bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of Renal Hemodynamic Characteristics in Patients with Proliferative Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Martens Henk A. , Bijl Marc , Kallenberg Cees G.M.
Published: May 2007

Background/Aim: Previous studies showed that renal hemodynamic parameters, especially the filtration fraction (FF), are decreased in patients with active lupus nephritis (LN). In this study, we evaluate the prognostic value of renal hemodynamic function tests on the renal outcome in patients with proliferative LN. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of our patients with proliferative LN from 1986 to 2005. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and FF before treatment were measured. Treatment failure was defined as a renal relapse or development of end-stage renal disease. Results: Thirty-seven patients were included. The median follow-up period was 8 years. Creatinine clearance, GFR, and FF before treatment correlated with the creatinine clearance at the end of follow-up (p = 0.001, p = 0.006, and p = 0.04, respectively). The FF was decreased in 92% of our patients, but FF and GFR did not have a prognostic value with regard to treatment failure. Conclusions: Most patients with proliferative LN had a low FF. Low GFR and FF at baseline were correlated with a worse renal function at the end of follow-up, but this had no prognostic value in individual patients.
Association of Metabolic Syndrome with Microalbuminuria in Non-Hypertensive Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Lee Jung Eun , Huh Wooseong , Son Hee Jung , Kim Yoon-Goo , Kim Dae Joong , Lee Moon-Kyu , Oh Ha Young
Published: May 2007

Background: Several studies have shown that metabolic syndrome contributed to the development of incident chronic kidney disease in the general population. We evaluated the cross-sectional association between metabolic syndrome and microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes. We excluded patients with hypertension to distinguish the effects of metabolic syndrome from those of hypertension. Methods: A total of 642 non-hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes were recruited. Metabolic syndrome was assessed according to the NCEP Guidelines and Asian-Pacific criteria for abdominal obesity. Results: Among all patients, 37.2% were diagnosed as having metabolic syndrome, and these patients had a higher prevalence of microalbuminuria than those without metabolic syndrome (19.7 vs. 13.6%, p = 0.044). There was a graded association between metabolic score and the prevalence of microalbuminuria (p = 0.006 for trend). After adjustment for sex, age, smoking status, C-reactive protein, and HbA1c, patients with metabolic syndrome had increased odds of 1.58 (95% CI 1.01–2.47) for microalbuminuria. An increment in metabolic score was found to increase the risk of microalbuminuria by 1.34-fold (95% CI 1.07–1.66, p = 0.008). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that metabolic syndrome was associated with an increased risk of microalbuminuria in non-hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes.
Sagittal Thalamotomy for Relief of Motor Disorders in Cases of Double Athetosis and Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Hassler R.
Published: May 2007

By a sagittal thalamotomy, which produces one coagulation 2 mm behind the former in the base of the sagittal row of the ventral thalamic nuclei during a flat and divergent approach, athetotic disorders can be reduced in the long run and more completely than by interruptions of the pallido-thalamic system alone. In addition, the accompanying spastic hypertonicity of the legs with increased reflexes and postural disturbances is at first removed and stays improved in half of the cases in the long run; although the increased tendon reflexes and the spastic tone may return, if the legs have to carry the body weight. Sagittal thalamotomy has been especially effective against the combination of athetosis and spasticity in 31 cases; it is able to reduce the rate of recidives of athetotic disorders remarkably without apparent side effects.
ACTH-induced Adrenocortical Response Patterns in Multiple Sclerosis and Their Relation to the Clinical Effectiveness of ACTH Therapy
Authors: Alexander L. , Cass L.J.
Published: May 2007

1. The rate and quality of improvement obtainable by ACTH therapy in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis is positively related to the quality of concordance between the excretion rates of the 17-hydroxycorticoids and the 17-ketosteroids during the high-dosage phase of ACTH therapy. 2. The quality of concordance between the excretion rates of the 17-hydroxycorticoids and the 17-ketosteroids is a variable independent of other variables known to affect the outcome of ACTH therapy in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, such as age, sex, and duration and severity of the illness. 3. In a small number of patients studied at necropsy, the zona fasciculata appears to be the major element involved in the ACTH-induced hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the adrenal cortex in patients with type 1 and type 2 steroid concordance. The difference in quality of the adrenocortical steroid responsiveness revealed by study of only 2 steroid excretion rates, namely, those of the 17-hydroxycorticoids and of the 17-ketosteroids, suggests the desirability of systematic studies of other adrenocortical hormones in patients suffering from multiple sclerosis, before and during ACTH therapy and in comparison with normal controls.
The Dandy-Walker Syndrome Associated with Syringomyelia in a Newborn Infant
Authors: Vuia O. , Pascu F.
Published: May 2007

