bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors for Early Postoperative Small‐Bowel Obstruction After Colectomy in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Shin Jin Yong , Hong Kwan Hee
Published: July 2008

Background

Currently, colectomies are the most frequently performed procedure to manage colorectal cancer. However, early postoperative small‐bowel obstruction (EPSBO) is a common serious complication after colectomy. The purpose of our study was to assess the incidence of EPSBO after colectomy for colorectal cancer, and attempt to identify associated risk factors for EPSBO.

Methods

Between 2005 and 2006, 504 patients who underwent a colectomy for colorectal cancer were prospectively monitored and entered into the study. Patients were assessed to have an EPSBO if, within the first 30 days, they presented with symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention, lasting for at least 2 days, with radiologic findings of small‐bowel obstruction after evidence of small‐bowel motility return. In this study, the following parameters were monitored prospectively: anti‐adhesive, intraoperative adverse events (bleeding, bowel perforation), diversion stoma, repair of mesenteric defect, intra‐abdominal drainage, local remnant tumor, status of bowel preparation, status of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, obesity, and history of previous abdominal surgery. The influence of these factors on the development of EPSBO after colectomies for colorectal cancer was analyzed. Cases were classified according to anastomotic level and extent of pelvic dissection into pelvic surgery group (PSG) and colonic surgery group (CSG). The influence of these factors on the development of EPSBO according to our classification also was analyzed.

Results

EPSBO developed in 41 cases (8.1%) and was the most frequently occurring complication during the early perioperative period. The frequency of EPSBO according to our classification of cases into PSG and CSG shows that EPSBO developed in 6.8% of PSG compared with 10.6% of CSG cases (p = 0.13). Local remnant tumor (odds ratio (OR) = 3.4) and poor ASA grading (OR = 3.5) were independent risk factors for the development of EPSBO after colectomies for colorectal cancer. In our subgroup analysis according to our classification based on anastomotic level and extent of pelvic dissection, local remnant tumor and poor ASA grading also independently increased the risk of developing EPSBO in PSG.

Conclusions

It seems that pelvic surgeries do not have a higher rate of EPSBO compared with colonic surgeries. Local remnant tumor and poor systemic condition seems to be independent risk factors for EPSBO after colectomies for colorectal cancer, especially with pelvic surgery. These findings suggest that particular attention is needed to reduce the rate of EPSBO in patients who undergo colectomies for colorectal cancer.
Distinctive biochemistry in the trypanosome mitochondrial intermembrane space suggests a model for stepwise evolution of the MIA pathway for import of cysteine‐rich proteins
Authors: Allen James W.A. , Ferguson Stuart J. , Ginger Michael L.
Published: July 2008

Mia40‐dependent disulphide bond exchange is used by animals, yeast, and probably plants for import of small, cysteine‐rich proteins into the mitochondrial intermembrane space (IMS). During import, electrons are transferred from the imported substrate to Mia40 then, via the sulphydryl oxidase Erv1, into the respiratory chain. Curiously, however, there are protozoa which contain substrates for Mia40‐dependent import, but lack Mia40. There are also organisms where Erv1 is present in the absence of respiratory chain components. In accommodating these and other relevant observations pertaining to mitochondrial cell biology, we hypothesise that the ancestral IMS import pathway for disulphide‐bonded proteins required only Erv1 (but not Mia40) and identify parasites in which O2 is the likely physiological oxidant for Erv1.
Mechanisms and species of gold incorporation into crystals of cadmium, lead, and iron sulfides
Authors: Tauson V.L. , Smagunov N.V. , Akimov V.V. , Datkov V.A.
Published: July 2008

The mechanisms and species of gold incorporation into crystals of simple sulfides are described. The concept of endocrypty in its modern treatment and the corresponding technique of experimental study were used. The technique is based on the principle of phase composition correlation and variation of parameters specifying the concentrations of active crystal defects. Gold species are determined with the method of statistical samples of analytical data for single crystals (SSADSC). The highest gold incorporation limits have been established for PbS and CdS under high sulfur fugacity (2.4⋅10−2 and 7⋅10−3 wt.%, respectively) at 500 °C and 1 kbar. It is shown that in this case, the main crystal defects are metal (Me) vacancies and the gold species is a donor-acceptor pair “Me vacancy–interstitial Au”. Under low sulfur fugacity, Au incorporation might be due to sulfur vacancies, and the gold species is a pair “Au in the Me position–S vacancy”; its concentrations are lower than those at high sulfur fugacity (≤10−3 wt.%). A specific feature of gold is a tendency to endocrypty. The estimated limiting contents of gold incorporated into sulfide crystals (FeS2, CdS, PbS) at 450–500 °C vary from n⋅10−4 to n⋅10−2 wt.%, which is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than the “true” isomorphous capacities of these crystals. For FeS, the incorporation limit of Au does not depend on defects (Fe vacancies). This phenomenon has not been explained yet. In general, the data obtained show that not only the crystallochemical features but also geochemical parameters (first of all, temperature and sulfur fugacity) of the ore formation medium are the main factors for gold concentration in sulfide minerals.
Laser-to-proton energy transfer efficiency in laser–plasma interactions
Authors: FOURKAL E. , VELTCHEV I. , MA C.-M.
Published: July 2008

