bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patient‐reported outcomes in a survey of patients treated with oral antihyperglycaemic medications: associations with hypoglycaemia and weight gain
Authors: Marrett E. , Stargardt T. , Mavros P. , Alexander C. M.
Published: September 2009

Aim: To examine the association between medication side‐effects (SEs) and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) among patients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral antihyperglycaemic agents (OAHAs).

Methods: A total of 1984 participants responded to an internet‐based survey in the United States. Data were collected on hypoglycaemia 6 months and weight gain 12 months prior to the survey. Health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured using the EuroQol‐5D (EQ‐5D). Also administered were the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication v.1.4 (TSQM) and the Hypoglycaemia Fear Survey II (HFS).

Results: Symptoms of hypoglycaemia were reported by 62.9% of participants, and 36.9% reported weight gain. For those reporting hypoglycaemia, mean scores were lower for TSQM and EQ‐5D and higher for HFS when compared with those with no symptoms (TSQM: 69.7 vs. 75.1; EQ‐5D: 0.78 vs. 0.86; HFS: 17.5 vs. 6.2; all p < 0.0001). The same remained true when accounting for symptom severity, where severity was monotonically related with PRO scores (all p < 0.0001). Similarly, reported weight gain was associated with lower treatment satisfaction (69.0 vs. 73.3) and HRQoL (0.77 vs. 0.83), and increased fear of hypoglycaemia (15.7 vs. 11.8) (all p < 0.0001). In mixed linear regression analysis, the associations between medication SEs and PROs remained significant after adjusting for patient and disease characteristics.

Conclusions: Among patients with type 2 diabetes treated with OAHAs, self‐reported hypoglycaemia and weight gain were associated with decreased treatment satisfaction and HRQoL. In addition, the presence of these SEs was associated with increased fear of hypoglycaemia.
Alogliptin added to insulin therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes reduces HbA1c without causing weight gain or increased hypoglycaemia
Authors: Rosenstock J. , Rendell M. S. , Gross J. L. , Fleck P. R. , Wilson C. A. , Mekki Q.
Published: September 2009

Aims: To assess the efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with insulin alone or combined with metformin.

Methods: In this 26‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, 390 patients were randomized to receive alogliptin 12.5 mg (n = 131), alogliptin 25 mg (n = 129) or placebo (n = 130) once daily, as add‐on to stable insulin therapy with or without metformin. The primary endpoint was change in haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) at week 26.

Results: At week 26, mean HbA1C changes from the mean baseline value of 9.3% were significantly greater for alogliptin 12.5 mg (–0.63 ± 0.08%) and alogliptin 25 mg (−0.71 ± 0.08%) than placebo (−0.13 ± 0.08%; p < 0.001). Significantly greater proportions of patients receiving alogliptin 12.5 or 25 mg than placebo had HbA1C decreases of ≥0.5, ≥1.0 and ≥1.5%. Insulin doses remained unchanged, and there were no differences in the proportions of patients experiencing hypoglycaemia among placebo (24%), alogliptin 12.5 mg (27%) and alogliptin 25 mg (27%). Mean weight increases from baseline at week 26 were similar for placebo (0.6 ± 0.2 kg), alogliptin 12.5 mg (0.7 ± 0.2 kg) and alogliptin 25 mg (0.6 ± 0.2 kg). Incidences of overall adverse events, and of gastrointestinal, dermatological and infection‐related events, were similar among groups.

Conclusions: Adding alogliptin to previous insulin therapy (with or without metformin) significantly improved glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on insulin, without causing weight gain or increasing the incidence of hypoglycaemia. Further studies are warranted to explore the role of alogliptin added to optimized basal insulin regimens.
A case of orbital hemangiopericytoma in a dog
Authors: Beltran William A. , Colle Marie‐Anne , Boulouha Lilia , Daude‐Lagrave Arnaud , Moissonnier Pierre , Clerc Bernard
Published: September 2009

A 7‐and‐a‐half‐year‐old‐dog was presented with progressive unilateral exophthalmos. Computed tomography imaging revealed an orbital mass that was surgically excised by lateral orbitotomy to preserve vision. The tumor was diagnosed histologically as a hemangiopericytoma. Twelve months postoperatively there were no signs of a local recurrence. This is the first case report of a hemangiopericytoma involving the orbit of a dog.
The contribution of contemporary climate to ectothermic and endothermic vertebrate distributions in a glacial refuge
Authors: Aragón Pedro , Lobo Jorge M. , Olalla‐Tárraga Miguel Á. , Rodríguez Miguel Á.
Published: September 2009

Aim  Climatic factors are known to influence species distributions. However, elucidating the underlying mechanisms is challenging because direct and indirect effects of climatic and non‐climatic factors are correlated. In the absence of this covariation and at fine‐grain resolutions the direct effect of climate via physiological constraints should be stronger on the distributions of ectothermic organisms. So far, no comprehensive study has explicitly tested the influence of climate on species distributions by quantitatively comparing ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates.

Location  Peninsular Spain.

