bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The sociobiology of sex: inclusive fitness consequences of inter-sexual interactions
Authors: Pizzari Tommaso , Gardner Andy
Published: July 2012

The diversity of social interactions between sexual partners has long captivated biologists, and its evolution has been interpreted largely in terms of ‘direct fitness’ pay-offs to partners and their descendants. Inter-sexual interactions also have ‘indirect effects’ by affecting the fitness of relatives, with important consequences for inclusive fitness. However, inclusive fitness arguments have received limited consideration in this context, and definitions of ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ fitness effects in this field are often inconsistent with those of inclusive fitness theory. Here, we use a sociobiology approach based on inclusive fitness theory to distinguish between direct and indirect fitness effects. We first consider direct effects: we review how competition leads to sexual conflict, and discuss the conditions under which repression of competition fosters sexual mutualism. We then clarify indirect effects, and show that greenbeard effects, kin recognition and population viscosity can all lead to episodes of indirect selection on sexual interactions creating potential for sexual altruism and spite. We argue that the integration of direct and indirect fitness effects within a sociobiology approach enables us to consider a more diverse spectrum of evolutionary outcomes of sexual interactions, and may help resolving current debates over sexual selection and sexual conflict.
The limits of sexual conflict in the narrow sense: new insights from waterfowl biology
Authors: Brennan Patricia L. R. , Prum Richard O.
Published: July 2012

Sexual conflict occurs when the evolutionary interests of the sexes differ and it broadly applies to decisions over mating, fertilization and parental investment. Recently, a narrower view of sexual conflict has emerged in which direct selection on females to avoid male-imposed costs during mating is considered the distinguishing feature of conflict, while indirect selection is considered negligible. In this view, intersexual selection via sensory bias is seen as the most relevant mechanism by which male traits that harm females evolve, with antagonistic coevolution between female preferences and male manipulation following. Under this narrower framework, female preference and resistance have been synonymized because both result in a mating bias, and similarly male display and coercion are not distinguished. Our recent work on genital evolution in waterfowl has highlighted problems with this approach. In waterfowl, preference and resistance are distinct components of female phenotype, and display and coercion are independent male strategies. Female preference for male displays result in mate choice, while forced copulations by unpreferred males result in resistance to prevent these males from achieving matings and fertilizations. Genital elaborations in female waterfowl appear to function in reinforcing female preference to maintain the indirect benefits of choice rather than to reduce the direct costs of coercive mating. We propose a return to a broader view of conflict where indirect selection and intrasexual selection are considered important in the evolution of conflict.
Aesthetic evolution by mate choice: Darwin'sreallydangerous idea
Authors: Prum Richard O.
Published: July 2012

Darwin proposed an explicitly aesthetic theory of sexual selection in which he described mate preferences as a ‘taste for the beautiful’, an ‘aesthetic capacity’, etc. These statements were not merely colourful Victorian mannerisms, but explicit expressions of Darwin's hypothesis that mate preferences can evolve for arbitrarily attractive traits that do not provide any additional benefits to mate choice. In his critique of Darwin, A. R. Wallace proposed an entirely modern mechanism of mate preference evolution through the correlation of display traits with male vigour or viability, but he called this mechanism natural selection. Wallace's honest advertisement proposal was stridently anti-Darwinian and anti-aesthetic. Most modern sexual selection research relies on essentially the same Neo-Wallacean theory renamed as sexual selection. I define the process of aesthetic evolution as the evolution of a communication signal through sensory/cognitive evaluation, which is most elaborated through coevolution of the signal and its evaluation. Sensory evaluation includes the possibility that display traits do not encode information that is being assessed, but are merely preferred. A genuinely Darwinian, aesthetic theory of sexual selection requires the incorporation of the Lande–Kirkpatrick null model into sexual selection research, but also encompasses the possibility of sensory bias, good genes and direct benefits mechanisms.
The monoclinic form of di-μ-aqua-bis[diaquabis(thiocyanato-κN)iron(II)]–1,4-bis(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzene (1/3)
Authors: Liu Yuan-Yuan , Yang Pan , Ding Bin
Published: July 2012

The title complex, [Fe2(NCS)4(H2O)6]·3C10H8N6, comprises two FeIIatoms octahedrally coordinated and bridged by two aqua O atoms that straddle a crystallographic inversion center, forming a quadrilateral core. The water ligands of the core are involved in hydrogen bonds with the triazole N atoms of the organic molecules, which generates a layer motif in theabplane. There are π–π stacking interactions between benzene rings of 3.490 (6) Å, and between triazole rings of 3.543 (8) and 3.734 (7) Å in neighboring layers, forming a three-dimensional network.
The triclinic form of di-μ-aqua-bis[diaquabis(thiocyanato-κN)iron(II)]–1,4-bis(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzene (1/3)
Authors: Yang Pan , Ding Bin , Du Gui-Xiang
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, [Fe2(NCS)4(H2O)6]·3C10H8N6, the centrosymmetric dinuclear complex contains two FeIIions bridged by two aqua ligand O atoms, forming a four-membered ring. The slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment of the two FeIIions is completed by two monodentate aqua ligands and two thiocyanate ligands. One of the 1,4-bis(4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzene molecules lies across an inversion center. In the crystal, O—H...N hydrogen bonds connect the components, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (011). In addition, π–π stacking interactions involving the benzene and triazole rings, with centroid–centroid distances in the range 3.502 (5)—3.787 (6) Å, connect the two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network into a three-dimensional network.
N-[2-(Methylsulfanyl)phenyl]-2-sulfanylbenzamide
Authors: Hsieh Chang-Chih , Lee Hon Man , Horng Yih-Chern
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C14H13NOS2, the S atom with the methyl group is involved in an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the amido H atom. In the crystal, the sulfanyl H atoms form intermolecular hydrogen bonds with the O atoms, connecting the molecules into zigzag chains along thecaxis. The two aromatic rings exhibit a small interplanar angle of 16.03 (9)°.
2-(1,5-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy)-1-(2-sulfanylidene-1,3-thiazolidin-3-yl)ethanone
Authors: Li Yi , Liu Yuan-Yuan , Xiong Xiao-Hui , Wei Ping
Published: July 2012

