bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racist Nativism in the 21st Century
Authors: Lippard Cameron D.
Published: July 2011

Since the 1960s, academia and the public have frequently used racism as the catch‐all phrase to explain any racial or ethnic injustice identified in America. However, are the disparities domestic minorities face the same as those faced by immigrant minorities? For example, journalists have suggested that the various state immigration policies targeting Hispanic immigrants in the United States recently are as racist as the Jim Crow laws enacted decades ago. In this essay, I contend that while nativism and racism are kissing cousins, distinguishing and using these concepts may lend to more precise explanations of the issues many racial and ethnic minorities face who exist outside of the Black–White dichotomy that has traditionally characterized United States. To untangle these terms, I review recent scholarship to provide up‐to‐date definitions, as well as reintroduce the concept of ‘racist nativism’ to better explain the variability that characterizes racial or ethnic prejudice and discrimination in 21st century America.
The More Things Change, the More They Remain the Same?
Authors: Latshaw Beth A.
Published: July 2011

Since the publication of Arlie Hochschild’s groundbreaking work,The Second Shift(1989), scholars have delineated and deliberated the predictors and implications of American men’s participation in unpaid labor. Still, there’s little consensus about the current or future state of gender inequality in US households. In the course of reviewing scholarship published on this topic over the last two decades, this piece outlines and critically reflects upon two paradoxical conclusions one might reach when examining trends in men’s housework and care work time. In comparing and contrasting what I call ‘the mop bucket is half full’ and ‘the mop bucket is half empty’ conclusions, I also highlight the major theoretical frameworks, empirical findings, and diverging opinions on whether Hochschild’s ‘household revolution’ is permanently stalled, slowly reigniting, or ready to take off. I then conclude with a call for consensus among scholars and suggestions for future research on men’s participation in unpaid labor.
Reproductive performance of alternative male phenotypes of growth hormone transgenic Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
Authors: Moreau Darek T. R. , Conway Corinne , Fleming Ian A.
Published: July 2011

Growth hormone (GH) transgenic Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is one of the first transgenic animals being considered for commercial farming, yet ecological and genetic concerns remain should they enter the wild and interact reproductively with wild fish. Here, we provide the first empirical data reporting on the breeding performance of GH transgenic Atlantic salmon males, including that of an alternative male reproductive phenotype (i.e. small, precocially mature parr), in pair‐wise competitive trials within a naturalised stream mesocosm. Wild anadromous (i.e. large, migratory) males outperformed captively reared transgenic counterparts in terms of nest fidelity, quivering frequency and spawn participation. Similarly, despite displaying less aggression, captively reared nontransgenic mature parr were superior competitors to their transgenic counterparts in terms of nest fidelity and spawn participation. Moreover, nontransgenic parr had higher overall fertilisation success than transgenic parr, and their offspring were represented in more spawning trials. Although transgenic males displayed reduced breeding performance relative to nontransgenics, both male reproductive phenotypes demonstrated the ability to participate in natural spawning events and thus have the potential to contribute genes to subsequent generations.
DNA barcoding of the recently evolved genus Holcoglossum (Orchidaceae: Aeridinae): a test of DNA barcode candidates
Authors: XIANG XIAO‐GUO , HU HAO , WANG WEI , JIN XIAO‐HUA
Published: July 2011

Orchidaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants. Many species of orchid are endangered, and all species are included in Conventions on International Trade of Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES) I and II, but it is very difficult to identify orchid species, even those with fertile parts. The genus Holcoglossum (Orchidaceae: Aeridinae) has long been problematic in taxonomy. It consists of both long‐evolved and radiated species and is an excellent case to use for testing DNA barcodes for Orchidaceae. We investigated the power of a subset of proposed plant barcoding loci [rbcL, matK, atpF‐atpH, psbK‐psbI, trnH‐psbA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)] to discriminate between species in this genus. Our results showed that all these DNA regions, except psbK‐psbI and atpF‐atpH, can be amplified easily from Holcoglossum and sequenced with established primers. The DNA regions matK and ITS had the highest variability. Among the six loci, matK resolved eight of the 12 Holcoglossum species and had the highest discriminatory ability. However, the combination of matK and ITS showed a greater ability to identify species than matK alone. Single or combined DNA markers discriminated between Holcoglossum species distributed in tropical areas effectively, but had less ability to identify radiated species from the temperate Hengduan Mountains of China. In the study, matK proved to be a useful DNA barcode for the genus Holcoglossum; however, complementary DNA regions are still required to accelerate the investigation and preservation of radiated species of orchid.
Twelve‐month‐olds’ comprehension and production of pointing
Authors: Behne Tanya , Liszkowski Ulf , Carpenter Malinda , Tomasello Michael
Published: July 2011

This study explored whether infants aged 12 months already recognize the communicative function of pointing gestures. Infants participated in a task requiring them to comprehend an adult's informative pointing gesture to the location of a hidden toy. They mostly succeeded in this task, which required them to infer that the adult was attempting to direct their attention to a location for a reason – because she wanted them to know that a toy was hidden there. Many of the infants also reversed roles and produced appropriate pointing gestures for the adult in this same game, and indeed there was a correlation such that comprehenders were for the most part producers. These findings indicate that by 12 months of age infants are beginning to show a bidirectional understanding of communicative pointing.
The Cardiolock Project: Design of an Active Stabilizer for Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Bachta Wael , Renaud Pierre , Laroche Edouard , Gangloff Jacques
Published: July 2011

