bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring Middle‐Eastern mothers’ perceptions and experiences of breastfeeding in Canada: an ethnographic study
Authors: Jessri Mahsa , Farmer Anna P. , Olson Karin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore from the Middle‐Eastern mothers’ perspective, the experience of breastfeeding and their perceptions of attributes of the health care system, community and society on their feeding decisions after migration to Canada. New immigrant mothers from the Middle East (n = 22) were recruited from community agencies in Edmonton, Canada. Qualitative data were collected through four focus groups using an ethnographic approach to guide concurrent data collection and analysis. Survey data were collected on socio‐demographic characteristics via pre‐tested questionnaires. All mothers, but one who was medically exempt, breastfed their infants from birth and intended to continue for at least 2 years. Through constant comparison of data, five layers of influence emerged which described mothers’ process of decision making: culture/society, community, health care system, family/friends and mother–infant dyad. Religious belief was an umbrella theme that was woven throughout all discussions and it was the strongest determining factor for choosing to breastfeed. However, cultural practices promoted pre‐lacteal feeding and hence, jeopardising breastfeeding exclusivity. Although contradicted in Islamic tradition, most mothers practised fasting during breastfeeding because of misbeliefs about interpretations regarding these rules. Despite high rates of breastfeeding, there is a concern of lack of breastfeeding exclusivity among Middle‐Eastern settlers in Canada. To promote successful breastfeeding in Muslim migrant communities, interventions must occur at different levels of influence and should consider religious beliefs to ensure cultural acceptability. Practitioners may support exclusive breastfeeding through cultural competency, and respectfully acknowledging Islamic beliefs and cultural practices.
Structural determination of the phosphorylation domain of the ryanodine receptor
Authors: Sharma Parveen , Ishiyama Noboru , Nair Usha , Li Wenping , Dong Aiping , Miyake Tetsuaki , Wilson Aaron , Ryan Tim , MacLennan David H. , Kislinger Thomas , Ikura Mitsuhiko , Dhe‐Paganon Sirano , Gramolini Anthony O. 
Published: August 2012

The ryanodine receptor (RyR) is a large, homotetrameric sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane protein that is essential for Ca2+ cycling in both skeletal and cardiac muscle. Genetic mutations in RyR1 are associated with severe conditions including malignant hyperthermia (MH) and central core disease. One phosphorylation site (Ser 2843) has been identified in a segment of RyR1 flanked by two RyR motifs, which are found exclusively in all RyR isoforms as closely associated tandem (or paired) motifs, and are named after the protein itself. These motifs also contain six known MH mutations. In this study, we designed, expressed and purified the tandem RyR motifs, and show that this domain contains a putative binding site for the Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase β isoform. We present a 2.2 Å resolution crystal structure of the RyR domain revealing a two‐fold, symmetric, extended four‐helix bundle stabilized by a β sheet. Using mathematical modelling, we fit our crystal structure within a tetrameric electron microscopy (EM) structure of native RyR1, and propose that this domain is localized in the RyR clamp region, which is absent in its cousin protein inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor.DatabaseThe crystal structure of the RyR1 phosphorylation domain (amino acid residues 2734–2940) has been submitted to the Protein Data Bank under accession number 3RQR.Structured digital abstract

RyR1 C3 physically interacts with CaMKIIβ by pull down (View interaction)
RyR1 C3 binds to CaMKIIβ by pull down (View interaction)
CaMKIIβ physically interacts with RyR1 C3 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2)
A non‐canonical caleosin from Arabidopsis efficiently epoxidizes physiological unsaturated fatty acids with complete stereoselectivity
Authors: Blée Elizabeth , Flenet Martine , Boachon Benoît , Fauconnier Marie‐Laure 
Published: August 2012

