bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermo‐induced Vesicular Dynamics of Membranes Containing Cholesterol Derivatives
Authors: Yoda Tsuyoshi , Vestergaard Mun'delanji C. , Hamada Tsutomu , Le Phuc Thi Minh , Takagi Masahiro
Published: June 2012

Membrane structural organization is an intrinsic property of a cell membrane. Any changes in lipid composition, and/or any stimuli that affect molecular packing induce structural re‐organization. It membrane dynamics provide a means by which changes in structure organization can be determined, upon a change in the membrane internal or external environment. Here, we report on the effect of thermo‐stress on membranes containing cholesterol liquid crystal (LC) compounds cholesterol benzoate (BENZO) and oxidized cholesterols. We have (1) revealed that lipid vesicles containing this artificial cholesterol derivative (BENZO) is thermo‐responsive, and that this thermo‐sensitivity is significantly similar to naturally oxy‐cholesterols (2) elucidated the mechanism behind the membrane perturbation. Using Langmuir monolayer experiments, we have demonstrated that membrane perturbation was due to an increase in the molecular surface area, (3) discussed the similarities between cholesterol benzoate in the cholesterol LC state and in lipid bilayer membranes. Last, (4) drawing from previously reported findings, our new data on membrane dynamics, and the discussion above, we propose that artificial cholesterol derivatives such as BENZO, open new possibilities for controlled and tailored design using model membrane systems. Examples could include the development of membrane technology and provide a trigger for progress in thermo‐tropical liquid crystal engineering.
Marketing – as it Once Was, And, Perhaps, Might One Day Be!
Authors: Layton Roger
Published: June 2012

This paper explores the nature of marketing thought in the 1960's when the School of Marketing was established at UNSW, recounts some of the early history of the School, and notes the challenges to the discipline of marketing that now lie ahead.
DOR undergoes nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling, which involves passage through the nucleolus
Authors: Mauvezin Caroline , Sancho Ana , Ivanova Saska , Palacin Manuel , Zorzano Antonio
Published: June 2012

DOR is a bi‐functional protein that regulates transcription and enhances starvation‐induced autophagy. While autophagy has been mostly described as a stress–response mechanism, cells also need autophagy to maintain homeostasis in basal conditions. However, the mechanisms regulating basal autophagy still remain unknown. Our results show that DOR acts in basal autophagy. Indeed, DOR already undergoes nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling in basal conditions and, surprisingly, DOR exits continuously the nucleus and traverses the nucleolus. However, the nucleolus integrity is not essential for both DOR nucleo‐cytoplasmic shuttling and DOR function on basal autophagy. Taken together, we propose that DOR exit from the nucleus is essential for basal autophagy stimulation even under nucleolus disruption.
Exogenous and endogenous ghrelin counteracts GLP‐1 action to stimulate cAMP signaling and insulin secretion in islet β‐cells
Authors: Damdindorj Boldbaatar , Dezaki Katsuya , Kurashina Tomoyuki , Sone Hideyuki , Rita Rauza , Kakei Masafumi , Yada Toshihiko
Published: June 2012

We studied interactive effects of insulinotropic GLP‐1 and insulinostatic ghrelin on rat pancreatic islets. GLP‐1 potentiated glucose‐induced insulin release and cAMP production in isolated islets and [Ca2+]i increases in single β‐cells, and these potentiations were attenuated by ghrelin. Ghrelin suppressed [Ca2+]i responses to an adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. Moreover, GLP‐1‐induced insulin release and cAMP production were markedly enhanced by [d‐lys3]‐GHRP‐6, a ghrelin receptor antagonist, in isolated islets. These results indicate that both exogenous and endogenous islet‐derived ghrelin counteracts glucose‐dependent GLP‐1 action to increase cAMP production, [Ca2+]i and insulin release in islet β‐cells, positioning ghrelin as a modulator of insulinotropic GLP‐1.
IGFBP7's susceptibility to proteolysis is altered by A‐to‐I RNA editing of its transcript
Authors: Godfried Sie Christina , Hesler Stephen , Maas Stefan , Kuchka Michael
Published: June 2012

MT‐SP1
cleaves
IGFBP7
by protease assay (View interaction).
Real‐time feedback and booking behavior in the hospitality industry: Moderating the balance between imperfect judgment and imperfect prescription
Authors: Bendoly Elliot
Published: June 2012

Revenue management (RM) systems now have an established role in the hospitality industry. Nevertheless, use of the systems varies. The price points that these systems generate through the analysis of demand forecasts are, by their very nature, imperfect prescriptions. Given the risk of forecast error in certain reservation contexts, hotel agents are often given the latitude to accept rate bids below the pricing prescriptions of these systems. The frequency and extent of such deviation is dependent in large part on the judgment of reservation agents, who in turn are influenced by their perceptions of how their actions will be viewed by higher levels of management. In this study, we use a laboratory experiment to investigate how different forms of continuous performance feedback influence agent decisions. More specifically, we consider both a revenue‐focused metric as well as a metric framed around pricing‐curve adherence as the basis of two feedback mechanisms of interest. In an attempt to provide additional insight, we also monitored physiological markers of stress and arousal to determine the emotional state of subjects. The purpose is to use such observations in support of theory regarding the impact of performance measure orientation on decision making. The results suggest implications for the practical use of continuous feedback in these settings.
Expression of osteoclast‐related cytokines in mandibular invasion by gingival squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Matsubara Shizuka , Nomura Takeshi , Takano Nobuo , Shibahara Takahiko
Published: June 2012