It is shown that the energy of protons accelerated in laser–matter interaction experiments may be significantly increased through the process of splitting the incoming laser pulse into multiple interaction stages of equal intensity. From a thermodynamic point of view, the splitting procedure can be viewed as an effective way of increasing the efficiency of energy transfer from the laser light to protons, which peaks for processes having the least amount of entropy gain. It is predicted that it should be possible to achieve at least a 100% increase in the energy efficiency in a six-stage laser proton accelerator compared with a single laser–target interaction scheme.
What determines the reconnection rate at the dayside magnetosphere?
Authors: Borovsky Joseph E. , Hesse Michael , Birn Joachim , Kuznetsova Maria M.
Published: July 2008

Reconnection between the magnetosphere and magnetosheath at the dayside magnetopause is studied for southward IMF using high‐resolution 3‐D MHD simulations. The BATSRUS code is run at CCMC with a resistive spot added on the magnetopause to ensure that fast reconnection occurs and to control the reconnection physics. A large range of Mach numbers (1.9–15) are run. The reconnection rate at the nose of the magnetosphere is measured and compared with local plasma parameters and with upstream‐solar wind parameters. It is found that the reconnection rate is controlled by four local plasma parameters: Bs (the magnetic field strength in the magnetosheath), Bm (the magnetic field strength in the magnetosphere), ρs (the plasma mass density in the magnetosheath), and ρm (the plasma mass density in the magnetosphere). The Cassak‐Shay formula for fast reconnection was tested and found to successfully describe the reconnection rate on the dayside magnetopause. It was found that reconnection itself does not significantly modify the local plasma parameters that control dayside reconnection and argued that reconnection does not significantly alter the flow pattern of the magnetosheath. This means that dayside reconnection is not “driven” in the sense that plasma pileup occurs to change the local parameters to adjust the reconnection rate to balance the driving. A “plasmasphere effect” was observed in the simulations wherein high‐density magnetospheric plasma flows into the magnetopause reconnection site and mass loads the reconnection: a spatially localized plume of plasma was observed to locally reduce the reconnection rate by about a factor of 2.
Wave‐driven setup and alongshore flows observed onshore of a submarine canyon
Authors: Apotsos Alex , Raubenheimer Britt , Elgar Steve , Guza R. T.
Published: July 2008

The effect of alongshore variations in the incident wavefield on wave‐driven setup and on alongshore flows in the surfzone is investigated using observations collected onshore of a submarine canyon. Wave heights and radiation stresses at the outer edge of the surfzone (water depth ≈2.5 m) varied by up to a factor of 4 and 16, respectively, over a 450 m alongshore distance, resulting in setup variations as large as 0.1 m along the shoreline (water depth ≈0.3 m). Even with this strong alongshore variability, wave‐driven setup was dominated by the cross‐shore gradient of the wave radiation stress, and setup observed in the surfzone is predicted well by a one‐dimensional cross‐shore momentum balance. Both cross‐shore radiation stress gradients and alongshore setup gradients contributed to the alongshore flows observed in the inner surfzone when alongshore gradients in offshore wave heights were large, and a simplified alongshore momentum balance suggests that the large [O(1 kg/(s2 m)] observed setup‐induced pressure gradients can drive strong [O(1 m/s)] alongshore currents.
Ice magnetization in the EPICA‐Dome C ice core: Implication for dust sources during glacial and interglacial periods
Authors: Lanci L. , Delmonte B. , Maggi V. , Petit J. R. , Kent D. V.
Published: July 2008

Isothermal remanent magnetization and insoluble dust content of ice samples from EPICA‐Dome C ice core were measured to characterize the magnetic properties of atmospheric dust. Despite the larger concentration of dust aerosol during glacial stages, the magnetization of the dust fraction was found to be higher during interglacials and exhibits a larger variability. Changes in magnetic mineralogy of aerosol dust in ice from different climatic stages were also characterized using coercivity of remanence. Variations of magnetic properties of dust from glacial to interglacial stages indicate changes in dust provenance, in agreement with previous results based on geochemical analysis. However, the extremely large magnetizations of some interglacial samples also suggest that episodical eolian deposition from highly magnetic deposits occurred during interglacial periods.
Flank collapse and large‐scale landsliding in the Cape Verde Islands, off West Africa
Authors: Masson D. G. , Le Bas T. P. , Grevemeyer I. , Weinrebe W.
Published: July 2008

