bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pyrene‐Modified Unlocked Nucleic Acids: Synthesis, Thermodynamic Studies, and Fluorescent Properties
Authors: Karlsen Kasper K. , Pasternak Anna , Jensen Troels B. , Wengel Jesper
Published: February 2012

Two pyrene‐modified UNA monomers were synthesized and incorporated into 21‐mer DNA oligonucleotides. Melting temperatures and thermodynamic properties of the modified duplexes were measured, and the fluorescence properties of single strands and duplexes containing one or more pyrene‐UNA modifications were studied. It was found that incorporation of pyrene‐UNA monomers increased duplex stability relative to UNA monomers, and thermodynamic studies revealed significant mismatch discriminative capabilities of the pyrene‐UNA modified oligonucleotides. Furthermore, the steady‐state fluorescence emission intensities of pyrene‐UNA modified oligonucleotides were increased upon hybridization to DNA, which to the best of our knowledge is unprecedented for an acyclic pyrene modification in DNA. Interestingly, pyrene excimer emission was observed for single‐stranded oligonucleotides containing three pyrene‐UNA modifications, whereas this excimer emission disappeared after hybridization to DNA. In view of both the pyrene monomer and the excimer fluorescence emission, the triply modified oligonucleotides show intriguing properties relating to the development of new DNA/RNA detection tools.
The Catalytic Potential of Substituted Pyridines in Acylation Reactions: Theoretical Prediction and Experimental Validation
Authors: Larionov Evgeny , Achrainer Florian , Humin Jowita , Zipse Hendrik
Published: February 2012

A larger number of catalysts based on the 3,4‐diaminopyridine motif have been synthesized and tested in the acetylation of tertiary alcohols. The rate data determined in these reactions together with results from previous studies were compared with theoretical data describing the ground and transition state properties of the respective catalysts. Surprisingly, it was found that the ground state data provided a better overall description of the catalytic activity than the transition state models. The latter approach clearly showed the presence of separate correlations for catalysts with small, but significant topological differences. Full analysis of the potential energy surface revealed that this owes to changes in the rate limiting step in the catalytic cycle.
Investigation of D1 Receptor–Agonist Interactions and D1/D2 Agonist Selectivity Using a Combination of Pharmacophore and Receptor Homology Modeling
Authors: Malo Marcus , Brive Lars , Luthman Kristina , Svensson Peder
Published: February 2012

The aim of this study was to use a combined structure and pharmacophore modeling approach to extract information regarding dopamine D1 receptor agonism and D1/D2 agonist selectivity. A 3D structure model of the D1 receptor in its agonist‐bound state was constructed with a full D1 agonist present in the binding site. Two different binding modes were identified using (+)‐doxanthrine or SKF89626 in the modeling procedure. The 3D model was further compared with a selective D1 agonist pharmacophore model. The pharmacophore feature arrangement was found to be in good agreement with the binding site composition of the receptor model, but the excluded volumes did not fully reflect the shape of the agonist binding pocket. A new receptor‐based pharmacophore model was developed with forbidden volumes centered on atom positions of amino acids in the binding site. The new pharmacophore model showed a similar ability to discriminate as the previous model. A comparison of the 3D structures and pharmacophore models of D1 and D2 receptors revealed differences in shape and ligand‐interacting features that determine selectivity of D1 and D2 receptor agonists. A hydrogen bond pharmacophoric feature (Ser‐TM5) was shown to contribute most to the selectivity. Non‐conserved residues in the binding pocket that strongly contribute to D1/D2 receptor agonist selectivity were also identified; those were Ser/Cys3.36, Tyr/Phe5.38, Ser/Tyr5.41, and Asn/His6.55 in the transmembrane (TM) helix region, together with Ser/Ile and Leu/Asn in the second extracellular loop (EC2). This work provides useful information for the design of new selective D1 and D2 agonists. The combined receptor structure and pharmacophore modeling approach is considered to be general, and could therefore be applied to other ligand–protein interactions for which experimental information is limited.
A function for all posterior Hoxd genes during digit development?
Authors: Delpretti Saskia , Zakany Jozsef , Duboule Denis
Published: February 2012

Background: Four posterior Hoxd genes, from Hoxd13 to Hoxd10, are collectively regulated during the development of tetrapod digits. Besides the well‐documented role of Hoxd13, the function of the neighboring genes has been difficult to evaluate due to the close genetic linkage and potential regulatory interferences. We used a combination of five small nested deletions in cis, involving from two to four consecutive genes of the Hoxd13 to Hoxd9 loci, in mice, to evaluate their combined functional importance. Results: We show that deletions leading to a gain of function of Hoxd13, via regulatory re‐allocation, generate abnormal phenotypes, in agreement with the dominant negative role of this gene. We also show that Hoxd10, Hoxd11, and Hoxd12 all seem to play a genuine role in digit development, though less compelling than that of Hoxd13. In contrast, the nearby Hoxd9 contributed no measurable function in digits. Conclusions: We conclude that a slight and transient deregulation of Hoxd13 expression can readily affect the relative lengths of limb segments and that all posterior Hoxd genes likely contribute to the final limb morphology. We discuss the difficulty to clearly assess the functional share of individual genes within such a gene family, where closely located neighbors, coding for homologous proteins, are regulated by a unique circuitry and all contribute to shape the distal parts of our appendages. Developmental Dynamics 241:792–802, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The role of peri‐glacial active layer development in determining soil‐regolith thickness across a Triassic sandstone outcrop in the UK
Authors: Tye Andrew M. , Kemp Simon J. , Murray Lark R. , Milodowski Antoni E.
Published: February 2012

