bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Near-infrared (NIR) dye-labeled RNAs identify binding of ZBP1 to the noncoding Y3-RNA
Authors: Köhn Marcel , Lederer Marcell , Wächter Kristin , Hüttelmaier Stefan
Published: May 2010

The analysis of protein–RNA association in vitro commonly involves radiolabeled in vitro transcribed RNAs. Nucleotides labeled with near-infrared (NIR) dyes provide promising alternatives for studying protein–RNA binding in vitro. However, it remained elusive whether random labeling of RNA probes by NIR dyes interferes with protein binding. Here, we demonstrate that infrared scanning allows the detection of randomly NIR-labeled RNA probes in the low femtomole range. The analyses of eight distinct protein–RNA complexes by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, filter binding, or UV crosslinking revealed that protein binding specificity remains unaffected by random NIR labeling. Accordingly, NIR probes allowed the rapid identification of the short noncoding Y3-RNA as a novel RNA target of ZBP1 (zipcode binding protein). Whereas binding of ZBP1 to the ACTB-zipcode and Y3 was exclusive, the protein formed a trimeric complex with the La protein and Y3. This was dissociated in the presence of Y5 RNA, resulting in the formation of ZBP1/Y3 and La/Y5 complexes. Hence, ZBP1 apparently resides in at least two distinct cellular RNPs: mRNA-containing mRNPs or Y3-containing yRNPs. In conclusion, our findings indicate that randomly labeled NIR probes provide a powerful tool for the rapid and sensitive analysis of protein–RNA binding in vitro. In contrast to radiolabeled RNAs, NIR probes remain stable for months, do not pose any safety considerations, and enable the significantly expedited analysis of experimental data due to fast read technologies available. The most prominent advantage of probes labeled by NIR dyes is the option to color-code distinct transcripts, allowing the unbiased identification of distinct protein–RNA complexes in one sample.
The development of comprehension and reading‐related skills in children learning English as an additional language and their monolingual, English‐speaking peers
Authors: Burgoyne K. , Whiteley H. E. , Hutchinson J. M.
Published: May 2010

Background. A significant number of pupils in UK schools learn English as an additional language (EAL). Relative differences between the educational attainment of this group and monolingual, English‐speaking pupils call for an exploration of the literacy needs of EAL learners.

Aims. This study explores the developmental progression of reading and listening comprehension skills and a range of reading‐related skills in EAL learners, whose first language is of South Asian origin, and their monolingual peers.

Sample. Participants were 39 children learning EAL and 39 monolingual, English‐speaking children who were all in school Year 3 at the start of the study.

Method. Children completed standardized measures of comprehension, vocabulary, reading accuracy, and reading fluency in school Year 3 and again in Year 4.

Results. The results suggest that, although children learning EAL often demonstrate fast and accurate reading accuracy skills, lower levels of vocabulary knowledge place significant constraints on EAL learners' comprehension of spoken and written texts.

Conclusions. Reciprocal relationships between vocabulary and comprehension may lead to increasing gaps in reading comprehension between monolingual and EAL pupils over time. It is proposed that support for the development of vocabulary skills in children learning EAL is needed in early years' classrooms.
Of Milk and Motherhood
Authors: Muldoon-Hules Karen
Published: May 2010

When the story of Kacangali is borrowed from the Mulasarvastivadavinaya to the Avadanasataka, a small but interesting Brahmanical literary trope is incorporated. That trope, which appears multiple times in parallel situations in Dandin’s Dasakumaracarita, seems designed to bolster the claim that Kacangala, despite her present humble life, had been the mother of the being who would become Sakyamuni Buddha in 500 previous lives. This story is unknown in the southern Pali sources, although a nun named Kajangala is mentioned in several places therein.
Buddhist Scriptures as Literature: Sacred Rhetoric and the Uses of Theory, by Ralph Flores
Authors: Osto Douglas
Published: May 2010

Buddhist Scriptures as Literature: Sacred Rhetoric and the Uses of Theory, by Ralph Flores. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2008. viii + 223 pp., $65.00 (hb), $18.95 (pb), $18.95 (eb). ISBN 978-0-7914-7339-9 (hb), 978-0-7914-7340-5 (pb), 978-0-7914-7883-7 (eb).
Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra, edited by Sree Padma and A. W. Barber
Authors: Amar Abhishek Singh
Published: May 2010

Buddhism in the Krishna River Valley of Andhra, edited by Sree Padma and A. W. Barber. Albany: State University of New York Press, 2008. xiii + 216 pp., $65.00 (hb), $24.95 (pb). ISBN 978-0-7914-7485-3 (hb), 978-0-7914-7486-0 (pb).
Negative Campaigning
Authors: Freiberger Oliver
Published: May 2010

This paper takes a close look at the ways Brahmins are portrayed in one sutta of the Pali canon that explains the ‘five ancient principles of Brahmins that today are seen in dogs, but not in Brahmins’. The paper analyses the method of comparing Brahmins with dogs and discusses the rhetorical purpose of this comparison by juxtaposing the respective statements with data from Brahmanical law texts. In the course of this analysis three rhetorical techniques are identified (reductionism, exaggeration, and generalization), which Buddhists employed in their polemics against Brahmins.
Of Binaries and Beyond
Authors: Chakravarti Uma
Published: May 2010

