bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conserved cellular function and stress‐mediated regulation among members of the proteolipid protein family
Authors: Fernández María E. , Alfonso Julieta , Brocco Marcela A. , Frasch Alberto C.
Published: November 2009

Chronic stress causes morphological alterations in the hippocampus of rodents and tree shrews, including atrophy of CA3 dendrites and loss of synapses. The molecular mechanisms underlying these structural changes remain largely unknown. We have previously identified M6a as a stress responsive gene and shown that M6a is involved in filopodium/spine outgrowth and, likely, synapse formation. M6a belongs to the proteolipid protein (PLP) family, all of their members having four transmembrane domains that allow their localization at the plasma membrane. In the present work, we analyzed other members of this family, the closely related M6b as well as PLP and its splice variant DM20. We found that chronic restraint stress in mice reduces M6b and DM20, but not PLP, mRNA levels in the hippocampus. In addition, M6b and DM20, but again not PLP, induce filopodium formation in primary cultures of hippocampal neurons. Several M6b protein isoforms were studied, all of them having similar effects except for the one lacking the transmembrane domains. Our results reveal a conserved cellular function and a stress‐mediated regulation among members of the proteolipid protein family, suggesting an involvement of proteolipid proteins in the stress response. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multilevel regression analyses to investigate the relationship between two variables over time: Examining the longitudinal association between intrusion and avoidance
Authors: Suvak Michael K. , Walling Sherry M. , Iverson Katherine M. , Taft Casey T. , Resick Patricia A.
Published: November 2009

Multilevel modeling is a powerful and flexible framework for analyzing nested data structures (e.g., repeated measures or longitudinal designs). The authors illustrate a series of multilevel regression procedures that can be used to elucidate the nature of the relationship between two variables across time. The goal is to help trauma researchers become more aware of the utility of multilevel modeling as a tool for increasing the field's understanding of posttraumatic adaptation. These procedures are demonstrated by examining the relationship between two posttraumatic symptoms, intrusion and avoidance, across five assessment points in a sample of rape and robbery survivors (n = 286). Results revealed that changes in intrusion were highly correlated with changes in avoidance over the 18‐month posttrauma period.
Study of the soil–atmosphere moisture exchanges through convective drying tests in non‐isothermal conditions
Authors: Gerard Pierre , Léonard Angélique , Masekanya Jean‐Pierre , Charlier Robert , Collin Frédéric
Published: November 2009

This paper deals with the moisture exchanges occurring between soils and the surrounding atmosphere. Convective drying tests are performed on Awans silts at different drying temperatures and air relative humidities in order to reproduce the natural drying conditions. The experiments improve the understanding of the vapour transfers kinetics between the soil samples and the atmosphere. The experimental results are analysed assuming that the transfers take place in a boundary layer existing at the surface of the porous medium. The influence of the thermal conditions on the evaporation is also taken into account. In our model, coupled vapour and energy exchanges are controlled by mass and heat transfer coefficients characterizing the boundary layer. These coefficients are determined from the drying experiments. The modelling of the drying tests in non‐isothermal conditions is performed in order to validate the formulation of the vapour and heat exchanges. The numerical results present a good agreement with the kinetic of the materials desaturation determined during the tests. The analysis of the moisture transport mechanisms into the sample and at the boundary shows that at the beginning of the test, the drying is first achieved by the transport of moisture in its liquid form and its evaporation at the sample outer boundary in contact with the atmosphere. In a second step, vapour diffusion becomes predominant into the sample and it corresponds to the most important decrease of relative humidity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new perspective on strength measures in algebraic multigrid
Authors: Olson Luke N. , Schroder Jacob , Tuminaro Raymond S.
Published: November 2009

Algebraic‐based multilevel solution methods (e.g. classical Ruge–Stüben and smoothed aggregation style algebraic multigrid) attempt to solve or precondition sparse linear systems without knowledge of an underlying geometric grid. The automatic construction of a multigrid hierarchy relies on strength‐of connection information to coarsen the matrix graph and to determine sparsity patterns for the inter‐grid transfer operators. Strength‐of‐connection as a general concept is not well understood and the first task of this paper is therefore on understanding existing strength‐of‐connection measures and their limitations. In particular, we present a framework to interpret and clarify existing measures through differential equations. This framework leads to a new procedure for making pointwise strength‐of‐connection decisions that combines knowledge of local algebraically smooth error and of the local behavior of interpolation. The new procedure effectively addresses a variety of challenges associated with strength‐of‐connection and when incorporated within an algebraic multigrid procedure gives rise to a robust and efficient solver. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An embedded Dirichlet formulation for 3D continua
Authors: Gerstenberger A. , Wall W. A.
Published: November 2009

