bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social and public health effects of climate change in the ‘40 South’
Authors: Team Victoria , Manderson Lenore
Published: August 2011

This work provides an overview of the literature on the current and projected social and health effects of climate change in countries affected by sub‐Antarctic atmospheric circulation, including Argentina, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, and South Africa. These countries, which for convenience we gloss as ‘40 South’, are already experiencing considerable impact. Climate change particularly impacts on water and food security, extreme weather events and migration. Projections indicate that the continuing impact of climate change may precipitate political and socioeconomic crises, including increased local, regional, and international migration. We highlight the similarity of the countries in terms of geography, current, and projected climate change impacts, adopted mitigation and adaptation strategies, and vulnerable population groups. While the health and social consequences of climate change draw attention to the differences in the social, political, and economic differences between the countries, we argue the strategic and scientific value of comparisons between them.WIREs Clim Change2011, 2:902–918. doi: 10.1002/wcc.138

This article is categorized under:

Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change > Values‐Based Approach to Vulnerability and Adaptation

Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Regional Reviews
Development of molecular imaging and nanomedicine in China
Authors: Shen Baozhong , Kezheng Wang , Xilin Sun , Lina Wu
Published: August 2011

The rapid progress of molecular imaging (MI) and the application of nanotechnology in medicine have the potential to advance the foundations of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. Although MI and biomedical nanotechnology are still in a formative phase in China, much has been achieved over the last decade. This article provides a commentary on the development and current status of nanomedicine in China, with a selective focus on Chinese nanoparticle synthesis technology, the development of imaging equipment, and the preclinical application of novel MI probes. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2011 3 533–544 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.156

This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing

Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Helix pomatia Agglutinin Binding Glycoproteins in Thyroid Tumors
Authors: Parameswaran Rajeev , Sadler Gregory , Brooks Susan
Published: August 2011

Background

Binding of the lectin Helix pomatia agglutinin (HPA) has been shown to be associated with poor prognosis in many human cancers, but not in thyroid cancer. The aims of the present study were to assess alteration in cellular glycosylation, detected by HPA binding, in thyroid tumors; to determine if such altered glycosylation carries any prognostic significance; and to analyze qualitative and quantitative differences of HPA‐binding glycoproteins in various thyroid tumors.

Methods

Lectin histochemistry was performed on 110 archival paraffin wax embedded specimens of various thyroid tumors excised between the years 1983–1993. Demographic data, histological data, and time to death were recorded, and multivariate Cox regression analysis was performed to determine a prognostic model for patient survival based on the data. Helix pomatia agglutinin binding glycoproteins were isolated from 128 fresh specimens of various thyroid tissues by affinity chromatography, analyzed by SDS‐PAGE and western blotting.

Results

There was a marked qualitative difference in the profile of HPA‐binding glycoproteins, with the malignant thyroid tumors showing a heterogeneous profile of numerous HPA binding glycoprotein bands. Lectin histochemistry showed significant positive HPA binding in malignant thyroid tumors (p = 0.0009). Kaplan–Meir survival analysis revealed that among patients who died of their disease those with HPA‐positive tumors had a significantly shorter survival (p = 0.009).

Conclusions

This is the first study showing that HPA binding glycoproteins are synthesized by thyroid tumors. Thyroid cancers show a broader profile of HPA binding glycoproteins compared to benign thyroid tumors, and positive HPA binding is significantly associated with shorter survival and poorer prognosis in thyroid cancers.
Outcomes of Severely Injured Adult Trauma Patients in an Australian Health Service: Does Trauma Center Level Make a Difference?
Authors: Curtis Kate , Chong Shanley , Mitchell Rebecca , Newcombe Mark , Black Deborah , Langcake Mary
Published: August 2011

Background

Trauma centers are designated to provide systematized multidisciplinary care to injured patients. Effective trauma systems reduce patient mortality by facilitating the treatment of injured patients at appropriately resourced hospitals. Several U.S. studies report reduced mortality among patients admitted directly to a level I trauma center compared with those admitted to hospitals with less resources. It has yet to be shown whether there is an outcome benefit associated with the “level of hospital” initially treating severely injured trauma patients in Australia. This study was designed to determine whether the level of trauma center providing treatment impacts mortality and/or hospital length of stay.

Methods

Outcomes were evaluated for severely injured trauma patients with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) > 15 using NSW Institute of Trauma and Injury Management data from 2002–2007 for our regional health service. To assess the association between trauma centers and binary outcomes, a logistic regression model was used. To assess the association between trauma centers and continuous outcomes, a multivariable linear regression model was used. Sex, age, and ISS were included as covariates in all models.

Results

There were 1,986 trauma presentations during the 6‐year period. Patients presenting to a level III trauma center had a significantly higher risk of death than those presenting to the level I center, regardless of age, sex, ISS, or prehospital time. Peer review of deaths at the level III center identified problems in care delivery in 15 cases associated with technical errors, delay in decision making, or errors of judgement.

