bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of thermal model and base temperature on estimates of thermal time to bud break in white spruce seedlings
Authors: Man Rongzhou , Lu Pengxin
Published: September 2010

To improve the predictability of bud burst and growth of boreal trees under varying climate, the thermal time for bud break in white spruce ( Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) seedlings was evaluated under a range of temperature conditions in controlled environment chambers. Thermal time requirements were calculated as the sum of growing degree days or growing degree hours above base temperatures ranging from –1 to 5 °C. The results indicated that the common modeling approach, which uses a high base temperature of 5 °C and growing degree days, may not be appropriate for future climatic conditions. Estimates of thermal time requirements using a base temperature of 5 °C varied considerably among temperature treatments and thus would reduce the predictability of bud burst under changing climate. In contrast, estimates of thermal time requirements with lower temperatures closer to 1 °C were relatively consistent among treatments. Growing degree hour models were less sensitive to base temperature than degree day models. These results should help in the selection of appropriate base temperatures and thermal time models in quantification of thermal time for bud burst modeling in other boreal trees.
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION RADARS: EFFECTIVE INSTRUMENTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION STRATEGY AND SUCCESSFUL PRODUCT LAUNCHES
Authors: GOLOVATCHEV JULIUS , BUDDE OLIVER , KELLMEREIT DANIEL
Published: September 2010

This paper summarizes many years of experience in process design and methodology implementation for sustainable innovation development as carried out by the authors within several innovation projects in different industries (e.g. fixed and mobile telecommunications, high tech, logistics). We have developed a research innovation approach which provide effective innovation intelligence and scouting through the use of technology and innovation radars. These instruments enable the identification and evaluation of emerging business and technology trends, provide an overview of the relative maturity and assess their relevance to the company. A rating mechanism helps companies to decide when to adopt an innovation and to develop new products and services. Furthermore, the technology and innovation radars are good strategic tools for early stage identification and prioritization in order to give an approximate value judgment without detailed return-on-investment justifications. In later stages of the planning process, the radar tools can be used as a high-level summary of an underlying prioritization process.
CONTRIBUTION AND PARTICIPATION IN INNOVATION COMMUNITIES: A CLASSIFICATION OF INCENTIVES AND MOTIVES
Authors: JANZIK LARS
Published: September 2010

Online communities (OCs) have become an important source for identifying the needs and problems of users, supporting companies in innovation. This development was fostered by IT/Internet technologies and has also been strengthened through recent social changes in user behavior within "Web 2.0." In contrast to its growing relevance, user innovation activities within OCs are still underexplored. Companies that wish to successfully utilize and integrate innovative OC members into their NPD process need a better understanding of the drivers and changes of user motivation in such communities. In this paper we analyze, categorize and integrate different motivational factors that play a major role here and develop several propositions concerning motivation within innovation communities.
BUILDING INNOVATION CAPABILITIES: AN INQUIRY INTO THE DYNAMIC GROWTH PROCESS OF UNIVERSITY SPIN-OUTS IN CHINA
Authors: ZHOU Y. , MINSHALL T. , HAMPDEN-TURNER C.
Published: September 2010

This research aims to develop a conceptual framework in order to inquire into the dynamic growth process of university spin-outs (hereafter referred to as USOs) in China, attempting to understand the configuration of capabilities that are necessary for dynamic growth. Based on the extant literature and empirical cases, the study attempts to address the following question: How do USOs in China build and configure the innovation capabilities to cope with the dynamic growth? This paper aims to contribute to the existing literature by providing a theoretical discussion on the USOs' dynamic entrepreneurial process, by investigating the interconnections between innovation problem-solving and the required configuration of innovation capabilities in four growth phases. Further, it takes particular interest in the integrative capabilities and their impact on the USOs' entrepreneurial innovation process, in terms of knowledge integration, alliance, venture finance and venture governance. To date, studies have investigated the dynamic development process of USOs in China and have recognized the heterogeneity of USOs. Yet studies of capabilities that are required for rapid growth remain sparse. Addressing this research gap will be of great interest to entrepreneurs, policy-makers and venture investors.
Cytodifferentiation of the postnatal mouse stomach in normal and Huntingtin-interacting protein 1-related-deficient mice
Authors: Keeley Theresa M. , Samuelson Linda C.
Published: September 2010

