bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recurrent Breast Abscesses due toCorynebacterium kroppenstedtii, a Human Pathogen Uncommon in Caucasian Women
Authors: Le Flèche-Matéos Anne , Berthet Nicolas , Lomprez Fabienne , Arnoux Yolande , Le Guern Anne-Sophie , Leclercq India , Burguière Ana Maria , Manuguerra Jean-Claude
Published: September 2012

Background.Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii(Ck) was first described in 1998 from human sputum. Contrary to what is observed in ethnic groups such as Maori,Ckis rarely isolated from breast abscesses and granulomatous mastitis in Caucasian women.Case Presentation. We herein report a case of recurrent breast abscesses in a 46-year-old Caucasian woman.Conclusion. In the case of recurrent breast abscesses, even in Caucasian women, the possible involvement ofCkshould be investigated. The current lack of such investigations, probably due to the difficulty to detectCk, may cause the underestimation of such an aetiology.
Some New Common Fixed Point Theorems under Strict Contractive Conditions in G‐Metric Spaces
Authors: Mustafa Zead
Published: September 2012

We introduce some new types of pairs of mappings (f, g) on G‐metric space called G‐weakly commuting of type (Af) and G‐R‐weakly commuting of type (Af). We obtain also several common fixed point results for these mappings under certain contractive condition in G‐metric space. Also some examples illustrated to support our results, and comparison between different types of pairs of mappings are studied.
Research on Public Transit Network Hierarchy Based on Residential Transit Trip Distance
Authors: Jian Gao , Peng Zhao , Chengxiang Zhuge , Hui Zhang
Published: September 2012

To the problem of being lack of transit network hierarchy theory, a research on public transit network hierarchy optimization based on residential transit trip distance is conducted. Firstly, the hierarchy standard of transit network is given, in addition, both simulating electron cloud model and Rayleigh distribution model are used to fit the residential transit trip distance. Secondly, from the view of balance between supply and demand, the hierarchy step of transit network based on residential transit trip distance is proposed. Then, models of transit’s supply turnover and demand turnover are developed. Finally, the method and models are applied into transit network optimization of Baoding, Hebei, China.
Histological Examination of Precious Corals from the Ryukyu Archipelago
Authors: Nonaka Masanori , Nakamura Masaru , Tsukahara Makoto , Reimer James Davis
Published: September 2012

In this paper we examined the histology of three commercially valuable species of precious corals (Paracorallium japonicum,Corallium elatius,andC. konojoi) from the Ryukyu Archipelago. In order to observe their inner structure, samples were thin sectioned and examined with a digital light microscope. Colonies ofC. konojoihad thicker coenenchyme and larger autozooids than those ofC. elatiusandP. japonicum. The sclerites of the three species tended to be concentrated in the outer layers of coenenchyme. The gastric cavities of autozooids of all three species were found to be relatively empty. Some symbiotic polychates were observed in the axis ofP. japonicum. As well, a zoanthid (Corallizoanthus tsukaharai) was often observed living on the coenenchyme surface ofP. japonicum. It is hoped our observations will provide a good foundation of future study of Japanese Coralliidae corals.
An Integrated Vendor-Buyer Cooperative Inventory Model for Items with Imperfect Quality and Shortage Backordering
Authors: Hsu Jia-Tzer , Hsu Lie-Fern
Published: September 2012

We develop a model to determine an integrated vendor-buyer inventory policy for items with imperfect quality and planned backorders. The production process is imperfect and produces a certain number of defective items with a known probability density function. The vendor delivers the items to the buyer in small lots of equally sized shipments. Upon receipt of the items, the buyer will conduct a 100% inspection. Since each lot contains a variable number of defective items, shortages may occur at the buyer. We assume that shortages are permitted and are completely backordered. The objective is to minimize the total joint annual costs incurred by the vendor and the buyer. The expected total annual integrated cost is derived and a solution procedure is provided to find the optimal solution. Numerical examples show that the integrated model gives an impressive cost reduction in comparison to an independent decision by the buyer.
Leptin Antagonizes Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γSignaling in Growth Plate Chondrocytes
Authors: Wang Lai , Shao Yvonne Y. , Ballock R. Tracy
Published: September 2012

Leptin is an obesity-associated cytokine-like hormone encoded by theobgene. Recent studies reveal that leptin promotes proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, suggesting a peripheral role of leptin in regulating growth plate function. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPARγ) is a transcriptional regulator of adipogenesis. Locally, PPARγnegatively regulates chondrogenic differentiation and terminal differentiation in the growth plate. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that leptin may suppress the inhibitory effects of PPARγon growth plate chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were collected from distal femoral growth plates of newborn rats and were cultured in monolayer or cell pellets in the presence or absence of leptin and the PPARγagonist ciglitazone. The results show that leptin attenuates the suppressive effects of PPARγon chondrogenic differentiation and T3-mediated chondrocyte hypertrophy. Leptin treatment also leads to a mild downregulation of PPAR mRNA expression and a significant MAPK/ERK-dependent PPARγphosphorylation at serine 112/82. Blocking MAPK/ERK function with PD98059 confirmed that leptin antagonizes PPARγfunction in growth plate chondrocytes through the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. Furthermore, leptin signaling in growth plate cells is also negatively modulated by activation of PPARγ, implying that these two signaling pathways are mutually regulated in growth plate chondrocytes.
Mechanism bySambucus nigraExtract Improves Bone Mineral Density in Experimental Diabetes
Authors: Badescu Laurentiu , Badulescu Oana , Badescu Magda , Ciocoiu Manuela
Published: September 2012

