bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Alkali Ions on the Incorporation of Aluminum in the Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C–S–H) Phase Resulting from Portland Cement Hydration Studied by 29Si MAS NMR
Authors: Skibsted Jørgen , Andersen Morten D. 
Published: October 2012

The incorporation of aluminum in the calcium–silicate–hydrate (C–S–H) phases formed by hydration of three different white Portland cements has been investigated by 29Si MAS NMR. The principal difference between the three cements is their bulk Al2O3 contents and quantities of alkali (Na+ and K+) ions. 29Si MAS NMR allows indirect detection of tetrahedral Al incorporated in the silicate chains of the C–S–H structure by the resonance from Q2(1Al) sites. Analysis of the relative 29Si NMR intensities for this site, following the hydration for the three cements from 0.5 d to 30 weeks, clearly reveals that the alkali ions promote the incorporation of Al in the bridging sites of the dreierketten structure of SiO4 tetrahedra in the C–S–H phase. The increased incorporation of Al in the C–S–H phase with increasing alkali content in the anhydrous cement is in accord with a proposed substitution mechanism where the charge deficit, obtained by the replacement of Si4+ by Al3+ ions in the bridging sites, is balanced by adsorption/binding of alkali ions in the interlayer region most likely in the near vicinity of the AlO4 tetrahedra. This result is further supported by similar 29Si MAS NMR experiments performed for the white Portland cements hydrated in 0.30M NaOH and NaAlO2 solutions.
Discovery of biomarker combinations that predict periodontal health or disease with high accuracy from GCF samples based on high‐throughput proteomic analysis and mixed‐integer linear optimization
Authors: Baliban Richard C. , Sakellari Dimitra , Li Zukui , Guzman Yannis A. , Garcia Benjamin A. , Floudas Christodoulos A. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractAimTo identify optimal combination(s) of proteomic based biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples from chronic periodontitis (CP) and periodontally healthy individuals and validate the predictions through known and blind test sets.Materials and MethodsGCF samples were collected from 96 CP and periodontally healthy subjects and analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry and the PILOT_PROTEIN algorithm. A mixed‐integer linear optimization (MILP) model was then developed to identify the optimal combination of biomarkers which could clearly distinguish a blind subject sample as healthy or diseased.ResultsA thorough cross‐validation of the MILP model capability was performed on a training set of 55 samples and greater than 99% accuracy was consistently achieved when annotating the testing set samples as healthy or diseased. The model was then trained on all 55 samples and tested on two different blind test sets, and using an optimal combination of 7 human proteins and 3 bacterial proteins, the model was able to correctly predict 40 out of 41 healthy and diseased samples.ConclusionsThe proposed large‐scale proteomic analysis and MILP model led to the identification of novel combinations of biomarkers for consistent diagnosis of periodontal status with greater than 95% predictive accuracy.
Genetic and Lifestyle Predictors of 15‐Year Longitudinal Change in Episodic Memory
Authors: Josefsson Maria , de Luna Xavier , Pudas Sara , Nilsson Lars‐Göran , Nyberg Lars 
Published: October 2012

ObjectivesTo reveal distinct longitudinal trajectories in episodic memory over 15 years and to identify demographic, lifestyle, health‐related, and genetic predictors of stability or decline.DesignProspective cohort study.SettingThe Betula Project, Umeå, Sweden.ParticipantsOne thousand nine hundred fifty‐four healthy participants aged 35 to 85 at baseline.MeasurementsMemory was assessed according to validated episodic memory tasks in participants from a large population‐based sample. Data were analyzed using a random‐effects pattern‐mixture model that considered the effect of attrition over two to four longitudinal sessions. Logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of stability or decline relative to average change in episodic memory.ResultsOf 1,558 participants with two or more test sessions, 18% were classified as maintainers and 13% as decliners, and 68% showed age‐typical average change. More educated and more physically active participants, women, and those living with someone were more likely to be classified as maintainers, as were carriers of the met allele of the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase gene. Less educated participants, those not active in the labor force, and men were more likely to be classified as decliners, and the apolipoprotein E ɛ4 allele was more frequent in decliners.ConclusionQuantitative, attrition‐corrected assessment of longitudinal changes in memory can reveal substantial heterogeneity in aging trajectories, and genetic and lifestyle factors predict such heterogeneity.