The title compound, C20H17N3O2S2, was synthesized by the reaction of 2-(1,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yloxy)acetic acid and thiazolidine-2-thione. The C-linked benzene ring, N-linked benzene ring and thiazolidine-2-thione ring are twisted 31.33 (2), 62.87 (1) and 82.71 (2)°, respectively, from the plane of the bridging 1H-pyrazole ring. The phenyl rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 72.16 (2)°.
3-(2-Methylamino-1,3-thiazol-4-yl)-2H-chromen-2-one
Authors: Yusufzai Samina Khan , Osman Hasnah , Rahim Aisyah Saad Abdul , Arshad Suhana , Razak Ibrahim Abdul
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C13H10N2O2S, the essentially planar 2H-chromene ring system [maximum deviation = 0.0297 (13) Å] and the thiazole ring [maximum deviation = 0.0062 (11) Å] form a dihedral angle of 3.47 (5)°. In the crystal, N—H...N and C—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into two-dimensional networks parallel to thebcplane. C—H...π and π–π [centroid–centroid separation = 3.6796 (8) Å] interactions further stabilize the crystal structure.
Triethylammonium 1,3-dimethyl-5-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)barbiturate
Authors: Rajamani Kulandaiya , Kalaivani Doraisamyraja
Published: July 2012

In the title molecular salt [systematic name: triethylammonium 1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-5-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-4-olate], C6H16N+·C12H8N5O9−, the dihedral angle between the aromatic rings in the anion is 46.88 (8)°. The nitro groupparato the ring junction is almost coplanar with its attached ring [dihedral angle = 0.76 (3)°], but the twoortho-nitro groups are substantially twisted from the ring plane, by 47.91 (2) and 42.90 (1)°. In the crystal, the cation and anion are linked by an N—H...O=C hydrogen bond; these dimeric associations are further connected by weak C—H...O bonds to form linear supramolecular chains extending in the [001] direction.
2-Methoxycarbonyl-6-nitrobenzoic acid
Authors: Lu Zai-Sheng , Zhu Guong-Zhou , Lu Han , Wang Xiang-Shan
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C9H7NO6, the dihedral angles between the benzene ring and its three substituents are 29.99 (8)° for the nitro, 67.09 (8)° for the carboxy and 32.48 (10)° for the methoxycarbonyl group. In the crystal, one classical O—H...O and two nonclassical C—H...O contacts link adjacent molecules, forming a three-dimensional structure.
(N′,N′′Z,N′,N′′E)-N′,N′′-[1-(4-Chlorophenyl)ethane-1,2-diylidene]bis(3-methyl-1-benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide)
Authors: Fun Hoong-Kun , Chia Tze Shyang , Alafeefy Ahmed M. , Abdel-Aziz Hatem A.
Published: July 2012

In the title compound, C28H21ClN4O4, the benzofuran ring systems make dihedral angles of 7.43 (8) and 30.92 (9)° with the chloro-substituted benzene ring. The dihedral angle between the two benzofuran ring systems is 27.41 (7)°. The two benzofuran rings are connected to the chloro-substituted benzene ring through C—N—N=C and C—N—N=C—C bridges which are nearly planar [maximum deviations = 0.003 (1) and 0.037 (1) Å]. An intramolecular N—H...N hydrogen bond generates anS(6) ring motif. In the crystal, molecules are linked by N—H...(O,N) and C—H...O hydrogen bonds into a tape along thecaxis and these tapes are further connected by another weak C—H...O hydrogen bond into a sheet parallel to thebcplane. π–π interactions [centroid-to-centroid distances = 3.4845 (12)–3.6250 (13) Å] are also observed.
Tris[2,4-dichloro-6-(ethyliminomethyl)phenolato-κ2N,O]cobalt(III)
Authors: Huang Qiu Ping , Guo Jing Jing , Zhang Yi Dong , Zhang Shu Hua
Published: July 2012

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Co(C9H8Cl2NO)3], contains three independent molecules. In each molecule, the CoIIIion is coordinated by an O atom and an N atom from three bidentate 2,4-dichloro-6-(ethyliminomethyl)phenolate ligands in a slightly distorted octahedral environment. In the crystal, a weak C—H...Cl hydrogen bond is observed.
Obestatin does not modify weight and nutritional behaviour but is associated with metabolic syndrome in old women
Authors: Mora Mireia , Granada Maria L. , Roca Maria , Palomera Elisabet , Puig Rocio , Serra‐Prat Mateu , Puig‐Domingo Manel
Published: July 2012

Objective

Ghrelin and obestatin have apparent opposite orexigenic and anorexigenic effects, although the latter has not been firmly demonstrated in humans. So far, little data have been reported in relation to its potential association with metabolic syndrome (MS). The objective was to study obestatin concentrations in relation to nutritional parameters and eating behaviours in old women.

