bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigation of neutron skin effect with density dependence by using a new calculation method for initial exciton numbers on pre-equilibrium reactions
Authors: Tel E , Bölükdemir M H , Okuducu Ş , Aydın A , Kaplan A
Published: November 2009

In this study, we investigated the pre-equilibrium effect by using a new evaluated geometry-dependent hybrid model and a neutron skin effect with density dependence for the 204,206,207Pb(p, xn) reaction at 25.5 MeV incident proton energy. We calculated the initial exciton numbers obtained from the modified Skyrme force based on fitting the fission barriers of heavy deformed nuclei (SKM*) and SLy4 for proton induced reaction on target nuclei 204,206,207Pb. We calculated, by using a new calculation method, the initial neutron and proton exciton numbers for 204,206,207Pb from the neutron and proton density and we investigated the shell effect by using an effective nucleon–nucleon interaction with Skyrme force. We also compared the geometry-dependent hybrid model (GDH), newly evaluated with the initial exciton number calculations of the neutron emission spectra of the 204,206,207Pb(p, xn) reaction, with the values reported in the literature at 25.5 MeV incident proton energy. The obtained results were investigated and compared with the pre-equilibrium calculations and experimental results.
Irrationality exponent and rational approximations with prescribed growth
Authors: Fischler Stéphane , Rivoal Tanguy
Published: November 2009

Let

ξ
\xi

be a real irrational number. We are interested in sequences of linear forms in 1 and

ξ
\xi

, with integer coefficients, which tend to 0. Does such a sequence exist such that the linear forms are small (with given rate of decrease) and the coefficients have some given rate of growth? If these rates are essentially geometric, a necessary condition for such a sequence to exist is that the linear forms are not too small, a condition which can be expressed precisely using the irrationality exponent of

ξ
\xi

. We prove that this condition is actually sufficient, even for arbitrary rates of growth and decrease. We also make some remarks and ask some questions about multivariate generalizations connected to Fischler-Zudilin’s new proof of Nesterenko’s linear independence criterion.
The convergence of the minimal positive fundamental solutions under Ricci flow
Authors: Zhang Shijin
Published: November 2009

In an unpublished paper, Hsu gives a proof of the convergence of the fundamental solutions. Since we had a problem understanding Hsu’s paper, in this paper we give a detailed proof of the convergence of the minimal positive fundamental solutions of the conjugate heat equation on complete non-compact manifolds under the Cheeger-Gromov convergence of Ricci flows.
A sufficient condition for bifurcation in random dynamical systems
Authors: Chen Xiaopeng , Duan Jinqiao , Fu Xinchu
Published: November 2009

Some properties of the random Conley index are obtained, and then a sufficient condition for the existence of abstract bifurcation points for both discrete-time and continuous-time random dynamical systems is presented. This stochastic bifurcation phenomenon is demonstrated by a few examples.
On the role of the collection principle for Σ⁰₂-formulas in second-order reverse mathematics
Authors: Chong C. , Lempp Steffen , Yang Yue
Published: November 2009

We show that the principle 

P
A
R
T

\mathsf {PART}

from Hirschfeldt and Shore is equivalent to the

Σ
2
0

\Sigma ^0_2

-Bounding principle 

B

Σ
2
0

B\Sigma ^0_2

over 

R
C
A

0

\mathsf {RCA}_0

, answering one of their open questions.

Furthermore, we also fill a gap in a proof of Cholak, Jockusch and Slaman by showing that

D
2
2

D^2_2

implies 

B

Σ
2
0

B\Sigma ^0_2

and is thus indeed equivalent to Stable Ramsey’s Theorem for Pairs (

S
R
T

2
2

\mathsf {SRT}^2_2

). This also allows us to conclude that the combinatorial principles

I
P
T

2
2

\mathsf {IPT}^2_2

,

S
P
T

2
2

\mathsf {SPT}^2_2

and 

S
I
P
T

2
2

\mathsf {SIPT}^2_2

defined by Dzhafarov and Hirst all imply 

B

Σ
2
0

B\Sigma ^0_2

and thus that

S
P
T

2
2

\mathsf {SPT}^2_2

and 

S
I
P
T

2
2

\mathsf {SIPT}^2_2

are both equivalent to 

S
R
T

2
2

\mathsf {SRT}^2_2

as well.

Our proof uses the notion of a bi-tame cut, the existence of which we show to be equivalent, over 

R
C
A

0

\mathsf {RCA}_0

, to the failure of 

B

Σ
2
0

B\Sigma ^0_2

.
When weak Hopf algebras are Frobenius
Authors: Iovanov Miodrag , Kadison Lars
Published: November 2009

We investigate when a weak Hopf algebra

H
H

is Frobenius. We show this is not always true, but it is true if the semisimple base algebra

A
A

has all its matrix blocks of the same dimension. However, if

A
A

is a semisimple algebra not having this property, there is a weak Hopf algebra

H
H

with base

A
A

which is not Frobenius (and consequently, it is not Frobenius “over”

A
A

either). Moreover, we give a categorical counterpart of the result that a Hopf algebra is a Frobenius algebra for a noncoassociative generalization of a weak Hopf algebra.
Lantern relations and rational blowdowns
Authors: Endo Hisaaki , Gurtas Yusuf
Published: November 2009

