bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal shifts in predator body size diversity and trophic interactions in size‐structured predator–prey systems
Authors: Rudolf Volker H. W. 
Published: December 2011

Summary1. Theory suggests that the relationship between predator diversity and prey suppression should depend on variation in predator traits such as body size, which strongly influences the type and strength of species interactions. Prey species often face a range of different sized predators, and the composition of body sizes of predators can vary between communities and within communities across seasons.2. Here, I test how variation in size structure of predator communities influences prey survival using seasonal changes in the size structure of a cannibalistic population as a model system. Laboratory and field experiments showed that although the per‐capita consumption rates increased at higher predator–prey size ratios, mortality rates did not consistently increase with average size of cannibalistic predators. Instead, prey mortality peaked at the highest level of predator body size diversity.3. Furthermore, observed prey mortality was significantly higher than predictions from the null model that assumed no indirect interactions between predator size classes, indicating that different sized predators were not substitutable but had more than additive effects. Higher predator body size diversity therefore increased prey mortality, despite the increased potential for behavioural interference and predation among predators demonstrated in additional laboratory experiments.4. Thus, seasonal changes in the distribution of predator body sizes altered the strength of prey suppression not only through changes in mean predator size but also through changes in the size distribution of predators. In general, this indicates that variation (i.e. diversity) within a single trait, body size, can influence the strength of trophic interactions and emphasizes the importance of seasonal shifts in size structure of natural food webs for community dynamics.
Abnormal intestinal function related to hypocupremia in a rodent model
Authors: Greenwood‐Van Meerveld B. , Prodan C. I. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Copper deficiency affects the peripheral (PNS) and central (CNS) nervous systems and can lead to neurological deficits in humans. No studies have addressed whether copper deficiency affects the enteric nervous system (ENS). We hypothesized that ENS abnormalities impair intestinal function in copper deficiency.Methods  We induced copper deficiency in rats by nutritional deprivation. Once hypocupremia was achieved, we euthanized the animals and harvested the small and large intestine. The longitudinal smooth muscle from the jejunum and colon was suspended in organ baths and contractility in response to electrical field stimulation (EFS) was assessed. Mucosa was also isolated from each region and placed into modified Ussing chambers to determine whether the copper deficiency leads to alterations in epithelial transport measured as a change in short circuit current across the mucosa in response to EFS.Key Results  A copper deficient diet (CDD) in normal rats for 9 weeks was sufficient to produce hypocupremia. Colonic smooth muscle contractility was significantly decreased in response to EFS in rats fed a CDD compared with controls, however, jejunal smooth muscle contractility in response to EFS in rats fed a CDD rats resembled that observed in controls. No significant changes in secretory function were observed in either region in response to CDD.Conclusions & Inferences  Dietary copper deficiency produces significant changes in the neural regulation of colonic smooth muscle contractility in a rodent model. Thus, along with CNS and PNS effects in humans, copper deficiency results in abnormal ENS regulation of intestinal function in rats.
An assessment of enteric nervous system and estroprogestinic receptors in obstructed defecation associated with rectal intussusception
Authors: Bassotti Gabrio , Villanacci Vincenzo , Bellomi Alberto , Fante Rossella , Cadei Moris , Vicenzi Luca , Tonelli Francesco , Nesi Gabriella , Asteria Corrado R 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  The pathophysiological basis of obstructed defecation (OD) is still incompletely understood. In particular, few or no data are available concerning the enteric nervous system (ENS) in this condition. We investigated ENS abnormalities in patients with OD, undergoing surgery, together with the presence of estrogen (α and β) and progesterone receptors, and compare the results with those obtained in controls.Methods  Full‐thickness rectal samples were obtained from 17 patients undergoing stapled transanal rectal resection for OD associated with rectal intussusception. Samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for enteric neurons, enteric glial cells, interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), and for estrogen and progesterone receptors. Data were compared with those obtained in 10 controls.Key Results  No differences between patients and controls were found for enteric neurons, whereas (compared with controls) OD patients displayed a significant decrease of enteric glial cells in both the submucous (P = 0.0006) and the myenteric (P < 0.0001) plexus. ICC were significantly increased in patients in the submucosal surface (P < 0.0001) and the myenteric area (P < 0.0001). Concerning estroprogestinic receptors, both were present on ICC in patients and controls. Estrogen receptors α and progesterone receptors were absent on enteric neurons and enteric glial cells in patients and controls, whereas estrogen receptors β were present in all controls and in 69% of patients’ enteric neurons (P = 0.18) and in 12% of patients’ glial cells (P = 0.0001).Conclusions & Inferences  Patients with OD associated to rectal intussusception display abnormalities of the ENS and of estrogen receptors β.
Improved production of doubled haploids in Brassica rapa through microspore culture
Authors: Zhang Yun , Wang Aijie , Liu Yang , Wang Yushu , Feng Hui 
Published: December 2011