Methods  Presence–absence data of native terrestrial vertebrates in Peninsular Spain were modelled using generalized additive models to disentangle the influence of climate and other contemporary correlated factors (topography and plant cover). We performed partial regressions to partition the deviance explained by climatic and non‐climatic effects into independent and shared components. We compared the independent contributions of climatic and non‐climatic effects between ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates, and among mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Results  After reducing the covariation with non‐climatic factors, climate explained a greater proportion of deviance in ectotherms than in endotherms. Also, the contribution of temperature was highest for reptiles, and the contribution of precipitation was highest for amphibians, after extracting their overlaps with precipitation and temperature, respectively. The contribution of topography and plant cover remained high for birds after extracting the overlap with climate.

Main conclusions  Our results are consistent with the prediction that, at fine resolutions, the direct influence of climate (via physiological constraints) on range distributions is stronger in ectothermic vertebrates. Also, at least for birds, indirect effects of climate (via plant productivity) and other habitat characteristics remained relatively important once their covariation with climate was reduced. This study shows that controlling the direct effects of climate by their indirect effects and/or other correlated factors, combined with comparisons among functional groups, can be a useful approach to elucidate causal links with the spatial patterns of organisms.
Disentangling the effects of area, energy and habitat heterogeneity on boreal forest bird species richness in protected areas
Authors: Honkanen Merja , Roberge Jean‐Michel , Rajasärkkä Ari , Mönkkönen Mikko
Published: September 2009

Aim  One of the few general laws in ecology is that species richness is a positive function of area. However, it has been proposed that area would merely be a proxy for energy. Additionally, habitat heterogeneity has been found to be an important factor determining species richness. Yet the relative importance of those relationships is little known, and it is still unclear how they are brought about. We aimed to dissect which factors drive the species richness of boreal forest birds, and to identify the most probable mechanisms.

Location  Forested protected areas in Finland.

Methods  Using bird line census data collected in 104 protected areas, we ran simultaneous autoregressive models to explain the species richness of forest birds. We explored the value of forest area, tree volume, tree growth, mean degree days and habitat heterogeneity as explanatory variables and used the species richness within different species groups, based on the predictions of hypothesized mechanisms, as a response variable.

Results  Energy, rather than area or habitat heterogeneity, seems to be the main driver of species richness in boreal forest birds. More specifically, productive energy was a better predictor of total species richness than solar energy. Among the tested hypothetical mechanisms, the sampling hypothesis received strong support. After accounting for sampling, solar energy had an effect on species richness.

Main conclusions  As productive energy, such as tree volume, is associated with species richness, high‐energy areas should be prioritized in forest conservation planning. Reductions in productive energy may first lead to the disappearance of the rarest species due to the random sampling process. Climate change may result in increased species richness due to increasing amount of productive and solar energy in forests. However, the range shifts of bird species may not be fast enough to keep up with the temperature increases.
Regulatory Uncertainty: A Reason to Postpone Investments? Not Necessarily
Authors: Hoffmann Volker H. , Trautmann Thomas , Hamprecht Jens
Published: September 2009

abstract

There is a polarity in the literature as to whether companies do or do not postpone investment decisions in the light of regulatory uncertainty. In the case of flexible regulation characterized by a high degree and discontinuous resolution of uncertainty, we show that companies do not necessarily postpone investment decisions. We trace this observation back to three motivations: securing competitive resources, leveraging complementary resources, and alleviating institutional pressure. We connect these motivations to fundamental principles of the resource‐based view and institutional theory and further show the existence of a regime where institutionally motivated and resource‐based actions are not necessarily decoupled. We base our research on a case study covering 80 per cent of the German power generation industry which faces regulatory uncertainty from the European CO2 Emission Trading Scheme.
Publishing affects funding in neurology
Authors: Gilhus N. E. , Sivertsen G.
Published: September 2009

Background and purpose:  A new national system for funding research in universities and hospitals in Norway based on publication output is described.

Methods:  All scientific publications were counted and weighted according to the quality of the publication channel. Author addresses were credited. This led to a number of publication points for each institution/department.

Results:  The number of publication points for neurology had increased from 75.0 in 2005 to 98.3 in 2007. Publishing and the quality of publications were given more attention than before, and there was a stronger focus on facilitating research at the institutions. Research was regarded as not only an institutional but also as an individual responsibility.

Conclusions:  The principle of performance‐based funding in addition to funding based on project applications has been well received, and it stimulates more and better research. Scientific publications represent a useful marker, whereas the way of counting author addresses and determining quality is still debated.
Impairment of rapid repetitive finger movements and visual reaction time in patients with essential tremor
Authors: Jiménez‐Jiménez F. J. , Rubio L. , Alonso‐Navarro H. , Calleja M. , Pilo‐de‐la‐Fuente B. , Plaza‐Nieto J. F. , Benito‐León J. , García‐Ruiz P. J. , Agúndez J. A. G.
Published: September 2009

Background and purpose: The question whether patients with essential tremor (ET) have slowed movements as part of their clinical manifestations is still a matter of controversy. We analyzed basic motor function in patients with ET and in healthy matched controls.

