bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome-wide patterns of genetic variation in sweet and grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
Authors: Zheng Lei-Ying , Guo Xiao-Sen , He Bing , Sun Lian-Jun , Peng Yao , Dong Shan-Shan , Liu Teng-Fei , Jiang Shuye , Ramachandran Srinivasan , Liu Chun-Ming , Jing Hai-Chun
Published: November 2011

Background

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is globally produced as a source of food, feed, fiber and fuel. Grain and sweet sorghums differ in a number of important traits, including stem sugar and juice accumulation, plant height as well as grain and biomass production. The first whole genome sequence of a grain sorghum is available, but additional genome sequences are required to study genome-wide and intraspecific variation for dissecting the genetic basis of these important traits and for tailor-designed breeding of this important C4 crop.

Results

We resequenced two sweet and one grain sorghum inbred lines, and identified a set of nearly 1,500 genes differentiating sweet and grain sorghum. These genes fall into ten major metabolic pathways involved in sugar and starch metabolisms, lignin and coumarin biosynthesis, nucleic acid metabolism, stress responses and DNA damage repair. In addition, we uncovered 1,057,018 SNPs, 99,948 indels of 1 to 10 bp in length and 16,487 presence/absence variations as well as 17,111 copy number variations. The majority of the large-effect SNPs, indels and presence/absence variations resided in the genes containing leucine rich repeats, PPR repeats and disease resistance R genes possessing diverse biological functions or under diversifying selection, but were absent in genes that are essential for life.

Conclusions

This is a first report of the identification of genome-wide patterns of genetic variation in sorghum. High-density SNP and indel markers reported here will be a valuable resource for future gene-phenotype studies and the molecular breeding of this important crop and related species.
Dual embryonic origin of the mammalian otic vesicle forming the inner ear
Authors: Freyer Laina , Aggarwal Vimla , Morrow Bernice E.
Published: November 2011

The inner ear and cochleovestibular ganglion (CVG) derive from a specialized region of head ectoderm termed the otic placode. During embryogenesis, the otic placode invaginates into the head to form the otic vesicle (OV), the primordium of the inner ear and CVG. Non-autonomous cell signaling from the hindbrain to the OV is required for inner ear morphogenesis and neurogenesis. In this study, we show that neuroepithelial cells (NECs), including neural crest cells (NCCs), can contribute directly to the OV from the neural tube. Using Wnt1-Cre, Pax3Cre/+ and Hoxb1Cre/+ mice to label and fate map cranial NEC lineages, we have demonstrated that cells from the neural tube incorporate into the otic epithelium after otic placode induction has occurred. Pax3Cre/+ labeled a more extensive population of NEC derivatives in the OV than did Wnt1-Cre. NEC derivatives constitute a significant population of the OV and, moreover, are regionalized specifically to proneurosensory domains. Descendents of Pax3Cre/+ and Wnt1-Cre labeled cells are localized within sensory epithelia of the saccule, utricle and cochlea throughout development and into adulthood, where they differentiate into hair cells and supporting cells. Some NEC derivatives give rise to neuroblasts in the OV and CVG, in addition to their known contribution to glial cells. This study defines a dual cellular origin of the inner ear from sensory placode ectoderm and NECs, and changes the current paradigm of inner ear neurosensory development.
Evaluation of the pain in varicose vein surgery under tumescent local anaesthesia using sodium bicarbonate as excipient without any intravenous sedation
Authors: Creton D , RÉA B , Pittaluga P , Chastanet S , Allaert F A
Published: November 2011

Objective

In order to simplify varicose vein surgery, we studied the possibility of tumescent local anaesthesia (TLA) using sodium bicarbonate 1.4% as excipient without any intravenous sedation.

Methods

For three months, 215 patients were included in two centres for ambulatory varicose vein surgery performed without any intravenous sedation. Clinical results and pain were evaluated according to the type and duration of surgery.

Results

Mean perioperative pain was evaluated at 2.7 on a visual scale (0–10). In 91% of the cases, surgery was deemed to be slightly painful. Preoperative pain was not linked to the technical means of surgery but to the psychological and organizational environment of the centre.

Conclusions

In many of the cases, varicose vein surgery could be performed under TLA without any intravenous sedation. Ambulatory varicose vein surgery without any intravenous sedation could be highly cost-effective.
Galectin-3 and the Development of Heart Failure after Acute Coronary Syndrome: Pilot Experience from PROVE IT-TIMI 22
Authors: Grandin E Wilson , Jarolim Petr , Murphy Sabina A , Ritterova Lea , Cannon Christopher P , Braunwald Eugene , Morrow David A
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND

Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside–binding lectin that has been implicated in cardiac fibrosis and remodeling, is increased in models of failure-prone hearts, and has prognostic value in patients with heart failure (HF). The relationship between galectin-3 and the development of HF after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is unknown.

METHODS

In a nested case-control study among patients with ACS in PROVE IT-TIMI 22, we identified 100 cases with a hospitalization for new or worsening HF. Controls were matched (1:1) for age, sex, ACS type, and randomized treatment. Serum galectin-3 was measured at baseline (within 7 days post-ACS).

