bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal patterns of predation for gray wolves in the multi‐prey system of Yellowstone National Park
Authors: Metz Matthew C. , Smith Douglas W. , Vucetich John A. , Stahler Daniel R. , Peterson Rolf O. 
Published: January 2012

Summary1. For large predators living in seasonal environments, patterns of predation are likely to vary among seasons because of related changes in prey vulnerability. Variation in prey vulnerability underlies the influence of predators on prey populations and the response of predators to seasonal variation in rates of biomass acquisition. Despite its importance, seasonal variation in predation is poorly understood.2. We assessed seasonal variation in prey composition and kill rate for wolves Canis lupus living on the Northern Range (NR) of Yellowstone National Park. Our assessment was based on data collected over 14 winters (1995–2009) and five spring–summers between 2004 and 2009.3. The species composition of wolf‐killed prey and the age and sex composition of wolf‐killed elk Cervus elaphus (the primary prey for NR wolves) varied among seasons.4. One’s understanding of predation depends critically on the metric used to quantify kill rate. For example, kill rate was greatest in summer when quantified as the number of ungulates acquired per wolf per day, and least during summer when kill rate was quantified as the biomass acquired per wolf per day. This finding contradicts previous research that suggests that rates of biomass acquisition for large terrestrial carnivores tend not to vary among seasons.5. Kill rates were not well correlated among seasons. For example, knowing that early‐winter kill rate is higher than average (compared with other early winters) provides little basis for anticipating whether kill rates a few months later during late winter will be higher or lower than average (compared with other late winters). This observation indicates how observing, for example, higher‐than‐average kill rates throughout any particular season is an unreliable basis for inferring that the year‐round average kill rate would be higher than average.6. Our work shows how a large carnivore living in a seasonal environment displays marked seasonal variation in predation because of changes in prey vulnerability. Patterns of wolf predation were influenced by the nutritional condition of adult elk and the availability of smaller prey (i.e. elk calves, deer). We discuss how these patterns affect our overall understanding of predator and prey population dynamics.
Interspecific interactions drive cultural co‐evolution and acoustic convergence in syntopic species
Authors: Laiolo Paola 
Published: January 2012

Summary1. Antagonistic interactions have been favourite subjects of studies on species co‐evolution, because coexistence among competing species often results in quantifiable character displacement. A common output for competitive interactions is trait divergence, although the opposite phenomenon, convergence, has been proposed to evolve in some instances, for example in the communication behaviour of species that maintain mutually exclusive territories.2. I use here experimental and observational evidence to study how species interactions drive heterospecific signal convergence and analyse how convergence feeds back to the interaction itself, in the form of aggressive behaviour. I recorded the learned territorial signals of two non‐hybridizing larks, Galerida cristata and G. theklae, and used allopatric populations as controls for evaluating acoustic convergence in syntopy. Acoustic variation was analysed with respect to social conditions controlling for other potential agents of natural selection, habitat and climate.3. Interspecific convergence of Galerida calls peaked in syntopy. Although call acoustic structure was affected by climate and habitat, it matched gradients of density and proximity to congeners even at small local scales. The process of cultural transmission, in which individuals may acquire components of behaviour by copying neighbours, enhances the correlation between call acoustics and the local social milieu.4. Territories were defended against both species, but playback stimuli of convergent congener calls elicited a stronger aggressive reaction than congener calls from allopatric locations.5. This study shows that learned behaviours may co‐evolve as a consequence of antagonistic interactions, determining reciprocal cultural evolution or cultural co‐evolution. As for (biological) co‐evolution, the distribution of competing species influences whether a particular area becomes a syntopic environment in which convergence is occurring, or an allopatric environment lacking interactions and reciprocal change. Because of their plastic nature, cultural coadaptations may rapidly shift in response to fluctuating social selection, thus propelling dynamic interactions and fine adjustments to the local environment.
The immune evasion protein Sbi of Staphylococcus aureus occurs both extracellularly and anchored to the cell envelope by binding lipoteichoic acid
Authors: Smith Emma Jane , Corrigan Rebecca M. , van der Sluis Tetje , Gründling Angelika , Speziale Pietro , Geoghegan Joan A. , Foster Timothy J. 
Published: January 2012

