bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence that increased nitrogen efflux from wave-influenced marine sediment enhances pelagic phytoplankton production on the inner continental shelf of Western Australia
Authors: Greenwood Jim
Published: May 2010

Increased biological and chemical reaction rates within permeable continental-shelf sediment can result from the action of passing surface waves, especially when the seabed is rippled. The effect of this on the exchange of nitrogen between the sediment and water column is the focus of the present paper. The continental shelf of Western Australia is used as an example. A time series of chlorophyll a is compared with surface-wave height revealing seasonal and sub-seasonal correlation between the two variables. At the same time, results from a coupled pelagic–benthic biogeochemical model show that temperature-controlled changes in sedimentary nitrogen efflux cannot account for the observed seasonal changes in chlorophyll a in the overlying water column. It is proposed that enhanced pore-water circulation within the sediment, caused by the action of passing surface waves, results in an increase in the efflux of nitrogen from the sediment during winter, supporting higher pelagic phytoplankton production. The parameterisation of sedimentary nitrogen mineralisation as a function of the square of wave height is suggested for the inclusion of this effect in regional-scale continental shelf models.
TIF1β regulates the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells in a phosphorylation-dependent manner
Authors: Seki Yasuhiro , Kurisaki Akira , Watanabe-Susaki Kanako , Nakajima Yoshiro , Nakanishi Mio , Arai Yoshikazu , Shiota Kunio , Sugino Hiromu , Asashima Makoto
Published: May 2010

Transcription networks composed of various transcriptional factors specifically expressed in undifferentiated embryonic stem (ES) cells have been implicated in the regulation of pluripotency in ES cells. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for self-renewal, maintenance of pluripotency, and lineage specification during differentiation of ES cells are still unclear. The results of this study demonstrate that a phosphorylation-dependent chromatin relaxation factor, transcriptional intermediary factor–1β (TIF1β), is a unique regulator of the pluripotency of ES cells and regulates Oct3/4–dependent transcription in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. TIF1β is specifically phosphorylated in pluripotent mouse ES cells at the C-terminal serine 824, which has been previously shown to induce chromatin relaxation. Phosphorylated TIF1β is partially colocalized at the activated chromatin markers, and forms a complex with the pluripotency-specific transcription factor Oct3/4 and subunits of the switching defective/sucrose nonfermenting, ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling complex, Smarcad1, Brg-1, and BAF155, all of which are components of an ES-specific chromatin remodeling complex, esBAF. Phosphorylated TIF1β specifically induces ES cell–specific genes and enables prolonged main-tenance of an undifferentiated state in mouse ES cells. Moreover, TIF1β regulates the reprogramming process of somatic cells in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. Our results suggest that TIF1β provides a phosphorylation-dependent, bidirectional platform for specific transcriptional factors and chromatin remodeling enzymes that regulate the cell differentiation process and the pluripotency of stem cells.
Site-directed mutagenesis in
Arabidopsis
using custom-designed zinc finger nucleases
Authors: Osakabe Keishi , Osakabe Yuriko , Toki Seiichi
Published: May 2010

Site-directed mutagenesis in higher plants remains a significant technical challenge for basic research and molecular breeding. Here, we demonstrate targeted-gene inactivation for an endogenous gene in
Arabidopsis
using zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs). Engineered ZFNs for a stress-response regulator, the
ABA-INSENSITIVE4
(
ABI4
) gene, cleaved their recognition sequences specifically in vitro, and ZFN genes driven by a heat-shock promoter were introduced into the
Arabidopsis
genome. After heat-shock induction, gene mutations with deletion and substitution in the
ABI4
gene generated via ZFN-mediated cleavage were observed in somatic cells at frequencies as high as 3%. The homozygote mutant line zfn_abi4-1–1 for
ABI4
exhibited the expected mutant phenotypes, i.e., ABA and glucose insensitivity. In addition, ZFN-mediated mutagenesis was applied to the DNA repair-deficient mutant plant,
atku80
. We found that lack of AtKu80, which plays a role in end-protection of dsDNA breaks, increased error-prone rejoining frequency by 2.6-fold, with increased end-degradation. These data demonstrate that an approach using ZFNs can be used for the efficient production of mutant plants for precision reverse genetics.
Cultural differences in academic discourse
Authors: Williams Ian A.
Published: May 2010

This corpus-based study examines first-person verbs in Methods sections in English and Spanish. Quantitative analysis was based on rhetorical Move categories and qualitative analysis on linguistic profiles (collocation, colligation, semantic preference and semantic prosody). Both the English and Spanish subcorpora had more texts without first-person verbs than with this verb form. However, in the texts with this feature, the frequency was significantly higher in Spanish and the distribution of the rhetorical Moves associated with the first-person forms was also significantly different. The qualitative analysis revealed that in the English texts, the first-person signals the reasoned choice of a non-standard procedure (32 tokens) compared to only seven standard procedures, whereas in the Spanish texts the distribution was even (25 and 26 tokens, respectively). The results support cross-cultural differences in discourse functions that have implications for both translation and academic writing in cross-cultural contexts.
Cognitive verbs in context
Authors: Fetzer Anita , Johansson Marjut
Published: May 2010