Large‐scale landslides occur on the flanks of many volcanic oceanic islands worldwide. None have taken place in historical time, but their geohazard potential, especially their ability to generate tsunamis, is large. The Cape Verde Islands are a group of 10 large and several smaller volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa between 15 and 17°N. A single flank landslide has previously been described from the island of Fogo, but systematic analysis of the Cape Verde group has until now been lacking. This paper describes and interprets a multibeam bathymetry data set covering the slopes of the western Cape Verde Islands, including those of the islands with the most recent volcanic activity, Fogo in the southwest, and Santo Antao in the northwest. All of the larger islands show evidence of large flank landslides, although only Fogo and the southwest part of Santo Antao have failed in the last 400 ka. Tope de Coroa, the volcano at the southwest end of Santo Antao, has been inactive for the past 170 ka and is judged to have a low landslide potential unless volcanic activity resumes. In contrast, there would seem to be a high probability of a future east directed landslide on Fogo, from the area of the highly active Pico do Fogo volcano, although it is impossible to predict a timescale for such an event. A tsunami generated by such a landslide could have a catastrophic effect on the adjacent island of Santiago and possibly even farther afield on the West African coast.
Introduction to special section on Remote Characterization of Vegetation Structure: New Methods and Applications to Landscape‐Regional‐Global Scale Processes
Authors: Smith Alistair M. S. , Greenberg Jonathan A. , Vierling Lee A.
Published: July 2008

This special section stems from three sessions focusing on the “Remote Characterization of Vegetation Structure” that were held at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in December 2006, San Francisco. The sessions were well attended with more than 40 abstracts covering a range of poster and oral presentations. High levels of interest in this topic have led to the establishment of a de facto regular session within Biogeosciences at the fall meeting, with a similar number of abstracts presented in 2007 and a session planned for December 2008. The goal of these sessions was to highlight how recent advances in active and passive remote sensing technology, data acquisition methods, and analytical techniques could be used to both characterize vegetation structural metrics at multiple scales, and to further understand how these measures could be used as inputs in biogeochemical, biophysical, and ecological models. The papers in this special section represent the highlights of the latter objective and include participants from the conference special sessions, along with scientists from the wider scientific community. A companion special issue focusing on the former objective has been organized in the Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing and is due to be published in the fall of 2008. In this introduction, we provide context for this special section, summarize the main results of each contribution, and include suggestions for further strategic directions and activities in this area of research.
WITHDRAWN: MicroRNA profile in peripheral blood T cells of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis
Authors: Qian Cheng , Yao Dingkang , Jiang Tingwang , Chen Sunxiao , Wu Chuanyong , Zhou Ye , Gu Mingli , Chen Bo , Chen Yan , Zhang Lingzhen , Deng Anmei , Zhong Renqian
Published: July 2008

This Accepted Manuscript, published online on 17 July 2008, was withdrawn at the author's request on 4 August 2008
Comment: University patenting and scientific productivity
Authors: Kim JW
Published: July 2008

Abstract The increasing commercialization of academic science has generated concerns that this trend will negatively affect the research focus and productivity of academic scientists. Breschi et al. analyze a longitudinal data set of Italian academic inventors to empirically examine the impact of patenting on university professors' scientific productivity. They find that academic inventors actually increase their productivity and quality of scientific research post‐patenting. This comment considers the social mechanisms that produce the article's key findings, and explore the broader implications for universities and public policy.
Enhanced magnetoelectric coefficient (α) in the modified BiFeO3–PbTiO3 system with large La substitution
Authors: Singh Anupinder , Gupta Arti , Chatterjee Ratnamala
Published: July 2008

Magnetoelectric coupling coefficient (α) values of 0.88mV∕cm∕Oe at 200Oe and magnetocapacitive effects are reported in solid-solution BF–LF–PT with large La substitution (50:50 in BF). Enhancement of magnetic, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties is also observed. The solid solution shows relaxor behavior with large permittivity values (∼30000), large remnant polarization (∼61μC∕cm2), and symmetric but nonsaturating M-H loop with Mr∼0.25emu∕g.
POLIR: Polarizable, flexible, transferable water potential optimized for IR spectroscopy
Authors: Mankoo Parminder K. , Keyes Thomas
Published: July 2008

A polarizable, flexible and transferable potential for water, POLIR, is presented. In addition to providing a good description of the usual structural and kinetic properties, POLIR correctly describes the vibrational frequencies, absolute infrared intensities, and HOH angle in clusters, liquid water, and ice, offering the possibility of a comprehensive classical theory of vibrational spectroscopy. The high degree of transferability suggests applications to solvation and to water that is confined, interfacial, and under the extreme conditions encountered in the geological and planetary sciences.
Simulation of amine concentration dependence on line edge roughness after development in electron beam lithography
Authors: Saeki Akinori , Kozawa Takahiro , Tagawa Seiichi , Cao Heidi B. , Deng Hai , Leeson Michael J.
Published: July 2008

Line edge roughness (LER) of chemically amplified (CA) resist has evolved as a major class of issues when the required fabrication accuracy of future nanolithography gets close to the limit of materials. Near the material limit, processes have a significant impact on the limit of resist performance. In order to provide an insight into the mechanism of LER formation and survey the performance limit of CA resists, the LERs after development in positive-tone CA resist for electron beam lithography were investigated in terms of their dependences on the amine (quencher of proton/acid) concentration and exposure dose. The latent images formed during the acid formation and diffusion processes were simulated by a Monte Carlo technique. The development process described by Mack’s dissolution model was incorporated into the simulation. The LERs (high frequency) after development are discussed from the aspects of image contrast, acid diffusion length, and topography of developed pattern.
Asymptotic distinguishability measures for shift-invariant quasifree states of fermionic lattice systems
Authors: Mosonyi Milán , Hiai Fumio , Ogawa Tomohiro , Fannes Mark
Published: July 2008

