bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foraging success of biological Lévy flights recorded in situ
Authors: Humphries Nicolas E. , Weimerskirch Henri , Queiroz Nuno , Southall Emily J. , Sims David W.
Published: April 2012

It is an open question how animals find food in dynamic natural environments where they possess little or no knowledge of where resources are located. Foraging theory predicts that in environments with sparsely distributed target resources, where forager knowledge about resources’ locations is incomplete, Lévy flight movements optimize the success of random searches. However, the putative success of Lévy foraging has been demonstrated only in model simulations. Here, we use high-temporal-resolution Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking of wandering (
Diomedea exulans
) and black-browed albatrosses (
Thalassarche melanophrys
) with simultaneous recording of prey captures, to show that both species exhibit Lévy and Brownian movement patterns. We find that total prey masses captured by wandering albatrosses during Lévy movements exceed daily energy requirements by nearly fourfold, and approached yields by Brownian movements in other habitats. These results, together with our reanalysis of previously published albatross data, overturn the notion that albatrosses do not exhibit Lévy patterns during foraging, and demonstrate that Lévy flights of predators in dynamic natural environments present a beneficial alternative strategy to simple, spatially intensive behaviors. Our findings add support to the possibility that biological Lévy flight may have naturally evolved as a search strategy in response to sparse resources and scant information.
Integrating ecosystem-service tradeoffs into land-use decisions
Authors: Goldstein Joshua H. , Caldarone Giorgio , Duarte Thomas Kaeo , Ennaanay Driss , Hannahs Neil , Mendoza Guillermo , Polasky Stephen , Wolny Stacie , Daily Gretchen C.
Published: April 2012

Recent high-profile efforts have called for integrating ecosystem-service values into important societal decisions, but there are few demonstrations of this approach in practice. We quantified ecosystem-service values to help the largest private landowner in Hawaii, Kamehameha Schools, design a land-use development plan that balances multiple private and public values on its North Shore land holdings (Island of O’ahu) of ∼10,600 ha. We used the InVEST software tool to evaluate the environmental and financial implications of seven planning scenarios encompassing contrasting land-use combinations including biofuel feedstocks, food crops, forestry, livestock, and residential development. All scenarios had positive financial return relative to the status quo of negative return. However, tradeoffs existed between carbon storage and water quality as well as between environmental improvement and financial return. Based on this analysis and community input, Kamehameha Schools is implementing a plan to support diversified agriculture and forestry. This plan generates a positive financial return ($10.9 million) and improved carbon storage (0.5% increase relative to status quo) with negative relative effects on water quality (15.4% increase in potential nitrogen export relative to status quo). The effects on water quality could be mitigated partially (reduced to a 4.9% increase in potential nitrogen export) by establishing vegetation buffers on agricultural fields. This plan contributes to policy goals for climate change mitigation, food security, and diversifying rural economic opportunities. More broadly, our approach illustrates how information can help guide local land-use decisions that involve tradeoffs between private and public interests.
Self-regulated viscous channel in the nuclear pore complex
Authors: Ma Jiong , Goryaynov Alexander , Sarma Ashapurna , Yang Weidong
Published: April 2012

The nuclear pore complex (NPC), the sole gateway for nucleocytoplasmic exchange in eukaryotic cells, allows for the passive diffusion of small molecules and transport-receptor-facilitated translocation of signal-dependent cargo molecules. Whether small molecules passively diffuse through a single central channel or through multiple holes of a hydrogel network is a subject of debate. Additionally, whether the passive and facilitated transport systems occupy distinct or overlapping physical regions of the NPC remains unclear. Here, we directly test these models using three-dimensional super-resolution fluorescence microscopy of human cells. This approach reveals that a single viscous central channel in the NPC acts as the sole pathway for passive diffusion of various small molecules; transport receptors and their cargo complexes take distinct transport routes in the periphery, which is occluded by phenylalanine-glycine filaments. Furthermore, the passive and facilitated passageways in the NPC are closely correlated, and their conformations can be simultaneously regulated by Importin β1 (a major transport receptor) and RanGTP (a critical regulator of transport directionality). These results strongly favor a self-regulated viscous channel configuration in native NPCs over the porous hydrogel meshwork model.
In planta
gene targeting
Authors: Fauser Friedrich , Roth Nadine , Pacher Michael , Ilg Gabriele , Sánchez-Fernández Rocío , Biesgen Christian , Puchta Holger
Published: April 2012

The development of designed site-specific endonucleases boosted the establishment of gene targeting (GT) techniques in a row of different species. However, the methods described in plants require a highly efficient transformation and regeneration procedure and, therefore, can be applied to very few species. Here, we describe a highly efficient GT system that is suitable for all transformable plants regardless of transformation efficiency. Efficient
in planta
GT was achieved in
Arabidopsis thaliana
by expression of a site-specific endonuclease that not only cuts within the target but also the chromosomal transgenic donor, leading to an excised targeting vector. Progeny clonal for the targeted allele could be obtained directly by harvesting seeds. Targeted events could be identified up to approximately once per 100 seeds depending on the target donor combination. Molecular analysis demonstrated that, in almost all events, homologous recombination occurred at both ends of the break. No ectopic integration of the GT vector was found.
Anticipation of the sexual and gender development of children adopted by same‐sex couples
Authors: Gato Jorge , Fontaine Anne Marie
Published: April 2012

