bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colourful parrot feathers resist bacterial degradation
Authors: Burtt Edward H. , Schroeder Max R. , Smith Lauren A. , Sroka Jenna E. , McGraw Kevin J.
Published: October 2010

The brilliant red, orange and yellow colours of parrot feathers are the product of psittacofulvins, which are synthetic pigments known only from parrots. Recent evidence suggests that some pigments in bird feathers function not just as colour generators, but also preserve plumage integrity by increasing the resistance of feather keratin to bacterial degradation. We exposed a variety of colourful parrot feathers to feather-degradingBacillus licheniformisand found that feathers with red psittacofulvins degraded at about the same rate as those with melanin and more slowly than white feathers, which lack pigments. Blue feathers, in which colour is based on the microstructural arrangement of keratin, air and melanin granules, and green feathers, which combine structural blue with yellow psittacofulvins, degraded at a rate similar to that of red and black feathers. These differences in resistance to bacterial degradation of differently coloured feathers suggest that colour patterns within the Psittaciformes may have evolved to resist bacterial degradation, in addition to their role in communication and camouflage.
The influence of maternal effects on indirect benefits associated with polyandry
Authors: House Clarissa M. , Bleakley Bronwyn H. , Walling Craig A. , Price Thomas A. R. , Stamper Clare E. , Moore Allen J.
Published: October 2010

Despite numerous and diverse theoretical models for the indirect benefits of polyandry, empirical support is mixed. One reason for the difficulty in detecting indirect benefits of polyandry may be that these are subtle and are mediated by environmental effects, such as maternal effects. Maternal effects may be especially important if females allocate resources to their offspring depending on the characteristics of their mating partners. We test this hypothesis in the burying beetle
Nicrophorus vespilloides
, a species that provides extensive and direct parental care to offspring. We used a fully factorial design and mated females to one, two, three, four or five different males and manipulated conditions so that their offspring received reduced (12 h) or full (
ca
72 h) maternal care. We found that average offspring fitness increased with full maternal care but there was no significant effect of polyandry or the interaction between the duration of maternal care and the level of polyandry on offspring fitness. Thus, although polyandry could provide a mechanism for biasing paternity towards high quality or compatible males, and variation in parental care matters, we found no evidence that female
N. vespilloides
gain indirect benefits by using parental care to bias the allocation of resources under different mating conditions.
Footprints pull origin and diversification of dinosaur stem lineage deep into Early Triassic
Authors: Brusatte Stephen L. , Niedźwiedzki Grzegorz , Butler Richard J.
Published: October 2010

The ascent of dinosaurs in the Triassic is an exemplary evolutionary radiation, but the earliest phase of dinosaur history remains poorly understood. Body fossils of close dinosaur relatives are rare, but indicate that the dinosaur stem lineage (Dinosauromorpha) originated by the latest Anisian (
ca
242–244 Ma). Here, we report footprints from the Early–Middle Triassic of Poland, stratigraphically well constrained and identified using a conservative synapomorphy-based approach, which shifts the origin of the dinosaur stem lineage back to the Early Olenekian (
ca
249–251 Ma), approximately 5–9 Myr earlier than indicated by body fossils, earlier than demonstrated by previous footprint records, and just a few million years after the Permian/Triassic mass extinction (252.3 Ma). Dinosauromorph tracks are rare in all Polish assemblages, suggesting that these animals were minor faunal components. The oldest tracks are quadrupedal, a morphology uncommon among the earliest dinosauromorph body fossils, but bipedality and moderately large body size had arisen by the Early Anisian (
ca
246 Ma). Integrating trace fossils and body fossils demonstrates that the rise of dinosaurs was a drawn-out affair, perhaps initiated during recovery from the Permo-Triassic extinction.
Candidate genes versus genome-wide associations: which are better for detecting genetic susceptibility to infectious disease?
Authors: Amos W. , Driscoll E. , Hoffman J. I.
Published: October 2010

Technological developments allow increasing numbers of markers to be deployed in case-control studies searching for genetic factors that influence disease susceptibility. However, with vast numbers of markers, true ‘hits’ may become lost in a sea of false positives. This problem may be particularly acute for infectious diseases, where the control group may contain unexposed individuals with susceptible genotypes. To explore this effect, we used a series of stochastic simulations to model a scenario based loosely on bovine tuberculosis. We find that a candidate gene approach tends to have greater statistical power than studies that use large numbers of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genome-wide association tests, almost regardless of the number of SNPs deployed. Both approaches struggle to detect genetic effects when these are either weak or if an appreciable proportion of individuals are unexposed to the disease when modest sample sizes (250 each of cases and controls) are used, but these issues are largely mitigated if sample sizes can be increased to 2000 or more of each class. We conclude that the power of any genotype–phenotype association test will be improved if the sampling strategy takes account of exposure heterogeneity, though this is not necessarily easy to do.
Role of fungal antigens in eosinophilia‐associated cellular responses in nasal polyps: a comparison with enterotoxin
Authors: Okano M. , Fujiwara T. , Haruna T. , Kariya S. , Makihara S. , Higaki T. , Nishizaki K.
Published: October 2010

Cite this as: M. Okano, T. Fujiwara, T. Haruna, S. Kariya, S. Makihara, T. Higaki and K. Nishizaki, Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2011 (41) 171–178.

