bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Grouping patterns in warthogs, Phacochoerus africanus: is communal care of young enough to explain sociality?
Authors: Peacock Mary , White Angela , Cameron Elissa 
Published: January 2010

AbstractGroup-living will evolve when individuals increase their lifetime reproductive success by joining with other individuals. In cooperatively breeding societies, individuals living in a group will participate in the communal rearing of young. Several factors can influence the evolutionary trade-offs of grouping and it is often unclear whether cooperative breeding is advantageous or is simply a by-product of selection acting on grouping behaviour. We used sightings of 1318 warthogs in 711 groups to investigate whether the advantages of sociality in the warthog differ depending on an individual's age, sex, reproductive state, or the time of year. Adult males only formed temporary associations with other individuals indicating that participation in a group was not advantageous. In contrast, yearlings were almost inevitably found in groups, regardless of their sex or time of year, suggesting any costs to sociality were outweighed by the benefits. Grouping in adult female warthogs was complex; adult females were more likely to form groups in the presence of juveniles and when juveniles were at their most vulnerable stage indicating that sociality in females could be partially explained by the benefits of communal care of young. However, other factors influenced female cooperation including group composition and the time of year.
Clutch variation and egg rejection in three hosts of the pallid cuckoo, Cuculus pallidus
Authors: Langmore Naomi , Landstrom Michelle , Heinsohn Robert 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn theory, hosts of avian brood parasites would benefit by modifying their egg appearance in two ways to help identify mimetic foreign eggs: (i) by laying clutches that are more uniform in appearance and (ii) by laying clutches that differ from those of other females in the population. Support for these theories is inconsistent, and few studies have used objective measures of clutch variation. Here we used reflectance spectrophotometry to quantify within-clutch and between-clutch variation of three host species of an Australian brood parasite, the pallid cuckoo (Cuculus pallidus). We used egg-swapping experiments in which subjects were presented with either a conspecific egg or a heterospecific egg to compare the egg rejection responses of a frequently parasitised host, the white-plumed honeyeater (Lichenostomus penicillatus), with two less frequently parasitised hosts, dusky woodswallows (Artamus cyanopterus) and willie wagtails (Rhipidura leucophrys). As predicted, rejection rate increased as contrast between foreign egg and host clutch increased. Further, the major host showed greater between-clutch variation than the occasional hosts, and also rejected more similar-looking eggs. Contrary to predictions however, within-clutch variation was not lower in the major host, nor was it important in predicting the rejection rate of foreign eggs by the three host species.
Effect of predation on male mating behaviour in a unisexual-bisexual mating system
Authors: Gabor Caitlin , Coyle Julia , Aspbury Andrea 
Published: January 2010

AbstractMate choice for conspecifics is beneficial when closely related species live in sympatry, but mate choice can be costly in the presence of predators. Male sailfin mollies are sexually parasitized by gynogenetic Amazon mollies. Amazon mollies must mate with male sailfin mollies to initiate embryogenesis, but inheritance is maternal. We tested if male sailfin molly mate choice for conspecific females is affected by predation risk. Male mate choice was tested in one of four treatments: (1) predation/no refuge, (2) predation/refuge, (3) no predation/refuge and (4) no predation/no refuge. Predation consisted of dipping the beak of a great blue heron decoy in the aquarium prior to a mating trial. Refuge was provided by java-moss. For each trial the number of mating attempts toward each female was recorded. There was a significant interaction between predation and refuge on strength of preference (SOP) for conspecific females. The highest SOP was in the no predator/no refuge treatment, and the lowest SOP was in the predator/no refuge treatment. These results suggest that the cost of predation is higher than the cost of mating with heterospecifics, and that the presence of a refuge may reduce this cost. This could explain the continued maintenance of Amazon mollies.
No fitness consequence of experimentally induced polyandry in a monandrous wasp
Authors: King  , Bressac  
Published: January 2010

AbstractTests of the effects of multiple mating by females on female fitness have been primarily with polyandrous species, where a benefit to multiple mating has usually been found. In contrast, no such benefit was found here for the parasitic wasp Spalangia endius, a highly monandrous species. Females that mated only once prior to oviposition exhibited a rapid decline in daughter production long before they died. The production of daughters, but not sons, is sexual in this species, i.e., requires sperm. Nevertheless, females with greatly decreased daughter production did not then remate. When such females were experimentally manipulated into copulating with a second male, additional sperm were stored in the females' sperm storage organs. However, this sperm increase had no significant effect on daughter production, total offspring production or longevity. There was no evidence that either immediate or delayed polyandry currently benefits females. The lack of benefit may be a general feature of highly monandrous species or a common feature of parasitic hymenopterans regardless of mating system.
Shelter size influences self-assessment of size in crayfish, Orconectes rusticus: Consequences for agonistic fights
Authors: Percival Daniel , Moore Paul 
Published: January 2010