Gingival squamous cell carcinoma (GSCC) displays strong potential for local infiltration. Detailed evaluation of bone invasion to the mandible is an important problem clinically. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of osteoclast‐related cytokines, which play an important role in mandibular invasion. A total of 23 cases of lower GSCC were classified histopathologically as non‐invasive group (n = 10) or invasive group (n = 13). Cytokines of interleukin (IL)‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐11, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, parathyroid hormone‐related protein (PTHrP), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK), RANK ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were selected. In this prospective study, the expressions of these cytokines were studied by quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, PTHrP, and RANKL were expressed higher in the invasive group. In particular, IL‐6 was considered as a non‐specific cytokine which responds to inflammatory change by tumor or non‐tumor stimulation. These results suggest that IL‐1α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, PTHrP, and RANKL play important roles in the mechanisms underlying mandibular invasion. Furthermore, expression analysis of OPG/RANK/RANKL system may contribute to treatment and prevention of GSCC in future.
Redefining the impact of nutrition on breast cancer incidence: is epigenetics involved?
Authors: Teegarden Dorothy , Romieu Isabelle , Lelièvre Sophie A.
Published: July 2012

Breast cancer incidence is rising worldwide with an increase in aggressive neoplasias in young women. Possible factors involved include lifestyle changes, notably diet that is known to make an impact on gene transcription. However, among dietary factors, there is sufficient support for only greater body weight and alcohol consumption whereas numerous studies revealing an impact of specific diets and nutrients on breast cancer risk show conflicting results. Also, little information is available from middle- and low-income countries. The diversity of gene expression profiles found in breast cancers indicates that transcription control is critical for the outcome of the disease. This suggests the need for studies on nutrients that affect epigenetic mechanisms of transcription, such as DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histones. In the present review, a new examination of the relationship between diet and breast cancer based on transcription control is proposed in light of epidemiological, animal and clinical studies. The mechanisms underlying the impact of diets on breast cancer development and factors that impede reaching clear conclusions are discussed. Understanding the interaction between nutrition and epigenetics (gene expression control via chromatin structure) is critical in light of the influence of diet during early stages of mammary gland development on breast cancer risk, suggesting a persistent effect on gene expression as shown by the influence of certain nutrients on DNA methylation. Successful development of breast cancer prevention strategies will require appropriate models, identification of biological markers for rapid assessment of preventive interventions, and coordinated worldwide research to discern the effects of diet.
Advancing paternal age and offspring violent offending: A sibling-comparison study
Authors: Kuja-Halkola Ralf , Pawitan Yudi , D'Onofrio Brian M. , Långström Niklas , Lichtenstein Paul
Published: July 2012

Children born to older fathers are at higher risk to develop severe psychopathology (e.g., schizophrenia and bipolar disorder), possibly because of increased de novo mutations during spermatogenesis with older paternal age. Because severe psychopathology is correlated with antisocial behavior, we examined possible associations between advancing paternal age and offspring violent offending. Interlinked Swedish national registers provided information on fathers' age at childbirth and violent criminal convictions in all offspring born from 1958 to 1979 (N= 2,359,921). We used ever committing a violent crime and number of violent crimes as indices of violent offending. The data included information on multiple levels; we compared differentially exposed siblings in within-family analyses to rigorously test causal influences. In the entire population, advancing paternal age predicted offspring violent crime according to both indices. Congruent with a causal effect, this association remained for rates of violent crime in within-family analyses. However, in within-family analyses, we found no association with ever committing a violent crime, suggesting that factors shared by siblings (genes and environment) confounded this association. Life-course persistent criminality has been proposed to have a partly biological etiology; our results agree with a stronger biological effect (i.e., de novo mutations) on persistent violent offending.
Utility of the waist-to-height ratio as an instrument to measure parental perception of body weight in children and its use in a population-based survey of children
Authors: Nambiar Smita , Truby Helen , Hughes Ian , Davies Peter SW
Published: July 2012

Objective

To investigate which anthropometric measure of overweight status, BMI or waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), is most closely associated with parents’ perception of their child's overweight status.

Design

The sensitivity and specificity of parental perception against child-specific BMI and WHtR definitions of overweight were tested.

Setting

Primary schools in Queensland, Australia.

Subjects

Boys and girls aged 9·00–11·99 years (n1431).

Results

Of the 138 boys and 202 girls who were classified as overweight according to BMI, only 27·5 % (boys) and 22·7 % (girls) were also perceived as overweight by their parents. Using WHtR, 206 boys and 333 girls were classified as overweight, of whom only 21·9 % and 13·8 %, respectively, were perceived as overweight. Perception of overweight was underestimated in approximately 15 % of boys and 21 % of girls when compared with BMI. Underestimation was higher when compared with WHtR: 25 % (boys) and 39 % (girls). Overweight prevalence was significantly lower according to perception than according to BMI or WHtR. Mother's education level was significantly associated with accurate perception of overweight status (P< 0·001).

