bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nitrogen and Phosphorus in the Finnish Energy System, 1900–2003
Authors: Saikku Laura , Antikainen Riina , Kauppi Pekka E.
Published: February 2007

In producing power, humans move the nutrients nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from their long‐term geological and biological stocks and release or emit them in soil, water, and the atmosphere. In Finland, peat combustion is an important driver of N and P fluxes from the environment to human economy. The flows of N and P in the Finnish energy system were quantified with partial substance flow analysis, and the driving forces of emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) were analyzed using the ImPACT model.

In the year 2000 in Finland, 140,000 tonnes of nitrogen entered the energy system, mainly in peat and hard coal. Combustion released an estimated 66,000 tonnes of N as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitrous oxides (N2O) and another 74,000 tonnes as elemental N2. Most of the emissions were borne in traffic. At the same time, 6,000 tonnes of P was estimated to enter the Finnish energy system, mostly in peat and wood. Ash was mainly used in earth construction and disposed in landfills; thus negligible levels of P were recycled back to nature.

During the twentieth century, fuel‐borne input of N increased 20‐fold, and of P 8‐fold. In 1900–1950, the increasing use of hard coal slowly boosted N input, whereas wood fuels were the main carrier of P. Since 1970, the fluxes have been on the rise. NOx emissions leveled off in the 1980s, though, and then declined in conjunction with improvements in combustion technologies such as NOx removal (de‐NOx) technologies in energy production and catalytic converters in cars.
Characterizing, Propagating, and Analyzing Uncertainty in Life‐Cycle Assessment: A Survey of Quantitative Approaches
Authors: Lloyd Shannon M. , Ries Robert
Published: February 2007

Life‐cycle assessment (LCA) practitioners build models to quantify resource consumption, environmental releases, and potential environmental and human health impacts of product systems. Most often, practitioners define a model structure, assign a single value to each parameter, and build deterministic models to approximate environmental outcomes. This approach fails to capture the variability and uncertainty inherent in LCA. To make good decisions, decision makers need to understand the uncertainty in and divergence between LCA outcomes for different product systems. Several approaches for conducting LCA under uncertainty have been proposed and implemented. For example, Monte Carlo simulation and fuzzy set theory have been applied in a limited number of LCA studies. These approaches are well understood and are generally accepted in quantitative decision analysis. But they do not guarantee reliable outcomes. A survey of approaches used to incorporate quantitative uncertainty analysis into LCA is presented. The suitability of each approach for providing reliable outcomes and enabling better decisions is discussed. Approaches that may lead to overconfident or unreliable results are discussed and guidance for improving uncertainty analysis in LCA is provided.
A Topographical Study on the Event-related Potential Correlates of Scrambled Word Order in Japanese Complex Sentences
Authors: Hagiwara Hiroko , Soshi Takahiro , Ishihara Masami , Imanaka Kuniyasu
Published: February 2007

One of the most fundamental and universal properties of human language is a phenomenon called displacement. In the present study, we used multichannel event-related potentials (ERPs) to identify the nature of this phenomenon with Japanese, a subject-object-verb (SOV) language of relatively free word order. The ERPs of sentences of canonical word order (CC) were compared with those of non-canonical word order in two types of Japanese complex sentences; namely, in those which can be described as being in a middle-scrambled condition (MSC) and in those in a long-scrambled condition (LSC). The sustained anterior negativity (SAN) and the P600 in the pregap position were observed in the LSC, compared to the CC, and they are consistent with previous findings. The SAN, exhibiting a tripartite nature in morphology and scalp distribution, mainly reflected a storage cost of scrambled elements in sentence comprehension. The subsequent P600 had a left fronto-temporal maximum, distinguished from a posterior P600, taken as a reflector of the thematic role assignment in previous related studies. It is argued that the P600 in the present study reflects a cost of structural integration intensively depending on the case marker information. A compositional interpretation of sentence meanings was also observed, reflected in an anterior negativity at the postgap verbal position, which cannot be differentiated at the pregap verbal position in the languages of subject-verb-object (SVO) word order.
Developmental Differences in Sleep's Role for Implicit Off-line Learning: Comparing Children with Adults
Authors: Fischer Stefan , Wilhelm Ines , Born Jan
Published: February 2007

