bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transoceanic ships as vectors for nonindigenous freshwater bryozoans
Authors: Kipp R. , Bailey S. A. , MacIsaac H. J. , Ricciardi A.
Published: December 2009

Aim  The transport of organisms in ships’ ballast tanks is a dominant vector for aquatic invasions worldwide. Until recently, efforts to manage this vector have overlooked the potential transport of invertebrate resting stages in the residual waters and sediments within emptied ballast tanks, i.e. NOBOB (‘No Ballast On Board’) tanks. The resting stages (statoblasts) of freshwater bryozoans are often buoyant and locally abundant and thus can be taken up easily during ballasting operations. They are also resistant to extreme environmental conditions and can generate new colonies after being dormant for decades; as such, they would likely remain viable propagules after lengthy transport in ship ballast tanks. This study quantified the occurrence of freshwater bryozoan statoblasts in ballast tank sediments of transoceanic ships.

Location  North American Great Lakes.

Methods  We quantified the frequency of occurrence, abundance and diversity of bryozoans (as statoblasts) in residual sediment samples taken from 51 NOBOB tanks of 33 transoceanic ships visiting the Great Lakes from 2000 to 2002.

Results  Our study identified 11 species, comprising nearly 12% of the total number of freshwater bryozoans known worldwide. These include two exotic species unrecorded in the Great Lakes (Fredericella sultana and Lophopus crystallinus), an exotic species already established in the region (Lophopodella carteri) and three cosmopolitan species (Plumatella casmiana, P. fungosa and P. repens). Our estimates suggest that a ship with NOBOB tanks may carry up to 106 statoblasts.

Main conclusions  The discovery of species unrecorded in the Great Lakes and the potentially large numbers of statoblasts being transported in ship ballast tanks indicate a significant risk of new species introductions. Furthermore, the presence of cosmopolitan species and an exotic species already established in the Great Lakes suggests the strong possibility of cryptic invasions via the introduction of exotic genotypes.
The Use of Scanner Data for Research into Nutrition*
Authors: Griffith Rachel , O'Connell Martin
Published: December 2009

Data from market research firms are increasingly being used by social science researchers. These data provide potentially useful information, including detailed nutritional information and well‐measured prices, and their panel structure is appealing as it permits researchers to control for unobservable time‐invariant household characteristics and to model dynamic aspects of household behaviour. We summarise the information on the nutrients in foods that is contained in one source of market research data. We show that there is a lot of variation in nutrients at the individual product level, even within narrowly defined food categories such as butter. We also show that the duration of time over which data are collected can have important implications for analysis of household‐level nutrient purchases.
Item Non‐Response to Financial Questions in Household Surveys: An Experimental Study of Interviewer and Mode Effects*
Authors: Essig Lothar , Winter Joachim K.
Published: December 2009

We analyse the determinants of non‐response to questions on financial items such as income and asset holdings in household surveys. Our data come from a controlled field experiment. As part of the SAVE study – a representative survey conducted in Germany in 2001 – questions on household income and financial assets were administered using different modes (personal interview versus drop‐off questionnaire). The data also allow us to investigate the influence of interviewer characteristics on non‐response. Our results are in line with predictions derived from models of survey response behaviour that have been developed in survey research and social psychology.
Ethnic Disparities in Hospice Use Among Asian‐American and Pacific Islander Patients Dying with Cancer
Authors: Ngo‐Metzger Quyen , Phillips Russell S. , McCarthy Ellen P.
Published: December 2009

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are a rapidly growing population in the United States, yet little is known about hospice use and length of stay in hospice of older AAPIs dying with cancer. A retrospective study was conducted of the last year of life of AAPI and white Medicare beneficiaries registered in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. White (n=175,467) and AAPI (n=8,614) patients aged 65 and older who were dying with lung, colorectal, breast, prostate, gastric, or liver cancer were studied. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine hospice use and length of stay in hospice. All AAPI subgroups studied had lower rates of hospice use (Chinese (adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=0.62, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.55–0.69), Japanese (adjusted HR=0.67, 95% CI=0.60–0.73), Filipino (adjusted HR=0.61, 95% CI=0.54–0.70), Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders (adjusted HR=0.78, 95% CI=0.67–0.91), and other Asians (adjusted HR=0.70), 95% CI=0.55–0.90) than white patients, adjusting for patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Of those who enrolled in hospice (approximately 20% of the total sample), Japanese Americans had a shorter median length of stay (21 days), and Filipino Americans had a longer median length of stay (32 days) than white patients (26 days). Overall, approximately 20% of patients enrolled within 7 days of death, and only 6% had hospice stays that were longer than 2 months, with no significant differences across racial or ethnic groups. In conclusion, in every ethnic subgroup studied, AAPIs were less likely than whites to enroll in hospice. Further research is needed to understand these differences and eliminate potential barriers to hospice care.
Vulnerable Older People in the Community: Relationship Between the Vulnerable Elders Survey and Health Service Use
Authors: McGee Hannah M. , O'Hanlon Ann , Barker Maja , Hickey Anne , Montgomery Anthony , Conroy Ronán , O'Neill Desmond
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: The Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES), a recently developed screening tool for at‐risk older people in the community, has been validated in the United States. This study evaluated its profile in older Irish people. It assessed whether those categorized as vulnerable according to the VES were likely to use health services more frequently than others.

