bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hochbegabtendiagnostik mit dem HAWIK-III und AID 2
Authors: Schlagheck Wiebke , Petermann Franz
Published: April 2006

Zusammenfassung. Diese Arbeit untersucht die Eignung von komplexen Intelligenztests zur Hochbegabtendiagnostik am Beispiel des HAWIK-III und des AID 2 an 86 Kindern einer Inanspruchnahmestichprobe im Alter zwischen 6;0 bis 15;11 Jahren. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass mit dem HAWIK-III eine größere Anzahl von Kindern als hochbegabt diagnostiziert wird als mit dem AID 2. Die spezifischen Unterschiede zwischen den beiden angewandten Testverfahren wurden untersucht und auf ihre Bedeutsamkeit hin überprüft. Die vorliegende Studie zeigt, dass sich die beiden Intelligenztestverfahren im Gesamtwert statistisch bedeutsam unterscheiden. Diese Ergebnisse konnten auf die Differenzen der Verbalteile der beiden Testverfahren zurückgeführt werden.
A Bayesian approach to climate model evaluation and multi‐model averaging with an application to global mean surface temperatures from IPCC AR4 coupled climate models
Authors: Min Seung‐Ki , Hense Andreas
Published: April 2006

A Bayesian approach is introduced to model evaluation and multi‐model averaging with a systematic consideration of model uncertainty, and its application to global mean surface air temperature (SAT) changes is shown from multi‐AOGCM ensembles of IPCC AR4 simulations. The Bayes factor or likelihood ratio of each model to the reference model (where mean is identical to the observation) provides a skill ranging from 0 to 1. Four categories of model skill are derived on the basis of the previous studies. Legendre series expansions are used to get a temporally refined model evaluation, which allow efficient analyses of time mean (scale) and linear trend. Application results show that all AOGCMs with natural plus anthropogenic forcing can simulate well the scale and trend of observed global mean SAT changes over the 20th century and its first and second halves. However, more than 50% of the models with anthropogenic‐only forcing cannot reproduce the observed warming reasonably. This indicates the important role of natural forcing although other factors like different climate sensitivity, forcing uncertainty, and a climate drift might be responsible for the discrepancy in anthropogenic‐only models. Besides, Bayesian and conventional skill comparisons demonstrate that a skill‐weighted average with the Bayes factors (Bayesian model averaging, BMA) overwhelms the arithmetic ensemble mean and three other weighted averages based on conventional statistics, illuminating future applicability of BMA to climate predictions.
High critical electric field of AlxGa1−xN p-i-n vertical conducting diodes on n-SiC substrates
Authors: Nishikawa Atsushi , Kumakura Kazuhide , Akasaka Tetsuya , Makimoto Toshiki
Published: April 2006

We report the current-voltage characteristics of AlxGa1−xN (x=0–0.22) p-i-n vertical conducting diodes grown on n-SiC substrates by low-pressure metal organic vapor phase epitaxy. An increase in the breakdown voltage was experimentally demonstrated with increasing Al composition. The corresponding critical electric fields were calculated to be 2.4MV∕cm for GaN and 3.5MV∕cm for Al0.22Ga0.78N. The critical electric field is proportional to the band gap energy to a power of 2.5. The forward voltage drop also increases with increasing Al composition but it is still as low as 5.2V even in the case of the Al0.22Ga0.78N p-i-n diode.
Stably tethered multifunctional structures of defined composition made by the dock and lock method for use in cancer targeting
Authors: Rossi Edmund A. , Goldenberg David M. , Cardillo Thomas M. , McBride William J. , Sharkey Robert M. , Chang Chien-Hsing
Published: April 2006

We describe a platform technology, termed the dock and lock method, which uses a natural binding between the regulatory subunits of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the anchoring domains of A kinase anchor proteins for general application in constructing bioactive conjugates of different protein and nonprotein molecules from modular subunits on demand. This approach could allow quantitative and site-specific coupling of many different biological substances for diverse medical applications. The dock and lock method is validated herein by producing bispecific, trivalent-binding complexes composed of three stably linked Fab fragments capable of selective delivery of radiotracers to human cancer xenografts, resulting in rapid, significantly improved cancer targeting and imaging, providing tumor/blood ratios from 66 ± 5 at 1 h to 395 ± 26 at 24 h.
Insights into the serine protease mechanism from atomic resolution structures of trypsin reaction intermediates
Authors: Radisky Evette S. , Lee Justin M. , Lu Chia-Jung Karen , Koshland Daniel E.
Published: April 2006

Atomic resolution structures of trypsin acyl-enzymes and a tetrahedral intermediate analog, along with previously solved structures representing the Michaelis complex, are used to reconstruct events in the catalytic cycle of this classic serine protease. Structural comparisons provide insight into active site adjustments involved in catalysis. Subtle motions of the catalytic serine and histidine residues coordinated with translation of the substrate reaction center are seen to favor the forward progress of the acylation reaction. The structures also clarify the attack trajectory of the hydrolytic water in the deacylation reaction.
NPAS2 as a transcriptional regulator of non-rapid eye movement sleep: Genotype and sex interactions
Authors: Franken Paul , Dudley Carol A. , Estill Sandi Jo , Barakat Monique , Thomason Ryan , O'Hara Bruce F. , McKnight Steven L.
Published: April 2006

