bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When the Time is Right: Phenology and Flowerings
Authors: Bell Sandra
Published: August 2009

In spring days lengthen, weather warms, flowers open, bees feast on nectar and pollinate. But flowers are opening too early; dependencies are breaking down. Sandra Bell looks at phenology, once the eccentric hobby of Victorian clergymen, now an essential indicator of climate change.
What Happens When an Ice Sheet Melts?
Authors: Bamber Jonathan
Published: August 2009

The great ice sheets covering Antarctica and Greenland have enough frozen water locked in them to raise the global sea level by some 70 metres. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet may be inherently unstable and if it collapses the universal belief is that it would raise sea levels by 5–6 metres globally. But that estimate is wrong. What happens to sea levels when an ice sheet melts is complex and surprising. In some places, even, levels can go down. Jonathan Bamber explains.
PI3K/Akt signalling‐mediated protein surface expression sensed by 14‐3‐3 interacting motif
Authors: Chung Jean‐Ju , Okamoto Yukari , Coblitz Brian , Li Min , Qiu Yun , Shikano Sojin
Published: August 2009

The regulation of protein expression on the cell surface membrane is an important component of the cellular response to extracellular signalling. The translation of extracellular signalling into specific protein localization often involves the post‐translational modification of cargo proteins. Using a genetic screen of random peptides, we have previously identified a group of C‐terminal sequences, represented by RGRSWTY‐COOH (termed ‘SWTY’), which are capable of overriding an endoplasmic reticulum localization signal and directing membrane proteins to the cell surface via specific binding to 14‐3‐3 proteins. The identity of the kinase signalling pathways that drive phosphorylation and 14‐3‐3 binding of the SWTY sequence is not known. In this study, we report that the activation of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway by the over‐expression of active kinases, stimulation with fetal bovine serum or growth factors can: (a) phosphorylate the SWTY sequence; (b) recruit 14‐3‐3 proteins to SWTY; and (c) promote surface expression of the chimeric potassium channel fused with the SWTY sequence. The expression of the dominant negative Akt inhibited the enhancement of surface expression by fetal bovine serum. In addition, the activation of PI3K significantly enhanced the 14‐3‐3 association and cell surface expression of GPR15, a G protein‐coupled receptor which carries an endogenous SWTY‐like, C‐terminal, 14‐3‐3 binding sequence and is known to serve as a HIV co‐receptor. Given the wealth and specificity of both kinase activity and 14‐3‐3 binding sequences, our results suggest that the C‐terminal SWTY‐like motif may serve as a sensor that can selectively induce the cell surface expression of membrane proteins in response to different extracellular signals.

Structured digital abstract

MINT‐7233053: PKA (uniprotkb:P17612) phosphorylates (MI:0217) Kir2.1 (uniprotkb:P35561) by protein kinase assay (MI:0424)

MINT‐7233066: GPR15 (uniprotkb:Q9BG77) physically interacts (MI:0915) with 14‐3‐3 protein beta (uniprotkb:P31946) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)
Injuries significantly associated with thoracic spine fractures: A case–control study
Authors: Singh Ranjit , Taylor David McD , D'Souza Donna , Gorelik Alexandra , Page Patrick , Phal Pramit
Published: August 2009

Objective:  To determine injuries significantly associated with traumatic thoracic spine (T‐spine) fractures

Methods:  This was a case–control study undertaken in an adult trauma centre. Cases were patients admitted with a traumatic T‐spine fracture between January 1999 and August 2007. Each case had two controls matched for sex, age (±5 years) and injury severity classification (major/minor). Data were collected from patient medical records and the trauma service database. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine injuries significantly associated with T‐spine fracture.

Results:  Two hundred and sixty‐one cases and 512 controls were enrolled. In both groups, mean age was 41 years and 70% of patients were male. Univariate analysis revealed a range of injuries that were significantly more common among the cases, especially cervical and lumbar spine injuries, sternal/scapular/clavicular/rib fractures, pneumo/haemothorax and pulmonary contusions (P < 0.01). Skull fractures and lower limb injuries were significantly more common among the controls (P < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis revealed that only cervical and lumbar spine injuries and rib fractures were positively associated with T‐spine fracture (P < 0.001). Skull fractures and lower limb injuries were negatively associated with T‐spine injury (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:  Cervical and lumbar spine injuries and rib fractures are significantly associated with T‐spine fracture. The presence of these injuries should raise suspicion of concomitant T‐spine injury.
HLA allele and haplotype frequencies in the Albanian population and their relationship with the other European populations
Authors: Sulcebe G. , Sanchez‐Mazas A. , Tiercy J.‐M. , Shyti E. , Mone I. , Ylli Z. , Kardhashi V.
Published: August 2009