1. The association between a typical syringomyelia and the Dandy-Walker syndrome is reported in a newborn infant. 2. Morphologic studies of the pathologic lesions demonstrated that the development of the syringomyelic cavities depends directly upon hypertension of the CSF produced by obstruction of Magendie''s and Luschka''s foramina. Passage of the CSF from the 4th ventricle into the spinal medullary canal produced hydromyelia with a resultant syringomyelia. 3. The demonstration of this relationship between the cervicodorsal malformation and syringomyelia must be considered in diagnosis and treatment of syringomyelia particularly in the adult with a cervical malformation which may be asymptomatic.
The Electromyographic Changes Induced by Antibiotics
Authors: Herishanu Y. , Taustein Ita
Published: May 2007

Thirthy patients who were not suffering from any neuromuscular disease received therapeutic doses of ampicillin, erythromycin and tetracycline hydrochloride; electromyographic recordings were performed before, during and after the administration of these antibiotics. An electromyographic myasthenic-like picture was obtained during ampicillin and erythromycin administration; this picture normalized after the discontinuation of the antibiotics. A marked facilitation in the size of the muscle action potential during supramaximal repetitive nerve stimulation was observed in control patients from the first 2 groups. This finding points to a presynaptic effect of erythromycin and ampicillin. Tetracycline hydrochloride did not alter the electromyographic recording.
Displacement of the Body’s Centre of Gravity at Galvanic Stimulation of the Labyrinth
Authors: Njiokiktjien Ch. , Folkerts J.F.
Published: May 2007

The work of classical authors has been resumed in this study. Using a statokinesimeter which records displacements of the centre of gravity, the reactions of the postural balance of the standing human subject on galvanic stimulation of the labyrinth were demonstrated in an objective and reproducible manner. Using a bipolar binaural electrode position, 80 healthy test subjects were submitted to 1.5 mA galvanic stimulation for 4 sec. For each electrode position, the anteroposterior and lateral movements were recorded simultaneously, with the eyes open and with the eyes closed. The results differ from the classical descriptions in that they show that the vestibulospinal reflex elicited in this manner, involves a composite movement of different characteristics for the lateral than for the anteroposterior direction. It was found that the visual apparatus inhibits only lateral displacements. It is suggested that clinical application of this method may be possible.
Ossification Disturbances in Children under Antiepileptic Treatment
Authors: Lässker G. , Degen R. , Köthe Ch.
Published: May 2007

After one patient had shown rachitic bone changes and analogous chemical deviations in the blood after long-term antiepileptic treatment, 51 children were examined. They had undergone anti-convulsive treatment at least for 3 years. X-rays of the skull, knee, hand-joints and determinations of serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase have been carried out. Another case of rickets could not be found. 13 patients (25.5 %) have shown ossification disturbances consisting in increased number and intensity of transverse lines of the metaphyses. These 13 patients had had more severe cerebral damage than those without pathological X-ray findings. They had received higher doses and always a combination of at least 2 preparations. Biochemical alterations, however, could not be found in any case. The ''antiepileptic rickets'' disappeared after vitamin D administration, after which the child''s state became much better.
The Width of the Third Ventricle in Neurosurgical Patients with Extrapyramidal Movement Disorders
Authors: Bogren H. , Wickbom I. , von Essen C. , Thulin C.A.
Published: May 2007

The width of the posterior part of the third ventricle was measured at peroperative encephalography in 105 patients with extrapyramidal movement disorders, undergoing thalamotomy. The average width was found to be 8.9 mm (true dimensions), which means that it was found to be wider than earlier published average widths of the third ventricle in ‘normal’ brains. The width was found to be larger in men than in women. The immediate result of the operation was better in patients with small than in those with wide third ventricles. A normal variation in the width of the third ventricle from day to day of up to 2 mm in the same individual was found.
Martha Dickinson Bianchi: War Poet
Authors: Tanter Marcy L.
Published: May 2007

The article recovers poet Martha Dickinson Bianchi, niece of Emily Dickinson, who served in the Amherst, Massachusetts, branch of the Red Cross and tended wounded soldiers in New York City at the end of World War I. Two previously unpublished poems reflect American despair in the aftermath of the war.
Association between Morningness-Eveningness and Behavioral/Emotional Problems among Adolescents
Authors: Gau Susan Shur-Fen , Shang Chi-Yung , Merikangas Kathleen R. , Chiu Yen-Nan , Soong Wei-Tsuen , Cheng Andrew Tai-Ann
Published: May 2007

Adolescent eveningness is associated with age, parental monitoring, daytime sleepiness, sleep problems, moodiness, and the use of coffee. This study investigated the association between adolescent morningness-eveningness and psychopathology, substance use, and suicidality in 1332 students ages 12 to 13. Each student-participant completed the Chinese version of the Child Morningness/Eveningness Scale (CMES), the Pubertal Development Scale, and a questionnaire about their sleep schedule, trouble sleeping, habitual substance use, and suicidality. Their mothers completed the Child Behavioral Checklist and Chinese Health Questionnaire. The morning ( n = 412), intermediate ( n = 740), and evening ( n = 180) groups were operationally defined by the CMES t scores. The mixed model was used for data analysis. The evening group had shorter weekday sleep time, longer weekend sleep time, more daytime napping, and greater sleep compensation on weekends and was more likely than the other 2 groups to have behavioral/emotional problems, suicidality, and habitual substance use. Internalizing and externalizing problems partially explained the association between eveningness, substance use, and suicidality. The findings suggest that eveningness may be an indicator for adolescents with behavioral/emotional problems and risky behaviors and suggest an investigation for possible intervention.
Dynamics of the Adjustment of Clock Gene Expression in the Rat Suprachiasmatic Nucleus to an Asymmetrical Change from a Long to a Short Photoperiod
Authors: Sumová Alena , Kováčiková Zuzana , Illnerová Helena
Published: May 2007

