bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Postcritical sets and saddle basic sets for Axiom A polynomial skew products on
Authors: NAKANE SHIZUO
Published: May 2012

We investigate the link between postcritical behaviors and the relations of saddle basic sets for Axiom A polynomial skew products on $\mathbb {C}^2$, and characterize various properties concerning the three kinds of accumulation sets defined by DeMarco and Hruska [Axiom A polynomial skew products of $\mathbb {C}^2$ and their postcritical sets. Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys.28(2008), 1749–1779] in terms of the saddle basic sets. We also give a new example of higher degree.
Gastrointestinal disease outbreaks in cycling events: are preventive measures effective?
Authors: MEXIA R. , VOLD L. , HEIER B. T. , NYGÅRD K.
Published: May 2012

In 2009, following a bike race, a gastrointestinal illness outbreak affected many participants. A cohort study showed an attack rate of 16·3% with the main risk factor being mud splashes to the face. Considering these findings, in 2010 recommendations to participants in the bike race were issued and environmental control measures were implemented. In 2010, a retrospective cohort study using web-based questionnaires was conducted to measure the use of preventive measures and to assess risk factors associated with gastrointestinal illness. A 69% response rate was achieved and 11721 records analysed, with 572 (attack rate 4·9%) matching the case definition, i.e. participants reporting diarrhoea within 10 days of race. There was a clear increase in the use of mudguards (96·7% reported access to/receiving information on preventive measures) and a significant decrease in gastrointestinal illness. This may indicate that the measures have been effective and should be considered, both in terms of environmental control measures as well as individual measures.
A Phenomenological Analysis of Disaster-Related Experiences in Fire and Emergency Medical Services Personnel
Authors: De Soir Erik , Knarren Marcia , Zech Emmanuelle , Mylle Jacques , Kleber Rolf , van der Hart Onno
Published: May 2012

This article explores the experiences of fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel during and immediately after a technological event using a phenomenological approach. Personnel engaged in the rescue operations during and immediately after the Ghislenghien gas explosion reflected upon their experiences in their responses to a specially designed, self-reporting questionnaire that included open-ended questions. Firefighters reported more perceived threat and direct exposure to death than did EMS personnel. Qualitative analysis indicates that the central characteristics of this potentially traumatizing event were the suddenness and massiveness of the impact, and the fact that it involved young victims and/or multiple deaths. With regard to emotions, powerlessness, horror, fear, a sense of apocalypse, and grief were experienced by both firefighters and EMS personnel. Firefighters noted that the death of colleagues, the involvement of friends and family, the massive impact, and exposure to the burned victims were most shocking. Emergency Medical Services personnel and in-hospital staff reported the impact, the confrontation with death, the involvement of friends and family, and the pain, suffering, and screaming of burned victims as the most shocking aspects of this event. Qualitative differences in the lived experiences of firefighters, EMS personnel, and in-hospital staff might be explained by differences in life threat, contact with death, and various degrees of training.

De Soir E, Knarren M, Zech E, Mylle J, Kleber R, Van der Hart O. A phenomenological analysis of disaster-related experiences in fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel.Prehosp Disaster Med.2012;27(2):1-8.
Increased Capacity to Delay Reward in Anorexia Nervosa
Authors: Steinglass Joanna E. , Figner Bernd , Berkowitz Staci , Simpson H. Blair , Weber Elke U. , Walsh B. Timothy
Published: May 2012

Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) are often characterized as possessing excessive self-control and are unusual in their ability to reduce or avoid the consumption of palatable foods. This behavior promotes potentially life-threatening weight loss and suggests disturbances in reward processing. We studied whether individuals with AN showed evidence of increased self-control by examining the tendency to delay receipt of a monetary, non-food related, reward. Underweight AN (n= 36) and healthy controls (HC,n= 28) completed a monetary intertemporal choice task measuring delay discounting factor. Individuals with AN reduced the value of a monetary reward over time significantly less than HC (F[1,61] = 5.03;p= 0.029). Secondary analyses indicated that the restricting subtype of AN, in particular, showed significantly less discounting than HC (F[1,46] = 8.3;p= 0.006). These findings indicate that some individuals with AN show less temporal discounting than HC, suggestive of enhanced self-control that is not limited to food consumption. This is in contrast to other psychiatric disorders, for example, substance abuse, which are characterized by greater discounting. Though preliminary, these findings suggest that excessive self-control may contribute to pathological processes and individuals with AN may have neuropsychological characteristics that enhance their ability to delay reward and thereby may help to maintain persistent food restriction. (JINS, 2012,18, 1–8)
International trade of organic food: Evidence of US imports
Authors: Oberholtzer Lydia , Dimitri Carolyn , Jaenicke Edward C.
Published: May 2012

