bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capacities, Context and the Moral Status of Animals
Authors: Irvin Sherri
Published: February 2004

abstract  According to a widely shared intuition, normal, adult humans require greater moral concern than normal, adult animals in at least some circumstances. Even the most steadfast defenders of animals’ moral status attempt to accommodate this intuition, often by holding that humans’ higher‐level capacities (intellect, linguistic ability, and so on) give rise to a greater number of interests, and thus the likelihood of greater satisfaction, thereby making their lives more valuable. However, the moves from capacities to interests, and from interests to the likelihood of satisfaction, have up to now gone unexamined and undefended. I argue that context plays a morally significant role both in the formation of an individual's capacities, and in the determination of the individual's interests and potential for satisfaction based on those capacities. Claims about an individual's capacities and interests are typically presented as unconditional; but on closer examination, they are revealed to be contingent on tacit assumptions about context. Until we develop an understanding of how to account for the role of context within our moral theories, attempts to defend special moral concern for human beings based on their superior capacities are less firmly grounded than is commonly thought.
A Socio‐Legal Approach to Administrative Justice
Authors: Adler Michael
Published: February 2004

The first part of this article outlines two complementary approaches to enhancing administrative justice. Internal mechanisms, which can be put into place by government departments and public bodies themselves, are contrasted with external mechanisms, which result in the imposition on government departments and public bodies of principles enunciated by courts, tribunals, and ombudsmen. Lawyers are all too familiar with the external approach but tend to be much less familiar with the internal approach. The article seeks to redress this imbalance. It emphasizes the importance of the internal approach, not as an alternative but, rather, as a complement to the external approach and develops a framework for analyzing administrative justice in terms of “trade‐offs” between different normative models of administrative decision‐making. The second part of the article demonstrates how this approach to the study of administrative justice has informed research on the impact of computerization on social security in the United Kingdom; on decision making in the Scottish prison system; on the assessment of special educational needs in England and Scotland; and on the computerization of social security in thirteen countries. The article concludes by attempting to show that this approach to the study of administrative justice satisfies all the defining characteristics of the socio‐legal paradigm.
Stag Hunting with the State AG: Anti‐Tobacco Litigation and the Emergence of Cooperation Among State Attorneys General
Authors: Schmeling Thomas A.
Published: February 2004

Employing a critical‐mass theory of collective action, this article models the emergence of cooperation among state attorneys general in litigation against the tobacco industry. These suits were not independent events, nor was cooperation based on prior agreement among the attorneys general. Rather, cooperation emerged over time as a result of interdependent decision‐making, with early lawsuits increasing the likelihood of later suits. The model emphasizes the “production function” of the collective good and the heterogeneity of the attorneys general and their political environments as keys to the development of cooperation. The model is tested against data using event history analysis.
The Institutional Sources of State Success in Federalism Litigation before the Supreme Court
Authors: Chen Paul
Published: February 2004

The Supreme Court's recent federalism decisions are the clearest example of the states’ improving legal fortunes in litigation against the federal government. Reducing the dramatic shift in the Court's federalism jurisprudence to the attitudinal voting of individual justices ignores the influence on the Court's decision making from broader institutional developments in American politics and domestic policy. These developments include: (1) the diminishing effectiveness of the states’ lobbying power in the federal policymaking arena; (2) the increasing effectiveness of litigation by states’ attorneys general in the federal judicial arena; and (3) the convergence of these developments resulting in a pro‐state Supreme Court agenda.
Searching for a Role for Citizens in the Budget Process
Authors: Ebdon Carol , Franklin Aimee
Published: February 2004

Citizen participation in the local budget process is not prevalent, despite encouragement from scholars and professional organizations. This case study of two Kansas cities that have used a variety of input mechanisms in the budget process analyzes the effectiveness of citizen budget participation. Limited effectiveness was found, which may largely be due to the timing of the input, unstated or unclear goals, implementation difficulties, and political and environmental constraints. Citizen input appears to have had little effect on budget decisions, and neither city has institutionalized participation in the process. However, the input mechanisms serve other purposes, such as education and support for specific proposals. Describing the benefits as well as the difficulty of involving citizens in a meaningful way is beneficial to other governments as they wrestle with the issue of defining the citizens' role in the budget process.
“Bricks and Mortar” Politics: How Infrastructure Decisions Defeat Incumbents
Authors: Macmanus Susan A.
Published: February 2004

“Bricks and mortar” issues have replaced taxes and services as the focal point of local elections in many communities. Voters dissatisfied with elected officials' infrastructure decisions have increasingly tossed them out of office. This study analyzes municipal election data from 47 Florida cities and 60 electoral contests where incumbents lost in 2001. (Florida's incumbent defeat rate exceeds that of the nation at large.) The larger the city, the more likely an infrastructure issue is at the heart of an incumbent's defeat. Infrastructure issues can spell defeat for elected officials in both high‐ and low‐growth communities, but for different reasons.
Interactive Storytelling: From the Book of Genesis
Authors: Park Keith
Published: February 2004