Conclusions

The sensitivity of parental perception of child overweight was higher when BMI was used. However, emphasis needs to be placed on using WHtR as an actual measure of overweight because high central adiposity is associated with increased risk of CVD. The combined use of WHtR, body-shape images rather than word responses regarding perception and public health messages that educate parents and children about body shape and associated health risks may be the best combination in improving parents’ perception of their child's overweight status.
The use of sports references in marketing of food and beverage products in supermarkets
Authors: Bragg Marie A , Liu Peggy J , Roberto Christina A , Sarda Vishnu , Harris Jennifer L , Brownell Kelly D
Published: July 2012

Objective

Food marketing has been identified as a significant driver of the childhood obesity epidemic. The purpose of the present study was to (i) conduct a content analysis of the types of sports references that appear on supermarket food and beverage products and (ii) assess each product's nutritional and marketing profile.

Design

This was a descriptive study. Every product featuring sports references on the packaging was purchased in two major supermarkets during 2010. A content analysis was conducted and nutritional evaluations were made based on the Nutrient Profile Model, a validated nutrition model. Marketing data were obtained from The Nielsen Company.

Setting

Two major supermarkets in Connecticut, USA.

Subjects

Food and beverage products (n 102) were selected from two supermarkets.

Results

The 102 products (fifty-three foods and forty-nine beverages) had sports references as part of their packaging: 72·5 % featured a character exercising, 42·2 % were endorsed by a professional sports entity and 34·0 % were child-targeted. The median nutrition score for food products was 36 (1 = unhealthiest and 100 = healthiest; scores of ≥63 are considered healthy according to this model). More than two-thirds of beverages (69·4 %) were 100 % sugar-sweetened. Children saw significantly more commercials for these products than adults.

Conclusions

Companies place sports figures on food and beverage products that are child-targeted and unhealthy.
Die Zukunft der Personalentwicklung
Authors: Schermuly Carsten Christoph , Schröder Tobias , Nachtwei Jens , Kauffeld Simone , Gläs Karl
Published: June 2012

Maßnahmen zur Personalentwicklung sichern im globalen Wettbewerb die Innovations- und Zukunftsfähigkeit von Unternehmen. Sie helfen, den Arbeitnehmer/-innen ihre Beschäftigungsfähigkeit zu erhalten und dienen vielen Psychologinnen und Psychologen als Erwerbsgrundlage. Für die strategische Ausrichtung aller Beteiligten ist die Kenntnis von besonderer Bedeutung, wie sich die Personalentwicklung perspektivisch entwickeln wird. Dieser Fragestellung wurde mit einer Delphi-Studie nachgegangen, um eine wissenschaftlich fundierte Bestandsaufnahme wahrscheinlich zu erwartender Entwicklungen der Personalentwicklung in Deutschland zu erreichen. Nach einer ersten qualitativen Delphirunde mit 15 Praxisexperten wurden verschiedene Szenarien bezüglich der Zukunft der Personalentwicklung entwickelt. Diese wurden in zwei quantitativen Runden von 217 bzw. 195 Praxisexperten hinsichtlich des Ist-Zustands, des zukünftigen Zustands sowie des Erwünschtheitsgrads eingeschätzt. Die Praxisexperten prognostizieren u. a. eine stärkere Evaluation von Personalentwicklungsmaßnahmen sowie eine intensivere Verzahnung der Personalentwicklung mit der Eignungsdiagnostik und der Organisationsentwicklung; weiterhin eine stärkere Fokussierung auf das Wissensmanagement sowie die Entwicklung älterer Beschäftigter.
Kontrollspielräume als protektive Ressource bei Emotionsarbeit
Authors: Freund Natalie , Diestel Stefan , Schmidt Klaus-Helmut
Published: June 2012

Die vorliegende Studie geht der Frage nach, ob situative Kontrollmöglichkeiten die Beziehung zwischen Emotionsarbeit und Beanspruchung moderieren. Die Prüfung dieser Annahme erfolgte auf Grundlage von Fragebogendaten, die bei 326 Sachbearbeitern eines Versicherungsunternehmens erhoben wurden. Als Beanspruchungsindikatoren wurden die Burnoutdimensionen (emotionale Erschöpfung, Depersonalisation, reduzierte Leistungsfähigkeit) herangezogen. Als Belastungsfaktor wurde das Hauptaugenmerk auf die emotionale Dissonanz gelegt. Die situativen Kontrollspielräume beinhalteten Einflussmöglichkeiten auf den zeitlichen Arbeitsablauf sowie auf die Art der Aufgabenbearbeitung. Als statistisches Prüfverfahren für die erwarteten Interaktionseffekte wurden nicht-lineare Strukturgleichungsmodelle zugrunde gelegt. Nach Kontrolle des Einflusses einiger biographischer Variablen zeigte sich, dass situative Kontrollspielräume den adversen Einfluss der emotionalen Dissonanz auf das Burnouterleben moderieren, d. h. abschwächen.
Instrument zur stressbezogenen Tätigkeitsanalyse bei Freelancern auf Basis des ISTA von Semmer, Zapf und Dunckel
Authors: Clasen Julia
Published: June 2012

