bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protein farnesylation and disease
Authors: Novelli Giuseppe , D'Apice Maria Rosaria 
Published: February 2012

AbstractPrenylation consists of the addition of an isoprenoid group to a cysteine residue located near the carboxyl terminal of a protein. This enzymatic posttranslational modification is important for the maturation and processing of proteins. Both processes are necessary to mediate protein‐protein and membrane‐protein associations, in addition to regulating the localisation and function of proteins. The severe phenotype of animals deficient in enzymes involved in both prenylation and maturation highlights the significance of these processes. Moreover, alterations in the genes coding for isoprenylated proteins or enzymes that are involved in both prenylation and maturation processes have been found to be the basis of severe human diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, retinitis pigmentosa, and premature ageing syndromes. Recent studies on isoprenylation and postprenylation processing in pathological conditions have unveiled surprising aspects of these modifications and their roles in different cellular pathways. The identification of these enzymes as therapeutic targets has led researchers to validate their effects in vitro and in vivo as antitumour or antiageing agents. This review attempts to summarise the basic aspects of protein isoprenylation and postprenylation, integrating our data with that observed in other studies to provide a comprehensive scenario of progeroid syndromes and the therapeutic avenues.
Postponement strategy for international transfer of products in a global supply chain: A system dynamics examination
Authors: Choi Kanghwa , Narasimhan Ram , Kim Soo Wook 
Published: February 2012

AbstractThis paper contributes to research on “postponement” strategy in the context of a global production–distribution system of an automobile manufacturer. It proposes a model that integrates multiple considerations germane to global supply chains. Postponement is important in this context because it is necessary to consider international transfers and tariffs, and it is important to appropriately account for the impact of postponement on total costs. Consideration of several key variables such as shipping point, customs tariff, and cost differences between countries is essential to derive full benefits from postponement strategy in global supply chains. International transfer of goods among countries in global automobile industry is complex and dynamic because of the multitude of factors that must be considered. The paper develops insights regarding postponement strategy in global supply chains via a system dynamics simulation model. The model draws on the experiences of a Korean automobile manufacturer with operations in developing and developed countries.The results of the system dynamics simulations show that the choice of optimal shipping point and the right level of postponement under the “decoupling points” strategy in global operations has a significant effect on overall cost efficiency, when decoupling point and postponement timing are considered simultaneously. The results also show that there are key differences in executing the postponement strategy when shipping to a developing country as opposed to a developed country.This insight has practical implications for global operations and is helpful in developing a sophisticated framework for executing the postponement strategy as manufacturing firms expand their operations globally.
Intermittency and inertial particle entrainment at a turbulent interface: the effect of the large-scale eddies
Authors: Good G. H. , Gerashchenko S. , Warhaft Z. 
Published: February 2012

AbstractWe present measurements of mean and conditional number densities, radial distribution functions (r.d.f.s), velocities and accelerations of sub-Kolmogorov-scale water droplets entraining at a shearless turbulence–turbulence interface (TTI) and a turbulence–non-turbulence interface (TNI). We thus look at statistics of an inhomogeneous inertial particle field in both homogeneous and inhomogeneous turbulence. As in a previous communication (Gerashchenko, Good & Warhaft J. Fluid Mech., vol. 818, 2011, pp. 293–303), an active grid produces high-Reynolds number turbulence $({\mathit{Re}}_{\lambda } = 275)$ on either one or both sides of a splitter plate in a wind tunnel. Sprays seed droplets on one side of the splitter plate, while screens dampen turbulence in the adjacent flow for the TNI. Gravitational and inertial effects are isolated by turning of the apparatus with respect to gravity. We parameterize the droplets under homogeneous conditions, where it is demonstrated that both the sweeping and loitering effects on the droplet settling velocities are present. In the inhomogeneous conditions, we show that the droplets are entrained in bulk, resulting in large-scale clusters and preserving the droplet-ambient conditions of the seeded side of the flows.
Barley seed coating with free and immobilized alkaline phosphatase to improve P uptake and plant growth
Authors: PILAR-IZQUIERDO MARÍA C. , ORTEGA NATIVIDAD , PEREZ-MATEOS MANUEL , BUSTO MARÍA D. 
Published: February 2012

