bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genotype and Environment Affect Phytosterol Content and Composition of Wheat
Authors: Chen Yongfen , Dunford Nurhan T. , Edwards Jeff , Carver Brett , Goad Carla
Published: January 2009

Phytosterols (PS) lower low density lipoprotein (LDL) levels by as much as 10–14% in normal and hypercholesteromic people. High LDL levels in the blood are associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. Wheat germ and bran contain significant amounts of PS. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of genotype and environment on PS content and composition in whole wheat grain. Protein and ash contents and mineral composition of the samples were also determined. Grain samples were collected from three cultivars, Jagger, Trego, and Intrada, grown at three locations, Alva, Balko, and Goodwell, OK in 2005. Irrigated and dryland samples were obtained from Goodwell. Total PS content and composition in the grain samples were determined using a gas chromatography system. Whole wheat grain samples varied in PS content from 202 mg/kg to 355 mg/kg. β‐Sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol were the major PS compounds found in all the samples. PS exhibited a significant location‐by‐cultivar random effect (P < 0.048), indicating the presence of genotype‐by‐location interaction. Within each location, a significant cultivar effect was also observed. Protein and ash contents and mineral composition of the samples, except those collected from Goodwell‐dryland, were within the range published in the literature for other wheat cultivars. A fundamental understanding of compositional variation in wheat grain requires multi‐environment testing of genotypes, perhaps over several years. This study is a first step for achieving this goal.
Refrigerated Storage of Yellow Alkaline Durum Noodles: Impact on Color and Texture
Authors: Hatcher D. W. , Dexter J. E. , Fu B. X.
Published: January 2009

Durum wheat straight‐grade flour samples, representing the cultivars Commander and Strongfield, a composite cargo mixture of Canada Western Amber Durum cultivars and a Japanese commercial durum flour were used to make yellow alkaline noodles. A Canada Western Red Spring common wheat composite straight‐grade flour was included in the study for comparative purposes. Alkaline noodles were prepared using 1% w/w kansui reagent (sodium and potassium carbonates, 9:1) and stored for 1, 2, 3 and 7 days at 4°C to duplicate a normal convenience store operation. The raw noodle color of the durum alkaline noodles exhibited significantly better noodle brightness, L*, and yellowness, b*, as compared to noodles prepared from common wheat at all storage periods. The number of discolored specks in the durum flour based noodles was significantly lower as well as significantly lighter than those of common wheat at all time intervals. Noodles prepared from Commander, Strongfield, or the cargo composite flours displayed significantly lower water uptake during cooking than both the commercial durum flour and the common wheat noodles. The commercial durum flour noodles displayed the thinnest cooked noodles, while the common wheat flour noodles were the thickest. Evaluation of cooked noodle texture, immediately after production and subsequent storage of the raw noodles at 4°C for 1, 2 and 3 days before cooking showed a general increase in maximum cutting stress (MCS) with storage. Noodles prepared from Commander flour consistently display MCS values exceeding those of CWRS as well as the highest resistance to compression (RTC) and recovery (REC) measurements. The visual improvements in noodle brightness, enhanced yellowness, reduced speck numbers and darkness in combination with equivalent to improved cooked noodle texture attributes compared with common wheat flour suggests that durum flours are an ideal material for fresh, refrigerated yellow alkaline noodles.
Hop Stunt Decline: A Disease or Disorder of Unknown Aetiology in Australian Hop Yards
Authors: Pethybridge Sarah J. , McGee Patricia , Hamilton Peter
Published: January 2009

Hop stunt decline was first observed in commercial hop yards in northeastern Tasmania in 1991. Over the next seven years, the incidence of hop stunt decline increased and reductions in cone yield were estimated to be approximately 30%. Symptoms of hop stunt decline include retarded spring growth, reduced burr production in summer, prolific lateral branching, and progressively shorter internodes on the main bine, and lateral branches which give the plant a “pine-tree” appearance. Final height of affected plants was between one-half to two-thirds of normal growth. Despite extensive investigations over 10 years, the cause of this problem has not been elucidated. However, the role of herbicides, soil physical properties, all described viruses and viroids affecting hop, phytoplasmas, deficiencies of molybdenum, manganese, boron and zinc, plant-parasitic nematodes, and soil-borne fungal diseases have been excluded. Planting with resistant (or tolerant) cultivars was successful at alleviating hop stunt decline.

Accepted for publication 3 October 2008. Published 16 January 2009.
Stable isotope evidence of ontogenetic changes in the diet of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum
Authors: De Brabandere L. , Catalano M. J. , Frazer T. K. , Allen M. S.
Published: January 2009

Stable sulphur isotopic composition (δ34S) of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum was used to investigate the seasonal and ontogenetic variation in the diet of young and adult fish. This study evaluated fish from a hypereutrophic lake that had recently undergone a 40% reduction of large (>300 mm total length, LT) D. cepedianum biomass as part of a biomanipulation experiment, which aimed at reducing internal nutrient loading. Dorosoma cepedianum δ34S values showed evidence of ontogenetic changes with young fish (<200 mm LT) depending more on benthic food sources than adults (>200 mm LT). The δ34S composition of the adult fish suggested an increasing importance of zooplankton in the diet, although benthic food sources remained part of the diet of all D. cepedianum collected in this study. The results indicated that benthic feeding is used by D. cepedianum of all sizes, suggesting that biomanipulation efforts may need to target all sizes of fish to realize benefits.
Long‐term effects of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging on the kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus
Authors: Park M. O. , Park I.‐S.
Published: January 2009

