Showing papers by "University of Vienna published in 2010"
Max Planck Society1, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven2, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission3, University of Liège4, Spanish National Research Council5, University of Vienna6, European Space Agency7, European Southern Observatory8, Austrian Institute of Technology9, Graz University of Technology10, European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy11, Konkoly Thege Miklós Astronomical Institute12
TL;DR: The Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) as discussed by the authors is one of the three science instruments on ESA's far infrared and sub-mil- limetre observatory.
Abstract: The Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) is one of the three science instruments on ESA's far infrared and submil- limetre observatory. It employs two Ge:Ga photoconductor arrays (stressed and unstressed) with 16 × 25 pixels, each, and two filled silicon bolometer arrays with 16 × 32 and 32 × 64 pixels, respectively, to perform integral-field spectroscopy and imaging photom- etry in the 60−210 μm wavelength regime. In photometry mode, it simultaneously images two bands, 60−85 μ mo r 85−125 μ ma nd 125−210 μm, over a field of view of ∼1.75 � × 3.5 � , with close to Nyquist beam sampling in each band. In spectroscopy mode, it images afi eld of 47 �� × 47 �� , resolved into 5 × 5 pixels, with an instantaneous spectral coverage of ∼ 1500 km s −1 and a spectral resolution of ∼175 km s −1 . We summarise the design of the instrument, describe observing modes, calibration, and data analysis methods, and present our current assessment of the in-orbit performance of the instrument based on the performance verification tests. PACS is fully operational, and the achieved performance is close to or better than the pre-launch predictions.
2,645 citations
University of Glasgow1, University of Salerno2, Max Planck Society3, University of Southampton4, University of Paris-Sud5, Paris Diderot University6, VU University Amsterdam7, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis8, Washington State University9, University of Warsaw10, University of Birmingham11, Cardiff University12, University of Rome Tor Vergata13, Moscow State University14, California Institute of Technology15, fondazione bruno kessler16, Centre national de la recherche scientifique17, University of Cambridge18, University of Tübingen19, University of Urbino20, University of Vienna21, University of Minnesota22, University of Jena23, Albert Einstein Institution24, Northwestern University25, University of Savoy26, Pennsylvania State University27, University of Pisa28, Sapienza University of Rome29, University of Florence30
TL;DR: The third-generation ground-based observatory Einstein Telescope (ET) project as discussed by the authors is currently in its design study phase, and it can be seen as the first step in this direction.
Abstract: Advanced gravitational wave interferometers, currently under realization, will soon permit the detection of gravitational waves from astronomical sources. To open the era of precision gravitational wave astronomy, a further substantial improvement in sensitivity is required. The future space-based Laser Interferometer Space Antenna and the third-generation ground-based observatory Einstein Telescope (ET) promise to achieve the required sensitivity improvements in frequency ranges. The vastly improved sensitivity of the third generation of gravitational wave observatories could permit detailed measurements of the sources' physical parameters and could complement, in a multi-messenger approach, the observation of signals emitted by cosmological sources obtained through other kinds of telescopes. This paper describes the progress of the ET project which is currently in its design study phase.
1,497 citations
National Heart Foundation of Australia1, University of Toronto2, Cleveland Clinic3, University of Chicago4, University of Alberta5, Inova Fairfax Hospital6, Ochsner Health System7, University of Alabama at Birmingham8, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust9, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich10, Saint Barnabas Medical Center11, Duke University12, Primary Children's Hospital13, University of Pittsburgh14, University of Utah15, University of Maryland, Baltimore16, University of Vienna17, Stanford University18, University College London19, Washington University in St. Louis20, Loma Linda University21, University of A Coruña22, The Texas Heart Institute23, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven24, Northwestern University25, University of Wisconsin-Madison26, Yeshiva University27, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center28, University of Colorado Denver29, Drexel University30, University of Pennsylvania31, Mayo Clinic32, St Vincent Hospital33, Papworth Hospital34, Emory University35, Johns Hopkins University36
TL;DR: Institutional Affiliations Chair Costanzo MR: Midwest Heart Foundation, Lombard Illinois, USA Task Force 1 Dipchand A: Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Ontario, Canada; Starling R: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Starlings R: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois,USA; Chan M: university of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada ; Desai S: Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.
