bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abscisic Acid Determines Basal Susceptibility of Tomato toBotrytis cinereaand Suppresses Salicylic Acid-Dependent Signaling Mechanisms
Authors: Audenaert Kris , De Meyer Geert B. , Höfte Monica M.
Published: November 2008

Abscisic acid (ABA) is one of the plant hormones involved in the interaction between plants and pathogens. In this work, we show that tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. cv Moneymaker) mutants with reduced ABA levels (sitiens plants) are much more resistant to the necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea than wild-type (WT) plants. Exogenous application of ABA restored susceptibility to B. cinerea insitiens plants and increased susceptibility in WT plants. These results indicate that ABA plays a major role in the susceptibility of tomato to B. cinerea. ABA appeared to interact with a functional plant defense response against B. cinerea. Experiments with transgenic NahG tomato plants and benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid demonstrated the importance of salicylic acid in the tomato-B. cinereainteraction. In addition, upon infection with B. cinerea, sitiens plants showed a clear increase in phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity, which was not observed in infected WT plants, indicating that the ABA levels in healthy WT tomato plants partly repress phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity. In addition, sitiens plants became more sensitive to benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid root treatment. The threshold values for PR1a gene expression declined with a factor 10 to 100 in sitiens compared with WT plants. Thus, ABA appears to negatively modulate the salicylic acid-dependent defense pathway in tomato, which may be one of the mechanisms by which ABA levels determine susceptibility to B. cinerea.
Salicylic Acid Has Cell-Specific Effects on Tobacco mosaic virus Replication and Cell-to-Cell Movement
Authors: Murphy Alex M. , Carr John P.
Published: November 2008

Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and Cucumber mosaic virus expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) were used to probe the effects of salicylic acid (SA) on the cell biology of viral infection. Treatment of tobacco with SA restricted TMV.GFP to single-epidermal cell infection sites for at least 6 d post inoculation but did not affect infection sites of Cucumber mosaic virus expressing GFP. Microinjection experiments, using size-specific dextrans, showed that SA cannot inhibit TMV movement by decreasing the plasmodesmatal size exclusion limit. In SA-treated transgenic plants expressing TMV movement protein, TMV.GFP infection sites were larger, but they still consisted overwhelmingly of epidermal cells. TMV replication was strongly inhibited in mesophyll protoplasts isolated from SA-treated nontransgenic tobacco plants. Therefore, it appears that SA has distinct cell type-specific effects on virus replication and movement in the mesophyll and epidermal cell layers, respectively. Thus, SA can have fundamentally different effects on the same pathogen in different cell types.
Cyclic Electron Flow around Photosystem I in C3Plants. In Vivo Control by the Redox State of Chloroplasts and Involvement of the NADH-Dehydrogenase Complex
Authors: Joët Thierry , Cournac Laurent , Peltier Gilles , Havaux Michel
Published: November 2008

Cyclic electron flow around photosystem (PS) I has been widely described in vitro in chloroplasts or thylakoids isolated from C3 plant leaves, but its occurrence in vivo is still a matter of debate. Photoacoustic spectroscopy and kinetic spectrophotometry were used to analyze cyclic PS I activity in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv Petit Havana) leaf discs illuminated with far-red light. Only a very weak activity was measured in air with both techniques. When leaf discs were placed in anaerobiosis, a high and rapid cyclic PS I activity was measured. The maximal energy storage in far-red light increased to 30% to 50%, and the half-time of the P700 re-reduction in the dark decreased to around 400 ms; these values are comparable with those measured in cyanobacteria and C4 plant leaves in aerobiosis. The stimulatory effect of anaerobiosis was mimicked by infiltrating leaves with inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration or of the chlororespiratory oxidase, therefore, showing that changes in the redox state of intersystem electron carriers tightly control the rate of PS I-driven cyclic electron flow in vivo. Measurements of energy storage at different modulation frequencies of far-red light showed that anaerobiosis-induced cyclic PS I activity in leaves of a tobacco mutant deficient in the plastid Ndh complex was kinetically different from that of the wild type, the cycle being slower in the former leaves. We conclude that the Ndh complex is required for rapid electron cycling around PS I.
Disruption of the Actin Cytoskeleton Results in the Promotion of Gravitropism in Inflorescence Stems and Hypocotyls of Arabidopsis
Authors: Yamamoto Kazuyoshi , Kiss John Z.
Published: November 2008

The actin cytoskeleton is hypothesized to play a major role in gravity perception and transduction mechanisms in roots of plants. To determine whether actin microfilaments (MFs) are involved in these processes in stem-like organs, we studied gravitropism in Arabidopsis inflorescence stems and hypocotyls. Localization studies using Alexa Fluor-phalloidin in conjugation with confocal microscopy demonstrated a longitudinally and transversely oriented actin MF network in endodermal cells of stems and hypocotyls. Latrunculin B (Lat-B) treatment of hypocotyls caused depolymerization of actin MFs in endodermal cells and a significant reduction of hypocotyl growth rates. Actin MFs in Lat-B-treated inflorescence stems also were disrupted, but growth rates were not affected. Despite disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in these two organs, Lat-B-treated stems and hypocotyls exhibited a promotion of gravitropic curvature in response to reorientation. In contrast, Lat-B reduced gravitropic curvature in roots but also reduced the growth rate. Thus, in contrast to prevailing hypotheses, our results suggest that actin MFs are not a necessary component of gravitropism in inflorescence stems and hypocotyls. Furthermore, this is the first study to demonstrate a prominent actin MF network in endodermal cells in the putative gravity-perceiving cells in stems.
Diversity of TITAN Functions in Arabidopsis Seed Development
Authors: Tzafrir Iris , McElver John A. , Liu Chun-ming , Yang Li Jun , Wu Jia Qian , Martinez Audrey , Patton David A. , Meinke David W.
Published: November 2008