RESULTS

Patients who developed HF had higher baseline galectin-3 [median 16.7 μg/L (25th, 75th percentile 14.0, 20.6) vs 14.6 μg/L (12.0, 17.6), P = 0.004]. Patients with baseline galectin-3 above the median had an odds ratio of 2.1 (95% CI 1.2–3.6) for developing HF, P = 0.010. Galectin-3 showed a graded relationship with risk of HF. Cases were more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, prior MI, and prior HF; after adjustment for these factors, this graded relationship with galectin-3 quartile and HF remained significant [adjusted OR 1.4 (95% CI 1.1–1.9), P = 0.020]. When BNP was added to the model, the relationship between galectin-3 and HF was attenuated [adjusted OR 1.3 (95% CI: 0.96–1.9), P = 0.08].

CONCLUSIONS

The finding that galectin-3 is associated with the risk of developing HF following ACS adds to emerging evidence supporting galectin-3 as a biomarker of adverse remodeling contributing to HF as well as a potential therapeutic target.
What Protects Youths From Externalising and Internalising Problems? A Critical Review of Research Findings and Implications for Practice
Authors: Eriksson Ida , Cater Åsa , Andershed Anna-Karin , Andershed Henrik
Published: November 2011

Problems in childhood and adolescence, such as pronounced externalising and internalising problems, are associated with a relatively high risk for long-lasting psychosocial difficulties. Therefore, it is essential to understand what protects youth from externalising and internalising problems. The present article has three purposes: (1) To review previous research reviews concerning which factors that have been identified as protecting youth from externalising and internalising problems, (2) to identify and suggest key areas of focus for future research, and (3) to discuss implications of this knowledge for practice. From the 29 included reviews, it can be concluded that an extensive list of factors have been identified as being potentially protective in youths. These factors exist in the individual and the family, as well as outside the family. However, from this review of reviews, it is also evident that many important questions remain unanswered. Answers to these questions would help make interventions for youths at risk more effective. How to use the existing research results concerning protective factors in guidance and counselling with youths is discussed.
Understanding the Coping Strategies of International Students: A Qualitative Approach
Authors: Khawaja Nigar G. , Stallman Helen M.
Published: November 2011

International students encounter a range of additional challenges as a part of their tertiary study experience. A qualitative approach was used to understand the challenges faced by international students, coping strategies that promoted their personal resilience and advice they have for future international students. Twenty-two international students from an Australian university participated in four focus groups. The challenges identified by students included adjustment, social isolation, English language skills, academic difficulties, unmet expectations, employment, culture shock and psychological distress. Participants shared their own personal experiences and strategies used by them to cope and identified strategies that future students could use prior to leaving their home country and whilst in Australia to improve their adjustment. Uses of international student stories in prevention interventions are discussed.
Optimizing Service Productivity
Authors: Rust Roland T. , Huang Ming-Hui
Published: November 2011

To increase service productivity, many companies utilize automation extensively to reduce the use of labor. However, greater use of automation does not always result in higher service quality, and the effectiveness of automation in providing service hinges on how advanced the technology level is. Departing from the standard perspective in which productivity is simply treated as an output measure of firm performance, the authors propose service productivity as a strategic decision variable; that is, the firm manages the service productivity level to maximize profits. They develop a theory of optimal service productivity that explains when the optimal productivity level will be higher or lower and distinguishes between short-term effects of service productivity due to labor–automation trade-offs and long-term effects due to the advance of technology. The theory, together with the existing literature, inspires the development of three testable empirical hypotheses, which are confirmed using data from more than 700 service companies in two time periods. The research shows that service productivity should be lower when factors (e.g., higher profit margin, higher price) motivate the provision of better service quality and that service productivity should be higher when factors (e.g., higher market concentration, higher wages) discourage the provision of better service quality. The empirical results also provide preliminary evidence that large service companies may tend to be too productive relative to the optimal level and, if so, should place less emphasis (in the short run) on cost reduction through automation and more emphasis on service quality.
Modeling Multichannel Home Video Demand in the U.S. Motion Picture Industry
Authors: Mukherjee Anirban , Kadiyali Vrinda
Published: November 2011

The U.S. motion picture industry has become increasingly reliant on posttheatrical channel profits. Two often-cited drivers of these profits are cross-channel substitution among posttheatrical channels and seasonality in consumer preferences for any movie. The authors use a differentiated products version of the multiplicative competitive interaction model to investigate these two phenomena. They estimate the model using data from 2000 and 2001 on two posttheatrical channels in the U.S. market: purchase and rental home viewing channels. Contrary to expectations based on business press commentary, after controlling for seasonality and movie attributes, the authors find low cross-channel price and availability elasticity for both channels. To measure the extent of cross-channel cannibalization, they simulate a 28-day window of sequential release with either purchase or rental channel going first. They find that windowing reduces the sum of revenues across both channels, because more consumers choose to not purchase or rent when faced with older movies in their favored channel rather than to switch to the alternative channel with newer movies.
Location, Location, Location: An Analysis of Profitability of Position in Online Advertising Markets
Authors: Agarwal Ashish , Hosanagar Kartik , Smith Michael D.
Published: November 2011

