bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Escape Gaps as a Management Strategy for Reducing Bycatch in Net-Covered Traps for the Giant Mud Crab Scylla serrata
Authors: Rotherham Douglas , Johnson Daniel D. , Macbeth William G. , Gray Charles A.
Published: March 2013

In response to experimental evidence and anecdotal concern about bycatch in the net-covered traps used increasingly by recreational and commercial fishers to target giant mud crabs Scylla serrata in New South Wales, Australia, experiments were done to examine the utility of escape gaps in reducing the bycatch of Yellowfin Bream Acanthopagrus australis (also known as Surf Bream) and undersized giant mud crabs. In each of two rivers, 10 different treatments comprising four different sizes of rectangular, horizontal escape gaps (85 × 45 mm, 85 × 55 mm, 95 × 45 mm, and 95 × 55 mm) and a control (no escape gaps) applied to both two-entrance and four-entrance traps were tested separately during the day and night. Traps fitted with escape gaps reduced the mean numbers of Yellowfin Bream and undersized giant mud crabs by 53–78% and 58–84%, respectively. Despite some inconsistent results, the effect of escape gaps was statistically significant in four of the seven analyses. There were, however, no significant differences in the mean numbers of Yellowfin Bream and undersized giant mud crabs among the different sizes of escape gap. By contrast, the largest escape gap treatment (i.e., 95 × 55 mm) reduced the mean number of legal-size giant mud crabs by 35–41%, which was significant in one of four analyses. Moreover, size-selectivity analyses indicated that the largest escape gap also allowed a comparatively greater proportion of undersized mud crabs to escape. Our findings show that implementing an 85-mm × 55-mm escape gap could substantially reduce bycatch without affecting catches of the target organism. Further reductions in catches of undersized giant mud crabs is possible with the 95-mm × 55-mm treatment, but at the cost of some reduction in the catch target.

Received August 19, 2011; accepted December 11, 2012
Spawning Substrate Size, Shape, and Siltation Influence Walleye Egg Retention
Authors: Crane Derek P. , Farrell John M.
Published: March 2013

We compared Walleye Sander vitreus egg retention among varying rock treatments placed in a hydraulic flume to test the influence of spawning substrate shape and size on egg retention and the influence of substrate siltation on egg adhesiveness. Egg loss from suboptimal spawning substrates has been hypothesized as a substantial source of mortality during the incubation period. To investigate the influence of substrate size and shape on Walleye egg retention, known numbers of Walleye eggs were pipetted onto rock substrate in a hydraulic flume and exposed to flowing water conditions. Eggs scoured from the substrate during each trial were collected and enumerated. Egg retention was higher in angular crushed limestone than in round glacial till and greater in coarse gravel than in larger size-classes, under all water velocity regimes. Angular coarse gravel had the highest egg retention rate (mean ± SD, 66.9 ± 3.7%), and round very coarse gravel had the lowest egg retention rate (47.0 ± 3.1%) of all the rock size and shape treatments. Substrate siltation significantly influenced egg adhesion. Clean rocks had a mean ± SD egg retention of 35.9 ± 36.6%, whereas fine-sediment-covered rocks did not retain any eggs throughout the course of the experiment. Differences in substrate size, shape, and siltation between Walleye spawning sites may contribute to variation in egg retention rates. Using angular gravel during the creation of Walleye spawning habitat and maintaining clean spawning substrates (through scouring effects and habitat restoration) may decrease mortality associated with egg entrainment and redistribution.

Received June 13, 2012; accepted December 12, 2012
A class of domains with noncompact \overline{∂}-Neumann operator
Authors: Chakrabarti Debraj
Published: March 2013

The

∂
¯

\overline {\partial }

-Neumann operator (the inverse of the complex Laplacian) is shown to be noncompact on certain domains in complex Euclidean space. These domains are either higher-dimensional analogs of the Hartogs triangle or have such a generalized Hartogs triangle imbedded appropriately in them.
Aneuploid yeast strains exhibit defects in cell growth and passage through START
Authors: Thorburn Rebecca R. , Gonzalez Christian , Brar Gloria A. , Christen Stefan , Carlile Thomas M. , Ingolia Nicholas T. , Sauer Uwe , Weissman Jonathan S. , Amon Angelika
Published: March 2013

Aneuploidy, a chromosome content that is not a multiple of the haploid karyotype, is associated with reduced fitness in all organisms analyzed to date. In budding yeast aneuploidy causes cell proliferation defects, with many different aneuploid strains exhibiting a delay in G1, a cell cycle stage governed by extracellular cues, growth rate, and cell cycle events. Here we characterize this G1 delay. We show that 10 of 14 aneuploid yeast strains exhibit a growth defect during G1. Furthermore, 10 of 14 aneuploid strains display a cell cycle entry delay that correlates with the size of the additional chromosome. This cell cycle entry delay is due to a delayed accumulation of G1 cyclins that can be suppressed by supplying cells with high levels of a G1 cyclin. Our results indicate that aneuploidy frequently interferes with the ability of cells to grow and, as with many other cellular stresses, entry into the cell cycle.
Simultaneous Detection and Survey of Three Rice Viruses in China
Authors: Wu Wei-Qi , Guo Xi-Gui , Zhang Heng-Mu , Yang Jian , Lv Ming-Fang , Chen Jian-Ping
Published: March 2013

