bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variations in leaf morpho‐anatomy and photosynthetic traits between sun and shade populations of Eurya japonica (Pentaphylacaceae) whose seeds are dispersed by birds across habitats
Authors: Mishio Masako , Kawakubo Nobumitsu 
Published: April 2014

AbstractEurya japonica occurs in diverse light environments through seed dispersal by birds. As the seed size is extremely small, we hypothesized that newly germinated seedlings with restricted depth of roots and length of the hypocotyl would suffer high mortality due to increased transpiration in sunny habitats and low light in shady habitats. We also expected that surviving seedlings would differ in leaf traits between habitats as a result of selection. We aimed to determine how photosynthetic traits differ between habitats and how leaf structure is related to this difference. We examined photosynthesis and leaf morpho‐anatomy for plants cloned from cuttings collected from the forest understory (shade population) and neighboring roadsides and cut‐over areas (sun population) and then grown under two irradiances (18.5% and 100% sunlight) in an experimental garden. Under growth in 100% sunlight, cloned plants from the sun population exhibited significantly greater area‐based photosynthetic capacity compared to cloned plants from the shade population at a comparable stomatal conductance, which was attributable to a higher area‐based leaf nitrogen concentration. On the other hand, mean values of photosynthetic capacity did not significantly differ between the two populations. Cloned plants from the sun population had significantly thicker leaf laminas and spongy tissue and lower stomatal density compared to cloned plants from the shade population. Thickened leaf lamina might have increased leaf tolerance to physical stresses in open habitats. The variation in leaf morpho‐anatomy between the two populations can be explained in terms of the economy of leaf photosynthetic tissue.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Traits of Foodborne Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Shanghai
Authors: Xu Jie , Shi Chunlei , Song Minghui , Xu Xuebin , Yang Puyu , Paoli George , Shi Xianming 
Published: April 2014

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus is a recognized pathogen in humans, which causes nosocomial infections and food poisoning. The transmission of antibiotic resistant S. aureus (ARSA), especially methicillin‐resistant S. aureus, between food products and humans has become a serious problem. Hence, it is necessary to monitor S. aureus through the food supply chain. In this study, the disk diffusion method and epsilometer test were performed to determine the prevalence of ARSA in 78 foodborne isolates using 18 antibiotics. The highest resistance frequency was found for penicillin G (74.4%), followed by erythromycin (59.0%) and clindamycin (44.9%), whereas no vancomycin‐resistant isolates were found. The 78 isolates could be subtyped into 31 resistance profiles and 11 clusters based on their antimicrobial susceptibility. Furthermore, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for the presence of 13 genes conferring antibiotic resistance was conducted. The presence of resistance genes was relatively high: blaTEM (80.8%), ermB (41.0%), grlA (38.5%), ermC (35.9%), and aac6’/aph2” (35.9%). The incidence of antibiotic resistance was significantly correlated to food types (p = 0.018), with isolates from meat and raw milk more resistant to antibiotics than those from frozen food and vegetables.
Using Numerical Analysis to Develop and Evaluate the Method of High Temperature Sous‐Vide to Soften Carrot Texture in Different‐Sized Packages
Authors: Hong Yoon‐Ki , Uhm Joo‐Tae , Yoon Won Byong 
Published: April 2014

AbstractThe high‐temperature sous‐vide (HTSV) method was developed to prepare carrots with a soft texture at the appropriate degree of pasteurization. The effect of heating conditions, such as temperature and time, was investigated on various package sizes. Heating temperatures of 70, 80, and 90 °C and heating times of 10 and 20 min were used to evaluate the HTSV method. A 3‐dimensional conduction model and numerical simulations were used to estimate the temperature distribution and the rate of heat transfer to samples with various geometries. Four different‐sized packages were prepared by stacking carrot sticks of identical size (9.6 × 9.6 × 90 mm) in a row. The sizes of the packages used were as follows: (1) 9.6 × 86.4 × 90, (2) 19.2 × 163.2 × 90, (3) 28.8 × 86.4 × 90, and (4) 38.4 × 86.4 × 90 mm. Although only a moderate change in color (L*, a*, and b*) was observed following HTSV cooking, there was a significant decrease in carrot hardness. The geometry of the package and the heating conditions significantly influenced the degree of pasteurization and the final texture of the carrots. Numerical simulations successfully described the effect of geometry on samples at different heating conditions.
Species Identification and Antimicrobial Resistance of Coagulase‐Negative Staphylococci Isolated from the Meat of Sea Fish
Authors: Regecová Ivana , Pipová Monika , Jevinová Pavlina , Marušková Katarína , Kmeť Vladimír , Popelka Peter 
Published: April 2014