Sleep crucially contributes to the off-line consolidation of memories. Although this view was confirmed in numerous studies in adults, it is not known whether it can be generalized to sleep during development. Here, we examined effects of sleep on implicit memory formation considered of particular relevance in children, because brain structures underlying implicit learning develop earlier in ontogeny than structures supporting explicit learning. Subjects were 7- to 11-year-old children (n = 14) and 20- to 30-year-old adults (n = 12) tested on a serial reaction time task before (learning) and after (retest) equal length retention periods of overnight sleep and daytime wakefulness. At learning, after eight training blocks, all subjects had acquired implicit knowledge of the probabilistic rules underlying the sequential stimulus materials, as indicated by a substantial difference in response time to grammatical versus nongrammatical trials in two test blocks that followed the training blocks. At learning, this response time difference was greater in children (48.49 ± 6.08 msec) than adults (28.02 ± 3.65 msec, p < .01), but did not differ between sleep and wake retention conditions in either age group. Consistent with previous studies, retesting in the adults revealed that the reaction time differences between grammatical and nongrammatical trials increased by 9.78 ± 4.82 msec after sleep, but decreased by −12.76 ± 5.49 msec after the wake retention period (p < .01). Contrary to this finding in adults, sleep in children did not lead to an increase, but to a decrease in the reaction time difference averaging −26.68 ± 12.25 msec (p < .05), whereas across the wake retention interval the reaction time difference remained nearly unchanged. The sleep-dependent deterioration in measures of implicit sequence knowledge in children was in striking contrast to the gain of such knowledge in the adults during sleep (p < .01). Our findings indicate that the functional role of sleep in implicit memory consolidation depends on age. We speculate that the overnight decrease of implicit knowledge in children reflects a preferential effect of sleep toward the enhancement of explicit aspects of task performance that interferes with implicit performance gains.
The Regulation of Cognitive Control following Rostral Anterior Cingulate Cortex Lesion in Humans
Authors: di Pellegrino Giuseppe , Ciaramelli Elisa , Làdavas Elisabetta
Published: February 2007

The contribution of the medial prefrontal cortex, particularly the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), to cognitive control remains controversial. Here, we examined whether the rostral ACC is necessary for reactive adjustments in cognitive control following the occurrence of response conflict [Botvinick, M. M., Braver, T. S., Barch, D. M., Carter, C. S., & Cohen, J. D. Conflict monitoring and cognitive control. Psychological Review, 108, 624–652, 2001]. To this end, we assessed 8 patients with focal lesions involving the rostral sector of the ACC (rACC patients), 6 patients with lesions outside the frontal cortex (non-FC patients), and 11 healthy subjects on a variant of the Simon task in which levels of conflict were manipulated on a trial-by-trial basis. More specifically, we compared Simon effects (i.e., the difference in performance between congruent and incongruent trials) on trials that were preceded by high-conflict (i.e., incongruent) trials with those on trials that were preceded by low-conflict (i.e., congruent) trials. Normal controls and non-FC patients showed a reduction of the Simon effect when the preceding trial was incongruent, suggestive of an increase in cognitive control in response to the occurrence of response conflict. In contrast, rACC patients attained comparable Simon effects following congruent and incongruent events, indicating a failure to modulate their performance depending on the conflict level generated by the preceding trial. Furthermore, damage to the rostral ACC impaired the posterror slowing, a further behavioral phenomenon indicating reactive adjustments in cognitive control. These results provide insights into the functional organization of the medial prefrontal cortex in humans and its role in the dynamic regulation of cognitive control.
Life history, demography, diet and habitat associations in the southwestern earless lizard, Cophosaurus texanus scitulus from northern and southern limits of its geographical range
Authors: Punzo Fred
Published: February 2007

I studied life history traits, demography, diet composition and habitat associations in the southwestern earless lizard, Cophosaurus texanus scitulus. Individuals from various age classes were sampled from populations at the northern (FCM) and southern (CAS) boundaries of its geographic range (FCM, foothills of Chinati Mts., Texas, USA; CAS, Castonos, Coahuila, Mexico). Males had higher growth rates as compared to females between the juvenile-to-yearling stages at both sites. Significant differences were also found for yearlings, and between yearling-to-adult stages. Growth rates decreased as a function of increasing age and were lowest in adults, and highest during the juvenile-to-yearling and yearling age classes. Earliest date on which a female was found to contain oviductal eggs was 19 May and 10 June, for the CAS and FCM sites, respectively. No females with oviductal eggs were found between 01 March and mid-May. Most females in reproductive condition had a SVL of 53-61 mm, and 57-64 mm, at the CAS and FCM sites, respectively, indicating that most females attain maturity at an age of 10-11 months. Clutch sizes were significantly smaller for females from the FCM site. Sex ratio was significantly biased toward females Survivorship was highest between yearling and adult age classes. Most lizards were found in areas with creosote and mesquite. These lizards are generalist predators that feed on a wide variety of arthropods.
Effects of Ca2+ channel blocker verapamil on tissue regeneration in a lizard tail autotomy model: a biochemical and histological study
Authors: Turgut Mehmet , Koca Yücel B. , Kaplan Süleyman , Metin Kubilay , Üzüm Nazan , Soylu Emrah , Avcı Aziz , Rağbetli Murat , Beytaş Elif P. , Olgun Kurtuluş
Published: February 2007

