bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population Biology and Natural History ofParides burchellanus(Papilionidae: Papilioninae: Troidini), an Endangered Brazilian Butterfly
Authors: Beirão Marina V , Campos-Neto Fernando C , Pimenta Ivan A , Freitas André V L
Published: January 2012

The present paper describes the population parameters, the behavior, and the geographic range of Parides burchellanus (Westwood, 1872), an endangered papilionid butterfly from Brazil. Population biology was described based on a 13-mo mark-recapture program in a site of riparian forest in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. The range of the population size was 10–30 individuals (with a maximum near 100 individuals). Sex ratio was male biased, with males dominating in all months. The age structure was not stable, with an increase in intermediate and old individuals before the population break in the dry season. The residence time was 23.2 ± 18.4 d for males and 16.4 ± 12.5 to females, with a maximum of 73 d recorded for males and 64 d for females. Males can travel distances of up to 950 m and females up to 650 m. When searching for P. burchellanus populations in 63 sites with suitable habitats, only seven actually had resident populations. A combination of high habitat specificity for larvae and adults could explain the rarity of this butterfly. The available data could be used in conservation programs for P. burchellanus, which should include protection of the habitats of all known colonies so far.
Structural Examination of the Dufour's Gland of the Solitary BeesOsmia lignariaandMegachile rotundata(Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)
Authors: Pitts-Singer Theresa L , Buckner James S , Freeman Thomas P , Guédot Christelle
Published: January 2012

The Dufour's gland of two solitary cavity-nesting bees, Osmia lignaria Say and Megachile rotundata (F.) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), was examined with microscopy to determine the structure and arrangement of the gland in the sting apparatus. The appearance and relative size of the Dufour's gland of these two bee species are similar. Unlike the termination of the Dufour's gland at the base of the sting in the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. ( Apidae), the posterior portion of the Dufour's gland in these megachilids enters into the sting bulb along with the venom duct. Within the sting bulb, the Dufour's gland is ventral to and longer than the venom duct. The following evidential findings presented here and elsewhere are in support of the hypothesis that the Dufour's gland is the source of an individual nest recognition cue in these two bee species: 1 ) the presence of a duct and exit pore at the posterior end of the Dufour's gland that may release glandular secretions, 2) the location of thick, brushy metasomal setae and the setosa membrane that could be used to apply a secretion to a substrate, and 3) the observed dragging of the tip of the abdomen during nest-marking.
Opportunistic Carnivory by Romalea microptera (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
Authors: Richardson Matthew L , Reagel Peter F , Mitchell Robert F , Whitman Douglas W
Published: January 2012

Grasshoppers generally are considered to be phytophagous. However, increasing evidence shows that many are better classified as omnivorous. The eastern lubber grasshopper Romalea microptera (Beauvois) (Orthoptera: Acrididae) not only consumes plants, but also dead or wounded arthropods in the field. We tested the potential range of arthropod taxa scavenged by R. microptera by offering fresh-killed carcasses to adult females in the laboratory. We predicted that they would eat all arthropods except those that the grasshopper's mandibles could not cut and chemically defended arthropods. We offered grasshoppers 104 arthropod species and life stages, representing 20 orders in five classes (Arachnida, Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Insecta, and Malacostraca). The grasshoppers completely consumed the entire body of all individuals of 42% of the arthropod species and life stages, and another 32% were highly consumed. Overall, 96% of the arthropod species and life stages, representing 19 of the 20 total orders, were consumed to some extent, suggesting that R. microptera is an opportunistic carnivore. Chemical defense in arthropods did not deter feeding by R. microptera, but the hardness of integument did: harder-bodied Hymenoptera and Coleoptera were consumed less than softer-bodied arthropods. Our results confirm that R. microptera is not strictly phytophagous, but readily eats a wide range of arthropod taxa. Carnivory within phytophagous clades may have important physiological, ecological, and evolutionary consequences.
Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) Parasitism of Trichoplusia ni (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Eggs Under Different Temperatures
Authors: Da Silva Altoé Thiago , Pratissoli Dirceu , De Carvalho José Romário , Dos Santos Junior Hugo José Gonçalves , Pereira Paes João Paulo , De Freitas Bueno Regiane Cristina Oliveira , Bueno Adeney De Freitas
Published: January 2012