Abstract: Institutional Affiliations Chair Costanzo MR: Midwest Heart Foundation, Lombard Illinois, USA Task Force 1 Dipchand A: Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Ontario, Canada; Starling R: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Anderson A: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chan M: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Desai S: Inova Fairfax Hospital, Fairfax, Virginia, USA; Fedson S: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA; Fisher P: Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Gonzales-Stawinski G: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Martinelli L: Ospedale Niguarda, Milano, Italy; McGiffin D: University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA; Parisi F: Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu, Rome, Italy; Smith J: Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK Task Force 2 Taylor D: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Meiser B: University of Munich/Grosshaden, Munich, Germany; Baran D: Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, New Jersey, USA; Carboni M: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Dengler T: University of Hidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; Feldman D: Minneapolis Heart Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Frigerio M: Ospedale Niguarda, Milano, Italy; Kfoury A: Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, USA; Kim D: University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Kobashigawa J: Cedar-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA; Shullo M: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Stehlik J: University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Teuteberg J: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Uber P: University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Zuckermann A: University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Task Force 3 Hunt S: Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA; Burch M: Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK; Bhat G: Advocate Christ Medical Center, Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA; Canter C: St. Louis Children Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Chinnock R: Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, California, USA; Crespo-Leiro M: Hospital Universitario A Coruna, La Coruna, Spain; Delgado R: Texas Heart Institute, Houston, Texas, USA; Dobbels F: Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Grady K: Northwestern University, Chicago, Illlinois, USA; Kao W: University of Wisconsin, Madison Wisconsin, USA; Lamour J: Montefiore Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Parry G: Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Patel J: Cedar-Sinai Heart Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA; Pini D: Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Italy; Pinney S: Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA; Towbin J: Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Wolfel G: University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA Independent Reviewers Delgado D: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Eisen H: Drexler University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Goldberg L: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Hosenpud J: Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Johnson M: University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Keogh A: St Vincent Hospital, Sidney, New South Wales, Australia; Lewis C: Papworth Hospital Cambridge, UK; O'Connell J: St. Joseph Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Rogers J: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA; Ross H: University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Russell S: Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Vanhaecke J: University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
1,346 citations
Xiamen University1, University of Vienna2, University of Miami3, University of South Carolina4, Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research5, University of Tennessee6, University of Delaware7, Centre national de la recherche scientifique8, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science9, University of California, San Diego10
TL;DR: The microbial carbon pump is proposed as a conceptual framework to address the important, multifaceted biogeochemical problem of fixed carbon in the upper ocean.
Abstract: The biological pump is a process whereby CO(2) in the upper ocean is fixed by primary producers and transported to the deep ocean as sinking biogenic particles or as dissolved organic matter. The fate of most of this exported material is remineralization to CO(2), which accumulates in deep waters until it is eventually ventilated again at the sea surface. However, a proportion of the fixed carbon is not mineralized but is instead stored for millennia as recalcitrant dissolved organic matter. The processes and mechanisms involved in the generation of this large carbon reservoir are poorly understood. Here, we propose the microbial carbon pump as a conceptual framework to address this important, multifaceted biogeochemical problem.
1,194 citations
University of Erlangen-Nuremberg1, University of Zaragoza2, University of Cambridge3, University College London4, Pennsylvania State University5, University of Texas at Austin6, Vrije Universiteit Brussel7, Open University8, Imperial College London9, University of Münster10, University of Vienna11, Tohoku University12, Mexican Institute of Petroleum13, Natural Resources Canada14, Denver Museum of Nature and Science15, Humboldt University of Berlin16, Universities Space Research Association17, University of Missouri18, Chiba Institute of Technology19, Purdue University20, University of Notre Dame21, University of California, San Diego22, Planetary Science Institute23, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven24, National Autonomous University of Mexico25, Lund University26, University of Alaska Fairbanks27
TL;DR: Records of the global stratigraphy across this boundary are synthesized to assess the proposed causes of the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and conclude that the Chicxulub impact triggered the mass extinction.
Abstract: The Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary similar to 65.5 million years ago marks one of the three largest mass extinctions in the past 500 million years. The extinction event coincided with a large asteroid impact at Chicxulub, Mexico, and occurred within the time of Deccan flood basalt volcanism in India. Here, we synthesize records of the global stratigraphy across this boundary to assess the proposed causes of the mass extinction. Notably, a single ejecta-rich deposit compositionally linked to the Chicxulub impact is globally distributed at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. The temporal match between the ejecta layer and the onset of the extinctions and the agreement of ecological patterns in the fossil record with modeled environmental perturbations (for example, darkness and cooling) lead us to conclude that the Chicxulub impact triggered the mass extinction.
