bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lignin Utilization
Authors: Henriksson Gunnar , Li Jiebing , Zhang Liming , Lindström Mikael E.
Published: September 2010

Lignin is one of the most abundant biopolymers on Earth, carrying out important biological roles in vascular plants. It has somewhat higher energy content than polysaccharides, but has a complex and heterogeneous structure including covalent bonds to polysaccharides. The partly random structure of lignin is explained by the fact that it is created by an uncatalyzed radical polymerization. Lignin is obtained as a by-product of various types of technical processes based on biomass, of which chemical pulping of wood is the most important. These technical lignins have structures that differ from native lignin. Sulphite pulping of wood generates a water soluble lignin derivate, which among other things, is used as a dispersing agent and dust binder. Kraft pulping generates a lignin that is insoluble at neutral pH, which today is mainly burned for heat generation in the chemical recovery system of the kraft pulp mill. Recently, efficient methods have been developed for the preparation of lignin from the process liquids, for use in energy generation or other applications. Conversion of technical lignin to liquid fuels for use in combustion engines is an interesting possibility that represents a technical challenge. This chapter reviews the structure and biopolymerisation of lignin, reactions of lignin during technical processes, and different applications of technical lignins.
Hydrotreating for Bio-Oil Upgrading
Authors: Honkela Maija L. , Viljava Tuula-Riitta , Gutierrez Andrea , Krause A. Outi I.
Published: September 2010

Bio-oils are produced from various biomass sources through processes such as pyrolysis and hydrothermal treatment. While conventional oils from fossil energy sources contain less than 0.1 wt% oxygen, the oxygen content of bio-oils can reach as high as 50 wt% causing several undesired properties such as high viscosity, instability and low energy content. The oxygen can be removed partly or totally by hydrodeoxygenation (HDO). Process characteristics of the HDO of wood-based bio-oils and HDO studies carried out with bio-oil model components are presented.
Biodiesel Production and Properties
Authors: Van Gerpen Jon H. , He Brian
Published: September 2010

Biodiesel is an alternative fuel for diesel engines that consists of mono-alkyl esters produced from vegetable oils or animal fats. Its properties depend on the relative amounts of the individual fatty acids that compose the oils and fats. When a high proportion of these fatty acids are saturated, the biodiesel will have a high cetane number and good oxidative stability but it will not be able to go to low temperatures without gelling. Animal fats and tropical oils such as palm and coconut oils are more saturated than common vegetable oils such as soybean and canola. Biodiesel is produced by transesterification of triglycerides with a simple alcohol. When water is present, saponification produces metallic salts, or soaps, that must be removed from the biodiesel before it can be used in engines. Degraded feedstocks such as used cooking oils or crude animal fats contain free fatty acids that are either removed or converted to alkyl esters by acid-catalyzed reactions. The transesterification reaction rate is limited by mass transfer due to the low solubility of alcohol in the oil. Co-solvents and high shear mixers can be used to approach the kinetically limited reaction rate. Strict adherence to industry specifications is important to minimize operational problems. Sediments caused by oxidation reactions and incomplete reaction products and precipitates from sterol compounds are frequent causes of fuel filter plugging.
Renewable Diesel and Jet-Fuel Production from Fats and Oils
Authors: Kalnes Tom N. , McCall Michael M. , Shonnard David R.
Published: September 2010

Hydroprocessing of fats and oils for the production of renewable diesel fuel is a commercial technology with more than 800 million gallons per year of announced capacity. Both co-processing with petroleum feeds and dedicated process technologies to produce a 100% renewable fuel are available with the latter providing flexibility to control diesel product properties and produce renewable aviation fuel.

Similar in composition to Fischer-Tropsch derived fuels, hydrotreated renewable diesel (HRD) and jet (HRJ) are fully deoxygenated, paraffin-rich hydrocarbon liquids that can either be used neat or blended in any proportion with existing petroleum fuels. Complete deoxygenation of fats and oils is critical to ensuring the production of transportation fuels that are chemically identical to components already found in current petroleum hydrocarbon fuels, with high thermal stability and maximum specific energy. The extent to which this straight chain paraffinic product is isomerized and hydrocracked depends on site-specific targets for fuel quality such as type of fuel, viscosity, cloud point, and cetane number. On-going certification efforts, engine tests and fleet testing continue to document the many benefits of these fuels including high specific energy content, good blending properties, and lower emissions.

Life cycle assessments of both HRD and HRJ from a variety of feedstock sources have been completed. When produced from waste streams or sustainable energy crops, HRD and HRJ exhibit a much smaller carbon footprint than their petroleum-derived counterparts. Expanded cultivation of new “non-food” sources of fat and oil feedstock is needed to enable significant market growth.
Catalytic Deoxygenation of Fatty Acids and their Derivatives for the Production of Renewable Diesel
Authors: Murzin Dmitry Yu. , Mäki-Arvela Päivi
Published: September 2010

