bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parkinson’s disease: A genetic perspective
Authors: Belin Andrea C. , Westerlund Marie
Published: February 2008

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder in the aging population, affecting more than 1% over the age of 65 years. Certain rare forms of the disease are monogenic, representing 5–10% of PD patients, but there is increasing evidence that multiple genetic risk factors are important also for common forms of PD. To date, 13 genetic loci, PARK1‐13, have been suggested for rare forms of PD such as autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive PD. At six of these loci, genes have been identified and reported by several groups to carry mutations that are linked to affected family members. Genes in which mutations have been linked to familial PD have also been shown to be candidate genes for idiopathic forms of PD, as those same genes may also carry other mutations that merely increase the risk. Four of the PARK genes, SNCA at PARK1, UCH‐L1 at PARK5, PINK1 at PARK6 and LRRK2 at PARK8, have been implicated in sporadic PD. There are indeed multiple genetic risk factors that combine in different ways to increase or decrease risk, and several of these need to be identified in order to begin unwinding the causative pathways leading to the different forms of PD. In this review, we present the molecular genetics of PD that are understood today, to help explain the pathways leading to neurodegeneration.
Pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate affect firefly luciferase luminescence because they act as substrates and not as allosteric effectors
Authors: Fontes Rui , Fernandes Diogo , Peralta Filipe , Fraga Hugo , Maio Inês , Esteves da Silva Joaquim C. G.
Published: February 2008

The activating and stabilizing effects of inorganic pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate and nucleoside triphosphates on firefly luciferase bioluminescence were studied. The results obtained show that those effects are a consequence of the luciferase‐catalyzed splitting of dehydroluciferyl‐adenylate, a powerful inhibitor formed as a side product in the course of the bioluminescence reaction. Inorganic pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate, CTP and UTP antagonize the inhibitory effect of dehydroluciferyl‐adenylate because they react with it giving rise to products that are, at least, less powerful inhibitors. Moreover, we demonstrate that the antagonizing effects depended on the rate of the splitting reactions being higher in the cases of inorganic pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate and lower in the cases of CTP and UTP. In the case of inorganic pyrophosphate, the correlation between the rate of dehydroluciferyl‐adenylate pyrophosphorolysis and the activating effect on bioluminescence only occurs for low concentrations because inorganic pyrophosphate is, simultaneously, an inhibitor of the bioluminescence reaction. Our results demonstrate that previous reports concerning the activating effects of several nucleotides (including some that do not react with dehydroluciferyl‐adenylate) on bioluminescence were caused by the presence of inorganic pyrophosphate contamination in the preparations used.
In vitro selection of mung bean and tomato for improving tolerance to NaCl
Authors: Hassan N.M. , Serag M.S. , El‐Feky F.M. , Nemat Alla M.M.
Published: February 2008

Mung bean and tomato were in vitro selected from cotyledons on MS medium for improved tolerance to NaCl. The growth responses; the Na, K, proline and anthocyanin contents; and activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL, EC 4.3.1.5), tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL, EC 4.3.1) and chalcone isomerase (CI, EC 5.5.1.5) of the selected plants were characterised and compared with those of the original plants in relation to treatment with NaCl. The treatments significantly reduced fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots; the reduction was least pronounced in selected plants. Meanwhile, Na content was significantly increased; however, K was decreased, a trend that was obvious in original plants but withdrawn following in vitro selection with a consequent lowering in Na/K ratio. In addition, proline was greatly induced by NaCl; the induction was most pronounced in selected plants. Moreover, NaCl significantly increased anthocyanin and activities of PAL, TAL and CI in shoots and roots of both species; the increase was lesser in the selected than in the original plants. These findings indicated that selection of mung bean and tomato resulted in a recovery of growth, overproduction of proline and K and withdrawal of Na and secondary metabolism parameters relative to original plants pointing out to an improved tolerance to NaCl following in vitro selection.
Magnetic Properties of Synthetic Eumelanin—Preliminary Results†
Authors: Cano M. E. , Castañeda‐Priego R. , Gil‐Villegas A. , Sosa M. A. , Schio P. , De Oliveira A. J. A. , Chen F. , Baffa O. , Graeff C. F. O.
Published: February 2008

We report an experimental and theoretical study of magnetic properties of synthetic eumelanin. The magnetization curves are determined by using both a vibrating sample magnetometer and a superconducting quantum interferometer device in an extended range of magnetic fields ranging from −10 kOe to 10 kOe at different temperatures. We find that the eumelanin magnetization can be qualitatively explained in terms of a simple model of dipolar spheres with an intrinsic magnetic moment. The latter one is experimentally measured by using X‐band electron paramagnetic resonance. Our findings indicate that synthetic melanins are superparamagnetic.
Attenuation of Autonomic Nervous System Functions in Hypertensive Patients at Rest and During Orthostatic Stimulation
Authors: Karas Maria , Larochelle Pierre , LeBlanc Robert A. , Dubé Bruno , Nadeau Reginald , Champlain Jacques de
Published: February 2008

