bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An assessment of the grilse error associated with reported salmon, Salmo salar L., catches from two rod‐and‐line fisheries on the River Spey, Scotland, UK
Authors: MACLEAN J.C. , SMITH G.W. , LAUGHTON R.
Published: November 2008

Abstract Catch returns are often analysed as a means of inferring the status of salmon stocks. One aspect of such analyses is the problem of grilse error (the misreporting of one‐sea‐winter salmon as multi‐sea‐winter salmon), which may have important consequences for the management of salmon stocks. Reported catches from two estates on the River Spey between 1982 and 1992 were compared with the sea ages of the fish determined from scale reading. Weight was an important factor in determining the reported sea age of salmon in catch returns; the relationship between weight and sea age in the reported catch remained relatively constant throughout the angling season. Analysis of the scale sample data, however, indicated that the relationship between weight and actual sea age changed through the angling season, grilse accounting for increasing proportions of all weight classes up to 10 lbs (4.5 kg) as the season progressed. Grilse error was an identifiable problem at both estates, resulting in grilse catches being underreported by over 20%.
A method for the attachment of miniature radio tags to small fish
Authors: BEAUMONT W. R. C. , CLOUGH S. , LADLE M. , WELTON J. S.
Published: November 2008

Abstract An attachment technique which gives good tag retention, minimal damage to fish and prevents entanglement with weed is described. Fish carrying transmitters were monitored in semi‐natural conditions and appeared to exhibit the same behaviour as untagged fish. Median condition factors of dummy‐tagged fish did not differ from those of untagged fish over a 10‐week period. Examples of movement patterns obtained using radio tags attached to dace, Leuciscus leuciscus (L.) are given.
Feeding patterns in a fish community of Baia da Onça, a floodplain lake of the Aquidauana River, Pantanal, Brazil
Authors: CATELLA A. C. , JR M. PETRERE
Published: November 2008

Abstract The stomach contents of 24 species of fish and unidentified species from four genera in a floodplain lake of the Pantanal were studied. Fish were collected during the dry season when the lake was isolated from the main river. A community food ingestion index (feeding index weighted by consumer biomass, FIWCB, where 0 < FIWCB < 1) was calculated to quantify feeding patterns. Detritus and algae ingested by Curimatidae were responsible for 46.5% of the FIWCB, while that for algae ingested by Loricariidae (armoured catfish) accounted for 13.2%. The importance of detritus in fish diets is discussed as a strategy for shortening food chains, thereby increasing community efficiency, and as a consequence, fish biomass. It was learnt that the main route of energy flow in this perennial lake was through the detritus chain. The floodplain lakes function as a dry season feeding ground for small‐sized species of fish, which are potential prey for the more highly valued larger species of fish.
Combined effects of elevated temperatures and reduced leaf litter quality on the life‐history parameters of a saprophagous macroarthropod
Authors: DAVID JEAN‐FRANCOIS , GILLON DOMINIQUE
Published: November 2008

Because soil macroinvertebrates strongly modify decomposition processes, it is important to know how their abundance will respond to global change. We investigated in laboratory microcosms, the effects of elevated temperatures and reduced leaf litter quality on the life‐history traits of a saprophagous macroarthropod (development time, growth, survival and reproduction). Millipedes (Polydesmus angustus) from an Atlantic temperate forest were reared throughout their life cycle (≥16 months) under two temperature regimes differing on average by 3.3 °C; in a factorial design, they were fed either on Atlantic leaf litter or on Mediterranean leaf litter with a higher C : N ratio; humidity was consistently high. The components of the population growth rate (r) were affected positively by the temperature rise and negatively by the switch from Atlantic to Mediterranean leaf litter. When both treatments were combined, litter effects offset temperature effects. These results show that the short‐term response of saprophagous macroarthropods to warming is positive but depends on the availability of high‐quality litter, which is difficult to predict in the global change context. In a parallel experiment, conspecific millipedes from a Mediterranean population, which have evolved for a long time in a warmer climate and on poor‐quality litter, were reared at elevated temperatures on Mediterranean leaf litter. All components ofrwere higher than in the Atlantic population under the same conditions. This suggests that in the longer term, macroarthropods can overcome detrimental trophic interactions. Based on our study and the literature, we conclude that for decades the positive effects of warming on saprophagous macrofauna should exceed the negative effects of changes in litter quality. The abundance of those organisms in temperate forests could increase, which is confirmed by latitudinal patterns in Europe. Studies aimed at predicting the impacts of global change on decomposition will need to consider interactions with soil macroinvertebrates.
Gene expression profiling: opening the black box of plant ecosystem responses to global change
Authors: LEAKEY ANDREW D. B. , AINSWORTH ELIZABETH A. , BERNARD STEPHANIE M. , MARKELZ R. J. CODY , ORT DONALD R. , PLACELLA SARAH A. , ROGERS ALISTAIR , SMITH MELINDA D. , SUDDERTH ERIKA A. , WESTON DAVID J. , WULLSCHLEGER STAN D. , YUAN SHENGHUA
Published: November 2008

