bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Benefits and organization of cooperative research for fisheries management
Authors: Johnson Teresa R. , van Densen Wim L. T.
Published: July 2007

Johnson, T. R., and van Densen, W. L. T. 2007. The benefits and organization of cooperative research for fisheries management. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 834–840. Drawing on research in the northeastern USA and northwestern Europe, a description is given of how cooperative research is organized and a statement made of how involving fishers in research can contribute to better fisheries management. The focus is on improving stock assessments through the collection of better fishery-dependent and -independent data and through efforts to address bycatch through gear-selectivity studies. Direct benefits of cooperative research include increased quantity and quality of data, inclusion of fishers' knowledge in science and management, improved relevance of research to fisheries management, and reduced costs of science. Indirect benefits are the buy-in of science and management by industry and improved relationships and trust between fishers and scientists (and managers). These indirect benefits are best achieved under conditions of transparency and communication. In some cases, cooperative research also provides income to the industry and supports the maintenance of fishing infrastructure. Most important, cooperative research improves capacity-building and establishes intellectual property rights within the fishing industry, and it encourages innovative approaches to management, such as adaptive and ecosystem-based approaches. Finally, guidelines for making cooperative research more effective are outlined.
Injury in trapped Dungeness crabs (Cancer magister)
Authors: Barber Julie S. , Cobb J. Stanley
Published: July 2007

Barber J. S., and Cobb, J. S. 2007. Injury in trapped Dungeness crabs (Cancer magister). – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 464–472. Although traps are the most effective fishing equipment used to capture crabs they can also result in indirect damage to target species. We examined the effect of trap-soak time, crab density, and the legal to sublegal size ratio on injury rates to male Dungeness crabs, Cancer magister. Our field results show that injuries increase significantly with increased trap-soak time, and as a consequence of different size ratios (crabs in traps with a greater ratio of sublegal crabs had more injuries). The injury rate was independent of density. In a laboratory experiment, injured crabs were as capable as intact crabs of obtaining, defending, and consuming food. However, studies on other crab species indicate that injury reduces growth, delays reproduction, decreases mating success, and increases mortality. If the costs of injury are similar for Dungeness crabs, this could diminish the rate of recruitment into the fishery.
Is a management framework based on spawning-stock biomass indicators sustainable? A viability approach
Authors: De Lara Michel , Doyen Luc , Guilbaud Thérèse , Rochet Marie-Joëlle
Published: July 2007

De Lara, M., Doyen, L., Guilbaud, Th., and Rochet, M-J. 2007. Is a management framework based on spawning-stock biomass indicators sustainable? A viability approach. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 761–767: 000–000. Fisheries management agencies have to drive resources on sustainable paths, i.e. within defined boundaries for an indefinite time. The viable-control approach is proposed as a relevant method to deal with sustainability. We analyse the ICES precautionary approach (PA) by means of the notion of viability domain, and provide a mathematical test for sustainability. It is found that the PA based on spawning-stock biomass (SSB) and fishing mortality (F) indicators is sustainable only when recruits make a significant contribution to SSB. In this case, advice based upon SSB, with an appropriate reference point, is sufficient to ensure sustainability. In all other cases, SSB is not a sufficient metric of stock productivity and must be complemented with other management indicators to ensure sustainability. The approach is illustrated with numerical applications to the northern hake and Bay of Biscay anchovy.
Improving communication from managers to fishers in Europe and the US
Authors: van Densen Wim L. T. , McCay Bonnie J.
Published: July 2007

Van Densen, W. L. T., and McCay, B. J. 2007. Improving communication from managers to fishers in Europe and the US. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 811–817. Communication problems need to be solved if managers are to be more persuasive about the need for limitations on fishing, to protect and restore fish populations. The context is widespread scepticism about the effectiveness of management on both sides of the Atlantic. That scepticism is fuelled by assessment bias as seen in the case of the northern cod of Newfoundland, and by failure to take into account differences in perceptions of stock size and fishing mortality; differences in causal reasoning about fishing pressure and environmental factors influencing stock size; and differences in the capacity to read and understand the mostly graphic information that underlies and is often used to explain management decisions. This analysis is based on interviews and observations in the European Union and the northeastern USA.
Treatment with atorvastatin reduces serum adipocyte‐fatty acid binding protein value in patients with hyperlipidaemia
Authors: Karpisek M. , Stejskal D. , Kotolova H. , Kollar P. , Janoutova G. , Ochmanova R. , Cizek L. , Horakova D. , Yahia R. Ben , Lichnovska R. , Janout V.
Published: July 2007

Background  Adipocyte‐fatty acid binding protein (A‐FABP) is a circulating protein expressed in adipocytes and macrophages. Several recent studies demonstrated that A‐FABP might be involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, particularly in dyslipidaemia, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of atorvastatin treatment (20 mg day−1 for 3 months) on serum A‐FABP value in subjects with hyperlipidaemia.

Materials and methods  Anthropometric and serum analyses were performed for body mass index, A‐FABP, triglycerides, total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), high sensitive C‐reactive protein (hs‐CRP), creatine kinase (CK) and glucose on 26 subjects (BMI 30·3 ± 6·0, mean age 62 ± 10 years) with hyperlipidaemia who met the criteria: total cholesterol > 5·2 mmol L−1, LDL cholesterol > 3·3 mmol L−1 and triglycerides < 3 mmol L−1.