AbstractSeventy‐eight isolates of staphylococci obtained from the meat of Theragra chalcogramma, Scomber scombrus, and Clupea harengus were identified and tested in this study. 16S rDNA sequence specific for the genus Staphylococcus was detected in all isolates with the help of PCR method. All of 78 isolates were coagulase‐negative, and DNAse activity was only confirmed in 4 of them. The following species of staphylococci were identified using MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry: S. warneri (52%), S. epidermidis (33%), S. haemolyticus (6.4%), S. pasteuri (3.8%), S. sciuri (1.2%), S. capitis (1.2%), and S. hominis (1.2%). Antimicrobial resistance to 7 antibiotics was determined in each isolate with the help of agar dilution method. In general, resistance against ampicillin was observed in majority of isolates (87%). On the contrary, the best sensitivity of CoNS was determined to gentamicin (96%). Only 1 S. warneri strain showed resistance to cefoxitin. Furthermore, 83% of staphylococcal isolates were simultaneously resistant to 2 or more antibiotics.Practical ApplicationThis study confirmed the need of monitoring antimicrobial resistance in coagulase‐negative staphylococci not only in the meat of slaughter animals but also in retail marine fish. The results showed that MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry is useful, accurate, and rapid method for species identification of food pathogens including Staphylococcus spp.
Change in physical activity after smoking cessation: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study
Authors: Auer Reto , Vittinghoff Eric , Kiefe Catarina , Reis Jared P. , Rodondi Nicolas , Khodneva Yulia A. , Kertesz Stefan G. , Cornuz Jacques , Pletcher Mark J. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractAimsTo estimate physical activity trajectories for people who quit smoking, and compare them to what would have been expected had smoking continued.Design, Setting and ParticipantsA total of 5115 participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study (CARDIA) study, a population‐based study of African American and European American people recruited at age 18–30 years in 1985/6 and followed over 25 years.MeasurementsPhysical activity was self‐reported during clinical examinations at baseline (1985/6) and at years 2, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 and 25 (2010/11); smoking status was reported each year (at examinations or by telephone, and imputed where missing). We used mixed linear models to estimate trajectories of physical activity under varying smoking conditions, with adjustment for participant characteristics and secular trends.FindingsWe found significant interactions by race/sex (P = 0.02 for the interaction with cumulative years of smoking), hence we investigated the subgroups separately. Increasing years of smoking were associated with a decline in physical activity in black and white women and black men [e.g. coefficient for 10 years of smoking: −0.14; 95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.20 to −0.07, P < 0.001 for white women]. An increase in physical activity was associated with years since smoking cessation in white men (coefficient 0.06; 95% CI = 0 to 0.13, P = 0.05). The physical activity trajectory for people who quit diverged progressively towards higher physical activity from the expected trajectory had smoking continued. For example, physical activity was 34% higher (95% CI = 18 to 52%; P < 0.001) for white women 10 years after stopping compared with continuing smoking for those 10 years (P = 0.21 for race/sex differences).ConclusionsSmokers who quit have progressively higher levels of physical activity in the years after quitting compared with continuing smokers.
The impact of water price uncertainty on the adoption of precision irrigation systems
Authors: Schoengold Karina , Sunding David L. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe examine whether a firm is more or less likely to adopt precision technology when input prices are stochastic. The results are important to determining whether programs and contracts that reduce input price uncertainty may deter the adoption of conservation practices. An economic model of the technology adoption decision shows that the net effect of input price risk is ambiguous and depends on several factors including the shutdown effect, the mean price effect, the precision expansion effect, and the risk aversion effect. An empirical implementation of the model relies on data on water price and irrigation technology adoption observed in a California irrigation district over the period 1999–2002. The results show that a stable input price increases the adoption of precision technology, but the impact depends on crop choice and land quality characteristics.
Verruciform xanthoma of the penis: a rare Australian case
Authors: Sinnya Sudipta , Wheller Laura , Carroll Melissa , Williamson Richard , De'Ambrosis Brian 
Published: April 2014