The authors evaluate the impact of ad placement on revenues and profits generated from sponsored search. Their approach uses data generated through a field experiment for several keywords from an online retailer's ad campaign. Using a hierarchical Bayesian model, the authors measure the impact of ad placement on both click-through and conversion rates. They find that while click-through rate decreases with position, conversion rate increases with position and is even higher for more specific keywords. The net effect is that, contrary to the conventional wisdom in the industry, the topmost position is not necessarily the revenue-or profit-maximizing position. The authors’ results inform the advertising strategies of firms participating in sponsored search auctions and provide insight into consumer behavior in these environments. Specifically, they help correct a significant misunderstanding among advertisers regarding the value of the top position. Furthermore, they reveal potential inefficiencies in current auction mechanisms that search engines use. The authors’ results also reveal the information search strategies that consumers use in sponsored search and provide evidence of recency bias for immediate purchases.
The Impact of Relative Standards on the Propensity to Disclose
Authors: Acquisti Alessandro , John Leslie K. , Loewenstein George
Published: November 2011

Two sets of studies illustrate the comparative nature of disclosure behavior. The first set investigates how divulgence is affected by signals about others' readiness to divulge and shows a “herding” effect: Survey respondents are more willing to divulge sensitive information when told that previous respondents have made sensitive disclosures (Study 1a). The authors provide evidence of the process underlying this effect and rule out alternative explanations by showing that information on others' propensity to disclose affects respondents' discomfort associated with divulgence (Study 1b) but not their interpretation of the questions (Study 1c). The second set of studies investigates how divulgence is affected by the order in which inquiries of varying intrusiveness are made and suggests that divulgence is anchored by the initial questions in a survey. People are particularly likely to divulge when questions are presented in decreasing order of intrusiveness and less likely when questions are presented in increasing order (Study 2a). The authors show that the effect arises by affecting people's judgments of the intrusiveness of the inquiries (Study 2b). The effect is altered when, at the outset of the study, privacy concerns are primed (Study 2c) and when respondents are made to consider the relative intrusiveness of a different set of questions (Study 2d). This research helps illuminate how consumers' propensity to disclose is affected by continual streams of requests for personal information and by the equally unavoidable barrage of personal information about others.
Embodied Myopia
Authors: van Den Bergh Bram , Schmitt Julien , Warlop Luk
Published: November 2011

One field study and five experiments show that seemingly irrelevant bodily actions influence consumer behavior. These studies demonstrate that arm flexion (in which the motor action is directed toward the self) versus arm extension (in which the motor action is directed away from the self) influences purchase behavior, product preferences, and economic decisions. More specifically, arm flexion increases the likelihood of purchasing vice products (Study 1a), leads to a preference for vices over virtues (Studies 1b and 2a), and leads to preference for smaller, sooner over larger, later monetary rewards (Studies 2b, 3, and 4). The authors argue that arm flexion induces present-biased preferences through activation of approach motivation. The effect of bodily actions on present-biased preferences is regulated by the behavioral approach system (Studies 3 and 4) and relies on the learned association between arm flexion and activation of this approach system (Study 4). The authors discuss implications for intertemporal decision making, embodied cognition, and marketing practice.
What Makes Online Content Viral?
Authors: Berger Jonah , Milkman Katherine L.
Published: November 2011

Why are certain pieces of online content (e.g., advertisements, videos, news articles) more viral than others? This article takes a psychological approach to understanding diffusion. Using a unique data set of all the New York Times articles published over a three-month period, the authors examine how emotion shapes virality. The results indicate that positive content is more viral than negative content, but the relationship between emotion and social transmission is more complex than valence alone. Virality is partially driven by physiological arousal. Content that evokes high-arousal positive (awe) or negative (anger or anxiety) emotions is more viral. Content that evokes low-arousal, or deactivating, emotions (e.g., sadness) is less viral. These results hold even when the authors control for how surprising, interesting, or practically useful content is (all of which are positively linked to virality), as well as external drivers of attention (e.g., how prominently content was featured). Experimental results further demonstrate the causal impact of specific emotion on transmission and illustrate that it is driven by the level of activation induced. Taken together, these findings shed light on why people share content and how to design more effective viral marketing campaigns.
Looks Interesting, but what does it Do? Evaluation of Incongruent Product form Depends on Positioning
Authors: Noseworthy Theodore J. , Trudel Remi
Published: November 2011

Marketers struggle with how best to position innovative products that are incongruent with consumer expectations. Compounding the issue, many incongruent products are the result of innovative changes in product form intended to increase hedonic appeal. Crossing various product categories with various positioning tactics in a single meta-analytic framework, the authors find that positioning plays an important role in how consumers evaluate incongruent form. The results demonstrate that when a product is positioned on functional dimensions, consumers show more preferential evaluations for moderately incongruent form than for congruent form. However, when a product is positioned on experiential dimensions, consumers show more preferential evaluations for congruent form than for moderately incongruent form. Importantly, an increase in perceived hedonic benefits mediates the former, whereas a decrease in perceived utilitarian benefits mediates the latter. The mediation effects are consistent with the view that consumers must first understand a product's functionality before engaging in hedonic consumption.
Focus! Creative Success is Enjoyed through Restricted Choice
Authors: Sellier Anne-Laure , Dahl Darren W.
Published: November 2011

