bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Involvement of the sphingolipid ceramide in heat-shock-induced apoptosis of bovine oocytes
Authors: Kalo Dorit , Roth Zvi
Published: August 2011

Programmed cell death via the sphingomyelin pathway has been suggested to underlie heat-shock disturbance of oocyte developmental competence. A series of experiments were performed to characterise the role of the sphingolipid ceramide in heat-shock-induced apoptosis, and to determine whether ceramide formation can be regulated. Bovine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were aspirated from ovaries collected in the cold season (November–April), in vitro-matured, fertilised and cultured for 8 days. Exposure of COCs to heat shock (41°C) during maturation reduced cleavage rate and blastocyst formation relative to the control group (38.5°C). Annexin-V binding (V-FITC assay), which is associated with the early apoptotic event of membrane phosphatidylserine turnover, was higher in oocytes exposed to short-term versus long-term heat shock, suggesting that heat-shock-induced apoptosis involves membrane alterations. Similar to heat exposure, oocyte maturation with C2-ceramide had a dose-dependent deleterious effect on the first cleavages and subsequent embryonic development in association with increased annexin-V binding. Blocking endogenous ceramide generation with fumonisin B1, a specific inhibitor of dihydroceramide synthase (i.e. de novo formation), moderated, to some extent, the effects of heat shock on oocyte developmental competence, suggesting that ceramide plays an important role in heat-shock-induced apoptosis.
The conformation and activation of Fyn kinase in the oocyte determine its localisation to the spindle poles and cleavage furrow
Authors: Levi Mattan , Maro Bernard , Shalgi Ruth
Published: August 2011

Several lines of evidence imply the involvement of Fyn, a Src family kinase, in cell-cycle control and cytoskeleton organisation in somatic cells. By live cell confocal imaging of immunostained or cRNA-microinjected mouse oocytes at metaphase of the second meiotic division, membrane localisation of active and non-active Fyn was demonstrated. However, Fyn with a disrupted membrane-binding domain at its N-terminus was targeted to the cytoplasm and spindle in its non-active form and concentrated at the spindle poles when active. During metaphase exit, the amount of phosphorylated Fyn and of spindle-poles Fyn decreased and it started appearing at the membrane area of the cleavage furrow surrounding the spindle midzone, either asymmetrically during polar body II extrusion or symmetrically during mitosis. These results demonstrate that post-translational modifications of Fyn, probably palmitoylation, determine its localisation and function; localisation of de-palmitoylated active Fyn to the spindle poles is involved in spindle pole integrity during metaphase, whereas the localisation of N-terminus palmitoylated Fyn at the membrane near the cleavage furrow indicates its participation in furrow ingression during cytokinesis.
Urban renewal and social development in Morocco in an age of neoliberal government
Authors: Zemni Sami , Bogaert Koenraad
Published: August 2011

In this article we argue that Morocco has experienced fundamental political change over the past decades. This transition however cannot be understood in terms provided by the mainstream narratives linking economic liberalisation to democratisation. Rather, transition reflects a shift towards authoritarian modalities of neoliberal government. We focus on how political power has been reconfigured into new forms of ‘hybrid’ government where ‘state’, ‘market’ and ‘civil society’ interact in novel ways, by discussing the political dynamics of high-end urban development and the rationales underpinning social development policies to explain how ‘poor people’ are integrated into the realm of the market.
Stability of ZND detonations for Majda’s model
Authors: Jung Soyeun , Yao Jinghua
Published: August 2011

We evaluate by direct calculation the Lopatinski determinant for ZND detonations in Majda’s model for reacting flow and show that on the nonstable (nonnegative real part) complex half-plane it has a single zero at the origin of multiplicity one, implying stability. Together with results of Zumbrun on the inviscid limit, this recovers the result of Roquejoffre–Vila that viscous detonations of Majda’s model also are stable for sufficiently small viscosity, for any fixed detonation strength, heat release, and rate of reaction.
Well-posedness and regularity for non-uniform Schrödinger and Euler-Bernoulli equations with boundary control and observation
Authors: Guo Bao-Zhu , Shao Zhi-Chao
Published: August 2011

The open-loop systems of a Schrödinger equation and an Euler-Bernoulli equation with variable coefficients and boundary controls and collocated observations are considered. It is shown, with the help of a multiplier method on a Riemannian manifold, that both systems are well-posed in the sense of D. Salamon and regular in the sense of G. Weiss. The feed-through operators are found to be zero. The results imply particularly that the exact controlability of each open-loop system is equivalent to the exponential stability of the associated closed-loop system under the output proportional feedback.
Generation of Human scFv Antibody Libraries: PCR Amplification and Assembly of Light- and Heavy-Chain Coding Sequences
Authors: Andris-Widhopf Jennifer , Steinberger Peter , Fuller Roberta , Rader Christoph , Barbas Carlos F.
Published: August 2011

INTRODUCTION

The development of therapeutic antibodies for use in the treatment of human diseases has long been a goal for many researchers in the antibody field. One way to obtain these antibodies is through phage-display libraries constructed from human lymphocytes. This protocol describes the construction of human scFv (single chain antibody fragment) libraries using a short linker (GGSSRSS) or a long linker (GGSSRSSSSGGGGSGGGG). In this method, the individual rearranged heavy- and light-chain variable regions are amplified separately and are linked through a series of overlap polymerase chain reaction (PCR) steps to give the final scFv products that are used for cloning.
Risk factors for developing pain in normospermic patients with varicocoele
Authors: Chen L. K. , Chen S. S.
Published: August 2011