SUMMARYCoating barley seeds with free and immobilized alkaline phosphatase was investigated as a potential means to enhance plant utilization of accumulated soil phosphorus (P). Two coating techniques were studied: film-coating and pelleting. The highest phosphatase activity retention in the coating layer, ranging from 0·48 to 0·67, was observed when seeds were film-coated with phosphatase–polyresorcinol complex (PPC). The germination of seeds film-coated or pelleted with alkaline phosphatase ranged from 0·84 to 0·97 or 0·14 to 0·25, respectively. Low germination of the pelleted seeds was attributed to freezing the seeds in liquid nitrogen (N) for the layer coating formation. Pelleted seeds were not used in the remainder of the studies. Under pot culture conditions, an increase in the soil inorganic P was detected when the seeds were film-coated with phosphatase. Moreover, the film-coating significantly increased the P uptake by plants (between 25 and 31% after 35 days after planting (DAP)). The present study showed that the seed film-coating with free and immobilized phosphatase increased the phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere and the P uptake by plants.
Intrauterine Growth and Neuropsychological Performance in Very Low Birth Weight Preschoolers
Authors: Raz Sarah , DeBastos Angela K. , Newman Julie Bapp , Batton Daniel 
Published: February 2012

AbstractIn this study we examined the association between intrauterine growth, indexed either as a categorical variable or continuous dimension, and neuropsychological outcome, in a very low birth weight (VLBW) sample of 143 preschoolers. When the commonly used split at the 10th percentile rank was applied to classify intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), we found that the growth restricted group (n= 25) exhibited significantly poorer performance in the global motor domain, but not on any other neuropsychological measure. In contrast, when adequacy of intrauterine growth was indexed by standardized birth weight, a continuous dimension, this early risk factor explained a unique portion of the variance in global cognitive abilities and visuospatial skills, as well as in global, fine, and gross motor skills. These findings are consistent with recent magnetic resonance imaging data disclosing global neurodevelopmental changes in the brains of preterm infants with IUGR. When cases classified with IUGR (<10th percentile) were excluded, the relationship between adequacy of intrauterine growth and global cognitive abilities remained significant despite range restriction. Hence, an association between appropriateness of intrauterine growth and global intellectual outcome may be observed even within the population of VLBW preschoolers with adequate standardized birth weight. (JINS, 2012,18, 200–211)
Dimensional Quantification of Embedded Voids or Objects in Three Dimensions Using X-Ray Tomography
Authors: Patterson Brian M. , Escobedo-Diaz Juan P. , Dennis-Koller Darcie , Cerreta Ellen 
Published: February 2012

AbstractScientific digital imaging in three dimensions such as when using X-ray computed tomography offers a variety of ways to obtain, filter, and quantify data that can produce vastly different results. These opportunities, performed during image acquisition or during the data processing, can include filtering, cropping, and setting thresholds. Quantifying features in these images can be greatly affected by how the above operations are performed. For example, during binarization, setting the threshold too low or too high can change the number of objects as well as their measured diameter. Here, two facets of three-dimensional quantification are explored. The first will focus on investigating the question of how many voxels are needed within an object to have accurate geometric statistics that are due to the properties of the object and not an artifact of too few voxels. These statistics include but are not limited to percent of total volume, volume of the individual object, Feret shape, and surface area. Using simple cylinders as a starting point, various techniques for smoothing, filtering, and other processing steps can be investigated to aid in determining if they are appropriate for a specific desired statistic for a real dataset. The second area of investigation is the influence of post-processing, particularly segmentation, on measuring the damage statistics in high purity Cu. The most important parts of the pathways of processing are highlighted.
A zonal average model of the stratospheric contributions to the tropospheric ozone budget
Authors: Follows Michael J. , Austin Jillian F. 
Published: February 2012

