bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mate location and antennal morphology in the praying mantidHierodula majuscula
Authors: Allen Louise E , Barry Katherine L , Holwell Gregory I 
Published: September 2011

AbstractMany sensory modes can be exploited to determine the location of potential mates. In insects, long‐distance location primarily involves chemical or acoustic cues, whereas short‐distance communication mainly utilises visual or tactile cues. The structural complexity of the environment may influence the transmission of information, and therefore, it is common to see multiple sensory modes employed to increase the likelihood of accurate mate location. Praying mantids are known to use airborne chemicals for long‐distance location and visual cues in close proximity. This study examined which types of cues are used for mate location in an unstudied species,Hierodula majuscula, from Queensland, Australia. The timing of female pheromone emission during ‘calling’ periods reached a peak at 3:00 h, with the majority of females assuming a calling posture at this time. Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm the presence of basiconic sensilla (used for chemical reception) on male antennae, and males successfully responded to female chemical cues and subsequently located potential mates. Males were not as successful at finding females when restricted to using visual cues.
Long‐term administration of prazosin improves bladder storage function: Results from a study in spontaneously hypertensive rats
Authors: Haga Nobuhiro , Aikawa Ken , Ishibashi Kei , Yanagida Tomohiko , Nomiya Masanori , Takahashi Norio , Shiomi Homare , Oguro Toshiki , Ogawa Souichiro , Yamaguchi Osamu 
Published: September 2011

Objectives:  To investigate the effects of long‐term administration of the α1‐adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin on afferent inputs from the lower urinary tract (LUT).Methods:  Twenty female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were randomized to receive a 4‐week course of prazosin (0.12 mg/kg per day) or vehicle; 10 female Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats were given vehicle. Prazosin or vehicle was administered via an osmotic pump. The effect of prazosin on urodynamic parameters was determined by continuous cystometry in conscious animals. After cystometry, rats were killed and c‐fos expression in the dorsal horn of the L6 spinal cord was measured by immunohistochemistry.Results:  The bladder contraction interval was significantly shorter in untreated SHR compared with WKY rats (2.36 ± 0 vs 4.27 ± 0.12 min, respectively; P < 0.05) and cystometric capacity was decreased significantly in SHR compared with WKY rats. L6 spinal cord c‐Fos expression was also significantly greater in SHR than WKY rats. The administration of prazosin significantly increased the micturition interval (4.07 ± 0.58 min; P < 0.05) and bladder capacity, but it did not affect micturition pressure. In SHR, the number of c‐Fos‐positive neurons was significantly lower following the administration of prazosin compared with vehicle.Conclusions:  Increased afferent input from the LUT may induce an increase in urinary frequency in SHR. Furthermore, long‐term administration of prazosin can exert inhibitory effects on afferent pathways from the LUT during the storage phase. Reductions of afferent input can result in increased bladder capacity and increased micturition interval.
Predicting the environmental niche of the genusPhymaturus: Arepallumaandpatagonicusgroups ecologically differentiated?
Authors: DEBANDI GUILLERMO , CORBALÁN VALERIA , SCOLARO JOSÉ ALEJANDRO , ROIG‐JUÑENT SERGIO ALBERTO 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe genusPhymaturus(Reptilia: Liolaemidae) is distributed in the mountains and rocky plateaux of Argentina and Chile and comprises two groups of species,pallumaandpatagonicus. The two lineages have diverged early in the evolution of the genus and up to today, there is very little geographical overlap between them. We worked with records of localities from the literature, herpetological collections and field data to evaluate habitat suitability of the genusPhymaturus. We used 11 environmental variables to develop environmental niche models (ENMs) for each group within the genus using the Maxent software, and to determine those variables that best explain the distribution of each group. We also estimated measures of niche similarity using ENMTools to determine whether niche differentiation is real or apparent. The geographical overlap between the groups was very low considering the large geographical range of the genus. Some variables, such as mean annual temperature, soil type and bare soil cover, have a high contribution to the models for both groups. The current niche overlap betweenPhymaturusgroups indicates that the environmental niches of thepallumaandpatagonicusgroups are not equivalent. Based on background analysis, we cannot reject the hypothesis that similarity (or divergence) between groups ofPhymaturusis no more than expected based on the availability of habitat. The results of this study are a first approximation to the knowledge of the environmental variables associated with thepallumaandpatagonicusgroups, and reveal that the ecological differences found between these groups are more likely due to habitat availability in their respective regions than to differences in habitat preferences.
Influence of contrasting availabilities of water and nutrients on the radiation use efficiency in C3 and C4 grasses
Authors: CRISTIANO PIEDAD M. , POSSE GABRIELA , DI BELLA CARLOS M. , BOCA TERESA 
Published: September 2011