1,135 citations
Chinese Academy of Sciences1, Fudan University2, Shanghai Jiao Tong University3, Kunming Institute of Zoology4, Shenzhen University5, Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding6, Wellcome Trust7, University of Toronto8, University of California, Berkeley9, Southeast University10, University of Hong Kong11, Sun Yat-sen University12, University of Vienna13, Cardiff University14, Comenius University in Bratislava15, Sichuan University16, South China University of Technology17, University of Copenhagen18, University of Alberta19, University of Washington20
TL;DR: Using next-generation sequencing technology alone, a draft sequence of the giant panda genome is generated and assembled, indicating that its bamboo diet might be more dependent on its gut microbiome than its own genetic composition.
Abstract: Using next-generation sequencing technology alone, we have successfully generated and assembled a draft sequence of the giant panda genome. The assembled contigs (2.25 gigabases (Gb)) cover approximately 94% of the whole genome, and the remaining gaps (0.05 Gb) seem to contain carnivore-specific repeats and tandem repeats. Comparisons with the dog and human showed that the panda genome has a lower divergence rate. The assessment of panda genes potentially underlying some of its unique traits indicated that its bamboo diet might be more dependent on its gut microbiome than its own genetic composition. We also identified more than 2.7 million heterozygous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the diploid genome. Our data and analyses provide a foundation for promoting mammalian genetic research, and demonstrate the feasibility for using next-generation sequencing technologies for accurate, cost-effective and rapid de novo assembly of large eukaryotic genomes.
1,109 citations
TL;DR: A necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of nonzero quantum discord for any dimensional bipartite states is obtained, and a geometrical way of quantifying quantum discord is proposed.
Abstract: Quantum discord characterizes "nonclassicality" of correlations in quantum mechanics. It has been proposed as the key resource present in certain quantum communication tasks and quantum computational models without containing much entanglement. We obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of nonzero quantum discord for any dimensional bipartite states. This condition is easily experimentally implementable. Based on this, we propose a geometrical way of quantifying quantum discord. For two qubits this results in a closed form of expression for discord. We apply our results to the model of deterministic quantum computation with one qubit, showing that quantum discord is unlikely to be the reason behind its speedup.
1,101 citations
TL;DR: It is reported that a natural compound, vitamin C (Vc), enhances iPSC generation from both mouse and human somatic cells, acts at least in part by alleviating cell senescence, a recently identified roadblock for reprogramming.
913 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors employ a uniform set of infrared extinction maps to provide accurate assessments of cloud mass and structure and compare these with inventories of young stellar objects within the clouds, finding that both the yield and rate of star formation can vary considerably in local clouds, independent of their mass and size.
Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the level of star formation activity within nearby molecular clouds. We employ a uniform set of infrared extinction maps to provide accurate assessments of cloud mass and structure and compare these with inventories of young stellar objects within the clouds. We present evidence indicating that both the yield and rate of star formation can vary considerably in local clouds, independent of their mass and size. We find that the surface density structure of such clouds appears to be important in controlling both these factors. In particular, we find that the star formation rate (SFR) in molecular clouds is linearly proportional to the cloud mass (M 0.8) above an extinction threshold of A K ≈ 0.8 mag, corresponding to a gas surface density threshold of Σgas ≈ 116 M ☉ pc2. We argue that this surface density threshold corresponds to a gas volume density threshold which we estimate to be n(H2) ≈ 104 cm–3. Specifically, we find SFR (M ☉ yr–1) = 4.6 ± 2.6 × 10–8 M 0.8 (M ☉) for the clouds in our sample. This relation between the rate of star formation and the amount of dense gas in molecular clouds appears to be in excellent agreement with previous observations of both galactic and extragalactic star-forming activity. It is likely the underlying physical relationship or empirical law that most directly connects star formation activity with interstellar gas over many spatial scales within and between individual galaxies. These results suggest that the key to obtaining a predictive understanding of the SFRs in molecular clouds and galaxies is to understand those physical factors which give rise to the dense components of these clouds.
810 citations
15 Jan 2010-Nuclear Instruments & Methods in Physics Research Section B-beam Interactions With Materials and Atoms
TL;DR: In this article, an aliquot of highly enriched 10 Be master solution was serially diluted with increasing well-known masses of 9 Be and the specific activity was measured by means of accurate liquid scintillation counting (LSC).