Coronary artery bypass grafting is a common surgical procedure that requires a high level of accuracy. To perform this procedure on a beating heart, surgeons reduce the heart motion with passive stabilizers. These devices, however, lack accuracy. Indeed, marked residual motion of the area of interest can be observed. In this paper, we address the problem with the design of an active stabilizer, i.e., an active mechanism controlled to cancel any residual motion during the surgery. The design methodology is based on dynamic modeling of the stabilization task and an iterative design approach. In fact, Cardiolock 1, a prototype allowing partial compensation, has first been developed in order to refine the design requirements. Its design and evaluation are presented, before introducing Cardiolock 2, a device with full stabilization capabilities. It includes a remote center of motion and takes advantage of the vicinity of kinematic singularities to provide mechanical amplification. Numerical and experimental analyses of the device are introduced, illustrating the practical potential of the proposed design.
Comparison of Growth Rates of Aerobic Anoxygenic Phototrophic Bacteria and Other Bacterioplankton Groups in Coastal Mediterranean Waters
Authors: Ferrera Isabel , Gasol Josep M. , Sebastián Marta , Hojerová Eva , Koblížek Michal
Published: July 2011

Growth is one of the basic attributes of any living organism. Surprisingly, the growth rates of marine bacterioplankton are only poorly known. Current data suggest that marine bacteria grow relatively slowly, having generation times of several days. However, some bacterial groups, such as the aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic (AAP) bacteria, have been shown to grow much faster. Two manipulation experiments, in which grazing, viruses, and resource competition were reduced, were conducted in the coastal Mediterranean Sea (Blanes Bay Microbial Observatory). The growth rates of AAP bacteria and of several important phylogenetic groups (the
Bacteroidetes
, the alphaproteobacterial groups
Roseobacter
and SAR11, and the
Gammaproteobacteria
group and its subgroups the
Alteromonadaceae
and the NOR5/OM60 clade) were calculated from changes in cell numbers in the manipulation treatments. In addition, we examined the role that top-down (mortality due to grazers and viruses) and bottom-up (resource availability) factors play in determining the growth rates of these groups. Manipulations resulted in an increase of the growth rates of all groups studied, but its extent differed largely among the individual treatments and among the different groups. Interestingly, higher growth rates were found for the AAP bacteria (up to 3.71 day
−1
) and for the
Alteromonadaceae
(up to 5.44 day
−1
), in spite of the fact that these bacterial groups represented only a very low percentage of the total prokaryotic community. In contrast, the SAR11 clade, which was the most abundant group, was the slower grower in all treatments. Our results show that, in general, the least abundant groups exhibited the highest rates, whereas the most abundant groups were those growing more slowly, indicating that some minor groups, such the AAP bacteria, very likely contribute much more to the recycling of organic matter in the ocean than what their abundances alone would predict.
Geographic Distribution of Secondary Metabolite Genes in the Marine Actinomycete Salinispora arenicola
Authors: Edlund Anna , Loesgen Sandra , Fenical William , Jensen Paul R.
Published: July 2011

The molecular fingerprinting technique terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) was used in combination with sequence-based approaches to evaluate the geographic distribution of secondary metabolite biosynthetic genes in strains of the marine actinomycete
Salinispora arenicola
. This study targeted ketosynthase (KS) domains from type I polyketide synthase (PKS) genes and revealed four distinct clusters, the largest of which was comprised of strains from all six global locations sampled. The remaining strains fell into three smaller clusters comprised of strains derived entirely from the Red Sea, the Sea of Cortez, or around the Island of Guam. These results reveal variation in the secondary metabolite gene collectives maintained by strains that are largely clonal at the 16S rRNA level. The location specificities of the three smaller clusters provide evidence that collections of secondary metabolite genes in subpopulations of
S. arenicola
are endemic to these locations. Cloned KS sequences support the maintenance of distinct sets of biosynthetic genes in the strains associated with each cluster and include four that had not previously been detected in
S. arenicola
. Two of these new sequences were observed only in strains derived from Guam or the Sea of Cortez. Transcriptional analysis of one of the new KS sequences in conjunction with the production of the polyketide arenicolide A supports a link between this sequence and the associated biosynthetic pathway. From the perspective of natural product discovery, these results suggest that screening populations from distant locations can enhance the discovery of new natural products and provides further support for the use of molecular fingerprinting techniques, such as T-RFLP, to rapidly identify strains that possess distinct sets of biosynthetic genes.
Mapping the Substrate Binding Site of Phenylacetone Monooxygenase from Thermobifida fusca by Mutational Analysis
Authors: Dudek Hanna M. , de Gonzalo Gonzalo , Torres Pazmiño Daniel E. , Stępniak Piotr , Wyrwicz Lucjan S. , Rychlewski Leszek , Fraaije Marco W.
Published: July 2011

