bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SOCIAL SUPPORT DISPARITIES FOR CAREGIVERS OF AIDS‐ORPHANED CHILDREN IN SOUTH AFRICA
Authors: Kuo Caroline , Fitzgerald Jane , Operario Don , Casale Marisa 
Published: July 2012

Drawing upon a sample of 1,599 adults caring for children in HIV‐endemic Umlazi Township in South Africa, this cross‐sectional survey investigated whether perceived social support varied among caregivers of AIDS‐orphaned children (n = 359) as compared with caregivers of children orphaned by other causes (n = 171) and caregivers of nonorphaned children (n = 1,069). Results of multivariate linear regressions indicate that caregivers of AIDS‐orphaned children reported significantly lower levels of social support compared with caregivers of other‐orphaned children and nonorphaned children independent of socio‐demographic covariates. Caregivers of other‐orphaned and nonorphaned children reported similar levels of social support. In terms of sources of support, all caregivers were more likely to draw support from family and significant others rather than friends. These findings indicate a need to develop interventions that can increase levels of social support for caregivers of AIDS‐orphaned children, particularly networks that include friends and significant others.
Qualitative study of young, adult, and aged wistar rats temporomandibular synovial membrane employing light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy
Authors: Duro Christiano Cony , Ciena Adriano Polican , De Almeida Sonia Regina Yokomizo , Da Silva Righetti Marta Maria , De Freitas Grisolia Débora , Issa João Paulo Mardegan , Da Silva Marcelo Cavenaghi Pereira , Watanabe Ii‐sei 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to analyze the rat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) synovial membrane at different ages using light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Under light microscopic analysis, the TMJ structures were observed such as condyle, capsule, disk, the synovial membrane collagen type, and cells distribution. In the scanning electron microscopy, the synovial membrane surface exhibited a smooth aspect in young animals and there was an increase with ageing in the number of folds. The transmission electron microscopic analysis showed more synoviocytes in the synovial layer in the young group and still a great number of vesicles and cisterns dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum in the aged group. In the three groups, a dense layer of collagen fibers in the synovial layer and cytoplasmic extensions were clearly seen. It was possible to conclude that synovial membrane structures in aged group showed alterations contributing to the decrease in joint lubrication and in the sliding between disk and joint surfaces. These characteristic will reflect in biomechanics of chewing, and may cause the TMJ disorders, currently observed in clinical processes. Microsc. Res. Tech. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphology of immature stages of Dohrniphora cornuta (Bigot) (Diptera: Phoridae)
Authors: Feng Dian‐Xing , Liu Guang‐Chun 
Published: July 2012

AbstractMorphology of all larval instars and puparium of Dohrniphora cornuta (Bigot), a most common phorid fly species indoors in China, is presented using scanning electron microscopy. The first instar larva was composed of 12 segments, each of segments 3–11 with six slender tubercles situated dorsally, dorsolaterally, and laterally in transverse row. These tubercles divided into two segments, of which the basal one was smooth, and the brush‐shaped distal one was comprised of a cluster of fine spines. Antennae and maxillary palp complex were visible. Two slits could be seen at the posterior spiracle. Besides the presence of anterior spiracle, the tubercles of second instar became stouter than those of first instar and were covered by numerous long bristles from the base to top. The posterior spiracle contained four slits. Third larval instar was similar to second instar. The bubble membrane comprised of ≈120 globules with a pointed tip on their top presented at the segment 5 of third instar larvae. Puparia showed a retracted cephalic region and a pair of distinct pupal respiratory horns on the dorsum. The respiratory horns were long and bore numerous branches from base to apex. The apex of branch with two longitudinal slits was relatively broad and curled dorsally. Microsc. Res. Tech. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of irrigation solutions on the surface of protaper instruments: A microscopy study
