bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletal metastatic carcinoma: A case from 15th–20th century Coimbra, Portugal
Authors: Wasterlain S. N. , Ascenso B. F. , Silva A. M.
Published: November 2009

This paper discusses the differential diagnosis of unusual and distinct pathological changes in the skeletal remains of a 40+‐year‐old female from 15th–20th century Coimbra (Portugal). The most affected area seems to have been the skull, but multiple lesions, lytic and/or blastic, have been found throughout the post‐cranial skeleton, more specifically in the scapulae, clavicles, humerus, sternum, ribs, sacrum, innominates and femurs. The differential diagnosis of the lesions gave rise to several possible pathological conditions, namely, Langerhans cell histiocytosis (granulomatosis or Histiocytosis X), multiple myeloma and metastatic carcinoma. Various macroscopic and radiological aspects lead us to consider metastatic carcinoma as the most probable diagnosis. Despite the argumentative identity of the possible primary lesion, age, sex and the mixed nature of the osseous response are consistent with cancer of the breast but do not exclude other carcinomas, namely lung cancer. With temporal and regional differences emerging in the frequency of malignant tumours, the identification of new cases becomes important, particularly from geographic areas where few cases have been reported. In fact, the present report adds to the only case of metastatic carcinoma detected in non‐identified Portuguese human skeletal remains until now. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of nuclear organization in cancer
Authors: Lever Elliott , Sheer Denise
Published: November 2009

The functional significance of changes in nuclear structure and organization in transformed cells remains one of the most enigmatic questions in cancer biology. In this review, we discuss relationships between nuclear organization and transcription in terms of the three‐dimensional arrangement of genes in the interphase cancer nucleus and the regulatory functions of nuclear matrix proteins. We also analyse the role of nuclear topology in the generation of gene fusions. We speculate that this type of multi‐layered analysis will one day provide a framework for a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic origins of cancer and the identification of new therapeutic targets. Copyright © 2009 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Potentially amyloidogenic conformational intermediates populate the unfolding landscape of transthyretin: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Rodrigues J. Rui , Simões Carlos J. V. , Silva Cândida G. , Brito Rui M. M.
Published: November 2009

Protein aggregation into insoluble fibrillar structures known as amyloid characterizes several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Creutzfeldt‐Jakob. Transthyretin (TTR), a homotetrameric plasma protein, is known to be the causative agent of amyloid pathologies such as FAP (familial amyloid polyneuropathy), FAC (familial amyloid cardiomiopathy) and SSA (senile systemic amyloidosis). It is generally accepted that TTR tetramer dissociation and monomer partial unfolding precedes amyloid fibril formation. To explore the TTR unfolding landscape and to identify potential intermediate conformations with high tendency for amyloid formation, we have performed molecular dynamics unfolding simulations of WT‐TTR and L55P‐TTR, a highly amyloidogenic TTR variant. Our simulations in explicit water allow the identification of events that clearly discriminate the unfolding behavior of WT and L55P‐TTR. Analysis of the simulation trajectories show that (i) the L55P monomers unfold earlier and to a larger extent than the WT; (ii) the single α‐helix in the TTR monomer completely unfolds in most of the L55P simulations while remain folded in WT simulations; (iii) L55P forms, early in the simulations, aggregation‐prone conformations characterized by full displacement of strands C and D from the main β‐sandwich core of the monomer; (iv) L55P shows, late in the simulations, severe loss of the H‐bond network and consequent destabilization of the CBEF β‐sheet of the β‐sandwich; (v) WT forms aggregation‐compatible conformations only late in the simulations and upon extensive unfolding of the monomer. These results clearly show that, in comparison with WT, L55P‐TTR does present a much higher probability of forming transient conformations compatible with aggregation and amyloid formation.
High‐resolution crystal structure of human Mapkap kinase 3 in complex with a high affinity ligand
Authors: Cheng Robert , Felicetti Brunella , Palan Shilpa , Toogood‐Johnson Ian , Scheich Christoph , Barker John , Whittaker Mark , Hesterkamp Thomas
Published: November 2009

The Mapkap kinases 2 and 3 (MK2 and MK3) have been implicated in intracellular signaling pathways leading to the production of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha. MK2 has been pursued by the biopharmaceutical industry for many years for the development of a small molecule anti‐inflammatory treatment and drug‐like inhibitors have been described. The development of some of these compounds, however, has been slowed by the absence of a high‐resolution crystal structure of MK2. Herein we present a high‐resolution (1.9 Å) crystal structure of the highly homologous MK3 in complex with a pharmaceutical lead compound. While all of the canonical features of Ser/Thr kinases in general and MK2 in particular are recapitulated in MK3, the detailed analysis of the binding interaction of the drug‐like ligand within the adenine binding pocket allows relevant conclusions to be drawn for the further design of potent and selective drug candidates.
Complex formation between human prostate‐specific antigen and protease inhibitors in mouse plasma
Authors: Hekim Can , Riipi Tero , Zhu Lei , Laakkonen Pirjo , Stenman Ulf‐Håkan , Koistinen Hannu
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND

When secreted from the prostate, most of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) is free and enzymatically active. Upon reaching circulation, active PSA is inactivated by complex formation with protease inhibitors. To justify the use of mouse models for evaluation of the function of PSA and for studies on therapeutic modalities based on modulation of PSA activity, it is important to know whether PSA complexation is similar in mouse and man.