The effects of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagging on the growth and survival of kelp grouper Epinephelus bruneus was examined over 1 year. The overall average mass gain for the 1 year period of the abdominal cavity tagged group was higher than the dorsal muscle tagged group. No significant differences were found in overall specific growth rate and food conversion between control and treatment groups.
Growth and mortality of European glass eel Anguilla anguilla marked with oxytetracycline and alizarin red
Authors: Simon J. , Dörner H. , Richter C.
Published: January 2009

The growth and mortality of European glass eel Anguilla anguilla 192 days after marking with oxytetracycline and alizarin red S were not significantly different between the two treatments and not different to the unmarked A. anguilla.
Evolution of acoustic signals inCyprinella: degree of similarity in sister species
Authors: Phillips C. T. , Johnston C. E.
Published: January 2009

Signal structure and behavioural context were examined in two sister species, the Tallapoosa shinerCyprinella gibbsiand the tricolor shinerCyprinella trichroistia, with two more distantly related species, the Ocmulgee shinerCyprinella callisemaand the whitetail shinerCyprinella galactura, in order to test the hypothesis that more closely related species would share components of signals not shared with more distant relatives, and to look at the degree of divergence. The species examined differed in number and type of signal components, contexts and frequency under which calls were produced. While all species produced pulses arranged into pulse bursts,C. gibbsiandC. trichroistiashared unique call types, chirps and rattles, andC. galacturaandC. callisemaboth produced the knock call type. The sister species shared more components of their call repertoire with each other than with the more distantly relatedC. galacturaandC. callisemaand clustered together based on courtship call similarity.
Thermal growth performance of juvenile brown troutSalmo trutta: no support for thermal adaptation hypotheses
Authors: Forseth T. , Larsson S. , Jensen A. J. , Jonsson B. , Näslund I. , Berglund I.
Published: January 2009

Using thermal growth data from eight populations of anadromous and lake‐feeding brown troutSalmo trutta, hypotheses of adaptation to local optima and countergradient variation in growth were tested. The adaptation to local optima hypothesis suggests that natural selection can shift optimal performance temperatures to match the prevailing temperature in a new or changed thermal niche. In contradiction, the countergradient variation hypothesis suggests that populations from hostile environments perform better than conspecifics from benign environments at all temperatures. In this study, growth capacity varied between populations but there was no significant correlation between any of the estimated thermal performance parameters (e.g.lower and upper thermal growth limits, optimal temperature for growth and maximum growth capacity) and natural climatic conditions among populations. Hence,S. truttagrowth response to temperature lends no support for either of the two suggested thermal adaptation hypotheses. Instead, growth capacity among populations tended to correlate positively with female size at maturity.
The influence of light on the diel vertical migration of young‐of‐the‐year burbot Lota lota in Lake Constance
Authors: Probst W. N. , Eckmann R.
Published: January 2009

The diel vertical distribution of young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) burbot Lota lota in the pelagic zone of Lake Constance was compared to light intensity at the surface and to the light intensity at their mean depth. Lota lota larvae inhabited the pelagic zone of Lake Constance from the beginning of May until the end of August. From early June, after the stratification of the water column, fish performed diel vertical migrations (DVM) between the hypolimnion and epilimnion. The amplitude of DVM increased constantly during the summer and reached 70 m by the end of August. Lota lota started their ascent to the surface after sunset and descended into the hypolimnion after sunrise. As the YOY fish grew from May to August, they experienced decreasing diel maximum light intensities: in May and early June L. lota spent the day at light intensities >40 W m−2, but they never experienced light intensities >0·1 W m−2 after the end of June. From this time, L. lota experienced the brightest light intensities during dusk and dawn, suggesting feeding opportunities at crepuscular hours. The present study implies, that YOY L. lota in the pelagic zone of Lake Constance increased their DVM amplitude during the summer to counteract a perceived predation risk related to body size and pigmentation.
Hyperplastic and hypertrophic growth of lateral muscle in blackspot seabream Pagellus bogaraveo from hatching to juvenile
Authors: Silva P. , Valente L. M. P. , Olmedo M. , Galante M. H. , Monteiro R. A. F. , Rocha E.
Published: January 2009