This paper presents a new approach for imposing Dirichlet conditions weakly on non‐fitting finite element meshes. Such conditions, also called embedded Dirichlet conditions, are typically, but not exclusively, encountered when prescribing Dirichlet conditions in the context of the eXtended finite element method (XFEM). The method's key idea is the use of an additional stress field as the constraining Lagrange multiplier function. The resulting mixed/hybrid formulation is applicable to 1D, 2D and 3D problems. The method does not require stabilization for the Lagrange multiplier unknowns and allows the complete condensation of these unknowns on the element level. Furthermore, only non‐zero diagonal‐terms are present in the tangent stiffness, which allows the straightforward application of state‐of‐the‐art iterative solvers, like algebraic multigrid (AMG) techniques. Within this paper, the method is applied to the linear momentum equation of an elastic continuum and to the transient, incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. Steady and unsteady benchmark computations show excellent agreement with reference values. The general formulation presented in this paper can also be applied to other continuous field problems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Higher‐order XFEM for curved strong and weak discontinuities
Authors: Cheng Kwok Wah , Fries Thomas‐Peter
Published: November 2009

The extended finite element method (XFEM) enables the accurate approximation of solutions with jumps or kinks within elements. Optimal convergence rates have frequently been achieved for linear elements and piecewise planar interfaces. Higher‐order convergence for arbitrary curved interfaces relies on two major issues: (i) an accurate quadrature of the Galerkin weak form for the cut elements and (ii) a careful formulation of the enrichment, which should preclude any problems in the blending elements. For (i), we employ a strategy of subdividing the elements into subcells with only one curved side. Reference elements that are higher‐order on only one side are then used to map the integration points to the real element. For (ii), we find that enrichments for strong discontinuities are easily extended to higher‐order accuracy. In contrast, problems in blending elements may hinder optimal convergence for weak discontinuities. Different formulations are investigated, including the corrected XFEM. Numerical results for several test cases involving strong or weak curved discontinuities are presented. Quadratic and cubic approximations are investigated. Optimal convergence rates are achieved using the standard XFEM for the case of a strong discontinuity. Close‐to‐optimal convergence rates for the case of a weak discontinuity are achieved using the corrected XFEM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A finite element‐based level set method for structural optimization
Authors: Xing Xianghua , Wei Peng , Wang Michael Yu
Published: November 2009

A finite element‐based level set method is implemented for structural optimization. The streamline diffusion finite element method is used for solving both the level set equation and the reinitialization equation. The lumped scheme is addressed and the accuracy is compared with the conventional finite difference‐based level set method. A Dirichlet boundary condition is enforced during the reinitialization to prevent the boundary from drifting. Numerical examples of minimum mean compliance design illustrate the reliability of the proposed optimization method. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A reinforcement learning‐based scheme for direct adaptive optimal control of linear stochastic systems
Authors: Wong Wee Chin , Lee Jay H.
Published: November 2009

Reinforcement learning where decision‐making agents learn optimal policies through environmental interactions is an attractive paradigm for model‐free, adaptive controller design. However, results for systems with continuous state and action variables are rare. In this paper, we present convergence results for optimal linear quadratic control of discrete‐time linear stochastic systems. This work can be viewed as a generalization of a previous work on deterministic linear systems. Key differences between the algorithms for deterministic and stochastic systems are highlighted through examples. The usefulness of the algorithm is demonstrated through a nonlinear chemostat bioreactor case study. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling viscoelastic properties of triblock copolymers: A DPD simulation study
Authors: Sliozberg Yelena R. , Andzelm Jan W. , Brennan John K. , Vanlandingham Mark R. , Pryamitsyn Victor , Ganesan Venkat
Published: November 2009

Gel systems based on self‐assembled, amphiphilic ABA triblock copolymers in midblock‐selective solvent form stable, spatially extended networks with controllable morphology and tunable viscoelastic behavior. In this work, we systematically evaluate the mechanical properties of these gels using morphology calculations, and a nonequilibrium oscillatory shear technique based on the dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) method. Our simulations demonstrate that low molecular weight triblock copolymers with incompatible blocks self‐assemble into micelles connected with bridges and loop‐like chains comprised of the solvent‐selective polymer midblocks. The fraction of bridges, ϕb, generally increases with increasing relative volume of the midblock, x, defined as the ratio of midblock and endblock volumes ($ x = {{V_{\rm B} } \over {V_{\rm A} }} $). For our model, ϕb reaches a plateau at approximately x > 9 for a strongly selective solvent. At this limit, the value of ϕb increases from 0.40 to about 0.66 as the copolymer concentration, c, increases from 0.2 to 0.5; however, this increase is less significant at higher concentrations. The elastic response of the gel studied here is comparable with the Rouse modulus. The elastic modulus increases with polymer concentration, and it exhibits a broad peak within 6 < x < 12. Finally, we present an approximate method to predict the elastic modulus of unentangled ABA triblock copolymers based solely on the morphology of the micellar gel, which can be gleaned from equilibrium DPD simulations. We demonstrate that our simulation results are in good qualitative agreement with other theoretical predictions and experimental data. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 48: 15–25, 2010
Approximate trajectory tracking of input‐disturbed PVTOL aircraft with delayed attitude measurements
Authors: Zhu Bo , Wang Xinhua , Cai Kai‐Yuan
Published: November 2009

