bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dabigatran for Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Answers to Challenging “Real-World” Questions
Authors: Ferreira Jorge , Ferreira Daniel , Viana-Baptista Miguel , Bettencourt Paulo , Cernadas Rui , Crespo Francisco
Published: May 2012

Dabigatran etexilate is a novel, oral, reversible, direct thrombin inhibitor that constitutes a major breakthrough for stroke prevention in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Dabigatran was the first new oral anticoagulant approved in Europe and became available in Portugal, for stroke prevention in nonvalvular AF, earlier than in most European countries. This paper is the joint effort of a panel of experts from different specialties and provides information on the use of dabigatran, in anticipation of the challenges that will come with increased usage.
Skin Barrier Function and Its Importance at the Start of the Atopic March
Authors: Hogan Mary Beth , Peele Kathy , Wilson Nevin W.
Published: May 2012

Atopic dermatitis can be due to a variety of causes from nonatopic triggers to food allergy. Control of egress of water and protection from ingress of irritants and allergens are key components of cutaneous barrier function. Current research suggests that a degraded barrier function of the skin allows the immune system inappropriate access to environmental allergens. Epidermal aeroallergen exposure may allow sensitization to allergen possibly initiating the atopic march. Further research into connections between epidermal barrier function and possible allergen sensitization will be important to undertake. Future clinical trials focused on skin barrier protection may be of value as a possible intervention in prevention of the initiation of the atopic march.
Promoting Appropriate Use of Drugs in Children
Authors: Yewale Vijay N. , Dharmapalan Dhanya
Published: May 2012

Promotion of appropriate and safe drugs in children is the need of the hour globally. Pediatric population by itself is a spectrum of different physiologies with significant variation in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Unfortunately, 50–90% of drugs used in children today have never been actually studied in this population, and the results of drug studies done in adults are often extrapolated for use in children. Many medicines in pediatrics are off label or unlicensed. There is a spurt in drug resistance due to the overzealous prescription of antimicrobials not indicated, such as, using inadequate dosage or duration of drug regime leading to partially treated infections, using the wrong antimicrobial due to ignorance of causative organism, and finally using indigenous, irrational combinations. Availability of properly labeled and safe pediatric formulations, regular audit by pharmacists, judicious prescriptions, proper counseling about drug administration, surveillance of adverse effects, and pediatric drug trials can be the best possible interventions to offer appropriate medicines to children and thereby save millions of lives.
Simulation of Nonpolar p-GaN/i-N/n-GaN Solar Cells
Authors: Jeng Ming-Jer
Published: May 2012

It is well known that nitride-based devices suffer the polarization effects. A promising way to overcome the polarization effects is growth in a direction perpendicular to thec-axis (nonpolar direction). Nonpolar devices do not suffer polarization charge, and then they have a chance to achieve the high solar efficiency. The understanding of the solar performance of non-polar InGaN-based solar cells will be interesting. For a pin non-polar solar cell with GaN p- and n-cladding layers, the conduction band offset (or barrier height, ) between an intrinsic layer and n-GaN layer is an important issue correlating to the efficiency and fill factor. The efficiency and fill factor will be seriously degraded due to sufficiently high barrier height. To reduce a high barrier height, some graded layers with an energy bandgap between the energy bandgap of n-GaN and InxGa1−xN intrinsic layer can be inserted to the interface of n-GaN and InxGa1-xN layers. From simulation, it indicates that the insertion of graded layer is an effective method to lower energy barrier when there exists a high energy band offset in non-polar nitride devices.
SVONAR: A New Quantitative Method for Studying Learner Satisfaction
Authors: Kokol Peter , Cvetek Slavko , Kokol Marko , Kokol Petra , Urbas Matej
Published: May 2012

We investigated students’ feelings and well-being during the lesson. We were working on a problem of how to adjust teaching in the secondary school and achieve that students will feel as good as possible and better follow the instruction. A hypothesis was set that, by measuring the desired length of lesson and factors which influence lesson length, we can measure and influence student satisfaction. Based on this hypothesis we investigated the factors which have influence on lesson length in a particular subject. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire. The subjects were students ofII. gimnazija(secondary grammar school). The responses were analysed to obtain correlations between the factors (average grade in a subject, boredness and likableness of the teacher, length and level of boreness of lesson content, fear of the teacher) and lesson length. Results suggest that, by modifying these factors we could change students’ opinions, that is, increase their willingness to attend classes. The set hypothesis was confirmed and it was shown that by using simple diagrammatic models built on the basis of linear regression we can identify and study the influence of these factors on lesson length.
Nuclear Level Density Parameters ofPb203-209andBi206-210Deformed Target Isotopes Used on Accelerator-Driven Systems in Collective Excitation Modes
Authors: Okuducu Şeref , Aktı Nisa N. , Akbaş Sabahattin , Kansu M. Orhan
Published: May 2012

