bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oxytocin: An Emerging Regulator of Prolactin Secretion in the Female Rat
Authors: Kennett J. E. , McKee D. T.
Published: December 2011

In the female rat, a complex interplay of both stimulatory and inhibitory hypothalamic factors controls the secretion of prolactin. Prolactin regulates a large number of physiological processes from immunity to stress. Here, we have chosen to focus on the control of prolactin secretion in the female rat in response to suckling, mating and ovarian steroids. In all three of these states, dopamine, released from neurones in the mediobasal hypothalamus, is a potent inhibitory signal regulating prolactin secretion. Early research has determined that the relief of dopaminergic tone is not sufficent to account for the full surge of prolactin secretion observed in response to the suckling stimulus, launching a search for possible prolactin‐releasing factors. This research has subsequently broadened to include searching for prolactin‐releasing factors controlling prolactin secretion after mating or ovarian steroids. A great deal of literature has suggested that this prolactin‐releasing factor may include oxytocin. Oxytocin receptors are present on lactotrophs. These oxytocin receptors respond to exogenous oxytocin and antagonism of endogenous oxytocin inhibits lactotroph activity. In addition, the pattern of oxytocin neuronal activity and oxytocin release correlate with the release of prolactin. Here, we suggest not only that oxytocin is stimulating prolactin secretion, but also that prolactin secretion is controlled by a complex network of positive (oxytocin) and negative (dopamine) feedback loops. We discuss the available literature and attempt to describe the circuitry we believe may be responsible for controlling prolactin secretion.
Factors affecting newborn care practices in Bangladesh
Authors: Shahjahan Md. , Ahmed M. Ranzu , Rahman M. Mokhlesur , Afroz Afsana
Published: December 2011

Shahjahan M, Ahmed MR, Rahman MM, Afroz A. Factors affecting newborn care practices in Bangladesh. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology 2012; 26: 13–18.

Newborn care is of immense importance for the proper development and healthy life of a baby. Although child and infant mortality in South Asia has reduced substantially, the rate of neonatal mortality is still high, although these deaths can be prevented by adopting simple interventions at the community level. The aim of the study was to identify the associated factors which affect newborn care practices. Data for the study were drawn from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2007, in which 6150 mothers were considered. The mean age of the mothers was 18 (±3.2) years. A little over 62% of the pregnant women received at least one antenatal check‐up during the entire period of their pregnancy. About 70% of deliveries were conducted at home either by unskilled family members or by relatives. A clean instrument was used for cutting the cord of 87% of the newborn babies, while about 34% of them were reported to have had their first bath immediately after delivery. Initiation of breast feeding immediately after birth was practised in only about 19% of the cases. Compared with mothers with no education, those with secondary or higher levels were associated with clean cord care [odds ratio (OR) = 1.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0, 1.9] and early breast feeding [OR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.2, 2.2]. The study revealed an urgent need to educate mothers, and train traditional birth attendants and health workers on clean delivery practices and early neonatal care. Increasing the number of skilled birth attendants can be an effective strategy to increase safe delivery practices, and to reduce delivery complications.
Kick‐and‐cook experiments on peridotite: simulating coseismic deformation and post‐seismic creep
Authors: Druiventak Anthony , Matysiak Agnes , Renner Jörg , Trepmann Claudia A.
Published: December 2011

Terra Nova, 24, 62–69, 2012

Experiments comprising deformation at 600 °C and annealing at 700–1000 °C were performed on natural peridotite to examine the microfabric evolution at conditions corresponding to those prevailing just below the seismogenic zone in suboceanic upper mantle. The found olivine microstructures indicate that deformation occurs by low‐temperature plasticity. At low and high annealing temperatures, zones of high strain are replaced by subgrains and recrystallized grains respectively. The microstructures after annealing at 1000 °C resemble ‘core‐and‐mantle structures’ from shear zone peridotites, often interpreted as imprint of steady‐state dislocation creep. Our study shows that such structures can form by a sequence of low‐temperature plasticity at high stress and subsequent recrystallization at low stress, as corresponding to coseismic deformation and post‐seismic creep. In this case, palaeopiezometers are not applicable and a local CPO in aggregates of new grains does not necessarily indicate the activated glide system.
Enhance Beef Cattle Improvement by Embryo Biotechnologies
Authors: Wu B , Zan L
Published: December 2011

Contents

Embryo biotechnology has become one of the prominent high businesses worldwide. This technology has evolved through three major changes, that is, traditional embryo transfer (in vivo embryo production by donor superovulation), in vitro embryo production by ovum pick up with in vitro fertilization and notably current cloning technique by somatic cell nuclear transfer and transgenic animal production. Embryo biotechnology has widely been used in dairy and beef cattle industry and commercial bovine embryo transfer has become a large international business. Currently, many developed biotechnologies during the period from early oocyte stage to pre‐implantation embryos can be used to create new animal breeds and accelerate genetic progression. Based on recent advances in embryo biotechnologies and authors current studies, this review will focus on a description of the application of this technology to beef cattle improvement and discuss how to use this technology to accelerate beef cattle breeding and production. The main topics of this presentation include the following: (i) how to increase calf production numbers from gametes including sperm and oocyte; (ii) multiple ovulation and embryo transfer breeding schemes; (iii) in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasm sperm injection in bovine; (iv) pronuclear development and transgenic animals; (v) sex selection from sperm and embryos; (vi) cloning and androgenesis; (vii) blastocyst development and embryonic stem cells; (viii) preservation of beef cattle genetic resources; and (ix) conclusions.
Neuronal activity in the superior colliculus related to saccade initiation during coordinated gaze–reach movements
Authors: Reyes‐Puerta Vicente , Philipp Roland , Lindner Werner , Hoffmann Klaus‐Peter
Published: December 2011

