bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of translocation‐induced isolation and fragmentation on the cultural evolution of bird song
Authors: Parker Kevin A. , Anderson Marti J. , Jenkins Peter F. , Brunton Dianne H.
Published: May 2012

Understanding the divergence of behavioural signals in isolated populations is critical to knowing how certain barriers to gene flow can develop. For many bird species, songs are essential for conspecific recognition and mate choice. Measuring the rate of song divergence in natural populations is difficult, but translocations of endangered birds to isolated islands for conservation purposes can yield insights, as the age and source of founder populations are completely known. We found significant and rapid evolution in the structure and diversity of bird song in North Island saddlebacks, Philesturnus rufusater, in New Zealand, with two distinct lineages evolving in < 50 years. The strong environmental filters of serial translocations resulted in cultural bottlenecks that generated drift and reduced song variability within islands. This rapid divergence coupled with loss of song diversity has important implications for the behavioural evolution of this species, demonstrating previously unrecognised biological consequences of conservation management.
Biotransformation of manganese oxides by fungi: solubilization and production of manganese oxalate biominerals
Authors: Wei Zhan , Hillier Stephen , Gadd Geoffrey M.
Published: May 2012

The ability of the soil fungi Aspergillus niger and Serpula himantioides to tolerate and solubilize manganese oxides, including a fungal‐produced manganese oxide and birnessite, was investigated. Aspergillus niger and S. himantioides were capable of solubilizing all the insoluble oxides when incorporated into solid medium: MnO2 and Mn2O3, mycogenic manganese oxide (MnOx) and birnessite [(Na0.3Ca0.1K0.1)(Mn4+,Mn3+)2O4·1.5H2O]. Manganese oxides were of low toxicity and A. niger and S. himantioides were able to grow on 0.5% (w/v) of all the test compounds, with accompanying acidification of the media. Precipitation of insoluble manganese and calcium oxalate occurred under colonies growing on agar amended with all the test manganese oxides after growth of A. niger and S. himantioides at 25°C. The formation of manganese oxalate trihydrate was detected after growth of S. himantioides with birnessite which subsequently was transformed to manganese oxalate dihydrate. Our results represent a novel addition to our knowledge of the biogeochemical cycle of manganese, and the roles of fungi in effecting transformations of insoluble metal‐containing compounds in the environment.
Adiponectin increases insulin content and cell proliferation in MIN6 cells via PPARγ‐dependent and PPARγ‐independent mechanisms
Authors: Rao J. R. , Keating D. J. , Chen C. , Parkington H. C.
Published: May 2012

Aims

Adiponectin is an important adipokine whose levels are decreased in obesity despite increases in adipocyte mass. Studies in animal models implicate adiponectin as an insulin sensitizer in skeletal muscle and liver. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) are insulin sensitizers and ligands for peroxisome proliferator‐activated γ receptors (PPARγ) and these receptors are expressed in β cells where their activation promotes cell survival. We hypothesize that adiponectin promotes β cell survival by activating PPARγ.

Methods

We used MIN6 cells to investigate the effect of adiponectin on PPARγ expression, β‐cell proliferation, insulin synthesis and insulin secretion.

Results

We demonstrate that MIN6 cells contain adiponectin receptors and that adiponectin activates PPARγ mRNA and protein expression. This increase in PPARγ expression is blocked by the PPARγ antagonist, GW9662, indicating a transcriptional feedback loop involving PPARγ activation of itself. Adiponectin causes a significant increase in insulin content and secretion and this occurs also via PPARγ activation due to the inhibitory effect of GW9662. Adiponectin also promotes MIN6 cell proliferation, however, this effect is independent of PPARγ activation.

Conclusions

Our results identify novel roles for the adipokine, adiponectin, in β‐cells function. Adiponectin upregulates PPARγ expression, insulin content and insulin secretion through PPARγ‐dependent mechanisms. Reductions in circulating adiponectin levels in obese individuals could therefore result in negative effects on β‐cell function and this may have direct relevance to β‐cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes.
Social Mobilization in Protest of Trans‐boundary Highway Projects: Explaining Contrasting Implementation Outcomes
Authors: Perz Stephen
Published: May 2012

Trans‐boundary highways have increasingly complemented trade agreements as instruments of global economic integration, and both have incurred political protest. This article presents a comparative analysis of two recently proposed trans‐boundary highway projects, the Trans‐Texas Corridor from Mexico through Texas to Oklahoma in the USA, and the Inter‐Oceanic Highway in the southwestern Amazon where Bolivia, Brazil and Peru meet. The analysis focuses on the similar political contexts, justifications and funding models, as well as the contrasting political responses and implementation outcomes. The findings reveal important differences in the two cases, even among their ostensibly similar aspects, which are necessary to provide an adequate explanation as to why social mobilization stopped one project but not the other. The analysis bears implications for the social‐political study of trans‐boundary infrastructure as an instrument of economic globalization.
Intervention, Facilitation and Self‐development: Strategies and Practices in Forestry Cooperation in Bolivia
Authors: Umans Laurent
Published: May 2012