Huntingtin-interacting protein 1-related (Hip1r) is highly expressed in gastric parietal cells, where it participates in vesicular trafficking associated with acid secretion. Hip1r-deficient mice have a progressive remodeling of the mucosa, including apoptotic loss of parietal cells, glandular hypertrophy, mucous cell metaplasia, and reduced numbers of zymogenic cells. In this study, we characterized gastric gland development in wild-type and Hip1r-deficient mice to define normal development, as well as the timing and sequence of the cellular transformation events in the mutant stomach. Postnatal (newborn to 8-wk-old) stomachs were examined by histological and gene expression analysis. At birth, gastric glands in wild-type and mutant mice were rudimentary and mature gastric epithelial cells were not apparent, although marker expression was detected for most cell lineages. Interestingly, newborns exhibited unusual cell types, including a novel surface cell filled with lipid and cells that coexpressed markers of mature mucous neck and zymogenic cells. Glandular morphogenesis proceeded rapidly in both genotypes, with gastric glands formed by weaning at 3 wk of age. In the Hip1r-deficient stomach, epithelial cell remodeling developed in a progressive manner. Initially, in the perinatal stomach, cellular changes were limited to parietal cell apoptosis. Other epithelial cell changes, including apoptotic loss of zymogenic cells and expansion of metaplastic mucous cells, emerged several weeks later when the glands were morphologically mature. Thus, parietal cell loss appeared to be the initiating event in Hip1r-deficient mice, with secondary remodeling of the other gastric epithelial cells.
Fluctuations and determinism of respiratory impedance in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Muskulus Michael , Slats Annelies M. , Sterk Peter J. , Verduyn-Lunel Sjoerd
Published: September 2010

Asthma and COPD are chronic respiratory diseases that fluctuate widely with regard to clinical symptoms and airway obstruction, complicating treatment and prediction of exacerbations. Time series of respiratory impedance obtained by the forced oscillation technique are a convenient tool to study the respiratory system with high temporal resolution. In previous studies it was suggested that power-law-like fluctuations exist also in the healthy lung and that respiratory system impedance variability differs in asthma. In this study we elucidate such differences in a population of well-characterized subjects with asthma ( n = 13, GINA 1+2), COPD ( n = 12, GOLD I+II), and controls ( n = 10) from time series at single frequency (12 min, f = 8 Hz). Maximum likelihood estimation did not rule out power-law behavior, accepting the null hypothesis in 17/35 cases ( P > 0.05) and with significant differences in exponents for COPD ( P < 0.03). Detrended fluctuation analysis exhibited scaling exponents close to 0.5, indicating few correlations, with no differences between groups ( P > 0.14). In a second approach, we considered asthma and COPD as dynamic diseases, corresponding to changes of unknown parameters in a deterministic system. The similarity in shape between the combined probability distributions of normalized resistance and reactance was quantified by Wasserstein distances and reliably distinguished the two diseases (cross-validated predictive accuracy 0.80; sensitivity 0.83, specificity 0.77 for COPD). Wasserstein distances between 3+3 dimensional phase space reconstructions resulted in marginally better classification (accuracy 0.84, sensitivity 0.83, specificity 0.85). These latter findings suggest that the dynamics of respiratory impedance contain valuable information for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with asthma and COPD, whereas the value of the stochastic approach is not clear presently.
Ontogenesis of Testis Development and Function in Humans
Authors: Stukenborg J.B. , Colón E. , Söder O.
Published: September 2010

Functional gonads are mandatory for sexual reproduction and survival of higher animal species. However, at the level of the individual subject, acquired or inherited gonadal dysfunction and infertility are not commonly associated with severe life-threatening phenotypes. Medical progress and increased societal interest have led to more prioritised agendas for reproductive health problems. Increasing attention is focused on disorders of sex development, fertility and sexual function. Despite this engagement, our understanding of the detailed molecular and cellular adverse events behind such problems is still incomplete. Critical early steps, such as determination of the gonads, occur at precise temporal windows of development. The sex chromosomes are obvious critical contributors, but many other human chromosomes also contribute to sex differentiation, engaging multiple genes and proteins. The aim of this review is to give an up-to-date and comprehensive summary of the events required for gonadal ontogenesis in the human male, from the stage of embryonic sex determination to postnatal maturation including puberty. The principal genes involved in these processes are tabulated and discussed. Morphological events relevant for human gonadal development are covered, in particular in connection with early germ cell maturation and spermatogenesis. Consequences of maldevelopment caused by, e.g. cryptorchidism, are discussed.
Significant Associations between CCL5 Gene Polymorphisms and Post-Transplantational Diabetes Mellitus in Korean Renal Allograft Recipients
Authors: Jeong Kyung-Hwan , Moon Joo-Young , Chung Joo-Ho , Kim Young-Hoon , Lee Tae-Won
Published: September 2010

Background: Post-transplantational diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a serious metabolic complication that may follow renal transplantation. The expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5) is inversely related to pancreatic β-cell function; thus, specific CCL5 gene polymorphisms are considered to be risk factors for diabetes. In this study, we investigated the association between CCL5 gene polymorphisms and the occurrence of PTDM in Korean patients who had undergone renal transplants. Methods: A total of 311 patients who had received kidney transplants without a prior history of diabetes were included. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CCL5 gene were genotyped from genomic DNA with direct sequencing. Results: PTDM developed in 56 patients (18.0%). The results showed that the allele frequencies of CCL5 gene polymorphisms, rs2107538*T, rs2280789*C and rs3817655*A were significantly higher in the patients with PTDM than in those without PTDM. In multiple logistic regression analysis, 3 SNPs (rs2107538, rs2280789 and rs3817655) of the CCL5 gene were significantly associated with the development of PTDM in the codominant 2 and recessive models. Among haplotypes of the 3 polymorphisms, the frequency of the TCA haplotype was significantly higher in patients with PTDM than in those without PTDM. Conclusions: Our results indicated that genetic polymorphisms of the CCL5 gene were associated with PTDM, suggesting that the CCL5 gene might confer susceptibility to PTDM in patients who receive renal transplants.
When the Earth Trembles in the Americas: The Experience of Haiti and Chile 2010
Authors: Vanholder R. , Borniche D. , Claus S. , Correa-Rotter R. , Crestani R. , Ferir M.C. , Gibney N. , Hurtado A. , Luyckx V.A. , Portilla D. , Rodriguez S. , Sever M.S. , Vanmassenhove J. , Wainstein R.
Published: September 2010

