bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The potential for microbial life in the highest‐elevation (>6000 m.a.s.l.) mineral soils of the Atacama region
Authors: Lynch R. C. , King A. J. , Farías Mariá E. , Sowell P. , Vitry Christian , Schmidt S. K. 
Published: May 2012

Here we present the first culture‐independent microbiological and biogeochemical study of the mineral soils from 6000 m above sea level (m.a.s.l.) on some the highest volcanoes in the Atacama region of Argentina and Chile. These soils experience some of the harshest environmental conditions on Earth including daily temperature fluctuations across the freezing point (with an amplitude of up to 70°C) and intense solar radiation. Soil carbon and water levels are among the lowest yet measured for a terrestrial ecosystem and enzyme activity was near or below detection limits for all microbial enzymes measured. The soil microbial communities were among the simplest yet studied in a terrestrial environment and contained novel Bacteria and Fungi and only one Archaeal phylotype. No photosynthetic organisms were detected but several of the dominant bacterial phylotypes are related to organisms involved in carbon monoxide oxidation on other volcanoes (e.g.,Pseudonocardia and Ktedonobacter spp.). Focused studies of a gene responsible for carbon monoxide oxidation, the large subunit of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase (coxL of CODH), revealed several novel lineages and a broad diversity of coxL genes. Overall our results suggest that a unique microbial community, sustained by diffuse atmospheric and volcanic gases, is barely functioning on these volcanoes, which represent the highest terrestrial ecosystems yet studied.
A key role for Mg2+ in TRPM7's control of ROS levels during cell stress
Authors: Chen Hsiang-Chin , Su Li-Ting , González-Pagán Omayra , Overton Jeffrey D. , Runnels Loren W. 
Published: May 2012

The TRPM7 (transient receptor potential melastatin 7) channel has been shown to play a pivotal role in cell survival during brain ischaemia as well as in the survival of other cell types challenged with apoptotic stimuli. Ca2+ is thought to be central to the channel's ability to regulate ROS (reactive oxygen species) production. However, channel-mediated entry of Mg2+ and Zn2+ have also been implicated in cell death. In the present study, we show that depletion of TRPM7 by RNA interference in fibroblasts increases cell resistance to apoptotic stimuli by decreasing ROS levels in an Mg2+-dependent manner. Depletion of TRPM7 lowered cellular Mg2+, decreased the concentration of ROS and lessened p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) activation as well as decreased caspase 3 activation and PARP [poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase] cleavage in response to apoptotic stimuli. Re-expression of TRPM7 or of a kinase-inactive mutant of TRPM7 in TRPM7-knockdown cells increased cellular Mg2+ and ROS levels, as did expression of the Mg2+ transporter SLC41A2 (solute carrier family 41 member 2). In addition, expression of SLC41A2 increased the sensitivity of TRPM7-knockdown cells to apoptotic stimuli and boosted ROS generation in response to cell stress. Taken together, these data uncover an essential role for Mg2+ in TRPM7's control of cell survival and in the regulation of cellular ROS levels.
Energetics of stalk intermediates in membrane fusion are controlled by lipid composition
Authors: Aeffner Sebastian , Reusch Tobias , Weinhausen Britta , Salditt Tim 
Published: May 2012

We have used X-ray diffraction on the rhombohedral phospholipid phase to reconstruct stalk structures in different pure lipids and lipid mixtures with unprecedented resolution, enabling a quantitative analysis of geometry, as well as curvature and hydration energies. Electron density isosurfaces are used to study shape and curvature properties of the bent lipid monolayers. We observe that the stalk structure is highly universal in different lipid systems. The associated curvatures change in a subtle, but systematic fashion upon changes in lipid composition. In addition, we have studied the hydration interaction prior to the transition from the lamellar to the stalk phase. The results indicate that facilitating dehydration is the key to promote stalk formation, which becomes favorable at an approximately constant interbilayer separation of 9.0 ± 0.5
Å
for the investigated lipid compositions.
THREATS TO MODERNITY, THREATS OF MODERNITY
Authors: Achinger Christine 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT
This paper illustrates how the study of literature can inform sociological research on racism and antisemitism by sharpening our perception of the commonalities and differences between the respective stereotypes and of their functions for the construction of collective self-identities. Drawing on the case study of Gustav Freytag's best-selling novel Soll und Haben (Debit and Credit, 1855), the paper argues that antisemitism and racism frequently represent complementary reactions to the experience of capitalist modernisation.
THE BLIND SPOTS OF SECULARIZATION
Authors: Baer Alejandro , López Paula 
Published: May 2012

