bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease
Authors: Roos D , Boer M 
Published: September 2013

Summary
Patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) suffer from recurrent, life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections of the skin, the airways, the lymph nodes, liver, brain and bones. Frequently found pathogens are Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus species, Klebsiella species, Burkholderia cepacia and Salmonella species. CGD is a rare (∼1:250 000 births) disease caused by mutations in any one of the five components of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in phagocytes. This enzyme generates superoxide and is essential for intracellular killing of pathogens by phagocytes. Molecular diagnosis of CGD involves measuring NADPH oxidase activity in phagocytes, measuring protein expression of NADPH oxidase components and mutation analysis of genes encoding these components. Residual oxidase activity is important to know for estimation of the clinical course and the chance of survival of the patient. Mutation analysis is mandatory for genetic counselling and prenatal diagnosis. This review summarizes the different assays available for the diagnosis of CGD, the precautions to be taken for correct measurements, the flow diagram to be followed, the assays for confirmation of the diagnosis and the determinations for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis.
Use of Pollen and Ancient DNA as Conservation Baselines for Offshore Islands in New Zealand
Authors: WILMSHURST JANET M. , MOAR NEVILLE T. , WOOD JAMIE R. , BELLINGHAM PETER J. , FINDLATER AMY M. , ROBINSON JAMES J. , STONE CLIVE 
Published: September 2013

AbstractIslands play a key role globally in the conservation of endemic species. Many island reserves have been highly modified since human colonization, and their restoration and management usually occur without knowledge of their prehuman state. However, conservation paleoecology is increasingly being recognized as a tool that can help to inform both restoration and conservation of island reserves by providing prehuman vegetation baselines. Many of New Zealand's mammal‐free offshore islands are foci for biological diversity conservation and, like many islands in the Polynesian region, were deforested following initial human settlement. Therefore, their current restoration, replanting, and management are guided either by historic vegetation descriptions or the occurrence of species on forested islands. We analyzed pollen and ancient DNA in soil cores from an offshore island in northern New Zealand. The result was a 2000‐year record of vegetation change that began >1200 years before human settlement and spanned 550 years of human occupation and 180 years of forest succession since human occupation ceased. Between prehuman and contemporary forests there was nearly a complete species turnover including the extirpation of a dominant conifer and a palm tree. The podocarp‐dominated forests were replaced by a native but novel angiosperm‐dominated forest. There is no modern analog of the prehuman forests on any northern New Zealand island, and those islands that are forested are dominated by angiosperms which are assumed to be climax forests. The pollen and DNA evidence for conifer‐ and palm‐rich forests in the prehuman era challenge this climax forest assumption. Prehuman vegetation records can thus help to inform future restoration of degraded offshore islands by informing the likely rate and direction of successional change; helping to determine whether natural rates of succession are preferable to more costly replanting programs; and providing past species lists if restoration replanting is desired.Uso de Polen y ADN Antiguo como Líneas de Base de Conservación en Islas Litorales en Nueva Zelanda
Avifaunal disarray due to a single despotic species
Authors: Maron Martine , Grey Merilyn J. , Catterall Carla P. , Major Richard E. , Oliver Damon L. , Clarke Michael F. , Loyn Richard H. , Mac Nally Ralph , Davidson Ian , Thomson James R. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAimReports of profound changes in species assemblages brought about by the influence of strongly interacting species are increasingly common. Where these strong interactors are sensitive to anthropogenic habitat changes, relatively small alterations in the environment can result in large and pervasive shifts in assemblages. We review the evidence for widespread assemblage‐level phase shifts across eastern Australia, triggered partly by anthropogenic habitat alteration and mediated by a native, despotic bird: the noisy miner Manorina melanocephala.LocationEastern Australia.MethodsBased on the literature, we developed conceptual models of factors affecting site occupancy by, and ecosystem‐level effects of, the noisy miner. We also analysed recent trends in the reporting rate of the noisy miner across its range.ResultsIndividuals of this species cooperate to aggressively exclude almost all smaller bird species from the areas they occupy. The noisy miner is advantaged by habitat fragmentation and structural simplification—habitat changes that facilitate detection and interception of potential competitors by miners. We report that the species is increasingly prevalent, particularly close to forest and woodland edges. Such edges have mainly been created by human land use. The evidence we reviewed showed: (1) strong causal links between the noisy miner and depressed richness and abundance of smaller birds, particularly nectarivores and insectivores; (2) moderate evidence of a positive association with larger bird species; (3) reduced tree condition stemming from impaired control of insect herbivore populations by smaller insectivores; and (4) a plausible negative effect on plant reproduction through reduced tree condition, altered pollination services and altered seed dispersal.Main conclusionsThis is the first synthesis to document the causes and likely ecological consequences of increasingly prevalent phase shifts catalysed by a despotic species on ecosystems at very large spatial scales (> 1 million km2). Native species affected by human activities can become agents that induce ecological dysfunction.