This paper examines the weathering processes that have combined to produce the distribution of soil‐regolith (SR) thickness across the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Group outcrop (750 km2) in Nottinghamshire, UK. Archive borehole logs (n = 282) taken across the outcrop showed that SR thickness had mean and median depths of ~1·8 and 1·5 m, respectively. Cores were taken from a forested site to depths ~3 m for geochemical analysis. At this site the SR thickness was ~1·7 m. Analysis of the loss of elements, compared to bedrock using mass balance calculations (τ) showed that all the calcite and gypsum cement had been removed to depths of >3 m. Thus the major difference between the SR and the underlying saprolite was that the former exists as loose sand as opposed to a semi‐durable rock. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of core samples suggested that the non‐durable rock or saprolite had greater cementation of clay particles. We propose that the mechanism through which the clay cement (and other interlocking grain bonds) was eased apart was through freeze–thaw processes associated with the summer ‘active layer development (ALD)’ during the last glacial activity in the UK. We tested this theory by developing a Monte Carlo simulation based on a simplified version of the Stefan equation. Current Arctic datasets of air and ground temperatures were obtained to provide reasonable starting conditions for input variables. These were combined with known data for thermal conductivity, bulk density and moisture content of the Sherwood Sandstone regolith. Model predictions (n = 1000) of the distribution of SR thickness accurately reflect the observed distribution thickness from the borehole logs. This is strong evidence that freeze–thaw and ‘ALD’ processes are major factors in determining the thickness of SR across this outcrop. British Geological Survey © NERC 2012
Price Clustering in Individual Equity Options: Moneyness, Maturity, and Price Level
Authors: Gwilym Owain ap , Verousis Thanos
Published: February 2012

Equity options have a significant influence on the price discovery process. This study presents unique evidence of substantial price clustering in individual equity options contracts. A particular contribution arises from investigating competing hypotheses on the roles of moneyness and maturity as determinants of option price clustering. We assert that options price clustering can be decomposed to price level, moneyness, and maturity effects. After controlling for other factors, price clustering has an inverse relation with time‐to‐maturity. This supports the negotiation hypothesis, but not the price resolution hypothesis. Price clustering also tends to be inversely related to moneyness. This effect is linked to the intrinsic value component of option price. Both the maturity and moneyness effects act in an opposite direction to what would be anticipated on the basis of price level alone; hence, these two effects are identified as additional influences on option price clustering. It is also found that the designated market maker scheme at NYSE Euronext London International Financial Futures Exchange (LIFFE) has little influence on trade price clustering. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 33:55–76, 2013
Archaeocyaths from South America: review and a new record
Authors: González P. D. , Tortello M. F. , Damborenea S. E. , Naipauer M. , Sato A. M. , Varela R.
Published: February 2012

In South America, autochthonous archaeocyathan faunas preserved in Early Cambrian limestones have not been found yet. Nevertheless, a few well‐documented occurrences of these fossils in clasts contained in coarse‐grained rocks of a wide age range have been discovered in recent years. Erratic limestone blocks from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian Fitzroy Tillite Formation in the Falkland/Malvinas Islands yielded three archaeocyath taxa. Also, seven taxa were reported from archaeocyathan limestone clasts in a metaconglomerate of the Cambro‐Ordovician El Jagüelito Formation in northern Patagonia. In addition, a new record from the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian Sauce Grande Formation diamictites in Sierras Australes, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, is presented herein. Preservation of this scarce new material is poor, but at least three different taxa can be distinguished. The most likely source of all archaeocyathan limestone clasts found in southern South America is the Shackleton Limestone from the Transantarctic Mountains in East Antarctica. The new record from the Sauce Grande Formation and the inferred clast provenance reinforce the correlation between this unit, the Dwyka Tillite (South Africa) and the Fitzroy Tillite Formation (Falklands/Malvinas), suggesting a very wide distribution of these Antarctic occurrences during the Late Carboniferous–Early Permian Gondwana glaciation (Episode III). Thus, even though being allochthonous, archaeocyaths are emerging as a new key biological feature for Gondwana palaeogeographic reconstructions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of infectious disease consultation toward the care of inpatients being considered for community‐based parenteral anti‐infective therapy
Authors: Shrestha Nabin K. , Bhaskaran Archana , Scalera Nikole M. , Schmitt Steven K. , Rehm Susan J. , Gordon Steven M.
Published: February 2012

BACKGROUND:

In the acute care setting in a multidisciplinary healthcare environment, the contribution of infectious disease (ID) specialists to overall patient care is difficult to measure. This study attempts to quantify the contribution of ID specialists when consulted for an activity specific to ID practice, community‐based parenteral anti‐infective therapy (CoPAT).

