bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topography drives migratory flight altitude of golden eagles: implications for on‐shore wind energy development
Authors: Katzner Todd E. , Brandes David , Miller Tricia , Lanzone Michael , Maisonneuve Charles , Tremblay Junior A. , Mulvihill Robert , Merovich George T.
Published: October 2012

Wind power is a fast‐growing industry with broad potential to impact volant wildlife. Flight altitude is a key determinant of the risk to wildlife from modern horizontal‐axis wind turbines, which typically have a rotor‐swept zone of 50–150 m above the ground.

We used altitudinal GPS data collected from golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos tracked using satellite telemetry to evaluate the potential impacts of wind turbines on eagles and other raptors along migratory routes. Eagle movements during migration were classified as local (1–5 km h−1) or migratory (>10 km h−1) and were characterized based on the type of terrain over which each bird was flying, and the bird's distance from wind resources preferred for energy development.

Birds engaged in local movements turned more frequently and flew at lower altitude than during active migration. This flight behaviour potentially exposes them to greater risk of collision with turbines than when engaged in longer‐distance movements.

Eagles flew at relatively lower altitude over steep slopes and cliffs (sites where orographic lift can develop) than over flats and gentle slopes (sites where thermal lift is more likely).

Eagles predominantly flew near to wind resources preferred by energy developers, and locally moving eagles flew closer to those wind resources with greater frequency than eagles in active migration.

Synthesis and applications. Our research outlines the general effects of topography on raptor flight altitude and demonstrates how topography can interact with raptor migration behaviour to drive a potential human–wildlife conflict resulting from wind energy development. Management of risk to migratory species from industrial‐scale wind turbines should consider the behavioural differences between both locally moving and actively migrating individuals. Additionally, risk assessment for wind energy–wildlife interactions should incorporate the consequences of topography on the flight altitude of potentially impacted wildlife.
Cultivar genotype, application and endophyte history affects community impact of Schedonorus arundinaceus
Authors: Yurkonis Kathryn A. , Maherali Hafiz , Bolton Kim A. , Klironomos John N. , Newman Jonathan A.
Published: October 2012

Cultivars of several cool‐season grasses used in forage and turf applications are developed to contain low (E−) or high (E+) seed fungal endophyte presence, and these characteristics may influence their competitive ability and effects on communities.

We established a long‐term field experiment to test the predictions that Schedonorus arundinaceus (SA) tall fescue forage cultivars differ in their effects on communities from turf cultivars and that E+ cultivars differ in their effects on communities from E− cultivars. Two of the three E+ turf cultivars were low endophyte, and turf cultivars were therefore defined as ‘E+ history’ and ‘E− history’.

Forage (E−) plots contained more SA than turf (E− history) plots and differed in community structure and function from turf (E− history) plots. Cultivar identity also influenced community structure and function in pairwise comparisons between forage (E−) and turf (E− history) plots.

Within the forage cultivars, E+ plots contained more SA and were marginally less dominated by other grasses than E− plots, but these differences were not consistent in comparisons between specific E+ and E− forage cultivars. Moreover, E+ and E− forage plots were similar in other aspects of community structure and function, indicating that a cultivar's endophyte status does not consistently determine its effects.

Despite low endophyte presence in two of three cultivars, E+ history turf plots differed in measures of composition, structure and nutrient cycling from E− history turf plots, indicating that there are genetic differences between E+ and E− cultivars which can influence their effects on communities.

Synthesis and applications. Schedonorus arundinaceus cultivars vary in their competitive ability and effects on communities, and this variation may be explained by the application for which the cultivars were developed, their endophyte status and genetic differences among cultivars within application categories. We recommend preferentially selecting cultivars developed for turf applications and cultivars with low seed endophyte presence to minimize negative effects of seeding a non‐native grass on communities. However, final selections should be based on common trial performances because genetic differences between cultivars will affect their performance independently of their application category and endophyte status.
Taxonomical and functional diversity turnover in Mediterranean grasslands: interactions between grazing, habitat type and rainfall
Authors: Carmona Carlos P. , Azcárate Francisco M. , de Bello Francesco , Ollero Helios S. , Lepš Jan , Peco Begoña
Published: October 2012

Changes in livestock grazing regimes are among the most important drivers of species loss and decrease in functional diversity world‐wide. However, taxonomic and functional diversities (TD and FD) can respond differently to changes in grazing regime or productivity.

We surveyed plant communities from 67 sites under different grazing regimes (from heavy grazing to grazing abandonment) in wet and dry habitats, in both wet and dry years. We tested the influence of grazing intensity, habitat type and rainfall on TD, FD and the relationship between them. We also partitioned diversity to examine the effects of grazing on TD and FD across scales (within communities, within grazing levels and between grazing levels).

The effect of grazing within and across communities was modulated by water availability, with grazing showing the strongest effects in dry habitats. The relationship between FD and TD varied between habitat types and years and revealed high functional similarity between species (i.e. redundancy) in dry habitats. TD was reduced in the driest conditions across all the observation levels, contrasting with the high temporal stability of FD, suggesting that FD was decoupled from TD, especially in dry habitats. However, despite the high temporal and spatial stability of FD, results show that under severely limited water availability, high grazing pressure can reduce FD, revealing a convergence in traits under the combined effect of grazing and drought conditions.