Design, Patients and Measurements

Prospective study; a total of 110 women (age: 76·93 ± 6·32) from the Mataró Ageing Study were included. Individuals were characterized by anthropometric variables, lipids, glucose, blood pressure, MS components (Adult Treatment Panel III criteria), anorexia and nutritional status by Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA‐SF) and re‐evaluated at 2‐year follow‐up. Obestatin was measured by IRMA.

Results

58·2% of the subjects had MS; at 2‐year follow‐up 24·1% had a weight loss >5%, 7·2% >10%, and 26·4% changed their MNA‐SF score to risk of malnutrition category. Anorexia was present in 38·4%. Obestatin levels were not related to either change of weight, MNA‐SF or anorexia, but a positive correlation was found with the absolute difference between basal and 2‐year waist circumference (WC) (r = 0·429; P < 0·001) and relative difference between basal and 2‐year WC (r = 0·420; P < 0·001); both remained significant after adjusting for age and body mass index. When obestatin was divided into quartiles, a significant lineal trend was observed in relation to WC (P = 0·049), absolute and relative difference between basal and 2‐year WC (both P < 0·001). Obestatin was associated with glucose impairment (69·0% in 4th quartile vs 47·5% in 1st to 3rd, P = 0·047; after adjustment, P = 0·098) and MS (77·8% in 4th vs 51·3% in 1st to 3rd, P = 0·017; after adjustment, P = 0·046, OR 2·90 (1·02–8·25) 4th vs 1st to 3rd).

Conclusions

Obestatin is elevated in aged women bearing MS but is otherwise not associated with other nutritional parameters, weight loss or anorexia.
Differential concentration and time dependent effects of progesterone on kinase activity, hyperactivation and acrosome reaction in human spermatozoa
Authors: Sagare‐Patil V. , Galvankar M. , Satiya M. , Bhandari B. , Gupta S. K. , Modi D.
Published: July 2012

Progesterone has been identified to be one of the physiological regulators of sperm hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. However, the high sensitivity of human spermatozoa to progesterone implies that many may undergo premature hyperactivation and acrosome reaction thereby compromising their ability to fertilize. We hypothesized that if a spermatozoon has to preclude the occurrence of these events prematurely, there should be differential dose‐ and time‐dependent effects on motility and acrosome reaction. We observed that low concentrations of progesterone (10 and 100 nm) induce sperm motility and activate tyrosine kinase; higher concentrations (1–10 μm) are required to induce extracellular signal regulated kinases 1/2 (Erk1/2), p90 ribosomal S6 kinase (p90RSK), p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK1) and AKT phosphorylation, hyperactivation and acrosome reaction. The induction of acrosome reaction and tyrosine phosphorylation in response to higher concentration of progesterone is not absolutely dependent on activation of T‐type voltage‐gated Ca2+ channel or CatSper as Mibefradil did not completely abrogate progesterone‐mediated effects. These results imply that although the spermatozoa are sensitive to low concentrations of progesterone, they only activate motility and tyrosine kinase activation; higher concentrations are required to induce hyperactivation and acrosome reaction probably by activating multiple kinase pathways including the MAPK and AKT.
Measuring and modelling body mass index among a cohort of urban children living with disadvantage
Authors: Hollywood Eleanor , Comiskey Catherine , Begley Thelma , Snel Anne , O'Sullivan Karin , Quirke Mary , Wynne Ciara
Published: July 2012

Aim

To report on baseline outcomes of body mass index, eating habits and physical activity of a cohort of urban disadvantaged children from a longitudinal evaluation of a school based, health promoting initiative.

Background

The healthy schools programme was developed for implementation in schools located in disadvantaged areas of Dublin, Ireland.

Design

A prospective, cohort study design was implemented.

Method

A 3‐year longitudinal evaluation was conducted in five intervention and two comparison schools between 2009–2011. Data were collected on each participating child to determine their eating habits, levels of physical activity and body mass index at year 1 (baseline), year 2 and year 3. Independent t‐tests were used to compare mean values, chi‐square and Fishers exact tests were used to compare proportions at baseline.

Results

Participation rates were over 50%. Older children reported eating on average more fruit and vegetables than younger children; breakfast was often eaten on the way to, or in school and in one age group 16·7% of intervention children reported they did not eat breakfast that day. Levels of physical activity varied with over 70% of younger children stating they never played a sport. In intervention schools over one quarter of all children were either overweight or obese. A comparison was conducted between the proportion of 9‐year olds overweight and obese in our disadvantaged cohort and a national random sample of 8500 9‐year olds and no important differences were observed.

Conclusion

Baseline results indicate that body mass index rates particularly among pre adolescent, urban disadvantaged girls are of concern.
Generational diversity: what nurse managers need to know
Authors: Hendricks Joyce M. , Cope Vicki C.
Published: July 2012

Aim

This article presents a discussion of generational differences and their impact on the nursing workforce and how this impact affects the work environment.