One must be quick and precise when foveating targets to be reached, because the eyes have to guide the hand trajectory by visual feedback, and we may miss a rapidly moving target if our grasping is not fast and accurate enough. To this end, our brains developed mechanisms coordinating gaze and hand movements to optimize the way in which we foveate and reach. One of these mechanisms is the facilitation of the primary saccade – proven in humans and confirmed here in monkeys – which allows the generation of short‐latency gaze movements when reaching towards visual targets. Here we tested whether the neuronal activity in the superior colliculus (SC) accounts for this mechanism; alternatively, cortical saccade‐related areas could play a major role in the fast initiation of saccades during such elaborated behaviours bypassing the SC. Upon presentation of a target, neurons located at the rostral pole of the SC started the saccade‐related pause in their activity earlier in tasks involving coordinated gaze–reach movements than in tasks in which the saccades were made in isolation. In the same tasks neurons located at the caudal SC reached peak firing rates earlier in coordinated gaze–reach movements than with isolated saccades, confirming the tight coupling between their burst activity latencies and the saccadic reaction times. In sum, our results extend the role of the SC in saccade initiation to coordinated gaze–reach movements, identifying its activity as an important part of the distributed neural system for eye–hand coordination.
Gene expression analysis in the parvalbumin‐immunoreactive PV1 nucleus of the mouse lateral hypothalamus
Authors: Girard F. , Meszar Z. , Marti C. , Davis F. P. , Celio M.
Published: December 2011

A solitary, elongated cluster of parvalbumin‐immunoreactive neurons has been previously observed in the rodent ventrolateral hypothalamus. However, the function of this so‐called PV1 nucleus is unknown. In this article, we report the results of an unbiased, broad and in‐depth molecular characterization of this small, compact group of neurons. The Allen Brain Atlas database of in situ hybridization was screened in order to identify genes expressed in the PV1‐nucleus‐containing area of the hypothalamus, and those that might be co‐expressed with parvalbumin. Although GABA is the principal neurotransmitter in parvalbumin‐expressing cells in various other brain areas, we found that PV1 neurons express the vesicular glutamate transporter (VGlut) VGlut2‐encoding gene Slc17a6 and are negative for the glutamic acid decarboxylase 1 (GAD1) gene. These cells also express the mRNA for the neuropeptides Adcyap1 and possibly Nxph4, express several types of potassium and sodium channels, are under the control of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, bear receptors for the glial‐derived neurotrophic factor, and produce an extracellular matrix rich in osteopontin. The PV1 nucleus is thus composed of glutamatergic nerve cells, expressing some typical markers of long‐axon, projecting neurons (e.g. VGlut2), but also co‐expressing genes typical of short‐axon GABA neurons (e.g. a variety of potassium channels). Hence, neurons of the PV1 nucleus combine physiological characteristics of interneurons with those of projection neurons.
Pediatric epidural analgesia (PEA)
Authors: Moriarty Anthony
Published: December 2011

The pediatric epidural is an accepted method of advanced analgesia in children. Newer techniques have now superseded pediatric epidural analgesia (PEA), being as effective and safer, especially with the advances in ultrasonography. PEA is, however, still an important technique to master and employ, and it may be that the indications for this mode of analgesia have now become more defined.
Surgical management and outcome of lower eyelid entropion in 124 cats
Authors: White James S. , Grundon Rachael A. , Hardman Chloe , O’Reilly Anu , Stanley Robin G.
Published: December 2011

Objectives  To evaluate the success rate of various surgical techniques for the management of lower eyelid entropion in cats.

Design  Retrospective study.

Animals studied  One hundred and twenty‐four cats with surgical correction of lower eyelid entropion of 200 eyes over a 13 year period.

Methods  Records of 124 cats were reviewed for signalment, type of entropion, surgical procedure performed and post‐operative result.

Results  Combinations of the Hotz‐Celsus (HC), lateral canthal closure and full thickness wedge resection techniques were used to treat 64 bilateral and 60 unilateral cases of lower lid entropion. Twenty‐three cats were under a year of age, 52 cats were aged between 2 and 8 years and 49 were over 8 years old. The overall success rate for a single surgical procedure (which may consist of multiple techniques) to correct lower eyelid entropion was 96.0% per eye. The remaining 4.0% had the entropion resolved with a second surgery. A combined HC and lateral canthal closure had a 99.21% success rate of resolving lower lid entropion. Geriatric cats were the most likely age group to develop corneal sequestra; 37% of cats in this group presented with entropion and corneal sequestra concurrently. Seventeen percent of cats that presented with unilateral entropion and did not have prophylactic surgery on the fellow eye went on to develop entropion in the fellow eye.