This paper examines the frequency, distribution and function of 1st person self-references with the cognitive verbs think and believe, and penser and croire in British English and French argumentative discourse comprising 29 British political interviews (178,712 words) and 26 French political interviews (118,825 words). It employs quantity-based methodology supplemented by insights from a context-dependent qualitative analysis, considering explicitly the co-occurrence of these cognitive verbs with discourse connectives. It argues for these 1st person self-references to be assigned not only a subjectivising function, but also one of expressing intersubjectivity.
In the two sets of data, the parenthetical constructions signify that the status of a particular piece of information encoded in a proposition is open for negotiation. Depending on their co-occurrences with discourse connectives they may boost or attenuate the pragmatic force of the contribution which they qualify.
Orthographic diacritics and multilingual computing
Authors: Wells J.C.
Published: May 2010

Diacritics — marks above, through, or below letters — are used in many orthographies to remedy the shortcomings of the ordinary Latin alphabet. The author catalogues the various diacritics that are in use for spelling different languages, describing what they look like and what they are used for. He also analyses the problems of using accented letters in a multilingual computing environment, and discusses the extent to which these problems have been resolved, with particular reference to Unicode.
Confronting the languages of statehood
Authors: Kheimets Nina G. , Epstein Alek D.
Published: May 2010

This paper reviews sociological analysis of the transformation of the link between language and identity among Soviet Jewish immigrants in Israel, focusing on their common desire for Russian language maintenance after their immigration to the State of Israel. The authors argue that although the immigrants acquire Hebrew quite fast, which improves their occupational perspectives and enriches their social life, the former Soviet Jewish intelligentsia’s perception of the dominant Israeli policy of language shift to Hebrew is extremely negative: in their view it resembles the Soviet policy of language shift to Russian. However, because of the success of Soviet language policy in suppressing Yiddish and Hebrew, the contemporary cultural world of Russian Jews has been mediated mostly in Russian. Furthermore, the self-identification of today’s post-Soviet Jewish intelligentsia combines the Jewish (mostly Yiddish) legacy and the heritage of Russian culture, which has been created partly by Jewish writers. Therefore, Russian Jews tend to consider Russian a more important channel than Hebrew for conveying their cultural values. The Soviet Jewish intelligentsia in Israel is striving to retain a multilingual identity: while they do appreciate Hebrew and the cultural values it conveys, they share a strong feeling that their own cultural-linguistic identity is of great value to them.
Aménagement et politique linguistiques
Authors: Halaoui Nazam
Published: May 2010

Opérant une distinction entre l’aménagement linguistique et la politique linguistique, la présente étude est consacrée à la politique des langues au Bénin et couvre la période allant de l’indépendance du pays à nos jours. Elle reconnaît la politique dahoméenne des langues, qui se donne le développement national comme objectif et la langue française comme moyen, la politique béninoise, qui révèle une orientation nationaliste en intégrant les langues nationales et en excluant le français de son statut officiel, enfin, la politique républicaine des langues, issue de la conférence nationale que le pays a tenue, qui s’efforce aujourd’hui de couvrir les réalités béninoises.
Linguistic imperialism?
Authors: Papapavlou Andreas
Published: May 2010

There is growing concern about the spread and influence of English worldwide. In Cyprus, the influence of English on the Greek Cypriot dialect has attracted much interest in recent years, becoming the subject of frequent media attention and, at times, creating acrimonious public discussion. While some people have reacted mildly to this phenomenon, others express strong views, seeing the ‘influx’ of foreign words as a ‘linguistic invasion’ that ‘contaminates’ their language, and referring to the ‘suppression’ of the Greek language by English. Such ‘protectors’ of language warn of a colonialist ‘dominance’ of English in the lives of Cypriots. This paper (a) examines concerns and fears that were expressed recently about the influx of English loanwords in Cypriot Greek and in general the influence of English in Cyprus and (b) reviews papers presented at a conference held in 1992 that dealt with the dominance of English and the ‘suppression’ of Cypriot Greek.
Balanced states of mind in psychopathology and psychological well‐being
Authors: Wong Shyh Shin
Published: May 2010

