bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is mesophyll conductance to CO2 in leaves of three Eucalyptus species sensitive to short-term changes of irradiance under ambient as well as low O2?
Authors: Douthe Cyril , Dreyer Erwin , Brendel Oliver , Warren Charles R.
Published: May 2012

Mesophyll conductance to CO2 (g m) limits the diffusion of CO2 to the sites of carboxylation, and may respond rapidly (within minutes) to abiotic factors. Using three Eucalyptus species, we tested the rapid response of g m to irradiance under 21% and 1% O2. We used simultaneous measurements of leaf gas exchange and discrimination against 13CO2 with a tuneable diode laser absorption spectrometer. Measurements under 1% O2 were used to limit uncertainties due to 13C–12C fractionation occurring during photorespiration. Switching irradiance from 600 to 200 µmol m–2 s–1 led to a ≈60% decrease of g m within minutes in all species under both 21% O2 and 1% O2. The g m response to irradiance is unlikely to be a computation artefact since using different values for the parameters of the discrimination model changed the absolute values of g m but did not affect the relative response to irradiance. Simulations showed that possible rapid changes of any parameter were unable to explain the observed variations of g m with irradiance, except for13C–12C fractionation during carboxylation (b), which, in turn, is dependent on the fraction of leaf C assimilated by phospho-enol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPc) (β). g m apparently increased by ≈30% when O2 was switched from 21% to 1% O2. Again, possible changes of β with O2 could explain this apparent g m response to O2. Nevertheless, large irradiance or O2-induced changes in β would be required to fully explain the observed changes in g m, reinforcing the hypothesis that g m is responsive to irradiance and possibly also to O2.
Water loss from leaf mesophyll stripped of the epidermis
Authors: Canny Martin
Published: May 2012

Water vapour flux (rate of water loss) from the mesophyll of isolated Agapanthus praecox Willd. leaf pieces without an epidermis was investigated by loss of mass into unstirred air at relative humidities (RHs) of 0.993–0.850, compared with the rate from a water atmometer (rate of evaporation). The point at which relative evaporation (RE, the rate of water loss divided by the rate of evaporation) reaches <1 inadequately identifies the onset of mesophyll regulation because values >1 were found. For RHs of 0.993–0.967, RE varied in daily cycles from 0.6 to ~3, with a period of ~24 h, maxima at mid-afternoon, minima at or near dawn. For RH < 0.950, the cycles were suppressed. An initial rate of RE ≈1.2, RE declined towards zero. In leaf pieces supplied with water via vascular strands (rate of transpiration), the daily cycle persisted down to RH 0.850, where maximal RE ≈ 2. Transpiration from one surface of field leaves gave the rate of transpiration in the same range. These data require the maximum RE for each vapour pressure deficit as the value identifying the onset of mesophyll regulation (possibly by aquaporins), which produces cyclic changes in the rates of water loss and transpiration. At RH < 0.95, the decline of RE below 1 is probably regulated by cell wall water status. Possible functions of the two types of regulation are discussed.
Mice take calculated risks
Authors: Kheifets Aaron , Gallistel C. R.
Published: May 2012

Animals successfully navigate the world despite having only incomplete information about behaviorally important contingencies. It is an open question to what degree this behavior is driven by estimates of stochastic parameters (brain-constructed models of the experienced world) and to what degree it is directed by reinforcement-driven processes that optimize behavior in the limit without estimating stochastic parameters (model-free adaptation processes, such as associative learning). We find that mice adjust their behavior in response to a change in probability more quickly and abruptly than can be explained by differential reinforcement. Our results imply that mice represent probabilities and perform calculations over them to optimize their behavior, even when the optimization produces negligible material gain.
Legal norms as objects of (non-)commitment
Authors: Deschamps Karen
Published: May 2012

In linguistics, the notion of commitment is associated with a range of other notions, such as belief (Dendale & Coltier 2005: 127), will (Palmer 1998: 102) and responsibility (Nølke et al. 2004: 44). Belief and will are examples of psychological states the speaker has towards a certain proposition – they are also known as propositional attitudes – while responsibility has to do with the speaker being the source of a certain proposition. The aim of this article is to examine the relation between these different notions. I will do this by analysing the use of deontic sentences in different types of legal and administrative texts in Dutch.

The article is organised as follows. In section 1, I will provide some background on deontic sentences (§1.1), on legal and administrative discourse (§1.2) and on the notion of commitment (§1.3). In section 2, the notion of commitment will be applied to deontic sentences, both in terms of responsibility (§2.1) and propositional attitudes (§2.2).
A question of commitment
Authors: Gunlogson Christine
Published: May 2012

This paper addresses certain restrictions on the use of declaratives as questions in English. Declaratives are taken to express commitment by the speaker, even in a questioning use. The analysis traces the restrictions to two distinct contextual factors: (i) a general principle requiring that a commitment have a recognized source, i.e., a discourse agent who plausibly has independent evidence supporting the content committed to; (ii) specific to a questioning interpretation, the need for the context to support the inference that the speaker’s commitment depends upon the addressee’s anticipated confirmation. Rising intonation contributes a very general element of meaning, indicating that the utterance it marks is contingent upon some discourse condition obtaining; the specific conditions required for a questioning interpretation instantiate one such type of contingency. The proposals are modeled via elaboration of standard contextual structures in a possible-worlds framework.
Commitment: A parameter for the contrastive analysis of be going to and aller + inf.
Authors: Lansari Laure
Published: May 2012

