bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fruits and vegetables dehydration
Authors: de Ita A , Flores G , Franco F
Published: January 2015

Dehydration diagrams were determined by means of Differential Thermal Analysis, DTA, and Thermo Gravimetric Analysis, TGA, curves of several simultaneous fruits and vegetables, all under the same conditions. The greater mass loss is associated with water containing in the structure of the investigated materials at low temperature. In poblano chile water is lost in a single step. The banana shows a very sharply two stages, while jicama can be observed although with a little difficulty three stages. The major mass loss occurs in the poblano chile and the lower in banana. The velocity and temperature of dehydration vary within a small range for most materials investigated, except for banana and cactus how are very different.
Development, Survivorship, and Reproduction of Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Under Constant and Alternating Temperatures
Authors: Mironidis G. K. , Savopoulou-Soultani M.
Published: January 2015

Laboratory studies were conducted to assess the effect of temperature on the survival, development, fecundity, and longevity of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) at 11 constant temperatures ranging from 12.5 to 40°C, as well as at five alternating temperature regimes (25–10, 30–15, 32.5–17.5, 35–20, and 35–27.5°C) and under a photoperiod of 16:8 (L:D) h. H. armigera reared at constant temperatures did not develop from egg to adult (emergence) outside the temperature range of 17.5–32.5°C. The alternating conditions expanded this range from 10 to 35°C. The lowest developmental thresholds of the immature stages were estimated by a linear model and ranged from 10.17 (pupal stage) to 11.95°C (egg stage) at constant temperature regimes and from 1.1 to 5.5°C, respectively at alternating temperatures. The values of developmental thresholds estimated using the nonlinear (Lactin-2) model were lower than those estimated by the linear model for constant and alternating temperature regimes except for larval and pupal stages at constant temperatures. Mean adult longevity fluctuated from 34.4 d at 15°C to 7.6 d at 35°C. Females reared under all alternating temperature regimes laid more eggs than females reared at any, except the 25°C, constant temperature treatment. The intrinsic rate of increase was highest at 27.5°C, at both the constant and the corresponding alternating temperature regimes (0.147 and 0.139, respectively). Extreme temperatures had a negative effect on life table parameters.
Feeding Substrates and Behaviors of Western Cherry Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Authors: Yee Wee L.
Published: January 2015

A study was conducted to determine the abundance of potential foods and the feeding substrates and behaviors of the western cherry fruit fly, Rhagoletis indifferens Curran (Diptera: Tephritidae), in 2005, 2006, and 2007 in central Washington state. Aphid colonies with honeydew, a presumed food source for flies, were not seen on randomly selected branches of sweet cherry trees, Prunus avium L., but leaves with cherry juice, fruit that were damaged, and leaves with bird feces were commonly seen, especially later in the season. Grazing, a behavior in which the mouthparts rapidly move up and down and touch plant surfaces without discrete substances visible to the human eye, was seen more frequently in flies on leaves than on fruit. Grazing occurred more frequently than feeding on extrafloral nectaries (EFNs) on leaf petioles, cherry juice on leaves, and bird feces on leaves. The percentages of females and males that grazed on leaves were not different in 2 of 3 yr, but the percentage of females that grazed was higher in a third year. Percentages of female and male flies that fed on EFNs, cherry juice, and bird feces did not differ. More flies grazed the tops than bottoms of leaves. Flies also grazed on leaves of apple, pear, and grape. The results support the hypotheses that R. indifferens feeds mostly on leaves rather than fruit and that leaf surfaces may be the main feeding substrates for R. indifferens throughout the season.
Tomato Plant and Leaf Age Effects on the Probing and Settling Behavior of Frankliniella fusca and Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae)
Authors: Joost P. Houston , Riley David G.
Published: January 2015

The effect of tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L., plant and leaf age on the probing and settling behavior of Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) and F. occidentalis (Pergande) was studied using electrical penetration graph technique and whole plant bioassays. Male and female F. fusca probed and ingested more and for longer periods of time on 3- and 4-wk-old plants compared with 6- and 8-wk-old plants. Female F. fusca probed and ingested more frequently than males in the plant age experiment, but not in the leaf age experiment. F. fusca probed and ingested more frequently on 2- and 4-wk-old leaves compared with 1-wk-old leaves. Plant age did not affect the probing frequency or duration of F. occidentalis; however, males probed and ingested longer than females in the plant age experiment and on the oldest leaf in the leaf age experiment. Both thrips species preferred to settle on 3-wk-old plants. F. fusca preferred to settle on 4-wk-old leaves after settling randomly for an hour. F. occidentalis showed no settling preference relative to leaf age. The preference of F. fusca for young plants suggests that this species could attack tomato plants at a very early stage, which is important for understanding its role as a vector in the transmission of Tospovirus in the field.
Interactive Effects of Elevated Co2 and Cotton Cultivar on Tri-Trophic Interaction of Gossypium hirsutum, Aphis gossyppii, and Propylaea japonica
Authors: Gao Feng , Zhu San-Rong , Sun Yu-Cheng , Du Li , Parajulee Meghan , Kang Le , Ge Feng
Published: January 2015