Rice black-streaked dwarf virus, Rice stripe virus, and Southern rice black-streaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) have been epidemic in large areas of China where rice is grown, causing significant losses of rice yield in recent years. These viral diseases sometimes occur in the same regions, and even in the same fields, making it difficult to detect and diagnose the viral pathogens. A set of primers specific to the genes encoding the capsid proteins of the three viruses were designed, and a multiple one-step reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction protocol was developed. The method proved to be simple, rapid, and sensitive. It was used to detect the viruses in samples of rice, maize, small brown planthoppers, and white-backed planthoppers collected from different regions of China, showing that it is suitable for routine diagnosis. A simultaneous survey of the three viruses was further conducted by this method throughout Zhejiang Province, Eastern China. The results showed that both RBSDV and RSV had continued to spread and that the newly emerging virus, SRBSDV, was present in at least 27 counties or cities, suggesting that more effort is needed to monitor and control the threat from these three viral diseases.
First Report of Brown Rot Caused by Monilinia fructicola on Apple in Italy
Authors: Martini C. , Spadoni A. , Mari M.
Published: March 2013

Monilinia fructicola (G. Wint.) Honey, the causal agent of brown rot, is one of the most important fungal pathogens of stone fruit but may also affect pome fruits. The pathogen is common in North America, Oceania, South America, and Asia. It is a quarantined pathogen in Europe (3), but was recently detected in apple from the Czech Republic, Germany, and Serbia (1,2,4). In January 2012, during a survey for fungal postharvest pathogens, stored apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) belonging to the cultivars Gala and Pink Lady showing brown rot symptoms were observed in the Emilia Romagna region, Italy. Typical decay spots were circular and brown, tending toward black. Decayed tissues remained firm, and numerous grayish pustules containing spores appeared on rotted areas. The pathogen was isolated on V8 juice agar and culture plates were incubated at 25°C in darkness for 5 days. A conidial suspension was spread on malt extract agar and single spores were selected. The colonies were morphologically identified as M. fructigena. Two colonies developing a gray mass of spores in concentric rings with the reverse side black were further studied by molecular tools. The colony margins were even and the conidia were one-celled, limoniform, hyaline, and 12.1 to 17.4 × 8.4 to 11.2 μm. The ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 region was PCR-amplified from genomic DNA obtained from mycelium using primers ITS1 and ITS4. A BLAST search in GenBank revealed the highest similarity (99%) to M. fructicola sequences (GenBank Accession Nos. HQ893748.1 and FJ515894.1). Pathogenicity was confirmed using surface-sterilized mature ‘Gala’ apples, wounded with a sterile needle, and inoculated with an isolate conidial suspension (103 spores/ml). A 20 μl droplet was placed in the wound; control fruits received sterile water without conidia. After 5 days of incubation at 20°C in plastic containers with high humidity, typical symptoms of brown rot developed on inoculated fruits, while control fruits remained symptomless. The fungus isolated from inoculated fruit exhibited the same morphological and molecular features shown by the original isolates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the fungus M. fructicola on apple in Italy. Further studies are necessary to determine geographic distribution, prevalence and economic importance of this quarantine organism in Italy.

References: (1) J. Duchoslavovà et al. Plant Dis.91:907, 2007. (2) A. Grabke et al. Plant Dis. 95:772, 2011. (3) OEPP/EPPO. EPPO A2 list of pests recommended for regulation as quarantine pests. Version 2010-09. Retrieved from http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/listA2.htm , 2010. (4) M. Vasic et al. Plant Dis. 96:456, 2012.
The Population Genetic Structure ofRhizoctonia solaniAG-3PT from Potato in the Colombian Andes
Authors: Ferrucho Rosa L. , Ceresini Paulo C. , Ramirez-Escobar Ursula M. , McDonald Bruce A. , Cubeta Marc A. , García-Domínguez Celsa
Published: March 2013

The soilborne fungus Rhizoctonia solani anastomosis group 3 (AG-3PT) is a globally important potato pathogen. However, little is known about the population genetic processes affecting field populations of R. solani AG-3PT, especially in the South American Colombian Andes, which is near the center of diversity of the two most common groups of cultivated potato, Solanum tuberosum and S. phureja. We analyzed the genetic structure of 15 populations of R. solani AG-3PT infecting potato in Colombia using 11 simple-sequence repeat (SSR) markers. In total, 288 different multilocus genotypes were identified among 349 fungal isolates. Clonal fractions within field populations were 7 to 33%. RSTstatistics indicated a very low level of population differentiation overall, consistent with high contemporary gene flow, though moderate differentiation was found for the most distant southern populations. Genotype flow was also detected, with the most common genotype found widely distributed among field populations. All populations showed evidence of a mixed reproductive mode, including both asexual and sexual reproduction, but two populations displayed evidence of inbreeding.
A Newly Developed Real-Time PCR Assay for Detection and Quantification of Fusarium oxysporum and Its Use in Compatible and Incompatible Interactions with Grafted Melon Genotypes
Authors: Haegi Anita , Catalano Valentina , Luongo Laura , Vitale Salvatore , Scotton Michele , Ficcadenti Nadia , Belisario Alessandra
Published: March 2013

