bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking and caesarean deliveries: major negative predictors for breastfeeding in the mother–child cohort in Crete, Greece (Rhea study)
Authors: Vassilaki Maria , Chatzi Leda , Bagkeris Emmanouil , Papadopoulou Eleni , Karachaliou Marianna , Koutis Antonis , Philalithis Anastas , Kogevinas Manolis
Published: May 2012

Although benefits of breastfeeding have been widely promoted and accepted, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life is far from the norm in many countries. In a prospective mother–child cohort study in Crete, Greece (‘Rhea’ study), we assessed the frequency of breastfeeding and its socio‐demographic predictors. Information on breastfeeding was available for a period of 18 months post‐partum for a cohort of 1181 mothers and their 1208 infants. The frequency of exclusive and predominant breastfeeding in the first month post‐partum was 17.8% and 3.4%, respectively, with almost three‐quarters of women (73.6%) ceasing any breastfeeding after 4 months post‐partum. Women were less likely to initiate breastfeeding if they had a caesarean delivery (CD), whereas they were more likely to initiate breastfeeding if they had a higher education or gave birth to a private clinic. Among women breastfeeding, those who had a CD, were ex‐smokers or smokers during pregnancy had a statistically significant shorter duration of breastfeeding, whereas higher education and being on leave from work were associated with a longer duration of breastfeeding. Study findings suggest suboptimal levels of exclusive and any breastfeeding and difficulty maintaining longer breastfeeding duration. CD and smoking are common in Greece and are strong negative predictors for breastfeeding initiation and/or duration, necessitating targeting women at risk early in the prenatal period so as to have a meaningful increase of breastfeeding practices in future cohorts of mothers.
The Viability of Removing Personal Information from Online White Page Directories: Are Consumer Perceptions Aligned with Reality?
Authors: LABRECQUE LAUREN I. , MILNE GEORGE R. , PELTIER JAMES W. , PHELPS JOSEPH E.
Published: May 2012

This research undertakes two related studies to investigate the difficulties faced and costs incurred by consumers in order to remove information about themselves from online white page directories. These directories contain an aggregate of personal information and create threats to consumers by allotting easy access. A survey study examines consumer awareness of these online directories and expectations of opt‐out procedures. A field study tracks attempts at actual information removal for twenty volunteers to provide a real‐world assessment of the effectiveness of current opt‐out mechanisms. The results reveal a dramatic misalignment between consumer expectations and the reality of current opt‐out practices. The results highlight the costs and difficulties associated with opt‐outs and bring the validity of these mechanisms into question.
The effect of neutering on the risk of mammary tumours in dogs – a systematic review
Authors: Beauvais W. , Cardwell J. M. , Brodbelt D. C.
Published: May 2012

A commonly‐stated advantage of neutering bitches is a significant reduction in the risk of mammary tumours, however the evidence for this has not previously been assessed by systematic review. The objectives of this study were to estimate the magnitude and strength of evidence for any effect of neutering, or age of neutering, on the risk of mammary tumours in bitches. A systematic review was conducted based on Cochrane guidelines. Peer‐reviewed analytic journal articles in English were eligible and were assessed for risk of bias by two reviewers independently. Of 11,149 search results, 13 reports in English‐language peer‐reviewed journals addressed the association between neutering/age at neutering and mammary tumours. Nine were judged to have a high risk of bias. The remaining four were classified as having a moderate risk of bias. One study found an association between neutering and a reduced risk of mammary tumours. Two studies found no evidence of an association. One reported “some protective effect” of neutering on the risk of mammary tumours, but no numbers were presented. Due to the limited evidence available and the risk of bias in the published results, the evidence that neutering reduces the risk of mammary neoplasia, and the evidence that age at neutering has an effect, are judged to be weak and are not a sound basis for firm recommendations.
Adult‐onset nemaline myopathy in a dog presenting with persistent atrial standstill and primary hypothyroidism
Authors: Nakamura R. K. , Russell N. J. , Shelton G. D.
Published: May 2012

A nine‐year‐old neutered female mixed breed dog presented for evaluation following a five‐day history of lethargy, inappetence, weakness, abdominal distension and generalised muscle atrophy. Persistent vatrial standstill with a junctional rhythm was identified on electrocardiogram. Echocardiogram identified moderate dilation of all cardiac chambers and mild thickening of the mitral and tricuspid valves. Serology was negative for Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii. Permanent pacemaker implantation was performed in addition to endomyocardial and skeletal muscle biopsies. Cryosections from the biceps femoris muscle showed numerous nemaline rod bodies while endomyocardial biopsies were possibly consistent with end‐stage myocarditis. Rod bodies have rarely been reported in the veterinary literature. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of adult‐onset nemaline rod myopathy and hypothyroidism with concurrent cardiac disease in a dog.
Drawing perseveration in neglect: Effects of target density
Authors: Pia Lorenzo , Ricci Raffaella , Gindri Patrizia , Vallar Giuseppe
Published: May 2012