Synthesis and applications. Results highlight the dependence of functional diversity on the combined effect of water availability and grazing regime. Under severely limited water availability, grazing intensification reduced the functional diversity of these grasslands. Because of the foreseeable reduction in water availability in Mediterranean environments, we recommend the adoption of flexible grazing management schemes that take species and functional diversities into account simultaneously and adapt the level of grazing pressure to water availability.
Large carabid beetle declines in a United Kingdom monitoring network increases evidence for a widespread loss in insect biodiversity
Authors: Brooks David R. , Bater John E. , Clark Suzanne J. , Monteith Don T. , Andrews Christopher , Corbett Stuart J. , Beaumont Deborah A. , Chapman Jason W.
Published: October 2012

Carabid beetles are important functional components of many terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we describe the first long‐term, wide‐scale and quantitative assessment of temporal changes inUKcarabid communities, to inform nationwide management aimed at their conservation.

Multivariate and mixed models were used to assess temporal trends over a 15‐year period, across eleven sites in theUKEnvironmental Change Network. Sites covered pasture, field margins, chalk downland, woodland and hedgerows in the lowlands, moorland and pasture in the uplands, and grassland, heaths and bogs in montane locations.

We found substantial overall declines in carabid biodiversity. Three‐quarters of the species studied declined, half of which were estimated to be undergoing population reductions of > 30%, when averaged over 10‐year periods. Declines of this magnitude are recognized to be of conservation concern. They are comparable to those reported for butterflies and moths and increase the evidence base showing that insects are undergoing serious and widespread biodiversity losses.

Overall trends masked differences between regions and habitats. Carabid population declines (10‐year trend, averaged across species) were estimated to be 52% in montane sites, 31% in northern moorland sites and 28% in western pasture sites (with at least 80% of species declining in each case). Conversely, populations in our southern downland site had 10‐year increases of 48% on average. Overall, biodiversity was maintained in upland pasture, and populations were mostly stable in woodland and hedgerow sites.

Synthesis and applications. Our results highlight the need to assess trends for carabids, and probably other widespread and ubiquitous taxa, across regions and habitats to fully understand losses in biodiversity. Land management should be underpinned by a consideration of how wide‐scale environmental drivers interact with habitat structure. The stability of population trends in woodlands and hedgerows of species that are declining elsewhere puts these habitats at the fore‐front of integrated landscape management aimed at preserving their ecosystem services.
Riparian field margins: can they enhance the functional structure of ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) assemblages in intensively managed grassland landscapes?
Authors: Cole Lorna J. , Brocklehurst Sarah , Elston David A. , McCracken David I.
Published: October 2012

In Europe and North America, there is growing concern that biodiversity declines associated with agricultural intensification will adversely impact the functioning and sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. Enhancing habitat heterogeneity in agricultural landscapes promotes biodiversity and, whilst erecting fences adjacent to watercourses is widely advocated as a means of mitigating diffuse pollution, associated biodiversity benefits have been largely overlooked.

A range of riparian margins and their adjacent grassland fields were investigated to determine the effects of riparian management on the diversity and functional structure of carabid assemblages. Carabid assemblages of fields and open margins (i.e. unfenced watercourses) were more diverse and species rich than those of fenced margins.

The functional structure of carabid assemblages in fenced margins differed from grassland fields and open margins. This disparity was greater in wide margins (i.e. fences erected over 5·4 m from watercourses) than narrow margins (i.e. fences erected within 2·6 m of watercourses). Wide margins had the highest relative proportions of carabids which had pushing body forms, were flightless, very small in size and Collembola specialists. During early summer, wide margins also had the highest proportion of carabids that overwinter as adults.

The taxonomic and functional structure of carabid assemblages was more sensitive for detecting impacts of agricultural management than measurements of diversity. It is likely that this also applies to other taxa, thus emphasising the need to consider a wide range of assemblage attributes when investigating agricultural impacts on biodiversity.

Synthesis and applications. Fenced riparian margins, particularly those over 5·4 m wide, harbour carabids with poor dispersal ability which are vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. While lack of management benefits sedentary species, a wider range of taxa (e.g. pollinators, foraging birds and flowering plants) are enhanced by management to obtain a more open vegetation structure (e.g. restricted grazing or mowing). It is important that management practices are implemented at a sufficiently fine spatial scale to allow recolonisation of species with restricted dispersal from adjacent undisturbed habitats. Wide riparian margins have the potential to enhance taxonomic and functional diversity at the landscape scale. Management actions must, however, be carefully balanced to ensure that they promote a wide range of taxa without unduly interfering with the margin's ability to mitigate diffuse pollution.
Radial probe endobronchial ultrasound: Factors influencing visualization yield of peripheral pulmonary lesions
Authors: TAY JUN H. , IRVING LOUIS , ANTIPPA PHILLIP , STEINFORT DANIEL P.
Published: October 2012

Background and objective:  Endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) has improved the diagnostic yield of transbronchial biopsy of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPL). While EBUS diagnostic yield has been the focus of the majority of publications, few have investigated factors associated with EBUS visualization yield. This study evaluated the factors predicting visibility of PPL using EBUS‐guided bronchoscopy.

