bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Controlled manipulation of wetting characteristics of nanoparticles with dry-based plasma polymerization method
Authors: Shahravan Anaram , Desai Tapan , Matsoukas Themis
Published: December 2012

A dry process for tailoring nanoparticle wetting characteristics using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique is established. The “plasma polymer” coating imparts the properties of the precursors used in the plasma technique, without the requirement for nanoparticle surface preparation. For a range of chosen precursors, the water contact angle of a sessile droplet on coated copper oxide nanoparticles was shown to vary from 54° to 76°, 92° to 108°. Stable suspensions of coated nanoparticles were demonstrated.
Male Facial Anthropometry and Attractiveness
Authors: Soler Carles , Kekäläinen Jukka , Núñez Manuel , Sancho María , Núñez Javier , Yaber Iván , Gutiérrez Ricardo
Published: December 2012

The symmetry and masculinity of the face are often considered important elements of male facial attractiveness. However, facial preferences are rarely studied on natural faces. We studied the effect of these traits and facial metric parameters on facial attractiveness in Spanish and Colombian raters. In total, 13 metric and 11 asymmetry parameters from natural, unmanipulated frontal face photographs of 50 Spanish men were measured with the USIA semiautomatic anthropometric software. All raters (women and men) were asked to rank these images as potential long-term partners for females. In both sexes, facial attractiveness was negatively associated with facial masculinity, and preference was not associated with facial symmetry. In Spanish raters, both sexes preferred male traits that were larger in the right side of the face, which may reflect a human tendency to prefer a certain degree of facial asymmetry. We did not find such preference in Colombian raters, but they did show stronger preference for facial femininity than Spanish raters. Present results suggest that facial relative femininity, which is expected to signal, eg good parenting and cooperation skills, may be an important signal of mate quality when females seek long-term partners. Facial symmetry appears unimportant in such long-term mating preferences.
Olfactory Perception is Positively Linked to Anxiety in Young Adults
Authors: Havlíček Jan , Nováková Lenka , Vondrová Marta , Kuběna Aleš A , Valentová Jaroslava , Roberts S Craig
Published: December 2012

Olfactory abilities show a high degree of inter-individual variability and this could be partly related to personality differences. Here, in two studies, we tested a potential link between personality dimensions and olfactory perception. Sixty-eight (study 1) and a hundred and fifty-six (study 2) young adults completed the Big Five questionnaire and performed the Sniffin' Sticks test for assessing odour threshold, identification, and (in study 2) discrimination. In neither study did we find a significant link between personality dimensions and olfactory identification scores. However, in study 1, we found a significant positive correlation between the neuroticism dimension and olfactory sensitivity. This was mainly due to the anxiety and self-consciousness subscales, which load onto the neuroticism dimension. In a follow-up study, we again found a significant association between anxiety and odour perception, specifically in odour discrimination. Our results indicate that variability in anxiety could partly explain the high inter-individual variation in olfactory perception.
Creativity, Ambiguous Figures, and Academic Preference
Authors: Doherty Martin J , Mair Samantha
Published: December 2012

Research suggests that ambiguous figure reversal is associated with creativity, but current evidence relies on subjective self-report that is difficult to quantify (Wiseman, Watt, Gilhooly, Georgiou, 2011 British Journal of Psychology102 615–622). Using quantifiable measures of both phenomena we confirm this claim. We also find that participants studying science experience much more frequent reversal—a novel and intriguing finding.
Nonphysical Visual Objects Generated by Colour Spreading are Expected to Cast Shadows
Authors: Casati Roberto , Sorensen Roy
Published: December 2012

Purely visual objects created by colour spreading are expected to behave like any other physical object. In particular, they are expected to block light and to cast shadows.
Unusual Sydney dust storm and its mineralogical and organic characteristics
Authors: Aryal Rupak , Kandel Dheeraj , Acharya Durga , Chong Meng Nan , Beecham Simon
Published: December 2012

Environmental context
In 2009, at the end of the longest drought period ever recorded in Australia, a major dust storm blanketed the cities of Sydney and Brisbane for more than 24 h. The source of the dust was inner New South Wales and South Australia, where large scale open-cut mining occurs together with agricultural practices. We report results of extensive mineralogical and chemical analyses of the dust, and discuss their significance in terms of the dust origins and potential human health risks.

Abstract
In a 24-h period from 23 to 24 September 2009, a dust storm passed over Sydney, Australia that produced a red sky and reduced the visibility to a few metres. It was Sydney’s worst dust storm since 1942. During this period, the PM10 (particles measuring 10 μm or less) value jumped from 50 to 11 800 µg m–3. The dust storm was sampled and its mineralogical and organic contents were analysed. Four major particle sizes (0.6, 4.5, 9.3 and 20 µm) were observed in the dust. A multimodal particle distribution indicated a long range of dust transport. Mineralogical analysis showed that the particles were mainly composed of crustal elemental oxides of Al and Si. The ratio of Al/Si was 0.39 and the organic content was 10.6 %, which was found to be enriched with humic-type substances. The high Al/Si ratio (>0.3) indicated that the dust originated from desert land whereas the high organic content indicated that the particles were also derived from eroded agricultural land. A fluorescence spectroscopic study on the organic matter at excitation and emission wavelengths of 245–265 and 330–350 nm indicated that biohazardous substances were unlikely to be present in the dust.
DNA barcoding invasive insects: database roadblocks
Authors: Boykin Laura M. , Armstrong Karen , Kubatko Laura , De Barro Paul
Published: December 2012

