bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity Study of Novel Chromone Derivatives
Authors: Phosrithong Narumol , Samee Weerasak , Nunthanavanit Patcharawee , Ungwitayatorn Jiraporn
Published: March 2012

Forty‐eight chromone derivatives were evaluated for their antioxidant activity using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay, ferrous ions (Fe2+) chelating activity test, total antioxidant activity test (Ferric thiocyanate and Thiobarbituric acid methods), and total reductive capability (potassium ferricyanide reduction). 7,8‐Dihydroxy‐2‐(3′‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐3‐(3″‐trifluoromethylbenzoyl) chromone 32 showed stronger radical scavenging and metal chelating activities than butylated hydroxytoluene, vitamin E, and trolox. Chromone derivatives that exhibited good radical scavenging and metal chelating also displayed strong total antioxidant and reductive power activities. The results obtained from this study indicated that the synthesized chromone derivatives have remarkable antioxidant activity.
Integrated approach toward the discovery of glyco‐biomarkers of inflammation‐related diseases
Authors: Angata Takashi , Fujinawa Reiko , Kurimoto Ayako , Nakajima Kazuki , Kato Masaki , Takamatsu Shinji , Korekane Hiroaki , Gao Cong‐Xiao , Ohtsubo Kazuaki , Kitazume Shinobu , Taniguchi Naoyuki
Published: March 2012

Glycobiology has contributed tremendously to the discovery and characterization of cancer‐related biomarkers containing glycans (i.e., glyco‐biomarkers) and a more detailed understanding of cancer biology. It is now recognized that most chronic diseases involve some elements of chronic inflammation; these include cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and metabolic syndrome (including consequential diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases). By extending the knowledge and experience of the glycobiology community regarding cancer biomarker discovery, we should be able to contribute to the discovery of diagnostic/prognostic glyco‐biomarkers of other chronic diseases that involve chronic inflammation. Future integration of large‐scale “omics”‐type data (e.g., genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and glycomics) with computational model building, or a systems glycobiology approach, will facilitate such efforts.
Retrospective analysis of an efficient peripheral blood stem cell collection and the relation between infused cell dose and clinical outcome in patients with malignant lymphoma and multiple myeloma
Authors: TSUTSUMI Y. , OGASAWARA R. , ITO S. , SASAKI J. , MORITA A. , SENOO N. , MURATA N. , TANAKA J. , ASAKA M. , IMAMURA M.
Published: February 2012

Introduction:  Etoposide (VP16) is a drug used not only for the treatment of lymphoma but also for the collection of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs). We analysed the efficacy and adverse effects of collecting PBSCs and the relation between the infused cell dose and the clinical outcome in lymphoid malignancies.

Method:  Investigating 30 patients with non‐Hodgkin’s lymphoma, one patient with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and five patients with multiple myeloma, we compared the effects of several doses of etoposide with those of CHOP or CHOP‐like treatments or salvage treatments. We also analysed the relation between the amount of CD34+ cells collected (above or below 5.0 × 106/kg/day) and prognosis of these patients.

Results:  We found the collected cell count to be highest in patients treated with 500 mg/m2 of VP16 and lowest in those not treated with VP16 (P = 0.0073). A CD34+ cell count above 100/μL on the collection day indicates that the target amount of CD34+ cells (4.0 × 106/kg) can be readily obtained and was reached most rapidly by the patients who had received 500 mg/m2 of VP16 (P = 0.01). The longer duration of neutropenia in those patients (P = 0.000006) resulted in longer antibiotic treatment (P = 0.0052). Both progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were better for the patients who yielded more than 5.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg/day (P = 0.087 for PFS and P < 0.033 for OS).

Conclusion:  We show here that 3 days of VP16 at 500 mg/m2 was useful for the collection of PBSCs and that patients who yielded more than 5.0 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg/day survived longer than those who yielded less.
Invariance, Structure, Measurement – Eino Kaila and the History of Logical Empiricism
Authors: Neuber Matthias
Published: February 2012

Eino Kaila's thought occupies a curious position within the logical empiricist movement. Along with Hans Reichenbach, Herbert Feigl, and the early Moritz Schlick, Kaila advocates a realist approach towards science and the project of a “scientific world conception”. This realist approach was chiefly directed at both Kantianism and Poincaréan conventionalism. The case in point was the theory of measurement. According to Kaila, the foundations of physical reality are characterized by the existence of invariant systems of relations, which he called structures. In a certain sense, these invariant structures, he maintained, are constituted in the act of measuring. By “constitution”, however, Kaila meant neither the dependency of the objects of measurement on a priori concepts (or Kantian categories) nor their being effected by conventional stipulations in a Poincaréan sense. He held that invariant structures are, quite literally, real: they exist prior to and independently of our theoretical capacity. By executing measurements, invariant structures are detected and objectively determinable by laws of nature.
Mapping Lunar Olivine Using Clementine Spectral Indices and Chemical Composition Parameters
Authors: Zongyu YUE , Hongjie XIE , Kaichang DI , Ziyuan OUYANG
Published: February 2012