Methods:  We performed a retrospective analysis of 196 consecutive patients who underwent investigation with radial EBUS. Size and distance of the lesion from the hilum and pleura measured on computed tomography scans were correlated with malignancy status, gender and EBUS visualization yields. Final diagnosis was obtained from pathology.

Results:  A definitive diagnosis was established for 109 PPL (56%) using radial EBUS. Visualized lesion by EBUS probe had a higher diagnostic yield (65%) than EBUS‐invisible lesions (20%; P = 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, lesion size, final diagnosis and distance from hilum to lesion were all found to significantly affect EBUS visualization yield. Lesions of ≥20 mm had a significantly greater visualization yield (85%) than lesions of <20 mm (63%; P = 0.0022). Malignant lesions had a higher visualization rate (85%) than benign lesions (66%; P value = 0.0025). Distance of hilum ≤50 mm to PPL was found to have a significantly higher visualization yield (91%) than lesions located >50 mm from the hilum. (66%; P = 0.0001).

Conclusions:  Lesion size, malignancy status and distance from hilum to lesion are significant predictors of EBUS visualization yield. Clinicians should review these factors in patients to guide choice of optimal investigation and diagnosis of PPL.
A WARM EMBRACE OR THE COLD SHOULDER? WAGE AND EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES IN ETHNIC ENCLAVES
Authors: PEDACE ROBERTO , ROHN KUMAR STEPHANIE
Published: October 2012

This paper examines how immigrant enclaves influence labor market outcomes. We examine the effect of variation in ethnic concentration across counties and county subdivisions on both immigrant earnings and employment using the non‐public use, 1‐in‐6 sample of the 2000 U.S. Census. We find that there is heterogeneity in enclave impacts by ethnic group and skill composition of the enclave. While some groups tend to suffer from lower wages and employment propensities when residing in areas with larger ethnic concentrations, others have higher wages and improved employment opportunities in enclaves. (JEL J61, J15, R23)
Bread consumption in the UK: what are the main attitudinal factors affecting current intake and its place in a healthy diet?
Authors: O'Connor Á.
Published: October 2012

Despite efforts to promote the consumption of starchy foods, UK consumers are not meeting the recommended proportion of energy from starch for the population. Awareness of the nutritional benefits of starchy foods is poor and consumers tend to have highly divergent attitudes to, and beliefs about, these foods – although starchy foods are generally viewed as good for health, they are also often described as ‘fattening’ and avoided by those trying to lose weight. Concern about wheat allergy and other gastrointestinal problems commonly associated with bread in particular are also barriers to it being perceived as a ‘healthy food’. There is therefore clearly a mismatch between consumers' perceptions of starchy foods and current nutritional guidelines. This paper considers the evidence for and against the most common consumer perceptions around the health effects of bread and the possible impact of reduced levels of consumption on the nutrient intake of individuals.
Economic value of analyst recommendations in Australia: an application of the Black–Litterman asset allocation model
Authors: He Peng W. , Grant Andrew , Fabre Joel
Published: October 2012

This study empirically examines the investment value of security analyst recommendations on constituent stocks of the S&P/ASX 50 index. We find that stocks with favourable (unfavourable) recommendations on average outperformed (underperformed) the benchmark index. An investment strategy using the Black–Litterman asset allocation model that incorporates consensus analyst recommendations, in conjunction with daily rebalancing, outperforms the market in terms of return and risk‐adjusted performance measures. The investment strategy involves high levels of trading, and no significant abnormal returns are achieved after transaction costs. Less frequent rebalancing, under most situations, causes a decrease in both performance and turnover. Filtering of dated recommendations causes an increase in turnover, while having mixed effects on investment returns.
Realtime Two‐Way Coupling of Meshless Fluids and Nonlinear FEM
Authors: Yang Lipeng , Li Shuai , Hao Aimin , Qin Hong
Published: October 2012

In this paper, we present a novel method to couple Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) and nonlinear FEM to animate the interaction of fluids and deformable solids in real time. To accurately model the coupling, we generate proxy particles over the boundary of deformable solids to facilitate the interaction with fluid particles, and develop an efficient method to distribute the coupling forces of proxy particles to FEM nodal points. Specifically, we employ the Total Lagrangian Explicit Dynamics (TLED) finite element algorithm for nonlinear FEM because of many of its attractive properties such as supporting massive parallelism, avoiding dynamic update of stiffness matrix computation, and efficient solver. Based on a predictor‐corrector scheme for both velocity and position, different normal and tangential conditions can be realized even for shell‐like thin solids. Our coupling method is entirely implemented on modern GPUs using CUDA. We demonstrate the advantage of our two‐way coupling method in computer animation via various virtual scenarios.
Attention to the media and worry over becoming infected: the case of the Swine Flu (H1N1) Epidemic of 2009
Authors: Mesch Gustavo S. , Schwirian Kent P. , Kolobov Tanya
Published: October 2012