This paper aims at reexamining the notion of commitment through a case study: the comparison of the periphrases be going to and aller + inf. in contemporary English and French in a variety of texts and syntactic environments. Three cases are examined: the occurrence of the two periphrases in conditional si / if-clauses, their use in narratives and their predictive use in news texts. This study is based on authentic translated data drawn from literary and journalistic texts and relies on an enunciative definition of commitment: commitment is defined as a ‘direct mode of enunciation’ where the speaker is the subjective origin validating or contemplating the future validation of the propositional content. The three cases under scrutiny show that be going to and aller + inf. are not strictly equivalent and I argue that the absence of equivalence can be linked to the fact that they behave differently as far as commitment is concerned.
Basic valency orientation and the middle voice in Hittite
Authors: Luraghi Silvia
Published: May 2012

This paper discusses basic valency orientation in Hittite, based on the typology proposed in Nichols et al. (2004). Verb pairs usually employed to test basic valency indicate the clearly transitivizing character of this language; a closer scrutiny of intransitive verbs further reveals the existence of a three-fold distinction featuring two intransitive verbs, a basic stative one (or an adjective), and an overtly marked intransitive change-of-state, in addition to a transitive counterpart overtly marked as causative. The high productivity of causative derivation is shown by the fact that morphologically marked causatives are not only derived from stative verbs, but also from telic intransitives and from transitive verbs. In the case of telic intransitive verbs, a minor pattern is also attested, whereby valency alternation is encoded through voice alternation, with intransitive forms inflected in the middle voice and transitive forms in the active. Since neither voice can be considered to be derived with respect to the other, verbs that display this behavior are indeterminate as to basic valency orientation. In spite of the limited extent to which voice indicates valency alternation, this finding becomes more significant when set into the framework of valency alternation in the early Indo-European languages, and sheds some light (or raises more questions) on the original function of the Hittite and of the Indo-European middle voice, a typologically puzzling category.
Shaping international justice
Authors: Elias-Bursac Ellen
Published: May 2012

The work of the ICTY courtroom is an ongoing exercise in translation and interpreting. At times discussions of issues related to translation and interpreting are so germane to a trial that they merit inclusion in the trial judgment. Furthermore, translation affords a variety of translation-specific opportunities for courtroom strategies for both the defense and the prosecution. An example of this is a series of courtroom discussions with witnesses and forensic experts on how to translate and interpret the word “asanacija” in several of the Srebrenica trials which reached trial and appeal judgments. The article describes the process by which the Tribunal language services arrived at their translation of this term and their recommendations for interpreters and the impact of the discussions on translation and interpreting for the outcome of these trials. Hence, translation and the forces it sets in motion often influence jurisprudence and shape international justice.
Temporal and Spatial Genetic Consistency of Walleye Spawning Groups
Authors: Stepien Carol A. , Banda Jo Ann , Murphy Douglas M. , Haponski Amanda E.
Published: May 2012

Population genetic compositions of the three largest spawning groups of Lake Erie walleyes Sander vitreus (Maumee River, Sandusky River, and Van Buren Bay reefs) were tested for temporal and spatial consistency across 14 years using nine nuclear DNA microsatellite loci from 726 adult walleyes collected in 1995, 1998, 2003, 2007, and 2008. Previous genetic work focused on a one‐time “snapshot”; an earlier study by our laboratory found genetic connectivity among the three spawning groups in 2003, whereas most other spawning runs across Lake Erie were genetically distinct. Present results show overall year‐to‐year genetic consistency of walleye spawning groups; no significant differences were found among collection dates within an annual run, between sexes, or among age‐cohorts. Overall, walleyes spawning at the Van Buren Bay reefs were genetically divergent from those spawning in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers, reflecting geographic distance; the latter two groups were genetically closer, with slight differences that suggested more recent divergence, higher gene flow, or both. Individual year comparisons among the three sites showed some stochasticity, and the spawning groups appeared to be more similar in some years than in others. The Van Buren Bay spawning group in 1995 was the most divergent sample and had the greatest genetic self‐assignment (100%); this may reflect some changes over time. Results demonstrate the importance of sampling over several years of spawning runs to understand overall patterns of walleye genetic stock structure, which show remarkable genetic consistency across an open‐lake system.
Reflective listening and open‐ended questions in counselling: Preferences moderated by social skills and cognitive ability
Authors: Rautalinko Erik
Published: May 2012

