bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Requirements for Next Generation Spatial Data Infrastructures‐Standardized Web Based Geoprocessing and Web Service Orchestration
Authors: Kiehle Christian , Greve Klaus , Heier Christian
Published: May 2009

Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) have been widely accepted to exchange geospatial data among organizations. Today SDIs main focus lies on the provision of geospatial data in the form of distributed spatial web services, the retrieval through catalogues, and visualization in the form of Web Map Services (WMS). The hypothesis presented in this paper takes SDI's one step further by providing a method to process geodata in an Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) compliant way into information. Two case studies present the potential of standardized geoprocessing services. In addition, this paper addresses the problem of service chaining by providing a system architecture to implement complex geoprocessing models and workflows based on web services using Web Service Orchestration (WSO). The proposed methods utilize spatial standards provided by OGC, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and ‘mainstream IT’ standards provided by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) to establish a generic web service architecture for providing common geoprocessing capabilities (e.g. spatial algorithms, map algebra, etc.) for usage in SDIs.
Robbins on Economic Generalizations and Reality in the Light of Modern Econometrics
Authors: BACKHOUSE ROGER E. , DURLAUF STEVEN N.
Published: May 2009

This paper examines Lionel Robbins' critical attitude towards formal empirical work from the standpoint of modern econometrics. It argues that his attitude towards empirical work rested on indefensible assumptions and that he failed to realise that the role he saw for empirical work undermined his belief in the primacy of economic theory. This matters because Robbins' attitudes are echoed in modern economics, best exemplified by the calibration methodology of Kydland and Prescott, which is vulnerable to similar criticisms.
Labour Market Institutions and Technological Employment
Authors: CHÉRON ARNAUD , LANGOT FRANCOIS , MORENO‐GALBIS EVA
Published: May 2009

Our paper seeks to gain insights into the effect of labour market institutions on the dynamics of the labour market during the diffusion process of new technologies. We develop an endogenous job destruction matching framework, with heterogeneous workers, where the segmentation of the labour market between workers having the required ability to do a technological job and the rest of the workers is endogenous. The dynamics of this segmentation may follow a monotonous decreasing path or a non‐monotonous U‐shaped path depending on the unemployment benefit system. If benefits are generous, we are in the U‐shaped case.
Electrophysiological markers of large fibre sensory neuropathy: a study of sensory and motor conduction parameters
Authors: Rajabally Y. A. , Beri S. , Bankart J.
Published: May 2009

Background:  The frequency of sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) abnormalities in large fibre sensory neuropathy (LFSN) is uncertain. When sural SNAPs are normal, the sural/radial amplitude ratio (SRAR) was found to improve diagnostic yield in some studies. Motor parameters have been studied rarely, but may be helpful in this setting.

Methods:  The electrophysiology of 105 consecutive patients with LFSN was reviewed and compared with that of 62 controls. We determined (i) the frequency of abnormal sural SNAPs, (ii) the proportion of patients with normal sural SNAPs but reduced SRAR <0.21 and (iii) the utility of motor studies (motor nerve conduction velocity, compound muscle action potential, F‐wave).

Results:  Reduced age‐adjusted sural SNAPs were present in 54.3% of all patients. In those with normal age‐adjusted sural SNAPs, SRAR <0.21 offered a sensitivity of 52.1% and specificity of 83.9%, and prolonged lower limb F‐wave latency >105% of the upper limit of normal (ULN) offered a sensitivity of 29.2% and specificity of 90%. Independently and in combination, both parameters significantly improved diagnostic yield.

Discussion:  The combined use of SRAR <0.21 and/or lower limb F‐wave delay >105% of the ULN may be useful in patients with LFSN and normal sural SNAPs.
Palliative care patients' experiences of healthcare treatment
Authors: Kennett Cynthia , Payne Malcolm
Published: May 2009

Kennett C, Payne M. Palliative care patients' experiences of healthcare treatment

Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 262–271 © 2009 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.

This article reports on a thematic analysis of the opinions of 34 palliative care patients about medical and healthcare treatment expressed in comments, narratives and discussions during a series of facilitated group discussions undertaken as part of training events for medical students. Palliative care patients often have long healthcare careers, which enables them to compare different professionals and services, thus offering a more powerful and complex analysis of patient experience than that obtainable from analysis of complaints or satisfaction surveys, and permits some understanding to be obtained of the attitudes that condition evaluations of services. The patients balanced negative views with positive experiences. They appreciated open, listening, equal and friendly relationships with professionals in which careful explanation fostered their confidence in the overall service. They criticised inflexible services that did not consider their broad needs, and in which relationships with professionals were characterised by busy‐ness and professional distance.
Anticipating bipedalism: trabecular organization in the newborn ilium
Authors: Cunningham Craig A. , Black Sue M.
Published: May 2009

