bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction to the special issue: Aspects of word learning on first exposure to a second language
Authors: Carroll Susanne E
Published: April 2013

This contribution presents an overview of first exposure studies in the context of word learning, focusing on issues that show up repeatedly in the relevant literature: computation versus storage, the nature of representations of words and how those representations are processed. I discuss aspects of research methodologies that limit our ability to generalize from experiments to normal learning situations. I conclude with a brief discussion of the articles of this issue.
Learning exponents of number on first exposure to an L2
Authors: Carroll Susanne E. , Widjaja Elizabeth (Nina)
Published: April 2013

Number lends itself to the study of how input interacts with transferred first language (L1) knowledge to facilitate or impede second language (L2) learning. We present data from adult English speakers exposed for the first time to Indonesian, a language that expresses number through bare noun phrases, reduplication and numeral + classifier constructions. Participants were trained on each construction and subsequently tested on both familiar expressions and novel ones. Learners acquired all three constructions. We discuss our results in terms of current theories of second language acquisition.
Extracting words from the speech stream at first exposure
Authors: Shoemaker Ellenor , Rast Rebekah
Published: April 2013

The earliest stages of adult language acquisition have received increased attention in recent years (cf. Carroll, introduction to this issue). The study reported here aims to contribute to this discussion by investigating the role of several variables in the development of word recognition strategies during the very first hours of exposure to a novel target language (TL). Eighteen native speakers of French with no previous exposure to Polish were tested at intervals throughout a 6.5-hour intensive Polish course on their ability to extract target words from Polish sentences. Following Rast and Dommergues’ (2003) first exposure study, stimuli were designed to investigate the effect of three factors: the lexical transparency of the target word with respect to the native language (L1); the frequency of the target word in the input; the target word’s position in the sentence.

Results suggest that utterance position plays an essential role in learners’ ability to recognize words in the signal at first exposure, indicating acute sensitivity to the edges of prosodic domains. In addition, transparent words (e.g. professor ‘professor’) were recognized significantly better than non-transparent words (e.g. lekarz ‘doctor’), suggesting that first exposure learners are highly dependent on L1 phonological forms. Furthermore, the frequency of a target word in the input did not affect performance, suggesting that at the very beginning stages of learning, the amount of exposure to a lexical item alone does not play a significant role in recognition.
Cardiac-derived stem cell-based therapy for heart failure: progress and clinical applications
Authors: Tang Yaoliang L , Wang Yingjie J , Chen Lijuan J , Pan Yaohua H , Zhang Lan , Weintraub Neal L
Published: April 2013

Stem cell-based therapy is emerging as a promising strategy to treat end-stage heart failure, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Stem cells can be isolated from a variety of sources and exhibit unique characteristics that impact their potential therapeutic utility. The adult heart contains small populations of committed, multipotent cardiac stem cells (CSC), which are adapted to the cardiac microenvironment and participate in postnatal physiological and pathological cardiac renewal or repair. These cells can be isolated, expanded in culture, and administered therapeutically to improve cardiac function in the setting of heart failure. CSC can be differentiated into three distinct cardiovascular lineages and exhibit enhanced paracrine factor production and engraftment as compared with other types of mesenchymal stem cells, which in turn may translate into improved therapeutic efficacy. The cell surface marker expression and phenotype of these CSC, however, depends on the method of isolation, selection and propagation, which likely explains the variable experimental results obtained to date. Moreover, invasive procedures are required to obtain CSC from humans. Early trials using autologous CSC in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy have demonstrated feasibility and safety, along with variable degrees of therapeutic efficacy in terms of enhancing myocardial viability and cardiac function. Further studies are needed to optimize methods of CSC isolation, manipulation and delivery. If fully realized, the potential of CSC therapy could fundamentally change the approach to the treatment of end-stage heart failure.
Defining a genotoxic profile with mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Kim Tae Moon , Rebel Vivienne I , Hasty Paul
Published: April 2013

Many genotoxins are found in the environment from synthetic to natural, yet very few have been studied in depth. This means we fail to understand many molecules that damage DNA, we do not understand the type of damage they cause and the repair pathways required to correct their lesions. It is surprising so little is known about the vast majority of genotoxins since they have potential to cause disease from developmental defects to cancer to degenerative ailments. By contrast, some of these molecules have commercial and medical potential and some can be weaponized. Therefore, we need a systematic method to efficiently generate a genotoxic profile for these agents. A genotoxic profile would include the type of damage the genotoxin causes, the pathways used to repair the damage and the resultant mutations if repair fails. Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are well suited for identifying pathways and mutations. Mouse ES cells are genetically tractable and many DNA repair mutant cells are available. ES cells have a high mitotic index and form colonies so experiments can be completed quickly and easily. Furthermore, ES cells have robust DNA repair pathways to minimize genetic mutations at a particularly vulnerable time in life, early development when a mutation in a single cell could ultimately contribute to a large fraction of the individual. After an initial screen, other types of cells and mouse models can be used to complement the analysis. This review discusses the merging field of genotoxic screens in mouse ES cells that can be used to discover and study potential genotoxic activity for chemicals commonly found in our environment.
Cell cycle regulation in human embryonic stem cells: links to adaptation to cell culture
Authors: Barta Tomas , Dolezalova Dasa , Holubcova Zuzana , Hampl Ales
Published: April 2013