This study examines the genetic data coverage and availability in the Barcode of Life Database (BOLD), versions 2.5 and 3.0, and GenBank for the 88 invasive insects listed in the Global Invasive Species Database (http://www.issg.org). No data are recorded in either BOLD or GenBank for seven of those species. As a dedicated repository of curated barcode data BOLD is either missing data or contains inaccessible private data for 37 (42%) of the species while no data are available in GenBank for nine (8%) of the species. An evaluation of the Barcode Identification Number (BIN) scheme in BOLD ver. 3.0 was also evaluated and in 41% of cases the BIN contained more than one species. This essentially arose due to the 1% delimitation thresholds associated with the BINs and would result in misidentifications. Overall, more information is available from GenBank for the 88 invasive species listed on the Global Invasive Species Database, but quality checking is required to ensure that the data extracted from GenBank are of sufficient quality to make it useful. The implications of these results are discussed, with investment in parallel data silos suggested to be both costly and potentially an inefficient use of resources that may lead to loss of data if the means needed to maintain these databases become unavailable.
Ras GTPase activating (RasGAP) activity of the dual specificity GAP protein Rasal requires colocalization and C2 domain binding to lipid membranes
Authors: Sot Begoña , Behrmann Elmar , Raunser Stefan , Wittinghofer Alfred
Published: December 2012

Rasal, belonging to the GAP1 subfamily of Ras GTPase-activating proteins (RasGAPs) with dual RasGAP/RapGAP specificity, is epigenetically silenced in several tumor types. Surprisingly, the isolated protein has GAP activity on Rap but not on Ras. Its membrane recruitment is regulated by interaction with calcium and lipids, which simultaneously induces its RasGAP activity through a yet unknown mechanism. Here we show that the interaction of Rasal with membranes induces Rasal RasGAP activity by spatial and conformational regulation, although it does not have any effect on its RapGAP activity. Not only is colocalization of Rasal and Ras in the membrane essential for RasGAP activation, but direct and Ca-dependent interaction between the tandem C2 domains of Rasal and lipids of the membrane is also required. Whereas the C2A domain binds specifically phosphatidylserine, the C2B domain interacts with several phosphoinositol lipids. Finally we show, that similar to the C2 domains of synaptotagmins, the Rasal tandem C2 domains are able to sense and induce membrane curvature by the insertion of hydrophobic loops into the membrane.
Golden triangle for folding rates of globular proteins
Authors: Garbuzynskiy Sergiy O. , Ivankov Dmitry N. , Bogatyreva Natalya S. , Finkelstein Alexei V.
Published: December 2012

The ability of protein chains to spontaneously form their spatial structures is a long-standing puzzle in molecular biology. Experimentally measured rates of spontaneous folding of single-domain globular proteins range from microseconds to hours: the difference (11 orders of magnitude) is akin to the difference between the life span of a mosquito and the age of the universe. Here, we show that physical theory with biological constraints outlines a “golden triangle” limiting the possible range of folding rates for single-domain globular proteins of various size and stability, and that the experimentally measured folding rates fall within this narrow triangle built without any adjustable parameters, filling it almost completely. In addition, the golden triangle predicts the maximal size of protein domains that fold under solely thermodynamic (rather than kinetic) control. It also predicts the maximal allowed size of the “foldable” protein domains, and the size of domains found in known protein structures is in a good agreement with this limit.
Critical Literacy needs teachers as transformative leaders. Reflections on teacher training for the introduction of the (new) Modern Greek language curriculum in Cyprus
Authors: Neophytou Lefkios , Valiandes Stavroula
Published: December 2012

The new Curricula of Cyprus aspire to deliver a new ethos in teaching and learning that promotes the notion of ‘the humane and democratic school' and emphasises the right of every child to succeed. In this context, the new Modern Greek language curriculum in Cyprus has been moulded upon the notion of Critical Literacy (CL). CL is neither an instructional strategy nor a lesson plan. It is a philosophical belief committed to a different worldview. As such, CL requires people%s acceptance. Not just students but also teachers must first learn, understand and embrace the notion before applying its principles to their practice. This can only be done through a process of transformative leadership enabling teachers to become transformative leaders themselves. Has this axiom been taken into consideration in the case of Cyprus? Do teachers in Cyprus learn about CL in a process of transformative leadership? This article will attempt to answer these questions utilising the testimonies of Sandra, a primary school teacher who attended the seminars and workshops organised for training teachers to use the new language curriculum.
Cryopreservation of Sperm of an Indigenous Endangered Fish, Pabda Catfish Ompok pabda
Authors: Sarder M Rafiqul I , Saha Shankar K , Sarker M Fazle M
Published: December 2012

