bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of functional impairment on internalizing symptom trajectories in adolescence: A longitudinal, growth curve modelling study
Authors: Cleverley Kristin , Bennett Kathryn , Duku Eric
Published: November 2012

Despite the fact that psychosocial and functional impairment has long been acknowledged as an important aspect of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, relatively little is known about the longitudinal relationship between psychiatric symptoms and functional impairment. This is particularly true in childhood and adolescence. Understanding how symptoms relate to functional impairment is of great importance to clinicians and researchers as it is essential to nosology, treatment, and prognosis. This study sought to understand the developmental relationship between internalizing symptoms, functional impairment and gender in a sample of youth aged 10–15 using growth curve methods. Key findings indicate that the presence of functional impairment was associated with increased baseline internalizing symptoms scores but had no effect on the slope of internalizing symptoms trajectories during adolescence. The study highlights that the association between internalizing symptoms and functional impairment appears to be constant, linear and does not vary by gender.
The Use of Dynamic Computed Tomographic Angiography Ancillary to the Diagnosis of Brain Death
Authors: Chakraborty Santanu , Kenny Stephanie A. , Adas Reem A.
Published: November 2012

Objective

Global absence of cerebral circulation is an important ancillary test for brain death when the diagnosis cannot be confirmed clinically. A number of imaging methods are available to assess cerebral circulation; however, new techniques are sought to improve on limitations of the current tests. Dynamic computed tomographic angiography (dCTA) is a novel technique that enables dynamic noninvasive imaging of cerebral blood flow.

Materials and Methods

We present the use of dCTA in 3 cases as a corroboratory tool to diagnose brain death. Analysis of our findings suggest that it is a reliable technique for demonstrating the lack of intracranial blood flow, with many advantages over other current methods.

Conclusion

A dCTA may be used to reliably demonstrate the lack of cerebral blood flow in patients with suspected brain death.
Thinking or Feeling the Risk in Online Auctions: The Effects of Priming Auction Outcomes and the Dual System on Risk Perception and Amount Bid
Authors: Steinhart Yael , Kamins Michael A. , Mazursky David , Noy Avraham
Published: November 2012

The present research sheds new light on the antecedents and outcomes of bidders’ perceived risk. It examines the role of the two-system model in the context of activating the potential to either win or lose an online auction. This study demonstrates that when a bidder's affective system is primed, concern about losing the item is greater and ultimately the bid amount is higher when the bidder expects to lose rather than win. Conversely, when the cognitive system is primed, the anticipated goals of winning the auction – rather than the fear of losing – drive the bidder's actions. In the latter case, the bidder pays a higher amount if the expectancy of winning is primed, as opposed to the expectancy of losing. A field study on eBay and two lab studies confirm this phenomenon.
A Cross-national Investigation of the Satisfaction and Loyalty Linkage for Mobile Telecommunications Services across Eight Countries
Authors: Aksoy Lerzan , Buoye Alexander , Aksoy Pelin , Larivière Bart , Keiningham Timothy L.
Published: November 2012

Improving customer satisfaction has become a strategic imperative for managers and researchers given the benefits of developing customer loyalty for long-term financial success. Creating these linkages becomes even more important in the context of mobile telecommunications due to the ubiquitous nature of mobile phones and the potential this creates to engage in interactive marketing for firms. Further, with increased global penetration of mobile telecommunications, examining cross-national differences in consumer attitudes and behaviors has become critical. Most studies that examine customer satisfaction and loyalty linkages however have traditionally focused on single countries and/or single industries. This study extends the literature by testing the moderating impact of cultural variables on the impact of satisfaction on loyalty intentions using data from 3,393 mobile telecommunications customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Spain, UK, and USA. Our findings reveal that the impact of satisfaction on loyalty in the mobile telecommunications context depends on cultural differences. The results demonstrate non-linear threshold effects where managers operating in countries characterized by self-expressionist values will have an easier time creating satisfaction and loyalty with mobile customers compared to those operating in cultures dominated by high survivalist values.
The Impact of Economic and Cultural Cues on Support for Immigration in Canada and the United States
Authors: Harell Allison , Soroka Stuart , Iyengar Shanto , Valentino Nicholas
Published: November 2012

Abstract.Past research suggests that citizens' attitudes toward immigration are driven by perceptions of immigrants' (a) economic status and (b) ethnicity. In this study, we use an online survey conducted with a representative sample of Canadians to test to what extent economic and cultural cues influence support for individual immigrants. In particular, by drawing on a parallel US survey, we explore whether Canadians' relatively unique (positive) attitudes toward immigration make them more immune to economic and cultural threat manipulations than their American counterparts. The analysis is based on an experimental design embedded in a series of immigrant vignettes that vary the ethnoracial background and social status of an individual applying for immigration. We examine overall support for immigration, as well as the extent to which both ethnic and economic status cues affect support for individual immigrants. We also explore variance within Canada, specifically, in Quebec versus the rest of the country. Results offer new and unique information on the structure of attitudes on diversity and immigration in Canada. Most importantly, they suggest the relative importance of economic cues in support for immigration in both countries.

