bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Long-Term Analysis of the Moose Jaw Climate Station (4015322/4015320): Temporal Trends and Frequency Analyses for Temperatures, Precipitation, and Wind Speed
Authors: Rayne Sierra , Forest Kaya
Published: December 2011

A long-term analysis of temporal trends and frequency analyses for temperatures (1913-2010), precipitation (1909-2010), and wind speed (1954-1996) was conducted on the Moose Jaw climate station in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada. Average annual and springtime temperatures are increasing over time, as are daily mean temperatures during March. Mean daily maximum temperatures are increasing on an annual basis and during the spring period, whereas mean daily minimum temperatures are increasing during February, March, August, and September, as well as on an annual basis and during spring and summer. There are significant positive time trends for growing degree days base 8C (GDD~8~) and 10C (GDD~10~). Rainfall has been increasing during March as well as during winter, and decreasing during October. Significant declines are occurring in the mean of homogeneous wind speeds during April, May, June, July, September, November, and December, as well as on an annual basis and during spring, summer, and autumn. Frequency distributions of monthly, seasonal, and annual climate variables were generated to facilitate more reliable risk analyses for agricultural activities and hydrologic modeling efforts.
Ionically-tagged Transition Metal Catalysts
Authors: Šebesta Radovan
Published: December 2011

Modifying catalysts with ionic tags has evolved be to a useful strategy for catalyst immobilization into the liquid phase. Ionic tags enable catalyst recycling, particularly in connection with appropriate reaction media, which are usually ionic liquids or mixtures of ionic liquids and organic solvents or water. Ionic tags are often more than simple anchors. In addition to catalyst recoverability, catalytic activities and stabilities of catalysts are often altered; however, this is difficult to predict at present. This chapter gives an overview of enantioselective ionically-tagged catalysts and their application in asymmetric catalysis. Catalytic activities, recycling and comparison with unmodified catalysts are discussed.
Diffraction of a focused x-ray beam from La3Ga5SiO14 crystal modulated by surface acoustic waves
Authors: Roshchupkin Dmitry , Irzhak Dmitry , Snigirev Anatolii , Snigireva Iraida , Ortega Luc , Sergeev Alexander
Published: December 2011

X-ray Bragg diffraction on an acoustically modulated La3Ga5SiO14 crystal (langasite, LGS) was studied in the saggital geometry where a surface acoustic wave (SAW) serves as diffraction grating of normal incidence. A set of parabolic compound Be refracting lenses was used to focus x-ray radiation in order to obtain good angular and spatial resolution of diffraction satellites. X-ray diffraction spectra analysis provided information on the acoustic properties of the LGS crystal and enabled the determination of SAW amplitudes and wavelengths.
Morphology-dependent low-frequency Raman scattering in ultrathin spherical, cubic, and cuboid SnO2 nanocrystals
Authors: Liu L. Z. , Wu X. L. , Li T. H. , Xiong S. J. , Chen H. T. , Chu Paul K.
Published: December 2011

Nanoscale spherical, cubic, and cuboid SnO2 nanocrystals (NCs) are used to investigate morphology-dependent low-frequency Raman scattering. A double-peak structure in which the linewidths and energy separation between two subpeaks decrease with increasing sizes of cuboid NCs is observed and attributed to the surface acoustic phonon modes confined in three dimensional directions and determined by the surface/interface compositions. The decrease in energy separation is due to weaker coupling between the acoustic modes in different vibration directions. Our experimental and theoretical studies clearly disclose the morphology-dependent surface vibrational behavior in self-assembled NCs.
A thin film broadband absorber based on multi-sized nanoantennas
Authors: Cui Yanxia , Xu Jun , Hung Fung Kin , Jin Yi , Kumar Anil , He Sailing , Fang Nicholas X.
Published: December 2011

We experimentally demonstrate an infrared broadband absorber based on an array of nanostrip antennas of several different sizes. The broadband property is due to the collective effect of magnetic responses excited by these nanoantennas at distinct wavelengths. By manipulating the differences of the nanostrip widths, the measured spectra clearly validate our design for the purpose of broadening the absorption band.
Risk of depression and multiple sexual risk-taking behaviours in adolescents in Nova Scotia, Canada
Authors: Langille Don , Asbridge Mark , Kisely Steve , Wilson Kevin
Published: December 2011

Background Although depression is known to be associated with adolescent sexual risk-taking, Canadian studies are few, many have lacked appropriate controls and none has examined the associations of depression with multiple sexual risk-taking behaviours. We tested associations between multiple sexual risk-taking and risk of depression, controlling for other factors, including social capital, in high school students in Nova Scotia, Canada. Methods: We surveyed sexually active male (n = 418) and female (n = 467) adolescents. Participants were asked about their risk of depression, perceptions of social capital, substance use, sociodemographic factors and sexual behaviours. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to determine associations of risk of depression with various levels of sexual risk-taking. Results: In unadjusted models, risk of depression was associated with two or more v. no sexual risk behaviours among both males and females. After controlling for other variables, risk of depression remained significantly associated with two or more sexual risks v. no risks for both females and males (relative risk ratios (RRR) of 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–4.5 and 3.5; 95% CI 1.6–7.82 respectively) and for one v. no risks for females (RRR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.1–3.5). One measure of social capital was associated with multiple risks in females. Conclusions: The consistent, independent associations of risk of depression with multiple sexual risks should lead health care workers interacting with adolescents to ask about sexual risk behaviours among patients with symptoms of depression. Alternatively, patients who engage in sexual risk-taking might be screened for depression.
Heat shock protein 90’s mechanochemical cycle is dominated by thermal fluctuations
Authors: Ratzke Christoph , Berkemeier Felix , Hugel Thorsten
Published: December 2011