Aid encounters in three community forestry endeavours reveal different strategies of development cooperation. The first, intervention, is a unilaterally designed aid strategy where the external intervening party takes the lead, sets goals, draws up plans, etc. The second, facilitation, is a mutually designed strategy of cooperation which focuses on collective action and mutual learning. The third, encouragement of self‐development, is a unilaterally designed strategy where local actors take the lead in development endeavours. This article analyses these three distinctive strategies with reference to social, discursive, political and performative practices found in development cooperation. This provides an integrated framework for assessing local community situations which could guide strategic decisions and promote effective development cooperation.
In the Eye of the Storm: Sri Lanka's Front‐Line Civil Servants in Transition
Authors: Klem Bart
Published: May 2012

This article narrates how bureaucrats in eastern Sri Lanka operated during and after the war. They managed to keep minimal state services running whilst being locked between the government and the insurgent Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). When the government defeated the LTTE in 2009, civil servants were freed from rebel coercion, but they also lost their counterweight against unappreciated policies from the capital and interference by local politicians. The article links the thinking on armed conflicts with the literature that conceptualizes ‘the state’ not as a coherent entity, but as a subject of continuous negotiation. The state's insigne provides a sense of legitimacy and supremacy, but governments have no monopoly on using it. Other powerful actors capture state institutions, resources and discourse for contradictory purposes. This perspective helps us reconcile the appearance of bureaucratic order with the peculiar and hybrid forms of rule that emerged in the war between rebels and government, and it sheds light on some of the surprising changes and continuities that occurred when that war ended. Public administration is neither just a victim of war, nor plainly a victor of the post‐war situation.
Whose Wealth Is It Anyway? Mozambique's Outstanding Economic Growth with Worsening Rural Poverty
Authors: Cunguara Benedito , Hanlon Joseph
Published: May 2012

Despite rapid economic growth and massive inflows of aid, rural poverty in Mozambique is worsening. Agricultural production and productivity have not increased in the last decade. Use of chemical fertilizers and other modern technology is at a low level and decreasing. The present development model emphasizes that the role of government and donors is to provide human capital and infrastructure, while the private sector is responsible for economic development and ending poverty. The most recent national surveys confirm what is being seen elsewhere in Africa — that this non‐interventionist strategy does not raise agricultural productivity or reduce poverty. While 80 per cent of Mozambique's population is engaged in agriculture, this sector contributes only 20 per cent of GDP. This suggests that investments in agriculture are likely to generate pro‐poor growth, both to rural and urban dwellers. This policy failure is increasingly recognized, but donors and government have invested too much political capital in the current policy to change easily.
ESTIMATED SMALL OPEN ECONOMY MODEL WITH FRICTIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT
Authors: ALBERTINI JULIEN , KAMBER GÜNEŞ , KIRKER MICHAEL
Published: May 2012

This paper investigates labour market dynamics in New Zealand by estimating a structural small open economy model enriched with standard search and matching frictions in the labour market. We show that the model fits the business cycle features of key macroeconomic variables reasonably well and provides an appealing monetary transmission mechanism. We then extend our analysis to examine the driving forces behind labour market variables. Our findings suggest that the bulk of variation in labour market variables is solely explained by disturbances pertaining to the labour market.
Personal Values, Autonomy, and Self‐efficacy: Evidence from frontline service employees
Authors: Sousa Carlos M. P. , Coelho Filipe , Guillamon‐Saorin Encarna
Published: May 2012

Employee's self‐efficacy has been related with important outcomes for organizations, such as service quality and job performance. Thus, understanding the antecedents of self‐efficacy can have important payoffs. Accordingly, this paper investigates how personal values interact with autonomy to affect employee's self‐efficacy. The hypotheses are tested with a sample of bank employees. The results reveal that conservation is negatively related to self‐efficacy and that both openness to change and self‐enhancement values have a positive impact on self‐efficacy. Autonomy is also positively associated with self‐efficacy. Finally, autonomy mitigates the negative effects of conservation on self‐efficacy, and strengthens the positive effects of self‐enhancement on self‐efficacy.
Publication Bias: A call for improved meta‐analytic practice in the organizational sciences
Authors: Banks George C. , Kepes Sven , McDaniel Michael A.
Published: May 2012

Previous research has introduced the threat of publication bias to meta‐analytic reviews in management and industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology research. However, a comprehensive review of top‐tier journals demonstrates that more than two thirds of meta‐analytic studies in management and I/O psychology ignore the issue. Of the studies that do empirically evaluate publication bias, almost all use methods that are based on problematic assumptions (e.g., the Failsafe N and subgroup comparisons by source of data). The current paper reviews the issue of publication bias and introduces to management and I/O psychology new methodological techniques to assess this bias. To illustrate the methods, multiple publication bias methods are demonstrated in a meta‐analytic review of conditional reasoning tests for aggression. We offer specific recommendations that address both design and analysis issues to mitigate the existence and influence of publication bias.
Synthesis, spectral properties and dyeing on polyester of monoazo dyes from indol‐2‐one derivatives
Authors: Jia Ru , Zheng Chunlin , Yang Dongqing , Sun Jie , Wang Haibo
Published: May 2012

