bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Good is Volunteered Geographical Information? A Comparative Study of OpenStreetMap and Ordnance Survey Datasets
Authors: Haklay Mordechai
Published: July 2010

Within the framework of Web 2.0 mapping applications, the most striking example of a geographical application is the OpenStreetMap (OSM) project. OSM aims to create a free digital map of the world and is implemented through the engagement of participants in a mode similar to software development in Open Source projects. The information is collected by many participants, collated on a central database, and distributed in multiple digital formats through the World Wide Web. This type of information was termed ‘Volunteered Geographical Information’ (VGI) by Goodchild, 2007. However, to date there has been no systematic analysis of the quality of VGI. This study aims to fill this gap by analysing OSM information. The examination focuses on analysis of its quality through a comparison with Ordnance Survey (OS) datasets. The analysis focuses on London and England, since OSM started in London in August 2004 and therefore the study of these geographies provides the best understanding of the achievements and difficulties of VGI. The analysis shows that OSM information can be fairly accurate: on average within about 6 m of the position recorded by the OS, and with approximately 80% overlap of motorway objects between the two datasets. In the space of four years, OSM has captured about 29% of the area of England, of which approximately 24% are digitised lines without a complete set of attributes. The paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of the findings to the study of VGI as well as suggesting future research directions.
Raised-Angle Discrimination under Passive Finger Movement
Authors: Wu Jinglong , Yang Jiajia , Ogasa Takashi
Published: July 2010

The characteristics of raised-line drawing discrimination can be defined as the sum of the discriminability of the length, curvature, and angles of the edges. The size of the angle between two edges constitutes an important feature of these tactile stimuli. In the first experiment, five standard angles (30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, and 150°) and twenty comparison angles for each standard angle were used to investigate the human capacity for tactile discrimination of raised angles by passive finger movement. The subjects in this study were asked to identify the larger angle of each pair by passive finger movement. We found that the threshold doubled when the standard angle was increased from 30° to 90°; however, the threshold remained unchanged when the standard angle was greater than 90°. In the second experiment, to investigate the influence of the endpoints on angle discriminability, we used one standard angle (60°) and seven comparison angles that changed in four bisector orientations. The results indicate that cutaneous feedback from the local apex and endpoints of the angle contributed to the discrimination of acute angles. Taken together, these results suggest that, when an acute angle is presented, both local apex and endpoint informations are used, while cutaneous mechanoreceptors rely more on apex information to discriminate the angle size when an obtuse angle is presented.
The Role of Visual Experience in Mental Scanning of Actual Pathways: Evidence from Blind and Sighted People
Authors: Iachini Tina , Ruggiero Gennaro
Published: July 2010

In this research we compare blind and normally sighted people in mental scanning of spatial maps using locomotor or visual/locomotor exploration of a real 3-D environment. Different types of visual experience were tested: early (congenital) and late (adventitious) onset of blindness, short-term deprivation (blindfolded-sighted), and full vision (sighted). Participants were asked to learn six positions in a large parking area with movement alone (congenital, adventitious, blindfolded-sighted) or with vision plus movement (sighted), and then to mentally scan between positions in the path. Finally, they had to describe how they imagined scanning the learned pathway. We found a significant linear relation between space and time, ie the classic mental scanning effect, in all tested groups. However, the linear component was lower in blind participants, especially congenital. Instead, short-term visual deprivation had minimal impact on mental scanning. Overall, blind participants had shorter scanning times than both sighted groups, and the effect was particularly evident with farther distances. These results suggest that there is a quantitative rather than a qualitative difference between the blind and the sighted. In addition, the mental scanning strategies reported by participants also affected mental scanning times. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed.
Visual Discomfort and Natural Image Statistics
Authors: Juricevic Igor , Land Leah , Wilkins Arnold , Webster Michael A
Published: July 2010

Images with excessive energy at medium spatial frequencies (Fernandez and Wilkins, 2008 Perception37 1098–1113), or that have high color contrast and little or no luminance contrast (Wilkins et al, 2008 Perception37 Supplement, 144–145) appear uncomfortable or aversive and can induce headaches in hypersensitive observers. Such stimuli are uncharacteristic of natural images, and we examined whether visual discomfort more generally increases with deviations from the spatial and chromatic properties of natural scenes. Observers rated the level of discomfort or artistic merit in color images generated from noise or random overlapping rectangles (Mondrians). In one set, the slopes of the amplitude spectra for luminance or chromatic contrast were varied independently to create images ranging from strongly blurred to sharpened relative to a ‘natural’ 1/ f spectrum. Perceived blur was dominated by the luminance slopes, with discomfort rated lowest for ∼1/ f spectra. In a second set of focused Mondrians, color was varied along different axes in the L–M versus S–LM chromatic plane. Discomfort ratings were lowest around bluish–yellowish axes that are again typical of natural outdoor scenes. A final set varied in the levels of both luminance and chromatic contrast. Discomfort increased with increasing color contrast or decreasing luminance contrast, and tended toward lower ratings for images with balanced levels of luminance and color contrast. Notably, these ratings of discomfort were not related to judgments of artistic merit. Thus, for both spatial and chromatic content, the least aversive images corresponded to characteristic properties of the natural visual environment, and may reflect a normalization of visual coding to the natural world.
Modulations of Temporal Perception by Consciously and Unconsciously Perceived Stimuli
Authors: Zhou Bin , Qin Jungang , Mao Lihua , Han Shihui , Pöppel Ernst
Published: July 2010

