bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bt‐maize as a potential trap crop for management of Eldana saccharina Walker (Lep., Pyralidae) in sugarcane
Authors: Keeping M. G. , Rutherford R. S. , Conlong D. E.
Published: February 2007

Abstract:  Notwithstanding the introduction of several pest management tactics, the stalk borer Eldana saccharina Walker (Lep., Pyralidae) remains the most serious pest in South African sugarcane. A novel tactic for managing this pest in sugarcane would be the use of a dead‐end trap crop that attracts moths for oviposition and curtails subsequent larval development, thereby reducing pest population size. Glasshouse bioassays, in which moths chose to oviposit on maize producing Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ab toxin (Bt‐maize), non‐Bt‐maize or sugarcane of two cultivars (borer‐resistant and ‐susceptible), showed that E. saccharina laid significantly more eggs and egg batches per dry leaf and unit mass of dry leaf on maize (Bt or non‐Bt) than on either of the cane cultivars. When moths had a choice of ovipositing on 2‐, 3‐, 4‐ or 5‐month‐old maize (Bt and non‐Bt), dry leaf number and mass of dry leaf material was significantly correlated with number of eggs and egg batches, indicating that older plants, which carried larger amounts of dry leaf matter, were more attractive for oviposition. Finally, glasshouse assays in which hatching larvae fed on 2.5‐, 3.5‐ and 4.5‐month‐old Bt and non‐Bt‐maize plants, showed that the Cry1Ab toxin was effective in killing E. saccharina larvae in all Bt‐maize plant growth stages, confirming that Bt‐maize fulfilled the third requirement (curtailing larval development) of a dead‐end trap crop for this pest. We argue that Bt‐maize warrants further testing in the field as a trap crop, both alone and as a component of a ‘push–pull’ or habitat management system for E. saccharina in sugarcane.
From an initial transient‐state to a steady‐state in metamorphic reactions: An experimental approach in the system dolomite‐quartz‐H2O
Authors: Nishiyama Tadao , Tominaga Aiko , Isobe Hiroshi
Published: February 2007

Abstract  We carried out hydrothermal experiments in the system dolomite‐quartz‐H2O to track the temporal change in reaction rates of simultaneous reactions during the development of reaction zones. Two types of configurations for the starting materials were prepared: dolomite single crystals + quartz powder + water and quartz single crystals + dolomite powder + water, both sealed separately in gold capsules. Runs at 0.1GPa and 600°C with cold seal pressure vessels gave the following results. (i) In short duration (45–71 h) runs metastable layer sequences involving wollastonite and talc occur in the reaction zone, whereas they disappear in longer duration (168–336 h) runs. (ii) The layer sequence of the reaction zones in short duration runs differs from place to place on the dolomite crystal even in the same run. (iii) The diversity of layer sequences in the short duration runs merges into a unique layer sequence in the longer duration runs. (iv) The reaction zone develops locally on the dolomite crystal, but no reaction zone was observed on the quartz crystal in any of the runs. The lines of evidence (i)–(iii) show that the system evolves from an initial transient‐ to a steady‐state and that the kinetic effect is important in the development of reaction zones. A steady diffusion model for the unique layer sequence Qtz/Di/Fo + Cal/Dol + Cal/Dol shows that the Dol + Cal layer cannot be formed by diffusion‐controlled process and that the stability of the layer sequence Qtz/Di/Fo + Cal/Dol depends not only on L‐ratios (a = /LCaOCaO and b = /LMgOMgO) but also on the relative rate P = (−2ξ1 − ξ2)/(–ξ1 − 2ξ2) of competing reactions: Dol + 2Qtz = Di + 2CO2 (ξ1) and 2Dol + Qtz = Fo + 2Cal + 2CO2 (ξ2). For smaller P the stability field will shift to higher values of a and b. The steady diffusion model also shows that the apparent‐non‐reactivity on the quartz surface can be attributed to void formation in a large volume fraction in the diopside layer.
Chemical mass balance in a reaction zone between serpentinite and metapelites in the Nishisonogi metamorphic rocks, Kyushu, Japan: Implications for devolatilization
Authors: Mori Yasushi , Nishiyama Tadao , Yanagi Takeru
Published: February 2007

Abstract  Reaction zones of 0.5–10.0 m thick are commonly observed between serpentinite and pelitic schist in the Nishisonogi metamorphic rocks, Kyushu, Japan. Each reaction zone consists of almost monomineralic or bimineralic layers of talc + carbonates, actinolite (or carbonates + quartz), chlorite, muscovite and albite from serpentinite to pelitic schist. Magnesite + quartz veins extend into the serpentinite from the talc + carbonates layer, while dolomite veins extend into the pelitic schist from the muscovite layer. These veins are filled by subhedral minerals with oriented growth features. Primary fluid inclusions yield the same homogenization temperatures (145–150°C) both in the reaction zone and in the veins, suggesting their simultaneous formation. Mass‐balance calculations using the isocon method indicate that SiO2, MgO, H2O and K2O are depleted in the reaction zone relative to the protoliths. These components were probably extracted from the reaction zone as fluids during the formation of the reaction zone.
Trace element compositions of jadeite (+omphacite) in jadeitites from the Itoigawa‐Ohmi district, Japan: Implications for fluid processes in subduction zones
Authors: Morishita Tomoaki , Arai Shoji , Ishida Yoshito
Published: February 2007

