bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impediments to community fisheries management: Some findings in Kompong Pou commune, Krakor District in Cambodia's Tonle Sap
Authors: Sok Serey , Yu Xiaojiang , Wong Koon Kwai
Published: November 2012

This paper broadly assesses some reasons why co‐management of inland fisheries by resource users and state agencies in Cambodia remains difficult to realize. Our survey of the resources, human capacity and associated de facto mechanisms for achieving community fisheries (CFi) objectives among fishing communities of Krakor District, located along Tonle Sap Lake, found these mobilizations at a crossroads in terms of empowered institutional and legal frameworks. Although the commune is a local administrative authority in the context of Cambodia's evolving decentralization and deconcentration (D&D) reform process, decision making and accountability in natural resource management have yet to be transferred to, or opened to participation from, local and subcommune level stakeholders and agencies. Furthermore, the institutional links between the commune council and CFi are ambiguous. This lack of linkages between central government, state agencies and CFi has left fisherfolk struggling to survive against more powerful competing interests. The preliminary findings presented here suggest that the achievement of sustainable CFi management in the Tonle Sap Lake remains problematic without local level decision making powers, sustained funding of CFi and related local government, and partnership between key shareholders in rural development programmes that recognize and encompass women's roles in natural resource management.
Identification of a novel HLA‐A allele A*33:61 in a Chinese individual
Authors: Su Y.‐P. , Dai M. , Sun A. , Su X.‐H. , Liu F. , Chen M.
Published: November 2012

HLA‐A*33:61 has two nucleotides change from A*33:03:01 at positions 559 and 560 in exon 3 where A→C and C→G (codon 163 ACG→CGG).
Malaria antibody persistence correlates with duration of exposure
Authors: Faddy H. M. , Seed C. R. , Faddy M. J. , Flower R. L. , Harley R. J.
Published: November 2012

Background and Objectives  In Australia, the risk of transfusion‐transmitted malaria is managed through the identification of ‘at‐risk’ donors, antibody screening enzyme‐linked immunoassay (EIA) and, if reactive, exclusion from fresh blood component manufacture. Donor management depends on the duration of exposure in malarious regions (>6 months: ‘Resident’, <6 months: ‘Visitor’) or a history of malaria diagnosis. We analysed antibody testing and demographic data to investigate antibody persistence dynamics. To assess the yield from retesting 3 years after an initial EIA reactive result, we estimated the proportion of donors who would become non‐reactive over this period.

Materials and Methods  Test results and demographic data from donors who were malaria EIA reactive were analysed. Time since possible exposure was estimated and antibody survival modelled.

Results  Among seroreverters, the time since last possible exposure was significantly shorter in ‘Visitors’ than in ‘Residents’. The antibody survival modelling predicted 20% of previously EIA reactive ‘Visitors’, but only 2% of ‘Residents’ would become non‐reactive within 3 years of their first reactive EIA.

Conclusion  Antibody persistence in donors correlates with exposure category, with semi‐immune ‘Residents’ maintaining detectable antibodies significantly longer than non‐immune ‘Visitors’.
Social Network Analysis for Assessment of Avian Influenza Spread and Trading Patterns of Backyard Chickens in Nakhon Pathom, Suphan Buri and Ratchaburi, Thailand
Authors: Poolkhet C. , Chairatanayuth P. , Thongratsakul S. , Yatbantoong N. , Kasemsuwan S. , Damchoey D. , Rukkwamsuk T.
Published: November 2012

The aim of this study is to explain the social networks of the backyard chicken in Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri and Nakhon Pathom Provinces. In this study, we designed the nodes as groups of persons or places involved in activities relating to backyard chickens. The ties are all activities related to the nodes. The study applied a partial network approach to assess the spreading pattern of avian influenza. From 557 questionnaires collected from the nodes, the researchers found that the degree (the numbers of ties that a node has) and closeness (the distance from one node to the others) centralities of Nakhon Pathom were significantly higher than those of the others (P < 0.001). The results show that compared with the remaining areas, this area is more quickly connected to many links. If the avian influenza virus subtype H5N1 was released into the network, the disease would spread throughout this province more rapidly than in Ratchaburi and Suphan Buri. The betweenness centrality in each of these provinces showed no differences (P > 0.05). In this study, the nodes that play an important role in all networks are farmers who raise consumable chicken, farmers who raise both consumable chicken and fighting cocks, farmers’ households that connect with dominant nodes, and the owners and observers of fighting cocks at arenas and training fields. In this study, we did not find cut points or blocks in the network. Moreover, we detected a random network in all provinces. Thus, connectivity between the nodes covers long or short distances, with less predictable behaviour. Finally, this study suggests that activities between the important nodes must receive special attention for disease control during future disease outbreaks.
Numerical and Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Variable Blade Row Spacing in a Subsonic Axial Turbine
Authors: Restemeier M. , Jeschke P. , Guendogdu Y. , Gier J.
Published: November 2012