Information on the effects of enriched CO2 on both the chemical composition of plants and the consequences of such changes for performance of a herbivore and its predator is an important first step in understanding the responses of plants and insects to global environmental change. We examined interactions across three trophic levels, cotton, Gossypium hirsutum, an aphid herbivore, Aphis gossypii Glover, and a coccinellid predator, Propylaea japonica (Thunberg), as affected by elevated CO2 concentrations and crop cultivars. Plant carbon:nitrogen (C:N) ratios, condensed tannin, and gossypol content were significantly higher, and nitrogen content was significantly lower in plants exposed to elevated CO2 levels compared with that in plants exposed to ambient CO2. Cotton aphid survivorship significantly increased and free fatty acid content decreased with increased CO2 concentrations. No significant differences in survival and lifetime fecundity of P. japonica were observed between cultivars and CO2 concentration treatments. However, stage-specific larval durations of the lady beetle were significantly longer when fed aphids from elevated CO2 concentrations. Our results indicate that high gossypol in the cotton host plant had an antibiotic effect on A. gossypii and produced a positive effect on growth and development of P. japonica at the third trophic level. However, elevated CO2 concentrations showed a negative effect on P. japonica. We speculate that A. gossypii may become a more serious pest under an environment with elevated CO2 concentrations because of increased survivorship of aphid and longer development time of lady beetle.
Life Table and Temperature-Dependent Development of Diadegma anurum (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) on Its Host Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)
Authors: Golizadeh A. , Kamali K. , Fathipour Y. , Abbasipour H.
Published: January 2015

Life table and temperature-dependent development of Diadegma anurum (Thomson) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) was studied on diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) reared on cabbage, Brassica oleracea L. variety capitata, and cauliflower, Brassica oleracea L. variety botrytis. The developmental periods of immature stages were recorded at five constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C). The population of D. anurum and its host failed to survive at 35°C. Mean total development time of D. anurum was not significantly different on two host plants except at 25°C. The developmental zero (low temperature threshold) was estimated to be 7.0 and 6.9°C, and the thermal constant was 282.3 and 277.7 DD on cabbage and cauliflower, respectively, using the linear model. Data were fitted to four nonlinear temperature-dependent models. Evaluation of the models was carried out based on the following criteria: fit to data, number and biological values of the fitted coefficients, and accuracy on the estimation of the thresholds. Consequently, the Briere-1 model was accepted and recommended for the description of temperature-dependent development of D. anurum. The life table parameters of D. anurum were also studied at 25°C constant temperature. Its intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and mean generation time (T) were estimated to be 0.169 and 16.083 d on cabbage, respectively. The life table parameters of D. anurum can be used to develop the models of population dynamics and prediction.
Immune Defense of Ants Is Associated with Changes in Habitat Characteristics
Authors: Sorvari Jouni , Hakkarainen Harri , Rantala Markus J.
Published: January 2015

Although the immune functions of insects are known to correlate with body condition and food resources, the association between habitat structure and immune function is still largely unknown. We studied the effects of forest clear-cutting on encapsulation rate in gynes and workers in the forest-dwelling ant Formica aquilonia. Forest logging resulted in disturbed immunity in workers and gynes. Logging enhanced encapsulation reaction in gynes, whereas decreased that of workers. In gynes, there was a likely trade-off between growth and immune function that was apparent in terms of different investment in size and immune function in different habitats. In workers, however, such associations were not found. The results indicate that, because of disturbed immunity, environmental stress may increase susceptibility of wood ants to diseases and parasites in disturbed habitats.
Attraction of the Southern Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis, to Pheromone Components of the Western Pine Beetle, Dendroctonus brevicomis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), in an Allopatric Zone
Authors: Pureswaran Deepa S. , Hofstetter Richard W. , Sullivan Brian T.
Published: January 2015

Subtle differences in pheromone components of sympatric species should be attractive only to the producing species and unattractive or repellent to the nonproducing species, and thereby maintain reproductive isolation and reduce competition between species. Bark beetles Dendroctonus brevicomis and D. frontalis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are known to have common pheromone components, except for exo-brevicomin, which is produced by D. brevicomis. We predicted that D. frontalis would not respond to exo-brevicomin outside of the zone of sympatry with D. brevicomis. We conducted a field experiment to determine the effect of exo-brevicomin on attraction of D. frontalis and associated species in Mississippi. We determined whether D. frontalis pheromone production differed inside and outside the sympatric zone and compared the pheromone profiles with D. brevicomis within the sympatric zone. Trapping studies revealed that D. frontalis can perceive and respond positively to exo-brevicomin, an aggregation pheromone of a sympatric congener (D. brevicomis), at locations hundreds of kilometers outside the sympatric zone. Qualitative pheromone profiles showed that both species emit similar pheromone components: frontalin, endo-brevicomin, exo-brevicomin, trans-verbenol, verbenone, and myrtenol. Although not previously reported, D. frontalis males from Arizona produced exo-brevicomin. The predator Thanasimus dubius did not discriminate traps baited with exo-brevicomin and was most attracted to traps with frontalin. Hylastes beetles were significantly attracted to traps baited with exo-brevicomin in combination with other compounds. Our results raise new practical and evolutionary questions on the role of exo-brevicomin in the behavioral ecology of D. frontalis. The addition of exo-brevicomin to the current lure might increase the efficiency of trapping programs in the southeastern United States.
Defining the transcriptomic landscape ofCandida glabrataby RNA-Seq
Authors: Linde Jörg , Duggan Seána , Weber Michael , Horn Fabian , Sieber Patricia , Hellwig Daniela , Riege Konstantin , Marz Manja , Martin Ronny , Guthke Reinhard , Kurzai Oliver
Published: January 2015