METHODS

To characterize the circulating forms of PSA in mouse, we used subcutaneous LNCaP and 22RV1 human prostate cancer cell xenograft tumor models. We also added PSA directly to mouse serum. Free and total PSA were measured by immunoassay, and PSA complexes were extracted by immunopurification followed by SDS–PAGE, in‐gel trypsin digestion and identification of signature peptides by mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

In mice bearing xenograft tumors, 68% of the immunoreactive PSA occurred in complex, and when added to mouse serum, over 70% of PSA forms complexes that comprises α2‐macroglobulin and members of the α1‐antitrypsin (AAT) family.

CONCLUSION

In mouse plasma, PSA forms complexes similar to those in man, but the major immunoreactive complex contains AAT rather than α1‐antichymotrypsin, which is the main complex forming serpin in man. The complex formation of PSA produced by xenograft tumor models in mice is similar to that of human prostate tumors with respect to the complexation of PSA. Prostate 70: 482–490, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential phosphoprotein levels and pathway analysis identify the transition mechanism of LNCaP cells into androgen‐independent cells
Authors: Wang Hui Qing , Yang Bo , Xu Chuan Liang , Wang Lin Hui , Zhang Yu Xi , Xu Bin , Ji Jia Tao , Sun Ying Hao
Published: November 2009

BACKGROUND

Androgen withdrawal can prolong life in men with advanced prostate cancer, but these remissions are temporary because the surviving cells progress as hormone‐refractory cancer. The mechanisms that are involved in the transition of androgen‐dependent prostate cancer into androgen‐independent prostate cancer (AIPC) are not fully understood.

OBJECTIVE

To identify globally differentially expressed phosphoproteins in the androgen‐independent prostate, to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie the formation of AIPC and to identify new molecular targets that can be used to develop treatments for the disease.

METHODS

An androgen‐independent LNCaP cell line, LNCaP‐AI, was established using androgen ablation. Differentially expressed phosphoproteins in LNCaP cells and LNCaP‐AI cells were enriched by immunoprecipitation, analyzed by 2D‐PAGE and identified by MALDI‐TOF MS. Total protein expression levels for two regulated proteins were confirmed by Western blot. Association network analysis was carried out using the STRING database.

RESULTS

The phosphorylation statuses of 17 proteins were significantly (P < 0.05) different between LNCaP‐AI cells and LNCaP cells. Most proteins that were identified are known to be involved in tumor progression, and several of these proteins could be constructed into an association network. A further analysis by bioinformatics indicated that P53, HSP27, and the MAPK pathway may contribute to the transition from androgen‐dependence to androgen‐independence.

CONCLUSION

Blocking the MAPK signaling pathway may be useful in the treatment of AIPC. Prostate 70: 508–517, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nanomaterial standards for efficacy and toxicity assessment
Authors: Adiseshaiah Pavan P. , Hall Jennifer B. , McNeil Scott E.
Published: November 2009

Decreased toxicity via selective delivery of cancer therapeutics to tumors has become a hallmark achievement of nanotechnology. In order to be optimally efficacious, a systemically administered nanomedicine must reach cancer cells in sufficient quantities to elicit a response and assume its active form within the tumor microenvironment (e.g., be taken up by cancer cells and release a toxic component once within the cytosol or nuclei). Most nanomedicines achieve selective tumor accumulation via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect or a combination of the EPR effect and active targeting to cellular receptors. Here, we review how the fundamental physicochemical properties of a nanomedicine (its size, charge, hydrophobicity, etc.) can dramatically affect its distribution to cancerous tissue, transport across vascular walls, and retention in tumors. We also discuss how nanoparticle characteristics such as stability in the blood and tumor, cleavability of covalently bound components, cancer cell uptake, and cytotoxicity contribute to efficacy once the nanoparticle has reached the tumor's interstitial space. We elaborate on how tumor vascularization and receptor expression vary depending on cancer type, stage of disease, site of implantation, and host species, and review studies which have demonstrated that these variations affect tumor response to nanomedicines. Finally, we show how knowledge of these properties (both of the nanoparticle and the cancer/tumor under study) can be used to design meaningfulin vivotests to evaluate nanoparticle efficacy.WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol2010 2 99–112

This article is categorized under:

Toxicology and Regulatory Issues in Nanomedicine > Toxicology of Nanomaterials
Single HCC smaller than 2 cm: surgery or ablation?
Authors: Takayama Tadatoshi , Makuuchi Masatoshi , Hasegawa Kiyoshi
Published: November 2009

Purpose

For hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), surgical resection and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) are accepted as effective treatments. To clarify the long‐term outcome in patients with small HCC, we analyzed data from a nationwide survey of Japan.

Methods

Between 2000 and 2003, a total of 2,550 patients who had undergone resection (n = 1,235) or RFA (n = 1,315) for single small HCC (≤2 cm) were registered to the database of the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan (LCSGJ).