To assess the possible risk factors for developing pain in normospermic adult varicocoele patients, 42 adult patients with left painful varicocoele (group 1) and 35 age‐matched patients with left painless varicocoele (group 2) were recruited to this study. All the patients had normal semen quality (spermatozoa density, motility and morphology). Pain score on a 10‐cm visual analogue scale was used to assess the scrotal pain as a result of varicocoele. The severity of pain was defined as follows: mild pain (1–3 cm), moderate pain (4–6 cm) and severe pain (7–10 cm). The parameters for comparison included body mass index (BMI), the distance from the renal hilum to scrotum (DRS), semen quality and pH value, serum concentration of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, testosterone, alkaline phosphatase (Alk‐p), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), testicular volume and discrepancy (%), grade of varicocoele and peak retrograde flow (PRF) and spontaneous venous reflux (SVR) by colour Doppler ultrasound and scrotal temperature (ST). The mean ages were 27.8 and 27.1 years old in groups 1 and 2, respectively. By multivariate analysis, patients in group 1 had significantly higher PRF, ST, DRS and rate of SVR, and lower BMI than those in group 2. Furthermore, there were significant differences in PRF, DRS and BMI among patients in group 1 with different degrees of pain. Conclusively, normospermic adult patients with left painful varicocoele had significantly higher peak retrograde flow, ST, distance from the renal hilum to scrotum, and rate of spontaneous venous reflux and lower BMI than those with left painless varicocoele. Furthermore, varicocoele patients with severe pain had significantly higher peak retrograde flow and distance from the renal hilum to scrotum, and lower BMI than those with moderate and mild pain.
Modelling the local spread of invasive plants: importance of including spatial distribution and detectability in management plans
Authors: Emry D. Jason , Alexander Helen M. , Tourtellot Michael K.
Published: August 2011

1. The success of locally applied treatments for exotic weed control depends on the effectiveness of the method used and workers’ abilities to find plants within infested sites. Detectability of exotic plants, however, depends on aspects of a plant’s spatial distribution such as the number and size of patches. We lack an explicit examination of how incomplete detection affects the spread of exotic weeds under a range of realistic field conditions.

2. We developed a model of spatial spread of the exotic plant, Lespedeza cuneata, based on 3 years of data in a Kansas, USA, grassland. We then expanded and generalized the model to study how treatment intensity, spatial distribution of stems and detectability influenced control efforts.

3. When left untreated, occupancy and abundance were higher with randomly distributed infestations than with patchy distributions. Control treatments slowed spread, but only the most intense treatments reduced occupancy and abundance.

4. The greatest spread occurred when low detectability was accompanied with low treatment intensity because many small patches were not treated; this phenomenon was particularly common with random spatial distributions that initially lacked large, easily detectable patches. In contrast, high treatment intensity led to similarly slow spread for both spatial patterns and a range of detectability functions.

5. Synthesis and applications. We developed a model to simultaneously manipulate the spatial distribution of the invading plant, the intensity of control methods used to manage the population and the detectability of occupied areas at a site; different combinations of these three factors led to very different rates of exotic spread. Managers will reasonably try to implement intensive weed control. However, poor timing of treatments, for example, could lead to variation in treatment effectiveness. To maximize success, managers should explicitly consider detectability, especially where small patches are scattered throughout a site. To quantify the probability of detection, managers could perform multiple observer surveys; such information could help to determine the effort needed for effective control. Creating weed maps may increase the detection of existing patches from year to year, but workers would still need to search the entire site for new or previously undetected patches.
Involvement of the abscisic acid catabolic gene CYP707A2 in the glucose‐induced delay in seed germination and post‐germination growth of Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhu Guohui , Liu Yinggao , Ye Nenghui , Liu Rui , Zhang Jianhua
Published: August 2011

Earlier studies showed that sugars as signaling molecules play pivotal roles in the regulation of seed germination. ABA biosynthesis upregulation is suggested as one of the possible mechanisms mediating the glucose‐induced delay in seed germination. In this study, the role of ABA catabolism in glucose‐induced inhibition was investigated. Using Arabidopsis thaliana seeds, the results show that the repression of ABA catabolism by diniconazole aggravated the glucose‐induced delay in seed germination. The transcript and protein profiles of CYP707A2, a key gene encoding ABA 8′‐hydroxylase in ABA catabolism in Arabidopsis, were significantly decreased by exogenous glucose treatment. Transgenic experiments confirmed that the over‐expression of the CYP707A2 gene alleviated the glucose‐induced inhibition effect, whereas the cyp707a2 mutant seeds displayed a hypersensitivity to glucose during imbibition. Exogenous glucose also arrested the early seedling development of Arabidopsis. The CYP707A2 over‐expression seedlings exhibited lower ABA levels and seemed less sensitive to exogenous glucose compared with wild type seedlings. In summary, the glucose‐induced delay in seed germination and seedling development is directly related to the suppression of ABA catabolism through the repression of the CYP707A2 expression.
Transitional features of histologic type of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean young men
Authors: Kim Ja Kyung , Chon Nu Ri , Lim Hyun Chul , Lee Kwan Sik , Han Kwang Hyub , Chon Chae Yoon , Park Young Nyun , Paik Yong Han
Published: August 2011

Background and Aim:  The prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing in Korea as the dietary pattern and lifestyle become more Westernized and the obese population increases. The spectrum of NAFLD ranges from asymptomatic steatosis to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Schwimmer et al. divided NASH into three types according to the histological characteristics, such as adult type, pediatric type and overlap type. We investigated clinical and histologic features of NAFLD patients in Korean young men.

