bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Ca2+/Mg2+ selectivity in α‐lactalbumin and Ca2+‐binding lysozyme reveals a distinct Mg2+‐specific site in lysozyme
Authors: Permyakov Sergei E. , Khokhlova Tatyana I. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Permyakov Eugene A.
Published: May 2010

The triggering of Ca2+ signaling pathways relies on Ca2+/Mg2+ specificity of proteins mediating these pathways. Two homologous milk Ca2+‐binding proteins, bovine α‐lactalbumin (bLA) and equine lysozyme (EQL), were analyzed using the simplest “four‐state” scheme of metal‐ and temperature‐induced structural changes in a protein. The association of Ca2+/Mg2+ by native proteins is entropy‐driven. Both proteins exhibit strong temperature dependences of apparent affinities to Ca2+ and Mg2+, due to low thermal stabilities of their apo‐forms and relatively high unfavorable enthalpies of Mg2+ association. The ratios of their apparent affinities to Ca2+ and Mg2+, being unusually high at low temperatures (5.3–6.5 orders of magnitude), reach the values inherent to classical EF‐hand motifs at physiological temperatures. The comparison of phase diagrams predicted within the model of competitive Ca2+ and Mg2+ binding with experimental data strongly suggests that the association of Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions with bLA is a competitive process, whereas the primary Mg2+ site of EQL is different from its Ca2+‐binding site. The later conclusion is corroborated by qualitatively different molar ellipticity changes in near‐UV region accompanying Mg2+ and Ca2+ association. The Ca2+/Mg2+ selectivity of Mg2+‐site of EQL is below an order of magnitude. EQL exhibits a distinct Mg2+‐specific site, probably arising as an adaptation to the extracellular environment. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The expanding range of parvoviruses which infect humans
Authors: Brown Kevin E.
Published: May 2010

The first human parvoviruses to be described (1960s) were the adeno‐associated viruses (AAVs, now classed as dependoviruses), originally identified as contaminants of cell cultures, followed by parvovirus B19 (B19V) in 1974, the first parvovirus to be definitively shown to be pathogenic. More recently two new groups of parvoviruses, the human bocaviruses (HuBoV) and the Parv4 viruses have been identified. These four groups of human viruses are all members of different genera within the Parvovirus family, and have very different biology, epidemiology and disease associations from each other. This review will provide an overview of the virological, pathogenic and clinical features of the different human paroviruses, and how these new viruses and their variants fit into the current understanding of parvovirus infection. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immobilization stress responses in adult rats exposed in utero to immobilization
Authors: Mayer Nora , Greco Cecilia , Bertuzzi Mabel , Rodriguez Nancy , Vivas Adriana , Gauna Hector
Published: May 2010

The present study investigated the influence of immobilization prenatal stress on adult male rats, with the same postnatal stress, on the immune parameters and its relation with plasma corticosterone (COR) and glucose levels. To study the immunity parameters, profiles of the leucocytes, size of spleen and number of the mononuclear cells of this organ were determined. Basal levels of COR and glucose were higher in prenatally stressed animals. When the adult animals were exposed to immobilization stress, COR increased but the increase was less than that for the control group, and glucose was equal in both groups. Although postnatal acute stress decreased the number of leucocytes and lymphocytes and increased the number of neutrophils, the effect was lower in prenatally stressed animals; for that reason, the ratio neutrophil/lymphocyte increased less. The number of mononuclear cells were higher in the spleen of prenatally stressed animals. This effect was probably due to retention of blood lymphocytes in the spleen. There seemed to be an alteration in the redistribution of leucocytes, both in basal conditions and under postnatal stress. The alteration of the immunological function may be partly due to an alteration in the functionality of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, which was hyperactive in basal conditions but appeared to suffer habituation to the same stress. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorescence‐Guided Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy: Clinical Experience with a Novel Intraoperative Detection Technique for Parathyroid Glands
Authors: Prosst Ruediger L. , Weiss Johannes , Hupp Linus , Willeke Frank , Post Stefan
Published: May 2010

Background

Detection of normal and pathologic parathyroid glands often is difficult due to their variability in number and location. We have implemented photosensitizer‐induced fluorescence for the routine intraoperative identification of parathyroids for the surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism.

Methods

From 2004 to 2007, 25 patients suffering from primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism underwent minimally invasive videoscopic‐assisted parathyroidectomy after oral photosensitization with aminolevulinic acid (ALA).

Results

Fluorescence was sufficiently strong in 48% of patients to aid faster detection of the glands in situ. In an additional 44%, the fluorescence behavior supported the identification of the glands in situ and after excision, yielding a total of 92% of glands whose identity could be confirmed by the fluorescence technique.