The present study aimed to characterize beliefs surrounding the sexual and gender development of children adopted by lesbian and gay couples. Participants were 768 Portuguese university students. Using a quasiexperimental design, participants were presented with identical descriptions of a couple interested in adopting a child, manipulating couple sexual orientation and child gender. Participants were then asked to anticipate three aspects of the sexual and gender development of the adopted child: sexual orientation, gender role behavior, and gender identity. MANOVAs and follow‐up ANOVAs were conducted in order to analyze the data. Results indicated that participants, particularly males, considered children adopted by either lesbian or gay couples to have a lower probability of developing a normative sexual and gender identity than children adopted by heterosexual couples. Both men and women considered that children would emulate the sexual orientation of their same‐sex parents, and that a boy's gender role behavior was more at risk if he was adopted by a lesbian couple. Moreover, men were apprehensive about the gender role behavior of a boy adopted by a gay male couple. Overall, these results indicate persistence of biased evaluations of the sexual and gender development of children adopted by lesbian and gay parents. Furthermore, both gender of the participant and gender of the child play an important role in these evaluations. Results are discussed and interpreted as a way of “doing gender” in the context of hegemonic masculinity.
Emotions and gender in oral history: narrating Italy's 1968
Authors: Clifford Rebecca
Published: April 2012

The year 1968 was and remains an emotion-laden topic in Italy, and yet few historians have used emotions to parse the history and memory of this period. This paper draws on a collection of interviews with former activists in the student movement and the New Left to explore the ways in which expressions of feeling in life-history narratives can flag up possible lines of difference in women's and men's stories. It draws on three emotive themes – rebellion, violence and liberation – to explore the interaction between gender, feeling, narrative, and what the author calls the ‘third person in the room’: meta-narratives of 1960s activism that can exert a powerful weight on the interview, blending and blurring the lines of individual and collective experience.
Falcone and Borsellino: the story of an iconic photo
Authors: Dickie John
Published: April 2012

Tony Gentile is a professional press photographer. The shot he took of Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino shortly before they were murdered by the mafia in 1992 has become one of the most widespread vehicles of public memory of the two heroic magistrates. Here he is interviewed by John Dickie about how he came to take the picture, and how it became so famous.
‘Roma non dimentica i suoi figli’: love, sacrifice and emotional attachment to football heroes
Authors: Klugman Matthew , Ricatti Francesco
Published: April 2012

Italian football is renowned as much for the passion of its spectators as it is for the quality of its players, yet these spectators are understudied. Those studies that have been conducted have generally focused on the problems of violence and racism associated with some of the more extreme supporters, the so-calledultras. This paper aims to complement that research by analysing a different aspect of the passions of Italian spectators, namely the emotional ties they create with particular players upon whom they confer a special, hero-like status. Our interest lies not in questioning the legitimacy of this status, but rather in looking at what the history of these emotional attachments reveals of the football supporters themselves, and of their relationship to the football club they support. This paper focuses on the intense relationship supporters of Associazione Sportiva Roma have had with two key players: Agostino Di Bartolomei and Francesco Totti. Drawing on a large body of texts including graffiti, newspapers, talkback radio, popular accounts and internet fan forums, along with psychoanalysis and classical mythology, the authors trace the way each of these players was granted a specific heroic status that evolved and changed over time, and how the passions they provoked became part of the ever transforming culture and identity of Rome. In particular we explore how the tales and cultural texts devoted to football players can reveal something of the emotional worlds and experiences of a city's inhabitants, and the way local memories and identities are remembered, retold and forgotten through passionate engagement with the football players who represent them on the broader national and international stage.
Trichoplein keeps primary cilia silent
Authors: Short Ben
Published: April 2012

Study identifies a centriolar protein that activates Aurora A to suppress ciliogenesis in proliferating cells.
An intrinsically disordered yeast prion arrests the cell cycle by sequestering a spindle pole body component
Authors: Treusch Sebastian , Lindquist Susan
Published: April 2012

Intrinsically disordered proteins play causative roles in many human diseases. Their overexpression is toxic in many organisms, but the causes of toxicity are opaque. In this paper, we exploit yeast technologies to determine the root of toxicity for one such protein, the yeast prion Rnq1. This protein is profoundly toxic when overexpressed but only in cells carrying the endogenous Rnq1 protein in its [RNQ+] prion (amyloid) conformation. Surprisingly, toxicity was not caused by general proteotoxic stress. Rather, it involved a highly specific mitotic arrest mediated by the Mad2 cell cycle checkpoint. Monopolar spindles accumulated as a result of defective duplication of the yeast centrosome (spindle pole body [SPB]). This arose from selective Rnq1-mediated sequestration of the core SPB component Spc42 in the insoluble protein deposit (IPOD). Rnq1 does not normally participate in spindle pole dynamics, but it does assemble at the IPOD when aggregated. Our work illustrates how the promiscuous interactions of an intrinsically disordered protein can produce highly specific cellular toxicities through illicit, yet highly specific, interactions with the proteome.
Investigation of a pulsed xenon discharge at medium pressure
Authors: Gnybida M , Uhrlandt D , Loffhagen D
Published: April 2012