METHODS:

In February 2010, an electronic form for requesting ID consultations was introduced in the computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system at the Cleveland Clinic. This allowed for easy identification of ID consultations for CoPAT. Hospital records for all patients with CoPAT consultation requests between February 11, 2010 and May 15, 2010 were reviewed for specific defined contributions in the domains of optimization of antimicrobial therapy, significant change in patient assessment, and additional medical care contribution.

RESULTS:

Over a 3‐month period, there were 263 CoPAT consultation requests via CPOE, of which 172 were initial consultations and 91 reconsultations. Antimicrobial treatment was optimized in 84%, a significant change in patient assessment made in 52%, and additional medical care contribution provided in 71% of consultations. In 33% of consultations, there was contribution in all 3 domains. CoPAT was deemed not to be necessary in 27%. For patients requiring CoPAT, effective care transition from the inpatient to outpatient setting was assured at least 86% of the time.

CONCLUSION:

Infectious disease consultation before discharge on parenteral antibiotics adds value by contributing substantially to inpatient care, and providing antimicrobial stewardship and continuity of care at a critical patient care transition point. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012; © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
T2* measurement of the knee articular cartilage in osteoarthritis at 3T
Authors: Newbould Rexford D. , Miller Sam R. , Toms Laurence D. , Swann Peter , Tielbeek Jeroen A.W. , Gold Garry E. , Strachan Robin K. , Taylor Peter C. , Matthews Paul M. , Brown Andrew P.
Published: February 2012

Purpose:

To measure reproducibility, longitudinal and cross‐sectional differences in T2* maps at 3 Tesla (T) in the articular cartilage of the knee in subjects with osteoarthritis (OA) and healthy matched controls.

Materials and Methods:

MRI data and standing radiographs were acquired from 33 subjects with OA and 21 healthy controls matched for age and gender. Reproducibility was determined by two sessions in the same day, while longitudinal and cross‐sectional group differences used visits at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Each visit contained symptomological assessments and an MRI session consisting of high resolution three‐dimensional double‐echo‐steady‐state (DESS) and co‐registered T2* maps of the most diseased knee. A blinded reader delineated the articular cartilage on the DESS images and median T2* values were reported.

Results:

T2* values showed an intra‐visit reproducibility of 2.0% over the whole cartilage. No longitudinal effects were measured in either group over 6 months. T2* maps revealed a 5.8% longer T2* in the medial tibial cartilage and 7.6% and 6.5% shorter T2* in the patellar and lateral tibial cartilage, respectively, in OA subjects versus controls (P < 0.02).

Conclusion:

T2* mapping is a repeatable process that showed differences between the OA subject and control groups. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;35:1422–1429. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Representing Motion in Language Comprehension: Lessons From Neuroimaging
Authors: Gennari Silvia P.
Published: February 2012

A central issue in understanding how language links the mental and the real world is the nature of the mental representations entertained during language processing. Are these mental representations closely linked to the perceptual experiences from which they were formed or are they somewhat removed from them? This review addresses this question by examining studies that have investigated motion verbs and sentences using functional magnetic resonance imaging. These studies tested whether language processing elicits modality‐specific brain regions responsive to motion perception. Although the results of these studies are not definite due to the different tasks and analysis techniques utilized, they so far suggest that modality‐specific brain regions processing visual motion are not automatically or habitually engaged in language processing. The occasional engagement of visual areas in language processing appears to result from tasks requiring integration of visual and linguistic information or attention to motion‐specific features such as direction. The evidence reviewed therefore suggests that although perceptual representations may be flexibly engaged as a function of tasks and contexts, language comprehension in the absence of visual contexts habitually engages experience‐based representations of motion events that are one‐step removed from visual experiences, even in situations in which imagery is encouraged.
Electrospun Poly(vinyl alcohol) Nanofibres with Biocidal Additives for Application in Filter Media, 1–Properties Affecting Fibre Morphology and Characterisation
Authors: Gule Nonjabulo Prudence , de Kwaadsteniet Michele , Cloete Thomas Eugene , Klumperman Bert
Published: February 2012

Aqueous solutions of PVA containing the biocide AquaQure are electrospun into nanofibrous membranes with antimicrobial properties. AquaQure contains, amongst others, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions. Fibre morphology is observed under a scanning electron microscope, and effects of instrument parameters and solution characteristics on the morphology of electrospun PVA fibres are investigated. The average fibre diameter can be varied from 87 ± 14 to 246 ± 50 nm. It is found that addition of AquaQure has significant effects on fibre diameter due to changes in solution conductivity, surface tension and viscosity. The presence of AquaQure in the fibres is confirmed via several techniques.