We discuss a connection between the lantern relation in mapping class groups and the rational blowing down process for44-manifolds. More precisely, if we change a positive relator in Dehn twist generators of the mapping class group by using a lantern relation, the corresponding Lefschetz fibration changes into its rational blowdown along a copy of the configurationC2C_2. We exhibit examples of such rational blowdowns of Lefschetz fibrations whose blowup is homeomorphic but not diffeomorphic to the original fibration.
Ill-posedness of the basic equations of fluid dynamics in Besov spaces
Authors: Cheskidov A. , Shvydkoy R.
Published: November 2009

We give a construction of a divergence-free vector fieldu0∈Hs∩B∞,∞−1u_0 \in H^s \cap B^{-1}_{\infty ,\infty }, for alls>1/2s>1/2, with arbitrarily small norm‖u0‖B∞,∞−1\|u_0\|_{B^{-1}_{\infty ,\infty }}such that any Leray-Hopf solution to the Navier-Stokes equation starting fromu0u_0is discontinuous att=0t=0in the metric ofB∞,∞−1B^{-1}_{\infty ,\infty }. For the Euler equation a similar result is proved in all Besov spacesBr,∞sB^s_{r,\infty }wheres>0s>0ifr>2r>2, ands>n(2/r−1)s>n(2/r-1)if1≤r≤21 \leq r \leq 2. This includes the spaceB3,∞1/3B^{1/3}_{3,\infty }, which is known to be critical for the energy conservation in ideal fluids.
Some remarks on bounded earthquakes
Authors: Šarić Dragomir
Published: November 2009

We show that an earthquake of a geometrically infinite hyperbolic surface induces an asymptotically conformal change in the hyperbolic metric if and only if the measured lamination associated with the earthquake is asymptotically trivial on the surface. Then we show that the contraction along earthquake paths is continuous in the Teichmüller space of any hyperbolic surface. Finally, we show that if a measured lamination vanishes while approaching infinity at a rate higher than the distance to the boundary, then it must be trivial.
Two classes of algebras with infinite Hochschild homology
Authors: Solotar Andrea , Vigué-Poirrier Micheline
Published: November 2009

We prove without any assumption on the ground field that higher Hochschild homology groups do not vanish for two large classes of algebras whose global dimension is not finite.
Best response dynamics for continuous games
Authors: Barron E. , Goebel R. , Jensen R.
Published: November 2009

We extend the convergence result of Hofbauer and Sorin for the best response differential inclusions coming from a nonconcave, nonconvex continuous payoff function

U
(
x
,
y
)

U(x,y)

. A counterexample shows that convergence to a Nash equilibrium may not be true if we attempt to generalize the result to a three-person nonzero sum game.
Laws of inertia in higher degree binary forms
Authors: Reznick Bruce
Published: November 2009

We consider representations of real forms of even degree as a linear combination of powers of real linear forms, counting the number of positive and negative coefficients. We show that the natural generalization of Sylvester’s Law of Inertia holds for binary quartics but fails for binary sextics.
Acupuncture Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial with Six Months Follow‐Up
Authors: Zhang Shi Ping , Yip Tsui-Pik , Li Qiu-Shi
Published: November 2009

Plantar fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain. It has been suggested that some acupoints have a specific effect on heel pain. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and specificity of acupuncture treatment for plantar fasciitis. Subjects were randomly assigned to the treatment group (n = 28) or control group (n = 25). The treatment group received needling at the acupoint PC 7, which is purported to have a specific effect for heel pain. The control group received needling at the acupoint Hegu (LI 4), which has analgesic properties. Treatment was administered five times a week for 2 weeks, with an identical method of manual needling applied to the two acupoints. The primary outcome measure was morning pain on a 100‐point visual analog scale (VAS) at one month post‐treatment. Secondary outcome measures included a VAS for activity pain, overall pain rating as well as pressure pain threshold using algometry. Significant differences in reduction in pain scores, favoring the treatment group, were seen at one month for morning pain (22.6 ± 4.0 versus 12.0 ± 3.0, mean ± SEM), overall pain (20.3 ± 3.7 versus 9.5 ± 3.6) and pressure pain threshold (145.5 ± 32.9 versus −15.5 ± 39.4). No serious adverse event was observed in either group. The results indicate that acupuncture can provide pain relief to patient with plantar fasciitis, and that PC 7 is a relatively specific acupoint for heel pain.
Comparison of Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery with Implantation of Drug-Eluting Stents in Patients with Left Anterior Descending Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Etienne Pierre Yves , Glineur David , Papadatos Spiridon , Kalscheuer Gregory , Mairy Yves , Boodhwani Munir , Khoury Gebrine El , Noirhomme Philippe , Hanet Claude
Published: November 2009

Objective

Bypass surgery and percutaneous coronary interventions improve the clinical status of patients with left anterior descending coronary artery disease. However, these techniques differ in invasiveness and in the need for subsequent reinterventions. The development of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) surgery and of drug-eluting stents (DES) offers perspectives to close this gap.

Methods

We compared the long-term clinical outcome of 308 patients after revascularization for isolated left anterior descending coronary artery disease. One hundred fifty-four patients were treated with MIDCAB and 154 with percutaneous coronary interventions and DES implantation.

