bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Botrytis cinereaInfection of Grape Flowers: Light and Electron Microscopical Studies of Infection Sites
Authors: Viret Olivier , Keller Markus , Jaudzems V. Gunta , Cole F. Mary
Published: May 2007

Specific floral organs including the calyptra, stigma, and receptacle area of glasshouse-grown grapevines (Vitis vinifera cv. Cabernet Sauvignon) were inoculated with aqueous suspensions of Botrytis cinerea conidia, and the initial steps involved in colonization and infection of the host tissues were studied for several days postinoculation using light microscopy as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Conidia germinated on all floral organs examined and became attached to the host surface within 48 h after inoculation. However, in all cases the vast majority of conidia accumulated in a channel-like gap between the ovary and the calyx that extended in a narrowing fashion into the flower interior where the ovary joined the receptacle. Very few conidial germ tubes were detected in the style following inoculation of the stigma, and no evidence for their growth toward the ovaries could be found. In contrast, hyphae were more abundant in the receptacle area, regardless of the site of inoculation. Tips of the calyx became necrotic and mycelium formed in the gap between ovary and calyx within 72 h following inoculation, providing a major point of colonization and infection. B. cinerea colonized dehiscent calyptras within 72 h of inoculation, providing a potential source of inoculum from calyptras that remained stuck in the cluster. The results suggest that the grape flower's receptacle area is the predominant site of infection for B. cinerea, although a minor portion of infections may also occur through the stigma and style.
Temperature and Pomaceous Flower Age Related to Colonization byErwinia amylovoraand Antagonists
Authors: Pusey P. L. , Curry E. A.
Published: May 2007

Fire blight of apple and pear is initiated by epiphytic populations of Erwinia amylovora on flower stigmas. Predicting this disease and managing it with microbial antagonists depends on an understanding of bacterial colonization on stigmas. Detached ‘Manchurian’ crab apple flowers were inoculated with E. amylovora and subjected to a range of constant temperatures or various fluctuating temperature regimes. Results may have application to disease risk assessment systems such as the Cougarblight model, which now are based on in vitro growth of the pathogen. In other experiments, detached crab apple flowers and attached ‘Gala’ apple flowers were maintained at different temperatures for various periods before inoculation with E. amylovora or antagonists (Pseudomonas fluorescens strain A506 and Pantoea agglomerans strains C9-1 and E325). Maximum stigma age supporting bacterial multiplication decreased as temperature increased, and was reduced by pollination. Stigmas were receptive to bacteria at ages older than previously reported, probably due to less interference from indigenous organisms. The study revealed antagonist limitations that possibly affect field performance (e.g., the inability of strain A506 to grow on relatively old stigmas conducive to the pathogen). Such deficiencies could be overcome by selecting other antagonists or using antagonist mixtures in the orchard.
Applications of Survival Analysis in Botanical Epidemiology
Authors: Scherm H. , Ojiambo P. S.
Published: May 2007

Data on the occurrence and timing of discrete events such as spore germination, disease onset, or propagule death are recorded commonly in epidemiological studies. When analyzing such “time-to-event” data, survival analysis is superior to conventional statistical techniques because it can accommodate censored observations, i.e., cases in which the event has not occurred by the end of the study. Central to survival analysis are two mathematical functions, the survivor function, which describes the probability that an individual will “survive” (i.e., that the event will not occur) until a given point in time, and the hazard function, which gives the instantaneous risk that the event will occur at that time, given that it has not occurred previously. These functions can be compared among two or more groups using chi-square-based test statistics. The effects of discrete or continuous covariates on survival times can be quantified with two types of models, the accelerated failure time model and the proportional hazards model. When applied to longitudinal data on the timing of defoliation of individual blueberry leaves in the field, analysis with the accelerated failure time model revealed a significantly (P < 0.0001) increased defoliation risk due to Septoria leaf spot, caused by Septoria albopunctata. Defoliation occurred earlier for lower leaves than for upper leaves, but this effect was confounded in part with increased disease severity on lower leaves.
Identification of a Maize Kernel Stress-Related Protein and Its Effect on Aflatoxin Accumulation
Authors: Chen Z.-Y. , Brown R. L. , Damann K. E. , Cleveland T. E.
Published: May 2007

Aflatoxins are carcinogens produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus during infection of susceptible crops such as maize. Through proteomic comparisons of maize kernel embryo proteins of resistant and susceptible genotypes, several protein spots previously were found to be unique or upregulated in resistant embryos. In the present study, one of these protein spots was sequenced and identified as glyoxalase I (GLX-I; EC 4.4.1.5). The full-length cDNA of the glyoxalase I gene (glx-I) was cloned. GLX-I constitutive activity was found to be significantly higher in the resistant maize lines compared with susceptible ones. After kernel infection by A. flavus, GLX-I activity remained lower in susceptible genotypes than in resistant genotypes. However, fungal infection significantly increased methylglyoxal (MG) levels in two of three susceptible genotypes. Further, MG was found to induce aflatoxin production in A. flavus culture at a concentration as low as 5.0 μM. The mode of action of MG may be to stimulate the expression of aflR, an aflatoxin biosynthesis regulatory gene, which was found to be significantly upregulated in the presence of 5 to 20 μM MG. These data suggest that GLX-I may play an important role in controlling MG levels inside kernels, thereby contributing to the lower levels of aflatoxins found in resistant maize genotypes.
Cultivar Mixtures for the Simultaneous Management of Multiple Diseases: Tan Spot and Leaf Rust of Wheat
Authors: Cox C. M. , Garrett K. A. , Bowden R. L. , Fritz A. K. , Dendy S. P. , Heer W. F.
Published: May 2007

