bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field catches of Oxythyrea cinctella using visual and olfactory cues
Authors: VUTS JÓZSEF , KAYDAN MEHMET BORA , YARIMBATMAN ALPER , TÓTH MIKLÓS
Published: February 2012

Diurnal flower‐visiting scarabs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae, Cetoniinae) use visual and olfactory stimuli when locating possible feeding sites. In field trapping experiments in Turkey, testing different colours and floral volatile compounds, a combination of fluorescent yellow colour and a blend of 2‐phenylethanol and (±)‐lavandulol leads to the highest number of Oxythyrea cinctella (Schaum) being caught. Trap catches of O. cinctella with respect to the individually presented visual or olfactory cues are significantly lower than to a combination of the two. The closely‐related O. funesta, a sibling species in the Oxythyrea genus, is also known to be caught by the same colour‐volatile combination. When applied together in a high capture‐capacity trap, the fluorescent yellow colour and the binary floral odour blend may provide a suitable means of monitoring population changes of O. cinctella, which indicates their potential use in agriculture.
Novel high‐throughput screens of Anopheles gambiae odorant receptors reveal candidate behaviour‐modifying chemicals for mosquitoes
Authors: RINKER DAVID C. , JONES PATRICK L. , PITTS R. JASON , RUTZLER MICHAEL , CAMP GRAY , SUN LUJUAN , XU PINGXI , DORSET DANIEL C. , WEAVER DAVID , ZWIEBEL LAURENCE J.
Published: February 2012

Despite many decades of multilateral global efforts, a significant portion of the world population continues to be plagued with one or more mosquito‐vectored diseases. These include malaria and filariasis, as well as numerous arboviral‐associated illnesses, such as dengue and yellow fevers. The dynamics of disease transmission by mosquitoes is complex, and involves both vector competence and vectorial capacity. One area of intensive effort is the study of chemosensory‐driven behaviours in the malaria vector mosquito Anopheles gambiae Giles, the modulation of which is likely to provide opportunities for disease reduction. In this context, recent studies characterize a large divergent family of An. gambiae odorant receptors (AgORs) that play critical roles in olfactory signal transduction. This work facilitates high‐throughput, cell‐based calcium mobilization screens of AgOR‐expressing human embryonic kidney cells identifying a large number of conventional AgOR ligands, as well as the first nonconventional Orco (olfactory receptor co‐receptor) family agonist. As such, ligand‐mediated modulation serves as a proof‐of‐concept demonstration that AgORs represent viable targets for high‐throughput screening and for the eventual development of behaviour‐modifying olfactory compounds. Such attractants or repellents could foster malaria reduction programmes.
Odour‐mediated orientation behaviour of the lily beetle Lilioceris lilii
Authors: SALISBURY ANDREW , COOK SAMANTHA M. , POWELL WILF , HARDIE JIM
Published: February 2012

The lily beetle Lilioceris lilii (Scopoli) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feeds on Lilium, Fritillaria and Cardiocrinum plants and is a serious pest in gardens and amenity plantings in parts of Northern Europe and North America. In the present study, the odour‐mediated behaviour of L. lilii is investigated by behavioural bioassays using a linear‐track olfactometer. The behavioural responses of L. lilii to hosts and conspecifics are, at least in part, odour‐mediated and the responses differ with respect to the physiological (reproductive) state of the adult beetle (i.e. pre‐ or post‐diapause). Significantly more diapaused female L. lilii move into air streams containing the odour of intact host plants than into clean air, and move into air streams containing odour of host plants and beetles combined in preference to odour from manually‐damaged host plants. Diapaused females also move into air streams containing odours from intact plants over those from larval‐infested plants. Pre‐diapause males move into the air streams of intact plants rather than L. lilii‐infested plants. Pre‐diapause females show no significant response in any experiment. The data indicate that the odour‐mediated responses of L. lilii are consistent with those known for other chrysomelids that produce a male aggregation pheromone to which reproductive individuals of both sexes respond.
Identification of candidate volatiles that affect the behavioural response of the malaria mosquitoAnopheles gambiae sensu strictoto an active kairomone blend: laboratory and semi‐field assays
Authors: SMALLEGANGE RENATE C. , BUKOVINSZKINÉ‐KISS GABRIELLA , OTIENO BRUNO , MBADI PHOEBE A. , TAKKEN WILLEM , MUKABANA WOLFGANG R. , VAN LOON JOOP J. A.
Published: February 2012