The molecular chaperone and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) exists mainly as a homodimer in the cytoplasm. Each monomer has an ATPase in its N-terminal domain and undergoes large conformational changes during Hsp90’s mechanochemical cycle. The three-color single-molecule assay and data analysis presented in the following allows one to observe at the same time nucleotide binding and the conformational changes in Hsp90. Surprisingly, and completely unlike the prior investigated systems, nucleotides can bind to the N-terminally open and closed state without strictly forcing the protein into a specific conformation. Both the transitions between the conformational states and the nucleotide binding/unbinding are mainly thermally driven. Furthermore, the two ATP binding sites show negative cooperativity; i.e., nucleotides do not bind independently to the two monomers. We thus reveal a picture of how nucleotide binding and conformational changes are connected in the molecular chaperone Hsp90, which has far-ranging consequences for its function and is distinct from previously investigated motor proteins.
Reduced CD36-dependent tissue sequestration of Plasmodium-infected erythrocytes is detrimental to malaria parasite growth in vivo
Authors: Fonager Jannik , Pasini Erica M. , Braks Joanna A.M. , Klop Onny , Ramesar Jai , Remarque Edmond J. , Vroegrijk Irene O.C.M. , van Duinen Sjoerd G. , Thomas Alan W. , Khan Shahid M. , Mann Matthias , Kocken Clemens H.M. , Janse Chris J. , Franke-Fayard Blandine M.D.
Published: December 2011

Adherence of parasite-infected red blood cells (irbc) to the vascular endothelium of organs plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The prevailing hypothesis of why irbc adhere and sequester in tissues is that this acts as a mechanism of avoiding spleen-mediated clearance. Irbc of the rodent parasite Plasmodium berghei ANKA sequester in a fashion analogous to P. falciparum by adhering to the host receptor CD36. To experimentally determine the significance of sequestration for parasite growth, we generated a mutant P. berghei ANKA parasite with a reduced CD36-mediated adherence. Although the cognate parasite ligand binding to CD36 is unknown, we show that nonsequestering parasites have reduced growth and we provide evidence that in addition to avoiding spleen removal, other factors related to CD36-mediated sequestration are beneficial for parasite growth. These results reveal for the first time the importance of sequestration to a malaria infection, with implications for the development of strategies aimed at reducing pathology by inhibiting tissue sequestration.
The Virtual Fly Brain browser and query interface
Authors: Milyaev Nestor , Osumi-Sutherland David , Reeve Simon , Burton Nicholas , Baldock Richard A. , Armstrong J. Douglas
Published: December 2011

Motivation: Sources of neuroscience data in Drosophila are diverse and disparate making integrated search and retrieval difficult. A major obstacle to this is the lack of a comprehensive and logically structured anatomical framework and an intuitive interface.

Results: We present an online resource that provides a convenient way to study and query fly brain anatomy, expression and genetic data. We extended the newly developed BrainName nomenclature for the adult fly brain into a logically structured ontology that relates a comprehensive set of published neuron classes to the brain regions they innervate. The Virtual Fly Brain interface allows users to explore the structure of the Drosophila brain by browsing 3D images of a brain with subregions displayed as coloured overlays. An integrated query mechanism allows complex searches of underlying anatomy, cells, expression and other data from community databases.

Availability: Virtual Fly Brain is freely available online at www.virtualflybrain.org

Contact:  jda@inf.ed.ac.uk
The role of miRNAs in complex formation and control
Authors: Goh Wilson Wen Bin , Oikawa Hirotaka , Sng Judy Chia Ghee , Sergot Marek , Wong Limsoon
Published: December 2011

Summary: microRibonucleic acid (miRNAs) are small regulatory molecules that act by mRNA degradation or via translational repression. Although many miRNAs are ubiquitously expressed, a small subset have differential expression patterns that may give rise to tissue-specific complexes.

Motivation: This work studies gene targeting patterns amongst miRNAs with differential expression profiles, and links this to control and regulation of protein complexes.

Results: We find that, when a pair of miRNAs are not expressed in the same tissues, there is a higher tendency for them to target the direct partners of the same hub proteins. At the same time, they also avoid targeting the same set of hub-spokes. Moreover, the complexes corresponding to these hub-spokes tend to be specific and nonoverlapping. This suggests that the effect of miRNAs on the formation of complexes is specific.