Background

The global nursing workforce represents four generations of nurses. This generational diversity frames attitudes, beliefs, work habits and expectations associated with the role of the nurse in the provision of care and in the way the nurse manages their day‐to‐day activities.

Data sources

An electronic search of MEDLINE, PubMed and Cinahl databases was performed using the words generational diversity, nurse managers and workforce. The search was limited to 2000–2012.

Discussion

Generational differences present challenges to contemporary nurse managers working in a healthcare environment which is complex and dynamic, in terms of managing nurses who think and behave in a different way because of disparate core personal and generational values, namely, the three Cs of communication, commitment and compensation.

Implications for nursing

An acceptance of generational diversity in the workplace allows a richer scope for practice as the experiences and knowledge of each generation in the nursing environment creates an environment of acceptance and harmony facilitating retention of nurses.

Conclusion

Acknowledgement of generational characteristics provides the nurse manager with strategies which focus on mentoring and motivation; communication, the increased use of technology and the ethics of nursing, to bridge the gap between generations of nurses and to increase nursing workforce cohesion.
Separation of early and late responses to herbivory in Arabidopsis by changing plasmodesmal function
Authors: Bricchi Irene , Occhipinti Andrea , Bertea Cinzia M. , Zebelo Simon A. , Brillada Carla , Verrillo Francesca , De Castro Cristina , Molinaro Antonio , Faulkner Christine , Maule Andrew J. , Maffei Massimo E.
Published: July 2012

Herbivory results in an array of physiological changes in the host that are separable from the associated physical damage. We have made the surprising observation that an Arabidopsis line (pdko3) mutated in genes encoding plasmodesmal proteins is defective in some, but not all, of the typical plant responses to herbivory. We tested the responses of plasma transmembrane potential (Vm) depolarization, voltage gated K+ channel activity, cytosolic calcium [Ca2+]cyt and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (H2O2 and NO) release, shoot‐to‐root signaling, biosynthesis of the phytohormone jasmonic acid (JA) and the elicitation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Following herbivory and the release of factors present in insect oral secretions (including a putative β‐galactofuranose polysaccharide), both the pdko3 and wild type (WT) plants showed a increased accumulation of [Ca2+]cyt, NO and H2O2. In contrast, unlike WT plants, the mutant line showed an almost complete loss of voltage gated K+ channel activity and Vm depolarization, a loss of shoot‐induced root‐Vm depolarization, a loss of activation and regulation of gene expression of the JA defense pathway, and a much diminished release and altered profile of VOCs. The mutations in genes for plasmodesmal proteins have provided valuable genetic tools for the dissection of the complex spectrum of responses to herbivory and shown us that the responses to herbivory can be separated into a calcium‐activated oxidative response and a K+‐dependent Vm‐activated jasmonate response associated with the release of VOCs.
Local and systemic regulation of sulfur homeostasis in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Hubberten Hans‐Michael , Drozd Agnieszka , Tran Bich V. , Hesse Holger , Hoefgen Rainer
Published: July 2012

Nutrients are limiting for plant growth and vigour. Hence, nutrient uptake and homeostasis must be adjusted to the needs of the plant according to developmental stages and environmental conditions. A split‐root system was applied to analyse the systemic and local response of Arabidopsis thaliana to sulfur starvation. Arabidopsis thaliana plants in which only one root half was starved while the other root half was supplied with sulfate were analysed at the metabolic and transcriptional level. No systemic induction of sulfate uptake or expression of sulfate starvation marker genes was observed in split‐roots sufficiently supplied with sulfate. Our data suggest that no activation of sulfur uptake takes part in sulfur‐supplied root patches when the general sulfur status declines. When comparing roots of fully sulfate‐starved plants with sulfate‐starved split‐root roots, expression of several potentially OAS responsive genes was attenuated in split‐roots depending on the shoot sulfate status and the local root O‐acetylserine concentration. In contrast, high‐affinity sulfate transporters displayed similar expression in sulphate‐starved split‐roots and the corresponding controls. Feeding of 35SO42− to the shoot or to either part of a split‐root system revealed that sulfate is the most prominent mobile sulfur‐containing compound within the plant. Hence, we postulate a model whereby the soil sulfate availability regulates the sulfate uptake system of roots while the shoot sulfur status modulates the local O‐acetylserine response in the root by passive ‘plant sulfur status‐dependent’ transport of sulfate.
Rapid identification of Leishmania spp. in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples by fluorescence in situ hybridization
Authors: Frickmann Hagen , Alnamar Yaser , Essig Andreas , Clos Joachim , Racz Paul , Barth Thomas F. , Hagen Ralf M. , Fischer Marcellus , Poppert Sven
Published: July 2012

Objective  To describe and validate fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), a new method of Leishmania spp. identification. FISH allows for a rapid detection of target organisms by specific binding of fluorescently labelled oligonucleotide probes to ribosomal RNA.

Methods  Two genus‐specific, fluorescently labelled Leishmania spp. FISH probes were designed and evaluated with a panel of 18 Leishmania spp. and six Trypanosoma spp. including well‐defined strains and clinical isolates. In addition, the FISH probes were tested in comparison with Giemsa staining in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues of five mice that had been artificially infected with Leishmania major strains, leading to concordant results. Finally, 11 tissue samples of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, four tissue samples of patients with visceral leishmaniasis, and one native bone marrow sample of a patient with visceral leishmaniasis were analysed with FISH and Giemsa staining.

