bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Reading Skills and Child Mortality in Nigeria: A Reassessment of Why Education Matters
Authors: Smith-Greenaway Emily
Published: April 2013

Mother’s formal schooling—even at the primary level—is associated with lower risk of child mortality, although the reasons why remain unclear. This study examines whether mother’s reading skills help to explain the association in Nigeria. Using data from the Demographic and Health Survey, the analysis demonstrates that women’s reading skills increase linearly with years of primary school; however, many women with several years of formal school are unable to read at all. The results further show that mother’s reading skills help to explain the relationship between mother’s formal schooling and child mortality, and that mother’s reading skills are highly associated with child mortality. The study highlights the need for more data on literacy and for more research on whether and how mother’s reading skills lower child mortality in other contexts.
Genesis of the Cultural Landscape of Urals and Siberia
Authors: Fedorov Roman
Published: April 2013

This article presents the author's approach to the study of cultural landscape genesis. Historical and geographical reconstruction of Urals and Siberia served as the empirical basis of the study. A hypothesis that highlights some of the basic morphological components of the cultural landscape on the scale of a given region is set forth based on that reconstruction. Communications and cultural values have been classified as the primary morphological components. The article compares the cultural landscape's communicative structure and two main forms of communication. The first form includes land communication routes and regional settlement patterns, which establish a kind of communicative framework for the cultural landscape of the region. The second form is the circle of social and cultural interactions that directly or indirectly affect the economic development and life activities of regional communities. Each of these forms of communication reflects a certain pattern of cultural values that is specific to a given form of economic development in a geographical region or to a particular historical era. Using this approach, the article studies the spatial organization of the cultural landscape of the Urals and Siberia in an attempt to explain the cultural diversity of various parts of present-day Russia.
CIZ1, a p21Cip1/Waf1‐interacting protein, functions as a tumor suppressor in vivo
Authors: Nishibe Rio , Watanabe Wataru , Ueda Takeshi , Yamasaki Norimasa , Koller Richard , Wolff Linda , Honda Zen-ichiro , Ohtsubo Motoaki , Honda Hiroaki
Published: April 2013

CIZ1 is a nuclear protein involved in DNA replication and is also implicated in human diseases including cancers. To gain an insight into its function in vivo, we generated mice lacking Ciz1. Ciz1‐deficient (Ciz1
−/−) mice grew without any obvious abnormalities, and Ciz1
−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) did not show any defects in cell cycle status, cell growth, and DNA damage response. However, Ciz1
−/− MEFs were sensitive to hydroxyurea‐mediated replication stress and susceptible to oncogene‐induced cellular transformation. In addition, Ciz1
−/− mice developed various types of leukemias by retroviral insertional mutagenesis. These results indicate that CIZ1 functions as a tumor suppressor in vivo.
The trouble with unifying Narratives: African Americans and the civil Rights movement in U.S. history content Standards
Authors: Anderson Carl B.
Published: April 2013

This textual analysis is a collective case study of K-12 United States History content standards in light of how they represent the historical experiences of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement. The study uses a multi-perspective critical conceptual framework to evaluate the standards for nine state-level polities on both the quality of treatment and the orientation of how African Americans are depicted in the standards. Analysis revealed that the reviewed standards tend to discourage rigorous historical thinking in favor of non-conflictual narrative perspectives that accentuate the historical contributions of African Americans within a framework of linear social progress. This curricular approach is ultimately problematic because it encourages teachers and students to rely on convenient historical archetypes to construct a usable past, rather than problematizing the past and present experiences of African Americans.
Economic reasons for the break-up of Yugoslavia
Authors: Yarashevich Viachaslau , Karneyeva Yuliya
Published: April 2013

The history of Yugoslavia continues to attract academic attention more than twenty years after the violent break-up of this federative state. Analyzing why it happened can be instructive in dealing with many unsolved problems in the region. The article will argue that deteriorating economics triggered all other factors leading to eventual disintegration of Yugoslavia. Specifically, during the 1980s external and internal economic imbalances, coupled with substantial regional disparities, resulted in a situationwhichwas no longer acceptable to some constituent republics, especially the wealthier ones. Unfortunately, their secessionwas followed by a violent conflict which still resonates throughout South-Eastern Europe.
Low-Reynolds-number flow through two-dimensional shunts
Authors: Setchi A. , Mestel A. J. , Parker K. H. , Siggers J. H.
Published: April 2013

