bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dangerous liaisons: the predation risks of receiving social signals
Authors: Hughes Nelika K. , Kelley Jennifer L. , Banks Peter B. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIndividuals are at risk when communicating because conspicuous signals attract both conspecifics and eavesdropping predators. This predation cost of communicating has typically been attributed to signalling individuals because of their conspicuous role, and is a core concept within sexual selection and communication ecology. But, if predators are attracted to signals, then receivers, both intended or otherwise, may also find themselves at risk of predation. Here, we review the theoretical basis and empirical evidence that receiving also carries a risk of predation. We distinguish between the risks of receiving and responding to signals, and we argue that receivers of signals that are long lived, are highly predictable in time or place and/or cannot be received quickly are likely to be at greater risk of predation compared to receivers of signals without these properties. We review recent empirical evidence from a variety of taxa that supports the hypothesis that receivers (including heterospecific prey) are aware of these risks and that they modify their behaviour to balance the risks against the benefits of receiving under predation threat. We also discuss the wider implications of risky receiving for receiving and signalling behaviour in prey, as well as for the prey's predators.
Precision of host sanctions in the fig tree–fig wasp mutualism: consequences for uncooperative symbionts
Authors: Charlotte Jandér K. , Herre Edward Allen , Simms Ellen L. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractHost sanctions that reduce the relative fitness of uncooperative symbionts provide a mechanism that can limit cheating and thus stabilise mutualisms over evolutionary timescales. Sanctions have been demonstrated empirically in several mutualisms. However, if multiple individual symbionts interact with each host, the precision with which individual cheating symbionts are targeted by host sanctions is critical to their short‐ and long‐term effectiveness. No previous empirical study has directly addressed this issue. Here, we report the precision of host sanctions in the mutualism between fig trees and their pollinating wasps. Using field experiments and molecular parentage analyses, we show that sanctions in Ficus nymphaeifolia act at the level of entire figs (syconia), not at the level of the individual flowers within. Such fig‐level sanctions allow uncooperative wasps, which do not bring pollen, to avoid sanctions in figs to which other wasps bring pollen. We discuss the relevance of sanction precision to other mutualisms.
Constitutive expression of a fungal glucuronoyl esterase in Arabidopsis reveals altered cell wall composition and structure
Authors: Tsai Alex Y.‐L. , Canam Thomas , Gorzsás András , Mellerowicz Ewa J. , Campbell Malcolm M. , Master Emma R. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryA family 15 carbohydrate esterase (CE15) from the white‐rot basidiomycete, Phanerochaete carnosa (PcGCE), was transformed into Arabidopsis thaliana Col‐0 and was expressed from the constitutive cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter. Like other CE15 enzymes, PcGCE hydrolyzed methyl‐4‐O‐methyl‐d‐glucopyranuronate and could target ester linkages that contribute to lignin–carbohydrate complexes that form in plant cell walls. Three independently transformed Arabidopsis lines were evaluated in terms of nine morphometric parameters, total sugar and lignin composition, cell wall anatomy, enzymatic saccharification and xylan extractability. The transgenic lines consistently displayed a leaf‐yellowing phenotype, as well as reduced glucose and xylose content by as much as 30% and 35%, respectively. Histological analysis revealed 50% reduction in cell wall thickness in the interfascicular fibres of transgenic plants, and FT‐IR microspectroscopy of interfascicular fibre walls indicated reduction in lignin cross‐linking in plants overexpressing PcGCE. Notably, these characteristics could be correlated with improved xylose recovery in transgenic plants, up to 15%. The current analysis represents the first example whereby a fungal glucuronoyl esterase is expressed in Arabidopsis and shows that the promotion of glucuronoyl esterase activity in plants can alter the extent of intermolecular cross‐linking within plant cell walls.
Can the Innate Right to Freedom Alone Ground a System of Public and Private Rights?
Authors: Sangiovanni Andrea 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe state regulates the way in which social power is exercised. It sometimes permits, enables, constrains, forbids how we may touch others, make offers, draw up contracts, use, alter, possess and destroy things that matter to people, manipulate, induce weakness of the will, coerce, engage in physical force, persuade, selectively divulge information, lie, enchant, coax, convince, … In each of these cases, we (sometimes unintentionally) get others to act in ways that serve our interests. Which such exercises of power should the state forbid? Which should it permit? An intuitively appealing way to answer this question is, with Ripstein and Kant, to point to the role of freedom: exercises of social power can be legitimately prohibited when (and only when) they restrict people's freedom. But this raises a further question: How do we identify when such exercises of power make people unfree in the relevant sense? Ripstein, in defending Kant, draws a crucial distinction between actions that subject others’ wills to our choices (and which it would therefore be presumptively legitimate for the state to forbid) and actions that merely affect the contexts in which others act (and which it would therefore be presumptively illegitimate for the state to forbid). I query that distinction, and argue that the idea of independence cannot bear, on its own, the weight it is expected to bear within the Kantian framework.
