bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Variation in Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD) Susceptibility in Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon and Its Progenitor Population from the Puget Sound
Authors: Purcell Maureen K. , Hard Jeffrey J. , Neely Kathleen G. , Park Linda K. , Winton James R. , Elliott Diane G.
Published: April 2014

Mass mortality events in wild fish due to infectious diseases are troubling, especially given the potential for long-term, population-level consequences. Evolutionary theory predicts that populations with sufficient genetic variation will adapt in response to pathogen pressure. Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were introduced into Lake Michigan in the late 1960s from a Washington State hatchery population. In the late 1980s, collapse of the forage base and nutritional stress in Lake Michigan were thought to contribute to die-offs of Chinook Salmon due to bacterial kidney disease (BKD). Previously, we demonstrated that Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon from a Wisconsin hatchery have greater survival following BKD challenge relative to their progenitor population. Here, we evaluated whether the phenotypic divergence of these populations in BKD susceptibility was due to selection rather than genetic drift. Comparison of the overall magnitude of quantitative trait to neutral marker divergence between the populations suggested selection had occurred but a direct test of quantitative trait divergence was not significant, preventing the rejection of the null hypothesis of differentiation through genetic drift. Estimates of phenotypic variation (VP), additive genetic variation (VA) and narrow-sense heritability (h2) were consistently higher in the Wisconsin relative to the Washington population. If selection had acted on the Wisconsin population there was no evidence of a concomitant loss of genetic variation in BKD susceptibility. The Renibacterium salmoninarum exposures were conducted at both 14°C and 9°C; the warmer temperature accelerated time to death in both populations and there was no evidence of phenotypic plasticity or a genotype-by-environment (G × E) interaction. High h2 estimates for BKD susceptibility in the Wisconsin population, combined with a lack of phenotypic plasticity, predicts that future adaptive gains in BKD resistance are still possible and that these adaptive gains would be stable under the temperature range evaluated here.

Received October 21, 2013; accepted October 24, 2013
The evolution of evolutionary ecology
Authors: Futuyma Douglas J.
Published: April 2014

Appreciation of ecology as a setting or stage for evolution has a long history, but evolutionary ecology became an identifiable discipline in the 1960's, growing mostly out of efforts to understand the evolution of life history components and to formulate a theory of community ecology based on the evolution of species' niches. Since the 1960's, technological advances and conceptual developments, especially the use of null hypotheses and an appreciation of the effects of evolutionary history and Earth history on current patterns, have altered and expanded evolutionary ecology. Many challenging questions remain poorly answered, especially the pressing question of how successful ongoing and future evolution will be in rescuing species from anthropogenic climate change and other human assaults on the natural world.
The target effect: Visual memory for unnamed search targets
Authors: Thomas Mark D. , Williams Carrick C.
Published: April 2014

Search targets are typically remembered much better than other objects even when they are viewed for less time. However, targets have two advantages that other objects in search displays do not have: They are identified categorically before the search, and finding them represents the goal of the search task. The current research investigated the contributions of both of these types of information to the long-term visual memory representations of search targets. Participants completed either a predefined search or a unique-object search in which targets were not defined with specific categorical labels before searching. Subsequent memory results indicated that search target memory was better than distractor memory even following ambiguously defined searches and when the distractors were viewed significantly longer. Superior target memory appears to result from a qualitatively different representation from those of distractor objects, indicating that decision processes influence visual memory.
Hamilton's inclusive fitness in finite-structured populations
Authors: Taylor Peter D. , Maciejewski Wes
Published: April 2014

Hamilton's formulation of inclusive fitness has been with us for 50 years. During the first 20 of those years attention was largely focused on the evolutionary trajectories of different behaviours, but over the past 20 years interest has been growing in the effect of population structure on the evolution of behaviour and that is our focus here. We discuss the evolutionary journey of the inclusive-fitness effect over this epoch, nurtured as it was in an essentially homogeneous environment (that of ‘transitive’ structures) having to adapt in different ways to meet the expectations of heterogeneous structures. We pay particular attention to the way in which the theory has managed to adapt the original constructs of relatedness and reproductive value to provide a formulation of inclusive fitness that captures a precise measure of allele-frequency change in finite-structured populations.
Inclusive-fitness logic of cooperative breeding with benefits of natal philopatry
Authors: Wild Geoff , Koykka Cody
Published: April 2014

In cooperatively breeding species, individuals help to raise offspring that are not their own. We use two inclusive-fitness models to study the advantage of this kind of helpful behaviour in social groups with high reproductive skew. Our first model does not allow for competition among relatives to occur but our second model does. Specifically, our second model assumes a competitive hierarchy among nest-mates, with non-breeding helpers ranked higher than their newborn siblings. For each model, we obtain an expression for the change in inclusive fitness experienced by a helpful individual in a selfish population. The prediction suggested by each expression is confirmed with computer simulation. When model predictions are compared to one another, we find that helping emerges under a broader range of conditions in the second model. Although competition among kin occurs in our second model, we conclude that the life-history features associated with this competition also act to promote the evolutionary transition from solitary to cooperative breeding.
A novel papillomavirus in Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) faeces sampled at the Cape Crozier colony, Antarctica
Authors: Varsani Arvind , Kraberger Simona , Jennings Scott , Porzig Elizabeth L. , Julian Laurel , Massaro Melanie , Pollard Annie , Ballard Grant , Ainley David G.
Published: April 2014