Motivated by numerous biological and industrial applications relating to bypasses, mixing and leakage, we consider low-Reynolds-number flow through a shunt between two channels. An analytical solution for the streamfunction is found by matching biorthogonal expansions of Papkovich–Fadle eigenfunctions in rectangular subregions. The general solution can be adapted to model a variety of interesting problems of flow through two-dimensional shunts by imposing different inlet and outlet flux distributions. We present several such flow profiles but the majority of results relate to the particular problem of a side-to-side anastomosis in the small intestine. We consider different flux fractions through the shunt with particular emphasis on the pressure and recirculating regions, which are important factors in estimating health risks pertaining to this surgical procedure.
Science with the Murchison Widefield Array
Authors: Bowman Judd D. , Cairns Iver , Kaplan David L. , Murphy Tara , Oberoi Divya , Staveley-Smith Lister , Arcus Wayne , Barnes David G. , Bernardi Gianni , Briggs Frank H. , Brown Shea , Bunton John D. , Burgasser Adam J. , Cappallo Roger J. , Chatterjee Shami , Corey Brian E. , Coster Anthea , Deshpande Avinash , deSouza Ludi , Emrich David , Erickson Philip , Goeke Robert F. , Gaensler B. M. , Greenhill Lincoln J. , Harvey-Smith Lisa , Hazelton Bryna J. , Herne David , Hewitt Jacqueline N. , Johnston-Hollitt Melanie , Kasper Justin C. , Kincaid Barton B. , Koenig Ronald , Kratzenberg Eric , Lonsdale Colin J. , Lynch Mervyn J. , Matthews Lynn D. , McWhirter S. Russell , Mitchell Daniel A. , Morales Miguel F. , Morgan Edward H. , Ord Stephen M. , Pathikulangara Joseph , Prabu Thiagaraj , Remillard Ronald A. , Robishaw Timothy , Rogers Alan E. E. , Roshi Anish A. , Salah Joseph E. , Sault Robert J. , Shankar N. Udaya , Srivani K. S. , Stevens Jamie B. , Subrahmanyan Ravi , Tingay Steven J. , Wayth Randall B. , Waterson Mark , Webster Rachel L. , Whitney Alan R. , Williams Andrew J. , Williams Christopher L. , Wyithe J. Stuart B.
Published: April 2013

Significant new opportunities for astrophysics and cosmology have been identified at low radio frequencies. The Murchison Widefield Array is the first telescope in the southern hemisphere designed specifically to explore the low-frequency astronomical sky between 80 and 300 MHz with arcminute angular resolution and high survey efficiency. The telescope will enable new advances along four key science themes, including searching for redshifted 21-cm emission from the EoR in the early Universe; Galactic and extragalactic all-sky southern hemisphere surveys; time-domain astrophysics; and solar, heliospheric, and ionospheric science and space weather. The Murchison Widefield Array is located in Western Australia at the site of the planned Square Kilometre Array (SKA) low-band telescope and is the only low-frequency SKA precursor facility. In this paper, we review the performance properties of the Murchison Widefield Array and describe its primary scientific objectives.
The effect of intermittent energy and carbohydrate restrictionv. daily energy restriction on weight loss and metabolic disease risk markers in overweight women
Authors: Harvie Michelle , Wright Claire , Pegington Mary , McMullan Debbie , Mitchell Ellen , Martin Bronwen , Cutler Roy G. , Evans Gareth , Whiteside Sigrid , Maudsley Stuart , Camandola Simonetta , Wang Rui , Carlson Olga D. , Egan Josephine M. , Mattson Mark P. , Howell Anthony
Published: April 2013

Intermittent energy restriction may result in greater improvements in insulin sensitivity and weight control than daily energy restriction (DER). We tested two intermittent energy and carbohydrate restriction (IECR) regimens, including one which allowedad libitumprotein and fat (IECR+PF). Overweight women (n115) aged 20 and 69 years with a family history of breast cancer were randomised to an overall 25 % energy restriction, either as an IECR (2500–2717 kJ/d, < 40 g carbohydrate/d for 2 d/week) or a 25 % DER (approximately 6000 kJ/d for 7 d/week) or an IECR+PF for a 3-month weight-loss period and 1 month of weight maintenance (IECR or IECR+PF for 1 d/week). Insulin resistance reduced with the IECR diets (mean − 0·34 (95 % CI − 0·66, − 0·02) units) and the IECR+PF diet (mean − 0·38 (95 % CI − 0·75, − 0·01) units). Reductions with the IECR diets were significantly greater compared with the DER diet (mean 0·2 (95 % CI − 0·19, 0·66) μU/unit,P= 0·02). Both IECR groups had greater reductions in body fat compared with the DER group (IECR: mean − 3·7 (95 % CI − 2·5, − 4·9) kg,P= 0·007; IECR+PF: mean − 3·7 (95 % CI − 2·8, − 4·7) kg,P= 0·019; DER: mean − 2·0 (95 % CI − 1·0, 3·0) kg). During the weight maintenance phase, 1 d of IECR or IECR+PF per week maintained the reductions in insulin resistance and weight. In the short term, IECR is superior to DER with respect to improved insulin sensitivity and body fat reduction. Longer-term studies into the safety and effectiveness of IECR diets are warranted.
Prolonged maternal vitamin C deficiency overrides preferential fetal ascorbate transport but does not influence perinatal survival in guinea pigs
Authors: Schjoldager Janne G. , Tveden-Nyborg Pernille , Lykkesfeldt Jens
Published: April 2013