Résumé.Divers travaux de recherche ont suggéré que les attitudes des citoyens au sujet de l'immigration sont influencées par leur perception (a) du statut économique et (b) de l'ethnie des immigrants. Afin de tenter de savoir jusqu'à quel point les informations socioéconomiques et culturelles ont effectivement un impact sur le soutien des citoyens envers les immigrants, la présente étude fait usage d'un sondage mené en ligne avec un échantillon représentatif de la population canadienne. En nous appuyant sur un sondage américain similaire, nous cherchons plus précisément à savoir si l'attitude (positive) relativement unique des Canadiens vis-à-vis de l'immigration les rend moins susceptibles d'être manipulés par l'évocation de menaces économiques et culturelles que leurs voisins américains. Notre analyse se fonde sur une expérience utilisant une série de vignettes qui modifient les caractéristiques ethnoraciales ainsi que le statut social d'un individu procédant à une demande d'immigration. Nous examinons non seulement le soutien pour l'immigration en général, mais aussi la mesure dans laquelle les informations relatives à l'ethnie et au statut économique d'un immigrant affectent le soutien que les citoyens lui offrent. Nous étudions aussi la variance à l'intérieur du Canada, plus spécifiquement entre le Québec et le reste du pays. Les résultats ainsi obtenus fournissent de l'information nouvelle et unique ayant trait à la structure des attitudes par rapport à la diversité et l'immigration au Canada. De surcroît, ces résultats suggèrent le rôle relativement important que jouent les informations d'ordre socioéconomique dans le soutien de l'immigration tant aux États-Unis qu'au Canada.
THE ISLAMIC POLICY OF PORTUGUESE COLONIAL MOZAMBIQUE, 1960–1973
Authors: MACHAQUEIRO MÁRIO
Published: November 2012

Drawing its information from different documents in Portuguese and French archives, this article examines the evolution of Portuguese colonial policies towards Islam, focusing on the special case of Mozambique. Such policies evolved from an attitude of neglect and open repression, prevalent in the early years of the colonial war that broke out in 1965, when Muslims were perceived as the main supporters of the anti-colonial guerrilla in northern Mozambique, to an approach that tried to isolate ‘African Muslims’ from foreign influences in order to align them with the Portuguese. The article analyses the latter strategy, assessing its successes and failures, and the contributions made by several of those who were involved.
FROM SACRED HISTORY TO THE HISTORY OF RELIGION: PAGANISM, JUDAISM, AND CHRISTIANITY IN EUROPEAN HISTORIOGRAPHY FROM REFORMATION TO ‘ENLIGHTENMENT’
Authors: LEVITIN DMITRI
Published: November 2012

This essay is a critical historiographical overview of the recent literature on the writing of sacred history (history of the biblical Jews and early Christians) and history of religion in early modern Europe. It considers the rise of interest in this branch of intellectual history in the last decade, placing it in the context of the rise of the history of scholarship as a historical discipline. It then charts how the characterization of early modern history of religion as stale, pedantic, and blandly ‘orthodox’ until it was swept aside by a critical and heterodox ‘enlightenment’ is being revised, first in new approaches to early modern histories of biblical Judaism and historicizations of the Old Testament, second in new readings of early modern scholarship on primitive Christianity. It concludes by suggesting new avenues of research which divorce narratives of intellectual change from the linear and inconclusive emphasis on ‘enlightenment’, favouring an approach that conversely emphasizes the impact of confessionalization in creating a newly critical scholarly culture.
Grazing behaviour, herbage intake and animal performance of beef cattle heifers on marandu palisade grass subjected to intensities of continuous stocking management
Authors: DA SILVA S. C. , GIMENES F. M. A. , SARMENTO D. O. L. , SBRISSIA A. F. , OLIVEIRA D. E. , HERNADEZ-GARAY A. , PIRES A. V.
Published: November 2012

The ability to adapt to a range of edaphic conditions favours the widespread use of marandu palisade grass in high as well as low input systems of animal production in Brazil. However, little information exists regarding the influence of grazing management practices on sward structure and the carry-over effects on animal responses. The present experiment was planned to evaluate animal behaviour, herbage intake (HI) and nutritive value, herbage accumulation and body weight gain (BWG) of beef cattle heifers grazing marandu palisade grass subjected to intensities of continuous stocking management. Treatments corresponded to four sward surface heights (SSH: 100, 200, 300 and 400 mm) and were allocated to experimental units (1200 m2paddocks) according to a randomized complete block design with four replications. Herbage accumulation rate (HAR) varied with season of the year and SSH, with highest and lowest values recorded during summer and winter, respectively. During the summer, herbage accumulation was larger on swards managed at 200, 300 and 400 mm, with the opposite occurring during winter/early spring. Stocking rate (SR) and number of grazing days (GD) followed a similar seasonal pattern of variation, with values decreasing as SSH increased. Crude protein (CP) andin vitroorganic matter digestibility (IVOMD) of hand-plucked herbage decreased as SSH increased from 100 to 400 mm, while the inverse happened with BWG (from 0·190 to 0·930 kg/day, respectively). Bite mass (BM) increased and rate of biting and grazing time (GT) decreased as SSH increased, with daily HI being larger on tall (300 and 400 mm) relative to short (100 and 200 mm) swards. Grazing management affected the nutritive value and the amount of herbage consumed, particularly through changes in BM. However, variations in intake were relatively more important than variations in nutritive value in influencing animal performance, highlighting the importance of providing favourable harvest conditions for grazing animals by establishing adequate sward targets for management.
Application of Cathodoluminescence Microscopy and Spectroscopy in Geosciences
Authors: Götze Jens
Published: November 2012

Cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy and spectroscopy are luminescence techniques with widespread applications in geosciences. Many rock-forming and accessory minerals show CL characteristics, which can be successfully used in geoscientific research. One of the most spectacular applications is the visualization of growth textures and other internal structures that are not discernable with other analytical techniques. In addition, information from CL imaging and spectroscopy can be used for the reconstruction of processes of mineral formation and alteration to provide information about the real structure of minerals and materials, and to prove the presence and type of lattice incorporation of several trace elements. In the present article, an overview about CL properties of selected minerals is given, and several examples of applications discussed. The presented data illustrate that best results are achieved when luminescence studies are performed under standardized conditions and combined with other analytical techniques with high sensitivity and high spatial resolution.
When You Have a Hammer …
Authors: Prewitt Kenneth
Published: November 2012

Race statistics and race policy have been intertwined in American history since its founding, starting with the infamous three-fifths clause, continuing with policies based on nineteenth-century race science, the restrictionist immigration at the turn of the century, the Jim Crow regime, and carrying into the civil rights era through such policy concepts as institutional racism, statistical proportionality, disparate impact, and affirmative action. Across this history, the policies and the statistics were about “race,” whether they punished or benefited, were racist or antiracist. But can there be policy that misuses race statistics, that is presented as about race when it should not be? Race statistics are a powerful policy hammer in American history, but not everything is, in fact, a nail. Today the census undercount is argued over as if it is about race; it isn't really. Posing far greater danger, census race categories have worked their way into genomic medicine. The nineteenth-century belief that “race is biological” lingers in the American mind. The use of census categories in genomic medicine risks re-biologizing race. Maybe we should not leave the hammer lying around.
Temperature dependence of frictional healing of Westerly granite: Experimental observations and numerical simulations
Authors: Mitchell E. K. , Fialko Y. , Brown K. M.
Published: November 2012

Temperature is believed to have an important control on frictional properties of rocks, yet the amount of experimental observations of time‐dependent rock friction at high temperatures is rather limited. In this study, we investigated frictional healing of Westerly granite in a series of slide‐hold‐slide experiments using a direct shear apparatus at ambient temperatures between 20°C and 550°C. We observed that at room temperature coefficient of friction increases in proportion to the logarithm of hold time at a rate consistent with findings of previous studies. For a given hold time, the coefficient of friction linearly increases with temperature, but temperature has little effect on the rate of change in static friction with hold time. We used a numerical model to investigate whether time‐dependent increases in real contact area between rough surfaces could account for the observed frictional healing. The model incorporates fractal geometry and temperature‐dependent viscoelasoplastic rheology. We explored several candidate rheologies that have been proposed for steady state creep of rocks at high stresses and temperatures. None of the tested laws could provide an agreement between the observed and modeled healing behavior given material properties reported in the bulk creep experiments. An acceptable fit to the experimental data could be achieved with modified parameters. In particular, for the power‐law rheology to provide a reasonable fit to the data, the stress exponent needs to be greater than 40. Alternative mechanisms include time‐dependent gouge compaction and increases in bond strength between contacting asperities.
Skill of ENSEMBLES seasonal re‐forecasts for malaria prediction in West Africa
Authors: Jones A. E. , Morse A. P.
Published: November 2012

This study examines the performance of malaria‐relevant climate variables from the ENSEMBLES seasonal ensemble re‐forecasts for sub‐Saharan West Africa, using a dynamic malaria model to transform temperature and rainfall forecasts into simulated malaria incidence and verifying these forecasts against simulations obtained by driving the malaria model with General Circulation Model‐derived reanalysis. Two subregions of forecast skill are identified: the highlands of Cameroon, where low temperatures limit simulated malaria during the forecast period and interannual variability in simulated malaria is closely linked to variability in temperature, and northern Nigeria/southern Niger, where simulated malaria variability is strongly associated with rainfall variability during the peak rain months.
Rapid, highly structured meridional winds and their modulation by non migrating tides: Measurements from the Streak mission
Authors: Clemmons J. H. , Walterscheid R. L. , Christensen A. B. , Bishop R. L.
Published: November 2012