Authors: Sağlam Baran Can , Koçak Sibel , Koçak Mustafa Murat , Topuz ÖZgür 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX), and mixture of tetracycline, citric acid, and detergent (MTAD) solutions on the surfaces of nickel titanium (NiTi) rotary files with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Irrigation solutions including 2.5% NaOCl, 5% NaOCl, 2% CHX, and MTAD were used. Four new ProTaper rotary NiTi files (F3) were immersed in each four irrigation solutions for 10 min, separately. One untreated NiTi file was used as a control specimen. The surface analysis was performed with SEM and AFM. The surface analysis in AFM was performed on 12 different regions located between first and second millimeters from the tip. SEM images were taken with different magnifications. No surface alteration was recorded under SEM evaluation. AFM revealed that the root mean square (RMS) values of all treated specimens were statistically higher than the control sample (P < 0.05). The sample which was treated with CHX showed lowest RMS values in test groups. All tested solutions caused surface alterations. CHX demonstrated limited surface alterations when compared to the other tested solutions. Microsc. Res. Tech. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Seasonal Variation in Sensitivity of the Photoperiodic Response System in the Subtropical Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus)
Authors: Dixit Anand S. , Singh Namram S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe investigated seasonal variations in response to photoperiods in subtropical tree sparrow (Passer montanus), by examining the effects of long and short days on stimulation of response and termination of refractoriness, respectively. We also assessed whether photoperiodic effects were sex dependent. In one study, wild sparrows were transferred in each month of the year to artificial long days (14L/10D) for 12 weeks. Birds transferred from November to March (female) or April (male) showed gradual increase in gonadal growth and darkening of bill color, while those transferred from April (female) or May (male) to July underwent gradual regression in the above responses. Moult in the wing primaries and body feathers progressed with gonadal regression and the birds transferred from April/May to October exhibited gradual increase and decrease in feathers moult. In another study, 6 weeks of short day (9L/15D) exposure could recover responsivity to long days in refractory birds. Male and female birds responded almost in similar fashion with some variations. Overall, our results show a gradual change over seasons in responsiveness of the endogenous response system to stimulatory effects of long day length. They suggest roles of both long and short day lengths in regulation of seasonal cycles in subtropical tree sparrows. J. Exp. Zool. 317A:488–498, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of Temperature, Hypercapnia, and Development on the Relative Expression of Different Hemocyanin Isoforms in the Common Cuttlefish Sepia officinalis
Authors: Strobel Anneli , Hu Marian Y.A. , Gutowska Magdalena A. , Lieb Bernhard , Lucassen Magnus , Melzner Frank , Pörtner Hans O. , Mark Felix C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe cuttlefish Sepia officinalis expresses several hemocyanin isoforms with potentially different pH optima, indicating their reliance on efficient pH regulation in the blood. Ongoing ocean warming and acidification could influence the oxygen‐binding properties of respiratory pigments in ectothermic marine invertebrates. This study examined whether S. officinalis differentially expresses individual hemocyanin isoforms to maintain optimal oxygen transport during development and acclimation to elevated seawater pCO2 and temperature. Using quantitative PCR, we measured relative mRNA expression levels of three different hemocyanin isoforms in several ontogenetic stages (embryos, hatchlings, juveniles, and adults), under different temperatures and elevated seawater pCO2. Our results indicate moderately altered hemocyanin expression in all embryonic stages acclimated to higher pCO2, while hemocyanin expression in hatchlings and juveniles remained unaffected. During the course of development, total hemocyanin expression increased independently of pCO2 or thermal acclimation status. Expression of isoform 3 is reported for the first time in a cephalopod in this study and was found to be generally low but highest in the embryonic stages (0.2% of total expression). Despite variable hemocyanin expression, hemolymph total protein concentrations remained constant in the experimental groups. Our data provide first evidence that ontogeny has a stronger influence on hemocyanin isoform expression than the environmental conditions chosen, and they suggest that hemocyanin protein abundance in response to thermal acclimation is regulated by post‐transcriptional/translational rather than by transcriptional modifications. J. Exp. Zool. 317A:511–523, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Function and Developmental Expression of Alternatively Spliced Isoforms of Amphioxus and Xenopus laevis Pax2/5/8 Genes: Revealing Divergence at the Invertebrate to Vertebrate Transition