Temporal processing is of fundamental importance to the understanding of orders and durations of events in daily life. While recent research found that the perception of event durations is modulated by the visibility of perceived stimuli, it is still not known whether consciously and unconsciously perceived stimuli modulate temporal perception of a following stimulus in a similar vein. We investigated this using a temporal-comparison task that requires duration judgments of a standard stimulus and a probe. A prime prior to the standard stimulus reduced the subjective duration of the standard stimulus when observers were aware of the prime, and this effect changed with the temporal distance between the prime and standard. In contrast, a prime increased the subjective duration of the following standard stimulus when observers were unaware of the presence of the prime. Our findings indicate that a temporally neighbouring transient stimulus produces essentially different effects on temporal perception of following events when it is consciously and unconsciously perceived, leading to compression and expansion of subjective time, respectively.
Inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin/CREB binding protein (CBP) signaling reverses pulmonary fibrosis
Authors: Henderson William R. , Chi Emil Y. , Ye Xin , Nguyen Cu , Tien Ying-tzang , Zhou Beiyun , Borok Zea , Knight Darryl A. , Kahn Michael
Published: July 2010

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)/usual interstitial pneumonia is a ravaging condition of progressive lung scarring and destruction. Anti-inflammatory therapies including corticosteroids have limited efficacy in this ultimately fatal disorder. An important unmet need is to identify new agents that interact with key molecular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis to prevent progression or reverse fibrosis in these patients. Because aberrant activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade occurs in lungs of patients with IPF, we have targeted this pathway for intervention in pulmonary fibrosis using ICG-001, a small molecule that specifically inhibits T-cell factor/β-catenin transcription in a cyclic AMP response-element binding protein binding protein (CBP)-dependent fashion. ICG-001 selectively blocks the β-catenin/CBP interaction without interfering with the β-catenin/p300 interaction. We report here that ICG-001 (5 mg/kg per day) significantly inhibits β-catenin signaling and attenuates bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice, while concurrently preserving the epithelium. Administration of ICG-001 concurrent with bleomycin prevents fibrosis, and late administration is able to reverse established fibrosis and significantly improve survival. Because no effective treatment for IPF exists, selective inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin-dependent transcription suggests a potential unique therapeutic approach for pulmonary fibrosis.
Bacterial phenylalanine and phenylacetate catabolic pathway revealed
Authors: Teufel R. , Mascaraque V. , Ismail W. , Voss M. , Perera J. , Eisenreich W. , Haehnel W. , Fuchs G.
Published: July 2010

Aromatic compounds constitute the second most abundant class of organic substrates and environmental pollutants, a substantial part of which (e.g., phenylalanine or styrene) is metabolized by bacteria via phenylacetate. Surprisingly, the bacterial catabolism of phenylalanine and phenylacetate remained an unsolved problem. Although a phenylacetate metabolic gene cluster had been identified, the underlying biochemistry remained largely unknown. Here we elucidate the catabolic pathway functioning in 16% of all bacteria whose genome has been sequenced, including
Escherichia coli
and
Pseudomonas putida
. This strategy is exceptional in several aspects. Intermediates are processed as CoA thioesters, and the aromatic ring of phenylacetyl-CoA becomes activated to a ring 1,2-epoxide by a distinct multicomponent oxygenase. The reactive nonaromatic epoxide is isomerized to a seven-member O-heterocyclic enol ether, an oxepin. This isomerization is followed by hydrolytic ring cleavage and β-oxidation steps, leading to acetyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA. This widespread paradigm differs significantly from the established chemistry of aerobic aromatic catabolism, thus widening our view of how organisms exploit such inert substrates. It provides insight into the natural remediation of man-made environmental contaminants such as styrene. Furthermore, this pathway occurs in various pathogens, where its reactive early intermediates may contribute to virulence.
A Note On Persian Cats
Authors: Floor Willem
Published: July 2010

Jean-Pierre Digard's recent delightful and informative article on the Persian long-haired cat has stimulated me to write this short note to complement his contribution to the feline discussion. Digard and others before him have thrown doubt on the denomination “Persian” of the long-haired cat. Many reasons, all of them quite reasonable, have been adduced to make this point. I would like to offer some additional information, which is not available in Digard's article and will further muddle this issue. Apart from discussing the background of Persian cats—broadly along the lines of Digard's exposé—I will show that long-haired cats, although they may also have been from Kurdistan or Bukhara, were an article of export from Isfahan and other towns in Iran throughout the nineteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century. Also, the data adduced show that the Persian cat was different from the Angora cat.
Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 Activation in Nonhypoxic Conditions: The Essential Role of Mitochondrial-derived Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Patten David A. , Lafleur Véronique N. , Robitaille Geneviève A. , Chan Denise A. , Giaccia Amato J. , Richard Darren E.
Published: July 2010