Methods:  A total of 64 male patients under age 30 years, diagnosed as NAFLD by a liver biopsy, were reviewed retrospectively. NASH was diagnosed by NAFLD activity score (NAS), and NASH patients were classified with Schwimmer's histological classification.

Results:  Pathological features of liver biopsy revealed NASH in most cases (59 cases, 92.2%) including 29 cases (45.3%) of borderline NASH and 30 cases (46.9%) of definite NASH. The definite NASH group showed significantly high aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase levels compared to the borderline NASH group. There were four cases (6.8%) of pediatric type, 17 cases (28.8%) of adult type, and 38 cases (64.4%) of overlap type in the NASH group. NAS was 3.75 ± 0.05 in the pediatric type, 4.29 ± 1.16 in the adult type and 4.87 ± 1.21 in the overlap type, and the overlap type showed a higher NAS than the pediatric type. The fibrosis stage was significantly higher in the overlap type than the other types.

Conclusion:  Most Korean young men with NAFLD turned out to have borderline or definite NASH. More than half of the NASH cases showed overlap type in Korean young men.
Do antidiabetic medications play a specific role in differentiated thyroid cancer compared to other cancer types?
Authors: Fröhlich E. , Wahl R.
Published: August 2011

The risk for differentiated thyroid cancer, like for many other types of cancer, is increased in obese individuals and people with intermediate hyperglycaemia. The incidence of all cancers, with the exception of thyroid cancer, is also increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. The review compares the prevalence of thyroid carcinoma and other cancers in obese, people with intermediate hyperglycaemia and patients with diabetes and summarizes mode of action and anti‐tumourigenic effect of common antidiabetic medications. The over‐expression of dipeptidyl peptidase IV in the tumours, not seen in the other cancer types, is suggested as a potential reason for the unique situation in thyroid cancer.
The interplay of culture and situational cues in consumers' brand evaluation
Authors: Sung Yongjun , Choi Sejung Marina , Lin Jhih‐Syuan
Published: August 2011

This research examines the effects of situational cues in consumers' brand evaluation; more importantly, this relationship is explored across the US and Korean cultures. The findings suggest that consumers prefer brands with personality traits that are congruent with the social situations. Furthermore, as predicted, this brand‐situation congruity, for which brand preference increases when the social situational cues are congruent vs. incongruent with the brand personality, is stronger among Korean vs. American subjects.
Prevalence rate for inherited thrombophilia in patients with chronic and recurrent venous leg ulceration
Authors: Wiszniewski Adam , Bykowska Ksenia , Bilski Radoslaw , Jaśkowiak Wojciech , Proniewski Jacek
Published: August 2011

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence rate for inherited thrombophilia (IT) in patients with chronic (CVU) and recurrent venous leg ulceration. We also investigated and evaluated the severity of the clinical pattern of CVU in patients with and without IT. We examined 110 patients with CVU (the study group) and 110 healthy subjects (the control group). We prepared a questionnaire to be completed by each study participant. Ultrasound Doppler color imaging or/and duplex ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the efficiency of the venous system. The ankle‐brachial index was calculated to determine the efficiency of the arterial system. We examined both groups for the presence of IT. IT was diagnosed in 30% of study group and in 1.8% of control group. Our diagnoses of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) were based on medical interviews, physical examinations, and an ultrasonography of the venous system and concerned 64 study group patients (58.2%), 35 of whom (31.8%) experienced recurrent DVT. Proximal and/or distal DVT was determined in an interview and/or by an ultrasonography performed for all patients with CVU and IT. In 94% of these patients, DVT was recurrent, and in 88% of patients with CVU and IT, we observed recurrent DVT and CVU. It recurred more often and persisted longer when compared to patients with CVU and no IT, despite similar management. No differences were observed in ulcer size, localization, or pain level related to ulceration between patients with CVU and IT and those with CVU and no IT.
Landscape matrix modifies richness of plants and insects in grassland fragments
Authors: Öckinger Erik , Lindborg Regina , Sjödin N. Erik , Bommarco Riccardo
Published: August 2011

There is an increasing awareness that not only area and isolation, but also the characteristics of the landscape surrounding habitat patches influence population persistence and species diversity in fragmented landscapes. In this study, we examine the effects of grassland fragmentation and land use in the landscape matrix (on a 2 km scale) on species richness of plants, butterflies, bees and hoverflies. These organisms were studied in replicated remnant patches of different sizes and isolation, embedded in landscapes dominated either by forest, arable land or a mix of these.

