bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bildgebende Gelenksdiagnostik mittels Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT)
Authors: Guggenberger  , Andreisek
Published: August 2010

Die MRT-Bildgebung ist heutzutage eine klinisch etablierte Methode zur nicht-invasiven Abklärung von Gelenkspathologien. Im klinischen Routinebetrieb stehen hierfür im wesentlichen vier MRT-Untersuchungsmethoden zur Verfügung: (1) die native MRT-Untersuchung von Gelenken, (2) die i.v.-KM-verstärkte MRT-Untersuchung von Gelenken, (3) die direkte MRT-Arthrographie mit intraartikulärer Kontrastmittelinjektion sowie (4) die indirekte MRT-Arthrographie mit intravenöser Kontrastmittelapplikation. Darüber hinaus steht heute eine Vielzahl von modernen Forschungsmethoden zur Verfügung, welche innovative Ansätze bieten, aus denen in Zukunft möglicherweise eine klinische Anwendung abgeleitet werden kann.
Rorschach Comprehensive System Predictors of Biopsychological Distress in Patients with Chronic Disease
Authors: Porcelli Piero
Published: August 2010

The Rorschach Comprehensive System (CS) scores of D, Adj.D, m, and SumY are thought to indicate feelings associated with stressful experiences. In this study, 92 patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were assessed with the Rorschach CS, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) for psychological distress, and standard biomedical measures for disease activity (DA) over a period of 6 months. Stress was defined as the combined assessment of the somatic (DA) and psychological (HADS) components by creating groups of patients with and without biopsychological distress. Using a cross-sectional study design, we could associate the CS variables of stress control (D, Adj.D, es, and SumY) and negative affect (DEPI) to poor somatic and psychological health status (effect size ranging from .37 to .49). Longitudinal, hierarchical regression analysis showed that baseline CS variables (particularly D < 0 and higher SumY) explained a significant amount (9%) of the disease activity aggravation, and that they – particularly D and Adj.D – independently predicted biopsychological distress aggravation measured 6 months after the Rorschach administration and controlled for biomedical and sociodemographic factors (37% of shared variance). Confirming previous findings, this study showed that D/Adj.D and SumY were reliable, stable indicators of the stressful experience, considered as the joint combination of the psychological and the somatic components.
Spatial localization of Langmuir waves generated from an electron beam propagating in an inhomogeneous plasma: Applications to the solar wind
Authors: Zaslavsky A. , Volokitin A. S. , Krasnoselskikh V. V. , Maksimovic M. , Bale S. D.
Published: August 2010

It is known from in situ observations that large‐amplitude spatially localized Langmuir waves are frequent in the solar wind, and usually correlated with the presence of suprathermal electron beams, during type III events or close to the electron foreshock. It seems that the influence of the solar wind density fluctuations on the propagation effects of the Langmuir waves play an important role in the formation of these wave packets. In this article, we focus on the mechanism of generation of localized wave packets by electron beams propagating in an inhomogeneous medium. To this purpose, we present a theoretical model based on the resolution of the high‐frequency component of the Zakharov's equation in which a source term describing the electron beam has been introduced, and show that this model is able to reproduce classical results about beam plasma instability and wave trapping in density cavities. Then we present simulation results of the generation of Langmuir wave packets in typical solar wind conditions at 1 A.U., and discuss the origin and nature of their localization.
Energetic outer radiation belt electron precipitation during recurrent solar activity
Authors: Clilverd Mark A. , Rodger Craig J. , Moffat‐Griffin Tracy , Spanswick Emma , Breen Paul , Menk Frederick W. , Grew Russell S. , Hayashi Kanji , Mann Ian R.
Published: August 2010

Transmissions from three U.S. VLF (very low frequency) transmitters were received at Churchill, Canada, during an event study in May to November, 2007. This period spans four cycles of recurrent geomagnetic activity spaced ∼27 days apart, with daily ΣKp reaching ∼30 at the peaks of the disturbances. The difference in the amplitude of the signals received during the day and during the night varied systematically with geomagnetic activity, and was used here as a proxy for ionization changes caused by energetic electron precipitation. For the most intense of the recurrent geomagnetic storms there was evidence of electron precipitation from 3 < L < 7 for 10–15 days after the peak of the disturbance, as measured by ΣKp and Dst. This was consistent with the time variation of the fluxes of Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) >300 keV and ∼1 MeV trapped electrons, and also consistent with the daily average ULF (ultralow frequency) Pc1–2 power (L = 3.9) from Lucky Lake, Canada, which was elevated during the ∼1 MeV electron precipitation period. This suggests that Pc1–2 waves may play a role in outer radiation belt loss processes during this interval. We show that the >300 keV trapped electron flux from POES is a reasonable proxy for electron precipitation during recurrent high‐speed solar wind streams, although it did not describe all of the variability that occurred. While energetic electron precipitation can be described through a proxy such as Kp or Dst, careful incorporation of time delays for different electron energies must be included. Dst was found to be the most accurate proxy for electron precipitation during the weak recurrent‐activity period studied.
Freshwater fluxes in the Baltic Sea: A model study
Authors: Hordoir R. , Meier H. E. Markus
Published: August 2010