The nuclear level density parameters of some deformed isotopes of target nuclei (Pb, Bi) used on the accelerator-driven subcritical systems (ADSs) have been calculated taking into consideration different collective excitation modes of observed nuclear spectra near the neutron binding energy. The method used in the present work assumes equidistant spacing of the collective coupled state bands of the considered isotopes. The present calculated results for different collective excitation bands have been compared with the compiled values from the literature for s-wave neutron resonance data, and good agreement was found.
Life History of the Camelthorn Gall Leafhopper,Scenergates viridis(Vilbaste) (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae)
Authors: Rakitov Roman , Appel Esther
Published: May 2012

The world’s only member of Hemiptera Auchenorrhyncha known to form true galls, the leafhopperScenergates viridis(Vilbaste) (Cicadellidae), transforms leaves of camelthorn (Alhagi maurorumMedikus, Fabaceae) into pod-like chambers, up to 35 mm long, inside which individual leafhoppers develop, mate, and lay eggs. At the study site 40 km SE of Bukhara (Uzbekistan), two generations develop annually. First-instar nymphs cause young leaves to fold along the midrib. The subsequent development takes place inside the tightly closed growing gall, plugged at both ends with a mixture of leafhopper excrement, brochosomes, and crushed exuviae. These plugs act as mechanical barriers and sticky traps for intruders. The inner surface of the gall, lined with brochosomes and wax platelets, is hydrophobic. Adult males emerge from their galls and squeeze into female galls. Fertilized females insert an average of 146 eggs under the gall’s inner epidermis and remain inside, possibly protecting the brood, until they die. The walls of the galls containing eggs are approximately three times thicker than regular leaves. The galls are subject to predation by Gelechiidae caterpillars; the eggs of the leafhopper are parasitized by two species of Trichogrammatidae and one Mymaridae (Hymenoptera), and its larvae by one species of Pipunculidae (Diptera).
Melphalan Culprit or Confounder in Acute Encephalopathy during Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation?
Authors: Alayón-Laguer Diógenes , Alsina Melissa , Ochoa-Bayona Jose L. , Ayala Ernesto
Published: May 2012

We report a case of a female patient with Durie-Salmon stage 3A/ISS stage I IgG kappa multiple myeloma (MM) who developed encephalopathy after high-dose melphalan and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). The most common etiologies for encephalopathy such as infection, narcotic medications, metabolic-electrolyte disturbance, stroke, and central nervous system (CNS) hemorrhages were ruled out. The patient recovered from the altered mental status spontaneously. The possibilities of melphalan-induced encephalopathy versus critical-state delirium versus hypercytokinemia induce encephalopathy were contemplated.
Lipid-Regulating Effect of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Mechanisms of Actions
Authors: Bei Wei-Jian , Guo Jiao , Wu Hai-Yun , Cao Yang
Published: May 2012

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been increasingly used for the treatment of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease. Recently, much progress has been made in studies on the mechanisms of action of the lipid-regulating effect of TCM in animal experiments. Current researches showed that the lipid-regulating effect of TCM may be related to the following actions: (1) inhibiting intestinal absorption of lipids; (2) reducing the biosynthesis of endogenous lipids; (3) increasing the catabolism of lipid, sterol substances in live system; (4) increasing the secretion of sterol substances in live system; (5) regulating transcription factors related to lipid metabolism. This paper provides an overview of the recent advances and discusses their implications in future development of lipid-lowering drugs from TCM.
Using Truncated Data Sets in Spherical-Scanning Antenna Measurements
Authors: Wittmann Ronald C. , Stubenrauch Carl F. , Francis Michael H.
Published: May 2012

We discuss the mitigation of truncation errors in spherical-scanning measurements by use of a constrained least-squares estimation method. The main emphasis is the spherical harmonic representation of probe transmitting and receiving functions; however, our method is applicable to near-field measurement of electrically small antennas for which full-sphere data are either unreliable or unavailable.
Breast Cancer Cell Uptake of the Inflammatory Mediator Neutrophil Elastase Triggers an Anticancer Adaptive Immune Response
Authors: Mittendorf Elizabeth A. , Alatrash Gheath , Qiao Na , Wu Yun , Sukhumalchandra Pariya , St. John Lisa S. , Philips Anne V. , Xiao Haile , Zhang Mao , Ruisaard Kathryn , Clise-Dwyer Karen , Lu Sijie , Molldrem Jeffrey J.
Published: May 2012

There is little understanding of the impact of tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) on adaptive immunity to tumors. In this study, we report the results of an investigation of the pathobiologic basis for the prognostic significance of neutrophil elastase, a serine protease found in neutrophil granules, in a model of cyclin E (CCNE)–overexpressing breast cancer. We established that neutrophil elastase was expressed by TAN within breast cancer tissues but not by breast cancer cells. Neutrophil elastase modulated killing of breast cancer cells by CTLs specific for CCNE-derived HLA-A2–restricted peptide (ILLDWLMEV). Breast cancer cells exhibited striking antigen-specific uptake of neutrophil elastase from the microenvironment that was independent of neutrophil elastase enzymatic activity. Furthermore, neutrophil elastase uptake increased expression of low molecular weight forms of CCNE and enhanced susceptibility to peptide-specific CTL lysis, suggesting that CCNE peptides are naturally presented on breast cancer cells. Taken together, our findings reveal a previously unknown mechanism of antitumor adaptive immunity that links cancer cell uptake of an inflammatory mediator to an effective cytolytic response against an important breast cancer antigen. Cancer Res; 72(13); 3153–62. ©2012 AACR.
TMEM16A Induces MAPK and Contributes Directly to Tumorigenesis and Cancer Progression
Authors: Duvvuri Umamaheswar , Shiwarski Daniel J. , Xiao Dong , Bertrand Carol , Huang Xin , Edinger Robert S. , Rock Jason R. , Harfe Brian D. , Henson Brian J. , Kunzelmann Karl , Schreiber Rainer , Seethala Raja S. , Egloff Ann Marie , Chen Xing , Lui Vivian W. , Grandis Jennifer R. , Gollin Susanne M.
Published: May 2012