Production of diesel-like hydrocarbons from renewable resources through catalytic deoxygenation is summarized. As a feedstock, fatty acids (C9 - C23) and their derivatives (esters, triglycerides) can be used, as well as tall oil fatty acids (TOFA). The catalytic deoxygenation of fatty acids and their derivatives was typically performed over Pd and Pt catalysts supported on micro- and mesoporous carbon in the temperature and pressure ranges of 270°C – 360°C and 6 – 17 bar, respectively, under inert conditions or in the presence of small amounts of hydrogen. The main liquid phase products were hydrocarbons having one less carbon than in the original fatty acid, whereas CO and CO2 were obtained as major products in the gas phase. n-Heptadecane, with a yield of greater than 90%, was the main product in stearic acid deoxygenation. The feasibility of deoxygenation was demonstrated in both semi-batch and continuous modes. Although no sintering of Pd occurred, which was confirmed by TEM particle size analysis, catalyst deactivation was noticeable due to coking. Overall, deoxygenation can be a viable technology for the upgrading of vegetable oils.
Colonization of an island volcano, Long Island, Papua New Guinea, and an emergent island, Motmot, in its caldera lake. I. General introduction
Authors: Thornton Ian W. B.
Published: September 2010

Biogeographical context Long Island, in Vitiaz Strait, is 55 km north of New Guinea, 60 km from Umboi Island and 125 km from New Britain. After its explosive caldera‐forming eruption in about 1645, Long is being recolonized by animals and plants. Through renewed volcanic activity in the 1950s a new island emerged from Long's caldera lake, 4 km from the nearest lake shore and was recreated by eruptions in 1968. Long Island thus provides the opportunity to study a nested pair of natural colonization sequences.

The geological background, eruptive history, course and results of the seventeenth century eruption, and the geographical features and climate of Long Island are summarized. Existing knowledge of Long's recolonization, confined almost entirely to surveys of its avifauna in 1933 and 1972, is reviewed. The geological history of Motmot is outlined, and published knowledge of its colonization by animals and plants from 1968 to 1988 is summarized.

The 1999 expedition and aims An expedition to Long Island and Motmot in 1999 set out to investigate the hitherto little‐known flora and present vertebrate fauna of Long Island and to survey the entire flora and fauna of Motmot for comparison with the results of previous surveys. The methods used in the 1999 survey are described, and the papers setting out the results briefly introduced.
In vitro prevention of cell‐mediated xeno‐graft rejection via the Fas/FasL‐pathway in CrmA‐transducted porcine kidney cells
Authors: Fujino Masayuki , Li Xiao‐Kang , Suda Takashi , Hashimoto Mitsuhiro , Okabe Keiko , Yaginuma Hiroyuki , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko , Guo Lei , Okuyama Torayuki , Enosawa Shin , Amemiya Hiroshi , Amano Takashi , Suzuki Seiichi
Published: September 2010

Abstract: Cell‐mediated cytotoxicity may be involved in delayed and/or chronic xenograft rejection in which apoptosis is induced in the grafted cells via the Fas/Fas‐ligand (FasL) and perforin/granzyme pathways. One barrier to the potential use of xeonogenic grafts for humans may be Fas/FasL‐mediated apoptosis, which would be blocked by the gene expression of cytokine response modifier A (CrmA), a cowpox virus gene product. The purpose of this study is to explore whether crmA is an effective candidate gene for inhibiting apoptosis in an in vitro model of xenograft rejection, using Fas‐expressing non‐primate cells cultured with a soluble recombinant human FasL (sFasL). A recombinant adenovirus vector expressing CrmA (AxCALNLCrmA) was successfully generated with a Cre‐mediated switching system. PK15 cells, derived from a porcine kidney and infected with AxCALNLCrmA and/or AxCANCre at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) ranging from 0.1 to 100, were cultured with human sFasL derived from KFL74.18, a human FasL‐overexpressed cell line. The gene‐expression level of the PK15 cells was confirmed by CrmA‐immune staining. Approximately 70% of the control PK15 cells showed induced apoptosis when cultured with sFasL. In contrast, the apoptosis was dramatically reduced in crmA‐gene‐transduced PK15 cells. The inhibitory effect of apoptosis increased with an increase in the infection dose of AxCANCre. In addition, the activity of caspases 3 and 8 was significantly inhibited in the crmA‐transduced cells. These results indicate that CrmA is an effective gene product for inhibiting Fas/FasL‐mediated apoptosis, which suggests the potential therapeutic use of its gene transduction to protect against graft damage due to delayed and/or chronic xenograft rejection.
Line broadening in electronic spectra of anthracene derivatives inside superfluid helium nanodroplets
Authors: Pentlehner D. , Greil Ch. , Dick B. , Slenczka A.
Published: September 2010

Electronic spectroscopy of molecules profits greatly from superfluid helium droplets serving as a gentle cryogenic matrix. Characteristic features of electronic spectra in helium droplets are a solvent shift, phonon wings, and in rare cases a splitting of zero phonon lines. For the majority of molecules investigated so far in helium droplets the vibrational fine structure in electronic spectra resembles what was observed in a supersonic jet. The electronic spectra of three methylated anthracene derivatives and one phenylated anthracene discussed in this paper reveal remarkable effects in the vibrational fine structure due to solvation in helium droplets. For all four compounds the vibrational frequencies were almost not affected by the helium environment. However, if the electronic excitation is accompanied by nuclear rearrangement, the spectra showed remarkable line broadening in helium droplets. This is the case for 2-methylanthracene and 9-phenylanthracene. The corresponding line shape was of Lorentzian type and, thus, attributed to damping of the excited system by the helium environment. According to the linewidth the damping time constant was determined to be about 0.3 ps in the case of 2-methylanthracene and 0.1 ps for 9-phenylanthracene.
Internal orientations and elastic properties of non-Gaussian nematic polymer network
Authors: Walasek Janusz
Published: September 2010