Despite a long tradition of tracing the relationship between Buddhism and Brahmanism there is a need to rethink the view that the two are positioned as discrete binaries, consistently oppose to each other. While there is considerable antagonism between the Buddhists and the brahmanas they were also impelled to enter into negotiations with each other, making for a rich textual dialogue between the two. This paper examines the nature of this dialogue and shows how each impacted the other.
Soma the Learned Brahmin
Authors: Collett Alice
Published: May 2010

Soma is a female disciple of Gotama Buddha known from various early Indian Buddhist sources. In the story of Soma in the Avadanasataka, prior to her conversion to Buddhism she gains access to the three Vedas and becomes a learned Brahmin in her region. In this article, as well as providing an English translation of Soma's story in the Avadanasataka, I discuss this account of Soma the learned Brahmin and attempt to discern the basis for a Buddhist narrative representation of a female learned Brahmin. In this account, a Buddhist story which seeks to demonstrate the natural superiority of Buddhism over Brahmanism, the female Soma takes the place usually reserved, in similar accounts, for learned male Brahmins.
Global Demographic Change, Carbon Emissions, the Optimal Carbon Price and Carbon Abatement
Authors: Guest Ross
Published: May 2010

This paper empirically analyses the prospective impact of global demographic change on the time path of the optimal carbon price, global emissions and global carbon abatement. The approach is to apply a simple Ramsey model in order to examine the effect of global demographic change on the fundamental drivers of the optimal carbon price and optimal abatement. The results suggest a policy trade-off to some extent between mitigating population ageing and mitigating climate change. The lower fertility scenario, which implies an older future population, results in lower carbon emissions and therefore a lower optimal carbon price. Policies to mitigate population ageing would therefore increase carbon emissions and increase the carbon price.
An Assessment of Barbados' Competitiveness within the EU Market 1992-2006
Authors: Lorde Troy , Alleyne Antonio , Francis Brian
Published: May 2010

This paper assesses Barbados' competitiveness within the EU market in light of its recent signing of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU in 2008. Using SITC data from 1992-2006, indices of revealed comparative advantage (RCA) were calculated. We found that Barbados possesses comparative advantages in Live Animals; Raw Sugars, Beet and Cane; and Spirits. However, policies such as the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), stringent sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, onerous rules of origin and non-tariff barriers including technical barriers to trade, threaten to undermine these advantages. These developments strongly suggest that Barbados must move agriculture up the value chain and increase value-added, as well as integrate it more fully with other sectors of its economy. Greater attention must be focused on countries in the EU other than the UK, if full advantage is to be taken of the EPA, as the UK market is already mature. There is evidence that export opportunities to these countries exist in other commodity groups (Fuels, Lubricants, etc.; Animal, Vegetable Oils Fats, Wax; Chemicals, Related Products; Manufactured Goods). When these issues are placed within the context of Barbados' history of weak capacity to take advantage of the market access opportunities available from their trading arrangements, the overarching challenge for Barbados is one of effective market access. This will require, among other things, a capable export promotion agency. The export of non-traditional commodities should be promoted, and greater support, perhaps in the form of incentives, should be provided to large firms that are not yet exporters to encourage them to look beyond the domestic market.
Responses of Monetary Policy to Inflation, the Output Gap, and Real Exchange Rates: The Case of Australia, Canada, and New Zealand
Authors: Sergi Bruno S. , Hsing Yu
Published: May 2010

This study shows that the policy rate reacts positively to the inflation rate, the output gap, and the lagged real effective exchange rate for Australia, Canada, and New Zealand and negatively to the current real effective exchange rate for Australia and Canada. The inflation rate has a greater impact on the policy rate for New Zealand than for Australia and Canada whereas the output gap has a greater effect on the policy rate for Australia and Canada than for New Zealand. Since the adoption of inflation targeting, the intercept of the monetary-policy function has decreased in each of the three countries, and the slope coefficient of the inflation rate has increased for Australia and New Zealand but has decreased for Canada.
Deglobalization Scenarios: Who Wins? Who Loses?
Authors: Hillebrand Evan E.
Published: May 2010

The process of globalization is being harshly criticized for a variety of reasons, but mostly because the income of large and/or vocal segments of the population of this and other countries is threatened by the dislocation and competition of trade and investment and by the inability or unwillingness of states to compensate the losers. Based on analysis with the International Futures Model, this paper concludes that if globalization halts or recedes the results will be profoundly negative for most countries and most income groups. While a retreat into protectionism may improve income equality in some countries, it will reduce incomes of both the poor and the rich and poverty headcounts will be increased. In addition, political instability will rise in a majority of countries and the probability of interstate war will increase. These results suggest that it would be far better to deal with the negative aspects of globalization directly by improving trade adjustment assistance, providing more secure access to health care, and negotiating new international agreements that benefit all countries.
A Peace Dividend for Sri Lanka: The Case for a Return to Prosperity Following the End of Hostilities
Authors: Wijeweera Albert , Webb Matthew J.
Published: May 2010