Results

After a median follow‐up period of 37 months, disease‐free survival after resection was significantly better than after RFA (1‐year, 91 vs. 87%; 2‐year, 46 vs. 25%;P = 0.001), but overall survival after resection and RFA were similar (98 vs. 99%; 94 vs. 95%,P = 0.28). In the patients of Child–Pugh class A, disease‐free survival was significantly better after resection (n = 1,056) than after RFA (n = 965) (P = 0.001), while overall survival was not significantly different (P = 0.16). In the patients of Child–Pugh class B, both disease‐free and overall survival were almost similar (P = 0.63 andP = 0.66) after resection (n = 136) and RFA (n = 303).

Conclusions

For single small HCC (≤2 cm), surgical resection provides better disease‐free survival than does RFA. Longer follow‐up is needed to regard this indication as conclusive.
Architecture and growth of an annual plant Chenopodium album in different light climates
Authors: Nishimura Eriko , Suzaki Emi , Irie Mami , Nagashima Hisae , Hirose Tadaki
Published: November 2009

Light climates strongly influence plant architecture and mass allocation. Using the metamer concept, we quantitatively described branching architecture and growth of Chenopodium album plants grown solitarily or in a dense stand. Metamer is a unit of plant construction that is composed of an internode and the upper node with a leaf and a subtended axillary bud. The number of metamers on the main‐axis stem increased with plant growth, but did not differ between solitary and dense‐stand plants. Solitary plants had shorter thicker internodes with branches larger in size and number than the plant in the dense stand. Leaf area on the main stem was not different. Larger leaf area in solitary plants was due to a larger number of leaves on branches. Leaf mass per area (LMA) was higher in solitary plants. It did not significantly differ between the main axis and branches in solitary plants, whereas in the dense stand it was smaller on branches. Dry mass was allocated most to leaves in solitary plants and to stems in the dense stand in vegetative growth. Reproductive allocation was not significantly different. Branch/main stem mass ratio was higher in solitary than dense‐stand plants, and leaf/stem mass ratio higher in branches than in the main axis. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) (dry mass growth per unit N uptake) was higher and light use efficiency (LUE) (dry mass growth per unit light interception) was lower in the plant grown solitarily than in the dense stand.
Nanocasting Synthesis of Ultrafine WO3 Nanoparticles for Gas Sensing Applications
Authors: Kamali Heidari Elham , Marzbanrad Ehsan , Zamani Cyrus , Raissi Babak
Published: November 2009

Ultrafine WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by nanocasting route, using mesoporous SiO2 as a template. BET measurements showed a specific surface area of 700 m 2/gr for synthesized SiO2, while after impregnation and template removal, this area was reduced to 43 m 2/gr for WO3 nanoparticles. HRTEM results showed single crystalline nanoparticles with average particle size of about 5 nm possessing a monoclinic structure, which is the favorite crystal structure for gas sensing applications. Gas sensor was fabricated by deposition of WO3 nanoparticles between electrodes via low frequency AC electrophoretic deposition. Gas sensing measurements showed that this material has a high sensitivity to very low concentrations of NO2 at 250°C and 300°C.
Effect of Saturated/Unsaturated Fatty Acid Ratio on Physicochemical Properties of Palm Olein–Olive Oil Blend
Authors: Naghshineh Mahsa , Ariffin Abdul Azis , Ghazali Hasanah Mohd , Mirhosseini Hamed , Mohammad Abdulkarim S.
Published: November 2009

Although blending polyunsaturated oil with more saturated or monounsaturated oils has been studied extensively, there is no similar information regarding the partial replacement of palm olein with olive oil (OO). Therefore the main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of OO partial replacement (0, 25, 50, 75, 90 and 100% w/w) on the chemical stability of palm olein oil (POO). The physicochemical properties of oil samples namely iodine value, peroxide value (PV), anisidine value, TOTOX value (total oxidation value, TV), free fatty acid (FFA), cloud point, color and viscosity were considered as response variables. Significant differences among the oil blend properties were determined at the significance level of P < 0.05. Apart from FFA, all the response variables were significantly influenced by type and concentration of oils. The oil blend containing 10% POO and 90% OO showed the highest TV (6.10); whereas the blend containing 90% POO and 10% OO exhibited the least TV (2.41). This study indicated that the chemical stability of oil blend significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing the proportion of polyunsaturated/monounsaturated fatty acid.
Neutralization and anti-homophony in Korean
Authors: SILVERMAN DANIEL
Published: November 2009

Neutralization in Korean involves a large number of oppositions, and affects a significant portion of the lexicon. Nonetheless, it induces remarkably little homophony. These highly divergent facts are argued herein to be related. The present findings suggest a reconsideration of the role that ‘functional load’ (Martinet 1952, Hockett 1967) plays in patterns of sound change.
Metric properties of some fractal sets and applications of inverse pressure
Authors: MIHAILESCU EUGEN
Published: November 2009

