bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prospects for achieving high dynamic compression with low energy
Authors: Armstrong Michael R. , Crowhurst Jonathan C. , Bastea Sorin , Howard William M. , Zaug Joseph M. , Goncharov Alexander F.
Published: September 2012

Laser driven dynamic compression experiments may, in materials with picosecond equilibration times, be possible with orders of magnitude less drive energy than currently used. As we show, the compression energy for geometrically similar experiments varies as the third power of the time scale of compression. For materials which equilibrate and can be characterized on picosecond time scales, the compression energy can be orders of magnitude smaller than the 1–100 ns scale time scale of many current experiments. The use of substantially lower compression energy is a great practical advantage in such experiments, potentially enabling the observation of extreme states of matter with table top scale laser systems.
The spin-filter capability and spin-reversal effect of multidecker iron-borazine sandwich cluster
Authors: Yang Zhi , Liu Shaoding , Liu Xuguang , Yang Yongzhen , Li Xiuyan , Xiong Shijie , Xu Bingshe
Published: September 2012

Using density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function technique, we performed theoretical investigations on the magnetic and transport properties of Fen(B3N3H6)n+1 (n = 1-4) sandwich clusters. The calculated results show that the clusters possess high magnetic moments owing to the unpaired dδ electrons. Furthermore, high spin-filter capability, negative differential resistance, and spin-reversal effect were found in the systems, and the possible physical origination of the phenomena was suggested. Our findings also indicate that the magnetic or electrical properties of the system could be controlled by cluster size, and these sandwich clusters are promising materials for application in molecular electronics or spintronics.
Ultrastructural dynamics of proteins involved in endocytic budding
Authors: Idrissi Fatima-Zahra , Blasco Anabel , Espinal Anna , Geli María Isabel
Published: September 2012

Fluorescence live-cell imaging has temporally resolved the conserved choreography of more than 30 proteins involved in clathrin and actin-mediated endocytic budding from the plasma membrane. However, the resolution of these studies is insufficient to unveil how the endocytic machinery actually drives membrane deformation in vivo. In this study, we use quantitative immuno-EM to introduce the temporal dimension to the ultrastructural analysis of membrane budding and define changes in the topography of the lipid bilayer coupled to the dynamics of endocytic proteins with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. Using this approach, we frame the emergence of membrane curvature with respect to the recruitment of endocytic factors and show that constriction of the invaginations correlates with translocation of membrane-sculpting proteins. Furthermore, we show that initial bending of the plasma membrane is independent of actin and clathrin polymerization and precedes building of an actin cap branched by the Arp2/3 complex. Finally, our data indicate that constriction and additional elongation of the endocytic profiles require the mechanochemical activity of the myosins-I. Altogether, this work provides major insights into the molecular mechanisms driving membrane deformation in a cellular context.
Stress imparted by the great 2004 Sumatra earthquake shut down transforms and activated rifts up to 400 km away in the Andaman Sea
Authors: Sevilgen Volkan , Stein Ross S. , Pollitz Fred F.
Published: September 2012

The origin and prevalence of triggered seismicity and remote aftershocks are under debate. As a result, they have been excluded from probabilistic seismic hazard assessment and aftershock hazard notices. The 2004M = 9.2 Sumatra earthquake altered seismicity in the Andaman backarc rift-transform system. Here we show that over a 300-km-long largely transform section of the backarc,M≥4.5 earthquakes stopped for five years, and over a 750-km-long backarc section, the rate of transform events dropped by two-thirds, while the rate of rift events increased eightfold. We compute the propagating dynamic stress wavefield and find the peak dynamic Coulomb stress is similar on the rifts and transforms. Long-period dynamic stress amplitudes, which are thought to promote dynamic failure, are higher on the transforms than on the rifts, opposite to the observations. In contrast to the dynamic stress, we calculate that the mainshock brought the transform segments approximately 0.2 bar (0.02 MPa) farther from static Coulomb failure and the rift segments approximately 0.2 bar closer to static failure, consistent with the seismic observations. This accord means that changes in seismicity rate are sufficiently predictable to be included in post-mainshock hazard evaluations.
Structural and mechanistic insights into guanylylation of RNA-splicing ligase RtcB joining RNA between 3′-terminal phosphate and 5′-OH
Authors: Englert Markus , Xia Shuangluo , Okada Chiaki , Nakamura Akiyoshi , Tanavde Ved , Yao Min , Eom Soo Hyun , Konigsberg William H. , Söll Dieter , Wang Jimin
Published: September 2012

The RtcB protein has recently been identified as a 3′-phosphate RNA ligase that directly joins an RNA strand ending with a 2′,3′-cyclic phosphate to the 5′-hydroxyl group of another RNA strand in a GTP/Mn
2+
-dependent reaction. Here, we report two crystal structures of
Pyrococcus horikoshii
RNA-splicing ligase RtcB in complex with Mn
2+
alone (RtcB/ Mn
2+
) and together with a covalently bound GMP (RtcB-GMP/Mn
2+
). The RtcB/ Mn
2+
structure (at 1.6 Å resolution) shows two Mn
2+
ions at the active site, and an array of sulfate ions nearby that indicate the binding sites of the RNA phosphate backbone. The structure of the RtcB-GMP/Mn
2+
complex (at 2.3 Å resolution) reveals the detailed geometry of guanylylation of histidine 404. The critical roles of the key residues involved in the binding of the two Mn
2+
ions, the four sulfates, and GMP are validated in extensive mutagenesis and biochemical experiments, which also provide a thorough characterization for the three steps of the RtcB ligation pathway: (
i
) guanylylation of the enzyme, (
ii
) guanylyl-transfer to the RNA substrate, and (
iii
) overall ligation. These results demonstrate that the enzyme’s substrate-induced GTP binding site and the putative reactive RNA ends are in the vicinity of the binuclear Mn
2+
active center, which provides detailed insight into how the enzyme-bound GMP is tansferred to the 3′-phosphate of the RNA substrate for activation and subsequent nucleophilic attack by the 5′-hydroxyl of the second RNA substrate, resulting in the ligated product and release of GMP.
Discontinuous constituents or independent constructions?
Authors: Huumo Tuomas , Leino Jaakko
Published: September 2012