The titan mutants of Arabidopsis exhibit striking defects in seed development. The defining feature is the presence of abnormal endosperm with giant polyploid nuclei. SeveralTTN genes encode structural maintenance of chromosome proteins (condensins and cohesins) required for chromosome function at mitosis. Another TTN gene product (TTN5) is related to the ARL2 class of GTP-binding proteins. Here, we identify four additional TTN genes and present a general model for the titan phenotype. TTN1 was cloned after two tagged alleles were identified through a large-scale screen of T-DNA insertion lines. The predicted gene product is related to tubulin-folding cofactor D, which interacts with ARL2 in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe) and humans to regulate tubulin dynamics. We propose that TTN5 and TTN1 function in a similar manner to regulate microtubule function in seed development. The titan phenotype can therefore result from disruption of chromosome dynamics (ttn3, ttn7, andttn8) or microtubule function (ttn1 andttn5). Three other genes have been identified that affect endosperm nuclear morphology. TTN4 andTTN9 appear to encode plant-specific proteins of unknown function. TTN6 is related to the isopeptidase T class of deubiquitinating enzymes that recycle polyubiquitin chains following protein degradation. Disruption of this gene may reduce the stability of the structural maintenance of chromosome complex. Further analysis of the TITAN network should help to elucidate the regulation of microtubule function and chromosome dynamics in seed development.
Effects ofClinacanthus siamensisleaf extract on influenza virus infection
Authors: Wirotesangthong Mali , Nagai Takayuki , Yamada Haruki , Amnuoypol Surattana , Mungmee Chutichot
Published: November 2008

Ethanolic extracts of 20 medicinal plants were screened for influenza virus NA inhibition andin vitroantiviral activities using MDCK cells in an MTT assay. The vaccine proteins of influenza virus A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1), mouse‐adapted influenza virus A/Guizhou/54/89 (A/G)(H3N2) and mouse‐adapted influenza virus B/Ibaraki/2/85 (B/I) were used in the NA inhibition assay, and mouse‐adapted influenza viruses A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), A/G and B/I were used in thein vitroantiviral assay. The results of thein vitroantiviral assay indicated that the A/G virus was the most susceptible and an extract of the leaf of CS possessed the highestin vitroanti‐A/G virus activity (41.98%). Therefore, the A/G virus and the CS extract were selected for studyingin vivoanti‐influenza virus activity. BALB/c mice were treated with CS extract (100 mg/kg per day, 5 times) orally from 4 hr before to 4 days after infection. CS extract elicited significant production of anti‐influenza virus IgG1antibody in BAW and increased mouse weight compared to oseltamivir (0.1 mg/kg per day) on day 19 or water on days 17–19 of infection. Moreover, CS extract produced a higher anti‐influenza virus IgA antibody level in BAW compared to oseltamivir, and a tendency towards an increase in anti‐influenza virus IgA compared to water was shown. The results suggest that CS extract has a protective effect against influenza virus infection.
Apolipoprotein E and Paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms are associated with lower serum thyroid hormones in postmenopausal women
Authors: Lambrinoudaki Irene , Kaparos George , Rizos Demetrios , Galapi Fotini , Alexandrou Andreas , Sergentanis Theodoros N. , Creatsa Maria , Christodoulakos George , Kouskouni E. , Botsis D.
Published: November 2008

Objective Autoimmune thyroiditis and overt or subclinical hypothyroidism have been associated with increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Design Cross‐sectional investigation of the association between gene polymorphisms related to CVD with thyroid function and autoimmunity.

Patients In total 84 healthy postmenopausal women aged 49–69 years.

Measurements FT3, FT4, anti‐TPO and anti‐TG were assessed in the sera of participants. The following polymorphisms were assessed from peripheral lymphocyte DNA: Apolipoprotein E E2/E3/E4, paraoxonase 1 A/B, Glycoprotein IIIa leu33pro, MTHFR ala222val, ApoBarg3500gln, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 4G/5G, cholesterol 7‐α hydroxylase A204C and cholesterol ester transfer protein B1/B2.

Results A statistically significant correlation was found between Apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase1 polymorphisms and serum thyroid hormones: carriers of the E2 or E4 allele of the ApoE gene had lower levels of FT4 (P = 0·0005) than women with the E3/E3 genotype. Carriers of the B allele of paraoxonase 1 gene had lower levels of FT3 compared to women with the wild‐type genotype (P = 0·047). A statistically significant positive association (P = 0·049) was also observed between anti‐TG antibodies and the presence of the E2 allele of the Apolipoprotein E gene.