Methods: We studied 61 patients with ET and 122 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Evaluation included four timed tests (pronation‐supination, finger tapping and movement between two points, all with both hands, and walking test); and three tests performed on a personal computer (speed for pressing repetitively a key – frequency, visual reaction time and movement time, all with both hands).

Results: Essential tremor patients showed higher mean values for right and left finger tapping, left movement between two points; and with right and left frequency and reaction time. In the logistic regression study, ET patients showed significantly higher values than controls for right and left finger tapping; mean, SD, maximum and rank values of right and left frequency; and mean, SD, minimum, maximum and rank values of right and left visual reaction time. Tremor severity was not correlated with the altered values.

Conclusions: Patients with ET showed impaired motor performance, at least in some tasks, such as rapid repetitive finger movements (finger tapping and frequency) and visual reaction time (impairment was not related with tremor severity). This probably means that patients with ET have some degree of bradykinesia.
Ageing appearance in China: biophysical profile of facial skin and its relationship to perceived age
Authors: Mayes AE , Murray PG , Gunn DA , Tomlin CC , Catt SD , Wen YB , Zhou LP , Wang HQ , Catt M , Granger SP
Published: September 2009

Background  Perceived age is important to women and is a primary driver for topical product use and facial cosmetic surgery. Changes in facial features and biophysical skin parameters with chronological age and their associations with perceived age have not been described in Asian populations.

Objective  To investigate the relationship between biophysical properties of the skin, visual features of skin ageing and perceived facial age in Chinese women.

Methods  Facial photographs were collected of 250 Chinese women, aged 25–70 years in Shanghai, China. The perceived facial age was determined and related to the chronological age for each participant and to a range of visual assessments of skin appearance and objective biophysical measurements of the skin. The profile of changes in these parameters with age was investigated together with the differences in those parameters for women judged to look younger than their chronological age and those judged to look older than their chronological age.

Results  Large discrepancies in perceived age (up to 29 years) were found in women of the same chronological age. Each objective skin measure and visual assessment parameter had a stronger correlation with perceived age than with chronological age. The strongest relationships to perceived age were for wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. Skin colour, hydration and trans‐epidermal water loss (TEWL) had weaker associations with perceived age. Women judged to look older than their chronological age had significantly higher scores than those judged to look younger for coarse wrinkles and hyperpigmentation across all age groups. The appearance differences between these groups were evident in composite facial images of the same average chronological age.

Conclusions  We have identified the skin attributes which differ with perceived age in Chinese women. Perceived age is a better measure of the biological age of facial skin than is chronological age in this population.
The spectrum of mucocutaneous manifestations in Adamantiades‐Behçet’s disease in Greece
Authors: Vaiopoulos G , Konstantopoulou P , Evangelatos N , Kaklamanis Ph
Published: September 2009

Background  This is the largest specific demographic and clinical study performed until now in Greece.

Objectives  To analyse the spectrum of mucocutaneous manifestations in 202 patients with Adamantiades‐Behçet’s disease (ABD) in Greece.

Methods  Any mucocutaneous symptom at disease onset and during the follow‐up was recorded in a particular questionnaire that included 58 items. All patients fulfilled the International Study Group Criteria for BD.

Results  Consecutive patients (130 men and 72 women) were included in this study. Their mean age was 42.03 ± 12.41 and 44.96 ± 11.99 years for male and female patients respectively. Pathergy test was positive in 38%, whereas HLA‐B5 (51) positivity was evident in 76% of patients. Onset signs: oral aphthous ulcers were found in 64.36%, genital ulcers in 6.93%, skin lesions in 8.91%, erythema nodosum in 7.42% and pseudofolliculitis in 1.5%. One patient had leg ulcers. During the follow‐up, oral aphthous ulcers were found in 100%, genital ulcers in 65.4% and in 51.4%, erythema nodosum in 42.9% and in 78.1%, whereas pseudofolliculitis in 57.1% and in 21.9% in men and women respectively. Significant differences pointing to a different course of mucocutaneous disease were found between men and women.

Conclusions  The nature and frequency of mucocutaneous manifestations at presentation are important for the diagnosis of ABD, whereas significant differences were found between genders in this Greek patient cohort. Significant differences were also observed when our results were compared with those of four other series, probably explained by genetic and environmental factors.
Studies on the teleost brain morphology in search of the origin of cognition
Authors: YAMAMOTO NAOYUKI
Published: September 2009

Although it is frequently assumed that fish possess only simple brain functions, it is becoming increasingly clear that rather complex cognitive abilities are also found in fishes, in particular teleosts. Further studies in teleosts are thus expected to extend our knowledge of cognition from a comparative point of view. The anatomical substrates responsible for such cognitive abilities, however, remain almost entirely unknown in teleosts, offering little clues to understand the evolutionary history or origins of cognition based on neural grounds. Moreover, a firm conclusion on the homology of the teleostean forebrain, in particular the telencephalon, which is a candidate central structure involved in cognitive functions, still remains to be drawn. The present paper introduces an overview of teleost brain morphology as well as different interpretations on the forebrain homology. With the currently available knowledge, it remains possible that the telencephalon of teleosts includes a neocortical homologue. Further studies to determine the homological interrelationships of different brain structures in diverse animals are important for fruitful advancement of comparative cognitive studies.
Visual working memory of jungle crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) in operant delayed matching‐to‐sample1
Authors: GOTO KAZUHIRO , WATANABE SHIGERU
Published: September 2009