Measurements of the Earth's low latitude thermosphere returned by the ionization gauge on the Streak mission are reported and discussed. The measurements are of the amount of gas rammed into the sensor by its passage through the thermospheric medium. They were obtained in the dusk sector in the altitude range 130–330 km and are shown to be strongly structured by the geomagnetic field. Similarities to the structure of the equatorial ionization anomaly are discussed. The structure is interpreted as being due to rapid (several hundred meters per second) meridional winds having an antisymmetric pattern with respect to the geomagnetic equator. The measurements are interpreted in light of results from other missions and are shown to fit well with ideas based on complementary measurements from the Dynamics Explorer 2 mission discussed as the Equatorial Temperature and Wind Anomaly. Several features of these winds are described and discussed, including their altitude dependence, how they form convection cells that extend to high latitude, and how the wind amplitudes vary with geographic longitude with an apparent wavenumber one variation. The latter characteristic is shown to be consistent with being the signature of tidal variations observed by others. Approximate calculations utilizing published values for the pertinent parameters are used to show that heating from the dissipation due to ion drag within the ionospheric F region is a dominant driver of the inferred winds.
The longitudinal variation of the daily mean thermospheric mass density
Authors: Xu Jiyao , Wang Wenbin , Gao Hong
Published: November 2012

This study uses the GRACE (Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment) and CHAMP (CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload) accelerometer measurements from 2003 to 2008. These measurements gave thermospheric mass densities at ~480 km (GRACE) and ~380 km (CHAMP), respectively. We found that there are strong longitude variations in the daily mean thermospheric mass density. These variations are global and have the similar characteristics at the two heights under geomagnetically quiet conditions (Ap < 10). The largest relative longitudinal changes of the daily mean thermospheric mass density occur at high latitudes from October to February in the Northern Hemisphere and from March to September in the Southern Hemisphere. The positive density peaks locate always near the magnetic poles. The high density regions extend toward lower latitudes and even into the opposite hemisphere. This extension appears to be tilted westward, but mostly is confined to the longitudes where the magnetic poles are located. Thus, the relative longitudinal changes of the daily mean thermospheric mass density have strong seasonal variations and show an annual oscillation at high and middle latitudes but a semiannual oscillation around the equator. Our results suggest that heating of the magnetospheric origin in the auroral region is most likely the cause of these observed longitudinal structures. Our results also show that the relative longitude variation of the daily mean thermospheric mass density is hemispherically asymmetric and more pronounced in the Southern Hemisphere.
Simultaneous observations of plasmaspheric and ionospheric variations during magnetic storms in 2011: First result from Chinese Meridian Project
Authors: Wang Chi , Zhang Qingmei , Chi P. J. , Li Chuanqi
Published: November 2012

The plasma transport between the plasmasphere and ionosphere during magnetic storms is a long‐standing problem and is still not fully understood. Simultaneous observations of the plasmasphere and ionosphere are vital to understand the coupling between the two regions. In this study, using the measurements from the newly developed Chinese ground‐based space weather monitoring network (Meridian Project), we investigate the plasmaspheric density at L ≃ 2 inferred from ground magnetometers and the ionospheric electron density inferred by digital ionosondes and GPS signals during magnetic storms in 2011. Five moderate magnetic storms with minimum Dst index between −47 and −103 nT during this period have been investigated. The observations show that the plasmaspheric density drops significantly by more than half of the prestorm value. The ionospheric F2 layer electron density NmF2 and the total electron content (TEC) show ~20–50% decreases, and the NmF2 and TEC reductions take place before the plasmaspheric density reaches its minimum. These findings suggest that the plasmaspheric depletion is very likely due to the reduced plasma supply from the ionosphere for the five moderate magnetic storms in 2011. Therefore, the plasmasphere dynamics seems to be controlled by the ionosphere during magnetic storms.
Inward shift of outer radiation belt electrons as a function of Dst index and the influence of the solar wind on electron injections into the slot region
Authors: Zhao H. , Li X.
Published: November 2012

The radial positioning of radiation belt electrons as a function of the Dst index and the controlling solar wind parameters for deep penetration of energetic electrons into the inner magnetosphere are investigated. Using 2–6 MeV electron data from the Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX) from January 1995 to June 2004, we examine the L location of energetic electron deepest penetration, L location of the maximum flux, and L location of the maximum flux enhancement and variation over the duration of 119 moderate and strong isolated geomagnetic storms. We find that the L location of deepest penetration, L location of the maximum flux at the end of electron injections, and L location of the maximum flux variation have strong correlations with the minimum Dst index. Although the variation and radial positioning of radiation belt electrons is clearly associated with the Dst index, their deep penetration into the slot region (2 < L < 3) is not directly correlated with the Dst index in an obvious way. It is also known that the Dst index can be accurately predicted based on solar wind parameters. Thus, the necessary and sufficient combination of solar wind conditions for the occurrence of injection events into the slot region, between L = 2–3, are also investigated. We find a total of 23 injection events at L = 2.5 from 1995 to 2004 and that when certain solar wind conditions are met, an injection event at L = 2.5 is ensured. We also find that the electron flux preconditioning is an important factor influencing electron injections at L = 2.5.
Conjugate observations of quasi‐periodic emissions by Cluster and DEMETER spacecraft
Authors: Němec F. , Santolík O. , Parrot M. , Pickett J. S. , Hayosh M. , Cornilleau‐Wehrlin N.
Published: November 2012