Contact:  wongls@comp.nus.edu.sg

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
First Report of Powdery Mildew on Flamboyant Tree Caused by Erysiphe quercicola in Brazil
Authors: Dallagnol L. J. , de Castro F. R. , Frare G. , Camargo L. E. A.
Published: December 2011

Flamboyant (Delonix regia) is an ornamental tree that is native to Madagascar and frequently used in gardens and parks worldwide. Powdery mildew was observed on flamboyant plants in the cities of Piracicaba and São Carlos (State of São Paulo, Brazil) during the springs of 2010 and 2011. All sampled plants (~15 plants) were affected by the disease. Affected plants had abundant, white powdery masses of conidia and mycelium on floral buds that is typical of powdery mildew, but these structures were not observed on leaves and petioles. Diseased buds were observed at all developmental stages. The fungus was identified as Erysiphe quercicola on the basis of scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Conidia were produced in short chains of four to five spores on erect conidiophores. Conidiophores were unbranched, cylindrical, 50 to 80 μm long (mean 68.8 ± 10.8 μm), composed of a cylindrical foot cell 25 to 40 μm long (mean 32.2 ± 4.9 μm), and one to two shorter cells. Conidia were ellipsoid-ovoid to subcylindrical, 22 to 37 μm long (mean 30.9 ± 4.4 μm), and 10 to 18 μm wide (mean 15.1 ± 2.8 μm). Germ tubes were produced apically and ended in a lobed appressorium. Colonizing hyphae also had a well-developed lobed appressorium. Chasmothecia were not observed on buds. DNA was extracted from conidia, conidiophores, and mycelium and used to amplify the ITS (ITS1-5.8s-ITS2) region using the ITS1 and ITS4 primers (2) and its sequence (612 nt) was deposited under Accession No. JQ034229 in the GenBank. Searches with the BLASTn algorithm revealed 100% similarity with E. quercicola from oak (Accession Nos. AB292693.1, AB292691.1, and AB292690.1) (1). To fulfill Koch's postulates, 10 detached young floral buds, 0.4 to 0.8 cm in diameter, were inoculated with five to eight conidia collected on floral buds using an eyelash brush. Inoculated buds were placed on moistened filter paper in petri dishes. The negative control consisted of noninoculated young floral buds. Inoculated and noninoculated buds were incubated in a growth chamber at 25°C and a 12-h photoperiod. Powdery mildew structures were observed 6 to 8 days after inoculation. To our knowledge, E. quercicola has not been reported previously as a pathogen of flamboyant tree since there is no record in the Erysipahales database ( http://erysiphales.wsu.edu/ ). Although the economic impact of the disease is limited, its incidence might induce the abortion of floral buds and accelerate the senescence of flowers, thus reducing the aesthetic value of the trees.

References: (1) S. Takamatsu et al. Mycol Res. 111:809, 2007. (2) T. J. White et al. PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. Academic Press, San Diego, 1990.
Can Weed Hosts Increase Aggressiveness of Phytophthora infestans on Potato?
Authors: Grönberg L. , Andersson B. , Yuen J.
Published: December 2011

Potato late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is a major disease in potato production throughout the world. In southern Sweden, hairy nightshade (Solanum physalifolium), an alternative non-crop host to the pathogen, is an increasing weed problem. Single-lesion leaves infected by P. infestans were collected from potato and hairy nightshade to determine phenotypic and genotypic population differentiation of P. infestans between the two hosts. Genotypic variation was estimated using microsatellites as markers. The results showed no genotypic differentiation in the samples between the two hosts. Aggressiveness tests were performed using the sampled isolates to cross-inoculate potato and hairy nightshade. The proportion of infected leaves, latency period, lesion growth rate, and sporulation capacity were measured. For isolates from hairy nightshade, the odds of infection were higher on both hosts combined. When tested on potato leaves, isolates from hairy nightshade showed a significantly shorter latency period and higher sporulation capacity compared with isolates from potato. This indicates that an alternative host can filter populations of P. infestans toward a higher aggressiveness, which could lead to increasing problems in controlling potato late blight.
Opening remarks and the power spectrum of ocean waves
Authors: Farley F. J. M.
Published: December 2011

The Fourier spectrum of waves in the Pacific Ocean is analysed. The power in 4 s waves is more regular than the power in 10 s waves and larger than expected.
New Role for L-Arginine in Regulation of Inducible Nitric-Oxide-Synthase-Derived Superoxide Anion Production in Raw 264.7 Macrophages
Authors: Pekarova Michaela , Lojek Antonin , Martiskova Hana , Vasicek Ondrej , Bino Lucia , Klinke A. , Lau D. , Kuchta Radek , Kadlec Jaroslav , Vrba Radimir , Kubala Lukas
Published: December 2011