Conclusions  A combined HC and lateral canthal closure was the most effective surgical technique in managing lower eyelid entropion of cats in our study. Prophylactic lateral canthal closure in the unaffected eye is recommended.
Observations on the ultrastructure and distribution of chromatophores in the skin of chelonians
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo
Published: December 2011

Alibardi, L. 2011. Observations on the ultrastructure and distribution of chromatophores in the skin of chelonians. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00:1–11.

The cytology and distribution of chromatophores responsible for skin pigmentation in chelonians is analyzed. Epidermal melanocytes are involved in the formation of dark spots or stripes in growing shelled and non‐shelled skin. Melanocytes rest in the basal layer of the epidermis and transfer melanosomes into keratinocytes during epidermal growth. Dermal melanophores and other chromatophores instead remain in the dermis and form the gray background of the skin. When dermal melanophores condense, they give origin to the dense spots or stripes in areas where no epidermal melanocytes are present. In the latter case, the epidermis and the corneous layer are transparent and reveal the dermal distribution of melanophores and other chromatophores underneath. As a result of this basic process of distribution of pigment cells, the dark areas visible in scales can have a double origin (epidermal and dermal) or a single origin (epidermal or dermal). Xanthophores, lipophores, and a cell containing both pterinosomes and lipid droplets are sparse in the loose dermis while iridophores are rarely seen in the skin of chelonians analyzed in the present study. Xanthophores and lipophores contribute to form the pale, yellow or oranges hues present among the dark areas of the skin in turtles.
Issues in the Preparation of Public Sector Consolidated Statements
Authors: WALKER R. G.
Published: December 2011

Issues that have arisen in the preparation of public sector consolidated statements are identified by reference to audit qualifications, by noting items recognized (or not recognized) in different reports, and by consideration of items or treatments that are peculiar to the public sector. Australian governments have agreed to align government financial reports with local interpretations of Government Finance Statistics, and this has secured some standardization of reporting. Suggestions are offered as to how reporting issues might be resolved, by reference to decisions routinely made by stakeholders. Proposals relate to asset and liability identification, the disclosure of details of inter‐sector transfers, the disaggregation of reports on expenditure in terms of both line items and policy areas of government; and that these reports be accompanied by performance indicators relating to policy areas.
Organ donation, genetics, race and culture: The making of a medical problem (Respond to this article at http://www.therai.org.uk/at/debate)
Authors: Kierans Ciara , Cooper Jessie
Published: December 2011

Within transplant medicine in the UK, the relationship between organ donation and ethnicity has been characterized as problematic, with a specific focus on the apparent reluctance of black and Asian people in Britain to act as blood and organ donors. In this article, we show that transplant medicine, in trying to work out a solution to this ‘problem’, has culturalized the issue by treating it as something that falls outside its own domain of practice, with racialized responsibility being entrenched through the mapping of donor pools to cultural difference. We urge a rethink of what is increasingly becoming a one‐sided discussion. A concentration on ethnicity alone fails to take into account the ways in which low donation rates become a problem as a result of the specific ways in which transplant medicine in the UK has been configured and reconfigured over time, constituting different publics along the way. In order to understand the relationship between ethnicity and organ donation, it is important that we as anthropologists examine where and how the problem has in large part been forged (i.e., within transplant medicine), as much as where and in what terms that problem has been fixed in place (i.e., as a problem of black and minority ethnic publics).
Who is a ‘Deserving’ Immigrant? An Experimental Study of Norwegian Attitudes
Authors: Aalberg Toril , Iyengar Shanto , Messing Solomon
Published: December 2011

Previous research demonstrates that opposition to immigration increases when immigrant groups are seen as economically non‐viable and burdened with distinctive and unassimilable cultural practices. However, no research to date has investigated the parallel relationship between attributes of individuals and willingness to admit these individuals as legal immigrants. This study examines Norwegians’ evaluations of individual immigrants. Using an experimental design, specific attributes of immigrants are manipulated, making them appear more or less likely to make an economic contribution and more or less likely to assimilate into Norwegian culture. It is found that the decision to admit individuals is predominantly influenced by the immigrant's economic background. Norwegians are especially supportive of highly skilled immigrants. The immigrant's race is also relevant, but the effect of racial cues varies between men and women. Immigrants with an Afrocentric appearance are more likely to be rejected by men, but accepted by women. The article recommends that immigration researchers measure public support for immigration at both the policy and individual immigrant levels.
Biogeography of species richness gradients: linking adaptive traits, demography and diversification
Authors: Carnicer Jofre , Brotons Lluís , Stefanescu Constantí , Peñuelas Josep
Published: December 2011

