bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Proactive obfuscation
Authors: Roeder Tom , Schneider Fred B.
Published: July 2010

Proactive obfuscation
is a new method for creating server replicas that are likely to have fewer shared vulnerabilities. It uses semantics-preserving code transformations to generate diverse executables, periodically restarting servers with these fresh versions. The periodic restarts help bound the number of compromised replicas that a service ever concurrently runs, and therefore proactive obfuscation makes an adversary's job harder. Proactive obfuscation was used in implementing two prototypes: a distributed firewall based on state-machine replication and a distributed storage service based on quorum systems. Costs intrinsic to supporting proactive obfuscation in replicated systems were evaluated by measuring the performance of these prototypes. The results show that employing proactive obfuscation adds little to the cost of replica-management protocols.
Throughput optimal total order broadcast for cluster environments
Authors: Guerraoui Rachid , Levy Ron R. , Pochon Bastian , Quéma Vivien
Published: July 2010

Total order broadcast is a fundamental communication primitive that plays a central role in bringing cheap software-based high availability to a wide range of services. This article studies the practical performance of such a primitive on a cluster of homogeneous machines.

We present LCR, the first throughput optimal uniform total order broadcast protocol. LCR is based on a ring topology. It only relies on point-to-point inter-process communication and has a linear latency with respect to the number of processes. LCR is also fair in the sense that each process has an equal opportunity of having its messages delivered by all processes.

We benchmark a C implementation of LCR against Spread and JGroups, two of the most widely used group communication packages. LCR provides higher throughput than the alternatives, over a large number of scenarios.
Pointing in pictorial space
Authors: Wijntjes Maarten W.A. , Pont Sylvia C.
Published: July 2010

Although there has recently been a large increase in commercial 3D applications, relatively little is known about the quantitative perceptual improvement from binocular disparity. In this study we developed a method to measure the perceived relative depth structure of natural scenes. Observers were instructed to adjust the direction of a virtual pointer from one object to another. The pointing data was used to reconstruct the relative logarithmic depths of the objects in pictorial space. The results showed that the relative depth structure is more similar between observers for stereo images than for mono images in two out of three scenes. A similar result was found for the depth range: for the same two scenes the stereo images were perceived as having more depth than the monocular images. In addition, our method allowed us to determine the subjective center of projection. We found that the pointing settings fitted the reconstructed depth best for substantially wider fields of view than the veridical center of projection for both mono and stereo images. The results indicate that the improvement from binocular disparity depends on the scene content: scenes with sufficient monocular information may not profit much from binocular disparity.
Bicarbonate-dependent effect of hydrogen sulfide on vascular contractility in rat aortic rings
Authors: Liu Yi-Hong , Bian Jin-Song
Published: July 2010

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), an endogenous gaseous mediator, produces both vasorelaxation and vasoconstriction at different concentrations. We found in the present study that NaHS, an H2S donor, produced stronger vasorelaxant and weaker vasoconstrictive effects in HEPES solution compared with those achieved in Krebs solution. We further screened the buffer components and found that bicarbonate (HCO3−) was the ion to influence the effect of H2S. After examining the vasorelaxant effects of acetylcholine, a vasodilator by releasing nitric oxide, and isoprenaline, a β-adrenoceptor agonist, in HEPES and Krebs buffers, we found the HCO3−-dependent effect was specific to H2S. Blockade of anion exchanger-2 activity with 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) or with HCO3−-free solution abolished the vasoconstrictive effect of NaHS. Moreover, NaHS decreased nitric oxide level in the rat aorta in HCO3−-containing buffer, but this effect was abolished by HCO3−-free buffer or DIDS. In summary, we found for the first time that H2S stimulates anion exchanger to transport extracellular HCO3− in exchange for intracellular superoxide anions, which may further inactivate nitric oxide and induces vasoconstriction.
Acute activation of the calcium-sensing receptor inhibits plasma renin activity in vivo
Authors: Atchison Douglas K. , Ortiz-Capisano M. Cecilia , Beierwaltes William H.
Published: July 2010