Quasi‐periodic (QP) emissions are electromagnetic emissions at frequencies of about 0.5–4 kHz that are characterized by a periodic time modulation of the wave intensity. Typical periods of this modulation are on the order of minutes. We present a case study of a large‐scale long‐lasting QP event observed simultaneously on board the DEMETER (Detection of Electro‐Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions) and the Cluster spacecraft. The measurements by the Wide‐Band Data instrument on board the Cluster spacecraft enabled us to obtain high‐resolution frequency‐time spectrograms of the event close to the equatorial region over a large range of radial distances, while the measurements by the STAFF‐SA instrument allowed us to perform a detailed wave analysis. Conjugate observations by the DEMETER spacecraft have been used to estimate the spatial and temporal extent of the emissions. The analyzed QP event lasted as long as 5 h and it spanned over the L‐shells from about 1.5 to 5.5. Simultaneous observations of the same event by DEMETER and Cluster show that the same QP modulation of the wave intensity is observed at the same time at very different locations in the inner magnetosphere. ULF magnetic field fluctuations with a period roughly comparable to, but somewhat larger than the period of the QP modulation were detected by the fluxgate magnetometers instrument on board the Cluster spacecraft near the equatorial region, suggesting these are likely to be related to the QP generation. Results of a detailed wave analysis show that the QP emissions detected by Cluster propagate unducted, with oblique wave normal angles at higher geomagnetic latitudes.
On the drivers of phytoplankton blooms in the Antarctic marginal ice zone: A modeling approach
Authors: Taylor Marc H. , Losch Martin , Bracher Astrid
Published: November 2012

The pelagic province of the Southern Ocean generally has low levels of primary production attributable to a short growing season in the higher latitudes, a deep mixed layer, and iron limitation. Exceptions include phytoplankton blooms in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) during spring and summer sea‐ice retreat. The prevailing hypothesis as to the drivers of the blooms is that sea‐ice retreat increases the vertical stability of the water column through the production of melt water and provides shelter from wind mixing in areas of partial sea‐ice coverage. These conditions are favorable to phytoplankton growth by allowing them to maintain their position in the upper reaches of the water column. This work investigates the drivers of MIZ blooms using a biochemically coupled global circulation model. Results support the hypothesis in that physical conditions related to a shallow, vertically stable water column (e.g., mixed layer depth and available light) were the most significant predictors of bloom dynamics, while nutrient limitation was of lesser importance. We estimate that MIZ blooms account for 15% of yearly net primary production in the Southern Ocean and that the earlier phases of the MIZ bloom, occurring under partial ice coverage and invisible to remote sensing, account for about two thirds of this production. MIZ blooms were not found to enhance depth‐integrated net primary production when compared to similar ecological provinces outside of the MIZ, although the elevated phytoplankton concentrations in surface waters are hypothesized to provide important feeding habitats for grazing organisms such as krill.
Evidence for magma‐carbonate interaction beneath Syrtis Major, Mars
Authors: Glotch Timothy D. , Rogers A. Deanne
Published: November 2012

We used three methods—spectral index mapping, linear spectral mixture analysis, and factor analysis and target transformation—to determine if carbonate decomposition products, including lime (CaO), periclase (MgO), portlandite (Ca(OH)2), and brucite (Mg(OH)2), are present on the surface of Mars. Using an expanded spectral library that includes decomposition products of calcite and magnesite, we deconvolved a binned emissivity data set from the Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer (MGS‐TES). The deconvolution model indicates that anhydrous carbonates are not present at kilometer scales above the TES detection limit; however, carbonate decomposition products may be present at or above the TES detection limit in northeast Syrtis Major and several other small regions on Mars. The model results are supported by spectral index mapping and factor analysis and target transformation of TES data in this region. The volcanic setting of the detections may indicate the interaction of Syrtis Major lavas with subsurface carbonates, or, alternatively, the eruption of carbonate‐bearing lavas that were subsequently devolatilized by impacts or later lava flows.
Availability, volatility, stability, and teleconnectivity changes in prairie water supply from Canadian Rocky Mountain sources over the last millennium
Authors: Fleming Sean W. , Sauchyn David J.
Published: November 2012

Key Points

We explore generational changes in water supply dynamics over a millennium

Paleohydrologic data and statistical methods are used for the Canadian Prairies

Human experiential timeframes and gauge records can be misleading
Geoarchaeota: a new candidate phylum in the Archaea from high-temperature acidic iron mats in Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Kozubal Mark A , Romine Margaret , Jennings Ryan deM , Jay Zack J , Tringe Susannah G , Rusch Doug B , Beam Jacob P , McCue Lee Ann , Inskeep William P
Published: November 2012