Results  Concordant results were achieved by FISH and Giemsa staining in 15/16 specimens.

Conclusion  This analysis provides proof of principle that FISH is a suitable method for the rapid and easy detection of Leishmania spp. in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples. Because of the good contrast of Leishmania spp. in tissue, FISH facilitates the identification of these organisms in tissue samples even by less experienced investigators.
Repopulation of ganciclovir‐resistant cytomegalovirus by wild‐type virus
Authors: Drew W. Lawrence , Liu Catherine
Published: July 2012

We report a patient in whom ganciclovir (GCV)‐resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) was replaced by wild‐type virus after discontinuation of GCV/valganciclovir and review other similar cases. Repopulation by wild‐type virus may occur soon after discontinuation and may be fostered by discontinuing GCV altogether rather than continuing it in combination with foscarnet when treating patients with GCV‐resistant CMV disease.
Climate warming and the decline of Taxus airborne pollen in urban pollen rain (Emilia Romagna, northern Italy)
Authors: Mercuri A. M. , Torri P. , Casini E. , Olmi L.
Published: July 2012

Woody plant performance in a changing global environment has always been at the centre of palaeoenvironmental and long‐term climate reconstructions carried out by means of pollen analysis. In Mediterranean regions, Taxus constitutes the highest percentage in past pollen diagrams from cold or cool periods, and therefore it is generally considered a good index to infer climate features from past records. However, a comparison of these inferences with the true current trends in pollen production has not been attemped until now. This study reports the decline of airborne pollen of Taxus observed in Emilia Romagna, a region of northern Italy, during the period 1990–2007. Phenological observations on four male specimens and microscopic examination of fresh pollen were made in order to check Taxus flowering time and pollen morphology. Airborne pollen was monitored through continuous sampling with a Hirst volumetric sampler. In the 18‐year long period of investigation, Taxus pollen production has decreased, while total woody pollen abundance in air has increased. The trend of the Taxus pollen season shows a delay at the beginning, a shortening of the pollen period, and an advance of the end of the pollen season. This was interpreted as a response to climate warming. In particular, Taxus follows the behaviour of winter‐flowering plants, and therefore earlier pollination is favoured at low autumn temperatures, while late pollination occurs more often, most likely after warm autumn temperatures.
Seasonal photosynthetic responses of European oaks to drought and elevated daytime temperature
Authors: Arend M. , Brem A. , Kuster T. M. , Günthardt‐Goerg M. S.
Published: July 2012

Oaks are commonly considered as drought‐ and heat‐tolerant trees that might benefit from a warmer and drier climate. Their tolerance to drought has been frequently studied in the past, whereas studies dealing with elevated temperature or its combination with drought are very limited in number. In this study we investigated seasonal photosynthetic patterns in three European oak species (Quercus robur, Q. petraea, Q. pubescens) exposed in lysimeter‐based open‐top chambers (OTC) to elevated daytime temperature, drought and their combination. Stomatal and non‐stomatal traits of photosynthesis were followed over an entire growing season and related to changes in daytime temperature, soil moisture and pre‐dawn leaf water potential (ΨPD). Elevated daytime temperature enhanced net photosynthesis (PN) in a season‐dependent manner, with higher mid‐summer rates than in controls exposed to ambient temperature. Drought imposed in early and mid‐summer reduced the soil moisture content and caused a gradual decline in ΨPD, stomatal conductance (gS) and PN. Drought effects on ΨPD and PN were exacerbated when drought was combined with elevated daytime temperature. In general, PN tended to be more affected by low soil moisture content or low ΨPD in Q. robur than in Q. petraea and Q. pubescens. Non‐stomatal limitations may have contributed to the drought‐induced decline of PN in Q. robur, as indicated by a down‐regulation of PSII photochemistry (FV/FM) and decreased chlorophyll content. Taken together, our findings show that European oaks may benefit from elevated temperature, but detrimental effects can be expected when elevated temperature occurs simultaneously with drought.
The habenula couples the dopaminergic and the serotonergic systems: application to depression in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Sourani Daphna , Eitan Renana , Gordon Noam , Goelman Gadi
Published: July 2012

A high percentage of patients with Parkinson’s disease suffer from depression in addition to their motor disabilities. However, the etiology of this depression and its relation to Parkinson’s disease are unknown. Within the framework of the monoamine deficiency hypothesis of depression, we propose that the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems are coupled by the lateral habenula, and argue that altered basal ganglia activity leads to lateral habenula hyperactivity, which in turn down‐regulates the serotonergic system, resulting in depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease. We tested this hypothesis using the unilateral 6‐hydroxydopamine hemiparkinsonian rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Behavior was assessed using the novelty suppressed feeding and forced swim tests, and the effective connectivity of the serotonergic system was estimated by manganese‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of the raphe nuclei. The results show depression‐like behaviors and reduced raphe connectivity with the lateral habenula, dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus in the 6‐hydroxydopamine rat groups. More importantly, partial restoration of the raphe connectivity and partial normalization of behavior were achieved by dopamine replacement therapy (apomorphine, 10 mg/kg, s.c. daily). Furthermore, nearly complete behavioral normalization was reached after a bilateral electric lesion of the lateral habenula. These findings provide a plausible link between Parkinson’s disease and depression and open up avenues for new therapeutic interventions in depression and possibly in Parkinson’s disease.
The role of melanin‐concentrating hormone in conditioned reward learning
Authors: Sherwood Andrew , Wosiski‐Kuhn Marlena , Nguyen Truc , Holland Peter C. , Lakaye Bernard , Adamantidis Antoine , Johnson Alexander W.
Published: July 2012