The molecular clockwork of the rat suprachiasmatic nucleus, the site of the circadian clock, is affected by the photoperiod (Sumová et al., 2003). The aim of the present study was to partly elucidate the dynamics of the adjustment of the clockwork to a change from a long to a short photoperiod accomplished by an asymmetrical prolongation of the dark period into the morning hours. Rats maintained under a regime with 16 h of light and 8 h of darkness per day (LD 16:8) were transferred to LD 8:16, and after 2, 3, and 13 days, daily profiles of Per1, Per2, Bmal1, and Cry1 mRNA were assessed by in situ hybridization. The rhythms of Per1, Per2, and Bmal1 expression adjusted to the change from a long to a short photoperiod with larger phase delays of the morning Per mRNA rise and Bmal1 mRNA decline than of the evening and nighttime Per mRNA decline and Bmal1 mRNA rise. The rhythm of Cry1 expression adjusted to the change by parallel delays of the Cry1 mRNA rise and decline. Adjustment of the Cry1 mRNA rhythm to short days was almost accomplished within 13 days, whereas adjustment of the Per1 and Bmal1 mRNA rhythms took longer. Different dynamics of the adjustment of rhythms in clock gene expression to a change from a long to a short photoperiod suggests complex resetting effects of the photoperiod change.
Screening for Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Thackeray Jonathan , Stelzner Sarah , Downs Stephen M. , Miller Carleen
Published: May 2007

The barriers that professionals face when screening victims for intimate partner violence (IPV) are well studied. The specific barriers that victims face however when being screened are not. The authors sought to identify characteristics of the screener and screening environment that make a victim feel more or less comfortable when disclosing a history of IPV. One hundred forty self-reported female victims of IPV completed a survey regarding their experiences with screening and degree of comfort with certain traits of the screener and the screening environment. Women demonstrated a preference to be screened by a woman, someone of the same race, a provider aged 30 to 50 years, and without anyone else present. Screeners should be aware of characteristics that impact victim comfort and should provide multiple opportunities for women to disclose IPV in a safe, respectful, and culturally effective environment.
The Effect of Childhood Trauma on Later Psychological Adjustment
Authors: Browne Caroline , Winkelman Cecelia
Published: May 2007

This study examined whether adult attachment and cognitive distortion mediate the relationship between childhood trauma and psychological adjustment. The participants were 219 students (40 men and 117 women) enrolled in a university degree. Participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, which assessed retrospective accounts of childhood trauma; the Relationships Scales Questionnaire, which measured two dimensions of adult attachment (model-of-self and model-of-other); the Cognitive Distortions Scale, which measured internal attributions and perceptions of controllability; and the Trauma Symptom Inventory, which assessed posttraumatic symptoms and was used in this study to measure psychological adjustment. Results supported the hypothesis that model-of-self and cognitive distortion are related constructs. The influence of model-of-self on psychological adjustment however was only via its effect on cognitive processes. In other words, a negative model-of-self influenced cognitive distortion, which in turn influenced the expression of symptoms in adults reporting a history of childhood trauma. The implications for therapy were considered.
The Myth of Offenders' Deception on Self-Report Measure Predicting Recidivism
Authors: Loza Wagdy , Loza-Fanous Amel , Heseltine Karen
Published: May 2007

Two studies were conducted to investigate the vulnerability of the Self-Appraisal Questionnaire (SAQ) to deception and self-presentation biases. The SAQ is a self-report measure used to predict recidivism and guide institutional and program assignments. In the first study, comparisons were made between 429 volunteer offenders who completed the SAQ for research purposes and 75 offenders who completed the SAQ as a part of the psychological assessments process required for consideration for early release. In the second study, 106 participants over two sessions completed the SAQ and the Balanced Inventory of Desirable Responding. Participants completed both measures under two separate sets of instructions: (a) Answers would be used for research purposes, and (b) answers would be used for making decisions about their release to the community. Results from both studies reaffirmed previous findings that the SAQ is not vulnerable to deception, lying, and self-presentation biases.
Intimate Partner Violence Within a Cohort of Pacific Mothers Living in New Zealand
Authors: Paterson Janis , Feehan Michael , Butler Sarnia , Williams Maynard , Cowley-Malcolm Esther Tumama
Published: May 2007

