bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aluminum accumulation in nineteen Melastomataceae species from three contrasting plant formations in acid soils
Authors: Olivares Elizabeth , Colonnello Giuseppe , Peña Eder , Rodriguez Leyda
Published: May 2010

This study describes the aluminum (Al) accumulation in relation to macronutrient and micronutrient elements in 19 Melastomataceae species in the Guayana Region in Venezuela. The purpose was to investigate the Al accumulation in four tribes and different life forms. Aluminum accumulation was predicted in the basal tribes Miconieae and Merianieae in contrast to the derived tribes and herbs from any tribe, which generally do not accumulate Al. The survey was done in a vegetation continuum, which includes a savanna shrubland, a palm‐swamp community, and an evergreen forest in the Guayana region in southeastern Venezuela. The highest value of soil Al concentration was found in the savanna shrubland, where ten lignified Miconiae and one Merianeae Al accumulators were present. At the forest, the site with highest soil acidity, four Al‐accumulator tree species from Miconiae were found.Miconia lepidotashowed similar Al foliar concentrations in the savanna shrubland and forest, but foliar Ca was lower in the forest, even though it was the site with highest Ca in the soil. At the palm‐swamp community, the Melastomeae shrubMacairea pachyphyllawas found with an Al concentration of 0.59 g kg–1in leaves and 0.16 g kg–1in bark. At the same site, Al accumulation occurred in one Microlicieae species, one Miconieae species, and in the Melastomeae herbsPterogastra divaricata(13.25 g [kg dry mass]–1) andPterolepis trichotoma(17.83 g kg–1). The report of Al hyperaccumulation inP. trichotomais new for the genus, and Al accumulation in herbs is considered exceptional. The foliar Al concentration was positively correlated (p< 0.005) with Fe (r= 0.64,n= 20) and Zn (r= 0.63). The analysis of the relationships between soil Al, Fe, or Zn and the concentrations of these elements in leaves revealed they were not significantly correlated. The results indicate Al hyperaccumulation in two herbaceous Melastoamataceae species and suggest Al accumulation in this life form deserves future research. However, they also confirm the highest number of Al accumulators in lignified species of the ancient tribe Miconiae (14 out of 19 species studied).
Responses of physiological parameters, grain yield, and grain quality to foliar application of potassium nitrate in two contrasting winter wheat cultivars under salinity stress
Authors: Zheng Yanhai , Xu Xianbin , Simmons Matthew , Zhang Chao , Gao Fengju , Li Zengjia
Published: May 2010

An experiment was conducted to test whether foliar application of KNO3 on wheat in the heading stage could reduce salinity‐induced injuries, produce high grain yield, and improve grain quality. Salt‐resistant DK961 and salt‐sensitive JN17 wheat cultivars under 0 or 100 mM–NaCl conditions were foliarly watered with distilled water or a 10 mM–KNO3 solution. The four treatments included: T1 (CK1), 0 mM NaCl + distilled water; T2, 0 mM NaCl + 10 mM KNO3; T3 (CK2), 100 mM NaCl + distilled water; T4, 100 mM NaCl + 10 mM KNO3. The results indicate that there were no differences (p > 0.05) in plant growth, grain yield, and grain quality between T2 and T1 in both cultivars, but these response variables were significantly lower in T3 than in T1. K+ : Na+ ratio, chlorophyll content, photosynthetic capacity, grain yield, flour yield, water absorbance, ash content, dough‐development time and dough‐stability time were significantly higher in T4 than in T3, while protein concentration, wet‐gluten concentration, and antioxidant enzyme activities were lower. Although foliar application of KNO3 on JN17 enhanced plant growth, grain yield, and grain quality, these parameters were still lower in T4 than in T1. Our findings suggest that cultivating the salt‐resistant wheat cultivar combined with foliar application of KNO3 at heading stage may alleviate salinity injuries and produce higher grain yield and better grain quality under saline conditions.
CARS temperature measurement in a LOX/CH4 spray flame
Authors: Fabelinsky V. I. , Smirnov V. V. , Stel'makh O. M. , Vereschagin K. A. , Clauss W. , Manfletti C. , Sender J. , Oschwald M.
Published: May 2010

Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy has been used to investigate cryogenic liquid oxygen/gaseous methane (LOX/CH4) flames on a medium‐size test facility at a pressure of 0.24 MPa and mass flow of 0.025 kg/s. Single‐shot, broadband CARS spectra with simultaneous detection of the Q‐branches of hydrogen and water molecules were recorded with good signal‐to‐noise ratio. Temperature was deduced from the H2 and H2O CARS profiles. The spatial temperature distribution in a comparatively harsh environment has been measured successfully. The measurements took place in the windowed combustion chamber of the DLR M3 test facility, aiming to provide data for validation of rocket combustor modeling. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Waves around almost periodic arrangements of scatterers: Analysis of positional disorder
Authors: Martin P. A. , Maurel A.
Published: May 2010

Much is known about the propagation of waves through periodic arrangements of identical scatterers, such as through a photonic crystal. Here, we consider a simple realization: scalar waves through a regular two‐dimensional array of identical small circles. We are interested in the effect of random disorder: the circles remain identical, but their centres are given small random displacements. We derive asymptotic approximations that can be used to quantify the effect of positional disorder. Extension to more complicated problems seems feasible and is expected. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibition of neointimal formation by trans‐resveratrol: Role of phosphatidyl inositol 3‐kinase‐dependent Nrf2 activation in heme oxygenase‐1 induction
Authors: Kim Jung Woo , Lim Sung Chul , Lee Moo Yeol , Lee Jeong Woon , Oh Won Keun , Kim Sang Kyum , Kang Keon Wook
Published: May 2010