In vitro, the renin-secreting juxtaglomerular cells express the calcium-sensing receptor, and its activation with the calcimimetic cinacalcet inhibits renin release. To test whether the activation of calcium-sensing receptor similarly inhibits plasma renin activity (PRA) in vivo , we hypothesized that the calcium-sensing receptor is expressed in juxtaglomerular cells in vivo, and acutely administered cinacalcet would inhibit renin activity in anesthetized rats. Since cinacalcet inhibits parathyroid hormone, which may stimulate renin activity, we sought to determine whether cinacalcet inhibits renin activity by decreasing parathyroid hormone. Lastly, we hypothesized that chronically administered cinacalcet would inhibit basal and stimulated renin in conscious rats. Calcium-sensing receptors and renin were localized in the same juxtaglomerular cells using immunofluorescence in rat cortical slices fixed in vivo. Cinacalcet was administered acutely via intravenous bolus in anesthetized rats and chronically in conscious rats by oral gavage. Acute administration of cinacalcet decreased basal renin activity from 13.6 ± 2.4 to 6.1 ± 1.1 ng ANG I·ml−1·h−1 ( P < 0.001). Likewise, cinacalcet decreased furosemide-stimulated renin from 30.6 ± 2.3 to 21.3 ± 2.3 ng ANG I·ml−1·h−1 ( P < 0.001). In parathyroidectomized rats, cinacalcet decreased renin activity from 9.3 ± 1.3 to 5.2 ± 0.5 ng ANG I·ml−1·h−1 ( P < 0.05) similar to sham-operated controls (13.5 ± 2.2 to 6.6 ± 0.8 ng ANG I·ml−1·h−1, P < 0.05). Chronic administration of cinacalcet over 7 days had no significant effect on PRA under basal or stimulated conditions. In conclusion, calcium-sensing receptors are expressed in juxtaglomerular cells in vivo, and acute activation of these receptors with cinacalcet inhibits PRA in anesthetized rats, independent of parathyroid hormone.
A sensitive short-term evaluation of antifibrotic effects using newly established type I collagen reporter transgenic rats
Authors: Terashima Hideki , Kato Mikio , Yasumo Hiroaki , Tsuchida Hiroshi , Mizuno Makoto , Sada Toshio
Published: July 2010

Fibrosis is the final common pathway for various tissue lesions that lead to chronic progressive organ failure, and consequently effective antifibrotic drugs are strongly desired. However, there are few animal models in which it is possible to evaluate fibrosis sensitively in a short period of time. We therefore generated two transgenic rats harboring a firefly luciferase reporter gene under the control of the 5′-flanking region of rat α1(I) collagen (Col1a1-Luc Tg rats) and α2(I) collagen (Col1a2-Luc Tg rats). The luciferase activities of these transgenic rats were highly correlated with the hydroxyproline content in various organs. In unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), a well-characterized model of renal fibrosis, the luciferase activity in obstructed kidneys showed a significant increase after even 3 days of UUO, while the hydroxyproline content showed little increase. In addition, the renal hydroxyproline content had a higher correlation with the luciferase activity than α1(I) collagen mRNA level for over 2 wk after UUO. Although both an ANG II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), olmesartan, and a transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type I receptor kinase (ALK5) inhibitor, SB-431542, inhibited renal luciferase activities in UUO, only SB-431542 inhibited luciferase activity induced by TGF-β1 in isolated glomeruli. Double immunostaining for luciferase and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) revealed that some α-SMA-positive tubular epithelial cells and tubular interstitial cells produced type I collagen, which would lead to renal fibrosis. Thus collagen reporter transgenic rats would be very useful for the evaluation of antifibrotic effects and analysis of their mechanisms.
Influence of dietary fatty acid composition and exercise on changes in fat oxidation from a high-fat diet
Authors: Cooper J. A. , Watras A. C. , Shriver T. , Adams A. K. , Schoeller D. A.
Published: July 2010

Acute high-fat (HF) diets can lead to short-term positive fat balances until the body increases fat oxidation to match intake. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a HF diet, rich in either mono-unsaturated or saturated fatty acids (FAs) and exercise, on the rate at which the body adapts to a HF diet.13C-labeled oleate and 2H-labeled palmitate were also given to determine the contribution of exogenous vs. global fat oxidation. Eight healthy men (age of 18–45 yr; body mass index of 22 ± 3 kg/m2) were randomized in a 2 × 2 crossover design. The four treatments were a high saturated fat diet with exercise (SE) or sedentary (SS) conditions and a high monounsaturated fat diet with exercise (UE) or sedentary (US) conditions. Subjects stayed for 5 days in a metabolic chamber. All meals were provided. On day 1, 30% of energy intake was from fat, whereas days 2–5 had 50% of energy as fat. Subjects exercised on a stationary cycle at 45% of maximal oxygen uptake for 2 h each day. Respiratory gases and urinary nitrogen were collected to calculate fat oxidation. Change from day 1 to day 5 showed both exercise treatments increased fat oxidation (SE: 76 ± 30 g, P = 0.001; UE: 118 ± 31 g, P < 0.001), whereas neither sedentary condition changed fat oxidation (SS: −10 ± 33 g, P = not significant; US: 41 ± 14 g, P = 0.07). No differences for dietary FA composition were found. Exercise led to a faster adaptation to a HF diet by increasing fat oxidation and achieving fat balance by day 5. Dietary FA composition did not differentially affect 24-h fat oxidation.
Inactivation of Primate Superior Colliculus Biases Target Choice for Smooth Pursuit, Saccades, and Button Press Responses
Authors: Nummela Samuel U. , Krauzlis Richard J.
Published: July 2010

In addition to its well-known role in the control of saccades, the primate superior colliculus (SC) has been implicated in the processes of target choice for overt orienting movements and for covert spatial attention. We focally inactivated the SC, by muscimol injection, while monkeys selected the target of a smooth pursuit, saccade, or button press response from two competing stimuli. The choice stimuli were placed so that one appeared within and the other appeared outside the affected visual field. SC inactivation biased the subject to choose stimuli out of the affected visual field for all three types of responses, although the effects on target choice were significantly smaller for button presses. Inactivation caused no changes in the selection of single stimuli within or out of the affected visual field, indicating the choice bias was not caused by deficits in response execution. The inactivation-induced bias for smooth pursuit and button press responses indicates SC activity is important for selecting the target, independent of any role in saccade preparation.
Specificity of Intramuscular Activation During Rhythms Produced by Spinal Patterning Systems in the In Vitro Neonatal Rat With Hindlimb Attached Preparation
Authors: Klein David A. , Tresch Matthew C.
Published: July 2010