The balanced states of mind (BSOM) model proposes that coping with stress and psychological well‐being is a function of the BSOM ratio of positive thoughts to the sum of positive and negative thoughts. Based on different BSOM ratios, different BSOM categories are constructed to quantitatively differentiate levels of coping with stress and psychological well‐being. The cognitive content‐specificity hypothesis states that there are unique themes of semantic content in self‐reported automatic thoughts particular to depression or anxiety. This study investigated the BSOM model and its cognitive content‐specificity for depression, anxiety, anger, stress, life satisfaction, and happiness, based on negative and positive automatic thoughts. Three hundred and ninety‐eight college students from Singapore participated in this study. First, BSOM ratio and positive automatic thoughts were positively correlated with life satisfaction and happiness, and negatively correlated with stress, anxiety, depression, and anger. In contrast, negative automatic thoughts were positively correlated with stress, anxiety, depression, and anger, and negatively correlated with life satisfaction and happiness. Second, levels of psychopathology and psychological well‐being were statistically differentiable among the BSOM categories for depression, happiness, perceived stress, and life satisfaction; and less statistically differentiable among the BSOM categories for anxiety and anger, as expected based on the BSOM model and cognitive content‐specificity hypothesis. Third, the results were more supportive of the BSOM model for depression, followed by happiness, perceived stress, life satisfaction, anxiety, and anger in terms of percentage of variance accounted for by BSOM categories, as expected based on the cognitive content‐specificity hypothesis. Taken together, the results suggested that the more moderately positive thoughts one has (balanced by negative thoughts), the better mental health outcomes one has. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
An exploratory assessment of cultural sensitivity in the practices of Lebanese researchers in the field of psychology: Implications for national development efforts
Authors: Alamuddin Rayane A. , Zebian Samar
Published: May 2010

The inclusion of the social and cultural characteristics of groups in the concept of national development highlights the contributions that culturally sensitive psychological research can make to development efforts. It also highlights the relevance of assessing and promoting such research, especially in majority world countries where development needs are pressing. In the current study, a content analysis was conducted to assess the degree to which Lebanese psychological researchers in post‐civil war Lebanon have engaged in culturally sensitive research practices. The Cultural Sensitivity Measure for Published Research, which was inspired by Adair, Puhan, and Vohra's (1993) measure of indigenization, was applied to 54 peer‐reviewed English‐ and French‐language empirical studies conducted by Lebanese researchers on Lebanese samples within Lebanon. The results suggest that while cultural sensitivity levels were generally low, the sampled researchers engaged in more sensitive practices compared to researchers in the region. For example, they used qualitative methods more often, made more efforts to ensure the cultural compatibility of their methods, and engaged in more complex conceptualizations of culture and its relationship with psychological processes. Furthermore, certain practices, such as studying diverse groups or using findings to suggest real‐life applications, were found to be predictive of higher general levels of cultural sensitivity in the sampled articles. These research practices could be fostered in institutional and intellectual contexts, and such initiatives would go a long way in supporting a locally appropriate research infrastructure that contributes to national development efforts.
Iran's Role in Europe's Energy Security: An Assessment
Authors: Bahgat Gawdat
Published: May 2010

European leaders are increasingly conscious of their heavy dependence on energy supplies from Russia. In an attempt to articulate a strategy to improve energy security, the European Commission issued an EU Energy Security and Solidarity Action Plan in November 2008. This essay examines Europe's energy vulnerability and the role Iran can play in diversifying the EU energy supplies. I argue that a rapprochement with Iran aimed at greater utilization of its oil and gas reserves would contribute to Europe's (and the world's) energy security.
The Islamic Republic of Iran and the South Caucasus Republics
Authors: Koolaee Elaheh , Hafezian Mohammad Hossein
Published: May 2010

Deep geopolitical changes in the South Caucasus have considerably influenced the relationships of Iran and the three republics of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. Geographical location and strategic significance have made this region one of the most important in the world. Because of its historical affinities and socio-cultural links with the region's peoples, the Islamic Republic of Iran has expanded political-economic cooperation with them. The active presence of regional and trans-regional actors has directly affected this relation. This article mainly seeks to examine Iran's relations with the South Caucasus republics, considering the opportunities created since their independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
The Poetics of Politics: Commitment in Modern Persian Literature
Authors: Dabashi Hamid
Published: May 2010

Wozu Dichter in Dürftiger Zeit?

—Hölderlin

Triumphant or turbulent, cultures are at once symbolized by and constituted from their arts and sciences. Literature celebrates, as law canonizes, the grand ideals of a living culture. Traditional or transitional, societies and their institutional structures of authority find elaborate expressions in the literature they produce.

This volume of Iranian Studies is devoted to an examination of the modern Iranian writer and contemporary Persian literature in their dialectical, interaction with a transitional Iranian culture and society. Its focus is on a revolutionary literature within a revolutionary social context. The term "revolutionary" is used here in its fundamental cultural sense, embracing both the social and the political.

