bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of a semi-transparent mid-infrared quantum well infrared photodetector simultaneously as a beamsplitter and a reference detector
Authors: Bentil Ekua N. , Penello Germano M. , Charles William O. , Liu Peter Q. , Gmachl Claire F.
Published: January 2012

We demonstrate a dual purpose quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) useful in laser-based gas sensing systems. This photodetector functions simultaneously as a beamsplitter and a photodetector. By varying the incidence angle and light polarization, the QWIP has the ability to reflect, absorb, and transmit varying percentages of the incident mid-infrared light. At 45° incidence angle, ∼25% of a transverse magnetic polarized light is reflected, ∼16% is transmitted, and ∼59% is absorbed by the QWIP (at 80 K). The absorbed and transmitted signals are useful as reference signals for laser source monitoring and stabilizing. The reflected signal remains available as the primary beam.
Practicality of compensating the loss in the plasmonic waveguides using semiconductor gain medium
Authors: Khurgin Jacob B. , Sun Greg
Published: January 2012

We consider the issue of compensating the loss in plasmonic waveguides with semiconductor gain material and show that, independent of specific geometry, full loss compensation in plasmonic waveguides with significantly sub-wavelength light confinement (less than λ/4n) requires current density well in excess of 100 kA/cm2. This high current density is attributed to the unavoidable shortening of recombination time caused by the Purcell effect inherent to sub-wavelength confinement. Consequently, an injection-pumped plasmonic laser that is truly sub-wavelength in all three dimensions (“spaser”) would have threshold current densities that are hard to obtain in any conceivable semiconductor device.
Open photoacoustic cell for thermal diffusivity measurements of a fast hardening cement used in dental restoring
Authors: Astrath F. B. G. , Astrath N. G. C. , Baesso M. L. , Bento A. C. , Moraes J. C. S. , Santos A. D.
Published: January 2012

Thermal diffusivity and conductivity of dental cements have been studied using open photoacoustic cell (OPC). The samples consisted of fast hardening cement named CER, developed to be a root-end filling material. Thermal characterization was performed in samples with different gel/powder ratio and particle sizes and the results were compared to the ones from commercial cements. Complementary measurements of specific heat and mass density were also performed. The results showed that the thermal diffusivity of CER tends to increase smoothly with gel volume and rapidly against particle size. This behavior was linked to the pores size and their distribution in the samples. The OPC method was shown to be a valuable way in deriving thermal properties of porous material.
Thermal effects on the characteristic Raman spectrum of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) of varying thicknesses
Authors: Najmaei S. , Liu Z. , Ajayan P. M. , Lou J.
Published: January 2012

In this letter, thermal effects on the Raman spectra of molybdenum disulfide with thicknesses ranging from bulk to monolayer were evaluated. We quantitatively determined the laser-induced heating effects on the peak position and the line-width of the Raman spectrum. We found considerable thickness-dependent red-shifts as well as line-width changes for both E2g1 and A1g vibrating modes as laser power was increased. Our results enrich the knowledge of phononic behaviors of this material and demonstrate the important effects of the anharmonic terms in the lattice potential energy.
Gallium oxide (Ga2O3) metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors on single-crystal β-Ga2O3 (010) substrates
Authors: Higashiwaki Masataka , Sasaki Kohei , Kuramata Akito , Masui Takekazu , Yamakoshi Shigenobu
Published: January 2012

We report a demonstration of single-crystal gallium oxide (Ga2O3) metal-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs). A Sn-doped Ga2O3 layer was grown on a semi-insulating β-Ga2O3 (010) substrate by molecular-beam epitaxy. We fabricated a circular MESFET with a gate length of 4 μm and a source–drain spacing of 20 μm. The device showed an ideal transistor action represented by the drain current modulation due to the gate voltage (VGS) swing. A complete drain current pinch-off characteristic was also obtained for VGS < −20 V, and the three-terminal off-state breakdown voltage was over 250 V. A low drain leakage current of 3 μA at the off-state led to a high on/off drain current ratio of about 10 000. These device characteristics obtained at the early stage indicate the great potential of Ga2O3-based electrical devices for future power device applications.
Terahertz scattering by granular composite materials: An effective medium theory
Authors: Kaushik Mayank , Ng Brian W.-H. , Fischer Bernd M. , Abbott Derek
Published: January 2012

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and imaging have emerged as important tools for identification and classification of various substances, which exhibit absorption characteristics at distinct frequencies in the THz range. The spectral fingerprints can potentially be distorted or obscured by electromagnetic scattering caused by the granular nature of some substances. In this paper, we present THz time domain transmission measurements of granular polyethylene powders in order to investigate an effective medium theory that yields a parameterized model, which can be used to estimate the empirical measurements to good accuracy.
Shock-induced consolidation and spallation of Cu nanopowders
Authors: Huang L. , Han W. Z. , An Q. , Goddard W. A. , Luo S. N.
Published: January 2012