In this paper, we address the flight‐trajectory tracking problem of an input‐disturbed planar vertical take‐off and landing (PVTOL) aircraft with delayed attitude measurements. By applying the first‐order Padé approximation to deal with the time delay functions, the problem is reduced to the output tracking of a new non‐minimum‐phase system without delay. A tracking controller, consisting of a linear static‐state feedback term, a switching control term and a nonlinear auxiliary input term, is proposed for robust stabilization of the output‐tracking errors together with the internal dynamics. Numerical simulations are performed to show the main results. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polychronicity in top management teams: The impact on strategic decision processes and performance of new technology ventures
Authors: Souitaris Vangelis , Maestro B. M. Marcello
Published: November 2009

This study focuses on polychronicity as a cultural dimension of top management teams (TMTs). TMT polychronicity is the extent to which team members mutually prefer and tend to engage in multiple tasks simultaneously or intermittently instead of one at a time and believe that this is the best way of doing things. We explore the impact of TMT polychronicity on strategic decision speed and comprehensiveness and, subsequently, its effect on new venture financial performance. Contrary to popular time‐management principles advocating task prioritization and focused sequential execution, we found that TMT polychronicity has a positive effect on firm performance in the context of dynamic unanalyzable environments. This effect is partially mediated by strategic decision speed and comprehensiveness. Our study contributes to research on strategic leadership by focusing on a novel value‐based characteristic of the TMT (polychronicity) and by untangling the decision‐making processes that relate TMT characteristics and firm performance. It also contributes to the attention‐based view of the firm by positioning polychronicity as a new type of attention structure. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Y2O3 Nanoparticles of Various Morphologies
Authors: Andelman Tamar , Gordonov Simon , Busto Gabrielle , Moghe Prabhas V. , Riman Richard E.
Published: November 2009

As the field of nanotechnology continues to grow, evaluating the cytotoxicity of nanoparticles is important in furthering their application within biomedicine. Here, we report the synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity of nanoparticles of different morphologies of yttrium oxide, a promising material for biological imaging applications. Nanoparticles of spherical, rod-like, and platelet morphologies were synthesized via solvothermal and hydrothermal methods and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), light scattering, surface area analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and zeta potential measurements. Nanoparticles were then tested for cytotoxicity with human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells, with the goal of elucidating nanoparticle characteristics that influence cytotoxicity. Cellular response was different for the different morphologies, with spherical particles exhibiting no cytotoxicity to HFF cells, rod-like particles increasing cell proliferation, and platelet particles markedly cytotoxic. However, due to differences in the nanoparticle chemistry as determined through the characterization techniques, it is difficult to attribute the cytotoxicity responses to the particle morphology. Rather, the cytotoxicity of the platelet sample appears due to the stabilizing ligand, oleylamine, which was present at higher levels in this sample. This study demonstrates the importance of nanoparticle chemistry on in vitro cytotoxicity, and highlights the general importance of thorough nanoparticle characterization as a prerequisite to understanding nanoparticle cytotoxicity.
The T box mechanism: tRNA as a regulatory molecule
Authors: Green Nicholas J. , Grundy Frank J. , Henkin Tina M.
Published: November 2009

The T box mechanism is widely used in Gram‐positive bacteria to regulate expression of aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase genes and genes involved in amino acid biosynthesis and uptake. Binding of a specific uncharged tRNA to a riboswitch element in the nascent transcript causes a structural change in the transcript that promotes expression of the downstream coding sequence. In most cases, this occurs by stabilization of an antiterminator element that competes with formation of a terminator helix. Specific tRNA recognition by the nascent transcript results in increased expression of genes important for tRNA aminoacylation in response to decreased pools of charged tRNA.
Succinate dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis thaliana is regulated by light via phytochrome A
Authors: Popov Vasily N. , Eprintsev Alexander T. , Fedorin Dmitry N. , Igamberdiev Abir U.
Published: November 2009

The effect of light on succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and mRNA content was studied in Arabidopsis thaliana plants. The transition from darkness to light caused a short transient increase in the SDH activity followed by a decrease to a half of the original activity. The white or red light were found to be down‐regulating factors for the mRNA content of the sdh1‐2 and sdh2‐3 genes and SDH catalytic activity both in A. thaliana wild‐type plants and in the mutant deficient in the phytochrome B gene, but not in the mutant deficient in the phytochrome A gene, while the far‐red light of 730 nm reversed the red light effect. It is concluded that phytochrome A participates in the regulation of mitochondrial respiration through effect on SDH expression.
O‐GlcNAcylation enhances FOXO4 transcriptional regulation in response to stress
Authors: Ho Shiuh-Rong , Wang Kai , Whisenhunt Thomas R. , Huang Ping , Zhu Xiaolin , Kudlow Jeffrey E. , Paterson Andrew J.
Published: November 2009