Abstract  Trace‐element compositions of jadeite (±omphacite) in jadeitites from the Itoigawa‐Ohmi district of Japan, analyzed by a laser‐ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique showed chemical zoning within individual grains and variations within each sample and between different samples. Primitive mantle‐normalized patterns of jadeite in the samples generally showed high large‐ion lithophile element contents, high light rare earth element/heavy rare earth element ratios and positive anomalies of high field strength elements. The studied jadeitites have no signatures of the protolith texture or mineralogy. Shapes and distributions of minerals coupled with chemical zoning within grains suggest that the jadeitites were formed by direct precipitation of minerals from aqueous fluids or complete metasomatic modification of the precursor rocks by fluids. In either case, the geochemical characteristics of jadeite are highly affected by fluids enriched in both large‐ion lithophile elements and high field strength elements. The specific fluids responsible for the formation of jadeitites are related to serpentinization by slab‐derived fluids in subduction zones. This process is followed by dissolving high field strength elements in the subducting crust as the fluids continue to circulate into the subducting crusts and serpentinized peridotites. The fluids have variations in chemical compositions corresponding to various degrees of water–rock interactions.
Tectono‐metamorphic evolution of the Cretaceous Shimanto accretionary complex, central Japan: Constraints from a fluid inclusion analysis of syn‐tectonic veins
Authors: Hara Hidetoshi , Hisada Ken‐Ichiro
Published: February 2007

Abstract  Micro‐thermometry of water‐rich fluid inclusions from two syn‐tectonic veins sets (D1 and D2 veins) in the Otaki Group, part of the Cretaceous Shimanto accretionary complex of the Kanto Mountains, central Japan reveals the following tectono‐metamorphic evolution. Combining the results of microthermometric analyses of fluid inclusions from D1 veins with an assumed geothermal gradient of 20–50°C/km indicates that the temperature and fluid pressure conditions during D1 were 270–300°C and 140–190 MPa, respectively. Peak metamorphic conditions during the development of D2 slaty cleavage involved temperatures in excess of 300°C and fluid pressures greater than 270 MPa, based on analyses of microthermometry of water‐rich fluid inclusions from the D2 vein and illite crystallinity. The estimated fluid pressure increased by approximately 80 MPa from D1 accretionary processes to metamorphism and slaty cleavage development during D2. Assuming that fluid pressure reached lithostatic pressure, the observed increase in fluid pressure can be accounted for by thrusting of the Jurassic Chichibu accretionary complex over the Cretaceous Shimanto accretionary complex. Following thrusting, both accretionary complexes were subjected to metamorphism during the latest Cretaceous.
Tectono‐metamorphic history of the Tacagua ophiolitic unit (Cordillera de la Costa, northern Venezuela): Insights in the evolution of the southern margin of the Caribbean Plate
Authors: Ellero Alessandro , Malasoma Alessandro , Marroni Michele , Pandolfi Luca , Urbani Franco
Published: February 2007

Abstract  The southern margin of the Caribbean Plate is well exposed in the Cordillera de la Costa of northern Venezuela, where amalgamated terranes consisting of continental and oceanic units occur. In the Cordillera de la Costa, metamorphosed oceanic units crop out along the coast near Caracas. Among them, the Tacagua unit is characterized by metaserpentinites and metabasites showing mid‐oceanic ridge basalt geochemical affinity. These lithologies, representative of a disrupted ophiolite sequence, are associated with metasediments consisting of calcschists alternating with pelitic and psammitic schists, whose protoliths were probably represented by deep‐sea hemipelagic and turbiditic deposits. In the Tacagua unit, a polyphase deformation history has been reconstructed, consisting of four folding phases from D1 to D4. Geological setting suggests an involvement of the Tacagua unit in the processes connected with a subduction zone. The following deformations (from D2 to D4) observed in the field might be related to the exhumation history of the Tacagua unit. The late deformation history consists of an alternation of deformation phases characterized by displacement parallel (D2 and D4 phases) and normal (D3 phase) to plate boundary between the Caribbean and South America Plates. All lines of geological evidence suggest that the whole evolution of the Tacagua unit was acquired in a setting dominated by oblique convergence, in which alternation of strike‐slip and pure compressional or pure extensional tectonics occurred through time.
Discovery of Jurassic ammonoids from the Shyok suture zone to the northeast of Chang La Pass, Ladakh, northwest India and its tectonic significance
Authors: Ehiro Masayuki , Kojima Satoru , Sato Tadashi , Ahmad Talat , Ohtani Tomoyuki
Published: February 2007

