bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Respiratory flexibility and efficiency are affected by simulated global change in Arctic plants
Authors: Kornfeld Ari , Heskel Mary , Atkin Owen K. , Gough Laura , Griffin Kevin L. , Horton Travis W. , Turnbull Matthew H. 
Published: December 2012

Summary

Laboratory studies indicate that, in response to environmental conditions, plants modulate respiratory electron partitioning between the ‘energy‐wasteful’ alternative pathway (AP) and the ‘energy‐conserving’ cytochrome pathway (CP). Field data, however, are scarce. Here we investigate how 20‐yr field manipulations simulating global change affected electron partitioning in Alaskan Arctic tundra species.

We sampled leaves from three dominant tundra species – Betula nana, Eriophorum vaginatum and Rubus chamaemorus – that had been strongly affected by manipulations of soil nutrients, light availability, and warming. We measured foliar dark respiration, in‐vivo electron partitioning and alternative oxidase/cytochrome c oxidase concentrations in addition to leaf traits and mitochondrial ultrastructure.

Changes in leaf traits and ultrastructure were similar across species. Respiration at 20°C (R20) was reduced 15% in all three species grown at elevated temperature, suggesting thermal acclimation of respiration. In Betula, the species with the largest growth response to added nutrients, CP activity increased from 9.4 ± 0.8 to 16.6 ± 1.6 nmol O2 g−1 DM s−1 whereas AP activity was unchanged.

The ability of Betula to selectively increase CP activity in response to the environment may contribute to its overall ecological success by increasing respiratory energy efficiency, and thus retaining more carbon for growth.
Testing the Number of Factors: An Empirical Assessment for a Forecasting Purpose*
Authors: Barhoumi Karim , Darné Olivier , Ferrara Laurent 
Published: December 2012

AbstractGDP forecasts based on dynamic factor models, applied to a large data set, are now widely used by practitioners involved in nowcasting and short‐term macroeconomic forecasting. One recurrent empirical question that arises when dealing with such models is the way to determine the optimal number of factors. At the same time, statistical tests have recently been put forward in the literature in order to optimally determine the number of significant factors. In this article, we propose to reconcile both fields of interest by selecting the number of factors, through a testing procedure, to include in the forecasting equation. Through an empirical exercise on French and German GDPs, we assess the impact of a battery of recent statistical tests for the number of factors for a forecasting purpose. By implementing a rolling experience, we also assess the stability of the results overtime.
Aragonite stromatolitic buildups from Santorini (Aegean Sea, Greece): Geochemical and palaeontological constraints of the caldera palaeoenvironment prior to the Minoan eruption (ca 3600 yr bp)
Authors: Anadón Pere , Canet Carles , Friedrich Walter L. 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThe pyroclastic deposits of the Minoan eruption (ca 3600 yr bp) in Santorini contain abundant xenoliths. Most of these deposits are calcareous blocks of laminated‐botryoidal, stromatolite‐like buildups that formed in the shallow waters of the flooded pre‐Minoan caldera; they consist of (i) light laminae, of fibrous aragonite arranged perpendicular to layering, and (ii) dark laminae, with calcified filaments of probable biological origin. These microstructures are absent in the light laminae, suggesting a predominant inorganic precipitation of aragonite on substrates probably colonized by microbes. Internal cavities contain loose skeletal grains (molluscs, ostracods, foraminifera and diatoms) that comprise taxa typical of shallow marine and/or lagoon environments. Most of these forms are typical of warm water environments, although no typical taxa from hydrothermal vents have been observed. Past gasohydrothermal venting is recorded by the occurrence of barite, pyrolusite and pyrite traces. The most striking features of the stable isotopic data set are: (i) an overall wide range in δ13CPDB (0·16 to 12·97‰) with a narrower variation for δ18OPDB (−0·23 to 4·33‰); and (ii) a relatively uniform isotopic composition for the fibrous aragonite (δ13C = 12·40 ± 0·43‰ and δ18O = 2·42 ± 0·77‰, n = 21). The δ13C and δ18O values from molluscs and ostracods display a covariant trend, which reflects a mixing between sea water and a fluid influenced by volcano‐hydrothermal activity. Accordingly, 87Sr/86Sr from the studied carbonates (0·708758 to 0·709011 in fibrous aragonite and 0·708920 to 0·708991 in molluscs) suggests that the aragonite buildups developed in sea water under the influence of a hydrothermal/volcanic source. Significant differences in trace elements have been detected between the fibrous aragonite and modern marine aragonite cements. The caldera water from which the fibrous aragonite crusts formed received an input from a volcano‐hydrothermal system, probably producing diffuse venting of volcanogenic CO2 gas and of a fluid enriched in Ca, Mn and Ba, and depleted in Mg and probably in Sr.
The Trouble with Offshoring: Static and Dynamic Losses in the Presence of Unemployment
Authors: Brecher Richard A. , Chen Zhiqi , Yu Zhihao 
Published: December 2012