Frequent gene amplification of the receptor-activated calcium-dependent chloride channel TMEM16A (TAOS2 or ANO1) has been reported in several malignancies. However, its involvement in human tumorigenesis has not been previously studied. Here, we show a functional role for TMEM16A in tumor growth. We found TMEM16A overexpression in 80% of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCCHN), which correlated with decreased overall survival in patients with SCCHN. TMEM16A overexpression significantly promoted anchorage-independent growth in vitro, and loss of TMEM16A resulted in inhibition of tumor growth both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, TMEM16A-induced cancer cell proliferation and tumor growth were accompanied by an increase in extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation and cyclin D1 induction. Pharmacologic inhibition of MEK/ERK and genetic inactivation of ERK1/2 (using siRNA and dominant-negative constructs) abrogated the growth effect of TMEM16A, indicating a role for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in TMEM16A-mediated proliferation. In addition, a developmental small-molecule inhibitor of TMEM16A, T16A-inh01 (A01), abrogated tumor cell proliferation in vitro. Together, our findings provide a mechanistic analysis of the tumorigenic properties of TMEM16A, which represents a potentially novel therapeutic target. The development of small-molecule inhibitors against TMEM16A may be clinically relevant for treatment of human cancers, including SCCHN. Cancer Res; 72(13); 3270–81. ©2012 AACR.
Molecular Pathways: Rodent Parvoviruses—Mechanisms of Oncolysis and Prospects for Clinical Cancer Treatment
Authors: Nüesch Jürg P.F. , Lacroix Jeannine , Marchini Antonio , Rommelaere Jean
Published: May 2012

Rodent parvoviruses (PV) are recognized for their intrinsic oncotropism and oncolytic activity, which contribute to their natural oncosuppressive effects. Although PV uptake occurs in most host cells, some of the subsequent steps leading to expression and amplification of the viral genome and production of progeny particles are upregulated in malignantly transformed cells. By usurping cellular processes such as DNA replication, DNA damage response, and gene expression, and/or by interfering with cellular signaling cascades involved in cytoskeleton dynamics, vesicular integrity, cell survival, and death, PVs can induce cytostasis and cytotoxicity. Although productive PV infections normally culminate in cytolysis, virus spread to neighboring cells and secondary rounds of infection, even abortive infection or the sole expression of the PV nonstructural protein NS1, is sufficient to cause significant tumor cell death, either directly or indirectly (through activation of host immune responses). This review highlights the molecular pathways involved in tumor cell targeting by PVs and in PV-induced cell death. It concludes with a discussion of the relevance of these pathways to the application of PVs in cancer therapy, linking basic knowledge of PV–host cell interactions to preclinical assessment of PV oncosuppression. Clin Cancer Res; 18(13); 3516–23. ©2012 AACR.
Molecular Pathways: The Role of NR4A Orphan Nuclear Receptors in Cancer
Authors: Mohan Helen M. , Aherne Carol M. , Rogers Ailin C. , Baird Alan W. , Winter Des C. , Murphy Evelyn P.
Published: May 2012

Nuclear receptors are of integral importance in carcinogenesis. Manipulation of classic ligand-activated nuclear receptors, such as estrogen receptor blockade in breast cancer, is an important established cancer therapy. Orphan nuclear receptors, such as nuclear family 4 subgroup A (NR4A) receptors, have no known natural ligand(s). These elusive receptors are increasingly recognized as molecular switches in cell survival and a molecular link between inflammation and cancer. NR4A receptors act as transcription factors, altering expression of downstream genes in apoptosis (Fas-ligand, TRAIL), proliferation, DNA repair, metabolism, cell migration, inflammation (interleukin-8), and angiogenesis (VEGF). NR4A receptors are modulated by multiple cell-signaling pathways, including protein kinase A/CREB, NF-κB, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT, c-jun-NH2-kinase, Wnt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. NR4A receptor effects are context and tissue specific, influenced by their levels of expression, posttranslational modification, and interaction with other transcription factors (RXR, PPAR-ϒ). The subcellular location of NR4A “nuclear receptors” is also important functionally; novel roles have been described in the cytoplasm where NR4A proteins act both indirectly and directly on the mitochondria to promote apoptosis via Bcl-2. NR4A receptors are implicated in a wide variety of malignancies, including breast, lung, colon, bladder, and prostate cancer; glioblastoma multiforme; sarcoma; and acute and/or chronic myeloid leukemia. NR4A receptors modulate response to conventional chemotherapy and represent an exciting frontier for chemotherapeutic intervention, as novel agents targeting NR4A receptors have now been developed. This review provides a concise clinical overview of current knowledge of NR4A signaling in cancer and the potential for therapeutic manipulation. Clin Cancer Res; 18(12); 3223–8. ©2012 AACR.
Liver Regenerative Medicine: Advances and Challenges
Authors: Chistiakov Dimitry A.
Published: May 2012

