bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age‐related variation in energy expenditure in a long‐lived bird within the envelope of an energy ceiling
Authors: Elliott Kyle H. , Le Vaillant Maryline , Kato Akiko , Gaston Anthony J. , Ropert‐Coudert Yan , Hare James F. , Speakman John R. , Croll Donald
Published: August 2013

Energy expenditure in wild animals can be limited (i) intrinsically by physiological processes that constrain an animal's capacity to use energy, (ii) extrinsically by energy availability in the environment and/or (iii) strategically based on trade‐offs between elevated metabolism and survival. Although these factors apply to all individuals within a population, some individuals expend more or less energy than other individuals.

To examine the role of an energy ceiling in a species with a high and individually repeatable metabolic rate, we compared energy expenditure of thick‐billed murres (Uria lomvia) with and without handicaps during a period of peak energy demand (chick‐rearing, N = 16). We also compared energy expenditure of unencumbered birds (N = 260) across 8 years exhibiting contrasting environmental conditions and correlated energy expenditure with fitness (reproductive success and survival).

Murres experienced an energy ceiling mediated through behavioural adjustments. Handicapped birds decreased time spent flying/diving and chick‐provisioning rates such that overall daily energy expenditure remained unchanged across the two treatments. The energy ceiling did not reflect energy availability or trade‐offs with fitness, as energy expenditure was similar across contrasting foraging conditions and was not associated with reduced survival or increased reproductive success.

We found partial support for the trade‐off hypothesis as older murres, where prospects for future reproduction would be relatively limited, did overcome an energy ceiling to invest more in offspring following handicapping by reducing their own energy reserves. The ceiling therefore appeared to operate at the level of intake (i.e. digestion) rather than expenditure (i.e. thermal constraint, oxidative stress).

A meta‐analysis comparing responses of breeding animals to handicapping suggests that our results are typical: animals either reduced investment in themselves or in their offspring to remain below an energy ceiling. Across species, whether a handicapped individual invested in its own energy stores or its offspring's growth was not explained by life history (future vs. current reproductive potential). Many breeding animals apparently experience an intrinsic energy ceiling, and increased energy costs lead to a decline in self‐maintenance and/or offspring provisioning.
Downscaling pollen–transport networks to the level of individuals
Authors: Tur Cristina , Vigalondo Beatriz , Trøjelsgaard Kristian , Olesen Jens M. , Traveset Anna
Published: August 2013

Most plant–pollinator network studies are conducted at species level, whereas little is known about network patterns at the individual level. In fact, nodes in traditional species‐based interaction networks are aggregates of individuals establishing the actual links observed in nature. Thus, emergent properties of interaction networks might be the result of mechanisms acting at the individual level.

Pollen loads carried by insect flower visitors from two mountain communities were studied to construct pollen–transport networks. For the first time, these community‐wide pollen–transport networks were downscaled from species–species (sp–sp) to individuals–species (i–sp) in order to explore specialization, network patterns and niche variation at both interacting levels. We used a null model approach to account for network size differences inherent to the downscaling process. Specifically, our objectives were (i) to investigate whether network structure changes with downscaling, (ii) to evaluate the incidence and magnitude of individual specialization in pollen use and (iii) to identify potential ecological factors influencing the observed degree of individual specialization.

Network downscaling revealed a high specialization of pollinator individuals, which was masked and unexplored in sp–sp networks. The average number of interactions per node, connectance, interaction diversity and degree of nestedness decreased in i–sp networks, because generalized pollinator species were composed of specialized and idiosyncratic conspecific individuals. An analysis with 21 pollinator species representative of two communities showed that mean individual pollen resource niche was only c. 46% of the total species niche.

The degree of individual specialization was associated with inter‐ and intraspecific overlap in pollen use, and it was higher for abundant than for rare species. Such niche heterogeneity depends on individual differences in foraging behaviour and likely has implications for community dynamics and species stability.

Our findings highlight the importance of taking interindividual variation into account when studying higher‐order structures such as interaction networks. We argue that exploring individual‐based networks will improve our understanding of species‐based networks and will enhance the link between network analysis, foraging theory and evolutionary biology.
Which are the best predictors of theory of mind delay in children with specific language impairment?
Authors: Andrés‐Roqueta Clara , Adrian Juan E. , Clemente Rosa A. , Katsos Napoleon
Published: August 2013

Background

The relationship between language and theory of mind (ToM) development in participants with specific language impairment (SLI) it is far from clear due to there were differences in study design and methodologies of previous studies.

Aims

This research consisted of an in‐depth investigation of ToM delay in children with SLI during the typical period of acquisition, and it studied whether linguistic or information‐processing variables were the best predictors of this process. It also took into account whether there were differences in ToM competence due to the degree of pragmatic impairment within the SLI group.

Methods & Procedures

Thirty‐one children with SLI (3;5–7;5 years old) and two control groups (age matched and language matched) were assessed with False Belief (FB) tasks, a wide battery of language measures and additional information‐processing measures.