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) alleles are very interesting markers in identifying population relationships. Moreover, their frequency distribution data are important in the implementation of donor–recipient registry programs for transplantation purposes and also in determining the genetic predisposition for many diseases. For these reasons, we studied the HLA class I and II allele and haplotype frequencies in 160 healthy, unrelated Albanian individuals originating from all regions of the country. The HLA genotyping was performed through a 2‐digit resolution SSOP method. The data were analysed with Arlequin and Phylip programs. No deviation was found from the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. A total of 17 A*, 30 B*, 12 Cw*, 13 DRB1* and 5 DQB1* alleles were identified. The six most frequent HLA‐A‐B‐DRB1 haplotypes were A*02–B*18–DRB1*11 (5.60%), A*02–B*51–DRB1*16 (4.74%), A*01–B*08–DRB1*03 (3.48%), A*24–B*35–DRB1*11 (2.77%), A*02–B*51–DRB1*13 (2.21%), A*24–B*35–DRB1*14 (1.89%). Interestingly, 12 HLA‐A‐B‐Cw‐DRB1‐DQB1 haplotypes occurred at a frequency >1%. When compared with the other populations, a close relationship was found with North Greek, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Romanian, Turkish, Cretan, Serbian, Croatian and Italian populations. A higher differentiation in allele frequency level was found with Western Europe populations. These data are the first report of HLA allele and haplotype distribution in an Albanian population inside this country. When compared with other populations, their distribution frequencies show close similarities with neighbouring populations of the entire Balkan area.
Influence of Y151F mutation in loop B on the agonist potency in insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Song Feng , Zhang Yi‐Xi , Yao Xiang‐Mei , Liu Ze‐Wen
Published: August 2009

Abstract  Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are ligand‐gated ion channels, which mediate fast cholinergic synaptic transmission in insect and vertebrate nervous systems. The nAChR agonist‐binding site is present at the interface of adjacent subunits and is formed by loops A–C present in α subunits together with loops D–F present in either non‐α subunits or homomer‐forming α subunits. Although Y151 in loop B has been identified as important in agonist binding, various residues at the 151‐site are found among vertebrate and invertebrate nAChR α subunits, such as F151. In Xenopus oocytes expressing Nlα1 or Nlα1Y151F plus rat β2, Y151F mutation was found to significantly change the rate of receptor desensitization and altered the pharmacological properties of acetylcholine, but not imidacloprid, including the decrease of Imax, the increase of EC50 (the concentration causing 50% of the maximum response) and the fast time‐constant of decay (τf). By comparisons of residue structure, the hydroxyl group in the side chain of Y151 was thought to be important in the interaction between Nlα1/β2 nAChRs and acetylcholine, and the phenyl group to be important between Nlα1/β2 nAChRs and imidacloprid.
Cloning, expression and localization of a trypsin‐like serine protease in the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana
Authors: He Wen‐Ying , Zheng Yi‐Ping , Tang Lin , Zheng Si‐Chun , Béliveau Catherine , Doucet Daniel , Cusson Michel , Feng Qi‐Li
Published: August 2009

Abstract  A trypsin‐like molting‐related serine protease cDNA (CfMRSP) was cloned from the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana. The full‐length CfMRSP complementary DNA (cDNA) encoded a 43 kDa protein that contained a trypsin‐like serine protease catalytic domain, but no clip domain. The C‐terminal extension contained five cystein residues, which may allow the protein to form a homodimer through interchain disulfide bonds and regulate the activity of CfMRSP. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that CfMRSP clusters with lepidopteran homologues such as serine protease 1 of Lonomia obliqua, hemolymph proteinase 20 (HP20), pattern recognition serine proteinase precursor (ProHP14) and a trypsin‐like protein of Manduca sexta. Northern blot analysis of developmental expression of CfMRSP indicated that its transcripts were found primarily in the epidermis and were produced during all of the tested stadia, from 4th instar larvae to pupae, but increased levels of CfMRSP transcripts were always found after each molt. A high level of the protein was found in the epidermis by immunohistochemistry analysis. Altogether these data suggest that CfMRSP plays a role in the epidermis during molting and metamorphosis.
Does the scent of a potential mate prevent the resorption of oocytes by apoptosis in Nauphoeta cinerea?
Authors: Barrett Emma L. B. , Moore Allen J. , Moore Patricia J.
Published: August 2009

Abstract  We expect organisms to have evolved mechanisms to gather and use the information available within their environments, to steer resource investment decisions toward the traits that will give the greatest fitness returns. Pheromones are social signals, a common purpose of which is to act as indicators of mate presence. Consequently, pheromones have the potential to act as signals to increase or maintain reproductive investment over that of competing life‐history traits. In the cockroach, Nauphoeta cinerea (Oliver), females pay costs of maintaining investment in reproduction when there are no males, and males produce pheromones that are known to effect female reproductive outcomes. Whether the pheromones have an influence on resource physiology is unknown. We subjected newly eclosed females to either a synthetic blend of male pheromones or control. We dissected females at 7, 12, 17 or 22 days. We measured apoptosis levels and size of all oocytes within the vitellerium, and measured dry fat body mass. Synthetic male pheromone blend did not have an effect on any measure of female reproductive or somatic resource physiology. Although negative results are always problematic, the success of the synthetic pheromone method in the past suggests that females may be insensitive to male pheromones in the pre‐oviposition period, and may rely on mating stimulus rather than pheromone as the cue for oocyte maintenance and growth. Previous studies reporting effects of male pheromones on female reproduction suggest that the period of pheromone sensitivity may be between mating and birth.
STUDIES ON SHELLING OF FROZEN SWEET CORN
Authors: SZYMANEK MARIUSZ
Published: August 2009