This study focused on the development of a protocol for cryopreservation of sperm of the endangered fish species, Pabda Catfish Ompok pabda. The activation of sperm motility was tested at various osmolalities of NaCl. The motility of sperm decreased with the increase of osmolality; it was completely inhibited at 319 mOsmol/kg. Toxicity of cryoprotectants to sperm was evaluated using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), methanol, and ethanol at 5, 10, and 15% concentrations at an incubation time of 0–35 min. Five percent and 10% cryoprotectants produced 45–75% and 40–75% motility for the 5- and 10-min incubation times, respectively. Sperm incubated with 15% cryoprotectant had less motility from the beginning of incubation. The cryoprotectant was toxic to sperm. Three extenders, Alsever's solution, egg-yolk citrate, and urea egg-yolk, as well as three cryoprotectants, DMSO, methanol, and ethanol, were used for the preservation of sperm. Alsever's solution with DMSO showed best performance producing highest equilibration motility (83 ± 3.3%, mean ± SE) and postthaw motility (71 ± 4.4%) followed by levels of 68 ± 1.7% and 51 ± 1.7%, respectively, with Alsever's solution plus methanol. Sperm preserved with Alsever's solution plus DMSO produced 79.33% fertilization and 42.38% hatching while fresh sperm yielded 82% fertilization and 53.49% hatching. No statistical comparisons between cryopreserved and fresh sperm were made as we did not standardize the sperm concentration for fresh and cryopreserved sperm during breeding. Fry produced from both cryopreserved and fresh sperm were reared in aquaria for 6 weeks and no significant differences for length (P = 0.452) and weight (P = 0.431) were observed between the two groups. The protocols developed through this study can be applied for conservation of endangered Pabda Catfish, and the findings of breeding and growth studies suggest it would be useful to disseminate the cryopreservation technology to commercial hatcheries.
Growth and Acute Temperature Tolerance of June Sucker Juveniles Fed Varying Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels With and Without Supplemental Dicalcium Phosphate
Authors: Sealey Wendy M , Gaylord T Gibson , Toner Matt , Ilgen Jason , Fraser W C , Hooley Christopher G , Barrows Frederic T
Published: December 2012

Reports from hatcheries have demonstrated that commercially available diets are inadequate for June Suckers Chasmistes liorus and suggest that fish quality can be improved through species-specific diet optimization. To determine dietary protein and lipid levels for juvenile June Suckers, practical-type diets were formulated with 35, 40, or 45% protein and 8, 12, or 16% lipid and tested in a 3 × 3 factorial design. Two additional diets (45% protein and 16% lipid [45:16] without dicalcium phosphate supplementation and 45:16 with 2× dicalcium phosphate) were formulated to test the necessity of dicalcium phosphate supplementation. Each diet was fed to three replicate tanks (average initial fish weight ± SD = 4.48 ± 0.24 g) of fish per treatment (85 fish/tank); only duplicate tanks were used for the nondicalcium phosphate-supplemented treatment. Fish were reared in 80-L tanks supplied with 4 L/min of 22°C spring water and fed 6–4% body weight (BW)/d by automated belt feeders, 6 d/week. At the end of 12 weeks of culture, tissue samples were obtained to determine nutrient partitioning. An acute temperature challenge was also conducted to investigate dietary adequacy. Significant effects of diet on growth and temperature tolerance were observed. Fish fed the diet with 45% crude protein gained more weight than did fish fed 40% or 35% crude protein, and fish fed 16% dietary lipid gained more weight than did fish fed 12% and 8% crude lipid. However, the composition of this growth indicated that fish fed the 16% lipid stored larger amounts of lipid in both the visceral cavity and the muscle. A significant negative interactive effect of dietary protein and lipid on temperature tolerance was observed at 45% crude protein and 16% lipid. Results of this study define acceptable ranges of dietary protein and lipid for juvenile June Suckers and provide culturists information to make better choices regarding appropriate diets for this species.
Episodic Future Thinking: Linking Neuropsychological Performance with Episodic Detail in Young and Old Adults
Authors: Cole Scott N. , Morrison Catriona M. , Conway Martin A.
Published: December 2012

Episodic future thinking (EFT) has been linked with our ability to remember past events. However, its specific neurocognitive subprocesses have remained elusive. In Experiment 1, a study of healthy older adults was conducted to investigate the candidate subprocesses of EFT. Participants completed a standard EFT cue word task, two memory measures (Verbal Paired Associates I, Source Memory), and two measures of executive function (Trail Making Test, Tower Test). In Experiment 2, healthy young adults also completed an EFT task and neuropsychological measures. The link between neurocognitive measures and five characteristics of EFT was investigated. Specifically, it was found that Source Memory and Trail Making Test performance predicted the episodic specificity of future events in older but not younger adults. Replicating previous findings, older adults produced future events with greater semantic but fewer episodic details than did young adults. These results extend the data and emphasize the importance of the multiple subprocesses underlying EFT.
A corpus-based deconstructive strategy for critically engaging with arguments
Authors: O'Halloran Kieran
Published: December 2012

My broad concern is with texts which aim to persuade an audience of a particular point of view on a particular topic – persuasion texts. Political speeches and newspaper editorials are examples of this text type. I put forward a strategy for critically engaging with such texts. Its focus is a persuasion text's cohesion – how it is held together through its vocabulary and grammar. The strategy explores whether or not the cohesion of a persuasion text is unstable, if it deconstructs. Since a persuasion text's credibility is dependent, amongst other things, on effective cohesion, showing where a persuasion text's cohesion deconstructs diminishes its credibility. I call this critical reading strategy Electronic Deconstruction: ‘Electronic’ reflects the fact that the strategy draws on corpus linguistic method; ‘Deconstruction’ refers to the deconstructive approach of this strategy. An advantage of Electronic Deconstruction is that it can still facilitate critical engagement with an argument where it is difficult to reconstruct all its premises. This is because its evaluative focus is a persuasion text's cohesive structure rather than its logical structure.

