bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Voluntary intake of a medicated feed block by grazing sheep is increased by gastrointestinal nematode infection
Authors: Fishpool F. J. , Kahn L. P. , Tucker D. J. , Nolan J. V. , Leng R. A.
Published: September 2012

The aim of this study was to determine the rate, variability and repeatability of intake by grazing sheep of a medicated feed block (MFB) containing fenbendazole and investigate if infection with gastrointestinal nematodes altered consumption patterns of the MFB in the same grazing mob. In Experiment 1, 30 Merino wethers were given access to an MFB for two separate 1-week periods, with blood sampling at Days 2, 4 and 6 of each period to determine MFB intake. In Experiment 2, the wethers were selected based on previous MFB intake and allocated to receive an oral dose of 10 000 Trichostrongylus colubriformis and 3000 Haemonchus contortus (anthelmintic susceptible) or a long acting anthelmintic. After 5 weeks, sheep were given access to an MFB (1.5 mg fenbendazole/g) and eight blood samples were taken over 2 weeks to determine intake. In Experiment 1, individual MFB intake in Week 1 and Week 2 was positively correlated (P = 0.002, R2 = 0.287). Mean individual MFB intake in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 was positively correlated (P = 0.008, R2 = 0.047). In Experiment 2, more infected wethers (95%) consumed the MFB than did uninfected wethers (79%) (P < 0.001) and infected wethers ate significantly more MFB over the first 4 days (P = 0.041) of access. All infected sheep consumed sufficient MFB to receive a therapeutic dose and worm egg counts in infected sheep declined from 2165 epg to 120 epg in the first week of access to MFB. The decline in differences in MFB intake between infected and uninfected sheep corresponded to the decline in worm egg count, suggesting the existence of self-medication with parasitism accounting for intake differences.
Preliminary assessment of bladder clover (Trifolium spumosum L.) as an annual legume for ley farming systems in southern Australia
Authors: Loi Angelo , Nutt Brad J. , Howieson John G. , Yates Ron. J. , Norman Hayley C.
Published: September 2012

Trifolium spumosum L. (bladder clover) is an aerial seeding annual legume that is adapted to fine-textured soils throughout the Mediterranean Basin. This article is the first of two papers that describe the process of domestication of T. spumosum as a new species to commercial agriculture. This paper describes a broad range of investigations into the ecology, agronomy and rhizobiology of this new species. Through a series of five experiments, we have tested the general hypothesis that T. spumosum accessions demonstrate a range of sought-after agronomic traits and offer an alternative to annual Medicago spp. for ley farming systems in the medium to low rainfall areas of the mixed crop/livestock zone of southern Australia. T. spumosum presents seeds at the top of the canopy in heads that do not readily shatter, so seed can be harvested using conventional cereal harvesters instead of the specialist suction equipment required for harvest of seed from annual T. subterraneum and Medicago spp. T. spumosum was found to be relatively fecund and had high levels of biomass production in comparison to the other annual legumes that were tested. The species also demonstrated high levels of within-season hardseededness (remaining hard in summer and softening in autumn) so seedbanks would be protected from summer rainfall events. In addition, T. spumosum showed high levels of between-season dormancy, which allows the species to carry a seedbank through a cropping phase or series of poor seasons. A herbicide experiment showed that clover species varied in tolerances, with T. spumosum the least sensitive of all of the legumes tested to Flumetsulam. A cross-inoculation experiment to measure symbiotic effectiveness revealed that WSM1325 (current clover strain) surpasses WSM409 (previous strain) in its relationship with the annual clovers of contemporary interest, while being highly effective at nitrogen fixation with T. spumosum. The results of this study and an associated investigation into feeding value indicate that T. spumosum offers a productive alternative to annual Medicago spp. on fine-textured soils. Of the T. spumosum accessions tested, the most promising has been released under the cultivar name of AGWEST Bartolo.
Phenotyping of traits imparting drought tolerance in lentil
Authors: Kumar J. , Basu P. S. , Srivastava E. , Chaturvedi S. K. , Nadarajan N. , Kumar S.
Published: September 2012

Lentil is one of most important pulse crops in South Asia, and invariably encounters terminal moisture stress, leading to forced maturity and lower yield. A long and prolific root system is known to enhance capacity of the plant to extract water from the lower soil strata and thus help avoid the water stress. We assessed genetic variation for 12 traits among 43 lentil genotypes comprising improved varieties and promising breeding lines. The average root length at the 65-day plant stage ranged from 42 to 83 cm. Two genotypes (EC 208362 and VKS 16/11) with shorter root length and poor dry root weight (DRW) and three genotypes (DPL 53, JL 1, and IPL 98/193) with longer root length and high DRW were identified with stable performance over the years. Relationship of root traits with seed yield under rainfed conditions was non-significant in our study. The SPAD value (chlorophyll content) showed significantly positive correlation with DRW (r = 0.45**) and root length (r = 0.44**) and thus can be used as selection criterion for phenotyping root traits which are otherwise difficult to measure in the field. In drought-prone environments, early flowering and maturity, seedling vigour, and high SPAD value, biological yield, and harvest index were identified as key traits for higher seed yield in lentil. Our results revealed significant genetic variability for these traits in lentil germplasm. Indian genotypes adapted to rainfed conditions were shown to have longer roots and higher DRW. The three genotypes (DPL 53, JL 1, and IPL 98/193) identified with superior root traits either originated from or have in their ancestries at least one parent adapted to rainfed conditions. These genotypes can be utilised for the development of mapping populations to identify QTLs associated with these traits for marker-assisted breeding of drought-tolerant, high-yielding varieties of lentil.
Soil hydro-physical changes in natural grassland of southern Brazil subjected to burning management
Authors: Vogelmann E. S. , Reichert J. M. , Prevedello J. , de Barros C. A. P. , de Quadros F. L. F. , Mataix-Solera J.
Published: September 2012