Ca2+ ions have been reported to augment the activities of many cell types
including cellular proliferation and tissue regeneration. Moreover, it is
well known that verapamil is a L-type voltage-gated Ca2+ antagonist with
important clinical implications. To evaluate the role of Ca2+ ions in the
regeneration of tail in lizards, verapamil was used in vivo to modulate the
activity of intracellular Ca2+ in a lizard tail autotomy model. A total of
35 adult lizards were divided into three groups: lightness control group (n
= 11), darkness group (n = 11) and verapamil treatment group (n = 13). The
tails of adult lizards were amputated by pinching off the tail at the 15th
segment from the vent to induce tail regeneration. The first two groups
served as untreated constant lightness and darkness groups as controls, but
the remaining group received intraperitoneally 1 mg/kg of verapamil.
Following autotomy, the length of regenerating tails was measured at 10, 15,
20, 25, and 30 days post-amputation. At the end of the study, the
regenerating tails from animals from each group were removed for collagen
assay procedure and histological examination. We found that verapamil
produced a reduction in the length of the regenerated tail compared to
untreated lightness group and the percentage of tail replaced in verapamil
treatment group was lower than those in lightness control group. Total
collagen contents were found to be higher in lightness control group in
comparison with darkness and verapamil treatment groups. Accordingly, a
quantitative stereological evaluation showed a higher percentage of neural
tissue and a lower percentage of connective tissue, as well as vascular
tissue, in the cross-sections of the regenerated tails taken from Ca2+
channel blocker verapamil-treated lizards, as compared to other groups. In
conclusion, our results suggest that verapamil influences a variety of
processes including fibroblast collagen production, neurogenesis, and
angiogenesis during tail regeneration in lizard, possibly due to inhibition
of intracellular Ca2+ ion by verapamil.
Helminths infecting the lizard Enyalius bilineatus (Iguanidae; Leiosaurinae) from an Atlantic Rainforest area in Espírito Santo state, southeastern Brazil
Authors: Vrcibradic Davor , Vicente Joaquim , Bursey Charles
Published: February 2007

We studied the helminth assemblage of a population of the iguanian lizard
Enyalius bilineatus from an Atlantic forest area in Espírito Santo state,
southeastern Brazil. Eighteen of the 27 individuals examined (66.7%)
harbored helminths. A total of six helminth species were found, including
acanthocephalan cystacanths (Centrorhynchidae), and five species of
nematodes: Physaloptera lutzi, P. retusa, Oswaldocruzia benslimanei,
Rhabdias sp. and larvae of an indeterminate species of Acuariidae. In the
context of helminth assemblages from Neotropical iguanian lizards, that of
E. bilineatus was similar in some parameters (such as species richness and
number of core species) to those of other forest-dwelling species, but
generally poorer when compared to open-habitat hosts.
Demography of Eurotestudo hermanni in a mesic area of Central Italy
Authors: Loy Anna , Ramacciato Valeria , Gentilotti Federica , Capula Massimo
Published: February 2007

Hermann's tortoise (Eurotestudo hermanni) from a mesic area of Central Italy
(Isernia, Molise) was investigated during a two-year period (2003-2004). The
population is characterized by a fairly high density when compared to other
Italian and European populations, with density ranging from 16.16
individuals/ha in 2003 to 25.08 individuals/ha in 2004 (average density
20.84/ha). The sex ratio was 1:1 both in 2003 and 2004. Females were
captured in higher percentages from May to July in both years, while males
were most abundant from August to October. These differences can be related
to the different needs and behaviour of males and females in the two
periods, and to the environmental constraints of the study area. All the
marked tortoises were found aged between 10 and 21 years. Adult males and
females from the study area were small-sized when compared to those from
other Italian and European populations.
Aphelenchoides subtenuis (Cobb, 1926) Steiner & Buhrer, 1932 (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Iran with morphological and morphometric characterisation
Authors: Tanha Maafi Zahra , Castillo Pablo , Mohammad Deimi Abbas , Palomares Rius Juan
Published: February 2007

The bud and leaf nematode, Aphelenchoides subtenuis, infecting corms and pseudostems of gladiolus in Iran, is characterised morphologically and morphometrically using a light microscope and SEM. Its relationship with similar species is discussed. The species is characterised by a sub-cylindrical female tail with hemispherical terminus bearing a single, ventrally located, mucron, well-developed postuterine sac (115 μm long) extending for ca 65% of the vulva/anus distance, presence of three lines in the lateral field, and the conoid male tail with an inconspicuous mucron. This study extends the intraspecific variability of A. subtenuis.
Service innovation: psychiatrists on call – the community at night
Authors: Mynors-Wallis Laurence , Cope Denise
Published: February 2007

There have been significant changes in the provision of medical care in hospitals at night. The initial catalyst for this was the New Deal for Junior Doctors but more recently the European Working Time Directive requiring doctors' hours to be reduced to 56 in 2002 and to 48 by 2009. The reduced availability of junior doctors in hospitals at night has had a range of implications, including the necessity to train other health professionals to do work previously undertaken by doctors and a reduction in the number of specialist doctors available out of hours. The expectation is that staff in the hospital at night will be equipped to deal appropriately and safely with emergency work across specialties, rather than each specialty covering their own patients.
The Long War
Authors: Cannistraro Vincent , Giraldi Philip
Published: February 2007

Vincent Cannistraro is the former head of counterterrorism operations and analysis for the Central Intelligence Agency. He served in the National Security Council as director for intelligence programs during the Reagan administration and currently heads Cannistraro Associates, a security consultancy located in McLean, Virginia.