The response of the nephrological community to the Haiti and Chile earthquakes which occurred in the first months of 2010 is described. In Haiti, renal support was organized by the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF) of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) in close collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and covered both patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The majority of AKI patients (19/27) suffered from crush syndrome and recovered their kidney function. The remaining 8 patients with AKI showed acute-to-chronic renal failure with very low recovery rates. The intervention of the RDRTF-ISN involved 25 volunteers of 9 nationalities, lasted exactly 2 months, and was characterized by major organizational difficulties and problems to create awareness among other rescue teams regarding the availability of dialysis possibilities. Part of the Haitian patients with AKI reached the Dominican Republic (DR) and received their therapy there. The nephrological community in the DR was able to cope with this extra patient load. In both Haiti and the DR, dialysis treatment was able to be prevented in at least 40 patients by screening and adequate fluid administration. Since laboratory facilities were destroyed in Port-au-Prince and were thus lacking during the first weeks of the intervention, the use from the very beginning on of a point-of-care device (i-STAT®) was very efficient for the detection of aberrant kidney function and electrolyte parameters. In Chile, nephrological problems were essentially related to difficulties delivering dialysis treatment to CKD patients, due to the damage to several units. This necessitated the reallocation of patients and the adaptation of their schedules. The problems could be handled by the local nephrologists. These observations illustrate that local and international preparedness might be life-saving if renal problems occur in earthquake circumstances.
Risk Factor Differences for Aortic Versus Coronary Calcified Atherosclerosis
Authors: Criqui Michael H. , Kamineni Aruna , Allison Matthew A. , Ix Joachim H. , Carr Jeffrey J. , Cushman Mary , Detrano Robert , Post Wendy , Wong Nathan D.
Published: September 2010

Objective—

The goal of this study was to compare and contrast coronary artery calcium (CAC) with abdominal aortic calcium (AAC) in terms of their associations with traditional and novel cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors.

Methods and Results—

We measured both AAC and CAC using computed tomography scans in 1974 men and women aged 45 to 84 years from a multiethnic cohort. Traditional and novel CVD risk factors were examined separately in relation to AAC and CAC, using logistic regression for qualitative categorical comparisons and multiple linear regression for quantitative continuous comparisons. AAC was significantly associated with cigarette smoking and dyslipidemia and showed no gender difference. In contrast, CAC showed much weaker associations with smoking and dyslipidemia and a strong male predominance. Age and hypertension were associated similarly and significantly with AAC and CAC. Novel risk factors generally showed no independent association with either calcium measure, although in subset analyses, phosphorus, but not calcium, was related to CAC. The receiver operating characteristic curves for the qualitative results and the
r
2
values for the quantitative analyses were both much higher for AAC than for CAC.

Conclusion—

AAC showed stronger correlations with most CVD risk factors than did CAC. The predictive value of AAC compared with CAC for incident CVD events remains to be evaluated.
A Disintegrin and Metalloprotease 10 Is a Novel Mediator of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–Induced Endothelial Cell Function in Angiogenesis and Is Associated With Atherosclerosis
Authors: Donners Marjo M.P.C. , Wolfs Ine M.J. , Olieslagers Servé , Mohammadi-Motahhari Zeynab , Tchaikovski Vadim , Heeneman Sylvia , van Buul Jaap D. , Caolo Vincenza , Molin Daniël G.M. , Post Mark J. , Waltenberger Johannes
Published: September 2010

Objective—

To elucidate the downstream mechanisms of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), a key receptor in angiogenesis, which has been associated with atherosclerotic plaque growth and instability.

Methods and Results—

By using a yeast–2-hybrid assay, we identified
A D
isintegrin
A
nd
M
etalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) as a novel binding partner of VEGFR2. ADAM10 is a metalloprotease with sheddase activity involved in cell migration; however, its exact function in endothelial cells (ECs), angiogenesis, and atherosclerosis is largely unknown. For the first time to our knowledge, we show ADAM10 expression in human atherosclerotic lesions, associated with plaque progression and neovascularization. We demonstrate ADAM10 expression and activity in ECs to be induced by VEGF; also, ADAM10 mediates the ectodomain shedding of VEGFR2. Furthermore, VEGF induces ADAM10-mediated cleavage of vascular endothelium (VE)-cadherin, which could increase vascular permeability and facilitate EC migration. Indeed, VEGF increases vascular permeability in an ADAM10- and ADAM17-dependent way; inhibition of ADAM10 reduces EC migration and chemotaxis.