Commercially, the most common method of separating kernels from the sweet corn cob is by cutting the kernels with a sharp blade. This method does not allow the total removal of kernels from the cob. Approximately 20% of kernels remain on the cob. The objective of this study was to evaluate the shelling method for removal of kernels from frozen sweet corn cobs, on the base of hardness, separation rate, and share of damaged and total loss of kernels. The corn cobs prior to shelling were subjected to blanching in water and freezing by spraying liquid nitrogen. The freezing times of 2, 4 and 6 min significantly increased hardness and separation rate and decreased damage and kernels losses. Starting at 6 min there were no significant effects of increase in freezing time on average values of analyzed parameters.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Commercially, the most common method of separating sweet corn kernels from the cob is by cutting the kernels. The cutting operation severs the upper part of the kernel from the lower part, which remains on the cob. Thus, the hull of the kernel is broken open and part of each kernel is wasted. Furthermore, during subsequent wet‐processing, including washing and blanching of the severed kernels, part of the corn meat is leached from its pouch and lost. This work shows the new method for separation of kernels from the cob by freezing the kernels on the cob in nitrogen. The frozen cob is then subjected to impact in a threshing device. The advantage of this method is the reduction of waste and increased yield of corn. The results from this study can be used as reference for separating sweet corn in similar applications.
EFFECT OF ULTRA HIGH HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE ON CONCENTRATIONS OF LIMONENE, Α‐TERPINEOL AND CARVONE IN NAVEL ORANGE JUICE
Authors: PAN JIAN , WANG HAIXIANG , XIE HUIMING , YANG YI , ZENG QINGMEI
Published: August 2009

Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to compare the effects of the selected variables on the changes of concentrations of limonene,α‐terpineol and carvone by ultra‐high hydrostatic pressure (UHP) treatment. A Box–Behnken experimental design was used with control variables of pressure (100–500 MPa), temperature (20–40C) and treatment time (10–20 min). Pressure, temperature and treatment time were found to be critical factors influencing changes of concentrations. Both pressure and temperature could cause limonene degradation, resulting in significant increase ofα‐terpineol and carvone concentrations. Limonene degradation was increased with increasing processing pressure or temperature. An interaction effect of pressure and temperature on limonene degradation was also found. This study showed that Box–Behnken design and RSM could be used to model the changes in concentrations of limonene,α‐terpineol and carvone in orange juice by UHP treatment.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

As we know, ultra‐high hydrostatic pressure (UHP) processing has been an attractive way to replace conventional heat treatments for the preservation of foods. In our study, models of changes in the key aroma compounds in orange juice under UHP process were established. The changes of these aroma compounds in orange juice under UHP process could be understood further by these models. An improved understanding of the effect of UHP on critical aroma quality compounds of orange juices was helpful for us to facilitate industrial adoption of this technology. An effective research way to study the effect on aroma compounds by UHP process was also offered. Base on the data, there was a reference for us to establish an establishment of UHP processing criteria for commercial production of high‐aroma‐quality orange juice.
FUNCTIONALITY OF AMIDATED LOW METHOXYL PECTIN AND XANTHAN GUM BLENDS ON THE TEXTURE AND COLOR OF MASHED POTATOES
Authors: CANET WENCESLAO , FERNÁNDEZ CRISTINA , ALVAREZ MARÍA DOLORES
Published: August 2009

Blends of amidated low methoxyl (ALM) pectin and xanthan gum (XG) were added to fresh (F) and frozen/thawed (F/T) mashed potatoes. Product was tested by instrumental texture profile (TPA), color, expressible water (Ew) and sensory analyses. A central composite rotatable experimental design was used to study the effects of variation on ALM pectin (1.5–4.5 g/kg) and XG (0.5–2.5 g/kg) concentrations. The effects were highly dependent on the levels of ALM and XG added, although XG influenced the mechanical behavior, color and water‐holding capacity of the mashed potatoes more than ALM pectin. F and F/T mashed potatoes with 3 g/kg added ALM pectin and 2.91 g/kg added XG exhibited the greatest consistency, adhesiveness and gumminess, which could be associated with an increase in the amount of XG–water interactions. Instrumental and sensory tests showed that, when 3 g/kg of ALM pectin and 1.5 g/kg of XG were included in the formulation, the mechanical and functional properties of F/T product were very acceptable, with almost no detectable changes in color attributes, and very good overall acceptability (OA) associated with a pronounced creamy sensation conferred by the XG.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Most frozen products exhibit some loss of quality due to freezing, frozen storage and thawing. In the case of mashed potatoes, freezing and thawing has a detrimental effect on physical properties and water‐holding capacity (WHC). The results show that the quality after freezing and thawing may be improved by the addition of 3 g/kg of amidated low methoxyl pectin and 1.5 g/kg of xanthan gum, incorporation of dietary fiber, improvement of mashed potatoes texture by retarding starch retrogradation and increasing WHC, and enhancing the principal characteristics determining consumer acceptance. These results have important implications for the production of frozen/thawed mashed potatoes with improved sensory quality and freeze‐thaw stability over time.
PROCESS OPTIMIZATION WITH RESPECT TO THE EXPANSION RATIOS OF MILLET‐ AND LEGUME (PIGEON PEA)‐BASED EXTRUDED SNACKS
Authors: CHAKRABORTY SUBIR KUMAR , SINGH DAYA S. , KUMBHAR B.K. , CHAKRABORTY SHALINI
Published: August 2009