Conclusions

Fluorescence‐guided minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is technically feasible and may support the surgeon in detecting and confirming the parathyroid glands. As the fluorescence method requires only moderate additional technical efforts and clinical expenditure, it is a valuable add‐on component in parathyroid surgery to facilitate the operation.
Factors Predicting the Hospital Mortality of Patients with Corrosive Gastrointestinal Injuries Receiving Esophagogastrectomy in the Acute Stage
Authors: Chou Shah‐Hwa , Chang Yu‐Tang , Li Hsien‐Pin , Huang Meei‐Feng , Lee Chia‐Hua , Lee Ka‐Wo
Published: May 2010

Objectives

The aim of this study was to identify the preoperative factors that affect the survival of patients who undergo esophagogastrectomy after corrosive ingestion, using analysis of their physiological condition, associated diseases, physical examination, and laboratory data.

Methods

Between January 1995 and December 2005, 71 consecutive patients who underwent esophagogastrectomy for corrosive ingestion injuries were retrospectively reviewed. Of them, 41 survived and 30 (42.3%) died during the perioperative period. Logistic regression analyses were used to model markers for postoperative mortality, including descriptive data, clinical symptoms/signs, and laboratory data.

Results

There were 35 males and 36 females included in the study, with an average age of 54.7 ± 14.9 years. After adjustments in the logistic regression model, age of over 65 years (p = 0.021), presence of gross hematuria (p = 0.016), twofold level of serum AST (p = 0.012), blood pH level below 7.2 (p = 0.017), and deficit of blood base over 16 (p = 0.007) were found to be independent risk factors for patient mortality.

Conclusions

We consider age over 65 years, preoperative pH < 7.2, base deficit >16, twofold level of serum AST, and presence of gross hematuria to be the important factors predicting postoperative hospital mortality in patients presenting with corrosive ingestion injuries who require emergency surgery.
Misunderstandings Concerning Genetics Among Patients Confronting Genetic Disease
Authors: Klitzman Robert L.
Published: May 2010

Critical questions arise about misunderstandings of genetics. We interviewed for 2 h each, 64 individuals who had or were at risk for Huntington's disease (HD), breast cancer or Alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency. These individuals revealed various misunderstandings that can affect coping, and testing, treatment and reproductive decisions. A therapeutic misconception about testing appeared: that testing would be helpful in and of itself. Many believed they could control genetic disorders (even HD), yet these beliefs were often incorrect, and could impede coping, testing, and treatment. Misunderstandings about statistics and genetics often fueled each other, and reflected denial, and desires for hope and control. Emotional needs can thus outweigh understandings of genetics and statistics, and providers’ input. Individuals often maintained non‐scientific beliefs, though embarrassed by these. These data have implications for care, and public and professional education. Misunderstandings’ persistence, despite realization of their inaccuracy, suggests that providers need to address not just cognitive facts, but underlying emotional issues.
Lipidomic Analysis of Porcine Olfactory Epithelial Membranes and Cilia
Authors: Lobasso Simona , Lopalco Patrizia , Angelini Roberto , Baronio Maristella , Fanizzi Francesco P. , Babudri Francesco , Corcelli Angela
Published: May 2010

The use of the matrix 9‐aminoacridine has been recently introduced in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry analysis of both anionic and cationic phospholipids. In the present study, we take advantage of this technique to analyze the lipids of porcine olfactory mucosa and a membrane fraction enriched in cilia. Thin‐layer chromatography (TLC) and 31P‐NMR analyses of the lipid extracts were also performed in parallel. MALDI‐TOF‐MS allowed the identification of lipid classes in the total lipid extract and individual lipids present in the main TLC bands. The comparison between the composition of the two lipid extracts showed that: (1) cardiolipin, present in small amount in the whole olfactory mucosa lipid extract, was absent in the extract of membranes enriched in olfactory cilia, (2) phosphatidylethanolamine species were less abundant in ciliary than in whole epithelial membranes, (3) sulfoglycosphingolipids were detected in the lipid extract of ciliary membranes, but not in that of epithelial membranes. Our results indicate that the lipid pattern of ciliary membranes is different from that of whole‐tissue membranes and suggest that olfactory receptors require a specific lipid environment for their functioning.
Sitosterol Thermo‐oxidative Degradation Leads to the Formation of Dimers, Trimers and Oligomers: A Study Using Combined Size Exclusion Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Rudzinska Magdalena , Przybylski Roman , Zhao Yuan Yuan , Curtis Jonathan M.
Published: May 2010

Phytosterols are recognized as functional food components with cholesterol reducing properties in humans. The formation of phytosterol oligomers as a result of the thermo‐oxidative degradation of sitosterol is shown to occur. The existence of oligomers is demonstrated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and confirmed by combined SEC‐atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (SEC/APCI‐MS). A speculative structure for the sitosterol dimer with 3,7′ linkage is proposed consistent with data from tandem mass spectrometry and exact mass measurements. Higher molecular weight species arising from the formation of trimers or higher oligomers are seen in the mass spectra. Fragments of sitosterol formed by thermo‐oxidative processes are also shown to oligomerize and their common structural characteristics are demonstrated by tandem mass spectrometry. The results presented provide evidence for the possible formation of oligomeric species involving sterols in addition to those known for acylglycerides in vegetable oils subjected to extreme oxidative stress such as in frying.
Breast Cancer Close to the Nipple: Does This Increase the Risk of Nodal Metastasis at Diagnosis?
Authors: Lewis Erin I. , Ozonoff Al , Nguyen Cheri P. , Kim Michael , Slanetz Priscilla J.
Published: May 2010

Background

Previous studies of patients with invasive breast cancer examined, with mixed results, tumour location as a predictor of axillary lymph node metastasis. This study assessed whether tumour location in relation to the nipple impacts the presence of axillary lymph node metastasis at the time of diagnosis.