Conclusions Polymorphisms of apolipoprotein E and paraoxonase 1 are associated with different levels of thyroid hormone and anti‐Tg antibody levels in the study population in this pilot study. The mechanism underlying this association remains to be elucidated.
Differential response to bypassing agents complicates treatment in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors
Authors: BERNTORP E.
Published: November 2008

Summary.  The bypassing agents factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) anti‐inhibitor coagulant complex and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) have been established as safe and effective therapies for treating bleeding episodes in haemophilia patients with inhibitors. However, the efficacy of each bypassing agent can vary, and neither agent is universally effective. The reasons for such variability have yet to be confirmed, but may involve patient‐specific factors and the mechanisms of action (MOAs) and pharmacokinetic profiles of these two agents. This issue underscores the necessity of both products in the comprehensive care of patients with haemophilia and inhibitors. The objective of this review is to discuss the evidence of a differential haemostatic response to bypassing agents and the potential roles of MOA and patient‐specific factors in contributing to the differences in response.
Dose‐Dependent Immunohistochemical Changes in Rat Cornea and Retina after Oral Methylphenidate Administration
Authors: Tunc E. , Erdogan D. , Gozil R. , Bahcelioglu M. , Calguner E. , Take G. , Caglar G. , Oktem H.
Published: November 2008

Methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH), more commonly known as Ritalin, is a piperidine derivative and is the drug most often used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, one of the most common behavioural disorders of children and young adults. The aim of this study was to investigate dose‐dependent immunohistochemical Dopamine 2 receptor (D2) expression and apoptosis in the rat cornea and cornea. In this study, 27 female pre‐pubertal Wistar albino rats, divided into three different dose groups (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) and their control groups, were used. They were treated orally with methylphenidate dissolved in saline solution for 5 days per week during 3 months. At the end of the third month, after perfusion fixation, eye tissue was removed. Paraffin sections were collected for immunohistochemical and terminal deoxynucleotidyl‐transferase‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labelling assay studies. In our study, we observed that the cornea D2 receptor reactivity showed a dose‐related increase after MPH treatment, especially in basal cells of the epithelium and a dose‐dependent decrease in the retinal ganglion cell which was statistically meaningful. Analysis of the cornea thickness results showed no meaningful difference between groups. Apoptotic cell number showed a meaningful increase in the high dose treated group compared to the other groups of the study. The data suggest that Ritalin has degenerative effect on the important functional part of the eye, such as cornea and retina and its activating dopaminergic mechanism via similar neuronal paths, functionally and structurally, to induce morphological changes. As a result, we believe that this morphological changes negatively effecting functional organization of the affected cornea and retina.
Response of Wheat Varieties from Semi‐arid Regions of Jordan to Salt Stress
Authors: Abdel‐Ghani A. H.
Published: November 2008

This study was carried out to determine the effects of salinity levels (control, 6, 12 and 18 dS m−1) on germination, seedling growth, some agronomic traits and proline accumulation in leaves of nine wheat varieties adapted to semi‐arid areas of Jordan. The tested wheat materials included eight durum wheat varieties (Haurani 27, Acsad 65, Om Rabbeeh, Sham 1, Safra Ma’an, Katma, Al‐Samra and F8) and one bread wheat variety (Diel Harthon). Final germination percentage, shoot and seminal root length, and all growth and yield parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by increasing salinity level. Proline content was significantly (P < 0.05) increased by increasing salinity. There were significant variety × salt interactions (P < 0.05) on final germination percentage, seminal root length, grain yield and yield‐related traits indicating that the varieties responded to salt differently. Sham 1 did not show any decrease in germination ability at the different salinity levels. Haurani 27, Acsad 65, Al‐Samra and Diel Harthon showed a nonsignificant reduction in germination potential at low and intermediate salt levels. Safra Ma’an and Al‐Samra showed the lowest reduction in seminal root length at low salt level and consequently exhibited the lowest stress susceptibility index ‘S’ values. Grain yield‐based stress susceptibility index ‘S’ indicated that Haurani 27, Acsad 65, Katma, Al‐Samra, F8 and Diel Jardoon were more salt tolerant than Om Rabbeeh, Sham 1 and Safra Ma’an. In conclusion, a similar salt tolerance was observed at different growth stages in Haurani 27, Acsad 65 and Al‐Samra. Consequently, these three varieties could be considered as salt tolerant and accordingly they are suitable for durum wheat improvement. Furthermore, Sham 1 had the highest ability to germinate at high salinity level indicating that it has a genetic potential for salt tolerance, at least at this stage of its life cycle.
Size Distribution of Luteal Cells During Pseudopregnancy in Domestic Cats
Authors: Arikan Ş , Yigit AA , Kalender H
Published: November 2008