Authors: Short Stephen , Kozmik Zbynek , Holland Linda Z. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPax genes encode highly conserved transcription factors vital for metazoan development. Pax transcripts, particularly those in Group II (Pax2/5/8), are extensively alternatively spliced. This study compares the transcriptional activation capacity and developmental stage‐specific expression of major isoforms of Group II Pax proteins in amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) and in Xenopus laevis. The comparison reveals considerable divergence of splice forms between the lineages, with the X. laevis Group II Pax genes (Pax2, Pax5, and Pax8) possessing a greater repertoire of regulated and functionally distinct splice forms than the single amphioxus gene (Pax2/5/8). Surprisingly, some apparently conserved splice forms are expressed at quite different levels during development in the two organisms and present different capacities to activate transcription. However, despite this divergence, the combinatorial transcriptional activation capacity of the isoforms present in early X. laevis and amphioxus development are broadly similar. This suggests that the some of the conserved functional roles, implied by the expression of Group II Pax genes in homologous tissues of amphioxus and X. laevis embryos, may depend upon the combination of isoforms expressed in a particular tissue at a particular time in development. Thus, during early development, the evolutionary constraint on the net effect of several isoforms co‐expressed in a given tissue may be more strict than that on specific isoforms. This flexibility may facilitate the appearance of new exons and splicing patterns in the vertebrate duplicates, leading to isoforms with subtly distinct functions critical to the subsequent development of vertebrate‐specific cell types and structures. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 318B:555–571, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conceptualizing Evolutionary Novelty: Moving Beyond Definitional Debates
Authors: Brigandt Ingo , Love Alan C. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAccording to many biologists, explaining the evolution of morphological novelty and behavioral innovation are central endeavors in contemporary evolutionary biology. These endeavors are inherently multidisciplinary but also have involved a high degree of controversy. One key source of controversy is the definitional diversity associated with the concept of evolutionary novelty, which can lead to contradictory claims (a novel trait according to one definition is not a novel trait according to another). We argue that this diversity should be interpreted in light of a different epistemic role played by the concept of evolutionary novelty—the structuring of a problem space or setting of an explanatory agenda—rather than the concept's capacity to categorize traits as novel. This distinctive role is consistent with the definitional diversity and shows that the concept of novelty benefits ongoing investigation by focusing attention on answering different questions related to comprehending the origins of novelty. A review of recent theoretical and empirical work on evolutionary novelty confirms this interpretation. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 9999B:000–000, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolving practice of hospital medicine and its impact on hospital throughput and efficiencies
Authors: Chadaga Smitha R. , Maher Mary P. , Maller Nancy , Mancini Diana , Mascolo Margherita , Sharma Shailendra , Anderson Mel L. , Chu Eugene S. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractHospitalists are uniquely positioned to implement strategies to improve patient flow and efficiency. Hospital leaders have stated they expect hospitalists to comanage surgical patients, participate in observation units, and screen medical admissions, in addition to providing inpatient care for medical patients. We review how the hospitalists' role in acute inpatient care, surgical comanagement, short stay units, chest pain units, and active bed management has improved throughput and patient flow. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
The role of positive affectivity in team effectiveness during crises
Authors: Kaplan Seth , LaPort Kate , Waller Mary J. 