A reliable and species-specific real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay was developed for detection of the complex soilborne anamorphic fungus Fusarium oxysporum. The new primer pair, designed on the translation elongation factor 1-α gene with an amplicon of 142 bp, was highly specific to F. oxysporum without cross reactions with other Fusarium spp. The protocol was applied to grafted melon plants for the detection and quantification of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis, a devastating pathogen of this cucurbit. Grafting technologies are widely used in melon to confer resistance against new virulent races of F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis, while maintaining the properties of valuable commercial varieties. However, the effects on the vascular pathogen colonization have not been fully investigated. Analyses were performed on ‘Charentais-T’ (susceptible) and ‘Nad-1’ (resistant) melon cultivars, both used either as rootstock and scion, and inoculated with F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis race 1 and race 1,2. Pathogen development was compared using qPCR and isolations from stem tissues. Early asymptomatic melon infections were detected with a quantification limit of 1 pg of fungal DNA. The qPCR protocol clearly showed that fungal development was highly affected by host–pathogen interaction (compatible or incompatible) and time (days postinoculation). The principal significant effect (P ≤ 0.01) on fungal development was due to the melon genotype used as rootstock, and this effect had a significant interaction with time and F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis race. In particular, the amount of race 1,2 DNA was significantly higher compared with that estimated for race 1 in the incompatible interaction at 18 days postinoculation. The two fungal races were always present in both the rootstock and scion of grafted plants in either the compatible or incompatible interaction.
A method for time-resolved measurements of the mechanics of phagocytic cups
Authors: Irmscher Matthias , de Jong Arthur M. , Kress Holger , Prins Menno W. J.
Published: March 2013

The internalization of matter by phagocytosis is of key importance in the defence against bacterial pathogens and in the control of cancerous tumour growth. Despite the fact that phagocytosis is an inherently mechanical process, little is known about the forces and energies that a cell requires for internalization. Here, we use functionalized magnetic particles as phagocytic targets and track their motion while actuating them in an oscillating magnetic field, in order to measure the translational and rotational stiffnesses of the phagocytic cup as a function of time. The measured evolution of stiffness reveals a characteristic pattern with a pronounced peak preceding the finalization of uptake. The measured stiffness values and their time dependence can be interpreted with a model that describes the phagocytic cup as a prestressed membrane connected to an elastically deformable actin cortex. In the context of this model, the stiffness peak is a direct manifestation of a previously described mechanical bottleneck, and a comparison of model and data suggests that the membrane advances around the particle at a speed of about 20 nm s−1. This approach is a novel way of measuring the progression of emerging phagocytic cups and their mechanical propertiesin situand in real time.
Birth–death fixation probabilities for structured populations
Authors: Voorhees Burton
Published: March 2013

This paper presents an adaptation of the Moran birth–death model of evolutionary processes on graphs. The present model makes use of the full population state space consisting of 2

N

binary-valued vectors, and a Markov process on this space with a transition matrix defined by the edge weight matrix for any given graph. While the general case involves solution of 2

N

– 2 linear equations, symmetry considerations substantially reduce this for graphs with large automorphism groups, and a number of simple examples are considered. A parameter called graph determinacy is introduced, measuring the extent to which the fate of any randomly chosen population state is determined. Some simple graphs that suppress or enhance selection are analysed, and comparison of several examples to the Moran process on a complete graph indicates that in some cases a graph may enhance selection relative to a complete graph for only limited values of the fitness parameter.
In Vivo Visualizations of Drought-Induced Embolism Spread in Vitis vinifera
Authors: Brodersen Craig Robert , McElrone Andrew Joseph , Choat Brendan , Lee Eric Franklin , Shackel Kenneth Andrew , Matthews Mark Allen
Published: March 2013

Long-distance water transport through plant xylem is vulnerable to hydraulic dysfunction during periods of increased tension on the xylem sap, often coinciding with drought. While the effects of local and systemic embolism on plant water transport and physiology are well documented, the spatial patterns of embolism formation and spread are not well understood. Using a recently developed nondestructive diagnostic imaging tool, high-resolution x-ray computed tomography, we documented the dynamics of drought-induced embolism in grapevine (Vitis vinifera) plants in vivo, producing the first three-dimensional, high-resolution, time-lapse observations of embolism spread. Embolisms formed first in the vessels surrounding the pith at stem water potentials of approximately –1.2 megapascals in drought experiments. As stem water potential decreased, embolisms spread radially toward the epidermis within sectored vessel groupings via intervessel connections and conductive xylem relays, and infrequently (16 of 629 total connections) through lateral connections into adjacent vessel sectors. Theoretical loss of conductivity calculated from the high-resolution x-ray computed tomography images showed good agreement with previously published nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and hydraulic conductivity experiments also using grapevine. Overall, these data support a growing body of evidence that xylem organization is critically important to the isolation of drought-induced embolism spread and confirm that air seeding through the pit membranes is the principle mechanism of embolism spread.
Assignment tests, telemetry and tag‐recapture data converge to identify natal origins of leatherback turtles foraging in Atlantic Canadian waters
Authors: Stewart Kelly R. , James Michael C. , Roden Suzanne , Dutton Peter H.
Published: March 2013

Investigating migratory connectivity between breeding and foraging areas is critical to effective management and conservation of highly mobile marine taxa, particularly threatened, endangered, or economically important species that cross through regional, national and international boundaries.

The leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea, Vandelli 1761) is one such transboundary species that spends time at breeding areas at low latitudes in the northwest Atlantic during spring and summer. From there, they migrate widely throughout the North Atlantic, but many show fidelity to one region off eastern Canada, where critical foraging habitat has been proposed. Our goal was to identify nesting beach origins for turtles foraging here.

Using genetics, we identified natal beaches for 288 turtles that were live‐captured off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. Turtles were sampled (skin or blood) and genotyped using 17 polymorphic microsatellite markers. Results from three assignment testing programs (ONCOR, GeneClass2 and Structure) were compared. Our nesting population reference data set included 1417 individuals from nine Atlantic nesting assemblages. A supplementary data set for 83 foraging turtles traced to nesting beaches using flipper tags and/orPITtags (n = 72), or inferred from satellite telemetry (n = 11), enabled ground‐truthing of the assignments.

We first assigned turtles using only genetic information and then used the supplementary recapture information to verify assignments.ONCORperformed best, assigning 64 of the 83 recaptured turtles to natal beaches (77·1%). Turtles assigned to Trinidad (164), French Guiana (72), Costa Rica (44), St. Croix (7), and Florida (1) reflect the relative size of those nesting populations, although none of the turtles were assigned to four other potential source nesting assemblages.

Our results demonstrate the utility of genetic approaches for determining source populations of foraging marine animals and include the first identification of natal rookeries of male leatherbacks, identified through satellite telemetry and verified with genetics. This work highlights the importance of long‐term monitoring and tagging programmes in nesting and high‐use foraging areas. Moreover, it provides a scientific basis for evaluating stock‐specific effects of fisheries on migratory marine species, thus identifying where coordinated international recovery efforts may be most effective.
Effect of In Vitro Digestion on Free α‐Dicarbonyl Compounds in Balsamic Vinegars
Authors: Papetti Adele , Mascherpa Dora , Marrubini Giorgio , Gazzani Gabriella
Published: March 2013

We investigated the influence of an in vitro simulated digestion process on the content of the free α‐dicarbonyl compounds most frequently found in food. A Glyoxal (GO), methylglyoxal (MGO), and diacetyl (DA) aqueous standard mixture and 2 brands of balsamic vinegar were analyzed before and after exposure to digestive enzymes. A strong matrix effect required adoption of validated RP‐HPLC‐DAD standard addition methods. The results showed that the digestive enzymes markedly alter the concentrations of the exogenous free α‐dicarbonyl compounds ingested with food; the extent of such changes varied with the α‐dicarbonyl compound itself and the diet components, which determined important but different food matrix effects also during digestion. The data also indicate that digestion can reduce the bioavailability of the toxic α‐dicarbonyl compounds ingested with food. However, no firm conclusions can be drawn about a putative positive influence of digestion on the toxic potential of dietary α‐dicarbonyl compounds, because their reaction in the presence of digestive enzymes likely gives rise to advanced glycation end products, which are involved in the development of chronic diseases.
Antimicrobial Effects of Allyl Isothiocyanate and Modified Atmosphere on Pseduomonas Aeruginosa in Fresh Catfish Fillet under Abuse Temperatures
Authors: Pang Yu‐Hsin , Sheen Shiowshuh , Zhou Siyuan , Liu Linshu , Yam Kit L.
Published: March 2013

The effects of allyl isothiocyanate (AIT; 18 and 36 μg/L) in vapor phase, modified atmosphere (MA; 49% CO2, 0.5% O2, and 50.5% N2), and their combinations on the growth behavior of Pseduomonas aeruginosa in fresh catfish fillet at different abuse temperatures (8, 15, and 20 °C) were evaluated in this study. Lag phase, maximum growth rate, and shelf life were used as parameters to analyze the antimicrobial effects. Both gaseous AIT and MA alone inhibited the growth potential of P. aeruginosa effectively, prolonging the shelf life by 1.5 to 3.4 times compared to the control at abuse temperatures between 8 and 20 °C. The synergistic effect was observed at 8 °C, extending the shelf life of fresh catfish by more than 6.5 times (≥ 550 h). In addition, the maximum growth rate decreased with decreasing storage temperature, but it was not significantly influenced by the addition of AIT or MA. Hence, the combination of AIT and MA may be used as an effective antimicrobial system to reduce the microbial risks due to temperature abuse and to improve the shelf life of fresh catfish fillet. The proper combination of AIT and MA may be further optimized for industrial applications.
All India Survey for Analyses of Colors in Sweets and Savories: Exposure Risk in Indian Population
Authors: Dixit Sumita , Khanna Subhash K. , Das Mukul
Published: March 2013

In the present study, an attempt has been made to understand the exposure assessment of food colors through 2 major groups, sweets and savories, at a national level so as to evolve a scientific yardstick to fix levels of colors in commodities based on technological and safety requirement. A vast majority of colored food commodities (83.6%) were found to employ permitted colors and confirmed a marked decline in the trend of use of nonpermitted colors (NPCs). Of the 4 zones of India, East zone showed the maximum adulteration (80.3%) both by exceeding the prescribed limits of permitted colors (72.3%) and the use of NPCs (28.7%). Tartrazine was the most popular color among the permitted list, which ranged from 12.5 to 1091 mg/kg. Rhodamine B was the most prevalent dye in the NPCs group. On the basis of average consumption of food commodities and average levels of detected colors, the intake of Sunset Yellow FCF saturates the acceptable daily intake limit to a maximum of 47.8% in children, which is a cause of concern. The uniform maximum permissible limit of synthetic colors at 100 mg/kg under the Indian rules thus needs to be reviewed and should rather be governed by the technological necessity and the consumption profiles of food commodities so that the vulnerable population should not unnecessary be exposed to excessive amounts of synthetic colors to pose health risks.
Development and Characterization of an Edible Composite Film Based on Chitosan and Virgin Coconut Oil with Improved Moisture Sorption Properties
Authors: Binsi P.K. , Ravishankar C.N. , Srinivasa Gopal T.K.
Published: March 2013

