bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of marine ecosystems: international production modelling workshop
Authors: Link Jason S. , Megrey Bernard A. , Miller Thomas J. , Essington Tim , Boldt Jennifer , Bundy Alida , Moksness Erlend , Drinkwater Ken F. , Perry R. Ian
Published: July 2010

Understanding the drivers that dictate the productivity of marine ecosystems continues to be a globally important issue. A vast literature identifies three main processes that regulate the production dynamics of such ecosystems: biophysical, exploitative and trophodynamic. Exploring the prominence among this ‘triad’ of drivers, through a synthetic analysis, is critical for understanding how marine ecosystems function and subsequently produce fisheries resources of interest to humans. To explore this topic further, an international workshop was held on 10–14 May 2010, at the National Academy of Science's Jonsson Center in Woods Hole, MA, USA. The workshop compiled the data required to develop production models at different hierarchical levels (e.g. species, guild, ecosystem) for many of the major Northern Hemisphere marine ecosystems that have supported notable fisheries. Analyses focused on comparable total system biomass production, functionally equivalent species production, or simulation studies for 11 different marine fishery ecosystems. Workshop activities also led to new analytical tools. Preliminary results suggested common patterns driving overall fisheries production in these ecosystems, but also highlighted variation in the relative importance of each among ecosystems.
Applications of conducting polymers and their issues in biomedical engineering
Authors: Ravichandran Rajeswari , Sundarrajan Subramanian , Venugopal Jayarama Reddy , Mukherjee Shayanti , Ramakrishna Seeram
Published: July 2010

Conducting polymers (CPs) have attracted much interest as suitable matrices of biomolecules and have been used to enhance the stability, speed and sensitivity of various biomedical devices. Moreover, CPs are inexpensive, easy to synthesize and versatile because their properties can be readily modulated by (i) surface functionalization techniques and (ii) the use of a wide range of molecules that can be entrapped or used as dopants. This paper discusses the various surface modifications of the CP that can be employed in order to impart physico-chemical and biological guidance cues that promote cell adhesion/proliferation at the polymer–tissue interface. This ability of the CP to induce various cellular mechanisms widens its applications in medical fields and bioengineering.
Contrasts between organic participation in apatite biomineralization in brachiopod shell and vertebrate bone identified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
Authors: Neary Marianne T. , Reid David G. , Mason Matthew J. , Friščić Tomislav , Duer Melinda J. , Cusack Maggie
Published: July 2010

Unusually for invertebrates, linguliform brachiopods employ calcium phosphate mineral in hard tissue formation, in common with the evolutionarily distant vertebrates. Using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (SSNMR) and X-ray powder diffraction, we compare the organic constitution, crystallinity and organic matrix–mineral interface of phosphatic brachiopod shells with those of vertebrate bone. In particular, the organic–mineral interfaces crucial for the stability and properties of biomineral were probed with SSNMR rotational echo double resonance (REDOR).
Lingula anatina
and
Discinisca tenuis
shell materials yield strikingly dissimilar SSNMR spectra, arguing for quite different organic constitutions. However, their fluoroapatite-like mineral is highly crystalline, unlike the poorly ordered hydroxyapatite of bone. Neither shell material shows
13
C{
31
P} REDOR effects, excluding strong physico-chemical interactions between mineral and organic matrix, unlike bone in which glycosaminoglycans and proteins are composited with mineral at sub-nanometre length scales. Differences between organic matrix of shell material from
L. anatina
and
D. tenuis
, and bone reflect evolutionary pressures from contrasting habitats and structural purposes. The absence of organic–mineral intermolecular associations in brachiopod shell argues that biomineralization follows different mechanistic pathways to bone; their details hold clues to the molecular structural evolution of phosphatic biominerals, and may provide insights into novel composite design.
Generalized Heine’s identity for complex Fourier series of binomials
Authors: Cohl Howard S. , Dominici Diego E.
Published: July 2010

In his treatise, Heine (
Heine 1881
In
Theorie und Anwendungen
) gave an identity for the Fourier series of the function

, with

, and
z
>1, in terms of associated Legendre functions of the second kind

. In this paper, we generalize Heine’s identity for the function

, with

,

and

, in terms of

. We also compute closed-form expressions for some 

.
Host shifts and evolutionary radiations of butterflies
Authors: Fordyce James A.
Published: July 2010

Ehrlich and Raven proposed a model of coevolution where major host plant shifts of butterflies facilitate a burst of diversification driven by their arrival to a new adaptive zone. One prediction of this model is that reconstructions of historical diversification of butterflies should indicate an increase in diversification rate following major host shifts. Using reconstructed histories of 15 butterfly groups, I tested this prediction and found general agreement with Ehrlich and Raven's model. Butterfly lineages with an inferred major historical host shift showed evidence of diversification rate variation, with a significant acceleration following the host shift. Lineages without an inferred major host shift generally agreed with a constant-rate model of diversification. These results are consistent with the view that host plant associations have played a profound role in the evolutionary history of butterflies, and show that major shifts to chemically distinct plant groups leave a historical footprint that remains detectable today.
Multi-generational persistence of traditions in neighbouring meerkat groups
Authors: Thornton Alex , Samson Jamie , Clutton-Brock Tim
Published: July 2010