Outcomes & Results

The members of the SLI group were less competent than their age‐matched peers at solving FB tasks, but they performed similarly to the language‐matched group. Regression analysis showed that overall linguistic skills of children with SLI were the best predictor of ToM performance, and especially grammar abilities. No differences between SLI subgroups were found according to their pragmatic level.

Conclusions & Implications

A delay in ToM development in children with SLI around the critical period of acquisition is confirmed more comprehensively, and it is shown to be more strongly related to their general linguistic level than to their age and other information‐processing faculties. This finding stresses the importance of early educational and clinical programmes aimed at reducing deleterious effects in later development.
A pair of chiral flavonolignans as novel anti‐cyanobacterial allelochemicals derived from barley straw (Hordeum vulgare): characterization and comparison of their anti‐cyanobacterial activities
Authors: Xiao Xi , Huang Haomin , Ge Zhiwei , Rounge Trine B. , Shi Jiyan , Xu Xinhua , Li Ruobing , Chen Yingxu
Published: August 2013

The inhibitory effect of barley straw (Hordeum vulgare) on cyanobacteria has been observed in many field and laboratory studies for over 30 years, although the compounds responsible for this anti‐cyanobacterial effect have remained unknown. In this study, a pair of chiral flavonolignans were isolated from barley straw extract using a bioassay‐guided isolation procedure against Microcystis sp. The structures of the allelopathic compounds were elucidated by NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and HPLC‐MS (high performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry), and turned out to be salcolin A and B. The enantiomers differ in their anti‐cyanobacterial abilities. Both enantiomers exhibited inhibitory effects on Microcystis sp., and the EC50 (concentration for 50% of maximal effect) of salcolin A and B were 6.02 × 10−5 and 9.60 × 10−5 mol l−1, respectively. Furthermore, the modes of actions of the enantiomers were investigated and compared at a single cell level by flow cytometry. Salcolin A was found to induce an increase on cyanobacterial intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels and to inhibit esterase activity, whereas salcolin B caused leakages of cyanobacterial cytoplasms. Thus, salcolin A was more ‘algistatic’, and salcolin B was more ‘algicidal’. This study suggests that salcolin is the key allelochemical in barley straw's inhibitory effect on cyanobacteria and could be used as an agent in the future control of cyanobacterial harmful algae blooms.
Incidence and characterisation of aerobic spore‐forming bacteria originating from dairy milk in Tunisia
Authors: Aouadhi Chedia , Maaroufi Abderrazak , Mejri Slah
Published: August 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and characterisation of aerobic spore‐forming bacteria originating from dairy milk in Tunisia. The distribution of Bacillus species in raw milk, pasteurised milk and UHT milk were 47.5%, 27.5% and 25%, respectively. Seven Bacillus species, including Bacillus pumilus (10%), Bacillus subtilis (12.5%), Brevibacillus brevis (10%), Bacillus cereus (22.5%), Bacillus sphaericus (7.5%), Bacillus licheniformis (12.5%) and Bacillus sporothermodurans (25%) were identified in different milk samples. Bacillus cereus was predominant in raw and pasteurised milk. Although B. sporothermodurans was the predominant sporogenous micro‐organism in UHT milk, B. cereus, B. sphaericus and B. licheniformis were also present. This study showed that there is a high degree of diversity, both phenotypic and genotypic, among Bacillus isolates from Tunisian milk and the persistence of spoilage risk in UHT milk.
Evaluation of the psychrotrophic specific signatures for cspA gene and 16S rDNA on the phenotype of Bacillus cereus sensu strictu
Authors: Montanhini Maike T Maziero , Neto Roberto Montanhini , Bittencourt Juliana Vitória M , Pinto José Paes de A N , Bersot Luciano dos Santos
Published: August 2013

This study characterised the psychrotrophic genotypes and phenotypes behaviour of 63 strains of Bacillus cereus sensu stricto isolated from dairy products. The presence of the cspA gene signature and the 16S rDNA mesophilic and/or psychrotrophic specific signatures was evaluated. Among the strains, 25 (39.7%) had the cspA gene signature, 38 (60.3%) had both mesophilic and psychrotrophic 16S rDNA signatures, 24 (38.1%) had only mesophilic and one exhibited only psychrotrophic. No strain grew at 7 °C. The results indicate that the presence of psychrotrophic signatures for cspA gene or the 16S rDNA did not ensure a psychrotrophic behaviour on a B. cereus phenotype.
NeEstimator v2: re‐implementation of software for the estimation of contemporary effective population size (Ne) from genetic data
Authors: Do C. , Waples R. S. , Peel D. , Macbeth G. M. , Tillett B. J. , Ovenden J. R.
Published: August 2013