Numerical and experimental investigations have been performed to determine the effect of a variation of the interblade row axial gap on turbine efficiency. The geometry used in this study is the 1.5-stage axial flow turbine rig of the Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery at Rhejnisch Westfalische Technische Hochshule (RWTH) Aachen University. The influence of the blade row spacing on aerodynamics has been analyzed by conducting steady and unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations as well as measurements in the cold air turbine test rig of the Institute. Both potential and viscous flow interactions, including secondary flow, were investigated. The results show an aerodynamic improvement of efficiency and favorable spatial distribution of secondary kinetic energy by reduction of the axial gap.
Study of Unforced and Modulated Film-Cooling Jets Using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition—Part I: Unforced Jets
Authors: Bidan Guillaume , Vézier Clementine , Nikitopoulos Dimitris E.
Published: November 2012

The effects of jet flow-rate modulation were investigated in the case of a 35 deg inclined jet in cross-flow over a flat plate using Mie scattering visualizations, time-resolved flow rate records, and large eddy simulations (LES). An unforced jet study was conducted over a wide range of blowing ratios to provide a baseline for comparison to the pulsed results. The two distinct and well known steady jet regimes (attached jet with high film cooling performance for BR < 0.4 and detached jet with poor film cooling performance for BR > 1.0) were related to the dynamics of characteristic vortical structures, significant in the transition from one regime to the other. Similarity of the inclined jet results with a past vertical jet study are also put in perspective when comparing wall adiabatic effectiveness results. 3D proper orthogonal decomposition (3D-POD) was performed on LES results of an unforced case at BR = 0.15 to provide an analysis of dominant modes in the velocity and temperature fields. Error calculations on the reconstructed fields provided an estimation of the number of modes necessary to obtain satisfactory reconstruction while revealing some of the shortcomings associated with POD.
Improving Single-Molecule Experiments With Feedback Control of Optical Traps
Authors: Cole D. G.
Published: November 2012

This article explores various types of feedback control—position feedback, which was shown to be equivalent to force feedback, rate feedback, and integral feedback—for the purpose of improving instrument performance for single-molecule experiments. The ability of each of each types of feedback to lower the measurement signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is evaluated and compared to the open-loop case. While position feedback does not result in any improvement in the SNR, the cases of rate feedback and integral feedback both resulted in improvements in the measurement's SNR. Rate feedback is shown to effectively “cool” the beads held in the optical trap, thereby limiting the effect that Brownian disturbances have on the beads’ motion. Integral feedback is shown to improve the SNR of the measured signal of interest and is robust and easy to implement. It is also shown that integral feedback acts as an exogenous force estimator. Ultimately, feedback does not provide better resolution as measured by SNR than an open-loop filtering approach can but does provide other advantages, including the ability to control other variables and to make a more robust instrument that can be easily adapted to changes in experimental conditions or the environment.
A Self-Constructing Wavelet Neural Network Controller to Mitigate the Subsynchronous Oscillations
Authors: Farahani Mohsen , Ganjefar Soheil
Published: November 2012

This study proposes a new intelligent controller based on self-constructing wavelet neural network (SCWNN) to suppress the subsynchronous resonance (SSR) in power systems compensated by series capacitors. In power systems, the use of intelligent technique is inevitable, because of the uncertainties such as operating condition variations, different kinds of disturbances, etc. Accordingly, an intelligent control system that is an on-line trained SCWNN controller with adaptive learning rates is used to mitigate the SSR. The Lyapunov stability method is used to extract the adaptive learning rates. Hence, the convergence of the proposed controller can be guaranteed. At first, there is no wavelet in the structure of controller. They are automatically generated and begin to grow during the control process. In the whole design process, the identification of the controlled plant dynamic is not necessary according to the ability of the proposed controller. The effectiveness and robustness of the proposed controller are demonstrated by using the simulation results.
Repetitive Motion Planning and Control on Redundant Robot Manipulators With Push-Rod-Type Joints
Authors: Zhang Z. , Zhang Y.
Published: November 2012

To demonstrate the hardware realizability and efficacy of the quadratic program (QP) based methods for solving the nonrepetitive problem, this paper proposes a novel repetitive motion planning and control (RMPC) scheme and realizes this scheme on a physical planar six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) push-rod-joint (PRJ) manipulator. To control the PRJ manipulator, this scheme considers variable joint-velocity limits and joint-limit margins. In addition, to decrease the errors, this scheme considers the position-error feedback. Then, the scheme is reformulated as a QP problem. Due to control of the digital computer, a discrete-time QP solver is presented to solve the QP problem. For comparison, both of the nonrepetitive and repetitive motions are performed on the manipulator to track square and B-shaped paths. Experimental results validate the physical realizability and effectiveness of the RMPC scheme.
Nanomechanical tuning forks fabricated using focused-ion-beam chemical vapor deposition
Authors: Ashiba Hiroki , Kometani Reo , Warisawa Shin'ichi , Ishihara Sunao
Published: November 2012