ABSTRACT
According to several international surveys Spain is among the western countries with the most negative views of Jews. While quantitative data on the topic accumulates, there is a significant lack of interpretative approaches that might explain the particular Spanish case. This paper presents the background, methodology and major results of a discussion group-based study on antisemitism, which was conducted in Spain in the autumn of 2009. The study identifies and locates in different socio-economic and ideological milieus the range of stereotypical discourses on Jews, Judaism and the Arab–Israeli conflict in Spain. Analysis of the group meetings shows that, despite growing secularization in Spanish society, the central explanatory variable for persisting and resurging antisemitism in this country is still religion in a broad cultural sense.
Predicting the names of the best teams after the knock‐out phase of a cricket series
Authors: Lemmer Hermanus Hofmeyr 
Published: May 2012

AbstractCricket players' performances can best be judged after a large number of matches had been played. For test or one‐day international (ODI) players, career data are normally used to calculate performance measures. These are normally good indicators of future performances, although various factors influence the performance of a player in a specific match. It is often necessary to judge players' performances based on a small number of scores, e.g. to identify the best players after a short series of matches. The challenge then is to use the best available criteria in order to assess performances as accurately and fairly as possible. In the present study the results of the knock‐out phase of an International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup ODI Series are used to predict the names of the best teams by means of a suitably formulated logistic regression model. Despite using very sparse data, the methods used are reasonably successful. It is also shown that if the same technique is applied to career ratings, very good results are obtained.
Influence of shock wave propagation on dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator performance
Authors: Erfani Rasool , Zare-Behtash Hossein , Kontis Konstantinos 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Interest in plasma actuators as active flow control devices is growing rapidly due to their lack of mechanical parts, light weight and high response frequency. Although the flow induced by these actuators has received much attention, the effect that the external flow has on the performance of the actuator itself must also be considered, especially the influence of unsteady high-speed flows which are fast becoming a norm in the operating flight envelopes. The primary objective of this study is to examine the characteristics of a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma actuator when exposed to an unsteady flow generated by a shock tube. This type of flow, which is often used in different studies, contains a range of flow regimes from sudden pressure and density changes to relatively uniform high-speed flow regions. A small circular shock tube is employed along with the schlieren photography technique to visualize the flow. The voltage and current traces of the plasma actuator are monitored throughout, and using the well-established shock tube theory the change in the actuator characteristics are related to the physical processes which occur inside the shock tube. The results show that not only is the shear layer outside of the shock tube affected by the plasma but the passage of the shock front and high-speed flow behind it also greatly influences the properties of the plasma.
Age and fine-scale marine growth of Atlantic salmon post-smolts in the Northeast Atlantic
Authors: Jensen Arne J. , Ó Maoiléidigh Niall , Thomas Katie , Einarsson Sigurdur M. , Haugland Monika , Erkinaro Jaakko , Fiske Peder , Friedland Kevin D. , Gudmundsdottir Asta K. , Haantie Jari , Holm Marianne , Holst Jens Christian , Jacobsen Jan Arge , Jensås Jan G. , Kuusela Jorma , Melle Webjørn , Mork Kjell Arne , Wennevik Vidar , Østborg Gunnel M. 
Published: May 2012