Candida glabrata is the second most common pathogenic Candida species and has emerged as a leading cause of nosocomial fungal infections. Its reduced susceptibility to antifungal drugs and its close relationship to Saccharomyces cerevisiae make it an interesting research focus. Although its genome sequence was published in 2004, little is known about its transcriptional dynamics. Here, we provide a detailed RNA-Seq-based analysis of the transcriptomic landscape of C. glabrata in nutrient-rich media, as well as under nitrosative stress and during pH shift. Using RNA-Seq data together with state-of-the-art gene prediction tools, we refined the annotation of the C. glabrata genome and predicted 49 novel protein-coding genes. Of these novel genes, 14 have homologs in S. cerevisiae and six are shared with other Candida species. We experimentally validated four novel protein-coding genes of which two are differentially regulated during pH shift and interaction with human neutrophils, indicating a potential role in host–pathogen interaction. Furthermore, we identified 58 novel non-protein-coding genes, 38 new introns and condition-specific alternative splicing. Finally, our data suggest different patterns of adaptation to pH shift and nitrosative stress in C. glabrata, Candida albicans and S. cerevisiae and thus further underline a distinct evolution of virulence in yeast.
Concomitant Grafting of Both Postbifurcation Internal Thoracic Artery Branches
Authors: Sahar Gideon , Wolak Arik , Matsa Menachem , Shelef Ilan , Raichel Lior , Ishay Yaron , Lev-Ran Oren
Published: January 2015

Objective

We aimed to assess the clinical outcome and graft patency after concomitant grafting of both postbifurcation internal thoracic artery (ITA) branches.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2013, 17 patients (14 men; mean [SD] age, 60 [9.3] years) underwent skeletonized bifurcated ITA grafting. Respective targets were restricted to non–left anterior descending (LAD) area. in all patients, a complementary standard ITA was used to graft the LAD artery. Graft patency was assessed by standard coronary angiography or serial multidetector computed tomography.

Results

Of the bifurcated conduits, 94% were right ITA. Respective right ITA target sets were first and second obtuse marginal arteries (M1-M2) (n = 12), ramus-M1 (n = 2), and distal right coronary artery–posterior descending artery (n = 2). Right ITAs were mobilized retroaortic (via the transverse sinus) in 14 patients (82%) (to circumflex artery targets). Circumflex artery targets comprised 88.2% of all anastomoses (30/34). There were no early mortalities, myocardial infarctions, or hypoperfusion syndromes. During median follow-up of 44 months (range, 3–63), there was no late mortality. Overall reintervention rate was 11.7%, and bifurcated ITA–related reintervention rate was 5.8%. At 5 years, freedom from major adverse cardiac or cerebrovascular event related to bifurcated ITA respective territory was 87% (Kaplan-Meier). Coronary imaging was achieved in 76% of the patients (elective multidetector computed tomography, n = 9; symptoms-directed coronary catheterization, n = 4). Bifurcation branch patency rate was 88.4% (23/26) at a median of 3.5 years.

Conclusions

Grafting both postbifurcation ITA branches is technically feasible and may be selectively considered. Current observations are valid for skeletonized conduits and limited to non-LAD targets. These preliminary findings should be corroborated by larger data sets.
The contribution of post-copulatory mechanisms to incipient ecological speciation in sticklebacks
Authors: Kaufmann Joshka , Eizaguirre Christophe , Milinski Manfred , Lenz Tobias L.
Published: January 2015

Ecology can play a major role in species diversification. As individuals are adapting to contrasting habitats, reproductive barriers may evolve at multiple levels. While pre-mating barriers have been extensively studied, the evolution of post-mating reproductive isolation during early stages of ecological speciation remains poorly understood. In diverging three-spined stickleback ecotypes from two lakes and two rivers, we observed differences in sperm traits between lake and river males. Interestingly, these differences did not translate into ecotype-specific gamete precedence for sympatric males in competitive
in vitro
fertilization experiments, potentially owing to antagonistic compensatory effects. However, we observed indirect evidence for impeded development of inter-ecotype zygotes, possibly suggesting an early stage of genetic incompatibility between ecotypes. Our results show that pre-zygotic post-copulatory mechanisms play a minor role during this first stage of ecotype divergence, but suggest that genetic incompatibilities may arise at early stages of ecological speciation.
Automated segmentation of the lamina cribrosa using Frangi's filter: a novel approach for rapid identification of tissue volume fraction and beam orientation in a trabeculated structure in the eye
Authors: Campbell Ian C. , Coudrillier Baptiste , Mensah Johanne , Abel Richard L. , Ethier C. Ross
Published: January 2015