Throughout its long years of civil war, Sri Lanka maintained a healthy rate of GDP growth and increasing levels of military spending. Now that the war has ended, Sri Lanka faces the challenge of rebuilding and switching to a peace-time economy with potentially lower levels of defense spending. We employ a cointegration analysis and an error correction model to examine the relationship between non/military spending in Sri Lanka and identify the possible economic benefits of decreased military spending. We find that GDP growth in Sri Lanka is generally not responsive to military spending, but responds positively to non-military spending. Although non-military spending exerts a positive effect upon economic growth compared to military spending, the outcome is still sub-optimal due to the absence of an income multiplier effect. This prefaces potentially good economic news for Sri Lanka in the coming years assuming that hostilities do not resume, that the government can successfully divert resources from the military to the non-military sector and that private sector investment can be effectively encouraged to exert a crowding in effect.
The Effect of Financial Development on the Investment-Cash Flow Relationship: Cross-Country Evidence from Europe
Authors: Becker Bo , Sivadasan Jagadeesh
Published: May 2010

We investigate if financial development eases firm level financing constraints in a cross-country data set covering much of the European economy. The cash flow sensitivity of investment is lower in countries with better-developed financial markets. To deal with potentially serious biases, we employ a difference-in-difference methodology. Subsidiaries of other firms have access to internal capital markets and hence depend less on the external financial environment. As predicted, the benefit of financial development is smaller in subsidiary firms. This shows that financial development can mitigate financial constraints, and sheds light on the link between financial and economic development.
Anonymity, Social Image, and the Competition for Volunteers: A Case Study of the Online Market for Reviews
Authors: Wang Zhongmin
Published: May 2010

This paper takes a first step toward understanding the working of the online market for reviews. Most online review firms rely on unpaid volunteers to write reviews. Can a for-profit online review firm attract productive volunteer reviewers, limit the number of ranting or raving reviewers, and marginalize fake reviewers? This paper sheds light on this issue by studying reviewer productivity and restaurant ratings at Yelp, where reviewers are encouraged to establish a social image, and two competing websites, where reviewers are completely anonymous. Using a dataset of nearly half a million reviewer accounts, we find that the number (proportion) of prolific reviewers on Yelp is an order of magnitude larger than that on either competing site, more productive reviewers on all three websites are less likely to give an extreme rating, and restaurant ratings on Yelp tend to be much less extreme than those on either competing site.
A remark on nano-particle stability of cement C-S-H gel
Authors: Ficker Tomáš , Len Adél , Martišek Dalibor
Published: May 2010

Hydrated pastes of ordinary Portland cement prepared with different water-to-cement ratios were investigated by using the small-angle neutron scattering technique in the region of Q ∈ (0.0045, 0.11) Å−1. Samples of cement pastes were subjected to non-standard hydration conditions using a mix with D2O, low RH, and water-to-cement ratios spread over a very wide interval (0.4; 1.4). The investigation was focused on testing the structural stability of nano-metric particles in the cement C-S-H gel. Owing to the high structural stability of these nano-particles, their average diameter might be used as a microscopic parameter characterizing the nano-metric structure of C-S-H gels. The average diameter of the nano-particles of the studied ordinary Portland cement CEMI 42.5 R-SC was found to be close to the value of 4.2 nm and independent of the water-to-cement ratios.
Hydrodynamic equations for microscopic phase densities
Authors: Gerasimenko Viktor , Shtyk Vyacheslav , Zagorodny Anatoly
Published: May 2010

Evolution equations for marginal generalized microscopic phase densities are introduced. The evolution equations for average values of microscopic phase densities are derived and a solution of the initial-value problem for the hydrodynamic type hierarchy obtained is constructed.
Antihypertensive drugs utilisation and educational activities
Authors: Velickovic-Radovanovic Radmila , Petrovic Jasmina , Kodela Biljana , Janković Slobodan
Published: May 2010

The mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases is high in Serbia. Analysis of antihypertensive drugs utilization is the basis for assessment of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy appropriateness. The aim of this study was to analyze the trend in antihypertensive drugs utilization among outpatients in Niš region, South Serbia compared to some Nordic countries (Norvay, Sweden) and Australia as well as to analyze trends in educational and drug promotion activities directed to primary healthcare workers within the same region. Using the ATC/DDD methodology, we analyzed the utilization of antihypertensive drugs dispensed on prescription in the Nis region over the 2003–2007 period. The study was retrospective, based on data obtained from Central City Pharmacy Nis. Educational and drug promotion activities were noted from the records of Medical Faculty, University of Nis, and from the records of local branches of pharmaceutical companies active in Serbia. Wilcoxon’s test was used in order to calculate the statistical significance of difference. A significant increase of 79.8% (153.8/ 276.6 DDD/inhabitants/day) in antihypertensive drug consumption was observed in the same period. This analysis showed there were substantial increases in the use of diuretics (134.7%), ACE inhibitors (79.5%) and calcium channel blockers (116.1%), especially amlodipin (241.2%). During the observed period, annual numbers of educational activities and of pharmaceutical sales representatives employed within the region increased for almost one fourth. This analysis pointed to a significant increase in the use of antihypertensive drugs in the Nis region, which was matched with increase in educational and drug promotion activities within the region, so that in 2006–2007 total consumption was approximate to some referential countries (Norvay, Sweden).
Students Left Behind
Authors: Domina Thurston , Ghosh-Dastidar Bonnie , Tienda Marta
Published: May 2010