In cancellation tasks, patients with unilateral spatial neglect typically fail to mark targets within the side of the sheet contralateral to the side of the lesion (contralesional). Moreover, they can show a perseverative behaviour, which consists in repeatedly cancelling stimuli, mainly in the side of the display ipsilateral to the side of the lesion (ipsilesional). We investigated in 13 right‐brain‐damaged patients with left spatial neglect and perseverative behaviour whether and how different densities of horizontal targets modulated omission and perseverative errors. We found that the density of targets modulated the patients’ distribution of neglect (area of omission), but not its extent, as indexed by the percentage of omissions. Specifically, the area of omissions tightened when target density increased leftwards. On the other hand, target density did not affect the distribution of perseverative behaviour (area of perseveration), as well as its extent, as indexed by the percentage of perseverations. Correlation analyses showed that both the extent and the distribution of omissions were positively correlated to clinical measures of spatial neglect. Conversely, perseverations did not show such a correlation. These findings support the view that two different pathological mechanisms might be involved in left spatial neglect and in ipsilesional perseverative behaviour.
Dietary supplementation with Ipomoea aquatica (whole leaf powder) attenuates maternal and fetal oxidative stress in streptozotocin‐diabetic rats (饮食中添加蕹菜（整叶粉末）可以减弱链脲霉素诱导的糖尿病大鼠母体与胚胎的氧化应激)
Authors: SHIVANANJAPPA Mahesh M. , MURALIDHARA
Published: May 2012

Background:  The rate of congenital anomalies, as well as morbidity and mortality of both the mother and fetus, is increased in diabetic pregnancy. Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in these effects because of the beneficial effects of several antioxidants in diabetic embryopathy. In the present study, we assessed attenuation of maternal and fetal OS and diabetic embryopathy by Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. (Convolvulaceae).

Methods:  Pregnant rats were divided into four groups: Group I, untreated non‐diabetic control; Group II, rats fed a 2%I. aquatica (IA)‐supplemented diet; Group III, streptozotocin (STZ)‐diabetic rats fed a normal diet; Group IV, STZ‐diabetic rats fed an IA‐supplemented diet. Rats were rendered diabetic with a single injection of STZ (40 mg/kg) on gestational day (GD) 4. Dams were killed on GD20 and markers of OS were determined in the maternal liver and fetal brain and liver.

Results:  Embryopathy increased significantly in STZ‐diabetic rats (by 40% versus control), but IA supplementation provided significant protection (36% reduction in embryopathy in the IA group versus the STZ‐diabetic group). Interestingly, IA supplementation significantly offset diabetes‐associated OS in the maternal liver, as evidenced by reductions in malondialdehyde (MDA; 25% reduction versus STZ‐diabetes) and reactive oxygen species (ROS; 72% reduction) and increases in glutathione (53% reduction) and total thiols (45% reduction). In addition, IA supplementation offered significant protection against diabetes‐induced OS in the fetal brain and liver, as evidenced by increased levels of antioxidant molecules and enzymes and reductions in ROS and MDA compared with fetuses from STZ‐diabetic rats.

Conclusions:  The data suggest that IA supplementation during pregnancy provides considerable protection against diabetes‐induced OS in the mother and fetus. Thus, I. aquatica may be an effective therapeutic supplement.
A novel digital telemetry system for tracking wild animals: a field test for studying mate choice in a lekking tropical bird
Authors: Mennill Daniel J. , Doucet Stéphanie M. , Ward Kara‐Anne A. , Maynard Dugan F. , Otis Brian , Burt John M.
Published: May 2012

1. Radiotelemetry provides a tool for monitoring animals that are difficult to observe directly. Recent technical advances have given rise to new systems that present expanded opportunities for field research. We report the results of the first field test of Encounternet, a new digital radiotelemetry system comprising portable receiver stations and digital tags designed for long‐term studies of the social behaviour and ecology of free‐living animals.

2. We present results from a series of field tests designed to evaluate the utility of Encounternet for monitoring animals in a neotropical forest, with an emphasis on evaluating mate sampling behaviour in female long‐tailed manakins. In this tropical species, females visit leks where males perform elaborate dances on horizontal perches. Females are highly cryptic in both plumage and activities, and therefore, Encounternet might provide unique insights into female behaviour and ecology.

3. Our first two tests revealed that pulse strength and probability of detection decrease with the distance between tag and receiver and that tags placed on a fixed perch near a receiver showed different patterns of reception than more distant tags. Our third test revealed that antenna angle had only a small influence on pulse strength.

4. Blind analysis of simulated bird movements confirmed that the Encounternet system provides reliable information on animal activity. Data from multiple receivers permitted accurate reconstruction of simulated bird movements. Tag detections showed low levels of false negatives and false positives.

5. Female manakins responded well to carrying Encounternet tags attached by an elastic leg harness. Birds flew well upon release and were detected for 7·5 ± 0·8 days after release. Recaptures and re‐sightings of females were rare in our large study population, yet there were two occasions where we confirmed that the tag fell off within 1 year.

6. We conclude that Encounternet technology provides an effective tool for monitoring animal ecology and behaviour. We show that it is capable of providing accurate measures of distance and that it is a highly versatile system for studying the ecology and behaviour of free‐living animals. We discuss the unique opportunities facilitated by this technology for future ecological and behavioural studies.
The showup identification procedure: An exploration of systematic biases
Authors: Lawson Victoria Z. , Dysart Jennifer E.
Published: May 2012

Purpose. Showups are common, yet little research has investigated the biasing factors that may influence showup identifications. We investigated the effects of cross‐race conditions and clothing bias on showup identification decisions. Additionally, we explored identification decisions made in a subsequent lineup dependent on race, clothing, and showup‐target‐presence.