Liver transplantation is the standard care for many end-stage liver diseases. However, donor organs are scarce and some people succumb to liver failure before a donor is found. Liver regenerative medicine is a special interdisciplinary field of medicine focused on the development of new therapies incorporating stem cells, gene therapy and engineered tissues in order to repair or replace the damaged organ. In this review we consider the emerging progress achieved in the hepatic regenerative medicine within the last decade. The review starts with the characterization of liver organogenesis, fetal and adult stem/progenitor cells. Then, applications of primary hepatocytes, embryonic and adult (mesenchymal, hematopoietic and induced pluripotent) stem cells in cell therapy of liver diseases are considered. Current advances and challenges in producing mature hepatocytes from stem/progenitor cells are discussed. A section about hepatic tissue engineering includes consideration of synthetic and natural biomaterials in engineering scaffolds, strategies and achievements in the development of 3D bioactive matrices and 3D hepatocyte cultures, liver microengineering, generating bioartificial liver and prospects for fabrication of the bioengineered liver.
Correlations between HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 Allele Polymorphisms and Childhood Susceptibility to Acquired Aplastic Anemia
Authors: Chen Chun , Lu Suying , Luo Min , Zhang Bihong , Xiao Lulu
Published: May 2012

To investigate the correlations between polymorphisms of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles and childhood susceptibility to aplastic anemia (AA), 80 children with AA were investigated. Among the 80 children, 74 had severe AA (SAA). Blood samples were collected from 109 healthy children as the controls. High-resolution genotyping of HLA-A, HLA-B and HLA-DRB1 alleles was conducted using polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence-specific primers and polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence-based typing. The expression frequencies of HLA-B*48:01 and DRB1*09:01 were significantly higher and the frequencies of HLA-B*51:01, DRB1*03:01 and DRB1*11:01 were significantly lower in the AA group compared with those in the control group. In addition, the frequencies of HLA-B*48:01 and DRB1*09:01 were significantly higher and the frequencies of HLA-B*51:01, DRB1*03:01 and DRB1*11:01 were significantly lower in the SAA group compared with those in the control group. HLA-B*48:01 and DRB1*09:01 were correlated with childhood AA, and thus they may be susceptibility genes for childhood SAA. HLA-B*51:01, DRB1*03:01 and DRB1*11:01 are expressed at low levels in children with AA.
Molecular Substrates of Social Avoidance Seen following Prenatal Ethanol Exposure and Its Reversal by Social Enrichment
Authors: Middleton Frank A. , Varlinskaya Elena I. , Mooney Sandra M.
Published: May 2012

Prenatal ethanol exposure is associated with, and is a risk factor for, developmental disorders with abnormal social behaviors, including autism spectrum disorders. We hypothesize that the specific effects of ethanol on social behavior are defined by the timing of the exposure as well as subsequent changes in brain regions such as the amygdala and ventral striatum. We recently reported that in utero ethanol exposure on gestational day 12 alters social behaviors of weanling [postnatal day (P) 28], adolescent (P42), and young adult (P75) rats. Male, but not female, offspring of the ethanol-exposed dams showed significant decreases in social investigation (sniffing of a social partner), contact behavior (grooming or crawling over/under the partner), and play fighting (following, chasing, nape attacks, or pinning) at all ages tested with maximal effects at P28 and P42. Furthermore, ethanol-exposed males and females showed evidence of social avoidance at P42 and P75. The present study sought to test whether a form of social enrichment could normalize any of the social deficits and what the molecular mechanisms of such effects might be. We found that housing rats with nonmanipulated control rats normalized the social avoidance phenotype normally seen when they are housed with sex-matched prenatal ethanol-exposed littermates. There was no mitigation of the other ethanol-induced behavioral deficits. Conversely, male control-treated rats housed with nonlittermates showed deficits in play fighting, social investigation and contact behavior. Molecular analyses of the amygdala and ventral striatum of adolescent rats following fetal ethanol exposure indicated several specific neurotransmitter systems and pathways that might underlie the social avoidance phenotype as well as its reversal.
Substance P and Neprilysin in Chronic Pancreatitis
Authors: Mascetta G. , di Mola F.F. , Tavano F. , Selvaggi F. , Giese N. , Bassi C. , Büchler M.W. , Friess H. , di Sebastiano P.
Published: May 2012