Olivine exposures at the central peak of Copernicus crater of the Earth's Moon have been confirmed by telescope observations and Clementine spectra data. Using these exposures as training sites, this study used a method of combining two spectral indices (950 nm/750 nm and 2000 nm/1500 nm), one maturity index (Is/FeO), and four chemical content indices (FeO, Mg, Al, Ca), through a decision tree classifier, to map olivine‐rich units on the west lunar surface based on mosaicked Clementine image (500 m pixel size). Most classified olivine exposures are found inside craters or on their rays, suggesting that olivine exposures are directly associated with the impact processes. The results have been validated in several selected sites, though further validations with data from the newest missions are strongly needed.
A Hybrid Multi‐Objective Evolutionary Algorithm for Optimal Groundwater Management under Variable Density Conditions
Authors: Yun YANG , Jianfeng WU , Xiaomin SUN , Jin LIN , Jichun WU
Published: February 2012

In this paper, a new hybrid multi‐objective evolutionary algorithm (MOEA), the niched Pareto tabu search combined with a genetic algorithm (NPTSGA), is proposed for the management of groundwater resources under variable density conditions. Relatively few MOEAs can possess global search ability contenting with intensified search in a local area. Moreover, the overall searching ability of tabu search (TS) based MOEAs is very sensitive to the neighborhood step size. The NPTSGA is developed on the thought of integrating the genetic algorithm (GA) with a TS based MOEA, the niched Pareto tabu search (NPTS), which helps to alleviate both of the above difficulties. Here, the global search ability of the NPTS is improved by the diversification of candidate solutions arising from the evolving genetic algorithm population. Furthermore, the proposed methodology coupled with a density‐dependent groundwater flow and solute transport simulator, SEAWAT, is developed and its performance is evaluated through a synthetic seawater intrusion management problem. Optimization results indicate that the NPTSGA offers a tradeoff between the two conflicting objectives. A key conclusion of this study is that the NPTSGA keeps the balance between the intensification of nondomination and the diversification of near Pareto‐optimal solutions along the tradeoff curves and is a stable and robust method for implementing the multi‐objective design of variable‐density groundwater resources.
Application of cone beam volumetric tomography in endodontics
Authors: Tyndall DA , Kohltfarber H
Published: February 2012

In a 2008 article on cone beam volumetric tomography (CBVT) and dentoalveolar applications, Tyndall and Rathore wrote: ‘It is in the area of endodontic applications that the literature has proved most fruitful to date.’ This statement is even truer today than in 2008. A review of the literature has demonstrated that, in many cases, CBVT is more efficacious than traditional forms of 2‐D imaging. Endodontic applications of CBVT include the diagnosis of periapical lesions due to pulpal inflammation, identification and localization of internal and external resorption, the detection of vertical root fractures, the visualization of accessory canals, and elucidation of the causes of non‐healing endodontically treated teeth. Prior to 2008, most published articles on CBVT applications in endodontics were either case reports or in vitro studies. Since that time more well designed clinically related scholarly activity has been published. This article attempts to survey the field of CBVT applications in endodontics and provide the readers with an overview of what has been found. The authors hope that this knowledge will form a foundation for appropriate clinical decision making with specific reference to selection criteria for the endodontic applications of CBVT.
Analytic Modeling of Floating Ring Annular Seals
Authors: Arghir Mihai , Nguyen Manh-Hung , Tonon David , Dehouve Jérôme
Published: March 2012

In order to avoid contact between the vibrating rotor and the stator, annular seals are designed with a relatively large radial clearance (∼100 μm) and, therefore, have an important leakage. The floating ring annular seal is able to reduce the leakage flow rate by using a much lower clearance. The seal is designed as a ring floating on the rotor in order to accommodate its vibrations. The pressure difference between the upstream and the downstream chambers is pressing the nose of the floating ring (secondary seal) against the stator. The forces acting on the floating ring are the resultant of the hydrodynamic pressure field inside the primary seal, the friction forces in the secondary seal, and the inertia forces resulting from the non-negligible mass of the ring. For proper working conditions, the ring of the annular seal must be able to follow the vibration of the rotor without any damage. Under the effect of the unsteady hydrodynamic pressure field (engendered by the vibration of the rotor), of the friction force, and of the inertia force, the ring will describe a periodic, a quasi-periodic, or a chaotic motion. Damage can come from heating due to friction in the secondary seal or from repeated impacts between the rotor and the ring. The present work presents an analytic model able to take into account only the synchronous periodic whirl motion of the floating ring.
Coupled Thermomechanical Fatigue Tests for Simulating Load Conditions in Cooled Turbine Parts
Authors: Mücke Roland , Rau Klaus
Published: March 2012