Trabecular bone structural organization is considered to be predominantly influenced by localized temporal forces which act to maintain and remodel the trabecular architecture into a biomechanically optimal configuration. In the adult pelvis, the most significant remodelling forces are believed to be those generated during bipedal locomotion. However, during the fetal and neonatal period the pelvic complex is non‐weight bearing and, as such, structural organization of iliac trabecular bone cannot reflect direct stance‐related forces. In this study, micro‐computed tomography scans from 28 neonatal ilia were analysed, using a whole bone approach, to investigate the trabecular characteristics present within specific volumes of interest relevant to density gradients highlighted in a previous radiographic study. Analysis of the structural indices bone volume fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular spacing and trabecular number was carried out to quantitatively investigate structural composition. Quantification of the neonatal trabecular structure reinforced radiographic observations by highlighting regions of significant architectural form which grossly parallel architectural differences in the adult pattern but which have previously been attributed to stance‐related forces. It is suggested that the seemingly organized rudimentary scaffold observed in the neonatal ilium may be attributable to other non‐weight bearing anatomical interactions or even to a predetermined genetic blueprint. It must also be postulated that whilst the observed patterning may be indicative of a predetermined inherent template, early non‐weight bearing and late stance‐related locomotive influences may subsequently be superimposed upon this scaffolding and perhaps reinforced and likely remodelled at a later age. Ultimately, the analysis of this fundamental primary pattern has core implications for understanding the earliest changes in pelvic trabecular architecture and provides a baseline insight into future ontogenetic development and bipedal capabilities.
Knockdown of alpha myosin heavy chain disrupts the cytoskeleton and leads to multiple defects during chick cardiogenesis
Authors: Rutland Catrin , Warner Louise , Thorpe Aaran , Alibhai Aziza , Robinson Thelma , Shaw Barry , Layfield Robert , Brook J. David , Loughna Siobhan
Published: May 2009

Atrial septal defects are a common congenital heart defect in humans. Although mutations in different genes are now frequently being described, little is known about the processes and mechanisms behind the early stages of atrial septal development. By utilizing morpholino‐induced knockdown in the chick we have analysed the role of alpha myosin heavy chain during early cardiogenesis in a temporal manner. Upon knockdown of alpha myosin heavy chain, three different phenotypes of the atrial septum were observed: (1) the atrial septum failed to initiate, (2) the septum was initiated but was growth restricted, or (3) incorrect specification occurred resulting in multiple septa forming. In addition, at a lower frequency, decreased alpha myosin heavy chain was found to give rise to an abnormally looped heart or an enlarged heart. Staining of the actin cytoskeleton indicated that many of the myofibrils in the knockdown hearts were not as mature as those observed in the controls, suggesting a mechanism for the defects seen. Therefore, these data suggest a role for alpha myosin heavy chain in modelling of the early heart and the range of defects to the atrial septum suggest roles in its initiation, specification and growth during development.
Subcellular distribution of key enzymes of lipid metabolism during the euthermia‐hibernation‐arousal cycle
Authors: Suozzi Anna , Malatesta Manuela , Zancanaro Carlo
Published: May 2009

Mammalian hibernation is a natural, fully reversible hypometabolic state characterized by a drastic reduction of body temperature and metabolic activity, which ensures survival to many species under adverse environmental conditions. During hibernation, many hibernators rely for energy supply almost exclusively on lipid reserves; the shift from carbohydrate to lipid metabolism implies profound rearrangement of the anabolic and catabolic pathways of energetic substrates. However, the structural counterpart of such adaptation is not known. In this study we investigated, by using immunoelectron microscopy, the fine intracellular distribution of two key enzymes involved in lipid metabolism, namely, the fatty acid synthase (FAS) and the long‐chain fatty acyl‐CoA synthetase (ACSL), in hepatocytes of euthermic, hibernating and arousing hazel dormice. Our results show that the two enzymes are differentially distributed in cellular compartments (cytoplasm, mitochondria and cell nuclei) of hepatocytes during euthermia. Quantitative redistribution of both enzymes among cellular compartments takes place during hibernation and arousal, in accordance with the physiological changes. Interestingly, this redistribution follows different seasonal patterns in cytoplasm, mitochondria and nuclei. In conclusion, our data represent the first quantitative morphological evidence of lipid enzyme distribution in a true hibernator throughout the year cycle, thus providing a structural framework to biochemical changes associated with the hypometabolism of hibernation.
Influence of potassium sorbate on the growth of yeasts and moulds in yogurt
Authors: AL‐ASHMAWY MAHA A M , IBRAHIM JEHAN I
Published: May 2009

Yeasts and moulds are little affected by low pH and may cause spoilage of yogurt during storage. In the present study, potassium sorbate was added as a preservative in concentrations of 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%. The unpreserved yogurt showed unfavourable characteristics: yeast and mould counts and acidity increased. The addition of potassium sorbate, however, inhibited yeast and mould levels, with normal characteristic properties extending more than 14 days. Potassium sorbate is thus seen as valuable for preserving yogurt.
The effects of carob juice concentrates on the properties of yoghurt
Authors: ATASOY AHMET FERIT
Published: May 2009