Aims: We examined how nondirective counselling skills affect the evaluation of counsellors and the observed working alliance, and how evaluators' social skills and cognitive ability moderate evaluations. Method: In a first analogue experiment, counselling transcripts containing more or less restatements, reflections and open‐ended questions were audio‐taped and rated by evaluators (n=52) who self‐reported social skills. In a second experiment, a different sample of evaluators (n=63) rated transcripts and self‐reported social skills and were tested on cognitive ability. Results: Restatements and reflections improved ratings of the counsellors and the observed working alliance, but open‐ended questions did not. Ratings were moderated by evaluators' social skills and cognitive ability. Discussion: The results agree with previous evidence on restating–reflecting and open‐ended questions. That certain evaluators preferred open‐ended questions more than others can be understood as an issue of matching between conceptual level, social skills, and counselling structure.
Cyclic operad formality for compactified moduli spaces of genus zero surfaces
Authors: Giansiracusa Jeffrey , Salvatore Paolo
Published: May 2012

The framed little 2-discs operad is homotopy equivalent to the Kimura-Stasheff-Voronov cyclic operad of moduli spaces of genus zero stable curves with tangent rays at the marked points and nodes. We show that this cyclic operad is formal, meaning that its chains and its homology (the Batalin-Vilkovisky operad) are quasi-isomorphic cyclic operads. To prove this we introduce a new complex of graphs in which the differential is a combination of edge deletion and contraction, and we show that this complex resolves BV as a cyclic operad.
Numbl inhibits glioma cell migration and invasion by suppressing TRAF5-mediated NF-κB activation
Authors: Tao Tao , Cheng Chun , Ji Yuhong , Xu Guangfei , Zhang Jianguo , Zhang Li , Shen Aiguo
Published: May 2012

The Notch signaling regulator Numblike (Numbl) is expressed in the brain, but little is known regarding its role in the pathophysiology of glial cells. In this paper, we report that Numbl expression was down-regulated in high-grade human glioma tissue samples and glioblastoma cell lines. To investigate the role of Numbl in glioma migration and invasion, we generated human glioma cell lines in which Numbl was either overexpressed or depleted. Overexpression of Numbl suppressed, while elimination of Numbl promoted, the migration and invasion of glioma cells. Numbl inhibited glioma migration and invasion by dampening NF-κB activity. Furthermore, Numbl interacted directly with tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 5 (TRAF5), which signals upstream and is required for the activation of NF-κB, and committed it to proteasomal degradation by promoting K48-linked polyubiquitination of TRAF5. In conclusion, our data suggest that Numbl negative regulates glioma cell migration and invasion by abrogating TRAF5-induced activation of NF-κB.
Rab GTPase regulation of retromer-mediated cargo export during endosome maturation
Authors: Liu Ting-Ting , Gomez Timothy S. , Sackey Bridget K. , Billadeau Daniel D. , Burd Christopher G.
Published: May 2012

The retromer complex, composed of sorting nexin subunits and a Vps26/Vps29/Vps35 trimer, mediates sorting of retrograde cargo from the endosome to the trans-Golgi network. The retromer trimer subcomplex is an effector of Rab7 (Ypt7 in yeast). Whereas endosome targeting of human retromer has been shown to require Rab7-GTP, targeting of yeast retromer to the endosome is independent of Ypt7-GTP and requires the Vps5 and Vps17 retromer sorting nexin subunits. An evolutionarily conserved amino acid segment within Vps35 is required for Ypt7/Rab7 recognition in vivo by both yeast and human retromer, establishing that Rab recognition is a conserved feature of this subunit. Recognition of Ypt7 by retromer is required for its function in retrograde sorting, and in yeast cells lacking the guanine nucleotide exchange factor for Ypt7, retrograde cargo accumulates in endosomes that are decorated with retromer, revealing an additional role for Rab recognition at the cargo export stage of the retromer functional cycle. In addition, yeast retromer trimer antagonizes Ypt7-regulated organelle tethering and fusion of endosomes/vacuoles via recognition of Ypt7. Thus retromer has dual roles in retrograde cargo export and in controlling the fusion dynamics of the late endovacuolar system.
MotifSuite: workflow for probabilistic motif detection and assessment
Authors: Claeys Marleen , Storms Valerie , Sun Hong , Michoel Tom , Marchal Kathleen
Published: May 2012

Motivation: Probabilistic motif detection requires a multi-step approach going from the actual de novo regulatory motif finding up to a tedious assessment of the predicted motifs. MotifSuite, a user-friendly web interface streamlines this analysis flow. Its core consists of two post-processing procedures that allow prioritizing the motif detection output. The tools offered by MotifSuite are built around the well-established motif detection tool MotifSampler and can also be used in combination with any other probabilistic motif detection tool. Elaborate guidelines on each of its applications have been provided.

Availability:  http://homes.esat.kuleuven.be/bioi_marchal/MotifSuite/Index.htm

Contact:  kamar@psb.ugent.be
OSA: a fast and accurate alignment tool for RNA-Seq
Authors: Hu Jun , Ge Huanying , Newman Matt , Liu Kejun
Published: May 2012

Summary: Accurately mapping RNA-Seq reads to the reference genome is a critical step for performing downstream analysis such as transcript assembly, isoform detection and quantification. Many tools have been developed; however, given the huge size of the next generation sequencing datasets and the complexity of the transcriptome, RNA-Seq read mapping remains a challenge with the ever-increasing amount of data. We develop Omicsoft sequence aligner (OSA), a fast and accurate alignment tool for RNA-Seq data. Benchmarked with existing methods, OSA improves mapping speed 4–10-fold with better sensitivity and less false positives.