A zonally averaged transport and chemistry model for atmospheric trace species is developed, based on an existing statistical‐dynamical climate model. The modeled region is a single hemisphere from 1000 mbar to 240 mbar. The model is applied to a study of the budget of tropospheric ozone, in particular to an estimation of the relative importance of the stratospheric and in situ photochemical sources. A parameterization of cross‐tropopause exchange is developed based on the concept of tropopause folding. It is used to provide transfers of air and ozone across the upper boundary. A basic tropospheric chemistry scheme is also incorporated, featuring methane oxidation and subsequent reactions, carbon monoxide oxidation and oxygen‐hydrogen reactions. Nitrogen oxide reactions are reduced to a minimum by specification of NOx distribution in space and time. Nonmethane hydrocarbon reactions are omitted. Transport and surface deposition of relevant species are performed.The model produces ozone distributions which are in general agreement with observations and other modeling studies. These are analyzed by considering, χχ, the mixing ratio of ozone of stratospheric origin with respect to the “complete” ozone mixing ratio. The sources and sinks of χχ are parameterized in terms of the relevant processes, and it can be treated as a quasi‐conservative variable with respect to transports. Zonally averaged fields of this mixing ratio are produced and show the influence of ozone of stratospheric origin to be very small (5 % at most) close to the surface, in this zonally averaged analysis. At 300 mbar, in middle to high latitudes, the influence is more significant (up to about 50 % in high‐latitude winter). These results are in accord with the very limited observational evidence.
Lipid body biogenesis and the role of microtubules in lipid synthesis in Ornithogalum umbellatum lipotubuloids
Authors: Kwiatkowska Maria , Popłońska Katarzyna , Wojtczak Agnieszka , Stȩpiński Dariusz , Polit Justyna Teresa 
Published: February 2012

AbstractLipid bodies present in lipotubuloids of Ornithogalum umbellatum ovary epidermis take the form of a lens between leaflets of ER (endoplasmic reticulum) membrane filled with a highly osmiophilic substance. The two enzymes, DGAT1 [DAG (diacylglycerol) acyltransferase 1] and DGAT2 (DAG acyltransferase 2), involved in this process are synthesized on rough ER and localized in the ER near a monolayer surrounding entities like lipid bodies. After reaching the appropriate size, newly formed lipid bodies transform into mature spherical lipid bodies filled with less osmiophilic content. They appear to be surrounded by a half‐unit membrane, with numerous microtubules running adjacently in different directions. The ER, no longer continuous with lipid bodies, makes contact with them through microtubules. At this stage, lipid synthesis takes place at the periphery of lipid bodies. This presumption, and a hypothesis that microtubules are involved in lipid synthesis delivering necessary components to lipid bodies, is based on strong arguments: (i) silver grains first appear over microtubules after a short [3H]palmitic acid incubation and before they are observed over lipid bodies; (ii) blockade of [3H]palmitic acid incorporation into lipotubuloids by propyzamide, an inhibitor of microtubule function; and (iii) the presence of gold grains above the microtubules after DGAT1 and DGAT2 reactions, as also near microtubules after an immunogold method that identifies phospholipase D1.
Predictors of Second Language Acquisition in Latino Children With Specific Language Impairment
Authors: Gutiérrez-Clellen Vera , Simon-Cereijido Gabriela , Sweet Monica 
Published: February 2012

Purpose
This study evaluated the extent to which the language of intervention, the child’s development in Spanish, and the effects of English vocabulary, use, proficiency, and exposure predict differences in the rates of acquisition of English in Latino children with specific language impairment (SLI).

Method
In this randomized controlled trial, 188 Latino preschoolers with SLI participated in a small-group academic enrichment program for 12 weeks and were followed up 3 and 5 months later. Children were randomly assigned to either a bilingual or an English-only program. Predictors of English growth included measures of Spanish language skills and English vocabulary, use, proficiency, and exposure. Performance on English outcomes (i.e., picture description and narrative sample) was assessed over time. A series of longitudinal models were tested via multilevel modeling with baseline and posttreatment measures nested within child.