Because of differences in life histories between Puccinia triticina, a highly specialized, polycyclic, windborne pathogen with a shallow dispersal gradient, and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, a residue-borne pathogen with a steep dispersal gradient, wheat mixtures are expected to be more effective at controlling leaf rust than tan spot. The objectives of this research were to determine the effect of two-cultivar mixtures with varying proportions and different pathogen resistance profiles on the severity of tan spot and leaf rust, to evaluate yield of the mixtures in the presence or absence of disease, and to directly compare the relative effectiveness of cultivar mixing for tan spot versus leaf rust. In a field experiment at two sites in Kansas over two growing seasons, winter wheat cvs. Jagger and 2145, which have differential resistance reactions to leaf rust and tan spot, each were planted in proportions of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00. Plots were inoculated with each pathogen alone, both pathogens, treated with a fungicide, or exposed to ambient conditions. For both diseases for all siteyears, severity decreased substantially on the susceptible cultivar as the proportion of that cultivar decreased in mixture. Mixtures were significantly more effective at reducing leaf rust than tan spot in three of four site-years. Mixtures generally yielded the same as the weighted mean of components in monoculture although, in two of three site-years, at least one fungicide-treated and one diseased mixture each yielded higher than expected values. Although this particular mixture produced only modest yield benefits, the potential for simultaneous reductions in tan spot and leaf rust was demonstrated.
Evolutionary dynamics of transposable elements in the short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica
Authors: Gentles Andrew J. , Wakefield Matthew J. , Kohany Oleksiy , Gu Wanjun , Batzer Mark A. , Pollock David D. , Jurka Jerzy
Published: May 2007

The genome of the gray short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica is notable for its large size (∼3.6 Gb). We characterized nearly 500 families of interspersed repeats from the Monodelphis. They cover ∼52% of the genome, higher than in any other amniotic lineage studied to date, and may account for the unusually large genome size. In comparison to other mammals, Monodelphis is significantly rich in non-LTR retrotransposons from the LINE-1, CR1, and RTE families, with >29% of the genome sequence comprised of copies of these elements. Monodelphis has at least four families of RTE, and we report support for horizontal transfer of this non-LTR retrotransposon. In addition to short interspersed elements (SINEs) mobilized by L1, we found several families of SINEs that appear to use RTE elements for mobilization. In contrast to L1-mobilized SINEs, the RTE-mobilized SINEs in Monodelphis appear to shift from G+C-rich to G+C-low regions with time. Endogenous retroviruses have colonized ∼10% of the opossum genome. We found that their density is enhanced in centromeric and/or telomeric regions of most Monodelphis chromosomes. We identified 83 new families of ancient repeats that are highly conserved across amniotic lineages, including 14 LINE-derived repeats; and a novel SINE element, MER131, that may have been exapted as a highly conserved functional noncoding RNA, and whose emergence dates back to ∼300 million years ago. Many of these conserved repeats are also present in human, and are highly over-represented in predicted cis-regulatory modules. Seventy-six of the 83 families are present in chicken in addition to mammals.
Three distinct modes of intron dynamics in the evolution of eukaryotes
Authors: Carmel Liran , Wolf Yuri I. , Rogozin Igor B. , Koonin Eugene V.
Published: May 2007

Several contrasting scenarios have been proposed for the origin and evolution of spliceosomal introns, a hallmark of eukaryotic genes. A comprehensive probabilistic model to obtain a definitive reconstruction of intron evolution was developed and applied to 391 sets of conserved genes from 19 eukaryotic species. It is inferred that a relatively high intron density was reached early, i.e., the last common ancestor of eukaryotes contained >2.15 introns/kilobase, and the last common ancestor of multicellular life forms harbored ∼3.4 introns/kilobase, a greater intron density than in most of the extant fungi and in some animals. The rates of intron gain and intron loss appear to have been dropping during the last ∼1.3 billion years, with the decline in the gain rate being much steeper. Eukaryotic lineages exhibit three distinct modes of evolution of the intron–exon structure. The primary, balanced mode, apparently, operates in all lineages. In this mode, intron gain and loss are strongly and positively correlated, in contrast to previous reports on inverse correlation between these processes. The second mode involves an elevated rate of intron loss and is prevalent in several lineages, such as fungi and insects. The third mode, characterized by elevated rate of intron gain, is seen only in deep branches of the tree, indicating that bursts of intron invasion occurred at key points in eukaryotic evolution, such as the origin of animals. Intron dynamics could depend on multiple mechanisms, and in the balanced mode, gain and loss of introns might share common mechanistic features.
Snorkelling as a method for assessing spawning stock of Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar
Authors: ORELL P. , ERKINARO J.
Published: May 2007