Background
Fungi and/or Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxins (SEs) may participate in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic inflammation in cases of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP).

Objective
We sought to determine the effects of fungal antigens on eosinophilia‐associated cellular responses in nasal polyps.

Methods
Dispersed nasal polyp cells (DNPCs) were prepared from 13 patients with CRSwNP. DNPCs were cultured with fungal extracts (Aspergillus, Alternaria and Candida) or SEB for 72 h, after which the levels of IL‐5, IL‐13 and RANTES were measured within the supernatant. Responses to β‐d‐glucan, mannan and chitin were also examined.

Results
38.5%, 69.2% and 30.8% of DNPCs produced IL‐5, IL‐13 and RANTES, respectively, in response to 200 μg/mL of Aspergillus. 53.8%, 53.8% and 7.7% of DNPCs produced IL‐5, IL‐13 and RANTES, respectively, in response to 200 μg/mL of Alternaria. 53.8%, 38.5% and 15.4% of DNPCs produced IL‐5, IL‐13 and RANTES, respectively, in response to 200 μg/mL of Candida. All DNPCs produced these cytokines in response to 0.1 μg/mL of SEB. SEB induced significantly greater cytokine levels than the fungal extracts. No correlation between cytokine production following exposure to each of the fungal extracts or SEB and various clinical features, including nasal polyp eosinophilia and radiological severity of sinusitis was observed. Neither sensitization to fungus nor comorbidity with bronchial asthma was correlated with the fungal extract‐induced cytokine production by DNPCs. β‐d‐glucan, mannan and chitin did not induce significant cytokine production.

Conclusions
These results suggest that, although DNPCs produce IL‐5, IL‐13 and RANTES in response to fungal extracts, fungal antigens including major carbohydrates are less capable of inducing eosinophilia‐associated cellular responses in nasal polyps than SEB.
Activation of T7 RNA polymerase in Xenopus oocytes and cell‐free extracts
Authors: Tokmakov Alexander A. , Fukami Yasuo
Published: October 2010

Single‐subunit bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is universally employed for in vivo and in vitro transcription of genes put under control of the T7 promoter. The enzyme is capable of transcribing a complete gene without additional proteins. In this study, we reveal the presence of a low molecular weight factor, which induces several‐fold activation of T7 RNAP in the cytoplasm of oocytes and eggs from Xenopus laevis. Cell‐free reconstitution of the T7 RNAP activation allowed us to investigate the molecular properties of the activator, establish its peptide nature and suggest T7 RNAP activation mechanism. In contrast to the previously described nonspecific transcriptional activators, which interact with scattered ionic sites on nucleic acids, the peptide activator associates with T7 RNAP molecule, thus being a bona fide activator of the polymerase. To our knowledge, this is the first report concerning the specific activation of T7 RNAP by a factor of peptide or protein origin. Besides rather obvious merits in gaining more efficient transcription with T7 RNAP, this finding can provide additional insights into regulatory mechanisms of transcription. The study also introduces a novel highly sensitive luminescent assay of T7 RNAP activity.
In vitro tests of natural allelic variation of innate immune genes (avian β‐defensins) reveal functional differences in microbial inhibition
Authors: HELLGREN O. , SHELDON B. C. , BUCKLING A.
Published: October 2010

Allelic variation in immune genes might result from, and contribute to, host–pathogen evolution. Functional allelic variation in the innate immune system has received little attention. Here, we investigate whether naturally occurring allelic variation within the avian innate immune system (β‐defensins) is associated with variation in antimicrobial activity. We tested differences in in vitro antimicrobial properties of the synthesized products of two alleles of avian β‐defensin 7, both of which occur at high frequency in natural populations of the great tit (Parus major). Only one allele strongly inhibited the growth of the gram‐positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, but both alleles strongly inhibited growth of the gram‐negative bacterium Escherechia coli. Our data demonstrate functional allelic variation in natural defensin genes, and we discuss how differences in efficacy against microbial species might contribute to maintaining this variation.
A linkage map of pak‐choi (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis) based on AFLP and SSR markers and identification of AFLP markers for resistance to TuMV
Authors: Xinhua W. , Yang L. , Huoying C.
Published: October 2010

With 2 figures

A genetic linkage map for pak‐choi, a very important economical and nutritional vegetable crop in Asia, has been constructed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers based on 180 F2 individuals. It includes 133 AFLP and 74 SSR markers from 57 AFLP and 65 SSR primer combinations, respectively. Fifty SSR markers were previously used to construct a framework map and all AFLP markers and another 24 SSR markers were inserted. The linkage map consists of 10 linkage groups with a total distance of 1123 cM and an average interval of 5.43 cM. Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV) is one of the most important pathogens of pak‐choi. TuRBCH01, a TuMV‐C5 resistance gene, was successfully mapped into R6 linkage group in the present genetic linkage map and was positioned between AFLP markers E36M62‐3 and E44M48‐1.
Non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis
Authors: Al Subie Haya , Fitzgerald Dominic A
Published: October 2010