Philip Giraldi is a former CIA counterterrorism specialist and military intelligence officer who served eighteen years in Turkey, Italy, Germany, and Spain. He is currently a partner in Cannistraro Associates.
Who's the Sick Man of Europe? A Wavering EU Should Let Turkey In
Authors: Tarifa Fatos , Adams Benjamin
Published: February 2007

Fatos Tarifa is a former Albanian ambassador to the United States. He is the author of The Quest for Legitimacy and the Withering Away of Utopia (2001) and The Balkans: A Mission neither Accomplished nor Impossible (2002). He teaches political sociology and international relations at Eastern Michigan University.

Benjamin Adams is a senior student at Eastern Michigan University.
Growth of β-Perylene Crystal
Authors: Yago Tomoaki , Tamaki Yoshiaki , Furube Akihiro , Katoh Ryuzi
Published: February 2007

Although perylene crystals have been known to show both dimeric (α) and monomeric (β) phases, to date only the stable α-crystals have been obtained under conventional conditions. Here, we propose a procedure for the selective growth of β-phase perylene crystals, in which a saturated toluene solution at 350 K was cooled to 298 K with a high cooling rate (−30 K/min). The sizes of β-phase crystals obtained were in the order of 100 μm.
Photochemical and Redox Switching in a Ring-closed Isomer of Thioindigo-extended Quinone
Authors: Kurata Hiroyuki , Kim Sang , Matsumoto Kouzou , Kawase Takeshi , Oda Masaji
Published: February 2007

A new dispiro π-system having a bis(2,6-di-tert-butylcyclohexadienone) unit was synthesized and characterized. Photoirradiation gave an ESR-active bis(phenoxy) radical and electrochemical reduction formed a bis(phenoxide) ion both by ring-opening.
A New Superlattice of Cyclohexanethiol Self-assembled Monolayers on Au(111) Formed at a Low Solution Temperature
Authors: Kwon Seungwook , Jeong Youngdo , Lee Youngil , Noh Jaegeun
Published: February 2007

High-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging revealed that cyclohexanethiols (CHTs) on Au(111) form high-density self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with a (5 × 2√3)R35° superlattice at a low solution temperature of −20 °C. This packing structure is comparable to a (5 × 2√10)R48° superlattice formed at room temperature. From this result, it was found that the two-dimensional structure of CHT SAMs on Au(111) was strongly influenced by the solution temperature, unlike alkanethiol SAMs.
Grounded Cosmopolitans and the Bureaucratic Field: Musical Performance at Two Yogyakarta State Institutions
Authors: Richter Martin
Published: February 2007

Drawing on ethnographic research in Yogyakarta (Indonesia) in 2001, this article discusses two musical events with clear political dimensions. It seeks to broaden the parameters of discussion on music and politics by engaging two theoretical perspectives. The first, Bourdieu's bureaucratic field, highlights various "species of capital"; the second, grounded cosmopolitanism, considers attitudes, practices, and outcomes not easily explained within a framework of political contestation. The cases explored are a campursari Awards Night at the Regional Parliament and a street music (musik jalanan) contest at the National Air Force Academy. While maintaining that musical performance cannot be reduced entirely to politics, the article concludes that the bureaucratic capital of physical force dominated the particular cases.
Effect of Growth Hormone Replacement on BMD in Adult-Onset Growth Hormone Deficiency
Authors: Snyder Peter J , Biller Beverly MK , Zagar Anthony , Jackson Ivor , Arafah Baha M , Nippoldt Todd B , Cook David M , Mooradian Arshag D , Kwan Anita , Scism-Bacon Jamie , Chipman John J , Hartman Mark L
Published: February 2007

To determine if replacement of GH improves BMD in adult-onset GHD, we administered GH in physiologic amounts to men and women with GHD. GH replacement significantly increased spine BMD in the men by 3.8%.

Introduction: Growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) acquired in adulthood results in diminished BMD; the evidence that replacement of GH improves BMD is not conclusive. We therefore performed a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether GH replacement would increase lumbar spine BMD in a combined group of men and women with adult-onset GHD.

Materials and Methods: We randomized 67 men and women to receive GH (n = 33) or placebo (n = 34) for 2 yr. The GH dose was initially 2 μg/kg body weight/d, increased gradually to a maximum of 12 μg/kg/d and adjusted to maintain a normal IGF-I concentration for age and sex. BMD was assessed before treatment and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo of treatment. Fifty-four subjects completed the protocol.

Results: BMD of the lumbar spine in the entire group increased by 2.9 ± 3.9% above baseline in the GH-treated subjects, which was significantly (p = 0.037) greater than the 1.4 ± 4.5% increase in the placebo-treated subjects. In a secondary analysis, spine BMD in GH-treated men increased 3.8 ± 4.3% above baseline, which was significantly (p = 0.001) greater than that in placebo-treated men (0.4 ± 4.7%), but the change in GH-treated women was not significantly different from that in placebo-treated women. Treatment with GH did not increase total hip BMD more than placebo treatment after 2 yr.