Abstract  Reliability of underwater snorkel counts of adult Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., was analysed in the tributaries of the River Teno, close to the spawning period. In small (width 5–20 m) rivers, the replicated total counts of salmon were reasonably precise (CV = 5.4–8.5%), while in the medium‐sized river (width 20–40 m) the precision of the counting method was considerably lower (CV = 15.3%). Low precision in a medium sized river was also observed in an experiment using marked live fish where the observation efficiency varied between 36.4% and 70.0%. In a small river, the detection efficiency of artificial fish silhouettes (test salmon) was almost perfect in pools (98%), but decreased in rapids (84%). Separate counts of males, females, grilse and large salmon were usually more variable than total counts, indicating that divers were more capable of locating a fish than properly identifying its sex and sea‐age. The behaviour of adult salmon was favourable to conduct snorkel counts, as fish normally stayed still, or after hesitating, moved upstream (>95%of the cases) when encountering a diver. The high observation efficiency (>90%) and precision, favourable behaviour of salmon and congruence between snorkel counts and catch statistics in small rivers suggest that reliable data on Atlantic salmon spawning stock can be collected by snorkeling provided that the environmental conditions are suitable and the divers are experienced.
Disability in Indian patients with haemophilia
Authors: KAR A. , MIRKAZEMI R. , SINGH P. , POTNIS‐LELE M. , LOHADE S. , LALWANI A. , SAHA A. S.
Published: May 2007

Summary.  Chronic shortage of clotting factor concentrates, exorbitant treatment costs and the poor economic status of patients makes disability an inevitable consequence of haemophilia in India. The prevalence and risk factors for disability were studied in 148 patients with severe haemophilia A registered at five haemophilia clinics in the country. Disability was measured using a scoring method that used a compilation of functional ability, mobility and range‐of‐motion scores for each patient. Patients ranged in age from 5 to 55 years. Only nine of 148 patients were free of disability. The proportion of disability free patients in the 5–12, 13–24 and 25+ age groups were 14.3%, 4.4% and 0% respectively. The risk factors significantly associated with disability were patients age, socio‐economic status, number of persons in the family, family history of haemophilia, frequency of physiotherapy exercises, home use of coagulation factor concentrate and type of blood product(s) used, that is clotting factor concentrate or cryoprecipitate. The study highlights the need to provide coagulation factor concentrates in sufficient amounts to prevent disability, the beneficial role of physiotherapy exercises and the advantage of older patients as peer educators for younger patients. The most important utility of the data is to demonstrate the widespread prevalence of disability amongst patients, its social costs in terms of incomplete education and unemployment, which justifies the need to include haemophilia as one of the conditions under the Disability Act of India.
Literature Review and suggested protocol for managing ultrasound soft markers for Down syndrome: Thickened nuchal fold, echogenic bowel, shortened femur, shortened humerus, pyelectasis and absent or hypoplastic nasal bone
Authors: Bethune M
Published: May 2007

Mid‐trimester soft markers have been linked with Down syndrome and other aneuploidies. There are many other prenatal screening tests available with better detection rates for Down syndrome than the mid‐trimester ultrasound. Many patients confronted with the diagnosis of a soft marker become anxious and may request a diagnostic test (amniocentesis) despite the associated risk of miscarriage. This is also despite the fact that most fetuses with an isolated soft marker are chromosomally normal. The management of a pregnancy with a soft marker must therefore be planned in a manner designed to minimize patient anxiety. Likelihood ratios can be used to modify a patient’s ‘prior risk’ (based on age or prior screening tests) and create a new risk. This calculation may help identify a subset of patients suitable for further investigation. It has been proposed that ‘negative’ likelihood ratios can be used to reduce a patient’s risk if no soft marker is found at a mid‐trimester ultrasound. There remain concerns about this approach and further research is required before this approach enters common practice. The published work surrounding the management of thickened nuchal fold, echogenic bowel, shortened femur, shortened humerus, pyelectasis (renal pelvis dilatation) and hypoplastic nasal bone is reviewed. Each soft marker has different associations and individual management plans for each of these soft markers are presented. Although isolated single umbilical artery is not usually considered a soft marker of aneuploidy, a management plan for this common finding is also included.
Radiological manifestations of the skeleton, lungs and brain in Stueve–Wiedemann syndrome
Authors: Langer R , Al‐Gazali L , Raupp P , Varady E
Published: May 2007

A total of 25 patients with the rare skeletal dysplasia Stueve–Wiedemann syndrome (SWS) have been evaluated during the last 11 years. Of all patients with clinical suspicion of SWS, skeletal and chest radiographs were obtained for classification of the underlying skeletal dysplasia. In one case, CT was carried out for the first time for further investigation of the midface hypoplasia. Typical conventional radiological findings and CT features were analysed and compared with published data. Early diagnosis of SWS was made by correlating radiological and clinical findings. Follow‐up radiological examinations of the skeleton and of the chest were carried out in six children surviving infancy for evaluation of progression. Clinically, they suffered from progressive orthopaedic problems, recurrent aspiration pneumonia and recurrent episodes of hyperthermia, as well as cutaneous infections. Radiologically progressive bowing of the long tubular bones and progressive metaphyseal decalcification were present on follow‐up skeletal radiographs. Skeletal abnormalities in SWS are so characteristic that an early post‐partum diagnosis can be made by correlation of typical clinical and radiological findings. Few cases survive infancy. First, these patients face progressive orthopaedic problems and respiratory infections.
Colour Doppler ultrasound evaluation of orbital vessels in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Baydar S , Adapinar B , Kebapci N , Bal C , Topbas S
Published: May 2007