Three series of phenylazo disperse dyes were prepared by coupling diazotised 4‐aniline dyes with 5‐indol‐2‐one dyes. The structures of these dyes were determined by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier Transform–infrared and elemental analysis. The effects of solvent on the ultraviolet–visible absorption spectra of these dyes were studied. The dyes displayed a λmax shift of between 399 and 438 nm. The dyes were finally applied in the dyeing of polyester fibres in order to investigate their colour range and dyeing properties. Most of the dyes displayed high rubbing fastness and good washing and sublimation fastnesses on polyester fibres.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Indication for Primary Cesarean Delivery at Term: Experience at One U.S. Institution
Authors: Washington Sierra , Caughey Aaron B. , Cheng Yvonne W. , Bryant Allison S.
Published: May 2012

Background

Black and Latina women in the United States are known to undergo cesarean delivery at a higher rate than other women. We sought to explore the role of medical indications for cesarean delivery as a potential explanation for these differences.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 11,034 primiparas delivering at term at the University of California, San Francisco, between 1990 and 2008. We used multivariable analyses to evaluate racial and ethnic differences in risks of, and indications for, cesarean delivery.

Results

The overall rate of cesarean delivery in our cohort was 21.9 percent. Black and Latina women were at significantly higher odds of undergoing cesarean delivery than white women (adjusted odds ratio or AOR: 1.54; 95% CI: 1.30, 1.83, and 1.21; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.43, respectively). Black women were at significantly higher odds of undergoing cesarean delivery for nonreassuring fetal heart tracings than white women (AOR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.55, 3.09), and black women (AOR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.21, 1.98), Latina women (AOR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.85), and Asian women (AOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.85) were at significantly higher odds of undergoing cesarean delivery for failure to progress. Black, Latina, and Asian women were at significantly lower odds of undergoing cesarean delivery for malpresentation than white women (AOR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.89, 0.66; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.98, and 0.55; 95% CI: 0.40, 0.76, respectively).

Conclusions

Racial and ethnic differences exist in specific indications for cesarean delivery among primiparas. Clarifying the possible reasons for increased cesareans for nonreassuring fetal heart tracing in black women, in particular, may help to decrease excess cesarean deliveries in this racial and ethnic group. (BIRTH 39:2 June 2012)
Languages for Specific Purposes Curriculum Creation and Implementation in Australasia and Europe
Authors: BASTURKMEN HELEN
Published: May 2012

This article examines Languages for Specific Purposes (LSP) in New Zealand and Australia (Australasia) and Europe in recent years, focusing on the creation and implementation of curricula in these contexts. The examination draws on themes distinguished by Grosse and Voght (1991) in their discussion of the emergence of LSP foreign language programs in the United States. Examining curriculum creation, the article identifies factors in the creation of LSP curricula in both contexts, provides an overview of the types of programs established and the processes of course and materials design involved. It highlights the key role English for specific purposes plays in Australasia and Europe in enabling learners to access study and work opportunities in both contexts. In examining curriculum implementation, the article describes the types of support available for teachers, and identifies concerns of LSP practitioners, current needs, and priorities. The final section draws together ideas emerging from the examination of LSP in both contexts to suggest areas for further research. It is suggested that more research is needed to compare the value of different types of curricula. It is argued that published research into work‐related LSP is limited and suggests a number of possible research topics for this area.
Patterns and Preexisting Risk Factors of 30‐Day Mortality After a Primary Discharge Diagnosis of Syncope or Near Syncope
Authors: Derose Stephen F. , Gabayan Gelareh Z. , Chiu Vicki Y. , Sun Benjamin C.
Published: May 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19:488–496 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  The risk of short‐term mortality after an emergency department (ED) visit for syncope is poorly understood, resulting in prognostic uncertainty and frequent hospital admission. The authors determined patterns and risk factors for short‐term mortality after a diagnosis of syncope or near syncope to aid in medical decision‐making.

Methods:  A retrospective cohort study was performed of adult members of Kaiser Permanente Southern California seen at 11 EDs from 2002 to 2006 with a primary discharge diagnosis of syncope or near syncope (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision [ICD‐9] 780.2). The outcome was 30‐day mortality. Proportional hazards time‐to‐event regression models were used to identify risk factors.

Results:  There were 22,189 participants with 23,951 ED visits, resulting in 307 deaths by 30 days. A relatively lower risk of death was reached within 2 weeks for ages 18 to 59 years, but not until 3 months or more for ages 60 and older. Preexisting comorbidities associated with increased mortality included heart failure (hazard ratio [HR] = 14.3 in ages 18 to 59 years, HR = 3.09 in ages 60 to 79 years, HR = 2.34 in ages 80 years plus; all p < 0.001), diabetes (HR = 1.49, p = 0.002), seizure (HR = 1.65, p = 0.016), and dementia (HR = 1.41, p = 0.034). If the index visit followed one or more visits for syncope in the previous 30 days, it was associated with increased mortality (HR = 1.86, p = 0.024). Absolute risk of death at 30 days was under 0.2% in those under 60 years without heart failure and more than 2.5% across all ages in those with heart failure.