A common belief states that more choice of creative inputs boosts consumer creativity because it expands consumers’ creative solution space. Two experimental studies, run in a knitting and a crafting context, challenge this intuition and suggest that restricting the choice of creative inputs actually enhances creativity for experienced consumers. The authors find that this outcome is due to consumers’ ability to enjoy the creative process more, which in turn positively affects their creative output, as judged by experts. In contrast, consumers perceive themselves as more creative (regardless of experience level) when they have a greater rather than a limited choice of inputs. The authors discuss how these findings open up new avenues for research on creativity and choice overload.
Signaling regulation of fetoplacental angiogenesis
Authors: Wang Kai , Zheng Jing
Published: November 2011

During normal pregnancy, dramatically increased placental blood flow is critical for fetal growth and survival as well as neonatal birth weights and survivability. This increased blood flow results from angiogenesis, vasodilatation, and vascular remodeling. Locally produced growth factors including fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) are key regulators of placental endothelial functions including cell proliferation, migration, and vasodilatation. However, the precise signaling mechanisms underlying such regulation in fetoplacental endothelium are less well defined, specifically with regard to the interactions amongst protein kinases (PKs), protein phosphatase, and nitric oxide (NO). Recently, we and other researchers have obtained solid evidence showing that different signaling mechanisms participate in FGF2- and VEGFA-regulated fetoplacental endothelial cell proliferation and migration as well as NO production. This review will briefly summarize currently available data on signaling mediating fetoplacental angiogenesis with a specific emphasis on PKs, ERK1/2, AKT1, and p38 MAPK and protein phosphatases, PPP2 and PPP3.
Antipsychotic Treatment Among Youth in Foster Care
Authors: dosReis Susan , Yoon Yesel , Rubin David M. , Riddle Mark A. , Noll Elizabeth , Rothbard Aileen
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:

Despite national concerns over high rates of antipsychotic medication use among youth in foster care, concomitant antipsychotic use has not been examined. In this study, concomitant antipsychotic use among Medicaid-enrolled youth in foster care was compared with disabled or low-income Medicaid-enrolled youth.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

The sample included 16 969 youths younger than 20 years who were continuously enrolled in a Mid-Atlantic state Medicaid program and had ≥1 claim with a psychiatric diagnosis and ≥1 antipsychotic claim in 2003. Antipsychotic treatment was characterized by days of any use and concomitant use with ≥2 overlapping antipsychotics for >30 days. Medicaid program categories were foster care, disabled (Supplemental Security Income), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Multicategory involvement for youths in foster care was classified as foster care/Supplemental Security Income, foster care/TANF, and foster care/adoption. We used multivariate analyses, adjusting for demographics, psychiatric comorbidities, and other psychotropic use, to assess associations between Medicaid program category and concomitant antipsychotic use.

RESULTS:

Average antipsychotic use ranged from 222 ± 110 days in foster care to only 135 ± 101 days in TANF (P < .001). Concomitant use for ≥180 days was 19% in foster care only and 24% in foster care/adoption compared with <15% in the other categories. Conduct disorder and antidepressant or mood-stabilizer use was associated with a higher likelihood of concomitant antipsychotic use (P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Additional study is needed to assess the clinical rationale, safety, and outcomes of concomitant antipsychotic use and to inform statewide policies for monitoring and oversight of antipsychotic use among youths in the foster care system.
Benefits of a Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at a Children's Hospital
Authors: Di Pentima M. Cecilia , Chan Shannon , Hossain Jobayer
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To prospectively evaluate the effect of a comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship program on antimicrobial use, physician interventions, patient outcomes, and rates of antimicrobial resistance.

METHODS:

Active surveillance of antimicrobial use with intervention and real-time feedback to providers and reinforcement of prior authorization for selected antimicrobials were introduced at a pediatric teaching hospital. Antimicrobial-use indications were incorporated as a mandatory field in the computerized information system. An automated report of antimicrobials prescribed, doses, patient demographics, and microbiology data was generated and reviewed by an infectious-disease pharmacist and a pediatric infectious-disease physician. Antimicrobial use, expressed as the number of doses administered per 1000 patient-days, was measured 3 years before and after the implementation of the program.

RESULTS:

Total antimicrobial use peaked at 3089 doses administered per 1000 patient-days per year in 2003–2004 before implementation of the program and steadily decreased to 1904 doses administered per 1000 patient-days per year during the postintervention period. Targeted-antimicrobial use declined from 1250 to 988 doses administered per 1000 patient-days per year. Nontargeted-antimicrobial use declined from 1839 to 916 doses administered per 1000 patient-days per year. Rates of antimicrobial resistance to broad-spectrum antimicrobials among the most common Gram-negative bacilli remained low and stable over time.