Here we review how adaptive traits contribute to the emergence and maintenance of species richness gradients through their influence on demographic and diversification processes. We start by reviewing how demographic dynamics change along species richness gradients. Empirical studies show that geographical clines in population parameters and measures of demographic variability are frequent along latitudinal and altitudinal gradients. Demographic variability often increases at the extremes of regional species richness gradients and contributes to shape these gradients. Available studies suggest that adaptive traits significantly influence demographic dynamics, and set the limits of species distributions. Traits related to thermal tolerance, resource use, phenology and dispersal seem to play a significant role. For many traits affecting demography and/or diversification processes, complex mechanistic approaches linking genotype, phenotype and fitness are becoming progressively available. In several taxa, species can be distributed along adaptive trait continuums, i.e. a main axis accounting for the bulk of inter‐specific variation in some correlated adaptive traits. It is shown that adaptive trait continuums can provide useful mechanistic frameworks to explain demographic dynamics and diversification in species richness gradients. Finally, we review the existence of sequences of adaptive traits in phylogenies, the interactions of adaptive traits and community context, the clinal variation of traits across geographical gradients, and the role of adaptive traits in determining the history of dispersal and diversification of clades. Overall, we show that the study of demographic and evolutionary mechanisms that shape species richness gradients clearly requires the explicit consideration of adaptive traits. To conclude, future research lines and trends in the field are briefly outlined.
Hand function in children with an upper brachial plexus birth injury: results of the nine‐hole peg test
Authors: IMMERMAN IGOR , ALFONSO DANIEL T , RAMOS LORNA E , GROSSMAN LESLIE A , ALFONSO ISRAEL , DITARANTO PATRICIA , GROSSMAN JOHN A I
Published: December 2011

Aim  The aim of this study was to evaluate hand function in children with Erb upper brachial plexus palsy.

Method  Hand function was evaluated in 25 children (eight males; 17 females) with a diagnosed upper (C5/C6) brachial plexus birth injury. Of these children, 22 had undergone primary nerve reconstruction and 13 of the 25 had undergone simultaneous and/or secondary shoulder procedures. Hand function was evaluated using the nine‐hole peg test at a mean age of 9 years (SD 2y 2mo), and compared with the contralateral, uninvolved hand. Results were compared with age‐ and sex‐matched population norms, and correlated with shoulder outcomes using the Gilbert and Miami scores.

Results  Although shoulder function was graded as good or excellent in 24 of 25 children, hand function as measured by the nine‐hole peg test was significantly altered in the involved hand in 80% (p=0.008). On average the participants took 18.8% longer to complete the task with the involved hand; this was significantly different from the expected difference of 7.2% (p=0.008).

Interpretation  Hand function is impaired in individuals with upper brachial plexus birth injury. These results suggest that from the initiation of treatment in this population, attention should be paid to recognizing and focusing therapy on subtle limitations of hand function.
Standardisation of the calcium content of whey protein‐free milk concentrate
Authors: AALTONEN TERHI
Published: December 2011

The calcium content of a cheese greatly influences its textural properties. This study aimed to reduce the calcium content of milk retentate by microfiltration in a three‐stage process, carried out in triplicate. During microfiltration at 50 °C, the permeation of calcium was higher (P > 0.005) with acidified (pH 5.75) feed than with nonacidified feed. The concentration of calcium correlated linearly (R2 > 0.98) with the protein content of retentate with the use of acidified and nonacidified feed. However, the slope was lower with acidified retentates, and calcium–protein ratio can be reduced only when acidified retentate was used as a feed.
DHA inhibits ER Ca2+ release and ER stress in astrocytes following in vitro ischemia
Authors: Begum Gulnaz , Kintner Douglas , Liu Yan , Cramer Samuel W. , Sun Dandan
Published: December 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 622–630.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has neuroprotective effects in several neurodegenerative disease conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DHA on astrocyte Ca2+ signaling under in vitro ischemic conditions (oxygen/glucose deprivation and reoxygenation, OGD/REOX). OGD (2 h) triggered a Ca2+ER store overload (∼1.9‐fold). Ca2+ uptake by the Ca2+ER stores was further augmented during REOX and Ca2+ER was elevated by ∼4.7‐fold at 90 min REOX. Interestingly, Ca2+ER stores abruptly released Ca2+ at ∼120 min REOX and emptied at 160 min REOX. Depletion of Ca2+ER stores led to delayed elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentration (Ca2+cyt) and cell death. Activation of the purinergic receptor P2Y1 was responsible for the release of Ca2+ER. Most importantly, DHA blocked the initial Ca2+ER store overload, the delayed depletion of Ca2+ER, and rise in Ca2+cyt, which was in part via inhibiting d‐myo‐inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate receptors. The DHA metabolite DiHDoHE exhibited similar effects. DHA also attenuated expression of phosphorylated eukaryotic initiation factor 2α and activating transcription factor‐4, two ER stress markers, following in vitro ischemia. Taken together, these findings suggest that DHA has protective effects in astrocytes following in vitro ischemia, in part, by inhibiting Ca2+ dysregulation and ER stress.
A Proposal to Improve the VAT Treatment of Housing in the European Union*
Authors: Cnossen Sijbren
Published: December 2011

