bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Greetings from the new Editor-in-Chief, Ronald Stambaugh
Authors: Stambaugh Ronald
Published: June 2012

Due to a processing error, this article was omitted from the printed copy of volume 52, issue 4 of Nuclear Fusion. The missing editorial is as follows:

I am very pleased to join the outstanding leadership team for the journal Nuclear Fusion as Scientific Editor. The journal's high position in the field of fusion energy research derives in no small measure from the efforts of the IAEA team in Vienna, the production and marketing of IOP Publishing, the Board of Editors led by its chairman Mitsuru Kikuchi, the Associate Editor for Inertial Confinement Max Tabak and the outgoing Scientific Editor, Paul Thomas. During Paul's five year tenure submissions have grown by over 40%. The usage of the electronic journal has grown year by year with about 300 000 full text downloads of Nuclear Fusion articles in 2011, an impressive figure due in part to the launch of the full 50 year archive. High quality has been maintained while times for peer review and publishing have been reduced and the journal achieved some of the highest impact factors ever (as high as 4.27).

The journal has contributed greatly to building the international scientific basis for fusion. I was privileged to serve from 2003 to 2010 as chairman of the Coordinating Committee for the International Tokamak Physics Activity (ITPA) which published in Nuclear Fusion the first ITER Physics Basis (1999) and its later update (2007). The scientific basis that has been developed to date for fusion has led to the construction of major facilities to demonstrate the production of power-plant relevant levels of fusion reactions. We look forward to the journal continuing to play a key role in the international effort toward fusion energy as these exciting major facilities and the various approaches to fusion continue to be developed.

It is clear that Nuclear Fusion maintains its position in the field because of the perceived high quality of the submissions, the refereeing and the editorial processes, and the availability and utility of the online journal. The creation of the Nuclear Fusion Prize, led by the Board of Editors chairman Mitsuru Kikuchi, for the most outstanding paper published in the journal each year has furthered the submission and recognition of papers of the highest quality. The accomplishments of the journal's team over the last five years will be a tough act to follow but I look forward to working with this competent and dedicated group to continue the journal's high standards and ensure that Nuclear Fusion remains the journal of choice for authors and readers alike.
Comments on ‘MMFPh: A Maximal Motif Finder for Phosphoproteomics Datasets’
Authors: He Zengyou , Gong Haipeng
Published: June 2012

Contact:  zyhe@dlut.edu.cn
Integrating literature-constrained and data-driven inference of signalling networks
Authors: Eduati Federica , De Las Rivas Javier , Di Camillo Barbara , Toffolo Gianna , Saez-Rodriguez Julio
Published: June 2012

Motivation: Recent developments in experimental methods facilitate increasingly larger signal transduction datasets. Two main approaches can be taken to derive a mathematical model from these data: training a network (obtained, e.g., from literature) to the data, or inferring the network from the data alone. Purely data-driven methods scale up poorly and have limited interpretability, whereas literature-constrained methods cannot deal with incomplete networks.

Results: We present an efficient approach, implemented in the R package CNORfeeder, to integrate literature-constrained and data-driven methods to infer signalling networks from perturbation experiments. Our method extends a given network with links derived from the data via various inference methods, and uses information on physical interactions of proteins to guide and validate the integration of links. We apply CNORfeeder to a network of growth and inflammatory signalling. We obtain a model with superior data fit in the human liver cancer HepG2 and propose potential missing pathways.

Availability: CNORfeeder is in the process of being submitted to Bioconductor and in the meantime available at www.cellnopt.org.

Contact:  saezrodriguez@ebi.ac.uk

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Prediction and mechanism of frequent ventricular premature contractions related to haemodynamic deterioration
Authors: Kuroki Kenji , Tada Hiroshi , Seo Yoshihiro , Ishizu Tomoko , Igawa Masayuki , Yamasaki Hiro , Igarashi Miyako , Machino Takeshi , Naruse Yoshihisa , Sekiguchi Yukio , Murakoshi Nobuyuki , Aonuma Kazutaka
Published: June 2012

Aim

Frequent ventricular premature contractions (VPCs) may cause haemodynamic deterioration and reversible left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. We aimed to clarify this mechanism.

Methods and results

The haemodynamics, echocardiographic parameters, and plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level were assessed in 31 patients with idiopathic, frequent VPCs undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation. The patients were classified into two groups according to the presence (n = 19) or absence (n = 12) of marked augmentation of the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) following VPCs (VPC‐induced‐PCWP augmentation; VI‐PA). The VI‐PA(+) group was defined as those with a peak PCWP of >15 mmHg measured after a VPC. Before the ablation, the mean PCWP, right atrial pressure (RAP), left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP), and plasma BNP level were significantly greater in the VI‐PA(+) group than in the VI‐PA(–) group. In the VI‐PA(+) group, the mean PCWP, RAP, LVEDP, and cardiac index all improved immediately after a successful ablation. At 7.4 ±0.9 months after the ablation, almost all the echocardiographic parameters and plasma BNP level also significantly improved in the VI‐PA(+) group, and the magnitude of the improvement in those parameters measured was greater in the VI‐PA(+) group than in the VI‐PA(–) group. The left atrial contractions during mitral valve closure during VPCs caused a marked pulmonary venous flow regurgitation and VI‐PA. VPC coupling intervals of <500 ms and the presence of a following P‐wave of <300 ms predicted VI‐PAs with a high accuracy.