Because the transcription factor neuronal Per-Arnt-Sim-type signal-sensor protein-domain protein 2 (NPAS2) acts both as a sensor and an effector of intracellular energy balance, and because sleep is thought to correct an energy imbalance incurred during waking, we examined NPAS2's role in sleep homeostasis using
npas2
knockout (
npas2
−/−
) mice. We found that, under conditions of increased sleep need, i.e., at the end of the active period or after sleep deprivation (SD), NPAS2 allows for sleep to occur at times when mice are normally awake. Lack of
npas2
affected electroencephalogram activity of thalamocortical origin; during non-rapid eye movement sleep (NREMS), activity in the spindle range (10–15 Hz) was reduced, and within the delta range (1–4 Hz), activity shifted toward faster frequencies. In addition, the increase in the cortical expression of the NPAS2 target gene
period2
(
per2
) after SD was attenuated in
npas2
−/−
mice. This implies that NPAS2 importantly contributes to the previously documented wake-dependent increase in cortical
per2
expression. The data also revealed numerous sex differences in sleep; in females, sleep need accumulated at a slower rate, and REMS loss was not recovered after SD. In contrast, the rebound in NREMS time after SD was compromised only in
npas2
−/−
males. We conclude that NPAS2 plays a role in sleep homeostasis, most likely at the level of the thalamus and cortex, where NPAS2 is abundantly expressed.
Sleep behaviour in preterm children from birth to age 10 years: A longitudinal study
Authors: IGLOWSTEIN IVO , HAJNAL BEATRICE LATAL , MOLINARI LUCIANO , LARGO REMO H. , JENNI OSKAR G.
Published: April 2006

Aim: To study clinically relevant aspects of sleep behaviour in preterm children in comparison to term children. Methods: Longitudinal sleep behaviour data were collected prospectively by structured interviews in 130 preterm and 75 control term children from birth to age 10 y. Results: No significant differences in sleep duration (time in bed per 24 h), bedsharing, night wakings, bedtime resistance and sleep‐onset difficulties were found between preterm and term children.

Conclusion: Sleep behaviour does not differ between preterm and term children from birth to age 10 y, indicating that prematurity or neonatal intensive care experience does not significantly affect sleep in the first 10 y of life.
Human mesenchymal stem cells exert potent antitumorigenic effects in a model of Kaposi's sarcoma
Authors: Khakoo Aarif Y. , Pati Shibani , Anderson Stasia A. , Reid William , Elshal Mohamed F. , Rovira Ilsa I. , Nguyen Ahn T. , Malide Daniela , Combs Christian A. , Hall Gentzon , Zhang Jianhu , Raffeld Mark , Rogers Terry B. , Stetler-Stevenson William , Frank Joseph A. , Reitz Marvin , Finkel Toren
Published: April 2006

Emerging evidence suggests that both human stem cells and mature stromal cells can play an important role in the development and growth of human malignancies. In contrast to these tumor-promoting properties, we observed that in an in vivo model of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS), intravenously (i.v.) injected human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) home to sites of tumorigenesis and potently inhibit tumor growth. We further show that human MSCs can inhibit the in vitro activation of the Akt protein kinase within some but not all tumor and primary cell lines. The inhibition of Akt activity requires the MSCs to make direct cell–cell contact and can be inhibited by a neutralizing antibody against E-cadherin. We further demonstrate that in vivo, Akt activation within KS cells is potently down-regulated in areas adjacent to MSC infiltration. Finally, the in vivo tumor-suppressive effects of MSCs correlates with their ability to inhibit target cell Akt activity, and KS tumors engineered to express a constitutively activated Akt construct are no longer sensitive to i.v. MSC administration. These results suggest that in contrast to other stem cells or normal stromal cells, MSCs possess intrinsic antineoplastic properties and that this stem cell population might be of particular utility for treating those human malignancies characterized by dysregulated Akt.
Toll-like receptor agonists influence the magnitude and quality of memory T cell responses after prime-boost immunization in nonhuman primates
Authors: Wille-Reece Ulrike , Flynn Barbara J. , Loré Karin , Koup Richard A. , Miles Aaron P. , Saul Allan , Kedl Ross M. , Mattapallil Joseph J. , Weiss Walter R. , Roederer Mario , Seder Robert A.
Published: April 2006