The No Child Left Behind Act requires states to publish high school graduation rates for public schools; the U.S. Department of Education is currently considering a mandate to standardize high school graduation rate reporting. However, no consensus exists among researchers or policymakers about how to measure high school graduation rates. We use longitudinal data tracking a cohort of students at 82 Texas public high schools to assess the precision of three widely used high school graduation rate measures: Texas’s official graduation rates and two competing estimates based on publicly available enrollment data from the Common Core of Data. Our analyses show that these widely used approaches yield highly imprecise estimates of high school graduation and persistence rates. We propose several guidelines for using existing graduation and persistence rate data and argue that a national effort to track students as they progress through high school is essential to reconcile conflicting estimates.
Convenient Synthesis of Valsartan via a Suzuki Reaction
Authors: Ghosh Samir , Kumar A. Sanjeev , Mehta G. N.
Published: May 2010

An efficient synthesis of the angiotensin II inhibitor Valsartan (Diovan) is presented. The formation of the aryl–aryl bond represents the key step of its synthesis, which has been done by a Suzuki coupling of aryl boronate with 2-bromophenyl oxazoline with good yield and purity. This method overcomes many of the drawbacks associated with the previously reported syntheses.
A New Diterpenoid Glucoside from Pteris Semipinnata
Authors: Shi Lin-Mei , Bai Hai-Bo
Published: May 2010

The chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Pteris semipinnata afforded a new ent-kaurane diterpenoid glucoside, pteriside (1), and three known sesquiterpenoids, namely (2R)-pterosin B (2), (2S, 3S)-pterosin C (3) and pterosin C 3-O-β-D-glucoside (4). The structure of 1 was established by spectral methods, especially two dimensional NMR techniques.
Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Novel Aryloxyacetyl Hydrazones Molecular Tweezers under Solvent-Free Conditions
Authors: Zhao Zhi-Gang , Liu Xing-Li , Shi Zhi-Chuan , Chen Yu
Published: May 2010

A rapid, efficient and eco-friendly method for the preparation of new aryl-1,4-bisoxyacetylhydrazone molecular tweezers was reported. The reaction is accelerated by microwave irradiation under solvent-free conditions in the presence of solid Al2O3. The structures of these new molecular tweezers were characterised by 1H NMR, IR, MS spectra and elemental analysis.
An Efficient and Reusable PdCl2/TBAF System for the Heck Reaction Under Ligand- and Solvent-Free Conditions
Authors: Tao Li-Ming , Li Qiang-Guo , Liu Wen-Qi , Zhou Yun , Zhou Ju-Feng
Published: May 2010

PdCl2 combined with TBAF (n-Bu4NF) were found to be efficient conditions for the Heck reactions. In the presence of PdCl2 and TBAF, a variety of aryl halides were coupled with alkenes smoothly in moderate to good yields. Moreover, the PdCl2/TBAF system could be recovered and reused several times in the reaction. Note that these reactions are conducted under solvent-free, ligand-free and reusable conditions.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Study of 1,2,4-Triazole, Quinazoline and Benzothiazole Derivatives from 1-Naphthoylisothiocyanate
Authors: Hemdan Magdy M. , Fahmy Amin F. , El-Sayed Amira A.
Published: May 2010

1-Naphthoylisothiocyanate (1) is used as a building block in the synthesis of 1,2,4-triazole, quinazoline, benzothiazole and thiourea derivatives. The antimicrobial activity of some of the synthesised compounds was tested.
A Facile Demethylation of Ortho Substituted Aryl Methyl Ethers Promoted by AlCl3
Authors: Du Zhen-Ting , Lu Jing , Yu Hong-Rui , Xu Yan , Li An-Pai
Published: May 2010

An efficient and practical demethylation of ortho substituted aryl methyl ethers using AlCl3 has been developed. This method gives a high conversion, is simple to operate and is cost-effective. A mechanism involving the complexation of AlCl3 with the OMe and the adjacent electron withdrawing group is proposed. Many functional groups can be tolerated in the demethylation process, and 29 examples gave a demethylated product in a yield of 90–98%.
The Asymmetric Synthesis of Sitagliptin, a Selective Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitor for the Treatment of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Liu Feng , Yu Wansheng , Ou Wenhua , Wang Xiaoke , Ruan Libo , Li Yiming , Peng Xijiang , Tao Xiaohu , Pan Xianhua
Published: May 2010

An efficient asymmetric synthesis of Sitagliptin, a new DPP-IV inhibitor for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus has been developed. The beta-amino acid fragment of Sitagliptin was prepared by asymmetric Michael addition of the corresponding α, β-unsaturated ester to (R)-(α-methylbenzyl)benzylamine followed by a two-step elaboration to obtain N-boc beta-amino ester. Hydrolysis of the ester and coupling with the triazolopiperazine afforded Sitagliptin after cleavage of the N-boc group and salt formation. The overall yield was 31% over nine steps.
An Efficient Improvement on Total Synthesis of Shikonin
Authors: Rao Zhen , Zhou Wen , Peng Ying , Li Shao-Shun
Published: May 2010

The problem associated with electrolytic deprotection, which is a concern in the total synthesis of shikonin, is solved by the addition of Cu2+ to the electrolysis system. The improvement has three advantages: first, it practically increased the yield from 40 to 85%; second, the isolation of shikonin became much easier. Third, the reaction time was significantly shortened.
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Novel Benzofuran Neolignan Derivatives
Authors: Fan Hua-Fang , Ren Ying-Mei , Wu Xiu-Ling , Wang Qiu-An
Published: May 2010