Abstract Callovian (late Middle Jurassic) ammonoidsMacrocephalitesandJeanneticeraswere recovered from the Shyok suture zone, northeast of Chang La Pass, Ladakh, northwest India. They are the first reliable Jurassic fossils and the oldest chronologic data from the Shyok suture zone. The ammonoid‐bearing Jurassic strata, newly defined as the Tsoltak Formation, consist largely of terrigenous mudstone with thin sandstone beds and were probably a part of the continental basement to the Cretaceous Ladakh Arc.
Geochemistry and origin of Archean volcanic rocks from the Upper Keewatin assemblage (ca 2.7 Ga), Lake of the Woods Greenstone Belt, Western Wabigoon Subprovince, Superior Province, Canada
Authors: Ujike Osamu , Goodwin Alan M. , Shibata Tomoyuki
Published: February 2007

Abstract  Volcanic rocks from the Upper Keewatin assemblage (ca 2720 Ma) were geochemically classified into five groups; komatiites, tholeiitic rocks having near‐flat primitive mantle‐normalized abundance patterns, Nb‐enriched basalts and andesites (NEBA) plus normal calc‐alkaline (NCA) rocks, adakites and shoshonites. The adakites having [La/Yb]N >30 and <30 were probably derived from felsic magmas formed by partial melting of a subducted slab at relatively greater and smaller depths, respectively. Ascending adakite magmas, by interaction with the overlying mantle wedge, decreased in Al2O3 / Y ratio and selectively lost high‐field strength elements, thereby forming mantle sources for both NEBA + NCA and shoshonite magmas. Under the influence of a mantle plume, the source of komatiites, the NEBA + NCA magmas were generated from that part of the mantle wedge metasomatized by adakite magmas having [La / Yb]N <30, and tholeiitic magmas from unmetasomatized part of the same mantle wedge. Magmas of both adakites having [La / Yb]N >30 and shoshonites were generated in a normal Archean Arc system setting.
Sudden death of a young woman due to aortic dissection caused by Turner's syndrome
Authors: Mimasaka Sohtaro , Ohtsu Yuki , Tsunenari Shigeyuki , Matsukawa Akihiro , Hashiyada Masaki , Takahashi Shirushi , Funayama Masato
Published: February 2007

A 24‐year‐old woman was found dead in her bed. There had been an episode of fainting with cervicodynia 1 day before death but no significant past medical history, except for menstrual irregularities. Post‐mortem examination revealed that death was due to hemopericardium caused by rupture of the ascending aorta by thoracic aortic dissection (Stanford type A). Microscopically, weakness of the aorta was due to cystic medial necrosis. On external examination, short stature, a short neck and multiple pigmented nevi were observed, while internal examination revealed coarctation of the aorta and funicular ovaries. Examination of the X chromatin showed a decrease in numbers of Barr bodies in the tissues, and a 45,X/46,XX mosaicism was suspected. It is concluded that the cause of death was aortic dissection due to Turner's syndrome.
Evaluation of atherosclerosis‐associated factors and pulse wave velocity for predicting cerebral infarction: a hospital‐based, case–control study in Japan
Authors: Yokokawa H. , Goto A. , Watanabe K. , Yasumura S.
Published: February 2007

Background: The mortality rate for cerebrovascular diseases is much higher in Japan than in North American and West European countries. The primary aim of this study was to elucidate from an epidemiological perspective, the associations between cerebral infarction and demographic factors, medical history and other clinical measurements including pulse wave velocity, a newly introduced non‐invasive measurement procedure used to assess aortic stiffness.

Methods: This was a hospital‐based, matched case–control study in northern Japan where there is a high incidence of cerebrovascular disease. The study group consisted of 92 matched pairs of cerebral infarction patients (cases) and healthy individuals admitted for a thorough health check‐up (controls) at the Southern Tohoku General Hospital in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. A conditional logistic regression model was used in the statistical analysis.

Results: In univariate analyses, 14 variables were significantly associated with cerebral infarction, of which four remained significant in the final multivariate model. These were family history of hypertension (odds ratio (OR) = 8.61), cerebrovascular diseases (OR = 13.70), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol of 40 mg/dL or higher (OR = 0.08), and pulse wave velocity over 1600 cm/s (OR = 2.92).

Conclusion: Findings from the study indicate that a high pulse wave velocity, in addition to other traditional risk factors, may be associated with a higher risk of cerebral infarction. Further prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the use of this measure as a predictor of the disease.
Radiotherapy for low‐grade gastric marginal zone lymphoma: a retrospective study
Authors: Lin M.‐L. , Wirth A. , Chao M. , Milner A. D. , DiIulio J. , MacManus M. , Seymour J. F.
Published: February 2007

Background: We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy (RT) in patients with low‐grade gastric marginal zone lymphoma.

Methods: A retrospective review of consecutive cases of gastric marginal zone lymphoma treated by radical RT at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Radiation Oncology Victoria between January 1980 and September 2003 was carried out.