Seit Mitte der Neunziger Jahre wächst in Deutschland die Zahl der Freelancer unter den Erwerbstätigen. Trotz ihrer zunehmenden Bedeutung für den Arbeitsmarkt liegen für diese Personengruppe bisher kaum Erkenntnisse bezüglich Arbeitsbedingungen und deren Auswirkungen vor. Dies ist u. a. auf einen Mangel an geeigneten Analyseinstrumenten für diese Art von Tätigkeiten zurückzuführen. In diesem Beitrag wird die Entwicklung und Validierung eines Screenings dargestellt, mit dem die für Freelance-Tätigkeiten typischen, stressrelevanten Tätigkeitsmerkmale auf ökonomische Art und Weise analysiert werden können. Den theoretischen Hintergrund des Instruments bilden das handlungstheoretische Anforderungs-, Belastungs- und Ressourcen-Modell sowie Konstrukte des Instruments zur stressbezogenen Tätigkeitsanalyse (ISTA). Auf Basis von zwei Online-Untersuchungen (N=147 und N=268) wurden die Gütekriterien überprüft. Die Überprüfung der internen Konsistenz sowie von Retest- und Interraterreliabilität erbrachte zufriedenstellende Werte. Die Ergebnisse der konfirmatorischen Faktorenanalysen sowie erwartungskonforme Korrelationen mit anderen Skalen sprechen für die Konstruktvalidität des Instrumentes.
Interseismic strain accumulation along the western boundary of the Indian subcontinent
Authors: Szeliga Walter , Bilham Roger , Kakar Din Mohammad , Lodi Sarosh H.
Published: July 2012

Despite an overall sinistral slip rate of ≈3 cm/yr, few major earthquakes have occurred in the past 200 years along the Chaman fault system, the western boundary of the India Plate with the Eurasia Plate. GPS and InSAR data reported here indicate sinistral shear velocities of 8–17 mm/yr across the westernmost branches of the fault system, suggesting that a significant fraction of the plate boundary slip is distributed in the fold and fault belt to the east. At its southernmost on‐land segment (≈26°N), near the triple junction between the Arabia, Eurasia, and India Plates, we find the velocity across the Ornach Nal fault is 15.1+13.4+16.9mm/yr, with a locking depth probably less than 3 km. At latitude 30°N near the town of Chaman, Pakistan, where a M6.5 earthquake occurred in 1892, the velocity is 8.5+6.8+10.3mm/yr and the fault is locked at approximately 3.4 km depth. At latitude 33°N and further north, InSAR data indicate a velocity across the Chaman fault of 16.8 ± 2.7 mm/yr. The width of the plate boundary varies from several km in the south where we observe ≈2 mm/yr of convergence near the westernmost strike‐slip faults, to a few hundreds of km in the north where we observe 6–9 mm/yr of convergence, and where the faulting becomes distinctly transpressional. The shallow locking depth along much of the transform system suggests that earthquakes larger than those that have occurred in the historical record would be unexpected, and that the recurrence interval of those earthquakes that have occurred is of the order of one or two centuries, similar in length to the known historical record.
Effective strategies to counter campus presentations on climate denial
Authors: Corbin Jeffrey D. , Katz Miriam E.
Published: July 2012

Although 97%–98% of the climate researchers most actively publishing in the field accept the basic tenets of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) findings [Anderegg et al., 2010], there is a consistent undercurrent of doubt among the general public (A. Leiserowitz et al., Global warming's six Americas in May 2011, online report, 57 pp., Yale Project on Climate Change Communication, Yale University, New Haven, Conn., 2011). To some extent, this doubt is fueled by high‐profile climate change deniers who offer “the real view” of climate science [Oreskes and Conway, 2010]. Our campuses recently hosted two such speakers: Ivar Giaever at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and Christopher Monckton (also known as Lord Monckton) at Union College. (Monckton's presentation can be seen athttp://union.campusreform.org/group/blog/live‐webinar‐lord‐monckton‐at‐union‐college.)
Improved time to publication in Journal of Geophysical Research‐Atmospheres
Authors: de Gouw Joost , Ghan Steven , Pryor Sara , Rudich Yinon , Zhang Renyi
Published: July 2012

Timely publication of manuscripts is important to authors and readers. AGU has significantly accelerated both the review and production processes for the Journal of Geophysical Research‐Atmospheres (JGR‐Atmospheres). Via a number of mechanisms (e.g., shortening the time allotted for reviewer selection, manuscript reviews, and revisions), the mean time to first decision has been decreased from 98 days in 2007 to 50 days in 2011, and the mean time to final decision has been decreased from 132 days in 2007 to 71 days in 2011. By implementing a new content management system, adjusting the workflow for improved efficiency, requesting authors to proofread their manuscripts quicker, and improving monitoring and follow‐up to author and vendor queries, the mean production time from manuscript acceptance to publication has been decreased from 128 days in 2010 to only 56 days in 2012. Thus, in the past few years the mean time to publication of JGR‐Atmospheres has been cut in half. These milestones have been achieved with no loss of quality of presentation or content. In addition, online posting of “papers in press” on JGR‐Atmosphere's home page typically occurs within a few days after acceptance. JGR‐Atmospheres editors thank manuscript reviewers, authors, and AGU staff who have greatly contributed to the more timely review and publication processes. This information will be updated periodically on the JGR‐Atmospheres home page. A chart showing the average time from acceptance to publication for all of AGU's journals is available at http://www.agu.org/pubs/pdf/31May2012_Timeliness_Chart.pdf.
Outstanding Student Paper Awards
Authors: Anonymous
Published: July 2012

The following members received Outstanding Student Paper Awards at the 2011 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, Calif. Awards for other sections and focus groups will be announced in future issues of Eos.
Ross Ice Shelf airstream driven by polar vortex cyclone
Authors: Schultz Colin
Published: July 2012