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a key transcription factor for responses to low oxygen. Different nonhypoxic stimuli, including hormones and growth factors, are also important HIF-1 activators in the vasculature. Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main effecter hormone in the renin-angiotensin system, is a potent HIF-1 activator in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). HIF-1 activation by Ang II involves intricate mechanisms of HIF-1α transcription, translation, and protein stabilization. Additionally, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is essential for HIF-1 activation during Ang II treatment. However, the role of the different VSMC ROS generators in HIF-1 activation by Ang II remains unclear. This work aims at elucidating this question. Surprisingly, repression of NADPH oxidase-generated ROS, using Vas2870, a specific inhibitor or a p22phoxsiRNA had no significant effect on HIF-1 accumulation by Ang II. In contrast, repression of mitochondrial-generated ROS, by complex III inhibition, by Rieske Fe-S protein siRNA, or by the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant SkQ1, strikingly blocked HIF-1 accumulation. Furthermore, inhibition of mitochondrial-generated ROS abolished HIF-1α protein stability, HIF-1–dependent transcription and VSMC migration by Ang II. A large number of studies implicate NADPH oxidase–generated ROS in Ang II–mediated signaling pathways in VSMCs. However, our work points to mitochondrial-generated ROS as essential intermediates for HIF-1 activation in nonhypoxic conditions.
Characterization of the Spatiotemporal Attributes of Sclerotinia Flower Blight Epidemics in a Perennial Pyrethrum Pathosystem
Authors: Pethybridge Sarah J. , Hay Frank S. , Gent David H.
Published: July 2010

Sclerotinia flower blight, caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, causes substantial losses in Australian pyrethrum fields. The spatiotemporal characteristics of epidemics were characterized in five fields over 3 years. Log likelihood tests indicated that the β-binomial distribution fit better than the binomial distribution for 92% of the data sets. The index of dispersion, D, was significantly greater than 1 in 97% of the data sets. The estimated parameters of the slope and intercept terms of the binary power law were 1.631 (standard error [SE] = 0.059) and 0.678 (SE = 0.099), indicating a high degree of aggregation at the individual sampling unit scale. In 69% of the data sets, the magnitude of the first-order autocorrelation coefficient [Formula: see text], was significantly greater than 0. In 11 of the 12 epidemics, the monomolecular model provided the best fit, indicative of monocyclic processes. A significant spatial association between apothecia and incidence of Sclerotinia flower blight within the lag of one sampling unit was also quantified. This study suggests that S. sclerotiorum apothecia emergence was closely synchronized with flower development, and epidemics were dominated by localized sources of ascosporic inoculums. This research provides the basis for improved management strategies for Sclerotinia flower blight in pyrethrum.
First Report of Root and Crown Rot of Almond Caused by Phytophthora spp. in Turkey
Authors: Kurbetli İ. , Değirmenci K.
Published: July 2010

Almond (Prunus dulcis) production is currently increasing in Turkey. Losses of approximately 1% associated with root and crown rot of almond seedlings were observed in two commercial nurseries in Ankara and Düzce provinces in 2009. Aboveground symptoms were leaf chlorosis and wilt. Feeder roots were decayed, necrosis occurred on taproots and basal stems, and plants collapsed within several weeks. Roots were washed in tap water and 9 to 10 pieces (3 to 5 mm long) of root tissue taken from the margins of canker lesions, without surface disinfection, were placed on selective medium P5ARPH-CMA (2). Plates were incubated for 3 to 5 days at 20°C in darkness and a number of Phytophthora spp. were recovered. Actively growing mycelium was transferred to carrot piece agar containing β-sitosterol (per liter: carrot piece, 40 g; agar, 20 g; β-sitosterol, 20 mg). Isolates were identified as Phytophthora cactorum and P. citrophthora on the basis of morphological characteristics (1). P. cactorum produced abundant sporangia, oogonia, and paragynous antheridia on carrot piece agar plus β-sitosterol. It had conspicuously papillate and caducous sporangia with short pedicel. Sporangia were usually ovoid but sometimes nearly spherical. P. citrophthora did not produce sexual structures in single culture. It produced papillate, noncaducous sporangia, which were usually ovoid and obpyriform, often asymmetrically shaped and rarely possessed more than one apex. P. citrophthora did not grow at 35°C but it grew well at 30°C. Isolate identities were confirmed by sequence analysis of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (GenBank Accession Nos. HM357622, HM357623, HM357624, HM357625) using primers ITS1 and ITS2 (3). One representative isolate of each species was used to inoculate eight 2-year-old almond plants with an agar plug with actively growing mycelium that was attached to exposed cambium of basal stems. Agar plugs without mycelium were used for eight control plants. All plants inoculated with Phytophthora spp. collapsed within 3 to 4 weeks. Control plants remained healthy. Phytophthora spp. were reisolated from necrotic basal stems. To our knowledge, this is the first report of P. cactorum and P. citrophthora of almond in Turkey.