Methods

A retrospective review was undertaken of the medical records and available imaging of 285 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between January 2001 to June 2007 at Boston University Medical Center. The incidence of axillary lymph node metastasis was correlated with tumour location in relation to the posterior nipple line to control for variation in breast size. Bivariate analysis identified significant variables that were applied to a multiple logistic regression model.

Results

Axillary lymph node metastasis was not significantly associated with tumour proximity to the nipple. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, known prognostic factors for axillary metastasis, such as surgical size, lymphovascular invasion, and age of diagnosis, were significant, whereas breast density, palpability, and histologic grade were no longer significant.

Conclusions

Our study found that there was no evidence that correlates intramammary tumour proximity to the nipple with the presence of axillary lymph node metastasis at diagnosis. However, known prognostic factors, such as lymphovascular invasion, surgical size, and younger age at diagnosis, are strong independent predictors for axillary lymph node involvement.
DEDD negatively regulates transforming growth factor‐β1 signaling by interacting with Smad3
Authors: Xue Jian-Fei , Hua Fang , Lv Qi , Lin Heng , Wang Zi-Yan , Yan Jun , Liu Jin-Wen , Lv Xiao-Xi , Yang Hong-Zhen , Hu Zhuo-Wei
Published: May 2010

MINT‐7895480: DEDD (uniprotkb:O75618) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Smad3 (uniprotkb:P84022) by anti bait co‐immunoprecipitation (MI:0006)
Plant volatile terpenoid metabolism: Biosynthetic genes, transcriptional regulation and subcellular compartmentation
Authors: Nagegowda Dinesh A.
Published: May 2010

Volatile terpenoids released from different plant parts play crucial roles in pollinator attraction, plant defense, and interaction with the surrounding environment. Two distinct pathways localized in different subcellular compartments are responsible for the biosynthesis of these compounds. Recent advances in the characterization of genes and enzymes responsible for substrate and end product biosynthesis as well as efforts in metabolic engineering have revealed new aspects of volatile terpenoid biosynthesis. This review summarizes recent progress in the characterization of volatile terpenoid biosynthetic genes, their spatio‐temporal expression patterns and subcellular localization of corresponding proteins. In addition, recent information obtained from metabolic engineering is discussed.
Diversity and Democratic Politics: An Introduction
Authors: Harell Allison , Stolle Dietlind
Published: May 2010

Abstract.In recent years, there has been increasing popular and academic debate about how ethnic and racial diversity affects democratic politics and social cohesion in industrialized liberal democracies. In this introduction, different interdisciplinary theoretical approaches for understanding the role of diversity for intergroup relations and social cohesion are reviewed and four extensions to the current literature are proposed. These include taking advantage of a comparative framework to understand how generalizable the consequences of diversity are. A comparative country approach also helps to reveal which policies might be able to mitigate any potential negative consequences of diversity. Most importantly, we propose that the research in this area should include other aspects of social cohesion beyond measures of generalized trust, such as solidarity, attitudes about the welfare state and redistributive justice, as well as political and social tolerance. Finally, research on the effects of diversity might gain more insights from taking less of a majority-centric approach to include the effects on various minority groups as well.

Résumé.Ces dernières années ont procuré un sol fertile au débat populaire et universitaire autour des effets de la diversité ethnique et raciale sur la politique démocratique et sur la cohésion sociale dans les démocraties libérales industrialisées. Dans cette introduction, nous passons en revue diverses approches théoriques interdisciplinaires permettant de clarifier le rôle de la diversité dans les relations entre les groupes et dans la cohésion sociale et nous proposons quatre ajouts à la littérature courante. Nous suggérons, entre autres, de tirer profit d'un cadre comparatif pour comprendre à quel point les conséquences de la diversité sont généralisables. Une étude comparative des pays aide également à cerner les politiques qui pourraient atténuer les conséquences négatives potentielles de la diversité. Par-dessus tout, nous avançons que la recherche dans ce domaine devrait inclure d'autres aspects de la cohésion sociale à part les mesures de la confiance généralisée, des aspects tels que la solidarité, les attitudes envers l'État-providence et la justice redistributive, ainsi que la tolérance politique et sociale. Finalement, la recherche sur les effets de la diversité pourrait devenir plus instructive en adoptant une approche moins centrée sur la majorité afin d'inclure également les effets sur divers groupes minoritaires.
Does Diversity Damage Social Capital? A Comparative Study of Neighbourhood Diversity and Social Capital in the US and Britain
Authors: Fieldhouse Edward , Cutts David
Published: May 2010

