bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper bioaccumulation by the actinobacterium Amycolatopsis sp. AB0
Authors: Albarracín Virginia Helena , Winik Beatriz , Kothe Erika , Amoroso María Julia , Abate Carlos Mauricio
Published: August 2008

Amycolatopsis sp. AB0, a copper resistant actinobacterium isolated from polluted sediments, has shown high copper specific biopsortion ability (25 mg g–1). Two approaches were used to confirm metal accumulation in growing cells of Amycolatopsis sp. AB0; we performed subcellular fractioning assays which showed that the retained copper was associated with the extra‐cellular fraction (exopolymer, 40%), but mainly within the cells. Intracellular distribution of copper was: 86% in the cytosolic fraction, 11% at the cell wall and 3% associated with the ribosome/membrane fraction. Its copper bioaccumulation ability was corroborated by using silver enhanced staining of copper with the Timm's reagent technique, which has not been used to detect metal deposits in bacteria before. In addition, we constructed specific oligonucleotides for targeting genes coding for copper P‐Type ATPases that could be involved in the copper uptake ability of this strain. A 607 bp DNA fragment was amplified and sequenced from Amycolatopsis sp AB0. BLAST search analysis showed 71% protein homology of the deduced sequence with a putative cation‐transporting ATPase of Nocardia farcinica and 65% with a copper translocating ATPase of Mycobacterium flavescens. To our knowledge this is the first report of the presence of copper P‐type ATPase genes in the Amycolotopsis genus. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Role of different classes of mammalian cell surface molecules in adherence of coagulase positive and coagulase negative staphylococci
Authors: Hafez Mohamed M. , Aboulwafa Mohammad M. , Yassien Mahmoud A. , Hassouna Nadia A.
Published: August 2008

In the present study the role of different mammalian cell receptors in adherence of the coagulase positive pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus and some coagulase negative staphylococci, namely Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus was investigated. Upon testing the adherence to Vero and Hep‐2 cells, S. aureus isolates showed an adherence to both cell lines while S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus isolates adhered to Vero cells only. According to the obtained results, both O‐linked and N‐linked mammalian cell surface glycoproteins are involved in the adherence of S. aureus isolates to Vero and Hep‐2 cells, whereas only the O‐linked ones serve as receptors for adherence of S. epidermidis and S. saprophyticus isolates to Vero cells. Of the O‐linked glycoproteins, GAG‐like receptors are involved in adherence of all tested isolates to Vero cells. The coagulase positive staphylococci preferred to adhere to the highly sulphated GAGs (Heparin and chondroitin sulphate B) while the coagulase negative isolates showed higher affinity to the less sulphated ones (Chondroitin sulphate A and C). Mucin like receptors appeared to be important for the adherence of all tested staphylococci. The role exhibited by fibronectin‐ and fibrinogen‐like receptors was detected with S. aureus and S. epidermidis but not with S. saprophyticus isolates. While, collagen and gelatin were found to contribute to the adherence of S. aureus isolates only. Neither carbohydrate moieties of the glycoconjugates nor lipid molecules on the mammalian cell surface played a role in the adherence of the tested staphylococcal isolates. Taken together, the results revealed that both coagulase negative and coagulase positive staphylococcal tested isolates adhere to the same classes of mammalian cell surface receptors such as mucin‐like, fibrinogen‐like, fibronectin‐like and GAG‐like receptors. However, the tested isolates exhibited different degrees of affinities to such receptors. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Wear in environmentally adapted lubricants with AW technology
Authors: Bergseth E. , Torbacke M. , Olofsson U.
Published: August 2008

The purpose of the study was to examine the tribofilm formation and the corresponding wear occurring in the boundary lubrication regime in environmentally adapted lubricants, i.e. when using synthetic ester base fluids with different anti‐wear additives. AW additives of the following types were studied: phosphorus, sulphur–phosphorus and sulphur–nitrogen together with an additive based on carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen chemistry. In addition, the base fluid itself was tested.

Wear was studied in a pin‐on‐disc‐machine giving the wear coefficient. The surfaces were analysed by glow discharge‐optical emission spectroscopy, revealing the surface reactions formed by the additives. The results indicate that the wear number decreases with increasing reacted surface layer depth as well as with increasing oxide layer depth. Also, the results indicate that a highly polar base fluid give relatively low wear numbers even without additives. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sustainability of sloping land cultivation systems in the mid‐hills of Nepal
Authors: Acharya G. P. , Tripathi B. P. , Gardner R. M. , Mawdesley K. J. , Mcdonald M. A.
Published: August 2008

Maintenance of soil resources is critical in the middle hills of Nepal where the majority of the population are engaged in small‐scale agriculture. However, the causes of declines in soil fertility are complex and related to social change, meaning that farmers are unlikely to adopt soil conservation measures if that is their sole function. In several districts of the middle hills, large, steeply sloping terraces are predominant, so constructed because terrace size is perceived as reflecting wealth and status. They contrast sharply with the flat, narrow terraces characteristic of most middle hill areas. Thus, soil and water management is particularly challenging. This research investigated the efficacy of a combination of legumes, mulch and strip crops in controlling nutrient losses in surface runoff and leachate. Losses of nutrients in leachate exceeded those in runoff by an order of 202 (N), 45 (P) and 27 (K) despite the steep slopes. There was evidence of nutrient scouring associated with soil movement downslope. Income was increased up to threefold as a result of incorporating strips of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in the maize‐based systems. The results indicate that low‐input, strip crop technologies are effective in soil and water conservation through the sieve‐barrier effect, while increasing farmers' income and hence have the potential to maintain the overall sustainability of this land‐use system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Steel development for hydraulic cylinders
Authors: Brauer H. , Herzig S. , Klabbers‐Heimann J. , Mußmann W.
Published: August 2008