We examined the capacity of visual working memory in three male jungle crows using an operant delayed matching‐to‐sample procedure. In the delayed matching‐to‐sample, each trial started with the presentation of a sample stimulus, followed by the presentation of comparison stimuli after a delay interval. The choice of the matching comparison was rewarded. Jungle crows showed a steady decline in proportion correct with increasing delay interval. The proportion correct was higher when the sample stimulus was the same in the preceding trial, suggesting that proactive interference prevented the birds from retrieving the memory successfully. The analysis of response time revealed that response time was faster in correct than incorrect trials when the matching performance was acquired. Furthermore, response time linearly increased as the delay interval increased. Response time may reflect the processing of scanning memory as well as the level of confidence in their choice when retrieving.
A perspective on the study of cognition and sociality of cephalopod mollusks, a group of intelligent marine invertebrates1
Authors: IKEDA YUZURU
Published: September 2009

Cephalopod mollusks are found virtually everywhere throughout the world's oceans. They are highly mobile invertebrates that have evolved behavioral and morphological defenses against vertebrate predators. Unlike other mollusks, the coleoid cephalopods (octopus, cuttlefish, and squid) possess highly developed nervous systems with huge brains equivalent in size to some vertebrate brains. Cephalopod intelligence is also exhibited by their impressive memory and learning abilities. Why have cephalopods developed such huge brains and cognitive ability? One of the keys to answering this question lies in understanding the social interactions of cephalopods, which have thus far not been well documented. In this paper, I will outline our recent behavioral experiments using mirrors with some cephalopods and discuss these experiments in light of the diversity of social and cognitive behaviors of cephalopods.
Attachment between humans and dogs
Authors: NAGASAWA MIHO , MOGI KAZUTAKA , KIKUSUI TAKEFUMI
Published: September 2009

The special relationship that dogs have developed with humans has been studied not only from the social sciences perspective, but also from the perspectives of psychology and human medicine. Recently, in cognitive science, it has been suggested that dogs may have acquired the superior cognitive ability to communicate with humans, particularly using human‐like visual cues during evolution, and that emotional bonding has developed between humans and dogs by means of similar social cues. This article discusses the biological aspects of human‐dog attachment. Attachment requires the distinction of a specific figure using species‐specific social cues and specific responses to the figure, brought about by neuroendocrinological homeostatic functions as well as behavioral aspects. It has been shown that dogs can distinguish a particular human figure (e.g. the owner) and exhibit specific autonomic reactions. Moreover, when dogs gaze at their owners, the latter's urinary oxytocin levels increase after the interaction. This understanding of the biological aspect of interspecies attachment suggests the possible elements that form the basis of cross‐species empathy and the development of evolutionary cognitive abilities that may depend on not merely their genetic dendrogram.
Perception of neon‐color spreading in squirrel monkeys1
Authors: NAGASAKA YASUO , NAKATA RYUZABURO , OSADA YOSHIHISA
Published: September 2009

In three experiments, we explored the perception of neon‐color spreading in squirrel monkeys and compared it with that of humans. In Experiment 1, human observers were tested to confirm the effect of stimulus aspects that were controlled in a series of experiments on the neon‐color effect. The strength of the neon‐color effect was modulated by the width, spacing, and luminance ratio of crosshatched lines that induced neon‐color spreading. In Experiment 2A, one squirrel monkey was taught to discriminate a circle from three other shapes induced by the neon‐color effect under the same stimulus conditions as in Experiment 1. The dependent measure was the percentage of correct responses. In Experiment 2B, two monkeys were trained to discriminate a target stimulus from three nontarget stimuli that were neon‐color effect versions of the target stimulus. The dependent measure was the error rate that monkeys committed in their task of discrimination. The results in Experiments 2A and 2B were comparable with the results in Experiment 1, which suggests that squirrel monkeys perceive neon‐color spreading.
Organic and local food consumer behaviour: Alphabet Theory
Authors: Zepeda Lydia , Deal David
Published: September 2009

Semi‐structured interviews are conducted to understand why consumers buy organic and/or local foods. The interview findings are consistent with existing theoretical frameworks for explaining environmentally significant behaviour: Value‐Belief‐Norm (VBN) theory and Attitude‐Behaviour‐Context (ABC) theory. Findings show that organic food shoppers in particular are motivated by values, beliefs and the creation of norms. However, the interviews indicate that knowledge (K), information seeking (IS) and habit (H) are also important in understanding why consumers choose organic and local foods. Incorporating demographics (D) as well, the resulting VBN‐ABC‐D‐K‐IS‐H or ‘Alphabet Theory’ is presented as a new framework to explain organic and local food purchase behaviour.
Food Security, Urbanization and Social Stability in China
Authors: CHRISTIANSEN FLEMMING
Published: September 2009