Burning of vegetation can promote changes in soil physical properties and also create hydrophobic substances, which accumulate and result in the formation of water-repellent layers. A study was conducted between 2005 and 2011 on an Albaqualf, with natural grassland composed mainly of Andropogon lateralis, in southern Brazil, to investigate the induction of hydrophobicity by burning and changes in the soil hydro-physical characteristics. The treatments consisted of no burning, and burned 60, 36, 12, 6, 4, and 2 months before sampling. Burning management did not change the saturated hydraulic conductivity, whereas air permeability was significantly reduced in the surface layer, nearly reaching the original values 4 months after burning. Saturated hydraulic conductivity and air permeability correlated with total porosity and macroporosity. The surface layer was the most sensitive to fire effects, with an increased degree of hydrophobicity for up to 2 months after vegetation burning. Hydrophobicity and contact angle correlated positively with soil organic matter content.
Econometric analysis of fire suppression production functions for large wildland fires
Authors: Holmes Thomas P. , Calkin David E.
Published: September 2012

In this paper, we use operational data collected for large wildland fires to estimate the parameters of economic production functions that relate the rate of fireline construction with the level of fire suppression inputs (handcrews, dozers, engines and helicopters). These parameter estimates are then used to evaluate whether the productivity of fire suppression inputs during extensive fire suppression efforts are similar to productivity estimates derived from direct observation and used as standard rates by the US Forest Service. The results indicated that the production rates estimated with operational data ranged from ~14 to 93% of the standard rates. Further, the econometric models indicated that the productivity of all inputs taken together increases more than proportionally as their use is increased. This result may indicate economies of scale in fire suppression or, alternatively, that fire managers learn how resources may be deployed more productively over the course of a fire. We suspect that the identified productivity gaps are primarily due to unobserved factors related to fire behaviour, other resources at risk, firefighter fatigue, safety considerations and managerial decision-making. The collection of more precise operational data could help reduce uncertainty regarding the relative importance of factors that contribute to productivity shortfalls.
Integration of stress-related and reactive oxygen species-mediated signals by Topoisomerase VI in
Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Šimková Klára , Moreau Fanny , Pawlak Piotr , Vriet Cécile , Baruah Aiswarya , Alexandre Cristina , Hennig Lars , Apel Klaus , Laloi Christophe
Published: September 2012

Environmental stress often leads to an increased production of reactive oxygen species that are involved in plastid-to-nucleus retrograde signaling. Soon after the release of singlet oxygen (
1
O
2
) in chloroplasts of the
flu
mutant of
Arabidopsis
, reprogramming of nuclear gene expression reveals a rapid transfer of signals from the plastid to the nucleus. We have identified extraplastidic signaling constituents involved in
1
O
2
-initiated plastid-to-nucleus signaling and nuclear gene activation after mutagenizing a
flu
line expressing the luciferase reporter gene under the control of the promoter of a
1
O
2
-responsive
AAA-ATPase
gene (
At3g28580
) and isolating second-site mutations that lead to a constitutive up-regulation of the reporter gene or abrogate its
1
O
2
-dependent up-regulation. One of these mutants,
caa39
, turned out to be a weak mutant allele of the Topoisomerase VI (Topo VI) A-subunit gene with a single amino acid substitution. Transcript profile analysis of
flu
and
flu caa39
mutants revealed that Topo VI is necessary for the full activation of
AAA-ATPase
and a set of
1
O
2
-responsive transcripts in response to
1
O
2
. Topo VI binds to the promoter of the
AAA-ATPase
and other
1
O
2
-responsive genes, and hence could directly regulate their expression. Under photoinhibitory stress conditions, which enhance the production of
1
O
2
and H
2
O
2
, Topo VI regulates
1
O
2
-responsive and H
2
O
2
-responsive genes in a distinct manner. These results suggest that Topo VI acts as an integrator of multiple signals generated by reactive oxygen species formed in plants under adverse environmental conditions.
Transient receptor potential channel TRPC5 is essential for P-glycoprotein induction in drug-resistant cancer cells
Authors: Ma Xin , Cai Yanfei , He Dongxu , Zou Chang , Zhang Peng , Lo Chun Yin , Xu Zhenyu , Chan Franky L. , Yu Shan , Chen Yun , Zhu Ruiyu , Lei Jianyong , Jin Jian , Yao Xiaoqiang
Published: September 2012