Results  After the 3‐month therapy, a significant reduction in total cholesterol (P < 0·001), LDL cholesterol (P < 0·001), glucose (P < 0·001), A‐FABP (from 44·6 ± 26·2 to 38·6 ± 19·3 g L−1, P < 0·01), uric acid (P < 0·05), AST (P < 0·05) and triglycerides (P < 0·05) values was observed. No difference was found in BMI, CK, ALT, hs‐CRP, or HDL cholesterol values. A significant difference in the serum A‐FABP value before and after the therapy remains after the correction for total cholesterol value (P < 0·001). A positive correlation between serum A‐FABP and glucose was found (P < 0·05).

Conclusions  In conclusion, our study confirmed in vivo that atorvastatin reduces serum A‐FABP by a pleiotropic mechanism and supports the hypothesis that A‐FABP is involved in atherosclerotic actions.
Estimation of absolute oral bioavailability of moxidectin in dogs using a semi‐simultaneous method: influence of lipid co‐administration
Authors: LALLEMAND E. , LESPINE A. , ALVINERIE M. , BOUSQUET‐MELOU A. , TOUTAIN P.‐L.
Published: July 2007

Moxidectin is a long‐acting anthelmintic drug for which little is known about its kinetic behaviour in dogs and its oral absolute bioavailability has never been reported. We studied the pharmacokinetics of moxidectin in dogs, with a special emphasis on oral bioavailability and the influence of lipid co‐administration, by using a semi‐simultaneous method of administration. Ten Beagle dogs were dosed orally and then intravenously (i.v.) with 0.2 mg/kg moxidectin. The oral application was conducted with or without corn oil co‐administration. Moxidectin concentration–time profiles in plasma were analysed using a compartmental modelling approach, designed to fit the oral and i.v. kinetic disposition curves simultaneously. In contrast to what happens in other species, our study indicates that the bioavailability of orally given moxidectin in dogs is nearly total (90.2 ± 7.4%), and is not enhanced by lipid co‐administration. The clearance, the volume of distribution, the mean residence time and the terminal half‐life were similar to what was already described for other species. Finally our trial suggests that the body condition (degree of obesity) is likely to be a major determinant of moxidectin kinetics in dogs because of its modulation of the volume of distribution that indirectly controls the terminal half‐life of the drug.
Oxidation of elongation factor G inhibits the synthesis of the D1 protein of photosystem II
Authors: Kojima Kouji , Oshita Masaru , Nanjo Yohei , Kasai Koji , Tozawa Yuzuru , Hayashi Hidenori , Nishiyama Yoshitaka
Published: July 2007

Oxidative stress inhibits the repair of photodamaged photosystem II (PSII). This inhibition is due initially to the suppression, by reactive oxygen species (ROS), of the synthesis de novo of proteins that are required for the repair of PSII, such as the D1 protein, at the level of translational elongation. To investigate in vitro the mechanisms whereby ROS inhibit translational elongation, we developed a translation system in vitro from the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The synthesis of the D1 protein in vitro was inhibited by exogenous H2O2. However, the addition of reduced forms of elongation factor G (EF‐G), which is known to be particularly sensitive to oxidation, was able to reverse the inhibition of translation. By contrast, the oxidized forms of EF‐G failed to restore translational activity. Furthermore, the overexpression of EF‐G of Synechocystis in another cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7942 increased the tolerance of cells to H2O2 in terms of protein synthesis. These observations suggest that EF‐G might be the primary target, within the translational machinery, of inhibition by ROS.
Blind reverse faulting system associated with the Mont Chenoua‐Tipaza earthquake of 29 October 1989 (north‐central Algeria)
Authors: Meghraoui M.
Published: July 2007

A shallow and damaging earthquake struck the region of Tipaza located on the coast, 70 km to the west of Algiers (north‐central Algeria). The main shock was felt as far as 200 km from the epicentral area and particularly in the urbanized zone of Algiers. The main shock epicentre determined by CRAAG is on Mt Chenoua, close to the coastline. Coseismic surface breaks with 4.0 km of fault length and 7.0 cm of vertical displacement appeared on the southern side of Mt Chenoua. They consist of cracks and fissures on vertical bedding planes that belong to a Neogene flexure. The aftershock activity was recorded for several weeks and comprised more than 100 seismic events per day, with 1 < M < 5. Aftershocks are distributed in a ENE‐WSW to NE‐SW zone extending offshore. A NW‐SE cross‐section indicates that seismic events affect the crust to a maximum depth of 20 km, showing a complex fault‐plane geometry dipping to the NW. For the main shock, the focal mechanism solution obtained from the readings of first motion polarities of seismograms yields an ENE‐WSW reverse fault dipping to the NNW, which is in good agreement with both field observations and the aftershock distribution at depth.