Abstract.A number of scholars have noted a negative relationship between ethnic diversity and social capital or social trust, especially in the US. Evidence from other countries has been more mixed and sometimes contradictory. In this paper we provide the first Anglo-American comparative analysis of the relationship between neighbourhood diversity and social capital, and show how this relationship varies across ethnic categories. We apply multilevel structural equation models to individual level data from the 2000 Citizen Benchmark Survey for the US and the 2005 Citizenship Survey for Great Britain. The findings suggest that while for attitudinal social capital among Whites the negative underlying relationship with diversity is apparent in both countries, the effect is much weaker or reversed for minority groups. For structural social capital the negative relationship is apparent for minorities but not Whites, but this is mainly attributable to other neighbourhood characteristics.

Résumé.Un certain nombre d'universitaires ont noté une relation négative entre la diversité ethnique et le capital social ou la confiance sociale, surtout aux États-Unis. D'autres pays, par contre, offrent des constats plus mitigés et parfois contradictoires. Dans cet article, nous présentons la première analyse comparative anglo-américaine de la relation entre la diversité du voisinage et le capital social et nous démontrons comment cette relation varie selon les catégories ethniques. Nous appliquons des modélisations par équation structurelle à multiniveaux à des données de niveau individuel provenant duCitizen Benchmark Surveyde 2000 pour les États-Unis et duCitizenship Surveyde 2005 pour la Grande-Bretagne. Les résultats démontrent que si, pour le capital social attitudinal, la relation fondamentale négative avec la diversité est évidente parmi les Blancs dans les deux pays, l'effet est cependant beaucoup plus faible ou renversé pour les groupes minoritaires. En ce qui concerne le capital social structurel, la relation négative est évidente pour les minorités, mais pas pour les Blancs, mais cette situation est principalement attribuable à d'autres caractéristiques du voisinage.
Does Immigration Erode Social Capital? The Conditional Effects of Immigration-Generated Diversity on Trust, Membership, and Participation across 19 Countries, 1981–2000
Authors: Kesler Christel , Bloemraad Irene
Published: May 2010

Abstract.This article is an attempt to qualify existing evidence that increasing diversity is detrimental to a vibrant civil society. We focus specifically on immigration-generated diversity, and argue that while it may have negative effects on some specific civic and political outcomes in some contexts, these effects vary widely across advanced democracies. Our argument rests on analysis of a cross-national, cross-sectional time-series dataset that brings together individual-level World Values Survey data with country-level variables. With these data, we track within-country changes over time in trust and engagement. We show that immigration can have a negative effect on social trust, organizational membership and political engagement, but that institutional arrangements shape this relationship in systematic ways. In more economically equal societies and in more multicultural countries (where cultural minorities are recognized and accommodated), the negative effects of immigration on trust and engagement are mitigated or even reversed. We conclude that there is no general link between immigration-generated diversity and collective-mindedness. Rather, the direction and strength of the relationship depend on institutional and policy contexts.

Résumé.Cet article vise à nuancer les preuves existantes que la diversité croissante porte préjudice à une société civile dynamique. Nous nous concentrons particulièrement sur la diversité produite par l'immigration. Nous soutenons que même si elle peut exercer une influence négative sur quelques indices dans certains contextes, ces effets varient considérablement selon le pays examiné parmi les démocraties avancées. Notre argument repose sur l'analyse d'un ensemble de données multinational, transversal et longitudinal qui rassemble des données au niveau individuel duWorld Values Surveyavec des variables au niveau des pays. Au moyen de ces données, nous examinons les changements survenus à l'intérieur des pays, au fil du temps, sur le plan de la confiance et de l'engagement. Nous montrons que l'immigration peut avoir un effet négatif sur la confiance sociale, l'adhésion à des organisations et l'engagement politique, mais que les arrangements institutionnels influencent cette relation de manières systématiques. Dans les sociétés plus économiquement égales et dans les pays plus multiculturels (où les minorités culturelles sont reconnues et accommodées), les effets négatifs de l'immigration sur la confiance et l'engagement sont atténués, voire inversés. Nous concluons qu'il n'y a aucun lien général entre la diversité produite par l'immigration et l'esprit collectif. La direction et la force de la relation entre les deux dépendent plutôt des politiques et des contextes institutionnels.
And Justice for Some: Race, Crime, and Punishment in the US Criminal Justice System
Authors: Hurwitz Jon , Peffley Mark
Published: May 2010

Abstract.Criminal justice policy in the US has long been exceedingly responsive to public opinion. Unfortunately, public attitudes towards justice in the US are severely bifurcated along racial lines, such that Whites see a system that is “colour-blind” and Blacks perceive one that is severely biased against them. In this paper, we explore the magnitude of this racial cleavage and, more importantly, demonstrate how it impacts differential reactions to events (such as accusations of police brutality) and policies (such as capital punishment) in the justice domain. To the degree that elites base policies on (mainly White) majority preferences, such policies are unlikely to be responsive to the racial discrimination that is a part of the current criminal justice environment.