Over the past decade, organic food sales and farmland have grown rapidly worldwide. As the US market for organic food has expanded, anecdotal evidence indicates that imports of organic food have increased. US organic handlers may be importing to meet consumer demand for out-of-season products, as well as products not grown domestically. Handlers may also be importing organic products that are in short supply or to reduce input costs. This paper provides the first examination of imports of organic products into the USA. Data from a national survey of certified organic handlers in 2007 are used to examine the extent, types and origins of imported organic commodities. A Heckman model is employed to investigate the factors that influence an organic handler's decision to import organic products, and the level at which organic handlers import a product. Summary results show that while many of the products being imported into the USA are those that cannot be produced domestically, such as coffee and tropical fruits, some oft-imported commodities are those that can be produced in the USA, such as soybeans, wheat, barley and berries. The summary results also show that organic handlers are procuring almost a half of their imported products from a few countries, including Canada, China, Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia. In the econometric analysis, we found those handlers prioritizing local suppliers negatively affected the facility's decision to import products. The use of a social label, such as Fair Trade, positively affected a handler's decision to import. The size of organic sales was important to both the decision to import and the share imported, with larger firms more likely to import and smaller firms less likely to import. However, once a smaller firm had decided to import, they imported a larger share. Finally, our analysis found that experiencing limited supplies or prioritizing price with suppliers did not influence a handler's decision to import products. Based on the findings, we suggest future research avenues, including studies that address consumer preferences and the impact of increased imports on domestic organic farms.
Study of receiver design in a MIMO SAR configuration
Authors: Riché Vishal , Méric Stéphane , Pottier Éric
Published: May 2012

In this paper, we are concerned on the receiver design and the different imaging possibilities for radar multiple input multiple output (MIMO) synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The transmission of pseudo-orthogonal waveforms gives many opportunities in reception on how to manage these different signals. We proposed to compare different resolutions and robustness for SAR measurements: single input single output (SISO) and MIMO. Moreover, we developed different SAR processings based on MIMO configuration by using the Stolt interpolation on simulations. On real data, these SAR processing will be adapted for the backprojection processing.
Rectangular coils optimization for wireless power transmission
Authors: Duan Zhu , Guo Yong‐Xin , Kwong Dim‐Lee
Published: May 2012

Wirelessly coupled coils are crucial for efficient power transmission in various applications. Previous design methods are only eligible for improving the efficiency of circular or square coils. This paper presents a method of characterizing and optimizing rectangular coils used in inductively coupled systems. After setting up a lumped component model for inductive coils, the efficiency can be expressed in terms of geometrical parameters of the coils. Subsequently, the power efficiency can be plotted versus these parameters in Matlab, thus getting the desired coils for optimum power transfer. With this design procedure from mathematical optimization, we eventually designed two rectangular coils spaced 10 mm apart, which achieves a power transmission efficiency of 46.4% at a frequency of 3 MHz. The design methodology is verified by simulation and measurement.
Upper‐mantle tomography and dynamics beneath the North China Craton
Authors: Lei Jianshe
Published: May 2012

A high‐resolution tomographic model of the upper mantle beneath the North China Craton (NCC) is determined using a large number of precisely hand‐picked teleseismic P wave arrival times. The results are generally consistent with previous results but high‐quality arrivals provide new insights into the dynamics beneath the NCC. Obviously north‐south trending low‐velocity (low‐V) zones are revealed down to ∼300–400 km depth under the Shanxi rift and Tanlu fault zone, while a north‐south trending high‐velocity (high‐V) zone representing the remainder of detached lithosphere is visible down to ∼200 km depth under the western portion of eastern NCC. High‐V anomalies representing the detached lithosphere are detected at 200–400 km depth under central and eastern NCC. Under the Ordos block high‐V anomalies are visible above ∼400 km depth, indicating intact lithosphere. Broad high‐V anomalies representing the stagnant Pacific slab are imaged with a low‐V anomaly from Datong volcano to the edge of Bohai Sea in the mantle transition zone beneath eastern and central NCC, suggesting that the Pacific slab has subducted to central NCC but with a gap. A continuously Y‐shaped low‐V structure is clearly imaged under Datong volcano and Bohai Sea from the lower mantle through this gap in the mantle transition zone to the upper mantle, indicating the existence of a lower mantle plume. These results suggest that in addition to the subduction of the Pacific plate, the plume has also played an important role in lithospheric destruction by thermal erosion of the asthenosphere and detachment of the lithosphere beneath the NCC.
Potential importance of physiologically diverse benthic foraminifera in sedimentary nitrate storage and respiration
Authors: Bernhard Joan M. , Casciotti Karen L. , McIlvin Matthew R. , Beaudoin David J. , Visscher Pieter T. , Edgcomb Virginia P.
Published: May 2012