The orexigenic neuropeptide melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) is well positioned to play a key role in connecting brain reward and homeostatic systems due to its synthesis in hypothalamic circuitry and receptor expression throughout the cortico‐striatal reward circuit. Here we examined whether targeted‐deletion of the MCH receptor (MCH‐1R) in gene‐targeted heterozygote and knockout mice (KO), or systemic treatment with pharmacological agents designed to antagonise MCH‐1R in C57BL/6J mice would disrupt two putative consequences of reward learning that rely on different neural circuitries: conditioned reinforcement (CRf) and Pavlovian‐instrumental transfer (PIT). Mice were trained to discriminate between presentations of a reward‐paired cue (CS+) and an unpaired CS−. Following normal acquisition of the Pavlovian discrimination in all mice, we assessed the capacity for the CS+ to act as a reinforcer for new nose‐poke learning (CRf). Pharmacological disruption in control mice and genetic deletion in KO mice impaired CRf test performance, suggesting MCH‐1R is necessary for initiating and maintaining behaviors that are under the control of conditioned reinforcers. To examine a dissociable form of reward learning (PIT), a naïve group of mice were trained in separate Pavlovian and instrumental lever training sessions followed by the PIT test. For all mice the CS+ was capable of augmenting ongoing lever responding relative to CS− periods. These results suggest a role for MCH in guiding behavior based on the conditioned reinforcing value of a cue, but not on its incentive motivational value.
GLP‐1 receptor activated insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells: mechanism and glucose dependence
Authors: Meloni A. R. , DeYoung M. B. , Lowe C. , Parkes D. G.
Published: July 2012

The major goal in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is to control the hyperglycaemia characteristic of the disease. However, treatment with common therapies such as insulin or insulinotrophic sulphonylureas (SU), while effective in reducing hyperglycaemia, may impose a greater risk of hypoglycaemia, as neither therapy is self‐regulated by ambient blood glucose concentrations. Hypoglycaemia has been associated with adverse physical and psychological outcomes and may contribute to negative cardiovascular events; hence minimization of hypoglycaemia risk is clinically advantageous. Stimulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells by glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor (GLP‐1R) agonists is known to be glucose‐dependent. GLP‐1R agonists potentiate glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion and have little or no activity on insulin secretion in the absence of elevated blood glucose concentrations. This ‘glucose‐regulated’ activity of GLP‐1R agonists makes them useful and potentially safer therapeutics for overall glucose control compared to non‐regulated therapies; hyperglycaemia can be reduced with minimal hypoglycaemia. While the inherent mechanism of action of GLP‐1R agonists mediates their glucose dependence, studies in rats suggest that SUs may uncouple this dependence. This hypothesis is supported by clinical studies showing that the majority of events of hypoglycaemia in patients treated with GLP‐1R agonists occur in patients treated with a concomitant SU. This review aims to discuss the current understanding of the mechanisms by which GLP‐1R signalling promotes insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells via a glucose‐dependent process.
Self‐assessment methods in writing instruction: a conceptual framework, successful practices and essential strategies
Authors: Nielsen Kristen
Published: July 2012

Student writing achievement is essential to lifelong learner success, but supporting writing can be challenging for teachers. Several large‐scale analyses of publications on writing have called for further study of instructional methods, as the current literature does not sufficiently address the need to support best teaching practices. Self‐assessment methods in writing instruction present meaningful ways to promote student writing achievement through reflection and meta‐cognition during the writing process. Self‐assessment practices are described in publications across the academic disciplines where writing is required, and close investigations of the methods are also published in the research fields of literacy, English education and composition. This study aims to bridge these fields to construct a clear and comprehensive understanding of self‐assessment methods. Self‐assessment encompasses a wide range of practices and varied terminology. It is essential to clarify effective methods of self‐assessment and to disseminate practical information to educators. This paper presents the findings of an analysis of the literature yielding: (1) a theoretical framework for self‐assessment methods in writing instruction; (2) an overview of concepts/practices; (3) a list of literature‐supported strategies for effective classroom use derived from a study of a vast body of literature. Results strongly support self‐assessment as a means to foster student writing achievement, middle school through higher education. Delineated strategies can assist instructors with self‐assessment implementation.
An association model based reasoning method for individualized service recommender
Authors: Kwon Ohbyung , Jung Dongyoung
Published: July 2012