Conclusion

Severely injured patients treated at a level III center had a higher mortality rate than those treated at a level I center. Most problems identified occurred in the emergency department and were related to delays in care provision. This research highlights the importance of efficient prehospital, in‐hospital, and regional trauma systems, performance monitoring, peer review, and adherence to protocols and guidelines.
Tertiary Survey Performance in a Regional Trauma Hospital Without a Dedicated Trauma Service
Authors: Keijzers Gerben B. , Campbell Don , Hooper Jeffrey , Bost Nerolie , Crilly Julia , Steele Michael Craig , Eddington Blake , Geeraedts Leo M. G.
Published: August 2011

Background

Initial management of trauma patients is focused on identifying life‐ and limb‐threatening injuries and may lead to missed injuries. A tertiary survey can minimise the number and effect of missed injuries and involves a physical re‐examination and review of all investigations within 24 h of admission. There is little information on current practice of tertiary survey performance in hospitals without a dedicated trauma service. We aimed to determine the rate of tertiary survey performance and the detail of documentation as well as the baseline rate of missed injuries.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, descriptive study of all multitrauma patients who presented to an Australian level II regional trauma centre without a dedicated trauma service between May 2008 and February 2009. A medical records review was conducted to determine tertiary survey performance and missed injury rate.

Results

Of 252 included trauma patients, 20% (n = 51) had a tertiary survey performed. A total of nine missed injuries were detected in eight patients (3.2%). Of the multiple components of the tertiary survey, most were poorly documented. Documentation was more comprehensive in the subgroup of patients who did have a formal tertiary survey.

Conclusions

Tertiary survey performance was poor, as indicated by low documentation rates. The baseline missed injury rate was comparable to previous that of retrospective studies, although in this study an underestimation of true missed injury rates is likely. Implementing a formal, institutional tertiary survey may lead to improved tertiary survey performance and documentation and therefore improved trauma care in hospitals without a dedicated trauma service.
Dunking pancreaticojejunostomy versus duct‐to‐mucosa anastomosis
Authors: Kennedy Eugene P. , Yeo Charles J.
Published: August 2011

Following the resectional aspect of pancreaticoduodenectomy, three anastomoses are used to reestablish gastrointestinal continuity. The pancreatic–enteric anastomosis is by far the most problematic, and has been considered by many the Achilles heel of the pancreaticoduodenal resection. Multiple clinical trials have been published focusing on improving outcomes of the pancreatic–enteric anastomosis, including elements such as the use of prophylactic octreotide, the use of sealants, stenting of the pancreatic duct, and surgical technique. There are two widely used methods to accomplish an end‐to‐side pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) after pancreaticoduodenectomy: either invagination PJ or duct‐to‐mucosa PJ. Two prospective randomized trials have evaluated these techniques, the first a trial by Bassi and co‐authors, and the second a trial by Berger et al. In this article we will focus on our current technique for both invagination pancreaticojejunostomy and duct‐to‐mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy, recognizing that careful surgical technique, surgeon experience, and surgical volume are factors that are important in yielding the best outcomes.
Reading Between the Lines: A Comparison of Responders and Non‐responders to a Family History Questionnaire and Implications for Cancer Genetic Counselling
Authors: Appleby‐Tagoe Julia H. , Foulkes William D. , Palma Laura
Published: August 2011

Family history questionnaires (FHQ) are useful tools for cancer genetic counseling, providing an informational basis for pedigree construction and individualized cancer risk assessment. Reported return rates of mailed FHQs amongst familial cancer clinics that utilize them are lower than desired however, and it is unknown whether patients perceive required completion of a FHQ as a barrier to access of cancer genetics services. This study critically evaluated the use of a mailed FHQ for all routine new patient referrals to a single hereditary cancer clinic in Quebec, Canada. Reasons for response/non‐response to a FHQ and the effect of administration of a questionnaire on patients’ self‐reported level of motivation to pursue genetic counseling, were examined. Of 112 eligible individuals referred during the study period, 86 completed a semi‐structured telephone survey; of these, 45% had returned the mailed FHQ prior to the telephone survey (Responders) and 55% had not (Non‐responders). Overall, the majority of participants indicated a FHQ is an acceptable and understandable method of collecting family history information. Most prevalent reasons for not returning the FHQ were (bad) timing (56%), and difficulty accessing family history information (46%). Non‐response was significantly associated with difficulty in asking relatives for the requested information (p = 0.011), and Non‐responders cited fewer overall perceived benefits of cancer genetic counseling as compared with Responders (p < 0.0001). One quarter of Non‐responders returned the mailed FHQ following administration of the telephone survey, suggesting implementation of a follow‐up prompt is a cost‐effective way to increase response.
Forming State Collaborations to Diversify the Nation's Health Workforce: The Experience of the Sullivan Alliance to Transform the Health Professions
Authors: Mittman Ilana Suez , Sullivan Louis W.
Published: August 2011