The occurrence of the Mt Chenoua‐Tipaza moderate‐sized event in a previously identified active zone improves the seismotectonic characterization of this part of the Tellan Atlas mountains. This thrust and fold geological domain also shows active folds capable of producing larger earthquakes. Since only a small portion of the Sahel anticline ridge has been reactivated, a serious seismic hazard must be urgently recognized in the Algiers region.
MUD VOLCANOES OF RAMRI AND CHEDUBA, ARAKAN ‐ ANALOGUES IN SOUTHERN IRAN
Authors: Mccall G.I.H. , Mccall Joseph
Published: July 2007

To the Editor, Tetra Nova: The very short letter below relates to the very interesting contribution (2, 5, 1990 on mud volcanoes in Burma). It might interest your readers?
Gravity interpretation along seismic reflection profile DEKORP 9‐N (northern Rhine Graben)
Authors: Gutscher Marc‐André
Published: July 2007

A 2‐D gravity model, incorporating geophysical and geological data, is presented for a 110 km long transect across the northern Rhine Graben, coinciding with the 92 km long DEKORP 9‐N seismic reflection profile. The Upper Rhine Graben is marked by a prominent NNE‐striking negative anomaly of 30–40 mgal on Bouguer gravity maps of SW Germany. Surface geological contacts, borehole data and the seismic reflection profile provide boundary constraints during forward modelling.

Short‐wavelength (5–10 km) gravity features can be correlated with geologic structures in the upper few km. At deeper levels, the model reflects the asymmetry visible in the seismic profile; a thicker, mostly transparent lower crust in the west and a thinner, reflective lower crust in the east. From west to east Moho depth changes from 31 to 26–28 km. The entire 40 mgal minimum can be accounted for by the 2–3 km of light sedimentary fdl in the graben, which masks the gravitational effects of the elevated Moho. The thickened lower crust in the west partly compensates for the mass deficit from the depressed Moho. A further compensating feature is a relatively low density contrast at the crust‐mantle boundary of 0.25 g cm‐3. The Variscan must displays heterogeneity along the profile which cuts at an angle across the strike of Variscan structures. The asymmetry of the integrated crustal model, both at the surface and at depth suggests an asymmetric mechanism of rift development.
JOHANNES WALTHER (1860–1937)
Authors: Reyment Richard A.
Published: July 2007

A new series presenting vignettes of the life and times of early notables, confirming the fact that all is not milk and honey in the pursuit of knowledge,
Grass allergen tablet immunotherapy relieves individual seasonal eye and nasal symptoms, including nasal blockage
Authors: Durham S. R. , Riis B.
Published: July 2007

Background:  Symptoms of allergic rhinitis have a considerable impact on the quality of life of the sufferer. Sneezing, runny nose, blocked nose and headache are some of the most common symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which affects work, home and social life for many patients. Sublingual immunotherapy has shown to induce a protective immune response and provide sustained symptom prevention for allergic patients.

Aims of the trial:  The overall aims were to investigate the efficacy and safety of a sublingual grass allergen tablet (Grazax® 75 000 SQ‐T; ALK‐Abelló A/S, Denmark). Reported here are the effects of Grazax on individual eye and nasal symptoms.

Methods:  The trial was a double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial including 634 participants with significant rhinoconjunctivitis because of grass pollen. Participants were randomized 1 : 1 to Grazax (a fast dissolving, once daily immunotherapy tablet for home administration) or placebo and received treatment for at least 16 weeks prior to and continuing during the grass pollen season of 2005. Four nasal symptoms and two eye symptoms were scored on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (severe symptoms) every day during the entire grass pollen season. Nasal symptoms included runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing and itchy nose; eye symptoms included gritty feeling/red/itchy eyes and watery eyes.

Results:  Consistent and highly significant reductions in individual eye and nasal symptoms (from 22 to 44%) were observed following treatment with Grazax as compared with placebo (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:  Grazax has effects on multiple allergic symptoms, including nasal blockage, and is an effective treatment of rhinoconjunctivitis, thereby reducing the need for topical anti‐allergic drugs.
The differences of tear function and ocular surface findings in patients with atopic keratoconjunctivitis and vernal keratoconjunctivitis
Authors: Hu Y. , Matsumoto Y. , Dogru M. , Okada N. , Igarashi A. , Fukagawa K. , Tsubota K. , Fujishima H.
Published: July 2007

Background:  The pathogenesis of the ocular surface disease in atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) and vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) has not been fully understood. We tried to clarify the differences in the ocular surface status in patients with AKC, VKC, and healthy control subjects.

Methods:  Twenty‐four eyes of 12 AKC patients, 12 eyes of six VKC patients, and 20 eyes of 10 normal control subjects were studied. The subjects underwent corneal sensitivity measurements, Schirmer test, tear film break‐up time (BUT), vital staining of the ocular surface, conjunctival impression and brush cytology. Impression cytology samples underwent periodic acid Schiff staining for goblet cell density, squamous metaplasia grading, and immunohistochemical staining for MUC1, 2, 4, and 5AC. Brush cytology specimens underwent staining for inflammatory cell counting and Real Time PCR for MUC1, 2, 4, and 5AC mRNA expression.

Results:  The mean BUT, corneal sensitivity, and conjunctival goblet cell density values in AKC patients were significantly lower compared with VKC patients and control subjects. The squamous metaplasia grades in eyes with AKC were significantly higher compared to eyes with VKC and controls. The inflammatory cell response in brush cytology specimens was different between patients with AKC and VKC. Eyes with AKC showed significantly higher MUC1, 2 and 4 and lower MUC5AC mRNA expression compared to eyes with VKC.