Recommender systems have been widely accepted across a broad range of application areas. Their key task is to estimate the user's need as accurately as possible. To do so, conventional recommender systems have focused on how to more accurately determine similar users or similar products. However, individuals often have unique preferences, or they do not always prefer to use the same service. Typically, an individual's association from his own experience will be preferable, that is more accurate, compared with common interests he may have with other users. However, recommendation methods based on association, versus common interests, have been very few. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to propose an association model based reasoning methodology that estimates users’ associative strength from self‐experiences based on association theories. In particular, we adopt the Rescorla–Wagner model, the Galton free association test, and Russell's circumflex model for mood positivity to estimate associative strength. We perform an experimental study with actual experience data to verify the hypotheses, which validates the association model based algorithm in finding the best service with a good elapsed time.
Generalized Spinous Follicular Lichen Nitidus with Perifollicular Granulomas
Authors: Summe Heather S. , Greenlaw Sheila M. , Deng April , Magro Cynthia , Wiss Karen
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  The first report of spinous follicular lichen nitidus with perifollicular granulomas was by Madhok and Winkelmann in 1988. Since this report, a few cases of follicular or periappendageal lichen nitidus have been described, in a more localized form or without perifollicular granulomas. We describe a 5‐year‐old girl with the rare generalized spinous follicular variant of lichen nitidus with perifollicular granulomas.
Safety and Tolerability of a Body Wash and Moisturizer When Applied to Infants and Toddlers with a History of Atopic Dermatitis: Results from an Open‐Label Study
Authors: Simpson Eric , Trookman Nathan S. , Rizer Ronald L. , Preston Norman , Colón Luz E. , Johnson Lori A. , Gottschalk Ronald W.
Published: July 2012

Abstract:  Improving skin barrier function and moisturizing without irritation are important components of managing patients with atopic dermatitis. This study evaluated the safety and tolerability of a body wash and moisturizer regimen for infants and toddlers with atopic dermatitis. This was an open‐label study involving 56 children (3–36 months old) with a history of atopic dermatitis. The skin care regimen (Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Body Wash and Cetaphil Restoraderm Skin Restoring Moisturizer; Galderma Laboratories, L.P.) was used at least once daily, but no more than twice daily, for 4 weeks. The primary variable of interest was the worst postbaseline scores for local tolerability (expressed as success or failure) using a 4‐point scale for each component (erythema, edema, scaling and dryness, rash, and signs of discomfort upon application). Assessments of moisture content of the stratum corneum and transepidermal water loss were also performed. Fifty‐three children completed the study. The percentage of subjects with no erythema increased from 33.9% to 50.0% by Week 4. The percentage of subjects with no scaling or dryness increased from 58.9% to 85.2% at Week 4. A statistically significant increase in corneometry from baseline (p < 0.001) and a statistically significant decrease in transepidermal water loss (p = .009) were observed. The body wash and moisturizer regimen was safe and well tolerated and improved hydration and skin barrier function in infants and toddlers as young as 3 months of age with a history of atopic dermatitis.
BaTiO3–Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3–BiScO3 Ceramics for High‐Temperature Capacitor Applications
Authors: Raengthon Natthaphon , Sebastian Tutu , Cumming Denis , Reaney Ian M. , Cann David P.
Published: July 2012

Ceramics based on solid solutions of xBaTiO3–(100−x)(0.5Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3–0.5BiScO3), where x = 50, 55, and 60 were prepared by solid‐state reaction which resulted in a single perovskite phase with pseudocubic symmetry. Dielectric property measurements revealed a high relative permittivity (>1000), which could be modified with the addition of Bi(Zn1/2Ti1/2)O3 (BZT) and BiScO3 (BS) to engineer a temperature‐stable dielectric response with a temperature coefficient of permittivity (TCε) as low as −182 ppm/°C. By incorporating 2 mol% Ba vacancies into the stoichiometry, the resistivity increased significantly, especially at high temperatures (>200°C). Vogel–Fulcher analysis of the permittivity data showed that the materials exhibited freezing of polar nanoregions over the range of 100–150 K. An analysis of optical absorption near the band edge for the Ba‐deficient compositions suggested that the enhanced resistivity values were linked to a decrease in the concentration of defect states. An activation energy of ~1.4 eV was obtained from DC resistivity measurements suggesting that an intrinsic conduction mechanism played a major role in the high temperature conductivity. Finally, multilayer capacitors based on these compositions were fabricated, which exhibited dielectric properties comparable to the bulk material. Based on these results, this family of materials has great promise for high‐temperature capacitor applications.
Allelic variants of XRCC1 and XRCC3 repair genes and susceptibility of oral cancer in Brazilian patients
Authors: dos Reis Mariana Bisarro , Losi‐Guembarovski Roberta , de Souza Fonseca Ribeiro Enilze Maria , Cavalli Iglenir João , Morita Maria Celeste , Ramos Gyl Henrique Albrecht , de Oliveira Benedito Valdecir , Mizuno Lauro Toyoshi , Rogatto Silvia Regina , de Syllos Cólus Ilce Mara
Published: July 2012

J Oral Pathol Med (2013)42: 180–185

Background:  The capacity for DNA repair is essential in maintaining cellular functions and homeostasis; however, this capacity can be altered based on DNA sequence variations in DNA repair genes, which may contribute to the onset of cancer. Many single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in repair genes have been found to be associated with oral cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of allelic variants Arg194Trp (rs:1799782) and Arg399Gln (rs: 25487) of XRCC1 gene and Thr241Met (rs: 861539) of XRCC3 gene and susceptibility to oral cancer. We also attempted to correlate the frequencies obtained for each of the SNPs to histopathological parameters.