AbstractTheoretical models of animal assessment and decision strategies have assumed animals possess accurate information about themselves. The imperfect nature of self-assessment could cause animals to make inaccurate decisions during agonistic encounters. By manipulating sensory information used in self-assessment in crayfish, Orconectes rusticus, it may be possible to alter either decision-making paradigms or outcomes associated with agonistic encounters. We examined the role of self-assessment in the agonistic behaviour of crayfish by using differing shelter sizes to alter self-assessment of size. Similar-sized crayfish were kept in tanks with small, medium, and large shelters (relative to body size) and subsequently were fought against size-matched, naive opponents in novel chambers to remove resource value as a variable. Crayfish in small shelter treatments initiated and won more fights than crayfish in other shelters. Crayfish in the small shelter treatment had shorter durations of fight when compared to crayfish with the medium and large shelters. These results are consistent with the concept that crayfish placed in smaller shelters may be self-assessing their physical size and, thus, their fighting ability, higher than crayfish in larger shelters. Based on these results, current theoretical models need to include the role of inaccurate self-assessments in agonistic decision making paradigms.
Effects of gravidity on the locomotor performance and escape behaviour of two lizard populations: the importance of habitat structure
Authors: Díaz José , Monasterio Camila , Iraeta Pablo , Salvador Alfredo 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn lizards, locomotor costs of gravidity may depend on habitat structure and refuge availability. We compared the locomotor performance and escape tactics in the laboratory, before and after oviposition, of two populations of Psammodromus algirus separated by 700 m altitude. When gravid, females escaped using a larger number of slower and shorter runs, and had lower temperatures at the time of trial, than after oviposition. Some of these effects differed between populations: when gravid, but not after oviposition, low-elevation females ran shorter distances at a slower average speed than high-elevation ones. Low-elevation females laid their clutches earlier than high-elevation ones, which conditioned their lower speed when gravid in simultaneous running trials. However, their escape distances were still shorter after controlling for the effects of temperature and laying date. In the field, refuge availability was lower at the low-elevation site, where females spent more time inside refuges and perching above ground. The shorter escape distance of low-elevation females may, thus, represent a behavioural response to minimize detectability, especially if predator avoidance depends primarily on whether or not the lizard is seen by the predator. Such behavioural adjustments might inhibit selection for evolutionary shifts in the performance of gravid females.
The Formation of Armenian Identity in the First Millenium
Authors: van Lint Theo Maarten 
Published: January 2010

AbstractIn tracing three possible answers to the question what the 'first millennium' might be for the Armenians, various layers of the Armenian tradition constitutive of the formation of Armenian identity are presented. Three periods are distinguished: the Nairian-Urartian stretching from about 1200 bce to the conquest of the Armenian plateau by the Achaemenids; followed by the Zoroastrian phase, in which political, religious, social, and cultural institutions in Armenia were closely related to Iranian ones, lasting until the adoption of Christianity as state religion in Armenia at the beginning of the fourth century. This heralds the third and last phase considered in this contribution, concluding with the cornerstone of Armenian identity formation in the direction given to Armenia and its Church by Yovhannēs Ōjnec'i (John of Odzun, d. 728), who opted for a moderate form of Miaphysitism after the rejection of the Council of Chalcedon. The developments in each of the three periods are measured against the criteria Smith considered central for the presence of an ethnie, while attention is given to the Iranian aspects of Armenian society, the presence of a Hellenistic strand in its culture, and its western turn upon the adoption of Christianity.
The Psalm Commentary of Daniel of Salah and the Formation of Sixth-Century Syrian Orthodox Identity
Authors: Taylor David 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBy the 540s the anti-Chalcedonian Syrian Miaphysites had experienced frequent periods of persecution and were in the process of developing into an independent church, with distinct structures and doctrine. Unable to found schools for their clergy, they needed alternative methods to provide ideological formation. This paper argues that the Miaphysite leaders identified the exegesis of the Psalms, the quintessence of the scriptures and the heart of the daily liturgy, as a key means not only of shaping their community's religious beliefs but also of addressing larger political issues. Their chosen exegete was Daniel of Salah who in c.542 produced a Psalm commentary in homiletic form which addressed numerous issues of contemporary relevance. His response to Christological controversy is touched upon, but the focus is on his development of Miaphysite imperial ideology. Previous historians have usually argued that the Miaphysites demonstrated great loyalty to the institution and person of the emperor, despite persecution at their hands. This paper argues to the contrary that while Daniel accepted the need for political allegiance to the emperors, he denies them any role as special mediators of divine revelation or faith. The true king is the crucified Christ, in whose image the mind or reason of each human was created, and it is the guidance of these which is to be followed in religious matters.
Michael the Syrian and Syriac Orthodox Identity
Authors: Weltecke Dorothea 
Published: January 2010

