bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of the physical environment of psychiatric wards on the use of seclusion
Authors: van der Schaaf P. S. , Dusseldorp E. , Keuning F. M. , Janssen W. A. , Noorthoorn E. O. 
Published: January 2013

BackgroundThe physical environment is presumed to have an effect on aggression and also on the use of seclusion on psychiatric wards. Multicentre studies that include a broad variety of design features found on psychiatric wards and that control for patient, staff and general ward characteristics are scarce.AimsTo explore the effect of design features on the risk of being secluded, the number of seclusion incidents and the time in seclusion, for patients admitted to locked wards for intensive psychiatric care.MethodData on the building quality and safety of psychiatric as well as forensic wards (n = 199) were combined with data on the frequency and type of coercive measures per admission (n = 23 868 admissions of n = 14 834 patients) on these wards, over a 12-month period. We used non-linear principal components analysis (CATPCA) to reduce the observed design features into a smaller number of uncorrelated principal components. Two-level multilevel (logistic) regression analyses were used to explore the relationship with seclusion. Admission was the first level in the analyses and ward was the second level.ResultsOverall, 14 design features had a significant effect on the risk of being secluded during admission. The ‘presence of an outdoor space’, 'special safety measures' and a large ‘number of patients in the building’ increased the risk of being secluded. Design features such as more ‘total private space per patient’, a higher ‘level of comfort’ and greater ‘visibility on the ward’, decreased the risk of being secluded.ConclusionsA number of design features had an effect on the use of seclusion and restraint. The study highlighted the need for a greater focus on the impact of the physical environment on patients, as, along with other interventions, this can reduce the need for seclusion and restraint.
The functional role of caudal and anal/dorsal fins during the C-start of a bluegill sunfish
Authors: Borazjani Iman 
Published: January 2013

SummaryFast starts are crucial in the survival of aquatic swimmers to capture prey or avoid predators. Currently, it is widely accepted that during C-starts (1) the caudal fin generates a considerable hydrodynamic force; and (2) anal/dorsal fins are erected to significantly increase the hydrodynamic force. In this work, the above hypotheses on the role of fins during C-starts are studied using experimentally-guided numerical simulations of four bluegill sunfish, whose fins are removed or erected. The amount of force created by the body and fins at each time instant was not constant and varied during the C-start. Nevertheless, in agreement with hypothesis (1), up to 70% of the instantaneous hydrodynamic force was generated by the tail during Stage 2 of the C-start, when the sunfish rapidly bends out of the C-shape. Additionally, the contribution in Stage 1, when the sunfish bends into a C-shape, is less than 20% at each instant. Most of the force in Stage 1 was produced by the body of the sunfish. In contrast to hypothesis (2), the effect of erection/removal of the fins was less than 5% of the instantaneous force in both Stage 1 and 2, except for a short period of time (2 ms) just before Stage 2. However, it is known that the anal/dorsal fins are actively controlled during the C-start from muscle activity measurements. Based on the results presented here, it is suggested that the active control of the anal/dorsal fins can be related to retaining the stability of the sunfish against roll and pitch movements during the C-start. Furthermore, the erection of the fins increases the moment of inertia to make the roll and pitch movements more difficult.
Solving the Towers of Hanoi – how an amoeboid organism efficiently constructs transport networks
Authors: Reid Chris R. , Beekman Madeleine 
Published: January 2013

Summary
Many biological systems require extensive networks to transport resources and information. Biological networks must trade-off network efficiency with the risk of network failure. Yet, biological networks develop in the absence of centralised control from the interactions of many components. Moreover, many biological systems need to be able to adapt when conditions change and the network requires modification. We used the slime mould Physarum polycephalum (Schwein) to study how the organism adapts its network after disruption. To allow us to determine the efficiency of the constructed networks, we used a well-known shortest path problem: the Towers of Hanoi maze. We first show that while P. polycephalum is capable of building networks with minimal length paths through the maze, most solutions are sub-optimal. We then disrupted the network by severing the main connecting path while opening a new path in the maze. In response to dynamic changes to the environment, P. polycephalum reconstructed more efficient solutions, with all replicates building networks with minimal length paths through the maze after network disruption. While P. polycephalum altered some of its existing network to accommodate changes in the environment, it also reconstructed large sections of the network from scratch. We compared the results obtained from P. polycephalum to those obtained using another distributed biological system: ant colonies. We hypothesise that network construction in ants hinges upon stronger positive feedback than for slime mould, ensuring ants converge more accurately upon the shortest path but are more constrained by the history of their networks in dynamic environments.
Back home at night or out until morning? Nycthemeral variations in homing of anosmic Cory's shearwaters in a diurnal colony
Authors: Dell'Ariccia Gaia , Bonadonna Francesco 
Published: January 2013