Conclusions:  The low risk of death after an ED visit for syncope or near syncope in patients younger than 60 years old without heart failure may be helpful when deciding who to admit for inpatient evaluation. The presence of one or more comorbidities that predict death and a prior visit for syncope should be considered in clinical decisions and risk stratification tools for patients with syncope. Close clinical follow‐up seems advisable in patients 60 years and older due to a prolonged risk of death.
Racial Disparities in Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Emergency Department
Authors: Goyal Monika K. , Hayes Katie L. , Mollen Cynthia J.
Published: May 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19: 604–607 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  The objective of this study was to determine predictors of sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing among adolescent females presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department (ED) with symptoms potentially suggestive of an STI.

Methods:  This was a secondary analysis of data collected in a prospective prevalence study of STIs among a consecutive sample of symptomatic females aged 14 to 19 years presenting to a pediatric ED with lower abdominal or genitourinary complaints. The outcome of interest was performance of an STI test. Correlates of interest included patient age, race, insurance status, chief complaint, presence of comorbid conditions, and treating physician sex.

Results:  Of the 328 adolescent females who presented to the ED with STI‐related complaints and met inclusion criteria, 15.6% did not undergo STI testing. Univariable analysis revealed that black or African American race (odds ratio [OR] = 4.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.67 to 9.30) and nonprivate insurance (OR = 3.47; 95% CI = 1.83 to 6.58) were significantly associated with the performance of STI testing. In a multivariable model, only black or African American race (OR = 3.94; 95% CI = 1.96 to 7.91) remained significantly associated with the performance of STI testing.

Conclusions:  A substantial number of adolescent females who presented with complaints suggestive of an STI did not undergo STI testing, and a racial disparity in STI testing was noted. The racial disparity in rates of STI testing among symptomatic adolescent girls presenting to the ED warrants further study to confirm validity, to determine if disparity reflects physicians’ biases, and to inform strategies for controlling the present epidemic of STIs in adolescents.
A Medical Simulation‐based Educational Intervention for Emergency Medicine Residents in Neonatal Resuscitation
Authors: Lee Moon O. , Brown Linda L. , Bender Jesse , Machan Jason T. , Overly Frank L.
Published: May 2012

ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2012; 19: 577–585 © 2012 by the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Objectives:  The objective was to determine if a medical simulation‐based neonatal resuscitation educational intervention is a more effective teaching method than the current emergency medicine (EM) curriculum at one 4‐year EM residency program.

Methods:  A prospective, randomized study of second‐, third‐, and fourth‐year EM residents was performed. Of 36 potential subjects, 27 residents were enrolled. Each resident was assessed at baseline and after the intervention using 1) a questionnaire to evaluate confidence in leading adult, pediatric, and neonatal resuscitation and prior neonatal resuscitation experience and 2) a neonatal resuscitation simulation scenario in which each participant was the code leader to evaluate knowledge and skills. Assessments were digitally recorded and reviewed independently by two Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) instructors using a validated neonatal resuscitation scoring tool. Controls (15 participants) received the current EM curriculum. The intervention group (12 participants) experienced an educational session, which incorporated didactics, skills station, and medical simulation about neonatal resuscitation. Outcomes measured included changes in overall neonatal resuscitation score, number of critical actions, time to initial steps of neonatal resuscitation, and changes in confidence level leading neonatal resuscitation.

Results:  Baseline neonatal resuscitation scores were similar for the control and intervention groups. At the final assessment, the intervention group’s neonatal resuscitation score improved (p = 0.016) and the control group’s score did not. The intervention group performed 2.31 more critical actions overall and the time to achieve warming (p = 0.0002), drying (p < 0.0001), tactile stimulation (p = 0.002), and placing a hat on the patient (p <0.0001) were also improved compared to controls. At the baseline assessment, 80% of the control group and 75% of the intervention group reported being “not at all confident” in leading neonatal resuscitation. At the final assessment, the proportion of residents who were “not at all confident” leading neonatal resuscitation decreased to 35% in the intervention group compared to 67% of the control group. The majority of the intervention group (65%) reported an increased level of confidence in leading neonatal resuscitation.

Conclusions:  Medical simulation can be an effective tool to assess the knowledge and skills of EM residents in neonatal resuscitation. Our simulation‐based educational intervention significantly improved EM residents’ knowledge and performance of the critical initial steps in neonatal resuscitation. A medical simulation‐based educational intervention may be used to improve EM residents’ knowledge and performance with neonatal resuscitation.
Building a Better Mousetrap for Chest Pain
Authors: Baumann Brigitte M. , Miller Chadwick D. , Cone David C.
Published: May 2012

This commentary discusses two articles in the current issue of Academic Emergency Medicine that report on investigations of copeptin, a novel biomarker used in conjunction with troponin and an accelerated diagnostic protocol (ADP) in the evaluation of chest pain patients. The authors discuss the challenges and future directions of the evaluation and identification of low‐risk chest pain patients who are safe for discharge without additional diagnostic testing.
The importance of genetic variants in TNFα for periodontal disease in a cohort of coronary patients
Authors: Schulz Susanne , Schlitt Axel , Lutze Andrea , Lischewski Sandra , Seifert Tim , Dudakliewa Tanya , Gawe Robert , Werdan Karl , Hofmann Britt , Gläser Christiane , Schaller Hans‐Günter , Reichert Stefan
Published: May 2012

Aim

The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the importance of genetic variants of TNFα for the severity of periodontal disease and periodontal risk factors with respect to periodontal risk factors in a cohort of coronary patients.