MINT‐7299691: Ogt (uniprotkb:O15294) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Foxo4 (uniprotkb:P98177) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)
Experimental and computational determination of tRNA dynamics
Authors: Alexander Rebecca W. , Eargle John , Luthey-Schulten Zaida
Published: November 2009

As the molecular representation of the genetic code, tRNA plays a central role in the translational machinery where it interacts with several proteins and other RNAs during the course of protein synthesis. These interactions exploit the dynamic flexibility of tRNA. In this minireview, we discuss the effects of modified bases, ions, and proteins on tRNA structure and dynamics and the challenges of observing its motions over the cycle of translation.
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium lipopolysaccharide deacylation enhances its intracellular growth within macrophages
Authors: Kawano Miyuki , Manabe Takayuki , Kawasaki Kiyoshi
Published: November 2009

Modification of lipid A is essential for bacterial adaptation to its host. Salmonella Typhimurium LpxR potentially detoxifies lipid A by 3′‐O‐deacylation; however, the involvement of deacylation in its adaptation remains unclear. LpxR‐dependent 3′‐O‐deacylation was observed in the stationary phase. When macrophages were infected with stationary phase bacteria, the intracellular growth of the lpxR‐null strain was lower than that of the wild‐type strain. Furthermore, the expression level of inducible nitric oxide synthase was higher in the cells infected with the lpxR‐null strain than in the cells infected with the wild‐type strain. These results indicate that lipid A 3′‐O‐deacylation is beneficial for intracellular growth.
Adrenomedullin protects against hypoxia/reoxygenation‐induced cell death by suppression of reactive oxygen species via thiol redox systems
Authors: Kim Su-Mi , Kim Jee-Youn , Lee Sun , Park Jae-Hoon
Published: November 2009

Adrenomedullin (ADM) functions as a survival factor against hypoxic cell death. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the cell survival pathway remain largely unknown. In this report, we showed that ADM suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase by inhibiting reduction of glutathione (GSH) level in hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury, and increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and reductase. In addition, ADM maintained total and active reduced thioredoxin (Trx) levels against H/R. We also found that ADM blocked nuclear translocation of Trx induced by H/R. The results of the present study show that ADM regulates cellular ROS levels via the GSH and Trx system.
Functional expansion of human tRNA synthetases achieved by structural inventions
Authors: Guo Min , Schimmel Paul , Yang Xiang-Lei
Published: November 2009

Known as an essential component of the translational apparatus, the aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetase family catalyzes the first step reaction in protein synthesis, that is, to specifically attach each amino acid to its cognate tRNA. While preserving this essential role, tRNA synthetases developed other roles during evolution. Human tRNA synthetases, in particular, have diverse functions in different pathways involving angiogenesis, inflammation and apoptosis. The functional diversity is further illustrated in the association with various diseases through genetic mutations that do not affect aminoacylation or protein synthesis. Here we review the accumulated knowledge on how human tRNA synthetases used structural inventions to achieve functional expansions.
Clifford Geertz, Cultural Portraits, and Southeast Asia
Authors: Yengoyan Aram A.
Published: November 2009

With the death of Clifford Geertz (1926–2006), both anthropology and Asian studies lost one of their most prominent, influential, and wide-ranging figures, as many obituaries and retrospective assessments of his life and work have noted (see, e.g., the unusually thoughtful and balanced one by Sherry Ortner, 2007). For more than forty years, Geertz's books and articles had a profound impact on his own discipline and on many neighboring ones, and though he dealt at length with other parts of the world, from Morocco (the subject of some of his fieldwork) to the United States (he sometimes turned his gaze to the rituals of his own culture), he often wrote about Southeast Asia, and Indonesia in particular. In terms of topics, he made major contributions to general debates on how to study history and culture, and to more specific discussions of issues such as the path that Islam took into and through individual nation-states.
After the War: A New Patriotism in Sri Lanka?
Authors: Wickramasinghe Nira
Published: November 2009

On May 19, 2009, the president of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, dressed in his traditional white sarong and shirt, solemnly addressed Parliament: “The writ of the state now runs across every inch of our territory … we have completely defeated terrorism.” The same day, photographs of the corpse of the ruthless rebel leader Vellupillai Prabhakaran adorned all of the local newspapers. With his death, the secessionist war was over—this endless war that had pitted the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) against the security forces of the government of Sri Lanka since 1983. It had sunk deep into the psyche of the people of all communities, and its terrible violence had elicited much international attention and reprimand. President Rajapaksa then addressed his citizens in the Tamil language, promising reconciliation and embracing the Tamil-speaking people in his program of recovery for the ravaged North. A “northern spring” would soon come. On the streets of Colombo, there was a feeling of trepidation, while celebrations, some spontaneous and others orchestrated by sycophantic politicians, peppered the capital. The day had been given as a special holiday for the war-weary people to celebrate by eatingkiribath(milk rice) and launching (peaceful) rockets, as fireworks are commonly called. People waved the Lion Flag and compared the president to the famous second-centurybceSinhalese hero Dutugemunu, another son of the Ruhuna (Southern Sri Lanka) who succeeded in conquering Anuradhapura from the Tamil king Elara, whom he famously slew with a dart. King Dutugemunu has long been a folk hero in Sri Lanka for uniting the country under a single rule.
Forestry Reform and the Transformation of State Capacity in Fin-de-Siècle China
Authors: Strauss Julia C.
Published: November 2009