Role of Ca2+ in folding the tandem β‐sandwich extender domains of a bacterial ice‐binding adhesin
Authors: Guo Shuaiqi , Garnham Christopher P. , Karunan Partha Sarathy , Campbell Robert L. , Allingham John S. , Davies Peter L. 
Published: September 2013

A Ca2+‐dependent 1.5‐MDa antifreeze protein present in an Antarctic Gram‐negative bacterium, Marinomonas primoryensis (MpAFP), has recently been reassessed as an ice‐binding adhesin. The non‐ice‐binding region II (RII), one of five distinct domains in MpAFP, constitutes ~ 90% of the protein. RII consists of ~ 120 tandem copies of an identical 104‐residue sequence. We used the Protein Homology/analogy Recognition Engine server to define the boundaries of a single 104‐residue RII construct (RII monomer). CD demonstrated that Ca2+ is required for RII monomer folding, and that the monomer is fully structured at a Ca2+/protein molar ratio of 10 : 1. The crystal structure of the RII monomer was solved to a resolution of 1.35 Å by single‐wavelength anomalous dispersion and molecular replacement methods with Ca2+ as the heavy atom to obtain phase information. The RII monomer folds as a Ca2+‐bound immunoglobulin‐like β‐sandwich. Ca2+ ions are coordinated at the interfaces between each RII monomer and its symmetry‐related molecules, suggesting that these ions may be involved in the stabilization of the tandemly repeated RII. We hypothesize that > 600 Ca2+ ions help to rigidify the chain of 104‐residue repeats in order to project the ice‐binding domain of MpAFP away from the bacterial cell surface. The proposed role of RII is to help the strictly aerobic bacterium bind surface ice in an Antarctic lake for better access to oxygen and nutrients. This work may give insights into other bacterial proteins that resemble MpAFP, especially those of the large repeats‐in‐toxin family that have been characterized as adhesins exported via the type I secretion pathway.DatabaseStructural data are available in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 4KDW (P1 structure) and 4KDV (P21 structure).
Carbon sequestration potential of soils in southeast Germany derived from stable soil organic carbon saturation
Authors: Wiesmeier Martin , Hübner Rico , Spörlein Peter , Geuß Uwe , Hangen Edzard , Reischl Arthur , Schilling Bernd , von Lützow Margit , Kögel‐Knabner Ingrid 
Published: September 2013

AbstractSequestration of atmospheric carbon (C) in soils through improved management of forest and agricultural land is considered to have high potential for global CO2 mitigation. However, the potential of soils to sequester soil organic carbon (SOC) in a stable form, which is limited by the stabilization of SOC against microbial mineralization, is largely unknown. In this study, we estimated the C sequestration potential of soils in southeast Germany by calculating the potential SOC saturation of silt and clay particles according to Hassink [Plant and Soil 191 (1997) 77] on the basis of 516 soil profiles. The determination of the current SOC content of silt and clay fractions for major soil units and land uses allowed an estimation of the C saturation deficit corresponding to the long‐term C sequestration potential. The results showed that cropland soils have a low level of C saturation of around 50% and could store considerable amounts of additional SOC. A relatively high C sequestration potential was also determined for grassland soils. In contrast, forest soils had a low C sequestration potential as they were almost C saturated. A high proportion of sites with a high degree of apparent oversaturation revealed that in acidic, coarse‐textured soils the relation to silt and clay is not suitable to estimate the stable C saturation. A strong correlation of the C saturation deficit with temperature and precipitation allowed a spatial estimation of the C sequestration potential for Bavaria. In total, about 395 Mt CO2‐equivalents could theoretically be stored in A horizons of cultivated soils – four times the annual emission of greenhouse gases in Bavaria. Although achieving the entire estimated C storage capacity is unrealistic, improved management of cultivated land could contribute significantly to CO2 mitigation. Moreover, increasing SOC stocks have additional benefits with respect to enhanced soil fertility and agricultural productivity.