Until recently, the process of denitrification (conversion of nitrate or nitrite to gaseous products) was thought to be performed exclusively by prokaryotes and fungi. The finding that foraminifera perform complete denitrification could impact our understanding of nitrate removal in sediments as well as our understanding of eukaryotic respiration, especially if it is widespread. However, details of this process and the subcellular location of these reactions in foraminifera remain uncertain. For example, prokaryotic endobionts, rather than the foraminifer proper, could perform denitrification, as has been shown recently in an allogromiid foraminifer. Here, intracellular nitrate concentrations and isotope ratios (δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3) were measured to assess the nitrate dynamics in four benthic foraminiferal species (Bolivina argentea, Buliminella tenuata, Fursenkoina cornuta, Nonionella stella) with differing cellular architecture and associations with microbial endobionts, recovered from Santa Barbara Basin, California. Cellular nitrate concentrations were high (12–217 mM) in each species, and intracellular nitrate often had elevated δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3 values. Experiments including suboxic and anoxic incubations of B. argentea revealed a decrease in intracellular nitrate concentration and an increase in δ15NNO3 and δ18ONO3over time, indicating nitrate respiration and/or denitrification within the foraminifera. Results illustrate that nitrate reduction occurs in a range of foraminiferal species, including some possessing endobionts (including a chloroplast‐sequestering species) and others lacking endobionts, implying that microbial associates may not solely be responsible for this process in foraminifera. Furthermore, we show that benthic foraminifera may represent important reservoirs of nitrate storage in sediments, as well as mediators of its removal.
The potential for microbial life in the highest‐elevation (>6000 m.a.s.l.) mineral soils of the Atacama region
Authors: Lynch R. C. , King A. J. , Farías Mariá E. , Sowell P. , Vitry Christian , Schmidt S. K.
Published: May 2012

Here we present the first culture‐independent microbiological and biogeochemical study of the mineral soils from 6000 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.) on some the highest volcanoes in the Atacama region of Argentina and Chile. These soils experience some of the harshest environmental conditions on Earth including daily temperature fluctuations across the freezing point (with an amplitude of up to 70°C) and intense solar radiation. Soil carbon and water levels are among the lowest yet measured for a terrestrial ecosystem and enzyme activity was near or below detection limits for all microbial enzymes measured. The soil microbial communities were among the simplest yet studied in a terrestrial environment and contained novel Bacteria and Fungi and only one Archaeal phylotype. No photosynthetic organisms were detected but several of the dominant bacterial phylotypes are related to organisms involved in carbon monoxide oxidation on other volcanoes (e.g.,Pseudonocardia and Ktedonobacter spp.). Focused studies of a gene responsible for carbon monoxide oxidation, the large subunit of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (coxL of CODH), revealed several novel lineages and a broad diversity of coxL genes. Overall our results suggest that a unique microbial community, sustained by diffuse atmospheric and volcanic gases, is barely functioning on these volcanoes, which represent the highest terrestrial ecosystems yet studied.
Optimization of Supervised Cluster Analysis for Extracting Reference Tissue Input Curves in (R)-[11C]PK11195 Brain PET Studies
Authors: Yaqub Maqsood , van Berckel Bart NM , Schuitemaker Alie , Hinz Rainer , Turkheimer Federico E , Tomasi Giampaolo , Lammertsma Adriaan A , Boellaard Ronald
Published: May 2012

Performance of two supervised cluster analysis (SVCA) algorithms for extracting reference tissue curves was evaluated to improve quantification of dynamic (R)-[11C]PK11195 brain positron emission tomography (PET) studies. Reference tissues were extracted from images using both a manually defined cerebellum and SVCA algorithms based on either four (SVCA4) or six (SVCA6) kinetic classes. Data from controls, mild cognitive impairment patients, and patients with Alzheimer's disease were analyzed using various kinetic models including plasma input, the simplified reference tissue model (RPM) and RPM with vascular correction (RPM V b). In all subject groups, SVCA-based reference tissue curves showed lower blood volume fractions ( V b) and volume of distributions than those based on cerebellum time-activity curve. Probably resulting from the presence of specific signal from the vessel walls that contains in normal condition a significant concentration of the 18 kDa translocation protein. Best contrast between subject groups was seen using SVCA4-based reference tissues as the result of a lower number of kinetic classes and the prior removal of extracerebral tissues. In addition, incorporation of V b in RPM improved both parametric images and binding potential contrast between groups. Incorporation of V b within RPM, together with SVCA4, appears to be the method of choice for analyzing cerebral (R)-[11C]PK11195 neurodegeneration studies.
Mutational analysis of putative phosphate- and proton-binding sites in the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pho84 phosphate:H+ transceptor and its effect on signalling to the PKA and PHO pathways
Authors: Samyn Dieter R. , Ruiz-Pávon Lorena , Andersson Michael R. , Popova Yulia , Thevelein Johan M. , Persson Bengt L.
Published: May 2012

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Pho84 phosphate transporter acts as the main provider of phosphate to the cell using a proton symport mechanism, but also mediates rapid activation of the PKA (protein kinase A) pathway. These two features led to recognition of Pho84 as a transceptor. Although the physiological role of Pho84 has been studied in depth, the mechanisms underlying the transport and sensor functions are unclear. To obtain more insight into the structure–function relationships of Pho84, we have rationally designed and analysed site-directed mutants. Using a three-dimensional model of Pho84 created on the basis of the GlpT permease, complemented with multiple sequence alignments, we selected Arg168 and Lys492, and Asp178, Asp358 and Glu473 as residues potentially involved in phosphate or proton binding respectively, during transport. We found that Asp358 (helix 7) and Lys492 (helix 11) are critical for the transport function, and might be part of the putative substrate-binding pocket of Pho84. Moreover, we show that alleles mutated in the putative proton-binding site Asp358 are still capable of strongly activating PKA pathway targets, despite their severely reduced transport activity. This indicates that signalling does not require transport and suggests that mutagenesis of amino acid residues involved in binding of the co-transported ion may constitute a promising general approach to separate the transport and signalling functions in transceptors.
A key role for Mg2+ in TRPM7's control of ROS levels during cell stress
Authors: Chen Hsiang-Chin , Su Li-Ting , González-Pagán Omayra , Overton Jeffrey D. , Runnels Loren W.
Published: May 2012