Baeyer-Villiger monooxygenases catalyze oxidations that are of interest for biocatalytic applications. Among these enzymes, phenylacetone monooxygenase (PAMO) from
Thermobifida fusca
is the only protein showing remarkable stability. While related enzymes often present a broad substrate scope, PAMO accepts only a limited number of substrates. Due to the absence of a substrate in the elucidated crystal structure of PAMO, the substrate binding site of this protein has not yet been defined. In this study, a structural model of cyclopentanone monooxygenase, which acts on a broad range of compounds, has been prepared and compared with the structure of PAMO. This revealed 15 amino acid positions in the active site of PAMO that may account for its relatively narrow substrate specificity. We designed and analyzed 30 single and multiple mutants in order to verify the role of these positions. Extensive substrate screening revealed several mutants that displayed increased activity and altered regio- or enantioselectivity in Baeyer-Villiger reactions and sulfoxidations. Further substrate profiling resulted in the identification of mutants with improved catalytic properties toward synthetically attractive compounds. Moreover, the thermostability of the mutants was not compromised in comparison to that of the wild-type enzyme. Our data demonstrate that the positions identified within the active site of PAMO, namely, V54, I67, Q152, and A435, contribute to the substrate specificity of this enzyme. These findings will aid in more dedicated and effective redesign of PAMO and related monooxygenases toward an expanded substrate scope.
Soil Microbial Community Successional Patterns during Forest Ecosystem Restoration
Authors: Banning Natasha C. , Gleeson Deirdre B. , Grigg Andrew H. , Grant Carl D. , Andersen Gary L. , Brodie Eoin L. , Murphy D. V.
Published: July 2011

Soil microbial community characterization is increasingly being used to determine the responses of soils to stress and disturbances and to assess ecosystem sustainability. However, there is little experimental evidence to indicate that predictable patterns in microbial community structure or composition occur during secondary succession or ecosystem restoration. This study utilized a chronosequence of developing jarrah (
Eucalyptus marginata
) forest ecosystems, rehabilitated after bauxite mining (up to 18 years old), to examine changes in soil bacterial and fungal community structures (by automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis [ARISA]) and changes in specific soil bacterial phyla by 16S rRNA gene microarray analysis. This study demonstrated that mining in these ecosystems significantly altered soil bacterial and fungal community structures. The hypothesis that the soil microbial community structures would become more similar to those of the surrounding nonmined forest with rehabilitation age was broadly supported by shifts in the bacterial but not the fungal community. Microarray analysis enabled the identification of clear successional trends in the bacterial community at the phylum level and supported the finding of an increase in similarity to nonmined forest soil with rehabilitation age. Changes in soil microbial community structure were significantly related to the size of the microbial biomass as well as numerous edaphic variables (including pH and C, N, and P nutrient concentrations). These findings suggest that soil bacterial community dynamics follow a pattern in developing ecosystems that may be predictable and can be conceptualized as providing an integrated assessment of numerous edaphic variables.
High Lytic Infection Rates but Low Abundances of Prokaryote Viruses in a Humic Lake (Vassivière, Massif Central, France)
Authors: Pradeep Ram A. S. , Rasconi S. , Jobard M. , Palesse S. , Colombet J. , Sime-Ngando T.
Published: July 2011

We explored the abundance and infection rates of viruses on a time series scale in the euphotic zone of the humic mesotrophic Lake Vassivière (Massif Central, France) and compared them to nonhumic lakes of contrasting trophy (i.e., the oligomesotrophic Lake Pavin and the eutrophic Lake Aydat) located in the same geographical region and sampled during the same period. In Lake Vassivière, the abundances of virus-like particles (range, 1.7 × 10
10
to 2.6 × 10
10
liter
−1
) were significantly (
P
< 0.001) lower than in Lakes Pavin and Aydat. The percentage of virus-infected prokaryotic cells (mean, 18.0%) was significantly higher (
P
< 0.001) in Vassivière than in Pavin (mean, 11.5%) and Aydat (mean, 9.7%). In Vassivière, the abundance of prokaryotes was a good predictor (
r
= 0.78,
P
< 0.001) of the number of virus-like particles, while the potential grazing rate from heterotrophic nanoflagellates was positively correlated to the viral infection rate (
r
= 0.75,
P
< 0.001;
n
= 20), indicating the prevalence of cycling interactions among viruses, prokaryotes, and grazers, which is in agreement with past experiments. The absence of correlation between chlorophyll
a
concentrations (Chl) and viral parameters suggested that the resources for the lytic activity of viruses in Vassivière were mainly under allochthonous control, through host activity. Indeed, compilation of data obtained from several nonhumic lakes in the French Massif Central revealed that Chl was positively correlated to the abundance of virus-like particles at concentrations above 0.5 μg Chl liter
−1
and negatively at concentrations below 0.5 μg Chl liter
−1
, suggesting that phytoplankton-derived resources could force prokaryotic growth to attain a certain threshold level when the host availability is sufficient to boost the proliferation of viruses. Therefore, based on the high level of lytic infection rates in Lake Vassivière, we conclude that viruses are key agents for prokaryotic mortality and could influence the food web dynamics in humic lakes, which may ultimately depend on the internal cycling of resources and, perhaps, mainly on the allochthonous inputs and the associated humic substances.
Microbial Removal of Atmospheric Carbon Tetrachloride in Bulk Aerobic Soils
Authors: Mendoza Y. , Goodwin K. D. , Happell J. D.
Published: July 2011