Plain and fruit‐flavoured yoghurts were made by adding 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mL carob juice concentrate (CJC) portions to 100 mL milk. The titratable acidity, pH, viscosity, whey separation, yoghurt organisms and sensory properties were determined weekly over a period of 4 weeks. Addition of CJC caused an increase in the fermentation time and reduced viscosity and viable organisms, while increasing the pH and whey separation of the yoghurts (P < 0.05). A lack of sweetness was the main criticism of the yoghurts with 2.5 and 5.0 mL CJC, while those with 7.5 or 10.0 mL were mostly preferred by sensory panellists.
The distribution of Enterobacteriaceae and some pathogenic micro‐organisms in nonbranded white cheese samples sold in Ankara city
Authors: URAZ GÜVEN , BOLAT SERPIL , YILMAZ EBRU , SEZGİN EMEL
Published: May 2009

In this research, 75 samples of nonbranded white cheese, presented for sale in small markets from various regions and bazaars in Ankara, were studied. Eighty‐six isolates, 71 of which are Gram‐negative isolates and 15 of which are Gram‐positive isolates, were obtained. These isolates were identified by using bioMérieux API20E and classical methods. Total mesophilic bacteria counts and total coliform bacteria counts were carried out for each white cheese sample. The total average mesophilic bacteria of 75 white cheese samples was 15.5 × 105 cfu/g and the total average coliform bacteria were 13.6 × 105 cfu/g.
Effect of protein content, casein–whey protein ratio and pH value on the foaming properties of skimmed milk
Authors: BORCHERDING KATJA , LORENZEN PETER C H R , HOFFMANN WOLFGANG
Published: May 2009

The average bubble diameter (ABD) and density of skimmed milk foam decreased with increasing protein content, up to 4%, while drainage was widely comparable. Samples with casein–whey protein ratios (C/W) of 94/6 and 7/93 showed smaller ABD than samples from mixtures with C/W ratios between 60/40 and 20/80. Foams prepared from samples with C/W of 20/80 exhibited the lowest drainage values after 10 min. Increasing pH from 6.4 to 7.0 led to increased overrun and ABD, while drainage was widely comparable, with a minimum value at pH 6.7. The protein composition of skimmed milk and foams prepared from this milk in relation to protein content, C/W ratio and pH value differed only slightly.
Calcium binding of peptides derived from enzymatic hydrolysates of whey protein concentrate
Authors: RUI X U
Published: May 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the peptides derived from enzymatic hydrolysates of whey protein concentrate. The physiological activity of peptides in whey protein may be used in food additives to promote the absorption of calcium and prevent bone disorders. The whey protein was hydrolysed by trypsin, and the separation of peptides, the properties of hydrolysates and the analysis of the ability to inhibit the formation of calcium phosphates were then investigated. Calcium‐binding peptides were produced by tryptic hydrolysis of whey protein concentrate and further purified by precipitation and chromatography on DEAE‐cellulose. The hydrolysates were loaded onto an ion‐exchange column, followed by stepwise elution with 0, 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 m NaCl in equilibration buffer to separate the peptides. Trypsin hydrolysates were shown to peak with 0.25 m NaCl and 0.5 m NaCl. The results of SDS‐PAGE analysis showed that the peptides with a small molecular weight of about 1.4 to 3.4 kDa were present in the fraction resulting from 0.25 m and 0.5 m NaCl stepwise elution by ion‐exchange chromatography of tryptic hydrolysates. The results of this study show that the whey protein hydrolysates produced by the action of trypsin have the ability to inhibit the formation of calcium phosphates.
Practical wisdom in health and social care: teaching for professional phronesis
Authors: Sellman Derek
Published: May 2009

The purpose of teaching ethics to nurses and other health and social care practitioners is not always clear. At the extremes of the continuum of aims sit (i) the teaching of ethics as a subject just like any other subject; and (ii) the teaching of ethics as a form of moral education. In this article, I outline the pedagogic tension this uncertainty creates before offering some insights into the educational implications of teaching ethics from the perspective of the ethics of Aristotle. In this conception, ethics is the pursuit of character development and specifically the development of practical wisdom, or what I have termed professional phronesis. I argue that while learning to approximate practical wisdom for nursing is possible, from the perspective of the ethics of Aristotle it is problematic for higher education. An Aristotelian approach has the potential to undermine the demarcation of teacher role as this is usually understood in higher education at the present time because, as I suggest, the best teachers of professional phronesis may turn out to be those practitioners (including practitioners of teaching) who exemplify the professional phronimos (or professionally wise practitioner).
Lifespan extension in genetically modified mice
Authors: Ladiges Warren , Van Remmen Holly , Strong Randy , Ikeno Yuji , Treuting Piper , Rabinovitch Peter , Richardson Arlan
Published: May 2009