Abstract: The importance of 10 Be in different applications of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) is well-known. In this context the half-life of 10 Be has a crucial impact, and an accurate and precise determination of the half-life is a prerequisite for many of the applications of 10 Be in cosmic-ray and earth science research. Recently, the value of the 10 Be half-life has been the centre of much debate. In order to overcome uncertainties inherent in previous determinations, we introduced a new method of high accuracy and precision. An aliquot of our highly enriched 10 Be master solution was serially diluted with increasing well-known masses of 9 Be. We then determined the initial 10 Be concentration by least square fit to the series of measurements of the resultant 10 Be/ 9 Be ratio. In order to minimize uncertainties because of mass bias which plague other low-energy mass spectrometric methods, we used for the first time Heavy-Ion Elastic Recoil Detection (HI-ERD) for the determination of the 10 Be/ 9 Be isotopic ratios, a technique which does not suffer from difficult to control mass fractionation. The specific activity of the master solution was measured by means of accurate liquid scintillation counting (LSC). The resultant combination of the 10 Be concentration and activity yields a 10 Be half-life of T 1/2 = 1.388 ± 0.018 (1 s, 1.30%) Ma. In a parallel but independent study (Chmeleff et al. [11] ), found a value of 1.386 ± 0.016 (1.15%) Ma. Our recommended weighted mean and mean standard error for the new value for 10 Be half-life based on these two independent measurements is 1.387 ± 0.012 (0.87%) Ma.
797 citations
United States Department of Energy1, J. Craig Venter Institute2, University of California, Berkeley3, Heidelberg University4, University of California, Irvine5, Technische Universität München6, National Institutes of Health7, Pomona College8, Salk Institute for Biological Studies9, University of Kiel10, National Institute of Genetics11, University of Vienna12, University of Kansas13, University of Innsbruck14, Dartmouth College15, North Carolina State University16, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich17
TL;DR: Comparisons of the Hydra genome to the genomes of other animals shed light on the evolution of epithelia, contractile tissues, developmentally regulated transcription factors, the Spemann–Mangold organizer, pluripotency genes and the neuromuscular junction.
Abstract: The freshwater cnidarian Hydra was first described in 17021 and has been the object of study for 300 years. Experimental studies of Hydra between 1736 and 1744 culminated in the discovery of asexual reproduction of an animal by budding, the first description of regeneration in an animal, and successful transplantation of tissue between animals2. Today, Hydra is an important model for studies of axial patterning3, stem cell biology4 and regeneration5. Here we report the genome of Hydra magnipapillata and compare it to the genomes of the anthozoan Nematostella vectensis6 and other animals. The Hydra genome has been shaped by bursts of transposable element expansion, horizontal gene transfer, trans-splicing, and simplification of gene structure and gene content that parallel simplification of the Hydra life cycle. We also report the sequence of the genome of a novel bacterium stably associated with H. magnipapillata. Comparisons of the Hydra genome to the genomes of other animals shed light on the evolution of epithelia, contractile tissues, developmentally regulated transcription factors, the Spemann–Mangold organizer, pluripotency genes and the neuromuscular junction.
University of Alberta1, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center2, Harvard University3, Johns Hopkins University4, Cleveland Clinic5, University of Arizona6, Hannover Medical School7, Mayo Clinic8, University of Pittsburgh9, University of Maryland, Baltimore10, University of Paris11, Washington University in St. Louis12, University of Alabama13, Westmead Hospital14, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill15, University of Vienna16, Autonomous University of Barcelona17, NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital18, Cornell University19
TL;DR: The willingness of the Banff process to adapt continuously in response to new research and improve potential weaknesses, led to the implementation of six working groups on the following areas: isolated v‐lesion, fibrosis scoring, glomerular lesions, molecular pathology, polyomavirus nephropathy and quality assurance.
TL;DR: The journey of symbionts from the initial contact to their final residence is described, and the molecular mechanisms that mediate symbiont attraction and accumulation, interpartner recognition and selection, as well as Symbiont confrontation with the host immune system are provided.
Abstract: The perpetuation of symbioses through host generations relies on symbiont transmission. Horizontally transmitted symbionts are taken up from the environment anew by each host generation, and vertically transmitted symbionts are most often transferred through the female germ line. Mixed modes also exist. In this Review we describe the journey of symbionts from the initial contact to their final residence. We provide an overview of the molecular mechanisms that mediate symbiont attraction and accumulation, interpartner recognition and selection, as well as symbiont confrontation with the host immune system. We also discuss how the two main transmission modes shape the evolution of the symbiotic partners.
TL;DR: Comparison genomic analyses indicate functionally significant lateral gene-transfer events between the genus Nitrospira and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing planctomycetes, which share highly similar forms of NXR and other proteins reflecting that two key processes of the nitrogen cycle are evolutionarily connected.