The treatment of housing is one of the most difficult issues under the VATs in the EU. Ideally, rents and rental values should be taxed just like other consumer goods and services, but doing so would present formidable practical and political difficulties. Under a second‐best approach, the value of newly created residential (and other) property is taxed as a proxy for the VAT that should be payable on the flow of housing (building) services. This implies, however, that future increases (and decreases) in the value of the exempt property are left out of the VAT base. To remedy this defect, this paper recommends taxing the increases (refunding the tax related to decreases) realised at the time of sale of the exempt used property. This VAT should replace the current transfer, registration and stamp duties, which are highly distortionary. Beyond that, the VATs in various member states can be improved by limiting the exemption for all used immovable property to housing, by taxing land and by applying the standard rate more widely than is currently the case.
Macro‐Fiscal Volatility and the Composition of Public Spending*
Authors: Riscado Sara Maria , Stančík Juraj , Välilä Timo
Published: December 2011

Earlier empirical literature has examined some long‐ and medium‐term aspects of macro‐fiscal volatility while leaving its short‐term fiscal impact unexplored. To help fill that gap, we examine the impact of macro‐fiscal volatility on the composition of public spending. To that end, we analyse a panel of 10 EU countries during 1991–2007. Our results suggest that increases in the volatility of regularly‐collected and cyclical revenues such as the VAT and income taxes tend to tilt the expenditure composition in favour of public investment. In contrast, increases in the volatility of ad hoc taxes such as capital taxes tend to favour public consumption spending, albeit only a little. We interpret such volatility innovations as conveying news to the fiscal policymaker about the underlying economic conditions, with especially regularly‐collected and cyclical taxes prompting short‐term cyclical fine‐tuning.
The Distributional Implications of Income Under‐Reporting in Hungary*
Authors: Benedek Dóra , Lelkes Orsolya
Published: December 2011

The ability and inclination of specific social groups to evade tax vary widely, and this leads to considerable variation in the actual tax burden on individuals with similar levels of income. Thus, ignoring tax evasion can be seriously misleading in terms of the distributive and fiscal effects of the tax system.

This paper estimates the distributional implications of income tax evasion in Hungary, based on a random sample of the administrative tax records of nearly 230,000 individuals. Gross incomes declared in the administrative tax returns are compared with incomes stated in a nationally representative household budget survey. Our estimates show that the average rate of underreporting is 9–13 per cent, though this conceals a big difference between the self‐employed (who hide the greater part of their income) and employees. The estimates are likely to be lower bounds. These rates are used in a tax– benefit microsimulation model to calculate the fiscal and distributional implications of under‐reporting. Tax evasion reduces households' personal income tax payments by about 16–20 per cent. While the poverty rate increases only slightly, income inequality rises significantly, suggesting that high‐income households tend to evade tax proportionately more. Finally, we find that tax evasion largely reduces the progressivity of the tax system.
Remotely Monitored Death of a Patient with Implanted ICD
Authors: SCHAER BEAT , KÜHNE MISCHA , OSSWALD STEFAN , STICHERLING CHRISTIAN
Published: December 2011

Remote monitoring is useful for management of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients regarding detection of arrhythmias and probable device or lead failure. We report the case of a patient who died suddenly while being on remote monitoring. The ICD was not retrieved postmortem. Even though clinical circumstances were suspicious of an arrhythmic death, this was excluded due to a distinctive manufacturer feature of the system. (PACE 2012; 35:e280–e283)
Gamma Radiation Effects on Physical, Optical, and Structural Properties of Binary As–S Glasses
Authors: Sundaram Shanmugavelayutham K. , McCloy John S. , Riley Brian J. , Murphy Mark K. , Qiao Hong A. , Windisch Charles F. , Walter Eric D. , Crum Jarrod V. , Golovchak Roman , Shpotyuk Oleh
Published: December 2011

Gamma radiation is known to induce changes in physical, optical, and structural properties in chalcogenide glasses, but previous research has focused on As2S3 and families of glasses containing Ge. For the first time, we present composition and dose dependent data on the As–S binary glass series. Binary AsxS100−x (x = 30, 33, 36, 40, and 42) glasses were irradiated with gamma radiation using a 60Co source at 2.8 Gy/s to accumulated doses of 1, 2, 3, and 4 MGy. The irradiated samples were characterized at each dose level for density, refractive index, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectrum. We report an initial increase in density followed by a decrease as a function of dose that contradicts the expected compositional dependence of molar volume of these glasses. This unusual behavior is explained based on microvoid formation and nanoscale phase‐separation induced by the irradiation. XRD, Raman, and electron spin resonance data provide supporting evidence, underscoring the importance of optimally‐ or overly constrained structures for stability under irradiation.
The Effects of Na/K Ratio on the Electrical Properties of Sodium‐Potassium Bismuth Titanate Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15–K0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15
Authors: Zhao Tian‐Long , Guo Zhen‐Lei , Wang Chun‐Ming
Published: December 2011