To demonstrate Electronic Deconstruction, the article employs a case-study, a text written in 2008 by the late political journalist, Christopher Hitchens, which justified his continuing support for the 2003 Iraq intervention by US-led coalition forces. After highlighting a number of frustrations in identification of its arguments, and thus for critical assessment of its logical soundness, I show how Electronic Deconstruction as an alternative critical engagement circumvents incomplete reconstruction by doing the following: revealing that the text's cohesive structure is unstable via an electronic deconstructive analysis which draws on a two-billion word corpus, the Oxford English Corpus. The article employs two corpus linguistic software tools: ‘Sketchengine’ ( http://www.sketchengine.co.uk/ ) and ‘WMatrix’ ( http://ucrel.lancs.ac.uk/wmatrix/ ).
Silica final lens performance in laser fusion facilities: HiPER and LIFE
Authors: Garoz D. , González-Arrabal R. , Juárez R. , Álvarez J. , Sanz J. , Perlado J.M. , Rivera A.
Published: December 2012

Nowadays, the projects LIFE (Laser Inertial Fusion Energy) in USA and HiPER (High Power Laser Energy Research) in Europe are the most advanced ones to demonstrate laser fusion energy viability. One of the main points of concern to properly achieve ignition is the performance of the final optics (lenses) under the severe irradiation conditions that take place in fusion facilities. In this paper, we calculate the radiation fluxes and doses as well as the radiation-induced temperature enhancement and colour centre formation in final lenses assuming realistic geometrical configurations for HiPER and LIFE. On these bases, the mechanical stresses generated by the established temperature gradients are evaluated showing that from a mechanical point of view lenses only fulfil specifications if ions resulting from the imploding target are mitigated. The absorption coefficient of the lenses is calculated during reactor startup and steady-state operation. The obtained results reveal the necessity of new solutions to tackle ignition problems during the startup process for HiPER. Finally, we evaluate the effect of temperature gradients on focal length changes and lens surface deformations. In summary, we discuss the capabilities and weak points of silica lenses and propose alternatives to overcome predictable problems.
Electron-cyclotron-current-drive efficiency in DEMO plasmas
Authors: Poli E. , Tardini G. , Zohm H. , Fable E. , Farina D. , Figini L. , Marushchenko N.B. , Porte L.
Published: December 2012

The achievable efficiency for external current drive through electron-cyclotron waves in a demonstration tokamak reactor is investigated. Two possible reactor designs, one for steady state and one for pulsed operation, are considered. Beam propagation, absorption and current drive are modelled employing the beam-tracing technique and including momentum conservation in electron–electron collisions. It is found that for midplane injection the achievable current drive efficiency is limited by second-harmonic absorption at levels consistent with previous studies. Higher efficiencies can be achieved by injecting the beams from the top of the machine, exploiting wave absorption by more energetic (less collisional) electrons. Current drive efficiencies competitive with those usually obtained by neutral beam current drive are reported. These optimum efficiencies are found for frequencies around 230 GHz and 290 GHz for the steady-state and the pulsed DEMO, supposed to operate at a magnetic field B = 5.84 T and B = 7.45 T, respectively.
Impact of adaptive servo‐ventilation on cardiovascular function and prognosis in heart failure patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction and sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Yoshihisa Akiomi , Suzuki Satoshi , Yamaki Takayoshi , Sugimoto Koichi , Kunii Hiroyuki , Nakazato Kazuhiko , Suzuki Hitoshi , Saitoh Shu‐ichi , Takeishi Yasuchika
Published: December 2012

Aims

Effective pharmacotherapy for heart failure with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (HFpEF) is still unclear. Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) causes cardiovascular dysfunction, giving rise to factors involved in HFpEF. However, it remains unclear whether adaptive servo‐ventilation (ASV) improves cardiovascular function and long‐term prognosis of patients with HFpEF and SDB.

Methods and results

Thirty‐six patients with HFpEF (LVEF >50%) and moderate to severe SDB (apnoea–hypopnoea index >15/h) were enrolled. Study subjects (LVEF 56.0%, apnoea–hypopnoea index 36.5/h) were randomly assigned to two groups: 18 patients treated with medications and ASV (ASV group) and 18 patients not treated with ASV (non‐ASV group). NYHA class, cardiac function including LVEF, left atrial volume index (LAVI), E/E', vascular function including flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD) and cardio‐ankle vascular index (CAVI), and levels of BNP and troponin T were determined at baseline and 6 months later. Patients were followed to register cardiac events after enrolment (follow‐up 543 days). ASV therapy improved cardiac diastolic function and decreased CAVI and BNP (NYHA class, 2.3 to 1.5; LAVI, 48.6 to 42.6 mL/m2; E/E', 12.8 to 7.1; CAVI, 9.0 to 7.7; BNP, 121.5 to 58.1 pg/mL, P < 0.0125, respectively). LVEF, FMD, and troponin T did not change significantly in either group. Importantly, the event‐free rate was significantly higher in the ASV group than in the non‐ASV group (94.4% vs. 61.1%, log‐rank P < 0.05).