Contents

Experiments were designed to investigate the size distribution of queen steroidogenic luteal cells throughout pseudopregnancy. Corpora lutea were obtained from the queens following ovariohysterectomy on days 7, 15 or 25 of pseudopregnancy. Luteal cells were isolated from the ovary by collagenase digestion. Steriodogenic cells were identified by staining of cells for 3β‐HSD activity. Cell diameters were measured using a microscope. Luteal cells having steroidogenic capacity covered a wide spectrum of sizes ranging from 3 to 35 μm in diameter. There was a significant increase in mean cell diameters (p < 0.01) as pseudopregnancy progressed. Mean diameter of 3β‐HSD positive cells increased from 10.41 ± 0.7 μm, on day 7 of pseudopregnancy, to 19.72 ± 1.3 μm on day 25 of pseudopregnancy. The ratio of large (>20 μm in diameter) to small (3–20 μm in diameter) luteal cells was 0.08 : 1.0 on day 7 of pseudopregnancy, with the 7.5–10 μm cell size class predominant. By day 25 of pseudopregnancy, the ratio of large‐to‐small cells was increased to 0.87 : 1.0, and 20–25 μm cell sizes become predominant. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that the cells of the corpus luteum undergo continuous differentiation during pseudopregnancy in queen. This study also demonstrates that luteal cells dissociated from pseudopregnant queen can be used as a model to study the physiology of corpus luteum in pregnant cats.
Effect of Weaning to Oestrus Interval and Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin on Vaginal Electrical Impedance During Peri‐oestrus in Sows
Authors: Řezáč P , Borkovcová M , Křivánek I
Published: November 2008

Contents

The influence of weaning to oestrus interval, its interaction with parity and equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) on changes of vaginal impedance in sows after weaning was examined. The impedance measurements were carried out by a four‐terminal method. Sows were monitored for oestrus via exposure to a sexually mature boar. The interval from weaning to oestrus was longer in primiparous than multiparous sows (p < 0.01). A significant negative correlation was found between the interval from weaning to oestrus and parity. Repeated measures analysis showed that the interval from weaning to oestrus and parity and their interactions had a significant effect on the vaginal impedance in peri‐oestrus. The vaginal impedance during pro‐oestrus gradually decreased in all groups of sows with the weaning to oestrus interval from 4 to 8 days (p < 0.05). In the subsequent period, the vaginal impedance increased and was significantly lower from 1 to 3 days after oestrus onset in sows with the weaning to oestrus interval 7–8 days than 4–6 days. Similarly, the vaginal impedance during pro‐oestrus gradually decreased in all groups of sows with parity 1–5 (p < 0.01). In the next period, the vaginal impedance increased and was significantly lower from 2–3 days after oestrus onset in sows of parity 1 than parity 2–5. Repeated measures analysis showed that eCG treatment had a significant effect on the vaginal impedance in peri‐oestrus. Sows treated with eCG displayed the decrease and increase of vaginal impedance due to oestrus onset earlier than untreated sows. The results indicate that the weaning to oestrus interval, its interaction with parity and eCG markedly affect the vaginal impedance in sows during peri‐oestrus.
Doublecortin expression in the normal and epileptic adult human brain
Authors: Liu Y. W. J. , Curtis M. A. , Gibbons H. M. , Mee E. W. , Bergin P. S. , Teoh H. H. , Connor B. , Dragunow M. , Faull R. L. M.
Published: November 2008

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is a neurological disorder associated with spontaneous recurrent complex partial seizures and hippocampal sclerosis. Although increased hippocampal neurogenesis has been reported in animal models of MTLE, increased neurogenesis has not been reported in the hippocampus of adult human MTLE cases. Here we showed that cells expressing doublecortin (Dcx), a microtubule‐associated protein expressed in migrating neuroblasts, were present in the hippocampus and temporal cortex of the normal and MTLE adult human brain. In particular, increased numbers of Dcx‐positive cells were observed in the epileptic compared with the normal temporal cortex. Importantly, 56% of Dcx‐expressing cells in the epileptic temporal cortex coexpressed both the proliferative cell marker, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and early neuronal marker, TuJ1, suggesting that they may be newly generated neurons. A subpopulation of Dcx‐positive cells in the epileptic temporal cortex also coexpressed the mature neuronal marker, NeuN, suggesting that epilepsy may promote the generation of new neurons in the temporal cortex. This study has identified, for the first time, a novel population of Dcx‐positive cells in the adult human temporal cortex that can be upregulated by epilepsy and thus, raises the possibility that these cells may have functional significance in the pathophysiology of epilepsy.
Transcriptional profiling of the endosymbiont Blochmannia floridanus during different developmental stages of its holometabolous ant host
Authors: Stoll Sascha , Feldhaar Heike , Gross Roy
Published: November 2008

The transcriptome of Blochmannia floridanus, the endosymbiont of the carpenter ant Camponotus floridanus, is presented during various developmental stages of its holometabolous host by use of a whole‐genome DNA macroarray. The detected transcription patterns indicate the presence of local transcription units as well as global regulatory mechanisms. Yet, the overall regulation scale is very modest, rarely exceeding a factor of three. A large number of genes show differential expression in different life stages and a distinct expression pattern of genes possibly involved in symbiotic function as compared with housekeeping genes is apparent. However, these transcriptional changes are small as compared with the changes in the number of bacteria during host development, which is the highest in pupae and in young imagines. Control of replication of the bacteria in certain life stages may therefore be the decisive parameter influencing the overall level of gene expression of Blochmannia in the animal. The few highly expressed genes like those encoding molecular chaperones exhibit a significantly higher G+C content than moderately expressed genes.
Serving Others and Gaining Experience: A Study of University Students Participation in Service Learning
Authors: Maran Daniela Acquadro , Soro Giorgio , Biancetti Alessandra , Zanotta Tania
Published: November 2008