This paper examines the relationship between attention to the mass media and concern about becoming infected with H1N1 in two nationwide random samples interviewed during the flu epidemic of 2009. The first sample (N = 1004) was taken at the end of the first wave of the outbreak in the US and the second sample (N = 1006) was taken as the second wave was accelerating. The data were gathered by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. Over the period studied, the percentage worried about becoming infected increased in almost all social categories of respondents. With social category controlled, both those who followed the H1N1 outbreak closely and those who were more interested in reports about it were more likely to be worried about becoming infected. As time went on, interest in media reports declined, but worry over infection continued to increase. Our findings imply that despite the decrease in the percentage of the population expressing interest and following the news, media exposure was the most important factor as it explained the likelihood of being concerned about the possibility of infection.
Call acoustics reflect body size across four clades of anurans
Authors: Gingras B. , Boeckle M. , Herbst C. T. , Fitch W. T.
Published: October 2012

An inverse relationship between body size and advertisement call frequency has been found in several frog species. However, the generalizability of this relationship across different clades and across a large distribution of species remains underexplored. We investigated this relationship in a large sample of 136 species belonging to four clades of anurans (Bufo, Hylinae, Leptodactylus and Rana) using semi‐automatic, high‐throughput analysis software. We employed two measures of call frequency: fundamental frequency (F0) and dominant frequency (DF). The slope of the relationship between male snout‐vent length (SVL) and frequency did not differ significantly among the four clades. However, Rana call at a significantly lower frequency relative to size than the other clades, and Bufo call at a significantly higher frequency relative to size than Leptodactylus. Because the relationship between F0 and body size may be more straightforwardly explained by biomechanical constraints, we confirmed that a similar inverse relationship was observed between F0 and SVL. Finally, spectral flatness, an indicator of the tonality of the vocalizations, was found to be inversely correlated with SVL, contradicting an oft‐cited prediction that larger animals should have rougher voices. Our results confirm a tight and widespread link between body size and call frequency in anurans, and suggest that laryngeal allometry and vocal fold dimensions in particular are responsible.
Experience with an allergen challenge chamber for clinical trials in allergic rhinitis
Authors: Krug N. , Badorrek P. , Hohlfeld J. M.
Published: October 2012

Allergic rhinitis has the greatest prevalence of any respiratory disease and affects about 20% of the population in North America and Europe. There is an increasing need for allergen challenge systems to test anti‐allergic drugs under well‐controlled conditions. The allergen challenge chamber (ACC) is a room that enables reproducible challenges with controlled levels of inhalant allergens, temperature and humidity for several hours. ACCs have been used in Europe, North America and Japan to evaluate symptomatic and anti‐inflammatory medications for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. This review summarizes the experience with a typical ACC in Germany, the Fraunhofer Challenge Chamber, and describes the stability and reproducibility of the allergen exposure in the chamber. It further provides data for the specificity and reproducibility of clinical read‐out parameters, such as nasal symptom scores, nasal flow rates and nasal secretions, as well as of nasal biomarkers obtained in different validation studies. Typical study designs for testing the acute and prophylactic treatment effects of anti‐allergic substances are discussed. Regulatory authorities, such as the FDA and EMA, recommend the use of ACCs in drug development to evaluate the optimal dose and onset of action during early clinical development. In combination with natural‐exposure Phase III studies, they provide supportive evidence of superiority over placebo as an additional pharmacodynamic assessment tool. In particular, ACC studies may be of additional value in the clinical development of immunotherapy, because the variability of natural allergen exposure hampers the demonstration of efficacy in clinical trials.
New treatment strategies for allergic rhinitis utilizing the oral mucosa
Authors: Okamoto Y. , Inamine A. , Yonekura S. , Fujimura T. , Horiguchi S.
Published: October 2012

The oral mucosa is well known to be rich in dendritic cells (DCs), and the cervical lymph nodes (CLNs) are the draining lymph nodes for the oral mucosa. DCs play a crucial role in the induction of primary T cell‐dependent immune responses. Upon uptake of antigens on the oral mucosal surface, immature DCs in the oral mucosa are thought to migrate to the regional CLNs. The oral mucosa is a potential route for vaccine administration. We examined the efficacy and some candidate biomarkers of the clinical responses to sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) with a cedar pollen extract against cedar pollinosis. We found that Lactobacillus KW3110 administered sublingually migrated to the CLNs, and was effective for decreasing the IgE production and nasal symptoms induced by antigen provocation. Through simultaneous stimulation with antigen, improved efficacy of SLIT may be achieved by an adjuvant with oral mucosal administration of Lactobacillus KW3110.
Therapeutic outcomes and immunological effects of sublingual immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis
Authors: Yuta A. , Ogihara H. , Yamanaka K. , Ogawa Y. , Mizutani H. , Okubo K.
Published: October 2012