A useful synthesis technique, shock synthesis of bulk nanomaterials from nanopowders, is explored here with molecular dynamics simulations. We choose nanoporous Cu (∼11 nm in grain size and 6% porosity) as a representative system, and perform consolidation and spallation simulations. The spallation simulations characterize the consolidated nanopowders in terms of spall strength and damage mechanisms. The impactor is full density Cu, and the impact velocity (ui) ranges from 0.2 to 2 km s−1. We present detailed analysis of consolidation and spallation processes, including atomic-level structure and wave propagation features. The critical values of ui are identified for the onset plasticity at the contact points (0.2 km s−1) and complete void collapse (0.5 km s−1). Void collapse involves dislocations, lattice rotation, shearing/friction, heating, and microkinetic energy. Plasticity initiated at the contact points and its propagation play a key role in void collapse at low ui, while the pronounced, grain-wise deformation may contribute as well at high ui. The grain structure gives rise to nonplanar shock response at nanometer scales. Bulk nanomaterials from ultrafine nanopowders (∼10 nm) can be synthesized with shock waves. For spallation, grain boundary (GB) or GB triple junction damage prevails, while we also observe intragranular voids as a result of GB plasticity.
Spin-polarized transport in zigzag-edge graphene nanoribbon junctions
Authors: Farghadan Rouhollah , Saievar-Iranizad Esmaiel
Published: January 2012

We propose a spin-dependent device based on a zigzag-edge graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) and external electric and magnetic fields. Theory predicts that the junction can be operated under magnetic excitation and edge disorder. Applying transverse electric and magnetic fields to even a small part of the ZGNR as a channel creates a high degree of spin polarization in the junction. In some energy ranges, the junction acts as a perfect spin-filter device, even in the presence of the edge disorders such as vacancies, as well as magnetic excitation such as longitudinal spin fluctuation.
Non-uniform dependence for a modified Camassa-Holm system
Authors: Lv Guangying , Wang Mingxin
Published: January 2012

This paper is concerned with the non-uniform dependence on initial data for a modified Camassa-Holm system. We prove that the solution map of the Cauchy problem of the Camassa-Holm system is not uniformly continuous in \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$H^s(\mathbb {R})$\end{document}Hs(R), s > 1. Moreover, we obtain the similar result for the initial boundary value problem for the Camassa-Holm system.
Look at My Poster! Active Gaze, Preference and Memory during a Poster Session
Authors: Foulsham Tom , Kingstone Alan
Published: January 2012

In science, as in advertising, people often present information on a poster, yet little is known about attention during a poster session. A mobile eye-tracker was used to record participants' gaze during a mock poster session featuring a range of academic psychology posters. Participants spent the most time looking at introductions and conclusions. Larger posters were looked at for longer, as were posters rated more interesting (but not necessarily more aesthetically pleasing). Interestingly, gaze did not correlate with memory for poster details or liking, suggesting that attracting someone towards your poster may not be enough.
Narcissistic People Cannot Be Moved Easily by Visual Stimulation
Authors: Seno Takeharu , Yamada Yuki , Ihaya Keiko
Published: January 2012

We examined the relationship between personality and visually induced self-motion perception (latency, duration, and magnitude). A psychological experiment with radially expanding patterns that induced self-motion perception along the fore and aft axis was conducted, followed by personality assessments. We found that all the measures of self-motion perception we examined correlated negatively with the degree of narcissistic traits.
GluN2B subunit deletion reveals key role in acute and chronic ethanol sensitivity of glutamate synapses in bed nucleus of the stria terminalis
Authors: Wills Tiffany A. , Klug Jason R. , Silberman Yuval , Baucum Anthony J. , Weitlauf Carl , Colbran Roger J. , Delpire Eric , Winder Danny G.
Published: January 2012

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a critical region for alcohol/drug-induced negative affect and stress-induced reinstatement. NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent plasticity, such as long-term potentiation (LTP), has been postulated to play key roles in alcohol and drug addiction; yet, to date, little is understood regarding the mechanisms underlying LTP of the BNST, or its regulation by ethanol. Acute and chronic exposure to ethanol modulates glutamate transmission via actions on NMDARs. Despite intense investigation, tests of subunit specificity of ethanol actions on NMDARs using pharmacological approaches have produced mixed results. Thus, we use a conditional GluN2B KO mouse line to assess both basal and ethanol-dependent function of this subunit at glutamate synapses in the BNST. Deletion of GluN2B eliminated LTP, as well as actions of ethanol on NMDAR function. Further, we show that chronic ethanol exposure enhances LTP formation in the BNST. Using KO-validated pharmacological approaches with Ro25-6981 and memantine, we provide evidence suggesting that chronic ethanol exposure enhances LTP in the BNST via paradoxical extrasynaptic NMDAR involvement. These findings demonstrate that GluN2B is a key point of regulation for ethanol's actions and suggest a unique role of extrasynaptic GluN2B-containing receptors in facilitating LTP.
Exploring monovalent copper compounds with oxygen and hydrogen
Authors: Korzhavyi Pavel A. , Soroka Inna L. , Isaev Eyvaz I. , Lilja Christina , Johansson Börje
Published: January 2012