AbstractThis paper discusses the concept of Syriac Orthodox identity in the chronicle by Michael the Great as it is expressed in terms for the self-designation (like mhaymnē, Suryōyē) and in the structure of the narrative. The heritage of the ancient Near East, based on the ethnical and historical conception of the Arameans (including the Chaldeans and the Ōturōyē as well as the Ōrōmōyē) since the times of the ancient empires was a very important element of the identity. Just as important to him was the historical legitimacy of the Orthodox Church as a group excluding other Aramaic-speaking Christians. This conception of identity was complex, dialectic, and multi-layered, comprising ethnic, historic, cultural, and religious elements. Not unlike modern people, he and the members of the Syriac Orthodox communities participated in different and overlapping cultures and identities throughout the Syriac Orthodox world. The Syriac Orthodox identity had been under polemical attack for a long time, against which both historical and theological answers were formulated over the centuries. At the same time, Michael can be a witness only for a certain group and a certain region. He speaks mainly for the Syriac-speaking regions of the Syriac Orthodox world and the clergy. Neither the Syriac Orthodox identity of Arabic speaking Syriac Orthodox Christians, for example in Takrit, nor the identities of laymen are of his concern.
Stresses Experienced By Psychiatrists and Their Role in Burnout: a National Follow-Up Study
Authors: Kumar Shailesh , Hatcher Simon , Dutu Gaelle , Fischer Jesse , Ma'u Etuini 
Published: January 2010

Background: Many studies have looked at sources of stress in psychiatrists, yet the role played by different factors in the causation of burnout in psychiatrists remains unclear. We had two aims, first, to develop a predictive model for the onset of burnout. Second, we aimed to study the differences in the perception of what caused stress between psychiatrists who rated themselves high on Emotional Exhaustion compared to those who rated themselves as low on Emotional Exhaustion. Methods: A previously described questionnaire that identified stressors relevant to consultant psychiatrists was mailed out to 426 psychiatrists, with 240 replies. Scores on the Emotional Exhaustion dimension of the Maslach Burnout Inventory were available for 131 respondents. Results: Based on an earlier literature review, the Sources of Stress Questionnaire (SOS-Q) used in the study had 45 factors, categorized into predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating and protective factors for burnout in psychiatrists. Of these, factor analysis identified 11 non-correlated factors which were used in the final analysis of this study. Four factors emerged as associated with burnout in psychiatrists in New Zealand: too much work; working long hours; an aggressive administrative environment; and lacking support from management. Two factors negatively correlated with Emotional Exhaustion were a high level of job satisfaction and/or enjoyment, and low pay compared to other countries. Conclusions: Most factors associated with burnout are preventable and can be managed jointly between psychiatrists and administrators. Service providers need to address burnout seriously.
Prazosin treatment in the management of scorpion envenomation
Authors: Peker Erdal , Oktar Suleyman , Dogan Murat , Kaya Ergun , Duru Mehmet 
Published: January 2010

Scorpion stings represent an important and serious public health problem worldwide due to their high incidence and potentially severe and often fatal clinical manifestations. Children are at greater risk of developing severe cardiac, respiratory, and neurological complications due to lesser body surface area. Alpha receptor stimulation plays important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary edema. Prazosin, a post synaptic alpha blocker, can be recommended as an effective drug in the treatment of serious scorpion envenomations with significant sympathetic symptoms. Oral prazosin is fast acting, easily available, relatively cheap, free from any anaphylaxis and highly effective.
Genome-wide cloning and sequence analysis of leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein kinase genes in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Gou Xiaoping , He Kai , Yang Hui , Yuan Tong , Lin Honghui , Clouse Steven D , Li Jia 
Published: January 2010

