bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of Y‐chromosomal microsatellite markers for nonhuman primates
Authors: ERLER AXEL , STONEKING MARK , KAYSER MANFRED
Published: October 2004

We have analysed 136 newly identified human Y‐chromosomal microsatellites in five (sub)species of nonhuman primates. We identified 83 male‐specific loci for central chimpanzees, 82 for western chimpanzees, 67 for gorillas, 45 for orangutans and 19 loci for mandrills. Polymorphism was detected at 56 loci in central chimpanzees, 29 in western chimpanzees, 24 in western gorillas, 17 in orangutans and at three in mandrills. Success in male‐specific amplification of human Y‐chromosomal microsatellites in nonhuman primates was significantly negatively correlated with divergence time from the human lineage. We observed significantly more Y‐chromosomal microsatellite diversity in central chimpanzees than in western chimpanzees. There were significantly more male‐specific loci with longer alleles in humans than with longer alleles in the nonhuman primates; however, this significant difference disappeared when only the loci which are polymorphic in nonhuman primates were analysed, suggesting that ascertainment bias is responsible. This study provides primatologists with a large number of polymorphic, male‐specific microsatellite markers that will be valuable for investigating relevant questions in behavioural ecology such as male reproductive strategies, kin‐based cooperation among males and male‐specific dispersal patterns in wild groups of nonhuman primates.
Phylogeography and speciation of colour morphs in the colonial ascidian Pseudodistoma crucigaster
Authors: TARJUELO I. , POSADA D. , CRANDALL K. A. , PASCUAL M. , TURON X.
Published: October 2004

Variation in pigmentation is common in marine invertebrates, although few studies have shown the existence of genetic differentiation of chromatic forms in these organisms. We studied the genetic structure of a colonial ascidian with populations of different colour morphs in the northwestern Mediterranean. A fragment of the c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial gene was sequenced in seven populations of Pseudodistoma crucigaster belonging to three different colour morphs (orange, yellow and grey). Maximum likelihood analyses showed two well‐supported clades separating the orange morph from the yellow‐grey morphotypes. Genetic divergence between these clades was 2.12%, and γST values between populations of the two clades were high (average 0.936), pointing to genetic isolation. Nested clade and coalescence analyses suggest that a past fragmentation event may explain the phylogeographical origin of these two clades. Non‐neutral mtDNA evolution is observed in our data when comparing the two clades, showing a significant excess of nonsynonymous polymorphism within the yellow–grey morphotype using the McDonald–Kreitman test, which is interpreted as further support of reproductive isolation. We conclude that the two clades might represent separate species. We compare the population genetic differentiation found with that estimated for other colonial and solitary ascidian species, and relate it to larval dispersal capabilities and other life‐history traits.
Molecular phylogenetics suggest a North American link between the anthropogenic dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans and its wild relative S. himantioides
Authors: KAUSERUD HÅVARD , HÖGBERG NILS , KNUDSEN HENNING , ELBORNE STEEN ANDREW , SCHUMACHER TROND
Published: October 2004

The dry rot fungus Serpula lacrymans causes damages in wooden buildings and constructions in temperate regions worldwide. In this study, the global phylogeography of S. lacrymans and its wild relative S. himantioides has been investigated to clarify genealogical relationships and determine the origin and spread of the building strains. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) nrDNA and parts of the beta‐tubulin (tub) and the translation elongation factor (efa) 1a genes were sequenced, and phylogenetic relationships inferred. Some analyses suggest that S. lacrymans may have originated from an ancient S. himantioides lineage, but most results support that S. lacrymans and S. himantioides are monophyletic sister species. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS data revealed two subgroups within S. lacrymans corresponding to two earlier described varieties; one group occurring frequently in houses worldwide (‘Domesticus’), and one group represented by individuals from forests in Northern California (‘Shastensis’). A few collections from nature were included in the Domesticus group as well, among other specimens from two newly discovered localities in Far East Russia and Siberia. In the Domesticus group little sequence variation occurs, suggesting a recent worldwide dispersal, possibly linked to human activity. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the Domesticus group may have originated from an ancient lineage related closely to the Shastensis group. A remarkable shift in morphology and habitat preferences has occurred during the evolution of the Domesticus lineage, linked to the transition from nature to human‐made habitats.
Genetic variation and population structure of the mosquito Anopheles jeyporiensis in southern China
Authors: CHEN B. , HARBACH R. E. , BUTLIN R. K.
Published: October 2004