To understand better the growth mechanisms in the economically important fish Pagellus bogaraveo, in terms of muscle fibre hyperplasia v. hypertrophy, the lateral muscle of this fish was studied morphometrically from hatching to juvenile comparing rostral and caudal locations. Fish were sampled at 0, 5, 23, 40, 70, 100, 140 and 180 days. Fibre types were first identified by succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and immunostaining with a polyclonal antibody against fish slow myosin (4–96). Morphometric variables were then measured in transverse body sections, at both post‐opercular and post‐anal locations, to estimate the following variables: total muscle area [A (muscle)], total fibre number [N (fibres)], fibre number per unit area of muscle [NA(fibres, muscle)] and cross‐sectional fibre area [ (fibres)] of the two main muscle fibre types (white and red). Overall, growth throughout the various stages resulted from increases both in the number and in the size of muscle fibres, paralleled by an expansion of the [A (muscle)]. Nonetheless, that increase was not significant between 0–5 days on one hand and 100–140 days, on the other hand. On the contrary, the [NA(fibres, muscle)] declined as the body length increased. Analysis of the muscle growth kinetics suggested that, within the important time frame studied, hyperplasia gave the main relative contribution to the increase of white muscle [A (white muscle)], whereas red muscle [A (red muscle)] mainly grew by hypertrophy, with both phenomena occurring at a faster pace posteriorly in the body. Finally, when comparing rostral and caudal locations, a greater [N (fibres)] and [A (muscle)] of the posterior white and red fibres were the consistent features. It was also observed that the proportion of the cross‐sectional area of the myotomal muscle comprised of white muscle was greater in the anterior part of the fish.
Sardine Sardinops sagax and anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus larvae avoid regions with low dissolved oxygen concentration in the northern Benguela Current system
Authors: Kreiner A. , Stenevik E. K. , Ekau W.
Published: January 2009

Larvae of sardine Sardinops sagax and anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the northern Benguela upwelling system were distributed predominantly in waters with dissolved oxygen concentrations >2·0 ml l−1 and oxygen saturations >75%.
Reduced swimming abilities in fast‐growing transgenic common carp Cyprinus carpio associated with their morphological variations
Authors: Li D. , Hu W. , Wang Y. , Zhu Z. , Fu C.
Published: January 2009

Critical swimming speeds (Ucrit) and morphological characters were compared between the F4 generation of GH‐transgenic common carp Cyprinus carpio and the non‐transgenic controls. Transgenic fish displayed a mean absolute Ucrit value 22·3% lower than the controls. Principal component analysis identified variations in body shape, with transgenic fish having significantly deeper head, longer caudal length of the dorsal region, longer standard length (LS) and shallower body and caudal region, and shorter caudal length of the ventral region. Swimming speeds were related to the combination of deeper body and caudal region, longer caudal length of the ventral region, shallower head depth, shorter caudal length of dorsal region and LS. These findings suggest that morphological variations which are poorly suited to produce maximum thrust and minimum drag in GH‐transgenic C. carpio may be responsible for their lower swimming abilities in comparison with non‐transgenic controls.
Depth‐dependent swimbladder compression in herring Clupea harengus observed using magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Fässler S. M. M. , Fernandes P. G. , Semple S. I. K. , Brierley A. S.
Published: January 2009

Changes in swimbladder morphology in an Atlantic herring Clupea harengus with pressure were examined by magnetic resonance imaging of a dead fish in a purpose‐built pressure chamber. Swimbladder volume changed with pressure according to Boyle’s Law, but compression in the lateral aspect was greater than in the dorsal aspect. This uneven compression has a reduced effect on acoustic backscattering than symmetrical compression and would elicit less pronounced effects of depth on acoustic biomass estimates of C. harengus.
Effects of external and surgically implanted dummy radio transmitters on mortality, swimming performance and physiological status of juvenile masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou
Authors: Makiguchi Y. , Ueda H.
Published: January 2009

The effects of external and surgically implanted radio transmitters on juvenile masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou were examined. External attachment of transmitters significantly decreased the survival of fish and caused a decreased critical swimming speed compared with surgical implantation. Although plasma cortisol, plasma glucose and haematocrit values did not differ significantly among groups, it appeared that the most suitable transmitter attachment method for juvenile O. masou may be surgical implantation.
Effects of competitor density and physical habitat structure on the competitive intensity of territorial white spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis
Authors: Hasegawa K. , Yamamoto S.
Published: January 2009

This study compared the effects of interference competition in habitats of different complexity and in different densities. The influence of fish density and habitat structure was examined in manipulative experiments using young‐of‐the‐year white spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis as a model species. The difference of specific growth rate (G) range, an index of interference competitive intensity, was significantly smaller in the structurally complex treatments than structurally simple treatments, while there were no significant difference between high‐density and low‐density treatments. Thus, physical habitat structure was more effective for mitigating interference competition than manipulating competitor density. Although interference competition was not affected by competitor density, mean G were suppressed in the high‐density treatments. This implied that exploitative competition may cause the decrease of G rather than interference competition does in the high‐density treatments. Mean G were also suppressed in the structurally complex treatments. Chaotic flow pattern created by physical habitat structures may decrease G by reducing foraging success of experimental fish in the complex treatments.
Larval development of Argentine hake Merluccius hubbsi
Authors: Betti P. , Machinandiarena L. , Ehrlich M. D.
Published: January 2009