SummaryThe Sbi protein of Staphylococcus aureus comprises two IgG‐binding domains similar to those of protein A and a region that triggers the activation of complement C3. Sbi is expressed on the cell surface but its C‐terminal domain lacks motifs associated with wall or membrane anchoring of proteins in Gram‐positive bacteria. Cell‐associated Sbi fractionates with the cytoplasmic membrane and is not solubilized during protoplast formation. S. aureus expressing Sbi truncates of the C‐terminal Y domain allowed identification of residues that are required for association of Sbi with the membrane. Recombinant Sbi bound to purified cytoplasmic membrane material in vitro and to purified lipoteichoic acid. This explains how Sbi partitions with the membrane in fractionation experiments yet is partially exposed on the cell surface. An LTA‐defective mutant of S. aureus had reduced levels of Sbi in the cytoplasmic membrane.
Heart rate variability in the irritable bowel syndrome: a review of the literature
Authors: Mazurak N. , Seredyuk N. , Sauer H. , Teufel M. , Enck P. 
Published: January 2012

AbstractBackground  Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) often present with disturbances of bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation) and abdominal pain/discomfort that are modulated by the autonomic nerve system (ANS). In this narrative review, we analyzed studies that measured ANS functioning in IBS by means of heart rate variability (HRV).Methods  The PUBMED was searched with the keywords ‘irritable bowel syndrome’ AND (‘heart rate variability’ OR ‘autonomic function’). We included only papers that used ‘traditional’ HRV indices and diagnosed IBS based on Manning or Rome criteria. Studies were sub‐grouped according to methodological features of HRV analysis (24‐h monitoring, short‐term laboratory records, records during sleep).Key Results  Most studies reported no difference in HRV when the IBS population was compared to healthy controls. Dividing the IBS sample into subgroups – according to their predominant bowel symptoms, the severity of clinical course, the presence of depressive symptoms, or a history of abuse in the past – revealed changes in autonomic functioning.Conclusions & Inferences  Patients with IBS appear to experience symptoms that may be the result of changes in ANS functioning. HRV measures in clinical routine may allow assessing these changes, but further studies performed in a standardized fashion should improve the validity of HRV measures for clinical research first.
Thermal requirements for the embryonic development and life cycle of Meloidogyne hispanica
Authors: Maleita C. , Curtis R. , Abrantes I. 
Published: January 2012