Genetic differentiation among populations of Anopheles jeyporiensis was examined using 76 mtDNA COII sequences from 16 sites throughout southern China and northern Vietnam. The COII sequences are AT‐rich (74.58%) and reveal high levels of diversity with 39 of 685 sites polymorphic and 50 different haplotypes present. Genetic variation is high within populations and significant geographical structure was detected at both population and regional levels. In the larger samples, the distributions of haplotypes suggest recent population expansion.
Regional population structure of a widely introduced estuarine invertebrate:Nematostella vectensisStephenson in New England
Authors: DARLING J. A. , REITZEL A. M. , FINNERTY J. R.
Published: October 2004

Nematostella vectensisis an infaunal anemone occurring in salt marshes, lagoons and other estuarine habitats in North America and the United Kingdom. Although it is considered rare and receives protection in England, it is widely distributed and abundant in the United States, particularly along the Atlantic coast. Recent studies suggest that both anthropogenic dispersal and reproductive plasticity may significantly influence the genetic structure ofN. vectensispopulations. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) fingerprinting of individuals from nine populations in the northeastern United States indicates that stable populations are maintained by both asexual and sexual reproduction; in some cases asexually reproducing lineages exist within sexually reproducing populations.Fstatistics reveal extraordinarily high degrees of genetic differentiation between populations, even those separated by very short distances (less than 100 m). Genetic distances show little to no correlation with geographical distances, consistent with a role for sporadic, geographically discontinuous dispersal coupled with limited gene flow. No single genotype was found at more than one site, despite apparent homogeneity of habitat. In contrast with reported genotypic distributions forNematostellain the United Kingdom, where a single clonal genotype dominates at multiple sites through southern England, our data thus fail to support the hypothesis of a general‐purpose genotype in the northeastern United States. However, they are consistent with important roles for reproductive plasticity, sporadic introductions and complex local population dynamics in determining the global and regional distribution of this species.
Spatial genetic structure within a metallicolous population of Arabidopsis halleri, a clonal, self‐incompatible and heavy‐metal‐tolerant species
Authors: VAN ROSSUM FABIENNE , BONNIN ISABELLE , FÉNART STÉPHANE , PAUWELS MAXIME , PETIT DANIEL , SAUMITOU‐LAPRADE PIERRE
Published: October 2004

Arabidopsis halleri, a close wild relative of A. thaliana, is a clonal, insect‐pollinated herb tolerant to heavy metals (Zn, Pd, Cd) and a hyperaccumulator of Zn and Cd. It is of particular interest in the study of evolutionary processes and phytoremediation. However, little is known about its population gene flow patterns and the structure of its genetic diversity. We used five microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic structure at a fine spatial scale (10 cm to 500 m) in a metallicolous population of A. halleri. We also studied the contributions made by clonal propagation and sexual reproduction (seed and pollen dispersal) to the genetic patterns. Clonal diversity was high (DG > 0.9). Clonal spread occurs only at short distances (< 1 m). Both clonal spread and limited dispersal, associated with sexual reproduction, contribute to the significant spatial genetic structure revealed by spatial autocorrelation analysis. The shape of the autocorrelogram suggests that seed dispersal is restricted and pollen flow extensive, which may be related to intense activity by insect pollinators. Clonal spread was more extensive in the lowly polluted zone than in the highly polluted zone. This cannot be interpreted as a strategy for promoting the propagation of adapted genotypes under the harshest ecological constraints (highest heavy metal concentrations). The higher fine‐scale spatial genetic structure found in the lowly polluted zone can be ascribed to plant densities that were lower than in the highly polluted zone. No evidence of genetic divergence due to spatial heavy metal heterogeneity was found between lowly and highly polluted zones.
Genetic structure, phylogeography and demography of two ground‐beetle species endemic to the Tenerife laurel forest (Canary Islands)
Authors: MOYA ÓSCAR , CONTRERAS‐DÍAZ HERMANS G. , OROMÍ PEDRO , JUAN CARLOS
Published: October 2004