AbstractBackgroundTransmembrane receptor kinases play critical roles in both animal and plant signaling pathways regulating growth, development, differentiation, cell death, and pathogenic defense responses. InArabidopsis thaliana, there are at least 223 Leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases (LRR-RLKs), representing one of the largest protein families. Although functional roles for a handful of LRR-RLKs have been revealed, the functions of the majority of members in this protein family have not been elucidated.ResultsAs a resource for the in-depth analysis of this important protein family, the complementary DNA sequences (cDNAs) of 194 LRR-RLKs were cloned into the GatewayRdonor vector pDONR/ZeoRand analyzed by DNA sequencing. Among them, 157 clones showed sequences identical to the predictions in the Arabidopsis sequence resource, TAIR8. The other 37 cDNAs showed gene structures distinct from the predictions of TAIR8, which was mainly caused by alternative splicing of pre-mRNA. Most of the genes have been further cloned into GatewayRdestination vectors with GFP or FLAG epitope tags and have been transformed into Arabidopsis forin plantafunctional analysis. All clones from this study have been submitted to the Arabidopsis Biological Resource Center (ABRC) at Ohio State University for full accessibility by the Arabidopsis research community.ConclusionsMost of the Arabidopsis LRR-RLK genes have been isolated and the sequence analysis showed a number of alternatively spliced variants. The generated resources, including cDNA entry clones, expression constructs and transgenic plants, will facilitate further functional analysis of the members of this important gene family.
Acetylation of p65 at lysine 314 is important for late NF-κB-dependent gene expression
Authors: Rothgiesser Karin M , Fey Monika , Hottiger Michael O 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
NF-κB regulates the expression of a large number of target genes involved in the immune and inflammatory response, apoptosis, cell proliferation, differentiation and survival. We have earlier reported that p65, a subunit of NF-κB, is acetylated in vitro and in vivo at three different lysines (K310, K314 and K315) by the histone acetyltransferase p300.

Results
In this study, we describe that site-specific mutation of p65 at lysines 314 and 315 enhances gene expression of a subset of NF-κB target genes including Mmp10 and Mmp13. Increased gene expression was mainly observed three hours after TNFα stimulation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments with an antibody raised against acetylated lysine 314 revealed that chromatin-bound p65 is indeed acetylated at lysine 314.

Conclusions
Together, our results establish acetylation of K314 as an important regulatory modification of p65 and subsequently of NF-κB-dependent gene expression.
The capsule of Porphyromonas gingivalis reduces the immune response of human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Brunner Jorg , Scheres Nina , El Idrissi Nawal B , Deng Dong M , Laine Marja L , van Winkelhoff Arie J , Crielaard Wim 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
Periodontitis is a bacterial infection of the periodontal tissues. The Gram-negative anaerobic bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis is considered a major causative agent. One of the virulence factors of P. gingivalis is capsular polysaccharide (CPS). Non-encapsulated strains have been shown to be less virulent in mouse models than encapsulated strains.

Results
To examine the role of the CPS in host-pathogen interactions we constructed an insertional isogenic P. gingivalis knockout in the epimerase-coding gene epsC that is located at the end of the CPS biosynthesis locus. This mutant was subsequently shown to be non-encapsulated. K1 capsule biosynthesis could be restored by in trans expression of an intact epsC gene. We used the epsC mutant, the W83 wild type strain and the complemented mutant to challenge human gingival fibroblasts to examine the immune response by quantification of IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 transcription levels. For each of the cytokines significantly higher expression levels were found when fibroblasts were challenged with the epsC mutant compared to those challenged with the W83 wild type, ranging from two times higher for IL-1β to five times higher for IL-8.

Conclusions
These experiments provide the first evidence that P. gingivalis CPS acts as an interface between the pathogen and the host that may reduce the host's pro-inflammatory immune response. The higher virulence of encapsulated strains may be caused by this phenomenon which enables the bacteria to evade the immune system.
Protection against Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection in mice by recombinant OprF-pulsed dendritic cell immunization
Authors: Peluso Lucia , de Luca Cristiana , Bozza Silvia , Leonardi Antonio , Giovannini Gloria , Lavorgna Alfonso , De Rosa Gaetano , Mascolo Massimo , De Luna Loredana Ortega , Catania Maria Rosaria , Romani Luigina , Rossano Fabio 
Published: January 2010

Abstract

Background
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa major constitutive outer membrane porin protein F (OprF) has been shown to be a protective antigen and was previously used to activate an immunological response in a mouse model of lung pneumonia. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the ability of mouse dendritic cells pulsed with purified or recombinant OprF to protect mice against P. aeruginosa infection and inflammation.
Both native (n-OprF), isolated and purified from PAO1 bacterial strain, and recombinant (histidin-conjugated) OprF (His-OprF), obtained by cloning of the oprF gene into the pET28a expression vector, were used to stimulate dendritic cells in vitro before adoptive transfer into prospective recipient mice with P. aeruginosa pulmonary infection.

Results
Similar to n-OprF, His-OprF activated dendritic cells in vitro, inducing the costimulatory molecule expression as well as cytokine production. Upon adoptive transfer in vivo, porin-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) induced Th1-mediated resistance to infection and associated inflammatory pathology caused by either the PAO1 strain or a clinically-isolated mucoid strain.

Conclusions
This study highlights the pivotal contribution of DCs to vaccine-induced protection against P. aeruginosa infection and associated inflammation.