Conclusions

The VI‐PA may be the main mechanism of the haemodynamic deterioration in patients with frequent VPCs. This haemodynamically deteriorating subgroup could be identified by the surface electrocardiogram and improved dramatically with catheter ablation.
Dolphin genome provides evidence for adaptive evolution of nervous system genes and a molecular rate slowdown
Authors: McGowen Michael R. , Grossman Lawrence I. , Wildman Derek E.
Published: June 2012

Cetaceans (dolphins and whales) have undergone a radical transformation from the original mammalian bodyplan. In addition, some cetaceans have evolved large brains and complex cognitive capacities. We compared approximately 10 000 protein-coding genes culled from the bottlenose dolphin genome with nine other genomes to reveal molecular correlates of the remarkable phenotypic features of these aquatic mammals. Evolutionary analyses demonstrated that the overall synonymous substitution rate in dolphins has slowed compared with other studied mammals, and is within the range of primates and elephants. We also discovered 228 genes potentially under positive selection (dN/dS> 1) in the dolphin lineage. Twenty-seven of these genes are associated with the nervous system, including those related to human intellectual disabilities, synaptic plasticity and sleep. In addition, genes expressed in the mitochondrion have a significantly higher mean dN/dSratio in the dolphin lineage than others examined, indicating evolution in energy metabolism. We encountered selection in other genes potentially related to cetacean adaptations such as glucose and lipid metabolism, dermal and lung development, and the cardiovascular system. This study underlines the parallel molecular trajectory of cetaceans with other mammalian groups possessing large brains.
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic studies of CCM3 in complex with the C-terminal domain of MST4
Authors: Xu Xueyong , Wang Xiaoyan , Ding Jingjin , Wang Da-Cheng
Published: June 2012

MST4 is a member of the GCKIII kinases. The interaction between cerebral cavernous malformation 3 (CCM3) and GCKIII kinases plays a critical role in cardiovascular development and in cerebral cavernous malformations. The complex of CCM3 and the C-terminal domain of MST4 has been constructed, purified and crystallized, and a diffraction data set has been collected to 2.4 Å resolution. The crystal of the CCM3–MST4 C-terminal domain complex belonged to space groupP41212 orP43212, with unit-cell parametersa = 69.10,b= 69.10,c= 117.57 Å.
Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of Enpp1
Authors: Kato Kazuki , Nishimasu Hiroshi , Mihara Emiko , Ishitani Ryuichiro , Takagi Junichi , Aoki Junken , Nureki Osamu
Published: June 2012

Enpp1 is an extracellular membrane-bound glycoprotein that regulates bone mineralization by hydrolyzing ATP to generate pyrophosphate. The extracellular region of mouse Enpp1 was expressed in HEK293S GnT1−cells, purified using the TARGET tag/P20.1-Sepharose system and crystallized. An X-ray diffraction data set was collected to 3.0 Å resolution. The crystal belonged to space groupP31, with unit-cell parametersa=b= 105.3,c= 173.7 Å. A single-wavelength anomalous dispersion (SAD) data set was also collected to 2.7 Å resolution using a selenomethionine-labelled crystal. The experimental phases determined by the SAD method produced an interpretable electron-density map.
Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of theD-alanyl carrier protein DltC fromStaphylococcus epidermidis
Authors: Huang Chi-Hung , Kao Chao-Hung , Yang Chia-Shin , Chang Chi-Huang , Chen Sheng-Chia , Kuan Shu-Min , Su Yen-Chao , Huang Yu-Han , Chang Ming-Chung , Chen Yeh
Published: June 2012

The D-alanyl lipoteichoic acids (D-alanyl LTAs) present in the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria play crucial roles in autolysis, cation homeostasis and biofilm formation. The alanylation of LTAs requires the D-alanyl carrier protein DltC to transfer D-Ala onto a membrane-associated LTA. Here, DltC fromStaphylococcus epidermidis(SeDltC) was purified and crystallized using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals diffracted to a resolution of 1.83 Å and belonged to space groupP2, with unit-cell parametersa= 66.26,b = 53.28,c= 88.05 Å, β = 98.22°. The results give a preliminary crystallographic analysis ofSeDltC and shed light on the functional role of DltC in the alanylation of LTAs.
Crystallization of SHARPIN using an automated two-dimensional grid screen for optimization
Authors: Stieglitz Benjamin , Rittinger Katrin , Haire Lesley F.
Published: June 2012

An N-terminal fragment of human SHARPIN was recombinantly expressed inEscherichia coli, purified and crystallized. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction were obtained by a one-step optimization of seed dilution and protein concentration using a two-dimensional grid screen. The crystals belonged to the primitive tetragonal space groupP43212, with unit-cell parametersa = b = 61.55,c= 222.81 Å. Complete data sets were collected from native and selenomethionine-substituted protein crystals at 100 K to 2.6 and 2.0 Å resolution, respectively.
On Childhood and Risk: An Exploration of Children's Everyday Experiences in Rural Peru
Authors: Crivello Gina , Boyden Jo
Published: June 2012