The aim of this study was to determine the role of colour Doppler imaging in the retrobulbar vascular circulation in diabetic retinopathy (DR). Maximum (Vmax), end‐diastolic (Vmin) and average (Vmean) velocities of blood flows and pulsatility index and resistivity index (RI) in central retinal artery (CRA), short branches of posterior ciliary artery (PCA) and ophthalmic artery of the 65 diabetic and 22 control eyes were measured. The CRA Vmax level in the control group was significantly higher than in DR groups. The CRA Vmean level was also significantly higher in the control group than in the mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and the moderate NPDR groups. The CRA RI value was significantly higher in the control group than in the nonretinopathy group. The CRA Vmin and the ophthalmic artery RI values were found significantly higher in the nonretinopathy group than in the moderate NPDR group. There were significant decreases in the some CRA and PCA values as glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels increase in diabetic group. There was a positive correlation between the duration of diabetes and HbA1c levels. This study showed the presence of some dynamic circulatory alterations in the nonretinopathy group with diabetes and DR groups. It was also shown that there is a negative correlation between HbA1c and some orbital vascular velocities.
The ability of ultrasound to detect gynaecological neoplasms and their ultrasound morphological features
Authors: Tan PL , Willatt JM , Lindsell D
Published: May 2007

To determine first, the accuracy of a gynaecological ultrasound service in the detection of four clinically significant pathologies, namely, uterine body malignancy, ovarian malignancy, ovarian dermoid cysts and other benign ovarian pathologies and second, to review the ultrasound imaging appearances of ovarian masses with histopathological correlation. Retrospective data collection from consecutive weekly multidisciplinary team meetings over a 12‐month period. All patients had undergone ultrasound examination before surgery. Data included patient demographics, menopausal status, indications for ultrasound, type of practitioner carrying out the scan, operative findings and final histopathological diagnosis. Ultrasound imaging appearances were correlated to histology. Of the 47 cases of uterine malignancy, 45 had endometrial carcinoma. All had either a thickened or poorly seen or not seen endometrium. Twenty‐four per cent of these women were premenopausal. Forty‐seven of the 48 cases of ovarian malignancy had abnormal ultrasound findings. In six of these, the findings were of a purely cystic lesion. There were 62 cases of benign ovarian pathology (excluding dermoid cyst), all of which had an abnormal ultrasound; 16 of these had possible ultrasound features of malignancy. All 30 cases of ovarian dermoid cyst had an abnormal ultrasound with a specific diagnosis being made in 27. This study shows that ultrasound is accurate in the detection of both endometrial and ovarian disease. The endometrium that is not seen or is poorly seen is an indication for endometrial biopsy in women with postmenopausal bleeding. There is considerable overlap in the ultrasound appearances of benign and malignant ovarian lesions. Ultrasound is a good method for the accurate and specific diagnosis of an ovarian dermoid cyst.
Technique for axillary radiotherapy using computer‐assisted planning for high‐risk skin cancer†
Authors: Fogarty GB , Cassumbhoy R , Martin JM , Fay M , Ainslie J
Published: May 2007

High‐risk skin cancer arising on the upper limb or trunk can cause axillary nodal metastases. Previous studies have shown that axillary radiotherapy improves regional control. There is little published work on technique. Technique standardization is important in quality assurance and comparison of results especially for trials. Our technique, planned with CT assistance, is presented. To assess efficacy, an audit of patients treated in our institution over a 15‐month period was conducted. Of 24 patients treated, 13 were treated with radical intent, 11 with this technique. With a follow up of over 2 years, the technique had more than a 90% (10/11) regional control in this radical group. Both of the radical patients who were not treated according to the technique had regional failure. One case of late toxicity was found, of asymptomatic lymphoedema in a radically treated patient. This technique for axillary radiotherapy for regional control of skin cancer is acceptable in terms of disease control and toxicity as validated by audit at 2 years.
CT planning for breast cancer
Authors: Lim TS , Petersen V , Zissiadis Y
Published: May 2007

Radiotherapy to the affected breast or chest wall is well established as an integral part of postoperative management of breast cancer. However, it is known to be associated with increased cardiac and pulmonary morbidities and mortalities. Modern technologies, such as CT planning, have shown to improve treatment planning by accurately delivering optimal doses to the target volumes, while minimizing doses to sensitive structures, thus reducing potential treatment‐related adverse effects. The purpose of this study is to report on our experiences with CT planning of adjuvant radiotherapy for breast cancer.
The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Japanese renal transplant recipients
Authors: NAGANUMA TOSHIHIDE , UCHIDA JUNJI , KINOSHITA YOSHIHISA , KUROKI YOSHIKAZU , TAKEMOTO YOSHIAKI , YOSHIMURA RIKIO , SUGIMURA KAZUNOBU , NAKATANI TATSUYA
Published: May 2007

Background:  The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) after renal transplantation has yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of MS in Japanese renal transplant recipients.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of MS in 101 renal transplant recipients at Osaka City University Hospital. The prevalence of MS was determined using the National Cholesterol Education Program‐Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP‐ATPIII) criteria (modified and original) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria.