The pulsed discharge in xenon at pressures between 10 and 50 Torr and a peak current of 130 mA has been analysed by means of a time-dependent, spatially one-dimensional fluid model. Main features of the model of the radially inhomogeneous discharge plasma in a discharge tube with an inner diameter of 6.5 mm are given. The comparison of results of model calculations with experimental data shows good agreement for the axial electric field, and the qualitative behaviour of measured axis densities of low-lying excited states is reproduced well by the model. The analysis of the spatiotemporal variation of the pulsed discharge shows the formation of a constricted column plasma at increasing pressure. In particular, a pronouncedly nonlocal behaviour of the electron component is found, and the densities of the metastable and resonance atoms are predicted to have a radial profile with a maximum out of the axis during the discharge phase.
Dynamic transport regulation by zonal flow-like structures in the TJ-II stellarator
Authors: Alonso J.A. , Hidalgo C. , Pedrosa M.A. , Milligen B. Van , Carralero D. , Silva C.
Published: April 2012

Floating potential structures that are correlated over a long distance are observed with a 2D probe array in the plasma edge of the TJ-II stellarator. We introduce a method based on the singular value decomposition to extract the spatio-temporal structure of the global, fluctuating, zonal-flow(ZF)-like floating potential from the combined measurements of a 2D probe array and a distant single probe. The amplitude of these global structures is seen to modulate not only the high k
θ spectral power of the local turbulence but also particle transport into the unconfined scrape-off layer, as observed by H
α monitors around the device. These observations provide the first direct evidence of the global modulation of transport by ZF-like structures. The ability to identify spontaneous and collective rotation events with flux surface symmetry opens up the possibility to perform unperturbative studies of the effective viscosity in stellarators and tokamaks.
Adora2b Signaling on Bone Marrow Derived Cells Dampens Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Koeppen Michael , Harter Patrick N. , Bonney Stephanie , Bonney Megan , Reithel Susan , Zachskorn Cornelia , Mittelbronn Michel , Eckle Tobias
Published: April 2012

Background

Cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury represents a major cause of cardiac tissue injury. Adenosine signaling dampens inflammation during cardiac I-R. The authors investigated the role of the adenosine A2b-receptor (Adora2b) on inflammatory cells during cardiac I-R.

Methods

To study Adora2b signaling on inflammatory cells, the authors transplanted wild-type (WT) bone marrow (BM) into Adora2b(-/-) mice or Adora2b(-/-) BM into WT mice. To study the role of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), neutrophil-depleted WT mice were treated with an Adora2b agonist. After treatments, mice were exposed to 60 min of myocardial ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. Infarct sizes and troponin I concentrations were determined by triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

Results

Transplantation of WT BM into Adora2b(-/-) mice decreased infarct sizes by 19 ± 4% and troponin I by 87.5 ± 25.3 ng/ml (mean ± SD, n = 6). Transplantation of Adora2b(-/-) BM into WT mice increased infarct sizes by 20 ± 3% and troponin I concentrations by 69.7 ± 17.9 ng/ml (mean ± SD, n = 6). Studies on the reperfused myocardium revealed PMNs as the dominant cell type. PMN depletion or Adora2b agonist treatment reduced infarct sizes by 30 ± 11% or 26 ± 13% (mean ± SD, n = 4); however, the combination of both did not produce additional cardioprotection. Cytokine profiling showed significantly higher cardiac tumor necrosis factor α concentrations in Adora2b(-/-) compared with WT mice (39.3 ± 5.3 vs. 7.5 ± 1.0 pg/mg protein, mean ± SD, n = 4). Pharmacologic studies on human-activated PMNs revealed an Adora2b-dependent tumor necrosis factor α release.

Conclusion

Adora2b signaling on BM-derived cells such as PMNs represents an endogenous cardioprotective mechanism during cardiac I-R. The authors' findings suggest that Adora2b agonist treatment during cardiac I-R reduces tumor necrosis factor α release of PMNs, thereby dampening tissue injury.
The Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor as a Target for Antidepressant Drug Development
Authors: Philip Noah S. , Carpenter Linda L. , Tyrka Audrey R. , Price Lawrence H.
Published: April 2012