Modern heavy-duty gas turbines operate under hot gas temperatures that are much higher than the temperature capability of nickel superalloys. For that reason, advanced cooling technology is applied for reducing the metal temperature to an acceptable level. Highly cooled components, however, are characterized by large thermal gradients resulting in inhomogeneous temperature fields and complex thermomechanical load conditions. In particular, the different rates of stress relaxation due to the different metal temperatures on hot gas and cooling air exposed surfaces lead to load redistributions in cooled structures, which have to be considered in the lifetime prediction methodology. In this context, the paper describes coupled thermomechanical fatigue (CTMF) tests for simultaneously simulating load conditions on hot and cold surfaces of cooled turbine parts (Beck et al., 2001, “Experimental Analysis of the Interaction of Hot and Cold Volume Elements During Thermal Fatigue of Cooled Components Made From AISI 316 L Steel,” Z. Metallkunde, 92, pp. 875–881 and Rau et al., 2003, “Isothermal Thermo-mechanical and Complex Thermo-mechanical Fatigue Tests on AISI 316 L Steel—A Critical Evaluation,” Mater. Sci. Eng., A345, pp. 309–318). In contrary to standard thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) testing methods, CTMF tests involve the interaction between hot and cold regions of the parts and thus more closely simulates the material behavior in cooled gas turbine structures. The paper describes the methodology of CTMF tests and their application to typical load conditions in cooled gas turbine parts. Experimental results are compared with numerical predictions showing the advantages of the proposed testing method.
Experimental and Analytical Study on the Operation Characteristics of the AHAT System
Authors: Araki Hidefumi , Koganezawa Tomomi , Myouren Chihiro , Higuchi Shinichi , Takahashi Toru , Eta Takashi
Published: March 2012

Operational flexibility, such as faster start-up time or faster load change rate, and higher thermal efficiency, have become more and more important for recent thermal power systems. The advanced humid air turbine (AHAT) system has been studied to improve operational flexibility and thermal efficiency of the gas turbine power generation system. Advanced humid air turbine is an original system which substitutes the water atomization cooling (WAC) system for the intercooler system of the HAT cycle. A 3 MW pilot plant, which is composed of a gas turbine, a humidification tower, a recuperator and a water recovery system, was built in 2006 to verify feasibility of the AHAT system.In this paper, ambient temperature effects, part-load characteristics and start-up characteristics of the AHAT system were studied both experimentally and analytically. Also, change in heat transfer characteristics of the recuperator of the 3 MW pilot plant was evaluated from Nov. 2006 to Feb. 2010. Ambient temperature effects and part-load characteristics of the 3 MW pilot plant were compared with heat and material balance calculation results. Then, these characteristics of the AHAT and the combined cycle (CC) systems were compared assuming they were composed of mid-sized industrial gas turbines.The measured cold start-up time of the 3 MW AHAT pilot plant was about 60 min, which was dominated by the heat capacities of the plant equipment. The gas turbine was operated a total of 34 times during this period (Nov. 2006 to Feb. 2010), but no interannual changes were observed in pressure drops, temperature effectiveness, and the overall heat transfer coefficient of the recuperator.
A Novel Bulk-Flow Model for Improved Predictions of Force Coefficients in Grooved Oil Seals Operating Eccentrically
Authors: Andrés Luis San , Delgado Adolfo
Published: March 2012

Oil seals in centrifugal compressors reduce leakage of the process gas into the support bearings and ambient. Under certain operating conditions of speed and pressure, oil seals lock, becoming a source of hydrodynamic instability due to excessively large cross coupled stiffness coefficients. It is a common practice to machine circumferential grooves, breaking the seal land, to isolate shear flow induced film pressures in contiguous lands, and hence reducing the seal cross coupled stiffnesses. Published tests results for oil seal rings shows that an inner land groove, shallow or deep, does not actually reduce the cross-stiffnesses as much as conventional models predict. In addition, the tested grooved oil seals evidenced large added mass coefficients while predictive models, based on classical lubrication theory, neglect fluid inertia effects. This paper introduces a bulk-flow model for groove oil seals operating eccentrically and its solution via the finite element (FE) method. The analysis relies on an effective groove depth, different from the physical depth, which delimits the upper boundary for the squeeze film flow. Predictions of rotordynamic force coefficients are compared to published experimental force coefficients for a smooth land seal and a seal with a single inner groove with depth equaling 15 times the land clearance. The test data represent operation at 10 krpm and 70 bar supply pressure, and four journal eccentricity ratios (e/c= 0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7). Predictions from the current model agree with the test data for operation at the lowest eccentricities (e/c= 0.3) with discrepancies increasing at larger journal eccentricities. The new flow model is a significant improvement towards the accurate estimation of grooved seal cross-coupled stiffnesses and added mass coefficients; the latter was previously ignored or largely under predicted.
Displacement Speed Statistics for Stratified Mixture Combustion in an Igniting Turbulent Planar Jet
Authors: Hesse Henrik , Malkeson Sean P. , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: February 2012

The statistics of the density-weighted displacement speed of the reaction progress variable c isosurfaces for stratified mixture combustion arising from localized ignition in a turbulent planar coflowing jet have been studied based on 3D Direct Numerical Simulation data where the jet is considered to be fuel-rich and the coflow is taken to be fuel-lean. The resulting flame following successful ignition shows the premixed mode of combustion in fuel-rich and fuel-lean zones although an additional diffusion flame branch was also observed on the stoichiometric mixture isosurface at early times of flame evolution. The flame propagation characteristics have been analyzed in terms of the reaction, normal diffusion and tangential diffusion components of the density-weighted displacement speed for different values of reaction progress variables across the flame brush. It has been found that the reaction, normal diffusion and tangential diffusion components of density-weighted displacement speed, remain the major contributors to the density-weighted displacement speed at all stages of flame evolution as the magnitude of the component which originates due to mixture inhomogeneity remains negligible in comparison to the magnitudes of other components in accordance with previous experimental studies. It has been demonstrated that curvature and tangential strain rate dependences of the reaction progress variable gradient play key roles in determining strain rate dependences of the reaction and normal diffusion components of the density-weighted displacement speed. It has been shown that the interrelation between tangential strain rate and curvature affects the strain rate dependence of tangential diffusion component of the density-weighted displacement speed. The density-weighted displacement speed and curvature are found to be predominantly negatively correlated throughout the flame brush at all stages of the flame evolution. The relative strengths of the tangential strain rate dependence of the reaction, normal diffusion and tangential diffusion components of the density-weighted displacement speed ultimately determine the nature of correlation between the density-weighted displacement speed and the tangential strain rate. The strain rate and curvature dependences of the density-weighted displacement speed in stratified mixtures are found to be qualitatively similar to the statistics previously obtained for turbulent premixed flames.
Mechanism of Ohmic Cr/Ni/Au contact formation on p-GaN
Authors: Magdenko Liubov , Patriarche Gilles , Troadec David , Mauguin Olivia , Morvan Erwan , di Forte-Poisson Marie-Antoinette , Pantzas Konstantinos , Ougazzaden Abdallah , Martinez Anthony , Ramdane Abderrahim
Published: March 2012