Results
Children demonstrated growth on the English outcomes over time. The language of intervention, Spanish skills, English vocabulary, and English use significantly predicted differences in rates of growth across children for specific measures of English development.

Conclusions
This study underscores the role of the child’s first language skills, the child’s level of English vocabulary development, and level of English use for predicting differences in English acquisition in Latino preschoolers with SLI. These factors should be carefully considered in making clinical decisions.
Macrostructural Narrative Language of Adolescents and Young Adults With Down Syndrome or Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Finestack Lizbeth H. , Palmer Meghan , Abbeduto Leonard 
Published: February 2012

Purpose
To gain a better understanding of language abilities, the expressive macrostructural narrative language abilities of verbally expressive adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome (DS) and those with fragile X syndrome (FXS) were examined.

Method
The authors evaluated 24 adolescents and young adults with DS, 12 male adolescents and young adults with FXS, and 21 younger children with typical development (TD). Narrative samples were assessed at the macrostructural level using the narrative scoring scheme (Heilmann, Miller, Nockerts, & Dunaway, 2010). Three group comparisons were made using (a) the full sample matched on nonverbal mental age, (b) a subset of the participants individually matched on nonverbal mental age, and (c) a subset of participants individually matched on mean length of utterance.

Results
Study analyses revealed that the DS and FXS groups significantly outperformed the TD group on a limited number of narrative scoring scheme measures. No significant differences emerged between the DS and FXS groups.

Conclusions
The study’s results suggest that some aspects of macrostructural narrative language may be relative strengths for adolescents and young adults with DS and those with FXS. These results can be used to create more nuanced and informed approaches to assessment and intervention for these populations.
Effect of pulse-modulated microwaves on fullerene ion production with electron cyclotron resonance ion source
Authors: Asaji T. , Uchida T. , Minezaki H. , Oshima K. , Racz R. , Muramatsu M. , Biri S. , Kitagawa A. , Kato Y. , Yoshida Y. 
Published: February 2012

Fullerene plasmas generated by pulse-modulated microwaves have been investigated under typical conditions at the Bio-Nano electron cyclotron resonance ion source. The effect of the pulse modulation is distinct from that of simply structured gases, and then the density of the fullerene plasmas increased as decreasing the duty ratio. The density for a pulse width of 10 μs at the period of 100 μs is 1.34 times higher than that for CW mode. We have studied the responses of fullerene and argon plasmas to pulsed microwaves. After the turnoff of microwave power, fullerene plasmas lasted ∼30 times longer than argon plasmas.
Advanced light ion source extraction system for a new electron cyclotron resonance ion source geometry at Saclay
Authors: Delferrière O. , Gobin R. , Harrault F. , Nyckees S. , Sauce Y. , Tuske O. 
Published: February 2012

One of the main goal of intense light ion injector projects such as IPHI, IFMIF, or SPIRAL2, is to produce high current beams while keeping transverse emittance as low as possible. To prevent emittance growth induced in a dual solenoid low energy transfer line, its length has to be minimized. This can be performed with the advanced light ion source extraction system concept that we are developing: a new ECR 2.45 GHz type ion source based on the use of an additional low energy beam transport (LEBT) short length solenoid close to the extraction aperture to create the resonance in the plasma chamber. The geometry of the source has been considerably modified to allow easy maintenance of each component and to save space in front of the extraction. The source aims to be very flexible and to be able to extract high current ion beams at energy up to 100 kV. A specific experimental setup for this source is under installation on the BETSI test bench, to compare its performances with sources developed up to now in the laboratory, such as SILHI, IFMIF, or SPIRAL2 ECR sources. This original extraction source concept is presented, as well as electromagnetic simulations with OPERA-2D code. Ion beam extraction in space charge compensation regime with AXCEL, and beam dynamics simulation with SOLMAXP codes show the beam quality improvement at the end of the LEBT.
Generation of high charge state metal ion beams by electron cyclotron resonance heating of vacuum arc plasma in cusp trap
Authors: Nikolaev A. G. , Savkin K. P. , Oks E. M. , Vizir A. V. , Yushkov G. Yu. , Vodopyanov A. V. , Izotov I. V. , Mansfeld D. A. 
Published: February 2012