Conclusions:  Differences of the infiltrates, higher level of tear instability, lower corneal sensitivity, up‐regulation of MUC1, 2, and 4, and down regulation of MUC5AC were important differential features of the ocular surface disease in AKC compared with VKC.
Allergen‐induced in vitro expression of IL‐18, SLAM and GATA‐3 mRNA in PBMC during sublingual immunotherapy
Authors: Savolainen J. , Nieminen K. , Laaksonen K. , Laiho T. , Jacobsen L. , Lahesmaa R. , Terho E. O. , Valovirta E.
Published: July 2007

Background:  Signalling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) and interleukin (IL)‐18 induce interferon (IFN)‐γ production from Th1 cells. The allergen‐induced SLAM and IL‐18 mRNA expressions are increased during subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), but nothing is known about their role during sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). Transcription factor GATA‐3 is associated with Th2 cells but its role in SCIT and SLIT is yet unexplored. This study was undertaken to analyse the allergen induced in vitro mRNA expression of IL‐18, SLAM and GATA‐3 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of children with allergic rhinitis (AR) during SLIT.

Methods:  Ten patients with AR undergoing pollen SLIT with a weekly dose of 200 000 SQ‐U, 10 with 24 000 SQ‐U of mixture of Betula verrucosa, Corylus avellana and Alnus glutinosa and 10 with placebo were included. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell were stimulated with birch extract prior to, after 1 and 2 years of the treatment. The mRNA expression was assessed using kinetic real‐time RT‐PCR (TaqMan®; Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA).

Results:  The expression of IL‐18 mRNA was increased in the high‐dose group in comparison to the placebo group after 1 year of therapy (P = 0.028) and had an inverse correlation with the late phase skin reaction after the second study year (r = −0.41, P = 0.041). SLAM mRNA expression increased in the high‐dose group from baseline to 1 year (P = 0.028) and correlated with IL‐10 (r = 0.96, P < 0.0001) and transforming growth factor‐β (r = 0.80, P = 0.0037) mRNA expression. No significant changes were seen in GATA‐3 mRNA expression.

Conclusions:  During SLIT, IL‐18 and SLAM are upregulated, suggesting that the Th2 type inflammatory response is downregulated during SLIT by increased Th1 type response.
IL‐5 and IL‐5 receptor alpha polymorphisms are associated with atopic dermatitis in Koreans
Authors: Namkung J.‐H. , Lee J.‐E. , Kim E. , Cho H.‐J. , Kim S. , Shin E.‐S. , Cho E.‐Y. , Yang J.‐M.
Published: July 2007

Background:  Eosinophils are recruited into the affected tissue of asthma and atopic dermatitis (AD) patients. IL‐5 and IL‐5R are highly expressed in the AD skin lesions, yet the reported levels of IL‐8 are controversial.

Method:  We genotyped 17 singlenucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from five genes of the 1120 case‐control samples (646 AD and 474 controls). We measured the serum IL‐5 concentrations in 87 individuals [36 ADe (AD extrinsic), 18 ADi (AD intrinsic) and 33 controls] by ELISA, and compared the results among these groups.

Result:  The rs2522411SNP and haplotype T‐A in the IL‐5 gene were significantly associated with the ADe. The serum IL‐5 concentration was higher in the ADe than that in the ADi patients without any correlation with the rs2522411SNP. In the IL‐5RA gene, the rs334809SNP showed a weak association with AD, and the rs6771148SNP and the haplotype T‐C‐T of the three adjacent tagged SNPs had an effect on the blood eosinophil counts and the serum ECP levels in the AD patients. However, we could not detect any relationship between AD and the SNPs in the IL‐8 and IL‐8R genes.

Conclusion:  We found that the rs2522411SNP and the haplotype T‐A in the IL‐5 gene and the serum IL‐5 levels were strongly associated with the allergic type of AD, but not with the nonallergic type of AD. The association of the rs6771148SNP and the haplotype T‐C‐T in the IL5RA gene with the blood eosinophil counts and the serum ECP levels indicates that the IL5RA gene has a role for controlling eosinophils in the peripheral blood.
AMELIORATION OF l‐THYROXINE‐INDUCED HYPERTHYROIDISM BY COUMARIN (1,2‐BENZOPYRONE) IN FEMALE RATS
Authors: Panda Sunanda , Kar Anand
Published: July 2007

The efficacy of coumarin (1,2‐benzopyrone) was examined for the regulation of hyperthyroidism in female rats.

Coumarin was administered (10 mg/kg per day for 15 days) to l‐thyroxine (L‐T4)‐induced hyperthyroid as well as to euthyroid rats and changes in serum concentrations of thyroid hormones and in associated parameters, such as serum cholesterol, activity of hepatic 5′‐monodeiodinase (5′DI) and glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G‐6‐Pase), glycogen content, bodyweight and daily food consumption, were analysed. Simultaneously, changes in hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also investigated.