Geothermal systems in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) provide an outstanding opportunity to understand the origin and evolution of metabolic processes necessary for life in extreme environments including low pH, high temperature, low oxygen and elevated concentrations of reduced iron. Previous phylogenetic studies of acidic ferric iron mats from YNP have revealed considerable diversity of uncultivated and undescribed archaea. The goal of this study was to obtain replicate de novo genome assemblies for a dominant archaeal population inhabiting acidic iron-oxide mats in YNP. Detailed analysis of conserved ribosomal and informational processing genes indicates that the replicate assemblies represent a new candidate phylum within the domain Archaea referred to here as ‘Geoarchaeota’ or ‘novel archaeal group 1 (NAG1)’. The NAG1 organisms contain pathways necessary for the catabolism of peptides and complex carbohydrates as well as a bacterial-like Form I carbon monoxide dehydrogenase complex likely used for energy conservation. Moreover, this novel population contains genes involved in the metabolism of oxygen including a Type A heme copper oxidase, a bd-type terminal oxidase and a putative oxygen-sensing protoglobin. NAG1 has a variety of unique bacterial-like cofactor biosynthesis and transport genes and a Type3-like CRISPR system. Discovery of NAG1 is critical to our understanding of microbial community structure and function in extant thermophilic iron-oxide mats of YNP, and will provide insight regarding the evolution of Archaea in early Earth environments that may have important analogs active in YNP today.
Natural Product-Inspired Pyranonaphthoquinone Inhibitors of Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1)
Authors: Bridewell David J. A. , Sperry Jonathan , Smith Jason R. , Kosim-Satyaputra Priambudi , Ching Lai-Ming , Jamie Joanne F. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: November 2012

A series of pyranonaphthoquinone derivatives possessing structural features present in both natural products annulin B and exiguamine A have been shown to exhibit low micromolar inhibition of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO-1). These inhibitors retain activity against the enzyme in a cellular context with an approximate one-log loss of dose potency against IDO-1 in cells. One particular analogue, triazole 8 shows good inhibition of IDO-1 along with little loss of cell viability at low drug concentrations. These results have extended the naphthoquinone series of novel IDO-1 inhibitors based on lead compounds from nature.
Twenty-five new polymorphic microsatellites for the eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki (Actinopterygii : Poeciliidae), an invasive species in Australia
Authors: Umbers Kate D. L. , Jennions Michael D. , Keogh J. Scott
Published: November 2012

We isolated 25 new polymorphic microsatellite markers from the eastern mosquitofish, Gambusia holbrooki. Initially, 454 shotgun sequencing was used to identify 1187 loci for which primers could be designed. Of these 1187, we trialled 48 in the target species, 40 of which amplified a product of expected size. Subsequently, those 40 loci were screened for variation in 48 individuals from a single population in Canberra, Australia. Twenty loci were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and polymorphic, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.04 to 0.72 (mean: 0.45 ± 0.18) and the number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 5 (mean: 3.20 ± 1.05). These loci will be useful in understanding genetic variation, paternity analysis and in managing this species across both its native and invasive range.
Quantum teleportation between remote atomic-ensemble quantum memories
Authors: Bao Xiao-Hui , Xu Xiao-Fan , Li Che-Ming , Yuan Zhen-Sheng , Lu Chao-Yang , Pan Jian-Wei
Published: November 2012

Quantum teleportation and quantum memory are two crucial elements for large-scale quantum networks. With the help of prior distributed entanglement as a “quantum channel,” quantum teleportation provides an intriguing means to faithfully transfer quantum states among distant locations without actual transmission of the physical carriers [Bennett CH, et al. (1993)
Phys Rev Lett
70(13):1895–1899]. Quantum memory enables controlled storage and retrieval of fast-flying photonic quantum bits with stationary matter systems, which is essential to achieve the scalability required for large-scale quantum networks. Combining these two capabilities, here we realize quantum teleportation between two remote atomic-ensemble quantum memory nodes, each composed of ∼10
8
rubidium atoms and connected by a 150-m optical fiber. The spin wave state of one atomic ensemble is mapped to a propagating photon and subjected to Bell state measurements with another single photon that is entangled with the spin wave state of the other ensemble. Two-photon detection events herald the success of teleportation with an average fidelity of 88(7)%. Besides its fundamental interest as a teleportation between two remote macroscopic objects, our technique may be useful for quantum information transfer between different nodes in quantum networks and distributed quantum computing.
Activated drying in hydrophobic nanopores and the line tension of water
Authors: Guillemot Ludivine , Biben Thierry , Galarneau Anne , Vigier Gérard , Charlaix Élisabeth
Published: November 2012

We study the slow dynamics of water evaporation out of hydrophobic cavities by using model porous silica materials grafted with octylsilanes. The cylindrical pores are monodisperse, with a radius in the range of 1–2 nm. Liquid water penetrates in the nanopores at high pressure and empties the pores when the pressure is lowered. The drying pressure exhibits a logarithmic growth as a function of the driving rate over more than three decades, showing the thermally activated nucleation of vapor bubbles. We find that the slow dynamics and the critical volume of the vapor nucleus are quantitatively described by the classical theory of capillarity without adjustable parameter. However, classical capillarity utterly overestimates the critical bubble energy. We discuss the possible influence of surface heterogeneities, long-range interactions, and high-curvature effects, and we show that a classical theory can describe vapor nucleation provided that a negative line tension is taken into account. The drying pressure then provides a determination of this line tension with much higher precision than currently available methods. We find consistent values of the order of −30 pN in a variety of hydrophobic materials.
Microbial conversion of choline to trimethylamine requires a glycyl radical enzyme
Authors: Craciun Smaranda , Balskus Emily P.
Published: November 2012