In Japan, about a quarter of the population has Japanese cedar pollinosis. One promising treatment is sublingual immunotherapy, which is under clinical investigation in Japan and not yet covered by the national health insurance system. Since 2005, we have treated more than 200 patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis. We found that sublingual immunotherapy is more effective than drug treatment, but less effective than subcutaneous immunotherapy. Moreover, patients receiving sublingual immunotherapy or subcutaneous immunotherapy use fewer concomitant medications than patients receiving drug treatment. Therefore, sublingual immunotherapy seems to be effective and associated with decreased drug use. The effect of sublingual immunotherapy seems to increase with increasing duration of treatment; the treatment seems to be more effective when continued for ≥4 years than when discontinued after 3 years. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of action of sublingual immunotherapy. We found that sublingual immunotherapy increases the percentage of interleukin (IL)‐10–producing inducible regulatory T cells, and that IL‐10 is involved in the immune response to Japanese cedar pollen. Furthermore, levels of antigen‐specific immunoglobulin G4 are increased in the cedar pollen season in patients receiving sublingual immunotherapy, and serum levels of IL‐33 are increased in non‐responders. Our findings should contribute to the further development of sublingual immunotherapy for Japanese cedar pollinosis.
Comparative Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Conventional and Electric Vehicles
Authors: Hawkins Troy R. , Singh Bhawna , Majeau‐Bettez Guillaume , Strømman Anders Hammer
Published: October 2012

Electric vehicles (EVs) coupled with low‐carbon electricity sources offer the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and exposure to tailpipe emissions from personal transportation. In considering these benefits, it is important to address concerns of problem‐shifting. In addition, while many studies have focused on the use phase in comparing transportation options, vehicle production is also significant when comparing conventional and EVs. We develop and provide a transparent life cycle inventory of conventional and electric vehicles and apply our inventory to assess conventional and EVs over a range of impact categories. We find that EVs powered by the present European electricity mix offer a 10% to 24% decrease in global warming potential (GWP) relative to conventional diesel or gasoline vehicles assuming lifetimes of 150,000 km. However, EVs exhibit the potential for significant increases in human toxicity, freshwater eco‐toxicity, freshwater eutrophication, and metal depletion impacts, largely emanating from the vehicle supply chain. Results are sensitive to assumptions regarding electricity source, use phase energy consumption, vehicle lifetime, and battery replacement schedules. Because production impacts are more significant for EVs than conventional vehicles, assuming a vehicle lifetime of 200,000 km exaggerates the GWP benefits of EVs to 27% to 29% relative to gasoline vehicles or 17% to 20% relative to diesel. An assumption of 100,000 km decreases the benefit of EVs to 9% to 14% with respect to gasoline vehicles and results in impacts indistinguishable from those of a diesel vehicle. Improving the environmental profile of EVs requires engagement around reducing vehicle production supply chain impacts and promoting clean electricity sources in decision making regarding electricity infrastructure.
Risk‐Informed Regulation and Safety Management of Nuclear Power Plants—On the Prevention of Severe Accidents
Authors: Himanen Risto , Julin Ari , Jänkälä Kalle , Holmberg Jan‐Erik , Virolainen Reino
Published: October 2012

There are four operating nuclear power plant (NPP) units in Finland. The Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) power company has two 840 MWe BWR units supplied by Asea‐Atom at the Olkiluoto site. The Fortum corporation (formerly IVO) has two 500 MWe VVER 440/213 units at the Loviisa site. In addition, a 1600 MWe European Pressurized Water Reactor supplied by AREVA NP (formerly the Framatome ANP—Siemens AG Consortium) is under construction at the Olkiluoto site. Recently, the Finnish Parliament ratified the government Decision in Principle that the utilities' applications to build two new NPP units are in line with the total good of the society. The Finnish utilities, Fenno power company, and TVO company are in progress of qualifying the type of the new nuclear builds. In Finland, risk‐informed applications are formally integrated in the regulatory process of NPPs that are already in the early design phase and these are to run through the construction and operation phases all through the entire plant service time. A plant‐specific full‐scope probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) is required for each NPP. PRAs shall cover internal events, area events (fires, floods), and external events such as harsh weather conditions and seismic events in all operating modes. Special attention is devoted to the use of various risk‐informed PRA applications in the licensing of Olkiluoto 3 NPP.
Synaptic vesicle protein 2b is expressed temporospatially in (pre)odontoblasts in developing molars
Authors: Yang So‐Young , Jeon Soo‐Kyung , Kang Jee‐Hae , Yoo Hong‐Il , Kim Yoo‐Seong , Moon Jung‐Sun , Kim Min‐Seok , Koh Jung‐Tae , Oh Won‐Mann , Kim Sun‐Hun
Published: October 2012