Papillomaviruses are epitheliotropic viruses that have circular dsDNA genomes encapsidated in non-enveloped virions. They have been found to infect a variety of mammals, reptiles and birds, but so far they have not been found in amphibians. Using a next-generation sequencing de novo assembly contig-informed recovery, we cloned and Sanger sequenced the complete genome of a novel papillomavirus from the faecal matter of Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) nesting on Ross Island, Antarctica. The genome had all the usual features of a papillomavirus and an E9 ORF encoding a protein of unknown function that is found in all avian papillomaviruses to date. This novel papillomavirus genome shared ~60 % pairwise identity with the genomes of the other three known avian papillomaviruses: Fringilla coelebs
papillomavirus 1 (FcPV1), Francolinus leucoscepus
papillomavirus 1 (FlPV1) and Psittacus erithacus
papillomavirus 1. Pairwise identity analysis and phylogenetic analysis of the major capsid protein gene clearly indicated that it represents a novel species, which we named Pygoscelis adeliae papillomavirus 1 (PaCV1). No evidence of recombination was detected in the genome of PaCV1, but we did detect a recombinant region (119 nt) in the E6 gene of FlPV1 with the recombinant region being derived from ancestral FcPV1-like sequences. Previously only paramyxoviruses, orthomyxoviruses and avian pox viruses have been genetically identified in penguins; however, the majority of penguin viral identifications have been based on serology or histology. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of a papillomavirus associated with a penguin species.
An evolutionary resolution of manipulation conflict
Authors: González-Forero Mauricio
Published: April 2014

Individuals can manipulate the behavior of social partners. However, manipulation may conflict with the fitness interests of the manipulated individuals. Manipulated individuals can then be favored to resist manipulation, possibly reducing or eliminating the manipulated behavior in the long run. I use a mathematical model to show that conflicts where manipulation and resistance coevolve can disappear as a result of the coevolutionary process. I find that while manipulated individuals are selected to resist, they can simultaneously be favored to express the manipulated behavior at higher efficiency (i.e., providing increasing fitness effects to recipients of the manipulated behavior). Efficiency can increase to a point at which selection for resistance disappears. This process yields an efficient social behavior that is induced by social partners, and over which the inducing and induced individuals are no longer in conflict. A necessary factor is costly inefficiency. I develop the model to address the evolution of advanced eusociality via maternal manipulation (AEMM). The model predicts AEMM to be particularly likely in taxa with ancestrally imperfect resistance to maternal manipulation. Costly inefficiency occurs if the cost of delayed dispersal is larger than the benefit of exploiting the maternal patch. I discuss broader implications of the process. Now published in: Evolution, doi:10.1111/evo.12420
Retrograde Labeling of Corticospinal Motor Neurons from Early Postnatal Rodents
Authors: Mandemakers Wim
Published: April 2014

Immunopanning of viable neurons requires availability of an antibody directed against a neuronal surface epitope that is specific for a neuron type of interest (e.g., corticospinal motor neurons [CSMNs]) and that is able to immobilize only neurons of interest from a dissociated brain suspension on a culture dish. However, few, if any, neuron type–specific monoclonal antibodies have been developed. Panning antibodies have not been characterized for CSMNs. To circumvent this issue, we developed a method to retrograde label CSMNs with a cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) tracer that localizes to the plasma membrane only of labeled CSMNs. The main objective of this procedure is to provide CSMNs with a surface marker that can be used to immunopan only the labeled CSMNs by using a CTB-specific antibody.
High-Throughput RNAi Screening for Germline Apoptosis Genes in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Lant Benjamin , Derry W. Brent
Published: April 2014

Among the greatest tools that Caenorhabditis elegans can provide researchers are the capabilities to perform high-throughput, genome-wide screens. Using bacterial RNAi libraries, which cover the majority (>85%) of the worm genome, genes can be rapidly and systematically evaluated for apoptosis phenotypes in the germline. Screens can be designed to directly assess the levels of apoptotic corpses under normal physiological conditions using transgenic strains expressing fluorescent reporters that mark apoptotic bodies. Vital dyes that are selectively retained in apoptotic cells, such as acridine orange (AO), can also be used to screen for genes that regulate germline apoptosis. Using these reagents, screens can be performed in wild-type worms or mutant backgrounds that suppress or enhance apoptosis phenotypes. This protocol describes methods for designing and carrying out high-throughput or targeted RNAi screens for germline apoptosis regulators.
Pepper Suppressor of the G2 Allele ofskp1Interacts with the Receptor-Like Cytoplasmic Kinase1 and Type III Effector AvrBsT and Promotes the Hypersensitive Cell Death Response in a Phosphorylation-Dependent Manner
Authors: Kim Nak Hyun , Kim Dae Sung , Chung Eui Hwan , Hwang Byung Kook
Published: April 2014