AbstractWe present a case of verruciform xanthoma ((VX) of the penis in an elderly man in whom an asymptomatic papule on his foreskin was noted during a routine clinical examination. VX is a rare, benign condition with a predilection for the oral cavity and clinically presents as isolated, painless mucosal lesions with a verrucoid surface. Accurate diagnosis is important in avoiding aggressive surgical management of this relatively rare condition.
Dermatomyositis panniculitis: A case report
Authors: Carroll Melissa , Mellick Nick , Wagner Godfrey 
Published: April 2014

AbstractDermatomyositis‐related panniculitis is a rare cutaneous manifestation of dermatomyositis. There are few reported cases in the medical literature. We present the case of a 60‐year‐old woman with a 2‐year history of dermatomyositis and recent biopsy‐confirmed panniculitis treated with prednisone, cyclophosphamide and i.v. immunoglobulin.
Electrically Contractile Polymers Augment Right Ventricular Output in the Heart
Authors: Ruhparwar Arjang , Piontek Patricia , Ungerer Matthias , Ghodsizad Ali , Partovi Sasan , Foroughi Javad , Szabo Gabor , Farag Mina , Karck Matthias , Spinks Geoffrey M. , Kim Seon Jeong 
Published: April 2014

AbstractResearch into the development of artificial heart muscle has been limited to assembly of stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes seeded around a matrix, while nonbiological approaches to tissue engineering have rarely been explored. The aim of the study was to apply electrically contractile polymer‐based actuators as cardiomyoplasty for positive inotropic support of the right ventricle. Complex trilayer polypyrrole (PPy) bending polymers for high‐speed applications were generated. Bending motion occurred directly as a result of electrochemically driven charging and discharging of the PPy layers. In a rat model (n = 5), strips of polymers (3 × 20 mm) were attached and wrapped around the right ventricle (RV). RV pressure was continuously monitored invasively by direct RV cannulation. Electrical activation occurred simultaneously with either diastole (in order to evaluate the polymer's stand‐alone contraction capacity; group 1) or systole (group 2). In group 1, the pressure generation capacity of the polymers was measured by determining the area under the pressure curve (area under curve, AUC). In group 2, the RV pressure AUC was measured in complexes directly preceding those with polymer contraction and compared to RV pressure complexes with simultaneous polymer contraction. In group 1, the AUC generated by polymer contraction was 2768 ± 875 U. In group 2, concomitant polymer contraction significantly increased AUC compared with complexes without polymer support (5987 ± 1334 U vs. 4318 ± 691 U, P ≤ 0.01). Electrically contractile polymers are able to significantly augment right ventricular contraction. This approach may open new perspectives for myocardial tissue engineering, possibly in combination with fetal or embryonic stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes.
Urban squatters and the poor in Fiji: Issues of land and investment in coastal areas
Authors: Bryant‐Tokalau Jennifer Joy 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPacific land issues are not only about Indigenous ownership in rural areas. Within urban areas in particular, land historically alienated into State control produced consequences only now being realised. In Fiji, all State land is claimed by communal landowners and such claims were said to be one reason for the 2006 coup. It has been suggested in recent times that urban informal settlements on the qoliqoli (coastal and foreshore land) are at risk and face increasing challenges from landowners. This paper examines a neglected area of urban State land in Fiji and comments on the future of the urban poor in Fiji if land tenure is unresolved.
Role(s) of Leader protein of Saffold virus
Authors: Shimizu Ai , Himeda Toshiki , Okuwa Takako , Muraki Yasushi , Ohara Yoshiro 
Published: April 2014