References: (1) M. E. Gallegly and C. Hong. Phytophthora, Identifying Species by Morphology and DNA Fingerprints. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2008. (2) S. N. Jeffers and S. B. Martin. Plant Dis. 70:1038, 1986. (3) S. G. Roy et al. J. Phytopathol. 157:666, 2009.
Application of cDNA Macroarray for Simultaneous Detection of 12 Potato Viruses
Authors: Maoka T. , Sugiyama S. , Maruta Y. , Hataya T.
Published: July 2010

A complementary DNA (cDNA) macroarray was developed for simultaneous detection of 12 different potato viruses. A suitable region in the viral genome for each was selected for Alfalfa mosaic virus, Cucumber mosaic virus, Potato aucuba mosaic virus, Potato leafroll virus, Potato mop-top virus, Potato virus A, Potato virus M, Potato virus S, Potato virus X, Potato virus Y, Tomato ringspot virus, and Tomato spotted wilt virus, and their respective cDNAs were cloned into plasmid vectors. Capture probes for each virus ranging from 290 to 577 bp were generated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immobilized on a nylon membrane. Total RNAs were extracted from each of these virus infected-plants, and cDNAs were synthesized from the RNA extracts using a random 9-mer primer. Subsequently, PCR reactions were performed using one primer pair for each of the 12 viruses. During PCR, amplified cDNAs were labeled with biotin and used as a target for hybridization analyses on a macroarray membrane. Hybridization signals between capture probes for the 12 viruses and their respective target cDNAs were observed using chemiluminescent or colorimetric detection. In all viruses, hybridization signals with capture probes were detected only when homologous virus targets were examined, and no hybridization to healthy plant extract was observed, facilitating identification of each virus. The results by colorimetric detection agreed with those obtained using chemiluminescence. The macroarray method developed was 5 × 102 to 4 × 106 times more sensitive than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and 5 to 5 × 104 times more sensitive than reverse-transcription PCR, except for Alfalfa mosaic virus. Colorimetric detection and substantial reduction in cross-hybridization signals much improved the method compared with other array-based detection methods for practical use.
Seed Treatment withTrichoderma harzianumAlleviates Biotic, Abiotic, and Physiological Stresses in Germinating Seeds and Seedlings
Authors: Mastouri Fatemeh , Björkman Thomas , Harman Gary E.
Published: July 2010

Trichoderma spp. are endophytic plant symbionts that are widely used as seed treatments to control diseases and to enhance plant growth and yield. Although some recent work has been published on their abilities to alleviate abiotic stresses, specific knowledge of mechanisms, abilities to control multiple plant stress factors, their effects on seed and seedlings is lacking. We examined the effects of seed treatment with T. harzianum strain T22 on germination of seed exposed to biotic stress (seed and seedling disease caused by Pythium ultimum) and abiotic stresses (osmotic, salinity, chilling, or heat stress). We also evaluated the ability of the beneficial fungus to overcome physiological stress (poor seed quality induced by seed aging). If seed were not under any of the stresses noted above, T22 generally had little effect upon seedling performance. However, under stress, treated seed germinated consistently faster and more uniformly than untreated seeds whether the stress was osmotic, salt, or suboptimal temperatures. The consistent response to varying stresses suggests a common mechanism through which the plant–fungus association enhances tolerance to a wide range of abiotic stresses as well as biotic stress. A common factor that negatively affects plants under these stress conditions is accumulation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS), and we tested the hypothesis that T22 reduced damages resulting from accumulation of ROS in stressed plants. Treatment of seeds reduced accumulation of lipid peroxides in seedlings under osmotic stress or in aged seeds. In addition, we showed that the effect of exogenous application of an antioxidant, glutathione, or application of T22, resulted in a similar positive effect on seed germination under osmotic stress or in aged seed. This evidence supports the model that T. harzianum strain T22 increases seedling vigor and ameliorates stress by inducing physiological protection in plants against oxidative damage.
Plant Host Range and Leafhopper Transmission ofMaize fine streak virus
Authors: Todd Jane C. , Ammar El-Desouky , Redinbaugh Margaret G. , Hoy Casey , Hogenhout Saskia A.
Published: July 2010

Maize fine streak virus (MFSV), an emerging Rhabdovirus sp. in the genus Nucleorhabdovirus, is persistently transmitted by the black-faced leafhopper, Graminella nigrifrons (Forbes). MFSV was transmitted to maize, wheat, oat, rye, barley, foxtail, annual ryegrass, and quackgrass by G. nigrifrons. Parameters affecting efficiency of MFSV acquisition (infection) and transmission (inoculation) to maize were evaluated using single-leafhopper inoculations and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. MFSV was detected in ≈20% of leafhoppers that fed on infected plants but <10% of insects transmitted the virus. Nymphs became infected earlier and supported higher viral titers than adults but developmental stage at aquisition did not affect the rate of MFSV transmission. Viral titer and transmission also increased with longer post-first access to diseased periods (PADPs) (the sum of the intervals from the beginning of the acquisition access period to the end of the inoculation access period). Length of the acquisition access period was more important for virus accumulation in adults, whereas length of the interval between acquisition access and inoculation access was more important in nymphs. A threshold viral titer was needed for transmission but no transmission occurred, irrespective of titer, with a PADP of <4 weeks. MFSV was first detected by immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy at 2-week PADPs in midgut cells, hemocytes, and neural tissues; 3-week PADPs in tracheal cells; and 4-week PADPs in salivary glands, coinciding with the time of transmission to plants.
Stress hormone masculinizes female morphology and behaviour
Authors: Knapp Rosemary , Marsh-Matthews Edie , Vo Luanne , Rosencrans Sarah
Published: July 2010