Availability: OSA can be downloaded from http://omicsoft.com/osa. It is free to academic users. OSA has been tested extensively on Linux, Mac OS X and Windows platforms.

Contact:  john.hu@omicsoft.com; jhu7@ncsu.edu; jack.liu@omicsoft.com

Supplementary information:  Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Drosophilaas a model system to unravel the layers of innate immunity to infection
Authors: Kounatidis Ilias , Ligoxygakis Petros
Published: May 2012

Innate immunity relies entirely upon germ-line encoded receptors, signalling components and effector molecules for the recognition and elimination of invading pathogens. The fruit flyDrosophila melanogasterwith its powerful collection of genetic and genomic tools has been the model of choice to develop ideas about innate immunity and host–pathogen interactions. Here, we review current research in the field, encompassing all layers of defence from the role of the microbiota to systemic immune activation, and attempt to speculate on future directions and open questions.
Structures of pseudo-decagonal approximants in Al−Co−Ni
Authors: Hovmöller Sven , Hovmöller Zou Linus , Zou Xiaodong , Grushko Benjamin
Published: May 2012

Quasi-crystals shocked the crystallographic world when they were reported in 1984. We now know that they are not a rare exception, and can be found in many alloy systems. One of the richer systems for quasi-crystals and their approximants is Al−Co−Ni. A large series of pseudo-decagonal (PD) approximants have been found. Only two of them, PD4 and PD8, have been solved by X-ray crystallography. We report here the structures of PD1, PD2, PD3 and PD5, solved from the limited information that is provided by electron diffraction patterns, unit cell dimensions and high-resolution electron microscopy images.
Association ofAcinetobacter baumanniiEF-Tu with Cell Surface, Outer Membrane Vesicles, and Fibronectin
Authors: Dallo Shatha F. , Zhang Bailin , Denno James , Hong Soonbae , Tsai Anyu , Haskins Williams , Ye Jing Yong , Weitao Tao
Published: May 2012

A conundrum has long lingered over association of cytosol elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) with bacterial surface. Here we investigated it withAcinetobacter baumannii, an emerging opportunistic pathogen associated with a wide spectrum of infectious diseases. The gene forA. baumanniiEF-Tu was sequenced, and recombinant EF-Tu was purified for antibody development. EF-Tu on the bacterial surface and the outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) was revealed by immune electron microscopy, and its presence in the outer membrane (OM) and the OMV subproteomes was verified by Western blotting with the EF-Tu antibodies and confirmed by proteomic analyses. EF-Tu in the OM and the OMV subproteomes bound to fibronectin as detected by Western blot and confirmed by a label-free real-time optical sensor. The sensor that originates from photonic crystal structure in a total-Internal-reflection (PC-TIR) configuration was functionalized with fibronectin for characterizing EF-Tu binding. Altogether, with a novel combination of immunological, proteomical, and biophysical assays, these results suggest association ofA. baumanniiEF-Tu with the bacterial cell surface, OMVs, and fibronectin.
Genetic Diversity and Population Differentiation of the Causal Agent of Citrus Black Spot in Brazil
Authors: Wickert Ester , de Goes Antonio , de Souza Andressa , Lemos Eliana Gertrudes de Macedo
Published: May 2012

One of the most important diseases that affect sweet orange orchards in Brazil is the Citrus Black Spot that is caused by the fungusGuignardia citricarpa. This disease causes irreparable losses due to the premature falling of fruit, as well as its severe effects on the epidermis of ripe fruit that renders them unacceptable at the fresh fruit markets. Despite the fact that the fungus and the disease are well studied, little is known about the genetic diversity and the structure of the fungi populations in Brazilian orchards. The objective of this work was study the genetic diversity and population differentiation ofG. citricarpaassociated with four sweet orange varieties in two geographic locations using DNA sequence of ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region from fungi isolates. We observed that different populations are closely related and present little genetic structure according to varieties and geographic places with the highest genetic diversity distributed among isolates of the same populations. The same haplotypes were sampled in different populations from the same and different orange varieties and from similar and different origins. If new and pathogenic fungi would become resistant to fungicides, the observed genetic structure could rapidly spread this new form from one population to others.
Qualitative Evaluation of Project P.A.T.H.S.: An Integration of Findings Based on Program Participants
Authors: Shek Daniel T. L. , Sun Rachel C. F.
Published: May 2012

An integration of the qualitative evaluation findings collected in different cohorts of students who participated in Project P.A.T.H.S. (Positive Adolescent Training through Holistic Social Programmes) (n=252students in 29 focus groups) was carried out. With specific focus on how the informants described the program, results showed that the descriptions were mainly positive in nature, suggesting that the program was well received by the program participants. When the informants were invited to name three metaphors that could stand for the program, positive metaphors were commonly used. Beneficial effects of the program in different psychosocial domains were also voiced by the program participants. The qualitative findings integrated in this paper provide further support for the effectiveness of the Tier 1 Program of Project P.A.T.H.S. in promoting holistic development in Chinese adolescents in Hong Kong.
Voronoi–Dirichlet tesselation as a tool for investigation of polymorphism in molecular crystals with C
w
H
x
N
y
Oz composition and photochromic properties
Authors: Serezhkin Viktor N. , Serezhkina Larisa B. , Vologzhanina Anna V.
Published: May 2012