Conclusion—

These data provide the first evidence of ADAM10 expression in atherosclerosis and neovascularization. ADAM10 plays a functional role in VEGF-induced EC function. These data open perspectives for novel therapeutic interventions in vascular diseases.
Coronary and Aortic Endothelial Function Affected by Feedback Between Adiponectin and Tumor Necrosis Factor α in Type 2 Diabetic Mice
Authors: Zhang Hanrui , Park Yoonjung , Zhang Cuihua
Published: September 2010

Objective—

To verify that adiponectin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α reciprocally regulate their expression, thereby synergistically affecting both coronary and aortic endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetic mice.

Methods and Results—

We examined endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation/vasorelaxation of coronary arterioles and aortas in control mice, diabetic mice (Lepr
db
), and Lepr
db
treated with adiponectin or neutralizing antibody to TNF-α (anti–TNF-α). Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to acetylcholine in both coronary arterioles and aortas was blunted in Lepr
db
compared with control mice. Endothelium-independent vasodilation to sodium nitroprusside was comparable. Adiponectin and anti–TNF-α improved acetylcholine-induced vasodilation of coronary arterioles and aortas in Lepr
db
without affecting dilator response to sodium nitroprusside. Adiponectin protein expression was significantly reduced, and TNF-α protein expression was significantly greater, in coronary arterioles and aortas of Lepr
db
compared with control mice. Immunofluorescence staining results indicate that adiponectin was colocalized with endothelial cells. Anti–TNF-α treatment upregulated adiponectin protein expression in Lepr
db
coronary arterioles and aortas. Adiponectin administration reduced TNF-α protein expression in Lepr
db
. Although adiponectin receptor 1 protein expression in coronary arterioles and aortas was similar between control and diabetic mice, adiponectin receptor 2 protein expression was significantly reduced in Lepr
db
. Both adiponectin and anti–TNF-α inhibited IκBα phosphorylation and nuclear factor κB protein expression in Lepr
db
, suggesting that adiponectin and TNF-α signaling may converge on nuclear factor κB to reciprocally regulate their expression.

Conclusion—

A reciprocal suppression occurs between adiponectin and TNF-α that fundamentally affects the regulation of coronary and aortic endothelial function in type 2 diabetic mice.
Level of G protein–Coupled Receptor Kinase-2 Determines Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury via Pro- and Anti-Apoptotic Mechanisms
Authors: Brinks Henriette , Boucher Matthieu , Gao Erhe , Chuprun J. Kurt , Pesant Stéphanie , Raake Philip W. , Huang Z. Maggie , Wang Xiaoliang , Qiu Gang , Gumpert Anna , Harris David M. , Eckhart Andrea D. , Most Patrick , Koch Walter J.
Published: September 2010

Rationale:

Activation of prosurvival kinases and subsequent nitric oxide (NO) production by certain G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) protects myocardium in ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/R) models. GPCR signaling pathways are regulated by GPCR kinases (GRKs), and GRK2 has been shown to be a critical molecule in normal and pathological cardiac function.

Objective:

A loss of cardiac GRK2 activity is known to arrest progression of heart failure (HF), at least in part by normalization of cardiac β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) signaling. Chronic HF studies have been performed with GRK2 knockout mice, as well as expression of the βARKct, a peptide inhibitor of GRK2 activity. This study was conducted to examine the role of GRK2 and its activity during acute myocardial ischemic injury using an I/R model.

Methods and Results:

We demonstrate, using cardiac-specific GRK2 and βARKct-expressing transgenic mice, a deleterious effect of GRK2 on in vivo myocardial I/R injury with βARKct imparting cardioprotection. Post-I/R infarct size was greater in GRK2-overexpressing mice (45.0±2.8% versus 31.3±2.3% in controls) and significantly smaller in βARKct mice (16.8±1.3%,
P
<0.05). Importantly, in vivo apoptosis was found to be consistent with these reciprocal effects on post-I/R myocardial injury when levels of GRK2 activity were altered. Moreover, these results were reflected by higher Akt activation and induction of NO production via βARKct, and these antiapoptotic/survival effects could be recapitulated in vitro. Interestingly, selective antagonism of β
2
ARs abolished βARKct-mediated cardioprotection, suggesting that enhanced GRK2 activity on this GPCR is deleterious to cardiac myocyte survival.