Choline and trimethylamine (TMA) are small molecules that play central roles in biological processes throughout all kingdoms of life. These ubiquitous metabolites are linked through a single biochemical transformation, the conversion of choline to TMA by anaerobic microorganisms. This metabolic activity, which contributes to methanogenesis and human disease, has been known for over a century but has eluded genetic and biochemical characterization. We have identified a gene cluster responsible for anaerobic choline degradation within the genome of a sulfate-reducing bacterium and verified its function using both a genetic knockout strategy and heterologous expression in
Escherichia coli
. Bioinformatics and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy revealed the involvement of a C–N bond cleaving glycyl radical enzyme in TMA production, which is unprecedented chemistry for this enzyme family. Our discovery provides the predictive capabilities needed to identify choline utilization clusters in numerous bacterial genomes, underscoring the importance and prevalence of this metabolic activity within the human microbiota and the environment.
Strong signatures of selection in the domestic pig genome
Authors: Rubin Carl-Johan , Megens Hendrik-Jan , Barrio Alvaro Martinez , Maqbool Khurram , Sayyab Shumaila , Schwochow Doreen , Wang Chao , Carlborg Örjan , Jern Patric , Jørgensen Claus B. , Archibald Alan L. , Fredholm Merete , Groenen Martien A. M. , Andersson Leif
Published: November 2012

Domestication of wild boar (
Sus scrofa
) and subsequent selection have resulted in dramatic phenotypic changes in domestic pigs for a number of traits, including behavior, body composition, reproduction, and coat color. Here we have used whole-genome resequencing to reveal some of the loci that underlie phenotypic evolution in European domestic pigs. Selective sweep analyses revealed strong signatures of selection at three loci harboring quantitative trait loci that explain a considerable part of one of the most characteristic morphological changes in the domestic pig—the elongation of the back and an increased number of vertebrae. The three loci were associated with the
NR6A1, PLAG1
, and
LCORL
genes. The latter two have repeatedly been associated with loci controlling stature in other domestic animals and in humans. Most European domestic pigs are homozygous for the same haplotype at these three loci. We found an excess of derived nonsynonymous substitutions in domestic pigs, most likely reflecting both positive selection and relaxed purifying selection after domestication. Our analysis of structural variation revealed four duplications at the
KIT
locus that were exclusively present in white or white-spotted pigs, carrying the
Dominant white
,
Patch
, or
Belt
alleles. This discovery illustrates how structural changes have contributed to rapid phenotypic evolution in domestic animals and how alleles in domestic animals may evolve by the accumulation of multiple causative mutations as a response to strong directional selection.
How Does Time Poverty Affect Behavior? A Look at Eating and Physical Activity
Authors: Kalenkoski Charlene M. , Hamrick Karen S.
Published: November 2012

This paper uses data on daily activities from the American Time Use Survey and the associated Eating & Health Module to analyze the relationships between time poverty and specific energy‐balance behaviors. The authors estimate a simultaneous model to jointly analyze the relationships between time poverty and the probability of a fast food purchase, the number of eating and drinking occurrences, minutes spent engaging in sports and exercise, and the probability of engaging in active travel (walking or cycling). Time‐poor individuals were found to have different eating and physical activity patterns than non‐time‐poor individuals; those who were time‐poor were less likely to purchase fast food and also less likely to engage in active travel.
A novel genetic variant in the transcription factor Islet‐1 exerts gain of function on myocyte enhancer factor 2C promoter activity
Authors: Friedrich Felix W. , Dilanian Gilles , Khattar Patricia , Juhr Denise , Gueneau Lucie , Charron Philippe , Fressart Véronique , Vilquin Jean‐Thomas , Isnard Richard , Gouya Laurent , Richard Pascale , Hammoudi Naima , Komajda Michel , Bonne Gisèle , Eschenhagen Thomas , Dubourg Olivier , Villard Eric , Carrier Lucie
Published: November 2012

Aims

The transcription factor Islet‐1 (ISL1) is a marker of cardiovascular progenitors and is essential for mammalian cardiogenesis. An ISL1 haplotype has recently been associated with congenital heart disease. In this study we evaluated whether ISL1 variants are associated with hypertrophic (HCM), dilated (DCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), or with Emery–Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD).

Methods and results

The six exon and intron boundaries of ISL1 were screened for genetic variants in a cohort of 454 index cases. Eleven exonic variants were identified in HCM, DCM, ARVC, and/or EDMD. Out of the five novel variants, two are located in the 5'‐untranslated region, two are silent (p.Arg171Arg and p.Asn189Asn), and one is a missense (p.Asn252Ser). The latter was identified in the homozygous state in one DCM patient, and in the heterozygous state in 11 relatives, who did not present with DCM but often with cardiovascular features. This variant was found in one HCM patient also carrying a MYH7 mutation and in 3/96 North‐African Caucasian control individuals, but was absent in 138 European Caucasian control individuals. We investigated the effect of the ISL1 wild type and p.Asn252Ser mutant on myocyte enhancer factor 2C (Mef2c) promoter activity, an established ISL1 target. Mef2c promoter activity was ∼4‐fold higher in the presence of wild‐type and ∼6‐fold higher in the presence of mutant ISL1 in both HEK and CHO cells.