There is a remarkable heterogeneity in the functional profile (quality) of T cell responses. Importantly, the magnitude and/or quality of a response required for protection may be different depending on the infection. Here, we assessed the capacity of different Toll like receptor (TLR)-binding compounds to influence T helper cell (Th)1 and CD8+ T cell responses when used as adjuvants in nonhuman primates (NHP) with HIV Gag as a model antigen. NHP were immunized with HIV Gag protein emulsified in Montanide ISA 51, an oil-based adjuvant, with or without a TLR7/8 agonist, a TLR8 agonist, or the TLR9 ligand cytosine phosphate guanosine oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN), and boosted 12 wk later with a replication-defective adenovirus-expressing HIV-Gag (rAD-Gag). Animals vaccinated with HIV Gag protein/Montanide and CpG ODN or the TLR7/8 agonist had higher frequencies of Th1 responses after primary immunization compared to all other vaccine groups. Although the rAD-Gag boost did not elevate the frequency of Th1 memory cytokine responses, there was a striking increase in HIV Gag-specific CD8+ T cell responses after the boost in all animals that had received a primary immunization with any of the TLR adjuvants. Importantly, the presence and type of TLR adjuvant used during primary immunization conferred stability and dramatically influenced the magnitude and quality of the Th1 and CD8+ T cell responses after the rAD-Gag boost. These data provide insights for designing prime-boost immunization regimens to optimize Th1 and CD8+ T cell responses.
Fifty years later: a neurodynamic explanation of Fitts' law
Authors: Beamish Dan , Bhatti Shabana Ali , MacKenzie I. Scott , Wu Jianhong
Published: April 2006

An intrinsic property of human motor behaviour is a trade-off between speed and accuracy. This is classically described by Fitts' law, a model derived by assuming the human body has a limited capacity to transmit information in organizing motor behaviour. Here, we propose an alternative foundation, based on the neurodynamics of the motor circuit, wherein Fitts' law is an approximation to a more general relationship. In this formulation, widely observed inconsistencies with experimental data are a consequence of psychomotor delay. The methodology developed additionally provides a method to estimate the delay within the motor circuit from the speed-accuracy trade-off alone.
Challenges in tissue engineering
Authors: Ikada Yoshito
Published: April 2006

Almost 30 years have passed since a term ‘tissue engineering’ was created to represent a new concept that focuses on regeneration of neotissues from cells with the support of biomaterials and growth factors. This interdisciplinary engineering has attracted much attention as a new therapeutic means that may overcome the drawbacks involved in the current artificial organs and organ transplantation that have been also aiming at replacing lost or severely damaged tissues or organs. However, the tissues regenerated by this tissue engineering and widely applied to patients are still very limited, including skin, bone, cartilage, capillary and periodontal tissues. What are the reasons for such slow advances in clinical applications of tissue engineering? This article gives the brief overview on the current tissue engineering, covering the fundamentals and applications. The fundamentals of tissue engineering involve the cell sources, scaffolds for cell expansion and differentiation and carriers for growth factors. Animal and human trials are the major part of the applications. Based on these results, some critical problems to be resolved for the advances of tissue engineering are addressed from the engineering point of view, emphasizing the close collaboration between medical doctors and biomaterials scientists.
Leonard Rogers KCSI FRCP FRS (1868–1962) and the founding of the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine
Authors: Cook G.C
Published: April 2006

Sir Leonard Rogers made enormous research contributions to ‘medicine in the tropics’, especially in Bengal where the spectrum of disease was already well delineated. He also did much to enhance the formal discipline of tropical medicine. But perhaps his most lasting memorial lies in the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine—that occupied a decade of politicking and stress—which survives to this day and is a timely reminder of a past era in India. It is
not
widely appreciated, however, that the original impetus for this institution came
not
from Rogers but from a young medical practitioner, Alfred McCabe-Dallas, attached to an Assam tea plantation.
A molecular time-scale for eukaryote evolution recalibrated with the continuous microfossil record
Authors: Berney Cédric , Pawlowski Jan
Published: April 2006

Recent attempts to establish a molecular time-scale of eukaryote evolution failed to provide a congruent view on the timing of the origin and early diversification of eukaryotes. The major discrepancies in molecular time estimates are related to questions concerning the calibration of the tree. To limit these uncertainties, we used here as a source of calibration points the rich and continuous microfossil record of dinoflagellates, diatoms and coccolithophorids. We calibrated a small-subunit ribosomal RNA tree of eukaryotes with four maximum and 22 minimum time constraints. Using these multiple calibration points in a Bayesian relaxed molecular clock framework, we inferred that the early radiation of eukaryotes occurred near the Mesoproterozoic–Neoproterozoic boundary, about 1100 million years ago. Our results indicate that most Proterozoic fossils of possible eukaryotic origin cannot be confidently assigned to extant lineages and should therefore not be used as calibration points in molecular dating.
QxDB: a generic database to support mathematical modelling in biology
Authors: Ribba Benjamin , Tracqui Philippe , Boix Jean-Laurent , Boissel Jean-Pierre , Thomas S. Randall
Published: April 2006

QxDB (quantitativex-modelling database) is a web-based generic database package designed especially to house quantitative and structural information. Its development was motivated by the need for centralized access to such results for development of mathematical models, but its usefulness extends to the general research community of both modellers and experimentalists. Written in PHP (Hyper Preprocessor) andMySQL, the database is easily adapted to new fields of research and ported to Apache-based web servers. Unlike most existing databases, experimental and observational results curated in QxDB are supplemented by comments from the experts who contribute input to the database, giving their evaluations of experimental techniques, breadth of validity of results, experimental conditions, and the like, thus providing the visitor with a basis for gauging the quality (or appropriateness) of each item for his/her needs. QxDB can be easily customized by adapting the contents of the database table containing the descriptors that characterize each data record according to an informal ontology of the research domain. We will illustrate this adaptability of QxDB by presenting two examples, the first dealing with modelling in oncology and the second with mechanical properties of cells and tissues.
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: report of a case with a variant ring chromosome and metastases following pregnancy
Authors: Bigby Susan M. , Oei Paul , Lambie Neil K. , Symmans Pennie J.
Published: April 2006