Neointima, defined as abnormal growth of the intimal layer of blood vessels, is believed to be a critical event in the development of vascular occlusive disease. Although resveratrol's inhibitory effects on proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells has been reported, its activity on neointimal formation is still unclear. Oral administration of trans‐resveratrol significantly suppressed intimal hyperplasia in a wire‐injured femoral artery mouse model. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, trans‐resveratrol inhibited platelet‐derived growth factor‐stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation with down‐regulation of cyclin D and pRB. Moreover, platelet‐derived growth factor‐induced production of reactive oxygen species was inhibited by trans‐resveratrol and the compound induced heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1). The anti‐proliferative activity of trans‐resveratrol was reversed by an HO‐1 inhibitor, ZnPPIX. Subcellular fractionation and reporter gene analyses revealed that trans‐resveratrol increased the level of nuclear Nrf2 and antioxidant response element reporter activity, and that these were essential for the induction of HO‐1. Trans‐resveratrol also enhanced the activities of phosphatidyl inositol 3‐kinase and extracellular signal regulated kinase, and phosphatidyl inositol 3‐kinase was required for Nrf2/antioxidant response element‐dependent HO‐1 induction. These data have significant implications for the elucidation of the pharmacological mechanism by which trans‐resveratrol prevents vascular occlusive diseases.
Numerical solution of the heat equation with non‐linear, time derivative‐dependent source term
Authors: Pieper M. , Klein P.
Published: May 2010

The mathematical modeling of heat conduction with adsorption effects in coated metal structures yields the heat equation with piecewise smooth coefficients and a new kind of source term. This term is special, because it is non‐linear and furthermore depends on a time derivative. In our approach we reformulated this as a new problem for the usual heat equation, without source term but with a new non‐linear coefficient. We gave an existence and uniqueness proof for the weak solution of the reformulated problem. To obtain a numerical solution, we developed a semi‐implicit and a fully implicit finite volume method. We compared these two methods theoretically as well as numerically. Finally, as practical application, we simulated the heat conduction in coated aluminum fibers with adsorption in the zeolite coating. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Replication characterization of microribs fabricated by combining ultraprecision machining and microinjection molding
Authors: Yang Can , Li Lei , Huang Hanxiong , Castro Jose M. , Yi Allen Y.
Published: May 2010

This article aims to investigate the effects of five processing parameters and two geometric factors on replication quality of the microribs, as well as determination of the processing condition when different materials were used. Specifically, the considered parameters include barrel temperature, mold temperature, injection velocity, holding pressure, holding time, aspect ratio, and location of the microribs. The experiment results showed a considerable difference in replicated height of molded microribs with polymethylmethacrylate and polypropylene. Among the processing parameters, the barrel temperature and injection velocity significantly affected replication quality, whereas the holding pressure and holding time appeared to have little influence for both materials. The mold temperature was found to be a sensitive parameter only for polymethylmethacrylate. As for geometric factors, both aspect ratio and location of the microribs played important roles in achievable replication. In addition, simulation results showed good prediction on the trend of how process parameters affect replication, with a small amount of over prediction. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 50:2021–2030, 2010. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Submicron resolution carrier lifetime analysis in silicon with Fano resonances
Authors: Gundel Paul , Schubert Martin C. , Heinz Friedemann D. , Benick Jan , Zizak Ivo , Warta Wilhelm
Published: May 2010

Defect rich regions in multicrystalline silicon are investigated by Raman spectroscopy at high and low injection levels. By analyzing the Fano type asymmetry and the spectral position of the first order Raman peak crucial properties such as recombination lifetime, doping density and stress can be extracted simultaneously. Due to the small wavelength of the excitation laser the spatial resolution of these measurements is significantly below 1 µm, which gives new insight into the impact of defects on the carrier recombination lifetime. The results are evaluated by comparing them to micro‐photoluminescence and synchrotron X‐ray fluorescence measurements. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Diameter‐ and Metallicity‐Selective Enrichment of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Polymethacrylates with Pendant Aromatic Functional Groups
Authors: Pan Xiaoyong , Li Lain‐Jong , Chan‐Park Mary B.
Published: May 2010