In many formal theories of grammar, pairs of expressions such as the active and the passive are treated as variants of each other — the passive typically being a secondary construction derived from the active by operations that change the syntactic structure. Recent accounts based on Cognitive Grammar and Construction Grammar have questioned the validity of such an analysis, arguing that these “variants” are actually independent constructions with their own usage conditions and meaning. An important piece of evidence comes from so-called split constituents, discussed by Croft (2001: 191), who argues that expressions like A guy who I hadn’t seen since high school came in vs. A guy came in who I hadn’t seen since high school differ in their grammatical structure and usage. In this paper we discuss the Finnish split genitive construction where the assumed genitive modifier is separated from its head by intervening material, typically the finite verb. In many respects, the split genitive resembles constructions of external possession, but its range of usage is relatively limited, and in the grammatical system of Finnish it can be seen in an intermediate position between adnominal genitive constructions, on the one hand, and productive external possessor constructions based on local cases, on the other hand. Traditionally, the split genitive has been taken to be a discontinuous variant of a contiguous NP where the genitive is positioned next to its head. However, this study shows that the two constructions differ in pragmatic, semantic and grammatical terms. The split genitive construction is more limited in its usage, and it serves more specific semantic functions such as the topicalization of the genitive-marked element that carries the role of an experiencer. As in many external possessor constructions cross-linguistically, these constraints restrict the types of genitive modifiers that are available in the split genitive construction.
Comparing constructicons
Authors: Levshina Natalia
Published: September 2012

In the constructionist view, the grammar of a language is represented by constructions organized in taxonomic networks. This paper addresses the question of how one should account for the differences and similarities in the organization of such networks in different varieties of a language. In particular, a corpus-driven quantitative methodology is developed that can provide evidence for modelling the relevant constructional networks. The method is based on hierarchical cluster analysis applied to multivariable data, and several statistical criteria of cluster stability. These points are demonstrated by means of a corpus study of the Netherlandic and Belgian variants of the Dutch causative construction with doen “do”. The paper describes the national differences in the structure of the constructicon and interprets them from a usage-based historical perspective.
The smallest Haken hyperbolic polyhedra
Authors: Atkinson Christopher , Rafalski Shawn
Published: September 2012

We determine the lowest volume hyperbolic Coxeter polyhedron whose corresponding hyperbolic polyhedral

3
3

–orbifold contains an essential

2
2

–suborbifold, up to a canonical decomposition along essential hyperbolic triangle

2
2

–suborbifolds.
Molecular and Serological Typing of Potato virus Y Isolates from Brazil Reveals a Diverse Set of Recombinant Strains
Authors: Galvino-Costa Suellen B. F. , dos Reis Figueira Antonia , de Assis Câmara Rabelo-Filho Francisco , Moraes Flavio Henrique Reis , Nikolaeva Olga V. , Karasev Alexander V.
Published: September 2012

In Brazil, Potato virus Y (PVY) currently presents a significant problem for potato production, reducing tuber yield and quality. Recombinant tuber necrotic isolates of PVY had been reported to occur in the country but no systematic study of the PVY isolate diversity was conducted thus far. Here, a panel of 36 PVY isolates, randomly collected in Brazil from potato between 1985 and 2009, was subjected to a systematic molecular and serological typing using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and a series of PVYO- and PVYN-specific monoclonal antibodies. The data collected were combined with biological characterization of the same isolates in tobacco. Of the 36 isolates tested, 3 were typed as PVYO, 10 as PVYN:O/N-Wi, 21 as PVYNTN, and 2 as “unusual” or inconclusive. Of the 10 isolates from the recombinant PVYN:O/N-Wi strain group, 1 isolate, MAF-VOY, was found to have an unusual serological profile identical to the nonrecombinant PVYO-O5 strain group. The 21 tested PVYNTN isolates included 1 isolate that did not induce vein necrosis in tobacco and 2 isolates with an unusual serological profile (i.e., displaying negative reactivity to one commercial PVYN-specific monoclonal antibody). Whole genome sequences were determined for four PVY isolates from Brazil, representing PVYO, PVYNTN, and PVYN-Wi strains. The genome of the MAF-VOY isolate was found to be recombinant, having characteristic N-Wi structure with two recombinant junctions and carrying a single mutation in the capsid protein at position 98, which led to an unusual O5 serological reactivity. Taken together, the data obtained suggest that the two recombinant strains, PVYNTN and PVYN:O/N-Wi, now are apparently dominant in the Brazilian potato crop. The data also suggest that recombinant isolates in Brazil often have unusual serological reactivity which may hamper their correct identification by conventional typing based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
RNA editing in the human ENCODE RNA-seq data
Authors: Park Eddie , Williams Brian , Wold Barbara J. , Mortazavi Ali
Published: September 2012

