bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sarcomere length changes in the wing muscles during the wing beat cycle of two bird species
Authors: Cutts Alison
Published: March 2011

Sarcomere lengths were measured (using a method based on diffraction) in carcasses of Melopsitlacus undulatus and Taeniopygia guttata, with the wings set by rigor mortis in various positions simulating flight. The results indicate that in flight the major wing muscles work between minimum sarcomere lengths of 1.7–1.9 μm, and maximum sarcomere lengths of 2.1–2.3 μm. This range probably corresponds to the upper part of the ascending limb, and the plateau, of the length‐tension curve.
Grooming behaviour and the morphology of grooming appendages in the endemic South American crab genus Aegla (Decapoda, Anomura, Aeglidae)
Authors: Martin J. W. , Felgenhauer B. E.
Published: March 2011

Grooming behaviour in South American freshwater aeglid crabs (Aegla platensis and A. uruguayana) involves primarily the third maxillipeds and fifth pereiopods. The third maxilliped grooms the eyes, antennules and occasionally the antennae with fields of sword and serrate setae. The crista dentata located on the ischium of the third maxilliped cleans the dactyli of the second, third and fourth pereiopods. The fifth pereiopod is chelate but opens only slightly. This appendage grooms the gills, carapace, abdomen and pleopods with the denticulate margins of the chela and specialized composite setae of the propodus and dactylus. Grooming behaviour and general morphology of grooming appendages in aeglids resemble those of their marine relatives in the Anomura rather than those of other freshwater decapods. This observation supports Bauer's (1981) contention that grooming may serve as an indicator of phyletic affinity.
Life history and parental behaviour of a dung beetle from neotropical rainforest, Copris laeviceps (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)
Authors: Klemperer H. G.
Published: March 2011

This small beetle (0.1 g) has the same nesting and parental behaviour as larger species of Copris but its life history is different. Dung was brought into an underground chamber and formed into approximately eight brood balls in each of which an egg was laid. The female beetle remained in the nest while the brood developed. She repaired any damage to the nest or brood balls and attacked other insects that entered the nest. The female accepted brood balls that contained larvae of another Copris species, but she destroyed brood balls with larvae of Oniticellus cinctus, although the latter species shows very similar parental care. Each female made at least three nests in succession. Oviposition in the second and later nests occurred one week after the brood had emerged from the previous nest. Development from egg to imago required six weeks and the new adults laid eggs after three weeks, but on a restricted dung supply or at low temperatures oviposition was delayed for at least three months. Small numbers of beetles surviving under adverse circumstances could therefore multiply rapidly when the conditions become favourable.
Ecology of otters in northern Scotland. VI. Diving times and hunting success of otters (Lutra lutra) at Dinnet Lochs, Aberdeenshire and in Yell Sound, Shetland
Authors: Conroy J. W. H. , Jenkins D.
Published: March 2011

Diving times and hunting success of otters were compared in two freshwater lochs in Aberdeenshire and in the sea off Shetland. During each hunt, otters in the marine habitat caught significantly more prey items and each hunt was of longer duration than in the freshwater habitat. Most recorded prey caught in the sea were smaller and probably of lower nutritional quality than in the freshwater lochs.
Fertility in female Red deer (Cervus elaphus): the effects of body composition, age and reproductive status
Authors: Albon S. D. , Mitchell B. , Huby B. J. , Brown D.
Published: March 2011

The influence of body composition on fertility in female Red deer was studied in a free‐ranging population in central Scotland. Fertility was positively and independently related to body weight and kidney fat weight and negatively to jaw length. Differences in fertility between age classes were apparently due to age‐specific differences in body weight, kidney fat, jaw length and previous reproductive history. However, all other things being equal, hinds that had reared a calf in the previous summer had a greater probability of being pregnant than hinds that had not.
Lifestyle, latitude and activity metabolism of natricine snakes
Authors: Hailey A. , Davies P. M. C.
Published: March 2011

The snakes Natrix natrix and N. maura were studied in a small Spanish river; the former was a widely foraging predator of frogs, the latter a sit‐and‐wait predator of fish. Natrix natrix was diurnal and terrestrial, N. maura was active by day and night and semi‐aquatic; their thermal niches are described and compared. The activity metabolism of these snakes was investigated to show the direct (activity) and indirect (thermal) effects of lifestyle. At high temperatures, aerobic scope was greater in N. natrix, an adaptation for greater activity. Aerobic scope of N. maura was less temperature sensitive, an adaptation to activity at low temperature and within a broad thermal niche. Lactate production and burst speed were less different. Activity metabolism of low and high latitude N. natrix were compared. The latter had elevated and less temperature sensitive aerobic scope. The functional interpretation of this pattern is noted, but no supporting evidence was found from published data on activity body temperature mean and range in natricine snakes.
Gonadogenesis and sex differentiation in the southern hemisphere lamprey, Geotria australis Gray
Authors: Hardisty M. W. , Potter I. C. , Hilliard R. W.
Published: March 2011

Gonads of larval Geotria australis destined to become ovaries can be readily identified well before the start of metamorphosis, whereas the majority of presumptive testes of large larvae and some metamorphosing individuals remain indistinguishable from the undifferentiated gonads of smaller larvae. Gonial proliferation in the female germ line, which occurs earlier and is more intense than in the male line, produces cystic gonads containing large numbers of meiotic germ cells. The growth rate of those oocytes surviving the larval cytoplasmic growth phase (25%) increases by about three times at metamorphosis. Although mean cell counts for the undifferentiated and future male testes rose slightly with increasing body length, many larvae of metamorphosing length, as well as transforming animals, possess a minute gonad with cell numbers no greater than those of small ammocoetes.