Conclusion

ASV may improve the prognosis of HFpEF patients with SDB, with favourable effects such as improvement of symptoms, cardiac diastolic function, and arterial stiffness. ASV may be a useful therapeutic tool for HFpEF patients with SDB.
The Absence of Eukaryotic Initiation Factor eIF(iso)4E Affects the Systemic Spread of a Tobacco etch virus Isolate in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Contreras-Paredes Carlos A. , Silva-Rosales Laura , Daròs José-Antonio , Alejandri-Ramírez Naholi D. , Dinkova Tzvetanka D.
Published: December 2012

Translation initiation factor eIF4E exerts an important role during infection of viral species in the family Potyviridae. Particularly, a eIF(iso)4E family member is required for Arabidopsis thaliana susceptibility to Turnip mosaic virus, Lettuce mosaic virus, and Tobacco etch virus (TEV). In addition, a resistance mechanism named restriction of TEV movement (RTM) in A. thaliana controls the systemic spread of TEV in Col-0 ecotype. Here, we describe that TEV-TAMPS, a Mexican isolate, overcomes the RTM resistance mechanism reported for TEV-7DA infection of the Col-0 ecotype but depends on eIF(iso)4E for its systemic spread. To understand at which level eIF(iso)4E participates in A. thaliana TEV-TAMPS infection, the viral RNA replication and translation were measured. The absence or overexpression of eIF(iso)4E did not affect viral translation, and replication was still observed in the absence of eIF(iso)4E. However, the TEV-TAMPS systemic spread was completely abolished in the null mutant. The viral protein genome-linked (VPg) precursor NIa was found in coimmunoprecipitated complexes with both, eIF(iso)4E and eIF4E. However, the viral coat protein (CP) was only present in the eIF(iso)4E complexes. Since both the VPg and the CP proteins are needed for systemic spread, we propose a role of A. thaliana eIF(iso)4E in the movement of TEV-TAMPS within this host.
A Host-Specific Biological Control of Grape Crown Gall byAgrobacterium vitisStrain F2/5: Its Regulation and Population Dynamics
Authors: Kaewnum Supaporn , Zheng Desen , Reid Cheryl L. , Johnson Kameka L. , Gee Jodi C. , Burr Thomas J.
Published: December 2012

Nontumorigenic Agrobacterium vitis strain F2/5 is able to prevent crown gall caused by tumorigenic A. vitis on grape but not on other plant species such as tobacco. Mutations in a quorum-sensing transcription factor, aviR, and in caseinolytic protease (clp) component genes clpA and clpP1 resulted in reduced or loss of biological control. All mutants were complemented; however, restoration of biological control by complemented clpA and clpP1 mutants was dependent on the copy number of vector that was used as well as timing of application of the complemented mutants to grape wounds in relation to inoculation with pathogen. Mutations in other quorum-sensing and clp genes and in a gene associated with polyketide synthesis did not affect biological control. It was determined that, although F2/5 inhibits transformation by tumorigenic A. vitis strains on grape, it does not affect growth of the pathogen in wounded grape tissue over time.
Effects of Propofol, Sevoflurane, Remifentanil, and (S)-Ketamine in Subanesthetic Concentrations on Visceral and Somatosensory Pain–evoked Potentials
Authors: Untergehrer Gisela , Jordan Denis , Eyl Sebastian , Schneider Gerhard
Published: December 2012

Background:

Although electroencephalographic parameters and auditory evoked potentials (AEP) reflect the hypnotic component of anesthesia, there is currently no specific and mechanism-based monitoring tool for anesthesia-induced blockade of nociceptive inputs. The aim of this study was to assess visceral pain–evoked potentials (VPEP) and contact heat–evoked potentials (CHEP) as electroencephalographic indicators of drug-induced changes of visceral and somatosensory pain. Additionally, AEP and electroencephalographic permutation entropy were used to evaluate sedative components of the applied drugs.

Methods:

In a study enrolling 60 volunteers, VPEP, CHEP (amplitude N2-P1), and AEP (latency Nb, amplitude Pa-Nb) were recorded without drug application and at two subanesthetic concentration levels of propofol, sevoflurane, remifentanil, or (s)-ketamine. Drug-induced changes of evoked potentials were analyzed. VPEP were generated by electric stimuli using bipolar electrodes positioned in the distal esophagus. For CHEP, heat pulses were given to the medial aspect of the right forearm using a CHEP stimulator. In addition to AEP, electroencephalographic permutation entropy was used to indicate level of sedation.

Results:

With increasing concentrations of propofol, sevoflurane, remifentanil, and (s)-ketamine, VPEP and CHEP N2-P1 amplitudes decreased. AEP and electroencephalographic permutation entropy showed neither clinically relevant nor statistically significant suppression of cortical activity during drug application.