Keith Park, advisory teacher for Sense (the National Deafblind Rubella Association) in Greenwich and Lewisham, London, has written about his approach to interactive storytelling for BJSE before. This article describes a series of poetry workshops based on chapters 37 to 45 of the Book of Genesis (the story of Joseph and his family) using the text of the King James Bible of 1611. The workshops took place at Charlton School in Greenwich between September and November 2002. The full text of the Genesis workshops, with a clear exposition of their implementation, is provided here but the article begins with a restatement of the principles of interactive storytelling. The importance of developing curriculum access for pupils with multi‐sensory impairments while simultaneously supporting staff who work with these young people in schools is emphasised. Keith Park discusses the relevance of the circle concept in storytelling and the strong focus, in the poetry workshops, on rhythm. He goes on to evaluate the impact of the workshops, both in terms of staff confidence and through examples of the pupils' responses mapped against the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) framework for recognising the attainments of pupils with learning difficulties. The article concludes with some indications of further developments in this exciting and innovative area of practice.
Supporting the Siblings of Young Children with Disabilities
Authors: Dodd Lynda Warren
Published: February 2004

In this article, Lynda Warren Dodd, who is senior educational psychologist for early years and the Portage Service supervisor in Stockport LEA, discusses the development of a support group for the brothers and sisters of young children with a wide range of disabilities. The group has been running, as an annual event, for eight years and offers a mix of socialising, games and group work. Through the group, the Portage Service aims to address some of the isues that emerge for families when there is a child with a disability. In order to evaluate the support offered to siblings, as well as to the child with special needs and their parents or carers, members of the Portage team gathered views from children and adults. Several key themes emerged from the comments made by children. All the participants enjoyed attending the sibling group. The children had varying degrees of understanding about their brothers' and sisters' disabilities. Some reported positive attitudes while others described the negative feelings they experienced in relation to their siblings' special needs. The parents also tended to value the sibling group and most of them asked for the provision to be extended. Lynda Dodd sets her account of this evaluation in the context of a constructive review of the literature on the sibling experience. She closes her article with a valuable summary of the implications of her work for future policy and practice in this important and often neglected area.
William Crapo Durant: Making and Losing an Industry
Authors: Durant William Crapo
Published: February 2004

William Crapo Durant (1881–1947) was a brilliant entrepreneur who helped create the US automobile industry.
Establishment of Sweet Birch on Surface Mine Spoil as Influenced by Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Fertility
Authors: Walker R. F. , McLaughlin S. B. , West D. C.
Published: February 2004

Induced mycorrhization of sweet birch (Betula lentaL.) byPisolithus tinctorius(Pers.) Coker & Couch, as influenced by substrate fertility, was evaluated for its effects on seedling growth and physiology. Following a brief period in seed flats, seedlings were transplanted to mine spoil where they resided for 30 months, and three nutrition regimes were imposed throughout the study by application of differing nutrient solution concentrations. High fertility suppressed mycorrhizal formation byP. tinctoriusbut promoted that of other mycobionts.Pisolithusmycorrhization induced substantial aboveground and belowground growth as indicated by dimensions and mass for the former and mass and length for the latter but favoring root over shoot growth overall. Furthermore, these mycorrhizae were frequently able to compensate for the growth stimulation of higher nutrient additions. Measurements of xylem pressure potential and soil water potential indicated that water uptake was enhanced byP. tinctoriusduring simulated drought episodes of two durations and in subsequent recovery periods. Inoculated seedlings had higher foliar concentrations of critical nutrients, especially N, and lower concentrations of potentially phytotoxic metallic elements, particularly Mn, than uninoculated seedlings, although the latter response was absent in high fertility. Spoil analyses clearly revealed the influence of the nutrition regimes but also the effects of seedling uptake on substrate chemistry, and reinforced the findings of the foliar analysis concerning suppression of metal uptake byP. tinctorius. Collectively, these results suggest thatP. tinctoriuscan provide sweet birch an array of physiological benefits that will permit this tree species to flourish on harsh substrates such as surface mine spoils without heavy application of chemical fertilizers.
Restoration of a Limestone Quarry: Effect of Soil Amendments on the Establishment of Native Mediterranean Sclerophyllous Shrubs
Authors: Clemente A. S. , Werner C. , Máguas C. , Cabral M. S. , Martins‐Loução M. A. , Correia O.
Published: February 2004