Drawing on data from Peru, this article explores how poverty mediates diverse risks in rural children's lives. It offers four main arguments. First, risk is not simply a feature of ‘extraordinary’ childhoods, but integral to everyday, ‘ordinary’ lives. Second, children's responses to adversity are crucially shaped by sociomoral considerations. Third, children participate actively in household risk mitigation, their engagement structured by individual (biographical) and collective factors. Fourth, changing circumstances present new opportunities and challenges for children living with adversity. Current approaches focusing on so‐called ‘objective’ risks neglect children's own priorities and subjective experiences.
A meta‐analysis of prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting: randomised controlled trials by Fujii et al. compared with other authors
Authors: Carlisle J. B.
Published: June 2012

The population sampling in randomised controlled trials by Fujii et al. have been shown to exhibit unusual distributions. This systematic review analysed the effectiveness of prophylactic antiemetics in trials by Fujii et al. compared with other authors. Granisetron was more effective in trials by Fujii et al., relative risk ratios (RRR (95% CI)): nausea 0.53 (0.42–0.67), p = 0.00021; vomiting 0.60 (0.50–0.73), p = 0.00094. Ramosetron was also more effective in studies by Fujii et al.: vomiting 0.60 (0.39–0.91), p = 0.02; nausea or vomiting 0.71 (0.56–0.91); p = 0.006. In comparison with granisetron, droperidol was less effective in trials by Fujii et al. than others: nausea 2.41 (1.72–3.36), p = 2.5 × 10−7; vomiting 1.73 (1.26–2.38), p = 6.4 × 10−4. Postoperative nausea and vomiting was less likely to trigger rescue antiemesis after granisetron and metoclopramide in studies by Fujii et al., 0.40 (0.27–0.60), p = 9.7 × 10−6. Triggered rates of rescue were not different in studies by others for droperidol, granisetron and metoclopramide, but were less common after granisetron than droperidol and metoclopramide in studies by Fujii et al., 0.50 (0.38–0.66), p = 1.7 × 10−6 and 0.47 (0.34–0.64), p = 2.6 × 10−6, respectively. There was no synergism between antiemetics in trials by other authors. In contrast, in studies by Fujii et al., postoperative nausea and vomiting was more likely if granisetron was administered alone: nausea 4.20 (1.94–9.08), p = 2.6 × 10−4; vomiting 4.50 (2.55–7.97), p = 2.3 × 10−7; nausea or vomiting 5.00 (2.84–8.81), p = 2.5 × 10−8. Similarly, droperidol was less effective in studies by Fujii et al. if administered alone: vomiting 2.76 (1.25–6.11), p = 0.01; nausea or vomiting 2.96 (1.46–6.00), p = 2.7 × 10−3. The conclusion is that if, as recommended, data with unusual distributions are removed from meta‐analysis and articles by Fujii et al. excluded, then the antiemetic effects of granisetron and ramosetron are greatly reduced; further, there is no evidence of synergism between antiemetics and indeed, some evidence of antagonism between antiemetic agents.
Transition in endocrinology: the challenge of maintaining continuity
Authors: Downing Jennifer , Gleeson Helena K. , Clayton Peter E. , Davis Julian R. E. , Wales Jerry K. , Callery Peter
Published: June 2012

Objective

Transition from child to adult status is a crucial stage in young people's lives. It is important that young people continue to receive appropriate endocrine care throughout and following transfer from paediatric to adult services. This study examined indicators of patient loss to follow‐up at initial transfer from paediatric care to identify implications for transitional care practice and research.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of patient data following transfer from paediatric services to a young person's transition clinic was conducted. Attendance data from 103 patients transferred to the Young Person's Clinic were analysed to determine the factors affecting nonattendance 1‐year post‐transfer.

Results

We found that overall one quarter of patients did not attend the young person's clinic in the first year after transfer. Those with poor attendance prior to transfer were likely to be poor attenders post‐transfer. Further, those without an appointment scheduled in the first 6 months of their final paediatric transfer appointment were less likely to attend in the first year.

Conclusions

Young people are at risk of losing contact during the transfer from paediatric to the young person's clinic. Measures that promote continuity of contact could reduce the risk of long‐term disengagement with care. Further development and research is required to identify the best ways to help young people with endocrine conditions in the transition from child to adult status.
Endocannabinoid modulation of jejunal afferent responses to LPS
Authors: Donovan J. , Grundy D.
Published: June 2012

Background  Endocannabinoids influence immune function and nociceptive signaling. This study examines cannabinoid modulation of sensory signaling from the GI tract following an acute inflammatory response triggered by systemic administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Methods  A segment of proximal jejunum was intubated, to measure intraluminal pressure, in anesthetized rats. Afferent impulse traffic was recorded from a single isolated paravascular nerve bundle supplying the jejunal loop. Drugs and LPS were administered intravenously and changes in afferent firing were determined.

Key Results  The non‐selective cannabinoid agonist, WIN55,212‐2 (1 mg kg−1 i.v.) and the anandamide transport inhibitor, VDM11 (1 mg kg−1 i.v.) but not the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor, URB597 (0.3 mg kg−1) caused a significant increase in afferent activity. The WIN55,212‐2‐induced afferent response was mediated by activation of CB1 receptors whereas the VDM11 response was mediated by both CB1 and CB2 receptor mechanisms. LPS (10 mg kg−1) evoked an increase in afferent activity which was significantly reduced in the presence of WIN55,212‐2 and VDM11 but not URB597. The inhibitory effect of WIN55,212‐2 was prevented by CB1 but not CB2 receptor antagonism. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of VDM11 remained unaltered after CB1 or CB2 receptor blockade.