The powerful air and ocean currents that flow in and above the Southern Ocean, circling in the Southern Hemisphere's high latitudes, form a barrier to mixing between Antarctica and the rest of the planet. Particularly during the austral winter, strong westerly winds isolate the Antarctic continent from heat, energy, and mass exchange, bolstering the scale of the annual polar ozone depletion and driving the continent's record‐breaking low temperatures. Pushing through this wall of high winds, the Ross Ice Shelf airstream (RAS) is responsible for a sizable amount of mass and energy exchange from the Antarctic inland areas to lower latitudes. Sitting due south of New Zealand, the roughly 470,000‐square‐kilometer Ross Ice Shelf is the continent's largest ice shelf and a hub of activity for Antarctic research. A highly variable lower atmospheric air current, RAS draws air from the inland Antarctic Plateau over the Ross Ice Shelf and past the Ross Sea. Drawing on modeled wind patterns for 2001–2005, Seefeldt and Cassano identify the primary drivers of RAS.
Effects of solute breakthrough curve tail truncation on residence time estimates: A synthesis of solute tracer injection studies
Authors: Drummond J. D. , Covino T. P. , Aubeneau A. F. , Leong D. , Patil S. , Schumer R. , Packman A. I.
Published: July 2012

Hydrologic transport and retention strongly affect biogeochemical processes that are critical to stream ecosystems. Tracer injection studies are often used to characterize solute transport and retention in stream reaches, but the range of processes accurately resolved with this approach is not clear. Solute residence time distributions depend on both in‐stream mixing and exchange with the hyporheic zone and the larger groundwater system. Observed in‐stream breakthrough curves have most commonly been modeled with in‐stream advection‐dispersion plus an exponential residence time distribution, but process‐based models suggest that hyporheic exchange is a fractal process, and that hyporheic residence time distributions are more appropriately characterized by power law tailing. We synthesized results from a variety of tracer‐injection studies to investigate the information content of tracer breakthrough curves. We found that breakthrough curve tails are often not well characterized in stream tracer experiments. The two main reasons for this are: 1) experimental truncation of breakthrough curves, which occurs when sampling ends before all tracer mass reaches the sampling location, and 2) sensitivity truncation of breakthrough curves, when tracer concentrations in the tail are too low to be detected reliably above background levels. Tail truncation reduces observed mass recovery and obscures assessment of breakthrough curve tailing and solute residence time. Failure to consider tail truncation leads to underestimation of hyporheic exchange and solute retention and to corresponding overestimation of hyporheic biogeochemical transformation rates. Based on these findings, we propose criteria for improved design of in‐stream tracer injection experiments to improve assessment of solute tailing behavior.
Low temperature highlights the functional role of the cell wall integrity pathway in the regulation of growth in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Córcoles-Sáez Isaac , Ballester-Tomas Lídia , de la Torre-Ruiz Maria A. , Prieto Jose A. , Randez-Gil Francisca
Published: July 2012

Unlike other stresses, the physiological significance and molecular mechanisms involved in the yeast cold response are largely unknown. In the present study, we show that the CWI (cell wall integrity) pathway plays an important role in the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae at low temperatures. Cells lacking the Wsc1p (wall integrity and stress response component 1) membrane sensor or the MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases) Bck1p (bypass of C kinase 1), Mkk (Mapk kinase) 1p/Mkk2p or Slt2p (suppressor of lyt2) exhibited cold sensitivity. However, there was no evidence of either a cold-provoked perturbation of the cell wall or a differential cold expression program mediated by Slt2p. The results of the present study suggest that Slt2p is activated by different inputs in response to nutrient signals and mediates growth control through TORC1 (target of rapamycin 1 complex)–Sch9p (suppressor of cdc25) and PKA (protein kinase A) at low temperatures. We found that absence of TOR1 (target of rapamycin 1) causes cold sensitivity, whereas a ras2Δ mutant shows increased cold growth. Lack of Sch9p alleviates the phenotype of slt2Δ and bck1Δ mutant cells, as well as attenuation of PKA activity by overexpression of BCY1 (bypass of cyclase mutations 1). Interestingly, swi4Δ mutant cells display cold sensitivity, but the phenotype is neither mediated by the Slt2p-regulated induction of Swi4p (switching deficient 4)-responsive promoters nor influenced by osmotic stabilization. Hence, cold signalling through the CWI pathway has distinct features and might mediate still unknown effectors and targets.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in insulin resistance: differential contributions of chronic insulin and saturated fatty acid exposure in muscle cells
Authors: Yang Chenjing , Aye Cho Cho , Li Xiaoxin , Diaz Ramos Angels , Zorzano Antonio , Mora Silvia
Published: July 2012