The ontogeny of the developmental stages of the hake Merluccius hubbsi is described. Fish larvae and post‐transitional juveniles were collected in the Nor‐Patagonian area from 1989 to 2004. The opening of the mouth and the pigmentation of the eyes are coincident with yolk resorption, finishing the yolk‐sac stage. This species presents pigmentation on the head, trunk and tail typical of gadiform larvae. Pectoral fin development is completed during the transformation stage. The post‐transitional juvenile stage begins when the fin‐ray complements are complete and squamation begins. The fins become fully formed in the following sequence: pelvic fins, first dorsal fin, second dorsal and anal fins together, caudal fin and pectoral fins. The caudal complex is totally developed in larvae of 22·0–23·0 mm standard lengths (LS) and all vertebral elements are first observed in larvae of 8·5 mm LS. The rate of development of M. hubbsi observed in this study could be faster than the rates reported for other species of Merluccius by different authors.
Becoming involved in raising a relative's child: reasons, caregiver motivations and pathways to informal kinship care
Authors: Gleeson James P. , Wesley Julia M. , Ellis Raquel , Seryak Claire , Talley Gwen Walls , Robinson Jackie
Published: January 2009

Interviews with 207 informal kinship caregivers describe a dynamic process that influences how children come to live with a relative other than their parent. This process involves three overlapping and often simultaneously occurring factors: (1) the reasons the children's parents were unable to care for them; (2) the caregiver's motivation for assuming responsibility for the child; and (3) the pathways or routes that children took to the caregiver's home. Understanding these factors and their mutual and simultaneous influence is important as we shape policies, programs and interventions to support families as they consider whether to care for a relative's child and once they assume this responsibility.
Plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1) and macrophage inflammatory protein‐1α are increased in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated with adiposity, but unaffected by pioglitazone treatment
Authors: Glintborg Dorte , Andersen Marianne , Richelsen Bjørn , Bruun Jens M.
Published: January 2009

Objective  Hirsutism is most often caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS patients are characterized by insulin resistance, abdominal obesity and low‐grade inflammation. Insulin sensitizing treatment reduces the inflammatory state, but the effect on serum levels of migration inhibitor factor (MIF), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1 and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α have not been evaluated before in PCOS.

Research design and methods  Plasma chemokine levels (MCP‐1, MIP‐1α and MIF) were measured in two study designs. (i) 51 hirsute patients and 63 matched controls and (ii) 30 PCOS patients before and after randomized treatment with 30 mg pioglitazone/placebo for 16 weeks. Clinical evaluations and whole body DXA‐scans were performed in all participants.

Results  Hirsute patients (n = 51) had significantly increased MCP‐1 [121 (15–950) vs. 81 (18–365) pg/ml; P < 0·05] and MIP‐1α[179 (8–4202) vs. 103 (4–1598) pg/ml; P < 0·05] than controls of matched body composition [geometric mean (–2SD to +2SD)]. In PCOS (n = 30), MCP‐1, MIP‐1α and MIF correlated positively with central fat mass. A BMI independent positive association was found between MIF and free testosterone (r = 0·49, P = 0·01) in PCOS. Pioglitazone treatment significantly improved insulin sensitivity without affecting testosterone, body composition, MCP‐1, MIP‐1α and MIF levels.

Conclusions  Chemokine levels were significantly increased and showed close associations with measures of adiposity in PCOS patients, but were unchanged during insulin sensitizing treatment with pioglitazone. Our data suggests a fat mass independent association between testosterone and MIF levels in PCOS and the effect of anti‐androgen treatment on chemokine levels needs to be examined.
Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia associated with a heterozygous missense mutation of R1174W in the insulin receptor (IR) gene
Authors: Huang Zhimin , Li Yanbing , Tang Tianyi , Xu Wen , Liao Zhihong , Yao Bin , Hu Guoliang , Weng Jianping
Published: January 2009

Background  Mutations in the insulin receptor (IR) gene are known to cause severe insulin resistance. Although clinical features due to a mutation can be diverse, hypoglycaemia is found in some cases. A family with a female proband diagnosed with type A insulin resistance syndrome was studied. Clinical characteristics were compared with the Arginine1174Glutamine (R1174N) mutation reported in the literature.

Methods  The proband was a 16‐year‐old girl who was presented with intermittent hypoglycaemia, hirsutism, darkened skin, acne and oligomenorrhoea. A 5‐h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), intravenous glucose tolerance test and continuous glucose monitoring system were performed for evaluation of glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. Results from a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp on the proband were compared to nine normal glucose tolerance (NGT) controls. The IR gene of the proband, along with her parents and two dizygotic twin brothers were scanned for mutations by direct sequencing.

Results  Elevated serum insulin and insulin : C‐peptide ratios were found in the proband, the father and one of the twin brothers, carried a heterozygous missense mutation of Arginine1174Tryptophan (R1174W) in exon20 of the IR gene. The clamp study showed that the nonoxidative glucose disposal rates of the proband were near zero, and that the metabolic clearance rate for insulin was markedly reduced.