A study of the biological characteristics and thermal requirements of the parasitoid Trichogramma pretiosum Riley, 1879 (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) on eggs of Trichoplusia ni (Hübner, 1802) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) at several different temperatures was performed in this work. Eggs of T. ni were exposed to T. pretiosum strain Tspd parasitism for 5 hr and then transferred to environmentally controlled growth chambers set at the temperatures of 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, and 33 ± 1°C. The duration of the T. pretiosum egg-to-adult period was affected by temperature, varying from 6 to 18 d over the range of the studied temperatures. The number of individuals emerged per egg and the sex ratio also were affected by temperature variations, but regression analysis did not find correlation between the increase of temperature and the observed variation of these biological parameters. Similarly, parasitism viability (percentage) was influenced by temperature variation, but always exceeded 80% at all tested temperatures. The thermal lower limit of development (Tbase) and the thermal constant (K) for T. pretiosum were 11.84°C and 128.37 DD, respectively. These results here reported indicate that T. pretiosum was impacted by the temperature, however, this parasitoid had a satisfactory performance on T. ni eggs at all studied temperature (from 18 to 33°C), showing potential to be used successfully as a biological control agent of this pest in different regions that fit in this tested temperature range. Also, the rearing temperature of this parasitoid might be changed from 18 to 33°C, according to commercial demands for accelerating or retarding mass production for field releases without damages to the parasitoid development.
The Effects of Increasing Grazing Height on Establishment of Pasture Weeds in Management-Intensive Rotationally Grazed Pastures
Authors: Renz Mark J. , Schmidt Marie L.
Published: January 2012

Weeds can infest management-intensive grazed pastures and impact forage quantity, forage quality, and animal health. Common burdock, plumeless thistle, and Canada thistle are three common pasture weeds in the midwestern United States that are managed to avoid these impacts. Experiments were established at two sites to determine if increasing grazing heights from fall through summer would reduce emergence and survival of burdock, plumeless thistle, and Canada thistle seedlings. Five simulated grazing heights (5, 10, 15, and 20 cm and a not-clipped treatment) were implemented in October 2008 and repeated in May through August. Density of all species was reduced from May to September, with reductions ranging from 65 to 78%, regardless of treatment. Treatments that left at least 15 cm of residual grass had reduced densities of burdock and Canada thistle compared to the 10-cm treatment. Regression analysis demonstrated that reduction in burdock and summed planted weed density was related to increased intercepted photosynthetically active radiation from forage in April. However, total biomass yield was reduced up to 60% when grazing heights were increased from 5 to 20 cm, although differences were only observed at the fall and early spring grazing events. Relative forage quality (RFQ) was similar across treatments, except at the third grazing event for which the 15 and 20-cm treatments had reduced RFQ compared with other treatments. Results suggest that increasing grazing heights can reduce emergence and survival of burdock and Canada thistle but can also result in a reduction in forage quantity in the fall and early spring.
Effects of Soil Types on Phytotoxic Activity of Pretilachlor in Combination with Sunflower Leaf Extracts on Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli)
Authors: Dilipkumar Masilamany , Adzemi Mat Arshad , Chuah Tse Seng
Published: January 2012

The increasing use of synthetic chemicals for pest control in rice has become an overwhelming economical border, and more important, it could pose a serious threat of the environment. In addition, the extensive use of synthetic herbicides has been the cause for the evolution of herbicide-resistant barnyardgrass worldwide. This weed species is the most competitive weed in rice after the red rice. Thus, this study was conducted to examine the combination effects of aqueous sunflower leaf extracts with lower rate of pretilachlor on barnyardgrass emergence and growth in Marang (sandy loam) and Seberang (silt loamy) soil series under glasshouse conditions. Interestingly, the ED95values (rate that causes 95% inhibition) of pretilachlor for emergence and shoot fresh weight (SFW) of barnyardgrass were reduced by 79 and 82%, respectively, when being mixed with sunflower leaf extracts in Marang series. In contrast, the addition of sunflower leaf extracts increased ED95value of pretilachlor in Seberang series. Rice seedlings at 4 and 8 d after sowing (DAS) were found to be tolerant to this mixture treatment. However, root growth of rice seedlings were inhibited at 0 and 2 DAS. These results suggest that sunflower leaf extracts have potential to reduce rate of pretilachlor for inhibiting emergence and growth of barnyardgrass without injuring rice seedlings in rice fields depending on soil types and growth stage of rice.
Changes in the Transcriptome of Dry Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) Seeds Imbibed at a Constant and Alternating Temperature
Authors: Foley Michael E. , Chao Wun S. , Doğramaci Münevver , Horvath David P. , Anderson James V.
Published: January 2012

Leafy spurge seeds are responsive to alternating temperature rather than constant temperature for germination. Transcriptome changes of dry leafy spurge seeds and seeds imbibed for 1 and 3 d at 20 C constant (C) and 20 : 30 C alternating (A) temperature were determined by microarray analysis to examine temperature responsiveness. Principal component analysis revealed differences in the transcriptome of imbibed seeds based on the temperature regime. Computational methods in bioinformatics parsed the data into overrepresented AraCyc pathways and gene regulation subnetworks providing biological context to temperature responses. After 1 d of imbibition, the degradation of starch and sucrose leading to anaerobic respiration were common pathways at both temperature regimes. Several overrepresented pathways unique to 1 d A were associated with generation of energy, reducing power, and carbon substrates; several of these pathways remained overrepresented and up-regulated at 3 d A. At 1 d C, pathways for the phytohormones jasmonic acid and brassinosteroids were uniquely overrepresented. There was little similarity in overrepresented pathways at 1 d C between leafy spurge and arabidopsis seeds, indicating species-specific effects upon imbibition of dry seeds. Overrepresented gene subnetworks at 1 d and 3 d at both temperature regimes related to signaling processes and stress responses. A major overrepresented subnetwork unique to 1 d C related to photomorphogenesis via the E3 ubiquitin ligase COP1. At 1 d A, major overrepresented subnetworks involved circadian rhythm via LHY and TOC1 proteins and expression of stress-related genes such as DREB1A, which is subject to circadian regulation. Collectively, substantial differences were observed in the transcriptome of leafy spurge seeds imbibed under conditions that affect the capacity to germinate.
Basis for Herbicide Resistance in Canadian Populations of Wild Oat (Avena fatua)
Authors: Beckie Hugh J. , Warwick Suzanne I. , Sauder Connie A.
Published: January 2012