DESIGN: Nationally representative cross‐sectional interviews.

SETTING: Private homes in the community.

PARTICIPANTS: Randomly selected older people (aged ≥65) (N=2,033; 68% response).

MEASUREMENTS: Interviews included the 13‐item VES and questions on health service use.

RESULTS: The proportion scoring as vulnerable was identical to the U.S. sample (32.1% vs 32.3%). At the community healthcare level, participants categorized as vulnerable visited their primary care physician more frequently (mean visits 6.7 vs 4.0, P<.001), had more home‐based public health nurse visits (29% vs 5%, P<.001), and were more likely to have had preventive influenza vaccinations (81% vs 72%, P<.001) in the previous year. More‐vulnerable older adults did not differ on assessment of blood pressure (97% vs 96%), cholesterol (82% vs 85%), or receipt of smoking advice (66% vs 52%). Vulnerable participants were more likely to have used emergency department (17% vs 8%, P<.05), inpatient (21% vs 12%, P<.05), and outpatient (28% vs 21%, P<.05) hospital services. Fourteen percent of those categorized as vulnerable had zero or one visit to their family physician in the previous year.

CONCLUSION: This study provides further evidence, from a different healthcare system, of the potential of the VES to differentiate more‐vulnerable older people. Prospective studies are needed to assess use of the VES as a clinical decision aid for community professionals such as family physicians and public health nurses.
The Effectiveness of Inpatient Geriatric Evaluation and Management Units: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Van Craen Katleen , Braes Tom , Wellens Nathalie , Denhaerynck Kris , Flamaing Johan , Moons Philip , Boonen Steven , Gosset Christiane , Petermans Jean , Milisen Koen
Published: December 2009

OBJECTIVES: To examine how geriatric evaluation and management units (GEMUs) are organized and to examine the effectiveness of admission on a GEMU.

DESIGN: Systematic review and meta‐analysis based on literature search of multiple databases and the references lists of all identified articles and by contacting authors.

SETTING: GEMUs.

PARTICIPANTS: Elderly people admitted to a GEMU.

MEASUREMENTS: Quality of the studies was assessed on 10 criteria. The outcome parameters were mortality, institutionalization, functional decline, readmission, and length of stay at different follow‐up points. A random‐effects meta‐analysis was performed using Hedges' gu and variance of relative risk (RR).

RESULTS: GEMUs are organized in a heterogeneous way and the included studies gave no thorough description of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Involvement of a multidisciplinary team was a key element in all GEMUs. The individual trials showed that admission to a GEMU has one or more favorable effects on the outcomes of interest, with two significant effects in the meta‐analysis: less functional decline at discharge from the GEMU (RR=0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.77–0.99; P=.04) and a lower rate of institutionalization 1 year after discharge (RR=0.78, CI=0.66–0.92; P=.003). For the other outcomes in the meta‐analysis, a GEMU did not induce significantly different outcomes than usual care.

CONCLUSION: This meta‐analysis shows a significant effect in favor of the GEMU group on functional decline at discharge and on institutionalization after 1 year. There is heterogeneity between the studies, poor quality of some randomized controlled trials, and shortage of information about CGA. Multidisciplinary CGA offered in a GEMU may add value to the care for frail older persons admitted to the hospital, but the limitations confirm the need for well‐designed studies using explicit CGA and more‐structured and ‐coherent assessment instruments such as the Minimum Data Set Resident Assessment Instrument.
Evaluation of removal of prion infectivity from red blood cells with prion reduction filters using a new rapid and highly sensitive cell culture–based infectivity assay
Authors: Sowemimo‐Coker Samuel O. , Demczyk Cheryl A. , Andrade Fabiola , Baker Christopher A.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: The clearance of infectious prions from biologic fluids is usually quantified by bioassays based on intracerebral inoculation of hamsters or mice; these tests are slow, cumbersome, imprecise, and very expensive. In the present study we describe the use of a new and highly sensitive cell culture–based infectivity assay to evaluate the performance of several prion removal prototype filters.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Five units of 1‐ to 2‐day‐old ABO‐compatible human red blood cells (RBCs) in saline‐adenine‐glucose‐mannitol were obtained from an AABB‐accredited blood bank. The 5 units were combined to create a homogenous pool. Scrapie‐infected mouse brain homogenate of a Rocky Mountain Laboratory strain was added to the pooled RBCs. The pooled RBCs were divided into 300‐mL aliquots, which were filtered with either standard leukoreduction filter or four prototypes of prion reduction filter. The levels of prion infectivity in the pre‐ and postfiltration samples were measured with a cell culture–based standard scrapie cell assay (SSCA).

RESULTS: All the 22‐layer prion reduction filters removed prion infectivity below the limit of detection of the SSCA (reduction in prion infectivity ≥2.0 log10LD50/mL) while the 10‐layer variant showed some residual infectivity.

CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the utility of a highly sensitive cell culture–based infectivity assay for screening prion reduction filters. The use of this type of in vitro infectivity assay will substantially help expedite the screening and discovery of devices aimed at reducing the risk of variant Creutzfeldt‐Jakob disease transmission through blood transfusion.
Prolonged anemia in an intrauterine‐transfused neonate with Rh‐hemolytic disease: no evidence for anti‐D–related suppression of erythropoiesis in vitro
Authors: Dorn Isabel , Schlenke Peter , Härtel Christoph
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Rh‐hemolytic disease may be complicated in some cases by a prolonged postnatal anemia with an extended need for postnatal red blood cell (RBC) transfusion. Besides ongoing hemolysis, marrow suppression and erythropoietin (EPO) deficiency are discussed as underlying mechanisms of this so‐called “late hyporegenerative anemia.”

CASE REPORT: We present a case of a newborn with Rh‐hemolytic disease caused by anti‐D who received several intrauterine RBC transfusions. After birth, no reticulocytes or D+ RBCs were detectable in peripheral blood of the infant; thus further RBC transfusions were necessary. Administration of intravenous immunoglobulins had no obvious effect. Reticulocytes first became detectable 15 weeks after birth, when anti‐D titer had decreased to 16. A few days later, hemoglobin started to increase and no further treatment was necessary. To investigate whether anti‐D is able to cause maturation arrest of erythroid progenitors, maternal serum was added to an in vitro assay of erythropoiesis, induced from human CD34+ cells.

RESULTS: In this case, no variables of hemolysis (e.g., elevated bilirubin) were observed. The EPO level was normal and a marrow sample showed increased erythropoiesis. The in vitro erythropoiesis assay revealed no influence of anti‐D on RBC proliferation and differentiation.

CONCLUSION: Anemia in our patient seemed to be mainly caused by ongoing intramedullar hemolysis due to persistent high anti‐D titers. In such cases, variables for hemolysis are not necessarily found. Release of patient's own RBCs into the circulation may become sufficient when anti‐D has declined to a very low level of approximately 16.
Cryoprecipitate prepared from plasma frozen within 24 hours after phlebotomy contains acceptable levels of fibrinogen and VIIIC
Authors: Yazer Mark H. , Triulzi Darrell J. , Hassett Andrea Cortese , Kiss Joseph E.
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: As blood centers prepare fewer plasma products from female donors to avoid HLA antibodies, the standard starting material for cryoprecipitate (cryo), fresh‐frozen plasma (FFP), might become increasingly scarce. A unit of cryo must contain at a minimum 80 IU of VIIIC and 150 mg of fibrinogen. Plasma frozen within 24 hours after phlebotomy (FP24) contains nearly equivalent levels of clotting factors as FFP at the time of thawing and, although not AABB/FDA approved for this purpose, might be a suitable starting material for cryo (cryo24) manufacture.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: FP24 was collected from 20 male donors and cryo24 was subsequently prepared according to standard blood center protocols. The cryo24 was then thawed and VIIIC, von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen, and fibrinogen levels were measured in these cryo24 units and compared to the corresponding levels in 20 randomly selected units of standard cryo (prepared from FFP).

RESULTS: The mean (±SD) levels in cryo and cryo24 at the time of thawing were as follows: fibrinogen (mg/unit) 455.8 (±172.6) and 575.8 (±185.9; p = 0.04), VIIIC (IU/unit) 216.1 (±52.3) and 252.4 (±70.1; p = 0.07), and VWF (IU/unit) 448.1 (±118.9) and 505.9 (±135.1; p = 0.16), respectively. All units of standard cryo and cryo24 met the current minimum content standards.

CONCLUSION: All units of cryo24 in this pilot study met the current minimum content standards for cryo. While clinical studies of its efficacy are warranted, cryo24's in vitro characteristics are at least equivalent to that of standard cryo.
Institutional Arrangements and International Entrepreneurship: The State as Institutional Entrepreneur
Authors: Nasra Rasha , Dacin M. Tina
Published: December 2009

We examine the role of the state as entrepreneur and institutional entrepreneur in the Middle East. Using historical event sequencing methodology we seek to understand the rise of Dubai and the United Arab Emirates as a context for international entrepreneurship. We build on ideas at the intersection of international entrepreneurship and institutional theory to develop a set of propositions that enhance our understanding of international entrepreneurship. We provide implications for the management of both global and local legitimacy, resource mobilization, and agency as well as the strategic deployment of an institutional infrastructure to create and enable entrepreneurship.
P&G is Selling Oxydol!
Authors: Baucus Melissa , Human Sherrie , Clark Tom , Rosenthal David
Published: December 2009