Hydraulikzylinder steuern Bewegungsabläufe in einer Vielzahl von Geräten und Maschinen, die unter anderem auch im Freien in einem breiten Temperaturbereich eingesetzt werden. Unter Temperaturbedingungen von bis zu –20 °C war aufgrund bisheriger Werkstoffkonzepte bei Hydraulikzylindern Sprödbruchneigung mit der Gefahr von Personen‐ und Sachschäden durch ein mögliches mehrteiliges Versagen nicht sicher auszuschließen.

Forderungen der Zylinderbauer sowie Forderungen nach Leichtbaukonzepten haben die Entwicklung hochfester, zäher Zylinderrohrgüten vorangetrieben. Das im Rahmen der F&E‐Aktivitäten der Salzgitter Mannesmann Präzisrohr GmbH in Zusammenarbeit mit der Salzgitter Mannesmann Forschung GmbH (SZMF) entwickelte modifizierte Werkstoffkonzept lässt den Betrieb von Hydraulikzylindern im Temperaturbereich bis –20 °C sicher zu. Die erhöhten Festigkeitslagen ermöglichen eine Wanddickenreduzierung der Zylinder von ca. 30 %. Ausgehend von warmgewalzten Rohren beträgt die mögliche Wanddickenreduzierung bis zu 50 %.
Processing and property assessment of NiTi and NiTiCu shape memory actuator springs
Authors: Grossmann Ch. , Frenzel J. , Sampath V. , Depka T. , Oppenkowski A. , Somsen Ch. , Neuking K. , Theisen W. , Eggeler G.
Published: August 2008

Among the multifarious engineering applications of NiTi shape memory alloys (SMAs), their use in actuator applications stands out. In actuator applications, where the one‐way effect (1WE) of NiTi SMAs is exploited, SM components are often applied as helical coil springs. Ingots are generally used as starting materials for the production of springs. But before SM actuator springs can be manufactured, the processing of appropriate wires from NiTi ingots poses a challenge because cold and hot working of NiTi SMAs strongly affect microstructure, and it is well known that the functional properties of NiTi SMAs are strongly dependent on their microstructure. The objective of the present paper is therefore to produce binary Ni50Ti50 and ternary Ni40Ti50Cu10 SMA actuator springs, starting from ingots produced by vacuum induction melting. From these ingots springs are produced using swaging, rolling, wire drawing and a shape‐constraining procedure in combination with appropriate heat treatments. The evolution of microstructure during processing is characterized and the mechanical properties of the wires prior to spring‐making are documented. The mechanical and functional characteristics of the wires are investigated in the stress‐strain‐temperature space. Finally, functional fatigue testing of actuator springs is briefly described and preliminary results for NiTi and NiTiCu actuator springs are reported.
Divinyl selenide: conformational study and stereochemical behavior of its 77Se1H spin–spin coupling constants
Authors: Rusakov Yury Yu. , Krivdin Leonid B. , Istomina Natalia V. , Potapov Vladimir A. , Amosova Svetlana V.
Published: August 2008

Theoretical energy‐based conformational analysis of divinyl selenide performed at the MP2/6‐311G** level is substantiated by the second‐order polarization propagator approach (SOPPA) calculations and experimental measurements of its 77Se1H spin–spin coupling constants, demonstrating marked stereochemical behavior in respect of the internal rotation of both vinyl groups around the SeC bonds. Based on these data, divinyl selenide is shown to exist in an equilibrium mixture of three nonplanar conformers: one the preferred syn‐s‐cis‐s‐trans and two minor anti‐s‐trans‐s‐trans and syn‐s‐trans‐s‐trans forms. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New bounds on the minimum number of calls in failure‐tolerant gossiping
Authors: Hou Zhe , Shigeno Maiko
Published: August 2008

Gossiping is an extensively investigated information dissemination process. In gossiping, every vertex holds a message that has to be transmitted to all other vertices. This article deals with k‐failure tolerant gossiping, which investigates the minimum number of transmissions (calls) required by the communication process, provided that at most k transmissions may fail. We show new bounds for the number of transmissions, an improvement over previous results if k is sufficiently large. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2009
Optimal pricing of capacitated networks
Authors: Grigoriev Alexander , van Loon Joyce , Sitters René , Uetz Marc
Published: August 2008

We address the algorithmic complexity of a profit maximization problem in capacitated, undirected networks. We are asked to price a set ofmcapacitated network links to serve a set ofnpotential customers. Each customer is interested in purchasing a network connection that is specified by a simple path in the network and has a maximum budget that we assume to be known to the seller. The goal is to decide which customers to serve, and to determine prices for all network links in order to maximize the total profit. We address this pricing problem in different network topologies. More specifically, we derive several results on the algorithmic complexity of this profit maximization problem, given that the network is either a path, a cycle, a tree, or a grid. Our results include approximation algorithms as well as inapproximability results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2009
A Hit‐and‐Run approach for generating scale invariant Small World networks
Authors: Ghate Archis , Smith Robert L.
Published: August 2008