Results

Both groups were similar in age (63 ± 13 and 62 ± 10 years), Euroscore (3.3 ± 2.8 and 3.4 ± 2.6), and mean duration of follow-up (30 ± 17 and 24 ± 10 months). Two-year survival was similar after MIDCAB and after DES (97.4% and 94.8%). During follow-up, four patients (2.6%) of the MIDCAB group and 21 patients (13.6%) of the DES group needed subsequent revascularization of the target vessel (P = 0.001). Revascularization of a nontarget vessel was needed in 11 patients (7%) of the MIDCAB group and in 17 patients (11%) of the DES group (NS). Neurologic complications included two transient ischemic accidents and two strokes in the MIDCAB group but three fatal cerebral hemorrhages and one stroke in the DES group. Major adverse coronary and cerebrovascular events rates were 14% in the MIDCAB and 31% in the DES group.

Conclusions

MIDCAB and DES implantation showed similar rates of mortality but a higher reintervention rate after DES. Anticoagulation implications remain critical for the future of DES.
The therapeutic potential of stem cells
Authors: Watt Fiona M. , Driskell Ryan R.
Published: November 2009

In recent years, there has been an explosion of interest in stem cells, not just within the scientific and medical communities but also among politicians, religious groups and ethicists. Here, we summarize the different types of stem cells that have been described: their origins in embryonic and adult tissues and their differentiation potentialin vivoand in culture. We review some current clinical applications of stem cells, highlighting the problems encountered when going from proof-of-principle in the laboratory to widespread clinical practice. While some of the key genetic and epigenetic factors that determine stem cell properties have been identified, there is still much to be learned about how these factors interact. There is a growing realization of the importance of environmental factors in regulating stem cell behaviour and this is being explored by imaging stem cellsin vivoand recreating artificial nichesin vitro. New therapies, based on stem cell transplantation or endogenous stem cells, are emerging areas, as is drug discovery based on patient-specific pluripotent cells and cancer stem cells. What makes stem cell research so exciting is its tremendous potential to benefit human health and the opportunities for interdisciplinary research that it presents.
Ecological science and tomorrow's world
Authors: May Robert M.
Published: November 2009

Beginning with an outline of uncertainties about the number of species on Earth today, this paper addresses likely causes and consequences of the manifest acceleration in extinction rates over the past few centuries. The ultimate causes are habitat destruction, alien introductions, overexploitation and climate change. Increases in human numbers and
per capita
impacts underlie all of these. Against a background review of these factors, I conclude with a discussion of the policy implications for equitably proportionate actions—and of the difficulties in achieving them.
Understanding plant reproductive diversity
Authors: Barrett Spencer C. H.
Published: November 2009

Flowering plants display spectacular floral diversity and a bewildering array of reproductive adaptations that promote mating, particularly outbreeding. A striking feature of this diversity is that related species often differ in pollination and mating systems, and intraspecific variation in sexual traits is not unusual, especially among herbaceous plants. This variation provides opportunities for evolutionary biologists to link micro-evolutionary processes to the macro-evolutionary patterns that are evident within lineages. Here, I provide some personal reflections on recent progress in our understanding of the ecology and evolution of plant reproductive diversity. I begin with a brief historical sketch of the major developments in this field and then focus on three of the most significant evolutionary transitions in the reproductive biology of flowering plants: the pathway from outcrossing to predominant self-fertilization, the origin of separate sexes (females and males) from hermaphroditism and the shift from animal pollination to wind pollination. For each evolutionary transition, I consider what we have discovered and some of the problems that still remain unsolved. I conclude by discussing how new approaches might influence future research in plant reproductive biology.
Learning to represent visual input
Authors: Hinton Geoffrey E.
Published: November 2009

One of the central problems in computational neuroscience is to understand how the object-recognition pathway of the cortex learns a deep hierarchy of nonlinear feature detectors. Recent progress in machine learning shows that it is possible to learn deep hierarchies without requiring any labelled data. The feature detectors are learned one layer at a time and the goal of the learning procedure is to form a good generative model of images, not to predict the class of each image. The learning procedure only requires the pairwise correlations between the activations of neuron-like processing units in adjacent layers. The original version of the learning procedure is derived from a quadratic ‘energy’ function but it can be extended to allow third-order, multiplicative interactions in which neurons gate the pairwise interactions between other neurons. A technique for factoring the third-order interactions leads to a learning module that again has a simple learning rule based on pairwise correlations. This module looks remarkably like modules that have been proposed by both biologists trying to explain the responses of neurons and engineers trying to create systems that can recognize objects.
Sequences and consequences
Authors: Brenner Sydney
Published: November 2009

The conversion of data into knowledge constitutes a great challenge for future biological research. The new science of Systems Biology claims to be able to solve the problem but I contend that this approach will fail because deducing models of function from the behaviour of a complex system is an inverse problem that is impossible to solve. In addition, one cannot easily escape into high-level holistic approaches, since the essence of all biological systems is that they are encoded as molecular descriptions in their genes and since genes are molecules and exert their functions through other molecules, the molecular explanation must constitute the core of understanding biological systems. We then solve the forward problem of computing the behaviour of the system from its components and their interactions. I propose that the correct level of abstraction is the cell and provide an outline of C
ellmap
, a design for a system to organize biological information.
Olfactory conditioning of the sting extension reflex in honeybees: Memory dependence on trial number, interstimulus interval, intertrial interval, and protein synthesis
Authors: Giurfa Martin , Fabre Eve , Flaven-Pouchon Justin , Groll Helga , Oberwallner Barbara , Vergoz Vanina , Roussel Edith , Sandoz Jean Christophe
Published: November 2009

