bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metal patch test results from 1990–2009
Authors: NONAKA Hiromitsu , NAKADA Tokio , IIJIMA Masafumi , MAIBACH Howard I. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAlthough metals are common contact allergens, clinical findings of metal contact dermatitis have varied. Such patients have subsequently become rare in Japan as gold dermatitis caused by ear piercing or baboon syndrome by broken thermometers. To evaluate such clinical findings and to determine the frequency of metal allergy, we analyzed the results of patch testing with 18 metals from 1990–2009. Nine hundred and thirty‐one patients (189 men and 742 women, mean age 39.0 years [standard deviation ± 17.8]) were tested. Metals were applied on the back for 2 days, and the results read with the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) scoring system 3 days after application. Reactions of + to +++ were regarded as positive. Differences of positive rates between men and women, and patients from 1990–1999 and those from 2000–2009 were analyzed with the χ2‐test. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. The metal to which the most patients reacted was 5% nickel sulfate (27.2%), irrespective of sex and phase. Significantly more women reacted to nickel sulfate (P < 0.01), mercuric chloride (P < 0.05) and gold chloride (P < 0.01) than men. Significantly more patients in the 1990s reacted to palladium chloride, mercuric chloride and gold chloride (all P < 0.01) than from 2000–2009. Nickel has been the most common metal allergen and mercury‐sensitivity has decreased over 19 years in Japan.
The effects of lactic acid bacteria on the fermentation, aerobic stability and nutritive value of maize silage
Authors: Filya I. , Sucu E. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractMaize was harvested at one‐third milk line (297 g kg−1 DM) stage. All inoculants were applied at 1 × 106 cfu g−1 of fresh forage. After treatment, the chopped forages were ensiled in 1·5‐L anaerobic jars. Three jars per treatment were sampled on days 2, 4, 7, 12 and 90 after ensiling, for chemical and microbiological analysis. Homofermentative LAB‐inoculated silages had lower pH and higher lactate:acetate ratio (except for Lactobacillus plantarum/Pediococcus cerevisiae and L. plantarum/Propionibacterium acidipropionici) than the control and both heterofermentative LAB‐inoculated silages. Both L. buchneri inhibited yeast growth and CO2 production during exposure of silage to air. The L. plantarum/P. cerevisiae, L. plantarum (Ecosyl) and L. plantarum/Enterococcus faecium‐inoculated silages had higher dry‐matter digestibility than the control and L. buchneri‐inoculated silages. Inoculants did not affect digestibility of neutral detergent fibre, except for L. buchneri (Biotal), organic matter nor ME content of silages. The LAB silage inoculants generally had a positive effect on maize silage characteristics in terms of lower pH and shifting fermentation toward lactate with homofermentative LAB or toward acetate with L. buchneri. The use of L. buchneri can improve the aerobic stability of maize silages by the inhibition of yeast activity.
Variation partitioning in canonical ordination reveals no effect of soil but an effect of co‐occurring species on translocation success in Iris atrofusca
Authors: Volis Sergei , Dorman Michael , Blecher Michael , Sapir Yuval , Burdeniy Lev 
Published: November 2010

Summary1. Despite being expensive, complicated and less successful than the conservation of primary habitat, translocation is rapidly gaining importance as a conservation approach due to accelerated loss of natural environment. Finding the optimal abiotic and biotic conditions needed for successful translocation of plants can be difficult for species with limited information on prior distribution. Unfortunately, this is often the case with endangered plant species, including those urgently needing action.2. We present a method of evaluating the relative importance of multiple environmental parameters in translocation success. This method is based on the application of variation partitioning in canonical ordination and it allows usage of not only multiple independent biotic and abiotic variables, but also multiple dependent variables for fitness estimates.3. In this study, six soil parameters together with the abundance of 61 plant species and their total biomass were used to explain the variation in translocation success of Iris atrofusca plants among 22 microsites. The relative importance of each of the three factors was estimated using ordination techniques.4. Soil characteristics and total biomass of other plants did not significantly affect the performance of translocated irises, but the species composition of the surrounding vegetation did have a significant effect. The abundance of relatively rare species was closely correlated with iris performance. It is likely that these species do not affect the irises directly but instead represent environmental conditions not measured in this study, which are necessary for the survival of irises.5. Synthesis and applications.Variation partitioning appears to be a highly promising method for planning the translocation of plants and evaluating success due to its ability to estimate the unique contribution of each of two or more sets of environmental factors. It can be used to monitor success, and to identify the key contributory factors, in experimental translocations preceding actual introduction of plants in conservation programmes.