Reports of socially transmitted traditions based on behavioural differences between geographically separated groups of conspecifics are contentious because they cannot exclude genetic or environmental causes. Here, we report persistent differences between neighbouring groups of meerkats (Suricata suricatta) where extensive gene flow precludes genetic differentiation. Over 11 years, some groups consistently emerged later from their sleeping burrows in the morning than others, despite complete turnovers in group membership and the influx of immigrants. Group territories overlapped and, in many cases, the same sleeping burrows were used by different groups. Differences persisted even after accounting for effects of group size, weather and burrow characteristics, and were unrelated to food availability within territories. These results provide compelling evidence that the emergence times of meerkat groups represent conservative traditions.
Why genes overlap in viruses
Authors: Chirico Nicola , Vianelli Alberto , Belshaw Robert
Published: July 2010

The genomes of most virus species have overlapping genes—two or more proteins coded for by the same nucleotide sequence. Several explanations have been proposed for the evolution of this phenomenon, and we test these by comparing the amount of gene overlap in all known virus species. We conclude that gene overlap is unlikely to have evolved as a way of compressing the genome in response to the harmful effect of mutation because RNA viruses, despite having generally higher mutation rates, have less gene overlap on average than DNA viruses of comparable genome length. However, we do find a negative relationship between overlap proportion and genome length among viruses with icosahedral capsids, but not among those with other capsid types that we consider easier to enlarge in size. Our interpretation is that a physical constraint on genome length by the capsid has led to gene overlap evolving as a mechanism for producing more proteins from the same genome length. We consider that these patterns cannot be explained by other factors, namely the possible roles of overlap in transcription regulation, generating more divergent proteins and the relationship between gene length and genome length.
Review article: permissive underfeeding in short‐term nutritional support
Authors: Owais A. E. , Bumby R. F. , MacFie J.
Published: July 2010

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 628–636

Background  The importance of adequate nutritional support in selected patient groups is well established. Traditionally, the amounts of macronutrients provided have been based on a perceived need to achieve, if not exceed, energy and protein balance. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in the concept of ‘permissive underfeeding’.

Aim  To determine whether or not there is evidence of benefit for permissive underfeeding in selected groups.

Methods  Studies were identified from MEDLINE, Embase and PubMed databases and the Cochrane collaboration. The search was limited from January 1950 to January 2010. Further searches were made from the references of original articles. The literature search revealed 591 abstracts of relevant studies. All abstracts were initially reviewed by the primary author (AO) and those that did not fulfil the inclusion criteria were discarded. The remaining articles were requested and were reviewed independently by two authors (AO, JM).

Results  Twelve studies were included in the final analysis. Eight of these were randomized interventional trials. Three were prospective cohort studies and one was a retrospective analysis.

Conclusion  This review suggests that permissive underfeeding may be associated with improved outcomes and reduced morbidity in patients requiring short‐term nutritional support.
Enemy of the (immunosuppressed) state: an update on the pathogenesis of Aspergillus fumigatus infection
Authors: Ben‐Ami Ronen , Lewis Russell E. , Kontoyiannis Dimitrios P.
Published: July 2010

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic filamentous fungus that is currently the most frequent cause of invasive fungal disease in immunosuppressed individuals. Recent advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of invasive aspergillosis have highlighted the multifactorial nature of A. fumigatus virulence and the complex interplay between host and microbial factors. In this review, we outline current concepts of immune recognition and evasion, angioinvasion and angiogenesis, secondary metabolism and the fungal stress response, and their respective roles in this often lethal infection.
Optimizing dendritic cell‐based immunotherapy in multiple myeloma: intranodal injections of idiotype‐pulsed CD40 ligand‐matured vaccines led to induction of type‐1 and cytotoxic T‐cell immune responses in patients
Authors: Yi Qing , Szmania Susann , Freeman John , Qian Jianfei , Rosen Nancy A. , Viswamitra Sanjaya , Cottler‐Fox Michele , Barlogie Bart , Tricot Guido , Van Rhee Frits
Published: July 2010

Vaccination with idiotype (Id) protein‐pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) has been explored in multiple myeloma and the results have been disappointing. To improve the efficacy of DC vaccination in myeloma, we investigated the use of Id‐ and keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH)‐pulsed, CD40 ligand‐matured DCs administered intranodally. Nine patients with smouldering or stable myeloma without treatment were enrolled and DC vaccines were administered at weekly intervals for a total of four doses. Following vaccination, all patients mounted Id‐specific γ‐interferon T‐cell response. Interleukin‐4 response was elicited in two, and skin delayed‐type hypersensitivity reaction occurred in seven patients. More importantly, Id‐specific cytotoxic T‐cell responses were also detected in five patients. Most if not all patients mounted a positive T‐cell response to KLH following vaccination. At 1‐year follow‐up, six of the nine patients had stable disease, while three patients had slowly progressive disease even during the vaccination period. At 5‐year follow‐up, four of the six patients continued with stable disease. No major side effects were noted. In summary, intranodal administration of Id‐pulsed CD40 ligand‐matured DCs was able to induce Id‐specific T and B‐cell responses in patients. Current efforts are geared towards breaking tumour‐mediated immune suppression and improving clinical efficacy of this immunotherapy.
Association of Fc receptor‐like 5 (FCRL5) with Graves’ disease is secondary to the effect of FCRL3
Authors: Simmonds Matthew J. , Brand Oliver J. , Barrett Jeffrey C. , Newby Paul R. , Franklyn Jayne A. , Gough Stephen C.L.
Published: July 2010

