bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in immunological profile as a function of urbanization and lifestyle
Authors: Mbow Moustapha , de Jong Sanne E. , Meurs Lynn , Mboup Souleymane , Dieye Tandakha Ndiaye , Polman Katja , Yazdanbakhsh Maria
Published: June 2014

Differences in lifestyle and break with natural environment appear to be associated with changes in the immune system resulting in various adverse health effects. Although genetics can have a major impact on the immune system and disease susceptibility, the contribution of environmental factors is thought to be substantial. Here, we investigated the immunological profile of healthy volunteers living in a rural and an urban area of a developing African country (Senegal), and in a European country (the Netherlands). Using flow cytometry, we investigated T helper type 1 (Th1), Th2, Th17, Th22 and regulatory T cells, as well as CD4+ T‐cell and B‐cell activation markers, and subsets of memory T and B cells in the peripheral blood. Rural Senegalese had significantly higher frequencies of Th1, Th2 and Th22 cells, memory CD4+ T and B cells, as well as activated CD4+ T and B cells compared with urban Senegalese and urban Dutch people. Within the Senegalese population, rural paritcipants displayed significantly higher frequencies of Th2 and Th22 cells, as well as higher pro‐inflammatory and T‐cell activation and memory profiles compared with the urban population. The greater magnitude of immune activation and the enlarged memory pool, together with Th2 polarization, seen in rural participants from Africa, followed by urban Africans and Europeans suggest that environmental changes may define immunological footprints, which could have consequences for disease patterns in general and vaccine responses in particular.
Variable post‐zygotic isolation in Drosophila melanogaster/D. simulans hybrids
Authors: Matute D. R. , Gavin‐Smyth J. , Liu G.
Published: June 2014

The study of hybrid inviability reveals cryptic divergence between the genetic interactions that maintain stable phenotypes in the pure species. We characterized the effects of natural variation on the penetrance of hybrid inviability phenotypes in crosses between Drosophila melanogaster and two species of the D. simulans subcomplex, D. simulans and D. sechellia. Using a panel of wild‐caught lines, we studied the levels of genetic variance present in D. simulans and D. sechellia affecting prezygotic and post‐zygotic isolation in hybridizations with D. melanogaster females. We observed extensive variability in the viability of hybrid individuals, dependent on the genotype of the parents, suggesting that intraspecific natural variation manifests directly in hybrid phenotypes. Furthermore, we found that genetic background significantly affects the penetrance of a well‐studied determinant of hybrid inviability: the interaction between Hmrmel–Lhrsim. Our results suggest that hybrid inviability – and reproductive isolation generally – can be modified by polymorphisms at multiple loci segregating within the parental species. Just as the penetrance of most mutant phenotypes can be modified by the genetic background within the pure species, the penetrance of hybrid inviability phenotypes is highly influenced by the parental genotypes.
Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of the Labeobarbus intermedius complex (Pisces, Cyprinidae) from Ethiopia
Authors: Beshera K. A. , Harris P. M.
Published: June 2014

Mitochondrial DNA phylogeography of populations of the Labeobarbus intermedius complex (hexaploid barb) was investigated using 88 complete and 71 partial cytochrome b (cytb) sequences originating from 21 localities in five major drainages in Ethiopia and two localities in northern Kenya. The samples included 14 of the 15 Labeobarbus species described from Lake Tana. Discrete phylogeographic analyses of 159 cytb sequences employing Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) simulations using Bayesian evolutionary analysis by sampling trees (BEAST) supported the monophyly of the L. intermedius complex, including the Lake Tana species. This analysis, in combination with statistical parsimony analysis, identified two mitochondrial DNA lineages within the complex. Divergence dating employing coalescent simulations suggested that the geographic split in the L. intermedius complex that led to the formation of these lineages occurred during the Pleistocene (c. 0·5 M b.p.), consistent with the timing of volcano‐tectonic events postulated to have shaped the current landscape of East Africa.
Feeding ecology and trophic comparisons of six shark species in a coastal ecosystem off southern Brazil
Authors: Bornatowski H. , Braga R. R. , Abilhoa V. , Corrêa M. F. M.
Published: June 2014

The diets of six shark species, Sphyrna lewini, Sphyrna zygaena, Carcharhinus obscurus, Carcharhinus limbatus, Rhizoprionodon lalandii and Galeocerdo cuvier, were investigated in a subtropical coastal ecosystem of southern Brazil. Stomach content data were obtained to assess foraging niche segregation and ontogenetic shifts in the diets of these sharks. Five of the shark species off the Paraná coast were ichthyophagous, with the exception of S. zygaena, which was teutophagous. With the exception of G. cuvier, which had a generalist diet, the other five species displayed specialization in their feeding. Ontogenetic shifts were observed in C. obscurus and S. lewini with large individuals consuming elasmobranchs. Owing to the diet overlap between C. obscurus and S. lewini, C. obscurus and C. limbatus and R. lalandii and C. limbatus, future studies on the spatial and temporal distributions of these species are needed to understand the extent of competitive interactions.
Eutrophication as a driver ofr‐selection traits in a freshwater fish
Authors: Lin M. , Chevalier M. , Lek S. , Zhang L. , Gozlan R. E. , Liu J. , Zhang T. , Ye S. , Li W. , Li Z.
Published: June 2014