In plants, epoxygenated fatty acids (EFAs) are constituents of oil seeds as well as defence molecules and components of biopolymers (cutin, suberin). While the pleiotropic biological activities of mammalian EFAs have been well documented, there is a paucity of information on the physiological relevance of plant EFAs and their biosynthesis. Potential candidates for EFA formation are caleosin‐type peroxygenases which catalyze the epoxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in the presence of hydroperoxides as co‐oxidants. However, the caleosins characterized so far, which are mostly localized in seeds, are poor epoxidases. In sharp contrast, quantitative RT‐PCR analysis revealed that PXG4, a class II caleosin gene, is expressed in roots, stems, leaves and flowers of Arabidopsis. Expressed in yeast, PXG4 encodes a calcium‐dependent membrane‐associated hemoprotein able to catalyze typical peroxygenase reactions. Moreover, we show here that purified recombinant PXG4 is an efficient fatty acid epoxygenase, catalyzing the oxidation of cis double bonds of unsaturated fatty acids. Physiological linoleic and linolenic acids proved to be the preferred substrates for PXG4; they are oxidized into the different positional isomers of the monoepoxides and into diepoxides. An important regioselectivity was observed; the C‐12,13 double bond of these unsaturated fatty acids being the least favored unsaturation epoxidized by PXG4, linolenic acid preferentially yielded the 9,10‐15,16‐diepoxide. Remarkably, PXG4 catalyzes exclusively the formation of (R),(S)‐epoxide enantiomers, which is the absolute stereochemistry of the epoxides found in planta. These findings pave the way for the study of the functional role of EFAs and caleosins in plants.
Ideal vs. Non‐ideal Theory: A Conceptual Map
Authors: Valentini Laura 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis article provides a conceptual map of the debate on ideal and non‐ideal theory. It argues that this debate encompasses a number of different questions, which have not been kept sufficiently separate in the literature. In particular, the article distinguishes between the following three interpretations of the ‘ideal vs. non‐ideal theory’ contrast: (i) full compliance vs. partial compliance theory; (ii) utopian vs. realistic theory; (iii) end‐state vs. transitional theory. The article advances critical reflections on each of these sub‐debates, and highlights areas for future research in the field.
The Bootstrapping Problem
Authors: Weisberg Jonathan 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBootstrapping is a suspicious form of reasoning that verifies a source's reliability by checking the source against itself. Theories that endorse such reasoning face the bootstrapping problem. This article considers which theories face the problem and surveys potential solutions. The initial focus is on theories like reliabilism and dogmatism, which allow one to gain knowledge from a source without knowing that it is reliable. But the discussion quickly turns to a more general version of the problem that does not depend on this allowance. Five potential solutions to the general problem are evaluated, and some implications for the literature on peer disagreement are considered.
Meaning Holism
Authors: Dresner Eli 
Published: August 2012

AbstractIn the first section of this paper I define meaning holism (MH) and compare it to related theses. In the second section I review several theories of meaning that incorporate MH as a feature, and in the third section I discuss the question whether and how MH is consistent with the assignment of semantic values to linguistic expressions. Finally, in the fourth section I present the main objections raised against MH in the literature and the answers given to them.
Viral and bacterial aetiology of community‐acquired pneumonia in adults
Authors: Huijskens Elisabeth G. W. , van Erkel Adriana J. M. , Palmen Fernand M. H. , Buiting Anton G. M. , Kluytmans Jan A. J. W. , Rossen John W. A. 
Published: August 2012

Please cite this paper as: Huijskens et al. (2012) Viral and bacterial aetiology of community‐acquired pneumonia in adults. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(4), 567–573.Background  Modern molecular techniques reveal new information on the role of respiratory viruses in community‐acquired pneumonia. In this study, we tried to determine the prevalence of respiratory viruses and bacteria in patients with community‐acquired pneumonia who were admitted to the hospital.Methods  Between April 2008 and April 2009, 408 adult patients (aged between 20 and 94 years) with community‐acquired pneumonia were tested for the presence of respiratory pathogens using bacterial cultures, real‐time PCR for viruses and bacteria, urinary antigen testing for Legionella and Pneumococci and serology for the presence of viral and bacterial pathogens.Results  Pathogens were identified in 263 (64·5%) of the 408 patients. The most common single organisms in these 263 patients were Streptococcus pneumoniae (22·8%), Coxiella burnetii (6·8%) and influenza A virus (3·8%). Of the 263 patients detected with pathogens, 117 (44·5%) patients were positive for one or more viral pathogens. Of these 117 patients, 52 (44·4%) had no bacterial pathogen. Multiple virus infections (≥2) were found in 16 patients.Conclusion  In conclusion, respiratory viruses are frequently found in patients with CAP and may therefore play an important role in the aetiology of this disease.
Long‐term change of ant community structure in cacao agroforestry landscapes in Indonesia
Authors: Rizali Akhmad , Clough Yann , Buchori Damayanti , Hosang Meldy L.A. , Bos Merijn M. , Tscharntke Teja 
Published: August 2012