Objective  The Fc receptor‐like 3 (FCRL3) molecule, involved in controlling B‐cell signalling, may contribute to the autoimmune disease process. Recently, a genome‐wide screen detected association of neighbouring gene FCRL5 with Graves’ disease (GD). To determine whether FCRL5 represents a further independent B‐cell signalling GD susceptibility loci, we screened 12 tag SNPs, capturing all known common variation within FCRL5, in 5192 UK Caucasian GD index cases and controls.

Design  A case–control association study investigating twelve tag SNPs within FCRL5 which captured the majority of known common variation within this gene region.

Patients  A data set comprising 2504 UK Caucasian patients with GD and 2688 geographically matched controls taken from the 1958 British Birth cohort.

Measurements  We used the chi‐squared test and haplotype analysis to investigate the association between the tag SNPs and GD before performing logistic regression analysis to determine whether association at FCRL5 was independent of the known FCRL3 association.

Results  Three of the FCRL5 tag SNPs, rs6667109, rs3811035 and rs6692977 showed association with GD (P = 0·015–0·001, OR = 1·15–1·16). Logistic regression performed on all FCRL5 and, previously screened, FCRL3 tag SNPs revealed that association with FCRL5 was secondary to linkage disequilibrium with the FCRL3, rs11264798 and rs10489678 SNPs.

Conclusions  FCRL5 does not appear to be exerting an independent effect on the development of GD in the UK. Fine mapping of the entire FCRL region is required to determine the exact location of the aetiological variant/s present.
Evidence of the role of climate control and reversible aging processes in the fate of diuron in a Mediterranean topsoil
Authors: Saison C. , Louchart X. , Schiavon M. , Voltz M.
Published: July 2010

The availability of pesticides in the soil is one of the factors that determine their mobilization and transport in runoff and groundwaters. In this paper, we aim to better understand the change in pesticide availability with increasing residence time in the soil. The relative contributions of degradation and sorption to the overall fate of molecules were examined, as was the remobilization of residues from the topsoil in water. The experiment was undertaken in undisturbed soil micro‐lysimeters under natural climatic conditions for 1 year. We applied 14C‐diuron to the soil surface to trace its residues in water‐extractable (W), methanol‐only‐extractable (MO) and non‐extractable (N) fractions and in runoff waters. Mass‐balance calculations were fitted to the observed data to determine the quantities degraded or transferred within and between each of the compartments studied. Losses of diuron residues in runoff declined exponentially from 473 to 4 µg l−1 in 1 year. After 80 days, sorption of diuron residues in the soil was significant, as was degradation in the W and MO pools. Losses in runoff were small because of sparse rainfall. The following 140 days corresponded to a humid period with increased degradation in both W and MO pools. A redistribution from the MO towards the W pool occurred, probably because of intense rainfall at that time, leading to an apparent desorption of diuron residues. This was the most important result, suggesting that ageing processes should not be considered irreversible over time. The last phase of change, which occurred during winter, was slow. Leaching processes appeared to be of minor importance for diuron, with the surface layer containing more than 84% of diuron residues.
The Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behaviour: its reliability and internal consistencies
Authors: Sturmey P. , Burcham K. J. , Perkins T. S.
Published: July 2010

The inter‐rater and test‐retest reliabilities, and intemal consistencies of the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior (Reiss 1987) were evaluated on a random sample of adults with moderate through profound mental retardation living in an institutional setting. Generally, the Reiss Screen showed good inter‐rater reliability, modest to good test‐retest and good intemal consistency. This suggests that the Reiss Screen has moderate to good psychometric robustness.
Adaptive behaviour after schizophrenia in people with Down's syndrome
Authors: Cooper S.‐A. , Duggirala C. , Collacott R. A.
Published: July 2010

Seven individuals with Down's syndrome and a past history of schizophrenia were matched for age, sex and residence to adults with Down's syndrome but no past psychiatric history. The AAMD Adaptive Behaviour Scale was completed for all individuals in both groups, at a mean follow‐up period of 6‐4 years after the schizophrenic episode. The skill level of the subject group was found to be the same as for the control group, which rejects the notion of a ‘defect state’ occurring post‐schizophrenia in Down's syndrome. The importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment for this group is stressed.
Bacillus subtilis ilvB operon: an intersection of global regulons
Authors: Shivers Robert P. , Sonenshein Abraham L.
Published: July 2010