Elasticity of the polymer network, with nematic interactions between segments of all the system chains, is considered. The Maier and Saupe molecular mean-field is used for description of nematic interactions. Calculations are performed for non-Gaussian network containing chains of finite contour length. The network topological structure is taken into consideration via the system contraction coefficient. Values of thermodynamic parameters, necessary for the existence of the isotropic-nematic equilibrium, are calculated. The system free energy (Helmholtz function) is calculated for any direction of external elongation of the network. A relation between the deformation force and elongation ratio is obtained. The network can have isotropic as well as anisotropic elastic properties. It depends on the system internal orientations and chain lengths. For the network in isotropic phase, defined with respect to orientation of segments, elastic constants have the same values in any direction. It is independent of whether the chain length is finite or infinite. In the nematic phase, the network elastic constants have the same values for chains with infinite length, while they are many in various directions for finite length of chains. The problem of the nematic axis rotation under the system external deformation is considered.
A new method of Q factor optimization by introducing two nodal wedges in a tuning-fork/fiber probe distance sensor
Authors: Park Kyoung-Duck , Kim Dae-Chan , O Beom-Hoan , Park Se-Geun , Lee El-Hang , Lee Seung Gol
Published: September 2010

We report on a new method of achieving and optimizing a high Q factor in a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) by introducing two nodal wedges to a tuning-fork/fiber probe distance sensor and by selecting a vibrational mode of the dithering sensor. The effect of the nodal wedges on the dynamical properties of the sensor is theoretically analyzed and experimentally confirmed. The optimization achieved by the proposed method is understood from the vibration isolation and the subsequent formation of a local vibration cavity. The optimal condition is found to be less susceptible to the variation of the fiber tip length. This method allows effective NSOM measurement of samples placed even in aqueous solution.
Development of a thermal neutron detector based on scintillating fibers and silicon photomultipliers
Authors: Barbagallo Massimo , Cosentino Luigi , Greco Giuseppe , Montereali Rosa Maria , Pappalardo Alfio , Scirè Carlotta , Scirè Sergio , Vincenti Maria Aurora , Finocchiaro Paolo
Published: September 2010

We propose a technique for thermal neutron detection, based on a L6i converter placed in front of scintillating fibers readout by means of silicon photomultipliers. Such a technique allows building cheap and compact detectors and dosimeters, thus possibly opening new perspectives in terms of granular monitoring of neutron fluxes as well as space-resolved neutron detection.
Spatial and temporal evolution of ion energies in high power impulse magnetron sputtering plasma discharge
Authors: Hecimovic A. , Ehiasarian A. P.
Published: September 2010

High power impulse magnetron sputtering (HIPIMS) is a novel deposition technology successfully implemented on full scale industrial machines. HIPIMS utilizes short pulses of high power delivered to the target in order to generate high amount of metal ions. The life-span of ions between the pulses and their energy distribution could strongly influence the properties and characteristics of the deposited coating. In modern industrial coating machines the sample rotates on a substrate holder and changes its position and distance with regard to the magnetron. Time resolved measurements of the ion energy distribution function (IEDF) at different distances from the magnetron have been performed to investigate the temporal evolution of ions at various distances from target. The measurements were performed using two pressures, 1 and 3 Pa to investigate the influence of working gas pressure on IEDF. Plasma sampling energy-resolved mass spectroscopy was used to measure the IEDF of Ti1+, Ti2+, Ar1+, and Ar2+ ions in HIPIMS plasma discharge with titanium (Ti) target in Ar atmosphere. The measurements were done over a full pulse period and the distance between the magnetron and the orifice of the mass spectrometer was changed from 25 to 215 mm.
Elastic softening behavior of Ti–Nb single crystal near martensitic transformation temperature
Authors: Jeong H. W. , Yoo Y. S. , Lee Y. T. , Park J. K.
Published: September 2010

The elastic behavior of Ti–40 wt % Nb single crystal near martensite start (Ms) temperature was studied using a resonant ultrasound spectroscopy measurements and the first principle calculation. The experimental results showed that both c′ and cs shear moduli tended to soften as the temperature decreased from room temperature down to and across the Ms temperature of 267 K, suggesting that both the {112}⟨111⟩ and {110}⟨110⟩ shears were operating during martensitic transformations of disordered bcc to orthorhombic structure. The consideration of detailed atomic mechanisms involved in the shear sequences and the calculation of the energy of intermediate state suggested that the {110}⟨110⟩ shear was operating as primary shear and the {112}⟨111⟩ shear operating as a secondary shear to complete the transformation. The measurement further showed that the anisotropy constant, A, was rather increasing at the transition temperature approaching Ms, similarly to the transformation of ordered bcc (B2) to orthorhombic (B19) martensite.
Hot carrier solar cells: Achievable efficiency accounting for heat losses in the absorber and through contacts
Authors: Le Bris A. , Guillemoles J.-F.
Published: September 2010

