bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the impacts of bioenergy crops on pollinating insect abundance and diversity: a field‐scale evaluation reveals taxon‐specific responses
Authors: Stanley Dara A. , Stout Jane C. 
Published: March 2013

Summary

Global declines in pollinating insects have been linked with agricultural intensification and land‐use change. Increased production of novel crops for bioenergy is causing changes in agricultural practice, but the effects on different pollinating taxa have not yet been quantified. However, the major pollinating groups (social bees, solitary bees, hoverflies and butterflies) are likely to respond differently to changes in land use and shifts in crop cultivation patterns.

We assessed the impacts of two bioenergy crops, oilseed rape Brassica napus L. and Miscanthus Miscanthus X giganteus on (i) the diversity and abundance of four taxonomic groups of pollinating insects, (ii) insect community composition, (iii) floral resources and (iv) nesting sites for bumblebees, by comparing bioenergy crops with conventional arable and grass crops in a large network of commercial fields.

We found that although there were more bumblebees in oilseed rape fields, conventional crops and bioenergy crops did not differ greatly in species richness of most pollinator groups, although more floral resources were found in the bioenergy crops. However, solitary bees were more abundant and species rich in energy crops than conventional wheat, and more trap‐nesting bees and wasps were found in Miscanthus than oilseed rape. In addition, novel assemblages of solitary bees were found in the bioenergy crops.

All pollinator groups, and flowering plants, were more abundant in field margins than in the centre of crop fields. Although there were no differences among crop types, nest‐searching bumblebees were confined to field margins. This highlights the importance of field margins as forage and nesting habitat for pollinators in farmland.

Synthesis and applications. Differential responses to field‐scale growth of bioenergy crops were displayed by the taxonomic groups studied, suggesting that effects on biodiversity cannot be generalized from studies based on a small suite of taxonomic groups and must include a range of taxa for overarching results. To optimize habitat for pollinators in agricultural areas, our data suggest that a diversity of crop types at small scales may have positive impacts and supports appropriate management and conservation of field margins and hedgerows during conversion to bioenergy production.
Spatial control of the cell division site by the Min system in Escherichia coli
Authors: Shih Yu‐Ling , Zheng Min 
Published: March 2013

SummaryThe Min system of Escherichia coli is involved in mediating placement of the cell division site at the midcell; this is accomplished through partitioning of the cell division inhibitor MinC to the cell poles to block aberrant polar division. The partitioning of MinC is achieved through its interaction with MinDE, which alternates its cellular distribution periodically between opposite cell poles throughout the cell cycle. This dynamic oscillation is the result of intricate molecular interactions occurring between the three Min proteins on the membrane in a spatiotemporal manner. In this minireview, we discuss recent developments in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the E. coli Min system from cellular, biochemical and biophysical perspectives. In addition, we propose a model that involves the balancing of different molecular interactions at different stages of the oscillation cycle.
Occupy's predicament: the moment and the prospects for the movement
Authors: Gitlin Todd 
Published: March 2013