A series of 10 related benzofuran neolignan derivatives were obtained by utilising a biomimetic reaction sequence involving oxidative dimerisation of methyl ferulate, followed by derivatisation reactions. The structures of the new compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, elemental analysis, MS and IR. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic potential against five human cancer cell lines (HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, SK-BR-3 and PAN-1) by the standard MTT method. The results showed that most of them exhibit potent cytotoxicity.
An Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of Trifluoromethyl-Substituted Cyclobutene Derivatives
Authors: Mosslemin Mohammad Hossein , Mohebat Razieh , Barazandeh-Doust Maryam , Anaraki-Ardakani Hossein
Published: May 2010

Reaction between 1,1,1-trifluorobutane-2,4-dione derivatives and electron-deficient ethyl phenylpropyolate in the presence of triphenylphosphine leads to 4-acyl-2-phenyl-3-trifluoromethylcyclobut-2-ene-1-carboxylate derivatives in good yields.
Molecular Iodine Mediated One Step Synthesis of 3-Substituted-6-(6-Substituted-2-Oxochromen-3-yl)-7H [1,2,4]Triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]Thiadiazines
Authors: Jakhar Anshu , Makrandi Jagdish K.
Published: May 2010

Iodine mediated condensation of 3-acetyl-6-substitutedcoumarin (1) with 3-alkyl/aryl-4-amino-5-mercapto[1,2,4]triazoles (2) have been found to give 3-alkyl/aryl-6-(6-substituted-2-oxochromen-3-yl)-7H[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines (3a-n) directly in one step. The reaction has also been carried out using microwave irradiation. This protocol is an improvement on reported methods as it occurs in a single step and avoids the use of highly lachrymatory molecular bromine.
Cyclodextrin-Surfactant Mixed Systems as Reaction Media
Authors: Astray G. , Cid A. , García-Río L. , Lodeiro C. , Mejuto J.C. , Moldes O. , Morales J.
Published: May 2010

In recent years our reseach group has investigated the chemical behaviour of β-cyclodextrin (CD)/surfactant mixed systems and their characteristics as reaction media. The results have been interpreted in terms of a pseudophase model that takes into account the formation of both CD-surfactant and CD-substrate complexes and also, in some cases, the exchange of X- and OH- ions between the micellar and aqueous pseudophases. from the experimental results it was concluded that the presence of CD has no effect on existing micelles but raises the critical micellar concentration (cmc). on the other hand, at surfactant concentrations above the cmc, competition between the micellisation and complexation processes leads to the existence of a significant concentration of free CD in equilibrium with the micellar aggregates. The percentage of uncomplexed β-CD in equilibrium with the micellar system increases on increasing the hydrophobicity of the surfactant molecule. This behaviour was justified taking into account the existence of two simultaneous processes: complexation of surfactant monomers by CD and the process of self-assembly to form micellar aggregates. The autoaggregation of surfactant monomers is more important than the complexation process in this mixed system. Varying the hydrophobicity of the surfactant monomer enabled us to determine that the percentages of uncomplexed CD in equilibrium with the micellar system were in the range of 5-95%. When the surfactant self-assembly structure is a vesicle, the free CD in the CD/surfactant mixed system yields a percentage of 100%.
Kinetic Studies of the Non-Isothermal Decomposition of Unirradiated and Γ-Irradiated Gallium Acetylacetonate
Authors: Al-Khamis Kh.M. , Al-Othman Z.A. , Mahfouz R.M.
Published: May 2010

The non-isothermal decompositions of unirradiated and γ-irradiated (102 kGy) gallium acetylacetonate Ga(acac)3 were carried out in static air. The results showed that the decomposition of Ga(acac)3 proceeds through multiple decomposition steps in the temperature range 150-310°C to produce Ga2O3 as a final solid residue. Kinetic studies of the non-isothermal data for both unirradiated and γ-irradiated Ga(acac)3 were performed using both model-fitting and model-free approaches. In a model-fitting approach, the kinetic triplet, i.e. The apparent activation energy Ea, the pre-exponential factor ln A, and the reaction model f(α), were analyzed and calculated using the methods of Coats and Redfern, and Kennedy and Clark. In the model-free approach, the non-isothermal data for both unirradiated and γ-irradiated samples were analyzed using the Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Tang (T), and Vyazovkin (Vyz) isoconversional methods. The results of application of model-free and model-fitting approaches to the non-isothermal data for both unirradiated and γ-irradiated Ga(acac)3 were compared and evaluated to deduce the most probable kinetic triplet that describes correctly the thermal behaviour of Ga(acac)3. No significant changes were observed in the behaviour of unirradiated and γ-irradiated Ga(acac)3 either as regards their thermal decomposition or the calculated kinetic parameters.
Metallomicellar Catalysis: Hydrolysis of Pnpp by Crowned Schiff Base Cobalt(Ii) Complexes in Micellar Solution
Authors: Wei Hu , Jianzhang Li , Jin Zhang , Ying Wang , Like Zou , Shenxin Li
Published: May 2010