The life cycle of a Portuguese Meloidogyne hispanica isolate on susceptible cv. Easypeel and resistant (Mi‐1.2 gene) cv. Rossol tomato plants was studied in growth chambers at constant temperatures (10–35°C). The development within the egg and hatching were compared to those of a Portuguese M. arenaria isolate. The base temperature was 10·11 and 8·31°C with 179·5 and 235·3 thermal units for M. hispanica and M. arenaria, respectively, suggesting better potential adaptation to low temperatures by M. arenaria than M. hispanica. No egg development occurred at 10 or 35°C. An increase in invasion of tomato roots by M. hispanica second‐stage juveniles (J2s) was correlated with an increase in temperature on both tomato cultivars. Tomato cv. Rossol limited M. hispanica development at 20, 25 and 30°C, but not at 35°C, indicating that these high temperatures blocked the resistance mechanism provided by the Mi‐1.2 gene. At 15°C, J2s penetrated tomato cv. Rossol roots, but failed to develop and establish feeding sites. On tomato cv. Easypeel, nematode development and reproduction occurred at 20, 25 and 30°C, but at 20°C the life cycle was 1·5 and 2·0 times longer than at 25 and 30°C, respectively. No egg production was observed at 15°C. The results of this study showed that M. hispanica is most suited to soil temperatures around 25°C. Predicted climate change might favour the spread of this nematode species into southern Europe and northwards. The thermal requirements for M. hispanica development are analysed and compared with those of M. arenaria, M. hapla, M. incognita and M. javanica.
Effects of repeated treatment with MDMA on working memory and behavioural flexibility in mice
Authors: Viñals Xavier , Maldonado Rafael , Robledo Patricia 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTRepeated administration of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) produces dopaminergic neurotoxicity in mice. However, it is still not clear whether this exposure induces deficits in cognitive processing related to specific subsets of executive functioning. We evaluated the effects of neurotoxic and non‐neurotoxic doses of MDMA (0, 3 and 30 mg/kg, twice daily for 4 days) on working memory and attentional set‐shifting in mice, and changes in extracellular levels of dopamine (DA) in the striatum. Treatment with MDMA (30 mg/kg) disrupted performance of acquired operant alternation, and this impairment was still apparent 5 days after the last drug administration. Decreased alternation was not related to anhedonia because no differences were observed between groups in the saccharin preference test under similar experimental conditions. Correct responding on delayed alternation was increased 1 day after repeated treatment with MDMA (30 mg/kg), probably because of general behavioural quiescence. Notably, the high dose regimen of MDMA impaired attentional set‐shifting related to an increase in total perseveration errors. Finally, basal extracellular levels of DA in the striatum were not modified in mice repeatedly treated with MDMA with respect to controls. However, an acute challenge with MDMA (10 mg/kg) failed to increase DA outflow in mice receiving the highest MDMA dose (30 mg/kg), corroborating a decrease in the functionality of DA transporters. Seven days after this treatment, the effects of MDMA on DA outflow were recovered. These results suggest that repeated neurotoxic doses of MDMA produce lasting impairments in recall of alternation behaviour and reduce cognitive flexibility in mice.
Early pain after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. A qualitative systematic review
Authors: TOLVER M. A. , ROSENBERG J. , BISGAARD T. 
Published: January 2012

BackgroundEarly post‐operative pain after laparoscopic groin hernia repair may, as in other laparoscopic operations, have its own individual pain pattern and patient‐related predictors of early pain. The purpose of this review was to characterise pain within the first post‐operative week after transabdominal pre‐peritoneal repair (TAPP) and total extraperitoneal repair (TEP), and to identify patient‐related predictors of early pain.MethodsA qualitative systematic review was conducted. Pubmed, Embase, CINAHL, and the Cochrane database were searched for studies on early pain (first week) after TAPP or TEP.ResultsWe included 71 eligible studies with 14,023 patients. Post‐operative pain is most severe on day 0 and mainly on a level of 13–58 mm on a visual analogue scale and decreases to low levels on day 3. There seems to be no difference in pain intensity and duration when TEP and TAPP are compared. Deep abdominal pain (i.e. groin pain/visceral pain) dominates over superficial pain (i.e. somatic pain) and shoulder pain (i.e. referred pain) after TAPP. Predictors of early pain are young age and pre‐operative high pain response to experimental heat stimulation. Furthermore, evidence supported early pain intensity as a predictive risk factor of chronic pain after laparoscopic groin hernia repair.ConclusionEarly pain within the first week after TAPP and TEP is most severe on the first post‐operative day, and the pain pattern is dominated by deep abdominal pain. Early post‐operative pain is most intense in younger patients and can be predicted by pre‐operative high pain response to experimental heat stimulation.
Inbreeding alters volatile signalling phenotypes and influences tri‐trophic interactions in horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.)
Authors: Kariyat Rupesh R. , Mauck Kerry E. , De Moraes Consuelo M. , Stephenson Andrew G. , Mescher Mark C. 
Published: January 2012