Abstract: Nitrospira are barely studied and mostly uncultured nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, which are, according to molecular data, among the most diverse and widespread nitrifiers in natural ecosystems and biological wastewater treatment. Here, environmental genomics was used to reconstruct the complete genome of “Candidatus Nitrospira defluvii” from an activated sludge enrichment culture. On the basis of this first-deciphered Nitrospira genome and of experimental data, we show that Ca. N. defluvii differs dramatically from other known nitrite oxidizers in the key enzyme nitrite oxidoreductase (NXR), in the composition of the respiratory chain, and in the pathway used for autotrophic carbon fixation, suggesting multiple independent evolution of chemolithoautotrophic nitrite oxidation. Adaptations of Ca. N. defluvii to substrate-limited conditions include an unusual periplasmic NXR, which is constitutively expressed, and pathways for the transport, oxidation, and assimilation of simple organic compounds that allow a mixotrophic lifestyle. The reverse tricarboxylic acid cycle as the pathway for CO2 fixation and the lack of most classical defense mechanisms against oxidative stress suggest that Nitrospira evolved from microaerophilic or even anaerobic ancestors. Unexpectedly, comparative genomic analyses indicate functionally significant lateral gene-transfer events between the genus Nitrospira and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing planctomycetes, which share highly similar forms of NXR and other proteins reflecting that two key processes of the nitrogen cycle are evolutionarily connected.
TL;DR: The Theriak/Domino software as discussed by the authors uses a unique algorithm of scanning and bookkeeping, which allows to compute completely and automatically a great variety of diagrams: phase diagrams, pseudo-binary, pseudoternary, isopleths, modal amounts, molar properties of single phases or bulk-rock properties like total Δ G, volume of solids, etc.
Abstract: In this paper, the term “equilibrium assemblage diagrams” refers to diagrams strictly based on assemblages predicted by Gibbs free energy minimization. The presented Theriak/Domino software uses a unique algorithm of scanning and bookkeeping, which allows to compute completely and automatically a great variety of diagrams: phase diagrams, pseudo-binary, pseudo-ternary, isopleths, modal amounts, molar properties of single phases or bulk-rock properties like total Δ G , volume of solids, etc. The speed and easiness of use makes thermodynamic modeling accessible to any student of Earth sciences and offers a powerful tool to check the consistency of thermodynamic databases, develop new solution models, plan experimental work, and to understand natural systems. The examples described in this paper demonstrate the capacity of the software, but also to show the usefulness and limitations of computed equilibrium assemblage diagrams. For most illustrations, a metapelite (TN205) from the eastern Lepontine Alps is used. The applications include the interpretation of complex diagrams, mineral reactions, the effect of Al content on the equilibrium assemblages, the interpretation of Si per formula unit in white mica, understanding some features of garnet growth, dehydration and isothermal compressibility, a broadening of the concept of AFM diagrams, combining equilibrium assemblage diagram information with thermobarometry, and comparing the results produced with different databases. Equilibrium assemblage diagrams do not always provide straightforward answers, but mostly stimulate further thought.
TL;DR: This editorial aims to provide practical guidance for the incorporation of absolute minimum standards encompassing the key assay parameters for accurate design, documentation and reporting of qPCR experiments (MIQE précis) and guidance on the publication of pure 'reference gene' articles.
Abstract: The conclusions of thousands of peer-reviewed publications rely on data obtained using fluorescence-based quantitative real-time PCR technology. However, the inadequate reporting of experimental detail, combined with the frequent use of flawed protocols is leading to the publication of papers that may not be technically appropriate. We take the view that this problem requires the delineation of a more transparent and comprehensive reporting policy from scientific journals. This editorial aims to provide practical guidance for the incorporation of absolute minimum standards encompassing the key assay parameters for accurate design, documentation and reporting of qPCR experiments (MIQE precis) and guidance on the publication of pure 'reference gene' articles.
TL;DR: It is postulate that constitutive and induced autophagy is a major protective mechanism against podocyte aging and glomerular injury, representing a putative target to ameliorate human glomersular disease and aging-related loss of renal function.