The lamina cribrosa (LC) is a tissue in the posterior eye with a complex trabecular microstructure. This tissue is of great research interest, as it is likely the initial site of retinal ganglion cell axonal damage in glaucoma. Unfortunately, the LC is difficult to access experimentally, and thus imaging techniques in tandem with image processing have emerged as powerful tools to study the microstructure and biomechanics of this tissue. Here, we present a staining approach to enhance the contrast of the microstructure in micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging as well as a comparison between tissues imaged with micro-CT and second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy. We then apply a modified version of Frangi's vesselness filter to automatically segment the connective tissue beams of the LC and determine the orientation of each beam. This approach successfully segmented the beams of a porcine optic nerve head from micro-CT in three dimensions and SHG microscopy in two dimensions. As an application of this filter, we present finite-element modelling of the posterior eye that suggests that connective tissue volume fraction is the major driving factor of LC biomechanics. We conclude that segmentation with Frangi's filter is a powerful tool for future image-driven studies of LC biomechanics.
A steering mechanism for phototaxis in
Chlamydomonas
Authors: Bennett Rachel R. , Golestanian Ramin
Published: January 2015

Chlamydomonas
shows both positive and negative phototaxis. It has a single eyespot near its equator, and as the cell rotates during the forward motion, the light signal received by the eyespot varies. We use a simple mechanical model of
Chlamydomonas
that couples the flagellar beat pattern to the light intensity at the eyespot to demonstrate a mechanism for phototactic steering that is consistent with observations. The direction of phototaxis is controlled by a parameter in our model, and the steering mechanism is robust to noise. Our model shows switching between directed phototaxis when the light is on and run-and-tumble behaviour in the dark.
Genome-Wide Analysis ofPHOSPHOLIPID:DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE(PDAT) Genes in Plants Reveals the Eudicot-WidePDATGene Expansion and Altered Selective Pressures Acting on the Core EudicotPDATParalogs
Authors: Pan Xue , Peng Fred Y. , Weselake Randall J.
Published: January 2015

PHOSPHOLIPID:DIACYLGLYCEROL ACYLTRANSFERASE (PDAT) is an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a fatty acyl moiety from the sn-2 position of a phospholipid to the sn-3-position of sn-1,2-diacylglyerol, thus forming triacylglycerol and a lysophospholipid. Although the importance of PDAT in triacylglycerol biosynthesis has been illustrated in some previous studies, the evolutionary relationship of plant PDATs has not been studied in detail. In this study, we investigated the evolutionary relationship of the PDAT gene family across the green plants using a comparative phylogenetic framework. We found that the PDAT candidate genes are present in all examined green plants, including algae, lowland plants (a moss and a lycophyte), monocots, and eudicots. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the evolutionary division of the PDAT gene family into seven major clades. The separation is supported by the conservation and variation in the gene structure, protein properties, motif patterns, and/or selection constraints. We further demonstrated that there is a eudicot-wide PDAT gene expansion, which appears to have been mainly caused by the eudicot-shared ancient gene duplication and subsequent species-specific segmental duplications. In addition, selection pressure analyses showed that different selection constraints have acted on three core eudicot clades, which might enable paleoduplicated PDAT paralogs to either become nonfunctionalized or develop divergent expression patterns during evolution. Overall, our study provides important insights into the evolution of the plant PDAT gene family and explores the evolutionary mechanism underlying the functional diversification among the core eudicot PDAT paralogs.
The Pransky interview: Dr Rodney Brooks, Robotics Entrepreneur, Founder and CTO of Rethink Robotics
Authors: Pransky Joanne
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– This article, a “Q&A interview” conducted by Joanne Pransky of Industrial Robot Journal, aims to impart the combined technological, business, and personal experience of a prominent, robotic industry engineer-turned entrepreneur regarding the evolution, commercialization, and challenges of bringing a technological invention to market.

Design/methodology/approach

– The interviewee is Dr Rodney Brooks, the Panasonic Professor of Robotics (emeritus), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab; Founder, Chief Technical Officer (CTO) and Chairman of Rethink Robotics. Dr Brooks shares some of his underlying principles in technology, academia and business, as well as past and future challenges.

Findings

– Dr Brooks received degrees in pure mathematics from the Flinders University of South Australia and a PhD in computer science from Stanford University in 1981. He held research positions at Carnegie Mellon University and MIT, and a faculty position at Stanford before joining the faculty of MIT in 1984. He is also a Founder, Board Member and former CTO (1991-2008) of iRobot Corp (Nasdaq: IRBT). Dr Brooks is the former Director (1997-2007) of the MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and then the MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. He founded Rethink Robotics (formerly Heartland Robotics) in 2008.