Current methods for the synthesis of single‐walled nanotubes (SWNTs) produce mixtures of semiconducting (sem‐) and metallic (met‐) nanotubes. Most approaches to the chemical separation of sem‐/met‐SWNTs are based on small neutral molecules or conjugated aromatic polymers, which characteristically have low separation/dispersion efficiencies or present difficulties in the postseparation removal of the polymer so that the resulting field‐effect transistors (FETs) have poor performance. In this Full Paper, the use of three polymethacrylates with different pendant aromatic functional groups to separate cobalt–molybdenum catalyst (CoMoCAT) SWNTs according to their metallicity and diameters is reported. UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy indicates that poly(methyl‐methacrylate‐co‐fluorescein‐o‐acrylate) (PMMAFA) and poly(9‐anthracenylmethyl‐methacrylate) (PAMMA) preferentially disperse semiconducting SWNTs while poly(2‐naphthylmethacrylate) (PNMA) preferentially disperses metallic SWNTs, all in dimethylforamide (DMF). Photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy indicates that all three polymers preferentially disperse smaller‐diameter SWNTs, particularly those of (6,5) chirality, in DMF. When chloroform is used instead of DMF, the larger‐diameter SWNTs (8,4) and (7,6) are instead selected by PNMA. The solvent effects suggest that diameter selectivity and change of polymer conformation is probably responsible. Change of the polymer fluorescence upon interaction with SWNTs indicates that metallicity selectivity presumably results from the photon‐induced dipole–dipole interaction between polymeric chromophore and SWNTs. Thin‐film FET devices using semiconductor‐enriched solution with PMMAFA have been successfully fabricated and the device performance confirms the sem‐SWNTs enrichment with a highly reproducible on/off ratio of about 103.
Nematic‐like Organization of Magnetic Mesogen‐Hybridized Nanoparticles
Authors: Demortière Arnaud , Buathong Saïwan , Pichon Benoît P. , Panissod Pierre , Guillon Daniel , Bégin‐Colin Sylvie , Donnio Bertrand
Published: May 2010

A fluid nematic‐like phase is induced in monodisperse iron oxide nanoparticles with a diameter of 3.3 nm. This supramolecular arrangement is governed by the covalent functionalization of the nanoparticle surface with cyanobiphenyl‐based ligands as mesogenic promoters. The design and synthesis of these hybrid materials and the study of their mesogenic properties are reported. In addition, the modifications of the magnetic properties of the hybridized nanoparticles are investigated as a function of the different grafted ligands. Owing to the rather large interparticular distances (about 7 nm), the dipolar interaction between nanoparticles is shown to play only a minor role. Conversely, the surface magnetic anisotropy of the particles is significantly affected by the surface derivatization.
Mencius’ Refutation of Yang Zhu and Mozi and the Theoretical Implication of Confucian Benevolence and Love
Authors: Jinglin LI
Published: May 2010

Confucianism defined benevolence with “feelings” and “love.” “Feelings” in Confucianism can be mainly divided into three categories: feelings in general (seven kinds of feelings), love for one’s relatives, and compassion (Four Commencements). The seven kinds of feeling in which people respond to things can be summarized as “likes and dislikes.” The mind responds to things through feelings; based on the mind of benevolence and righteousness or feelings of compassion, the expression of feelings can conform to the principle of the mean and reach the integration of self and others, and of self and external things. The “relations between the seven kinds of feelings and the Four Commencements,” however, was not developed into a theoretical idea in Confucianism. After Confucius, the relationship between the universality of natural sympathies and the gradation of love for relatives gradually became an important subject in Confucian ideas of benevolence and love. By “refuting Yang Zhu and Mozi,” Mencius systematically expounded on this issue. Love had two ends: self-love and natural sympathies, between which existed the love for relatives. These two ends were not the two extremes of Yang’s self-interest and Mozi’s universal love. Love for relatives not only implied a gradation, but also contained universality and transcendence that came from self-love. Love for relatives, natural sympathies and self-love had a kind of tension and connectivity between two dynamic ends. The Confucian idea of benevolence and love hence demonstrated differences and interconnectivity. An accurate understanding of such “feelings” and “love” is important for us to grasp Confucian thoughts on benevolence and its realization.
On Pleasure: A Reflection on Happiness from the Confucian and Daoist Perspectives
Authors: Shaoming CHEN
Published: May 2010

This paper discusses the structural relationship between ideals on pleasure and pleasure as a human psychological phenomenon in Chinese thought. It describes the psychological phenomenon of pleasure, and compares different approaches by pre-Qin Confucian and Daoist scholars. It also analyzes its development in Song and Ming Confucianism. Finally, in the conclusion, the issue is transferred to a general understanding of happiness, so as to demonstrate the modern value of the classical ideological experience.
Synthesis and Some Surface Properties of Glycine‐Based Surfactants
Authors: Mousli Radia , Tazerouti Amel
Published: May 2010

A new group of anionic surfactants, namely sodium salts of secondary alkanesulfonamidoacetic acid, were synthesized using n‐alkanesulfonyl chlorides as starting materials. These surfactants, having the formula: R–SO2–NH–CH2–COONa, with R = C12, C14, C16 and C18, were obtained in a simple way with quantitative yields. Different chain lengths and positional isomers of this new type of surfactants are expected to present differences in surface properties and foamability. The surface properties including critical micelle concentrations and minimal surface tensions γmin were determined for each prepared surfactant using surface tension measurements with a Wilhelmy plate. Surface excess and minimum area per molecule at the air–water interface were determined for different concentrations at 25 and 50 °C using the Gibbs equation. The foaming power was also determined by the Bartsch method, and the results obtained were compared to those of a commercial surfactant, the linear alkylbenzenesulfonate. The stability of the foam formed was also evaluated. As expected, these surfactants exhibit good surface properties and show good foaming power.
Brief report: An online support intervention: Perceptions of adolescents with physical disabilities
Authors: Stewart Miriam , Barnfather Alison , Magill‐Evans Joyce , Ray Lynne , Letourneau Nicole
Published: May 2010