Diversifying the nation's health professions is essential in order to maintain a vigorous health workforce, able to respond to the needs of all Americans. The inability of the health workforce to keep pace with the changing demographics of the nation is a major cause of the persistent inequities in access to quality health care for ethnic and racial minorities in the U.S. Ethnic and racial minorities have been underrepresented in the genetic counseling profession since its inception, despite vigorous professional initiatives to remedy this situation. Mittman and Downs published a critical review of these initiatives detailing recommendations for change in this journal in 2008. One of their major recommendations was the need to learn from, and join, efforts with other health professions in seeking to increase professional diversity in genetic counseling. This paper reviews new findings on issues impacting health workforce diversity in the nation, presents a case study of a national best practice to diversify the health workforce and illuminates actions that can be taken by the genetic counseling profession. The Sullivan Alliance to Diversify the Health Professions is a culmination of two historic initiatives for addressing the dearth of minority health professionals and is a national catalyst for increasing diversity within the health professions by forging state collaborations among institutions of higher education, health professions schools and other key stakeholders.
Population Composition, Public Policy, and the Genetics of Smoking
Authors: Boardman Jason D. , Blalock Casey L. , Pampel Fred C. , Hatemi Peter K. , Heath Andrew C. , Eaves Lindon J.
Published: August 2011

In this article, we explore the effect of public policy on the extent to which genes influence smoking desistance. Using a sample of adult twins (nmz = 363, ndz = 233) from a large population registry, we estimate Cox proportional hazards models that describe similarity in the timing of smoking desistance among adult twin pairs. We show that identical twin pairs are significantly more likely to quit smoking within a similar time frame compared with fraternal twin pairs. Importantly, we then show that genetic factors for smoking desistance increase in importance following restrictive legislation on smoking behaviors that occurred in the early and mid-1970s. These findings support the social push perspective and make important contributions to the social demography and genetic epidemiology of smoking as well as to the gene-environment interaction literatures.
Documentation and Continuous Development of Processes for Customer Management: Implications for Profitable Growth
Authors: Aspara Jaakko
Published: August 2011

This article examines how the systematic documentation and continuous development of customer management (CM) processes to be utilized by a firm's customer-facing personnel, contribute to the firm's profitable (sales) growth. The examination is based on management/organization theory on process management, as applied to CM processes. Testing their hypotheses with survey data concerning the customer acquisition and retention processes of a set of firms, the authors find that explicit process documentation contributes to profitable growth, in as much as it facilitates the daily work of the customer-facing personnel (especially sales and marketing people). In contrast, the direct effect of process documentation on profitable growth is found to be non-existent – suggesting that if the documented CM processes do not truly facilitate the daily work of customer-facing personnel, the process documentation may be counterproductive. The authors also find that continuous efforts to develop the CM processes have positive influence on profitable growth – as does sales personnel's and market-analysis personnel's participation in the process development. In conditions of high turbulence in the market environment, the continuous development of CM processes becomes even more important.
Role of peripheral versus spinal 5‐HT7 receptors in the modulation of pain undersensitizing conditions
Authors: Brenchat A. , Zamanillo D. , Hamon M. , Romero L. , Vela J.M.
Published: August 2011

Several studies have suggested that 5‐HT7 receptors are involved in nociceptive processing but the exact contribution of peripheral versus central 5‐HT7 receptors still needs to be elucidated. In the present study, the respective roles of peripheral and spinal 5‐HT7 receptors in the modulation of mechanical hypersensitivity were investigated under two different experimental pain conditions. In a first set of experiments, the selective 5‐HT7 receptor agonist, E‐57431, was systemically, intrathecally or peripherally (intraplantarly) administered to rats sensitized by intraplantar injection of capsaicin. Oral administration of E‐57431 (1.25–10 mg/kg) was found to exert a clear‐cut dose‐dependent reduction of capsaicin‐induced mechanical hypersensitivity. Interestingly, intrathecal administration of E‐57431 (100 μg) also inhibited mechanical hypersensitivity secondary to capsaicin injection. In contrast, a dose‐dependent enhancement of capsaicin‐induced mechanical hypersensitivity was observed after local intraplantar injection of E‐57431 (0.01–1 μg). In a second set of experiments, E‐57431 was systemically or intrathecally administered to rats submitted to neuropathic pain (spared nerve injury model). Significant inhibition of nerve injury‐induced mechanical hypersensitivity was found after intraperitoneal (10 mg/kg) as well as intrathecal (100 μg) administration of E‐57431 in this chronic pain model. These studies provide evidence that, under sensitizing neurogenic/neuropathic conditions, activation of 5‐HT7 receptors exerts antinociceptive effects at the level of the spinal cord and pronociceptive effects at the periphery. The antinociceptive effect mediated by central 5‐HT7 receptors seems to predominate over the pronociceptive effect at the periphery when a selective 5‐HT7 receptor agonist is systemically administered.
The Cost of Empty Threats: A Penny, Not a Pound
Authors: SNYDER JACK , BORGHARD ERICA D.
Published: August 2011