Atmospheric concentrations of carbon tetrachloride (CCl
4
) were removed by bulk aerobic soils from tropical, subtropical, and boreal environments. Removal was observed in all tested soil types, indicating that the process was widespread. The flux measured in field chamber experiments was 0.24 ± 0.10 nmol CCl
4
(m
2
day)
−1
(average ± standard deviation [SD];
n
= 282). Removal of CCl
4
and removal of methane (CH
4
) were compared to explore whether the two processes were linked. Removal of both gases was halted in laboratory samples that were autoclaved, dry heated, or incubated in the presence of mercuric chloride (HgCl
2
). In marl soils, treatment with antibiotics such as tetracycline and streptomycin caused partial inhibition of CCl
4
(50%) and CH
4
(76%) removal, but removal was not affected in soils treated with nystatin or myxothiazol. These data indicated that bacteria contributed to the soil removal of CCl
4
and that microeukaryotes may not have played a significant role. Amendments of methanol, acetate, and succinate to soil samples enhanced CCl
4
removal by 59%, 293%, and 72%, respectively. Additions of a variety of inhibitors and substrates indicated that nitrification, methanogenesis, or biological reduction of nitrate, nitrous oxide, or sulfate (e.g., occurring in possible anoxic microzones) did not play a significant role in the removal of CCl
4
. Methyl fluoride inhibited removal of CH
4
but not CCl
4
, indicating that CH
4
and CCl
4
removals were not directly linked. Furthermore, CCl
4
removal was not affected in soils amended with copper sulfate or methane, supporting the results with MeF and suggesting that the observed CCl
4
removal was not significantly mediated by methanotrophs.
An ABC-Type Cobalt Transport System Is Essential for Growth of Sinorhizobium melilotiat Trace Metal Concentrations
Authors: Cheng Jiujun , Poduska Branislava , Morton Richard A. , Finan Turlough M.
Published: July 2011

We report expression and mutant phenotypes for a gene cluster inSinorhizobium meliloti, designatedcbtJKL, that has been shown to encode an ABC-typecobalttransport system. Transcription ofcbtJKLinitiated 384 nucleotides upstream from thecbtJtranslation start codon, and the resulting 5′ region contained a putative B12riboswitch. Expression of thecbtJKLgenes appeared to be controlled by (cobalt-loaded) cobalamin interacting at the B12riboswitch, since (i) a putative B12riboswitch was located within this large upstream region, (ii)cbtJtranscription was repressed upon addition of cobalt or vitamin B12, and (iii) deletions in the B12riboswitch resulted in constitutivecbtJKLtranscription. Insertion mutants incbtJKLfailed to grow in LB medium, and growth was restored through the addition of cobalt but not other metals. This growth phenotype appeared to be due to the chelation of cobalt present in LB, andcbtJKLmutants also failed to grow in minimal medium containing the chelating agent EDTA unless the medium was supplemented with additional or excess cobalt. In uptake experiments,57Co2+accumulation was high in wild-type cells expressing thecbtJKLgenes, whereas wild-type cells in whichcbtJKLexpression was repressed showed reduced accumulation. IncbtJKLmutant cells,57Co2+accumulation was reduced relative to that of the wild type, and presumably, this residual cobalt transport occurred via an alternate ion uptake system(s) that is not specific to cobalt. In symbiosis, the alternate system(s) appeared to mediate cobalt transport into bacteroid cells, as lowcbtJKLexpression was detected in bacteroids andcbtJKLmutants formed N2-fixing nodules on alfalfa.
Phenylacetyl Coenzyme A Is an Effector Molecule of the TetR Family Transcriptional Repressor PaaR from Thermus thermophilusHB8
Authors: Sakamoto Keiko , Agari Yoshihiro , Kuramitsu Seiki , Shinkai Akeo
Published: July 2011

Phenylacetic acid (PAA) is a common intermediate in the catabolic pathways of several structurally related aromatic compounds. It is converted into phenylacetyl coenzyme A (PA-CoA), which is degraded to general metabolites by a set of enzymes. Within the genome of the extremely thermophilic bacterium
Thermus thermophilus
HB8, a cluster of genes, including a TetR family transcriptional regulator, may be involved in PAA degradation. The gene product, which we named
T. thermophilus
PaaR, negatively regulated the expression of the two operons composing the gene cluster
in vitro. T. thermophilus
PaaR repressed the target gene expression by binding pseudopalindromic sequences, with a consensus sequence of 5′-CNAACGNNCGTTNG-3′, surrounding the promoters. PA-CoA is a ligand of PaaR, with a proposed binding stoichiometry of 1:1 protein monomer, and was effective for transcriptional derepression. Thus, PaaR is a functional homolog of PaaX, a GntR transcriptional repressor found in
Escherichia coli
and
Pseudomonas
strains. A three-dimensional structure of
T. thermophilus
PaaR was predicted by homology modeling. In the putative structure, PaaR adopts the typical three-dimensional structure of the TetR family proteins, with 10 α-helices. A positively charged surface at the center of the molecule is similar to the acyl-CoA-binding site of another TetR family transcriptional regulator,
T. thermophilus
FadR, which is involved in fatty acid degradation. The CoA moiety of PA-CoA may bind to the center of the PaaR molecule, in a manner similar to the binding of the CoA moiety of acyl-CoA to FadR.
The Rhodanese Domain of ThiI Is Both Necessary and Sufficient for Synthesis of the Thiazole Moiety of Thiamine in Salmonella enterica
Authors: Martinez-Gomez N. Cecilia , Palmer Lauren D. , Vivas Eugenio , Roach Peter L. , Downs Diana M.
Published: July 2011