Background:  The most frequent molecular abnormality observed in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is the formation of a supernumerary ring chromosome or translocation resulting in fusion of the gene encoding the α‐chain of type 1 collagen, COL1A1 from 17q22, to the platelet‐derived growth factor β‐chain, PDGFB gene from 22q13. Rare cases documenting variant ring or marker chromosomes involving regions other than 17q22 and 22q13 have been reported. Further analysis in three of these cases demonstrated the presence of the COL1A1 and PDGFB genes.

Methods:  We report a further case of DFSP with a rare variant ring chromosome. The tumor appeared to undergo accelerated growth during pregnancy, then metastasized following pregnancy. We describe the clinical, histological, immunohistochemical, and cytogenetic features.

Results:  The metastatic tumor showed a variant r(17;?) chromosome. A locus‐specific probe was required to demonstrate presence of the PDGFB gene within the ring, indicating cryptic molecular rearrangement between chromosomes 17 and 22, and recombination with an unknown chromosome.

Conclusions:  Cryptic rearrangement of chromosomes 17 and 22 should be suspected in variant ring chromosomes and translocations. Pregnancy may contribute to accelerated growth of DFSP, and delay in surgical resection should be avoided.
Dermal nodular fasciitis: three case reports of the head and neck and literature review
Authors: Nishi Shawn P. E. , Brey Nicole Vessels , Sanchez Ramon L.
Published: April 2006

Nodular fasciitis is a benign reactive myofibroblastic proliferative process of unknown etiology. It presents as a solitary painless, rapidly growing nodule over several weeks' duration. The condition is self‐limited, and proper diagnosis is essential to avoid unnecessary aggressive treatment. Diagnosis is often a challenge because it may be confused with a malignant tumor due to its aggressive clinical behavior and histological features. Immunohistochemical staining can be a useful tool to aid in the diagnosis. Although most commonly located on the extremities and then the trunk, it is estimated that the head and neck region represents only 10 to 20%. The majority of cases arise in the soft tissue, i.e. fascia, muscle, or subcutaneous tissue. Interestingly, cases in the head and neck region often involve dermal tissue. There have been five separate reports documenting rare cases of dermal nodular fasciitis in the dermatopathology literature and one case series involving 28 of 50 dermal variants from the external ear region. We report three additional cases of dermal nodular fasciitis occurring on the left cheek, base of the scalp, and right medial canthus.
Keeping It TogetherTM: an information KIT for parents of children and youth with special needs
Authors: Stewart D. , Law M. , Burke‐Gaffney J. , Missiuna C. , Rosenbaum P. , King G. , Moning T. , King S.
Published: April 2006

Background  Provision and use of information about their children is a major concern to families who have a child with a disability. Strategies or systems to influence parents’ abilities to receive, give and use information in a way that is satisfying to them have not been well validated.

Methods  This paper reports on the development and evaluation of a Parent Information KIT (‘Keeping It Together’) information management system and child advocacy tool. The KIT was designed to assist parents in giving, getting and organizing information in an effective way. The KIT was evaluated by a sample of 440 parents, with outcomes of use, utility, impact and perceptions of family‐centred care measured at baseline, and after 6 months, and 15 months.

Results  Parents’ perceptions of their ability, confidence and satisfaction when using information improved significantly after using the KIT. Parents’ perceptions of care, as measured with the Measure of Processes of Care, also improved significantly in the areas of ‘Enabling/Partnership’ and ‘Providing General Information’. Parents’ ratings of the use and utility of the KIT were associated with increased impact and, in turn, predicted improved perceptions of care.

Conclusion  Parents who received and actively used the Parent Information KIT experienced significant increases in their perception of their ability and self‐confidence in getting, giving and using information to assist their child with a disability. Strategies for improving the use of the KIT among parents are discussed.
Short birth intervals and the risk of school unreadiness among a Medicaid population in South Carolina
Authors: Hayes H. , Luchok K. , Martin A. B. , McKeown R. E. , Evans A.
Published: April 2006

Background Communities across the United States have become more involved in enhancing school readiness. Many of the predictors of school readiness relate to conditions prior to and following the birth of the child, including a child’s birthweight. Shortened birth intervals are related to a variety of health and social consequences that affect child development, yet no formal research has examined the association between birth intervals and school readiness.

Methods This study was a secondary data analysis of de‐identified pregnancy‐related vital record information, matched to selected items from the Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid records on mothers and children and to the Cognitive Skills Assessment Battery score in South Carolina for the year 2000 for the child of interest (N = 6915). Analysis of covariance and logistic regression were used to determine if there was a statistically significant relationship between birth interval and school readiness.