Hit‐and‐Run is a well‐known class of Markov chain algorithms for sampling from essentially arbitrary distributions over bounded regions of the Euclidean space. We present a class of Small World network models constructed using Hit‐and‐Run in a Euclidean ball. We prove that there is a unique scale invariant model in this class that admits efficient search by a decentralized algorithm. This research links two seemingly unrelated areas: Markov chain sampling techniques and scale invariant Small World networks, and may have interesting implications for stochastic search methods for continuous optimization. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2009
Antibiotic glass slide coated with silver nanoparticles and its antimicrobial capabilities
Authors: Lv Yaohui , Liu Hong , wang Zhen , Hao Lujiang , Liu Jing , Wang Yangmin , Du Guojun , Liu Duo , Zhan Jie , Wang Jiyang
Published: August 2008

Silver nanoparticles were covalently coated on a glass surface by overnight exposure of the glass substrate to nanoparticle solutions, using 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a coupling agent. Washing and air‐drying yield a uniformly coated glass substrate, which can be used as a material capable of killing harmful microorganisms in food industry. Nanoparticles are stable on the glass surface and are not washed away by water; they even remain on the glass surface under short‐term ultrasonic irradiation. The morphology of silver nanoparticles on the glass substrate was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The existence of Ag nanoparticles on the substrate was also confirmed by ultraviolet‐visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) measurement shows that the connection is based on covalent bonds between silver nanoparticle surface/APTES molecules. Combining the effects of low cost and effectiveness in prohibiting the growth of Escherichia coli, such materials are expected to be used as antibacterial coatings, which may have large potential applications in food industry. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating soluble endoglin and placental abruption
Authors: Signore Caroline , Mills James L. , Qian Cong , Yu Kai F. , Rana Sarosh , Karumanchi S. Ananth , Levine Richard J.
Published: August 2008

Objective

Our objective was to investigate whether serum concentrations of a novel anti‐angiogenic factor, soluble endoglin (sEng), could predict placental abruption.

Methods

In a nested case–control study of nulliparous pregnancies, we examined levels of sEng in serum collected prospectively from 31 women who later developed placental abruption and from 31 normal controls. All serum specimens were collected before the onset of hypertension or abruption and before labor or delivery. Serum sEng was compared within three gestational age intervals: early‐ (<20 weeks), mid‐ (21–32 weeks), and late (≥33 weeks) pregnancy.

Results

There was no significant difference in sEng between abruption cases and controls in early pregnancy. sEng was significantly elevated among abruption cases at 21–32 weeks (10.7 vs 5.9 ng/mL, P < 0.01). Subgroup analyses revealed no differences in sEng concentrations at any gestational age interval between cases with abruption without hypertension and healthy controls. Among women who developed hypertension and placental abruption, sEng was not significantly increased in early pregnancy, but was in mid‐pregnancy (19.3 vs 5.5 ng/mL, P = 0.002) and in late pregnancy (15.6 vs 9.5 ng/mL, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Serum levels of the anti‐angiogenic factor sEng are elevated prior to the development of hypertension and placental abruption. These elevations are not apparent until the late second trimester (26–27 weeks, on average), but they persist from this time in gestation onward. sEng may be useful for identifying pregnant women at risk for abruption and hypertension. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal cardiac scanning performed immediately following an abnormal nuchal translucency examination
Authors: Weiner Zeev , Weizman Boris , Beloosesky Ron , Goldstein Israel , Bombard Allan
Published: August 2008

Objective

To study the implications of early fetal cardiac scanning immediately following an abnormal nuchal translucency (NT) examination.

Methods

Fetal cardiac scanning was performed immediately after an increased NT was observed. Scans were performed transvaginally at 11 to 14 weeks. Fetal echocardiography was repeated between 14 and 24 weeks in continuing pregnancies, or when the cardiac scanning appeared normal at 11 to 14 weeks.

Results

We performed 2513 NT examinations. An abnormal NT was observed in 135 (5.4%) patients. In addition, 65 patients with an abnormal NT were referred to us for fetal cardiac scanning from other offices. Overall, we performed 200 fetal cardiac scans between 11.2 and 13.5 weeks for an abnormal NT examination. Twelve major fetal cardiac anomalies were diagnosed between 12 and 13.5 weeks. Seven patients (58%) terminated pregnancy between 12 and 14 weeks without performing chorionic villous sampling (CVS). Five patients asked for chromosomal analysis before deciding about their pregnancy. Fetal cardiac anomalies were suspected in six additional cases, but only one of them was diagnosed. Another five minor and one major fetal cardiac anomaly were suspected at 11 to 14 weeks but diagnosed later on fetal echocardiography.

Conclusion

Major fetal cardiac anomalies can be detected immediately following an abnormal NT examination and be useful for the patients' decisions about the management of their pregnancy. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of block copolymers by combination of ATRP and photoiniferter processes
Authors: Durmaz Yasemin Yuksel , Karagoz Bunyamin , Bicak Niyazi , Yagci Yusuf
Published: August 2008

BACKGROUND: Block copolymers of monomers polymerizing by different mechanisms can be prepared by the transformation approach. A wide range of combinations of different polymerization modes has been reported in the literature. In this work, the transformation approach was further extended to the preparation of block copolymers by combining atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and photoiniferter processes.