Non‐cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis is said to be a declining problem in developed countries, although its prevalence in indigenous communities in Australia and New Zealand is among the highest reported in the world. Early childhood pneumonia and underlying conditions such as immunodeficiency and primary ciliary dyskinesia need to be considered in the aetiology. A high‐resolution computerised tomography scan is the key investigation in children with a chronic wet cough in whom bronchiectasis is suspected. Regardless of the cause, the treatment of bronchiectasis is centred upon facilitating the clearance of airway secretions and the treatment of pulmonary exacerbations. This review aims to provide general paediatricians with an update on the presenting features, investigation and management of non‐cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.
In quest of the nitrogen oxidizing prokaryotes of the early Earth
Authors: Vlaeminck Siegfried E. , Hay Anthony G. , Maignien Loïs , Verstraete Willy
Published: October 2010

The introduction of nitrite and nitrate to the relatively reduced environment of the early Earth provided impetus for a tremendous diversification of microbial pathways. However, little is known about the first organisms to produce these valuable resources. In this review, the latest microbial discoveries are integrated in the evolution of the nitrogen cycle according to the great ‘NO‐ON’ time debate, as we call it. This debate hypothesizes the first oxidation of nitrogen as abiotic and anoxic (‘NO’) versus biological and aerobic (‘ON’). Confronting ancient biogeochemical niches with extant prokaryotic phylogenetics, physiology and morphology, pointed out that the well‐described ammonia and nitrite oxidizing Proteobacteria likely did not play a pioneering role in microbial nitrogen oxidation. Instead, we hypothesize ancestral and primordial roles of methanotrophic NC10 bacteria and ammonia oxidizing archaea, respectively, for early nitrite production, and of anammox performing Planctomycetes followed by Nitrospira for early nitrate production. Additional genomic and structural information on the prokaryotic protagonists but also on their phages, together with the continued search for novel key players and processes, should further elucidate nitrogen cycle evolution. Through the ramifications between the biogeochemical cycles, this will improve our understanding on the evolution of terrestrial and perhaps extraterrestrial life.
‘Candidatus Liberibacter europaeus’ sp. nov. that is associated with and transmitted by the psyllid Cacopsylla pyri apparently behaves as an endophyte rather than a pathogen
Authors: Raddadi Noura , Gonella Elena , Camerota Caterina , Pizzinat Alan , Tedeschi Rosemarie , Crotti Elena , Mandrioli Mauro , Attilio Bianco Piero , Daffonchio Daniele , Alma Alberto
Published: October 2010

‘Candidatus Liberibacter spp.’ cause serious plant diseases. ‘Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus’, ‘Ca. L. americanus’ and ‘Ca. L. africanus’ are the aetiological agents of citrus greening (Huanglongbing) in Asia, America and Africa. ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ causes diseases in Solanaceae in America and New Zealand. All four species are vectored by psyllid insects of different genera. Here, we show that the pear psyllid pest Cacopsylla pyri (L.) hosts a novel liberibacter species that we named ‘Ca. Liberibacter europaeus’. It can bloom to high titres in the psyllid host, with more than 109 16S rRNA gene copies per individual. Fluorescent in situ hybridization experiments showed that ‘Ca. L. europaeus’ is present in the host midgut lumen, salivary glands and Malpighian tubules. ‘Candidatus L. europaeus’ has a relatively high prevalence (> 51%) in C. pyri from different areas in the Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta regions in Italy and can be transmitted to pear plants in experimental transmission trials. However, even though high titres of the bacterium (more than 108 16S rRNA gene copies g−1 of pear plant tissue) could be detected, in the pear tissues no specific disease symptoms could be observed in the infected plants over a 6‐month period. Despite liberibacters representing potential quarantine organisms, ‘Ca. L. europaeus’, first described in Italy and Europe, apparently behaves as an endophyte rather than a pathogen.
LONGITUDINAL STUDIES OF HUMAN GROWTH AND HEALTH: A REVIEW OF RECENT HISTORICAL RESEARCH
Authors: Inwood Kris , Roberts Evan
Published: October 2010

AbstractThis paper reviews recent literature using stature and weight as measures of human welfare with a particular interest in cliometric or historical research. We begin with an overview of anthropometric evidence of living standards and the new but fast‐growing field of anthropometric history. This literature is always implicitly and often explicitly longitudinal in nature. We then discuss (i) systematic empirical research into the relationship between conditions in early life and later life health and mortality and (ii) historical evidence on the relationship between body mass, morbidity and mortality. We conclude with a discussion of the importance of historical sources and understandings to health economics and population health.
Marine Protected Areas Beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction: What's Mine is Mine and What You Think is Yours is also Mine
Authors: Salpin Charlotte , Germani Valentina
Published: October 2010

The article analyses the progress and challenges related to the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs), in particular beyond national jurisdiction, in light of relevant global goals. A number of myths related to MPAs are highlighted, as well as issues of a legal and institutional nature that have arisen recently as a result of proposals to establish MPAs beyond national jurisdiction. In particular, the article focuses on issues relating to the establishment of these MPAs as they relate to the on‐going process of establishment of the outer limits of the continental shelf of coastal States pursuant to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The International Legal Framework for Biosecurity and the Challenges Ahead
Authors: Outhwaite Opi
Published: October 2010