Geographical delimitation of a partial selective sweep in African Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Frezal L. , Meli F. , Mousset S. , Mona S. , Veuille M. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractPositive selection leaves characteristic footprints on DNA variation but detecting such patterns is challenging as the age, the intensity and the mode of selection as well as demography and evolutionary parameters (mutation and recombination rates) all play roles and these are difficult to disentangle. We recorded nucleotide variation in a sample of isogenic chromosomes from a western African population of Drosophila melanogaster at a locus (Fbp2) for which a partial selective sweep had previously been reported. We compared this locus to four other genes from the same chromosomes and from a European and an East African population. Then, we assessed Fbp2 variation in a sample of 370 chromosomes covering a comprehensive geographic sampling of 16 African localities. The signature of selection was tested while accounting for the demographic history of the populations. We found a significant signal of selection in two West African localities including Ivory Coast. Variation at Fpb2 would thus represent a case of an ongoing selective sweep in the range of this species. A weaker, nonsignificant, signal of selection was, however, apparent in some other populations, thus leaving open several possibilities: (i) the selective sweep originated in Ivory Coast and has spread to the rest of the continent; (ii) several African populations report the signature of a selective event having occurred in an ancestral population; (iii) this genome region is subject to independent selective events in African populations; and (iv) A neutral scenario with population subdivision and local bottleneck cannot be fully excluded to explain the molecular patterns observed in some populations.
QST < FSTAs a signature of canalization
Authors: Lamy Jean‐Baptiste , Plomion Christophe , Kremer Antoine , Delzon Sylvain 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA key aim of evolutionary biology – inferring the action of natural selection on wild species – can be achieved by comparing neutral genetic differentiation between populations (FST) with quantitative genetic variation (QST). Each of the three possible outcomes of comparisons ofQSTandFST(QST > FST,QST = FST,QST < FST) is associated with an inference (diversifying selection, genetic drift, uniform selection, respectively). However, published empirical and theoretical studies have focused on theQST > FSToutcome. We believe that this reflects the absence of a straightforward biological interpretation of theQST < FSTpattern. We here report recent evidence of this neglected evolutionary pattern, provide guidelines to its interpretation as either a canalization phenomenon or a consequence of uniform selection and discuss the significant importance this issue will have for the area of evolutionary biology.
The proteomics of feather development in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) with different plumage coloration
Authors: Leskinen Paula K. , Laaksonen Toni , Ruuskanen Suvi , Primmer Craig R. , Leder Erica H. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractThe genetic theory of morphological evolution postulates that form evolves largely by changing the expression proteins that are functionally conserved. It follows that understanding the function of proteins during different phases of development as well as the mechanisms by which the functions are modified is a prerequisite for understanding evolutionary change. Male pied flycatchers exhibit marked phenotypic variation in their breeding plumage. This variation has repeatedly been shown to have adaptive significance, but the molecular basis of this variation is not known. Here, we characterize the proteome of developing pied flycatcher feathers from differently pigmented males and also introduce a new method for examining the effect sizes of expression differences in protein interaction networks. Approximately 300 proteins were identified in the developing feathers of males. Gene products associated with cellular transport, cell metabolism and protein synthesis formed a large part of the developing feather proteome. Sixty‐five proteins associated with the development of the epidermis and/or pigmentation were detected in the data. The examination of expression level differences of protein–protein interaction networks revealed an immunological signalling–related network to exhibit significantly higher expression in black compared to brown males. Additionally, indications of differences in energy balance and oxidative stress related characteristics were detected. Together, these results provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms and evolutionary significance of plumage colour variation.