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with insulin resistance, obesity and diabetes. Hyperinsulinaemia and hyperlipidaemia are hallmarks of the insulin-resistant state. We sought to determine the contributions of high insulin and saturated fatty acid exposure to mitochondrial function and biogenesis in cultured myocytes. Differentiated C2C12 myotubes were left untreated or exposed to chronic high insulin or high palmitate. Mitochondrial function was determined assessing: oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential, ATP content and ROS (reactive oxygen species) production. We also determined the expression of several mitochondrial genes. Chronic insulin treatment of myotubes caused insulin resistance with reduced PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) signalling. Insulin treatment increased oxygen consumption but reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and ROS production. ATP cellular levels were maintained through an increased glycolytic rate. The expression of mitochondrial OXPHOS (oxidative phosphorylation) subunits or Mfn-2 (mitofusin 2) were not significantly altered in comparison with untreated cells, whereas expression of PGC-1α (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator-1α) and UCPs (uncoupling proteins) were reduced. In contrast, saturated fatty acid exposure caused insulin resistance, reducing PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase) and ERK (extracellular-signal-regulated kinase) activation while increasing activation of stress kinases JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) and p38. Fatty acids reduced oxygen consumption and mitochondrial membrane potential while up-regulating the expression of mitochondrial ETC (electron chain complex) protein subunits and UCP proteins. Mfn-2 expression was not modified by palmitate. Palmitate-treated cells also showed a reduced glycolytic rate. Taken together, our findings indicate that chronic insulin and fatty acid-induced insulin resistance differentially affect mitochondrial function. In both conditions, cells were able to maintain ATP levels despite the loss of membrane potential; however, different protein expression suggests different adaptation mechanisms.
Potential of bioethanol production from Nypa fruticans sap by a newly isolated yeast Lachancea fermentati
Authors: Dewi Natarajan Sharmila , Mohamad Rosfarizan , Abdul Rahim Raha , Aini Abdul Rahman Nor’
Published: July 2012

Four isolated yeast strains from nypa sap: Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, and Lachancea fermentati were screened for their abilities to produce ethanol from Nypa fruticans sap. Fermentation was carried out in shake flasks at 30 °C, 200 rpm utilizing 50 g/l sugar of nypa sap. L. fermentati produced the highest ethanol level (18.7 g/l) with 75% efficiency, thus it was selected for further process optimization. Aiming to obtain high yields of ethanol, orthogonal experiments of ethanol fermentation from nypa sap using L. fermentati were carried out in 250 ml shake flasks to investigate the effects of the main parameters: temperature, pH, substrate concentration, and fermentation time. The results showed that the optimum conditions for bioethanol production were temperature of 30 °C, pH 5.4, substrate concentration of 110 g/l, and fermentation time of 20 h. The model predicted that the maximum concentration of ethanol produced under the above optimum conditions was 46.83 g/l. Verification experiments were carried out at the corresponding parameters, and the results were in close agreement with the model prediction giving 46.4 g/l ethanol production and 82% efficiency close to the theoretical yield. Nypa sap is a good potential substrate as well as a new resource for ethanol production by a local yeast isolate.
IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 95. Alkaline Earth Carbonates in Aqueous Systems. Part 2. Ca
Authors: Vanderdeelen Jan
Published: June 2012

The alkaline earth carbonates are an important class of minerals. This article is part of a volume in the IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series that compiles and critically evaluates solubility data of the alkaline earth carbonates in water and in simple aqueous electrolyte solutions. Part 1 outlined the procedure adopted in this volume, and presented the beryllium and magnesium carbonates. Part 2, the current paper, compiles and critically evaluates the solubility data of calcium carbonate. The chemical forms included are the anhydrous CaCO3 types calcite, aragonite, and vaterite, the monohydrate monohydrocalcite (CaCO3· H2O), the hexahydrate ikaite (CaCO3·6H2O), and an amorphous form. The data were analyzed with two model variants, and thermodynamic data of each form consistent with each of the models and with the CODATA key values for thermodynamics are presented.
Reference Correlation of the Thermal Conductivity of Sulfur Hexafluoride from the Triple Point to 1000 K and up to 150 MPa
Authors: Assael M. J. , Koini I. A. , Antoniadis K. D. , Huber M. L. , Abdulagatov I. M. , Perkins R. A.
Published: June 2012

This paper contains new, representative reference equations for the thermal conductivity of SF6. The equations are based in part upon a body of experimental data that has been critically assessed for internal consistency and for agreement with theory whenever possible. Although there are a sufficiently large number of data at intermediate temperatures, data at very low or very high temperatures as well as near the critical region are scarce. In the case of the dilute-gas thermal conductivity, a theoretically based correlation was adopted in order to extend the temperature range of the experimental data. Moreover, in the critical region, the experimentally observed enhancement of the thermal conductivity is well represented by theoretically based equations containing just one adjustable parameter. The correlations are applicable for the temperature range from the triple point to 1000 K and pressures up to 150 MPa. The overall uncertainty (considered to be estimates of a combined expanded uncertainty with a coverage factor of two) of the proposed correlation is estimated, for pressures less than 150 MPa and temperatures less than 1000 K, to be less than 4%.
The effect of red blood cell aggregation on velocity and cell-depleted layer characteristics of blood in a bifurcating microchannel
Authors: Sherwood J. M. , Dusting J. , Kaliviotis E. , Balabani S.
Published: July 2012

Red blood cell (RBC) aggregation is a multifaceted phenomenon, and whether it is generally beneficial or deleterious remains unclear. In order to better understand its effect on microvascular blood flow, the phenomenon must be studied in complex geometries, as it is strongly dependent on time, flow, and geometry. The cell-depleted layer (CDL) which forms at the walls of microvessels has been observed to be enhanced by aggregation; however, details of the characteristics of the CDL in complex regions, such as bifurcations, require further investigation. In the present study, a microchannel with a T-junction was used to analyze the influence of aggregation on the flow field and the CDL. Micro-PIV using RBCs as tracers provided high resolution cell velocity data. CDL characteristics were measured from the same data using a newly developed technique based on motion detection. Skewed and sharpened velocity profiles in the daughter branches were observed, contrary to the behavior of a continuous Newtonian fluid. RBC aggregation was observed to increase the skewness, but decrease the sharpening, of the velocity profiles in the daughter branches. The CDL width was found to be significantly greater, with a wider distribution, in the presence of aggregation and the mean width increased proportionally with the reciprocal of the fraction of flow entering the daughter branch. Aggregation also significantly increased the roughness of the interface between the CDL and the RBC core. The present results provide further insight into how RBC aggregation may affect the flow in complex geometries, which is of importance in both understanding its functions invivo, and utilizing it as a tool in microfluidic devices.
Growth of large-size-two-dimensional crystalline pentacene grains for high performance organic thin film transistors
Authors: Du Chuan , Li Liqiang , Wang Wenchong , Zhang Jidong , Yan Donghang , Hu Wenping , Fuchs Harald , Chi Lifeng
Published: July 2012