This study tested whether eutrophication could influence life‐history traits of a cyprinid,Chanodichthys erythropterus, in 10 Chinese lakes. Using the von Bertalanffy growth model, the asymptotic length (L∞) and the growth performance index (IGRO) were significantly affected by eutrophication. The gonado‐somatic index (IG) and relative fecundity (FR) were significantly lower in mesotrophic lakes than in eutrophic and hypertrophic lakes. These results indicate that increasing eutrophication affects the life‐history tactics of a freshwater fish.
Tertiary montane origin of the Central Asian flora, evidence inferred from cpDNA sequences of Atraphaxis (Polygonaceae)
Authors: Zhang Ming‐Li , Sanderson Stewart C. , Sun Yan‐Xia , Byalt Vyacheslav V. , Hao Xiao‐Li
Published: June 2014

Atraphaxis has approximately 25 species and a distribution center in Central Asia. It has been previously used to hypothesize an origin from montane forest. We sampled 18 species covering three sections within the genus and sequenced five cpDNA spacers, atpB‐rbcL, psbK‐psbI, psbA‐trnH, rbcL, and trnL‐trnF. BEAST was used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationship and time divergences, and S‐DIVA and Lagrange were used, based on distribution area and ecotype data, for reconstruction of ancestral areas and events. Our results appear compatible with designation of three taxonomic sections within the genus. The generic stem and crown ages were Eocene, approximately 47 Ma, and Oligocene 27 Ma, respectively. The origin of Atraphaxis is confirmed as montane, with an ancestral area consisting of the Junggar Basin and uplands of the Pamir‐Tianshan‐Alatau‐Altai mountain chains, and ancestral ecotype of montane forest. Two remarkable paleogeographic events, shrinkage of the inland Paratethys Sea at the boundary of the late Oligocene and early Miocene, and the time intervals of cooling and drying of global climate from 24 (22) Ma onward likely facilitated early diversification of Atraphaxis, while rapid uplift of the Tianshan Mountains during the late Miocene may have promoted later diversification.
Putative roles of Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2 in respiratory chain‐associated ROS production in brain mitochondria: influence of docosahexaenoic acid and bromoenol lactone
Authors: Nordmann Caroline , Strokin Mikhail , Schönfeld Peter , Reiser Georg
Published: June 2014

Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) is hypothesized to control mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Here, we modulated the influence of iPLA2‐induced liberation of non‐esterified free fatty acids on ROS generation associated with the electron transport chain. We demonstrate enzymatic activity of membrane‐associated iPLA2 in native, energized rat brain mitochondria (RBM). Theoretically, enhanced liberation of free fatty acids by iPLA2 modulates mitochondrial ROS generation, either attenuating the reversed electron transport (RET) or deregulating the forward electron transport of electron transport chain. For mimicking such conditions, we probed the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a major iPLA2 product on ROS generation. We demonstrate that the adenine nucleotide translocase partly mediates DHA‐induced uncoupling, and that low micromolar DHA concentrations diminish RET‐dependent ROS generation. Uncoupling proteins have no effect, but the adenine nucleotide translocase inhibitor carboxyatractyloside attenuates DHA‐linked uncoupling effect on RET‐dependent ROS generation. Under physiological conditions of forward electron transport, low micromolar DHA stimulates ROS generation. Finally, exposure of RBM to the iPLA2 inhibitor bromoenol lactone (BEL) enhanced ROS generation. BEL diminished RBM glutathione content. BEL‐treated RBM exhibits reduced Ca2+ retention capacity and partial depolarization. Thus, we rebut the view that iPLA2 attenuates oxidative stress in brain mitochondria. However, the iPLA2 inhibitor BEL has detrimental activities on energy‐dependent mitochondrial functions.

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The Ca2+‐independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2), a FFA (free fatty acids)‐generating membrane‐attached mitochondrial phospholipase, is potential to regulate ROS (reactive oxygen species) generation by mitochondria. FFA can either decrease reversed electron transport (RET)‐linked or enhance forward electron transport (FET)‐linked ROS generation. In the physiological mode of FET, iPLA2 activity increases ROS generation. The iPLA2 inhibitor BEL exerts detrimental effects on energy‐dependent mitochondrial functions.
S100B protein activates a RAGE‐dependent autocrine loop in astrocytes: implications for its role in the propagation of reactive gliosis
Authors: Villarreal Alejandro , Seoane Rocío , González Torres Agustina , Rosciszewski Gerardo , Angelo Maria Florencia , Rossi Alicia , Barker Philip A. , Ramos Alberto Javier
Published: June 2014