A large literature in political science takes for granted that democratic leaders would pay substantial domestic political costs for failing to carry out the public threats they make in international crises, and consequently that making threats substantially enhances their leverage in crisis bargaining. And yet proponents of this audience costs theory have presented very little evidence that this causal mechanism actually operates in real—as opposed to simulated—crises. We look for such evidence in post-1945 crises and find hardly any. Audience cost mechanisms are rare because (1) leaders see unambiguously committing threats as imprudent, (2) domestic audiences care more about policy substance than about consistency between the leader's words and deeds, (3) domestic audiences care about their country's reputation for resolve and national honor independent of whether the leader has issued an explicit threat, and (4) authoritarian targets of democratic threats do not perceive audience costs dynamics in the same way that audience costs theorists do. We found domestic audience costs as secondary mechanisms in a few cases where the public already had hawkish preferences before any threats were made.
Vitamin D status among adolescents in Europe: the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study
Authors: González-Gross Marcela , Valtueña Jara , Breidenassel Christina , Moreno Luis A. , Ferrari Marika , Kersting Matilde , De Henauw Stefaan , Gottrand Frederic , Azzini Elena , Widhalm Kurt , Kafatos Anthony , Manios Yannis , Stehle Peter
Published: August 2011

An adequate vitamin D status is essential during childhood and adolescence, for its important role in cell growth, skeletal structure and development. It also reduces the risk of conditions such as CVD, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, infections and autoimmune disease. As comparable data on the European level are lacking, assessment of vitamin D concentrations was included in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study. Fasting blood samples were obtained from a subsample of 1006 adolescents (470 males; 46·8 %) with an age range of 12·5–17·5 years, selected in the ten HELENA cities in the nine European countries participating in this cross-sectional study, and analysed for 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D) by ELISA using EDTA plasma. As specific reference values for adolescents are missing, percentile distribution were computed by age and sex. Median 25(OH)D levels for the whole population were 57·1 nmol/l (5th percentile 24·3 nmol/l, 95th percentile 99·05 nmol/l). Vitamin D status was classified into four groups according to international guidelines (sufficiency/optimal levels ≥ 75 nmol/l; insufficiency 50–75 nmol/l; deficiency 27·5–49·99 nmol/l and severe deficiency < 27·5 nmol/l). About 80 % of the sample had suboptimal levels (39 % had insufficient, 27 % deficient and 15 % severely deficient levels). Vitamin D concentrations increased with age (P < 0·01) and tended to decrease according to BMI. Geographical differences were also identified. Our study results indicate that vitamin D deficiency is a highly prevalent condition in European adolescents and should be a matter of concern for public health authorities.
Retracts of trees and free left adequate semigroups
Authors: Kambites Mark
Published: August 2011

Recent research of the author has studied edge-labelled directed trees under a natural multiplication operation. The class of all such trees (with a fixed labelling alphabet) has an algebraic interpretation, as a free object in the class of adequate semigroups. We consider here a natural subclass of these trees, defined by placing a restriction on edge orientations, and show that the resulting algebraic structure is a free object in the class of left adequate semigroups. Through this correspondence we establish some structural and algorithmic properties of free left adequate semigroups and monoids, and consequently of the category of all left adequate semigroups.
On simultaneous rational approximation to ap-adic number and its integral powers
Authors: Bugeaud Yann , Budarina Natalia , Dickinson Detta , O'Donnell Hugh
Published: August 2011

Letpbe a prime number. For a positive integernand ap-adic number ξ, let λn(ξ) denote the supremum of the real numbers λ such that there are arbitrarily large positive integersqsuch that ‖qξ‖p,‖qξ2‖p,…,‖qξn‖pare all less thanq−λ−1. Here, ‖x‖pdenotes the infimum of |x−n|pasnruns through the integers. We study the set of values taken by the function λn.
Parental Obligation
Authors: WIELAND NELLIE
Published: August 2011

The contention of this article is that parents have an obligation to care for their children, but for reasons that are not typically offered. I argue that this obligation can be unfair to parents but not unjust. I do not provide an account of what our specific obligations are to our children. Rather, I focus on providing a justification for any obligation to care for them at all. My argument turns on providing an external description of the parent–child relationship in order to establish that parents are in a unique position among adults in their ability to help and harm their own children. Given that children are deserving of moral regard, I conclude that parents are obligated – in a way that is often unfair – to provide this care. I end by considering implications for social policy.
Boulders and Trolleys
Authors: HASLETT D. W.
Published: August 2011

This discussion attempts to show that the elusive solution to the trolley problem lies hidden in the solution to another perennial problem in moral philosophy: the ducking puzzle. The key to solving the ducking puzzle is an important, but overlooked, exception to our obligation not to harm others, an exception for ‘fair competition’, which, it is argued here, is also the key to solving the trolley problem.
Act and Principle Contractualism
Authors: SHEINMAN HANOCH
Published: August 2011

Unrejectabilityis the property shared by things no one could reasonably reject. Following the lead of T. M. Scanlon, modern contractualists holdPrinciple Contractualism: An act is obligatory when conformity to unrejectable principles requires its performance. This article entertainsAct Contractualism: An act is obligatory when its performance is unrejectable. The article hypothesizes that Principle Contractualism owes its initial plausibility to the assumption that following it somehow realizes unrejectability, if only indirectly. The article then argues that, whereas following Act Contractualism realizes unrejectability, following Principle Contractualism realizes a convoluted, principle-mediated, non-causal conformity relation between acts and unrejectability. But then the notion that this relation is what matters ultimately in action does not seem to enjoy independent plausibility. After interrogating Scanlon's objection that the challenge to the principle-based nature of contractualism is ‘misconceived’, I conclude that Act Contractualism is the more fitting contractualist theory of obligation.
Degrees of Preference and Degrees of Preference Satisfaction
Authors: ROSSI MAURO
Published: August 2011