New approach is presented for growth of pentacene crystalline thin film with large grain size. Modification of dielectric surfaces using a monolayer of small molecule results in the formation of pentacene thin films with well ordered large crystalline domain structures. This suggests that pentacene molecules may have significantly large diffusion constant on the modified surface. An average hole mobility about 1.52 cm2/Vs of pentacene based organic thin film transistors (OTFTs) is achieved with good reproducibility.
On Dirac-Coulomb problem in (2+1) dimensional space-time and path integral quantization
Authors: Haouat S. , Chetouani L.
Published: July 2012

The problem of Dirac particle interacting with Coulomb potential in (2+1) dimensions is formulated in the framework of super-symmetric path integrals where the spin degrees of freedom are described by odd Grassmannian variables. The relative propagator is expressed through Cartesian coordinates in a Hamiltonian form by the use of an adequate transformation. The passage to the polar coordinates permitted us to calculate the fixed energy Green's function and to extract bound states and associating wave functions.
Exploring energy consumption and CO2 emission of cotton production in Iran
Authors: Pishgar-Komleh S.H. , Sefeedpari P. , Ghahderijani M.
Published: July 2012

This study examined the energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and the relationship between energy inputs and yield of cotton production in Iran. Data were collected randomly from 57 cotton farms using a face to face questionnaire. The results revealed the total energy of 31 237 MJ ha−1 which fertilizer, diesel fuel, and machinery were the main energy consuming inputs. Total GHG emission was 1195 kg CO2eq ha−1, and machinery, diesel fuel, and irrigation had the highest emissions. Energy ratio and energy productivity were 1.85 and 0.11 kg MJ−1, respectively. In order to explore the relationship between inputs and outputs, the Cobb-Douglas production function was applied and it was deduced that machinery, fertilizer, diesel fuel, and biocide energies had significant effect on cotton yield. Also, the results of marginal physical productivity technique indicated that an additional use of 1 MJ ha−1 from each of the biocide, machinery, and diesel fuel would lead to an increase in production by 1.68, 0.45, and 0.38 kg ha−1, respectively. The share of direct, indirect, renewable, and non-renewable energies was 40%, 60%, 29%, and 71%, respectively.
Collision-induced dissociation in (He, ${\rm H}_{2}^+$H2+(v = 0–2; j = 0–3)) system: A time-dependent quantum mechanical investigation
Authors: Kolakkandy Sujitha , Giri Kousik , Sathyamurthy N.
Published: July 2012

The collision-induced process \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}\begin{document}$\mathrm{He + {H_{2}}^+ (\textit {v} = 0\hbox {–}2; \textit {j} = 0\hbox{–}3)\rightarrow He + H + H^+}$\end{document} He +H2+(v=0–2;j=0–3)→ He +H+H+ has been investigated using a time-dependent quantum mechanical wave packet approach, within the centrifugal sudden approximation. The exchange reaction He + H2+ → HeH+ + H, which has a lower threshold, dominates over the dissociation process over the entire energy range considered in this study. The reaction cross section for both the exchange and dissociation channels and the branching ratio between the two channels have been computed on the McLaughlin-Thompson-Joseph-Sathyamurthy potential-energy surface and compared with the available experimental and quasiclassical trajectory results.
In-situ characterization of free-volume holes in polymer thin films under controlled humidity conditions with an atmospheric positron probe microanalyzer
Authors: Zhou Wei , Chen Zhe , Oshima Nagayasu , Ito Kenji , O’Rourke Brian E. , Kuroda Ryunosuke , Suzuki Ryoichi , Yanagishita Hiroshi , Tsutsui Takuro , Uedono Akira , Hayashizaki Noriyosu
Published: July 2012

A pulsed, slow positron beam, with a diameter of 200 μm, was extracted into air through a thin SiN window of an atmospheric positron probe microanalyzer (PPMA), and used to measure the ortho-positronium lifetimes τ in polyvinyl alcohol and polycaprolactam sub-μm-thick films. By measuring the variation of τ as a function of relative humidity, the effect of water molecules on the hole sizes, deduced from τ, was examined for the films with consideration to the chain mobility. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the atmospheric PPMA to the in-situ characterization of nanoscopic holes in thin films under practical conditions.
Effect of residual impurities on transport properties of β-FeSi2 epitaxial films grown by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Terai Y. , Yoneda K. , Noda K. , Miura N. , Fujiwara Y.
Published: July 2012