Abstract

Land‐use change and agricultural intensification can strongly affect biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Although many studies investigate management impacts, data on the long‐term change of species communities in agroecosystems are scarce.
We analysed the long‐term change in diversity and composition of ant communities in cacao agroforestry systems in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia and attempted to disentangle the driving factors of this change. Ant communities were resampled in 2009 from sites for which previous surveys had been conducted either in 2001 (the rainforest‐poor Palolo region) or 2003 (the rainforest‐rich Kulawi region) using insecticide fogging.
Ant community composition changed significantly over time in Palolo and Kulawi. The change in ant species richness differed between regions. Species richness increased in Kulawi, probably due to the increasing availability of nest sites and microhabitats as trees grow larger and older. In the Palolo region, species richness decreased, suggesting that the high local intensification and landscape‐wide changes may have counteracted the effects of tree age. Changes in ant communities over time were significant, but were more difficult to explain than expected, despite clear difference in management changes within and between regions.
The findings suggest that the landscape‐scale differences between the two study regions play a more important role for species diversity and its composition than changes in local management. This highlights the importance of long‐term studies across contrasting landscapes for better understanding the consequences land‐use intensification has on tropical biodiversity.
An assessment of the effect of harvest time and harvest method on biomass loss for Miscanthus × giganteus
Authors: Meehan Peter G. , McDonnell Kevin P. , Finnan John M. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis study examines the amount of biomass loss occurring in Miscanthus × giganteus crop at harvest. The study assesses loss incurred as a direct result of the harvest systems employed to collect the material along with examining how the time of harvest effects the amount of loss occurring over the spring harvest window. Pre harvest losses of 4.8–5.1% were measured prior to harvest. There was no significant difference between pre harvest loss and post harvest loss when a self‐propelled forage harvester fitted with a maize harvesting header was used to harvest the crop. The use of a conditioner mower and baler significantly increased crop losses to 9.4–14.1%. This demonstrates that correct selection of the harvest system can significantly increase biomass recovery. Additional losses were measured at headlands when the mower/baler system was used, but headland losses will not occur when self‐propelled forage harvesters are utilized. Losses were significantly greater in the area beside the swath after the baler pass when compared to prior to baling. This study has shown that correct selection of harvest systems can significantly increase biomass recovery, with no significant difference in pre harvest loss or harvest loss occurring as a result of cutting the M. × giganteus crop at different dates during the harvest window (March 1st, March 25th, April 21st).
Epidemiology of Subclinical Salmonellosis in Wild Birds from an Area of High Prevalence of Pig Salmonellosis: Phenotypic and Genetic Profiles of Salmonella Isolates
Authors: Andrés S. , Vico J. P. , Garrido V. , Grilló M. J. , Samper S. , Gavín P. , Herrera‐León S. , Mainar‐Jaime R. C. 
Published: August 2012

