bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Commentary: What affect produces
Authors: RUTHERFORD DANILYN
Published: November 2012

Rheana Parreñas's examination of orangutan–human encounters suggests how cultural anthropologists might pioneer a bolder approach to the analysis of social interactions of all sorts. All interactions, however closely acquainted the parties involved, require the interpretation of more or less inscrutable sounds and gestures. Engaging with this strangeness incites intensely felt bodily experiences that people only imperfectly translate into passions like love, fear, shock, and relief. Parreñas points the way both to a fuller understanding of the role of this sort of affect in neoliberalism and to richer alliances among the subfields of anthropology and between anthropology and the humanities and natural and physical sciences. These new alliances promise to provide us with new ways of understanding our entanglements with others who are always both familiar and strange.
News media and contention over “the local” in urban India
Authors: UDUPA SAHANA
Published: November 2012

Exploring the highly competitive bilingual news field in urban India, I illustrate how localization of news content has led to conflictual discourses around who should constitute “the local” and for what end. Mediatized contests over “the local” frame urban politics along linguistic and cultural divides, articulated through populist challenges to neoliberal media discourses of “the global local.” In turning a critical eye to these mediatized contests, I extend the recent emphasis on the need to “ground” globalization studies and explore the concrete ways in which globalization imprints itself on local spaces. I argue that local and global formations are embedded in the dynamics of news fields in ways that elude generalized claims advanced by pessimists of cultural homogeneity as well as by optimists of local resistance.
Why People Gossip: An Empirical Analysis of Social Motives, Antecedents, and Consequences
Authors: Beersma Bianca , Van Kleef Gerben A.
Published: November 2012

In 3 studies with student samples, we advance a social‐motivational approach to gossip. We developed the Motives to Gossip Questionnaire to distinguish negative influence, information gathering and validation, social enjoyment, and group protection as motives underlying gossip. Study 1 demonstrated that these motives can be distinguished empirically, and that the informational motive was the most prevalent reason to instigate gossip. Study 2 showed that group protection was especially important when the opportunity to gossip with a group member about another member's norm‐violating behavior was salient. Study 3 showed that when participants imagined someone gossiped to them about another group member's norm violation, and ascribed this to group protection, they rated the gossip as social and did not disapprove of it.
Organizational Citizenship Behavior and Turnover Intentions: Do Organizational Culture and Justice Moderate Their Relationship?
Authors: Sharoni Gil , Tziner Aharon , Fein Erich C. , Shultz Tamar , Shaul Keren , Zilberman Lian
Published: November 2012

The hypothesized moderating effects of the dimensions of organizational justice and organizational culture on the relationship of organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and turnover intentions were examined. Results from a sample of 102 employees revealed support for the interactive effects of the dimensions of organizational justice and organizational culture and OCB in relation to turnover intentions. Moreover—and contrary to expectations—in addition to their interactive (moderating) effects, organizational justice as well as 2 of the organizational culture dimensions emerged as independent variables linked to turnover intentions. The theoretical implications of the results and directions for future research are discussed.
Goal Orientation and Innovative Performance: The Mediating Roles of Knowledge Sharing and Perceived Autonomy
Authors: Lu Lin , Lin Xiaowan , Leung Kwok
Published: November 2012

This study examined the effects of learning goal orientation on individual innovative performance and the mediating mechanisms involved. Based on a survey of 248 employees and their supervisors from diverse industries in China, the results showed that learning goal orientation was positively associated with innovative performance, with knowledge sharing as a significant mediator. Unexpectedly, job autonomy was not able to mediate the relationship between learning goal orientation and innovative performance. Exploratory analysis showed that the direct effect of performance goal orientation on innovative performance was insignificant, but it had a weak indirect effect on innovative performance through perceived job autonomy. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.
A new method to infer vegetation boundary movement from ‘snapshot’ data
Authors: Eppinga Maarten B. , Pucko Carolyn A. , Baudena Mara , Beckage Brian , Molofsky Jane
Published: November 2012

Global change may induce shifts in plant community distributions at multiple spatial scales. At the ecosystem scale, such shifts may result in movement of ecotones or vegetation boundaries. Most indicators for ecosystem change require timeseries data, but here a new method is proposed enabling inference of vegetation boundary movement from one ‘snapshot’ (e.g. an aerial photograph or satellite image) in time. The method compares the average spatial position of frontrunners of both communities along the vegetation boundary. Mathematical analyses and simulation modeling show that the average frontrunner position of retreating communities is always farther away from a so‐called optimal vegetation boundary as compared to that of the expanding community. This feature does not depend on assumptions about plant dispersal or competition characteristics. The method is tested with snapshot data of a northern hardwood‐boreal forest mountain ecotone in Vermont, a forest‐mire ecotone in New Zealand and a subalpine treeline‐tundra ecotone in Montana. The direction of vegetation boundary movement is accurately predicted for these case studies, but we also discuss potential caveats. With the availability of snapshot data rapidly increasing, the method may provide an easy tool to assess vegetation boundary movement and hence ecosystem responses to changing environmental conditions.
Narboh D, a Respiratory Burst Oxidase Homolog in Nicotiana attenuata, is Required for Late Defense Responses After Herbivore AttackF
Authors: Wu Jinsong , Wang Lei , Wünsche Hendrik , Baldwin Ian T.
Published: November 2012