The hot carrier solar cell enables the photovoltaic efficiency limit to be approached by tapping into what are normally heat losses. Previous models neglected thermalization in the absorber and assumed ideally energy selective contacts that allow minimum heat losses upon carrier extraction. The proposed improved model includes both realistic contacts and thermalization rates. The heat flux due to carrier extraction is computed. Results show that spectrally broad semiselective contacts are compatible with an efficiency exceeding the single junction limit, which would considerably facilitate the realization of the device.
Commensurability effect in diblock copolymer lamellar phase under d-dimensional nanoconfinement
Authors: Huh June , Park Cheolmin , Kwon Yong Ku
Published: September 2010

We theoretically consider the commensurability problem of AB diblock lamellar phase confined between parallel plates, in cylinder, and in sphere calculating the free energy of confined lamellar phase which is generalized in terms of dimensionality of confinement (d) and conformational asymmetry (ϵ). We find that the first-order layer-addition transition of lamellar layers parallel to the confining surface (L∥) becomes suppressed as the dimensionality of confinement increases. For lamellae confined in curved space, the conformational asymmetry alters the location of layer-addition transition point and the stability of L∥ against nonconcentric layers. When the surface-preferential block becomes flexible, the radius of cylindrically or spherically confined space at the layer-addition transition, where the number of A-B layers of L∥ changes from l layers to l+1 layers, increases if l is odd and decreases otherwise due to the tendency of less flexible block filling innermost layer. The curved space also weakens the stability L∥ competing with nonconcentric layers when the surface-preferential block becomes less flexible. The phase maps in the parameter space of conformational asymmetry and degree of confinement are constructed for different cases of the confinement dimensionality and the surface fields, demonstrating the effects of various system variables on the confined lamellar structures.
Optical phase detection in a 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methyl-stilbazolium tosylate crystal for terahertz time domain spectroscopy system at 1.55 μm wavelength
Authors: Martin M. , Mangeney J. , Crozat P. , Mounaix P.
Published: September 2010

We report the electro-optic detection of terahertz (THz) pulses in a 4-N,N-dimethylamino-4′-N′-methyl-stilbazolium tosylate crystal (DAST) using optical phase detection technique and femtosecond optical pulses at telecom wavelength. A THz time-domain spectroscopy system based on 1.55 μm wavelength fiber laser pulses that integrates an ion-irradiated In0.53Ga0.47As photoconductive antenna as the emitter and a DAST electro-optic crystal as the detector is shown to provide a detection bandwidth of 5 THz.
Impact of stress-memorization technique induced-tensile strain on low frequency noise in n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor transistors
Authors: Kuo Cheng-Wen , Wu San-Lein , Chang Shoou-Jinn , Huang Yao-Tsung , Cheng Yao-Chin , Cheng Osbert
Published: September 2010

The use of low-frequency (1/f) noise to evaluate stress-memorization technique (SMT) induced-stress in n-channel metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors is investigated. Through observing Hooge’s parameter αH, we found that the unified model can properly interpret the 1/f noise mechanism in our device. On the other hand, lower normalized input-referred noise (LSVG) level in number-fluctuation-dominated regime (region I) and smaller curvature of LSVG versus VGS-VTH in mobility-fluctuation-dominated regime (region II) are attributed to the reduced tunneling attenuation length and Coulomb scattering coefficient, respectively. It represents an intrinsic benefit of 1/f noise behavior stemming from SMT-induced more strain in short channel device.
The Forgotten and the Future: Reclaiming Back Alleys for a Sustainable City
Authors: Wolch Jennifer , Newell Josh , Seymour Mona , Huang Hilary Bradbury , Reynolds Kim , Mapes Jennifer
Published: September 2010

Alleys are enigmatic, neglected features of the urban fabric. In this paper we explore the distribution, physical features, activity patterns, and resident perceptions of alleys in one major US city, Los Angeles, California. We do so through an integrated mixed-methods strategy involving participatory research with community-based organizations, spatial analysis, physical audits and behavioral observation of alleys, and focus groups. Results show that most alleys in Los Angeles are underutilized and walkable, quiet, and clean, although they can be, and are often perceived as, dirty and unsafe. Alley density is greatest in park-poor, low-income Latino and African-American neighborhoods. Alleys represent unrealized community assets that could be transformed by urban planners and managers into ‘green infrastructure’ to simultaneously offer multiple ecological, economic, and social benefits—including urban walkability and mobility, play space and green cover, biodiversity conservation, and urban runoff infiltration—and thereby to contribute to a more sustainable urbanism.
Green Lungs: Good Firewood, Healthy Air, and Embodied Forest Politics
Authors: Henne Adam
Published: September 2010