The effect of age on autonomic nervous system was assessed at rest and while standing using systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate, and power spectral analysis of the time duration between 2 consecutive R waves of an electrocardiogram (RR) interval variability, as well as on plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine levels in mild to moderate hypertensive patients (DBP, 90–110 mm Hg). Patients younger than 60 years (n=57) and older than 60 years (n=32), were evaluated after a 3‐ to 4‐week placebo period. Plasma catecholamines were measured in the supine position at rest and after 10 minutes of standing. Power spectral analysis of the RR interval variability was performed in each condition using the high‐frequency (HF) band (0.15–0.4 Hz) as an index of parasympathetic activity and the low‐frequency (LF) band (0.05–0.15 Hz) and LF‐HF ratio to estimate sympathetic activity. The total power was calculated as the sum of LF and HF power. supine SBP was significantly higher in older patients (P<.05). SBP and DBP increased significantly only in younger patients during standing (P<.05), while the changes were smaller and nonsignificantly lower in older patients. HR was similar in both groups at rest and increased similarly during standing. Norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were similar at rest and increased similarly in both groups of patients during standing. At rest, lower LF and HF components were observed in older patients. The LF component increased less and the HF component decreased less in older patients during standing. A lower sympathetic and parasympathetic basal cardiac tone was observed at rest in older hypertensive patients. Moreover, reduced hemodynamic and sympathetic responses to standing as assessed by SBP, DBP, and the LF component of HR variability were observed in older hypertensives in the presence of a normal catecholamine response. These observations could reflect a decreased sensitivity of cardiac β‐adrenoceptors with aging.
Combination Therapy With Renin‐Angiotensin‐Aldosterone Receptor Blockers for Hypertension: How Far Have We Come?
Authors: Weir Matthew R. , Bakris George L.
Published: February 2008

In a large number of patients with hypertension, ≥2 antihypertensive agents are required to achieve blood pressure (BP) goals. There is good rationale for initial combination therapy based on clinical trials demonstrating that achievement of BP goals within a reasonably short period of time results in fewer cardiovascular events. One approach to attaining BP goals and improving medication adherence is fixed‐dose combination therapy, the use of which dates back to the 1960s. Given some of the advantages of renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers in patients with heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes, many combinations include either an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker. In most studies, however, thiazide diuretics were necessary to achieve goal BP. Calcium channel blockers have also been used in combination with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors to lower BP. Studies are now under way to determine the relative benefits of an RAAS blocker/diuretic compared with an RAAS blocker/calcium channel blocker as initial therapy.
A case of tracheobronchitis in ulcerative colitis: a review of literature
Authors: Kar Soma , Thomas S. G.
Published: February 2008

Introduction:  Tracheobronchitis is a rare extraintestinal manifestation of ulcerative colitis (UC) and is often mis‐diagnosed and treated as asthma.

Objective:  We report a case of tracheobromchitis in a patient with long‐standing UC, who had been treated for asthma for many years with a poor response to standard asthma management. Only very few cases are reported and in the majority of them tracheobronchitis developed after colectomy.

Methods:  Subsequent investigations of unremitting respiratory symptoms in our patient revealed tracheobronchitis. His UC remained quiescent for more than 20 years on medical treatment having never required a bowel resection.

Results:  On thoroughly investigating the aetiology for his pulmonary pathology, it was thought to be an extraintestinal manifestation of UC, which makes this case noteworthy.

Conclusion:  Pulmonary complications can develop many years after the diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, without any sign of disease activity. In such cases awareness and a high index of suspicion are important to ensure early diagnosis and treatment, and further investigations to detect large airway disease is warranted. The pulmonary manifestations tend to respond well to steroid therapy, which may prevent or ameliorate permanent lung damage.

Please cite this paper as: Kar S and Thomas SG. A case of tracheobronchitis in ulcerative colitis: a review of literature. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2009; 3: 51–54.
La collaboration internationale: un element essentiel dans la conception des programmes de formation en sécurité aeroportuaire
Authors: Morin Pierre Paul , Hodge Tom
Published: February 2008

Sommaire: Cet article explique la façon dont les informations provenant de la coopération internationale sur la prévention du terrorisme influencent le design des programmes de formation des agents de contrôle préembarquement à 1'Administration canadienne de la sûireté du transport aerien (acsta). 11 expose comment l'integration de ces informations a conduit au développement d'une méthodologie de formation qui suit les principes de la formation par compétences. Cette réflexion marque Ie cinquiéme anniversaire de la fondation de I'acsta et le sixiéme des attentats du 11 septembre 2001. Les auteurs présentent les grands enjeux de la sécurité aéroportuaire, les contraintes et opportunités du contexte international, ainsi que les méthodologies et stratégies utilisées dans le programme de formation.