Xanthomonas campestris pv vesicatoria type III effector protein, AvrBsT, triggers hypersensitive cell death in pepper (Capsicum annuum). Here, we have identified the pepper SGT1 (for suppressor of the G2 allele of skp1) as a host interactor of AvrBsT and also the pepper PIK1 (for receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase1). PIK1 specifically phosphorylates SGT1 and AvrBsT in vitro. AvrBsT specifically binds to the CHORD-containing protein and SGT1 domain of SGT1, resulting in the inhibition of PIK1-mediated SGT1 phosphorylation and subsequent nuclear transport of the SGT1-PIK1 complex. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of the proteolytic peptides of SGT1 identified the residues serine-98 and serine-279 of SGT1 as the major PIK1-mediated phosphorylation sites. Site-directed mutagenesis of SGT1 revealed that the identified SGT1 phosphorylation sites are responsible for the activation of AvrBsT-triggered cell death in planta. SGT1 forms a heterotrimeric complex with both AvrBsT and PIK1 exclusively in the cytoplasm. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated coexpression of SGT1 and PIK1 with avrBsT promotes avrBsT-triggered cell death in Nicotiana benthamiana, dependent on PIK1. Virus-induced silencing of SGT1 and/or PIK1 compromises avrBsT-triggered cell death, hydrogen peroxide production, defense gene induction, and salicylic acid accumulation, leading to the enhanced bacterial pathogen growth in pepper. Together, these results suggest that SGT1 interacts with PIK1 and the bacterial effector protein AvrBsT and promotes the hypersensitive cell death associated with PIK1-mediated phosphorylation in plants.
2,2′-[2,4-Bis(naphthalen-1-yl)cyclobutane-1,3-diyl]bis(1-methylpyridinium) bis(4-chlorobenzenesulfonate): thermal-induced [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of a heterostilbene
Authors: Chantrapromma Suchada , Chanawanno Kullapa , Boonnak Nawong , Fun Hoong-Kun
Published: April 2014

The asymmetric unit of the title salt, C36H32N22+·2C6H4ClO3S−, consists of one anion and one half-cation, the other half being generated by inversion symmetry. The dihedral angle between the pyridinium ring and the napthalene ring system in the asymmetric unit is 42.86 (6)°. In the crystal, cations and anions are linked by weak C—H...O interactions into chains along [010]. Adjacent chains are further arranged in an antiparallel manner into sheets parallel to thebcplane. π–π interactions are observed involving the cations, with centroid–centroid distances of 3.7664 (8) and 3.8553 (8) Å.
3-[(E)-2-(2-Methoxyphenyl)vinyl]-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-enone
Authors: Fatima Zeenat , Senthilkumar Govindaraj , Vadivel A. , Manikandan Haridoss , Velmurugan Devadasan
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C17H20O2, has anEconformation about the bridging C=C bond. The cyclohexene ring adopts an envelope conformation with the dimethyl-substituted C atom as the flap. Its mean plane makes a dihedral angle of 7.20 (12)° with the benzene ring. In the crystal, neighbouring molecules are connectedviaC—H...O hydrogen bonds, forming chains running along thea-axis direction.
Ethyltrans-12-(pyridin-4-yl)-9,10-ethanoanthracene-11-carboxylate
Authors: Chandrasekar S. , Sharma Om Prakash , Srinivasapriyan V. , SureshKumar M. , Ramanathan C. R.
Published: April 2014

In the title compound, C24H21NO2, the residues at the central ethylene bridge aretransto each other. The dihedral angles between the pyridine and benzene rings are 67.09 (6) and 61.41 (5)°. In the crystal, centrosymmetrically related molecules are linked into dimers by pairs of C—H...O hydrogen bonds.
(±)-4,12,15,18,26-Pentahydroxy-13,17-dioxaheptacyclo[14.10.0.03,14.04,12.06,11.018,26.019,24]hexacosa-1,3(14),6(11),7,9,15,19,21,23-nonaene-5,25-dione methanol disolvate
Authors: Gil Maayan , Almog Joseph , Dubnikova Faina , Bogoslavski Benny , Cohen Shmuel
Published: April 2014

The title compound, C24H14O9·2CH3OH, displays a chair-shaped form. The two dihydroindenone ring systems are located above and below the central fused-ring system, the dihedral angles between the mean planes of dihydroindenone ring systems and the mean plane of central fused-ring system are 67.91 (5) and 73.52 (4)°, respectively. In the crystal, extensive O—H...O hydrogen bonds, weak C—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions link the molecules into a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture.
Methyl ({[(4E)-1,3-dimethyl-2,6-diphenylpiperidin-4-ylidene]amino}oxy)acetate
Authors: Mohandas T. , Pillai M. Velayutham , Vidhyasagar T. , Pasupathy A. , Sakthivel P.
Published: April 2014