Cell cycle represents not only a tightly orchestrated mechanism of cell replication and cell division but it also plays an important role in regulation of cell fate decision. Particularly in the context of pluripotent stem cells or multipotent progenitor cells, regulation of cell fate decision is of paramount importance. It has been shown that human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) show unique cell cycle characteristics, such as short doubling time due to abbreviated G1 phase; these properties change with the onset of differentiation. This review summarizes the current understanding of cell cycle regulation in hESCs. We discuss cell cycle properties as well as regulatory machinery governing cell cycle progression of undifferentiated hESCs. Additionally, we provide evidence that long-term culture of hESCs is accompanied by changes in cell cycle properties as well as configuration of several cell cycle regulatory molecules.
Patient heal thyself: modeling and treating neurological disorders using patient-derived stem cells
Authors: Ess Kevin C
Published: April 2013

Disorders of the brain and spinal cord are common worldwide problems but have remained very difficult to treat. As a group they have diverse etiologies and can be due to trauma, infection, tumors, genetic mutations and environmental insults. Though distinct in etiology, neurological disorders share an overall intractability as current therapies are largely limited to treatment of symptoms. Improved outcomes are further constrained by the minimal endogenous capacity of the brain and spinal cord for repair. Spectacular recent scientific advances, however, suggest that new stem cell-based approaches may change this undesirable situation. In this review, I will broadly outline the challenges of studying and treating disorders of the brain and spinal cord. I will review ongoing attempts to use stem cell-based therapies to both model and treat neurological disorders. While this field is in its infancy, expected advances and needed breakthroughs point to a future where patient-derived stem cells will be the basis for the emerging discipline of regenerative neurology.
Successful thoracic endovascular aortic repair of an aortoesophageal fistula
Authors: Ozaki Kumi , Sanada Junichiro , Ohtake Hiroshi , Watanabe Go , Matsui Osamu
Published: April 2013

We report three cases of aortoesophageal fistula (AEF), in which the patients remained free from catastrophic bleeding after endovascular stent-grafting. The three patients, who were not candidates for surgical repair because of their poor general condition and prognosis, underwent endovascular stent-grafting following the administration of antibiotics and were successfully managed; hemostasis was maintained for several months until their death. Although we did not find any conclusive evidence to support this strategy, our experiences suggest that endovascular stent-grafting of AEF is useful for maintaining hemodynamic stability.
Effects of anesthesia versus regional nerve block on major leg amputation mortality rate
Authors: Lin Roy , Hingorani Anil , Marks Natalie , Ascher Enrico , Jimenez Robert , Mcintyre Thom , Jacob Theresa
Published: April 2013

There are greater than 120,000 above-knee amputations (AKA) and below-knee amputations (BKA) performed in the USA each year. Traditionally, general anesthesia (GA) was the preferred modality of anesthesia. The use of regional nerve blocks has recently gained popularity, however, without the supporting evidence of any mortality benefits. Our objective was to evaluate whether regional nerve blocks yield significant mortality reduction in major lower-extremity amputations. Retrospective data of both AKA and BKA procedures at the Maimonides Medical Center from 2005 to 2009 were analyzed. Patients received either general sedation, spinal or ultrasound-guided regional nerve blocks as per decision of the attending anesthesiologist. Regional nerve blocks for major lower-extremity amputations consisted of femoral, sciatic, saphenous and popliteal nerve blocks. A retrospective inquiry of 30-day mortality was performed with reference to the Social Security Death Index and hospital records. One hundred and fifty-eight patients were included in the study (82 men and 86 women with mean age of 74.5 years ± 12.9 SD, range of 33-98 years) of which 46 patients had regional nerve blocks and 112 had GA or spinal blocks. Patients who received both regional blocks and GA/spinal blocks within 30 days were excluded. The overall 30-day mortality was 17.1% (27 patients) consisting of 15.2% for regional nerve analgesia versus 17.9% for GA/spinal blocks ( P = 0.867). Age did not affect mortality outcome in either groups of anesthesia modality. Our analysis did not reveal any mortality benefit of utilizing regional nerve block over GA or spinal blocks.
Endovascular treatment of isolated iliac artery aneurysms using a custom-made stent graft with proximal barb fixation: early outcome
Authors: Baird D L H , Mani K , Sabharwal T , Taylor P R , Zayed H A
Published: April 2013