The TRPM7 (transient receptor potential melastatin 7) channel has been shown to play a pivotal role in cell survival during brain ischaemia as well as in the survival of other cell types challenged with apoptotic stimuli. Ca2+ is thought to be central to the channel's ability to regulate ROS (reactive oxygen species) production. However, channel-mediated entry of Mg2+ and Zn2+ have also been implicated in cell death. In the present study, we show that depletion of TRPM7 by RNA interference in fibroblasts increases cell resistance to apoptotic stimuli by decreasing ROS levels in an Mg2+-dependent manner. Depletion of TRPM7 lowered cellular Mg2+, decreased the concentration of ROS and lessened p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) activation as well as decreased caspase 3 activation and PARP [poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase] cleavage in response to apoptotic stimuli. Re-expression of TRPM7 or of a kinase-inactive mutant of TRPM7 in TRPM7-knockdown cells increased cellular Mg2+ and ROS levels, as did expression of the Mg2+ transporter SLC41A2 (solute carrier family 41 member 2). In addition, expression of SLC41A2 increased the sensitivity of TRPM7-knockdown cells to apoptotic stimuli and boosted ROS generation in response to cell stress. Taken together, these data uncover an essential role for Mg2+ in TRPM7's control of cell survival and in the regulation of cellular ROS levels.
Corrigendum to: Phylogenetic relationships in the lizard genus Diplodactylus Gray and resurrection of Lucasium Wermuth (Gekkota, Diplodactylidae)
Authors: Oliver Paul M. , Hutchinson Mark N. , Cooper Steven J. B.
Published: May 2012

Diplodactylid geckos offer a model system for investigating the biogeographic history of Australia and adaptive radiations in the arid zone, but there is considerable uncertainty in the systematics of several key genera. We used sequence data from mitochondrial DNA to carry out a comprehensive analysis of phylogenetic relationships of geckos in the genus Diplodactylus. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses were highly concordant and allocated all species to one of two monophyletic clades, one comprising the species placed in the vittatus and conspicillatus species groups, the other comprising species placed in the stenodactylus and steindachneri species groups, plus D. byrnei, formerly in the vittatus group. The distinctness of these two clades is supported by external morphology of the digits, body and limb proportions, and osteology of the bones in the orbital region, and we use these characters to formally define the two clades as genera. We revive and expand the genus Lucasium for D. byrnei, D. steindachneri and the stenodactylus group, with the other species staying in a redefined Diplodactylus. The monotypic Rhynchoedura is distinct from Lucasium, although the Bayesian mtDNA analysis (but not parsimony) gives some support for a sister-group relationship between Lucasium and Rhynchoedura. Molecular data suggest that each of these clades represents a distinct radiation into semiarid and arid terrestrial habitats during the mid-Tertiary, well before the hypothesised Pliocene onset of major aridification.
Suppression of heat shock protein 27 induces long-term dormancy in human breast cancer
Authors: Straume Oddbjørn , Shimamura Takeshi , Lampa Michael J. G. , Carretero Julian , Øyan Anne M. , Jia Di , Borgman Christa L. , Soucheray Margaret , Downing Sean R. , Short Sarah M. , Kang Soo-Young , Wang Souming , Chen Liang , Collett Karin , Bachmann Ingeborg , Wong Kwok-Kin , Shapiro Geoffrey I. , Kalland Karl Henning , Folkman Judah , Watnick Randolph S. , Akslen Lars A. , Naumov George N.
Published: May 2012

The mechanisms underlying tumor dormancy have been elusive and not well characterized. We recently published an experimental model for the study of human tumor dormancy and the role of angiogenesis, and reported that the angiogenic switch was preceded by a local increase in VEGF-A and basic fibroblast growth factor. In this breast cancer xenograft model (MDA-MB-436 cells), analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) was significantly up-regulated in angiogenic cells compared with nonangiogenic cells. The effect of HSP27 down-regulation was further evaluated in cell lines, mouse models, and clinical datasets of human patients with breast cancer and melanoma. Stable down-regulation of HSP27 in angiogenic tumor cells was followed by long-term tumor dormancy in vivo. Strikingly, only 4 of 30 HSP27 knockdown xenograft tumors initiated rapid growth after day 70, in correlation with a regain of HSP27 protein expression. Significantly, no tumors escaped from dormancy without HSP27 expression. Down-regulation of HSP27 was associated with reduced endothelial cell proliferation and decreased secretion of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, and basic fibroblast growth factor. Conversely, overexpression of HSP27 in nonangiogenic cells resulted in expansive tumor growth in vivo. By clinical validation, strong HSP27 protein expression was associated with markers of aggressive tumors and decreased survival in patients with breast cancer and melanoma. An HSP27-associated gene expression signature was related to molecular subgroups and survival in breast cancer. Our findings suggest a role for HSP27 in the balance between tumor dormancy and tumor progression, mediated by tumor–vascular interactions. Targeting HSP27 might offer a useful strategy in cancer treatment.
Energetics of stalk intermediates in membrane fusion are controlled by lipid composition
Authors: Aeffner Sebastian , Reusch Tobias , Weinhausen Britta , Salditt Tim
Published: May 2012