An attractive strategy to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer chemotherapy is to suppress P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is a pump overproduced in cancer cells to remove cytotoxic drugs from cells. In the present study, a Ca
2+
-permeable channel TRPC5 was found to be overproduced together with P-gp in adriamycin-resistant breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADM. Suppressing TRPC5 activity/expression reduced the P-gp induction and caused a remarkable reversal of adriamycin resistance in MCF-7/ADM. In an athymic nude mouse model of adriamycin-resistant human breast tumor, suppressing TRPC5 decreased the growth of tumor xenografts. Nuclear factor of activated T cells isoform c3 (NFATc3) was the transcriptional factor that links the TRPC5 activity to P-gp production. Together, we demonstrated an essential role of TRPC5–NFATc3–P-gp signaling cascade in P-gp induction in drug-resistant cancer cells.
Multi-scale kinetics of a field-directed colloidal phase transition
Authors: Swan James W. , Vasquez Paula A. , Whitson Peggy A. , Fincke E. Michael , Wakata Koichi , Magnus Sandra H. , Winne Frank De , Barratt Michael R. , Agui Juan H. , Green Robert D. , Hall Nancy R. , Bohman Donna Y. , Bunnell Charles T. , Gast Alice P. , Furst Eric M.
Published: September 2012

Polarizable colloids are expected to form crystalline equilibrium phases when exposed to a steady, uniform field. However, when colloids become localized this field-induced phase transition arrests and the suspension persists indefinitely as a kinetically trapped, percolated structure. We anneal such gels formed from magneto-rheological fluids by toggling the field strength at varied frequencies. This processing allows the arrested structure to relax periodically to equilibrium—colloid-rich, cylindrical columns. Two distinct growth regimes are observed: one in which particle domains ripen through diffusive relaxation of the gel, and the other where the system-spanning structure collapses and columnar domains coalesce apparently through field-driven interactions. There is a stark boundary as a function of magnetic field strength and toggle frequency distinguishing the two regimes. These results demonstrate how kinetic barriers to a colloidal phase transition are subverted through measured, periodic variation of driving forces. Such directed assembly may be harnessed to create unique materials from dispersions of colloids.
Upper thermal limits of
Drosophila
are linked to species distributions and strongly constrained phylogenetically
Authors: Kellermann Vanessa , Overgaard Johannes , Hoffmann Ary A. , Fløjgaard Camilla , Svenning Jens-Christian , Loeschcke Volker
Published: September 2012

Upper thermal limits vary less than lower limits among related species of terrestrial ectotherms. This pattern may reflect weak or uniform selection on upper limits, or alternatively tight evolutionary constraints. We investigated this issue in 94
Drosophila
species from diverse climates and reared in a common environment to control for plastic effects that may confound species comparisons. We found substantial variation in upper thermal limits among species, negatively correlated with annual precipitation at the central point of their distribution and also with the interaction between precipitation and maximum temperature, showing that heat resistance is an important determinant of
Drosophila
species distributions. Species from hot and relatively dry regions had higher resistance, whereas resistance was uncorrelated with temperature in wetter regions. Using a suite of analyses we showed that phylogenetic signal in heat resistance reflects phylogenetic inertia rather than common selection pressures. Current species distributions are therefore more likely to reflect environmental sorting of lineages rather than local adaptation. Similar to previous studies, thermal safety margins were small at low latitudes, with safety margins smallest for species occupying both humid and dry tropical environments. Thus, species from a range of environments are likely to be at risk owing to climate change. Together these findings suggest that this group of insects is unlikely to buffer global change effects through marked evolutionary changes, highlighting the importance of facilitating range shifts for maintaining biodiversity.
Small RNA binding-site multiplicity involved in translational regulation of a polycistronic mRNA
Authors: Rice Jennifer B. , Balasubramanian Divya , Vanderpool Carin K.
Published: September 2012

In animal systems, mRNAs subject to posttranscriptional regulation by small RNAs (sRNAs) often possess multiple binding sites with imperfect complementarity to a given sRNA. In contrast, small RNA–mRNA interactions in bacteria and plants typically involve a single binding site. In a previous study, we demonstrated that the
Escherichia coli
sRNA SgrS base pairs with a site in the coding region of the first gene of a polycistronic message,
manXYZ
. This interaction was shown to be responsible for translational repression of
manX
and to contribute to destabilization of the
manXYZ
mRNA. In the current study, we report that translational repression of the
manY
and
manZ
genes by SgrS requires a second binding site located in the
manX
–
manY
intergenic region. Pairing at this site can repress translation of
manY
and
manZ
even when mRNA degradation is blocked. Base pairing between SgrS and the
manX
site does not affect translation of
manY
or
manZ.
Pairing at both sites is required for optimal SgrS-mediated degradation of the full-length
manXYZ
mRNA and for a particular stress phenotype. These results suggest that bacterial sRNAs may use target-site multiplicity to enhance the efficiency and stringency of regulation. Moreover, use of multiple binding sites may be particularly important for coordinating regulation of multiple genes encoded in operons.
Engineering a model protein cavity to catalyze the Kemp elimination
Authors: Merski Matthew , Shoichet Brian K.
Published: September 2012