Current endovascular treatments for isolated iliac artery aneurysms (IIAAs) include the use of aortoiliac stent grafts with coverage of the distal aorta or stent grafts confined to the iliac artery without active proximal fixation. We report our experience in the use of custom-made Cook Zenith™ iliac limb stent grafts with proximal barb fixation. Patients treated from July 2009 to February 2011 were included. All imaging and patient records were assessed for perioperative and early outcomes. Nine IIAAs (seven patients) were treated. The mean patient age was 80 years (range 58-91 years). The mean aneurysm size was 48 mm (35-80 mm), and the mean length of the proximal landing zone (PLZ) was 29 mm (10-50 mm). The distal landing zone was in the external iliac artery after coil embolization of the internal iliac artery. The Mean diameter of the PLZ was 21 mm (20-24 mm). Technical success was achieved in eight cases. Perioperative complications included reoperation in one patient for groin bleeding and ischemia. On follow-up (mean 12 months, range 1-26), all aneurysms were successfully excluded from the circulation and there was no stent graft migration or thrombosis. Use of custom-made stent grafts with proximal barb fixation in treatment of IIAAs is a feasible option which may reduce the risk of migration when compared with stent grafts with lack of proximal fixation.
An atypical case of contrast-induced encephalopathy after carotid artery stenting
Authors: Menna D , Capoccia L , Rizzo A R , Sbarigia E , Speziale F
Published: April 2013

Neurotoxicity caused by contrast agents is a rare and less known complication of percutaneous carotid and coronary interventions. Radiological signs, such as cortical enhancement and brain edema, are of utmost importance in diagnosis. A 70-year-old female patient underwent left carotid artery stenting to treat a post-traumatic asymptomatic carotid dissection. Three hours after intervention, a mild aphasia developed with no brain alteration on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). Twelve hours after intervention, symptoms worsened but a new DW-MRI scan showed no pathological findings. Since a contrast-induced encephalopathy was diagnosed, fluid administration was raised to 2 mL/kg/h and the neurological status progressively improved. In the following three days, neurological deficit slowly regressed. Two weeks after intervention, aphasia had disappeared and a further cerebral DW-MRI scan detected no brain alteration. Typical radiological signs are described in association to contrast encephalopathy. Nevertheless, vascular interventional physicians should be well aware of this condition also when those signs are lacking.
Testicular, Epididymal and Adnexal Ultrasound: A Pictorial Review. Part 1: Testicular Ultrasound
Authors: Chetcuti Karen , Lam Kimberly , Belfield Jane C
Published: April 2013

Diagnostic ultrasound is considered to be the gold standard imaging modality for testicular assessment. As a result, it is frequently encountered by general radiologists and sonographers on daily ultrasound lists as well as by radiology residents out of hours. The main strength of diagnostic ultrasound in testicular assessment is that the high-frequency linear transducers utilized reproduce high-resolution images allowing accurate assessment of the testicular parenchyma. The fact that no ionizing radiation is utilized is particularly important as many patients on whom a testicular scan is requested are young or middle aged and the testis as an organ is very radiosensitive. This pictorial review comprises a range of illustrated images of congenital, benign, malignant, infection, polyorchidism and prosthesis-related pathologies collated over a two-year period at our institution.
Comparative evaluation of short-term biomarker response to treatment for growth hormone deficiency in Chinese children with growth hormone deficiency born small for or appropriate for gestational age: a randomized phase IV open-label study
Authors: Lu Wenli , Shen Shuixian , Luo Xiaoping , Gong Chunxiu , Gu Xuefan , Li Yun , Du Minlian , Jin Runming , Zhou Queena , Wang Wei
Published: April 2013

Objectives:

To compare the response between Chinese children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) born either small for gestational age (SGA) or appropriate for gestational age (AGA) after 4 weeks of recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH) therapy.

Methods:

This was a phase IV, open-label, multicenter, interventional study (NCT01187550). Prepubertal children with GHD received open-label treatment with daily r-hGH (0.033 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP3), and metabolic markers (including fasting glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) were assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment, and were analyzed according to patient subgroup (SGA or AGA).

Results:

A total of 205 children with GHD (mean age 10.4 years; 175 AGA, 30 SGA) were included in the analysis. Mean baseline serum IGF-I and IGFBP3 standard deviation scores (SDS) across the whole patient population were lower than the population norms (mean values: -2.1 SDS for IGF-I and -1.2 SDS for IGFBP3), with no significant differences between the two patient subgroups. After 4 weeks, IGF-I and IGFBP3 levels increased by 1.0 SDS ( p < 0.001) and 0.34 SDS ( p < 0.001), respectively, but no significant differences were found between the two patient subgroups for growth-related or metabolic markers.

Conclusions:

For children with GHD born SGA, IGF-I and IGFBP3 are short-term biomarkers of responsiveness to treatment with growth hormone, as for children with GHD born AGA.
Logic Learning Machine creates explicit and stable rules stratifying neuroblastoma patients
Authors: Cangelosi Davide , Blengio Fabiola , Versteeg Rogier , Eggert Angelika , Garaventa Alberto , Gambini Claudio , Conte Massimo , Eva Alessandra , Muselli Marco , Varesio Luigi
Published: April 2013

Background

Neuroblastoma is the most common pediatric solid tumor. About fifty percent of high risk patients die despite treatment making the exploration of new and more effective strategies for improving stratification mandatory. Hypoxia is a condition of low oxygen tension occurring in poorly vascularized areas of the tumor associated with poor prognosis. We had previously defined a robust gene expression signature measuring the hypoxic component of neuroblastoma tumors (NB-hypo) which is a molecular risk factor. We wanted to develop a prognostic classifier of neuroblastoma patients' outcome blending existing knowledge on clinical and molecular risk factors with the prognostic NB-hypo signature. Furthermore, we were interested in classifiers outputting explicit rules that could be easily translated into the clinical setting.