Abstract: This article describes how information provided by the international community influences the design of training programs for airport security officers at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (catsa). It explains how the integration of this information was instrumental in selecting a training program that follows the principles of a competency‐based methodology. This review coincides with the fourth anniversary of the creation of catsa and the fifth of the tragedy of September 11th, 2001. The authors identify major airport security issues, opportunities and constraints dictated by the international context, and the main strategic and methodological alternatives.
Impacts of a law fostering training development: Lessons from Quebec's experience
Authors: Chrest Jean
Published: February 2008

Abstract: Since the 1980s, numerous studies in Canada have shown weaknesses in the level of involvement by firms in training and have thus raised the question of the role of public policy. In 1995, the Quebec government adopted a unique law in North America in this regard: An Act to Foster the Development of Manpower Training. The “1% Wage Bill Law” was intended to improve the qualifications, skills and performance of workers through training. This article investigates three impacts of this law: the level of investment by firms; the distributional aspect of the law in terms of its capacity to ensure a more equitable investment in training for the different categories of workers in firms; and, finally, the structural aspect in terms of establishing partnerships. From a theoretical perspective, the Quebec experience illustrates that, between the liberal approach and the institutionalist approach (market versus institutions), it is possible to observe a compromise being made by social actors with respect to the regulation process, which at the same time respects the decisional space of firms. Another observation relates to the complementary aspect of institutional forms in labour‐market regulation and to the fundamental role of unions in partnershipbuilding.

Sommaire: Depuis les années 1980, de nombreuses etudes au Canada ont révélé un faible degré de participation des entreprises à la formation et ont ainsi soulevé la question du rôle de la politique gouvemementale. En 1995, le gouvemement du Québec a adoptéà cet égard une loi unique en son genre en Amérique du Nord: une Loi fauorisant le de'veloppement de la formation de la main‐d‘œuvre. La G loi du 1 % de la masse salariale “visait à améliorer les qualifications, les competences et la performance des travailleuses et travailleurs grâce 5 la formation. Le présent article examine trois impacts de cette loi: le niveau d'investissement des entreprises; l'aspect répartition de la loi en termes de sa capacitéà s' assurer que des investissements plus équitables soient consacrés à la formation pour différentes catégories de travailleuses et travailleurs dans les entreprises; et enfin, l'aspect structurel pour ce qui est de l’établissement de partenariats. D'un point de vue théorique, l'expérience du Québec illustre qu'entre l'approche libérale et l'approche institutionnelle (marché contre institutions), il est possible d'observer un compromis de la part des acteurs sociaux en ce qui concerne le processus de réglementation, qui respecte en même temps l'espace décisionnel des entreprises. Une autre observation porte sur l'aspect complémentaire des formes institutionnelles dans la réglementation du marché du travail et sur le rôle fondamental des syndicats dans l‘établissement de partenariats.
Les caractéristiques du conseil d'administration et la gestion stratégique des résultats: une étude menée auprés des sociétés d‘État du Canada
Authors: Bozec Richard
Published: February 2008

Sommaire: L'objectif de cette étude est d'examiner l'efficacité du conseil d'admini tration des sociétés d'État a prévenir le lissage des bénéfices par les dirigeants. Les résultats de l'étude suggérent que la structure et la composition du conseil d'administration ont un impact sur la propension des dirigeants à lisser les bénéfices. Plus precisement, il apparait que plus les membres du conseil d'administration sont nombreux, plus grand est le risque pour les dirigeants de lisser les bénéfices. Ce risque croît aussi avec la présence au conseil d'administration de membres externes, c membres provenant de la fonction publique et lorsque les fonctions de President du conseil d'administration et de pdg sont occupées par une même personne. Enfin, lissage des bénéfices est réduit en présence d'un comié de vérification. Dans l'ensemble, sauf pour la question qui conceme l'indépendance des membres du conseil d'administration, ces résultats vont dans le sens des réformes actuelles sur gouvernance des sociétés en général et des sociétés d'État en particulier.

Abstract: The objective of the study is to examine the effectiveness of the board directors of state‐owned enterprises (soes) in preventing managers from engaging earnings management. The results of the study suggest that board structure has an impact on earnings management activities. More precisely, it appears that soes with a large board are less inclined to curb managers from engaging in income smoothing than are soes with a small board. Also, the extent of income‐smoothing is great when the proportion of outsiders on the board increases, when the board is mo dependent on the political process, and when the roles of chair and ceo are held by the same person. Finally, the presence of an audit committee helps to prevent eamings‐smoothing by managers. in general, excluding the issue particular to the independence of board members, the results are in line with recent reforms in corpora governance.
Ethics and good urban governance in Toronto: The Bellamy report and integrity in public service
Authors: Fernando Shanti
Published: February 2008

Abstract: Ethics has often been of central academic and policy concern but has also emerged as a central public and media issue in Canadian politics. In Toronto, there have been a number of scandals over the past few years that have brought the discussion of ethics in the municipal public service to the forefront as well. This article analyses some of the ethical problems that municipal public servants face and the institutional culture that allows ethics violations to occur. These are illustrated by the Toronto computer‐leasing and external contracts scandals, which were the subject of an inquiry, beginning in 2002, and subsequent report by Madam Justice Denise E. Bellamy, in 2005. The author looks at the case of Wanda Liczyk to illustrate how the decision‐making process can be corrupted and how this can lead to loss of public trust and inefficient and inequitable government. The challenge for urban governance is to create a municipal public service that is professional and accountable and that follows an ethical public‐service model based on ethical codes, leadership and an understanding of underlying ethical principles. This would help regain public trust and maintain a public service that is efficient and therefore better able to handle the increasing challenges of local government.