RNA-seq data can be mined for sequence differences relative to the reference genome to identify both genomic SNPs and RNA editing events. We analyzed the long, polyA-selected, unstranded, deeply sequenced RNA-seq data from the ENCODE Project across 14 human cell lines for candidate RNA editing events. On average, 43% of the RNA sequencing variants that are not in dbSNP and are within gene boundaries are A-to-G(I) RNA editing candidates. The vast majority of A-to-G(I) edits are located in introns and 3′ UTRs, with only 123 located in protein-coding sequence. In contrast, the majority of non–A-to-G variants (60%–80%) map near exon boundaries and have the characteristics of splice-mapping artifacts. After filtering out all candidates with evidence of private genomic variation using genome resequencing or ChIP-seq data, we find that up to 85% of the high-confidence RNA variants are A-to-G(I) editing candidates. Genes with A-to-G(I) edits are enriched in Gene Ontology terms involving cell division, viral defense, and translation. The distribution and character of the remaining non–A-to-G variants closely resemble known SNPs. We find no reproducible A-to-G(I) edits that result in nonsynonymous substitutions in all three lymphoblastoid cell lines in our study, unlike RNA editing in the brain. Given that only a fraction of sites are reproducibly edited in multiple cell lines and that we find a stronger association of editing and specific genes suggests that the editing of the transcript is more important than the editing of any individual site.
GENCODE: The reference human genome annotation for The ENCODE Project
Authors: Harrow Jennifer , Frankish Adam , Gonzalez Jose M. , Tapanari Electra , Diekhans Mark , Kokocinski Felix , Aken Bronwen L. , Barrell Daniel , Zadissa Amonida , Searle Stephen , Barnes If , Bignell Alexandra , Boychenko Veronika , Hunt Toby , Kay Mike , Mukherjee Gaurab , Rajan Jeena , Despacio-Reyes Gloria , Saunders Gary , Steward Charles , Harte Rachel , Lin Michael , Howald Cédric , Tanzer Andrea , Derrien Thomas , Chrast Jacqueline , Walters Nathalie , Balasubramanian Suganthi , Pei Baikang , Tress Michael , Rodriguez Jose Manuel , Ezkurdia Iakes , van Baren Jeltje , Brent Michael , Haussler David , Kellis Manolis , Valencia Alfonso , Reymond Alexandre , Gerstein Mark , Guigó Roderic , Hubbard Tim J.
Published: September 2012

The GENCODE Consortium aims to identify all gene features in the human genome using a combination of computational analysis, manual annotation, and experimental validation. Since the first public release of this annotation data set, few new protein-coding loci have been added, yet the number of alternative splicing transcripts annotated has steadily increased. The GENCODE 7 release contains 20,687 protein-coding and 9640 long noncoding RNA loci and has 33,977 coding transcripts not represented in UCSC genes and RefSeq. It also has the most comprehensive annotation of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) loci publicly available with the predominant transcript form consisting of two exons. We have examined the completeness of the transcript annotation and found that 35% of transcriptional start sites are supported by CAGE clusters and 62% of protein-coding genes have annotated polyA sites. Over one-third of GENCODE protein-coding genes are supported by peptide hits derived from mass spectrometry spectra submitted to Peptide Atlas. New models derived from the Illumina Body Map 2.0 RNA-seq data identify 3689 new loci not currently in GENCODE, of which 3127 consist of two exon models indicating that they are possibly unannotated long noncoding loci. GENCODE 7 is publicly available from gencodegenes.org and via the Ensembl and UCSC Genome Browsers.
Toward mapping the biology of the genome
Authors: Chanock Stephen
Published: September 2012

This issue of Genome Research presents new results, methods, and tools from The ENCODE Project (ENCyclopedia of DNA Elements), which collectively represents an important step in moving beyond a parts list of the genome and promises to shape the future of genomic research. This collection sheds light on basic biological questions and frames the current debate over the optimization of tools and methodological challenges necessary to compare and interpret large complex data sets focused on how the genome is organized and regulated. In a number of instances, the authors have highlighted the strengths and limitations of current computational and technical approaches, providing the community with useful standards, which should stimulate development of new tools. In many ways, these papers will ripple through the scientific community, as those in pursuit of understanding the “regulatory genome” will heavily traverse the maps and tools. Similarly, the work should have a substantive impact on how genetic variation contributes to specific diseases and traits by providing a compendium of functional elements for follow-up study. The success of these papers should not only be measured by the scope of the scientific insights and tools but also by their ability to attract new talent to mine existing and future data.
Ankle brachial index as an independent predictor of mortality in anticoagulated atrial fibrillation
Authors: Gallego Pilar , Roldán Vanessa , Marín Francisco , Jover Eva , Manzano‐Fernández Sergio , Valdés Mariano , Vicente Vicente , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: September 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (12): 1302–1308

Background  An abnormal ankle brachial index (ABI, the ratio of the ankle and the brachial systolic blood pressure) (≤ 0·90 or ≥ 1·4) suggests the presence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and has proposed as a marker of cardiovascular risk. We hypothesised that the ABI would predict mortality and adverse events in anticoagulated chronic nonvalvular AF patients.

Methods  We recruited 287 consecutive anticoagulated outpatients with permanent or paroxysmal nonvalvular AF who were stabilised for 6 months on oral anticoagulation (Oral anticoagulation; INR 2·0–3·0). ABI was performed following a standard technique. Cox models were used to determine the association between ABI, and bleeding, cardiovascular events and mortality.