AbstractOccupy Wall Street has stalled in its attempt to make a transition from a moment to a movement. It had a sizable impact upon the presidential election, driving America's political centre of gravity toward the left, but has been unable or unwilling to evolve beyond its original core into a ‘full‐service movement’ that welcomes contributions from a wide range of activists at varying levels of commitment and skill and plausibly campaigns for substantial reforms. In contrast to earlier American social movements of the twentieth century, the Occupy movement began with a large popular base of support. Propped up by that support, its ‘inner movement’ of core activists with strong anarchist and ‘horizontalist’ beliefs transformed the political environment even as they disdained formal reform demands and conducted decisions in a demanding, fully participatory manner. But the core was deeply suspicious of the ‘cooptive’ and ‘hierarchical’ tendencies of the unions and membership organizations – the ‘outer movement’ – whose supporters made up the bulk of the participants who turned out for Occupy's large demonstrations. The ‘inner movement's’ awkward fit with that ‘outer movement’ blocked transformation into an enduring structure capable of winning substantial reforms over time. When the encampments were dispersed by governmental authorities, the core lost its ability to convert electronic communications into the energy and community that derive from face‐to‐face contact. The outlook for the effectiveness of the movement is decidedly limited unless an alliance of disparate groups develops to press for reforms within the political system.
Dramatic performances in the play of politics: Egypt, Obama and the works of Jeffrey Alexander
Authors: Wherry Frederick , Lichterman Paul , Berezin Mabel 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThis review article explores Jeffrey Alexander's cultural theory of political transformations. In his two recent works Performative Revolution in Egypt (2011) and The Performance of Politics: Obama's Victory and the Democratic Struggle for Power (2009), Alexander analyses the fall of President Hosni Mubarak and the rise of President Barack Obama, respectively. Alexander challenges the idea that revolutions depend primarily on the material conditions of a population, demographic changes, and the capacity of a group of contenders to gather material support for an overthrow. He also argues that the stagecraft of the political horserace matters for national elections. The strong versus weak dramaturgical performances of presidential candidates (rather than macroeconomic or geopolitical changes) proved consequential for changes in the poll numbers of Obama versus McCain, for example. Macroeconomic conditions had to be filtered, interpreted, and made meaningful; the candidate who could cast these material conditions onto the sacred side of civil discourse improved his likelihood of victory. Curiously, many social scientists and political pundits have largely taken performances for granted in the democratic struggle for power, and have therefore rendered the charismatic speeches and the grand narratives (culture) as epiphenomena, plays in the shadow of large structural shifts – a residual variable, or else as shifting, evanescent meanings produced in local, face‐to‐face settings. In the newer understanding, ‘culture’ is a level of analysis researchers use to investigate symbolic patterns and meaningful practices that structure how people act, how they define identities, even how they define what counts as ‘strategic’ or instrumental. Since the 1980s, sociologists working with this notion of culture have crafted different approaches to political culture, in national, organizational, and informal everyday arenas. Their different culture concepts carry different strengths and liabilities for research and they rely on different assumptions about action and meaning. This article reviews these arguments and asks what the limits to Alexander's performative theory are, how his theory can be reformulated to address settled versus unsettled political regimes, and how disaggregating Alexander's concept of audiences along with their roles in political change would provide the theory with greater predictive power.
Symptoms of anxiety and depression in lesbian couples treated with donated sperm: a descriptive study
Authors: Borneskog C , Sydsjö G , Lampic C , Bladh M , Svanberg AS 
Published: March 2013

ObjectiveTo investigate symptoms of anxiety and depression in lesbian couples undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART), and to study the relationship of demographic data, pregnancy outcome and future reproductive plans with symptoms of anxiety and depression.DesignDescriptive, a part of the prospective longitudinal ‘Swedish study on gamete donation’.SettingAll university clinics in Sweden performing gamete donation.PopulationA consecutive sample of 214 lesbian couples requesting assisted reproduction, 165 of whom participated.MethodsParticipants individually completed three study‐specific questionnaires and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS): time point 1 (T1), at commencement of ART; time point 2 (T2), approximately 2 months after treatment; and time point 3 (T3), 2–5 years after first treatment.Main outcome measuresAnxiety and depression (HADS), pregnancy outcome and future reproductive plans.ResultsThe vast majority of lesbian women undergoing assisted reproduction reported no symptoms of anxiety and depression at the three assessment points. A higher percentage of the treated women, compared with the partners, reported symptoms of anxiety at T2 (14% versus 5%, P = 0.011) and T3 (10% versus 4%, P = 0.018), as well as symptoms of depression at T2 (4% versus 0%, P = 0.03) and T3 (3% versus 0%, P = 0.035). The overall pregnancy outcome was high; almost three‐quarters of lesbian couples gave birth 2–5 years after sperm donation treatments. Open‐ended comments illustrated joy and satisfaction about family building.ConclusionLesbian women in Sweden reported good psychological health before and after treatment with donated sperm.
Forensic Paleontology: A Tool for “Intelligence” and Investigation
Authors: Sacchi Eva , Nicosia Umberto 
Published: March 2013

