bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Courts as Entrepreneurs: The Case of the Indian Mid‐Day Meals Programme
Authors: Rutledge Jennifer Geist
Published: October 2012

This article reconsiders the role of courts as policy entrepreneurs by presenting a detailed case study of India's Mid‐Day Meals Programme. In 2001, the Indian Supreme Court (SCI) passed a landmark decision, finding for the right to food and forcing the Indian government to implement a sweeping range of policies related to food consumption. Through an analysis of the court case orders for the school feeding program, this article argues that the SCI can be considered a policy entrepreneur as an advocate for the food consumption programs, but, more importantly, because their actions changed the social conditions in India. The article develops an alternative understanding of courts as policy makers that focuses on the interactive and iterative nature of the court process in order to detail how courts can act as policy entrepreneurs. It demonstrates the courts’ potential for creating real policy change.
Examining Japanese Defense Policy and Politics Through Failures of Leadership: The Case of Prime Minister Hatoyama Yukio
Authors: Clausen Daniel
Published: October 2012

Many studies of the Japanese prime minister in defense policy and politics have focused on the outstanding success of Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro. These studies have noted the way Koizumi used the expanded resources of the kantei, bold public statements, and political theater to make significant changes to defense policy. However, just as important as exploring success in leadership is exploring failures. These failures can teach us about evolving political strategies and enduring aspects of international, regional, and domestic contexts. The prime ministership of Hatoyama Yukio (2009–2010) is an important case because it is the first time in recent history that a prime minister has challenged—however subtle that challenge may have been—the primacy of the U.S.‐Japan Security Treaty. Hatoyama's prime ministership demonstrates the limitations of civilian internationalist approaches as a substitute for alliance maintenance with the United States, as well as the weaknesses of “consensus‐based” and “muddle through” tactics in Japanese politics.
The Application of Transit Passage Regime in Straits Used for International Navigation: A Study of theStraits ofMalacca andSingapore
Authors: Rusli Mohd Hazmi bin Mohd
Published: October 2012

TheUnitedNationsConvention on theLaw of theSea 1982 (LOSC) prescribes the application of the transit passage regime for vessels navigating via straits that connect one part of the high seas/exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to another part of the high seas/EEZ. TheStraits ofMalacca andSingapore fulfill this criterion if they are considered as one strait. Nevertheless, if both straits are considered as separate, then the situation would be different. This article discusses the types of navigational regimes in straits as prescribed by theLOSCand ventures into the potential legal and political implications that may arise should transit passage regime cease to apply in critical straits like theStraits ofMalacca andSingapore. Indeed, theStraits ofMalacca andSingapore are important sea lines of communication, and any interference with shipping would obviously disrupt the well‐being of the global economy, particularly that of theAsia‐Pacific region.
Physical activity behaviours of highly active preschoolers
Authors: Howie E. K. , Brown W. H. , Dowda M. , McIver K. L. , Pate R. R.
Published: October 2012

What is already known about this subject

Many preschool children do not participate in adequate physical activity, despite physical activity being a critical behaviour for obesity prevention.

Environmental factors such as indoor and outdoor settings affect physical activity levels.

Direct observation and accelerometry are valid and complementary methods for assessing physical activity.

What this study adds

This study uses both direct observation and accelerometry to describe a unique pattern of physical activity in high‐active children.

High‐active children are more active than lower‐active children while indoors.

High‐active children participate in different movement types throughout the school day compared with lower‐active children.

Background

Understanding the physical activity behaviour of young children who are highly active may provide important guidance for promoting physical activity in preschools.

Objectives

The objective of this study was to describe the movement characteristics of high‐active (HA) children during attendance at preschools.

Methods

Children in 20 preschools (n = 231) wore accelerometers and were classified into tertiles of moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity. Children's movement characteristics were observed using the Observational System for Recording Physical Activity in Children – Preschool Version. Mixed‐model analyses compared movement types between HA children and lower‐active (LA) children during the total school day.

Results

HA (n = 77) children were observed to be more active than LA children (n = 154) indoors (P < 0.001), but no differences were observed outdoors. HA children were more frequently observed running, crawling, climbing, jumping, skipping, swinging and throwing across the total school day than LA children. Outdoors, HA children participated in more swinging and throwing and less jumping or skipping than LA children. Indoors, HA children spent more time pulling, pushing and running, and less time walking than LA children.

Conclusions

HA children have unique activity patterns. Further interventions to increase physical activity of all preschoolers should increase the time spent outside and include varied activity types throughout the entire school day.
Physical activity in children and adolescents with autism assessed by triaxial accelerometry
Authors: Memari A. H. , Ghaheri B. , Ziaee V. , Kordi R. , Hafizi S. , Moshayedi P.
Published: October 2012

What is already known about this subject

Individuals with disabilities are more likely to be sedentary compared to the general population.

Individuals with ASD show several impairments in motor and physical functioning.

Lack of opportunity is the primary factor that brings minimal physical activity to children with ASD.

What this study adds

There was a substantial reduction in level of PA across the adolescent years in ASD.

A decline in PA level and opportunities at school can contribute to a reduction in individual's total PA in ASD.

Household structure, sedentary activities, comorbidities and obesity are associated with PA level in children and adolescents with ASD.