The use of genomic techniques to address ecological questions is emerging as the field of genomic ecology. Experimentation under environmentally realistic conditions to investigate the molecular response of plants to meaningful changes in growth conditions and ecological interactions is the defining feature of genomic ecology. Because the impact of global change factors on plant performance are mediated by direct effects at the molecular, biochemical, and physiological scales, gene expression analysis promises important advances in understanding factors that have previously been consigned to the ‘black box’ of unknown mechanism. Various tools and approaches are available for assessing gene expression in model and nonmodel species as part of global change biology studies. Each approach has its own unique advantages and constraints. A first generation of genomic ecology studies in managed ecosystems and mesocosms have provided a testbed for the approach and have begun to reveal how the experimental design and data analysis of gene expression studies can be tailored for use in an ecological context.
The hsp27 gene of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata: structural characterization, regulation and developmental expression
Authors: Kokolakis G. , Tatari M. , Zacharopoulou A. , Mintzas A. C.
Published: November 2008

In the present study, a genomic DNA clone encoding the medfly homolog of Drosophila melanogaster hsp27 gene, named Cchsp27, was isolated. We sequenced a part of the clone containing the coding region, the 5′ untranslated region and approximately 2.8 Kb of the 5′ flanking region of the gene. Phylogenetic analysis of several insect small heat shock proteins, suggested that CcHsp27 is orthologous to Drosophila Hsp27 and Sarcophaga crassipalpis Hsp25. The Cchsp27 gene was mapped at the 81A division of the sixth chromosome which coincides with one of the major heat shock puffs of medfly. Structural analysis of the 5′ flanking region of the Cchsp27 gene revealed the presence of five putative heat shock elements and one putative ecdysone response element. In addition to heat induction, the Cchsp27 gene was expressed at several stages of normal medfly development. In general, the developmental expression pattern of the Cchsp27 gene was similar to the respective pattern of Drosophila hsp27 gene. However, there were some important differences in certain developmental stages suggesting differential regulation of the hsp27 gene in the two dipterans species. Salivary gland culture experiments showed that the Cchsp27 gene is regulated by 20‐hydroxyecdysone.
Empowerment and its application in health promotion in acute care settings: nurses’ perceptions
Authors: Chambers Derek , Thompson Susan
Published: November 2008

Title.  Empowerment and its application in health promotion in acute care settings: nurses’ perceptions.

Background.  Empowerment has long been a central tenet of health promotion theory. Globally, governments have advocated the use of empowerment in their public health policies. Nurses are seen as essential in the delivery of this agenda using the empowerment model to engage patients in self‐care and decision‐making.

Method.  Six different vignettes requiring a health promotion intervention were shown to a convenience sample of 20 Registered Nurses in a United Kingdom acute care hospital. The nurses were asked to describe how they would meet the health promotion needs of the patients described in the vignettes. The data were collected between 2005 and 2006 and analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings.  Two types of practitioner were identified: Type I divergent nurse health promotion practitioner and Type II convergent nurse health promotion practitioner. The main factor distinguishing the two types was the way in which they conceptualized the verb ‘to empower’.

Conclusion.  The theory of health promotion taught to participants does not seem to be applied in acute care settings. This raises the possibility that Registered Nurses acting as mentors and role models are convergent rather than divergent thinkers.
Patient satisfaction with nursing care: a concept analysis within a nursing framework
Authors: Wagner Debra , Bear Mary
Published: November 2008

Title.  Patient satisfaction with nursing care: a concept analysis within a nursing framework.

Background.  Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of quality of care, and healthcare facilities are interested in maintaining high levels of satisfaction in order to stay competitive in the healthcare market. Nursing care has a prominent role in patient satisfaction. Using a nursing model to measure patient satisfaction with nursing care helps define and clarify this concept.

Data sources.  Rodgers’ evolutionary method of concept analysis provided the framework for this analysis. Data were retrieved from the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and MEDLINE databases and the ABI/INFORM global business database. The literature search used the keywords patient satisfaction, nursing care and hospital. The sample included 44 papers published in English, between 1998 and 2007.

Results.  Cox’s Interaction Model of Client Health Behavior was used to analyse the concept of patient satisfaction with nursing care. The attributes leading to the health outcome of patient satisfaction with nursing care were categorized as affective support, health information, decisional control and professional/technical competencies. Antecedents embodied the uniqueness of the patient in terms of demographic data, social influence, previous healthcare experiences, environmental resources, intrinsic motivation, cognitive appraisal and affective response. Consequences of achieving patient satisfaction with nursing care included greater market share of healthcare finances, compliance with healthcare regimens and better health outcomes.