The volcanic island of Tenerife (Canary archipelago) was formerly covered at 600–1200 m above sea level on most of its northern side by a cloud forest holding much of the endemic insect fauna. In the most significant surviving patches of this laurel forest at the eastern and western tips of the island occur two forest‐specialist, closely related species ofEutrichopus(Coleoptera, Carabidae); here we present data on mitochondrial DNA variation among populations of these species. In total, 116 individuals from 16 localities were sampled and a 638 bp fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene was sequenced, obtaining evidence for two distinct evolutionary lineages, in accordance with morphological and biogeographical data. Volcanic events at ~0.7 Ma might be responsible for vicariance and the fragmentation of the geographical range of an ancestral species, causing the establishment of two matrilineal lineages. Using nested clade and historical demography analyses we infer past cycles of demographic bottlenecks followed by population expansion, mostly in agreement with the geological timescale of volcanic events. Recent trends, however, refer to fragmentation of the cloud forest due to human intervention.
Does heterozygosity estimate inbreeding in real populations?
Authors: BALLOUX F. , AMOS W. , COULSON T.
Published: October 2004

Many recent studies report that individual heterozygosity at a handful of apparently neutral microsatellite markers is correlated with key components of fitness, with most studies invoking inbreeding depression as the likely underlying mechanism. The implicit assumption is that an individual's inbreeding coefficient can be estimated reliably using only 10 or so markers, but the validity of this assumption is unclear. Consequently, we have used individual‐based simulations to examine the conditions under which heterozygosity and inbreeding are likely to be correlated. Our results indicate that the parameter space in which this occurs is surprisingly narrow, requiring that inbreeding events are both frequent and severe, for example, through selfing, strong population structure and/or high levels of polygyny. Even then, the correlations are strong only when large numbers of loci (~200) can be deployed to estimate heterozygosity. With the handful of markers used in most studies, correlations only become likely under the most extreme scenario we looked at, namely 20 demes of 20 individuals coupled with strong polygyny. This finding is supported by the observation that heterozygosity is only weakly correlated among markers within an individual, even in a dataset comprising 400 markers typed in diverse human populations, some of which favour consanguineous marriages. If heterozygosity and inbreeding coefficient are generally uncorrelated, then heterozygosity–fitness correlations probably have little to do with inbreeding depression. Instead, one would need to invoke chance linkage between the markers used and one or more gene(s) experiencing balancing selection. Unfortunately, both explanations sit somewhat uncomfortably with current understanding. If inbreeding is the dominant mechanism, then our simulations indicate that consanguineous mating would have to be vastly more common than is predicted for most realistic populations. Conversely, if heterosis provides the answer, there need to be many more polymorphisms with major fitness effects and higher levels of linkage disequilibrium than are generally assumed.
Field Evaluation of the Effect of a Probiotic‐containing Bacillus licheniformis and Bacillus subtilis Spores on the Health Status, Performance, and Carcass Quality of Grower and Finisher Pigs
Authors: Alexopoulos C. , Georgoulakis I. E. , Tzivara A. , Kyriakis C. S. , Govaris A. , Kyriakis S. C.
Published: October 2004

The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of BioPlus 2B, a probiotic containing Bacillus licheniformis and B. subtilis spores, on the health status and productivity of pigs, during weaning, growing and finishing stages of growth. On a commercial farrow‐to‐finish farm, five experimental groups were formed, each of 54 weaned piglets. The pigs of the first group (double controls) received normal feed with no probiotic and the pigs of the second group (untreated controls) received BioPlus 2B only during the weaning stage. The pigs of the third, the fourth and the fifth group received the same as the second group feed but, at the growing and at a part of the finishing stages, supplemented with three different doses of Bioplus 2B, a low, medium and high dose, respectively. The results have shown that, compared with the double controls, BioPlus 2B‐treated pigs had a lower morbidity and mortality during the whole trial period, compared with the double controls (range from 9.26 to 14.81% versus 25.93% and from 0.00 to 3.70% versus 11.1%, respectively), as a result of the lower incidence of post‐weaning diarrhoea due mainly to Escherichia coli. Weight gain, feed conversion ratio and carcass quality of the BioPlus 2B‐treated pigs were significantly improved compared with the double controls, whilst the beneficial effects of the probiotic were more pronounced when the medium and high doses were used.
Comparison of the Metabolic and Antioxidant Effects of Diltiazem and Vitamin E on Streptozotocin‐diabetic Rats
Authors: Akdoğan Kaymaz A. , Telci A. , Albeniz I. , Belce A. , Altuğ T.
Published: October 2004