AbstractThe radiation use efficiency (RUE) model is one of the most used tools to generate large spatial and temporal scale net primary productivity (NPP) estimations by remote sensing. It involves two key issues to make accurate estimations of NPP: the estimation of the fraction of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) intercepted by vegetation (fPAR) and the estimation of the plant RUE. The objectives of this work were to quantify the above‐ground RUE under optimal water and nutrient conditions in two C3 and one C4 grass species and to analyse the effect of restrictions in these factors upon RUE by comparing both metabolic pathways. Grasses were cultivated from seeds and four treatments combining contrasting availabilities of water and nutrients were applied. RUE values were calculated from measurements of the incoming PAR, fPAR and productivity. In each of the species, plants with sufficient water and nutrients showed the highest RUE (2.61–3.52 g MJ−1), whereas those with deficiencies in both resources presented the lowest RUE (1.15–2.39 g MJ−1). Cynodon dactylon (C4) was the species with higher value of RUE and no significant differences were detected between treatments. However, no significant differences were detected between C. dactylon and D. glomerata under no stress treatment (N1W1) and between C. dactylon and L. perenne under water stress treatment (N1W0). RUE values of Dactylis glomerata (C3) diminished if only one of the two stress factors was presented, while Lolium perenne (C3) only when both stress factors were present. The decreases under stress treatments were between 35% and 60% compared with the no stress treatment. When regional NPP is estimated it is therefore important to take into account the decrease in the RUE, especially in areas under severe stress.
The role of Δ6‐desaturase acyl‐carrier specificity in the efficient synthesis of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in transgenic plants
Authors: Sayanova Olga , Ruiz‐Lopez Noemi , Haslam Richard P. , Napier Johnathan A. 
Published: September 2011

SummaryThe role of acyl‐CoA‐dependent Δ6‐desaturation in the heterologous synthesis of omega‐3 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids was systematically evaluated in transgenic yeast and Arabidopsis thaliana. The acyl‐CoA Δ6‐desaturase from the picoalga Ostreococcus tauri and orthologous activities from mouse (Mus musculus) and salmon (Salmo salar) were shown to generate substantial levels of Δ6‐desaturated acyl‐CoAs, in contrast to the phospholipid‐dependent Δ6‐desaturases from higher plants that failed to modify this metabolic pool. Transgenic plants expressing the acyl‐CoA Δ6‐desaturases from either O. tauri or salmon, in conjunction with the two additional activities required for the synthesis of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids, contained higher levels of eicosapentaenoic acid compared with plants expressing the borage phospholipid‐dependent Δ6‐desaturase. The use of acyl‐CoA‐dependent Δ6‐desaturases almost completely abolished the accumulation of unwanted biosynthetic intermediates such as γ‐linolenic acid in total seed lipids. Expression of acyl‐CoA Δ6‐desaturases resulted in increased distribution of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in the polar lipids of transgenic plants, reflecting the larger substrate pool available for acylation by enzymes of the Kennedy pathway. Expression of the O. tauriΔ6‐desaturase in transgenic Camelina sativa plants also resulted in the accumulation of high levels of Δ6‐desaturated fatty acids. This study provides evidence for the efficacy of using acyl‐CoA‐dependent Δ6‐desaturases in the efficient metabolic engineering of transgenic plants with high value traits such as the synthesis of omega‐3 LC‐PUFAs.
Swedish Farmers Talking about Nature – A Study of the Interrelations between Farmers' Values and the Sociocultural Notion of Naturintresse
Authors: Boonstra Wiebren J. , Ahnström Johan , Hallgren Lars 
Published: September 2011