Extracellular S100B dramatically increases after brain injury. While low S100B levels are neuroprotective, micromolar S100B levels have shown in vitro to activate microglia and facilitate neuronal death. In astrocytes, S100B exposure activates nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) and induces pro‐inflammatory mediators. On microglia and neurons S100B effects are essentially mediated by receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)/NF‐κB, but it is not clear if these intracellular cascades are activated by different S100B levels in astrocytes and whether increased extracellular S100B is sufficient to induce reactive gliosis. A better understanding of these pathways is essential for developing successful strategies to preserve the beneficial S100B effects after brain injury. Here, we show that microglia‐depleted cultured astrocytes exposed to S100B mimicked several features of reactive gliosis by activating RAGE/Rac‐1‐Cdc42, RAGE/Erk‐Akt or RAGE/NF‐κB‐dependent pathways. S100B effects include RAGE/Rac1‐Cdc42‐dependent astroglial hypertrophy and facilitation of migration as well as increased mitosis. S100B exposure improved the astrocytic survival to oxidative stress, an effect that requires Erk/Akt. S100B also activates NF‐κB in a dose‐dependent manner; increases RAGE proximal promoter transcriptional activity and augmented endogenous RAGE expression. S100B‐exposed astrocytes showed a pro‐inflammatory phenotype with expression of Toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR 2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and interleukin 1‐beta (IL‐1β), and facilitated neuronal death induced by oxygen‐glucose deprivation. In vivo, intracerebral infusion of S100B was enough to induce an astroglial reactive phenotype. Together, these findings demonstrate that extracellular S100B in the micromolar level activates different RAGE‐dependent pathways that turn astrocytes into a pro‐inflammatory and neurodegenerative phenotype.

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We propose that S100B turns astrocytes into a reactive phenotype in a RAGE‐dependent manner but engaging different intracellular pathways. While both nanomolar and micromolar S100B turn astrocytes into a reactive phenotype, micromolar S100B induces a conversion into a pro‐inflammatory‐neurodegenerative profile that facilitates neuronal death of OGD‐exposed neurons. We think that S100B/RAGE interaction is essential to expand reactive gliosis in the injured brain being a tempting target for limiting reactive gliosis to prevent the glial conversion into the neurodegenerative profile.
Independent and joint effects of prenatal maternal smoking and maternal exposure to second‐hand smoke on the development of adolescent obesity: A longitudinal study
Authors: Wang Liang , Mamudu Hadii M , Alamian Arsham , Anderson James L , Brooks Billy
Published: June 2014

Aim

To examine associations of prenatal maternal smoking and second‐hand smoke (SHS) exposure with the development of adolescent obesity.

Methods

Longitudinal data (1991–2007) from National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development involving mothers that smoked and or exposed to SHS during the year before birth were analysed. Adolescent obesity in ages 12.0–15.9 years was defined as a BMI ≥ 95th percentile. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) were used for the analyses.

Results

Obesity was more prevalent among adolescents whose mothers smoked or had SHS exposure than those that did not smoke or exposed to SHS. After adjusting for maternal and child factors, GEE models showed that odds of adolescent obesity increased with prenatal maternal smoking (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.03–2.39) and SHS exposure (OR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.04–2.27). The odds for obesity increased more than two times among adolescents exposed to both maternal smoking and SHS (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.24, 3.56) compared with those without exposure. Additionally, not breastfeeding, maternal obesity, and longer screen viewing hours per day were associated with increased odds of obesity.

Conclusions

There is possibly a long‐term joint effect of prenatal maternal smoke (smoking and SHS) exposure on obesity among adolescent offspring, and the effect is independent of birthweight. These findings suggest that adolescent obesity could possibly be curtailed with the development and promotion of smoking cessation programmes for families during the year before birth.
The effect of eye size on discriminating faces: Can infants recognize facial uncanniness?
Authors: Sakuta Yuiko , Sato Kazuki , Kanazawa So , Yamaguchi Masami K.
Published: June 2014

Infants' ability to recognize uncanny human faces increases during the first year of life. In turn, their ability to recognize faces of other species declines at almost the same period (perceptual narrowing). In the current study, we aimed to clarify the relationship between the perception of uncanniness of faces and perceptual narrowing in infants and adults. We used the “uncanny valley task,” in which the participants were required to discriminate the faces of humans and monkeys by different eye size. Results showed that 3‐ to 5‐month‐old infants could not discriminate either monkey or human faces by eye size, whereas 6‐ to 8‐month olds could. Adults showed higher discrimination performance for human than monkey faces and perceived the human faces with extremely large or small eyes as exceedingly eerie. Our results suggest that perception of uncanniness of faces is formed after perceptual narrowing.
The mediating role of feelings of guilt in the relationship between burnout and the consumption of tobacco and alcohol
Authors: Olivares‐Faúndez Víctor E. , Gil‐Monte Pedro R. , Figueiredo‐Ferraz Hugo
Published: June 2014

Earlier studies have shown that feelings of guilt appear to be involved in the burnout process. However, the exact nature of the relationship between burnout, feelings of guilt, and tobacco and alcohol use is unclear. The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of feelings of guilt in the relationship between burnout and the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Role conflict, Role clarity, and Feedback were included as predictors of burnout. The sample of this cross‐sectional study consisted of 260 Chilean administration and customer service workers. Hypotheses were tested using a path model. The hypothesized model (i.e., Indolence to guilt to tobacco/alcohol use) showed an adequate data fit, including a mediator role of feelings of guilt in the relationship between burnout and alcohol use. The results of this study recommending taking into consideration the evaluation of feelings of guilt as a symptom of burnout in order to develop a more reliable diagnosis of burnout syndrome and its consequences.
Does human pedestrian behaviour influence risk assessment in a successful mammal urban adapter?
Authors: Bateman P. W. , Fleming P. A.
Published: June 2014