CONCLUSIONS:

The successful implementation of antimicrobial stewardship strategies had a significant impact on reducing targeted- and nontargeted-antimicrobial use, improving quality of care of hospitalized children and preventing emergence of resistance.
Use of a Visual Aid to Improve Counseling at the Threshold of Viability
Authors: Kakkilaya Venkatakrishna , Groome Lynn J. , Platt Daci , Kurepa Dalibor , Pramanik Arun , Caldito Gloria , Conrad Lesley , Bocchini Joseph A. , Davis Terry C.
Published: November 2011

OBJECTIVES:

To pilot-test a visual aid developed to help counsel pregnant women.

METHODS:

After agreeing to participate, pregnant women at >28 weeks of gestation were assigned randomly to counseling with or without a visual aid. The visual aid contained pictures, graphics, and short messages about delivery room resuscitation, chances of survival, anticipated neonatal course, and long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities. A neonatal fellow performed counseling with a standardized script for an anticipated delivery at 23 weeks of gestation. In precounseling and postcounseling sessions, women were given a structured interview to assess their knowledge of chances of survival and disability and attitudes toward resuscitation.

RESULTS:

Of the 89 women who participated, 76% were black and 59% read below a 9th-grade level. Compared with the no–visual aid group, women in the visual aid group recalled more disabilities and predicted longer neonatal stays (P = .01). For both groups, mothers' perceptions of the chances of survival were lower after counseling; the decrease was greater in the visual aid group (P = .03). The majority of women in each group opted for resuscitation, which was not affected by counseling. In multivariate analyses, use of the visual aid was a significant independent factor in explaining before/after differences in survival chances and recall of a long NICU stay and number of disabilities; higher literacy levels also were significant for recalling the number of disabilities.

CONCLUSIONS:

Use of a visual aid improved mothers' knowledge and showed promise as a decision aid for counseling at the threshold of viability.
Unusual clinical manifestations of type 1 neurofibromatosis
Authors: Komlósi Katalin , Polgár Noémi , Hadzsiev Kinga , Ottóffy Gábor , Illés Tamás , Dóczi Tamás , Melegh Béla
Published: November 2011

Type 1 neurofibromatosis is an autosomal dominant hamartosis caused by mutations of the neurofibromin-1 gene. The classic features of the clinical phenotype include the presence of café-au-lait spots, neurofibromas, axillary and inguinal freckling, Lisch-nodules and deformities of the skeletal system, as well as the risk of developing multiple tumors, especially in the central nervous system. However, it is known from the literature that the phenotypic variability can pose a huge diagnostic difficulty. Aims: Our institute performs molecular genetic testing of the neurofibromin-1 gene since 2008; during this period several unusual phenotypic variants were found. Results, conclusion: The reported four cases represent interesting phenotypic variants or diagnostic challenges in which the final diagnosis was established by molecular genetic analysis. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 1965–1970.
Guest Editorial
Authors: Newell Aimee E.
Published: November 2011

In April 2010, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, in Lexington, Massachusetts, held a symposium devoted to presenting new research on American fraternal groups from the past through to the present day. This issue of the Journal for Research into Freemasonry and Fraternalism shares scholarship from that event.
Coexistence, Exclusion, or Neutrality? A Meta-Analysis of Competition between Aedes Albopictus and Resident Mosquitoes
Authors: Juliano Steven A.
Published: November 2011

Competition experiments estimating the relative effects of inter- and intraspecific competition can help to resolve whether interspecific competition results in coexistence or exclusion. For mosquitoes, most such experiments have focused on invasiveAedes albopictusand its interactions with residentAedes.A meta-analysis of such experiments tested whether the effect of interspecific competition is greater than, less than, or equal to that of intraspecific competition, and whether competitive outcomes are dependent on food quality. ForA. albopictusandA. aegypti, there was significant context dependence, with interspecific competitive advantage forA. albopictuswith low food quality, and competitive equivalence with high food quality. Meta-analysis of survivorship yielded more significant effects than did estimated rate of increase. Competitive effects and competitive responses of each species yielded similar results. This meta-analysis suggests competitive exclusion ofA. aegyptibyA. albopictus, and is thus consistent with field sampling, qualitative reviews, and interpretations from individual publications. ForA. albopictusandA. triseriatus, most results indicated competitive equivalence and no context dependence, and are thus contrary to previous qualitative reviews and to interpretations from individual publications. For both pairs of species, published results suitable for meta-analysis remain scarce, and better experimental designs and improved analysis and reporting of statistical results are needed. Greater emphasis needs to be placed on estimating species' inter- and intraspecific competitive effects, rather than the more common, but theoretically less interesting, competitive responses. Experiments without low-density controls (i.e., replacement series) are inadequate for comparing competitive effects and responses.
Meta-Analysis of Co-Infections in Ticks
Authors: Civitello David J. , Rynkiewicz Evelyn , Clay Keith
Published: November 2011