Limestone quarries are spread over the Mediterranean Basin and have a strong environmental impact on the landscape, causing vegetation losses and soil losses. A reclamation project was conducted in a limestone quarry, situated in Arrábida Natural Park (southwest Portugal), that is dominated by mediterranean vegetation. Revegetation was conducted using three evergreen sclerophyllous shrub species (Ceratonia siliqua, Olea europaea, and Pistacia lentiscus), and new techniques were assayed to improve plant water status and nutrient status during the first phases after plantation. A water‐holding polymer (gel), fertilizer, and mycorrhiza inoculum were applied in a factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design. The success of these techniques was evaluated during 1.5 years, through monitoring of growth and ecophysiology of plants. Plant survival was high, the lowest values (95%) being recorded in C. siliqua. There were species‐specific responses to the treatments applied. Ceratonia siliqua showed the highest growth rates and was the only species with growth stimulated by fertilizer application. However, the application of fertilizer induced changes in leaf characteristics of the other two species, increasing chlorophyll and nitrogen contents. Mycorrhiza inoculum had no effect on plant response. The addition of the water‐holding polymer induced higher midday plant water potentials in C. siliqua, O. europaea, and P. lentiscus, but in the latter two species the simultaneous addition of gel and fertilizer induced the lowest water potentials. The addition of fertilizer and gel is recommended in future revegetation programs but not the combination of both when revegetating with O. europaea and P. lentiscus. The results of this experiment indicate that the use of these mediterranean species, adapted to nutrient and water stress, can circumvent harsh conditions of the quarry.
Ecological Restoration Treatments Increase Butterfly Richness and Abundance: Mechanisms of Response
Authors: Waltz Amy E. M. , Wallace Covington W.
Published: February 2004

Few ecosystem restoration studies evaluate whether arthropods are important components of ecosystem recovery. We tested the hypothesis that ponderosa pine restoration treatments would increase adult butterfly species richness and abundance as a direct result of increased understory diversity and abundance. To examine mechanisms that potentially affect adult butterfly distribution, we quantified host plant frequency, nectar plant abundance, and insolation (light intensity) in restoration treatment and control forests. This study is unique, because this is the first invertebrate monitoring in ponderosa pine forest restoration treatments in the U.S. Southwest and also because these treatments are the first replicated ponderosa pine restoration treatments at a landscape scale. Three patterns emerged: (1) butterfly species richness and abundance were 2 and 3 times greater, respectively, in restoration treatment units than in paired control forests 1 year after treatment, and 1.5 and 3.5 times greater, respectively, 2 years after treatment, ordination of control and treatment sampling units using butterfly assemblages showed significant separation of control and restoration treatment units after restoration treatment; (2) host plant and nectar plant species richness showed little difference between treated and control forests even 2 years after treatment; and (3) insolation (light intensity) was significantly greater in treated forests after restoration. We suggest that changes in the butterfly assemblage may occur due to light intensity effects before plant community changes occur or can be detected. Butterfly assemblage differences will have additional cascading effects on the ecosystem as prey for higher trophic levels and through plant interactions including herbivory and pollination.
Radial Dispersion of Neighbors and the Small‐Scale Competitive Impact of Two Annual Grasses on a Native Perennial Grass
Authors: Fehmi Jeffrey S. , Rice Kevin J. , Laca Emilio A.
Published: February 2004

In California's Mediterranean type grasslands, native perennial grasses such as Nassella pulchra are surrounded by introduced annual species and these annuals are thought to have displaced natives through much of their range. Amongst other invaders, two grasses Lolium multiflorum and Bromus hordeaceus, commonly dominate portions of the grassland with potential for N. pulchra restoration. We hypothesized that competitor species differences and small‐scale gaps (150 cm2) could be important determinants of N. pulchra survival and performance on these sites. Lolium multiflorum and B. hordeaceus were planted in 20 cm diameter circular plots at a constant rate of 1 seed per cm2 surrounding newly transplanted N. pulchra plants. Nassella pulchra showed no significant effect of the species of competitor or from the distribution of the competitors. Both interspersion of patches of bare ground and separation of competitors into patches did not increase N. pulchra pre‐dawn water potential, basal area change, number of seeds produced, or average weight of seeds. The presence of L. multiflorum was associated with a decrease in N. pulchra survival compared with plots with only B. hordeaceus. Plants with increases in basal area of less than 0.75 cm2 during the growing season had 74% mortality compared with no mortality in plants with more growth. However, initial N. pulchra plant size was not a good predictor of mortality. Limiting competition from annuals may increase survival of N. pulchra plantings, but 60% of the plants survived for at least 1 year, despite being transplanted into soil containing substantial annual grass seed.
Slash Pile Burning Effects on Soil Biotic and Chemical Properties and Plant Establishment: Recommendations for Amelioration
Authors: Korb Julie E. , Johnson Nancy C. , Covington W. W.
Published: February 2004