It has been reported that three aza crowned Schiff cobalt(II) complexes have been synthesised and characterised, and that the metallomicelles, made up of the three cobalt(II) complexes and surfactants(LSS, Brij35, CTAB) as mimic hydrolytic metalloenzyme, were used in the catalytic hydrolysis of carboxylic ester (PNPP) over a pH range of 7.0 - 8.2. The results revealed that the metallomicelles made up of the three cobalt(II) complexes and the surfactants are both efficient for catalysing PNPP hydrolysis with about three orders of magnitude in rate acceleration compared with the background rate of PNPP spontaneous hydrolysis. The effect of different surfactant micelles on the catalytic hydrolysis of PNPP in the metallomicelles follows the order: LSS > Brij35 > CTAB. The results showed that using the aza crowned Schiff base cobalt(II) complexes and their metallomicelles as the hydrolase mimics exhibit good catalytic activity and similar catalytic character to natural enzyme.
Template Effect in the Self-Assembly of a [2]Rotaxane Containing Diazapyrenium Units
Authors: Bruschini Michele , Doddi Giancarlo , Ercolani Gianfranco , Mencarelli Paolo
Published: May 2010

The template effect of 1,5-Bis[2-(2-triisopropyloxyethoxy)ethoxy]naphthalene (5) on the ring closure reaction of 2-(4-Bromomethylbenzyl)-7-[4-(2,7-diazapyrenyl)-methylbenzyl]-2,7-diazapyrenium (3), to give the corresponding [2]rotaxane (7), has been quantitatively evaluated. The results are compared to those relative to the self-assembly of [2]rotaxane (8), and [2]pseudorotaxanes (9) and (10).
Can a Typical Protein Assist the Rate of its Own Aqueous Cleavage?
Authors: Khan Mohammad Niyaz
Published: May 2010

A recent finding of a large rate enhancement in the intramolecular secondary amide group-assisted cleavage of an adjacent tertiary amide bond predicts the possibility of the cleavage of the peptide bond of a protein through a similar reaction mechanism. Based upon enzymatic partial model reactions, the usual proton-switch mechanism has been suggested for the acylation step of the chymotrypsin–catalysed cleavage of the peptide bond which does not favour a His57-shift mechanism - an essential component of the classical charge relay mechanism. Also, the proton-switch mechanism does not necessarily require the two proton-transfer of the classical charge relay mechanism. The unique structural feature of the imidazole moiety of His57 is concluded to be essential in decreasing the rate of collapse of the proposed reactive tetrahedral intermediate back to the reactants. The proposed intramolecular intimate ion-pair formation between anionic Asp102 and cationic His57 is attributed to the energetically preferred location of the proton at Nδ1 of the imidazole moiety of His57. Thus, the analysis described in this review does not favour the necessary requirements of a two proton-transfer and His57-shift as proposed in the classical charge relay mechanism as well as the relatively recently proposed His57-flip mechanism.
Speciation pathway of Isoëtes (Isoëtaceae) in East Asia inferred from molecular phylogenetic relationships
Authors: Kim Changkyun , Shin Hyunchur , Chang Yung‐Ta , Choi Hong‐Keun
Published: May 2010

Polyploidy plays an important role in the speciation of Isoëtes. Increasing our knowledge about the specific origin of each polyploid or phylogenetic relationship among species has been hampered because of conserved morphological variation and scarce habitats. We present several hypotheses concerning the speciation pathways of Isoëtes species distributed in East Asia. Our hypotheses are inferred from phylogenetic relationships that were elucidated using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer regions of nuclear ribosomal DNA, a second intron of LEAFY, and chloroplast DNA trnS‐psbC spacer regions. These inferred phylogenetic relationships indicated that (1) the Chinese tetraploid, I. sinensis, is closely related to I. yunguiensis; (2) the Korean endemic species, I. hallasanensis, is an autotetraploid derived from I. taiwanensis or closely related taxa; (3) the hexaploid I. coreana forms a clade and has its closest evolutionary relationships with I. taiwanensis or I. hallasanensis; and (4) the Japanese hexaploid I. japonica is closely related to I. taiwanensis‐I. coreana and I. sinensis‐I. yunguiensis. These results suggest that interspecific hybridization and polyploidization have played central roles in speciation of East Asian Isoëtes. Furthermore, I. taiwanensis, an endemic species in Taiwan, has been involved in at least three cases of autopolyploid or allopolyploid speciation in East Asia.
Hybridization and introgression in New World red mangroves,Rhizophora(Rhizophoraceae)
Authors: Cerón‐Souza Ivania , Rivera‐Ocasio Elsie , Medina Ernesto , Jiménez Jorge A. , McMillan W. Owen , Bermingham Eldredge
Published: May 2010

•Premise of the study:Hybridization is common in both animals and plants and can lead to a diverse array of outcomes ranging from the generation of new ecotypes or species to the breakdown of morphological differences. Here, we explore the extent of hybridization in the three currently recognized New WorldRhizophoraspecies—R. mangle, R. racemosa, and the putative hybrid speciesR. harrisonii.

•Methods:We assayed variation across the three recognizedRhizophoraspecies using two noncoding chloroplast (cpDNA), two flanking microsatellite regions (FMRs), and six microsatellite loci.

•Key results:Gene genealogies of cpDNA and FMRs showed a strong phylogeographic break across the Central American Isthmus, but little relationship to recognized species boundaries. Instead, individuals collected in the same ocean basin and classified asR. mangleandR. racemosaby morphological characteristics were more closely related to each other than with similar looking individuals collected in the other ocean basin. Nonetheless, there were low, yet significant differences at microsatellite loci among co‐occurring populations ofR. mangleandR. racemosain both ocean basins, suggesting that two taxonomic groups coexist. However, we found no genetic evidence thatR. harrisoniiwas a hybrid species. Rather,R. harrisoniiappears to represent a morphotype produced by ongoing hybridization and backcrossing betweenR. mangleandR. racemosa.