magnified image
MicroRNA‐1322 regulates ECRG2 allele specifically and acts as a potential biomarker in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Tengfei , Zhao Dan , Wang Qiming , Yu Xiying , Cui Yaling , Guo Liping , Lu Shih Hsin
Published: February 2012

A short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphism in the 3′UTR region of esophageal cancer‐related gene 2 (ECRG2, also known as SPINK7) has been widely reported to be associated with the incidence and the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study explores how the microRNA binding to the STR region affects ECRG2 expression in ESCC. Dual‐luciferase reporter assays were used to verify the effects of the four microRNAs (miR‐580, miR‐1182, miR‐1272, and miR‐1322) predicted to bind the STR region of the ECRG2 3′ untranslated region (UTR). The expression of identified effective microRNA was then analyzed in 44 paired ESCC and adjacent normal tissues and 402 case–controlled serum samples (divided into a discovery group and an independent validation group) by real‐time RT‐PCR assay. We found that only miR‐1322 could significantly down‐regulate the ECRG2 with TCA3 allele (P < 0.01), but it could not down‐regulate the ECRG2 with TCA4 allele significantly (P > 0.05). MiR‐1322 was also expressed significantly higher in ESCC tissue and serum samples than in controls (both P < 0.01). Additionally, serum levels of miR‐1322 yielded an under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve area of 0.847 (95% CI, 0.795–0.890) for discriminating ESCCs from healthy controls in the discovery group and a similar result was obtained in the validation group (under ROC area is 0.845; 95%CI, 0.780–0.897). We conclude that miR‐1322 can regulate ECRG2 in an allele‐specific manner and that serum levels of miR‐1322 can serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for patients with ESCC. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metabolism of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]pyruvate in the isolated perfused rat lung – an ischemia study
Authors: Pullinger B. , Profka H. , Ardenkjaer‐Larsen J. H. , Kuzma N. N. , Kadlecek S. , Rizi R. R.
Published: February 2012

We report studies of the effect of ischemia on the metabolic activity of the intact perfused lung and its restoration after a period of reperfusion. Two groups of rat lungs were studied using hyperpolarized 1‐13C pyruvate to compare the rate of lactate labeling differing only in the temporal ordering of ischemic and normoxic acquisitions. In both cases, a several‐fold increase in lactate labeling was observed immediately after a 25‐min ischemia event as was its reversal back to the baseline after 30–40 min of resumed perfusion (n = 5, p < 0.025 for both comparisons). These results were corroborated by 31P spectroscopy and correspond well to measured changes in lactate pool size determined by 1H spectroscopy of freeze‐clamped specimens. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of arsenic trioxide by the pediatric preclinical testing program with a focus on Ewing sarcoma
Authors: Smith Malcolm A. , Kang Min H. , Reynolds C. Patrick , Kurmasheva Raushan T. , Alexander Denise , Billups Catherine A. , Toretsky Jeffrey A. , Houghton Peter J.
Published: February 2012

Arsenic trioxide was tested against the PPTP in vitro panel (1.0 nM to 10 µM) and against the PPTP Ewing sarcoma in vivo panel administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg daily × 5 per week for a planned treatment duration of 3 weeks. Arsenic trioxide showed a median relative IC50 value of 0.9 µM, with Ewing sarcoma cell lines having IC50 values similar to those of the remaining PPTP cell lines. Arsenic trioxide did not induce significant differences in EFS distribution compared to control in any of the Ewing sarcoma xenografts studied, and no objective responses were observed. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:753–755. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improving the histopathologic diagnosis of pediatric malignancies in a low‐resource setting by combining focused training and telepathology strategies
Authors: Santiago Teresa C. , Jenkins Jesse J. , Pedrosa Francisco , Billups Catherine , Quintana Yuri , Ribeiro Raul C. , Qaddoumi Ibrahim
Published: February 2012

Background

Accurate diagnosis is critical for optimal management of pediatric cancer. Pathologists with experience in pediatric oncology are in short supply in the developing world. Telepathology is increasingly used for consultations but its overall contribution to diagnostic accuracy is unknown.

Procedure

We developed a strategy to provide a focused training in pediatric cancer and telepathology support to pathologists in the developing world. After the training period, we compared trainee's diagnoses with those of an experienced pathologist. We next compared the effectiveness of static versus dynamic telepathology review in 127 cases. Results were compared by Fisher's exact test.

Results

The diagnoses of the trainee and the expert pathologist differed in only 6.5% of cases (95% CI, 1.2–20.0%). The overall concordance between the telepathology and original diagnoses was 90.6% (115/127; 95% CI, 84.1–94.6%).