Conclusion.  The meaning of patient satisfaction continues to evolve. Using a nursing model to measure patient satisfaction with nursing care delineates the concept from other measures of patient satisfaction.
Designing multimedia learning environments using animated pedagogical agents: factors and issues
Authors: Woo H.L.
Published: November 2008

Animated pedagogical agents (APAs) are known to possess great potential in supporting learning because of their ability to simulate a real classroom learning environment. But research in this area has produced mixed results. The reason for this remains puzzling. This paper is written with two purposes: (1) to examine some recent research and organize the findings in terms of classroom characteristics, and (2) to discuss and reveal any uncovered issues pertaining to the findings and provide input whenever possible. A framework formed by using APA characteristics, APA presentation, and learners' characteristics is used to analyse past research findings. The findings from the analysis reveal that because APAs are regarded as social members similar to humans, they are more effective in engaging learners in environments that require social communication and interactions. They therefore produce more definitive results in terms of affective gain and group learning. But such conditions also impose greater demand on designers to create more complex learning environments that can provide interactions with several agents and yet maintain a mode of communication that is pedagogically effective. The challenges for creating such environment include using an agent's gestures to duplicate its speech in instruction, which is usually uncommon in human practice, overcoming the needs to use input–output interface for communication and taking into consideration the possible influence of the learners' characteristics such as their sensory preference. This paper suggests that APAs' application in instruction should be seen in the light of affordances and be designed within its own practical limits.
Monitoring indicators of health care quality by means of a hospital register of tumours
Authors: Redondo Maximino , Rivas‐Ruiz Francisco , Guzman‐Soler M. Carmen , Labajos Carlos
Published: November 2008

Rationale  Hospital registers of tumours provide, on a continuous basis, information on differences in patterns of neoplasias and the results of the treatment strategies employed.

Objective  In view of the scant publications on measures of health care quality in hospital tumour registers, the aim of our paper is to present the outcome of a study to monitor the results related to health care quality in oncology.

Methods  Data are presented for cases recorded at the Hospital Costa del Sol over a period of 8 years. The sources of information are fundamentally the patient's medical record and the database of the Pathology Department.

Results  A high proportion of patients (mean 50%, range 45–68%) were admitted to the hospital by the Emergency Department; there was a notably long delay between the appearance of the first symptoms and the occasion of the first hospital visit (median 65 days; range 60–75 days). Particularly striking was the corresponding delay for breast cancer patients, in most cases superior to 3 months. As was the case for the percentage of admissions by the Emergency Department, most of the indicators evaluated in this study present a significant improvement compared with the initial years of the Hospital Register of Tumours. Thus, non anatomic‐pathological diagnoses represented around 7% (range 3–13%), while 43% of patients (range 28–57%) were given adjuvant treatment in the form of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. In 40% of cases (range 20–50%), the tumour stage was included in the clinical record by the doctor who was treating the patient (in the remaining cases, these data were recorded by the Tumour Registry); the date of appearance of the first symptoms was included in the medical record in 65% of cases (range 54–80%). According to the stage classification, the following 5‐year survival rates were recorded: (I) 98%, (II) 94%, (III) 69% and (IV) 39% for breast cancer; (I) 93%, (II) 83%, (III) 68% and (IV) 12% for cancer of the colon; and (I) 100%, (II) 94%, (III) 79% and (IV) 53% for prostate cancer.

Conclusion  The high percentage of patients admitted by the Emergency Department and the long delay between the appearance of the first symptoms reflect the deficient attention paid to this problem by patients and by primary health care services. Our results suggest that the Hospital Register of Tumours could constitute an excellent tool for monitoring the quality of health care systems for oncological patients.
Optimizing patient flow in a large hospital surgical centre by means of discrete‐event computer simulation models
Authors: Ferreira Rodrigo B. , Coelli Fernando C. , Pereira Wagner C.A. , Almeida Renan M.V.R.
Published: November 2008

Objective  This study used the discrete‐events computer simulation methodology to model a large hospital surgical centre (SC), in order to analyse the impact of increases in the number of post‐anaesthetic beds (PABs), of changes in surgical room scheduling strategies and of increases in surgery numbers.

Methods  The used inputs were: number of surgeries per day, type of surgical room scheduling, anaesthesia and surgery duration, surgical teams' specialty and number of PABs, and the main outputs were: number of surgeries per day, surgical rooms' use rate and blocking rate, surgical teams' use rate, patients' blocking rate, surgery delays (minutes) and the occurrence of postponed surgeries. Two basic strategies were implemented: in the first strategy, the number of PABs was increased under two assumptions: (a) following the scheduling plan actually used by the hospital (the ‘rigid’ scheduling – surgical rooms were previously assigned and assignments could not be changed) and (b) following a ‘flexible’ scheduling (surgical rooms, when available, could be freely used by any surgical team). In the second, the same analysis was performed, increasing the number of patients (up to the system ‘feasible maximum’) but fixing the number of PABs, in order to evaluate the impact of the number of patients over surgery delays.

Conclusion  It was observed that the introduction of a flexible scheduling/increase in PABs would lead to a significant improvement in the SC productivity.
Loss of Hda activity stimulates replication initiation from I‐box, but not R4 mutant origins in Escherichia coli
Authors: Riber Leise , Fujimitsu Kazuyuki , Katayama Tsutomu , Løbner‐Olesen Anders
Published: November 2008