How to best maintain public goods under conditions of chronic resource shortage and insufficient state administrative capacity is a challenge for nearly all developing states. This article concentrates on a range of attempted reforms in China's forestry sector in the 1990s. It first evaluates the dynamics of long-standing “leakiness” in forestry conservation initiatives. After a set of major floods in 1998, major uncertainties remained as to how to effectively implement conservation initiatives, given systemic underfunding and patchy administrative supervision from higher levels. The article then argues that higher (central and provincial) levels of the state have employed measures substantially unchanged since late imperial times: (1) the partial rationalization and extension of formal bureaucratic systems of direct control, and (2) the manipulation of moral incentives through exhortation and appeals to a complex trope of “cadre quality,” concluding that subjective notions of moral “character” in local leadership can combine with objective economic and infrastructural factors to either support or undercut central state initiatives.
Getting over the Walls of Discourse: “Character Fetishization” in Chinese Studies
Authors: McDonald Edward
Published: November 2009

Debates on the nature of the Chinese writing system, particularly whether Chinese characters may or may not legitimately be called “ideographs,” continue to bedevil Chinese studies. This paper considers examples of what are referred to as “discourses of character fetishization,” whereby an inordinate status is discursively created for Chinese characters in the interpretation of Chinese language, thought, and culture. The author endeavors to analyze and critique the presuppositions and implications of such discourses, with the aim of defusing the passions that have been aroused by this issue, and showing the way toward a more comprehensive and grounded understanding of the nature of Chinese characters, both as a writing system and in relation to Chinese culture and thought.
Rapid method for cholesterol analysis in bovine milk and options for applications
Authors: Viturro Enrique , Meyer Heinrich H , Gissel Carsten , Kaske Martin
Published: November 2009

The adaptation of a colorimetric technique for the analysis of cholesterol in raw milk is presented. Performance quality was satisfying (mean intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) 4·8, inter-assay CV 9·1%, linearity between 0 and 7 mm, recovery of spiked cholesterol into raw milk 98·1 and 106·3%). However, the milk fat extraction must be carried out within the 48 hours following milk sampling. When performing sampling, the significant variation of milk cholesterol composition during the milking process has to be taken into account.
Comparative study on heat stability of camel and bovine apo and holo α-lactalbumin
Authors: Atri Maliheh Sadat , Saboury Ali Akbar , Yousefi Reza , Dalgalarrondo Michèle , Chobert Jean-Marc , Haertlé Thomas , Moosavi-Movahedi Ali Akbar
Published: November 2009

The stability of camel α-lactalbumin (α-la) against heat denaturation was measured, using circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experiments were performed in the presence of saturating concentrations of calcium as well as in the presence of EDTA, yielding to the apo form of α-la. The change in heat capacity (ΔCp) suggests a greater contribution of hydrophobic interactions to the stability of holo camel α-la than in its bovine counterpart. Overall the results obtained in this study suggest a greater stability of camel α-la than the bovine protein in both holo and apo states. Also CD experiments showed similar secondary structure for camel and bovine α-la and secondary structure of camel α-la was better preserved than that of bovine α-la during heat denaturation. The differences in thermal stability between the proteins from two species can be primarily ascribed to the difference in the quantity of hydrophobic interactions involved in their folding.
Comparison of conventional and molecular methods for the routine confirmation of Listeria monocytogenes in milk products produced domestically in Croatia
Authors: Frece Jadranka , Markov Ksenija , Čvek Domagoj , Kolarec Kristina , Delaš Frane
Published: November 2009

Conventional methods for the identification of Listeria in foodstuffs are generally cumbersome and time consuming. The use of primary enrichment in half strength Fraser broth and the use of PALCAM agar were assessed in comparison with API Listeria and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for their ability to accurately detect and confirm the presence of List. monocytogenes in milk products. The aim of our work was to detect List. monocytogenes in domestic unpasteurised milk, fresh cheese and cream of raw milk taken from four different district of Zagreb-Croatia using conventional (microbiological and biochemical – API test) and PCR methods. Of the 180 milk products samples tested, 27·6% were presumptively positive for Listeria on PALCAM agar. Only 21·3% of samples were confirmed to be positive for Listeria by API Listeria test, and 17·3% were confirmed to be positive for List. monocytogenes by PCR amplification of the hly gene (64 bp). PCR was able to eliminate the false positive and detect all List. monocytogenes in the milk products, unlike the conventional methods used in the industry. These results indicate a low presence of this pathogen in this area (Zagreb) of Croatia. PCR proves to be a sensitive and rapid technique to be included in the procedure of detection of List. monocytogenes in food products and this method is considerably faster than current standard methods.
The Industrial Revolution in Miniature: The Spinning Jenny in Britain, France, and India
Authors: Allen Robert C.
Published: November 2009