Conclusions & Inferences  Endocannabinoids play a role in modulating afferent signaling and may represent a target for the treatment of visceral hypersensitivity. In contrast to the effects of blocking endocannabinoid uptake (VDM11), inhibiting breakdown of endocannabinoids (URB597) had no effect on baseline or LPS induced afferent firing. Therefore, uptake of cannabinoids rather than breakdown via FAAH terminates their action in the GI tract.
Structural and immunological characterization of sulphatides: relevance of sulphate moieties in Trypanosoma cruzi glycoconjugates
Authors: ACOSTA D. M. , SOPRANO L. L. , FERRERO M. R. , ESTEVA M. I. , RIARTE A. , COUTO A. S. , DUSCHAK V. G.
Published: June 2012

Sulphoglycosphingolipids, present on the surface of diverse cells, participate in the regulation of various cellular events. However, little is known about the structure and the role of sulphoglycosphingolipids in trypanosomatids. Herein, sulphated dihexosylceramide structures – composed mainly of sphingosine as the long chain base acylated with stearic acid – have been determined for the first time in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes by UV‐MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis. Interestingly, inhibition ELISA assays using cruzipain as antigen and polyclonal rabbit antibodies specific for cruzipain, the major cysteine proteinase of T. cruzi, or for its C‐terminal domain, have demonstrated (i) that sulphate epitopes are shared between cruzipain and sulphatides of T. cruzi, (ii) that cross‐reactivity maps to the C‐terminal domain and (iii) the existence of other antigenic determinants in the glycolipidic structures. These features provide evidence that sulphate groups are antigenic in sulphate‐containing parasite glycoconjugates. Furthermore, IgG2 antibody levels inversely correlate with disease severity in chronic Chagas disease patients, suggesting that IgG2 antibodies specific for sulphated epitopes might be associated with protective immunity and might be considered as potential surrogates of the course of chronic Chagas disease.
Effects of intra‐ and inter‐specific competition on fitness of sweetpotato weevil and West Indian sweetpotato weevil
Authors: Kuriwada T. , Kumano N. , Shiromoto K. , Haraguchi D.
Published: June 2012

The sweetpotato weevil Cylas formicarius (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Brentidae) and West Indian sweetpotato weevil Euscepes postfasciatus (Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are major pests of sweet potato Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., in tropical and subtropical regions. Effects of intra‐ and inter‐specific competition on the number of progeny (fecundity), body weight and developmental time of C. formicarius and E. postfasciatus were examined in single‐ and mixed‐species treatments under laboratory conditions. Cylas formicarius tended to outcompete E. postfasciatus, whereas E. postfasciatus rather than C. formicarius tolerated higher conspecific densities. We discuss the implications of the results for pest management and resource partitioning of pestiferous weevils.
Influence of Culture Medium Composition on Relative mRNA Abundances in Domestic Cat Embryos
Authors: Hribal R , Jewgenow K , Braun BC , Comizzoli P
Published: June 2012

Contents

Different culture conditions have been used to produce domestic cat embryos. As part of the in vitro procedures, the medium composition significantly affects the quality of the embryo development also. Quality assessments based on cleavage kinetics and blastomere symmetry are useful, but embryos also can differ in their relative gene expression patterns despite similar morphological characteristics. The aim of this study was to compare cat embryos produced with two different in vitro culture systems routinely used in two different laboratories [Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Washington D.C., USA (SCBI) and Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany (IZW)]. Specifically, relative mRNA expression patterns of critical genes for pre‐implantation embryo development were assessed in both conditions. Embryos were produced in parallel in both culture systems by IVF using frozen‐thawed ejaculated semen in the United States and fresh epididymal sperm in Germany. Success of embryo development in vitro was recorded as well as relative mRNA abundances [DNA methyltransferases 1 and 3A (DNMT1, DNMT3A), gap junction protein alpha 1 (GJA1), octamer‐binding transcription factor 4 [OCT4], insulin‐like growth factors 1 and 2 receptors (IGF1R, IGF2R), beta‐actin (ACTB)] in pools of days 4–5 morulae by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR assay. Percentages of cleaved embryos were similar (p > 0.05) between both culture systems, regardless of the location. OCT4 mRNA abundance was higher (p < 0.05) in embryos derived in the SCBI culture system compared with those from the IZW system when epididymal sperm was used for IVF. No clear correlation between the expression pattern and the culture system could be found for all other genes. It is suggested that OCT4 expression might be affected by the media composition in some conditions and can be the indicator of a better embryo quality.
Effects of CFRP bond locations on the Mode I stress intensity factor of centre‐cracked tensile steel plates
Authors: WU C. , ZHAO X. L. , AL‐MAHAIDI R. , DUAN W. H.
Published: June 2012

The fatigue life of cracked steel members can be greatly extended by externally attached carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP), which reduces the stress intensity factors (SIFs) at the crack tip. Access to cracks is sometimes limited and the CFRP has to be attached away from the cracks. There is a lack of knowledge on SIFs for such strengthening scheme. This paper presents the effects of CFRP bond locations on the Mode I SIF of centre‐cracked tensile (CCT) steel plate. The Mode I SIF at the crack tip is calculated using the finite element (FE) models.