New important applications of copper metal, e.g., in the areas of hydrogen production, fuel cell operation, and spent nuclear fuel disposal, require accurate knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of stable and metastable copper compounds. Among the copper(I) compounds with oxygen and hydrogen, cuprous oxide Cu
2
O is the only one stable and the best studied. Other such compounds are less known (CuH) or totally unknown (CuOH) due to their instability relative to the oxide. Here we combine quantum-mechanical calculations with experimental studies to search for possible compounds of monovalent copper. Cuprous hydride (CuH) and cuprous hydroxide (CuOH) are proved to exist in solid form. We establish the chemical and physical properties of these compounds, thereby filling the existing gaps in our understanding of hydrogen- and oxygen-related phenomena in Cu metal.
Effect of Feeding Rate and Pond Primary Productivity on Growth of Litopenaeus vannamei Reared in Inland Saline Waters of West Alabama
Authors: Roy Luke A , Davis D Allen , Whitis Gregory N
Published: January 2012

Feeding costs have skyrocketed worldwide in the past several years, negatively impacting shrimp farmers. Typically, 50–60% of the production costs of shrimp farm operations are attributed to feed inputs. The increasing cost of feed combined with declining market prices for shrimp makes it difficult to maintain adequate profit margins. In west Alabama, shrimp farmers are located long distances from feed mills and pay high shipping fees in addition to high feed prices. These low-salinity waters are quite productive, providing natural food items throughout the production cycle. To determine the possibility of reducing feed rates by relying more on pond primary productivity to contribute to shrimp growth, four growth trials were conducted with juvenile Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei (formerly known as Penaeus vannamei). Juvenile shrimp were offered different feed rates ranging from 0% (no feed) to 110% of a normal daily ration by means of static, flow-through, or partial daily water exchange with water from a production pond. The results revealed no differences in growth among shrimp reared in a flow-through system and offered feed inputs ranging from 60% to 110% of a daily ration, indicating a contribution of pond primary productivity in the treatments receiving less feed. Static and flow-through systems were utilized to culture two different size-classes of shrimp fed at 0, 60, 80, and 100% of a daily ration. The results revealed that shrimp reared in the flow-through system had better growth and food conversion ratios than those in the static system; however, shrimp in the 0% treatment in the flow-through system had only slightly inferior performance in terms of growth than those in the 60, 80, and 100% treatments. The results from this study confirm that L. vannamei are capable of obtaining a large percentage of their nutritional needs from pond primary productivity, and farmers should be encouraged to reduce feed inputs, which may enhance profitability.
Time Travel: Why It May Not Pay to Work out All the Kinks
Authors: Manchak John Byron
Published: January 2012

Here, we hypothesize that a smooth nongeodesic closed timelike curve is never most efficient with respect to total acceleration if a kink is permitted at the initial (terminal) point. We support our hypothesis in a variety of ways. Most notably, we show Malament's opposing conjecture concerning Gödel space-time to be false.
Thermodynamic Entropy and Its Relation to Probability in Classical Mechanics
Authors: Davey Kevin
Published: January 2012

A gas relaxing into equilibrium is often taken to be a process in which a system moves from an “improbable” to a “probable” state. Given that the thermodynamic entropy increases during such a process, it is natural to conjecture that the thermodynamic entropy is a measure of the probability of a macrostate. For nonideal classical gases, however, I claim that there is no clear sense in which the thermodynamic entropy of a macrostate measures its probability. We must therefore reject the idea that (in classical mechanics) thermodynamic entropy and probability are connected in a deep and general way.
Cost-Effectiveness of Preoperative Nasal Mupirocin Treatment in Preventing Surgical Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Courville Xan F. , Tomek Ivan M. , Kirkland Kathryn B. , Birhle Marian , Kantor Stephen R. , Finlayson Samuel R. G.
Published: January 2012

Objective.

To perform a cost-effectiveness analysis to evaluate preoperative use of mupirocin in patients with total joint arthroplasty (TJA).

Design.

Simple decision tree model.

Setting.

Outpatient TJA clinical setting.

Participants.

Hypothetical cohort of patients with TJA.

Interventions.

A simple decision tree model compared 3 strategies in a hypothetical cohort of patients with TJA: (1) obtaining preoperative screening cultures for all patients, followed by administration of mupirocin to patients with cultures positive forStaphylococcus aureus;(2) providing empirical preoperative treatment with mupirocin for all patients without screening; and (3) providing no preoperative treatment or screening. We assessed the costs and benefits over a 1-year period. Data inputs were obtained from a literature review and from our institution's internal data. Utilities were measured in quality-adjusted life-years, and costs were measured in 2005 US dollars.

Main Outcome Measure.

Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio.

Results.

The treat-all and screen-and-treat strategies both had lower costs and greater benefits, compared with the no-treatment strategy. Sensitivity analysis revealed that this result is stable even if the cost of mupirocin was over $100 and the cost of SSI ranged between $26,000 and $250,000. Treating all patients remains the best strategy when the prevalence ofS. aureuscarriers and surgical site infection is varied across plausible values as well as when the prevalence of mupirocin-resistant strains is high.

Conclusions.

Empirical treatment with mupirocin ointment or use of a screen-and-treat strategy before TJA is performed is a simple, safe, and cost-effective intervention that can reduce the risk of SSI.S. aureusdecolonization with nasal mupirocin for patients undergoing TJA should be considered.

Level of Evidence.

Level II, economic and decision analysis.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2012;33(2):152-159
An Outbreak of Legionnaires Disease Associated with a Decorative Water Wall Fountain in a Hospital
Authors: Haupt Thomas E. , Heffernan Richard T. , Kazmierczak James J. , Nehls-Lowe Henry , Rheineck Bruce , Powell Christine , Leonhardt Kathryn K. , Chitnis Amit S. , Davis Jeffrey P.
Published: January 2012

Objective.