Adolescents with cerebral palsy and spina bifida report restricted interactions with peers and gaps in social support. A pilot online support intervention offered interactions with peers. Five mentors with cerebral palsy or spina bifida and 22 adolescents with the same disabilities met weekly online for 25 group sessions over six months. Participants completed quantitative measures of loneliness, sense of community, self‐perceptions, coping, and social support prior to intervention, post‐intervention, and delayed post‐intervention. Semi‐structured qualitative interviews elicited perceptions of the intervention's impacts. Participants reported more contact with teens with disabilities, decreased loneliness, and increased social acceptance and confidence. A significant increase in sense of community was reported from post‐intervention to delayed post‐intervention. Encouraging qualitative findings were supported by trends in the quantitative measures. This pilot study can guide a future community‐based intervention trial.
5‐HT2C receptor agonists attenuate pain‐related behaviour in a rat model of trigeminal neuropathic pain
Authors: Nakai Kunihiro , Nakae Aya , Oba Sosuke , Mashimo Takashi , Ueda Koichi
Published: May 2010

Peripheral branches of the trigeminal nerve may be damaged during maxillofacial injury or surgical procedures and trigeminal trauma may induce severe pain that is very challenging to treat. Chronic constriction injury to the infraorbital nerve (ION‐CCI) by loose ligatures has proven a useful model for some types of trigeminal neuropathic pain disorder. Using ION‐CCI rats, we examined the antiallodynic effects of intrathecally administered agents which are selective for 5‐HT2C receptors. Allodynia was evaluated by applying von Frey filaments to skin innervated by the injured ION. Dose‐dependent antiallodynic effects followed administration of three 5‐HT2C receptor agonists, 6‐chloro‐2‐(1‐piperazinyl)‐pyrazine (MK212: 10, 30, and 100 μg); (S)‐2‐(chloro‐5‐fluoro‐indol‐l‐yl)‐1‐methyamine fumarate (RO 60‐0175: 10, 30, and 100 μg); (AaR)‐8,9‐dichloro‐2,3,4,4a‐tetrahydro‐1H‐pyrazino[1,2‐a]quinoxalin‐5(6H)‐one (WAY‐161503: 10, 30, and 100 μg). ED50 values for antiallodynic effects of MK212, RO 60‐0175, and WAY‐161503 were 39.62, 46.67, and 51.22 μg, respectively. Intrathecal administration of the 5‐HT2C receptor antagonist, 8‐[5‐2,4‐dimethoxy‐5‐(4‐trifluoromethylphenylsulphonamido)phenyl‐5‐oxopentyl]‐1,3,8‐triazaspiro[4,5]decane‐2,4‐dione (RS‐102221: 30 μg) did not alter the mechanical threshold. Intrathecal pretreatment with RS‐102221 (10 and 30 μg) reduced the antiallodynic effects of the highest dose of 5‐HT2C agonists. These results indicated that, in this rat model, the 5‐HT2C receptor plays a role in spinal inhibition of trigeminal neuropathic pain.
Aleksandr Dugin's Transformation from a Lunatic Fringe Figure into a Mainstream Political Publicist, 1980–1998: A Case Study in the Rise of Late and Post-Soviet Russian Fascism
Authors: Umland Andreas
Published: May 2010

The paper 1 1 The paper expands on my earlier survey: Toward an Uncivil Society? Contextualizing the Recent Decline of Parties of the Extreme Right Wing in Russia, 2002. On Dugin's fascism, see Griffin, Loh, and Umland (2006); Umland (2006b, 2006c, 2006d), reprinted in: Verkhovskii (2006), and Laruelle (2007). was completed in 2008 and complements previous analyses of post-communist Russian right-wing extremism, in general, and studies of “neo-Eurasianism,” in particular, surveying some circumstances of the emergence of its major ideologist Aleksandr Dugin (b. 1962). It introduces some teachers and collaborators of Dugin who influenced him before he became a known journalist, writer and commentator in the late 1990s. It also sketches some of Dugin's initiatives and activities until he rose to the position of an official advisor to Gennady Seleznev, the Speaker of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, in 1998. The footnotes provide a comprehensive bibliography on Western and Russian sources on the Russian “New Right.” It concludes with some suggestion where further research into the Dugin phenomenon could go.

Current position

Assistant Professor of Contemporary Russian History at The Catholic University of Eichstaett-Ingolstadt, Bavaria, and editor of the book series Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society ( http://www.ibidem-verlag.de/spps.html ), Stuttgart and Hannover.