Human and guinea pig fetuses are completely dependent on an adequate maternal vitamin C (vitC) intake. Shortage of micronutrients can have negative implications for fetal health and pregnancy outcome; however, knowledge of maternal vitC deficiency's impact on fetal development is sparse and reports of pregnancy outcome have been divergent. The present study investigated whether maternal vitC deficiency affects pregnancy outcome and plasma vitC distribution between the mother and the offspring in a guinea pig model. A total of eighty pregnant Dunkin Hartley guinea pigs were randomised into two weight-stratified groups receiving either a deficient (100 mg/kg DEF) or a control (923 mg/kg CTRL) diet. VitC levels were measured in plasma during pregnancy and postpartum, and in the plasma and brain of newborns. Pregnancy outcome was recorded with respect to birth weight and perinatal survival and were similar between groups. Plasma vitC in dams declined throughout gestation in both groups (P< 0·01). Compared with maternal plasma vitC, plasma vitC of newborn pups was found to be significantly lower in the DEF group (P< 0·001) and higher in the CTRL group (P< 0·001), respectively. Brain vitC levels were significantly reduced in DEF newborn pups (P< 0·001). The present results indicate that preferential transport of vitC from the mother to the fetus is overridden during sustained maternal vitC deficiency, maintaining maternal vitC concentration at the expense of the offspring. This contradicts the notion that a fetus is protected from vitC deficiency by the placental Na-dependent vitC co-transporter, SVCT2, thus fetal development may be susceptible to the negative effects of maternal vitC deficiency.
“Retribution Must Succeed Rebellion”: The Colonial Origins of Counterinsurgency Failure
Authors: MacDonald Paul K.
Published: April 2013

What can explain the decline in incumbent victory in counterinsurgency wars? Political scientists offer a variety of explanations for these trends. Some focus on the structure and doctrine of counterinsurgent forces, while others emphasize the lethality and motivation of insurgent adversaries. I challenge these explanations. Declines in incumbent victory in counterinsurgency wars are not driven by fundamental shifts in the character of these conflicts, but in the political context in which they take place. Nineteenth-century colonial incumbents enjoyed a variety of political advantages—including strong political will, a permissive international environment, access to local collaborators, and flexibility to pick their battles—which granted them the time and resources necessary to meet insurgent challenges. In contrast, twentieth-century colonial incumbents struggled in the face of apathetic publics, hostile superpowers, vanishing collaborators, and constrained options. The decline in incumbent victory in counterinsurgency warfare, therefore, stems not from problems in force structure or strategy, but in political shifts in the profitability and legitimacy of colonial forms of governance.
Common-sense Constructivism and Hegemony in World Politics
Authors: Hopf Ted
Published: April 2013

The IR literature on hegemony rarely combines attention to material power and ideas. Cox's neo-Gramscian work is a rare exception, but it too narrowly construes Gramsci's conceptualization of common sense, reducing it to elite views on political economy. But Gramsci argued that hegemony had to reckon with mass quotidian common sense. If political elites do not take into account the taken-for-granted world of the masses, elite ideological projects would likely founder against daily practices of resistance. In this article, I show how mass common sense can be an obstacle to an elite hegemonic project aimed at moving a great power into the core of the world capitalist economy. In contemporary Russia, a ruling elite with a neoliberal project is being thwarted daily by a mass common sense that has little affinity with democratic market capitalism. Scholarly work on future Chinese, Brazilian, or Indian participation in constructing a new hegemonic order would do well to pay attention to the mass common senses prevailing in those societies
Transborder Ethnic Kin and Civil War
Authors: Cederman Lars-Erik , Gleditsch Kristian Skrede , Salehyan Idean , Wucherpfennig Julian
Published: April 2013

A series of studies has shown that civil wars are caused not only by factors inside countries, but also by effects operating across state borders. Whereas a first wave of quantitative studies demonstrated that such effects make the “closed-polity” assumption untenable, more recently researchers have identified particular causal mechanisms driving conflict. Despite these recent advances, a central puzzle remains unresolved, namely why ethnic groups that at least in theory could count on support from large transborder ethnic kin (TEK) groups often have remained surprisingly peaceful, such as the stranded Russian populations in the “near abroad.” We propose a theoretical framework that extends the analysis from the primary dyad between the incumbent and the challenger group by adding a secondary dyad that pits the incumbent against the TEK group. We postulate a curvilinear effect of the TEK group's relative size on conflict onset. Using a new data set on transnational ethnic links, we find that that the risk of conflict increases within the middle range of the size spectrum, consistent with our main hypothesis. This means that large TEK groups have a conflict-dampening effect, provided that they control their own state. Excluded TEK groups, however, are not associated with lower conflict probabilities.
Sensitivity to Issue Framing on Trade Policy Preferences: Evidence from a Survey Experiment
Authors: Ardanaz Martin , Murillo M. Victoria , Pinto Pablo M.
Published: April 2013

We explore the impact of issue framing on individual attitudes toward international trade. Based on a survey experiment fielded in Argentina during 2007, which reproduces the setup of earlier studies in the United States, we show that individuals' position in the economy and their material concerns define the strength of their prior beliefs about international trade, and thereby mitigate their sensitivity to the new dimensions introduced in informational cues. Extending the analysis beyond the United States to a country with different skill endowments allows us to better explore the role of material and nonmaterial attributes on individual attitudes toward trade. We find that skill is a central predictor of support for openness. The effect is strongest for individuals in the service sector and in cities that cater to the producers of agricultural commodities. Our findings suggest that the pattern of support for economic integration reflects the predictions from recent literature in international economics that emphasizes trade's impact on the relative demand for skilled labor regardless of factor endowments. Our findings also amend recent empirical contributions that suggest socialization is the main factor explaining individual sensitivity to issue framing on trade preferences. We suggest that material conditions associated with income and price effects are crucial, both in shaping trade preferences and in affecting the malleability of attitudes to issue framing. Hence, our results provide a crucial contribution to our general understanding of the attributes shaping susceptibility to political framing in policy debates.
Land abandonment may reduce disturbance and affect the breeding sites of an Endangered amphibian in northern Italy
Authors: Canessa Stefano , Oneto Fabrizio , Ottonello Dario , Arillo Attilio , Salvidio Sebastiano
Published: April 2013