The genes of the major Bacillus subtilis operon (ilvB) for biosynthesis of branched‐chain amino acids are subject to multiple mechanisms of regulation. The global regulatory proteins CodY and TnrA bind upstream of the transcription start site and are likely to control transcription initiation, leucine‐specific tRNA regulates transcriptional elongation, and unknown factors differentially cleave the full‐length mRNA. Another global regulator, CcpA, known to be required for ilvB transcription, was shown here to act directly at the ilvB promoter by a novel mechanism. Although CcpA was able to bind to the ilvB promoter region, it stimulated transcription significantly only when CodY was present, suggesting that CcpA acts primarily by interfering with repression by CodY. Additionally, CcpA was shown to control indirectly the expression of other CodY‐regulated target genes, apparently by altering the intracellular level of branched‐chain amino acids.
Double molecular mimicry in Escherichia coli: binding of ribosomal protein L20 to its two sites in mRNA is similar to its binding to 23S rRNA
Authors: Guillier Maude , Allemand Frédéric , Dardel Frédéric , Royer Catherine A. , Springer Mathias , Chiaruttini Claude
Published: July 2010

Escherichia coli ribosomal L20 is one of five proteins essential for the first reconstitution step of the 50S ribosomal subunit in vitro. It is purely an assembly protein, because it can be withdrawn from the mature subunit without effect on ribosome activity. In addition, L20 represses the translation of its own gene by binding to two sites in its mRNA. The first site is a pseudoknot formed by a base‐pairing interaction between nucleotide sequences separated by more than 280 nucleotides, whereas the second site is an irregular helix formed by base‐pairing between neighbouring nucleotide sequences. Despite these differences, the mRNA folds in such a way that both L20 binding sites share secondary structure similarity with the L20 binding site located at the junction between helices H40 and H41 in 23S rRNA. Using a set of genetic, biochemical, biophysical, and structural experiments, we show here that all three sites are recognized similarly by L20.
Involvement of a Che‐like signal transduction cascade in regulating cyst cell development in Rhodospirillum centenum
Authors: Berleman James E. , Bauer Carl E.
Published: July 2010

Homologues of the E. coli chemotaxis (Che) signal transduction pathway are present in nearly all motile bacteria. Although E. coli contains only one Che cascade, many other bacteria are known to possess multiple sets of che genes. The role of multiple che‐like gene clusters could potentially code for parallel Che‐like signal transduction pathways that have distinctly different input and output functions. In this study, we describe a che‐like gene cluster in Rhodospirillum centenum that controls a developmental cycle. In‐frame deletion mutants of homologues of CheW (ΔcheW3aand ΔcheW3b), CheR (ΔcheR3), CheA (ΔcheA3) and a methyl‐accepting chemotaxis protein (Δmcp3) are defective in starvation‐induced formation of heat and desiccation resistant cyst cells. In contrast, mutants of homologues of CheY (ΔcheY3), CheB (ΔcheB3), and a second input kinase designated as CheS (ΔcheS3) result in cells that are derepressed in the formation of cysts. A model of signal transduction is presented in which there are three distinct Che‐like signal transduction cascades; one that is involved in chemotaxis, one that is involved in flagella biosynthesis and the third that is involved in cyst development.
A directed screen for chlamydial proteins secreted by a type III mechanism identifies a translocated protein and numerous other new candidates
Authors: Subtil Agathe , Delevoye Cédric , Balañá María‐Eugenia , Tastevin Laurence , Perrinet Stéphanie , Dautry‐Varsat Alice
Published: July 2010

Chlamydiae are strict intracellular parasites that induce their internalization upon contact with the host cell and grow inside an intracellular compartment called an inclusion. They possess a type III secretion (TTS) apparatus, which allows for the translocation of specific proteins in the host cell cytosol. In particular, chlamydial proteins of the Inc family are secreted to the inclusion membrane by a TTS mechanism; other TTS substrates are mostly unknown. Using a secretion assay based on the recognition of TTS signals in Shigella flexneri, we searched for TTS signals in the proteins of unknown function, conserved between three different chlamydial species, Chlamydia pneumoniae, C. trachomatis and C. caviae. We identified 24 new candidate proteins which did not belong to the Inc family. Four of these proteins were also secreted as full‐length proteins by a TTS mechanism in S. flexneri, indicating that their translocation does not require other chlamydial proteins. One of these proteins was detected in the cytosol of infected cells using specific antibodies, directly demonstrating that it is translocated in the host cell during bacterial proliferation. More generally, this work represents the first directed search for TTS effectors not based on genetic information or sequence similarity. It reveals the abundance of proteins secreted in the host cell by chlamydiae.
CsrA post‐transcriptionally represses pgaABCD, responsible for synthesis of a biofilm polysaccharide adhesin of Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Xin , Dubey Ashok K. , Suzuki Kazushi , Baker Carol S. , Babitzke Paul , Romeo Tony
Published: July 2010