We found positive effects of patch area on species richness of the three insect taxa, but not of plants. Isolation had a negative effect only on hoverflies. Matrix type had contrasting effects on the studied taxa. Species richness of plants and butterflies was lowest in patches in landscapes dominated by arable land and highest in forest‐dominated landscapes. For hoverflies, the negative effect of small patch area was strongest in forest‐dominated landscapes, and there was a similar non‐significant trend for bees. Our study shows the importance of considering matrix characteristics when studying responses to habitat fragmentation. Differences in matrix response among organism groups probably impinge on differing mechanisms. A forest matrix is likely to provide additional resources for butterflies but either constitute a barrier to dispersal or deprive resources as compared to an arable matrix for hoverflies. Enhanced plant diversity in grassland patches embedded in forested landscapes can be explained by habitat generalists more easily invading these patches, or by an unpaid extinction debt in these landscapes.
Investigating niche and lineage diversification in widely distributed taxa: phylogeography and ecological niche modeling of the Peromyscus maniculatus species group
Authors: Kalkvik Håkon M. , Stout I. Jack , Doonan Terry J. , Parkinson Christopher L.
Published: August 2011

The relationship between lineage formation and variation in the ecological niche is a fundamental evolutionary question. Two prevailing hypotheses reflect this relationship: niche conservatism and niche divergence. Niche conservatism predicts a pattern where sister taxa will occupy similar niche spaces; whereas niche divergence predicts that sister taxa will occupy different niche spaces. Widely distributed species often show distinct phylogeographic structure, but little research has been conducted on how the environment may be related to these phylogenetic patterns. We investigated the relationship between lineage divergence and environmental space for the closely related species Peromyscus maniculatus and P. polionotus utilizing phylogenetic techniques and ecological niche modeling (ENM). We estimated the phylogenetic relationship among individuals based on complete cytochrome b sequences that represent individuals from a majority of the species ranges. Niche spaces that lineages occupy were estimated by using 12 environmental layers. Differences in niche space were tested using multivariate statistics based on location data, and ENMs were employed using maximum entropy algorithms. Two similarity indices estimated significant divergence in environmental space based on the ENM. Six geographically structured lineages were identified within P. maniculatus. Nested within P. maniculatus we found that P. polionotus recently diverged from a clade occupying central and western United States. We estimated that the majority of the genetic lineages occupy distinct environmental niches, which supports a pattern of niche divergence. Two sister taxa showed niche divergence and represent different ecomorphs, suggesting morphological, genetic and ecological divergence between the two lineages. Two other sister taxa were observed in the same environmental space based on multivariate statistics, suggesting niche conservatism. Overall our results indicate that a widely distributed species may exhibit both niche conservatism and niche divergence, and that most lineages seem to occupy distinct environmental niches.
A retrospective evaluation of iatrogenic dental root damage with predrilled vs drill‐free bone anchor screws for intermaxillary fixation
Authors: Widar Fredrik , Kashani Hossein , Kanagaraja Sanjiv , Dahlin Christer , Rasmusson Lars
Published: August 2011

Abstract –  Aims: The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate iatrogenic dental root damage, caused by two different techniques that utilized bone anchor screws, for intermaxillary fixation (IMF) in orofacial trauma. Materials and methods: The techniques used included either predrilled or drill‐free bone anchor screws. A total of 123 patients who required IMF were evaluated (97 men and 26 women). Sixty‐four patients were treated in the predrilled group, and 59 patients were treated in the drill‐free group. The data were collected over an 8‐year period and were analyzed using crosstabs and Fisher’s exact test. Results: Injuries to dental roots were found only in the predrilled group. Twenty‐nine patients (45.3%) were injured at the time of surgery. One year after surgery, 10 patients (15.6%) had permanently injured dental roots. There was a significant difference in injury rates between the predrilled and drill‐free groups 1 year after surgery (P < 0.001). Conclusion: There is an increased potential risk of iatrogenic injury and permanent damage to the dental roots when a technique that involves predrilled holes for bone anchor screws is used.
Reactive Oxygen Species and Endothelial Function – Role of Nitric Oxide Synthase Uncoupling and Nox Family Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidases
Authors: Montezano Augusto C. , Touyz Rhian M.
Published: August 2011

Abstract:  The healthy endothelium prevents platelet aggregation and leucocyte adhesion, controls permeability to plasma components and maintains vascular integrity. Damage to the endothelium promotes endothelial dysfunction characterized by: altered endothelium‐mediated vasodilation, increased vascular reactivity, platelet aggregation, thrombus formation, increased permeability, leucocyte adhesion and monocyte migration. Molecular processes contributing to these phenomena include increased expression of adhesion molecules, synthesis of pro‐inflammatory and pro‐thrombotic factors and increased endothelin‐1 secretion. Decreased nitric oxide bioavailability and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are among the major molecular changes associated with endothelial dysfunction. A critical source of endothelial ROS is a family of non‐phagocytic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases, including the prototypic Nox2‐based NADPH oxidases, Nox1, Nox4 and Nox5. Other possible sources include mitochondrial electron transport enzymes, xanthine oxidase, cyclooxygenase, lipoxygenase and uncoupled nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Cross‐talk between ROS‐generating enzymes, such as mitochondrial oxidases and Noxs, is increasingly implicated in cellular ROS production. The present review discusses the importance of endothelial ROS in health and disease and focuses on the major ROS‐generating systems in the endothelium, namely uncoupled endothelial nitric oxide synthase and NADPH oxidases.
Clinical analysis of Chinese limb osteosarcoma patients treated by two combinations of methotrexate, cisplatin, doxorubicin and ifosfamide
Authors: LIN Feng , WANG Qiong , YU Wenxi , TANG Lina , ZHENG Shuier , SUN Yuanjue , SHEN Zan , YAO Yang , DONG Yang
Published: August 2011

Aims:  The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and toxic side effects of two combinations of methotrexate, cisplatin, doxorubicin and ifosfamide on treating Chinese osteosarcoma patients.