Background/Aims: We aimed to analyze substance P (SP) and neprilysin (NEP), the membrane metallopeptidase that degrades SP, in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods: SP and NEP mRNA levels were analyzed by qRT-PCR in tissue samples from 30 patients with CP and 8 organ donors. In addition, SP serum levels were determined before and after surgery in the same patients, by means of a competitive ELISA assay. Genetic and epigenetic analyses of the NEP gene were also performed. Results: SP mRNA expression levels were higher in CP tissues compared to controls (p = 0.0152), while NEP mRNA showed no significant differences between CP and healthy subjects (p = 0.2102). In CP patients, SP serum levels correlated with those in tissue, and after surgical resection SP serum levels were reduced compared to the preoperative values. Failure of NEP to overexpress in CP tissues was associated with significant miR-128a overexpression (p = 0.02), rather than with mutations in the NEP coding region or the presence of hypermethylation sites in the NEP promoter region. Conclusion: Tissue and serum levels of SP were increased in CP, while NEP levels remained unaltered. In an SP/NEP-mediated pathway, it would appear that NEP fails to provide adequate surveillance of SP levels. Failure of NEP to overexpress could be associated with miRNA regulation.
Optimal egg size in a suboptimal environment: reproductive ecology of female Sonora mud turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) in central Arizona, USA
Authors: Lovich Jeffrey E. , Madrak Sheila V. , Drost Charles A. , Monatesti Anthony J. , Casper Dennis , Znari Mohammed
Published: May 2012

We studied the reproductive ecology of female Sonora mud turtles (Kinosternon sonoriense) at Montezuma Well, a chemically-challenging natural wetland in central Arizona, USA. Females matured between 115.5 and 125 mm carapace length (CL) and 36-54% produced eggs each year. Eggs were detected in X-radiographs from 23 April-28 September (2007-2008) and the highest proportion (56%) of adult females with eggs occurred in June and July. Clutch frequency was rarely more than once per year. Clutch size was weakly correlated with body size, ranged from 1-8 (mean = 4.96) and did not differ significantly between years. X-ray egg width ranged from 17.8-21.7 mm (mean 19.4 mm) and varied more among clutches than within. Mean X-ray egg width of a clutch did not vary significantly with CL of females, although X-ray pelvic aperture width increased with CL. We observed no evidence of a morphological constraint on egg width. In addition, greater variation in clutch size, relative to egg width, suggests that egg size is optimized in this hydrologically stable but chemically-challenging habitat. We suggest that the diversity of architectures exhibited by the turtle pelvis, and their associated lack of correspondence to taxonomic or behavioral groupings, explains some of the variation observed in egg size of turtles.
Frequency of multiple paternity in the grass snake (Natrix natrix)
Authors: Meister Barbara , Ursenbacher Sylvain , Baur Bruno
Published: May 2012

Males can enhance their reproductive success through mating with multiple females. For females, however, one mating is usually sufficient to inseminate all of their ova. Females may benefit from multiple mating by producing genetically more diverse offspring, and by having the opportunity to choose sperm of the genetically most compatible male. We used five microsatellite loci to investigate the occurrence and frequency of multiple paternity in 11 clutches of the grass snake (Natrix natrix) in Switzerland. Using a very conservative estimate (program GERUD), two or more fathers were found in 27% of the clutches. However, based on the maximum likelihood estimate (program COLONY), multiple paternity occurred in 91% of the clutches with 2-5 contributing males per female. This is the first investigation demonstrating multiple paternity in a European natricine, with a frequency similar to those found in new world natricines.
Sexual and environmental variation in the space requirements of the Critically Endangered geometric tortoise, Psammobates geometricus
Authors: Hofmeyr Margaretha , van Bloemestein Ulric , Henen Brian , Weatherby Craig
Published: May 2012

Psammobates geometricus has a limited distribution in the southwestern Cape, South Africa, where it occurs in small habitat fragments separated by agricultural and urban developments. Space use and its determining factors thus represent critical information for the effective conservation of this species. We used radiotelemetry and thread-trailing to study the movement patterns and space use of geometric tortoises over an annual cycle, and estimated home ranges with minimum convex polygons and fixed-kernel methods. Home range size of geometric tortoises showed large inter-individual variation, and for females, a positive relationship to body size. Females, the larger sex, had larger home ranges and mean daily displacements than males had. Female space use was high through most of the year, except in the wet season, when food was abundant, temperatures relatively low, and soft soils allowed easy nesting. Males used more space and displaced further in the non-nesting than nesting season, perhaps to optimise mating opportunities in the non-nesting season before females ovulate. Home ranges were more elongate and overlapped more in fallow fields than in natural vegetation, suggesting that habitat degradation alters home range structure. The space geometric tortoises used for their annual activities ranged from 1.02 to 44.85 ha. The large home ranges and effects of habitat degradation should influence the size of reserves, and the destiny of geometric tortoises in small habitat fragments.
Plant-parasitic nematodes associated with weeds in subsistence agriculture in South Africa
Authors: Ntidi Keikantsemang N. , Fourie Hendrika , Mc Donald Alexander H. , De Waele Dirk , Mienie Charlotte M.S.
Published: May 2012