Major advances in aging research have been made by studying the effect of genetic modifications on the lifespan of organisms, such as yeast, invertebrates (worms and flies) and mice. Data from yeast and invertebrates have been the most plentiful because of the ease in which genetic manipulations can be made and the rapidity by which lifespan experiments can be performed. With the ultimate focus on advancing human health, testing genetic interventions in mammals is crucial, and the mouse has proven to be the mammal most amenable to this task. Lifespan studies in mice are resource intensive, requiring up to 4 years to complete. Therefore, it is critical that a set of scientifically‐based criteria be followed to assure reliable results and establish statistically significant findings so other laboratories can replicate and build on the data. Only then will it be possible to confidently determine that the genetic modification extends lifespan and alters aging.
Mapping Australasia
Authors: Smith Philippa Mein
Published: May 2009

History Compass divides the world into regions, one of which is an ‘Australasia and Pacific’ section. But where and what is Australasia? Does Australasia simply mean Australia and New Zealand? What happened to this idea over time, and does it exist in the twenty‐first century? This article examines the mapping of Australasia since the name ‘Australasia’ entered European language and consciousness in the eighteenth century. Informed by post‐colonial history yet following traditional archival practice, the method comprises analysis of a sequence of digitised maps in the National Library of Australia, which are available on‐line, followed by a set of maps of Australasia attached to this article, which are reproduced courtesy of the National Library of New Zealand. Three conclusions follow from the cartographic evidence. First, historical maps of Australasia exemplify how the act of naming is not neutral and reflects shifts in global power. Second, Australia and New Zealand share a history; and third, an ‘Antipodean’, ‘oceanic’ perspective as advocated by J. G. A. Pocock suggests that Australia and New Zealand may have a common future in a ‘new’ Australasia.
Eyelid fluttering, typical EEG pattern, and impaired intellectual function: A homogeneous epileptic condition among the patients presenting with eyelid myoclonia
Authors: Capovilla Giuseppe , Striano Pasquale , Gambardella Antonio , Beccaria Francesca , Hirsch Edouard , Casellato Susanna , Romeo Antonino , Rubboli Guido , Sofia Vito , Teutonico Federica , Valenti Maria Paola , Striano Salvatore
Published: May 2009

Purpose: This retrospective study aims to review the electroclinical features of patients presenting with eyelid myoclonia (EM) with and without absences.

Methods: The Italian chapter of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has been conducting an electroclinical study of patients with EM. Among these, we searched for and selected the patients presenting with both impairment of intellectual functions and a peculiar ictal electroencephalography (EEG) pattern, that is, a discharge of fast generalized polyspikes/polyspikes and waves.

Results: We found 18 patients matching this electroclinical picture. All the patients were photosensitive. All of them had associated generalized, mostly nocturnal, tonic–clonic seizures. During the evolution, 13 patients presented episodes of EM status. Despite adequate antiepileptic treatment, the patients remained drug resistant for many years or throughout the evolution. The degree of impairment of intellectual functions varied from borderline level to moderate mental retardation.

Discussion: The patients we described herein can be considered a homogeneous group in the more heterogeneous group of patients presenting with EM. Further clinical and, more probably, genetic studies will clarify whether this condition could be considered a specific and homogeneous condition in the more heterogeneous group of patients presenting with EM.
Designing Referral Network Structures and Decision Rules to Streamline Provision of Urgent Health and Human Services*
Authors: Gibbons Deborah E. , Samaddar Subhashish
Published: May 2009

This study uses fully factorial computer simulation to identify referral network attributes and referral decision rules that streamline the routing of people to urgent, limited services. As an example of a scenario, the model represents vaccine delivery in a city of 100,000 people during the first 30 days of a pandemic. By modeling patterns of communication among health care providers and daily routing of overflow clients to affiliated organizations, the simulations determine cumulative effects of referral network designs and decision rules on citywide delivery of available vaccines. Referral networks generally improve delivery rates when compared with random local search by clients. Increasing the health care organizations’ tendencies to form referral partnerships from zero to about four partners per organization sharply increases vaccine delivery under most conditions, but further increases in partnering yield little or no gain in system performance. When making referrals, probabilistic selection among partner organizations that have any capacity to deliver vaccines is more effective than selection of the highest‐capacity partner, except when tendencies to form partnerships are very low. Implications for designing health and human service referral networks and helping practitioners optimize their use of the networks are discussed. Suggestions for using simulations to model comparable systems are provided.
Sequential and Simultaneous Decision Making for Optimizing Health Care Resource Flexibilities
Authors: Gnanlet Adelina , Gilland Wendell G.
Published: May 2009