Between Ethics and Right: Kantian Politics and Democratic Purposes
Authors: Williams Garrath 
Published: August 2012

AbstractForce and Freedom insists that, ‘Freedom, understood as independence of another person's choice, is [all] that matters’. In this paper I suggest that this premise leads Ripstein to an instrumentalization of democracy that neglects a properly public and collective notion of freedom. The paper first criticizes Ripstein's key argument against any extension of public purposes beyond the upholding of persons’ ‘independence of others’ choice’. More constructively, the paper then suggests that a space of public freedom is opened up when people deliberate in order to form and pursue democratic purposes. Citizens may act together to promote ends that they think are worthwhile, without dominating one another or restricting individual freedom.
Form and Matter in Kantian Political Philosophy: A Reply
Authors: Ripstein Arthur 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis paper responds briefly to four reviews of Force and Freedom. Valentini and Sangiovanni criticize what they see as the excessive formalism of the Kantian enterprise, contending that the Kantian project is circular, because it defines rights and freedom together, and that this circularity renders it unable to say anything determinate about appropriate restrictions and permissions. I show that the appearance of circularity arises from a misconstrual of the Kantian idea of a right. Properly understood, Kantian rights are partially indeterminate, but not in a way that causes problems for the account. Ronzoni and Williams seek to broaden the reach of public right, arguing that Kant's abstract approach overlooks pressing questions of social and political life, (Ronzoni) and that public right should allow for democratic deliberation about purposes that go beyond the requirement that a state provide a rightful condition for its members (Williams). I argue that the Kantian view makes room for these factors, but that each must be understood in relation to the formal constraints of right.
Evolution of brain gray matter loss in Huntington's disease: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Lambrecq V. , Langbour N. , Guehl D. , Bioulac B. , Burbaud P. , Rotge J.‐Y. 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundHuntington's disease is characterized by neuronal loss throughout the disease course. Voxel‐based morphometry studies have reported reductions in gray matter concentration (GMC) in many brain regions in patients with Huntington. The description of the time course of gray matter loss may help to identify some evolution markers. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis of voxel‐based morphometry studies of Huntington's disease to describe the evolution of brain gray matter loss.MethodsA systematic search led to the inclusion of 11 articles on Huntington's disease (297 patients and 205 controls). We extracted data from patients with preclinical Huntington, patients with clinical Huntington, and controls. Finally, anatomical likelihood estimation analyses were conducted to identify GMC changes between preclinical patients and controls, between clinical patients and controls, and between preclinical and clinical patients.ResultsPreclinical patients exhibited gray matter loss in the left basal ganglia and the prefrontal cortex. Clinical patients had bilateral gray matter loss in the basal ganglia, the prefrontal cortex, and the insula. The left striatum was smaller in clinical patients than in preclinical patients.ConclusionsNeurodegenerative processes associated with Huntington's disease, as assessed by GMC reduction, begin in the left hemisphere and extend to the contralateral hemisphere throughout the inexorable course of the disease. Changes in gray matter, especially the volumetric side ratio of the striatum, could represent a relevant biomarker for characterizing the different progression stages of the disease.
The primary type of tremor in essential tremor is kinetic rather than postural: cross‐sectional observation of tremor phenomenology in 369 cases
Authors: Louis E. D. 
Published: August 2012

BackgroundEssential tremor (ET) is amongst the most commonly misdiagnosed neurological diseases. The current aim was to provide observational data on a basic characteristic of ET, namely, the relative severity of postural to kinetic tremor.MethodsA total of 369 ET cases were enrolled in a cross‐sectional study. Postural tremor scores (0–3) and kinetic tremor scores (0–3) were assigned during a standardized neurological examination.ResultsIn the vast bulk of cases (~95%), kinetic tremor was more severe than postural tremor. In nearly one‐in‐three cases (32.8%), the kinetic tremor score was ≥1 points higher than the postural tremor score. Conversely, in only a few cases (~5%) was postural tremor even marginally (<1 point) more severe than kinetic tremor, and in no case was the postural tremor score ≥1 point higher than the kinetic tremor score. At each postural tremor score, nearly all cases had that amount of kinetic tremor or more.ConclusionThe primary type of tremor in ET is kinetic rather than postural. Recognition of the simple, empirical features of tremor phenomenology has potential diagnostic value for practicing clinicians.