Methods:  A retrospective analysis was conducted of 185 osteosarcoma patients treated with the four drugs mentioned above. A total of 93 patients received the Italian therapeutic treatment (IOR‐OS/N‐5: Instituto Ortopedic Rizzoli‐Section of Osteosacorma/Neoadjuvant chemotherapy‐5) and the remaining 92 patients received the therapeutic treatment optimized by our department. We compared the efficacy and toxic side effects of these two therapies.

Results:  The limb salvage rates, 3‐year recurrence rates and 3‐year metastasis rates of IOR‐OS/N‐5 and our optimized treatment were 52.7 and 58.7%; 20.9 and 11.4% and 44.1 and 27.2%, respectively. The 3‐year survival rates and the 3‐year disease‐free survival rates of IOR‐OS/N‐5 and our optimized treatments were 62.4 and 78.4%; and 53.6 and 67.8%, respectively. Overall survival and disease‐free survival rates were significantly different between these two treatments (P = 0.032 and 0.024, respectively). Liver function with degree III and IV damage accounted for 35.2 and 16.6% of the total adverse reactions in the IOR‐OS/N‐5 and our optimized treatment groups, respectively. Degree III–IV neutropenia accounted for 22.6 and 40.0%, respectively, in the IOR‐OS/N‐5 and optimized treatments.

Conclusion:  The optimization of MTX, DDP, DOX and IFO based on Chinese patients' physiology increased the tolerance and efficacy for the treatment of osteosarcoma.
Surgical reconstruction of a severely comminuted mandibular fracture in a horse
Authors: Caldwell F. J. , Davis H. A.
Published: August 2011

A Palomino gelding presented for evaluation of a mandibular fracture and physical examination revealed swelling and excoriation of the skin over the ventral mandible. Upon further examination, malalignment of the incisors was appreciated in addition to instability and crepitance of both the rostral aspect and vertical ramus of the mandible. Radiographic examination revealed a comminuted fracture within the interdental space and fractures of both vertical ramii of the mandible. Under general anaesthesia via tracheotomy intubation, the fractures of the vertical ramii were reduced and compression plating techniques used along the caudal‐lateral border of both ramii for stabilisation. Intraoral tension band wires were used for repair of the interdental space fracture. A type II external skeletal fixator using Steinmann pins and polymethyl methacrylate connecting bars was applied to increase stability. The horse was maintained on broad spectrum antibiotics and phenylbutazone and discharged following 6 days of hospitalisation. Radiographs were taken 10 weeks after surgery and revealed evidence of adequate healing. On follow‐up 20 months later, the horse was reported to have no difficulties eating and was maintaining its bodyweight. This case is unique due to the severity of the mandibular fracture. The authors are unaware of any previous reports of such a severely comminuted mandibular fracture and its successful reconstruction employing multiple surgical techniques.
Upward and downward comparison in the intermediate‐status group: The role of social stratification stability
Authors: Caricati Luca
Published: August 2011

This work analyses intergroup comparison choices made by intermediate‐status group members. Seventy‐six psychology students were categorized in an intermediate position with respect to other faculties. Stability was manipulated at three levels: stable, upwardly unstable, and downwardly unstable. Data on strength of comparison, comparison for enhancing, comparison for evaluation, and ingroup identification were collected. Results revealed that in the stable condition, participants were equally engaged in both upward and downward comparison. In the upwardly unstable condition, participants were more likely to compare themselves with the high‐status group, whereas in the downwardly unstable condition, they were more likely to choose a downward comparison. In this latter condition, both downward comparison for enhancement and in‐group identification were lower than in other conditions.
Performance Analysis of a Floriculture Greenhouse Powered by Integrated Solar Photovoltaic Fuel Cell System
Authors: Ganguly A. , Ghosh S.
Published: August 2011

In this paper, the performance analysis of a floriculture greenhouse having a fan-pad ventilation system is presented. The greenhouse is powered by integrated solar photovoltaic–electrolyser–fuel cell system. Electrical energy is generated in an array of roof mounted solar photovoltaic modules and energy back up is provided through a combination of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser and fuel cell system. Excess energy, after meeting the requirements of greenhouse during peak sunshine hours, is supplied to an electrolyser bank to generate hydrogen gas, which is consumed by PEM fuel cell stacks to support the power requirement during the energy deficit hours. The performance of greenhouse and its power system are analyzed for representative days of different seasons of a climatic cycle. The study shows that temperature inside the greenhouse can be maintained within permissible limits for cultivation of target flowers like varieties of rose using fan-pad ventilation. From the performance analysis of power system, it is observed that there is net accumulation of hydrogen gas for representative days of all seasons of a climatic cycle, the daylong cumulative gas generation being maximum in the month of December. The study reinforces the viability of a standalone, grid-independent greenhouse powered through solar energy.
Investigations of a method for determining pumping speed and sorption capacity of nonevaporable getters based on in situ calibrated throughput
Authors: Erjavec Bojan , Setina Janez
Published: August 2011