The dynamics of “juvenile” freshwater, which is released during spring into the Baltic proper, is studied using a numerical three‐dimensional circulation model. Two methods are used. First, freshwater heights are calculated using simulated salinity fields, and their seasonal variability is analyzed. When compared to climatological observations, the model represents the seasonal variability of freshwater heights well. However, the method does not allow a proper study of the dynamics of juvenile freshwater fluxes. Consequently, a second method is used where a passive tracer, which marks freshwater, is utilized. This method provides a better description of the seasonal spreading of juvenile freshwater in the Baltic proper, although further investigations are still necessary to trace juvenile freshwater. The results from this second method show that juvenile freshwater does not reach the center of the Baltic proper before late summer. During one season, only a small amount of juvenile freshwater may reach the entrance of the Baltic Sea. The increased vertical stratification generated by the arrival of juvenile freshwater and the subsequent baroclinic adjustment may trigger the onset of the spring bloom in accordance to earlier suggestions. Further, the seasonal cycle and inter‐annual variability of the freshwater outflow from the Baltic Sea are studied. Seasonal changes of the freshwater outflow are closely connected with that of the zonal wind, although the annual mean outflow is given by the total runoff into the Baltic Sea. Thus, the inter‐annual variability of the seasonal freshwater outflow maximum is highly correlated with the North Atlantic Oscillation.
Isotopic variation of molecular hydrogen in 20°–375°C hydrothermal fluids as detected by a new analytical method
Authors: Kawagucci Shinsuke , Toki Tomohiro , Ishibashi Junichiro , Takai Ken , Ito Michihiro , Oomori Tamotsu , Gamo Toshitaka
Published: August 2010

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is one of the most important energy sources for subseafloor chemolithoautotrophic microbial ecosystems in the deep‐sea hydrothermal environments. This study investigated stable isotope ratios of H2 in 20°–375°C hydrothermal fluids to evaluate usefulness of the isotope ratio as a tracer to explore the H2‐metabolisms. Prior to the observation, we developed an improved analytical method for the determination of concentration and stable isotope ratio of H2. This method achieved a relatively high sensitivity with a detection limit of 1 nmol H2 within an analytical error of 10‰ in the δDH2 value. The δDH2 values in the high‐temperature fluids were between −405‰ and −330‰, indicating the achievement of the hydrogen isotopic equilibrium between H2 and H2O at around the hydrothermal end‐member temperature. In contrast, several low‐temperature fluids showed apparently smaller δDH2 values than those in the high‐temperature fluids in spite of a negligible δDH2 change due to fluid‐seawater mixing, suggesting the possibility of δDH2 change in the low‐temperature fluids and the surrounding environments. Since the δDH2 change in low‐temperature environments is not well explained by the very sluggish abiotic thermal isotopic equilibrium between H2 and H2O, it could be associated with (micro)biological H2‐consuming and/or H2‐generating metabolisms that would strongly promote the isotopic equilibrium at low temperatures. Our first detection of the δDH2 variation in deep‐sea hydrothermal systems presents the availability of the δDH2 value as a new tracer for microbes whose enzymes catalyze D/H exchange in H2.
Sudden stratospheric warming event signatures in daytime ExB drift velocities in the Peruvian and Philippine longitude sectors for January 2003 and 2004
Authors: Anderson David , Araujo‐Pradere Eduardo A.
Published: August 2010

This paper first describes the technique that has been developed to obtain realistic, daytime, vertical ExB drift velocities in the equatorial ionosphere using two ground‐based magnetometers, one on the magnetic equator and the other located ±6°–9° away in latitude. This technique is then employed to study the unique ExB drift signatures associated with sudden stratospheric warming events (SSW) in both the Peruvian and Philippine longitude sectors, occurring in January 2003 and January 2004. It is found that the semidiurnal shaped signature first appears in the Peruvian sector and 3 days later appears in the Philippine sector. In both sectors, the ExB drift signature lasts for approximately 5 days.
Dop functions as a depupylase in the prokaryotic ubiquitin‐like modification pathway
Authors: Imkamp Frank , Striebel Frank , Sutter Markus , Özcelik Dennis , Zimmermann Natalie , Sander Peter , Weber‐Ban Eilika
Published: August 2010

Post‐translational modification of proteins with prokaryotic ubiquitin‐like protein (Pup) is the bacterial equivalent of ubiquitination in eukaryotes. Mycobacterial pupylation is a two‐step process in which the carboxy‐terminal glutamine of Pup is first deamidated by Dop (deamidase of Pup) before ligation of the generated γ‐carboxylate to substrate lysines by the Pup ligase PafA. In this study, we identify a new feature of the pupylation system by demonstrating that Dop also acts as a depupylase in the Pup proteasome system in vivo and in vitro. Dop removes Pup from substrates by specific cleavage of the isopeptide bond. Depupylation can be enhanced by the unfolding activity of the mycobacterial proteasomal ATPase Mpa.
Cerebral 5-HT2A Receptor and Serotonin Transporter Binding in Humans Are Not Affected by the val66met BDNF Polymorphism Status or Blood BDNF Levels
Authors: Klein Anders Bue , Trajkovska Viktorija , Erritzoe David , Haugbol Steven , Madsen Jacob , Baaré William , Aznar Susana , Knudsen Gitte M
Published: August 2010