In intact adult vertebrates, muscles can be activated with a high degree of specificity, so that even within a single traditionally defined muscle, groups of motor units can be differentially activated. Such differential activation might reflect detailed control by descending systems, potentially resulting from postnatal experience such that activation of motor units is precisely tailored to their mechanical actions. Here we examine the degree to which such specific activation can be seen in the rhythmic patterns produced by isolated spinal motor systems in neonates. We examined motor output produced by the in vitro neonatal rat spinal cord with hindlimb attached. We recorded the activity of different regions within the posterior portion of biceps femoris (BFp; i.e., excluding the anterior/vertebral head). We found that in the rhythms evoked by bath application of serotonin/ N-methyl-d-aspartate (5-HT/NMDA), all regions of BFp were active during extension. However, the regions of BFp were activated in a specific sequence, with the activation of rostral regions consistently preceding those of more caudal regions in both afferented and deafferented preparations. In the rhythms evoked by cauda equina (CE) stimulation, rostral and middle regions of BFp remained active in extension, but the caudal region of BFp was usually active in flexion. Stimulation of L5 and S2 dorsal roots typically evoked rhythms with all regions of BFp active during extension; although the same rostral to caudal sequence of activation observed in 5-HT/NMDA evoked rhythms could also be observed in these rhythms, we also observed cases with reversed sequences, with activity proceeding from caudal to rostral. S2 dorsal root stimulation occasionally evoked rhythms with flexor activity in caudal BFp, similar to CE-evoked rhythms. Taken together, these results suggest a high degree of individuated control of muscles by spinal pattern generating networks, even at birth.
Kainate Receptor–Induced Ectopic Spiking of CA3 Pyramidal Neurons Initiates Network Bursts in Neonatal Hippocampus
Authors: Juuri Juuso , Clarke Vernon R. J. , Lauri Sari E. , Taira Tomi
Published: July 2010

Kainate receptors (KARs) are expressed at high levels in the brain during early development and may be critical for the proper development of neuronal networks. Here we elucidated a physiological role of high-affinity KARs in developing hippocampal network by studying the effects of 25–100 nM kainate (KA) on intrinsic network activity in slice preparations. Whereas 100 nM KA resulted in hyperexcitability of the network and the disruption of natural activity patterns, ≤50 nM KA concentrations enhanced the initiation of network bursts yet preserved the characteristic patterns of endogenous activity. This was not dependent on changes in GABAergic transmission or on activation of GluK1 subunit containing KARs. However, the activation of high-affinity KARs increased glutamatergic drive by promoting spontaneous firing of CA3 pyramidal neurons without affecting action potential independent glutamate release. This was not because of changes in the intrinsic somatic properties of pyramidal neurons but seemed to reside in an electrically remote site, most probably in an axonal compartment. Although application of KAR agonists has mainly been used to study pathological type of network activities, this study provides a novel mechanism by which endogenous activity of KARs can modulate intrinsic activities of the emerging neuronal network in a physiologically relevant manner. The results support recent studies that KARs play a central role in the activity-dependent maturation of synaptic circuitries.
Rewarding Feedback After Correct Visual Discriminations Has Both General and Specific Influences on Visual Cortex
Authors: Weil R. S. , Furl N. , Ruff C. C. , Symmonds M. , Flandin G. , Dolan R. J. , Driver J. , Rees G.
Published: July 2010

Reward can influence visual performance, but the neural basis of this effect remains poorly understood. Here we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate how rewarding feedback affected activity in distinct areas of human visual cortex, separating rewarding feedback events after correct performance from preceding visual events. Participants discriminated oriented gratings in either hemifield, receiving auditory feedback at trial end that signaled financial reward after correct performance. Greater rewards improved performance for all but the most difficult trials. Rewarding feedback increased blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signals in striatum and orbitofrontal cortex. It also increased BOLD signals in visual areas beyond retinotopic cortex, but not in primary visual cortex representing the judged stimuli. These modulations were seen at a time point in which no visual stimuli were presented or expected, demonstrating a novel type of activity change in visual cortex that cannot reflect modulation of response to incoming or anticipated visual stimuli. Rewarded trials led on the next trial to improved performance and enhanced visual activity contralateral to the judged stimulus, for retinotopic representations of the judged visual stimuli in V1. Our findings distinguish general effects in nonretinotopic visual cortex when receiving rewarding feedback after correct performance from consequences of reward for spatially specific responses in V1.
Spi-1/PU.1 Oncogene Accelerates DNA Replication Fork Elongation and Promotes Genetic Instability in the Absence of DNA Breakage
Authors: Rimmelé Pauline , Komatsu Jun , Hupé Philippe , Roulin Christophe , Barillot Emmanuel , Dutreix Marie , Conseiller Emmanuel , Bensimon Aaron , Moreau-Gachelin Françoise , Guillouf Christel
Published: July 2010