Ecology Letters (2012) 15: 301–309AbstractThe ecological consequences of inter‐individual variation in plant volatile emissions remain largely unexplored. We examined the effects of inbreeding on constitutive and herbivore‐induced volatile emissions in horsenettle (Solanum carolinense L.) and on the composition of the insect community attracted to herbivore‐damaged and undamaged plants in the field. Inbred plants exhibited higher constitutive emissions, but weaker induction of volatiles following herbivory. Moreover, many individual compounds previously implicated in the recruitment of predators and parasitoids (e.g. terpenes) were induced relatively weakly (or not at all) in inbred plants. In trapping experiments, undamaged inbred plants attracted greater numbers of generalist insect herbivores than undamaged outcrossed plants. But inbred plants recruited fewer herbivore natural enemies (predators and parasitoids) when damaged. Taken together, these findings suggest that inbreeding depression negatively impacts the overall pattern of volatile emissions – increasing the apparency of undamaged plants to herbivores, while reducing the recruitment of predatory insects to herbivore‐damaged plants.
Sexual function with localized prostate cancer: active surveillance vs radical therapy
Authors: van den Bergh Roderick C.N. , Korfage Ida J. , Roobol Monique J. , Bangma Chris H. , de Koning Harry J. , Steyerberg Ewout W. , Essink‐Bot Marie‐Louise 
Published: January 2012

Study Type – Outcomes (cohort sample)Level of Evidence 2bWhat's known on the subject? and What does the study add?The study compares the sexual function of men with low‐risk prostate cancer who chose active surveillance (expectant management) with similar men who received radiation therapy or radical prostatectomy. The first group appeared to be sexually active more frequently and had less erectile dysfunction. The study was non‐randomized.No other studies exist on the effect of active surveillance on sexual function vs other treatment methods.OBJECTIVE
To compare sexual function of men with localized prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance (AS) with similar patients who received radical therapy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Two groups of men with screening‐detected localized PCa were compared. The first were men on AS within the prospective protocol‐based Prostate Cancer Research International: Active Surveillance study. The second were men participating in the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer study who had received radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiation therapy (RT).
Questionnaires were completed at two different timepoints after diagnosis or treatment (6 and 12–18 months). These contained 10 items on sexual function, the mental and physical component summary from the Short‐Form 12‐item health survey, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale depression measure and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory general anxiety measure.
Sexual function was compared between groups, and determinants were analysed in multivariable analysis, adjusting for baseline differences.
RESULTS
A total of 65–68% of men on AS, 35–36% of those who underwent RP, 36–37% of those who underwent RT and 36% of men in the RP and RT groups combined (combined Tx) were sexually active.
A total of 20–30% of men in the AS group, 86–91% of men in the RP group, 56–60% of men in the RT group and 71–76% of men in the combined Tx group were sexually inactive as a result of erectile dysfunction.
A total of 44–51% of men in the AS group, 96% of men in the RP group, 73–76% of men in the RT group and 84–85% of men in the combined Tx group who were sexually active had problems getting or keeping an erection.
In multivariable analysis these differences were significant, except for AS vs RT.
CONCLUSIONS
Men with localized PCa on AS were more often sexually active than similar men who received radical therapy, especially RP. If not sexually active, this was less often attributable to erectile dysfunction for those on AS. If sexually active, this was less often associated with problems getting or keeping an erection for those on AS.
The study was non‐randomized; the latest advances in RP and RT might impact results.
THE DISTANCE PUZZLE AND LOW‐INCOME COUNTRIES: AN UPDATE
Authors: Carrère Céline , de Melo Jaime , Wilson John 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThe ‘distance effect' measuring the elasticity of trade flows to distance has been found to be rising since the early 1970s in a host of studies based on the gravity model, leading observers to call it the ‘distance puzzle'. However, this puzzle is regularly challenged by new developments in the specification of the gravity equation or in its estimations. We propose an original survey on the existing methods used to quantify the distance puzzle – basically the computation of an average distance of trade, a meta‐analysis on existing gravity papers and the implementation of recent econometric developments, all on a well‐specified gravity equation both in cross‐section and panel data. We apply all these methods to a unique large database (124 countries from 1970 to 2006). It appears that if all these new developments can change the amplitude of the increase in the trade elasticity to distance, none solve the distance puzzle. We confirm the existence of this puzzle and identify that it only applies to low‐income countries which exhibit a significant rising distance effect on their trade of around 18% between 1970 and 2006 while the distance ‘puzzle' for trade within richer countries disappears.
URBANIZATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN STATURE
Authors: Treme Julianne , Craig Lee A. 
Published: January 2012