In southern Chile a coalition of environmental, labor, and municipal leaders is rolling out a novel approach to environmental regulation. The National Firewood Certification System provides a seal of approval to firewood that is produced and sold according to standards of sustainability, transparency, and quality. Firewood certification is distinct from Fair Trade, organic, or other market-based programs to the extent that it blurs the lines between nature conservation (preserving native forest) and public health (improving indoor air quality, controlling urban smog). Certification's advocates are explicit about leveraging the public health dimension of ‘good’ (ie clean, dry) firewood to promote ‘good’ (ie sustainable, conservationist) management of native forest; they are quite literally networking lungs to forests. I had come to Chile to study forest certification in a very different register— an international NGO certifying million-hectare plantations for the global pulp market. The local and provisional quality of the firewood program made for a striking contrast, but not as striking as the immediacy and physicality of the product: the firewood itself. As I hacked and wheezed in front of my woodstove, as I considered that I was perhaps exposing my family's lungs to carcinogens and acute respiratory infections, I came to see the consumer–producer networks of certification in a different light. This paper examines firewood certification as a market-based social movement and as a visceral experiment in creating environmental consciousness. My ethnographic perspective is informed by heat, smoke, and aching lungs.
Planning by Opportunity: An Analysis of Periurban Environmental Conflicts in Indonesia
Authors: Hudalah Delik , Winarso Haryo , Woltjer Johan
Published: September 2010

In this paper we seek to extend ideas about communicative planning and capacity building in collective action. In doing so, we combine political opportunity structure and Kingdon's policy window in order to develop an agency-centered approach to opportunity. We argue that we need to see the moments and structures of opportunity not simply as fixed, but as something that actors can ‘make’. The moments of opportunity refer to the dynamic, emerging factors of opportunity. Meanwhile, the structures of opportunity consist of relatively consistent, stable factors of opportunity. This theoretical insight is then applied to two debates on development planning projects in the periurban area of North Bandung Area, Indonesia. Three aspects of institutional capacity result from the practice of ‘constructing’ opportunity in the case study: mobilization of social resources, empowerment of weak actors, and focusing of politicians and policymakers' attention.
WASP is activated by phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate to restrict synapse growth in a pathway parallel to bone morphogenetic protein signaling
Authors: Khuong Thang Manh , Habets Ron L. P. , Slabbaert Jan R. , Verstreken Patrik
Published: September 2010

Phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P
2
] is a membrane lipid involved in several signaling pathways. However, the role of this lipid in the regulation of synapse growth is ill-defined. Here we identify PI(4,5)P
2
as a gatekeeper of neuromuscular junction (NMJ) size. We show that PI(4,5)P
2
levels in neurons are critical in restricting synaptic growth by localizing and activating presynaptic Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome protein/WASP (WSP). This function of WSP is independent of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling but is dependent on Tweek, a neuronally expressed protein. Loss of PI(4,5)P
2
-mediated WSP activation results in increased formation of membrane-organizing extension spike protein (Moesin)-GFP patches that concentrate at sites of bouton growth. Based on pharmacological and genetic studies, Moesin patches mark polymerized actin accumulations and correlate well with NMJ size. We propose a model in which PI(4,5)P
2
- and WSP-mediated signaling at presynaptic termini controls actin-dependent synapse growth in a pathway at least in part in parallel to synaptic BMP signaling.
ON MULTIPLE MODERNITIES, CIVILIZATIONS AND ANCIENT JUDAISM
Authors: Weil Shalva
Published: September 2010

In this interview with Shmuel Noah Eisenstadt, the author discusses with the great sociologist of civilizations the intellectual influences on his writings, and his progress since his early works on Israeli society. Eisenstadt analyzes multiple ‘modernities’ in the context of European society and the salience of solidarity and trust. One of the Axial Age civilizations that continues to fascinate Eisenstadt is India, the largest democracy in the world. Eisenstadt points out that Christianity, Islam, Confucianism, and other civilizations and empires are both universalistic, and particularistic and exclusive. Following his relatively recent analysis of Weber's Ancient Judaism, he prefers to relate to Judaism as a civilization rather than an ethnic group, nation, religion or people, and finds it useful to understand the development of modern Israeli society. He foresees both a constructive and destructive global future, and reiterates his belief in sociology as a powerful tool to present an analysis which can enrich public discussion.
Golgi Partitioning Controls Mitotic Entry through Aurora-A Kinase
Authors: Persico Angela , Cervigni Romina Ines , Barretta Maria Luisa , Corda Daniela , Colanzi Antonino
Published: September 2010

At the onset of mitosis, the Golgi complex undergoes a multistep fragmentation process that is required for its correct partitioning into the daughter cells. Inhibition of this Golgi fragmentation results in cell cycle arrest at the G2 stage, suggesting that correct inheritance of the Golgi complex is monitored by a “Golgi mitotic checkpoint.” However, the molecular basis of this G2 block is not known. Here, we show that the G2-specific Golgi fragmentation stage is concomitant with centrosome recruitment and activation of the mitotic kinase Aurora-A, an essential regulator for entry into mitosis. We show that a block of Golgi partitioning impairs centrosome recruitment and activation of Aurora-A, which results in the G2 block of cell cycle progression. Overexpression of Aurora-A overrides this cell cycle block, indicating that Aurora-A is a major effector of the Golgi checkpoint. Our findings provide the basis for further understanding of the signaling pathways that coordinate organelle inheritance and cell duplication.
Autocrine Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Activation Mediated by Integrin αVβ3 Regulates Transcriptional Expression of Laminin-332 in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Epithelial Cells
Authors: Moyano Jose V. , Greciano Patricia G. , Buschmann Mary M. , Koch Manuel , Matlin Karl S.
Published: September 2010