The multistage process of cancer formation is driven by the progressive acquisition of somatic mutations. Replication stress creates genomic instability in mammals. Using a well-defined multistep leukemia model driven by Spi-1/PU.1 overexpression in the mouse and Spi-1/PU.1–overexpressing human leukemic cells, we investigated the relationship between DNA replication and cancer progression. Here, using DNA molecular combing and flow cytometry methods, we show that Spi-1 increases the speed of replication by acting specifically on elongation rather than enhancing origin firing. This shortens the S-phase duration. Combining data from Spi-1 knockdown in murine cells with Spi-1 overexpression in human cells, we provide evidence that inappropriate Spi-1 expression is directly responsible for the replication alteration observed. Importantly, the acceleration of replication progression coincides with an increase in the frequency of genomic mutations without inducing DNA breakage. Thus, we propose that the hitherto unsuspected role for spi-1 oncogene in promoting replication elongation and genomic mutation promotes blastic progression during leukemic development. Cancer Res; 70(17); 6757–66. ©2010 AACR.
Inactivation of the Orphan Nuclear Receptor TR3/Nur77 Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Cell and Tumor Growth
Authors: Lee Syng-Ook , Abdelrahim Maen , Yoon Kyungsil , Chintharlapalli Sudhakar , Papineni Sabitha , Kim Kyounghyun , Wang Huamin , Safe Stephen
Published: July 2010

Activation of the orphan nuclear receptor TR3/Nur77 (NR4A1) promotes apoptosis and inhibits pancreatic tumor growth, but its endogenous function and the effects of its inactivation have yet to be determined. TR3 was overexpressed in human pancreatic tumors compared with nontumor tissue. Small interfering RNA–mediated knockdown of TR3 or cell treatment with the TR3 antagonist 1,1-bis(3′-indolyl)-1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)methane (DIM-C-pPhOH) decreased proliferation, induced apoptosis, and decreased expression of antiapoptotic genes including Bcl-2 and survivin in pancreatic cancer cells. Survivin suppression was mediated by formation of a TR3-Sp1-p300 DNA binding complex on the proximal GC-rich region of the survivin promoter. When administered in vivo, DIM-C-pPhOH induced apoptosis and inhibited tumor growth in an orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer, associated with inhibition of the same antiapoptotic markers observed in vitro. Our results offer preclinical validation of TR3 as a drug target for pancreatic cancer chemotherapy, based on the ability of TR3 inhibitors to block the growth of pancreatic tumors. Cancer Res; 70(17); 6824–36. ©2010 AACR.
Depletion or Preservation of Cardiac Sympathetic Nerve – An Autopsy-Verified Contrast in Two Cases of Alzheimer’s Disease with or without Lewy Bodies
Authors: Toru Shuta , Uchihara Toshiki , Takahashi Makoto , Ichihara Kazuaki , Endo Takashi , Kurata Morito , Kitagawa Masanobu , Hirokawa Katsuiku , Kobayashi Takayoshi
Published: July 2010

We report autopsy findings of 2 patients with the clinical diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) both with Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology. Lewy bodies and cardiac sympathetic nerve depletion were found in case 1, while these pathological changes were both absent in case 2 with pure AD pathology. This autopsy-verified contrast was detectable through reduced uptake of 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine cardiac scintigraphy as in case 1. Conversely, its preserved uptake, indicating preserved cardiac sympathetic nerve, may point to the absence of Lewy bodies, as in case 2, even though other clinical pictures are indistinguishable from DLB. 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine cardiac scintigraphy may be useful to distinguish clinically between pure AD and DLB.
Sex differences in learning the allocation of social grooming in infant stumptailed macaques
Authors: Lee Phyllis , Mayagoitia Lilian , Mondragón-Ceballos Ricardo , Chiappa Pilar
Published: July 2010

Among primates, the intense mother-infant bond provides offspring with a lengthy period for learning from an experienced and reliable demonstrator. Since adult life differs for females and males, the expertise of mother may not be equally useful to both sexes of infant, particularly with regard to social relationships. Here, we report on differences between infant female and male stumptailed macaques in learning how to allocate social grooming, using their mothers as demonstrators. Infant females were significantly more socially precocious than males, starting at early ages to groom mothers. Throughout their first year of life, daughters showed more instances of mirroring mothers' behaviour than sons did. In addition, while grooming on their own, grooming durations of daughters to specific partners was significantly concordant with time devoted by mothers to such recipients. We suggest that daughters learn from their mothers how to distribute grooming amongst social companions, while sons primarily use mother as a secure platform to initiate socializing. These results lend support to the idea that mirroring equates with learning and leads to reinforcement of innate propensities for gender roles in primates.
Female mate choice for paternal care behaviour in African striped mice Rhabdomys pumilio: the role of experience
Authors: Pillay Neville , Rymer Tasmin
Published: July 2010