In
Salmonella enterica
, ThiI is a bifunctional enzyme required for the synthesis of both the 4-thiouridine modification in tRNA and the thiazole moiety of thiamine. In 4-thiouridine biosynthesis, ThiI adenylates the tRNA uridine and transfers sulfur from a persulfide formed on the protein. The role of ThiI in thiazole synthesis is not yet well understood. Mutational analysis described here found that ThiI residues required for 4-thiouridine synthesis were not involved in thiazole biosynthesis. The data further showed that the C-terminal rhodanese domain of ThiI was sufficient for thiazole synthesis
in vivo
. Together, these data support the conclusion that sulfur mobilization in thiazole synthesis is mechanistically distinct from that in 4-thiouridine synthesis and suggest that functional annotation of ThiI in genome sequences should be readdressed. Nutritional studies described here identified an additional cysteine-dependent mechanism for sulfur mobilization to thiazole that did not require ThiI, IscS, SufS, or glutathione. The latter mechanism may provide insights into the chemistry used for sulfur mobilization to thiazole in organisms that do not utilize ThiI.
Genome Sequence of Methyloversatilis universalisFAM5
T
, a Methylotrophic Representative of the Order Rhodocyclales
Authors: Kittichotirat Weerayuth , Good Nathan M. , Hall Rob , Bringel Françoise , Lajus Aurélie , Médigue Claudine , Smalley Nicole E. , Beck David , Bumgarner Roger , Vuilleumier Stéphane , Kalyuzhnaya Marina G.
Published: July 2011

Rhodocyclales
are representative of versatile bacteria that are able to utilize a wide variety of organic compounds for growth, but only a few strains have been isolated in pure culture thus far. Here we present the genome sequence of
Methyloversatilis universalis
FAM5
T
, the first cultivable methylotrophic member of the order.
The σ
B
-Dependent
yabJ-spoVG
Operon Is Involved in the Regulation of Extracellular Nuclease, Lipase, and Protease Expression in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Schulthess Bettina , Bloes Dominik A. , François Patrice , Girard Myriam , Schrenzel Jacques , Bischoff Markus , Berger-Bächi Brigitte
Published: July 2011

The alternative sigma factor σ
B
of
Staphylococcus aureus
is involved in the coordination of the general stress response, expression of virulence determinants, and modulation of antibiotic resistance levels. It controls a large regulon, either directly by recognizing conserved σ
B
promoter sequences or indirectly via σ
B
-dependent elements. The σ
B
-controlled
yabJ-spoVG
operon encodes two such putative downstream elements. We report here transcriptome analysis in
S. aureus
Newman, showing that inactivation of the
yabJ-spoVG
operon had primarily a repressing effect on a small subregulon encoding mainly virulence factors, including a nuclease (
nuc
), a protease (
splE
) and a lipase (
lip
). As a consequence, extracellular nuclease, protease, and lipase activities were reduced in a Δ
yabJ
-
spoVG
mutant.
trans
-complementation by SpoVG was sufficient to restore their reduced phenotypic expression and lowered transcription due to the
yabJ-spoVG
deletion. It did not restore, however, the changes triggered by σ
B
inactivation, indicating that both regulons only partially overlap, despite the σ
B
dependency of the
yabJ-spoVG
expression. Thus, σ
B
is likely to control additional, SpoVG-independent factors affecting the expression of numerous hydrolytic enzymes. SpoVG, on the other hand, seems to fine-tune the σ
B
-dependent regulation of a subset of virulence factors by antagonizing the σ
B
effect.
Complete Genome Sequence of Amycolicicoccus subflavusDQS3-9A1
T
, an Actinomycete Isolated from Crude Oil-Polluted Soil
Authors: Cai Man , Chen Wei-Min , Nie Yong , Chi Chang-Qiao , Wang Ya-Nan , Tang Yue-Qin , Li Guo-Ying , Wu Xiao-Lei
Published: July 2011

Amycolicicoccus subflavus
DQS3-9A1
T
, isolated from crude oil-polluted soil in the Daqing Oilfield in China, is a type strain of a newly published novel species in the novel genus
Amycolicicoccus
. Here we report the complete genome of DQS3-9A1
T
and genes associated with oil-polluted environment.
Complete Genome Sequences of Krokinobactersp. Strain 4H-3-7-5 and Lacinutrixsp. Strain 5H-3-7-4, Polysaccharide-Degrading Members of the Family Flavobacteriaceae
Authors: Klippel Barbara , Lochner Adriane , Bruce David C. , Walston Davenport Karen , Detter Chris , Goodwin Lynne A. , Han James , Han Shunsheng , Hauser Loren , Land Miriam L. , Nolan Matt , Ovchinnikova Galina , Pennacchio Len , Pitluck Sam , Tapia Roxanne , Woyke Tanja , Wiebusch Sigrid , Basner Alexander , Abe Fumiyoshi , Horikoshi Koki , Keller Martin , Antranikian Garabed
Published: July 2011

Two members of the family
Flavobacteriaceae
were isolated from subseafloor sediments using artificial seawater with cellulose, xylan, and chitin as the sole carbon and energy sources. Here, we present the complete genome sequences of
Krokinobacter
sp. strain 4H-3-7-5 and
Lacinutrix
sp. strain 5H-3-7-4, which both encode putatively novel enzymes involved in cellulose, hemicellulose, and chitin metabolism.
Who presents more than once? Repeat abortion among women in Britain
Authors: Stone Nicole , Ingham Roger
Published: July 2011

Background and methodology

Around one in three sexually active women in Britain will have an abortion during their lifetime and a third of those women will experience more than one. Using data collected during the second National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles the characteristics of women who have presented for a second or subsequent abortion are compared to those women who have obtained only one.