In the title compound, C22H26N2O3, the piperidine ring exhibits a chair conformation. The phenyl rings attached to the piperidine at the 2- and 6-positions have axial orientations. These rings make a dihedral angle of 49.75 (11)°. The aminooxy acetate group attached at the 4-position has an equatorial orientation. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of C—H...π interactions occur.
Investigation of surface topology of printed nanoparticle layers using wide-angle low-Qscattering
Authors: Jonah Emmanuel O. , Härting Margit , Gullikson Eric , Aquila Andrew , Britton David T.
Published: April 2014

A new small-angle scattering technique in reflection geometry is described which enables a topological study of rough surfaces. This is achieved by using long-wavelength soft X-rays which are scattered at wide angles but in the low-Qrange normally associated with small-angle scattering. The use of nanometre-wavelength radiation restricts the penetration to a thin surface layer which follows the topology of the surface, while moving the scattered beam to wider angles preventing shadowing by the surface features. The technique is, however, only applicable to rough surfaces for which there is no specular reflection, so that only the scattered beam was detected by the detector. As an example, a study of the surfaces of rough layers of silicon produced by the deposition of nanoparticles by blade-coating is presented. The surfaces of the blade-coated layers have rough features of the order of several micrometers. Using 2 nm and 13 nm X-rays scattered at angular ranges of 5° ≤ θ ≤ 51° and 5° ≤ θ ≤ 45°, respectively, a combined range of scattering vector of 0.00842 Å−1≤Q≤ 0.4883 Å−1was obtained. Comparison with previous transmission SAXS and USAXS studies of the same materials indicates that the new method does probe the surface topology rather than the internal microstructure.
Application of singular value decomposition analysis to time-dependent powder diffraction data of anin-situphotodimerization reaction
Authors: Mabied Ahmed F. , Nozawa Shunsuke , Hoshino Manabu , Tomita Ayana , Sato Tokushi , Adachi Shin-ichi
Published: April 2014

Singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis has important applications for time-dependent crystallographic data, extracting significant information. Herein, a successful application of SVD analysis of time-resolved powder diffraction data over the course of anin-situphotodimerization reaction of anthracene derivatives is introduced. SVD revealed significant results in the case of 9-methylanthracene and 1-chloroanthracene. The results support the formation of the 9-methylanthracene stable dimer phase and suggest the existence of an excimer state.
Variations in leaf morpho‐anatomy and photosynthetic traits between sun and shade populations of Eurya japonica (Pentaphylacaceae) whose seeds are dispersed by birds across habitats
Authors: Mishio Masako , Kawakubo Nobumitsu
Published: April 2014

Eurya japonica occurs in diverse light environments through seed dispersal by birds. As the seed size is extremely small, we hypothesized that newly germinated seedlings with restricted depth of roots and length of the hypocotyl would suffer high mortality due to increased transpiration in sunny habitats and low light in shady habitats. We also expected that surviving seedlings would differ in leaf traits between habitats as a result of selection. We aimed to determine how photosynthetic traits differ between habitats and how leaf structure is related to this difference. We examined photosynthesis and leaf morpho‐anatomy for plants cloned from cuttings collected from the forest understory (shade population) and neighboring roadsides and cut‐over areas (sun population) and then grown under two irradiances (18.5% and 100% sunlight) in an experimental garden. Under growth in 100% sunlight, cloned plants from the sun population exhibited significantly greater area‐based photosynthetic capacity compared to cloned plants from the shade population at a comparable stomatal conductance, which was attributable to a higher area‐based leaf nitrogen concentration. On the other hand, mean values of photosynthetic capacity did not significantly differ between the two populations. Cloned plants from the sun population had significantly thicker leaf laminas and spongy tissue and lower stomatal density compared to cloned plants from the shade population. Thickened leaf lamina might have increased leaf tolerance to physical stresses in open habitats. The variation in leaf morpho‐anatomy between the two populations can be explained in terms of the economy of leaf photosynthetic tissue.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Traits of Foodborne Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Shanghai
Authors: Xu Jie , Shi Chunlei , Song Minghui , Xu Xuebin , Yang Puyu , Paoli George , Shi Xianming
Published: April 2014

Staphylococcus aureus is a recognized pathogen in humans, which causes nosocomial infections and food poisoning. The transmission of antibiotic resistant S. aureus (ARSA), especially methicillin‐resistant S. aureus, between food products and humans has become a serious problem. Hence, it is necessary to monitor S. aureus through the food supply chain. In this study, the disk diffusion method and epsilometer test were performed to determine the prevalence of ARSA in 78 foodborne isolates using 18 antibiotics. The highest resistance frequency was found for penicillin G (74.4%), followed by erythromycin (59.0%) and clindamycin (44.9%), whereas no vancomycin‐resistant isolates were found. The 78 isolates could be subtyped into 31 resistance profiles and 11 clusters based on their antimicrobial susceptibility. Furthermore, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for the presence of 13 genes conferring antibiotic resistance was conducted. The presence of resistance genes was relatively high: blaTEM (80.8%), ermB (41.0%), grlA (38.5%), ermC (35.9%), and aac6’/aph2” (35.9%). The incidence of antibiotic resistance was significantly correlated to food types (p = 0.018), with isolates from meat and raw milk more resistant to antibiotics than those from frozen food and vegetables.
Using Numerical Analysis to Develop and Evaluate the Method of High Temperature Sous‐Vide to Soften Carrot Texture in Different‐Sized Packages
Authors: Hong Yoon‐Ki , Uhm Joo‐Tae , Yoon Won Byong
Published: April 2014