The RNA‐binding protein CsrA represses biofilm formation, while the non‐coding RNAs CsrB and CsrC activate this process by sequestering CsrA. We now provide evidence that the pgaABCD transcript, required for the synthesis of the polysaccharide adhesin PGA (poly‐β‐1,6‐N‐acetyl‐d‐glucosamine) of Escherichia coli, is the key target of biofilm regulation by CsrA. csrA disruption causes an approximately threefold increase in PGA production and an approximately sevenfold increase in expression of a pgaA′–′lacZ translational fusion. A ΔcsrBΔcsrC mutant exhibits a modest decrease in pgaA′–′lacZ expression, while the response regulator UvrY, a transcriptional activator of csrB and csrC, stimulates this expression. Biofilm formation is not regulated by csrA, csrB or uvrY in a ΔpgaC mutant, which cannot synthesize PGA. Gel mobility shift and toeprint analyses demonstrate that CsrA binds cooperatively to pgaA mRNA and competes with 30S ribosome subunit for binding. CsrA destabilizes the pgaA transcript in vivo. RNA footprinting and boundary analyses identify six apparent CsrA binding sites in the pgaA mRNA leader, the most extensive arrangement of such sites in any mRNA examined to date. Substitution mutations in CsrA binding sites overlapping the Shine–Dalgarno sequence and initiation codon partially relieve repression by CsrA. These studies define the crucial mechanisms, though not the only means, by which the Csr system influences biofilm formation.
The role of polar localization in the function of an essential Caulobacter crescentus tyrosine kinase
Authors: Sciochetti Stephen A. , Ohta Noriko , Newton Austin
Published: July 2010

DivL is an essential tyrosine kinase in Caulobacter crescentus that controls an early step in the cell division cycle. We show here that DivL dynamically localizes to the stalk‐distal cell pole and less frequently to the stalked cell pole during the S‐phase. The kinase is subsequently released from the cell poles late in division and remains dispersed in the newly divided progeny stalk and swarmer cells. Mutational analysis of DivL in a DivL–GFP fusion protein demonstrated that the extreme C‐terminus and residues in the conserved four‐helix bundle, which is the phosphorylation–dimerization domain, are important for localization. We speculate that the four‐helix bundle of the core catalytic domain may serve as a recognition site for the ‘localization machinery’. Unexpectedly, a DivL protein with mutations in the C‐terminal localization sequence, and an intact catalytic domain, efficiently complemented a divL null mutation. Thus, subcellular localization of DivL is not essential to its function in cell division regulation. Regulation of cell division by DivL does, however, depend on its localization in the cell membrane.
The Staphylococcus aureus cidC gene encodes a pyruvate oxidase that affects acetate metabolism and cell death in stationary phase
Authors: Patton Toni G. , Rice Kelly C. , Foster Mary K. , Bayles Kenneth W.
Published: July 2010

The Staphylococcus aureus cid and lrg operons have previously been shown to affect murein hydrolase activity and antibiotic tolerance. Based on their similarities to the holin family of proteins it was proposed that the functions of the cidA and lrgA gene products are analogous to bacteriophage‐encoded holin and antiholin proteins respectively. The cid operon expresses two overlapping transcripts, one that spans the cidA, cidB and cidC genes and whose expression is induced by the acetic acid generated by aerobic growth in the presence of excess glucose, and the other that spans the cidB and cidC genes only and is expressed in a sigma B‐dependent manner. In the study presented here, we have focused primarily on the third gene of this operon, cidC. A sequence analysis of the cidC gene product suggested that it encodes a pyruvate oxidase that catalyses the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate yielding acetate and CO2. Indeed, a ferricyanide‐based spectrophotometric assay revealed that the cidC mutant produced decreased pyruvate oxidase activity relative to the parental and complemented strains. In the presence of excess glucose the cidC mutant accumulated normal levels of acetic acid in the growth medium, likely because of the activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex. However, in contrast to the wild type and complemented strains, the pH of the cidC mutant culture began to increase gradually until it was able to utilize the acetate for a secondary round of growth. Finally, a mutation in cidA caused reduced cell lysis in stationary phase but only minimally affected cell death. These results indicate that the cidC gene product is involved in the generation of acetic acid that contributes to the cell death and lysis that occurs in high‐glucose stationary phase cultures, while the cidA gene product, a putative holin, controls lysis of the dying cells.
Biosynthesis of tripyrrole and β‐lactam secondary metabolites in Serratia: integration of quorum sensing with multiple new regulatory components in the control of prodigiosin and carbapenem antibiotic production
Authors: Fineran Peter C. , Slater Holly , Everson Lee , Hughes Katie , Salmond George P. C.
Published: July 2010