RESULTS: Photoactive morpholine‐4‐dithiocarbamate‐terminated polystyrene (MDC‐PS‐MDC) was prepared by the reaction of dibrominated polystyrene, obtained by ATRP, with morpholine‐4‐dithiocarbamate sodium salt in dimethylformamide. The structure of MDC‐PS‐MDC was confirmed by 1H NMR and UV‐visible spectral analysis. The ability of MDC‐PS‐MDC to act as a photoiniferter for the block copolymerization of methyl acrylate was examined. The polymerization shows a ‘living’ character at up to 25% conversion and produces well‐defined polymers with molecular weights close to those predicted from theory and relatively narrow polydispersities (Mw/Mn ≈ 1.40).

CONCLUSION: It is demonstrated that the end groups of polymers obtained by ATRP can be converted into morpholino‐4‐dithiocarbamate groups which act as photoiniferters. In this way, the desired mechanistic transformation between two controlled free radical polymerization methods can be achieved. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Irreversible temperature‐responsive formation of high‐strength hydrogel from an enantiomeric mixture of starburst triblock copolymers consisting of 8‐arm PEG and PLLA or PDLA
Authors: Nagahama Koji , Fujiura Kanae , Enami Shunsuke , Ouchi Tatsuro , Ohya Yuichi
Published: August 2008

Starburst triblock copolymers consisting of 8‐arm poly(ethylene glycol) (8‐arm PEG) and biodegradable poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) or its enantiomer poly(D‐lactide) (PDLA), 8‐arm PEG‐b‐PLLA‐b‐PEG (Stri‐L), and 8‐arm PEG‐b‐PDLA‐b‐PEG (Stri‐D) were synthesized. An aqueous solution of a 1:1 mixture (Stri‐Mix) of Stri‐L and Stri‐D assumed a sol state at room temperature, but instantaneously formed a physically crosslinked hydrogel in response to increasing temperature. The resulting hydrogel exhibited a high‐storage modulus (9.8 kPa) at 37 °C. Interestingly, once formed at the transition temperature, the hydrogel was stable even after cooling below the transition temperature. The hydrogel formation process was irreversible because of the formation of stable stereocomplexes. In aqueous solution, gradual hydrolytic erosion was observed because of degradation of the hydrogel. The combination of rapid temperature‐triggered irreversible hydrogel formation, high‐mechanical strength, and degradation behavior render this polymer mixture system suitable for use in injectable biomedical materials, for example, as a drug delivery system for bioactive reagents or a biodegradable scaffold for tissue engineering. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6317–6332, 2008
How is experimentation carried out by companies? A survey of three European regions
Authors: Tanco Martin , Viles Elisabeth , Ilzarbe Laura , Álvarez María Jesus
Published: August 2008

A survey was carried out to characterize experimentation in three different European regions: the Baden‐Württemberg region, The Basque Country and the rest of Spain. Results of the survey show that even though experimentation is a frequent activity, almost 95% of companies conduct experiments; the strategies used to carry them out are primitive. The one‐factor‐at‐a‐time strategy is used by 75% of companies far more than the 23%, which apply design of experiments (DoE). Results show that this may be due to the current lack of knowledge of DoE in these regions, where only 33% are familiar with the technique. Finally, the rate of applications of DoE among Six Sigma users is 40%, twice that of non‐users, which stands at 19%. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decentralized position verification in geographic ad hoc routing
Authors: Leinmüller Tim , Schoch Elmar , Kargl Frank , Maihöfer Christian
Published: August 2008

Inter‐vehicle communication is regarded as one of the major applications of mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Compared to MANETs or wireless sensor networks (WSNs), these so‐called vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have unique requirements on network protocols. The requirements result mainly from node mobility and the demands of position‐dependent applications. On the routing layer, those requirements are well met by geographic routing protocols. Functional research on geographic routing has already reached a considerable level, whereas security aspects have only been recently taken into account. Position information dissemination has been identified as being crucial for geographic routing since forged position information has severe impact regarding both performance and security.

In this work, we first summarize the problems that arise from falsified position data. We then propose a framework that contains different detection mechanisms in order to mitigate or lessen these problems. Our developed mechanisms are capable of recognizing nodes cheating about their position in beacons (periodic position dissemination in most single‐path geographic routing protocols, e.g., GPSR). Unlike other proposals described in the literature, our detection system does not rely on additional hardware or special nodes, which would contradict the ad hoc approach. Instead, we use a number of different independent sensors to quickly give an estimation of the trustworthiness of other nodes' position claims. The different sensors run either autonomously on every single node, or they require cooperation between neighboring nodes.