The non-bonded interactions in five sets of polymorph substances with photochromic properties have been investigated within the Voronoi–Dirichlet approach. Twenty compounds with the general formula C
w
H
x
N
y
O
z
were analyzed. Among ten possible types of non-bonded interactions at least five types are observed in the crystal structures of compounds under discussion. For all the structures the majority of interactions involve H atoms, namely London forces (H...H and H...C) and hydrogen bonds (H...O and H...N). A conformational polymorph was stated to be characterized by a unique set of inter- and intramolecular non-bonded interactions. It was quantitatively demonstrated that molecules in the same conformation can pack in a different way, and, vice versa, the change in conformation of a molecule does not prevent a substance from realising the same set of intermolecular contacts. In accordance with the data obtained for 2,4-dinitrobenzylpyridine derivatives, only conformational polymorphs with an intramolecular N...N interaction between a nitro group and a pyridine are photochromic.
Effect of pressure on crystalline L- and DL-serine: revisited by a combined single-crystal X-ray diffraction at a laboratory source and polarized Raman spectroscopy study
Authors: Zakharov Boris A. , Kolesov Boris A. , Boldyreva Elena V.
Published: May 2012

Information on the effect of pressure on hydrogen bonds, which could be derived from single-crystal X-ray diffraction at a laboratory source and polarized Raman spectroscopy, has been compared. L-Serine and DL-serine were selected for this case study. The role of hydrogen bonds in pressure-induced phase transitions in the first system and in the structural stability of the second one are discussed. Non-monotonic distortion of selected hydrogen bonds in the pressure range below ∼ 1–2 GPa, a change in the compression mechanism at ∼ 2–3 GPa, and the evidence of formation of bifurcated N—H...O hydrogen bonds in DL-serine at ∼ 3–4 GPa are considered.
Miocene sedimentation, volcanism and deformation in the Eastern Cordillera (24°30′ S, NW Argentina): tracking the evolution of the foreland basin of the Central Andes
Authors: Vezzoli Luigina , Acocella Valerio , Omarini Ricardo , Mazzuoli Roberto
Published: May 2012

Understanding the relationships between sedimentation, tectonics and magmatism is crucial to defining the evolution of orogens and convergent plate boundaries. Here, we consider the lithostratigraphy, clastic provenance, syndepositional deformation and volcanism of the Almagro‐El Toro basin of NW Argentina (24°30′ S, 65°50′ W), which experienced eruptive and depositional episodes between 14.3 and 6.4 Ma. Our aims were to elucidate the spatial and temporal record of the onset and style of the shortening and exhumation of the Eastern Cordillera in the frame of the Miocene evolution of the Central Andes foreland basin. The volcano‐sedimentary sequence of the Almagro‐El Toro basin consists of lower red floodplain sandstones and siltstones, medial non‐volcanogenic conglomerates with localised volcanic centres and upper volcanogenic coarse conglomerates and breccia. Coarse, gravity flow‐dominated (debris‐flow and sheet‐flow) alluvial fan systems developed proximal to the source area in the upper and medial sequence. Growing frontal and intrabasinal structures suggest that the Almagro‐El Toro portion of the foreland basin accumulated on top of the eastward‐propagating active thrust front of the Eastern Cordillera. Synorogenic deposits indicate that the shortening of the foreland deposits was occurring by 11.1 Ma, but conglomerates derived from the erosion of western sources suggest that the uplift and erosion of this portion of the Eastern Cordillera has occurred since ca.12.5 Ma. An unroofing reconstruction suggests that 6.5 km of rocks were exhumed. A tectono‐sedimentary model of an episodically evolving thick‐skinned foreland basin is proposed. In this frame, the NW‐trending, transtensive Calama–Olacapato–El Toro (COT) structures interacted with the orogen, influencing the deposition and deformation of synorogenic conglomerates, the location of volcanic centres and the differential tilt and exhumation of the foreland.
Late Cenozoic tectono‐stratigraphic sequences of theCrotoneBasin: insights on the geodynamic history of theCalabrian arc andTyrrhenian Sea
Authors: Massari F. , Prosser G.
Published: May 2012