Anopheles gambiaeGilessensu stricto(Diptera: Culicidae) is the most important vector of human malaria in sub‐Saharan Africa, affecting the lives of millions of people. Existing tools such as insecticide‐treated nets and indoor‐residual sprays are not only effective, but also have limitations as a result of the development of resistance to insecticides and behavioural adaptations in biting time. Therefore, novel mosquito‐control tools are needed. Odour‐releasing traps have a potential for both trapping and surveillance purposes. Based on the outcome ofex vivogene expression assays andin vivoelectrophysiological assays on hundreds of volatile organic compounds, 29 ‘candidate behaviourally‐disruptive organic compounds' (cBDOCs) are selected, belonging to 10 chemical categories, to be assayed in the laboratory using dual‐choice olfactometers for the ability to modify the ‘attractiveness’ (i.e. significantly more insects being caught in the associated trap) of a basic volatile blend consisting of ammonia, lactic acid and tetradecanoic acid but without additional carbon dioxide. Compounds that either reduce or increase trap catches by the basic blend in the olfactometer experiments are tested under African conditions in choice experiments in a semi‐field facility in Kenya. The release rates of cBDOCs are determined gravimetrically to allow the calculation of aerial concentrations at the trap outlet. Aerial concentrations in the sub‐p.p.m. range are reported for the first time to influence mosquito behaviour. The results of the olfactometer and semi‐field assays generally correspond. Under semi‐field conditions, three compounds, 3‐heptanol (0.025 p.p.m.), 2‐methylpropanal (0.05 p.p.m.) and 4,5‐dimethylthiazole (0.73 p.p.m.), significantly increase trap catches relative to the basic blend consisting of ammonia, lactic acid, tetradecanoic acid and carbon dioxide. 2‐Acetylthiophene, 2‐nonanone and 2‐phenylethanol decrease the number of mosquitoes caught at all concentrations tested under semi‐field conditions. These compounds hold promise as attractants and spatial repellents to be applied in mosquito control programmes.
Aspects of insect chemical ecology: exploitation of reception and detection as tools for deception of pests and beneficial insects
Authors: PICKETT JOHN A. , ARADOTTIR GUDBJORG I. , BIRKETT MICHAEL A. , BRUCE TOBY J. A. , CHAMBERLAIN KEITH , KHAN ZEYAUR R. , MIDEGA CHARLES A. O. , SMART LESLEY E. , WOODCOCK CHRISTINE M.
Published: February 2012

Empirical exploitation of insect reception and detection at the peripheral neurosensory level has been extremely valuable for identifying pheromones and other semiochemicals, mainly by electroantennogram or single cell preparations coupled with capillary gas chromatography. Differential sensitivity to semiochemicals at the single‐cell level has allowed the identification of some of the most active semiochemicals relating to host location and, more importantly, to the avoidance of nonhosts. However, in terms of molecular recognition, there is still a considerable gap in understanding the detection of particular molecules and their discrimination from closely‐related chemical structures. New approaches will be needed to understand the processes of molecular recognition more precisely. Nevertheless, from electrophysiological studies to the most advanced molecular techniques, it has been possible to identify semiochemicals for the deception of pests in their quest to find plant and animal hosts, as well as mates. Even the deception of insects antagonistic to pests, particularly parasitoids, can now be exploited for managing pests in more sustainable systems. Successes in exploiting insect semiochemicals in the interests of better agriculture and animal husbandry are exemplified, and potential new ways of learning more about reception and detection for deception are discussed. This takes the subject beyond the management of pest and beneficial insects to wider commercial and social opportunities.
Cost‐effectiveness of using an extensively hydrolysed formula compared to an amino acid formula as first‐line treatment for cow milk allergy in the UK
Authors: Taylor Riza R. , Sladkevicius Erikas , Panca Monica , Lack Gideon , Guest Julian F.
Published: February 2012

To cite this article: Taylor RR, Sladkevicius E, Panca M, Lack G, Guest JF. Cost‐effectiveness of using an extensively hydrolysed formula compared to an amino acid formula as first‐line treatment for cow milk allergy in the UK. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2012: 23: 240–249.

Objective:  To estimate the cost‐effectiveness of using an extensively hydrolysed formula (eHF; Nutramigen) compared with an amino acid formula (AAF; Neocate) as first‐line treatment for cow milk allergy (CMA) in the UK, from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS).

Method:  A decision model was constructed depicting the treatment paths and associated resource use attributable to first‐line management of CMA with the two formulae. The model was based on the case records of 145 AAF‐treated infants and 150 matched eHF‐treated patients from The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database [a nationally representative database of patients registered with general practitioners (GPs) in the UK]. The model estimated the costs and consequences of patient management over 12 months following their initial GP visit for CMA.

Results:  Patients presenting with a combination of gastrointestinal symptoms and eczema accounted for 44% of all patients in both groups. Those with gastrointestinal symptoms alone and eczema alone accounted for up to a further 39% and 13%, respectively. Those with urticaria and faltering growth accounted for <5% and ≤6% of all patients, respectively. Patients’ age and weight at presentation was a mean 2.6–2.8 months and 4.4 kg, respectively. It took a mean 2.2 months to start a formula after initially seeing a GP. Time to symptom resolution following the start of treatment was 1.2 months in both groups; hence, the mean number of symptom‐free months during the 12 months following the initial GP visit was estimated to be 8.6 months in both groups. Patients treated with an eHF had a mean 13.1 GP visits over the 12 months compared to 17.5 visits made by AAF‐treated patients (p < 0.001). The NHS cost of managing a CMA infant over the first 12 months following initial presentation to a GP was estimated to be £1853 and £3161 for an eHF‐treated and AAF‐treated patient, respectively.