Comorbidity and metabolic context are crucial factors determining neurological sequelae of hypoglycaemia
Authors: GATAULLINA SVETLANA , DELLATOLAS GEORGES , PERDRY HERVÉ , ROBERT JEAN‐JACQUES , VALAYANNOPOULOS VASSILI , TOUATI GUY , OTTOLENGHI CHRIS , DULAC OLIVIER , DE LONLAY PASCALE 
Published: August 2012

Aim  To determine risk factors for neurological sequelae following hypoglycemia.Method  We analysed the neurological outcome in 164 patients (mean age 10y 10mo, SD 5.9) following hypoglycemia due to three diseases with various metabolic contexts, different ages at onset, and combinations with comorbidity (fever/infection, hypoxia/ischemia): glycogen storage disease type I (GSDI) (21 patients, mean age at first hypoglycemic episode 3.8mo, SD 3.5); fatty acid β‐oxidation defects (FAOD) (29 patients, mean age at first hypoglycemic episode 14.8mo, SD 12.6); and hyperinsulinism (HIns) (114 patients, mean age at first hypoglycemic episode 2.3mo, SD 4.7).Results  Risk factors of poor neurological outcome were aetiology (p<0.006), comorbidity (p<0.001), and prolonged convulsions (p<0.001). Ordinal logistic regression showed that comorbidity (p<0.001) and status epilepticus (p=0.002) were the main determinants of sequelae. Asymptomatic hypoglycemia did not lead to sequelae, whatever the aetiology. Age was not correlated to sequelae, whatever the aetiology. The highest prevalence of hypoglycemic sequelae was found in FAOD and HIns combined with comorbidity, the lowest in GSDI (p<0.001) in which hypoglycemia is often asymptomatic, associated with increased plasma lactate, and rarely combined with comorbidity.Interpretation  Hypoglycemia is severely deleterious for the brain in the context of fever/infection and/or hypoxia/ischemia, and status epilepticus. The metabolic context providing alternative fuels may improve neurological outcome.
Septo‐optic dysplasia in childhood: the neurological, cognitive and neuro‐ophthalmological perspective
Authors: SIGNORINI SABRINA G , DECIO ALICE , FEDELI CRISTINA , LUPARIA ANTONELLA , ANTONINI MAURO , BERTONE CHIARA , MISEFARI WALTER , RUBERTO GIULIO , BIANCHI PAOLO E , BALOTTIN UMBERTO 
Published: August 2012

Aim  We set out to describe 17 patients with septo‐optic dysplasia (SOD), focusing on the little‐explored neurological, cognitive, and neuro‐ophthalmological components. A further aim was to identify possible clinical correlations and phenotypic characteristics within the diagnostic spectrum.Method  We collected clinical‐instrumental data (from the history, general and neurological examination, developmental assessment, and neuro‐ophthalmological, neuroradiological, neurophysiological, and endocrinological evaluations) on nine males and eight females (mean age 34.4mo, SD 31.6; range 4mo‐9y 6mo) diagnosed with SOD who were referred to our Centre of Child Neuro‐ophthalmology between 1999 and 2010.Results  We observed a heterogeneous clinical spectrum characterized by nervous system, visual, and endocrine dysfunctions; optic nerve involvement was present in all 17 children, midline brain defects in 14, and cortical developmental malformations in seven. Developmental/cognitive delay and relational and communication difficulties were observed in eight and seven children, respectively, and reduced visual acuity and oculomotor dysfunction were observed in all. Pituitary hormone deficiencies were present in nine children.Interpretation  Nervous system involvement emerged as a key feature of SOD. As part of a holistic approach to the disease, particular attention should be paid to this aspect. The emergence of new clinical correlations and correlations between clinical features and three SOD subtypes opens the way for better clarification of this disease and, therefore, more targeted diagnosis, follow‐up, and care of affected children.
Lipidome analysis in multiple sclerosis reveals protein lipoxidative damage as a potential pathogenic mechanism
Authors: Gonzalo Hugo , Brieva Luis , Tatzber Franz , Jové Mariona , Cacabelos Daniel , Cassanyé Anna , Lanau‐Angulo Lucia , Boada Jordi , Serrano José C. E. , González Cristina , Hernández Lourdes , Peralta Sílvia , Pamplona Reinald , Portero‐Otin Manuel 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMetabolomic and lipidomic analyses have been used for the profiling of neurodegenerative processes, both in targeted and untargeted approaches. In this work we have applied these techniques to the study of CSF samples of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients (n = 9), compared with samples of non‐MS individuals (n = 9) using mass‐spectrometry. We have used western‐blot and analyzed cell culture to confirm pathogenic pathways suggested by mass‐spectrometric measurements. The results of the untargeted approach of metabolomics and lipidomics suggest the existence of several metabolites and lipids discriminating both populations. Applying targeted lipidomic analyses focused to a pathogenic pathway in MS, oxidative stress, reveal that the lipid peroxidation marker 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F2α is increased in CSF from MS patients. Furthermore, as lipid peroxidation exerts its pathogenical effects through protein modification, we studied the incidence of protein lipoxidation, revealing specific increases in carboxymethylated, neuroketal and malondialdehyde‐mediated protein modifications in proteins of CSF from MS patients, despite the absence of their precursors glyoxal and methylglyoxal. Finally, we report that the level of neuroketal‐modified proteins correlated with a hitherto unknown increased amount of autoantibodies against lipid peroxidation‐modified proteins in CSF, without compensation by signaling induced by lipid peroxidation via peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ). The results, despite the limitation of being obtained in a small population, strongly suggest that autoimmunity against in situ produced epitopes derived from lipid peroxidation can be a relevant pathogenic factor in MS.