Maternal reports of intimate partner violence (IPV) were obtained from a cohort of Pacific mothers living in New Zealand. The Conflict Tactics Scale was completed by 1,095 women who had given birth in the past 12 months, and who were married or living with a partner as married. The 12-month prevalence of “victimization” through verbal aggression was 77%, 21% for “minor” physical violence, and 11% for “severe” physical violence. The 12-month prevalence of “perpetration” of verbal aggression against a partner was 90%, 35% for “minor” physical violence, and 19% for “severe” violence towards their partner. The experience of social inequality and acculturation are associated with IPV, albeit differentially across the experience of victimization and perpetration. Factors significantly associated with victimization are ethnicity, maternal education, social marital status and household income. Factors significantly associated with perpetration are ethnicity, cultural alignment, maternal birthplace and alcohol consumption since the birth of the child.
System Intervention Problems in Child Sexual Abuse Investigations
Authors: Plummer Carol A. , Eastin Julie A.
Published: May 2007

On learning that her child was sexually abused, a mother must interact with professionals charged with the implementation of investigations, treatment, and legal remedies. This qualitative study, based on data from three focus groups ( n = 19) and open-ended survey questions ( n = 40), documents mothers' experiences with these professionals. Mothers report a lack of support from many professionals including receiving poor services, being criticized, insensitivity to their concerns, and being accused of false allegations and state that they have difficulty seeing the “system” as a positive future resource. Mothers reported appreciation for helpful professionals, whom they most often identified as therapists. Determining which mothers are reporting system problems and the effect of negative maternal—system interactions on mother and child outcomes are recommended as follow-up research.
To Blame or Not To Blame
Authors: Donovan Roxanne A.
Published: May 2007

There is a paucity of research on the influence of racist and sexist stereotypes in rape blame attribution, including the jezebel and matriarch stereotypes of Black women. This study extends the literature by examining how victim race, perpetrator race, and participant sex affect perceptions of a rape survivor's promiscuity (jezebel stereotype) and strength and/or toughness (matriarch stereotype). The myth of the Black male sexual predator of White women is also investigated. Data provided partial support for the jezebel stereotype. There were also contradictory findings supporting and challenging the acceptance of the Black rapist of White women stereotype. No significant differences were found for the matriarch stereotype. Reasons for and implications of findings are explored.
Perceived Neighborhood Social Disorder and Attitudes Toward Reporting Domestic Violence Against Women
Authors: Gracia Enrique , Herrero Juan
Published: May 2007

This study aims to explore the relationship between perceived neighborhood social disorder and attitudes toward reporting domestic violence against women. Data from a national representative sample ( N = 14,994) of Spaniards 18 years old and older were used. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that perceived neighborhood social disorder is negatively associated with attitudes toward reporting domestic violence against women. These results take into account the potential confounding effects of gender, age, socioeconomic status, perceived frequency of domestic violence against women, and size of city on reporting attitudes. Findings support the idea that to reduce and prevent domestic violence against women, it is also important to address those conditions leading to mistrust between people and diminished social control such as concentrated disadvantage and disorder.
An Exploratory Study of Women Arrested for Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Muftić Lisa R. , Bouffard Jeffrey A. , Bouffard Leana Allen
Published: May 2007

With the advent of mandatory and pro-arrest laws for incidents of intimate partner violence, there has been an increase in the number of women arrested for domestic violence. Several explanations are posed in the literature that attempt to explain such a rise, including the hypothesis that women are being arrested not for offensive violence but rather for defensive violence. Few studies, however, have used empirical data to support such arguments. This exploratory study examines the characteristics of women arrested for intimate personal violence. Particular attention is paid to women arrested with their partner (i.e., dual arrestees) and the contextual characteristics of dual arrestee incidents. Important differences are uncovered in the context and consequences of arrest for dual arrestees ( n = 21) compared to women arrested alone as the offender ( n = 49). Implications of these findings and further research directions are discussed.
A New Argument for Morality: Machiavelli and the Ancients
Authors: Major Rafael
Published: May 2007

Machiavelli is best known for his bold realism, and The Prince is a self-conscious alternative to the moral teachings of Christian and classical thought. The author demonstrates, however, that most of Machiavelli's famous maxims are in fact derivative from ancient authors. Given the similarities between The Prince and classical texts, Machiavelli's realism must be reexamined. The author analyzes chapter 3 of The Prince to show that Machiavelli appropriates the decisive rhetorical strategy of many religious texts by appealing to an inevitable fear as the basis for his new moral outlook. If Machiavelli appropriates the methods he criticizes in others, then this article serves as an invitation to read both Machiavelli and classical thinkers with a renewed and genuine interest in the originality and realism of each.
Institution Advocacy and the Political Behavior of Charter Schools
Authors: Holyoke Thomas T. , Henig Jeffrey R. , Brown Heath , Lacireno-Paquet Natalie
Published: May 2007

Scholars know that institutions such as corporations and nonprofits make up much of the lobbying community, yet there is no general theory as to why these organizations, which are not primarily established for advocacy, would ever choose to do it. By integrating the literatures on advocacy in economics, sociology, and political science, the authors propose a theoretical framework using the broad dimensions of organizational mission and external environment that they test with data on charter school advocacy from a four-state survey. The results support the authors' framework and provide greater insight into advocacy choices regarding venue shopping, tactical choices, and resource allocation.
Descriptive Representation as a Mechanism to Mitigate Policy Backlash
Authors: Preuhs Robert R.
Published: May 2007