The formation of dentin and enamel is initiated by the differentiation of odontogenic precursor cells into odontoblasts and ameloblasts, respectively. This study was performed to identify new molecules involved in the differentiation of odontogenic cells. The genes expressed differentially between the root stage (after the differentiation of odontogenic cells and dental hard‐tissue formation) and the cap stage (before the differentiation of odontogenic cells and dental hard‐tissue formation) were searched using differential display PCR. For the first time, synaptic vesicle protein (SV) 2b, an important transmembrane transporter of Ca2+‐stimulated vesicle exocytosis, was identified as a differentially expressed molecule. Real‐time PCR and western blotting revealed an increase in the transcriptional and translational levels of SV2b during or after the differentiation of odontogenic cells. Immunofluorescence revealed this molecule to be localized in not only fully differentiated odontoblasts but also in pre‐odontoblasts before dentin matrix secretion. The expression pattern of the SV2a isoform was similar to that of the SV2b isoform, whereas the SV2c isoform showed a contrasting pattern of expression. After treatment with alendronate, an inhibitor of protein isoprenylation for the transport of secretory vesicles, the expression of SV2a and SV2b decreased, whereas that of SV2c increased. These results suggest that the SV2 isoforms are functional molecules of (pre)odontoblasts which may be involved in vesicle transport.
Secondary forests of central Panama increase in similarity to old‐growth forest over time in shade tolerance but not species composition
Authors: Dent Daisy H. , DeWalt Saara J. , Denslow Julie S.
Published: October 2012

Question

Does species and functional composition of secondary tropical forests more closely follow a deterministic or a stochastic model of succession?

Location

The Barro Colorado Nature Monument (BCNM), central Panama. The BCNM comprises Barro Colorado Island (BCI) and five adjacent mainland peninsulas and is a mosaic of tropical old‐growth (OG) and secondary forests (SF).

Methods

We studied the species and functional composition of seedling, sapling and adult tree communities in a chronosequence of SF stands ranging in age from 20 to 100 yrs since abandonment, as well as two OG stands for comparison. Functional composition was defined as the representation of species with different degrees of shade tolerance. We also examined patterns of species diversity and dominance to better understand processes driving compositional changes.

Results

Species diversity recovered rapidly, and, by 20 yrs, species richness for all size classes was equivalent if not higher in SF compared to OG. Species diversity tended to be lower and species dominance higher for seedlings than saplings or adults. Seedling, sapling and adult tree species composition did not clearly increase in similarity to OG with forest age. Instead, differences in species composition among stands reflected variation in dominance by particular species. Light‐demanding species became less common and shade‐tolerant species more common over stand age, with the functional composition of older secondary forests converging on that of OG. The seedling and sapling communities across the chronosequence were composed of a shade‐tolerant subset of those species found in the stands as adults.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that recruitment into the seedling community of SF is determined by both predictable (e.g. selection for shade‐tolerant species) and unpredictable factors (e.g. species‐specific reproduction events and dispersal limitation). Recruitment into the sapling and tree communities reflects stronger, and potentially compounded, selection for shade‐tolerant species. Therefore, changes in the species composition of regenerating forests in this area appear to be unpredictable, even though the functional composition follows a more deterministic and predictable trajectory with convergence on OG over time.
“It Takes Two to Tango”: The Relational Domain in a Cohort of Subjects with Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Authors: Boddi Valentina , Corona Giovanni , Fisher Alessandra Daphne , Mannucci Edoardo , Ricca Valdo , Sforza Alessandra , Forti Gianni , Maggi Mario
Published: October 2012

Introduction

The relational domain of erectile dysfunction (ED) is difficult to investigate in a clinical setting. We developed and validated SIEDY, a 13-item structured interview, that evaluates, besides the organic (Scale 1) and intra-psychic (Scale 3) domains, also the relational one (Scale 2). We previously established a pathological threshold for SIEDY Scale 1 and 3.

Aim

The aim of this study is to identify a pathological threshold of SIEDY Scale 2.

Method

A nonselected, consecutive series of 2,992 subjects with ED was retrospectively evaluated. In a first consecutive series of 844 patients (Sample A, studied without systematically applying a psychometric test: Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire), a pathological threshold of SIEDY Scale 2 score was identified through receiver operating characteristic, using, as surrogate marker of impaired couple relationship, at least a positive answer to two standard questions on conflict within the couple and on the presence of extramarital affairs.

Main Outcome Measure

Sensitivity and specificity, along with possible associations with biological and psychological correlates were verified in a further sample of 2,148 patients (Sample B).

Results

In Sample A, a threshold of Scale 2 score ≥2 predicts couple impairment with a sensitivity of 53% and specificity of 66% and an overall accuracy of 62.0 ± 2.2% (P < 0.0001). When this threshold was verified in sample B, Scale 2 score ≥2 was associated with a higher risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms, higher prevalence of psychopathology, and higher Scale 3 scoring, even after adjusting for confounders. In the same sample, a Scale 2 score ≥2 was associated with a reduced intimacy during sexual intercourse and overall worse sexual functioning.

Conclusion

Until now, no instrument is available to quantify the marital domain of ED. The validation of a threshold of SIEDY Scale 2 score (≥2) represents an easy tool for the identification of ED patients with a relevant marital impairment.
Influence of B2O3 Additive on Microwave Dielectric Properties of Li2ZnTi3O8 Ceramics for LTCC Applications
Authors: Liu Chih‐Yi , Tsai Bing‐Guang , Weng Min‐Hang , Huang Shyh‐Jer
Published: October 2012