The effects of polyphenols extracted fromSambucus nigrafruit were studied in streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced hyperglycemic rats to evaluate its possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiglycosylation activity, and antiosteoporosis effects in diabetes. DEXA bone mineral density tests were performed in order to determine bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and fat (%Fat) in control and diabetic animals, before and after polyphenol delivery. As compared to the normoglycemic group, the rats treated with STZ (60 mg/kg body weight) revealed a significant malondialdehyde (MDA) increase, as an index of the lipid peroxidation level, by 69%, while the total antioxidant activity (TAS) dropped by 36%, with a consistently significant decrease () in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Also, the treatment of rats with STZ revealed a significant increase of IL-6, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and osteopenia detected by DEXA bone mineral density tests. The recorded results highlight a significant improvement () in the antioxidative capacity of the serum in diabetic rats treated with natural polyphenols, bringing back to normal the concentration of reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as an important decrease in the serum concentration of MDA, with improved osteoporosis status. Knowing the effects of polyphenols could lead to the use of the polyphenolic extract ofSambucus nigraas a dietary supplement in diabetic osteoporosis.
The Role of Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Assessing the Response to Neoadjuvant Treatment in Patients with Osteosarcoma
Authors: Caldarella Carmelo , Salsano Marco , Isgrò Maria Antonietta , Treglia Giorgio
Published: September 2012

Aim. The objective of this study is to systematically review the role of positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/computed tomography (PET/CT) with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in assessing the response to neoadjuvant treatment in patients with osteosarcoma (OS).Methods. A comprehensive literature search of published studies through March 2012 in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases regarding whole-body FDG-PET and FDG-PET/CT in patients with OS was performed.Results. Twenty-two studies have investigated the role of FDG-PET and FDG-PET/CT in the evaluation of response to neoadjuvant treatment with either chemotherapy or radiation therapy in patients with OS. The main findings of these studies are presented.Conclusion. FDG-PET or PET/CT seems to be sensitive and reliable diagnostic tools in the assessment of metabolic response to treatment in patients with OS, after baseline PET evaluation has been performed in advance. However, false positive findings due to inflammation in sites of tumoral response should be considered.
Patched Knockout Mouse Models of Basal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Nitzki Frauke , Becker Marco , Frommhold Anke , Schulz-Schaeffer Walter , Hahn Heidi
Published: September 2012

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common human tumor. Mutations in the hedgehog (HH) receptor Patched (PTCH) are the main cause of BCC. Due to their high and increasing incidence, BCC are becoming all the more important for the health care system. Adequate animal models are required for the improvement of current treatment strategies. A good model should reflect the situation in humans (i.e., BCC initiation due toPtchmutations on an immunocompetent background) and should allow for (i) BCC induction at a defined time point, (ii) analysis of defined BCC stages, and (iii) induction of BCC in 100% of animals. In addition, it should be easy to handle. Here, we compare several currently existing conventional and conditionalPtchknockout mouse models for BCC and their potential use in preclinical research. In addition, we provide new data using conditionalPtchflox/floxmice and theK5-Cre-ERT+/−driver.
Antidepressant-Like Effects of Shuyusan in Rats Exposed to Chronic Stress: Effects on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Function
Authors: Chen Liping , Chen Mengli , Wang Fawei , Sun Zhigao , Quanzhi Huang , Geng Miao , Chen Hongyan , Duan Dongmei
Published: September 2012

This study was to investigate antidepressant activities of Shuyusan (a Chinese herb), using a rats model of depression induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS). The administration groups were treated with Shuyusan decoction for 3 weeks and compared with fluoxetine treatment. In order to understand the potential antidepressant-like activities of Shuyusan, tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) were used as behavioral despair study. The level of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT) and hippocampus glucocorticoid receptor expression were examined. After modeling, there was a significant prolongation of immobility time in administration groups with the TST and FST. High-dose Shuyusan could reduce the immobility time measured with the TST and FST. The immobility time in high-dose herbs group and fluoxetine group was increased significantly compared with the model group. After 3 weeks herbs fed, the serum contents level of CRH, ACTH, and CORT in high-dose herb group was significantly decreased compared to the model group. The result indicated that Shuyusan had antidepressant activity effects on UCMS model rats. The potential antidepressant effect may be related to decreasing glucocorticoid levels activity, regulating the function of HPA axis, and inhibiting glucocorticoid receptor expression in hippocampus.
Purifying Selection Bias against Microsatellites in Gene Rich Segmental Duplications in the Rice Genome
Authors: Sharma P. C. , Roorkiwal Manish , Grover Atul
Published: September 2012