Conclusions: We conclude that GH replacement in men who have adult-onset GHD improves their spine BMD, but we cannot draw any conclusions about the effect of GH replacement on spine BMD in women with adult-onset GHD.
Genomewide Analysis of Epistatic Effects for Quantitative Traits in Barley
Authors: Xu Shizhong , Jia Zhenyu
Published: February 2007

The doubled-haploid (DH) barley population (Harrington × TR306) developed by the North American Barley Genome Mapping Project (NABGMP) for QTL mapping consisted of 145 lines and 127 markers covering a total genome length of 1270 cM. These DH lines were evaluated in ∼25 environments for seven quantitative traits: heading, height, kernel weight, lodging, maturity, test weight, and yield. We applied an empirical Bayes method that simultaneously estimates 127 main effects for all markers and 127(127−1)/2=8001 interaction effects for all marker pairs in a single model. We found that the largest main-effect QTL (single marker) and the largest epistatic effect (single pair of markers) explained ∼18 and 2.6% of the phenotypic variance, respectively. On average, the sum of all significant main effects and the sum of all significant epistatic effects contributed 35 and 6% of the total phenotypic variance, respectively. Epistasis seems to be negligible for all the seven traits. We also found that whether two loci interact does not depend on whether or not the loci have individual main effects. This invalidates the common practice of epistatic analysis in which epistatic effects are estimated only for pairs of loci of which both have main effects.
Evolution of the Male-Determining GeneSRYWithin the Cat Family Felidae
Authors: King V , Goodfellow P N , Wilkerson A J Pearks , Johnson W E , O'Brien S J , Pecon-Slattery J
Published: February 2007

In most placental mammals, SRY is a single-copy gene located on the Y chromosome and is the trigger for male sex determination during embryonic development. Here, we present comparative genomic analyses of SRY (705 bp) along with the adjacent noncoding 5′ flank (997 bp) and 3′ flank (948 bp) in 36 species of the cat family Felidae. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the noncoding genomic flanks and SRY closely track species divergence. However, several inconsistencies are observed in SRY. Overall, the gene exhibits purifying selection to maintain function (ω = 0.815) yet SRY is under positive selection in two of the eight felid lineages. SRY has low numbers of nucleotide substitutions, yet most encode amino acid changes between species, and four different species have significantly altered SRY due to insertion/deletions. Moreover, fixation of nonsynonymous substitutions between sister taxa is not consistent and may occur rapidly, as in the case of domestic cat, or not at all over long periods of time, as observed within the Panthera lineage. The former resembles positive selection during speciation, and the latter purifying selection to maintain function. Thus, SRY evolution in cats likely reflects the different phylogeographic histories, selection pressures, and patterns of speciation in modern felids.
Unusual Pattern of Nucleotide Sequence Variation at the OS-E and OS-F Genomic Regions of Drosophila simulans
Authors: Sánchez-Gracia Alejandro , Rozas Julio
Published: February 2007

Nucleotide variation at the genomic region encompassing the odorant-binding protein genes OS-E and OS-F (OS region) was surveyed in two populations of Drosophila simulans, one from Europe and the other from Africa. We found that the European population shows an atypical and large haplotype structure, which extends throughout the ∼5-kb surveyed genomic region. This structure is depicted by two major haplotype groups segregating at intermediate frequency in the sample, one haplogroup with nearly no variation, and the other at levels more typical for this species. This pattern of variation was incompatible with neutral predictions for a population at a stationary equilibrium. Nevertheless, neutrality tests contrasting polymorphism and divergence data fail to detect any departure from the standard neutral model in this species, whereas they confirm the non-neutral behavior previously observed at the OS-E gene in D. melanogaster. Although positive Darwinian selection may have been responsible for the observed unusual nucleotide variation structure, coalescent simulation results do not allow rejecting the hypothesis that the pattern was generated by a recent bottleneck in the history of European populations of D. simulans.
Population Dynamics and Angler Exploitation of the Unique Muskellunge Population in Shoepack Lake, Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
Authors: Frohnauer Nick K. , Pierce Clay L. , Kallemeyn Larry W.
Published: February 2007

A unique population of muskellunge Esox masquinongy inhabits Shoepack Lake in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. Little is known about its status, dynamics, and angler exploitation, and there is concern for the long-term viability of this population. We used intensive sampling and mark–recapture methods to quantify abundance, survival, growth, condition, age at maturity and fecundity and angler surveys to quantify angler pressure, catch rates, and exploitation. During our study, heavy rain washed out a dam constructed by beavers Castor canadensis which regulates the water level at the lake outlet, resulting in a nearly 50% reduction in surface area. We estimated a population size of 1,120 adult fish at the beginning of the study. No immediate reduction in population size was detected in response to the loss of lake area, although there was a gradual, but significant, decline in population size over the 2-year study. Adults grew less than 50 mm per year, and relative weight (W  r) averaged roughly 80. Anglers were successful in catching, on average, two fish during a full day of angling, but harvest was negligible. Shoepack Lake muskellunge exhibit much slower growth rates and lower condition, but much higher densities and angler catch per unit effort (CPUE), than other muskellunge populations. The unique nature, limited distribution, and location of this population in a national park require special consideration for management. The results of this study provide the basis for assessing the long-term viability of the Shoepack Lake muskellunge population through simulations of long-term population dynamics and genetically effective population size.
Identification of Northeastern Pacific Rockfish Using Multilocus Nuclear DNA Genotypes
Authors: Pearse Devon E. , Wooninck Lisa , Dean Cheryl A. , Garza John Carlos
Published: February 2007