Results  Median ABI was 1·09 (0·93–1·23) and 78 (27%) had an abnormal ABI. Abnormal ABI was associated with diabetes, heart failure and ischaemic heart disease (P = 0·006, 0·019 and 0·009, respectively), and a CHADS2 score ≥ 2 (P = 0·016). Median follow‐up was 861 (718–1016) days, during 21(7%) presented an adverse cardiovascular event, 23 (8%) major bleeding events and 18 (6%) died. ABI was an independent predictor for all‐cause mortality, even after adjusting for CHADS2 score (Cox multivariable regression analysis, HR 2·76(1·08–7·06), P = 0·033). Abnormal ABI was significantly associated with major haemorrhagic events [HR: 2·47(1·01–6·04); P = 0·047], even after adjustment for HAS‐BLED score.

Conclusion  Abnormal ABI is common in AF patients, and ABI was an independent predictor for all‐cause mortality, even after adjusting for CHADS2 score. ABI was an independent predictor for major bleeding, even after adjusting for the HAS‐BLED score. ABI could be a useful tool for improving risk stratification of anticoagulated AF patients.
Brain‐encysting trematodes and altered monoamine activity in naturally infected killifishFundulus parvipinnis
Authors: Shaw J. C. , Øverli Ø.
Published: September 2012

This paper presents novel evidence to address mechanisms by which trematode parasites effect behavioural changes in naturally infected fish hosts. California killifishFundulus parvipinnisinfected with the brain‐encysting trematodeEuhaplorchis californiensisdisplay conspicuous swimming behaviours that render them 30 times more likely to be eaten by birds, the parasite's final host. Prevalence ofE. californiensisreaches nearly 100% in mostF. parvipinnispopulations, with parasite biomass constituting almost 2% ofF. parvipinnisbiomass in some locations. Despite having thousands of cysts on their brains, infected fish grow and mature at rates comparable to those of uninfected populations. The lack of general pathology combined with the specificity of the altered behaviours suggests that the behavioural changes are due to parasite manipulation. The monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine, which control locomotion and social behaviour in fishes and other vertebrates, were examined to explore the underlying mechanisms of this behaviour modification. Whereas previous studies were similarly conducted with experimentally infected fish, in this study, brain dopaminergic and serotonergic activity were analysed in naturally infected fish to assess howE. californiensismay alterF. parvipinnismonoamines in a naturally occurring system. A parasite density‐associated decrease in serotonergic activity occurred in the hippocampus of naturally infected fish, as well as a decrease in dopaminergic activity in the raphe nuclei, suggesting thatE. californiensisinhibits serotonin and dopamine signaling in naturally infectedF. parvipinnis. The neurochemical profile of infected fish is consistent with the hypothesis thatE. californiensisaffects brain monoaminergic systems in order to induce impulse‐driven, active, and aggressive behaviour in its hosts.
Egg size and composition in an ageing capital breeder – consequences for offspring performance
Authors: PÖYKKÖ HEIKKI , MÄNTTÄRI SATU
Published: September 2012

1. Egg size is often used as a proxy of egg quality although size and composition may vary, e.g. in insects egg size usually decreases as female ages. Whether this decrease in size reflects reduced concentrations of essential nutrients such as lipids and proteins of eggs laid by ageing females, or does reduced size per se explain often observed lower fitness of later laid eggs is poorly explored.

2. Egg properties were compared with fitness parameters of offspring laid on the first and fourth night during the oviposition period of a capital breeding moth, Cleorodes lichenaria (Hufnagel). The study aim was to explore whether decreased egg size is caused by decreased provisioning into later laid eggs measured as egg protein and lipid concentration, and whether it results in lower fitness of later laid offspring.

3. The fresh and dry weight of eggs decreased over the oviposition period, but the protein and lipid concentration remained constant. Survival of larvae was lower among the fourth night laid offspring on a low quality host Parmelia sulcata Taylor compared to a high quality host Ramalina fraxinea (L.) Ach. No differences were observed in egg fertility or hatchability, neonate survival without food and pupal mass between the offspring produced on different nights.

4. Decreased survival of offspring produced later was rather attributable to absolute provisioning (i.e. lower weight of eggs) than relative provisioning (i.e. decreased concentrations of nutrients in eggs). It is argued that lower survival of later laid smaller eggs on low quality diet is likely attributable to physical and chemical characteristics of host lichens and/or physical properties of tiny neonate larvae.
Advances with vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis
Authors: Borrow Ray
Published: September 2012

In the last decade, meningococcal serogroup C conjugate vaccination programs have been demonstrated to be hugely successful with a truly impressive public health impact. In sub‐Saharan Africa, with the implementation of an affordable serogroup A conjugate vaccine, it is hoped that a similar public health impact will be demonstrated. Challenges still remain in the quest to develop and implement broadly protective vaccines against serogroup B disease. New, broad coverage vaccines against serogroup B are for the first time becoming available although little is known about their antibody persistence, effectiveness or effect on nasopharyngeal carriage. Enhanced surveillance following any potential vaccine introduction against serogroup B needs to be thoroughly implemented. The future now holds a distinct possibility, globally, for substantially decreasing meningococcal disease, regardless of infecting serogroup.
Requirement for cardiac telemetry during intravenous phenytoin infusion: guideline fact or guideline fiction?
Authors: Siebert W. J. , McGavigan A. D.
Published: September 2012