Recent studies have proposed an interrelation between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) val66met polymorphism and the serotonin system. In this study, we investigated whether the BDNF val66met polymorphism or blood BDNF levels are associated with cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptor or serotonin transporter (SERT) binding in healthy subjects. No statistically significant differences in 5-HT2A receptor or SERT binding were found between the val/val and met carriers, nor were blood BDNF values associated with SERT binding or 5-HT2A receptor binding. In conclusion, val66met BDNF polymorphism status is not associated with changes in the serotonergic system. Moreover, BDNF levels in blood do not correlate with either 5-HT2A or SERT binding.
CEMOVIS on a pathogen: analysis of Bacillus anthracis spores
Authors: Couture‐Tosi Evelyne , Ranck Jean‐Luc , Haustant Georges , Pehau‐Arnaudet Gerard , Sachse Martin
Published: August 2010

Background information. Under conditions of starvation, bacteria of Bacillus ssp. are able to form a highly structured cell type, the dormant spore. When the environment presents more favourable conditions, the spore starts to germinate, which will lead to the release of the vegetative form in the life cycle, the bacillus. For Bacillus anthracis, the aetiological agent of anthrax, germination is normally linked to host uptake and represents an important step in the onset of anthrax disease. Morphological studies analysing the organization of the spore and the changes during germination at the electron microscopy level were only previously performed with techniques relying on fixation with aldehydes and osmium, and subsequent dehydration, which can produce artefacts.

Results and conclusions. In the present study, we describe the morphology of dormant spores using CEMOVIS (Cryo‐Electron Microscopy of Vitreous Sections). Biosafety measures do not permit freezing of native spores of B. anthracis without chemical fixation. To study the influence of aldehyde fixation on the ultrastructure of the spore, we chose to analyse spores of the closely related non‐pathogen Bacillus cereus T. For none of the investigated structures could we find a difference in morphology induced by aldehyde fixation compared with the native preparations for CEMOVIS. This result legitimizes work with aldehyde‐fixed spores from B. anthracis. Using CEMOVIS, we describe two new structures present in the spore: a rectangular structure, which connects the BclA filaments with the basal layer of the exosporium, and a repetitive structure, which can be found in the terminal layer of the coat. We studied the morphological changes of the spore during germination. After outgrowth of the bacillus, coat and exosporium stay associated, and the layered organization of the coat, as well as the repetitive structure within it, remain unchanged.
Lipin proteins form homo- and hetero-oligomers
Authors: Liu Guang-Hui , Qu Jing , Carmack Anne E. , Kim Hyun Bae , Chen Chang , Ren Hongmei , Morris Andrew J. , Finck Brian N. , Harris Thurl E.
Published: August 2010

Lipin family members (lipin 1, 2 and 3) are bi-functional proteins that dephosphorylate PA (phosphatidic acid) to produce DAG (diacylglycerol) and act in the nucleus to regulate gene expression. Although other components of the triacylglycerol synthesis pathway can form oligomeric complexes, it is unknown whether lipin proteins also exist as oligomers. In the present study, using various approaches, we revealed that lipin 1 formed stable homo-oligomers with itself and hetero-oligomers with lipin 2/3. Both the N- and C-terminal regions of lipin 1 mediate its oligomerization in a head-to-head/tail-to-tail manner. We also show that lipin 1 subcellular localization can be influenced through oligomerization, and the individual lipin 1 monomers in the oligomer function independently in catalysing dephosphorylation of PA. The present study provides evidence that lipin proteins function as oligomeric complexes and that the three mammalian lipin isoforms can form combinatorial units.
Spoken Word Classification in Children and Adults
Authors: Carroll Julia M. , Myers Joanne M.
Published: August 2010

Purpose

Preschool children often have difficulties in word classification, despite good speech perception and production. Some researchers suggest that they represent words using phonetic features rather than phonemes. In this study, the authors examined whether there is a progression from feature-based to phoneme-based processing across age groups and whether responses are consistent across tasks and stimuli.

Method

In Study 1, 120 three- to five-year-old children completed 3 tasks assessing use of phonetic features in classification, with an additional 58 older children completing 1 of the 3 tasks. In Study 2, all of the children, together with an additional adult sample, completed a nonword learning task.

Results

In all 4 tasks, children classified words sharing phonemes as similar. In addition, children regarded words as similar if they shared manner of articulation, particularly word finally. Adults also showed this sensitivity to manner, but across the tasks, there was a pattern of increasing use of phonemic information with age.

Conclusions

Children tend to classify words as similar if they share phonemes or if they share manner of articulation word finally. Use of phonemic information becomes more common with age.
Bunch characteristics of an electron beam generated by a diamond secondary emitter amplifier
Authors: Jensen Kevin L. , Yater Joan E. , Shaw Jonathan L. , Myers Robert E. , Pate Bradford B. , Butler James E. , Feygelson Tatyana
Published: August 2010

Electron bunches for high performance free electron lasers are subject to constraints on charge per bunch and pulse shape. A Diamond secondary emitter used in conjunction with a photocathode and drive laser has potential to enable a high brightness, high peak current photoinjector by increasing the effective quantum efficiency of the photocathode. A theoretical characterization of the bunches so produced has been heretofore absent. Using a combination of Monte Carlo and analytical models, the shape of the bunches, their transit time, and emission time constants are determined and shown to be sensitive to the accelerating field in the diamond flake, incident beam profile, doping, and surface conditions. Methods to allow for extension to regimes of technological interest in terms of diamond thickness, external field, and primary pulse shape are given.
An exciton scattering model for carrier multiplication in semiconductor nanocrystals: Theory
Authors: Piryatinski Andrei , Velizhanin Kirill A.
Published: August 2010