This paper is devoted to a sociological examination of the problem of "commitment" in modern Persian literature. To reach for the political nature of the problem, it traces the formation of the intelligentsia in modern Iranian society.
Protest and Perish: A History of the Writers' Association of Iran
Authors: Karimi‐Hakkak Ahmad
Published: May 2010

The Writers Association of Iran, called Kanun-e Nevisandegan-e Iran in Persian, was founded in 1968 and was in many ways a unique experience in Iranian intellectual history. Its fortunes, consisting of periods of feverish activity and lifeless dormancy, epitomize the pattern of intellectual life in Iran, reflecting its problems and promises, its intellectual validity and artistic vitality, its ideals, achievements, and failures. While it did not succeed in its historical fight against censorship, it nevertheless played a major role in the course of the Iranian Revolution. While it could not transcend the factionalism that has historically plagued the Iranian elite, it nevertheless made an indelible impact on the intellectual community and on Iranian society at large. Between us and an objective account of this important intellectual institution stands the barrier of the Iranian Revolution itself.
Ahmad Shamlu: The Rebel Poet in Search of an Audience
Authors: Alishan Leonardo P.
Published: May 2010

Ahmad Shamlu is the primary, most prolific and most popular engagé Persian poet of post-Mosaddeq Iran. While critics in general view Shamlu's poetry as a mirror reflecting the stages of modernist Persian poetics from Nima Yushij (1895-1960) onward, Reza Baraheni has also described it as "a biography of our society." As a sociological study of this very important Iranian writer, this essay provides a chronology and analysis of Shamlu's relationship with his reading public and "the people," an overview of the nature of modernist engagé Persian poetry in general, and an assessment of the influence the "committed" poet has been able to exercise on Iranian society during the past three decades, in" particular.
Students' approaches to learning and their performance in the Extended Project pilot
Authors: Daly Anthony L. , Pinot de Moira Anne
Published: May 2010

Within the new framework set out in the final report of the Working Group on 14–19 Reform (2004), an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) was proposed in England to foster the development of students' independent study skills. Widespread national provision of a fully accredited EPQ, as a stand‐alone Level 3 qualification, began in September 2008, preceded by a fully evaluated pilot. A survey of students taken during the pilot explored the relationship between students' approaches to learning and their achievement on the EPQ, in addition to assessing the extent to which the new qualification fulfilled its aims. On the basis of questionnaire responses from students, a set of models was fitted to describe the extent to which attainment and engagement with the pilot EPQ were influenced by learning approach. Results showed that, notwithstanding the contribution of previous academic achievement, attainment on the EPQ was positively related to intrinsic motivation; clearly a desirable attribute for lifelong learning but also an indication that the qualification may encourage students to be more innovative and creative about their learning. Furthermore, students' engagement with the project appeared independent of their prior achievement – a feature which has the potential to help lower the barriers to participation.
The influence of student teacher self‐regulation of learning on their curricular content‐knowledge and course‐design skills
Authors: Shawer Saad
Published: May 2010

This investigation examined the influence of EFL student teacher self‐regulation of learning (SRL) on their curricular content‐knowledge and course‐design skills. Positivism guided this study at the levels of: ontology (one form of reality); epistemology (detachment from the subjects); and methodology, using nomothetic research strategy (causal comparative), instruments (questionnaires and tests) and data analysis techniques (planned and post‐hoc ANOVAs and post‐hoc tests of multiple comparisons). Results contradicted mainstream research on SRL since no differences were found between the low, average and high SRL groups in their curricular knowledge and course‐design skills. The low achieving group included similar proportions of low, average and high SRL students; so did the average and high achieving groups. The study cast doubts on current SRL self‐reporting measures and recommended think‐aloud techniques for assessing student SRL while performing actual tasks. The study standardised an achievement test that professionals could use to measure curricular content‐knowledge and course‐design skills and proposed a new method for determining the weight of test objectives.
A qualitative study of client experiences of working with novice counsellors
Authors: De Stefano Jack , Mann-Feder Varda , Gazzola Nicola
Published: May 2010

Aims: This paper reports on a qualitative analysis of written accounts by clients who participated in a counselling relationship with beginning‐level trainees. The purpose of the study was to explore how clients experience the process of counselling with novice practitioners. Method: Consensual qualitative research was used for data analysis. Findings: Three general thematic categories were identified – client perceptions of self in counselling; client perceptions of the counsellor; and client perception of the counselling process. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that these clients saw the interpersonal qualities and skills of the counsellor as major contributors to their experience. Implications: Clinical training of novices should start by developing the interpersonal and collaborative skills of trainees.
Thought recognition and psychological well‐being: An empirical test of principle based correctional counselling
Authors: Kelley Thomas M.
Published: May 2010

Aims: To determine the relationship between thought recognition, a major construct of principle‐based correctional counselling, and psychological wellbeing. Method: Following several weekly group sessions of Principle‐Based Correctional Counselling, 54 adult prisoners on probation completed two measures of thought recognition and the Well‐Being Inventory. In a follow‐up study, 30 participants completed the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale. Results: Significant positive relationships were found between both measures of thought recognition and psychological wellbeing and, in the follow‐up study, both measures of thought recognition and mindfulness. Discussion: Possible explanations for the relationship between thought recognition and psychological wellbeing, and thought recognition and mindfulness are discussed. Implications for practice: Teaching correctional clients the principles behind generic human psychological functioning, and the innate design behind human thinking, appears to improve their thinking and draw out their innate healthy functioning.
Impact of Marketing Actions on Relationship Quality in the Health and Fitness Sector in Jordan and Its Implications for Social Marketing: A Field/Analytical Study
Authors: Al-alak Basheer A. M.
Published: May 2010