Guidelines recommend the use of cardiac telemetry when phenytoin is administered intravenously. Clinical areas where telemetry is available may not always be the most suitable place to monitor and treat these sick patients. We sought to clarify the evidence regarding the need for cardiac telemetry during intravenous infusion of phenytoin.
Kurt Lewin's Field Theory: A Review and Re‐evaluation
Authors: Burnes Bernard , Cooke Bill
Published: September 2012

Field theory was central to Kurt Lewin's work yet, after his death, interest in it declined significantly until the 1990s when a variant, force field analysis, became widely used. This paper examines the origins, purpose and continuing relevance of field theory. It especially looks at the influences of gestalt psychology, topology and Ernst Cassirer's philosophy of science on its development. It argues that Lewin's attempt to replace conventional topology with his own Lewinian mathematics‐based topology in pursuit of scientific rigour resulted in the undermining of its relevance. The paper also compares force field analysis with Lewin's original conception of field theory and shows that it has significant weaknesses in terms of rigour. It concludes that a return to Lewin's original conception of field theory, based on gestalt psychology and conventional topology, can provide academics and practitioners with a valuable and much‐needed approach to managing change.
Computational assessment of drug‐induced effects on the electrocardiogram: from ion channel to body surface potentials
Authors: Zemzemi Nejib , Bernabeu Miguel O , Saiz Javier , Cooper Jonathan , Pathmanathan Pras , Mirams Gary R , Pitt‐Francis Joe , Rodriguez Blanca
Published: September 2012

Background and Purpose

Understanding drug effects on the heart is key to safety pharmacology assessment and anti‐arrhythmic therapy development. Here our goal is to demonstrate the ability of computational models to simulate the effect of drug action on the electrical activity of the heart, at the level of the ion‐channel, cell, heart and ECG body surface potential.

Experimental Approach

We use the state‐of‐the‐art mathematical models governing the electrical activity of the heart. A drug model is introduced using an ion channel conductance block for the hERG and fast sodium channels, depending on the IC50 value and the drug dose. We simulate the ECG measurements at the body surface and compare biomarkers under different drug actions.

Key Results

Introducing a 50% hERG‐channel current block results in 8% prolongation of the APD90 and 6% QT interval prolongation, hERG block does not affect the QRS interval. Introducing 50% fast sodium current block prolongs the QRS and the QT intervals by 12% and 5% respectively, and delays activation times, whereas APD90 is not affected.

Conclusions and Implications

Both potassium and sodium blocks prolong the QT interval, but the underlying mechanism is different: for potassium it is due to APD prolongation; while for sodium it is due to a reduction of electrical wave velocity. This study shows the applicability of in silico models for the investigation of drug effects on the heart, from the ion channel to the ECG‐based biomarkers.
Making Immigrants Illegal in Small‐Town USA
Authors: Dick Hilary Parsons
Published: September 2012

Using two discourse‐analytical lenses, one genealogical and the other textual, this article traces the interdiscursive history through which the social categories “Mexican immigrant” and “illegal alien” have become conflated in the United States, effectively criminalizing Mexican immigrants as dangerous Others. Today, this conflation is a prime source for the racialization of not only Mexican immigrants, but other Latin American immigrants as well, where racialization is understood as a form of social differentiation that marks people as inherently threatening and foreign. This article focuses on the ways this conflation has been established and circulated in U.S. immigration policy. After offering a genealogy of the relevant federal policy, I provide a textual analysis of an anti‐immigrant ordinance penned in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. I trace the interdiscursive strategies used by municipal officials in constructing the ordinance, showing that they extend the “legal racialization” in federal code by expanding the categories of behavior associated with immigrant illegality. [Legal discourse; racialization; interdiscursivity; performative nomination; Latin American immigration; Hazleton]
Correlates of dementia attitudes in a sample of middle‐aged Australian adults
Authors: Phillipson Lyn , Magee Christopher A , Jones Sandra C , Skladzien Ellen
Published: September 2012

Aims

To examine sociodemographic factors associated with attitudes regarding dementia.

Method

A cross‐sectional, convenience sample of 616 adults aged 40–65 years completed an online survey examining sociodemographic factors and dementia attitudes. The associations between sociodemographic variables and dementia attitudes were examined using general linear modelling.

Results

Four attitudinal factors were identified. Three were associated with negative attitudes (Personal Avoidance, Fear of Labelling and Fear of Discrimination) and one with more positive attitudes (Person Centredness). Demographic factors (e.g. age, sex, education) were significantly associated with some attitudinal factors. For example, men (P = 0.001) and individuals with lower education levels (P = 0.03) had higher scores on the Personal Avoidance factor.

Conclusions

This study is the first to examine correlates of attitudes towards dementia in an Australian sample. Future research could improve understanding of distinct factors associated with dementia and lead to strategies to reduce stigmatised views of people with dementia in the community.
Effects of Heat Treatment on the Carotenoid and Tocopherol Composition of Tomato
Authors: Hwang Eun‐Sun , Stacewicz‐Sapuntzakis Maria , Bowen Phyllis E.
Published: September 2012