Initiation of chromosome replication in Escherichia coli is limited by the initiator protein DnaA associated with ATP. Within the replication origin, binding sites for DnaA associated with ATP or ADP (R boxes) and the DnaAATP specific sites (I‐boxes, τ‐boxes and 6‐mer sites) are found. We analysed chromosome replication of cells carrying mutations in conserved regions of oriC. Cells carrying mutations in DnaA‐boxes I2, I3, R2, R3 and R5 as well as FIS and IHF binding sites resembled wild‐type cells with respect to origin concentration. Initiation of replication in these mutants occurred in synchrony or with slight asynchrony only. Furthermore, lack of Hda stimulated initiation in all these mutants. The DnaAATP containing complex that leads to initiation can therefore be formed in the absence of several of the origin DnaA binding sites including both DnaAATP specific I‐boxes. However, competition between I‐box mutant and wild‐type origins, revealed a positive role of I‐boxes on initiation. On the other hand, mutations affecting DnaA‐box R4 were found to be compromised for initiation and could not be augmented by an increase in cellular DnaAATP/DnaAADP ratio. Compared with the sites tested here, R4 therefore seems to contribute to initiation most critically.
DNA polymerase kappa from Trypanosoma cruzi localizes to the mitochondria, bypasses 8‐oxoguanine lesions and performs DNA synthesis in a recombination intermediate
Authors: Rajão M. A. , Passos‐Silva D. G. , DaRocha W. D. , Franco G. R. , Macedo A. M. , Pena S. D. J. , Teixeira S. M. , Machado C. R.
Published: November 2008

DNA polymerase kappa (Polκ) is a low‐fidelity polymerase that has the ability to bypass several types of lesions. The biological role of this enzyme, a member of the DinB subfamily of Y‐family DNA polymerases, has remained elusive. In this report, we studied one of the two copies of Polκ from the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (TcPolκ). The role of this TcPolκ copy was investigated by analysing its subcellular localization, its activities in vitro, and performing experiments with parasites that overexpress this polymerase. The TcPOLK sequence has the N‐terminal extension which is present only in eukaryotic DinB members, but its C‐terminal region is more similar to prokaryotic and archaeal counterparts since it lacks C2HC motifs and PCNA interaction domain. Our results indicate that in contrast to its previously described orthologues, this polymerase is localized to mitochondria. The overexpression of TcPOLK increases T. cruzi resistance to hydrogen peroxide, and in vitro polymerization assays revealed that TcPolκ efficiently bypasses 8‐oxoguanine lesions. Remarkably, our results also demonstrate that the DinB subfamily of polymerases can participate in homologous recombination, based on our findings that TcPolκ increases T. cruzi resistance to high doses of gamma irradiation and zeocin and can catalyse DNA synthesis within recombination intermediates.
DYSREGULATION OF Ca2+ MOVEMENT IN PLATELETS FROM PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ISCHAEMIC STROKE
Authors: Tsai Nai‐Wen , Lu Cheng‐Hsien , Chang Wen‐Neng , Shaw Chen‐Fu , Huang Chi‐Ren , Chen Shang‐Der , Chuang Yao‐Chung , Lee Lian‐Hui , Jan Chung‐Ren
Published: November 2008

Platelets play a pivotal role during acute ischaemic stroke. An increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) triggers intracellular signal transduction, leading to platelet aggregation and thrombosis. In the present study, we examined the differences between platelets from acute ischaemic stroke patients and at‐risk controls in terms of the increase in platelet [Ca2+]i.

Thirty‐one patients with acute ischaemic stroke and 27 at‐risk controls were enrolled in the present study. Platelet [Ca2+]i was measured using the fluorescent dye fura‐2 after stimulation with 100 µmol/L arachidonic acid (AA), 10 µmol/L ADP, 1 µmol/L platelet‐activation factor (PAF) and 0.1 U/mL thrombin.

Basal [Ca2+]i was higher in the stroke group compared with at‐risk controls, irrespective of the presence or absence of extracellular Ca2+. In Ca2+‐containing medium, both PAF and ADP, but not AA and thrombin, significantly increased platelet [Ca2+]i in the stroke group compared with the at‐risk controls. However, in Ca2+‐free medium, only PAF significantly increased platelet [Ca2+]i in the stroke group compared with the at‐risk controls. Basal [Ca2+]i and PAF‐induced platelet [Ca2+]i increases were still higher in the stroke group at the subacute stage than in the at‐risk controls.

The results of the present study provide direct evidence that Ca2+ signalling in platelets from acute ischaemic stroke patients was altered in response to particular stimuli. The dysregulation of Ca2+ movement in platelets may persist up to the subacute stage of ischaemic stroke.
Tracking human faecal contamination in tropical reservoirs in Puerto Rico
Authors: Amador José A. , Sotomayor‐Ramírez David , Martínez Gustavo , Chen Lixian , Bachoon Dave
Published: November 2008