Results: Eighteen patients (11 men and 7 women) were identified. The median age at commencement of RT was 65 years (range 42–84 years). Prior treatment included Helicobacter pylori eradication in 12 patients, chemotherapy in 7 and surgery in 2, whereas 2 patients had no prior therapy. The median time to progression after commencement of last treatment before RT was 4.8 months (range 0–129.4 months). The radiation fields included the stomach plus perigastric and coeliac nodes in 15 patients (83%), stomach plus spleen in 2 patients (11%) and stomach plus para‐aortic nodes in 1 patient (6%). The median RT dose was 30 Gy (range 30–36 Gy) in a median 20 fractions (range 17–24 fractions). One patient required treatment interruption for acute toxicity. A complete response on post‐RT biopsies was achieved in 17 of 18 patients (94%). With a median follow up of 4.5 years after RT, 3 of these 17 patients (18%) have had a recurrence. At the last follow up, 11 patients were alive in continuous complete histological remission. No late renal toxicity was identified.

Conclusion: Radiotherapy is an effective, well‐tolerated treatment for patients with low‐grade gastric marginal zone lymphoma, including those who have had prior therapy.
Risk factors for symptomatic hyponatraemia: the role of pre‐existing asymptomatic hyponatraemia
Authors: Bissram M. , Scott F. D. , Liu L. , Rosner M. H.
Published: February 2007

Background: Hyponatraemia is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Identification of the risk factors associated with the development of symptomatic hyponatraemia is important in determining preventive strategies.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of the risks factors associated with the development of severe, symptomatic hyponatraemia requiring hospital admission over the past 3 years at our institution was carried out.

Results: Forty‐seven patients (26 women, 21 men) with a hospital admission serum sodium <134 mmol/L were identified. Of these patients, 31 (65.9%) had associated changes in the mental status that improved with the treatment of the hyponatraemia suggesting causality. The average admission sodium level of this cohort was 118.8 mmol/L. Symptomatic hyponatraemia was associated with volume depletion (32.6%), congestive heart failure (26%), syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (26%), thiazide diuretic use (26%) and selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitor use (26%). In 21.7% of cases, the cause was multifactorial (congestive heart failure, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone or medication use with volume depletion). In 11% of cases, patients were taking both thiazide diuretics and serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors. Most importantly, 70.9% of all patients admitted with symptomatic hyponatraemia had pre‐existing hyponatraemia that was untreated and believed to be asymptomatic (P < 0.05). This was the most common risk factor identified. We next investigated the prevalence of presumed asymptomatic hyponatraemia in the outpatient setting. Out of 27 496 patients analysed, 14% had serum sodium levels less than or equal to 134 mEq/L and 4% had values less than 130 mEq/L.

Conclusion: Pre‐existing asymptomatic hyponatraemia is a common finding and is associated with a high risk for the development of worsening hyponatraemia with altered mental status.
Prognostic value of B‐type natriuretic peptide in patients with chronic and advanced heart failure
Authors: Sun T. , Wang L. , Zhang Y.
Published: February 2007

Background:  An increase in circulating B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is associated with a poor outcome in patients with acute heart failure. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of BNP levels in patients with chronic and advanced heart failure.

Methods:  Fifty patients with New York Heart Association functional classes III and IV were enrolled in the study. Their blood BNP levels at admission were measured and patients were on follow up for 12 ± 2 months.

Results:  There was no significant correlation between BNP levels on admission and left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.12, P > 0.05). Twelve patients (24%) died during the follow up. BNP levels were lower in patients who died (501 ± 72 vs 877 ± 89 ng/L, P < 0.01). The logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that lower BNP level (<520 ng/L) on admission was an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality in these patients (odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.06–2.32, P < 0.01).

Conclusion:  We conclude that patients with chronic and advanced heart failure have a lower circulating BNP level than those who survive. The paradoxically low BNP level is an adverse prognostic marker in advanced heart failure.
Critical review of the management of early‐stage breast cancer in elderly women
Authors: Passage K. J. , McCarthy N. J.
Published: February 2007

The treatment of elderly women (≥70 years) with early‐stage breast cancer is an emerging clinical problem in the setting of an ageing population. There is a lack of clinical trial evidence to formulate clinical guidelines for management because of the small number of elderly women included in previous clinical trials of adjuvant therapy. This often results in elderly patients being denied standard management based on age alone. The often‐complex interaction between age, comorbid conditions and function complicate the planning and outcomes of surgery and can have an effect on the delivery of postoperative adjuvant therapy. A comprehensive assessment of the elderly patient is essential to determine overall prognosis and morbidity risk from treatments; however, a simple comorbidity scale for use in routine clinical practice remains elusive. Thus, treatment decisions should be tailored to the individual to ensure that therapies are not unduly withheld and are appropriate for the patient’s overall condition. The assessment of the elderly patient with breast cancer requires the involvement of a multidisciplinary team. The evidence for efficacy, safety and potential risks of surgery and adjuvant therapies (including radiotherapy, hormone therapy and chemotherapy) in the elderly population is discussed in this review and the role of comprehensive geriatric assessment is outlined.
Functionally Compatible Local Characteristics for the Local Specification of Priors in Graphical Models
Authors: ASCI CLAUDIO , PICCIONI MAURO
Published: February 2007