Unlike other countries, Italy has no ‘service learning’, the method enabling students to join accredited voluntary organisations in order to gain experience in serving others. An investigation was conducted in 2006 and 2007 to understand the opportunity that service learning provides to young adults, community and volunteer associations. The objectives were, first, to determine whether there is a need to forge links between the university and the world of volunteer work and, second, to describe the specific areas of action in the local context. A total of 603 video‐recorded interviews were conducted. The findings show that there is a need to create a network for helping institutions, neighbourhoods and young adults to assess the demand and provide an organised response for educational and community needs. As a result, starting from this year, Turin University will be operating the first service learning in Italy.
Responding to global shifts in social work through the language of service user and service user involvement
Authors: Heffernan Kristin
Published: November 2008

‘Service user’ advisory representation is required by law and/or regulation in British social, health and educational programmes. This is similar to client counsels or consumer groups in the USA, which are required in some, but not all, US social service sectors. Often users of welfare services are excluded from citizenship – both formally and in terms of actual restraints on their citizenship rights. There remains uncertainty, however, about how best to identify and enable such individuals to participate in service user involvement without continued marginalisation. This study seeks to contribute to our emerging understanding of service user initiatives by exploring preferred terms of reference and service user involvement from the point of view of persons often categorised as service users by social policy, health and social care providers and academics, but who do not necessarily take part in self‐organised service user groups.
Barriers to girls' education in Mozambique at household and community levels: an exploratory study
Authors: Roby Jini L. , Lambert Missy Jean , Lambert Joseph
Published: November 2008

Although education of children is universally accepted as a leading mechanism of poverty eradication and social development, many developing nations continue to struggle in achieving gender parity in primary and secondary education. While Mozambique has recently accelerated its efforts to reduce this gap, girls are still enrolled and attending school at a much lower rate than boys. The present study explored the barriers to children's – especially girls' – education in central Mozambique, based on information on 738 children in two separate communities. Household, child, environmental, and social/cultural factors are examined in the context of global and regional data. The study found girls to be impacted more negatively by every correlating factor, including the lingering practice, in rural areas, of early marriage. Policy and research implications are discussed.
German family policy at the crossroads: analysing the impact of parental leave reform through simulation
Authors: Wüst Miriam
Published: November 2008

Comparative studies of welfare reforms encounter two problems. First, the counterfactual problem is that in the real world schemes and their reforms do not coexist simultaneously and are hard to compare. Second, the contextual problem derives from the absence of comparable measures for change. Microsimulation helps to overcome these problems. It compares policy options – actual reforms or reform plans – simultaneously and provides a comparable measure: the disposable income of model families. This article uses a type–case approach to investigate recent reforms of the German parental leave benefit. Simulation makes those reforms comparable over time and across countries. Results show that the profile of the German scheme is changing from ‘general family’ towards ‘dual‐earner’ support. Furthermore, the recent reforms make the German scheme converge towards the Swedish leave scheme. The recent reforms introduce a new concept of fairness and a focus on gender equality to German family policies.
Working time: implications for sickness absence and the work–family balance
Authors: Olsen Karen M. , Dahl Svenn‐Åge
Published: November 2008

Olsen KM, Dahl S‐Å. Working time: implications for sickness absence and the work–family balance Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 45–53 © 2008 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2008 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and the International Journal of Social Welfare.

The article analyses the impact of working time on two outcomes: sickness absence and the work–family balance. Working time is distinguished along two dimensions: irregular versus regular working hours and control versus no control over working time. There are three main findings. First, working irregular working hours with no control over time increased sickness absence, for men. Second, irregular hours, particularly with no flexibility, caused distress to the work–family balance, for both women and men. Third, flexibility in the work schedule when working regular hours had no effect on sickness absence nor on the work–family balance. This last finding may be explained by the institutional setting: employees in Norway already have substantial flexibility in, for instance, access to leave of absence. The findings suggest that increasing flexibility may benefit employees who work irregular hours.
PHOTOINHIBITION IN RED ALGAL SPECIES WITH DIFFERENT CAROTENOID PROFILES1
Authors: Schubert Nadine , García‐Mendoza Ernesto
Published: November 2008