The effect of carrier multiplication (CM) in semiconductor nanocrystals is systematically treated by employing an exciton scattering approach. Using projection operators, we reduce the Coulomb coupled multiexciton dynamics to scattering dynamics in the space spanning both single- and biexciton states. We derive a closed set of equations determining the scattering matrix elements. This allows us to interpret CM dynamics as a series of odd-order interband scattering events. Using the time-dependent density matrix formalism, we provide a rigorous description of the CM dynamics induced by a finite-time pump pulse. Within this approach, both processes of single- and biexciton photogeneration and the consequent population relaxation are treated on the same footing. This approach provides a framework for numerical calculations and for comparisons of the quantum efficiencies associated with each process. For applications, the limit of weak interband Coulomb coupling is considered. Finally, we demonstrate that three previously used theoretical models can be recovered as limiting cases of our exciton scattering model.
Detection of concealed and buried chemicals by using multifrequency excitations
Authors: Gao Yaohui , Chen Meng-Ku , Yang Chia-En , Chang Yun-Ching , Yao Jim , Cheng Jiping , Yin Stuart , Hui Rongqing , Ruffin Paul , Brantley Christina , Edwards Eugene , Luo Claire
Published: August 2010

In this paper, we present a new type of concealed and buried chemical detection system by stimulating and enhancing spectroscopic signatures with multifrequency excitations, which includes a low frequency gradient dc electric field, a high frequency microwave field, and higher frequency infrared (IR) radiations. Each excitation frequency plays a unique role. The microwave, which can penetrate into the underground and/or pass through the dielectric covers with low attenuation, could effectively transform its energy into the concealed and buried chemicals and increases its evaporation rate from the sample source. Subsequently, a gradient dc electric field, generated by a Van De Graaff generator, not only serves as a vapor accelerator for efficiently expediting the transportation process of the vapor release from the concealed and buried chemicals but also acts as a vapor concentrator for increasing the chemical concentrations in the detection area, which enables the trace level chemical detection. Finally, the stimulated and enhanced vapors on the surface are detected by the IR spectroscopic fingerprints. Our theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that more than sixfold increase in detection signal can be achieved by using this proposed technology. The proposed technology can also be used for standoff detection of concealed and buried chemicals by adding the remote IR and/or thermal spectroscopic and imaging detection systems.
Large pyroelectric effect in Fe-doped lithium niobate induced by a high-power short-pulse laser
Authors: Kitamura Kenji , Hatano Hideki , Takekawa Shunji , Schütze Daniel , Aono Masakazu
Published: August 2010

We demonstrate the pyroelectric effect induced by a short pulse laser with an intensity up to 6 MW/cm2 which is used to heat the Fe-doped Lithium niobate crystal. 0.2 °C temperature rise induced by a 10 ns laser pulse causes a very large current peak (up to 25 mA) since the rate of temperature rise is extremely large comparing with that induced by using an ordinary heater. On the other hand, the pyroelectric current during the cooling is much smaller because of the slow cooling rate by thermal conduction.
Highly efficient, single-layer organic light-emitting devices based on a graded-composition emissive layer
Authors: Erickson Nicholas C. , Holmes Russell J.
Published: August 2010

We demonstrate highly efficient electrophosphorescence from devices comprising a single organic layer. High efficiency is realized by combining both hole- and electron-transporting host materials (HTMs and ETMs, respectively) into a single, graded-composition emissive layer with the green phosphorescent emitter fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium (III). The composition is continuously graded to realize nearly 100% HTM at the anode and nearly 100% ETM at the cathode. Peak external quantum and power efficiencies of ηEQE=(19.3±0.4)% and ηP=(66.5±1.3) lm/W are realized at a luminance level of 600 cd/m2.
The effect of deposition power on the electrical properties of Al-doped zinc oxide thin films
Authors: Chun B. S. , Wu H. C. , Abid M. , Chu I. C. , Serrano-Guisan S. , Shvets I. V. , Choi Daniel. S.
Published: August 2010

We investigated the effect on the electronic properties of aluminum (Al)-zinc oxide (ZnO) films by modulating the radio frequency sputtering power. Our experimental results show that increasing the sputtering power increases the Al doping concentration, decreases the resistivity, and also shifts the Zn 2p and O 1s to higher binding energy states. Our local-density approximation (LDA) and LDA+U calculations show that the shift in higher binding energy and resistivity decrease are due to an enhancement of the O 2p–Zn 3d coupling and the modification of the Zn 4s–O 2p interaction in ZnO induced by Al doping.
High performance “continuum-to-continuum” quantum cascade lasers with a broad gain bandwidth of over 400 cm−1
Authors: Yao Yu , Wang Xiaojun , Fan Jen-Yu , Gmachl Claire F.
Published: August 2010

A quantum cascade laser structure is demonstrated that provides a broadband gain spectrum of 430 cm−1 with a peak emission wavelength around 4.8 μm. The laser active region is based on multiple transitions from strongly coupled upper states to lower laser states. In spite of the broad gain spectrum, high laser performance was demonstrated with low threshold current density (as low as 1.6 kA/cm2), large slope efficiency (over 5 W/A) and high wall plug efficiency (up to 23%) in pulsed mode operation at 295 K.
Production of high transient heat and particle fluxes in a linear plasma device
Authors: De Temmerman G. , Zielinski J. J. , van der Meiden H. , Melissen W. , Rapp J.
Published: August 2010