While the election of racial/ethnic minority lawmakers has diversified American legislative institutions, scholars continue to find evidence of racial backlash in public policy decisions. This seems to undermine the Madisonian conception of the ability of minority interests to offset majoritarian resentment through representation and raises the question, Can minority group representatives influence policy decisions in majoritarian institutions? Using evidence from the American states, this study shows that the fastest-growing ethnic minority group, Latinos, do benefit from descriptive representation, as increases in Latino representation and legislative incorporation offset the negative effects of Latino population size on social welfare policy.
Ideology and Evaluation in an Experimental Setting
Authors: Claassen Ryan L.
Published: May 2007

The debate between which model, directional or proximity, better describes citizens' political behavior engages scholars because the former constitutes a serious challenge to long-standing, Downsian, spatial logic. Despite an engaging series of empirical tests, scholars comparing the two models continue to disagree about which model performs better. Noting experimental methods remain conspicuously absent from methods deployed to date, the author describes an experiment designed to settle key assumption debates and measure subjects' reactions to candidates in contexts in which the models make very different predictions. The author reports results vindicating Downs's assertion that proximity matters and direction does not.
In Their Own Voices
Authors: Fox Ashley M. , Jackson Sharon S. , Hansen Nathan B. , Gasa Nolwazi , Crewe Mary , Sikkema Kathleen J.
Published: May 2007

This study qualitatively examines the intersections of risk for intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV infection in South Africa. Eighteen women seeking services for relationship violence were asked semistructured questions regarding their abusive experiences and HIV risk. Participants had experienced myriad forms of abuse, which reinforced each other to create a climate that sustained abuse and multiplied HIV risk. Male partners having multiple concurrent sexual relationships, and poor relationship communication compounded female vulnerability to HIV and abuse. A social environment of silence, male power, and economic constraints enabled abuse to continue. “Breaking the silence” and women's empowerment were suggested solutions.
The Art of Creating Leaders: Popular Culture Artifacts as Pathways for Development
Authors: Callahan Jamie L. , Whitener J. Kori , Sandlin Jennifer A.
Published: May 2007

The problem and the solution. Leadership development is arguably one of the most important activities undertaken by human resource development (HRD) professionals.The process of leadership development has implications for each of the three primary categories of action that characterize the field of HRD: career development ; training and development; and organization development. Thus, exploring alternative and innovative approaches to understanding leadership should take a prominent role in the practice of HRD. Although not a new concept, popular culture is one such innovative approach to teaching leadership. Although there has been increasing interest in techniques of leadership development in HRD, the field of HRD has not fully explored how popular culture artifacts—such as film, television, and fiction/nonfiction books—can be used in leadership development. This article explores the literature regarding popular culture as it relates to shaping audience perceptions, the role of popular culture as a teaching tool, and key characteristics for choosing effective popular culture artifacts for leadership development.
Treatment of Panic Disorder and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder With A Guided Self-Help Manual
Authors: van Boeijen Christine A. , van Oppen Patricia , van Balkom Anton L. J. M. , van Dyck Richard
Published: May 2007

The aim of this pilot study was to test the effectiveness and feasibility of a new, guided self-help program in five selected primary care patients with panic disorder (PD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Most patients achieved a clinically relevant improvement after 12 weeks of treatment with large effect sizes (Cohen's d) on all measures. Two patients could be considered as recovered according to the criteria of Jacobson and Truax (1991). Although all of the patients appeared to improve on all outcome measures, PD was easier to treat than GAD. These results suggest that a guided self-help manual treatment is an effective treatment possibility for PD and GAD in primary care. When these results can be replicated in a controlled trial in a larger sample, guided self-help treatment may be a first-line treatment in general practice in a step-by-step care approach of PD and GAD.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Atypical Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Authors: Haun Jeffrey J. , Truax Paula
Published: May 2007

Cognitive behavior therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and social phobia. However, little is known regarding best treatment practices when these disorders co-occur. The following is an illustration of a successful implementation of an empirically supported treatment for GAD with a gay Caucasian client with co-occurring social phobia and GAD in addition to concurrent depressive symptomatology. Particular emphasis was placed on the use of a functional assessment in case conceptualization and in treatment planning, which suggested that the client's socially anxious and depressive symptomatology were related to his chronic worry. At termination, criteria for GAD and social phobia were no longer met, and depressive symptomatology was reduced to minimal levels. Ongoing assessment demonstrated clinically significant treatment gains. Additionally, the importance of homework completion is demonstrated and discussed.
Sharks need the lateral line to locate odor sources: rheotaxis and eddy chemotaxis
Authors: Gardiner Jayne M. , Atema Jelle
Published: May 2007