A theoretical and experimental investigation of nanomechanical tuning forks showed them to be mechanical resonators with high quality factors (Q-factors). For the theoretical calculation of resonant frequencies, the arm of a tuning fork was modeled by a beam connected to one or more torsional springs. Tuning forks with arm lengths of 3.6–6.9 μm were fabricated using focused-ion-beam chemical vapor deposition, and their resonant frequencies and Q-factors were measured with an optical instrument. The resonant frequencies calculated for vibrations in the two fundamental modes of the tuning forks (in-phase and antiphase) agreed well with the measured ones. When measured under mild vacuum (10 Pa), Q-factors for the tuning forks vibrating in the antiphase mode were as much as twice as high as those for nanomechanical cantilevers and tuning forks vibrating in the in-phase mode. In contrast, under atmospheric pressure, the Q-factors for the tuning forks vibrating in the in-phase mode were higher than those for the cantilevers and tuning forks vibrating in the antiphase mode for the same resonant frequencies. The high Q-factors in the in-phase mode are due to strong interaction between nanomechanical resonators and ambient air. The results indicate that nanomechanical resonators operating in air can have high Q-factors if their components vibrate in phase.
In situ near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy investigation of the thermal defunctionalization of graphene oxide
Authors: Lee Vincent , Dennis Robert V. , Jaye Cherno , Wang Xi , Fischer Daniel A. , Cartwright Alexander N. , Banerjee Sarbajit
Published: November 2012

In situ near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy is used in conjunction with measurements of sheet resistance to examine the electronic structure recovery of graphene oxide upon thermal annealing. Several different defunctionalization regimes are identified with the initial removal of basal plane epoxide and hydroxyl functionalities and subsequent elimination of carboxylic acid moieties. The measured electrical conductivity is closely correlated to recovery of the conjugated π structure. A pronounced broadening of the C K-edge π* resonance is observed upon annealing and is ascribed to the superposition of the NEXAFS signatures of sp2-hybridized domains of varying dimensionality. Such incipient conjugated domains generated upon thermal defunctionalization mediate variable range hopping transport and further lead to an increase in the electrical conductance. Finally, both C K-edge and O K-edge spectra suggest that ring ether functionalities such as pyrans or furans and/or 1,2- and 1,4-quinones are stabilized at higher temperatures.
Voiced stop prenasalization in two dialects of Greek
Authors: Jong Kong Eun , Syrika Asimina , Edwards Jan R.
Published: November 2012

This study examined the phonetic realization of voiced stops in the Cretan and Thessalonikan dialects of Modern Greek. Six males and six females of each dialect were recorded in a sentence-reading task. Duration and amplitude were measured to compare the degree of nasality of voiced stops to that of nasals in different phonetic contexts. Results showed that amplitude changes during the voicing bar of the voiced stops varied both within and across speakers. In some instances, there was consistently low amplitude throughout the voicing bar (characteristic of voiced stops), whereas in other instances, there was high amplitude at the closure onset followed by decreasing amplitude toward the burst (characteristic of prenasalization). By contrast, nasals had consistently high amplitude throughout the murmur. The mixed-effects models suggest that there were complex and interactive influences of dialect, gender, prosodic position, and stress in realizing prenasality in the voiced stops. In particular, Cretan male speakers showed the least clear tendency of prenasalization consistent with earlier impressionistic studies. Furthermore, productions of Cretan males showed less prenasalization than those of females in both prosodic positions. The procedures in this study can be used to describe prenasalization in other dialects or languages where prenasalization has been observed.
Acoustic properties of plates with unevenly distributed macroperforations backed by woven meshes
Authors: Ruiz Heidi , Cobo Pedro , Dupont Thomas , Martin Bruno , Leclaire Philippe
Published: November 2012

A hybrid model describing the acoustic properties of plates with macroperforations that can be unevenly distributed on the plate surface and backed by woven or precision woven meshes with microscopic perforations is proposed. The plate perforations may be of circular or rectangular shapes. Since the perforated plate may not necessarily be considered as an equivalent fluid, its impedance is calculated by the Maa model [Noise Control Eng. J. 29, 77–84 (1987)], whereas the Johnson-Champoux-Allard model [J. Appl. Phys. 70, 1975–1979 (1991)] is used for the mesh, considered as an equivalent fluid. A simple model for the elementary cell of the mesh structure is proposed in order to calculate parameters that can be considered as the thermal characteristic length Λ′ and the viscous characteristic length Λ. An effective airflow resistivity is introduced to account for the increase of particle velocity through the mesh placed behind the carrying macroperforated plate and is used in the transfer matrix approach to obtain the impedance of the whole multilayer system. The hybrid model seems to represent a good approach of this multilayer system. The theoretical predictions are compared with experimental measurements.
Conformal scanning laser Doppler vibrometer measurement of tenor steelpan response to impulse excitation
Authors: Ryan Teresa , O'Malley Patrick , Glean Aldo , Vignola Joseph , Judge John
Published: November 2012

A conformal scanning laser Doppler vibrometer system is used in conjunction with a mechanical pannist to measure the surface normal vibration of the entire playing surface of a C-lead tenor steelpan. The mechanical pannist is a device designed to deliver controlled, repeatable strikes that mimic a mallet during authentic use. A description of the measurement system is followed by select examples of behavior common to the results from three different excitation notes. A summary of observed response shapes and associated frequencies demonstrates the concerted placement of note overtones by the craftsmen who manufacture and tune the instruments. The measurements provide a rich mechanical snapshot of the complex motion that generates the distinctive sound of a steelpan.
Forward masking of frequency modulation
Authors: Byrne Andrew J. , Wojtczak Magdalena , Viemeister Neal F.
Published: November 2012