Résumé.La politique pénale aux États-Unis répond énormément à l'opinion publique. Malheureusement, les positions populaires envers la justice américaine sont radicalement divisées suivant l'appartenance raciale. Aux yeux des Blancs, le système est essentiellement neutre envers les groupes raciaux différents, mais les Noirs le perçoivent comme étant fortement entaché de discrimination contre eux. Dans cet article, nous considérons l'étendue de cet écart racial et, surtout, nous démontrons comment ces perceptions entraînent des réactions différentes envers les événements (comme les accusations de brutalité policière) et envers les politiques publiques (comme la peine capitale) dans le domaine de la justice. Dans la mesure où les élites fondent les politiques sur les préférences de la majorité (surtout blanche), il est peu probable que ces politiques puissent remédier à la discrimination raciale qui fait partie du système pénal actuel.
Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions due to the use of bio-ethanol from wheat grain and straw produced in the south-eastern USA
Authors: PERSSON T. , GARCIA A. GARCIA Y , PAZ J. O. , FRAISSE C. W. , HOOGENBOOM G.
Published: May 2010

Biofuels can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by replacing fossil fuels. However, the energy yield from agronomic crops varies due to local climate, weather and soil variability. A variation in the yield of raw material used (feedstock) could also cause variability in GHG reductions if biofuels are used. The goal of the present study was to determine the net reduction of GHG emissions if ethanol from wheat produced in different regions of the south-eastern USA is used as an alternative to gasoline from fossil fuel sources. Two scenarios were investigated; the first included ethanol produced from grain only, and the second included ethanol produced from both grain and wheat straw. Winter wheat yield was simulated with the Cropping System Model (CSM)-CERES-Wheat model for climate, soil and crop management representing six counties in the following USA states: Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Ethanol production was determined from the simulated grain and straw yields together with fixed grain and straw yield ethanol ratios. Subsequently, net reductions in GHG emissions were determined by accounting for the emissions from the replaced gasoline, and by animal feed and electricity that were replaced by ethanol processing co-products. Greenhouse gases that were emitted in the ethanol production chain were also taken into account. Across all locations, the reduction in GHG emissions was 187 g CO2-equivalents/km in the grain-only scenario and 208 g CO2-equivalents/km in the grain and straw scenario. The reductions in GHG emissions varied significantly between locations and growing seasons within the two scenarios. Similar approaches could be applied to assess the environmental impact of GHG emissions from other biofuels.
Effects of betaine supplementation on rumen fermentation, lactation performance, feed digestibilities and plasma characteristics in dairy cows
Authors: WANG C. , LIU Q. , YANG W. Z. , WU J. , ZHANG W. W. , ZHANG P. , DONG K. H. , HUANG Y. X.
Published: May 2010

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of betaine supplementation on rumen fermentation, lactation performance and plasma characteristics in dairy cows. Twenty multiparous Holstein dairy cows (597±11·8 kg body weight (BW), 88±4·5 days in milk (DIM) and average daily milk production of 26·3±0·5 kg/cow) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square experiment. The treatments were: control (without betaine), low-betaine (LB), medium-betaine (MB) and high-betaine (HB) with 0, 50, 100 and 150 g supplemental anhydrous betaine/cow/day, respectively. Betaine was hand-mixed into the top one-third of the daily ration at feeding. Experimental periods were 30 days with 15 days of adaptation and 15 days of sampling. Dry matter (DM) intake was not affected with increasing the betaine supplementation. There were linear increases in milk yield and fat-corrected milk yield (corrected to 40 g fat/kg) and a linear and quadratic increase in milk fat concentration with increasing the betaine supplementation, whereas the proportion and yield of milk protein and lactose, and feed efficiency, were not affected. Ruminal pH and ammonia N linearly decreased, whereas total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration linearly and quadratically increased with increasing the betaine supplementation. The ratio of acetate to propionate (A:P) linearly increased from 3·06 to 3·53 as betaine supplementation increased. Digestibility of DM linearly increased, whereas digestibilities of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) in the total tract were quadratically increased with increasing the betaine supplementation. Plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) were lower for betaine supplementation than for control, and were linearly decreased by betaine supplementation. The results indicate that supplementation of mid-lactation dairy cow diets with betaine increased milk yield through increased feed digestion. Betaine supplementation may benefit lactation performance when methionine supply is limiting.
Important drug–nutrient interactions
Authors: Mason Pamela
Published: May 2010