The superoxide (O2−)‐generating NADPH oxidases are crucial for the defense of plants against attack from pathogens; however, it remains unknown whether they also mediate responses against chewing insect herbivores. The transcripts of the respiratory burst NADPH oxidase homolog Narboh D in Nicotiana attenuate are rapidly and transiently elicited by wounding, and are amplified when Manduca sexta oral secretions (OS) are added to the wounds. The fatty‐acid‐amino‐acid‐conjugates (FACs), demonstrably the major elicitors in M. sexta OS, are responsible for the increase in Narboh D transcripts. Silencing Narboh D significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels after OS elicitation, but neither OS‐elicited jasmonic acid (JA) or JA‐isoleucine (JA‐Ile) bursts, pivotal hormones that regulates plant resistance to herbivores, nor early transcripts of herbivore defense‐related genes (NaJAR4 and NaPAL1), were influenced. However, late OS‐elicited increases in trypsin proteinase inhibitors (TPIs), as well as the transcript levels of defense genes such as polyphenol oxidase, TPI and Thionin were significantly reduced. In addition, Narboh D‐silenced plants were more vulnerable to insect herbivores, especially the larvae of the generalist Spodoptera littoralis. We thus conclude that Narboh D‐based defenses play an important role in late herbivore‐elicited responses.
Identification and Characterization of the Populus AREB/ABF Subfamily
Authors: Ji Lexiang , Wang Jia , Ye Meixia , Li Ying , Guo Bin , Chen Zhong , Li Hao , An Xinmin
Published: November 2012

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a major plant hormone that plays an important role in responses to abiotic stresses. The ABA‐responsive element binding protein/ABRE‐binding factor (AREB/ABF) gene subfamily contains crucial transcription factors in the ABA‐mediated signaling pathway. In this study, a total of 14 putative AREB/ABF members were identified in the Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray. genome using five AREB/ABF amino acid sequences from Arabidopsis thaliana L. as probes. The 14 putative Populus subfamily members showed high protein similarities, especially in the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) domain region. A neighbor‐joining analysis combined with gene structure data revealed homology among the 14 genes. The expression patterns of the Populus AREB/ABF subfamily suggested that the most abundant transcripts of 11 genes occurred in leaf tissues, while two genes were most transcribed in root tissues. Significantly, eight Populus AREB/ABF gene members were upregulated after treatment with 100 μM exogenous ABA, while the other six members were downregulated. We identified the expression profiles of the subfamily members in Populus tissues and elucidated different response patterns of Populus AREB/ABF members to ABA stress. This study provided insight into the roles of Populus AREB/ABF homologues in plant response to abiotic stresses.
A Partial Adjustment Model of Federal Direct Payments in Canadian Agriculture
Authors: Vercammen James
Published: November 2012

Delays in direct payments to Canadian farmers reduce the income loss protection that is provided by federal income stabilization and related programs. This issue is examined using Statistics Canada federal direct payment and net farm income data from 1981 to 2010. An estimate of the reduced protection against farm income loss that can be attributed to payment delays is obtained using a simple partial adjustment model, first with and then without the assumption of a constant rate of adjustment over time. The results point to a highly significant reduction in program effectiveness that can be attributed to delays in direct payments. There is no evidence to support the common belief that payment delays have significantly increased since the introduction of the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program in 2003.
Sequential foraging of dusky dolphins with an inspection of their prey distribution
Authors: Degrati Mariana , Dans Silvana L. , Garaffo Griselda V. , Cabreira Ariel G. , Machado Federico Castro , Crespo Enrique A.
Published: November 2012

The aim of this work was to analyze the sequential foraging behavior of dusky dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obscurus). Foraging sequences were defined when more than two feeding bouts occur with a traveling bout between them. We hypothesized that traveling costs of searching for prey patches were related to the time spent feeding on a patch. In addition, the distribution and seasonal variation of anchovy schools were studied in the area to better understand dolphins' behavior. We observed dolphins from a research vessel from 2001 to 2007, and recorded their location and behavior. Anchovy data were collected during two hydro‐acoustic surveys. Dusky dolphin behaviors varied seasonally; they spent a greater proportion of time traveling and feeding in the warm season (Kruskal‐Wallis: H = 172.07, P < 0.01). During the cold season dolphin groups were more likely to exhibit diving behavior and less surface feeding. We found a positive correlation between searching and foraging time (r = 0.88, P = 0.019), suggesting that the costs associated with searching were compensated by an increase in the energy intake during the foraging bout. There was an association between dusky dolphin and anchovy distribution, in that they co‐varied spatially and seasonally.
Putting the “We” in Leadership: Continuing the Dialogue to Advance Our Science and Practice
Authors: Shuffler Marissa L. , Salas Eduardo , Yammarino Francis J. , Serban Andra , Shirreffs Kristie
Published: November 2012