This paper presents a gas-sorption method, based on an in situ calibrated throughput, for characterizing nonevaporable getters (NEGs) of Ti- and Zr-based alloys. The main characteristics of the method are the adjustment of a constant injected gas flow, the prompt calibration of a throughput, and the measurement of an increasing sorption pressure. It is essential that inert vacuum gauges be selected for measurements of total pressure to prevent contamination of a test gas and poisoning of an NEG under test. A capacitance diaphragm gauge is used for preparation of the injected gas flow by filling the gas reservoir with a test gas and adjusting the conductance of a variable leak valve. A spinning rotor gauge (SRG) is used for in situ calibration of the throughput by means of an integrated gas-flow calibration facility and the rate-of-pressure-rise method, and by continuous measurement of the sorption pressure in a test chamber. A getter pumping speed and a sorbed quantity are calculated while considering the throughput, the sorption pressure, and the sorption time. The throughput must be selected in accordance with both the sorption characteristics of a particular NEG type and the measurement capabilities of the SRG. At room temperature, porous thick-film NEGs and structured thin-film NEGs exhibit an initial getter pumping speed on the order of 1 and 0.1 l s−1 cm−2, respectively. The corresponding sorption capacity of a few times 10−4 mbar l cm−2 is comparable for all chemically active gases except for H2, which amounts to a few times 100 × 10−3 mbar l cm−2 in the case of porous NEGs and ∼1 × 10−3 mbar l cm−2 in the case of structured NEGs. Detailed analysis of uncertainties of SRG pressure measurements below 1 × 10−3 mbar gives an expanded uncertainty of the getter pumping speed and the sorbed quantity of 1.9% and 3.5%, respectively. While temporally interrupting the throughput, the setup enables discrete measurements of the background pressure, which increases because of the accumulation of nongetterable gases. After completion of the gas-sorption test, a qualitative determination of the accumulated inert gas composition is performed by the gas-burst method using a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) mounted on a vacuum system. The quantitative analysis is enabled by the use of a QMS calibrated in situ by known amounts of a certain gas such as H2, CH4, CO, Ar and Kr.
Transformation of a Star into a Planet in a Millisecond Pulsar Binary
Authors: Bailes M. , Bates S. D. , Bhalerao V. , Bhat N. D. R. , Burgay M. , Burke-Spolaor S. , D’Amico N. , Johnston S. , Keith M. J. , Kramer M. , Kulkarni S. R. , Levin L. , Lyne A. G. , Milia S. , Possenti A. , Spitler L. , Stappers B. , van Straten W.
Published: August 2011

Timing observations of a millisecond pulsar reveal a planet that is far denser than any known planet.
A Reservoir of Ionized Gas in the Galactic Halo to Sustain Star Formation in the Milky Way
Authors: Lehner Nicolas , Howk J. Christopher
Published: August 2011

Clouds of ionized gas located inside our Galaxy provide a major supply of matter for fueling ongoing star formation.
The Shaping of Modern Human Immune Systems by Multiregional Admixture with Archaic Humans
Authors: Abi-Rached Laurent , Jobin Matthew J. , Kulkarni Subhash , McWhinnie Alasdair , Dalva Klara , Gragert Loren , Babrzadeh Farbod , Gharizadeh Baback , Luo Ma , Plummer Francis A. , Kimani Joshua , Carrington Mary , Middleton Derek , Rajalingam Raja , Beksac Meral , Marsh Steven G. E. , Maiers Martin , Guethlein Lisbeth A. , Tavoularis Sofia , Little Ann-Margaret , Green Richard E. , Norman Paul J. , Parham Peter
Published: August 2011

Viral defense and embryo implantation mechanisms have been shaped by contributions from Neandertal and Denisovan genes.
Canine adder bites in the UK: a retrospective study of cases reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service
Authors: Sutton N. M. , Bates N. , Campbell A.
Published: August 2011

This retrospective study examined cases with follow‐up reported to the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) between September 1985 and December 2010. Most bites (69.2 per cent) occurred between April and July, particularly between 15:00 and 16:00 hours. Adder bites were more frequently reported in the south‐east of England, particularly in Surrey. Swelling to the face and limbs was common, as was lethargy, depression, hyperthermia and tachycardia. About two‐thirds of dogs developed both systemic and local effects, while a third developed local effects alone. Initial clinical effects usually occurred within two hours, with full recovery typically occurring five days after the bite. Antivenom was used in 55.9 per cent of cases and appeared to significantly reduce duration of oedema from an average of 94 to 47 hours. Adder bites can cause significant morbidity (97 per cent of dogs were symptomatic), but mortality is low (4.6 per cent died).
Historical and clinical features of 200 cases of equine sinus disease
Authors: Dixon P. M. , Parkin T. D. , Collins N. , Hawkes C. , Townsend N. B. , Fisher G. , Ealey R. , Barakzai S. Z.
Published: August 2011