Differences in the timing of gonial proliferation and the onset of oogenesis during the larval life of holarctic lampreys have been correlated with differences in the fecundity and body size of the mature adult. Geotria conforms to this trend and parallels most closely landlocked Petromyzon marinus, a form whose fecundity and body size lie between those of the largest anadromous parasitic lampreys and the small nonparasitic species. However, the pattern of gonadogenesis and sex differentiation in Geotria differs markedly from holarctic lampreys. Both male and female gonads are relatively ‘immature’ and more variable at the onset of metamorphosis. At this stage, the ovaries contain small oocytes (43·1 μm diameter), frequently with undeveloped cytoplasmic basophilia, and in many cases still possess premeiotic cysts. During metamorphosis, the future testes show no acceleration of mitotic activity and remain undifferentiated, small and variable. Geotria also exhibits a more direct type of sex differentiation by lacking the characteristic juvenile hermaphrodite phase of holarctic lampreys. Thus no evidence was found for the origin of testes through the extensive regression and atresia of gonads of the ovarian type. Indeed, meiotic gonia and oocytes were seen in only 17% of future male testes.
Analysis of growth based on tag‐recapture of the Giant Pacific octopus Octopus dofleini martini
Authors: Robinson S. M. C. , Hartwick E. B.
Published: March 2011

In total, 211 octopuses were tagged and 87 (41·2%) of these were recaptured, some up to eight times for a total of 184 recaptures. Octopuses ranged in wet weight from 1·6 to 20 kg and the sex ratio was skewed towards females. No difference was found in the growth rates between sexes or locations and growth rates were variable for all sizes studied. Evidence for two distinct growth periods was found; a slow period from January to June and a faster period from July to December. Separate growth curves were drawn for each period and their relevance to potential growth in the field discussed. Growth rates of O. dofleini were comparable to those described for other octopod species.

A tag‐recapture growth study of Octopus dofleini martini was conducted at two inshore, shallow water (2–15 m) sites in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia. The objective was to describe the growth of O. dofleini in the field and investigate variation related to sex, season or location.
Inheritance of the king coat colour pattern in cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus
Authors: Aarde R. J. van , Dyk Ann van
Published: March 2011

The paper describes the pedigree of nine King cheetahs born in captivity and provides evidence that the king coat colour pattern in Acinonyx jubatus appears to result from the action of a recessive allele at an autosomal locus.
The reproductive output of frogs Rana temporaria (L.) with particular reference to body size and age
Authors: Gibbons Maria M. , McCarthy T. K.
Published: March 2011

Measurements were made on 274 spawn clumps and 271 adult frogs in three consecutive years at breeding sites in the west of Ireland. Mean clutch size was 1008 ± 20 ova, mean egg diameter was 2·32 ± 0·01 mm, and mean clutch weight was 11·62 ± 0·37 g. At any particular body length, larger clutch sizes were associated with smaller egg sizes and vice versa. Clutch size, egg size and clutch weight all increased allometrically with body size. The bigger females produced more and smaller eggs and a heavier clutch, relative to their body size, than smaller ones. Egg size and clutch weight also increased allometrically with female age. Age‐specific clutch weight increased during the first two years of maturity and declined slightly thereafter. Age‐specific egg size increased with age throughout life. At any age, bigger females produced more but not larger ova, and at any length, older females contained larger but fewer eggs. Both bigger and/or older females exhibited greater variability in the reproductive parameters than smaller and/or younger ones.

Laboratory mating experiments showed that egg fertility was positively correlated with absolute male length and with the relative male/female length in amplexus. The fertilizing ability of males, however, declined with mating frequency, irrespective of male length, clutch size or the time interval between successive matings. In the wild, egg fertility ranged from 24–100%, although over 90% fertility was common.
Scaling of the respiratory, cardio‐vascular and skeletal muscle systems of the freshwater/terrestrial mountain crab, Pseudothelphusa garmani garmani
Authors: Innes A. J. , Haj Alicia J. El , Gobin Judith F.
Published: March 2011

The freshwater/terrestrial mountain crab Pseudothelphusa garmani garmani (Rathbun, 1898) is structurally well adapted for aerial gas exchange. Pseudothelphusa possesses complex lungs and gills within the branchial chambers.