Summary
Olfactory cues have been shown to be important to homing petrels at night, but apparently those procellariiform species that also come back to the colony during the day are not impaired by smell deprivation. However, the nycthemeral distribution of homing, i.e. whether displaced birds released at night return to their burrow by night or during daylight, has never been investigated. To explore this question, we studied the homing behaviour of Cory's shearwater (Calonectris borealis) in the only known population where these birds are active at the colony both during the day and the night. Here, we compared the nocturnal versus diurnal homing schedule of birds treated with zinc sulphate to induce a reversible but complete anosmia, to that of controls. Our results show that anosmic shearwaters were unable to home in the dark and were constrained to wait for the daylight to find their burrow again. Our results confirm that olfaction is the basic sensory input for homing by night even in a petrel species that is diurnally active at the colony.
Integriertes Publizieren
Authors: Fund Sven 
Published: January 2013

Zusammenfassung:
In den letzten zehn Jahren hat sich die Wissenschaftskommunikation fundamental verändert. Mit besonderem Fokus auf den Beitrag von Verlagen auf die Wissenschaftskommunikation wird aufgezeigt, worin die zentralen Herausforderungen bestehen. So wird am Beispiel von De Gruyter verdeutlicht, wie tiefgreifend technische Innovationen die traditionelle Verlagsarbeit verändert haben und worin die Aufgaben eines modernen Wissenschaftsverlags im 21. Jahrhundert bestehen.
Reference values and upper reference limits for 26 trace elements in the urine of adults living in Belgium
Authors: Hoet Perrine , Jacquerye Chantal , Deumer Gladys , Lison Dominique , Haufroid Vincent 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background: Trace elements (TEs) are ubiquitous and their potential interest for human health has been constantly expanding. Biological monitoring is generally considered to be a useful tool to assess human exposure to chemical agents in risk assessment both at occupational and environmental levels. However, the knowledge of accurate reference values, which may vary across countries or regions, is a prerequisite for correct interpretation of biomonitoring data. This study aimed at determining the reference distribution and the upper reference limit for 26 TEs (Al, As, Sb, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, In, Li, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pd, Pt, Pb, Se, Te, Tl, Sn, U, V, Zn) in the urine of the general adult population residing in Belgium.

Methods: In total, 1022 adults not occupationally or extra-occupationally (mainly via hobbies, drugs) exposed to these TEs were recruited by occupational physicians and toxicologists according to an a priori selection procedure. Non-fasting spot urine samples were analyzed for 460 males and 541 females by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Careful control was applied during collection, handling and analyses of the samples to avoid any contamination.

Results: Globally, the results indicate that the exposure levels of the Belgian population to these TEs are low and grossly similar to those recently published by other national surveys.