The simulation evaluation proves that the combination of autonomous and cooperative position verification mechanisms successfully discloses most nodes disseminating false position information, and thereby widely prevents attacks using position cheating. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Peer victimisation and internalising difficulties: The moderating role of friendship quality
Authors: Woods Sarah , Done John , Kalsi Hardeep
Published: August 2008

A cross‐sectional study is reported in which loneliness and emotional problems are explored in adolescent victims of direct or relational bullying, together with the potentially moderating influence of friendship quality. Adolescents (N = 401, mean age 13.5) completed the School Relationships Questionnaire, to identify bullying and victimisation roles, the Friendship Activity Questionnaire (FAQ), the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) to assess emotional problems, and the Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire (LSDQ). Relational victims, but not direct victims reported significantly elevated feelings of loneliness and emotional problems compared to non‐victims. Direct victims reported a significantly higher quality of friendship, compared to non‐victims. Poor quality of friendship was also associated with high levels of loneliness, and vice versa for direct victims, but not for relational victims. This indicates that the higher quality of friendship found in direct victims is associated with the reduced levels of loneliness found in this group. Given the cross‐sectional nature of this study, it is not possible to ascertain whether this association truly reflects the role of friendship quality as a moderator, and hence protective factor against adverse influences of victimisation. The different mechanisms underlying direct and relational victimisation are important for future research and intervention programmes.
Long‐term prognosis of the transient left ventricular dysfunction syndrome (Tako‐Tsubo cardiomyopathy): Focus on malignancies
Authors: Burgdorf Christof , Kurowski Volkhard , Bonnemeier Hendrik , Schunkert Heribert , Radke Peter Walter
Published: August 2008

Background:

The pathophysiology and long‐term prognosis of the transient left ventricular dysfunction syndrome (LVDS, Tako‐Tsubo cardiomyopathy) is largely unknown.

Aims:

To investigate the prevalence of malignancies and long‐term mortality in patients with LVDS.

Methods and results:

Fifty patients with LVDS (47 females and 3 men, age 70±10 years) and 50 age‐ and gender‐matched control patients with acute anterior myocardial infarction (MI) were evaluated. Nine patients (18%) with LVDS and 3 patients (6%) with MI had a previous history of malignancy at the time of the index event. On follow‐up (2.9±1.6 years), 7 malignancies were newly diagnosed in the LVDS cohort whereas no new case of malignancy was found in the control group (p=0.01, odds ratio 16.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.93–304.60). Overall mortality during follow‐up did not differ significantly between both groups (hazard ratio 1.44 for death in LVDS patients, 95% CI 0.52–3.95, p=0.49); however, of those patients who died, cardiac deaths were more frequent in patients with MI (100% versus 11%in patients with LVDS, p<0.001).

Conclusions:

Our data suggest an association of LVDS with malignancies, potentially as a result of paraneoplastic phenomena. Long‐term prognosis of patients with LVDS is no better than in patients with acute MI.
Ultraviolet‐B induced inflammation of human skin: Characterisation and comparison with traditional models of hyperlagesia
Authors: Bishop Thomas , Ballard Angela , Holmes Helen , Young Antony R. , McMahon Stephen B.
Published: August 2008

The effect on human skin of over‐exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been well described. The erythema produced is commonly referred to as ‘sunburn’. Recently UVR induced inflammation has been utilised as a human model of sub‐acute pain. Our aim was to characterise the sensory phenotype of UVB inflammation in human volunteers. We delivered UVB to small areas of volar forearm skin in healthy volunteers and found that the degree of inflammation and concomitant increase in sensitivity to cutaneous stimuli were UVB dose and time dependant. We directly compared UVB induced inflammation and the more established thermal burn and topical capsaicin pain models. UVB inflammation produced precisely demarcated erythematous lesions without secondary flare. Both thermal burns and topical capsaicin produced large areas of flare, indistinguishable in character from the primary lesions. Moreover, UVB inflammation induced large reductions in mechanical pain threshold restricted to the primary lesion site, whereas the more established inflammatory pain models produced not only primary hypersensitivity but also significant areas of secondary mechanical hypersensitivity. Taken together these findings suggest that UVB inflammation, at least using moderate doses produces sensory changes primarily by sensitising peripheral pain processing in the relative absence of alterations in central pain processing.
Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus (KSHV) Rta and cellular HMGB1 proteins synergistically transactivate the KSHV ORF50 promoter
Authors: Harrison Sally M. , Whitehouse Adrian
Published: August 2008

Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus ‘replication transcriptional activator’ (Rta) plays a critical role in the switch from latency to lytic replication. Rta upregulates several lytic KSHV genes, including its own, through multiple mechanisms. We demonstrate that cellular HMGB1 binds and synergistically upregulates the ORF50 promoter in conjunction with Rta. No direct interaction between Rta and HMGB1 was observed, however a ternary complex is formed in the presence of Oct1. Furthermore, deletion of an Oct‐1 binding site within the ORF50 promoter ablates the HMGB1‐mediated synergistic response. These results suggest Rta autostimulation may be mediated by a transient complex involving Oct1 and HMGB1.
Suppression of hepatitis C virus replication by baculovirus vector‐mediated short‐hairpin RNA expression
Authors: Suzuki Hitoshi , Tamai Nobushige , Habu Yuichiro , Chang Myint O.O. , Takaku Hiroshi
Published: August 2008

Short‐hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) inhibit gene expression by RNA interference. Here, we report on the inhibition, by baculovirus‐based vector‐derived shRNAs, of core‐protein expression in full‐length hepatitis C virus (HCV) replicon cells. shRNAs were designed to target the highly conserved core region of the HCV genome. In particular, the core‐shRNA452 containing nucleotides 452–472, as the target in the HCV core gene, dramatically inhibited the expression of the HCV core protein in replicon cells. Furthermore, HCV core‐protein expression was inhibited more strongly by the vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV‐G)‐pseudotyped baculovirus vector than by the wild‐type baculovirus vector.
Biochemical characterisation of TCTP questions its function as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Rheb
Authors: Rehmann H. , Brüning M. , Berghaus C. , Schwarten M. , Köhler K. , Stocker H. , Stoll R. , Zwartkruis F.J. , Wittinghofer A.
Published: August 2008