Originality/value

– While at MIT, in 1988, Dr Brooks built Genghis, a hexapodal walker, designed for space exploration (which was on display for ten years in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.). Genghis was one of the first robots that utilized Brooks’ pioneering subsumption architecture. Dr Brooks’ revolutionary behavior-based approach underlies the autonomous robots of iRobot, which has sold more than 12 million home robots worldwide, and has deployed more than 5,000 defense and security robots; and Rethink Robotics’ Baxter, the world’s first interactive production robot. Dr Brooks has won the Computers and Thought Award at the 1991 International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, the 2008 IEEE Inaba Technical Award for Innovation Leading to Production, the 2014 Robotics Industry Association’s Engelberger Robotics Award for Leadership and the 2015 IEEE Robotics and Automation Award.
Outsourcing of facilities management (FM) services in public hospitals
Authors: Ikediashi Dubem , Ekanem Anyiekere M
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to extend the body of knowledge on health care facilities management (FM) by investigating the extent to which public hospitals in Nigeria have fared in terms of outsourced FM services.

Design/methodology/approach

– The paper relied on two strands of methodology common with pragmatic research. Questionnaire survey (QS) used data from 74 respondents representing 74 hospitals, while 3 of the 74 hospitals involved in the QS were selected based on their willingness to enter the case study interview. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics (QS) and using narrative techniques by discussing themes, sub-themes and interconnecting themes through a chronology of events, as in grounded theory.

Findings

– Findings revealed that most public hospitals do not have a policy framework for outsourcing in general and FM services in particular, giving room for duplication of functions and non-establishment of functional FM units to handle FM activities, while six FM services are outsourced in all the hospitals. Cleaning, security and catering services received the highest satisfaction ratings, while plant maintenance services, however, received the least satisfaction rating.

Originality/value

– The paper provides the first ever survey based on empirical evidence about the state of FM services outsourced in Nigeria’s public hospitals. The survey suggests a relatively low level of usage of outsourcing for its services, as only a handful of FM services are outsourced in most of the hospitals.
Simulation analysis for managing and improving productivity
Authors: El-Khalil Raed
Published: January 2015

Purpose

– The current economic crisis increased the demand on management to improve process efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to identify and resolve inefficiencies within the car assembly system utilizing discrete simulation modeling and analysis in order to improve productivity at one of the original equipment manufacturers (OEM) body shops in North America.

Design/methodology/approach

– This research was driven by a manager’s recommendation from one of the Big Three (GM, Ford, Chrysler LLC) companies in order to improve operational performance. The data utilized in creating the simulation model was obtained from one of the assembly facilities that produce three different vehicles over a period of one year. All model simulation, inputs and outputs were discussed and agreed upon by facility management.

Findings

– The established base model was verified and validated to mimic the actual facility outputs indicating all process bottlenecks. Two model scenarios were considered: the first scenario focussed on the top bottleneck processes flexibility with a ROI of 497 percent, while the second considered changing the model mix percentage leading to a cost improvement of $1.6 million/annually.

Research limitations/implications

– The model only considered management decision on buffer sizes, batch size and the top bottleneck station alternatives to make improvements. Simulating improvements in labor efficiency, robots uptime, scrap root cause, and maintenance response to downtime where not considered.

Practical implications

– This paper indicated the importance of discrete simulation modeling in providing alternatives for improving process efficiency under certain financial limitations. Given the similarity of the automotive manufacturing processes among the various companies, the findings for this particular facility remain valid for other facilities.

Originality/value

– Investment cost and process improvement are currently the two biggest challenges facing operations managers in the manufacturing industry. This study allows managers to gain a broader perspective on discrete simulation ability to simulate complicated systems and present different process improvement alternatives.
The effect of trap colour and trap‐flower distance on prey and pollinator capture in carnivorous Drosera species
Authors: Jürgens Andreas , Witt Taina , Sciligo Amber , El‐Sayed Ashraf M.
Published: January 2015

The functional features of carnivorous plants’ traps have been mostly interpreted as adaptations to capture prey. Carnivorous plants that feed on insects, however, run the risk that increasing trapping effectiveness might in turn reduce reproductive success through capture of pollinators. Such a pollinator–prey conflict might play an important role in the evolution of trap features. In carnivorous plants with sticky leaves (e.g. Drosera, Pinguicula), both spatial distance between traps and flowers and their visual signals (e.g. colour, display size) likely play a role in attracting prey but it has also been suggested that they affect the risk of potential pollinators landing on a trap. It has been reported, for example, that red pigmentation in carnivorous plants may lure insect prey to traps. This idea remains controversial, however, because colour vision of most insects does not extend very far into the red part of the spectrum.

We tested an alternative hypothesis, namely that red pigmentation of the trapping leaves may reduce the risk of a pollinator–prey conflict. Experiments were conducted in a natural habitat of Drosera arcturi and D. spatulata in the Southern Alps of New Zealand. Using sticky model traps similar in shape to Drosera leaf traps and flowers, we investigated the effect of colour (green vs. red vs. white) and flower‐trap distance (flower stalk length and leaf arrangement, that is upright as in D. arcturi vs. flat ground rosette as in D. spatulata) on composition and abundance of insects landing and being trapped.