Abstract
Jensen, A. J., Ó Maoiléidigh, N., Thomas, K., Einarsson, S. M., Haugland, M., Erkinaro, J., Fiske, P., Friedland, K. D., Gudmundsdottir, A. K., Haantie, J., Holm, M., Holst, J. C., Jacobsen, J. A., Jensås, J. G., Kuusela, J., Melle, W., Mork, K. A., Wennevik, V., and Østborg, G. M. 2012. Age and fine-scale marine growth of Atlantic salmon post-smolts in the Northeast Atlantic. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1668–1677. Surface trawls were conducted over a large area of the Northeast Atlantic in 2002, 2003, 2008, and 2009 to collect samples of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolts during their marine feeding migration (n = 2242). The dominant smolt age of wild post-smolts was 2 years, followed by 1- and 3-year-old fish, and a few 4-year-old fish. The average rate of circulus formation in the marine zone of scales was estimated to be 6.3 d circulus−1. Both the age structure and the number of marine circuli in the scales suggest that the majority of the post-smolts originated in rivers in southern Europe. Applying intercirculi distances in scales as a proxy variable of growth rate suggests that putative marine growth rates varied among years, with the fastest growth rates in 2002 and the slowest growth rates in 2008. Further, the first marine intercirculi distances were narrowest in 1-year-old smolts, successively increasing with smolt age, indicating that growth rates during the first period at sea were lowest for salmon of southernmost origin. Growth indices are linked to prevailing environmental and biological conditions.
Both predation and feeding opportunities may explain changes in survival of Baltic salmon post-smolts
Authors: Mäntyniemi Samu , Romakkaniemi Atso , Dannewitz Johan , Palm Stefan , Pakarinen Tapani , Pulkkinen Henni , Gårdmark Anna , Karlsson Olle 
Published: May 2012

AbstractMäntyniemi, S., Romakkaniemi, A., Dannewitz, J., Palm, S., Pakarinen, T., Pulkkinen, H., Gårdmark, A., and Karlsson, O. 2012. Both predation and feeding opportunities may explain changes in survival of Baltic salmon post-smolts. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 69: 1574–1579. The survival of wild and hatchery-reared post-smolts of salmon (Salmo salar) in the Baltic Sea has declined since the 1990s. Direct observations of the processes affecting survival are, however, lacking. Here, the importance of food availability and predation in regulating post-smolt survival is analysed. Based on previous studies, the following explanatory variables were selected: (i) availability of herring (Clupea harengus membras) recruits in the Gulf of Bothnia (Bothnian Sea, Bothnian Bay) in the northern Baltic Sea; (ii) sprat (Sprattus sprattus balticus) and herring abundance in the southern Baltic Sea; and (iii) abundance of grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) along the post-smolt migration route. Bayesian analysis was used to estimate the relative probability of each of the 32 combinations of these variables and revealed that the model including grey seal abundance and herring recruits per post-smolt had the highest posterior probability and a high coefficient of determination. The results suggest that the declining trend in post-smolt survival is explained by the increased number of grey seals, whereas the annual variation in survival coincides with variation in the recruitment of Bothnian Sea herring. However, it remains uncertain whether the observed correlations arise from direct causalities or other mechanisms.
Molecular Characterization of Stolbur Group Subgroup E (16SrXII-E) Phytoplasma Associated with Potatoes in China
Authors: Cheng M. , Dong J. , Zhang L. , Laski P. J. , Zhang Z. , McBeath J. H. 
Published: May 2012