Dietary supplementation with L-arginine was shown to improve immune responses in various inflammatory models. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying L-arginine effects on immune cells remain unrecognized. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that a limitation of L-arginine could lead to the uncoupled state of murine macrophage inducible nitric oxide synthase and, therefore, increase inducible nitric-oxide-synthase-derived superoxide anion formation. Importantly, we demonstrated that L-arginine dose- and time dependently potentiated superoxide anion production in bacterial endotoxin-stimulated macrophages, although it did not influence NADPH oxidase expression and activity. Detailed analysis of macrophage activation showed the time dependence between LPS-induced iNOS expression and increasedO2∙-formation. Moreover, downregulation of macrophage iNOS expression, as well as the inhibition of iNOS activity by NOS inhibitors, unveiled an important role of this enzyme in controllingO2∙-and peroxynitrite formation during macrophage stimulation. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that simultaneous induction of NADPH oxidase, together with the iNOS enzyme, can result in the uncoupled state of iNOS resulting in the production of functionally important levels ofO2∙-soon after macrophage activation with LPS. Moreover, we demonstrated, for the first time that increased concentrations of L-arginine further potentiate iNOS-dependentO2∙-formation in inflammatory macrophages.
HIV‐1, ubiquitin and ubiquitin‐like proteins: the dialectic interactions of a virus with a sophisticated network of post‐translational modifications
Authors: Biard‐Piechaczyk Martine , Borel Sophie , Espert Lucile , de Bettignies Geoffroy , Coux Olivier
Published: December 2011

The modification of intracellular proteins by ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin‐like (UbL) proteins is a central mechanism for regulating and fine‐tuning all cellular processes. Indeed, these modifications are widely used to control the stability, activity and localisation of many key proteins and, therefore, they are instrumental in regulating cellular functions as diverse as protein degradation, cell signalling, vesicle trafficking and immune response. It is thus no surprise that pathogens in general, and viruses in particular, have developed multiple strategies to either counteract or exploit the complex mechanisms mediated by the Ub and UbL protein conjugation pathways. The aim of this review is to provide an overview on the intricate and conflicting relationships that intimately link HIV‐1 and these sophisticated systems of post‐translational modifications.
Adolescent acromegaly and decreased arterial distensibility despite successful treatment
Authors: Bassareo Pier P. , Marras Andrea R. , Mercuro Giuseppe
Published: December 2011

Objective  Cardiovascular complications that are probably related to the loss of arterial elasticity, such as secondary hypertension, occur frequently in patients with acromegaly and may persist after the condition has been treated. The aim of the study was to determine arterial compliance in adolescent patients with acromegaly who had undergone surgery to remove the adenoma in the pituitary gland. This is thought to be the first study on such patients.

Patients  Sixteen patients (nine male, seven female; mean age at diagnosis, 17·6 ± 1·3 years; mean age at time of study, 23·3 ± 3·7 years) who had undergone surgery for acromegaly that was caused by a pituitary adenoma.

Measurements  Arterial stiffness was measured by the standardized noninvasive QKd100–60 method. In addition, blood pressure at rest was measured, ambulatory blood pressure was monitored over a 24‐h period and transthoracic echocardiography was performed.

Results  Adolescent patients who had been operated upon for acromegaly showed disadvantageous differences in 24‐h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (systolic blood pressure, P <0·001; diastolic blood pressure, P < 0·02; mean blood pressure, P < 0·01) and in QKd100–60 value (194 ± 4 vs 205 ± 5 ms, P < 0·03) compared with controls.

Conclusion  Despite successful treatment, the patients showed significantly decreased arterial distensibility as compared with controls, which might explain the observed differences in blood pressure. The findings show that such patients are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, despite their being youth and the restoration of normal secretion of growth hormone/insulin growth factor.
Scaling up from epidemiology to biogeography: local infection patterns predict geographical distribution in fish parasites
Authors: Poulin Robert , Blanar Christopher A. , Thieltges David W. , Marcogliese David J.
Published: December 2011

Aim We investigated how the spatial distribution of parasites, measured as either their geographical range size or their frequency of occurrence among localities, relates to either their average local abundance or the variance in their abundance among localities where they occur.

Location We used data on the abundance of 46 metazoan parasite species in 66 populations of threespine sticklebacks,Gasterosteus aculeatus, from Europe and North America.

Methods For each parasite species, frequency of occurrence was calculated as the proportion of stickleback populations in which it occurred, and geographical range size as the area within the smallest possible polygon delimited using the coordinates of the localities where it occurred. Generalized linear models were used to assess how these two measures of spatial distribution were influenced by several predictor variables: geographical region (North America or Europe), life cycle (simple or complex), average local abundance, the coefficient of variation in abundance across localities, and median prevalence (proportion of infected hosts within a locality).

Results Our analyses uncovered four patterns. First, parasites in North America tend to have higher frequencies of occurrence among surveyed localities, but not broader geographical ranges, than those in Europe. Second, parasite species with simple life cycles have wider geographical ranges than those with complex cycles. Third, there was a positive relationship between average abundance of the different parasite species and their frequency of occurrence, but not between average abundance and geographical range size. Fourth, the coefficient of variation in abundance covaried positively with both the frequency of occurrence and geographical range size across the different parasite species. Thus, all else being equal, parasites showing greater site‐to‐site variability in abundance occur in a greater proportion of localities and over a broader geographical area than those with a more stable abundance among sites.