Although human-related disturbance is usually detrimental for biodiversity, in some instances it can simulate natural processes and benefit certain species. Changes in the disturbance regime, both natural and human-driven, can affect species that rely on it. The Apennine yellow-bellied toad Bombina variegata pachypus, an amphibian endemic to peninsular Italy, has declined throughout its range in the last 3 decades. We sought to identify the drivers of the decline in the region of Liguria, at the north-western limit of its distribution. In 2009 and 2010 we surveyed sites where the species occurred until 2005 and related the persistence of breeding activity to the characteristics of sites. Populations had disappeared from 50% of the sites between 2005 and 2009. Current breeding sites have less aquatic and bank vegetation, fewer predators and better insolation. Frequent disturbance events (desiccation and floods) were related to reduced vegetation, which in turn may decrease predator densities and increase insolation. In this region disturbance is provided by natural factors or, in the case of artificial water bodies, by regular maintenance carried out by landowners. The widespread land abandonment in Liguria can disrupt disturbance regimes, interrupting the removal of vegetation, and thus rapidly reduce the suitability of artificial sites. This was confirmed in our study, with most abandoned breeding sites occurring in formerly cultivated areas. Possible short-term conservation actions include creating new ponds, maintaining artificial water bodies and clearing vegetation. However, long-term conservation may be more problematic as the land abandonment process is unlikely to be reversed.
Livestock depredation and mitigation methods practised by resident and nomadic pastoralists around Waza National Park, Cameroon
Authors: Tumenta Pricelia N. , de Iongh Hans H. , Funston Paul J. , Udo de Haes Helias A.
Published: April 2013

Conflict between humans and lions Panthera leo is a key factor driving population declines of lions in Africa, especially in communal lands and on the edges of small protected areas. We assessed this conflict in Waza National Park, Cameroon, in 2008 through an interview survey. A total of 207 resident and 174 nomadic pastoralists were interviewed. Results indicated high levels of livestock depredation around the Park, with attacks occurring most often at night. Lions were economically a substantial threat accounting for total losses of EUR 100,000 per annum. Per household, resident pastoralists lost one cow and nomadic pastoralists two cows per annum, equating to c. EUR 260 and 520, respectively. To mitigate these losses resident pastoralists used enclosures for nocturnal protection of their livestock more than nomadic pastoralists, who tended to herd livestock more during pasture. Improved mitigation methods pertaining to herding practice, the use of enclosures and the presence of dogs resulted in a reduction of 25% livestock depredation and 50% cattle depredation. These methods could be further improved, however, education and awareness about the ranging behaviour of lions during different seasons and periods of the day is important for all pastoralists. Additionally, park management needs to be improved through effective law enforcement.
Cycad biodiversity in the Bahamas Archipelago and conservation genetics of the threatenedZamia lucayana(Zamiaceae)
Authors: Calonje Michael , Meerow Alan W. , Knowles Lindy , Knowles David , Griffith M. Patrick , Nakamura Kyoko , Francisco-Ortega Javier
Published: April 2013

A conservation assessment for the three cycad species native to the Bahamas Islands is presented. Results are based on field surveys on all islands where these species occur.Zamia angustifoliais native to Eleuthera,Zamia integrifoliais native to Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and New Providence, andZamia lucayanais endemic to Long Island.Z. angustifoliais of the highest conservation concern because of the small number of adult plants, its restricted distribution and the extensive development occurring within its habitat.Z. integrifoliaalso has a restricted distribution on Eleuthera and Grand Bahama and, although threatened by urban development in New Providence, it is relatively common on Abaco and Andros.Z. lucayanacomprises three populations within a narrow strip of land of c. 1 km2; we propose a reassignment of its current conservation status from Endangered to Critically Endangered. We assessed the genetic structure ofZ. lucayanabased on 15 polymorphic microsatellite DNA loci; this indicated that the three known populations should be considered a single management unit. However, the high number of private alleles suggests that genetic drift, indicative of recent fragmentation, is progressing. We propose in situ conservation strategies, and we also collected germplasm from a total of 24 populations of these three cycad species, for ex situ conservation.
The effectiveness of plant conservation measures: the Dianthus morisianus reintroduction
Authors: Cogoni Donatella , Fenu Giuseppe , Concas Erica , Bacchetta Gianluigi
Published: April 2013