Wild oat is the second-most abundant, but most economically important, weed across the Canadian Prairies of western Canada. Despite the serious economic effects of resistance to acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) or acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors or both in this weed throughout the Northern Great Plains of North America, little research has examined the basis for herbicide resistance. We investigated target-site and nontarget-site mechanisms conferring ACC- and ALS-inhibitor resistance in 16 wild oat populations from across western Canada (four ACC-inhibitor resistant, four ALS-inhibitor resistant, and eight ACC- and ALS-inhibitor resistant). TheACC1mutations were found in 8 of the 12 ACC inhibitor-resistant populations. The Ile1781Leu mutation was detected in three populations, the Trp2027Cys and Asp2078Gly mutations were in two populations each, and the Trp1999Cys, Ile2041Asn, Cys2088Arg, and Gly2096Ser substitutions were in one population each. Three populations had twoACC1mutations. Only 2 of the 12 ALS inhibitor-resistant populations had anALStarget-site mutation—Ser653Thr and Ser653Asn substitutions. This is the first global report ofALStarget-site mutations inAvenaspp. and four previously undocumentedACC1mutations in wild oat. Based on these molecular analyses, seedlings of five ACC + ALS inhibitor-resistant populations (one with anACC1mutation; four with noACCorALSmutations) were treated with malathion, a known cytochrome P450 monooxygenase inhibitor, followed by application of one of four ACC- or ALS-inhibiting herbicides. Malathion treatment often resulted in control or suppression of these populations, suggesting involvement of this enzyme system in contributing to resistance to both ACC and ALS inhibitors.
Effect of Plant Nitrogen Concentration on the Response of Glyphosate-Resistant Corn Hybrids and Their Progeny to Clethodim and Glufosinate
Authors: Terry Ryan M. , Marquardt Paul T. , Camberato James J. , Johnson William G.
Published: January 2012

Rapid adoption of glyphosate-resistant (GR) corn hybrids has led to the reemergence of volunteer corn as a problematic weed in soybean and has made controlling the initial stand of corn in a replant situation more difficult. If volunteer corn in soybean or the initial corn stand in a replant situation is not controlled, yield loss can occur. Clethodim and glufosinate are often used to control GR corn in corn replant situations and in soybean. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the response of two hybrid corn varieties and their F2progeny to clethodim and glufosinate and to evaluate the effect of plant nitrogen (N) concentration on clethodim and glufosinate efficacy. First, a dose-response study was conducted with clethodim and glufosinate on DeKalb 60-18 and 60-18F2, and DeKalb 63-42 and 63-42F2to compare the response of the hybrids and their F2progeny to the herbicides. DeKalb 63-42 was more tolerant to clethodim than 60-18 and 60-18F2. No differences were found between the hybrids and their respective F2progeny in the response to clethodim or glufosinate. In a second dose-response study assessing the effect of N conditions on herbicide efficacy, both clethodim and glufosinate were less injurious to plants growing in low N than in high N availability.
Fusobacterium nucleatum Biofilm Induces Epithelial Migration in an Organotypic Model of Dento‐Gingival Junction
Authors: Pöllänen Marja T. , Gursoy Ulvi K. , Könönen Eija , Uitto Veli‐Jukka
Published: January 2012

Background: Effects of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) biofilm on epithelial cell proliferation, apoptotic cell death, and basement membrane constituent collagen IV production were examined in an organotypic dento‐epithelial (OD‐E) model.

Methods: The OD‐E model was constructed by seeding keratinocytes on fibroblast‐containing collagen gels and by placing tooth pieces on top. A 3‐day‐old biofilm either a laboratory strain (American Type Culture Collection [ATCC] 25586) or a clinical strain (Anaerobe Helsinki Negative [AHN] 9508) of F. nucleatum was placed on the top of the model. The coculture was incubated ≤24 hours. The expression and localization of Ki‐67, caspase‐3, and collagen IV were examined by immunohistochemistry.

Results: Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed epithelial migration and lateral sprouting into the connective tissue matrix in F. nucleatum OD‐E cocultures. The proliferation pattern of the in vitro dento‐epithelial junction was changed. In controls without bacterial challenge, the Ki‐67 expression was abundant in the cells attached to the tooth, whereas in F. nucleatum biofilm‐treated cultures, the Ki‐67‐expressing cells were more often in the connective tissue‐facing side of the epithelium. An apoptotic marker caspase‐3 was expressed in controls and in F. nucleatum laboratory strain ATCC cocultures throughout the epithelium, in contrast to cultures treated with F. nucleatum clinical strain AHN, in which caspase‐3 was absent. Collagen IV stainings were negative in both controls and F. nucleatum cocultures.