Abstract:  The objective of this study was to determine the influence of thermal processing on the assessment of tocopherols and carotenoids, as well as their isomer formation in tomatoes. The sliced tomatoes were heated in an oven at 100, 130, and 160 °C for 5, 10, and 20 min, then freeze‐dried. Freeze‐dried samples were finely ground and the analysis was performed on lyophilized samples. The average concentrations of total lycopene, lutein, β‐carotene, α‐tocopherol, and γ‐tocopherol in fresh tomatoes (in 100 g dry weight) were 21.2, 1.1, 2.7, 8.0, and 2.5 mg, respectively. Oven baking of tomato at 160 °C for 20 min led to a significant increase in the apparent measurement of lycopene, β‐carotene, and α‐tocopherol content by 75%, 81%, and 32%, respectively. Heating induced isomerization of (all‐E) to various (Z) isomers of lycopene, and we found that the total (Z)‐lycopene proportion in the tomatoes increased with longer heating time. (All‐E)‐lycopene constituted 75.4% in fresh tomatoes and decreased to 52.5% in oven‐baked tomatoes (160 °C, 20 min), while (5Z)‐lycopene increased from 9.4% to 17.9% of total lycopene. However, β‐carotene release and isomerization was less influenced by the heat treatment than that of lycopene. These results suggested that thermal processes might break down cell walls and enhance the release of carotenoids and tocopherols from the matrix, as well as increase isomerization of lycopene and β‐carotene.
Chest radiographic appearances in adult inpatients admitted with swine flu infection: Local experience in Melbourne
Authors: Pirakalathanan Janu , Lau Kenneth K , Joosten Simon A
Published: September 2012

Introduction

The influenza A virus (H1N1) pandemic began in Mexico in March 2009. As of July 2009, there were 5298 reported cases in Australia including 10 deaths. The aim of this review is to demonstrate the local chest radiographic findings in adult inpatients with proven H1N1, to assess the radiological disease progression and resolution, and to evaluate whether the severity of chest X‐rays findings had a bearing on the length of admission and need for intensive care admission.

Methods

Eleven H1N1 patients (5 males and 6 females, mean age of 36), presenting with cough (64%), fever (55%) and shortness of breath (55%), were admitted to our hospital between 13 August and 1 November 2010. Details of radiographic features, risk factors, clinical course including length of stay, doubling time of consolidation and time for 50% resolution of consolidation were recorded and analysed.

Results

Seventy‐three per cent of our patients presented with bilateral mid and/or lower zone alveolar consolidation. One patient with underlying cystic fibrosis had only bilateral upper zone consolidation. No pleural effusion, lymphadenopathy or cardiomegaly was noted on any of the plain chest radiographs. The mean doubling time of consolidation was 1.5 days. The mean time for 50% resolution of consolidation after antiviral treatment was 10.5 days. The average length of stay in hospital was 22 days. Ninety‐one per cent of our patients required intensive‐care unit admission with 50% of those requiring intubation.

Conclusion

Rapid progression of bilateral mid and lower zone air‐space opacities in relatively young unwell patients, with lack of pleural effusion, pericardial effusion or lymphadenopathy on plain radiographs, should raise the clinical suspicion of H1N1 infection. Patients requiring hospital admission usually show slow clinical and radiological improvement, and require prolonged hospital stays.
Investigation into Causes of Abnormal Cerebral MRI Findings Following PVAC Duty‐Cycled, Phased RF Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: WIECZOREK MARCUS , LUKAT MICHAEL , HOELTGEN REINHARD , CONDIE CATHY , HILJE THOMAS , MISSLER ULRICH , HIRSCH JESSICA , SCHARF CHRISTOPH
Published: September 2012

Asymptomatic Cerebral Lesions with Phased RF. Introduction: Left atrial catheter ablation of the pulmonary veins (PVs) is an established option for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Asymptomatic cerebral emboli (ACE) detected by diffusion weighted MRI (DW‐MRI) following AF ablation has been reported at varying rates. This variability may be linked to procedural variables and demographic risk factors. Animal studies with the multielectrode pulmonary vein ablation catheter (PVAC) have identified potential sources of emboli, including air introduced during PVAC introduction, inadequate anticoagulation, and high current densities when the distal (E1) and proximal (E10) electrodes are in contact. We sought to evaluate the incidence, size, and number of DW‐MRI findings with procedural modifications that potentially reduce the embolic load.

Methods: Thirty‐seven AF patients (59 ± 10 years, 73% male, all with paroxysmal AF, left atrial [LA] diameter 44 ± 7 mm, left ventricular ejection fraction 57 ± 7%) underwent MRI sequences preceding ablation, within 24 hours postablation, and at 4–6 weeks. During the procedure all patients were on uninterrupted phenprocoumon, an attempted activated clotting time (ACT) level >300 seconds, had the PVAC introduced under saline, and antral ablation was started with a 2:1 bipolar/unipolar mode. Files from the ablation unit (GENius v14.4) were retrospectively analyzed to determine the relationship between E1 and E10 in close proximity and DW‐MRI findings.

Results: Post procedure, 10/37 patients (27%) were positive for new DWI cerebral lesions. Nine of 10 patients had a single lesion, and 1/10 patient had 2 lesions. Average lesion size was 3.1 ± 3.9 mm (2–14 mm). One of 10 (10%) had lesions at MRI follow‐up. No neurological symptoms were observed. Eighteen of 37 (49%) of procedures had evidence of E1/E10 interaction. In the subgroup of patients with and without E1 and E10 in close proximity, the DW‐MRI rate was 8/18 (44%) and 2/19 (11%), respectively (P = 0.029).