To detect an outbreak-related source of Legionella, control the outbreak, and prevent additional Legionella infections from occurring.

Design and Setting.

Epidemiologic investigation of an acute outbreak of hospital-associated Legionnaires disease among outpatients and visitors to a Wisconsin hospital.

Patients.

Patients with laboratory-confirmed Legionnaires disease who resided in southeastern Wisconsin and had illness onsets during February and March 2010.

Methods.

Patients with Legionnaires disease were interviewed using a hypothesis-generating questionnaire. On-site investigation included sampling of water and other potential environmental sources for Legionella testing. Case-finding measures included extensive notification of individuals potentially exposed at the hospital and alerts to area healthcare and laboratory personnel.

Results.

Laboratory-confirmed Legionnaires disease was diagnosed in 8 patients, all of whom were present at the same hospital during the 10 days prior to their illness onsets. Six patients had known exposure to a water wall-type decorative fountain near the main hospital entrance. Although the decorative fountain underwent routine cleaning and maintenance, high counts of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 were isolated from cultures of a foam material found above the fountain trough.

Conclusion.

This outbreak of Legionnaires disease was associated with exposure to a decorative fountain located in a hospital public area. Routine cleaning and maintenance of fountains does not eliminate the risk of bacterial contamination. Our findings highlight the need to evaluate the safety of water fountains installed in any area of a healthcare facility.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33(2):185-191
Electrodynamic coupling in regular arrays of gold nanocylinders
Authors: Kravets Vira V , Yeshchenko Oleg A , Gozhenko Victor V , Ocola Leonidas E , Smith David A , Vedral James V , Pinchuk Anatoliy O
Published: January 2012

We report far-field experimental optical extinction spectra of linear chains of gold nanocylinders with interparticle separations close to the particle's surface plasmon resonance (SPR) wavelength λSPR. The spectra reveal non-monotonic shift of the SPR peak position with increase in the distance d. The non-monotonic λSPR(d) dependence is rationalized considering electromagnetic coupling between the particles in the dipole approximation. Simple expressions for the modified SPR frequencies are obtained using the dipole scattered field and taking into account both the retardation and phase lag effects.
Argon 420.1–419.8 nm emission line ratio for measuring plasma effective electron temperatures
Authors: Boffard John B , Jung R O , Lin Chun C , Aneskavich L E , Wendt A E
Published: January 2012

We explore the feasibility of using the ratio of two argon emission line intensities at 420.1 and 419.8 nm to measure the effective electron temperature in argon-containing plasmas. Experimental measurements in numerous plasma sources reveal the ratio varies from a value of approximately 1 at high electron temperatures, to a value near 4 at low electron temperatures. This variation is understood in terms of the magnitudes of the electron excitation cross sections into the upper energy levels of the two transitions. At high electron temperatures, the upper levels of the two emission lines, the J = 3 3p9 level for the 420.1 nm line and the J = 0 3p5 level for the 419.8 nm line, are both primarily populated by excitation from the ground state and have similar optical emission cross sections. At low electron temperatures, excitation is dominated by excitation from the metastable levels which have very different cross sections into the two levels. Temperatures obtained with this line pair ratio in an inductively coupled plasma are found to be consistent with values obtained from a Langmuir probe as well as an analysis of the entire set of 2p
x
 → 1s
y
emission lines (665–1150 nm) under a wide variety of plasma conditions.
Food Allergy in Children and Young People
Authors: Sherwood Emma , Boyd Andrew
Published: January 2012

Food allergy is common among children and infants in the western world, and its incidence continues to increase. Because food allergy is dealt with predominantly in primary care, its management constitutes a significant part of the GP's workload. This article aims to provide a practical approach to the management of food allergy in primary care.
Sevoflurane Remifentanil Interaction
Authors: Heyse Bjorn , Proost Johannes H. , Schumacher Peter M. , Bouillon Thomas W. , Vereecke Hugo E. M. , Eleveld Douglas J. , Luginbühl Martin , Struys Michel M. R. F.
Published: January 2012

Background

Various pharmacodynamic response surface models have been developed to quantitatively describe the relationship between two or more drug concentrations with their combined clinical effect. We examined the interaction of remifentanil and sevoflurane on the probability of tolerance to shake and shout, tetanic stimulation, laryngeal mask airway insertion, and laryngoscopy in patients to compare the performance of five different response surface models.

Methods

Forty patients preoperatively received different combined concentrations of remifentanil (0-12 ng/ml) and sevoflurane (0.5-3.5 vol.%) according to a criss-cross design (160 concentration pairs, four per patient). After having reached pseudosteady state, the response to shake and shout, tetanic stimulation, laryngeal mask airway insertion, and laryngoscopy was recorded. For the analysis of the probability of tolerance, five different interaction models were tested: Greco, Reduced Greco, Minto, Scaled C50(O) Hierarchical, and Fixed C50(O) Hierarchical model. All calculations were performed with NONMEM VI (Icon Development Solutions, Ellicott City, MD).