Harnessed bees learn to associate an odorant with an electric shock so that afterward the odorant alone elicits the sting extension response (SER). We studied the dependency of retention on interstimulus interval (ISI), intertrial interval (ITI), and number of conditioning trials in the framework of olfactory SER conditioning. Forward ISIs (conditioned stimulus [CS] before unconditioned stimulus [US]) supported higher retention than a backward one (US before CS) with an optimum around 3 sec. Spaced trials (ITI 10 min) supported higher retention than massed trials (ITI 1 min) and led to the formation of a late long-term memory (l-LTM) that depended on protein synthesis. Our results reaffirm olfactory SER conditioning as a reliable tool for the study of learning and memory.
Drugs and dilated cardiomyopathies: a case/noncase study in the French PharmacoVigilance Database
Authors: Montastruc Guillaume , Favreliere Sylvie , Sommet Agnès , Pathak Atul , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse , Perault‐Pochat Marie‐Christine , Montastruc Jean‐Louis ,   French Association of Regional PharmacoVigilance Centres
Published: November 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Dilated cardiomyopathy is a frequent disease, responsible for 40–50% of cases of heart failure.

• Several aetiologies have been reported: idiopathic, familial/genetic, viral and/or immune but also toxic agents (alcohol, cobalt, carbon monoxide, lead, cocaine, mercury or drugs).

• Among drugs, anthracyclines are well known to induce such an adverse drug reaction.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• This study describes an association with already suspected drugs (anthracyclines, antiretrovirals).

• It also found a signal with other drugs (antipsychotics, lithium, antidepressants, retinoids).

• This pharmacovigilance signal should be confirmed by further prospective studies.

AIMS To evaluate putative associations between drugs and dilated cardiomyopathy.

METHODS We used the case/noncase method in the French PharmacoVigilance Database (FPVD). Cases were all the observations with dilated cardiomyopathy registered into the FPVD between 1 January 1990 and 30 June 2007. Noncases were all other reports other than those studied. Anthracyclines were used as positive controls. Data were expressed as reporting odds ratio (ROR) with their 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS Out of the 258 729 adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports recorded in the FPVD between 1 January 1990 and 30 June 2007, 47 (22 men, mean age 49 years) were defined as dilated cardiomyopathy. In these 47 patients, 67 drugs were ‘suspect’. A significant ROR was found with cytotoxic (epirubicin, mitoxantrone, cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, fluorouracil) and antiretroviral (lamividune, zidovudine, abacavir) but also with isotretinoin, prednisone, appetite suppressant (clobenzorex) and psychotropic [antipsychotic (clozapine, olanzapine), lithium, antidepressant (clomipramine, amitriptyline, fluvoxamine)] drugs.

CONCLUSIONS The present study describes an association between some drugs and reports of dilated cardiomyopathies. This relationship involves not only some already suspected drugs (anthracyclines, antiretrovirals), but also other drugs (antipsychotics, lithium, antidepressants, retinoids) less known to induce such an ADR. Despite the mandatory limits of this kind of study (underreporting, confounding factors . . .), these data represent a pharmacovigilance signal and could contribute to establish further prospective studies in order to confirm such signals.
Development and validation of a new Prescription Quality Index
Authors: Hassan Norul Badriah , Ismail Hasanah Che , Naing Lin , Conroy Ronán M. , Abdul Rahman Abdul Rashid
Published: November 2009

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS SUBJECT

• Many studies raise serious questions about the prescribing appropriateness and prescription quality. However, there is a lack of a single measure that will capture all facets of prescription quality.

• Evaluation of prescriptions was usually based on expert judgement of practitioners.

• Definition of prescription quality, reference model, validity and reliability of the measurement tools, and other data such as the number, type and severity of diagnosis of patients were usually insufficient or lacking.

WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS

• The Prescription Quality Index (PQI) was developed with a strong structural foundation and was able to capture the clinical, clerical and legal requirement of a prescription.

• Extensive psychometric testing was performed on the PQI and the new tool demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability.

• The PQI has been shown to be a valid, reliable and responsive tool to measure quality of prescriptions in chronic diseases.

AIMS

The aims were to develop and validate a new Prescription Quality Index (PQI) for the measurement of prescription quality in chronic diseases.