The historical and clinical findings in 200 referred cases of equine sinus disease were reviewed retrospectively. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to detect significant differences in historical or clinical features between various categories of sinus disease. The causes of sinus disease were classified as subacute primary (less than two months duration) (n=52), chronic primary (more than two months duration) (n=37), dental (n=40), sinus cyst (n=26), traumatic (n=13) or mycotic sinusitis (n=7), sinus neoplasia (n=10), dental‐related oromaxillary fistula (n=8) and intrasinus progressive ethmoid haematoma (n=7). The majority of sinus disorders were of chronic duration at the time of referral and most (including 97 per cent of chronic primary sinusitis cases) had not responded to previous antibiotic therapy and/or sinus lavage in some cases. Clinical signs included unilateral nasal discharge in most cases, including purulent or mucopurulent discharge in all horses with primary, dental and mycotic sinusitis. Haemorrhagic nasal discharge was a feature of traumatic sinusitis and intrasinus progressive ethmoid haematomas. Firm facial swellings and nasal airflow obstruction were features of sinus cysts and neoplasms. Ipsilateral lymphadenitis was a more prominent feature of sinus disease with active infections such as primary, dental or mycotic sinusitis.
Associations between biovar and virulence factor genes in Pasteurella multocida isolates from pigs in Spain
Authors: García N. , Fernández‐Garayzábal J. F. , Goyache J. , Domínguez L. , Vela A. I.
Published: August 2011

Two hundred and five isolates of Pasteurella multocida from pigs were phenotypically and genetically characterised by determining their biovar, capsular type, virulence‐associated genes and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles. All isolates were identified as P multocida subspecies multocida and most were assigned to biovar 3 (58 per cent) and biovar 2 (39.5 per cent). Biovar 1 represented 2.4 per cent of the isolates. According to the capsular type, the great majority of the isolates (79.0 per cent) belonged to capsular type A, 18.5 per cent belonged to capsular type D and 2.4 per cent were of capsular type F. All isolates harboured ompH, psl, oma87, ptfA, nanB, nanH, tonB, hgbA, sodA and sodC genes, while none of them possessed the transferrin‐binding protein gene tbpA. The prevalence of toxA, pfhaA and hgbB genes was variable (7.8, 40.5 and 60.5 per cent of the isolates, respectively). After PFGE typing, isolates of biovar 2 and 3 were grouped in two different clusters (A and B) at a level of 45 per cent similarity. In addition, isolates of biovar 2 and 3 exhibited statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in the virulence‐associated hgbB and pfhA genes (biovar 3 was hgbB + pfhA –, while biovar 2 was hgbB – pfhA +).
Contribution of local fishermen to improving knowledge of the marine ecosystem and resources in the Republic of Guinea, West Africa
Authors: Le Fur Jean , Guilavogui Athanase , Teitelbaum Antoine
Published: August 2011

We assessed the quality of fishermen’s local ecological knowledge, or LEK, as a potential source of information about coastal ecosystem functioning in the Republic of Guinea. Interviews were conducted by means of partial immersion or repeated surveys at six landing sites. In each site and for each topic, discussions were conducted with 3 to 15 individual fishermen and 1 to 10 groups of fishermen. Knowledge was obtained about habitats, substrate preferences, the location of nurseries, reproductive cycles, fish diet, and the trophic network of the Sciaenid community, the major resource for fisheries in this area. We systematically compared the reliability of the information collected with that of scientific information collected in parallel surveys or published data. The contribution of LEK should be considered on a case-by-case basis. Indeed, LEK could be used as (i) a supplementary source of scientific studies (seabed description), (ii) a basis for new scientific investigation (species reproductive cycle), (iii) the only possibility to obtain information (nursery location), (iv) a surrogate to scientific surveys providing an identical level of validity (fish diets) or a satisfactory proxy (trophic network) in a context of limited resources and data in which wide-ranging knowledge relating to the entire coast must be obtained.
Down, up, down and “smolting” twice? Seasonal movement patterns by juvenile steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in a coastal watershed with a bar closing estuary
Authors: Hayes Sean A. , Bond Morgan H. , Hanson Chad V. , Jones Andrew W. , Ammann Arnold J. , Harding Jeffrey A. , Collins Alison L. , Perez Jeffrey , MacFarlane R. Bruce
Published: August 2011

We investigated emigration behavior, habitat use, and Na+,K+-ATPase activity levels of juvenile steelhead trout (sea-run rainbow trout; Oncorhynchus mykiss ) in Scott Creek, a small coastal watershed with a seasonally closed estuary in central California, USA. Migratory fish moved downstream in the spring with elevated Na+,K+-ATPase activity levels. Larger fish (>150 mm) moved downstream during February and March, leaving the stream, whereas fish moving between April and June were typically smaller and tended to recruit to the estuary. The Na+,K+-ATPase activity levels of estuarine fish varied during the summer as a function of salinity and temperature, but overall levels declined from peak spring values. Many summer recruits were observed retreating upstream into the watershed when estuarine water quality declined in the fall. Rather than entering the ocean when winter storms reconnected the estuary with the ocean in early winter, many migrated downstream several months later during subsequent springs. The largest smolts observed (>190 mm fork length (LF)) were primarily those that had reared in the estuary the previous summer. Smolts were observed making a single migration from the upper watershed, but they were smaller (~120–190 mm LF) with potentially reduced marine survival. In summary, we observed fish moving between freshwater and estuarine habitats seasonally and adjusting their osmoregulatory physiology as needed.
Fine-scale population genetic structure of the yellow perchPerca flavescensin Lake Erie
Authors: Sepulveda-Villet Osvaldo J. , Stepien Carol A.
Published: August 2011