Dynamics of auxin‐dependent Ca2+ and pH signaling in root growth revealed by integrating high‐resolution imaging with automated computer vision‐based analysis
Authors: Monshausen Gabriele B. , Miller Nathan D. , Murphy Angus S. , Gilroy Simon 
Published: November 2010

SummaryPlants adapt to a changing environment by entraining their growth and development to prevailing conditions. Such ‘plastic’ development requires a highly dynamic integration of growth phenomena with signal perception and transduction systems, such as occurs during tropic growth. The plant hormone auxin has been shown to play a key role in regulating these directional growth responses of plant organs to environmental cues. However, we are still lacking a cellular and molecular understanding of how auxin‐dependent signaling cascades link stimulus perception to the rapid modulation of growth patterns. Here, we report that in root gravitropism of Arabidopsis thaliana, auxin regulates root curvature and associated apoplastic, growth‐related pH changes through a Ca2+‐dependent signaling pathway. Using an approach that integrates confocal microscopy and automated computer vision‐based image analysis, we demonstrate highly dynamic root surface pH patterns during vertical growth and after gravistimulation. These pH dynamics are shown to be dependent on auxin, and specifically on auxin transport mediated by the auxin influx carrier AUX1 in cells of the lateral root cap and root epidermis. Our results further indicate that these pH responses require auxin‐dependent changes in cytosolic Ca2+ levels that operate independently of the TIR1 auxin perception system. These results demonstrate a methodology that can be used to visualize vectorial auxin responses in a manner that can be integrated with the rapid plant growth responses to environmental stimuli.
The Arabidopsis bHLH25 and bHLH27 transcription factors contribute to susceptibility to the cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii
Authors: Jin Jing , Hewezi Tarek , Baum Thomas J. 
Published: November 2010

SummarySuccessful cyst nematode parasitism depends on the formation and maintenance of feeding sites (syncytia) in host roots, and these processes are highly regulated by the interaction between the cyst nematode and the host. Using an integrated research approach and the Arabidopsis–Beta vulgaris (sugar beet) cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii) pathosystem, we have determined that the two Arabidopsis basic helix–loop–helix transcription factors bHLH25 and bHLH27 positively influence cyst nematode parasitism. Promoter studies indicated that as early as 1 day post‐inoculation, both transcription factor genes were upregulated in developing syncytia, whereas in non‐infected plants, these two promoters were not found to be active in the same cells. By using yeast two‐hybrid analyses and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we documented that the two bHLH transcription factors can dimerize in planta. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing either one or both of the bHLH genes exhibited altered morphology of roots and shoots, as well as an increased susceptibility to H. schachtii. bhlh25 or bhlh27 single mutants were without strong phenotypes, presumably because of functional redundancies in this gene family. However, the bhlh25 bhlh27 double mutant was less susceptible to H. schachtii, confirming an important conducive role of the co‐expression of both transcription factor genes for cyst nematode parasitism. Our results document an example of pathogen‐induced ectopic co‐expression of two regulatory genes to enhance pathogen success, although these transcription factors apparently do not function in concert in non‐infected plants. This is an intriguing biological phenomenon that highlights the complexity of obligate biotrophic plant–pathogen interactions, like those of cyst nematodes.