Optimal escape theory predicts that animals should moderate their flight responses according to the level of risk represented by a potential predator. This theory should apply even when organisms are habituated to disturbance, and how animals respond to human presence is likely to determine their success exploiting urban habitats. Therefore, urban animals should be sensitive to cues that inform them about levels of risk, allowing them to reduce costs by not overreacting to innocuous stimuli, while ensuring that they are nevertheless reactive to genuinely threatening stimuli. We tested this at a highly urbanized site in New York City, where eastern grey squirrels appear to pay little attention to humans. Squirrels were approached tangentially on a trajectory that took the observer within ∼2 m of them and we measured alert distance, flight initiation distance (FID), and distance fled for each focal individual. Squirrels showed little sign of being alerted to the pedestrian if he remained on the footpath and did not look at them (only 5% of individuals moved away), but 90% of squirrels moved away, with longer FID and flight distance, when approached by a pedestrian that moved off the footpaths and looked at them. Squirrels therefore modulate their reactions when pedestrians behave in a predictable manner (i.e. remaining on the footpaths) and are also sensitive to the direction of attention of humans, reducing unnecessary responses, and are thereby likely to be increasing their ability to persist in this urban environment. Previous studies have emphasized the behavioural plasticity of successful urban wildlife species. In this study, we emphasize the importance of disturbance monitoring by successful urban exploiters, allowing them to vary their behavioural responses according to the level of risk to which they are exposed.
Risk factors for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: A hospital‐based case–control study
Authors: Lee Ban Seok , Cha Byung Hyo , Park Eun‐Cheol , Roh Jaehoon
Published: June 2014

Background & Aims

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is the most common form of bile duct cancer, arising from cholangiocytes at the confluence of hepatic ducts. Given the diversity of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) aetiology according to the location, and the scarcity of studies on the aetiology of pCCA, we aimed to identify the risk factors for pCCA.

Methods

A total of 81 patients diagnosed with pCCA between July 2007 and December 2013, and 162 controls matched 2:1 for age, sex and date of diagnosis were included in this hospital‐based case–control study. Potential risk factors were retrospectively investigated through clinical records, and the associations with pCCA were studied by calculating the odds ratios (ORs) using conditional logistic regression analysis.

Results

In the univariate model, the prevalence of choledocholithiasis (OR: 14.00, P = 0.014), hepatolithiasis (OR: 12.00, P = 0.021) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (OR: 2.74, P = 0.005) was higher in pCCA patients than in controls. Heavy smoking and cirrhosis were marginally significant risk factors for pCCA (P < 0.1). Multivariate analysis revealed an association between pCCA and hepatolithiasis, choledocholithiasis, DM, and heavy smoking, each, with adjusted ORs of 16.47, 9.39, 3.36 and 2.52 respectively. DM, heavy smoking, hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis accounted for about 22.5%, 17.1%, 8.5% and 4.8% of pCCA risk respectively (population attributable risk percentage).

Conclusion

Our data showed that DM, heavy smoking, choledocholithiasis and hepatolithiasis were risk factors for pCCA development, implying that pCCA may share some aetiological factors with intrahepatic CCA although it has been classified as extrahepatic CCA.
High prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease in the Chinese – results from the Hong Kong liver health census
Authors: Fung James , Lee Cheuk‐Kwong , Chan Monica , Seto Wai‐Kay , Lai Ching‐Lung , Yuen Man‐Fung ,   the Hong Kong Liver Health Census Study Group
Published: June 2014

Background & Aims

The prevalence of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the general Chinese population is not clear, as there have been few large population studies focussing on healthy individuals. We aim to determine the prevalence and risk factors of NAFLD in a healthy Westernized Chinese population.

Methods

This is a prospective cross‐sectional study of 2493 volunteers recruited from the general population and the Red Cross Transfusion Center in Hong Kong. All underwent comprehensive questionnaire survey, blood test, abdominal ultrasound and transient elastography.

Results

The prevalence of NAFLD was 42%. Gender, age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, fasting cholesterol and glucose levels were significant factors. The relative risk of NAFLD in those with high waist circumference, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolaemia was 2.99, 2.01, 1.79 and 1.54 respectively. The degree of steatosis increased with levels of fasting glucose, cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and waist circumference (all P < 0.001). The optimal waist circumference was found to be 84 and 74 cm for male and females respectively, with a relative risk of 5.16 for those above this limit. In total, 1.2% and 0.002% with NAFLD had advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis respectively.