We apply the recent results of Hiai et al. [J. Math. Phys. 49, 032112 (2008)] to the asymptotic hypothesis testing problem of locally faithful shift-invariant quasifree states on a CAR algebra. We use a multivariate extension of Szegő’s theorem to show the existence of the mean Chernoff and Hoeffding bounds and the mean relative entropy and show that these quantities arise as the optimal error exponents in suitable settings.
Observation of room temperature ferromagnetism in Ga:ZnO: A transition metal free transparent ferromagnetic conductor
Authors: Bhosle V. , Narayan J.
Published: July 2008

This paper reports our results on room temperature ferromagnetism characteristics in Ga-doped ZnO. The Ga-doped ZnO films were grown epitaxially on (0001) sapphire with Ga concentration up to 5at.%. Detailed x-ray diffraction and high resolution transmission electron microscopy results showed a high-quality epitaxy without the presence of any secondary phases. Magnetic measurements showed characteristic ferromagnetism behavior with room temperature coercivity ∼50Oe, which remained fairly constant with temperature. Upon annealing coercivity disappeared with typical diamagnetic characteristics of ZnO. The x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrical measurements as function of annealing showed a critical role of vacancies and Ga-vacancy complexes to be critical for the observed ferromagnetic behavior.
Graphene-protected iron layer on Ni(111)
Authors: Dedkov Yu. S. , Fonin M. , Rüdiger U. , Laubschat C.
Published: July 2008

Here we report a photoemission study of the Fe intercalation underneath a graphene layer on Ni(111). The process of intercalation was monitored by means of x-ray photoemission of corresponding core levels as well as ultraviolet photoemission of the graphene-derived π states in the valence band. Thin fcc Fe layers (2–5 ML thickness) at the interface between a graphene capping layer and Ni(111) form epitaxial films passivated from the reactive environment.
Ontogenetic tumor growth and evolution equations
Authors: Dattoli G. , Ottaviani P. L. , Pagnutti S.
Published: July 2008

We review the theory of ontogenetic tumor growth by discussing different evolution equations which account for the relevant dynamics. It is shown that most of the equations proposed can be treated from a unitary point of view. We extend the West ontogenetic evolution model to cancer growth and show that the relevant predictions agree with the experimental data from breast and prostate cancer. We finally prove that aging effects can be easily included in the theoretical scheme proposed.
Modeling optical transitions of Er3+(4f11) in C2 and C3i sites in polycrystalline Y2O3
Authors: Gruber John B. , Nash Kelly L. , Sardar Dhiraj K. , Valiev Uygun V. , Ter-Gabrielyan Nikolay , Merkle Larry D.
Published: July 2008

The optical properties of Er3+ in polycrystalline (ceramic), and nanocrystalline forms of cubic (bixbyite) yttrium oxide are modeled based on the absorption spectra obtained between 400 and 1700 nm and the fluorescence spectra observed between 1500 and 1670 nm. Both spectra were obtained at 8 K. The observed crystal-field splitting and the measured intensities of transitions between Stark levels of the L2S+1J multiplet manifolds of Er3+(4f11) in both the C2 and C3i sites of Y2O3 are analyzed in terms of established models. The inversion symmetry of C3i sites limits the observed electronic transitions to magnetic dipole transitions between the I413/2 and I415/2 manifolds. There is no spectroscopic evidence for transitions involving other multiplet manifolds of Er3+ ions in C3i sites. For Er3+ ions in C2 sites, forced electric dipole transitions are allowed between the J+12 Stark levels associated with each manifold. With few exceptions, the crystal-field splitting and the intensities of the transitions between Stark levels are comparable between the nanocrystalline, polycrystalline, and the flame fusion grown crystals of cubic yttrium oxide containing trivalent erbium.
Electronic transport in heavily Si doped cubic boron nitride films epitaxially grown on diamond(001)
Authors: Yin Hong , Pongrac Ivan , Ziemann Paul
Published: July 2008

Structural phase analysis and measurements of electronic transport properties were carried out on heavily Si-implanted cubic (c-) BN films heteroepitaxially grown on diamond(001). Pure cubic phase can be conserved after Si implantation up to a concentration of 2×1020cm−3 and a related implantation damage of 0.9 displacements per atom. As a result, the temperature dependent sheet resistance is lowered by seven orders of magnitude as compared to undoped films. By temperature dependent Hall effect measurements, n-type conduction is confirmed for these heavily Si-implanted c-BN films. Due to the high Si doping levels a semiconductor-to-metal transition is approached as signaled by the extremely small activation energies of typically 0.05eV as well as by an almost temperature independent negative carrier concentration up to 470K. At higher temperatures an additional activated process sets in resulting in a further increase in carrier concentration with an activation energy of 0.4eV.
Long lifetimes in high-efficiency Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells
Authors: Metzger Wyatt K. , Repins Ingrid L. , Contreras Miguel A.
Published: July 2008

Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements on polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films corresponding to high-efficiency solar cells indicate recombination lifetimes as long as 250ns, far exceeding previous measurements for this material. The lifetime decreases by two orders of magnitude when exposed to air. Charge separation effects can be observed on CIGS∕CdS∕ZnO devices in low-intensity conditions. The ZnO layer forms a robust junction critical for charge separation, whereas the CdS layer alone forms a much weaker junction. Recombination at the CIGS/CdS interface is negligible. The results significantly adjust the previous picture of recombination in CIGS solar cells.
A novel approach to quantitative spectroscopy of atoms in a magnetic field and applications based on an atomic vapor cell with L=λ
Authors: Sargsyan A. , Hakhumyan G. , Papoyan A. , Sarkisyan D. , Atvars A. , Auzinsh M.
Published: July 2008

We describe the so-called λ-Zeeman method to investigate individual hyperfine transitions between Zeeman sublevels of atoms in an external magnetic field of 0.1mT–0.25T. Atoms are confined in a nanocell with thickness L=λ, where λ is the resonant wavelength (794 or 780nm for D1 or D2 line, respectively, of Rb). Narrow resonances in the transmission spectrum of the nanocell are split into several components in a magnetic field; their frequency positions and transition probabilities depend on the B field. Possible applications are described, such as magnetometers with nanometric spatial resolution and tunable atomic frequency references.
Annealing effect on the optical properties of implanted silicon in a silicon nitride matrix
Authors: Cen Z. H. , Chen T. P. , Ding L. , Liu Y. , Yang M. , Wong J. I. , Liu Z. , Liu Y. C. , Fung S.
Published: July 2008

Optical properties of implanted Si in a silicon nitride (Si3N4) thin film have been determined with spectroscopic ellipsometry based on the Tauc–Lorentz (TL) model and the Bruggeman effective medium approximation. It is shown that the suppressed dielectric functions of the implanted Si are dominated by the energy transitions related to the critical point E2. The effect of thermal annealing on the dielectric functions of the implanted Si has been investigated. The analysis of the dielectric functions based on the evolution of the TL parameters can provide an insight into the structural changes in the implanted Si embedded in the Si3N4 matrix caused by the annealing.
Scattering of backward spin waves in a one-dimensional magnonic crystal
Authors: Chumak A. V. , Serga A. A. , Hillebrands B. , Kostylev M. P.
Published: July 2008

Scattering of backward volume magnetostatic spin waves from a one-dimensional magnonic crystal, realized by a grating of shallow grooves etched into the surface of an yttrium iron garnet film, was experimentally studied. Rejection frequency bands were clearly observed. The rejection efficiency and the frequency width of the rejection bands increase with increasing groove depth. A theoretical model based on the analogy of a spin-wave film waveguide with a microwave transmission line was used to interpret the obtained experimental results.
Proteome-wide characterization of sugarbeet seed vigor and its tissue specific expression
Authors: Catusse Julie , Strub Jean-Marc , Job Claudette , Van Dorsselaer Alain , Job Dominique
Published: July 2008

Proteomic analysis of mature sugarbeet seeds led to the identification of 759 proteins and their specific tissue expression in root, cotyledons, and perisperm. In particular, the proteome of the perispermic storage tissue found in many seeds of the Caryophyllales is described here. The data allowed us to reconstruct in detail the metabolism of the seeds toward recapitulating facets of seed development and provided insights into complex behaviors such as germination. The seed appears to be well prepared to mobilize the major classes of reserves (the proteins, triglycerides, phytate, and starch) during germination, indicating that the preparation of the seed for germination is mainly achieved during its maturation on the mother plant. Furthermore, the data revealed several pathways that can contribute to seed vigor, an important agronomic trait defined as the potential to produce vigorous seedlings, such as glycine betaine accumulation in seeds. This study also identified several proteins that, to our knowledge, have not previously been described in seeds. For example, the data revealed that the sugarbeet seed can initiate translation either through the traditional cap-dependent mechanism or by a cap-independent process. The study of the tissue specificity of the seed proteome demonstrated a compartmentalization of metabolic activity between the roots, cotyledons, and perisperm, indicating a division of metabolic tasks between the various tissues. Furthermore, the perisperm, although it is known as a dead tissue, appears to be very active biochemically, playing multiple roles in distributing sugars and various metabolites to other tissues of the embryo.
Review of ToP Teaching Strategies: Links to Students' Scientific Inquiry Skills Development
Authors: Tomcho Thomas J. , Foels Rob , Rice Diana , Johnson Jeremy , Moses Tad P. , Warner Douglas J. , Wetherbee Rebecca A. , Amalfi Tiffany
Published: July 2008