Conclusions  R1174 of the IR gene may be a candidate locus for hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia. Clinical heterogeneity is not uncommon within families as well as among mutation carriers with different amino acid replacements. More pedigrees and long‐term follow‐up data are needed to document the evolution of β‐cell function and clarify the role of R1174 on insulin resistance and hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia.
The use of Vis‐NIR spectral reflectance for determining root density: evaluation of ryegrass roots in a glasshouse trial
Authors: Kusumo B. H. , Hedley M. J. , Hedley C. B. , Hueni A. , Arnold G. C. , Tuohy M. P.
Published: January 2009

This paper reports the use of visible/near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (Vis‐NIRS) to predict pasture root density. A population of varying grass root densities was created by growing Moata ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) for 72 days in pots of Ramiha silt loam (Allophanic) and Manawatu fine sandy loam (Recent Fluvial) (60 pots for each soil) differentially fertilized with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in a glass house experiment. At harvest, the reflectance spectra (350–2500 nm) from flat sectioned horizontal soil slices (1.3 cm depth), taken from 57 selected pots, were recorded using a portable spectroradiometer (ASD FieldSpec Pro, Boulder, CO). Root densities within each of the soil slices were measured using a wet sieving technique. A large variation in root densities (0.46–5.02 mg dry root cm−3) was obtained from the glass house experiment as plant growth responded to the different soils and rates of N and P fertilizer treatment. Pots of the Manawatu soil contained greater ryegrass root densities (1.76–5.02 mg dry root cm−3) than pots of the Ramiha soil (0.46–3.84 mg dry root cm−3). Each soil had visually distinct reflectance spectra in the range 470–2440 nm, but different root masses produced relatively small differences in reflectance spectra. The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) of a principal component analysis of the first derivative of the spectral reflectance accounted for 71.3% of the spectral variance and clearly separated the Ramiha and Manawatu soils. PC1, which accounted for 58.4% of the spectral variance, was also well correlated to root density. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) of the first derivative of the 10 nm spaced spectral data against measured root densities produced calibration models that allowed quantitative estimates of root densities (without removing outlier, r2 cross‐validation = 0.78, ratio of prediction to deviation (RPD) = 2.14, root mean squares error of cross‐validation (RMSECV) = 0.60 mg cm−3; with removing outliers, r2 cross‐validation = 0.85, RPD = 2.63, RMSECV = 0.47 mg cm−3). The study indicated that spectral reflectance measurement has the potential to quantify root density in soils.
Topographic modelling of soil moisture conditions: a comparison and verification of two models
Authors: Murphy P. N. C. , Ogilvie J. , Arp P.
Published: January 2009

Topography, as captured by a digital elevation model (DEM), can be used to model soil moisture conditions because water tends to flow and accumulate in response to gradients in gravitational potential energy. A widely used topographic index, the soil wetness index (SWI), was compared with a new algorithm that produces a cartographic depth‐to‐water (DTW) index based on distance to surface water and slope. Both models reflect the tendency for soil to be saturated. A 1 m resolution Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) DEM and a 10 m conventional photogrammetric DEM were used and results were compared with field‐mapped wet soil areas for a 193 ha watershed in Alberta, Canada, for verification. The DTW model was closer to field‐mapped conditions. Values of Kmatch90 (areal correspondence, smaller values indicating better performance) were 7.8% and 12.3% for the LiDAR and conventional DEM DTW models, respectively, and 88.5% and 86.7% for the SWI models. The two indices were poorly correlated spatially. Both DEMs were found to be useful for modelling soil moisture conditions using the DTW model, but the LiDAR DEM produced the better results. All major wet areas and flow connectivity were reproduced and a threshold value of 1.5 m DTW accounted for 71% of the observed wet areas. The poor performance of the SWI model is probably because of its over‐dependence on flow accumulation. Incorporation of a flow accumulation algorithm that replicates the effects of dispersed flow showed some improvement in the SWI model for the conventional DEM but it still failed to replicate the full areal extent of wet areas. Local downslope topography and hydrologic conditions seemed to be more important in determining soil moisture conditions than is taken account of by the SWI. The DTW model has potential for application in distributed hydrologic modelling, precision forestry and agriculture and implementation of environmental soil management practices.
Heat pipe phenomenon in soil under reduced air pressure
Authors: Sakaguchi I. , Momose T. , Mochizuki H. , Kasubuchi T.
Published: January 2009

We measured the heat flux, temperature distribution and water content of an unsaturated Ando soil under a constant temperature gradient and reduced air pressure to investigate the mechanism of latent heat transfer in the soil and its relationship to the distribution and circulation of soil water. As the air pressure decreased, the heat flux increased for the soil samples with an initial volumetric water content (θini) greater than 0.30 m3 m−3, but did not change for θini less than 0.20. While the temperature gradient of the sample did not change for θini greater than 0.30 m3 m−3, it did increase on the hotter side of the sample and decreased on the colder side for θini less than 0.20. The water content did not change, and a homogeneous distribution of water content was observed for θini greater than 0.30 m3 m−3. For θini less than 0.20, the water content decreased on the hotter side and increased on the colder side, forming a large water content gradient. The large transfer of latent heat was caused by the circulation of water vapour and liquid water, which resulted in the homogeneous water distribution. We concluded that the soil functions as a heat pipe through a series of micro‐heat pipes centred on the soil pores. Our experimental results will help to explain the transfer mechanism of latent heat in soil as a heat pipe phenomenon.
Quantifying carbon and sulphate loss in drained acid sulphate soils
Authors: Smiles D. E.
Published: January 2009