Sommaire: L'éthique a souvent été une préoccupation fondamentale sur le plan de la theorie et de la politique, mais elle est également devenue une question d'intérêt public et une question médiatique dans la politique canadienne. Å Toronto, un certain nombre de scandales survenus ces derniéres années ont également porté le debat sur 1'éthique dans la fonction publique municipale à l'avant‐scéne. Le présent article analyse certains problemes d'éthique auxquels font face les fonctionnaires municipaux et la culture institutionnelle qui permet la violation de l'éthique. De tels cas sont illustrés par les scandales concernant la location d'ordinateurs et les contrats externes qui sont survenus à Toronto et ont fait l'objet d'une enquete à partir de 2002, puis d'un rapport par Madame la juge Denise E. Bellamy, en 2005. L'auteur prend le cas de Wanda Liczyk pour illustrer la manière dont le processus de prise de décision peut être corrompu et comment cela conduit à la perte de la confiance du public et a un gouvernement inefficace et inéquitable. Le défi pour la gouvernance urbaine consiste à créer une fonction publique municipale qui soit professionnelle et imputable et qui suive un modèle de fonction publique éthique fondé sur des codes déontologiques, le leadership et une compréhension des principes éthiques sous‐jacents. Cela aiderait à regagner la confiance du public et à maintenir une fonction publique qui soit efficace et par conséquent mieux en mesure de relever les défis croissants auxquels fait face le gouvernement local.
Transfusion‐attributable acute respiratory distress syndrome, hospital utilization and costs in the USA: a model simulation
Authors: ZILBERBERG MARYA D.
Published: February 2008

There are nearly 150,000 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) admissions in the USA, annually incurring 2.7 million hospital days. Although packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions increase the risk of developing ARDS, nearly one‐half of intensive care unit (ICU) patients receive pRBCs. The rate of transfusion‐attributable ARDS remains unknown. I estimated this annual rate, and the hospital utilization and costs in the USA. A model utilizing inputs from publicly available sources was constructed. Step 1 calculated the at‐risk population. In step 2, the proportion of ARDS cases attributable to pRBC transfusion was estimated. Step 3 computed excess annual ARDS cases related to transfusion. Step 4 quantified hospital utilization and costs. Of 141,500 annual ARDS cases, 86,315 (61%) comprised at‐risk population. Of those, 20% (n = 16,980) were estimated to be attributable to pRBCs, or 12% of all ARDS. In base‐case analysis, using median hospital length of stay of 14 days and mean cost of $31,846 per case, aggregate annualized hospital days and costs were 237,720 and $599,241,180, respectively. This model demonstrates that pRBC transfusions may be responsible for a substantial number of ARDS cases. These cases may incur hospital costs of nearly $600 million. A restrictive transfusion strategy in appropriate at‐risk ICU patients may be effective in mitigating the magnitude of this clinical and economic burden.
Double Hilbert transform along real‐analytic surfaces in ℝd+2
Authors: Pramanik Malabika , Yang Chan Woo
Published: February 2008

We give a necessary and sufficient condition for the double Hilbert transform on ℝd+2 to be bounded on Lp, 1 < p < ∞. This generalizes a result of Carbery, Wainger and Wright [Duke Math. J. 101 (2000) 499–513] for d = 1.
Duality involving the mock theta function f(q)
Authors: Folsom Amanda , Ono Ken
Published: February 2008

We show that the coefficients of Ramanujan's mock theta function f(q) are the first non‐trivial coefficients of a canonical sequence of modular forms. This fact follows from a duality which equates coefficients of the holomorphic projections of certain weight 1/2 Maass forms with coefficients of certain weight 3/2 modular forms. This work depends on the theory of Poincaré series, and a modification of an argument of Goldfeld and Sarnak on Kloosterman–Selberg zeta functions.
Influence of Wall Inclination Angles on the Onset of Gas Entrainment During Single and Dual Discharges From a Reservoir
Authors: Ahmed M.
Published: February 2008

A theoretical analysis was carried out to predict the influences of wall inclination angles of large reservoirs on the onset of gas entrainment during single and dual discharges from a stratified two-phase region. The findings reveal that when the wall inclination angle differs from zero, along with low values of Froude number, two distinct flow regimes occur: the gas-entrainment and no gas-entrainment regimes. A new criterion has been developed to predict the critical Froude number at the transition from the gas-entrainment to the no-gas-entrainment regime. The critical Froude number is defined as a function of the wall inclination angle for a single discharge. For dual discharge, the critical Froude number is found to be dependent on the wall inclination angle, the separating distance between the centerlines of the two branches, as well as the Froude number of the second branch. Furthermore, four different flow regions are mapped, representing the flow regime, as well as the two-phase flow for each branch. These maps serve to predict the flow regions, mass flow rates, and quality during single and dual two-phase discharges. For the gas-entrainment regime, the predicted values of the critical height at the onset of gas entrainment are compared with the experimental data reported in literatures. Comparisons showed good concurrence between the measured and predicted results. Furthermore, the influence of the wall inclination angle on the flow regions, the predicted critical height, and the location of the gas entrainment are presented and discussed at different values of independent variables.
Separated Flows Around the Rear Window of a Simplified Car Geometry
Authors: Rouméas Mathieu , Gilliéron Patrick , Kourta Azeddine
Published: February 2008