Health care administrators commonly employ two types of resource flexibilities (demand upgrades and staffing flexibility) to efficiently coordinate two critical internal resources, nursing staff and beds, and an external resource (contract nurses) to satisfy stochastic patient demand. Under demand upgrades, when beds are unavailable for patients in a less acute unit, patients are upgraded to a more acute unit if space is available in that unit. Under staffing flexibility, nurses cross‐trained to work in more than one unit are used in addition to dedicated and contract nurses. Resource decisions (beds and staffing) can be made at a single point in time (simultaneous decision making) or at different points in time (sequential decision making). In this article, we address the following questions: for each flexibility configuration, under sequential and simultaneous decision making, what is the optimal resource level required to meet stochastic demand at minimum cost? Is one type of flexibility (e.g., demand upgrades) better than the other type of flexibility (e.g., staffing flexibility)? We use two‐stage stochastic programming to find optimal resource levels for two nonhomogeneous hospital units that face stochastic demand following a continuous, general distribution. We conduct a full‐factorial numerical experiment and find that the benefit of using staffing flexibility on average is greater than the benefit of using demand upgrades. However, the two types of flexibilities have a positive interaction effect and they complement each other. The type of flexibility and decision timing has an independent effect on system performance (capacity and staffing costs). The benefits of cross‐training can be largely realized even if beds and staffing levels have been determined prior to the establishment of a cross‐training initiative.
Linguistic Anthropology in 2008: An Election‐Cycle Guide
Authors: Faudree Paja
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT  Loosely following the structure of the U.S. election cycle, I identify some of the more important institutions and events that have recently served as venues for field‐building scholarly practices and processes in linguistic anthropology. I examine various trends and concerns animating recent publications on language and social life. I discuss the ongoing impact on the field of recent major works that attempt to codify methodological and theoretical approaches to the intersection of language and society. I also consider some of linguistic anthropology's emergent ventures, including new collaborative projects and new proposals for interdisciplinary work. Finally, I discuss some of the political implications of academic specialization, disciplinary boundaries, and impending “generational shift,” both in the subdiscipline and the academy generally. I close by raising questions about future directions and possibilities for research in linguistic anthropology and other interdisciplinary enterprises. [Keywords: linguistic anthropology, interdisciplinarity, linguistic ideology, semiotic practices, linguistic variation]
Disciplining Investment Bankers, Disciplining the Economy: Wall Street's Institutional Culture of Crisis and the Downsizing of “Corporate America”
Authors: Ho Karen
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT  Countering the “mystique” of finance as abstract and disembedding, in this article I approach the financial market from the site of investment banking corporate culture to concretize large‐scale processes and access its effects in the world. By investigating Wall Street investment banks’ role in two pivotal socioeconomic phenomena—rampant downsizings throughout “corporate America” and the financial bubble and bust of 2001—I explore whether financial crises and corporate downsizing can be better understood via Wall Street's quotidian practices. I draw theoretical inspiration from the figure of the downsized investment banker, who embodies and connects Wall Street's rationales for downsizing as well as “the effects.” Although shareholder value and externalized market justifications are Wall Street's models for understanding downsizing, I move beyond these dominant assumptions, demonstrating that bankers’ own work experiences, market temporalities, and organizational culture serve as an incisive model to explain Wall Street's role in downsizing and financial crisis. [Keywords: Wall Street, corporate downsizing, financial markets, shareholder value, organizational culture]
Fungibility: Florida Seminole Casino Dividends and the Fiscal Politics of Indigeneity
Authors: Cattelino Jessica R.
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT  In this article, I examine Florida Seminoles’ governmental distributions of tribal‐gaming revenues that take the form of per capita dividends. Dividends reveal the political and cultural stakes of money's fungibility—its ability to substitute for itself. From tribal policy debates over children's dividends to the legitimization of political leadership through monetary redistribution, Seminoles selectively exploit the fungibility of money to break or make ties with one another and with non‐Seminoles. They do so in ways that reinforce indigenous political authority and autonomy, and they thereby challenge structural expectations in U.S. public culture and policy that would oppose indigenous distinctiveness to the embrace of money. [Keywords: money, tribal gaming, American Indians, Florida Seminoles]
New Immigrant Youth Interpreting in White Public Space
Authors: Reynolds Jennifer F. , Orellana Marjorie Faulstich
Published: May 2009

ABSTRACT  Bilingual children are frequently called on to use their linguistic and communicative virtuosity to interpret for monolingual speakers. In this article, we theorize child interpreters’ positionalities within the interstices of several borderlands: as children; as interpreters and translators interpreting different languages, registers, and discourses; and as immigrants seeking services within white public space. We analyze how youths are positioned to provide service and surveillance within overdetermined interpreter‐mediated practices. In examining these practices, we raise to consciousness some of the social and ideological conditions that circumscribe working‐class Latino/a and new Mexican immigrant children within inherently unequal subject positions. [Keywords: interpreter‐mediated interactions, childhood, Mexican new immigrants, racialization, white public space]
Role of symbiotic gut bacteria in the development ofAcrosternum hilareandMurgantia histrionica
Authors: Prado Simone S. , Almeida Rodrigo P. P.
Published: May 2009