Methods. Participants watched a mock crime and were presented with a showup in which suspect race, target‐presence, and the clothing worn by the suspect were varied. Following a delay, participants viewed a target‐present or ‐absent lineup and were asked to make a second identification decision.

Results. Presentation of the suspect in the clothing worn by the perpetrator increased choosing rates in both own‐race and other‐race conditions. Despite this, differential patterns of decision response latencies indicated that eyewitnesses may use clothing information differently when making own‐race compared to other‐race identification decisions. No evidence for an own‐race bias in showup identifications was found; however, other‐race lineup identifications were less accurate than own‐race lineup identifications. Further, participants in own‐race and other‐race conditions differed in the extent to which they were affected by multiple identification procedures. Viewing an own‐race innocent suspect in a showup increased subsequent false lineup identifications, while choosing the innocent suspect from the showup was necessary to increase false lineup identifications in other‐race conditions.

Conclusions. Different situational factors may affect the identification accuracy of eyewitnesses in own‐race and other‐race conditions for both showup and lineup procedures. Particular caution is advised when showups are clothing‐biased and multiple identification procedures are used.
Optimum Natural Convection in a Porous Medium Between a Vertical Polygonal Duct and a Heated Core
Authors: Wang C. Y.
Published: May 2012

The natural or free convection in a polygonal duct with a heated core is solved by eigenfunction expansion and boundary collocation. The optimal sizes of the core for maximum flow or maximum energy transport are determined.
Pulsed high-density plasmas for advanced dry etching processes
Authors: Banna Samer , Agarwal Ankur , Cunge Gilles , Darnon Maxime , Pargon Erwine , Joubert Olivier
Published: May 2012

Plasma etching processes at the 22 nm technology node and below will have to satisfy multiple stringent scaling requirements of microelectronics fabrication. To satisfy these requirements simultaneously, significant improvements in controlling key plasma parameters are essential. Pulsed plasmas exhibit considerable potential to meet the majority of the scaling challenges, while leveraging the broad expertise developed over the years in conventional continuous wave plasma processing. Comprehending the underlying physics and etching mechanisms in pulsed plasma operation is, however, a complex undertaking; hence the full potential of this strategy has not yet been realized. In this review paper, we first address the general potential of pulsed plasmas for plasma etching processes followed by the dynamics of pulsed plasmas in conventional high-density plasma reactors. The authors reviewed more than 30 years of academic research on pulsed plasmas for microelectronics processing, primarily for silicon and conductor etch applications, highlighting the potential benefits to date and challenges in extending the technology for mass-production. Schemes such as source pulsing, bias pulsing, synchronous pulsing, and others in conventional high-density plasma reactors used in the semiconductor industry have demonstrated greater flexibility in controlling critical plasma parameters such as ion and radical densities, ion energies, and electron temperature. Specifically, plasma pulsing allows for independent control of ion flux and neutral radicals flux to the wafer, which is key to eliminating several feature profile distortions at the nanometer scale. However, such flexibility might also introduce some difficulty in developing new etching processes based on pulsed plasmas. Therefore, the main characteristics of continuous wave plasmas and different pulsing schemes are compared to provide guidelines for implementing different schemes in advanced plasma etching processes based on results from a particularly challenging etch process in an industrial reactor.
Kinase-Impaired
BRAF
Mutations in Lung Cancer Confer Sensitivity to Dasatinib
Authors: Sen Banibrata , Peng Shaohua , Tang Ximing , Erickson Heidi S. , Galindo Hector , Mazumdar Tuhina , Stewart David J. , Wistuba Ignacio , Johnson Faye M.
Published: May 2012

Induction of tumor cell senescence may explain the response of a patient with BRAF kinase–impaired lung cancer to the multikinase inhibitor dasatinib.
Seeking Validation
Authors: Roblin David
Published: May 2012

Clinical validation of new drug targets may best occur in precompetitive partnerships.
Perceiving Your Appetite
Authors: Nakamura Takahisa
Published: May 2012

Intranasal insulin suppresses food intake via enhancement of brain energy levels in humans.
Resistance to a Novel Antichlamydial Compound Is Mediated through Mutations in
Chlamydia trachomatis secY
Authors: Sandoz Kelsi M. , Eriksen Steven G. , Jeffrey Brendan M. , Suchland Robert J. , Putman Timothy E. , Hruby Dennis E. , Jordan Robert , Rockey Daniel D.
Published: May 2012