Drugs have the potential to interact with nutrients potentially leading to reduced therapeutic efficacy of the drug, nutritional risk or increased adverse effects of the drug. Despite significant interest in such interactions going back to over more than 40 years, the occurrence and clinical significance of many drug–nutrient interactions remains unclear. However, interactions involving drugs with a narrow therapeutic margin such as theophylline and digoxin and those that require careful blood monitoring such as warfarin are likely to be those of clinical significance. Drugs can affect nutrition as a result of changes in appetite and taste as well as having an influence on absorption or metabolism of nutrients. Moreover, foods and supplements can also interact with drugs, of which grapefruit juice and St John's wort are key examples. Significant numbers of people take both supplements and medication and are potentially at risk from interactions. Professionals, such as pharmacists, dietitians, nurses and doctors, responsible for the care of patients should therefore check whether supplements are being taken, while for researchers this is an area worthy of significant further study, particularly in the context of increasingly complex drug regimens and the plethora of new drugs.
Eats roots and leaves. Can edible horticultural crops address dietary calcium, magnesium and potassium deficiencies?
Authors: Broadley Martin R. , White Philip J.
Published: May 2010

Human individuals require at least 20 inorganic elements (‘minerals’) for normal functioning. However, much of the world's population is probably deficient in one or more essential minerals and at increased risk of physiological disorders. Addressing these ‘hidden hungers’ is a challenge for the nutrition and agriculture sectors. Mineral deficiencies among populations are typically identified from dietary surveys because (1) minerals are acquired primarily from dietary sources and (2) (bio)assays of mineral status can be unreliable. While dietary surveys are likely to under-report energy intakes, surveys show that 9% of all UK and US adults consume Ca and Mg, and 14% of adults consume K, at quantities below the UK lower reference nutrient intake, and are therefore at risk of deficiency. Low dietary Ca, Mg and K intakes can be caused by energy-malnourishment and by cultural and economic factors driving dietary conservatism. For example, cereal grains routinely displace vegetables and fruits in the diet. Cereal grains have low concentrations of several minerals, notably Ca, as a consequence of their physiology. Low grain mineral concentrations are compounded when cereal crops are grown in soils of low mineral phytoavailability and when grain is processed. In this paper, the impact of increased vegetable consumption and horticultural biofortification, i.e. enhancing crop mineral content through breeding and agronomy, on intakes of the major minerals Ca, Mg and K is assessed. Despite low energy intake from horticultural crops generally, increased vegetable consumption and biofortification would significantly improve dietary intakes of Ca, Mg and K.
‘I didn't like just sittin’ around all day’: Facilitating Social and Community Participation Among People with Mental Illness and High Levels of Psychiatric Disability
Authors: MUIR KRISTY , FISHER KAREN R , ABELLO DAVID , DADICH ANN
Published: May 2010

People with mental illness can be profoundly disabled and at risk of social exclusion. Transitional models of supported housing have limited effectiveness in improving community participation. Stable, individualised psychosocial housing support programmes have been found to assist in improving mental health and decreasing hospitalisations, but little is understood about whether or how these programmes facilitate social and community participation. This article argues that, if certain supports are available, supported housing models can assist people with high levels of psychiatric disability to participate meaningfully in the community. To make this case, the article uses findings of a longitudinal evaluation of a supported housing model in Australia: the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative Stage One (HASI). HASI is a partnership between the New South Wales Government Departments of Health and Housing and non-government organisations. It is a coordinated approach that provides clients with housing and community-based clinical support, as well as support with daily living skills and community participation. An analysis of questionnaire, database, interview and clinical data is used to demonstrate how HASI contributes to increased social and community participation. The article concludes with policy implications for supported housing models that aim to facilitate meaningful community participation for people with mental illness.
Linguistic cleanliness is next to godliness: taboo and purism
Authors: Burridge Kate
Published: May 2010

This paper explores popular perceptions of language, in particular linguistic prescription. It focuses not on formal acts of censorship such as might be carried out by a language academy, but on the attitudes and activities of ordinary people in, say, letters to newspapers or comments on radio. In these contexts, language users act as self-appointed censors and take it upon themselves to condemn those words and constructions that they feel do not measure up to the standards they perceive should hold sway.

People's concerns about language and the kind of linguistic censorship and puristic activities that accompany them belong to our tabooing behaviour generally. Prescriptive practices are part of the human struggle to control unruly nature – in this case, to define language and to force the reality of ‘the boundless chaos of a living speech’ (as Samuel Johnson put it in his Preface) into neat classificatory systems. As with tabooing practices generally, linguistic purists see a very clear distinction between what is clean and what is dirty – in this case, what is desirable and undesirable in a language. Linguists who challenge these prescriptions are challenging their ‘cherished classifications’. Small wonder there is often such a schism between linguistics and the wider community.
Do Neotropical peccary species (Tayassuidae) function as ecosystem engineers for anurans?
Authors: Beck Harald , Thebpanya Paporn , Filiaggi Melissa
Published: May 2010

The concept of ecosystem engineering has catalysed novel approaches and models for non-trophic species interactions and ecosystem functions. Ecosystem engineers physically modify abiotic and biotic environments, thereby creating new habitats that can be colonized by a new suite of species. In the Peruvian Amazonas, we tested whether peccaries (Tayassuidae) function as ecosystem engineers by creating and maintaining wallows. Such wallows could be critical aquatic habitats and breeding sites for anuran species during dry seasons. We compared hydroperiods of 21 peccary wallows and 13 naturally formed ponds across three dry seasons and found that wallows had a consistently higher mean water surface area than ponds. We also examined the pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature, and found no significant differences in these parameters between water bodies. Wallows had a significantly higher density of tadpoles, metamorphs and adult anurans, as well as higher β-diversity and species richness than ponds. This study not only provides the first systematic evidence of the ecosystem engineering processes of peccaries, but also reveals the positive consequences of such for anuran species.
Prey composition of the pitcher plantNepenthes madagascariensis
Authors: Rembold Katja , Fischer Eberhard , Wetzel Markus A. , Barthlott Wilhelm
Published: May 2010

