bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age‐specific effect of heterozygosity on survival in alpine marmots, Marmota marmota
Authors: COHAS AURÉLIE , BONENFANT CHRISTOPHE , KEMPENAERS BART , ALLAINÉ DOMINIQUE
Published: March 2009

The fitness consequences of heterozygosity and the mechanisms underpinning them are still highly controversial. Using capture–mark–recapture models, we investigated the effects of individual heterozygosity, measured at 16 microsatellite markers, on age‐dependent survival and access to dominance in a socially monogamous mammalian species, the alpine marmot. We found a positive correlation between standardized multilocus heterozygosity and juvenile survival. However, there was no correlation between standardized multilocus heterozygosity and either survival of older individuals or access to dominance. The disappearance of a significant heterozygosity fitness correlation when individuals older than juveniles are considered is consistent with the prediction that differences in survival among individuals are maximal early in life. The lack of a correlation between heterozygosity and access to dominance may be a consequence of few homozygous individuals attaining the age at which they might reach dominance. Two hypotheses have been proposed to explain heterozygosity‐fitness correlations: genome‐wide effects reflected by all markers or local effects of specific markers linked to genes that determine fitness. In accordance with genome‐wide effects of heterozygosity, we found significant correlations between heterozygosities calculated across single locus or across two sets of eight loci. Thus, the genome‐wide heterozygosity effect seems to explain the observed heterozygosity‐fitness correlation in the alpine marmot.
Mutations affecting chemotaxis of Agrobacterium vitis strain E26 also alter attachment to grapevine roots and biocontrol of crown gall disease
Authors: Yang Y. L. , Li J. Y. , Wang J. H. , Wang H. M.
Published: March 2009

Crown gall in grapevine, caused by tumorigenic Agrobacterium vitis strains, can cause severe losses in most viticulture regions worldwide. The only effective means of control is through cultivation practices. One non‐tumorigenic A. vitis strain, E26, can prevent crown gall infection when applied to wounds on grapevine prior to or simultaneous with inoculation of tumorigenic strains. ME19, a Tn5 mutant of strain E26, was impaired in terms of its ability to be chemo‐attracted by grapevine root tissue extracts and its attachment to grapevine roots, and had reduced biological control activity; it did not significantly differ from the wild‐type strain of E26 in phenotypes of agrocin production, growth in minimum medium or swarming activity. Complementation of ME19 with the cosmid clone of CP1543 from an E26 DNA library restored the chemotaxis, attachment, and biocontrol phenotypes. A 7·3‐kb KpnI fragment from CP1543 was cloned and sequenced, and sequence analysis revealed that the Tn5 insertion occurred in a region that shares a significant homology with genes coding for methyl‐accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs) in many bacteria. Complementation of the mcp gene mutants restored the affected phenotypes to the level of wild‐type E26. An in‐frame deletion mutant of the mcp gene was generated and was determined to have the same phenotypes as the original Tn5 mutant.
Transformation of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum with the green fluorescent protein gene and fluorescence of hyphae in four inoculated hosts
Authors: De Silva A. P. , Bolton M. D. , Nelson B. D.
Published: March 2009

To obtain a genetic marker to observe and study the interaction of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum with its hosts, isolates ND30 and ND21 were transformed using pCT74 and gGFP constructs, both containing genes for the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and hygromycin B phosphotransferase. Putative transformants were obtained using polyethylene glycol‐mediated transformation of protoplasts. Seven stable gfp transformants were identified and evaluated for fluorescence in vitro and in planta, pathogenicity and colonization of host tissues. Real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction detected a single copy of the gfp gene in transformants. Fluorescence was quantified directly from mycelium and protein extracted from hyphae. The seven transformants (four from ND30 and three from ND21) were pathogenic on dry bean, canola, soybean and sunflower. However, depending on the host, three transformants differed significantly (P = 0·05) in the length of lesions formed compared to the wild‐type. Hyphae fluoresced in plant tissue and could clearly be distinguished from plant cells. Infection and colonization of tissues were clearly visible with a fluorescent microscope. Transformants differed in the intensity of GFP expression both in vitro and in planta.
Involvement of snapdragon benzaldehyde dehydrogenase in benzoic acid biosynthesis
Authors: Long Michael C. , Nagegowda Dinesh A. , Kaminaga Yasuhisa , Ho Kwok Ki , Kish Christine M. , Schnepp Jennifer , Sherman Debra , Weiner Henry , Rhodes David , Dudareva Natalia
Published: March 2009

Benzoic acid (BA) is an important building block in a wide spectrum of compounds varying from primary metabolites to secondary products. Benzoic acid biosynthesis from l‐phenylalanine requires shortening of the propyl side chain by two carbons, which can occur via a β‐oxidative pathway or a non‐β‐oxidative pathway, with benzaldehyde as a key intermediate. The non‐β‐oxidative route requires benzaldehyde dehydrogenase (BALDH) to convert benzaldehyde to BA. Using a functional genomic approach, we identified an Antirrhinum majus (snapdragon) BALDH, which exhibits 40% identity to bacterial BALDH. Transcript profiling, biochemical characterization of the purified recombinant protein, molecular homology modeling, in vivo stable isotope labeling, and transient expression in petunia flowers reveal that BALDH is capable of oxidizing benzaldehyde to BA in vivo. GFP localization and immunogold labeling studies show that this biochemical step occurs in the mitochondria, raising a question about the role of subcellular compartmentalization in BA biosynthesis.
Real‐time vision‐based detection of Rumex obtusifolius in grassland
Authors: VAN EVERT F K , POLDER G , VAN DER HEIJDEN G W A M , KEMPENAAR C , LOTZ L A P
Published: March 2009

van Evert FK, Polder G, van der Heijden GWAM, Kempenaar C & Lotz LAP (2009). Real‐time vision‐based detection of Rumex obtusifolius in grassland. Weed Research49, 164–174.