The effect of B2O3 addition on the microwave dielectric properties and microstructure of Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramics prepared using conventional solid‐state reaction was investigated for low‐temperature co‐fired ceramic (LTCC) applications. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the effect of B2O3 addition on the sintering process. The Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramic sintered at 875°C with 0.5 wt% B2O3 for 4 h showed good microwave dielectric properties including εr = 25, Q × f = 50,917 GHz, and τf = −17.8 ppm/°C. Silver was found to be unreactive toward the 0.5 wt% B2O3 doped Li2ZnTi3O8 ceramic under the above sintering conditions.
Synthesis and Thermal Conductivities of the Biomorphic Al2O3 Fibers Derived from Silk Template
Authors: Wang Tianchi , Kong Song , Jia Yang , Chang Lijing , Wong Chingping , Xiong Dangsheng
Published: October 2012

Silk was used as the template to prepare biomorphic Al2O3 fibers. Silk fibers were first immersed into an AlCl3 solution and then sintered at high temperatures to produce the final Al2O3 fibers. Their microstructures, phases, synthesis process, infrared absorption spectra, and thermal conductivity were analyzed. The results show that these Al2O3 fibers retained the morphologies of silk. Different from the traditional Al2O3 fibers, these biomorphic fibers exhibit hollow and possess a good ability of absorbing infrared got from the silk, so that they possessed better heat‐insulating property than the traditional Al2O3 fibers.
Quasar feedback in the early Universe: The case of SDSS J1148+5251
Authors: Valiante Rosa , Schneider Raffaella , Maiolino Roberto , Salvadori Stefania , Bianchi Simone
Published: October 2012

Galaxy-scale gas outflows triggered by active galactic nuclei have been proposed as a key physical process to regulate the co-evolution of nuclear black holes and their host galaxies. The recent detection of a massive gas outflow in one of the most distant quasars, SDSS J1148+5251 at z= 6.4, presented by Maiolino et al., strongly supports this idea and suggests that strong quasar feedback is already at work at very early times. In a previous work, Valiante et al., we have presented a hierarchical semi-analytical model, GAMETE/QSOdust, for the formation and evolution of high-redshift quasars, and we have applied it to the quasar SDSS J1148+5251, with the aim of investigating the star formation history, the nature of the dominant stellar populations and the origin and properties of the large dust mass observed in the host galaxy. A robust prediction of the model is that the evolution of the nuclear black hole and of the host galaxy are tightly coupled by quasar feedback in the form of strong galaxy-scale winds. In the present Letter, we show that the gas outflow rate predicted by GAMETE/QSOdust is in good agreement with the lower limit of 3500M⊙yr−1 inferred by the observations. According to the model, the observed outflow at z= 6.4 is dominated by quasar feedback, as the outflow rate has already considerably depleted the gas content of the host galaxy, leading to a downturn in the star formation rate at z < 7–8. Hence, we predict that supernova explosions give a negligible contribution to the observed winds at z= 6.4.
XMM—Newton and Swift observations of the Type IIb supernova 2011dh in Messier 51
Authors: Campana Sergio , Immler Stefan
Published: October 2012

The Type IIb supernova (SN) 2011dh exploded in the nearby galaxy M51 (the Whirlpool galaxy) and provides us with one of the best laboratories to study early high-energy emission from SNe. We give here a comprehensive view of the X-ray properties of SN 2011dh from the analyses of two pointed XMM—Newton early observations as well as the full Swift X-ray Telescope (XRT) data set (163 ks). Due to the high XMM—Newton throughput, we were able to satisfactorily fit the X-ray spectrum with two hot diffuse gas components including an additional absorption component to our Galaxy. A power-law model provided a worse description of the data. In addition, the early Swift XRT light curve hints of a flux excess at early times (≲3 d), consistent with the adiabatic cooling of stellar's photosphere a few days after the shock breakout.
Believing versus Disbelieving in Free Will: Correlates and Consequences
Authors: Baumeister Roy F. , Brewer Lauren E.
Published: October 2012

Some people believe more than others in free will, and researchers have both measured and manipulated those beliefs. Disbelief in free will has been shown to cause dishonest, selfish, aggressive, and conforming behavior, and to reduce helpfulness, learning from one’s misdeeds, thinking for oneself, recycling, expectations for occupational success, and actual quality of performance on the job. Belief in free will has been shown to have only modest or negligible correlations with other variables, indicating that it is a distinct trait. Belief in free will has correlated positively with life satisfaction and finding life meaningful, with self‐efficacy and self‐control, with low levels of stress, and (though not entirely consistently) with internal locus of control. High belief in free will has been linked to a punitive attitude toward wrongdoers and lower forgiveness toward them. The belief seems to involve a sense of agency and expecting others to behave in morally responsible fashion.
Intercultural Citizenship, Civic Nationalism, and Nation Building in Québec: From Common Public Language to Laïcité
Authors: Dupré Jean‐François
Published: October 2012