This article addresses the insightful and diverse commentaries received regarding our focal article examining collectivistic leadership approaches from both a scientific and practical perspective. In our response, we attend to four emergent themes: the interdisciplinary and historic nature of collectivistic approaches to leadership, the need for studying the nature of collectivistic leadership as a unique phenomenon, the benefits and vulnerabilities associated with this leadership perspective, and the importance of understanding from a holistic perspective what influences collectivistic leadership and how to develop it. For each theme, we integrate feedback from the commentaries and provide our perspective in terms of how to continue the dialogue on collectivistic leadership for scientific and practical advancement.
Heterogeneous Beliefs, IPO Valuation, and the Economic Role of the Underwriter in IPOs
Authors: Chemmanur Thomas J. , Krishnan Karthik
Published: November 2012

We empirically analyze the economic role of the underwriter in initial public offerings (IPOs), distinguishing between the “certification” and “market power” hypotheses. We find that equity in high‐reputation underwriter backed IPOs is priced higher and further away from intrinsic value than that in low‐reputation underwriter backed IPOs. Our results are robust to controlling for the endogenous selection of firms to take public by underwriters. Overall, our results support the market power hypothesis and reject the certification hypothesis, indicating that the role of underwriters is to obtain the highest possible valuation for the IPOs that they back rather than to price the equity close to intrinsic value.
Clinical evaluation of the feasibility of minimally invasive surgery in esophageal cancer
Authors: Miyasaka Daisuke , Okushiba Shunichi , Sasaki Takeshi , Ebihara Yuma , Kawada Masaya , Kawarada You , Kitashiro Shuji , Katoh Hiroyuki , Miyamoto Masaki , Shichinohe Toshiaki , Hirano Satoshi
Published: November 2012

Introduction

Open thoracotomy laparotomy with extended dissection for esophageal cancer is associated with problems such as delayed postoperative recovery and decreased quality of life. In contrast, in minimally invasive surgery, these problems can be improved. In the present study, we investigated the feasibility of minimally invasive surgery in esophageal cancer.

Methods

In this retrospective study, we evaluated esophagectomy performed by the same surgeon in 98 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer. Open surgery was performed in 30 patients (open group), and minimally invasive surgery was performed in 68 patients (MIS group). We compared the invasiveness and radical cure of cancer by minimally invasive surgery with that of open surgery.

Results

Comparison between the open and MIS groups showed that intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative and postoperative transfused blood volume, and surgical site infection rates were significantly lower in the MIS group. The duration of postoperative endotracheal intubation and hospital stay were significantly shorter in the MIS group. The histopathologic type was squamous cell carcinoma in 93.3% in the open group and 92.6% in the MIS group. The respective 3‐year survival rates were 36.7% and 71.5%, and the respective 5‐year survival rates were 26.7% and 61.5%.

Conclusion

Based on a historical control study at a single institution, we are unable to conclude that minimally invasive surgery is superior to open surgery. However, our results indicate that minimally invasive surgery is feasible as a surgical procedure in esophageal cancer.
Clinical usefulness of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for patients with primary liver cancer with special reference to rare histological types, hepatocellular carcinoma with sarcomatous change and combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Ijichi Hideki , Shirabe Ken , Taketomi Akinobu , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Ikegami Toru , Mano Youhei , Aishima Shinichi , Abe Koichiro , Honda Hiroshi , Maehara Yoshihiko
Published: November 2012

Aim

The role of 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) in the diagnosis and staging of primary liver cancer has been demonstrated in several reports. However, no preoperative evaluations of sarcomatous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and combined hepatocellular and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC‐CC) with FDG‐PET have been reported so far.

Methods

Fifty‐three HCC patients and three cHCC‐CC patients who received liver resection or living‐donor liver transplantation were enrolled in this study. All 56 patients had undergone preoperative FDG‐PET, and a total of 67 HCC and three cHCC‐CC were analyzed histologically. The relationship between clinicopathological features and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of tumors were evaluated.

Results

The detection rate of HCC by FDG‐PET was 43.3 %, and the sensitivity of FDG‐PET for the detection of HCC was significantly associated with tumor differentiation, tumor size and microvascular invasion. All three cHCC‐CC were detected by FDG‐PET. The SUVmax values of the three sarcomatous HCC (SUVmax 14.1, 18.6 and 25.0) and the three cHCC‐CC (SUVmax 9.9, 12.0 and 13.0) were higher than that of the poorly differentiated HCC (mean SUVmax 5.7 ± 2.3).

Conclusion

SUVmax may be a useful diagnostic tool for the preoperative evaluation of the aggressiveness of primary liver cancers such as sarcomatous HCC and cHCC‐CC.
Loss and Amazonian Otherness in Ecuador
Authors: Viatori Max
Published: November 2012

En Mayo de 2001, la Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Educación, la Ciencia y la Cultura (UNESCO) declaró que el idioma zápara como parte del patrimonio cultural e intangible del mundo. Este artículo examina las celebraciones del gobierno ecuatoriano con motivo de la declaración de UNESCO y la cobertura del evento por parte de la prensa ecuatoriana. El artículo muestra la forma en que el gobierno y la prensa popular ecuatoriana utilizaron discursos de perdida y preservación cultural para incluir a los zápara como parte de la nación ecuatoriana y a la vez para marginalizarlos políticamente y culturalmente como “otros.” Este caso de estudio, sugiere que discursos de peligro de perdida cultural tiene el mismo potencial para reforzar la hegemonía de las elites ecuatorianas y las relaciones de poder predominantes, asi como para cuestionar las mismas. Así pues, este articulo plantea a antropólogos y activistas la necesidad de examinar a fondo los discursos dominantes de perdida y preservación cultural para tener un mejor entendimiento de cómo estos discursos cuestionan, resfuerzan y promueven narrativas colonialistas.
Cardiotoxicity, Inflammation, and Immune Response after Rattlesnake Envenomation in the Horse
Authors: Gilliam L.L. , Holbrook T.C. , Ownby C.L. , McFarlane D. , Sleeper M.M. , Martin S. , Levis K. , Payton M.E.
Published: November 2012

Background

Cardiac abnormalities are reported in rattlesnake‐bitten horses. The prevalence and cause are unknown.