Using a combination of chemical and microbiological (culture‐dependent and ‐independent) approaches, sources of human faecal contamination were identified in two water reservoirs in Puerto Rico – Guajataca and La Plata. Fluorescence from optical brighteners (OB) – commonly found in laundry detergents – was used as an indicator of contamination from septic systems and other household discharges. Traditional indicators of faecal contamination (e.g. Escherichia coli; faecal enterococci) were enumerated, and human faecal contamination was confirmed through detection of Bifidobacterium adolescentis utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based analyses. For Guajataca Reservoir, four of 19 sampling sites (21%) were positive for the presence of B. adolescentis under baseflow conditions. The OB fluorescence data suggested that the most likely source for three of these sites was residential, whereas the source of contamination at the remaining site, although of human origin, was probably non‐residential. B. adolescentis was present in 83% (19 of 23) of the sampling sites in La Plata. The La Plata sources were more difficult to identify because samples were taken under stormflow conditions, although the presence of OB fluorescence suggested a residential origin in a number of instances. OB fluorescence and traditional bacterial indicators of faecal contamination produced a number of false positive and negative findings for both reservoirs, pointing to the importance of understanding the limitations of these tools for tropical freshwater systems. The results of this study should be useful in developing a weight‐of‐evidence approach for the identification of potential sources and extent of human faecal contamination in similar tropical reservoirs, a necessary step in the development of management plans to reduce or eliminate these sources.
Biomanipulating the drinking water reservoir of Estonia's capital city: Prospects for success
Authors: Pedusaar Tiia , Sammalkorpi Ilkka , Hautala Arto , Järvalt Ain
Published: November 2008

The possibility of utilizing biomanipulation to improve the water quality of Tallinn's drinking water reservoir (Lake Ülemiste) was analysed on the basis of water quality data, test fishing by different methods, and earlier studies on aquatic plants, light climate and sediments. Eutrophic, polymictic Lake Ülemiste is characterized by a prevalence of high filamentous cyanobacteria biomass, rotifers in the zooplankton community, mature bream in the fish biomass, and a high density of planktivores (YOY perch). Several prerequisites for being a potential target for biomanipulation were identified, including (i) decreased external total phosphorus (TP) loading; and (ii) a sufficient stock of piscivorous fish in the lake. Prohibition of fishing should favour biomanipulation efforts. The potential for recolonization of macrophytes and large Daphnia species in Lake Ülemiste could be judged from historical data. The in‐lake TP concentrations are within the limits that facilitate successful restoration. As phytoplankton biomass was significantly limited by phosphorus in Lake Ülemiste, its water quality improvement will be driven primarily by reduced nutrient concentrations, and then by zooplankton grazing. Internal TP loading and a new phytoplankton species community were assessed as major challenges for successful implementation of biomanipulation as a means of improving the water quality of Lake Ülemiste.
Floral adaptations to nocturnal moth pollination in Diplomorpha (Thymelaeaceae)
Authors: OKAMOTO TOMOKO , KAWAKITA ATSUSHI , KATO MAKOTO
Published: November 2008

Many members of the family Thymelaeaceae are highly praised and economically important for the production of fragrant scent, but little is known about the ecological significance of their secondary metabolites. To explore the potential role that secondary metabolites play in pollination, we studied the pollination systems of five Diplomorpha species in Japan by investigating their floral morphology and flower‐visiting insect fauna. We also analyzed the composition and temporal emission pattern of floral volatiles in one of the species to determine if there were any characteristics associated with the observed flower visitors. In Diplomorpha, anthesis began at dusk and various nocturnal moths were found visiting the flowers, often carrying numerous pollen grains on their proboscises. However, no hawkmoths were observed visiting Diplomorpha flowers. Diurnal insects visited the flowers less often, and most of them had short mouthparts and did not effectively contact the stigma. The floral scent of Diplomorpha sikokiana was released only at night when the moths were active and consisted mainly of monoterpenes and benzenoids, with a small amount of a sesquiterpene. The present study is the first to examine the pollination system of Diplomorpha and suggests that these plants exhibit a range of floral features associated with pollination by nocturnal moths. The single ovule in Diplomorpha flowers probably does not favor pollination by optimally foraging bees, which are more likely to cause intraplant pollen transfer, and might have facilitated adaptation to pollination by nocturnal moths, despite the lower number of pollen grains that are carried by these insects.
Breeding biologies, seed production and species‐rich bee guilds of Cleome lutea and Cleome serrulata (Cleomaceae)
Authors: CANE JAMES H.
Published: November 2008

The summer‐blooming annual forbs Cleome lutea and Cleome serrulata (Cleomaceae) are native across the US Intermountain West and Rocky Mountains, respectively. Their farmed seed is sought to help rehabilitate western rangelands in those regions. This study of the reproductive biologies and pollinator faunas of C. lutea and C. serrulata is the first for this cosmopolitan family, the sister family to the Brassicaceae. Unlike the S‐allele self‐incompatibility systems of some Brassicaceae, both species of Cleome were found to be self‐fertile and capable of some autogamy. Compared with selfing, outcrossing did not enhance seed set, seed viability or seedling vigor for either species (in fact, selfed progeny were more robust). Large, openly visited plants yielded >20 000 seeds each. Like several species of the sister family Capparaceae, flowers of both species first shed their pollen, secreted nectar and became receptive nocturnally. Although no nocturnal visitors were found, both Cleome species attracted a diverse array of diurnal native bees, wasps and butterflies. Among the many floral generalist bees that work Cleome flowers for pollen and nectar are two managed agricultural pollinators, Apis mellifera and Megachile rotundata. These observations bode well for pollinating C. lutea and C. serrulata in small commercial seed fields. It appears that diverse wild bees would benefit from the addition of native Cleome to restoration seed mixes, with the objective of sustaining native pollinator faunas during the first few years of postfire plant community rehabilitation.
11: Polygonum thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. (Polygonaceae)
Authors: KAWANO SHOICHI
Published: November 2008