Todd Wichmann and Rich Owen must decide whether to leave their dream jobs working for Procter & Gamble (P&G) and start their own business. They need to engage in the business planning process to decide whether to purchase Oxydol, one of the oldest detergent brands at P&G. This includes assessing whether Oxydol represents a good opportunity and if they can turn around the brand's declining sales. The most difficult challenge for Todd and Rich, though, involves finding venture capital funding for purchasing a detergent brand at a time when venture capitalists invest mainly in high technology and Internet ventures.
Forensic Analysis of Explosives Using Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS)—Part 1: Instrument Validation of the DELTAplusXP IRMS for Bulk Nitrogen Isotope Ratio Measurements
Authors: Benson Sarah J. , Lennard Christopher J. , Hill David M. , Maynard Philip , Roux Claude
Published: December 2009

Abstract:  A significant amount of research has been conducted into the use of stable isotopes to assist in determining the origin of various materials. The research conducted in the forensic field shows the potential of isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to provide a level of discrimination not achievable utilizing traditional forensic techniques. Despite the research there have been few, if any, publications addressing the validation and measurement uncertainty of the technique for forensic applications. This study, the first in a planned series, presents validation data for the measurement of bulk nitrogen isotope ratios in ammonium nitrate (AN) using the DELTAplusXP (Thermo Finnigan) IRMS instrument equipped with a ConFlo III interface and FlashEA™ 1112 elemental analyzer (EA). Appropriate laboratory standards, analytical methods and correction calculations were developed and evaluated. A validation protocol was developed in line with the guidelines provided by the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA). Performance characteristics including: accuracy, precision/repeatability, reproducibility/ruggedness, robustness, linear range, and measurement uncertainty were evaluated for the measurement of nitrogen isotope ratios in AN. AN (99.5%) and ammonium thiocyanate (99.99+%) were determined to be the most suitable laboratory standards and were calibrated against international standards (certified reference materials). All performance characteristics were within an acceptable range when potential uncertainties, including the manufacturer’s uncertainty of the technique and standards, were taken into account. The experiments described in this article could be used as a model for validation of other instruments for similar purposes. Later studies in this series will address the more general issue of demonstrating that the IRMS technique is scientifically sound and fit‐for‐purpose in the forensic explosives analysis field.
The Effects of Terrorism: The Aftermath of the London Terror Attacks1
Authors: Bux Shahid M. , Coyne Sarah M.
Published: December 2009

The July 2005 London bombings highlight prevailing terrorist threats to the UK. The present study addressed the psychological response of a community indirectly exposed to the attacks. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), specific hypotheses examined associations between coping mechanisms (resilience, religious faith), emotions, and risk outcomes. Qualitative content analysis demonstrated the complexity of responses to terrorism. SEM analysis showed that resilience helped attenuate the effect of negative emotions; negative emotions heightened risk judgments; and respondents higher on religious faith displayed more positive emotions regarding the attacks. The content analysis supplemented quantitative results. Combined, these results highlight the importance of conveying accurate risk appraisals proportionate to the threat, as well as consideration of psychological operations, including resilience and religious faith.
Ethnic variations in facial skin neurosensitivity assessed by capsaicin detection thresholds
Authors: Jourdain Roland , Maibach Howard I. , Bastien Philippe , De Lacharrière Olivier , Breton Lionel
Published: December 2009

Background: Ethnic variations in sensitive skin have not been thoroughly explored and remain controversial.

Objective: To objectively assess ethnic variations in facial skin neurosensitivity through individual detection thresholds of topically applied capsaicin.

Patients/Methods: The single‐blind, controlled study was performed in 144 women from three ethnicities: Asian, African, and Caucasian. Five solutions with increasing capsaicin concentration were successively applied to one side of nasolabial folds, while the other side simultaneously received the vehicle as control. The test was discontinued when the volunteer reported on the capsaicin side a sensation whatever its nature. Otherwise the experimenter continued the test, using the next solution with higher capsaicin content and so on, until the subject experienced a sensation on the capsaicin side.

Results: Each ethnic group was divided into six sub‐groups according to the level of sensitivity to capsaicin, i.e. from detection of the lowest concentration up to no detection of the highest concentration, 100‐fold higher. Asian women tended to have higher capsaicin detection thresholds than Caucasians, but lower thresholds than Africans. Nevertheless, the distribution did not greatly differ between the three ethnicities.

Conclusions: The capsaicin skin neurosensitivity test is painless and the changes across individuals of different ethnic backgrounds appear minimal.
Effects of non‐native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) on threatened juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in an Idaho stream
Authors: Macneale K. H. , Sanderson B. L. , Courbois J.‐Y. P. , Kiffney P. M.
Published: December 2009

Macneale KH, Sanderson BL, Courbois J‐YP, Kiffney PM. Effects of non‐native brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) on threatened juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in an Idaho stream. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 2010: 19: 139–152. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract – Non‐native fishes have been implicated in the decline of native species, yet the mechanisms responsible are rarely apparent. To examine how non‐native brook trout may affect threatened juvenile Chinook salmon, we compared feeding behaviours and aggressive encounters between these sympatric fish in Summit Creek, Idaho. Snorkelers observed 278 focal fish and examined diets from 27 fish in late summer 2003. Differences in feeding behaviours and diets suggest that there was minimal current competition for prey, although individual Chinook feeding activity declined as their encounter rate with other fish increased. While difference in size between fish generally determined the outcome of encounters (larger fish ‘winning’), it was surprising that in some interspecific encounters aggressive Chinook displaced slightly larger brook trout (≤20 mm longer). We suggest that in late summer, frequent intraspecific interactions may be more important than interspecific interactions in potentially limiting Chinook growth in Summit Creek and perhaps in other oligotrophic streams where they co‐occur.
The End of “Lowest‐Low” Fertility?
Authors: Goldstein Joshua R. , Sobotka Tomáš , Jasilioniene Aiva
Published: December 2009