METHODS

The PQI were developed and validated based on three separate surveys and one pilot study. Criteria were developed based on literature search, discussions and brainstorming sessions. Validity of the criteria was examined using modified Delphi method. Pre‐testing was performed on 30 patients suffering from chronic diseases. The modified version was then subjected to reviews by pharmacists and clinicians in two separate surveys. The rater‐based PQI with 22 criteria was then piloted in 120 patients with chronic illnesses. Results were analysed using SPSS version 12.0.1

RESULTS

Exploratory principal components analysis revealed multiple factors contributing to prescription quality. Cronbach's α for the entire 22 criteria was 0.60. The average intra‐rater and inter‐rater reliability showed good to moderate stability (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.76 and 0.52, respectively). The PQI was significantly and negatively correlated with age (correlation coefficient −0.34, P < 0.001), number of drugs in prescriptions (correlation coefficient −0.51, P < 0.001) and number of chronic diseases/conditions (correlation coefficient −0.35, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The PQI is a promising new instrument for measuring prescription quality. It has been shown that the PQI is a valid, reliable and responsive tool to measure quality of prescription in chronic diseases.
Pharmacogenomics: a new paradigm to personalize treatments in nephrology patients
Authors: Zaza G , Granata S , Sallustio F , Grandaliano G , Schena F P
Published: November 2009

Although notable progress has been made in the therapeutic management of patients with chronic kidney disease in both conservative and renal replacement treatments (dialysis and transplantation), the occurrence of medication-related problems (lack of efficacy, adverse drug reactions) still represents a key clinical issue. Recent evidence suggests that adverse drug reactions are major causes of death and hospital admission in Europe and the United States. The reasons for these conditions are represented by environmental/non-genetic and genetic factors responsible for the great inter-patient variability in drugs metabolism, disposition and therapeutic targets. Over the years several genetic settings have been linked, using pharmacogenetic approaches, to the effects and toxicity of many agents used in clinical nephrology. However, these strategies, analysing single gene or candidate pathways, do not represent the gold standard, being the overall pharmacological effects of medications and not typically monogenic traits. Therefore, to identify multi-genetic influence on drug response, researchers and clinicians from different fields of medicine and pharmacology have started to perform pharmacogenomic studies employing innovative whole genomic high-throughput technologies. However, to date, only few pharmacogenomics reports have been published in nephrology underlying the need to enhance the number of projects and to increase the research budget for this important research field. In the future we would expect that, applying the knowledge about an individual's inherited response to drugs, nephrologists will be able to prescribe medications based on each person's genetic make-up, to monitor carefully the efficacy/toxicity of a given drug and to modify the dosage or number of medications to obtain predefined clinical outcomes.
Number and colour composition of nest lining feathers predict eggshell bacterial community in barn swallow nests: an experimental study
Authors: Peralta‐Sanchez Juan M. , Møller Anders P. , Martin‐Platero Antonio M. , Soler Juan J.
Published: November 2009

1. The use of feathers as nest lining material has traditionally been explained by the thermoregulatory properties of feathers. Feather nest lining could additionally affect nest detectability by predators, or play a role in a sexually selected context. Furthermore, feather nest lining harbours microorganisms that may influence environmental conditions where eggs and nestlings develop.

2. Microorganisms growing on nest lining feathers could affect the bacterial load of eggshells because they occupy space and/or produce antimicrobial substances against other bacteria, including egg pathogens. Feathers of different colours are known to differ in their bacterial community (i.e. feather degrading bacteria) and, thus, colour composition of nest lining feather could also affect the bacterial environment of avian nests.

3. Here we tested this hypothesis in the barn shallow (Hirundo rustica) by exploring the relationship between eggshell bacterial loads and number of feathers, and the effect of experimentally modified colour composition of nest lining feathers on eggshell bacterial load.

4. In agreement with the hypothesis we found that, before treatment, the number of nest lining feathers (mainly that of unpigmented‐white colour) predicted eggshell bacterial load, and that, at the end of the incubation period, eggshells of experimental nests with white feathers had a lower bacterial density than those in experimental nests with black feathers.

5. We failed to detect a relationship between bacterial load and hatching success. However, since evidence of that relationship exists for other species, these results would explain the previously detected experimental effect of colour composition of nest lining feathers on hatching success of swallows.

6. Nest design in general, and the use of nest‐lining white feathers in particular, may therefore have important consequences for reproductive success of birds. The reduced eggshell bacterial loads of experimental white nests would explain preferences by barn swallows for feathers of white colour.
Nitrogen deposition induced changes in DOC : NO3‐N ratios determine the efficiency of nitrate removal from freshwaters
Authors: WEYHENMEYER GESA A. , JEPPESEN ERIK
Published: November 2009

With a unique data set comprising 1041 boreal forested and low human impacted lakes included in three Swedish lake inventories for 1995, 2000 and 2005 and with time series for 12 of the lakes from 1988 to 2008 we show that nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3‐N) is accumulated in freshwaters along with increasing atmospheric nitrogen deposition (Ndep). At the same time we observe decreasing DOC : NO3‐N ratios in the water column. We suggest that NO3‐N is accumulated in freshwaters when denitrifying bacteria are limited by their energy source rather than the availability of NO3‐N, i.e. at low DOC : NO3‐N ratios. We obtained further support for a close relationship between Ndep driven DOC : NO3‐N ratios and the efficiency of nitrate removal by using a published global data set on measured nitrate removal rates in unproductive reference streams. Owing to the currently decreasing Ndep in large regions of, for instance, Northern Europe, this process is now reversed, resulting in increasing DOC : NO3‐N ratios and more efficient nitrate removal from freshwaters. Depending on NOx emissions, nitrogen limited regions may expand with an immediate effect on nitrate concentrations in freshwaters.
Tobacco smoking habits among nursing students and the influence of family and peer smoking behaviour
Authors: Biraghi Emanuela , Tortorano Anna Maria
Published: November 2009

biraghi e. & tortorano a.m. (2010) Tobacco smoking habits among nursing students and the influence of family and peer smoking behaviour. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 66(1), 33–39.