NeEstimator v2 is a completely revised and updated implementation of software that produces estimates of contemporary effective population size, using several different methods and a single input file. NeEstimator v2 includes three single‐sample estimators (updated versions of the linkage disequilibrium and heterozygote‐excess methods, and a new method based on molecular coancestry), as well as the two‐sample (moment‐based temporal) method. New features include the following: (i) an improved method for accounting for missing data; (ii) options for screening out rare alleles; (iii) confidence intervals for all methods; (iv) the ability to analyse data sets with large numbers of genetic markers (10 000 or more); (v) options for batch processing large numbers of different data sets, which will facilitate cross‐method comparisons using simulated data; and (vi) correction for temporal estimates when individuals sampled are not removed from the population (Plan I sampling). The user is given considerable control over input data and composition, and format of output files. The freely available software has a new JAVA interface and runs under MacOS, Linux and Windows.
Transcriptomic fingerprinting of Pseudomonas putida under alternative physiological regimes
Authors: Kim Juhyun , Oliveros Juan Carlos , Nikel Pablo I. , de Lorenzo Víctor , Silva‐Rocha Rafael
Published: August 2013

Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is a metabolically versatile soil bacterium useful both as a model biodegradative organism and as a host of catalytic activities of biotechnological interest. In this report, we present the high‐resolution transcriptome of P. putida cultured on different carbon sources as revealed by deep sequencing of the corresponding RNA pools. Examination of the data from growth on substrates that are processed through distinct pathways (glucose, fructose, succinate and glycerol) revealed that ≥ 20% of the P. putida genome is differentially expressed depending on the ensuing physiological regime. Changes affected not only metabolic genes but also a suite of global regulators, e.g. the rpoS sigma subunit of RNA polymerase, various cold‐shock proteins and the three HU histone‐like proteins. Specifically, the genes encoding HU subunit variants hupA, hupB and hupN drastically altered their expression levels (and thus their ability to form heterodimeric combinations) under the diverse growth conditions. Furthermore, we found that two small RNAs, crcZ and crcY, known to inhibit the Crc protein that mediates catabolite repression in P. putida, were both down‐regulated by glucose. The raw transcriptomic data generated in this work is made available to the community through the Gene Expression Omnibus database.
Anatomical and scanning electron microscopic studies of the tongue and lingual papillae in the chital deer (Axis axis, Erxleben 1777)
Authors: Erdoğan Serkan , Pérez William
Published: August 2013

This research presents the first definitive anatomical description of the tongue and lingual papillae of the chital deer. In this study, tongues of five deer were used. The tongue was fairly elongated and terminated in oval apex. Cone‐shaped filiform papilla was composed of one larger main papilla and two smaller secondary papillae, which emerged from bottom of main papilla. Rounded fungiform papillae were randomly distributed on the body and torus, and some fungiform papillae were surrounded by evident groove. On the ventral surface, some of them had evident fossa on their surfaces. The lenticular papillae on the lateral and rostral side of the torus were smaller in length compared with ones localized on central region of the torus. Eleven to fourteen circumvallate papillae were situated on each caudolateral side of the torus. The circumvallate papillae were surrounded by a prominent gustatory groove and there were no annular pads surrounding the groove. Morphological features of the tongue of the chital deer were similar to some wild and domestic ruminants. In this regard; it is thought that this research will provide morphological contributions for deer species as there are not sufficient and detailed sources on species‐specific morphology in researches on Cervidae family.
Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking Studies of High‐Affinity Bone Targeting N,N'‐Bis (alendronate) Diethylenetriamene‐N,N'‐Triacetic Acid: A Bifunctional Bone Scintigraphy Agent
Authors: Chadha Nidhi , Sinha Deepa , Tiwari Anjani K. , Chuttani Krishna , Mishra Anil K.
Published: August 2013

A bisphosphonate derivative DTPA‐bis(alendronate) conjugate has been synthesized and evaluated as potential radiopharmaceutical for bone imaging. The compound was synthesized by the covalent coupling of DTPA‐bis(anhydride) with alendronate and was char‐acterized on the basis of IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy. It was labelled with 99mTc with 96% efficacy and was found stable for about 24 h under physiological conditions. Blood kinetic studies of 99mTc DTPA‐bis(alendronate) showed a biexponential pattern as well as quick washout from the blood circulation. The biological t1/2(F) and t1/2(S) were found to be 50 min ± 0.001 and 6 h 30 min ± 0.005, respectively. Imaging and biodistribution studies showed a significant accumulation of 99mTc DTPA‐bis(alendronate) conjugate at bone site. Bone‐to‐muscles ratios were 12.08 ± 0.001 at 1 h, 45.33 ± 0.001 at 4 h and 35.83 ± 0.001 at 24 h after post‐injection, respectively. The receptor binding of the 99mTc‐DTPA‐bis (alendronate) was established on human bone cell line (Soas‐2) revealed KD = 0.86 nm. The preliminary result of the 99mTc‐DTPA‐bis(alendronate) is encouraging to carrying out further in vivo experiment for targeted bone imaging because of good‐bone‐to‐normal‐organ contrast. Further docking analysis with molecular targets, farnesyl diphosphate synthase, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and osteocalcin revealed the high affinity of −17.419 and thus represents strong potential of bone‐imaging agent.
Particle swarm optimization and genetic algorithm as feature selection techniques for theQSARmodeling of imidazo[1,5‐a]pyrido[3,2‐e]pyrazines, inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 10A
Authors: Goodarzi Mohammad , Saeys Wouter , Deeb Omar , Pieters Sigrid , Vander Heyden Yvan
Published: August 2013

Quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling was performed for imidazo[1,5‐a]pyrido[3,2‐e]pyrazines, which constitute a class of phosphodiesterase 10A inhibitors. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) and genetic algorithm (GA) were used as feature selection techniques to find the most reliable molecular descriptors from a large pool. Modeling of the relationship between the selected descriptors and thepIC50activity data was achieved by linear [multiple linear regression (MLR)] and non‐linear [locally weighted regression (LWR) based on both Euclidean (E) and Mahalanobis (M) distances] methods. In addition, a stepwiseMLRmodel was built using only a limited number of quantum chemical descriptors, selected because of their correlation with thepIC50. The model was not found interesting. It was concluded that theLWRmodel, based on the Euclidean distance, applied on the descriptors selected byPSOhas the best prediction ability. However, some other models behaved similarly. The root‐mean‐squared errors of prediction (RMSEP) for the test sets obtained byPSO/MLR,GA/MLR,PSO/LWRE,PSO/LWRM,GA/LWRE, andGA/LWRMmodels were 0.333, 0.394, 0.313, 0.333, 0.421, and 0.424, respectively. ThePSO‐selected descriptors resulted in the best prediction models, both linear and non‐linear.
Undernutrition in children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD): its prevalence and influence on quality of life
Authors: Holenweg‐Gross C. , Newman C. J. , Faouzi M. , Poirot‐Hodgkinson I. , Bérard C. , Roulet‐Perez E.
Published: August 2013

Background

To estimate the prevalence of undernutrition among children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) and to explore its influence on quality of life.

Methods

Seventy‐two children with PIMD (47 male; 25 female; age range 2 to 15 years 4 months; mean age 8.6, SD 3.6) underwent an anthropometric assessment, including body weight, triceps skinfold thickness, segmental measures and recumbent length. Undernutrition was determined using tricipital skinfold percentile and z‐scores of weight‐for‐height and height‐for‐age. The quality of life of each child was evaluated using the QUALIN questionnaire adapted for profoundly disabled children.

Results

Twenty‐five children (34.7%) were undernourished and seven (9.7%) were obese. Among undernourished children only eight (32 %) were receiving food supplements and two (8%) had a gastrostomy, of which one was still on a refeeding programme. On multivariate analysis, undernutrition was one of the independent predictors of lower quality of life.

Conclusion

Undernutrition remains a matter of concern in children with PIMD. There is a need to better train professionals in systematically assessing the nutritional status of profoundly disabled children in order to start nutritional management when necessary.
Polymorphisms of the ADAM33 gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease risk: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Aierken Haidiya , Wang Jing , Wushouer Qimanguli , Shayhidin Elnur , Hu Xing , Syed Ikramullah , Wufuer Dilinuer
Published: August 2013

Background

The T1 (rs2280091), S1 (rs3918396) and S2 (rs528557) polymorphisms in a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM33) gene has been implicated in susceptibility of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But, a number of studies have reported inconclusive results. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between T1 (rs2280091), S1 (rs3918396) and S2 (rs528557) polymorphisms in ADAM33 gene and COPD risk by meta‐analysis.

Methods

We searched Pubmed database, Embase database, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database and Wanfang database, covering all studies till September 5, 2012. Statistical analysis was performed using software METAGEN (STATA 12.0) and Revman5.0.

Results

A total of 2139 COPD cases and 3765 controls in 10 case‐control studies were included in this study. The results showed that S2 (rs528557) and T1 (rs2280091) polymorphisms did not result in an increased or a decreased risk of COPD. The analysis described in this report demonstrated that S1 (rs3918396) polymorphism (GG + AG vs AA) was significantly associated with the total and Asian. Odds ratio (OR)total = 1.27 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–1.56, P = 0.03], ORAsian = 1.44 (95% CI 1.13–1.83, P = 0.003) but not with Caucasians.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis suggested that S1 (rs3918396) polymorphism of ADAM33 is associated with increased risk of COPD in Asian (China) but not in Caucasians. Future studies are needed to validate our conclusions.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as comorbidity in patients admitted to a university hospital: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Nielsen Helene Møller , Rødsgaard Pernille Andersen , Weinreich Ulla Møller
Published: August 2013

Background and Aims

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common disease, especially among smokers. The disease is underdiagnosed, and patients often suffer from comorbidities. The aims of this study were to elucidate the prevalence of COPD as comorbidity in a university hospital setting, to characterise patients demographically, to investigate comorbidities in patients suffering from COPD and lastly, to analyse whether CODP as comorbidity influenced the length of stay.

Methods

Aalborg University Hospital covers all medical and surgical specialities. A 1‐day cross‐sectional study was carried out in the entire hospital. A spirometry was performed on the patients. Data on smoking habits, prior lung function measurements, prescribed lung medicine and self‐evaluated dyspnoea, using the Medical Research Council score and body mass index were recorded. The final diagnosis was registered after 1 month.