The green stink bug,Acrosternum hilare(Say), and the harlequin bug,Murgantia histrionica(Hahn) (both Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), are pests of many economically important crops. Although both species have been studied extensively, until recently their relationships with symbiotic gut bacteria have remained unknown. The endosymbionts may be important, as other pentatomomorphan species harbor vertically transmitted gut bacteria that play an important role in the biology of their host insects. We report the role of gut symbiotic bacteria on the development and fitness ofA. hilareandM. histrionicaby comparing control insects with individuals that hatched from surface sterilized egg masses. We studied the life history ofA. hilareandM. histrionicaunder laboratory conditions at 23 ± 2 °C and L16:D8, measuring nymphal mortality and development time, and estimating other demographic parameters. We also evaluated egg masses, nymphs, and adults of both species with diagnostic PCR primers for the presence of specific gut symbiotic bacteria for both treatments. Our results show that egg mass surface sterilization eliminates or reduces the prevalence of this bacterium‐insect symbiosis in both species.Acrosternum hilare’s development time, survivorship, and other demographic parameters were negatively affected by surface sterilization of egg masses. Conversely,M. histrionica’s survivorship was marginally increased by clearing its symbiont infection during the first generation; however, mean generation time was significantly longer. Our data indicate that the degree of mutualism in this association for pentatomid species is variable, given thatA. hilarerequires its symbiont for adequate development and survival, whereasM. histrionica’s symbiont may not be required for development and survival under the experimental conditions used.
Development and evaluation of a vaginal ring device for sustained delivery of HIV microbicides to non‐human primates
Authors: Promadej‐Lanier Nattawan , Smith James M. , Srinivasan Priya , McCoy Clare F. , Butera Sal , Woolfson A. David , Malcolm R. Karl , Otten Ron A.
Published: May 2009

Background  There is considerable interest in developing coitally independent, sustained release formulations for long‐term administration of HIV microbicides. Vaginal ring devices are at the forefront of this formulation strategy.

Methods  Non‐medicated silicone elastomer vaginal rings were prepared having a range of appropriate dimensions for testing vaginal fit in pig‐tailed and Chinese rhesus macaques. Cervicovaginal proinflammatory markers were evaluated. Compression testing was performed to compare the relative flexibility of various macaque and commercial human rings.

Results  All rings remained in place during the study period and no tissue irritation or significant induction of cervicovaginal proinflammatory markers or signs of physical discomfort were observed during the 8‐week study period.

Conclusions  Qualitative evaluation suggests that the 25 × 5‐mm ring provided optimal fit in both macaque species. Based on the results presented here, low‐consistency silicone elastomers do not cause irritation in macaques and are proposed as suitable materials for the manufacture of microbicide‐loaded vaginal rings.
Lipins, Lipids and Nuclear Envelope Structure
Authors: Siniossoglou Symeon
Published: May 2009

The lipid composition of biological membranes is crucial for many aspects of organelle function, including growth, signalling, and transport. Lipins represent a novel family of lipid phosphatases that dephosphorylate phosphatidic acid (PA) to produce diacylglycerol (DAG), and perform key functions in phospholipid and triacylglycerol biosynthesis and gene expression. In addition to its role in lipid biosynthesis, the yeast lipin Pah1p and its regulators are required for the maintenance of a spherical nuclear shape. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the yeast lipin Pah1p and highlights the possible roles of phospholipid metabolism in nuclear membrane biogenesis.
Evaluation of habitat sustainability and vulnerability for beech (Fagus crenata) forests under 110 hypothetical climatic change scenarios in Japan
Authors: Matsui Tetsuya , Takahashi Kiyoshi , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Hijioka Yasuaki , Horikawa Masahiro , Yagihashi Tsutomu , Harasawa Hideo
Published: May 2009

Questions: Are there any sustainable or vulnerable habitats in which beech (Fagus crenata) forests could survive in Japan under 110 hypothetical climate change scenarios?

Location: Six islands of Japan on which beech grows naturally.

Methods: An ecological habitat model was used to simulate the potential habitat shifts of beech forests under 110 climate change scenarios. The amount of suitable habitat loss and gain was calculated with three migration options and risk surfaces. Vulnerable and sustainable habitats were identified to evaluate the potential risks and survival of beech forests.

Results: The total areas of potential suitable habitats differed considerably depending on the future temperature and precipitation changes. Some areas on the Sea of Japan (SOJ) side showed higher probability of maintaining suitable habitats, whereas there were wider areas in which suitable habitats could not persist under any of the 110 climate change scenarios.

Conclusions: The risk surfaces of the suitable habitats showed that decreases in precipitation along with increases in temperature reduced the total areas of suitable habitats. Increases in precipitation with increases in temperature of more than or equal to 2°C always reduce the areas of suitable habitats. Under increased precipitation with a temperature increase of <2°C, the areas of suitable habitats showed an increase, maintenance of the status quo or a decrease, depending on the size of the increase in precipitation. Beech forests in western Japan are predicted to be vulnerable to climate change, whereas some mountains on the SOJ side are predicted to be possible future refugia.
Mapping continuous fields of forest alpha and beta diversity
Authors: Feilhauer Hannes , Schmidtlein Sebastian
Published: May 2009

Question: How to map continuous fields of forest alpha and beta diversity in remote areas, based on easily accessible spatial data.

Location: Kyrgyzstan/Central Asia.