Serratia sp. ATCC 39006 (39006) uses a complex hierarchical regulatory network allowing multiple inputs to be assessed before genes involved in secondary metabolite biosynthesis are expressed. This taxonomically ill‐defined Serratia sp. produces a carbapenem antibiotic (Car; a β‐lactam) and a red pigmented antibiotic, prodigiosin (Pig; a tripyrrole), which are controlled by the smaIR quorum sensing (QS) locus. SmaR is a repressor of Pig and Car when levels of N‐acyl‐ l‐homoserine lactones, produced by SmaI, are low. In this study, we demonstrate direct DNA binding of purified SmaR to the promoter of the Car biosynthetic genes and abolition of this binding by the QS ligand. We have also identified multiple new secondary metabolite regulators. QS controls production of secondary metabolites, at least in part, by modulating transcription of three genes encoding regulatory proteins, including a putative response regulator of the GacAS two‐component signalling system family, a novel putative adenylate cyclase and Rap (regulator of antibiotic and pigment). Mutations in another gene encoding a novel predicted global regulator, pigP, are highly pleiotropic; PigP has a significant ‘master’ regulatory role in 39006 where it controls the transcription of six other regulators. The PigP protein and its homologues define a new family of regulators and are predicted to bind DNA via a helix‐turn‐helix domain. There are regulatory overlaps between the QS and PigP regulons that enable the information from different physiological cues to be funnelled into the control of secondary metabolite production.
Histomorphology of the Harderian Gland in the Angora Rabbit
Authors: Bayraktaroğlu A. G. , Ergün E.
Published: July 2010

With 10 figures

This study was aimed to demonstrate the morphological and histochemical properties of the Harderian gland in the Angora rabbit. Ten healthy adult Angora rabbits obtained from private breeders constituted the material of the study. The Harderian gland, which is composed of the pink and white lobes, consists of cells that produce a secretion of lipid character. The pink lobe contained type I cells with large lipid vacuoles. Cells with small lipid vacuoles (type II) were found in the white lobe. Type III cells containing both large and small lipid vacuoles were not observed. While type I cells reacted strongly to staining with Oil red O, type II cells reacted weakly to this stain. The number of plasma cells was greater in the white lobe when compared to the pink lobe. The apical granules within the epithelial cells lining the intralobular and inter‐lobular excretory ducts of the gland were positive for periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS), periodic acid‐Schiff/alcian blue (PAS/AB), alcian blue (AB) and performic acid/alcian blue (PA/AB). Electron microscopic examination revealed that type I cells contain large electron‐light lipid vacuoles and an eccentric heterochromatic nucleus, due to the presence of these vacuoles. The cells, which were connected by tight junctions, possessed apically located microfolds. The nucleus of type II cells was situated basally and had an oval shape. Type II cells had apical microvilli‐like cytoplasmic protrusions, longer than those of type I cells. Oval shaped myoepithelial cells were observed between the glandular epithelial cells and their basal lamina. The epithelium lining the excretory ducts of the gland contained two types of granules, which were dark and lightly coloured. Histochemical and ultrastructural examinations revealed no difference in the structure of the Harderian gland between female and male Angora rabbits.
Which Call Parameters Signal Threat to Conspecifics in White‐Throated Magpie‐Jay Mobbing Calls?
Authors: Ellis Jesse M. S.
Published: July 2010

Abstract Variation in signals often encodes additional information beyond that provided by the main signal. Many species communicate degree of threat using such signal variation. However, multiple signal parameters often covary with threat level, and it is unclear whether receivers are using variation along one or more parameters when assessing threat level. White‐throated magpie‐jays (Calocitta formosa) vary several call parameters when mobbing, and here I report on an experiment testing whether such variation contains information used by conspecific receivers, and which parameters are salient to receivers. I collected data on natural mobbing sequences in two threat contexts and found that mobbing calls were highly variable in both length and inter‐call interval, but on average, both parameters were shorter in high threat contexts, while call frequency did not differ. To determine how jays respond to such between‐context variation, I conducted a playback experiment in which call length and inter‐call interval were independently varied in a factorial design. This is one of the first studies to my knowledge to deconstruct and independently test covarying signal parameters in an anti‐predator signaling system. Magpie‐jays responded more often to treatments with either short call lengths or short inter‐call intervals, in concordance with the natural calling data. However, the two parameters did not appear to act independently; responses were not additive, and short calls at short inter‐call intervals elicited no stronger of a response than short calls at long intervals or long calls at short intervals. Receivers can use either parameter when assessing threat level. These data demonstrate that mobbing can signal threat level, that call length and call rate are redundant, and that receivers need not use both to determine whether to approach.
Is Mating Alone Enough to Inhibit Infanticide in Male Bank Voles?
Authors: Vihervaara Hanne , Sundell Janne , Ylönen Hannu
Published: July 2010

Infanticide, the killing of conspecific young, is commonly recognized as an adaptive behavioural strategy enhancing the fitness of the perpetrator. Infanticide is supposed to be inhibited in several male rodent species after mating with a time lag to the time when perpetrators own offspring would be born. This is because males with no parental care do not recognize their own offspring. It has been suggested that copulation alone is enough to inhibit infanticidal behaviour in male rodents. Infanticidal behaviour occurs in more than 50% of male bank voles (Myodes glareolus), and offspring loss because of infanticide may have a great effect on breeding success and population recruitment. In a laboratory experiment, we studied whether infanticidal male bank voles after successful mating stop the killing of pups. Infanticidal males were paired with a female until successful copulation. After the young were born, the males’ infanticidal behaviour was studied from the time of expected birth of own pups until their post‐weaning age. We predicted that mated infanticidal males are inhibited from committing infanticide especially during the time period when pups are less than 10 d old. Against our prediction, 67% of the infanticidal males continued the killing of pups in the age of 3 d. Infanticidal behaviour remained stable, and half of the males were infanticidal still at the age of weaning of pups. Our results are contradictory to previous studies, as we observed no inhibition of infanticide during early life of pups nor increase in infanticide again when their own offspring would have reached the ‘safe’ age and size after weaning. We suggest that mating alone is not sufficient to inhibit infanticide. Thus, we suggest that other cues of the female with whom the male mated with or on her territory are needed for inhibition to occur.
Combining abilities in maize for the length of the internode basal ring, the entry point of the Mediterranean corn borer larvae
Authors: Barros J. , Malvar R. A. , Butrón A. , Santiago R.
Published: July 2010