Twenty-nine plant-parasitic nematode species belonging to 15 genera, as well as two fungus-feeding nematode genera and one species, were identified from soil and root samples of weeds collected from 67 localities situated in subsistence production regions of South Africa during a survey from 2005-2006. Of these, 16 nematode species from four genera were reported for the first time to infect or to be associated with weeds. The predominant endo- and semi-endoparasites identified both from soil and root samples were Meloidogyne species, Pratylenchus zeae, Helicotylenchus dihystera and Rotylenchus unisexus. Based on PCR technology, three Meloidogyne species, M. hapla, M. incognita and M. javanica, have been identified in roots of weeds sampled. Thirty weed species representing 26 genera were identified as hosts of Meloidogyne species, while 38 belonging to 35 genera were associated with various other plant-parasitic nematodes. Meloidogyne species were predominant in the roots of Chloris virgata, Cynodon dactylon and Amaranthus hybridus. The frequency of occurrence of Meloidogyne species, H. dihystera and R. unisexus was significantly and positively correlated with localities in terms of % clay and % silt. The same trend was evident for these three taxa in terms of rainfall, while the opposite was observed in terms of their frequency of occurrence and pH. Principal component analysis results substantiated the latter. It also suggested that all four predominant plant-parasitic nematode species tend to occur more frequently at localities where maize was mono-cropped as well as where maize and vegetables were planted in rotation. Cynodon dactylon, Cyperus rotundus, Datura stramonium, Tagetes minuta and Eleusine corocana had the highest frequency of occurrence of weeds sampled. Identification of weeds that maintain plant-parasitic nematodes, particularly Meloidogyne species, suggested that these pathogens can have a negative impact on crop production when not controlled timely and effectively.
Yield response of four popular banana varieties from southeast Asia to infection with a population of Radopholus similis from Davao, Philippines
Authors: Herradura Lorna E. , Lobres Ma. Adelfa N. , De Waele Dirk , Davide Romulo G. , Van Den Bergh Inge
Published: May 2012

The yield response of four popular banana cultivars from southeast Asia to infection with a population of Radopholus similis collected from banana in Davao, Philippines, was investigated in a microplot experiment. Bunch weight reduction of nematode-infected plants ranged from 25 to 68% for all four southeast Asian banana cultivars and Grand Nain (AAA), the susceptible reference cultivar included in the study. The banana cv. Latundan (AAB) had a nematode population density of 185, 38 and 27 nematodes at 6 months after planting, flowering and harvesting, respectively, and a low bunch weight reduction (25%) compared with the other banana cultivars examined, possibly suggesting that this cultivar is partially resistant to R. similis.
Perception of the impact of root-knot nematode-induced diseases in horticultural protected crops of south-eastern Spain
Authors: Talavera Miguel , Sayadi Samir , Chirosa-Ríos Manuel , Salmerón Tomas , Flor-Peregrín Elena , Verdejo-Lucas Soledad
Published: May 2012

With a surface area of 37 000 ha and an annual yield of 3 × 106 t, the south-east of Spain, predominantly the coast of Almeria, is the largest horticultural growing area under protected cultivation in Europe. A survey on perception of the impact of root-knot nematodes on vegetable production was carried out in this area by face-to-face interviews with 120 farm advisors. The survey was designed to evaluate opinions about prevalence and severity of root-knot nematode-induced diseases, percentage of infested area and effectiveness of root-knot nematode control methods. According to the answers, 17.7% of the fields were infested with root-knot nematode and 18.8% of the cultivable area within each site showed root-knot nematode disease symptoms, which came to 2.0% of the total area used to grow vegetables in the region. Average yield loss was estimated at about 30.8% of total vegetable production, and 38.1% of the farm advisors considered that root-knot nematode infections had increased over the last 5 years. Most farm advisors (78.3%) stated that the most commonly used control method was chemical soil fumigation. Non-fumigant nematicides were cited by 59.8% of them, grafting and resistant cultivars by 42.3%, soil solarisation 38.1%, plant extracts 14.4% and biofumigation 6.2%. The majority of farm advisors considered the application of fumigant nematicides combined with soil solarisation, and grafting onto resistant rootstocks as the most effective methods of root-knot nematode control. In addition to the interviews, plant and soil samples were taken from plastic greenhouses throughout the region to determine species of root-knot nematode present. Meloidogyne javanica was the most prevalent species followed by M. incognita and M. arenaria, but species distribution was linked to the predominating crop sequence in each area, since M. javanica occurred less frequently when sweet pepper rather than tomato appeared in the crop sequence.
In Conversation with the Skeptic: Contextualism and the Raising of Standards
Authors: Sgaravatti Daniele
Published: May 2012

I begin by describing the solution to the problem of skepticism propounded by contextualists, which constitutes the background of the rest of the paper. I then address the question of what happens when a skeptic and a non-skeptic are confronted in dialogue to the standards in play for correct knowledge ascription, on the assumption that contextualism about knowledge is right. I argue against Keith DeRose that there are reasons, both intuitive and theoretical, to conclude that the standards will be raised in such a way as to make the skeptic’s denials of knowledge true. Next, I argue, again against DeRose, for the claim that that conclusion has significant theoretical consequences. In particular, I argue that, if the standards do tend to rise, then there is a serious problem for contextualist answers to skepticism. The problem, which is sometimes called the factivity problem, is that the contextualist position is not possible to state properly unless we know in the theoretical context that skeptical hypotheses do not hold.
Simulated Local and Remote Biophysical Effects of Afforestation over the Southeast United States in Boreal Summer*
Authors: Chen Guang-Shan , Notaro Michael , Liu Zhengyu , Liu Yongqiang
Published: May 2012