The plant Dianthus morisianus Vals. (Caryophyllaceae) is endemic to Sardinia. The Autonomous Region of Sardinia funded a conservation project for this species because it is one of the most threatened plant on the island. The project comprises in situ and ex situ research and experimental projects, such as the construction of protective fences and reintroduction. Juvenile plants, germinated from 200 seeds collected over 2 years and propagated without horticultural treatment, were reintroduced in November 2010. The surviving 113 plants were reintroduced 150 m from the natural population and were monitored monthly. Two years later the survival rate was > 95%, and the fruit yield per plant was higher than that recorded in the natural population. This research emphasizes the importance of identifying an appropriate microhabitat for plant reintroduction. The use of juvenile plants aided the success of the reintroduction and reduced the mortality rate; the knowledge of the species biology, in particular the critical stage of their life cycle, is a crucial factor in plant reintroduction.
Extant population of the Critically Endangered central rock-rat Zyzomys pedunculatus located in the Northern territory, Australia
Authors: McDonald Peter J. , Pavey Chris R. , Knights Kelly , Grantham Deon , Ward Simon J. , Nano Catherine E. M.
Published: April 2013

The central rock-rat Zyzomys pedunculatus is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Over the last 50 years the species had only been recorded from 14 sites within a 600 km2 area of the West MacDonnell National Park and immediate surroundings in the Northern Territory, Australia. The central rock-rat disappeared from monitoring sites in 2002, coincident with the onset of drought conditions and extensive wildfires. With concern growing for the survival of the species, we sought to locate an extant population. During 2009–2012 we surveyed sites throughout the western sector of the West MacDonnell National Park, including sites where rock-rats had previously been recorded. From a total of 55 sites and 5,000 trap nights we located eight central rock-rats from only five sites (overall detection rate = 0.16 rock-rats per 100 trap nights). All sites were on two mountain-top locations, both of which are over 1,250 m altitude. Evidence of reproductive activity was observed at both locations but the subpopulations were relatively localized and no individuals were captured at any of the sites from which the species was known previous to these surveys. Although the rugged mountains may provide the central rock-rat with some refuge from predation and wildfires, more research is needed to understand better the factors suppressing and constraining the species at the population and landscape scales. Immediate management priorities are prescribed burning to limit the extent and severity of wildfires and trialling a baiting programme with 1080 to target feral cats in the mountains.
X-ray powder diffraction data for inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin with fraxinellone
Authors: Wang Qing , Zhang Li Li , Wu Xiao Qing , Pan Qing Qing , Su Yan Hong , Li Hui
Published: April 2013

X-ray powder diffraction data, unit-cell parameters, and space group for inclusion complex of β-cyclodextrin with fraxinellone, C42H70O35·C14H16O3·3H2O, are reported [a = 19.294(2) Å, b = 26.639(1) Å, c = 16.467(3) Å, β = 110.451(9)°, cell volume V = 7930.34 Å3, Z = 4 and space group C2]. All measured lines were indexed and are consistent with the C2 space group. No detectable impurities were observed.
Structural characterization of a new form of clenbuterol, a well-known decongestant and bronchodilator also used as a performance-enhancing drug
Authors: Toro R. , Bruno-Colmenárez J. , de Delgado G. Díaz , Delgado J.M.
Published: April 2013

Clenbuterol hydrochloride is an active pharmaceutical ingredient usually prescribed for treatment of respiratory diseases due to its activity as a decongestant and bronchodilator. It has also been used as a performance-enhancing drug. In the PDF-4/Organics 2012 database there are six entries related to this compound: three for its hydrochloride phase calculated using single-crystal data, two for a MeOH and a DMSO solvate of two Cu-clenbuterol complexes, and one experimental unindexed pattern. In this contribution the powder diffraction pattern and the crystal structure, determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques of clenbuterol hemihydrate, C12H18Cl2N2O·0.5H2O, an unreported phase, are presented.
Reduction in cryptosporidiosis associated with introduction of enhanced filtration of drinking water at Loch Katrine, Scotland
Authors: POLLOCK K. G. J. , YOUNG D. , ROBERTSON C. , AHMED S. , RAMSAY C. N.
Published: April 2013

Previous evidence has suggested an association between cryptosporidiosis and consumption of unfiltered drinking water from Loch Katrine in Scotland. Before September 2007, the water was only micro-strained and chlorinated; however, since that time, coagulation and rapid gravity filtration have been installed. In order to determine risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis, including drinking water, we analysed data on microbiologically confirmed cases of cryptosporidiosis from 2004 to 2010. We identified an association between the incidence of cryptosporidiosis and unfiltered Loch Katrine drinking water supplied to the home (odds ratio 1·86, 95% confidence interval 1·11–3·11, P = 0·019). However, while filtration appears to be associated with initially reduced rates of cryptosporidiosis, evidence suggests it may paradoxically make those consumers more susceptible to other transmission routes in the long-term. These findings support implementation of similar treatment for other unfiltered drinking-water supplies, as a means of reducing cryptosporidiosis associated with drinking water.
Population decline of the Elfin-woods WarblerSetophaga angelaein eastern Puerto Rico
Authors: ARENDT WAYNE J. , QIAN SONG S. , MINEARD KELLI A.
Published: April 2013