Objective

This study aimed to examine physical activity (PA) patterns in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as well as to address PA determinant factors by employing triaxial accelerometry.

Methods

In a school‐based cross‐sectional study of 80 children and adolescents with ASD (mean = 9.6, standard deviation = 1.8), we investigated demographics, children's behavioural and clinical profile, and their PA data as objectively measured using an Actigraph GT3X on the right hip for seven consecutive days. All activity measures were expressed as counts per minute (c.p.m.).

Results

There was a substantial reduction in activity across the adolescent years in ASD. Girls were significantly less active than boys with ASD. Participants were remarkably less active in school compared to after‐school, and there was a PA decline during weekdays compared to weekends, which was not significant. Household structure, sedentary pursuits, comorbidities and obesity were identified as other determinants of PA in children with ASD.

Conclusions

Given the limited objective assessment of PA in children with ASD, our findings stressed the need for improving PA programmes, particularly for girls and older children with ASD. This study also provided important information for counselling clinicians, families and school policy‐makers about health issues in ASD.
Genetic parameters of milk production traits and fatty acid contents in milk for Holstein cows in parity 1 – 3
Authors: Bastin C. , Soyeurt H. , Gengler N.
Published: October 2012

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters of milk, fat, and protein yields, fat and protein contents, somatic cell count, and 17 groups and individual milk fatty acid (FA) contents predicted by mid‐infrared spectrometry for first‐, second‐ and third‐parity Holstein cows. Edited data included records collected in the Walloon region of Belgium from 37 768 cows in parity 1, 22 566 cows in parity 2 and 8221 in parity 3. A total of 69 (23 traits for three parities) single‐trait random regression animal test‐day models were run. Approximate genetic correlations among traits were inferred from pairwise regressions among estimated breeding values of cow having observations. Heritability and genetic correlation estimates from this study reflected the origins of FA: de novo synthetized or originating from the diet and the body fat mobilization. Averaged daily heritabilities of FA contents in milk ranged between 0.18 and 0.47. Average daily genetic correlations (averaged across days in milk and parities) among groups and individual FA contents in milk ranged between 0.31 and 0.99. The genetic variability of FAs in combination with the moderate to high heritabilities indicated that FA contents in milk could be changed by genetic selection; however, desirable direction of change in these traits remains unclear and should be defined with respect to all issues of importance related to milk FA.
Incidence and magnitude of bacteraemia caused by flossing and by scaling and root planing
Authors: Zhang William , Daly Christopher G. , Mitchell David , Curtis Brad
Published: October 2012

Aim

(1) Investigate incidence, magnitude and bacterial diversity of bacteraemia due to flossing compared with scaling and root planing (SRP) and (2) Identify any associations with clinical parameters.

Materials and Methods

Full‐mouth flossing and single quadrant SRP were performed at separate visits for 30 patients with chronic periodontitis. Baseline blood samples and at 30 s and 10 min. after completion of flossing, 5 min. after initiation of SRP and 30 s and 10 min. after completion of SRP were obtained. Total bacteraemia and viridans streptococcal bacteraemia (VSB) were investigated.

Results

Total bacteraemia incidence was 30% for flossing and 43.3% for SRP (no significant difference; p = 0.21). Flossing and SRP caused the same incidence of VSB (26.7%). Flossing caused a higher mean magnitude of total bacteraemia than SRP (7.4 ± 16.2 CFU/ml versus 2 ± 3.4 CFU/ml), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.2). Flossing caused a higher mean magnitude of VSB than SRP (1.2 ± 1.6 CFU/ml versus 0.4 ± 0.2 CFU/ml), but the difference was not significant (p = 0.09). Viridans streptococci comprised 11.4% of flossing bacteraemia isolates and 7.6% in SRP. No correlations were found between clinical parameters and incidence or magnitude of bacteraemia following flossing. Gingival inflammation was significantly associated with incidence of total bacteraemia (p = 0.01) and VSB (p = 0.001) following SRP. No correlations were found for any parameter and magnitude of total bacteraemia or VSB following SRP.

Conclusions

No differences were found between flossing and SRP in the incidence or magnitude of total bacteraemia or VSB. This finding is important in the ongoing re‐evaluation of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infective endocarditis.
Costs and benefits of plant health measures against Diabrotica: experiences and estimations for Germany
Authors: Kehlenbeck H. , Krügener S.
Published: October 2012

Diabrotica virgifera virgifera has been found in Germany since 2007, and mandatory EU plant health measures must be applied. To evaluate information on the appropriateness of these measures, we analysed benefits and costs for the two control strategies eradication and containment by ex ante data estimations and observed experiences. As a ‘no official control’ scenario, we considered that maize is grown without plant health measures where growers start to apply insecticides 5 years after D. v. virgifera damage becomes obvious. The eradication strategy consists of crop rotation with additional insecticide treatments, and the containment strategy assumes crop rotation (two times maize within 3 years) or insecticide applications against adults (two applications per year). Spread of D. v. virgifera was calculated over 15 years based on the model of Baufeld and Enzian (2005, Symposium Proceedings No. 81: Introduction and Spread of Invasive Species, 149–154), and corresponding costs for the estimated accumulated areas were analysed. Additionally, the observed spread from 2007 to 2011 in Germany and resulting costs were compared with the estimated costs of the simulated ex ante scenarios.