Extruded snacks were made from five blends of millet and legume at varying moisture content (12, 15, 18, 21 and 24%, wet basis [wb]). The percent of legume in the blends were, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 28. Designed experiments were conducted based on central composite rotatable design to determine the optimum processing condition with respect to the expansion ratios of the extrudates. A single‐screw laboratory Brabender DA47055 (Duisburg, Germany) extruder was operated at different die head temperatures (160–200C), barrel temperatures (100–140C) and screw speeds (100–140 rpm). The optimum processing conditions obtained using response surface methodology were: moisture content – 19%, wb; blend ratio – 15.7% legume; die head temperature – 190C; barrel temperature – 136.5C and screw speed – 140 rpm. The corresponding expansion ratios viz. specific length,sectional expansion index, longitudinal expansion index and volumetric expansion index were 64.3, 5.5, 0.6 and 3.3, respectively.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Expansion ratios are a good means to estimate the texturization caused because of the starch in the extruded products. The findings of the present research work can be used to relate the operating variables of extruder with the expansion ratios of the extrudates. The limitations of soil and irrigation facility in the developing countries compel the farmers to grow hardy crops like millets. Legume flour for the snack can be made out of the brokens (a by‐product of legume milling) formed from the legume mills. The snack thus made shall benefit the farmers as well as the mill owners. Moreover, the consumption of a highly nutritive snack, rich in fiber (millet) and protein (legumes) would help meet the nutritional requirements of the consumers.
OPTIMIZATION OF PROCESS PARAMETERS FOR THE OSMOTIC DEHYDRATION OF BEETROOT IN SUGAR SOLUTION
Authors: MANIVANNAN P. , RAJASIMMAN M.
Published: August 2009

Water and sugar transfer were quantitatively investigated during osmotic dehydration of beetroot slices using response surface methodology with the temperature (25–45C), processing time (30–150 min), sugar concentrations (20–60% w/w) and solution‐to‐sample to ratio (5:1–25:1) being the independent process variables. Quadratic regression equations describing the effects of independent process variables on the water loss (WL), solid gain (SG) and water reduction were developed. It was found that immersion time and concentration of sugar solution were the most significant factors affecting the WL during osmotic dehydration of beet root followed by temperature. Effect of temperature and time were more pronounced for SG than the concentration of sugar solution. The osmotic dehydration process was optimized for water loss, solute gain, and weight reduction. The optimum conditions were found to be: temperature 33.64C; immersion time 115.37 min; sugar concentration 27.71%; and solution‐to‐sample ratio 17.5:1. At these optimum values, water loss, solid gain and weight reduction were found to be 53.74 (g/100 g initial sample), 8.34 (g/100 g initial sample) and 45.41(g/100 g initial sample), respectively.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Osmotic dehydration is one of the preservation techniques, which increase the shelf life of the food material. The quality of preosmosed beetroots is much superior than the one obtained from the conventional dehydration. The osmotically dehydrated beetroots can be used for cooking asvegetables after rehydration. It is also used for making juice, wine, pickles and as colorants.
The Influence of Opioids on Urokinase Plasminogen Activator on Protein and mRNA Level in MCF‐7 Breast Cancer Cell Line
Authors: Gach Katarzyna , Szemraj Janusz , Fichna Jakub , Piestrzeniewicz Mariola , Delbro Dick S. , Janecka Anna
Published: August 2009

Urokinase plasminogen activator plays a key role in tumor‐associated processes, increasing cancer cell invasion and metastasis, and is therefore used as a marker in cancer prognosis. In this study, we have determined the effect of μ‐opioid receptor agonists and antagonists on the urokinase plasminogen activator secretion in MCF‐7 cell line. It was shown that μ‐opioid receptor agonists, such as morphine and endomorphins, greatly stimulate urokinase plasminogen activator secretion, while naloxone and MOR‐selective antagonists elicit the opposite effect. The same tendency was observed also on the urokinase plasminogen activator mRNA level. However, neither agonists nor antagonists had any effect on proliferation of MCF‐7 cells. The findings reported in this study may be useful in designing further experiments aimed at elucidating the role of the opioid system in cancer cells.
Evaluation of New Indole and Bromoindole Derivatives as pp60c‐Src Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Kılıç Zühal , İşgör Yasemin G. , Ölgen Süreyya
Published: August 2009

A series of N‐benzyl‐indole‐3‐imine‐, amine derivatives and their 5‐bromo congeners were synthesized and their biological activity were evaluated against the pp60c‐Src tyrosine kinase target. To afford the imine derivatives, aldehydes were reacted with substituted benzylamines and the corresponding amine derivatives were obtained by NaBH4 reduction of these imines. Except insoluble N‐benzyl‐indole‐3‐imine derivatives, all the derivatives showed some activity against the kinase target. Screening of these compounds for their biological activity revealed that among N‐benzyl‐indole derivatives, those bearing 5‐bromo substitution have the enhanced potency, where the amine derivatives were more active than imines.
Immature platelet fraction measurement in patients with chronic liver disease: a convenient marker for evaluating cirrhotic change
Authors: NOMURA T. , KUBOTA Y. , KITANAKA A. , KUROKOUCHI K. , INAGE T. , SAIGO K. , ISEKI K. , BABA N. , YAMAOKA G. , ARAI T. , TAMINATO T.
Published: August 2009