We consider iterations of smooth non-invertible maps on manifolds of real dimension 4, which are hyperbolic, conformal on stable manifolds and finite-to-one on basic sets. The dynamics of non-invertible maps can be very different than the one of diffeomorphisms, as was shown for example in [4,7,12,17,19], etc. In [13] we introduced a notion of inverse topological pressureP−which can be used for estimates of the stable dimension δs(x) (i.e the Hausdorff dimension of the intersection between the local stable manifoldWsr(x) and the basic set Λ,x∈ Λ). In [10] it is shown that the usual Bowen equation is not always true in the case of non-invertible maps. By using the notion of inverse pressureP−, we showed in [13] that δs(x) ≤ts(ϵ), wherets(ϵ) is the unique zero of the functiont→P−(tφs, ϵ), for φs(y):= log|Dfs(y)|,y∈ Λ and ϵ > 0 small. In this paper we prove that if Λ is not a repellor, thents(ϵ) < 2 for any ϵ > 0 small enough. In [11] we showed that a holomorphic s-hyperbolic map on2has a global unstable set with empty interior. Here we show in a more general setting than in [11], that the Hausdorff dimension of the global unstable setWu() is strictly less than 4 under some technical derivative condition. In the non-invertible case we may have (infinitely) many unstable manifolds going through a point in Λ, and the number of preimages belonging to Λ may vary. In [17], Qian and Zhang studied the case of attractors for non-invertible maps and gave a condition for a basic set to be an attractor in terms of the pressure of the unstable potential. In our case the situation is different, since the local unstable manifolds may intersect both inside and outside Λ and they do not form a foliation like the stable manifolds. We prove here that the upper box dimension ofWsr(x) ∩ Λ is less thants(ϵ) for any pointx∈ Λ. We give then an estimate of the Hausdorff dimension ofWu() by a different technique, using the Holder continuity of the unstable manifolds with respect to their prehistories.
Internet-Based Caregiver Support for Chinese Canadians Taking Care of a Family Member with Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementia
Authors: Chiu Teresa , Marziali Elsa , Colantonio Angela , Carswell Anne , Gruneir Marilyn , Tang Mary , Eysenbach Gunther
Published: November 2009

L’objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer la facilité d’utilisation d’un nouveau service de soutien pour personnel soignant basé sur Internet (ICSS) et d’évaluer ses effets sur la santé des Canadiens chinois qui ont soigné un membre de la famille atteinte de démence. Les données démogaphiques et de questionnaire ont été recueillies auprès de 28 participants, et des entrevues approfondies ont été realisées avec 10 participants. Les résultats ont démontré que ceux qui n’ont pas participé à ICSS ont revelé plus hauts niveaux de charge après l’intervention, lors que les participants fréquents a montré une réduction en charge après l’intervention. Les croyances traditionelles ont formées les besoins des soignants; de plus, les contextes ethnoculturelle-linquistiques ont touchées la facilité d’utilisation et ont été associées au comportement pendant l’utilisation. De même, l’utilisation d’ICSS a été influencée par la compétence informatique et par préferences linguistiques. Cette étude indique que les soignants peuvent bénéficier du soutien professionnel par e-mails asynchrones et un site Web dedié d’informations. L’ICSS est une approche possible pour soutenir les soignants qui préferent un modèle de service alternative. Ce service emergent nécessite plus de la recherche sur: la conception technologique amélioré, les modèles de prestation de services pour les immigrants soignants et l’évaluation de l’efficacité et rentabilité.
Manque du nom propre et effet de la modalité sur la capacité à reconnaître des personnes connues au cours du vieillissement normal
Authors: Langlois Roxane , Fontaine Francine , Hamel Caroline , Joubert Sven
Published: November 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of aging on the ability a) to name famous faces and b) to access biographical knowledge about famous people from different modalities of presentation (faces and names). Healthy elderly subjects (n = 117) divided into three different age groups were assessed using a semantic memory test of famous people. Results of this study indicate a decline in naming performance between oldest and youngest groups. In contrast, no difference between groups was found in terms of the ability to access semantic knowledge about famous people. Finally, a main effect of modality of presentation (faces vs. names) was found, revealing greater ability to identify famous people in the verbal (names) than in the visual modality (faces). Taken together, results of this study may contribute to developing new cognitive intervention programs in older adults presenting with proper-name anomia.
The Consistency of Definitions of Successful Aging Provided by Older Men: The Manitoba Follow-up Study
Authors: Tate Robert B. , Loewen Brenda L. , Bayomi Dennis J. , Payne Barbara J.
Published: November 2009

Sans une définition universellement accepté du vieillissement réussi, chercheurs examiner plus en plus les vues profanes et définitions du vieillissement des personnes âgées. Pour utiliser les définitions non initiés dans les études de vieillissement, cependant, les chercheurs doivent aborder le cohérence de ces définitions. En 2004, les membres survivants de la cohorte mâle du Manitoba Suivi Study (âge moyen : 83 ans) ont été deux fois demandé leur définition du vieillissement réussi. Une échelle de cohérence a été définie, et une catégorie de cohérence a été attribuée sur la base de la similitude des thèmes dans chacune des 654 paires de définitions. Au moins la moitié des thèmes principaux étaient similaire dans 70 pour cent de la définition de paires; 80 pour cent des répondants ont répété au moins un thème. Événements de santé positive ou négative dans l’intervalle de quatre semaines entre les définitions et les caractéristiques spécifiques des répondants n’ont pas variés de catégories. Cette preuve de cohérence confirme notre dépendance continue des définitions du vieillissement réussi.
Estudio demográfico de los atributos morfológicos y productivos en poblaciones de llamas (Lama glama) de la provincia de Jujuy, Argentina
Authors: Hick M.V.H. , Lamas H.E. , Echenique J. , Prieto A. , Castillo M.F. , Frank E.N.
Published: November 2009