•Conclusions:Our data support ancient and persistent introgressive hybridization among new worldRhizophoraand argue for a full revision of the systematic relationships of the group based on much finer morphological, ecological, and genetic analyses.
Impact of growth form and carbohydrate reserves on tolerance to simulated deer herbivory and subsequent recovery in Liliaceae
Authors: Lapointe Line , Bussières Julie , Crête Michel , Ouellet Jean‐Pierre
Published: May 2010

• Premise of the study: Over‐browsing of the understory vegetation by white‐tailed deer has been a cause of decline in many plant populations. Liliaceae are particularly sensitive, yet individual species differ in their tolerance to deer herbivory. In this paper, we examine whether differences in clonal habit, carbon allocation patterns, and phenology influence the capacity of a species to tolerate and recover from repeated herbivory.

• Methods: Flowering ramets of Clintonia borealis, Maianthemum canadense, and Trillium erectum were subjected to total defoliation for one or two springs.

• Key results: Survival was highest in the nonclonal species, T. erectum, most probably due to its very large carbohydrate reserves. Nutrient reserves were less affected than carbohydrate reserves by defoliation, confirming the importance of carbohydrate reserves for survival. However, faster recovery following episodes of defoliation was observed not in the species that sprouted the earliest, T. erectum, but in the clonal species, M. canadense, which had the smallest carbohydrate reserves but also a lower shoot to root ratio than the other clonal species, C. borealis. All plants that were defoliated for 2 years only partially recovered in terms of leaf area, plant biomass, and carbohydrate and nutrient reserves, confirming the overall sensitivity of these species to simulated deer herbivory.

• Conclusions: High carbohydrate reserves and consequently low shoot to root ratios appear to increase tolerance to herbivory, whereas clonal species recover faster than nonclonal species. The role played by carbohydrates reserves suggests that these species could benefit from slightly higher light conditions in areas subjected to high deer pressure.
Microsatellite markers show decreasing diversity but unchanged level of clonality inDryas octopetala(Rosaceae) with increasing latitude
Authors: Vik Unni , Jørgensen Marte H. , Kauserud Håvard , Nordal Inger , Brysting Anne K.
Published: May 2010

•Premise of the study:Average arctic temperatures have increased at almost twice the global average in the past 100 years. Most studies on biodiversity along latitudinal gradients have focused on species richness or genetic diversity at lower latitudes, and only a few studies have inferred genetic diversity within a species along a latitudinal gradient at higher latitudes, even though these areas might be most affected by recent climate changes. Here, intraspecific genetic diversity of the arctic‐alpineDryas octopetala(Rosaceae) is studied along a latitudinal gradient to test the hypotheses that genetic diversity decreases and vegetative clonal growth increases with latitude.

•Methods:Ten microsatellite markers have been developed forD. octopetalaand analyzed with population genetic methods in five populations along a latitudinal transect spanning from 59.0°N to 79.9°N.

•Key results:The nine microsatellites that were used in the final analyses resulted in a resolution high enough to distinguish between ramets while providing useful information at a larger geographical scale. Three genetic clusters were indicated, a southern Norway group, a northern Norway group, and a Svalbard group, with corresponding decreasing genetic diversity. No trend was found with regard to clonality along the gradient.

•Conclusions:The newly developed microsatellite markers provide a useful tool for further genetic studies ofD. octopetalaand its close relatives, addressing population structure as well as phylogeographic patterns. The results of this study support the hypothesis of decreasing genetic diversity with increasing latitude, which may have implications for future adaptability to climate change.
Breeding system variation in 10 evening primroses (Oenothera sections Anogra and Kleinia; Onagraceae)
Authors: Theiss Kathryn E. , Holsinger Kent E. , Evans Margaret E. K.
Published: May 2010

• Premise of the study: We examined two accounts of the relationship between breeding system and life history variation in a clade of evening primroses (Oenothera, Onagraceae): (1) selection for reproductive assurance should generate an association between self‐compatibility and monocarpy and (2) phylogenetic conservatism leads to retention of breeding system and life history traits among closely related taxa.

• Methods: We performed over 4000 hand pollinations under greenhouse conditions to determine the compatibility of 10 Oenothera taxa (sections Anogra [17 taxa] and Kleinia [2 taxa)] for which breeding systems had not previously been reported. We used generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the influence of pollination treatment, parents, and population on fruiting success.

• Key results: Among the taxa tested, six were self‐incompatible, two were variable in compatibility, and two were self‐compatible. We combined these data with published studies in Anogra and Kleinia and mapped breeding system and life history onto a published phylogeny.