The high‐temperature sous‐vide (HTSV) method was developed to prepare carrots with a soft texture at the appropriate degree of pasteurization. The effect of heating conditions, such as temperature and time, was investigated on various package sizes. Heating temperatures of 70, 80, and 90 °C and heating times of 10 and 20 min were used to evaluate the HTSV method. A 3‐dimensional conduction model and numerical simulations were used to estimate the temperature distribution and the rate of heat transfer to samples with various geometries. Four different‐sized packages were prepared by stacking carrot sticks of identical size (9.6 × 9.6 × 90 mm) in a row. The sizes of the packages used were as follows: (1) 9.6 × 86.4 × 90, (2) 19.2 × 163.2 × 90, (3) 28.8 × 86.4 × 90, and (4) 38.4 × 86.4 × 90 mm. Although only a moderate change in color (L*, a*, and b*) was observed following HTSV cooking, there was a significant decrease in carrot hardness. The geometry of the package and the heating conditions significantly influenced the degree of pasteurization and the final texture of the carrots. Numerical simulations successfully described the effect of geometry on samples at different heating conditions.
Species Identification and Antimicrobial Resistance of Coagulase‐Negative Staphylococci Isolated from the Meat of Sea Fish
Authors: Regecová Ivana , Pipová Monika , Jevinová Pavlina , Marušková Katarína , Kmeť Vladimír , Popelka Peter
Published: April 2014

Seventy‐eight isolates of staphylococci obtained from the meat of Theragra chalcogramma, Scomber scombrus, and Clupea harengus were identified and tested in this study. 16S rDNA sequence specific for the genus Staphylococcus was detected in all isolates with the help of PCR method. All of 78 isolates were coagulase‐negative, and DNAse activity was only confirmed in 4 of them. The following species of staphylococci were identified using MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry: S. warneri (52%), S. epidermidis (33%), S. haemolyticus (6.4%), S. pasteuri (3.8%), S. sciuri (1.2%), S. capitis (1.2%), and S. hominis (1.2%). Antimicrobial resistance to 7 antibiotics was determined in each isolate with the help of agar dilution method. In general, resistance against ampicillin was observed in majority of isolates (87%). On the contrary, the best sensitivity of CoNS was determined to gentamicin (96%). Only 1 S. warneri strain showed resistance to cefoxitin. Furthermore, 83% of staphylococcal isolates were simultaneously resistant to 2 or more antibiotics.

Practical Application

This study confirmed the need of monitoring antimicrobial resistance in coagulase‐negative staphylococci not only in the meat of slaughter animals but also in retail marine fish. The results showed that MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry is useful, accurate, and rapid method for species identification of food pathogens including Staphylococcus spp.
Change in physical activity after smoking cessation: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study
Authors: Auer Reto , Vittinghoff Eric , Kiefe Catarina , Reis Jared P. , Rodondi Nicolas , Khodneva Yulia A. , Kertesz Stefan G. , Cornuz Jacques , Pletcher Mark J.
Published: April 2014

Aims

To estimate physical activity trajectories for people who quit smoking, and compare them to what would have been expected had smoking continued.

Design, Setting and Participants

A total of 5115 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) study, a population‐based study of African American and European American people recruited at age 18–30 years in 1985/6 and followed over 25 years.

Measurements

Physical activity was self‐reported during clinical examinations at baseline (1985/6) and at years 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 25 (2010/11); smoking status was reported each year (at examinations or by telephone, and imputed where missing). We used mixed linear models to estimate trajectories of physical activity under varying smoking conditions, with adjustment for participant characteristics and secular trends.

Findings

We found significant interactions by race/sex (P = 0.02 for the interaction with cumulative years of smoking), hence we investigated the subgroups separately. Increasing years of smoking were associated with a decline in physical activity in black and white women and black men [e.g. coefficient for 10 years of smoking: −0.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.20 to −0.07, P < 0.001 for white women]. An increase in physical activity was associated with years since smoking cessation in white men (coefficient 0.06; 95% CI = 0 to 0.13, P = 0.05). The physical activity trajectory for people who quit diverged progressively towards higher physical activity from the expected trajectory had smoking continued. For example, physical activity was 34% higher (95% CI = 18 to 52%; P < 0.001) for white women 10 years after stopping compared with continuing smoking for those 10 years (P = 0.21 for race/sex differences).