AbstractAgro‐environmental schemes (AES) aim to counteract declining biodiversity on farmland and to improve ecosystem services, such as pollination and pest regulation. Studies show, however, that an involvement in AES does not lead to any substantive cognitive or motivational change in farmers' behaviour. Hermeneutic studies have tried to explain these modest effects by analysing farmers' mentalities and behaviour. This article contributes to these studies by using self‐identifications and stories of 16 Swedish farmers about nature and AES to create a typology of different farmers' valuations. In pursuit of this objective the article establishes a conceptual link between these hermeneutic studies and so‐called farming style analysis (FSA). The study lays bare latent points of friction between the views of these farmers and more conventional sociocultural notions about nature and nature conservation.
Empire, Subalternity, and Ijtihād: Two Muslim Women's Leadership Models in the Post‐9/11 US
Authors: Ahmed Fauzia Erfan 
Published: September 2011

AbstractBinary stereotypes silence Muslim women in post 9/11 America, but little has been written about how Muslim women's leadership can enable voice. This article presents two leadership models based on the philosophy of ijtihād (independent reasoning), which facilitate self‐worth and solidarity, key elements of voice. The less visible spiritual colleague model, which has a followership of practising Muslim women, facilitates self‐worth through ijtihād, allowing women to seek self‐definition through their own interpretation of the Qur'ān. As strategy, the leader converts her home into a space which is simultaneously sacred and political where such informal discussions take place around religious rituals. The public bridge‐builder model creates solidarity between and among its following of practising and nonpractising Muslims and non‐Muslim men and women. The strategy focuses on effective dialogue between different groups. Ijtihād as discourse in pursuit of knowledge (‘ilm) creates equality and respect, the basis of sustainable alliances.
The importance of a multifaceted approach to characterizing the microbial flora of chronic wounds
Authors: Han Anne , Zenilman Jonathan M. , Melendez Johan H. , Shirtliff Mark E. , Agostinho Alessandra , James Garth , Stewart Philip S. , Mongodin Emmanuel F. , Rao Dhana , Rickard Alexander H. , Lazarus Gerald S. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractChronic wounds contain complex polymicrobial communities of sessile organisms that have been underappreciated because of limitations of standard culture techniques. The aim of this work was to combine recently developed next‐generation investigative techniques to comprehensively describe the microbial characteristics of chronic wounds. Tissue samples were obtained from 15 patients with chronic wounds presenting to the Johns Hopkins Wound Center. Standard bacteriological cultures demonstrated an average of three common bacterial species in wound samples. By contrast, high‐throughput pyrosequencing revealed increased bacterial diversity with an average of 17 genera in each wound. Data from microbial community profiling of chronic wounds were compared with published sequenced analyses of bacteria from normal skin. Increased proportions of anaerobes, Gram‐negative rods and Gram‐positive cocci were found in chronic wounds. In addition, chronic wounds had significantly lower populations of Propionibacterium compared with normal skin. Using epifluorescence microscopy, wound bacteria were visualized in highly organized thick confluent biofilms or as scattered individual bacterial cells. Fluorescent in situ hybridization allowed for the visualization of Staphylococcus aureus cells in a wound sample. Quorum‐sensing molecules were measured by bioassay to evaluate signaling patterns among bacteria in the wounds. A range of autoinducer‐2 activities was detected in the wound samples. Collectively, these data provide new insights into the identity, organization, and behavior of bacteria in chronic wounds. Such information may provide important clues to effective future strategies in wound healing.
The electric field near human skin wounds declines with age and provides a noninvasive indicator of wound healing