Biographical sketch

CertTransl (Leipzig), MA (Stanford), MPhil (Oxford), DipPolSci, DrPhil (FU Berlin), PhD (Cambridge). Visiting fellow at Stanford's Hoover Institution in 1997–1999, and Harvard's Weatherhead Center in 2001–2002. Bosch visiting lecturer at Yekaterinburg's Urals State University in 1999–2001, and Kyiv's Mohyla Academy in 2003/2005. In January-December 2004, temporary lecturer in Russian and East European studies at St. Antony's College Oxford. In 2005–2008, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Lecturer Kyiv's Shevchenko University. Papers in Problems of Post-Communism, East European Jewish Affairs, Osteuropa, Österreichische Zeitschrift für Politikwissenschaft, Politicheskie issledovaniya, European Political Science, Political Studies Review, The Journal of Slavic Military Studies, Voprosy filosofii, Obshchestvennye nauki i sovremennost’, Forum für osteuropäische Ideen- und Zeitgeschichte, Ab Imperio and other journals. Editor of The Implementation of the European Convention on Human Rights in Russia: Philosophical, Legal und Empirical Studies (Stuttgart: Ibidem 2004), Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaftliche Hochschullehre in Osteuropa. Vols. 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Frankfurt a.M. u.a.: Peter Lang 2005, 2006, 2007 & 2009), and, with Roger Griffin and Werner Loh, Fascism Past and Present, West and East: An International Debate on Concepts and Cases in the Comparative Study of the Extreme Right. With an afterword by Walter Laqueur (Stuttgart: Ibidem-Verlag 2006).
Focus on histone variant H2AX: To be or not to be
Authors: Yuan Jingsong , Adamski Rachel , Chen Junjie
Published: May 2010

Phosphorylation of histone variant H2AX at serine 139, named γH2AX, has been widely used as a sensitive marker for DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs). γH2AX is required for the accumulation of many DNA damage response (DDR) proteins at DSBs. Thus it is believed to be the principal signaling protein involved in DDR and to play an important role in DNA repair. However, only mild defects in DNA damage signaling and DNA repair were observed in H2AX‐deficient cells and animals. Such findings prompted us and others to explore H2AX‐independent mechanisms in DNA damage response. Here, we will review recent advances in our understanding of H2AX‐dependent and independent DNA damage signaling and repair pathways in mammalian cells.
Phosphorylation of mouse serine racemase regulates d‐serine synthesis
Authors: Foltyn Veronika N. , Zehl Martin , Dikopoltsev Elena , Jensen Ole N. , Wolosker Herman
Published: May 2010

Serine racemase (SR) catalyses the synthesis of the transmitter/neuromodulator d‐serine, which plays a major role in synaptic plasticity and N‐methyl d‐aspartate receptor neurotoxicity. We now report that SR is phosphorylated at Thr71 and Thr227 as revealed by mass spectrometric analysis and in vivo phosphorylation assays. Thr71 phosphorylation was observed in the cytosolic and membrane‐bound SR while Thr227 phosphorylation was restricted to the membrane fraction. The Thr71 site has a motif for proline‐directed kinases and is the main phosphorylation site of SR. Experiments with a phosphorylation‐deficient SR mutant indicate that Thr71 phosphorylation increases SR activity, suggesting a novel mechanism for regulating d‐serine production.
Pot1 and telomere maintenance
Authors: Baumann Peter , Price Carolyn
Published: May 2010

Proteins that specifically bind the single‐stranded overhang at the ends of telomeres have been identified in a wide range of eukaryotes and play pivotal roles in chromosome end protection and telomere length regulation. Here we summarize recent findings regarding the functions of POT1 proteins in vertebrates and discuss the functional evolution of POT1 proteins following gene duplication in protozoa, plants, nematodes and mice.
A tRNA‐dependent cysteine biosynthesis enzyme recognizes the selenocysteine‐specific tRNA in Escherichia coli
Authors: Yuan Jing , Hohn Michael J. , Sherrer R. Lynn , Palioura Sotiria , Su Dan , Söll Dieter
Published: May 2010

The essential methanogen enzyme Sep‐tRNA:Cys‐tRNA synthase (SepCysS) converts O‐phosphoseryl‐tRNACys (Sep‐tRNACys) into Cys‐tRNACys in the presence of a sulfur donor. Likewise, Sep‐tRNA:Sec‐tRNA synthase converts O‐phosphoseryl‐tRNASec (Sep‐tRNASec) to selenocysteinyl‐tRNASec (Sec‐tRNASec) using a selenium donor. While the Sep moiety of the aminoacyl‐tRNA substrates is the same in both reactions, tRNACys and tRNASec differ greatly in sequence and structure. In an Escherichia coli genetic approach that tests for formate dehydrogenase activity in the absence of selenium donor we show that Sep‐tRNASec is a substrate for SepCysS. Since Sec and Cys are the only active site amino acids known to sustain FDH activity, we conclude that SepCysS converts Sep‐tRNASec to Cys‐tRNASec, and that Sep is crucial for SepCysS recognition.
Anterior abdominal wall cervicopexy for treatment of stage III and stage IV uterine prolapse
Authors: Salem Hosam T. , Tawfik Reda M. , El Saman Ali M. , Nasr Ahmed
Published: May 2010

Objective

To study the operative and postoperative outcomes of anterior abdominal wall cervicopexy (AWC) for treatment of stage III and stage IV uterine prolapse.

Methods

AWC was performed by anchoring the supravaginal cervix to the anterior abdominal wall. This was done following obliteration of the pouch of Douglas via laparotomy.

Results

Among 37 patients, AWC was performed in 21 women with stage III and 16 women with stage IV uterine prolapse. Overcorrection was observed in 3 women. Postoperatively, 2 women experienced febrile morbidity and 5 had urinary retention. Thirteen women complained of urinary frequency, but all reported improvement at 3‐month follow up. Among 24 women who became pregnant, 14 delivered vaginally, 5 delivered by cesarean, and 5 had an ongoing pregnancy. Four recurrences occurred: 2 stage II and 2 stage III prolapses. Three of these women had delivered by cesarean, while the fourth recurrence occurred after the patient's third vaginal birth.