Conclusion: F. nucleatum biofilm coculture with OD‐E model causes lateral sprouting of the epithelium with an altered epithelial proliferation pattern, resembling the histologic changes seen in vivo in the early pathogenesis of periodontal disease.
Enamel Matrix Derivative in Intrabony Defects: Prognostic Parameters of Clinical and Radiographic Treatment Outcomes
Authors: Parashis Andreas O. , Polychronopoulou Argy , Tsiklakis Konstantinos , Tatakis Dimitris N.
Published: January 2012

Background: The purpose of this retrospective case series study is to identify possible preoperative parameters that could predict postoperative probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, or radiographic defect resolution in intrabony defects treated with enamel matrix derivative (EMD).

Methods: Sixty‐one chronic periodontitis patients, each contributing a 2‐ or 3‐wall intrabony defect treated with EMD, were included. Clinical parameters recorded included the following: PD; CAL; gingival margin position; supracrestal soft tissue (SST); surgical distances of cemento‐enamel junction (CEJ) to bone crest (CEJ‐BC), CEJ to base of the defect (CEJ‐BD), and BC to BD (BC‐BD); and depth of 2‐ and 3‐wall components. Radiographic parameters recorded included the following: CEJ‐BC, CEJ‐BD, BC‐BD distances, and radiographic defect angle. Postoperative assessments were performed at 12 months.

Results: The probability of postoperative PD >4 mm increased 1.6‐fold (odds ratio [OR] = 1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2 to 2.3) with each 1‐mm baseline PD increase. Baseline PD and surgical CEJ‐BD were statistically significant predictors of CAL gain; the greater the baseline PD (OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.3 to 0.8) and bone loss (OR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.3 to 0.9), the less likely that postoperative CAL gain was ≤3 mm. Smoking and SST were significantly associated with defect resolution; failure to achieve ≥65% defect resolution was six‐fold greater for smokers (OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 1.7 to 24.5) and almost double (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.1 to 2.8) for each millimeter of SST increase.

Conclusion: In EMD‐treated intrabony defects, baseline PD predicts both CAL gain and postoperative PD. Smoking and SST are predictors of defect resolution.
Effect of Priming in Subpopulations of Peripheral Neutrophils From Patients with Chronic Periodontitis
Authors: Fredriksson Margareta I.
Published: January 2012

Background: Patients with periodontal disease are reported to generate more reactive oxygen species (ROS) than matched controls, suggesting increased inflammatory defense activity. The purpose of this study is to determine whether there are subpopulations of peripheral neutrophils in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) that generate different levels of intracellular ROS when primed with tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) or the chemokine interleukin‐8 (IL‐8, CXCL8) compared to controls.

Methods: Venous blood was collected from 13 patients with CP despite careful maintenance over 2 to 8 years and from 13 healthy age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Neutrophils were separated from whole blood over a Percoll gradient and then activated via the Fcγ receptor with opsonized Staphylococcus aureus after priming with TNF‐α or IL‐8. The samples were analyzed by flow cytometry using the fluorescent probe dihydrorhodamine 123. Generation of ROS was measured as the intensity of fluorescence (IFL).

Results: Two subpopulations were found in both patients and controls: one with low and one with high generation of IFL. The subpopulation with high generation of IFL in patients with CP was more responsive to IL‐8 (P <0.05) than the same subpopulation in healthy controls. No other differences in generation of ROS or priming effects were found between patients with CP and controls. Generation of ROS was dependent on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase, and the intracellular ROS was primarily the oxygen anion.

Conclusion: Patients with CP had a subpopulation of peripheral neutrophils that were more responsive to IL‐8 priming than controls.
Conservative Approach to Unilateral Condylar Fracture in a Growing Patient: A 2.5-Year Follow Up
Authors: Tuna Elif Bahar , Dündar Aysun , Çankaya Abdülkadir Burak , Gençay Koray
Published: January 2012

Condylar fractures in children are especially important because of the risk of a mandibular growth-center being affected in the condylar head, which can lead to growth retardation and facial asymmetry. The purpose of this article is to follow up the two and half year clinical and radiological evaluation of the conservative treatment of a 10 year-old patient, who had a unilateral green-stick type fracture. The patient presented with painful facial swelling localized over the left condylar region, limited mouth-opening and mandibular deviation to the left. Panoramic radiography and computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of incomplete fracture on the left condyle with one side of the bone fractured and the other bent. Closed reduction was chosen to allow for initial fibrous union of the fracture segments and remodeling with a normal functional stimulus. A non-rigid mandibular splint was applied in order to remove the direct pressure on the fracture side of the mandible. Clinical and radiologic examination after 30 months revealed uneventful healing with reduction of the condylar head and remodeling of the condylar process following conservative treatment.
Comparative analysis of health institutions, personnel and service in private and public health sector in Serbia in 2009
Authors: Gajic-Stevanovic Milena , Dimitrijevic Snezana , Teodorovic Nevenka , Zivkovic Slavoljub
Published: January 2012