Members of the Rhodophyta present different carotenoid profiles. In a majority of the species, lutein constitutes >50% of the total carotenoid content, while in other species, it is replaced by zeaxanthin or antheraxanthin. Given that carotenoids have specific roles in photoprotection, different carotenoid profiles of red algae species could be related to their capacity to cope with photoinhibitory stress. Therefore, in the present work, the sensitivity to light stress of red algal species with different carotenoid profiles was investigated. Photoinhibition of photosynthesis induced by high‐light stress and the subsequent recovery in dim‐light conditions was measured using maximal PSII quantum efficiency (Fv/Fm). The degree of decrease and recovery of Fv/Fm and their respective kinetics were related to the carotenoid profile of the species. Although no relationship between sensitivity to high‐light stress and the carotenoid profile was observed, there were clear carotenoid profile‐related differences in the decrease and recovery kinetics. In species with zeaxanthin or antheraxanthin as the major carotenoid, Fv/Fm reduction and recovery was principally associated with slowly activated and relaxed processes. In contrast, in species with lutein as the major carotenoid, rapidly activated processes appear to play a major role in the down‐regulation of photosynthesis during light‐stress conditions. In these species, the repair of D1 is also important during light‐stress conditions. This finding could imply differential expression of mechanisms involved in photoprotection in red algae that seems to be related to the carotenoid profile of the species.
COLONY SIZE OF PHAEOCYSTIS ANTARCTICA (PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE) AS INFLUENCED BY ZOOPLANKTON GRAZERS1
Authors: Tang Kam W. , Smith Jr. Walker O. , Elliott David T. , Shields Amy R.
Published: November 2008

The haptophyte Phaeocystis antarctica G. Karst. is a dominant phytoplankton species in the Ross Sea, Antarctica, and exists as solitary cells and mucilaginous colonies that differ by several orders of magnitude in size. Recent studies with Phaeocystis globosa suggest that colony formation and enlargement are defense mechanisms against small grazers. To test if a similar grazer‐induced morphological response exists in P. antarctica, we conducted incubation experiments during the austral summer using natural P. antarctica and zooplankton assemblages. Dialysis bags that allowed exchange of dissolved chemicals were used to separate P. antarctica and zooplankton during incubations. Geometric mean colony size decreased by 35% in the control, but increased by 30% in the presence of grazers (even without physical contact) over the 15 d incubation. The estimated colonial‐to‐solitary cell carbon ratio was significantly higher in the grazing treatment. These results suggest that P. antarctica colonies would grow larger in the presence of indigenous zooplankton and skew the carbon partitioning significantly toward the colonial phase. While these observations show that the colony size of P. antarctica was affected by a chemical signal related to grazers, the detailed nature and ecological significance of this signal remain unknown.
Mild Cognitive Impairment and Objective Instrumental Everyday Functioning: The Everyday Cognition Battery Memory Test
Authors: Allaire Jason C. , Gamaldo Alyssa , Ayotte Brian J. , Sims Regina , Whitfield Keith
Published: November 2008

OBJECTIVES: To examine the performance subjects with and without mild cognitive impairment (MCI) on an objective measure of everyday or real‐world memory and subjective items assessing competency within the same instrumental domains; to determine whether the Everyday Cognition Battery (ECB) can uniquely predict MCI status.

DESIGN: Cross‐sectional.

SETTING: Independent‐living sample of urban dwelling elders in Baltimore Maryland.

PARTICIPANTS: The sample consisted of 555 subjects ranging in age from 50 to 95 (mean 68.8 ± 9.6).

MEASUREMENTS: Objective performance in three instrumental domains (medication use, financial management, nutrition and food preparation) was assessed using the ECB Memory Test. Subjective performance within the same instrumental domains was also assessed.

RESULTS: No difference was found between elderly subjects with and without MCI on the subjective items of instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) competency. A significant multivariate effect for cognitive status group (F3, 507=21.88, P<.05, η2=.12) was observed for the objective measure, with participants with MCI performing, on average, significantly worse than those without on all thee instrumental domain subscales. The medicine use (odds ratio (OR)=0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.94–0.99) and financial management (OR=0.93, 95% CI=0.91–0.96) subscales of the ECB Memory Test were unique and significant predictors of MCI.

CONCLUSION: This study adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that cognitively complex IADLs might be compromised in elderly people with MCI. Moreover, the ECB Memory Test might be a clinically useful tool in evaluating real‐world competency.
Collagen‐elastic tissue changes and vascular involvement in granuloma annulare: a review of 35 cases
Authors: Güneş Pembegül , Göktay Fatih , Mansur A. Tülin , Köker Filiz , Erfan Gamze
Published: November 2008

Background:  The pathogenesis of granuloma annulare (GA) is unclear. Collagen fiber degeneration is commonly reported, and there are several conflicting studies on elastic fiber and vascular changes associated with GA. In this study, we aimed to evaluate histopathologic characteristics, collagen and elastic tissue changes and vascular changes in GA.

Methods:  Clinical records of 35 GA patients were examined alongside serial sections of 38 biopsy specimens from these patients. New sections of biopsy tissue were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Verhoeff‐van Gieson or Alcian blue and then evaluated.

Results:  Four different histopathologic patterns were observed: interstitial (57.9%), palisadic granulomatous (26.3%), sarcoidal granulomatous (5.3%) and mixed (10.5%). Dermal mucin deposition was determined in 84.2% of specimens. Solar elastosis was observed in only seven specimens, and elastophagocytosis was observed in only two specimens. Collagen and elastic tissue damages were consistent findings in all biopsy specimens. Fibrin thrombi and vasculitic changes were not found in any of the specimens from this patient group.