Results

Two hundred fifteen patients participated, and 28% suffered from COPD. Sixteen per cent had mild, 48% moderate, 18% severe and 18% very severe COPD. Seventy‐seven per cent were newly diagnosed at our examination. COPD patients did not have significantly more comorbidities than non‐COPD patients. Gastrointestinal diseases, haematologic diseases and uro‐nephrologic diseases were significantly more prevalent in COPD patients. Duration of stay was significantly longer among COPD patients compared with non‐COPD patients, P < 0.05.

Conclusion

Seventy‐seven per cent of the COPD patients in this study were newly diagnosed at our examination. Gastrointestinal diseases, haematologic diseases and uro‐nephrologic diseases were significantly more prevalent in COPD patients. COPD patients were hospitalised significantly longer than non‐COPD patients.
Assessment of the relationship between right ventricular function and the severity of obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing
Authors: Tanaka Yosuke , Hino Mitsunori , Mizuno Kyoichi , Gemma Akihiko
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Some complications of obstructive sleep‐disordered breathing (OSDB), such as heart failure including right ventricular (RV) overload, are more serious than an increase of the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) or respiratory disturbance index (RDI). These serious complications may contribute to the worsening of OSDB.

Objective

To explore the relationship between RV function in OSDB patients while awake and the severity of OSDB.

Methods

Fifty‐eight patients were evaluated to determine the cause of OSDB and were subjected to various examinations, including cardiac ultrasonography. Of them, 54 were included in this analysis.

Results

Isovolumetric relaxation time decreased as AHI increased to about 40 events/h and increased when AHI increased beyond 40 events/h. The total ejection isovolume index increased as AHI increased to approximately 35 events/h and decreased when AHI increased beyond 35 events/h.

Conclusions

RV function gradually deteriorated from the early stages of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, even though there was no apparent increase in pulmonary artery pressure. The results of this study indicated that the progression of OSDB correlated with RV function determined in patients while awake. Further studies are required to clarify this relationship, including assessment of components of RV function.
Measuring and explaining racial and ethnic differences in willingness to donate live kidneys in the United States
Authors: Purnell Tanjala S. , Powe Neil R. , Troll Misty U. , Wang Nae‐Yuh , Haywood Carlton , LaVeist Thomas A. , Boulware L. Ebony
Published: August 2013

Background

Reasons for US racial–ethnic minority ESRD patients’ reported difficulties identifying live kidney donors are poorly understood.

Methods

We conducted a national study to develop scales measuring willingness to donate live kidneys among US adults (scores ranged from 0 [not willing] to 10 [extremely willing]), and we tested whether racial–ethnic differences exist in willingness to donate. We also examined whether clinical, sociodemographic, and attitudinal factors mediated potential racial–ethnic differences in willingness.

Results

Among 845 participants, the majority were extremely willing to donate to relatives (77%) while fewer than half were extremely willing to donate to non‐relatives (18%). In multivariable linear regression analyses, willingness to donate varied by race–ethnicity and recipient relationship to the donor. African Americans were less willing to donate to relatives than whites (β: −0.48; 95% CI [Confidence Interval]: −0.94 to −0.17; p = 0.04), but these differences were eliminated after accounting for socioeconomic factors, medical trust, and concerns about burial after death. There were no differences in willingness to donate between Hispanics and whites.

Conclusions

African Americans’ burial concerns, medical trust, and socioeconomic factors explained differences in their willingness to donate to relatives, suggesting efforts to address these barriers may enhance rates of live kidney donation in this group.
The scaling of colony size with nest volume in termites: a role in population dynamics?
Authors: LIMA PEQUENO PEDRO A. C. , FRANKLIN ELIZABETH , VENTICINQUE EDUARDO M. , SERRÃO ACIOLI AGNO N.
Published: August 2013

Colony size is often attributed a key role in social insect population ecology. However, in nest‐building termites, colony size is a power function of nest volume, so that colonies of species with low scaling exponents tend to grow less as their nests are expanded. Thus, in such species, intercolonial differences in colony size may be less likely to develop, and changes in species total biomass may largely reflect those in colony numbers rather than colony sizes.

The scaling of colony biomass with nest volume in three termite species, namely Anoplotermes banksiEmerson, Neocapritermes braziliensis Snyder and Labiotermes labralis Holmgren was determined. Then, their nests were counted and their total biomass in plots across an Amazonian rainforest landscape was estimated. Finally, whether the strength of the relationship between total biomass and number of nests reflected species scaling exponents was examined.

Scaling exponents were 0.47 for N. braziliensis, 0.57 for A. banksi, and 0.83 for L. labralis. On the other hand, the strength of the relationship between total biomass and the number of nests (r2) followed the opposite trend: 0.93 for N. braziliensis, 0.92 for A. banksi, and 0.53 for L. labralis.

It is suggested that the scaling of colony size with nest volume may mediate termite population dynamics: as the scaling exponent decreases across species, changes in total biomass would increasingly reflect changes in colony numbers, with an accompanying increase in the importance of colony births and deaths as opposed to colony growth.
Apparent competition leaves no detectable imprint on patterns of community composition: observations from a natural experiment
Authors: KAARTINEN RIIKKA , ROSLIN TOMAS
Published: August 2013

Indirect interactions mediated by natural enemies shared among herbivorous insects have recently attracted much interest. While many studies have predicted a high potential for apparent competition, only a few have rigorously tested predictions derived from the food web structure in terms of realised population and community dynamics.