AbstractPaleontology and facies analysis proved to be useful tools in activities of intelligence and investigation on some criminal cases, as well as in in‐court activities, thus defining the “forensic paleontology” area of study. The definition was given by analyzing its possible specific applications and excluding some marginal activities. The reliability of forensic paleontology was then assessed in light of the results achieved in some actual cases and in an ad hoc simulation. The investigated cases concerned intelligence and ordinary law enforcement activities. Special attention was paid to crimes against the cultural heritage. Ex post re‐examination of the cases substantiated the value of this scientific branch in investigations, while stressing the possible difficulties in explaining its results to lay persons. Therefore, careful preparation of technical and linguistic preliminary notes for judges, prosecutors, and lawyers as well as a special training for consultants are recommended before presenting results as exhibits in in‐court cross‐examinations.
Fracture Characteristics of Entrapped Head Impacts Versus Controlled Head Drops in Infant Porcine Specimens,,
Authors: Powell Brian J. , Passalacqua Nicholas V. , Fenton Todd W. , Haut Roger C. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractIn many forensic cases, the job of forensic pathologists and anthropologists is to determine whether pediatric death is due to an abusive act or an accidental fall. The goal of this study was to compare the cranial fracture patterns generated on the parietal bone of a developing, infant porcine (pig, Sus scrofa) model by a controlled energy head drop onto a plate versus previous data generated by blunt force impact at the same energy onto the head constrained to a plate. The results showed that blunt force impacts on a head constrained to a rigid plate produces more fracture, but the same general pattern, as that for a head dropped onto the plate with the same level of impact energy. The study suggests that head constraint may be an important factor to consider in the evaluation of death causation for blunt force impacts to the pediatric skull.
Renal Cortical Pallor—A Useful Macroscopic Marker for Metabolic Derangements at Autopsy
Authors: Zhou Chong , Yool Andrea , Byard Roger W. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractRenal cortical pallor was studied as a potential marker at autopsy of diabetic ketoacidosis in 23 cases, hyperglycemic nonketotic coma in eight cases, and alcoholic ketoacidosis in five cases (vitreous humor glucose level ≥11.1 mM; β‐hydroxybutyrate level ≥5 mM). Renal cortical pallor was noted on macroscopic examination in 10 of 23 cases of lethal diabetic ketoacidosis (43.5%), three of eight cases of fatal hyperglycemic nonketotic coma (37.5%), and in two of five cases of alcoholic ketoacidosis (40%). Histologic examination revealed basal vacuolization of renal tubular epithelial cells in 12 cases, Armanni–Ebstein lesions in 10, and osmotic nephrosis in three. Although renal cortical pallor did not appear to be a particularly sensitive marker for hyperglycemia or ketoacidosis, and did not correlate with the severity of these parameters, it may still represent a useful macroscopic marker for underlying metabolic conditions at autopsy and should therefore prompt measurement of vitreous humor glucose and β‐hydroxybutyrate levels.
Statistical Evaluation of Alternative Light Sources for Bloodstain Photography
Authors: Lee Wee Chuen , Khoo Bee Ee , Abdullah Ahmad Fahmi Lim Bin , Abdul Aziz Zalina Binti 
Published: March 2013