Localization Error and Search Costs during Mate Choice in Túngara Frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus
Authors: Bonachea Luis A. , Ryan Michael J. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractSearch costs can have profound influences on female choice, causing females to become less choosy or sample less of the diversity of available mates. Predator foraging strategies, however, determine exactly how search time affects predator encounter rates. Ambush predators are more likely to be encountered by females traveling longer distances to evaluate males, but evaluation time is unlikely to influence encounter‐rate with this type of predator. Actively searching predators, however, may be more likely to be encountered by females employing longer travel times and evaluation times. In this study, we examine the effects of perceived search costs on both temporal and spatial aspects of the search behavior of female túngara frogs, Physalaemus pustulosus. Females were collected from natural choruses and presented with conspecific calls at a distance of 50, 115, or 180 cm from their release point. Assays were conducted in either darkness or simulated full moon light levels. Longer starting distances caused longer choice latencies, but choice latency was considerably lowered under higher light conditions. Females spent considerably less time moving under higher light conditions; however, light levels did not affect path length. Females were more likely to leave the release point with more accurate orientation to the sound source under higher light conditions. We demonstrate that females can respond to perceived search costs by altering spatial and temporal aspects of female search behavior. The overall emphasis of females on reducing time spent moving and increasing movement speed indicates that predation by actively searching predators represents a stronger cost to females than ambush predators.
The diagnostic accuracy of chromoendoscopy for dysplasia in ulcerative colitis: meta‐analysis of six randomized controlled trials
Authors: Wu L. , Li P. , Wu J. , Cao Y. , Gao F. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAim  The diagnostic accuracy of chromoendoscopy for dysplasia in ulcerative colitis (UC) was systematically evaluated.Method  Original studies in any language were searched from PubMed and Embase. Meta‐analysis of prospective studies that compared chromoendoscopy with histological diagnosis was carried out. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated for each study and pooled together; summary receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and subgroup analyses were performed, while the quality of the study and heterogeneity were assessed.Results  Six randomized controlled trials were included, which used methylene blue or indigo carmine dye spray. The meta‐analysis demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 83.3% (95% confidence interval (CI), 35.9–99.6%), specificity of 91.3% (95% CI, 43.8–100%), and DOR of 17.544 (95% CI, 1.245–247.14). Subgroup analyses revealed that both the methylene blue dye spray subgroup and the unspecified endoscopist subgroup include the same studies, and their pooled sensitivity and specificity were 0.737 and 0.917, respectively. The other subgroup, which used indigo carmine dye spray, had overall higher sensitivity (0.930) and lower specificity (0.910).Conclusion  Chromoendoscopy has medium to high sensitivity and a high diagnostic accuracy for dysplastic lesions in UC.
Changing trends in polypoid colorectal cancer diagnosed by colonoscopy
Authors: Lorenzo‐Zúñiga V. , Moreno de Vega V. , Boix J. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractAim  This study analysed trends in polypoid colorectal cancer (PCRC) diagnosed by colonoscopy during the period 1995–2008 and compared the patterns observed in the years 2005–2008 with 1995–1998.Method  In the period 1995–2008, 24 245 colonoscopies were performed and 1041 patients with PCRC were diagnosed: pediculated (n = 220) or sessile (n = 821).Results  The mean age at diagnosis was 68.3 ± 11.6 years. Males were more likely to have PCRC (males 62.6%vs females 37.4%; P < 0.0001). Significantly more pediculated PCRCs were located in the distal colon (P < 0.001). In the 2005–2008 period the prevalence of PCRC among patients undegoing colonoscopy decreased, the number of polypectomies increased significantly (P < 0.0001) and the pediculated PCRC location changed, with a significant increase in right‐sided lesions.Conclusion  The prevalence of PCRC in patients undergoing colonoscopy decreased, with a significant increase in the number of polypectomies in the last decade. Pediculated PCRCs were more often located in the left colon and sessile PCRCs in the right colon. From the period 1995–1998 to 2005–2008 the location of pediculated PCRCs changed, with an increase in right‐sided lesions.