This article analyses the current citizenship‐nation building nexus in Québec in light of government publications and recent public discourses on ethnocultural pluralism and immigrant integration. First, the article surveys the changing relationship between Québécois nationalism and citizenship according to political circumstances in Québec, suggesting that debates over immigrant integration have played a central role in the creation of a civic Québécois identity, initially based on French as the public language and interculturalism. The article then analyses recent public debates surrounding ‘reasonable accommodation’ in Québec, and identifies a growing emphasis on laïcité – the secularisation of the public space – as identity marker. This article attributes this growing focus on secularism to dissatisfied nationalists seeking to reclaim the cultural prominence of the French Canadian majority in provincial institutions and press for measures aimed at enhancing Québec's distinctiveness and autonomy within the Canadian institutional framework. On a more normative note, the article argues that while language nationalism is reconcilable with ethnocultural pluralism, recent discourses on the secularisation of the public space constrain the emergence of an openly pluralistic stance on national belonging in the province, and undermines the legitimacy of Québec interculturalism.
Jiddat al Harasis 556: A howardite impact melt breccia with an H chondrite component
Authors: JANOTS E. , GNOS E. , HOFMANN B. A. , GREENWOOD R. C. , FRANCHI I. A. , BERMINGHAM K. , NETWING V.
Published: October 2012

Abstract– A petrographic and geochemical study was undertaken to characterize Jiddat al Harasis (JaH) 556, a howardite find from the Sultanate of Oman. JaH 556 is a polymict impact melt breccia containing highly shocked clasts, including mosaicized olivine and recrystallized plagioclase, set in a finely recrystallized vesicular matrix (grain diameter <5–10 μm). Plagioclase (An76–92) and clinopyroxene (En48–62Wo7–15) are associated with orthopyroxene and olivine clasts like in a howardite. JaH 556 oxygen isotope data indicate that it has an anomalous bulk‐rock composition as howardite, resulting from a mixture between HED material and at least one second reservoir characterized by a higher Δ17O. The bulk meteorite has a composition consistent with howardites, but it is enriched in siderophile elements (Ni = 3940 and Co = 159 ppm) arguing for a chondritic material as second reservoir. This is independently confirmed by the occurrence of chondrule relics composed of olivine (Fo56–80), orthopyroxene (En79Wo2), and plagioclase (An61–66). Based on oxygen isotopic signature, siderophile composition, and chondrule core Mg number (Fo80 and En79Wo2), it is proposed that JaH 556 is a howardite containing approximately 20% H chondrite material. This percentage is high compared with that observed petrographically, likely because chondritic material dissolved in the impact melt. This conclusion is supported by the observed reaction of orthopyroxene to olivine, which is consistent with a re‐equilibration in a Si‐undersaturated melt. JaH 556’s unique composition enlarges the spectrum of howardite‐analogs to be expected on the surface of 4 Vesta. Our data demonstrate that oxygen isotopic anomalies can be produced by a mixture of indigenous and impactor materials and must be interpreted with extreme caution within the HED group.
p53‐Pathway activity and apoptosis in hydrogen sulfide‐exposed stem cells separated from human gingival epithelium
Authors: Calenic B. , Yaegaki K. , Ishkitiev N. , Kumazawa Y. , Imai T. , Tanaka T.
Published: October 2012

Background and Objective

Hydrogen sulfide (
H2S
) is a volatile sulfur compound responsible for physiological halitosis.
H2S
was also reported as having periodontal pathologic activities. Gingival crevicular epithelium is the first barrier against periodontal pathogens and their products; oral keratinocyte stem cells OKSCs play key roles in maintaining this barrier. The p53 pathway is responsible for regulating key biological events. Increased apoptosis and cell‐cycle arrest of DNA repair can affect keratinocyte stem cells, having a direct impact on the architecture of the oral epithelial tissue. However, the link between
H2S
, p53 activity and OKSCs has not yet been fully explored. The main objective of the present study was to explore the implications of the p53 pathway in OKSCs following exposure to
H2S
.

Material and Methods

OKSCs were isolated from human gingival epithelium and incubated with physiological levels of
H2S
for 24 and 48 h. Apoptosis and the mitochondrial membrane potential were detected using flow cytometry. Cytochrome c, total p53, phosphorylated p53 and caspase activity were assessed using specific ELISAs. p53 Pathway gene activity was assayed using quantitative RT‐PCR.

Results

The levels of apoptosis were significantly increased following incubation in the presence of H2S, especially after 48 h (36.95 ± 1.91% vs. 4.77 ± 0.74%). Caspases 9 and 3 were activated, whereas caspase‐8 activity remained low. Total p53 activity and particularly phosphorylated p53 at serine 46, were significantly enhanced compared with controls (47.11 ± 9.84 units/mL vs. 1.5 ± 0 units/mL and 32.22 ± 10.23 units/mL  vs. 0.15 ± 0 units/mL, respectively, at 48 h). Among p53 pathway genes, apoptosis‐related genes [i.e. phosphatase and tensin homolog (
PTEN
), B‐cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (
BCL2), sirtuin 3 (
SIRT3) and caspases]) were dramatically increased when compared with controls. Moreover, cell‐cycle progression genes [i.e. E2F transcription factor (E2F) family and histone deacetylase (
HDAC
)] and DNA‐repair genes [i.e. growth arrest and DNA‐damage‐inducible, gamma (
GADD45G
) family and serine/threonine‐protein kinase Chk2 (
CHEK2)] were also increased.

Conclusion

Following incubation with
H2S
, OKSCs express multiple p53‐associated genes, including programmed cell death, cell‐cycle control and DNA‐repair genes.