A novel and quantitative high-throughput screening approach was explored as a tool for the identification of novel compounds that inhibit chlamydial growth in mammalian cells. The assay is based on accumulation of a fluorescent marker by intracellular chlamydiae. Its utility was demonstrated by screening 42,000 chemically defined compounds against
Chlamydia caviae
GPIC. This analysis led to the identification of 40 primary-hit compounds. Five of these compounds were nontoxic to host cells and had similar activities against both
C. caviae
GPIC and
Chlamydia trachomatis
. The inhibitory activity of one of the compounds, (3-methoxyphenyl)-(4,4,7-trimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-[1,2]dithiolo[3,4-C]quinolin-1-ylidene)amine (MDQA), was chlamydia specific and was selected for further study. Selection for resistance to MDQA led to the generation of three independent resistant clones of
C. trachomatis
. Amino acid changes in SecY, a protein involved in Sec-dependent secretion in Gram-negative bacteria, were associated with the resistance phenotype. The amino acids changed in each of the resistant mutants are located in the predicted central channel of a SecY crystal structure, based on the known structure of
Thermus thermophilus
SecY. These experiments model a process that can be used for the discovery of antichlamydial, anti-intracellular, or antibacterial compounds and has led to the identification of compounds that may have utility in both antibiotic discovery and furthering our understanding of chlamydial biology.
Characterization of RarA, a Novel AraC Family Multidrug Resistance Regulator in Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Veleba Mark , Higgins Paul G. , Gonzalez Gerardo , Seifert Harald , Schneiders Thamarai
Published: May 2012

Transcriptional regulators, such as SoxS, RamA, MarA, and Rob, which upregulate the AcrAB efflux pump, have been shown to be associated with multidrug resistance in clinically relevant Gram-negative bacteria. In addition to the multidrug resistance phenotype, these regulators have also been shown to play a role in the cellular metabolism and possibly the virulence potential of microbial cells. As such, the increased expression of these proteins is likely to cause pleiotropic phenotypes.
Klebsiella pneumoniae
is a major nosocomial pathogen which can express the SoxS, MarA, Rob, and RamA proteins, and the accompanying paper shows that the increased transcription of
ramA
is associated with tigecycline resistance (
M. Veleba and T. Schneiders
, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 56:4466–4467, 2012). Bioinformatic analyses of the available
Klebsiella
genome sequences show that an additional AraC-type regulator is encoded chromosomally. In this work, we characterize this novel AraC-type regulator, hereby called RarA (Regulator of antibiotic resistance A), which is encoded in
K. pneumoniae
,
Enterobacter
sp. 638,
Serratia proteamaculans
568, and
Enterobacter cloacae
. We show that the overexpression of
rarA
results in a multidrug resistance phenotype which requires a functional AcrAB efflux pump but is independent of the other AraC regulators. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments show that
rarA
(MGH 78578 KPN_02968) and its neighboring efflux pump operon
oqxAB
(KPN_02969_02970) are consistently upregulated in clinical isolates collected from various geographical locations (Chile, Turkey, and Germany). Our results suggest that
rarA
overexpression upregulates the
oqxAB
efflux pump. Additionally, it appears that
oqxR
, encoding a GntR-type regulator adjacent to the
oqxAB
operon, is able to downregulate the expression of the
oqxAB
efflux pump, where OqxR complementation resulted in reductions to olaquindox MICs.
Clinical and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Data of 140 Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae Isolates in France
Authors: Laurens C. , Michon A.-L. , Marchandin H. , Bayette J. , Didelot M.-N. , Jean-Pierre H.
Published: May 2012

We report retrospective analysis of the clinical and antimicrobial susceptibility data of 140
Streptococcus pseudopneumoniae
isolates. Strains were isolated mostly from respiratory tract samples from patients with underlying diseases. In the case of infection, pneumonia, mainly aspiration pneumonia, was the most frequent (27.1% of the patients). We documented high rates of decreased susceptibilities and resistance to erythromycin and tetracycline (57% and 43% of the isolates, respectively), as well as reduced susceptibility to penicillin in 21% of the isolates.
Localization of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Cytolethal Distending Toxin Subunits during Intoxication of Live Cells
Authors: Damek-Poprawa Monika , Jang Jae Yeon , Volgina Alla , Korostoff Jonathan , DiRienzo Joseph M.
Published: May 2012

The cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt), produced by some clinically important Gram-negative bacterial species, is related to the family of AB-type toxins. Three heterologous proteins (CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC) and a genotoxin mode of action distinguish the Cdt from others in this toxin class. Crystal structures of several species-specific Cdts have provided a basis for predicting subunit interactions and functions. In addition, empirical studies have yielded significant insights into the
in vivo
interactions of the Cdt subunits. However, there are still critical gaps in information about the intoxication process. In this study, a novel protein tagging technology was used to localize the subunits in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1). A tetracysteine motif was engineered in each subunit, and in subunits with mutations in predicted functional domains, to permit detection with the fluorescein arsenical hairpin binding (FlAsH) dye Lumio green. Live-cell imaging, in conjunction with confocal microscopy, was used to capture the locations of the individual subunits in cells intoxicated, under various conditions, with hybrid heterotrimers. Using this approach, we observed the following. (i) The CdtA subunit remains on the cell surface of CHO cells in association with cholesterol-containing and cholesterol-depleted membrane. (ii) The CdtB subunit is exclusively in the cytosol and, after longer exposure times, localizes to the nucleus. (iii) The CdtC subunit is present on the cell surface and, to a greater extent, in the cytosol. These observations suggest that CdtC, but not CdtA, functions as a chaperone for CdtB entry into cells.
Legionella pneumophila Pathogenesis in the Galleria mellonella Infection Model
Authors: Harding Clare R. , Schroeder Gunnar N. , Reynolds Stuart , Kosta Artemis , Collins James W. , Mousnier Aurélie , Frankel Gad
Published: May 2012