This field/analytical study examined the marketing actions (antecedents) and performance (consequences) of relationship quality in a health and fitness setting. To analyze data collected from a random sample of 542 members drawn from fitness centers in Amman, Jordan, the linear structural relationship model was used to identify structural characteristics of relationship management among fitness centers' employees, including physical fitness and health experts, administrative staff, and members. The empirical results of this study were fourfold. First, greater employees' relational and member orientation resulted in higher relationship quality. Second, better health and fitness providers' (employees') attributes resulted in higher relationship quality. Third, higher relationship quality resulted in better relationship continuity. Fourth, committed member relationships resulted in member satisfaction, loyalty, positive word of mouth, and promotion. These in turn contributed to the enhancement of fitness center image. Within the past 20 years, social marketing application to health and fitness problems has grown rapidly. A number of social marketing implications and recommendations are highlighted.
Confusion Surrounding Social Marketing Strategies and Social Norm Theory: To Prevent High-Risk Drinking among College Students
Authors: Glassman Tavis J. , Braun Robert E.
Published: May 2010

High-risk drinking, the consumption of 5 or more drinks on one occasion, constitutes a serious public health issue among young adults, particularly college students. In an attempt to address this issue in a cost-effective manner, many universities have implemented social marketing interventions sometimes utilizing social norm theory and in other cases using more traditional strategies. However, some practitioners, school officials, and even researchers incorrectly use the terms social marketing and social norms marketing, interchangeably. Social marketing influences health behavior through the use of marketing principles, such as the use of the 4Ps (product, price, placement, and promotion) to increase knowledge, change attitudes, and motivate individual or societal change. Conversely, social norms represents a specific theory which can be applied using social marketing principles. Social norm interventions are designed to correct peoples' misconceptions concerning the prevalence of a particular behavior. Theorists assert that by providing accurate information concerning the prevalence of the behavior of interest people will alter their behavior to fit the“norm.” Using social marketing approaches with or without social norms theory represents a promising cost-effective strategy for addressing high-risk drinking among college students. However, failing to understand and appreciate the conceptual underpinnings of how these two concepts relate to one another may result in ineffective interventions and conclusions concerning the efficacy of social marketing and/or social norms theory.
Language Nonselective Access to Phonological Representations: Evidence from Chinese–English Bilinguals
Authors: Zhou Huixia , Chen Baoguo , Yang Meiying , Dunlap Susan
Published: May 2010

Four experiments with Chinese–English bilinguals were conducted in order to investigate the hypothesis of language nonselective access to an integrated lexicon for bilingual phonological representations. Results of a naming task (in Experiments 1 and 2) and a lexical decision task (in Experiments 3 and 4) showed homophone priming effects regardless of priming direction (English to Chinese, or Chinese to English) or English proficiency. Our findings are compatible with the BIA+ model of bilingual processing, provide further support for the hypothesis of language nonselective access to an integrated lexicon for bilingual phonological representations, and extend the hypothesis to language pairs with very different writing systems.
Population Risk of Syringe Reuse: Estimating the Probability of Transmitting Bloodborne Disease
Authors: Sikora Christopher , Chandran A. Uma , Joffe A. Mark , Johnson David , Johnson Marcia
Published: May 2010

Background.

In 2008, the Medical Officer of Health at Alberta Health Services (Edmonton, Canada) was notified that, in some practice settings, a syringe was used to administer medication through the side port of an intravenous circuit and then the syringe, with residual drug, was used to administer medication to other patients in the same manner. This practice has been implicated in several outbreaks of bloodborne infection in hospital and clinic settings.

Methods.

A risk assessment model was developed to predict the risk of a patient contracting a bloodborne viral infection from the practice. The risk of transmission was defined as the product of 5 factors: (1) the population prevalence of a specific bloodborne pathogen, (2) the probability of finding a viral bloodborne pathogen in an intravenous circuit, (3) the rate of syringe reuse, (4) the probability of causing disease given a bloodborne pathogen exposure, and (5) the susceptibility of the exposed person.

Results.

The risk was modeled first with consistent use of the proximal port of the intravenous circuit. The risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus was approximately 12–53 transmission events per 1,000,000 exposure events for a range of practice probabilities (ie, frequency of the risk practice) from 20% to 80%, respectively. The risk of transmission of hepatitis C virus was approximately 1.0–4.3 transmission events per 1,000,000 exposure events for the same practice probability range, and the risk of transmission of human immunodeficiency virus was approximately 0.03–0.15 transmission events per 1,000,000 exposure events for the same practice probability range. The use of the distal port was associated with a 10-fold decrease in the risk.

Conclusions.