Sex steroids play major roles in vertebrate sexual differentiation. Unexpectedly, we now find that exposure to elevated levels of the naturally occurring stress hormone cortisol can also masculinize sexually dimorphic morphological characters and behaviour in adult female mosquitofish (
Gambusia affinis
) in a dose-dependent manner. Females masculinized by cortisol developed elongated anal fins with distal tip features similar to those of mature males. Most masculinized females also attempted to copulate when placed with normal females. Although the mechanism of masculinization is currently unknown, we propose a role for an enzyme that both inactivates cortisol and catalyzes the final step in synthesis of a major teleost androgen. This mechanism may also help explain some previously reported effects of stress on sexual development across vertebrate taxa. Our findings underscore the need to understand the full range of chemicals, both naturally occurring hormones and human-produced endocrine disruptors, that can influence sexual differentiation and reproductive function.
Sexual selection: when to expect trade-offs
Authors: Shutler Dave
Published: July 2010

Empirical evidence is mixed for interspecific trade-offs in investment among sexually selected traits. One important reason may be the way resources are allocated among species. Consider a set of species that obtains the same fitness pay-off for investment in song or plumage. Simulations where resources were normally distributed among species revealed significant trade-offs between song and plumage (± s.d. ofr= −0.54 ± 0.06). However, simulations where resources were distributed in a negative binomial fashion usually produced positive correlations (r= 0.11 ± 0.09). Repeating simulations on three published studies that concomitantly quantified elaboration of song and plumage indicated that trade-offs are likely, although these analyses make assumptions that require further evaluation. Moreover, there are currently too few empirical distributions to make generalizations about the likelihood of interspecific trade-offs in sexually selected traits.
Geographic variation in the age of temperate-zone reptile and amphibian species: Southern Hemisphere species are older
Authors: Dubey Sylvain , Shine Richard
Published: July 2010

Despite controversy over alternative definitions, the species is the fundamental operational unit of biodiversity, and species are the building-blocks of conservation. But is a ‘species’ from one part of the world the same as a ‘species’ from elsewhere? Our meta-analysis of molecular phylogenetic data reveals that reptile and amphibian species distributed in temperate-zone areas of the Northern Hemisphere are younger than taxa from the Southern Hemisphere, probably reflecting the greater impact of past climatic variation on Northern Hemisphere habitats. Because a species' age may influence its vulnerability to anthropogenic threats, geographical variation in species ages should be incorporated into conservation planning.
Biodiversity matters in a changing world
Authors: Di Poi Carole , Diss Guillaume , Freschi Luca
Published: July 2010

It is now widely accepted that the climate of our planet is changing, but it is still hard to predict the consequences of these changes on ecosystems. The impact is worst at the poles, with scientists concerned that impacts at lower latitudes will follow suit. Canada has a great responsibility and potential for studying the effects of climate changes on the ecological dynamics, given its geographical location and its scientific leadership in this field. The 5th annual meeting of the Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution was held in the International Year of Biodiversity, to share recent advances in a wide variety of disciplines ranging from molecular biology to behavioural ecology, and to integrate them into a general view that will help us preserve biodiversity and limit the impact of climate change on ecosystems.
Prediction of feather damage in laying hens using optical flows and Markov models
Authors: Lee Hyoung-joo , Roberts Stephen J. , Drake Kelly A. , Dawkins Marian Stamp
Published: July 2010

Feather pecking in laying hens is a major welfare and production problem for commercial egg producers, resulting in mortality, loss of production as well as welfare issues for the damaged birds. Damaging outbreaks of feather pecking are currently impossible to control, despite a number of proposed interventions. However, the ability to predict feather damage in advance would be a valuable research tool for identifying which management or environmental factors could be the most effective interventions at different ages. This paper proposes a framework for forecasting the damage caused by injurious pecking based on automated image processing and statistical analysis. By frame-by-frame analysis of video recordings of laying hen flocks, optical flow measures are calculated as indicators of the movement of the birds. From the optical flow datasets, measures of disturbance are extracted using hidden Markov models. Based on these disturbance measures and age-related variables, the levels of feather damage in flocks in future weeks is predicted. Applying the proposed method to real-world datasets, it is shown that the disturbance measures offer improved predictive values for feather damage thus enabling an identification of flocks with probable prevalence of damage and injury later in lay.
High-resolution tomographic imaging of a human cerebellum: comparison of absorption and grating-based phase contrast
Authors: Schulz Georg , Weitkamp Timm , Zanette Irene , Pfeiffer Franz , Beckmann Felix , David Christian , Rutishauser Simon , Reznikova Elena , Müller Bert
Published: July 2010