Conclusions

Brief, focused training in pediatric cancer histopathology can improve diagnostic accuracy. Dynamic and static telepathology analyses are equally effective for diagnostic review. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012;59:221–225. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combined XPS and first principle study of metastable Mg–Ti thin films
Authors: Jensen I. J. T. , Løvvik O. M. , Schreuders H. , Dam B. , Diplas S.
Published: February 2012

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was employed to investigate Mg80Ti20 thin film samples prepared by magnetron sputtering and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed on atomistic models with similar stoichiometry. As Ti is known to be immiscible in Mg, the microstructure and atomic distribution of Mg–Ti thin films are not fully understood. In this work, it was shown by DFT calculations that the density of states (DOS) depends strongly on whether Ti is arranged in nano‐clusters or if it is distributed quasi‐randomly. The calculated DOS was compared to valence band spectra measured by XPS, as a new way of indirectly probing short‐range order of such thin films. The XPS results of Mg80Ti20 were found to correspond best with the DOS calculated for the nano‐cluster model, supporting the view that Ti forms small clusters in such sputtered thin films. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
RAMSEY NUMBERS FOR TREES
Authors: SUN ZHI-HONG
Published: February 2012

Forn≥5, letT′ndenote the unique tree onnvertices with Δ(T′n)=n−2, and letT*n=(V,E) be the tree onnvertices withV={v0,v1,…,vn−1} andE={v0v1,…,v0vn−3,vn−3vn−2,vn−2vn−1}. In this paper, we evaluate the Ramsey numbersr(Gm,T′n) andr(Gm,T*n) , whereGmis a connected graph of orderm. As examples, forn≥8 we haver(T′n,T*n)=r(T*n,T*n)=2n−5 , forn>m≥7 we haver(K1,m−1,T*n)=m+n−3 orm+n−4 according to whetherm−1∣n−3 orm−1∤n−3 , and form≥7 andn≥(m−3)2+2 we haver(T*m,T*n)=m+n−3 orm+n−4 according to whetherm−1∣n−3 orm−1∤n−3 .
Effects of neonatal enteral glutamine supplementation on cognitive, motor and behavioural outcomes in very preterm and/or very low birth weight children at school age
Authors: de Kieviet Jorrit F. , Oosterlaan Jaap , van Zwol Annelies , Boehm Guenther , Lafeber Harrie N. , van Elburg Ruurd M.
Published: February 2012

In very preterm ( < 32 weeks of gestation) and/or very low birth weight (VLBW, < 1500 g birth weight) children, serious neonatal infections are among the main causes of poor developmental outcomes later in childhood. The amino acid glutamine has been shown to reduce the incidence of serious neonatal infections in very preterm and/or VLBW children, while developmental effects beyond 24 months are unknown. We determined the cognitive, motor and behavioural outcomes at school age of a cohort of sixty-four very preterm and/or VLBW children (aged 7·5 (sd 0·4) years) who participated in a randomised placebo-controlled trial using enteral glutamine between day 3 and day 30 of life. Cognitive and motor outcomes were studied using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC), the Attention Network Test and a visual working memory task. Behavioural outcomes were evaluated using parent- and teacher-rated questionnaires. Intelligence quotient, processing speed, attentional functioning, working memory and parent- and teacher-rated behavioural outcomes were not different between children treated with glutamine or placebo; only visuomotor abilities as measured by the Ball Skills scale of the MABC (P = 0·002; d = 0·67) were poorer in the glutamine group. This effect persisted after taking into account the beneficial effects of lower serious neonatal infections rates in children treated with glutamine (P = 0·005). In conclusion, glutamine supplementation between day 3 and day 30 of life had neither beneficial nor detrimental effects on long-term cognitive, motor and behavioural outcomes of very preterm and/or VLBW children at school age, although visuomotor abilities were poorer in children that received glutamine.
The Effects of Deliberative Polling in an EU-wide Experiment: Five Mechanisms in Search of an Explanation
Authors: Sanders David
Published: February 2012

Deliberative Polls simulate public opinion in a given policy domain when members of the relevant mass public are better informed about the issues involved. This article reports on the results of a three-day Deliberative Poll, conducted before the June 2009 European Parliament elections, to evaluate the effects of deliberation on a representative sample of EU citizens. Findings show that, compared with a control group, deliberators changed their views significantly on immigration (becoming more liberal), climate change (becoming greener) and the EU itself (becoming more pro-European). Five different explanations of why deliberation appears to work are tested: sampling bias, increased political knowledge, discussion quality, small group social conformity pressure and the influence of other Deliberative Poll actors, but none is satisfactory.
No evidence for change in oviposition behaviour of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) after widespread adoption of transgenic insecticidal cotton
Authors: Zalucki M.P. , Cunningham J.P. , Downes S. , Ward P. , Lange C. , Meissle M. , Schellhorn N.A. , Zalucki J.M.
Published: February 2012

Cotton growing landscapes in Australia have been dominated by dual-toxin transgenic Bt varieties since 2004. The cotton crop has thus effectively become a sink for the main target pest, Helicoverpa armigera. Theory predicts that there should be strong selection on female moths to avoid laying on such plants. We assessed oviposition, collected from two cotton-growing regions, by female moths when given a choice of tobacco, cotton and cabbage. Earlier work in the 1980s and 1990s on populations from the same geographic locations indicated these hosts were on average ranked as high, mid and low preference plants, respectively, and that host rankings had a heritable component. In the present study, we found no change in the relative ranking of hosts by females, with most eggs being laid on tobacco, then cotton and least on cabbage. As in earlier work, some females laid most eggs on cotton and aspects of oviposition behaviour had a heritable component. Certainly, cotton is not avoided as a host, and the implications of these finding for managing resistance to Bt cotton are discussed.
Stridor as a presentation of fourth branchial pouch sinus
Authors: Nathan K , Bajaj Y , Jephson C G
Published: February 2012

Background:

Anomalies of the fourth arch are the rarest of all the branchial anomalies. They arise as a result of failure of involution of the cleft during embryogenesis, and manifest clinically as sinuses, cysts or abscesses in the neck, commonly presenting in childhood.