In this study, solitary and combined effects of vitamin E and the calcium‐channel blocker diltiazem were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats. Thirty male Wistar albino rats, weighing approximately 200 g were used. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intravenous injection of STZ at a dose of 65 mg/kg body weight. Five experimental groups were established as STZ‐diabetic, STZ‐diabetic + vitamin E, STZ‐diabetic + diltiazem and STZ‐diabetic + vitamin E + diltiazem. Vitamin E was injected intraperitoneally three times a week at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. Diltiazem was given orally every day at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight. At the end of the study (10 weeks) blood glucose levels of diabetic rats, which had received vitamin E and diltiazem, had significantly decreased when compared with untreated diabetic rats (P < 0.02). Similarly, HbA1c levels had significantly decreased in diabetic rats which had received vitamin E (P < 0.05), diltiazem (P < 0.01) and vitamin E + diltiazem (P < 0.02) when compared with untreated diabetic rats. Liver glutathione levels of diabetic rats, which had received vitamin E (P < 0.01) and vitamin E + diltiazem (P < 0.05) had significantly increased when compared with untreated diabetic rats. Liver lipid peroxide levels had significantly decreased in diabetic rats, which had received vitamin E (P < 0.001) and diltiazem (P < 0.01). With respect to their metabolic and antioxidant effects, vitamin E proved superior to diltiazem.
The Acyclic Period Postpartum in Automatic and Conventional Milking
Authors: Weiss D. , Reist M. , Bruckmaier R. M.
Published: October 2004

The acyclic postpartum period in cows is prolonged due to frequent suckling when compared with twice daily milking. In conventional milking systems twice daily milking is common, while in automatic milking systems (AMS) three or more milkings are performed in early lactation. In this study, the hypothesis was tested that an increased milking frequency in AMS causes a delay in resumption of ovarian cyclicity postpartum and increases days open in German Fleckvieh cows (n = 124). Calvings were equally distributed throughout the 1‐year experimental period. All cows were housed in one barn. Sixty‐three cows were milked in an AMS (AC) and 61 cows were twice daily milked in a conventional milking parlour (PC). Forty‐two AC and 36 PC remained in the herd until conception. After parturition, milk samples were analysed for progesterone twice weekly to record the ovarian activity until pregnancy was diagnosed. The first and the second ovulation were determined by the progesterone profile of each individual cow. The mean milking frequency during the first 3 weeks after parturition was higher in AC (3.17 ± 0.09 milkings/day) than in PC (milked twice daily). The individual mean milking frequency of AC for the first 3 weeks of lactation ranged from 2.0 to 5.9 daily milkings. The time span from parturition until the first and second ovulation did not differ between AC and PC. However, first ovulation was observed earlier in primiparous (23 ± 1 days) than in multiparous cows (29 ± 1 days,P < 0.05). Within AC no relationship between milking frequency and duration of the acyclic period was observed. Days open did not significantly differ between AC and PC and between primiparous and multiparous cows. In conclusion, the increased milking frequency in AMS did neither cause a delay in resumption of ovarian cyclicity postpartum nor did it increase days open.
Dual‐energy X‐ray Absorptiometry of Birds: an Examination of Excised Skeletal Specimens
Authors: Dirrigl F. J. , Dalsky G. P. , Warner S. E.
Published: October 2004

The ability of dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) to measure bone mineral content and density of bird bones has received little attention. This paper represents the first comprehensive study of the methods, precision, and reproducibility of DXA (GE‐Lunar DPX‐L) for the uniquely shaped, thin and pneumatic bones of birds. Skeletal elements and portions represented by 26 regions of interest (ROIs) are presented and evaluated for the gallinaceous bird species, wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo), ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). Using Lunarsmall animal softwareand the methods described in this paper, photodensitometry of bird bones is possible and opens new opportunities for using birds in clinical models in veterinarian science, osteoporosis studies, space biology, and even archaeological and paleontological research.
Survival of Dairy Cows After Surgery to Correct Abomasal Displacement: 2. Association of Clinical and Laboratory Parameters with Survival in Cows with Left Abomasal Displacement
Authors: Rohn M. , Tenhagen B.‐A. , Hofmann W.
Published: October 2004