Introduction. Collecting data about the structure and function of private
health care sector in Serbia and its inclusion in joint health care system is
one of the most important issues for making decisions in health care and
getting more accurate picture about the possibilities of health care system
in Serbia. The aim of this analysis was to compare health institutions,
personnel, visits, number of hospital days and morbidity by ICD-10
classification of diseases in public and private health sector in South
Backa, Nisava, Toplica and Belgrade district in 2009. Material and Methods. A
retrospective comparative analysis was performed using data about private
providers of health services obtained from the Institute of Public Health
Novi Sad, the Institute of Public Health Nis and the City Institute of Public
Health Belgrade. Data about personnel and morbidity in public health sector
in Serbia for 2009 was obtained from the Center for Information Technology of
the Institute for Public Health of Serbia. Data about public health
facilities in South Backa, Nisava, Toplica and Belgrade district in 2009 was
obtained from Serbian Chamber of medical institutions. Results. The results
showed that health care was provided in Belgrade district in 2009 by total of
1,051 employees in private sector and 31,404 in public sector. We found that
public sector had a far wider range of health facilities than private sector,
which was mainly due to the number of clinics. In South Backa district
private sector had 323 practices, the district of Belgrade 655 and Nisava and
Toplica district 173. Seventeen times more visits to households (4,650,423
vs. 267,356) and 111 times greater number of hospital days was provided in
public health sector as compared to private health sector (781,083 vs. 7,023)
in South Backa district. Conclusion. The conclusion of this analysis was that
public health sector has remained the foundation of health care system in
Serbia. Private health sector is expanding, but its structure and scope of
services is still undervalued as compared to public sector.
Abnormalities in enamel structure and their association with systemic diseases and syndromes
Authors: Jeremic Marko , Markovic Dejan , Vukovic Ana , Babic Marko , Jokanovic Vukoman
Published: January 2012

Etiology of abnormalities in tooth structure has been subject of numerous
studies but still has not been fully understood. Heredity is an established
etiological factor for many types of structural anomalies of the teeth.
Factors that cause changes in enamel structure may be genetic, immunologic
and teratogenic or systemic diseases. Genetic changes may include individual
genes, micro deletions or chromosomal defects. Systemic diseases can be
associated with anomalies of tooth structure and diversity of clinical
picture requires a multidisciplinary approach to the therapy. Amelogenesis
imperfecta (AI) represents a large group of structural abnormalities of the
teeth. AI can exist independently or as a part of large number of syndromes
and systemic diseases. Knowledge of clinical presentation, etiology,
pathogenesis of structural anomalies of the teeth and their association with
certain systemic diseases is of great importance to everyday dental practice
in terms of prevention, prognosis and therapy. Also, it is necessary to
expand basic knowledge of pediatricians in regards to the clinical picture of
anomalies in tooth structure and their possible association with a wide range
of systemic diseases and syndromes, in order to provide comprehensive
clinical treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to present
etiopathogenesis and classification and to describe the most important
abnormalities of enamel structure and their association with systemic
diseases and syndromes.
Key dimensions of stereotypes in ethnic and nationality jokes
Authors: Grubor Jelena , Hinic Darko
Published: January 2012

Ethnic jokes represent a widespread phenomenon in everyday life of different
nations. Categorising people, even in the form of ethnic jokes, serves
various functions, from the simplification of everyday interaction to
positive evaluation of one?s own group through negative evaluation of others.
The aim of this study is to determine the most frequent stereotypes present
in ethnic and/or nationality jokes. The initial sample was drawn via the
Internet, and after establishing stratification quotas, 1000 ethnic jokes
were selected as a random sample (twenty nations and/or ethnic groups). The
method of conceptual content analysis was employed to analyze the data. The
results indicate that the common dimensions of stereotypes, regardless of the
nation in question, are as follows: 1) intelligence and knowledge; 2)
physical appearance and hygiene; 3) sexuality; 4) forbidden behavior and
morality. The remaining categories most frequently present in the sample,
detailing relation to money and material goods, psychological dysfunctioning
and harmful habits/addictions, relation to work, agreeableness, and
cowardice, not being proportionally present in the majority of nations,
actually represent typical stereotypes of particular nations. The results
thereby suggest that the central pivot of ethnic jokes constitute universal
characteristics which relate to wider aspects of human functioning, but also
the most sensitive aspects of an individual (mental abilities, sexual
orientation, tidiness, consumption of harmful substances); in other words,
those aspects which make an individual most vulnerable.
Knowledge or intent: Contemporary world historiography on Serbs in 19th century
Authors: Kovic Milos
Published: January 2012