Molecular genetic analysis has long been used to identify species or populations that otherwise may be difficult to distinguish. More than 100 species of rockfish (genus Sebastes) occur worldwide, and more than 50 species may be found in relatively small regions, such as the Monterey Bay or Channel Islands in central and southern California. Many species are morphologically similar, particularly during the early larval stages, and identification to the species level is time‐consuming and problematic for some groups. We describe a simple genetic method for the rapid identification of rockfish species by means of multilocus nuclear genotypes from a panel of six microsatellite loci. Application to a set of known rockfish tissue samples, including fish collected in different parts of their geographic ranges and species not represented in the reference data set, resulted in high assignment accuracy for the represented species and exclusion of the nonrepresented species. Members of the subgenus Pteropodus, for which assignment is difficult with the standard six‐locus panel, are accurately identified to the species level with an additional five loci selected for that purpose. Together, these panels correctly assigned 97.4% of the tested individuals from a group of more than 30 species commonly found in central California.
Pro-inflammatory delipidizing cytokines reduce adiponectin secretion from human adipocytes without affecting adiponectin oligomerization
Authors: Simons Peter J , van den Pangaart Petra S , Aerts Johannes M F G , Boon Louis
Published: February 2007

Adiponectin and, especially, its oligomeric complex composition have been suggested to be critical in determining insulin sensitivity. Pro-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the development of insulin resistance in obesity and associated diseases. Therefore, we investigated the effect of long-term exposure of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ on total insulin-sensitizing adiponectin secretion and adiponectin complex formation from human adipocytes. In parallel, adipocyte delipidation and leptin production levels were monitored. The present study demonstrates that TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ dose and time dependently suppressed total adiponectin secretion within 7 days (60, 70, and 35% reduction respectively). IL-6 was also able to reduce (50%) adiponectin production, although only in combination with exogenous soluble IL-6 receptors (sIL-6R). However, the oligomeric distribution (high, middle, and low molecular weight (HMW) complexes) of secreted adiponectin was not altered by any of these cytokines. All studied pro-inflammatory cytokines resulted in delipidation and reduction of lipid-laden adipocyte numbers. Despite this reduction of lipid-laden adipocytes, TNF-α, IL-6/sIL-6R, and IL-1β stimulated leptin release. Our data indicate that (i) long-term pro-inflammatory cytokine exposure downregulates total adiponectin secretion from delipidizing adipocytes and (ii) pro-inflammatory cytokines are not important regulators of adipocyte-derived adiponectin oligomerization. Hence, their individual contribution to low expression of HMW adiponectin found in insulin-resistant conditions seems unlikely. Furthermore, delipidizing adipocytes and preadipocytes are active leptin producers when stimulated by TNF-α, IL-6/sIL-6R, and IL-1β.
CITED2 is expressed in human adrenocortical cells and regulated by basic fibroblast growth factor
Authors: Haase Matthias , Schott Matthias , Bornstein Stefan R , Malendowicz Ludwik K , Scherbaum Werner A , Willenberg Holger S
Published: February 2007

CITED2 gene deletion in mice leads to adrenal agenesis. Therefore, we analyzed CITED2, a CBP/p300 interacting transactivator with transforming activity, in the human adrenal gland. In this study, we examined CITED2 expression in human embryonic and adult adrenal glands as well as adrenocortical carcinomas. As ACTH and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are connected to the physiology and growth of adrenocortical cells we studied the regulation of CITED2 by these factors in the NCI-H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cell line. We found CITED2 expression in the adult adrenal cortex as well in adrenocortical carcinomas. At an early stage of human adrenal organogenesis CITED2 could be located to the definitive zone of the developing adrenal gland using immunohistochemistry. In NCI-H295R cells, stimulation by bFGF led to a dose-dependent increase in CITED2 promotor activity, mRNA and protein expression while ACTH had no significant effect. The stimulatory effect of bFGF could be reduced by blocking mitogen-activated protein kinase activity using the MAPkinase kinase (MEK1)-inhibitor PD98059. CITED2 is expressed in embryonic and adult human adrenal glands as well as in adrenocortical cancer. It is connected to the signaling cascades of bFGF and its expression is modulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases. This suggests a novel role for CITED2 in human adrenal growth and possibly in adrenal tumorigenesis.
Thyroid hormone inhibits proliferation of fetal cardiac myocytes in vitro
Authors: Chattergoon N N , Giraud G D , Thornburg K L
Published: February 2007