Published: July 2012

SummaryOrganizational efforts to improve team effectiveness in crisis situations primarily have focused on team training initiatives and, to a lesser degree, on staffing teams with respect to members' ability, experience, and functional backgrounds. Largely neglected in these efforts is the emotional component of crises and, correspondingly, the notion of staffing teams with consideration for their affective makeup. To address this void, we examined the impact of team member dispositional positive affect (PA) on team crisis effectiveness and the role of felt negative emotion in transmitting that influence. A study of 21 nuclear power plant crews engaged in crisis training simulations revealed that homogeneity in PA, but not mean‐level PA, was associated with greater team effectiveness. Mediation analysis suggested that homogeneity in PA leads to greater team effectiveness by reducing the amount of negative emotions that team members experience during crises. Furthermore, homogeneity in PA compensated for lower mean‐level PA in predicting effectiveness. Discussion focuses on the implications of these findings for understanding and further exploring the importance of affective factors and especially team affective composition in team crisis performance. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of impervious surface development on land surface temperature in a subtropical city: Xiamen, China
Authors: Xu Hanqiu , Lin Dongfeng , Tang Fei 
Published: July 2012

AbstractImpervious surface coverage is a quantifiable environmental indicator correlating closely with the urban thermal environment. This study measured the impervious surface development in the subtropical coastal area of Xiamen, southeastern China, and investigated its impact on the regional thermal environment. The Normalized Difference Impervious Surface Index was used to extract impervious surface features of the Xiamen area from the Landsat Thematic Mapper images of 1989, 1996, and 2009, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was implemented to examine how land surface temperature (LST) was related to impervious surface and to some other urban biophysical descriptors such as vegetation and water. Results show that the impervious surface of the study area increased by approximately eight times during the 20 study years. Detailed relationship analysis can find that (1) impervious surface is positively exponentially correlated with LST, while vegetation and water are inversely related to LST; (2) the impervious surface contribution to regional LST change can be up to six times greater than the sum of vegetation and water contributions and (3) each decrement of 10% impervious surface cover with additional 10% green or water space could lower LST by up to 2.9 or 2.5 °C, respectively. These findings would facilitate the regional urban planning strategies to minimize the local temperature rise in future urban growth. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Relationship between ENSO phases with Northwest India winter precipitation
Authors: Dimri A. P. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWinter (December, January, February and March—DJFM) precipitation variability over Northwestern India is examined in association with large scale global forcing of El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). During winter, Northwestern India receives precipitation in the form of snow, by eastward moving synoptic weather systems—western disturbances (WDs). An attempt is made to define relationship between wintertime large scale atmospheric fields with different phases of ENSO. A composite set of El Niño (10 years) and La Niña (8 years) is prepared to analyse role of large scale fields followed by ENSO response with wintertime precipitation over Northwestern India. Significant correlation between the two indicates increased (decreased) precipitation over Northwestern India during warm (cold) phase of ENSO. Higher geopotential height, with stronger southwesterly to northwesterly wind flow suggests more moisture flux from the Caspian and Arabian Sea. Empirical orthogonal function analysis also suggests instance of ENSO impact on Northwest India winter precipitation. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Responses of barley to hypoxia and salinity during seed germination, nutrient uptake, and early plant growth in solution culture
Authors: Kırmızı Serap , Bell Richard W. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe resistance of most plants to salt can be impaired by concurrent waterlogging. However, few studies have examined this interaction during germination and early seedling growth and its implications for nutrient uptake. The aim of the study was to examine the response of germination, early growth, and nutrient uptake to salt (NaCl) and hypoxia applied to barley (Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Stirling), in solution culture. Hypoxia, induced by covering seeds with water, lowered the germination from 94% to 28% but salinity and hypoxia together lowered it further to 13% at 120 mM NaCl. While the germination was 75% at 250 mM NaCl in aerated solution, it was completely inhibited at this NaCl concentration under hypoxia. Sodium ion (Na+) concentrations in germinated seedlings increased with increasing salinity under both aerated and hypoxic conditions during germination, while K+ and Mg+ concentrations were decreased with increasing salinity in 6 d old seedlings. After 20 d, control seedlings had the same dry weights of the roots and shoots with and without hypoxia but at 10 mM NaCl and higher, shoot and root dry weight was depressed with hypoxia. Sodium ion increased in roots and shoots with increased NaCl under both aerated and hypoxic conditions while K+ was depressed when salinity and hypoxia were applied together and Ca2+ was mostly decreased by NaCl. In general, hypoxia had greater effects on nutrient concentrations than NaCl by decreasing N, P, S, Mg, Mn, Zn, and Fe in shoots and by increasing B concentrations. The threshold salinity levels decreased markedly for germination, uptake of a range of nutrients, and for seedling growth of barley under hypoxic compared to well‐aerated conditions.