A correction factor is introduced as a function of CFRP bond location and crack length. The FE results are compared and agree well with experimental tests conducted by the authors. By combining with another two factors (one considering CFRP mechanical properties and the other considering CFRP bond width) derived previously by the authors, SIF formulae are proposed for CFRP reinforced CCT steel plates.
ELIMINATING CONCEPTS AND ROLES FROM ONTOLOGIES IN EXPRESSIVE DESCRIPTIVE LOGICS
Authors: Wang Kewen , Wang Zhe , Topor Rodney , Pan Jeff Z. , Antoniou Grigoris
Published: June 2012

Forgetting is an important tool for reducing ontologies by eliminating some redundant concepts and roles while preserving sound and complete reasoning. Attempts have previously been made to address the problem of forgetting in relatively simple description logics (DLs), such as DL‐Lite and extended . However, the issue of forgetting for ontologies in more expressive DLs, such as and OWL DL, is largely unexplored. In particular, the problem of characterizing and computing forgetting for such logics is still open. In this paper, we first define semantic forgetting about concepts and roles in ontologies and state several important properties of forgetting in this setting. We then define the result of forgetting for concept descriptions in , state the properties of forgetting for concept descriptions, and present algorithms for computing the result of forgetting for concept descriptions. Unlike the case of DL‐Lite, the result of forgetting for an ontology does not exist in general, even for the special case of forgetting in TBoxes. This makes the problem of computing the result of forgetting in more challenging. We address this problem by defining a series of approximations to the result of forgetting for ontologies and studying their properties. Our algorithms for computing approximations can be directly implemented as a plug‐in of an ontology editor to enhance its ability of managing and reasoning in (large) ontologies.
Neurobiology in public and private discourse: the case of adults with ADHD
Authors: Bröer Christian , Heerings Marjolijn
Published: June 2012

How do people describe their health? How do their descriptions relate to public definitions? This article focuses on adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We look at Dutch adults who adopt the ADHD label and ask: which discourses structure their descriptions of ADHD? How do these relate to the dominant public discourse on ADHD? Do people use, for example, neurobiological explanations of ADHD? The research makes use of Q‐methodology, which combines a discursive relational approach with factor analysis. We examine five different personal discourses that partly differ from the public discourse. People borrow neurobiological, psychological, sociological and even holistic arguments from public discourse to come up with a distinct set of discourses. Neurobiology resonates among adults with ADHD but does not dominate their thinking. Contrary to our expectation, this supports reflexivity instead of discipline theory.
Cross‐seeding effects of amyloid β‐protein and α‐synuclein
Authors: Ono Kenjiro , Takahashi Ryoichi , Ikeda Tokuhei , Yamada Masahito
Published: June 2012

J. Neurochem. (2012) 122, 883–890.

Amyloid β‐protein (Aβ) and α‐synuclein (αS) are the primary components of amyloid plaques and Lewy bodies (LBs), respectively. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have suggested that interactions between Aβ and αS are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and LB diseases. However, the seeding effects of their aggregates on their aggregation pathways are not completely clear. To investigate the cross‐seeding effects of Aβ and αS, we examined how sonicated fibrils or cross‐linked oligomers of Aβ40, Aβ42, and αS affected their aggregation pathways using thioflavin T(S) assay and electron microscopy. Fibrils and oligomers of Aβ40, Aβ42, and αS acted as seeds, and affected the aggregation pathways within and among species. The seeding effects of αS fibrils were higher than those of Aβ40 and Aβ42 fibrils in the Aβ40 and Aβ42 aggregation pathways, respectively. We showed that Aβ and αS acted as seeds and affected each other’s aggregation pathways in vitro, which may contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of interactions between Alzheimer’s disease and LB diseases pathologies.
Economic Growth, Gender Wage Gap and Fertility Rebound*
Authors: DAY CREINA
Published: June 2012

Fertility and per capita income are now positively associated across most high income OECD countries. Low fertility and a gender wage gap persist in Japan. This paper presents a model where endogenous increases in the price of child‐care and gender equity in the allocation of capital play important roles in the effect of per capita income growth and rising female relative wages on fertility. Results indicate that a positive relationship between fertility and per capita income is not robust: overall fertility rises with female relative wages if child‐care productivity is sufficiently high; female relative wages may not rise with per capita income if men work with increasing capital relative to women.
Has Japan’s Lost Decade(s) Changed Economic Thinking?
Authors: CORBETT JENNY
Published: June 2012

Many elements of Japan’s economic stagnation in the 1990s are reasonably well explained in a modern, ‘synthesis type’, new‐Keynesian model. The actual occurrence of some of the elements, such as deflation and zero interest rates, was, however, rare in contemporary experience. As a result there has been a disconnect between what is theoretically understood by economists and the public discourse about Japan’s ‘lost decades’. The implications for policy are not very controversial in theory – fiscal policy should work and monetary policy could work but not via interest rate transmission. But the length of time that Japan remained below its potential GDP fuelled a debate about the effectiveness of traditional policy measures. This gave rise to real questions about the first ‘lost decade’ (1991–2001): why didn't policy work? Was this some new mystery ailment for which known remedies were ineffective? These questions are still debated and they remain important because the popular reading of Japan’s experience is ill‐informed and is being mis‐applied to current policy settings. This paper argues that Japan’s economic experience of the last two decades does not provide unambiguous evidence that demand stimulus policies are ineffective. The paper describes the ways in which economic theory has been changed by the lessons from Japan.
Why Should Economists be Interested in Cultural Policy?
Authors: THROSBY DAVID
Published: June 2012