Legionella pneumophila
is a facultative intracellular human pathogen and the etiological agent of severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease. Its virulence depends on protein secretion systems, in particular, the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system (T4SS), which is essential to establish a replication-permissive vacuole in macrophages. The analysis of the role of these systems and their substrates for pathogenesis requires easy-to-use models which approximate human infection. We examined the effectiveness of the larvae of the wax moth
Galleria mellonella
as a new model for
L. pneumophila
infection. We found that the
L. pneumophila
strains 130b, Paris, and JR32 caused mortality of the
G. mellonella
larvae that was strain, infectious dose, growth phase, and T4SS dependent. Wild-type
L. pneumophila
persisted and replicated within the larvae, whereas T4SS mutants were rapidly cleared.
L. pneumophila
strain Lp02, which is attenuated in the absence of thymidine but has a functional T4SS, resisted clearance in
G. mellonella
up to 18 h postinfection without inducing mortality. Immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy revealed that
L. pneumophila
resided within insect hemocytes in a vacuole that ultrastructurally resembled the
Legionella
-containing vacuole (LCV) observed in macrophages. The vacuole was decorated with the T4SS effector and LCV marker SidC. Infection caused severe damage to the insect organs and triggered immune responses, including activation of the phenoloxidase cascade leading to melanization, nodule formation, and upregulation of antimicrobial peptides. Taken together, these results suggest that
G. mellonella
provides an effective model to investigate the interaction between
L. pneumophila
and the host.
Characteristics of patients transported by an air ambulance critical care team
Authors: Catherall Jacqueline A , Brown Adam , Benger Jonathan R
Published: May 2012

Background

The aim of this study was to review patients conveyed by the Great Western Air Ambulance to its main receiving hospital.

Methods

Retrospective data were collected for all patients transferred to Frenchay Hospital by the Great Western Air Ambulance between 1 June 2008 and 1 March 2010.

Results

115 patients were included in the review. Patients were conveyed up to 85 km, 79% bypassing the closest emergency department (ED). 51% of these patients had major trauma and 35% were intubated at the scene. On arrival, the mean time to CT scan was 78 min, reduced to 63 min for those with a head injury. 16% of patients were discharged from the ED.

Conclusions

This review provides an overview of the characteristics of patients transferred to a major receiving hospital by a prehospital critical care team.
Understanding trends in genitalChlamydia trachomatiscan benefit from enhanced surveillance: findings from Australia
Authors: Ali Hammad , Guy Rebecca J , Fairley Christopher K , Wand Handan , Chen Marcus Y , Dickson Bridget , O'Connor Catherine C , Marshall Lewis , Grulich Andrew E , Kaldor John M , Hellard Margaret E , Donovan Basil ,   on behalf of the ACCESS Collaboration
Published: May 2012

Objectives

To determine trends and correlates of chlamydia positivity among young heterosexuals attending Australian sexual health services and to compare these with population-based notification data.

Methods

Data from 18 sexual health services and the national notification scheme were analysed. A χ2test assessed trends in chlamydia positivity among young heterosexuals tested from 2006 to 2010, and logistic regression was used to determine correlates of positivity. Nucleic acid amplification tests were used throughout the study period.

Results

During 2006–2010, 64 588 heterosexuals aged 15–29 years attended the sexual health services for the first time and the annual chlamydia testing rate was consistently >80%. Overall, chlamydia positivity increased by 12%, by 8.3% in heterosexual men (from 13.2% in 2006 to 14.3% in 2010; p-trend=0.04) and by 15.9% in women (from 11.3% in 2006 to 13.1% in 2010; p-trend<0.01). Independent correlates of chlamydia positivity in sexual health service patients were being aged 15–24 years, residing in a regional/rural area, being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, being a non-Australian resident and attending in 2010 compared with 2006. Over the same period, the population-based notification rate increased by 43% against a background of a >100% increase in testing.

Conclusions

The sexual health service network suggests a moderate increase in chlamydia prevalence in young heterosexuals tested at sexual health services, in contrast to the steep increase shown by notifications. This highlights the caution needed in interpreting chlamydia trends without a corresponding testing denominator.
Life history of tundra-dwelling wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae) from the Yukon Territory, Canada
Authors: Bowden J.J. , Buddle C.M.
Published: May 2012

We studied populations of three tundra-dwelling wolf spider (Lycosidae) species to determine reproductive trait relationships and developmental timing in the Arctic. We collected 451 Pardosa lapponica (Thorell, 1872), 176 Pardosa sodalis Holm, 1970, and 117 Pardosa moesta Banks, 1892 during summer 2008. We used log-likelihood ratio tests and multiple linear regressions to determine the best predictors of fecundity and relative reproductive effort. Female body size best explained the variation in fecundity and body condition was the best predictor for relative reproductive effort. We tested for a trade-off between the allocation of resources to individual eggs and the number of eggs produced (fecundity) within each species using linear regression. There was variation in detectable egg size and number trade-offs among sites and these may be related to local variation in resource allocation linked to density-related biotic or abiotic factors. These findings contribute to knowledge about the fitness of arctic wolf spiders in the region of study and are particularly relevant in light of the effects that climate changes are predicted to have on the arctic fauna.
Assigning birds to geographic origin using feather hydrogen isotope ratios (δ2H): importance of year, age, and habitat
Authors: Haché S. , Hobson K.A. , Villard M.-A. , Bayne E.M.
Published: May 2012