Results

Shadow Clustering (SC) technique, which leads to final models called Logic Learning Machine (LLM), exhibits a good accuracy and promises to fulfill the aims of the work. We utilized this algorithm to classify NB-patients on the bases of the following risk factors: Age at diagnosis, INSS stage, MYCN amplification and NB-hypo. The algorithm generated explicit classification rules in good agreement with existing clinical knowledge. Through an iterative procedure we identified and removed from the dataset those examples which caused instability in the rules. This workflow generated a stable classifier very accurate in predicting good and poor outcome patients. The good performance of the classifier was validated in an independent dataset. NB-hypo was an important component of the rules with a strength similar to that of tumor staging.

Conclusions

The novelty of our work is to identify stability, explicit rules and blending of molecular and clinical risk factors as the key features to generate classification rules for NB patients to be conveyed to the clinic and to be used to design new therapies. We derived, through LLM, a set of four stable rules identifying a new class of poor outcome patients that could benefit from new therapies potentially targeting tumor hypoxia or its consequences.
Analysis and consensus of currently available intrinsic protein disorder annotation sources in the MobiDB database
Authors: Di Domenico Tomás , Walsh Ian , Tosatto Silvio CE
Published: April 2013

Background

Intrinsic protein disorder is becoming an increasingly important topic in protein science. During the last few years, intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) have been shown to play a role in many important biological processes, e.g. protein signalling and regulation. This has sparked a need to better understand and characterize different types of IDPs, their functions and roles. Our recently published database, MobiDB, provides a centralized resource for accessing and analysing intrinsic protein disorder annotations.

Results

Here, we present a thorough description and analysis of the data made available by MobiDB, providing descriptive statistics on the various available annotation sources. Version 1.2.1 of the database contains annotations for ca. 4,500,000 UniProt sequences, covering all eukaryotic proteomes. In addition, we describe a novel consensus annotation calculation and its related weighting scheme. The comparison between disorder information sources highlights how the MobiDB consensus captures the main features of intrinsic disorder and correlates well with manually curated datasets. Finally, we demonstrate the annotation of 13 eukaryotic model organisms through MobiDB's datasets, and of an example protein through the interactive user interface.

Conclusions

MobiDB is a central resource for intrinsic disorder research, containing both experimental data and predictions. In the future it will be expanded to include additional information for all known proteins.
VIRGO: visualization of A-to-I RNA editing sites in genomic sequences
Authors: Distefano Rosario , Nigita Giovanni , Macca Valentina , Laganà Alessandro , Giugno Rosalba , Pulvirenti Alfredo , Ferro Alfredo
Published: April 2013

Background

RNA Editing is a type of post-transcriptional modification that takes place in the eukaryotes. It alters the sequence of primary RNA transcripts by deleting, inserting or modifying residues. Several forms of RNA editing have been discovered including A-to-I, C-to-U, U-to-C and G-to-A. In recent years, the application of global approaches to the study of A-to-I editing, including high throughput sequencing, has led to important advances. However, in spite of enormous efforts, the real biological mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unknown.

Description

In this work, we present VIRGO (http://atlas.dmi.unict.it/virgo/), a web-based tool that maps Ato-G mismatches between genomic and EST sequences as candidate A-to-I editing sites. VIRGO is built on top of a knowledge-base integrating information of genes from UCSC, EST of NCBI, SNPs, DARNED, and Next Generations Sequencing data. The tool is equipped with a user-friendly interface allowing users to analyze genomic sequences in order to identify candidate A-to-I editing sites.

Conclusions

VIRGO is a powerful tool allowing a systematic identification of putative A-to-I editing sites in genomic sequences. The integration of NGS data allows the computation of p-values and adjusted p-values to measure the mapped editing sites confidence. The whole knowledge base is available for download and will be continuously updated as new NGS data becomes available.
Genome analyses of the wheat yellow (stripe) rust pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. triticireveal polymorphic and haustorial expressed secreted proteins as candidate effectors
Authors: Cantu Dario , Segovia Vanesa , MacLean Daniel , Bayles Rosemary , Chen Xianming , Kamoun Sophien , Dubcovsky Jorge , Saunders Diane GO , Uauy Cristobal
Published: April 2013

Background

Wheat yellow (stripe) rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (PST) is one of the most devastating diseases of wheat worldwide. To design effective breeding strategies that maximize the potential for durable disease resistance it is important to understand the molecular basis of PST pathogenicity. In particular, the characterisation of the structure, function and evolutionary dynamics of secreted effector proteins that are detected by host immune receptors can help guide and prioritize breeding efforts. However, to date, our knowledge of the effector repertoire of cereal rust pathogens is limited.