Conclusion:  Starting treatment for CMA with an eHF was the cost‐effective option, as there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between the two groups. A prospective, randomized controlled trial would allow a definitive confirmation of these findings.
Allergic diseases and respiratory symptoms in urban and rural children in Grodno Region (Belarus)
Authors: Shpakou Andrei , Brożek Grzegorz , Stryzhak Andrei , Neviartovich Tatsiana , Zejda Jan
Published: February 2012

To cite this article: Shpakou A, Brożek G, Stryzhak A, Neviartovich T, Zejda J. Allergic diseases and respiratory symptoms in urban and rural children in Grodno Region (Belarus). Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012: 23: 339–346.

Background:  Because of the unknown frequency of asthma and other common allergic diseases in children living in Belarus, we conducted a population‐based respiratory health survey. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of allergic diseases and major allergic symptoms in children of the Grodno Region (Western Belarus) and to examine their familial and environmental correlates.

Methods:  The cross‐sectional study was conducted in 2010 and included 2606 urban and 2422 rural children aged 6–16 years. Physician‐diagnosed respiratory diseases and symptoms were ascertained using the ISAAC questionnaire completed by the parents. Both family and environmental factors were examined for their association with respiratory health outcomes including asthma and spastic bronchitis. Descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to test associations.

Results:  The prevalence of asthma, atopic eczema and allergic rhinitis was 1.39%, 10.25%, and 3.84%, respectively. Spastic bronchitis was reported for 6.74% of children. Chronic respiratory symptoms occurring in the past 12 months and suggestive of asthma included chest wheeze (9.71%) attacks of dyspnea at rest (1.77%), symptoms of hay fever (2.45%) attacks of sneezing and nasal congestion without a cold (6.78%), and recurrent itchy rash (13.48%). All diseases except for asthma and spastic bronchitis as well as symptoms of hay fever, congested nose and itchy rash were more frequent in urban than in rural children (p < 0.05). Results of multivariate logistic analysis confirmed associations (p < 0.05) between asthma and parental asthma (OR = 4.82) and dampness in home (OR = 2.12) after adjustment for age, gender and place of residence. Spastic bronchitis in children who did not have a concurrent diagnosis of asthma was related (p < 0.05) to parental asthma (OR = 2.18), dampness in the home (OR = 1.68) and less use of coal‐based heating (OR = 0.64). Allergic rhinitis and atopic eczema were associated (p < 0.05) with parental asthma (OR = 5.07 and OR = 1.91, respectively), dampness (OR = 2.33 and OR = 1.51, respectively), lower parental education (OR = 0.74 and OR = 0.68, respectively) and household density (OR = 0.84 and OR = 0.92), respectively.

Conclusions:  The findings show a low prevalence of allergic diseases and symptoms in children of Western Belarus, following similar East‐West gradients described in the literature. All allergic disorders except asthma were less frequent in the rural population. A very low prevalence of childhood asthma and the possibility of underdiagosis of the disease in the surveyed population deserve further investigation.
A prediction rule for food challenge outcome in children
Authors: Zomer‐Kooijker Kim , Slieker Martijn G. , Kentie Petra A. , van der Ent Cornelis K. , Meijer Yolanda
Published: February 2012

To cite this article: Zomer‐Kooijker K, Slieker MG, Kentie PA, van der Ent CK, Meijer Y. A prediction rule for food challenge outcome in children. Pediatric Allergy Immunology 2012: 23: 353–359.

Background:  In children with food‐related symptoms, a food challenge is considered as the gold standard to diagnose allergy. If food allergy could be predicted by patient history and/or diagnostic tests, the number of time‐consuming and sometimes risky food challenges could be decreased. We aimed to determine questionnaire and test‐based characteristics, to predict the food challenge outcome (FCO) in children referred to a tertiary centre for the evaluation of food‐related symptoms.

Methods:  Pre‐challenge standardized questionnaires, skin prick tests (SPT), and specific IgE levels (sIgE) were obtained in patients that underwent a food challenge in our hospital in 2009. Characteristics of patients with positive and negative FCO were compared, and uni‐ and multivariate associations between predictors and FCO were calculated. Based on the multivariate model, a risk score was developed to predict the FCO.

Results:  One hundred and twenty‐nine challenges were analyzed, 41.9% had a positive outcome. Median age of both groups was 4.9 yrs (range 2.8–8.3). Patients with a positive FCO reacted faster with symptoms after allergen ingestion and had higher sIgE levels compared to children with negative FCO. A clinical risk score was developed based on the index food, ‘time between allergen ingestion and complaints’ and sIgE levels (range 0–10). The prognostic capacity of this model (AUC) was excellent (0.90). The very high‐ and low‐risk groups (24% of patients) are both predicted excellent without misclassification.

Conclusion:  Positive FCO can be predicted by the index food, time between allergen ingestion and development of symptoms, and the sIgE level.
Sequences of Prey‐catching Behaviour in the Brush‐tailed Marsupial Rat (Dasyuroides byrnei)
Authors: Hutson Geoffrey
Published: February 2012

The prey‐catching responses of Dasyuroides byrnei to different prey types were observed in captivity. Sequences with mice as prey are analysed and described in terms of the temporal patterning and transitions between individual prey‐catching movements. Comparisons are made with other prey types and the factors determining sequence structure are assessed.
Parturition and Related Behaviour in the African Elephant
Authors: Leuthold Walter , Leuthold Barbara M.
Published: February 2012

The behaviour of a female African elephant before and after parturition was observed and photographed in the Isiolo Game Reserve, Kenya. Birth was very rapid (not actually seen). Post‐partum activity was characterized by intensive care‐giving behaviour in which a few other animals co‐operated with the mother. Observations are compared with the few other accounts on the subject.
The Aggressive Response of Male Mice (Mus musculus L.) to a Variety of Stimulus Animals
Authors: Beilharz R. G.
Published: February 2012

The responses to a variety of small animals of 10 male mice whose fighting ability was known were compared either in a neutral test box or in the subject's home cage.