Thyroid hormone (T3) is a key regulator of fetal organ maturation. Premature elevations of thyroid hormone may lead to a ‘mature’ cardio-phenotype. Thyroid hormone will stimulate maturation of ovine fetal cardiomyocytes in culture by decreasing their proliferative capacity. Group 1 fetal cardiomyocytes (~135 days gestation) were incubated with T3 (1.5, 3, 10, and 100 nM) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU; 10 μM) for 24 and 48 h. Group 2 cardiomyocytes were cultured with T3 alone for later protein analysis of cell cycle regulators. At all concentrations, T3 decreased BrdU uptake fourfold in serum media (P<0.001 versus serum, n = 5). Following serum-free (SF) T3 treatment, BrdU uptake was inhibited when compared with serum (P<0.001 versus serum, n = 5). p21 expression increased threefold (P<0.05 versus serum free, n = 4) and cyclin D1 expression decreased twofold (P<0.05 versus serum, n = 4) in T3-treated cardiomyocytes. (1) T3 inhibits fetal cardiomyocyte proliferation, while (2) p21 protein levels increase, and (3) cyclin D1 levels decrease. Thus, T3 may be a potent regulator of cardiomyocyte proliferation and maturation in the late gestation fetus.
Prolactin inhibition in dams during lactation programs for overweight and leptin resistance in adult offspring
Authors: Bonomo Isabela Teixeira , Lisboa Patricia Cristina , Pereira Analaura Ribeiro , Passos Magna Cottini Fonseca , de Moura Egberto Gaspar
Published: February 2007

Maternal malnutrition during lactation reduces prolactin (PRL) and milk production, alters milk composition, and programs the body weight of the offspring. Our study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of maternal hypoprolactinemia at the end of lactation on food ingestion, body weight, amount of retroperitoneal white adipose tissue (RPWAT), leptinemia, and anorectic leptin effect in the adult offspring. Lactating rats were treated with bromocriptine (BRO), a PRL inhibitor, 1 mg twice a day, or saline (C – control) for the last 3 days of lactation. The body weight and food intake were monitored, and after sacrifice at 180 days, the RPWAT was weighted. In a second experiment, the anorectic leptin effect was tested on 180-day-old animals. Adult offspring whose mothers were BRO-treated showed higher body weight (10%), higher amount of RPWAT (2.3 times), higher total body fat (+39%), and hyperleptinemia (2.9 times) when compared with C, although food intake did not alter. After injection of leptin, the food ingestion at 2, 4 and 6 h was unaffected in BRO animals, confirming a resistance to the anorectic effect of leptin. Since the maternal PRL inhibition during lactation programs, a higher body weight with no alteration of food ingestion, we suggest a hypometabolic state. The leptin anorectic resistance can be due to the hyperleptinemia. We suggest that PRL changes during lactation can regulate body weight during adulthood.
Induction of pulsatile secretion of leptin in horses following thyroidectomy
Authors: Buff Preston R , Messer Nat T , Cogswell Andria M , Wilson David A , Johnson Philip J , Keisler Duane H , Ganjam Venkataseshu K
Published: February 2007

Endocrine characteristics of Quarter Horse-type mares were determined during a 68 h feed deprivation and again in the same mares following surgical thyroidectomy (THX). A crossover experimental design was implemented, in which mares received brome hay available ad libitum (FED) or were food deprived (RES) for 68 h. Blood samples were collected every 20 min for 48 h, beginning 20 h after the onset of food deprivation. Concentrations of triiodothyronine and thyroxine were undetectable post-THX. Plasma concentrations of thyrotropin were greater post-THX versus pre-THX (P<0.001). Plasma concentrations of leptin were greater in the THX FED group than in the THX RES group (P< 0.01). The existence of leptin pulse secretion was found only in post-THX compared with the same horses pre-THX (P = 0.02). We theorize that non-pulsatile secretion of leptin may have contributed to the survival of this species, as it evolved in the regions of seasonal availability of food. Lack of pulsatile secretion of leptin may contribute to the accumulation of energy stores by modulating leptin sensitivity.
Gastric ghrelin cell development is hampered and plasma ghrelin is reduced by delayed weaning in rats
Authors: Fåk Frida , Friis-Hansen Lennart , Weström Björn , Wierup Nils
Published: February 2007

The duration of breastfeeding has attracted much interest, as a prolonged period of breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of developing obesity. The mechanism behind the reduced risk is, however, poorly understood. The novel hormone ghrelin augments appetite, promotes body weight increase and increases adiposity. The majority of circulating ghrelin emanates from endocrine cells in the oxyntic mucosa of the stomach. In newborn humans and rodents, the number of ghrelin cells is low after birth until weaning, when the cell population is greatly expanded. To date, information about the influence of weaning perturbations on ghrelin cell development is scarce. Therefore, we studied the effect of delayed weaning on gastric ghrelin expression and plasma ghrelin concentration. To this end, special food separator cages were used to prevent the pups from eating solid food, forcing them to drink milk up to 21 days of age. Gastric ghrelin expression was examined by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation, and plasma concentrations were assessed by RIA. Our data showed that gastric ghrelin expression and plasma ghrelin concentration are maintained at a lower level by delayed weaning. We also found that the relation between gastric ghrelin expression and body weight was altered by delayed weaning. Thus, control rats displayed a positive correlation between ghrelin expression and body weight, while no such correlation was evident in animals with delayed weaning. We conclude that delayed weaning exerts a negative influence on ghrelin expression, and that the onset of solid food intake may trigger normal ghrelin expression. Therefore, we suggest that ghrelin may constitute a hormonal link between the duration of breastfeeding and body weight development.
Disordered follicle development in ovaries of prenatally androgenized ewes
Authors: Forsdike Rachel A , Hardy Kate , Bull Lauren , Stark Jaroslav , Webber Lisa J , Stubbs Sharron , Robinson Jane E , Franks Stephen
Published: February 2007