Results

We re-sequenced genomes of four PST isolates from the US and UK to identify effector candidates and relate them to their distinct virulence profiles. First, we assessed SNP frequencies between all isolates, with heterokaryotic SNPs being over tenfold more frequent (5.29 ± 2.23 SNPs/kb) than homokaryotic SNPs (0.41 ± 0.28 SNPs/kb). Next, we implemented a bioinformatics pipeline to integrate genomics, transcriptomics, and effector-focused annotations to identify and classify effector candidates in PST. RNAseq analysis highlighted transcripts encoding secreted proteins that were significantly enriched in haustoria compared to infected tissue. The expression of 22 candidate effector genes was characterised using qRT-PCR, revealing distinct temporal expression patterns during infection in wheat. Lastly, we identified proteins that displayed non-synonymous substitutions specifically between the two UK isolates PST-87/7 and PST-08/21, which differ in virulence to two wheat varieties. By focusing on polymorphic variants enriched in haustoria, we identified five polymorphic effector candidates between PST-87/7 and PST-08/21 among 2,999 secreted proteins. These allelic variants are now a priority for functional validation as virulence/avirulence effectors in the corresponding wheat varieties.

Conclusions

Integration of genomics, transcriptomics, and effector-directed annotation of PST isolates has enabled us to move beyond the single isolate-directed catalogues of effector proteins and develop a framework for mining effector proteins in closely related isolates and relate these back to their defined virulence profiles. This should ultimately lead to more comprehensive understanding of the PST pathogenesis system, an important first step towards developing more effective surveillance and management strategies for one of the most devastating pathogens of wheat.
Comparative genomic analysis of four representative plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in Pseudomonas
Authors: Shen Xuemei , Hu Hongbo , Peng Huasong , Wang Wei , Zhang Xuehong
Published: April 2013

Background

SomePseudomonasstrains function as predominant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Within this group,Pseudomonas chlororaphisandPseudomonas fluorescensare non-pathogenic biocontrol agents, and somePseudomonas aeruginosaandPseudomonas stutzeristrains are PGPR.P.chlororaphisGP72 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium with a fully sequenced genome. We conducted a genomic analysis comparing GP72 with three other pseudomonad PGPR:P.fluorescensPf-5,P.aeruginosaM18, and the nitrogen-fixing strainP.stutzeriA1501. Our aim was to identify the similarities and differences among these strains using a comparative genomic approach to clarify the mechanisms of plant growth-promoting activity.

Results

The genome sizes of GP72, Pf-5, M18, and A1501 ranged from 4.6 to 7.1 M, and the number of protein-coding genes varied among the four species. Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COGs) analysis assigned functions to predicted proteins. The COGs distributions were similar among the four species. However, the percentage of genes encoding transposases and their inactivated derivatives (COG L) was 1.33% of the total genes with COGs classifications in A1501, 0.21% in GP72, 0.02% in Pf-5, and 0.11% in M18. A phylogenetic analysis indicated that GP72 and Pf-5 were the most closely related strains, consistent with the genome alignment results. Comparisons of predicted coding sequences (CDSs) between GP72 and Pf-5 revealed 3544 conserved genes. There were fewer conserved genes when GP72 CDSs were compared with those of A1501 and M18. Comparisons among the fourPseudomonasspecies revealed 603 conserved genes in GP72, illustrating common plant growth-promoting traits shared among these PGPR. Conserved genes were related to catabolism, transport of plant-derived compounds, stress resistance, and rhizosphere colonization. Some strain-specific CDSs were related to different kinds of biocontrol activities or plant growth promotion. The GP72 genome contained thecusoperon (related to heavy metal resistance) and a gene cluster involved in type IV pilus biosynthesis, which confers adhesion ability.

Conclusions

Comparative genomic analysis of four representative PGPR revealed some conserved regions, indicating common characteristics (metabolism of plant-derived compounds, heavy metal resistance, and rhizosphere colonization) among these pseudomonad PGPR. Genomic regions specific to each strain provide clues to its lifestyle, ecological adaptation, and physiological role in the rhizosphere.
Enhanced biocidal activity of Au nanoparticles synthesized in one pot using 2, 4-dihydroxybenzene carbodithioic acid as a reducing and stabilizing agent
Authors: Naz Syeda Sohaila , Islam Nazar Ul , Shah Muhammad Raza , Alam Syed Sartaj , Iqbal Zafar , Bertino Massimo , Franzel Louis , Ahmed Afifa
Published: April 2013

Background

The conjugation of gold nanoparticles with biocides such as natural products, oligosaccharides, DNA, proteins has attracted great attention of scientists recently. Gold NPs covered with biologically important molecules showed significant enhancement in biological activity in comparison with the activity of the free biocides. However, these reports are not very systematic and do not allow to draw definitive conclusions. We therefore embarked in a systematic study related to the synthesis and characterization of biocidal activities of Au nanoparticles conjugated to a wide variety of synthetic and natural biomolecules. In this specific report, we investigated the activity of a synthetic biocide, 2-4, Dihydroxybenzene carbodithioic acid (DHT).