Results

The pharmacodynamic interaction between sevoflurane and remifentanil was strongly synergistic for both the hypnotic and the analgesic components of anesthesia. The Greco model did not result in plausible parameter estimates. The Fixed C50(O) Hierarchical model performed slightly better than the Scaled C50(O) Hierarchical and Reduced Greco models, whereas the Minto model fitted less well.

Conclusion

We showed the importance of exploring various surface model approaches when studying drug interactions. The Fixed C50(O) Hierarchical model fits our data on sevoflurane remifentanil interaction best and appears to be an appropriate model for use in hypnotic-opioid drug interaction.
Water channel structure of bassanite at high air humidity: crystal structure of CaSO4·0.625H2O. Corrigendum
Authors: Schmidt Horst , Paschke Iris , Freyer Daniela , Voigt Wolfgang
Published: January 2012

The correspondence author in the paper by Schmidt et al. [(2011), Acta Cryst. B67, 467–475] is corrected.
Omalizumab markedly improves urticaria activity scores and quality of life scores in chronic spontaneous urticaria patients: A real life survey
Authors: BÜYÜKÖZTÜRK Suna , GELINCIK Aslı , DEMIRTÜRK Mustafa , KOCATURK Emek , ÇOLAKOĞLU Bahattin , DAL Murat
Published: January 2012

Treatment of chronic urticaria consists of antihistamines as the first‐line treatment. For more severe symptoms, combinations can be necessary as well as dose augmentations. The recent guidelines suggest the possibility of using omalizumab in resistant cases, but this therapy is still investigational. We treated two patients with idiopathic recurrent angioedema and 12 patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) with omalizumab, who had not benefited from the recommended first‐line, second‐line and third‐line treatments. To evaluate the efficacy of the omalizumab treatment, urticaria activity scores (UAS) and chronic urticaria quality of life (CU‐Q2oL) scores were measured at baseline, and at the end of the first and sixth month of the therapy. The dosage and intervals of omalizumab therapy were determined according to the rules suggested for severe asthma treatment. CU‐Q2oL scores and UAS displayed significant improvements in all 14 patients. None of the patients reported any adverse effect during the treatment until the submission of this data. Our results show that omalizumab apparently improves CU‐Q2oL as well as UAS in treatment‐resistant CSU in a real life setting.
First clinical trial of cancer vaccine therapy with artificially synthesized helper/ killer‐hybrid epitope long peptide of MAGE‐A4 cancer antigen
Authors: Takahashi Norihiko , Ohkuri Takayuki , Homma Shigenori , Ohtake Junya , Wakita Daiko , Togashi Yuji , Kitamura Hidemitsu , Todo Satoru , Nishimura Takashi
Published: January 2012

A patient with pulmonary metastasis of colon cancer was treated with artificially synthesized helper/killer‐hybrid epitope long peptide (H/K‐HELP) of MAGE‐A4 cancer antigen. The patient was vaccinated with MAGE‐A4‐H/K‐HELP combined with OK432 and Montanide ISA‐51. There were no severe side‐effects except for a skin reaction at the injection site. MAGE‐A4‐H/K‐HELP induced MAGE‐A4‐specific Th1 and Tc1 immune responses and the production of MAGE‐A4‐specific complement‐fixing IgG antibodies. Tumor growth and carcinoembryonic antigen tumor marker were significantly decreased in the final diagnosis. This is the first report that artificially synthesized MAGE‐A4‐H/K‐HELP induces Th1‐dependent cellular and humoral immune responses in a human cancer patient. (Cancer Sci 2012; 103: 150–153)
Amplified segment in the ‘Down Syndrome critical region’ on HSA21 shared between Down syndrome and euploid AML‐M0 excludes RUNX1, ERG and ETS2
Authors: Canzonetta Claudia , Hoischen Alexander , Giarin Emanuela , Basso Guiseppe , Veltman Joris A. , Nacheva Elisabeth , Nizetic Dean , Groet Jürgen
Published: January 2012

Children with Down syndrome have a 20‐ to 50‐fold increased risk of acute lymphocytic or myeloid leukaemia. Whole or partial gains of chromosome 21 have been described in multiple childhood leukaemias, and have recently been reported as a likely primary event in B‐precursor‐acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. It is unclear which amplified gene(s) on chromosome 21 play a key role in leukaemia progression. We describe a minimal amplified segment within the so‐called ‘Down syndrome critical region’ shared between two cases of AML‐M0; a Down syndrome, and a constitutionally normal individual. Interestingly, the amplified region does not include the oncogenes RUNX1, ETS2 and ERG.
Phylogeography and palaeodistribution modelling in the Patagonian steppe: the case of Mulinum spinosum (Apiaceae)
Authors: Sede Silvana M. , Nicola Marcela V. , Pozner Raúl , Johnson Leigh A.
Published: January 2012

Aim  An integrative study of the endemic, yet ubiquitous, Patagonian shrub Mulinum spinosum (Apiaceae) was performed: (1) to assess the historical processes that influenced its geographical pattern of genetic variation; (2) to test hypotheses of its survival in situ or in glacial refugia during glacial cycles; and (3) to model its extant and palaeoclimatic distributions to assess support for the phylogeographical patterns recovered.

Location  Chilean and Argentinian Andean region and Patagonian steppe.