Eradication by crop rotation proved to be the most cost‐effective strategy for single outbreaks and a low maize density in the safety zone. In contrast, both containment strategies led to a moderate cost‐effectiveness whereof crop rotation is expected to be the more sustainable approach leading to less environmental impacts and resistance problems in the long term. Observed data showed that the range expansion of D. v. virgifera in Southern Germany was more rapid than expected from the low beetle numbers of the pheromone trappings leading to the assumption that both long‐distance dispersal and continuous short‐distance diffusion are involved. The observed average spread rate per year from 2007 to 2011 was estimated at 30 km. In Bavaria, the containment zone comprised in 2011 about 210 000 ha of maize production leading to much higher containment costs compared to the ex ante simulations.
Staurolite porphyroblast controls on local bulk compositional and microstructural changes during decompression of a St–Bt–Grt–Crd–And schist (Ancasti metamorphic complex, Sierras Pampeanas, W Argentina)
Authors: VERDECCHIA S. O. , RECHE J. , BALDO E. G. , SEGOVIA‐DIAZ E. , MARTINEZ F. J.
Published: October 2012

The staurolite–biotite–garnet–cordierite–andalusite–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz metapelitic mineral assemblage has been frequently interpreted in the literature as a result of superimposition of various metamorphic events, for example, in polymetamorphic sequences. The assemblage was identified in schists from the Ancasti metamorphic complex (Sierras Pampeanas of Argentina) where previous authors have favoured the polymetamorphic genetic interpretation. A pseudosection in the MnNCKFMASH system for the analysed XRF bulk composition predicts the stability of the sub‐assemblage staurolite–biotite–garnet–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz, and the compositional isopleths also agree with measured mineral compositions. Nevertheless, the XRF pseudosection does not predict any field with staurolite, andalusite and cordierite being stable together. As a result of more detailed modelling making use of the effective bulk composition concept, our interpretation is that the staurolite–biotite–garnet–plagioclase–muscovite–quartz sub‐assemblage was present at peak metamorphic conditions, 590 °C and 5.2 kbar, but that andalusite and cordierite grew later along a continuous P–T path. These minerals are not in mutual contact and are observed in separate microstructural domains with different proportions of staurolite. These domains are explained as a result of local reaction equilibrium subsystems developed during decompression and influenced by the previous peak crystal size and local modal distribution of staurolite porphyroblasts that have remained metastable. Thus, andalusite and cordierite grew synchronously, although in separate microdomains, and represent the decompression stage at 565 °C and 3.5 kbar.
Petrofabric and strength of SiO2 near the quartz‐coesite phase boundary
Authors: ZHANG J. F. , SHI F. , XU H. J. , WANG L. , FENG S. Y. , LIU W. L. , WANG Y. F. , GREEN H. W.
Published: October 2012

Quartz and coesite constitute an important portion of deep subducted continental upper crust. However, the rheology and petrofabric of quartz and coesite are not well constrained under high‐pressure (HP)/ultrahigh‐pressure (UHP) metamorphic conditions both in laboratory and in nature. We report here the first deformation microstructure and lattice preferred orientations of garnet, omphacite, interstitial coesite, quartz and rutile in UHP eclogites from the Yangkou Bay, Sulu UHP terrane, as well as fabric development of quartz and coesite in shear experiments at P–T conditions near the quartz‐coesite phase boundary. Our results show: (i) garnet and coesite develop weak to random fabric while omphacite, quartz and rutile develop pronounced fabrics in deformed natural eclogites; (ii) quartz develops fabrics in responding to a dominant c‐slip with increasing shear strain under HP/UHP conditions; (iii) coesite develops fabrics in responding to a dominant [100](010) slip with increasing shear strain under UHP conditions; and (iv) the relative strengths of major constituent minerals in continental deep subduction zones are quartz < omphacite < coesite. These results are consistent with the rheology determined in the laboratory for quartz, jadeite/omphacite and coesite. We propose that jadeite/omphacite dominates the rheology and seismic anisotropy of deeply subducted continental crust.
TRPC6 inhibited NMDA receptor activities and protected neurons from ischemic excitotoxicity
Authors: Li Hongyu , Huang Junbo , Du Wanlu , Jia Caixia , Yao Hailan , Wang Yizheng
Published: October 2012

Excitotoxicity induced by NMDA receptor‐mediated intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) overload is a major cause of delayed neuronal death in cerebral ischemia. Transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) 6 protects neurons from ischemic brain damage. However, the mechanisms by which TRPC6 protects neurons are largely unknown. Here, we reported that TRPC6 suppressed the [Ca2+]i elevation induced by NMDA and protected neurons from excitotoxicity. Over‐expressing or down‐regulating TRPC6 suppressed or aggravated Ca2+ overload under excitotoxicity, respectively. TRPC6 protected cultured neurons from damage caused by NMDA toxicity or oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Moreover, the infarct volume in TRPC6 transgenic (Tg) mice was smaller than that in wild‐type (WT) littermates. The TRPC6 Tg mice had better behavior performance and lower mortality than their WT littermates. Thus, TRPC6 inhibited NMDA receptor‐triggered neurotoxicity and protected neurons from ischemic brain damage. Increase in TRPC6 activity could be a potential strategy for stroke prevention and therapy.
Gingival crevicular fluid adrenomedullin level in individuals with and without diabetes mellitus type 2
Authors: Ertugrul A. S. , Dikilitas A. , Sahin H. , Alpaslan N. Z. , Bozoglan A.
Published: October 2012

Background and Objective

Adrenomedullin, an antimicrobial peptide, has biological applications in many tissues, but its main attribute is its ability to lower arterial pressure. The plasma adrenomedullin level is elevated in pathophysiological conditions such as arterial hypertension, acute coronary syndrome, renal diseases, diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the amounts of adrenomedullin in the gingival crevicular fluid of periodontally healthy individuals, individuals with chronic periodontitis, periodontally healthy individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2 and individuals with chronic periodontitis and diabetes mellitus type 2.