Human brain tissue belongs to the most impressive and delicate three-dimensional structures in nature. Its outstanding functional importance in the organism implies a strong need for brain imaging modalities. Although magnetic resonance imaging provides deep insights, its spatial resolution is insufficient to study the structure on the level of individual cells. Therefore, our knowledge of brain microstructure currently relies on two-dimensional techniques, optical and electron microscopy, which generally require severe preparation procedures including sectioning and staining. X-ray absorption microtomography yields the necessary spatial resolution, but since the composition of the different types of brain tissue is similar, the images show only marginal contrast. An alternative to absorption could be X-ray phase contrast, which is known for much better discrimination of soft tissues but requires more intricate machinery. In the present communication, we report an evaluation of the recently developed X-ray grating interferometry technique, applied to obtain phase-contrast as well as absorption-contrast synchrotron radiation-based microtomography of human cerebellum. The results are quantitatively compared with synchrotron radiation-based microtomography in optimized absorption-contrast mode. It is demonstrated that grating interferometry allows identifying besides the blood vessels, the stratum moleculare, the stratum granulosum and the white matter. Along the periphery of the stratum granulosum, we have detected microstructures about 40 µm in diameter, which we associate with the Purkinje cells because of their location, size, shape and density. The detection of individual Purkinje cells without the application of any stain or contrast agent is unique in the field of computed tomography and sets new standards in non-destructive three-dimensional imaging.
Rubella metapopulation dynamics and importance of spatial coupling to the risk of congenital rubella syndrome in Peru
Authors: Metcalf C. J. E. , Munayco C. V. , Chowell G. , Grenfell B. T. , Bjørnstad O. N.
Published: July 2010

Rubella is generally a mild childhood disease, but infection during early pregnancy may cause spontaneous abortion or congenital rubella syndrome (CRS), which may entail a variety of birth defects. Consequently, understanding the age-structured dynamics of this infection has considerable public health value. Vaccination short of the threshold for local elimination of transmission will increase the average age of infection. Accordingly, the classic concern for this infection is the potential for vaccination to increase incidence in individuals of childbearing age. A neglected aspect of rubella dynamics is how age incidence patterns may be moulded by the spatial dynamics inherent to epidemic metapopulations. Here, we use a uniquely detailed dataset from Peru to explore the implications of this for the burden of CRS. Our results show that the risk of CRS may be particularly severe in small remote regions, a prediction at odds with expectations in the endemic situation, and with implications for the outcome of vaccination. This outcome results directly from the metapopulation context: specifically, extinction–re-colonization dynamics are crucial because they allow for significant leakage of susceptible individuals into the older age classes during inter-epidemic periods with the potential to increase CRS risk by as much as fivefold.
Large-scale simulation of normal grain growth via diffusion-generated motion
Authors: Elsey Matt , Esedoḡlu Selim , Smereka Peter
Published: July 2010

Diffusion-generated motion is used to perform a very large-scale simulation of normal grain growth in three dimensions with high accuracy. The method is based on the diffusion of signed distance functions and shares similarities with level-set methods. The Herring-angle condition at junctions and topological transitions are naturally captured with this formulation. This approach offers significant advantages over existing numerical methods and allows for accurate computations on scales not previously possible. A fully resolved simulation of normal grain growth, initially containing over 130 000 grains in three dimensions, is presented and analysed. It is shown that the average grain radius grows as the square root of time and the grain-size distribution is self-similar. Good agreement with other theoretical predictions, experimental results and simulation results via other techniques is also demonstrated.
Correlated evolution of sex and reproductive mode in corals (Anthozoa: Scleractinia)
Authors: Kerr Alexander M. , Baird Andrew H. , Hughes Terry P.
Published: July 2010

Sexuality and reproductive mode are two fundamental life-history traits that exhibit largely unexplained macroevolutionary patterns among the major groups of multicellular organisms. For example, the cnidarian class Anthozoa (corals and anemones) is mainly comprised of gonochoric (separate sex) brooders or spawners, while one order, Scleractinia (skeleton-forming corals), appears to be mostly hermaphroditic spawners. Here, using the most complete phylogeny of scleractinians, we reconstruct how evolutionary transitions between sexual systems (gonochorism versus hermaphrodism) and reproductive modes (brooding versus spawning) have generated large-scale taxonomic patterns in these characters. Hermaphrodites have independently evolved in three large, distantly related lineages consisting of mostly reef-building species. Reproductive mode in corals has evolved at twice the rate of sexuality, while the evolution of sexuality has been heavily biased: gonochorism is over 100 times more likely to be lost than gained, and can only be acquired by brooders. This circuitous evolutionary pathway accounts for the prevalence of hermaphroditic spawners among reef-forming scleractinians, despite their ancient gonochoric heritage.
Effects of post-breeding moult and energetic condition on timing of songbird migration into the tropics
Authors: Stutchbury Bridget J. M. , Gow Elizabeth A. , Done Tyler , MacPherson Maggie , Fox James W. , Afanasyev Vsevolod
Published: July 2010