Afforestation has been proposed as a climate change mitigation strategy by sequestrating atmospheric carbon dioxide. With the goal of increasing carbon sequestration, a Congressional project has been planned to afforest about 18 million acres by 2020 in the Southeast United States (SEUS), the Great Lake states, and the Corn Belt states. However, biophysical feedbacks of afforestation have the potential to counter the beneficial climatic consequences of carbon sequestration. To assess the potential biophysical effects of afforestation over the SEUS, the authors designed a set of initial value ensemble experiments and long-term quasi-equilibrium experiments in a fully coupled Community Climate System Model, version 3.5 (CCSM3.5). Model results show that afforestation over the SEUS not only has a local cooling effect in boreal summer [June–August (JJA)] at short and long time scales but also induces remote warming over adjacent regions of the SEUS at long time scales. Precipitation, in response to afforestation, increases over the SEUS (local effect) and decreases over adjacent regions (remote effect) in JJA. The local surface cooling and increase in precipitation over SEUS in JJA are hydrologically driven by the changes in evapotranspiration and latent heat flux. The remote surface warming and decrease in precipitation over adjacent regions are adiabatically induced by anomalous subsidence. Our results suggest that the planned afforestation efforts should be developed carefully by taking account of short-term (local) and long-term (remote) biophysical effects of afforestation.
Extreme Rainstorm Events over the Northwest Himalayas during 1875–2010
Authors: Nandargi S. , Dhar O. N.
Published: May 2012

A significant part of northern India is covered by the Himalayas, where a number of major Indian rivers originate. In the present study, a detailed analysis of rainstorms that affected the northwest region of the Himalayas has been made to assess the orographic effect of the Himalayas on precipitation in this region during the 135 years from 1875 to 2010. The study showed that the northwest Himalayas have experienced five most-severe rainstorms whose rain depths have not been surpassed so far. These severe rainstorms caused heavy to very heavy rainfall over the region that led to tremendous destruction to crops, communications, and livestock. Severe rainstorms have not occurred during the 2001–10 decade. It is also noticed that severe floods in this region have not occurred because of a “break monsoon situation” in the middle or eastern Himalayas.
Comments on “On the Steadiness of Separating Meandering Currents”
Authors: Nof Doron , Zharkov Volodymyr , Arruda Wilton , Pichevin Thierry , Van Gorder Stephen , Paldor Nathan
Published: May 2012

Using integration constraints and scale analysis, van Leeuwen and De Ruijter focused on the steady aspect of the downstream flow in the momentum imbalance articles of Nof and Pichevin appearing in the 1990s and later on. They correctly pointed out that when the steady downstream flow is exactly geostrophic then it must obey the additional downstream (critical) condition (where u is the speed, g′ is the reduced gravity, and h is the thickness). They then further argue that this additional condition provides “a strong limitation on the generality of their results.” These results for steady flows have been incorrectly generalized by the typical reader to eddy generating unsteady flows, which was the focus of Nof and Pichevin.

The current authors argue that, although the van Leeuwen and De Ruijter condition of is valid for a purely geostrophic and steady flow downstream, it is inapplicable even for the steady aspect of the Nof and Pichevin solutions because the assumption of a purely geostrophic flow (i.e., and ) was never made at any downstream cross section in Nof and Pichevin. Instead, the familiar assumption of a cross-stream geostrophic balance in a boundary current, which is slowly varying in the downstream direction, as well as time, has been made (i.e., , , and small but nonzero). Perhaps the current authors originally were not as clear about that as they should have been, but this implies that the basic state around which van Leeuwen and De Ruijter expanded their steady Taylor series does not exist in Nof and Pichevin; consequently, their expansion fails to say anything about both the time-dependent and the time-independent Nof and Pichevin. In the current authors’ view, the “strong limitation” that they allude to does not exist.
The Unusual Behavior and Precipitation Pattern Associated with Tropical Storm Ignacio (1997)
Authors: Wood Kimberly M. , Ritchie Elizabeth A.
Published: May 2012

A case study of eastern North Pacific Tropical Storm Ignacio (1997), which brought rainfall to the southwestern United States as a tropical cyclone and to the northwestern United States as an extratropical cyclone, is presented. This tropical cyclone formed from a region of disturbed weather, rather than a tropical wave, outside the typical eastern North Pacific genesis region and intensified into a tropical storm coincident with the passage of an upper-tropospheric trough. Moisture transported from Ignacio along an outflow jet associated with the trough resulted in precipitation in Mexico and the southwestern United States. As Ignacio moved north and away from the trough, this tropical cyclone weakened and eventually underwent extratropical transition over the open ocean, in contrast to climatological eastern North Pacific tropical cyclone behavior. Ignacio then strengthened as an extratropical cyclone due to favorable baroclinic conditions and the passage of another upper-tropospheric trough before making landfall on the northern coast of California, bringing rain to the northwestern United States. Ignacio’s remnant moisture eventually merged into a slow-moving midlatitude low pressure system that developed after interacting with the extratropical remnant of Hurricane Guillermo.
Structure of a Narrow Cold Front in the Boundary Layer: Observations versus Model Simulation
Authors: Sinclair Victoria A. , Niemelä Sami , Leskinen Matti
Published: May 2012