The subject's reaction depended on the situation, the nature of the subject and the nature of the stimulus. The nature of the subject was more important than the nature of the stimulus, with some mice attacking all object animals indiscriminately.
Social Learning of Vocal Patterns and Modes of their Application in Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus)1,2,3
Authors: Todt Dietmar
Published: February 2012

We have developed a method which allowed us to teach Grey Parrots special vocal patterns with a good success. The birds uttered these in antiphonal duets (Fig. 1, Table 1). The duets were performed only between the parrot and its cooperative partner. By experimental auditory stimulation we investigated the conditions of the vocal communication (Fig. 2, Fig. 3). Furthermore we found, that the performance of antiphonal duets obstructed the extension of the vocal repertoire with patterns which could not be learned from the birds' social partners (Fig. 4).
Evolution of Social Systems through Site Attachment in Fish
Authors: Fricke Hans W.
Published: February 2012

Bei 21 Pomacentriden‐Arten des Roten Meeres wurden 4 verschiedene Sozialstrukturty pen festgestellt. Die Strukturty pen werden von adulten Tieren ohne ihre eigenen Nachkommen gebildet. Die Larven der Pomacentriden wandern nach dem Schlüpfen anonym ins Plankton. Zu einer Eltern‐Kind‐Beziehung kommt es nicht.

Im Vcrgleich zu den Säugern wird erörtert, ob die den Säugersozietäten zugrundeliegenden interindividuellen Familienbindungen bei den Fischen analog durch Ortsbindungen ersetzt sind. Ortsbindungen können zu funktionell ähnlichen Systemen führen. Es wird die Frage diskutiert, ob die Sozialevolution vielleicht von Ortsbindungen ausgegangen sein könnte. Ortsbindungen könnten nachträglich zur Entwicklung sozialer Mechanismen der an einen gemeinsamen Ort gebundenen Artgenossen und zu einer Verfeinerung der Beziehungen zwischen den Individuen führen.
The Interaction of Stars and Magnetic Field in the Orientation System of Night Migrating Birds
Authors: Wiltschko Wolfgang , Wiltschko Roswitha
Published: February 2012

To investigate the relative importance of stellar and magnetic cues for the compass orientation of night migrating birds, 45 European robins (Erithacus rubecula) were tested in automatically registering cages with view of the clear natural night sky. One group was tested in the natural local geomagnetic field, the other group in a field pointing to 120° ESE; birds from both groups were additionally tested in a magnetic field the horizontal component of which was compensated. The observed orientation behavior leads to the conclusion that star compass and magnetic compass are not independent, but that they are interlinked in the way that the star compass is established by information from the magnetic compass.
Contribution to the Study of the Social Behaviour of Captive Golden Jackals (Canis aureus L.)1
Authors: Wandrey Rüdiger
Published: February 2012

The goal of this study was to record and generalize the social behaviour of golden jackals living in captivity, to relate the findings to previous studies on other canids and to give a basis to compare the results with studies made in the natural habitat of golden jackals. Besides different species of canids 12 (5,7) golden jackals (Canis aureus L.) were observed for approx. 1300 hours and their behaviour recorded. As a result 59 behavioural elements could be described clearly and related to specific behavioural sequences. It was found that aggression rules the way of life of the animals and that a lot of non‐aggressive behaviour patterns can be reduced to aggressive behavioural elements. A further finding was that there exists a close related family group which is separated from other groupings of other jackals by the adult ♂ very strongly. It is very unlikely that the golden jackal has played an important role in the domestication of the dog.
Sozialverhalten zweier Elasmucha‐Arten (Heteroptera: Insecta)*
Authors: Melber Albert , Schmidt Gerhard H.
Published: February 2012

The social behaviour of two Elasmucha species (E. grisea and E. fieberi) manifested in a parental care with a high effectiveness was studied in the surroundings of Würzburg and analysed in the laboratory. ♀♀ exhibiting various methods of defence are able to find their eggs after removal; an olfactory or chemotactile orientation is involved. A distinct grouping behaviour of the young larvae is well adapted to the parental care. There is no species specifity in the guarding of the eggs and larvae as well as in the larvae‐groups.
Modification des effets liés à la priorité de résidence chez Xiphophorus (Pisces, Poeciliidae): le rôle des manipulations expérimentales
Authors: Zayan René C.
Published: February 2012

An experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that the effects of prior residence on aggressive behaviour and on dominance might not be found if both the resident and the intruder were handled before the test; in Braddock's experiment (1949) demonstrating these effects, the intruders were the only handled fishes.