The standard view holds that the degree to which an individual's preferences are satisfied is simply the degree to which the individual prefers the prospect that is realized to the other prospects in her preference domain. In this article, I reject the standard view by showing that it violates one fundamental intuition about degrees of preference satisfaction.
Is There a Paradox of Moral Complaint?
Authors: SHAHAM TALIA
Published: August 2011

Do victims of moral wrongdoing have moral grounds to complain if they have freely committed a similar wrongdoing in the past? This question explores the connection between the moral standing of complainers and their previous deeds. According to Saul Smilansky two equally justifiable competing views create an antinomy with respect to the said question. In this article I present two arguments that attempt to undermine Smilansky's alleged paradox, presenting it as no more than a resolvable moral conflict. My first argument attempts to resolve the conflict in cases where the complaining wrongdoers have already been sanctioned for their past transgression. My second argument challenges the validity of the alleged paradox, based on an alternative explanation of the seemingly paradoxical moral results.
Erfassung des Selbstkonzepts im mittleren Kindesalter: Validierung einer deutschen Version des SDQ I
Authors: Arens A. Katrin , Trautwein Ulrich , Hasselhorn Marcus
Published: August 2011

Zusammenfassung. Der Self-Description Questionnaire I (SDQ I; Marsh, 1990b ) gehört zu den am ausführlichsten empirisch evaluierten Verfahren zur Erfassung eines multidimensionalen Selbstkonzepts im mittleren Kindesalter. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt eine deutschsprachige Version dieses Instruments vor. Die psychometrischen Eigenschaften des deutschen SDQ I wurden an N = 589 Schülern der Klassenstufen drei bis sechs untersucht. Es zeigte sich, dass sich die Mehrheit der Skalen des vorgestellten Verfahrens zur reliablen und validen Erfassung eines inhaltlich ausdifferenzierten Selbstkonzepts bei Kindern eignet. Validitätseinschränkungen ergaben sich hingegen für das über Selbsteinschätzungen zum Lesen erfasst verbale Selbstkonzept, das nicht deutlicher mit der Deutschnote korrelierte (r = .32) als das akademische Selbstkonzept für verschiedene Schulfächer (r = .38). Außerdem sprachen die Befunde dafür, dass beim akademischen Selbstkonzept neben einem verbalen und mathematischen Bereich auch zwischen einem Kompetenz- und Affektbereich zu unterscheiden ist. Damit liefert die hier vorgestellte deutsche Version des SDQ I wichtige Erkenntnisse über die multidimensionale Selbstkonzeptstruktur in der mittleren Kindheit.
Die Bedeutung des Migrationshintergrunds, des Kindergartenbesuchs sowie der Zusammensetzung der Kindergartengruppe für sprachliche Leistungen von Vorschulkindern
Authors: Niklas Frank , Schmiedeler Sandra , Pröstler Nina , Schneider
Published: August 2011

Zusammenfassung. Da die Beherrschung der deutschen Sprache eine notwendige Voraussetzung für eine erfolgreiche Schullaufbahn darstellt, wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit untersucht, ob und in welcher Art sich die sprachlichen Fähigkeiten von Vorschulkindern mit und ohne Migrationshintergrund unterscheiden und welche moderierenden Faktoren inklusive der Zusammensetzung der Kindergartengruppen bedeutsam sind. Untersucht wurden 794 Vorschulkinder im Alter von durchschnittlich 4;10 Jahren im vorletzten Kindergartenjahr. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Kinder mit Migrationshintergrund in der Sprachkompetenz, in der phonologischen Bewusstheit im weiteren Sinne und in der Benennungsgeschwindigkeit bereits eineinhalb Jahre vor Schuleintritt deutliche Defizite im Vergleich zu Kindern ohne Migrationshintergrund aufweisen, wobei insbesondere Kinder mit zwei im Ausland geborenen Elternteilen benachteiligt sind. Die Zusammensetzung der jeweiligen Kindergartengruppe stellt sich über die individuellen Faktoren hinaus als bedeutsam für die Aufklärung der Sprachleistungen heraus. Zudem finden sich bedeutsame Interaktionen zwischen individuellen und Kompositionsfaktoren. Für die Kindergartenbesuchsdauer zeigen sich über die Kontrollvariablen hinaus mit der Sprachkompetenz, der phonologischen Bewusstheit im weiteren Sinne und dem auditiven Arbeitsgedächtnis bedeutsame Zusammenhänge.
Studienwahlmotivation und Persönlichkeitseigenschaften als Prädiktoren für Zufriedenheit und Strategienutzung im Lehramtsstudium
Authors: Künsting Josef , Lipowsky Frank
Published: August 2011