Exposure to excess androgens in utero induces irreversible changes in gonadotrophin secretion and results in disrupted reproductive endocrine and ovarian function in adulthood, in a manner reminiscent of the common clinical endocrinopathy of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). We have recently identified an abnormality in early follicle development in PCOS which we suggested might be an androgenic effect. We propose that altered ovarian function in androgenized ewes is due to prenatal androgens not only causing an abnormality of gonadotrophin secretion, but also exerting a direct effect on the early stages of folliculogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we explored the possible differences between small preantral follicles in the ovarian cortex of androgenized female lambs with those of normal lambs. At 8 months of age, small ovarian cortical biopsies (approximately 5 mm3) were obtained at laparotomy from nine female lambs that had been exposed to androgens in utero from embryonic days 30 to 90 of a 147-day pregnancy, and 11 control female lambs. Further, ovarian tissue was obtained at 20 months of age from ten androgenized and nine control animals. Tissue was either fixed immediately for histology or cultured for up to 15 days prior to fixing. The number of follicles in haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections was counted and recorded along with the stage of development. Before culture, the total follicle density (follicles/mm3 tissue) was not statistically significantly different between the two types of ovary at either 8 or 20 months of age. Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in the density of follicles at each stage of development. However, there was a lower percentage of primordial follicles, but a higher percentage of primary follicles, in biopsies taken at 8 months from androgenized lambs when compared with controls. At 20 months, the proportions of follicles at the primordial and primary stages were not significantly different between the two groups, but this was mainly attributable to an increase in the proportion of growing follicles in biopsies from control animals. Culture of ovarian cortex from 8-month-old lambs resulted in a progressive increase in the proportion of growing follicles when compared with tissue fixed on the day of surgery. However, there was no difference between androgenized and control tissue in the percentage of growing follicles. The increase in the proportion of growing follicles in the cortex of androgenized animals is reminiscent of similar observations in human polycystic ovaries and suggests that excess exposure to androgen in early life plays a part in the accelerated progression of follicle development from the primordial to the primary stage in polycystic ovaries.
Reverse‐flow centrifugal separators in parallel: Performance and flow pattern
Authors: Peng Weiming , Hoffmann Alex C. , Dries Huub , Regelink Michiel , Foo Kee‐Khoon
Published: February 2007

The results obtained by performance tests and flow visualization in a model swirl deck, containing 8 reverse‐flow swirl tubes working in parallel being charged from and discharging to common plenums. Various features specific to such arrangements, such as the phenomenon of cross‐talk, where flow from one tube to the other takes place in the dust collection plenum, are discussed in light of the results. The performance of the deck is compared to that of a single geometrically similar tube by Stokesian scaling. This comparison shows that the performance of this deck is not seriously reduced by effects such as cross‐talk. The appearance of dancing rings in the tubes reveal the presence of the end of the vortex in the tubes, a fact that impacts the phenomenon of cross‐talk. The end of the vortex was further studied using high‐time‐resolution pressure sensors. The flowpattern in the dust plenum was studied using neutral density tracers with normal and high‐speed photography. The impact of various modifications to the deck, such as artificially roughening a tube, reducing the volume of the dust plenum to exacerbate cross‐talk, and lengthening the individual tubes to improve separation performance are discussed. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
SWAMP: A knowledge‐based system for the dissemination of sustainable development expertise to the developing world
Authors: Everard Mark , Denny Patrick , Croucher Christine
Published: February 2007

Population and economic pressures necessitate the development of productive yet fragile wetland areas in some tropical developing countries. Owing largely to these same social and economic pressures, expertise for the design and implementation of sustainable development strategies is often limited in developing countries.

Considerable relevant knowledge and experience exist in Europe and North America. Resource constraints limit the availability of this expertise in areas of need in the developing world, despite various international commitments to such cooperation.

Knowledge‐based systems technology is well suited for the transfer of expertise from specialists to non‐specialist users. It may therefore represent a cost‐effective solution for developed nations to honour their commitments to assist developing nations.

SWAMP (Sustainable Wetland Areas Management Project) has been developed to support the National Wetlands Conservation and Management Programme in Uganda. Its purpose is to select appropriate combinations of sustainable uses for wetlands which may be under pressure for development to supply food, tradeable products, or other resources.

SWAMP has the capability to be extended to tropical wetlands in general. In principle, SWAMP's architecture is equally applicable for supporting similar sustainable development initiatives in other types of ecosystem.
Habitat mapping in the Caribbean for management and conservation: Use and assessment of aerial photography
Authors: Sheppard C. R. C. , Matheson K. , Bythell J. C. , Murphy P. , Myers C. Blair , Blake B.
Published: February 2007

The nature and distribution of the coastal and shallow marine habitats of Anguilla in the Caribbean were examined using aerial photography coupled with extensive ground truth information.

The objective was to develop an accurate method of marine habitat mapping for the analysis of the marine ecosystem in order to develop a procedure for marine and coastal resource management.

This paper describes the method which was adopted as well as the biological results.

It is concluded that the management and sustainable use of the natural resources may be improved as a result of accurate habitat mapping.