Although L‐T4 administration increased serum levels of thyroid hormones, the activity of hepatic 5′DI, G‐6‐Pase and LPO and daily food consumption, it decreased the level of serum cholesterol, hepatic glycogen content and the activities of anti‐oxidant enzymes, such as SOD, CAT and GSH.

However, simultaneous administration of coumarin for 15 days to a group of hyperthyroid animals reversed most of the aforementioned changes, indicating its potential to ameliorate hyperthyroidism. Moreover, the drug did not increase, but rather decreased, hepatic LPO, suggesting its safe nature.

The present findings reveal a positive role for coumarin in the regulation of hyperthyroidism without any hepatotoxicity. It also appears that the test compound inhibits thyroid function at both a glandular level and at the level of peripheral conversion of T4 to tri‐iodothyronine.
Prediction of pathological stages before prostatectomy in prostate cancer patients: Analysis of 12 systematic prostate needle biopsy specimens
Authors: Park Eun‐Ah , Lee Hak Jong , Kim Kwang Gi , Kim Seung Hyup , Lee Sang Eun , Choe Ghee Young
Published: July 2007

Objective:  To identify the most reliable predictor of the pathological stage among multiple parameters obtained by performing systematic biopsies and to assess the predictive value of any identified parameters in combination with the prostate specific antigen and the Gleason scores.

Methods:  We examined 5 biopsy parameters from 12 systematic needle biopsy results in 104 consecutive prostate cancer patients who underwent prostatectomy: the number of cores positive for cancer, percentage of positive biopsy cores, total linear cancer length (absolute sum of tumor length at each core), percentage cancer length (total cancer length divided by total length of cores obtained ×100), and maximum cancer core length. The predictive values of these parameters were assessed using multivariate logistic analysis and receiver operating characteristic analysis. We evaluated whether the most reliable biopsy parameter in combination with traditional variables show better predictability of the pathological stage than traditional variables alone by receiver operating characteristic analysis.

Results:  Of 104 patients, 85 (82.9%) had organ confined cancer and 19 (17.1%) showed extraprostatic extension. Of the five parameters examined, maximum cancer length was found to best predict pathological staging. Although insignificant, adding results of maximum cancer length to prostate specific antigen and Gleason scores improved predictability. Of 41 patients with a maximum cancer length of <0.9 cm, PSA of <16 ng/mL, and Gleason score of <7, none showed extraprostatic extension.

Conclusions:  The maximum cancer length was found to be the most reliable predictor of disease staging. The findings of a maximum cancer length of <0.9 cm, PSA of <16 ng/mL, and a Gleason score of <7 can suggest an organ‐confined disease.
Patterns of bacterial diversity across a range of Antarctic terrestrial habitats
Authors: Yergeau Etienne , Newsham Kevin K. , Pearce David A. , Kowalchuk George A.
Published: July 2007

Although soil‐borne bacteria represent the world's greatest source of biological diversity, it is not well understood whether extreme environmental conditions, such as those found in Antarctic habitats, result in reduced soil‐borne microbial diversity. To address this issue, patterns of bacterial diversity were studied in soils sampled along a > 3200 km southern polar transect spanning a gradient of increased climate severity over 27° of latitude. Vegetated and fell‐field plots were sampled at the Falkland (51°S), South Georgia (54°S), Signy (60°S) and Anchorage Islands (67°S), while bare frost‐sorted soil polygons were examined at Fossil Bluff (71°S), Mars Oasis (72°S), Coal Nunatak (72°S) and the Ellsworth Mountains (78°S). Bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences were recovered subsequent to direct DNA extraction from soil, polymerase chain reaction amplification and cloning. Although bacterial diversity was observed to decline with increased latitude, habitat‐specific patterns appeared to also be important. Namely, a negative relationship was found between bacterial diversity and latitude for fell‐field soils, but no such pattern was observed for vegetated sites. The Mars Oasis site, previously identified as a biodiversity hotspot within this region, proved exceptional within the study transect, with unusually high bacterial diversity. In independent analyses, geographical distance and vegetation cover were found to significantly influence bacterial community composition. These results provide insight into the factors shaping the composition of bacterial communities in Antarctic terrestrial habitats and support the notion that bacterial diversity declines with increased climatic severity.
THE PATTERN AND EVOLUTION OF GEOGRAPHICAL WAGE DIFFERENTIALS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS IN GREAT BRITAIN*
Authors: BELL DAVID , ELLIOTT ROBERT F. , MA ADA , SCOTT ANTHONY , ROBERTS ELIZABETH
Published: July 2007

Government policy on the nature of wage bargaining in the public sector can have important implications for the provision of public services. Using the New Earnings Survey, the Labour Force Survey and the British Household Panel Survey, we examine the size and evolution of public–private sector wage differentials across geographical areas within the UK and over time. Public sector bargaining structures have led to historically high wage premia, although these premia are declining over time. In high‐cost low‐amenity areas, such as the south‐east of England, the public sector underpays relative to the private sector, therefore creating problems in recruitment to and provision of public services. Public sector labour markets are around 40 per cent as responsive to area differences in amenities and costs as are private sector labour markets. Differences in the degree of spatial variation between sectors are likely to remain, leading to persistent problems for the delivery of public services in some parts of the UK. Reform of public sector pay structures is likely to be costly, and so other non‐pay policies need to be considered to increase the attractiveness of public sector jobs.
ON THE POST‐UNIFICATION DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PAY IN GERMANY*
Authors: HEITMUELLER AXEL , MAVROMARAS KOSTAS G.
Published: July 2007