Rumex obtusifolius is a common grassland weed that is hard to control in a non‐chemical way. The objective of our research was to automate the detection of R. obtusifolius as a step towards fully automated mechanical control of the weed. We have developed a vision‐based system that uses textural analysis to detect R. obtusifolius against a grass background. Image sections are classified as grass or weed using 2‐D Fourier analysis. We conducted two experiments. In the first (laboratory) experiment, we collected 28 images containing R. obtusifolius and 28 images containing only grass. Between 23 and 25 of 28 images were correctly classified (82–89%) as showing R. obtusifolius; all grass images were correctly classified as such. In the second (field) experiment, a self‐propelled platform was used to obtain five sequences of images of R. obtusifolius plants. We used the parameters that gave the best classification results in the first experiment. We found, after changing one of the algorithm’s parameters in response to prevailing light conditions, that we were able to detect R. obtusifolius in each image of each sequence. The algorithm scans a ground area of 1.5 m2 in 30 ms. We conclude that the algorithm developed is sufficiently fast and robust to eventually serve as a basis for a practical robot to detect and control R. obtusifolius in grassland.
Measurement of ascorbic acid and glutathione peroxidase activity in biological samples collected from recurrent airway obstruction affected horses and their controls.
Authors: Tan R. H. H. , Thatcher C. D. , Buechner‐Maxwell V. , Christmann U. , Crisman M. V. , Werre S. R.
Published: March 2009

Multiple biomarkers of oxidative stress have been measured and utilized in human medicine to assess the redox status of the lung. The purpose of the study was to determine the relationships between ascorbic acid concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the activity of cellular glutathione peroxidase (cGPx) in red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), and cells of BALF, to distinguish recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)‐affected horses from their matched controls. Sixteen horses in matched pairs were used: eight non‐RAO‐affected (controls) and eight RAO‐affected horses. Samples from all horses were collected at remission (S1), during environmental challenge (S2) and at recovery (S3). In RAO‐affected horses, RBC cGPx were significantly higher at all sample times (p = 0.0313 at S1, p = 0.0208 at S2, p = 0.0207 at S3). WBC cGPx activity was also greater in these horses during remission (p = 0.0128 at S1) and challenge (p = 0.0087 at S2). In the BALF, RAO‐affected horses had significantly higher cGPx activity during recovery compared to remission (p = 0.0077). BALF ascorbic acid concentration (total, free and oxidized) was not significantly different in control horses, but total (p = 0.0009) and free (p = 0.0021) forms were significantly reduced during challenge in RAO‐affected horses.

The elevation in cGPx concentration suggests an up‐regulation of this redox system to combat oxidative stress as the ascorbic acid system is depleted during challenge in RAO‐affected horses. This difference supports further research into antioxidant interventions that may prevent or minimize clinical signs of RAO.
Window traps and direct observations record similar arthropod flower visitor assemblages in two mass flowering crops
Authors: Howlett B. G. , Walker M. K. , Newstrom‐Lloyd L. E. , Donovan B. J. , Teulon D. A. J.
Published: March 2009

Understanding the role of unmanaged arthropod flower visitors as crop pollinators is critical if robust and reliable long‐term alternatives are to be found for honey bee pollination. However, data on pollinator assemblages can be scant. Field observation of crop flower visitors is a common data collection technique but it can be inadequate for species identification and is labour‐intensive if used across many sites. Trapping may reduce this problem, but trap performance and sampling consistency over long distances (sites separated by >100 km) are rarely examined. Window traps were designed to collect flower‐visiting arthropods from peak‐flowering onion (Allium cepa) and pak choi (Brassica rapa var. chinensis) fields across several regions throughout New Zealand. Trap efficacy was evaluated by comparing trapped samples with observations of flower visiting arthropods during the same trapping period, from dawn (6:00 to 7:00 hours) through to dusk (20:00–21:00 hours) at the same locations. Similar types of larger arthropods (length ≥3 mm) were observed and trapped within both crops, with the hymenopteran genera Apidae, Colletidae and Halictidae and the dipteran families Syrphidae, Calliphoridae, Anthomyiidae, Stratiomyidae, Sarcophagidae, Bibionidae, Tachinidae and Muscidae the most commonly recorded. The total counts of these taxa across fields were strongly correlated between the two methods; however, the ratio of trapped to observed individuals could vary greatly between taxa. Trapping allowed more arthropods to be identified to the species level and also helped record more small arthropods (body length <3 mm) when compared with observation. Window traps can be effective for assessing the relative diversity of flower visitor assemblages and the abundance of specific taxa in specific cropping systems at the regional scale, but variation in trap efficiency between arthropod taxa must be assessed for a true measure of assemblage composition.
Rationale for the study methods and design of the epidemiology of lower urinary tract symptoms (EpiLUTS) study
Authors: Coyne Karin S. , Sexton Chris C. , Kopp Zoe S. , Luks Samantha , Gross Ashley , Irwin Debra , Milsom Ian
Published: March 2009