The present investigation sets out primarily to compare how the respiratory system (whole animal oxygen uptake, gills, lungs), cardio‐vascular system (heart, blood volume) and skeletal muscle system (muscles of third walking leg merus) scale as a function of live weight (i.e. Y = aXb; here Y= variables listed above, X= live weight, a= constant, b= scaling exponent).

Whole animal aerial oxygen uptake scales to the power 0·70. In contrast, the weight of the gas exchange organs (gills and lungs) scale to the power 0·87 and 0·88, respectively, whilst heart weight and blood volume scale to 1·01 and 0·85, respectively. Skeletal muscle (weight of muscles from third walking leg merus), however, has a scaling exponent of 0·72 which resembles that of whole animal oxygen uptake.

Scaling exponents for skeletal length as a function of live weight are significantly lower than those listed above, i.e. length of third walking leg merus (b= 0·32); carapace width (b= 0·34).

‘Excitement’ due to handling stress induces an average increase in aerial oxygen uptake of ×2·08. Aerobic expansibilities of ×3·65 ×5·30 are reported for Pseudothelphusa during locomotor activity. A discontinuous pattern of ventilation was recorded during air breathing in quiescent animals.

Heart wet weight expressed as a percentage of live body weight is 0·135% for a mean 71·5 g live weight crab.

In conclusion, the oxygen uptake of inactive Pseudothelphusa appears to be limited at the tissue level rather than at the gas exchange surface or cardio‐vascular system.
Biogeography and conservation of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) in Texas: patterns of diversity and threats
Authors: Burlakova Lyubov E. , Karatayev Alexander Y. , Karatayev Vadim A. , May Marsha E. , Bennett Daniel L. , Cook Michael J.
Published: March 2011

Aim  Geographic patterns of species distributions and the factors contributing to species endangerment are necessary for the development of integrative conservation strategies. Freshwater mussels Unionidae have among the highest levels of imperilment recorded in North America. This paper describes the biogeography and diversity of Unionidae along climate and habitat gradients in Texas, evaluates human impact, and identifies the hot spots of diversity and endemism that should be targeted for conservation.

Location  Texas, North America.

Methods  Unionids were surveyed in all major Texas river basins in 2003–2009. Multivariate statistics were used to test for differences in environmental parameters and among unionid assemblages in different bioprovinces, and to determine to what extent the multivariate pattern of species distribution was affected by environmental factors. To estimate human impact, we examined the relationship between human population density and the proportion of rare species, as well with the proportion of historically present species that persist in the watershed.

Results  Correlation between biotic and environmental similarity matrices indicated concordance in the differences among unionid assemblages and environmental factors that could cause these differences. Lake surface evaporation rate and percentage of forest cover in the watershed were among the most important parameters explaining the differences in unionid assemblages. Human population density was negatively correlated with the proportion of rare species. The proportion of species found live relative to the total number of live and relic species found in our surveys and to the number of historically known species decreased with the increase in human population density.

Main conclusions  Climate, landscape, geology, and land use type were important factors influencing unionid distribution patterns among biotic provinces. Increased human population density was associated with the loss of rare species over several decades, but this loss was not recognized because of a lack of assessing the conservation status of unionids.
Differences between Spaniards and Ecuadorians in CYP2A6 allele frequencies: comparison with other populations
Authors: Soriano Antonia , Vicente Jorge , Carcas Cristina , Gonzalez‐Andrade Fabricio , Arenaz Izaskún , Martinez‐Jarreta Begoña , Fanlo Ana , Mayayo Esteban , Sinués Blanca
Published: March 2011

This study was designed to investigate the potential differences between Spaniards and Ecuadorian Mestizo people regarding CYP2A6*1A, CYP2A6*1B1, CYP2A6*1x2A, CYP2A6*9A, and CYP2A6*4A variant alleles at the CYP2A6 gene and also to compare the observed frequencies with those previously reported in different ethnic groups. DNA from 234 Spaniard and 300 Ecuadorian subjects were analyzed by either PCR or PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. Differences between Spaniards and Mestizo Ecuadorians were detected in relation to the frequencies of the alleles linked to either absent enzyme activity, CYP2A6*4A (4 and 7.1%, respectively), or reduced CYP2A6 enzyme activity, CYP2A6*9A (6.4 and 10.3%, respectively). CYP2A6*4A and CYP2A6*9A frequencies in Ecuadorians were higher than those in Africans or Caucasian groups and lower than those in Asians. This study provides, for the first time, the result of the analysis of CYP2A6 allele frequency in a South American population and demonstrates the presence of ethnic differences in CYP2A6 genetic variants between Spaniards and Mestizo Ecuadorians, which should be considered in allele–disease association studies and, in particular, in those involving CYP2A6 genetic polymorphisms and tobacco‐related cancer.
Unique mid‐tract loss of a primary remex in male broadbills of the Southeast Asian genus Calyptomena: timing and possible implications
Authors: WELLS DAVID R.
Published: March 2011