In North America, gradients in the ratio of stable hydrogen isotopes in amount-weighted, growing-season mean precipitation (2H:1H; depicted as δ2Hp) form a largely latitude-sensitive isoscape that can be used to estimate the geographical origin of animals. Feathers are metabolically inert following growth and δ2Hfvalues retain information on geographical origins. However, there are important assumptions underlying this approach that can only be tested using birds of known origin. Here, we investigated sources of variation in δ2Hfmeasurements from Ovenbirds ( Seiurus aurocapilla (L., 1766)) associated with year, age class, feather type, season, and habitat type in New Brunswick, Canada. The observed δ2Hfgenerally followed that predicted from the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation database. However, we found a strong year × age interaction on δ2Hf. Season, habitat type, and feather type explained only a small portion of the overall variation in δ2Hf. These results show the advantages of using annual δ2Hpisoscapes and age-specific corrections when converting δ2Hpto δ2Hf. We submit that the interaction effect can be modeled by accounting for interannual variation in the amount of precipitation during the breeding season. These procedures will allow for more precise estimates of the geographical origin of individual birds, especially for studies conducted near oceanic coasts, which are subject to significant annual variations in growing season δ2Hp.
Do single point condition measurements predict fitness in female pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)?
Authors: Clancey E. , Dunn S.J. , Byers J.A.
Published: May 2012

Condition is frequently used in evolutionary studies as an estimator of fitness. Broad theoretical interpretations of condition include many different attributes that can influence fitness, but in practice, researchers commonly employ condition measures (e.g., body-fat scores or size-adjusted body mass) that have uncertain relationships with reproductive success. In addition, researchers typically rely on condition estimates that are made once. Empirical studies investigating the relationship between condition and fitness are nearly absent. We examined the effect of maternal condition on current and future reproductive success in a wild population of pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana (Ord, 1852)). We used body condition scoring and date of annual molt to measure female condition, and mass–size residuals to measure offspring condition at birth. We found that current reproductive success lowered female condition, and that poor condition reduced subsequent prenatal growth rates. However, poor condition did not reduce postnatal offspring condition or future reproductive success. We suggest that the elapsed time should be taken into consideration when making predictions based on single point condition measures. The assumption that condition predicts fitness requires further empirical test.
DYNAMICS OF MAGNETIZED BULK VISCOUS STRINGS IN BRANS–DICKE GRAVITY
Authors: SHARIF MUHAMMAD , WAHEED SAIRA
Published: May 2012

We explore locally rotationally symmetric Bianchi I universe in Brans–Dicke gravity with self-interacting potential by using charged viscous cosmological string fluid. We use a relationship between the shear and expansion scalars and also take the power law for scalar field as well as self-interacting potential. It is found that the resulting universe model maintains its anisotropic nature at all times due to the proportionality relationship between expansion and shear scalars. The physical implications of this model are discussed by using different parameters and their graphs. We conclude that this model corresponds to an accelerated expanding universe for particular values of the parameters.
MOTION OF A TEST PARTICLE IN THE TRANSVERSE SPACE OF Dp-BRANES
Authors: BHATTACHARJEE ANINDITA , DAS ASHOK , GREENWOOD LEVI , PANDA SUDHAKAR
Published: May 2012

We investigate the motion of a test particle in higher dimensions due to the presence of extended sources like Dp-branes by studying the motion in the transverse space of the brane. This is contrasted with the motion of a point particle in the Schwarzschild background in higher dimensions. Since Dp-branes are specific to 10-dimensional spacetime and exact solutions of geodesic equations for this particular spacetime has not been possible so far for the Schwarzschild background, we focus here to find the leading order solution of the geodesic equation (for motion of light rays). This enables us to compute the bending of light in both the backgrounds. We show that contrary to the well known result of no noncircular bound orbits for a massive particle, in Schwarzschild background, for d ≥ 5, the Dp-brane background does allow bound elliptic motion only for p = 6 and the perihelion of the ellipse regresses instead of advancement. We also find that circular orbits for photon are allowed only for p ≤ 3.
ERGODIC PROPERTIES OF WEAK ASYMPTOTIC PSEUDOTRAJECTORIES FOR SET-VALUED DYNAMICAL SYSTEMS
Authors: FAURE MATHIEU , ROTH GREGORY
Published: May 2012

A successful method to describe the asymptotic behavior of various deterministic and stochastic processes such as asymptotically autonomous differential equations or stochastic approximation processes is to relate them to an appropriately chosen limit semiflow. Benaïm and Schreiber (2000) define a general class of such stochastic processes, which they call weak asymptotic pseudotrajectories and study their ergodic behavior. In particular, they prove that the weak* limit points of the empirical measures associated to such processes are almost surely invariant for the associated deterministic semiflow. Continuing a program started by Benaïm, Hofbauer and Sorin (2005), we generalize the ergodic results mentioned above to weak asymptotic pseudotrajectories relative to set-valued dynamical systems.
CLASSICALITY WITNESS FOR TWO-QUBIT STATES
Authors: MAZIERO JONAS , SERRA ROBERTO M.
Published: May 2012