The fall of the Berlin Wall and the destruction of Yugoslavia brought about a
complete change of the political and social context in Europe and in the
world. Consequently, history, as a scholarly discipline, was also
significantly transformed. In this wider context, the interpretations of the
Serbian 19th century experienced far-reaching revision. Thus, it is necessary
to scrutinize the main topics of the debate on 19th century Serbian history
in the contemporary world historiography, as well as to examine the main
causes of this academic revision.
Serbs as a new national minority in post-Yugoslav states
Authors: Raduski Nada
Published: January 2012

Recent political changes in states founded on the territory of the former
Yugoslavia have resulted in profound changes in relation to minorities. The
factual status of Serbian minorities in the neighboring countries has been
influenced by various circumstances - demographic, political, legal,
historical, etc. Outside Serbia, in former Yugoslav republics there are
nearly half a million persons belonging to Serbian nationality who have the
status of national minority. Although their social and legal status is
defined according to European standards of minority protection, closer
analysis points to a rather unfavorable status of Serbian minorities. A
reason for such a situation may also be found in the poorly designed and
insufficiently organized policy of the homeland country. Bilateral treaties
are a way to protect more efficiently compatriots in other countries, as well
as an efficient mechanism for better integration of minorities in all fields
of social life in the territorial country. Minorities? rights stipulated in
most bilateral treaties are the right to ethnic identity, linguistic rights,
right to education, media rights, etc.
The first Alexandrian text-type on content analysis
Authors: Ilic Vladimir
Published: January 2012

The paper contains the examination of social and epistemological
preconditions of the content analysis. The impact of social factors as well
as one of the fashions in the science is stressed. The first section is
devoted to epistemological problems concerning the relations among content
analysis and the cognitive principles such as objectivity, reliability and
validity. The second part deals with the relation between the theory and the
empirical research in the case of content analysis. This text exposes
introductional considerations for following paper that will be devoted to the
clarification of technical research problems related to the content analysis.
The impact of pietism and Frederic the Great on German 18th century enlightenment
Authors: Molnar Aleksandar
Published: January 2012

In the article the author is dealing with two issues he perceives as main
specific features of the German 18th century Enlightenment: the impact of
pietism and the role of Prussian king Frederic the Great. On the one hand, as
a very influential intellectual power in Germany, especially in Prussia,
pietism was reluctant to let freedom of consciousness go too far. Instead, it
tried to come to terms with the Enlightenment movement and save what was
believed to be the original ?core? of Christianity. On the other hand,
Frederic played a crucial role in the development of German Enlightenment as
a free-thinker, as well as an enlightened despot, who encouraged his subjects
to think freely in religious matters, but never contemplated the possibility
to help them overcome their political immaturity. Instead, he preferred order
and discipline in persuading his ?people? to accept state machinery which
should be served quietly and obediently. The long-term consequences of such
development were the rise of nationalism and the theory of the reason of
state.
Penalty responsibility of juveniles in the Republic of Srpska
Authors: Grbic-Pavlovic Nikolina
Published: January 2012

The youngest members of organized society, more intensive than ever enter the
circle of those whose behavior is deviant. Juvenile delinquency is a social
problem, which recently experienced an expansion in all modern countries,
including Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Srpska. Considering the
fact that juvenile delinquency includes lighter criminal conducts, such as,
for example misdemeanors, in this paper a position of juveniles when they are
a perpetrators of misdemeanors will be analyzed. Also, the paper will
statistically show the number of misdemeanors in the field of public peace
and order that juveniles conducted in the Republic of Srpska in the period
2004-2009.
Children and animal abuse: Criminological, victimological and criminal justice aspects
Authors: Batricevic Ana
Published: January 2012

Animal abuse represents a complex social, psychological, criminological,
victimological and legal phenomenon whose gravity is increased if a child
appears either as the perpetrator or as the observer of violence against
animals. Etiology and phenomenology of animal abuse suggest that it tends to
overlap with various deviant, delinquent and criminal activities, including
physical, emotional and sexual abuse of family or other community members,
alcohol and drug abuse, illegal gambling and betting and membership of
children and adolescents in street gangs. The author discusses fundamental
reasons, causes and motives for animal abuse committed by children as well as
the devastating impact of children?s exposure to the scenes of animal abuse
on their future delinquent behavior. She emphasizes the link between animal
abuse and family violence and analyzes the position of a child as a direct or
indirect victim in such situations. In addition, the author estimates the
efficiency of existing mechanisms of prevention and state reaction to such
behaviours and suggests solutions, which are accepted in comparative law, as
potential role models.
Components of the affectivity in the personality structure of juvenile delinquent behavior
Authors: Miric Filip
Published: January 2012

Starting of the enormous influence of affectivity on the psychic life of
person, author of the paper analyzed the impact some of its components in the
personality structure of juvenile delinquent behavior. This impact is
especially visible in adolescence, primarily due to specific psychological
characteristics of juvenile with delinquent behavior, which is especially
noticed in this paper. Author also analyzed the role of emotions as important
components in the genesis of the juvenile delinquency.
The journal of the flagshipGelderland– dodo and other birds on Mauritius 1601
Authors: Hume Julian Pender
Published: January 2012