Conclusions: These new reference values and upper reference limits will be useful for future occupational and/or environmental surveys.
Health risk behaviors in urban and rural Guatemalan adolescents
Authors: Foulger Lauren , Page Randy M. , Hall P. Cougar , Crookston Benjamin T. , West Joshua H. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Adolescence is an important stage of life when health behaviors and attitudes are established. The purpose of this research was to assess health risk behaviors among Guatemalan students in both an urban and rural school. Items were adapted from the Global School-based Student Health Survey and were used to measure and compare the prevalence of risk behaviors between these two demographically and culturally distant school-based samples. In general, the prevalence of adolescent health risk behaviors in both schools was lower than other Latin American countries. Many health risk behaviors were associated with location (urban vs. rural settings) and/or gender. Tobacco use, alcohol use, and sexual activity were higher among urban students. Boys were more likely than girls to use alcohol, use tobacco, and be sexually active. In addition, the prevalence of mental health problems was higher among girls and rural students. These findings imply that measures should be taken to design effective and appropriate health strategies for adolescents attending these schools. Health promotion programs in schools and communities should assist the youth in developing positive health behaviors and cultivating healthy lifestyles in an effort to reduce risk behaviors among adolescent populations. Further research is needed to extend our understanding of risk factors of health behavior in these adolescent populations and to identify effective preventative approaches and strategies that specifically cater to the location and culture of the students.
Perceived parenting as related to emotional competence of visually and hearing impaired adolescents
Authors: Juyal Shyam Lata 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the difference between perceived parenting style of adolescents with visual and hearing impairment, as well as their emotional competence as an effect of perception of parenting style. We also found a relationship between the variable of perceived parenting and the emotional competence. The sample consisted of 140 participants, 70 visually and 70 hearing impaired adolescents, who were equally divided according to gender in each group. Results indicated that adolescents of both groups differed significantly on perceived parenting and the emotional competence variable. Visually impaired adolescents showed more positive perception and were more emotionally competent than the adolescents with hearing impairment. A positive significant relationship was shown by the visually impaired group between most of the modes of perceived parenting and aspects of emotional competence variable. On the whole, the perception of parenting of adolescents with hearing impairment was found to be significantly lower than the visually impaired adolescents. Similarly, emotional competence among the hearing impaired group as regards the relationship between the two variables was also found to be significantly lower as compared with the visually impaired group. Regarding gender, boys with visual impairment perceived more positive parenting and showed more emotional competence than the girls compared with hearing impaired group.
Current and emerging analytical technologies for analyzing chitin-protein binding interactions
Authors: Dahmen Jeremy L. , Stacey Gary , Hunt Heather K. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractChitin, a small organic molecule commonly found in fungal cell walls and insect exoskeletons, has the ability to elicit an immune response in plants by binding to specific membrane-bound receptors. Understanding how plants detect and fend off deleterious fungi and insects will enable improved defense strategies against these pathogens. A wide array of techniques, including affinity binding studies, isothermal calorimetry, structural analysis, and molecular genomic methods have been used to identify and characterize chitin-binding receptors as well as the kinetic parameters of chitin-receptor interactions. There are a number of newly developed analytical technologies in mechanical, electrochemical, and optical biosensing that have great potential to further elucidate the interactions between chitin and its binding partners. In this review, we provide a detailed examination of the methods currently used to characterize chitin-binding interactions, along with emerging analytical techniques that have the potential to transform this area of study.
Diversifying Sunflower Germplasm by Integration and Mapping of a Novel Male Fertility Restoration Gene
Authors: Liu Zhao , Wang Dexing , Feng Jiuhuan , Seiler Gerald J , Cai Xiwen , Jan Chao-Chien 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The combination of a single cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) PET-1 and the corresponding fertility restoration (Rf) gene Rf1 is used for commercial hybrid sunflower (Helianthus annuus L., 2n = 34) seed production worldwide. A new CMS line 514A was recently developed with H. tuberosus cytoplasm. However, 33 maintainers and restorers for CMS PET-1 and 20 additional tester lines failed to restore the fertility of CMS 514A. Here, we report the discovery, characterization, and molecular mapping of a novel Rf gene for CMS 514A derived from an amphiploid (Amp H. angustifolius/P 21, 2n = 68). Progeny analysis of the male-fertile (MF) plants (2n = 35) suggested that this gene, designated Rf6, was located on a single alien chromosome. Genomic in situ hybridization (GISH) indicated that Rf6 was on a chromosome with a small segment translocation on the long arm in the MF progenies (2n = 34). Rf6 was mapped to linkage group (LG) 3 of the sunflower SSR map. Eight markers were identified to be linked to this gene, covering a distance of 10.8 cM. Two markers, ORS13 and ORS1114, were only 1.6 cM away from the gene. Severe segregation distortions were observed for both the fertility trait and the linked marker loci, suggesting the possibility of a low frequency of recombination or gamete selection in this region. This study discovered a new CMS/Rf gene system derived from wild species and provided significant insight into the genetic basis of this system. This will diversify the germplasm for sunflower breeding and facilitate understanding of the interaction between the cytoplasm and nuclear genes.
Peak and Persistent Excess of Genetic Diversity Following an Abrupt Migration Increase