Effective biosecurity is an important requisite for the conservation of biodiversity. Preventing the introduction and spread of invasive species including pests, diseases and other organisms through biosecurity measures is important, not only for food security and agricultural health, but also links directly with the prevention of biodiversity loss. Although several international instruments are relevant in this regard, legal analysis of biosecurity at both the international and national levels remains limited. In light of the far‐reaching implications of biosecurity failures, there is an urgent need to recognize the nature of biosecurity and to understand how effective biosecurity frameworks can be developed. The present article seeks to contribute to this gap, first, by highlighting the nature of biosecurity as a regulatory concept; second, by providing an overview of some of the key international legal provisions and standards applicable to biosecurity; and, finally, by discussing some of the challenges which arise for the application of an international framework to biosecurity and the adoption of domestic biosecurity frameworks, particularly in the context of developing countries.
Impact of Ozone Layer Protection on the Avoidance of Climate Change: Legal Issues and Proposals to Address the Problem
Authors: Akanle Tomilola
Published: October 2010

This article examines some of the issues raised by the interconnections between efforts to protect the ozone layer and efforts to address climate change. It focuses on the replacement of certain ozone‐depleting substances with alternatives that have high global warming potential, and the proposals made by some countries to address the resulting problems by placing the responsibility on parties to the Montreal Protocol to control these alternatives. The article also discusses some of the challenges of having two or more regimes deal with the same subject matter, albeit in different ways, and highlights the need for cooperation and coordination across regimes.
Real listening – using personal construct assessment with people with intellectual disabilities: two case studies
Authors: Hare Dougal Julian , Searson Ruth , Knowles Rebecca
Published: October 2010

Accessible summary

 People with intellectual disabilities are still not being listened to by services.

 When upset, people with intellectual disabilities are often seen as mentally ill.

 This paper describes a procedure [repertory grid] for understanding how people with intellectual disabilities make sense of their experiences.

Many people with intellectual disabilities are still not being listened to by the services providing them with care and support, and when they become upset and frustrated, they are all too readily regarded as being mentally ill. To help people with intellectual disabilities describe and make sense of their experiences and feelings in a non‐judgemental manner, and without the need for these experiences to be interpreted and explained, this paper describes the use of an adapted repertory grid procedure developed from George Kelley’s personal construct psychology. Although such an approach has been identified as being particularly suitable for working with people with intellectual disabilities in a person‐centred manner, little information has been presented and to remedy this, this paper presents an outline of PCP, its application with people with intellectual disabilities and two case reports to illustrate its use in clinical practice.
Home‐Based Leg‐Strengthening Exercise Improves Function 1 Year After Hip Fracture: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Mangione Kathleen K. , Craik Rebecca L. , Palombaro Kerstin M. , Tomlinson Susan S. , Hofmann Mary T.
Published: October 2010

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of a short‐term leg‐strengthening exercise program with that of attentional control on improving strength, walking abilities, and function 1 year after hip fracture.

DESIGN: Randomized controlled pilot study.

SETTING: Patients' homes.

PARTICIPANTS: Community‐dwelling older adults (n=26) 6 months after hip fracture at baseline.

INTERVENTION: Exercise and control participants received interventions from physical therapists twice a week for 10 weeks. The exercise group received high‐intensity leg‐strengthening exercises. The control group received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and mental imagery.

MEASUREMENTS: Isometric force production of lower extremity muscles, usual and fast gait speed, 6‐minute walk (6‐MW) distance, modified Physical Performance Test (mPPT), and Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item Short Form Survey (SF‐36) physical function.

RESULTS: The primary endpoint was 1 year after fracture. Isometric force production (P=.006), usual (P=.02) and fast (P=.03) gait speed, 6‐MW distance (P=.005), and mPPT score (P<.001) were improved 1 year after fracture with exercise. Effect sizes were 0.79 for strength, 0.81 for mPPT score, 0.56 for gait speed, 0.49 for 6‐MW, and 0.30 for SF‐36 score. More patients in the exercise group made meaningful changes in gait speed and 6‐MW distance than control patients (chi‐square P=.004).

CONCLUSION: A 10‐week home‐based progressive resistance exercise program was sufficient to achieve moderate to large effects on physical performance and quality of life and may offer an alternative intervention mode for patients with hip fracture who are unable to leave home by 6 months after the fracture. The effects were maintained at 3 months after completion of the training program.
The Law of Population and the Austrian School
Authors: Barrows Stephen P.
Published: October 2010

Abstract

There has been considerable debate within the social sciences about the consequences of rapid population growth. The law of population, as described by Thomas Robert Malthus, asserts that population growth is ultimately limited by the means of subsistence, and therefore preventive checks on population growth (e.g., voluntarily limiting the number of births) are necessary to avoid the grim prospect of inevitable human suffering when the means of subsistence cannot support the population. Economists, demographers, and other social scientists have produced volumes of exegesis on Malthus's work. This article assesses how representative economists of the Austrian School have interacted with Malthus's law of population.
Effect of lameness (hoof disorders) on productivity of Karan Fries crossbred cows
Authors: SINGH Yajuvendra , LATHWAL Surender Singh , CHAKRAVARTY Atish Kumar , GUPTA Ashok Kumar , MOHANTY Tushar Kumar , RAJA Thiruvothur Venkatesan , DANGI Roshan Lal , ROY Biplob Kumer
Published: October 2010