We estimated the population density of the globally threatened Elfin-woods WarblerSetophaga angelaewithin two forest types at different elevations in the Luquillo Experimental Forest in north-eastern Puerto Rico. Population densities ranged from 0.01 to 0.02 individuals/ha in elfin woodland and 0.06–0.26 individuals/ha inpalo coloradoforest in 2006, with average rates of decline since 1989 of 0.002–0.01 and 0.003–0.06 individuals/ha respectively. These estimates show a significant general declining trend from c.0.2 individuals/ha in 1989 in elfin woodland to c.0.02/ha in 2006, and from 1 to 0.2 inpalo coloradoforest. Although variation in estimated population density depended on the statistical method used, we document and discuss possible causes of an overall population decline from 1989 to 2006, lending support to previous initiatives to reclassify the species from the IUCN Red List category of “Vulnerable” to “Endangered”.
“Meta-guidelines” for the management of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Stahl Stephen M. , Morrissette Debbi A. , Citrome Leslie , Saklad Stephen R. , Cummings Michael A. , Meyer Jonathan M. , O'Day Jennifer A. , Dardashti Laura J. , Warburton Katherine D.
Published: April 2013

Guidelines for treating various conditions can be helpful in setting practice standards, but the presence of several sets of guidelines from different countries, experts, and settings, written at different times, can also create confusion. Here we provide a “guideline of guidelines” for the treatment of schizophrenia, or “meta-guidelines,” which not only reconcile the various existing standards but also update them to include the use of several newer agents, most of which were marketed following the publication of existing standards.
Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and α2 adrenergic receptors mediate heroin withdrawal-potentiated startle in rats
Authors: Park Paula E. , Vendruscolo Leandro F. , Schlosburg Joel E. , Edwards Scott , Schulteis Gery , Koob George F.
Published: April 2013

Anxiety is one of the early symptoms of opioid withdrawal and contributes to continued drug use and relapse. The acoustic startle response (ASR) is a component of anxiety that has been shown to increase during opioid withdrawal in both humans and animals. We investigated the role of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and norepinephrine (NE), two key mediators of the brain stress system, on acute heroin withdrawal-potentiated ASR. Rats injected with heroin (2 mg/kg s.c.) displayed an increased ASR when tested 4 h after heroin treatment. A similar increase in ASR was found in rats 10–20 h into withdrawal from extended access (12 h) to i.v. heroin self-administration, a model that captures several aspects of heroin addiction in humans. Both the α2 adrenergic receptor agonist clonidine (10 µg/kg s.c.) and CRF1 receptor antagonist N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-3-(4-methoxy-2-methylphenyl)-2,5-dimethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-7-amine (MPZP; 20 mg/kg s.c.) blocked heroin withdrawal-potentiated startle. To investigate the relationship between CRF1 and α2 adrenergic receptors in the potentiation of the ASR, we tested the effect of MPZP on yohimbine (1.25 mg/kg s.c.)-potentiated startle and clonidine on CRF (2 µg i.c.v.)-potentiated startle. Clonidine blocked CRF-potentiated startle, whereas MPZP partially attenuated but did not reverse yohimbine-potentiated startle, suggesting that CRF may drive NE release to potentiate startle. These results suggest that CRF1 and α2 receptors play an important role in the heightened anxiety-like behaviour observed during acute withdrawal from heroin, possibly via CRF inducing the release of NE in stress-related brain regions.
Heart Rate Variability and Fatigue in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome After a Comprehensive Cognitive Behavior Group Therapy Program
Authors: Hansen Anita L. , Kvale Gerd , Stubhaug Bjarte , Thayer Julian F.
Published: April 2013

In psychotherapy research, there is a general lack of studies that include objective measurements that provide information about the basic underlying mechanisms involved in behavioral and psychiatric conditions. In this pilot study, we investigated cardiovascular activity and self-reported fatigue in patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) compared to normal healthy controls who served as a reference group. Furthermore, based on a one-group pre-post design, we investigated whether exposure to a Comprehensive Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CCBT) program resulted in any changes in cardiovascular activity and self-reported fatigue in CFS patients. Overall, 19 female CFS patients and 21 normal healthy controls were included in the study. Cardiovascular activity measurements were heart rate (HR), low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF ratio), and heart rate variability (the root mean of the squared successive differences; rMSSD). Fatigue was measured using the Chalder Fatigue Questionnaire. Analyses of the results indicated that, compared to normal healthy controls, CFS patients were characterized by higher HR and self-reported fatigue prior to exposure to the CCBT. Interestingly, CFS patients showed a significant decrease in LF/HF ratio indicating a shift in sympathovagal balance toward greater vagal activation, and levels of experienced fatigue subsequent to CCBT.
Induced Theta Activity as a Biomarker for a Morbid Effect of Alcoholism on the Brain in Long-Term Abstinent Alcoholics
Authors: Gilmore Casey S. , Fein George
Published: April 2013