TheCrotoneBasin was generated in the lateCenozoic as a forearc basin of theIonian arc‐trench system. New data are gained through detailed field mapping, high‐resolution stratigraphic analysis of a key area and examination of offshore well data and seismic reflection profiles. Major unconformities divide the basin fill into major sequences, which reveal a three‐stage internal organization thought to reflect geodynamic events of theCalabrian arc and backarc area closely. Thefirst stageis characterized by extensional block faulting and uplift followed by rapid drowning during high subsidence and transtension in the basin along a major NNW‐ to NW‐striking fault system. This stage is interpreted to reflect resumption of rollback after an episode of slab tearing triggered by transitory docking of continental lithosphere in the trench. The initial uplift is inferred to reflect decoupling and rebound after the transitory coupling phase. Thesecond stageis characterized by increased subsidence and continued extension/transtension. This trend presumably reflects a decreasing rate of rollback resulting from a tendency towards viscous coupling after acceleration of slab downwelling. Thethird stageis characterized by short‐lived transpression along major shear zones and local inversion of former basins. This is inferred to reflect entrance into the trench of buoyant continental lithosphere, resulting in significant deceleration of slab rollback and consequently a break in, or slowing of, backarc extension, and predominance of the effects of compression related toAfrica–Europe convergence. Overall, the above evolution resulted in the formation of a progressively narrower and rapidly retreating slab, inducing extreme rates of backarc extension, and may have played a critical role in determining the intermittent nature of the backarc rifting.
Carbon outcomes of major land‐cover transitions in SE Asia: great uncertainties and REDD+ policy implications
Authors: Ziegler Alan D. , Phelps Jacob , Yuen Jia QI , Webb Edward L. , Lawrence Deborah , Fox Jeff M. , Bruun Thilde B. , Leisz Stephen J. , Ryan Casey M. , Dressler Wolfram , Mertz Ole , Pascual Unai , Padoch Christine , Koh Lian Pin
Published: May 2012

Policy makers across the tropics propose that carbon finance could provide incentives for forest frontier communities to transition away from swidden agriculture (slash‐and‐burn or shifting cultivation) to other systems that potentially reduce emissions and/or increase carbon sequestration. However, there is little certainty regarding the carbon outcomes of many key land‐use transitions at the center of current policy debates. Our meta‐analysis of over 250 studies reporting above‐ and below‐ground carbon estimates for different land‐use types indicates great uncertainty in the net total ecosystem carbon changes that can be expected from many transitions, including the replacement of various types of swidden agriculture with oil palm, rubber, or some other types of agroforestry systems. These transitions are underway throughout Southeast Asia, and are at the heart of REDD+ debates. Exceptions of unambiguous carbon outcomes are the abandonment of any type of agriculture to allow forest regeneration (a certain positive carbon outcome) and expansion of agriculture into mature forest (a certain negative carbon outcome). With respect to swiddening, our meta‐analysis supports a reassessment of policies that encourage land‐cover conversion away from these [especially long‐fallow] systems to other more cash‐crop‐oriented systems producing ambiguous carbon stock changes – including oil palm and rubber. In some instances, lengthening fallow periods of an existing swidden system may produce substantial carbon benefits, as would conversion from intensely cultivated lands to high‐biomass plantations and some other types of agroforestry. More field studies are needed to provide better data of above‐ and below‐ground carbon stocks before informed recommendations or policy decisions can be made regarding which land‐use regimes optimize or increase carbon sequestration. As some transitions may negatively impact other ecosystem services, food security, and local livelihoods, the entire carbon and noncarbon benefit stream should also be taken into account before prescribing transitions with ambiguous carbon benefits.
Maintaining the ‘good maternal body’: expressing milk as a way of negotiating the demands and dilemmas of early infant feeding
Authors: Johnson Sally , Leeming Dawn , Williamson Iain , Lyttle Steven
Published: May 2012

johnson s., leeming d., williamson i. & lyttle s. (2013) Maintaining the ‘good maternal body’: expressing milk as a way of negotiating the demands and dilemmas of early infant feeding. Journal of Advanced Nursing69(3), 590–599. doi: 10.1111/j.1365‐2648.2012.06035.x

Aim.  To report a descriptive study of early infant feeding experiences focusing on accounts of women who expressed milk extensively in the first few weeks postpartum.

Background.  Relatively little is known about the reasons for expressing milk following healthy term births. Evidence indicates it is an increasingly common practice during early infant feeding in Westernized countries. A more comprehensive understanding of this practice will help midwives and nurses assist mothers negotiate early feeding challenges.

Design.  Qualitative data were collected in two phases in the first few weeks postpartum.

Method.  Audio‐diary and semi‐structured interview data from seven British women who extensively expressed milk in the first month postpartum were analysed. These data were drawn from a larger qualitative longitudinal study which took place in 2006–2007. Themes, discursive constructions and discourses are identified through the use of a feminist informed analysis.

Findings.  The practice of expressing was employed as a solution to managing the competing demands and dilemmas of early breastfeeding and ensuring the continued provision of breast milk, thereby deflecting potential accusations of poor mothering. In addition, the practice may afford a degree of freedom to new mothers.

Conclusions.  The need to maintain the ‘good maternal body’ can account for the motivation to express milk, although there may be reasons to be cautious about promoting expression as a solution to breastfeeding difficulties. Education for health professionals, which emphasizes the complexities and contradictions of mothering and which challenges prescriptive notions of ‘good mothering’ could better support new mothers in their feeding ‘choices’.
Literature search strategies for conducting knowledge‐building and theory‐generating qualitative systematic reviews
Authors: Finfgeld‐Connett Deborah , Johnson E. Diane
Published: May 2012

Aim.  To report literature search strategies for the purpose of conducting knowledge‐building and theory‐generating qualitative systematic reviews.