In the last few years one realized that if the state of a bipartite system can be written as ∑i,j pij|ai〉〈ai| ⊗ |bj〉〈bj|, where {|ai〉} and {|bj〉} form orthonormal basis for the subsystems and {pij} is a probability distribution, then it possesses at most classical correlations. In this article we introduce a nonlinear witness providing a sufficient condition for classicality of correlations (absence of quantum discord) in a broad class of two-qubit systems. Such witness turns out to be necessary and sufficient condition in the case of Bell-diagonal states. We show that the witness introduced here can be readily experimentally implemented in nuclear magnetic resonance setups.
LOGICS FROM QUANTUM COMPUTATION WITH BOUNDED ADDITIVE OPERATORS
Authors: BERTINI CESARINO , LEPORINI ROBERTO
Published: May 2012

The theory of gates in quantum computation has suggested new forms of quantum logic, called quantum computational logics, where the meaning of a sentence is identified with a system of qubits in a pure or, more generally, mixed state. In this framework, any formula of the language gives rise to a quantum circuit that transforms the state associated to the atomic subformulas into the state associated to the formula and vice versa. On this basis, some holistic semantic situations can be described, where the meaning of whole determines the meaning of the parts, by non-linear and anti-unitary operators. We prove that the semantics with such operators and the semantics with unitary operators turn out to characterize the same logic.
GATE LOCATION CHANGING: AN OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUE FOR QUANTUM CIRCUITS
Authors: MOHAMMADZADEH NASER , SEDIGHI MEHDI , ZAMANI MORTEZA SAHEB
Published: May 2012

During the physical design process, the second process of the quantum circuit design flow, using some optimization techniques after layout generation might be useful to improve the metrics or meet the design constraints. Focusing on this issue, this paper proposes an optimization technique using gate location changing to improve the latency of quantum circuits. The proposed technique uses layout and scheduling information to find critical paths and improve their latency by changing locations of the gates on the critical paths. Experimental results show that the proposed technique decreases the latency of quantum circuits up to 26% for the attempted benchmarks.
The effect of coastal defences on cliff top retreat along the Holderness coastline
Authors: Brown Sally , Barton Max E. , Nicholls Robert J.
Published: May 2012

This study investigates variations in soft cliff retreat and the impact of coastal defences along 55 km of the Holderness coast between 1845 and 2005. The analysis of three approximately 50-year periods (1854–1905, 1905–1952, 1952–2005) gives a retreat rate of between 0.8±0.4 m/yr and 2.1±0.4 m/yr. Retreat varies spatially and temporally due to natural causes and human activity, especially 19
th
century beach mining and coastal defence construction. Defences reduce sediment input and modify the sediment budget, usually resulting in a sediment deficit down-drift, leading to the development of a set-back.

Using data from historical and modern Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photographs, and Differential Geographical Positioning System (DGPS) surveys, the cliff top was selected as a reference feature. Set-back due to defence construction at Barmston, Hornsea (two periods), Mappleton and Withernsea (two periods) was analysed, giving six different time periods. Short time periods are unreliable due to large mapping uncertainties and natural variability. Two cases showed excess retreat for tens to thousands of metres down-drift over a long time period since defence construction. Two cases were indicative of excess retreat, but require more time to elapse after defence construction (in these cases >20 years) to reach a definitive conclusion. Two cases were inconclusive, but possibly maintained a constant retreat rate post-defence construction. Hence, at the scale of Holderness, defences have changed the pattern of erosion rather than stopping it. Accelerated retreat down-drift of defences can threaten human infrastructure and buildings and reduce the efficiency of defences. This should be recognized in shoreline management planning.
New insights from 3D geological models at analogue CO
2
storage sites in Lincolnshire and eastern Scotland, UK
Authors: Monaghan Alison , Ford Jonathan , Milodowski Antoni , McInroy David , Pharaoh Timothy , Rushton Jeremy , Browne Mike , Cooper Anthony , Hulbert Andrew , Napier Bruce
Published: May 2012

Subsurface 3D geological models of aquifer and seal rock systems from two contrasting analogue sites have been created as the first step in an investigation into methodologies for geological storage of carbon dioxide in saline aquifers. Development of the models illustrates the utility of an integrated approach using digital techniques and expert geological knowledge to further geological understanding. The models visualize a faulted, gently dipping Permo-Triassic succession in Lincolnshire and a complex faulted and folded Devono-Carboniferous succession in eastern Scotland. The Permo-Triassic is present in the Lincolnshire model to depths of −2 km OD, and includes the aquifers of the Sherwood Sandstone and Rotliegendes groups. Model-derived thickness maps test and refine Permian palaeogeography, such as the location of a carbonate reef and its associated seaward slope, and the identification of aeolian dunes. Analysis of borehole core samples established average 2D porosity values for the Rotliegendes (16%) and Sherwood Sandstone (20%) groups, and the Zechstein (5%) and Mercia Mudstone (<10%) groups, which are favourable for aquifer and seal units respectively. Core sample analysis has revealed a complex but well understood diagenetic history. Re-interpretation of newly reprocessed seismic data in eastern Scotland has significantly reduced interpretative uncertainty of aquifer and seal units at depths of up to −6 km OD in a complex faulted and folded Devono-Carboniferous succession. Synthesis of diverse data in the 3D geological model defines a set of growth folds and faults indicative of active Viséan to Westphalian dextral-strike slip, with no major changes in structural style throughout the Carboniferous, in contrast to some published tectonic models. Average 2D porosity values are 14–17% in aquifer units and <2% in the seal unit, with a ferroan dolomite cement occluding porosity at depth.
Reactivation of the coastal landslide system at Cayton Bay, North Yorkshire, UK
Authors: Johnson Richard M. , Fish Paul R.
Published: May 2012