An important new area of antidepressant drug development involves targeting the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). This receptor, which is distributed widely in regions of the brain associated with depression, is also implicated in other important processes that are relevant to depression, such as stress and inflammation. The two classes of drugs that target nAChRs can be broadly divided into mecamylamine- and cytisine-based compounds. These drugs probably exert their effects via antagonism atα4β2 nAChRs, and strong preclinical data support the antidepressant efficacy of both classes when used in conjunction with other primary antidepressants (e.g., monoamine reuptake inhibitors). Although clinical data remain limited, preliminary results in this area constitute a compelling argument for further evaluation of the nAChR as a target for future antidepressant drug development.
The Effects of Different Insufflation Pressures on Liver Functions Assessed with LiMON on Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Authors: Eryılmaz H. Barıs , Memiş Dilek , Sezer Atakan , Inal Mehmet Turan
Published: April 2012

Purpose. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been accepted as an alternative to laparotomy, but there is still controversy regarding the effects of pneumoperitoneum on splanchnic and hepatic perfusion. We assessed the effects of different insufflation pressures on liver functions by using indocyanine green elimination tests (ICG-PDR).Methods. We analyzed 43 patients who were scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients were randomly allocated to two groups. In Group I, the operation was performed using 10 mmHg pressure pneumoperitoneum. In Group II, 14 mmHg pressure pneumoperitoneum was used. The ICG-PDR measurements were made after induction (ICG-PDR 1) and after the end of the operation (ICG-PDR 2). Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin levels were all recorded preoperatively, 1 hour, and postoperative 24 hours after surgery.Results. The ICG-PDR 1 values for Groups I and II were as follows: per min versus per min (). ICG-PDR 2 values were found to be per min in Group I versus per min in Group II (). There was a statistically significant decrease between baseline and postoperative ICG-PDR values in Group II compared to Group I (). Statistically, there was an increase between baseline and postoperative 1st-hour serum AST and ALT level in Group II () compared to Group I. No statistical differences were detected on postoperative 24st-hour serum AST and ALT levels and all the time bilirubin between groups ().Conclusion. In conclusion, the results show that 14 mmHg pressure pneumoperitoneum decreased the blood flow to the liver and increased postoperative 1st-hour serum AST and ALT levels. We think that 10 mmHg pressure pneumoperitoneum is superior to 14 mmHg pressure pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Beliefs in the Future as a Positive Youth Development Construct: A Conceptual Review
Authors: Sun Rachel C. F. , Shek Daniel T. L.
Published: April 2012

Beliefs in the future are an internalization of hope and optimism about future outcomes. This paper reviews and compares several theories of hope and optimism and highlights the features constituting beliefs in the future. This paper points out that beliefs in the future include a series of goal-directed thoughts and motivation, such as setting up valued and attainable goals, planning pathways, and maintaining self-confidence and mastery, so as to keep adolescents engaged in the pursuit of goals. This kind of personal mastery, together with sociocultural values, family, school, and peers are the antecedents leading to beliefs in the future, which is related to adolescents’ well-being and positive development. In order to cultivate adolescents’ beliefs in the future, enabling their ability to manipulate goal-directed thoughts and motivation and providing a supportive environment including their family, school, peers, and the society are recommended.
Redox‐sensitive GFP2: use of the genetically encoded biosensor of the redox status in the filamentous fungus Botrytis cinerea
Authors: HELLER JENS , MEYER ANDREAS J. , TUDZYNSKI PAUL
Published: April 2012

The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is part of the defence reaction of plants against invading pathogens. The effect of ROS on filamentous fungi is still unclear. In this study, ratiometric redox‐sensitive green fluorescent protein (roGFP) was introduced as a tool for in vivo measurement of the cellular redox status in filamentous fungi. A fungal expression system for roGFP2 was constructed. Expressed in Botrytis cinerea, roGFP2 reversibly responded to redox changes induced by incubation with H2O2 or dithiothreitol, which was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy imaging and fluorometry. As the sensor detects the redox potential of the cellular glutathione pool, it was used to analyse the kinetics of GSH (glutathione, reduced form) recovery after H2O2 treatment. The transcription factor Bap1 is the main transcriptional regulator of H2O2‐scavenging proteins in B. cinerea. When compared with the wild‐type, GSH recovery in the Δbap1 deletion mutant was affected after repeated H2O2 treatment. ROS and intracellular redox changes can be used by fungi for signalling purposes. In planta experiments, performed in this study, indicated that redox processes seem to be important for the differentiation of penetration structures. During the penetration of onion epidermal cells, the status of the cellular glutathione pool differed between appressoria‐like structures and infecting hyphae, being reduced in the presence of infecting hyphae and more oxidized around appressoria‐like structures.
Diagnostic utility of the oesophageal balloon distension test in the evaluation of oesophageal chest pain
Authors: Nasr I. , Attaluri A. , Coss‐Adame E. , Rao S. S. C.
Published: April 2012

Background

Oesophageal balloon distension test (EBDT) has been advocated for the evaluation of functional oesophageal noncardiac chest pain (NCCP), but its diagnostic utility remains unclear.

Aim

To prospectively assess the diagnostic yield of EBDT in clinical practice and compare its yield with standard oesophageal tests.