We have used X-ray diffraction on the rhombohedral phospholipid phase to reconstruct stalk structures in different pure lipids and lipid mixtures with unprecedented resolution, enabling a quantitative analysis of geometry, as well as curvature and hydration energies. Electron density isosurfaces are used to study shape and curvature properties of the bent lipid monolayers. We observe that the stalk structure is highly universal in different lipid systems. The associated curvatures change in a subtle, but systematic fashion upon changes in lipid composition. In addition, we have studied the hydration interaction prior to the transition from the lamellar to the stalk phase. The results indicate that facilitating dehydration is the key to promote stalk formation, which becomes favorable at an approximately constant interbilayer separation of 9.0 ± 0.5 
Å
for the investigated lipid compositions.
Amino acid addition to
Vibrio cholerae
LPS establishes a link between surface remodeling in Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
Authors: Hankins Jessica V. , Madsen James A. , Giles David K. , Brodbelt Jennifer S. , Trent M. Stephen
Published: May 2012

Historically, the O1 El Tor and classical biotypes of
Vibrio cholerae
have been differentiated by their resistance to the antimicrobial peptide polymyxin B. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with this phenotypic distinction have remained a mystery for 50 y. Both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria modify their cell wall components with amine-containing substituents to reduce the net negative charge of the bacterial surface, thereby promoting cationic antimicrobial peptide resistance. In the present study, we demonstrate that
V. cholerae
modify the lipid A anchor of LPS with glycine and diglycine residues. This previously uncharacterized lipid A modification confers polymyxin resistance in
V. cholerae
El Tor, requiring three
V. cholerae
proteins: Vc1577 (AlmG), Vc1578 (AlmF), and Vc1579 (AlmE). Interestingly, the protein machinery required for glycine addition is reminiscent of the Gram-positive system responsible for
d
-alanylation of teichoic acids. Such machinery was not thought to be used by Gram-negative organisms.
V. cholerae
O1 El Tor mutants lacking genes involved in transferring glycine to LPS showed a 100-fold increase in sensitivity to polymyxin B. This work reveals a unique lipid A modification and demonstrates a charge-based remodeling strategy shared between Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms.
Heterotrimer-independent regulation of activation-loop phosphorylation of Snf1 protein kinase involves two protein phosphatases
Authors: Ruiz Amparo , Liu Yang , Xu Xinjing , Carlson Marian
Published: May 2012

The SNF1/AMP-activated protein kinases are αβγ-heterotrimers that sense and regulate energy status in eukaryotes. They are activated by phosphorylation of the catalytic Snf1/α subunit, and the Snf4/γ regulatory subunit regulates phosphorylation through adenine nucleotide binding. In
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
, the Snf1 subunit is phosphorylated on the activation-loop Thr-210 in response to glucose limitation. To assess the requirement of the heterotrimer for regulated Thr-210 phosphorylation, we examined Snf1 and a truncated Snf1 kinase domain (residues 1–309) that has partial Snf1 function. Snf1(1–309) does not interact with the β and Snf4/γ regulatory subunits, and its activity was independent of them in vivo. Phosphorylation of both Snf1 and Snf1(1–309) increased in response to glucose limitation in wild-type cells and in cells lacking β- and Snf4/γ-subunits. These results indicate that glucose regulation of activation-loop phosphorylation can occur by mechanism(s) that function independently of the regulatory subunits. We further show that the Reg1-Glc7 protein phosphatase 1 and Sit4 type 2A-like phosphatase are largely responsible for dephosphorylation of Thr-210 of Snf1(1–309). Together, these findings suggest that these two phosphatases mediate heterotrimer-independent regulation of Thr-210 phosphorylation.
THREATS TO MODERNITY, THREATS OF MODERNITY
Authors: Achinger Christine
Published: May 2012

This paper illustrates how the study of literature can inform sociological research on racism and antisemitism by sharpening our perception of the commonalities and differences between the respective stereotypes and of their functions for the construction of collective self-identities. Drawing on the case study of Gustav Freytag's best-selling novel Soll und Haben (Debit and Credit, 1855), the paper argues that antisemitism and racism frequently represent complementary reactions to the experience of capitalist modernisation.
THE BLIND SPOTS OF SECULARIZATION
Authors: Baer Alejandro , López Paula
Published: May 2012

According to several international surveys Spain is among the western countries with the most negative views of Jews. While quantitative data on the topic accumulates, there is a significant lack of interpretative approaches that might explain the particular Spanish case. This paper presents the background, methodology and major results of a discussion group-based study on antisemitism, which was conducted in Spain in the autumn of 2009. The study identifies and locates in different socio-economic and ideological milieus the range of stereotypical discourses on Jews, Judaism and the Arab–Israeli conflict in Spain. Analysis of the group meetings shows that, despite growing secularization in Spanish society, the central explanatory variable for persisting and resurging antisemitism in this country is still religion in a broad cultural sense.
Predicting the names of the best teams after the knock‐out phase of a cricket series
Authors: Lemmer Hermanus Hofmeyr
Published: May 2012