Conclusion

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease was found to be highly prevalent in the Chinese population. Increasing levels of risk factors were associated with increasing severity of NAFLD. Lower cut‐off levels of waist circumference to predict NAFLD should be adopted for Chinese population.
Testing variations within the Tagish Lake meteorite—II: Whole‐rock geochemistry of pristine samples
Authors: Blinova Alexandra I. , Herd Christopher D. K. , Duke M. John M.
Published: June 2014

Four pristine specimens of the Tagish Lake C2 chondrite meteorite were previously determined through mineralogy, petrology, and organic chemistry to have been affected by aqueous alteration in the order (from least to most altered) TL5b < TL11h < TL11i, and TL11v as a mixture of the other specimens (Herd et al. ; Blinova et al. ). Here, we report the whole‐rock data for a total of 65 elements for the same four Tagish Lake samples as determined by ICP‐MS and ICP‐AES (utilizing the Parr bomb digestion method on small samples, approximately 50 mg), and by INAA. Our data demonstrate that the determined aqueous alteration sequence has a positive correlation with trace elements, such as K and Br that are mobile during aqueous alteration, which appear to be controlled by an increase of phyllosilicates from least to most altered samples. Yet, the homogeneity of other elements suggests that elemental mass transfer occurred on a localized scale and aqueous alteration was isochemical for these elements, similar to other primitive carbonaceous chondrites. By plotting data from three samples (TL5b, TL11h, and TL11i) on a Zn/Mn versus Sc/Mn diagram, we also confirm that the Tagish Lake meteorite is not a simple mixture of CI and CM material.
Sylvite and halite on particles recovered from 25143 Itokawa: A preliminary report
Authors: Noguchi T. , Kimura M. , Hashimoto T. , Konno M. , Nakamura T. , Zolensky M. E. , Tsuchiyama A. , Matsumoto T. , Matsuno J. , Okazaki R. , Uesugi M. , Karouji Y. , Yada T. , Ishibashi Y. , Shirai K. , Abe M. , Okada T.
Published: June 2014

We observed cross sectional ultra‐thin sections near the surface of 12 particles recovered from the S‐type asteroid Itokawa by the Hayabusa spacecraft in 2010, using spherical aberration–corrected STEM and conventional TEM. Although their mineralogy is almost identical to the equilibrated LL chondrites and therefore basically anhydrous, micrometer‐to‐submicrometer‐sized sylvite was identified on the surface of Itokawa particle RA‐QD02‐0034. Separately, micrometer‐sized halite was also identified on the surface of Itokawa particle RA‐QD02‐0129. Detailed inspection of the sample processing procedures at the JAXA's Planetary Materials Sample Curation Facility and textural observation of the sylvite and halite indicate that they were clearly present on two Itokawa particles before they were removed from Clean Chamber #2 at JAXA. However, there is no direct evidence for their extraterrestrial origin at present. If the sylvite and halite are extraterrestrial, their presence suggests that they may be more abundant on the surface of S‐type asteroids than previously thought.
Critical Voices: The Reactions of Rahner and Ratzinger to “Schema XIII” (Gaudium et Spes)
Authors: Peterson Brandon
Published: June 2014

Schema XIII (eventually Gaudium et Spes) occasioned somewhat of a split within the “progressive majority” at Vatican II. This article considers one side of this divide via the contributions and objections of Karl Rahner and Joseph Ratzinger, two of the text's most salient critics. After reviewing the history of Schema XIII, I demonstrate that both theologians reacted to it with very similar concerns which centered upon the issue of nature and grace. However, their differing approaches to anthropology and Christology caused their proposed remedies for the schema's shortcomings to diverge significantly.
Extrinsic Grace and Eccentric Existence
Authors: McAnnally‐Linz Ryan
Published: June 2014

Catherine Pickstock has critiqued David Kelsey's Eccentric Existence for, among other things, adopting the position on the relation of nature to grace that has become known as “extrinsicism”. Pickstock's critique of Kelsey parallels the criticism that both she and John Milbank have leveled against extrinsicism. This paper considers the merits of Pickstock's charges of extrinsicism and supposedly related theological ills against Kelsey. Finding that they fall short, I suggest that Kelsey's “three narrative” anthropology and its “multiple teleology” are potentially valuable resources for ongoing theological debates concerning nature and grace.
Facilitative interactions among the pelagic community of temperate migratory terns, tunas and dolphins
Authors: Goyert Holly F. , Manne Lisa L. , Veit Richard R.
Published: June 2014

We studied habitat and behavioral interactions among the marine community of top pelagic predators over the Atlantic continental shelf, observed from shipboard surveys off the northeastern United States. We hypothesized that foraging seabirds, specifically common terns Sterna hirundo and roseate terns S. dougallii, associate positively with the distribution and abundance of large, easily‐detected subsurface marine predators, as a result of facilitative interactions. Few rigorous tests examine the effect of interspecific interactions on seabird distributions, though many papers note the importance of environmental influences. Fewer, still, assess facilitation, defined as positive interactions among multiple taxa (birds, fish, mammals), where individuals use foraging neighbors for improved prey detection or enhanced prey availability. Our use of spatiotemporal‐structured Bayesian hierarchical models allowed us to test for fine‐scale associations of common and roseate terns with aggregations of tunas and cetaceans, and with standard oceanographic parameters. High tern abundance was linked to relatively high tuna densities and low dolphin densities, as well as high sea surface temperatures, shallow water, and proximity to shore. The fact that terns foraged when in the presence of tunas or relatively dense dolphin pods supports our hypothesis that the mechanism behind this spatial association involves positive interspecific interactions (attraction), a phenomenon that has been described but rarely quantified. This study reveals that community structure depends on static and dynamic covariates alike, ranging from bathymetry to the movement of other guild members. To improve the efficacy of predictive modeling, ecosystem approaches to applied conservation management should integrate not only habitat, but also behavior and community factors into analyses, especially in the case of marine spatial planning.
Contributions of juvenile and adult diet to the lifetime reproductive success and lifespan of a spider
Authors: Kleinteich Anja , Wilder Shawn M. , Schneider Jutta M.
Published: June 2014