Each autumn billions of songbirds migrate between the temperate zone and tropics, but little is known about how events on the breeding grounds affect migration to the tropics. Here, we use light level geolocators to track the autumn migration of wood thrushesHylocichla mustelinaand test for the first time if late moult and poor physiological condition prior to migration delays arrival on the winter territory. Late nesting thrushes postponed feather moult, and birds with less advanced moult in August were significantly farther north on 10 October while en route to the tropics. Individuals in relatively poor energetic condition in August (high β-Hydroxybutyrate, low triglyceride, narrow feather growth bars) passed into the tropics significantly later in October. However, late moult and poor pre-migratory condition did not result in late arrival on the winter territory because stopover duration was highly variable late in migration. Although carry-over effects from the winter territory to spring migration may be strong in migratory songbirds, our study suggests that high reproductive effort late in the season does not impose time constraints that delay winter territory acquisition.
First skull ofAntillothrix bernensis, an extinct relict monkey from the Dominican Republic
Authors: Rosenberger Alfred L. , Cooke Siobhán B. , Rímoli Renato , Ni Xijun , Cardoso Luis
Published: July 2010

The nearly pristine remains ofAntillothrix bernensis, a capuchin-sized (Cebus) extinct platyrrhine from the Dominican Republic, have been found submerged in an underwater cave. This represents the first specimen of an extinct Caribbean primate with diagnostic craniodental and skeletal parts in association, only the second example of a skull from the region, and one of the most complete specimens of a fossil platyrrhine cranium yet discovered. Cranially, it closely resembles living cebines but is more conservative. Dentally, it is less bunodont and more primitive thanCebus, with crowns resemblingSaimiri(squirrel monkeys) and one of the oldest definitive cebines, the late Early MioceneKillikaike blakeifrom Argentina. The tricuspid second molar also resembles the enigmatic marmosets and tamarins, whose origins continue to present a major gap in knowledge of primate evolution. While the femur is oddly short and stout, the ulna, though more robust, compares well withCebus. As a member of the cebid clade,Antillothrixdemonstrates that insular Caribbean monkeys are not monophyletically related and may not be the product of a single colonizing event.Antillothrix bernensisis an intriguing mosaic whose primitive characters are consistent with an early origin, possibly antedating the assembly of the modern primate fauna in greater Amazonia during the La Venta horizon. While most Greater Antillean primate specimens are quite young geologically, this vanished radiation, known from Cuba (Paralouatta) and Jamaica (Xenothrix) as well as Hispaniola, appears to be composed of long-lived lineages like several other mainland clades.
Personality–Relationship Transaction in Adolescence: Core Versus Surface Personality Characteristics
Authors: Asendorpf Jens B. , Van Aken Marcel A. G.
Published: July 2010

Abstract Personality effects on perceived support from social relationships and vice versa were longitudinally studied over adolescence. Within personality, core (Big Five personality traits) and surface characteristics (global self‐worth, perceived peer acceptance, and loneliness) were distinguished. Core, but not surface, characteristics at age 12 predicted support from both parents and peers at age 17 after controlling for support at age 12. Support at age 12 predicted surface, but not core, characteristics at age 17 after controlling for personality at age 12. These findings are interpreted within a dual model of personality–relationship transaction. Core characteristics are relatively stable traits that are largely immune against experiences in relationships and continuously influence their flux and flow. Surface characteristics are more open to relationship influences, and are therefore less stable.
Sexual dimorphism of head morphology in three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus
Authors: Aguirre W. E. , Akinpelu O.
Published: July 2010

This study examined sexual dimorphism of head morphology in the ecologically diverse three‐spined stickleback Gasterosteus aculeatus. Male G. aculeatus had longer heads than female G. aculeatus in all 10 anadromous, stream and lake populations examined, and head length growth rates were significantly higher in males in half of the populations sampled, indicating that differences in head size increased with body size in many populations. Despite consistently larger heads in males, there was significant variation in size‐adjusted head length among populations, suggesting that the relationship between head length and body length was flexible. Inter‐population differences in head length were correlated between sexes, thus population‐level factors influenced head length in both sexes despite the sexual dimorphism present. Head shape variation between lake and anadromous populations was greater than that between sexes. The common divergence in head shape between sexes across populations was about twice as important as the sexual dimorphism unique to each population. Finally, much of the sexual dimorphism in head length was due to divergence in the anterior region of the head, where the primary trophic structures were found. It is unclear whether the sexual dimorphism was due to natural selection for niche divergence between sexes or sexual selection. This study improves knowledge of the magnitude, growth rate divergence, inter‐population variation and location of sexual dimorphism in G. aculeatus head morphology.
Amelanotic malignant melanoma where primary lesion was discovered 5 years after metastasis in the lymph node
Authors: KATO Hiroshi , INOUE Yuji , ISHIHARA Tsuyoshi , KAGESHITA Toshiro , IHN Hironobu
Published: July 2010