A major function of instruction in psychology is to convey complex phenomena in a manner accessible to students. Instructors using well-designed teaching activities can help to make complex material accessible. We content analyzed teaching activities reported in the first 33 years of Teaching of Psychology. We identified 15 general teaching strategies in 681 teaching activity articles and coded strategies' potential impact on student development of scientific inquiry skills. We found that ToP authors have consistently used learner-centered strategies and have significantly increased their use of active evaluation strategies. We discuss implications of instructor use of the most frequently encountered strategies.
Adaptive Fuzzy‐Lyapunov Controller Using Biologically Inspired Swarm Intelligence
Authors: Carrasco Elizalde Alejandro , Goldsmith Peter
Published: July 2008

The collective behaviour of swarms produces smarter actions than those achieved by a single individual. Colonies of ants, flocks of birds and fish schools are examples of swarms interacting with their environment to achieve a common goal. This cooperative biological intelligence is the inspiration for an adaptive fuzzy controller developed in this paper. Swarm intelligence is used to adjust the parameters of the membership functions used in the adaptive fuzzy controller. The rules of the controller are designed using a computing‐with‐words approach called Fuzzy‐Lyapunov synthesis to improve the stability and robustness of an adaptive fuzzy controller. Computing‐with‐words provides a powerful tool to manipulate numbers and symbols, like words in a natural language.
The Robust Volterra Principle*
Authors: Weisberg Michael , Reisman Kenneth
Published: July 2008

Theorizing in ecology and evolution often proceeds via the construction of multiple idealized models. To determine whether a theoretical result actually depends on core features of the models and is not an artifact of simplifying assumptions, theorists have developed the technique of robustness analysis, the examination of multiple models looking for common predictions. A striking example of robustness analysis in ecology is the discovery of the Volterra Principle, which describes the effect of general biocides in predator-prey systems. This paper details the discovery of the Volterra Principle and the demonstration of its robustness. It considers the classical ecology literature on robustness and introduces two individual-based models of predation, which are used to further analyze the Volterra Principle. The paper also introduces a distinction between parameter robustness, structural robustness, and representational robustness, and demonstrates that the Volterra Principle exhibits all three kinds of robustness.
mlegp: statistical analysis for computer models of biological systems using R
Authors: Dancik Garrett M. , Dorman Karin S.
Published: July 2008

Summary: Gaussian processes (GPs) are flexible statistical models commonly used for predicting output from complex computer codes. As such, GPs are well suited for the analysis of computer models of biological systems, which have been traditionally difficult to analyze due to their high-dimensional, non-linear and resource-intensive nature. We describe an R package, mlegp, that fits GPs to computer model outputs and performs sensitivity analysis to identify and characterize the effects of important model inputs.

Availability:  http://www.biomath.org/mlegp

Contact:  kdorman@iastate.edu

Supplementary information: See http://www.biomath.org/mlegp for a user manual and examples.
ProCope—protein complex prediction and evaluation
Authors: Krumsiek Jan , Friedel Caroline C. , Zimmer Ralf
Published: July 2008

Summary: Recent advances in high-throughput technology have increased the quantity of available data on protein complexes and stimulated the development of many new prediction methods. In this article, we present ProCope, a Java software suite for the prediction and evaluation of protein complexes from affinity purification experiments which integrates the major methods for calculating interaction scores and predicting protein complexes published over the last years. Methods can be accessed via a graphical user interface, command line tools and a Java API. Using ProCope, existing algorithms can be applied quickly and reproducibly on new experimental results, individual steps of the different algorithms can be combined in new and innovative ways and new methods can be implemented and integrated in the existing prediction framework.

Availability: Source code and executables are available at http://www.bio.ifi.lmu.de/Complexes/ProCope/

Contact:  Caroline.Friedel@bio.ifi.lmu.de
Overlapping neuronal circuits in addiction and obesity: evidence of systems pathology
Authors: Volkow Nora D , Wang Gene-Jack , Fowler Joanna S , Telang Frank
Published: July 2008

Drugs and food exert their reinforcing effects in part by increasing dopamine (DA) in limbic regions, which has generated interest in understanding how drug abuse/addiction relates to obesity. Here, we integrate findings from positron emission tomography imaging studies on DA's role in drug abuse/addiction and in obesity and propose a common model for these two conditions. Both in abuse/addiction and in obesity, there is an enhanced value of one type of reinforcer (drugs and food, respectively) at the expense of other reinforcers, which is a consequence of conditioned learning and resetting of reward thresholds secondary to repeated stimulation by drugs (abuse/addiction) and by large quantities of palatable food (obesity) in vulnerable individuals (i.e. genetic factors). In this model, during exposure to the reinforcer or to conditioned cues, the expected reward (processed by memory circuits) overactivates the reward and motivation circuits while inhibiting the cognitive control circuit, resulting in an inability to inhibit the drive to consume the drug or food despite attempts to do so. These neuronal circuits, which are modulated by DA, interact with one another so that disruption in one circuit can be buffered by another, which highlights the need of multiprong approaches in the treatment of addiction and obesity.
Differential up‐regulation of neurotrophin receptors and functional activity of neurotrophins on peripheral blood eosinophils of patients with allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis and nonatopic subjects
Authors: Raap U. , Deneka N. , Bruder M. , Kapp A. , Wedi B.
Published: July 2008

Background
Recent studies suggest that neurotrophins have a pivotal role in neuroimmune interactions. Indeed, in contrast to nonatopic subjects (NA), neurotrophins have been shown to be increased in atopic diseases such as allergic rhinitis (AR) and atopic dermatitis (AD).