Chinese development in both the planned economy and reform periods was determined within narrow constraints of food security, agricultural productivity and social organization of production. The reforms and their effects, most prominently rapid urbanization while ensuring food security also caused the loss of cultivable land to agriculture, environmental decline, and new dietary demands on food production. The institutional trajectories and dynamics of these processes are explored in relation to global perspectives on China's global impact.
The molecular physiology of activity‐dependent bulk endocytosis of synaptic vesicles
Authors: Clayton Emma L. , Cousin Michael A.
Published: September 2009

Central nerve terminals release neurotransmitter in response to a wide variety of stimuli. Because maintenance of neurotransmitter release is dependent on the continual supply of synaptic vesicles (SVs), nerve terminals possess an array of endocytosis modes to retrieve and recycle SV membrane and proteins. During mild stimulation conditions, single SV retrieval modes such as clathrin‐mediated endocytosis predominate. However, during increased neuronal activity, additional SV retrieval capacity is required, which is provided by activity‐dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE). ADBE is the dominant SV retrieval mechanism during elevated neuronal activity. It is a high capacity SV retrieval mode that is immediately triggered during such stimulation conditions. This review will summarize the current knowledge regarding the molecular mechanism of ADBE, including molecules required for its triggering and subsequent steps, including SV budding from bulk endosomes. The molecular relationship between ADBE and the SV reserve pool will also be discussed. It is becoming clear that an understanding of the molecular physiology of ADBE will be of critical importance in attempts to modulate both normal and abnormal synaptic function during intense neuronal activity.
Caenorhabditis elegans PI3K mutants reveal novel genes underlying exceptional stress resistance and lifespan
Authors: Ayyadevara Srinivas , Tazearslan Çagdaþ , Bharill Puneet , Alla Ramani , Siegel Eric , Shmookler Reis Robert J.
Published: September 2009

Two age‐1 nonsense mutants, truncating the class‐I phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase catalytic subunit (PI3KCS) before its kinase domain, confer extraordinary longevity and stress‐resistance to Caenorhabditis elegans. These traits, unique to second‐generation homozygotes, are blunted at the first generation and are largely reversed by additional mutations to DAF‐16/FOXO, a transcription factor downstream of AGE‐1 in insulin‐like signaling. The strong age‐1 alleles (mg44, m333) were compared with the weaker hx546 allele on expression microarrays, testing four independent cohorts of each allele. Among 276 genes with significantly differential expression, 92% showed fewer transcripts in adults carrying strong age‐1 alleles rather than hx546. This proportion is significantly greater than the slight bias observed when contrasting age‐1 alleles to wild‐type worms. Thus, transcriptional changes peculiar to nonsense alleles primarily involve either gene silencing or failure of transcriptional activation. A subset of genes responding preferentially to age‐1‐nonsense alleles was reassessed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, in worms bearing strong or weak age‐1 alleles; nearly all of these were significantly more responsive to the age‐1(mg44) allele than to age‐1(hx546). Additional mutation of daf‐16 reverted the majority of altered mg44‐F2 expression levels to approximately wild‐type values, although a substantial number of genes remained significantly distinct from wild‐type, implying that age‐1(mg44) modulates transcription through both DAF‐16/FOXO‐dependent and ­independent channels. When age‐1‐inhibited genes were targeted by RNA interference (RNAi) in wild‐type or age‐1(hx546) adults, most conferred significant oxidative‐stress protection. RNAi constructs targeting two of those genes were shown previously to extend life, and RNAi’s targeting five novel genes were found here to increase lifespan. PI3K‐null mutants may thus implicate novel mechanisms of life extension.
A newLyrodiscus(Mollusca, Gastropoda) assemblage from Saint‐Acheul (Somme Valley): a reappraisal of MIS 11 malacofaunas from northern France
Authors: LIMONDIN‐LOZOUET NICOLE , ANTOINE PIERRE
Published: September 2009

Recent studies undertaken at Saint‐Acheul in the Somme Valley (France) have provided an opportunity to recover malacological assemblages from a tufa deposit located at the top of a Middle Pleistocene fluvial sequence. Molluscan communities are rich and, although dominated by open grassland species, contain up to 23 forest taxa. This high diversity of thermophilous molluscs allows the recognition of fully temperate climatic conditions. Moreover, the occurrence of an extinct zonitid belonging to the genusRetinella (Lyrodiscus), along with several species beyond their modern range (Platyla polita, Ena montana, Ruthenica filograna Clausilia pumila, Clausilia dubia, Macrogastra ventricosa, Perforatella bidentata, Monachoides incarnatus, Belgrandia marginata, Hygromia limbata) allows correlation of the Saint‐Acheul assemblage with malacofaunas recovered in other MIS 11 tufa deposits from the Somme and Seine valleys. This age attribution is reinforced at Saint‐Acheul by stratigraphy and an ESR date on quartz of 403 9/73 kyr from the underlying fluvial deposits. In addition, old collections containingR. (Lyrodiscus) specimens have been rediscovered, allowing taxonomic reassessment of the species. This shows thatRetinella (Lyrodiscus) skertchlyiKerney, 1976 is a junior synonym ofRetinella (Lyrodiscus) elephantium(Bourguignat, 1869) and that at least two extinct species ofR. (Lyrodiscus) occurred in western Europe during the Quaternary. Finally, reappraisal of these French molluscan assemblages shows that they are similar to British malacofaunas of Hoxnian age. These new results strengthen the uniqueness and biostratigraphical value of the‘Lyrodiscusassemblage’.
Chronology of deglaciation based on 10Be dates of glacial erosional features in the Grimsel Pass region, central Swiss Alps
Authors: KELLY MEREDITH A. , IVY‐OCHS SUSAN , KUBIK PETER W. , BLANCKENBURG FRIEDHELM VON , SCHLÜCHTER CHRISTIAN
Published: September 2009