Odor plumes are complex, dynamic, three-dimensional structures used by many animals to locate food, mates, home sites, etc. Yet odor itself has no directional properties. Animals use a variety of different senses to obtain directional information. Since most odor plumes are composed of dispersing odor patches and dissipating vorticity eddies, aquatic animals may localize odor sources by simultaneous analysis of chemical and hydrodynamic dispersal fields, a process referred to as eddy chemotaxis. This study examines the contributions of olfaction, mechanoreception and vision to odor source localization in a shark, the smooth dogfish Mustelus canis. Two parallel, turbulent plumes were created in an 8 m flume: squid rinse odor and seawater control. Minimally turbulent `oozing' sources of odor and seawater control were physically separated from sources of major turbulence by placing a brick downstream from each oozing source, creating two turbulent wakes, one or the other flavored with food odor. This created four separate targets for the sharks to locate. Animals were tested under two light conditions(fluorescent and infrared) and in two sensory conditions (lateral line intact and lateral line lesioned by streptomycin). Intact animals demonstrated a preference for the odor plume over the seawater plume and for the source of odor/turbulence (the brick on the odor side) over the source of the odor alone(the odor-oozing nozzle). Plume and target preference and search time were not significantly affected by light condition. In the light, lesioning the lateral line increased search time but did not affect success rate or plume preference. However, lesioned animals no longer discriminated between sources of turbulent and oozing odor. In the dark, search time of lesioned animals further increased, and the few animals that located any of the targets did not discriminate between odor and seawater plumes, let alone targets. These results demonstrate for the first time that sharks require both olfactory and lateral line input for efficient and precise tracking of odor-flavored wakes and that visual input can improve food-finding performance when lateral line information is not available. We distinguish between rheotaxis: orientation to the large-scale flow field (olfaction, vision and superficial lateral line),eddy chemotaxis: tracking the trail of small-scale, odor-flavored turbulence(olfaction and lateral line canals), and pinpointing the source of the plume(lateral line canals and olfaction).
Metabolic rate of nocturnal incubation in female great tits,Parus major, in relation to clutch size measured in a natural environment
Authors: de Heij Maaike E. , van der Graaf Alexandra J. , Hafner Dennis , Tinbergen Joost M.
Published: May 2007

To study the energetic costs of incubation in relation to clutch size,clutch sizes were manipulated and the metabolic rate of female great tits, Parus major (Linnaeus), during nocturnal incubation(MRinc) was measured using mobile oxygen analysers. Individuals were measured on consecutive nights while incubating their own or manipulated clutches. The experiment was performed under field conditions in order to place possible effects of clutch size manipulation within the context of other factors explaining variation in MRinc. Females spent more energy when incubating enlarged clutches as compared with controls(6–10% more energy for three additional eggs) but did not spend significantly less energy when incubating reduced clutches. MRinc was strongly negatively related to ambient temperature. The effect of clutch enlargement is consistent with previous studies whereas the absence of an effect of clutch reduction is not. The small effect of clutch enlargement on MRinc highlights the need for further studies to include measurements of daily energy expenditure in order to judge how important energy expenditure can be in explaining fitness consequences of incubating experimentally enlarged clutches.
Behavioural and physiological responses to increased foraging effort in male mice
Authors: Vaanholt Lobke M. , De Jong Berber , Garland Theodore , Daan Serge , Visser G. Henk
Published: May 2007

Free-living animals must forage for food and hence may face energetic constraints imposed by their natural environmental conditions (e.g. ambient temperature, food availability). Simulating the variation in such constraints,we have experimentally manipulated the rate of work (wheel running) mice must do to obtain their food, and studied the ensuing behavioural and physiological responses. This was done with a line of mice selectively bred for high spontaneous wheel running and a randomly bred control line that vary in the amount of baseline wheel-running activity. We first determined the maximum workload for each individual. The maximum workload animals could engage in was around 23 km d–1 in both control and activity-selected mice,and was not associated with baseline wheel-running activity. We then kept mice at 90% of their individual maximum and measured several physiological and behavioural traits. At this high workload, mice increased wheel-running activity from an average of 10 to 20 km d–1, and decreased food intake and body mass by approximately 20%. Mass-specific resting metabolic rate strongly decreased from 1.43 to 0.98 kJ g–1d–1, whereas daily energy expenditure slightly increased from 2.09 to 2.25 kJ g–1 d–1. Costs of running decreased from 2.3 to 1.6 kJ km–1 between baseline and workload conditions. At high workloads, animals were in a negative energy balance, resulting in a sharp reduction in fat mass as well as a slight decrease in dry lean mass. In addition, corticosterone levels increased, and body temperature was extremely low in some animals at high workloads. When challenged to work for food, mice thus show significant physiological and behavioural adjustments.
Morphological diversity of medusan lineages constrained by animal–fluid interactions
Authors: Dabiri John O. , Colin Sean P. , Costello John H.
Published: May 2007