With 1 figure and 7 tablesAbstractThe current study aims at producing doubled haploid Brassica rapa plants through isolated microspore culture. Genotypic differences in embryogenic response and regenerative ability of microspore‐derived embryos to plants were observed. Compared with the longer incubation period (72 h), heat shock treatment at 33°C for 24 or 48 h was more beneficial for microspore embryogenesis. Microspore embryogenesis was improved with the addition of 6‐benzylaminopurine and naphthalene acetic acid to the NLN medium. The highest frequency of microspore embryogenesis was achieved in ‘SH‐8’ (21.1 embryos/bud), whereas ‘SH‐6’ had the best regeneration ability (67.4%). In total, 1112 regenerated plants were produced from 2025 embryos in a series of experiments using different modifications of microspore culture technique. The average spontaneous doubling frequency of the different genotypes of B. rapa was 57.5%.
Genome sequences of siphoviruses infecting marine Synechococcus unveil a diverse cyanophage group and extensive phage–host genetic exchanges
Authors: Huang Sijun , Wang Kui , Jiao Nianzhi , Chen Feng 
Published: December 2011

SummaryInvestigating the interactions between marine cyanobacteria and their viruses (phages) is important towards understanding the dynamic of ocean's primary productivity. Genome sequencing of marine cyanophages has greatly advanced our understanding about their ecology and evolution. Among 24 reported genomes of cyanophages that infect marine picocyanobacteria, 17 are from cyanomyoviruses and six from cyanopodoviruses, and only one from cyanosiphovirus (Prochlorococcus phage P‐SS2). Here we present four complete genome sequences of siphoviruses (S‐CBS1, S‐CBS2, S‐CBS3 and S‐CBS4) that infect four different marine Synechococcus strains. Three distinct subtypes were recognized among the five known marine siphoviruses (including P‐SS2) in terms of morphology, genome architecture, gene content and sequence similarity. Our study revealed that cyanosiphoviruses are genetically diverse with polyphyletic origin. No core genes were found across these five cyanosiphovirus genomes, and this is in contrast to the fact that many core genes have been found in cyanomyovirus or cyanopodovirus genomes. Interestingly, genes encoding three structural proteins and a lysozyme of S‐CBS1 and S‐CBS3 showed homology to a prophage‐like genetic element in two freshwater Synechococcus elongatus genomes. Re‐annotation of the prophage‐like genomic region suggests that S. elongatus may contain an intact prophage. Cyanosiphovirus genes involved in DNA metabolism and replication share high sequence homology with those in cyanobacteria, and further phylogenetic analysis based on these genes suggests that ancient and selective genetic exchanges occurred, possibly due to past prophage integration. Metagenomic analysis based on the Global Ocean Sampling database showed that cyanosiphoviruses are present in relatively low abundance in the ocean surface water compared to cyanomyoviruses and cyanopodoviruses.
Temperature explains global variation in biomass among humid old‐growth forests
Authors: Larjavaara Markku , Muller‐Landau Helene C. 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACTAim  To develop and test a simple climate‐based ecophysiological model of above‐ground biomass – an approach that can be applied directly to predicting the effects of climate change on forest carbon stores.Location  Humid lowland forests world‐wide.Methods  We developed a new approach to modelling the aboveground biomass of old‐growth forest (AGBmax) based on the influences of temperature on gross primary productivity (GPP) and what we call total maintenance cost (TMC), which includes autotrophic respiration as well as leaf, stem and other plant