Paternal care is a behavioural characteristic that can be selected for by females. By preferentially mating with 'good' fathers, females may directly increase their own reproductive success and may indirectly increase the prevalence of this trait in their sons. We investigated female mate choice in naturally paternal desert-dwelling African striped mice Rhabdomys pumilio. In two-way choice tests, we presented females with olfactory cues from males differing in levels of paternal care quality, paternal care experience, or mating experience. We predicted that females would prefer: (i) males showing higher levels of care; (ii) paternally experienced over paternally naïve males; and (iii) sexually experienced over sexually naïve males. Females did not distinguish between males of differing paternal care quality or paternal care experience, but maternally experienced females showed a preference for sexually experienced over sexually naïve males. Females may prefer sexually experienced males because these males are able to defend territories for breeding. We conclude that paternal care is selectively advantageous because of its apparent fitness benefits. Nonetheless, our study shows that paternal care has evolved independently of female choice in striped mice, since females did not choose between males of differing paternal care abilities.
The effect of predator appetite, prey warning coloration and luminance on predator foraging decisions
Authors: Stevens Martin , Mappes Johanna , Sandre Siiri-Lii
Published: July 2010

Aposematic prey advertise their defence to visually hunting predators using conspicuous warning colouration. Established theory predicts that aposematic signals should evolve towards increased conspicuousness and similarity to enhance predator education. Contrary to theoretical expectations, there is often considerable within- and between-species variation in aposematic signals of animals sharing the same ecological niche, phylogeny and predators. This may be explained by varying responses of predators that weaken the selection pressure for a consistent signal. By presenting painted mealworm larvae as prey to great tits as predators we tested if different aposematic colour patterns have different values as a means of initial protection and learnt avoidance from predators, and how widely birds generalise their learnt avoidance to other colour patterns. We also investigated how the colour and luminance of the pattern elements affect predator attack decisions. Finally, we studied if hunger affects the predators' reaction to differently coloured prey. We found that similarity in colour was not crucial to the survival of aposematic prey, since learnt avoidance was not influenced by colour, and predators remembered and generalised widely in their learnt avoidance to other colours. We found that initial avoidance was, however, apparently influenced by luminance contrast. Interestingly, the predators' level of hunger was more important than the colour of the aposematic signal in determining birds' decisions to attack chemically-defended insect larvae. We discuss the implications of visual properties of prey colour pattern and predator appetite for the evolution of insect defences and warning signals. In addition we propose a methodological approach to effectively control for predator appetite in laboratory experiments.
Group effect on fertility, survival and silk production in the web spinner Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) during colony foundation
Authors: Clotuche Gwendoline , Mailleux Anne-Catherine , Deneubourg Jean-Louis , Goff Guillaume Jean Le , Hance Thierry , Detrain Claire
Published: July 2010

In many vertebrates and invertebrates, individuals reared in isolation show biological modifications compared with those reared in groups of two of more. The spider mite Tetranychus urticae is characterised by a communal organization and displays some forms of cooperative behaviour (aggregation and common web spinning). To evaluate the potential fitness cost or gain of group living, we investigated the effect of being in group on life history parameters (silk production, fecundity, death rate, feeding rate). In this respect, virgin single females and grouped females (two to six individuals) were compared every day for 5 days. Grouped mites produced significantly more web/mite per day (since the second day of experiment) and more eggs/mite per day (since the fourth day of experiment) than single mites. Moreover, single mites had a higher death rate than mites living in groups. However, no difference was found concerning feeding rate. We assume that mites could benefit from the web production of other individuals and invested resources in other activities such as egg production. We showed that these group effects already exist in small groups. In natural conditions with a higher group size, the impact of group living might be stronger for the dynamics of T. urticae populations and the colony foundation.
Additional data on some poorly known species of Criconemoides Taylor, 1936 (Nematoda: Criconematidae)
Authors: Eskandari Ali , Karegar Akbar , Pourjam Ebrahim , van den Berg Esther , Tiedt Louwrens
Published: July 2010

Six known species belonging to the genus Criconemoides, including some poorly known ones, are discussed, viz., C. parvus, C. informis, C. mongolensis, C. avicenniae, C. myungsugae and C. neoaxestis. The three latter species are reported for the first time since their original description and represent new records for Iran. Males of C. myungsugae were found for the first time and are described herein. Additional figures and measurements are provided for all of the aforementioned species, while SEM photographs, photomicrographs, illustrations and short notes are given for some of the species to supplement older or inadequate descriptions.
Ultrastructure and life history of Myolaimus byersi n. sp. (Myolaimina: Myolaimidae), a phoretic associate of the crane fly, Limonia schwarzi (Alexander) (Limoniidae), in Florida
Authors: Giblin-Davis Robin M. , Kanzaki Natsumi , De Ley Paul , Williams Donna S. , Schierenberg Einhard , Ragsdale Erik J. , Zeng Yongsan , Center Barbara J.
Published: July 2010