Results

Results indicate that increased age and parity are key characteristics distinguishing between women who have experienced only one abortion and those women who have had more. Findings also reveal that those who have sought abortion on more than one occasion are more likely (than those who have had one abortion) to be Black, have left school at an earlier age, be living in rented accommodation, report an earlier age at first sexual experience, be less likely to have used a reliable method of contraception at sexual debut and report a greater number of sexual partners.

Discussion and conclusions

It is well recognised that attendance at abortion services presents an important opportunity for the provision of individually tailored information regarding contraception to assist women avoid the need for subsequent procedures. However, differential use of abortion services may also indicate variations in knowledge levels, attitudes to risk, attitudes towards abortion, partner communication, gender power and differential access to services. Further research is required to clarify these potential relationships so that suitable health promotion activities can be developed.
Occupational noise exposure assessment using O*NET and its application to a study of hearing loss in the US general population
Authors: Choi Yoon-Hyeong , Hu Howard , Tak SangWoo , Mukherjee Bhramar , Park Sung Kyun
Published: July 2011

Objectives

Although occupational noise is a well known risk factor for hearing loss, little epidemiological evidence has been reported on its association with hearing loss in the general population, in part, because of the difficulty in exposure assessment. This study introduced a quantitative occupational noise exposure assessment tool using the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) database and evaluated its applicability for epidemiological research using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2004.

Methods

The O*NET noise exposure data were assessed by questionnaires across numerous occupations, asking the frequency of exposure to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable (with five possible responses from ‘never’ to ‘every day’). Means of the O*NET noise scores were computed to correspond to NHANES occupational categories and assigned to 3828 adults aged 20–69 years, who participated in the 1999–2004 NHANES. Pure-tone averages (PTA) of hearing thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 kHz were computed, and hearing loss was defined as a PTA >25 dB in either ear. Linear and logistic regression models with either continuous or quintiles of the O*NET noise scores were fitted on log-transformed PTA and binary hearing loss, respectively.

Results

Noise scores ranged from 1.80 to 4.37 with mean±SE of 3.06±0.02. After controlling for potential confounders, the highest (vs lowest) noise score quintile had a 22.5% (95% CI 11.0% to 35.2%) increase in PTA, and there was a linear dose-dependent trend across the quintiles of noise scores (p trend<0.0001). The adjusted OR for hearing loss comparing the highest with the lowest noise score quintiles was 2.1 (95% CI 1.2 to 3.6).

Conclusion

This study suggests that the O*NET noise score is a useful tool for examining occupational noise-induced health effects in the general population in the absence of actual occupational noise exposure assessment data.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging of non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Deshpande Aparna , Pakkal Mini , Agrawal Bobby , Raj Vimal
Published: July 2011

Cardiomyopathy is defined as a heterogeneous group of diseases of the myocardium associated with mechanical and/or electrical dysfunction due to a variety of causes that are frequently genetic. These are either confined to the heart or are part of generalised systemic disorders, often leading to cardiovascular death or progressive heart failure related disability. Determination of exact aetiology of cardiomyopathy can be difficult but remains important for both treatment and prognosis. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging allows comprehensive assessment of patients suspected to have cardiomyopathy and is therefore being increasingly used in diagnosis and follow-up of these patients. This review presents the main features of common cardiomyopathies on cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and highlights its role in providing additional information over and above the traditional diagnostic techniques.
PROTECTING THE DOMESTIC MARKET: INDUSTRIAL POLICY AND STRATEGIC FIRM BEHAVIOR
Authors: METGE JENS , WEISS PIA
Published: July 2011

Asian firms frequently have to undercut domestic prices and subsidize switching costs in order to obtain a positive market share when entering European and the US markets. Such practices constitute dumping under Article VI of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. We demonstrate that the mere existence of an administratively set minimum price, which is frequently used in assessing dumping allegations, protects domestic firms and has the effect of an additional entrance barrier for Asian firms. Consequently, competition policy should reassess GATT's antidumping regulation in order to keep markets open and domestic competition healthy.
ON THE CFT DUALS FOR NEAR-EXTREMAL BLACK HOLES
Authors: RASMUSSEN JØRGEN
Published: July 2011

We consider Kerr–Newman–AdS–dS black holes near extremality and work out the near-horizon geometry of these near-extremal black holes. We identify the exact U (1)L× U (1)R isometries of the near-horizon geometry and provide boundary conditions enhancing them to a pair of commuting Virasoro algebras. The conserved charges of the corresponding asymptotic symmetries are found to be well-defined and nonvanishing and to yield central charges cL≠0 and cR = 0. The Cardy formula subsequently reproduces the Bekenstein–Hawking entropy of the black hole. This suggests that the near-extremal Kerr–Newman–AdS–dS black hole is holographically dual to a non-chiral two-dimensional conformal field theory.
THE FREE DIRAC SPINORS OF THE SPIN BASIS ON THE DE SITTER EXPANDING UNIVERSE
Authors: COTĂESCU ION I.
Published: July 2011