MINT‐6741806:

RAP1B (uniprotkb:P61224) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Epac1 (uniprotkb:O95398) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)
Interrelations of mitochondrial fragmentation and cell death under ischemia/reoxygenation and UV‐irradiation: Protective effects of SkQ1, lithium ions and insulin
Authors: Plotnikov E.Y. , Vasileva A.K. , Arkhangelskaya A.A. , Pevzner I.B. , Skulachev V.P. , Zorov D.B.
Published: August 2008

Mitochondria‐targeted antioxidant 10‐(6‐plastoquinonyl)decyltriphenyl‐phosphonium (SkQ1) as well as insulin and the inhibitor of glycogen‐synthase kinase, Li+ are shown to (i) protect renal tubular cells from an apoptotic death and (ii) diminish mitochondrial fission (the thread‐grain transition) induced by ischemia/reoxygenation. However, SkQ1 and LiCl protected the mitochondrial reticulum of skin fibroblasts from ultraviolet‐induced fission but were ineffective in preventing a further cell death. This means that mitochondrial fission is not essential for apoptotic cascade progression.
UCP2 protects hypothalamic cells from TNF‐α‐induced damage
Authors: Degasperi Giovanna R. , Romanatto Talita , Denis Raphael G.P. , Araújo Eliana P. , Moraes Juliana C. , Inada Natália M. , Vercesi Aníbal E. , Velloso Lício A.
Published: August 2008

Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is highly expressed in the hypothalamus; however, little is known about the functions it exerts in this part of the brain. Here, we hypothesized that UCP2 protects hypothalamic cells from oxidative and pro‐apoptotic damage generated by inflammatory stimuli. Intracerebroventricular injection of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α)‐induced an increase of UCP2 expression in the hypothalamus, which was accompanied by increased expression of markers of oxidative stress and pro‐apoptotic proteins. The inhibition of UCP2 expression by an antisense oligonucleotide enhanced the damaging effects of TNF‐α. Conversely, increasing the hypothalamic expression of UCP2 by cold exposure reversed most of the effects of the cytokine. Thus, UCP2 acts as a protective factor against cellular damage induced by an inflammatory stimulus in the hypothalamus.
Cell cycle activation in striatal neurons from Huntington's disease patients and rats treated with 3‐nitropropionic acid
Authors: Pelegrí Carme , Duran‐Vilaregut Joaquim , del Valle Jaume , Crespo‐Biel Natàlia , Ferrer Isidre , Pallàs Mercè , Camins Antoni , Vilaplana Jordi
Published: August 2008

This study was undertaken to investigate the potential role of cell cycle re‐entry in an experimental model of Huntington's disease and in human brain samples. We found that after treatment of rats with the mitochondrial neurotoxin 3‐nitropropionic acid, the expression of cell cycle markers of G1 phase measured by immunohistochemistry was induced in the striatal brain region. Furthermore, we detected an increase in the nuclear and also cytoplasmatic E2F‐1 expression, suggesting that this protein could activate the apoptotic cascade in rat brain. Western blot analysis of post‐mortem brain samples from patients also showed an increase in the expression of E2F‐1 and cyclin D1 in comparison with control samples. These results indicate that cell cycle re‐entry is activated in Huntington's disease and may contribute to the neurodegenerative process.
Association between faecal shedding of feline coronavirus and serum α1-acid glycoprotein sialylation
Authors: Paltrinieri Saverio , Gelain Maria E. , Ceciliani Fabrizio , Ribera Alba M. , Battilani Mara
Published: August 2008

The sialylation pattern of serum α1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) in non-symptomatic cats infected by feline coronavirus (FCoV) and its possible relationship with the amount of FCoVs shed in faeces were investigated. Blood from three specific pathogen-free cats (group A) and from 10 non-symptomatic FCoV-positive cats from catteries with low (group B, three cats) or high (group C, seven cats) levels of faecal shedding were collected monthly. AGP was purified from serum and Western blotting followed by lectin-staining of α(2,3)-linked and α(2,6)-linked sialic acid. Faecal shedding was quantified in group C by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Variations of AGP sialylation were recorded only in cats from group C, on which viral shedding peaked before the occurrence of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in the cattery, and decreased 1 month later, when serum AGP had an increase of α(2,3)-linked sialic acid. These results suggest that hypersialylation of AGP may be involved in host–virus interactions.
Multiplicative versus additive selection in relation to genome evolution: a simulation study
Authors: PIGANEAU GWENAËL , WESTRELIN ROLAND , TOURANCHEAU BERNARD , GAUTIER CHRISTIAN
Published: August 2008