Methods: The study relied on a combination of predictive mapping and remote sensing. Punctual measurements of alpha diversity were linked to topography and reflectance using regression models. For beta diversity, ordination techniques were employed to extract major vegetation gradients. Scores on the ordination axes were regressed against topography as well as reflectance and subsequently mapped. Beta diversity was mapped as spatial turnover rate along these axes.

Results: The diversity maps quantified species counts and turnover in a spatially contiguous manner while taking into account fuzzy transitions. The variance explained by regression models ranged from 51% to 61% in cross‐validation. Many of the observed differences were caused by differences in species shares. The occurrence of walnut, in particular, showed a negative relation to woody species numbers.

Conclusion: Mapping biodiversity in remote areas can be based on easily accessible spatial data in combination with a set of calibration field samples. With regard to human influence on walnut dominance, a total removal of human land use would be counterproductive in terms of diversity conservation. The results of this study highlight the need for comprehensive analyses of diversity patterns that include spatially contiguous quantifications of species numbers, shares and turnover rates.
Partitioning of functional diversity reveals the scale and extent of trait convergence and divergence
Authors: De Bello Francesco , Thuiller Wilfried , Lepš Jan , Choler Philippe , Clément Jean‐Christophe , Macek Petr , Sebastià Maria‐Teresa , Lavorel Sandra
Published: May 2009

Questions: Trait differentiation among species occurs at different spatial scales within a region. How does the partitioning of functional diversity help to identify different community assembly mechanisms?

Location: Northeastern Spain.

Methods: Functional diversity can be partitioned into within‐community (α) and among‐communities (β) components, in analogy to Whittaker's classical α and β species diversity concept. In light of ecological null models, we test and discuss two algorithms as a framework to measure α and β functional diversity (the Rao quadratic entropy index and the variance of trait values). Species and trait (specific leaf area) data from pastures under different climatic conditions in NE Spain are used as a case study.

Results: The proposed indices show different mathematical properties but similarly account for the spatial components of functional diversity. For all vegetation types along the climatic gradient, the observed α functional diversity was lower than expected at random, an observation consistent with the hypothesis of trait convergence resulting from habitat filtering. On the other hand, our data exhibited a remarkably higher functional diversity within communities compared to among communities (α≫β). In contrast to the high species turnover, there was a limited functional diversity turnover among communities, and a large part of the trait divergence occurred among coexisting species.

Conclusions: Partitioning functional diversity within and among communities revealed that both trait convergence and divergence occur in the formation of assemblages from the local species pool. A considerable trait convergence exists at the regional scale in spite of changes in species composition, suggesting the existence of ecological redundancy among communities.
A community‐level test of the leaf‐height‐seed ecology strategy scheme in relation to grazing conditions
Authors: Golodets Carly , Sternberg Marcelo , Kigel Jaime
Published: May 2009

Question: Is the assumption of trait independence implied in Westoby's (1998) leaf‐height‐seed (LHS) ecology strategy scheme upheld in a Mediterranean grazing system dominated by annuals? Is the LHS approach applicable at the community level?

Location: Northern Israel.

Methods: LHS traits (specific leaf area [SLA], plant height and seed mass), and additional leaf traits (leaf dry matter content [LDMC], leaf area, and leaf content of nitrogen [LNC], carbon [LCC], and phosphorus [LPC]), were analyzed at the species and community levels. Treatments included manipulations of grazing intensity (moderate and heavy) and protection from grazing. We focused on species comprising 80% of biomass over all treatments, assuming that these species drive trait relationships and ecosystem processes.

Results: At the species level, SLA and seed mass were negatively correlated, and plant height was positively correlated to LCC. SLA, seed mass, and LPC increased with protection from grazing. At the community level, redundancy analysis revealed one principal gradient of variation: SLA, correlated to grazing, versus seed mass and plant height, associated with protection from grazing. We divided community functional parameters into two groups according to grazing response: (1) plant height, seed mass, LDMC, and LCC, associated with protection from grazing, and (2) SLA, associated with grazing.

Conclusions: The assumption of independence between LHS traits was not upheld at the species level in this Mediterranean grazing system. At the community level, the LHS approach captured most of the variation associated with protection from grazing, reflecting changes in dominance within the plant community.
Periodontal health of older men: the MrOS dental study
Authors: Phipps Kathy R. , Chan Benjamin K. S. , Jennings‐Holt Marie , Geurs Nico C. , Reddy Michael S. , Lewis Cora E. , Orwoll Eric S. ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Research Group
Published: May 2009

Objective:  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of periodontitis in men of 65+ years and identify demographic and lifestyle factors associated with its presence.

Methods:  Participants were recruited from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study, a longitudinal study of risk factors for fractures in older men. Dental measures included clinical attachment loss (CAL), pocket depth (PD), calculus, plaque and bleeding on a random half‐mouth, plus a questionnaire regarding access to care, symptoms and previous diagnosis.