It is shown that on the de Sitter spacetime the global behavior of the free Dirac spinors in momentum representation is determined by several phase factors which are functions of momentum with special properties. Such suitable phase functions can be chosen for writing down the free Dirac quantum modes of the spin basis that are well-defined even for the particles at rest in the moving local charts where the modes of the helicity basis remain undefined. Under quantization, these modes lead to a basis in which the one-particle operators keep their usual forms apart from the energy operator which lays out a specific term depending on the concrete phase function one uses.
MODELING ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN PREGNANT WOMAN AND FETUS
Authors: HUO HAI-FENG , LI JUN , LI YU-NING
Published: July 2011

Infection caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens is one of global public health problems. Many factors contribute to the emergence and spread of these pathogens. A model which describes the transmission dynamics of susceptible and resistant bacteria in a pregnant woman and the fetus is presented. Detailed qualitative analysis about positivity, boundedness, global stability and uniform persistence of the model is carried out. Numerical simulation and sensitivity analysis show that antibiotic input has potential impact for neonatal drug resistance. Our results show that the resistant bacteria in baby mainly come from antibiotics which are wrongly-used during gestational period, or foods containing antibiotic residues.
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION ON MANUFACTURING METHODS OF POWDER METALLURGY COMPONENTS WITH INTEGRATED INFORMATION STORAGE
Authors: BEHRENS BERND-ARNO , VAHED NAJMEH , GASTAN EDIN , LANGE FABIAN
Published: July 2011

This paper presents a research work within Collaborative Research Centre 653 "Gentelligent Components in Their Lifecycle." The term "gentelligent" refers to the genetic and intelligent character of these components. Specific data are inherently saved in the components, which are used during its lifecycle for the means of identification, processing, and reproduction. The present study aims at the development of a method to manufacture and utilize gentelligent sintered parts. As data carrier, foreign materials shaped in fonts, logos, or codes are embedded in the powder material proceeded by pressing and sintering processes. The foreign material can be applied in forms of particles or compound powder. The information read-out is based on radiographic methods. The objectives of the investigations are the determination of the process parameters of each method and the impact of the integrated foreign materials on the mechanical properties of the component. The experimental studies are supported by numerical simulations.
MULTI-AGENT-BASED COOPERATIVE COEVOLUTIONARY MODEL FOR DYNAMIC SHOP FLOOR RECONFIGURATION CONSIDERING PROCESS PLANNING
Authors: LI SHUXIA , SHAN HONGBO , LIU LIPING
Published: July 2011

In order to react to volatile market demand and uncertain production objectives, distributed manufacturing resources have to be dynamically configured. However, the dynamics of process planning and shop floor information makes shop floor reconfiguration a challenging problem. The shortcomings of the existing research on shop floor reconfiguration are first discussed. Then a multi-agent-based framework for dynamic shop floor reconfiguration is presented, and a mathematical programming model taking process planning into consideration is constructed as well. To coordinate the resource assignment among agents, a cooperative coevolutionary algorithm is also put forward to find the optimal solution of the reconfiguration model. The advantages of the proposed model are using combined multi-agent and mathematical programming method to decompose and optimize the problem of reconfiguration and considering alternative process plans. Furthermore, a prototype system for dynamic shop reconfiguration is developed. The results of this research will help solve the problem of shop floor reconfiguration with complex and dynamic interactive structure.
PREDICTION OF CRANKSHAFT FATIGUE LIMIT LOAD BY CRACK-MODELING TECHNIQUE
Authors: CHEN XIAO PING , YU XIAO LI , HU RU FU , LI JIAN FENG
Published: July 2011

In this paper, combining the previous crankshaft fatigue test data with Crack-Modeling Technique, the threshold stress intensity range, ΔKth of crankshaft can be derived. The calculated threshold, ΔKth takes the effect of material properties and processing technology into account. Then, using the threshold, ΔKth, we can predict the fatigue limit load of the different types of crankshafts with the same material properties and processing technology by Crack-Modeling Technique. This study shows that the standard crack may be a good equivalent to the crankshaft stress concentration and the prediction of the crankshaft fatigue limit load is accurate.
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL STUDY OF THERMAL ANALYSIS OF HIGH-SPEED FRICTION BRAKING SYSTEM
Authors: ZHANG CHUNMEI , LI YONGFENG
Published: July 2011

Thermal analysis can be used as one of the basis for the friction pair material selection in high-speed friction braking system. In this study, the experimental results showed that surface temperature could be reduced by increasing the radius of the friction disk or thermal conductivity coefficient of disk material with stable braking; In the early stage of long braking, the temperature on the friction surface rises rapidly, but further braking does not lead to a significant rise in temperature; In the case of short braking, there is not enough time for the friction surface to reach the critical temperature, and the disk surface reaches the maximum temperature at the end of braking. During long braking, the dimensionless time capacity of the friction surface reaching the highest temperature is F0 ≈ 0.1F0s.
DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF DEBRIS SHIELD OF POWERED SHIELD SUPPORT WITH LARGE MINING HEIGHT
Authors: CHEN JING , HAO SHAOXIANG , FAN XUN
Published: July 2011