Material and Methods

Eighty‐four individuals were included in this study: 21 periodontally healthy individuals; 21 individuals with chronic periodontitis; 21 periodontally healthy individuals with diabetes mellitus type 2; and 21 individuals with chronic periodontitis and diabetes mellitus type 2. An ELISA was performed to measure the adrenomedullin levels in gingival crevicular fluid.

Results

Groups with diabetes mellitus type 2 (periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with chronic periodontitis) had significantly higher periodontal clinical indices than did nondiabetes mellitus groups (periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with chronic periodontitis). The group of individuals with chronic periodontitis and diabetes mellitus type 2 had a significantly higher total adrenomedullin level compared with the other groups. Also, a significantly higher total adrenomedullin level was found in diabetes mellitus type 2 groups (periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with chronic periodontitis) compared with nondiabetes mellitus groups (periodontally healthy individuals and individuals with chronic periodontitis).

Conclusions

An increased adrenomedullin level was found in individuals with chronic periodontitis and also in individuals with diabetes mellitus. It is thought that the effect of diabetes mellitus on the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis could have been achieved through antimicrobial peptides such as adrenomedullin, or that increased adrenomedullin was released in individuals with diabetes mellitus in order to ensure no further periodontal tissue loss.
Mitochondrial β‐oxidation regulates organellar integrity and is necessary for conidial germination and invasive growth in Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Patkar Rajesh N. , Ramos‐Pamplona Marilou , Gupta Archna P. , Fan Yang , Naqvi Naweed I.
Published: October 2012

Fatty acids stored as triglycerides, an important source of cellular energy, are catabolized through β‐oxidation pathways predicted to occur both in peroxisomes and mitochondria in filamentous fungi. Here, we characterize the function of Enoyl‐CoA hydratase Ech1, a mitochondrial β‐oxidation enzyme, in the model phytopathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. Ech1 was found to be essential for conidial germination and viability of older hyphae. Unlike wild‐type Magnaporthe, the ech1Δ failed to utilize C14 fatty acid and was partially impeded in growth on C16 and C18 fatty acids. Surprisingly, loss of β‐oxidation led to significantly altered mitochondrial morphology and integrity with ech1Δ showing predominantly vesicular/punctate mitochondria in contrast to the fused tubular network in wild‐type Magnaporthe. The ech1Δ appressoria were aberrant and displayed reduced melanization. Importantly, we show that the significantly reduced ability of ech1Δ to penetrate the host and establish therein is a direct consequence of enhanced sensitivity of the mutant to oxidative stress, as the defects could be remarkably reversed through exogenous antioxidants. Overall, our comparative analyses reveal that peroxisomal lipid catabolism is essential for appressorial function of host penetration, whereas mitochondrial β‐oxidation primarily contributes to conidial viability and maintenance of redox homeostasis during host colonization by Magnaporthe.
Menaquinone biosynthesis potentiates haem toxicity in Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Wakeman Catherine A. , Hammer Neal D. , Stauff Devin L. , Attia Ahmed S. , Anzaldi Laura L. , Dikalov Sergey I. , Calcutt M. Wade , Skaar Eric P.
Published: October 2012

Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that infects multiple anatomical sites leading to a diverse array of diseases. Although vertebrates can restrict the growth of invading pathogens by sequestering iron within haem, S. aureus surmounts this challenge by employing high‐affinity haem uptake systems. However, the presence of excess haem is highly toxic, necessitating tight regulation of haem levels. To overcome haem stress, S. aureus expresses the detoxification system HrtAB. In this work, a transposon screen was performed in the background of a haem‐susceptible, HrtAB‐deficient S. aureus strain to identify the substrate transported by this putative pump and the source of haem toxicity. While a recent report indicates that HrtAB exports haem itself, the haem‐resistant mutants uncovered by the transposon selection enabled us to elucidate the cellular factors contributing to haem toxicity. All mutants identified in this screen inactivated the menaquinone (MK) biosynthesis pathway. Deletion of the final steps of this pathway revealed that quinone molecules localizing to the cell membrane potentiate haem‐associated superoxide production and subsequent oxidative damage. These data suggest a model in which membrane‐associated haem and quinone molecules form a redox cycle that continuously generates semiquinones and reduced haem, both of which react with atmospheric oxygen to produce superoxide.
Role of MyD88‐dependent and MyD88‐independent signaling in Porphyromonas gingivalis‐elicited macrophage foam cell formation
Authors: Shaik‐Dasthagirisaheb Y.B. , Huang N. , Baer M.T. , Gibson F.C.
Published: October 2012