Nepenthes madagascariensisis a carnivorous plant which captures its prey in pitcher-like leaves. It is endemic to Madagascar where it occurs along the eastern coast. Altogether 94.3% of its prey animals belong to three taxa: Formicidae (80.2%), Diptera (9.7%) and Coleoptera (4.4%). The prey compositions of the dimorphic lower and upper pitcher types differ significantly, especially in the markedly higher proportion of ants in lower pitchers and the higher number of flying insects in upper pitchers. A comparison concerning the trap frequency of taxa with literature data from AsianNepenthesspecies showed that the upper pitchers ofN. madagascariensiscontained much higher proportions of Coleoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera; these differences may partly be due to seasonal reasons. No significant correlation could be established between the numbers of prey items with pitcher size. This paper is the first characterization of the prey composition of the little knownN. madagascariensis.
Population structure, growth rates and spatial distribution of two dioecious tree species in a wet forest in Puerto Rico
Authors: Forero-Montaña Jimena , Zimmerman Jess K. , Thompson Jill
Published: May 2010

Dioecious plants often exhibit male-biased sex ratios and sexual differences in life history traits such as plant size, growth rate and frequency of flowering, which arise from the different costs of reproduction for male and female plants. In tropical dioecious species sexual differences in reproductive costs have been demonstrated for several subcanopy species, but few canopy dioecious trees have been studied. We recorded the sexual expression of c. 2600 trees of Cecropia schreberiana and Dacryodes excelsa, two canopy dioecious species, during several censuses over 2 y in a 16-ha plot located in ‘subtropical wet forest’ in the Luquillo Mountains, Puerto Rico. There were similar numbers of male and female trees of C. schreberiana but D. excelsa had a female-biased population. Cecropia schreberiana showed no differences in male and female diameter distributions or growth rates, suggesting that reproductive maturation and longevity are similar for both sexes. This lack of differences in size and growth rate in C. schreberiana may result from mechanisms to compensate for the higher cost of reproduction in females, no resource limitation related to its pioneer life-history, or similar male and female reproductive costs. In contrast, D. excelsa males were larger than females, probably because males grow slightly faster than females. This sexual difference in D. excelsa may reflect a higher cost of reproduction in females than in males. Spatial segregation of males and females into different habitats is not common in tropical forest and neither C. schreberiana nor D. excelsa males and females exhibited significant spatial segregation. The contrasting results for these two canopy species reflect their different life history strategies in this hurricane-affected forest.
Aerial surveillance by a generalist seed predator: food resource tracking by Meyer's parrotPoicephalus meyeriin the Okavango Delta, Botswana
Authors: Boyes Rutledge S. , Perrin Michael R.
Published: May 2010

As a proven food resource generalist, Meyer's parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) was expected to track the availability of all significant food resources in its diet over time. Here we recorded all feeding activity during 366 standardized road transects for correlation with an index of relative food resource abundance over 18 mo. As expected, Meyer's parrot made food resource decisions according to relative abundance at landscape level. Feeding activity on food resources available throughout the year (e.g. ripeKigelia africanafruit) or not visible from the air (e.g. unripeDiospyros lycoidesfruit), however, did not correlate significantly with fluctuations in their relative resource abundance. In addition, over 70% of all feeding bouts were in the high canopy and over 70% of all food items consumed formed bi-coloured displays. The influence of estimated protein and energy acquisition rates from different food resources was insignificant. Therefore, important selection criteria for utilization by Meyer's parrot include relative abundance and visibility from the air (i.e. food resources with the highest probability of encounter when dispersing from a central roost). Sensitivity to fluctuations in resource abundance at landscape level demonstrates the relative importance of maximizing net gain per unit foraging time by minimizing foraging flight distance.
Semantic categorization and reading skill across Dutch primary grades: development yes, relationship no
Authors: GIJSEL MARTINE A. R. , ORMEL ELLEN A. , HERMANS DAAN , VERHOEVEN L. , BOSMAN ANNA M. T.
Published: May 2010

In the present study, the development of semantic categorization and its relationship with reading was investigated across Dutch primary grade students. Three Exemplar-level tasks (Experiment 1) and two Superordinate-level tasks (Experiment 2) with different types of distracters (phonological, semantic and perceptual) were administered to assess semantic categorization skills. Reading was measured with a standardized word-reading test. Results of both experiments demonstrated that children in the higher grades had shorter reaction times and fewer errors than children in the lower grades. Reading skill, however, was not related to semantic categorization performance. Moreover, neither grade level nor reading skill was related to the effect of distracter type on error percentages. Based on the results of this study, we suggest a substantial development of semantic categorization skills over time, and reject the notion that Dutch poor readers have less advanced semantic categorization skills than typical readers.
A Non-singular Horizontal Position Representation
Authors: Gade Kenneth
Published: May 2010