Objectives

To detect cardiac damage in rattlesnake‐bitten horses by measuring cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and evaluatingECGrecordings for presence of arrhythmias, and explore causes of this cardiac damage by measuring venom excretion, anti‐venom antibodies, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα).

Animals

A total of 20 adult horses with a clinical diagnosis of rattlesnake bite and 6 healthy adult horses.

Methods

In a prospective clinical study, bite site swabs, blood samples, and urine samples were collected at various time points from 20 horses with a clinical diagnosis of snake bite. ContinuousECGrecordings were obtained on the 20 affected horses and 6 normal control horses using 24‐hour holter monitors. Plasma samples were assayed forcTnI, serum samples were assayed forTNFα and anti‐venom antibodies, and bite site swabs and urine were assayed for venom.

Results

Forty percent of rattlesnake‐bitten horses (8/20) experienced myocardial damage (increasedcTnI). Seventy percent (14/20) experienced a cardiac arrhythmia. There was a positive correlation betweencTnIandTNFα (P < .02). Horses withcTnI≥2 ng/mL were more likely to have antibody titers >5,000 (P < .05). No correlations were found between venom concentration andcTnI, anti‐venom antibody titers,TNFα, or presence of arrhythmias.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Cardiac abnormalities in this population of horses indicate that cardiac damage after rattlesnake bite is common. Rattlesnake‐bitten horses should be monitored for signs of cardiac damage and dysfunction. Long‐term follow‐up should be encouraged to detect delayed cardiac dysfunction.
Child Development in the NANDA‐I and International Classification for Nursing Practices Nursing Classifications*
Authors: de Souza Juliana Martins , Veríssimo Maria De La Ó Ramallo
Published: November 2012

PURPOSE:  Identify and analyze the NANDA‐I diagnoses and the focus terms of the International Classification for Nursing Practices (ICNP) related to child development.

DATA SOURCES:  Literature, reflections about clinical experience, and a model case.

DATA SYNTHESE:  The current diagnoses proposed by NANDA‐I and the ICNP focus terms do not encompass the extent of the child development phenomenon.

CONCLUSIONS:  It is necessary studying the child development concept to improve the definition of the ICNP focus terms and the accuracy of NANDA‐I diagnoses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE:  Discussing the nursing classifications can improve their understanding and use.

OBJETIVO:  Identificar e analisar os diagnósticos da NANDA‐I e os termos foco da Classificação Internacional das Práticas de Enfermagem (CIPE), relacionados ao desenvolvimento infantil.

FONTES DE DADOS:  Literatura, reflexões sobre a experiência clínica e um caso modelo.

SÍNTESE DOS DADOS:  Os diagnósticos atuais propostos pela NANDA‐I e os termos foco da CIPE não abrangem a extensão do fenômeno desenvolvimento infantil.

CONCLUSÕES:  É necessário estudar o conceito do desenvolvimento infantil para melhorar a definição dos termos focos da CIPE e a acurácia dos diagnósticos da NANDAI.

IMPLICAÇÕES PARA A PRÁTICA DE ENFERMAGEM:  Discutir as classificações de enfermagem pode melhorar sua compreensão e uso.
Deep Roots are Pivotal for Regulating Post‐Anthesis Leaf Senescence in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Authors: Kong L. , Si J. , Sun M. , Feng B. , Zhang B. , Li S. , Wang Z. , Wang F.
Published: November 2012

Root activity plays a dominant role in grain filling in cereal crops. However, the importance of deep roots for regulating post‐anthesis leaf senescence is not clearly understood in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, we used 32P tracing to estimate the difference in wheat root activity at soil depths of 30 and 70 cm and the root restriction method to investigate the effects of vertical distribution of deep roots on leaf senescence, with non‐restricted plants as controls. Recovery of radioactive 32P indicated that deep roots had significantly higher activity than upper roots in wheat. Root restriction at a soil depth of 50 cm caused significant decreases in the activities of superoxide dismutase (EC 1.15.1.1), peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7), catalase (EC 1.11.1.6) and ascorbate peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.11) at 16 days after anthesis and thereafter resulting in an increase in malondialdehyde. As a result, chlorophyll levels and net photosynthesis decreased. Ultimately, the root‐restricted wheat produced a significantly lower grain yield than the non‐restricted controls. These data suggest that deep roots are pivotal for regulating plant senescence, duration of grain filling, and yield formation.
Resistance to Care: contributing factors and associated behaviours in healthcare facilities
Authors: Kable Ashley , Guest Maya , McLeod Mary
Published: November 2012

Aims

This article reports results of a study of contributing factors and associated behaviours in specific clinical areas to resistance to care episodes.