Female Calyptomena broadbills have 10 large primaries, whereas adult males have nine. At or before the main post‐juvenile moult, males abort what appears to be juvenile P5. This creation of row space is accompanied by a shortening of the wing tip, a development (together with tail shortening) that, as in some Neotropical suboscines, may relate to performance of exaggerated displays. Calyptomena has been linked taxonomically with Afrotropical Smithornis, the one genus of broadbills with proven display‐related modification of flight‐feathers.
The effect of simulated visual impairment on speech‐reading ability
Authors: Dickinson Christine M , Taylor John
Published: March 2011

Citation information: Dickinson CM & Taylor JJ. The effect of simulated visual impairment on speech‐reading ability. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 249–257. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010.00810.x

Purpose:  Speech‐reading is the ability to recognise certain sounds visually, using both the movements of the speaker’s mouth, plus other sources of visual information, such as gestures and body language, facial expressions and situational clues. This study aimed to determine the effect of mild degrees of visual impairment on speech‐reading ability.

Method:  A group of 15 normally‐sighted subjects was assessed with different levels of simulated visual loss using occlusion foils, in the presence of constant background noise to simulate hearing loss. The visual impairments created ranged from 20 to 13 dB log contrast sensitivity (contrast thresholds 1–5%) (measured using the backlit Melbourne Edge Test) with acuity dropping from 6/6 to 6/24 (logMAR 0.0–0.6). The speech‐reading ability with simulated impairment and noise was quantified as the number of words recognised correctly when watching a video of an actor speaking meaningful sentences.

Results:  The introduction of the mildest simulated visual impairment (VA 6/6 logMAR 0.0; contrast sensitivity 20 dB, contrast threshold 1%) was sufficient to cause a statistically significant reduction in speech‐reading ability (t‐test, p < 0.001), and as the level of visual impairment was increased, the speech‐reading ability became progressively worse throughout the range of impairments tested.

Conclusions:  This study shows that if hearing is compromised, then an observer’s speech‐reading ability is sensitive to changes in vision. It is likely that visual loss will have consequences for speech‐reading ability. This will be particularly relevant to the elderly population who are often found to have a dual sensory loss that causes compromise to both visual and auditory sensory reception. Some of the difficulties in communication reported by the elderly with reduced hearing could be visual as opposed to auditory in origin.
Inferior visual field reductions are associated with poorer functional status among older adults with glaucoma
Authors: Black Alex A , Wood Joanne M , Lovie‐Kitchin Jan E
Published: March 2011

Citation information: Black AA, Wood JM & Lovie‐Kitchin JE. Inferior visual field reductions are associated with poorer functional status among older adults with glaucoma. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 283–291. doi: 10.1111/j.1475‐1313.2010.00811.x

Purpose:  To examine the relationship between visual impairment and functional status in a community‐dwelling sample of older adults with glaucoma.

Methods:  This study included 74 community‐dwelling older adults with open‐angle glaucoma (aged 74 ± 6 years). Assessment of central vision included high‐contrast visual acuity and Pelli‐Robson contrast sensitivity. Binocular integrated visual fields were derived from merged monocular Humphrey Field Analyser visual field plots. Functional status outcome measures included physical performance tests (6‐min walk test, timed up and go test and lower limb strength), a physical activity questionnaire (Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly) and an overall functional status score. Correlation and linear regression analyses, adjusting for age and gender, examined the association between visual impairment and functional status outcomes.

Results:  Greater levels of visual impairment were significantly associated with lower levels of functional status among community‐dwelling older adults with glaucoma, independent of age and gender. Specifically, lower levels of visual function were associated with slower timed up and go performance, weaker lower limb strength, lower self‐reported physical activity, and lower overall functional status scores. Of the components of vision examined, the inferior visual field and contrast factors were the strongest predictors of these functional outcomes, whereas the superior visual field factor was not related to functional status.

Conclusions:  Greater visual impairment, particularly in the inferior visual field and loss of contrast sensitivity, was associated with poorer functional status among older adults with glaucoma. The findings of this study highlight the potential links between visual impairment and the onset of functional decline. Interventions which promote physical activity among older adults with glaucoma may assist in preventing functional decline, frailty and falls, and improve overall health and well‐being.
Minimising systematic error surfaces in digital elevation models using oblique convergent imagery
Authors: Wackrow Rene , Chandler Jim H.
Published: March 2011