Ponderosa pine forest restoration consists of thinning trees and reintroducing prescribed fire to reduce unnaturally high tree densities and fuel loads to restore ecosystem structure and function. A current issue in ponderosa pine restoration is what to do with the large quantity of slash that is created from thinning dense forest stands. Slash piling burning is currently the preferred method of slash removal because it allows land managers to burn large quantities of slash in a more controlled environment in comparison with broadcast burning slash. However burning slash piles is known to have adverse effects such as soil sterilization and exotic species establishment. This study investigated the effects of slash pile burning on soil biotic and chemical variables and early herbaceous succession on burned slash pile areas. Slash piles were created following tree thinning in two adjacent approximately 20‐ha ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) restoration treatments in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona. We selected 30 burned slash pile areas and sampled across a gradient of the burned piles for arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) propagule densities, the soil seed bank, and soil chemical properties. In addition, we established five 1‐m2plots in each burned pile to quantify the effect of living soil (AM inoculum) and seeding amendments on early herbaceous succession in burned slash pile areas. The five treatments consisted of a control (no treatment), living soil (AM inoculum) amendment, sterilized soil (no AM inoculum) amendment, seed amendment, and a seed/soil (AM inoculum) amendment. Slash pile burning nearly eliminated populations of viable seeds and AM propagules and altered soil chemical properties. Amending scars with native seeds increased the cover of native forbs and grasses. Furthermore adding both seed and living soil more than doubled total native plant cover and decreased ruderal and exotic plant cover. These results indicate that seed/soil amendments that increase native forbs and grasses may enhance the rate of succession in burned slash pile areas by allowing these species to outcompete exotic and ruderal species also establishing at the site through natural regeneration.
Polygonal faults‐furrows system related to early stages of compaction – upper Miocene to recent sediments of the Lower Congo Basin
Authors: Gay A. , Lopez M. , Cochonat P. , Sermondadaz G.
Published: February 2004

A new polygonal fault system has been identified in the Lower Congo Basin. This highly faulted interval (HFI), 700±50 m thick, is characterized by small extensional faults displaying a polygonal pattern in plan view. This kind of fracturing is attributed to volumetric contraction of sediments during early stages of compaction at shallow burial depth. 3‐D seismic data permitted the visualization of the progressive deformation of furrows during burial, leading to real fractures, visible on seismic sections at about 78 m below seafloor. We propose a new geometrical model for volumetrical contraction of mud‐dominated sediments. Compaction starts at the water–sediment interface by horizontal contraction, creating furrows perpendicular to the present day slope. During burial, continued shrinkage evolves to radial contraction, generating hexagonal cells of dewatering at 21 m below seafloor. With increasing contraction, several faults generations are progressively initiated from 78 to 700 m burial depth. Numerous faults of the HFI act as highly permeable pathways for deeper fluids. We point out that pockmarks, which represent the imprint of gas, oil or pore water escape on the seafloor, are consistently located at the triple‐junction of three neighbouring hexagonal cells. This is highly relevant for predictive models of the occurrence of seepage structures on the seafloor and for the sealing capacity of sedimentary cover over deeper petroleum reservoirs.
Characteristics of the wedge‐top depozone of the southern Taiwan foreland basin system
Authors: Chiang Cheng‐Shing , Yu Ho‐Shing , Chou Ying‐Wei
Published: February 2004

The wedge‐top depozone in the southern Taiwan foreland basin system is confined by the topographic front of the Chaochou Fault to the east and by a submarine deformation front to the west. The Pingtung Plain, Kaoping Shelf and Kaoping Slope constitute the main body of the wedge‐top depozone. In a subaerial setting, the alluvial and fluvial sediments accumulate on top of the frontal parts of the Taiwan orogenic wedge to form the Pingtung Plain proximal to high topographic relief. In a submarine setting, fine‐grained sediments accumulate on the Kaoping Shelf and dominant mass‐wasting sediment forms the Kaoping Slope. Wedge‐top sediments are deformed into a series of west‐vergent imbricated thrusts and folds and associated piggyback basins. A major piggyback basin occurs in the Pingtung Plain. Four smaller piggyback basins appear in the shelf–slope region. Many small‐sized piggyback basins developed over ramp folds in the lower slope region. Pliocene–Quaternary deep marine to fluvial sediments about 5000 m thick have been deposited on top of the frontal orogenic wedge in southern Taiwan. Sedimentary facies shows lateral variations from extremely coarse fluvial conglomerates proximal to the topographic front (Chaochou Fault) to fine‐grained deep marine mud close to the deformation front near the base of the slope. The stratigraphic column indicates that offshore deep‐water mud is gradationally overlain by shallow marine sands and then fluvial deposits. The transverse cross‐section of the wedge‐top depozone in the southern Taiwan is a doubly tapered prism. The northern boundary of the wedge‐top depozone in southern Taiwan is placed along the southern limit of the Western Foothills where the frontal orogenic wedge progressively changes southward to a wedge‐top depozone (Pingtung Plain), reflecting ongoing southward oblique collision between the Luzon Arc and the Chinese margin. The wedge‐top depozone is bounded to the south by the continent–ocean crust boundary. The deep slope west of the Hengchun Ridge can be viewed as an infant wedge‐top depozone, showing initial mountain building and the beginning of wedge‐top depozone.
Evolution of the Himalayan foreland basin, NW India
Authors: Najman Yani , Johnson Kit , White Nicola , Oliver Grahame
Published: February 2004