Title.  Tobacco smoking habits among nursing students and the influence of family and peer smoking behaviour.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study assessing tobacco smoking habits among nursing students and how these are influenced by family members and peers.

Background.  Tobacco smoking among nursing students is a serious problem because of the public role model of these future healthcare professionals.

Methods.  The smoking attitude of nursing students attending the 3 year full‐time course at the University of Milan in the academic years 2006–2007 and 2007–2008 was investigated. A total of 820 students filled in the self‐administered questionnaire and 812 valid questionnaires were returned. The response rate was 87%.

Results.  Forty‐four percent of the 812 students were tobacco smokers and 7% former smokers. Among the smoking students 75% had at least one smoking parent, 47% had at least one smoking brother or sister and 87% saw smoking friends.

Conclusion.  There is an urgent need to implement effective anti‐smoking measures among nursing students. Decreasing the number of smokers among healthcare professionals would discourage people from smoking and would increase the credibility of anti‐smoking campaigns.
Healthcare Team Vitality Instrument (HTVI): developing a tool assessing healthcare team functioning
Authors: Upenieks Valda V. , Lee Elizabeth A. , Flanagan Mindy E. , Doebbeling Bradley N.
Published: November 2009

upenieks v.v., lee e.a., flanagan m.e. & doebbeling b.n. (2010) Healthcare Team Vitality Instrument (HTVI): developing a tool assessing healthcare team functioning. Journal of Advanced Nursing66(1), 168–176.

Title.  Healthcare Team Vitality Instrument (HTVI): developing a tool assessing healthcare team functioning.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study conducted to refine, shorten and validate the Healthcare Team Vitality Instrument.

Background.  The Healthcare Team Vitality Instrument was developed to assess team vitality of nurses as well as other licensed and unlicensed personnel working as part of healthcare teams in inpatient hospital units. This instrument was necessary for two reasons. First, other commonly used instruments assess characteristics of Registered Nurses or perceptions about and characteristics of the organizations in which they work, but not these factors in combination with critical factors of interdisciplinary team functioning and collaboration. Second, a short tool for repeated, regular measurement of team vitality was needed to track the impact of changes to improve work environments.

Method.  Revisions to the Healthcare Team Vitality Instrument occurred in two phases. Phase 1 entailed collecting preliminary data and conducting cognitive interviews to refine the initial items. During Phase 2, the factor structure of the Healthcare Team Vitality Instrument was identified and a brief form developed and validated. Data were collected in 2006 and 2007.

Findings.  Exploratory factor analyses suggested a four‐factor solution with the following dimensions: (1) support structures, (2) engagement and empowerment, (3) patient care transitions and (4) team communication.

Conclusion.  The Healthcare Team Vitality Instrument can contribute both to better management practices and advancing knowledge to promote retention of nurses, and to some extent other healthcare professionals, as well as efforts to transform the acute healthcare work environment.
Segmentation of 3D microtomographic images of granular materials with the stochastic watershed
Authors: FAESSEL M. , JEULIN D.
Published: November 2009

Segmentation of 3D images of granular materials obtained by microtomography is not an easy task. Because of the conditions of acquisition and the nature of the media, the available images are not exploitable without a reliable method of extraction of the grains. The high connectivity in the medium, the disparity of the object's shape and the presence of image imperfections make classical segmentation methods (using image gradient and watershed constrained by markers) extremely difficult to perform efficiently. In this paper, we propose a non‐parametric method using the stochastic watershed, allowing to estimate a 3D probability map of contours. Procedures allowing to extract final segmentation from this function are then presented.
Phospholipase D and phosphatidic acid signalling in plant response to drought and salinity
Authors: HONG YUEYUN , ZHANG WENHUA , WANG XUEMIN
Published: November 2009

The activity of phospholipase D (PLD) in plants increases under different hyperosmotic stresses, such as dehydration, drought, and salinity. Recent results begin to shed light onto the involvement of PLD in response to water deficits and salinity. Different PLDs have unique and overlapping functions in these responses. PLDα1 promotes stomatal closure and reduces water loss. PLDα1 and PLDδare involved in seedling tolerance to salt stress. PLDα3 and PLDεenhance plant growth and hyperosmotic tolerance. The different PLDs regulate the production of phosphatidic acid (PA) that is a key class of lipid mediators in plant response to environmental stresses. Further studies on the upstream regulators that activate different PLDs and the downstream effectors of PLDs and PA have the potential to unveil the linkage between the stimulus perception at the cell membrane to intracellular responses to drought and salinity stresses.
Variation in susceptibility of lettuce cultivars to fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae
Authors: Scott J. C. , Kirkpatrick S. C. , Gordon T. R.
Published: November 2009