Background

Resistance to Care has previously been studied in aged care settings, and previous studies have reported patient behaviours and appropriate responses. Resistance to Care is a defensive response by patients towards healthcare staff and is demonstrated in various non‐compliant behaviours.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey of a representative sample of nurses (n = 5044), who were members of the New South Wales Nurses' Association in Australia, was conducted in 2008–2009.

Results

Resistance to Care episodes occur in various clinical settings and may be precipitated by a range of clinical diagnoses and symptoms. They may also be triggered during various nursing activities that nurses recognize as high‐risk for these episodes.

Conclusion

The reported Resistance to Care behaviours are similar to those reported in studies of aggression and violence; however, they require a substantially different response by nurses in various clinical contexts.
Estimates of autozygosity derived from runs of homozygosity: empirical evidence from selected cattle populations
Authors: Ferenčaković M. , Hamzić E. , Gredler B. , Solberg T.R. , Klemetsdal G. , Curik I. , Sölkner J.
Published: November 2012

Using genome‐wide SNP data, we calculated genomic inbreeding coefficients (FROH > 1 Mb, FROH > 2 Mb, FROH > 8 Mb and FROH > 16 Mb) derived from runs of homozygosity (ROH) of different lengths (>1, >2, >8 and > 16 Mb) as well as from levels of homozygosity (FHOM). We compared these values of inbreeding coefficients with those calculated from pedigrees (FPED) of 1422 bulls comprising Brown Swiss (304), Fleckvieh (502), Norwegian Red (499) and Tyrol Grey (117) cattle breeds. For all four breeds, population inbreeding levels estimated by the genomic inbreeding coefficients FROH > 8 Mb and FROH > 16 Mb were similar to the levels estimated from pedigrees. The lowest values were obtained for Fleckvieh (FPED = 0.014, FROH > 8 Mb = 0.019 and FROH > 16 Mb = 0.008); the highest, for Brown Swiss (FPED = 0.048, FROH > 8 Mb = 0.074 and FROH > 16 Mb = 0.037). In contrast, inbreeding estimates based on the genomic coefficients FROH > 1 Mb and FROH > 2 Mb were considerably higher than pedigree‐derived estimates. Standard deviations of genomic inbreeding coefficients were, on average, 1.3–1.7‐fold higher than those obtained from pedigrees. Pearson correlations between genomic and pedigree inbreeding coefficients ranged from 0.50 to 0.62 in Norwegian Red (lowest correlations) and from 0.64 to 0.72 in Tyrol Grey (highest correlations). We conclude that the proportion of the genome present in ROH provides a good indication of inbreeding levels and that analysis based on ROH length can indicate the relative amounts of autozygosity due to recent and remote ancestors.
Climatic niche evolution and species diversification in the Cape flora, South Africa
Authors: Schnitzler Jan , Graham Catherine H. , Dormann Carsten F. , Schiffers Katja , Peter Linder H.
Published: November 2012

Aim

To evaluate the evolutionary dynamics of the ecological niche by quantifying the modes and rates of ecological niche evolution (with a particular focus on climatic parameters) and species diversification.

Location

Greater Cape Floristic Region, southern Africa.

Methods

Using the genus Babiana (Iridaceae) from the Cape flora, South Africa, we study the evolutionary dynamics of the ecological niche, which includes a characterization of the ecological niche, an assessment of phylogenetic signal, comparisons of different macroevolutionary models, and the estimation of rates of niche evolution (and their variation within and between clades) and lineage diversification, while accounting for phylogenetic uncertainty.

Results

A principal components analysis (PCA) identified mean annual precipitation and mean annual temperature as the most important climatic determinants differentiating species within Babiana. All parameters show significant phylogenetic signal, and the best‐fit model of evolution is the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process with two distinct precipitation optima for two neighbouring biomes: the Fynbos and the Succulent Karoo. Evolutionary rates of climatic niches vary by more than an order of magnitude over the phylogeny, and rates of niche evolution and lineage diversification are both higher in the Fynbos biome than in the Succulent Karoo.

Main conclusions

Our results show a possible link between rates of climatic niche evolution and rates of species diversification, indicating that rates of niche evolution might be driving diversification rates.
Dispersal limitation, speciation, environmental filtering and niche differentiation influence forest tree communities in West Polynesia
Authors: Franklin Janet , Keppel Gunnar , Webb Edward L. , Seamon Joshua O. , Rey Sergio J. , Steadman David W. , Wiser Susan K. , Drake Donald R.
Published: November 2012

Aim

Regional patterns of forest composition in West Polynesia were analysed to determine the relative importance of dispersal limitation, speciation, environmental filtering and biotic interactions.

Location

West Polynesia (Fiji, Tonga, Samoa).

Methods

We applied clustering and indicator species analysis to presence/absence data for 397 tree taxa in 338 forest plots to detect groups of plots sharing similar species composition. Patterns of plot composition and co‐occurrence of congeneric species were compared between archipelagos for evidence of dispersal limitation, speciation, and environmental filtering versus competitive displacement or niche differentiation across the three archipelagos at the local (plot) and regional scales.