Little data is available on microsatellite dynamics in the duplicated regions of the rice genome, even though efforts have been made in the past to align genome sequences of its two sub-species. Based on the coordinates of duplicated sequences in the indica genome as available in the public domain, we identified microsatellites in these regions. CCG and GAAAA repeats occurred most frequently. In all, 259 microsatellites could be identified in the duplicated sequences using the criteria of minimum 90% alignability spread over a minimum of 1 Kb sequence. More than 25% of the repeats in duplicated regions occurred in the genic sequences. Only 45 (17%) of these 259 microsatellites were found conserved in the duplicated paralogues. Among these repeats, 40% maintained both sequence and length conservation. The effect of mutability of nearby regions could also be clearly seen in microsatellite regions. The overall purpose of this study was to investigate, whether microsatellites follow an independent course of evolutionary dynamics subsequent to events like genome reshuffling that simply drives these elements to different locations in the genome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive analysis of microsatellite conservation in the duplicated regions of any genome.
Brief intervention to prevent hazardous drinking in young people aged 14–15 in a high school setting (SIPS JR-HIGH): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: O’Neil Stephanie , Coulton Simon , Deluca Paolo , Deverill Mark , Drummond Colin , Gilvarry Eilish , Graybill Erin , Harle Christine , Howel Denise , Kaner Eileen , McArdle Paul , McColl Elaine , McGovern Ruth , Speed Chris , Stamp Elaine , Tate Les , Newbury-Birch Dorothy
Published: September 2012

Background

Whilst the overall proportion of young people drinking alcohol in the United Kingdom has decreased in recent years, those who do drink appear to drink a larger amount, and more frequently. Early and heavy drinking by younger adolescents is a significant public health problem linked to intellectual impairment, increased risk of injuries, mental health issues, unprotected or regretted sexual experience, violence, and sometimes accidental death, which leads to high social and economic costs. This feasibility pilot trial aims to explore the feasibility of delivering brief alcohol intervention in a school setting with adolescents aged 14 and 15 and to examine the acceptability of study measures to school staff, young people and parents.

Methods and design

Seven schools across one geographical area in the North East of England will be recruited. Schools will be randomly allocated to one of three conditions: provision of an advice leaflet (control condition, n = 2 schools); a 30-minute brief interactive session, which combines structured advice and motivational interviewing techniques delivered by the school learning mentor (level 1 condition, n = 2 schools); and a 60-minute session involving family members delivered by the school learning mentor (level 2 condition, n = 3 schools). Participants will be year 10 school pupils (aged 14 and 15) who screen positively on a single alcohol screening question and who consent to take part in the trial. Year 10 pupils in all seven schools will be followed up at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcome measures include the ten-question Alcohol-Use Disorders Identification Test. The EQ-5D-Y and a modified short service use questionnaire will inform the health and social resource costs for any future economic evaluation.

Young people recruited into the trial will also complete a 28-day timeline follow back questionnaire at 12-month follow-up. A qualitative evaluation (with young people, school staff, learning mentors, and parents) will examine facilitators and barriers to the use of screening and brief intervention approaches in the school setting in this age group.

Trial registration

Trial reference number ISRCTN07073105
Mireille's Homecoming? Gounod, Mistral, and the Midi
Authors: Ellis Katharine
Published: September 2012

In 1899, six years after Gounod's death, his Provençal opera Mireille (1864) suddenly became a focal point for regionalist celebration and debate in the South of France. It also, in a paradoxical sense, came “home” to Arles—a town that the original poem's author, Frédéric Mistral, made clear his heroine had never visited. In this article the resulting invented tradition, which began thirty-five years after the opera's Paris premiere and rested on standard notions of authenticity and belonging, is contextualized by reference to the very different life it led in the Midi as a standard “municipal” opera sent out, after significant revision, from Paris. Joep Leerssen's theory of cultural nationalism provides a frame for analyzing how and why this opera, which set a regionalist manifesto to music but was not a manifesto itself, could be only incompletely appropriated by Mistral and his félibres as an emblematic “national” work.
Age-Related Differences in Ruddy Turnstone Foraging and Aggressive Behavior
Authors: Groves Sarah
Published: September 2012

The foraging behavior of fall migrant Ruddy Turnstones was studied on the Massachusetts coast on 2 different substrates, barnacle-covered rocks and sand and weed-littered flats. Foraging rates differed significantly between the 2 substrates. On each substrate the foraging and success rates of adults and juveniles differed significantly while the frequencies of success were similar for both age-classes. The observed differences in foraging rates of adults and juveniles may be due to the degree of refinement of foraging techniques. Experience in searching for and handling prey may be a primary factor accounting for these differences, and foraging performance probably improves with age and experience. Alternatively, the differences may be due to the presence of inefficient juveniles that do not survive to adulthood.