Total fertility rates fell to previously unseen levels in a large number of countries beginning in the early 1990s. The persistence of TFRs below 1.3 raised the possibility of rapid population aging and decline. We discuss the recent widespread turnaround in so‐called lowest‐low‐fertility countries in Europe and East Asia. The number of countries with TFRs below 1.3 fell from 21 in 2003 to five in 2008. Moreover, the upturn in the TFR was not confined to lowest‐fertility countries, but affected the whole developed world. We explore the demographic explanations for the recent rise in TFRs stemming from fertility timing effects as well as economic, policy, and social factors. Although the current economic downturn may suppress TFRs in the short run, we conclude that formerly lowest‐low‐fertility countries will continue to see increases in fertility as the transitory effects of shifts to later childbearing become less important.
Experience in Cambodia With the Use of a Culturally Relevant Developmental Milestone Chart for Children in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries
Authors: Scherzer Alfred L.
Published: December 2009

The awareness and knowledge of developmental milestones among health practitioners need to be enhanced to better enable early identification and intervention with children who have delays in development, intellectual deficit, and developmental disabilities and are residents in low‐and middle‐income countries. To meet this end, a simple one‐page check‐off developmental milestone chart for age groups birth to eight years was developed as an outgrowth of a training program for pediatricians in Cambodia. Expected milestones for gross motor, fine motor, language, and social development were charted for each age group, and then validation trials were performed in an outpatient clinic over two years. It was observed that 25% and 31.5% of children failed to achieve one or more age‐appropriate developmental milestones in trials held in 2007 and 2008, respectively. The author observes that referral for further evaluation, parental education/support, early child care, and early intervention would need to be based on subsequent trials of more culturally accurate local milestones, and further studies to determine an acceptable number of milestone failures that would yield the least false positives. Similar processes for developing instruments, utilizing local culturally appropriate developmental milestones, are recommended for training purposes and regular clinic use in other low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Neuroprotective effects of naturally occurring polyphenols on quinolinic acid‐induced excitotoxicity in human neurons
Authors: Braidy Nady , Grant Ross , Adams Seray , Guillemin Gilles J.
Published: December 2009

Quinolinic acid (QUIN) excitotoxicity is mediated by elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels, and nitric oxide‐mediated oxidative stress, resulting in DNA damage, poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation, NAD+ depletion and cell death. We evaluated the effect of a series of polyphenolic compounds [i.e. epigallocatechin gallate (EPCG), catechin hydrate, curcumin, apigenin, naringenin and gallotannin] with antioxidant properties on QUIN‐induced excitotoxicity on primary cultures of human neurons. We showed that the polyphenols, EPCG, catechin hydrate and curcumin can attenuate QUIN‐induced excitotoxicity to a greater extent than apigenin, naringenin and gallotannin. Both EPCG and curcumin were able to attenuate QUIN‐induced Ca2+ influx and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity to a greater extent compared with apigenin, naringenin and gallotannin. Although Ca2+ influx was not attenuated by catechin hydrate, nNOS activity was reduced, probably through direct inhibition of the enzyme. All polyphenols reduced the oxidative effects of increased nitric oxide production, thereby reducing the formation of 3‐nitrotyrosine and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase activity and, hence, preventing NAD+ depletion and cell death. In addition to the well‐known antioxidant properties of these natural phytochemicals, the inhibitory effect of some of these compounds on specific excitotoxic processes, such as Ca2+ influx, provides additional evidence for the beneficial health effects of polyphenols in excitable tissue, particularly within the central nervous system.
Population structure of rice (Oryza sativa) landraces under farmer management
Authors: Kumar S. , Bisht I.S. , Bhat K.V.
Published: December 2009