Microbial infections typically do not occur in isolation but co-occur within diverse communities of bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and viruses. Co-infections can lead to increased disease severity, lead to selection for increased virulence, and complicate disease diagnosis and treatment. Co-infections also occur in disease vectors, and represent one source of co-infections in hosts. We examined patterns of co-infections in ticks (Order Acari), which vector diverse human and wildlife pathogens, and asked whether the frequency of microbial co-infections deviated significantly from independent associations. Most published data were from Ixodes species and reported infection and co-infection frequencies ofBorrelia burgdorferiandAnaplasma phagocytophilum. A total of 18 datasets representing 4978 adult ticks met our criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Significant deviations from independent co-infection were detected in eight of the 18 populations. Five populations exhibited a significant excess ofA. phagocytophilum/B. burgdorferico-infections, including all populations ofI. ricinusthat deviated from independence. In contrast, both populations ofI. persulcatusand one of two populations ofI. scapularisexhibited a significant deficit of co-infection. The single population ofI. pacificusexamined had a significant excess of co-infection. Our meta-analyses indicate that tick-borne microbes are often distributed non-randomly, but the direction of deviation was not consistent, indicating that multiple mechanisms contribute to these patterns. Unfortunately, most published studies were not designed to describe patterns of co-infection, and provided insufficient data for our meta-analysis. Future studies should more explicitly measure and report co-infections in ticks, including co-infections by endosymbionts.
Flapless Dental Implant Surgery for Patients on Oral Anticoagulants—The “WarLess Procedure”: A Report of 2 Cases
Authors: Zoman Hamad Al , Jetaily Samer Al , Robert Asirvatham Alwin , Baskaradoss Jagan Kumar , Al-Suwyed Abdulaziz , Ciancio Sebastian , Mubarak Sultan Al
Published: November 2011

Patients with prosthetic heart valves are maintained on lifelong oral anticoagulant therapy. The optimal anticoagulant management of such patients during surgical dental procedures has been debated for a long time. Compared with conventional dental implant placement, a minimally invasive flapless approach has the potential to reduce bleeding and minimize surgical time, postoperative pain, soft tissue inflammation, and crestal bone. The purpose of these case reports is to show the clinical predictability of dental implant placement using a minimally invasive flapless approach without reducing the dosage of anticoagulants for patients on lifelong anticoagulant therapy. In this study, a 45-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man who had undergone cardiac surgery and were currently under a full therapeutic level of anticoagulation therapy (warfarin) were treated with flapless dental implant surgery without reducing their anticoagulant dosage. Postoperative clinical and radiographic assessment showed no abnormality, minimal signs of inflammation, and excellent healing. The combination of minimally invasive flapless dental implant surgery with no interruption in the normal dose of the anticoagulant medications could be an improved method for placing dental implants in patients on long-term anticoagulant therapy.
Review of the New World Genus Venanus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Microgastrinae), with a New Key and Descriptions of Three New Reared Neotropical Species
Authors: Whitfield James B , Rasmussen Claus , Arias-Penna Diana C
Published: November 2011

The New World microgastrine braconid wasp genus Venanus is reviewed, and a new illustrated key to species is provided. Three new species are described and illustrated: Venanus kusikuyllurae Rasmussen & Whitfield, n. sp., reared from the gelechiid pests of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willdenow), Eurysacca quinoae Povolný, and Eurysacca melanocampta (Meyrick) in Peru; Venanus greeneyi Whitfield & Arias-Penna n. sp., reared from pyralid caterpillars feeding on Phenax rugosus (Poir.) and Boehmeria spp. (both Urticaceae) in Ecuador; and Venanus yanayacuensis Arias-Penna & Whitfield, n. sp., reared from pyralid caterpillars feeding on several species of Asteraceae in Ecuador. In addition, the female of Venanus helavai Mason, previously known only from males, is diagnosed and illustrated, and we provide the first known host record for this species: pyralid caterpillars on Myrsine coriacea (Sw.) (Myrsinaceae).
Natural History ofEryphanis greeneyi(Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) and Its Enemies, with a Description of a New Species of Braconid Parasitoid and Notes on Its Tachinid Parasitoid
Authors: Greeney Harold F , Whitfield James B , Stireman John O , Penz Carla M , Dyer Lee A
Published: November 2011

This study encompasses three trophic levels, including description and observations of a butterfly caterpillar, its host plant, and two parasitoids, one of which is described here as a new species. We describe the immature stages and larval and adult behaviors of the butterfly Eryphanis greeneyi Penz & DeVries, 2008 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) from the east Andean slopes of Ecuador. We identify Chusquea cf. scandens (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) as the larval food plant and review host associations in the genus Eryphanis and related taxa. We compare the morphology of E. greeneyi caterpillars to related taxa feeding on Chusquea and discuss the function of anal combs and associated frass throwing behavior. We describe a new species of braconid wasp Protapanteles eryphanidis sp. n. Whitfield and a tachinid fly, Winthemia sp. nr. analis, reared from field-collected larvae of E. greeneyi and evaluate their taxonomic position and association with E. greeneyi.
Revision of Nearctic Holly Leafminers in the GenusPhytomyza(Diptera: Agromyzidae), Including Descriptions of Four New Species
Authors: Lonsdale Owen , Scheffer Sonja J
Published: November 2011