Results Results showed that birth interval is a significant predictor of school readiness with aP‐value <0.001 even after controlling for various socio‐demographic factors. Children born with inadequate birth intervals (less than 24 months) are more likely to fail the Cognitive Skills Assessment Battery compared with those with adequate birth intervals. Potential implications of this research include promoting optimal birth spacing to improve the likelihood that future first graders will come to school ready to learn.
Changes in the scrotal temperature of subjects in a sedentary posture over a heated floor
Authors: Song Gook‐Sup , Seo Ju Tae
Published: April 2006

As Koreans habitually sit on the heated floor in their residential buildings, the male testis is directly exposed, and is therefore affected by the floor surface temperature. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the scrotal temperature of the subjects in a sedentary posture over the heated floor. A rigid screening test was performed to select healthy subjects. Finally, six college students volunteered to participate in the experiments. Two experiments were performed in a controlled environmental chamber. Experiment I was designed for a low metabolism state, with the subjects reading a book in a sedentary posture for 50 min. The floor surface temperature (tf) was controlled by varying the temperature of water (tw) flowing into the floor coil from 15 to 50 °C, at 5 °C intervals. Experiment I revealed that the final scrotal surface temperature was 32.27, 32.62, 33.51, 33.34, 34.14, 34.28, 34.34 and 35.04 °C at the tw 15 °C (tf 17.0 °C), 20 °C (tf 20.8 °C), 25 °C (tf 24.1 °C), 30 °C (tf 27.8 °C), 35 °C (tf 31.7 °C), 40 °C (tf 35.9 °C), 45 °C (tf 38.6 °C) and 50 °C (tf 42.2 °C), respectively. At tf 17.0 and 20.8 °C, the scrotal temperature exhibited a declining pattern and a low temperature for spermatogenesis. At tf 24.1, 27.8 and 31.7 °C, however, the thermal regulatory system of the scrotum and testis was activated appropriately. On the contrary, scrotal temperature ascended at tf 35.9, 38.6 and 42.2 °C. Of the six subjects, two subjects demonstrated scrotal temperatures above 35 °C at tf 38.6 °C and four subjects exhibited scrotal temperatures above 35 °C at tf 42.2 °C. Experiment II was designed for a high metabolism state, with the subjects playing a card game in a sedentary posture for 180 min. The tf was controlled by varying the tw from 30 to 40 °C, at 5 °C intervals. Experiment II revealed that the final scrotal temperature was 33.43, 34.78 and 35.61 °C, and the difference between the initial and final scrotal temperatures was +0.34, +1.06 and +2.24 °C, at tw 30 °C (tf 27.8 °C), 35 °C (tf 31.7 °C) and tw 40 °C (tf 35.9 °C), respectively. The scrotal temperature was affected by the floor surface temperature and by the rate of metabolism of the subject in a sedentary posture. As derived from regression analysis, the recommended surface temperature of a heated floor is within 23–33 °C under the assumption that scrotal and consecutively testicular temperature above 35 °C impairs spermatogenesis.
Genetic structure among and within peripheral and central populations of three endangered floodplain violets
Authors: ECKSTEIN R. L. , O’NEILL R. A. , DANIHELKA J. , OTTE A. , KÖHLER W.
Published: April 2006

Understanding the partitioning of genetic variance in peripheral and central populations may shed more light on the effects of genetic drift and gene flow on population genetic structure and, thereby, improve attempts to conserve genetic diversity. We analysed genetic structure of peripheral and central populations of three insect‐pollinated violets (Viola elatior, Viola pumila, Viola stagnina) to evaluate to what extent these patterns can be explained by gene flow and genetic drift. Amplified fragment length polymorphism was used to analyse 930 individuals of 50 populations. Consistent with theoretical predictions, peripheral populations were smaller and more isolated, differentiation was stronger, and genetic diversity and gene flow lower in peripheral populations of V. pumila and V. stagnina. In V. elatior, probably historic fragmentation effects linked to its specific habitat type were superimposed on the plant geographic (peripheral‐central) patterns, resulting in lower relative importance of gene flow in central populations. Genetic variation between regions (3–6%), among (30–37%) and within populations (60–64%) was significant. Peripheral populations lacked markers that were rare and localized in central populations. Loss of widespread markers in peripheral V. stagnina populations indicated genetic erosion. Autocorrelation within populations was statistically significant up to a distance of 10–20 m. Higher average genetic similarity in peripheral populations than in central ones indicated higher local gene flow, probably owing to management practices. Peripheral populations contributed significantly to genetic variation and contained unique markers, which made them valuable for the conservation of genetic diversity.
Natal dispersal and parental escorting predict relatedness between mates in a passerine bird
Authors: VAN DE CASTEELE T. , MATTHYSEN E.
Published: April 2006

Although relatedness between mates is of considerable evolutionary and ecological significance, the way in which the level of relatedness is determined by different behavioural processes remains largely unknown. We investigated the role of behaviour in predicting mate relatedness in great tits using genotypic markers and detailed observations. We studied how mate relatedness is influenced by natal dispersal, inbreeding/outbreeding avoidance after natal dispersal and a behaviour not previously considered that influences membership to social aggregations, namely family escorting behaviour by parents. Among locally born individuals, the level of mate relatedness decreased with natal dispersal distance for females, but not for males. In contrast, mate relatedness was negatively related to the extent of family movements for males, but not for females. However, family movements did not predict dispersal distance for either sex. Local recruits were more related to their mates than immigrants, but this was only significant for females. No evidence was found for inbreeding/outbreeding avoidance after dispersal. Our results suggest that, in highly mobile species, mating options are spatially and/or socially limited, and that parents influence mating options of their offspring before dispersal.
Magnet Tracking: a new tool for in vivo studies of the rat gastrointestinal motility
Authors: Guignet R. , Bergonzelli G. , Schlageter V. , Turini M. , Kucera P.
Published: April 2006