Synthetic cavitands and protein cavities have been widely studied as models for ligand recognition. Here we investigate the Met102 → His substitution in the artificial L99A cavity in T4 lysozyme as a Kemp eliminase. The resulting enzyme had
k
cat
/
K

M

 = 0.43 M
-1
 s
-1
and a (
k
cat
/
K

M

)/
k
uncat
 = 10
7
at pH 5.0. The crystal structure of this enzyme was determined at 1.30 Å, as were the structures of four complexes of substrate and product analogs. The absence of ordered waters or hydrogen bonding interactions, and the presence of a common catalytic base (His102) in an otherwise hydrophobic, buried cavity, facilitated detailed analysis of the reaction mechanism and its optimization. Subsequent substitutions increased eliminase activity by an additional four-fold. As activity-enhancing substitutions were engineered into the cavity, protein stability decreased, consistent with the stability-function trade-off hypothesis. This and related model cavities may provide templates for studying protein design principles in radically simplified environments.
Independent evaluation of conflicting microspherule results from different investigations of the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis
Authors: LeCompte Malcolm A. , Goodyear Albert C. , Demitroff Mark N. , Batchelor Dale , Vogel Edward K. , Mooney Charles , Rock Barrett N. , Seidel Alfred W.
Published: September 2012

Firestone et al. sampled sedimentary sequences at many sites across North America, Europe, and Asia [Firestone RB, et al. (2007)
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
106:16016–16021]. In sediments dated to the Younger Dryas onset or Boundary (YDB) approximately 12,900 calendar years ago, Firestone et al. reported discovery of markers, including nanodiamonds, aciniform soot, high-temperature melt-glass, and magnetic microspherules attributed to cosmic impacts/airbursts. The microspherules were explained as either cosmic material ablation or terrestrial ejecta from a hypothesized North American impact that initiated the abrupt Younger Dryas cooling, contributed to megafaunal extinctions, and triggered human cultural shifts and population declines. A number of independent groups have confirmed the presence of YDB spherules, but two have not. One of them [Surovell TA, et al. (2009)
Proc Natl Acad Sci USA
104:18155–18158] collected and analyzed samples from seven YDB sites, purportedly using the same protocol as Firestone et al., but did not find a single spherule in YDB sediments at two previously reported sites. To examine this discrepancy, we conducted an independent blind investigation of two sites common to both studies, and a third site investigated only by Surovell et al. We found abundant YDB microspherules at all three widely separated sites consistent with the results of Firestone et al. and conclude that the analytical protocol employed by Surovell et al. deviated significantly from that of Firestone et al. Morphological and geochemical analyses of YDB spherules suggest they are not cosmic, volcanic, authigenic, or anthropogenic in origin. Instead, they appear to have formed from abrupt melting and quenching of terrestrial materials.
DEC-205 is a cell surface receptor for CpG oligonucleotides
Authors: Lahoud Mireille H. , Ahmet Fatma , Zhang Jian-Guo , Meuter Simone , Policheni Antonia N. , Kitsoulis Susie , Lee Chin-Nien , O’Keeffe Meredith , Sullivan Lucy C. , Brooks Andrew G. , Berry Richard , Rossjohn Jamie , Mintern Justine D. , Vega-Ramos Javier , Villadangos Jose A. , Nicola Nicos A. , Nussenzweig Michel C. , Stacey Katryn J. , Shortman Ken , Heath William R. , Caminschi Irina
Published: September 2012

Synthetic CpG oligonucleotides (ODN) have potent immunostimulatory properties exploited in clinical vaccine trials. How CpG ODN are captured and delivered to the intracellular receptor TLR9, however, has been elusive. Here we show that DEC-205, a multilectin receptor expressed by a variety of cells, is a receptor for CpG ODN. When CpG ODN are used as an adjuvant, mice deficient in DEC-205 have impaired dendritic cell (DC) and B-cell maturation, are unable to make some cytokines such as IL-12, and display suboptimal cytotoxic T-cell responses. We reveal that DEC-205 directly binds class B CpG ODN and enhances their uptake. The CpG-ODN binding function of DEC-205 is conserved between mouse and man, although human DEC-205 preferentially binds a specific class B CpG ODN that has been selected for human clinical trials. Our findings identify an important receptor for class B CpG ODN and reveal a unique function for DEC-205.
Dual signaling by innate and adaptive immune receptors is required for TLR7-induced B-cell–mediated autoimmunity
Authors: Walsh Elizabeth R. , Pisitkun Prapaporn , Voynova Elisaveta , Deane Jonathan A. , Scott Bethany L. , Caspi Rachel R. , Bolland Silvia
Published: September 2012