AbstractBloodstain photography is important in forensic applications, especially for bloodstain pattern analysis. This study compares the enhancement effect of bloodstain photography using three different types of light source: fluorescent white light, near‐ultraviolet (UV) light‐emitting diode (LED) light, and 410 nm LED light. Randomized complete block designs were implemented to identify the lighting that would statistically produce the best enhancement results for bloodstains on different types of surfaces. Bloodstain samples were prepared on white cotton, brown carpet, tar road, and wood. These samples were photographed in darkroom conditions using a Canon EOS 50D digital SLR camera, with Canon EFS 60 mm f/2.8 Macro USM lens. Two‐way analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference test were used to analyze the contrast of the images. The statistical analysis showed that 410 nm light is the best among the tested lights for enhancing bloodstains on the tested surfaces, where the contrast of bloodstain to background was the highest.
Childhood Fatalities in New Mexico: Medical Examiner‐Investigated Cases, 2000–2010
Authors: Lathrop Sarah L. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractTo better understand risk factors and populations at risk of childhood fatalities, a review of all records of childhood deaths (≤19 years) between 2000 and 2010 from New Mexico's statewide medical examiner was conducted. Annually, 313–383 childhood deaths were investigated (3820 total). Males and American Indians were overrepresented (62% and 20.4% of deaths, respectively). The most common manner of death was natural (44.8%), followed by accidental (31.4%), homicide (8.8%), suicide (8.8%), and undetermined (4.1%). Infants under 1 year of age accounted for 41.4% of deaths. Motor vehicle crashes were responsible for the majority of accidental deaths (69%), followed by unintentional overdoses (6.9%), and drowning (5.3%). Gunshot wounds, either intentional or unintentional, caused 10.7% of childhood deaths. Complete medico‐legal investigation of childhood fatalities is needed to provide public health agencies with adequate data to evaluate and prevent childhood deaths.
Fructose intake and food sources in West Australian adolescents
Authors: Woolley Susan E. , Sherriff Jill , Oddy Wendy H. , O' Sullivan Therese A. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractAimThis research aimed to cross‐sectionally quantify fructose consumption and identify major food sources of fructose in adolescents participating in the 14‐year follow up of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.MethodsSubjects were 822 adolescents aged 13–15 years participating in the Raine Study. Dietary intake was assessed by 3‐day food records and entered in the FoodWorks dietary analysis program. Total fructose values for individual foods were linked from the Nutrient Tables for use in Australia, the University of Minnesota Nutrition Coordinating Centre Food and Nutrient Database, and the Canadian Nutrient File.ResultsFructose contributed 9.1% of total energy intake for the group. Boys reported higher absolute fructose intakes than girls (58.9 g ± 26.6 g vs 48.3 g ± 20.1 g, respectively, P < 0.001), while girls had higher energy adjusted fructose intakes than boys (55.7 g ± 16.1 g vs 51.8 g ± 20.2 g, respectively, P = 0.002). Major food sources of total fructose were beverages, in particular soft drinks, followed by fruit and confectionery. No significant associations were found between fructose intake and level of physical activity, Body Mass Index or socioeconomic status indicators in unadjusted analyses; however, adolescents from higher socioeconomic groups consumed more fructose from fruit, whereas adolescents from lower socioeconomic groups consumed more fructose from beverages.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first study to describe fructose intake and food sources in Australian adolescents. Results are similar to those previously reported in studies of US adolescents.
Characterization of Soybean Protein Hydrolysates able to Promote the Proliferation of Streptococcus Thermophilus ST
Authors: Hongfei Zhao , Fengling Bai , Fang Zhou , Walczak Piotr , Xiangning Jiang , Bolin Zhang 
Published: March 2013

AbstractHow soybean protein hydrolysates (SPHs) to favor the growth of S. thermophilus ST were investigated. Hydrolyzed soybean protein was fractionated to 4 fragments, that is, SPH‐I, SPH‐II, SPH‐III, and SPH‐IV according to their molecular weight sizes. SPHs can improve the growth of strain ST, in which SPH‐IV, with the molecular weight of less than 5 kD, significantly promoted the growth of strain ST. The cell counts of strain ST grew quickly from 7.71 to 9.78 (log CFU/mL) when the concentrations of SPH‐IV ranging from 0% to 1%. Moreover, 2 chemically defined media (CDMs) were used to test their roles in maintaining the viability of strain ST. CDMs only maintained the survival of strain ST, but SPH‐IV had the promotional effects on proliferation of the bacteria. SPH‐IV was further characterized to be oligopeptides that contain 2 to 8 amino acids and free amino acids by high‐performance liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS) analysis. The amino acid compositions showed that SPH‐IV contained more essential amino acids, which were necessary for the growth of S. thermophilus ST. Clearly, SPH‐IV could be used as an exogenous nitrogen supplement to enhance the proliferation of S. thermophilus ST and other lactic acid bacteria, and the data from small scale‐up fermentation also supported this point.
Antimicrobial Activity and Hydrophobicity of Edible Whey Protein Isolate Films Formulated with Nisin and/or Glucose Oxidase
Authors: Murillo‐Martínez María M. , Tello‐Solís Salvador R. , García‐Sánchez Miguel A. , Ponce‐Alquicira Edith 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe use of edible antimicrobial films has been reported as a means to improve food shelf life through gradual releasing of antimicrobial compounds on the food surface. This work reports the study on the incorporation of 2 antimicrobial agents, nisin (N), and/or glucose oxidase (GO), into the matrix of Whey protein isolate (WPI) films at pH 5.5 and 8.5. The antimicrobial activity of the edible films was evaluated against Listeria innocua (ATCC 33090), Brochothrix thermosphacta (NCIB10018), Escherichia coli (JMP101), and Enterococcus faecalis (MXVK22). In addition, the antimicrobial activity was related to the hydrophobicity and water solubility of the WPI films. The greatest antibacterial activity was observed in WPI films containing only GO. The combined addition of N and GO resulted in films with lower antimicrobial activity than films with N or GO alone. In most cases, a pH effect was observed as greater antimicrobial response at pH 5.5 as well as higher film matrix hydrophobicity. WPI films supplemented with GO can be used in coating systems suitable for food preservation.
Soil phosphorus depletion and shifts in plant communities change bacterial community structure in a long‐term grassland management trial
Authors: Adair Karen L. , Wratten Steve , Lear Gavin 
Published: March 2013