Methods  Chloroplast DNA sequences, trnH–psbA, trnS–trnG and 3′trnV–ndhC, were obtained for 314 individuals of M. spinosum from 71 populations. The haplotype data matrix was analysed using nested clade analysis (NCA) to construct a network. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA), spatial analysis of molecular variance (SAMOVA) and neutrality tests were also used to test for genetic structure and range expansion in the species. The present potential geographical distribution of M. spinosum was modelled and projected onto a Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) model.

Results  Amongst the 29 haplotypes observed, one was widely distributed, but most were restricted to either northern or southern regions. The populations with highest haplotype diversity were found in southern Patagonia, the high Andean region, and northern Patagonia. AMOVA and SAMOVA showed latitudinal structure for Argentinian populations. NCA implied patterns of restricted gene flow or dispersal but with some long‐distance dispersal and also long‐distance colonization and/or past fragmentation. Neutrality tests did not support range expansions. The current distribution model was a fairly good representation of the extant geographical distribution of the species, and the distribution model for the LGM did not show important shifts of the extant range to lower latitudes, except for a shift towards the palaeoseashore.

Main conclusions  Based on agreement amongst phylogeographical patterns, distribution of genetic variability, equivocal evidence of putative refugia and palaeodistribution modelling, it is probable that glaciations did not greatly affect the distribution of Mulinum spinosum. Our results are consistent with the in situ survival hypothesis, and not with the latitudinal migration of plant communities to avoid adverse climate conditions during Pleistocene glaciations. It is possible that populations of northern Patagonia may have been isolated from the southern ones by the Chubut and Deseado basins.
Thymus and immune reconstitution after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in humans: never say never again
Authors: Toubert A. , Glauzy S. , Douay C. , Clave E.
Published: January 2012

Assessment of the host immune status is becoming a key issue in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). In the long‐term follow‐up of these patients, severe post‐transplant infections, relapse or secondary malignancies may be directly related to persistent immune defects. In allo‐HSCT, T‐cell differentiation of donor progenitors within the recipient thymus is required to generate naive recent T‐cell emigrants (RTE). These cells account for a durable T‐cell reconstitution, generating a diverse T‐cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and robust response to infections. It is now possible to quantify the production of RTE by measuring thymic T‐cell receptor excision circles or ‘TREC’ which are small circular DNA produced during the recombination of the genomic segments encoding the TCR alpha chain. Here we discuss the role of thymic function in allo‐HSCT. The pre‐transplant recipient thymic function correlates with clinical outcome in terms of survival and occurrence of severe infections. Post‐transplant, TREC analysis showed that the thymus is a sensitive target to the allogeneic acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD) reaction but is also prone to recovery in young adult patients. In all, thymus is a key player for the quality of immune reconstitution and clinical outcome after allo‐HSCT. Thymic tissue is plastic and it is a future challenge to halt or reverse thymic GVHD therapeutically by acting at the level of T‐cell progenitors generation, thymic homing and/or epithelial thymic tissue preservation.
Platelet concentrate transport in pneumatic tube systems – does it work?
Authors: Lancé M. D. , Marcus M. A. E. , van Oerle R. , Theunissen H. M. S. , Henskens Y. M. C.
Published: January 2012

Blood sample transport via pneumatic tube systems (PTS) reduces the turnaround time of laboratories, but it might influence analysis results. Its effect on platelet concentrates (PCs) is not known. Platelet function was investigated after single and multiple PTS transport in comparison with storage and irradiation. Optical and impedance aggregation, CD‐62, and microparticles changed as a result of storage, but not due to transport. Irradiation lowered platelet function independently. Multiple transport impaired thrombin receptor‐activating peptide‐induced aggregation. This investigation demonstrates the feasibility of PTS transport. As platelet function depends on storage, it may be more important to transfuse fresh PCs.
Temporal and Spectral Analyses Reveal Individual Variation in a Non‐Vocal Acoustic Display: The Drumming Display of the Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus, L.)
Authors: Garcia Maxime , Charrier Isabelle , Rendall Drew , Iwaniuk Andrew N.
Published: January 2012

Individual variation in vocalizations is a common feature of many forms of long‐distance communication in vertebrates. The extent to which individual variation occurs in non‐vocal, long‐distance acoustic communication has not, however, been tested. Here, we examine the spectral and temporal characteristics of a non‐vocal acoustic signal, the wing‐beating drumming display of the male Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus, L.), and test whether its structure varies more among individuals than within them. Drumming displays were recorded over two field seasons, and we measured several temporal and spectral features of these recordings. Each drumming display consists of 39–50 pulses produced over a period of 9–10 s with most of the energy concentrated at frequencies below 100 Hz. We calculated the potential for individual coding of several temporal and spectral features, and both the number of pulses and pulse rate were highly individually specific. This was corroborated by analyses of variance, bivariate plots of pulse number and rate, and discriminant function analyses. Overall, we conclude that male Ruffed Grouse produce individually specific drumming displays in a similar fashion to vocal individuality in other birds. The extent to which these individual differences persist from one season to the next is unclear, but individual differences in the number of pulses and pulse rate could provide information on individual identity to conspecifics.
Larval development of Empoasca vitis and Edwardsiana rosae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) at different temperatures on grapevine leaves
Authors: Reineke A. , Hauck M.
Published: January 2012