Results:  Using the modified (Japanese) NCEP criteria, a total of 24 out of 101 patients (23.8%) had MS including 21 out of 64 male patients (32.8%) and three out of 37 female patients (8.1%). Using the modified (Asian) NCEP criteria, MS was diagnosed in 23 patients (22.8%); 19 male (29.7%) and four female (10.8%). Using the original NCEP criteria, MS was diagnosed in 15 patients (14.9%); 12 male (18.8%) and three female (8.1%). Using the IDF criteria, MS was diagnosed in 16 patients (15.8%); 15 male (23.4%) and one female (2.7%).

Conclusion:  The prevalence of MS differed according to the NCEP criteria used, which had different cut‐off points for waist circumference (14.9–23.8%). By the IDF criteria, which cites central obesity as an essential component, the prevalence of MS was slightly lower. Furthermore, in our study, MS was more prevalent in male renal transplant recipients.
Revascularization for post‐transplant renal artery stenosis
Authors: CHOW KAI MING , SZETO CHEUK CHUN , LEE PAUL SING FUN , HO SIMON SZE MING , LEUNG CHI BON , LI PHILIP KAM‐TAO
Published: May 2007

Background:  Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty has now been increasingly accepted as a primary treatment option for transplant renal artery stenosis.

Methods:  This single‐centre study evaluated the treatment effect of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty as primary intervention among 18 consecutive patients with angiographically demonstrated transplant renal artery stenosis.

Results:  Patients (14 men and 4 women, mean age 49 ± 9 years) were followed up for a mean duration of 21.6 months after procedure. Highly significant improvement was noted in the mean arterial pressure (from baseline 105.9 ± 10.4 mmHg to 98.6 ± 10.0 mmHg, P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (148.5 mmHg to 137.1 mmHg, P = 0.002) and diastolic blood pressure (85.3 mmHg to 79.4 mmHg, P = 0.002). Estimated glomerular filtration rate before and 6 months after intervention was 41.4 ± 16.8 mL/min per 1.73 m2 and 42.0 ± 16.2 mL/min per 1.73 m2, respectively (P = 0.82).

Conclusion:  These findings show that percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in transplant renal artery stenosis appears to have a significant beneficial effect on hypertension but less impact on the improvement in renal function.
Incorporating Uncertainty into the Estimation of the Passing Sight Distance Requirements
Authors: Khoury John El , Hobeika Antoine
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  Passing sight distance (PSD) is provided to ensure the safety of passing maneuvers on two lane two way roads. Many random variables determine the minimum length required for a safe passing maneuver. Current PSD design practices replace these random variables by single‐value means in the calculation process, disregarding their inherent variations, which results in a single‐value PSD design criteria. The main objective of the article is to derive a PSD distribution that accounts for the variations in the contributing random variables. Two models are devised, a Monte‐Carlo simulation model used to obtain the PSD distribution and a closed form analytical estimation model used for verification purposes. The Monte‐Carlo simulation model uses random sampling to select the values of the contributing parameters from their corresponding distributions in each run. The analytical model accounts for each parameter variation by using their means and standard deviations in a closed form estimation method. The means and standard deviations of the PSD using both models are compared for verification purposes. Both models use the same PSD formulation. The analysis is conducted for a design speed of 80 Km/h (50 mph). A PSD distribution is developed accordingly. The results of both models differ only by less than 2%. The obtained distribution is used to estimate the reliability index of the current PSD standards at a design speed of 80 Km/h (50 mph).
Eigensolution for Stability Analysis of Planar Frames by Graph Symmetry
Authors: Kaveh A. , Dadfar B.
Published: May 2007

Abstract: In this article, systematic methods are developed for calculating the buckling loads of symmetric planar frames. The mechanical properties of elements of a structure are assigned to the members of the graph model, resulting in a weighted graph. Factorization of this graph results in subgraphs for which the eigenvalues can easily be calculated. Decomposition and healing process used in this article reduce the dimensions of the matrices required for stability analysis of symmetric frames. Therefore, the accuracy of calculation increases and the cost of the computation decreases with a fixed discretization, in comparison with classic methods.
KARMAAND THE POSSIBILITY OF PURIFICATION: An Ethical and Psychological Analysis of the Doctrine ofKarmain Buddhism
Authors: Ghose Lynken
Published: May 2007