Forward masking of sinusoidal frequency modulation (FM) was measured with three types of maskers: FM, amplitude modulation (AM), and a masker created by combining the magnitude spectrum of an FM tone with random component phases. For the signal FM rates used (5, 20, and 40 Hz), an FM masker raised detection thresholds in terms of frequency deviation by a factor of about 5 relative to without a masker. The AM masker produced a much smaller effect, suggesting that FM-to-AM conversion did not contribute substantially to the FM forward masking. The modulation depth of an FM masker had a nonmonotonic effect, with maximal masking observed at an intermediate value within the range of possible depths, while the random-phase FM masker produced less masking, arguing against a spectrally-based explanation for FM forward masking. Broad FM-rate selectivity for forward masking was observed for both 4-kHz and 500-Hz carriers. Thresholds measured as a function of the masker-signal delay showed slow recovery from FM forward masking, with residual masking for delays up to 500 ms. The FM forward-masking effect resembles that observed for AM [Wojtczak and Viemeister (2005). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 188, 3198–3210] and may reflect modulation-rate selective neural adaptation to FM.
Nested sampling applied in Bayesian room-acoustics decay analysis
Authors: Jasa Tomislav , Xiang Ning
Published: November 2012

Room-acoustic energy decays often exhibit single-rate or multiple-rate characteristics in a wide variety of rooms/halls. Both the energy decay order and decay parameter estimation are of practical significance in architectural acoustics applications, representing two different levels of Bayesian probabilistic inference. This paper discusses a model-based sound energy decay analysis within a Bayesian framework utilizing the nested sampling algorithm. The nested sampling algorithm is specifically developed to evaluate the Bayesian evidence required for determining the energy decay order with decay parameter estimates as a secondary result. Taking the energy decay analysis in architectural acoustics as an example, this paper demonstrates that two different levels of inference, decay model-selection and decay parameter estimation, can be cohesively accomplished by the nested sampling algorithm.
Clutter reduction using Doppler sonar in a harbor environment
Authors: Yang T. C. , Schindall J. , Huang Chen-Fen , Liu Jin-Yuan
Published: November 2012

A high frequency experiment was conducted in the Woods Hole Harbor in Massachusetts to evaluate the effectiveness of Doppler sonar for discriminating targets from reverberation. Using a pulsed linear frequency modulated signal, one finds that the matched filtered outputs are filled with high-level discrete backscattered returns, referred to as clutter, which are often confused with the target echo. The high level non-target returns have an amplitude distribution that is heavy-tailed. Using a Doppler-sensitive binary-phase-shift-keying signal coded with an m-sequence, the target echo and clutter can be separated by Doppler and delay, and tracked using the Doppler spectrogram (Dopplergram). The Doppler filtered time series show a background reverberation with a Rayleigh-like amplitude distribution, with an improved signal-to-(peak) reverberation ratio compared with that without Doppler filtering. The reduced reverberation level with Doppler processing decreases the probability of false alarm (Pfa) for a given threshold level. Conversely, for a given Pfa, the higher signal-to-(peak) reverberation ratio implies a higher probability of detection. Transmission loss measurement was conducted to estimate some of the system parameters, e.g., the source level and target strength relative to the noise level.
Comparing behavioral discrimination and learning abilities in monolinguals, bilinguals and multilinguals
Authors: Tremblay Marie-Claude , Sabourin Laura
Published: November 2012

The aim of the experiment was to determine whether language learning experience contributes to the development of enhanced speech perception abilities. Monolinguals, bilinguals and multilinguals were compared in their ability to discriminate a non-native contrast behaviorally using an AX task. The experiment was based on a “pre-test–training–post-test” design and performance was tested before and after receiving training on the voiceless aspirated dental/retroflex stop contrast. At post-test, participants were also tested on their ability to transfer training to a similar contrast (i.e., voiceless unaspirated dental/retroflex stop contrast). While no group differences were found at pre-test, analyses of the trained-on contrast at post-test revealed that multilinguals were more accurate than monolinguals and that both the multilingual and bilingual groups were more accurate than a control group that received no training. The results of the experiment not only suggest that multilinguals and bilinguals have enhanced speech perception abilities compared to monolinguals, but they also indicate that bi-/multilingualism helps develop superior learning abilities. This provides support for the idea that learning more than one language has positive effects on the cognitive development of an individual (e.g., Bialystok et al., 2004).
Parallel tempering for strongly nonlinear geoacoustic inversion
Authors: Dosso Stan E. , Holland Charles W. , Sambridge Malcolm
Published: November 2012