Approximately 25 years before they were sampled, one of a pair of adjacent and initially similar acid sulphate soils was drained. During the ensuing 25 years, the surface of the drained soil declined approximately 1.2 m relative to its undrained neighbour. The losses of carbon (C) and sulphur (S) from the drained soil were estimated as the difference between the amounts remaining in the drained soil and its undrained neighbour. I made these comparisons in two ways. Firstly, I determined the amounts of C and S by summing their volumetric concentrations to a common depth (relative to the Australian Height Datum) where these concentrations became equal. Secondly, I made comparisons using mass‐based concentrations and a material coordinate defined by integrating the bulk density profile down from the soil surface. In this latter convention, the distance is the cumulative mass of soil solids per unit area of cross‐section, measured to any depth from the soil surface. The former approach yields estimates of C loss almost 30% greater than the latter. The S loss based on volumetric calculations was approximately 25% greater than that based on mass‐based coordinates. These overestimates of loss of C and S arise because the depth‐based method fails to take account of the vertical movement of the soil solid accompanying drainage in these soils. As a result, chemical reactions and their products, which are uniquely identified with parcels of soil solids, have no unique depth in swelling soils over time. The material calculations are therefore correct, but I identify conditions where a conventional volume‐based estimate might be used.
Hydroxy‐Al polymers block the frayed edge sites of illitic minerals in acid soils: studies in southwestern Japan at various weathering stages
Authors: Nakao A. , Funakawa S. , Kosaki T.
Published: January 2009

The transformation of hydroxy‐interlayered vermiculite (HIV) to vermiculite in humid temperate soils may involve the gradual alteration of illitic minerals. However, it is difficult to detect such minor and progressive changes using conventional methods. We measured the amount of the frayed edge site (i.e. the weathering front of illitic minerals) in soil clays using Radiocaesium Interception Potential (RIP) methodology, and elucidated the effect of hydroxy‐Al polymers on the frayed edge site that may be occluded within HIV structures in the acidic soils of southwestern Japan. X‐ray diffraction patterns showed the progressive transformation of HIV to vermiculite, or further, to smectite in soil clays located in upper horizons and therefore subjected to more intensive podzolization. In this process, the amount of hydroxy‐Al polymers (represented by hot‐citrate Al) gradually decreased, while the vermiculitic charges increased (represented by Cs‐fixing capacity). However, the amount of the frayed edge site (represented by the RIP) firstly increased but then reversed and decreased in the upper layers of podzolic soils. After hot‐citrate extraction to remove the hydroxy‐Al polymers from HIV, the amount of the frayed edge site increased in HIV‐dominated clays, whereas there was a negligible increase in vermiculitic‐ or smectitic‐clays, thus indicating the blockage effect of hydroxy‐Al polymers on the frayed edge site. The sequential increase followed by the decrease that we documented in the amount of the frayed edge site along with the HIV‐vermiculite‐smectite transformation, suggested that the weathering front of illitic minerals was exposed as the HIV layers lose hydroxy‐Al polymers. Thereafter, the charges in the exposed frayed edge site might decline under the very acidic conditions of the upper layers of podzolic soils.
N‐terminal tail of a viral histone H4 encoded in Cotesia plutellae bracovirus is essential to suppress gene expression of host histone H4
Authors: Gad W. , Kim Y.
Published: January 2009

An endoparasitoid wasp, Cotesia plutellae, possesses a symbiotic bracovirus (CpBV), which facilitates parasitism of a specific host, such as larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. A viral histone H4 (CpBV‐H4) has been found in the CpBV genome and its gene product plays a role in impairing the host insect cellular immune response. Based on its high similarity to histone H4 of P. xylostella apart from its extended N‐terminal tail, it has been suspected to alter host gene expression. Histone subunits were purified from parasitized P. xylostella larvae and found to contain both host and viral H4s, confirming a previous report of a possible epigenetic mode of action. Moreover, this study showed that the host H4 levels in the parasitized larvae clearly decreased during the parasitization period, whereas CpBV‐H4 levels maintained a significant level without significant changes. To understand the decrease of host H4 levels, transcription levels of host H4 were monitored by quantitative reverse‐transcriptase PCR (RT‐PCR) and showed a significant decrease in parasitized P. xylostella larvae, whereas no significant change of the mRNA level was detected in nonparasitized larvae. This transcriptional control of host H4 expression was also observed by inducing transient expression of CpBV‐H4 in nonparasitized P. xylostella. Moreover, co‐injection of CpBV‐H4 and its specific double‐stranded RNA recovered the host H4 expression level. To identify a functional domain of CpBV‐H4 involved in the transcriptional control, the extended N‐terminal tail of CpBV‐H4 was removed by preparing a truncated viral H4 construct in an expression vector by deleting the N‐terminal tail of 38 amino acid residues and inducing its expression in nonparasitized P. xylostella larvae. The truncated CpBV‐H4 clearly lost its inhibitory effects on host H4 transcription. Moreover, the presence of CpBV‐H4 affects the spreading of host haemocytes by an epigenetic effect, which is at least partly restored in larvae expressing the truncated version of CpBV‐H4. This study suggests that the viral H4 encoded in CpBV can alter host gene expression with its extended N‐terminal tail.
Identification of monoclinic calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate and hydroxyapatite in human sclera using Raman microspectroscopy
Authors: Chen Ko‐Hua , Li Mei‐Jane , Cheng Wen‐Ting , Balic‐Zunic Tonci , Lin Shan‐Yang
Published: January 2009