An edible composite film was prepared from an emulsion system based on chitosan and virgin coconut oil (VCO). The effect of incorporation of VCO was evaluated at various concentrations and the optimum concentration was chosen based on resultant changes in the properties of the film. Addition of VCO in film forming solution resulted in increase in film thickness and marginal reduction in film transparency. Compatibility of VCO with chitosan was better at lower concentration of VCO as indicated by the microstructure of composite film in scanning electron micrographs. Phase separation was evident at higher level of oil incorporation and the optimal oil/chitosan ratio was determined to be at 0.5 to 1 mL/g chitosan. Furthermore, chemical interaction took place between VCO and chitosan as revealed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data. Even though control chitosan films exhibited superior gas barrier properties, composite film with optimum VCO concentration revealed better mechanical and moisture sorption properties.
The impact of modelling choices in the predictive performance of richness maps derived from species‐distribution models: guidelines to build better diversity models
Authors: Benito Blas M. , Cayuela Luis , Albuquerque Fabio S.
Published: March 2013

The stacking of species‐distribution models (S‐SDMs) is receiving attention by conservation researchers because this approach is capable of simultaneously predicting species richness and composition. However, the steps required to build S‐SDMs implies at least two choices that influence its predictive performance which have not been extensively assessed: the selection of the modelling algorithm and the application of a threshold to transform the species‐distribution models into binary maps to be added together to build the final S‐SDM. Our goal was to provide guidelines concerning the best combinations of modelling algorithms and thresholds with which to build more accurate S‐SDMs.

We generated 380 S‐SDMs of 1224 tree species in Mesoamerica by combining 19 distribution modelling methods with 20 different thresholds using presence‐only data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. We compared the predicted richness and composition with inventory data obtained from the BIOTREE‐NET forest plot database. We designed two indicators of predictive performance that were based on the diversity factors used to measure species turnover: a (shared species between the observed and predicted compositions), b and c (the exclusive species of the predicted and observed compositions respectively) and compared them with the Sorensen and Beta‐Simpson turnover measures.

Our proposed indexes and the Sorensen index proved suitable as indicators of predictive performance for S‐SDMs, whereas the Beta‐Simpson turnover measure presented issues that would prevent its application to evaluate S‐SDMs.

Some modelling methods – especially machine learning and ensemble model forecasting methods performed significantly better than others in minimizing the error in predicted richness and composition. Our results also points out that restrictive thresholds (with high omission errors) lead to more accurate S‐SDMs in terms of species richness and composition. Here, we demonstrate that particular combinations of modelling methods and thresholds provide results with higher predictive performance.

These results provide clear modelling guidelines that will help S‐SDM modellers to select the appropriate combination of modelling methods and thresholds to build more accurate S‐SDMs, and therefore will have a positive impact on the quality of the diversity models used to assist conservation planning.
The role of NO in the posterior hypothalamus in amygdala‐generated pressor responses in conscious rats
Authors: Özyurt Bayraktar H. , Yananlı H. , Terzioğlu B. , Oktay Ş. , Kaleli M. , Gören M. Z.
Published: March 2013

The nitrergic system modulates cardiovascular functions of the central nucleus of amygdala (CeA) and the posterior hypothalamus (PH) which are involved in the central regulation of the cardiovascular system. The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of nitric oxide (NO) in the PH in eliciting cardiovascular responses produced through electrical stimulation (ES) of the CeA. Rats were implanted with a stimulation electrode and a parenchymal cannula system into the CeA and a parenchymal cannula or a microdialysis probe into the PH. The next day, the femoral artery was cannulated for haemodynamic measurement. The CeA was electrically stimulated to produce cardiovascular response. The nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor, NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME; 400 nmol/100 nl) or artificial cerebrospinal fluid were injected into the PH or the CeA before the ES of the CeA. The dialysates were collected from the PH to determine the L‐citrulline and the L‐glutamic acid levels.

L‐NAME injection into the CeA but not to the PH suppressed the increases in the mean arterial pressure produced by the ES of the CeA significantly; however, heart rate was not affected by L‐NAME injection into either the PH or the CeA. L‐citrulline and L‐glutamic acid levels in the PH were shown to be increased by the ES of the CeA.