La población de llamas (Lama glama) del altiplano argentino y sur boliviano reúne características especiales en relación al resto de la especie. Si bien se ha establecido el interés de esta población como recurso genético no se han realizado muchos trabajos que describan sus características productivas. En este trabajo se establecieron relaciones entre edad, sexo, morfología de los animales, color de capa (patrones pigmentarios y diseño de manchas) y calidad de la fibra (grados de finuras y diámetros medios, tipos de vellón o estilos y color de mecha) de las tropas de seis áreas del norte del altiplano de la provincia de Jujuy (143 tropas, 10.760 animales). Utilizando un diseño experimental de conglomerados se calcularon frecuencias de los distintos caracteres y coeficientes de correlación entre los mismos. Se llegaron establecer relaciones marcadas entre los tipos de vellón y entre la morfología de los animales y tipos de vellón; tipos de vellón y finura, tipos de vellón y patrones de pigmentación, relación entre diseño de la mancha blanca y finura. Se puede concluir que las tropas estudiadas componen una población de camélidos domésticos con alto potencial de producción de fibra y grandes posibilidades de transformación por medio de los programas de mejoramiento genético.
Utilisation of Garole sheep wool: a step towards the alleviation of poverty
Authors: Banerjee Sandip
Published: November 2009

Garole is a breed of sheep reared in the Sunderban region of India and Bangladesh. The animals of this breed are adapted to the hot and humid coastal region and are often seen grazing in water. Garole are reared as mutton sheep. The value of their wool is grossly ignored and presently wasted. The raw wool obtained from this breed can be stored for a long time without any significant deterioration in quality, that might be attributed to the genetic tolerance of the breed towards fleece rot. The wool quality parameters of Garole sheep indicate that the wool is coarse but has an excellent felting property. The raisers of these sheep are economically challenged members of the society, and handicrafts produced from the wool can assist in the alleviation of poverty as well as provide an alternative livelihood. An organisation has taken steps in scientific sheep rearing in the region and has assisted in training members of the community in the production of rugs from the wool. The organisation is also providing assistance in marketing the products developed on behalf of the beneficiaries.
Navajo-Churro sheep and wool in the United States
Authors: Sponenberg D.P. , Taylor C.
Published: November 2009

Navajo-Churro sheep have been part of the subsistence of three cultures in the Southwest of the United States for over 400 years. These cultures include Navajo (a Native American nation), Hispanic and Anglo. The Navajo-Churro breed nearly became extinct in the 1950s to 1970s, but farsighted conservation programmes were then begun which involved all three cultures in saving this unique breed. Navajo-Churro sheep are a distinctive double-coated Criollo breed. The fleece type is superbly suited to the textiles produced in the local region and which are famous throughout the United States for their unique qualities and cultural relevance. A registry system involving ongoing inspection of each generation assures that the type remains traditional. Census numbers are now close to 3000 head as the breed moves beyond its original homeland to become more widely established throughout the United States.
Chromosomal segments underlying quantitative trait loci for mohair production in Angora goats
Authors: Cano E.M. , Debenedetti S. , Abad M. , Allain D. , Taddeo H.R. , Poli M.A.
Published: November 2009

This study reports the results obtained in the search of chromosomal regions affecting fleece traits in a population of Angora goats in the Argentinean Patagonia. Six hundred thirty-four offspring from 14 parental half-sib families were used. Nine phenotypic fleece traits were recorded at 4 and 11 months of age. A genome examination using 85 informative molecular markers was conducted. A linkage analysis was performed using a regression interval analysis. Our study identified 10 genomic regions affecting the average fibre diameter, coefficient of variation of the average fibre diameter, percentage of fibres with diameters over 30 µm, greasy fleece weight, staple length, average curvature of fibres, percentage of continuous medullated fibres and percentage of kemp fibres located on five goat chromosomes (1, 2, 5, 13 and 19). These results show that the average size of the quantitative trait loci effect was 1.6 phenotypic standard deviations for different traits and families. The aims of quantitative trait loci detection is the potential use of these molecular markers to increase accuracy in predicting the genetic merit of breeding and its implementation in animal breeding schemes through marker-assisted selection.
Genetic diversity among Lagenaria siceraria accessions containing resistance to root-knot nematodes, whiteflies, ZYMV or powdery mildew
Authors: Levi Amnon , Thies Judy , Ling Kai-shu , Simmons Alvin M. , Kousik Chandrasekar , Hassell Richard
Published: November 2009