Results

Au nanoparticles (NP) with a mean size of about 20 nm were synthesized and functionalized in one pot with the help of biocide 2,4-Dihydroxybenzene carbodithioic acid (DHT) to reduce HAuCl4 in aqueous solution. Conjugation of DHT with gold was confirmed by FT-IR and the amount of DHT conjugated to the Au nanoparticles was found to be 7% by weight by measuring the concentration of DHT in the supernatant after centrifugation of the Au NPs. To ascertain the potential for in vivo applications, the stability of the suspensions was investigated as a function of pH, temperature and salt concentration. Antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal and cytotoxic activities of the Au-DHT conjugates were compared with those of pure DHT and of commercially available biocides. In all cases, the biocidal activity of the Au-DHT conjugates was comparable to that of commercial products and of DHT.

Conclusions

Since the DHT concentration in the Au-DHT conjugates was only about 7%, our results indicate that conjugation to the Au NPs boosts the biocidal activity of DHT by about 14 times. The suspensions were found to be stable for several days at temperatures of up to 100°C, salt concentrations up to 4 mol/L and a pH range of 2-13.
The socio-cultural importance of Mauritia flexuosa palm swamps (aguajales) and implications for multi-use management in two Maijuna communities of the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Gilmore Michael P , Endress Bryan A , Horn Christa M
Published: April 2013

Background

Fruit from the palm Mauritia flexuosa (aguaje) is harvested throughout the Peruvian Amazon for subsistence and commercial purposes. Recent estimates suggest that residents of Iquitos, the largest city in the region, consume approximately 148.8 metric tons of aguaje fruit per month, the vast majority of which is harvested by felling and killing adult female trees. In this study, we sought to better understand and document the importance of M. flexuosa palm swamps (aguajales) in two Maijuna indigenous communities to inform the sustainable management of this habitat and species.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and household surveys were carried out to assess the significance of aguajales and their associated plant and animal resources as well as to determine how the relationship that the Maijuna have with aguajales has changed over time.

Results

Aguajales and their associated resources are culturally significant and useful to the Maijuna in a wide variety of ways. In addition to M. flexuosa, the Maijuna use over 60 different species of plants from aguajales. When M. flexuosa is in fruit, aguajales are important hunting areas with a total of 20 different animal species hunted. The Maijuna also have traditional beliefs about aguajales, believing that malevolent supernatural beings reside in them. Notably, the relationship that the Maijuna have with aguajales has changed considerably over the years as aguaje fruit went from a subsistence item collected opportunistically from the ground to a market good destructively harvested beginning in the early 1990s. The Maijuna are concerned not only about how this has affected the future commercial harvest of aguaje but also about its effects on game animals given the importance of hunting to Maijuna cultural identity, subsistence, and income generation.

Conclusions

In order to meet the multiple socio-cultural and economic needs of the Maijuna, sustainable management efforts must be expanded to not only focus on the commercial harvest of aguaje but also other facets of their relationship with this habitat. Our study suggests that the research and development of multi-use forest management plans must not be restricted to commercial forest products and ecosystem services given that many communities rely on tropical forests for a wide range of non-market cultural, economic, and subsistence goods and services.
Proteolysis of Xenopus Cip-type CDK inhibitor, p16Xic2, is regulated by PCNA binding and CDK2 phosphorylation
Authors: Zhu Xi-Ning , Kim Dong Hyun , Lin Horng-Ru , Budhavarapu Varija N , Rosenbaum Herbert B , Mueller Paul R , Yew P Renee
Published: April 2013

Background

Cell division is positively regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) partnered with cyclins and negatively regulated by CDK inhibitors. In the frog, Xenopus laevis, three types of CDK inhibitors have been described: p27Xic1 (Xic1) which shares sequence homology with both p21Cip1 and p27Kip1 from mammals, p16Xic2 (Xic2) which shares sequence homology with p21Cip1, and p17Xic3 (Xic3) which shares sequence homology with p27Kip1. While past studies have demonstrated that during DNA polymerase switching, Xic1 is targeted for protein turnover dependent upon DNA, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), and the ubiquitin ligase CRL4Cdt2, little is known about the processes that regulate Xic2 or Xic3.

Methods

We used the Xenopus interphase egg extract as a model system to examine the regulation of Xic2 by proteolysis and phosphorylation.

Results

Our studies indicated that following primer synthesis during the initiation of DNA replication, Xic2 is targeted for DNA- and PCNA-dependent ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and that Cdt2 can promote Xic2 turnover. Additionally, during interphase, Xic2 is phosphorylated by CDK2 at Ser-98 and Ser-131 in a DNA-independent manner, inhibiting Xic2 turnover. In the presence of double-stranded DNA ends, Xic2 is also phosphorylated at Ser-78 and Ser-81 by a caffeine-sensitive kinase, but this phosphorylation does not alter Xic2 turnover. Conversely, in the presence or absence of DNA, Xic3 was stable in the Xenopus interphase egg extract and did not exhibit a shift indicative of phosphorylation.