Flower‐trap distance had no significant effect on the risk of pollinators being trapped but model flowers higher above the ground received more pollinator landings. Across all model traps, the number of trapped potential pollinators was significantly lower in traps with red leaves compared to green ones.

The results suggest that the typical red pigmentation of the trapping leaves in Drosera may be a way to protect pollinators from being attracted and captured. However, our data also suggest that pollinator protection via red traps may come with a trade‐off since total prey capture was also significantly reduced.
The Impact of a Multiple Listing Service
Authors: Li Lingxiao , Yavas Abdullah
Published: January 2015

This article offers a theoretical investigation of the impact of a multiple listing service (MLS) and its optimal size. We study a principal‐agent model of real estate brokerage with multiple agents, where the entry of new agents imposes externalities on the other agents. We solve simultaneously for the equilibrium and socially efficient levels of agents’ effort choices, the size of the MLS and the commission rate. Introducing an MLS reduces the number of agents, increases agents’ effort levels and improves total surplus. Current commission rates of 5–7% appear much higher than the competitive commission rate, leading to too many agents, too much effort by agents and a lower overall surplus. We also find that giving a greater portion of the commission to the selling agent increases effort levels, reduces the number of agents and improves total surplus.
Loss of phylogenetic and functional originalities of woody cerrado species in simulated extinction scenarios
Authors: Rosatti Natalia Bianca , Silva Danilo Muniz , Batalha Marco Antônio
Published: January 2015

Originality measures how different a given species is from all other co‐occurring species regarding either their phylogenetic history or functional traits. Since it is important to preserve the various aspects of diversity and original species carry more phylogenetic or functional information, originality may be used to assign conservation priorities. Our goal was to evaluate the relationships between phylogenetic and functional originalities, and their simulated losses under extinction scenarios based on abundance, fire tolerance and habitat preference. We placed 100 plots in a cerrado reserve located in central Brazil, sampled all woody plants species within the plots, measured 14 functional traits and measured fire history. We assembled a phylogenetic tree and a functional dendrogram, with which we calculated the originalities. Phylogenetic‐ and functional‐based originalities were correlated. However, the loss of functional originality was different from random extinctions on the abundance and fire tolerance scenarios, whereas the loss of phylogenetic originality was not. When compared with phylogenetic originality, functional originality brought more information to be used in conservation strategies because it was sensitive to differences in species abundance and fire tolerance. Thus, the extinction of rare or fire‐sensitive species would result in important functional changes due to loss of distinctive traits.
The Pyrazolobenzothiazine Core as a New Chemotype of p38 Alpha Mitogen‐Activated Protein Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Sabatini Stefano , Manfroni Giuseppe , Barreca Maria Letizia , Bauer Silke M. , Gargaro Marco , Cannalire Rolando , Astolfi Andrea , Brea Jose , Vacca Carmine , Pirro Matteo , Massari Serena , Tabarrini Oriana , Loza Maria Isabel , Fallarino Francesca , Laufer Stefan A. , Cecchetti Violetta
Published: January 2015

The identification, synthesis, biological activity, and binding mode prediction of a series of pyrazolobenzothiazines as novel p38α MAPK inhibitors are reported. Some of these compounds showed interesting activity in both p38α MAPK and TNF‐α release assays. Derivative 6 emerged as the most interesting compound with IC50 (p38α) = 0.457 μm, IC50 (TNF‐α) = 0.5 μm and a promising kinase selectivity profile. The obtained results strongly indicate the pyrazolobenzothiazine core as a new p38α inhibitor chemotype worthy of future chemical optimization efforts directed toward identifying a new generation of anti‐inflammatory agents.
Nutritional ecology beyond the individual: a conceptual framework for integrating nutrition and social interactions
Authors: Lihoreau Mathieu , Buhl Camille , Charleston Michael A. , Sword Gregory A. , Raubenheimer David , Simpson Stephen J.
Published: January 2015

Over recent years, modelling approaches from nutritional ecology (known as Nutritional Geometry) have been increasingly used to describe how animals and some other organisms select foods and eat them in appropriate amounts in order to maintain a balanced nutritional state maximising fitness. These nutritional strategies profoundly affect the physiology, behaviour and performance of individuals, which in turn impact their social interactions within groups and societies. Here, we present a conceptual framework to study the role of nutrition as a major ecological factor influencing the development and maintenance of social life. We first illustrate some of the mechanisms by which nutritional differences among individuals mediate social interactions in a broad range of species and ecological contexts. We then explain how studying individual‐ and collective‐level nutrition in a common conceptual framework derived from Nutritional Geometry can bring new fundamental insights into the mechanisms and evolution of social interactions, using a combination of simulation models and manipulative experiments.
Imaging suppurative infections of the central nervous system in horses
Authors: Cardwell J. , Scrivani P. V.
Published: January 2015