Conclusion:

The novel effect of reducing acute ischemic myocardial injury via increased Akt activity and NO production adds significantly to the therapeutic potential of GRK2 inhibition with the βARKct not only in chronic HF but also potentially in acute ischemic injury conditions.
Cellular Microparticles as a Marker for Cerebral Vasospasm in Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Lackner Peter , Dietmann Anelia , Beer Ronny , Fischer Marlene , Broessner Gregor , Helbok Raimund , Marxgut Johannes , Pfausler Bettina , Schmutzhard Erich
Published: September 2010

Background and Purpose—

Spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) still has a high risk for poor outcome that is frequently attributable to symptomatic cerebral vasospasm (CVS). We hypothesize that cellular microparticles (MP) play a role in the pathogenesis of CVS and may serve as biomarkers for CVS.

Methods—

In 20 consecutive SAH patients, endothelial, leukocyte, platelet, and erythrocyte MP were measured during 15 days after ictus. CVS was detected by transcranial Doppler sonography. Twenty matched volunteers served as healthy controls.

Results—

Endothelial, leukocyte, and erythrocyte MP were elevated in SAH patients compared to healthy controls. CD105
+
and CD62e
+
endothelial MP were significantly higher in SAH patients with Doppler sonographic CVS. CD105
+
endothelial MP were especially increased on the days of Doppler sonographic CVS onset. In patients experiencing cerebral infarction attributable to vasospasm, CD41
+
platelet MP were elevated in addition to endothelial MP. CD41
+
platelet MP were significantly higher in patients with any level of disability (modified Rankin Scale score ≥1) compared to those who made a full recovery (modified Rankin Scale score=0) on discharge from hospital.

Conclusion—

Endothelial MP were elevated in patients with SAH. This elevation coincided with the occurrence of Doppler sonographic CVS and therefore could be a novel biomarker for CVS. Platelet MP might be involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction attributable to vasospasm, resulting in neurological morbidity.
The EXCITE Stroke Trial
Authors: Wolf Steven L. , Thompson Paul A. , Winstein Carolee J. , Miller J. Phillip , Blanton Sarah R. , Nichols-Larsen Deborah S. , Morris David M. , Uswatte Gitendra , Taub Edward , Light Kathye E. , Sawaki Lumy
Published: September 2010

Background and Purpose—

Although constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) has been shown to improve upper extremity function in stroke survivors at both early and late stages after stroke, the comparison between participants within the same cohort but receiving the intervention at different time points has not been undertaken. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare functional improvements between stroke participants randomized to receive this intervention within 3 to 9 months (early group) to participants randomized on recruitment to receive the identical intervention 15 to 21 months after stroke (delayed group).

Methods—

Two weeks of CIMT was delivered to participants immediately after randomization (early group) or 1 year later (delayed group). Evaluators blinded to group designation administered primary (Wolf Motor Function Test, Motor Activity Log) and secondary (Stroke Impact Scale) outcome measures among the 106 early participants and 86 delayed participants before delivery of CIMT, 2 weeks thereafter, and 4, 8, and 12 months later.

Results—

Although both groups showed significant improvements from pretreatment to 12 months after treatment, the earlier CIMT group showed greater improvement than the delayed CIMT group in Wolf Motor Function Test Performance Time and the Motor Activity Log (
P
<0.0001), as well as in Stroke Impact Scale Hand and Activities domains (
P
<0.0009 and 0.0214, respectively). Early and delayed group comparison of scores on these measures 24 months after enrollment showed no statistically significant differences between groups.

Conclusions—

CIMT can be delivered to eligible patients 3 to 9 months or 15 to 21 months after stroke. Both patient groups achieved approximately the same level of significant arm motor function 24 months after enrollment.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00057018.
Differential Activity for Animals and Manipulable Objects in the Anterior Temporal Lobes
Authors: Anzellotti Stefano , Mahon Bradford Z. , Schwarzbach Jens , Caramazza Alfonso
Published: September 2010

Neuropsychological evidence has highlighted the role of the anterior temporal lobes in the processing of conceptual knowledge. That putative role is only beginning to be investigated with fMRI as methodological advances are able to compensate for well-known susceptibility artifacts that affect the quality of the BOLD signal. In this article, we described differential BOLD activation for pictures of animals and manipulable objects in the anterior temporal lobes, consistent with previous neuropsychological findings. Furthermore, we found that the pattern of BOLD signal in the anterior temporal lobes is qualitatively different from that in the fusiform gyri. The latter regions are activated to different extents but always above baseline by images of the preferred and of the nonpreferred categories, whereas the anterior temporal lobes tend to be activated by images of the preferred category and deactivated (BOLD below baseline) by images of the nonpreferred category. In our experimental design, we also manipulated the decision that participants made over stimuli from the different semantic categories. We found that in the right temporal pole, the BOLD signal shows some evidence of being modulated by the task that participants were asked to perform, whereas BOLD activity in more posterior regions (e.g., the fusiform gyri) is not modulated by the task. These results reconcile the fMRI literature with the neuropsychological findings of deficits for animals after damage to the right temporal pole and suggest that anterior and posterior regions within the temporal lobes involved in object processing perform qualitatively different computations.
Pseudocopulation and male-male conflict elicited by subadult females of the subsocial spider Anelosimus cf. studiosus (Theridiidae)
Authors: Costa Fernando , Albo María , Viera Carmen
Published: September 2010