Laminin (LM)-332 is an extracellular matrix protein that plays a structural role in normal tissues and is also important in facilitating recovery of epithelia from injury. We have shown that expression of LM-332 is up-regulated during renal epithelial regeneration after ischemic injury, but the molecular signals that control expression are unknown. Here, we demonstrate that in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells LM-332 expression occurs only in subconfluent cultures and is turned-off after a polarized epithelium has formed. Addition of active transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 to confluent MDCK monolayers is sufficient to induce transcription of the LM α3 gene and LM-332 protein expression via the TGF-β type I receptor (TβR-I) and the Smad2–Smad4 complex. Significantly, we show that expression of LM-332 in MDCK cells is an autocrine response to endogenous TGF-β1 secretion and activation mediated by integrin αVβ3 because neutralizing antibodies block LM-332 production in subconfluent cells. In confluent cells, latent TGF-β1 is secreted apically, whereas TβR-I and integrin αVβ3 are localized basolaterally. Disruption of the epithelial barrier by mechanical injury activates TGF-β1, leading to LM-332 expression. Together, our data suggest a novel mechanism for triggering the production of LM-332 after epithelial injury.
Blind Fines in Cooperatives
Authors: Fatas Enrique , Jimenez‐Jimenez Francisca , Morales Antonio J.
Published: September 2010

In this paper we focus on inefficient product quality arising from a free‐riding problem in agricultural cooperatives. Individual incentives are not aligned with group gains in cooperatives because individual members bear the costs of offering higher qualities, whereas the benefits from these higher qualities are shared among all members. We present a blind mechanism whose quality‐enhancing properties are analyzed in a theoretical model. This mechanism, which does not require individual monitoring, consists of individually punishing co‐op members by using aggregate co‐op performance in such way that the better the co‐op quality, the lower the exclusion probability. In a computerized environment, using experimental methods, we specifically test the effectiveness of our mechanism in alleviating the incentive problem. Experimental results show that our blind punishment mechanism achieves significant efficiency gains.
PedMerge: merging pedigrees to facilitate family-based genetic statistical analyses
Authors: Plaetke Rosemarie , Balbi Federico
Published: September 2010

Summary:  PedMerge allows users to accurately and efficiently merge separately ascertained pedigrees that belong to the same extended family. In addition to validation checks of pedigree structure, the software provides files in LINKAGE or PEDSYS format that easily allow to be used by a variety of genetic statistical software packages including LINKAGE, SOLAR, SLINK or can be further manipulated with Mega2.

Availability:  http://sites.google.com/site/rosemarieplaetke/home/s/pedmerge

Contact:  rplaetke@alaska.edu

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Sequencing delivers diminishing returns for homology detection: implications for mapping the protein universe
Authors: Chubb Daniel , Jefferys Benjamin R. , Sternberg Michael J. E. , Kelley Lawrence A.
Published: September 2010

Motivation: Databases of sequenced genomes are widely used to characterize the structure, function and evolutionary relationships of proteins. The ability to discern such relationships is widely expected to grow as sequencing projects provide novel information, bridging gaps in our map of the protein universe.

Results: We have plotted our progress in protein sequencing over the last two decades and found that the rate of novel sequence discovery is in a sustained period of decline. Consequently, PSI-BLAST, the most widely used method to detect remote evolutionary relationships, which relies upon the accumulation of novel sequence data, is now showing a plateau in performance. We interpret this trend as signalling our approach to a representative map of the protein universe and discuss its implications.

Contact:  daniel.chubb01@imperial.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Effects of Resistant Starch and Fiber from High‐Amylose Non‐Floury Corn on Tortilla Texture
Authors: Rohlfing Kim A. , Paez Alix , Kim Hyun Jung , White Pamela J.
Published: September 2010

A high‐amylose, non‐floury corn, a floury corn, and a 1:1 blend were made into masa and then tortillas. The masa flour made with the high‐amylose corn had a greater amount of resistant starch (RS 28.8%) and a greater amount of total dietary fiber (TDF 42.1%) than that with the floury corn (RS 2.9%, TDF 9.6%), producing a high‐fiber tortilla. The masa was evaluated for pasting properties using a Rapid ViscoAnalyser (RVA). The high‐amylose masa slurry gelatinized little at 95°C. The floury masa had the greatest peak viscosity, whereas the 1:1 blend was intermediate in value. Sensory evaluations of the tortillas for the textural attributes showed the floury tortillas to be chewier, more rollable, and grittier than the high‐amylose tortillas, whereas the blend tortillas were intermediate for most attributes. The cutting force of the high‐amylose tortillas, measured on a texture analyzer, was very low; the blend and floury tortillas required more force. Chewiness was correlated to rollability (r = 0.99, P = 0.05). The %RS and %TDF were correlated to rollability (r = –0.99), and cutting force (r = 0.99). The floury and blend tortillas had firm textures expected of desirable tortillas, whereas the high‐amylose tortillas broke under little force, and would not roll. The high‐amylose tortillas had high amounts of RS and TDF but poor texture. The blend tortillas retained most floury tortilla textural properties, making them suitable products for consumer use.
Cover Crops of Hybrid Common Vetch Reduce Fusarium Wilt of Seedless Watermelon in the Eastern United States
Authors: Keinath Anthony P. , Hassell Richard L. , Everts Kathryne L. , Zhou Xin-Gen
Published: September 2010