This paper provides new information on the evolution of the Himalayan foreland basin in the under‐reported region of the Kangra and Subathu sub‐basins, NW India. Comparisons are made with the better documented co‐eval sediments of Nepal and Pakistan to build up a broader picture of basin development. In the Subathu sub‐basin, shallow marine sediments of the Palaeocene–lower Lutetian Subathu Formation are unconformably overlain by the continental alluvial Dagshai and Kasauli Formations and Siwalik Group. The start of continental deposition is now dated at younger than 31 Ma from detrital zircon fission track data, thereby defining the duration of this major unconformity, which runs basin‐wide along strike. Final exhumation of these basin sediments, as thrusting propagated into the basin, occurred by 5 Ma constrained from detrital apatite fission track data. In the Kangra sub‐basin, the Subathu Formation is not exposed and the pre‐Siwalik sediments consist of the Dharamsala Group, interpreted as the deposits of transverse‐draining rivers. In this area, there is no evidence of westerly axial drainage as documented for coeval facies in Nepal. Similar to data reported along strike, facies analysis indicates that the sediments in NW India represent the filled/overfilled stages of the classic foreland basin evolutionary model, and the underfilled stage is not represented anywhere along the length of the basin studied to date.
Species‐specific color‐pattern modifications of butterfly wings
Authors: Otaki Joji M. , Yamamoto Haruhiko
Published: February 2004

We have previously shown that the systemic injection of sodium tungstate, a general protein‐tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) inhibitor, efficiently produces characteristic color‐pattern modifications on the wings of the Painted Lady butterfly, Vanessa cardui. By using this method in the present study, we analyzed modification patterns of six species of Japanese butterflies. Whereas in Vanessa indica the black spots on the forewings reduced in size in response to the treatment, in Lycaena phlaeas the morphologically similar black spots enlarged in size. However, the metallic blue spots on the forewings of V. indica did enlarge in size, showing different behavior even within a single wing surface. The response patterns of Ypthima argus differed markedly from those of other species in that ectopic color‐pattern elements were created. Colias erate showed minor modifications that coincidentally resembled the natural color‐pattern of a closely related species, Colias palaeno. Through a comprehensive literature search, we confirmed the existence of naturally occurring aberrant color patterns with close similarities to the experimentally induced phenocopies in each of the modified species. Our results point out the possibility that a hypothetical transduction pathway with a PTPase for the scale‐cell differentiation globally coordinates the wing‐wide color‐pattern development in butterflies.
Cleavage‐like cell division and explosive increase in cell number of neonatal gonocytes
Authors: Sakai Yasuhiro , Noce Toshiaki , Yamashina Shohei
Published: February 2004

Based on previous conventional quantitative observations of rat testes, it was proposed that large numbers of gonocytes degenerate after birth and this notion was widely accepted. However, many studies show that neonatal gonocytes display high levels of mitotic activity. In order to resolve the apparent contradiction of increased mitotic activity in gonocytes despite a decrease in their numbers at the neonate stage, quantitative analysis using a marker of suitably higher resolution is required. It has been shown that the vasa protein could be used as a marker of germ cells. In this study, quantitative changes in gonocytes were re‐examined using a germ‐cell‐specific marker in order to delineate more clearly the process of development from gonocytes to spermatogonia after birth. The vasa‐positive cells, which correspond to gonocytes and spermatogonia, increased exponentially after birth. This observation suggests that all gonocyte divide actively after birth and do not degenerate as previously believed. Surprisingly, the cell volume of gonocytes decreased during their division. The largest population size was 2000–4000 µ3 at day 2, 1000–2000 µ3 at day 4 and 500–1000 µ3 at day 6. This finding suggests that gonocytes divide in a similar way to cleavage, which can be considered a special mode of fertilized eggs. Judging from the growth of seminiferous tubules and the degree of volume reduction, 60% of the contribution rate is estimated to be due to ordinal cell growth, and 40% due to volume reduction as in cleavage of a fertilized egg. This unique cleavage‐like division may contribute to the supply of large numbers of spermatogonia.
Pigment cells trigger the onset of gastrulation in tropical sea urchin Echinometra mathaei
Authors: Takata Hiromi , Kominami Tetsuya
Published: February 2004