Practitioners must practice safe, aseptic injection techniques. The model presented here can be used to estimate the risk of disease transmission in situations where reuse has occurred and can serve as a framework for informing public health action.
Gregarious desert locusts have substantially larger brains with altered proportions compared with the solitarious phase
Authors: Ott Swidbert R. , Rogers Stephen M.
Published: May 2010

The behavioural demands of group living and foraging have been implicated in both evolutionary and plastic changes in brain size. Desert locusts show extreme phenotypic plasticity, allowing brain morphology to be related to very different lifestyles in one species. At low population densities, locusts occur in a solitarious phase that avoids other locusts and is cryptic in appearance and behaviour. Crowding triggers the transformation into the highly active gregarious phase, which aggregates into dense migratory swarms. We found that the brains of gregarious locusts have very different proportions and are also 30 per cent larger overall than in solitarious locusts. To address whether brain proportions change with size through nonlinear scaling (allometry), we conducted the first comprehensive major axis regression analysis of scaling relations in an insect brain. This revealed that phase differences in brain proportions arise from a combination of allometric effects and deviations from the allometric expectation (grade shifts). In consequence, gregarious locusts had a larger midbrain∶optic lobe ratio, a larger central complex and a 50 per cent larger ratio of the olfactory primary calyx to the first olfactory neuropile. Solitarious locusts invest more in low-level sensory processing, having disproportionally larger primary visual and olfactory neuropiles, possibly to gain sensitivity. The larger brains of gregarious locusts prioritize higher integration, which may support the behavioural demands of generalist foraging and living in dense and highly mobile swarms dominated by intense intraspecific competition.
Severe Mediterranean spotted fever complicated by acute renal failure and herpetic oesophagitis
Authors: Saporito Laura , Giammanco Giovanni M. , Rubino Raffaella , Ingrassia Daniela , Spicola Daria , Titone Lucina , Colomba Claudia
Published: May 2010

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia conorii. Recently, complicated cases have been more frequently reported, even in previously healthy patients. We describe a case of severe MSF complicated by acute renal failure and associated with herpetic oesophagitis. Acyclovir therapy resulted in remission of oesophageal symptoms within 48 h.
LAP, an alcohol acetaldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme in Listeria, promotes bacterial adhesion to enterocyte-like Caco-2 cells only in pathogenic species
Authors: Jagadeesan Balamurugan , Koo Ok Kyung , Kim Kwang-Pyo , Burkholder Kristin M. , Mishra Krishna K. , Aroonnual Amornrat , Bhunia Arun K.
Published: May 2010

Listeriaadhesion protein (LAP), an alcohol acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (lmo1634), interacts with host-cell receptor Hsp60 to promote bacterial adhesion during the intestinal phase ofListeria monocytogenesinfection. The LAP homologue is present in pathogens (L. monocytogenes,L. ivanovii) and non-pathogens (L. innocua,L. welshimeri,L. seeligeri); however, its role in non-pathogens is unknown. Sequence analysis revealed 98 % amino acid similarity in LAP from allListeriaspecies. The N-terminus contains acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and the C-terminus an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Recombinant LAP fromL. monocytogenes,L. ivanovii,L. innocuaandL. welshimeriexhibited ALDH and ADH activities, and displayed strong binding affinity (KD2–31 nM) towards Hsp60. Flow cytometry, ELISA and immunoelectron microscopy revealed more surface-associated LAP in pathogens than non-pathogens. Pathogens exhibited significantly higher adhesion (P<0.05) to Caco-2 cells than non-pathogens; however, pretreatment of bacteria with Hsp60 caused 47–92 % reduction in adhesion only in pathogens. These data suggest that biochemical properties of LAP from pathogenicListeriaare similar to those of the protein from non-pathogens in many respects, such as substrate specificity, immunogenicity, and binding affinity to Hsp60. However, protein fractionation analysis of extracts from pathogenic and non-pathogenicListeriaspecies revealed that LAP was greatly reduced in intracellular and cell-surface protein fractions, and undetectable in the extracellular milieu of non-pathogens even though thelaptranscript levels were similar for both. Furthermore, a LAP preparation fromL. monocytogenesrestored adhesion in alapmutant (KB208) ofL. monocytogenesbut not inL. innocua, indicating possible lack of surface reassociation of LAP molecules in this bacterium. Taken together, these data suggest that LAP expression level, cell-surface localization, secretion and reassociation are responsible for LAP-mediated pathogenicity and possibly evolved to adapt to a parasitic life cycle in the host.
Internalization of a thiazole-modified peptide in Sinorhizobium meliloti occurs by BacA-dependent and -independent mechanisms
Authors: Wehmeier Silvia , Arnold Markus F. F. , Marlow Victoria L. , Aouida Mustapha , Myka Kamila K. , Fletcher Vivien , Benincasa Monica , Scocchi Marco , Ramotar Dindial , Ferguson Gail P.
Published: May 2010