AbstractThis study provides theoretical support for the popular objection to offshoring, whereby firms at home employ services of labour located abroad. In the presence of unemployment, our analysis highlights welfare losses from offshoring – not only for the static case of a fixed stock of capital, but also for the dynamic one of optimal saving and investment. We compare these static and dynamic losses to the gains that would instead arise under full‐employment conditions, assumed by most of the theoretical literature on offshoring. Our results suggest that public concerns over offshoring are justified when unemployment is taken explicitly into account.
The Global Economy, Trade Unions and The Protection of Workers' Rights in Nigeria
Authors: Adewumi Funmi 
Published: December 2012

Since the inception of paid/wage employment, through a combination of sustained struggles and appeals to the conscience of the rest of society, workers, using the platform provided by their organizations (trade unions), have been able to secure for themselves a number of rights. These rights are predicated on, and complemented by, some constitutional provisions which confer certain rights on workers as citizens of their countries. However, in the new world economic order elegantly referred to as globalization workers' rights have been dealt a devastating blow. Under globalization driven by neoliberalism and anchored on less state involvement in the economic sphere, governments, particularly in their obsession to attract foreign direct investments as well as satisfying private corporate interests, have been arm‐twisted to relax labor laws that seek to protect workers from extreme abuse within the employment relationship. This unfolds within the context of the increasing autocracy of the capitalist state, not only in Nigeria but worldwide by which basic labor rights, such as the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, are brazenly violated even in the advanced democracies.Based on a combination of empirical data and secondary materials, this essay establishes that the level of compliance with existing legislation on workers' rights is low in Nigeria. The research also finds that official enforcement is equally low; a situation that is encouraged by weak institutional capacity of the labor administration system. Closely related to weak institutional capacity is the lack of the political will on the part of the subservient Nigerian state to protect its worker‐citizens. It is against this backdrop that the paper submits that given the failure of the state to ensure compliance with laws which seek to protect workers, workers, their organisations, and allies within the broader labour movement need to look beyond the state and its agencies to secure rights at work. The reality equally calls for a deeper understanding of the issues involved and a holistic response of the working class, both national and transnational.
Cellular Pharmacology and Potency of HIV-1 Nucleoside Analogs in Primary Human Macrophages
Authors: Gavegnano Christina , Detorio Mervi A. , Bassit Leda , Hurwitz Selwyn J. , North Thomas W. , Schinazi Raymond F. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Understanding the cellular pharmacology of antiretroviral agents in macrophages and subsequent correlation with antiviral potency provides a sentinel foundation for definition of the dynamics between antiretroviral agents and viral reservoirs across multiple cell types, with the goal of eradication of HIV-1 from these cells. Various clinically relevant nucleoside antiviral agents, and the integrase inhibitor raltegravir, were selected for this study. The intracellular concentrations of the active metabolites of the nucleoside analogs were found to be 5- to 140-fold lower in macrophages than in lymphocytes, and their antiviral potency was significantly lower in macrophages constitutively activated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) during acute infection than in resting macrophages (EC
50
, 0.4 to 9.42 μM versus 0.03 to 0.4 μM, respectively). Although tenofovir-treated cells displayed significantly lower intracellular drug levels than cells treated with its prodrug, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, the levels of tenofovir-diphosphate for tenofovir-treated cells were similar in lymphocytes and macrophages. Raltegravir also displayed significantly lower intracellular concentrations in macrophages than in lymphocytes, independent of the activation state, but had similar potencies in resting and activated macrophages. These data underscore the importance of delivering adequate levels of drug to macrophages to reduce and eradicate HIV-1 infection.
Ecological Divergence of a Novel Group of Chloroflexus Strains along a Geothermal Gradient
Authors: Weltzer Michael L. , Miller Scott R. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Environmental gradients are expected to promote the diversification and coexistence of ecological specialists adapted to local conditions. Consistent with this view, genera of phototrophic microorganisms in alkaline geothermal systems generally appear to consist of anciently divergent populations which have specialized on different temperature habitats. At White Creek (Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park), however, a novel, 16S rRNA-defined lineage of the filamentous anoxygenic phototroph
Chloroflexus
(OTU 10, phylum
Chloroflexi
) occupies a much wider thermal niche than other 16S rRNA-defined groups of phototrophic bacteria. This suggests that
Chloroflexus
OTU 10 is either an ecological generalist or, alternatively, a group of cryptic thermal specialists which have recently diverged. To distinguish between these alternatives, we first isolated laboratory strains of
Chloroflexus