In the tropical sea urchin Echinometra mathaei, pigment cells are just detectable before the onset of gastrulation, owing to an early accumulation of red pigment granules. Taking advantage of this feature, behavior of pigment cells was studied in relation to the processes of gastrulation. Before the initiation of primary invagination, pigment cells were arranged in a hemi‐circle in the dorsal half of the vegetal plate. Inward bending of the vegetal plate first occurred at the position occupied by pigment cells, while the bending was not conspicuous in the ventral half of the blastopore. Rhodamine–phalloidin staining showed that actin filaments were abundant at the apical corticies of pigment cells. It was also found that the onset of gastrulation was considerably delayed in the NiCl2‐treated embryos, in which pigment cells were drastically reduced in number. It is notable that the NiCl2‐treated embryos began to gastrulate on schedule if they contained a number of pigment cells in spite of treatment. This shows that pigment cells are the bottle cells that trigger the onset of gastrulation. In the embryos devoid of pigment cells, a short stub‐like gut rudiment formed in a delayed fashion, and several secondary mesenchyme cells (SMC) appeared at the tip of the rudiment and elongated gradually until its tip reached the apical plate. This observation suggests that the SMC that pull the gut rudiment upward are not pigment cells but blastocoelar cells, because pigment cells change their fate to blastocoelar cells upon NiCl2‐treatment.
Differential gene expression between the embryonic tail bud and regenerating larval tail in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Sugiura Takuji , Taniguchi Yuka , Tazaki Akira , Ueno Naoto , Watanabe Kenji , Mochii Makoto
Published: February 2004

The regeneration of the amputated tail of Xenopus laevis larvae is an excellent model system for regeneration research. The wound left by the amputated tail is covered with epidermis within 24 h. Then, the cell number increases near the amputation plane at the notochord, spinal cord and muscle regions. An apparently complete tail with notochord, muscle and spinal cord is regenerated within two weeks. To reveal whether the molecular mechanism underlying the tail regeneration is the same as that in embryonic tail development, the gene expression patterns of the embryonic tail bud and the regenerating tail were compared by in situ hybridization and reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Most genes analyzed were expressed at similar levels in both tissues, whereas two bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐antagonists, chordin and noggin, were detected only in the embryonic tail bud. The regenerating tail also lacked expression of Xshh in the floor plate and expression of Xdelta‐1 in the spinal cord and presomitic mesoderm. These results show that there are some differences in gene expression between the two processes. Furthermore, when the tail of Xenopus larvae is amputated, the regenerating tail has a gene expression pattern similar to the distal portion of the larval tail rather than the embryonic tail bud, suggesting that the cut larval tail does not make a new embryonic tail bud, but rather a new larval tail tip for regeneration.
A third sea urchin sperm receptor for egg jelly module protein, suREJ2, concentrates in the plasma membrane over the sperm mitochondrion
Authors: Galindo Blanca E. , Moy Gary W. , Vacquier Victor D.
Published: February 2004

Sea urchin spermatozoa are model cells for studying signal transduction events underlying flagellar motility and the acrosome reaction. We previously described the sea urchin sperm receptor for egg jelly 1 (suREJ1) which consists of 1450 amino acids, has one transmembrane segment and binds to the fucose sulfate polymer of egg jelly to induce the sperm acrosome reaction. We also cloned suREJ3 which consists of 2681 amino acids and has 11 putative transmembrane segments. Both these proteins localize to the plasma membrane over the acrosomal vesicle. While cloning suREJ1, we found suREJ2, which consists of 1472 amino acids, has two transmembrane segments and is present in the entire sperm plasma membrane, but is concentrated over the sperm mitochondrion. Experimental evidence suggests that, unlike suREJ1 and suREJ3, suREJ2 does not project extracellularly from the plasma membrane, but is an intracellular plasma membrane protein. All three sea urchin sperm REJ proteins possess a protein module of > 900 amino acids, termed ‘the REJ module’, that is shared by the human autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease protein, polycystin‐1, and PKDREJ, a testis‐specific protein in mammals whose function is unknown. In the present study, we describe the sequence, domain structure and localization of suREJ2 and speculate on its possible function.
Commitment and response to inductive signals of primary mesenchyme cells of the sea urchin embryo
Authors: Kiyomoto Masato , Zito Francesca , Sciarrino Serafina , Matranga Valeria
Published: February 2004

In the sea urchin embryo, primary mesenchyme cells (PMC) are committed to produce the larval skeleton, although their behavior and skeleton production are influenced by signals from the embryonic environment. Results from our recent studies showed that perturbation of skeleton development, by interfering with ectoderm–extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, is linked to a reduction in the gene expression of a transforming growth factor (TGF)‐beta growth factor, Pl‐univin, suggesting a reduction in the blastocoelic amounts of the protein and its putative involvement in signaling events. In the present study, we examined PMC competence to respond to environmental signals in a validated skeleton perturbation model in Paracentrotus lividus. We found that injection of blastocoelic fluid (BcF), obtained from normal embryos, into the blastocoelic cavity of skeleton‐defective embryos rescues skeleton development. In addition, PMC from skeleton‐defective embryos transplanted into normal or PMC‐less blastula embryos are able to position in correct regions of the blastocoel and to engage spicule elongation and patterning. Taken together, these results demonstrate that PMC commitment to direct skeletogenesis is maintained in skeleton perturbed embryos and confirm the role played by inductive signals in regulating skeleton growth and shape.
Bereavement support for families following the death of a child from cancer: Practice characteristics of Australian and New Zealand paediatric oncology units
Authors: DeCinque N , Monterosso L , Dadd G , Sidhu R , Lucas R
Published: February 2004

Objective:  The impact of childhood cancer on the patient and family is devastating and results in significant emotional and physical effects on the child and family. An increasing awareness of the role of health care professionals at this time has led to the development of hospital‐based bereavement support services. However, many services are not evidence based, and family support varies between institutions. The objective of this study was to determine current practice relating to hospital‐based bereavement support programmes.