Lettuce cultivars adapted to Californian growing conditions were screened for resistance to fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lactucae in order to determine if differences in susceptibility among currently grown cultivars might contribute to management of this disease. Based on a preliminary evaluation of 46 cultivars, eight that were among the most resistant of their horticultural type (iceberg, romaine or leaf) were selected for further testing. The relative susceptibility of these cultivars was assessed by: (i) root‐dip inoculation, (ii) sowing seeds into infested potting mix and (iii) transplanting seedlings into an infested field. Evaluations of disease severity showed that both methods (i) and (ii) produced cultivar rankings that were significantly correlated with rankings from field trials [method (iii)]. Two romaine and two leaf cultivars were highly resistant to fusarium wilt (mean disease severity rating of ≤1·3 on a 1–4 scale) under all test conditions. Other romaine and leaf cultivars, however, were highly susceptible in root–dip tests, so there was no consistent association between cultivar type and susceptibility to fusarium wilt. Likewise, there was considerable variation in susceptibility to wilt among iceberg cultivars, but all were significantly more susceptible than the most resistant romaine and leaf cultivars.
Dissemination of Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi populations and subsequent appearance of olive knot disease
Authors: Quesada J. M. , Penyalver R. , Pérez‐Panadés J. , Salcedo C. I. , Carbonell E. A. , López M. M.
Published: November 2009

Pseudomonas savastanoi pv. savastanoi (Psv) is the causal agent of olive knot disease. The bacterium survives epiphytically and gains ingress through new wounds where infections and colonization result in knot formation. The natural spread of the bacterium and the subsequent appearance of the disease in olive orchards is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to monitor Psv epiphytic populations in inoculated plants with knots versus non‐inoculated healthy trees within the same orchard over four years. Additionally, disease severity was measured in both inoculated and non‐inoculated control trees. Epiphytic Psv populations moved from inoculated to non‐inoculated trees, although average Psv populations were higher in inoculated trees. Olive knot severity increased over the course of the study in all treatments and cultivars, with all plants reaching a high level of disease by the end of the study. However, the delay in the onset of disease was longer in non‐inoculated than in inoculated trees. Molecular typing of Psv isolates recovered from non‐inoculated control trees confirmed that they were similar to the inoculated strain. These data demonstrate that Psv can move over short distances in olive orchards through dissemination of epiphytic bacteria and suggest a relationship between the presence of epiphytic Psv and the number of knots on trees.
Characterization of Passionfruit severe leaf distortion virus, a novel begomovirus infecting passionfruit in Brazil, reveals a close relationship with tomato‐infecting begomoviruses
Authors: Ferreira S. S. , Barros D. R. , De Almeida M. R. , Zerbini F. M.
Published: November 2009

Molecular and biological characterization of the begomovirus isolate BR:LNS2:Pas:01, obtained from yellow passionfruit plants in Livramento de Nossa Senhora, Bahia state, Brazil, was carried out. Sequence analysis demonstrated that the BR:LNS2:Pas:01 DNA‐A had highest nucleotide sequence identity with Tomato chlorotic mottle virus (77%) and had five ORFs corresponding to the genes cp, rep, trap, ren and ac4. The DNA‐B had highest nucleotide sequence identity with Tomato yellow spot virus (74%) and two ORFs corresponding to the genes mp and nsp. These identity values indicate that this isolate represents a new begomovirus species, for which the name Passionfruit severe leaf distortion virus (PSLDV), is proposed. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the PSLDV DNA‐A and ‐B in a monophyletic branch with Brazilian tomato‐infecting begomoviruses. The isolate’s host range was restricted to species from the Passifloraceae and Solanaceae. PSLDV‐[BR:LNS2:Pas:01] was capable of forming pseudorecombinants with tomato‐infecting begomoviruses, reinforcing its close relationship with these viruses and suggesting a possible common origin. However, the virus was not capable of infecting tomato.
Direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing: good, bad or benign?
Authors: Caulfield T , Ries NM , Ray PN , Shuman C , Wilson B
Published: November 2009

Caulfield T, Ries NM, Ray PN, Shuman C, Wilson B. Direct‐to‐consumer genetic testing: good, bad or benign?

A wide variety of genetic tests are now being marketed and sold in direct‐to‐consumer (DTC) commercial transactions. However, risk information revealed through many DTC testing services, especially those based on emerging genome wide‐association studies, has limited predictive value for consumers. Some commentators contend that tests are being marketed prematurely, while others support rapid translation of genetic research findings to the marketplace. The potential harms and benefits of DTC access to genetic testing are not yet well understood, but some large‐scale studies have recently been launched to examine how consumers understand and use genetic risk information. Greater consumer access to genetic tests creates a need for continuing education for health care professionals so they can respond to patients' inquiries about the benefits, risks and limitations of DTC services. Governmental bodies in many jurisdictions are considering options for regulating practices of DTC genetic testing companies, particularly to govern quality of commercial genetic tests and ensure fair and truthful advertising. Intersectoral initiatives involving government regulators, professional bodies and industry are important to facilitate development of standards to govern this rapidly developing area of personalized genomic commerce.
DJ‐1 is a Parkinson's disease susceptibility gene in southern Italy
Authors: De Marco EV , Annesi G , Tarantino P , Nicoletti G , Civitelli D , Messina D , Annesi F , Arabia G , Salsone M , Condino F , Novellino F , Provenzano G , Rocca FE , Colica C , Morelli M , Scornaienchi V , Greco V , Giofrè L , Quattrone A
Published: November 2009

De Marco EV, Annesi G, Tarantino P, Nicoletti G, Civitelli D, Messina D, Annesi F, Arabia G, Salsone M, Condino F, Novellino F, Provenzano G, Rocca FE, Colica C, Morelli M, Scornaienchi V, Greco V, Giofrè L, Quattrone A. DJ‐1 is a Parkinson's disease susceptibility gene in southern Italy.