OTU 10 from along the White Creek temperature gradient. These strains are identical for partial gene sequences encoding the 16S rRNA and malonyl coenzyme A (CoA) reductase. However, strains isolated from upstream and downstream samples could be distinguished based on sequence variation at
pcs
, which encodes the propionyl-CoA synthase of the 3-hydroxypropionate pathway of carbon fixation used by the genus
Chloroflexus
. We next demonstrated that strains have diverged in temperature range for growth. Specifically, we obtained evidence for a positive correlation between thermal niche breadth and temperature optimum, with strains isolated from lower temperatures exhibiting greater thermal specialization than the most thermotolerant strain. The study has implications for our understanding of both the process of niche diversification of microorganisms and how diversity is organized in these hot spring communities.
Soft-X-Ray-Enhanced Electrostatic Precipitation for Protection against Inhalable Allergens, Ultrafine Particles, and Microbial Infections
Authors: Kettleson Eric M. , Schriewer Jill M. , Buller R. Mark L. , Biswas Pratim 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Protection of the human lung from infectious agents, allergens, and ultrafine particles is difficult with current technologies. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters remove airborne particles of >0.3 μm with 99.97% efficiency, but they are expensive to maintain. Electrostatic precipitation has been used as an inexpensive approach to remove large particles from airflows, but it has a collection efficiency minimum in the submicrometer size range, allowing for a penetration window for some allergens and ultrafine particles. Incorporating soft X-ray irradiation as an
in situ
component of the electrostatic precipitation process greatly improves capture efficiency of ultrafine particles. Here we demonstrate the removal and inactivation capabilities of soft-X-ray-enhanced electrostatic precipitation technology targeting infectious agents (
Bacillus anthracis
,
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG, and poxviruses), allergens, and ultrafine particles. Incorporation of
in situ
soft X-ray irradiation at low-intensity corona conditions resulted in (i) 2-fold to 9-fold increase in capture efficiency of 200- to 600-nm particles and (ii) a considerable delay in the mean day of death as well as lower overall mortality rates in ectromelia virus (ECTV) cohorts. At the high-intensity corona conditions, nearly complete protection from viral and bacterial respiratory infection was afforded to the murine models for all biological agents tested. When optimized for combined efficient particle removal with limited ozone production, this technology could be incorporated into stand-alone indoor air cleaners or scaled for installation in aircraft cabin, office, and residential heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
Genotypic and Phenotypic Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Wild Boars
Authors: Meemken Diana , Blaha Thomas , Hotzel Helmut , Strommenger Birgit , Klein Guenter , Ehricht Ralf , Monecke Stefan , Kehrenberg Corinna 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Eight
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates collected from 117 wild boars were characterized and compared to livestock isolates. They belonged to sequence types ST133, ST425, and the new type ST1643. The
spa
types were t1181, t6782, and the new types t6384, t6385, and t6386. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and microarray-based genotyping confirmed the absence of important virulence/resistance genes.
Phylogenetic Distribution of Potential Cellulases in Bacteria
Authors: Berlemont Renaud , Martiny Adam C. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT
Many microorganisms contain cellulases that are important for plant cell wall degradation and overall soil ecosystem functioning. At present, we have extensive biochemical knowledge of cellulases but little is known about the phylogenetic distribution of these enzymes. To address this, we analyzed the distribution of 21,985 genes encoding proteins related to cellulose utilization in 5,123 sequenced bacterial genomes. First, we identified the distribution of glycoside hydrolases involved in cellulose utilization and synthesis at different taxonomic levels, from the phylum to the strain. Cellulose degradation/utilization capabilities appeared in nearly all major groups and resulted in strains displaying various enzyme gene combinations. Potential cellulose degraders, having both cellulases and β-glucosidases, constituted 24% of all genomes whereas potential opportunistic strains, having β-glucosidases only, accounted for 56%. Finally, 20% of the bacteria have no relevant enzymes and do not rely on cellulose utilization. The latter group was primarily connected to specific bacterial lifestyles like autotrophy and parasitism. Cellulose degraders, as well as opportunists, have multiple enzymes with similar functions. However, the potential degraders systematically harbor about twice more β-glucosidases than their potential opportunistic relatives. Although scattered, the distribution of functional types, in bacterial lineages, is not random but mostly follows a Brownian motion evolution model. Degraders form clusters of relatives at the species level, whereas opportunists are clustered at the genus level. This information can form a mechanistic basis for the linking of changes in microbial community composition to soil ecosystem processes.
Evidence for Recycling of Invariant Surface Transmembrane Domain Proteins in African Trypanosomes
Authors: Koumandou V. Lila , Boehm Cordula , Horder Katy A. , Field Mark C. 
Published: December 2012