The grape leafhopper Empoasca vitis (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) is regarded as a major insect pest in many European grapevine growing areas, with an increasing importance realized in recent years maybe as a result of climatic change. Both larvae and adults feed on the phloem vessels of the leaves, causing characteristic symptoms also referred to as hopperburn. Phenology of adult leafhoppers was monitored in one vineyard in three successive years and indicated that immigration of a few hibernated E. vitis individuals into vineyards might take place already quite early in the year depending on winter temperatures and starts to progress in substantial numbers right at grapevine bud burst. In addition, these monitoring studies have shown that there are several other leafhopper species occurring on grapevine plants besides E. vitis, such as the rose leafhopper Edwardsiana rosae (Homoptera: Cicadellidae). Here, we report on the development of larval instars of both leafhopper species, E. vitis and E. rosae on grapevine leaves under different temperature regimes in the laboratory. Shortest larval developmental time was observed at night temperatures of 13–15°C and day temperatures of 23–25°C, which was in agreement with predicted optimal temperatures for both species. At the temperature regime of 20°C night and 30°C day temperature, either no egg hatch was observed or early development of first‐instar larvae was not successful for both species. These results suggest that warm (18°C) nights and moderately warm (28°C) days are representing the upper thermal threshold for development of both E. vitis and E. rosae embryonic stages on grapevine leaves, questioning current assumptions of an increasing importance of E. vitis as a grapevine pest under future climate change.
Interspecific interactions under fertilization among Elymus nutans, Festuca sinensis and Festuca ovina on the eastern Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau
Authors: GU MENGHE , DONG SHIKUI , WANG TAO , XIE ZHONGKUI
Published: January 2012

A field replacement experiment was used to study the interspecific interaction among three perennial grasses (Elymus nutans, Festuca sinensis and Festuca ovina) that are distributed widely on the east Qinghai‐Tibetan plateau. The experiment consisted of four different species mixtures at four seeding densities and two fertilizer levels. Above‐ground biomass, relative yield and complementary effect were determined from harvested shoot dry weights. The results showed that above‐ground biomass was greater in all species mixtures than in monocultures. The difference between the observed and expected relative yield was greater than zero in all mixtures for E. nutans and was greater than zero in the F. sinensis/F. ovina mixture, but was below zero in all other mixtures for F. sinensis, and was below zero in all mixtures for F. ovina. The complementary effect was more negative across all seeding densities except at a seeding density of 400 seeds/m2, and was negative across all mixtures except the F. sinensis/F. ovina mixture. In addition, fertilization had an insignificant impact on the relative yield, but a significant impact on the complementary effect. Fertilization enhanced negative interspecific interaction among the species.
Warming, CO2, and nitrogen deposition interactively affect a plant‐pollinator mutualism
Authors: Hoover Shelley E. R. , Ladley Jenny J. , Shchepetkina Anastasia A. , Tisch Maggie , Gieseg Steven P. , Tylianakis Jason M.
Published: January 2012

Environmental changes threaten plant‐pollinator mutualisms and their critical ecosystem service. Drivers such as land use, invasions and climate change can affect pollinator diversity or species encounter rates. However, nitrogen deposition, climate warming and CO2 enrichment could interact to disrupt this crucial mutualism by altering plant chemistry in ways that alter floral attractiveness or even nutritional rewards for pollinators. Using a pumpkin model system, we show that these drivers non‐additively affect flower morphology, phenology, flower sex ratios and nectar chemistry (sugar and amino acids), thereby altering the attractiveness of nectar to bumble bee pollinators and reducing worker longevity. Alarmingly, bees were attracted to, and consumed more, nectar from a treatment that reduced their survival by 22%. Thus, three of the five major drivers of global environmental change have previously unknown interactive effects on plant‐pollinator mutualisms that could not be predicted from studies of individual drivers in isolation.
Effect of oxygen on the anaerobic methanotroph ‘Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera’: kinetic and transcriptional analysis
Authors: Luesken Francisca A. , Wu Ming L. , Op den Camp Huub J. M. , Keltjens Jan T. , Stunnenberg Henk , Francoijs Kees‐Jan , Strous Marc , Jetten Mike S. M.
Published: January 2012

‘Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera’ is a denitrifying methanotroph that performs nitrite‐dependent anaerobic methane oxidation through a newly discovered intra‐aerobic pathway. In this study, we investigated the response of a M. oxyfera enrichment culture to oxygen. Addition of either 2% or 8% oxygen resulted in an instant decrease of methane and nitrite conversion rates. Oxygen exposure also led to a deviation in the nitrite to methane oxidation stoichiometry. Oxygen‐uptake and inhibition studies with cell‐free extracts displayed a change from cytochrome c to quinol as electron donor after exposure to oxygen. The change in global gene expression was monitored by deep sequencing of cDNA using Illumina technology. After 24 h of oxygen exposure, transcription levels of 1109 (out of 2303) genes changed significantly when compared with the anoxic period. Most of the genes encoding enzymes of the methane oxidation pathway were constitutively expressed. Genes from the denitrification pathway, with exception of one of the putative nitric oxide reductases, norZ2, were severely downregulated. The majority of known genes involved in the vital cellular functions, such as nucleic acid and protein biosynthesis and cell division processes, were downregulated. The alkyl hydroperoxide reductase, ahpC, and genes involved in the synthesis/repair of the iron–sulfur clusters were among the few upregulated genes. Further, transcription of the pmoCAB genes of aerobic methanotrophs present in the non‐M. oxyfera community were triggered by the presence of oxygen. Our results show that oxygen‐exposed cells of M. oxyfera were under oxidative stress and that in spite of its oxygenic capacity, exposure to microoxic conditions has an overall detrimental effect.
Expression of androgen and oestrogen receptors and its prognostic significance in urothelial neoplasm of the urinary bladder
Authors: Miyamoto Hiroshi , Yao Jorge L. , Chaux Alcides , Zheng Yichun , Hsu Iawen , Izumi Koji , Chang Chawnshang , Messing Edward M. , Netto George J. , Yeh Shuyuan
Published: January 2012