Cnidarian medusae, commonly known as jellyfish, represent the earliest known animal taxa to achieve locomotion using muscle power. Propulsion by medusae requires the force of bell contraction to generate forward thrust. However, thrust production is limited in medusae by the primitive structure of their epitheliomuscular cells. This paper demonstrates that constraints in available locomotor muscular force result in a trade-off between high-thrust swimming via jet propulsion and high-efficiency swimming viaa combined jet-paddling propulsion. This trade-off is reflected in the morphological diversity of medusae, which exhibit a range of fineness ratios(i.e. the ratio between bell height and diameter) and small body size in the high-thrust regime, and low fineness ratios and large body size in the high-efficiency regime. A quantitative model of the animal–fluid interactions that dictate this trade-off is developed and validated by comparison with morphological data collected from 660 extant medusan species ranging in size from 300 μm to over 2 m. These results demonstrate a biomechanical basis linking fluid dynamics and the evolution of medusan bell morphology. We believe these to be the organising principles for muscle-driven motility in Cnidaria.
Allatotropin-like peptide released by Malpighian tubules induces hindgut activity associated with diuresis in the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans (Klug)
Authors: Santini Maria Soledad , Ronderos Jorge Rafael
Published: May 2007

Haematophagous insects incorporate a large amount of blood with each meal,producing a big quantity of urine in a few hours to eliminate the excess water and Na+. Malpighian tubules (MTs) have traditionally been seen as a system that responds to neuroendocrine stimulus. In a related paper, we demonstrated that MTs of Triatoma infestans produce an autonomous endocrine secretion of an allatotropin-like (AT-like) peptide. In the present study, we report a myostimulatory activity of AT at the level of the hindgut(HG), associated with endocrine mechanisms regulating post-prandial diuresis. Allatotropin induced an increase in frequency and intensity of peristaltic contractions at the level of the HG. The release of the HG content in MTs–HG in vitro preparations undergoing an osmotic shock occurred at different times, depending on the number of MTs present, and there was no release in treatments without MTs. The application of an AT-antiserum to MTs–HG preparations undergoing osmotic shock produced a delay or a long-term blockade of diuresis, depending on the antiserum dilution applied. Similar results were obtained when AT-antiserum was applied in vivoprior to blood intake, decreasing the volume of urine eliminated during the first 2 h. Our results allow us to assign a specific endocrine function to the AT-like peptide released by MTs that is linked to the elimination of urine after blood meals.
Diving and foraging energetics of the smallest marine mammal, the sea otter (Enhydra lutris)
Authors: Yeates Laura C. , Williams Terrie M. , Fink Traci L.
Published: May 2007

As the smallest and one of the most recently evolved marine mammals, sea otters face physiological challenges rarely encountered by larger, more derived aquatic species. To examine the effect of these challenges on foraging costs and resultant daily energy budgets, we measured the energetics of resting, grooming, diving and foraging for adult, male sea otters. The energy expended for these different behaviors as determined from open flow respirometry was then standardized across activity budgets measured for wild sea otters to estimate field metabolic rates (FMR). We found that the metabolic rate of captive otters performing single dives ranging in duration from 40 to 192 s was 17.6±0.5 ml O2 kg–1min–1 and only 1.3 times resting rates. This rate increased significantly if the animals foraged during submergence. The cost of a foraging dive for sea otters was nearly twice that predicted for phocid seals,which was attributed in part to elevated locomotor costs associated with buoyancy and swimming style. Our behavioral studies indicate that wild sea otters spend the greatest proportion of the day feeding and resting, with the largest daily energy expenditure (6.1±1.1 MJ day–1)associated with foraging. The resulting mean FMR for wild sea otters based on the energy expended for all behaviors was 15.7±2.7 MJ day–1 and matched predicted FMR values based upon a regression of known FMR values for other marine mammals across a range of body sizes. This was achieved by counterbalancing elevated foraging costs with prolonged periods of rest on the water surface.
Interspecific comparison of hydrodynamic performance and structural properties among intertidal macroalgae
Authors: Boller Michael L. , Carrington Emily
Published: May 2007

Macroalgae use flexibility and reconfiguration, i.e. the alteration of shape, size and orientation as water velocity increases, to reduce the hydrodynamic forces imposed in the wave-swept rocky intertidal zone. Quantifying the effects of flexibility on hydrodynamic performance is difficult, however, because the mechanisms of reconfiguration vary with water velocity and the relationship between algal solid mechanics and hydrodynamic performance is poorly understood. In this study, the hydrodynamic performance,morphology and solid mechanics of 10 rocky shore macroalgal species were quantified to evaluate the influences of flexibility and morphology on reconfiguration. Hydrodynamic performance was measured in a flume by direct measurement of changes in size and shape during reconfiguration across a wide range of velocities, material stiffness was quantified with standard materials testing, and structural properties were calculated from material and morphological data. Hydrodynamic parameters varied significantly among species, indicating variation in the magnitude of reconfiguration and the velocities required for full reconfiguration. Structural properties also varied among species, and were correlated with hydrodynamic performance in some instances. The relationship between hydrodynamic and structural properties is velocity dependent, such that flexibility influences different aspects of reconfiguration at low and high velocities. Groups are identifiable among species based on hydrodynamic and structural properties, suggesting that these properties are useful for addressing functional-form hypotheses and the effects of hydrodynamic disturbance on macroalgal communities.
Mechanisms of acid–base regulation in the African lungfishProtopterus annectens
Authors: Gilmour K. M. , Euverman R. M. , Esbaugh A. J. , Kenney L. , Chew S. F. , Ip Y. K. , Perry S. F.
Published: May 2007