Conclusion

This study describes a new gain‐of‐function p.Asn252Ser variant in the human ISL1 gene, which could potentially lead to greater activation of downstream targets involved in cardiac development, dilation, and hypertrophy.
On a new class of electroelastic bodies. I
Authors: Bustamante R. , Rajagopal K. R.
Published: November 2012

Implicit constitutive relations are proposed for large deformations of electroelastic bodies, and approximations to these are developed within the context of small displacement gradients. The resultant theories lead to the interesting situation wherein the constitutive relationships are nonlinear though the strain is ‘linearized’. In the absence of the effects due to the electrical field, the models reduce to a class of constitutive relations that have been studied recently, which have applications in the fracture of, and propagation of cracks in, brittle elastic bodies. The current class of electroelastic bodies have applications in a variety of important areas such as the response of piezoelectric bodies, electro-sensitive elastomers and biological matter.
Phylogenetic analysis of bluetongue virus serotype 4 field isolates from Argentina
Authors: Legisa D. , Gonzalez F. , De Stefano G. , Pereda A. , Santos M. J. Dus
Published: November 2012

Bluetongue is an insect-transmitted viral disease of ruminant species, which represents a major barrier to the international trade of animals and their products. Bluetongue virus (BTV) has a genome composed of ten linear segments of dsRNA, which code for at least ten different viral proteins. In South America, serological evidence for the presence of BTV has been found in Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Chile. Brazil and Argentina are the only South American countries where BTV has been isolated. In Brazil, only one BTV isolate, serotype 12, has been reported, whereas in Argentina five BTV serotype 4 isolates have been obtained from cattle without clinical signs. Three of these five isolates were isolated during 1999–2001, whereas two of them were obtained as part of the present work. This study describes sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analyses of segment (Seg)-2, Seg-3, Seg-6, Seg-7 and Seg-10 of the first Argentinian field isolates of BTV. The analysis of Seg-2 and Seg-6 resulted in a single cluster of Argentinian sequences into the serotype 4 clade. In addition, the Argentinian sequences grouped within the nucleotype A clade, along with reference strains. The analysis of Seg-3, Seg-7 and Seg-10 showed that the Argentinian isolates grouped into the western topotype, indicating that the circulating virus had an African/European origin. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Argentinian sequences present a South American genetic identity, suggesting an independent lineage evolution.
Differentially regulated gene expression associated with hepatitis C virus clearance
Authors: Grimes Carolyn Z. , Hwang Lu-Yu , Wei Peng , Shah Dimpy P. , Volcik Kelly A. , Brown Eric L.
Published: November 2012

Human chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections pose a significant public health threat, necessitating the development of novel treatments and vaccines. HCV infections range from spontaneous resolution to end-stage liver disease. Approximately 10–30 % of HCV infections undergo spontaneous resolution independent of treatment by yet-to-be-defined mechanisms. These individuals test positive for anti-HCV antibodies in the absence of detectable viral serum RNA. To identify genes associated with HCV clearance, this study compared gene expression profiles between current drug users chronically infected with HCV and drug users who cleared their HCV infection. This analysis identified 91 differentially regulated (up- or downregulated by twofold or more) genes potentially associated with HCV clearance. The majority of genes identified were associated with immune function, with the remaining genes categorized either as cancer related or ‘other’. Identification of factors and pathways that may influence virus clearance will be essential to the development of novel treatment strategies.
Effect of a Novel Nonviral Gene Delivery of BMP-2 on Bone Healing
Authors: Schwabe P. , Greiner S. , Ganzert R. , Eberhart J. , Dähn K. , Stemberger A. , Plank C. , Schmidmaier G. , Wildemann B.
Published: November 2012

Background. Gene therapeutic drug delivery approaches have been introduced to improve the efficiency of growth factors at the site of interest. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of a new nonviral copolymer-protected gene vector (COPROG) for the stimulation of bone healing. Methods.In vitro, rat osteoblasts were transfected with COPROG + luciferase plasmid or COPROG + hBMP-2 plasmid.In vivo, rat tibial fractures were intramedullary stabilized with uncoated versus COPROG+hBMP-2-plasmid-coated titanium K-wires. The tibiae were prepared for biomechanical and histological analyses at days 28 and 42 and for transfection/safety study at days 2, 4, 7, 28, and 42. Results.In vitroresults showed luciferase expression until day 21, and hBMP-2-protein was measured from day 2 – day 10.In vivo, the local application of hBMP-2-plasmid showed a significantly higher maximum load after 42 days compared to that in the control. The histomorphometric analysis revealed a significantly less mineralized periosteal callus area in the BMP-2 group compared to the control at day 28. The rt-PCR showed no systemic biodistribution of luciferase RNA. Conclusion. A positive effect on fracture healing by nonviral BMP-2 plasmid application from COPROG-coated implants could be shown in this study; however, the effect of the vector may be improved with higher plasmid concentrations. Transfection showed no biodistribution to distant organs and was considered to be safe.