This study examines the association of pre‐surgical clinical parameters in cows with left displacement of the abomasum (LDA) with the probability of cure. Data from 466 cases of LDA in which omentopexy was performed were analysed. Cows were classified in three categories according to the outcome of treatment. Cows in the first category were cured, i.e. sent back to the farm for further milk production. Cows in the second category were sent for slaughter because of an unfavourable prognosis concerning productivity. Cows in the third category either died or were salvaged because of poor prognosis concerning survival. Factors were examined for their possible influence on the outcome of treatment by comparing the values of successfully treated cows to those cows that either died or had to be sent for slaughter. Factors that were associated with a favourable prognosis were a short duration of disease, an undisturbed general condition, good appetite, normal faeces, a higher body weight, lower haematocrit, haemoglobin and erythrocyte counts, lower urea, AST and bilirubin, and higher sodium, potassium and chloride concentrations compared with cows with an unfavourable prognosis. Haemoconcentration was associated with higher AST, bilirubin and urea and with low sodium, potassium and chloride. Acetonuria was associated with increased AST and bilirubin and low urea. Low sodium and potassium concentrations were associated with an impaired general condition. It is concluded that a thorough clinical examination with special emphasis on general condition, liver function and dehydration status is of great importance in determining the prognosis of abdominal surgery in cows with LDA.
The Genesis of Public Health Ethics
Authors: Bayer Ronald , Fairchild Amy L.
Published: October 2004

As bioethics emerged in the 1960s and 1970s and began to have enormous impacts  on  the  practice  of  medicine  and  research –  fuelled,  by  broad  socio‐political changes that gave rise to the struggle of women, African Americans,  gay  men  and  lesbians,  and  the  antiauthoritarian  impulse  that characterised the New Left in democratic capitalist societies – little attention was given to the question of the ethics of public health. This was all the more striking since the core values and practices of public health, often entailing the subordination of the individual for the common good, seemed opposed to the ideological impulses of bioethics.

Of what relevance is autonomy‐focused bioethics for public health, with its mix of justifications including those that are either implicitly or explicitly paternalistic or that seek to impose strictures on individuals and communities in the name of collective welfare? To examine the deep divide between the central commitments of bioethics and the values that animate the practice of public health, we focus on a series of controversies implicating the concepts of privacy, liberty, and paternalism.

Recognising the role of moral values in decision‐making was a signal contribution of bioethics in its formative period. Over the past three decades a broad array of perspectives emerged under the rubric of bioethics but individualism remains central. As we commence the process of shaping an ethics of public health, it is clear that bioethics is the wrong place to start when thinking about the balances required in defence of the public's health.
Vaccination and the Prevention Problem
Authors: Dawson Angus
Published: October 2004

This paper seeks to critically review a traditional objection to preventive medicine (which I call here the ‘prevention problem’). The prevention problem is a concern about the supposedly inequitable distribution of benefits and risks of harm resulting from preventive medicine's focus on population‐based interventions. This objection is potentially applicable to preventive vaccination programmes and could be used to argue that such programmes are unethical. I explore the structure of the prevention problem by focusing upon two different types of vaccination (therapeutic vaccination and preventive vaccination). I argue that the ‘prevention problem’ cannot be fairly applied to the case of preventive vaccination because such programmes do not just focus upon benefits at the level of populations (as is claimed by the prevention problem). Most such preventive vaccination programmes explicitly seek to create and maintain herd protection. I argue that herd protection is an important public good which is a benefit shared by all individuals in the relevant population. This fact can then be used to block the ‘prevention problem’ argument in relation to preventive vaccination programmes. I conclude by suggesting that whilst the future development and use of therapeutic vaccines does raise some interesting ethical issues, any ethical objections to prophylactic vaccination on the basis of the ‘prevention problem’ will not be overcome through the substitution of therapeutic vaccines for preventive vaccines; indeed, the ‘prevention problem’ fails on its own terms in relation to preventive vaccination programmes.
Guilt, Fear, Stigma and Knowledge Gaps: Ethical Issues in Public Health Communication Interventions
Authors: Guttman Nurit , Salmon Charles T.
Published: October 2004