AbstractObjectiveSaffold virus (SAFV) classified in the species Theilovirus of the genus Cardiovirus is a novel human cardiovirus. The pathogenicity of SAFV in humans still remains unclear. Viruses in the genus Cardiovirus produce Leader protein, which is a small non‐structural protein. Evidence that Leader protein of murine cardioviruses is a key factor in their biological activities has been provided. Therefore, the studies on the function of SAFV‐L are likely to be important in order to clarify the pathogenicity of SAFV.MethodsWe investigated the interferon (IFN) response in the early stage of SAFV infection by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and the growth kinetics of the chimera virus, SAFL/DA.ResultsThe study showed that SAFV‐L suppresses the type I IFN response, and that the responsible region of anti‐IFN activity of SAFV‐L is a zinc‐binding motif. Furthermore, the anti‐apoptotic activity of SAFV‐L was suggested from the growth kinetics analysis of SAFL/DA.ConclusionsThe present study suggested that SAFV‐L might be a multifunctional protein; for example, the suppression of IFN induction, anti‐apoptotic effect and/or productive virus growth.
Comparison and analysis of three different methods to evaluate vertical jump height
Authors: Bui Hung Tien , Farinas Marie‐Isabelle , Fortin Anne‐Marie , Comtois Alain‐Steve , Leone Mario 
Published: April 2014

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to compare three methods to assess vertical jump height, to determine their limitations and to propose solutions to mitigate their effects. The chosen methods were the contact mat, the optical system and the Sargent jump. The testing environment was designed such that all three systems simultaneously measured the vertical jump height. A total of 41 kinesiology students (18 women, 23 men, mean age 23·2 ± 4·5 years) participated in this study. Data show that the contact mat and the optical system essentially provide similar results (P = 0·912) and that the correlation coefficient between the two systems was 0·972 (r2 = 0·944). However, it was found that the Sargent jump has a tendency to overestimate the height, providing a measurement that is significantly different from the other two methods as the jumps are higher than 30·64 cm (P = 0·044). Through the design of the experiment, several sources of errors were identified and mathematically modelled. These sources include optical sensor placement, flat‐footed landing and hip/knee bend. Whenever possible, the errors were quantified and solutions were proposed.
Prelimbic and infralimbic cortical regions differentially encode cocaine‐associated stimuli and cocaine‐seeking before and following abstinence
Authors: West Elizabeth A. , Saddoris Michael P. , Kerfoot Erin C. , Carelli Regina M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractCocaine stimuli often trigger relapse of drug‐taking, even following periods of prolonged abstinence. Here, electrophysiological recordings were made in rats (n = 29) to determine how neurons in the prelimbic (PrL) or infralimbic (IL) regions of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) encode cocaine‐associated stimuli and cocaine‐seeking, and whether this processing is differentially altered after 1 month of cocaine abstinence. After self‐administration training, neurons (n = 308) in the mPFC were recorded during a single test session conducted either the next day or 1 month later. Test sessions consisted of three phases during which (i) the tone–houselight stimulus previously paired with cocaine infusion during self‐administration was randomly presented by the experimenter, (ii) rats responded on the lever previously associated with cocaine during extinction and (iii) the tone–houselight was presented randomly between cocaine‐reinforced responding during resumption of cocaine self‐administration. PrL neurons showed enhanced encoding of the cocaine stimulus and drug‐seeking behavior (under extinction and self‐administration) following 30 days of abstinence. In contrast, although IL neurons encoded cocaine cues and cocaine‐seeking, there were no pronounced changes in IL responsiveness following 30 days of abstinence. Importantly, cue‐related changes do not represent a generalised stimulus‐evoked discharge as PrL and IL neurons in control animals (n = 4) exhibited negligible recruitment by the tone–houselight stimulus. The results support the view that, following abstinence, neural encoding in the PrL but not IL may play a key role in enhanced cocaine‐seeking, particularly following re‐exposure to cocaine‐associated cues.
Antipredator Behavior in Desmognathus ochrophaeus: Threat‐Specific Responses to Chemical Stimuli in a Foraging Context
Authors: Johnson Elyse C. , Sullivan Aaron M. 
Published: April 2014