In spider species with first male sperm priority, males guard subadult females as a tactic for improving their paternity. Preliminary observations in Anelosimus cf. studiosus, a subsocial species from Uruguay, showed that males court and guard subadult females. To elucidate the sexual tactics of this species, we placed two adult males with one adult female, and two other males with one subadult (penultimate) female under laboratory conditions (20 trials for each female status/group). Males courted both adult and subadult females, and subadult females were as receptive as adults, adopting the acceptance posture and pseudocopulating with males. Males performed conspicuous fights under both situations. Winner males copulated (or pseudocopulated), while the losers remained as satellites. Some females remated with satellite males. Subadult female behaviour simulating the adult receptive display could be a cheating tactic for retaining males and eliciting combats. Male-male fights and the guarding of subadult females suggest the occurrence of first male sperm priority, but the persistence of satellite males also suggests second males have some degree of paternity success. Competition could be caused by an asynchrony in female maturation at the beginning of the reproductive season, turning adult females in to the scarce resource.
Female choice for large body size in the cave molly, Poecilia mexicana (Poeciliidae, Teleostei): influence of species- and sex-specific cues
Authors: Parzefall Jakob , Riesch Rüdiger , Schlupp Ingo , Plath Martin
Published: September 2010

Previous studies revealed that females of a cave form of the livebearing fish Poecilia mexicana (cave molly) have maintained the ancestral visual preference for large males, but — as an adaptation to life in darkness — they have evolved the novel capability to assess male size non-visually. Here we examined the mechanisms by which non-visual mate choice for large body size occurs. Are sex- and species-specific chemical cues involved in this preference for large conspecifics? We gave focal females an opportunity to associate with a large and a small stimulus fish in simultaneous choice tests, whereby the females could perceive either multiple cues (visual plus non-visual) from the stimulus fish, solely non-visual cues in darkness, or solely visual cues. Stimulus fish were two conspecific males, conspecific females, or heterospecific females (Xiphophorus hellerii). Cave molly females showed a significant preference for large conspecific males and for large conspecific females in all treatments. When a large and a small swordtail female were presented, cave molly females showed a preference for the larger fish only when exclusively visual cues from the stimulus fish were available. The non-visual preference for large body size appears to be mediated by species- but not by sex-specific cues, suggesting that species-specific chemical cues play an important role during mate choice.
Beyond optimal escape theory: microhabitats as well as predation risk affect escape and refuge use by the phrynosomatid lizard Sceloporus virgatus
Authors: Wilson Dawn , Cooper William
Published: September 2010

Escape studies often focus on one variable, but tactics and refuge use vary with microhabitats, exposure, distance to refuge, and temperature. We studied these effects and effects of microhabitats and risk factors (distance from refuge, temperature) on flight initiation distance (FID, distance between predator and prey when escape begins) and distance fled (DF) in the lizard Sceloporus virgatus. FID increased as distance to refuge increased and temperature decreased. DF increased as FID increased, supporting the hypothesis that individual differences in boldness are consistent among encounter phases. Refuges were rock crevices, trees, logs, and grass clumps. Interhabitat differences in FID and DF matched those in distance to refuge. FID was longer for lizards on rocks and ground than trees due to proximity to and use of refuge. Lizards on trees rarely changed microhabitats, moving to the far side and unpredictably up or down. Lizards on slopes fled long distances up slopes. Most lizards on rocks entered crevices or switched microhabitats. Lizards on ground usually changed microhabitats. Optimal escape theory accurately predicted effects of risk on FID, but initial microhabitats and final microhabitats and refuges affected tactics, FID and DF. DF was affected by risk, being longer when lizards remained visible.
Effects of nestboxes and males on female song activity in the European starling: an experimental study
Authors: Pinxten Rianne , Pavlova Denitza , Eens Marcel , Darras Veerle
Published: September 2010

Environmental, contextual or social factors influencing song in female songbirds have been little studied. Female European starlings Sturnus vulgaris sing robustly throughout most of the year, except during the breeding season when their song production dramatically decreases. Here we experimentally investigated the effect of the presence of males and/or nestboxes on song production in captive female starlings during the breeding season. Spontaneous song activity of two experimental groups and one control group (housed with nestboxes, but no males) was observed for one month from the end of March onwards. Additionally, we tested whether female song rate is related to oestradiol plasma levels. The experimental results showed that song rate significantly decreased with the progressing of the breeding season and this process seemed not to be regulated by oestradiol. Nestboxes clearly promoted song production, as previously found in male starlings, while the presence of males negatively affected female song rate. Taken together these results indicate that, in the course of the breeding period, the suppressive influence of the day length and the presence of males on female song production override the stimulating effect of nestboxes, and that engagement in breeding activities is largely incompatible with singing in female starlings.
Assessment of Impacts of Hurricane Katrina on Net Primary Productivity in Mississippi
Authors: Ambinakudige Shrinidhi , Khanal Sami
Published: September 2010