Conclusions: The source of positive DW‐MRI findings in LA ablation involves several factors. Controlling anticoagulation and careful sheath management helps to reduce the number and size of DW‐MRI lesions. With the PVAC catheter, an ablation with the E1 and E10 in close proximity increases the risk of a DW‐MRI finding. In the future, electrodes E1 and E10 should be kept apart to help reduce the incidence of acute ACE. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 121‐128, February 2013)
Investigation of L‐type Ca2+ current in the aganglionic bowel segment in Hirschsprung’s disease
Authors: Large R. J. , Bradley E. , Webb T. , O’Donnell A. M. , Puri P. , Hollywood M. A. , Thornbury K. D. , McHale N. G. , Sergeant G. P.
Published: September 2012

Background  Studies on animal models of Hirschsprung’s disease (HD) suggest that L‐type Ca2+ channels are down‐regulated in the aganglionic bowel segment, however, this has yet to be confirmed in HD patients. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that L‐type Ca2+ current density is decreased in smooth muscle cells (SMC) obtained from the aganglionic bowel segment of patients with HD in comparison with those from the ganglionic segment.

Methods  Smooth muscle cells were freshly isolated from colon samples obtained from HD patients undergoing pull‐through surgery. L‐type Ca2+ currents were recorded using the perforated patch configuration of the whole cell voltage clamp technique and the expression levels of CACNA1C transcripts (which encode L‐type Ca2+ channels) in the ganglionic and aganglionic bowel segments were compared using real‐time quantitative PCR.

Key Results  All SMC displayed robust currents that had activation/inactivation kinetics typical of L‐type Ca2+ current, were inhibited by nifedipine and enhanced by the L‐type Ca2+ channel agonists FPL 64176 and Bay K 8644. Moreover, FPL 64176 activated currents were also inhibited by nifedipine. However, there was no significant difference in L‐type Ca2+ current density, CACNA1C subunit expression or sensitivity to the pharmacological agents noted above, between SMC isolated from the ganglionic and aganglionic regions of the HD colon.

Conclusions & Inferences  In contrast to studies on genetic animal models of HD, L‐type Ca2+ currents are not down‐regulated in the aganglionic bowel segment of HD patients and are therefore unlikely to account for the impaired colonic peristalsis observed in these patients.
Range estimation for forward scattering of an underwater object with experimental verification
Authors: Lei Bo , Yang Kunde , Ma Yuanliang
Published: September 2012

A range estimation scheme is proposed when a moving object is located within the forward scattering coverage. It is based on acoustic field aberrations of the stable arrival caused by forward scattering of the moving object. The durations of acoustic field aberration are measured by transmitting a signal continuously, and then the range of the moving object is estimated if a priori knowledge of the moving speed is supposed to be known. The acoustic field aberrations of the experimental data are clearly observed after matched filtering, and the estimated ranges of the object agree well with the true values.
Coherent reflection from surface gravity water waves during reciprocal acoustic transmissions
Authors: Badiey Mohsen , Song Aijun , Smith Kevin B.
Published: September 2012

During a recent experiment in Kauai, Hawaii, reciprocal transmissions were conducted between two acoustic transceivers mounted on the seafloor at a depth of 100 m. The passage of moving surface wave crests was shown to generate focused and intense coherent acoustic returns, which had increasing or decreasing delay depending on the direction of propagation relative to the direction of surface wave crests. It is shown that a rough surface two-dimensional parabolic equation model with an evolving sea surface can produce qualitative agreement with data for the dynamic surface returns.
The effect of noise envelope modulation on quality judgments of noisy speech
Authors: Jin In-Ki , Kates James M. , Arehart Kathryn H.
Published: September 2012

This study aims to evaluate how speech quality is affected by noise which varies in modulation from 0% (the lowest correlation with the speech envelope) to 100% (the highest correlation with the speech envelope). Using a scaled paired-comparison forced-choice procedure, ten normal-hearing listeners rated overall preference, noisiness, and distortion of speech stimuli with different noise modulation percentages at 0, 10, and 20 dB signal-to-noise ratios. As noise modulation percentage increased, ratings for overall preference increased, ratings for distortion increased, and ratings for noisiness decreased. The noise modulation effects on quality ratings were significant, even at the same signal-to-noise ratio.
An Intravaginal Ring That Releases the NNRTI MIV-150 Reduces SHIV Transmission in Macaques
Authors: Singer Rachel , Mawson Paul , Derby Nina , Rodriguez Aixa , Kizima Larisa , Menon Radhika , Goldman Daniel , Kenney Jessica , Aravantinou Meropi , Seidor Samantha , Gettie Agegnehu , Blanchard James , Piatak Michael , Lifson Jeffrey D. , Fernández-Romero José A. , Robbiani Melissa , Zydowsky Thomas M.
Published: September 2012

An intravaginal ring loaded with the NNRTI MIV-150 prevents transmission of the HIV/SIV chimera SHIV-RT in macaques.
Nurture and Neurodevelopment
Authors: Singh Manpreet K.
Published: September 2012

Does institutionalization influence brain development?
Bridging the Gap Between a TB Drug and Its Target
Authors: Cook Gregory M. , Heikal Adam
Published: September 2012

A promising new TB drug co-crystallized with its mycobacterial target provides a platform for structure-based design that will improve TB drug development (Neres
et al
.).
Autoimmune TSA
Authors: Obhrai Jagdeep S.
Published: September 2012

New tools help to understand how tolerance to self occurs.
Seeing Double to Recognize TB
Authors: Shrout Joshua D.
Published: September 2012

Detection of double-stranded
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
DNA by the immune system leads to pathogen destruction via autophagy.
How Much Alcohol Is Too Much?
Authors: Skarke Carsten
Published: September 2012