Conclusions

AWC is a simple and effective procedure to treat stage III and stage IV uterine prolapse. However, some surgical modifications and more studies are required to ascertain its validity.
Cochlear implantation in adolescents with prelinguistic deafness
Authors: Arisi Elena , Forti Stella , Pagani Davide , Todini Loredana , Torretta Sara , Ambrosetti Umberto , Pignataro Lorenzo
Published: May 2010

Objective

The aims of this study were to examine auditory function in a group of adolescents with prelingual deafness who received cochlear implants (CI) and to identify poor‐outcome predictors in order to define reliable prognostic indicators useful in selecting patients for CI.

Study Design

Prospective study.

Setting

The study was conducted in the Audiology Unit of Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.

Subjects and Methods

The study involved 45 adolescents (mean age at implantation: 13.4 ± 2.6 years, range: 11‐18) with profound congenital hearing impairment with a follow‐up of three years. Preimplantation and postimplantation auditory performance and speech perception were evaluated using the mean score of three hearing and speech perception tests (vowel‐consonant‐vowel [VCV], identification of disyllabic words, and recognition of short sentences) performed in auditory‐only listening conditions.

Results

Significant improvements in all speech perception tests were observed after CI. However, 15 cases were considered “poor performers” (i.e., the auditory performance of these patients was less than 30 percent). The diagnosis of deafness in these subjects was significantly delayed (18.07 ± 6.25 and 34.4 ± 10.26 months in good and poor performers, respectively, P = 0.006), and their hearing threshold was significantly lower than in the good users group. The mean age at CI was 12.8 ± 2.33 and 14.53 ± 2.70 years in good and poor performers, respectively (P = ns).

Conclusion

CI was shown to be a useful device with the ability to reverse the adverse consequences of hearing loss, particularly for prelingual adolescents who receive implantation early in life and who present a hearing threshold of 100 dB or better both at diagnosis and at surgery.
A comparison of the reproducibility of verbal and nonverbal facial gestures using three‐dimensional motion analysis
Authors: Popat Hashmat , Henley Emma , Richmond Stephen , Benedikt Lanthao , Marshall David , Rosin Paul L.
Published: May 2010

Objective

To evaluate the reproducibility of selected verbal and nonverbal facial gestures.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Setting

School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.

Subjects and Methods

Twenty‐five white subjects were asked to perform four verbal gestures and two nonverbal facial gestures in a normal, relaxed manner. The sequences were captured using a noninvasive, three‐dimensional motion analysis scanner (3dMDFace Dynamic System; 3Q Technologies, Atlanta, GA) at an initial time point (T1) and one month later (T2). Principal component analysis was used to analyze the dynamics of lip movement, and dynamic time warping was used to evaluate the reproducibility between T1 and T2 for the individual facial gestures. Statistical analyses were used to compare the reproducibility of the different facial gestures.

Results

All four verbal gestures were found to be significantly more reproducible than the nonverbal gestures. The word “puppy” was most reproducible, and the normal smile expression least reproducible. A hierarchy of reproducibility is proposed as “puppy,” “baby,” “rope,” “bob,” standardized smile, normal smile.

Conclusion

Verbal facial gestures, in particular the words “puppy” and “baby,” are more appropriate for use in the assessment of lip movement when compared with smile expressions because of their high level of reproducibility over a one‐month period.
Hot saline irrigation for control of intraoperative bleeding in adenoidectomy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Özmen Süay , Özmen Ömer Afşın
Published: May 2010

Objective

To investigate the efficiency of hot (50°C) saline irrigation for hemostasis after adenoidectomy.

Study Design

A prospective, controlled, randomized study to investigate hot saline solution in hemostasis of adenoidectomy.

Setting

A tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Subjects and Methods

A group of 120 children, undergoing adenoidectomy alone, were randomized into two groups, either the room‐temperature (25°C) or 50°C saline group, at the start of the operation.

Results

One hundred and twenty consecutive patients were enrolled in the study. Age ranged from 1.5 to nine years (mean ± SD: 4.5 ± 1.9 years vs 4.9 ± 1.8 years, 25°C vs 50°C saline groups). There were 36 males and 24 females in the control group (25°C saline group), and 30 males and 30 females in the 50°C saline group. Compared to patients in the control group, 50°C saline reduced the operative time by 3.1 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.79‐4.41, P = 0.001) and reduced the time for hemostasis by 1.77 minutes (95% CI 0.83‐2.70, P = 0.008).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that the 50°C saline irrigation was more effectual for postadenoidectomy hemostasis in comparison to room‐temperature (25°C) saline irrigation by providing a lesser hemostasis time and requiring lesser need of recurettage and electrocauterization.
No significant ice-sheet expansion beyond present ice margins during the past 4500 yr at Rauer Group, East Antarctica
Authors: Berg Sonja , Wagner Bernd , White Duanne A. , Melles Martin
Published: May 2010

The history of glacial advances and retreats of the East Antarctic ice sheet during the Holocene is not well-known, due to limited field evidence in both the marine and terrestrial realm. A 257-cm-long sediment core was recovered from a marine inlet in the Rauer Group, East Antarctica, 1.8 km in front of the present ice-sheet margin. Radiocarbon dating and lithological characteristics reveal that the core comprises a complete marine record since 4500 yr. A significant ice-sheet expansion beyond present ice margins therefore did not occur during this period.
Editorial
Authors: Myles Florence
Published: May 2010