In recent years, there has been an increased interest in Europe and in the USA in grafting watermelon onto bottle gourd,Lagenaria siceraria(Mol.) Standl. In this study, genetic diversity and relationships were examined [using 236 sequence-related amplified polymorphism markers] among 56 United States plant introductions (PIs) ofL. sicerariaand PIs of important cucurbit crops [includingCucurbita maximaDuchesne (winter squash),Cucurbita pepoL. (squash and pumpkin),Citrullusspp. (watermelon),Cucumis meloL. (melon) andCucumis sativusL. (cucumber)]. The analysis showed thatL. sicerariais distinct and has similar genetic distances to the cucurbit species examined herein. TheL. sicerariaPIs were assembled into two major clusters. One cluster includes groups of PIs collected mostly in South Asia (India) and a few PIs collected in the Mediterranean region and in Northeast Africa. The second cluster includes groups of PIs collected mainly in Southern Africa and in North, Central and South America, and PIs collected in China, Indonesia and Cyprus. AllL. sicerariaPIs in this study were susceptible to the southern root-knot nematode (RKN) [Meloidogyne incognita(Kofoid and White) Sandground]. However, several PIs, among them a group of closely related PIs collected in Mexico and Florida, were less infected with southern RKNs. AllL. sicerariaPIs were infested with whiteflies [Bemisia tabaci(Gennadius)], while several PIs were less infested than others and need further evaluation and selection for developing breeding lines that may be less appealing to this pest. Most of the PIs that showed resistance to zucchini yellow mosaic virus and tolerance to powdery mildew were collected in India and belong to the same phylogenetic groups (PGs). Experiments withL. sicerariaPIs representing different PGs showed similar grafting compatibility with watermelon. Findings from this study should be useful for the development of superiorL. sicerariarootstock lines with enhanced resistance to diseases and insect pests of cucurbit crops.
Seismic tremor at the 9°50′N East Pacific Rise eruption site
Authors: Monigle P. W. , Bohnenstiehl D. R. , Tolstoy M. , Waldhauser F.
Published: November 2009

Ocean bottom seismic observations within the 9°50′N region of the East Pacific Rise indicate persistent, low‐amplitude tremor activity throughout the October 2003 through February 2007 period of monitoring. These signals exhibit either monochromatic or polychromatic spectral characteristics, with a ∼6 Hz fundamental frequency and up to two harmonics. Individual events cannot be correlated between nearby (<1 km) stations, implying the presence of multiple, small‐amplitude sources positioned within the shallow crust. Tremor exhibits a semidiurnal periodicity, with some stations recording activity during times of increasing tidal extension and others detecting tremor signals during times of increasing compression. The amplitude, duration, and rate of activity also correlate positively with fortnightly changes in the amplitude of the tides. These spatiotemporal patterns are consistent with tremor generation in response to tidally modulated fluid flow within a network of shallow cracks. Tremor energy flux is spatially and temporally heterogeneous; however, there are extended periods of greater and lesser activity that can be tracked across portions of the array. Despite their shallow crustal origin, changes in tremor amplitude and spectral character occur in the months prior to a major microearthquake swarm and inferred seafloor spreading event on 22 January 2006, with an increase in the degree of correlation between tremor activity and tidal strain in the weeks leading up to this event. After the spreading event, two eruption‐surviving stations near the axis continue to show high rates of tremor activity, whereas these signals are suppressed at the single station recovered from the near‐axis flanks. This off‐axis quiescence may result from the dike‐induced closing of cracks or perhaps from the emplacement of impermeable flows near the station.
A note on the altitude profiles of the electron production in the atmosphere by micrometeoroids entering it at different initial speeds
Authors: Mendis D. A. , Maravilla D.
Published: November 2009

We have extended our earlier model (Mendis et al., 2005) for the study of the dynamical, thermal and charging history of micrometeoroids entering the earth's atmosphere, by taking into account the role of sputtering, which is important for high‐speed ones. As before we confine ourselves to motion in the night side of the earth. In this short note we will not discuss these, but will confine our attention to the limited, yet important, effect of electron production in the atmosphere, by three different classes of micrometeoroids (fast—“cometary,” average—“cometary,” and slow—“asteroidal”). It is seen that the altitude profiles of the electron production, which lead to the radar signatures of these bodies, are different, not just quantitatively but also qualitatively. This is due to the different relative importance of the three processes responsible for electron production, namely the ones associated with ablation and sputtering of the infalling micrometeoroid and thermionic electron emission from it. It is seen that sputtering‐associated electron production is the dominant process, particularly at higher altitudes, for the fast micrometeoroid (initial entry speed 60 km/s), ablation‐associated electron production is the dominant process for the average one (initial entry speed 30 km/s), while thermionic electron emission is the dominant process for the slow one (initial entry speed 12.5 km/s).
Nightside ionosphere of Mars: Modeling the effects of crustal magnetic fields and electron pitch angle distributions on electron impact ionization
Authors: Lillis Robert J. , Fillingim Matthew O. , Peticolas Laura M. , Brain David A. , Lin Robert P. , Bougher Stephen W.
Published: November 2009