Detailed investigation of Ohmic Cr/Ni/Au based contact formation to p-GaN was realized by scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and compared to the Cr/Au bilayer metallization scheme. The authors found that it is essential to introduce a nickel film in Cr-based contacts and anneal the trilayer structure in air in order to suppress the Shottky barrier and thus obtain the Ohmic contact. Our findings also indicate that oxygen behaves as a dopant dispersed in chromium nitride matrix. Thus Ohmic trilayer Cr/Ni/Au contact to p-GaN annealed in air is formed by Ni–Ga–Au alloy mixed with Au–Ga-doped Cr2N crystalline composites. Possible ways for improvement of such types of contact are discussed.
Maximum Aerodynamic Force on an Ascending Space Vehicle
Authors: Backman Philip
Published: February 2012

The March 2010 issue of The Physics Teacher includes a great article by Metz and Stinner on the kinematics and dynamics of a space shuttle launch.1 Within those pages is a brief mention of an event known in the language of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as “maximum dynamic pressure” (called simply “Max.AirPressure” in the article), where the combined effect of air density and the shuttles speed produce the greatest aerodynamic stress on the vehicle as it ascends through the atmosphere toward orbit. Official commentary during a launch2 refers to this point in the ascent with language such as “space shuttle main engines throttling back as vehicle enters area of maximum dynamic pressure” and occurs in a range between 45 and 60 s after launch. (In dealing with this stress, the space shuttles main engines reduce their thrust at approximately 45 s to reduce acceleration, and return to normal levels again some 15 s later as maximum dynamic pressure is traversed.) This paper presents an analysis, accessible to introductory-level students, that predicts the time of Max. AirPressure for a given ascending spacecraft.
Taking your conference experience to the next level with social media
Authors: Burk John
Published: February 2012

I enjoyed reading Jill Tennant's “Insider Conference Tips”1; however, I think she overlooked one thing that can make conferences even more useful and strengthen the connections you make between attendees—social media. Many conferences are finding themselves completely transformed by participants live-blogging and tweeting presentations, colleagues who haven't previously met arranging “meetups” via Twitter, and, perhaps most powerfully, using social media to allow those who can't be there in person at the conference to still participate.
Condition-Dependent Transcriptome Reveals High-Level Regulatory Architecture in
Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Nicolas Pierre , Mäder Ulrike , Dervyn Etienne , Rochat Tatiana , Leduc Aurélie , Pigeonneau Nathalie , Bidnenko Elena , Marchadier Elodie , Hoebeke Mark , Aymerich Stéphane , Becher Dörte , Bisicchia Paola , Botella Eric , Delumeau Olivier , Doherty Geoff , Denham Emma L. , Fogg Mark J. , Fromion Vincent , Goelzer Anne , Hansen Annette , Härtig Elisabeth , Harwood Colin R. , Homuth Georg , Jarmer Hanne , Jules Matthieu , Klipp Edda , Le Chat Ludovic , Lecointe François , Lewis Peter , Liebermeister Wolfram , March Anika , Mars Ruben A. T. , Nannapaneni Priyanka , Noone David , Pohl Susanne , Rinn Bernd , Rügheimer Frank , Sappa Praveen K. , Samson Franck , Schaffer Marc , Schwikowski Benno , Steil Leif , Stülke Jörg , Wiegert Thomas , Devine Kevin M. , Wilkinson Anthony J. , Maarten van Dijl Jan , Hecker Michael , Völker Uwe , Bessières Philippe , Noirot Philippe
Published: March 2012

Outside In

Acquisition and analysis of large data sets promises to move us toward a greater understanding of the mechanisms by which biological systems are dynamically regulated to respond to external cues. Now, two papers explore the responses of a bacterium to changing nutritional conditions (see the Perspective by

Chalancon
et al.

).

Nicolas
et al.

(p.
1103
) measured transcriptional regulation for more than 100 different conditions. Greater amounts of antisense RNA were generated than expected and appeared to be produced by alternative RNA polymerase targeting subunits called sigma factors. One transition, from malate to glucose as the primary nutrient, was studied in more detail by

Buescher
et al.