Authors: Nuccitelli Richard , Nuccitelli Pamela , Li Changyi , Narsing Suman , Pariser David M. , Lui Kaying 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDue to the transepidermal potential of 15–50 mV, inside positive, an injury current is driven out of all human skin wounds. The flow of this current generates a lateral electric field within the epidermis that is more negative at the wound edge than at regions more lateral from the wound edge. Electric fields in this region could be as large as 40 mV/mm, and electric fields of this magnitude have been shown to stimulate human keratinocyte migration toward the wounded region. After flowing out of the wound, the current returns through the space between the epidermis and stratum corneum, generating a lateral field above the epidermis in the opposite direction. Here, we report the results from the first clinical trial designed to measure this lateral electric field adjacent to human skin wounds noninvasively. Using a new instrument, the Dermacorder®, we found that the mean lateral electric field in the space between the epidermis and stratum corneum adjacent to a lancet wound in 18–25‐year‐olds is 107–148 mV/mm, 48% larger on average than that in 65–80‐year‐olds. We also conducted extensive measurements of the lateral electric field adjacent to mouse wounds as they healed and compared this field with histological sections through the wound to determine the correlation between the electric field and the rate of epithelial wound closure. Immediately after wounding, the average lateral electric field was 122 ± 9 mV/mm. When the wound is filled in with a thick, disorganized epidermal layer, the mean field falls to 79 ± 4 mV/mm. Once this epidermis forms a compact structure with only three cell layers, the mean field is 59 ± 5 mV/mm. Thus, the peak‐to‐peak spatial variation in surface potential is largest in fresh wounds and slowly declines as the wound closes. The rate of wound healing is slightly greater when wounds are kept moist as expected, but we could find no correlation between the amplitude of the electric field and the rate of wound healing.
Stromal cell‐derived factor 1 (SDF‐1) and its receptor CXCR4 in the formation of postburn hypertrophic scar (HTS)
Authors: Ding Jie , Hori Keijiro , Zhang Rainny , Marcoux Yvonne , Honardoust Dariush , Shankowsky Heather A. , Tredget Edward E. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractRecent data support the involvement of stromal cell‐derived factor 1 (SDF‐1) in the homing of bone marrow‐derived stem cells to wound sites during skeletal, myocardial, vascular, lung, and skin wound repair as well as some fibrotic disorders via its receptor CXCR4. In this study, the role of SDF‐1/CXCR4 signaling in the formation of hypertrophic scar (HTS) following burn injury and after treatment with systemic interferon α2b (IFNα2b) is investigated. Studies show SDF‐1/CXCR4 signaling was up‐regulated in burn patients, including SDF‐1 level in HTS tissue and serum as well as CD14+CXCR4+ cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In vitro, dermal fibroblasts constitutively expressed SDF‐1 and deep dermal fibroblasts expressed more SDF‐1 than superficial fibroblasts. Lipopolysaccharide increased SDF‐1 gene expression in fibroblasts. Also, recombinant SDF‐1 and lipopolysaccharide stimulated fibroblast‐conditioned medium up‐regulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell mobility. In the burn patients with HTS who received subcutaneous IFNα2b treatment, increased SDF‐1/CXCR4 signaling was found prior to treatment which was down‐regulated after IFNα2b administration, coincident with enhanced remodeling of their HTS. Our results suggest that SDF‐1/CXCR4 signaling is involved in the development of HTS by promoting migration of activated CD14+CXCR4+ cells from the bloodstream to wound sites, where they may differentiate into fibrocyte and myofibroblasts and contribute to the development of HTS.
Management of Coronary Artery Disease in End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Roberts John K. , Patel Uptal D. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractDespite a substantial number of patients with end‐stage renal disease who have coronary artery disease, the comparative effectiveness of revascularization procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting and percutaneous coronary intervention remain unclear. Innovations in the field of coronary artery revascularization and concomitant changes in the standard of practice have improved outcomes in general. However, meaningful clinical decision‐making remains difficult because it requires clinicians to extrapolate evidence derived from studies in the general population to patients with kidney disease for whom there is limited information from intervention trials. In non‐randomized studies, this high‐risk population for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality appear to derive substantial benefits from coronary revascularization. However, specific treatment decisions are often made based upon individual circumstances and contexts that are not well captured in these studies. This article reviews the available evidence, and its limitations, for deciding between various revascularization strategies for patients with end‐stage renal disease. Several considerations that arise while making such decisions are discussed.
A Proposed Approach to the Dialysis Prescription in Severely Hyponatremic Patients with End‐Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Wendland Erik M. , Kaplan Andre A. 
Published: September 2011