In present study production performance of 96 lame cows was compared with 67 healthy cows. No significant effect of parity and year of calving on milk yield were observed but the effect of season of calving was significant (P < 0.01). Effect of lameness on milk yield at the second, third and fourth months and 305 days was highly significant (P < 0.01), and was also significant (P < 0.05) on lactation yield of the fifth and tenth months. The effect of lameness on monthly and 305‐day milk yield was significant (P < 0.01) only for those cows diagnosed lame before calving and during the first month of lactation. The differences in mean monthly yield were highly significant (P < 0.01) at the second, third and fourth months; and significant (P < 0.05) in the first and fifth months. The loss in the first lactation month of cows which were diagnosed as lame in the second month, was found to be significant (P < 0.05). Thus the yield of the month previous to the diagnosis (sub‐clinical stage) was also affected. A significant (P < 0.01) total loss of 498.95 kg of milk yield was observed during a period of 305 days.
Effects of rice straw particle size on digesta particle size distribution, nitrogen metabolism, blood biochemical parameters, microbial amino acid composition and intestinal amino acid digestibility in goats
Authors: WANG Min , ZHAO Xiao Gang , Liao Hai Yan , TAN Zhi Liang , TANG Shao Xun , SUN Zhi Hong , ZHOU Chuan She , HAN Xue Feng
Published: October 2010

Effects of rice straw particle size and physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) on particle size distribution of different digestive tract, nitrogen (N) metabolism, blood biochemical parameters, microbial amino acid (AA) composition and intestinal AA digestibility in goats were investigated. A 4 × 4 Latin square design was employed using four mature Liuyang black goats fitted with permanent ruminal, duodenal, and terminal ileal fistulae. During each of the four periods, goats were offered one of four diets that were similar in chemical composition, but varied in particle sizes and peNDF through alteration of the theoretical cut length of rice straw (10, 20, 40 and 80 mm, respectively). Dietary peNDF contents of four diets were 17.4, 20.9, 22.5 and 25.4%, respectively. Results showed that increasing particle size of rice straw and dietary peNDF significantly affected the particle size distributions of digesta in rumen, duodenum and ileum, except feces. However, increasing particle size of rice straw and peNDF did not affected N metabolism in goats, except the increased apparent N digestibility in rumen and large intestine, and the decreased apparent N digestibility in small intestine. Furthermore, increasing particle size of rice straw and peNDF showed little influence on the profile of blood biochemical parameters, microbial AA composition and intestinal AA digestibility in goats.
ESTIMATED OPERATOR EXPOSURE FOR HAND HOLDING PORTABLE X‐RAY UNITS DURING IMAGING OF THE EQUINE DISTAL EXTREMITY
Authors: TYSON REID , SMILEY DOUGLAS C. , PLEASANT ROBERT S. , DANIEL GREGORY B.
Published: October 2010

Hand holding of portable X‐ray units is common in large animal ambulatory veterinary practice. Portable X‐ray equipment manuals, veterinary teaching institutions, and state regulations discourage, or prohibit, hand holding of portable X‐ray units. Our goal was to quantify surface radiation leakage of a typical portable X‐ray unit and to measure operator exposure at simulated hand and collar positions during imaging of the equine distal extremity. Each exposure for the study was performed at 80 kVp and 7.5 mAs and repeated 10 times. Measurement of tube radiation leakage was performed along each surface of the portable X‐ray unit. To determine the operator exposure more accurately, an equine cadaver limb was used to generate scatter radiation for the following views: lateral carpus, lateral foot, palmaroproximal–palmarodistal, and dorsal 60° proximal–palmarodistal obliques of the navicular region. A Pancake Ion Chamber was placed at the handle and at simulated collar position to record estimated occupational exposure. To estimate the effect of lead shielding, exposure measurements were performed within the primary beam and behind a 0.5 mm lead equivalent apron and within an >0.5 mm lead equivalent glove. The average hand and collar dose was 0.471 and 0.327 mR/exposure, respectively. The lead apron and glove attenuated the primary beam 96.9 and 99.2%, respectively. This reduced average hand and collar exposures to 0.0038 and 0.0101 mR/exposure, respectively. Theoretical occupational limits are reached for the collar (whole body) before the hand (extremity).
Violent victimization among males and economic conditions
Authors: Lauritsen Janet L. , Heimer Karen
Published: October 2010

Research Summary

In this article, we use data from the 1973 to 2005 National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) to estimate previously unknown trends in serious nonfatal violent victimization for Latino, non‐Latino Black, and non‐Latino White males in the United States. Past research has shown that Blacks and Latinos have been more susceptible than Whites to financial hardship during economic downturns and that economic disadvantage is an important correlate of violence in cross‐sectional analyses. If significant declines in the national economy contribute to increases in violence, then crime trends disaggregated by race and ethnicity should show greater changes among minorities during periods of economic downturn. Although rates of violence have declined for all groups, we find that trends for Latino and Black males are similar and closely follow changes in consumer sentiment. In contrast, trends for White males display fewer fluctuations coinciding with changes in economic conditions. Continued disaggregation shows that these patterns appear primarily in stranger violence and not in violence by known offenders. The patterns also suggest that the association between changing economic conditions and male victimization trends might have weakened in recent years.