Cultural policy is an area of public policy‐making with significant economic content. This paper suggests five areas where the theories, tools, and methods of economic analysis can make a contribution to the formation of a rational cultural policy: support for the creative arts; cultural goods in international trade; the management of cultural assets; industry and innovation; and foreign policy.
Overdue Choices: How Information and Role in Decision‐Making Influence Women's Preferences for Induction for Prolonged Pregnancy
Authors: Stevens Gabrielle , Miller Yvette D.
Published: June 2012

Background

Enabling women to make informed decisions is a crucial component of consumer‐focused maternity care. Current evidence suggests that health care practitioners' communication of care options may not facilitate patient involvement in decision‐making. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of specific variations in health caregiver communication on women's preferences for induction of labor for prolonged pregnancy.

Methods

A convenience sample of 595 female participants read a hypothetical scenario in which an obstetrician discusses induction of labor with a pregnant woman. Information provided on induction and the degree of encouragement for the woman's involvement in decision‐making was manipulated to create four experimental conditions. Participants indicated preference with respect to induction, their perceptions of the quality of information received, and other potential moderating factors.

Results

Participants who received information that was directive in favor of medical intervention were significantly more likely to prefer induction than those given nondirective information. No effect of level of involvement in decision‐making was found. Participants' general trust in doctors moderated the relationship between health caregiver communication and preferences for induction, such that the influence of information provided on preferences for induction differed across levels of involvement in decision‐making for women with a low trust in doctors, but not for those with high trust. Many women were not aware of the level of information required to make an informed decision.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the potential value of strategies such as patient decision aids and health care professional education to improve the quality of information available to women and their capacity for informed decision‐making during pregnancy and birth. (BIRTH 39:3 September 2012)
Two novel missense mutations in FGD4/FRABIN cause Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth type 4H (CMT4H)
Authors: Baudot Cécile , Esteve Clothilde , Castro Christel , Poitelon Yannick , Mas Camille , Hamadouche Tarik , El‐Rajab Maryam , Lévy Nicolas , Megarbané André , Delague Valérie
Published: June 2012

By sequencing of the FGD4 coding sequence in a cohort of 101 patients affected by autosomal recessive demyelinating Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth disease (CMT), we have identified two novel missense mutations in FGD4 in two patients from consanguineous descent: p.Arg442His in an Algerian patient and p.Met566Ile in a Lebanese girl. The patients present early onset, slowly progressive CMT, with drastic reduction of nerve conduction velocities. These mutations are the second and third missense mutations characterized in FGD4. They are likely to lead to conformational changes in the PH1 and FYVE domains.
Gaining Access to Economically Marginalized Rural Populations: Lessons Learned from Nonprobability Sampling*
Authors: Mammen Sheila , Sano Yoshie
Published: June 2012

Abstract

Poverty is a significant problem in rural America. Gaining access to economically marginalized rural populations in order to recruit individuals to participate in a research study, however, is often a challenge. This article compares three different nonprobability sampling techniques that have been used to recruit rural, low‐income mothers—purposive sampling, respondent‐driven sampling, and mixed purposive sampling. We review the relative advantages and drawbacks of the three methods in terms of access to the targeted population, methods of recruitment, size of the sample pool, randomness of the sample, generalizability of results, and researchers' control over the process.
Differential saturation of Pacific Northwest and Southeast (USA) fish assemblages
Authors: McGarvey Daniel J.
Published: June 2012

Plots of local versus regional richness have been used to test whether assemblages are ‘saturated’ with species. However, the validity of these tests is limited by scale‐dependence and arbitrarily defined sampling units, statistical autocorrelation between local and regional richness data, and the confounding effects of propagule pressure. In this study, local versus regional richness plots were used to test the saturation hypothesis for Pacific Northwest and Southeast (USA) fish assemblages, taking care to account for each of the above problems. Specifically, longitudinal river zones were used to ensure that the regional sampling units were not scale‐dependent or biologically arbitrary. A log‐ratio transformation was used to remove autocorrelation from the local and regional richness data. And a comprehensive fish stocking database was used to account for propagule pressure. Results suggest that the Pacific Northwest fish assemblages, which have low native richness, are not saturated, but the species‐rich Southeast assemblages are at or approaching saturation.
Experimental evidence of density dependent activity pattern of a large herbivore in an alpine ecosystem
Authors: Mobæk Ragnhild , Mysterud Atle , Loe Leif Egil , Holand Øystein , Austrheim Gunnar
Published: June 2012