German post‐unification in the 1990s is a period marked by substantial economic and political change, a crucial part of which was a largely politically motivated attempt to build East German wages towards the much higher West German wages. We study the development of the public–private sector pay gap in Germany in the 1990s. We show that throughout the 1990s the overall pay gap between the public and private sectors remained stable in the West and increased considerably in the East. Wage decompositions show a small and stable negative public sector premium in the West, and a large and increasing positive public sector pay premium in the East. Decompositions also show a considerable deterioration in the skill base of the private sector in the East which the paper attributes in part to the improved attractiveness of the public sector. The paper argues that the development in the size and composition of the public–private sector pay gap in the East is an indication of the public sector crowding out the private sector and raises concerns about the future competitiveness of the East.
The Coin of the Intentional Realm
Authors: MACBETH DANIELLE
Published: July 2007

I wanted to put that picture before him, and his acceptance of the picture consists in his now being inclined to regard a given case differently: that is to compare it with this rather than that set of pictures. I have changed his way of looking at things. (Wittgenstein 1953, §144)

Apicture held us captive. (§ 115)
Maternal anthropometric risk factors for caesarean delivery before or after onset of labour
Authors: Sherrard A , Platt RW , Vallerand D , Usher RH , Zhang X , Kramer MS
Published: July 2007

Objective  To quantify the effects of pre‐pregnancy body mass and gestational weight gain, above and beyond their known effects on birthweight, on the risk of primary and repeat caesarean delivery performed before or after the onset of labour.

Design  Hospital‐based historical cohort study.

Setting  Canadian university‐affiliated hospital.

Population  A total of 63 390 singleton term (≥37 weeks gestation) infants with cephalic presentation.

Methods  We studied prospectively archived deliveries at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada, from 1 January 1978 to 31 March 2001 using multiple logistic regression models to estimate relative odds of caesarean delivery.

Main outcome measure  Caesarean delivery, primary or repeat and before or after the onset of labour.

Results  Pregravid obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2) increased the likelihood of primary caesarean delivery before (OR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.39–2.90) and after (OR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.86–2.42) the onset of labour. High net rate of gestational weight gain (>0.50 kg/week) increased the risk but only after labour onset (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.23–1.60). Among women with a previous caesarean, high weight gain modestly increased risk but only before labour (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.04–1.83), whereas obesity increased the risk of caesarean delivery both before (OR = 1.85, 95% CI 1.44–2.37) and after (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.11–3.47) labour onset. Increased risks of macrosomia accounted for the association between pregravid adiposity and repeat caesarean delivery performed after but not before the onset of labour.

Conclusions  Pregravid obesity increases the risk of caesarean delivery both before and after the onset of labour and both with and without a history of caesarean.
Laparoscopic uterine sling suspension: a new technique of uterine suspension in women desiring surgical management of uterine prolapse with uterine conservation
Authors: Cutner A , Kearney R , Vashisht A
Published: July 2007

The surgical management of uterine prolapse in women who wish to retain their uterus remains a challenge. Several techniques have been reported using open abdominal, laparoscopic and vaginal approaches. The laparoscopic approach offers both excellent intraoperative visualisation of supportive and adjacent structures and quick postoperative recovery. Currently, laparoscopic suspension of the uterus to the round ligaments, uterosacral ligaments, suture and synthetic mesh suspension to the sacral promontory have been reported. This report describes a new surgical technique of laparoscopic uterine suspension, which has been performed successfully in eight women. Mersilene tape is used to suspend the uterus to the sacral promontory bilaterally and to recreate new uterosacral ligaments.
The ambiguous coalition in West Germany
Authors: Lehmbruch Gerhard
Published: July 2007

ON I DECEMBER 1966 THE BUNDESTAG ELECTED THE CHRISTIAN democrat leader Kurt Georg Kiesinger as head of a government formed by Christian democrats (CDU) and social democrats (SPD), by a majority of 340 (out of 496) members. The liberals (FDP), with 49 members, were pushed aside into opposition. For the first time since 1930 the social democrats entered a German central government, not as the result of an electoral victory but at the conclusion of an inner Crisis within the hitherto existing majority. The CDU whose prestige was badly damaged by this crisis continued to provide the chancellor. This helps to explain why some 60 members of the coalescing parties voted against the candidate. Public opinion oscillated between feelings of relief because of the end of a period of insecurity, and feelings of discomfort in view of an experiment which seemed unorthodox and hazardous. The disputes around the grosse Koalition (great coalition) thus revealed the ambiguity of conceptions of parliamentary government as they had developed since the establishment of the Federal Republic.
The Police-State
Authors: Chapman Brian
Published: July 2007