Conclusions:

Decreasing VPEP and CHEP amplitudes under subanesthetic concentrations of propofol, sevoflurane, remifentanil, and (s)-ketamine indicate suppressive drug effects. These effects seem to be specific for analgesia.
Rat aversion to isoflurane versus carbon dioxide
Authors: Wong Devina , Makowska I. Joanna , Weary Daniel M.
Published: December 2012

Some experts suggest that sedation of laboratory rodents with isoflurane before euthanasia with carbon dioxide (CO2) is a humane alternative to euthanasia with CO2alone, but little research has compared aversion with these agents. Albino rats were tested in a light–dark box where they had the choice between remaining in a dark compartment filling with isoflurane or CO2, or escaping to a lit compartment. Experiment 1 validated the procedure by confirming that rats responded to agent and light intensity. In experiment 2, 9/16 and 0/16 rats remained in the dark compartment until recumbent when initially exposed to isoflurane and CO2, respectively. In experiment 3, more rats remained in the dark compartment until recumbent during initial (10/16) versus re-exposure (1/16) to isoflurane. These results indicate that initial exposure to CO2is more aversive than isoflurane, and that re-exposure to isoflurane is more aversive than initial exposure. We conclude that sedation with isoflurane is a refinement over euthanasia with CO2alone for rats that have not been previously exposed to inhalant anaesthetics.
Anin vivoratio control mechanism for phospholipid homeostasis: evidence from lipidomic studies
Authors: Dymond Marcus K. , Hague Charlotte V. , Postle Anthony D. , Attard George S.
Published: December 2012

While it is widely accepted that the lipid composition of eukaryotic membranes is under homeostatic control, the mechanisms through which cells sense lipid composition are still the subject of debate. It has been postulated that membrane curvature elastic energy is the membrane property that is regulated by cells, and that lipid composition is maintained by a ratio control function derived from the concentrations of type II and type 0 lipids, weighted appropriately. We assess this proposal by seeking a signature of ratio control in quantified lipid composition data obtained by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry from over 40 independent asynchronous cell populations. Our approach revealed the existence of a universal ‘pivot’ lipid, which marks the boundary between type 0 lipids and type II lipids, and which is invariant between different cell types or cells grown under different conditions. The presence of such a pivot species is a distinctive signature of the operationin vivo, in human cell lines, of a control function that is consistent with the hypothesis that membrane elastic energy is homeostatically controlled.
‘It's springtime for science’: renewing China–UK scientific relations in the 1970s
Authors: Agar Jon
Published: December 2012

This paper examines how links between the People's Republic of China and the UK were rebuilt in the 1970s. It not only fills a gap in the historiography but also makes three particular arguments. The first is that there were two intersecting institutional paths along which the rebuilding of links were followed: a foreign policy path, in which the most important body was the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and an academy-level path in which relations between the Royal Society and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (also known in the early years as the Academia Sinica) were crucial. Especially under conditions in which access and travel to China were extremely restricted, the Royal Society acted as a ‘gatekeeper’, rationing visits to a select few researchers. The second argument is that science was a strategic pathfinder or diplomatic ‘avant garde’. The maintenance of scientific links, even during the most difficult periods of this history when they were all but severed, meant that a path was kept open to ‘further communication and exchange between peoples—and governments’, as Kathlin Smith has found in the broadly similar case of relations between China and the USA. In particular, scientific relations formed an important bridge in the negotiation and eventual agreement of the first treaty signed between the UK and communist China in 1978. It was no coincidence that this highest-level political agreement was accompanied by a parallel accord between the scientific academies. Third, I argue that, nevertheless, even this treaty was not entirely new, and that the model for the China–UK treaty was existing agreements on technology exchanges made with Eastern European countries.
Trans-generational effects of prenatal stress in quail
Authors: Guibert Floriane , Lumineau Sophie , Kotrschal Kurt , Möstl Erich , Richard-Yris Marie-Annick , Houdelier Cécilia
Published: December 2012

The prenatal environment is a source of phenotypic variability influencing the animal's characteristics. Prenatal stress affects not only the development of offspring, but also that of the following generation. Such effects have been best documented in mammals but can also be observed in birds, suggesting common processes across phylogenetic orders. We found previously that Japanese quail females stressed during laying produced offspring with higher fearfulness, probably related to modulation of testosterone levels in their eggs. Here, we evaluated long-term effects of prenatal stress by analysing reproductive traits of these F
1
offspring and, then, the development of their subsequent (F
2
) offspring. The sexual behaviour of F
1
prenatally stressed (F1PS) males was impaired. F1PS females' eggs contained less yolk and more albumen, and higher yolk testosterone and progesterone levels than did F
1
prenatal control females. The fearfulness of F
2
prenatally stressed quail was greater than that of F
2
prenatal control quail. These F
2
behavioural differences paralleled those evidenced by their parents, suggesting trans-generational transmission of prenatal stress effects, probably mediated by egg compositions of F1PS females.
Developmental patterns of chimpanzee cerebral tissues provide important clues for understanding the remarkable enlargement of the human brain
Authors: Sakai Tomoko , Matsui Mie , Mikami Akichika , Malkova Ludise , Hamada Yuzuru , Tomonaga Masaki , Suzuki Juri , Tanaka Masayuki , Miyabe-Nishiwaki Takako , Makishima Haruyuki , Nakatsukasa Masato , Matsuzawa Tetsuro
Published: December 2012