Subjects

A total of 942 consecutive patients with angiographic proven coronary heart disease were prospectively included in the study entitled “Periodontitis and Its Microbiological Agents as Prognostic Factors in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease” (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:NCT01045070).

Methods

After including of patients, an extensive periodontal examination also involving PCR‐sampling for 11 periodontal bacteria was performed. In this subanalysis, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) c.−308G>A, c.−238G>A and haplotypes for TNFα were analysed by CTS‐PCR‐SSP Tray kit (Heidelberg, Germany).

Results

The AG+AA genotype of SNP c.−238G>A of TNFα gene was associated with the amount of clinical attachment loss in patients with coronary heart disease in multivariate regression analysis. Moreover,
Prevotella intermedia occurred more frequently in carriers who were positive for the AG+AA genotype and A‐allele of SNP c.−308G>A in bivariate and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, only in bivariate analyses significant associations of genetic variants of TNFα with intensified bleeding on probing and with higher plasma level of interleukin 6 could be shown.

Conclusions

Genetic variants of TNFα gene, namely c.−308G>A and c.−238G>A, are associated with periodontal conditions in patients with coronary heart disease.
Therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia (t‐AML) with poor‐risk cytogenetics in two patients with persistent molecular complete remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Ojeda‐Uribe Mario , Schneider Anne , Luquet Isabelle , Berceanu Ana , Cornillet‐Lefebvre Pascale , Jeandidier Eric , Lioure Bruno , Ades Lionel , Mauvieux Laurent , Himberlin Chantal
Published: May 2012

Therapy‐related acute myeloid leukemia (t‐AML) is a clinical syndrome occurring as a complication after cytotoxic and/or radiation therapy. The incidence of t‐AML after acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), all‐transretinoic acid (ATRA), and anthracycline‐based therapy is rather low. However, because of the high remission rates and long‐term overall survival achieved with current APL treatments, late complications related to antileukemic therapy should be taken into account, giving priority to efficacy agents with the lowest potential of leukemogenesis, despite individual genetic susceptibilities that are not well known. Here, we report two cases of t‐AML observed in two young women who achieved a rapid, complete molecular remission (CMR) of APL and who were still in CMR when t‐AML was diagnosed. These t‐AMLs shared some clinical and biological features such as poor‐risk cytogenetics and a rapidly progressing, unfavorable outcome. Retrospective RT‐PCR WT1 expression from the onset of APL to t‐AML diagnosis did not prove to be a good marker for t‐AML development.
The effect of competition among three salmonids on dominance and growth during the juvenile life stage
Authors: Van Zwol Jessica A. , Neff Bryan D. , Wilson Chris C.
Published: May 2012

Although non‐native species can sometimes threaten the value of ecosystem services, their presence can contribute to the benefits derived from the environment. In the Great Lakes, non‐native brown trout (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) support substantial recreational fisheries. With current efforts underway to restore once‐native Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to Lake Ontario, there is some concern that Atlantic salmon will impede non‐native contributions to the recreational fishery because Atlantic salmon exhibit niche overlap with brown trout and rainbow trout, particularly during the juvenile life stage. We therefore examined competition and growth of juvenile Atlantic salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout in semi‐natural streams. We found that brown trout were the most dominant and had the greatest growth rate regardless of what other species were present. Rainbow trout were more dominant than Atlantic salmon and consumed the most food of the three species. However, in the presence of brown trout, rainbow trout fed less frequently and exhibited negative growth as compared to when the rainbow trout were present with only Atlantic salmon. These data suggest that, outside of density‐dependent effects, Atlantic salmon will not impact stream production of brown trout and rainbow trout.
Underdispersion of anti‐herbivore defence traits and phylogenetic structure of cerrado tree species at fine spatial scale
Authors: Loiola Priscilla P. , Silva Igor A. , Silva Danilo M. , Batalha Marco A.
Published: May 2012

Question

Do species phylogeny and herbivory‐related defence traits influence species co‐occurrence in the cerrado? Are anti‐herbivory defence traits under‐ or overdispersed in the quadrats? Do soil features mediate these patterns?

Location

A cerrado site in SE Brazil (21°58′05.3″ S, 47°52′10.1″ W).

Methods

We analysed 100 quadrats of 5 m × 5 m each, and sampled all woody individuals. For each species, we measured nine defence traits against herbivory and tested against null models whether (1) phylogenetic dissimilarities were under‐ or overdispersed, (2) trait species dissimilarities were under‐ or overdispersed, and (3) these spatial patterns were associated with soil nutrient content, considering the variation of sum of bases, organic matter, and aluminium.