Abstract. The local specification of priors in non‐decomposable graphical models does not necessarily yield a proper joint prior for all the parameters of the model. Using results concerning general exponential families with cuts, we derive specific results for the multivariate Gamma distribution (conjugate prior for Poisson counts) and the Wishart distribution (conjugate prior for Gaussian models). These results link the existence of a locally specified joint prior to the solvability of a related marginal problem over the cliques of the graph.
THE SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY AND THE RHETORIC OF EXCESS
Authors: Stout Jeffrey
Published: February 2007

If militarism violates the ideals of liberty and justice in one way, and rapidly increasing social stratification violates them in another, then American democracy is in crisis. A culture of democratic accountability will survive only if citizens revive the concerns that animated the great reform movements of the past, from abolitionism to civil rights. It is crucial, when reasoning about practical matters, not only to admit how grave one's situation is, but also to resist despair. Therefore, the fate of democracy depends, to some significant degree, on how we choose to describe the crisis. Saying that we have already entered the new dark ages or a post‐democratic era may prove to be a self‐fulfilling prophecy, because anyone who accepts this message is apt to give up on the hard work of organizing and contestation that is needed to hold political representatives accountable to the people. This paper asks how one might strike the right balance between accuracy and hope in describing the democracy's current troubles. After saying what I mean by democracy and what I think the current threats to it are, I respond to Romand Coles's criticisms of reservations I have expressed before about rhetorical excess in the works of Stanley Hauerwas, Alasdair MacIntyre, and Richard Rorty. This leads to a discussion of several points raised against me by Hauerwas. A digression offers some of my reasons for doubting that John Howard Yoder's biblical scholarship vindicates Hauerwas's version of pacifism. The paper concludes by arguing that Sheldon Wolin's work on the evisceration of democracy, though admirably accurate in its treatment of the dangers posed by empire and capital, abandons the project of democratic accountability too quickly in favor of the romance of the fugitive.
TRANSCENDENTAL GUILT: On an Emotional Condition of Moral Experience
Authors: Pihlström Sami
Published: February 2007

This article considers a central ethically relevant interpersonal emotion, guilt. It is argued that guilt, as an irreducible moral category, has a constitutive role to play in our ways of conceptualizing our relations to other people. Without experiencing guilt, or being able to do so, we would not be capable of employing the moral concepts and judgments we do employ. Elaborating on this argument, the paper deals with what may be described as the “metaphysics of guilt.” More generally, it is suggested, through a case study on the concept of guilt, that a moral theory avoiding naïve emotivism yet emphasizing the role of emotions in morality can and should pay attention to the transcendental status of emotions such as guilt—emotions constitutive of our concept of moral seriousness. Instead of psychologizing moral emotions, the paper employs Raimond Gaita's Wittgenstein‐inspired way of examining the place of the concepts of guilt and remorse in our ethical language‐use. Finally, some methodological remarks on the possibility of transcendental reflection in moral philosophy are presented. While it is not necessary to commit oneself to any specific religious tradition in order to emphasize the constitutive role of guilt in the way suggested in the paper, it turns out that the moral depth of this concept requires that one is at least open to religiously relevant ways of using moral language. In the fundamental metaphysical sense examined in the paper, guilt is a concept whose home language‐game is religious rather than secular ethics.
AQUINAS'S ARGUMENT AGAINST SELF‐HATRED
Authors: Green Keith
Published: February 2007

Aquinas's argument against the possibility of genuine self‐hatred runs counter to modern intuitions about self‐hatred as an explanatorily central notion in psychology, and as an effect of alienation. Aquinas's argument does not deny that persons experience hatred for themselves. It can be read either as the claim that the self‐hater mistakes what she feels toward herself as hatred, or that, though she hates what she believes is her “self,” she actually hates only traits of herself. I argue that the argument fails on both readings. The first reading entails that all passions are really self‐love, and so is incompatible with Aquinas's own “cognitivist” view of what it is that distinguishes specific passions in experience. The second reading entails that persons have no phenomenal access to “self,” rendering self‐reference—how it is that the self can be an intentional object of conscious mental states—a mystery. Augustine's claim, which Aquinas accepts on authority, that all sin originates in inordinate self‐love seems to entail the impossibility of genuine self‐hatred because both thinkers fail to distinguish between two distinct forms of self‐love: amor concupiscentiae and amor benevolentiae.
AUGUSTINE AND THE LIMITS OF PREEMPTIVE AND PREVENTIVE WAR
Authors: Smith J. Warren
Published: February 2007

While Michael Walzer's distinction between preemptive and preventive wars offers important categories for current reflection upon the Bush Doctrine and the invasion of Iraq, it is often treated as a modern distinction without antecedent in the classical Christian just war tradition. This paper argues to the contrary that within Augustine's corpus there are passages in which he speaks about the use of violence in situations that we would classify today as preemptive and preventive military action. While I do not claim that Augustine makes an explicit distinction between the two types of war (such would be anachronistic), I will argue that based on examinations of De libero arbitrio I.v.11–12 and De civitate Dei I.30 Augustine's discussions of hypothetical cases or actual wars in history provide insights helpful for contemporary reflection on preemptive and preventive wars.
The relationship between attention, executive functions and reading domain abilities in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and reading disorder: a comparative study
Authors: Bental Barbara , Tirosh Emanuel
Published: February 2007

Background:  Co‐morbidity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and reading disorder (RD) is frequent. The objective of this investigation was to assess the potential uniqueness of co‐morbid ADHD + RD and extend existing findings to the Hebrew language.