Abstract  Digestive motility was studied in the rat using a miniaturized version of the Magnet Tracking system which monitored the progression of a small magnetic pill through the entire digestive tract. The dynamics of movement was followed and three‐dimensional (3‐D) images of digestive tract were generated. After a retention period in the stomach and rapid passage through duodenum, the magnet progressed along the small intestine with gradually decreasing speed and longer stationary periods. It remained in the caecum for variable intervals. In the colon, periods of progress alternated with long quiescent periods. Gastric activity oscillated at 5–6 min−1. In the small intestine, two frequency domains coexisted, showing independent modulations and proximo‐distal gradients (40 to >32 and 28 to >20 min−1). Caecal oscillations were of 1.5 min−1. The data allowed the magnet location and calculation of gastric and small intestinal transit times (58 ± 36 and 83 ± 14 min respectively), both significantly prolonged by oleate administration (243 ± 130 and 170 ± 45 min respectively). Magnet Tracking is a non‐invasive tool to study the in vivo spatial and temporal organization of gastrointestinal motility in the rat.
Antibody responses to Ascaris‐derived proteins and glycolipids: the role of phosphorylcholine
Authors: VAN RIET E. , WUHRER M. , WAHYUNI S. , RETRA K. , DEELDER A. M. , TIELENS A. G. M. , VAN DER KLEIJ D. , YAZDANBAKHSH M.
Published: April 2006

In addition to proteins, glycolipids can be targets of antibody responses and contribute to host–pathogen interaction. Following the structural analysis of Ascaris lumbricoides‐derived glycolipids, the antibody responses of a group of children with no, light and heavy infections were analysed. The role of the phosphorylcholine moiety, present on Ascaris glycoproteins and glycolipids, in antibody reactivity of these infected individuals was determined.

 Children carrying heavy infections showed highest IgG reactivity to glycolipids compared to lightly or non‐infected children. Substantial IgG antibody reactivity to both (glyco)proteins and glycolipids was found to be directed to the phosphorylcholine moiety as determined by either removal of this group or a competition assay. This was most pronounced for glycolipids, where removal of the phosphorylcholine moieties by hydrofluoric acid treatment abrogated IgG antibody reactivity. Measurement of IgG4 and IgE isotypes showed no IgG4 reactivity to Ascaris glycolipids, but raised IgE responses were detected in subjects with light or no Ascaris infections, suggesting that IgE responses to glycolipids may play a role in controlling parasite burden. Differences found in antibody profiles to glycolipids and (glyco)proteins, indicate that these different classes of compounds may have distinct roles in shaping of and interacting with humoral immune responses.
Identification of Alternaria spp. on wheat by pathogenicity assays and sequencing
Authors: Mercado Vergnes D. , Renard M.‐E. , Duveiller E. , Maraite H.
Published: April 2006

The pathogenicity of Alternaria spp. isolated from wheat leaves collected in regions where alternaria leaf blight has been reported was compared with that of IMI reference isolates of A. triticina and A. alternata using two durum and two bread wheat genotypes. To identify isolates putatively corresponding to A. triticina, morphological and DNA sequence analyses based on ribosomal DNA from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1, 5·8S rRNA gene, ITS2) and toxicity bioassays of culture filtrate were combined. Glasshouse inoculations provided reliable information to assess the pathogenicity of A. triticina isolates on wheat. Alternaria leaf blight symptoms were produced by the A. triticina isolates only on durum wheat cv. Bansi, while A. alternata, A. tenuissima and A. arborescens isolates were found to be nonpathogenic on the wheat cultivars tested. Alternaria triticina isolates were distinguished from other Alternaria species by Simmons and Roberts’ sporulation pattern 6 and two to three conidia per sporulation unit associated with primary conidia bearing long (> 7 µm) apical secondary conidiophores. Phylogenetic analysis also proved effective at discriminating wheat‐pathogenic A. triticina from other nonpathogenic Alternaria species. Alternaria triticina isolates yielded longer ITS sequences than A. alternata, A. tenuissima and A. arborescens isolates, leading to clear‐cut differences as visualized with agarose gel electrophoresis. Additionally, only culture filtrates of A. triticina isolates caused nonspecific necrotic lesions on leaves of 3‐week‐old wheat plants.
Intersections of ‘sanitation, sexual coercion and girls’ safety in schools’
Authors: Abrahams Naeemah , Mathews Shanaaz , Ramela Petunia
Published: April 2006

Objective  To explore safety for girls in schools, particularly how girls perceive and negotiate dangers and risks associated with the use of toilets.