Methods:  A case–control study was conducted with genomic DNA from 150 patients with oral squamous cell carcinomas and 150 controls. SNPs were genotyped by RFLP‐PCR.

Results:  The presence of the polymorphic variants of the XRCC1 gene within codon 194 (OR 0.82, 95% CI: 0.44–1.51) and codon 399 (OR 0.94, 95% CI: 0.59–1.50) and within the XRCC3 gene (OR 0.72; 95% CI: 0.45–1.16) were not associated with an increased risk of oral cancer. A combinational analysis of SNPs in both genes indicated no association. The presence of the allelic variants of these two genes had no statistically significant effect on tumor differentiation, lymph node invasion or tumor size.

Conclusions:  These results suggest that allelic variants of XRCC1 and XRCC3 are not suitable markers for susceptibility to carcinomas of the oral cavity and are also not related to the later stages of such tumors.
Broad‐scale satellite Normalized Difference Vegetation Index data predict plant biomass and peak date of nitrogen concentration in Arctic tundra vegetation
Authors: Doiron Madeleine , Legagneux Pierre , Gauthier Gilles , Lévesque Esther
Published: July 2012

Questions

Is the satellite‐derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) an adequate proxy for the timing of the peak in plant nitrogen concentration in an Arctic tundra system? Can NDVI be used to reliably assess seasonal changes in aboveground plant biomass?

Location

The south plain of Bylot Island, an Arctic tundra ecosystem north of Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada (73°08′ N, 80°00′ W).

Methods

Using plant data collected every 2 wk throughout the summer in 1991, 1993–1996 and 2006–2008, we assessed the relationship between four NDVI indices (AVHRR satellite data at 1‐km2 spatial resolution) and the date of peak nitrogen concentration in wetland graminoid plants, which represents seasonal variability in plant quality. We also examined the relationship between NDVI and the seasonal changes in aboveground live plant biomass.

Results

Three out of the four NDVI metrics that we tested were significantly related to date of peak nitrogen concentration. The strongest relationship was found with the date at which NDVI values reached 50% of their annual maximum (r2 = 0.87). We also found a positive exponential relationship between NDVI and aboveground biomass of plants (r2 = 0.58), though this relationship was strongest early in the growing season.

Conclusions

NDVI can be used as a proxy to determine date of peak nitrogen concentration in some tundra plants, and can thus be a reliable measure of the yearly changes in the timing of the availability of high quality food for herbivores. To a lesser extent, NDVI can also be used to assess seasonal change in plant biomass. This study provides additional support for the use of broad‐scale satellite‐derived NDVI to assess seasonal changes in habitat quality for herbivores.
THE TRUANCY INTERVENTION PROJECT: OUR TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Authors: Skola Elizabeth Patz , Williamson Kara
Published: July 2012

The Truancy Intervention Project (TIP) was organized in 1991 in response to the growing truancy problem in Atlanta. Since 1991, through early intervention counseling and in‐court volunteer mentoring programs, TIP has represented over 6,000 of Georgia's truant or at‐risk children. TIP pairs volunteers (attorney and nonattorneys) with children who are not attending school and their families in the hopes that by working together they can get to the root of the problem and get the children back in school. Further, TIP provides its families with the resources and services necessary to ensure good attendance and success in school. By keeping kids in school, TIP and its volunteers are successful in reducing the rates of juvenile crime, teen pregnancy, and illiteracy in Georgia.

Key Points for Family Court Community:

The article provides the history and overview of Georgia's Truancy Intervention Project (TIP), which works with truant and at‐risk children and their families to get the children back in school.

TIP's Early Intervention Initiative works with elementary schools to identify and counsel chronically absent children to develop a plan to prevent future absences and divert children from the juvenile justice system.

TIP has expanded geographically within Georgia, and cities across the country have replicated the TIP program.

Through collaboration with the Fulton County Juvenile Court, TIP has unique access to a designated judge for handling truancy cases and a group of probation officers dedicated solely to working with students charged with truancy.

One aspect of TIP that sets it apart from other truancy‐prevention programs is its heavy reliance on trained volunteers, particularly those from the local legal community.

TIP receives funding from several private and public sources, including United Way, grants, federal funding, and the legal community.
STATEWIDE SPECIAL EDUCATION SURROGATE PARENT PROGRAMS: ENSURING QUALITY ADVOCACY TO ALL FOSTER CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS
Authors: Choe Gina
Published: July 2012

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) protects foster children's rights to have a special education decision maker. For foster children who do not have a natural or adoptive parent or a responsible adult in their life to take on this role, IDEIA requires that a special education surrogate parent be appointed by appropriate procedures. Under IDEIA, these procedures are delegated to the states. Each state must ensure that local education agencies (LEAs) delineate methods for recruiting and maintaining a pool of available special education surrogate parents. Due to differing state laws and LEA procedures, there are many discrepancies in the quality and availability of special education surrogate parents. To combat these problems, this Note proposes principles for administrative regulations establishing statewide special education surrogate parent programs by examining existing statewide programs. Administered through a state's Department of Education in collaboration with child welfare agencies, statewide special education surrogate parent programs guarantee well‐qualified decision makers who will advocate for all children eligible for special education services.