Main conclusions Local infection patterns are linked with large‐scale distributional patterns in fish parasites, independently of host effects, such that local commonness translates into regional commonness. The mechanisms linking parasite success at both scales remain unclear, but may include those that maintain the continuum between specialist and generalist parasites. Regardless, the observed patterns have implications for the predicted changes in the geographical distributions of many parasites in response to climate change.
Economic burden of hepatitis C‐associated diseases in the United States
Authors: El Khoury A. C. , Klimack W. K. , Wallace C. , Razavi H.
Published: December 2011

Summary.  There are approximately 100 drugs in development to treat hepatitis C. Over the next decade, a number of new therapies will become available. A good understanding of the cost of hepatitis C sequelae is important for assessing the value of new treatments. The objective of this study was to assess the economic burden data sources for hepatitis C in the United States. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies reporting the costs of hepatitis C sequelae in the United States. Over 400 references were identified, of which 50 were pertinent. The costs were compiled and adjusted to 2010 constant US dollars using the medical component of the consumer price index (CPI). The cost of liver transplants was estimated at $201 110 ($178 760–$223 460), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at $23 755–$44 200, variceal haemorrhage at $25 595, compensated cirrhosis at $585–$1110, refractory ascites at $24 755, hepatic encephalopathy at $16 430, sensitive ascites at $2450, moderate chronic hepatitis C at $155, and mild chronic hepatitis C at $145 per year per person. All studies were traced back to a handful of publications in the 1990s, which have provided the basis for all sequelae‐based cost estimates to date. Hepatitis C imposes a high economic burden. Most cost analysis is more than 10 years old, and more research is required to update the sequelae costs associated with HCV infection.
Glomerular and tubular function following orthotopic liver transplantation in children treated with tacrolimus
Authors: Anastaze Stelle K. , Belli D. C. , Parvex P. , Girardin E. , Giroud A. , Wildhaber B. , McLin V. A.
Published: December 2011

Anastaze Stelle K, Belli DC, Parvex P, Girardin E, Giroud A, Wildhaber B, McLin VA. Glomerular and tubular function following orthotopic liver transplantation in children treated with tacrolimus.

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of TAC on medium term (three‐yr follow‐up) renal function in pediatric liver transplant (OLT) recipients. Glomerular and tubular indices were retrospectively analyzed in 24 consecutive OLT pediatric recipients on TAC. CrCl increased significantly each month post‐OLT (p = 0.003), with a trend toward significance between pre‐OLT and 36 months (p = 0.17). There was no correlation between CrCl and TAC troughs (p = 0.783). Sixteen percent of patients had CrCl <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 pre‐OLT vs. none at 36 months post‐OLT. TRP values were normal throughout the study. UPr/Cr decreased insignificantly over time and correlated significantly with TAC trough levels (p = 0.031). UCa/Cr values normalized by the third‐month post‐OLT, decreasing significantly over the time (p = 0.000) but did not correlate with TAC troughs. At three months post‐OLT, 65.2% of patients needed antihypertensive therapy, and no patients needed more than one antihypertensive treatment after one yr. Despite nephrotoxic side effects in the early postoperative phase, this study shows that 65.5% patients had a normal renal function by three yr post‐OLT. Tubular indices correlated with TAC trough levels.
Donor‐derived organ transplant transmission of coccidioidomycosis
Authors: Dierberg K.L. , Marr K.A. , Subramanian A. , Nace H. , Desai N. , Locke J.E. , Zhang S. , Diaz J. , Chamberlain C. , Neofytos D.
Published: December 2011

Coccidioidomycosis in solid organ transplant recipients most often occurs as a result of primary infection or reactivation of latent infection. Herein, we report a series of cases of transplant‐related transmission of coccidioidomycosis from a single donor from a non‐endemic region whose organs were transplanted to 5 different recipients. In all, 3 of the 5 recipients developed evidence of Coccidioides infection, 2 of whom had disseminated disease. The degree of T‐cell immunosuppression and timing of antifungal therapy initiation likely contributed to development of disease and disease severity in these recipients. This case series highlights the importance of having a high index of suspicion for Coccidioides infection in solid organ transplant recipients, even if the donor does not have known exposure, given the difficulties of obtaining a detailed and accurate travel history from next‐of‐kin.
Patterns of floral colour neighbourhood and their effects on female reproductive success in anAntirrhinumhybrid zone
Authors: TASTARD E. , FERDY J.‐B. , BURRUS M. , THÉBAUD C. , ANDALO C.
Published: December 2011

The maintenance of genetic integrity of parental populations is often explained by selection against hybrids. However, the selection agents are usually unknown. The role of environmental biotic interactions is often suspected but has rarely been demonstrated. In plants for instance, mutualism with pollinators may be involved. After verification that pollen deposition is a limiting factor for fruit set, we used an individual‐based study and a representation of pollinator colour perception to test the effects of local plant density and floral colour neighbourhood on female reproductive success in anAntirrhinumhybrid zone. In addition to flower colour and density effects, the composition of the floral neighbourhood was found to influence fruit set, suggesting that most plants were usually better fertilized when similar to their neighbours. However, the plants of one particular type were sometimes favoured when very different from their neighbours. The implications for hybrid zone dynamics are discussed.
Manipulation of monoubiquitin improves salt tolerance in transgenic tobacco
Authors: Zhang J. , Guo Q. F. , Feng Y. N. , Li F. , Gong J. F. , Fan Z. Y. , Wang W.
Published: December 2011