On 1 April 2008, a deep-seated reactivation of the Cayton Cliff coastal landslide complex near Scarborough occurred. This followed localized headscarp failures adjacent to properties at Knipe Point Drive, beginning in late autumn 2007. The paper details the field evidence for these events, which included headscarp recession, shallow mudslides and debris flows, and deeper-seated ground displacement leading to tension cracking and toe uplift. In response to these changes, a ground inspection and monitoring programme was implemented to assess ongoing headscarp recession and possible extension of the landslide, thereby informing management responses and levels of risk. The data, which cover the post-failure period between late April 2008 and mid December 2009, indicate headscarp recession up to 3.61 m ± 0.04 m, localized displacement of the landslide body of up to 2.72 m ± 0.74 m and sea cliff recession of 0.31 m ± 0.01 m a
−1
. A preliminary investigation of the potential causes of the 2008 landslide reactivation suggest it was a natural event, most probably reflecting high antecedent effective rainfall conditions that raised the groundwater table to a critical threshold for slope failure. Reactivation was possibly aided by ongoing marine erosion of the landslide toe. Long-term management of the site is more complex and the potential option of a landslide stabilization scheme is likely to meet significant challenge, especially given the SSSI designation at Cayton Cliff.
New information on Neoproterozoic-Cambrian geology and the Triassic unconformity around Groby, southern Charnwood Forest, UK
Authors: Scotney Philip M. , Carney John N. , Harwood Mark
Published: May 2012

Detailed investigations utilizing borehole drilling, geophysical techniques and revision mapping have elucidated the geological evolution of southern Charnwood Forest. This study confirms that the South Charnwood Diorite was emplaced in latest Neoproterozoic times and has a broadly concordant intrusive contact with underlying volcaniclastic strata of the Charnian Supergroup. Following erosion that unroofed the diorite, an Early Cambrian marine transgression deposited an unconformable covering of Brand Group strata. In end-Silurian times, the region experienced orogenic compression and folding along a dominant NW–WNW tectonic grain. ‘Phase 1’ structures with these orientations include the Charnwood Anticline and a transecting, penetrative cleavage that is mainly developed in the stratiform Charnian rocks. Further manifestations of this deformation were systems of NW-trending faults, the most important of which is the Groby Reverse Fault. This complex structure is described here for the first time; it features a narrow tectonic slice of Brand Group rocks, which was thrown down into the South Charnwood Diorite. The courses of younger, ‘Phase 2’ faults are also revealed by the present study; they are orthogonal to, and thus offset the earlier NW structures. During Permian times, the area was stripped of its Carboniferous cover, resulting in a rugged pre-Triassic topography. This study has shown that the South Charnwood Diorite was eroded into low-lying, NW-elongated, steep-sided domes (bornhardts). It has also revealed the configuration of an associated palaeo-valley system, which suggests that regional tilting associated with development of the syn-Triassic Hinckley Basin to the south-west of Charnwood Forest may have influenced drainage directions before burial of the hill-range beneath desert sediments of the Mercia Mudstone Group.
Rift-basin development: lessons from the Triassic–Jurassic Newark Basin of eastern North America
Authors: Withjack M. O. , Schlische R. W. , Malinconico M. L. , Olsen P. E.
Published: May 2012

We use seismic, field, core, borehole and vitrinite-reflectance data to constrain the development of the Newark Rift Basin, one of the largest and most thoroughly studied basins of the eastern North American rift system that formed during the break-up of Pangaea. These data provide critical information about the geometry of the preserved synrift section and the magnitude of post-rift erosion. We incorporate this information into a new structural restoration of the basin. Our work shows that the Newark Basin was initially narrow (<25 km) and markedly asymmetric; synrift strata show significant thickening towards the basin-bounding faults. Subsequently, the basin became wider (perhaps >100 km wide), deeper (up to 10 km) and less asymmetric; synrift strata exhibit subtle thickening towards the basin-bounding fault system. Several intrabasin faults dissected the Newark Basin after synrift deposition, and the basin fill was tilted (
c.
10°NW) and folded. Erosion (up to 6 km) accompanied the intrabasin faulting, NW tilting and folding, significantly reducing the basin size. Our work suggests that the eastern North American rift system is characterized by a very broad zone of upper-crustal extension in which a few, wide, deep, long-lived, fault-bounded basins (like the Newark Basin) accommodated much of the extension.