A 3D numerical simulation based on the lattice Boltzmann method is carried out on a simplified car geometry (initially proposed by Ahmed, Ramm, and Falting, 1984, SAE Technical Paper series No. 840300) to analyze and establish a method for controlling the near-wake flow topology of a generic blunt body model. The results indicate the existence of a complex flow topology consisting of transverse and longitudinal vortices emanating from flow separations that occur on the top and the lateral edges of the slanted rear window, respectively. The topology of each structure is detailed and the numerical results are compared with the experimental results in the literature. The results presented in this paper can then be used to develop and parametrize active control solutions conducive to improving the aerodynamic performances of automobile vehicles.
Rotational Motion of Large Particulate Doublets in Poiseuille Flow in a Capillary
Authors: McKeever E. J. , Sharp K. V.
Published: February 2008

Doublets of 48-μm-diameter polystyrene latex particles are experimentally tracked in a Poiseuille flow in a capillary tube. The rotational motion of nine doublets is observed using video microscopy with a translating stage. The particle diameter to capillary diameter ratio is 0.17, volume concentration 0.5%, and Reynolds number approximately 0.5. The rotational motions of the “large” particulate doublets are compared with theory originally developed for doublets with particle-to-tube diameters of the order of 0.04; the doublet rotations in the present experiments agree reasonably well with the earlier theory when the shear rate for the large doublet is defined based on the location of the centroid of shear rather than the shear rate at the radial center of mass of the rotating doublet. Additionally, these doublets are readily classified as primary or secondary on the basis of the rotational period.
Performance of Two-Equation Turbulence Models for Flat Plate Flows With Leading Edge Bubbles
Authors: Collie S. , Gerritsen M. , Jackson P.
Published: February 2008

This paper investigates the performance of the popular k-ω and SST turbulence models for the two-dimensional flow past the flat plate at shallow angles of incidence. Particular interest is paid to the leading edge bubble that forms as the flow separates from the sharp leading edge. This type of leading edge bubble is most commonly found in flows past thin airfoils, such as turbine blades, membrane wings, and yacht sails. Validation is carried out through a comparison to wind tunnel results compiled by Crompton (2001, “The Thin Aerofoil Leading Edge Bubble,” Ph.D. thesis, University of Bristol). This flow problem presents a new and demanding test case for turbulence models. The models were found to capture the leading edge bubble well with the Shear-Stress Transport (SST) model predicting the reattachment length within 7% of the experimental values. Downstream of reattachment both models predicted a slower boundary layer recovery than the experimental results. Overall, despite their simplicity, these two-equation models do a surprisingly good job for this demanding test case.
A Mouse Model of Mitochondrial Disease Reveals Germline Selection Against Severe mtDNA Mutations
Authors: Fan Weiwei , Waymire Katrina G. , Narula Navneet , Li Peng , Rocher Christophe , Coskun Pinar E. , Vannan Mani A. , Narula Jagat , MacGregor Grant R. , Wallace Douglas C.
Published: February 2008

The majority of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations that cause human disease are mild to moderately deleterious, yet many random mtDNA mutations would be expected to be severe. To determine the fate of the more severe mtDNA mutations, we introduced mtDNAs containing two mutations that affect oxidative phosphorylation into the female mouse germ line. The severe
ND6
mutation was selectively eliminated during oogenesis within four generations, whereas the milder
COI
mutation was retained throughout multiple generations even though the offspring consistently developed mitochondrial myopathy and cardiomyopathy. Thus, severe mtDNA mutations appear to be selectively eliminated from the female germ line, thereby minimizing their impact on population fitness.
Emergence of Anoxia in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem
Authors: Chan F. , Barth J. A. , Lubchenco J. , Kirincich A. , Weeks H. , Peterson W. T. , Menge B. A.
Published: February 2008

Eastern boundary current systems are among the world's most productive large marine ecosystems. Because upwelling currents transport nutrient-rich but oxygen-depleted water onto shallow seas, large expanses of productive continental shelves can be vulnerable to the risk of extreme low-oxygen events. Here, we report the novel rise of water-column shelf anoxia in the northern California Current system, a large marine ecosystem with no previous record of such extreme oxygen deficits. The expansion of anoxia highlights the potential for rapid and discontinuous ecosystem change in productive coastal systems that sustain a major portion of the world's fisheries.
Response to Comment on "The Latitudinal Gradient in Recent Speciation and Extinction Rates of Birds and Mammals"
Authors: Weir J. T. , Schluter D.
Published: February 2008