The spinning jenny helps explain why the Industrial Revolution occurred in Britain rather than in France or India. Wages were exceptionally high relative to capital prices in Britain, so the jenny was profitable to use in Britain but not elsewhere. Since it was only profitable to use the jenny in Britain, that was the only country where it as worth incurring the costs of developing it. Irrespective of the quality of their institutions or the progressiveness of their cultures, neither the French nor the Indians would have found it profitable to mechanize cotton production in the eighteenth century.
Capital Formation in Machinery in Latin America, 1890-1930
Authors: Tafunell Xavier
Published: November 2009

Investment in machinery is a key component in the analysis of long-term economic growth during the spread of industrialization. This article offers consistent annual series on the magnitude of machinery imports per capita into all Latin American countries for the period 1890-1930. Analysis of these series shows that machinery imports diverged across countries from 1890 through 1913. After 1913 a number of the more backward countries experienced rapid growth in machinery imports. These large differences in machinery investment contributed to unequal development across the Latin American countries.
A Fantastic Rain of Gold: European Migrants' Remittances and Balance of Payments Adjustment During the Gold Standard Period
Authors: Esteves Rui , Khoudour-Castéras David
Published: November 2009

While the pre-1914 mass migrations have been widely studied, the related pattern of emigrants' remittances is still largely untouched. This article aims at filling this gap by analyzing the contribution of remittances to financial stability. In the optimum currency area theory, labor mobility can ease the adjustment mechanism for countries under fixed exchange rate regimes. We confirm this claim by showing that emigrants' remittances reduced the incidence of financial disturbances among a sample of emerging economies characterized by substantial emigration. This result underscores the benefits for emerging economies from opening up to international factor flows, despite the associated financial turbulence.

“A fantastic rain of gold.” Thus observers in the decades between the nineteenth and the twentieth century described the influx of capital toward Italy generated by emigration remittances. These flows were spread piecemeal across the countryside of the entire peninsula, especially into the poorest regions of marginal mountain agriculture.1
Effects of Bilateralism and the MFN Clause on International Trade: Evidence for the Cobden-Chevalier Network, 1860-1875
Authors: Lampe Markus
Published: November 2009

This study contributes to a revised picture of nineteenth-century bilateralism. Employing a new disaggregated data set, it argues that bilateral treaties did not implement general free trade, but instead reduced tariffs unevenly through commodity-specific preferences, especially favoring manufactured goods. Gravity model estimates show that specific liberalizations increased exports of corresponding items, but not overall trade. Exporters from countries whose governments used bilateralism strategically to bring down partner tariffs benefitted most. Hence, the network in form and outcome is more properly identified with reciprocal liberalization practiced by the French than with British free-trade ideology.
The spreading phase in Lighthill's model of the Weis-Fogh lift mechanism
Authors: CROWDY DARREN
Published: November 2009

Lighthill's analysis (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 60, 1973, p. 1) of the Weis-Fogh lift mechanism is extended to include the spreading phase of the cycle. Lighthill proposed a two-dimensional inviscid irrotational analytical model to compute the circulation around two flat plates (the wings) as they open out, in opposite directions, about a common centre of rotation taken to be at the point of contact of an edge of each plate (the ‘opening phase’). At a critical opening angle, the plates separate and move apart horizontally (the ‘spreading phase’). During this second phase, the fluid region becomes doubly connected and is not analysed by Lighthill. It can, however, also be studied analytically and the results are presented here. We also extend a similar analysis, in an application to turbomachinery, due to Furber & Ffowcs Williams (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 94, 1979, p. 519).
Primary meningioma of the middle ear: case report
Authors: George M , Ikonomidis C , Pusztaszeri M , Monnier P
Published: November 2009

Objective:

To report a rare case of primary meningioma of the middle ear.

Method:

We describe the case of a 55-year-old woman who presented with decreased hearing and fullness in the left ear, with a middle-ear mass. We also review the world literature regarding primary extracranial meningioma of the middle ear and its management.

Results:

Primary middle-ear meningioma, a rare clinical entity, was diagnosed in this patient based on an initial transmastoid biopsy. Magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium enhancement excluded the presence of an intracranial component. Complete excision of the tumour was achieved using a combined approach tympanoplasty. The patient had an uneventful post-operative course.

Conclusion:

Meningiomas, although rare in the middle ear, need to be included in the differential diagnosis of middle-ear lesions presenting to the otolaryngologist. This case emphasises the management strategy required when dealing with a middle-ear mass.
Unilateral agenesis of middle nasal turbinate
Authors: Aydil U , Özçelik T
Published: November 2009

Objective:

We present the first report of agenesis of the middle nasal turbinate.

Method:

We present a case report and briefly discuss the world literature.