Fusarium wilt of watermelon, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum races 0, 1, 2, or 3, is found throughout the eastern United States. Most seedless (triploid) watermelon cultivars are susceptible to all races. In previous studies in Maryland, winter cover crops of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) reduced Fusarium wilt. The objectives of this study were to compare ‘Cahaba White’ hybrid common vetch (V. sativa × V. cordata) to hairy vetch for suppression of Fusarium wilt in South Carolina and Maryland. Cover crops of the two vetches and rye (the control) were seeded in fall 2006 and 2007 in fields naturally infested with a mixture of races 1 and 2 in South Carolina and Maryland. In the spring after incorporating the cover crop biomass, seedless watermelons cv. Sugar Heart (susceptible) or Revolution (moderately resistant to race 1) were transplanted into subplots within each cover crop whole plot. ‘Cahaba White’ vetch was as effective as hairy vetch in reducing incidence of Fusarium wilt. Both vetch varieties reduced wilt incidence by approximately the same degree with the susceptible as with the moderately resistant cultivar. In general, the moderately resistant cultivar yielded more fruit (by weight) than the susceptible cultivar.

Accepted for publication 23 August 2010. Published 14 September 2010.
First Report of Pseudoperonospora rumicis Causing Downy Mildew on Rumex vesicarius in India
Authors: Sain Satish K. , Chadha M. L.
Published: September 2010

Bladder dock (Rumex vesicarius L.) is an important biennial bushy vegetable in southern India. The young leaves have a piquant flavor and sour taste, and are eaten boiled or raw in salads. The dried roots are ground into powder and used to treat diarrhoea and bleeding. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Pseudoperonospora rumicis on R. vesicarius in India. Pseudoperonospora rumicis is the second downy mildew pathogen recorded on Rumex vesicarius and is of potential concern to Rumex growers

Accepted for publication 18 August 2010. Published 15 September 2010.
Regenerative medicine: the emergence of an industry
Authors: Nerem Robert M.
Published: September 2010

Over the last quarter of a century there has been an emergence of a tissue engineering industry, one that has now evolved into the broader area of regenerative medicine. There have been ‘ups and downs’ in this industry; however, it now appears to be on a track that may be described as ‘back to the future’. The latest data indicate that for 2007 the private sector activity in the world for this industry is approaching $2.5 billion, with 167 companies/business units and more than 6000 employee full time equivalents. Although small compared with the medical device and also the pharmaceutical industries, these numbers are not insignificant. Thus, there is the indication that this industry, and the related technology, may still achieve its potential and address the needs of millions of patients worldwide, in particular those with needs that currently are unmet.
Maternal investment of female mallards is influenced by male carotenoid-based coloration
Authors: Giraudeau M. , Duval C. , Czirják G. Á. , Bretagnolle V. , Eraud C. , McGraw K. J. , Heeb P.
Published: September 2010

The differential allocation hypothesis predicts that females modify their investment in a breeding attempt according to its reproductive value. One prediction of this hypothesis is that females will increase reproductive investment when mated to high-quality males. In birds, it was shown that females can modulate pre-hatch reproductive investment by manipulating egg and clutch sizes and/or the concentrations of egg internal compounds according to paternal attractiveness. However, the differential allocation of immune factors has seldom been considered, particularly with an experimental approach. The carotenoid-based ornaments can function as reliable signals of quality, indicating better immunity or ability to resist parasites. Thus, numerous studies show that females use the expression of carotenoid-based colour when choosing mates; but the influence of this paternal coloration on maternal investment decisions has seldom been considered and has only been experimentally studied with artificial manipulation of male coloration. Here, we used dietary carotenoid provisioning to manipulate male mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) bill coloration, a sexually selected trait, and followed female investment. We show that an increase of male bill coloration positively influenced egg mass and albumen lysozyme concentration. By contrast, yolk carotenoid concentration was not affected by paternal ornamentation. Maternal decisions highlighted in this study may influence chick survival and compel males to maintain carotenoid-based coloration from the mate-choice period until egg-laying has been finished.
Oceanic rafting by a coastal community
Authors: Fraser Ceridwen I. , Nikula Raisa , Waters Jonathan M.
Published: September 2010