Moderate alcohol blood concentrations hamper the development of new neurons in the adult rat hippocampus.
Immune from It All
Authors: Zeki Amir A.
Published: September 2012

What our lungs can learn from our guts about mitigating bacterial infections.
Contribution of Selected Gene Mutations to Resistance in Clinical Isolates of Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Hafer Cory , Lin Ying , Kornblum John , Lowy Franklin D. , Uhlemann Anne-Catrin
Published: September 2012

Infections with vancomycin-intermediate
Staphylococcus aureus
(VISA) have been associated with vancomycin treatment failures and poor clinical outcomes. Routine identification of clinical isolates with increased vancomycin MICs remains challenging, and no molecular marker exists to aid in diagnosis of VISA strains. We tested vancomycin susceptibilities by using microscan, Etest, and population analyses in a collection of putative VISA, methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
, and methicillin-sensitive
S. aureus
(VSSA) infectious isolates from community- or hospital-associated
S. aureus
infections (
n
= 77) and identified 22 VISA and 9 heterogeneous VISA (hVISA) isolates. Sequencing of VISA candidate loci
vraS
,
vraR
,
yvqF
,
graR
,
graS
,
walR
,
walK
, and
rpoB
revealed a high diversity of nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). For
vraS
,
vraR
,
yvqF
,
walK
, and
rpoB
, SNPs were more frequently present in VISA and hVISA than in VSSA isolates, whereas mutations in
graR
,
graS
, and
walR
were exclusively detected in VISA isolates. For each of the individual loci, SNPs were only detected in about half of the VISA isolates. All but one VISA isolate had at least one SNP in any of the genes sequenced, and isolates with an MIC of 6 or 8 μg/ml harbored at least 2 SNPs. Overall, increasing vancomycin MICs were paralleled by a higher proportion of isolates with SNPs. Depending on the clonal background, SNPs appeared to preferentially accumulate in
vraS
and
vraR
for sequence type 8 (ST8) and in
walK
and
walR
for ST5 isolates. Taken together, by comparing VISA, hVISA, and VSSA controls, we observed preferential clustering of SNPs in VISA candidate genes, with an unexpectedly high diversity across these loci. Our results support a polygenetic etiology of VISA.
Structural and Functional Properties of Staphylococcal Superantigen-Like Protein 4
Authors: Hermans Stefan J. , Baker Heather M. , Sequeira Richard P. , Langley Ries J. , Baker Edward N. , Fraser John D.
Published: September 2012

Staphylococcus aureus
is a prevalent and significant human pathogen. Among the repertoire of virulence factors produced by this bacterium are the 14 staphylococcal superantigen-like (SSL) proteins. SSL protein 4 (SSL4) is one member of this family and contains a highly conserved carbohydrate binding site also found in SSL2, SSL3, SSL5, SSL6, and SSL11. Recombinant SSL4
t
, comprising amino acids 109 to 309 of Newman strain SSL4 (SSL4-Newman), has been shown to bind and be internalized by human granulocytes and macrophages in a sialic-acid (Sia)-dependent manner. SSL4
t
can compete with itself for cell binding, indicating that binding is target specific. A 2.5-Å-resolution crystal structure of SSL4
t
complexed with sialyl Lewis X (sLe
x
) [sLe
x
-Neu5Acα2-3Galβ1-4(Fucα1-3)GlcNAc] revealed a similar binding site to SSL5 and SSL11. These data, along with data on SSL4
t
binding to a glycan array and biosensor analysis of sLe
x
and sialyllactosamine (sLacNac) binding are compared with those for SSL11. Although these proteins show great similarity in their carbohydrate binding sites, with a root mean square (RMS) difference between main chain atom positions of only 0.34 Å, these proteins differ in detail in their affinity for sLe
x
and sLacNac, as well as their glycan preference. Together with cell binding data, this shows how
S. aureus
produces multiple related proteins that target myeloid cells through specific sialyllactosamine-containing glycoproteins.
Diagnostic dilemma in CNS Behçet's disease
Authors: Ni Mhuircheartaigh Orla , Hunt Christopher , Huang Josephine , Kumar Neeraj , Matteson Eric L
Published: September 2012

A 23-year-old gentleman presented to the emergency department with new onset neurological dysfunction and painful oral and genital ulcers. Biopsies of the lesions noted non-specific inflammatory changes. MRI of the brain revealed a large mass-like lesion involving the pons, medulla, midbrain and surrounding cerebral tissue with T2 signal enhancement that was not amenable for biopsy. Both the ulcer biopsy results and the MRI findings could be attributed to either central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma or CNS Behçet's disease. A diagnosis of CNS Behçet's disease was thought to be most likely based on the clinical presentation and MRI findings. He was treated with high-dose immunosuppression and made a significant recovery.
Dramatic response to inhaled dobesilate in a patient with lung squamous cell cancer
Authors: Cuevas Pedro , Sueiro Antonio , Navío Pilar , Giménez-Gallego Guillermo
Published: September 2012

The effectiveness of local application, by inhalation, of dobesilate, an inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor signalling, in a patient with squamous cell lung carcinoma is reported. To our knowledge, these are the first published data on the efficacy of dobesilate in the treatment of this disease. The antimitotic, antiangiogenic, proapoptotic and anti-inflammatory activities of dobesilate can be important factors to consider, in explaining the efficacy of the treatment. Dobesilate administration can be a therapeutic option in patients with lung cancer having poor performance status or severe complications.