The Phytomyza ilicis species group is the only taxon in the phytophagous family Agromyzidae (Diptera: Schizophora) known to feed on hollies (Aquifoliaceae: Ilex L.) in North America, mining within the living leaves as larvae. The clade is represented here by 11 species native to eastern North America, although P. vomitoriae has been introduced into California. The sole European holly leafminer, Phytomyza ilicis Curtis, is also present in western North America following introduction. The North American fauna is revised, following a molecular treatment of the group by Scheffer and Wiegmann (Mol. Phylog. Evol. 17: 244–255; 2000), who discovered several previously undescribed species. These new species, Phytomyza ambigua spec, nov., Phytomyza leslieae spec, nov., Phytomyza lineata spec. nov., and Phytomyza wiggii spec, nov., are formally named, and all adults and puparia of North American species are described, illustrated, and included in an updated identification key. A lectotype is designated for P. ilicis.
Effect of High and Low Concentrations of Sugar Solutions Fed to Adult Male, Phormia regina (Diptera: Calliphoridae), on ‘Bubbling’ Behavior
Authors: Larson Kristin , Stoffolano John G
Published: November 2011

‘Bubbling’ behavior, or the regurgitation of liquid from the crop through droplet formation on the proboscis, has been observed in many nonblood feeding dipterans. One factor that has been identified as a cause for ‘bubbling’ is the concentration of the solution flies ingest. The hypothesis presented in this paper states that male flies ingesting more dilute solutions will exhibit more bubbling behavior than those that ingest a less dilute solution. Concentrations tested were a high concentration of 80% sucrose solution and a low concentration of 20% sucrose solution. Males only were tested to avoid any confounding effect of the females need for energy sources for reproduction. Male flies that ingested the 80% sugar solution showed 45% of the flies tested bubbling, which was significantly different from the flies that ingested 20% solution, which had only 5% of the flies bubbling. No significant weight loss or percentage of weight loss was observed between bubbling and nonbubbling flies for either sugar solution concentration. Results comparing a high and low concentration of sucrose do not support the theory of elimination of excess water loss to concentrate dilute solutions or the “dilute solution hypothesis”. Other factors, not identified previously, that could contribute to bubbling, are changes in osmolality, utilization of blood sugar (i.e., trehalose), and the regulation of the proventricular valve.
Biology ofLeptoypha hospita(Hemiptera: Tingidae), a Potential Biological Control Agent of Chinese Privet
Authors: Zhang Yanzhuo , Hanula James L , Horn Scott , Braman S Kristine , Sun Jianghua
Published: November 2011

The biology of Leptoypha hospita Drake et Poor (Hemiptera: Tingidae), a potential biological control agent from China for Chinese privet, Ligustrum sinense Lour., was studied in quarantine in the United States. Both nymphs and adults feed on Chinese privet mesophyll cells that lead to a bleached appearance of leaves and dieback of branch tips. L. hospita has five nymphal instars with the mean duration of the life cycle from egg to new adult being 25 d. Females laid an average of 240 eggs per female and continued laying until death. Adults lived ≈75 d on average. Because it feeds on Chinese privet, has multiple generations per year and a high reproductive rate, L. hospita may be a good biological control agent for this invasive plant.
A Revision of the New Zealand GenusExeirarthra(Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae: Faronitae)
Authors: Park J-S , Carlton C E
Published: November 2011

A taxonomic review of the New Zealand genus Exeirarthra Broun is presented. Six species are documented, and three new species are described and illustrated: Exeirarthra maclennanensis Park & Carlton, sp. nov.; Exeirarthra mccollae Park & Carlton, sp. nov.; and Exeirarthra nunni Park & Carlton, sp. nov. Two species, Exeirarthra angustula Broun and Exeirarthra pallida Broun, are synonymized under Exeirarthra enigma Broun. A key, habitus illustrations, and photos and line drawings of diagnostic characters for all Exeirarthra species are provided.
Larvae of Four Leucochrysa (Nodita) Species (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Leucochrysini) from Brazil's Atlantic Coast
Authors: Mantoanelli Euzileni , Tauber Catherine A , Albuquerque Gilberto S , Tauber Maurice J
Published: November 2011

Several morphological features and markings differentiate the larvae (three instars) of four Leucochrysa (Nodita) species (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae: Leucochrysini) that commonly occur in agricultural areas along the Atlantic Coast of Brazil. Descriptions and keys to species are provided. Based on the characteristics of the four species studied here and four previously described species, we propose a suite of diagnostic characteristics for Leucochrysa (Nodita) larvae.
Variation in Male and Female Genitalia Among Ten Species of North AmericanAnthocoris(Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)
Authors: Horton David R , Lewis Tamera M
Published: November 2011