Both adults and juveniles in the tail-depressed posture were dominant in aggressive interactions much more frequently than birds in the tail-level posture. In mixed flocks of foraging adult and juvenile turnstones, the four possible types of aggressive interactions occurred nonrandomly. Adult over juvenile interactions occurred more frequently than expected, and juvenile over adult interactions were never seen. A tentative explanation of this phenomenon may be that juveniles misinterpret or respond ambivalently to messages conveyed behaviorally by adults and thus become especially vulnerable to aggression by adults. The transiency of migrants made it unfeasible to evaluate the persistence of this nonrandom aggression.
Multiple Criteria Inventory Classification Under Fuzzy Environment
Authors: Kabir Golam
Published: September 2012

A systematic approach to the inventory control and classification may have significant influence on company competitiveness. In practice, all inventories cannot be controlled with equal attention. In order control the inventory items and to determine the suitable ordering policies for them, multiple criteria inventory classification is used. A systematic and logical approach is structured for multiple criteria inventory classification under fuzzy environment through integrating Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) with Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). Fuzzy Delphi method is used to identify the important criteria and, Fuzzy AHP is used to determine the relative weights of the criteria, and to classify inventories into different categories. To accredit the proposed model, its implemented for the 351 raw materials of switch gear section of Energypac Engineering Limited (EEL), a large power engineering company of Bangladesh.
From Cold War Island to Low Carbon Island
Authors: Liu Hua-Yueh
Published: September 2012

Kinmen’s military landscape is a legacy to the history of war. Since the abolishment of military administration after the Cold War, Kinmen Island has transformed from a front-line to a tourist-oriented island. Due to the recent opening of relations between Taiwan and China, there has been a large influx of tourists into Kinmen Island to visit its rich ecosystems and the historic battlefields, leading the author to rethink the future management of the island. As Kinmen Island lacks electricity and water resources, the development of renewable energy to render Kinmen a low-carbon island has been identified as the best option. To achieve this goal, the installation of a distributed power system integrated with abandoned military facilities to replace the centralized power plant on the island would benefit development and would represent the core strategy of the low-carbon initiative.
7,7′‐Diamino‐2,2′‐diindolylmethane: A Building Block for Highly Efficient and Selective Anion Receptors—Studies in Solution and in the Solid State
Authors: Dydio Paweł , Lichosyt Dawid , Zieliński Tomasz , Jurczak Janusz
Published: September 2012

The easy‐to‐make 7,7′‐diamino‐2,2′‐diindolylmethane was used as a building block for the construction of anion receptors operating by hydrogen bonds. Its various bisamide and bisurea derivatives were designed and synthesised as acyclic as well as macrocyclic molecules, then their structural and anion binding properties were studied in solution and in the solid state. The bisamide receptors demonstrate high affinity towards oxoanions in highly polar and partially aqueous solutions (DMSO with up to 25 % H2O) with significant selectivity for dihydrogen phosphate. Remarkably, the bisurea‐based molecules are able to bind anionic guests even in pure methanol and show selectivity toward tetrahedral oxoanions, that is, hydrogen sulphate and dihydrogen phosphate. X‐ray analysis revealed that both classes of molecules adopt a similar conformation in the solid state: a bent sheet shape with a binding pocket equipped with hydrogen‐bond donors (four for the amides and six for the bisureas), whose orientation is particularly tailored for oxoanions. The results of ROESY NMR experiments are in agreement with the findings for the solid state and confirmed that both bisamides and bisureas can easily adapt the conformation with convergent hydrogen‐bond donors, which is highly suitable for anion binding.
In search of a surrogate for touch: The effect of haptic imagery on perceived ownership
Authors: Peck Joann , Barger Victor A. , Webb Andrea
Published: September 2012

Previous research has shown that individuals value objects more highly if they own them, a finding commonly known as the endowment effect. In fact, simply touching an object can create a perception of ownership that produces the endowment effect. In this paper, we extend this line of research in several ways. First, we show that haptic imagery, or imagining touching an object, can have the same effect on perceived ownership as physical touch. We then demonstrate that haptic imagery can lead to perceptions of physical control, which in turn increase feelings of ownership. Moreover, the more vivid the haptic imagery, the greater the perception of control and the feeling of ownership. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
1,2,3-Triazole Ferrocenyldendrimers Through Click Chemistry Approach and their Optical and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Rajakumar Perumal , Anandhan Ramasamy , Kannan Ayyavoo
Published: September 2012

Novel ferrocenyl dendrimers with ferrocene as a surface group and with triazole as a bridging unit have been synthesised through click chemistry. The increasing numbers of triazole and ferrocenyl units at the antenna increase the light absorbing ability. The electrochemical behaviour changes with increasing ferrocenyl and triazole units.
Bioenergy: a potential for developing countries?
Authors: Landeweerd L. , Pierce R. , Kinderlerer J. , Osseweijer P.
Published: September 2012