This article attempts to definekarmaas both action and the effects of action. In terms of the effects or fruits of action, the effect of action upon the mind is the focus; thus, the idea of “effect” is primarily defined as psychic residue and is compared to Freud's notion of memory traces. In addition, action that produceskarmais said to be accompanied by the “pulling” feeling of volition (cetanā). Some comparisons are then made betweencetanā and the theories of Karen Horney in Western psychology vis à vis her view of the neurotic's compulsive, driven feelings. The article also has a more ethically oriented side. Often, thekarmadoctrine is believed to be the only causal factor responsible for one's present condition, and thus, a person's unfortunate circumstances: sometimes this notion leads to blaming a person for his or her misfortune. This article seeks to discover whether or not this idea truly has scriptural backing. Lastly, the article explores the issue of whether or not one must always live out the entirety of the effects of one's actions or if it is possible to purify or eliminate actions' effects before they come to fruition. For this question in particular, the article examines bothTheravādaandMahāyānathinking.
COMPARISON AND HISTORY IN THE STUDY OF RELIGIOUS ETHICS: An Essay on Michael Cook's Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong in Islamic Thought1
Authors: Kelsay John
Published: May 2007

Qur'an 3:104 speaks of “commanding right and forbidding wrong” as a constitutive feature of the Muslim community. Michael Cook's careful and comprehensive study provides a wealth of information about the ways Muslims in various contexts have understood this notion. Cook also makes a number of comparative observations, and suggests that “commanding” appears to be a uniquely Muslim practice. Scholars of religious ethics should read Cook's study with great appreciation. They will also have a number of questions about his comparative comments. In this article, I suggest that scholars of comparative ethics should think less about the “uniqueness” of the materials examined by Cook, and more about the ways groups of human beings discipline their members, thereby constituting and maintaining themselves as communities of virtue.
COMMUNICATION AND RATIONAL RESPONSIVENESS TO THE WORLD
Authors: BRISCOE ROBERT EAMON
Published: May 2007

Abstract: Donald Davidson has long maintained that in order to be credited with the concept of objectivity – and, so, with language and thought – it is necessary to communicate with at least one other speaker. I here examine Davidson's central argument for this thesis and argue that it is unsuccessful. Subsequently, I turn to Robert Brandom's defense of the thesis inMaking It Explicit.I argue that, contrary to Brandom, in order to possess the concept of objectivity it is not necessary to engage in the practice of interpersonal reasoning because possession of the concept is independently integral to the practice of intrapersonal reasoning.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Reveals Inhibitory Deficiency In Migraine
Authors: Chadaide Z , Arlt S , Antal A , Nitsche MA , Lang N , Paulus W
Published: May 2007

The issue of interictal excitability of cortical neurons in migraine patients is controversial: some studies have reported hypo-, others hyperexcitability. The aim of the present study was to observe the dynamics of this basic interictal state by further modulating the excitability level of the visual cortex using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in migraineurs with and without aura. In healthy subjects anodal tDCS decreases, cathodal stimulation increases transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)-elicited phosphene thresholds (PT), which is suggested as a representative value of visual cortex excitability. Compared with healthy controls, migraine patients tended to show lower baseline PT values, but this decrease failed to reach statistical significance. Anodal stimulation decreased phosphene threshold in migraineurs similarly to controls, having a larger effect in migraineurs with aura. Cathodal stimulation had no significant effect in the patient groups. This result strengthens the notion of deficient inhibitory processes in the cortex of migraineurs, which is selectively revealed by activity-modulating cortical input.
Geographic variation in the use of torpor and roosting behaviour of female western long‐eared bats
Authors: Solick D. I. , Barclay R. M. R.
Published: May 2007

The costs and benefits of torpor may vary across the range of widespread heterothermic species, resulting in different thermoregulatory patterns and other behaviours for individuals inhabiting different environments. We compared torpor use and roosting behaviour for rock‐roosting populations of western long‐eared batsMyotis evotisliving in the mountains and prairies of Alberta, Canada. We monitored body temperatures and located roosts for pregnant and lactating females using radio‐telemetry. We also took roost measurements, and assessed roost microclimate using temperature dataloggers. Females in the mountains entered torpor less frequently and spent less time in torpor than bats in the prairies, supporting our hypothesis that reproductive time constraints in the mountains outweigh the benefits of torpor. Alternatively, increased torpor use in the prairies may be attributed to a greater need for water conservation. Females in the mountains minimized thermoregulatory costs and maintained homeothermy by selecting exposed roosts with warm microclimates during pregnancy, and then switching to clustering with other individuals during lactation when conditions were cooler. In the prairies, females roosted alone in cooler, less exposed roost types, which facilitate the use of torpor. Our results illustrate the importance of considering geographic variation in behaviour across the range of a species.
Killer whale evasive tactics vary with boat number
Authors: Williams R. , Ashe E.
Published: May 2007