Ubiquitin (Ub) is regarded as a stress protein involved in many stress responses. In this paper, sense and antisense transgenic tobacco plants, as well as the wild type and vector control, were used to study the role of Ub in salt tolerance of plants. In sense Ta‐Ub2 transgenic tobacco plants, there was higher expression of Ub protein conjugates than in the wild type and vector control, but the reverse trend was observed in antisense Nt‐Ub1 transgenic plants. The germination rate of tobacco seed, growth status and photosynthesis of the tobacco plants suggested that over‐expressing Ub promoted the growth of transgenic tobacco plants and enhanced their salt tolerance, but the opposite effect was seen in plants with repressed Ub expression. Changes in antioxidant capacity may be one of the mechanisms underlying Ub‐regulated salt tolerance. Furthermore, improved tolerance to a combination of stresses was also observed in the sense transgenic tobacco plants. These findings imply that Ub is involved in the tolerance of plants to abiotic stress.
An MND/ALS phenotype associated with C9orf72 repeat expansion: Abundant p62‐positive, TDP‐43‐negative inclusions in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum but without associated cognitive decline
Authors: Troakes Claire , Maekawa Satomi , Wijesekera Lokesh , Rogelj Boris , Siklós László , Bell Christopher , Smith Bradley , Newhouse Stephen , Vance Caroline , Johnson Lauren , Hortobágyi Tibor , Shatunov Aleksey , Al‐Chalabi Ammar , Leigh Nigel , Shaw Christopher E. , King Andrew , Al‐Sarraj Safa
Published: December 2011

The transactive response DNA binding protein (TDP‐43) proteinopathies describe a clinico‐pathological spectrum of multi‐system neurodegeneration that spans motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND/ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). We have identified four male patients who presented with the clinical features of a pure MND/ALS phenotype (without dementia) but who had distinctive cortical and cerebellar pathology that was different from other TDP‐43 proteinopathies. All patients initially presented with weakness of limbs and respiratory muscles and had a family history of MND/ALS. None had clinically identified cognitive decline or dementia during life and they died between 11 and 32 months after symptom onset. Neuropathological investigation revealed lower motor neuron involvement with TDP‐43‐positive inclusions typical of MND/ALS. In contrast, the cerebral pathology was atypical, with abundant star‐shaped p62‐immunoreactive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia and hippocampus, while TDP‐43‐positive inclusions were sparse. This pattern was also seen in the cerebellum where p62‐positive, TDP‐43‐negative inclusions were frequent in granular cells. Western blots of cortical lysates, in contrast to those of sporadic MND/ALS and FTLD‐TDP, showed high p62 levels and low TDP‐43 levels with no high molecular weight smearing. MND/ALS‐associated SOD1, FUS and TARDBP gene mutations were excluded; however, further investigations revealed that all four of the cases did show a repeat expansion of C9orf72, the recently reported cause of chromosome 9‐linked MND/ALS and FTLD. We conclude that these chromosome 9‐linked MND/ALS cases represent a pathological sub‐group with abundant p62 pathology in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum but with no significant associated cognitive decline.
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome complicated by severe community‐acquired pneumonia due to methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus positive for Panton‐Valentine leukocidin
Authors: Tsangaris Iraklis , Paramythiotou Elissavet , Tsaknis Georgios , Argentos Stylianos , Antoniadou Anastasia , Kopterides Petros , Armaganidis Apostolos
Published: December 2011

We report a case of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) complicated by community‐acquired methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus–Panton‐Valentine leukocidin positive (CAMRSA‐PVL[+]) necrotizing pneumonia, sepsis and multiple organ failure (MOF) in a previously immunocompetent female. The patient required prolonged ventilatory support and intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalization. Multiple cavities and severely affected lung function persist 1 year after discharge.
Displacement of the common carotid artery after laryngeal mask airway placement in infants and children*
Authors: Matsuda Yoshifumi , Arai Toshimi
Published: December 2011

Background:  In adults, placement of the laryngeal mask airway causes increased overlapping of the internal jugular vein (IJV) and common carotid artery (CCA). However, few studies in children have been reported. The aim of this study was to describe the degree of overlap of the IJV and the CCA before and after laryngeal mask airway placement in infants and children.

Method:  There were 160 children scheduled to undergo Protex® SoftSeal® and Ambu® placement. Patients were initially positioned in the 15° Trendelenburg position with their heads rotated 30° to the left. The ultrasound probe was placed perpendicular to the skin, and the images of the right IJV and CCA were collected at the level of the cricoid cartilage. Following laryngeal mask airway placement, images were collected in the same manner.

Results:  No statistically significant changes were observed in the overlap index before and after laryngeal mask airway placement. By inflating the laryngeal mask airway cuff, migration of the vessel forward was 24.38% and outward migration was 13.99%.