Greater insight into the dynamics of genetic resources of crop plants is needed in order to pinpoint detrimental evolutionary patterns and draw up conservation priorities. The present study demonstrated farmer management of crop population structure and temporal evolution of rice genetic diversity in traditional production systems. The 16 STMS primers analysed for 11 rice landrace populations indicated enough polymorphism to fully differentiate the inter‐ and intrapopulation diversity. A total number of 98 alleles were recorded, of which 91 were common and seven were rare. The mean number of alleles per locus was 6.13 and for different groups of rice landrace populations, namely five populations of upland common landrace Jaulia, three populations of irrigated common landrace Thapachini and one population each of three distinct rare landraces were 4.37, 2.75 and 4.37, respectively. The study also compared genebank‐conserved (ex situ) populations and on‐farm‐managed (in situ) landrace populations of same named landraces Jaulia and Thapachini, and revealed greater number of alleles per locus for on‐farm‐managed populations as compared to the populations under static management. A substantial number of alleles specific to populations under dynamic management could also be recorded. Further, the rare landrace populations included in the present study were more diverse than the common landrace populations. The rare landraces were distinct genetic entities largely representing locally common alleles. Investigating the population genetic structure is therefore helpful in monitoring change in diversity over time and space, and also for devising a rational plan for management of farmer landraces on‐farm.
The spin-orbit angle of the transiting hot Jupiter CoRoT-1b
Authors: Pont F. , Endl M. , Cochran W. D. , Barnes S. I. , Sneden C. , MacQueen P. J. , Moutou C. , Aigrain S. , Alonso R. , Baglin A. , Bouchy F. , Deleuil M. , Fridlund M. , Hébrard G. , Hatzes A. , Mazeh T. , Shporer A.
Published: December 2009

We measure the angle between the planetary orbit and the stellar rotation axis in the transiting planetary system CoRoT-1, with new HIRES/Keck and FORS/VLT high-accuracy photometry. The data indicate a highly tilted system, with a projected spin-orbit angle λ= 77°± 11°. Systematic uncertainties in the radial velocity data could cause the actual errors to be larger by an unknown amount, and this result needs to be confirmed with further high-accuracy spectroscopic transit measurements. Spin-orbit alignment has now been measured in a dozen extra-solar planetary systems, and several show strong misalignment. The first three misaligned planets were all much more massive than Jupiter and followed eccentric orbits. CoRoT-1, however, is a jovian-mass close-in planet on a circular orbit. If its strong misalignment is confirmed, it would break this pattern. The high occurrence of misaligned systems for several types of planets and orbits favours planet–planet scattering as a mechanism to bring gas giants on very close orbits.
Spatial transmission of avian influenza (type H5) in birds
Authors: LI Xinhai , LIU Xiaoming , XU Lei , ZHANG Zhibin
Published: December 2009

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 continues to threaten domestic and wild birds, as well as human health. However, the mechanism of spatial transmission of HPAI is still unclear. We analyzed the current distribution of HPAI occurrences based on World Organization for Animal Health reported data from 3049 sites in the world from December 2003 to June 2006, and found that these sites were spaced at distances with a frequency peak of 100–200 km. We built a cellular automata model to simulate the spatial transmission process of HPAI as a function of transmission distance, variance of the transmission distance, infection rate, and transmission times (how many times HPAI transmits from one host to another before suppression). We determined that the transmission distance between HPAI occurrences is approximately 100 km on the basis of historical HPAI occurrences from 2003 to 2006 in both wild and domestic birds. To effectively reduce the long‐distance spreading of HPAI, preventing close contact between domestic birds and waterfowl within a radius of 100 km around HPAI occurrence sites is essential.
Body size structure of Pleistocene mammalian communities: what support is there for the “island rule”?
Authors: PALOMBO Maria R.
Published: December 2009

Islands are often regarded by scientists as living laboratories of evolution and an optimal context for the study of forces influencing evolution and diversification. Two main issues have been attentively scrutinized and debated: the loss of biodiversity and the peculiar changes undergone by island settlers, primarily changes in size of endemic vertebrates. Over time, several hypotheses have been formulated to explain the causal mechanism of body size modification. Faunas of those islands where mainland taxa migrate more than once provide the most interesting data to answer the question of whether or not trends of insular taxa result from a predictable response to differences in competition and availability of niches between insular and mainland environments. To contribute to the debate, the body size structure of the Pleistocene mammalian faunas from two Mediterranean islands, Sicily and Crete, were analyzed and compared with the structure of coeval mainland faunas.

The results obtained suggest that: (i) size of endemic species does not directly depend on the area of islands; (ii) evolution and size of endemic species seems somewhat affected by the degree of isolation (constraining colonization from mainland) and physiography (sometimes permitting adaptive radiation); (iii) in unbalanced insular communities, the shift in size of non‐carnivorous species largely depends on the nature of competing species; and (iv) body size of carnivorous species mainly depends on the size of the most available prey. Consequently, it is rational to suppose that the body size of insular mammals mainly results from the peculiar biological dynamics that characterizes unbalanced insular communities. Ecological interaction, particularly the intraguild competition, is the major driver behind the evolution of insular communities, leading towards an optimization of energy balance through a change in body size of endemic settlers.
Phenotypic characteristics of novel swine‐origin influenza A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) virus
Authors: Kiseleva Irina , Larionova Natalie , Kuznetsov Vasily , Rudenko Larisa
Published: December 2009

Background  The 2009 novel A(H1N1) virus appears to be of swine origin. This strain causing the current outbreaks is a new virus that has not been seen previously either in humans or animals. We have previously reported that viruses causing pandemics or large outbreaks were able to grow at a temperature above the normal physiological range (temperature resistance, non‐ts phenotype), were found to be inhibitor resistant and restricted in replication at suboptimal temperature (sensitivity to grow at low temperature, non‐ca phenotype). In this study, we performed phenotypic analysis of novel A(H1N1) virus to evaluate its pandemic potential and its suitability for use in developing a live attenuated influenza vaccine.