ABSTRACT

Intracellular trafficking is a vital component of both virulence mechanisms and drug interactions in
Trypanosoma brucei
, the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis and n'agana of cattle. Both maintaining the surface proteome composition within a life stage and remodeling the composition when progressing between life stages are important features of immune evasion and development for trypanosomes. Our recent work implicates the abundant transmembrane invariant surface glycoproteins (ISGs) in the uptake of first-line therapeutic suramin, suggesting a potential therapeutic route into the cell. RME-8 is a mediator of recycling pathways in higher eukaryotes and is one of a small cohort of intracellular transport gene products upregulated in mammal-infective trypanosomes, suggesting a role in controlling the copy number of surface proteins in trypanosomes. Here we investigate RME-8 function and its contribution to intracellular trafficking and stability of ISGs. RME-8 is a highly conserved protein and is broadly distributed across multiple endocytic compartments. By knockdown we find that RME-8 is essential and mediates delivery of endocytic probes to late endosomal compartments. Further, we find ISG accumulation within endosomes, but that RME-8 knockdown also increases ISG turnover; combined with previous data, this suggests that it is most probable that ISGs are recycled, and that RME-8 is required to support recycling.
The ethics of unlinked anonymous testing of blood: views from in-depth interviews with key informants in four countries
Authors: Kessel Anthony S , Datta Jessica , Wellings Kaye , Perman Sarah 
Published: December 2012

ObjectivesIn this study we explore the ethical issues around unlinked anonymous testing (UAT) of blood, a method of seroprevalence surveillance for infectious diseases. Our study focused on UAT for HIV, although UAT can be used for other infectious diseases. The objectives of the research were to gain a better understanding of the views of key informants in countries adopting different UAT testing strategies, and to use the findings of the research to inform health policy.DesignQualitative study using in-depth interviews and ethical analysis.SettingFour countries using different strategies around UAT of blood for HIV (the UK, the USA, the Netherlands and Norway).ParticipantsTwenty-three key informants in the four countries.ResultsParticipants from the four countries have different views on UAT of blood, and the approaches and policies on UAT adopted by different countries have been historically and culturally determined. We use our findings to explore the relationship between public health policy and ethics, framing our discussion in relation to two important contemporary debates: informed consent for participation in medical and public health research; and the balance between the individual good and the public good.ConclusionsQualitative research and ethical analysis of UAT of blood in different countries has yielded important findings for consideration by policy makers. The policy of UAT of blood for HIV and other diseases in the UK needs reconsideration in the light of these findings.
The effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in smokers with cerebrovascular disease: a systematic review
Authors: Edjoc Rojiemiahd K , Reid Robert D , Sharma Mukul 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveThe main objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions (SCIs) for increasing cessation rates in smokers with cerebrovascular disease.DesignSystematic review. Two independent reviewers searched information sources and assessed studies for inclusion/exclusion criteria.Eligibility criteria for included studiesRandomised control trials, conducted prior to the 22 May 2012 investigating SCIs in smokers with cerebrovascular disease, were included. No age or ethnicity limitations were applied in order to be as inclusive as possible.MethodsWe followed the PRISMA statement approach to identify relevant randomised control studies. Due to the variability of interventions used in the reported studies, a meta-analysis was not conducted.ResultsOf 852 identified articles, 4 articles fit the inclusion criteria describing the outcome in 354 patients. The overall cessation rate with an SCI was 23.9% (42 of 176) while without one was 20.8% (37 of 178).ConclusionsThere are a limited number of reported intervention studies that explore this area of secondary stroke prevention. Furthermore, of those intervention studies that were found, only two implemented evidence-based approaches to smoking cessation. A meta-analysis was not conducted because of the variability of interventions in the reported studies. Larger studies with homogeneous interventions are needed to determine how effective SCIs are in increasing cessation in smokers with established cerebrovascular disease.
The feasibility of civilian prehospital trauma teams carrying and administering packed red blood cells
Authors: Bodnar Daniel , Rashford Stephen , Williams Sue , Enraght-Moony Emma , Parker Lachlan , Clarke Benjamin 
Published: December 2012

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility, limitations and costs involved in providing prehospital trauma teams with packed red blood cells (pRBCs) for use in the prehospital setting.MethodsA retrospective cohort study, examining 18 months of historical data collated by the Queensland Ambulance Service Trauma Response Team (TRT) and the Pathology Queensland Central Transfusion Laboratory was undertaken.ResultsOver an 18-month period (1 January 2011–30 June 2012), of 500 pRBC units provided to the TRT, 130 (26%) were administered to patients in the prehospital environment. Of the non-transfused units, 97.8% were returned to a hospital blood bank and were available for reissue. No instances of equipment failure directly contributed to wastage of pRBCs. The cost of providing pRBCs for prehospital use was $A551 (£361) for each unit transfused.ConclusionsIt is feasible and practical to provide prehospital trauma teams with pRBCs for use in the field. Use of pRBCs in the prehospital setting is associated with similar rates of pRBC wastage to that reported in emergency departments.