Results:

A 57-year-old man presenting with sinonasal symptoms was evaluated clinically and radiologically. Agenesis of the patient's left middle turbinate was detected. Coronal computed tomography images showed a septal spur replacing the absent left middle turbinate.

Conclusion:

The lateral nasal wall has complex anatomy, and several anatomical variations have been reported. The most common anatomical variation of the middle nasal turbinate is concha bullosa. Unilateral agenesis of the middle nasal turbinate has not previously been reported; the presented patient represents the first reported case.
Larvae of the family Stenopodidae (Crustacea: Stenopodidea) from South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: De Almeida Fernandes Lohengrin Dias , Peixoto Bruno José F.S. , De Almeida Eduardo V. , Bonecker Sérgio Luiz Costa
Published: November 2009

Stenopodidae comprises about 28 species in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, but only two of them in the South Atlantic Ocean (SAO)—Stenopus scutellatus and S. hispidus. Larvae of S. scutellatus were never registered in SAO and those of S. hispidus remain poorly researched. The present study fully describes first to seventh zoea of S. hispidus collected in the plankton of SAO, adjacent to Brazil. In addition, eight larvae of S. scutellatus and two larvae of non-identified Stenopodidea from the same area were also described.
Abundance, distribution and behaviour of common dolphins,Delphinusspp., off north-eastern Venezuela: implications for conservation and management
Authors: Oviedo Lenin , Esteves María Alejandra , Acevedo Romina , Silva Noemi , Bolaños-Jiménez Jaime , Quevedo Ana María , Fernández Marc
Published: November 2009

The north-eastern coast of Venezuela hosts a high diversity of megafauna, particularly related with high productivity due to coastal upwelling. This area is mainly characterized by the existence of the primary fisheries in Venezuela, mostly supported by a great abundance of small pelagic species. This would explain why the area supports a wide range of marine top predators, including cetaceans. The current status of cetacean populations off north-eastern Venezuela is uncertain, mainly because research efforts have been very sparse. There are still many gaps of information in cetacean biology to establish a solid baseline that can be used for management decisions. Common dolphins (Delphinusspp.) are widely dispersed over the whole north-east basin, including waters off Araya and Paria Peninsula and around Margarita, Coche and Cubagua Islands. Areas of higher densities forDelphinusspp. coincide with the focal location of sardine fisheries and the most-active upwelling on the north-eastern coast. Therefore, a scheme of management should consider the areas of major productivity along the coast as potential critical habitat for the species. Further data collection is recommended, increasing aspects such as trophic ecology and the continuity of behavioural sampling, paired with systematic line transect estimation.
Molecular phylogeny of enigmatic Caribbean spider crabs from the Mithrax–Mithraculus species complex (Brachyura: Majidae: Mithracinae): ecological diversity and a formal test of genera monophyly
Authors: Baeza J. Antonio , Bolaños Juan A. , Fuentes Soledad , Hernandez Jesús E. , Lira Carlos , López Régulo
Published: November 2009

Crabs from the Mithrax–Mithraculus species complex are known for their diversity of lifestyles, habitats, and coloration. This group includes small, colourful, symbiotic species and much larger, reef-dwelling crabs targeted by fishermen. The evolutionary relationships between the species within this complex are not well-defined. Previous studies based upon morphological characters have proposed the separation of this complex into two genera (Mithrax and Mithraculus), but cladistic analyses based upon larval characters do not support this division. A molecular phylogeny of the group may help to resolve this long-standing taxonomic question and shed light on the ecological conditions driving the diversity of these crabs. Using a 550-bp alignment of the 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA segment we examined the phylogenetic relationships between 8 species within the Mithrax–Mithraculus complex native to the Caribbean. The resulting phylogeny indicates that this complex is paraphyletic, as it includes the genus Microphrys. The analyses revealed a well-supported, monophyletic group containing four species of Mithraculus (M. cinctimanus, M. coryphe, M. sculptus and M. forceps) and supported one pair of sister species from the genus Mithrax (M. caribbaeus and M. spinosissimus). No complete segregation of species, according to genera, was evident, however, from tree topologies. Bayesian-factor analyses revealed strong support for the unconstrained tree instead of alternative trees in which monophyly of the two genera was forced. Thus, the present molecular phylogeny does not support the separation of the species within this complex into the genera Mithrax and Mithraculus. A review of the literature demonstrated considerable phenotypic variation within monophyletic clades in this group.
Growth rate and chemical features of the massive calcium carbonate skeleton of Petrobiona massiliana (Baeriida: Calcaronea: Calcispongiae)
Authors: Hermans Julie , Dubois Philippe , Andre Luc , Vacelet Jean , Willenz Philippe
Published: November 2009