Accurate prevalence data on illnesses are of paramount importance for medical decision‐making, healthcare planning, and the appropriate allocation of healthcare resources. When assessing the prevalence of any illness or health condition, it is important to base prevalence data on an assessment of the general population at large and not on selected groups of the population. Previous estimates of the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have used postal surveys, telephone and in‐person interviews, and, more recently, the Internet. Determining the mode of data collection for a research study is dictated by several factors, including target population, topic sensitivity, timeliness, and available resources. The purpose of this report is to document the rationale for conducting a large prevalence study of LUTS and its impact on patient outcomes using Internet‐ or Web‐based surveys. A brief overview of important survey considerations is provided, and previous survey methods used in assessing the prevalence of LUTS discussed. The research objectives and sampling approach used in the EpiLUTS study in the USA, the UK and Sweden are presented, with a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of this Internet‐based sampling approach in relation to other epidemiological methods.
Nursing and spirituality
Authors: Hussey Trevor
Published: March 2009

Those matters that are judged to be spiritual are seen as especially valuable and important. For this reason it is claimed that nurses need to be able to offer spiritual care when appropriate and, to aid them in this, nurse theorists have discussed the nature of spirituality. In a recent debate John Paley has argued that nurses should adopt a naturalistic stance which would enable them to employ the insights of modern science. Barbara Pesut has criticized this thesis, especially as it is applied to palliative care. This paper re‐examines this debate with particular attention to the meaning of ‘spirituality’ and the justification for accepting spiritual and religious theories. It is argued that when we take into consideration the great diversity among religious and spiritual ideas, the lack of rational means of deciding between them when they conflict, and the practicalities of nursing, we find that a spiritual viewpoint is less useful than a naturalistic one, when offering palliative care.
Compassion and professional care: exploring the domain
Authors: Van Der Cingel Margreet
Published: March 2009

Compassion unites people during times of suffering and distress. Unfortunately, compassion cannot take away suffering. Why then, is compassion important for people who suffer? Nurses work in a domain where human suffering is evidently present. In order to give meaning to compassion in the domain of professional care, it is necessary to describe what compassion is. The purpose of this paper is to explore questions and contradictions in the debate on compassion related to nursing care. The paper reviews classical philosophers as well as contemporary scientists' main arguments on compassion. First, I will examine the relationship between compassion and suffering. Second, how does one recognize serious suffering? This issue raises questions about the role of imagination and the need for identification. Third, literature describes compassion as an emotion. Some philosophers consider emotions uncontrollable feelings; others see a clear rational dimension in emotions. In order to determine what compassion is, it is necessary to weigh these contradictional arguments. Fourth, I will discuss motives for compassion. Is compassion an act of altruism or egoism? In this debate Nietzsche and Schopenhauer are well‐known opponents. Today, analysis of their arguments leads to some surprising conclusions. Fifth, there is the issue of fault and compassion. Can we only feel compassionate when people who suffer are not to blame for their own suffering? Such a condition faces professional caretakers with a dilemma which needs a thorough analysis if compassion is to be of use in the field of professional care. Finally, I will explore the moral meaning of compassion. Compassion, described as a concept with cognitive as well as affective dimensions, also has volitional and behavioural aspects. These aspects specifically are of importance to nursing care and further research of compassion in the nursing domain.
Conflicting stories of virtue in UK healthcare: bringing together organisational studies and ethics
Authors: Dawson David
Published: March 2009

In recent years, organisational theorists have been interested in the tensions faced by healthcare organisations. In this paper, these tensions are examined using the virtue approach to ethics of Alasdair MacIntyre. It is argued that although MacIntyre's framework shares many concerns with organisational studies, it supplements the analysis with a focus on moral content and evaluation. By providing moral evaluation of the stories told in organisations, an ethical analysis compels action on a basis that organisational studies does not. Nevertheless, it is the analysis of stories in organisation studies that provides the tools for taking action. The analysis presented here provides an example of how ethics and organisational studies can be brought together to provide a stronger analysis of organisational phenomena. Indeed, it provides support for Nielsen's position that organisational theory and ethics are co‐dependent and suggests that greater attention should be paid to ethical concepts in the study of organisational phenomena.
Ethical (SRI) funds in Italy: a review
Authors: Signori Silvana
Published: March 2009