Methods

Over a period of 6 years, patients with chest pain and negative cardiac work‐up underwent sequential testing with endoscopy/biopsy, oesophageal manometry, 24 h pH study and EBDT to elucidate an oesophageal source for their symptoms. Patients with a definite abnormality, for example, erosive oesophagitis on oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) were designated as having positive test and excluded from further work up.

Results

Of 348 (m/f = 105/243) suspected NCCP patients, 16 (5%) were excluded; 332 (95%) underwent oesophageal testing. Among these, 48 (14%) had macro/microscopic oesophagitis on endoscopy, 7 (2%) had achalasia and 96 (28%) had excessive acid reflux (pH study). The remaining 181 (52%) patients underwent EBDT; 128 (37%) had oesophageal hypersensitivity. Chest pain was reproduced in 97/128 (75%) subjects. There were no adverse effects.

Conclusions

Oesophageal testing can reveal an oesophageal source for chest pain in 86% of NCCP subjects. The majority (42%) of patients had gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Oesophageal balloon distension test identified hypersensitivity in over one‐third of subjects. The oesophageal balloon distension test provides useful diagnostic information and should be performed routinely in patients with NCCP after excluding GERD.
Zotarolimus‐eluting vs. sirolimus‐eluting coronary stents in patients with and without acute coronary syndromes: a SORT OUT III substudy
Authors: Thim Troels , Maeng Michael , Kaltoft Anne , Jensen Lisette O. , Tilsted Hans H. , Hansen Peter R. , Kelbæk Henning , Thayssen Per , Ravkilde Jan , Madsen Morten , Sørensen Henrik T. , Thuesen Leif , Lassen Jens F.
Published: April 2012

Eur J Clin Invest 2012; 42 (10): 1047–1054

Objectives:  To compare clinical outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with zotarolimus‐eluting and sirolimus‐eluting stents in the SORT OUT III trial.

Background:  Currently, only limited data allow direct comparison of clinical outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome treated with a second‐generation drug‐eluting stent (DES) eluting zotarolimus vs. a first‐generation DES eluting sirolimus.

Methods:  Patients with acute coronary syndrome (n = 1052) were randomized to treatment with zotarolimus‐eluting (n = 506) or sirolimus‐eluting (n = 546) stents and followed for 18 months. The primary composite endpoint, major adverse cardiac events (MACE), was defined as a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction or target vessel revascularization.

Results:  Zotarolimus‐eluting stent treatment compared to sirolimus‐eluting stent treatment was associated with increased rates of MACE (8·7% vs. 5·0%; hazard ratio (HR), 1·78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1·10–2·88; P = 0·02) and TVR (6·8% vs. 3·9%; HR, 1·77; 95% CI, 1·03–3·04; P = 0·04), while all‐cause death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction and definite stent thrombosis did not differ significantly. In the same trial, stable angina pectoris patients (n = 1206) were randomized to zotarolimus‐eluting (n = 614) and sirolimus‐eluting (n = 592) stents with similar results.

Conclusions:  With and without acute coronary syndromes, patients treated with the sirolimus‐eluting stent had better clinical outcomes than those treated with the zotarolimus‐eluting stent.
Discolouration potential of endodontic procedures and materials: a review
Authors: Ahmed H. M. A. , Abbott P. V.
Published: April 2012

Ahmed HMA, Abbott PV. Discolouration potential of endodontic procedures and materials: a review. International Endodontic Journal, 45, 883–897, 2012.

Advances in endodontic materials and techniques are at the forefront of endodontic research. Despite continuous improvements, tooth discolouration, especially in anterior teeth, is considered an undesirable consequence following endodontic treatment as it creates a range of aesthetic problems. This article aims to discuss the intrinsic and internalized tooth discolouration caused by endodontic procedures, and to address the discolouration potential of materials used during root canal treatment, including root canal irrigants, intra‐canal medicaments, endodontic and post‐endodontic filling materials. In addition, the discolouration patterns caused by combined endodontic and nonendodontic aetiological factors are discussed. The recommended guidelines that should be followed by dental practitioners to prevent and manage tooth discolouration are also outlined.
Feeding guild structure of beetles on Australian tropical rainforest trees reflects microhabitat resource availability
Authors: Wardhaugh Carl W. , Stork Nigel E. , Edwards Will
Published: April 2012

1. We tested the hypotheses that feeding guild structure of beetle assemblages changed with different arboreal microhabitats and that these differences were consistent across rainforest tree species.

2. Hand collection and beating techniques were used from the gondola of the Australian Canopy Crane to collect beetles from five microhabitats (mature leaves, flush leaves, flowers, fruit and suspended dead wood) within the rainforest canopy. A simple randomization procedure was implemented to test whether the abundances of each feeding guild on each microhabitat were different from that expected based on a null hypothesis of random distribution of individuals across microhabitats.