Tracking and quantifying objects and non‐cohesive substances
Authors: vanMarle Kristy , Wynn Karen 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe present study tested infants’ ability to assess and compare quantities of a food substance. Contrary to previous findings, the results suggest that by 10 months of age infants can quantify non‐cohesive substances, and that this ability is different in important ways from their ability to quantify discrete objects: (1) In contrast to even much younger infants’ ability to discriminate discrete quantities that differ by a 1:2 ratio, infants here required a 1:4 ratio in order to reliably select the larger of two substance quantities. And (2), unlike with objects, infants required multiple cues in order to determine which of two quantities of substance was larger. Moreover, (3) although 14.5‐month‐olds were able to compare amounts of substance in memory, 10‐ to 12‐month‐olds were limited to comparing visible amounts of substance. These findings are discussed in light of the mechanisms that may underlie infants’ quantification of objects and substances.
Perceiving External Things and the Time‐Lag Argument
Authors: Power Sean Enda 
Published: November 2010

Abstract:We seem to directly perceive external things. But can we? According to the time‐lag argument, we cannot. What we directly perceive happens now. There is a time‐lag between our perceptions and the external things we seem to directly perceive; these external things happen in the past; thus, what we directly perceive must be something else, for example, sense‐data, and we can only at best indirectly perceive other things.This paper examines the time‐lag argument given contemporary metaphysics. I argue that this argument is not as compelling as it may initially seem. First, it denies that what we directly perceive can ever be what it seems to be; second, it conflicts with the current physical conception of time, relativity theory. This latter point leads to a more general one: the argument's force depends on a particular metaphysical conception on time, presentism, which is controversial in contemporary metaphysics of time. Given the alternative conception, eternalism, the argument is much less compelling. The overall argument of this paper, then, is that, if one wishes to hold that we directly perceive external things, we should subscribe to the latter view of time, i.e., eternalism.
Brief parent training in pivotal response treatment for preschoolers with autism
Authors: Coolican Jamesie , Smith Isabel M. , Bryson Susan E. 
Published: November 2010

Background:  Evidence of improved outcomes with early behavioural intervention has placed the early treatment of autism as a health priority. However, long waiting lists for treatment often preclude timely access, raising the question of whether parents could be trained in the interim. Parent training in pivotal response treatment (PRT) has been shown to enhance the communication skills of children with autism. This is typically provided within a 25‐hour programme, although less intensive parent training may also be effective. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of brief training in PRT for parents of preschoolers with autism, who were awaiting, or unable to access, more comprehensive treatment.Method:  Eight preschoolers with autism and their parents participated in the study. A non‐concurrent multiple (across‐participants) baseline design was used, in which parents were seen individually for three 2‐hour training sessions on PRT. Child and parent outcomes were assessed before, immediately after, and 2 to 4 months following training using standardised tests, questionnaires and behaviour coded directly from video recordings.Results:  Overall, children’s communication skills, namely functional utterances, increased following training. Parents’ fidelity in implementing PRT techniques also improved after training, and generally these changes were maintained at follow‐up. A moderate to strong relationship was found between parents’ increased ability to implement PRT techniques and improvement in the children’s communication skills.Conclusion:  Our findings suggest that brief parent training in PRT promises to provide an immediate, cost‐effective intervention that could be adopted widely.
Electrocortical evidence for vigilance‐avoidance in Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Weinberg Anna , Hajcak Greg 
Published: November 2010

AbstractBoth exaggerated and attenuated responses to emotional stimuli have been documented in Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Event‐related potentials are well‐suited for examining the time‐course of neural activity during emotional processing; early components (e.g., the P1) appear to index relatively automatic attention to emotional stimuli, whereas later positivities (e.g., the late positive potential or LPP) index dynamic allocation of attention to emotional stimuli. Twenty‐one individuals with GAD and 25 healthy controls (HC) passively viewed emotional and neutral images while ERPs were recorded. An enhanced P1 for unpleasant compared to neutral images was larger in GAD. In addition, the increased LPP to unpleasant compared to neutral images was diminished in the GAD group. These data provide evidence for early hypervigilance for emotional stimuli, followed by failure to engage in elaborative processing, in GAD.
Soil organic carbon and nutrient content in aggregate‐size fractions of a subtropical rice soil under variable tillage
Authors: Jiang X. , Hu Y. , Bedell J. H. , Xie D. , Wright A. L. 