We report on the generation of high transient heat and particle fluxes in a linear plasma device by pulsed operation of the plasma source. A capacitor bank is discharged into the source to transiently increase the discharge current up to 1.7 kA, allowing peak densities and temperature of 70×1020 m−3 and 6 eV corresponding to a surface power density of about 400 MW m−2.
An evaluation of a benchmarking initiative in extended treatment mental health services
Authors: Shepherd Nicole , Meehan Thomas J. , Davidson Fiona , Stedman Terry
Published: August 2010

Aim.To evaluate the effectiveness of a benchmarking initiative in facilitating quality improvement and reform in extended care mental health services.
Method.Individual interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with 84 staff in 22 extended care mental health services that had previously participated in a State-wide benchmarking exercise in Queensland, Australia.
Results.Staff reported positive outcomes from participation in the benchmarking exercise. Information derived from benchmarking provided a different perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of individual services and an opportunity to learn from peer services. Staff in 86% of the services identified issues that needed to be addressed and 64% of services had implemented one or more service improvement projects in response to shortcomings identified through the benchmarking exercise.
Conclusions.The collection and reporting of performance data through a process of benchmarking was successful in facilitating service improvement in most of the participating facilities. Engaging services in all stages of the process was considered useful in converting benchmarking data into knowledge that was able to be applied at the local service level.
What is known about the topic?Implementing and maintaining service improvement initiatives in mental health services can be difficult, due to ongoing resource limitations in the sector. Although there is currently a drive to promote benchmarking for mental health services, to date, there has been limited evidence that it leads to sustained service improvements.
What does this paper add?This paper reports on an evaluation of a benchmarking initiative in extended treatment mental health services in Queensland, Australia. Six months after implementation, staff reported positive outcomes from participation in the project, and 64% of services had implemented one or more service improvement projects. Engagement of service staff in the process of benchmarking is important to ensure success.
What are the implications for practitioners?Benchmarking initiatives can lead to service improvement. It is important to involve staff in the process of benchmarking, from choosing performance indicators and collection of data, to interpretation of the results. Organising events where staff can present findings from the project to their peers provides the opportunity to reflect on the direction of their service and learn from others. In this way, information provided through benchmarking can be converted into knowledge that is applied at the service level.
Implications of excess weight on mental wellbeing
Authors: Morris Jodie , Koehn Stefan , Happell Brenda , Dwyer Trudy , Moxham Lorna
Published: August 2010

Objective.To assess differences in perceived health-related quality of life among individuals who are normal weight, overweight and obese in the general population, with particular emphasis on mental health.
Method.A cross-sectional study was conducted among the general adult population in Queensland, Australia. Participants (n = 1212) were selected randomly for computer-assisted telephone interview in July 2007. The sample ranged between 18 and 93 years, with a mean age of 51.10 years (s.d. = 15.92). Demographic and physical and mental health (SF-12) data were collected. Self-reported height and weight were used to classify participants into three groups based on their body mass index: normal weight; overweight; obese. The associations between body mass index categories and SF-12 scores were investigated.
Results.In this population sample, excess weight was associated with poorer physical health. In addition, significant associations were observed between excess weight and poor mental health for particular age groups. Obesity had a significant association with poor mental wellbeing for individuals who are aged 45 to 54 years. No sex differences were observed.
Conclusion.The results provide additional evidence of the relationship between excess weight and mental wellbeing and highlight the need for health professionals to be cognisant of the potential for individuals who are obese to have a higher risk of experiencing mental health problems.
What is known about the topic?The body mass index of the general population is rising steadily. Being overweight or obese has a detrimental effect on physical health and is a major cause of preventable death. However, there are conflicting findings regarding the implications of excess weight on an individuals’ mental health.
What does this paper add?This paper substantiates the relationship between body mass index and health-related quality of life in the general adult population. Obesity was associated with poor mental wellbeing for individuals between the ages of 45 and 54.
What are the implications for practice?This study underscores the need for mental health and wellbeing to become part of standard assessment practice for individuals who are overweight or obese, particularly those aged between 45 and 54 years.
En masse in vitro functional profiling of the axonal mechanosensitivity of sensory neurons
Authors: Usoskin Dmitry , Zilberter Misha , Linnarsson Sten , Hjerling-Leffler Jens , Uhlén Per , Harkany Tibor , Ernfors Patrik
Published: August 2010