There are increasing opportunities to use consumer‐grade digital cameras, particularly if accurate spatial data can be captured. Research recently conducted at Loughborough University identified residual systematic error surfaces or domes discernible in digital elevation models (DEMs). These systematic effects are often associated with such cameras and are caused by slightly inaccurate estimated lens distortion parameters. A methodology that minimises the systematic error surfaces was therefore developed, using a mildly convergent image configuration in a vertical perspective. This methodology was tested through simulation and a series of practical tests. This paper investigates the potential of the convergent configuration to minimise the error surfaces, even if the geometrically more complex oblique perspective is used. Initially, simulated data was used to demonstrate that an oblique convergent image configuration can minimise remaining systematic error surfaces using various imaging angles. Additionally, practical tests using a laboratory testfield were conducted to verify results of the simulation. The need to develop a system to measure the topographic surface of a flooding river provided the opportunity to verify the findings of the simulation and laboratory test using real data. Results of the simulation process, the laboratory test and the practical test are reported in this paper and demonstrate that an oblique convergent image configuration eradicates the systematic error surfaces which result from inaccurate lens distortion parameters. This approach is significant because by removing the need for an accurate lens model it effectively improves the accuracies of digital surface representations derived using consumer‐grade digital cameras. Carefully selected image configurations could therefore provide new opportunities for improving the quality of photogrammetrically acquired data.
Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn caused by an antibody to a low‐prevalence antigen, anti‐SARA
Authors: Towns Dale , Hannon Judith , Hendry Julia , Barnes Janet , Goldman Mindy
Published: March 2011

BACKGROUND: The first case describing the SARAH (SARA) antigen occurred in 1990, in an Australian blood donor. Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to anti‐SARA has not been previously described.

CASE REPORT: We report a case of HDFN in a multiparous female. The pregnancy was unremarkable except that she was involved in a seemingly minor motor vehicle accident at 25 weeks' gestation. Routine prenatal antibody screening was negative throughout the pregnancy. She presented at 37 weeks' gestation because of decreased fetal movements. Labor was induced and a 2702‐g infant male was delivered. The infant's hemoglobin was 49 g/L and the bilirubin was 153 µmol/L.

RESULTS: Blood samples from the parents and infant were referred to Canadian Blood Services National Immunohematology Reference Laboratory and subsequently to the Australian Red Cross Red Cell Reference Service. The father's and infant's red blood cells were confirmed to be SARA positive, and the mother's plasma contained anti‐SARA.

CONCLUSION: The infant was successfully treated with a double‐volume exchange transfusion. This is the first example of HDFN associated with this antibody.
Science and International Environmental Nonregimes: The Case of Arctic Haze
Authors: Wilkening Ken
Published: March 2011

Dimitrov et al. argue that nonregimes are a worthy object of research attention that can contribute to international regime theory. Case studies, however, are still sparse. In this article, I examine Arctic haze, an issue area where a transnational environmental problem existed but no regime formed. Arctic haze was (re‐)discovered in 1971 but by 2000, the window of opportunity to form a regime had closed. What factors explain why an Arctic haze regime was not formed between 1971 and 2000? I claim science‐based factors play the dominant role. An analytical approach applicable to the science‐policy interface was employed. Using this approach, I conclude that the Arctic haze nonregime is best explained by the absence of scientifically documented and compelling transboundary consequences to ecosystems and humans. This is a product of the unique nature of the Arctic atmosphere.
Delamination of Ceramic Coatings with Embedded Metal Layers
Authors: Begley Matthew R. , Wadley Haydn N.G.
Published: March 2011

This paper investigates the effects of thin plastically deformable layers embedded in an elastic coating upon debonding of a multilayer from its substrate. Such coatings are normally deposited at high temperature and cooled to ambient, resulting in significant stresses from thermal expansion mismatch. Other stresses can develop during subsequent thermal cycling if volumetric changes such as phase changes or oxidation occur in the system. We present an elastic–plastic model to calculate these stresses in the adhered state (after deposition and cooling but before debonding) and the released state (after delamination). These results are used to calculate the steady‐state energy release rate (ERR) that drives debonding at the interface between the multilayer and the substrate. It is shown that plastic straining in the ductile layers can lead to significant reductions in crack driving force by dissipating energy both before and during coating release. Regime maps are developed to illustrate reductions in ERR in terms of the yield strength and volume fraction of the metal layers. As an example, the model is used to predict the impact of embedded platinum layers within an yttria‐stabilized zirconica coating; the crack ERR for the composite coating is shown to be 30% lower than that for a uniform ceramic coating.
How care‐work employment shapes earnings in cross‐national perspective
Authors: BUDIG Michelle J. , MISRA Joya
Published: March 2011

This article investigates the wage effects of employment in care work – conceptualized as work providing face‐to‐face client services that strengthen the health, skills or safety of recipients – in 12 countries representing a range of economic and policy contexts. While previous research has found an earnings penalty for care work, this article finds remarkable cross‐national variation in that effect. The authors find that worker characteristics and job characteristics shape the effect of care employment on earnings. They also consider how country‐level factors – earnings inequality, size of public sector, and trade union strength – impact upon cross‐national variation in the effect of care employment on earnings.
Care workers in Argentina: At the crossroads of labour market institutions and care services
Authors: ESQUIVEL Valeria
Published: March 2011