How to Design a Contingent Convertible Debt Requirement That Helps Solve Our Too‐Big‐to‐Fail Problem*
Authors: Calomiris Charles W. , Herring Richard J. 
Published: September 2013

As bank regulatory reform tries to come to grips with the lessons of the financial crisis, several experts have proposed that some form of contingent convertible debt (CoCo) requirement be added to the prudential regulatory toolkit. In this article, the authors show how properly designed CoCos can be used not just to absorb losses, but more importantly to encourage banks to recognize losses and replace lost equity in a timely way, as well as to manage risk more effectively. Their proposed CoCos requirement strengthens management's incentives to promptly replace lost capital and enhance risk management by imposing major costs on the managers and existing shareholders of banks that fail to do so.Key elements of the proposal are that conversion of the CoCos into equity would be (1) triggered at a high trigger ratio of equity to assets (long before the bank is near an insolvency point), (2) determined by a market trigger (using a 90‐day moving average market equity ratio) rather than by supervisory discretion, and (3) significantly dilutive to shareholders. The only clear way for bank managements to avoid such dilution would be to issue equity into the market.Under most circumstances—barring an extremely rapid plunge of a bank's financial condition—management should be able and eager to replace lost capital in a timely way; as a result, dilutive conversions should almost never occur. Banks would face strong incentives to maintain high ratios of true economic capital relative to risky assets, and to manage their risks effectively. This implies that “too‐big‐to‐fail” financial institutions would not be permitted to approach the point of insolvency; they would face strong incentives to recapitalize long before that point. And if they should fail to issue new equity in a timely manner, the CoCos conversion would provide an alternative means of recapitalizing banks well before they reach the brink of insolvency. Thus, a CoCos requirement would go a long way to resolving the “too‐big‐to‐fail” problem.Such a CoCos requirement would not only increase the effectiveness of regulation, but also reduce its cost. It would be less costly for banks to raise CoCos than equity, reflecting both the lower adverseselection costs of CoCos issuance and the potential tax advantages of debt. And precisely because of the low probability of CoCo conversion, the Cocos would be issued at relatively modest (if any) discounts to otherwise comparable but straight subordinated debt. Thus requiring a mix of equity and appropriately designed CoCos would be less costly to banks, and would entail less of a reduction in the supply of loans than would a much higher book equity requirement alone.
The perceived legitimacy of statutory rape laws: the effects of victim age, perpetrator age, and age span
Authors: Koon‐Magnin Sarah , Ruback R. Barry 
Published: September 2013

AbstractStatutory rape laws are intended to protect minors below the age of consent from engaging in behavior that, although not forceful, may be harmful. Two studies explored how individual judgments of adolescent sexual behavior and statutory rape are affected by victim age, perpetrator age, and the age span between partners. Across studies, respondents were significantly more critical of scenarios depicting younger victims, older perpetrators, and larger age spans between the two. These findings, using indirect measures, suggest that college students believe 16 is an appropriate age of consent and that sexual acts between adolescents who are within 2 years of age should not be criminalized.