Surface exposure dating, using in situ produced cosmogenic 10Be, is applied to determine the time since deglaciation of bedrock surfaces in the Grimsel Pass region. Nine 10Be dates from bedrock surfaces corrected for cover by snow are minimum ages for deglaciation of the pass. Four 10Be dates from surfaces below 2500 meters above sea level (m a.s.l.) on Nägelisgrätli, east of Grimsel Pass, yield ages that range from about 14 000 to 11 300 years. Three 10Be dates from locations above 2600 m a.s.l. on Nägelisgrätli are between about 11 700 and 10 400 years. Two 10Be dates from locations at 2560 m a.s.l. below Juchlistock are about 12 100 and 11 000 years. The geographical distribution of 10Be dates on Nägelisgrätli either may show the timing of progressive deglaciation of Grimsel Pass or may reflect differences in subglacial erosion of bedrock in the pass region. All dates are discussed in the context of deglaciation of the late Würmian Alpine ice cap and deglaciation from Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) ice extents in other regions.
Holocene environmental history on the eastern slope of the Polar Ural Mountains, Russia
Authors: JANKOVSKÁ VLASTA , ANDREEV ANDREI A. , PANOVA NATA K.
Published: September 2009

The Holocene environmental history of the eastern slope of the Polar Ural Mountains has been reconstructed using pollen, spores, algae and other microfossils from the Chernaya Gorka palsa section (67°05'N, 65°21'E, 170 m a.s.l.). An initial oligotrophic lake was formed at the study site c. 9800–9500 14C yr BP Although tundra communities dominated the vegetation in the area, birch and larch trees might have grown at lower elevations. Dry and disturbed soil habitats also occurred around the lake. Algae (mostly Pediastrum and Botryococcus) started to expand in the lake as climate gradually improved after c. 9500 14C yr BP. However, the role of mosses (mostly Calliergon and Drepanocladus) was most important for the infilling of the lake basin. Increased temperatures and subsequent improvement of hydrological conditions resulted in vegetation changes: stands of willows developed rapidly and the role of tree birch in the local vegetation increased. The lake was completely filled at c. 8600 14C yr BP. Peat accumulation started with Bryales mosses and, later, Sphagnum became dominant. Stands ofLarix, Picea and Betula became well developed during the Boreal climate optimum. Tree birch began to spread into the tundra. Different Bryales mosses formed peat c. 8000–6500 14C yr BP. Cyperaceae later became the main peat‐forming element. Dense spruce canopies with Larix sibirica and Betula pubescens surrounded the study site during the Atlantic period, pointing to the warmest climate during the Holocene. Summer temperatures might have been up to 3–4°C higher than today. However, a decline of spruce and an increase of birch around 6700–6300 14C yr BP may reflect some climate deterioration. There are no dated deposits younger than 6000 14C yr BP. It is assumed that Subboreal climate deterioration resulted in the development of permafrost and formation of the palsa at the site. The deposits, now protruding above the surrounding terrain, were eroded by wind, water and cryogenic processes.
The influence of vegetation composition on peat humification: implications for palaeoclimatic studies
Authors: YELOFF DAN , MAUQUOY DMITRI
Published: September 2009

Peat humification analysis is a widely used palaeoclimate proxy. However, recent studies combining humification with other proxies of mire surface wetness have identified inconsistencies between the records. We illustrate this inconsistency by comparing humification records with plant macrofossil profiles in three ombrotrophic bogs. Peat humification is a measure for organic decay and reflects changing palaeohydrological conditions and former vegetation composition. The resulting signal is considered to be a derived response to climate. However, even minor changes in the botanical composition of the peat may have a significant influence on humification measurements. The implications of this for palaeoclimate studies are discussed. The assumption that climate has been the major influence on variations in humification rests on the botanical composition being relatively homogeneous throughout the peat profile, and is therefore questionable. Consideration should be given to developing species‐specific measures of humification and to testing the assumption that the major influence on peat humification is the surface wetness of the bog (and therefore climate).
Sealing Performance of a Magnetic Fluid Seal for Rotary Blood Pumps
Authors: Mitamura Yoshinori , Takahashi Sayaka , Kano Kentaro , Okamoto Eiji , Murabayashi Shun , Nishimura Ikuya , Higuchi Taka‐aki
Published: September 2009