Conclusion:  There was no remarkable change in the overlap index before and after laryngeal mask airway placement in children.
Microsporidia infecting Apis mellifera: coexistence or competition. Is Nosema ceranae replacing Nosema apis?
Authors: Martín‐Hernández Raquel , Botías Cristina , Bailón Encarna Garrido , Martínez‐Salvador Amparo , Prieto Lourdes , Meana Aránzazu , Higes Mariano
Published: December 2011

Nosema ceranae has been suggested to be replacing Nosema apis in some populations of Apis mellifera honeybees. However, this replacement from one to the other is not supported when studying the distribution and prevalence of both microsporidia in professional apiaries in Spanish territories (transverse study), their seasonal pattern in experimental hives with co‐infection or their prevalence at individual level (either in worker bees or drones). Nevertheless, N. ceranae has shown to present a higher prevalence at all the studied levels that could indicate any advantage for its development over N. apis or that it is more adapted to Spanish conditions. Also, both microsporidia show a different pattern of preference for its development according to the prevalence in the different Spanish bioclimatic belts studied. Finally, the fact that all analyses were carried out using an Internal PCR Control (IPC) newly developed guarantees the confidence of the data extracted from the PCR analyses. This IPC provides a useful tool for laboratory detection of honeybee pathogens.
Moratoria in International Politics: A Comparative Analysis of the Moratoria on Genetically Modified Products and Commercial Whaling
Authors: Lieberman Sarah , Gray Tim , Groom A. J. R.
Published: December 2011

Little research has been conducted into the role of moratoria in international politics despite their importance in many areas of policy-making. This article investigates that role by a comparative analysis of two of the most prominent moratoria in recent years: the moratorium on genetically modified (GM) products imposed by the European Union (EU) in 1999; and the moratorium on commercial whaling imposed by the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 1982. The main finding of the study is that while the formal role of these moratoria was to postpone making a substantive decision until further scientific research had been carried out, in practice they served very different political purposes: the EU GM moratorium dampened down political heat while the EU was under pressure from member states regarding environmental issues and from the US regarding trade issues; whereas the IWC moratorium was a moral denunciation of killing whales. The wider implication of the analysis is that moratoria are complex phenomena, varied in their functions and effects, and they deserve to be studied more seriously.
Photogrammetric Techniques for Voxel‐Based Flow Velocity Field Measurement
Authors: Westfeld Patrick , Maas Hans‐Gerd
Published: December 2011

The paper presents improved photogrammetric techniques for the determination of 3D flow velocity fields with the goal of optimising the performance, efficiency and flexibility of the method. This includes a multi‐camera system configuration and calibration, as well as approaches for volumetric reconstruction. The result of the volumetric reconstruction process is a time‐resolved, voxel‐space representation of tracer particles marking a flow. Using a high‐speed camera, a typical data‐set consists of 1000 volumetric data‐sets per second, each with 1000 × 1000 × 300 voxels. 3D tracking in the time‐resolved voxel data is performed by 3D least squares tracking, determining 12 parameters of a 3D affine transformation between cuboids in successive voxel data‐sets. Besides the cuboid translation, these parameters also include information on the shear tensor of each cuboid. The tomographic reconstruction methods and the cuboid tracking have been implemented and validated with both simulated and real data in an experimental set‐up of a vortex ring in a water tank.
The Patient Observer: Eye‐Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress following Childbirth
Authors: Stramrood Claire A.I. , van der Velde Janneke , Doornbos Bennard , Marieke Paarlberg K. , Weijmar Schultz Willibrord C.M. , van Pampus Maria G.
Published: December 2011

Abstract:  Background:  No standard intervention with proved effectiveness is available for women with posttraumatic stress following childbirth because of insufficient research. The objective of this paper was to evaluate the possibility of using eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment for women with symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder following childbirth. The treatment is internationally recognized as one of the interventions of choice for the condition, but little is known about its effects in women who experienced the delivery as traumatic.

Methods:  Three women suffering from posttraumatic stress symptoms following the birth of their first child were treated with eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing during their next pregnancy. Patient A developed posttraumatic stress symptoms following the lengthy labor of her first child that ended in an emergency cesarean section after unsuccessful vacuum extraction. Patient B suffered a second degree vaginal rupture, resulting in pain and inability to engage in sexual intercourse for years. Patient C developed severe preeclampsia postpartum requiring intravenous treatment.

Results:  Patients received eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing treatment during their second pregnancy, using the standard protocol. The treatment resulted in fewer posttraumatic stress symptoms and more confidence about their pregnancy and upcoming delivery compared with before the treatment. Despite delivery complications in Patient A (secondary cesarean section due to insufficient engaging of the fetal head); Patient B (second degree vaginal rupture, this time without subsequent dyspareunia); and Patient C (postpartum hemorrhage, postpartum hypertension requiring intravenous treatment), all three women looked back positively at the second delivery experience.