Conclusions

During interphase, Xic2 is targeted for DNA- and PCNA-dependent proteolysis that is negatively regulated by CDK2 phosphorylation. During a response to DNA damage, Xic2 may be alternatively regulated by phosphorylation by a caffeine-sensitive kinase. Our studies suggest that the three types of Xenopus CDK inhibitors, Xic1, Xic2, and Xic3 appear to be uniquely regulated which may reflect their specialized roles during cell division or early development in the frog.
Parasitic wasp females are attracted to blends of host-induced plant volatiles: do qualitative and quantitative differences in the blend matter?
Authors: Uefune Masayoshi , Kugimiya Soichi , Ozawa Rika , Takabayashi Junji
Published: April 2013

Naïve Cotesia vestalis wasps, parasitoids of diamondback moth (DBM) larvae, are attracted to a synthetic blend (Blend A) of host-induced plant volatiles composed of sabinene, n-heptanal, α-pinene, and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, in a ratio of 1.8:1.3:2.0:3.0. We studied whether qualitative (adding (R)-limonene: Blend B) or quantitative changes (changing ratios: Blend C) to Blend A affected the olfactory response of C. vestalis in the background of intact komatsuna plant volatiles. Naïve wasps showed equal preference to Blends A and B and Blends A and C in two-choice tests. Wasps with oviposition experience in the presence of Blend B preferred Blend B over Blend A, while wasps that had oviposited without a volatile blend showed no preference between the two. Likewise, wasps that had starvation experience in the presence of Blend B preferred Blend A over Blend B, while wasps that had starved without a volatile blend showed no preference between the two. Wasps that had oviposition experience either with or without Blend A showed equal preferences between Blends C and A. However, wasps that had starvation experience in the presence of Blend A preferred Blend C over Blend A, while those that starved without a volatile blend showed equal preferences between the two. By manipulating quality and quantity of the synthetic attractants, we showed to what extent C. vestalis could discriminate/learn slight differences between blends that were all, in principle, attractive.
The relationship between project management and company�s strategy: assessment of the project portfolio management influ
Authors: ������  , Anshin Valeriy , ����������  , Kostinskaya Evgeniya
Published: April 2013

In order to analyze and assess the impact of investment projects performance on company�s effectiveness, development and fundamental value, it�s essential to assess the projects that are grouped by particular similar characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to suggest the possible methodological approach for assessment of the impact of the project portfolio on the company�s effectiveness. The paper covers the essential stages of integral investment analysis of project portfolio.
The State of Training in «Technospheric Safety»
Authors: Девисилов  , Devisilov Vladimir
Published: April 2013

The state of higher training of professional personnel in discipline 280 700 — «Technospheric safety», as well as other disciplines and professions in safety field. The geographical distribution of training in Russia are universities, which are the most active development areas for «technospheric safety». Analysis of the training status is made on the basis of projections for the 2012–2013 academic year and the figures stated for the next academic year admission.
Biodegradation of Acrylic-Based Drilling Reagents
Authors: Барахнина  , Barakhnina V.
Published: April 2013

As a result of biodegradation studies of the most common drilling acrylic-based reagents in the liquid medium by microorganisms Pseudomonas putida VKM 1742 D, Rhodococcus erythropolis AS 1339 D, Fusarium sp. Number 56 in the form of monocultures and associations in a 1:1:1 ratio revealed a significant biological stability of drilling additives IKSTABL, DK-DRILL A-1, CYPAN compared to GIVPAN-N and LAKRIS-20B. The evaluation of phytotoxicity of drilling additives in studied derivatives showed that the inhibitory effect of polymers decreases with their biodegradation, and the accumulated products are non-phytotoxic.
Bioassay Method in the Estimation of Overall Performance of Plazmachemical Water Treatment Devices
Authors: Извекова  , Izvekova T. , Гриневич  , Grinevich V. , Гущин  , Gushchin A. , Иванцова  , Ivantsova N.
Published: April 2013

This article describes the estimation of wastewater treatment plasmachemical devices using toxicologic testing of model aqueous solutions of organic compounds. It is shown that the bioassay can be used not only as an effective method for assessing the toxicity of water, but also as a criterion for determination of the effectiveness of various methods of water treatment.
Selection of Burning Devices Designs for Cylindrical Tube Furnaces
Authors: Косыгин  , Kosygin V. , Катин  , Katin V. , Вольхин  , Volkhin I.
Published: April 2013

With the method of mathematical planning of experiments was carried out the selection of rational design of gas burners for vertical cylindrical tube furnaces.
Institutionalization and the Genesis of Noxological Education
Authors: Девисилов  , Devisilov Vladimir , Ванаев  , Vanaev V.
Published: April 2013