(p.
1099
) who monitored RNA abundance, promoter activity in live cells, protein abundance, and absolute concentrations of intracellular and extracellular metabolites. In this case, the bacteria responded rapidly and largely without transcriptional changes to life on malate, but only slowly adapted to use glucose, a shift that required changes in nearly half the transcription network. These data offer an initial understanding of why certain regulatory strategies may be favored during evolution of dynamic control systems.
Global Network Reorganization During Dynamic Adaptations of
Bacillus subtilis
Metabolism
Authors: Buescher Joerg Martin , Liebermeister Wolfram , Jules Matthieu , Uhr Markus , Muntel Jan , Botella Eric , Hessling Bernd , Kleijn Roelco Jacobus , Le Chat Ludovic , Lecointe François , Mäder Ulrike , Nicolas Pierre , Piersma Sjouke , Rügheimer Frank , Becher Dörte , Bessieres Philippe , Bidnenko Elena , Denham Emma L. , Dervyn Etienne , Devine Kevin M. , Doherty Geoff , Drulhe Samuel , Felicori Liza , Fogg Mark J. , Goelzer Anne , Hansen Annette , Harwood Colin R. , Hecker Michael , Hubner Sebastian , Hultschig Claus , Jarmer Hanne , Klipp Edda , Leduc Aurélie , Lewis Peter , Molina Frank , Noirot Philippe , Peres Sabine , Pigeonneau Nathalie , Pohl Susanne , Rasmussen Simon , Rinn Bernd , Schaffer Marc , Schnidder Julian , Schwikowski Benno , Van Dijl Jan Maarten , Veiga Patrick , Walsh Sean , Wilkinson Anthony J. , Stelling Jörg , Aymerich Stéphane , Sauer Uwe
Published: March 2012

Outside In

Acquisition and analysis of large data sets promises to move us toward a greater understanding of the mechanisms by which biological systems are dynamically regulated to respond to external cues. Now, two papers explore the responses of a bacterium to changing nutritional conditions (see the Perspective by

Chalancon
et al.

).

Nicolas
et al.

(p.
1103
) measured transcriptional regulation for more than 100 different conditions. Greater amounts of antisense RNA were generated than expected and appeared to be produced by alternative RNA polymerase targeting subunits called sigma factors. One transition, from malate to glucose as the primary nutrient, was studied in more detail by

Buescher
et al.

(p.
1099
) who monitored RNA abundance, promoter activity in live cells, protein abundance, and absolute concentrations of intracellular and extracellular metabolites. In this case, the bacteria responded rapidly and largely without transcriptional changes to life on malate, but only slowly adapted to use glucose, a shift that required changes in nearly half the transcription network. These data offer an initial understanding of why certain regulatory strategies may be favored during evolution of dynamic control systems.
The Geological Record of Ocean Acidification
Authors: Hönisch Bärbel , Ridgwell Andy , Schmidt Daniela N. , Thomas Ellen , Gibbs Samantha J. , Sluijs Appy , Zeebe Richard , Kump Lee , Martindale Rowan C. , Greene Sarah E. , Kiessling Wolfgang , Ries Justin , Zachos James C. , Royer Dana L. , Barker Stephen , Marchitto Thomas M. , Moyer Ryan , Pelejero Carles , Ziveri Patrizia , Foster Gavin L. , Williams Branwen
Published: March 2012

Acid History

As human activity continues to pump nearly 50-fold more CO
2
into the atmosphere than any existing natural sources, the oceans absorb it. Over time, this vast quantity of excess oceanic CO
2
is expected to decrease oceanic pH and have marked effects on calcifying marine species. Looking to the past for records of the consequences, other instances of ocean acidification in geologic history caused by large natural events, such as volcanism, may help predict the oceans' response to contemporary CO
2
levels.

Hönisch
et al.

(p.
1058
) review the geological events that potentially altered oceanic pH, from the last deglaciation to the largest mass extinction in Earth's history. The current rate of anthropogenic CO
2
input into the oceans is much faster than at any other instance in the past, but yet it is unclear whether or not future ocean pH will be significantly affected.
Reconsidering the Consequences of Selective Fisheries
Authors: Garcia S. M. , Kolding J. , Rice J. , Rochet M.-J. , Zhou S. , Arimoto T. , Beyer J. E. , Borges L. , Bundy A. , Dunn D. , Fulton E. A. , Hall M. , Heino M. , Law R. , Makino M. , Rijnsdorp A. D. , Simard F. , Smith A. D. M.
Published: March 2012

Balanced fishing across a range of species, stocks, and sizes could mitigate adverse effects and address food security better than increased selectivity.
Generation of Leaf Shape Through Early Patterns of Growth and Tissue Polarity
Authors: Kuchen Erika E. , Fox Samantha , Barbier de Reuille Pierre , Kennaway Richard , Bensmihen Sandra , Avondo Jerome , Calder Grant M. , Southam Paul , Robinson Sarah , Bangham Andrew , Coen Enrico
Published: March 2012

Shape-Shifting Signals

Although orthogonal signaling systems seem to direct various developmental processes, few tissues remain in the same shape as they are at initiation to that of the final form.
Arabidopsis
leaves are free of the cell migrations that complicate animal development, and thus allowed

Kuchen
et al.