Abstract: Injury and loss of podocytes are leading factors of glomerular disease and renal failure. The postmitotic podocyte is the primary glomerular target for toxic, immune, metabolic, and oxidant stress, but little is known about how this cell type copes with stress. Recently, autophagy has been identified as a major pathway that delivers damaged proteins and organelles to lysosomes in order to maintain cellular homeostasis. Here we report that podocytes exhibit an unusually high level of constitutive autophagy. Podocyte-specific deletion of autophagy-related 5 (Atg5) led to a glomerulopathy in aging mice that was accompanied by an accumulation of oxidized and ubiquitinated proteins, ER stress, and proteinuria. These changes resulted ultimately in podocyte loss and late-onset glomerulosclerosis. Analysis of pathophysiological conditions indicated that autophagy was substantially increased in glomeruli from mice with induced proteinuria and in glomeruli from patients with acquired proteinuric diseases. Further, mice lacking Atg5 in podocytes exhibited strongly increased susceptibility to models of glomerular disease. These findings highlight the importance of induced autophagy as a key homeostatic mechanism to maintain podocyte integrity. We postulate that constitutive and induced autophagy is a major protective mechanism against podocyte aging and glomerular injury, representing a putative target to ameliorate human glomerular disease and aging-related loss of renal function.
TL;DR: ROTEM®-guided haemostatic therapy, with fibrinogen concentrate as first-line haemOSTatic therapy and additional PCC, was goal-directed and fast, and a favourable survival rate was observed.
Abstract: The appropriate strategy for trauma-induced coagulopathy management is under debate. We report the treatment of major trauma using mainly coagulation factor concentrates. This retrospective analysis included trauma patients who received ≥ 5 units of red blood cell concentrate within 24 hours. Coagulation management was guided by thromboelastometry (ROTEM®). Fibrinogen concentrate was given as first-line haemostatic therapy when maximum clot firmness (MCF) measured by FibTEM (fibrin-based test) was 1.5 times normal. Lack of improvement in EXTEM MCF after fibrinogen concentrate administration was an indication for platelet concentrate. The observed mortality was compared with the mortality predicted by the trauma injury severity score (TRISS) and by the revised injury severity classification (RISC) score. Of 131 patients included, 128 received fibrinogen concentrate as first-line therapy, 98 additionally received PCC, while 3 patients with recent coumarin intake received only PCC. Twelve patients received FFP and 29 received platelet concentrate. The observed mortality was 24.4%, lower than the TRISS mortality of 33.7% (P = 0.032) and the RISC mortality of 28.7% (P > 0.05). After excluding 17 patients with traumatic brain injury, the difference in mortality was 14% observed versus 27.8% predicted by TRISS (P = 0.0018) and 24.3% predicted by RISC (P = 0.014). ROTEM®-guided haemostatic therapy, with fibrinogen concentrate as first-line haemostatic therapy and additional PCC, was goal-directed and fast. A favourable survival rate was observed. Prospective, randomized trials to investigate this therapeutic alternative further appear warranted.
30 Jun 2010-Methodology: European Journal of Research Methods for The Behavioral and Social Sciences
TL;DR: The authors show that random selection strategies result in a random confounding of effects and heavily rely on the assumption of no interaction effects, whereas experimental strategies systematically confound interaction effects with main or set effects, thereby preserving a meaningful in...
Abstract: Vignette studies use short descriptions of situations or persons (vignettes) that are usually shown to respondents within surveys in order to elicit their judgments about these scenarios. By systematically varying the levels of theoretically important vignette characteristics a large population of different vignettes is typically available – too large to be presented to each respondent. Therefore, each respondent gets only a subset of vignettes. These subsets may either be randomly selected in following the tradition of the factorial survey or systematically selected according to an experimental design. We show that these strategies in selecting vignette sets have strong implications for the analysis and interpretation of vignette data. Random selection strategies result in a random confounding of effects and heavily rely on the assumption of no interaction effects. In contrast, experimental strategies systematically confound interaction effects with main or set effects, thereby preserving a meaningful in...
University of Westminster1, University of Tartu2, Pontifical Catholic University of Chile3, University of Otago4, Islamic University of Indonesia5, Himalayan Institute of Yoga Science and Philosophy6, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis7, Macquarie University8, Polish Academy of Sciences9, Millikin University10, University College London11, King's College London12, University of Vienna13, Kyung Hee University14, Hope College15, University of Malaya16, University of Delaware17, Kocaeli University18, Chemnitz University of Technology19, University of KwaZulu-Natal20, University of Texas at Austin21, University of Idaho22, University of Helsinki23, University of California, Los Angeles24, University of Regina25, Deakin University26, Brock University27, Florida Atlantic University28, University of Porto29, Ateneo de Manila University30, University of Rijeka31, University of Zurich32, Ghent University33, University of Wrocław34, National University of Malaysia35, Loughborough University36
TL;DR: Results indicated there were significant cross-regional differences in the ideal female figure and body dissatisfaction, but effect sizes were small across high-socioeconomic-status (SES) sites.