A magnetic fluid (MF) for a rotary blood pump seal enables mechanical contact‐free rotation of the shaft and, hence, has excellent durability. The performance of a MF seal, however, has been reported to decrease in liquids. We have developed a MF seal that has a “shield” mechanism and a new MF with a higher magnetization of 47.9 kA/m. The sealing performance of the MF seal installed in a rotary blood pump was studied. Under the condition of continuous flow, the MF seal remained in perfect condition against a pressure of 298 mm Hg (pump flow rate: 3.96 L/min). The seal was also perfect against a pressure of 170 mm Hg in a continuous flow of 3.9 L/min for 275 days. We have developed a MF seal that works in liquid against clinically used pressures. The MF seal is promising as a shaft seal for rotary blood pumps.
Impact of Hyperthermal Rotary Blood Pump Surfaces on Blood Clotting Behavior: An Approach
Authors: Hamilton Kathrin F. , Schlanstein Peter C. , Mager Ilona , Schmitz‐Rode Thomas , Steinseifer Ulrich
Published: September 2009

The influence of heat dissipating systems, such as rotary blood pumps, was investigated. Titanium cylinders as rotary blood pump housing dummies were immersed in porcine blood and constantly tempered at specific temperatures (37–60°C) over a defined period of time. The porcine blood was anticoagulated either by low heparin dosage or citrate. At frequent intervals, samples were taken for blood analysis and the determination of the plasmatic coagulation cascade. Blood parameters do not alter at surface temperatures below 50°C. Hyperthermia‐induced hemolysis could be confirmed. The plasmatic coagulation cascade is terminated at surface temperatures exceeding 55°C. The adhesion of blood constituents on surfaces is temperature and time dependent, and structural changes of adhesions and blood itself were detected.
Alternatives for Reintroducing a Rare Ecotone Species: Manually Thinned Forest Edge versus Restored Habitat Remnant
Authors: Possley Jennifer , Maschinski Joyce , Rodriguez Cristina , Dozier Jane Griffin
Published: September 2009

Species native to ecotones are often overlooked in restoration efforts despite the increasing rarity of ecotone habitat. In fragmented, fire‐suppressed landscapes, true ecotone may no longer exist. Restoration biologists interested in reintroducing ecotone species must decide whether to plant them in historic ecotones maintained by manual thinning or whether to opt for discrete restoration areas that are easier to maintain. We investigated these two alternatives with Lantana canescens, a rare tropical shrub native to the ecotone between pine and hardwood forests of Miami‐Dade County, Florida, U.S.A. Our short‐term findings show that after 15 and 18 months, survival of transplants was 69% in a restored site and 65% and 84% in two historic ecotone sites. The restored site had significantly higher photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (75%) than the historic ecotones (25–39%). Correspondingly, 267 seedlings have recruited at the restored site, whereas only 8 have emerged at both historic ecotone sites. Seedling establishment was associated with higher PAR at the restored site. We found that overall population sustainability was higher at the restored site where there is the additional benefit of less maintenance. Our work suggests that, by reducing succession, a discrete restoration area can approach the historic conditions of hardwood/pine forest ecotone more closely than degraded historic ecotones themselves. We present a viable solution for conserving rare ecotone species when their natural habitat and the processes that maintained it no longer exist.
Molluscan Community Recovery Following Partial Tidal Restoration of a New England Estuary, U.S.A.
Authors: Thelen Brett A. , Thiet Rachel K.
Published: September 2009

Historic human‐imposed tidal flow restrictions at many New England estuaries have resulted in dramatic alteration of estuarine community structure and function. East Harbor, a 291‐ha coastal lagoon and salt marsh in Truro, Massachusetts, was artificially isolated from Cape Cod Bay in 1868. After the isolation, salinity decreased to near freshwater levels, and estuarine fish and invertebrate populations declined precipitously. Partial tidal flow was restored to East Harbor in 2002; since then, East Harbor has experienced substantial increases in salinity, and native fauna has begun to return to the system. The objective of this study was to obtain information on marine molluscan populations recolonizing East Harbor. Using a combination of benthic cores and direct searching, we surveyed 50 plots throughout the estuary in July and August 2005. We detected 16 molluscan species in East Harbor as a whole; the four most abundant species were Mya arenaria, Littorina spp., Mytilus edulis, and Mercenaria mercenaria. We found significant differences in species richness and abundance of these species among three regions of East Harbor that varied markedly in salinity and distance to Cape Cod Bay; diversity and abundance were both highest in Moon Pond, which has a direct connection with sources of seawater and marine biota, and lowest in the northwest cove, which receives high freshwater discharge. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of Cape Cod National Seashore’s preliminary tidal restoration efforts while underscoring the continued need for full tidal restoration at East Harbor and other tide‐restricted estuaries.
Current and Potential Future Elevational Distributions of Birds Associated with Pinyon–Juniper Woodlands in the Central Great Basin, U.S.A.
Authors: Fleishman Erica , Dobkin David S.
Published: September 2009