Results

We found phylogenetic signals in two traits, and conservatism of traits as a whole was significant. Phylogenetic structure of communities was in general clustered. We found trait underdispersion for specific leaf area, water content, leaf toughness, and leaf nutritional quality. Specific leaf area was also overdispersed in quadrats. We did not find either under‐ or overdispersion related to soil features.

Conclusions

As phylogenetic and trait underdispersion were not associated with soil features, and fire and drought are not expected to change at study scale, some biotic interaction may be responsible for underdispersion. We postulated that insect herbivory, when representing a large constraint to trees in this environment, could lead to functional and phylogenetic underdispersion.
Occurrence of Three Felids across a Network of Protected Areas in Thailand: Prey, Intraguild, and Habitat Associations
Authors: Ngoprasert Dusit , Lynam Antony J. , Sukmasuang Ronglarp , Tantipisanuh Naruemon , Chutipong Wanlop , Steinmetz Robert , Jenks Kate E. , Gale George A. , Grassman Lon I. , Kitamura Shumpei , Howard JoGayle , Cutter Passanan , Cutter Peter , Leimgruber Peter , Songsasen Nucharin , Reed David H.
Published: May 2012

Clouded Leopard, Leopard, and Tiger are threatened felids in Southeast Asia, but little is known about the factors influencing their distributions. Using logistic regression, we assessed how habitat variables, prey detection patterns, and presence of intraguild predators affect the occurrence of these felids across 13 protected areas within Thailand. Our analysis is based on data from 1108 camera‐trap locations (47,613 trap‐nights). Clouded Leopard and Leopard are associated with habitat where Red Muntjac and Eurasian Wild Pig were most likely to be present. Tiger are associated with habitat with a higher likelihood for the presence of Gaur, Eurasian Wild Pig, and Sambar. Clouded Leopard and Tiger were both weakly associated with areas with mature evergreen forest. Besides availability of prey, associations with potential competitors also appear to influence the distribution of these felids, although the strength of these effects requires further investigation. Occurrence rates for Clouded Leopard were no different in protected areas with Leopard versus without Leopards. Leopard had similar occurrence rates regardless of the presence of Tiger, but Leopards were less likely to be detected at the same camera‐trap points with the larger felid. Our results suggest that the two most commonly photographed prey species in the study areas serve as key prey species, Eurasian Wild Pig for all three carnivores and Red Muntjac for Leopard and Clouded Leopard.
LigMerge: A Fast Algorithm to Generate Models of Novel Potential Ligands from Sets of Known Binders
Authors: Lindert Steffen , Durrant Jacob D. , McCammon J. Andrew
Published: May 2012

One common practice in drug discovery is to optimize known or suspected ligands in order to improve binding affinity. In performing these optimizations, it is useful to look at as many known inhibitors as possible for guidance. Medicinal chemists often seek to improve potency by altering certain chemical moieties of known/endogenous ligands while retaining those critical for binding. To our knowledge, no automated, ligand‐based algorithm exists for systematically ‘swapping’ the chemical moieties of known ligands to generate novel ligands with potentially improved potency. To address this need, we have created a novel algorithm called ‘LigMerge’. LigMerge identifies the maximum (largest) common substructure of two three‐dimensional ligand models, superimposes these two substructures, and then systematically mixes and matches the distinct fragments attached to the common substructure at each common atom, thereby generating multiple compound models related to the known inhibitors that can be evaluated using computer docking prior to synthesis and experimental testing. To demonstrate the utility of LigMerge, we identify compounds predicted to inhibit peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma, HIV reverse transcriptase, and dihydrofolate reductase with affinities higher than those of known ligands. We hope that LigMerge will be a helpful tool for the drug design community.
Migration links ocean‐scale competition and local ocean conditions with exposure to farmed salmon to shape wild salmon dynamics
Authors: Connors B. M. , Braun D. C. , Peterman R.M. , Cooper A. B. , Reynolds J. D. , Dill L. M. , Ruggerone G. T. , Krkošek M.
Published: May 2012

Climate, competition, and disease are well‐recognized drivers of population dynamics. These stressors can be intertwined by animal migrations, leading to uncertainty about the roles of natural and anthropogenic factors in conservation and resource management. We quantitatively assessed the four leading hypotheses for an enigmatic long‐term decline in productivity of Canada's iconic Fraser River sockeye salmon: (1) delayed density‐dependence, (2) local oceanographic conditions, (3) pathogen transmission from farmed salmon, and (4) ocean‐basin scale competition with pink salmon. Our findings suggest that the long‐term decline is primarily explained by competition with pink salmon, which can be amplified by exposure to farmed salmon early in sockeye marine life, and by a compensatory interaction between coastal ocean temperature and farmed‐salmon exposure. These correlative relationships suggest oceanic‐scale processes, which are beyond the reach of current regulatory agencies, may exacerbate local ecological processes that challenge the coexistence of fisheries and aquaculture‐based economies in coastal seas.
The role of palliative chemotherapy for terminally ill patients with advanced NSCLC
Authors: Yang Dan , Qiu Meng , Zou Li‐qun , Zhang Wei , Jiang Yu , Zhang Dong‐yu , Yan Xi
Published: May 2012

Background:  To evaluate the conditions of palliative chemotherapy in terminally ill patients with advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to discuss the potential factors that affect the prognosis of these patients.