Over the past decade, sustainable development has become a pivotal element of innovation in various areas. Industrial biotechnology - through its potential to reform our energy resources - is of specific interest given its controversial reception. With the ongoing shift from a fossil-fuel-based to a bio-based economy, the demand for biomass production for biofuels and biomaterials has increased dramatically. Although countries such as the USA may have enough land-surface available, it is not likely that the necessary biomass to 'fuel' Europe can be grown domestically. Europe must look elsewhere for its biomass needs and Africa is one of the more likely candidates. A large percentage of African arable land is currently not in use for agriculture. Moreover, the production potential of developing countries near to the equator is significantly higher than that of countries in more temperate climates such as most of Europe. An increasing number of parties are showing interest in growing biomass in Africa, which may result in harm as well as benefit for these regions. Europe is not alone in turning towards equatorial regions. China for example, is a very important stakeholder currently investing in African land. Regarding the issue of competition or cooperation, the enterprise carries enormous responsibility and requires attention to be paid to a range of local and global social, economic and ethical considerations, as well as the elucidation of a clear view of what success for all parties will require from this multifaceted effort.
Evidence-based public health nutrition: what constitutes good evidence?
Authors: Knorpp L. , Kroke A.
Published: September 2012

The potential of dietary interventions in primary and population-based prevention has so far not been fully exploited. One explanation for the relatively sparse public health nutrition (PHN) activities might be related to a lack of rigorous methods for developing and/or selecting effective interventions. Evidence-based PHN sets out to apply existing concepts of an evidence-based approach by incorporating specific aspects from evidence-based public health and evidence-based nutrition. The aim of this review is therefore to propose an answer to the question for constituents of good evidence in PHN. To this end, existing suggestions for an evidence-based approach in PHN and the prevention paradigm of Rose are used as starting points. Complemented by a comprehensive literature search, current and new challenges in evaluating public health and nutrition interventions are summarized. This is followed by theoretical and conceptual considerations for an evidence-based approach in PHN. Structured along three core questions of why and what should be done and how should it be done, essential steps and aspects which have to be considered by decision-makers are presented. As a basic prerequisite, the need for empirical evidence from practise experiences is pointed out. In addition, it is shown that considerations of logic models and intervention theories, of economic simulations and of ethical aspects are required. Finally, a status description regarding ongoing evidence-based activities in PHN is given.
Excesses and double standards: migrant prostitutes, sovereignty and exceptions in contemporary Italy
Authors: Peano Irene
Published: September 2012

In this paper, the author proposes an analysis of the apparently contradictory attitudes towards transactional sexual exchanges, as they have emerged in public debate and informed legislation and policies in Italy over the past few years. The ambiguity towards commercial sex is linked to a specific dynamic of power, which denies sexual labour the status of work and makes it the object of repressive and criminalising policies, whilst at the same time habitually demanding sexual services in exchange for money, gifts or favours. The article shows how criminalisation functions as a prominent form for the control of subjects, related to the workings of sovereignty. In particular, the author considers the ways in which the criminalisation of prostitution and of undocumented migration, which compound in the figure of the migrant prostitute, represents a means for the exertion of sovereignty and relates to the centrality of desire, transgression and their disciplining in the contemporary context. However, closer examination of the subjective experiences of those who are supposedly excluded and criminalised, such as undocumented migrant sex workers in detention centres, reveals the incompleteness of disciplinary mechanisms.
Delay of Iris flower senescence by cytokinins and jasmonates
Authors: van Doorn Wouter G. , Çelikel Fisun G. , Pak Caroline , Harkema Harmannus
Published: September 2012

It is not known whether tepal senescence in Iris flowers is regulated by hormones. We applied hormones and hormone inhibitors to cut flowers and isolated tepals of Iris × hollandica cv. Blue Magic. Treatments with ethylene or ethylene antagonists indicated lack of ethylene involvement. Auxins or auxin inhibitors also did not change the time to senescence. Abscisic acid (ABA) hastened senescence, but an inhibitor of ABA synthesis (norflurazon) had no effect. Gibberellic acid (GA3) slightly delayed senescence in some experiments, but in other experiments it was without effect, and gibberellin inhibitors [ancymidol or 4‐hydroxy‐5‐isopropyl‐2‐methylphenyltrimethyl ammonium chloride‐1‐piperidine carboxylate (AMO‐1618)] were ineffective as well. Salicylic acid (SA) also had no effect. Ethylene, auxins, GA3 and SA affected flower opening, therefore did reach the flower cells. Jasmonates delayed senescence by about 2.0 days. Similarly, cytokinins delayed senescence by about 1.5–2.0 days. Antagonists of the phosphatidylinositol signal transduction pathway (lithium), calcium channels (niguldipine and verapamil), calmodulin action [fluphenazine, trifluoroperazine, phenoxybenzamide and N‐(6‐aminohexyl)‐5‐chloro‐1‐naphtalenesulfonamide hydrochloride (W‐7)] or protein kinase activity [1‐(5‐isoquinolinesulfonyl)‐2‐methylpiperazine hydrochloride (H‐7), N‐[2‐(methylamino)ethyl]‐5‐isoquinolinesulfonamide hydrochloride (H‐8) and N‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐5‐isoquinolinesulfonamide dihydrochloride (H‐9)] had no effect on senescence, indicating no role of a few common signal transduction pathways relating to hormone effects on senescence. The results indicate that tepal senescence in Iris cv. Blue Magic is not regulated by endogenous ethylene, auxin, gibberellins or SA. A role of ABA can at present not be excluded. The data suggest the hypothesis that cytokinins and jasmonates are among the natural regulators.
Determination of Essential Orders From a Bond Graph Model
Authors: El Feki Mariem , Jardin Audrey , Marquis-Favre Wilfrid , Krähenbühl Laurent , Bideaux Eric , Thomasset Daniel
Published: September 2012