Southern forests contribute significantly to the carbon sink for the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) associated with the anthropogenic activities in the United States. Natural disasters like hurricanes are constantly threatening these forests. Hurricane winds can have a destructive impact on natural vegetation and can adversely impact net primary productivity (NPP). Hurricane Katrina (23–30 August 2005), one of the most destructive natural disasters in history, has affected the ecological balance of the Gulf Coast. This study analyzed the impacts of different categories of sustained winds of Hurricane Katrina on NPP in Mississippi. The study used the Carnegie–Ames–Stanford Approach (CASA) model to estimate NPP by using remote sensing data. The results indicated that NPP decreased by 14% in the areas hard hit by category 3 winds and by 1% in the areas hit by category 2 winds. However, there was an overall increase in NPP, from 2005 to 2006 by 0.60 Tg of carbon, in Mississippi. The authors found that Pearl River, Stone, Hancock, Jackson, and Harrison counties in Mississippi faced significant depletion of NPP because of Hurricane Katrina.
Leaving to Get Ahead
Authors: Takenaka Ayumi , Pren Karen A.
Published: September 2010

Analysis of the impact of international migration on the socioeconomic conditions of migrants and their families in Peru, using data from the Latin American Migration Project, suggests that international migration contributes to individuals’ socioeconomic well-being. While those who migrate tend to come from relatively privileged backgrounds in the first place, they gain further relative economic advantage by moving out of the country. A possible implication of this is that the growing international migration observed today is likely to exacerbate rather than ameliorate the already uneven distribution of income and rigid socioeconomic hierarchy in Peru.
British Association for Psychopharmacology consensus statement on evidence-based treatment of insomnia, parasomnias and circadian rhythm disorders
Authors: Wilson SJ , Nutt DJ , Alford C , Argyropoulos SV , Baldwin DS , Bateson AN , Britton TC , Crowe C , Dijk D-J , Espie CA , Gringras P , Hajak G , Idzikowski C , Krystal AD , Nash JR , Selsick H , Sharpley AL , Wade AG
Published: September 2010

Sleep disorders are common in the general population and even more so in clinical practice, yet are relatively poorly understood by doctors and other health care practitioners. These British Association for Psychopharmacology guidelines are designed to address this problem by providing an accessible up-to-date and evidence-based outline of the major issues, especially those relating to reliable diagnosis and appropriate treatment. A consensus meeting was held in London in May 2009. Those invited to attend included BAP members, representative clinicians with a strong interest in sleep disorders and recognized experts and advocates in the field, including a representative from mainland Europe and the USA. Presenters were asked to provide a review of the literature and identification of the standard of evidence in their area, with an emphasis on meta-analyses, systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials where available, plus updates on current clinical practice. Each presentation was followed by discussion, aimed to reach consensus where the evidence and/or clinical experience was considered adequate or otherwise to flag the area as a direction for future research. A draft of the proceedings was then circulated to all participants for comment. Key subsequent publications were added by the writer and speakers at draft stage. All comments were incorporated as far as possible in the final document, which represents the views of all participants although the authors take final responsibility for the document.
Association of a Notch 3 gene polymorphism with migraine susceptibility
Authors: Menon S , Cox HC , Kuwahata M , Quinlan S , MacMillan JC , Haupt LM , Lea RA , Griffiths LR
Published: September 2010

Introduction: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) shares common symptoms with migraine. Most CADASIL causative mutations occur in exons 3 and 4 of the Notch 3 gene. This study investigated the role of C381T (rs 3815188) and G684A (rs 1043994) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in exons 3 and 4, respectively, of the Notch 3 gene in migraine.

Results: The first part of the study, in a population of 275 migraineurs and 275 control individuals, found a significant association between the C381T variant and migraine, specifically in migraine without aura (MO) sufferers. The G684A variant was also found to be significantly associated with migraine, specifically in migraine with aura (MA) sufferers. A follow-up study in 300 migraineurs and 300 control individuals did not show replicated association of the C381T variant with migraineurs. However, the G684A variant was again shown to be significantly associated with migraine, specifically with MA.

Conclusion: Further investigation of the G684A variant and the Notch 3 gene is warranted to understand their role in migraine.
Risk assessment applied to air emissions from a medium-sized Italian MSW incinerator
Authors: Morselli Luciano , Passarini Fabrizio , Piccari Laura , Vassura Ivano , Bernardi Elena
Published: September 2010