Platelet number is often used as an indicator of the severity of liver disease. Although inadequate thrombopoietin production and decreased platelet production have been proposed as major causes of cirrhotic thrombocytopenia, the underlying mechanism has not yet been fully clarified. We examined whether the measurement of the immature platelet fraction (IPF) in thrombocytopenic patients with liver dysfunction is useful as a rapid and noninvasive method for the differential diagnosis of chronic liver diseases. We examined 20 liver cirrhosis patients, 56 patients with chronic hepatitis, 9 patients with fatty liver, and 86 patients without liver disease. The percentage value of IPF (IPF%) was measured using an XE‐2100 multiparameter automatic hematology analyzer. Using a receiver operating characteristic curve, we found diagnostic significance of the absolute platelet count and the absolute number of the IPF between cirrhotic patients and noncirrhotic patients, and developed a powerful multivariate discriminant analysis (MDA) function based on the platelet count and the IPF%. The diagnostic accuracy obtained by the MDA function was superior to that obtained by the absolute number of platelets and the IPF. We therefore propose our IPF% measurement for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.
Impact of Watershed Subdivision and Soil Data Resolution on SWAT Model Calibration and Parameter Uncertainty1
Authors: Kumar Sanjiv , Merwade Venkatesh
Published: August 2009

Abstract:  Impact of watershed subdivision and soil data resolution on Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model calibration and parameter uncertainty is investigated by creating 24 different watershed model configurations for two study areas in northern Indiana. SWAT autocalibration tool is used to calibrate 14 parameters for simulating seven years of daily streamflow records. Calibrated parameter sets are found to be different for all 24 watershed configurations, however in terms of calibrated model output, their effect is minimal. In some cases, autocalibration is followed by manual calibration to correct for low flows, which were underestimated during autocalibration. In addition to normal validation using four years of streamflow data for each calibrated parameter set, cross‐validation (using a calibrated parameter set from one model configuration to validate observations using another configuration) is performed to investigate the effect of different model configurations on streamflow prediction. Results show that streamflow output during cross‐validation is not affected, thus highlighting the non‐unique nature of calibrated parameters in hydrologic modeling. Finally, parameter uncertainty is investigated by extracting good parameter sets during the autocalibration process. Parameter uncertainty analysis suggests that significant parameters show very narrow range of uncertainty across different watershed configurations compared with nonsignificant parameters. Results from recalibration of some configurations using only six significant parameters were comparable to that from calibration using 14 parameters, suggesting that including fewer significant parameters could reduce the uncertainty arising from model parameters, and also expedite the calibration process.
Simulation of Temperature Mitigation by a Stormwater Detention Pond1
Authors: Herb William R. , Mohseni Omid , Stefan Heinz G.
Published: August 2009

Abstract:  A numerical model has been developed to simulate the hydraulic and heat transfer properties of a stormwater detention pond, as part of a simulation tool to evaluate thermal pollution of coldwater streams from stormwater runoff. The model is dynamic (unsteady) and based on principles of fluid mechanics and heat transfer. It is driven by hourly weather data, and specified inflow rates and temperatures. To calibrate and validate the pond model field data were collected on a commercial site in Woodbury, Minnesota. The relationship between pond inflow and outflow rates to precipitation was effectively calibrated using continuously recorded pond levels. Algorithms developed for surface heat transfer in lakes were found to be applicable to the pond with some modification, resulting in agreement of simulated and observed pond surface temperature within 1.0°C root mean square error. The use of an unshaded pond for thermal mitigation of runoff from paved surfaces was evaluated using the pond model combined with simulated runoff from an asphalt parking lot for six years of observed rainfall events. On average, pond outflow temperature was 1.2°C higher than inflow temperature, but with significant event‐to‐event variation. On average, the pond added heat energy to runoff from an asphalt parking lot. Although the pond added total heat energy to runoff, it did reduce the rate of heat outflow from the pond by an order of magnitude due to reductions in volumetric outflow rate compared with the inflow rate. By reducing the rate of heat flow, the magnitude of temperature impacts in a receiving stream were also reduced, but the duration of impacts was increased.
Perceptions of pain control by consumers with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Williams Allison Fiona , Manias Elizabeth
Published: August 2009

Aims and objectives. This study investigated the perceptions of consumers with chronic kidney disease in relation to their pain control, the barriers and enablers to effective pain control, and how they made decisions in relation to their pain control.

Background. Consumers with chronic kidney disease are likely to experience pain as a consequence of their kidney disease, comorbidities, treatment and complications which is in need of investigation.

Methods. Twenty consumers were recruited from two metropolitan hospitals in Australia in 2007. Structured interviews and medical record review was conducted to gain an understanding of analgesic use and the facilitators and barriers to effective pain control in chronic kidney disease.

Results. The consumers’ mean age was 70 years. Consumers had a median of seven chronic health conditions, and multiple sources of acute and chronic pain. Athematic analysis of the interviews revealed five themes, which included the complexity of pain, pain relief approaches, ineffective pain control, limited analgesic options, and health professional factors.

Conclusions. Consumers in this study regularly experienced pain that averaged 6·7 on the numerical pain rating scale that was unrelieved with medically recommended analgesic regimens. Chronic pain was harder to control because of its unrelenting nature and the nephrotoxic risk of analgesic medicines. Consumers’ concomitant chronic health problem, interfered with what analgesia the consumers could be prescribed to relieve pain. General Practitioners were most frequently consulted for pain control rather than medical specialists. Consumers were prescribed a median of nine different medicines per day which influenced their approach to pain relief.