Forearm skin tissue dielectric constant measured at 300 MHz: effect of changes in skin vascular volume and blood flow
Authors: Mayrovitz Harvey N. , Guo Xiaoran , Salmon Mark , Uhde Matt 
Published: August 2012

SummarySkin tissue dielectric constant (TDC) values measured via the open‐ended coaxial probe method are useful non‐invasive indices of local skin tissue water. However, the effect of skin blood flow (SBF) or skin blood volume (SBV) on TDC values is unknown. To determine the magnitude of such effects, we decreased forearm SBV via vertical arm raising for 5 min (test 1) and increased SBV by bicep cuff compression to 50 mmHg for 5 min (test 2) in 20 healthy supine subjects (10 men). TDC values were measured to a depth of 1·5 mm on anterior forearm, and SBF was measured with laser‐Doppler system simultaneously on forearm and finger. Results indicate that decreasing vascular volume (test 1) was associated with a small but statistically significant reduction in TDC (3·0 ± 4·3%, P = 0·003) and increasing vascular volume (test 2) was associated with a slight but statistically significant increase in TDC (3·5 ± 3·0%, P<0·001). SBF changes depended on test and measurement site. For forearm, test 1 significantly increased SBF (102·6 ± 156·2%, P<0·001) and test 2 significantly decreased it (39·5 ± 13·1%, P<0·001). In finger, SBF was significantly reduced by both tests: in test 1 by 55·3 ± 32·1%, P<0·001 and in test 2 by 53·3 ± 27·6%, P<0·001. We conclude that the small percentage changes in TDC values (3·0–3·5%) over the wide range of induced SBV and SBF changes suggest a minor effect on clinically determined TDC values because of SBV or SBF changes or differences when comparing TDC longitudinally over time or among individuals of different groups in a research setting.
Duration of Breastfeeding and Childhood Obesity: A Generalized Propensity Score Approach
Authors: Jiang Miao , Foster E. Michael 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo estimate the effect of breastfeeding duration on childhood obesity.Data SourceThe Child Development Supplement (CDS) of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). The PSID provides extensive data on the income and well‐being of a representative sample of U.S. families from 1968 to the present. The CDS collects information on the children in PSID families ranging from cognitive, behavioral, and health status to their family and neighborhood environment. The first two waves of the CDS were conducted in 1997 and 2002, respectively. The data provide information on 3,271 children and their mothers.Study DesignWe use the generalized propensity score to adjust for confounding based on continuous treatment, and the general additive model to analyze the adjusted association between treatment and the outcome conditional on the propensity score. The main outcome is the body mass index (BMI) directly assessed during the in‐person interview in 2002. Covariates include family, maternal, and child characteristics, many of which were measured in the year the child was born.Principal FindingsAfter using propensity scores to adjust for confounding, the relationship between breastfeeding duration and childhood BMI is trivially small across a range of model specifications, and none of them is statistically significant except the unadjusted model.ConclusionsThe causal link between duration of breastfeeding and childhood obesity has not been established. Any recommendation of promoting breastfeeding to reduce childhood obesity is premature.
A Method for Estimating Cost Savings for Population Health Management Programs
Authors: Murphy Shannon M.E. , McGready John , Griswold Michael E. , Sylvia Martha L. 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo develop a quasi‐experimental method for estimatingPopulationHealthManagement (PHM) program savings that mitigates common sources of confounding, supports regular updates for continued program monitoring, and estimates model precision.Data SourcesAdministrative, program, and claims records fromJanuary 2005 throughJune 2009.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsData are aggregated by member and month.Study DesignStudy participants include chronically ill adult commercial health plan members. The intervention group consists of members currently enrolled inPHM, stratified by intensity level. Comparison groups include (1) members never enrolled, and (2)PHMparticipants not currently enrolled. Mixed model smoothing is employed to regress monthly medical costs on time (in months), a history ofPHMenrollment, and monthly program enrollment by intensity level. Comparison group trends are used to estimate expected costs for intervention members. Savings are realized whenPHMparticipants' costs are lower than expected.Principal FindingsThis method mitigates many of the limitations faced using traditional pre‐post models for estimatingPHMsavings in an observational setting, supports replication for ongoing monitoring, and performs basic statistical inference.ConclusionThis method provides payers with a confident basis for making investment decisions.