Perception of the environment relies on somatosensory neurons. Mechanosensory, proprioceptor and many nociceptor subtypes of these neurons have specific mechanosensitivity profiles to adequately differentiate stimulus patterns. Nevertheless, the cellular basis of differential mechanosensation remains largely elusive. Successful transduction of sensory information relies on the recruitment of sensory neurons and mechanosensation occurring at their peripheral axonal endings in vivo. Conspicuously, existing in vitro models aimed to decipher molecular mechanisms of mechanosensation test single sensory neuron somata at any one time. Here, we introduce a compartmental in vitro chamber design to deliver precisely controlled mechanical stimulation of sensory axons with synchronous real-time imaging of Ca
2+
transients in neuronal somata that reliably reflect action potential firing patterns. We report of three previously not characterized types of mechanosensitive neuron subpopulations with distinct intrinsic axonal properties tuned specifically to static indentation or vibration stimuli, showing that different classes of sensory neurons are tuned to specific types of mechanical stimuli. Primary receptor currents of vibration neurons display rapidly adapting conductance reliably detected for every single stimulus during vibration and are consistently converted into action potentials. This result allows for the characterization of two critical steps of mechanosensation in vivo: primary signal detection and signal conversion into specific action potential firing patterns in axons.
Biomimetic cilia arrays generate simultaneous pumping and mixing regimes
Authors: Shields A. R. , Fiser B. L. , Evans E. E. , Falvo M. R. , Washburn S. , Superfine R.
Published: August 2010

Living systems employ cilia to control and to sense the flow of fluids for many purposes, such as pumping, locomotion, feeding, and tissue morphogenesis. Beyond their use in biology, functional arrays of artificial cilia have been envisaged as a potential biomimetic strategy for inducing fluid flow and mixing in lab-on-a-chip devices. Here we report on fluid transport produced by magnetically actuated arrays of biomimetic cilia whose size approaches that of their biological counterparts, a scale at which advection and diffusion compete to determine mass transport. Our biomimetic cilia recreate the beat shape of embryonic nodal cilia, simultaneously generating two sharply segregated regimes of fluid flow: Above the cilia tips their motion causes directed, long-range fluid transport, whereas below the tips we show that the cilia beat generates an enhanced diffusivity capable of producing increased mixing rates. These two distinct types of flow occur simultaneously and are separated in space by less than 5 μm, approximately 20% of the biomimetic cilium length. While this suggests that our system may have applications as a versatile microfluidics device, we also focus on the biological implications of our findings. Our statistical analysis of particle transport identifying an enhanced diffusion regime provides novel evidence for the existence of mixing in ciliated systems, and we demonstrate that the directed transport regime is Poiseuille–Couette flow, the first analytical model consistent with biological measurements of fluid flow in the embryonic node.
L1 attrition and L2 acquisition
Authors: Opitz Conny
Published: August 2010

L1 attrition is increasingly being studied as a feature of bilingualism, taking into account the parallel process of L2 language acquisition in a migrant situation. Such situations may foster L1 attrition as a result of insufficient L1 input and competition or interaction with the language of the host community. In a study of 27 German late bilinguals resident in Ireland, the question of a possible interaction between the two language systems (German and English) is addressed. This paper reports on the results of two of the elicitation instruments used – a C-test as a measure of global language proficiency, and a verbal fluency task as a measure of lexical retrieval and bilingual dominance. The former is an unspeeded integrative task, while the latter taps lexical access as a function of the relative activation levels of the languages. The analysis focuses on the proficiency profiles of the bilingual participants vis-à-vis a German and an Irish control group to establish the level of L1 attrition and L2 acquisition, and the degree with which L1 and L2 proficiency correlate.
Obtaining better quality final clustering by merging a collection of clusterings
Authors: Mimaroglu Selim , Erdil Ertunc
Published: August 2010

Motivation: Clustering methods including k-means, SOM, UPGMA, DAA, CLICK, GENECLUSTER, CAST, DHC, PMETIS and KMETIS have been widely used in biological studies for gene expression, protein localization, sequence recognition and more. All these clustering methods have some benefits and drawbacks. We propose a novel graph-based clustering software called COMUSA for combining the benefits of a collection of clusterings into a final clustering having better overall quality.

Results: COMUSA implementation is compared with PMETIS, KMETIS and k-means. Experimental results on artificial, real and biological datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our method. COMUSA produces very good quality clusters in a short amount of time.

Availability:  http://www.cs.umb.edu/∼smimarog/comusa

Contact:  selim.mimaroglu@bahcesehir.edu.tr
Influence of oceanic factors on
Anguilla anguilla
(L.) over the twentieth century in coastal habitats of the Skagerrak, southern Norway
Authors: Durif Caroline M. F. , Gjøsæter Jakob , Vøllestad L. Asbjørn
Published: August 2010

The European eel (
Anguilla anguilla
L.) is distributed in coastal and inland habitats all over Europe, but spawns in the Sargasso Sea and is thus affected by both continental and oceanic factors. Since the 1980s a steady decline has been observed in the recruitment of glass eels to freshwater and in total eel landings. The eel is considered as critically endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of species. The Skagerrak beach seine survey from Norway constitutes the longest fishery-independent dataset on yellow/silver eels (starting in 1904). The Skagerrak coastal region receives larvae born in the Sargasso Sea spawning areas that have followed the Gulf Stream/North Atlantic Drift before they penetrate far into the North Sea. The Skagerrak coastal time series is therefore particularly valuable for exploring the impacts of oceanic factors on fluctuations in eel recruitment abundance. Analyses showed that Sargasso Sea surface temperature was negatively correlated with eel abundance, with a lag of 12 years revealing a cyclic and detrimental effect of high temperatures on the newly hatched larvae. The North Atlantic Oscillation index and inflow of North Atlantic water into the North Sea were negatively correlated with eel abundance, with a lag of 11 years. Increased currents towards the North Atlantic during high North Atlantic Oscillation years may send larvae into the subpolar gyre before they are ready to metamorphose and settle, resulting in low recruitment in the northern part of the distribution area for these years. The Skagerrak time series was compared with glass eel recruitment to freshwater in the Netherlands (Den Oever glass eel time series), and similar patterns were found revealing a cycle linked to changes in oceanic factors affecting glass eel recruitment. The recent decline of eels in the Skagerrak also coincided with previously documented shifts in environmental conditions of the North Sea ecosystem.
Phosphoenolpyruvate Provision to Plastids Is Essential for Gametophyte and Sporophyte Development inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Prabhakar Veena , Löttgert Tanja , Geimer Stefan , Dörmann Peter , Krüger Stephan , Vijayakumar Vinod , Schreiber Lukas , Göbel Cornelia , Feussner Kirstin , Feussner Ivo , Marin Kay , Staehr Pia , Bell Kirsten , Flügge Ulf-Ingo , Häusler Rainer E.
Published: August 2010