BacA proteins play key roles in the chronic intracellular infections ofSinorhizobium meliloti,Brucella abortusandMycobacterium tuberculosiswithin their respective hosts.S. meliloti,B. abortusandM. tuberculosisBacA-deficient mutants have increased resistance to the thiazole-modified peptide bleomycin. BacA has been previously hypothesized, but not experimentally verified, to be involved in bleomycin uptake. In this paper, we show that a BacA-dependent mechanism is the major route of bleomycin internalization inS. meliloti. We also determined that theB. abortusandS. melilotiBacA proteins are functional homologues and that theB. abortusBacA protein is involved in the uptake of both bleomycin and proline-rich peptides. Our findings also provide evidence that there is a second, BacA-independent minor mechanism for bleomycin internalization inS. meliloti. We determined that the BacA-dependent and -independent mechanisms of bleomycin uptake are energy-dependent, consistent with both mechanisms of bleomycin uptake involving transport systems.
Assembly of large genomes using second-generation sequencing
Authors: Schatz Michael C. , Delcher Arthur L. , Salzberg Steven L.
Published: May 2010

Second-generation sequencing technology can now be used to sequence an entire human genome in a matter of days and at low cost. Sequence read lengths, initially very short, have rapidly increased since the technology first appeared, and we now are seeing a growing number of efforts to sequence large genomes de novo from these short reads. In this Perspective, we describe the issues associated with short-read assembly, the different types of data produced by second-gen sequencers, and the latest assembly algorithms designed for these data. We also review the genomes that have been assembled recently from short reads and make recommendations for sequencing strategies that will yield a high-quality assembly.
Activation of Plant Immune Responses by a Gain-of-Function Mutation in an Atypical Receptor-Like Kinase
Authors: Bi Dongling , Cheng Yu Ti , Li Xin , Zhang Yuelin
Published: May 2010

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) suppressor of npr1-1, constitutive1 (snc1) contains a gain-of-function mutation in a Toll/interleukin receptor-nucleotide binding site-leucine-rich repeat Resistance (R) protein and it has been a useful tool for dissecting R-protein-mediated immunity. Here we report the identification and characterization of snc4-1D, a semidominant mutant with snc1-like phenotypes. snc4-1D constitutively expresses defense marker genes PR1, PR2, and PDF1.2, and displays enhanced pathogen resistance. Map-based cloning of SNC4 revealed that it encodes an atypical receptor-like kinase with two predicted extracellular glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase domains. The snc4-1D mutation changes an alanine to threonine in the predicted cytoplasmic kinase domain. Wild-type plants transformed with the mutant snc4-1D gene displayed similar phenotypes as snc4-1D, suggesting that the mutation is a gain-of-function mutation. Epistasis analysis showed that NON-RACE-SPECIFIC DISEASE RESISTANCE1 is required for the snc4-1D mutant phenotypes. In addition, the snc4-1D mutant phenotypes are partially suppressed by knocking out MAP KINASE SUBSTRATE1, a positive defense regulator associated with MAP KINASE4. Furthermore, both the morphology and constitutive pathogen resistance of snc4-1D are partially suppressed by blocking jasmonic acid synthesis, suggesting that jasmonic acid plays an important role in snc4-1D-mediated resistance. Identification of snc4-1D provides us a unique genetic system for analyzing the signal transduction pathways downstream of receptor-like kinases.
Reproductive biology of albacore Thunnus alalunga
Authors: Chen K.‐S. , Crone P. R. , Hsu C.‐C.
Published: May 2010

Reproductive variables in albacore Thunnus alalunga were evaluated by gonad histology in samples of 132 males (58–118 cm fork length, LF) and 112 females (59–101 cm LF) that were collected from the western North Pacific Ocean from 2001 to 2006. In the sex ratio examination, males greatly outnumbered females in large adult fish (LF > 100 cm). Thunnus alalunga exhibited a protracted spawning period from March to September in the waters off eastern Taiwan and the Philippines, and the peak spawning activity occurred in March and April. Minimum sizes associated with the classification of mature fish were 78 and 83 cm LF for males and females, respectively. In addition, the largest LF of immature fish were 93 cm for males and 94 cm for females. The spawning frequency estimate in April was 1·7 days. Batch‐fecundity estimates of 21 females (89–99 cm LF) ranged between 0·17 and 1·66 million eggs (mean ±s.d. = 0·94 ± 0·43). The relative fecundity estimates of the 21 females ranged between 9·2 and 92·4 oocytes g−1 body mass (mean ±s.d. = 50·5 ± 22·8). The results presented in this study provide increased information regarding this species' reproductive‐related characteristics than are currently available in stock status determinations.
Direct and indirect effects of simulated calcareous dredge material on eggs and larvae of pink snapper Pagrus auratus
Authors: Partridge G. J. , Michael R. J.
Published: May 2010