With 2 tables

Length of the internode basal ring (LIBR) in maize is a morphological character that has been associated with resistance to Mediterranean corn borer (MCB), Sesamia nonagrioides Lef. The present study is the first research to evaluate the usefulness of this trait in breeding programmes. Six maize hybrids, from a complete diallel set of four inbred lines (two resistant and two susceptible to MCB), were evaluated under early and late sowing conditions at three locations in northwestern Spain. General and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA, respectively) for LIBR were estimated, and LIBR correlations with grain yield and other important agronomic traits were evaluated. Hybrid by environment interactions were not significant for LIBR and the sums of squares partitioning indicated a greater GCA effect (95%), suggesting that this trait is stable and shows important additive effects for this set of hybrids. Correlation coefficients not only indicate that selection for increasing LIBR could enhance grain yield and other related plant traits (height and silking) but also an increase in the MCB susceptibility. Based on the limited number genotypes evaluated, LIBR could be modified by selection; however, if LIBR is used as an indirect selection criterion to improve MCB resistance, then some negative effects on yield may be expected.
Glycogen synthase kinase 3 in the world of cell migration
Authors: Sun Tong , Rodriguez Marbelys , Kim Leung
Published: July 2010

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) is one of the few master switch kinases that regulate many aspects of cell functions. Recent studies on cell polarization and migration have shown that GSK3 is also essential for proper regulation of these processes. GSK3 influences cell migration as one of the regulators of the spatiotemporally controlled dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton, microtubules, and cell‐to‐matrix adhesions. In this mini‐review, the effects of GSK3 on these three aspects of cell migration will be discussed.
Coordinated regulation of dorsal bone morphogenetic protein 4 and ventral Sonic hedgehog signaling specifies the dorso‐ventral polarity in the optic vesicle and governs ocular morphogenesis through fibroblast growth factor 8 upregulation
Authors: Kobayashi Takuma , Yasuda Kunio , Araki Masasuke
Published: July 2010

Dorsal and ventral specification in the early optic vesicle plays a crucial role in vertebrate ocular morphogenesis, and proper dorsal‐ventral polarity in the optic vesicle ensures that distinct structures develop in separate domains within the eye primordium. The polarity is determined progressively during development by coordinated regulation of extraocular dorsal and ventral factors. In the present study, we cultured discrete portions of embryonic chick brains by preparing anterior cephalon, anterior dorsal cephalon and anterior ventral cephalon, and clearly demonstrate that bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) constitute a dorsal‐ventral signaling system together with fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8). BMP4 and Shh upregulate Tbx5 and Pax2, as reported previously, and at the same time Shh downregulates Tbx5, while BMP4 affects Pax2 expression to downregulate similarly. Shh induces Fgf8 expression in the ventral optic vesicle. This, in turn, determines the distinct boundary of the retinal pigmented epithelium and the neural retina by suppressing Mitf expression. The lens develops only when signals from both the dorsal and ventral regions come across together. Inverted deposition of Shh and BMP4 signals in organ‐cultured optic vesicle completely re‐organized ocular structures to be inverted. Based on these observations we propose a novel model in which the two signals govern the whole of ocular development when they encounter each other in the ocular morphogenic domain.
Extramedullary plasmacytoma arising from the lacrimal gland
Authors: Sia David IT , Cannon Paul S , Selva Dinesh
Published: July 2010

Abstract

An 80‐year‐old man presented with an 8‐week history of painless swelling in the right lacrimal gland region with infero‐medial dystopia of the globe. The lesion was excised and histology confirmed an orbital plasmacytoma. Multiple myeloma screening was negative and a solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma arising from the lacrimal gland was diagnosed. The patient was subsequently treated with radiotherapy.
Optic disc area and correlation with central corneal thickness, corneal hysteresis and ocular pulse amplitude in glaucoma patients and controls
Authors: Insull Elizabeth , Nicholas Simon , Ang Ghee Soon , Poostchi Ali , Chan Kenneth , Wells Anthony
Published: July 2010

Abstract

Background:  To examine the relationships between optic disc area and parameters measured at the cornea; central corneal thickness (CCT), corneal hysteresis (CH) and ocular pulse amplitude (OPA) in glaucoma subjects and controls.

Methods:  In this prospective experimental study, patients underwent measurement of CCT, OPA, CH and optic disc imaging with the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (HRT‐II). Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the associations between optic disc area and CCT, OPA and CH.