Decide like Lionel Messi! The impact of regulatory focus on divergent thinking in sports
Authors: Memmert Daniel , Hüttermann Stefanie , Orliczek Josef 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAccording to Higgins, the regulatory focus theory states that in terms of motivational information processing, it makes a difference whether people have a promotion or prevention focus. A focus on aspirations is labeled as promotion focus, whereas a focus on responsibility is called prevention focus. In our study, the theory will be applied to the area of sport decision making. We showed that soccer players make different decisions in a sport‐specific divergent‐thinking task depending on their regulatory focus (promotion vs. prevention). Promotion‐framed athletes were able to produce more original, flexible, and adequate solutions than prevention‐framed athletes. Theoretical and practical implications for sport psychology are discussed.
Estimating effect of augmentative biological control on grain yields from individual pearl millet heads
Authors: Baoua I. B. , Amadou L. , Oumarou N. , Payne W. , Roberts J. D. , Stefanova K. , Nansen C. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractPearl millet is the principal staple food crop in large portions of Western Sub‐Sahelian Africa and the millet head miner (Heliocheilus albipunctella) is one of its most devastating insect pests. Since 2006, augmentative mass releases of the larval ectoparasitoid, Habrobracon hebetor, have been conducted in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger as part of minimizing pearl millet grain losses imposed by millet head miners. These ongoing mass releases are based on low‐cost mass‐rearing of both host larvae and parasitoids. A release of parasitoids consists of placing jute bags containing pearl millet grain and flour and parasitized host larvae near pearl millet fields. The total production costs of a single jute bag with parasitized rice moth larvae are US$ 3–4. Based on a study of 6634 individual pearl millet heads collected at harvest in 12 farmers' fields in southern Niger in 2010, we demonstrated (i) a strong negative correlation between pearl millet head damage (mining) and grain yield and (ii) that parasitism by H. hebetor reduced grain losses by, on average, 34% (comparison of infested millet heads with/without parasitism) within the given growing season. Additional benefits may include reduction in millet head miners in subsequent generations. Data from 900 pearl millet heads collected in nine farmers' fields in 2011 were used to confirm data trends observed in the 2010 data and to characterize the dispersal of parasitoids in upwind and downwind directions from a release site. This study provided a quantitative description of the negative impact of millet head miner infestations on pearl millet grain yields and of benefits on grain yield of parasitism by H. hebetor. Our findings strongly support (i) intensification of mass‐rearing of H. hebetor, (ii) expansion of educational activities to increase local empowerment and understanding of the potential of augmentative biological control and (iii) optimization of H. hebetor mass release programmes among smallholders in Sub‐Sahelian Africa.
The reproductive capability of Ooencyrtus kuvanae reared on eggs of the factitious host Antheraea pernyi
Authors: Wang J.‐J. , Liu X.‐B. , Zhang Y.‐A. , Wen C. , Wei J.‐R. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractOoencyrtus kuvanae is a key egg parasitoid of Lymantria dispar (L.), an important defoliating pest in China and North America. We have developed mass rearing techniques for O. kuvanae and in this study compared the reproductive capacity of O. kuvanae when it was previously reared on the natural host, L. dispar or the factitious host, Antheraea pernyi Guerin‐Meneville. There was no significant difference in the oviposition period or total number of eggs laid between L. dispar‐reared and A. pernyi‐reared females. However, the mean number of offspring successfully emerging from those eggs was significantly larger from the A. pernyi‐reared females compared with L. dispar‐reared females. From this, we can conclude that, with respect to reproductive capability, eggs of A. pernyi are suitable factitious hosts for mass rearing of O. kuvanae.