3. Beetles from different feeding guilds were not randomly distributed, but congregated on those microhabitats that are likely to provide the highest concentrations of their preferred food sources. Herbivorous beetles, in particular, were over‐represented on flowers and flush foliage and under‐represented on mature leaves and dead wood. Proportional numbers of species within each feeding guild were remarkably uniform across tree species for each microhabitat, but proportional abundances of feeding guilds were all significantly non‐uniformly distributed between host tree species, regardless of microhabitat, confirming patterns previously found for arthropods in trees in temperate and tropical forests.

4. These results show that the canopy beetle community is partitioned into discrete assemblages between microhabitats and that this partitioning arises because of differences in feeding guild structure as a function of the diversity and the temporal and spatial availability of resources found on each microhabitat.
Myelin basic protein induces inflammatory mediators from primary human endothelial cells and blood–brain barrier disruption: implications for the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis
Authors: D'Aversa T. G. , Eugenin E. A. , Lopez L. , Berman J. W.
Published: April 2012

T. G. D'Aversa, E. A. Eugenin, L. Lopez and J. W. Berman (2013) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology39, 270–283

Myelin basic protein induces inflammatory mediators from primary human endothelial cells and blood–brain barrier disruption: implications for the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, characterized by demyelination of white matter, loss of myelin forming oligodendrocytes, changes in the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and leucocyte infiltration. Myelin basic protein (MBP) is a component of the myelin sheath. Degradation of myelin is believed to be an important step that leads to MS pathology. Transmigration of leucocytes across the vasculature, and a compromised BBB participate in the neuroinflammation of MS. We examined the expression and regulation of the chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and the cytokine interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in human endothelial cells (EC), a component of the BBB, after treatment with MBP. Methods: EC were treated with full‐length MBP. CCL2 and IL‐6 protein were determined by ELISA. Western blot analysis was used to determine signalling pathways. A BBB model was treated with MBP and permeability was assayed using albumin conjugated to Evan's blue dye. The levels of the tight junction proteins occludin and claudin‐1, and matrix metalloprotease (MMP)‐2 were assayed by Western blot. Results: MBP significantly induced CCL2 and IL‐6 protein from EC. This induction was partially mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway as there was phosphorylation after MBP treatment. MBP treatment of a BBB model caused an increase in permeability that correlated with a decrease in occludin and claudin‐1, and an induction of MMP2. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that MBP induces chemotactic and inflammatory mediators. MBP also alters BBB permeability and tight junction expression, indicating additional factors that may contribute to the BBB breakdown characteristic of MS.
HKT2;2/1, a K+‐permeable transporter identified in a salt‐tolerant rice cultivar through surveys of natural genetic polymorphism
Authors: Oomen Ronald J.F.J. , Benito Begoña , Sentenac Hervé , Rodríguez‐Navarro Alonso , Talón Manuel , Véry Anne‐Aliénor , Domingo Concha
Published: April 2012

We have investigated OsHKT2;1 natural variation in a collection of 49 cultivars with different levels of salt tolerance and geographical origins. The effect of identified polymorphism on OsHKT2;1 activity was analysed through heterologous expression of variants in Xenopus oocytes. OsHKT2;1 appeared to be a highly conserved protein with only five possible amino acid substitutions that have no substantial effect on functional properties. Our study, however, also identified a new HKT isoform, No‐OsHKT2;2/1 in Nona Bokra, a highly salt‐tolerant cultivar. No‐OsHKT2;2/1 probably originated from a deletion in chromosome 6, producing a chimeric gene. Its 5′ region corresponds to that of OsHKT2;2, whose full‐length sequence is not present in Nipponbare but has been identified in Pokkali, a salt‐tolerant rice cultivar. Its 3′ region corresponds to that of OsHKT2;1. No‐OsHKT2;2/1 is essentially expressed in roots and displays a significant level of expression at high Na+ concentrations, in contrast to OsHKT2;1. Expressed in Xenopus oocytes or in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, No‐OsHKT2;2/1 exhibited a strong permeability to Na+ and K+, even at high external Na+ concentrations, like OsHKT2;2, and in contrast to OsHKT2;1. Our results suggest that No‐OsHKT2;2/1 can contribute to Nona Bokra salt tolerance by enabling root K+ uptake under saline conditions.
Effect of light quality on movement of Pterostichus melanarius (Coleoptera: Carabidae)
Authors: Allema A. B. , Rossing W. A. H. , van der Werf W. , Heusinkveld B. G. , Bukovinszky T. , Steingröver E. , van Lenteren J. C.
Published: April 2012

Abstract Behaviour of nocturnal insects is routinely observed under red light, but it is unclear how the behaviour under red light compares to behaviour in complete darkness, or under a source of white light. Here, we measure movement behaviour of the nocturnal carabid beetle Pterostichus melanarius Illiger (Coleoptera: Carabidae) using camera recording under a near‐infrared (nir), red or white radiation source. Red light significantly reduced movement speed in females similar to the effect of white light and different from nir. Also movement activity and pause length were affected by radiation source, with a significant difference between nir and white light, and with intermediate values in red light. The results presented here indicate that P. melanarius has different movement behaviour under the three radiation sources and suggest that nir rather than red radiation is most appropriate for measuring behaviour in total darkness. However, in the field total darkness is rare both because of natural light sources such as the moon and stars but increasingly also because of ecological light pollution, and therefore red light may still be of use for observing ecologically and practically relevant natural night‐time behaviour.
Formation of Axon‐dendrite polarity in situ: Initiation of axons from polarized and non‐polarized cells
Authors: Hatanaka Yumiko , Yamauchi Kenta , Murakami Fujio
Published: April 2012