Results

Dispersal limitation was evident in the compositional segregation of inland rain forests across the three archipelagos, whereas compositional overlap was widespread for coastal forests, which are composed of species dispersed by water. Within genera, species numbers attenuated from Fiji to Tonga to Samoa, but speciation also contributed to compositional differences in all three island groups. Environmental filtering was suggested by the distinct composition of both secondary and mature inland rain forest versus coastal forest. At the local scale, however, clumping of congeners, which might suggest fine‐scale environmental filtering, was observed for only a minority of inland forest genera. Most genera showed either overdispersion, suggesting competitive displacement or niche differentiation, or patterns not significantly different from random.

Main conclusions

Well‐established biogeographical patterns of dispersal limitation and speciation contribute to West Polynesian tree diversity at the community scale. Environmental filtering and competitive displacement further structure forest communities; the evidence from this study suggests that environmental filtering is more important at a landscape scale, while competitive displacement may be more important at a local scale, although their relative importance varies considerably among taxa.
Preservative‐free 0.9% sodium chloride for flushing and locking peripheral intravenous access device: a prospective controlled trial
Authors: Wang Rui , Luo Ou , He Liu , Li Jia‐Xin , Zhang Ming‐Guang
Published: November 2012

Background and aim: In Mainland China, heparin saline solution is commonly used for flushing and locking peripheral intravenous access devices in clinical practice for a long time. We conducted a prospective controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and safety of preservative‐free 0.9% sodium chloride solution versus heparin saline solution as flushing and locking solution for peripheral intravenous access devices.

Methods: Patients with gastroenterological or hepatic diseases were enrolled for this study from August 2011 to October 2011. After non‐randomized allocation, preservative‐free 0.9% sodium chloride was used as flushing and locking solution in the sodium chloride solution group, while hepatic solution (10 U/mL) was given in the heparin saline solution group. The device related complications and its maintenance duration were compared between two groups. One‐way ANOVA, Chi2, or Mantel‐Haenszel test were performed using SPSS 13.0 and RevMan 5.0.

Results: Totally, 181 and 178 peripheral intravenous access devices in the sodium chloride solution and heparin saline solution groups were included and analyzed. Results indicated than sodium chloride solution did not increase the risks of occlusion (7.7% vs. 7.9%) and other adverse events of peripheral intravenous access devices (P = 0.163). Sodium chloride solution neither shortened the duration of peripheral intravenous access devices maintenance (3.6 ± 1.1 days vs. 3.7 ± 1.2 days, P = 0.651), nor increased the proportion of abnormal withdrawal (29.3% vs. 31.5%, P = 0.654).

Conclusion: Sodium chloride solution is as effective and safe as conventional heparin saline solution for flushing and locking peripheral intravenous access devices, which results from our evidence‐based study and should be transferred to other nurses in China.
Dreyfusia nordmannianae in Northern and Central Europe: potential for biological control and comments on its taxonomy
Authors: Ravn H. P. , Havill N. P. , Akbulut S. , Foottit R. G. , Serin M. , Erdem M. , Mutun S. , Kenis M.
Published: November 2012

The silver fir woolly adelgid, Dreyfusia nordmannianae, is the most severe pest occurring on Abies nordmanniana in Central and Northern Europe. The adelgid is particularly damaging to trees in Christmas tree plantations. Dreyfusia nordmannianae is native to the Caucasus region and alien to Europe, where its natural enemy complex is less diverse compared to its area of origin. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data from the samples of D. nordmannianae collected in its native range and Europe and from the samples of Dreyfusia piceae and Dreyfusia prelli collected in Europe and North America were examined for phylogenetic structure. There was no evidence of differentiation, suggesting that these Dreyfusia species have recently diverged or require taxonomic revision. All existing published and unpublished reports on natural enemies of D. nordmannianae in its place of origin were reviewed, with the purpose of selecting agents for classical biological control in Europe. The literature review suggested that the most promising agent was the Chamaemyiidae fly, Leucopis hennigrata. A new survey in D. nordmannianae's area of origin – Turkey, Georgia and Russia – showed that L. hennigrata was present in all localities. It was particularly abundant in Turkey, where its impact on populations of D. nordmannianae appears to be high. Its use as a biological control agent is discussed, as well as other biological control strategies.
Intracellular calcium plays a critical role in the alcohol‐mediated death of cerebellar granule neurons
Authors: Kouzoukas Dimitrios E. , Li Guiying , Takapoo Maysaam , Moninger Thomas , Bhalla Ramesh C. , Pantazis Nicholas J.
Published: November 2012