Toll-like receptor 7(Tlr7) has been linked to systemic lupus disease incidence in humans and mice, but how TLR7 potentiates autoimmunity is unclear. We used aTlr7transgenic (tg) mouse model to investigate the cellular and molecular events required to induce spontaneous autoimmunity through increased TLR7 activity. We determined thatTlr7exerts B-cell–intrinsic effects in promoting spontaneous germinal center (GC) and plasmablast B-cell development, and that these B-cell subsets are dependent on T-cell–derived signals through CD40L and SLAM-associated protein (SAP), but not IL-17. Antigen specificity also factored into TLR7-induced disease, as both a restricted T cell receptor (TCR) specificity and MHC haplotype H2k/kprotectedTlr7tg mice from spontaneous lymphocyte activation and autoantibody production. Inflammatory myeloid cell expansion and autoimmunity did not develop inTlr7tgIgH−/−mice, suggesting either that spontaneous TLR7 activation does not occur in dendritic cells, or, if it does occur, cannot drive these events in the absence of B-cell aid. These data indicate that autoimmune disease inTlr7tg mice is contingent upon B cells receiving stimulation both through innate pathways and T-cell–derived signals and suggest a codependent relationship between B cells and T cells in the development of autoimmunity.
Diet-induced metabolic change induces estrogen-independent allometric mammary growth
Authors: Berryhill Grace E. , Gloviczki Julia M. , Trott Josephine F. , Aimo Lucila , Kraft Jana , Cardiff Robert D. , Paul Carly T. , Petrie Whitney K. , Lock Adam L. , Hovey Russell C.
Published: September 2012

Lifetime breast cancer risk reflects an unresolved combination of early life factors including diet, body mass index, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and age at first menses. In parallel, the onset of allometric growth by the mammary glands around puberty is widely held to be estrogen (E)-dependent. Here we report that several physiological changes associated with metabolic syndrome in response to a diet supplemented with the
trans
-10,
cis
-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid lead to ovary-independent allometric growth of the mammary ducts. The E-independence of this diet-induced growth was highlighted by the fact that it occurred both in male mice and with pharmacological inhibition of either E receptor function or E biosynthesis. Reversal of the metabolic phenotype with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist rosiglitazone abrogated diet-induced mammary growth. A role for hyperinsulinemia and increased insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) expression during mammary growth induced by the
trans
-10,
cis
-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid was confirmed by its reversal upon pharmacological inhibition of IGF-IR function. Diet-stimulated ductal growth also increased mammary tumorigenesis in ovariectomized polyomavirus middle T-antigen mice. Our data demonstrate that diet-induced metabolic dysregulation, independently of ovarian function, stimulates allometric growth within the mammary glands via an IGF-IR-dependent mechanism.
Critical role of the IgM Fc receptor in IgM homeostasis, B-cell survival, and humoral immune responses
Authors: Ouchida Rika , Mori Hiromi , Hase Koji , Takatsu Hiroyuki , Kurosaki Tomohiro , Tokuhisa Takeshi , Ohno Hiroshi , Wang Ji-Yang
Published: September 2012

IgM antibodies have been known for decades to enhance humoral immune responses in an antigen-specific fashion. This enhancement has been thought to be dependent on complement activation by IgM–antigen complexes; however, recent genetic studies render this mechanism unlikely. Here, we describe a likely alternative explanation; mice lacking the recently identified Fc receptor for IgM (FcμR) on B cells produced significantly less antibody to protein antigen during both primary and memory responses. This immune deficiency was accompanied by impaired germinal center formation and decreased plasma and memory B-cell generation. FcμR did not affect steady-state B-cell survival but specifically enhanced the survival and proliferation induced by B-cell receptor cross-linking. Moreover, FcμR-deficient mice produced far more autoantibodies than control mice as they aged, suggesting that FcμR is also required for maintaining tolerance to self-antigens. Our results thus define a unique pathway mediated by the FcμR for regulating immunity and tolerance and suggest that IgM antibodies promote humoral immune responses to foreign antigen yet suppress autoantibody production through at least two pathways: complement activation and FcμR.
Type II p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are regulated by an autoinhibitory pseudosubstrate
Authors: Ha Byung Hak , Davis Matthew J. , Chen Catherine , Lou Hua Jane , Gao Jia , Zhang Rong , Krauthammer Michael , Halaban Ruth , Schlessinger Joseph , Turk Benjamin E. , Boggon Titus J.
Published: September 2012

The type II p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are key effectors of RHO-family GTPases involved in cell motility, survival, and proliferation. Using a structure-guided approach, we discovered that type II PAKs are regulated by an N-terminal autoinhibitory pseudosubstrate motif centered on a critical proline residue, and that this regulation occurs independently of activation loop phosphorylation. We determined six X-ray crystal structures of either full-length PAK4 or its catalytic domain, that demonstrate the molecular basis for pseudosubstrate binding to the active state with phosphorylated activation loop. We show that full-length PAK4 is constitutively autoinhibited, but mutation of the pseudosubstrate releases this inhibition and causes increased phosphorylation of the apoptotic regulation protein Bcl-2/Bcl-X
L
antagonist causing cell death and cellular morphological changes. We also find that PAK6 is regulated by the pseudosubstrate region, indicating a common type II PAK autoregulatory mechanism. Finally, we find Src SH3, but not β-PIX SH3, can activate PAK4. We provide a unique understanding for type II PAK regulation.
Calcium-activated chloride channel TMEM16A modulates mucin secretion and airway smooth muscle contraction
Authors: Huang Fen , Zhang Hongkang , Wu Meng , Yang Huanghe , Kudo Makoto , Peters Christian J. , Woodruff Prescott G. , Solberg Owen D. , Donne Matthew L. , Huang Xiaozhu , Sheppard Dean , Fahy John V. , Wolters Paul J. , Hogan Brigid L. M. , Finkbeiner Walter E. , Li Min , Jan Yuh-Nung , Jan Lily Yeh , Rock Jason R.
Published: September 2012