Event-related, target stimulus-phase-locked (evoked) brain activity in both the time and time-frequency (TF) domains (the P3b ERP; evoked theta oscillations) has been shown to be reduced in alcoholics. Recently, studies have suggested that there is alcohol-related information in the non-stimulus-phase-locked (induced) theta TF activity. We applied TF analysis to target stimulus event-related EEG recorded during an oddball task from 41 long-term abstinent alcoholics (LTAA) and 74 nonalcoholic controls (NAC) to investigate the relationship between P3b, evoked theta, and induced theta activity. Results showed that an event-related synchronization (ERS) of induced theta (1) was larger in LTAA compared to NAC, and (2) was sensitive to differences between LTAA and NAC groups that was independent of the differences accounted for by P3b amplitude or evoked theta. These findings suggest that increased induced theta ERS may likely be a biomarker for a morbid effect of alcohol abuse on brain function.
Relation Between Respiratory Sinus Arrythymia and Startle Response During Predictable and Unpredictable Threat
Authors: Gorka Stephanie M. , Nelson Brady D. , Sarapas Casey , Campbell Miranda , Lewis Gregory F. , Bishop Jeffery R. , Porges Stephen W. , Shankman Stewart A.
Published: April 2013

Research suggests that lower respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) is associated with greater aversive responding. One physiological indicator of aversive responding is startle potentiation. While a few studies have demonstrated an inverse association between RSA and startle potentiation, no study to date has distinguished whether this relation is similar for predictable versus unpredictable aversive stimuli. This is an important distinction, given that degree of predictability has been shown to be an important determinant of aversive responding. The present study examined whether resting RSA was associated with startle eye blink responding during predictable and unpredictable threat of electric shock. Resting RSA was collected during a 6-min seated baseline phase at the beginning of the experimental session. Participants then completed a computerized startle task in which predictable and unpredictable shocks were administered. Results indicated that lower resting RSA was associated with greater startle potentiation during unpredictable threat, but not during predictable threat. These findings are consistent with a growing body of literature suggesting that individual differences in RSA are associated with aversive responding, and extend previous work by suggesting that RSA may be more robustly associated with a heightened sensitivity to unpredictable threat. This pattern of results may have implications for the understanding of pathological anxiety, given that individuals with anxiety disorders typically exhibit low RSA and heightened responding during unpredictable threat.
Time Course of Error-Potentiated Startle and its Relationship to Error-Related Brain Activity
Authors: Riesel Anja , Weinberg Anna , Moran Tim , Hajcak Greg
Published: April 2013

Errors are aversive, motivationally-salient events which prime defensive action. This is reflected in a potentiated startle reflex after the commission of an error. The current study replicates and extends previous work examining the time course of error-potentiated startle as a function of startle lag (i.e., 300 ms or 800 ms following correct and error responses). In addition, the relationship between error-potentiated startle and error-related brain activity in both the temporal (error-related negativity, ERN/Ne) and spectral (error-related theta and delta power) domains was investigated. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded from 32 healthy undergraduates while they performed an arrowhead version of a flanker task. Complex Morlet wavelets were applied to compute oscillatory power in the delta- and theta-band range. Consistent with our previous report, startle was larger following errors. Furthermore, this effect was evident at both early and late startle probe times. Increased delta and theta power after an error was associated with larger error-potentiated startle. An association between ERN amplitude and error-potentiated startle was only observed in a subgroup of individuals with relatively large ERN/Ne amplitude. Among these individuals, ERN/Ne magnitude was also related to multiple indices of task performance. This study further supports the notion that errors are aversive events that prime defensive motivation, and that error-potentiated startle is evident beyond the immediate commission of an error and can be predicted from error-related brain activity.
Another fork in the road—life or death decisions by the tumour suppressor p53
Authors: Carvajal Luis A , Manfredi James J
Published: April 2013

In response to cellular stress signals, the tumour suppressor p53 accumulates and triggers a host of antineoplastic responses. For instance, DNA damage activates two main p53‐dependent responses: cell cycle arrest and attendant DNA repair or apoptosis (cell death). It is broadly accepted that, in response to DNA damage, the function of p53 as a sequence‐specific transcription factor is crucial for tumour suppression. The molecular determinants, however, that favour the initiation of either a p53‐dependent cell cycle arrest (life) or apoptotic (death) transcriptional programme remain elusive. Gaining a clear understanding of the mechanisms controlling cell fate determination by p53 could lead to the identification of molecular targets for therapy, which could selectively sensitize cancer cells to apoptosis. This review summarizes the literature addressing this important question in the field. Special emphasis is given to the role of the p53 response element, post‐translational modifications and protein–protein interactions on cell fate decisions made by p53 in response to DNA damage.
CCR6 is transiently upregulated on B cells after activation and modulates the germinal center reaction in the mouse
Authors: Wiede Florian , Fromm Phillip D , Comerford Iain , Kara Ervin , Bannan Jennifer , Schuh Wolfgang , Ranasinghe Charani , Tarlinton David , Winkler Thomas , McColl Shaun R , Körner Heinrich
Published: April 2013

The CC‐chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) is expressed constitutively at an intermediate level on naïve B cells and is upregulated after activation on pregerminal center (GC) B cells. We hypothesized that it could be involved in the events leading to GC reaction and high‐affinity antibody production, and therefore investigated the potential role of CCR6 in B‐cell differentiation in vivo. After antigenic challenge of CCR6−/− mice with the T‐cell‐dependent antigen nitrophenyl‐keyhole limpet hemocyanin (NP‐KLH), GC B‐cell development was found to be accelerated and the number of GC had increased significantly compared with control mice, but the antibodies produced by CCR6−/− B cells were on average of lower affinity. We conclude from these data that the CCR6/CCL20 axis has an important role in regulating the kinetics and efficiency of the GC reaction.
Dissecting specific and global transcriptional regulation of bacterial gene expression
Authors: Gerosa Luca , Kochanowski Karl , Heinemann Matthias , Sauer Uwe
Published: April 2013