In this study, a quantified food web was used to identify pairs of herbivore species potentially tied by strong parasitoid‐mediated interactions. The host populations and their parasitism rates over two consecutive years were then followed, during which time the abundance of one dominant host crashed. Following this natural experiment, imprints of asymmetrical, long‐term apparent competition among hosts were sought in population growth rates.

The population growth revealed no signs of apparent competition as mediated by parasitoids: the abundance and parasitism rates of less abundant herbivores were uncorrelated with the relative growth rate of four dominant herbivore species with which they shared a major part of their parasitoids. Likewise, the population crash of the dominant herbivore, Cynips longiventris, did not detectably affect the abundances or parasitism rates of other herbivores with which it shared a major fraction of its parasitoids.

Overall, this case study fails to add evidence to previous suggestions that apparent competition may constitute a major force in structuring natural communities. However, it suggests that dynamics should not be inferred from static food web structure alone, but rather that predictions based on structure should be verified by empirical observations of realised population dynamics.
The form of a trade‐off determines the response to competition
Authors: Maharjan Ram , Nilsson Susanna , Sung Judy , Haynes Ken , Beardmore Robert E. , Hurst Laurence D. , Ferenci Tom , Gudelj Ivana
Published: August 2013

Understanding how populations and communities respond to competition is a central concern of ecology. A seminal theoretical solution first formalised by Levins (and re‐derived in multiple fields) showed that, in theory, the form of a trade‐off should determine the outcome of competition. While this has become a central postulate in ecology it has evaded experimental verification, not least because of substantial technical obstacles. We here solve the experimental problems by employing synthetic ecology. We engineer strains of Escherichia coli with fixed resource allocations enabling accurate measurement of trade‐off shapes between bacterial survival and multiplication in multiple environments. A mathematical chemostat model predicts different, and experimentally verified, trajectories of gene frequency changes as a function of condition‐specific trade‐offs. The results support Levins' postulate and demonstrates that otherwise paradoxical alternative outcomes witnessed in subtly different conditions are predictable.
Hypothermia for pediatric refractory status epilepticus
Authors: Guilliams Kristin , Rosen Max , Buttram Sandra , Zempel John , Pineda Jose , Miller Barbara , Shoykhet Michael
Published: August 2013

Purpose

Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a life‐threatening emergency, demonstrating, by definition, significant pharmacoresistance. We describe five cases of pediatric RSE treated with mild hypothermia.

Methods

Retrospective chart review was performed of records of children who received hypothermia for RSE at two tertiary‐care pediatric hospitals between 2009 and 2012.

Key Findings

Five children with RSE received mild hypothermia (32–35°C). Hypothermia reduced seizure burden during and after treatment in all cases. Prior to initiation of hypothermia, four children (80%) received pentobarbital infusions to treat RSE, but relapsed after pentobarbital discontinuation. No child relapsed after treatment with hypothermia. One child died after redirection of care. Remaining four children were discharged.

Significance

This is the largest pediatric case series reporting treatment of RSE with mild hypothermia. Hypothermia decreased seizure burden during and after pediatric RSE and may prevent RSE relapse.
The application of proteomic approaches to the study of mammalian spermatogenesis and sperm function
Authors: MacLeod Graham , Varmuza Susannah
Published: August 2013

Spermatogenesis is the process by which terminally differentiated sperm are produced from male germline stem cells. This complex developmental process requires the coordination of both somatic and germ cells through phases of proliferation, meiosis, and morphological differentiation, to produce the cell responsible for the delivery of the paternal genome. With infertility affecting ~ 15% of all couples, furthering our understanding of spermatogenesis and sperm function is vital for improving the diagnosis and treatment of male factor infertility. The emerging use of proteomic technologies has played an instrumental role in our understanding of spermatogenesis by providing information regarding the genes involved. This article reviews existing proteomic literature regarding spermatogenesis and sperm function, including the proteomic characterization of spermatogenic cell types, subcellular proteomics, post‐translational modifications, interactomes, and clinical studies. Future directions in the application of proteomics to the study of spermatogenesis and sperm function are also discussed.
Readings in the Mist: Two November Poems by W. G. Sebald1
Authors: Englund Axel
Published: August 2013

W. G. Sebald wrote and published poetry from the early 1960s until his death in 2001. Even though Sebald's oeuvre is among the most assiduously studied inGermanistiktoday, however, his lyric poetry has yet to receive any serious attention by scholarly critics. Through close readings of two representative poems from Sebald's last years (“Ruhiges Novemberwetter” and “In Alfermée”), I seek to redress this neglect in the present article. These poems deal with well‐known preoccupations of the author, such as landscape, memory, history, intertextuality, and death. On closer inspection, however, the details of their poetic form—their versification, phonetic patterning, imagery and semantic ambiguity—make it clear that they cannot be read as mere small‐scale versions of his prose. Sebald's poems are complex and evocative works of great literary merit, which simultaneously partake of and question the generic specificity of poetry.
Transposing Music: An Intermedial Perspective on German Modernist Poetry
Authors: Goebel Rolf J.
Published: August 2013