Mucous cell hyperplasia and airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperresponsiveness are hallmark features of inflammatory airway diseases, including asthma. Here, we show that the recently identified calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) TMEM16A is expressed in the adult airway surface epithelium and ASM. The epithelial expression is increased in asthmatics, particularly in secretory cells. Based on this and the proposed functions of CaCC, we hypothesized that TMEM16A inhibitors would negatively regulate both epithelial mucin secretion and ASM contraction. We used a high-throughput screen to identify small-molecule blockers of TMEM16A-CaCC channels. We show that inhibition of TMEM16A-CaCC significantly impairs mucus secretion in primary human airway surface epithelial cells. Furthermore, inhibition of TMEM16A-CaCC significantly reduces mouse and human ASM contraction in response to cholinergic agonists. TMEM16A-CaCC blockers, including those identified here, may positively impact multiple causes of asthma symptoms.
Intonation and the structural organisation of texts in simultaneous interpreting
Authors: Nafá Waasaf María Lourdes
Published: September 2012

This paper investigates the way intonation can contribute to the organisation of source texts (ST) and target texts (TT) in simultaneous interpreting (SI). The research method and results offer a broader perspective on the use of intonation in SI, a parameter often viewed in the literature as anomalous and genre-specific. The empirical analysis focuses on the structural organisation of ST and TT into phonological paragraphs, a process which is achieved, in part, through intonational choices both of the speakers and of the interpreters. A corpus-based study of fifteen ST and the corresponding TT produced in the European Parliament and European Commission was conducted using an acoustic methodology with discoursal support. The results indicate that both speakers and interpreters comply with the intonational pattern described in the literature, i.e. high pitch at initial paragraph boundaries and low pitch at final boundaries. These findings should be relevant for future research on intonation in the field of interpreting, intonation being a factor that seems to affect both the interpreter’s perception of the ST and, ultimately, the listeners’ reception of the TT.
Telephone interpreting — seen from the interpreters’ perspective
Authors: Lee Jieun
Published: September 2012

Telephone interpreting has been used widely in various community interpreting settings, but it has received little attention as a distinct area of interpreting in the growing body of interpreting studies. As telephone interpreting is being promoted for its convenience and for the greater availability of interpreters, this paper examines the perspective of telephone interpreters on their professional activity. Based on telephone surveys with Korean interpreters working in Australia, this paper investigates the profiles of the telephone interpreters in terms of age, gender, years of working experience, and employment type, as well as their professional practice and their opinions about telephone interpreting and the role of telephone interpreters.
Simulated Equilibrium Walleye Population Density under Static and Dynamic Recreational Angling Effort
Authors: Schueller Amy M. , Fayram Andrew H. , Hansen Michael J.
Published: September 2012

Understanding the dynamics of angling effort and how fish populations are affected by angler effort is an important and often unappreciated component of fisheries management. Our objective was to determine the extent to which angling-induced mortality limits walleye Sander vitreus population density in northern Wisconsin lakes. We developed a simulation model to evaluate the effects on long-term equilibrium walleye population density caused by effort limitations, density-dependent angling effort, and angling regulations. Equilibrium density was limited by angling effort when effort was held constant but was generally lower when effort was density dependent. Equilibrium density ranged from 3.46 to 21.79 adults/ha when effort was density dependent, similar to the observed median density in lakes sustained by natural reproduction (8.7 adults/ha). Median equilibrium density was 23.3 adults/ha when effort was zero. Equilibrium density was higher when harvest was regulated by a minimum length limit as opposed to no length limit and with no postrelease mortality than with postrelease mortality. Population collapse was more likely and equilibrium density was lower when the population density and effort/ha relationship was strongest. Because the observed relationship between adult walleye population density and effort/ha was weaker, we conclude that open-access walleye fisheries in northern Wisconsin are generally self-regulating. However, populations likely persist at lower population densities than would be expected if angling effort were limited to lower levels than those currently observed. Our results are intuitive; however, they suggest that density increases may be on the order of 100% when effort is severely restricted compared with open-access fisheries with unlimited effort. Other fish species may experience different expected density increases with restricted angler effort depending on a number of factors, but our results suggest that population density changes can be dramatic and that similar modeling exercises may be useful to managers of other fish species if increasing density is of interest.