The notion of essential orders was first introduced for the handling of decoupling problems. This paper focuses more on their interpretation, namely on the fact that each essential order corresponds to the highest time-differentiation order of a specific output appearing in the inverse model. During inverse modeling, this can in particular be useful for checking whether the specifications are appropriate to the structure of the given model. The aim of this paper is to define two procedures to graphically determine the essential orders directly from a bond graph (BG) model of a linear time-invariant system. Their usefulness is then justified in the context of a bond-graph based methodology for design problem analysis.
The Dual-Use Conundrum
Authors: Berg Paul
Published: September 2012

Scientists are increasingly able to create genetically modified microorganisms whose properties are perceived as being beneficial as well as potentially useful for malevolent purposes. In 2004, a committee of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences adopted the term “dual use” for instances in which genetic or biosynthetic manipulations create new microorganisms, which, although valuable scientifically, are susceptible to misuse.
*
The premise was that the prospects for malevolent outcomes derive from deliberate actions to inflict specific or widespread harm. But in those and subsequent discussions, too little attention was given to the likelihood of an accidental laboratory release of modified agents that would allow them to spread in susceptible human populations. Recent research with a highly pathogenic influenza virus has highlighted the importance of this issue. Reviews of the influenza research concluded that given “the risk of accidental or malicious release,” the benefits of such studies must be well justified.
†
Thus, specific guidelines must be enforced to thwart not only intentionally harmful outcomes but accidental releases as well.
Time Ticks Away for Ancient Afghan Monasteries
Authors: Lawler Andrew
Published: September 2012

Archaeologists are lobbying for more time to study a unique complex of 1500-year-old Buddhist monasteries in Afghanistan before Chinese miners begin tapping a rich vein of copper that sits beneath.
Government Sanctions Harvard Psychologist
Authors: Carpenter Siri
Published: September 2012

Last week, the Office of Research Integrity confirmed that Harvard psychologist Marc Hauser fabricated and falsified methods and data in six federally funded studies.
Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking Decanted
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: September 2012

To minimize its energy, a quantum field must take on a nonzero strength and choose a direction, breaking the symmetry of the situation and causing particles to emerge, including the Higgs boson.
GATEAUX and FRÉCHET DERIVATIVE IN INTUITIONISTIC FUZZY NORMED LINEAR SPACES
Authors: DINDA BIVAS , SAMANTA T. K. , BERA U. K.
Published: September 2012

In this paper, we introduce intuitionistic fuzzy derivative, intuitionistic fuzzy Gateaux derivative and intuitionistic fuzzy Fréchet derivative and some of their properties are studied. The relations between intuitionistic fuzzy Gateaux derivative and intuitionistic fuzzy Fréchet derivative are studied.
Beyond the Plankton Ecology Group (PEG) Model: Mechanisms Driving Plankton Succession
Authors: Sommer Ulrich , Adrian Rita , De Senerpont Domis Lisette , Elser James J. , Gaedke Ursula , Ibelings Bas , Jeppesen Erik , Lürling Miquel , Molinero Juan Carlos , Mooij Wolf M. , van Donk Ellen , Winder Monika
Published: September 2012

The seasonal succession of plankton is an annually repeated process of community assembly during which all major external factors and internal interactions shaping communities can be studied. A quarter of a century ago, the state of this understanding was described by the verbal plankton ecology group (PEG) model. It emphasized the role of physical factors, grazing and nutrient limitation for phytoplankton, and the role of food limitation and fish predation for zooplankton. Although originally targeted at lake ecosystems, it was also adopted by marine plankton ecologists. Since then, a suite of ecological interactions previously underestimated in importance have become research foci: overwintering of key organisms, the microbial food web, parasitism, and food quality as a limiting factor and an extended role of higher order predators. A review of the impact of these novel interactions on plankton seasonal succession reveals limited effects on gross seasonal biomass patterns, but strong effects on species replacements.
Climate Change, Aboveground-Belowground Interactions, and Species' Range Shifts
Authors: Van der Putten Wim H.
Published: September 2012