Raman microspectroscopy was first used to determine the composition of a calcified plaque located at the pterygium‐excision site of a 51‐year‐old female patient’s left nasal sclera after surgery. It was unexpectedly found that the Raman spectrum of the calcified sample at 1149, 1108, 1049, 756, 517, 376 and 352/cm was similar to the Raman spectrum of monoclinic form of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal, but differed from the Raman spectrum of triclinic form of CPPD. An additional peak at 958/cm was also observed in the Raman spectrum of the calcified plaque, which was identical to the characteristic peak at 958/cm of hydroxyapatite (HA). This is the first study to report the spectral biodiagnosis of both monoclinic CPPD and HA co‐deposited in the calcified plaque of a patient with sclera dystrophic calcification using Raman microspectroscopy.
Long‐term inhibition of 5‐alpha reductase and aromatase changes the cellular and extracellular compartments in gerbil ventral prostate at different postnatal ages
Authors: Corradi Lara S. , Campos Silvana G. P. , Santos Fernanda C. A. , Vilamaior Patricia S. L. , Góes Rejane M. , Taboga Sebastião R.
Published: January 2009

As local steroid metabolism controls the bioavailability of active steroidal hormones in the prostate, the aim of this study, was to investigate the effects of absence of 5‐alpha reductase (5α‐r) and aromatase (Aro) enzymes on prostatic cellular and extracellular components after long‐term inhibition. Young, adult and old male Mongolian gerbils were treated orally, once a day, for 30 consecutive days, with Finasteride (10.0 mg/kg) and Letrozole (1.0 mg/kg) (5α‐r and Aro enzymes inhibitors respectively) simultaneously or separately. Animals were killed on 1, 7, 14 and 21 days post‐treatment. Data obtained after double or single enzymatic inhibition with Finasteride and Letrozole demonstrated marked remodelling of epithelial and stromal compartments. During the post‐treatment period, particularly on the first and the last analysed days, prostatic epithelial cells showed decreased cytoplasmic volume and secretory activity. In the stroma, collagen fibres had accumulated in the epithelial base and among smooth muscle cells, which showed reduced diameter and condensed cytoplasm, and some of them had a highly irregular external contour. Also in the sub‐epithelial area, some fibroblasts acquired an activated phenotype besides increased deposits of amorphous granular material. In conclusion, the inhibition of 5α‐r and Aro enzymes affected, in a persistent manner, the structural and ultrastructural morphology of the prostate, irrespective of the gerbil′s age. Hence these enzymes appear to be crucial in the maintenance of this gland during postnatal development. Also, these data bring more light to the complex issue of the mechanisms of local steroid metabolism and prostatic histology. Thus, the blockade of the steroid‐metabolizing enzymes provided an important novel tool to study the relationship between sex steroids and normal physiology and diseases of the prostate.
Experimental acute respiratory Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in BALB/c mice
Authors: Lever Mark S. , Nelson Michelle , Stagg Anthony J. , Beedham Richard J. , Simpson Andrew J. H.
Published: January 2009

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of melioidosis, which is considered a potential deliberate release agent. The objective of this study was to establish and characterise a relevant, acute respiratory Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in BALB/c mice. Mice were infected with 100 B. pseudomallei strain BRI bacteria by the aerosol route (approximately 20 median lethal doses). Bacterial counts within lung, liver, spleen, brain, kidney and blood over 5 days were determined and histopathological and immunocytochemical profiles were assessed. Bacterial numbers in the lungs reached approximately 108 cfu/ml at day 5 post‐infection. Bacterial numbers in other tissues were lower, reaching between 103 and 105 cfu/ml at day 4. Blood counts remained relatively constant at approximately 1.0 × 102 cfu/ml. Foci of acute inflammation and necrosis were seen within lungs, liver and spleen. These results suggest that the BALB/c mouse is highly susceptible to B. pseudomallei by the aerosol route and represents a relevant model system of acute human melioidosis.
Exploring issues influencing the use of the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool by nurses in two Australian hospitals
Authors: Porter J. , Raja R. , Cant R. , Aroni R.
Published: January 2009

Background:  Nutrition screening using evidence‐based clinical practice is important for identifying patients whose nutritional status may be compromised, so that they receive appropriate treatment. Introduction of the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (`MUST') in two wards in two Melbourne hospitals resulted in low screening completion rates by nursing staff. Nurses’ screening practices were explored to understand personal and workplace barriers to compliance.

Methods:  Surveys of patients’ medical records and focus groups with nurses were used to gather data. Audio‐recorded group narratives were transcribed verbatim, and then coded thematically to develop understandings of response patterns.

Results:  A survey of admitted patients (n = 46) showed low screening rates by ward (17% and 62%). Eighteen nurses in two wards participated in three focus groups. The five main themes that emerged were: ‘screening role’, ‘task priorities’, ‘recognition of evidence‐based practice’, ‘uncertainty of protocols’ and ‘degree of competence’. Screening completion was limited by workloads, uncertainty about screening policy and also individuals’ skill in use of the tool.