Zusammenfassung. Anhand von N = 844 Lehramtsstudierenden wird überprüft, inwiefern Studienwahlmotivationen und Persönlichkeitseigenschaften eine Rolle für die Zufriedenheit und die selbstberichtete Strategienutzung zu Beginn des Lehramtsstudiums spielen. Im Rahmen der Längsschnittstudie STUVE (Studienverlauf und -erfolg Kasseler Lehramtsstudierender) werden erste querschnittliche Befunde in Form von prädiktiven Strukturgleichungsmodellen vorgestellt. Im Ergebnis sagen die intrinsische Studienwahlmotivation und die Gewissenhaftigkeit unter Kontrolle der Lernzielorientierung und der Abiturnote die selbstberichtete Studienstrategienutzung und die Studienzufriedenheit bedeutsam positiv vorher, während die extrinsische Studienwahlmotivation und der Neurotizismus nicht bzw. negativ mit diesen Variablen zusammenhängen. Dieses Ergebnismuster zeigt sich größtenteils unabhängig z. B. vom Geschlecht und vom Lehramtsstudiengang.
Evaluating the potential for remote bathymetric mapping of a turbid, sand‐bed river: 1. Field spectroscopy and radiative transfer modeling
Authors: Legleiter Carl J. , Kinzel Paul J. , Overstreet Brandon T.
Published: August 2011

Remote sensing offers an efficient means of mapping bathymetry in river systems, but this approach has been applied primarily to clear‐flowing, gravel bed streams. This study used field spectroscopy and radiative transfer modeling to assess the feasibility of spectrally based depth retrieval in a sand‐bed river with a higher suspended sediment concentration (SSC) and greater water turbidity. Attenuation of light within the water column was characterized by measuring the amount of downwelling radiant energy at different depths and calculating a diffuse attenuation coefficient, Kd. Attenuation was strongest in blue and near‐infrared bands due to scattering by suspended sediment and absorption by water, respectively. Even for red wavelengths with the lowest values of Kd, only a small fraction of the incident light propagated to the bed, restricting the range of depths amenable to remote sensing. Spectra recorded above the water surface were used to establish a strong, linear relationship (R2 = 0.949) between flow depth and a simple band ratio; even under moderately turbid conditions, depth remained the primary control on reflectance. Constraints on depth retrieval were examined via numerical modeling of radiative transfer within the atmosphere and water column. SSC and sensor radiometric resolution limited both the maximum detectable depth and the precision of image‐derived depth estimates. Thus, although field spectra indicated that the bathymetry of turbid channels could be remotely mapped, model results implied that depth retrieval in sediment‐laden rivers would be limited to shallow depths (on the order of 0.5 m) and subject to a significant degree of uncertainty.
Evaluating the potential for remote bathymetric mapping of a turbid, sand‐bed river: 2. Application to hyperspectral image data from the Platte River
Authors: Legleiter Carl J. , Kinzel Paul J. , Overstreet Brandon T.
Published: August 2011

This study examined the possibility of mapping depth from optical image data in turbid, sediment‐laden channels. Analysis of hyperspectral images from the Platte River indicated that depth retrieval in these environments is feasible, but might not be highly accurate. Four methods of calibrating image‐derived depth estimates were evaluated. The first involved extracting image spectra at survey point locations throughout the reach. These paired observations of depth and reflectance were subjected to optimal band ratio analysis (OBRA) to relate (R2 = 0.596) a spectrally based quantity to flow depth. Two other methods were based on OBRA of data from individual cross sections. A fourth strategy used ground‐based reflectance measurements to derive an OBRA relation (R2 = 0.944) that was then applied to the image. Depth retrieval accuracy was assessed by visually inspecting cross sections and calculating various error metrics. Calibration via field spectroscopy resulted in a shallow bias but provided relative accuracies similar to image‐based methods. Reach‐aggregated OBRA was marginally superior to calibrations based on individual cross sections, and depth retrieval accuracy varied considerably along each reach. Errors were lower and observed versus predicted regression R2 values higher for a relatively simple, deeper site than a shallower, braided reach; errors were 1/3 and 1/2 the mean depth for the two reaches. Bathymetric maps were coherent and hydraulically reasonable, however, and might be more reliable than implied by numerical metrics. As an example application, linear discriminant analysis was used to produce a series of depth threshold maps for characterizing shallow‐water habitat for roosting cranes.
The Casuarina glauca metallothionein I promoter in nodulated transgenic hairy roots of the actinorhizal plant Datisca glomerata
Authors: Rashidi Behnoosh , Mehrabi Sara , Demchenko Kirill , Pawlowski Katharina
Published: August 2011

The activity of the promoter of a metallothionein gene expressed in actinorhizal nodules of Casuarina glauca Sieber ex Spreng., CgMT1, has previously been analysed in Casaurinaceae and in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.), Arabidopsis and rice. In all these plants, the promoter showed high activity in the root cortex and epidermis, making it a useful tool for the expression of transgenes. Therefore, its activity was now analysed in transgenic root systems of Datisca glomerata (C. Presl) Baill, an actinorhizal plant from a different phylogenetic group than C. glauca, using the same CgMT1::GUS fusion as in previous studies. However, in contrast with all other plant species examined previously, the CgMT1::GUS construct showed no activity at all in D. glomerata hairy roots: the expression pattern in nodules resembled that found in C. glauca nodules. This is probably due to the changed hormone balance in hairy roots since experiments on the CgMT1::GUS construct in transgenic Arabidopsis showed that CgMT1 promoter activity was repressed by auxin or cytokinin, respectively. Yet, in hairy roots of the model legume Lotus japonicus L. induced by the same Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain, the CgMT1 promoter was active in roots and not in nodules. These results indicate that although the expression of pRi T-DNA genes leads to changes in root hormone balance, these changes do not abolish the differences in phytohormone levels or sensitivity between plant species. Therefore, gene expression data obtained using transgenic hairy root systems have to be viewed with care, not only due to the disturbed hormone balance, but also because the effects of the pRI-T-DNA genes can differ between species.
Taxonomic resolution of actinorhizal Myrica species from Meghalaya (India) through nuclear rDNA sequence analyses
Authors: Yanthan Mhathung , Biate David , Misra Arvind K.
Published: August 2011