Conclusions:  Elastic and collagen fiber damage are the main accompanying features of GA, which may develop from delayed‐type hypersensitivity. Vasculitis does not appear to be a major causative process. Sun exposure also seems to have no major effect on the formation of GA but can be one of the stimulants or predisposing factors.
The Effect of Aromatase Inhibitors on Bone Metabolism
Authors: Folkestad Lars , Bjarnason Nina H. , Bjerregaard Jon Kroll , Brixen Kim
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  Aromatase inhibitors increase the disease‐free survival in patients with receptor‐positive breast cancer. Aromatase is a cytochrome P450 enzyme complex catalysing the conversion of androgens to oestrogens. These properties cause a significant increase in bone loss. In this MiniReview, we present data from the aromatase inhibitor studies and the studies designed to investigate aromatase inhibitor effect on bone metabolism. At the cellular level, oestrogen has profound effects on both osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Oestrogen decreases the osteoblastic production of resorptive cytokines and simultaneously increases the production of antireceptive cytokines, which leads to increased osteoclastic apoptosis and increased osteoblastic activity. Aromatase inhibitors inhibit the endogenous production of oestrogen by 50–90%. Studies designed to look at the effect of aromatase inhibitors on bone mineral density have shown a significant decrease in bone mineral density of the femoral neck in the aromatase inhibitor groups compared to placebo groups. Placebo‐controlled studies lack statistical power to detect changes in fracture incidence; however, aromatase inhibitors increase the incidence of fractures in comparison with tamoxifen. We conclude that treatment with aromatase inhibitors leads to an increased bone loss and thus an increase in the risk of fractures in women with breast cancer.
Comparison of laboratory detection methods of aspirin resistance in coronary artery disease patients
Authors: KIM K. E. , WOO K. S. , GOH R. Y. , QUAN M. L. , CHA K. S. , KIM M. H. , HAN J. Y.
Published: November 2008

Aspirin reduces the prevalence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, stroke, and death by 25.0% in high risk group of patients with cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have estimated that about 5.5–56.8% of the population are aspirin resistant. The mechanisms of aspirin resistance (AR) have not been fully understood. We compared the detection methods for AR using traditional platelet aggregometry and VerifyNow system. One hundred and seventy‐two coronary artery disease patients who had taken aspirin only or combinations with aspirin and clopidogrel for over 7 days were included. Of the 55 patients with aspirin only, aggregometer detected six AR (10.9%) and VerifyNow identified 10 AR (18.2%) cases. Among 117 patients with combined therapy, none (0.0%) and 10 (8.5%) of AR were detected by aggregometer and VerifyNow, respectively. There were six (3.4%) patients of AR defined by both methods and they all received aspirin monotherapy. Although the correlation between the aggregometry and VerifyNow was low, with defined criteria both methods gave 91.9% agreement to find AR. VerifyNow showed a higher sensitivity to detect AR. Further studies are required to biologically define AR and to alter therapy based on platelet function tests.
The Role of Water Doctrines in Enhancing Opportunities for Sustainable Agriculture in Alabama1
Authors: Marcus Richard R. , Kiebzak Stephen
Published: November 2008

Abstract:  Alabama is a water rich state. Yet, agriculture is limited in both scale and productivity and the state regularly suffers from drought. Climate variability adds to this paradox even while water users, particularly farmers, have few coping mechanisms. In this paper, we argue that more significant than the water resource itself in Alabama is the governance structure of that resource. The riparian doctrine, as it stands, stymies effective management. The role of water doctrines, and resultant policy, is, therefore, crucial to enhancing decision‐making opportunities for agricultural end‐users in Alabama. After exploring different doctrine types as applied across the states we conclude that a move towards “regulated riparianism” consistent with the American Society of Civil Engineers Regulated Riparian Water Code (2004) would enhance opportunities for both the state and agriculturalists to cope with variable water supply conditions while maximizing environmental benefits. The paper then concludes with a review of the primary objectives of the Water Code and key places where Alabama’s Water Code would need revision to meet these objectives.
Beta diversity of plant–insect food webs in tropical forests: a conceptual framework
Authors: NOVOTNY VOJTECH
Published: November 2008

Abstract. 

Beta diversity of plant–herbivore food webs, defined as turnover of trophic interactions between the food webs, represents a potentially useful extension of traditional studies of plant and herbivore beta diversity as it integrates spatial turnover of plant and herbivore species with changes in herbivore host plant preferences.

Beta diversity of plant–herbivore food webs can be partitioned into four components, corresponding to the turnover of plant–herbivore interactions due to change in (i) both plant and herbivore species, (ii) plant, but not herbivore, species, (iii) herbivore, but not plant, species, and (iv) herbivore host preferences between food webs. These components can be quantified using a range of existing beta diversity indices.