Conclusions

Smokers who quit have progressively higher levels of physical activity in the years after quitting compared with continuing smokers.
The impact of water price uncertainty on the adoption of precision irrigation systems
Authors: Schoengold Karina , Sunding David L.
Published: April 2014

We examine whether a firm is more or less likely to adopt precision technology when input prices are stochastic. The results are important to determining whether programs and contracts that reduce input price uncertainty may deter the adoption of conservation practices. An economic model of the technology adoption decision shows that the net effect of input price risk is ambiguous and depends on several factors including the shutdown effect, the mean price effect, the precision expansion effect, and the risk aversion effect. An empirical implementation of the model relies on data on water price and irrigation technology adoption observed in a California irrigation district over the period 1999–2002. The results show that a stable input price increases the adoption of precision technology, but the impact depends on crop choice and land quality characteristics.
Verruciform xanthoma of the penis: a rare Australian case
Authors: Sinnya Sudipta , Wheller Laura , Carroll Melissa , Williamson Richard , De'Ambrosis Brian
Published: April 2014

We present a case of verruciform xanthoma ((VX) of the penis in an elderly man in whom an asymptomatic papule on his foreskin was noted during a routine clinical examination. VX is a rare, benign condition with a predilection for the oral cavity and clinically presents as isolated, painless mucosal lesions with a verrucoid surface. Accurate diagnosis is important in avoiding aggressive surgical management of this relatively rare condition.
Dermatomyositis panniculitis: A case report
Authors: Carroll Melissa , Mellick Nick , Wagner Godfrey
Published: April 2014

Dermatomyositis‐related panniculitis is a rare cutaneous manifestation of dermatomyositis. There are few reported cases in the medical literature. We present the case of a 60‐year‐old woman with a 2‐year history of dermatomyositis and recent biopsy‐confirmed panniculitis treated with prednisone, cyclophosphamide and i.v. immunoglobulin.
Electrically Contractile Polymers Augment Right Ventricular Output in the Heart
Authors: Ruhparwar Arjang , Piontek Patricia , Ungerer Matthias , Ghodsizad Ali , Partovi Sasan , Foroughi Javad , Szabo Gabor , Farag Mina , Karck Matthias , Spinks Geoffrey M. , Kim Seon Jeong
Published: April 2014

Research into the development of artificial heart muscle has been limited to assembly of stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes seeded around a matrix, while nonbiological approaches to tissue engineering have rarely been explored. The aim of the study was to apply electrically contractile polymer‐based actuators as cardiomyoplasty for positive inotropic support of the right ventricle. Complex trilayer polypyrrole (PPy) bending polymers for high‐speed applications were generated. Bending motion occurred directly as a result of electrochemically driven charging and discharging of the PPy layers. In a rat model (n = 5), strips of polymers (3 × 20 mm) were attached and wrapped around the right ventricle (RV). RV pressure was continuously monitored invasively by direct RV cannulation. Electrical activation occurred simultaneously with either diastole (in order to evaluate the polymer's stand‐alone contraction capacity; group 1) or systole (group 2). In group 1, the pressure generation capacity of the polymers was measured by determining the area under the pressure curve (area under curve, AUC). In group 2, the RV pressure AUC was measured in complexes directly preceding those with polymer contraction and compared to RV pressure complexes with simultaneous polymer contraction. In group 1, the AUC generated by polymer contraction was 2768 ± 875 U. In group 2, concomitant polymer contraction significantly increased AUC compared with complexes without polymer support (5987 ± 1334 U vs. 4318 ± 691 U, P ≤ 0.01). Electrically contractile polymers are able to significantly augment right ventricular contraction. This approach may open new perspectives for myocardial tissue engineering, possibly in combination with fetal or embryonic stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes.
Urban squatters and the poor in Fiji: Issues of land and investment in coastal areas
Authors: Bryant‐Tokalau Jennifer Joy
Published: April 2014

Pacific land issues are not only about Indigenous ownership in rural areas. Within urban areas in particular, land historically alienated into State control produced consequences only now being realised. In Fiji, all State land is claimed by communal landowners and such claims were said to be one reason for the 2006 coup. It has been suggested in recent times that urban informal settlements on the qoliqoli (coastal and foreshore land) are at risk and face increasing challenges from landowners. This paper examines a neglected area of urban State land in Fiji and comments on the future of the urban poor in Fiji if land tenure is unresolved.
Critical points of CSR‐related stakeholder dialogue in practice
Authors: Golob Ursa , Podnar Klement
Published: April 2014

This paper examines the roles of dialogue in the process of communication with stakeholders. The conceptual frameworks of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder relationships frequently present the initiation of a dialogue with stakeholders as a way for an organization to respond to criticisms of its social and environmental policies and actions. The paper discusses dialogue in the stakeholder and CSR literature. This is followed by the analysis of in‐depth semi‐structured interviews in the empirical section. Theoretical discussion and empirical examples demonstrate that the role of stakeholder dialogue in implementing CSR strategy is crucial in many ways. The case examples taken from the interviews with the heads of two large companies and two non‐governmental organizations illustrate the practical difficulties that may be encountered in applying the principle and practice of dialogue to the implementation of CSR programs in the real world.
Analyst coverage, corporate social responsibility, and firm risk
Authors: Jo Hoje , Harjoto Maretno
Published: April 2014