A method for generating high charge state heavy metal ion beams based on high power microwave heating of vacuum arc plasma confined in a magnetic trap under electron cyclotron resonance conditions has been developed. A feature of the work described here is the use of a cusp magnetic field with inherent “minimum-B” structure as the confinement geometry, as opposed to a simple mirror device as we have reported on previously. The cusp configuration has been successfully used for microwave heating of gas discharge plasma and extraction from the plasma of highly charged, high current, gaseous ion beams. Now we use the trap for heavy metal ion beam generation. Two different approaches were used for injecting the vacuum arc metal plasma into the trap − axial injection from a miniature arc source located on-axis near the microwave window, and radial injection from sources mounted radially at the midplane of the trap. Here, we describe preliminary results of heating vacuum arc plasma in a cusp magnetic trap by pulsed (400 μs) high power (up to 100 kW) microwave radiation at 37.5 GHz for the generation of highly charged heavy metal ion beams.
Structure of saposin A lipoprotein discs
Authors: Popovic Konstantin , Holyoake John , Pomès Régis , Privé Gilbert G. 
Published: February 2012

The saposins are small, membrane-active proteins that exist in both soluble and lipid-bound states. Saposin A has roles in sphingolipid catabolism and transport and is required for the breakdown of galactosylceramide by β-galactosylceramidase. In the absence of lipid, saposin A adopts a closed monomeric apo conformation typical of this family. To study a lipid-bound state of this protein, we determined the crystal structure of saposin A in the presence of detergent to 1.9 Å resolution. The structure reveals two chains of saposin A in an open conformation encapsulating 40 internally bound detergent molecules organized in a highly ordered bilayer-like hydrophobic core. The complex provides a high-resolution view of a discoidal lipoprotein particle in which all of the internalized acyl chains are resolved. Saposin A lipoprotein discs exhibit limited selectivity with respect to the incorporated lipid, and can solubilize phospholipids, sphingolipids, and cholesterol into discrete, monodisperse particles with mass of approximately 27 kDa. These discs may be the smallest possible lipoprotein structures that are stabilized by lipid self-assembly.
Growth and development.
Authors: Hancock J. , Retamales J. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

This chapter covers the anatomy and morphology (plant habit, leaves, roots, and flowers and inflorescences) of the highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) and rabbiteye (V. ashei) blueberry are discussed, along with vegetative and reproductive growth and development (vegetative and floral growth, root growth, pollination and fruit set, and fruit development). Environmental factors affecting growth and development (temperature and photoperiod) are presented.
Light, photosynthesis, quality and yield in blueberries.
Authors: Hancock J. , Retamales J. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

This chapter describes the physiology (functioning) of a blueberry (Vaccinium sp.) plant with regard to the generation and distribution of carbohydrates. Factors that are involved in dry matter production and partitioning among the various plant organs, and the effect of several environmental variables and management practices on dry matter partitioning to vegetative and reproductive organs are discussed.
Nutrition.
Authors: Hancock J. , Retamales J. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the mineral nutrition of blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), the factors that affect the availability of nutrients, and the methods to establish (through plant analysis and foliar diagnosis) and supply (through soil application and foliar application of organic and inorganic fertilizers) the nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Al, Fe, Mn, B, Zn and Cu) to satisfy crop demands. The N cycle, soil pH requirements of blueberries, and role of mycorrhizal fungi in blueberry nutrition are also covered.
Blueberry pests, their management and cultivar resistance.
Authors: Hancock J. , Retamales J. 
Published: February 2012

Abstract

This chapter presents the most relevant pests, diseases and weeds that attack blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). The most common weeds, pests (insects, mites and nematodes) and diseases (fungal, bacterial, viral and phytoplasma-induced diseases) of highbush (V. corymbosum) and rabbiteye (V. ashei) blueberries are specifically covered. The control of these organisms, and the role of cultivar resistance in pest, weed and disease management are discussed.