All our fishes, ♂♂ of the genus Xiphophorus, were isolated for a pre‐experimental period of exactly 22 h; then two fishes were randomly selected and handled as follows for the dominance test (phase 1): — In the Experimental condition (23 E‐pairs), fishes were taken out of their isolation tank and were then introduced simultaneously into the tank that had been occupied by one of them, randomly selected (the “resident”). — In the Control condition (23 C‐pairs), the resident was taken out of its tank 5 min before the end of the 22 h‐isolation period, and then it was again introduced into its area for the remaining 5 min residence‐period; thereafter, the “intruder” was taken out of its isolation tank and transferred into the tank occupied by the resident. As soon as the dominance of a fish was definitely recorded in the resident‘ area, the members of each pair were handled again according to their previous E or C‐condition; for this second transfer (phase 2) both fishes were introduced into the isolation tank that had been occupied by the intruder of the first test prior to its initial transfer.

The results of the first test demonstrated that the two handling conditions had very different effects on the behaviour of the pair‐members. Only in the C‐pairs did prior residence affect positively initiation of aggressive behaviour and final dominance; reciprocal aggression was much more frequent between members of the E‐pairs. The dominance‐subordination relationships that had established during the first test remained highly stable (90% of the cases) after the second transfer, indicating that true territoriality, i.e. dominance reversal when each fish becomes resident in its turn, was mostly absent in our pairs of Poeciliids.
Treatment of acute bronchitis with EPs 7630: Randomized, controlled trial in children and adolescents
Authors: Kamin Wolfgang , Ilyenko Lidia I. , Malek Fathi A. , Kieser Meinhard
Published: February 2012

Background:  The aim of this trial was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of EPs 7630, a herbal drug preparation from Pelargonium sidoides, in children and adolescents suffering from acute bronchitis, outside the strict indication for antibiotics.

Methods:  A total of 220 patients with acute bronchitis were randomized and given either verum containing EPs 7630 (1–6 years/>6–12 years/>12–18 years: 3 × 10/3 × 20/3 × 30 drops/day) or matching placebo for 7 days. The main outcome measure was the change in the total score of bronchitis‐specific symptoms (BSS) from day 0 to day 7.

Results:  The decrease in the BSS total score was significantly higher for EPs 7630 compared to placebo (change day 0–day 7: 4.4 ± 1.6 vs 2.9 ± 1.4 points; P < 0.0001). Improvements were most pronounced for ‘coughing’ and ‘rales at auscultation’. Tolerability was similarly good in both groups.

Conclusions:  EPs 7630 proved to be an efficacious and well‐tolerated option for the treatment of acute bronchitis in children and adolescents outside the strict indication for antibiotics.
Value of long‐term ecological studies
Authors: LINDENMAYER DAVID B. , LIKENS GENE E. , ANDERSEN ALAN , BOWMAN DAVID , BULL C. MICHAEL , BURNS EMMA , DICKMAN CHRIS R. , HOFFMANN ARY A. , KEITH DAVID A. , LIDDELL MICHAEL J. , LOWE ANDREW J. , METCALFE DANIEL J. , PHINN STUART R. , RUSSELL‐SMITH JEREMY , THURGATE NIKKI , WARDLE GLENDA M.
Published: February 2012

Long‐term ecological studies are critical for providing key insights in ecology, environmental change, natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. In this paper, we briefly discuss five key values of such studies. These are: (1) quantifying ecological responses to drivers of ecosystem change; (2) understanding complex ecosystem processes that occur over prolonged periods; (3) providing core ecological data that may be used to develop theoretical ecological models and to parameterize and validate simulation models; (4) acting as platforms for collaborative studies, thus promoting multidisciplinary research; and (5) providing data and understanding at scales relevant to management, and hence critically supporting evidence‐based policy, decision making and the management of ecosystems. We suggest that the ecological research community needs to put higher priority on communicating the benefits of long‐term ecological studies to resource managers, policy makers and the general public. Long‐term research will be especially important for tackling large‐scale emerging problems confronting humanity such as resource management for a rapidly increasing human population, mass species extinction, and climate change detection, mitigation and adaptation. While some ecologically relevant, long‐term data sets are now becoming more generally available, these are exceptions. This deficiency occurs because ecological studies can be difficult to maintain for long periods as they exceed the length of government administrations and funding cycles. We argue that the ecological research community will need to coordinate ongoing efforts in an open and collaborative way, to ensure that discoverable long‐term ecological studies do not become a long‐term deficiency. It is important to maintain publishing outlets for empirical field‐based ecology, while simultaneously developing new systems of recognition that reward ecologists for the use and collaborative sharing of their long‐term data sets. Funding schemes must be re‐crafted to emphasize collaborative partnerships between field‐based ecologists, theoreticians and modellers, and to provide financial support that is committed over commensurate time frames.
Striatal direct pathway modulates response time in execution of visual discrimination
Authors: Fukabori Ryoji , Okada Kana , Nishizawa Kayo , Kai Nobuyuki , Kobayashi Kenta , Uchigashima Motokazu , Watanabe Masahiko , Tsutsui Yuji , Kobayashi Kazuto
Published: February 2012