Position calculations, e.g. adding, subtracting, interpolating, and averaging positions, depend on the representation used, both with respect to simplicity of the written code and accuracy of the result. The latitude/longitude representation is widely used, but near the pole singularities, this representation has several complex properties, such as error in latitude leading to error in longitude. Longitude also has a discontinuity at ±180°. These properties may lead to large errors in many standard algorithms. Using an ellipsoidal Earth model also makes latitude/longitude calculations complex or approximate. Other common representations of horizontal position include UTM and local Cartesian ‘flat Earth’ approximations, but these usually only give approximate answers, and are complex to use over larger distances. The normal vector to the Earth ellipsoid (called n-vector) is a non-singular position representation that turns out to be very convenient for practical position calculations. This paper presents this representation, and compares it with other alternatives, showing that n-vector is simpler to use and gives exact answers for all global positions, and all distances, for both ellipsoidal and spherical Earth models. In addition, two functions based on n-vector are presented, that further simplify most practical position calculations, while ensuring full accuracy.
Great Circle Navigation with Vectorial Methods
Authors: Nastro Vincenzo , Tancredi Urbano
Published: May 2010

The present paper is concerned with the solution of a series of practical problems relevant to great circle navigation, including the determination of the true course at any point on the great circle route and the determination of the lateral deviation from a desired great circle route. Intersection between two great circles or between a great circle and a parallel is also analyzed. These problems are approached by means of vector analysis, which yields solutions in a very compact form that can be computed numerically in a very straightforward manner. This approach is thus particularly appealing for performing computer-aided great circle navigation.
Locata Performance Evaluation in the Presence of Wide- and Narrow-Band Interference
Authors: Khan Faisal A. , Rizos Chris , Dempster Andrew G.
Published: May 2010

Classically difficult positioning environments often call for augmentation technology to assist the GPS, or more generally the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology. The “Locata” ground-based ranging technology offers augmentation, and even replacement, to GPS in such environments. However, like any other system relying on wireless technology, a Locata positioning network also faces issues in the presence of RF interference (RFI). This problem is magnified due to the fact that Locata operates in the licence-free 2·4 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band. The licence-free nature of this band attracts a much larger number of devices using a wider range of signal types than for licensed bands, resulting in elevation of the noise floor. Also, harmonics from out-of-band signals can act as potential interferers. WiFi devices operating in this band have been identified as the most likely potential interferer, due partially to their use of the whole ISM band, but also because Locata applications often also may use a wireless network. This paper evaluates the performance of Locata in the presence of both narrow- and wide-band interfering signals. Effects of received interference on both raw measurements and final solutions are reported and analysed. Test results show that Locata performance degrades in the presence of received interference. It is also identified that high levels of received interference can affect Locata carriers even if the interference is not in co-frequency situation with the affected carrier. Finally, Locata characteristics have been identified which can be exploited to mitigate RFI issues.
Experiences with Compasses in the Mid-20th Century
Authors: Kemp John
Published: May 2010

This paper presents the thoughts and experiences of marine navigators of the mid-20th century in their use of compasses during the transition from magnetic to gyro compasses.
Using context in novel community-based natural resource management: landscapes of property, policy and place
Authors: BRUNCKHORST DAVID J.
Published: May 2010

Community based natural resource management (CBNRM) engages groups of citizens in collective action towards sustainable conservation and natural resource management (NRM) within and across various tenure regimes. Substantial differences exist between developing and developed countries in terms of conditions conducive to CBNRM. There are also contextual differences from national to local scales, across different ‘spaces’ and ‘places’ within each. This paper focuses on developed countries in deriving and synthesizing some concepts from systems theory and landscape ecology, with lessons from facilitating novel CBNRM arrangements. Understanding the landscape context of interacting levels and scales of social and ecological systems can inform institutional development of resilient CBNRM. Efforts to increase the scale and effectiveness of social-ecological sustainability can benefit from novel arrangements facilitating holistic integration of environmental conservation across levels of institutions of communities and government, including tenure regimes (type and ownership of resources as ‘property’). Property and policy, together with ‘place’ attachment of communities can be viewed within a landscape framework. Such a ‘landscape lens’ provides an interdisciplinary meld that is important to sustainable CBNRM, but sometimes forgotten (or avoided) in government planning, policy deliberation and action.
MYXOCHLAMYS AMPHILOXA (ZINGIBERACEAE): A NEW SPECIES FROM CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA
Authors: Searle R. J. , Newman M. F.
Published: May 2010

Myxochlamys amphiloxa R.J.Searle (Zingiberaceae) from Central Kalimantan Province, Indonesia is described and illustrated. An IUCN conservation assessment is made.