Methods:  A survey of all major tertiary paediatric oncology units in Australia and New Zealand (N = 10) was undertaken. The survey instrument consisted of a 19‐item questionnaire with open‐ended and closed questions.

Results:  Nine hospitals (90%) participated. Most hospitals provided a multidisciplinary bereavement service for approximately one year after a child's death. Programmes varied, but the most common hospital‐based supports provided were counselling and support groups. Important findings were: a significant number of hospitals worked from a limited theoretical basis and understanding, did not screen for high risk of complicated grieving, did not formally evaluate their programme, and identified areas of unmet needs.

Conclusion:  The majority of paediatric oncology units in Australia and New Zealand provide dedicated multidisciplinary bereavement support services. There is variation in services provided, often due to a lack of resources and staffing. Findings indicate a need to further develop bereavement programmes, improve staff education and support, and increase the availability of resources in this area. Future research should explore the needs of bereaved families, as well as the range of services and evaluation methods that could be implemented as the baseline for ‘best practice’ hospital‐based bereavement programmes.
Trends in place of birth for preterm infants in New South Wales, 1992−2001
Authors: Roberts CL , Algert CS , Peat B , Henderson‐Smart DJ
Published: February 2004

Objective:  To examine trends in preterm births, especially those less than 33 weeks gestation, occurring in perinatal centres in New South Wales (NSW) from 1992 to 2001.

Methods:  Population data were obtained from the NSW Midwives’ Data Collection. Trends in the proportion of births in perinatal centres by gestation and by type of preterm birth (spontaneous or elective), and in Apgar scores and neonatal mortality were determined.

Results:  The preterm birth rate increased from 6.1% in 1992 to 6.7% in 2001. Factors contributing to the increase in preterm births were multiple births and elective preterm deliveries. Births less than 33 weeks gestation in perinatal centres increased from 76% to 83% and for multiple births from 77% to 87%. This coincided with a decrease in 1‐minute Apgar scores less than 4 but no significant change in 5‐minute Apgar scores or neonatal mortality.

Conclusions:  Progress has been made towards the National Health and Medical Research Council guideline that births less than 33 weeks gestation occur in perinatal centres. Preterm births are increasing, creating greater demands for neonatal intensive care unit care and ventilation services.
What affects the age of first sleeping through the night?
Authors: Adams SM , Jones DR , Esmail A , Mitchell EA
Published: February 2004

Objective: To ascertain the age at which an infant first sleeps regularly through the night and the factors affecting this age.

Methods: A representative cross sectional sample of 700 infants in south‐east England were studied. Information was collected on 511 (73.0%) of the infants by parental interview. Obstetric records were also examined.

Results: Fifty per cent of babies slept through by 8 weeks and 75% by 12 weeks. Multivariate survival analysis used to investigate 61 potential factors found that a heavier birthweight, female gender and co‐sleeping less than 2 hours or not at all; younger mothers, school leaving age less than 17 years, stress factors (divorce and no separation from partner for more than a month in the last 12 months); no central heating, and the baby not sharing a room with siblings were associated with an earlier age at which an infant first sleeps through the night.

Conclusions: Little of the variation between children in age of first sleeping through the night could be explained by these nine factors.
Maternal diclofenac sodium ingestion and severe neonatal pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Siu KL , Lee WH
Published: February 2004

Abstract:  We describe a case of severe pulmonary hypertension and transient right‐sided hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a neonate, caused by premature closure of ductus arteriosus after short‐term maternal use of diclofenac sodium (Voltaren). In view of this associated complication, diclofenac sodium should be avoided during pregnancy. In addition, maternal diclofenac sodium ingestion should be suspected if a newborn develops severe pulmonary hypertension and/or right‐sided hypertrophic cardiomyoptathy with closed ductus arteriosus.
Australian and New Zealand birth cohort studies: Breadth, quality and contributions
Authors: Nicholson JM , Rempel LA
Published: February 2004

Objective:  To understand factors associated with successfully conducting longitudinal studies across early childhood by (i) describing the designs of Australian and New Zealand birth cohort studies; (ii) describing the breadth of variables studied; and (iii) identifying factors influencing study quality, productivity and contributions.

Methods:  A systematic review was undertaken of 13 birth cohort studies. Data were collected from published papers and questionnaires administered to study investigators.