Method:  A parallel group design with post‐hoc analysis of group differences was employed comparing four groups of children (19 ADHD, 17 RD, 27 ADHD + RD, and 23 controls) on reading measures, attention and executive functions (EF) as well as functions of phonemic awareness and rapid naming. Forward stepwise regressions were run in order to delineate significant relationships between phonemic awareness, rapid naming, attention and EF with outcome variables of reading.

Results:  The co‐morbid group shared the basic characteristic impairments in attention and executive functions with the pure ADHD group and in reading domain functions with the pure RD group. In addition, this group showed unique deficits in rapid naming and a more severe impairment in working memory. Forward stepwise regression pointed to associations between executive functions and word reading accuracy in children with ADHD, in contrast to associations between linguistic functions and word accuracy in non‐ADHD.

Conclusion:  The combination of cognitive deficits in the subgroup of children with both ADHD and RD and the relationship between accuracy in word decoding and executive functions shown for the ADHD groups point to a distinct clinical profile of the co‐morbid condition. Attention and EF should be considered in the diagnosis of RD and in the remediation protocol.
Which better predicts conduct problems? The relationship of trajectories of conduct problems with ODD and ADHD symptoms from childhood into adolescence
Authors: Van Lier Pol A.C. , Der Ende Jan van , Koot Hans M. , Verhulst Frank C.
Published: February 2007

Background:  To assess the co‐occurrence in deviant trajectories of parent‐rated symptoms of conduct disorder (CD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from age 4 to 18 years old in a general population sample of Dutch children.

Methods:  Developmental trajectories of CD, ODD, and ADHD were estimated in a sample of 1,016 males and 1,060 females. Children's disruptive problem behaviors were rated at 5 time‐points. The co‐occurrence patterns between the deviant CD trajectory, and the high ODD and high ADHD trajectory were studied for males and females separately.

Results:  Four percent of males and 2% of females followed a deviant CD trajectory. Six percent of the sample followed a high ODD trajectory, and 5% a high ADHD trajectory. Engagement in the deviant CD trajectory was predicted by ODD and ADHD in females, but only by ODD in males.

Conclusions:  Although ADHD co‐occurs with CD, the association between ADHD and CD is largely accounted for by accompanying ODD. Gender differences should be taken into account in understanding the onset of CD.
Children at family risk of dyslexia: a follow‐up in early adolescence
Authors: Snowling Margaret J. , Muter Valerie , Carroll Julia
Published: February 2007

Background:  This study is the follow‐up in early adolescence of children born to families with a history of dyslexia (Gallagher, Frith, & Snowling, 2000).

Methods:  Fifty young people with a family history of dyslexia and 20 young people from control families were assessed at 12–13 years on a battery of tests of literacy and language skills, and they completed questionnaires tapping self‐perception and print exposure. One parent from each family participated in an interview documenting family circumstances (including family literacy) and a range of environmental variables considered likely correlates of reading disability. They also rated their child's behavioural and emotional adjustment and their own health and well‐being. Parental literacy levels were also measured.

Results:  Forty‐two per cent of the ‘at‐risk’ sample had reading and spelling impairments. A significant proportion of the literacy‐impaired group were affected by behavioural and emotional difficulties, although they were not low in terms of global self‐esteem. The children in the at‐risk subgroup who did not fulfil criteria for literacy impairment showed weak orthographic skills in adolescence and their reading was not fluent. There were no differences in the literacy levels or activities of the parents of impaired and unimpaired at‐risk children, and no significant correlation between parent and child reading levels in the at‐risk group. The impaired group read less than the other groups, their reading difficulties impacted learning at school and there was evidence that they also had an impact on family life and maternal well‐being.

Conclusions:  The literacy difficulties of children at family‐risk of dyslexia were longstanding and there was no evidence of catch‐up in these skills between 8 and 13 years. The findings point to the role of gene–environment correlation in the determination of dyslexia.
Depressive symptoms in adolescents: associations with white matter volume and marijuana use
Authors: Medina Krista Lisdahl , Nagel Bonnie J. , Park Ann , McQueeny Tim , Tapert Susan F.
Published: February 2007

Background:  Depressed mood has been associated with decreased white matter and reduced hippocampal volumes. However, the relationship between brain structure and mood may be unique among adolescents who use marijuana heavily. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between white matter and hippocampal volumes and depressive symptoms among adolescent marijuana users and controls.

Methods:  Data were collected from marijuana users (n = 16) and demographically similar controls (n = 16) aged 16–18. Extensive exclusionary criteria included psychiatric and neurologic disorders, including major depression. Substance use, mood, and anatomical measures were collected after 28 days of monitored abstinence.