We compared morphology of internal reproductive anatomy and genitalia among 10 species of North American Anthocoris (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Anthocoridae). Reproductive structures of males, including internal reproductive organs (testes, seminal vesicles, ejaculatory bulb, phallus), the paramere, and the endosoma, were found to vary in size, shape, and appearance among the 10 species, although with similarities among species within some groupings. All species except Anthocoris bakeri Poppius have two testicular follicles per testis; A. bakeri has five to seven follicles per testis. In seven of the 10 species, a longitudinal groove was found to be present on the paramere; we believe this groove functions to guide the male's intromittent organ as it enters the female during copulation. Variation among species in morphology of the male's inflated endosoma included differences in length, presence or absence of looping, and in presence of spinulate, dentate, or tuberculate projections. The summary presented here is the first description of the endosoma for any species of Anthocoris. We observed substantial variation among species in length of the female's copulatory tube (i.e., the organ which receives the male's intromittent organ), although again with some similarities among certain groupings of species. Variation in length of the female's copulatory tube parallels variation in length of the male's endosoma, which suggests that morphology of genitalia within this genus has coevolved between sexes.
Effects of Various Semiochemicals on the Responses of Rhyzopertha dominica to Pheromone Traps in the Field
Authors: Edde Peter A , Toews Michael D , Phillips Thomas W
Published: November 2011

Feeding male Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) produces two pheromones Dominicalure-1 (DL-1) and Dominicalure-2 (DL-2), which attracts adults of both sexes. In field experiments conducted in Oklahoma, R. dominica captures in multiple funnel traps deployed with its pheromones, ethanol, or both, green-leaf volatiles (GLV), plant essential oils, or synthetic pheromones for Ips spp., Dendroctonus spp., or Scolytus multistriatus (Marsham) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) were examined. The bark beetle lures were evaluated at the release rate recommended for the respective insects. The number of insects trapped increased when R. dominica lure was combined with ethanol, whereas beetle captures neither were enhanced nor inhibited when the lure was combined with GLV, 3-methylcyclohex-2-en-l-one (MCH), or plant essential oil mixtures turpentine, from Pinus spp., and cedar wood oil, from Juniperus spp. (Coniferales: Pinaceae and Cupressaceae). Similarly, the numbers of captured R. dominica did not significantly differ when R. dominica lures were supplemented with ipsdienol, ipsenol, cis-verbenol, or pityol. Conversely, the combination of R. dominica lures with exo-brevicomin, frontalin, and commercial lure for S. multistriatus, containing the bicyclic ketal multistriatin, resulted in significantly fewer captures of R. dominica. The presence of live males of the closely related species Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) decreased the number of captured R. dominica by >70% compared with captures in traps baited with R. dominica's natural pheromone alone. Results support the hypothesis that grain-infesting R. dominica evolved from forest-inhabiting ancestors and retained behavioral traits for semiochemical interactions with other wood-boring beetle species. Such interspecific interactions have potential for exploitation in pest management programs against R. dominica.
Description of a New Abernessia with Notes on Neotropical Ctenocerinae (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae)
Authors: Waichert C , Pitts J P
Published: November 2011

A new species of Ctenocerinae, Abernessia prima sp. nov., is described for Brazil based on the male sex only. This is the first male to be described for the subfamily in the Neotropics. A brief discussion of the current status of Ctenocerinae is provided. Distribution records and illustrations for another Neotropical Ctenocerinae species, Lepidocnemis antiquus, also are provided.
Open-mode discontinuities in soils
Authors: Shin H. , Santamarina J. C.
Published: November 2011

The formation of open-mode discontinuities is a common occurrence in soils. This family of discontinuities includes hydraulic fractures, gas-driven fractures, desiccation cracks, ice and hydrate lenses, and even roots. These discontinuities can be analysed at the particle scale or at the macroscale using constitutive models that are consistent with the effective stress-dependent behaviour of soils. Both analyses show that the medium is in compression everywhere and that growth is intimately related to unloading and expansion ahead of the tip. While these observations appear to be common to the development of all open-mode fractures in soils, there are pronounced invasion differences between miscible fluids and immiscible phases.
Low‐temperature fabrication of 5‐in. QVGA flexible AMOLED display driven by OTFTs using olefin polymer as the gate insulator
Authors: Nakajima Yoshiki , Fujisaki Yoshihide , Takei Tatsuya , Sato Hiroto , Nakata Mitsuru , Suzuki Mitsunori , Fukagawa Hirohiko , Motomura Genichi , Shimizu Takahisa , Isogai Yukie , Sugitani Koichi , Katoh Takeyoshi , Tokito Shizuo , Yamamoto Toshihiro , Fujikake Hideo
Published: November 2011

Abstract— A 5‐in. QVGA flexible AMOLED display driven by OTFTs has been fabricated at a low temperature of 130°C. A polyethylene naphthalate film was used as the flexible substrate and an olefin polymer was used as the gate insulator for the OTFT. This layer was formed by spin‐coating and baking at 130°C. Pentacene was used as the organic semiconductor layer. The OTFT performance to drive the flexible display with QVGA pixels in terms of current on/off ratio, carrier mobility, and spatial uniformity on the backplane have been obtained. Phosphorescent and fluorescent OLEDs were used as light‐emitting devices on a flexible display. Those layers were formed by vacuum deposition. After the flexible display was fabricated, a clear and uniform moving image was obtained on the display. The display also showed a stable moving image even when it was bent.