Changes in climate, land use, fire incidence, and ecological connections all may contribute to current species' range shifts. Species shift range individually, and not all species shift range at the same time and rate. This variation causes community reorganization in both the old and new ranges. In terrestrial ecosystems, range shifts alter aboveground-belowground interactions, influencing species abundance, community composition, ecosystem processes and services, and feedbacks within communities and ecosystems. Thus, range shifts may result in no-analog communities where foundation species and community genetics play unprecedented roles, possibly leading to novel ecosystems. Long-distance dispersal can enhance the disruption of aboveground-belowground interactions of plants, herbivores, pathogens, symbiotic mutualists, and decomposer organisms. These effects are most likely stronger for latitudinal than for altitudinal range shifts. Disrupted aboveground-belowground interactions may have influenced historical postglacial range shifts as well. Assisted migration without considering aboveground-belowground interactions could enhance risks of such range shift–induced invasions.
Biological Pest Control in Mexico
Authors: Williams Trevor , Arredondo-Bernal Hugo C. , Rodríguez-del-Bosque Luis A.
Published: September 2012

Mexico is a megadiverse country that forms part of the Mesoamerican biological corridor that connects North and South America. Mexico's biogeographical situation places it at risk from invasive exotic insect pests that enter from the United States, Central America, or the Caribbean. In this review we analyze the factors that contributed to some highly successful past programs involving classical biological control and/or the sterile insect technique (SIT). The present situation is then examined with reference to biological control, including SIT programs, targeted at seven major pests, with varying degrees of success. Finally, we analyze the current threats facing Mexico's agriculture industry from invasive pests that have recently entered the country or are about to do so. We conclude that despite a number of shortcomings, Mexico is better set to develop biological control–based pest control programs, particularly on an area-wide basis, than many other Latin American countries are. Classical and augmentative biological control and SIT-based programs are likely to provide effective and sustainable options for control of native and exotic pests, particularly when integrated into technology packages that meet farmers' needs across the great diversity of production systems in Mexico.
Evaluate Laser Needle Effect on Blood Perfusion Signals of Contralateral Hegu Acupoint with Wavelet Analysis
Authors: Wang Guangjun , Tian Yuying , Jia Shuyong , Litscher Gerhard , Zhang Weibo
Published: September 2012

Our previous studies suggested that the MBF in contralateral Hegu acupoint (IL4) increased after ipsilateral Hegu acupoint was stimulated with manual acupuncture. In this study, twenty-eight (28) healthy volunteers were recruited and were randomly divided into Hegu acupoint stimulation group and Non-Hegu stimulation group. All subjects received the same model stimulation of the laser needle for 30 min in right Hegu acupoint and Non-Hegu acupoint, respectively. MBF of left LI4 was measured by the laser Doppler perfusion imaging system. The original data dealt with morlet wavelet analysis and the average amplitude and power spectral density of different frequency intervals was acquired. The results indicated that right Hegu stimulation with the laser needle might result in the increase of left Hegu acupoint MBF. 40 min later after ceased stimulation, the MBF is still increasing significantly, whereas the MBF has no significantly change in Non-Hegu stimulation group. The wavelet analysis result suggested that compared to Non-Hegu stimulation, stimulated to right Hegu acupoint might result in the increase of average amplitude in frequency intervals of 0.0095–0.02 Hz, 0.02–0.06 Hz, and 0.06–0.15 Hz, which might be influenced by the endothelial, neurogenic, and the intrinsic myogenic activity of the vessel wall, respectively.
Personality and Major Depression among Directly Exposed Survivors of the Oklahoma City Bombing
Authors: North Carol S. , Cloninger C. Robert
Published: September 2012

Background. Few disaster studies have specifically examined personality and resilience in association with disaster exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depression.Methods. 151 directly-exposed survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing randomly selected from a bombing survivor registry completed PTSD, major depression, and personality assessments using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule forDSM-IVand the Temperament and Character Inventory, respectively.Results. The most prevalent postdisaster psychiatric disorder was bombing-related PTSD (32%); major depression was second in prevalence (21%). Bombing-related PTSD was associated with the combination of low self-directedness and low cooperativeness and also with high self-transcendence and high harm avoidance in most configurations. Postdisaster major depression was significantly more prevalent among those with (56%) than without (5%) bombing-related PTSD(P<.001)and those with (72%) than without (14%) predisaster major depression(P<.001). Incident major depression was not associated with the combination of low self-directedness and low cooperativeness.Conclusions. Personality features can distinguish resilience to a specific life-threatening stressor from general indicators of well-being. Unlike bombing-related PTSD, major depression was not a robust marker of low resilience. Development and validation of measures of resilience should utilize well-defined diagnoses whenever possible, rather than relying on nonspecific measures of psychological distress.
American Visceral Leishmaniasis: Factors Associated with Lethality in the State of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Madalosso Geraldine , Fortaleza Carlos Magno , Ribeiro Ana Freitas , Cruz Lisete Lage , Nogueira Péricles Alves , Lindoso José Angelo Lauletta
Published: September 2012