We examined the relationship of breeding birds to elevation across and within four adjacent mountain ranges in the central Great Basin, a cold desert in western North America. Data came from 7 years of point counts at elevations from 1,915 to 3,145 m. We focused on eight passerine species that in this region are associated frequently with Pinus monophylla–Juniperus spp. (pinyon–juniper) woodland. Mean elevation of species' presence differed significantly among mountain ranges for all species except Spizella passerina (Chipping Sparrow); all species except Spizella breweri (Brewer's Sparrow) occurred at the highest mean elevation in the Toquima Range. Observed patterns were consistent with the elevational distribution of pinyon–juniper woodlands that provide nesting and foraging habitat for these species. Across the Great Basin, driven in part by climate change, pinyon–juniper woodland is increasing in density and expanding its distribution at lower elevations. However, breeding habitat for species dependent on mature trees may not be available in expansion woodlands for several decades, and increased tree densities may have negative effects on bird species that are dependent on shrubs within open pinyon–juniper woodlands. Responses of individual species to elevation differed from the response of assemblage‐level patterns. Responses to biotic and abiotic variables within guilds of birds are sufficiently diverse, and responses of individual species sufficiently heterogeneous, that one management strategy is unlikely to meet the needs of all species in the group.
The Interaction of Reward Genes With Environmental Factors in Contribution to Alcoholism in Mexican Americans
Authors: Du Yanlei , Wan Yu‐Jui Yvonne
Published: September 2009

Background:  Alcoholism is a polygenic disorder resulting from reward deficiency; polymorphisms in reward genes including serotonin transporter (5‐HTT)‐linked polymorphic region (5‐HTTLPR), A118G in opioid receptor mu1 (OPRM1), and −141C Insertion/Deletion (Ins/Del) in dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) as well as environmental factors (education and marital status) might affect the risk of alcoholism. Objective of the current study was to examine the main and interacting effect of these 3 polymorphisms and 2 environmental factors in contribution to alcoholism in Mexican Americans.

Methods:  Genotyping of 5‐HTTLPR, OPRM1 A118G, and DRD2‐141C Ins/Del was performed in 365 alcoholics and 338 nonalcoholic controls of Mexican Americans who were gender‐ and age‐matched. Alcoholics were stratified according to tertiles of MAXDRINKS, which denotes the largest number of drinks consumed in one 24‐hour period. Data analysis was done in the entire data set and in each alcoholic stratum. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to explore the main effect of 3 polymorphisms and 2 environmental factors (education and marital status); classification tree, generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) analysis, and polymorphism interaction analysis version 2.0 (PIA 2) program were used to study factor interaction.

Results:  Main effect of education, OPRM1, and DRD2 was detected in alcoholic stratum of moderate and/or largest MAXDRINKS with education ≤12 years, OPRM1 118 A/A, and DRD2 −141C Ins/Ins being risk factors. Classification tree analysis, GMDR analysis, and PIA 2 program all supported education*OPRM1 interaction in alcoholics of largest MAXDRINKS with education ≤12 years coupled with OPRM1 A/A being a high risk factor; dendrogram showed synergistic interaction between these 2 factors; dosage‐effect response was also observed for education*OPRM1 interaction. No definite effect of marital status and 5‐HTTLPR in pathogenesis of alcoholism was observed.

Conclusions:  Our results suggest main effect of education background, OPRM1 A118G, and DRD2 −141C Ins/Del as well as education*OPRM1 interaction in contribution to moderate and/or severe alcoholism in Mexican Americans. Functional relevance of these findings still needs to be explored.
Catching the Alcohol Buzz: An Examination of the Latent Factor Structure of Subjective Intoxication
Authors: Ray Lara A. , MacKillop James , Leventhal Adam , Hutchison Kent E.
Published: September 2009

Background:  The goal of this study was to examine the latent structure among measures of alcohol‐induced subjective feelings of intoxication from a behavioral pharmacology perspective.

Methods:  Data on subjective intoxication, measured concomitantly by the Subjective High Assessment Scale, Biphasic Alcohol Effect Scale, and the Short Version of the Profile of Mood States, were collected at 3 levels of breath alcohol concentration during an alcohol administration study in a sample of heavy drinkers (n = 135).

Results:  Results of exploratory factor analyses supported a 3‐factor model which captured the following dimensions of subjective intoxication: (1) stimulation and other pleasant effects, (2) sedative and unpleasant effects, and (3) alleviation of tension and negative mood. The tension‐reduction factor was most consistently associated with more frequent drinking and alcohol problems in this sample.

Conclusions:  These findings support the notion that the neuropharmacological and behavioral effects of alcohol are multifaceted and cannot be simply defined as either positive or negative. Rather, moderate levels of intoxication appear to have concomitant dimensions of positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and punishment. This study also suggests that factor scores may be useful in future alcohol administration studies to reduce the number of comparisons and perhaps increase statistical power to detect meaningful effects.