The direct and indirect effects of a simulated, calcarenite‐based dredge material on eggs and larvae of pink snapper Pagrus auratus were assessed. Direct effects were assessed by measuring hatch rate or survival of eggs and pre‐feeding larvae, respectively, over a range of concentrations and exposure durations. Exposure of eggs to suspended solid concentrations up to 10 000 mg l−1 for 24 h did not affect egg buoyancy or hatch rate, despite sediment adherence occurring at the two highest concentrations tested. Newly hatched larvae, whose mouths were still closed, were relatively tolerant of suspended solids, with a 12 h lethal concentration resulting in 50% mortality, LC50, of 2020 mg l−1 and a first observable effect concentration of 150 mg l−1. Once the larvae's mouths opened, tolerance was significantly reduced, with a 12 h LC50 of 157 mg l−1 and a first observable effect concentration of 4 mg l−1. Tolerance of larvae to suspended solids was negatively correlated with suspended solids concentration and exposure time, with exposure durations of ≤6 h being significantly less detrimental than those of 9 h or more. Indirect effects to larvae were assessed by measuring ingestion of copepod nauplii by 10 and 15 days post‐hatch (dph) larvae at sediment concentrations from 0 to 200 mg l−1 in 50 mg l−1 increments over 4 h. Ingestion was not significantly affected by sediment for 10 dph larvae, but by 15 dph, sediment had a far greater impact on ingestion, with larvae in all sediment treatments eating significantly fewer copepods than those in the control.
Addiction Research Centres and the Nurturing of Creativity Department of Addictive Behaviour and Addiction Medicine, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, University of Heidelberg
Authors: Mann Karl
Published: May 2010

Addictive behaviour is as prevalent in Germany as in other western countries, but in contrast to some European countries and the United States, very little money was given to this research field. Change came in the early 1990s, when the German government started to launch specific grants for addiction research. The first chair in addiction research was created in 1999 (Karl Mann) at the Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim (CIMH; University of Heidelberg). The recruitment of a pre‐clinical alcohol researcher as head of the department of psychopharmacology followed (Rainer Spanagel). This ‘addiction research cluster’ collaborates with several research groups at the CIMH (such as genetics). We inaugurated a clinical trial network which now comprises up to 20 treatment centres throughout Germany. Like most authors, we found effect sizes of different treatment modalities more in the low to moderate range, perhaps because of the heterogeneity of large patient samples. Therefore, we concentrated upon the biological basis of addiction in order to define more homogeneous ‘subtypes’ of patients for a better match with existing treatments. Results concerning genetics and neuroimaging (both animal and human) are promising, and could move our field towards a more personalized treatment approach. Our funding has been extended over the years, including involvement in several large European grants. We are studying substance‐related problems as well as so‐called ‘behavioural addictions’. As a natural consequence of this development, we are deeply involved both in informing the general public on addiction issues as well as in counselling policy makers in Germany.
A comparison of the effect on QT interval between thiamylal and propofol during anaesthetic induction*
Authors: Higashijima U. , Terao Y. , Ichinomiya T. , Miura K. , Fukusaki M. , Sumikawa K.
Published: May 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of thiamylal and propofol on heart rate‐corrected QT (QTc) interval during anaesthetic induction. We studied 50 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. Patients were administered 3 μg.kg−1 fentanyl and were randomly allocated to receive 5 mg.kg−1 thiamylal or 1.5 mg.kg−1 propofol as an induction agent. Tracheal intubation was performed after vecuronium administration. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, bispectral index score, and 12‐lead electrocardiogram were recorded at the following time points: just before (T1) and 2 min after (T2) fentanyl administration; 2 min after anaesthetic administration (T3); 2.5 min after vecuronium injection (T4); and 2 min after intubation (T5). Thiamylal prolonged (p < 0.0001), but propofol shortened (p < 0.0001), the QTc interval.
Perioperative heart failure in coronary surgery and timing of intra‐aortic balloon pump insertion
Authors: RANUCCI M. , BALLOTTA A. , CASTELVECCHIO S. , De VINCENTIIS C. , BIONDI A. , PARISI A. , MENICANTI L. , FRIGIOLA A. ,   for the Surgical and Clinical Outcome REsearch (SCORE) Group
Published: May 2010

Background: Perioperative heart failure (HF) in coronary operations is accompanied by a high operative mortality rate. An intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) is often used to treat this syndrome. The correct timing for IABP insertion after completion of the operation has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the operative mortality in perioperative HF patients who had undergone coronary operations with respect to the early or the late use of IABP.

Methods: This is a retrospective study including 7,270 patients who had undergone coronary surgery with or without associated procedures. A population of patients with perioperative HF was extracted and analyzed with respect to the use of drugs, intra‐operative or post‐operative IABP to treat this condition.

Results: A total of 1,051 (14.5%) patients had perioperative HF. The mortality rate in this group was 13.5%. Early (intra‐operative) IABP insertion was performed in 123 patients. In contrast, 928 patients were treated with inotropic drugs only, and, of these patients, 59 developed a drug‐refractory HF requiring late IABP insertion.

Operative mortality was significantly (P=0.001) higher in patients requiring late (64.4%) vs. early (41.5%) IABP insertion. Independent risk factors for developing a drug‐refractory HF were age, pre‐operative serum creatinine value and an associated mitral valve procedure.

Conclusions: Postponing the use of IABP may be deleterious in patients with drug‐refractory HF. In the presence of the three factors independently associated with the risk of a drug‐refractory HF, early IABP insertion is suggested.