Published: November 2010

AbstractThe effects of tillage on soil organic carbon (SOC) and nutrient content of soil aggregates can vary spatially and temporally, and for different soil types and cropping systems. We assessed SOC and nutrient levels within water‐stable aggregates in ridges with no tillage (RNT) and also under conventional tillage (CT) for a subtropical rice soil in order to determine relationships between tillage, cation concentrations and soil organic matter. Surface soil (0–15 cm) was fractionated into aggregate sizes (>4.76 mm, 4.76–2.00 mm, 2.00–1.00 mm, 1.00–0.25 mm, 0.25–0.053 mm, <0.053 mm) under two tillage regimes. Tillage significantly reduced the proportion of macroaggregate fractions (>2.00 mm) and thus aggregate stability was reduced by 35% compared with RNT, indicating that tillage practices led to soil structural change for this subtropical soil. The patterns in SOC, total N, exchangeable Ca2+, Mg2+and total exchangeable bases (TEB) were similar between tillage regimes, but concentrations were significantly higher under RNT than CT. This suggests that RNT in subtropical rice soils may be a better way to enhance soil productivity and improve soil C sequestration potential than CT. The highest SOC was in the 1.00–0.25 mm fraction (35.7 and 30.4 mg/kg for RNT and CT, respectively), while the lowest SOC was in microaggregate (<0.025 mm) and silt + clay (<0.053 mm) fractions (19.5 and 15.7 mg/kg for RNT and CT, respectively). Tillage did not influence the patterns in SOC across aggregates but did change the aggregate‐size distribution, indicating that tillage affected soil fertility primarily by changing soil structure.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Payback for Lightweighted Vehicles Using Aluminum and High‐Strength Steel
Authors: Kim Hyung‐Ju , McMillan Colin , Keoleian Gregory A. , Skerlos Steven J. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryIn this article we consider interactions between life cycle emissions and materials flows associated with lightweighting (LW) automobiles. Both aluminum and high‐strength steel (HSS) lightweighting are considered, with LW ranging from 6% to 23% on the basis of literature references and input from industry experts. We compare the increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with producing lightweight vehicles with the saved emissions during vehicle use. This yields a calculation of how many years of vehicle use are required to offset the added GHG emissions from the production stage. Payback periods for HSS are shorter than for aluminum. Nevertheless, achieving significant LW with HSS comparable to aluminum‐intensive vehicles requires not only material substitution but also the achievement of secondary LW by downsizing of other vehicle components in addition to the vehicle structure. GHG savings for aluminum LW varies strongly with location where the aluminum is produced and whether secondary aluminum can be utilized instead of primary. HSS is less sensitive to these parameters. In principle, payback times for vehicles lightweighted with aluminum can be shortened by closed‐loop recycling of wrought aluminum (i.e., use of secondary wrought aluminum). Over a 15‐year time horizon, however, it is unlikely that this could significantly reduce emissions from the automotive industry, given the challenges involved with enabling a closed‐loop aluminum infrastructure without downcycling automotive body structures.
Impact of Power Generation Mix on Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint Greenhouse Gas Results
Authors: Marriott Joe , Matthews H. Scott , Hendrickson Chris T. 
Published: November 2010

SummaryThe mix of electricity consumed in any stage in the life cycle of a product, process, or industrial sector has a significant effect on the associated inventory of emissions and environmental impacts because of large differences in the power generation method used. Fossil‐fuel‐fired or nuclear‐centralized steam generators; large‐scale and small‐scale hydroelectric power; and renewable options, such as geothermal, wind, and solar power, each have a unique set of issues that can change the results of a life cycle assessment. This article shows greenhouse gas emissions estimates for electricity purchase for different scenarios using U.S. average electricity mix, state mixes, state mixes including imports, and a sector‐specific mix to show how different these results can be. We find that greenhouse gases for certain sectors and scenarios can change by more than 100%. Knowing this, practitioners should exercise caution or at least account for the uncertainty associated with mix choice.