Alcohol is a potent neuroteratogen that can trigger neuronal death in the developing brain. However, the mechanism underlying this alcohol‐induced neuronal death is not fully understood. Utilizing primary cultures of cerebellar granule neurons (CGN), we tested the hypothesis that the alcohol‐induced increase in intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i causes the death of CGN. Alcohol induced a dose‐dependent (200–800 mg/dL) neuronal death within 24 h. Ratiometric Ca2+ imaging with Fura‐2 revealed that alcohol causes a rapid (1–2 min), dose‐dependent increase in [Ca2+]i, which persisted for the duration of the experiment (5 or 7 min). The alcohol‐induced increase in [Ca2+]i was observed in Ca2+‐free media, suggesting intracellular Ca2+ release. Pre‐treatment of CGN cultures with an inhibitor (2‐APB) of the inositol‐triphosphate receptor (IP3R), which regulates Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), blocked both the alcohol‐induced rise in [Ca2+]i and the neuronal death caused by alcohol. Similarly, pre‐treatment with BAPTA/AM, a Ca2+‐chelator, also inhibited the alcohol‐induced surge in [Ca2+]i and prevented neuronal death. In conclusion, alcohol disrupts [Ca2+]i homeostasis in CGN by releasing Ca2+ from intracellular stores, resulting in a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. This sustained increase in [Ca2+]i may be a key determinant in the mechanism underlying alcohol‐induced neuronal death.
Chronic clozapine reduces rat brain arachidonic acid metabolism by reducing plasma arachidonic acid availability
Authors: Modi Hiren R. , Taha Ameer Y. , Kim Hyung‐Wook , Chang Lisa , Rapoport Stanley I. , Cheon Yewon
Published: November 2012

Chronic administration of mood stabilizers to rats down‐regulates the brain arachidonic acid (AA) cascade. This down‐regulation may explain their efficacy against bipolar disorder (BD), in which brain AA cascade markers are elevated. The atypical antipsychotics, olanzapine (OLZ) and clozapine (CLZ), also act against BD. When given to rats, both reduce brain cyclooxygenase activity and prostaglandin E2 concentration; OLZ also reduces rat plasma unesterified and esterified AA concentrations, and AA incorporation and turnover in brain phospholipid. To test whether CLZ produces similar changes, we used our in vivo fatty acid method in rats given 10 mg/kg/day i.p. CLZ, or vehicle, for 30 days; or 1 day after CLZ washout. [1‐14C]AA was infused intravenously for 5 min, arterial plasma was collected and high‐energy microwaved brain was analyzed. CLZ increased incorporation coefficients and rates Jin,i of plasma unesterified AA into brain phospholipids i, while decreasing plasma unesterified but not esterified AA. These effects disappeared after washout. Thus, CLZ and OLZ similarly down‐regulated kinetics and cyclooxygenase expression of the brain AA cascade, likely by reducing plasma unesterified AA availability. Atypical antipsychotics and mood stabilizers may be therapeutic in BD by down‐regulating, indirectly or directly respectively, the elevated brain AA cascade of that disease.
To what extent do time, species identity and selected plant response variables influence woody plant interactions?
Authors: Prévosto Bernard , Monnier Yogan , Ripert Christian , Fernandez Catherine
Published: November 2012

Better knowledge of plant interactions is essential to understanding plant community dynamics and has broad applications in restoration and forest operations. Yet studies investigating positive and negative interactions, and indirect interactions, are scarce.

We quantified the nature and intensity of plant interactions between target species, neighbours and ground vegetation in an experimental plantation in southern France to detect competition, direct and indirect facilitation and shifts in interactions with time.

Mediterranean oak seedlings (Quercus pubescens and Quercus ilex) were planted as target species within the following neighbourhoods: pine trees Pinus halepensis at two densities, N‐fixing shrubs (Coronilla valentina), mixed pines and shrubs, and controls. The ground vegetation was either weeded or unweeded. We computed the relative interaction index (RII) for survival, growth and elongation of the target species in different treatments over 3 years. Light and soil water content were also monitored.

Results showed that the outcome of plant interactions depended on the variable selected to evaluate plant response. Decrease in Quercus pubescens survival and in diameter growth of both Quercus species indicated competition, whereas enhanced Quercus elongation and higher Quercus pubescens height growth in the first year indicated facilitation.

Indirect facilitative interactions also occurred, resulting in the alleviation of competition by neighbours in the unweeded treatment. This result was explained by the reduction of herb competition caused by shade from neighbours.

With time, competitive interactions became dominant, but were strongly modulated by the type of neighbours. Competition was more severe with shrub neighbours than with pine neighbours due to much greater light interception and also higher water uptake.

Synthesis and applications. We show that the outcome of plant interactions is species specific and varies with time and the indicator selected. Facilitation was detected with tree neighbour treatment, but over time interactions clearly shifted to competition. Hence, forest planting operations can benefit from the interactions induced by neighbouring woody vegetation provided that neighbour species are carefully selected and active post‐planting management is performed.
CLOSED FORM PRICING FORMULAS FOR DISCRETELY SAMPLED GENERALIZED VARIANCE SWAPS
Authors: Zheng Wendong , Kwok Yue Kuen
Published: November 2012

Most of the existing pricing models of variance derivative products assume continuous sampling of the realized variance processes, though actual contractual specifications compute the realized variance based on sampling at discrete times. We present a general analytic approach for pricing discretely sampled generalized variance swaps under the stochastic volatility models with simultaneous jumps in the asset price and variance processes. The resulting pricing formula of the gamma swap is in closed form while those of the corridor variance swaps and conditional variance swaps take the form of one‐dimensional Fourier integrals. We also verify through analytic calculations the convergence of the asymptotic limit of the pricing formulas of the discretely sampled generalized variance swaps under vanishing sampling interval to the analytic pricing formulas of the continuously sampled counterparts. The proposed methodology can be applied to any affine model and other higher moments swaps as well. We examine the exposure to convexity (volatility of variance) and skew (correlation between the equity returns and variance process) of these discretely sampled generalized variance swaps. We explore the impact on the fair strike prices of these exotic variance swaps with respect to different sets of parameter values, like varying sampling frequencies, jump intensity, and width of the monitoring corridor.
Local Regulation of L‐Type Ca2+ Channel Sparklets in Arterial Smooth Muscle
Authors: Navedo Manuel F. , Amberg Gregory C.
Published: November 2012