Phytoplasmas have been reported from more than 70 plant species in China, most of which are from woody plants and very few are from potatoes (Solanum tuberosum). During the growing seasons of 2005 through 2011, potato disease surveys were conducted in seed and commercial fields in Yunnan Province and Inner Mongolia. Potato plants displayed symptoms of curled, yellowish and purplish leaves, shortened internodes, aerial tuber formation, and few small malformed underground tubers. Although the location of the fields surveyed each year varied, the disease seems to have become increasingly prevalent. In Yunnan, disease incidence was 5 to 24% in 2005 and 15 to 100% in 2010 and 2011. In Inner Mongolia, disease incidence in seed potato fields was 5 to 15% in 2006 and 25 to 50% in 2011. Total DNA was extracted from the leaves, stems, and roots of symptomatic and asymptomatic plants with a DNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA) according to the manufacturer's instruction. A nested PCR was performed by using primer pair P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2 to detect the presence of phytoplasmas (1,3). An approximate 1.25-kb PCR product was amplified from symptomatic plants but not from asymptomatic plants. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) patterns were analyzed by digesting the 1.2-kb amplicon singly with restriction enzymes AluI, BfaI, HhaI, HpaI, KpnI, MseI, and TaqI. Comparing the RFLP patterns of samples with previously published phytoplasma strains, the phytoplasmas matched patterns of the stolbur group, subgroup E (16SrXII-E) (1). In addition, the PCR product from P1/P7, diluted 1:30, was amplified by using primer pair P1A/P7A (2). The nested PCR product was cloned into pCR8/GW/TOPO vector (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and sequenced by the Core Lab of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and GENEWIZ (South Plainfield, NJ). Nucleotide sequences (GenBank Accession No. EU293841) were analyzed by iPhyClassifier software (4), confirming the relationship of this phytoplasma to ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma fragariae’ with RFLP patterns identical to group 16SrXII-E. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular characterization of the stolbur group phytoplasmas associated with potato disease in China. The potato is becoming increasingly important in China. The impacts of stolbur on potato yield losses, disease distributions, and insect vectors are currently under investigation. References: (1) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 48:1153, 1998. (2) I.-M. Lee et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol 54:337, 2004. (3) C. D. Smart et al. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:2988, 1996. (4) Y. Zhao et al. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 59:2582, 2009.
First Report of Anthracnose Fruit Rot of Strawberry Caused by Colletotrichum acutatum in Montenegro
Authors: Latinovic J. , Latinovic N. , Tiodorovic J. , Odalovic A. 
Published: May 2012

Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa) in Montenegro have become an increasingly important economic crop in recent years. During May 2011, severe fruit damage in strawberry cv. Clery was observed in two fields in the Podgorica region. Fruit symptoms were typical for strawberry anthracnose: sunken, dark brown to black circular lesions appeared on maturing fruits. However, no stem, crown, or foliar symptoms were observed. Under wet conditions, orange masses of conidia were produced in acervuli in the center of lesions. Conidia were hyaline, aseptate, cylindrical, with pointed ends, measuring 9.8 to 17.2 (mean 14.3) × 2.5 to 6.1 (mean 4.4) μm. Colonies on potato dextrose agar (PDA) were initially white, then turned gray as conidia formed in orange to salmon pink masses around the center of the culture. Setae or an ascigerous stage were never observed in culture or on the host. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by inoculating ripe and unripe asymptomatic fruits (20 of each, removed from strawberry plants cv. Clery) with the isolated fungus. Fruits were sprayinoculated (106 conidia/ml). An equal number of noninoculated fruits were used as a control. After incubation time of 2 to 3 days at 25°C in a moist chamber, symptoms appeared on inoculated ripe fruits. On unripe fruits, the lesions developed only 3 to 4 days after the inoculation. No symptoms were found on control fruits. The fungus was reisolated from fruits, after which typical morphological characteristics developed in culture as described above. On the basis of the symptoms, the morphological and cultural characteristics of the fungus, and the pathogenicity test, the disease was identified as strawberry anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum acutatum, which is in accordance with previous reports (1,2,3,4). The isolate was submitted to the Centraalbureau voor Schimmelcultures in the Netherlands (CBS 131813). The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the fungal DNA was amplified with ITS1F and ITS4 primers, sequenced, and submitted to NCBI GenBank (Accession No. JQ424934). BLASTn searches of GenBank using the ITS sequence revealed 99% similarity with database sequences of C. acutatum. Since the pathogen was found in the main Montenegrin strawberry production area, it poses a threat to strawberry production in Montenegro. To our knowledge, this is the first report of anthracnose fruit rot of strawberry in Montenegro. References: (1) S. G. Bobev et al. Plant Dis. 86:1178, 2002. (2) F. M. Dai et al. Plant Dis. 90:1460, 2006. (3) U. Nilsson et al. Plant Dis. 89:1242, 2005. (4) A. Stensvand et al. Plant Dis. 85:558, 2001.
Diagnostic and prognostic impact of serum‐soluble UL16‐binding protein 2 in lung cancer patients
Authors: Yamaguchi Kosuke , Chikumi Hiroki , Shimizu Asuka , Takata Miyako , Kinoshita Naoki , Hashimoto Kiyoshi , Nakamoto Masaki , Matsunaga Shinji , Kurai Jun , Miyake Naomi , Matsumoto Shingo , Watanabe Masanari , Yamasaki Akira , Igishi Tadashi , Burioka Naoto , Shimizu Eiji 
Published: May 2012