Conventionally, music is said to require three interrelated modes of receptivity: the formal analysis of its sonic structures, the hermeneutic deciphering of its semiotic meanings, and the performance of its actual works. However, as I argue in this essay, there is a fourth process that partly encompasses aspects of these modes but adds to them in multiple ways that are crucial to the experience of music. This mode of receptivity pertains to the possibility and limits of the transposition of the sonic language of music intoothermedia, aesthetic practices, and signifying systems. German modernist poetry addresses this topic in its self‐reflexive exploration of music beyond the parameters of melody, harmony, rhythm, meter, and timbre in order to intersect with other arts, forms of human experiences, and historical self‐articulations.
Stefan George, Thomas Mann, and the Politics of Homoeroticism1
Authors: DiMassa Daniel
Published: August 2013

In the first decades of the twentieth century, Stefan George and Thomas Mann envisioned starkly different futures for Germany: the former espoused a geheimes Deutschland, a geistiges Reich that would limit itself to an intellectual elite, while the latter—after coming to terms with the consequences of World War One—championed the cause of democracy. In this paper, I argue that the political differences dividing George and Mann must be read as a disagreement over the question of how homoeroticism would figure in the new Germany. The argument culminates in my claim that, in his novel Der Zauberberg, Mann performs a subtle yet trenchant critique of George, his homoerotic theology, and his circle in general.
Non‐pharmacological treatment reducing not only behavioral symptoms, but also psychotic symptoms of older adults with dementia: A prospective cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Rue‐Chuan , Liu Chien‐Liang , Lin Ming‐Hsien , Peng Li‐Ning , Chen Liang‐Yu , Liu Li‐Kuo , Chen Liang‐Kung
Published: August 2013

Aim

The clinical effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among older Chinese with dementia remains unclear, and the evidence supporting the benefits of a non‐pharmacological approach on psychotic symptoms is scarce.

Methods

A prospective cohort study including 104 older men with dementia living in two veterans homes in Taiwan was carried out in 2011. An organized program of music therapy, orientation training, art‐cognitive activities and physical activities was carried out for the intervention group. All participants were evaluated for neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI), defined daily dose of psychotropic drug use, Barthel Index, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, Mini‐Mental State Examination, Geriatric Depression Scale, Tinetti balance score and Tinetti gait score.

Results

Overall, 104 residents were enrolled and 92 of them completed the study. The intervention group had a more significant reduction than the reference group in the overall NPI score (−2.36, P = 0.046), and in the subcategories of delusion (−0.9, P = 0.018), hallucination (−0.82, P = 0.004) and agitation (−0.91, P = 0.038). Multivariate analysis showed that the non‐pharmacological intervention was associated with a favorable outcome in overall NPI score (OR 4.113, P = 0.013) and in the subcategories of hallucination (OR 14.309, P = 0.049) and agitation (OR 6.604, P = 0.037). Meanwhile, a higher baseline NPI score was also associated with a favorable outcome in overall NPI score, and in the subcategories of delusion, hallucination and agitation.

Conclusion

Non‐pharmacological interventions have a positive effect on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, not only in outward symptoms like agitation, but also intrinsic psychotic symptoms like hallucination and delusion, and agitation in older Chinese men with dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2013; 14: 440–446.
LMO2 (LIM domain only 2) is expressed in a subset of acute myeloid leukaemia and correlates with normal karyotype
Authors: Patel Jay L , Pournazari Payam , Haggstrom Sarah‐Joy , Kosari Farid , Shabani‐Rad Meer‐Taher , Natkunam Yasodha , Mansoor Adnan
Published: August 2013

Aim

LMO2 is a transcription factor that plays a key role in haematopoiesis. Expression of LMO2 has been demonstrated in germinal centre B cells, various B cell lymphomas and T lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukaemia (T‐ALL), but has not been studied extensively in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Methods

We studied LMO2 expression by immunohistochemistry in biopsies from a cohort of AML patients (n = 196) and correlated it with established prognostic factors such as age, bone marrow morphology and cytogenetic findings.

Results

Forty per cent (79 of 196) of the samples from AML patients showed moderate/strong expression of LMO2 protein. LMO2 expression showed a significant positive correlation with normal cytogenetics (65% versus 24%, P < 0.0001) and a moderately negative correlation with complex karyotype [rs(98) = −0.218, P < 0.002]. AML associated with core binding factor [(t(8;21)/inv(16)/t(16;16)] had low LMO2 expression compared to diploid karyotype (29% versus 65%; P = 0.013). Expression of LMO2 protein exhibited an insignificant association with age (P = 0.197). Lower expression of LMO2 protein was noted in AML associated with myelodysplasia‐related changes, compared to AML subtypes based on FAB classification (M0–M7) (21% versus 44%, P = 0.0187).