Methods:

This article describes a case of a neonate presenting with stridor which was secondary to a fourth branchial pouch sinus. The presentation, investigations, operative findings and treatment are discussed.

Results:

Microlaryngobronchoscopy was done to evaluate the stridor. A swelling in the posterolateral pharyngeal wall and a sinus opening in the pyriform fossa on the left side were identified. There were no external neck swellings. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a swelling in the expected region filled with air and fluid. After the diagnosis was confirmed, the swelling was aspirated and the fourth arch pouch treated. Microlaryngobronchoscopy was repeated six weeks later, showing complete resolution of the pharyngeal swelling. At this stage, the child had no airway symptoms and was feeding normally.

Conclusion:

This is an interesting case of a fourth branchial cleft pouch presenting with stridor. The child was treated without any complications and recovered well.
Bernoulli actions are weakly contained in any free action
Authors: ABÉRT MIKLÓS , WEISS BENJAMIN
Published: February 2012

Let Γ be a countable group and let f be a free probability measure-preserving action of Γ. We show that all Bernoulli actions of Γ are weakly contained in f. It follows that for a finitely generated group Γ, the cost is maximal on Bernoulli actions for Γ and that all free factors of i.i.d. (independent and identically distributed) actions of Γ have the same cost. We also show that if f is ergodic, but not strongly ergodic, then f is weakly equivalent to f×I, where Idenotes the trivial action of Γ on the unit interval. This leads to a relative version of the Glasner–Weiss dichotomy.
The role of science in MPA establishment in California: a personal perspective
Authors: HILBORN RAY
Published: February 2012

California has now largely completed a process for establishing marine protected areas (MPAs) that may be considered a model for other jurisdictions seeking to meet obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity. In the Californian process, a team of scientists established guidelines on the size and spacing of MPAs, as well as requirements for habitat representation and replication. The final outcomes, in terms of proportion of the coast encompassed by MPAs and the distribution and sizes of MPAs, were largely a result of decisions taken by the advisory scientists, rather than by the designated decision makers. Future legislation must recognize the uncertainties associated with benefits of MPAs and specifically allow for adaptive management including explicit experimental tests of uncertainties. The science team should define at the outset the major uncertainties about impacts, and deliberate experimentation and adaptive management should be essential parts of each design. Future legislation should be much more specific about the objectives of the MPAs and specify the percentage of the area that should be set aside as MPAs. Finally, quantitative models rather than guidelines should be used to evaluate the consequences of alternative designs.
Opinions of the public, conservationists and magistrates on sentencing wildlife trade crimes in the UK
Authors: ST JOHN FREYA A. V. , EDWARDS-JONES GARETH , JONES JULIA P. G.
Published: February 2012

The illegal trade in wild harvested plants and animals is a significant threat to populations and species worldwide. There is concern that in many countries sanctions for wildlife trade crimes are insufficient to act as a deterrent, and do not reflect the seriousness of offences. For these reasons it is important to understand professional and public opinions as to which aspects of such crimes make them more or less serious, and so deserving of a greater or lesser sentence. Conjoint analysis, a method used in marketing to understand which characteristics of a product are valued by consumers, was used to investigate which attributes of hypothetical wildlife trade offences (threat status and taxon of species involved, illegal profit, previous convictions and plea) UK-based conservation professionals, magistrates and the general public considered most important when sentencing wildlife criminals in the UK. Eighty-seven per cent of 682 respondents completed enough of the survey to be included in the analysis. Magistrates and the public considered illegal profit to be the single most important attribute, while conservationists considered the threat status of the species involved to be most important (considered second most important by magistrates and the public). Magistrates, when presented with adequate information, considered the threat status and corresponding legal protection afforded to wildlife when considering how serious a wildlife trade crime was, and doing so is in line with public opinion on sentencing such offences. This study highlights the importance of ensuring that judiciaries are presented with information concerning both the potential profit and conservation impact of wildlife trade crimes. Sentencing councils must develop appropriate guidelines to support judiciaries in their sentencing of wildlife crimes.
Investigating the effect of high spring incidence of pandemic influenza A(H1N1) on early autumn incidence
Authors: BURKOM H. , KNISS K. , MELTZER M. , BRAMMER L. , ELBERT Y. , FINELLI L. , SWERDLOW D.
Published: February 2012