Gene expression is regulated by specific transcriptional circuits but also by the global expression machinery as a function of growth. Simultaneous specific and global regulation thus constitutes an additional—but often neglected—layer of complexity in gene expression. Here, we develop an experimental‐computational approach to dissect specific and global regulation in the bacterium Escherichia coli. By using fluorescent promoter reporters, we show that global regulation is growth rate dependent not only during steady state but also during dynamic changes in growth rate and can be quantified through two promoter‐specific parameters. By applying our approach to arginine biosynthesis, we obtain a quantitative understanding of both specific and global regulation that allows accurate prediction of the temporal response to simultaneous perturbations in arginine availability and growth rate. We thereby uncover two principles of joint regulation: (i) specific regulation by repression dominates the transcriptional response during metabolic steady states, largely repressing the biosynthesis genes even when biosynthesis is required and (ii) global regulation sets the maximum promoter activity that is exploited during the transition between steady states.
Apoptosis and other immune biomarkers predict influenza vaccine responsiveness
Authors: Furman David , Jojic Vladimir , Kidd Brian , Shen‐Orr Shai , Price Jordan , Jarrell Justin , Tse Tiffany , Huang Huang , Lund Peder , Maecker Holden T , Utz Paul J , Dekker Cornelia L , Koller Daphne , Davis Mark M
Published: April 2013

Despite the importance of the immune system in many diseases, there are currently no objective benchmarks of immunological health. In an effort to identifying such markers, we used influenza vaccination in 30 young (20–30 years) and 59 older subjects (60 to >89 years) as models for strong and weak immune responses, respectively, and assayed their serological responses to influenza strains as well as a wide variety of other parameters, including gene expression, antibodies to hemagglutinin peptides, serum cytokines, cell subset phenotypes andin vitrocytokine stimulation. Using machine learning, we identified nine variables that predict the antibody response with 84% accuracy. Two of these variables are involved in apoptosis, which positively associated with the response to vaccination and was confirmed to be a contributor to vaccine responsiveness in mice. The identification of these biomarkers provides new insights into what immune features may be most important for immune health.
Global remodelling of cellular microenvironment due to loss of collagen VII
Authors: Küttner Victoria , Mack Claudia , Rigbolt Kristoffer TG , Kern Johannes S , Schilling Oliver , Busch Hauke , Bruckner‐Tuderman Leena , Dengjel Jörn
Published: April 2013

The mammalian cellular microenvironment is shaped by soluble factors and structural components, the extracellular matrix, providing physical support, regulating adhesion and signalling. A global, quantitative mass spectrometry strategy, combined with bioinformatics data processing, was developed to assess proteome differences in the microenvironment of primary human fibroblasts. We studied secreted proteins of fibroblasts from normal and pathologically altered skin and their post‐translational modifications. The influence of collagen VII, an important structural component, which is lost in genetic skin fragility, was used as model. Loss of collagen VII had a global impact on the cellular microenvironment and was associated with proteome alterations highly relevant for disease pathogenesis including decrease in basement membrane components, increase in dermal matrix proteins, TGF‐β and metalloproteases, but not higher protease activity. The definition of the proteome of fibroblast microenvironment and its plasticity in health and disease identified novel disease mechanisms and potential targets of intervention.
New spectroscopic and electrochemical insights on a class I superoxide reductase: evidence for an intramolecular electron-transfer pathway
Authors: Folgosa Filipe , Cordas Cristina M. , Santos Joana A. , Pereira Alice S. , Moura José J. G. , Tavares Pedro , Moura Isabel
Published: April 2013

SORs (superoxide reductases) are enzymes involved in bacterial resistance to reactive oxygen species, catalysing the reduction of superoxide anions to hydrogen peroxide. So far three structural classes have been identified. Class I enzymes have two iron-centre-containing domains. Most studies have focused on the catalytic iron site (centre II), yet the role of centre I is poorly understood. The possible roles of this iron site were approached by an integrated study using both classical and fast kinetic measurements, as well as direct electrochemistry. A new heterometallic form of the protein with a zinc-substituted centre I, maintaining the iron active-site centre II, was obtained, resulting in a stable derivative useful for comparison with the native all-iron from. Second-order rate constants for the electron transfer between reduced rubredoxin and the different SOR forms were determined to be 2.8×107 M−1·s−1 and 1.3×106 M−1·s−1 for SORFe(IIII)-Fe(II) and for SORFe(IIII)-Fe(III) forms respectively, and 3.2×106 M−1·s−1 for the SORZn(II)-Fe(III) form. The results obtained seem to indicate that centre I transfers electrons from the putative physiological donor rubredoxin to the catalytic active iron site (intramolecular process). In addition, electrochemical results show that conformational changes are associated with the redox state of centre I, which may enable a faster catalytic response towards superoxide anion. The apparent rate constants calculated for the SOR-mediated electron transfer also support this observation.