Methods:  All 205 terminally ill patients with advanced NSCLC, who died in our hospital during the period from 2006 to 2010, were included in the study. Basic information was collected and details for the treatment of patients, related to overall survival, were evaluated.

Results:  One hundred and fifty‐nine out of 205 patients (77.6%) were treated with palliative chemotherapy. Of these, 59.7% patients were treated with palliative chemotherapy in the last three months and 27.7% patients in the last one‐month, prior to their expiration, respectively. In addition, 22.0% of the 159 patients were treated with palliative chemotherapy for the first time in the last three months and 10.1% in the last month of their final days. We have shown that patients treated with palliative chemotherapy in their last three and final month had a shorter overall survival rate than those patients who were not treated with palliative chemotherapy.

Conclusion:  A large proportion of patients with advanced NSCLC received palliative chemotherapy near the end of their life. However, our results were not in favor of palliative chemotherapy in the last three or final month of life.
An exploration of group compassion‐focused therapy for personality disorder
Authors: Lucre Katherine M. , Corten Naomi
Published: May 2012

Background. People with personality disorders, especially those who also experience high self‐criticism and shame, are known to be a therapeutic challenge and there is a high dropout rate from therapy. Compassion‐focused therapy (CFT) was designed to address shame and self‐criticism specifically, and to develop people's ability to be self‐reassuring and more compassionate to themselves and others.

Aims. This study explored how CFT affected self‐criticism and self‐attacking thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, as well as the general symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression of a personality disordered group within an outpatient group setting, and evaluated the extent of maintenance at a 1‐year follow‐up. A secondary objective was to identify some of the key characteristics that such an intervention would require. This was a pilot study exploring the feasibility, acceptability, and potential value of CFT in treating this difficult population and, as such, was designed as a pre‐randomized controlled trial (RCT) to provide evidence to support applications for funding for an RCT.

Methods and design. This study utilized a mixed method combining qualitative and quantitative methods to support a programme evaluation. Eight participants were introduced to the evolutionary‐based CFT model and taken through explorations of the nature of self‐criticism and shame. In subsequent sessions, participants were taught the main compassion‐focused exercises, and any difficulties were addressed. The group was asked to share their personal stories and experiences of practicing self‐compassion and to develop compassionate encouragement for each other. Self‐report measures were administered at the beginning, end, and at a 1‐year follow‐up.

Results. This 16‐week group therapy was associated with significant reductions in shame measured by the Others as Shamer Scale (OAS), social comparison on the Social Comparison Scale (SCS) feelings of hating oneself, and an increase in abilities to be self‐reassuring on the Self‐Attacking and Self‐Reassuring Scale (FSCRS), depression and stress measured by the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). There were significant changes on all CORE variables, well‐being, risk, functioning, and problems. Also interesting was that all variables showed a trend for continued improvement at 1‐year follow‐up, albeit statistically non‐significant. A content analysis revealed that patients had found it a moving and very significant process in their efforts to develop emotional regulation and self‐understanding.

Conclusion. CFT, delivered in a routine psychotherapy department for personality disorders, revealed a beneficial impact on a range of outcome measures. These improvements were maintained and further changes noted at 1‐year follow‐up. Further research is needed to explore the benefits of CFT using more detailed analysis and RCTs.
Order of Magnitude Scaling: A Systematic Approach to Approximation and Asymptotic Scaling of Equations in Engineering
Authors: Mendez Patricio F. , Eagar Thomas W.
Published: May 2012

This work introduces the “order of magnitude scaling” (OMS) technique, which permits for the first time a simple computer implementation of the scaling (or “ordering”) procedure extensively used in engineering. The methodology presented aims at overcoming the limitations of the current scaling approach, in which dominant terms are manually selected and tested for consistency. The manual approach cannot explore all combinations of potential dominant terms in problems represented by many coupled differential equations, thus requiring much judgment and experience and occasionally being unreliable. The research presented here introduces a linear algebra approach that enables unassisted exhaustive searches for scaling laws and checks for their self-consistency. The approach introduced is valid even if the governing equations are nonlinear, and is applicable to continuum mechanics problems in areas such as transport phenomena, dynamics, and solid mechanics. The outcome of OMS is a set of power laws that estimates the characteristic values of the unknowns in a problem (e.g., maximum velocity or maximum temperature variation). The significance of this contribution is that it extends the range of applicability of scaling techniques to large systems of coupled equations and brings objectivity to the selection of small terms, leading to simplifications. The methodology proposed is demonstrated using a linear oscillator and thermocapillary flows in welding.
Tracking electron-induced carbon contamination and cleaning of Ru surfaces by Auger electron spectroscopy
Authors: Kanjilal Aloke , Catalfano Mark , Harilal Sivanandan S. , Hassanein Ahmed , Rice Bryan
Published: May 2012