Three different morphological variants of genus Myrica L. (Myricaceae) are found in Meghalaya, India. There is a dispute regarding their classification. Some authors treat them as two separate species (Myrica nagi Thunb. and Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don) whereas others feel that M. nagi and M. esculenta are synonyms. In an effort to resolve this dispute, we investigated the nuclear rRNA genes segment of DNA of these variants utilising the amplicon restriction patterns, nucleotide sequences and secondary folding of the 5.8S rRNA. It is proposed that M. nagi and M. esculenta be treated as two separate species.
An overview of actinorhizal plants in Africa
Authors: Gtari Maher , Dawson Jeffrey O.
Published: August 2011

A compilation and synthesis of information derived from plant databases and other sources on the occurrence, diversity and geographic distribution of actinorhizal plants in Africa is presented in this review. Actinorhizal plants are a specific group of non-leguminous, woody dicots having symbiotic, nitrogen-fixing root nodules that are induced on roots of actinorhizal plant species by soil actinomycetes of the genus Frankia. There is a lack of basic information on actinorhizal plants in Africa compared with other major land masses in the world. Results indicate that most, if not all, African countries and climatic regions have native or introduced actinorhizal species. A synthesis of available information indicates that there are six families, nine genera and 38 reported species of actinorhizal plants in Africa. Of these, 21 species are native and 17 are exotic. The families and corresponding number of species in each genus are: Betulaceae (native Alnus glutinosa (1), exotic Alnus (2)); Casuarinaceae (exotic Casuarina (5), exotic Allocasuarina (3), exotic Gymnostoma deplancheana (1)); Coriariaceae (native Coriaria myrtifolia (1)); Myricaceae (native Morella (19), exotic Morella cerifera (1)); Rhamnaceae (exotic Ceanothus caeruleus (1), exotic Colletia paradoxa (1)); and Elaeagnaceae (exotic Eleaegnus angustifolia (1)). Four reports of native, actinorhizal Ceanothus species in Africa found in the database were determined to be false, instead, being non-actinorhizal species. Widespread plantings of exotic Casuarinaceae have been introduced into tropical and arid zones of Africa as multipurpose trees, especially in arid regions where native species do not occur. There is a diverse assemblage of native species of Morella in Africa, mostly shrubs or small trees, which provide medicine, other useful chemicals and wildlife habitat. Many native Morella species are isolated in montane islands, apparently leading to greater speciation than in Eurasia from where the genus migrated into Africa. The current status and knowledge of African actinorhizal plants indicates a need to focus research on their biogeography, biology, ecology, genetics and use.
Reproductive ecology of Ochetophila trinervis in Northwest Patagonia
Authors: Reyes M. Fernanda , Gobbi Miriam E. , Chaia Eugenia E.
Published: August 2011

Native actinorhizal species Ochetophila trinervis (Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.) Poepp. ex Miers, also known as Discaria trinervis (Kellermann et al. 2005), grows along watercourses and distant from them, along a rainfall gradient in north-west Patagonia. We studied the reproductive ecology of this species under different macro- and micro-environmental conditions, in three zones in a rainfall gradient (western, intermediate and eastern) with two sites for each one, near and distant to a watercourse (riparian and dry-land). We performed field studies and germination trials. Plant size, reproductive effort (seed abundance per branch) and seed bank size of O. trinervis, were favoured by the proximity of streams in the drier environments of the gradient. The abundance of seedlings and saplings in the field was very low, which was in agreement with a lack of germination in the field, despite the good germination capacity of seeds. Sexual reproduction of O. trinervis was affected by the low abundance of seedlings. Lower rainfall, higher temperatures and a longer growing season along the gradient favour the potential regeneration of the species. Because of its nitrogen-fixing capacity and other features, O. trinervis has potential for reclamation of eroded lands in Patagonia. Patterns of seed biology and regeneration presented in this study will aid in the use of O. trinervis in the reclamation of disturbed lands.
Diffusible factors from Frankia modify nodulation kinetics in Discaria trinervis, an intercellular root-infected actinorhizal symbiosis
Authors: Gabbarini Luciano Andrés , Wall Luis Gabriel
Published: August 2011