Density dependent processes affecting foraging strategies may in turn influence vital rates and population regulation in large herbivores. Increased competition may lower both forage availability and quality, but whether the main activity constraint at high density is increased searching time or increased digestion time is poorly investigated. In a fully replicated landscape‐scale experiment, we used long‐term data (2003–2009) from domestic sheep grazing at high and low density (80 and 25 sheep km–2, respectively) on alpine summer ranges to test density dependence in allocation of time to feeding (moving) vs digestion (resting) activities and how this in turn affected body growth. Sheep at high density spent more time actively feeding than sheep at low density, but sheep moved shorter distances while foraging at high density. Increased activity levels at high density suggest that the main activity constraint at high density was availability of high‐quality food increasing searching time and possibly reducing intake rates. Increased movement distances at low density is consistent with a higher selection for more productive vegetation types since high‐quality patches are dispersed in the landscape. The alternative hypothesis, that food processing time increased at high density was not supported as it would have reduced overall activity levels. Individual activity levels increased body growth, but this was not sufficient to fully compensate for lower habitat quality leading to an overall reduced body growth at high density. Our experiment clearly documents changes in activity budgets and movement distances of a large herbivore at high population density, providing one potential behavioural mechanism of density dependent responses observed in vital rates.
Aerobic capacity in speed‐power athletes aged 20–90 years vs endurance runners and untrained participants
Authors: Kusy K. , Zieliński J.
Published: June 2012

We studied relationships between age and aerobic capacity in three groups of subjects adhering to different exercise modalities. A total of 203 men aged 20–90 years were examined: 52 speed‐power track and field athletes (SP), 89 endurance runners (ER) and 62 untrained individuals (UT). Maximal exercise characteristics were obtained during a graded treadmill test until exhaustion: oxygen uptake (), heart rate (HRmax), oxygen pulse (O2 Pulsemax) and maximal distance (Distmax). Information about training history and weekly training amount was collected. A linear model of regression was adopted. in SP was lower than in ER, but significantly higher than in UT. The cross‐sectional rates of decline in body mass‐adjusted and Distmax were significantly smaller in SP than in ER and UT. About 80 years of age, the levels of and Distmax reached similar values in SP and ER. The decline in HRmax, but not in O2 Pulsemax was suggested as a cardiac adaptation accounting for between‐group differences in loss. Weekly training volume was a significant positive predictor of age‐related changes in aerobic capacity. In conclusion, not only endurance, but also speed‐power exercise appears adequate to ensure an elevated aerobic capacity at old age.
Interaction between lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in airag, an alcoholic fermented milk
Authors: SUDUN  , WULIJIDELIGEN  , ARAKAWA Kensuke , MIYAMOTO Mari , MIYAMOTO Taku
Published: June 2012

The interaction between nine lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and five yeast strains isolated from airag of Inner Mongolia Autonomic Region, China was investigated. Three representative LAB and two yeasts showed symbioses were selected and incubated in 10% (w/v) reconstituted skim milk as single and mixed cultures to measure viable count, titratable acidity, ethanol and sugar content every 24 h for 1 week. LAB and yeasts showed high viable counts in the mixed cultures compared to the single cultures. Titratable acidity of the mixed cultures was obviously enhanced compared with that of the single cultures, except for the combinations of Lactobacillus reuteri 940B3 with Saccharomyces cerevisiae 4C and Lactobacillus helveticus 130B4 with Candida kefyr 2Y305. C. kefyr 2Y305 produced large amounts of ethanol (maximum 1.35 g/L), whereas non‐lactose‐fermenting S. cerevisiae 4C produced large amounts of ethanol only in the mixed cultures. Total glucose and galactose content increased while lactose content decreased in the single cultures of Leuconostoc mesenteroides 6B2081 and Lb. helveticus 130B4. However, both glucose and galactose were completely consumed and lactose was markedly reduced in the mixed cultures with yeasts. The result suggests that yeasts utilize glucose and galactose produced by LAB lactase to promote cell growth.
Comparison of silver nylon wound dressing and silver sulfadiazine in partial burn wound therapy
Authors: Abedini Fereydoon , Ahmadi Abdollah , Yavari Akram , Hosseini Vahid , Mousavi Sarah
Published: June 2012

The study aims to perform a comparative assessment of two types of burn wound treatment. To do the assessment, patients with partial thickness burn wounds with total body surface area <40% were simple randomised to treat with nanocrystalline silver nylon wound dressing or silver sulfadiazine cream. Efficacy of treatment, use of analgesics, number of wound dressing change, wound infection and final hospitalisation cost were evaluated. The study showed silver nylon wound dressing significantly reduced length of hospital stay, analgesic use, wound infection and inflammation compared with silver sulfadiazine.
Chinese women's experiences of stress incontinence: a descriptive qualitative study
Authors: Siu Lai‐Sheung Katherine , Lopez Violeta
Published: June 2012

This study explored the perceptions of 35 Chinese women on the impact of stress urinary incontinence on their life and their adherence to pelvic floor muscle exercise program. Audiotaped interviews were conducted at a time and place convenient to them. Content analysis was used to extract significant categories that described their experience. The five major categories that emerged were: (i) perceptions of stress urinary incontinence; (ii) living with urinary incontinence; (iii) emotions and feelings; (iv) factors facilitating pelvic floor muscle exercise and (v) factors inhibiting pelvic floor muscle exercise program. The women who adhered and those who did not adhere to pelvic floor muscle exercised were similar in the two categories of living with urinary incontinence, and emotions and feelings. However, there were great differences between the perceptions of the two groups in three categories on perceptions of urinary incontinence, factors facilitating and inhibiting the performance of pelvic floor muscle exercise.
What is Ornithogalum canaliculatum? New data on the African genus Stellarioides (Hyacinthaceae)
Authors: Martínez‐Azorín Mario , Crespo Manuel B.
Published: June 2012