Received December 19, 2011; accepted June 13, 2012
The Antemortem Neurobehavior in Fatal Paramethoxymethamphetamine Usage
Authors: Chen Wei-Hsi , Chui Chi , Yin Hsin-Ling
Published: September 2012

Paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) is an emerging and prevalent psychoactive drug with a structure analogous to amphetamine and related psychostimulants. However, the neurobehavioral effect is only studied in experimental animals and is barely mentioned in human. The authors report the antemortem neurobehavioral manifestations in 8 patients with PMMA use. There were 2 different antemortem presentations. The first group of patients showed delirium, hypertalkativity, and incoherence speech and then turned into convulsion and death. They did not exhibit the typical hyperdopaminergic movement disorder. The second group of patients gradually fell asleep and then suffered respiratory or cardiovascular collapse. The heart blood PMMA level was higher in the second group than in the first group of patients. Forensic autopsy showed variable findings, ranging from no remarkable change to significant pathological damage similar to serotonin syndrome in both groups of patients. PMMA seems to enhance serotoninergism than dopaminergism, and exerts a concentration-related dual effect on human.
Influence of Added Enzymes and Bran Particle Size on Bread Quality and Iron Availability
Authors: Sanz‐Penella Juan Mario , Laparra José Moisés , Sanz Yolanda , Haros Monika
Published: September 2012

The aim of this investigation was to study the influence of different bran proportions and particle sizes, addition of fungal phytase, and α‐amylase addition on bread quality and phytate levels, and how these treatments affect availability of iron to intestinal epithelial (Caco‐2) cells. Potential mineral contributions to dietary reference intakes and phytate‐to‐mineral molar ratios were also evaluated. Wheat bran supplementation significantly affected bread quality. Smaller bran particle size affected crumb firmness negatively, whereas the use of α‐amylase, in some cases in combination with phytase, could improve technological bread quality. The use of phytase in the formulation significantly reduced the level of phytates, and phytate hydrolysis also led to smaller bran particle size. Increasing the bran proportion used in the bread formulation increased the iron concentration in bread samples by 18.9%. Phytase addition proved to be a useful strategy to improve iron dialyzability; however, incomplete dephytinization still had an inhibitory effect on iron uptake, with the exception of samples formulated with 10% bran. The inhibitory effect of phytate could be predicted from the values of the phytate‐to‐iron ratios. Reduction of particle size did not improve iron availability or uptake by Caco‐2 cells.
Misexpression of a Chloroplast Aspartyl Protease Leads to Severe Growth Defects and Alters Carbohydrate Metabolism in Arabidopsis
Authors: Paparelli Eleonora , Gonzali Silvia , Parlanti Sandro , Novi Giacomo , Giorgi Federico M. , Licausi Francesco , Kosmacz Monika , Feil Regina , Lunn John E. , Brust Henrike , van Dongen Joost T. , Steup Martin , Perata Pierdomenico
Published: September 2012

The crucial role of carbohydrate in plant growth and morphogenesis is widely recognized. In this study, we describe the characterization of nana, a dwarf Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant impaired in carbohydrate metabolism. We show that the nana dwarf phenotype was accompanied by altered leaf morphology and a delayed flowering time. Our genetic and molecular data indicate that the mutation in nana is due to a transfer DNA insertion in the promoter region of a gene encoding a chloroplast-located aspartyl protease that alters its pattern of expression. Overexpression of the gene (oxNANA) phenocopies the mutation. Both nana and oxNANA display alterations in carbohydrate content, and the extent of these changes varies depending on growth light intensity. In particular, in low light, soluble sugar levels are lower and do not show the daily fluctuations observed in wild-type plants. Moreover, nana and oxNANA are defective in the expression of some genes implicated in sugar metabolism and photosynthetic light harvesting. Interestingly, some chloroplast-encoded genes as well as genes whose products seem to be involved in retrograde signaling appear to be down-regulated. These findings suggest that the NANA aspartic protease has an important regulatory function in chloroplasts that not only influences photosynthetic carbon metabolism but also plastid and nuclear gene expression.
An investigation about Brazilian mango and grape exports
Authors: de Castro Souza Roberta , Amato Neto João
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to characterise the transactions between European buyers and Brazilian mango and grape producers.

Design/methodology/approach

The method selected for this paper was multiple case studies. The Brazilian mango and grape supply chains' export activities to Europe were investigated. The field research was undertaken in Brazil, Germany, The Netherlands and the UK. In total, 41 face‐to‐face interviews were carried out.

Findings

The supermarkets' literature tends to generalise the strategies of retailers focusing on differentiation and preferred suppliers. However, in empirical research conducted in the UK, Germany and The Netherlands it is possible to conclude that the procurement strategies of supermarkets can vary sharply. The results reveal the presence of different agents who demand different quality standards. The level of intensity depends on consumer behaviour, the features of product commercialised and the characteristics of the production segment in each country.

Research limitations/implications

First, in relation to the empirical method there is a limitation because the case study does not allow statistical generalisation. Consequently, it will be interesting to undertake quantitative research in order to quantify the variables presented and their impact on the structure of value chains. Second, the research focuses only on two stages of the supply chain, producers and buyers.

Practical implications

The differences between UK and German supermarkets challenge the supermarket literature, which tends to generalise the strategies of retailers focusing on differentiation and preferred suppliers.