Family Sense of Coherence and Family Adaptation Among Childbearing Couples
Authors: Ngai Fei‐Wan , Ngu Siew‐Fei 
Published: September 2013

AbstractPurposeA family sense of coherence is important to successful family adaptation during parental transition. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between family sense of coherence, stress, family and marital functioning, and depressive symptoms among Chinese childbearing couples.DesignA cross‐sectional design was used. Two hundred and twenty‐four Chinese childbearing couples were recruited at the antenatal clinic between January and May 2011.MethodsData were collected using the Family Sense of Competence Scale, Social Readjustment Rating Scale, Medical Outcome Study Family and Marital Functioning Measures, and General Health Questionnaire. Path analysis was employed.FindingsFamily sense of coherence had a direct impact on family and marital functioning and depressive symptoms among both couples. Family sense of coherence also mediated the effect of stress on family and marital functioning and depressive symptoms among the pregnant women.ConclusionsThe study provides evidence that family sense of coherence plays a significant role in promoting family functioning and reducing depressive symptoms during the transition to parenthood.Clinical RelevanceKnowledge of the impact of family sense of coherence in parental transition can better equip healthcare professionals for developing couple‐based and culturally sensitive care to assist childbearing couples to cope with the stress and demands of the parental role, thereby promoting positive family functioning and well‐being.
Variation in avian brain shape: relationship with size and orbital shape
Authors: Kawabe Soichiro , Shimokawa Tetsuya , Miki Hitoshi , Matsuda Seiji , Endo Hideki 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThere is wide variation in brain shape among birds. Differences in brain dimensions reflect species‐specific sensory capacities and behavioral repertoires that are shaped by environmental and biological factors during evolution. Most previous studies aimed at defining factors impacting brain shape have used volumetric or linear measurements. However, few have explored the quantitative indices of three‐dimensional (3D) brain geometry that are absolutely imperative to understanding avian evolutionary history. This study aimed: (i) to explore the relationship between brain shape and overall brain size; and (ii) to assess the relationship between brain shape and orbital shape. Avian brain endocasts were reconstructed from computed tomography images and analyzed using 3D geometric morphometrics. Principal component analysis revealed dominant regional variations in avian brain shape and shape correlations between the telencephalon and cerebellum, between the cerebellum and myelencephalon, and between the diencephalon and optic tectum. Brain shape changes relative to total brain size were determined by multivariate regression analysis. Larger brain size was associated with a relatively slender telencephalon and differences in brain orientation. The correlation between brain shape and orbital shape was assessed by two‐block partial least‐squares analysis. Relatively round brains with a ventrally flexed brain base were associated with rounder orbits, while narrower brains with a flat brain base were associated with more elongated orbits. The shapes of functionally associated avian brain regions are correlated, and orbital size and shape are dominant factors influencing the overall shape of the avian brain.
Association of UV Index and Sunscreen Use Among White High School Students in the United States
Authors: Everett Jones Sherry , O'Malley Olsen Emily , Michael Shannon L. , Saraiya Mona 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDWhen used appropriately, sunscreen decreases the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure to the skin and is recommended to prevent skin cancer. This study examined the association between annual average UV index and sunscreen use among White, non‐Hispanic youth.METHODSThe 2007 and 2009 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data were analyzed. The YRBS is a school‐based, cross‐sectional study that uses a 3‐stage cluster sample design to obtain a nationally representative sample of public and private high school students in the United States. Overall response rates were 68% and 72% (N = 14,041 and 16,410, respectively). Logistic regression analyzes, controlling for grade, examined whether annual average (mean) UV index where students attend school, a proxy measure of potential sunlight exposure, was associated with sunscreen use.RESULTSAmong White male students, as the mean UV index increased, the adjusted odds of never wearing sunscreen increased (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 1.15 [95% CI = 1.04, 1.27], p < .01) and the adjusted odds of most of the time or always wearing sunscreen decreased (AOR = 0.85 [0.78, 0.94], p < .01). There was no association between sunscreen use and mean UV index among White female students.CONCLUSIONThese findings suggest a need for renewed public health efforts among school, clinical, and public health professionals to promote sunscreen use as part of a comprehensive approach to prevent skin cancer. School and community approaches that passively protect young people from the sun should be considered as a complement to efforts to increase sunscreen use.