The bismuth layer‐structured ferroelectrics (BLSFs) sodium‐potassium bismuth titanate (NaxK1 − x)0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15 polycrystalline ceramics with cobalt substitution were synthesized using conventional solid‐state processing. The phase structure, microstructural morphology, and electrical properties of NKBT ceramics with different Na/K ratio were investigated in detail. The substitutions of Na for K in NKBT ceramics cause the decrease in unit cell volume, resulting in the diffraction peaks shift to higher angles. The piezoelectric activities, electromechanical properties, and remnant polarization were found to be enhanced with the increasing ratio of Na/K. The Curie temperature Tc of NKBT piezoelectric ceramics was found to linearly increase from 578°C to 670°C with the increasing ratio of Na/K, which is ascribed to the small ionic radius of Na+ ions in comparison with K+ ions. The large piezoelectric activities and high electromechanical properties, together with high Curie temperature, make NKBT ceramics promising for high‐temperature piezoelectric applications.
Relaxor Ferroelectric Behavior and Structural Aspects of SrNaBi2Nb3O12 Ceramics
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Ochoa Diego A. , García José Eduardo , Varma Kalidindi B. R.
Published: December 2011

The SrNaBi2Nb3O12 (SNBN) powder was prepared via the conventional solid‐state reaction method. X‐ray structural studies confirmed the phase to be a three‐layered member of the Aurivillius family of oxides. The SNBN ceramics exhibited the typical characteristics of relaxor ferroelectrics, associated with broad and dispersive dielectric maxima. The variation of temperature of dielectric maxima (Tm) with frequency obeyed the Vogel–Fulcher relationship. Relaxor behavior was believed to be arising from the cationic disorder at A‐site. Pinched ferroelectric hysteresis loops were observed well above Tm.
Surface Chemistry of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag in Cement Pore Solution and Its Impact on the Effectiveness of Polycarboxylate Superplasticizers
Authors: Habbaba Ahmad , Plank Johann
Published: December 2011

The surface chemistry of slag dispersed in synthetic cement pore solution (SCPS) was studied in absence and presence of polycarboxylate (PC) superplasticizers. Three different slag samples and two PCs based on methacrylic acid–co–ω–methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate ester were employed. Zeta potential measurement of slag suspensions in SCPS revealed that all slags initially possess a negative surface charge owed to the highly alkaline pH (formation of silanolate groups). Onto this surface, at first, calcium and subsequently sulfate ions present in SCPS adsorb, thus forming a double ion layer; the first positively charged layer consisting of Ca2+ ions and the second negatively charged layer containing SO42− anions. Consequently, the final surface charge of slag dispersed in SCPS is always negative. Upon addition of PC superplasticizer, competitive adsorption between the sulfate ions and PC occurs. Highly anionic PCs can desorb SO42− and adsorb in high amount onto the Ca2+ ion layer, thus producing a strong dispersing effect. However, less anionic PCs cannot adsorb and do not fluidify the slag suspension. The total adsorbed amount of PC is determined by the packing density (positive charge) of the Ca2+ ion layer present on the surface of slag.
Biotic interactions betweenEriopis connexaandHippodamia variegata, a native and an exotic coccinellid species associated with alfalfa fields in Chile
Authors: Grez A. A. , Viera B. , Soares A. O.
Published: December 2011

Human‐assisted introductions, including those in the context of biological control, are considered to be one of the most important factors of global environmental change. However, the mechanisms underlying environmental changes, such as a decrease in the relative abundance of native species, are poorly understood. Since the introduction of the ladybird beetle,Hippodamia variegata(Goeze) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), in Chile in the 1970s for biological control of aphids, a reduction in the relative abundance of the native ladybird beetleEriopis connexa(Germar) has been noticed. To explore the role of cannibalism, intraguild predation (IGP) or competition as possible mechanisms that might increase dominance ofH. variegataoverE. connexa, several laboratory experiments were carried out. The native and the exotic species were very similar in their voracity and biotic interactions. AlthoughH. variegatawas able to maintain constant reproductive performance,E. connexareproduction decreased at lower densities of aphids,Acyrthosiphon pisum(Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The impacts of cannibalism, IGP, and competition exerted by these species were very symmetrical in both larvae and adults. We conclude that these biotic factors may not fully explain the increase in relative abundance ofH. variegata.The higher sensitivity ofE. connexato prey patch size, along with other factors such as chemical‐mediated negative interspecific interactions may be operating in alfalfa fields, changing the composition of associated coccinellid assemblages.
Generation of skeletal muscle cells from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells as an in vitro model and for therapy of muscular dystrophies
Authors: Salani Sabrina , Donadoni Chiara , Rizzo Federica , Bresolin Nereo , Comi Giacomo P. , Corti Stefania
Published: December 2011