Originality/value

The study shows that the issue of influence and activities of retail agents along the value chain can be analysed taking several variables into consideration: the products commercialised; the distribution segment; and the consumer market. This result opens the way for analysing different structures of the value chain and the impact of these differences on the entry of producers for developing countries into the global market.
Concerns about animal welfare: a cluster analysis of German pig farmers
Authors: Franz Annabell , Deimel Ingke , Spiller Achim
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The Federal Government of Germany, as well as the European Commission, are discussing the enhancement of animal welfare requirements. This study aims to explore different groups of conventional German pig farmers with respect to their understanding of animal welfare. Based on the results, a target group is determined that is willing to take part in an animal welfare programme in accordance with the current state of research, i.e. considering the four “Welfare Quality” principles: good housing, good feeding, good health and especially appropriate behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 160 German pig farmers between March and May 2010 using an online questionnaire. Data analysis combines two quantitative methods. To reduce complexity and to identify the animal welfare perceptions of the farmers first an explorative factor analysis was conducted. Subsequently, based on the determined factors, the sample was divided into different groups by means of a cluster analysis.

Findings

Three groups of pig farmers were defined with regard to the establishment of an animal welfare programme according to the current state of research. While a broad acceptance of the principles good housing, good feeding and good health exists among the farmers, the appropriate animal behaviour is only important for a small group of pig farmers. Therefore, the three groups should be addressed by the developers of an animal welfare programme, using different strategies to gain the support of all farmers.

Originality/value

To successfully introduce new animal welfare requirements, farmers are important actors to take into account. This paper is the first analysis of the animal welfare perceptions of conventionally producing German pig farmers and determines different groups for a comprehensive animal welfare husbandry system as currently discussed by scientists and politics.
Producer relationships segmentation in Malaysia's milk supply chains
Authors: Boniface Bonaventure
Published: September 2012

Purpose

Research on buyer‐seller relationships in the agricultural sector receives little attention. A growing body of evidence suggests that strengthening buyer‐seller relationships fosters more efficient supply chains. Much of the long‐term relationship literature tends to treat suppliers as a homogeneous group when identifying motivations, strategies and incentives to enhance the quality of buyer‐seller relationships. This article aims to explore the role of long‐term relationships between buyers and sellers in Malaysia's dairy industry, taking into consideration the heterogeneous nature of producers.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines variation in relationship quality (trust, satisfaction, and commitment), loyalty and price satisfaction dimensions, using data from a survey of 133 dairy producers.

Findings

Cluster analysis suggests two well‐defined groups differing in terms of demographic characteristics and relationship perceptions about their buyers.

Practical implications

The study results highlight ways milk buyers can develop and promote more appropriate and efficient marketing strategies with milk producers.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence of producer relationship segmentation in an agricultural industry of an emerging economy.
Fluorinated interactions in two different plain ZDDP oils using design of experiment (DOE) and chemistry characterization of tribofilms
Authors: Nehme Gabi
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the friction and wear performance of two plain ZDDP oils in the presence of fluorinated catalyst and PTFE combinations under extreme boundary lubrication of 385 Newton load (Hertzian contact pressure of 2.72 GPa). The mechanism of tribofilm formation and breakdown was followed carefully by monitoring the friction coefficient over the duration of the test.

Design/methodology/approach

Very reproducible boundary lubrication tests were conducted as part of design of experiment (DOE) to study the behavior of two different fluorinated plain oils in developing environmentally friendly (reduced P atd S) anti‐wear additives for future engine oil formulations. Friction and wear performance of ZDDP plain oils improve in the presence of fluorinated mix combinations. In order to understand the wear mechanism, different factors of chemical compositions and different wear responses were analyzed and optimized using DOE. Several chemistry combinations were prepared and tested under extreme boundary lubrication.

Findings

The interactions of fluorinated mix with minimum phosphorus were studied and compared. Tribofilms with thickness ranging from 300‐400 nm were developed during wear tests and were analyzed for two fluorinated plain oils that target reducing phosphorus.

Originality/value

The influence of catalyst and PTFE fluorinated mix were examined. Scanning electron microscopy with chemistry analysis was developed. Hardness of the tribofilms, X‐ray of the wear track and Auger spectroscopy confirm the present of fluorine and phosphorus. The two repeated tests that were conducted on both plain oils with minimum fluorinated mix confirm the prediction of the DOE model.
Financial performance of SMEs: impact of ownership structure and board composition
Authors: Lappalainen Jaana , Niskanen Mervi
Published: September 2012

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact that ownership structure and board composition have on financial performance in a sample of Finnish small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs).

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were collected through a private survey. The financial data were collected from the Voitto+ register and observations were made from 2000 to 2005. The authors employ panel data estimation and 2SLS methods in their analyses.

Findings

Results suggest that the ownership structure affects both the growth and the profitability of small private firms. Firms with high managerial ownership levels exhibit higher profitability ratios but have lower growth rates. Firms with high venture capital firm ownership ratios are found to grow faster and are less profitable. The results on board structure suggest that board structure has little impact on the performance of small firms. The only significant result in this context is that firms with outside board members have lower growth rates and are less profitable.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be interpreted to indicate that owner‐managers are risk averse and that venture capital firms seek investments with high growth potential. The results could also imply that outsiders are taken on as board members in badly‐performing firms on financiers' requests, or because it is thought that they can enhance performance.

Originality/value

The paper is one of the few that shed light on how corporate governance and ownership structures affect the performance of small private firms.