In the past few years, investors from different European countries have become increasingly interested in the new opportunities that socially responsible investing (SRI) can offer. Empirical research into this subject has often assumed as ‘given’ the meaning attributed to the terms ‘ethical’ or ‘socially responsible’, thus concentrating more on other elements (particularly financial performance). This paper, through the analysis of the characteristics of ethical funds traded in Italy, investigates the possible contents that the terms ‘ethical’ and/or ‘socially responsible’ can assume in practice, with particular attention to the underlying values and to how these values are integrated into the selection process. This analysis brings to light the impressive variety of ethical funds traded in Italy. In particular, it reveals the ‘Italian model’, whose distinguishing characteristics seem to be the following: recentness of issue, options for charitable donations, almost exclusive use of screening strategies, use of ‘best in class’ and ‘minimum tolerance quota’ indications, preference for ethical indices, application of commissions no higher than the national average, presence of ethical committees and the utilization of consulting or rating agencies.
Does a ‘care orientation’ explain gender differences in ethical decision making? A critical analysis and fresh findings
Authors: Bampton Roberta , Maclagan Patrick
Published: March 2009

Over the past two decades there has been a great deal of research conducted into the question of gender differences in ethical decision making in organisations. Much of this has been based on questionnaire surveys, typically asking respondents (often students, sometimes professionals) to judge the moral acceptability of actions as described in short cases or vignettes. Overall the results seem inconclusive, although what differences have been noted tend to show women as ‘more ethical’ than men. The authors of this paper believe that attention should be paid to the insight, from Carol Gilligan and others, that women are more inclined than men to subscribe to an ‘ethic of care’, and that once this perspective is adopted a pattern is discernible. In a critical examination of previous research we pay particular attention to the detailed content of cases used in surveys, and the statistical analysis of findings. We advocate greater reflection on the results of quantitative surveys and sensitivity to different possible interpretations of findings. This we do with our own exploratory study, conducted with UK undergraduate students of accounting, the findings from which seem to support the original hypothesis that where a ‘care’ orientation is invited, women do indeed react differently to business ethics issues than do men.
A political economy approach to regulated Australian information disclosures
Authors: Haigh Matthew , Guthrie James
Published: March 2009

In an effort to improve comparability between socially responsible investment products and standardize investment terminology, Australian legislators recently required investment managers to report to retail investors the extent to which ‘social considerations’ are used in portfolio construction. Using a lens of political economy, this paper assesses whether the objectives of the legislation to standardize investment terminology, promote inter‐product comparability and encourage the accountability of product claims have been met. The context of legislative development is examined in Australian Parliamentary debates. Practised accountabilities are identified by examining a representative sample of the initial set of regulated disclosures issued. The quality of regulated information disclosures is assessed by the degree of correlation with legislators' objectives and the regulatory requirements. Initial disclosures were poor, providing little basis for comparability. In some instances, the quality of information had declined relative to the information supplied on a voluntary basis before the legislation took effect. The evidence supports a criticism of a regulatory laissez faire approach to self‐reporting and an argument for more directed regulation of management processes.
Neural Activity Underlying the Effect of Approach-Motivated Positive Affect on Narrowed Attention
Authors: Harmon-Jones Eddie , Gable Philip A.
Published: March 2009

Positive affects high in approach motivational intensity narrow attention. The present study extended this recent finding by testing whether a neural activation associated with approach-motivation intensity—relative left frontal-central activity—would underlie the effect of appetitive stimuli on narrowed attention (as measured by local attentional bias). It also tested whether individual differences in approach motivation relate to this attentional narrowing. Results supported predictions, suggesting a common association of relative left frontal hemispheric processing for approach-motivational processes and narrowed attention.
Cheating the Lie Detector
Authors: Verschuere Bruno , Prati Valentina , Houwer Jan De
Published: March 2009

The autobiographical Implicit Association Test (aIAT) was recently introduced in this journal as a new and promising lie-detection tool. The initial report found 91% accuracy in determining which of two autobiographical events was true. It was suggested that the aIAT, unlike other lie-detection tests, is resistant to faking. We investigated whether participants can strategically alter their performance on the aIAT. Experiment 1 showed that participants guilty of a mock theft were able to obtain an innocent test outcome. Two additional experiments showed that guilty participants can fake the aIAT without prior experience with the aIAT and when a response deadline is imposed. The aIAT is subject to the same shortcomings as other lie-detection tests.
Quantitative genetic analysis of biomass and wood chemistry of Populus under different nitrogen levels
Authors: Novaes Evandro , Osorio Luis , Drost Derek R. , Miles Brianna L. , Boaventura‐Novaes Carolina R. D. , Benedict Catherine , Dervinis Christopher , Yu Qibin , Sykes Robert , Davis Mark , Martin Timothy A. , Peter Gary F. , Kirst Matias
Published: March 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2009.02856.x
Commentary p 783
The anorexic agents, sibutramine and fenfluramine, depress GABAB‐induced inhibitory postsynaptic potentials in rat mesencephalic dopaminergic cells
Authors: Ledonne Ada , Sebastianelli Luca , Federici Mauro , Bernardi Giorgio , Mercuri Nicola Biagio
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose: Nutrition is the result of a complex interaction among environmental, homeostatic and reward‐related processes. Accumulating evidence supports key roles for the dopaminergic neurons of the ventral midbrain in regulating feeding behaviour. For this reason, in the present study, we have investigated the electrophysiological effects of two centrally acting anorexic agents, fenfluramine and sibutramine, on these cells.

Experimental approach: Rat midbrain slices were used to make intracellular recordings from dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra and the ventral tegmental area. Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐mediated synaptic transmission was assessed from the inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) mediated by GABAAand GABABreceptors.