Relative magnitude of plant and herbivore beta diversity of plant–herbivore food webs can be analysed as an outcome of herbivore (i) host specificity, (ii) ability to track host plant populations by dispersal, and (iii) response to environmental conditions, competitors and enemies. The relative importance of these factors in tropical ecosystems remains to be determined.
Acoustical scattering by radially stratified scatterers
Authors: Cai Liang-Wu , Sánchez-Dehesa José
Published: November 2008

A recursive solution procedure is developed to analyze the acoustical scattering by multilayer concentric circular cylindrical scatterers. The procedure is based on multiple scattering in the single-scatterer methodology originally proposed by one of the authors. The solution for a scatterer having an arbitrary number of layers is solved by recursively using the solution for a dual-layer scatterer. The solution procedure and its implementation are extensively validated. Computational characteristics, including potential pitfalls and their avoidance, are explored. The solution procedure can be used to analyze scatterers with continuously varying properties in the radial direction by approximating such a scatterer as a multilayer system. A comprehensive numerical example shows an interesting phenomenon: when a planar wave impinges onto a cooling tube in air, instead of forming a shadow zone, a strongly collimated beam is formed behind the cooling tube. This phenomenon can be explained as due to the gradient-index acoustical lens that is created around the cooling tube, which bends the sound and collimates it in the forward direction.
Transient evoked otoacoustic emission latency and estimates of cochlear tuning in preterm neonates
Authors: Moleti Arturo , Sisto Renata , Paglialonga Alessia , Sibella Federica , Anteunis Lucien , Parazzini Marta , Tognola Gabriella
Published: November 2008

The latency of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions has been evaluated in a sample of 58 ears from 34 preterm neonates, to understand if the estimates of cochlear tuning based on the otoacoustic emission latency show signs of developmental changes. A previous study on the same otoacoustic emissions analyzed here [Tognola et al. (2005). “Cochlear maturation and otoacoustic emissions in preterm infants: A time-frequency approach,” Hear. Res., 199, 71–80] reported indeed a significant change in the otoacoustic emission latency with postconception age. This last result, which would imply a significant decrease of tuning, was partially biased by the presence of spontaneous emissions. In this study, the same neonate data are reanalyzed using a novel time-frequency algorithm, less sensitive to spontaneous emissions. Asymmetry between right and left ears has been found, with the left ears showing no significant change, whereas in the right ears and in the 1.5–2.5kHz frequency range only, a slow decrease of latency with postconception age (0.1–0.2ms∕week) was observed. The correspondent tuning estimates based on latency decrease by 0.4–0.5∕week. Significant differences between neonate and adult latency were confirmed, which could be either cochlear or middle ear in nature. These findings are compared to previous studies on distortion product suppression tuning curves in preterm neonates.
Signal denoising and ultrasonic flaw detection via overcomplete and sparse representations
Authors: Zhang Guang-Ming , Harvey David M. , Braden Derek R.
Published: November 2008

Sparse signal representations from overcomplete dictionaries are the most recent technique in the signal processing community. Applications of this technique extend into many fields. In this paper, this technique is utilized to cope with ultrasonic flaw detection and noise suppression problem. In particular, a noisy ultrasonic signal is decomposed into sparse representations using a sparse Bayesian learning algorithm and an overcomplete dictionary customized from a Gabor dictionary by incorporating some a priori information of the transducer used. Nonlinear postprocessing including thresholding and pruning is then applied to the decomposed coefficients to reduce the noise contribution and extract the flaw information. Because of the high compact essence of sparse representations, flaw echoes are packed into a few significant coefficients, and noise energy is likely scattered all over the dictionary atoms, generating insignificant coefficients. This property greatly increases the efficiency of the pruning and thresholding operations and is extremely useful for detecting flaw echoes embedded in background noise. The performance of the proposed approach is verified experimentally and compared with the wavelet transform signal processor. Experimental results to detect ultrasonic flaw echoes contaminated by white Gaussian additive noise or correlated noise are presented in the paper.
On the exponent in the power law for the attenuation at low frequencies in sandy sediments
Authors: Carey William M. , Pierce Allan D. , Evans Richard E. , Holmes Jason D.
Published: November 2008

Shallow water transmission loss measurements yield intrinsic attenuation estimates for acoustic waves in the underlying sediment, with results that are consistent with attenuation being proportional to frequency raised to a power n, with n between 1.6 and 1.87. Plausible theory suggests that n should be identically 2. The discrepancy can be explained because the inverse analysis inferences were made with the neglect of an additional attenuation mechanism where generated lower velocity shear waves carry energy downwards out of the waveguide. The shear wave effect has a weaker dependence on frequency than the intrinsic attenuation, so the apparent exponent is shifted downward.
Spectral attenuation of sound in dilute suspensions with nonlinear particle relaxation
Authors: Kandula Max
Published: November 2008

Previous studies on the sound attenuation in particle-laden flows under Stokesian drag and conduction-controlled heat transfer have been extended to accommodate the nonlinear drag and heat transfer. It has been shown that for large particle-to-fluid density ratio, the particle Reynolds number bears a cubic relationship with ωτd (where ω is the circular frequency and τd is the Stokesian particle relaxation time). This dependence leads to the existence of a peak value in the linear absorption coefficient occurring at a finite value of ωτd. Comparison of the predictions with the test data for the spectral attenuation of sound with water injection in a perfectly expanded supersonic air jet shows a satisfactory trend of the theory accounting for nonlinear particle relaxation processes.