In addition to the spicules typically produced by sponges, about twenty hypercalcified species belonging to both classes Demospongiae and Calcispongiae secrete a massive basal calcareous skeleton composed of calcite or aragonite. Skeletal growth rates and growth mechanisms are still poorly known in those hypercalcified Calcispongiae. In situ calcein staining experimentation on the Mediterranean calcisponge Petrobiona massiliana revealed a mean annual growth rate of the massive skeleton of 236 µm/y (±90). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that some spicules are entrapped within the massive skeleton (a solid mass forming apical crests with multidirectional growth axes) during its formation. Whole actines were observed within the massive skeleton of fractured specimens, indicating that they do not dissolve after entrapping. Calcein incorporation bands seen through epifluorescence microscopy and SEM morphological observations of the skeletal surface revealed cone shaped protuberances corresponding to active growth areas. A spatially discontinuous growth was highlighted, but the annual growth rates were similar at the tip of crests and at the bottom of depressions separating them. The skeleton of P. massiliana is composed of magnesium calcite with strontium as the main trace element. Significant differences in skeletal chemistry of specimens collected in different Mediterranean locations revealed a possible temperature dependence of Mg/Ca. Although such temperature signature exists in the massive skeleton of P. massiliana, its use as an accurate environmental recorder is limited by several factors including multidirectional and spatially discontinuous growth.
Reproductive cycle of the sea urchinParacentrotus lividusin the Cantabrian Sea (northern Spain): environmental effects
Authors: González-Irusta J.M. , Goñi de Cerio F. , Canteras J.C.
Published: November 2009

The main objective of this study was to describe the reproductive cycle of the sea urchinParacentrotus lividuson the Cantabrian coast (north of Spain), and assess its relationship with environmental factors. To achieve this, samples were taken monthly from three localities during 17 months in two different habitats. At least 15 individuals from each location and habitat were collected during each sampling occasion and used for assessments of gonad index and histological sections. The water temperature and the chlorophyll concentration were also measured. The breeding season ofP. lividusin Cantabria started in March and continued until September with one or two main spawning periods per year (depending on year and population), the first one in the beginning of spring and the second one in the summer. The most important differences in the gonad cycle were observed among localities, and the smallest among habitats. Temperature, photoperiod and nutritive stage are important factors controlling the gonad cycle. The beginning of spawning in the Cantabrian populations coincides with the spring phytoplankton bloom and the rise in temperature, which may act as environmental triggers.
Bathyal benthic fauna of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the Azores and the Reykjanes Ridge
Authors: Gebruk Andrey V. , Budaeva Nataliya E. , King Nicola J.
Published: November 2009

The composition, taxonomic structure and distribution patterns of bathyal benthic fauna of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the Azores and the southern tip of the Reykjanes Ridge were studied from specimens collected on the ‘G.O. Sars MAR–ECO’ expedition in July 2004. Material was obtained from 16 Campelen 1800 trawls taken north of the Azores (42°N) and in two areas around the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone (CGFZ) (51°N and 53°N) at depths 1237–3527 m. A total of 192 species were recorded. Overall the MAR–ECO benthic fauna was dominated by echinoderms (49.5% of the total species sampled), sponges (18.2%) and anthozoans (16.7%). Between-station species similarity was analysed using non-metric multidimensional scaling. Our analysis revealed differences between stations from the CGFZ and the Azorean regions. Stations from the Azores formed one cluster whereas stations from the CGFZ separated into two groups related to depth: stations from depths 1263 m to 1916 m and those from 2350 m to 3512 m. The taxonomic structure of the bathyal fauna was also different in the Azores than in the CGFZ areas. At the CGFZ, taxa with the highest percentage of species present were different above and below the 2000 m bathymetric contour, in contrast close to the Azores taxa with the highest percentage of species were the same shallower and deeper than 2000 m. Our results point at turnover in benthic bathyal fauna between the Charlie-Gibbs Fracture Zone and the Azores, which could be related to the presence of the Sub-Polar Front.
National Traditions in the Music of Roberto Gerhard
Authors: White Julian
Published: November 2009

Since his death in 1970 Roberto Gerhard's posthumous reputation has suffered from precisely the kind of neglect that seems to follow the death of many a major artist. For those admirers in Britain and Spain expecting to have to wait for the centenary of his birth in 1996 for any kind of reassessment, 1992 provided an unexpected, and very welcome, interim bonus.
Notes on Gerhard's ‘Pandora’
Authors: Drew David
Published: November 2009

Gerhard composed Pandora in wartime Cambridge, England, between December 1942 and April 1943. It was commissioned for Europe's leading Modern Dance company, the Ballet Jooss, which had left Germany and its Essen base after Hitler's seizure of power, and had established itself, more or less precariously, in England. The score is dedicated ‘to Alice Isabella Roughton’, and uses the ensemble of two pianos with light percussion which Jooss had favoured since the earliest days in Germany and now found well suited to conditions of wartime austerity.
Thematicism in Gerhard's Concerto for Orchestra
Authors: Sproston Darren
Published: November 2009

The Concerto for Orchestra has probably been the most performed of Roberto Gerhard's works since its triumphant première at the 1965 Cheltenham Festival. Yet it is one of the most difficult for the listener to come to terms with, owing in part to its apparent ‘athematicism’. Any thematic aspect seems at first totally subordinated to the surface play of extreme textural and colouristic invention.