A pandemic H1N1 infection wave in the USA occurred during spring 2009. Some hypothesized that for regions affected by the spring wave, an autumn outbreak would be less likely or delayed compared to unaffected regions because of herd immunity. We investigated this hypothesis using the Outpatient Influenza-like Illness (ILI) Network, a collaboration among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, health departments, and care providers. We evaluated the likelihood of high early autumn incidence given high spring incidence in core-based statistical areas (CBSAs). Using a surrogate incidence measure based on influenza-related illness ratios, we calculated the odds of high early autumn incidence given high spring incidence. CBSAs with high spring ILI ratios proved more likely than unaffected CBSAs to have high early autumn ratios, suggesting that elevated spring illness did not protect against early autumn increases. These novel methods are applicable to planning and studies involving other infectious diseases.
How pluricentric is the French language? An investigation of attitudes towards Quebec French compared to European French
Authors: KIRCHER RUTH
Published: February 2012

This paper presents the results of a study that employed a questionnaire and a matched-guise experiment to investigate the attitudes that Quebec francophones, anglophones, French-English bilinguals and allophones hold towards Quebec French compared to European French. The findings indicate that attitudes towards Quebec French on the solidarity dimension have improved since the 1980s, while attitudes on the status dimension have remained the same. These findings are interpreted in the context of the burgeoning of Quebecers’ sense of belonging to their society on the one hand, and the tradition of viewing French as a monocentric rather than a pluricentric language on the other hand.
GENERATORS OF THE EISENSTEIN–PICARD MODULAR GROUP
Authors: WANG JIEYAN , XIAO YINGQING , XIE BAOHUA
Published: February 2012

We prove that the Eisenstein–Picard modular group SU(2,1;ℤ[ω3]) can be generated by four given transformations.
Using satellites to probe extrasolar planet formation
Authors: Withers Paul , Barnes Jason W.
Published: February 2012

Planetary satellites are an integral part of the hierarchy of planetary systems. Here we make two predictions concerning their formation. First, primordial satellites, which have an array of distinguishing characteristics, form only around giant planets. If true, the size and duration of a planetary system's protostellar nebula, as well as the location of its snow line, can be constrained by knowing which of its planets possess primordial satellites and which do not. Second, all satellites around terrestrial planets form by impacts. If true, this greatly enhances the constraints that can be placed on the history of terrestrial planets by their satellites' compositions, sizes, and dynamics.
The Great East Japan earthquake in 2011; toward sustainable mental health care system
Authors: Suzuki Y. , Kim Y.
Published: February 2012

In face with a triple disaster of earthquake, tsunami and nuclear power plant accident, the degrees of which are historically hardly preceded, immediate mental health countermeasure was taken by the initiative of the national and local government together with academic and clinical organizations. Based on previous experience of natural disasters, more than 50 mental health care teams have been organized and dispatched to the affected areas, scheduled by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. When 6 months have passed, the acute and temporal support system should be replaced with more sustainable local networks with aims at promoting resilience, though community psychiatric service should be developed as well. Existing guidelines should be respected but actually it tended to be only partially recognized. In Fukushima prefecture, where nuclear plant accident occurred, its mental health impact is most concerned and long-term follow-up of the residents' health has been being planned.
Detecting evidence for CO2 fertilization from tree ring studies: The potential role of sampling biases
Authors: Brienen Roel J. W. , Gloor Emanuel , Zuidema Pieter A.
Published: February 2012

Tree ring analysis allows reconstructing historical growth rates over long periods. Several studies have reported an increasing trend in ring widths, often attributed to growth stimulation by increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration. However, these trends may also have been caused by sampling biases. Here we describe two biases and evaluate their magnitude. (1) The slow‐grower survivorship biasis caused by differences in tree longevity of fast‐ and slow‐growing trees within a population. If fast‐growing trees live shorter, they are underrepresented in the ancient portion of the tree ring data set. As a result, reconstructed growth rates in the distant past are biased toward slower growth. (2) Thebig‐tree selection biasis caused by sampling only the biggest trees in a population. As a result, slow‐growing small trees are underrepresented in recent times as they did not reach the minimum sample diameter. We constructed stochastic models to simulate growth trajectories based on a hypothetical species with lifetime constant growth rates and on observed tree ring data from the tropical treeCedrela odorata. Tree growth rates used as input in our models were kept constant over time. By mimicking a standard tree ring sampling approach and selecting only big living trees, we show that both biases lead to apparent increases in historical growth rates. Increases for the slow‐grower survivorship bias were relatively small and depended strongly on assumptions about tree mortality. The big‐tree selection bias resulted in strong historical increases, with a doubling in growth rates over recent decades. A literature review suggests that historical growth increases reported in many tree ring studies may have been partially due to the big‐tree sampling bias. We call for great caution in the interpretation of historical growth trends from tree ring analyses and recommend that such studies include individuals of all sizes.
Perceptible changes in regional precipitation in a future climate
Authors: Mahlstein Irina , Portmann Robert W. , Daniel John S. , Solomon Susan , Knutti Reto
Published: February 2012