Introduction

Transdifferentiation of somatic cells in skeletal myoblasts

Myogenic cell induction from ESCs

Protocols for myogenic cell induction from iPSCs

Mouse and human‐pluripotent derived myocytes as an in vitro model of MDs

Therapeutic development based on ESC‐ or iPSC‐derived cells

Conclusion

Muscular dystrophies (MDs) are a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders characterized by progressive muscle wasting and weakness likely associated with exhaustion of muscle regeneration potential. At present, no cures or efficacious treatments are available for these diseases, but cell transplantation could be a potential therapeutic strategy. Transplantation of myoblasts using satellite cells or other myogenic cell populations has been attempted to promote muscle regeneration, based on the hypothesis that the donor cells repopulate the muscle and contribute to its regeneration. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and more recently induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) could generate an unlimited source of differentiated cell types, including myogenic cells. Here we review the literature regarding the generation of myogenic cells considering the main techniques employed to date to elicit efficient differentiation of human and murine ESCs or iPSCs into skeletal muscle. We also critically analyse the possibility of using these cellular populations as an alternative source of myogenic cells for cell therapy of MDs.
Utility and adoption of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genotyping and its translation into psychiatric clinical practice
Authors: Jürgens G. , Jacobsen C. B. , Rasmussen H. B. , Werge T. , Nordentoft M. , Andersen S. E.
Published: December 2011

Jürgens G, Jacobsen CB, Rasmussen HB, Werge T, Nordentoft M, Andersen SE. Utility and adoption of CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genotyping and its translation into psychiatric clinical practice.

Objective:  To describe clinical utility and adoption of routinely offered CYP2D6 and CYP2C19 genotyping (CYP test) in daily clinical practice of a psychiatric centre.

Method:  We described psychiatrists translations of CYP test results in patients with genotypes indicating poor or ultrarapid metabolizer status and treated with at least one CYP‐dependent drug based on a retrospective review of medical records. Complementary, we used ethnographic participant observation and qualitative interviews to identify the barriers and incentives for the use of CYP test results.

Results:  The cohort study included 101 of 1932 cases genotyped between 2003 and 2009. In 53 of 101 cases, test results were addressed in medical records. The most frequent response was to monitor drug concentrations (23 cases), observe for adverse events (18 cases) and adjust dosage (13 cases). In 33 of 101 cases, results were mentioned in the discharge letter. The ethnographic study indicated a poor adoption of the CYP test in clinical praxis. Test results were lost in workflows and knowledge transfer between laboratory and clinician and were absent from clinical routines, treatment conferences and educational fora.

Conclusion:  The CYP test has not gained foothold in clinical practice, and its potential clinical benefits are not utilized.
Evidence that interactive effects of COMT and MTHFR moderate psychotic response to environmental stress
Authors: Peerbooms O. , Rutten B. P. F. , Collip D. , Lardinois M. , Lataster T. , Thewissen V. , Mafi Rad S. , Drukker M. , Kenis G. , van Os J. , Myin‐Germeys I. , van Winkel R.
Published: December 2011

Peerbooms O, Rutten BPF, Collip D, Lardinois M, Lataster T, Thewissen V, Mafi Rad S, Drukker M, Kenis G, van Os J, Myin‐Germeys I, van Winkel R. Evidence that interactive effects of COMT and MTHFR moderate psychotic response to environmental stress.

Objective:  A functional interaction between Catechol‐O‐Methyltransferase (COMT) Val158Met and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T has been shown to differentially affect cognition in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls; the effect of COMT Val158Met × MTHFR interaction on resilience to stress in patients and controls remains to be examined.

Method:  A total of 98 patients with non‐affective psychotic disorder and 118 controls were genotyped for MTHFR C677T, MTHFR A1298C, and COMTVal158Met. Daily life reactivity to stress, modelled as the effect of daily life stress on psychotic experiences, was measured using the experience sampling method (ESM).

Results:  The MTHFR C677T genotype moderated the interaction between COMT Val158Met genotype and stress in patients (P < 0.0001), but not in controls (P = 0.68). Further examination of this interaction revealed that in patients with the MTHFR 677 T‐allele, COMT Met/Met individuals displayed the largest increases in psychotic symptoms in reaction to ESM stress [χ2(2) = 29.51; P < 0.0001], whereas in patients with the MTHFR 677 C/C genotype no significant COMT Val158Met × ESM stress interaction was apparent [χ2(2) = 3.65; P = 0.16]. No moderating effect of MTHFR A1298C was found.

Conclusion:  Stress reactivity associated with COMT Val158Met in patients with psychosis may crucially depend on MTHFR C677T genotype.
Is the large‐scale decline of the starling related to local changes in demography?
Authors: Smith Henrik G. , Ryegård Annika , Svensson Sören
Published: December 2011

The decline of one farmland bird, the migratory European starling, has been attributed to both agricultural intensification and farmland abandonment and to factors operating both during the winter and during the breeding season. We analysed population data from thirty‐three Swedish nestbox colonies over more than two decades to determine if the national decline was caused by a common factor affecting all colonies or by local changes in the breeding grounds affecting starling colonies. We found that numbers of breeding starling had declined significantly, but at different rates in different colonies. The local population sizes were affected by previous years’ productivity at both national and local scales, suggesting that changes in habitat quality at both scales could affect local population trends. There were no long‐term trends in reproductive output, but fledgling production was lowest at intermediate years. The local population changes were positively related to local changes in reproductive output, but only when including complete nest‐failures. A relationship between population declines and low mean local productivity was the result of the association between population sizes and reproductive success over time, since decline rates of starlings were not related to the average success during the first part of the study, but to the average success during the later part of the study. The relationship between population change and changes in reproductive output was evident, but fledgling production showed negative density‐dependence. In conclusion this study suggests that the decline of the starling population in Sweden has been affected by processes at small spatial scales during the breeding season affecting reproductive success, but does not exclude an additional role for processes at large spatial scales or outside the breeding season.
Can patterns of spatial autocorrelation reveal population processes? An analysis with the fire salamander
Authors: Ficetola Gentile Francesco , Manenti Raoul , De Bernardi Fiorenza , Padoa‐Schioppa Emilio
Published: December 2011