Objectives. To identify factors associated with death in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases.Patients and Methodology. We evaluated prognostic factors for death from VL in São Paulo state, Brazil, from 1999 to 2005. A prognostic study nested in a clinical cohort was carried out by data analysis of 376 medical files. A comparison between VL fatal cases and survivors was performed for clinical, laboratory, and biological features. Association between variables and death was assessed by univariate analysis, and the multiple logistic regression model was used to determine adjusted odds ratio for death, controlling confounding factors.Results. Data analysis identified 53 fatal cases out of 376 patients, between 1999 and 2005 in São Paulo state. Lethality was 14.1% (53/376), being higher in patients older than fifty years. The main causes of death were sepsis, bleeding, liver failure, and cardiotoxicity due to treatment. Variables significantly associated with death were severe anemia, bleeding, heart failure, jaundice, diarrhea, fever for more than sixty days, age older than fifty years, and antibiotic use.Conclusion. Educational health measures are needed for the general population and continuing education programs for health professionals working in the affected areas with the purpose of identifying and treating early cases, thus preventing the disease evolution towards death.
New Insights into Ligand-Receptor Pairing and Coevolution of Relaxin Family Peptides and Their Receptors in Teleosts
Authors: Good Sara , Yegorov Sergey , Martijn Joran , Franck Jens , Bogerd Jan
Published: September 2012

Relaxin-like peptides (RLN/INSL) play diverse roles in reproductive and neuroendocrine processes in placental mammals and are functionally associated with two distinct types of receptors (RXFP) for each respective function. The diversification of RLN/INSL and RXFP gene families in vertebrates was predominantly driven by whole genome duplications (2R and 3R). Teleosts preferentially retained duplicates of genes putatively involved in neuroendocrine regulation, harboring a total of 10-11 receptors and 6 ligand genes, while most mammals have equal numbers of ligands and receptors. To date, the ligand-receptor relationships of teleost Rln/Insl peptides and their receptors have largely remained unexplored. Here, we use selection analyses based on sequence data from 5 teleosts and qPCR expression data from zebrafish to explore possible ligand-receptor pairings in teleosts. We find support for the hypothesis that, with the exception of RLN, which has undergone strong positive selection in mammalian lineages, the ligand and receptor genes shared between mammals and teleosts appear to have similar pairings. On the other hand, the teleost-specific receptors show evidence of subfunctionalization. Overall, this study underscores the complexity of RLN/INSL and RXFP ligand-receptor interactions in teleosts and establishes theoretical background for further experimental work in nonmammals.
Fourth-Order Four-Point Boundary Value Problem: A Solutions Funnel Approach
Authors: Palamides Panos K. , Palamides Alex P.
Published: September 2012

We investigate the existence of positive or a negative solution of several classes of four-point boundary-value problems for fourth-order ordinary differential equations. Although these problems do not always admit a (positive) Green's function, the obtained solution is still of definite sign. Furthermore, we prove the existence of an entire continuum of solutions. Our technique relies on the continuum property (connectedness and compactness) of the solutions funnel (Kneser's Theorem), combined with the corresponding vector field.
Parent-Initiated Motivational Climate, Self-Esteem, and Autonomous Motivation in Young Athletes: Testing Propositions from Achievement Goal and Self-Determination Theories
Authors: O'Rourke Daniel J. , Smith Ronald E. , Smoll Frank L. , Cumming Sean P.
Published: September 2012

Interactions with parents are known to have a significant impact on children's self-esteem. In this study, designed to test propositions derived from Achievement Goal Theory and Self-Determination Theory, we assessed the influence of perceived parent-initiated mastery and ego motivational climates on self-esteem and self-esteem change in competitive youth swimmers over the course of a 32-week sport season. At each of three measurement points (early, mid, and late season), mastery climate scores on the Parent-Initiated Motivational Climate Questionnaire-2 scale were positively related to global self-esteem scores and to a measure of relative motivational autonomy that reflects the intrinsic-extrinsic motivation continuum, whereas ego climate scores were negatively related to self-esteem and autonomy. Longitudinal analyses revealed that early-season mastery climate predicted positive changes in self-esteem over the course of the season, whereas ego climate predicted decreased self-esteem. Consistent with predictions derived from Self-Determination Theory, a meditational analysis revealed that these self-esteem changes were mediated by changes in autonomous motivation.
Hybrid Macroprogramming Wireless Networks of Embedded Systems with Declarative Naming
Authors: Intanagonwiwat Chalermek
Published: September 2012

Wireless Networks of Embedded Systems (WNES) are notoriously difficult and tedious to program. The difficulty is mostly originated from low-level details in system and network programming. This includes distributedly managing and accessing resources from a dynamic set of nodes in hostile and volatile networks. To simplify WNES programming, we propose Declarative Resource Naming (DRN) that abstracts out the mentioned low-level details by programming a WNES in the large ( i.e., macroprogramming). DRN provides programming simplicity, expressiveness, tunability, on-the-fly reprogrammability, and in-network data aggregation for energy savings. None of existing macroprogramming paradigms supports all of the mentioned features. Furthermore, DRN is an integration of declarative and imperative programming. The low-level details are declaratively abstracted out, but the main algorithm remains procedural. This allows programming simplicity without an adverse impact on the expressiveness. We have implemented and evaluated DRN on two platforms: Smart Message and Maté. Our result indicates that DRN enables programmers to develop energy-efficient applications with the desired flexibility and quality.