Cricket players' performances can best be judged after a large number of matches had been played. For test or one‐day international (ODI) players, career data are normally used to calculate performance measures. These are normally good indicators of future performances, although various factors influence the performance of a player in a specific match. It is often necessary to judge players' performances based on a small number of scores, e.g. to identify the best players after a short series of matches. The challenge then is to use the best available criteria in order to assess performances as accurately and fairly as possible. In the present study the results of the knock‐out phase of an International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup ODI Series are used to predict the names of the best teams by means of a suitably formulated logistic regression model. Despite using very sparse data, the methods used are reasonably successful. It is also shown that if the same technique is applied to career ratings, very good results are obtained.
Influence of shock wave propagation on dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator performance
Authors: Erfani Rasool , Zare-Behtash Hossein , Kontis Konstantinos
Published: May 2012

Interest in plasma actuators as active flow control devices is growing rapidly due to their lack of mechanical parts, light weight and high response frequency. Although the flow induced by these actuators has received much attention, the effect that the external flow has on the performance of the actuator itself must also be considered, especially the influence of unsteady high-speed flows which are fast becoming a norm in the operating flight envelopes. The primary objective of this study is to examine the characteristics of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator when exposed to an unsteady flow generated by a shock tube. This type of flow, which is often used in different studies, contains a range of flow regimes from sudden pressure and density changes to relatively uniform high-speed flow regions. A small circular shock tube is employed along with the schlieren photography technique to visualize the flow. The voltage and current traces of the plasma actuator are monitored throughout, and using the well-established shock tube theory the change in the actuator characteristics are related to the physical processes which occur inside the shock tube. The results show that not only is the shear layer outside of the shock tube affected by the plasma but the passage of the shock front and high-speed flow behind it also greatly influences the properties of the plasma.
Age and fine-scale marine growth of Atlantic salmon post-smolts in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: Jensen Arne J. , Ó Maoiléidigh Niall , Thomas Katie , Einarsson Sigurdur M. , Haugland Monika , Erkinaro Jaakko , Fiske Peder , Friedland Kevin D. , Gudmundsdottir Asta K. , Haantie Jari , Holm Marianne , Holst Jens Christian , Jacobsen Jan Arge , Jensås Jan G. , Kuusela Jorma , Melle Webjørn , Mork Kjell Arne , Wennevik Vidar , Østborg Gunnel M.
Published: May 2012

Jensen, A. J., Ó Maoiléidigh, N., Thomas, K., Einarsson, S. M., Haugland, M., Erkinaro, J., Fiske, P., Friedland, K. D., Gudmundsdottir, A. K., Haantie, J., Holm, M., Holst, J. C., Jacobsen, J. A., Jensås, J. G., Kuusela, J., Melle, W., Mork, K. A., Wennevik, V., and Østborg, G. M. 2012. Age and fine-scale marine growth of Atlantic salmon post-smolts in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1668–1677. Surface trawls were conducted over a large area of the Northeast Atlantic in 2002, 2003, 2008, and 2009 to collect samples of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolts during their marine feeding migration (n = 2242). The dominant smolt age of wild post-smolts was 2 years, followed by 1- and 3-year-old fish, and a few 4-year-old fish. The average rate of circulus formation in the marine zone of scales was estimated to be 6.3 d circulus−1. Both the age structure and the number of marine circuli in the scales suggest that the majority of the post-smolts originated in rivers in southern Europe. Applying intercirculi distances in scales as a proxy variable of growth rate suggests that putative marine growth rates varied among years, with the fastest growth rates in 2002 and the slowest growth rates in 2008. Further, the first marine intercirculi distances were narrowest in 1-year-old smolts, successively increasing with smolt age, indicating that growth rates during the first period at sea were lowest for salmon of southernmost origin. Growth indices are linked to prevailing environmental and biological conditions.
Both predation and feeding opportunities may explain changes in survival of Baltic salmon post-smolts
Authors: Mäntyniemi Samu , Romakkaniemi Atso , Dannewitz Johan , Palm Stefan , Pakarinen Tapani , Pulkkinen Henni , Gårdmark Anna , Karlsson Olle
Published: May 2012

Mäntyniemi, S., Romakkaniemi, A., Dannewitz, J., Palm, S., Pakarinen, T., Pulkkinen, H., Gårdmark, A., and Karlsson, O. 2012. Both predation and feeding opportunities may explain changes in survival of Baltic salmon post-smolts. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1574–1579. The survival of wild and hatchery-reared post-smolts of salmon (Salmo salar) in the Baltic Sea has declined since the 1990s. Direct observations of the processes affecting survival are, however, lacking. Here, the importance of food availability and predation in regulating post-smolt survival is analysed. Based on previous studies, the following explanatory variables were selected: (i) availability of herring (Clupea harengus membras) recruits in the Gulf of Bothnia (Bothnian Sea, Bothnian Bay) in the northern Baltic Sea; (ii) sprat (Sprattus sprattus balticus) and herring abundance in the southern Baltic Sea; and (iii) abundance of grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) along the post-smolt migration route. Bayesian analysis was used to estimate the relative probability of each of the 32 combinations of these variables and revealed that the model including grey seal abundance and herring recruits per post-smolt had the highest posterior probability and a high coefficient of determination. The results suggest that the declining trend in post-smolt survival is explained by the increased number of grey seals, whereas the annual variation in survival coincides with variation in the recruitment of Bothnian Sea herring. However, it remains uncertain whether the observed correlations arise from direct causalities or other mechanisms.
Molecular Characterization of Stolbur Group Subgroup E (16SrXII-E) Phytoplasma Associated with Potatoes in China
Authors: Cheng M. , Dong J. , Zhang L. , Laski P. J. , Zhang Z. , McBeath J. H.
Published: May 2012