Abstract: This study reports results from the first International Body Project (IBP-I), which surveyed 7,434 individuals in 10 major world regions about body weight ideals and body dissatisfaction. Participants completed the female Contour Drawing Figure Rating Scale (CDFRS) and self-reported their exposure to Western and local media. Results indicated there were significant cross-regional differences in the ideal female figure and body dissatisfaction, but effect sizes were small across high-socioeconomic-status (SES) sites. Within cultures, heavier bodies were preferred in low-SES sites compared to high-SES sites in Malaysia and South Africa (ds = 1.94-2.49) but not in Austria. Participant age, body mass index (BMI), and Western media exposure predicted body weight ideals. BMI and Western media exposure predicted body dissatisfaction among women. Our results show that body dissatisfaction and desire for thinness is commonplace in high-SES settings across world regions, highlighting the need for international attention to this problem.
TL;DR: This tutorial review is mainly focused on mechanisms of chiral recognition and enantiomer distinction of popular chiral selectors and corresponding chiral stationary phases and attempts to provide the reader with vivid images of molecular recognition mechanisms of selected chiral selector-selectand pairs on basis of solid-state X-ray crystal structures and simulated computer models.
Leibniz Association1, Deutscher Wetterdienst2, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology3, Stockholm University4, University of Birmingham5, University of Vienna6, Hungarian Academy of Sciences7, Ghent University8, National Institutes of Health9, National Research Council10, University of Augsburg11, University of Huelva12, Eötvös Loránd University13, Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands14, Environment Agency15
TL;DR: In this article, the authors synthesize data on aerosol (particulate matter, PM) physical and chemical characteristics, which were obtained over the past decade in aerosol research and monitoring activities.
TL;DR: The view is presented that both passive transcellular processes and carrier-mediated processes coexist and contribute to drug transport activities across biological membranes.
Abstract: The permeability of biological membranes is one of the most important determinants of the pharmacokinetic processes of a drug. Although it is often accepted that many drug substances are transported across biological membranes by passive transcellular diffusion, a recent hypothesis speculated that carrier-mediated mechanisms might account for the majority of membrane drug transport processes in biological systems. Based on evidence of the physicochemical characteristics and of in vitro and in vivo findings for marketed drugs, as well as results from real-life discovery and development projects, we present the view that both passive transcellular processes and carrier-mediated processes coexist and contribute to drug transport activities across biological membranes.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors derive a firm's optimal capital structure and managerial compensation contract when employees are averse to bearing their own human capital risk, while equity holders can diversify this risk away.
Abstract: We derive a firm’s optimal capital structure and managerial compensation contract when employees are averse to bearing their own human capital risk, while equity holders can diversify this risk away. In the presence of corporate taxes, our model delivers optimal debt levels consistent with those observed in practice. It also makes a number of predictions for the cross-sectional distribution of firm leverage. Consistent with existing empirical evidence, it implies persistent idiosyncratic dierences in leverage across firms. An important new empirical prediction of the model is that, ceteris paribus, firms with more leverage should pay higher wages.
TL;DR: The ecological coherence of high bacterial taxa in the light of genome analyses is discussed and examples of niche differentiation between deeply diverging groups in terrestrial and aquatic systems are presented.
Abstract: The species is a fundamental unit of biological organization, but its relevance for Bacteria and Archaea is still hotly debated. Even more controversial is whether the deeper branches of the ribosomal RNA-derived phylogenetic tree, such as the phyla, have ecological importance. Here, we discuss the ecological coherence of high bacterial taxa in the light of genome analyses and present examples of niche differentiation between deeply diverging groups in terrestrial and aquatic systems. The ecological relevance of high bacterial taxa has implications for bacterial taxonomy, evolution and ecology.
TL;DR: In this paper, the electronic and structural properties of the oxygen vacancy were studied using generalized Kohn-Sham theory with the Heyd, Scuseria, and Ernzerhof (HSE) hybrid functional for exchange and correlation.
Abstract: The electronic and structural properties of the oxygen vacancy $({V}_{\text{O}})$ in rutile ${\text{TiO}}_{2}$ are studied using generalized Kohn-Sham theory with the Heyd, Scuseria, and Ernzerhof (HSE) hybrid functional for exchange and correlation. The HSE approach corrects the band gap and allows for a proper description of defects with energy levels close to the conduction band. According to the HSE calculations, ${V}_{\text{O}}$ is a shallow donor for which the $+2$ charge state is lower in energy than the neutral and $+1$ charge states for all Fermi-level positions in the band gap. The formation energy of ${V}_{\text{O}}^{2+}$ is relatively low in $n$-type ${\text{TiO}}_{2}$ under O-poor conditions but it rapidly increases with the oxygen chemical potential. This is consistent with experimental observations where the electrical conductivity decreases with oxygen partial pressure.