African lungfish Protopterus annectens utilized both respiratory and metabolic compensation to restore arterial pH to control levels following the imposition of a metabolic acidosis or alkalosis. Acid infusion (3 mmol kg–1 NH4Cl) to lower arterial pH by 0.24 units increased both pulmonary (by 1.8-fold) and branchial (by 1.7-fold) ventilation frequencies significantly, contributing to 4.8-fold and 1.9-fold increases in,respectively, aerial and aquatic CO2 excretion. This respiratory compensation appeared to be the main mechanism behind the restoration of arterial pH, because even though net acid excretion(JnetH+) increased following acid infusion in 7 of 11 fish, the mean increase in net acid excretion, 184.5±118.5μmol H+ kg–1 h–1 (mean± s.e.m., N=11), was not significantly different from zero. Base infusion (3 mmol kg–1 NaHCO3) to increase arterial pH by 0.29 units halved branchial ventilation frequency, although pulmonary ventilation frequency was unaffected. Correspondingly, aquatic CO2 excretion also fell significantly (by 3.7-fold) while aerial CO2 excretion was unaffected. Metabolic compensation consisting of negative net acid excretion (net base excretion) accompanied this respiratory compensation, with JnetH+ decreasing from 88.5±75.6 to –337.9±199.4 μmol H+kg–1 h–1 (N=8). Partitioning of net acid excretion into renal and extra-renal (assumed to be branchial and/or cutaneous) components revealed that under control conditions, net acid excretion occurred primarily by extra-renal routes. Finally, several genes that are involved in the exchange of acid–base equivalents between the animal and its environment (carbonic anhydrase, V-type H+-ATPase and Na+/HCO –3 cotransporter) were cloned, and their branchial and renal mRNA expressions were examined prior to and following acid or base infusion. In no case was mRNA expression significantly altered by metabolic acid–base disturbance. These findings suggest that lungfish, like tetrapods, alter ventilation to compensate for metabolic acid–base disturbances, a mechanism that is not employed by water-breathing fish. Like fish and amphibians, however, extra-renal routes play a key role in metabolic compensation.
Whole-animal metabolic rate is a repeatable trait: a meta-analysis
Authors: Nespolo Roberto F. , Franco Marcela
Published: May 2007

Repeatability studies are gaining considerable interest among physiological ecologists, particularly in traits affected by high environmental/residual variance, such as whole-animal metabolic rate (MR). The original definition of repeatability, known as the intraclass correlation coefficient, is computed from the components of variance obtained in a one-way ANOVA on several individuals from which two or more measurements are performed. An alternative estimation of repeatability, popular among physiological ecologists, is the Pearson product–moment correlation between two consecutive measurements. However, despite the more than 30 studies reporting repeatability of MR, so far there is not a definite synthesis indicating: (1) whether repeatability changes in different types of animals; (2) whether some kinds of metabolism are more repeatable than others; and most important, (3) whether metabolic rate is significantly repeatable. We performed a meta-analysis to address these questions, as well as to explore the historical trend in repeatability studies. Our results show that metabolic rate is significantly repeatable and its effect size is not statistically affected by any of the mentioned factors(i.e. repeatability of MR does not change in different species, type of metabolism, time between measurements, and number of individuals). The cumulative meta-analysis revealed that repeatability studies in MR have already reached an asymptotical effect size with no further change either in its magnitude and/or variance (i.e. additional studies will not contribute significantly to the estimator). There was no evidence of strong publication bias.
Preparation and Characterization of 3DOM H3PMo12O40–SiO2 with Keggin Structure
Authors: Li Shi , Zheng Jingtang , Yang Weiya , Zhao Yucui
Published: May 2007

H3PMo12O40 with Keggin structure was supported on three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) SiO2 to synthesize a new-type 3DOM composite material of H3PMo12O40–SiO2. Through comparative analysis of H3PMo12O40 and 3DOM H3PMo12O40–SiO2, it could be found that the thermal stability of H3PMo12O40 was increased after supporting and that Keggin structure was remained also in 3DOM H3PMo12O40–SiO2, but the crystalline form was changed. Moreover, H3PMo12O40 combined with SiO2 tightly and the synthesized H3PMo12O40–SiO2 had unique porous structure like crown and interconnected through small windows.
TAG:Ce3+ Phosphors Prepared by a Novel Sol-combustion Method for Application in InGaN-based White LEDs
Authors: Chen Yibo , Wang Jing , Gong Menglian , Su Qiang , Shi Jianxin
Published: May 2007

Tb3Al5O12:Ce3+ (TAG:Ce3+) phosphors were prepared by a novel sol-combustion (SC) method, and the samples showed improved luminescent properties than those by conventional solid-state (SS) method. Bright white LEDs were fabricated and the performances of the LEDs confirm that TAG:Ce3+ prepared by SC method is a good phosphor for white LEDs with low color temperature for indoor lighting.