Relevance to clinical practice. Consumers with chronic kidney disease require guidance to help them to manage their pain effectively. Prescribers concerned about analgesics’ nephrotoxic risk need to carefully consider the consumer’s everyday quality of life when managing pain. Educational strategies to improve consumers’ pain management practices in collaboration with health professionals are warranted.
Using photographs and narratives to contextualise and map the experience of caring for a person with dementia
Authors: Hibberd Penny , Keady John , Reed Jan , Lemmer Bill
Published: August 2009

Aim.  To capture the meaning and context of how carers adapt and develop their relationships throughout their caring role.

Background.  Family carers play a pivotal role in supporting and caring for a person living with dementia at home. To date, the majority of social research on carers has focussed upon the stress and burden that such demands evoke, and limited attention has been paid to locating the carer’s own construction of their role with a relationship‐centred approach. This paper attempts to build on this emerging understanding.

Design.  A participative, qualitative study using photographs and supportive narratives to contextualise and map carer’s experiences of caring for a person with dementia. The study was conducted in one area of South East England, UK with all necessary ethical permission to conduct the study obtained prior to data collection.

Method.  Data was obtained between May–June 2008 with nine carers recruited from a not for profit organisation based in the UK. Photographs were taken by participants using a 27‐print disposable camera with supporting written narratives provided on six photographs that participants selected to best represent their caring role and relationship. These photographs and supporting text were then shared with other participants in a focus group. Through this process, participants were helped to sort and group the data into narrative themes.

Results.  From this collaborative process, the group identified four types of caring relationships, these were: recognising (1); transforming (2); stabilising (3); and ‘moving on’ (4). Photographs and the supporting narratives were used to illustrate each type of relationship that helped to give meaning and shape to everyday life.

Conclusion.  The four types of caring relationships help nurses and other service providers to understand how carers of people with dementia construct and manage their day‐to‐day life. Recognition of a carer’s personhood needs to be acknowledged in order to promote and support their role throughout the caring trajectory.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Recognition of the knowledge and skills held by carers of people with dementia can help inform professional decision‐making and provide a platform for practice intervention.
People’s reasoning about diagnosis in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Smide Bibbi , Hörnsten Åsa
Published: August 2009

Aim and objective.  To identify how people with type 2 diabetes reason around their experiences of acquiring diabetes.

Background.  Effective self management after getting the diabetes diagnosis lowers the risk to developing late diabetes complications. However the diagnosis experience has received little attention in nursing research as well as psychological and sociological research and therefore the interest in the current study was to further explore the diagnosis experience among people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods.  Face‐to‐face narrative interviews were conducted in 2006 with nine persons with type 2 diabetes living in Mid Sweden and with 14 living in North Sweden.

Results.  Three main categories emerged. They were ‘Diagnosis in a time perspective’, and included the three subcategories ‘Was prepared and diagnosis was easily integrated’, ‘Was not prepared and not having diabetes yet’ and ‘Was not prepared but diagnosis is successively integrated’. The second category emerged as ‘Emotional reactions on diagnosis’ and consisted of the following subcategories ‘Reacted neutrally – the diagnosis was not threatening at all’, ‘Strived to take control over one’s emotions’ and ‘Diminished the threats – is not really ill yet’. The third category was ‘Cognitive reasoning about the diagnosis’. It consisted of the subcategories ‘Did not consider diabetes to be an illness’, ‘Experienced diabetes as a disease hard to understand’ and ‘Decided not to bother about it’.

Conclusion.  The findings may help nurses working in any country to understand the importance of how to give information about diagnosis and focus on diagnosis experiences among persons with type 2 diabetes.

Relevance to clinical practice.  Persons newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should get adequate time to discuss the situation ongoing with the diabetes specialist nurse or a doctor but our findings are easily transferable to other diseases or other health professionals.
Characterization of 15 microsatellite loci in the pulmonate snail Pseudosuccinea columella (Mollusca, Gastropoda)
Authors: NICOT ANTOINE , DUBOIS MARIE‐PIERRE , DEBAIN CHANTAL , DAVID PATRICE , JARNE PHILIPPE
Published: August 2009

We characterized 15 new variable microsatellites in the freshwater snail Pseudosuccinea (Lymnaea) columella, as well as conditions for multiplexing and simultaneously genotyping sets of loci. Two to six alleles were detected per locus over the six populations studied. Gene diversity ranged from 0.000 to 0.498, but essentially no heterozygous individuals were observed. This resulted in extremely high FIS estimates, and therefore high selfing rates. The FST estimates ranged from 0.18 to 1 among populations, but was generally high. These markers will constitute efficient tools for investigating the population structure of this invasive species. Cross‐species amplification was on the whole unsuccessful.
Sixteen EST‐linked microsatellite markers in Günther's walking catfish, Clarias macrocephalus
Authors: SUKKORNTONG CHANTAPIM , PANPROMMIN DUTRUDI , POOMPUANG SUPAWADEE
Published: August 2009