Methods  Participatory action research over a period of 3 days at three schools in South Africa. Informants were 81 girls 16 years and older, teachers and other relevant school personnel. Data were collected through focus group discussions, in‐depth interviews, participant observation, mapping and photography.

Results  Toilets had inadequate or no sanitation. Both their use and their avoidance were risky for female students and discouraged hygienic practices. Experience of sexual violence from male students and teachers was a major theme, but unrelated to school toilets. Male teachers used various strategies and opportunities to gain sexual access to the girls and previous experience of victimization prevented the girls from reporting them.

Conclusion  To ensure a healthy school environment that promotes gender equality, all threats to safety, including the physical and social environment, must be considered.
Model‐based analysis of trial data: microfilaria and worm‐productivity loss after diethylcarbamazine–albendazole or ivermectin–albendazole combination therapy against Wuchereria bancrofti
Authors: De Kraker Marlieke E. A. , Stolk Wilma A. , Van Oortmarssen Gerrit J. , Habbema J. Dik F.
Published: April 2006

Objectives  To determine the efficacies of combinations of ivermectin or diethylcarbamazine and albendazole, which are recommended for use in mass treatment programmes against lymphatic filariasis.

Method  Review of published trends in microfilarial (mf) intensities after treatment with these combination therapies. By fitting a mathematical model of treatment effects to the trial data, we quantified the efficacy of treatment, distinguishing between the killing of mf (mf loss) and a reduction in mf production by adult worms (worm‐productivity loss). After diethylcarbamazine–albendazole treatment mf density dropped immediately, then slowly but steadily decreased further (four trials). After ivermectin–albendazole treatment, mf densities immediately dropped to near‐zero levels, followed by a small increase (five trials). For diethylcarbamazine–albendazole treatment the average mf loss was approximately 83% (ranging from 54% to 100% in the different studies) and worm‐productivity loss was 100% (in all studies). For ivermectin–albendazole treatment, average mf loss was 100% (ranging from 98% to 100%) and worm productivity loss was 96% (ranging from 83% to 100%). The effects were dose‐dependent. Sensitivity analysis showed that the estimates did not depend on assumptions on worm lifespan or premature period and little on assumptions on mf lifespan.

Conclusion  The two therapies differ with respect to their direct effect on mf, but both are highly effective against adult worms. If mass treatment with these combination therapies achieves high coverage, they can have a large impact on lymphatic filariasis transmission.
Tolerability of amodiaquine and sulphadoxine‐pyrimethamine, alone or in combination for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Rwandan adults
Authors: Fanello Caterina I. , Karema Corine , Van Doren Walli , Rwagacondo Claude E. , D'Alessandro Umberto
Published: April 2006

Objective  To assess the tolerability and efficacy of amodiaquine (AQ) + sulphadoxine‐pyrimethamine (SP), the first‐line malaria treatment in Rwanda.

Method  Randomized, double‐blind trial in 2003 in Kigali town. A total of 351 adult patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria were randomly allocated to one of the following treatments: AQ + SP, AQ or SP. We followed patients until day 14 after treatment and recorded adverse events (AEs) and clinical and parasitological outcomes.

Results  One hundred and eighteen patients reported at least one AE: 40% in the AQ, 39% in the AQ + SP and 21% in the SP groups. The AE was classified as possibly related to the antimalarial treatment for 86 patients. The Risk Ratio for at least one AE after treatment was significantly and about fourfold higher in patients receiving AQ or AQ + SP than in patients receiving SP. Pruritus and fatigue were significantly more frequent in patients treated with AQ or AQ + SP than in those receiving SP. Severe AEs, such as fatigue, nausea, dizziness and vomiting, were observed in four patients treated with AQ, in 10 treated with AQ + SP and in one patient treated with SP.

Conclusion  Amodiaquine + SP is not well tolerated and a substantial proportion of patients experienced pruritus and fatigue, thus decreasing their compliance and compromising the first line treatment implementation at national level. This renders AQ‐containing regimens sub‐optimal; better‐tolerated treatments should be identified.
Risk of introduction of poliovirus into a Dutch Cape Verdian community during an outbreak of poliovirus in Cape Verde, 2000
Authors: Mertens Paul L. J. M. , Widdowson Marc‐Alain , Van Der Avoort Harrie G. A. M. , Richardus Jan Hendrik
Published: April 2006

Objective To assess the risk of introduction of polio virus in a Cape Verdian community of Rotterdam, during the polio epidemic in Cape Verde in 2000.

Methods All 225 insufficiently vaccinated 0–14‐year‐old Cape Verdian children (n = 4188) and a random sample of 285 out of all 15–30‐year‐old Cape Verdians (n = 5074) in Rotterdam were surveyed to assess travel behaviour and vaccination coverage. Faecal specimens were collected and sewage samples taken in neighbourhoods with a sizable Cape Verdian population for testing of polio virus.

Results During the polio epidemic in Cape Verde, 10% of insufficiently vaccinated children aged 0–14 years and 17% of adults aged 15–30 years living in Rotterdam reported travelling to Cape Verde. 94.6% of Cape Verdians in Rotterdam aged 0–14 years were sufficiently vaccinated against polio, but 9 of 91 insufficiently vaccinated children had travelled to Cape Verde during the epidemic. Of those aged 15–30 years, 10% were not vaccinated against polio. In the faeces of 80 insufficiently vaccinated individuals aged 0–14 years and in 74 adults aged 15–30 years, no poliovirus was detected. Samples of sewage from six sites were negative for poliovirus.