The dorsal striatum in the basal ganglia circuitry is a principal structure that mediates the acquisition and performance of instrumental learning. The projections from the dorsal striatum are composed of two subpopulations of medium spiny neurons that constitute the direct and indirect pathways. The mechanism by which these striatal projections control the learning processes of instrumental actions remains unknown. We addressed the behavioral role of the striatal direct (striatonigral) pathway in the performance of visual discrimination. Immunotoxin targeting of the striatal neuronal type containing dopamine D1 receptor in mice resulted in a moderate level of elimination of the striatonigral pathway. Targeting of the neural pathway from the whole region of the dorsal striatum lengthened the response time but did not affect the accuracy of response selection in a two‐choice reaction time task dependent on light stimulus. This lengthened motor response was induced early in the test sessions and was gradually restored to normal levels during repetitive sessions. In addition, subregion‐specific pathway targeting revealed that the delay in learned motor response was generated by the elimination of the striatonigral pathway arising from the dorsomedial striatum but not from the dorsolateral striatum. Our findings indicate that the striatonigral pathway, in particular from the dorsomedial striatum, contributes to the regulation of response time in the execution of visual discrimination. The restoration of motor response deficits during repetitive sessions suggests the presence of a mechanism by which the response facilitation is acquired through continuation of learning despite the removal of the striatonigral pathway.
Intracortical connectivity of layer VI pyramidal neurons in the somatosensory cortex of normal and barrelless mice
Authors: Pichon Fabien , Nikonenko Irina , Kraftsik Rudolf , Welker Egbert
Published: February 2012

In mice, barrels in layer IV of the somatosensory cortex correspond to the columnar representations of whisker follicles. In barrelless (BRL) mice, barrels are absent, but functionally, a columnar organization persists. Previously we characterized the aberrant geometry of thalamic projection of BRL mice using axonal reconstructions of individual neurons. Here we proceeded with the analysis of the intracortical projections from layer VI pyramidal neurons, to assess their contribution to the columnar organization. From series of tangential sections we reconstructed the axon collaterals of individual layer VI pyramidal neurons in the C2 barrel column that were labelled with biocytin [controls from normal (NOR) strain, 19 cells; BRL strain, nine cells]. Using six morphological parameters in a cluster analysis, we showed that layer VI neurons in NOR mice are distributed into four clusters distinguished by the radial and tangential extent of their intracortical projections. These clusters correlated with the cortical or subcortical projection of the main axon. In BRL mice, neurons were distributed within the same four clusters, but their projections to the granular and supragranular layers were significantly smaller and their tangential projection was less columnar than in NOR mice. However, in both strains the intracortical projections had a preference for the appropriate barrel column (C2), indicating that layer VI pyramidal cells could participate in the functional columnar organization of the barrel cortex. Correlative light and electron microscopy analyses provided morphometric data on the intracortical synaptic boutons and synapses of layer VI pyramidal neurons and revealed that projections to layer IV preferentially target excitatory dendritic spines and shafts.
Orexin / hypocretin 1 receptor antagonist reduces heroin self‐administration and cue‐induced heroin seeking
Authors: Smith Rachel J. , Aston‐Jones Gary
Published: February 2012

The orexin/hypocretin system is involved in several addiction‐related behaviors. In the present experiments, we examined the involvement of orexin in heroin reinforcement and relapse by administering the orexin 1 receptor antagonist SB‐334867 prior to heroin self‐administration or prior to cue‐induced or heroin‐induced reinstatement of extinguished heroin seeking in male Sprague Dawley rats. SB‐334867 (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) reduced heroin intake during self‐administration under fixed ratio‐1 and progressive ratio schedules. SB‐334867 also attenuated reinstatement of heroin seeking elicited by cues, but not reinstatement elicited by a heroin prime. These results indicate that orexin antagonism reduces heroin self‐administration, and they support a role for orexin in cue‐triggered drug relapse.
Pseudomonas putida growing at low temperature shows increased levels of CrcZ and CrcY sRNAs, leading to reduced Crc‐dependent catabolite repression
Authors: Fonseca Pilar , Moreno Renata , Rojo Fernando
Published: February 2012

The Crc protein of Pseudomonas inhibits the expression of genes involved in the transport and assimilation of a number of non‐preferred carbon sources when preferred substrates are available, thus coordinating carbon metabolism. Crc acts by binding to target mRNAs, inhibiting their translation. In Pseudomonas putida, the amount of free Crc available is controlled by two sRNAs, CrcY and CrcZ, which bind to and sequester Crc. The levels of these sRNAs vary according to metabolic conditions. Pseudomonas putida grows optimally at 30°C, but can also thrive at 10°C. The present work shows that when cells grow exponentially at 10°C, the repressive effect of Crc on many genes is significantly reduced compared with that seen at 30°C. Total Crc levels were similar at both temperatures, but those of CrcZ and CrcY were significantly higher at 10°C. Therefore, Crc‐mediated repression may, at least in part, be reduced at 10°C because the fraction of Crc protein sequestered by CrcZ and CrcY is larger, reducing the amount of free Crc available to bind its targets. This may help P. putida to face cold stress. The results reported might help understanding the behaviour of this bacterium in bioremediation or rhizoremediation strategies at low temperatures.
Free graft foreskin anoplasty
Authors: Fucini C. , Caminati F. , Basiricò F. , Bartolini N. , Mirasolo V. M.
Published: February 2012

Aim  Reconstruction of a stenotic anal canal and repair of a stenotic perineal colostomy using a free graft foreskin.