Authors: Alcala Nicolas , Streit Daniela , Goudet Jérôme , Vuilleumier Séverine 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Genetic diversity is essential for population survival and adaptation to changing environments. Demographic processes (e.g., bottleneck and expansion) and spatial structure (e.g., migration, number, and size of populations) are known to shape the patterns of the genetic diversity of populations. However, the impact of temporal changes in migration on genetic diversity has seldom been considered, although such events might be the norm. Indeed, during the millions of years of a species’ lifetime, repeated isolation and reconnection of populations occur. Geological and climatic events alternately isolate and reconnect habitats. We analytically document the dynamics of genetic diversity after an abrupt change in migration given the mutation rate and the number and sizes of the populations. We demonstrate that during transient dynamics, genetic diversity can reach unexpectedly high values that can be maintained over thousands of generations. We discuss the consequences of such processes for the evolution of species based on standing genetic variation and how they can affect the reconstruction of a population’s demographic and evolutionary history from genetic data. Our results also provide guidelines for the use of genetic data for the conservation of natural populations.
Dissecting Protein Function: An Efficient Protocol for Identifying Separation-of-Function Mutations That Encode Structurally Stable Proteins
Authors: Lubin Johnathan W , Rao Timsi , Mandell Edward K , Wuttke Deborah S , Lundblad Victoria 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Mutations that confer the loss of a single biochemical property (separation-of-function mutations) can often uncover a previously unknown role for a protein in a particular biological process. However, most mutations are identified based on loss-of-function phenotypes, which cannot differentiate between separation-of-function alleles vs. mutations that encode unstable/unfolded proteins. An alternative approach is to use overexpression dominant-negative (ODN) phenotypes to identify mutant proteins that disrupt function in an otherwise wild-type strain when overexpressed. This is based on the assumption that such mutant proteins retain an overall structure that is comparable to that of the wild-type protein and are able to compete with the endogenous protein (Herskowitz 1987). To test this, the in vivo phenotypes of mutations in the Est3 telomerase subunit from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were compared with the in vitro secondary structure of these mutant proteins as analyzed by circular-dichroism spectroscopy, which demonstrates that ODN is a more sensitive assessment of protein stability than the commonly used method of monitoring protein levels from extracts. Reverse mutagenesis of EST3, which targeted different categories of amino acids, also showed that mutating highly conserved charged residues to the oppositely charged amino acid had an increased likelihood of generating a severely defective est3− mutation, which nevertheless encoded a structurally stable protein. These results suggest that charge-swap mutagenesis directed at a limited subset of highly conserved charged residues, combined with ODN screening to eliminate partially unfolded proteins, may provide a widely applicable and efficient strategy for generating separation-of-function mutations.
Significance of Population Size on the Fixation of Nonsynonymous Mutations in Genes Under Varying Levels of Selection Pressure
Authors: Subramanian Sankar 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Previous studies observed a higher ratio of divergences at nonsynonymous and synonymous sites (ω = dN/dS) in species with a small population size compared to that estimated for those with a large population size. Here we examined the theoretical relationship between ω, effective population size (Ne), and selection coefficient (s). Our analysis revealed that when purifying selection is high, ω of species with small Ne is much higher than that of species with large Ne. However the difference between the two ω reduces with the decline in selection pressure (s → 0). We examined this relationship using primate and rodent genes and found that the ω estimated for highly constrained genes of primates was up to 2.9 times higher than that obtained for their orthologous rodent genes. Conversely, for genes under weak purifying selection the ω of primates was only 17% higher than that of rodents. When tissue specificity was used as a proxy for selection pressure we found that the ω of broadly expressed genes of primates was up to 2.1-fold higher than that of their rodent counterparts and this difference was only 27% for tissue specific genes. Since most of the nonsynonymous mutations in constrained or broadly expressed genes are deleterious, fixation of these mutations is influenced by Ne. This results in a higher ω of these genes in primates compared to those from rodents. Conversely, the majority of nonsynonymous mutations in less-constrained or tissue-specific genes are neutral or nearly neutral and therefore fixation of them is largely independent of Ne, which leads to the similarity of ω in primates and rodents.
Organic-inorganic materials to immobilize biological complexes
Authors: Valdez-Castro L. , Méndez-Amaro L. , Mendoza-Serna R. , Ramírez-Castillo M. L. , Ibarra Jorge E 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTIn this paper the spore-crystal complex ofBacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis(Bti) was immobilized by the sol-gel process in a hybrid polymer using as precursors the inorganic tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and the organic Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS); in order to combine the advantages of both materials in a hybrid matrix to improve aspects such as the thermal stability, the hydrophobic properties and the porosity.Btiproduces different crystals during sporulation phase; these are of protein nature and are used as bio-insecticides. It is important to mention that the insecticide attack is specific to the mosquito larva that causes dengue and black flies. The samples were characterized to ensure viability by performing growth kinetics with fermentations immersed in a flask, this microbial growth was monitored by dry weight, glucose consumption and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to observe the interaction of materials with spore-crystal complex.
Photoacoustic Technique in the Study of Photosynthesis in Aquatic Lirium (Eichhornia Crassipes)
Authors: Calderón A. , Cardona A. , Gracia G. Juárez , Marín E. , Mora Cesar 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTWe report, for the first time, the application of the photoacoustic spectroscopy for monitoring the optical absorption spectra in aquatic lirium (Eichhornia Crassipes), before and after it was exposed to ultrasonic irradiations. We obtained a decrease in the amplitude of the bands of the chlorophyllsaandbfor the irradiated samples with ultrasound of 17 kHz and 1.5mW/cm2of power density, and therefore, damage in the centers producing the photosynthesis, due to the irradiation. These results show the utility of the ultrasonic irradiation, as well as, of the photosynthesis monitoring by means of the photoacoustic technique, for the elaboration and establishment of methodologies in the control of this aquatic plant, whose propagation causes many consequences extremely unfavorable for the environment, as well as for the diverse human activities that are developed in the bodies of water in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.