Mutations in the gene DJ‐1 have been shown to be a rare cause of early‐onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD). Since DJ‐1 mutations have been found in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) from southern Italy, we aimed to investigate whether polymorphisms within the DJ‐1 gene could represent a risk factor for sporadic PD. First, we genotyped 294 patients with PD and 298 controls coming from southern Italy to assess the distribution of the insertion/deletion (Ins/Del) polymorphism. In a second phase, we identified five single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) useful to delimit a region potentially involved and genotyped all patients and controls for these markers. All the markers analyzed were significantly associated with PD at both allelic and genotypic level. The most significant association with the disease was found at the Ins/Del polymorphism (p = 0.0001; adjusted odds ratio (OR ) = 2.05; confidence interval (CI ) = 1.36–3.08). When we considered a three‐marker sliding window, we found a highly significant association between the disease and the haplotypes including markers rs17523802, Ins/Del, and rs3766606 (p = 0.0007) and markers Ins/Del, rs3766606 and rs7517357 (p = 0.0054). Our results indicate that polymorphisms located in a region spanning 3535 bp from the promoter to the intron 2 of the DJ‐1 gene confer risk to sporadic PD in southern Italy.
Attraction of Ceratitis capitata, C. rosa and C. cosyra (Diptera: Tephritidae) to proteinaceous baits
Authors: Manrakhan A. , Kotze C.
Published: November 2009

Attractiveness of commercially available protein baits to three congeneric fruit fly species: Ceratitis capitata, Ceratitis rosa and Ceratitis cosyra was evaluated in field cage assays. Protein baits tested were HymLure, GF‐120 Naturalyte and M3 bait (also known as Questlure, used in M3 bait station registered for fruit fly control in South Africa). The influence of concentration on attractiveness of HymLure and GF‐120 was determined and the effect of ageing of M3 bait on response of the three fly species was evaluated. Responses to the three types of bait were species specific. C. cosyra had a low response to HymLure but responded well to the other two baits tested. C. capitata and C. rosa responded well to all baits tested. Ceratitis capitata was the most responsive of all species tested to protein baits. Female flies responded more to commercial baits than male flies, irrespective of fruit fly species. Concentration of HymLure and GF‐120 influenced attractiveness of flies but this was species and sex specific. Attractiveness of M3 bait did not change with ageing of the bait. A novel method of bait evaluation was used in this study and can be adopted for future screening of food attractants. The practical implications of this study were discussed with respect to control strategies adopted in areas of multiple fruit fly pest species, particularly on choice of baits to be used.
Biological Control of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici on Tomato by Brevibacillus brevis
Authors: Chandel Sunita , Allan Eunice J. , Woodward Steve
Published: November 2009

The ability of Brevibacillus brevis to influence development of disease on tomato caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici was investigated using plants raised in Petri dish microcosms and in pots in the glasshouse. Development of symptoms on both microcosm‐ and glasshouse‐raised tomato plants was markedly reduced in co‐inoculations of F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici with B. brevis, compared with inoculations with the pathogen alone. Moreover, co‐inoculations resulted in significant growth boosting effects on the plants, with increases in plant height in microcosms and in total root lengths in glasshouse‐raised plants. In microcosm‐raised plants, the carrier used to inoculate seed with B. brevis, either carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) or vermiculite, had no effect on the persistence of the biological control agent on roots in the absence of inoculation with the pathogen. By contrast, numbers of B. brevis recovered from the rhizosphere and rhizoplane of inoculated plants in microcosms were four orders of magnitude lower than in plants treated with B. brevis alone. Moreover, higher numbers of B. brevis CFU were re‐isolated from the rhizosphere of plants arising from CMC‐coated seed, than vermiculite‐coated seed. The carrier had no effect on disease control. Inhibition of conidial germination and germ‐tube extension of F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici by cell‐free filtrates of B. brevis cultures varied significantly depending on the culture medium used for suspension. These results indicate that B. brevis is a potential biological control agent for reducing the impact of F. oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici on tomato.
HpRNAs Derived from Different Regions of the NIb Gene Have Different Abilities to Protect Tobacco from Infection with Potato Virus Y
Authors: Sun Zhao‐Nan , Song Yun‐Zhi , Yin Guo‐Hua , Zhu Chang‐Xiang , Wen Fu‐Jiang
Published: November 2009

RNA interference (RNAi) involves the degradation of homologous mRNA sequences in organisms and is induced by double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). We have constructed three hairpin RNA (hpRNA) prokaryotic expression vectors derived from the 5′ region, the middle region and the 3′ region of the Nuclear inclusion protein b (NIb) gene, and then expressed these in M‐JM109lacY. Resistance analyses and Northern blotting showed that different hpRNAs had different abilities to protect tobacco plants from infection with Potato virus Y (PVY) and that this resistance was RNA‐mediated.