AbstractPatients with renal failure and severe hyponatremia present a therapeutic dilemma. Conventional hemodialysis is necessary to correct blood chemistries and volume overload, yet it may raise serum sodium (Na) too quickly, potentially resulting in osmotic demyelination syndrome. We present the case of a patient who presented with renal failure requiring dialysis and also with a serum Na of 112 mEq/l. Using a dialysate Na concentration of 130 mEq/l and by limiting the blood flow to 50 ml/minute, we were able to raise her serum Na by only 2 mEq/l/hour during her hemodialysis treatment and thus control both the rate and total change in the patient’s serum Na.
Thermoelectric Properties of Undoped and Doped (Ti0.75Sn0.25)O2
Authors: Dynys Frederick W. , Berger Marie‐Helene , Sehirlioglu Alp 
Published: September 2011

Thermoelectric properties of undoped and doped (Ti0.75Sn0.25)O2 were investigated for high‐temperature thermoelectric conversion application. Nano‐composites were formed by annealing above 1000°C. Outside the spinodal dome, ilmenite‐type SnTiO3 precipitated from the rutile structure. Thermoelectric properties were measured in the temperature range from room temperature to 1000°C. (Ti0.75Sn0.25)O2 was doped with both acceptor and donor dopants. Both undoped and doped (Ti0.75Sn0.25)O2 exhibit n‐type electrical behavior independent of the type of the dopant. The electrical conductivity was enhanced three orders of magnitude by donor doping with Nb2O5 or Ta2O5; achieving a maximum of 546 S/m at 850°C. The increase in electrical conductivity was accompanied by reduction of the absolute Seebeck coefficient. Seebeck coefficient reduction of −600 μV/K was observed between undoped and 4% Ta2O5 doped samples. The solid solution and doping reduced the thermal conductivity to <4 W/mK, far below the parent materials TiO2 and SnO2. Lattice thermal conductivity decreased with increasing temperature, achieving 1.9 W/mK at 900°C for 4% Ta2O5 doping. No further reduction in thermal conductivity was observed in annealed samples containing nano‐sized SnTiO3 precipitates. Dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) attained was <0.1.
Structure and the Electrical Properties of Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 – Zirconia Composites
Authors: Benčan Andreja , Malič Barbara , Drnovšek Silvo , Tellier Jenny , Rojac Tadej , Pavlič Jernej , Kosec Marija , Webber Kyle G. , Rödel Jürgen , Damjanovič Dragan 
Published: September 2011

In this work, the effect of introducing tetragonal yttria‐stabilized zirconia (TZ) particles in soft [Pb0.98Ba0.01][(Zr0.53Ti0.47)0.98Nb0.02]O3 (PZT) was investigated. Both microstructure and electrical properties of the PZT–xTZ (x = 0, 2, 5, 10, 20 vol%) composites were studied and correlated. The addition of zirconia hinders the matrix grain growth, resulting in smaller grains. According to X‐ray diffraction analysis, zirconia containing composites have a higher rhombohedral‐to‐tetragonal phase ratio, in addition to lower dielectric and piezoelectric properties, in comparison to pure PZT. Electrical properties, in terms of strain– and polarization–electric field hysteresis curves, are presented and correlated with the observed phase compositions and microstructures. The extrinsic contribution to the piezoelectric properties in PZT and PZT–xTZ was studied by measuring the frequency and the stress field amplitude dependences of the piezoelectric d33 coefficient.