In Argentina, one third of all employed women, but only 3 per cent of all employed men, are care workers. Their relative pay and working conditions depend not only on applicable labour market regulations (and enforcement) but also, crucially, on the organization of care service provision, including the degree of public‐sector engagement in the provision of particular services, the different care providers, and the locus of care provision (institutional vs. other contexts, e.g. households). Comparing two childcare‐related occupations (early‐education teaching and domestic service), the author argues that those two – possibly mutually reinforcing – dimensions intersect to explain differences between care workers' labour market positions.
Persistent CMV infection correlates with disease activity and dominates the phenotype of peripheral CD8+ T cells in psoriasis
Authors: Weitz Mario , Kiessling Corinna , Friedrich Markus , Prösch Susanna , Höflich Conny , Kern Florian , Volk Hans‐Dieter , Sterry Wolfram , Asadullah Khusru , Döcke Wolf‐Dietrich
Published: March 2011

Background:  Previously, we have reported a frequent association of active plaque psoriasis with inflammation‐mediated cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation.

Objectives:  This study aimed at characterizing the impact of CMV infection on psoriasis disease activity and peripheral cellular adaptive immune response.

Patients/Methods:  Twenty nine patients with active plaque psoriasis and 29 healthy controls were analysed for CMV‐serostatus, CMV‐antigenaemia, frequencies of peripheral CMV‐specific T cells and the immunophenotype of peripheral CD8+ T cells.

Results:  (i) Psoriasis severity was higher in CMV‐seropositive patients and positively correlated to the severity of CMV‐antigenaemia. (ii) In comparison to CMV‐seropositive healthy controls, CMV‐seropositive psoriasis patients showed a reduced frequency of circulating CMV‐specific T cells that increased under effective antipsoriatic therapy. (iii) The immunophenotype of peripheral CD8+ T cells was dominated by CMV‐seroprevalence. (iv) Selective analysis of CMV‐seronegative psoriasis patients revealed a strong expansion of a – probably early activated – CD8+ T‐cell population with the yet undescribed differentiation phenotype ‘CD45RA‐dim/CD11a‐dim’. Under effective antipsoriatic therapy this population decreased in parallel to an increase of effector differentiated CD8+ T cells.

Conclusions:  Taken together with our previous results of inflammation‐mediated CMV reactivation in psoriasis, our data support the concept of an interactive relationship between psoriasis and CMV infection which may be mediated by peripheral CD8+ T cells.
Intraspecific interference influences the use of prey hotspots
Authors: López‐Bao José V. , Palomares Francisco , Rodríguez Alejandro , Ferreras Pablo
Published: March 2011

Resource clumping (prey hotspots) and intraspecific competition may interact to influence predator foraging behaviour. Optimal foraging theory suggests that predators should concentrate most of their foraging activity on prey hotspots, but this prediction has received limited empirical support. On the other hand, if prey concentration at hotspots is high enough to allow its use by several individuals, increased competition may impose constraints on foraging decisions of conspecifics, resulting in a temporal segregation in the use of shared resources. We investigated how artificial prey hotspots influence foraging behaviour in the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus, and examined variations in the use of prey hotspots by individuals with different competitive abilities. All lynx, irrespective of their position in the competitive hierarchy, focused their activity on prey hotspots. Supplemented lynx concentrated higher proportions of active time on 100 m circular areas around hotspots than non‐supplemented lynx did on any area of the same size. However, we found evidence for a dynamic temporal segregation, where inferior competitors may actively avoid the use of prey hotspots when dominants were present. Dynamic temporal segregation may operate in solitary and territorial predators as a mechanism to facilitate coexistence of conspecifics in the absence of opportunities for spatial segregation when they use extremely clumped resources.
Tropical metacommunities along elevational gradients: effects of forest type and other environmental factors
Authors: Willig Michael R. , Presley Steven J. , Bloch Christopher P. , Castro‐Arellano Ivan , Cisneros Laura M. , Higgins Christopher L. , Klingbeil Brian T.
Published: March 2011

Elevational gradients provide a natural experiment for assessing the extent to which the structure of animal metacommunities is molded by biotic and abiotic characteristics that change gradually, or is molded by aspects of plant community composition and physiognomy that change in a more discrete fashion. We used a metacommunity framework to integrate species‐specific responses to environmental gradients as an approach to detect emergent patterns at the mesoscale in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. Elements of metacommunity structure (coherence, species turnover and range boundary clumping) formed the basis for distinguishing among random, checkerboard, Gleasonian, Clementsian, evenly spaced and nested patterns. Paired elevational transects (300–1000 m a.s.l.) were sampled at 50 m intervals to decouple underlying environmental mechanisms: a mixed forest transect reflected changes in abiotic and biotic conditions, including forest type (i.e. tabonuco, palo colorado and elfin forests), whereas another transect reflected changes in environmental conditions but not forest type, as its constituent plots were located within palm forest. Based on distributional data (presence versus absence of species), the mixed forest transect exhibited Clementsian structure, whereas the palm forest transect exhibited quasi‐Gleasonian structure. In contrast, the distribution of modes in species abundance was random with respect to the latent environmental gradient in the mixed forest transect and clumped with respect to the latent environmental gradient in the palm forest transect. Such contrasts suggest that the environmental factors affecting abundance differed in form or type from those affecting distributional boundaries. Variation among elevational strata with respect to the first axis of correspondence from reciprocal averaging was highly correlated with elevation along each transect, even though axis scores were not correlated between mixed forest and palm forest transects. This suggests that the identity of the environmental characteristics, or the form of response by the fauna to those characteristics, differed between the two elevational transects. Despite the proximity of the transects, the patchy configuration of palm forest, and the pervasive distribution of the dominant palm species, the relative importance of abiotic variables and habitat in structuring gastropod metacommunities differed between transects, which is remarkable and attests to the sensitivity of metacommunity structure to environmental variation.
The effect of simulated herbivory on growth and nutrient status of focal and neighbouring early successional woody plant species
Authors: Lagerström Anna , Bellingham Peter J. , Bonner Karen I. , Wardle David A.
Published: March 2011