Spatial autocorrelation (SAC) is often observed in species distribution data, and can be caused by exogenous, autocorrelated factors determining species distribution, or by endogenous population processes determining clustering such as dispersal. However, it remains debated whether SAC patterns can actually reveal endogenous processes. We reviewed studies measuring dispersal of the salamander Salamandra salamandra, to formulate a priori hypotheses on the scale at which dispersal is expected to determine population distribution. We then tested the hypotheses by analysing SAC in distribution data, and evaluating whether controlling for the effect of environmental variables can reveal endogenous processes. We surveyed 565 streams to obtain species distribution data; we also recorded landscape and microhabitat features known to affect the species. We used multiple approaches to tease apart endogenous and exogenous SAC: the analysis of residuals of logistic regression models considering different environmental variables; the analysis of eigenvectors extracted by several implementations of spatial eigenvector mapping. In capture–mark–recapture studies, 98% of individuals moved 500 m or less. Both species distribution and environmental features were strongly autocorrelated. The residuals of logistic regression relating species to environmental variables were autocorrelated at distances up to 500 m; analyses considering different sets of environmental variables, or assuming non‐linear species habitat relationships, yielded identical results. The results of spatial eigenvector mapping strongly depended on the matrix of distances used. Nevertheless, the eigenvectors of models with best fit were autocorrelated at distances up to 200–500 m. The concordance between multiple approaches suggests that 500 m is the scale at which dispersal connects breeding localities, increasing probability of occurrence. If exogenous variables are correctly identified, the analysis of SAC can provide important insights on endogenous population processes, such as the flow of individuals. SAC analysis can also provide important information for conservation, as the existence of metapopulations or population networks is essential for long term persistence of amphibians.
Individual species–area relationships and spatial patterns of species diversity in a Great Basin, semi‐arid shrubland
Authors: Rayburn A. P. , Wiegand T.
Published: December 2011

Traditional biodiversity metrics operate at the level of a plant community but do not capture spatial variation in diversity from a ‘plant's‐eye view’ of a community. Recently‐developed statistics consider the spatial patterns of plants as well as the number and distribution of species in local plant neighborhoods to quantitatively assess multispecies spatial patterns from a ‘plant's‐eye view’. We used one such statistic, the individual species area relationship (ISAR), to assess spatial patterns of species diversity in a Great Basin (USA) semi‐arid shrubland through an analysis of a spatial dataset on shrub species and locations. In conjunction with appropriate null models, the ISAR blends species area relationships with second‐order spatial statistics to measure the expected species richness in local neighborhoods of variable size around the individuals of a focal species within a community. We found that, contrary to a previous analysis using more traditional methods, the community was well‐mixed with a typical shrub surrounded on average by 4.9 shrub neighbors of 2.1 species at a neighborhood scale of 1.0 m. We also found statistically significant fine‐scale variation in diversity patterns, such that neighborhoods of two species were more diverse than expected by a heterogeneous Poisson null model that accounted for larger‐scale habitat heterogeneity. However, this effect was caused by intraspecific aggregation of these species and was not due to positive interspecific association. Contrary to previous findings in other semi‐arid shrublands, our analysis suggests that the spatial pattern of the shrub community was not significantly structured by interspecific facilitation. This result supports growing evidence for balanced species patterns of adult plants in multispecies communities. Our approach may be used in other communities to describe complex multispecies spatial patterns, quantify species‐specific associations with diversity patterns, and to generate hypotheses regarding relationships between patterns and community‐structuring processes.
Strengthening forecasts of climate change impacts with multi‐model ensemble averaged projections using MAGICC/SCENGEN 5.3
Authors: Fordham Damien A. , Wigley Tom M. L. , Watts Michael J. , Brook Barry W.
Published: December 2011

Climate output from general circulation models (GCMs) is being used with increasing frequency to explore potential climate change impacts on species’ distributional range shifts and extinction probability. However, different GCMs do not perform equally well in their ability to hindcast the key climatic factors that potentially influence species distributions. Previous research has demonstrated that multi‐model ensemble forecasts perform better than any single GCM in simulating observed conditions at a global scale. MAGICC/SCENGEN 5.3 is a freeware climate model ‘emulator’ that generates multi‐model ensemble forecasts, conditional on regional and/or global performance, for up to twenty GCMs. In combination with a new application ‘M/SGridder’, this software can be used to produce down‐scaled ensemble forecasts, which minimize climate‐model‐related uncertainty, for a range of ecological problems.