The life‐history characteristics and demography of Polygonum thunbergii Sieb. et Zucc. (Polygonaceae) are described here. This is a typical annual species of the Polygonaceae, extending widely over wetlands in the lowlands of the Japanese Islands and in north‐eastern Asia. A unique feature of P. thunbergii is that each individual plant possesses two reproductive systems, that is, chasmogamy and cleistogamy. Chasmogamous flowers are borne on the cymose inflorescences with 10–20 flowers, reddish to pinkish in color, that attract various insects. A variety of pollinators visit the flowers, including horse flies and small butterflies, which obviously guarantees a certain degree of outbreeding among different individuals. The achenes produced are ovoid, trigonous, yellowish‐brown and dull in color and do not possess any specific seed dispersal mechanisms. Several cleistogamous flowers are produced at the tip of underground runners elongated from the base of the stems into the soil layers. The reproductive strategy of P. thunbergii is unique as an annual and the two reproductive systems (chasmogamy and cleistogamy [geocarpy]) allow populations to persist in unstable changing environments, such as the flood plains of rivers and wetlands developed at the margins of ponds or lakes.
Imaging for neuro‐ophthalmic and orbital disease – a review
Authors: Lee Andrew G , Johnson Michael C , Policeni Bruno A , Smoker Wendy RK
Published: November 2008

Abstract

A literature review was performed by content experts in neuro‐ophthalmology and neuroradiology using a systematic English‐language Medline search (1994–2008) limited to articles with relevance to neuro‐ophthalmic and orbital imaging. The information covered in this review includes: (i) the basic mechanics, indications and contraindications for cranial and orbital computed tomography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging; (ii) the utility and indications for intravenous contrast, (iii) the use of specific MR sequences; (iv) the techniques and ophthalmic indications for computed tomography/MR angiography and venography; and (v) the techniques and indications for functional MR imaging, positron emission tomography scanning and single photon emission computed tomography. Throughout the review accurate and timely communication with the neuroradiologist regarding the clinical findings and suspected location of lesions is emphasized so as to optimize the ordering and interpretation of imaging studies for the ophthalmologist.
Activity‐dependent regulation of the dopamine transporter is mediated by Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase signaling
Authors: Padmanabhan Shalini , Lambert Nevin A. , Prasad Balakrishna M.
Published: November 2008

The mechanisms regulating expression of the dopamine transporter are poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that neuronal activity is one of the non‐genetic determinants of dopamine transporter abundance. Sustained changes in neuronal activity caused by tetrodotoxin and 4‐aminopyridine altered the dopamine uptake and abundance of dopamine transporter and its mRNA in rat mesencephalic cultures. The altered neuronal activity caused by these two drugs is accompanied by changes in intracellular calcium concentrations and Ca2+/calmodulin‐dependent protein (CaM) kinase II activity in dopamine neurons. Chronic treatment with an L‐type calcium channel blocker (nifedipine) or CaM kinase inhibitor (KN93) decreased dopamine transporter‐mediated uptake and occluded the effects of tetrodotoxin and 4‐aminopyridine. These data suggest that neuronal activity can regulate dopamine transporter function and abundance via calcium/CaM kinase II signaling.
TMP21 degradation is mediated by the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway
Authors: Liu Shengchun , Bromley‐Brits Kelley , Xia Kun , Mittelholtz Jill , Wang Ruitao , Song Weihong
Published: November 2008

The presenilin‐associated complex regulates two independent intramembranous cleavage activities, i.e. γ‐secretase and ε‐secretase activity. The γ‐secretase complex requires four critical components for its activity: presenilin 1, anterior pharynx‐defective 1, nicastrin 1 and presenilin enhancer 2, all of which are degraded through the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway. Recently, TMP21, a type I transmembrane protein involved in endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi transport, was identified as a member of the presenilin complex. Knockdown of TMP21 selectively regulated pathogenic γ‐secretase activity, resulting in increased amyloid β protein 40 and 42, without affecting the ε‐cleavage of Notch. A further understanding of TMP21 degradation is required to examine the biological consequences of TMP21 protein level aberrations and their potential role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and drug development. Here we show that human TMP21 has a short half‐life of approximately 3 h. Treatment with proteasomal inhibitors can increase TMP21 protein levels in both a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, and both co‐immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescent staining show that TMP21 is ubiquitinated. Inhibition of the lysosomal pathway failed to show a dose‐dependent increase in TMP21 protein levels. Taken together, these results indicate that the degradation of TMP21, as with the other presenilin‐associated γ‐secretase complex members, is mediated by the ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway.
Oxidative stress as a mediator of life history trade‐offs: mechanisms, measurements and interpretation
Authors: Monaghan Pat , Metcalfe Neil B. , Torres Roxana
Published: November 2008