(p.
1092
) to track and model the trajectory of leaf growth under a variety of perturbations. Varying the values of parameters in their model produced outputs of different leaf shapes ranging from obcordate, ovate, and oval to elliptic, and offered predictions for genes that regulate the developmental process. The meristem at the growing tip of plants is home to stem cells and is the source of newly differentiating shoots and leaves. New leaves make their first appearance as bulges at the side of the dome-shaped meristem. Although these developmental events are under hormonal control, they also seem to be constrained by the physical properties of the meristem.

Kierzkowski
et al.

(p.
1096
) tested physical effects acting on the shoot apical meristem of growing tomato shoots that alter turgor pressure. Again, mathematical modeling combined with observations of plant tissue helped to define the different zones in the meristem that respond to diverse mechanical stimuli.
Comment on “Phonemic Diversity Supports a Serial Founder Effect Model of Language Expansion from Africa”
Authors: Jaeger T. Florian , Pontillo Daniel , Graff Peter
Published: March 2012

Atkinson (Reports, 15 April 2011, p. 346) argues that the phonological complexity of languages reflects the loss of phonemic distinctions due to successive founder events during human migration (the serial founder hypothesis). Statistical simulations show that the type I error rate of Atkinson’s analysis is hugely inflated. The data at best support only a weak interpretation of the serial founder hypothesis.
The Effects of Experience and Attrition for Novice High-School Science and Mathematics Teachers
Authors: Henry Gary T. , Fortner C. Kevin , Bastian Kevin C.
Published: March 2012

New Teacher Syndrome

The employment retention of high-school science and math teachers in the United States has diminished over recent decades, such that now many students are being taught by novice teachers.

Henry
et al.

(p.
1118
) have analyzed the effectiveness of teachers by examining data collected from North Carolina public schools. Less-effective teachers seem to have a greater tendency to leave teaching and the greatest gains in teacher effectiveness are when the teacher is new—within the first 3 years on the job. Some subject areas are more likely to be affected by the preponderance of novice teachers than other subjects, including math and science.
Reactions of Solvated Electrons Initiated by Sodium Atom Ionization at the Vacuum-Liquid Interface
Authors: Alexander William A. , Wiens Justin P. , Minton Timothy K. , Nathanson Gilbert M.
Published: March 2012

Setting Atoms Free

In a plasma, gaseous atoms and molecules accumulate so much energy that they fall apart into electrons and all manner of bigger charged fragments. Free electrons can also wreak a degree of havoc within a liquid environment as they generate local reactive fragments, which then couple with the surrounding solvent to form a slew of products.

Alexander
et al.

(p.
1072
) explored what happens if reactive electrons emerged at the surface of such a liquid. To generate these conditions, they bombarded a shallow film of deuterated glycerol with sodium atoms that ionized on impact and discovered, in contrast with bulk liquid, that solvent-derived deuterium atoms escaped from the surface into the gas phase before they could react any further.
Glacial Survival of Boreal Trees in Northern Scandinavia
Authors: Parducci Laura , Jørgensen Tina , Tollefsrud Mari Mette , Elverland Ellen , Alm Torbjørn , Fontana Sonia L. , Bennett K. D. , Haile James , Matetovici Irina , Suyama Yoshihisa , Edwards Mary E. , Andersen Kenneth , Rasmussen Morten , Boessenkool Sanne , Coissac Eric , Brochmann Christian , Taberlet Pierre , Houmark-Nielsen Michael , Larsen Nicolaj Krog , Orlando Ludovic , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Kjær Kurt H. , Alsos Inger Greve , Willerslev Eske
Published: March 2012

Tree Refugia

Ideas of how and when boreal plants spread to the formerly glaciated parts of the world following the retreat of the glaciers 9000 years ago are long debated. Models of the postglacial spread of boreal plants argue for dispersal from southern refugia; however,

Parducci
et al.

(p.
1083
) have shown that both spruce and pine were present in small ice-free regions of Scandinavia much earlier than thought. DNA haplotyping confirmed that a remnant mitochondrial type of spruce, once unique to Scandinavia, now lives alongside the more common spruce originating from Eastern Europe. Evidence from lake cores collected from central and northern Norway indicated the survival of conifers as early as 22,000 years before the present, when apart from ice-free pockets, most of Scandinavia was covered by ice.
Turbulence, Cleavage, and the Naked Embryo: A Case for Coral Clones
Authors: Heyward A. J. , Negri A. P.
Published: March 2012

The embryos of pelagic corals break up in waves yet survive to form smaller colonies.
High-Latitude Dust Over the North Atlantic: Inputs from Icelandic Proglacial Dust Storms
Authors: Prospero Joseph M. , Bullard Joanna E. , Hodgkins Richard
Published: March 2012

Cold Dust

Atmospheric dust affects air quality, air and ocean chemistry, ocean biology, and climate, so understanding its origins is important to many fields. Hot, dry, desert regions at low latitudes are well-understood sources, but the role of higher-latitude regions in dust production has not been considered.

Prospero
et al.

(p.
1078
) present a 6-year record of measurements made on an island south of Iceland, which revealed frequent episodes of dust-production associated with glacial outwash plains and outburst floods. Much of this dust is transported southward and deposited in the North Atlantic, making it a potentially important supply of iron to drive ocean production in that region.
Contemplating Some Big Shifts

The Major Transitions in Evolution Revisited
Brett Calcott and Kim Sterelny, Eds.

MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 2011. 329 pp. $50, £34.95. ISBN 9780262015240. The Vienna Series in Theoretical Biology.
Authors: Erwin Douglas H.
Published: March 2012

Biologists and philosophers explore the implications of major transitions for our understanding of evolution, development, and individuality.
Facing Extinction in Real Time
Authors: Wake David B.
Published: March 2012

Amphibian populations worldwide are under threat as a result of additive effects of multiple stressors.
Roaming Reaction Pathways Along Excited States
Authors: Jordan Meredith J. T. , Kable Scott H.
Published: March 2012

The photodissociation of NO
3
into NO and O
2
, an important atmospheric reaction, has no transition state but proceeds via an O atom roaming around the NO
2
core.
Influenced by Caste and Gender
Dispersed Radiance
Caste, Gender, and Modern Science in India

by Abha Sur

Navayana Press, New Delhi, 2011. 286 pp. Rs 495, $26.75. ISBN 9788189059323.
Authors: Gopinathan Asha
Published: March 2012

Sur's consideration of the history of physics in India in the first half of the 20th century highlights the impacts of caste and gender.
Origins of Cumulative Culture
Authors: Kurzban Robert , Barrett H. Clark
Published: March 2012

Why does human culture accumulate, but that of other species do not?
Structural Origins of Receptor Bias
Authors: Sprang Stephen R. , Elk Jackson Chief
Published: March 2012

Agonists can elicit pathway-specific conformational changes in a G protein–coupled receptor.
Reconfiguring Regulation
Authors: Chalancon Guilhem , Kruse Kai , Babu M. Madan
Published: March 2012

Cell adaptation to changing environments requires a trade-off between complex regulation and imperfect control.
The Flame Challenge
Authors: Alda Alan
Published: March 2012

I was 11 and I was curious. I had been thinking for days about the flame at the end of a candle. Finally, I took the problem to my teacher. “What's a flame?” I asked her. “What's going on in there?” There was a slight pause and she said, “It's oxidation.” She didn't seem to think there was much else to say. Deflated, I knew there had to be more to the mystery of a flame than just giving the mystery another name. That was a discouraging moment for me personally, but decades later I see the failure to communicate science with clarity as far more serious for society. We feel the disconnect all around us, from a common misimpression that evolution is the theory that we're descended from monkeys, to the worry that physicists in Geneva might suck the universe into a teacup—or something uncomfortably smaller.
Loose Cable May Unravel Faster-Than-Light Result
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: March 2012

Anomalous data suggesting that neutrinos can travel faster than light probably resulted from a faulty connection in a GPS timing system, physicists from the OPERA collaboration revealed last week.
Scientists Rush to Find Clues on New Animal Virus
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: March 2012

A new animal virus first detected in Germany and the Netherlands late last year is taking a heavy toll on livestock across Europe, causing the birth of dead or deformed animals.
Potential Egg Stem Cells Reignite Debate
Authors: Vogel Gretchen
Published: March 2012

This week, researchers have reported isolating rare cells in ovarian tissue from adult women that can grow in lab dishes and form immature oocytes.
Is Motherhood the Biggest Reason for Academia's Gender Imbalance?
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: March 2012

A new paper by two developmental psychologists on the dearth of women in academic science argues that the cause of the gender imbalance is much easier to identify than most researchers have posited.
Half-Time Jobs, Full-Time Scientists
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: March 2012

Half-time tenure-track slots that would allow women to be productive researchers while giving them more time to raise a family are one ingredient in Wendy Williams and Stephen Ceci's recipe for change.
Sound and Fury in the Microbiology Lab
Authors: Mary Catherine
Published: March 2012

He's imaginative, rebellious, and often disdainful. Above all, France's most productive microbiologist loves a good fight.
Giant Viruses Revive Old Questions About Viral Origins
Authors: Mary Catherine
Published: March 2012

University of Aix-Marseille microbiologist Didier Raoult's 2004 discovery of
Mimivirus
—and several other giant viruses identified since then—has challenged the view that viruses are not alive.
'Killjoys' Challenge Claims of Clever Animals
Authors: Balter Michael
Published: March 2012

Despite recent claims of advanced intelligence in animals, researchers still debate how to test whether their abilities reflect humanlike cognition
HIV-Specific Cytolytic CD4 T Cell Responses During Acute HIV Infection Predict Disease Outcome
Authors: Soghoian Damien Z. , Jessen Heiko , Flanders Michael , Sierra-Davidson Kailan , Cutler Sam , Pertel Thomas , Ranasinghe Srinika , Lindqvist Madelene , Davis Isaiah , Lane Kimberly , Rychert Jenna , Rosenberg Eric S. , Piechocka-Trocha Alicja , Brass Abraham L. , Brenchley Jason M. , Walker Bruce D. , Streeck Hendrik
Published: February 2012

HIV-specific CD4 T cell responses during acute infection show robust cytolytic activity and correlate with a lower viral set point and better clinical outcome.
CD4
+
T Cells and HIV: A Paradoxical Pas de Deux
Authors: Klatt Nichole R. , Silvestri Guido
Published: February 2012