Evidence is strong that the changes observed in the Earth's globally averaged temperature over the past half‐century are caused to a large degree by human activities. Efforts to document accompanying precipitation changes in observations have met with limited success, and have been primarily focussed on large‐scale regions in order to reduce the relative impact of the natural variability of precipitation as compared to any potential forced change. Studies have not been able to identify statistically significant changes in observed precipitation on small spatial scales. General circulation climate models offer the possibility to extend the analysis of precipitation changes into the future, to determine when simulated changes may emerge from the simulated variability locally as well as regionally. Here we estimate the global temperature increase needed for the precipitation “signal” to emerge from the “noise” of interannual variability within various climatic regions during their wet season. The climatic regions are defined based on cluster analysis. The dry season is not included due to poor model performance as compared to measurements during the observational period. We find that at least a 1.4°C warmer climate compared with the early 20th century is needed for precipitation changes to become statistically significant in any of the analysed climate regions. By the end of this century, it is likely that many land regions will experience statistically significant mean precipitation changes during wet season relative to the early 20th century based on an A1B scenario.
The March 11, 2011 Tohoku‐oki earthquake and cascading failure of the plate interface
Authors: Kiser Eric , Ishii Miaki
Published: February 2012

A continuous back‐projection analysis using data recorded in North America between March 9, 2011 and April 7, 2011 is applied to the Mw 9.0 2011 Tohoku‐oki earthquake and the foreshocks and aftershocks of this event. As with the Mw 8.8 2010 Maule, Chile earthquake, back‐projection results of the mainshock show variations in rupture behavior when data filtered to different frequency ranges are used. In particular, there is a relationship between the frequency of data used and the position along the dip direction of the energy release, with the highest‐frequency result imaging energy at the down‐dip edge of the rupture and progressively lower frequencies showing a continuous shift updip. In addition, these results show that late in the rupture (∼200 seconds after the hypocentral time), energy at all frequencies is imaged very close to the trench at about 37°N, which, with the energy imaged near and updip of the epicenter, may have acted as a tsunami source. Comparing the mainshock rupture area to the area that ruptured during M ≥ 6 foreshocks and aftershocks between March 9th and April 7th shows that total failure of the plate interface nearly doubled compared to the mainshock alone. Building upon the idea that the mainshock occurred through interactions between multiple segments, the results imply that the total failure area of the interface may represent the area that can rupture during a single event as a series of in‐phase interface segments.
Regulatory T‐cell abnormalities and the global epidemic of immuno‐inflammatory disease
Authors: Fazekas de St Groth Barbara
Published: February 2012

The incidence of autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory disease is increasing due to as yet unidentified environmental factors related to western living conditions. Here, I propose that alterations in the gut microbiome, acting via regulatory T cells (Tregs), may be responsible for this epidemic. Tregs control the threshold for peripheral antigen recognition via tonic downregulation of dendritic cell (DC) costimulation, and are also implicated in maintaining the tolerogenic function of DCs. In this model, minor perturbations in Treg number or function are predicted to lower the activation threshold, allowing proliferation and differentiation of self‐reactive CD4T cells of too low an affinity to have undergone negative selection in the thymus. Failure to maintain the tolerogenic commitment of DCs exposed to commensal microbes and allergens could result in potentially pathogenic, allergic and inflammatory responses at epithelial surfaces.
Teammates and Social Influence Affect Weight Loss Outcomes in a Team‐Based Weight Loss Competition
Authors: Leahey Tricia M. , Kumar Rajiv , Weinberg Brad M. , Wing Rena R.
Published: February 2012

Team‐based internet interventions are increasing in popularity as a way of promoting weight loss in large numbers of individuals. Given that social networks influence health behavior change, this study investigated the effects of teammates and social influence on individual weight loss during a team‐based weight loss competition. Shape Up Rhode Island (SURI) 2009 was a 12‐week online program open to adult residents of Rhode Island. Participants joined with a team and competed with other teams on weight loss and/or physical activity. Overweight/obese (OW/OB) individuals (N = 3,330; 76% female; age = 46.1 ± 10.8; BMI = 31.2 ± 5.3 kg/m2), representing 987 teams, completed the weight loss program. Multilevel modeling was used to examine whether weight loss clustered among teammates and whether percentage of teammates in the weight loss division and reported teammate influence on weight loss were associated with individual weight outcomes. OW/OB completers reported losing 4.2 ± 3.4% of initial body weight. Weight loss was similar among teammates (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.10, P < 0.001). Moreover, having a greater percentage of teammates in the weight loss division and reporting higher social influence for weight loss were associated with greater percent weight loss (P's ≤ 0.002). Similarly, achieving a clinically significant (5%) weight loss tended to cluster within teams (ICC = 0.09; P < 0.001) and having more teammates in the weight loss division and higher social influence for weight loss were associated with increased likelihood of achieving a 5% weight loss (odds ratio (OR) = 1.06; OR = 1.20, respectively). These results suggest that teammates affect weight loss outcomes during a team‐based intervention. Harnessing and maximizing teammate influence for weight loss may enhance weight outcomes in large‐scale team‐based programs.