Objectives  The goal of this study is to identify phenotypic properties of novel A(H1N1) influenza virus.

Methods  A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) swine‐origin influenza virus was studied in comparison with some influenza A viruses isolated in different years with respect to their ability to grow at non‐permissive temperatures. We also analyzed its sensitivity to gamma‐inhibitors of animal sera and its ability to agglutinate chicken, human and guinea pig erythrocytes.

Results  Swine‐origin A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) virus was found to be non‐ts and inhibitor resistant and was not able to grow at 25°C (non‐ca). We did not find any difference in the ability of the hemagglutinin of A/California/07/2009 (H1N1) virus to bind to erythrocytes of different origin.

Conclusion  The novel swine‐origin A(H1N1) virus displays a phenotype typical of the past pandemic and epidemic viruses. This finding suggests that this virus might be a good wild type parental prototype for live vaccine for potential use for controlling pandemic influenza.
Creating Community: Offering a Liberation Pedagogical Model to Facilitate Diversity Conversations in MFT Graduate Classrooms
Authors: Nixon Debra Harris , Marcelle‐Coney Debra , Torres‐Greggory Maru , Huntley Edith , Jacques Carlyn , Pasquet Maud , Ravachi Regina
Published: December 2009

Creating a safe place for open classroom engagement on topics of multiculturalism and diversity requires intentionality and honesty. Unless all, professor and students alike, feel safe talking about related issues, the attempt will result in a politically correct exercise in futility. This article focuses on how intentional pedagogical efforts can create a classroom environment conducive to therapeutic self‐reflection and result in personal and professional transformation. Offerings include personal reflections, theoretical and pedagogical ideologies and practices, a classroom paradigm as exemplar, critical redefinitions, a survey of other pedagogical endeavors, a template for multicultural instruction, and recommendations.
Congenital glottic web: Management and anatomical observation
Authors: Amir Mohamed , Youssef Tamer
Published: December 2009

Introduction:  Congenital anterior glottis web is a rare congenital laryngeal anomaly presenting usually by either dysphonia or airway obstruction. Several ways for managing this condition have been proposed including endoscopic, as well as external techniques.

Objective:  The purpose of this study is to present our experience and to review the experience of others with cases of congenital glottic web regarding their diagnosis, classification and management.

Methods:  It is a retrospective study, which included six infants and children; two groups were identified; first group included 3 patients who were treated by endoscopic laser lysis of webs, followed by topical application of mitomycin C (MMC) to the fresh wound, and the other group included 3 patients who underwent open surgical correction, by Laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR). Information recorded included; age, sex, presentation, grading of lesions, surgery performed, residual web, and outcome. Assessment and documentation of subglottic extension independent from the glottic extension of the web was also done.

Results:  All webs were grade 2, 3 and 4 according to Cohen's classification. We observed in five cases that high grade webs (grade 3 and 4) usually had thick subglottic extension, but in one case (case 2 laser) high grade web (grade 4) had thin subglottic extension. Complications included; two recurrences one after laser surgery and the other one after LTR. All appropriate patients were decannulated post LTR.

Conclusion:  Use of laser and MMC is good in thin glottic webs; LTR is indicated in glottic webs with thick subglottic extension. Not all high grade webs have thick subglottic extension. So, thickness of web and subglottic extension has to be assessed during microlaryngeal surgery, by laser incision and examination of web thickness to determine the appropriate management.

Please cite this paper as: Amir M and Youssef T. Congenital glottic web: management and anatomical observation. The Clinical Respiratory Journal 2010; 4: 202–207.
DNA barcodes provide new evidence of a recent radiation in the genusSporophila(Aves: Passeriformes)
Authors: CAMPAGNA LEONARDO , LIJTMAER DARÍO A. , KERR KEVIN C. R. , BARREIRA ANA S. , HEBERT PAUL D. N. , LOUGHEED STEPHEN C. , TUBARO PABLO L.
Published: December 2009

The capuchinos are a group of birds in the genusSporophilathat has apparently radiated recently, as evidenced by their lack of mitochondrial genetic diversity. We obtained cytochromecoxidase I (COI) sequences (or DNA barcodes) for the 11 species of the group and various outgroups. We compared the patterns of COI variability of the capuchinos with those of the largest barcode data set from neotropical birds currently available (500 species representing 51% of avian richness in Argentina), and subjected COI sequences to neighbour‐joining, maximum parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses as well as statistical parsimony network analysis. A clade within the capuchinos, the southern capuchinos, showed higher intraspecific and lower interspecific divergence than the remaining Argentine species. As most of the southern capuchinos shared COI haplotypes and pairwise distances within species were in many cases higher than distances between them, the phylogenetic affinities within the group remained unresolved. The observed genetic pattern is consistent with both incomplete lineage sorting and gene flow between species. The southern capuchinos constitute the only large group of species among the neotropical birds barcoded so far that are inseparable when using DNA barcodes, and one of few multispecies avian groups known to lack reciprocal monophyly. Extending the analysis to rapidly evolving nuclear and mitochondrial markers will be crucial to understanding this radiation. Apart from giving insights into the evolution of the capuchinos, this study shows how DNA barcoding can rapidly flag species or groups of species worthy of deeper study.
Spontaneous closure of lamellar macular holes studied by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Theodossiadis Panagiotis G. , Grigoropoulos Vlassis G. , Emfietzoglou Ioannis , Nikolaidis Pantelis , Papathanasiou Miltiadis , Theodossiadis George P.
Published: December 2009