Conclusion No evidence of poliovirus infection was found in the Cape Verde population in Rotterdam despite extensive travel to the Cape Verde during the outbreak.
Are maternal re‐infections with Trypanosoma cruzi associated with higher morbidity and mortality of congenital Chagas disease?
Authors: Torrico Faustino , Vega Cristina Alonso , Suarez Eduardo , Tellez Tatiana , Brutus Laurent , Rodriguez Patricia , Torrico Mary‐Cruz , Schneider Dominique , Truyens Carine , Carlier Yves
Published: April 2006

Background  Comparing two surveys performed in Bolivia in 1992–1994 and 1999–2001, we reported a significant decrease in the proportions of severe and mortal forms of congenital Chagas disease. This might be due to a reduction of vectorial density (VD) in maternal residence area, raising the question of a possible causal relationship between such VD, maternal parasitaemia and prognosis of congenital infection with Trypanosoma cruzi.

Method  Comparisons of haematological and parasitological data obtained from Bolivian mothers infected with T. cruzi, and of clinical and biological data obtained from their infected and uninfected newborns, stratified according to VD in the area of maternal residence.

Results  i) Blood hematocrit rates or hemoglobin amounts were within the normal ranges and similar in all the maternal groups, whatever the VD in their areas of residence; ii) mothers living in high VD areas displayed a higher frequency of hemocultures positive for T. cruzi; iii) newborns congenitally infected with T. cruzi, but not uninfected babies born from infected mothers, displayed higher frequencies of very low Apgar scores, low birth weights, prematurity, respiratory distress syndrome or anasarca, as well as higher mortality rates when their mothers lived in areas of high VD.

Conclusion  Frequent bites of blood sucking Reduvidae during pregnancy do not induce maternal anaemia, but, likely through multiple maternal re‐infections with T. cruzi, increase maternal parasitemia and worsen congenital Chagas disease. Maternal dwelling in areas of high VD is associated with a serious increased risk of severe and mortal congenital Chagas disease.
Effects of scale on interpreting life‐history characteristics of ungulates and carnivores
Authors: Bowyer R. Terry , Kie John G.
Published: April 2006

Many life‐history characteristics of large mammals are scale sensitive. We provide examples where varying temporal and spatial scales can affect interpretation of data concerning life‐history characteristics in large herbivores and carnivores and offer recommendations for selecting the most appropriate sampling scale or scales. We also document that some animals make decisions concerning their spatial distribution at scales well beyond the size of the home range. Conversely, other decisions involving sexual segregation of sexes, or where to give birth, may be made at scales below the level of the habitat patch. Such differences in behaviour affect our understanding of habitat selection in large herbivores, and interpreting tradeoffs between acquiring essential resources and avoiding predators. Moreover, some landscape attributes may be selected at one scale, whereas other characteristics of the environment may be selected at another. We argue that even sophisticated models for explaining the ecology and behaviour of mammals benefit from framing specific hypotheses that are related to the to the life‐history characteristics of those animals. We also believe that the failure to consider and select the most appropriate scale, or suite of scales, may lead to the mismanagement of critical natural resources. We forge relationships among scale, life‐history characteristics of mammals, and biodiversity. Finally, we synthesize the literature on scale for large mammals and make recommendations for future research.
Multiscale responses of soil stability and invasive plants to removal of non‐native grazers from an arid conservation reserve
Authors: Beever Erik A. , Huso Manuela , Pyke David A.
Published: April 2006

Disturbances and ecosystem recovery from disturbance both involve numerous processes that operate on multiple spatial and temporal scales. Few studies have investigated how gradients of disturbance intensity and ecosystem responses are distributed across multiple spatial resolutions and also how this relationship changes through time during recovery. We investigated how cover of non‐native species and soil‐aggregate stability (a measure of vulnerability to erosion by water) in surface and subsurface soils varied spatially during grazing by burros and cattle and whether patterns in these variables changed after grazer removal from Mojave National Preserve, California, USA. We compared distance from water and number of ungulate defecations — metrics of longer‐term and recent grazing intensity, respectively, — as predictors of our response variables. We used information‐theoretic analyses to compare hierarchical linear models that accounted for important covariates and allowed for interannual variation in the disturbance–response relationship at local and landscape scales. Soil stability was greater under perennial vegetation than in bare interspaces, and surface soil stability decreased with increasing numbers of ungulate defecations. Stability of surface samples was more affected by time since removal of grazers than was stability of subsurface samples, and subsurface soil stability in bare spaces was not related to grazing intensity, time since removal, or any of our other predictors. In the high rainfall year (2003) after cattle had been removed for 1–2 years, cover of all non‐native plants averaged nine times higher than in the low‐rainfall year (2002). Given the heterogeneity in distribution of large‐herbivore impacts that we observed at several resolutions, hierarchical analyses provided a more complete understanding of the spatial and temporal complexities of disturbance and recovery processes in arid ecosystems.