SummaryThe epidemiology of subclinical salmonellosis in wild birds in a region of high Salmonella prevalence in pigs was studied. Three hundred and seventy‐nine faecal samples from 921 birds trapped in 31 locations nearby pig premises, and 431 samples from 581 birds of 10 natural settings far from pig farms were analysed for the presence of Salmonella spp. Positive samples were serotyped and analysed for antimicrobial resistance (AR). Phage typing and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) on Salmonella Typhimurium isolates were also carried out. The overall proportion of Salmonella‐positive samples was 1.85% (95% CI = 0.93, 2.77). Salmonella isolation was positively associated with samples collected from birds in the proximity of a pig operation (OR = 16.5; 95% CI = 5.17, 52.65), and from non‐migratory (or short‐distance migration) birds (OR = 7.6; 95% CI = 1.20, 48.04) and negatively related to mostly granivorous birds (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.15, 1.13). Salmonella Typhimurium was the most prevalent serotype and four different XbaI PFGE patterns were observed that matched the four phage types identified (U310, U311, DT164 and DT56). Only 20% of the strains showed multi‐AR. In three farms, a high degree of homogeneity among isolates from different birds was observed. These findings suggested that pig farms may act as amplifiers of this infection among wild birds, and the degree of bird density may have much to do on this transmission. Some of the Salmonella serotypes isolated from bird faeces were of potential zoonotic transmission and associated with AR. Monitoring salmonellosis in wild bird is advised.
Polyphenols prevent ageing‐related impairment in skeletal muscle mitochondrial function through decreased reactive oxygen species production
Authors: Charles Anne‐Laure , Meyer Alain , Dal‐Ros Stéphanie , Auger Cyril , Keller Nathalie , Ramamoorthy Thanuja Gali , Zoll Joffrey , Metzger Daniel , Schini‐Kerth Valérie , Geny Bernard 
Published: August 2012

New findings
What is the central question of this study?Ageing impairs muscle function, which is a strong predictor of falls, hospital admission and mortality. Mitochondrial impairment and oxidative stress play a key role in this process. Polyphenols modulate oxidative stress, but whether they might protect muscles against ageing is unknown.
What is the main finding and its importance?For the first time, this study demonstrated that intake of polyphenols starting at a young age totally restored muscle maximal mitochondrial oxidative capacity, normalized production of reactive oxygen species and enhanced antioxidant defence, therefore protecting aged muscle. This might open new therapeutic perspective for maintaining healthy muscle function in aged humans.
Ageing is associated with skeletal muscle impairment. Changes in mitochondrial homeostasis are thought to play a key role in this process. This study examined whether chronic intake of polyphenols (PPs), which are known to be modulators of oxidative stress, might prevent the age‐related decline of mitochondrial functions in skeletal muscle. Three groups of 10 Wistar rats were investigated. Rats aged 16 weeks were compared with rats aged 40 weeks that were given 75 mg kg−1 day−1 PPs or solvent in the drinking water starting at week 16. Mitochondrial respiratory chain complex activities were measured in saponin‐skinned fibres of soleus muscles using glutamate–malate (Vmax), succinate (Vsucc) and N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine dihydrochloride–ascorbate (VTMPD). Production of reactive oxygen species was assessed using dihydroethidium staining. Transcript levels of genes involved in antioxidant defence were determined using RT‐PCR. Ageing reduced muscle Vmax (from 8.8 ± 0.45 to 6.17 ± 0.51 μmol O2 min−1 g−1, −30.5%, P < 0.01), VTMPD (from 20.67 ± 1.24 to 16.55 ± 1.16 μmol O2 min−1 g−1, −19.9%, P < 0.05), increased production of reactive oxygen species (from 100 ± 9.9 to 351.1 ± 31.7%) and decreased transcripts of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2 (−59.3%, P < 0.01), peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1β (PGC‐1β; −61.5%, P < 0.05) and sirtuin 1 (−54.2%, P < 0.05). Chronic PP intake normalized Vmax (8.63 ± 0.63 μmol O2 min−1 g−1), decreased production of reactive oxygen species (141.7 ± 16.7%, P < 0.001) and enhanced antioxidant defence (superoxide dismutase 2 expression, +151.3%, P < 0.05) and PGC‐1β expression (+185.7%, P < 0.05) in comparison to age‐matched untreated rats. The present data indicate that regular intake of PPs starting at a young age prevents age‐related mitochondrial respiratory impairment in skeletal muscle, probably through decreased oxidative stress and enhancement of PGC‐1β expression.
Characterization of adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction algorithm for dose reduction in CT: A pediatric oncology perspective
Authors: Brady S. L. , Yee B. S. , Kaufman R. A. 
Published: August 2012