Tobias
et al
. suggest that taxonomic uncertainty, an underestimated correction for the lag-time to speciation, and the sister-species method undermine our estimates of speciation rates at tropical latitudes. However, our estimates incorporated a correction for taxonomic uncertainty and are robust to small increases in the lag-time correction. Contrary to the claim of Tobias
et al
., we find no indication that the sister-species method underestimates tropical diversification rates.
Discovery of a Jupiter/Saturn Analog with Gravitational Microlensing
Authors: Gaudi B. S. , Bennett D. P. , Udalski A. , Gould A. , Christie G. W. , Maoz D. , Dong S. , McCormick J. , Szymański M. K. , Tristram P. J. , Nikolaev S. , Paczyński B. , Kubiak M. , Pietrzyński G. , Soszyński I. , Szewczyk O. , Ulaczyk K. , Wyrzykowski Ł. , DePoy D. L. , Han C. , Kaspi S. , Lee C.-U. , Mallia F. , Natusch T. , Pogge R. W. , Park B.-G. , Abe F. , Bond I. A. , Botzler C. S. , Fukui A. , Hearnshaw J. B. , Itow Y. , Kamiya K. , Korpela A. V. , Kilmartin P. M. , Lin W. , Masuda K. , Matsubara Y. , Motomura M. , Muraki Y. , Nakamura S. , Okumura T. , Ohnishi K. , Rattenbury N. J. , Sako T. , Saito To. , Sato S. , Skuljan L. , Sullivan D. J. , Sumi T. , Sweatman W. L. , Yock P. C. M. , Albrow M. D. , Allan A. , Beaulieu J.-P. , Burgdorf M. J. , Cook K. H. , Coutures C. , Dominik M. , Dieters S. , Fouqué P. , Greenhill J. , Horne K. , Steele I. , Tsapras Y. , Chaboyer B. , Crocker A. , Frank S. , Macintosh B.
Published: February 2008

Searches for extrasolar planets have uncovered an astonishing diversity of planetary systems, yet the frequency of solar system analogs remains unknown. The gravitational microlensing planet search method is potentially sensitive to multiple-planet systems containing analogs of all the solar system planets except Mercury. We report the detection of a multiple-planet system with microlensing. We identify two planets with masses of ∼0.71 and ∼0.27 times the mass of Jupiter and orbital separations of ∼2.3 and ∼4.6 astronomical units orbiting a primary star of mass ∼0.50 solar mass at a distance of ∼1.5 kiloparsecs. This system resembles a scaled version of our solar system in that the mass ratio, separation ratio, and equilibrium temperatures of the planets are similar to those of Jupiter and Saturn. These planets could not have been detected with other techniques; their discovery from only six confirmed microlensing planet detections suggests that solar system analogs may be common.
Effects of Predator Hunting Mode on Grassland Ecosystem Function
Authors: Schmitz Oswald J.
Published: February 2008

The way predators control their prey populations is determined by the interplay between predator hunting mode and prey antipredator behavior. It is uncertain, however, how the effects of such interplay control ecosystem function. A 3-year experiment in grassland mesocosms revealed that actively hunting spiders reduced plant species diversity and enhanced aboveground net primary production and nitrogen mineralization rate, whereas sit-and-wait ambush spiders had opposite effects. These effects arise from the different responses to the two different predators by their grasshopper prey—the dominant herbivore species that controls plant species composition and accordingly ecosystem functioning. Predator hunting mode is thus a key functional trait that can help to explain variation in the nature of top-down control of ecosystems.
Imaging Phonon Excitation with Atomic Resolution
Authors: Gawronski H. , Mehlhorn M. , Morgenstern K.
Published: February 2008

Inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy at low temperatures was used to investigate vibrations of Au(111) and Cu(111). The low-energy peaks at 9 millielectron volts (meV) on Au(111) and 21 meV on Cu(111) are attributed to phonons at surfaces. On Au(111), the phonon energy is not influenced by the different stacking of the surface atoms, but it is considerably influenced by different atomic distances within the surface layer. The spatial variation of the phonon excitation is measured in inelastic electron tunneling maps on Au(111), which display atomic resolution. This atomic resolution is explained in terms of site-specific phonon excitation probabilities.
The In-Group Rules
Authors: Heineman Ben W.
Published: February 2008

Bending the Rules
. Morality in the Modern World from Relationships to Politics and War.
By Robert A. Hinde, with contributions from Sir Joseph Rotblat
. Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2007. 287 pp. $29.95, £14.99. ISBN 9780199218974.

Approaching morality from the perspective of behavioral and social development, Hinde explores the values people hold, the actions they actually take, and how they arrive at their positions.
It's Constraints, Not Choices
Authors: Moen Phyllis
Published: February 2008

Opting Out?
. Why Women Really Quit Careers and Head Home.
By Pamela Stone
. University of California Press, Berkeley, 2007. 313 pp. $24.95, £14.95. ISBN 9780520244351.