This review addresses the latest advances in our understanding of the regulation of a novel Ca2+ signal called L‐type Ca2+ channel sparklets in arterial smooth muscle. L‐type Ca2+ channel sparklets are elementary Ca2+ influx events produced by the opening of a single or a small cluster of L‐type Ca2+ channels. These Ca2+ signals were first visualized in the vasculature in arterial smooth muscle cells. In these cells, L‐type Ca2+ channel sparklets display two functionally distinct gating modalities that regulate local and global [Ca2+]i. The activity of L‐type Ca2+ channel sparklets varies regionally within a cell depending on the dynamic activity of a cohort of protein kinases and phosphatases recruited to L‐type Ca2+ channels in the arterial smooth muscle sarcolemma in a complex coordinated by the scaffolding molecule AKAP150. We also described a mechanism whereby clusters of L‐type Ca2+ channels gate cooperatively to amplify intracellular Ca2+ signals with likely pathological consequences.
Regulation of Cerebral Artery Smooth Muscle Membrane Potential by Ca2+‐Activated Cation Channels
Authors: Gonzales Albert L. , Earley Scott
Published: November 2012

Arterial tone is dependent on the depolarizing and hyperpolarizing currents regulating membrane potential and governing the influx of Ca2+ needed for smooth muscle contraction. Several ion channels have been proposed to contribute to membrane depolarization, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. In this review, we will discuss the historical and physiological significance of the Ca2+‐activated cation channel, TRPM4, in regulating membrane potential of cerebral artery smooth muscle cells. As a member of the recently described transient receptor potential super family of ion channels, TRPM4 possesses the biophysical properties and upstream cellular signaling and regulatory pathways that establish it as a major physiological player in smooth muscle membrane depolarization.
The diffusible factor synthase XanB2 is a bifunctional chorismatase that links the shikimate pathway to ubiquinone and xanthomonadins biosynthetic pathways
Authors: Zhou Lian , Wang Jia‐Yuan , Wang Jianhe , Poplawsky Alan , Lin Shuangjun , Zhu Bangshang , Chang Changqing , Zhou Tielin , Zhang Lian‐Hui , He Ya‐Wen
Published: November 2012

The diffusible factor synthase XanB2, originally identified in Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), is highly conserved across a wide range of bacterial species, but its substrate and catalytic mechanism have not yet been investigated. Here, we show that XanB2 is a unique bifunctional chorismatase that hydrolyses chorismate, the end‐product of the shikimate pathway, to produce 3‐hydroxybenzoic acid (3‐HBA) and 4‐HBA. 3‐HBA and 4‐HBA are respectively associated with the yellow pigment xanthomonadin biosynthesis and antioxidant activity in Xcc. We further demonstrate that XanB2 is a structurally novel enzyme with three putative domains. It catalyses 3‐HBA and 4‐HBA biosynthesis via a unique mechanism with the C‐terminal YjgF‐like domain conferring activity for 3‐HBA biosynthesis and the N‐terminal FGFG motif‐containing domain responsible for 4‐HBA biosynthesis. Furthermore, we show that Xcc produces coenzyme Q8 (CoQ8) via a new biosynthetic pathway independent of the key chorismate‐pyruvate lyase UbiC. XanB2 is the alternative source of 4‐HBA for CoQ8 biosynthesis. The similar CoQ8 biosynthetic pathway, xanthomonadin biosynthetic gene cluster and XanB2 homologues are well conserved in the bacterial species within Xanthomonas, Xylella, Xylophilus, Pseudoxanthomonas, Rhodanobacter, Frateuria, Herminiimonas and Variovorax, suggesting that XanB2 may be a conserved metabolic link between the shikimate pathway, ubiquinone and xanthomonadin biosynthetic pathways in diverse bacteria.
Exosomes and the kidney: Blaming the messenger
Authors: Fang Doreen YP , King Hamish W , Li Jordan YZ , Gleadle Jonathan M
Published: November 2012

Enormous interest has focused on exosomes, the small membrane‐bound vesicles released into the extracellular environment by many cell types, since the realization that they play important functional roles across many aspects of cell biology and the potential to use their unique protein and RNA content as signatures in biomarker research.
Mycophenolate mofetil versus azathioprine as maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Feng Li , Deng Jin , Huo Dong‐Mei , Wu Qiao‐Yuan , Liao Yun‐Hua
Published: November 2012

The authors conducted a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials assessing the prognosis and safety of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) versus azathioprine (AZA) used as maintenance therapy for lupus nephritis. Although the evidence was limited, they did derive a conclusion that MMF was as useful, or safer than AZA for maintenance therapy of lupus nephritis.