One of the difficulties of the world's mining industry is how to ensure safe and reliable work of the powered support with large mining height of more than 6 m. In this paper, first mechanical model of powered support with large mining height was established, the mechanical characteristics of powered support was analyzed, and the stress analysis and preliminary design was made for the debris shield of the powered support. Then the whole 3D model of powered support with large mining height was established based on computer-aid design (CAD), and the finite element method (using the software ANSYS®) was used to analyze and calculate the stress according to the new inspection standard of MT312-2000. It is found that there is too large stress and obvious stress concentration in the debris shield of powered support. Through the structural improvement of debris shield, the maximum stress value of the debris shield was greatly reduced, the stress concentration was greatly improved, and the intensity optimization was achieved. This ensures the reliability of the powered support with large mining height. Improved debris shield demonstrates a good effect in practical use.
PRODUCT COLLABORATIVE DESIGN METHOD BASED ON A SHARING INFORMATION MODEL
Authors: ZENG PENGFEI , HAO YONGPING , SHAO WEIPING , LIU YONGXIAN
Published: July 2011

In order to meet the requirements of product information sharing and exchange in collaborative design, a design model sharing method was put forward for multidisciplinary domains cooperation. The creation and release mechanism of shared information model were represented. A collaborative product design framework was established based on the sharing model. An application sharing mode of message-driven design was achieved in which information expression approach is built by XML. So packaging and transmission of the shared design information were implemented in collaborative process. An effective solution of information interaction interdisciplinary domains was proposed for collaborative design process.
PARALLEL TEST TASK SCHEDULING BASED ON GENETIC SIMULATED ANNEALING ALGORITHMS
Authors: GAO CHENGJIN , XIA RUI , CHENG JINJUN
Published: July 2011

Parallel test task scheduling is vital to the feasibility, capability, and reliability of the Parallel ATS. This paper uses Genetic Simulated Annealing Algorithm (GASA) to find the optimized parallel test task schedule. The mathematical model of the problem is put forward first. Then the gene encoding and GASA operation method are designed. Also, the multi-objective fitness function using penalty coefficient which could satisfy both the resource constrains and task sequence restriction is introduced. The results of two simulated experiments show that the algorithm is feasible and efficient.
ON THE LIMIT AS THE SURFACE TENSION AND DENSITY RATIO TEND TO ZERO FOR THE TWO-PHASE EULER EQUATIONS
Authors: PUSATERI FABIO
Published: July 2011

We consider the free boundary motion of two perfect incompressible fluids with different densities ρ+ and ρ-, separated by a surface of discontinuity along which the pressure experiences a jump proportional to the mean curvature by a factor ε2. Assuming the Rayleigh–Taylor sign condition, and ρ- ≤ ε3/2, we prove energy estimates uniform in ρ- and ε. As a consequence, we obtain convergence of solutions of the interface problem to solutions of the free boundary Euler equations in vacuum without surface tension as ε, ρ- → 0.
CONVERGENCE OF A BGK APPROXIMATION OF THE ISENTROPIC EULER EQUATIONS
Authors: SEPE ALICE
Published: July 2011

We consider a discrete kinetic approximation of the isentropic Euler equations, and establish the local convergence of the solutions of these relaxation systems to those of the hydrodynamic equations in the hyperbolic limit. We rely on modulated entropy methods and cover the time interval in which the latter admits smooth solutions.
Cystic fibrosis and the relationship between mucin and chloride secretion by cultures of human airway gland mucous cells
Authors: Finkbeiner Walter E. , Zlock Lorna T. , Morikawa Masatoshi , Lao Anna Y. , Dasari Vijay , Widdicombe Jonathan H.
Published: July 2011

—We investigated how cystic fibrosis (CF) alters the relationship between Cl−and mucin secretion in cultures of non-CF and CF human tracheobronchial gland mucous (HTGM and CFTGM, respectively) cells. Biochemical studies showed that HTMG cells secreted typical airway mucins, and immunohistochemical studies showed that these cells expressed MUC1, MUC4, MUC5B, MUC8, MUC13, MUC16, and MUC20. Effects of cumulative doses of methacholine (MCh), phenylephrine (Phe), isoproterenol (Iso), and ATP on mucin and Cl−secretion were studied on HTGM and CFTGM cultures. Baseline mucin secretion was not significantly altered in CFTGM cells, and the increases in mucin secretion induced by mediators were unaltered (Iso, Phe) or slightly decreased (MCh, ATP). Across mediators, there was no correlation between the maximal increases in Cl−secretion and mucin secretion. In HTGM cells, the Cl−channel blocker, diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid, greatly inhibited Cl−secretion but did not alter mucin release. In HTGM cells, mediators (10−5M) increased mucin secretion in the rank order ATP > Phe = Iso > MCh. They increased Cl−secretion in the sequence ATP > MCh ≈ Iso > Phe. The responses in Cl−secretion to MCh, ATP, and Phe were unaltered by CF, but the response to Iso was greatly reduced. We conclude that mucin secretion by cultures of human tracheobronchial gland cells is independent of Cl−secretion, at baseline, and is unaltered in CF; that the ratio of Cl−secretion to mucus secretion varies markedly depending on mediator; and that secretions induced by stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors will be abnormally concentrated in CF.