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation induced growth of carbon and oxygen desorption were investigated on a Ru surface by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) in the presence and absence of additional photoelectrons (PEs) from a focusing Ru mirror. A decrease in EUV reflectivity with carbon growth in the presence of additional PEs has been observed. Conversely, a carbonaceous Ru surface was cleaned in sequential AES, and discussed in terms of secondary electron assisted dissociation of residual hydrocarbons and water molecules, followed by a chemical reaction between adsorbed carbon and oxygen atoms.
Optimization of temporal dose modulation: Comparison of theory and experiment
Authors: Bewes J. M. , Suchowerska N. , Cartwright L. , Ebert M. A. , McKenzie D. R.
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

To compare theoretical predictions and experimental measurements of cell survival after exposure to two different temporally modulated radiation dose patterns that deliver the same dose in the same overall time.

Methods:

The authors derived an analytic expression for the dose protraction factorG in the Lea–Catcheside formalism for cell survival for “triangle” and “V” temporal modulation of dose. These temporal dose patterns were used in experimental clonogenic studies of a melanoma cell line (MM576) and a nonsmall‐cell lung cancer line (NCI‐H460) that have different alpha, beta, and repair parameters. The overall treatment time and total dose were kept constant.

Results:

The analytic expressions forG for the two temporal modulations are presented as a function of a single variable, the product of the exposure time, and the repair constant, enabling G to be evaluated for any exposure time and for any cell line. G for the triangle delivery pattern is always the larger. For the MM576 cell line, following a large dose of 6 Gy, a larger survival fraction was found for the V delivery pattern. No difference in survival was observed for lower doses or for the NCI‐H460 cell line at any dose. These results are predicted by our theory, using published values of alpha, beta, and repair time within the limits of experimental uncertainty.

Conclusions:

The study provides evidence to confirm that cell lines having large beta values exhibit a response that is sensitive to the pattern of dose delivery when the delivery time is comparable with the repair time. It is recommended that the dose delivery pattern be considered in hypofractionated treatments.
Exploiting pattern transformation to tune phononic band gaps in a two-dimensional granular crystal
Authors: Göncü F. , Luding S. , Bertoldi K.
Published: May 2012

The band structure of a two-dimensional granular crystal composed of silicone rubber and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) cylinders is investigated numerically. This system was previously shown to undergo a pattern transformation with uniaxial compression by Göncü et al. [Soft Matter 7, 2321 (2011)]. The dispersion relations of the crystal are computed at different levels of deformation to demonstrate the tunability of the band structure, which is strongly affected by the pattern transformation that induces new band gaps. Replacement of PTFE particles with rubber ones reveals that the change of the band structure is essentially governed by pattern transformation rather than particles’ mechanical properties.
Discriminating resonant targets from clutter using Lanczos iterated single-channel time reversal
Authors: Waters Zachary J. , Barbone Paul E.
Published: May 2012

Power iterated single-channel time-reversal is extended to employ Lanczos iterations. The properties of these algorithms are studied in the presence of varying levels of noise and broadband clutter. It is shown the Lanczos iterated method possesses superior convergence properties in comparison to the standard power iterated technique. Results demonstrate that such algorithms provide an efficient means through which to isolate and extract the properties of resonant scatterers in the presence of noise and coherent interference.
Aerobic Microbial Respiration in 86-Million-Year-Old Deep-Sea Red Clay
Authors: Røy Hans , Kallmeyer Jens , Adhikari Rishi Ram , Pockalny Robert , Jørgensen Bo Barker , D’Hondt Steven
Published: May 2012

Deep Breathing

Living microbes have been discovered many meters into marine sediments. On a cruise in the North Pacific Gyre,

Røy
et al.

(p.
922
) discovered that oxygen occurred for tens of meters into the sediment. The bacteria living in these sediments were respiring the oxygen but at a slower rate than the supply of organic material dropping out of the water column, allowing these ancient deep marine sediments to remain oxygenated. Modeling showed that the rate of respiration of specific carbon decreased as a function of sediment depth, that is, its age. Thus aerobic metabolism can persist in deep marine sediments.
Observation of
239
Pu Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Yasuoka H. , Koutroulakis G. , Chudo H. , Richmond S. , Veirs D. K. , Smith A. I. , Bauer E. D. , Thompson J. D. , Jarvinen G. D. , Clark D. L.
Published: May 2012

Radioactive Resonance

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and its spatially sensitive cousin, magnetic resonance imaging, have found widespread application in chemical and biological characterization studies. For the most part, these studies take advantage of the energy bifurcation manifested by hydrogen nuclei with oppositely directed spins in a strong magnetic field. More generally, many heavier elements manifest the same effect—including carbon-13, fluorine, and phosphorus. In theory, researchers have known for 50 years that plutonium nuclei have a net spin conducive to NMR.

Yasuoka
et al.

(p.
901
; see the Perspective by

Albrecht-Schmitt

) have now at last observed the resonance of the Pu-239 isotope in a sample of plutonium dioxide.