SummaryAgricultural systems rely on healthy soils and their sustainability requires understanding the long‐term impacts of agricultural practices on soils, including microbial communities. We examined the impact of 17 years of land management on soil bacterial communities in a New Zealand randomized‐block pasture trial. Significant variation in bacterial community structure related to mowing and plant biomass removal, while nitrogen fertilizer had no effect. Changes in soil chemistry and legume abundance described 52% of the observed variation in the bacterial community structure. Legumes (Trifolium species) were absent in unmanaged plots but increased in abundance with management intensity; 11% of the variation in soil bacterial community structure was attributed to this shift in the plant community. Olsen P explained 10% of the observed heterogeneity, which is likely due to persistent biomass removal resulting in P limitation; Olsen P was significantly lower in plots with biomass removed (14 mg kg−1 ± 1.3SE) compared with plots that were not mown, or where biomass was left after mowing (32 mg kg−1 ± 1.6SE). Our results suggest that removal of plant biomass and associated phosphorus, as well as shifts in the plant community, have greater long‐term impacts on soil bacterial community structure than application of nitrogen fertilizers.
Skeletal muscle tissue transcriptome differences in lean and obese female beagle dogs
Authors: Grant R. W. , Vester Boler B. M. , Ridge T. K. , Graves T. K. , Swanson K. S. 
Published: March 2013

SummarySkeletal muscle is a large and insulin‐sensitive tissue that is an important contributor to metabolic homeostasis and energy expenditure. Many metabolic processes are altered with obesity, but the contribution of muscle tissue in this regard is unclear. A limited number of studies have compared skeletal muscle gene expression of lean and obese dogs. Using microarray technology, our objective was to identify genes and functional classes differentially expressed in skeletal muscle of obese (14.6 kg; 8.2 body condition score; 44.5% body fat) vs. lean (8.6 kg; 4.1 body condition score; 22.9% body fat) female beagle adult dogs. Alterations in 77 transcripts was observed in genes pertaining to the functional classes of signaling, transport, protein catabolism and proteolysis, protein modification, development, transcription and apoptosis, cell cycle and differentiation. Genes differentially expressed in obese vs. lean dog skeletal muscle indicate oxidative stress and altered skeletal muscle cell differentiation. Many genes traditionally associated with lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism were not altered in obese vs. lean dogs, but genes pertaining to endocannabinoid metabolism, insulin signaling, type II diabetes mellitus and carnitine transport were differentially expressed. The relatively small response of skeletal muscle could indicate that changes are occurring at a post‐transcriptional level, that other tissues (e.g., adipose tissue) were buffering skeletal muscle from metabolic dysfunction or that obesity‐induced changes in skeletal muscle require a longer period of time and that the length of our study was not sufficient to detect them. Although only a limited number of differentially expressed genes were detected, these results highlight genes and functional classes that may be important in determining the etiology of obesity‐induced derangement of skeletal muscle function.