Conclusions:  Application of `MUST' can be facilitated by increasing nurses’ competence through training and by the provision of ongoing support. When implementing nutrition risk screening, dietitians’ roles should include continually working with nurses to identify and reduce the barriers that prevent the adoption of universal screening. Enhancement of collaboration is essential to ensure that optimal nutrition care occurs.
Variable responses of skinks to a common history of rainforest fluctuation: concordance between phylogeography and palaeo‐distribution models
Authors: MOUSSALLI ADNAN , MORITZ CRAIG , WILLIAMS STEPHEN E. , CARNAVAL ANA C.
Published: January 2009

There is a growing appreciation of impacts of late‐Quaternary climate fluctuations on spatial patterns of species and genetic diversity. A major challenge is to understand how and why species respond individualistically to a common history of climate‐induced habitat fluctuation. Here, we combine modelling of palaeo‐distributions and mitochondrial‐DNA phylogeographies to compare spatial patterns of population persistence and isolation across three species of rainforest skinks (Saproscincus spp.) with varying climatic preferences. Using Akaike Information Criterion model‐averaged projections, all three species are predicted to have maintained one or more small populations in the northern Wet Tropics, multiple or larger populations in the central region, and few if any in the south. For the high‐elevation species, Saproscincus czechurai, the warm–wet climate of the mid Holocene was most restrictive, whereas for the generalist S. basiliscus and lower‐elevation S. tetradactyla, the cool–dry last glacial maximum was most restrictive. As expected, S. czechurai was the most genetically structured species, although relative to modelled distributions, S. basiliscus had surprisingly deep phylogeographical structure among southern rainforest isolates, implying long‐term isolation and persistence. For both S. basiliscus and S. tetradactyla, there was high genetic diversity and complex phylogeographical patterns in the central Wet Tropics, reflecting persistence of large, structured populations. A previously identified vicariant barrier separating northern and central regions is supported, and results from these species also emphasize a historical persistence of populations south of another biogeographical break, the Tully Gorge. Overall, the results support the contention that in a topographically heterogeneous landscape, species with broader climatic niches may maintain higher and more structured genetic diversity due to persistence through varying climates.
On the validity of habitat as a predictor of genetic structure in aquatic systems: a comparative study using California water beetles
Authors: SHORT A. E. Z , CATERINO M. S.
Published: January 2009

Among freshwater organisms, water flow is frequently considered to be one of the most important environmental variables affecting life‐history traits such as dispersal abilities and therefore genetic structure. Recent studies have suggested that habitat type alone as defined by water flow is predictive of genetic population differentiation, while others have advocated against broad generalizations in favour of more conservative, species‐specific conclusions. If aquatic habitat type is predictive of population differentiation, then one would expect sympatric taxa that occupy the same aquatic habitat to converge on a similar genetic structure. We tested this prediction by examining the haplotype diversity, phylogeographical concordance, population connectivity and population isolation of three lotic water beetle species in southern California:Anacaena signaticollis,Eubrianax edwardsiiandStictotarsus striatellus. In addition to coarse habitat and geography, we also controlled for the potentially confounding factors of range size, method of dispersal and clade independence. Together, the species spanned extremes of genetic and phylogeographical structure in all measures examined, suggesting that a coarse dichotomy of aquatic habitat type is not predictive of genetic structure. While there is little question that water flow plays a major role in shaping the life‐history traits of freshwater organisms, it is perilous to confer predictive properties to an artificially simplistic dichotomy or use it as a surrogate for other unmeasured variables.
Hybridization between mouse lemurs in an ecological transition zone in southern Madagascar
Authors: GLIGOR M. , GANZHORN J. U. , RAKOTONDRAVONY D. , RAMILIJAONA O. R. , RAZAFIMAHATRATRA E. , ZISCHLER H. , HAPKE A.
Published: January 2009

Hybrid zones in ecotones can be useful model systems for the study of evolutionary processes that shape the distribution and discreteness of species. Such studies could be important for an improved understanding of the complex biogeography of Madagascar, which is renowned for its outstanding degree of small‐scale endemism. Certain forest remnants in central Madagascar indicate that transitional corridors across the island could have connected microendemics in different forest types in the past. Evolutionary processes in such corridors are difficult to study because most of these corridors have disappeared due to deforestation in central Madagascar. We studied a hybrid zone in one of the few remaining ecotonal corridors between dry and humid forests in Madagascar, which connects two species of mouse lemurs,Microcebus griseorufusin dry spiny forest andMicrocebus murinusin humid littoral forest. We sampled 162 mouse lemurs at nine sites across this boundary. Morphometric analyses revealed intermediate morphotypes of many individuals in transitional habitat. Bayesian clustering of microsatellite genotypes and assignment tests yielded evidence for a mixed ancestry of mouse lemurs in the ecotone, where we also observed significant linkage disequilibria and heterozygote deficiency. In contrast to these observations, mitochondrial haplotypes displayed a sharply delimited boundary at the eastern edge of spiny forest, which was noncoincident with the signals from microsatellite data. Among several alternative scenarios, we propose asymmetric nuclear introgression due to male‐biased dispersal, divergent environmental selection, and an expansion of dry spiny forest in the course of aridification as a probable explanation of our observations.