Results:  These single cohort studies recruited children prior to their first birthday. Using an ecological model as an organizing framework, the studies were found to have contributed to knowledge about health and development in multiple domains and well beyond early childhood. Areas for increased focus included policy‐relevant environmental factors such as child‐care and rural/urban differences, and the influence of fathers, family factors, peers, social competence, and genetic factors. Investigators’ responses indicated desires for an increased depth of data collection and stronger sampling designs. Data quality was enhanced by maintaining skilled staff and reduced by inadequate data for tracking study participants. Productivity ranged from 1 to 760 publications per study (median = 14.0). The most productive studies were those that had started before 1990, had representative samples, ongoing funding, and larger research teams. Policy impacts have included changed infant sleeping practices, reduced environmental lead emissions and regulated swimming pool safety standards.

Conclusions:  A suite of coordinated and nested studies could meet sampling needs and facilitate depth of inquiry. Stable, long‐term funding is required to staff and maintain well‐designed longitudinal studies that can address priority research areas and contribute to the development of health and social policy.
Extracranially extended meningothelial meningiomas with a high MIB‐1 index: A report of two cases
Authors: Yamada Shoko M. , Yamada Shokei , Takahashi Hiroshi , Teramoto Akira , Matsumoto Koshi
Published: February 2004

Meningiomas that extend from the meninges to the extracranial tissue and result in skull osteolysis have been known to take an aggressive clinical course. Two such cases in elderly patients are reported. Case 1 is an 82‐year‐old woman who had undergone removal of the parasagittal meningioma (meningothelial meningioma with 5% of MIB‐1 index) 4 years and 6 months previously, developed recurrence of the tumor that extended to extracranial soft tissue. Biopsy obtained from the subcutaneous tissue showed an atypical meningothelial meningioma with 20% of MIB‐1 index. In case 2 an 84‐year‐old man, who developed rapidly progressing dementia and gait disturbance, the MRI study revealed an intracranial‐extraaxial right frontal tumor with an extracranial extension resulting in skull osteolysis. Pathological examination of the totally resected tumor identified meningothelial meningioma, but MIB‐1 index of the intracranial portion of the tumor was less than 0.1%, while that of the extracranial portion was approximately 15%. Although the meningiomas presently reported failed to show histological features of malignancy, the high MIB‐1 index indicated that they were rapidly growing tumors. In the present report it is considered that meningioma cells that invade the skull and extracranial tissue are biologically aggressive and require total resection, as long as the condition of the patients is feasible for surgery.
Pathology of the cerebral artery in Binswanger's disease in the aged: Observation by serial sections and morphometry of the cerebral arteries
Authors: Okeda Riki , Murayama Shigeo , Sawabe Motoji , Kuroiwa Toshihiko
Published: February 2004

Binswanger's disease (BD) is not rare in the aged. The aim of the present study was to compare the etiopathogenesis of BD of the aged (aged‐BD) with that of classic‐BD, with the aid of morphometry of the arterial medial thickness and reconstruction of the cerebral medullary arteries using serial sections from five autopsy cases. The age range of the aged‐BD cases was 73–89 years. The mean heart weight of these cases was 296 g, in contrast to 391 g of the five age‐matched cases of hypertension without diffuse myelin loss and atrophy of the cerebral white matter (HT). Although significant medial hypertrophy of the subarachnoid and medullary arteries was not found in all aged‐BD cases, differently from classic‐BD, all five cases of aged‐BD commonly presented significantly widespread loss of the medial smooth muscle cells (SMC) of the medullary arteries as compared with HT, similar to the case in classic‐BD. The etiopathogenesis of aged‐BD is common to that of classic‐BD; stiffening caused by hypertensive changes of the medullary artery, especially SMC loss, is responsible for the diffuse myelin loss and atrophy of the cerebral white matter of BD, rather than grade of hypertension itself or hypertensive medial hypertrophy. As the mechanism of such an especially severe involvement of the cerebral medullary artery in BD, some genetic abnormality in the functional response or vulnerability to hypertension of the artery should be considered.
Progressive paralysis associated with diffuse astrocyte anaplasia in Δ202 mice homozygous for a transgene encoding the SV40 T antigen*
Authors: López‐Revilla Rubén , Soto‐Zárate Carlos , Ridaura Cecilia , Chávez‐Dueñas Lucía , Paul Dieter
Published: February 2004

A convenient transgenic astrocytoma model in Δ202 mice, homozygous for a construct encoding the early region of the SV40 virus genome, is described. In the offspring of crosses between Δ202 mice heterozygous for the transgene nearly 60% were transgenic; one third of these developed progressive paralysis starting in the hindlimbs at approximately 35 days of age and died at 90 ± 30 days of age. In affected mice proliferating‐non‐neuronal cells immunostained with antibodies to the GFAP, an astrocyte marker, whose number increased with age were found in the white matter of the brain, cerebellum and spinal cord, and progressive degeneration and necrosis of spinal motoneurons was observed that may explain the paralysis. The early onset and reproducible time course of the neurological disease suggest that homozygous Δ202 mice, whose proliferating astrocytes appear to damage spinal motoneurons, are a useful model to study astrocyte differentiation, function and tumorigenesis.