Key results: Fenfluramine and sibutramine reduced, concentration‐dependently, the GABABIPSPs, without affecting the GABAA‐mediated potentials. This effect is presynaptic, as postsynaptic membrane responses induced by application of a GABABreceptor agonist, baclofen, were not affected by the two drugs. Furthermore, the selective 5‐hydroxytriptamine 1B (5‐HT1B) receptor antagonist, SB216641, blocked the reduction of GABABIPSPs caused by fenfluramine and sibutramine, indicating that the receptor mediating this effect is 5‐HT1B.

Conclusions and implications: Two anorexic agents, fenfluramine and sibutramine, induced the activation of 5‐HT1Breceptors located on presynaptic GABAergic terminals, thus reducing the release of GABA. This action can alter the strength of synaptic afferents that modify the activity of dopaminergic neurons, inducing neuronal excitation. Our results reveal an additional mechanism of action for fenfluramine and sibutramine that might contribute to reducing food intake, by influencing the pleasurable and motor aspects of feeding behaviour.
Loss of Ca2+‐mediated ion transport during colitis correlates with reduced ion transport responses to a Ca2+‐activated K+ channel opener
Authors: Hirota Christina L. , McKay Derek M.
Published: March 2009

Background and purpose:  Epithelial surface hydration is critical for proper gut function. However, colonic tissues from individuals with inflammatory bowel disease or animals with colitis are hyporesponsive to Cl‐ secretagogues. The Cl‐ secretory responses to the muscarinic receptor agonist bethanechol are virtually absent in colons of mice with dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)‐induced colitis. Our aim was to define the mechanism underlying this cholinergic hyporesponsiveness.

Experimental approach:  Colitis was induced by 4% DSS water, given orally. Epithelial ion transport was measured in Ussing chambers. Colonic crypts were isolated and processed for mRNA expression via RT‐PCR and protein expression via immunoblotting and immunolocalization.

Key results:  Expression of muscarinic M3 receptors in colonic epithelium was not decreased during colitis. Short‐circuit current (ISC) responses to other Ca2+‐dependent secretagogues (histamine, thapsigargin, cyclopiazonic acid and calcium ionophore) were either absent or severely attenuated in colonic tissue from DSS‐treated mice. mRNA levels of several ion transport molecules (a Ca2+‐regulated Cl‐ channel, the intermediate‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channel, the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, the Na+/K+‐ATPase pump or the Na+/K+/2Cl‐ co‐transporter) were not reduced in colonic crypts from DSS‐treated mice. However, protein expression of Na+/K+‐ATPase α1 subunits was decreased twofold during colitis. Activation of Ca2+‐activated K+ channels increased ISC significantly less in DSS colons compared with control, as did the protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate.

Conclusions and implications:  Decreased Na+/K+‐ATPase expression probably contributes to overall epithelial hyporesponsiveness during colitis, while dysfunctional K+ channels may account, at least partially, for lack of epithelial secretory responses to Ca2+‐mediated secretagogues.
Analysing Women's Substantive Representation: From Critical Mass to Critical Actors
Authors: Childs Sarah , Krook Mona Lena
Published: March 2009

This article makes a case for rethinking traditional approaches to the study of legislative behaviour on behalf of women by asking (1) not when women make a difference, but how the substantive representation of women occurs; and (2) not what ‘women’ do, but what specific actors do. The first shift aims to explore the contexts, identities and attitudes that motivate and inform substantive representation. The second seeks to move beyond a focus on female legislators to identify the ‘critical actors’, male and female, who may attempt to represent women as a group. In so doing, this framework calls attention to how structure and agency interact in the substantive representation of women.
Rational Irrationality and Simulation in Environmental Politics: The Example of Climate Change
Authors: Humphrey Mathew
Published: March 2009

Do western publics make ‘demands’ for environmental policy that they have no desire to see enacted? The thesis that they do has been put forward recently by advocates of the ‘post-ecologist’ paradigm such as Ingolfur Blühdorn. Taking the example of climate change, this article assesses survey results that provide indicative evidence that such ‘simulative’ demands may exist. I suggest that such demands are, however, best explained through conceptual tools available from game-theoretic and rational-actor models of political behaviour, in particular rational ignorance and rational irrationality, rather than with the societal-level accounts preferred by Blühdorn and others.
Endothelin inhibits cholangiocarcinoma growth by a decrease in the vascular endothelial growth factor expression
Authors: Fava Giammarco , DeMorrow Sharon , Gaudio Eugenio , Franchitto Antonio , Onori Paolo , Carpino Guido , Glaser Shannon , Francis Heather , Coufal Monique , Marucci Luca , Alvaro Domenico , Marzioni Marco , Horst Trenton , Mancinelli Romina , Benedetti Antonio , Alpini Gianfranco
Published: March 2009

Background: Endothelins (ET‐1, ET‐2, ET‐3) are peptides with vasoactive properties interacting with ETA and ETB receptors. ET‐1 inhibits secretin‐stimulated ductal secretion (hallmark of cholangiocyte growth) of cholestatic rats by interaction with ET receptors.