Myolaimus byersi n. sp., a phoretic associate of the crane fly, Limonia (Rhipidia) schwarzi (Diptera: Limoniidae), was recovered from moist and decaying tissue from the crown shaft of a living spindle palm, Hyophorbe verschaffeltii, in southern Florida and is described herein. Dauers were carried in the abdominal folds of male and female L. schwarzi. Examination of the highly mobile crane fly larvae and pupae confirmed that the dauers were externally associated with the cuticle. Dauers from crane flies were culturable to adults on 1/20 strength TSB agar. The association appears to be relatively host specific. SEM studies, early embryonic development, dauers, molecular data and TEM ultrastructural comparisons of the stoma, sensory structures and sperm are used to discuss the relative placement of Myolaimus within the Nematoda. The stoma resembles diplogastrids in being strongly anisomorphic with an enlarged dorsal sector of the stegostom, yet also resembles rhabditids in having three triangular flaps in the metastegostom and matches cephalobs and panagrolaims in having a pharyngeal collar with two sets of three interradial muscles followed by two sets of six adradial muscles. The ultrastructure of the cheilostom epidermis shows a high degree of conservation with several Rhabditida. The sperm of M. byersi n. sp. is nearly identical to that of Caenorhabditis elegans. In early cell division, M. byersi n. sp. is closest to Parascaris equorum followed by C. elegans. Myolaimus apparently represents a divergent lineage that has followed a non-coalescing trajectory for a long time, allowing it to retain some highly conserved characters while also developing some surprisingly unique features, such as a baggy cuticle and males that lack a gubernaculum or spicules.
Studies on the genus Aporcelaimellus Heyns, 1965 (Dorylaimida: Aporcelaimidae). Four species originally described by Thorne and Swanger in 1936
Authors: Álvarez-Ortega Sergio , Peña-Santiago Reyes
Published: July 2010

In this first contribution in a series devoted to studying the morphology and taxonomy of the genus Aporcelaimellus, four species originally described in 1936 by Thorne and Swanger as belonging to the genus Dorylaimus are redescribed on the basis of re-examination of the type material, namely D. productus, D. propinquus, D. simplex and D. vitrinus. Detailed descriptions, morphometrics and illustrations, including LM pictures, are provided for every species, as well as a discussion about their identity. Dorylaimus productus is regarded as belonging to Eudorylaimus. New data are provided for D. propinquus, which is provisionally retained under Aporcelaimellus; however, part of the material originally described as D. propinquus was found to belong to A. waenga. Dorylaimus simplex and D. vitrinus are regarded as valid species of Aporcelaimellus.
Nematodes of the order Dorylaimida from Romania. The genus Enchodelus Thorne, 1939. 3. Species with rounded tail and long odontostyle
Authors: Ciobanu Marcel , Popovici Iuliana , Guerrero Pablo , Peña-Santiago Reyes
Published: July 2010

Three species of the genus Enchodelus, one new and two known, from natural areas in Romania are studied. Enchodelus carpaticus sp. n. is distinguished by its body 1.59-1.87 mm long, lip region offset by a marked depression and 17-20 μm diam., odontostyle 39.5-47 μm long and 2.1-2.5 lip region diam. or 2.3-2.8% of total body length, odontophore 42-51 μm long and with distinct basal flanges, neck 336-388 μm long, pharyngeal expansion 136-167 μm long or 39-45% of total neck length, presence of dorsal cell mass near cardia, female genital system amphidelphic, uterus tripartite and 144-195 μm long or 2.2-2.9 times the corresponding body diam., pars refringens vaginae with two trapezoidal sclerotisations, V = 42-50, and female tail short and rounded (21-29 μm long, c = 55-87, c′ = 0.5-0.7). Additional data, including LM pictures, are presented for E. macrodorus and E. saxifragae.
Molecular variability and phylogeny of Schistonchus caprifici (Gasperrini, 1864) Cobb, 1927 (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Italy and Spain
Authors: De Luca Francesca , Castillo Pablo , Troccoli Alberto , Vovlas Nicola , Landa Blanca B. , Palomares-Rius Juan E.
Published: July 2010

Molecular characterisation of four Schistonchus caprifici populations (two from Spain and two from Italy), using the partial 18S, the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and the partial mitochondrial gene for cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCOI), is provided. Amplicons from partial mtCOI were analysed using 'Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism' (SSCP) analysis in order to rapidly screen for genetic (haplotypic) variability. SSCP analysis of mtCOI revealed a close relationship between the Spanish and Italian populations with low intra-population variability and only two haplotypes were detected. Mitochondrial COI and ribosomal genes were analysed using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian inference to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships within S. caprifici and other members of the family Aphelenchoididae. The phylogenetic analysis based on mtCOI showed no geographic variability among Italian, Spanish and Turkish populations. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the D2-D3 expansion segments of 28S rDNA region and the partial 18S rDNA genes revealed a closer phylogenetic relationship between S. aureus, S. laevigatus, S. virens and S. centerae, whilst S. caprifici and S. guangzhouensis clustered separately. The phylogeny of the genus Schistonchus was well related to some morphological characters, such as position of excretory pore, presence/absence of labial disc and number and position of caudal papillae. The monophyly of the genus Schistonchus was rejected by the Shimodaira-Hasegawa test based on tree topologies.
Negotiation as Drama: How "Games" Become Dramatic
Authors: Howard Nigel
Published: July 2010