The article observes the genesis and institutionalization of noxological education from the birth of science and practice of safety through three chronological stages until the introduction of a new domain «noxology», the article also represents the genealogy of noxological education, which allows to trace the transformation of scientific and educational field and to predict the trend of its development.
Human capital as national wealth reproduction factor
Authors: Гладышев
Published: April 2013

Such concepts as human and intellectual capital as well as their interrelation are considered in this article. Their infl uence on professional education process is estimated. Problems of introduction of innovations in educational process are shown. According to the author, the main problem of introduction of innovations is that standard tests of knowledge assessment don't correspond to innovative methods of training.
Early childhood education as special resource and initial step in preparation of creative and responsible citizen-worker
Authors: Ушакова  , Ushakova S.
Published: April 2013

The international community increasingly recognizes the enormous social importance of children’s early education and upbringing, the need for State’s regulating role in implementation of complex of services providing children’s education , health and development.
Lectures on discipline «Motivation and stimulation of labour activity» (part 4)
Authors: Кибанов  , Kibanov Ardalon , Ловчева  , Lovcheva Marina
Published: April 2013

This article continues the lecture notes on discipline «Motivation and stimulation of labor activity» on education bachelor-level program «Human resource management».
Enviroment as a factor of integration of general and additional education
Authors: Стуловская  , Stulovskaya Natalya
Published: April 2013

Development and formation of competitive person is the most important task of educational system. Now the «new» type of the person is needed, which is capable to self-organization, searching of new fi elds of activity and new objects of application of his forces, which is ready for overcoming of diffi culties and solution of arising tasks. Development and formation of personality by means of environment, through environment and cultivated in it and with its help lifestyle allows to remove a contradiction between education and training, to integrate the school activity indicators and to improve them due to created system. The author defends a position, according to which the modeling of educational process as creating the environment in form and personal according to the content with subsequent realization of model in the practical sphere is the main way to result quality improvement.
Comparative analysis of public employees´ staff structure in the Republic of Kalmykia and Volgograd region
Authors: Максимова
Published: April 2013

Comparative analysis of public employees’ staff structure in the Republic of Kalmykia and Volgograd region is presented in this article. The correlation lack between the quantitative and qualitative structure of public employees’ staff and effi ciency of their activity is revealed. Author’s research is based on the broad attraction of relevant statistical data obtained in foreign countries, Russia and its regions. The main trends, such as self-increasing of public employees’ number (according to Parkinson's law), gender asymmetry in professional structure, cyclic nature of public employees’ number change are allocated.
SOCIOLOGICAL DESIGN OF NEW PROFESSION
Authors: Зарубин
Published: April 2013

A new profession design technology is reveled in this article. A tool of this design is operational sociology. The main directions related to

innovative program of training of higher education specialists in the area of humanitarian technologies are discovered. The sociological construction process consists of several stages. The fi rst one is theoretical basis for the professional fi eld of humanitarian technology. Human technologies have non-material elements as their components which includes knowledge, ideas, sign environment. The second stage of design is building of model of professional competences. The third stage is interaction of high education institution with competent expert community. It has been found that a new type of relationship, the priority of which is involvement of employers in development and implementation of high education institution’s educational policy appears in the modern conditions. The fi nal stage is creation of innovative educational program for new profession staff training — “specialists in the area of humanitarian technologies”.
LABOUR BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT: sociological aspect
Authors: Волковицкая
Published: April 2013

The process of labor activity stimulation and labor behavior management is considered in this article. Whereas one of important tasks of modern companies is the search for effective management practices, the motivational types of workers and labor behavior specifi city as necessary conditions for labor incentive system building are analyzed in this article.
Communicative space in modern business communication
Authors: Просвиркина  , Prosvirkina Irina
Published: April 2013

The author deals with different types of communicative space, with the degree of publicity and intimacy of the speech communication, with the processes which influence the semantic shift of the lexical units used in modern discourse in the process of communication.
Teaching language through communication: from language engineering to language competence
Authors: Яковлева  , Yakovleva Elena
Published: April 2013

The author overviews language teaching methods as practiced in Russia over the last half century. Special reference is being made to elements of suggestive didactic content as found underlaying teaching methodology in the not too recent past. Known as language engineering, the methodology in question gave rise to the modern communicative methods, which are currently accepted by teaching practices involving language materials of different discourse profiles.
A competence and competent approach to the languagе teaching
Authors: Щукин  , Shchukin Anatoliy
Published: April 2013

This article is dedicated to the key problem of modern pedagogies and teaching of modern languages: meaning of same conception: competence, competence approach in position of teaching Russian as a second language.
Communicative basis in foreign language teaching
Authors: Дубинский  , Dubinskiy Vladimir
Published: April 2013

The article addresses the use of the basics of communication in foreign language teaching and the realization of communicative components in the alien linguistic environment, namely, social communication, verbal communication, cross-cultural communication.
Communicative image
Authors: Кошлякова  , Koshlyakova Mariya
Published: April 2013

Communicative image is a system of interrelated verbal and non-verbal expressive means which influence the communicating audience. Image strategies are associated with the construction of the behavioral pattern which will succeed in the target of communication with a predictable effect.