construction required to maintain biomass. We parameterized the models with measured carbon fluxes and tested them by comparing predicted AGBmax with measured AGB for another 109 old‐growth sites.Results  Our models explained 57% of the variation in GPP across 95 sites and 79% of the variation in TMC across 17 sites. According to the best‐fit models, the ratio of GPP to maintenance cost per unit biomass (MCB) peaks at 16.5 °C, indicating that this is the air temperature leading to the highest possible AGBmax when temperatures are constant. Seasonal temperature variation generally reduces predicted AGBmax, and thus maritime temperate climates are predicted to have the highest AGBmax. The shift in temperatures from temperate maritime to tropical climates increases MCB more than GPP, and thus decreases AGBmax. Overall, our model explains exactly 50% of the variation in AGB among humid lowland old‐growth forests.Main conclusions  Temperature plays an important role in explaining global variation in biomass among humid lowland old‐growth forests, a role that can be understood in terms of the dual effects of temperature on GPP and TMC. Our simple model captures these influences, and could be an important tool for predicting the effects of climate change on forest carbon stores.
Trade Policy Review – Malaysia 2010
Authors: Jensen Camilla , Kara Nasra 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe paper reviews the recently completed Trade Policy Review for Malaysia. We find that in the case of Malaysia trade has been liberalised and subjected to structural changes to a very high extent over the last three decades. However, reform has been less effective when it comes to trade‐related policies such as investment policies and other national policies that de facto rather than de jure affect competition due to differential treatment of different firms, brands and individuals. This is also mirrored in the faltering levels of investment in Malaysia. An area where Malaysia has been successful is the reorientation towards services. A good example is the tourism industry which is mature and a major export industry in Malaysia today. Nascent service industries such as health, finance, ICT related services and education hold promise to become important export earners in the future. The paper shows that for this new phase of structural change to be truly successful Malaysia must prioritise trade negotiations and integration with her own region and especially ASEAN.
Virtue Epistemology and Epistemic Twin Earth
Authors: Kallestrup Jesper , Pritchard Duncan 
Published: December 2011

AbstractA popular form of virtue epistemology—defended by such figures as Ernest Sosa, Linda Zagzebski and John Greco—holds that knowledge can be exclusively understood in virtue‐theoretic terms. In particular, it holds that there isn't any need for an additional epistemic condition to deal with the problem posed by knowledge‐undermining epistemic luck. It is argued that the sustainability of such a proposal is called into question by the possibility of epistemic twin earth cases. In particular, it is argued that such cases demonstrate the need for virtue‐theoretic accounts of knowledge to appeal to an independent epistemic condition which excludes knowledge‐undermining epistemic luck.
Epistemic Ought is a Commensurable Ought
Authors: Booth Anthony Robert 
Published: December 2011

AbstractI argue that the claim that epistemic ought is incommensurable is self‐defeating. My argument, however, depends on the truth of the premise that there can be not only epistemic reasons for belief, but also non‐epistemic (e.g., moral) reasons for belief. So I also provide some support for that claim.
Path Dependence: A Political Economy Perspective
Authors: OOSTERLYNCK STIJN 
Published: December 2011