TL;DR: In this article, a comprehensive overview of the experimental and theoretical topics related to the introduction of nitrogen into both single and multi-walled carbon nanotube structures is provided, and a comparison with other nitrogen-doped carbon systems is also provided.
TL;DR: Neither other-regarding tendencies or preferences for reciprocity and equity, nor group selection or prescriptions from higher authorities, are necessary for the emergence and stability of rudimentary forms of sanctioning institutions regulating common pool resources and enforcing collaborative efforts.
Abstract: Cooperation in evolutionary games can be stabilized through punishment of non-cooperators, at a cost to those who do the punishing. Punishment can take different forms, in particular peer-punishment, in which individuals punish free-riders after the event, and pool-punishment, in which a fund for sanctioning is set up beforehand. These authors show that pool-punishment is superior to peer-punishment in dealing with second-order free-riders, who cooperate in the main game but refuse to contribute to punishment. Cooperation in evolutionary games can be stabilized by the punishment of non-cooperators, at a cost to those doing the punishing. It can take various forms, including peer punishment, where individuals punish free-riders after the event, and pool punishment, where a fund for sanctioning is set up beforehand. The former can be summed up as 'taking the law into your own hands', the latter as having police to do the job. Using a computational model, Sigmund et al. show that pool punishment has the edge over peer punishment in dealing with second-order free-riders — those who cooperate in the main game but refuse to contribute to punishment. The model shows that individuals can spontaneously adopt a self-governing institution to monitor contributions and sanction free-riders. It needs no top-down prescriptions or planning. Trial and error, and the imitation of successful examples, suffice to produce a social contract between individuals guided by self-interest. Theoretical and empirical research highlights the role of punishment in promoting collaborative efforts1,2,3,4,5. However, both the emergence and the stability of costly punishment are problematic issues. It is not clear how punishers can invade a society of defectors by social learning or natural selection, or how second-order free-riders (who contribute to the joint effort but not to the sanctions) can be prevented from drifting into a coercion-based regime and subverting cooperation. Here we compare the prevailing model of peer-punishment6,7,8 with pool-punishment, which consists in committing resources, before the collaborative effort, to prepare sanctions against free-riders. Pool-punishment facilitates the sanctioning of second-order free-riders, because these are exposed even if everyone contributes to the common good. In the absence of such second-order punishment, peer-punishers do better than pool-punishers; but with second-order punishment, the situation is reversed. Efficiency is traded for stability. Neither other-regarding tendencies or preferences for reciprocity and equity, nor group selection or prescriptions from higher authorities, are necessary for the emergence and stability of rudimentary forms of sanctioning institutions regulating common pool resources and enforcing collaborative efforts.
Space Telescope Science Institute1, Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network2, Aarhus University3, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven4, Université Paris-Saclay5, Yale University6, University of Sydney7, University of Birmingham8, University of Porto9, Royal Observatory of Belgium10, Los Alamos National Laboratory11, University of Vienna12, Iowa State University13, Hungarian Academy of Sciences14, University of Central Lancashire15, National Center for Atmospheric Research16, Konkoly Thege Miklós Astronomical Institute17, Spanish National Research Council18, Ames Research Center19, Goddard Space Flight Center20, Harvard University21, Fermilab22
TL;DR: The first 43 days of the Kepler asteroseismology program were reported in this paper, showing that the unique capabilities of Kepler in providing a revolutionary advance in stellar astrophysics are already well in evidence.
Abstract: .Asteroseismology involves probing the interiors of stars and quantifying their global properties, such as radius and age, through observations of normal modes of oscillation. The technical requirements for conducting asteroseismology include ultrahigh precision measured in photometry in parts per million, as well as nearly continuous time series over weeks to years, and cadences rapid enough to sample oscillations with periods as short as a few minutes. We report on results from the first 43 days of observations, in which the unique capabilities of Kepler in providing a revolutionary advance in asteroseismology are already well in evidence. The Kepler asteroseismology program holds intrinsic importance in supporting the core planetary search program through greatly enhanced knowledge of host star properties, and extends well beyond this to rich applications in stellar astrophysics.
TL;DR: Phylogenetic studies based on r-proteins and other core genes, as well as comparative genomics, confirm the assignment of archaea comprising ammonia oxidizers of moderate terrestrial and marine environments to a separate phylum and reveal a Thaumarchaeota-specific set of core informational processing genes.