This paper applies parallel tempering within a Bayesian formulation for strongly nonlinear geoacoustic inverse problems. Bayesian geoacoustic inversion consists of sampling the posterior probability density (PPD) of seabed parameters to estimate integral properties, such as marginal probability distributions, based on ocean acoustic data and prior information. This sampling is usually carried out using the Markov-chain Monte Carlo method of Metropolis–Hastings sampling. However, standard sampling methods can be very inefficient for strongly nonlinear problems involving multi-modal PPDs with the potential to miss important regions of the parameter space and to significantly underestimate parameter uncertainties. Parallel tempering achieves efficient/effective sampling of challenging parameter spaces with the ability to transition freely between multiple PPD modes by running parallel Markov chains at a series of increasing sampling temperatures with probabilistic interchanges between chains. The approach is illustrated for inversion of (simulated) acoustic reverberation data for which the PPD is highly multi-modal. While Metropolis–Hastings sampling gives poor results even with very large sample sizes, parallel tempering provides efficient, convergent sampling of the PPD. Methods to enhance the efficiency of parallel tempering are also considered.
Improved calculations of the electromechanical properties of tangentially poled stripe-electroded piezoelectric bars and cylinders with nonuniform electric fields
Authors: Sarangapani Sairajan , Brown David A.
Published: November 2012

Tangentially polarized stripe-electroded piezoelectric elements are often used to achieve the longitudinal piezoelectric effect without using segmented parts bonded together, however the electromechanical properties are not fully realized due to the nonuniform electric field and polarization in the element. The effective electromechanical coupling coefficient k3′3eff, piezoelectric modulus d3′3eff, elastic constant s3'3effE, and relative dielectric constant ε3'3effT (where the prime denotes the nonuniform polarization) for tangentially polarized stripe-electroded bars and hollow cylinders are calculated using the energy method for the nonuniform electric field. A finite difference method is used to analyze the electric field under the assumption that the piezoelement is fully polarized. Results are compared with a piecewise linear field model and experimental results on representative piezoelements.
Analysis of the cochlear microphonic to a low-frequency tone embedded in filtered noise
Authors: Chertoff Mark E. , Earl Brian R. , Diaz Francisco J. , Sorensen Janna L.
Published: November 2012

The cochlear microphonic was recorded in response to a 733 Hz tone embedded in noise that was high-pass filtered at 25 different frequencies. The amplitude of the cochlear microphonic increased as the high-pass cutoff frequency of the noise increased. The amplitude growth for a 60 dB SPL tone was steeper and saturated sooner than that of an 80 dB SPL tone. The growth for both signal levels, however, was not entirely cumulative with plateaus occurring at about 4 and 7 mm from the apex. A phenomenological model of the electrical potential in the cochlea that included a hair cell probability function and spiral geometry of the cochlea could account for both the slope of the growth functions and the plateau regions. This suggests that with high-pass-filtered noise, the cochlear microphonic recorded at the round window comes from the electric field generated at the source directed towards the electrode and not down the longitudinal axis of the cochlea.
Children weight dynamic spectral structure more than adults: Evidence from equivalent signals
Authors: Lowenstein Joanna H. , Nittrouer Susan , Tarr Eric
Published: November 2012

Earlier work using sine-wave and noise-vocoded signals suggests that dynamic spectral structure plays a greater role in speech recognition for children than adults [Nittrouer and Lowenstein. (2010). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 127, 1624–1635], but questions arise concerning whether outcomes can be compared because sine waves and wide noise bands are different in nature. The current study addressed that question using narrow noise bands for both signals, and applying a difference ratio to index the contribution made by dynamic spectral structure. Results replicated earlier findings, supporting the idea that dynamic spectral structure plays a critical role in speech recognition, especially for children.
Hepcidin and the Iron-Infection Axis
Authors: Drakesmith Hal , Prentice Andrew M.
Published: November 2012

Double-Edged Iron

Hepcidin is a small peptide hormone discovered by three groups investigating iron-regulated liver genes and antimicrobial peptides. This new hormone turned out not only to regulate iron but also to have homology with peptides required for innate immune responses.
Drakesmith and Prentice
(p.
768
) review the importance of hepcidin during infection, explaining how it is involved in withholding iron from microbial pathogens to curtail replication and how intracellular bacteria are able to thwart this host response. Recent work highlights the potential hazards of iron-supplementation in infection, particularly in malaria, whereby an overload of iron, meant to treat malaria-induced anemia, may negate the protective effects of hepcidin.
A Core Metabolic Enzyme Mediates Resistance to Phosphine Gas
Authors: Schlipalius David I. , Valmas Nicholas , Tuck Andrew G. , Jagadeesan Rajeswaran , Ma Li , Kaur Ramandeep , Goldinger Anita , Anderson Cameron , Kuang Jujiao , Zuryn Steven , Mau Yosep S. , Cheng Qiang , Collins Patrick J. , Nayak Manoj K. , Schirra Horst Joachim , Hilliard Massimo A. , Ebert Paul R.
Published: November 2012

Dissecting Phosphine Resistance

Worldwide populations of pest insects—such as the lesser grain borer,
Rhyzopertha dominica
, and the rust-red flour beetle,
Tribolium castaneum
—have become highly resistant to the fumigant phosphine, providing a potential threat to global food security. The nematode,
Caenorhabditis elegans
is vulnerable to phosphine, but phosphine-resistant strains are known.

Schlipalius
et al.