AbstractIn this commentary, I endorse Ron Martin's thoughtful rethinking of the concept of path dependence in a successful attempt to improve our understanding of regional economic evolution. I take issue, however, with his quick dismissal of Marxist geographical political economy as an important reference point for understanding the evolution of the economic landscape. Taking inspiration from a spatialized reading of the regulationist perspective on socioeconomic development, I argue that Marxist geographical political economy is a key reference point for any theory of regional development because it points to the importance of capital accumulation, state restructuring and collective agency in shaping economic evolution.RésuméRon Martin a judicieusement revisité le concept des sentiers de dépendance. Si ce commentaire souscrit à sa tentative réussie d’améliorer notre compréhension de l’évolution économique régionale, il critique néanmoins la rapide mise à l’écart de l’économie politique géographique marxiste en tant que pôle de référence important pour appréhender l’évolution du paysage économique. À partir d’une lecture spatialisée de la perspective régulationniste sur le développement socio‐économique, on peut avancer que l’économie politique géographique marxiste constitue un repère essentiel pour toute théorie du développement régional puisqu’elle met en évidence l’importance de l’accumulation du capital, de la restructuration de l’État et de l’agence collective dans la configuration de l’évolution économique.
Assessment of serum leptin, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in patients with skin tags
Authors: Shaheen M.A. , Abdel Fattah Nermeen S.A. , Sayed Y.A.A. , Saad A.A 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackground  Skin tags are common cutaneous lesions with an indefinite aetiology.Objectives  To assess serum leptin, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in different body mass index (BMI) patients with skin tags.Methods  Three equally distributed groups of patients with multiple skin tags: 30 normal BMI, 30 overweight and 30 obese were included. Controls were age‐, gender‐ and BMI‐matched healthy subjects. Serum leptin, insulin resistance based on homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) and metabolic syndrome were assessed in all groups.Results  Number and extent of skin tags increase with the increase in BMI. Highest leptin levels were found in obese patients, with significant differences when compared to normal BMI and overweight patients. Similar findings existed in controls. Significantly higher leptin levels were found in obese patients compared to obese controls. HOMA‐IR was significantly higher in all groups of patients compared to BMI‐counterpart controls. Seventy‐one per cent of patients fulfilled criteria of metabolic syndrome. Number of skin tags, leptin and HOMA‐IR were significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome compared to patients without the syndrome. Positive correlations were found between serum leptin and HOMA‐IR in obese patients and obese controls. Positive correlations were also found between number of skin tags and waist circumference in all groups of patients.Conclusions  Serum leptin displays an association with obesity and insulin resistance. Assessment of HOMA‐IR in patients with skin tags may serve as a useful approach for diagnosis of insulin resistance. Waist circumference is the only criteria of metabolic syndrome that correlates with number of skin tags.
Emotional arousal modulates the encoding of crime‐related details and corresponding physiological responses in the Concealed Information Test
Authors: Peth Judith , Vossel Gerhard , Gamer Matthias 
Published: December 2011

AbstractPrevious studies demonstrated that concealed crime‐related memories can be validly identified using the Concealed Information Test (CIT). However, its field applicability is still debated, and it is specifically unknown how emotional arousal during a crime would influence CIT results. In the current study, emotional arousal during a mock crime and the time delay between mock crime and CIT examination were manipulated. At the immediate and the delayed CIT occasion, central crime details were better remembered than peripheral ones and enhanced emotional arousal further reduced memory for peripheral information. Electrodermal, respiratory, and cardiovascular responses to central crime details were strong and CIT validity was unaffected by delaying the test when arousal was induced during the mock crime. These findings indicate that emotional arousal might facilitate the detection of concealed information some time after a crime occurred.
Surgical outcome in PET‐positive, MRI‐negative patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: LoPinto‐Khoury Carla , Sperling Michael R. , Skidmore Christopher , Nei Maromi , Evans James , Sharan Ashwini , Mintzer Scott 
Published: December 2011