The metaphor of drama has recently been proposed as a means of extending game-theoretic methods of analysis to include an understanding of irrationality, emotion and the way in which players "reframe" their situation so as to create for themselves a new, different game. This paper attempts to describe in terms accessible to non-mathematicians how to model and analyze a negotiation process as a drama. The central idea is that by analyzing a game (renamed a "frame") and certain objects within it, we can find its gradient, i.e., the tendency of its different parts to change under the pressure of the emotions generated by its perceived fixity. Thus rather than an analysis of what must happen inside a given game, we have an analysis of the transformations the game - now a "frame"- must undergo in order to solve the problems it generates. To illustrate, the endings of two recent films -Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction - are analyzed to show why the three-way duel in the first case ends in a shoot-out while in the second case, it ends peacefully. The same model, with a few changes, is then used to model "peace-keeping" negotiations such as might take place between the UN and a group involved in ethnic conflict.
Prevalence of Obesity in Children: Comparing Children From the South Carolina Pediatric Practice Research Network With a National Sample
Authors: Roberts James R. , Kennedy Shannon A. , Darden Paul M. , Basco William T.
Published: July 2010

The objective was to determine how the prevalence of obesity among children in pediatric practices in South Carolina varied from national data. Children were sampled from the South Carolina Pediatric Practice Research Network (SCPPRN) using measured weight and height, and these data were compared with national data. Children were categorized as obese if their BMI exceeded the 95th percentile. Age was stratified according to national data (2-5 years, 6-11 years, and 12-19 years). Comparisons were made by age, gender, and race/ethnicity. The prevalence of obese children in the SCPPRN aged 2 to 5 years was 14%, 6 to 11 years was 21.7%, and 12 to 19 years was 17.3%. National comparison rates were 13.9%, 18.8%, and 17.4%, respectively. Gender and racial disparity were present, with black boys and white girls having a high prevalence of obesity early in life, which decreased in adolescence. Black girls had the opposite course. Obesity prevalence varied among practices, from 7.5% to 26.9%.
A substantive theory of recovery from the effects of severe persistent mental illness
Authors: Henderson Anthony R.
Published: July 2010

Background: This study investigated Western Australian consumer perspectives of recovery from the effects of a severe mental illness.

Method: The grounded theory method was used to collect and analyze data acquired through 15 face-to-face interviews.

Discussion: Participants described recovery as a three-phase process of overcoming loss in biomedical, psychological and/or social dimensions. This process was facilitated by personal protective factors and external mechanisms and further explained in the context of role theory.

Conclusions: Recovery can occur in any one or all of the three dimensions and thus can be complete or partial. It is important to ask, therefore: recovery from what, recovery of what, and recovery to what?
Recovering from mental health problems: Perceived positive and negative effects of medication on reconnecting with life
Authors: Kartalova-O’Doherty Yulia , Doherty Donna Tedstone
Published: July 2010

Background: At present there is no coherent theory of mental health recovery capable of guiding clinical practice.

Materials: On the basis of 32 interviews with those recovering in Ireland, a grounded theory study generated a theory of recovery as reconnecting with life. This paper reports extended findings on the perceived roles of medication in recovery.

Results: Medication combined with other strategies was viewed as both a facilitator and a barrier of reconnecting with life. Reduction and change of medication were reported as facilitating reconnection.

Conclusions: Use of medication may need to be constantly revised to match self-perceived progress of reconnecting with life.
Diffusivity and Climatic Simulation of Hybrid Foams
Authors: Desai Amit A. , Basbagill John , Nutt Steven R. , Alonso Maria Virginia
Published: July 2010

Hybrid composite phenolic foams reinforced with glass and aramid fibers were prepared and evaluated as potential materials for insulation and cladding applications. In particular, moisture uptake, flammability, and accelerated aging experiments were performed. A statistical approach was employed to model and predict the moisture absorption of the foams. Hybrid foams exhibited much lower diffusivity of water molecules and moisture content compared to unreinforced foam. The properties of hybrid foams were also compared to commercial expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. The flammability properties of hybrid foams were markedly superior to EPS. Accelerated aging test revealed excellent dimensional stability of hybrid foams even under extreme conditions. Compressive stiffness of hybrid foams was retained even after aging.
Teaching Academic Argument in an Urban Middle School: A Case Study of Two Approaches
Authors: Coker David L. , Erwin Eileen
Published: July 2010

In this case study, we examined the effects of two instructional methods, Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) and Collaborative Reasoning (CR), on students’ written and oral arguments. Using an interview, we also explored students’ understanding of academic arguments and their perceptions about the instruction. The students were 38 middle school, African American students in a low-income urban school. The results signaled the potential benefit of both instructional approaches to enhance the written argument skills of low-income, urban, middle school students. In addition, students in both conditions reported an improved understanding of some features of academic argument, and they recognized the value of instruction in argument.
Multicultural Urban Schools in Sweden and Their Communities: Social Predicaments, the Power of Stigma, and Relational Dilemmas
Authors: Bunar Nihad
Published: July 2010