Clinical studies and experimental modeling identify a potential link between periodontal disease and periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and atherosclerosis and formation of macrophage foam cells. Toll‐like receptors and molecules governing their intracellular signaling pathways such as MyD88 play roles in atherosclerosis, as well as host response to P. gingivalis. The aim of this study was to define roles of MyD88 and TRIF during macrophage foam cell formation in response to P. gingivalis. In the presence of human low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) mouse bone‐marrow‐derived macrophages (BMφ) cultured with P. gingivalis responded with significant reduction in tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6). The BMφ stained strongly with oil red O, regardless of whether bacterial challenge occurred concurrent with or before LDL treatment. Heat‐killed P. gingivalis stimulated foam cell formation in a similar way to live bacteria. The BMφ from MyD88‐knockout and Lps2 mice revealed a significant role for MyD88, and a minor role for TRIF in P. gingivalis‐elicited foam cell formation. Porphyromonas gingivalis‐elicited TNF‐α and IL‐6 were affected by MyD88 ablation and to a lesser extent by TRIF status. These data indicate that LDL affects the TNF‐α and IL‐6 response of macrophages to P. gingivalis challenge and that MyD88 and TRIF play important roles in P. gingivalis‐elicited foam cell formation.
Calmodulin‐related CML24 interacts with ATG4b and affects autophagy progression in Arabidopsis
Authors: Tsai Yu‐Chang , Koo Yeonjong , Delk Nikkí A. , Gehl Bernadette , Braam Janet
Published: October 2012

Plants encounter environmental stress challenges that are distinct from those of other eukaryotes because of their relative immobility. Therefore, plants may have evolved distinct regulatory mechanisms for conserved cellular functions. Plants, like other eukaryotes, share aspects of both calcium‐ and calmodulin‐based cellular signaling and the autophagic process of cellular renewal. Here, we report a novel function for an Arabidopsis calmodulin‐related protein, CML24, and insight into ATG4‐regulated autophagy. CML24 interacts with ATG4b in yeast two‐hybrid, in vitro pull‐down and transient tobacco cell transformation assays. Mutants with missense mutations in CML24 have aberrant ATG4 activity patterns in in vitro extract assays, altered ATG8 accumulation levels, an altered pattern of GFP–ATG8‐decorated cellular structures, and altered recovery from darkness‐induced starvation. Together, these results support the conclusion that CML24 affects autophagy progression through interactions with ATG4.
Chlorophyll a phytylation is required for the stability of photosystems I and II in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803
Authors: Shpilyov Alexey V. , Zinchenko Vladislav V. , Grimm Bernhard , Lokstein Heiko
Published: October 2012

In oxygenic phototrophic organisms, the phytyl ‘tail’ of chlorophyll a is formed from a geranylgeranyl residue by the enzyme geranylgeranyl reductase. Additionally, in oxygenic phototrophs, phytyl residues are the tail moieties of tocopherols and phylloquinone. A mutant of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 lacking geranylgeranyl reductase, ΔchlP, was compared to strains with specific deficiencies in either tocopherols or phylloquinone to assess the role of chlorophyll a phytylatation (versus geranylgeranylation). The tocopherol‐less Δhpt strain grows indistinguishably from the wild‐type under ‘standard’ light photoautotrophic conditions, and exhibited only a slightly enhanced rate of photosystem I degradation under strong irradiation. The phylloquinone‐less ΔmenA mutant also grows photoautotrophically, albeit rather slowly and only at low light intensities. Under strong irradiation, ΔmenA retained its chlorophyll content, indicative of stable photosystems. ΔchlP may only be cultured photomixotrophically (due to the instability of both photosystems I and II). The increased accumulation of myxoxanthophyll in ΔchlP cells indicates photo‐oxidative stress even under moderate illumination. Under high‐light conditions, ΔchlP exhibited rapid degradation of photosystems I and II. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that chlorophyll a phytylation is important for the (photo)stability of photosystems I and II, which, in turn, is necessary for photoautotrophic growth and tolerance of high light in an oxygenic environment.
Laminar Natural Convection of Power-Law Fluids in a Square Enclosure With Differentially Heated Sidewalls Subjected to Constant Wall Heat Flux
Authors: Turan Osman , Sachdeva Anuj , Poole Robert J. , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: October 2012

Two-dimensional steady-state laminar natural convection of inelastic power-law non-Newtonian fluids in square enclosures with differentially heated sidewalls subjected to constant wall heat flux (CHWF) are studied numerically. To complement the simulations, a scaling analysis is also performed to elucidate the anticipated effects of Rayleigh number (Ra), Prandtl number (Pr) and power-law index (n) on the Nusselt number. The effects of n in the range 0.6 ≤ n ≤ 1.8 on heat and momentum transport are investigated for nominal values Ra in the range 103–106 and a Pr range of 10–105. In addition the results are compared with the constant wall temperature (CWT) configuration. It is found that the mean Nusselt number Nu¯ increases with increasing values of Ra for both Newtonian and power-law fluids in both configurations. However, the Nu¯ values for the vertical walls subjected to CWHF are smaller than the corresponding values in the same configuration with CWT (for identical values of nominal Ra, Pr and n). The Nu¯ values obtained for power-law fluids with n<1 (n>1) are greater (smaller) than that obtained in the case of Newtonian fluids with the same nominal value of Ra due to strengthening (weakening) of convective transport. With increasing shear-thickening (i.e., n > 1) the mean Nusselt number Nu¯ settles to unity (Nu¯=1.0) as heat transfer takes place principally due to thermal conduction. The effects of Pr are shown to be essentially negligible in the range 10–105. New correlations are proposed for the mean Nusselt number Nu¯ for both Newtonian and power-law fluids.
Analytical Solution of the Hyperbolic Heat Conduction Equation for a Moving Finite Medium Under the Effect of Time Dependent Laser Heat Source
Authors: Al-khairy R. T.
Published: October 2012