The concept of trade‐offs is central to our understanding of life‐history evolution. The underlying mechanisms, however, have been little studied. Oxidative stress results from a mismatch between the production of damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the organism’s capacity to mitigate their damaging effects. Managing oxidative stress is likely to be a major determinant of life histories, as virtually all activities generate ROS. There is a recent burgeoning of interest in how oxidative stress is related to different components of animal performance. The emphasis to date has been on immediate or short‐term effects, but there is an increasing realization that oxidative stress will influence life histories over longer time scales. The concept of oxidative stress is currently used somewhat loosely by many ecologists, and the erroneous assumption often made that dietary antioxidants are necessarily the major line of defence against ROS‐induced damage. We summarize current knowledge on how oxidative stress occurs and the different methods for measuring it, and highlight where ecologists can be too simplistic in their approach. We critically review the potential role of oxidative stress in mediating life‐history trade‐offs, and present a framework for formulating appropriate hypotheses and guiding experimental design. We indicate throughout potentially fruitful areas for further research.
Global meta‐analysis of wood decomposition rates: a role for trait variation among tree species?
Authors: Weedon James T. , Cornwell William K. , Cornelissen Johannes H.C. , Zanne Amy E. , Wirth Christian , Coomes David A.
Published: November 2008

The carbon flux from woody debris, a crucial uncertainty within global carbon‐climate models, is simultaneously affected by climate, site environment and species‐based variation in wood quality. In the first global analysis attempting to explicitly tease out the wood quality contribution to decomposition, we found support for our hypothesis that, under a common climate, interspecific differences in wood traits affect woody debris decomposition patterns. A meta‐analysis of 36 studies from all forested continents revealed that nitrogen, phosphorus, and C : N ratio correlate with decomposition rates of angiosperms. In addition, gymnosperm wood consistently decomposes slower than angiosperm wood within common sites, a pattern that correlates with clear divergence in wood traits between the two groups. New empirical studies are needed to test whether this difference is due to a direct effect of wood trait variation on decomposer activity or an indirect effect of wood traits on decomposition microsite environment. The wood trait–decomposition results point to an important role for changes in the wood traits of dominant tree species as a driver of carbon cycling, with likely feedback to atmospheric CO2particularly where angiosperm species replace gymnosperms regionally. Truly worldwide upscaling of our results will require further site‐based multi‐species wood trait and decomposition data, particularly from low‐latitude ecosystems.
Corneal innervation in mesocephalic and brachycephalic dogs and cats: assessment using in vivo confocal microscopy
Authors: Kafarnik Christiane , Fritsche Jens , Reese Sven
Published: November 2008

Objective  To determine the density of the canine and feline corneal neural network in healthy dogs and cats using in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).

Animals examined  A total of 16 adult dogs (9 Mesocephalic breeds, 7 Brachycephalic breeds) and 15 cats (9 Domestic Short‐haired cats (DSH), 6 Persian cats) underwent IVCM.

Procedure  Animals were examined with a confocal corneal microscope (HRTII/RCM; Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II/Rostock Cornea Module®, Heidelberg Engineering, Dossenheim, Germany). The investigations focused on the distribution of the corneal nerves and quantification of central subepithelial and subbasal nerve plexus.

Results  The corneal stromal nerve trunks, subepithelial and subbasal nerve plexus were observed. The nerve fiber density (NFD) quantified in nerve fiber length in mesocephalic dogs were 12.39 ± 5.25 mm/mm2 in the subepithelial nerve plexus and 14.87 ± 3.08 mm/mm2 in the subbasal nerve plexus. The NFD of the subepithelial nerve plexus in DSH cats was 15.49 ± 2.7 and 18.4 ± 3.84 mm/mm2 in the subbasal nerve plexus. The subbasal NFD of DSH cats was significantly higher than in mesocephalic dogs (P = 0.037). The subepithelial NFD in brachycephalic dogs, and Persian cats were 10.34 ± 4.71 and 9.50 ± 2.3 mm/mm2, respectively. The subbasal NFD measured 11.80 ± 3.73 mm/mm2 in brachycephalic dogs, and 12.28 ± 4.3 mm/mm2 NFD in Persian cats, respectively. The subepithelial and subbasal NFD in Persian cats were significantly lower than in DSH cats (P = 0.028, respectively, P = 0.031), in contrast to brachycephalic vs. mesocephalic dogs.

Conclusion  The noninvasive IVCM accurately detects corneal innervation and provides a reliable quantification of central corneal nerves.
Review of the measuring precision of the new Meibometer® MB550 through repeated measurements in dogs
Authors: Benz Petra , Tichy Alexander , Nell Barbara
Published: November 2008

Objective  A meibometer is a device to measure the delivery rate of lipids on the eyelid margin. The aim of this study is to determine the measuring precision of the new Meibometer® MB550 (Courage‐Khazaka electronic GmbH, 50829, Cologne, Germany), linked to a computer, by means of repeated measurements in dogs by different examiners.

Procedure  Two investigators measured the lipid rate on the eyelid margin in 10 healthy dogs for 10 days. One examiner measured the right eye (OD) and the other measured the left eye (OS) for 5 days. After 5 days, the eyes to be measured were switched between the examiners. The new device was able to record all measurement values as charts and curves in comparison to the previous Meibometer, which displayed only one value.