Suppurative infections are typically caused by pyogenic bacteria, and are characterised by the formation of purulent exudates (pus). These infections may occur anywhere in the body and are particularly life‐threatening when pertaining to the central nervous system (CNS). Suppurative infections of the CNS may be due to trauma, local extension of disease, and haematogenous spread. In horses, suppurative infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, but only infrequently involve the CNS. The gross morphology of suppurative inflammation is described as phlegmon, abscess and empyema, with each form having characteristic morphological features that may be identified during advanced imaging of the CNS. In horses with known or suspected suppurative infection of the CNS, imaging may be performed to reduce diagnostic uncertainty, determine prognosis, or to describe the character and extent of the disease to guide case management.
Child and Family Resilience: A Call for Integrated Science, Practice, and Professional Training
Authors: Masten Ann S. , Monn Amy R.
Published: January 2015

Science and practice focused on child resilience and family resilience have deep and intertwined roots, yet there have been surprisingly few efforts to systematically integrate the theory, findings, and implications of these two traditions of work. In this article, the authors discuss parallels in concepts and processes that link the sciences of child and family resilience and the potential of relational developmental systems theory to provide an integrative framework for understanding and promoting resilience in children and families. The authors describe components of an integrated approach to child and family resilience, highlighting examples from recent research, and discuss implications for research, practice, and professional training.
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Family Functioning, and Resilience in Military Families: A Pattern‐Based Approach
Authors: Oshri Assaf , Lucier‐Greer Mallory , O'Neal Catherine Walker , Arnold Amy Laura , Mancini Jay A. , Ford James L.
Published: January 2015

Linkages between adverse childhood experiences and long‐term consequences in servicemen and servicewomen were examined in relation to family‐level resiliency processes predicted to mitigate this link. Using a pattern‐based, multi‐informant approach, resilience was explored through a systemic lens in relation to family‐level processes. Latent family profiles were identified using diverse dimensions of family functioning guided by the circumplex model. Data were collected from parents and their adolescents, age 11 to 18, living in the continental United States (N = 273 military families). Variations in adverse childhood experiences among servicemembers and their partners were related to heterogeneous family functioning typologies (profiles). One adaptive family functioning typology illustrated that a select group of families with higher levels of early adverse experiences evinced adaptive functioning outcomes in multiple domains in adulthood. Implications for examining individual resilience via a family‐level process and applications to educational and clinical contexts are discussed in relation to military and nonmilitary families.
Consumer‐driven nutrient dynamics in freshwater ecosystems: an introduction
Authors: Capps Krista A. , Atkinson Carla L. , Rugenski Amanda T.
Published: January 2015

Over the past decade, studies of the effects of consumer‐driven nutrient dynamics have become more common. This work has demonstrated that animals can function as sources and sinks of elements, but few studies have broadly compared these processes among organisms and across ecosystems.

Collectively, the articles in this special issue elucidate the important roles that organisms can play in nutrient dynamics in lotic, lentic and wetland ecosystems. These papers show how species‐specific traits, such as body stoichiometry and trophic ecology, and abiotic variables, including ambient water chemistry, govern the net impacts of consumer‐driven nutrient dynamics in freshwater ecosystems.

Globally, the introduction of non‐native species and the loss of native biodiversity compromise the functional integrity of freshwater ecosystems. The work featured in this issue will help ecologists and conservation biologists integrate species‐specific traits with ecosystem‐specific conditions to understand the potential effects of changing biodiversity on ecosystem function in fresh waters.
Convergent changes in the trophic ecology of extremophile fish along replicated environmental gradients
Authors: Tobler Michael , Scharnweber Kristin , Greenway Ryan , Passow Courtney N. , Arias‐Rodriguez Lenin , García‐De‐León Francisco J.
Published: January 2015

Divergent selection along environmental gradients connecting locally restricted extreme habitats and adjacent benign habitats can shape convergent evolution of traits involved in coping with physiochemical stressors and can drive speciation. At the same time, the presence of such stressors alters aspects of the biotic environment, including resource availability and competitive regimes. However, it remains unclear whether and how the ecology of populations occurring in both extreme and benign environments varies in a predictable fashion.

We investigated the trophic ecology of live‐bearing fishes of the genus Poecilia that have independently colonised multiple springs containing toxic hydrogen sulphide in southern Mexico. Sulphide spring fish are adapted to the unique environmental conditions and are reproductively isolated from ancestral populations in adjacent non‐sulphidic habitats. We used gut content analyses to test whether colonisation of extreme habitats was accompanied by shifts of trophic resource use and expansions of trophic niche width. Furthermore, we tested whether dietary shifts were reflected in trophic morphology by comparing intestinal tract lengths among populations using both wild‐caught and common garden‐raised individuals.

Gut content analyses revealed that fish inhabiting toxic springs expanded their trophic niche width and changed their dietary resource use from detritus and algae to sulphide bacteria and invertebrates. This dietary shift was paralleled by changes in intestinal tract morphology, whereby sulphide spring fish had shorter intestines than fish from adjacent non‐sulphidic habitats. Analysis of common garden‐raised fish indicated that morphological differences between sulphidic and non‐sulphidic populations are at least in part due to genetic differentiation. Both patterns of trophic resource use and differentiation in trophic morphology were consistent across replicated pairs of sulphidic and non‐sulphidic populations, although the magnitude of differentiation varied among river drainages.