The evolution of molecular quantitative traits, such as codon usage bias or base frequencies, can be explained as the result of mutational biases alone, or as the result of mutation and selection. Whereas mutation models can be investigated easily, realistic modelling of selection-directed genome evolution is analytically intractable, and numerical calculations require substantial computer resources. We investigated the evolution of optimal codon frequency under additive and multiplicative effects of selected linked codons. We show that additive selective effects of many linked sites cannot be effective in genomes when the number of selected sites is greater than the effective population size, a realistic assumption according to current molecular data. We then discuss the implications of these results for isochore evolution in vertebrates.
Modelling anatexis in intra-cratonic rift basins: an example from the Neoproterozoic rocks of the Scottish Highlands
Authors: RYAN PAUL D. , SOPER N. JACK
Published: August 2008

The Neoproterozoic metasediments of northwestern Scotland were deformed during the
470 Ma Grampian orogeny. Their pre-Ordovician history has proved difficult to elucidate, due to conflicting
evidence. While the stratigraphic record indicates deposition in intracontinental rift basins
associated with the break-up of Rodinia, isotopic dates in the range 870–780 Ma from granite gneiss,
early pegmatites and metamorphic garnets have been attributed to a Neoproterozoic ‘Knoydartian’
orogeny. Stratigraphic evidence for this orogeny is lacking, and it is not represented elsewhere on the
Laurentian margin. An alternative interpretation is that much of the Knoydartian history can be
related to extensional, not collisional processes. Specifically, it has been proposed that the 870 Ma
West Highland granite gneiss that is intruded into the Moine rocks of northwestern Scotland is not the
product of synorogenic anatexis but represents a suite of granite sheets that were generated during
extensional rifting and were subsequently deformed and gneissified during the Grampian orogeny.
This contribution presents numerical models of extension-related anatexis to test this hypothesis.

We first develop a methodology to estimate stretch values and the duration of extension and thermal
subsidence for the Moine rift basins. A thermal model is then constructed for these basins using
transient finite element techniques. This model shows that lithospheric extension sufficient to produce
major rift basins, even if they are filled with feldspathic sediment with Neoproterozoic heat production
characteristics, will not lead to crustal anatexis. However, a regional suite of mafic dykes in the more
easterly (Loch Eil) Moine suggests that stretching led to decompression melting of the mantle. We
model the effect of advecting heat into the extending lithosphere by the introduction of a modest volume
of basaltic magma, and show that substantial granitic melt can be generated in the basement
beneath the basin. The amount of anatexis varies with the locus of basalt intrusion. Some 30% more
granite is generated by dykes emplaced along basin-bounding faults than by either dykes emplaced
beneath the centre of the basin, or by underplating sills. The spatial distributions of the West Highland
gneiss and of the mafic suite are compatible with this finding. There is clear field evidence that the protolith
of the West Highland gneiss consisted of a suite of pre-tectonic granite sheets, and our modelling
demonstrates that they could have been generated during the later stages of extensional rifting and
Moine sedimentation.
Conodont geothermometry and tectonic overburden in the northernmost East Greenland Caledonides
Authors: RASMUSSEN JAN AUDUN , SMITH M. PAUL
Published: August 2008

Kronprins Christian Land lies at the northernmost limit of the East Greenland
Caledonides, and may be divided into four main tracts: foreland, parautochthon, thin-skinned thrust
sheets containing Neoproterozoic sediments, and thick-skinned thrust sheets of crystalline basement.
The eastern part of the foreland and the parautochthon are composed of Ordovician–Silurian shelf
carbonates overlain by Llandovery–lower Wenlock turbidites deposited at the southern margin of the
Franklinian Basin. Deformation of the parautochthon occurred beneath a major detachment, the
Vandredalen thrust, with Neoproterozoic sediments of the Rivieradal Group lying in the hanging
wall. The Rivieradal Group was deposited in an E-facing half-graben and was displaced westwards
across its rift shoulders during Caledonian thrusting. Extensive sampling for conodonts has been
carried out within the Lower Palaeozoic rocks of the foreland and parautochthon in order to increase
the precision of structural interpretations and to provide data on maximum burial temperature and, in
turn, the thickness of overburden. In contrast to earlier studies, conodont colour alteration indices
(CAI) show a gradual and continuous increase from CAI 3 in the eastern part of the foreland to CAI
5+ in the easternmost parts of the parautochthon. The isopleths are not disrupted or truncated by
thrusting, as previously suspected, indicating that the heating is not attributable to pre-thrusting stratigraphic
overburden. Furthermore, considerations of the regional geology indicate that there was
no significant accumulation of sedimentary overburden in post-Caledonian time; the predominant
component is thus considered to be loading by thrust sheets. Modelling of the overburden thickness
suggests that, prior to erosion, it increased from 3.9 km (CAI 3) in the easternmost foreland to a maximum
of 12.5 km beneath the Vandredalen thrust sheet in the easternmost part of the area, providing
constraints for restoring cross-sections across the orogen.
Precise U–Pb zircon ages from Alderney, Channel Islands: growing evidence for discrete Neoproterozoic magmatic episodes in northern Cadomia
Authors: D'LEMOS R. S. , MILLER B. V. , SAMSON S. D.
Published: August 2008