A narrow and shallow cold front that passed over Finland during the night 30–31 October 2007 is analyzed using model output and observations primarily from the Helsinki Testbed. The aim is to describe the structure of the front, especially within the planetary boundary layer, identify how this structure evolved, and determine the ability of a numerical model to correctly predict this structure. The front was shallow with a small (2.5–3 K) temperature decrease associated with it, which is attributed to the synoptic evolution of the cold front from a frontal wave on a mature, trailing cold front in a region of weak upper-level forcing and where the midtroposphere was strongly stratified. Within the boundary layer, the frontal surface was vertical and the frontal zone was narrow (<8 km). The small cross-front scale was probably a consequence of the weak frontolytical turbulent mixing occurring at night, at high latitudes, combined with strong, localized frontogenetic forcing driven by convergence. The model simulated the mesoscale evolution of the front well, but overestimated the width of the frontal zone. Within the boundary layer, the model adequately predicted the stratification and near-surface temperatures ahead of, and within, the frontal zone, but failed to correctly predict the thermal inversion that developed in the stably stratified postfrontal air mass. This case study highlights the complex structure of fronts both within the nocturnal boundary layer, and in a location far from regions of cyclogenesis, and hence the challenges that both forecasters and operational models face.
Who benefits? The social distribution of subsidized childcare in Sweden and Flanders
Authors: Lancker Wim Van , Ghysels Joris
Published: May 2012

The main goal of this article is to unravel the social distribution of childcare policies: Who benefits from government investment in public childcare? The analysis complements earlier research on the distribution of social policy outcomes and confronts the growing concern over selectivity. By nature, childcare services tend to be used mainly by people in work, i.e. those in higher income brackets. Concern therefore arises about the consequences of increasing childcare budgets for the overall distribution of the benefits of social policy. This relates to the immediate outcome of social policy (net family income), but also to its increasingly central component: labour market participation. Indeed, if childcare actually benefits ‘labour market insiders’ only, one may wonder whether it is effective as an instrument activating mothers with young children. In this contribution, we look into the distributional impact of subsidized childcare for two countries (Flanders/Belgium and Sweden) already reaching the Barcelona targets for under 3s and interpret the results in a European perspective. Although both cases report high coverage rates, we find that Sweden and Flanders have different – even opposite – distributional outcomes. Both examples provide us with valuable lessons on the redistributive nature of ‘new risk policies’ and the effectiveness of childcare as an instrument of labour market activation.
Reversed Seasonal Variation in Maternal Vitamin D Levels in Southern Louisiana
Authors: Gangat Mariam , Ponnapakkam Tulasi , Bradford Elease , Katikaneni Ranjitha , Gensure Robert
Published: May 2012

Vitamin D is critical in bone and mineral homeostasis, particularly in the prevention of rickets in children. Levels of vitamin D in cord blood were measured in a population from New Orleans as an index of maternal vitamin D status at the time of delivery. Cord blood samples from infants born during the summer and winter showed lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels compared with those from infants born during fall and spring, indicating an unusual pattern of seasonality where vitamin D levels were among the lowest in the season with the greatest sunlight. It is important to establish screening and supplementation guidelines based on observed regional trends and risk factors, in addition to considerations based on global recommendations.
Family change and the state of family sociology
Authors: Farrell Betty , VandeVusse Alicia , Ocobock Abigail
Published: May 2012

Profound changes in family-related behavior have occurred over the past 40 years in the US. To evaluate the extent to which family sociology has kept pace with these changes the article first reviews four prominent sociology journals from 1993 to 2011, investigating the range of family types covered in published articles over nearly two decades and the kinds of approaches taken to study non-traditional families. The article then presents two case studies of research areas that have always been central to family studies – reproduction and household labor – to review how changes in family structure impact core family processes and alter the approaches for studying them. The advent of assisted reproductive technologies and the range of living arrangements in which the division of household labor now occurs challenge the parameters of the ‘traditional’ family. The findings indicate that family sociologists have been slow to rethink underlying categories of analysis, methodological approaches and scope of inquiry in the wake of significant changes in family experience. Assumptions about the kinds of family forms and household arrangements underlying family research have not yet expanded to meet new realities in American family life.
Governing ghosts: Race, incorporeality and difference in post-political times
Authors: Tyrer David , Sayyid Salman
Published: May 2012

In this article we are not concerned with the management of extremists, but with the regulation of wider populations stereotyped as extreme based on the conflation of difference with politicality. Attempts to regulate racialized populations by excising the political surplus seen as constituting excessive Muslim difference are viewed in the context of a Muslim identity politics that places the ontology of the social into crisis by challenging the terms on which modernity’s racial projects subjectify actors. As seemingly non-racial, Muslims are represented as haunting, incorporeal and incomplete subjects. Islamophobia emerges as a corrective, racializing apparently incompletely racial subjects. Its success is underwritten by the attempts to deny the racist nature of Islamophobia. The shift from managing lawbreakers to stereotyping entire populations as extremists is central to this.