Neurons are polarized cells that extend a single axon and several dendrites. Historically, how neurons establish their axon‐dendrite polarity has been extensively studied using dissociated hippocampal cells in culture. Although such studies have identified the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying axon‐dendrite polarization, the conclusions have been limited to in vitro conditions. Recent progress using live imaging has enabled us to directly observe axon formation in situ, revealing distinct cellular mechanisms that regulate axon‐dendrite polarization in vivo. In this review, we compare the cellular events during axon formation studied in various systems both in vivo and in vitro and discuss possible common mechanisms underlying the axon‐dendrite polarization.
Control of asymmetric cell division of mammalian neural progenitors
Authors: Shitamukai Atsunori , Matsuzaki Fumio
Published: April 2012

Although the vertebrate brain commonly stems from the neuroepithelial tube, the size and complexity of the pseudostratified organization of the brain have drastically expanded during mammalian evolution, resulting in the formation of a highly folded cortex. Developmental controls of neural progenitor divisions underlie these events. In this review, we introduce recent progress in understanding the control of proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitors from a structural point of view. We particularly shed light on the roles of epithelial structure and mitotic spindle orientation in the generation of various types of neural progenitors.
Localization mechanisms of the axon guidance molecule UNC‐6/Netrin and its receptors, UNC‐5 and UNC‐40, in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Ogura Ken‐ichi , Asakura Taro , Goshima Yoshio
Published: April 2012

Netrin is an evolutionarily conserved, secretory axon guidance molecule. Netrin's receptors, UNC‐5 and UNC‐40/DCC, are single trans‐membrane proteins with immunoglobulin domains at their extra‐cellular regions. Netrin is thought to provide its positional information by establishing a concentration gradient. UNC‐5 and UNC‐40 act at growth cones, which are specialized axonal tip structures that are generally located at a long distance from the neural cell body. Thus, the proper localization of both Netrin and its receptors is critical for their function. This review addresses the localization mechanisms of UNC‐6/Netrin and its receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans, focusing on our recent reports. These findings include novel insights on cytoplasmic proteins that function upstream of the receptors.
Quantitative in situ study of short crack propagation in polygranular graphite by digital image correlation
Authors: MOSTAFAVI M. , MARROW T.J.
Published: April 2012

This paper reports experimental observations that show non‐irradiated Gilsocarbon polygranular nuclear graphite fits within the quasi‐brittle class of materials. Such materials exhibit a degree of damage tolerance that depends on the stability of cracks that nucleate in the microstructure. Modelling efforts to predict the influence of microstructure on damage tolerance require direct observation of crack nucleation and growth to support them.

Here, the technique of digital image correlation was applied to optical observations to measure the full field distribution of displacements on the surface of large (>100 mm dimension) specimens, loaded in uniaxial flexure. Repeated cyclic loading to strains approaching failure results in an inelastic (i.e. non‐recoverable) strain, and a decrease in the static elastic modulus. Digital image correlation was also used for early detection and characterisation of fracture nuclei (short cracks). Such short cracks show a stable propagation stage before causing catastrophic failure. The displacement fields were used to calculate directly the energy release rate of the short cracks via a contour integral method. The value is consistent with the critical strain energy release rate for unstable fracture obtained from standard mode I fracture tests.
Characteristics of metal magnetic memory signals of different steels in high cycle fatigue tests
Authors: ZHANG Y.L. , GOU R.B. , LI J.M. , SHEN G.T. , ZENG Y.J.
Published: April 2012

The detection of crack initiation in steel Q235, 16MnR and 20 g was carried out by metal magnetic memory (MMM) technique. Fifty specimens of welded and base metal were tested. Both MMM testing and metallographic examination were done to them when unloaded at the different phase of high‐cycle fatigue testing, and hence MMM signals before and after crack initiation could be recorded. The values of magnetic intensity gradient were calculated, and whose critical value was determined and proposed for early defects detection. The results show that the magnetic intensity (Hp) curve became concave responding to the occurrence of stress concentration, and its gradient (dHp/dx) increased greatly; at the critical dHp/dx, no change occurred to the microstructure, but beyond the critical value, dHp/dx increased suddenly and a large number of intragranular slips were found in the microstructure. Three different kinds of materials have different critical values of magnetic intensity gradient.
BREAKING OUT OF CO‐OPERATION'S ‘IRON CAGE’:FROM MOVEMENT DEGENERATION TO BUILDING A DEVELOPMENTAL MOVEMENT
Authors: DIAMANTOPOULOS Mitch
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACT:  This article focuses on co‐operative movements’ role in developing new firms and sectors. In contrast to ‘developmental movements’ which secure legislative, policy, program, and promotional, financial, and technical assistance supports for co‐operative development campaigns, this paper investigates the problem of co‐operative ‘movement degeneration’ – why some movements’ developmental commitments gradually erode. The paper next investigates the project of ‘movement regeneration’ – how mature movements become reoriented toward movement goals, including fostering successful co‐operative formations. This discussion includes the role of institutional intermediaries, educational and cultural interventions, and mobilizing networks in regenerative movement action.
Wittgenstein's “Most Fruitful Ideas” and Sraffa
Authors: Engelmann Mauro Luiz
Published: April 2012