This paper presents an analytical solution of the hyperbolic heat conduction equation for a moving finite medium under the effect of a time-dependent laser heat source. Laser heating is modeled as an internal heat source, whose capacity is given by g(x,t) = I(t) (1 – R)μe−μx while the finite body has an insulated boundary. The solution is obtained by the Laplace transforms method, and the discussion of solutions for two time characteristics of heat source capacities (instantaneous and exponential) is presented. The effect of the dimensionless medium velocity on the temperature profiles is examined in detail. It is found that there exists clear phase shifts in connection with the dimensionless velocity U in the spatial temperature distributions: the temperature curves with negative U values lag behind the reference curves with zero U, while the ones with positive U values precedes the reference curves. It is also found that the phase differences are the sole products of U, with increasing U predicting larger phase differences.
A Nearly Exact Reformulation of the Girsanov Linearization for Stochastically Driven Nonlinear Oscillators
Authors: Raveendran Tara , Roy D. , Vasu R. M.
Published: October 2012

The Girsanov linearization method (GLM), proposed earlier in Saha, N., and Roy, D., 2007, “The Girsanov Linearisation Method for Stochastically Driven Nonlinear Oscillators,” J. Appl. Mech.,74, pp. 885–897, is reformulated to arrive at a nearly exact, semianalytical, weak and explicit scheme for nonlinear mechanical oscillators under additive stochastic excitations. At the heart of the reformulated linearization is a temporally localized rejection sampling strategy that, combined with a resampling scheme, enables selecting from and appropriately modifying an ensemble of locally linearized trajectories while weakly applying the Girsanov correction (the Radon–Nikodym derivative) for the linearization errors. The semianalyticity is due to an explicit linearization of the nonlinear drift terms and it plays a crucial role in keeping the Radon–Nikodym derivative “nearly bounded” above by the inverse of the linearization time step (which means that only a subset of linearized trajectories with low, yet finite, probability exceeds this bound). Drift linearization is conveniently accomplished via the first few (lower order) terms in the associated stochastic (Ito) Taylor expansion to exclude (multiple) stochastic integrals from the numerical treatment. Similarly, the Radon–Nikodym derivative, which is a strictly positive, exponential (super-) martingale, is converted to a canonical form and evaluated over each time step without directly computing the stochastic integrals appearing in its argument. Through their numeric implementations for a few low-dimensional nonlinear oscillators, the proposed variants of the scheme, presently referred to as the Girsanov corrected linearization method (GCLM), are shown to exhibit remarkably higher numerical accuracy over a much larger range of the time step size than is possible with the local drift-linearization schemes on their own.
Analytical Solution of Coupled Thermoelastic Axisymmetric Transient Waves in a Transversely Isotropic Half-Space
Authors: Raoofian Naeeni M. , Eskandari-Ghadi M. , Ardalan Alireza A. , Rahimian M. , Hayati Y.
Published: October 2012

A half-space containing transversely isotropic thermoelastic material with a depth-wise axis of material symmetry is considered to be under the effects of axisymmetric transient surface thermal and forced excitations. With the use of a new scalar potential function, the coupled equations of motion and energy equation are uncoupled, and the governing equation for the potential function, is solved with the use of Hankel and Laplace integral transforms. As a result, the displacements and temperature are represented in the form of improper double integrals. The solutions are also investigated in detail for surface traction and thermal pulses varying with time as Heaviside step function. It is also shown that the derived solutions degenerate to the results given in the literature for isotropic materials. Some numerical evaluations for displacement and temperature functions for two different transversely isotropic materials with different degree of anisotropy are presented to portray the dependency of response on the thermal properties as well as the degree of anisotropy of the medium.
A Constraint on the Consistence of Transverse Shear Strain Energy in the Higher-Order Shear Deformation Theories of Elastic Plates
Authors: Shi Guangyu , Wang Xiaodan
Published: October 2012

This paper studies how to improve the third-order shear deformation theories of isotropic plates, which is a question raised by late Reissner in 1985 (ASME Appl. Mech. Rev., 38, pp.1453–1464). It is demonstrated in this paper that a proper displacement field with the higher-order shear deformations given by the method of displacement assumption should satisfy the constraint on the consistence of the transverse shear strain energy a priori in addition to the traction conditions on plate surfaces. This additional constraint on the assumed displacement fields with the higher-order shear deformations is in line with Love's criterion of the consistent first approximation to the strain energy wherein the transverse shear strain energy is included. The constraint on the consistence of the transverse shear strain energy is physically similar to the requirement for the use of the shear coefficients in the first-order shear deformation plate theories proposed by Reissner and Mindlin, respectively. A procedure to improve the assumed displacement field with the third-order shear deformations is presented. The present study shows that the various displacement fields with the simple third-order shear deformations would be identical when the constraint on the consistence of the transverse shear strain energy is enforced.
Image registration using radial basis functions with adaptive radius
Authors: Shusharina Nadezhda , Sharp Gregory
Published: October 2012

Purpose:

Deformable registration of medical images often requires initial rigid alignment. Because of variations in the articulation of bony structures, rigid alignment can capture only limited regions of the image. We propose a method that allows us to compensate for misalignment of mobile parts, which leads to improved accuracy of deformable registration. The method is based on matching landmarks using radial basis functions (RBF) with adaptive radius.