Aim: The aims of the studies were to evaluate (i) the effect of ET‐1 on cholangiocarcinoma growth in Mz‐ChA‐1 cells and nude mice and (ii) whether ET‐1 regulation of cholangiocarcinoma growth is associated with changes in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A), VEGF‐C, VEGF receptor‐2 (VEGFR‐2) and VEGFR‐3.

Methods: We determined the expression of ETA and ETB receptors on normal and malignant (Mz‐ChA‐1) cholangiocytes and human cholangiocarcinoma tissue and the effect of ET‐1 on the proliferation and expression of VEGF‐A, VEGF‐C (regulators of tumour angiogenesis) and its receptors, VEGFR‐2 and VEGFR‐3, in Mz‐ChA‐1 cells. In vivo, Mz‐ChA‐1 cells were injected into the flanks of athymic mice and injections of ET‐1 or saline into the tumours were performed daily. The effect of ET‐1 on tumour size, cell proliferation, apoptosis, collagen quantity and the expression of VEGF‐A and VEGF‐C and VEGFR‐2 and VEGFR‐3 were measured after 73 days.

Results: Higher expression of ETA and ETB was observed in malignant compared with normal cholangiocytes. ET‐1 inhibited proliferation and VEGF‐A, VEGF‐C, VEGFR‐2 and VEGFR‐3 expression of Mz‐ChA‐1 cells. Chronic ET‐1 treatment decreased tumour volume, tumour cell proliferation and VEGF‐A and VEGF‐C expression but increased apoptosis and collagen tissue deposition compared with controls.

Conclusions: Modulation of VEGF‐A and VEGF‐C (by ET‐1) may be important for managing cholangiocarcinoma growth.
Increased leak conductance in dentate gyrus granule cells of temporal lobe epilepsy patients with Ammon’s horn sclerosis
Authors: Stegen Michael , Young Christina C. , Haas Carola A. , Zentner Josef , Wolfart Jakob
Published: March 2009

Purpose: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is often associated with Ammon’s horn sclerosis (AHS) characterized by hippocampal cell death and dentate gyrus granule cell dispersion (GCD). Granule cells survive AHS and have been proposed to be hyperexcitable in TLE. Here we studied whether the passive excitability of granule cells correlates with the severity of AHS.

Methods: We analyzed the passive membrane properties of identified granule cells using patch‐clamp recordings in acute tissue slices obtained from TLE surgery. Independent Wyler grading and GCD measurements were used to assess the severity of AHS.

Results: The input resistances and membrane time constants of granule cells were reduced in high‐grade versus low‐grade AHS samples and negatively correlated with the degree of GCD. Granule cells possessed large Ba2+‐sensitive, inwardly rectifying K+conductances.

Discussion: The increased leak conductance, likely mediated by K+channels, does not argue for an increased excitability of granule cells but rather points to a neuroprotective mechanism in the sclerotic focus in TLE.
Kinetics of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase in the presence of acetonitrile
Authors: Pietsch Markus , Christian Leonie , Inhester Therese , Petzold Susanne , Gütschow Michael
Published: March 2009

The hydrolysis of acetylthiocholine by acetylcholinesterase fromElectrophorus electricuswas investigated in the presence of the inhibitors tacrine, gallamine and compound1. The interaction of the enzyme with the substrate and the inhibitors was characterized by the parametersKI, α′,bor β,KmandVmax, which were determined directly and simultaneously from nonlinear Michaelis–Menten plots. Tacrine was shown to act as a mixed‐type inhibitor with a strong noncompetitive component (α′ ≈ 1) and to completely block deacylation of the acyl‐enzyme. In contrast, acetylcholinesterase inhibition by gallamine followed the ‘steric blockade hypothesis’, i.e. only substrate association to as well as substrate/product dissociation from the active site were reduced in the presence of the inhibitor. The relative efficiency of the acetylcholinesterase–gallamine complex for the catalysis of substrate conversion was determined to be 1.7–25% of that of the free enzyme. Substrate hydrolysis and the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase were also investigated in the presence of 6% acetonitrile, and a competitive pseudo‐inhibition was observed for acetonitrile (KI = 0.25 m). The interaction of acetylcholinesterase with acetonitrile and tacrine or gallamine resulted in a seven‐ to 10‐fold increase in theKIvalues, whereas the principal mode of inhibition was not affected by the organic solvent. The determination of the inhibitory parameters of compound1in the presence of acetonitrile revealed that the substance acts as a hyperbolic mixed‐type inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase. The complex formed by the enzyme and the inhibitor still catalysed product formation with 8.7–9.6% relative efficiency.
Solubility‐dependent structural formation of a 25‐residue, natively unfolded protein, induced by addition of a seven‐residue peptide fragment
Authors: Araki Mitsugu , Tamura Atsuo
Published: March 2009