The Journal of French Language Studies is celebrating its 20th birthday! This seems an opportune moment to give a brief snapshot of its first 20 years, and outline some of the changes it has witnessed over this time.
AN EFFICIENT COMPUTATIONAL APPROACH TO A CLASS OF MINMAX OPTIMAL CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH APPLICATIONS
Authors: LI B. , TEO K. L. , ZHAO G. H. , DUAN G. R.
Published: May 2010

In this paper, an efficient computation method is developed for solving a general class of minmax optimal control problems, where the minimum deviation from the violation of the continuous state inequality constraints is maximized. The constraint transcription method is used to construct a smooth approximate function for each of the continuous state inequality constraints. We then obtain an approximate optimal control problem with the integral of the summation of these smooth approximate functions as its cost function. A necessary condition and a sufficient condition are derived showing the relationship between the original problem and the smooth approximate problem. We then construct a violation function from the solution of the smooth approximate optimal control problem and the original continuous state inequality constraints in such a way that the optimal control of the minmax problem is equivalent to the largest root of the violation function, and hence can be solved by the bisection search method. The control parametrization and a time scaling transform are applied to these optimal control problems. We then consider two practical problems: the obstacle avoidance optimal control problem and the abort landing of an aircraft in a windshear downburst.
Civil liberties and economic development
Authors: BENYISHAY ARIEL , BETANCOURT ROGER R.
Published: May 2010

Skepticism prevails among a substantial number of economists over a possible connection between civil liberties and the level of economic activity. Until now, empirical research on economic growth has found mixed evidence on the influence of civil liberties. Disaggregation of the Freedom House Civil Liberties Index allows a fresh empirical look at the effect of human rights on long-term growth or economic development. Our results show that one of the four subcategories of the index outperforms all available indicators of property rights institutions in explaining long-term economic growth. This subcategory, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights, captures the level of second generation human rights that affect the mobility of individuals with respect to housing, employment and university education, as well as the level of protection of property rights. This result is robust with respect to reverse causation, important omitted variables such as geography and human capital, as well as to a variety of sensitivity tests. We also discuss in our conceptual framework how civil liberties work as an indicator of the prevalence of the rule of law and how the latter affects growth or development as an essential public input.
Katathymes Bilderleben im kunsttherapeutischen Prozess
Authors: Hampe Ruth
Published: May 2010

Zusammenfassung. Eine psychosoziale Förderung von Schülern an Schulen bedarf der Einbeziehung von Entspannungsübungen, Aktivierungsformen innerer Bilder und ästhetisch-gestalterischen Ausdrucksgebungen. Es bietet die Möglichkeit der Kontaktaufnahme mit auffälligen Schülern im Sinne eines präventiven Förderangebotes integriert an Schulen. Welche Bedeutung die Einbeziehung innerer Bilder über das katathyme Bilderleben hat, soll in der Reflektion neurowissenschaftlicher Erkenntnisse und praxisorientierter Anwendungsformen anhand eines Fallbeispiels veranschaulicht werden.
Metapher und Musik in der Katathym Imaginativen Psychotherapie (KIP)
Authors: Ullmann Harald
Published: May 2010

Zusammenfassung. In der Katathym Imaginativen Psychotherapie (KIP) greifen symbolische, dramatische und metaphorische Elemente ineinander, die unter entwicklungspsychologischen, neurobiologischen und beziehungsgestaltenden Gesichtspunkten zu betrachten sind. Aus dem symbolvermittelten Geschehen des Tagtraum heraus können sich auch musikalische Erlebnisinhalte entwickeln, die in der Interaktion dann eine metaphorische Bedeutung entfalten.
Under- and Over-Estimation
Authors: Crollen Virginie , Castronovo Julie , Seron Xavier
Published: May 2010

Over the last 30 years, numerical estimation has been largely studied. Recently, Castronovo and Seron (2007) proposed the bi-directional mapping hypothesis in order to account for the finding that dependent on the type of estimation task (perception vs. production of numerosities), reverse patterns of performance are found (i.e., under- and over-estimation, respectively). Here, we further investigated this hypothesis by submitting adult participants to three types of numerical estimation task: (1) a perception task, in which participants had to estimate the numerosity of a non-symbolic collection; (2) a production task, in which participants had to approximately produce the numerosity of a symbolic numerical input; and (3) a reproduction task, in which participants had to reproduce the numerosity of a non-symbolic numerical input. Our results gave further support to the finding that different patterns of performance are found according to the type of estimation task: (1) under-estimation in the perception task; (2) over-estimation in the production task; and (3) accurate estimation in the reproduction task. Moreover, correlation analyses revealed that the more a participant under-estimated in the perception task, the more he/she over-estimated in the production task. We discussed these empirical data by showing how they can be accounted by the bi-directional mapping hypothesis ( Castronovo & Seron, 2007 ).
Multiple Goal Management Starts With Attention
Authors: Vogt Julia , De Houwer Jan , Crombez Geert
Published: May 2010