Results  Mean meibomium lipid level ± SD in the OD and OS of 10 dogs in 10 days was 211 ± 48 MU and 205 ± 41 MU (meibometer units), respectively. There was no significant difference between OD and OS, but a broad distribution of the values could be found. Gender did not influence the measurements. A significant difference was determined between the measurements in the first 5 days to those in the following 5 days. There was, therefore, also a significant difference in the measurements of the 2 examiners.

Conclusion  Meibometry is a minimally invasive lipid measuring method on the eyelid margin. Repeated measurement results obtained by two examiners, with the new device Meibometer MB550 linked to a computer, showed a wide range of values. The measuring precision of the new Meibometer MB550 is therefore questionable.
Doxycycline levels in preocular tear film of horses following oral administration
Authors: Baker Amy , Plummer Caryn E. , Szabo Nancy J. , Barrie Kathy P. , Brooks Dennis E.
Published: November 2008

Objective  To determine the concentration of doxycycline in preocular tear film following oral administration in horses as a possible therapeutic modality for infectious and keratomalacic equine keratitis.

Procedure  Eight broodmares without ocular disease from a Thoroughbred breeding facility were included in this study. Each mare received 20 mg/kg of doxycycline by mouth once daily in the morning for five consecutive days. Tears were collected 1 h after doxycycline administration starting on day one of administration and continuing for 10 consecutive days. Doxycycline levels in the tears were measured using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC‐MS/MS).

Results  Doxycycline was present in the tears of each mare at low µg/mL levels with the highest concentration appearing on the third to fifth days (8.21–9.83 µg/mL). Doxycycline levels had fallen below quantifiable ranges by day 10. No systemic side‐effects were noted in any of the horses included in this study.

Conclusions  Oral doxycycline is present in preocular tear film of normal horses with noninflamed eyes and may be useful as treatment in equine ulcerative keratomalacia. The oral dose listed was tolerated well by the horses in this study. The drug levels attained at 20 mg/kg once daily orally of doxycycline may aid in the treatment of corneal ulceration in horses, but further study is warranted.
The capybara eye: clincial tests, anatomic and biometric features
Authors: Montiani‐Ferreira Fabiano , Truppel Jesse , Tramontin Mariana H. , D’Octaviano Vilani Ricardo G. , Lange Rogério R.
Published: November 2008

Purpose To carry out a descriptive investigation of the capybara (Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris) eye and to perform selected ophthalmic diagnostic tests with the aim of establishing normal physiological reference values for this species.

Method A total of 22 healthy, capybaras were used to test most of the parameters in this investigation. Ages varied from 2 to 4 years of age. Selected diagnostic ocular tests were performed including Schirmer tear test, tonometry using an applanation tonometer (Tonopen®), central corneal thickness using an ultrasonic pachymeter (Sonomed, Micropach®, Model 200P +), axial globe length and culture of the normal conjunctival bacterial flora.

Results and discussion Capybara's normal ocular features include: dorsal and ventral puncta, vestigial third eyelid, true cilia only at the upper eyelid margins. The bulbar conjunctiva is noticeably densely pigmented with a brown to bronze color. The capybara's pupil is oval in shape and vertical in position Notapetum lucidumis present in this species and the retinal blood vessels are almost absent. Results for selected ocular diagnostic tests investigated were: Intraocular pressure: 18.4 ± 3.8 mmHg; Schirmer tear test: 14.9 ± 5.1 mm/min; Central corneal thickness: 0.46 ± 0.03 mm; Axial globe length: 22.20 ± 1.71 mm. No statistically significant differences between ages or genders were found for any of the results.Corynebacteriumsp.,Micrococcussp.,Bacillussp. andStaphylococcussp. were isolated from healthy conjunctiva, suggesting they are normal constituents of the conjunctival flora of the capybara eye. The corneal epithelium of the capybara possesses a thin and discrete Bowman's layer. Results and parameters obtained in this investigation exposed unique anatomic features of the capybara eye and will help veterinary ophthalmologists to more accurately diagnose discrete or unusual pathological changes of the capybara eye. Furthermore, corneal thickness and axial length of the capybara are similar to that of human beings, revealing that the world's largest living rodent might be an excellent biological model for ophthalmic studies.
Improved abundance prediction from presence–absence data
Authors: Conlisk Erin , Conlisk John , Enquist Brian , Thompson Jill , Harte John
Published: November 2008

Aim  Many ecological surveys record only the presence or absence of species in the cells of a rectangular grid. Ecologists have investigated methods for using these data to predict the total abundance of a species from the number of grid cells in which the species is present. Our aim is to improve such predictions by taking account of the spatial pattern of occupied cells, in addition to the number of occupied cells.

Innovation  We extend existing prediction models to include a spatial clustering variable. The extended models can be viewed as combining two macroecological regularities, the abundance–occupancy regularity and a spatial clustering regularity. The models are estimated using data from five tropical forest censuses, including three Panamanian censuses (4, 6 and 50 ha), one Costa Rican census (16 ha) and one Puerto Rican census (16 ha). A serpentine grassland census (8 × 8 m) from northern California is also studied.

Main conclusions  Taking account of the spatial clustering of occupied cells improves abundance prediction from presence–absence data, reducing the mean square error of log‐predictions by roughly 54% relative to a benchmark Poisson predictor and by roughly 34% relative to current prediction methods. The results have high statistical significance.