To elucidate the architectural principle of protein structure, we focused on sequestration from solvent, which is a common characteristic of folding and self‐associative precipitation. Because protein solubility can be regarded as a basis for the potential ability to sequester from solvent, we assume that poorly soluble proteins tend not only to precipitate, but also to form solution structures. To examine this, the solubility of a 25‐residue, natively unfolded protein, modified from a zinc‐finger domain of transcription factor Sp1, was disturbed by adding a seven‐residue hydrophobic peptide fragment to the C‐terminus. NMR and ultracentrifuge measurements of the resulting sequence showed that a dissolved species forms an α‐helical structure in a 15–20 molecule oligomer. To elucidate the mechanism by which the structure forms, we prepared two variants in which the added fragments are less hydrophobic; the structural stabilities were then measured at various pH values. A fairly good correlation was observed between stability and hydration potential, whereas a much stronger correlation was observed between stability and solubility, indicating that the stability is more strongly dependent on the ability to precipitate than on dehydration. These results show that, among poorly soluble protein molecules, dissolved species can be transformed from the solvent‐exposed unfolded state into a loosely packed structure via intermolecular interactions. Because decreasing the protein solubility does not require the primary sequence to have a sophisticated design, such a protein structure might form readily and frequently, compared with the well‐packed structure found in native proteins.
Mechanical and Tribological Properties of a Nano‐Si3N4/Nano‐BN Composite
Authors: Wani Mohammad F.
Published: March 2009

The mechanical and tribological properties of a nano‐Si3N4/nano‐BN composite were studied. The composite was prepared via high‐energy mechanical milling and subsequent spark plasma sintering. Y2O3 and Al2O3 were used as sintering additives. After sintering, the average crystalline size of Si3N4 and BN was 50 nm. Hardness (Vicker and Knoop) was evaluated under a high load of 0.05–2.0 kg for the nano/nano‐ and the micro/micro‐Si3N4/BN composite with the same composition. The indentation fracture toughness values of both composites were also evaluated. Tribological studies were conducted to study the friction and wear behavior of both composites. A friction coefficient of 0.4–0.7 was obtained for the nano‐S3N4/nano‐BN composite under a normal load of 20–22 N, whereas, a friction coefficient of 0.37 was obtained for the micro‐Si3N4/micro‐BN composite. Specific wear coefficients of 0.418 × 10−4 and 0.625 × 10−4 mm3/N/m were obtained for nano‐sized and micro‐sized Si3N4/BN composites, respectively. Higher hardness, higher fracture toughness, and lower wear were observed in the nano‐sized composite, as compared with the micro‐sized composite.
Carbon Balance in an Alpine Steppe in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau
Authors: Pei Zhi‐Yong , Ouyang Hua , Zhou Cai‐Ping , Xu Xing‐Liang
Published: March 2009

Carbon fluxes were measured using a static chamber technique in an alpine steppe in the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau from July 2000 to July 2001. It was shown that carbon emissions decreased in autumn and increased in spring of the next year, with higher values in growth seasons than in winters. An exponential correlation (Ecarbon= 0.22(exp(0.09T) + ln(0.31P+ 1)), R2= 0.77, P < 0.001) was shown between carbon emissions and environmental factors such as temperature (T) and precipitation (P). Using the daily temperature (T) and total precipitation (R), annual carbon emission from soil to the atmosphere was estimated to be 79.6 g C/m2, 46% of which was emitted by microbial respiration. Considering an average net primary production of 92.5 g C/m2 per year within the 2 year experiment, alpine steppes can take up 55.9 g CO2‐C/m2 per year. This indicates that alpine steppes are a distinct carbon sink, although this carbon reservoir was quite small.
New prediction of extragalactic GeV γ-ray emission from radio lobes of young AGN jets
Authors: Kino M. , Ito H. , Kawakatu N. , Nagai H.
Published: March 2009

We present a new prediction of GeV γ-ray emission from radio lobes of young active galactic nuclei jets. In the previous work of Kino, Kawakatu & Ito, MeV γ-ray bremsstrahlung emission was predicted from young cocoons/radio lobes in the regime of no coolings. In this study, we include cooling effects of bremsstrahlung emission and adiabatic loss. With the initial conditions determined by observed young radio lobes, we solve a set of equations describing the expanding lobe evolution. Then, we find that the lobes initially have electron temperature of ∼GeV, and they cool down to ∼MeV by the adiabatic loss. Correspondingly, the lobes initially yield bright bremsstrahlung luminosity in ∼GeV range and they fade out. We estimate these γ-ray emissions and show that nearby young radio lobes could be detected with Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope.
The Consequences of False Memories for Food Preferences and Choices
Authors: Bernstein Daniel M. , Loftus Elizabeth F.
Published: March 2009

False memories, or memories for events that never occurred, have been documented in the real world and in the laboratory. In the real world, false memories involving trauma and abuse have resulted in real-life consequences. In the laboratory, researchers have just begun to study the consequences of false memories. We review this laboratory-based work and show how false memories for food-related experiences (e.g., becoming ill after eating egg salad) can lead to attitudinal and behavioral consequences (e.g., lowered self-reported preference for and decreased consumption of egg salad).
Parental Divorce and Children's Adjustment
Authors: Lansford Jennifer E.
Published: March 2009