UL16‐binding protein 2 (ULBP2) is one of the ligands for NKG2D (NKG2DL). ULBP2 expression is induced in transformed cells and is recognized by immune effector cells via the activating NKG2D immunoreceptor. Soluble forms of NKG2DL have been reported in the serum of patients with several types of cancer. The present study investigated the diagnostic and prognostic significance of serum‐soluble ULBP2 (sULBP2) in lung cancer patients. We used flow cytometry to evaluate the surface expression of NKG2DL by various lung cancer cells, while sULBP2 was measured using our original ELISA. In addition, the immunological effect of sULBP2 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) was examined by the 51Cr release assay. We found that ULBP2 was highly expressed and that the sULBP2 level was elevated in supernatants of cultured non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells as well as in the serum of NSCLC patients. ULBP2 levels were especially high in squamous cell carcinoma (SQ) patients. Clinical stage IIIB and IV NSCLC patients with a sULBP2 level ≥8.7 pg/mL showed significantly shorter survival than patients with sULBP2 <8.7 pg/mL. In multivariate analysis, a sULBP2 level ≥8.7 pg/mL (hazard ratio [HR], 2.13; P = 0.038) and clinical stage IV (HR, 2.65; P = 0.019) were independent determinants of a poor outcome. As a possible mechanism, we demonstrated that sULBP2 directly suppresses the cytolytic activity of PBMC. In conclusion, ULBP2 is the most significant NKG2DL for lung cancer, and sULBP2 is useful in the diagnosis of SQ and as a prognostic indicator for patients with advanced NSCLC. (Cancer Sci, doi: 10.1111/j.1349‐7006.2012.02330.x, 2012)
Molecular characterization of swine leukocyte antigen gene diversity in purebred Pietrain pigs
Authors: Essler Sabine E. , Ertl Werner , Deutsch Julia , Ruetgen Barbara C. , Groiss Sandra , Stadler Maria , Wysoudil Bhuma , Gerner Wilhelm , Ho Chak‐Sum , Saalmueller Armin 
Published: May 2012

SummaryThe porcine major histocompatibility complex (MHC) harbors the highly polymorphic swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) class I and II gene clusters encoding glycoproteins that present antigenic peptides to T cells in the adaptive immune response. In Austria, the majority of commercial pigs are F
2 descendants of F
1 Large White/Landrace hybrids paired with Pietrain boars. Therefore, the repertoire of SLA alleles and haplotypes present in Pietrain pigs has an important influence on that of their descendants. In this study, we characterized the SLA class I (
SLA‐1
, SLA‐2
, SLA‐3
) and class II (
SLA‐DRB1
, SLA‐DQB1
, SLA‐DQA
) genes of 27 purebred Pietrain pigs using a combination of the high‐resolution sequence‐based typing (SBT) method and a low‐resolution (Lr) PCR‐based method using allele‐group, sequence‐specific primers (PCR‐SSP). A total of 15 class I and 13 class II haplotypes were identified in the studied cohort. The most common SLA class I haplotype Lr‐43.0 (
SLA‐1
*11XX–
SLA‐3
*04XX–
SLA‐2
*04XX) was identified in 11 animals with a frequency of 20%. For SLA class II, the most prevalent haplotype, Lr‐0.14 [
SLA‐DRB1
*0901–
SLA‐DQB1
*0801–
SLA‐DQA
*03XX], was found in 14 animals with a frequency of 26%. Two class II haplotypes, tentatively designated as Lr‐Pie‐0.1 [
SLA‐DRB1
*01XX/be01/ha04–
SLA‐DQB1
*05XX–
SLA

‐
DQA*blank] and Lr‐Pie‐0.2 [
SLA‐DRB1
*06XX–
SLA‐DQB1
*03XX–
SLA‐DQA
*03XX], appeared to be novel and have never been reported so far in other pig populations. We showed that SLA genotyping using PCR‐SSP‐based assays represents a rapid and cost‐effective way to study SLA diversity in outbred commercial pigs and may facilitate the development of more effective vaccines or identification of disease‐resistant pigs in the context of SLA antigens to improve overall swine health.