reduction in soil C nor did it negatively impact the sub‐surface vegetative crown of M. sinensis. Also, nearly 50 kg N ha−1 of total aboveground biomass and litter N was lost due to burning. Compared with before the burning event, postburning CO2 and CH4 fluxes from soil appeared not to be directly affected by burning. However, it appears the short time span of measurements of N2O flux after burning sufficiently characterized the pattern of increasing N2O fluxes immediately after burning. These findings indicate burning did not cause significant reductions in soil C nor did it result in elevated CO2 and CH4 emissions from the soil relative to before the burning event.
Neurological aspects of urospermia in the horse
Authors: Mayhew I. G.
Published: April 2010

From a neurological point of view the evaluation of horses suffering from urination disorders and abnormalities of erection and ejaculation must include a thorough neurological evaluation. Some consideration should be given to the use of diagnostic aids.

The case presented on p62 emphasises that careful and sensible management is more likely to be effective, compared to the random use of adrenergic and cholinergic agonists and antagonists. However, some consideration should be given to the probable innervation of the bladder (Fig 1), if the use of pharmacological agents is to be attempted.
“The distemper” and ‘the virus’
Authors: CLARKE A.
Published: April 2010

“The training of racehorses at establishments at Newmarket…has long since been ranked as a science.” (Darvill 1828)
Efficient Operation of Air-Side Economizer Using Extremum Seeking Control
Authors: Li Pengfei , Li Yaoyu , Seem John E.
Published: April 2010

As the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems accounts for a major sector of energy consumption for commercial buildings, there has been a greater demand for improving the efficiency of such systems. The air-side economizers have been developed as a class of energy-saving HVAC devices that may increase the energy efficiency by taking advantage of outdoor air during cool or cold weather. However, many economizers do not operate in the expected manner and waste even more energy than before installation, mostly due to the unreliable sensors and actuators in practice. Better control strategy is needed for optimal and robust operation. In this paper, an extremum-seeking control (ESC) based self-optimizing strategy is proposed to minimize the energy consumption, with the feedback of chilled water supply command rather than the temperature and humidity measurements. The mechanical cooling load is minimized by seeking the optimal outdoor air damper opening in real time. Such scheme does not need temperature and humidity sensors, and depends much less on the knowledge of the economizer model. Simulation was performed on a MODELICA based transient model of a single-duct air-handling unit developed with DYMOLA and AIRCONDITIONING LIBRARY. The simulation results demonstrated the potential of using ESC to achieve the minimal mechanical cooling load in a self-optimizing manner. In addition, an antiwindup ESC scheme is proposed to handle the ESC windup issue due to actuator (damper) saturation. The simulation results validated the effectiveness of the proposed antiwindup ESC.
Fast Tool for Evaluation of Iliac Crest Tissue Elastic Properties Using the Reduced-Basis Methods
Authors: Lee Taeyong , Garlapati Revanth Reddy , Lam Kathy , Lee Peter Vee Sin , Chung Yoon-Sok , Choi Jae Bong , Vincent Tan Beng Chye , Das De Shamal
Published: April 2010

Computationally expensive finite element (FE) methods are generally used for indirect evaluation of tissue mechanical properties of trabecular specimens, which is vital for fracture risk prediction in the elderly. This work presents the application of reduced-basis (RB) methods for rapid evaluation of simulation results. Three cylindrical transiliac crest specimens (diameter: 7.5 mm, length: 10–12 mm) were obtained from healthy subjects (20 year-old, 22 year-old, and 24 year-old females) and scanned using microcomputed tomography imaging. Cubic samples of dimensions 5×5×5 mm3 were extracted from the core of the cylindrical specimens for FE analysis. Subsequently, a FE solution library (test space) was constructed for each of the specimens by varying the material property parameters: tissue elastic modulus and Poisson’s ratio, to develop RB algorithms. The computational speed gain obtained by the RB methods and their accuracy relative to the FE analysis were evaluated. Speed gains greater than 4000 times, were obtained for all three specimens for a loss in accuracy of less than 1% in the maxima of von-Mises stress with respect to the FE-based value. The computational time decreased from more than 6 h to less than 18 s. RB algorithms can be successfully utilized for real-time reliable evaluation of trabecular bone elastic properties.
Robust Control and Time-Domain Specifications for Systems of Delay Differential Equations via Eigenvalue Assignment
Authors: Yi Sun , Nelson Patrick W. , Ulsoy A. Galip
Published: April 2010

An approach to eigenvalue assignment for systems of linear time-invariant (LTI) delay differential equations (DDEs), based upon the solution in terms of the matrix Lambert W function, is applied to the problem of robust control design for perturbed LTI systems of DDEs, and to the problem of time-domain response specifications. Robust stability of the closed-loop system can be achieved through eigenvalue assignment combined with the real stability radius concept. For a LTI system of DDEs with a single delay, which has an infinite number of eigenvalues, the recently developed Lambert W function-based approach is used to assign a dominant subset of them, which has not been previously feasible. Also, an approach to time-domain specifications for the transient response of systems of DDEs is developed in a way similar to systems of ordinary differential equations using the Lambert W function-based approach.
Six Questions About Translational Due Diligence
Authors: Selinger Evan
Published: April 2010

To maintain public support, the translational research enterprise
must do more than provide results.
What to Ingest When You’re Expecting
Authors: Hansel Donna E.
Published: April 2010