Policy Implications

The findings raise concerns about the potential impact of recent economic changes on the risk for serious victimization, particularly among Blacks and Latinos. In light of the possible recent weakening of the relationship between economic changes and crime, future research should assess whether criminal justice policies and other factors moderate the relationship between economic conditions and victimization and use group‐specific measures of violence so that important variability across race and ethnicity is not masked. These analyses also should be expanded to consider the potential effects on violence of government policies designed to alleviate poverty and unemployment.
Effect of intravenous administration of dipyridamole in a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia
Authors: Melani Alessia , Cipriani Sara , Corti Francesca , Pedata Felicita
Published: October 2010

Pharmacological therapy able to improve the cognitive performances of patients with chronic vascular pathologies currently remains unavailable. Many studies of chronic cerebral hypotension in rodents have revealed alterations in reference memory and learning. Dipyridamole was introduced into clinical medicine in the early 1960s as a coronary vasodilator. It is a potent inhibitor of platelet activation and reduces formation of thrombi in vivo. In addition, it is an antithrombotic agent used for secondary stroke prevention in combination with aspirin. Recent evidence indicates that dipyridamole has anti‐inflammatory properties. Bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) in the rat is recognized as a valid model of chronic cerebral hypotension, also defined as the “vascular cognitive impairment rat model.” Here, we report that dipyridamole reverses the impairment of spatial working memory 90 days after 2VO. This protective effect might be in relation to dipyridamole's anti‐inflammatory properties.
The State-of-the-Art of Gas-Liquid Cylindrical Cyclone Control Technology: From Laboratory to Field
Authors: Wang Shoubo , Gomez Luis , Mohan Ram , Shoham Ovadia , Kouba Gene , Marrelli Jack
Published: October 2010

Conventional gas-liquid separators are vessel-type with simple level and pressure control since the residence time is large. Compact gas-liquid separators, such as gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone (GLCC©—gas-liquid cylindrical cyclone—copyright, University of Tulsa, 1994), have emerged recently as alternatives to reduce size and increase separation efficiency for onshore, offshore, and subsea applications. As compared with the vessel-type separators, compact separators are simple, low-cost, low-weight, require little maintenance and are easy to install and operate. However, the residence time of the GLCC is very small. Consequently, it can be destabilized easily due to high flow variations at the inlet, for example, slugging, without the aid of fast and accurate control systems. In the past, lack of understanding of control system dynamics and design tools has prevented this technology from fast field deployment. The objective of this study is to present a review of the compact gas-liquid separator (GLCC) control technology. This includes the development of control strategies, control system design, dynamic simulation, experimental investigation, and field applications. The performance of compact gas-liquid separator (GLCC) strongly depends on the liquid level and/or separating pressure. In this investigation, several control strategies have been presented for field applications of gas-liquid compact separators. Especially, an optimal control strategy was developed for handling slug flow and optimizing the system performance in terms of reduced or eliminated liquid carry-over or gas carry-under. The developed strategies have been used for the design of several hundreds of GLCC applications, currently in operation in the field. Details of some of these applications are also presented. This study provides the state-of-the-art of gas-liquid compact separator control technology from the laboratory to the field.
Well Injectivity Decline for Nonlinear Filtration of Injected Suspension: Semi-Analytical Model
Authors: Vaz A. S. L. , Bedrikovetsky P. , Furtado C. J. A. , de Souza A. L.S.
Published: October 2010

Injectivity decline due to injection of water with particles is a widespread phenomenon in waterflood projects. It happens due to particle capture by rocks and consequent permeability decline and also due to external cake formation on the sandface. Since offshore production environments become ever more complex, particularly in deep water fields, the risk associated with injectivity impairment due to injection of seawater or re-injection of produced water may increase to the point that production by conventional waterflood may cease to be viable. Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important to predict injectivity evolution under such circumstances. The work develops a semi-analytical model for injectivity impairment during a suspension injection for the case of filtration and formation damage coefficients being linear functions of retained particle concentration. The model exhibits limited retained particle accumulation, while the traditional model with a constant filtration coefficient predicts unlimited growth of retained particle concentration. The developed model also predicts the well index stabilization after the decline period.
Comment on “Climate, Critters, and Cetaceans: Cenozoic Drivers of the Evolution of Modern Whales”
Authors: Pyenson Nicholas D. , Irmis Randall B. , Lipps Jere H.
Published: October 2010