ABSTRACTEconomic growth has not always generated improvements in a population's health. Biological indicators of human well‐being, including stature, suggest the march to prosperity was not a steady one, and these biological indicators offer estimates of the health costs associated with modern economic growth. We employ an international data set to study the socioeconomic benefits and health costs associated with the transition to modern economic growth during the nineteenth century. We find that while the growth of GDP per capita had a positive impact on the stature of Western populations, prior to the mastery of the germ theory of disease, urbanization had a strong negative impact.
Representing and intervening: ‘doing’ good care in first trimester prenatal knowledge production and decision‐making
Authors: Schwennesen Nete , Koch Lene 
Published: January 2012

AbstractThis article investigates processes of knowledge production and decision‐making in the practice of the first trimester prenatal risk assessment (FTPRA) at an ultrasound clinic in Denmark. On the basis of ethnographic material and interviews with professionals facilitating FTPRAs in Denmark, we draw attention to the active engagement of health professionals in this process. Current professional and policy debate over the use of prenatal testing emphasises the need for informed choice making and for services that provide prospective parents with what is referred to as ‘non‐directive counselling’. Studies focusing on professional practice of prenatal counselling tend to deal mainly with how professionals fail to live up to such ideals in practice. In this article we extend such studies by drawing attention to practices of care in prenatal testing and counselling. In doing so, we identify three modes of ‘doing’ good care: attuning expectations and knowledge, allowing resistance and providing situated influence in the relationship between the pregnant woman and the professional. Such practices may not be seen as immediately compatible with the non‐directive ethos, but they express ways of reducing emotional suffering and supporting a pregnant woman’s ability to make meaningful choices on the basis of uncertain knowledge. As such, these practices can be seen as representing another (caring) solution to the problem of paternalism and authoritarian power. In opposition to an ethics aiming at non‐interference (non‐directiveness) such modes of doing good care express an ethics of being locally accountable for the ways in which programmes of prenatal testing intervene in pregnant women’s lives and of taking responsibility for the entities and phenomena that emerge through such knowledge production.
The Billboardization of Metro Manila
Authors: GOMEZ, JR. JOSÉ EDGARDO ABAYA 
Published: January 2012

AbstractMetropolitan Manila, a major Southeast‐Asian conurbation, has become increasingly unsightly due to the poorly‐regulated proliferation of billboards and other forms of outdoor advertising that threaten to distract, if not overwhelm, motorists, commuters and pedestrians. Field research however, reveals land use patterns in the seemingly wanton sprawl, as well as little‐known stakeholders whose network drives the advertising industry. With the current lack of coordination between government agencies, the situation threatens to deteriorate, unless insights from political geography and urban planning can be used by policymakers to craft rules based on a holistic understanding of the key physical, economic and sociopolitical forces described in this study.RésuméLa métropole de Manille, conurbation de premier plan du sud‐est asiatique, s'enlaidit sans cesse par la prolifération quasiment non réglementée de panneaux d'affichage ou autres formes de publicité extérieure qui menacent de distraire, voire de submerger, automobilistes, voyageurs pendulaires et piétons. Les études sur le terrain mettent pourtant en évidence des schémas d'occupation des sols dans une expansion d'apparence irresponsable, ainsi que des acteurs peu connus dont le réseau dynamise le secteur publicitaire. Étant donnée l'absence actuelle de coordination entre organes gouvernementaux, la situation risque de s'aggraver, sauf si les décideurs politiques peuvent bénéficier de l'éclairage de la géographie politique et de l'urbanisme pour concevoir des règles fondées sur une compréhension holistique des principales forces physiques, économiques et sociopolitiques qui s'exercent et que décrit cette étude.