(p.
807
) show that mutations in the delta-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate dehydrogenase and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase (
dld-1
) genes both give rise to phosphine resistance in
C. elegans
. Phosphine resistance mutants in
R. dominica
, and
T. castaneum
also map to the
dld-1
gene, which codes for a core metabolic enzyme. These mutants are, however, hypersensitive to arsenic, mimics of which might thus synergize with phosphine.
Response to Comment on “Glacial Survival of Boreal Trees in Northern Scandinavia”
Authors: Parducci Laura , Edwards Mary E. , Bennett K. D. , Alm Torbjørn , Elverland Ellen , Tollefsrud Mari Mette , Jørgensen Tina , Houmark-Nielsen Michael , Larsen Nicolaj Krog , Kjær Kurt H. , Fontana Sonia L. , Alsos Inger Greve , Willerslev Eske
Published: November 2012

Birks
et al
. question our proposition that trees survived the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in Northern Scandinavia. We dispute their interpretation of our modern genetic data but agree that more work is required. Our field and laboratory procedures were robust; contamination is an unlikely explanation of our results. Their description of Endletvatn as ice-covered and inundated during the LGM is inconsistent with recent geological literature.
Mitochondrial Network Size Scaling in Budding Yeast
Authors: Rafelski Susanne M. , Viana Matheus P. , Zhang Yi , Chan Yee-Hung M. , Thorn Kurt S. , Yam Phoebe , Fung Jennifer C. , Li Hao , Costa Luciano da F. , Marshall Wallace F.
Published: November 2012

Bud, This Mitochondrion's for You

How is organelle size adjusted to be appropriate for cell size?

Rafelski
et al.

(p.
822
) used a quantitative method for measuring mitochondria in living budding yeast cells and found that rather than using the apparently simplest mechanism of dividing the organelles equally among the mother and daughter cells, the cells adjusted the mitochondrial level in the bud, independent of the mother's own mitochondrial content, size, or age.
Corals Chemically Cue Mutualistic Fishes to Remove Competing Seaweeds
Authors: Dixson Danielle L. , Hay Mark E.
Published: November 2012

Keeping Coral Clean

Seaweed overgrowth is a major problem for coral reefs and also seems to be a consequence of excessive harvesting of herbivorous fish.
Dixson and Hay
(p.
804
) examined this effect on Fijian reefs. Species of small herbivorous gobies and coral-associated damselfish were compared for their effect on the toxic
Chlorodesmis
seaweed in experiments that required caging colonies of the branching coral
Acropora nasuta
and the associated fish species. Only the gobies actively removed algal fronds attached to the cages and only one species (itself toxic to predators) ate them; the damselfish simply defected from the arena when toxic algae were present. The hydrophobic toxins exuded in the algal mucus lysed coral polyps releasing cell constituents that, together with the algal toxin, attract the gobies, which then eat the algal fronds. Interestingly, the toxic goby became more toxic to predators after consumption of the seaweed, which may help to drive symbiosis with a coral colony.
Emerging Disease or Diagnosis?
Authors: Gire Stephen K. , Stremlau Matthew , Andersen Kristian G. , Schaffner Stephen F. , Bjornson Zach , Rubins Kathleen , Hensley Lisa , McCormick Joseph B. , Lander Eric. S. , Garry Robert F. , Happi Christian , Sabeti Pardis C.
Published: November 2012

Some viral infections may not represent emerging diseases, but improved detection and diagnosis of common diseases.
Driving the Formation of Molecular Knots
Authors: Siegel Jay S.
Published: November 2012

A molecule with a trefoil knot topology can form spontaneously through noncovalent interactions, avoiding deliberate anchoring and assembly steps.
As Drug Pilot Wraps Up, a Lively Debate About Its Future
Authors: Enserink Martin
Published: November 2012

An unusual economic experiment that kicked off in 2010 has triggered one of the most impassioned debates in malaria control for years.
Question of Martian Methane Is Still Up in the Air
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: November 2012

After two good, long analyses, Curiosity scientists can only say that, with 95% confidence, there is between 0 and 5 ppb of methane in martian air.
One Sandy Forecast a Bigger Winner Than Others
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: November 2012

The global model of Hurricane Sandy from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts illustrated the advantages of having the greatest computing power available.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Region of Difference (RD) 2 Antigen Rv1985c and RD11 Antigen Rv3425 Have the Promising Potential To Distinguish Patients with Active Tuberculosis from M. bovis BCG-Vaccinated Individuals
Authors: Wang Sen , Chen Jiazhen , Zhang Ying , Diao Ni , Zhang Shu , Wu Jing , Lu Chanyi , Wang Feifei , Gao Yan , Shao Lingyun , Jin Jialin , Weng Xinhua , Zhang Wenhong
Published: November 2012

Antigens encoded in the region of difference (RD) ofMycobacterium tuberculosisconstitute a potential source of specific immunodiagnostic antigens for distinguishing tuberculosis (TB) infection from BCG vaccination. We evaluated the diagnostic potential of specific T-cell epitopes selected from two immunodominant antigens, Rv1985c and Rv3425, from RD2 and RD11, respectively, on the basis of epitope mapping, in TB patients and BCG-vaccinated healthy individuals. Using a whole-blood gamma interferon release assay, a wide array of epitopes was recognized on both Rv1985c and Rv3425 in TB patients. Those epitopes that could specifically discriminate TB infection from BCG vaccination were carefully selected, and the most promising peptide pools from Rv1985c showed a sensitivity of 53.9% and a specificity of 95.5%. When the novel specific peptides from Rv1985c joined the diagnostic antigens in the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) assay, the sensitivity was increased from 86.4% to 96.2%, with no drop in specificity. These results indicate that the peptide pools selected from Rv1985c and Rv3425 have the potential to diagnose TB infection by a method that may be routinely used in clinical laboratories.
Detection of Oxacillin-Susceptible
mecA
-Positive Staphylococcus aureus Isolates by Use of Chromogenic Medium MRSA ID
Authors: Kumar V. Anil , Steffy Katherin , Chatterjee Maitrayee , Sugumar Madhan , Dinesh Kavitha R. , Manoharan Anand , Karim Shamsul , Biswas Raja
Published: November 2012