Background.  Qualitative systematic reviews lie on a continuum from knowledge‐building and theory‐generating to aggregating and summarizing. Different types of literature searches are needed to optimally support these dissimilar reviews.

Data sources.  Articles published between 1989–Autumn 2011. These documents were identified using a hermeneutic approach and multiple literature search strategies.

Discussion.  Redundancy is not the sole measure of validity when conducting knowledge‐building and theory‐generating systematic reviews. When conducting these types of reviews, literature searches should be consistent with the goal of fully explicating concepts and the interrelationships among them. To accomplish this objective, a ‘berry picking’ approach is recommended along with strategies for overcoming barriers to finding qualitative research reports.

Implications.  To enhance integrity of knowledge‐building and theory‐generating systematic reviews, reviewers are urged to make literature search processes as transparent as possible, despite their complexity. This includes fully explaining and rationalizing what databases were used and how they were searched. It also means describing how literature tracking was conducted and grey literature was searched. In the end, the decision to cease searching also needs to be fully explained and rationalized.

Conclusion.  Predetermined linear search strategies are unlikely to generate search results that are adequate for purposes of conducting knowledge‐building and theory‐generating qualitative systematic reviews. Instead, it is recommended that iterative search strategies take shape as reviews evolve.
Sedative effects of dexmedetomidine, dexmedetomidine–pethidine and dexmedetomidine–butorphanol in cats
Authors: NAGORE L. , SOLER C. , GIL L. , SERRA I. , SOLER G. , REDONDO J. I.
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical effects of dexmedetomidine, both alone and combined with pethidine or butorphanol, in cats. A prospective randomized blind study was performed. Thirty cats were randomly assigned to three groups of 10 animals: D: dexmedetomidine (20 μg/kg IM); DP: dexmedetomidine (10 μg/kg IM) and pethidine (2.5 mg/kg IM); DB: dexmedetomidine (10 μg/kg IM) and butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg IM). Quality of sedation, analgesia, muscle relaxation and the possibility of performing some clinical procedures were compared using a multifactorial scale. Sedation, analgesia and muscle relaxation increased progressively over time and did not differ in the three protocols. The three protocols facilitated the completion of several clinical procedures. The clinical variables studied showed a similar behaviour in the three protocols and remained close to the baseline, except for a drop in heart rate in protocol D. In conclusion, dexmedetomidine, either alone or combined with pethidine or butorphanol, offers suitable sedation, analgesia and relaxation to perform various clinical procedures in cats.
The Pseudomonas syringae HrpJ protein controls the secretion of type III translocator proteins and has a virulence role inside plant cells
Authors: Crabill Emerson , Karpisek Andrew , Alfano James R.
Published: May 2012

The bacterial plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae injects effector proteins into plant cells via a type III secretion system (T3SS), which is required for pathogenesis. The protein HrpJ is secreted by P. syringae and is required for a fully functional T3SS. A hrpJ mutant is non‐pathogenic and cannot inject effectors into plant cells or secrete the harpin HrpZ1. Here we show that the hrpJ mutant also cannot secrete the harpins HrpW1 and HopAK1 or the translocator HrpK1, suggesting that these proteins are required in the translocation (injection) of effectors into plant cells. Complementation of the hrpJ mutant with secretion incompetent HrpJ derivatives restores the secretion of HrpZ1 and HrpW1 and the ability to elicit a hypersensitive response, a measure of translocation. However, growth in planta and disease symptom production is only partially restored, suggesting that secreted HrpJ may have a direct role in virulence. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants expressing HrpJ‐HA complemented the virulence phenotype of the hrpJ mutant expressing a secretion incompetent HrpJ derivative and were reduced in their immune responses. Collectively, these data indicate that HrpJ has a dual role in P. syringae: inside bacterial cells HrpJ controls the secretion of translocator proteins and inside plant cells it suppresses plant immunity.
Perspectives – Minimizing Observer Bias in Behavioral Studies: A Review and Recommendations
Authors: Burghardt Gordon M. , Bartmess‐LeVasseur Julia N. , Browning Sheri A. , Morrison Kathleen E. , Stec Courtney L. , Zachau Christopher E. , Freeberg Todd M.
Published: May 2012

Since the 1970s, texts on research methods in animal behavior advocate that researchers minimize potential observer bias in their studies. One way to minimize possible bias is to record or score behavioral data blind to treatment, group, or individual. Another way to reduce bias is for researchers to analyze subsets or entire sets of data independently of one another and to obtain high inter‐observer reliability of behavioral coding. We reviewed several hundred published articles from 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010 in five leading animal behavior journals and found that these two methods for minimizing or eliminating bias were rarely reported (<10% of articles reviewed). In contrast, a journal focusing on human infant behavior research was far more rigorous in incorporating methods to avoid bias (>80% of articles reviewed). The lack of reporting attempts to minimize bias in animal behavior studies suggests that, at best, many researchers view blind analyses of data or inter‐rater reliability as unimportant components of research or, if carried out, unnecessary to report in a manuscript. At worst, the lack of reporting attempts to minimize bias suggests that some published behavioral research may be unreliable. We are aware of constraints imposed by fieldwork and data collecting issues that make blind data comparisons or inter‐rater reliability assessments sometimes difficult or unfeasible. However, given that research ethicists often emphasize the fundamental importance of trust and transparency in science, we urge authors, reviewers, and editors of manuscripts to ensure that at least one of these two methods of reducing and reporting observer bias occurs.
Handstand Scent Marking in the Dwarf Mongoose (Helogale parvula)
Authors: Sharpe Lynda L. , Jooste Matthys M. , Cherry Michael I.
Published: May 2012