Defoliation through herbivory is well known to affect target plants and their associated belowground properties, but the response of plants and their soil environment to defoliation of their neighbours is less well understood. We performed a controlled shade‐house experiment involving three plant species that colonize New Zealand floodplains during primary succession, i.e. a palatable N2‐fixing shrub (Carmichaelia odorata), a palatable deciduous small tree (Fuchsia excorticata) and a less palatable evergreen tree (Weinmannia racemosa). All species were grown in large pots for 40 months both singly and in two species pairs, and either one or both of the species grown in pairs were clipped to simulate herbivory. Responses of growth and foliar nutrient status to clipping varied strongly among species, with Carmichaelia having the largest response and Fuchsia having the smallest. Carmichaelia also enhanced soil microbial biomass and activity, and foliar N concentrations of Weinmannia. However, this did not translate to a net positive effect; instead Carmichaelia competitively reduced growth and foliar P concentrations of both other species. Most effects of Carmichaelia on the soil microflora, and growth and nutrient status of its neighbours, disappeared when Carmichaelia was clipped. Further, the effect of clipping Carmichaelia had a stronger impact on growth, soil activity and nutrient status of the other two species than did the clipping of those species. These results contradict expectations that N2‐fixing plants should promote growth of other species in pioneer communities or that defoliation of N2‐fixers exacerbate positive effects; in our study, defoliation of Carmichaelia merely mitigated the negative effects that it had on other species. They also suggest that interplay of competition and differential herbivory among coexisting plants has important implications for soil microflora and processes, relative nutrient acquisition and stoichiometry of coexisting plant species, and potentially plant community development.
Relationship between Personality and Impacts of Implant Treatment on Daily Living
Authors: Al‐Omiri Mahmoud K. , Abu Hantash Raed O. , Abu Yunis Mohammad , Lynch Edward
Published: March 2011

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between satisfaction with implant‐supported fixed rehabilitations (ISFPR), their impacts on daily living, and personality profiles.

Materials and Methods: Fifty patients (15 men and 35 women; mean age 44.3 ± 9 years), with fitted ISFPR, and 50 partially dentate controls matched with age and gender participated in this study. A Dental Impact on Daily Living questionnaire was used to assess dental satisfaction and impacts of ISFPR on daily living. NEO Five Factor inventory was used to assess participants' personality profiles. Pearson correlation, analysis of variance, and linear regression tests were used for statistical analysis of the data.

Results: Patients with ISFPR were more satisfied with their dentition than controls (p < .05). Patients and controls demonstrated different relationships between personality, impacts on daily living, and satisfaction. Neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness had significant relationships with satisfaction and impacts on daily living in both groups (p < .05). Openness and agreeableness had significant relationships with satisfaction and impacts on daily living in patients' group (p < .05).

Conclusion: ISFPR had positive impacts on participants' daily living and dental satisfaction. Personality traits (neuroticism, extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and consciousness) impact on daily living and satisfaction with ISFPR, and might predict satisfaction with ISFPR and their impacts on daily living.
Situational analysis of infant and young child nutrition policies and programmatic activities in Niger
Authors: Wuehler Sara E. , Biga Hassoumi Abdoulazize
Published: March 2011