This article reviews the research literature on links between parental divorce and children's short-term and long-term adjustment. First, I consider evidence regarding how divorce relates to children's externalizing behaviors, internalizing problems, academic achievement, and social relationships. Second, I examine timing of the divorce, demographic characteristics, children's adjustment prior to the divorce, and stigmatization as moderators of the links between divorce and children's adjustment. Third, I examine income, interparental conflict, parenting, and parents well-being as mediators of relations between divorce and children's adjustment. Fourth, I note the caveats and limitations of the research literature. Finally, I consider notable policies related to grounds for divorce, child support, and child custody in light of how they might affect children s adjustment to their parents divorce.
Impulse and Self-Control From a Dual-Systems Perspective
Authors: Hofmann Wilhelm , Friese Malte , Strack Fritz
Published: March 2009

Though human beings embody a unique ability for planned behavior, they also often act impulsively. This insight may be important for the study of self-control situations in which people are torn between their long-term goals to restrain behavior and their immediate impulses that promise hedonic fulfillment. In the present article, we outline a dual-systems perspective of impulse and self-control and suggest a framework for the prediction of self-control outcomes. This framework combines three elements that, considered jointly, may enable a more precise prediction of self-control outcomes than they do when studied in isolation: impulsive precursors of behavior, reflective precursors, and situational or dispositional boundary conditions. The theoretical and practical utility of such an approach is demonstrated by drawing on recent evidence from several domains of self-control such as eating, drinking, and sexual behavior.
Using Language to Navigate the Infant Mind
Authors: Wagner Laura , Lakusta Laura
Published: March 2009

How do infants represent objects, actions, and relations in events? In this review, we discuss an approach to studying this question that begins with linguistic theory—specifically, semantic structures in language. On the basis of recent research exploring infant cognition and prominent linguistic analyses, we examine whether infants representations of motion events are articulated in terms of the components proposed by Talmy (1985; e.g., path, manner) and whether infants' event representations are defined in terms of broad semantic roles (agent, patient, source, goal) as proposed by Jackendoff (1990) and Dowty (1991). We show how recent findings in infant cognition are consistent with the idea that the infant's representation of events is a close reflection of the linguistic categories. We especially highlight research that is explicitly guided by linguistic categories likely to have correlates in nonlinguistic cognition to illustrate the usefulness of using language to pose questions about early conceptual representations.
Investigating the Awareness of Remembering
Authors: Paller Ken A. , Voss Joel L. , Westerberg Carmen E.
Published: March 2009

There is a marked lack of consensus concerning the best way to learn how conscious experiences arise. In this article, we advocate for scientific approaches that attempt to bring together four types of phenomena and their corresponding theoretical accounts: behavioral acts, cognitive events, neural events, and subjective experience. We propose that the key challenge is to comprehensively specify the relationships among these four facets of the problem of understanding consciousness without excluding any facet. Although other perspectives on consciousness can also be informative, combining these four perspectives could lead to significant progress in explaining a conscious experience such as remembering. We summarize some relevant findings from cognitive neuroscience investigations of the conscious experience of memory retrieval and of memory behaviors that transpire in the absence of the awareness of remembering. These examples illustrate suitable scientific strategies for making progress in understanding consciousness by developing and testing theories that connect the behavioral expression of recall and recognition, the requisite cognitive transactions, the neural events that make remembering possible, and the awareness of remembering.
The Origins of Face Processing in Humans: Phylogeny and Ontogeny
Authors: Pascalis Olivier , Kelly David J.
Published: March 2009

Faces are crucial for nonverbal communication in humans and related species. From the first moments of life, newborn infants prefer to look at human faces over almost any other form of stimuli. Since this finding was first observed, there has been much debate regarding the “special” nature of face processing. Researchers have put forward numerous developmental models that attempt to account for this early preference and subsequent maturation of the face processing system. In this article, we review these models and their supporting evidence drawing on literature from developmental, evolutionary, and comparative psychology. We conclude that converging data from these fields strongly suggests that face processing is conducted by a dedicated and complex neural system, is not human specific, and is unlikely to have emerged recently in evolutionary history.
Trends and Subgroup Differences in Transportation‐Related Injury Risk and Safety Behaviors Among US High School Students, 1991‐2007
Authors: Jones Sherry E. , Shults Ruth A.
Published: March 2009

Background:  Seventy percent of unintentional injury‐related fatalities—the leading cause of death among youth in the United States—are motor vehicle traffic related. Examining traffic‐related safety, therefore, is crucial to public health. This study examines trends in traffic safety issues among US high school students: helmet use while riding a bicycle, seat belt use as a passenger, driving when drinking alcohol, and riding in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.

Methods:  Data from the 1991‐2007 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) were analyzed. The YRBS is a self‐administered, anonymous survey that uses a national probability sample of US students in public and private schools in grades 9‐12. Demographic subgroup differences were determined for 2007 data using t tests. Temporal changes were analyzed using logistic regression analyses.

Results:  From 1991 to 2007, the percentage of high school students who rarely or never wore bicycle helmets decreased from 96.2% to 85.1%; decreases were also seen in the percentage who never wore a seat belt (from 25.9% to 11.1%), rode with a driver who had been drinking alcohol (39.9‐29.1%), and who drove when drinking alcohol (16.7‐10.5%).

Conclusions:  Although the trends are encouraging, many students still put themselves at risk. Policy approaches (eg, state or local laws or ordinances) complemented by community and school programs may be the best approach to reducing transportation‐related injuries and fatalities.