A 53‐year‐old Japanese man presented with a subcutaneous nodule in his left inguinal region in 2002. He was diagnosed as having a malignant tumor of the soft tissues at a local hospital; however, an exact diagnosis was not obtained. CYVADIC (cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dacarbazine) therapy was done for adjuvant therapy. In 2004, he noticed a nodule on the left heel. Positron emission computed tomography showed abnormal up‐take and he consulted our department. He was diagnosed as having amelanotic malignant melanoma and the lesion was resected. There were no metastases in the groin or popliteal lymph nodes. After the evaluation, the tumor was staged at pT3b N1b M0 stage IIIC (Breslow’s tumor thickness was 7 mm). In our hospital, we have experienced 16 cases of amelanotic malignant melanoma. Generally, it is reported that the patients with amelanotic malignant melanoma have a poor prognosis, but we have observed no difference in the outcome between the patients with amelanotic malignant melanoma and those with malignant melanoma.
Pyodermatitis–pyostomatitis vegetans after subtotal colectomy for ulcerative colitis
Authors: KITAYAMA Asuka , MISAGO Noriyuki , OKAWA Takeshi , IWAKIRI Ryuichi , NARISAWA Yutaka
Published: July 2010

A 51‐year‐old Japanese woman underwent subtotal colectomy for ulcerative colitis 5 years before her first visit to our hospital, and her symptoms stabilized. She presented with a 2‐month history of proliferative, pustular lesions on her face, scalp, and gingival and anal mucosae. Histological examination showed features similar to those of pemphigus vegetans. However, the results of immunofluorescence studies, immunoblot analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for pemphigus were negative, and colonoscopy revealed a relapse of ulcerative colitis in the remaining rectal mucosa, so a diagnosis of pyodermatitis–pyostomatitis vegetans was made. This is the first report of mucocutaneous lesions that developed with a relapse of ulcerative colitis in the remaining rectum after subtotal colectomy. Moreover, a close correlation was found between the condition of bowel inflammation and that of mucocutaneous lesions.
Sialidase of Streptococcus intermedius: a putative virulence factor modifying sugar chains
Authors: Takao Ayuko , Nagamune Hideaki , Maeda Nobuko
Published: July 2010

A sialidase gene of Streptococcus intermedius was cloned. It was most similar to nanA, a major sialidase gene in Streptococcus pneumoniae, and was expressed in Escherichia coli. Since the gene‐knockout S. intermedius strain lost detectable sialidase activity, the gene might code, either solely or mainly, the glycosidase in the bacterial genome. Polymerase chain reaction using the primers for the nanA homologue in S. intermedius (described as nanA below) showed that this sialidase gene was commonly distributed within the isolates of S. intermedius, but not found in the strains of other species among the anginosus group. In biofilm formation assay under cultivation with mucin, the nanA‐deleted S. intermedius maintained the amount of biofilm for 72 hr, while that of the parent strain decreased during incubation from 24 to 72 hr. Since sialidase activity in the parent strain increased during that time period, sialidase might contribute to the degradation of biofilm under sialic acid‐rich conditions. When S. intermedius was added into the HepG2 hepatoma culture, the calculated disassociation constant (Kd) of EDTA‐releasable bacterial adhesion to the cells was higher in the nanA‐deleted strain than in the parent. Furthermore, the rate constant, assuming endocytosis of the bacterium mediated by ASGP‐R in HepG2 cells, seemed to be increased by sialidase pretreatment of the bacterial cells before addition to the cell culture. According to the results, modification of sugar chains by sialidase on the bacterial surface and in the surrounding environment might influence both bacterial interaction and host–bacterial interaction in S. intermedius.
The absorption of bismuth from oral doses of tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate
Authors: NWOKOLO C. U. , GAVEY C. J. , SMITH J. T. L. , POUNDER R. E.
Published: July 2010

Two studies measured plasma concentrations of bismuth during dosing with tripotassium dicitrato bismuthate (De‐Noltab). The first study compared 24 h plasma bismuth concentration and urinary bismuth excretion in six patients who had already received 29–131 days (median 47 days) of treatment with De‐Noltab 2 b.d., and six healthy subjects who only received De‐Noltab 2 b.d. on the day of study. There was a prompt rise in plasma bismuth concentration after each dose of De‐Noltabs. The median 24 h integrated plasma bismuth concentration was similar in both groups, but the median 24 h urinary bismuth excretion was 5.4‐fold higher in the patients.

The second study compared the plasma bismuth concentrations after the first and third doses of De‐Noltab 2 b.d. in 16 healthy subjects. The median peak bismuth concentration occurred 30 min (range 15–105 min) post‐dosing. The peak plasma bismuth concentration was greater than 50 ng/ml in 14 of the 16 subjects, and greater than 100 ng/ml in nine of the subjects. There was no significant difference in the median integrated 10‐h plasma bismuth concentration after the first or third dose of De‐Noltabs.

The results of these studies confirm that bismuth is absorbed and sequestrated during dosing with De‐Noltabs. Bismuth is absorbed rapidly after oral dosing with De‐NoItabs, to produce peak plasma bismuth concentrations hitherto considered to be in the range associated with bismuth neurotoxicity.