The night side ionosphere of Mars is known to be highly variable: essentially nonexistent in certain geographic locations, while occasionally nearly as strong as the photoionization‐produced dayside ionosphere in others. The factors controlling its structure include thermospheric densities, temperatures and winds, day‐night plasma transport, plasma temperatures, current systems, solar particle events, crustal magnetic fields, and electron precipitation, none of which are adequately understood at present. Using a kinetic Monte Carlo approach called Mars Monte Carlo Electron Transport (MarMCET), we model the dynamics of precipitating solar wind electrons on the nightside ionosphere of Mars to study the effects of these last two factors on ionospheric density and structure. We calculate ionization rate profiles and, using simple assumptions concerning atmospheric chemistry, also calculate electron density profiles, total electron content, and equivalent ionosphere slab thickness. We present the first model investigation of the coupled effects of crustal magnetic field gradients and precipitating electron pitch angle distributions (PADs). Including such effects, particularly in cases of nonisotropic PADs, is found to be essential in accurately predicting ionization rate and electron density profiles: peak ionization rates can vary by a factor of 20 or more when these effects are included.
Accurate inversion of high‐resolution snow penetrometer signals for microstructural and micromechanical properties
Authors: Marshall Hans‐Peter , Johnson Jerome B.
Published: November 2009

Measurements of snow using a high‐resolution micropenetrometer can be used to discriminate between different snow types; in lower‐density snow the signal is sensitive to microstructure, and micromechanical properties can be estimated. Although a physics‐based snow penetration theory was first developed almost a decade ago, since that time the majority of studies using snow micropenetrometers have focused on using direct hardness measurements in statistical relationships. We use Monte‐Carlo simulations to rigorously test the existing physics‐based snow micropenetration theories over a wide range of parameters. These tests revealed four major sources of error in the inversion, which are corrected in this analysis. It is shown that this improved inversion algorithm can recover micromechanical parameters in synthetic data with much greater accuracy over the entire range of micromechanical properties observed in natural snow. Detailed examples of the inversion results are shown for eight different snow types, collected in both Alaskan and alpine snowpacks. The resulting micromechanical properties are distinctly different, indicating that a snow characterization from snow micropenetrometer estimates of micromechanical properties is likely possible. Estimates of the microscale elastic modulus, microscale strength, and structural element length make sense physically when compared to the qualitative descriptions of the different snow types. Microscale strength estimates are used to estimate macroscale strength values, and results from 33 different snow samples, covering a wide range of densities and snow types, are consistent with previously reported values from macroscale tests.
The Effect of Physical Activity on Body Weight
Authors: Jakicic John M.
Published: November 2009

There is evidence to support that low fitness and physical activity, excess body weight, and excess abdominal fatness are associated with increased health risk. Moreover, evidence exists to support that sufficient levels of physical activity can significantly improve body weight, fatness, and health risk. Physical activity has been shown to have a modest effect on body weight that is typically <3% of initial body weight, but has an additive effect when combined with dietary restriction. Moreover, physical activity has been shown to be an important behavioral factor for enhancing long‐term weight loss and minimizing weight regain; however, this may require relatively high doses of physical activity that approach 300min/week. Physical activity may concurrently reduce abdominal adiposity, and which may serve as a pathway by which there is also an improvement in health‐related risk factors for various chronic diseases. There are important areas of research that require further investigation, with particular need to further examine the dose of physical activity that significantly affects these health outcomes. Moreover, there is a need for improved interventions to promote the adoption and long‐term maintenance of physical activity, which can lead to improved weight control, abdominal adiposity, and chronic disease risk factors. Future research is also needed to understand the physiological/metabolic pathways and mechanisms that explain the influence of physical activity on long‐term regulation of body weight.
The Low‐fitness Phenotype as a Risk Factor: More Than Just Being Sedentary?
Authors: Church Timothy
Published: November 2009

Higher levels of fitness are associated with reduced risk of a wide variety of illnesses and chronic conditions. For cardiovascular disease (CVD) and many metabolic conditions, the fitness‐morbidity/mortality curve is not linear but curvilinear, with lower levels of fitness being associated with significantly higher levels of risk compared to moderate and high levels of fitness. We have a very poor understanding of what the low fit phenotype represents as it is clearly more than just low physical activity levels. For example, there are likely some metabolic disadvantaged individuals with intrinsically low fitness and low oxidative capacity that are also prone to being sedentary due to easy fatigability. For these individuals, there exists a worse case scenario of a sedentary lifestyle superimposed on metabolically disadvantaged muscle resulting in the exaggerated CVD and metabolic risk. There is clearly a need for more work exploring the risk associated with low fitness and developing strategies to address the risk of low fitness. For example, we need to (i) define the mechanisms responsible for the exceptional risk associated with being low fit, (ii) identify best physical activity programs for reversing low fitness, (iii) examine whether exercise training nonresponders receive health benefits from exercise training despite the failure to improve fitness, and (iv) explore methods to identify individuals with the “low fit” phenotype without conducting a maximal exercise test. Individuals in the low fit category typically account for the majority of accumulated metabolic/CVD events, thus reducing this risk in this category would have substantial public health and clinical payoff.
From Enzyme Models to Model Enzymes
Authors: Kirby Anthony J , Hollfelder Florian
Published: November 2009