Phytoplasmas have been reported from more than 70 plant species in China, most of which are from woody plants and very few are from potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). During the growing seasons of 2005 through 2011, potato disease surveys were conducted in seed and commercial fields in Yunnan Province and Inner Mongolia. Potato plants displayed symptoms of curled, yellowish and purplish leaves, shortened internodes, aerial tuber formation, and few small malformed underground tubers. Although the location of the fields surveyed each year varied, the disease seems to have become increasingly prevalent. In Yunnan, disease incidence was 5 to 24% in 2005 and 15 to 100% in 2010 and 2011. In Inner Mongolia, disease incidence in seed potato fields was 5 to 15% in 2006 and 25 to 50% in 2011. Total DNA was extracted from the leaves, stems, and roots of symptomatic and asymptomatic plants with a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturer's instruction. A nested PCR was performed by using primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 to detect the presence of phytoplasmas (1,3). An approximate 1.25-kb PCR product was amplified from symptomatic plants but not from asymptomatic plants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were analyzed by digesting the 1.2-kb amplicon singly with restriction enzymes AluI, BfaI, HhaI, HpaI, KpnI, MseI, and TaqI. Comparing the RFLP patterns of samples with previously published phytoplasma strains, the phytoplasmas matched patterns of the stolbur group, subgroup E (16SrXII-E) (1). In addition, the PCR product from P1/P7, diluted 1:30, was amplified by using primer pair P1A/P7A (2). The nested PCR product was cloned into pCR8/GW/TOPO vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and sequenced by the Core Lab of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and GENEWIZ (South Plainfield, NJ). Nucleotide sequences (GenBank Accession No. EU293841) were analyzed by iPhyClassifier software (4), confirming the relationship of this phytoplasma to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fragariae’ with RFLP patterns identical to group 16SrXII-E. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of the stolbur group phytoplasmas associated with potato disease in China. The potato is becoming increasingly important in China. The impacts of stolbur on potato yield losses, disease distributions, and insect vectors are currently under investigation.

References: (1) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:1153, 1998. (2) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol 54:337, 2004. (3) C. D. Smart et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:2988, 1996. (4) Y. Zhao et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2582, 2009.
First Report of Anthracnose Fruit Rot of Strawberry Caused by Colletotrichum acutatum in Montenegro
Authors: Latinovic J. , Latinovic N. , Tiodorovic J. , Odalovic A.
Published: May 2012

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) in Montenegro have become an increasingly important economic crop in recent years. During May 2011, severe fruit damage in strawberry cv. Clery was observed in two fields in the Podgorica region. Fruit symptoms were typical for strawberry anthracnose: sunken, dark brown to black circular lesions appeared on maturing fruits. However, no stem, crown, or foliar symptoms were observed. Under wet conditions, orange masses of conidia were produced in acervuli in the center of lesions. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, cylindrical, with pointed ends, measuring 9.8 to 17.2 (mean 14.3) × 2.5 to 6.1 (mean 4.4) μm. Colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) were initially white, then turned gray as conidia formed in orange to salmon pink masses around the center of the culture. Setae or an ascigerous stage were never observed in culture or on the host. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by inoculating ripe and unripe asymptomatic fruits (20 of each, removed from strawberry plants cv. Clery) with the isolated fungus. Fruits were sprayinoculated (106 conidia/ml). An equal number of noninoculated fruits were used as a control. After incubation time of 2 to 3 days at 25°C in a moist chamber, symptoms appeared on inoculated ripe fruits. On unripe fruits, the lesions developed only 3 to 4 days after the inoculation. No symptoms were found on control fruits. The fungus was reisolated from fruits, after which typical morphological characteristics developed in culture as described above. On the basis of the symptoms, the morphological and cultural characteristics of the fungus, and the pathogenicity test, the disease was identified as strawberry anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum, which is in accordance with previous reports (1,2,3,4). The isolate was submitted to the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures in the Netherlands (CBS 131813). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal DNA was amplified with ITS1F and ITS4 primers, sequenced, and submitted to NCBI GenBank (Accession No. JQ424934). BLASTn searches of GenBank using the ITS sequence revealed 99% similarity with database sequences of C. acutatum. Since the pathogen was found in the main Montenegrin strawberry production area, it poses a threat to strawberry production in Montenegro. To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose fruit rot of strawberry in Montenegro.