Conclusions:  Treatment with eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing reduced posttraumatic stress symptoms in these three women. They were all sufficiently confident to attempt vaginal birth rather than demanding an elective cesarean section. We advocate a large‐scale, randomized controlled trial involving women with postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder to evaluate the effect of eye‐movement desensitization and reprocessing in this patient group. (BIRTH 39:1 March 2012)
Smoke‐Free Policy and Alcohol Use Among Undergraduate College Students
Authors: Butler Karen M. , Rayens Mary Kay , Hahn Ellen J. , Adkins Sarah M. , Staten Ruth R.
Published: December 2011

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess attitudes and behaviors related to smoke‐free policy among undergraduate student alcohol drinkers on a campus in a community with smoke‐free bars.

Design and Sample

This was a secondary data analysis of a study in which participants completed mailed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol and tobacco use and smoke‐free policy (n = 337). Opinion and behavior items were summarized descriptively; associations were examined using Kruskal Wallis tests and chi‐square tests of association. Logistic regression tested for predictors of importance of smoke‐free policy.

Results

Respondents were predominantly female and Caucasian; mean age 20.3 years. One fourth were current smokers. Seventy‐nine percent said the community smoke‐free law had no effect on frequency of visiting bars. Eighty‐seven percent said smoke‐free policy in campus buildings was “somewhat” or “very important.” Predictors of perceived importance of smoke‐free policy included gender and smoking status.

Conclusions

Most smokers in this sample did not experience a change in their motivation to quit smoking or in number of cigarettes smoked daily. Implementation of a community smoke‐free law did not reduce the likelihood of visiting bars. Women and nonsmokers were more likely to rate smoke‐free campus policy as very important.
The Electoral Consequences of Direct Political Action: Evidence from Brazil
Authors: Brown David S. , Brown J. Christopher , Donaghy Maureen M.
Published: December 2011

Democracy affords citizens the ability to influence policy through participation in elections and through direct political action. Though previous scholarship evaluates the impact each strategy has on outcomes, little if any work exists that examines how one strategy, direct action, affects success in the other, elections. This study analyzes the relationship between land occupations and the electoral success of the Workers' Party in Brazil between 1996 and 2006. It finds that the relationship varies in presidential and mayoral elections depending on income inequality and incumbency. Once the PT captures the presidential office in 2002, these effects disappear, suggesting that the effect of political protest also depends on who is in office.
Patterns in aphid honeydew production parallel diurnal shifts in phloem sap composition
Authors: Taylor S. H. , Parker W. E. , Douglas A. E.
Published: December 2011

Variation in phloem sap composition is important in determining aphid performance and is known to occur at both diurnal timescales and in response to plant age. For field grown potato plants, Solanum tuberosum L. (Solanaceae), we determined diurnal variation in components of phloem sap, measured by ethylene diamine tetra‐acetate exudation, and tested for impacts of plant age. The effects of plant age and diurnal cycles on honeydew production by Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas) and Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (both Hemiptera: Aphididae) were also quantified. Both the ratio of sucrose to amino acids and the composition of amino acids in phloem sap varied significantly with time of day. Dietary essential amino acids contributed a smaller proportion of amino acids in the phloem sap of older plants and during early phases of the diurnal cycle. The only significant effect on aphid honeydew production was of the diurnal cycle for Ma. euphorbiae, although increased honeydew production during the day when compared with the production at night, was consistent across the two species. In contrast with studies carried out at seasonal scales, we found limited evidence for variation in phloem sap composition in response to plant age, consistent with our results for honeydew production. These data highlight the need for improved understanding of how seasonal and diurnal physiology of plants influence performance in phloem sap feeding insects.
Determining the best method of Nellcor pulse oximeter sensor application in neonates
Authors: Saraswat A , Simionato L , Dawson JA , Thio M , Kamlin COF , Owen L , Schmölzer G , Davis PG
Published: December 2011

Aim:  To identify the optimal sensor application method that gave the quickest display of accurate heart rate (HR) data using the Nellcor OxiMax N‐600x pulse oximeter (PO).

Methods:  Stable infants who were monitored with an electrocardiograph were included. Three sensor application techniques were studied: (i) sensor connected to cable, then applied to infant; (ii) sensor connected to cable, applied to investigator’s finger, and then to infant; (iii) sensor applied to infant, then connected to cable. The order of techniques tested was randomized for each infant. Time taken to apply the PO sensor, to display data and to display accurate data (HRPO = HRECG ± 3 bpm) were recorded using a stopwatch.

Results:  Forty infants were studied [mean (SD) birthweight, 1455 (872) g; gestational age, 31 (4) weeks; post‐menstrual age, 34 (4) weeks]. Method 3 acquired any data significantly faster than methods 1 (p = 0.013; CI, −9.6 to −3.0 sec) and 2 (p = 0.004; CI, −5.9 to −1.2 sec). Method 3 acquired accurate data significantly faster than method 1 (p = 0.016; CI, −9.4 to −1.0 sec), but not method 2 (p = 0.28).

Conclusion:  Applying the sensor to the infant before connecting it to the cable yields the fastest acquisition of accurate HR data from the Nellcor PO.