Aim
The aim of the study was to assess the functional role of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin (NT)‐3 and ‐4 and the expression of pan‐neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) and tyrosine kinase (trk)A, ‐B and ‐C on peripheral blood eosinophils in AR, AD and NA.

Methods
Peripheral blood eosinophils of patients with AR, AD and NA were purified by CD16 negative selection (purity>98%). Neurotrophin receptor expression was analysed by FACS analysis. Apoptosis test (FACS analysis) and chemotactic index (modified Boyden chamber assay) were assessed after stimulation with BDNF, NT‐3/‐4 and NGF.

Results
The expression of trkA‐C and p75NTR was significantly higher in AD>AR>NA (P<0.05–0.001). Apoptosis was significantly inhibited by BDNF, NGF, NT‐3 in AD (P<0.05–0.001), by NT‐3/‐4 and NGF in AR (P<0.05–0.01) and by NT‐3 (P<0.05–0.01) in NA eosinophils. Chemotaxis was significantly induced by BDNF and NT‐3/4 (P<0.01–0.001) in AD peripheral blood eosinophils.

Conclusion
Neurotrophin receptor expression and neurotrophin functional activity was greatest in AD>AR>NA. AD eosinophils are pre‐activated and may therefore better respond to neurotrophins. With this study, we provide new pathophysiologic insights into atopic diseases with a functional role of neurotrophins in peripheral blood eosinophils in AD and AR.
Effects of acidification on the breeding ecology of a stream‐dependent songbird, the Louisiana waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla)
Authors: MULVIHILL ROBERT S. , NEWELL FELICITY L. , LATTA STEVEN C.
Published: July 2008

1. We compared breeding ecology of the Louisiana waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) on acidified and circumneutral streams in the Appalachian Highlands of Southwestern Pennsylvania from 1996 to 2005.

2. Headwater streams impacted by acid mine drainage and/or acidic precipitation showed reduced pH (range 4.5–5.5) compared to four circumneutral streams (pH c. 7). Acid‐sensitive taxa, including most mayflies (Ephemeroptera), were almost completely absent from acidified streams, whereas several acid‐tolerant taxa, especially stonefly (Plecoptera) genera Leuctra and Amphinemura, were abundant.

3. Louisiana waterthrush breeding density (c. 1 territory km−1) was significantly reduced on acidified streams compared to circumneutral streams (>2 territories km−1). Territories on acidified streams were almost twice as long as on circumneutral streams. Territories usually were contiguous on circumneutral streams, but they were often disjunct on acidified streams. Breeding density declined on one acidified stream that we studied over a 10‐year period.

4. Clutch initiation was significantly delayed on acidified streams, on average by 9 days in comparison to circumneutral streams, and first‐egg dates were inversely related to breeding density. Birds nesting along acidified streams laid smaller clutches, and nestlings had shorter age‐adjusted wing lengths. Stream acidity had no effect on nest success or annual fecundity (fledglings/female). However, the number of young fledged km−1 was nearly twice as high on circumneutral streams as on acidified streams.

5. Acidified streams were characterized by a younger, less site‐faithful breeding population. Individuals were less likely to return multiple years to breed, allowing inexperienced breeders to settle on acidified streams. Pairing success was lower on acidified streams, and we observed four cases of waterthrushes emigrating from territories on acidified streams to nearby circumneutral streams in the following year.

6. We conclude that acidified headwaters constitute lower quality habitat for breeding Louisiana waterthrush. However, breeding birds can apparently compensate for reduced prey resources to fledge young on acidified streams by increasing territory size, foraging in peripheral non‐acidified areas, and by provisioning young with novel prey.
A snail prefers native over exotic freshwater plants: implications for the enemy release hypotheses
Authors: XIONG WEN , YU DAN , WANG QIANG , LIU CHUNHUA , WANG LIGONG
Published: July 2008

1. One of the most popular single‐factor hypotheses that have been proposed to explain the naturalization and spread of introduced species is the enemy release hypothesis (ERH). Most studies have considered how specialist consumers might affect the success of exotics, but the importance of generalist herbivores has received little attention

2. In this study, we compared the palatability of native and exotic freshwater plants in both phylogenetic pairings and in region‐wide assays, using a generalist consumer (the pond snail Radix swinhoei).

3. Our study indicated that, when plants were paired by taxonomic relatedness, the snail preferred native over exotic freshwater plants by a 2 : 1 ratio. The snail also preferred native over exotic plants when tested across 20 native and seven exotic species found growing in Liangzi Lake.