Method  The use of free graft foreskin anoplasty was described by Freeman for the treatment of mucosal prolapse in pediatric patients. The original surgical technique was modified and employed in two adult patients for the reconstruction of the anal region.

Results  The graft, in both cases, took well with a satisfactory functional and morphological recovery of the anal canal.

Conclusion  Free graft foreskin anoplasty, has proved to be an effective solution to stenosis in the anal canal following major local surgery.
Referral proformas improve compliance to national colorectal 2‐week wait targets: does this affect cancer detection rates?
Authors: Jani A. , Jenner L. , Ma F. , Dutton S. , Stevens R. , Sharma R. A.
Published: February 2012

Aim  To facilitate implementation of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines for urgent colorectal cancer referral, local cancer networks have promoted the use of standardized proformas in primary care. This clinical audit assessed use of the proforma within the Thames Valley Cancer Network (TVCN) to see whether increased proforma use was associated with higher compliance to NICE guidelines and higher cancer detection rates.

Method  All 2‐week wait referrals for lower bowel cancer to the six Acute NHS Trusts in the TVCN received during the month of June 2010 were identified, anonymized and analysed in relation to colorectal cancer detection rates.

Results  Of the 586 referrals audited, proforma usage varied significantly across the six Acute NHS Trusts from 18% to 96%. Referral letters from primary care had NICE compliance ranging from 30 to 50%. In those which received a referral protocol, 50–90% were NICE compliant. Proforma use was associated with higher cancer detection rates (P = 0.03).

Conclusion  These results have wide‐ranging implications since they suggest that the adoption of a simple proforma in primary care can improve the effectiveness of referral for suspected cancer.
Canine eyelid granular cell tumor: a report of eight cases
Authors: Lu Jennifer E. , Dubielzig Richard
Published: February 2012

To describe a previously unreported neoplasm of the medial canthus and eyelid in dogs. Clinical and pathologic features of granular cell tumors in the dog were reviewed. Granular cell tumors, arising from the medial canthal eyelid of eight dogs, were identified from the archives of the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin (COPLOW). The affected dogs ranged in age from 5 to 12 years (mean of 9.25 years). Follow‐up information was available for seven of the eight cases. The clinical presentation included swollen hyperemic lids (4/8), ulcerated skin overlying the mass (2/8), and red conjunctiva (7/8). All eight of the cases had firm masses extending from the palpebral conjunctiva to the eyelid margin at the medial canthus. Histologically, the tissue was composed of a highly collagenous neoplastic growth. The neoplastic cells were oval to strap‐like cells with an oval bland appearing nucleus and abundant amounts of granular cytoplasm with very distinct cell boundaries. These granular cells were embedded in a dense collagen matrix. A PAS stain faintly highlighted the granular appearance of the neoplastic cells, which is a defining characteristic of this tumor. There was no recurrence in the seven cases available for follow‐up. Canine granular cell tumors of the medial canthus present clinically and histologically as a benign neoplasm. Granular cell tumors have a characteristic histological appearance. Granular cell tumors should be on the differential list for nodules of the medial canthus in dogs.
The Belief in a Just World as a Personal Resource in the Context of Inflation and Financial Crises
Authors: Christandl Fabian
Published: February 2012

This paper examines the role of the belief in a just world as a personal resource when people are faced with the adverse consequences of inflation and financial crises by presenting results from two longitudinal studies. The first study, based on responses from 262 German residents, found that participants with a strong personal belief in a just world perceived a lower economic impact in light of price increases following a tax increase. This effect remained stable after controlling for the socioeconomic variables of gender, age, household income, and education. The second study, based on a sample of 177 German residents, found that residents with a strong personal belief in a just world perceived a lower economic impact in light of the global subprime mortgage crisis. Again, this effect remained stable after controlling for the socioeconomic variables of gender, age, household income, and education. Furthermore, the personal belief in a just world influenced perceived economic impact over time and the relationship between personal belief in a just world and perceived economic impact was partially mediated by differences between life satisfaction in the future as measured in a first wave and current life satisfaction as measured in a second wave.
Circadian rhythms in executive function during the transition to adolescence: the effect of synchrony between chronotype and time of day
Authors: Hahn Constanze , Cowell Jason M. , Wiprzycka Ursula J. , Goldstein David , Ralph Martin , Hasher Lynn , Zelazo Philip David
Published: February 2012

To explore the influence of circadian rhythms on executive function during early adolescence, we administered a battery of executive function measures (including a Go‐Nogo task, the Iowa Gambling Task, a Self‐ordered Pointing task, and an Intra/Extradimensional Shift task) to Morning‐preference and Evening‐preference participants (N = 80) between the ages of 11 and 14 years who were tested in the morning or afternoon. Significant Chronotype × Time of Day interactions (controlling for amount of sleep the previous night) revealed that adolescents tested at their optimal times of day performed better than those tested at their nonoptimal times. Implications for our understanding of physiological arousal, sleep, and executive function during adolescence are discussed.
Word learning in deaf children with cochlear implants: effects of early auditory experience
Authors: Houston Derek M. , Stewart Jessica , Moberly Aaron , Hollich George , Miyamoto Richard T.
Published: February 2012