Food availability can vary widely for animals in nature and can have large effects on growth, reproduction and survival. While the consequences of food limitation for animals have been extensively studied, significant questions still remain including how ontogenetic variation in food availability contributes to lifetime reproductive success. We tested the effects of juvenile and adult food limitation on the lifetime reproductive success and lifespan of bridge spiders, Larinioides sclopetarius. Food availability was manipulated (low or high) over the entire juvenile and adult stage in a full‐factorial design and reproductive output and lifespan were measured. Juvenile and adult food limitation both reduced lifetime egg and hatchling production with effect sizes that were not significantly different from each other. Unlike some other arthropods, where juvenile food limitation reduces fecundity by reducing adult body size, body size was not affected by juvenile diet in bridge spiders. Clutch size was also significantly reduced by both juvenile and adult food limitation. The effect of adult diet on clutch size was stronger than that of juvenile diet. Juvenile and adult food limitation both extended total lifespan, and adult food limitation extended adult longevity (i.e. time from maturation to death). However, juvenile food limitation decreased adult longevity, in contrast to what would be predicted by dietary or caloric restriction. Compensatory feeding and growth are widely recognized mechanisms through which animals can ameliorate some of the negative effects of periods of food limitation. Yet our results combined with studies of a range of other species suggest that there may be lasting consequences of juvenile food limitation on lifetime reproductive success that cannot be compensated for by adult feeding in some species.
Pollen limitation, species’ floral traits and pollinator visitation: different relationships in contrasting communities
Authors: Lázaro Amparo , Lundgren Rebekka , Totland Ørjan
Published: June 2014

Failures in the process of pollen transfer among conspecific plants can severely impact female reproductive success. Thus, pollen limitation can cause selection on plant mating systems and floral traits. The relationships between pollen limitation and floral traits might be partly mediated by the quantity and identity of pollinator visits. However, very little is known about the relationship between pollinator visits and pollen limitation. We examined the relationships between pollen limitation and floral traits at the community level to connect them to community ecology processes. We used 48 plant species from two contrasting communities: one species‐rich lowland community and one species‐poor alpine community. In addition, we calculated visitation rates and ecological pollination generalization for 38 of the species to examine the relationship between pollinator visitation and pollen limitation at the community level. We found low overall levels of pollen limitation that did not differ significantly between the alpine and the lowland community. In both communities, species with evolutionary specialized flowers were more pollen limited than species with unspecialized flowers. Species’ visitation rates and selfing capability were negatively related to pollen limitation in the alpine community, where pollinators are scarcer. However, flower size/number, ecological generalization of plants and flowering onset had greater effects on pollen limitation levels at the lowland community, indicating that the identity of the visitors and plant‐plant competitive interactions are more decisive for plant reproduction in this species‐rich community. There, pollen limitation increased with flower size and flowering onset, and decreased with ecological generalization, but only in species with evolutionary specialized flowers. Our study suggests that selection on plant mating system and floral traits may be idiosyncratic to each particular community and highlights the benefits of conducting community‐level studies for a better understanding of the processes underlying evolutionary responses to pollen limitation.
The postoperative management of pain from intracranial surgery in pediatric neurosurgical patients
Authors: Shay Joanne E. , Kattail Deepa , Morad Athir , Yaster Myron
Published: June 2014

Pain following intracranial surgery has historically been undertreated because of the concern that opioids, the analgesics most commonly used to treat moderate‐to‐severe pain, will interfere with the neurologic examination and adversely affect postoperative outcome. Over the past decade, accumulating evidence, primarily in adult patients, has revealed that moderate‐to‐severe pain is common in neurosurgical patients following surgery. Using the neurophysiology of pain as a blueprint, we have highlighted some of the drugs and drug families used in multimodal pain management. This analgesic method minimizes opioid‐induced adverse side effects by maximizing pain control with smaller doses of opioids supplemented with neural blockade and nonopioid analgesics, such nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, local anesthetics, corticosteroids, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, α2‐adrenergic agonists, and/or anticonvulsants (gabapentin and pregabalin).
Complete Coverage of Phantom Limb and Stump Pain with Constant Current SCS System: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Bunch Jennifer R. , Goldstein Heidi V. , Hurley Robert W.
Published: June 2014

Background

Spinal cord stimulator (SCS) technology has advanced over the past several years. However, our literature review revealed a lack of well‐documented cases of successful treatment of phantom limb pain with percutaneous revision of previously placed systems.