Inferences on population history of a seed chalcid wasp: invasion success despite a severe founder effect from an unexpected source population
Authors: Auger‐Rozenberg M.‐A. , Boivin T. , Magnoux E. , Courtin C. , Roques A. , Kerdelhué C. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractMost invasive species established inEurope originate from eitherAsia orNorthAmerica, but little is currently known about the potential of theAnatolianPeninsula (AsiaMinor) and/or theNearEast to constitute invasion sources. Mediterranean forests are generally fragile ecosystems that can be threatened by invasive organisms coming from different regions of theMediterraneanBasin, but for which historical data are difficult to gather and the phylogeographic patterns are still poorly understood for most terrestrial organisms. In this study, we characterized the genetic structure ofMegastigmus schimitscheki, an invasive seed‐feeding insect species originating from the Near East, and elucidated its invasion route inSouth‐easternFrance in the mid 1990s. To disentangle the evolutionary history of this introduction, we gathered samples from the main native regions (TaurusMountains inTurkey,Lebanon andCyprus) and from the invaded region that we genotyped using five microsatellite markers and for which we sequenced the mitochondrialCytochromeOxidaseIgene. We applied a set of population genetic statistics and methods, including approximate Bayesian computation. We proposed a detailed phylogeographic pattern for theNearEast populations, and we unambiguously showed that the French invasive populations originated fromCyprus, although the available historical data strongly suggested thatTurkey could be the most plausible source area. Interestingly, we could show that the introduced populations were founded from an extremely restricted number of individuals that realized a host switch fromCedrus brevifoliatoC. atlantica. Evolutionary hypotheses are discussed to account for this unlikely scenario.
The earliest records of internally stratified cyanobacterial and algal lichens from the Lower Devonian of the Welsh Borderland
Authors: Honegger Rosmarie , Edwards Dianne , Axe Lindsey 
Published: October 2012

SummaryLichenization is assumed to be a very ancient mode of fungal nutrition, but fossil records are rare. Here we describe two fragments of exceptionally preserved, probably charred, lichen thalli with internal stratification.Cyanolichenomycites devonicushas a cyanobacterial andChlorolichenomycites salopensisa unicellular, presumably green algal photobiont. Fruiting bodies are missing.Cyanolichenomycites devonicusforms asexual spores in a pycnidium.All specimens were examined with scanning electron microscopy techniques. The fossils were extracted by maceration. Extant lichens and free‐living cyanobacteria were either experimentally charcoalified for comparison or conventionally prepared.Based on their septate hyphal structure, both specimens are tentatively interpreted as representatives of the Pezizomycotina (Ascomycota). Their presence in 415 million yr (Myr) old rocks from the Welsh Borderland predates existing Late Cretaceous records of pycnidial conidiomata by some 325 Myr and Triassic records of lichens with broadly similar organization by some 195 Myr.These fossils represent the oldest known record of lichens with symbionts and anatomy as typically found in morphologically advanced taxa today. The latter does not apply toWinfrenatia reticulata, the enigmatic crustose lichen fossil from the Lower Devonian, nor to presumed lichen‐like organisms such as the CambrianFarghera robustaor to the Lower DevonianSpongiophyton minutissimum.
Surfactant lavage therapy for respiratory deterioration in extremely premature infants
Authors: Iwatani Sota , Mizobuchi Masami , Tanaka Satoshi , Inomata Kei , Sakai Hitomi , Yoshimoto Seiji , Nakao Hideto 
Published: October 2012

The following article from Pediatrics International, ‘Surfactant lavage therapy for respiratory deterioration in extremely premature infants’ by Sota Iwatani, Masami Mizobuchi, Satoshi Tanaka, Kei Inomata, Hitomi Sakai, Seiji Yoshimoto and Hideto Nakao, posted online as an Accepted Article on 30 October 2012 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been withdrawn by agreement between the authors, the journal Editor in Chief, and Wiley Publishing Asia Pty. Ltd. The withdrawal has been agreed due to deficiencies in the study design.Reference Sota Iwatani, Masami Mizobuchi, Satoshi Tanaka, Kei Inomata, Hitomi Sakai, Seiji Yoshimoto and Hideto NakaoAccepted manuscript online: 30 OCT 2012DOI: 10.1111/ped.12003
Factors affecting exclusive breast‐feeding during the first 6 months in Korea
Authors: Kim Myo Jing , Kim Yu‐Mi , Yoo Jae‐Ho 
Published: October 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to identify the status of exclusive breast‐feeding (EBF) in Korea and analyze the factors affecting exclusive breast‐feeding at 6 months of age.MethodThis study was based on data obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) IV, conducted from January 2007 to December 2008. A total of 404 mother–infant pairs were recruited. Exclusive breast‐feeding was defined according to the criteria established by the World Health Organization.ResultThe rate of EBF was 60.9% for 1 month, 55.0% for 3 months, 35.4% for 6 months, 3.7% for 9 months and 1.2% for 12 months after birth. According to a stepwise logistic regression analysis, factors that were positively associated with EBF at 6 months were younger maternal age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.79–0.92), higher maternal education level (OR = 2.29, 95%CI: 1.17–4.46) and living in a capital city (OR = 2.64, 95%CI: 1.46–4.75).ConclusionThe rate of EBF in Korea is still suboptimal. To promote EBF, persistent and systematic education and campaigns for breast‐feeding should be provided, particularly in vulnerable regions.