Verte and Romaine lettuce varieties (Lactuca sativa) show differential responses to high NaCl concentrations
Authors: Mahmoudi Hela , Baâtour Olfa , Huang Jun , Nasri Nawel , Ben Salah Imen , Tarchoun Imen , Zaghdoudi Maha , Gruber Margaret Y. , Lachaâl Mokhtar , Ouerghi Zeineb , Hannoufa Abdelali 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn this study, we report on the relationship between individual antioxidant carotenoids, phenolic fractions, and flavonoids and attenuating NaCl toxicity in two contrasting varieties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L., var. Verte and Romaine), as a means of developing more precise targets for lettuce breeding. In seedling leaves, carotenoid levels increased under NaCl stress in Verte, but remained unchanged in Romaine. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), a soluble polyphenol abundantly present in leaves, was the only phenolic acid that accumulated significantly in both varieties and was predominant under salinity. Remarkably, CGA was more prominent in Verte than Romaine at moderate salinity levels (100 mM). Foliar flavonoid levels were also differentially increased in both seedling types grown under 100 mM NaCl, but dropped significantly in both varieties under 200 mM NaCl. Germination, which was overall more salt‐resistant in Romaine, was significantly increased under salt stress by application of low dosage (10–6 to10–5 M) of CGA to Verte, but not to Romaine. These results suggest that CGA is involved in modulating NaCl‐induced oxidative‐stress responses during seed germination in Verte.
In vivo staining of reduced iron by 2,2′ bipyridine in rice exposed to iron toxicity
Authors: Engel Katrin , Asch Folkard , Becker Mathias 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA protocol for a novel method to visualize Fe(II) in rice tissues is proposed. The method is based on the selective formation of a purple‐red color complex of 2,2′ bipyridine and Fe(II). Rice genotypes were exposed to 18 mM Fe(II) in nutrient solution for 2 d. Root systems of intact plants were subsequently placed in 2,2′ bipyridine solutions. The formation of the [Fe(bipy)<$>_3^{2+}<$>] color complex was visualized using bifocal microscopy. The method may improve the selection of genotypes during breeding for Fe‐toxicity resistance of rice.
Hydrogel Reinforced by Short Albumin Fibers: Mechanical Characterization and Assessment of Biocompatibility
Authors: Regev Omri , Reddy Chaganti Srinivasa , Nseir Nora , Zussman Eyal 
Published: July 2012

AbstractInjectable hydrogels represent biomaterials attractive for many biomedical applications. Here, a hybrid material composed of dextran‐crosslinked gelatin embedded with ≈100–1 000 µm long, electrospun bovine serum albumin fibers is described. Incorporation of fibers at weight fractions of 1–6% increases the hydrogel elastic modulus by up to ≈40% and decreases the gelation time by ≈20%. The addition of short fibers does not affect the injection of the pre‐gel solution throughout medical needles at moderate shear rates. Finally, viability of seeded fibroblasts confirms the biocompatibility of the composite scaffold. This hybrid represents a class of biomaterials that structurally mimics the ECMs of common tissues and that can be delivered by a minimal‐invasive approach.magnified image
Polymer Gradient Materials: Can Nature Teach Us New Tricks?
Authors: Claussen Kai U. , Scheibel Thomas , Schmidt Hans‐Werner , Giesa Reiner 
Published: July 2012

AbstractNature offers interesting examples of structures with a gradually changing composition that provides unique mechanical properties. Today, the transfer of biological principles to technical applications is gaining increasing attention. One prominent example of the transfer of biomimetic principles to materials science is the mussel byssus. Byssus threads possess gradually changing mechanical properties from soft to stiff in order to efficiently attach the mussel to the rock. This design is the basis for polymer gradient materials. Herein, we give a comprehensive overview of the most recent developments in the field of PGMs. In addition to basic terminology and definitions, selected highlights of PGMs are presented, followed by experimental techniques and characterization methods.magnified image