Controlled exposure experiments that measure animal response to vessels can inform relevant wildlife‐viewing guidelines and reveal how they make decisions about changes in their environment. Previous experimental studies documented stereotyped avoidance responses by killer whales to boats. Additional observations collected during these studies showed an apparent shift in avoidance behaviour at high traffic levels. Our study tested experimentally whether whales did respond differently to approach by few (1–3) versus many (>3) vessels. Data were collected in summer 2004 in Johnstone Strait, British Columbia, using a theodolite to track the positions of boats and individually identifiable focal whales during control and treatment (few vs. many boats) phases. The responses of 16 adult male killer whales differed significantly between treatment levels (Wilcoxon's test,P=0.0148). Swimming paths became more tortuous when few boats approached whales, but straighter as many boats approached. Pooling treatments would have masked significant responses with high statistical confidence (Wilcoxon's test,P>0.999), falsely suggesting that boat presence had no effect. The division between few and many boats was supported by 140 opportunistic observations on 26 whales from a population of 216. We used generalized additive models to control for the effects of confounding variables, detected a non‐linear relationship between number of boats and whales' swimming path directness and confirmed an inflection point at approximately three boats within 1000 m. We urge caution when designing controlled exposure assessments that rely on a simple absence–presence framework, which can mask multivariate or non‐linear responses. Experimental design, coupled with analytical techniques incorporating statistical power and appropriateness of treatments and response variables, must be considered when interpreting the biological significance of null findings from impact assessments. Our study provides new information about levels of habitat degradation that this marine apex predator can tolerate.
Asymmetries in the attachment apparatus of a gill parasite
Authors: Pečínková M. , Vøllestad L. A. , Koubková B. , Gelnar M.
Published: May 2007

Diplozoids are fish ectoparasites with a direct life cycle. Adults live attached to fish gills, using two haptors with four pairs of clamps for attachment. Three planes of symmetry (the individual, haptor and clamp planes) can be identified in adult diplozoids. In this study, the haptor and clamp planes of symmetry are used to study different asymmetries (fluctuating asymmetry FA, directional asymmetry DA, antisymmetry) in the attachment apparatus ofParadiplozoon homoion(Diplozoidae; Monogenea). DA and antisymmetry may be adaptive asymmetries, whereas FA – measured as the random deviation from perfect symmetry in bilateral characters – is suggested as a useful tool for estimating developmental instability. Fifty individuals ofP. homoionwere collected from 25 gudgeonGobio gobio. Asymmetries were estimated for nine morphometric traits in the haptor plane and three morphometric traits in the clamp plane on all four pairs of clamps from each individual. FA did not differ between traits on the individual pairs of clamps. However, significant DA was detected for most traits in the clamp plane.
Peripheral inflammatory hyperalgesia modulates morphine delivery to the brain: a role for P‐glycoprotein
Authors: Seelbach Melissa J. , Brooks Tracy A. , Egleton Richard D. , Davis Thomas P.
Published: May 2007

P‐glycoprotein (Pgp, ABCB1) is a critical efflux transporter at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) where its luminal location and substrate promiscuity limit the brain distribution of numerous therapeutics. Moreover, Pgp is known to confer multi‐drug resistance in cancer chemotherapy and brain diseases, such as epilepsy, and is highly regulated by inflammatory mediators. The involvement of inflammatory processes in neuropathological states has led us to investigate the effects of peripheral inflammatory hyperalgesia on transport properties at the BBB. In the present study, we examined the effects of λ‐carrageenan‐induced inflammatory pain (CIP) on brain endothelium regulation of Pgp. Western blot analysis of enriched brain microvessel fractions showed increased Pgp expression 3 h post‐CIP. In situ brain perfusion studies paralleled these findings with decreased brain uptake of the Pgp substrate and opiate analgesic, [3H] morphine. Cyclosporin A‐mediated inhibition of Pgp enhanced the uptake of morphine in λ‐carrageenan and control animals. This indicates that the CIP induced decrease in morphine transport was the result of an increase in Pgp activity at the BBB. Furthermore, antinociception studies showed decreased morphine analgesia following CIP. The observation that CIP modulates Pgp at the BBB in vivo is critical to understanding BBB regulation during inflammatory disease states.
Differential signaling of dopamine‐D2S and ‐D2L receptors to inhibit ERK1/2 phosphorylation
Authors: Van‐Ham Irit Itzhaki , Banihashemi Behzad , Wilson Ariel M. , Jacobsen Kirsten X. , Czesak Margaret , Albert Paul R.
Published: May 2007

Although they have distinct functions, the signaling of dopamine‐D2 receptor short and long isoforms (D2S and D2L) is virtually identical. We compared inhibitory regulation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERK1/2) in GH4 pituitary cells separately transfected with these isoforms. Activation of rat or human dopamine‐D2S, muscarinic or somatostatin receptors inhibited thyrotropin‐releasing hormone‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, while the D2L receptor failed to inhibit this response. In order to address the structural basis for the differential signaling of D2S and D2L receptors, we examined the D2L‐SS mutant, in which a protein kinase C (PKC) pseudosubstrate site that is present in the D2L but not D2S receptor was converted to a consensus PKC site. In transfected GH4 cells, the D2L‐SS mutant inhibited thyrotropin‐releasing hormone‐induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation almost as strongly as the D2S receptor. A D2S‐triple mutant that eliminates PKC sites involved in D2S receptor desensitization also inhibited ERK1/2 activation. Similarly, in striatal cultures, the D2‐selective agonist quinpirole inhibited potassium‐stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, indicating the presence of this pathway in neurons. In conclusion, the D2S and D2L receptors differ in inhibitory signaling to ERK1/2 due to specific residues in the D2L receptor alternatively spliced domain, which may account for differences in their function in vivo.
Feminism Between the Sheets: Sexual Attitudes Among Feminists, Nonfeminists, and Egalitarians
Authors: Bay-Cheng Laina Y. , Zucker Alyssa N.
Published: May 2007