Marx and Uhen (Reports, 19 February 2010, p. 993) suggested that correlated diversity changes in the fossil record of whales and diatoms reflects secular evolutionary signals of underlying ecological drivers. We question the meaning of this association and outline avenues for more complete testing of correlations between productivity and marine consumers through geologic time.
Response to Comment on “Climate, Critters, and Cetaceans: Cenozoic Drivers of the Evolution of Modern Whales”
Authors: Marx Felix G. , Uhen Mark D.
Published: October 2010

Pyenson
et al
. raise concerns about the correlation we identified between diatom and cetacean diversity through time. Although the issues raised are of investigative interest, they do not invalidate our conclusions. We agree that localized studies combined with global data sets will further our understanding of the factors that have helped shape cetacean evolution.
Saving the Bilayer
Authors: Browse John
Published: October 2010

Membrane lipids must be metabolized to protect plants from frost.
Will Korea's Computer-Savvy Crown Prince Embrace Reform?
Authors: Stone Richard
Published: October 2010

Last week, it was learned that the heir apparent to North Korean top leader Kim Jong Il is his third son, Kim Jong Un. For insights into how things may shake out for North Korea's scientific community,
Science
spoke with Ph.D.-trained defector Kim Heung-Kwang and Park Chan-Mo, who is helping establish Pyongyang University of Science and Technology.
What's Next for Stem Cell Research?
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: October 2010

Last week's appeals court decision to temporarily lift a ban on the use of federal funds for research with human embryonic stem cells was good news for researchers. But the legal battle is far from over.
Walking in Two Worlds
Authors: Kloor Keith
Published: October 2010

The small but growing number of Native American archaeologists sometimes find themselves torn between their culture and their profession, as tribal traditions clash with scientific inquiry.
Perspectives on Clinical and Preclinical Testing of New Tuberculosis Vaccines
Authors: Dannenberg Arthur M.
Published: October 2010

This review hopes to improve the selection of new tuberculosis (TB) vaccines by providing several perspectives on the immunization of humans, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and monkeys which have not usually been considered. (i) In human TB vaccine trials, the low rate of healing ofMycobacterium bovisBCG lesions (used as the control group) would distinguish individuals who might be helped by vaccination from the 95% who do not need it and would make these trials more conclusive. (ii) The rabbit immune response toMycobacterium tuberculosisis much more effective in arresting tuberculosis than those of other laboratory animals, so pulmonary tubercle counting in rabbits should be included in all preclinical TB vaccine testing. (iii) Both delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and cell-mediated immunity (CMI) are necessary to control the growth ofM. tuberculosis. The testing of new TB vaccines in mice or in guinea pigs may not detect important antigens needed for human immunization. Mice respond poorly to tuberculin-like antigens that cause DTH. Guinea pigs respond poorly to antigens that cause CMI. Rabbits and humans respond well to both DTH and CMI antigens. Since monkeys are very susceptible toM. tuberculosis, they may not be as useful as rabbits for preclinical vaccine evaluation. (iv) Critical antigens (possibly ESAT-6 or CFP-10) might increase the immunity of the host to a greater extent than that produced by a naturalM. tuberculosisinfection and therefore would be useful in both prophylaxis and immunotherapy. Such critical antigens would increase the host's ability to neutralize key components ofM. tuberculosisthat enable it to survive in both laboratory animals and humans.
Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in HIV-Positive Patients by Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility Assay
Authors: Ha Dang Thi Minh , Lan Nguyen Thi Ngoc , Kiet Vo Sy , Wolbers Marcel , Hang Hoang Thi Thanh , Day Jeremy , Hien Nguyen Quang , Tien Nguyen Anh , An Pham Thuy , Anh Truong Thi , Oanh Do Thi Tuong , Hoa Chau Luong , Chau Nguyen Thi Minh , Hai Nguyen Ngoc , Binh Ngo Thanh , Ngoc Le Hong , Phuong Doan Thanh , Quyet Tran Van , Tuyen Nguyen Thi Bich , Ha Vo Thi , Nho Nguyen Thi , Hoa Dai Viet , Anh Phan Thi Hoang , Dung Nguyen Huy , Farrar Jeremy , Caws Maxine
Published: October 2010

The microscopic observation drug susceptibility assay (MODS) is a novel and promising test for the early diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). We evaluated the MODS assay for the early diagnosis of TB in HIV-positive patients presenting to Pham Ngoc Thach Hospital for Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases in southern Vietnam. A total of 738 consecutive sputum samples collected from 307 HIV-positive individuals suspected of TB were tested by smear, MODS, and the mycobacteria growth indicator tube method (MGIT). The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of MODS compared to the microbiological gold standard (either smear or MGIT) were 87 and 93%, respectively. The sensitivities of smear, MODS, and MGIT were 57, 71, and 75%, respectively, against clinical gold standard (MODS versus smear,
P
< 0.001; MODS versus MGIT,
P
= 0.03). The clinical gold standard was defined as patients who had a clinical examination and treatment consistent with TB, with or without microbiological confirmation. For the diagnosis of smear-negative patients, the sensitivities of MODS and MGIT were 38 and 45%, respectively (
P
= 0.08). The median times to detection using MODS and MGIT were 8 and 11 days, respectively, and they were 11 and 17 days, respectively, for smear-negative samples. The original bacterial/fungal contamination rate of MODS was 1.1%, while it was 2.6% for MGIT. The cross-contamination rate of MODS was 4.7%. In conclusion, MODS is a sensitive, specific, and rapid test that is appropriate for the detection of HIV-associated TB; its cost and ease of use make it particularly useful in resource-limited settings.
The Inhibitory Action of P56 on Select Functions of E1 Mediates Interferon's Effect on Human Papillomavirus DNA Replication
Authors: Saikia Paramananda , Fensterl Volker , Sen Ganes C.
Published: October 2010