Prior studies have shown that attention is allocated to events relevant to the current goal of a person. Until now, research has focused on the implementation of a single goal leaving open the question of how attention is allocated when multiple goals are activated. We examined whether the allocation of spatial attention is affected by the prioritizing of one goal over another. The results of two dot probe studies showed that attention is oriented to stimuli relevant to a goal with high value when simultaneously presented with stimuli relevant to a goal with low value (Experiment 1) and to stimuli relevant to a goal with high expectancy of success that were simultaneously presented with stimuli relevant to a goal with low expectancy of success (Experiment 2). These findings demonstrate that the allocation of spatial attention is dependent on the motivational strength of goal pursuit.
Face (and Nose) Priming for Book
Authors: Coane Jennifer H. , Balota David A.
Published: May 2010

There are two general classes of models of semantic structure that support semantic priming effects. Feature-overlap models of semantic priming assume that shared features between primes and targets are critical (e.g., cat-DOG). Associative accounts assume that contextual co-occurrence is critical and that the system is organized along associations independent of featural overlap (e.g., leash-DOG). If unrelated concepts can become related as a result of contextual co-occurrence, this would be more supportive of associative accounts and provide insight into the nature of the network underlying “semantic” priming effects. Naturally co-occurring recent associations (e.g., face-BOOK) were tested under conditions that minimize strategic influences (i.e., short stimulus onset asynchrony and low relatedness proportion) in a semantic priming paradigm. Priming for new associations did not differ from the priming found for pre-existing relations (e.g., library-BOOK). Mediated priming (e.g., nose-BOOK) was also found. These results suggest that contextual associations can result in the reorganization of the network that subserves “semantic” priming effects.
Being Mimicked Makes You a Prosocial Voter
Authors: Stel Mariëlle , Harinck Fieke
Published: May 2010

People’s voting behavior has a great impact on the political road that is taken in our countries. The current research shows that mimicry, the imitation of nonverbal behavior, unconsciously affects our political voting behavior. Earlier research has shown that mimicry enhances prosocial thoughts and behaviors. As prosocial people are expected to be more attracted to left-wing parties, it was predicted that mimicry affects people’s voting behavior. As expected, mimickees voted more often for left-wing than for right-wing parties than nonmimickees. This effect was due to a shift in mimickees’ view of themselves as being more related to others. Thus, mimicry does more than making people more prosocial, it even affects their political decisions.
Position Coding in Two-Digit Arabic Numbers
Authors: García-Orza Javier , Perea Manuel
Published: May 2010

Digit position coding in two-digit Arabic numbers was examined in two masked priming experiments. In Experiment 1, participants had to decide whether the presented stimulus was a two-digit Arabic number (e.g., 67) or not (e.g., G7). Target stimuli could be preceded by a prime which (i) shared one digit in the initial position (e.g., 13-18), (ii) shared one digit but in a different position (83-18), and (iii) was a transposed number (81-18). Two unrelated control conditions, equalized in terms of the distance between primes and targets with the experimental conditions, were also included (e.g., 79-18). Results showed a priming effect only when prime and target shared digits in the same position. Experiment 2 employed a masked priming same-different matching task – a task that has been successfully employed in the literature on letter position coding. Results showed faster response times when prime and target shared digits – including the transposed-digit condition – relative to the control conditions. Thus, the identity of each digit in the early stages of visual processing is not associated with a specific position in two-digit Arabic numbers. We examine the implication of these findings for models of Arabic number processing.
Distraction by Auditory Novelty
Authors: Parmentier Fabrice B. R. , Turner Jacqueline , Elsley Jane V.
Published: May 2010

The unexpected occurrence of an oddball auditory stimulus (novel) among an otherwise repeated stream of sounds (standards) is known to impact negatively on participants’ performance in an unrelated visual task. The present study sought to test new predictions emerging from Parmentier’s (2008) model of distraction by auditory novelty. Participants categorized the direction of visual arrows preceded by a task-irrelevant sound. Two time intervals between distractor and target were tested in separate blocks of trials. Rare auditory novels consisted of the words “left” or “right”, which were either congruent or incongruent with the upcoming target. The data confirmed the slowing of response in the face of a novel (novelty distraction) as well as, on incongruent trials, a further delay due to cross-talk interference between distractor and target (semantic effect). More importantly, and in line with our predictions, the results further showed that (1) the semantic effect, but not novelty distraction, increased with the time interval between distractor and target; and that (2) the production of a response on the first standard trial following a novel trial was slowed if that response required the activation of a recently inhibited network (post-novelty semantic effect). Overall, the data lend support to the view that behavioral distraction by auditory novelty reflects a mosaic of contributors, the effects of which can ripple across trials.
Attention and Implicit Memory
Authors: Spataro Pietro , Mulligan Neil W. , Rossi-Arnaud Clelia
Published: May 2010

The distinction between identification and production priming assumes that tasks based on production processes involve two distinct stages: the activation of multiple solutions and the following selection of a final response. Previous research demonstrated that divided attention reduced production but not identification priming. However, an unresolved issue concerns whether the activation of candidate solutions is sufficient to account for the enhanced request of attentional resources, independently from the contribution of selection processes. The present paper investigated this question by using a version of the lexical decision task (LDT) in which the target words had either many or few orthographic neighbors. Two experiments showed that the effects of divided and selective attention were equivalent in both conditions, suggesting that the inclusion of a process of generation of multiple solutions in the LDT is not sufficient to increase the amount of cognitive resources needed to achieve full priming to the levels of production tasks.