NO is involved between the PH and the CeA which has a considerable role in the central regulation of the cardiovascular system.
Gray matter volume correlates of global positive alcohol expectancy in non‐dependent adult drinkers
Authors: Ide Jaime S. , Zhang Sheng , Hu Sien , Matuskey David , Bednarski Sarah R. , Erdman Emily , Farr Olivia M. , Li Chiang‐Shan R.
Published: March 2013

Alcohol use and misuse is known to involve structural brain changes. Numerous imaging studies have examined changes in gray matter (GM) volumes in dependent drinkers, but there is little information on whether non‐dependent drinking is associated with structural changes and whether these changes are related to psychological factors—such as alcohol expectancy—that influence drinking behavior. We used voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) to examine whether the global positive scale of alcohol expectancy, as measured by the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire‐3, is associated with specific structural markers and whether such markers are associated with drinking behavior in 113 adult non‐dependent drinkers (66 women). Alcohol expectancy is positively correlated with GM volume of left precentral gyrus (PCG) in men and women combined and bilateral superior frontal gyri (SFG) in women, and negatively correlated with GM volume of the right ventral putamen in men. Furthermore, mediation analyses showed that the GM volume of PCG mediate the correlation of alcohol expectancy and the average number of drinks consumed per occasion and monthly total number of drinks in the past year. When recent drinking was directly accounted for in multiple regressions, GM volume of bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortices correlated positively with alcohol expectancy in the combined sample. To our knowledge, these results are the first to identify the structural brain correlates of alcohol expectancy and its mediation of drinking behaviors. These findings suggest that more studies are needed to investigate increased GM volume in the frontal cortices as a neural correlate of alcohol expectancy.
Psychological determinants of pregnancy‐related lumbopelvic pain: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Bakker Esther C. , van Nimwegen‐Matzinger Carola W. , Ekkel‐van der Voorden Winneke , Nijkamp Marjan D. , Völlink Trijntje
Published: March 2013

Objective

To study whether pregnancy‐related lumbopelvic pain outcomes at 36 weeks of gestation can be predicted by psychological determinants earlier in pregnancy.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Nine midwifery practices in different regions of the Netherlands.

Population

A cohort of 223 low‐risk pregnant women in the Netherlands was followed from week 12 of gestation until 36 weeks of gestation.

Methods

Both psychological determinants and lumbopelvic pain symptoms were investigated with a set of questionnaires at 12, 24 and 36 weeks of gestation. Psychological determinants were measured with the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Symptom Checklist‐90‐Revised (SCL‐90), the Pregnancy‐related Anxiety Questionnaire (PRAQ), and the Utrecht Coping List (UCL). Lumbopelvic pain outcomes were measured with the Pregnancy Mobility Index (PMI) and the Overall Complaints Index (OCI).

Main outcome measures

Lumbopelvic pain symptoms and their impact at 36 weeks of gestation.

Results

There was a significant increase in scores on both the PMI and OCI across the three sampling occasions in pregnancy. Lumbopelvic pain outcomes showed significant associations with the psychological determinants perceived stress and recently perceived psychological and physical distress at all three times during pregnancy. Pregnancy‐related anxiety was not a significant predictor of lumbopelvic pain outcomes, neither was coping.

Conclusions

Lumbopelvic pain symptoms and their impact on daily activities at 36 weeks of gestation can be predicted by psychological determinants earlier in pregnancy; the combination of perceived stress and physical disability at 24 weeks of pregnancy seems to be the best predictor of disability in later pregnancy.
A Comparative Reliability and Performance Study of Different Stent Designs in Terms of Mechanical Properties: Foreshortening, Recoil, Radial Force, and Flexibility
Authors: Kim Dong Bin , Choi Hyuk , Joo Sang Min , Kim Han Ki , Shin Jae Hee , Hwang Min Ho , Choi Jaesoon , Kim Dong‐Gon , Lee Kwang Ho , Lim Chun Hak , Yoo Sun Kook , Lee Heung‐Man , Sun Kyung
Published: March 2013

This study seeks to improve the mechanical performance of stents by conducting reliability performance testing and finite element method (FEM)‐based simulations for coronary stents. Three commercially available stent designs and our own new design were tested to measure the factors affecting performance, specifically foreshortening, recoil, radial force, and flexibility. The stents used in the present experiments were 3 mm in working diameter and 18 mm of working length. The results of the experiments indicate that the foreshortening of stents A, B, C, and our new design, D, was equivalent to 2.25, 0.67, 0.46, and 0.41%, respectively. The recoil of stents A, B, C, and D was 6.00, 4.35, 3.50, and 4.36%, respectively. Parallel plate radial force measurements were A, 3.72 ± 0.28 N; B, 3.81 ± 0.32 N; C, 4.35 ± 0.18 N; and D, 4.02 ± 0.24 N. Radial forces determined by applying uniform pressure in the circumferential direction were A, 28.749 ± 0.81 N; B, 32.231 ± 1.80 N; C, 34.522 ± 3.06 N; and D, 42.183 ± 2.84 N. The maximum force of crimped stent at 2.2‐mm deflection was 1.01 ± 0.08 N, 0.82 ± 0.08 N, 0.92 ± 0.12 N, and 0.68 ± 0.07 N for each of stents A, B, C and D. The results of this study enabled us to identify several factors to enhance the performance of stents. In comparing these stents, we found that our design, stent D, which was designed by a collaborative team from seven universities, performed better than the commercial stents across all parameter of foreshortening, recoil, radial force, and flexibility.
Complication Profile of the Berlin Heart EXCOR Biventricular Support in Children
Authors: Schweiger Martin , Schrempf Julia , Sereinigg Michael , Prenner Günther , Tscheliessnigg Karlheinz H. , Wasler Andre , Krumnikel Jacub , Gamillschegg Andreas , Knez Igor
Published: March 2013