• Conclusions: We found no evidence for phylogenetic conservatism, but detected considerable evolutionary lability in both traits. Additionally, we found no evidence for a consistent relationship between breeding system and life history. Only eight of 19 taxa followed the predicted association between self‐incompatibility and polycarpy vs. self‐compatibility and monocarpy. Instead, many taxa have retained self‐incompatibility, regardless of monocarpy or polycarpy.
Reconstructing Dryopteris “semicristata” (Dryopteridaceae): Molecular profiles of tetraploids verify their undiscovered diploid ancestor
Authors: Stein Diana B. , Hutton Cynthia , Conant David S. , Haufler Christopher H. , Werth Charles R.
Published: May 2010

• Premise of the study: Discovering missing ancestors is essential to understanding the evolutionary history of biodiversity on Earth. Evidence from extinct species can provide links for reconstructing intricate patterns of reticulate relationships among extant descendents. When fossils are unavailable and other evidence yields competing hypotheses to explain species ancestry, data from proteins and DNA can help resolve conflicts and generate novel perspectives. The identity of a parent shared by two tetraploid species in the cosmopolitan fern genus Dryopteris has remained elusive for more than 50 years. Based on available data, four hypotheses were developed previously, each providing a different resolution to this uncertainty.

• Methods: New molecular evidence from studies of isozymes and restriction site analysis of chloroplast DNA tested the competing hypotheses about the diploid ancestors of these two extant Dryopteris polyploids.

• Key results: The results falsify two of the hypotheses, resolve the uncertainty in the third, and support the fourth.

• Conclusions: Our data validate the prior existence of Dryopteris “semicristata,” which was proposed 38 years ago as a diploid progenitor of the allotetraploids D. cristata and D. carthusiana but has never been collected. After developing a phylogeny using the new molecular data, we describe a plausible morphology for D. “semicristata” by extrapolating likely character states from related extant species.
Photosynthetic and growth responses of reciprocal hybrids to variation in water and nitrogen availability
Authors: Campbell Diane R. , Wu Carrie A. , Travers Steven E.
Published: May 2010

• Premise of the study: Fitness of plant hybrids often depends upon the environment, but physiological mechanisms underlying the differential responses to habitat are poorly understood. We examined physiological responses of Ipomopsis species and hybrids, including reciprocal F1s and F2s, to variation in soil moisture and nitrogen.

• Methods: To examine responses to moisture, we subjected plants to a dry‐down experiment. Nitrogen was manipulated in three independent experiments, one in the field and two in common environments.

• Key results: Plants with I. tenuituba cytoplasmic background had lower optimal soil moisture for photosynthesis, appearing better adapted to dry conditions, than plants with I. aggregata cytoplasm. This result supported a prediction from prior studies. The species and hybrids did not differ greatly in physiological responses to nitrogen. An increase in soil nitrogen increased leaf nitrogen, carbon assimilation, integrated water‐use efficiency, and growth, but the increases in growth were not mediated primarily by an increase in photosynthesis. In neither the field, nor in common‐garden studies, did physiological responses to soil nitrogen differ detectably across plant types, although only I. aggregata and hybrids increased seed production in the field.

• Conclusions: These results demonstrate differences in photosynthetic responses between reciprocal hybrids and suggest that water use is more important than nitrogen in explaining the relative photosynthetic performance of these hybrids compared to their parents.
Development of a novel set of EST‐SSR markers and cross‐species amplification in Tamarix africana (Tamaricaceae)
Authors: Terzoli Serena , Beritognolo Isacco , Sabatti Maurizio , Kuzminsky Elena
Published: May 2010

• Premise of the study: Tamarix plants are resistant to abiotic stresses and have become invasive in North America. Their taxonomy is troublesome, and few molecular makers are available to enable species identification or to track the spread of specific invasive genotypes. Transcriptome sequencing projects offer a potential source for the development of new markers.

• Methods and Results: Thirteen polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers derived from Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) from Tamarix hispida, T. androssowii, T. ramosissima, and T. albiflonum were identified and screened on 24 samples of T. africana to detect polymorphism. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to eight, with an average of 4.3 alleles per locus, and the mean expected heterozygosity was 0.453.

• Conclusions: Amplification products of these 13 loci were also generated for T. gallica. These new EST‐SSR markers will be useful in genetic characterization of Tamarix, as additional tools for taxonomic clarification, and for studying invasive populations where they are a threat.
Improving Storage Concepts for Semantic Models and Ontologies
Authors: Weippl Edgar R.
Published: May 2010

Ontologies are more commonly used today but still little consideration is given of how to efficiently store them. The proposed approach is built on reliable and efficient relational database management systems (RDBMS). It can be easily implemented for other systems and due to its vendor independence existing data can be migrated from one RDBMS to another relatively easy.
Applying Semantic Web Technologies to Car Repairs
Authors: Bryan Martin , Cousins Jay
Published: May 2010

Vehicle repair organizations, especially those involved in providing roadside assistance, have to be able to handle a wide range of vehicles produced by different manufacturers. Each manufacturer has its own vocabulary for describing components, faults, symptoms, etc, which is maintained in multiple languages. To search online resources to find repair information on vehicles anywhere within the European Single Market, the vocabularies used to describe different makes and models of vehicles need to be integrated. The European Commission MYCAREVENT research project brought together European vehicle manufacturers, vehicle repair organisations, diagnostic tool manufacturers and IT specialists, including Semantic Web technologists, to study how to link together the wide range of information sets they use to identify faults and repair vehicles. MYCAREVENT has shown that information sets can be integrated and accessed through a service portal by using an integrated vocabulary. The integrated vocabulary provides a ‘shared language’ for the project, a reference terminology to which the disparate terminologies of organisations participating in the project can be mapped. This lingua franca facilitates a single point of access to disparate sets of information.