THE WAY THAT THE TERM ‘POLICE STATE’ ENTERED THE ENGLISH language is curious. It is simply the transliteration of the German term Polizeistaat. In German constitutional and administrative law the Polizeistaat was one of the triad of categories used to describe the characteristics of particular states. The other two categories were the Rechtsstaat and the Justizstaat. The Polizeistaat was the creation of 18th-century Prussia. The devastation of the Thuty Years War led the Prussian leaders to conclude that only a state based upon internal discipline, rigorously controlled, and economically self-sufficient could provide a proper basis for survival. This involved breaking the feudal powers of the aristocracy, substituting for them as the principal instrument of government a civil service wholly obedient and responsive to the rulers of the state, and creating a powerful army capable of protecting the heartland of Prussia, if necessary by wars of expansion. The permanent possibility of war became the basis of stable government, and stable government, even at the price of war, was the major blessing a state could bestow on its citizens.
Politics in a New Key
Authors: Ionescu Ghiţa
Published: July 2007

THE PROPHETS OF DEPOLITIZATION ARE CONFOUNDED. IN THE last year or so, politics have come back with a vengeance. Indeed, what is characteristic in this new political activity is that, anticapitalistic though it may be, its immediate motives did not spring from urgent economic problems. In France, for instance, trouble erupted out of a blue economic sky.

For those who, convinced that the political conflict is perennial and ubiquitous, regarded the theories of depolitization with due scepticism, this was a ‘new wave’ of political conflict though with a noticeable change in techniques and mentalities. The change was so considerable and so abrupt, the methods so different, that one could not but wonder if they did not herald also the coming of another code of political behaviour. Once more the need to study the modernization of politics, by which is meant broadly the synchronization of the political process with the evolved economic and social processes, seemed even greater.
Positions and Dispositions in Israeli Politics
Authors: Seliger M.
Published: July 2007

ISRAEL IS MORE SUI GENERIS THAN OTHER POLITICAL SOCIETIES not so much in virtue of the nature of its political arrangements and postures as in virtue of what underlies them. To highlight some basic issues of Israeli politics from this point of view is to take one's cue from the most fundamental question of Jewish existence: To be like or unlike, any other nation? If Zionism prevents Israelis from distinguishing themselves in the manner in which other nations distinguish themselves from each other, a major reason is that Israel's neighbours deny her the right to realize within sovereign boundaries the resurgence of a Jewish state and nation.
Judges in Politics: USA
Authors: Vale Vivian
Published: July 2007

‘HISTORIC’, ‘MOMENTOUS’ AND ‘REVOLUTIONARY’ ARE ONLY A FEW OF the epithets freely bestowed upon the case of Baker v. Carr. By that justly celebrated judgment of 26 March 1962 the US Supreme Court implied for the first time that the weight of an American's vote might no longer depend on whereabouts in the country he lived. It did so by ruling that a scheme of apportionment which permitted inequalities of population between electoral districts represented in a state's legislature could be challenged in federal (not merely state) courts, which had competence to protect the right in question. The tide of ensuing litigation attained a new level on I7 February 1964, when the Court in Wesberry v. Sanders held that a like symmetry must prevail among US Congressional districts also. High-water mark was reached on 15 June of that year with Reynolds v. Sims, where the constitution was held to require

that the seats of both houses of a bicameral state legislature must be apportioned on a population basis. Simply stated, an individual's right to vote for state legislators is unconstitutionally impaired when its weight is in a substantial fashion diluted when compared with votes of citizens living in other parts of the State.
PHOTOSYNTHETIC INSENSITIVITY OF THE TERRESTRIAL CYANOBACTERIUM NOSTOC FLAGELLIFORME TO SOLAR UV RADIATION WHILE REHYDRATED OR DESICCATED1
Authors: Gao Kunshan , Ye Changpeng
Published: July 2007

Photosynthetic performance of the terrestrial cyanobacterium Nostoc flagelliforme (M. J. Berkeley et M. A. Curtis) Bornet et Flahault during rehydration and desiccation has been previously characterized, but little is known about the effects of solar UV radiation (280–400 nm) on this species. We investigated the photochemical activity during rehydration and subsequent desiccation while exposing the filamentous colonies to different solar radiation treatments. Photochemical activity could be reactivated by rehydration under full‐spectrum solar radiation, the species being insensitive to both ultraviolet‐A radiation (UVAR; 315–400 nm) and ultraviolet‐B radiation (UVBR). When the rehydrated colonies were exposed for desiccation, the effective PSII photochemical yield was inhibited by visible radiation (PAR) at the initial stage of water loss, then increased with further decrease in water content, and reached its highest value at the water content of 10%–30%. However, no significant difference was observed among the radiation treatments except for the moment when they were desiccated to critical water content of about 2%–3%. At such a critical water content, significant reduction by UVBR of the effective quantum yield was observed in the colonies that were previously rehydrated under indoor light [without ultraviolet radiation (UVR)], but not in those reactivated under scattered or direct solar radiation (with UVR), indicating that preexposure to UVR during rehydration led to higher resistance to UVR during desiccation. The photosynthetic CO2 uptake by the desiccated colonies was enhanced by elevation of CO2 but was not affected by both UVAR and UVBR. It increased with enhanced desiccation to reach the maximal values at water content of 40%–50%. The UV‐absorbing compounds and the colony sheath were suggested to play an important role in screening harmful UVR.
Adaptations for life in the Arctic: evidence that melatonin rhythms in reindeer are not driven by a circadian oscillator but remain acutely sensitive to environmental photoperiod
Authors: Stokkan Karl‐Arne , Van Oort Bob E. H. , Tyler Nicholas J. C. , Loudon Andrew S. I.
Published: July 2007