AbstractPrey species may reduce the likelihood of injury or death by engaging in defensive behavior but often incur costs related to decreased foraging success or efficiency. To lessen these costs, prey may adjust the intensity or type of antipredator behavior according to the nature of the perceived threat. We evaluated the potential for threat‐sensitive responses by Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus) exposed to chemical stimuli associated with predation by asking three questions: (1) Do individual D. ochrophaeus respond to chemical cues in a threat‐sensitive manner? (2) Do salamanders exhibit the same pattern of behavioral response while foraging? and (3) Is foraging efficiency reduced when focal individuals are exposed to stimuli from predators or predation events? In our first experiment, we evaluated salamander chemosensory movements (nose‐taps), locomotor activity (steps), and edge behavior in response to chemical stimuli from disturbed and injured conspecifics as well as predatory Gyrinophilus porphyriticus and found that individual D. ochrophaeus show a significant graded increase in nose‐taps when exposed to cues from conspecifics and a reduction in activity when exposed to the predator. In our second experiment, we again observed salamander responses to the same chemical stimuli but in this instance added five Drosophila prey to the test dishes. We found that salamanders exhibited a similar pattern of response to the chemical stimuli in the presence of prey, showing a graded increase in nose‐taps to cues from conspecifics and a reduction in activity when exposed to the predator. However, foraging efficiency (i.e. the proportion of successful strikes) did not vary significantly among treatments. Our data show that individual D. ochrophaeus detect and differentially respond to chemical stimuli associated with predation, but do not significantly reduce foraging efficiency. Overall, the type and relative intensity of these responses is largely unaffected by the presence of potential prey.
Seasonal movements of crayfish in a fluctuating wetland: implications for restoring wading bird populations
Authors: Cook Mark I. , Call Erynn M. , Kobza R. Mac , Hill Steven D. , Saunders Colin J. 
Published: April 2014

Summary

Among aquatic fauna of fluctuating wetlands, seasonal interhabitat movement is a widespread phenomenon that can strongly influence predator–prey interactions and population dynamics of vertebrate predators. For example, movements increase the availability of small fishes during seasonal drying, which is critical to the reproductive success of many wading bird (Ciconiiformes) species. However, few studies have examined movements of aquatic fauna in relation to changes in water depth, especially for those taxa that can physiologically tolerate periods of drying and whose responses to hydrology are difficult to predict (e.g. crayfish).

Here, we experimentally explore the movement responses of a key prey species in the Florida Everglades – the slough crayfish Procambarus fallax – to a seasonal decline in water depth. The study was conducted in four replicate wetland impoundments (wetlands) which comprise habitats characteristic of the Florida Everglades. In two wetlands, we induced a 60‐cm drop in water level and examined crayfish movements between higher‐elevation ridge habitats and lower‐elevation slough habitats when water levels were (i) relatively deep on ridges; (ii) relatively shallow on ridges; and (iii) below ground on ridges but above ground in sloughs. In two control wetlands, we followed the identical sampling protocol but maintained the deep stage on the ridges. Crayfish movements were quantified by changes in abundance and mark–release–recapture (MRR).

Crayfish abundance changed little within habitats while water remained on the ridges, but it decreased on the ridges and considerably increased in the sloughs after the ridges dried. These changes were clearly due to loss of water on the ridges as abundances in control wetlands remained constant throughout sampling. Elevated slough abundances were not explained by differences in trapping efficiency or episodic releases of recently hatched crayfish, suggesting they were due largely to movements from ridges to sloughs. This was supported by the MRR data.

Our results show that seasonal water‐level recessions can induce crayfish to move from higher to lower‐elevation habitats where they become concentrated and potentially available to foraging birds. We discuss the potential implications of these movements for restoring hydrologic conditions for wading birds in large fluctuating wetlands.