Developmental prolongation is thought to contribute to the remarkable brain enlargement observed in modern humans (
Homo sapiens
). However, the developmental trajectories of cerebral tissues have not been explored in chimpanzees (
Pan troglodytes
), even though they are our closest living relatives. To address this lack of information, the development of cerebral tissues was tracked in growing chimpanzees during infancy and the juvenile stage, using three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging and compared with that of humans and rhesus macaques (
Macaca mulatta
). Overall, cerebral development in chimpanzees demonstrated less maturity and a more protracted course during prepuberty, as observed in humans but not in macaques. However, the rapid increase in cerebral total volume and proportional dynamic change in the cerebral tissue in humans during early infancy, when white matter volume increases dramatically, did not occur in chimpanzees. A dynamic reorganization of cerebral tissues of the brain during early infancy, driven mainly by enhancement of neuronal connectivity, is likely to have emerged in the human lineage after the split between humans and chimpanzees and to have promoted the increase in brain volume in humans. Our findings may lead to powerful insights into the ontogenetic mechanism underlying human brain enlargement.
Climate, vegetation, introduced hosts and trade shape a global wildlife pandemic
Authors: Liu Xuan , Rohr Jason R. , Li Yiming
Published: December 2012

Global factors, such as climate change, international trade and introductions of exotic species are often elicited as contributors to the unprecedented rate of disease emergence, but few studies have partitioned these factors for global pandemics. Although contemporary correlative species distribution models (SDMs) can be useful for predicting the spatial patterns of emerging diseases, they focus mainly on the fundamental niche (FN) predictors (i.e. abiotic climate and habitat factors), neglecting dispersal and propagule pressure predictors (PP, number of non-native individuals released into a region). Using a validated, predictive and global SDM, we show that both FN and PP accounted for significant, unique variation to the distribution of the chytrid fungus
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
(
Bd
), a pathogen implicated in the declines and extinctions of over 200 amphibian species worldwide.
Bd
was associated positively with vegetation, total trade and introduced amphibian hosts, nonlinearly with annual temperature range and non-significantly with amphibian leg trade or amphibian species richness. These findings provide a rare example where both FN and PP factors are predictive of a global pandemic. Our model should help guide management of this deadly pathogen and the development of other globally predictive models for species invasions and pathogen emergence influenced by FN and PP factors.
Reciprocal Interaction of the Circadian Clock with the Iron Homeostasis Network in Arabidopsis
Authors: Hong Sunghyun , Kim Sun A. , Guerinot Mary Lou , McClung C. Robertson
Published: December 2012

In plants, iron (Fe) uptake and homeostasis are critical for survival, and these processes are tightly regulated at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Circadian clocks are endogenous oscillating mechanisms that allow an organism to anticipate environmental changes to coordinate biological processes both with one another and with the environmental day/night cycle. The plant circadian clock controls many physiological processes through rhythmic expression of transcripts. In this study, we examined the expression of three Fe homeostasis genes (IRON REGULATED TRANSPORTER1 [IRT1], BASIC HELIX LOOP HELIX39, and FERRITIN1) in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) using promoter:LUCIFERASE transgenic lines. Each of these promoters showed circadian regulation of transcription. The circadian clock monitors a number of clock outputs and uses these outputs as inputs to modulate clock function. We show that this is also true for Fe status. Fe deficiency results in a lengthened circadian period. We interrogated mutants impaired in the Fe homeostasis response, including irt1-1, which lacks the major high-affinity Fe transporter, and fit-2, which lacks Fe deficiency-induced TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR1, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor necessary for induction of the Fe deficiency response. Both mutants exhibit symptoms of Fe deficiency, including lengthened circadian period. To determine which components are involved in this cross talk between the circadian and Fe homeostasis networks, we tested clock- or Fe homeostasis-related mutants. Mutants defective in specific clock gene components were resistant to the change in period length under different Fe conditions observed in the wild type, suggesting that these mutants are impaired in cross talk between Fe homeostasis and the circadian clock.
Alteration of the Interconversion of Pyruvate and Malate in the Plastid or Cytosol of Ripening Tomato Fruit Invokes Diverse Consequences on Sugar But Similar Effects on Cellular Organic Acid, Metabolism, and Transitory Starch Accumulation
Authors: Osorio Sonia , Vallarino José G. , Szecowka Marek , Ufaz Shai , Tzin Vered , Angelovici Ruthie , Galili Gad , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: December 2012

The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of decreased cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and plastidic NADP-dependent malic enzyme (ME) on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) ripening. Transgenic tomato plants with strongly reduced levels of PEPCK and plastidic NADP-ME were generated by RNA interference gene silencing under the control of a ripening-specific E8 promoter. While these genetic modifications had relatively little effect on the total fruit yield and size, they had strong effects on fruit metabolism. Both transformants were characterized by lower levels of starch at breaker stage. Analysis of the activation state of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase correlated with the decrease of starch in both transformants, which suggests that it is due to an altered cellular redox status. Moreover, metabolic profiling and feeding experiments involving positionally labeled glucoses of fruits lacking in plastidic NADP-ME and cytosolic PEPCK activities revealed differential changes in overall respiration rates and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle flux. Inactivation of cytosolic PEPCK affected the respiration rate, which suggests that an excess of oxaloacetate is converted to aspartate and reintroduced in the TCA cycle via 2-oxoglutarate/glutamate. On the other hand, the plastidic NADP-ME antisense lines were characterized by no changes in respiration rates and TCA cycle flux, which together with increases of pyruvate kinase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activities indicate that pyruvate is supplied through these enzymes to the TCA cycle. These results are discussed in the context of current models of the importance of malate during tomato fruit ripening.
Multiple Roles for UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 in Regulating Gene Expression and Metabolite Accumulation in Arabidopsis under Solar Ultraviolet Radiation
Authors: Morales Luis O. , Brosché Mikael , Vainonen Julia , Jenkins Gareth I. , Wargent Jason J. , Sipari Nina , Strid Åke , Lindfors Anders V. , Tegelberg Riitta , Aphalo Pedro J.
Published: December 2012