Factors Affecting the First Service Conception Rate of Cows in Smallholder Dairy Farms in Bangladesh
Authors: Siddiqui MAR , Das ZC , Bhattacharjee J , Rahman MM , Islam MM , Haque MA , Parrish JJ , Shamsuddin M 
Published: October 2012

ContentsThe successful outcome of an insemination is a combination of both male and female fertility‐linked factors. We investigated the first service conception rate of cows at artificial insemination (AI) in the smallholder dairy farms in Bangladesh. Frozen straws were prepared from ejaculates of Bos indicus (n = 7) and Bos indicus × Bos taurus (n = 7) AI bulls. Fertility was determined from 6101 first services in cows that were performed by 18 technicians in four regions between April 2004 and March 2005. Pregnancy was diagnosed by rectal palpation between 60 and 90 days post‐insemination. The Asian version of Artificial Insemination Database Application (AIDA ASIA) was used for bulls‐, cows‐ and AI‐related data recording, and later retrieved for analysis. The mean ± SD number of inseminations performed from individual bulls and their conception rates were 436.0 ± 21.6 and 50.7 ± 1.9%, respectively. Logistic regression demonstrated body condition scores (BCS), heat detection signs, months of AI and their interactions had greatest effects (odds ratios: 1.24–16.65, p < 0.04–0.001) on first service conception rate in cows. Fertility differed (p < 0.02–0.001) between the regions, previous calving months, months of AI, BCS, parity and heat detection signs of cows. Inseminations based on mounting activity (n = 2352), genital discharge (n = 3263) and restlessness and/or other signs (n = 486) yielded a conception rate of 53.6%, 48.8% and 50.1%, respectively (p < 0.05). Conception rate between technicians ranged between 43.4% and 58.6% (p < 0.05). The days interval from calving to first service (overall mean ± SD = 153.4 ± 80.6) had relationship (p < 0.001) with BCS, months of previous calving and parity of the cows. Fertility at AI in smallholder farms can be improved by training farmers on nutrition and reproductive management of the cows.
Effects of a plastic cover on soil moisture change in a Mediterranean climatic regime
Authors: Díaz‐Hernández J. L. , Salmerón T. 
Published: October 2012

AbstractWater deficit is a serious problem for most agricultural crops, especially in arid–semiarid regions, and limits sustainable development. Production can be improved by reducing evapotranspiration and loss of infiltrated water by the use of a plastic cover. We monitored soil moisture fortnightly over 1 yr using a neutron probe near four trees in an olive grove (Olea europaea, var. Arbequina), two of which had a plastic cover buried in the topsoil around them. These trees were monitored using three neutron probe access tubes per tree to compare the behaviour of soil moisture over time with two other identically instrumented and nearby trees with no cover. Analysis was based on the resultant moisture profiles. The plastic cover retained moisture and increased soil water residence time. During the dry season, the amount of water retained in the plots was at most 15–20% greater in the mid‐season and at least 5–6% greater at the end of season than in the central part of the plots near the trunk. The plastic cover was effective to ca. 50 cm with maximum water content near the soil surface. During the wet season, the cover did not affect soil water. Soil moisture was greater near the tree trunk as a result of stemflow and throughfall.