This article examines the empirical association between analyst coverage and corporate social responsibility (CSR) by investigating their simultaneous and causal effects, and its joint effects of CSR engagement and analyst coverage on firm risk. We find a positive association between the level and change of CSR engagement and the level and change of analyst coverage after considering simultaneity and causality. Based on the first‐difference approach, we further find that the change in analyst following from the previous year affects the change in CSR in the current period, whereas the change in CSR from the previous period does not influence the change in analyst following in the current period. Furthermore, we find that the change in CSR engagement as well as the interaction effect of changes in CSR and analyst coverage reduces the change of firm risk. When we examine the CSR strengths and concerns separately, analyst following does not significantly influence firms’ CSR strength but CSR concern activities decreases significantly as firms have more analyst followings. We further find the mediating role of financial analysts between CSR concerns (but not CSR strengths) and firm risk. We maintain that analysts provide indirect but additional social pressure to the firms to eventually reduce their irresponsible activities. Taken together, we interpret these results to support the stakeholder theory‐based conflict‐resolution explanation that considers CSR engagement as a vehicle to reduce conflicts of interest between managers and noninvesting stakeholders but not the overinvestment hypothesis that views CSR as a waste of valuable resources at the cost of shareholders.
Embracing ambiguity – lessons from the study of corporate social responsibility throughout the rise and decline of the modern welfare state
Authors: Schneider Anselm
Published: April 2014

In the work of Karl Polanyi, the negative effects of a self‐regulating market economy are described as being limited by societal forces such as the policies of the welfare state. With the decline of the modern welfare state since the late 1970s, social activities of business firms are increasingly regarded as an important complement to or even as a substitute for welfare state policies by a part of the literature. However, and controversially, another stream of argumentation regards these activities as being aimed at advancing the reach of market forces. To fully grasp the ambiguous nature of the social activities of business, in this paper I provide an account of affirmative as well as of critical interpretations of these activities throughout the history of modern capitalism. On this basis, the power of critique to disentangle the diverse motivations that underlie the social engagement of business is highlighted as a condition for facilitating a role of business in society that balances economic and social considerations.
Role(s) of Leader protein of Saffold virus
Authors: Shimizu Ai , Himeda Toshiki , Okuwa Takako , Muraki Yasushi , Ohara Yoshiro
Published: April 2014

Objective

Saffold virus (SAFV) classified in the species Theilovirus of the genus Cardiovirus is a novel human cardiovirus. The pathogenicity of SAFV in humans still remains unclear. Viruses in the genus Cardiovirus produce Leader protein, which is a small non‐structural protein. Evidence that Leader protein of murine cardioviruses is a key factor in their biological activities has been provided. Therefore, the studies on the function of SAFV‐L are likely to be important in order to clarify the pathogenicity of SAFV.

Methods

We investigated the interferon (IFN) response in the early stage of SAFV infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the growth kinetics of the chimera virus, SAFL/DA.

Results

The study showed that SAFV‐L suppresses the type I IFN response, and that the responsible region of anti‐IFN activity of SAFV‐L is a zinc‐binding motif. Furthermore, the anti‐apoptotic activity of SAFV‐L was suggested from the growth kinetics analysis of SAFL/DA.

Conclusions

The present study suggested that SAFV‐L might be a multifunctional protein; for example, the suppression of IFN induction, anti‐apoptotic effect and/or productive virus growth.
Comparison and analysis of three different methods to evaluate vertical jump height
Authors: Bui Hung Tien , Farinas Marie‐Isabelle , Fortin Anne‐Marie , Comtois Alain‐Steve , Leone Mario
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare three methods to assess vertical jump height, to determine their limitations and to propose solutions to mitigate their effects. The chosen methods were the contact mat, the optical system and the Sargent jump. The testing environment was designed such that all three systems simultaneously measured the vertical jump height. A total of 41 kinesiology students (18 women, 23 men, mean age 23·2 ± 4·5 years) participated in this study. Data show that the contact mat and the optical system essentially provide similar results (P = 0·912) and that the correlation coefficient between the two systems was 0·972 (r2 = 0·944). However, it was found that the Sargent jump has a tendency to overestimate the height, providing a measurement that is significantly different from the other two methods as the jumps are higher than 30·64 cm (P = 0·044). Through the design of the experiment, several sources of errors were identified and mathematically modelled. These sources include optical sensor placement, flat‐footed landing and hip/knee bend. Whenever possible, the errors were quantified and solutions were proposed.
Latitudinal gradients in butterfly population variability are influenced by landscape heterogeneity
Authors: Oliver Tom H. , Stefanescu Constanti , Páramo Ferran , Brereton Tom , Roy David B.
Published: April 2014