Photomorphogenic responses triggered by low fluence rates of ultraviolet B radiation (UV-B; 280–315 nm) are mediated by the UV-B photoreceptor UV RESISTANCE LOCUS8 (UVR8). Beyond our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of UV-B perception by UVR8, there is still limited information on how the UVR8 pathway functions under natural sunlight. Here, wild-type Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and the uvr8-2 mutant were used in an experiment outdoors where UV-A (315–400 nm) and UV-B irradiances were attenuated using plastic films. Gene expression, PYRIDOXINE BIOSYNTHESIS1 (PDX1) accumulation, and leaf metabolite signatures were analyzed. The results show that UVR8 is required for transcript accumulation of genes involved in UV protection, oxidative stress, hormone signal transduction, and defense against herbivores under solar UV. Under natural UV-A irradiance, UVR8 is likely to interact with UV-A/blue light signaling pathways to moderate UV-B-driven transcript and PDX1 accumulation. UVR8 both positively and negatively affects UV-A-regulated gene expression and metabolite accumulation but is required for the UV-B induction of phenolics. Moreover, UVR8-dependent UV-B acclimation during the early stages of plant development may enhance normal growth under long-term exposure to solar UV.
Scan-to-Scan Correlation of Weather Radar Signals to Identify Ground Clutter
Authors: Li Yinguang , Zhang Guifu , Doviak Richard , Saxion Darcy
Published: December 2012

The scan-to-scan correlation method to discriminate weather signals from ground clutter, described in this letter, takes advantage of the fact that the correlation time of radar echoes from hydrometeors is typically much shorter than that from ground objects. In this letter, the scan-to-scan correlation method is applied to data from the WSR-88D, and its results are compared with those produced by the WSR-88D's ground clutter detector. A subjective comparison with an operational clutter detection algorithm used on the network of weather radars shows that the scan-to-scan correlation method produces a similar clutter field but presents clutter locations with higher spatial resolution.
Hidden Killers: Human Fungal Infections
Authors: Brown Gordon D. , Denning David W. , Gow Neil A. R. , Levitz Stuart M. , Netea Mihai G. , White Theodore C.
Published: December 2012

The lack of robust rapid diagnostic tests, safe and effective drugs, and preventative vaccines hampers treatment of patients with invasive fungal infections.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Regulates Human MicroRNAs by Using Mechanisms Involving Beta Interferon and NF-κB
Authors: Thornburg Natalie J. , Hayward Sarah L. , Crowe James E.
Published: December 2012

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common viral cause of severe lower respiratory tract illness in infants and children. The virus replicates in polarized epithelial cells in the airway and, to a lesser extent, infects airway antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs). RSV possesses a number of expressed genes that antagonize the effect of type I interferons and other related host factor pathways that inhibit replication efficiency. Virus infection alters host gene transcription and the translation of host transcripts through specific antagonism of the function of host proteins, through induction of RNA stress granules, and through induction of altered patterns of host gene expression. In healthy cells, microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression by targeting the noncoding region of mRNA molecules to cause silencing or degradation of transcripts. It is not known whether or not RSV infection alters the level of microRNAs in cells. We profiled the pattern of expression of host cell microRNAs in RSV-infected epithelial cells or DCs and found that RSV did alter microRNA expression but in a cell-type-specific manner. The studies showed that let-7b was upregulated in DCs, while let-7i and miR-30b were upregulated in epithelial cells in a process that required viral replication. Interestingly, we found that the RSV nonstructural genes NS1 and NS2 antagonized the upregulation of let-7i and miR-30b. RSV appears to manipulate host cell gene expression through regulation of expression of miRNAs related to the interferon response. The data suggest a new mechanism of virus-host cell interactions for paramyxoviruses.

IMPORTANCERespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of serious lower respiratory tract illness in infants and children. The human innate immune response inhibits RSV replication early after inoculation, principally through the effect of substances called interferons. The virus, however, has developed several mechanisms for counteracting the host innate immune response. It is not known whether or not RSV infection alters the expression of host microRNAs, which are short RNA sequences that are posttranscriptional regulators. This paper shows that RSV does induce unique patterns of microRNA expression related to the NF-κB pathway or interferon pathways. The microRNA profiles differed depending on the cell type that was infected, airway cell or antigen-presenting cell. Interestingly, the virus appears to counteract the microRNA response by expressing nonstructural viral genes in the cell that reduce microRNA induction. The data suggest a new way in which paramyxoviruses regulate the host cell response to infection.