Purpose:  To document and study the spontaneous closure of lamellar macular holes (LMH) by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods:  Two women with LMH, 62 and 71 years old, respectively, were followed up with fundoscopy, fundus photography and OCT.

Results:  In both patients spontaneous closure of LMH was observed 11 and 21 months after baseline examination, respectively. The foveal thickness in case 1 increased from 84 μm at baseline to 162 μm at the final examination. The foveal thickness in case 2 increased from 48 μm at baseline to 148 μm at the final examination. The foveal contour was also restored in both eyes. The foveal morphology was preserved in both eyes during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion:  In both patients the spontaneous closure of LMH could be attributed to the shrinkage of the hole or the release of the tension on the retinal surface, which followed the complete posterior vitreous detachment and separation of epiretinal membrane from the retina.
Numerical Simulation of Residual Stress Relaxation in Shot Peened High-Strength Aluminum Alloys Under Reverse Bending Fatigue
Authors: Benedetti M. , Fontanari V. , Monelli B. D.
Published: December 2009

The mechanism of the residual stress relaxation during the fatigue life of shot peened high-strength aluminum alloys was investigated. Experiments were conducted on specimens subjected to three different shot peening treatments and tested under reverse bending fatigue. x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were carried out to determine the initial and stabilized residual stress fields. The residual stress field created by the surface treatments has been introduced into a finite element (FE) model by means of a fictitious temperature distribution. The elastic-plastic response of the superficial layers affected by the shot peening treatments has been derived through reverse strain axial testing combined with microhardness tests and implemented in the FE model. The proposed numerical/experimental approach is able to satisfactorily predict the residual stress field evolution. Notably, relaxation has been correctly simulated in the low-cycle fatigue regime and imputed to plastic flow in compression when the superposition of compressive residual and bending stresses exceeds the local cyclic yield strength of the material. Conversely, the residual stress field remains stable at load levels corresponding to the 5×106 cycles fatigue endurance.
Approximate Solutions for a Self-Folding Problem of Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Mikata Yozo
Published: December 2009

This paper treats approximate solutions for a self-folding problem of carbon nanotubes. It has been observed in the molecular dynamics calculations (Buehler, Kong, Gao, and Huang, 2006, “Self-Folding and Unfolding of Carbon Nanotubes,” ASME J. Eng. Mater. Technol., 128, pp. 3–10) that a carbon nanotube with a large aspect ratio can self-fold due to the van der Waals force between the parts of the same carbon nanotube. The main issue in the self-folding problem is to determine the minimum threshold length of the carbon nanotube at which it becomes possible for the carbon nanotube to self-fold due to the van der Waals force. To the best of the author’s knowledge, no exact solution for this problem has been obtained. In this paper, an approximate mathematical model based on the force method is constructed for the self-folding problem of carbon nanotubes, and is solved exactly as an elastica problem using elliptic functions. Additionally, three other mathematical models are constructed based on the energy method. As a particular example, the lower and upper estimates for the critical threshold (minimum) length are determined based on both methods for the (5,5) armchair carbon nanotube.
Fixed Grid Simulation of Radiation-Conduction Dominated Solidification Process
Authors: Łapka Piotr , Furmański Piotr
Published: December 2009

In this paper conduction-radiation controlled solidification process of semitransparent materials was numerically analyzed. New approach in this kind of simulations, which is based on the fixed grid front tracking method combined with the immersed boundary technique, was adopted and examined. The presented method enables accurate dealing with solidification processes of semitransparent materials which have different optical and thermophysical properties of solid and liquid phases as well as with absorption, emission, and reflection of the thermal radiation at the solid-liquid interface without applying moving mesh methods. The proposed numerical approach was examined by solving several simplified thermal radiation problems with complex fixed and moving boundaries both in two-dimensional and axisymmetric spaces. For some of them the accuracy of obtained results was proved by comparing with reference works, other showed capabilities of the proposed method. For simplified solidification processes of semitransparent materials three configurations of optical properties, i.e., semitransparent solid phase and opaque liquid phase, opaque solid phase and semitransparent liquid phase, and semitransparent both phases were considered. The interface between solid and liquid phases was treated to be opaque, absorbing, emitting, and reflecting diffusely the thermal radiation. Results of the numerical simulations show that the presented numerical approach works well in this kind of problems and is promising for simulation of real solidification processes of semitransparent materials.