Risk assessment is a well established procedure for the analysis of the adverse impacts of pollutant substances emitted by waste treatment plants. The aim of the present study was the determination of the impact on human health associated with the activities of an incinerator in the Emilia-Romagna region (Northern Italy). The dispersion of heavy metals and organic pollutants monitored at plant stacks was predicted by the Gaussian model ISC3 (US-EPA). This analysis led to the estimation of risk, connected with various pollutants showing toxic and carcinogenic activities, for different receptors. The values obtained were first compared with the acceptability limits set by US-EPA, and then graphically represented as a territorial dispersion. A cautious approach was followed to calculate risk, by considering the worst, albeit realistic and reliable, estimate for the different parameters. The calculated exposure pathways resulted in different contributions depending on the receptor category (children and adults), even if direct exposure (via inhalation) is generally predominant. However, the resulting risk for both single pollutants studied and their combination all together proved to be within the acceptable limits (all lifetime individual risks being below 10–6), according to the procedure followed. The obtained results highlight the importance of using reliable monitoring data on the studied contamination source and, in particular, suggest the advisability of a more in-depth study on the pollution from incineration stacks.
Municipal solid waste management in Phnom Penh, capital city of Cambodia
Authors: Seng Bunrith , Kaneko Hidehiro , Hirayama Kimiaki , Katayama-Hirayama Keiko
Published: September 2010

This paper presents an overview of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) for both technical and regulatory arrangements in the municipality of Phnom Penh (MPP), Cambodia. Problems with the current MSWM are identified, and challenges and recommendations for future improvement are also given in this paper. MPP is a small city with a total area of approximately 374 km2 and an urban population of about 1.3 million in 2008. For the last 14 years, average annual municipal solid waste (MSW) generated in MPP has increased rapidly from 0.136 million tons in 1995 to 0.361 million tons in 2008. The gross generation rate of MSW per capita was 0.74 kg day-1. However, the per capita household waste generation was 0.487 kg day- 1. At 63.3%, food waste is the predominant portion of generated waste, followed by plastics (15.5%), grass and wood (6.8%), and paper and cardboard (6.4%). The remaining waste, including metals, glass, rubber/leather, textiles, and ceramic/ stone, accounted for less than 3%. Waste recycling through informal sectors is very active; recycled waste accounted for about 9.3% of all waste generated in 2003. Currently, the overall technical arrangement, including storage and discharge, collection and transport, and disposal, is still in poor condition, which leads to environmental and health risks. These problems should be solved by improving legislation, environmental education, solid waste management facilities, and management of the waste scavengers.
MS prevalence in New Zealand, an ethnically and latitudinally diverse country
Authors: Taylor Bruce V , Pearson John F , Clarke Glynnis , Mason Deborah F , Abernethy David A , Willoughby Ernie , Sabel Clive
Published: September 2010

Background: The prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) is not uniform, with a latitudinal gradient of prevalence present in most studies. Understanding the drivers of this gradient may allow a better understanding of the environmental factors involved in MS pathogenesis.

Method: The New Zealand national MS prevalence study (NZMSPS) is a cross-sectional study of people with definite MS (DMS) (McDonald criteria 2005) resident in New Zealand on census night, 7 March 2006, utilizing multiple sources of notification. Capture—recapture analysis (CRA) was used to estimate missing cases.

Results: Of 2917 people with DMS identified, the crude prevalence was 72.4 per 100,000 population, and 73.1 per 100,000 when age-standardized to the European population. CRA estimated that 96.7% of cases were identified. A latitudinal gradient was seen with MS prevalence increasing three-fold from the North (35°S) to the South (48°S). The gradient was non-uniform; females with relapsing—remitting/secondary-progressive (RRMS/SPMS) disease have a gradient 11 times greater than males with primary-progressive MS ( p < 1 × 10-7). DMS was significantly less common among those of Māori ethnicity.

Conclusions: This study confirms the presence of a robust latitudinal gradient of MS prevalence in New Zealand. This gradient is largely driven by European females with the RRMS/SPMS phenotype. These results indicate that the environmental factors that underlie the latitudinal gradient act differentially by gender, ethnicity and MS phenotype. A better understanding of these factors may allow more targeted MS therapies aimed at modifiable environmental triggers at the population level.
Measuring the size and scope of the EU interest group population
Authors: Wonka Arndt , Baumgartner Frank R , Mahoney Christine , Berkhout Joost
Published: September 2010

We present a new data set enumerating the population of organizations listed and/or registered as lobbyists in the European Union. In the first part of the paper we describe how we arrived at the population data set by drawing on three independent sources (CONECCS; Landmarks; European Parliament registry). We briefly discuss the validity of these registers in the context of recent substantial changes to each of them. In the second part, we present descriptive information on the number and type of groups as well as their territorial origins. In the final section, we outline potential research questions that can be addressed with the new data set for further research on the role of groups in the EU policy process.
Framing Photovoice Using a Social-Ecological Logic Model as a Guide
Authors: Strack Robert W. , Lovelace Kay A. , Jordan Toshia Davis , Holmes Anita P.
Published: September 2010

Photovoice is a community-based participatory action research method designed to uncover the root causes of community problems and to collectively address them. Individual change and empowerment are desired outcomes of the photovoice process, but more importantly, the process seeks to engage groups and whole communities to foster positive systems change. This article presents a logic model informed by the social-ecological model of health to guide photovoice planners and participants in planning activities that produce individual-and community-level change. The model presented here should help planners and participants plan, implement, and evaluate other photovoice efforts and provide them a visual guide to ensure that all parties are on the same conceptual page and increase the intentionality of their efforts.