Results:  A total of 100 patients, 38 with glaucoma and 62 controls were examined. In a univariate analysis of this group, CCT and CH were significantly lower in glaucoma patients (P = 0.01). CCT was inversely correlated with optic disc surface area (Pearson's correlation coefficient r = −0.200; P = 0.05). This inverse correlation did not achieve statistical significance when glaucoma patients and controls were analysed separately. There was no statistically significant association between optic disc area and OPA or CH.

Conclusions:  There was an inverse relationship between CCT and optic disc area in this study group. No association was found between optic disc area and OPA or CH.
THE COST OF EQUITY UNDER THE AUSTRALIAN DIVIDEND IMPUTATION TAX SYSTEM
Authors: Monkhouse Peter H.L.
Published: July 2010

This paper derives a Capital Asset Pricing Model (“CAPM”) in the context of the Australian dividend imputation tax system. The effect of dividend imputation on the estimated risk premium is discussed. The structure and implications of the derived CAPM are also examined.
QUANTIFYING THE QUALITY OF TERTIARY EDUCATION ANNUAL REPORTS
Authors: Coy David , Tower Greg , Dixon Keith
Published: July 2010

Research methods for developing disclosure indices are evaluated in relation to measuring performance for tertiary education bodies. A critique of earlier unweighted, dichotomous studies such as Dixon, Coy and Tower [1991], reveals limitations of such an approach. An alternative method (AD‐Score) is advanced using 3‐point scales to differentiate for: i) the quality of disclosures and, ii) a weighting of the importance of each item.

Annual reports from 33 New Zealand tertiary education bodies (1985‐90) were analyzed using both approaches. The results show that the AD‐Score is approximately 10 percentage points lower throughout. The AD‐Score also changed some of the rankings of the institutions. The scoring systems were found to be significantly different in 1990 (but not 1989). Suggestions for further improvements of the AD‐Score are also offered.
THE SHARING OF MEANING BETWEEN ACCOUNTING STUDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THE ACCOUNTING PROFESSION
Authors: Houghton Keith A. , Hronsky Jane J.F.
Published: July 2010

This study examines the extent to which accounting students and practising accountants share the same meanings of fundamental accounting concepts. In doing so, it provides evidence on the suitability of using accounting students as surrogates for accounting practitioners in the study of connotative meaning in accounting.

Using the semantic differential technique, the “cognitive structure” (the structure within which meaning is held) as well as the positioning or placement of concepts within the structure were determined for both groups. Each group was found to have a similar cognitive structure (a three dimensional structure comparable to the classic structure found in the psychology literature, Osgood, Suci and Tannenbaum, 1957). However, the placement or positioning of concepts by students within that shared structure was significantly different to that of accounting practitioners.
Technological leadership and late development: evidence from Meiji Japan, 1868–1912
Authors: TANG JOHN P.
Published: July 2010

Large family‐owned conglomerates known as zaibatsu have long been credited with leading Japanese industrialization during the Meiji period (1868–1912), despite a lack of empirical analysis. Using a new dataset collected from corporate genealogies to estimate entry probabilities, it is found that characteristics associated with zaibatsu increase a firm's likelihood of being an industry pioneer. In particular, first entry probabilities increase with industry diversification and private ownership, which may provide internal financing and risk‐sharing, respectively. Nevertheless, the costs of excessive diversification may deter additional pioneering, which may account for the loss of zaibatsu technological leadership by the turn of the century.
‘Veritable gold mines before the arrival of railway competition’: but did dividends signal rates of return in the English canal industry?
Authors: ARNOLD A. J. , McCARTNEY S.
Published: July 2010

Dividends can provide a tangible signal of earnings, but this function depends upon characteristics of financial reporting that were not always present in early financial capitalism. Although eighteenth‐century English canal companies offered low‐risk securitized capital approved by Parliament and were important to the development of financial capitalism, little is known about the economic state of the canal industry, beyond observed dividend levels. This article estimates rates of return on equity for a set of major English canals, but shows that their financial reporting under‐represented equity inputs so that dividend rates did not reliably signal operating returns or equity‐based rates of return.
INVESTING IN INSTITUTIONS
Authors: COMPTON RYAN A. , GIEDEMAN DANIEL C. , JOHNSON NOEL D.
Published: July 2010

Robust institutional change is difficult to achieve. However, it is more difficult for some countries than others. We use data on 69 countries between 1870 and 2000 to show that political instability does not always affect growth outcomes. We then develop a simple model to explain this fact in which the likelihood that “good” institutions are abandoned during periods of political uncertainty depends on the opportunity cost of doing so. We operationalize our model by using contract intensive money as a proxy for this initial investment in growth‐enhancing institutions. Cross‐sectional and panel growth regressions support the model's predictions.
ELECTORAL CYCLES THROUGH LOBBYING
Authors: BONOMO MARCO , TERRA CRISTINA
Published: July 2010

In this paper, we build a framework where the interplay between the lobby power of special interest groups and the voting power of the majority of the population leads to political business cycles. We apply our setup to explain electoral cycles in government expenditure composition, aggregate expenditures, and real exchange rates.