To better understand the relation of feminist identification to sexuality, we compared the attitudes of feminist, egalitarian, and nonfeminist undergraduate women ( N = 342) in five domains: (a) erotophilia (one's positive affective or evaluative responses to sexual stimuli), (b) sexual assertiveness, (c) perceived self-efficacy for safer sex, (d) sexual satisfaction, and (e) support of the sexual double standard. Significant results of ANOVA analyses included: Feminists were more erotophilic than egalitarians and nonfeminists, egalitarians were the most confident in their ability to be assertive with a partner regarding condom use, and egalitarians and nonfeminists were more supportive of a traditional sexual double standard than feminists. Consistent with Zucker (2004) , we argue that a distinctive characteristic of egalitarians is that their acceptance of feminist values with regard to their own sexual lives does not translate into a critique of gendered sexual norms for other women.
Characteristics of 13 polymorphic microsatellite markers in the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Authors: PERERA OMATHTHAGE P. , BLANCO CARLOS A. , SCHEFFLER BRIAN E. , ABEL CRAIG A.
Published: May 2007

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite loci suitable for population genetic studies of Helicoverpa zea were discovered by screening partial genomic libraries enriched for microsatellite sequences. Insects collected (N = 96) in Stoneville, Mississippi were used to characterize these markers. The observed and effective number of alleles per locus ranged from two to nine (average 4.46) and from 1.07 to 2.45 (average 1.81), respectively. Fisher exact tests detected significant deviations from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium at three loci, probably due to inbreeding, null alleles, or Wahlund's effect. Significant genotypic disequilibrium was not detected between any pair of loci.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellites in Leuciscus cephalus (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) and cross‐species amplification within the family Cyprinidae
Authors: VYSKOČILOVÁ MARTINA , ŠIMKOVÁ ANDREA , MARTIN JEAN‐FRANÇOIS
Published: May 2007

Thirteen polymorphic microsatellites were isolated from Leuciscus cephalus, a widespread cyprinid species with great ecological tolerance. Together with the cross‐species amplification of six additional loci originally published for three cyprinid fish species, we optimized a multiplex panel for L. cephalus allowing the genotyping of 19 polymorphic loci. Number of alleles and heterozygosity per locus in a sample of 20 fish individuals ranged from two to 16 and from 0.05 to 0.90, respectively. These primers will be useful in determining the population structure of L. cephalus. In addition, successful cross‐amplification was obtained for several species of Cyprinidae.
Characterization of microsatellite loci in the African fig Ficus sycomorus L. (Moraceae)
Authors: AHMED SOPHIA , DAWSON DEBORAH A. , COMPTON STEPHEN G. , GILMARTIN PHILIP M.
Published: May 2007

Microsatellite loci were characterized in the African fig tree Ficus sycomorus in order to investigate patterns of pollination and gene flow in this species. The loci characterized included new loci isolated from F. sycomorus and a single locus originally developed in Ficus carica. In total 12 loci were polymorphic when tested in between eight and 79 Namibian F. sycomorus individuals. Three of the new F. sycomorus loci were found to be polymorphic in cultivars of the edible fig F. carica suggesting a selection of these loci will be useful for population studies in other fig species.
Establishing Causes of Eradication Failure Based on Genetics: Case Study of Ship Rat Eradication in Ste. Anne Archipelago
Authors: ABDELKRIM JAWAD , PASCAL MICHEL , SAMADI SARAH
Published: May 2007

Abstract:  Determining the causes of a failed eradication of a pest species is important because it enables an argued adjustment of the methodologies used and the improvement of the protocols for future attempts. We examined how molecular monitoring can help distinguish between the two main reasons for an eradication failure (i.e., survival of some individuals vs. recolonization after eradication). We investigated genetic variation in seven microsatellite loci in ship rat (Rattus rattus) populations from four islets off the Martinique coast (French Caribbean). In 1999 an eradication attempt was conducted on the four islets. Three years later rats were observed again on two of them. We compared the genetic signatures of the populations before and after the eradication attempt. On one of the islands, the new rat population was likely a subset of the pre‐eradication population. A weak genetic differentiation was found between them, with almost no new alleles observed in the new population and moderate FST values (0.15). Moreover, assignment procedures clustered the two populations together. In contrast, on the other islet, many new alleles were observed after the eradication attempt, resulting in an increase in genetic diversity (from 2.57 to 3.57 mean number of alleles per locus) and strong FST values (0.39). Moreover, genetic clustering clearly separated the two samples (i.e., before and after the eradication attempt) in two different populations. Thus, to achieve long‐term eradication on these islets, it seems necessary to redevelop the eradication procedure to avoid individuals surviving and to prevent reinvasion, probably from the mainland, by installing permanent trapping and poisoning devices and conducting regular monitoring. We strongly encourage wildlife managers conducting eradication campaigns to integrate molecular biological tools in their protocols, which can be done easily for most common invasive species.