A robust CD4
+
T cell response during early HIV infection predicts a slower progression to overt disease.
Identification of a Highly Transmissible Animal-Independent Staphylococcus aureus ST398 Clone with Distinct Genomic and Cell Adhesion Properties
Authors: Uhlemann Anne-Catrin , Porcella Stephen F. , Trivedi Sheetal , Sullivan Sean B. , Hafer Cory , Kennedy Adam D. , Barbian Kent D. , McCarthy Alex J. , Street Craig , Hirschberg David L. , Lipkin W. Ian , Lindsay Jodi A. , DeLeo Frank R. , Lowy Franklin D.
Published: February 2012

A methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) clone known as ST398 has emerged as a major cause of acute infections in individuals who have close contact with livestock. More recently, the emergence of an animal-independent ST398 methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
(MSSA) clone has been documented in several countries. However, the limited surveillance of MSSA has precluded an accurate assessment of the global spread of ST398 and its clinical relevance. Here we provide evidence that ST398 is a frequent source of MSSA infections in northern Manhattan and is readily transmitted between individuals in households. This contrasts with the limited transmissibility of livestock-associated ST398 (LA-ST398) MRSA strains between humans. Our whole-genome sequence analysis revealed that the chromosome of the human-associated ST398 MSSA clone is smaller than that of the LA-ST398 MRSA reference strain S0385, due mainly to fewer mobile genetic elements (MGEs). In contrast, human ST398 MSSA isolates harbored the prophage φ3 and the human-specific immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes
chp
and
scn
. While most of the core genome was conserved between the human ST398 MSSA clone and S0385, these strains differed substantially in their repertoire and composition of intact adhesion genes. These genetic changes were associated with significantly enhanced adhesion of human ST398 MSSA isolates to human skin keratinocytes and keratin. We propose that the human ST398 MSSA clone can spread independent of animal contact using an optimized repertoire of MGEs and adhesion molecules adapted to transmission among humans.

IMPORTANCE
Staphylococcus aureus
strains have generally been considered to be species specific. However, cross-species transfers of
S. aureus
clones, such as ST398 methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA), from swine to humans have been reported. Recently, we observed the emergence of ST398 methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) as a colonizing strain of humans in northern Manhattan. Here we report that ST398 is a frequent cause of MSSA infections in this urban setting. The ST398 MSSA clone was readily transmitted within households, independent of animal contact. We discovered that human ST398 MSSA genomes were smaller than that of the LA-ST398 strain S0385 due to fewer mobile genetic elements. Human and LA-ST398 strains also differed in their composition of adhesion genes and their ability to bind to human skin keratinocytes, providing a potential mechanism of
S. aureus
host adaptation. Our findings illustrate the importance of implementing molecular surveillance of MSSA given the evidence for the rapid and clinically undetected spread of ST398 MSSA.
Inadvertent prescription of gelatin-containing oral medication: its acceptability to patients
Authors: Vissamsetti Bharat , Payne Mark , Payne Stephen
Published: February 2012

When prescribing, doctors usually only consider the ‘active’ component of any drug's formulation ignoring the majority of the agents which make up the bulk of the tablet or capsule, collectively known as excipients. Many urological drugs contain the excipient gelatin which is, universally, of animal origin; this may conflict with the dietetic ideals of patients. A questionnaire-based study, undertaken between January and June 2010 in a mixed ethnicity inner-city population presenting with urological symptoms, asked which patients preferred not to ingest animal-based products, who would ask about the content of their prescribed treatment and who would refuse to take that medication if alternatives were available. Ultimately, the authors sought to find out how many patients had been inadvertently prescribed gelatin-containing oral medications and to suggest ways in which prescriptions might be more congruous with an individual patient's dietetic wishes. This study demonstrated that 43.2% of the study population would prefer not to take animal product-containing medication even if no alternative were available. 51% of men with lower urinary tract symptoms were also found to have inadvertently been prescribed gelatin-containing products against their preferred dietary restriction. Education of healthcare professionals about excipients and getting them to ask about a patient's dietetic preferences may help avoid inadvertent prescription of the excipient gelatin in oral medications. Substitution of gelatin with vegetable-based alternatives and clearer labelling on drug packaging are alternative strategies to help minimise the risks of inadvertently contravening a patient's dietetic beliefs when prescribing oral medication.
Sampling estimators of total mill receipts for use in timber product output studies
Authors: Brown John P. , Oderwald Richard G.
Published: March 2012

Data from the 2001 timber product output study for Georgia was explored to determine new methods for stratifying mills and finding suitable sampling estimators. Estimators for roundwood receipts totals comprised several types: simple random sample, ratio, stratified sample, and combined ratio. Two stratification methods were examined: the Dalenius–Hodges (DH) square root of the frequency method and a cluster analysis method. Three candidate sizes for the number of groups were selected from the cluster analysis and subsequently used in the DH stratification as well. Relative efficiency improved when the number of groups increased and when using a ratio estimator, particularly a combined ratio. The two stratification methods performed similarly. Neither the DH method nor the cluster analysis method performed better than the other. Six bound sizes (1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) were considered for deriving samples sizes for the total volume of roundwood receipts. The minimum achievable bound size was found to be 10% of the total receipts volume for the DH method using a two-group stratification. This was true for both the stratified and combined ratio estimators. In addition, for the stratified and combined ratio estimators, only the DH method stratifications were able to reach a 15% bound on the total (six of the 12 stratified estimators). These results demonstrate that the utilized classification methods are compatible with stratified totals estimators and can provide users with the opportunity to develop viable sampling procedures as opposed to complete mill censuses.