Results:  Marijuana (MJ) users demonstrated more depressive symptoms than controls (p < .05). MJ use (β = .42, p < .005) and smaller white matter volume (β = −.34, p < .03) each predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. MJ use interacted with white matter volume (β = −.55, p < .03) in predicting depression scores on the Beck Depression Inventory: among MJ users, but not controls, white matter volume was negatively associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions:  Marijuana use and white matter volume were additive and interactive in predicting depressive symptoms among adolescents. Subtle neurodevelopmental white matter abnormalities may disrupt the connections between areas involved in mood regulation.
Youth with psychopathy features are not a discrete class: a taxometric analysis
Authors: Murrie Daniel C. , Marcus David K. , Douglas Kevin S. , Lee Zina , Salekin Randall T. , Vincent Gina
Published: February 2007

Background:  Recently, researchers have sought to measure psychopathy‐like features among youth in hopes of identifying children who may be progressing toward a particularly destructive form of adult pathology. However, it remains unclear whether psychopathy‐like personality features among youth are best conceptualized as dimensional (distributed along a continuum) or taxonic (such that youth with psychopathic personality characteristics are qualitatively distinct from non‐psychopathic youth).

Methods:  This study applied taxometric analyses (MAMBAC, MAXEIG, and L‐Mode) to scores from two primary measures of youth psychopathy features: the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (N = 757) and the self‐report Antisocial Process Screening Device (N = 489) among delinquent boys.

Results:  All analyses supported a dimensional structure, indicating that psychopathy features among youth are best understood as existing along a continuum.

Conclusions:  Although youth clearly vary in the degree to which they manifest psychopathy‐like personality traits, there is no natural, discrete class of young ‘psychopaths.’ This finding has implications for developmental theory, treatment, assessment strategies, research, and clinical/forensic practice.
Genomic imprinting and the expression of affect in Angelman syndrome: what's in the smile?
Authors: Oliver Chris , Horsler Kate , Berg Katy , Bellamy Gail , Dick Katie , Griffiths Emily
Published: February 2007

Background:  Kinship theory (or the genomic conflict hypothesis) proposes that the phenotypic effects of genomic imprinting arise from conflict between paternally and maternally inherited alleles. A prediction arising for social behaviour from this theory is that imbalance in this conflict resulting from a deletion of a maternally imprinted gene, as in Angelman syndrome (AS), will result in a behavioural phenotype that should evidence behaviours that increase access to maternally provided social resources (adult contact).

Method:  Observation of the social behaviour of children with AS (n = 13), caused by a deletion at 15q11‐q13, and a matched comparison group (n = 10) was undertaken for four hours in a socially competitive setting and the effect of adult attention on child behaviours and the effect of child smiling on adult behaviours evaluated using group comparisons and observational lag sequential analyses.

Results:  The AS group smiled more than the comparison group in all settings, which had different levels of adult attention, and more when the level of adult attention was high. Smiling by children with AS evoked higher levels of adult attention, eye contact and smiling both than by chance and in comparison to other children and this effect was sustained for 30 s to 50 s. Smiling by children with AS was frequently preceded by child initiated contact toward the adult.

Discussion:  The results are consistent with a kinship theory explanation of the function of heightened levels of sociability and smiling in Angelman syndrome and provide support for an emotion signalling interpretation of the mechanism by which smiling accesses social resources. Further research on other behaviours characteristic of Angelman and Prader‐Willi syndromes warrant examination from this perspective.
Black bears in Southeast Alaska: the fate of two ancient lineages in the face of contemporary movement
Authors: Peacock E. , Peacock M. M. , Titus K.
Published: February 2007

Biodiversity across a landscape is a product of both historical events and ongoing contemporary forces. The past and present factors that influence black bear Ursus americanus diversity on the Alexander Archipelago and mainland of Southeast Alaska were investigated by assessing nuclear genetic variation. The natural fragmentation of the region, the high vagility of black bears and their possible recent post‐Pleistocene colonization to Southeast Alaska allowed us to discern between past and present forces characterizing diversity. Two known black bear lineages, estimated previously with mitochondrial DNA to have diverged 1.8 million years ago, remained evident in data from more rapidly evolving nuclear genetic markers. Two nuclear genetic clusters geographically correspond to the lineages, suggesting that contemporary movement since colonization (likely beginning 18 000 cybp) has not been sufficient to eliminate genetic differences between the highly divergent lineages. Concomitantly, the clearest pattern of genetic diversity is related to contemporary geographic patterns; contemporary geography differs from geography immediately after deglaciation due to sea‐level change. Narrow saltwater straits, expansive ice fields, narrow beach fringes and saltwater inland bays separate genetically distinct groupings of black bears.
Space use in a multi‐male group of the group‐living lizard
Authors: Effenberger E. , Mouton P. le F. N.
Published: February 2007