Conclusions

LMO2 is expressed in a subset of AML patients and is associated with normal karyotype, which is different from T‐ALL, where specific translocation (11p13) mediates protein expression.
Combined acid‐ and rennet‐induced gelation of a mixed soya milk–cow's milk system
Authors: Grygorczyk Alexandra , Alexander Marcela , Corredig Milena
Published: August 2013

The objective of this study was to better understand the gelation behaviour of a mixed soya milk–cow's milk system, by forming different reactive protein particles using rennet and glucono‐δ‐lactone. The formation of the structure of these mixed gels was followed, for the first time, using diffusing wave spectroscopy and rheology. When only one protein source was induced to gel, protein aggregation was hindered, as shown by the slower increase in apparent radius after the gel point. Confocal microscopy analysis of the gel networks suggested that while milk gels exhibited large pores with interconnecting strands of protein, soya gels appeared as densely packed protein aggregates, and mixed soya milk gels appeared as a network of aggregated proteins. This study demonstrated that by modulating the reactivity of the building blocks, it is possible to fine‐tune structure formation of these mixed protein gels.
Effect of different drying methods on drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana L.)
Authors: İzli Nazmi , Yıldız Gökçen , Ünal Halil , Işık Eşref , Uylaşer Vildan
Published: August 2013

In this study, the effects of convective, microwave and microwave–convective drying methods on the drying characteristics, colour, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of goldenberry fruits were investigated. To select the most appropriate thin‐layer drying model for drying treatments, nine mathematical drying models were fitted to the experimental data. Based on the statistical tests used for evaluation, the Midilli et al. and Wang and Singh models were considered the best models to describe the drying behaviours of goldenberry fruits in all drying methods. The colour values (L*, a* and b*) of fresh fruit were decreased by drying. Compared with the fresh sample, the dried samples exhibited a 64–75% and 65–75% decrease in total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, respectively. Among the different drying treatments, the values closest to those of fresh samples with respect to colour values, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were achieved with the 160 W microwave drying method.
Effect of pH, biopolymer mixing ratio and salts on the formation and stability of electrostatic complexes formed within mixtures of lentil protein isolate and anionic polysaccharides (κ‐carrageenan and gellan gum)
Authors: Aryee Felix N. A. , Nickerson Michael T.
Published: August 2013

Associative phase separation within lentil protein isolate (LPI), polysaccharide (κ‐carrageenan (κ‐CG) and gellan gum (GG)) mixtures was investigated as a function of pH (1.50–8.00) and mixing ratio (1:1–30:1; LPI/polysaccharide) by turbidity and electrophoretic mobility. Effects of salts (NaCl, KCl and CaCl2) on complex stability were also studied as a function of ionic strength. Coacervation typically follows two pH‐dependent forming events associated with the formation of soluble and insoluble complexes. The addition of polysaccharides to a LPI system (at all ratios) resulted in a significant drop in turbidity over the entire pH range and a shift in net neutrality to lower pH relative to LPI alone; where LPI aggregation was inhibited by repulsive forces between neighbouring polysaccharide chains. As the biopolymer mixing ratio increased, structure formation was less inhibited. The addition of salts resulted in the disruption of formed LPI/polysaccharide complexes.
Comparison of different peeling systems for kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa, cv Hayward)
Authors: Gómez‐López Manuel , García‐Quiroga Maruxa , Arbones‐Maciñeira Enrique , Vázquez‐Odériz Ma Lourdes , Romero‐Rodríguez Ma Angeles
Published: August 2013

Galicia (N.W. Spain) produces 60% of Spanish kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) and 5–20% of these are ‘destrío’ fruits, which do not reach market size and the appropriate form. These rejected fruits can be processed into products, thus increasing their added value. The processing of kiwifruit always includes a peeling operation, which can be performed by different systems. The most suitable conditions for caustic peeling and thermal peeling were established. Then, the two peeling systems were compared with manual peeling with the aim of selecting the best system to remove the peel of the ‘destrío’ kiwifruit. The fruits, once harvested, were stored in a cold chamber at 0 °C. Before processing or marketing kiwifruits, it is necessary to remove them from storage in cold chamber and storage at room temperature. In this study, different storage times at room temperature before peeling kiwifruits were also tested. The best system for peeling the kiwifruit was thermal peeling as this system resulted in the lowest weight loss and preserved the green colour characteristic of the kiwifruit. The best time for peeling the kiwifruit was after 8 days of storage at room temperature, after being removed from the cold chamber.
Global Supply Chain Management: Toward a Theoretically Driven Research Agenda
Authors: Connelly Brian L. , Ketchen David J. , Hult G. Tomas M.
Published: August 2013

As competition becomes increasingly global in nature, the importance of global supply chain management grows. Yet, research attention on this matter has been limited. We seek to offer a strong foundation for future research on global supply chain management by examining it from the perspectives of six prominent organizational theories that range in emphasis from primarily endogenous to primarily exogenous influences. We, in turn, apply real options theory, internationalization theory, organizational economics, resource dependence theory, social network theory, and institutional theory. We also examine the implications for global supply chain management of juxtaposing the insights provided by multiple theories. Our hope is that the ideas generated by applying these theories set the stage for subsequent theoretically robust investigations of global supply chain management.