Challenging media claims of a return to tradition, Stone offers a detailed consideration of the reasons why many professional women with children leave the workplace.
Can Scientists Dance?
Authors: Bohannon John
Published: February 2008

An experimental DJ uses a DNA sequencer to make club music. It inspires the Gonzo Scientist to host the first-ever "Dance Your Ph.D." contest to answer the question, "Can scientists dance?"
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Infects Mature Porcine Dendritic Cells and Up-Regulates Interleukin-10 Production
Authors: Flores-Mendoza Lilian , Silva-Campa Erika , Reséndiz Mónica , Osorio Fernando A. , Hernández Jesús
Published: February 2008

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infects mature dendritic cells (mDCs) derived from porcine monocytes and matured with lipopolysaccharide. The infection of mDCs induced apoptosis, reduced the expression of CD80/86 and major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, and increased the expression of interleukin-10, thus suggesting that such mDC modulation results in the impairment of T-cell activation.
Kinetics of Recombinant Adenovirus Type 5, Vaccinia Virus, Modified Vaccinia Ankara Virus, and DNA Antigen Expression In Vivo and the Induction of Memory T-Lymphocyte Responses
Authors: Geiben-Lynn Ralf , Greenland John R. , Frimpong-Boateng Kwesi , Letvin Norman L.
Published: February 2008

While a new generation of vaccine vectors has been developed for eliciting cellular immune responses, little is known about the optimal routes for their administration or about the ramifications of the kinetics of in vivo vaccine antigen expression for immunogenicity. We evaluated the kinetics of vaccine antigen expression by real-time in vivo photon imaging and showed dramatic differences in these kinetics using different vectors and different routes of administration. Further, using a gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot assay to measure T-lymphocyte immune responses, we observed an association between the kinetics of vaccine antigen expression in vivo and the magnitude of vaccine-elicited memory T-lymphocyte responses. These results highlight the utility of the real-time in vivo photon-imaging technology in evaluating novel immunization strategies and suggest an association between the kinetics of vaccine antigen clearance and the magnitude of vaccine-elicited T-lymphocyte memory immune responses.
Immunization with aPseudomonas aeruginosa1244 Pilin Provides O-Antigen-Specific Protection
Authors: Horzempa Joseph , Held Thomas K. , Cross Alan S. , Furst Dana , Qutyan Mohammed , Neely Alice N. , Castric Peter
Published: February 2008

The O antigen is both a major structural outer membrane component and the dominant epitope of most gram-negative bacteria.Pseudomonas aeruginosa1244 produces a type IV pilus and covalently links an O-antigen repeating unit to each pilin monomer. Here we show that immunization of mice with pure pilin from strain 1244 by use of either the mouse respiratory model or the thermal injury model resulted in protection from challenge with a pilus-null O-antigen-producing 1244 mutant. These results provide evidence that the pilin glycan stimulates a protective response that targets the O antigen, suggesting that this system could be used as the basis for the development of a variety of bioconjugate vaccines protective against gram-negative bacteria.
Genetic Diversity ofMycobacterium aviumIsolates Recovered from Clinical Samples and from the Environment: Molecular Characterization for Diagnostic Purposes
Authors: Álvarez Julio , García Ignacio Gómez , Aranaz Alicia , Bezos Javier , Romero Beatriz , de Juan Lucía , Mateos Ana , Gómez-Mampaso Enrique , Domínguez Lucas
Published: February 2008

Isolation ofMycobacterium aviumcomplex (MAC) organisms from clinical samples may occur in patients without clinical disease, making the interpretation of results difficult. The clinical relevance of MAC isolates from different types of clinical samples (n= 47) from 39 patients in different sections of a hospital was assessed by comparison with environmental isolates (n= 17) from the hospital. Various methods for identification and typing (commercial probes, phenotypic characteristics, PCR for detection of IS1245and IS901, sequencing of thehsp65gene, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) were evaluated. The same strain was found in all the environmental isolates, 21 out of 23 (91.3%) of the isolates cultured from urine samples, and 5 out of 19 (26.3%) isolates from respiratory specimens. This strain did not cause disease in the patients. Testing best characterized the strain asM. aviumsubsp.hominissuis, with the unusual feature that 81.4% of these isolates lacked the IS1245element. Contamination of certain clinical samples with an environmental strain was the most likely event; therefore, characterization of the environmental mycobacteria present in health care facilities should be performed to discard false-positive isolations in nonsterile samples, mainly urine samples. Molecular techniques applied in this study demonstrated their usefulness for this purpose.
Evaluation of an Automated Instrument for Inoculating and Spreading Samples onto Agar Plates
Authors: Glasson J. H. , Guthrie L. H. , Nielsen D. J. , Bethell F. A.
Published: February 2008

The findings from a preliminary assessment of a new instrument designed for the inoculation and spreading of specimens for microbiological analysis onto agar plates are described. The study found that the instrument was able to select full or biplates from a number of input cassettes, each containing different agar types. Samples were then inoculated by the instrument onto the agar surfaces and spread by a novel plastic applicator. Following this, the instrument labeled the plates and sorted them into a number of specified output stations. It was found that the instrument was able to inoculate and spread samples over a greater proportion of the agar plate surface than the manual loop-to-plate method. As a consequence, up to 44% more usable colonies were produced per plate from clinical specimens and standard cultures. Viable counts showed that the instrument was able to detect as few as 10
2
CFU/ml in fluids and also facilitated the enumeration of organisms, particularly in specimens such as urine.
Increase of Integration Events and Infection Loads of Human Papillomavirus Type 52 with Lesion Severity from Low-Grade Cervical Lesion to Invasive Cancer
Authors: Cheung Jo L. K. , Cheung T. H. , Tang Julian W. T. , Chan Paul K. S.
Published: February 2008