Case Report

We present the case of a patient who suffered from debilitating bilateral lower extremity phantom limb pain despite having a SCS with a constant voltage system. We used fluoroscopy to successfully guide a percutaneous octapolar paddle lead to the right of the existing surgical paddle lead and a cylindrical quadrapolar lead in between. Finally, the older paddle lead was connected to an extension to make it compatible with the updated constant current system. The revised constant current SCS system provided bilateral coverage of the patient's pain, and at 1‐year postoperative, the patient reported he had sustained coverage from his bilateral phantom limb pain. Our patient had complete coverage of his phantom limb pain after his previously placed SCS was changed from a constant voltage to a constant current system, and percutaneous leads were connected to his system. Adding percutaneous leads or switching generator types may benefit patients whose pain patterns have expanded since original SCS system placement. This case reports the complete coverage of phantom limb pain with a change from a constant voltage to a constant current SCS system and the addition of percutaneous leads to an existing SCS system.
Mosaic Tetrasomy 13q and Phylloid Hypomelanosis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Myers Joseph N. , Davis Loretta , Sheehan Daniel , Kulharya Anita S.
Published: June 2014

A 6‐year‐old girl presented for evaluation of skin discoloration. Examination revealed oval and oblong hypopigmented macules on her trunk and extremities. Cytogenetic studies and immunohistochemistry of biopsies from normally pigmented and hypopigmented skin revealed mosaicism for partial tetrasomy for 13q with low melanocyte levels in lesional skin. The patient was diagnosed with phylloid hypomelanosis (PH), a distinct clinical entity linked to abnormalities in chromosome 13. This article reviews the literature regarding PH and supports the notion that mosaicism of the melanocyte region of chromosome 13q is responsible for PH.
Public Value Governance: Moving Beyond Traditional Public Administration and the New Public Management
Authors: Bryson John M. , Crosby Barbara C. , Bloomberg Laura
Published: June 2014

A new public administration movement is emerging to move beyond traditional public administration and New Public Management. The new movement is a response to the challenges of a networked, multisector, no‐one‐wholly‐in‐charge world and to the shortcomings of previous public administration approaches. In the new approach, values beyond efficiency and effectiveness—and especially democratic values—are prominent. Government has a special role to play as a guarantor of public values, but citizens as well as businesses and nonprofit organizations are also important as active public problem solvers. The article highlights value‐related issues in the new approach and presents an agenda for research and action to be pursued if the new approach is to fulfill its promise.
Environmental Risk Assessors as Honest Brokers or Stealth Advocates
Authors: Calow Peter
Published: June 2014

Risk assessment ought to provide a solid, evidence base to risk management in the development of environmental policy and decisions, where the risk assessors act without advocacy as honest brokers of science advice. But there are concerns that the values of the risk assessors might undermine the objectivity of the process. For similar reasons, there is suspicion that more interaction between risk assessors and risk managers might contaminate the science. On the contrary, here the argument is that making risk assessment more management‐ and value‐relevant, through more effective dialogue, provides a better foundation for objective science advice.
Is Tattooing a Risk Factor for Adolescents’ Criminal Behavior? Empirical Evidence from an Administrative Data Set of Juvenile Detainees in Taiwan
Authors: Liao Pei‐An , Chang Hung‐Hao , Su Yi‐Ju
Published: June 2014

Juvenile crime affects not only the victims of the crime but also the delinquents’ future. How to prevent adolescent criminal behavior has become an important public policy issue. This study contributes to this interesting issue by examining the relationship between tattooing and adolescents’ criminal behavior. In particular, this study investigates whether or not having a tattoo/tattoos is connected to the incidence of various criminal activities, including: larceny, robbery, fraud, assault, drug use, and homicide. A unique sample of 973 juvenile detainees drawn from the administrative profiles in Taiwan and the coarsened exact matching method were utilized. Results show that compared to their nontattooed counterparts, tattooed juvenile detainees were significantly more likely to commit fraud, assault, drug abuse, and homicide by 3%, 13%, 9%, and 9%, respectively. In contrast, tattooing was not significantly associated with larceny or robbery. From a policy perspective, given the significant link between tattooing and criminal behavior, the presence of a tattoo in adolescents may serve as a valuable indicator regarding adolescents’ high probability of committing crimes.
Exploring effects of a natural combination medicine on exercise‐induced inflammatory immune response: A double‐blind RCT
Authors: Pilat C. , Frech T. , Wagner A. , Krüger K. , Hillebrecht A. , Pons‐Kühnemann J. , Scheibelhut C. , Bödeker R.‐H. , Mooren F.‐C.
Published: June 2014