Methods:

Based on the assumption that the compactly positioned landmarks likely delineate an anatomic structure whose position needs to be corrected, the algorithm incorporates unsupervised clustering of landmarks based on their positions within the reference image. It calculates an appropriate RBF radius based on the set of pairwise distances between landmarks within the cluster. The algorithm distinguishes between clusters of different size and between clusters of spherical and elongated shape, and assigns the optimal RBF radius for each cluster in order to restrict the deformation field to the closest vicinity of the structure of interest.

Results:

Experiments with synthetic images demonstrate sensitivity of registration results to the choice of the radius of RBF support. We have statistically validated the methods on a large set of pulmonary landmarks. We also tested the method on medical use cases that show that it is potentially advantageous for initial registration of images with large spatial dislocations.

Conclusions:

The results of registration of CT images demonstrate that an automated selection of the RBF radius simplifies the registration routine and improves the registration quality. The selection is based on two criteria of preserving diffeomorphism of deformation and localization of the deformation within a desired area of the image.
Effects of shapes and symmetries of scatterers on acoustic dual-negative refraction
Authors: Wang Yu-ran , Zhang Hui , Zhang Shu-yi , Fan Li
Published: October 2012

The potential operating conditions of acoustic dual-negative refraction (ADNR) are investigated by band structure theory for scatterers with different shapes and symmetries. Specifically, two types of lattices (triangular and honeycomb) and four different shapes of scatterers (circle, hexagon, square and triangle) are considered. Based on the generation mechanism of the ADNR effect, which is dependent on the frequency of the incident wave at the overlapping second and third Bloch bands, the optimum operating frequencies of ADNR with different crystal structures are given. The calculations demonstrate that the ADNR effect can be generated at the normalized frequency from 0.8 to 1.05.
Draft Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus vitulinus F1028, a Strain Isolated from a Block of Fermented Soybean
Authors: Nam Young-Do , Chung Won-Hyong , Seo Myung-Ji , Lim Seong-Il
Published: October 2012

Staphylococcus vitulinus
is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus in the family
Staphylococcaceae
. This report describes the draft genome sequence of
S. vitulinus
F1028, which was isolated from a traditional Korean soybean food (meju). This 2.56-Mbp genome sequence is the first
S. vitulinus
genome of a strain isolated from a fermented soybean product.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus anthracis UR-1, Isolated from a German Heroin User
Authors: Rückert Christian , Licht Katharina , Kalinowski Jörn , Espírito Santo Christophe , Antwerpen Markus , Hanczaruk Matthias , Reischl Udo , Holzmann Thomas , Gessner André , Tiemann Carsten , Grass Gregor
Published: October 2012

We report the draft genome sequence of
Bacillus anthracis
UR-1, isolated from a fatal case of injectional anthrax in a German heroin user. Analysis of the genome sequence of strain UR-1 may aid in describing phylogenetic relationships between virulent heroin-associated isolates of
B. anthracis
isolated in the United Kingdom, Germany, and other European countries.
Genomic Comparison of Kingella kingae Strains
Authors: Fournier Pierre-Edouard , Rouli Laetitia , El Karkouri Khalid , Nguyen Thi-Tien , Yagupsky Pablo , Raoult Didier
Published: October 2012

Kingella kingae
is a betaproteobacterium from the order
Neisseriales
, and it is an agent of invasive infections in children. We sequenced the genome from the septic arthritis strain 11220434. It is composed of a 1,990,794-bp chromosome but no plasmid, and it contains 2,042 protein-coding genes and 52 RNA genes, including 3 rRNA genes.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream Isolate PABL056
Authors: Ozer Egon A. , Allen Jonathan P. , Hauser Alan R.
Published: October 2012

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an important cause of disease in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. The genome of
P. aeruginosa
is among the largest of bacteria pathogenic to humans. We present the draft genome sequence of
P. aeruginosa
strain PABL056, a human bloodstream isolate with the largest genome yet reported in
P. aeruginosa
.
Complete Genome Sequence of Methylocystis sp. Strain SC2, an Aerobic Methanotroph with High-Affinity Methane Oxidation Potential
Authors: Dam Bomba , Dam Somasri , Kube Michael , Reinhardt Richard , Liesack Werner
Published: October 2012