Reports of oxacillin-susceptible
mecA
-positive
Staphylococcus aureus
strains are on the rise. Because of their susceptibility to oxacillin and cefoxitin, it is very difficult to detect them by using routine phenotypic methods. We describe two such isolates that were detected by chromogenic medium and confirmed by characterization of the
mecA
gene element.
Assessment of Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection of Rickettsia spp. and Rickettsia rickettsii in Banked Clinical Samples
Authors: Kato Cecilia Y. , Chung Ida H. , Robinson Lauren K. , Austin Amy L. , Dasch Gregory A. , Massung Robert F.
Published: November 2012

Two novel real-time PCR assays were developed for the detection of
Rickettsia
spp. One assay detects all tested
Rickettsia
spp.; the other is specific for
Rickettsia rickettsii
. Evaluation using DNA from human blood and tissue samples showed both assays to be more sensitive than nested PCR assays currently in use at the CDC.
Independent Activation of Hepatitis B Virus Biosynthesis by Retinoids, Peroxisome Proliferators, and Bile Acids
Authors: Reese Vanessa C. , Oropeza Claudia E. , McLachlan Alan
Published: November 2012

In the human hepatoma cell line HepG2, retinoic acid, clofibric acid, and bile acid treatment can only modestly increase hepatitis B virus (HBV) biosynthesis. Utilizing the human embryonic kidney cell line 293T, it was possible to demonstrate that the retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) plus its ligand can support viral biosynthesis independently of additional nuclear receptors. In addition, RXRα/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and RXRα/farnesoid X receptor α (FXRα) heterodimeric nuclear receptors can also mediate ligand-dependent HBV transcription and replication when activated by clofibric acid and bile acid, respectively, independently of a requirement for the ligand-dependent activation of RXRα. These observations indicate that there are at least three possible modes of ligand-mediated activation of HBV transcription and replication existing within hepatocytes, suggesting that multiple independent mechanisms control viral production in the livers of infected individuals.
Influenza Virus Induces Apoptosis via BAD-Mediated Mitochondrial Dysregulation
Authors: Tran Anh T. , Cortens John P. , Du Qiujiang , Wilkins John A. , Coombs Kevin M.
Published: November 2012

Influenza virus infection results in host cell death and major tissue damage. Specific components of the apoptotic pathway, a signaling cascade that ultimately leads to cell death, are implicated in promoting influenza virus replication. BAD is a cell death regulator that constitutes a critical control point in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway, which occurs through the dysregulation of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization and the subsequent activation of downstream apoptogenic factors. Here we report a novel proviral role for the proapoptotic protein BAD in influenza virus replication. We show that influenza virus-induced cytopathology and cell death are considerably inhibited in BAD knockdown cells and that both virus replication and viral protein production are dramatically reduced, which suggests that virus-induced apoptosis is BAD dependent. Our data showed that influenza viruses induced phosphorylation of BAD at residues S112 and S136 in a temporal manner. Viral infection also induced BAD cleavage, late in the viral life cycle, to a truncated form that is reportedly a more potent inducer of apoptosis. We further demonstrate that knockdown of BAD resulted in reduced cytochromecrelease and suppression of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway during influenza virus replication, as seen by an inhibition of caspases-3, caspase-7, and procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) cleavage. Our data indicate that influenza viruses carefully modulate the activation of the apoptotic pathway that is dependent on the regulatory function of BAD and that failure of apoptosis activation resulted in unproductive viral replication.
Lethal Canine Distemper Virus Outbreak in Cynomolgus Monkeys in Japan in 2008
Authors: Sakai Kouji , Nagata Noriyo , Ami Yasushi , Seki Fumio , Suzaki Yuriko , Iwata-Yoshikawa Naoko , Suzuki Tadaki , Fukushi Shuetsu , Mizutani Tetsuya , Yoshikawa Tomoki , Otsuki Noriyuki , Kurane Ichiro , Komase Katsuhiro , Yamaguchi Ryoji , Hasegawa Hideki , Saijo Masayuki , Takeda Makoto , Morikawa Shigeru
Published: November 2012