SummaryPurpose:  Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (FDG‐PET) hypometabolism is important for surgical planning in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), but its significance remains unclear in patients who do not have evidence of mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We examined surgical outcomes in a group of PET‐positive, MRI‐negative patients and compared them with those of patients with MTS.Methods:  We queried the Thomas Jefferson University Surgical Epilepsy Database for patients who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) from 1991 to 2009 and who had unilateral temporal PET hypometabolism without an epileptogenic lesion on MRI (PET+/MRI−). We compared this group to the group of patients who underwent ATL and who had MTS on MRI. Patients with discordant ictal electroencephalography (EEG) were excluded. Surgical outcomes were compared using percentages of Engel class I outcomes at 2 and 5 years as well as Kaplan‐Meier survival statistic, with time to seizure recurrence as survival time. A subgroup of PET+/MRI− patients who underwent surgical implantation prior to resection was compared to PET+/MRI− patients who went directly to resection without implantation.Key Findings:  There were 46 PET+/MRI− patients (of whom 36 had 2‐year surgical outcome available) and 147 MTS patients. There was no difference between the two groups with regard to history of febrile convulsions, generalized tonic–clonic seizures, interictal spikes, depression, or family history. Mean age at first seizure was higher in PET+/MRI− patients (19 ± 13 vs.14 ± 13 years, Mann‐Whitney test, p = 0.008) and disease duration was shorter (14 ± 10 vs. 22 ± 13 years, student’s t‐test, p = 0.0006). Class I surgical outcomes did not differ significantly between the PET+/MRI− patients and the MTS group (2 and 5 year outcomes were 76% and 75% for the PET+/MRI− group, and 71% and 78% for the MTS group); neither did outcomes of the PET+/MRI− patients who were implanted prior to resection versus those who went directly to surgery (implanted patients had 71% and 67% class I outcomes at 2 and 5 years, whereas. nonimplanted patients had 77% and 78% class I outcomes, p = 0.66 and 0.28). Kaplan‐Meier survival statistics for both comparisons were nonsignificant at 5 years. Dentate gyrus and hilar cell counts obtained from pathology for a sample of patients also did not differ between groups.Significance:  PET‐positive, MRI‐negative TLE patients in our study had excellent surgical outcomes after ATL, very similar to those in patients with MTS, regardless of whether or not they undergo intracranial monitoring. These patients should be considered prime candidates for ATL, and intracranial monitoring is probably unnecessary in the absence of discordant data.
Life Cycle Assessment of Medium Surge Arresters in the Context of Size‐Reduction Design
Authors: Hassanzadeh Mehrdad , Metz Renaud 
Published: December 2011

SummaryZinc oxide (ZnO) polycrystalline ceramics are the focal point of lightning arrester technology. These semiconductor materials are able to switch rapidly from high to low impedance while handling large amounts of electrical energy. Since the early 1970s, considerable efforts have been made to improve the specific energy absorption capacity and device reliability of such components. This document describes a case study carried out on the life cycle impacts of three different designs of electroceramics made of ZnO. Results show that the best design involves decreasing the diameter while maintaining the thickness of the compound. Of the production, transport, use, and end‐of‐life phases, the use phase is found to contribute by far the most to environmental impacts, with leakage currents in the 10−6 ampere range. The next‐largest impacts come in the transport and production stages. Sensitivity analysis shows that impacts associated with the production stage originate from ZnO production and are related to the by‐products (heavy metals) of zinc metallurgy.
Decomposition and Oxidation of Magnesium Diboride
Authors: Guo Yang , Zhang Wei , Yang Dong , Yao Ru‐Liang 
Published: December 2011

The decomposition and oxidation behavior of magnesium diboride (MgB2) have been studied using thermogravimetry (TG), XRD and SEM‐EDS. The reactions were carried out by heating MgB2 powder in a stream of argon or air at atmospheric pressure. In the temperature range explored (298–1673 K), four successive steps were observed in the decomposition process of MgB2. The rate‐limiting steps of the decomposition process were found to be associated with the nucleation or formation of boron‐rich phases. The oxidation process of MgB2 comprised five successive phases in the temperature range explored (298–1673 K). There was close relationship between the decomposition and oxidation behavior of MgB2. Experimental results showed that the decomposition reactions occurred during the oxidation process. The acceleration shown in the weight gain curve can be ascribed to the rapid oxidation of Mg vapor released from the decomposition reactions. The microstructure and composition of the oxide scale formed in the oxidation process were investigated using XRD and SEM‐EDS. The oxide layer structure was identified based on the experimental results in this study.