Word‐learning skills were tested in normal‐hearing 12‐ to 40‐month‐olds and in deaf 22‐ to 40‐month‐olds 12 to 18 months after cochlear implantation. Using the Intermodal Preferential Looking Paradigm (IPLP), children were tested for their ability to learn two novel‐word/novel‐object pairings. Normal‐hearing children demonstrated learning on this task at approximately 18 months of age and older. For deaf children, performance on this task was significantly correlated with early auditory experience: Children whose cochlear implants were switched on by 14 months of age or who had relatively more hearing before implantation demonstrated learning in this task, but later implanted profoundly deaf children did not. Performance on this task also correlated with later measures of vocabulary size. Taken together, these findings suggest that early auditory experience facilitates word learning and that the IPLP may be useful for identifying children who may be at high risk for poor vocabulary development.

A video abstract of this article can be viewed at http://youtu.be/buEmjBLy5kc.
Infant word segmentation and childhood vocabulary development: a longitudinal analysis
Authors: Singh Leher , Steven Reznick J. , Xuehua Liang
Published: February 2012

Infants begin to segment novel words from speech by 7.5 months, demonstrating an ability to track, encode and retrieve words in the context of larger units. Although it is presumed that word recognition at this stage is a prerequisite to constructing a vocabulary, the continuity between these stages of development has not yet been empirically demonstrated. The goal of the present study is to investigate whether infant word segmentation skills are indeed related to later lexical development. Two word segmentation tasks, varying in complexity, were administered in infancy and related to childhood outcome measures. Outcome measures consisted of age‐normed productive vocabulary percentiles and a measure of cognitive development. Results demonstrated a strong degree of association between infant word segmentation abilities at 7 months and productive vocabulary size at 24 months. In addition, outcome groups, as defined by median vocabulary size and growth trajectories at 24 months, showed distinct word segmentation abilities as infants. These findings provide the first prospective evidence supporting the predictive validity of infant word segmentation tasks and suggest that they are indeed associated with mature word knowledge.

A video abstract of this article can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxzLi5oLZQ8.
INTERSECTORAL ALLIANCE AND SOCIAL INNOVATION: WHEN CORPORATIONS MEET CIVIL SOCIETY
Authors: HARRISSON Denis , CHAARI Nizar , COMEAU‐VALLÉE Mariline
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT: This article analyses an alliance between a public utility company and a consortium of Associations upholding consumer rights. The project consists of developing means in order to help customers with very low income in a collection situation by suggesting payment arrangements that would take account of their financial situation. Inter‐organizational collaboration is a way to increase the capacities of organizations and to apply leverage to existing resources so as to solve social problems more effectively by pooling together resources, skills and knowledge. We examine the making of this social innovation through the arrangements taking in three institutional dimensions: cognitive, normative and regulative. The case study shows that the legitimacy of the agreement was based on recombining the values of fairness and solidarity. The innovation process was rooted in the exchange of knowledge and access to resources based on the expertise of actors. The agreement moved beyond the experimental framework when it was diffused as a newly learned procedure which became an organizational routine.
PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT IN SOLIDARITY ECONOMY ORGANIZATIONS: THE CASE OF FAIR TRADE SHOPS IN ITALY
Authors: BELLUCCI Marco , BAGNOLI Luca , BIGGERI Mario , RINALDI Vittorio
Published: February 2012

ABSTRACT:  The aim of this paper is to introduce a multidimensional assessment model for organizations that have multiple goals and are not driven exclusively by profit. Therefore, it is an assessment method particularly suitable for social enterprises. In order to measure the efficiency of production units in each dimension, the Data Envelopment Analysis non‐parametric method is applied. Our case study is concerned with Fair Trade shops and members of the consortium Altromercato for which we collected variables that could be associated with input and output for the economic, socio‐cultural and organizational dimensions. The results of the analysis confirm the presence of economies of scale in the economic dimension but not in the socio‐cultural dimension. Moreover, our organizational analysis confirmed a low general professionalization. Our results also confirm, on the one hand, the more pronounced capacity of cooperatives to sell Fair Trade products compared to associations, which, on the other hand, have the tendency to achieve proportionately better results in the socio‐cultural dimension.
Grounding Citizenship: Toward a Political Psychology of Public Space
Authors: Di Masso Andrés
Published: February 2012

This article considers the political nature of public space and explores its psychological relevance as a natural arena of citizenship. Drawing on literature in social psychology, environmental psychology, and political geography, the article addresses how common understandings of normative behavior in public are often based on particular constructions of place and people‐space relations. In so doing, it shows how such culturally shared “locational” notions are essentially contested in relation to their political significance and ideological orientation within a particular public socio‐spatial context. It is argued that claims for and demands on public space are enshrined in broader struggles over the psychological boundaries of belonging, identity, and civic entitlements which are central to the contentious issue of citizenship. This is illustrated through the analysis of an emblematic struggle over a public space located in the Old Town of Barcelona between 1999 and 2007, triggered by the social appropriation of an undeveloped urban lot. The article pinpoints how considering the material dimension of public space may also enrich existing psychological approaches to citizenship.