Unintentionally doped β-FeSi2 epitaxial films were grown on silicon-on-insulator substrates by molecular beam epitaxy using a high-purity (5N) Fe source to investigate the effect of residual impurities on the transport properties of β-FeSi2. From secondary ion mass spectroscopy analysis, impurities of As, Al, and Mn (∼1017 cm−3); P and B (∼1016 cm−3); and Cr and Pb (∼1015 cm−3) were detected in the epitaxial layer. In Hall measurements at room temperature, the films exhibited n-type conduction with a carrier density of 4–6 × 1016 cm−3 and a Hall mobility of 400–440 cm2/Vs. In the temperature (T) dependence of the transport properties, a transition from band conduction to hopping conduction was observed at approximately T = 230 K. At temperatures of 110–150 K, both negative and positive magnetoresistance (MR) were observed depending on the temperature and magnetic field. The MR exhibits mixed conduction of defect band conduction and band conduction in this temperature range.
Phase purity and the thermoelectric properties of Ge2Sb2Te5 films down to 25 nm thickness
Authors: Lee Jaeho , Kodama Takashi , Won Yoonjin , Asheghi Mehdi , Goodson Kenneth E.
Published: July 2012

Thermoelectric phenomena strongly influence the behavior of chalcogenide materials in nanoelectronic devices including phase-change memory cells. This work uses a novel silicon-on-insulator experimental structure to measure the phase and temperature-dependent Seebeck and Thomson coefficients of Ge2Sb2Te5 films including the first data for films of thickness down to 25 nm. The Ge2Sb2Te5 films annealed at different temperatures contain varying fractions of the amorphous and crystalline phases which strongly influence the thermoelectric properties. The Seebeck coefficient reduces from 371 μV/K to 206 μV/K as the crystalline fraction increases by a factor of four as quantified using x-ray diffraction. The data are consistent with modeling based on effective medium theory and suggest that careful consideration of phase purity is needed to account for thermoelectric transport in phase change memory.
In situ polarized 3He system for the Magnetism Reflectometer at the Spallation Neutron Source
Authors: Tong X. , Jiang C. Y. , Lauter V. , Ambaye H. , Brown D. , Crow L. , Gentile T. R. , Goyette R. , Lee W. T. , Parizzi A. , Robertson J. L.
Published: July 2012

We report on the in situ polarized 3He neutron polarization analyzer developed for the time-of-flight Magnetism Reflectometer at the Spallation Neutron Source at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Using the spin exchange optical pumping method, we achieved a 3He polarization of 76% ± 1% and maintained it for the entire three-day duration of the test experiment. Based on transmission measurements with unpolarized neutrons, we show that the average analyzing efficiency of the 3He system is 98% for the neutron wavelength band of 2–5 Å. Using a highly polarized incident neutron beam produced by a supermirror bender polarizer, we obtained a flipping ratio of >100 with a transmission of 25% for polarized neutrons, averaged over the wavelength band of 2–5 Å. After the cell was depolarized for transmission measurements, it was reproducibly polarized and this performance was maintained for three weeks. A high quality polarization analysis experiment was performed on a reference sample of Fe/Cr multilayer with strong spin-flip off-specular scattering. Using a combination of the position sensitive detector, time-of-flight method, and the excellent parameters of the 3He cell, the polarization analysis of the two-dimensional maps of reflected, refracted, and off-specular scattered intensity above and below the horizon were obtained, simultaneously.
Scientists share blame for public’s ignorance of science
Authors: Kramer David
Published: July 2012

Social scientists call for “smartening up” the process of disseminating scientific information to lay audiences.
Carbon leaching from undisturbed soil cores treated with dairy cow urine
Authors: Lambie S. M. , Schipper L. A. , Balks M. R. , Baisden W. T.
Published: July 2012

Solubilisation of soil carbon (C) under cow urine patches may lead to losses of soil C by priming or leaching. We investigated the solubilisation and bioavailability of soil C in undisturbed pasture soil treated with urine. We also studied the contribution of acid-neutralising capacity (ANC) forcing and aggregate disruption as mechanisms of soil C solubilisation. Undisturbed soil cores (0–5 cm; Typic Udivitrand) were treated with water or δ13C-enriched urine and subsequently leached. Urine deposition increased total C and dissolved organic C leaching by 8 g C m–2 compared with water. Soil C contributed 28.1 ± 0.9% of the C in the leachate from urine-treated cores (ULeachate). ANC forcing of urine was 11.8 meq L–1 and may have contributed to soil C leaching, but aggregate disruption was unlikely to have contributed. The bioavailability of organic C in ULeachate was four times greater than in both cow urine and water leachate. It is possible that ULeachate may lead to priming of soil C decomposition lower in the profile. Further testing under field conditions would determine the long-term contribution of urine deposition to dissolved organic C leaching and the fate of solubilised C in pastoral soils.
Historical change of word classes
Authors: Gerner Matthias
Published: July 2012

This paper isolates four parameters that guide the historical change of word classes: the quantificational parameter, the directional parameter, the preservative parameter and the temporal parameter. These parameters are involved in the organization of seven case studies in East Asian languages. Based on these case studies I define four diachronic tendencies that apply to East Asian languages and perhaps beyond: (1) the greater the size of the target word class, the lower the number of new acquired meanings; (2) if a word class engages on a path of change, then the greater its size, the more likely it is that the process of change in which it engages will be lexicalization; (3) in a typical process of grammaticalization relatively more meanings are generated than in a typical process of lexicalization; (4) processes of grammaticalization represent temporally short processes more often than processes of lexicalization.