4. Snails consumed more biomass of native than exotic plants, providing support for the ERH and suggesting that exotic species have a potential advantage in most lakes of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China, thus helping their invasion.
Life history of a dipteran predator (Scathophagidae: Acanthocnema) of insect egg masses in a northern California stream
Authors: PURCELL ALISON H. , HOFFMANN ANDREAS , RESH VINCENT H.
Published: July 2008

1. Little is known about the predators of insect eggs in fresh waters. This study describes aspects of the life history of a scathophagid fly (Acanthocnema sp.), whose larvae are predators of aquatic insect eggs.

2. Because the Acanthocnema predator oviposits its eggs on the surface of aquatic insect egg masses, all insect egg masses were collected regularly within a 200‐m reach of Redwood Creek (California, U.S.A.) between September 2003 and June 2007. Acanthocnema predators were found predominantly within egg masses of the caddifly Neophylax rickeri (Trichoptera: Uenoidae).

3. There was a mean of 0.25 Acanthocnema individuals per N. rickeri egg mass (n = 2367 egg masses). In general, N. rickeri egg masses were more commonly found clustered in aggregations (93.7%) than singly (6.3%), and Acanthonema were found more often within the aggregations of N. rickeri (98.7%) compared to singly laid egg masses (1.3%).

4. The duration of the Acanthocnema predator life stages was: egg 2.9 ± 0.8 (mean ± SD) days, larva 15.6 ± 10.2 days, pupa 80.3 ± 24.9 days and adult 7.2 ± 4.8 days. The short duration of the Acanthocnema egg stage (1–7 days) compared to that of its prey N. rickeri (2–4 weeks) raises the probability that the undeveloped eggs of N. rickeri would be available to the young predators upon hatching. Egg consumption of N. rickeri eggs by Acanthocnema averaged 262.6 eggs per larval period.

5. Acanthocnema had a bivoltine life cycle in which the first generation fed exclusively on N. rickeri egg masses in the winter and the second generation fed on the egg masses of several species, including other Trichoptera (Brachycentridae) and Diptera (Ceratopogonidae, Chironomidae) in the spring. These findings suggest differing feeding strategies by the first and second generations of Acanthocnema in response to the seasonal availability of prey species. This type of autecological information is important for understanding mechanisms of community interactions.
Impact of precocious male parr on the effective size of a wild population of Atlantic salmon
Authors: SAURA M. , CABALLERO A. , CABALLERO P. , MORÁN P.
Published: July 2008

1. There is growing evidence that sexually mature but morphologically juvenile males of Atlantic salmon (precocious or mature male parr) actively participate in reproduction and, therefore, in the genetic composition of the populations of this species. The impact of mature male parr on the effective population size (Ne) of such populations has been previously studied under experimental settings, but no studies have been performed directly on natural populations.

2. Continuous monitoring and sampling of all sea returns is possible in the Lérez River (northwest of Spain). From demographic data on variances of reproductive success and genetic data from six microsatellite marker loci we carried out parentage assignment and assessed the impact of male parr on demographic and genetic estimates of Ne in two consecutive years.

3. Our results reveal that: (i) approximately 60% of the total sire paternity is attributable to mature parr; (ii) mature parr decrease the variance of reproductive success of males by a threefold factor and increase the effective population size of males by a 10‐fold factor; (iii) however, they do not substantially affect the variance of reproductive success and the effective size of females; (iv) mature parr increase two‐to threefold the overall effective size of the population but the ratio Ne/N, where N is the population size including or not mature parr in each case, is not affected.
Health beliefs and breast self‐examination in a sample of Turkish nursing students and their mothers
Authors: Kara Belgüzar , Acikel Cengiz Han
Published: July 2008

Aim.  To describe health beliefs and breast self‐examination practice of Turkish female nursing students and their mothers.

Background.  Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Turkish women. Breast self‐examination is one of the primary methods for early detection of breast cancer in asymptomatic women.

Design.  The study was designed as a cross‐sectional and comparative survey. The data were obtained from 392 participants, including female nursing students (n = 196) and their mothers (n = 196) in Ankara, Turkey.

Methods.  Data were collected by using a personal data form and the Champion’s Health Belief Model Scale. Descriptive statistics, paired samples t‐test, chi‐square test, reliability analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients and logistic regression analysis were conducted.

Results.  The percentage of nursing students who performed breast self‐examination regularly was statistically higher than that of their mothers. The scores of health motivation, benefits and confidence were significantly higher in nursing students. The mothers’ perceived susceptibility and barriers were significantly higher than their daughters. The frequency of breast self‐examination practice was affected by the level of education, the mother’s or daughter’s monthly performance of breast self‐examination and the level of perceived barrier to breast self‐examination.

Conclusions.  There were differences in health beliefs related to breast self‐examination and its practice between nursing students and their mothers. The results of this study showed that monthly performance of breast self‐examination was more common among women who graduated from high school and university, whose mother or daughter performed breast self‐examination regularly every month and those with lower levels of perceived barriers.

Relevance to clinical practice.  It is essential that nurses be aware of the factors that contribute to monthly performance of breast self‐examination. Cultural factors should be considered in planning educational programmes about breast self‐examination practice. Interventions should be designed to enhance nursing students’ proficiency in performing breast self‐examination.