References: (1) S. G. Bobev et al. Plant Dis. 86:1178, 2002. (2) F. M. Dai et al. Plant Dis. 90:1460, 2006. (3) U. Nilsson et al. Plant Dis. 89:1242, 2005. (4) A. Stensvand et al. Plant Dis. 85:558, 2001.
A Protocol for Assessing Resistance to Aphelenchoides fragariae in Hosta Cultivars
Authors: Zhen Fu , Agudelo Paula , Gerard Patrick
Published: May 2012

The use of resistant and tolerant cultivars is an important component of an integrated management plan for foliar nematodes on hosta. In order to identify tolerance and resistance in commercial hosta cultivars, reliable and efficient screening methods are required. To optimize the screening protocol, a series of greenhouse experiments was conducted using six hosta cultivars and two types of nematode inoculum. The pathogenicity and reproduction of Aphelenchoides fragariae maintained on fungal cultures versus maintenance on hosta were evaluated with two inoculation methods (with injury and without injury). Both sources of inoculum were pathogenic on all six cultivars tested but the plant inoculum caused two to eight times larger lesions than the fungus inoculum. Both inocula caused larger lesions and resulted in higher reproduction rates on injured leaves than on noninjured leaves. Water soaking was more efficient than traditional Baermann funnel extraction methods. Correlations between foliage symptom severity and nematode reproduction were low or nonexistence. A numerical scale for faster assessment of disease severity was developed, and recommendations for a reliable protocol for assessment of resistance and tolerance are discussed.
Identification and Detection ofPhytophthora: Reviewing Our Progress, Identifying Our Needs
Authors: Martin Frank N. , Abad Z. Gloria , Balci Yilmaz , Ivors Kelly
Published: May 2012

With the increased attention given to the genus Phytophthora in the last decade in response to the ecological and economic impact of several invasive species (such as P. ramorum, P. kernoviae, and P. alni), there has been a significant increase in the number of described species. In part, this is due to the extensive surveys in historically underexplored ecosystems (e.g., forest and stream ecosystems) undertaken to determine the spread of invasive species and the involvement of Phytophthora species in forest decline worldwide (e.g., oak decline). The past decade has seen an approximate doubling in the number of described species within the genus Phytophthora, and the number will likely continue to increase as more surveys are completed and greater attention is devoted to clarifying phylogenetic relationships and delineating boundaries in species complexes. The development of molecular resources, the availability of credible sequence databases to simplify identification of new species, and the sequencing of several genomes have provided a solid framework to gain a better understanding of the biology, diversity, and taxonomic relationships within the genus. This information is much needed considering the impact invasive or exotic Phytophthora species have had on natural ecosystems and the regulatory issues associated with their management. While this work is improving our ability to identify species based on phylogenetic grouping, it has also revealed that the genus has a much greater diversity than previously appreciated.
Flight responses by a migratory soaring raptor to changing meteorological conditions
Authors: Lanzone Michael J. , Miller Tricia A. , Turk Philip , Brandes David , Halverson Casey , Maisonneuve Charles , Tremblay Junior , Cooper Jeff , O'Malley Kieran , Brooks Robert P. , Katzner Todd
Published: May 2012

Soaring birds that undertake long-distance migration should develop strategies to minimize the energetic costs of endurance flight. This is relevant because condition upon completion of migration has direct consequences for fecundity, fitness and thus, demography. Therefore, strong evolutionary pressures are expected for energy minimization tactics linked to weather and topography. Importantly, the minute-by-minute mechanisms birds use to subsidize migration in variable weather are largely unknown, in large part because of the technological limitations in studying detailed long-distance bird flight. Here, we show golden eagle (
Aquila chrysaetos
) migratory response to changing meteorological conditions as monitored by high-resolution telemetry. In contrast to expectations, responses to meteorological variability were stereotyped across the 10 individuals studied. Eagles reacted to increased wind speed by using more orographic lift and less thermal lift. Concomitantly, as use of thermals decreased, variation in flight speed and altitude also decreased. These results demonstrate how soaring migrant birds can minimize energetic expenditures, they show the context for avian decisions and choices of specific instantaneous flight mechanisms and they have important implications for design of bird-friendly wind energy.
Hyaluronan hydration generates three-dimensional meso-scale structure in engineered collagen tissues
Authors: Anandagoda Nelomi , Ezra Daniel G. , Cheema Umber , Bailly Maryse , Brown Robert A.
Published: May 2012

Here, we show that the local incorporation of osmotically active hyaluronan into previously compressed collagen constructs results in further rapid dehydration/compression of collagen layers, channel formation and generation of new interfaces; these novel structures, at the nano–micro (i.e. meso-scale) were formed within native collagen gels, in a highly predictable spatial manner and offer important new methods of fabricating scaffolds (e.g. tubes and open-spirals) with potential for use in tissue regeneration such as in peripheral nerves and small vessels. This paper tests the possibility that the local fluid content of a dense collagen network can be controlled by incorporation of an osmotically active (native) macromolecule—hyluronan. This is an exemplar physiological, osmotic swelling agent. Hyaluronan is commonly secreted by cells deep in connective tissues, so is a good candidate for this role in a cell-driven system balancing mechanical compaction of bulk tissue collagen. These constructs may have potential as functionalin vitromodels representing developmental and pathological processes.