Twenty‐seven new microsatellite sequences were identified by screening 2029 expressed sequence tags from Günther's walking catfish, Clarias macrocephalus. Sixteen loci were polymorphic with the number of alleles ranging from two to 16 per locus and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranging from 0.4667 to 0.9333 and from 0.427 to 0.8819 per locus, respectively. Cross‐species amplifications of all 16 primer pairs were tested in four other species of catfish including Clarias gariepinus, Pangasius hypophthalmus, Pangasius larnaudii and Pangasianodon gigas. Eleven loci were found to amplify in other species, with the number of polymorphic loci ranging from one in P. larnaudii to nine in C. gariepinus.
Development of DNA microsatellite markers in the multiband butterflyfish (Chaetodon multicinctus)
Authors: HEIST EDWARD J. , SIPIORSKI JUSTIN , TRICAS TIMOTHY C.
Published: August 2009

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed in the multiband (pebbled) butterflyfish Chaetodon multicinctus. The loci were scored in 45 individuals from Hawaii. There were five to 21 alleles per locus with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.419 to 0.883. Four of the primer sets also reliably amplified polymorphic loci in Chaetodon quadrimaculatus. We expect these markers to be useful for studies of genetic population structure and kinship, for example to determine whether new recruits settling onto reefs are related.
Multiplex SNP‐SCALE: a cost‐effective medium‐throughput single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping method
Authors: KENTA T. , GRATTEN J. , HAIGH N. S. , HINTEN G. N. , SLATE J. , BUTLIN R. K. , BURKE T.
Published: August 2009

We describe a convenient, cost‐effective and flexible medium‐throughput single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping method, Multiplex SNP‐SCALE, which enables the simultaneous amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of up to 25 (or potentially more) loci followed by electrophoresis in an automated DNA sequencer. We extended the original SNP‐SCALE method to include (i) use of a commercial multiplex PCR kit, (ii) a four‐dye system, (iii) much‐reduced (2‐µL) reaction volumes, (iv) drying down of template DNA before PCR, (v) use of pig‐tailed primers, (vi) a PCR product weighting system, (vii) a standard optimized touchdown PCR thermocycling programme, and (viii) software (SNP‐SCALE Primer Designer) that automatically designs suitable SNP‐SCALE primers for a batch of loci. This new protocol was validated for different types of SNPs. The method is cost‐ and time‐effective for medium‐scale evolutionary and ecological projects involving 10s to 100s of loci.
tetra: an improved program for population genetic analysis of allotetraploid microsatellite data
Authors: LIAO WAN‐JIN , ZHU BI‐RU , ZENG YAN‐FEI , ZHANG DA‐YONG
Published: August 2009

Population genetic analysis of allotetraploid microsatellite data has lagged far behind that of diploid data, largely because of an inability to determine allele copy number for partial heterozygotes. tetrasat developed by Markwith et al. (2006) uses an iterative substitution process to account for all probable combinations of allele copy numbers in populations with partial heterozygote samples. However, tetrasat cannot deal with microsatellite data containing more than 15 partial heterozygotes, because of an exponential increase in genotype combinations. tetra can handle the microsatellite data containing infinite partial heterozygotes. In the program tetra, the frequencies of alleles are measured as the probability with which the known alleles occur in unknown allele locations. The Hardy–Weinberg expected heterozygosity and Nei's coefficient of gene differentiation are calculated based on allele frequencies. The mean and standard error of expected heterozygosity are estimated through bootstrap method.
Development of new microsatellite markers from a salt‐marsh sedge Carex rugulosa by compound simple sequence repeat–polymerase chain reaction
Authors: OHBAYASHI K. , HODOKI Y. , NAKAYAMA S. , SHIMADA M. , KUNII H.
Published: August 2009

Abstracts

We developed 12 polymorphic microsatellite markers from a salt‐marsh sedge Carex rugulosa. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to four, with an average of 2.75. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.067 to 0.600 and from 0.128 to 0.620, respectively. These simple sequence repeat markers will allow the identification of genets and evaluation of the genetic diversity of C. rugulosa.
Development of microsatellite markers for the bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum
Authors: CHEN XIAOQING , WANG JIANXIU , TIAN HONGLI , ZHANG XIANCHUN , WEN JUN , ZHOU SHILIANG
Published: August 2009

We isolated eight novel polymorphic microsatellite loci from Pteridium aquilinum. These loci were characterized in 30 individuals, one from Bolivia, two from Peru, one from the USA, one from Japan, and 25 from Northeast China to Southwest China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to seven. The observed heterozygosity (HO) ranged from 0.000 to 0.600 with an average of 0.3051, and the expected heterozygosity (HE) ranged from 0.0966 to 0.7780 with an average of 0.4267. One locus deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and four pairs of loci were found to be in linkage disequilibrium. These polymorphic loci will be useful in the study of the population genetic structure of Pteridium.
Development and cross‐species testing of western bluebird (Sialia mexicana) microsatellite primers
Authors: FERREE ELISE D. , DICKINSON JANIS L. , KLEIBER DANIKA , STERN CAITLIN A. , HAYDOCK JOEY , STANBACK MARK T. , SCHMIDT VICTORIA , EISENBERG LIZ , STOLZENBURG CAROLYN
Published: August 2009