The interferon (IFN)-induced protein P56 inhibits human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA replication by binding to HPV E1, which has several distinct functions in initiating viral DNA replication. Here, we determined that P56 inhibited HPV type 18 (HPV18) E1's DNA helicase activity, E2 binding, and HPV Ori sequence-specific DNA binding but not nonspecific DNA binding. We observed that deletion of a single amino acid, F399, produced an E1 mutant that could not bind P56. This E1 mutant retained its ability to support Ori DNA replication, but this activity was not inhibited by IFN, demonstrating that P56 is the principal executor of the anti-HPV action of IFN.
Antiviral Immunity following Smallpox Virus Infection: a Case-Control Study
Authors: Hammarlund Erika , Lewis Matthew W. , Hanifin Jon M. , Mori Motomi , Koudelka Caroline W. , Slifka Mark K.
Published: October 2010

Outbreaks of smallpox (i.e., caused by variola virus) resulted in up to 30% mortality, but those who survived smallpox infection were regarded as immune for life. Early studies described the levels of neutralizing antibodies induced after infection, but smallpox was eradicated before contemporary methods for quantifying T-cell memory were developed. To better understand the levels and duration of immunity after smallpox infection, we performed a case-control study comparing antiviral CD4
+
and CD8
+
T-cell responses and neutralizing antibody levels of 24 smallpox survivors with the antiviral immunity observed in 60 smallpox-vaccinated (i.e., vaccinia virus-immune) control subjects. We found that the duration of immunity following smallpox infection was remarkably similar to that observed after smallpox vaccination, with antiviral T-cell responses that declined slowly over time and antiviral antibody responses that remained stable for decades after recovery from infection. These results indicate that severe, potentially life-threatening disease is not required for the development of sustainable long-term immunity. This study shows that the levels of immunity induced following smallpox vaccination are comparable in magnitude to that achieved through natural variola virus infection, and this may explain the notable success of vaccination in eradicating smallpox, one of the world's most lethal diseases.
Amphipathic α-Helix AH2 Is a Major Determinant for the Oligomerization of Hepatitis C Virus Nonstructural Protein 4B
Authors: Gouttenoire Jérôme , Roingeard Philippe , Penin François , Moradpour Darius
Published: October 2010

Nonstructural protein 4B (NS4B) is a key organizer of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication complex formation. It induces a specific membrane rearrangement, designated membranous web, that serves as a scaffold for the HCV replication complex. However, the mechanisms underlying membranous web formation are poorly understood. Based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and confirmatory coimmunoprecipitation analyses, we provide evidence for an oligomerization of NS4B in the membrane environment of intact cells. Several conserved determinants were found to be involved in NS4B oligomerization, through homotypic and heterotypic interactions. N-terminal amphipathic α-helix AH2, comprising amino acids 42 to 66, was identified as a major determinant for NS4B oligomerization. Mutations that affected the oligomerization of NS4B disrupted membranous web formation and HCV RNA replication, implying that oligomerization of NS4B is required for the creation of a functional replication complex. These findings enhance our understanding of the functional architecture of the HCV replication complex and may provide new angles for therapeutic intervention. At the same time, they expand the list of positive-strand RNA virus replicase components acting as oligomers.
Evolved Variants of the Membrane Protein Can Partially Replace the Envelope Protein in Murine Coronavirus Assembly
Authors: Kuo Lili , Masters Paul S.
Published: October 2010

The coronavirus small envelope (E) protein plays a crucial, but poorly defined, role in the assembly of virions. To investigate E protein function, we previously generated E gene point mutants of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) that were defective in growth and assembled virions with anomalous morphologies. We subsequently constructed an E gene deletion (ΔE) mutant that was only minimally viable. The ΔE virus formed tiny plaques and reached optimal infectious titers many orders of magnitude below those of wild-type virus. We have now characterized highly aberrant viral transcription patterns that developed in some stocks of the ΔE mutant. Extensive analysis of three independent stocks revealed that, in each, a faster-growing virus harboring a genomic duplication had been selected. Remarkably, the net result of each duplication was the creation of a variant version of the membrane protein (M) gene that was situated upstream of the native copy of the M gene. Each different variant M gene encoded an expressed protein (M*) containing a truncated endodomain. Reconstruction of one variant M gene in a ΔE background showed that expression of the M* protein markedly enhanced the growth of the ΔE mutant and that the M* protein was incorporated into assembled virions. These findings suggest that M* proteins were repeatedly selected as surrogates for the E protein and that one role of E is to mediate interactions between transmembrane domains of M protein monomers. Our results provide a demonstration of the capability of coronaviruses to evolve new gene functions through recombination.