The Dutch discovery of Mauritius in 1598 set a precedent for visiting fleets to replenish supplies via trading routes to the East Indies. A fleet, under Admiral Wolfert Harmensz in the flagship Gelderland, anchored off Black River Bay, Mauritius, in 1601. On board were at least two artists who illustrated a journal of the voyage and, contained within the journal, are illustrations of dodos and other extinct Mauritian birds. These drawings constitute the only known illustrations of some of these extinct species, and provide important evidence about their external appearance. My examination of the bird illustrations reveals further hidden pencil sketches beneath the finished inks and provides extra information about morphology. The drawings were considered anonymous but the drawing technique used by shipmate Joris Joostensz Laerle is very similar to the style used in most of the bird drawings and I suggest that he was the principal artist involved: a second, unidentified artist's contribution is minimal.
Wild flowers of South Australia (1861) by Fanny De Mole
Authors: Symon David
Published: January 2012

A background to the publication of Wild flowers of South Australia (1861) by Fanny De Mole is presented. An analysis of the species included demonstrates that most were local plants. The great variation in pagination, provision of borders, and index indicates that no two copies are identical. Nothing further has been discovered about the lithography or binding.
A bibliography for John Bachman
Authors: Waddell G.
Published: January 2012

John Bachman (1790–1874) was co-author with John James Audubon of The viviparous quadrupeds of North America (1842–1848). His other major books were The doctrine of the unity of the human race examined on the principles of science (1850) and A defense of Luther and the Reformation (1853). He wrote approximately 70 articles on topics ranging from religion to natural history including scientific methodology, wild plants, variation in domesticated plants and animals, hybrids, agriculture, bird migration and animal markings.
Dr Baird and his feminine eponyms; biographical considerations and ostracod nomenclature
Authors: Moore P. G.
Published: January 2012

An attempt is made to identify the female personalities behind the specific attributions of four of William Baird's Scottish ostracod species: viz. Philomedes brenda (Baird, 1850), Macrocypris minna (Baird, 1850), Cylindroleberis mariae (Baird, 1850) and Cypris joanna Baird, 1835. A Scottish borderer by birth, although he spent most of his career in the British Museum (Natural History), Baird (1803–1872) was co-responsible, with two older brothers, plus George Johnston (the Club's first President) and five other gentlemen, for establishing the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club in 1831. This is generally regarded as the first society of its kind. In common with most of his contemporaries, it seems that he held Sir Walter Scott's romantic works in high regard. Brenda and Minna are Shetland heroines from Scott's novel The pirate, which would tie in with these species' type localities being in the wild waters offshore from that archipelago. The suggestion is advanced that the other two names honour two ladies of high literary repute, who were also prominent associates of Walter Scott: Joanna Baillie and Maria Edgeworth (though it is possible though that the epithet mariae might also acknowledge Baird's wife, Mary). Both these writers, of plays, poetry and novels (respectively) were radical proto-feminists who espoused social reform. As such their views and reputation may have resonated with William Baird. His brother, the Revd John Baird of Kirk Yetholm, became famous for espousing the rights of gypsies. William Baird's biography is considered in the context of his social contacts in the Scottish borders. Various associations between these ladies, Sir Walter Scott, the Baird family and the type localities of these ostracods are brought forwards in support of these contentions.
Marine Carotenoids and Oxidative Stress
Authors: Riccioni Graziano
Published: January 2012

Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species plays an important role in the etiology of many diseases. Dietary phytochemical products, such as bioactive food components and marine carotenoids (asthaxantin, lutein, β-carotene, fucoxanthin), have shown an antioxidant effect in reducing oxidative markers stress. Scientific evidence supports the beneficial role of phytochemicals in the prevention of some chronic diseases. Many carotenoids with high antioxidant properties have shown a reduction in disease risk both in epidemiological studies and supplementation human trials. However, controlled clinical trials and dietary intervention studies using well-defined subjects population have not provided clear evidence of these substances in the prevention of diseases. The most important aspects of this special issue will cover the synthesis, biological activities, and clinical applications of marine carotenoids, with particular attention to recent evidence regarding anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Preparation of Novel meta- and para-Substituted N-Benzyl Protected Quinuclidine Esters and Their Resolution with Butyrylcholinesterase
Authors: Primožič Ines , Bolant Marijana , Ramić Alma , Tomić Srđanka
Published: January 2012