Our results suggest that colonisation of and adaptation to sulphide springs in southern Mexico was paralleled by convergent changes in trophic ecology. This highlights the complexity of environmental gradients and the necessity of considering multiple sources of selection when studying the evolution of complex phenotypes.
Molecular Detection of Helicobacter pylori and its Antimicrobial Resistance in Brazzaville, Congo
Authors: Ontsira Ngoyi Esther Nina , Atipo Ibara Blaise Irénée , Moyen Rachelle , Ahoui Apendi Philestine Clausina , Ibara Jean Rosaire , Obengui O. , Ossibi Ibara Roland Bienvenu , Nguimbi Etienne , Niama Rock Fabien , Ouamba Jean Maurille , Yala Fidèle , Abena Ange Antoine , Vadivelu Jamuna , Goh Khean Lee , Menard Armelle , Benejat Lucie , Sifre Elodie , Lehours Philippe , Megraud Francis
Published: January 2015

Back ground

Helicobacter pylori infection is involved in several gastroduodenal diseases which can be cured by antimicrobial treatment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and its bacterial resistance to clarithromycin, fluoroquinolones, and tetracycline in Brazzaville, Congo, by using molecular methods.

Material and Methods

A cross‐ sectional study was carried out between September 2013 and April 2014. Biopsy specimens were obtained from patients scheduled for an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and were sent to the French National Reference Center for Campylobacters and Helicobacters where they were tested by molecular methods for detection of H. pylori and clarithromycin resistance by real‐time PCR using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer‐melting curve analysis (FRET‐MCA) protocol, for detection of tetracycline resistance by real‐time PCR on 16S rRNA genes (rrnA and rrnB), for detection of point mutations in the quinolone resistance‐determining regions (QRDR) of H. pylori gyrA gene, associated with resistance to quinolones, by PCR and sequencing.

Results

This study showed a high H. pylori prevalence (89%), low rates of clarithromycin and tetracycline resistance (1.7% and 2.5%, respectively), and a high rate of quinolone resistance (50%).

Conclusion

Therefore, the use of standard clarithromycin‐based triple therapy is still possible as an empiric first‐line treatment as well as prescription of bismuth‐based quadruple therapy, which includes tetracycline, but not a levofloxacin‐based triple therapy because of the high rate of resistance to fluoroquinolones.
Iatrogenic pathology of the intestines
Authors: McCarthy Aoife J , Lauwers Gregory Y , Sheahan Kieran
Published: January 2015

Many drugs and chemical agents can cause enteritis and colitis, producing clinical gastrointestinal side effects, the most common of which are diarrhoea, constipation, nausea and vomiting. Significant histological overlap exists between some patterns of medication or chemical injury and various disease entities. A particular medication may cause multiple patterns of injury and may mimic common entities such as coeliac disease, Crohn's disease, infectious enteritis and colitis. Thus, given the common absence of specific histopathological features, the diagnosis often relies upon thorough clinicopathological correlation. This review concentrates on selected examples of medication‐induced injury of the intestinal tract in which the pathology can be recognized, particularly on biopsies, with a focus on newly described medication‐induced gastrointestinal effects.
Assessment of a new system for primary site assignment in high‐grade serous carcinoma of the fallopian tube, ovary, and peritoneum
Authors: Singh Naveena , Gilks C Blake , Wilkinson Nafisa , McCluggage W Glenn
Published: January 2015

Aims

The available evidence indicates that most non‐uterine high‐grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) arise from the fallopian tube (FT), but approaches to primary site assignment have not evolved to reflect this. The aim of this study was to assess the application of recently proposed criteria for site assignment.

Methods and results

One hundred and fifty‐one HGSCs from four centres were reviewed retrospectively. Sixty‐three of 80 (79%) chemonaive (CN) and 45 of 71 (68%) post‐neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) cases were assigned as FT primaries with the new criteria, whereas 58 of 80 (73%) and 45 of 71 (63%) were assigned as ovarian primaries with traditional criteria (P < 0.0001). Of 111 prospectively collected HGSCs, with consistent detailed fimbrial examination, 44 of 53 (83%) CN and 44 of 58 (76%) NACT cases were assigned as FT primaries. The reproducibility of site assignment was tested in a subset of 50 cases: all four reviewing pathologists agreed on the primary site in 48 of 50 (96%) cases, and three of four agreed in 49 of 50 (98%) cases. Of the 53 prospectively studied CN cases, bilateral ovarian involvement (62%) was significantly more frequent than bilateral tubal involvement (12%, P < 0.0001), further supporting a tubal origin and ovarian metastasis in most cases.

Conclusions

With currently accepted protocols, the proposed guidelines are easy to apply and result in consistent site assignment in non‐uterine HGSCs. Most cases of non‐uterine HGSC were considered to be primary FT neoplasms.