The aim of the study was to determine the space use of individuals in a multi‐male group of the armadillo lizard Cordylus cataphractus. Specific focus was on the adult males and females of the group, because, ultimately, the manner in which adult males and females utilize space determines the mating system. A two‐dimensional (2D) grid pattern was delineated at the crevice of a free‐living, multi‐male group to facilitate the recording of the positions of individuals during observations. All marked individuals (n=55) that were visible were scanned through a telescope, and their respective positions were recorded at 30‐min intervals over several days during the breeding season. Arcview 3.2 Geographical Information Software was used to create a computerized replicate of the 2D grid pattern at the crevice and to depict graphically the recorded positions for each individual using a minimum convex polygon procedure. From the polygons generated by this procedure, it was clear that the space use of adult males overlapped greatly with the space use of adult females, but that there was no overlap in space‐use among adult males. Space use overlapped greatly among subadults and juveniles and also among these size classes and adult males and females. Adult male C. cataphractus are territorial, defending specific sites at the crevice. The territory of each male in the group incorporated at least one female. The space use of several females overlapped with the space use of two or more males. Males were observed to mate with one or more females, and one female was observed to mate with two different males on more than one occasion. Cordylus cataphractus males display typical territorial polygyny whereas females may be promiscuous.
Mortality parameters of the wolf in Italy: does the wolf keep himself from the door?
Authors: Lovari S. , Sforzi A. , Scala C. , Fico R.
Published: February 2007

Information on population parameters is rarely collected from carcasses. This method can be particularly useful – with limitations – when protected species are involved (e.g. the grey wolf Canis lupus in Italy). Local data on population structure, reproduction, survivorship and causes of mortality are necessary to build reliable conservation models to assess the state of a population and to predict its evolution. On the other hand, ‘best guesses’ or data from ecologically different areas have often been used to build population viability analysis and other conservation‐oriented models. A sample of 154 wolf carcasses was found, collected and analysed from 1991 to 2001 in central‐eastern Italy, the historic core of the wolf distribution range. Collision with a vehicle was the main cause of death in both sexes; however, road kills may be biased with a greater detectability, and we treated our data accordingly. Road kills were concentrated on the younger (≤4 years old) age classes, whereas fully adult wolves died mainly because of poaching, intraspecific strife and pathologies. Cubs and subadults (≤2 years old) showed a mortality peak in November/December, at the beginning of the dispersal period, whereas adults died mainly in January/February (mating season). The population structure of our sample of wolf carcasses appeared to be well balanced, although perinatal and cub mortality was underestimated. The sex ratio was 1:1 in the younger age classes and 1:0.7 in the older age classes. Only 20.7% of females, 2–6 years old, showed signs of reproduction; placental scar and embryo number varied from one to seven (mean, 4.4) per individual. Survivorship theoretical curves indicated a fair survival of cubs and subadults, but a steep decline as wolves approached maximum life span (9 years old). Our data and other published data on food habits and genetic features of the wolf in central‐eastern Italy suggest that, despite ongoing heavy human‐induced losses, this predator has fully recovered in the last 30 years from the brink of extinction.
Distribution of badger latrines in a high‐density population: habitat selection and implications for the transmission of bovine tuberculosis to cattle
Authors: Delahay R. J. , Ward A. I. , Walker N. , Long B. , Cheeseman C. L.
Published: February 2007

Eurasian badgers Meles meles habitually deposit droppings and other scent marks at latrines, which may be associated with territorial defence, and communicate information related to group and individual identity and status, and food resources. Understanding patterns of latrine distribution contributes to our understanding of badger social behaviour, and may be relevant to managing the risks of transmission of bovine tuberculosis from badgers to cattle. We investigated the distribution of badger latrines relative to habitat composition in a high‐density badger population occupying a 7 km2 area of diverse landscape in south‐west England. Results indicated that the frequency and density of badger latrines varied according to land use, with woodland and linear landscape features (particularly hedges and stone walls) being positively selected. The number of latrines decreased significantly with distance from linear features. Grassland was negatively selected given its availability, but contained the highest number of latrines. The tendency for latrines to be associated with particular habitat types covaried spatially across the study area. We present a habitat selection probability function, based on the output of our analyses, to allow comparison of observed versus expected latrine counts per habitat type at different sites. Habitat manipulation on farmland may offer opportunities to manage exposure of cattle to badger latrines. However, our analyses indicate that other factors (perhaps demographic or environmental) may also exert a substantial local influence on latrine location.
Modelling disease spread and control in networks: implications for plant sciences
Authors: Jeger Mike J. , Pautasso Marco , Holdenrieder Ottmar , Shaw Mike W.
Published: February 2007

Networks are ubiquitous in natural, technological and social systems. They are of increasing relevance for improved understanding and control of infectious diseases of plants, animals and humans, given the interconnectedness of today's world. Recent modelling work on disease development in complex networks shows: the relative rapidity of pathogen spread in scale‐free compared with random networks, unless there is high local clustering; the theoretical absence of an epidemic threshold in scale‐free networks of infinite size, which implies that diseases with low infection rates can spread in them, but the emergence of a threshold when realistic features are added to networks (e.g. finite size, household structure or deactivation of links); and the influence on epidemic dynamics of asymmetrical interactions. Models suggest that control of pathogens spreading in scale‐free networks should focus on highly connected individuals rather than on mass random immunization. A growing number of empirical applications of network theory in human medicine and animal disease ecology confirm the potential of the approach, and suggest that network thinking could also benefit plant epidemiology and forest pathology, particularly in human‐modified pathosystems linked by commercial transport of plant and disease propagules. Potential consequences for the study and management of plant and tree diseases are discussed.