High doses of antioxidant vitamins may not prevent complications from pregnancy-associated high blood pressure.
The Chiwaukum Structural Low, eastern Cascade Range, Washington
Authors: Cheney E.S , Hayman Nicholas W.
Published: April 2010

A prevailing hypothesis for the central Cascade Range of Washington State is that it underwent regional extension or transtension during the Eocene. This hypothesis is based on the idea that kilometers-thick, clastic, Eocene formations were deposited syntectonically in local basins. Our mapping and structural analysis indicate that these formations are preserved in fault-bounded, regional synclines, not in separate depositional basins. Thus, the type area for the hypothesis, the so-called Chiwaukum graben, is here renamed the Chiwaukum Structural Low. The Eocene arkosic Chum-stick Formation, which was thought to have been syntectonically deposited in the graben, is the proximal equivalent of the Roslyn Formation 25 km southwest of the graben. Because the name “Roslyn Formation” has precedence, the name “Chumstick Formation” should be abandoned. Additionally, several areas previously mapped as Chumstick Formation in the Chiwaukum Structural Low probably are parts of the older Swauk Formation and younger Wenatchee Formation.

The southwestern boundary of the Chiwaukum Structural Low includes the Leav-enworth fault zone, which consists of postdepositional, northwest-striking reverse faults with adjacent northwest-striking folds. The reverse faults place the regionally extensive early-Eocene, arkosic Swauk Formation over the mid-Eocene, arkosic Chumstick Formation. A diamictite, which previously was placed in the Chumstick Formation and inferred to have been syntectonically derived from the Leavenworth fault zone, is part of the older Swauk Formation. We mapped a 0.6–1-km-thick conglomerate-bearing sandstone as a robust marker unit in the Chumstick Formation; instead of being spatially related to the bounding faults, this unit has a >30 km strike length around the limbs of folds in the structural low. The northwest-striking reverse faults and fold hinges of the structural low are cut by north-striking strike-slip faults, which likely are late Eocene to Oligocene; these north-south faults partially bound the structural low. The Eocene folds and faults were reactivated by deformation of the Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group; this younger folding largely defines the regional map pattern, including the structural low.

A model to account for the above characteristics is that all of the Eocene formations, not just the Roslyn Formation, are kilometers thick and are remnants of regional unconformity-bounded sequences that were deposited on the Eocene margin of this part of North America. Their present distribution is governed by younger faults, folds, and erosion. Thus, the Eocene to Recent history of the central Cascade region is characterized not by crustal extension, but by episodes of folding (with related reverse faults) and strike-slip faulting.
Mesozoic sedimentation, magmatism, and tectonics in the Blue Mountains Province, northeastern Oregon
Authors: LaMaskin Todd A. , Schwartz Joshua J. , Dorsey Rebecca J. , Snoke Arthur W. , Johnson Kenneth , Vervoort Jeffery D.
Published: April 2010

This field trip guide describes a two-day excursion through Mesozoic accreted terranes of the Blue Mountains Province in northeastern Oregon. Day 1 is focused on sedimentary rocks of the Izee terrane. These deposits are divided into two unconformity-bounded megasequences, MS-1 and MS-2, that record two stages of syntectonic basin formation. MS-1 (Late Triassic to Early Jurassic) accumulated in fault-bounded marine sub-basins on the flank of an inferred growing Baker terrane thrust belt. MS-1 sandstones, derived from the Baker terrane, contain abundant Paleozoic, Late Paleoproterozoic, and Late Archean detrital-zircon grains. These observations suggest affinity of the Baker terrane and MS-1 in the Izee area to portions of the Klamath and Sierra Nevada terranes that contain similar detrital-zircon age distributions. MS-2 (Early to early-Late Jurassic) accumulated in a large marine basin that received input from low-grade metavolcanic rocks to the east (modern coordinates). Detrital zircons are dominated by Mesozoic, Neoproterozoic, and Mesoproterozoic grains. Two possible interpretations for MS-2 are: (1) the Jurassic Izee basin was fed directly by the large Mesozoic trans-cratonal sediment-dispersal system, or (2) trans-cratonal sediment was deposited in a Triassic backarc basin in Nevada and was later recycled into the Jurassic Izee basin during Cordilleran orogenesis.

Day 2 of the field trip is focused on Jurassic–Cretaceous magmatism in the Baker terrane. Late Middle Jurassic to Early Cretaceous igneous rocks in the Blue Mountains Province record three distinct pulses of plutonism that are characterized by distinctive spatial and geochemical signatures. These episodes consist of: (1) late Middle to Late Jurassic small gabbro to quartz diorite plutons (ca. 162–154 Ma; low Sr/Y); (2) Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous plutons and batholiths (ca. 148 and 137 Ma; includes spatially distinct belts of low and high Sr/Y at 147–145 Ma); and (3) Early Cretaceous small plutons of tonalitic and trondhjemitic composition (ca. 124–111 Ma). Temporal transitions in geochemical characteristics between these suites raise fundamental questions regarding the origins of plutonism in the Baker terrane. In particular, the transition from low Sr/Y (group 1) to high Sr/Y (group 2) magmatism in the Greenhorn subterrane occurred ~ 7 Ma after regional contraction, and may record partial melting of thickened crust as a direct result of Late Jurassic orogenesis.