Results:  1210 dentate men completed the dental visit. Average age was 75 years, 39% reported some graduate school education, 32% smoked 20 + pack years and 88% reported their overall health as excellent/good. In terms of periodontal health, 38% had sub‐gingival calculus, 53% gingival bleeding, 82% CAL ≥5 mm and 34% PD ≥6 mm. The prevalence of severe periodontitis was 38%. Significant demographic and lifestyle factors associated with severe periodontitis in multivariate analyses included age ≥75 (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.7) non‐white race (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.3–2.8), less than an annual dental visit (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1–2.0), and 20 + pack years (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.6–2.7).

Conclusion:  A high proportion of healthy older men have evidence of periodontal destruction which could, given the growing ageing population, have a significant impact on the dental profession’s ability to provide preventive and therapeutic care. The population at highest risk of periodontitis in MrOS is older minority men who smoke and do not have annual dental visits.
A review of the effectiveness of oral health promotion activities among elderly people
Authors: McGrath Colman , Zhang Wen , Lo Edward C.
Published: May 2009

Objectives:  This study aimed to review the effectiveness of oral health promotion studies conducted among elderly people between 1997 and 2007.

Methods:  Four electronic databases were searched and papers were rated for level of evidence and scientific quality. Key findings of the papers were summarised.

Results:  Thirteen thousand nine hundred and four papers were retrieved and 17 studies (18 papers) met the criteria for the review: 13 were randomised controlled studies, three were quasi‐experimental studies and one was a pre‐/post‐single group intervention study. According to the Levels of Evidence, 11 studies could be categorised as 1b and six studies could be categorised as 2b. The quality of the evidence of the 17 studies ranged from 12 to 19; 13 of the studies had a score of 15 or above; four of the studies ranged from 12 to 14. Evidence from oral health promotion activities aimed at preventing caries, improving periodontal health and altering oral health behaviours were reviewed. The use of fluoride, antimicrobial agents and health‐care provider education has important roles within oral health promotion activities for elderly people. Studies have tended to be of short‐term duration and rely on surrogate outcome measures of oral health.

Conclusion:  In the last 10 years, increasing attention has been paid to oral health promotion activities among the elderly population and high quality evidence has emerged. However, there is a need for even higher‐quality research to provide more definitive guidelines on oral health promotion practices for elderly people.
Congenital gastrointestinal anomalies in anorectal malformations: What relationship and management?
Authors: Casaccia Germana , Catalano Onofrio Antonio , Bagolan Pietro
Published: May 2009

To date, no systematic review of gastrointestinal anomalies associated with anorectal malformations has been performed. We report the management of three challenging cases of neonates affected by congenital gastrointestinal and anorectal malformations and we review the pertinent published reports to disclose the incidence and outcome of this combination. In 3951 anorectal malformations, the incidence of digestive tract anomalies was approximately 15%. The association of multiple congenital gastrointestinal defects strongly increased the case complexity and worsened the outcome. Based on our study, the application of a rational and staged management plan provides easier diagnosis and treatment of complex cases. Moreover, keeping in mind the likely co‐occurrence of anorectal and gastrointestinal anomalies could help avoid misdiagnosis and prevent life‐threatening complications. Finally, the knowledge of this association and its successful management can help the multi‐specialist team to become more confident in counselling, diagnosis and treatment.
Digestive α‐amylases of the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella– adaptation to alkaline environment and plant inhibitors
Authors: Pytelková Jana , Hubert Jan , Lepšík Martin , Šobotník Jan , Šindelka Radek , Křížková Iva , Horn Martin , Mareš Michael
Published: May 2009

The digestive tract of lepidopteran insects is extremely alkaline. In the present work, molecular adaptation of amylolytic enzymes to this environment was investigated in the flour moth Ephestia kuehniella, an important stored‐product pest. Three digestive α‐amylases [Ephestia kuehniellaα‐amylase isoenzymes 1–3 (EkAmy1–3)] with an alkaline pH optimum were purified from larvae and biochemically characterized. These isoenzymes differ significantly in their sensitivity to α‐amylase inhibitors of plant origin that are directed against herbivores as antifeedants. Such functional variability renders the amylolytic system less vulnerable to suppression by plant defensive molecules. Moreover, we found that expression of α‐amylases is upregulated in larvae feeding on a diet enriched with an α‐amylase inhibitor. The α‐amylases are secreted into the larval midgut by an exocytotic mechanism, as revealed by immunogold microscopy. The cDNA sequence of EkAmy3 was determined, and a homology model of EkAmy3 was built in order to analyze the structural features responsible for adaptation to alkaline pH. First, the overall fold was found to be stabilized by remodeling of ion pairs. Second, molecular simulations supported by activity measurements showed that EkAmy3 does not bind a Cl–, owing to an Arg‐to‐Gln mutation in a conserved binding site. The Cl–‐binding residues are in contact with the catalytic residues, and this change might help to fine‐tune the catalytic pKa values to an alkaline pH optimum. We conclude that lepidopteran α‐amylases are evolutionarily adapted in terms of structure and expression dynamics for effective functioning in the digestive system.