Restriction of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) supply to plastids causes lethality of female and male gametophytes in Arabidopsis thaliana defective in both a phosphoenolpyruvate/phosphate translocator (PPT) of the inner envelope membrane and the plastid-localized enolase (ENO1) involved in glycolytic PEP provision. Homozygous double mutants of cue1 (defective in PPT1) and eno1 could not be obtained, and homozygous cue1 heterozygous eno1 mutants [cue1/eno1(+/−)] exhibited retarded vegetative growth, disturbed flower development, and up to 80% seed abortion. The phenotypes of diminished oil in seeds, reduced flavonoids and aromatic amino acids in flowers, compromised lignin biosynthesis in stems, and aberrant exine formation in pollen indicate that cue1/eno1(+/−) disrupts multiple pathways. While diminished fatty acid biosynthesis from PEP via plastidial pyruvate kinase appears to affect seed abortion, a restriction in the shikimate pathway affects formation of sporopollonin in the tapetum and lignin in the stem. Vegetative parts of cue1/eno1(+/−) contained increased free amino acids and jasmonic acid but had normal wax biosynthesis. ENO1 overexpression in cue1 rescued the leaf and root phenotypes, restored photosynthetic capacity, and improved seed yield and oil contents. In chloroplasts, ENO1 might be the only enzyme missing for a complete plastidic glycolysis.
Tobacco GTBP1, a Homolog of Human Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein, Protects Telomeres from Aberrant Homologous Recombination
Authors: Lee Yong Woo , Kim Woo Taek
Published: August 2010

Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes essential for the integrity of eukaryotic chromosomes. Cellular roles of single-stranded telomeric DNA binding proteins have been extensively described in yeast and animals, but our knowledge about plant single-strand telomeric factors is rudimentary. Here, we investigated Nicotiana tabacum G-strand-specific single-stranded telomere binding proteins (GTBPs), homologs of a human heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein. GTBPs bound specifically to the plant single-stranded (TTTAGGG)4 telomeric repeat element in vitro and were associated with telomeric sequences in tobacco BY-2 suspension cells. Transgenic plants (35S:RNAi-GTBP1), in which GTBP1 was suppressed, exhibited severe developmental anomalies. In addition, the chromosomes of 35S:RNAi-GTBP1 cells displayed elongated telomeres, frequent formation of extrachromosomal telomeric circles, and numerous abnormal anaphase bridges, indicating that GTBP1 knockdown tobacco plants experienced genome instability. GTBP1 inhibited strand invasion, an initial step in interchromosomal homologous recombination. We propose that GTBP1 plays a critical role in telomere structure and function by preventing aberrant interchromosomal telomeric homologous recombination in tobacco.
Crystallization and preliminary X-ray studies of the C-terminal domain ofMycobacterium tuberculosisLexA
Authors: Chandran Anu V. , Prabu J. Rajan , Manjunath G. P. , Patil K. Neelakanteshwar , Muniyappa K. , Vijayan M.
Published: August 2010

The C-terminal domain ofMycobacterium tuberculosisLexA has been crystallized in two different forms. The form 1 and form 2 crystals belonged to space groupsP3121 andP31, respectively. Form 1 contains one domain in the asymmetric unit, while form 2 contains six crystallographically independent domains. The structures have been solved by molecular replacement.
Children as consumers: investigating child diary expenditure data
Authors: Farrell Lisa , Shields Michael A.
Published: August 2010

Abstract.  We investigate expenditure behaviour of school‐aged children using child diary information contained in the British Family Expenditure Survey. The estimates from an Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) for child expenditure suggest that drinks, sweets, books, and toys are ‘normal’ goods for children, but clothes, travel, leisure and vice products are ‘luxury’ items with income elasticities greater than one. Being a lone‐parent child and having a working mother are important factors in determining child expenditure decisions. Importantly, a higher parental budget share on any given commodity is typically associated with an increased child budget share on the same commodity.
The costs of doing hard time: a penitentiary‐based regional price index for Canada, 1883–1923
Authors: Minns Chris , MacKinnon Mary
Published: August 2010

Abstract.  We construct consumer price indices for Canada, based mainly on the expenditure records of Canada's federal penitentiaries. Regional price variation was much greater in Canada in the late nineteenth century than in the northern U.S. The new data suggest substantial price decline to 1900. Regional price variation in Canada decreased gradually to 1914, and quickly during the First World War. For 1900–14 and 1922–3, new data are largely consistent with consumer price data compiled by the Labour Gazette. The new data suggest more inflation during the First World War.
Steel safeguards and the welfare of U.S. steel firms and downstream consumers of steel: a shareholder wealth perspective
Authors: Liebman Benjamin H. , Tomlin Kasaundra M.
Published: August 2010