Designing artificial systems with catalytic efficiencies to rival those of natural enzymes is one of the great challenges facing science today. Our current level of understanding fails the basic, practical test - designing and making artificial systems with catalytic efficiencies to rival those of natural enzymes. Chemists and bio-scientists are well aware of this problem, and "artificial enzymes" have been a "hot topic" for many years. However, until now, there has been no book devoted specifically to this subject. This is the first book to provide a critical introduction to, and overview of, this exciting area. It is aimed at students and more senior researchers with specialist or general interests in the field. The book starts with a systematic overview of the most important properties of natural enzymes, with special emphasis on mechanisms and efficiency of catalysis. This is followed by a summary of the mechanisms involved in the major classes of reaction they catalyze, and spells out the logical progression from simple mechanistic models for particular reactions to the first, rudimentary artificial enzymes catalyzing them. Catalytic efficiency is the key criterion for inclusion. An analysis of the strengths and limitations of the classical design-based approach to catalysis by enzyme mimics leads on to a discussion of recent advances which use selection methods coupled with iterative techniques for creating and improving catalysts by natural methods. The comparison of natural and artificial catalysts requires a quantitative understanding based on the interpretation of kinetic measurements. Key skills in data interpretation are introduced in a guided approach that connects the formal treatment of kinetic measurements with their chemical and biological interpretation.
Electronic structure of substitutional Mn in epitaxial In0.965Mn0.035Sb film
Authors: Parashar N. D. , Keavney D. J. , Wessels B. W.
Published: November 2009

The magnetic and electronic structure of Mn in In0.965Mn0.035Sb ferromagnetic semiconductor thin film was studied by x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism. Comparison with atomic multiplet calculations suggests that manganese substitutes on sites with tetrahedral symmetry. Strong magnetic dichroism was observed from 5 to 300 K, at an applied field of 2 T. The temperature dependence of dichroism indicates presence of two magnetic Mn species having very similar spectral features. A high temperature species dominates the dichroic response over 50–300 K and a low temperature species is observed below 50 K.
Zinc and oxygen vacancies in ZnO nanorods
Authors: Travlos A. , Boukos N. , Chandrinou C. , Kwack Ho-Sang , Dang Le Si
Published: November 2009

Nominally undoped ZnO nanorods, which have been grown with intentionally incorporated large concentrations of zinc and oxygen vacancies, are studied with electron microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy at low temperature. Detailed photoluminescence studies reveal that the concentration of these defects depends on the growth conditions of the nanorods as well as on their annealing history. The optical signatures of these two defects at photoluminescence experiments are related with the 3.31 and 3.235 eV peaks. The activation energies of zinc and oxygen vacancies are calculated to be 123 and 199 meV, respectively.
The Debye-like relaxation mechanism in poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) ferroelectric polymers
Authors: Liu P. F. , Gemeiner P. , Meng X. J. , Chu J. H. , Geiger S. , Dkhil B.
Published: November 2009

In this work we studied 65-nm-thick poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) ferroelectric polymers films grown by Langmuir–Blodgett onto silicon substrates. Three dielectric anomalies have been unambiguously evidenced. The high temperature one near 380 K corresponds to the ferroelectric-paraelectric transition. The low temperature one near 270 K which is characterized by a β relaxation is attributed to structural defects in the crystalline phase leading to inhomogeneous strains detected by x-ray diffraction. At approximately 320 K, a Debye-like relaxation is clearly evidenced. Possible origins for this later relaxation are discussed.
Orientation dependence of ferroelectric behavior of BiFeO3 thin films
Authors: Wu Jiagang , Wang John
Published: November 2009

Multiferroic BiFeO3 (BFO) thin films with (111), (100), (110) preferred, and random orientations were deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering on SrRuO3-buffered SrTiO3(111), SrTiO3(100), SrTiO3(110), and Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrates, respectively. The orientation dependences of ferroelectric and fatigue behavior of the BFO thin films were investigated. As expected, the (111)-oriented BFO thin film exhibits the highest, giant ferroelectric polarization (2Pr=196.9 μC/cm2) at 1 kHz and room temperature using positive up negative down measurement, while the (100)-oriented BFO thin film possesses an almost fatigue-free behavior up to 5.25×107 switching cycles when measured at 100 kHz and room temperature. The observed behavior confirms that the largest spontaneous polarization direction and the fatigue endurance are (111) and (100) for BFO thin films, respectively. Regardless of the film orientation, the charge carriers that are responsible for dielectric relaxation and conductivity are oxygen vacancies (VO••) .
Telescopic hot double wall carbon nanotube for nanolithography
Authors: Popescu A. , Woods L. M.
Published: November 2009

A custom double wall carbon nanotube for thermal surface modification is proposed. By studying the heat transfer characteristics in the system, it is demonstrated that such a device is capable of producing high resolution patterns on a sample surface. A constant distance between the double wall carbon nanotube tip and the sample surface is maintained due to the van der Waals interactions without the need of an active feedback mechanism.