Myocardial scars correlate with eletrocardiographic changes in chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection for dogs treated with Benznidazole
Authors: Caldas Ivo Santana , da Matta Guedes Paulo Marcos , dos Santos Fabiane Matos , de Figueiredo Diniz Lívia , Martins Tassiane Assíria Fontes , da Silva do Nascimento Alvaro Fernando , Azevedo Maira Araújo , de Lima Wanderson Geraldo , Neto Raimundo Marques Nascimento , Torres Rosália Morais , Talvani André , Bahia Maria Terezinha 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjectives  The cardiac form of Chagas disease is evidenced by a progressive cardiac inflammation that leads to myocarditis, fibrosis and electrocardiographic (ECG) conduction abnormalities. Considering these characteristics, the aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the early ECG changes in dogs that were experimentally inoculated with Benznidazole (Bz)‐susceptibly (Berenice‐78) and Bz‐resistant (VL‐10, and AAS) Trypanosoma cruzi strains and, later, evaluate the efficacy of Bz treatment for preventing these ECG alterations.Methods  Electrocardiographic changes of treated and untreated animals were prospectively evaluated for up to 270 days after infection, at which point collagen (right atrium) quantification was performed.Results  All infected dogs had a high intensity of heart fibrosis (4616.00 ± 1715.82 collagen/74931 μm2 in dogs infected with Berenice‐78 strain, 5839.2 ± 1423.49 collagen/74931 μm2 in infected by AAS and 6294.40 ± 896.04 collagen/74931 μm2 in animals infected with VL‐10 strain), while 78.57% of all infected dogs showed ECG alterations. Bz Therapy reduced or prevented fibrosis in Bz‐susceptible Berenice‐78 (2813.00 ± 607.13 collagen/74931 μm2) and Bz‐resistant AAS strains (4024 ± 1272.44 collagen/74931 μm2), coincident with only 10% de ECG alterations at 270 days. However, in those animals infected with a Bz‐resistant VL‐10 strain, specific treatment did not alter collagen deposition (6749.5 ± 1596.35 collagen/74931 μm2) and there was first atrioventricular block and chamber overload at 120 and 270 days after infection, with 75% abnormal ECG exams.Conclusions  These findings indicate that an effective antiparasitic treatment in the early stage of Chagas disease can lead to a significant reduction in the frequency and severity of the parasite‐induced cardiac disease, even if parasites are not completely eliminated.
Emergence of a new focus of Plasmodium malariae in forest villages of district Balaghat, Central India: implications for the diagnosis of malaria and its control
Authors: Bharti Praveen K. , Chand Sunil K. , Singh Mrigendra P. , Mishra Sweta , Shukla Man M. , Singh Rajesh , Singh Neeru 
Published: October 2012

AbstractObjective  During an epidemiological study (January–July 2012) on malaria in forest villages of Central India, Plasmodium malariae‐like malaria parasites were observed in blood smears of fever cases. We aimed to confirm the presence of P. malariae using molecular tools i.e. species‐specific nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing.Methods  All fever cases or cases with history of fever in 25 villages of Balaghat district were screened for malaria parasite using bivalent rapid diagnostic test and microscopy after obtaining written informed consent. Nested PCR was employed on microscopically suspected P. malariae cases. DNA sequences in the target region for PCR diagnosis were analysed for all the suspected cases of P. malariae.Results  Among the 22 microscopy suspected P. malariae cases, nested PCR confirmed the identity of P. malariae in 19 cases. Among these 14 were mono P. malariae infections, three were mixed infection of P. malariae with Plasmodium falciparum and two were mixed infection of P. malariae with Plasmodium vivax. Clinically P. malariae subjects generally presented with fever and headache. However, the typical 3‐day pattern of quantum malaria was not observed. The parasite density of P. malariae was significantly lower than that of P. vivax and P. falciparum.Discussions  Plasmodium malariae may have been in existence in forest villages of central India but escaped identification due to its close resemblance to P. vivax. The results re‐affirm the importance of molecular methods of testing on routine basis for efficacious control strategies against malaria.