Abstract.  This paper analyses the steel safeguards applied during 2001–3. Results reveal that for shareholders of U.S. steel companies safeguards generated positive ‘abnormal’ returns of approximately 6%. The cancellation of the safeguards resulted in wealth gains of about 5%. Steel shareholders experienced negative abnormal returns of −5% in response to the WTO ruling that the U.S. had violated WTO law. Our results are consistent with the neoclassical view that producers gain at the expense of consumers. Also, findings indicate that downstream‐consuming firms that diversify production in NAFTA countries avert some trade policy risk associated with higher steel costs caused by safeguard protection.
Experimentelle D3‐Hypervitaminose bei Ferkeln*
Authors: Dämmrich K.
Published: August 2010

Über einen längeren Zeitraum erhielten drei Ferkel hohe Dosen von Vitamin D3 und zwei weitere Ferkel Vitamin D3 in Kombination mit Vitamin A verabreicht.

Verkalkungen traten in der Lunge, im Herzen, in den Nieren, im Magen und in den Gefäßen dieser Organe auf. Als Folge der toxischen Wirkung des überdosierten Vitamins D gingen den Verkalkungen meist degenerative Veränderungen an den befallenen Geweben voraus.

Experimental vitamin D3 excess in piglets

Changes in the internal organs

Three piglets received over a long period large doses of vitamin D3 and two other piglets received vitamin D3 in combination with vitamin A.

Calcification occurred in the lung, heart, kidney, stomach and in the vessels of these organs. As a result of the toxic effect of the excess vitamin D the calcification was usually preceded by degenerative changes in the affected tissues.

Hypervitaminose D3 expérimentale chez le porcelet

Lésions des viscères

Pendant une période prolongée on administra à 5 porcelets une dose élevée de Vitamine D3 et à 2 d'entre eux en plus de vitamine A.

On constata des calcifications dans le poumon, le coeur, les reins, l'estomac et les vaisseaux de ces organes. Par suite de l'action toxique de la vitamine D à trop forte dose des lésions de dégénérescence précédèrent généralement les calcifications des tissus atteints.

Hipervitaminosis D3 experimental en lechones

Alteraciones en los órganos internos

Durante un largo espacio de tiempo recibieron tres lechones grandes dosis de vitamina D3 y otros dos lechones vitamina D3 en combinación con vitamina A.

Calcificaciones aparecieron en los pulmones, en el corazón, en los riñones, en el estómago y en los vasos de estos órganos. Como consecuencia de la acción tóxica de la vitamina D sobredosificada precedieron casi siempre a las calcificaciones unas alteraciones degenerativas en los órganos afectados.
The use of “Carophyll” 10 for egg yolk pigmentation in Egypt
Authors: Soliman M. K.
Published: August 2010

When laying birds are allowed to run outside with access to grass and other green food they produce well‐pigmented egg yolks. Under intensive conditions, where birds are kept inside, food rich in natural pigments such as barseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) or yellow maize must be used to supplement the diet and improve the colour of the yolk. If green food or maize is not available, 10–20 gm “Carophyll” 10/ ton feed perform a similar function. The colour intensity is related to the amount of pigment contained in the feed, and the type of grass meal or carotenoid used. Though of no better value nutritionally, a reasonably pigmented yolk has better consumer‐appeal than a pale yolk; hence consumer preference is for eggs with good yolk‐colour, and eggs with pale yolks tend to be rejected.

Die Verwendung von “Carophyll” 10 für die Eidotterpigmentierung in Ägypten

Hühner mit freiem Auslauf und Grünfutteraufnahme legen Eier mit intensiv gelbgefärbten Dottern. Bei ausschließlicher Stallhaltung ohne Grünfutterzugabe in Form von Mais, Trifolium alexandrinum usw. können ebenfalls Eier mit gut pigmentierten Dottern erhalten werden, wenn dem Futter 10–20 g “Carophyll” 10 (Hoffmann‐La Roche) per Tonne zugesetzt werden.

Emploi de «Carophyll» 10 pour la pigmentation des jaunes d'oeufs en Egypte

Les poules ayant libre parcours et pouvant se nourrir d'aliments verts pondent des oeufs dont le jaune est de couleur intense. Lorsqu'elles sont élevées exclusivement en poullailler, sans aliments verts sous forme de maïs, de trèfle (trifolium alexandrinum) etc., les oeufs peuvent également être pourvus d'un jaune bien pigmenté à condition d'ajouter du «Carophyll» 10 (Hoffmann‐La Roche) à la nourriture, et ceci à raison de 10 à 20 g par tonne.

La utilización de «Carophyll» 10 para la pigmentación de las yemas de huevo en Egipto

Las gallinas con salida libre al exterior y alimentación a base de forraje verde ponen huevos con yemas de coloración amarilla intensa. En la explotación exclusiva en corrales sin adición de piensos verdes en forma de maiz, Trifolium alexandrinum, etc., también se pueden obtener huevos con yemas bien pigmentadas si al pienso se le agregan 10–20 g de «Carophyll» 10 (Hoffmann‐La Roche) por tonelada.