Oceanic rafting is thought to play a fundamental role in assembling the biological communities of isolated coastal ecosystems. Direct observations of this key ecological and evolutionary process are, however, critically lacking. The importance of macroalgal rafting as a dispersal mechanism has remained uncertain, largely owing to lack of knowledge about the capacity of fauna to survive long voyages at sea and successfully make landfall and establish. Here, we directly document the rafting of a diverse assemblage of intertidal organisms across several hundred kilometres of open ocean, from the subantarctic to mainland New Zealand. Multispecies analyses using phylogeographic and ecological data indicate that 10 epifaunal invertebrate species rafted on six large bull kelp specimens for several weeks from the subantarctic Auckland and/or Snares Islands to the Otago coast of New Zealand, a minimum distance of some 400–600 km. These genetic data are the first to demonstrate that passive rafting can enable simultaneous trans-oceanic transport and landfall of numerous coastal taxa.
Missing and forbidden links in mutualistic networks
Authors: Olesen Jens M. , Bascompte Jordi , Dupont Yoko L. , Elberling Heidi , Rasmussen Claus , Jordano Pedro
Published: September 2010

Ecological networks are complexes of interacting species, but not all potential links among species are realized. Unobserved links are either missing or forbidden. Missing links exist, but require more sampling or alternative ways of detection to be verified. Forbidden links remain unobservable, irrespective of sampling effort. They are caused by linkage constraints. We studied one Arctic pollination network and two Mediterranean seed-dispersal networks. In the first, for example, we recorded flower-visit links for one full season, arranged data in an interaction matrix and got a connectance
C
of 15 per cent. Interaction accumulation curves documented our sampling of interactions through observation of visits to be robust. Then, we included data on pollen from the body surface of flower visitors as an additional link ‘currency’. This resulted in 98 new links, missing from the visitation data. Thus, the combined visit–pollen matrix got an increased
C
of 20 per cent. For the three networks,
C
ranged from 20 to 52 per cent, and thus the percentage of unobserved links (100 −
C
) was 48 to 80 per cent; these were assumed forbidden because of linkage constraints and not missing because of under-sampling. Phenological uncoupling (i.e. non-overlapping phenophases between interacting mutualists) is one kind of constraint, and it explained 22 to 28 per cent of all possible, but unobserved links. Increasing phenophase overlap between species increased link probability, but extensive overlaps were required to achieve a high probability. Other kinds of constraint, such as size mismatch and accessibility limitations, are briefly addressed.
Evidence of parasitic Oomycetes (Peronosporomycetes) infecting the stem cortex of the Carboniferous seed fernLyginopteris oldhamia
Authors: Strullu-Derrien C. , Kenrick P. , Rioult J. P. , Strullu D. G.
Published: September 2010

Thin sections of petrified fossils made during the latter part of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to investigate the internal tissue systems of plants now provide an important new source of information on associated micro-organisms. We report a new heterokont eukaryote (Combresomyces williamsoniisp. nov.) based on exquisitely preserved fossil oogonia, antheridia and hyphae from the Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian: Bashkirian stage) of UK. The structure of the oogonia and antheridia and features observed within the hyphae demonstrate a relationship with Oomycetes (Peronosporomycetes). The fossil micro-organism was documentedin situin petrified stem cortex and rootlets of the extinct seed fernLyginopteris oldhamia(Pteridospermales). The main observed features point towards a pythiaceous Oomycete but links to biotrophic Albuginales orPeronosporaceaecannot be ruled out owing to the observation of a possible haustorium. Our study provides the earliest evidence for parasitism in Oomycetes.
Functional origins of religious concepts: ontological and strategic selection in evolved minds
Authors: Boyer Pascal
Published: September 2010

Culturally successful religious concepts are the outcome of selective processes that make some concepts more likely than others to be easily acquired, stored and transmitted. Among the constructs of human imagination, some connect to intuitive ontological principles in such a way that they constitute a small catalogue of culturally successful supernatural concepts. Experimental and anthropological evidence confirm the salience and transmission potential of this catalogue. Among these supernatural concepts, cognitive capacities for social interaction introduce a further selection. As a result, some concepts of supernatural agents are connected to morality, group identity, ritual and emotion. These typical ‘religious’ supernatural agents are tacitly presumed to have access to information that is crucial to social interaction, an assumption that boosts their spread in human groups.
It’s shame that makes men and women enemies: the politics of intimacy among the Miskitu of Kakabila
Authors: Jamieson Mark
Published: September 2010

This article argues that ‘joking’ and ‘respect’ among the Miskitu of Kakabila in Eastern Nicaragua are best understood as diametrically opposed performance styles or registers which mediate both symmetry in same‐sex relationships between men and asymmetry in two quite different cross‐sex relationships. It concludes by arguing that ‘shame’ in Kakabila is an important technique for ensuring that these performance styles, ‘joking’ and ‘respect’, are appropriately enacted in the contexts of these relationships.
The object of sectarianism: the material reality of sectarianism in Ulster Loyalism
Authors: Cairns David
Published: September 2010

This article examines an important, and neglected, aspect of sectarianism in contemporary Northern Ireland: its embodiment in the material culture and everyday social practices of its antagonistic factions. Following a brief theoretical outline of sectarianism (characterized as a discursive formation), I describe this phenomenon as found in an Ulster loyalist community. I show how the material reality of sectarianism encompasses the everyday activities of these loyalists, including their ‘traditional’ culture of Orangeism and the spheres of sport, leisure, and entertainment. Within these everyday cultural practices, sectarian values are objectified and stored in fetishized objects, such as flags and banners, and in an oral culture of songs and slogans.