Methylocystis
sp. strain SC2 is an aerobic type II methanotroph isolated from a highly polluted aquifer in Germany. A specific trait of the SC2 strain is the expression of two isozymes of particulate methane monooxygenase with different methane oxidation kinetics. Here we report the complete genome sequence of this methanotroph that contains not only a circular chromosome but also two large plasmids.
Genome Sequence of Legionella tunisiensis Strain LegM
T
, a New Legionella Species Isolated from Hypersaline Lake Water
Authors: Pagnier Isabelle , Boughalmi Mondher , Croce Olivier , Robert Catherine , Raoult Didier , La Scola Bernard
Published: October 2012

Legionella tunisiensis
is a gammaproteobacterium from the class
Legionellaceae
, growing in amoebae. We sequenced the genome from strain LegM
T
. It is composed of 3,508,121 bp and contains 4,747 protein-coding genes and 38 RNA genes, including 3 rRNA genes.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Streptococcus pyogenes Strains Involved in Abnormal Sharp Raised Scarlet Fever in China, 2011
Authors: You Yuanhai , Yang Xianwei , Song Yanyan , Yan Xiaomei , Yuan Yanting , Li Dongfang , Yan Yanfeng , Wang Haibin , Tao Xiaoxia , Li Leilei , Jiang Xihong , Zhou Hao , Xiao Di , Jin Lianmei , Feng Zijian , Yang Ruifu , Luo Fengji , Cui Yujun , Zhang Jianzhong
Published: October 2012

A scarlet fever outbreak caused by
Streptococcus pyogenes
occurred in China in 2011. To determine the genomic features of the outbreak strains, we deciphered genomes of two strains isolated from the regions with the highest incidence rates. The sequences will provide valuable information for comprehensive study of mechanisms related to this outbreak.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Extremely Drug-Resistant KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST258 Epidemic Strain
Authors: Chmelnitsky I. , Doniger T. , Shklyar M. , Naparstek L. , Banin E. , Edgar R. , Carmeli Y.
Published: October 2012

Extremely drug-resistant (XDR)
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase-producing clone ST258 has rapidly disseminated worldwide. We report here the draft genome sequence of the
K. pneumoniae
ST258 XDR clinical strain from Israel.
Somatotopic mismatch following stroke: a pathophysiological condition escaping detection
Authors: Birznieks Ingvars , Logina Inara , Wasner Gunnar
Published: October 2012

Clinical evaluation of somatosensory deficits in stroke patients is very limited and usually does not include testing of somatotopic organisation, which is a prerequisite for meaningful interpretation of sensory input and sensorimotor control. Detailed tactile testing of the left hand of a 54-year-old patient suffering from sensory deficit and central pain after a right-sided stroke revealed severe distortion of somatotopic sensory maps as evidenced by incorrect localisation of the point stimuli. Unlike previously reported gross somatotopic remapping taking place within reduced representational space after lesion, this is the first case report revealing chaotic scrambled somatosensory maps. While the incidence of such scrambled somatotopic representation of tactile input is not yet known in stroke patients, current observations indicate that in-depth investigations of somatotopic organisation of affected area may reveal the underlying cause for various functional deficits including central pain. Thus, new rehabilitation strategies may need to be developed specifically for such patients.
Pseudoacetabulum a subtle radiological feature of a chronic dislocated total hip replacement
Authors: Odak Saurabh , Mangwani Jitendra , Ivory John
Published: October 2012

We report the presence of an unusual radiological feature of formation of pseudoacetabulum in a chronically dislocated and asymptomatic total hip arthroplasty. An elderly demented patient with a history of recurrent dislocations presented to us after an unwitnessed fall and leg length discrepancy. Radiographs showed a dislocated hip arthroplasty with a well-defined, concentric, radio-opaque shadow around the dislocated femoral head suggestive of a pseudoacetabulum. Previous radiographs revealed formation of heterotopic ossification in the soft tissues surrounding the hip. The dislocated joint was reduced under a general anaesthetic with difficulty. This case highlights the presence of heterotopic ossification and formation of pseudoacetabulum as subtle radiological features of chronic instability and dislocation.
Face and neck swelling in a 16-year-old boy
Authors: Peebles Erin , Pushpanathan Chitra , Pirzada Syed , Dancey Paul
Published: October 2012

Scleredema adultorum is a rare condition characterised by progressive collagen and mucin deposition in the skin. While the aetiology has not been clearly delineated, the condition is often associated with common infections. The current report describes a previously healthy 16-year-old boy who presented with 3 weeks of progressive neck swelling and skin induration. He had evidence of both active streptococcal and Ebstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections. Skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of scleredema. The patient was treated for his streptococcal infection, but otherwise managed conservatively. Clear improvement in the signs and symptoms was seen at a 3-month follow-up appointment. Scleredema can be a complication of streptococcal infection but to our knowledge has not been reported in association with EBV. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient presenting with cutaneous/subcutaneous induration and swelling of the face and/or neck.
Hypophosphataemia as a cause of acute confusional state
Authors: Ninan Sean , Lloyd David , Saraswat Manoj
Published: October 2012

A 74-year-old gentleman presented with an acute onset of confusion and agitation. His symptoms were so severe that he had to be sedated and intubated for CT scan. All investigations were unremarkable, except a low serum phosphate. He was treated with intravenous phosphate and his symptoms improved in line with the rise in his serum phosphate. By discharge, he had returned to his previous state of health. The cause of the hypophosphataemia was not apparent; we have asked his general practitioner to monitor his serum phosphate.