Canine distemper virus (CDV) has recently expanded its host range to nonhuman primates. A large CDV outbreak occurred in rhesus monkeys at a breeding farm in Guangxi Province, China, in 2006, followed by another outbreak in rhesus monkeys at an animal center in Beijing in 2008. In 2008 in Japan, a CDV outbreak also occurred in cynomolgus monkeys imported from China. In that outbreak, 46 monkeys died from severe pneumonia during a quarantine period. A CDV strain (CYN07-dV) was isolated in Vero cells expressing dog signaling lymphocyte activation molecule (SLAM). Phylogenic analysis showed that CYN07-dV was closely related to the recent CDV outbreaks in China, suggesting continuing chains of CDV infection in monkeys.
In vitro
, CYN07-dV uses macaca SLAM and macaca nectin4 as receptors as efficiently as dog SLAM and dog nectin4, respectively. CYN07-dV showed high virulence in experimentally infected cynomolgus monkeys and excreted progeny viruses in oral fluid and feces. These data revealed that some of the CDV strains, like CYN07-dV, have the potential to cause acute systemic infection in monkeys.
Characterization of the Nonstructural Proteins of the Bocavirus Minute Virus of Canines
Authors: Sukhu Loretta , Fasina Olufemi , Burger Lisa , Rai Ayushi , Qiu Jianming , Pintel David J.
Published: November 2012

We present a detailed characterization of a single-cycle infection of the bocavirus minute virus of canines (MVC) in canine WRD cells. This has allowed identification of an additional smaller NS protein that derives from an mRNA spliced within the NS gene that had not been previously reported. In addition, we have identified a role for the viral NP1 protein during infection. NP1 is required for read-through of the MVC internal polyadenylation site and, thus, access of the capsid gene by MVC mRNAs. Although the mechanism of NP1's action has not yet been fully elucidated, it represents the first parvovirus protein to be implicated directly in viral RNA processing.
hsp70 and a Novel Axis of Type I Interferon-Dependent Antiviral Immunity in the Measles Virus-Infected Brain
Authors: Kim Mi Young , Shu Yaoling , Carsillo Thomas , Zhang Jianying , Yu Lianbo , Peterson Cornelia , Longhi Sonia , Girod Sarah , Niewiesk Stefan , Oglesbee Michael
Published: November 2012

The major inducible 70-kDa heat shock protein (hsp70) is host protective in a mouse model of measles virus (MeV) brain infection. Transgenic constitutive expression of hsp70 in neurons, the primary target of MeV infection, abrogates neurovirulence in neonatal H-2dcongenic C57BL/6 mice. A significant level of protection is retained after depletion of T lymphocytes, implicating innate immune mechanisms. The focus of the present work was to elucidate the basis for hsp70-dependent innate immunity using this model. Transcriptome analysis of brains from transgenic (TG) and nontransgenic (NT) mice 5 days after infection identified type I interferon (IFN) signaling, macrophage activation, and antigen presentation as the main differences linked to survival. The pivotal role of type I IFN in hsp70-mediated protection was demonstrated in mice with a genetically disrupted type I IFN receptor (IFNAR−/−), where IFNAR−/−eliminated the difference in survival between TG and NT mice. Brain macrophages, not neurons, are the predominant source of type I IFN in the virus-infected brain, andin vitrostudies provided a mechanistic basis by which MeV-infected neurons can induce IFN-β in uninfected microglia in an hsp70-dependent manner. MeV infection induced extracellular release of hsp70 from mouse neuronal cells that constitutively express hsp70, and extracellular hsp70 induced IFN-β transcription in mouse microglial cells through Toll-like receptors 2 and 4. Collectively, our results support a novel axis of type I IFN-dependent antiviral immunity in the virus-infected brain that is driven by hsp70.
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test scores and clinical and sociodemographic correlates in Schizophrenia: multiple logistic regression analysis
Authors: Banno Masahiro , Koide Takayoshi , Aleksic Branko , Okada Takashi , Kikuchi Tsutomu , Kohmura Kunihiro , Adachi Yasunori , Kawano Naoko , Iidaka Tetsuya , Ozaki Norio
Published: November 2012

Objectives

This study investigated what clinical and sociodemographic factors affected Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) factor scores of patients with schizophrenia to evaluate parameters or items of the WCST.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Patients with schizophrenia from three hospitals participated.

Participants

Participants were recruited from July 2009 to August 2011. 131 Japanese patients with schizophrenia (84 men and 47 women, 43.5±13.8 years (mean±SD)) entered and completed the study. Participants were recruited in the study if they (1) met DSM-IV criteria for schizophrenia; (2) were physically healthy and (3) had no mood disorders, substance abuse, neurodevelopmental disorders, epilepsy or mental retardation. We examined their basic clinical and sociodemographic factors (sex, age, education years, age of onset, duration of illness, chlorpromazine equivalent doses and the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) scores).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

All patients carried out the WCST Keio version. Five indicators were calculated, including categories achieved (CA), perseverative errors in Milner (PEM) and Nelson (PEN), total errors (TE) and difficulties of maintaining set (DMS). From the principal component analysis, we identified two factors (1 and 2). We assessed the relationship between these factor scores and clinical and sociodemographic factors, using multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

Factor 1 was mainly composed of CA, PEM, PEN and TE. Factor 2 was mainly composed of DMS. The factor 1 score was affected by age, education years and the PANSS negative scale score. The factor 2 score was affected by duration of illness.

Conclusions

Age, education years, PANSS negative scale score and duration of illness affected WCST factor scores in patients with schizophrenia. Using WCST factor scores may reduce the possibility of type I errors due to multiple comparisons.