Multicultural urban schools in Sweden are facing two major challenges. First, the communities the schools serve are stigmatized and economically impoverished, leading to growing concerns regarding the quality of education, lack of credibility, and outflow of students. The second challenge is the ambivalent relationships with students’ parents (presumable consumers and partners, but who are also regarded as culturally conservative) and with the broader community, such as public authorities and universities. I argue that we cannot understand the practical operations and outcomes of multicultural schools if we look only at the curriculum, individual attitudes, or educational policy changes and do not examine the broader challenges facing these institutions. What is needed is a more relational approach linking together the interests of different groups, policy changes, modes of representation, and the educators’ practices.
“Attacking Queshan”: Popular Culture and the Creation of a Revolutionary Folklore in Southern Henan
Authors: Williams John
Published: July 2010

This article examines rural mobilization and propaganda by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Henan via the case of an uprising during the Northern Expedition, as well as official and popular representation of that event before and after 1949. It confirms recent scholarship regarding the role of local interpersonal networks in early rural mobilization, which in this context required infiltration of local, religio-magical popular militias called Red Spear societies. It then examines popular and party-constructed representations of the revolt, illustrating both the function of early CCP propaganda within rural popular culture and its implications for official historiography, which practiced specific forms of erasure in representing popular collective memory. It uses party documents, memoirs, and local histories to show that the historical significance of the Queshan uprising resides less in the failed revolt itself than in the ways its legacy was appropriated by cadres and historians during the twentieth century.
A New Look at the Corporate Social–Financial Performance Relationship
Authors: Wang Heli , Choi Jaepil
Published: July 2010

The authors develop the argument that the establishment of good stakeholder relations is influenced not only by a firm’s having a high level of corporate social performance but also by its ability to deliver consistent social performance. Therefore, both level and consistency in corporate social performance should have significant financial implications. More specifically, the authors suggest that level and two types of consistency in corporate social performance—temporal consistency and interdomain consistency—interact positively to influence a firm’s financial performance. Using a sample of 622 firms and 2,365 firm-year observations based on the Kinder, Lydenberg, Domini, & Co. data, the authors found empirical results supporting this argument. In addition, they found that maintaining consistently good social performance is more important for firms with high levels of knowledge intensity.
Just Feelings? The Role of Affect in the Formation of Organizational Fairness Judgments
Authors: Barsky Adam , Kaplan Seth A. , Beal Daniel J.
Published: July 2010

In contrast to traditional conceptualizations of organizational justice as representing isolated judgments stemming from a “cold” rational calculus, justice judgments are instead part of a “hot” and affectively laden appraisal process, emerging over time through the interplay of work and nonwork experiences as well as through emotions and moods. The authors articulate how emotional reactions shape fairness judgments and how incidental emotional experiences and ambient moods influence the occurrence and appraisal of justice events in the workplace.
Meta-Analytic Choices and Judgment Calls: Implications for Theory Building and Testing, Obtained Effect Sizes, and Scholarly Impact
Authors: Aguinis Herman , Dalton Dan R. , Bosco Frank A. , Pierce Charles A. , Dalton Catherine M.
Published: July 2010

The authors content analyzed 196 meta-analyses including 5,581 effect-size estimates published in Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management, Personnel Psychology, and Strategic Management Journal from January 1982 through August 2009 to assess the presumed effects of each of 21 methodological choices and judgment calls on substantive conclusions. Results indicate that, overall, the various meta-analytic methodological choices available and judgment calls involved in the conduct of a meta-analysis have little impact on the resulting magnitude of the meta-analytically derived effect sizes. Thus, the present study, based on actual meta-analyses, casts doubt on previous warnings, primarily based on selective case studies, that judgment calls have an important impact on substantive conclusions. The authors also tested the fit of a multivariate model that includes relationships among theory-building and theory-testing goals, obtained effect sizes, year of publication of the meta-analysis, and scholarly impact (i.e., citations per year). Results indicate that the more a meta-analysis attempts to test an existing theory, the larger the number of citations, whereas the more a meta-analysis attempts to build new theory, the lower the number of citations. Also, in support of scientific particularism, as opposed to scientific universalism, the magnitude of the derived effects is not related to the extent to which a meta-analysis is cited. Taken together, the results provide a comprehensive data-based understanding of how meta-analytic reviews are conducted and the implications of these practices for theory building and testing, obtained effect sizes, and scholarly impact.
Not Accepted by the Family: “Being Difficult” or “Being Different”?
Authors: Komter Aafke , Voorpostel Marieke , Pels Trees
Published: July 2010

Using data from the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study (NKPS) and combining a quantitative approach and a qualitative approach ( N = 8,148 and n = 43, respectively), this study investigates the mechanisms associated with a lack of acceptance by one’s family. From the total NKPS sample, 12.1% did not feel (entirely) accepted by their family. The authors hypothesized that people may not feel accepted by their family when they are “difficult,” for example, by exhibiting personal problems; another reason might be that they are “different,” for instance, because they have made nontraditional life course transitions or differ from their parents in educational level or religious preference. Both quantitative and qualitative results confirm the first hypothesis rather than the second. Qualitative results revealed a gender difference in the mechanisms associated with a lack of acceptance by one’s family as well as differences in the resilience of those who had had a difficult family background.