Abstract: In reindeer Rangifer tarandus, a high latitude species, the rhythmic production of melatonin periodically dissipates under natural photoperiods when, in mid‐winter, there is near permanent darkness and again, in summer, when there is permanent light. In spring and autumn, as expected, melatonin production reflects the ambient light:dark (LD) cycle. We investigated the expression of circadian mechanisms on blood levels of melatonin in reindeer. Two experiments were conducted in which animals were transferred from natural photic conditions into continuous darkness for 3 days: (i) in February, when they had been exposed to an LD cycle (11L:13D) and (ii) in July, when they had been exposed to permanent light. In July, plasma levels of melatonin rose abruptly on exposure to darkness but then declined over 24 hr before displaying a second rise and decline over the following 36 hr. In contrast, in February, levels of melatonin rose abruptly but then remained elevated for more than 60 hr in darkness. Melatonin secretion upon exposure to darkness did not conform to a circadian pattern and did not, therefore, support the hypothesis that pineal activity in reindeer is tightly regulated by circadian mechanisms. Instead the secretion of melatonin appeared to be acutely and directly sensitive to ambient lighting. The results are consistent with a model in which Arctic resident animals have adapted to extreme photic conditions by disconnecting the generation of the pineal melatonin signal from their circadian machinery and relying, instead, on its being driven by the LD cycle for just a few weeks annually in spring and autumn.
Characteristics of Mother‐Child Interactions Related to Adolescents’ Positive Values and Behaviors
Authors: Padilla‐Walker Laura M.
Published: July 2007

The purpose of this study was to examine a theoretical model that considered accurate perception and acceptance of maternal values in relation to adolescents’ positive values and behaviors. One hundred fifty‐one mother‐adolescent dyads completed measures targeting adolescent and maternal perceptions of prosocial values and adolescent behaviors (M age of adolescent = 16.34 years). Path analysis using structure equation modeling revealed that accurate perception and acceptance of maternal values were positively related, both additively and multiplicatively, to personal values. Accurate perception and acceptance were negatively related to adolescents’ antisocial behaviors, and personal values were positively related to adolescents’ prosocial behaviors. The current study provides insight into how maternal discipline might influence adolescent behaviors indirectly through mother‐adolescent interactions.
Child Support Enforcement and Sexual Activity of Male Adolescents
Authors: Huang Chien‐Chung , Han Wen‐Jui
Published: July 2007

Strong child support enforcement requires fathers to take financial responsibility for their children and may also encourage more responsible sexual behavior. Using the 1997 – 2001 waves of the 1997 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (N = 4,272), this article examines the association between child support enforcement and the sexual activity of male adolescents. Stronger child support enforcement was associated with fewer sexual partners, less frequent sexual intercourse, and a higher likelihood of using contraceptive methods among adolescents who had had sexual intercourse in the 12 months preceding data collection. The effects of child support enforcement were particularly strong for non‐White adolescents and those living in high‐poverty areas. These findings suggest that strengthening child support enforcement may be associated with reductions in some aspects of male adolescents’ sexual activity.
Involvement of Mitochondria–Caspase Pathway in Hemoporfin‐mediated Cell Death
Authors: Wei Yongqing , Kong Beihua , Song Kun , Qu Xun , Jin Qiong , Yang Qifeng
Published: July 2007

Hemoporfin is a novel second‐generation porphyrin‐related photosensitizer for ovarian cancer photodynamic treatment (PDT). The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Hemoporfin‐mediated photocytotoxicity. Human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line 3AO was incubated with different concentrations of Hemoporfin, and phototoxic effects of Hemoporfin on cells were determined using a Cell Viability Analyzer. Apoptosis or necrosis was determined by flow cytometry analysis using the Annexin V‐FITC apoptosis kit. Cellular caspase activation was determined using the fluorescent assay kit for caspase‐3 and caspase‐9. Rhodamine123 was used as a mitochondrial probe and Lucifer Yellow as a lysosomal probe to investigate the intracellular localization of Hemoporfin in 3AO cancer cells. We demonstrated that both high‐dose (30 μg mL−1) and low‐dose (3 μg mL−1) Hemoporfin significantly reduced the viability of ovarian cancer cell 3AO with light illumination, and the photocytotoxicity was dose‐dependent (P < 0.01). Using a mitochondrial fluorescence probe, we demonstrated a distinct mitochondrial aggregation in 3AO cells with a low concentration of Hemoporfin. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was detected as early as 1 h after Hemoporfin‐mediated PDT. PDT with low‐dose Hemoporfin predominantly induced apoptosis but not necrosis, and both caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 were activated. Based on our results, mitochondria play an important role in the Hemoporfin‐induced apoptosis, and mitochondria membrane potential loss initiated apoptosis via the activation of caspases. Understanding the mechanisms involved in PDT‐mediated apoptosis may improve its therapeutic efficacy and facilitate its transition into the clinic.