In the preface of the Philosophical Investigations, Wittgenstein says that his “most fruitful ideas” are due to the stimulus of Sraffa's criticism, but Sraffa is not mentioned anywhere else in the book. It remains a puzzle in the literature how and why Sraffa influenced Wittgenstein. This paper presents a solution to this puzzle. Sraffa's criticism led Wittgenstein away from the calculus conception of language of the Big Typescript (arguably, an adaptation of the calculus of the Tractatus), and towards the “anthropological view,” which structures both the opening sections of the Philosophical Investigations and Wittgenstein's later philosophy of mathematics.
An Internal Reconstruction of Tibetan Stem Alternations1
Authors: Jacques Guillaume
Published: April 2012

Tibetan verbal morphology differs considerably from that of other Sino‐Tibetan languages. Most of the vocalic and consonantal alternations observed in the verbal paradigms remain unexplained after more than a hundred years of investigation: the study of historical Tibetan morphology would seem to have reached an aporia. This paper proposes a new model, explaining the origin of the alternations in the Tibetan verb as the remnant of a former system of directional prefixes, typologically similar to the ones still attested in the Rgyalrongic languages.
A Bayesian Hierarchical Model with Spatial Variable Selection: The Effect of Weather on Insurance Claims
Authors: Scheel Ida , Ferkingstad Egil , Frigessi Arnoldo , Haug Ola , Hinnerichsen Mikkel , Meze-Hausken Elisabeth
Published: April 2012

Climate change will affect the insurance industry. We develop a Bayesian hierarchical statistical approach to explain and predict insurance losses due to weather events at a local geographic scale. The number of weather-related insurance claims is modelled by combining generalized linear models with spatially smoothed variable selection. Using Gibbs sampling and reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, this model is fitted on daily weather and insurance data from each of the 319 municipalities which constitute southern and central Norway for the period 1997–2006. Precise out-of-sample predictions validate the model. Our results show interesting regional patterns in the effect of different weather covariates. In addition to being useful for insurance pricing, our model can be used for short-term predictions based on weather forecasts and for long-term predictions based on downscaled climate models.
Testing Quantum States for Purity
Authors: Jupp Peter E. , Kim Peter T. , Koo Ja-Yong , Pasieka Aron
Published: April 2012

The simplest states of finite quantum systems are the pure states. The paper is motivated by the need to test statistically whether or not a given physical state is pure. Because the pure states lie in the boundary of the set of all states, the usual regularity conditions that justify the standard large sample approximations to the null distributions of the deviance and the score statistic are not satisfied. For a large class of quantum experiments that produce Poisson count data, the paper uses an enlargement of the parameter space of all states to develop likelihood ratio and score tests of purity. The asymptotic null distributions of the corresponding statistics are χ2. The tests are illustrated by the analysis of some quantum experiments involving unitarily correctable codes.
The prediction of 30‐day mortality in patients with primary pontine hemorrhage: a scoring system comparison
Authors: Huang K.‐B. , Ji Z. , Wu Y.‐M. , Wang S.‐N. , Lin Z.‐Z. , Pan S.‐Y.
Published: April 2012

Background and purpose

Owing to its low morbidity but high mortality, no accurate scoring system focuses on primary pontine hemorrhage (PPH) has been established. We aim to compare the performances of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II with the ICH score in predicting the 30‐day mortality in patients with PPH.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients admitted with a diagnosis of PPH to a university‐affiliated hospital in southern China from May 2000 to June 2011. Data related to patient demographics and that necessary to calculate APACHE II, SAPS II, and ICH score were recorded. Performances of these scoring systems were presented as calibration and discrimination, which were measured by the Hosmer–Lemeshow goodness‐of‐fit test and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, respectively.

Results

Among 75 patients with PPH finally included, 31 (41.3%) died within 30 days. SAPS II (χ2 = 6.57, P = 0.682) had the best calibration, followed by APACHE II (χ2 = 8.06, P = 0.428) and ICH score (χ2 = 4.94, P = 0.176). Furthermore, in terms of area under the ROC curve, APACHE II (0.919) was more discriminative than SAPS II (0.890) and ICH score (0.844).

Conclusions

In predicting 30‐day mortality in patients with PPH, SAPS II has the best calibration, while APACHE II has the highest discrimination. The ICH score, which is easier and simpler to calculate, should be modified for PPH.