In chronic cardiomyopathy, mechanical circulatory support (MCS) plays an increasingly important role for children as the shortage of suitable donor hearts increases waiting time on the transplant list. We report our experience with the paracorporal Berlin Heart EXCOR System (Berlin Heart AG, Berlin, Germany) used as a biventricuclar assist device (BVAD). Nine patients with a BVAD EXCOR system were treated between 2006 and 2012; out of these patients, four were less than 18 years old (6, 14, 14, and 17 years old). Their diagnoses were postcardotomy failure (n = 1), dilatative cardiomyopathy (n = 2), and terminal heart failure (n = 1). Overall survival, waiting time for heart transplantation (HTx) and complication profile for the BVAD were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty days' mortality was 25% (n = 1). One child died after 84 days on support due to cerebral bleeding. Mean support time was 218.75 days (4, 84, 262, and 525 days). Pump chamber exchange was necessary three times due to pump chamber thrombosis (n = 2) and partial pump chamber membrane rupture (n = 1). Complications included: sepsis (n = 1), drive line infection requiring intravenous antibiotics (n = 2), and recurrent epistaxis (n = 3). Two children were successfully transplanted after 262/525 days on BVAD; they are currently at home (follow‐up: 1.9 and 2.3 years). The EXCOR is a life‐saving MCS system suitable for long‐term paracorporeal biventricular assistance.
SMEs and environmental responsibility: a policy perspective
Authors: Blundel Richard , Monaghan Adrian , Thomas Christine
Published: March 2013

Environmental policies to promote environmentally sustainable economic activity have often concentrated on larger firms. However, increasing attention is being paid to the role of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurial actors. In this paper, we examine how policy tools are being used to improve the environmental performance of SMEs and to redirect entrepreneurial energies in more environmentally benign directions. The empirical section adopts a case‐based comparative method to examine four instances of policymaking, drawn from different countries and industry sectors. The paper argues that while some interventions have proved effective in their own terms, better integrated approaches are required to address today's complex and deep‐rooted sustainability challenges. The paper identifies several policy implications including the need to: clarify the purpose of any intervention, address potential interactions and trade‐offs; select appropriate tools based on informed reviews of the options; remain sensitive to context‐specific factors; and devise effective vehicles for the promotion and governance of entrepreneurial initiatives.
Building Transnational Union Networks across Global Production Networks: Conceptualising a New Arena of Labour–Management Relations
Authors: Helfen Markus , Fichter Michael
Published: March 2013

Academic interest in Global Framework Agreements (GFAs) has grown considerably over the past several years, but the focus has largely been limited to comparing their various clauses and provisions. More recent research has centred on case studies of their implementation. In this article, we move beyond an exclusive analysis of GFAs to a broader conceptualization of steps towards globalizing labour relations, in which GFAs are fundamental. In our heuristic model, a GFA is the negotiated result of interest representation. A GFA creates an arena for the pursuit of global labour relations by defining the content, selecting the actors, delineating the processes and setting the boundaries of labour–management interaction. As a political space undergoing institutionalization, all of these dimensions of arenas are still contested. Although the structural boundaries are fuzzy at the periphery, such arenas reach beyond the organizational entities of the signatory transnational corporation (TNC) to encompass the global production network (GPN). Furthermore, we show how Global Union Federations (GUFs) and their member unions operating in regard to particular GPNs have begun building Transnational Union Networks (TUNs). Using two very different case studies, we argue that structural contingencies and strategic choices intertwine to bring about divergent TUN trajectories: one favouring a limited company‐specific internal approach, the other a broader, GUF‐led union‐building approach. As exemplified by these findings, TUNs in our construction of an arena linking key elements of transnational labour relations are still ‘work in progress’. Our concluding hypotheses reflect this contingency and the need for further research.
Artemis‐dependent DNA double‐strand break formation at stalled replication forks
Authors: Unno Junya , Takagi Masatoshi , Piao Jinhua , Sugimoto Masataka , Honda Fumiko , Maeda Daisuke , Masutani Mitsuko , Kiyono Tohru , Watanabe Fumiaki , Morio Tomohiro , Teraoka Hirobumi , Mizutani Shuki
Published: March 2013

Stalled replication forks undergo DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) under certain conditions. However, the precise mechanism underlying DSB induction and the cellular response to persistent replication fork stalling are not fully understood. Here we show that, in response to hydroxyurea exposure, DSBs are generated in an Artemis nuclease‐dependent manner following prolonged stalling with subsequent activation of the ataxia–telangiectasia mutated (ATM) signaling pathway. The kinase activity of the catalytic subunit of the DNA‐dependent protein kinase, a prerequisite for stimulation of the endonuclease activity of Artemis, is also required for DSB generation and subsequent ATM activation. Our findings indicate a novel function of Artemis as a molecular switch that converts stalled replication forks harboring single‐stranded gap DNA lesions into DSBs, thereby activating the ATM signaling pathway following prolonged replication fork stalling.
FBXO15 regulates P‐glycoprotein/ABCB1 expression through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway in cancer cells
Authors: Katayama Kazuhiro , Noguchi Kohji , Sugimoto Yoshikazu
Published: March 2013