Frankia BCU110501 induces nitrogen-fixing root nodules in Discaria trinervis (Gillies ex Hook. & Arn.) Reiche (Rhamnaceae) via intercellular colonisation, without root hair deformation. It produces diffusible factors (DFs) that might be involved in early interactions with the D. trinervis roots, playing a role in the nodulation process. The induction of root nodule development in actinorhizal symbiosis would depend on the concentration of factors produced by the bacteria and the plant. A detailed analysis of nodulation kinetics revealed that these DFs produce changes at the level of initial rate of nodulation and also in nodulation profile. Diluted Frankia BCU110501 inoculum could be activated in less than 96 h by DFs produced by Frankia BCU110501 cells that had been previously washed. Biochemical characterisation showed that Frankia BCU110501 DFs have a molecular weight of <12 kDa, are negatively charged at pH 7.0 and seem to contain a peptide bond necessary for their activity. Frankia BCU110501, belonging to Frankia Clade 3, does not induce nodules in Alnus acuminata H.B.K. ssp. acuminata but is able to deform root hairs, as do Frankia strains from Clade 1. The root hair deforming activity of Frankia BCU110501 DFs show the same biochemical characteristics of the DFs involved in nodulation of D. trinervis. These results suggest that Frankia symbiotic factors have a basic structure regardless of the infection pathway of the host plant.
Evidence for community structuring associated with the actinorhizal shrub Ceanothus americanus in tallgrass prairies in Illinois, USA
Authors: Taft John B. , Dawson Jeffrey O.
Published: August 2011

The role of the actinorhizal shrub Ceanothus americanus L. in community organisation of native grasslands was examined in three Illinois tallgrass prairie remnants. We asked can C. americanus structure tallgrass prairie at the patch scale through nitrogen fixation leading to differences in species assemblages and diversity? Expectations were that warm season (C4) graminoid species would be more abundant and species diversity would be greater outside Ceanothus patches than in patches associated with C. americanus where, based on results from numerous nitrogen augmentation and deposition studies, we expected greater abundance of cool season (C3) graminoid species and lower species diversity. Plots with and without association to C. americanus were compared for differences in floristic similarity, diversity, and C3 versus C4 graminoid species abundance. C3 graminoid species, including the adventive Poa pratensis L., were significantly more abundant in prairie associated with C. americanus than were C4 species. C4 species, such as Andropogon gerardi Vitman and Schizachyrium scopariumii (Michx.) Nash., were more abundant than C3 graminoid species in prairie patches without association to C. americanus. Means for diversity among plots associated with C. americanus were significantly lower than for other plots, nearly so for evenness and species density, but not different for sum total cover or total species richness. There were no statistically-significant differences in measures of mean total soil nitrogen at points along linear transects radiating from the base of C. americanus shrubs nor between mean soil amino-sugar-nitrogen concentrations within and outside of C. americanus patches. Nonetheless, comparative evidence supports the hypothesis that C. americanus structures composition and diversity at the local patch scale in tallgrass prairie.
Progress on research on actinorhizal plants
Authors: Pawlowski Katharina , Bogusz Didier , Ribeiro Ana , Berry Alison M.
Published: August 2011

In recent years, our understanding of the plant side of actinorhizal symbioses has evolved rapidly. No homologues of the common nod genes from rhizobia were found in the three Frankia genomes published so far, which suggested that Nod factor-like molecules would not be used in the infection of actinorhizal plants by Frankia. However, work on chimeric transgenic plants indicated that Frankia Nod factor equivalents signal via the same transduction pathway as rhizobial Nod factors. The role of auxin in actinorhizal nodule formation differs from that in legume nodulation. Great progress has been made in the analysis of pathogenesis-related and stress-related gene expression in nodules. Research on nodule physiology has shown the structural and metabolic diversity of actinorhizal nodules from different phylogenetic branches. The onset of large-scale nodule transcriptome analysis in different actinorhizal systems will provide access to more information on the symbiosis and its evolution.
Strain specificity in the Myricaceae - Frankia symbiosis is correlated to plant root phenolics
Authors: Popovici Jean , Walker Vincent , Bertrand Cédric , Bellvert Floriant , Fernandez Maria P. , Comte Gilles
Published: August 2011

Plant secondary metabolites play an important role in the interaction between plants and their environment. For example, mutualistic nitrogen-fixing symbioses typically involve phenolic-based recognition between host plants and bacteria. Although these mechanisms are well studied in the rhizobia–legume symbiosis, little is known about the role of plant phenolics in the symbiosis between actinorhizal plants and the actinobacterium Frankia. In this study, the responsiveness of two Myricaceae plant species, Myrica gale L. and Morella cerifera L., to Frankia inoculation was correlated with the plant–bacteria compatibility status. Two Frankia strains were inoculated: ACN14a, compatible with both M. gale and M. cerifera and Ea112, compatible only with M. cerifera. The effect of inoculation on root phenolic metabolism was evaluated by metabolic profiling based on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and principal component analysis (PCA). Our results revealed that: (i) both Frankia strains induced major modifications in root phenolic content of the two Myricaceae species and (ii) strain-dependant modifications of the phenolic contents were detected. The main plant compounds differentially affected by Frankia inoculation are phenols, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acids. This work provides evidence that during the initial phases of symbiotic interactions, Myricaceae plants adapt their secondary metabolism in accordance with the compatibility status of Frankia bacterial strains.