The northernmost exposures of rocks formed during the Late Neoproterozoic Cadomian
orogeny in the Channel Islands–northern France region occur on Alderney. The island mainly comprises
foliated quartz diorite, once considered to be 2 Ga, pre-Cadomian basement, and an undeformed
basic to intermediate plutonic complex. A precise age of 610±2 Ma, based on U–Pb analyses
of single and small groups of zircons, for the foliated Fort Tourgis quartz diorite demonstrates that the
oldest rocks were emplaced and deformed during a Cadomian magmatic event. The age is virtually
identical to ages from similar, foliated syntectonic quartz diorite bodies on the islands of Guernsey
and Sark and at La Hague (north Normandy), indicating that this magmatic and deformational event
was regional in extent. Discordant zircon xenocrysts define an upper intercept age of c. 2 Ga indicating
the presence of Palaeoproterozoic basement at depth. Single zircons from the undeformed Bibette
Head granodiorite give a precise U–Pb age of 572±1 Ma. This age is closely similar to that for the
emplacement of the Northern Igneous Complex of Guernsey. The emerging data indicate that
Cadomian magmatism in the northern Channel Islands region was not a protracted continuum, but
occurred during two distinct, short-lived events separated by c. 30–40 my.
An Early to Middle Ordovician succession of conodont faunas at Mäekalda, northern Estonia
Authors: VIIRA VIIVE , LÖFGREN ANITA , MÄGI SILVI , WICKSTRÖM JENNY
Published: August 2008

The Mäekalda section presents a c. 12 m thick succession of mainly limestones, dolomites
and siltstones of late Tremadoc to late Llanvirn age, exposed on the eastern outskirts of Tallinn,
northern Estonia. The condensed sequence is rich in well-preserved conodont elements that provide
the basis for detailed biozonation. In the Baltoscandian zonation, beds from the upper Varangu
Paltodus deltifer Zone up to the lower Aseri Eoplacognathus foliaceus Subzone have been identified. In
all, the conodont faunas exhibit a close resemblance to Swedish faunas. Many intervals can also be
compared with coeval strata in western Russia. The presence at some levels of representatives of
Laurentian conodont lineages provides an unusual opportunity for correlating Baltoscandian
sequences with sequences in North America, especially in the lower Arenig part of the succession. The
middle Volkhov (upper middle Arenig) Paroistodus originalis Zone at Mäekalda is remarkably complete
bearing in mind the highly condensed nature of the section as a whole. The details of this zone
can be correlated with the equivalent intervals in Swedish sections. In the upper Volkhov–lower Kunda
beds there is a considerable stratigraphic gap in the section, but the upper Kunda has provided an
excellent series of successive populations of Eoplacognathus, indicating that in this part the section is
virtually complete.
Symposium on ‘Intervention policies for deprived households’ Policy initiatives to address low-income households' nutritional needs in the UK
Authors: Dowler Elizabeth
Published: August 2008

Members of low-income households in the UK are more likely to have patterns of food and nutrient intakes that are less inclined to lead to good health outcomes in the short and long term. Health inequalities, including the likelihood of child and adulthood obesity, have long been documented in the UK and show little sign of improving so far, despite 10 years of attention from a government that has committed itself to addressing them. Following the Acheson Inquiry into Inequalities in Health (1998) in England a number of initiatives to tackle inequalities in food and diet were established, both nationally and within the devolved nations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Nevertheless, until recently, there has been no overall strategic policy addressing the food and nutritional needs of low-income households. The present paper reviews how the problems have been constructed and understood and how they have been addressed, briefly drawing on recent evaluations of food and nutrition policies in Scotland and Wales. The contemporary challenge is to frame cross-cutting policy initiatives that move beyond simple targeting and local actions, encompass a life-course approach and recognise both the diversity of households that fall into ‘low-income’ categories and the need for ‘upstream’ intervention.
Commissioning for Quality: Ten Years of Social Care Markets in England
Authors: KNAPP MARTIN , HARDY BRIAN , FORDER JULIEN
Published: August 2008

The introduction of social care markets was one of the main planks of the
Conservative government's community care reforms of 1990. The
Labour government, whilst emphasising collaboration rather than competition,
has not sought to reverse this policy. What have been the consequences?
We discuss a decade of market-related change under five heads:
purchasers, providers, commissioning, care planning and delivery, and
users and carers. There have been quite substantial changes effected by
social care markets in each domain, in turn generating a number of pertinent
questions for the future success of social care policy in England. One
is the very suitability of market-like arrangements in social care. Another
is whether transaction costs are too high. More generally, are social care
markets structured in a way that will generate the efficiency improvements
that successive governments expect of them? Fourth, to what
extent will price competition damage quality of care? Finally, will commissioning
arrangements mature so as to achieve a better balance
between competitive and collaborative modes of working?
Moving towards a Multi-level and Multi-pillar System: Changes in Institutional Care in Two Chinese Cities
Authors: XIAOYUAN SHANG
Published: August 2008

This article examines the situation of institutional care in two Chinese
cities. During China's market reforms, previous state welfare homes have
encountered significant financial difficulties. At the same time, the
demand for institutional care has been on the increase. In response, the
Chinese government adjusted previous policies for institutional care in
order to mobilise resources from the newly developing market economy.
Guided by these new policies, state welfare homes in the two cities tried to
solve the problems facing them in creative and entrepreneurial ways.
Their efforts gradually changed their financial bases from total reliance
on state resources to having more diversified resources. At the same time,
new types of welfare homes began to emerge, which were funded by
mixed resources from the government, the business society, local communities,
and families or individuals. In fact, the coverage of institutional
care in one of the two cities was greatly expanded with only very limited
state investment.