Due to limited progress towards reducing mortality and malnutrition among children <5 years of age, an alliance of international agencies joined to ‘Reposition children's right to adequate nutrition in the Sahel,’ starting with a situational analysis of current activities related to infant and young child nutrition (IYCN). The main objectives of this analysis are to compile, analyse, and interpret available information on infant and child feeding and the nutrition situation of children <2 years of age in Niger, as one of the six targeted countries. Between August and November 2008, key informants responsible for conducting IYCN‐related activities in Niger were interviewed, and 90 documents were examined on: optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices, prevention of micronutrient deficiencies, prevention of mother‐to‐child transmission of HIV, management of acute malnutrition, food security, and hygienic practices. The results reported are limited by the availability of documents for review. Mortality rates are on track to reaching the Millennium Development Goal to reduce mortality among young children by two‐thirds by 2015, but there has been no change in undernutrition, and total mortality rates are still high among young children. Nearly all of the key IYCN topics were addressed, specifically or generally, in national policy documents, training materials, and programmes. A national nutrition council meets regularly to coordinate programme activities nationally. Many of the IYCN‐related programmes are intended for national coverage, but few reach this coverage. Monitoring and impact evaluations were conducted on some programmes, but few of these reported on whether the specific IYCN components of the programme were implemented as designed or compared outcomes with non‐intervention sites. Human resources have been identified as inadequate to fully carry out nutrition programmes in Niger. Due to these limitations, we could not confirm whether the lack of progress in reducing malnutrition was due to ineffective or inadequately implemented programmes, though both of these were likely contributors. The policy framework is well established for the promotion of optimal IYCN practices, but greater resources and capacity building are needed to: (i) increase human capacities to carry out nutrition programmes; (ii) expand and track the implementation of evidence‐based programmes nationally; (iii) improve and carry out monitoring and evaluation that identify effective and ineffective programmes; and (iv) apply these findings in developing, expanding, and improving effective programmes.
Prerogative Power in the Obama Administration: Continuity and Change in the War on Terrorism
Authors: PIOUS RICHARD M.
Published: March 2011

This article describes and attempts to assign causes for both the continuities and changes in the assertion of prerogatives in the “war on terrorism,” focusing on leadership style and rhetoric, electoral coalitions and regime consolidation, clientelism in the Department of Justice, and “prerogative time.”
Presidential Character and Judgment: Obama's Afghanistan and Health Care Decisions
Authors: WAYNE STEPHEN J.
Published: March 2011

Presidential character affects decision making. It influences cognition, deliberation, and judgment. It also contributes to beliefs and interpersonal relations that shape the process and product of presidential decision‐making process. President Obama's decisions on the war in Afghanistan and health care reform made during his first 13 months in office are consistent with his general character orientation, basic beliefs, and operating style, although they show different dominant attributes. The Afghanistan decision reflects Obama's incisive, calculating, consensus‐oriented style; it also demonstrates his need to fight back when he feels threatened. His health care decision in the aftermath of the 2010 Senate election in Massachusetts shows his determination, perseverance, and political skills; it also indicates his willingness to go the extra mile when he personalizes an issue.
Polls and Elections: Divided Government and Foreign Relations Approval
Authors: NEWMAN BRIAN , LAMMERT KEVIN
Published: March 2011

During divided government, the public tends to attribute credit and blame for economic conditions to both the president and Congress. However, the “two presidencies” thesis argues that presidents have more influence vis‐à‐vis Congress in shaping foreign policy compared to domestic policy, so the public may attribute all foreign policy outcomes to the president alone. This suggests that the boost presidents typically receive in their overall approval during divided government due to sharing the blame for negative economic conditions will not extend to their foreign relations approval numbers. We find that presidents do enjoy higher overall approval during divided government. However, contrary to the two presidencies thesis, presidents also enjoy higher foreign relations approval during divided government. We explore four potential explanations for this puzzle and point to future research questions the puzzle raises.
EFFECT OF SSB (SUPERHEATED STEAM BLANCHING) TIME AND DRYING TEMPERATURE ON HOT AIR IMPINGEMENT DRYING KINETICS AND QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF YAM SLICES
Authors: XIAO H.‐W. , YAO X.‐D. , LIN H. , YANG W.‐X. , MENG J.‐S. , GAO Z.‐J.
Published: March 2011

The effects of SSB (superheated steam blanching) time (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 min) and drying temperature (50, 60, 70 and 80C) on drying kinetics and quality of yam slices under air impingement drying were investigated in this paper. Results indicated that the positive effect of SSB on drying rate might be overshowed by the negative effect of starch gelatinization and appropriate SSB could accelerate drying rate, whereas the effect of excessive SSB is reversed. The moisture effective diffusivity ranged from 1.1540 × 10−9to 2.8431 ×  10−9 m2/s, calculated using Fick's second law of diffusion. The activation energy determined from the slope of the Arrhenius plot, ln(Deff) versus 1/(T + 273.15), was 20.925 kJ/mol. Moderate increase in SSB time or decrease in drying temperature can improve the whiteness index of dried yam slices, whereas increase in SSB time and drying temperature can decrease the rehydration ratio of dried yam slices.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Yam is a nutritional, economical and healthy plant, which has been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. Fresh yams having relatively high‐moisture contents are very sensitive to microbial spoilage. Drying is one of the most common methods used for yam preservation. In China, the natural sun‐drying method is commonly used for drying yam. However, it requires a long drying time and the final product may be contaminated by dust and insects, especially toxic substances. Blanching is an essential step before the processing of vegetables and fruits, as it can accelerate the drying rate and prevent quality deterioration. Air impingement drying is an efficient drying technology, which has been successfully used in paper and textile industries. Understanding the effect of superheated steam blanching time and drying temperature on hot air impingement drying kinetics and quality of yam slices is helpful for improving the drying process efficiency and quality of dried yam slices.