Expression of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp)/ABCB1 on cancer cell surfaces is a critical determinant of anticancer drug resistance. Regulators of P‐gp expression and function are key molecules controlling drug resistance. Here we report the mechanism underlying the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway‐mediated degradation of P‐gp. The proteasome inhibitor MG132 increased the P‐gp level, enhanced its ubiquitination, and delayed the disappearance of the ubiquitinated P‐gp. To search for regulators of P‐gp ubiquitination, MALDI–time of flight mass spectrometry analyses were carried out, and 22 candidates were identified as P‐gp binding partners. Among them, FBXO15/Fbx15 is known as an F‐box protein in the ubiquitin E3 ligase complex, Skp1‐Cullin1‐FBXO15 (SCFFbx15); therefore, we further studied the involvement of FBXO15 on P‐gp degradation. Coprecipitation assays revealed that FBXO15 bound to P‐gp. We screened ubiquitin‐conjugating enzyme E2s that bind to FBXO15 and P‐gp; Ube2r1/Cdc34/Ubc3 was found to be a binding partner. Exogenous FBXO15 expression enhanced P‐gp ubiquitination, but FBXO15 knockdown suppressed it. FBXO15 knockdown increased P‐gp expression without affecting its mRNA level. Ube2r1 knockdown decreased P‐gp ubiquitination, and simultaneous knockdown of Ube2r1 with FBXO15 further suppressed the ubiquitination. Ube2r1 knockdown increased P‐gp expression, suggesting that Ube2r1 is a partner of FBXO15 in P‐gp ubiquitination. FBXO15 knockdown enhanced vincristine resistance and lowered intracellular levels of rhodamine 123. These data suggest that FBXO15 and Ube2r1 regulate P‐gp expression through the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway.
Exploring risk for abuse of children with chronic conditions or disabilities – parent's perceptions of stressors and the role of professionals
Authors: Svensson B. , Eriksson U.‐B. , Janson S.
Published: March 2013

Background

Children with chronic conditions or disabilities are at an increased risk for abuse. High level of parental stress has been identified as possible trigger for abuse, were a combination of several factors are of importance, as lack of social support and limited resources in the neighbourhood. Suggestions for preventive measures have merely focused on parenting strategies and targeted intervention programmes. So far, little attention has been paid on how the risk for abuse might relate to parent's perceptions of stressors and the role of professionals. The purpose of the current study was therefore to explore risk factors for abuse with focus on both parent–child and parent–professional relationships.

Method

Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with 15 parents of children with chronic conditions or disability were collected and analysed according to qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Three major themes were found that could be seen as risk factors for child abuse: (1) Emotional demands in precarious situations between parent and child. (2) Gradual shift in responsibility from professionals to parents concerning access to and co‐ordination of service and support. (3) Emotionally closed environment between professionals and parents and taboo on talking about abuse. The gradual shift in responsibility had emotional implications, which could reinforce parental stress and thereby also indirect increase the risk of child abuse. The gradual shift in responsibility also seemed to generate an emotionally closed environment and reinforce the taboo on talking about abuse, which in turn hindered preventive measures.

Conclusions

In the light of parent's perceptions of stressors and the role of professionals the findings indicate that abuse against children with chronic conditions or disability is not only a family matter, but also depending on qualities in service, professional support and social norms. The result pinpoints three challenges for preventive measures, all with emotional implications, parental strategies, organizational efforts and cultural awareness.
C1-inhibitor efficiently inhibitsEscherichia coli-induced tissue factor mRNA up-regulation, monocyte tissue factor expression and coagulation activation in human whole blood
Authors: Landsem A , Nielsen E W , Fure H , Christiansen D , Ludviksen J K , Lambris J D , Østerud B , Mollnes T E , Brekke O-L
Published: March 2013

Both the complement system and tissue factor (TF), a key initiating component of coagulation, are activated in sepsis, and cross-talk occurs between the complement and coagulation systems. C1-inhibitor (C1-INH) can act as a regulator in both systems. Our aim in this study was to examine this cross-talk by investigating the effects of C1-INH on Escherichia coli-induced haemostasis and inflammation. Fresh human whole blood collected in lepirudin was incubated with E. coli or ultrapurified E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence or presence of C1-INH or protease-inactivated C1-INH. C3 activation was blocked by compstatin, a specific C3 convertase inhibitor. TF mRNA was measured using reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT–qPCR), and TF surface expression was measured by flow cytometry. In plasma, the terminal complement complex, prothrombin F1·2 (PTF1·2) and long pentraxin 3 (PTX3) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytokines were analysed using a multiplex kit. C1-INH (1·25–5 mg/ml) reduced both LPS- and E. coli-induced coagulation, measured as a reduction of PTF1·2 in plasma, efficiently and dose-dependently (P < 0·05). Both LPS and E. coli induced marked up-regulation of TF mRNA levels and surface expression on whole blood monocytes. This up-regulation was reduced efficiently by treatment with C1-INH (P < 0·05). C1-INH reduced the release of PTX3 (P < 0·05) and virtually all cytokines measured (P < 0·05). Complement activation was inhibited more efficiently with compstatin than with C1-INH. C1-INH inhibited most of the other readouts more efficiently, consistent with additional non-complement-dependent effects. These results indicate that complement plays a role in activating coagulation during sepsis and that C1-INH is a broad-spectrum attenuator of the inflammatory and haemostatic responses.