Western and eastern bluebirds (Sialia mexicana and S. sialis) are socially monogamous passerines that engage in extra‐pair copulations. We obtained microsatellites from S. mexicana and optimized and characterized 15 microsatellite DNA loci in 60 individuals of this species. Primer pairs yielded an average of 13 alleles per locus in western bluebirds (range 3–35 alleles) with an average observed heterozygosity of 0.68 (range 0.27–0.88). All 15 loci also successfully amplified in S. sialis (n = 24), with an average of 11.5 alleles per locus (range 4–26) and an average observed heterozygosity of 0.59 (range 0.22–0.90).
Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Iberolacerta monticola, and cross‐species amplification in Iberolacerta galani and Zootoca vivipara
Authors: REMÓN N. , VILA M. , GALÁN P. , NAVEIRA H.
Published: August 2009

Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci are described for the Iberian rock lizard, Iberolacerta monticola. Genetic variation in a sample of 20 individuals from Piornedo (northwestern Spain) was quantified both by the number of alleles per locus, which ranged from six to 13, and by the expected frequency of heterozygotes under random mating (heterozygosity), which ranged from 0.761 to 0.902. Single locus and global exclusion probabilities were also computed, and indicate a high power of these markers for paternity assignments and mating system studies of I. monticola. All the analysed loci were also polymorphic in Iberolacerta galani, but only seven in Zootoca vivipara.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for Hibiscus glaber Matsum. ex Nakai, an endemic tree species of the oceanic Bonin Islands, Japan
Authors: OHTANI MASATO , TANI NAOKI , YOSHIMARU HIROSHI
Published: August 2009

Polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed for Hibiscus glaber, an endemic tree of the Bonin Islands. Eighty‐seven of the 208 sequences from an enriched library were unique and containing microsatellites. Ten loci were proved to be highly polymorphic among 78 individuals from the Nishi‐jima Island. Total exclusionary powers for the first and the second parents were 99.989% and 99.999%, respectively. Nine loci also amplified single fragment from genomic DNA of H. tiliaceus, a related and widespread congener. Our markers can be reliably used for the estimation of current gene flow within/among populations of the two woody Hibiscus species.
Development and characterization of 11 microsatellite loci in a historically introduced carnivoran, the common genet (Genetta genetta)
Authors: GAUBERT P. , DEL CERRO I. , PALOMARES F. , GODOY J. A.
Published: August 2009

Microsatellite markers were developed to assess population structure and patterns of translocation in the introduced European common genet (Genetta genetta). Primer pairs were designed for 60 microsatellite sequences enriched for CA, GA, CATC and TAGA repeat motifs. Eleven loci that proved to be polymorphic were genotyped in 33 individuals from southwestern France. The number of alleles per locus and observed heterozygosities varied from three to seven and from 0.2121 to 0.7576, respectively. One locus (B103) showed significant departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, probably due to the presence of null alleles. Tests of linkage disequilibrium did not detect significant associations among loci.
Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for lippia (Phyla canescens: Verbenaceae)
Authors: FATEMI M. , GROSS C. L.
Published: August 2009

Lippia (Phyla canescens: Verbenaceae) is a serious weed of wetlands, riparian zones and floodplains, particularly in eastern Australia where many Ramsar wetlands are threatened by hydrological changes precipitated by soil‐accreting lippia mats. Enriched genomic DNA libraries were used to develop nine informative microsatellite markers. These markers will be valuable tools to understand the genetic structure of the lippia populations in different regions throughout the world.
Development and characterization of nine polymorphic microsatellite markers for Mexican spadefoot toads (Spea multiplicata) with cross‐amplification in Plains spadefoot toads (S. bombifrons)
Authors: RICE A. M. , PEARSE D. E. , BECKER T. , NEWMAN R. A. , LEBONVILLE C. , HARPER G. R. , PFENNIG K. S.
Published: August 2009

We developed nine polymorphic microsatellite markers for the Mexican spadefoot toad, Spea multiplicata. Allele numbers range from five to 12, with observed heterozygosities from 0.48 to 0.87. Because two loci are in linkage disequilibrium, these nine loci provide eight independent markers. Three loci exhibit departure from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, possibly resulting from null alleles or population admixture. These markers will be useful for assessing population structure and relatedness in S. multiplicata. Based on our success at cross‐amplification in the Plains spadefoot toad (Spea bombifrons), these loci also may be useful in this species with additional optimization.
Cross‐species testing of 27 pre‐existing microsatellites in Podarcis gaigeae and Podarcis hispanica (Squamata: Lacertidae)
Authors: RUNEMARK ANNA , GABIROT MARIANNE , BENSCH STAFFAN , SVENSSON ERIK I. , MARTÍN JOSÉ , PAFILIS PANAYIOTIS , VALAKOS EFSTRATIOS D. , HANSSON BENGT
Published: August 2009

We tested 27 microsatellite loci for cross‐species amplification in the lacertids Podarcis gaigeae and Podarcis hispanica. We detected 11 and 15 polymorphic loci in the former and the latter species, respectively. In a larger sample of individuals from a single population of each species, the number of alleles ranged from five to 23 in 10 of the polymorphic loci in P. gaigeae, and between four and 13 in nine of polymorphic loci in P. hispanica. Two locus deviated from Hardy‐Weinberg equilibrium in P. hispanica. Between 11 and 16 of the 27 loci also amplified successfully in three other Podarcis species.