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Steroid hormone receptor signals have been implicated in bladder tumourigenesis and tumour progression. The expression of androgen and/or oestrogen receptors has been assessed in bladder cancer, leading to conflicting data of expression levels and their relationship to histopathological characteristics of the tumours. We simultaneously analyze three receptors in non‐neoplastic bladder tissues as well as in primary and metastatic bladder tumour specimens. Our data demonstrate that the expression status correlates with tumour grades/stages and patients’ outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and oestrogen receptors (ERs) in bladder tumours because recent studies have shown conflicting results and the prognostic significance of their expression remains unclear.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We investigated the expression of AR, ERα and ERβ in 188 bladder tumour specimens, as well as matched 141 non‐neoplastic bladder and 14 lymph node metastasis tissues, by immunohistochemistry.

We then evaluated the relationships between their expression and the clinicopathological features available for the present patient cohort.

RESULTS

AR/ERα/ERβ was positive in 80%/50%/89% of benign urothelium, 50%/67%/41% of benign stroma, 42%/27%/49% of primary tumours and 71%/64%/71% of metastatic tumours.

Significantly lower expression of AR/ERα was found in high‐grade tumours (36%/23%) and tumours invading muscularis propria (33%/19%) compared to low‐grade tumours (55%; P= 0.0232/38%; P= 0.0483) and tumours not invading muscularis propria (51%; P= 0.0181/35%; P= 0.0139), respectively.

Significantly higher expression of ERβ was found in high‐grade tumours (58%) and tumours invading muscularis propria (67%) compared to low‐grade tumours (29%; P= 0.0002) and tumours not invading muscularis propria (34%; P < 0.0001), respectively.

Kaplan–Meier and log‐rank tests further showed that positivity of ERβ (but not AR or ERα) was associated with the recurrence of low‐grade tumours (P= 0.0072); the progression of low‐grade tumours (P= 0.0005), high‐grade tumours not invading muscularis propria (P= 0.0020) and tumours invading muscularis propria (P= 0.0010); or disease‐specific mortality in patients with tumours invading muscularis propria (P= 0.0073).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to benign bladders, a significant decrease in the expression of AR, ERα or ERβ in bladder cancer was seen.

Loss of AR or ERα was strongly associated with higher grade/more invasive tumours, whereas ERβ expression was increased in high‐grade/invasive tumours and predicted a worse prognosis.
DISTRIBUTIONAL IMPACTS OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS TRADING: ALTERNATIVE ALLOCATION AND RECYCLING STRATEGIES IN CALIFORNIA
Authors: ROSE ADAM , WEI DAN , PRAGER FYNNWIN
Published: January 2012

Cap and trade remains attractive to many state governments because it provides a much‐needed source of additional revenue when greenhouse gas emission allowances are auctioned to the highest bidder. We analyze the income distribution impacts of the California Global Warming Solutions Act under alternative policy designs. These include the free allocation of emission allowances versus recycling of auction revenues through proportional income tax relief and a per capita dividend. The analysis is undertaken under conditions where significant economic gains, rather than losses, are projected for the policy, and in the context of the new electricity pricing regulatory environment in which passing along the opportunity costs of using free allowances may not be approved. We adapt and enhance the Regional Economic Models, Inc. Policy Insight Plus Model and apply it for the first time to estimate the income distribution impacts of cap and trade. The analysis illustrates the importance of considering macroeconomic impacts and identifies important efficiency‐equity tradeoffs. The method and results are generalizable to the dozens of states and regions still formulating or revising climate action plans in the United States and to many regions and nations around the world. (JEL D31, R11, Q54)
DELIBERATIVE MONETARY VALUATION: IN SEARCH OF A DEMOCRATIC AND VALUE PLURAL APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
Authors: Lo Alex Y. , Spash Clive L.
Published: January 2012

The use of deliberative methods to assess environmental values in monetary terms has been motivated by the potential for small group discussion to help with preference formation and the inclusion of non‐economic values. In this review, two broad approaches are identified: preference economisation and preference moralisation. The former is analytical, concentrates upon issues of poor respondent cognition and produces a narrow conception of value linked to utilitarianism. The latter emphasises political legitimacy, appeals to community values and tends to privilege arguments made in the public interest. Both approaches are shown to embrace forms of value convergence, which undermine the prospects for value pluralism. As a result exclusion and predefinition of values dominates current practice. In order to maintain democratic credentials, the importance attributed to monetary value needs to be left as an open question to be addressed as part of a process determining an “agreement to pay”. To this end we identify a discourse‐based approach as a third way consistent with the democratic and value plural potential of deliberative monetary valuation.