Infection load and the integration of human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been implicated as determinants for oncogenesis, but whether variation among different HPV types exists remains unclear. We investigated 91 women infected with HPV type 52 (HPV-52), a type that is rare worldwide but common in East Asia. The median viral load increased with the severity of the lesion (248 copies/cell equivalent for normal/cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] grade 1, 402 copies/cell equivalent for CIN 2, 523 copies/cell equivalent for CIN 3, and 1,435 copies/cell equivalent for invasive cancer). The proportion of specimens with integration increased significantly with the severity of the lesion (
P
< 0.001). The viral load was associated with the physical status of the viral genome, with higher levels for the pure episomal form (
P
= 0.001). Infection status should be considered when interpreting viral load data for HPV-52, as single infections with this HPV type were found to have marginally higher viral loads than coinfections (
P
= 0.051). All except one sample had E2 disruption restricted to only a part of the gene. Integration is a critical step in HPV-52-induced carcinogenesis. The profile of E2 disruption was different from that described for HPV-16, with the amino-terminal region being most frequently involved. Selecting the appropriate E2 region for amplification is critical in studying the integration of HPV-52. In summary, the HPV-52 viral load and the integrated proportion increased with the severity of the cervical lesions but had a different pattern than that of HPV-16.
Different Biological Characteristics of Wild-Type Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Viruses and Vaccine Viruses and Identification of the Corresponding Genetic Determinants
Authors: Kim Won-Il , Kim Jae-Jo , Cha Sang-Ho , Yoon Kyoung-Jin
Published: February 2008

Two attenuated vaccines, Ingelvac PRRS MLV and Ingelvac PRRS ATP, derived from VR2332 and JA142, respectively, have been used to control porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) virus. However, there have been several field reports concerning the reversion of the vaccine virus to virulence. Furthermore, viruses genetically indistinguishable from the vaccines and wild-type parental viruses have been detected in clinical PRRS cases, raising the need for a better differential tool. As the vaccine viruses replicated better and produced bigger plaques in MARC-145 cells than did the wild-type parental strains, the following study was conducted to determine if the growth difference in MARC-145 cells can be utilized to differentiate a vaccine-like virus (VLV) from a wild-type virus and to identify genetic markers corresponding to such phenotype of the vaccine viruses. The relatedness of 83 field isolates collected between 1996 and 2005 to VR2332 and JA142 was classified genetically and antigenically. Thirteen of 25 VR2332-related viruses and 9 of 10 JA142-related viruses were determined as VLVs, since those viruses produced plaques similar to those by the vaccine viruses. Four unique amino acids each were identified throughout structural genes for MLV and ATP. Among those, F10in open reading frame 2 (ORF2) of MLV and E85and Y165in ORF3 of ATP were stable during pig passages. When the sequences unique for MLV were incorporated into an infectious clone constructed based on VR2332, the virus growth and resultant plaque size in MARC-145 cells were increased, suggesting that these sequences can be used as genetic markers for VLVs.
Spread of a Low-Fitness Drug-Resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Strain in a Setting of High Human Immunodeficiency Virus Prevalence
Authors: Strauss O. J. , Warren R. M. , Jordaan A. , Streicher E. M. , Hanekom M. , Falmer A. A. , Albert H. , Trollip A. , Hoosain E. , van Helden P. D. , Victor T. C.
Published: February 2008

The fitness cost associated with the evolution of resistance to rifampin in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
may be different in clinical isolates compared to in vitro-generated mutants. An atypical Beijing strain (attenuated phenotype) demonstrated the ability to spread despite acquiring resistance to rifampin. Transmission was linked to human immunodeficiency virus coinfection (
P
= 0.029), raising concern for the spread of drug resistance in vulnerable populations.
Sequence Polymorphisms in a Surface PPE Protein Distinguish Types I, II, and III of
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
Authors: Griffiths Tanya A. , Rioux Kevin , De Buck Jeroen
Published: February 2008

In the last 2 decades, a variety of different molecular typing methods have been developed to differentiate strains of
Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
. The most successful techniques are based on insertion sequences, repetitive loci, comparative genomics, or single nucleotide polymorphisms. In the present study, we chose to examine whether a single
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
gene could serve as a means of differentiation of a variety of isolates. The MAP1506 gene locus encodes a member of the polymorphic PPE protein family that has putative roles relevant to
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
pathogenicity. The MAP1506 locus was sequenced from a collection of 58
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
isolates from different sources, hosts, and typing profiles. Following sequence alignment and analysis, it was found that bovine (type II) strains of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
consistently differed from ovine (type I) and intermediate (type III) strains in seven and eight nucleotides, respectively. Polymorphic regions of the MAP1506 locus were selected for analysis by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, allowing visual discrimination of the three subtypes of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
isolates. This is the first report describing the use of PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis on a single gene as a method to distinguish types I, II, and III of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
.