Discerning the genetic basis underlying fine-scale population structure of exploited native species and its relationship to management units is a critical goal for effective conservation. This study provides the first high-resolution genetic test of fine-scale relationships among spawning groups of the yellow perch Perca flavescens . Lake Erie yellow perch stocks comprise valuable sport and commercial fisheries and have fluctuated extensively owing to highly variable annual recruitment patterns. Fifteen nuclear DNA microsatellite loci are analyzed for 569 individuals from 13 primary Lake Erie spawning sites and compared with those spawning in Lakes St. Clair and Ontario. Additional comparisons test for possible genetic differences between sexes and among size–age cohorts. Results demonstrate that yellow perch spawning groups in Lake Erie are genetically distinguishable and do not differ between sexes and among age cohorts. Population genetic structure does not follow a genetic isolation with geographic distance pattern, and some spawning groups contribute more to overall lake-wide genetic diversity than do others. Partitioning of the yellow perch’s genetic structure shows little congruence to lake basins or to current management units. Our findings underlie the importance of understanding spawning habitat and behavior to conserve the genetic stock structure of a key fishery.
Theoretical studies on ClOO — electronic spectra, ionization potential, and electron affinity
Authors: Grein Friedrich
Published: August 2011

Vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths of doublet and quartet states of ClOO, covering doublet states up to 7.5 eV and quartet states up to 9 eV, were obtained by multireference configuration interaction calculations. Strong absorptions from the X2A″ ground state are predicted at 186 and 235 nm. Experimentally, a maximum has been found near 248 nm. The grouping of excited states, with twelve low-lying doublet states and three low-lying quartet states, is explained by the interaction of the 2P ground state of Cl with the π*2 states 3Σg–, 1Δg, and 1Σg+ of O2. Potential energy curves for Cl–O separation at fixed O–O distance and ClOO angle show the lower states to be repulsive (with the exception of the ground state), and higher states to have minima due to avoided crossings. The lowest Rydberg states are expected around 8.5 eV. Adiabatic ionization potentials (IP) and electron affinities (EA) of ClOO were obtained by density functional and coupled cluster methods, with values of 11.60–11.79 eV for IP and 3.56–3.79 eV for EA.
ROBUST TRANSPORT OF QUANTUM SPIN HALL STATE IN HgTe/CdTe QUANTUM WELL
Authors: WANG YI-XIANG , XIONG SHI-JIE
Published: August 2011

Quantum Spin Hall (QSH) state in HgTe / CdTe quantum well is a novel physical state which has been predicted in theory and confirmed experimentally. We numerically investigate the effect of nonmagnetic scattering potential at the edge of the quantum well on transport properties of the system. Various shapes of the potential, such as the bar or the semicircular shape, are investigated. The results obtained with the help of the Green's function technique suggest that the transport of the QSH state is indeed a robust one where the conductivity takes a constant value [Formula: see text] independent of the number, shape, strength or length of the scattering potential. Meanwhile the transport of electrons in the bulk states is significantly influenced by the above physical ingredients. From these results a simple approach to verify the existence of the transport of the QSH states at the edge is proposed.
A NOVEL METHODOLOGY TO MEASURE MASS TRANSFER AROUND A BUBBLE
Authors: FRANCOIS JESSICA , DIETRICH NICOLAS , COCKX ARNAUD
Published: August 2011

An original approach for accurately measuring the mass transfer of a single bubble rising in a liquid is reported. The approach consists in using PLIF technique (Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence) at micro-scale to capture images of the released oxygen concentration field in the bubble wake. The applicability of the technique for determining mass transfer coefficients in different fluids (1 < Re < 100) is demonstrated and the relevance of the results is corroborated by established correlations. This direct and non-intrusive technique could be a promising tool to enrich the understanding of mass transfer phenomena.
ASYMMETRIC EXCLUSION PROCESS WITH CONSTRAINED HOPPING AND PARALLEL DYNAMICS AT A JUNCTION
Authors: LIU MINGZHE , TUO XIANGUO , LI ZHE , YANG JIANBO
Published: August 2011

In this article totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) with constrained hopping and parallel dynamics at a junction is investigated using a mean-field approximation and Monte Carlo simulations. The constrained particle hopping probability r (r ≤ 1) at a junction may correspond to a delay caused by a driver choosing the right direction or a delay waiting for green traffic light in the real world. There are six stationary phases in the system, which can reflect free flow and congested traffic situations. Correlations at the junction point are investigated via simulations. It is observed that small r leads to stronger correlations. The theoretical results are agreement with computer simulations well.