Since the optically active quinuclidin-3-ol is an important intermediate in the preparation of physiologically or pharmacologically active compounds, a new biocatalytic method for the production of chiral quinuclidin-3-ols was examined. Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; EC 3.1.1.8) was chosen as a biocatalyst in a preparative kinetic resolution of enantiomers. A series of racemic, (R)- and (S)-esters of quinuclidin-3-ol and acetic, benzoic, phthalic and isonicotinic acids were synthesized, as well as their racemic quaternary N-benzyl, meta- and para-N-bromo and N-methylbenzyl derivatives. After the resolution, all N-benzyl protected groups were successfully removed by catalytic transfer hydrogenation with ammonium formate (10% Pd-C). Hydrolyses studies with BChE confirmed that (R)-enantiomers of the prepared esters are much better substrates for the enzyme than (S)-enantiomers. Introduction of bromine atom or methyl group in the meta or para position of the benzyl moiety resulted in a considerable improvement of the stereoselectivity compared to the non-substituted compounds. Optically pure quinuclidin-3-ols were prepared in high yields and enantiopurity by the usage of various N-benzyl protected groups and BChE as a biocatalyst.
Comparative Computational Studies of 3,4-Dihydro-2,6-diaryl-4-oxo-pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile Derivatives as Potential Antinociceptive Agents
Authors: Anjos Janaína V. dos , Srivastava Rajendra M. , Costa-Silva João H. , Scotti Luciana , Scotti Marcus T. , Wanderley Almir G. , Leite Elisa Soares , Melo Sebastião J. de , Junior Francisco J. B. Mendonça
Published: January 2012

In this study, the antinociceptive properties of 3,4-dihydro-2,6-diaryl-4-oxo-pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile derivatives 5a–i at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg were evaluated in mice, using the abdominal constriction test. Molecular modeling studies were also performed using density functional theory calculations. These data provided information about the electrostatic and ionization potentials and were used to compare the antinociceptive activity of the title compounds. The most active compounds were 3,4-dihydro-2-(4-chlorophenyl)-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxo-pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (5b) and 3,4-dihydro-2,6-diphenyl-4-oxo-pyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (5i), which inhibited the number of abdominal constrictions, at 50 mg/kg dose, in 88.6% and 88% of the sample, respectively. A preliminary SAR study demonstrated that halogen replacement in the phenyl rings of the compounds under study reduces the antinociceptive activity. DFT calculations showed that there is a high correlation between the ionization potentials and the analgesic properties of the compounds. It was found that compounds with a positive ionization potential (compounds 5b and 5i) were found to be the best analgesic drugs in this series.
Characterization of Rape Field Microwave Emission and Implications to Surface Soil Moisture Retrievals
Authors: Schlenz Florian , Fallmann Joachim , Marzahn Philip , Loew Alexander , Mauser Wolfram
Published: January 2012

In the course of Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission calibration and validation activities, a ground based L-band radiometer ELBARA II was situated at the test site Puch in Southern Germany in the Upper Danube Catchment. The experiment is described and the different data sets acquired are presented. The L-band microwave emission of the biosphere (L-MEB) model that is also used in the SMOS L2 soil moisture algorithm is used to simulate the microwave emission of a winter oilseed rape field in Puch that was also observed by the radiometer. As there is a lack of a rape parameterization for L-MEB the SMOS default parameters for crops are used in a first step which does not lead to satisfying modeling results. Therefore, a new parameterization for L-MEB is developed that allows us to model the microwave emission of a winter oilseed rape field at the test site with better results. The soil moisture retrieval performance of the new parameterization is assessed in different retrieval configurations and the results are discussed. To allow satisfying results, the periods before and after winter have to be modeled with different parameter sets as the vegetation behavior is very different during these two development stages. With the new parameterization it is possible to retrieve soil moisture from multiangular brightness temperature data with a root mean squared error around 0.045–0.051 m³/m³ in a two parameter retrieval with soil moisture and roughness parameter Hr as free parameters.
Paper Withdrawn Before the Issue Release
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun
Published: January 2012

The following paper “Juan V. Capella, Alberto Bonastre, Miguel Peris and Rafael Ors. Distributed In-Line Analysis of Water Pollution in a Spanish Lake. Sensors 2012, 12, 878-894” has been withdrawn at the request of the authors before the issue release of Sensors Volume 12, Issue 1. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
Transformation of Hand-Shape Features for a Biometric Identification Approach
Authors: Travieso Carlos M. , Briceño Juan Carlos , Alonso Jesús B.
Published: January 2012

The present work presents a biometric identification system for hand shape identification. The different contours have been coded based on angular descriptions forming a Markov chain descriptor. Discrete Hidden Markov Models (DHMM), each representing a target identification class, have been trained with such chains. Features have been calculated from a kernel based on the HMM parameter descriptors. Finally, supervised Support Vector Machines were used to classify parameters from the DHMM kernel. First, the system was modelled using 60 users to tune the DHMM and DHMM_kernel+SVM configuration parameters and finally, the system was checked with the whole database (GPDS database, 144 users with 10 samples per class). Our experiments have obtained similar results in both cases, demonstrating a scalable, stable and robust system. Our experiments have achieved an upper success rate of 99.87% for the GPDS database using three hand samples per class in training mode, and seven hand samples in test mode. Secondly, the authors have verified their algorithms using another independent and public database (the UST database). Our approach has reached 100% and 99.92% success for right and left hand, respectively; showing the robustness and independence of our algorithms. This success was found using as features the transformation of 100 points hand shape with our DHMM kernel, and as classifier Support Vector Machines with linear separating functions, with similar success.