Traumeel (Tr14) is a natural, combination drug, which has been shown to modulate inflammation at the cytokine level. This study aimed to investigate potential effects of Tr14 on the exercise‐induced immune response. In a double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial, healthy, untrained male subjects received either Tr14 (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 24 h after a strenuous experimental exercise trial on a bicycle (60 min at 80%VO2max). A range of antigen‐stimulated cytokines (in vitro), white blood cell count, lymphocyte activation and apoptosis markers, and indicators of muscle damage were assessed up to 24 h following exercise. The area under the curve with respect to the increase (AUCI) was compared between both groups. The Tr14 group showed a reduced exercise‐induced leukocytosis and neutrocytosis (P < 0.01 for both), a higher AUCI score of antigen‐stimulated IL‐1β and IL‐1α (absolute and per monocyte, all P < 0.05), a lower AUCI score of antigen‐stimulated GM‐CSF (P < 0.05) and by trend a lower AUCI score of antigen‐stimulated IL‐2 and IL‐4 as well as a higher AUCI score of antigen‐stimulated IL‐6 (all P < 0.1). Tr14 might promote differentiated effects on the exercise‐induced immune response by (a) decreasing the inflammatory response of the innate immune system; and (b) augmenting the pro‐inflammatory cytokine response.
Using playing cards to differentiate probability interpretations
Authors: López Puga Jorge
Published: June 2014

The aprioristic (classical, naïve and symmetric) and frequentist interpretations of probability are commonly known. Bayesian or subjective interpretation of probability is receiving increasing attention. This paper describes an activity to help students differentiate between the three types of probability interpretations.
Trichoderma species fungemia after high‐dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation: a case report
Authors: Festuccia M. , Giaccone L. , Gay F. , Brunello L. , Maffini E. , Ferrando F. , Talamo E. , Boccadoro M. , Serra R. , Barbui A. , Bruno B.
Published: June 2014

We present a case of Trichoderma fungemia with pulmonary involvement in a multiple myeloma patient, who was severely immunocompromised and heavily treated with high‐dose melphalan, and underwent autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of proven Trichoderma fungemia, defined by published criteria, successfully treated with voriconazole.
Screening of blood donors for chronic Coxiella burnetii infection after large Q fever outbreaks
Authors: Slot Ed , Hogema Boris M. , Molier Michel , Zaaijer Hans L.
Published: June 2014

Background

The Netherlands experienced major Q fever outbreaks from 2007 through 2009. An increasing number of human chronic Q fever cases has been reported in the affected area. Blood donors unaware of chronic Coxiella burnetii infection might be infectious for transfusion recipients. Local blood donations were screened for serologic signs of chronic Coxiella infection.

Study Design and Methods

From August 2012 through January 2013, a total of 2490 serum samples were collected from all consenting blood donors in the most affected Q fever outbreak area and screened for Phase II anti‐Coxiella immunoglobulin G antibodies using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (Phase II antibodies are considered indicative for resolved or ongoing Coxiella infection.) Reactive samples were confirmed by quantitative immunofluorescent Phase I and II antibody testing. A Phase I antibody titer of at least 1024 was considered indicative for chronic Coxiella infection. For 179 donors archived samples from 2009 and 2010 were available to study the long‐term course of Coxiella antibodies.

Results

A total of 110 of 2490 donors were confirmed positive for Phase II Coxiella antibodies (4.4%; 95% confidence interval, 3.7%‐5.3%), of which 79 were reactive for Phase I antibodies, with a maximum titer of 256. In 15 of 24 donors (62.5%), testing positive for Phase II antibodies in 2009 and 2010, ELISA reactivity had declined to negativity in 2012 and 2013.

Conclusion

After large Q fever outbreaks in the Netherlands, no sign of potentially infectious chronic Coxiella infection was found among blood donors in the most affected area. Using an ELISA for detection, Coxiella antibodies in previously exposed donors waned quickly.
Scaling analysis and mathematical theory of the interfacial stress rheometer
Authors: Fitzgibbon Sean , Shaqfeh Eric S. G. , Fuller Gerald G. , Walker Travis W.
Published: June 2014

The interfacial stress rheometer (ISR), uses the oscillations of a magnetic needle suspended on an interface to characterize the dynamic moduli of thin films. Mathematical theories to interpret the device have developed slowly because of the strong coupling between the stresses in the surface and the bulk subphase. In this work, we simplify the equations of motion by introducing new length scales and reinterpreting the dimensionless numbers. Several Green's functions are developed for typical ISR geometries, leading to a set of boundary element methods for the full numerical solution of the equations of motion. Using Taylor series, a multipole expansion is extracted from the boundary integral equations, and we show that both numerical methods converge in under five elements. Analytical theories are developed for the cases of small and large interfacial stress, proving that the finite size of the needle has an O(1) effect and reinforcing the physics behind the length scales and dimensionless groupings. We directly compare our numerical and analytical solutions to published interfacial velocity data, showing good agreement, and discuss the implications of our results.
Observation of many-body dynamics in long-range tunneling after a quantum quench
Authors: Meinert Florian , Mark Manfred J. , Kirilov Emil , Lauber Katharina , Weinmann Philipp , Gröbner Michael , Daley Andrew J. , Nägerl Hanns-Christoph
Published: June 2014

Tilting just right makes atoms tunnel

One of the most fascinating phenomena in the quantum world is the ability of particles to go through an energy barrier — a process called quantum tunneling. Meinert
et al.
studied the dynamics of quantum tunneling in an optical lattice of strongly interacting atoms. When the lattice was suddenly tilted, the atoms, originally each in their own lattice site, tunneled to non-neighboring sites.

Science, this issue p.
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