In the frame of a taxonomic revision of Stellarioides Medik. we report here new data on the identity of Ornithogalum canaliculatum Lag. After studying natural populations and herbarium collections of Stellarioides Medik. from Africa, data supporting the synonymisation of O. canaliculatum Lag. to Stellarioides sessiliflora (Desf.) Speta are provided. A complete description is presented for this species, and data on typification, biology, habitat, and distribution are also included. Moreover, the new combination Stellarioides lebaense (Van Jaarsveld) Mart.‐Azorín & M. B. Crespo, is provided to accommodate the recently described Ornithogalum lebaense Van Jaarsveld from Angola.
Attract and Segregate
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: June 2012

BMPs induce a series of signaling events that control migration and specification of sympathetic neurons and adrenal medullary cells from a progenitor population.
RIGing the Antibacterial Response
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: June 2012

Virus-induced activation of RIG-I–like receptors suppresses Toll-like receptor–dependent antibacterial responses.
p53 Opens the Gates to Necrosis
Authors: Andrianantoandro Ernesto
Published: June 2012

p53 induces necrosis in response to oxidative stress by opening the mitochondrial permeability transition pore.
A New Trick of the Light: Saving the Heart from Ischemia
Authors: Baker Aaron B.
Published: June 2012

Exposure to intense light may be able to reduce the damage from heart attacks.
Activity of Lividomycin Against
Pseudomonas aeruginosa:
Its Inactivation by Phosphorylation Induced by Resistant Strains
Authors: Kobayashi Fujio , Yamaguchi Masahito , Mitsuhashi Susumu
Published: June 2012

The antibacterial activity and enzymatic inactivation of lividomycin, a new aminoglycosidic antibiotic, were studied with 13 strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. The minimal inhibitory concentration of lividomycin was 12.5 to 25 μg/ml, and three strains were resistant to high concentrations of lividomycin (more than 200 μg/ml). It was found that
P. aeruginosa
TI-13 and K-11, highly lividomycin-resistant strains of clinical origin, strongly inactivated the drug. The third resistant strain, Km-41/R, was developed in vitro. Unlike the other resistant strains, Km-41/R, was developed in vitro. Unlike the other resistant strains, Km-41/R did not inactivate the drug, indicating that different mechanisms were involved in lividomycin resistance. By use of a cell-free extract from
P. aeruginosa
TI-13, the inactivation of lividomycin was found to be caused by the formation of a monophosphorylated product of the drug.
Effect of Methisazone and Other Drugs on Mouse Hemopoietic Colony Formation In Vitro
Authors: McNeill T. A.
Published: June 2012

Methisazone (
N
-methylisatin β-thiosemicarbazone) was shown to inhibit the development of hemopoietic colonies in vitro when incorporated in the culture medium. The activity of methisazone was compared with that of several antimetabolic and antibiotic drugs. Although methisazone reduced the number of colonies, it did not affect the size of those colonies which did develop, and evidence is presented which shows that it acted only at the early stages of colony development. Some implications of these findings are briefly discussed.
Inhibitory Effects of Mitomycin-Related Compounds Lacking the C
1
-C
2
Aziridine Ring
Authors: Mercado Carmen M. , Tomasz Maria
Published: June 2012

Three chemical derivatives of mitomycin C cause loss of viability, inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis, and inhibition of cell division in bacteria. Each of these drugs lacks the C
1
-C
2
aziridine ring previously postulated to be essential for the bactericidal effect of mitomycin C.
Effect of Cytosine Arabinoside, Adenine Arabinoside, Tilorone, and Rifamycin SV on Multiplication of
Herpesvirus saimiri
In Vitro
Authors: Adamson R. H. , Ablashi D. V. , Armstrong G. R. , Ellmore N. W.
Published: June 2012

The multiplication of
Herpesvirus saimiri
was inhibited in vitro by cytosine arabinoside, adenine arabinoside, and tilorone, but not by rifamycin SV.
Carbenicillin Indanyl Sodium, an Orally Active Derivative of Carbenicillin
Authors: English Arthur R. , Retsema James A. , Ray Verne A. , Lynch John E.
Published: June 2012

Carbenicillin indanyl sodium, an orally active derivative of carbenicillin, is active against a broad spectrum of bacterial species. Although the ester has in vitro antimicrobial activity per se when evaluated in Brain Heart Infusion broth, the in vivo antibacterial activity seen in mice and rats reflects primarily the efficient hydrolysis of the ester to carbenicillin. With an acute systemic infection in mice as a test system, orally administered carbenicillin indanyl sodium protected mice against lethal infections produced by
Escherichia coli, Salmonella choleraesuis, Pasteurella multocida, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus
, and
Streptococcus pyogenes
. The dose that protected 50% of the animals against each of these infections was comparable to that of parenteral carbenicillin. Against experimental urinary-tract disease in rats produced by
E. coli, P. vulgaris
, and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, it was again observed that carbenicillin indanyl sodium provided activity comparable to that of parenterally administered carbenicillin.