The variability of populations over time is positively associated with their risk of local extinction. Previous work has shown that populations at the high‐latitude boundary of species’ ranges show higher inter‐annual variability, consistent with increased sensitivity and exposure to adverse climatic conditions. However, patterns of population variability at both high‐ and low‐latitude species range boundaries have not yet been concurrently examined. Here, we assess the inter‐annual population variability of 28 butterfly species between 1994 and 2009 at 351 and 18 sites in the United Kingdom and Catalonia, Spain, respectively. Local population variability is examined with respect to the position of the species’ bioclimatic envelopes (i.e. whether the population falls within areas of the ‘core’ climatic suitability or is a climatically ‘marginal’ population), and in relation to local landscape heterogeneity, which may influence these range location – population dynamic relationships. We found that butterfly species consistently show latitudinal gradients in population variability, with increased variability in the more northerly UK. This pattern is even more marked for southerly distributed species with ‘marginal’ climatic suitability in the UK but ‘core’ climatic suitability in Catalonia. In addition, local landscape heterogeneity did influence these range location – population dynamic relationships. Habitat heterogeneity was associated with dampened population dynamics, especially for populations in the UK. Our results suggest that promoting habitat heterogeneity may promote the persistence of populations at high‐latitude range boundaries, which may potentially aid northwards expansion under climate warming. We did not find evidence that population variability increases towards southern range boundaries. Sample sizes for this region were low, but there was tentative evidence, in line with previous ecological theory, that local landscape heterogeneity may promote persistence in these retracting low‐latitude range boundary populations.
Prelimbic and infralimbic cortical regions differentially encode cocaine‐associated stimuli and cocaine‐seeking before and following abstinence
Authors: West Elizabeth A. , Saddoris Michael P. , Kerfoot Erin C. , Carelli Regina M.
Published: April 2014

Cocaine stimuli often trigger relapse of drug‐taking, even following periods of prolonged abstinence. Here, electrophysiological recordings were made in rats (n = 29) to determine how neurons in the prelimbic (PrL) or infralimbic (IL) regions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) encode cocaine‐associated stimuli and cocaine‐seeking, and whether this processing is differentially altered after 1 month of cocaine abstinence. After self‐administration training, neurons (n = 308) in the mPFC were recorded during a single test session conducted either the next day or 1 month later. Test sessions consisted of three phases during which (i) the tone–houselight stimulus previously paired with cocaine infusion during self‐administration was randomly presented by the experimenter, (ii) rats responded on the lever previously associated with cocaine during extinction and (iii) the tone–houselight was presented randomly between cocaine‐reinforced responding during resumption of cocaine self‐administration. PrL neurons showed enhanced encoding of the cocaine stimulus and drug‐seeking behavior (under extinction and self‐administration) following 30 days of abstinence. In contrast, although IL neurons encoded cocaine cues and cocaine‐seeking, there were no pronounced changes in IL responsiveness following 30 days of abstinence. Importantly, cue‐related changes do not represent a generalised stimulus‐evoked discharge as PrL and IL neurons in control animals (n = 4) exhibited negligible recruitment by the tone–houselight stimulus. The results support the view that, following abstinence, neural encoding in the PrL but not IL may play a key role in enhanced cocaine‐seeking, particularly following re‐exposure to cocaine‐associated cues.
Antipredator Behavior in Desmognathus ochrophaeus: Threat‐Specific Responses to Chemical Stimuli in a Foraging Context
Authors: Johnson Elyse C. , Sullivan Aaron M.
Published: April 2014

Prey species may reduce the likelihood of injury or death by engaging in defensive behavior but often incur costs related to decreased foraging success or efficiency. To lessen these costs, prey may adjust the intensity or type of antipredator behavior according to the nature of the perceived threat. We evaluated the potential for threat‐sensitive responses by Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus) exposed to chemical stimuli associated with predation by asking three questions: (1) Do individual D. ochrophaeus respond to chemical cues in a threat‐sensitive manner? (2) Do salamanders exhibit the same pattern of behavioral response while foraging? and (3) Is foraging efficiency reduced when focal individuals are exposed to stimuli from predators or predation events? In our first experiment, we evaluated salamander chemosensory movements (nose‐taps), locomotor activity (steps), and edge behavior in response to chemical stimuli from disturbed and injured conspecifics as well as predatory Gyrinophilus porphyriticus and found that individual D. ochrophaeus show a significant graded increase in nose‐taps when exposed to cues from conspecifics and a reduction in activity when exposed to the predator. In our second experiment, we again observed salamander responses to the same chemical stimuli but in this instance added five Drosophila prey to the test dishes. We found that salamanders exhibited a similar pattern of response to the chemical stimuli in the presence of prey, showing a graded increase in nose‐taps to cues from conspecifics and a reduction in activity when exposed to the predator. However, foraging efficiency (i.e. the proportion of successful strikes) did not vary significantly among treatments. Our data show that individual D. ochrophaeus detect and differentially respond to chemical stimuli associated with predation, but do not significantly reduce foraging efficiency. Overall, the type and relative intensity of these responses is largely unaffected by the presence of potential prey.