Purpose:This study demonstrates a means of implementing an adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASiR™) technique for dose reduction in computed tomography (CT) while maintaining similar noise levels in the reconstructed image. The effects of image quality and noise texture were assessed at all implementation levels of ASiR™. Empirically derived dose reduction limits were established for ASiR™ for imaging of the trunk for a pediatric oncology population ranging from 1 yr old through adolescence/adulthood.Methods:Image quality was assessed using metrics established by the American College of Radiology (ACR) CT accreditation program. Each image quality metric was tested using the ACR CT phantom with 0%–100% ASiR™ blended with filtered back projection (FBP) reconstructed images. Additionally, the noise power spectrum (NPS) was calculated for three common reconstruction filters of the trunk. The empirically derived limitations on ASiR™ implementation for dose reduction were assessed using (1, 5, 10) yr old and adolescent/adult anthropomorphic phantoms. To assess dose reduction limits, the phantoms were scanned in increments of increased noise index (decrementing mA using automatic tube current modulation) balanced with ASiR™ reconstruction to maintain noise equivalence of the 0% ASiR™ image.Results:The ASiR™ algorithm did not produce any unfavorable effects on image quality as assessed by ACR criteria. Conversely, low‐contrast resolution was found to improve due to the reduction of noise in the reconstructed images. NPS calculations demonstrated that images with lower frequency noise had lower noise variance and coarser graininess at progressively higher percentages of ASiR™ reconstruction; and in spite of the similar magnitudes of noise, the image reconstructed with 50% or more ASiR™ presented a more smoothed appearance than the pre‐ASiR™ 100% FBP image. Finally, relative to non‐ASiR™ images with 100% of standard dose across the pediatric phantom age spectrum, similar noise levels were obtained in the images at a dose reduction of 48% with 40% ASIR™ and a dose reduction of 82% with 100% ASIR™.Conclusions:The authors’ work was conducted to identify the dose reduction limits of ASiR™ for a pediatric oncology population using automatic tube current modulation. Improvements in noise levels from ASiR™ reconstruction were adapted to provide lower radiation exposure (i.e., lower mA) instead of improved image quality. We have demonstrated for the image quality standards required at our institution, a maximum dose reduction of 82% can be achieved using 100% ASiR™; however, to negate changes in the appearance of reconstructed images using ASiR™ with a medium to low frequency noise preserving reconstruction filter (i.e., standard), 40% ASiR™ was implemented in our clinic for 42%–48% dose reduction at all pediatric ages without a visually perceptible change in image quality or image noise.
Superiorization: An optimization heuristic for medical physics
Authors: Herman Gabor T. , Garduño Edgar , Davidi Ran , Censor Yair 
Published: August 2012

Purpose:To describe and mathematically validate the superiorization methodology, which is a recently developed heuristic approach to optimization, and to discuss its applicability to medical physics problem formulations that specify the desired solution (of physically given or otherwise obtained constraints) by an optimization criterion.Methods:The superiorization methodology is presented as a heuristic solver for a large class of constrained optimization problems. The constraints come from the desire to produce a solution that is constraints‐compatible, in the sense of meeting requirements provided by physically or otherwise obtained constraints. The underlying idea is that many iterative algorithms for finding such a solution are perturbation resilient in the sense that, even if certain kinds of changes are made at the end of each iterative step, the algorithm still produces a constraints‐compatible solution. This property is exploited by using permitted changes to steer the algorithm to a solution that is not only constraints‐compatible, but is also desirable according to a specified optimization criterion. The approach is very general, it is applicable to many iterative procedures and optimization criteria used in medical physics.Results:The main practical contribution is a procedure for automatically producing from any given iterative algorithm its superiorized version, which will supply solutions that are superior according to a given optimization criterion. It is shown that if the original iterative algorithm satisfies certain mathematical conditions, then the output of its superiorized version is guaranteed to be as constraints‐compatible as the output of the original algorithm, but it is superior to the latter according to the optimization criterion. This intuitive description is made precise in the paper and the stated claims are rigorously proved. Superiorization is illustrated on simulated computerized tomography data of a head cross section and, in spite of its generality, superiorization is shown to be competitive to an optimization algorithm that is specifically designed to minimize total variation.Conclusions:The range of applicability of superiorization to constrained optimization problems is very large. Its major utility is in the automatic nature of producing a superiorization algorithm from an algorithm aimed at only constraints‐compatibility; while nonheuristic (exact) approaches need to be redesigned for a new optimization criterion. Thus superiorization provides a quick route to algorithms for the practical solution of constrained optimization problems.