Many mammal species adopt marking postures that elevate their scent deposits. The most extreme of these is handstand marking, in which an individual reverses against an upright object, flings its hind legs into the air above its back and balances bipedally on its fore feet. The resulting anogenital deposit is thus raised one full body length above ground level. It has been suggested that this energetically costly form of marking serves to provide conspecifics with information about the marker's body size and hence competitive ability. However, this explanation assumes that the height of an individuals’ deposit does reflect accurately its body size, an assumption that has never been tested in any hand‐standing species. This study investigated the relationship between body size and handstand mark height in a wild population of dwarf mongooses (Helogale parvula) in South Africa. We found that although body size and marking height were correlated positively for female dwarf mongooses, they were not related for males. Male dwarf mongooses (who are subject to intrasexual competition from outside their group) invested more heavily in anogenital range marking, marking at three times the female frequency and placing their deposits significantly higher than females (although they were not dimorphic). Males that were particularly vulnerable to rivals (i.e. those that were small for their age) tended to mark higher than more robust age‐mates, in keeping with the predictions of Adams & Mesterton‐Gibbons’ (1995, J. Theor. Biol.175, 405–421). model of deceptive threat communication. These findings suggest strongly that the height of anogenital scent deposits is of social significance to dwarf mongooses.
Regional variations in prevalence of postpartum depressive symptoms: Population‐based survey
Authors: Mishina Hiroki , Yamamoto Yosuke , Ito Masahiro
Published: May 2012

The purpose of the present study was to verify that there are regional variations in the detection rate of postpartum depressive symptoms in mothers. A population‐based survey of all women who gave birth in Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City during the period 1 December 2008–31 October 2010 was carried out. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was completed by 2567 mothers of infants to measure postpartum depressive symptoms. The detection rate of postpartum depressive symptoms was compared between five localities. A significant difference was found between the lowest detection rate of postpartum depressive symptoms (8.4%) and the highest (18.1%; P < 0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between the proportion of houses in the locality receiving public assistance and the detection rate of postpartum depressive symptoms. The detection rate of postpartum depressive symptoms shows regional variations, suggesting a relationship with the poverty rate.
Insights into the complex influence of 5‐HT signaling on thalamocortical axonal system development
Authors: van Kleef Esmee S. B. , Gaspar Patricia , Bonnin Alexandre
Published: May 2012

The topographic organization of the thalamocortical axons (TCAs) in the barrel field (BF) in the rodent primary somatosensory cortex results from a succession of temporally and spatially precise developmental events. Prenatally, growth and guidance mechanisms enable TCAs to navigate through the forebrain and reach the cortex. Postnatally, TCAs grow into the cortex, and the refinement of their terminal arborization pattern in layer IV creates barrel‐like structures. The combined results of studies performed over the past 20 years clearly show that serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine; 5‐HT) signaling modulates these pre‐ and early postnatal developmental processes. In this context, 5‐HT signaling can purposely be described as ‘modulating’ rather than ‘controlling’ because developmental alterations of 5‐HT synthesis, uptake or degradation either have a dramatic, moderate or no effect at all on TCA pathway and BF formation. In this review we summarize and compare the outcomes of diverse pharmacological and genetic manipulations of 5‐HT signaling on TCA pathway and BF formation, in an attempt to understand these discrepancies.
Cryptic diversity in disjunct populations of Middle American Montane Pitvipers: a systematic reassessment of Cerrophidion godmani
Authors: Jadin Robert C. , Townsend Josiah H. , Castoe Todd A. , Campbell Jonathan A.
Published: May 2012

Jadin, R.C., Townsend, J.H., Castoe, T.A. & Campbell, J.A. (2012). Cryptic diversity in disjunct populations of Middle American Montane Pitvipers: a systematic reassessment of Cerrophidion godmani. —Zoologica Scripta, 41, 455–470.

The discovery and taxonomic recognition of cryptic species has become increasingly frequent with the application of molecular phylogenetic analyses, particularly for species with broad geographic distributions. In this study we focus on the venomous pitviper species Cerrophidion godmani that is widely distributed throughout the highlands of Central America. We provide evidence based on both molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological data that C. godmani represents three deeply divergent lineages and is possibly non‐monophyletic. These three lineages are relatively conserved in their morphology and tend to be highly variable among individuals, but we do find sufficient morphological characters to diagnose them as evolutionarily distinct. We apply these data, together with known geographic distributions of populations, to infer boundaries of these three divergent evolutionary lineages. Based on the body of evidence, we formally name and describe two new species of Cerrophidion and redescribe C. godmani sensu stricto.