Public health communication campaigns have been credited with helping raise awareness of risk from chronic illness and new infectious diseases and with helping promote the adoption of recommended treatment regimens. Yet many aspects of public health communication interventions have escaped the scrutiny of ethical discussions. With the transference of successful commercial marketing communication tactics to the realm of public health, consideration of ethical issues becomes an essential component in the development and application of public health strategies. Ethical issues in public health communication are explored as they relate to eight topics: ‘targeting’ and ‘tailoring’ public health messages to particular population segments; obtaining the equivalence of informed consent; the use of persuasive communication tactics; messages on responsibility and culpability; messages that apply to harm reduction; and three types of unintended adverse effects associated with public health communication activities that may label and stigmatise, expand social gaps, and promote health as a value. We suggest that an ethical analysis should be applied to each phase of the public health communication process in order to identify ethical dilemmas that may appear subtle, yet reflect important concerns regarding potential effects of public health communication interventions on individuals and society as a whole.
Perceptions of Israel in the Armies of Syria, Egypt and Jordan
Authors: Frisch Hillel
Published: October 2004

The reasons for change in state elites' perceptions of the adversary are fiercely contested by realists, constructivistis and neo-liberals in the international relations literature. A series of events -beginning with the October 1973 war and culminating in the Oslo peace process — offers a unique opportunity to assess the value of these theories in explaining change in the perceptions of Israel and Zionism in Syria, Egypt and Jordan. This study is based on articles on Israel and Zionism that appeared in the official army journals of these three states. The analysis suggests that, since the 1973 war, Egypt has perceived Israel as a formidable foe that must be restrained, Syria continues to deny Israel's legitimacy, and Jordan's perceptions of Israel changed dramatically from demonization to recognition. The realist paradigm, which focuses on changes in the regional and international balance of power, does best in explaining variations in the portrayal of Israel amongst these actors. Nevertheless, none of the theories offers a complete, timeless explanation of the issue. The limitations of any single theory to account for change in the perceptions of the adversary suggest that caution should be used in attempting to capture the complexity of social and political life in any single overarching theory.
The Creeping Politicisation of the World Bank: The Case of Corruption
Authors: Marquette Heather
Published: October 2004

This paper looks at the increasing politicisation of the World Bank through its work on corruption. Historically, the Bank's Articles of Agreement, which forbid it from involving itself in the politics of its recipient countries, have excluded work on corruption. In the 1990s, internal and external demands grew for the Bank to address the problem of corruption, despite earlier reticence. Much research done over the past decade, often commissioned by the Bank or done in-house, has worked to turn corruption into an economic and social issue, rather than a political one, in order to conduct anti-corruption work while evading accusations that it is violating this non-political mandate. Now this pretence is gradually slipping away and the Bank is becoming overtly political, despite its Articles and a lack of international consensus that this is the direction in which it should be heading.
‘All for One and One for All’: Transactions Cost and Collective Action
Authors: Jones Philip
Published: October 2004

Rational choice analysis of collective action predicts that individual members of a large group will not contribute voluntarily towards a common cause; members of large groups attribute no significance to individual action. Large groups are mobilised by the attraction of private goods and services; private interest, rather than identity with a common cause, is the stimulus. Yet the efficacy of such selective incentives depends on the signal that erstwhile ‘profits' (from the provision of private goods) are dedicated to achieving a collective goal. At the same time, the signal that collective action is ‘non-profit’ enhances the intrinsic value of the act of participation. When the impact of individual action on outcome is difficult to discern, individuals rely on low-cost signals relating to process. There are incentives to identify with the pursuit of a common cause when collective action is deemed ‘non-profit’ and a common goal is non-rival.
Building Social Capital in City Politics: Scope and Limitations at the Inter-organisational Level
Authors: Smith Graham , Maloney William , Stoker Gerry
Published: October 2004

This article explores the relations between voluntary organisations and the city administration in two British cities through an analysis of the impact of social capital. It provides a corrective to the dominant individual-level approach by offering an organisational-level analysis of social capital. The evidence suggests that inter-organisational social capital is not distributed equitably within cities. Voluntary organisations that regularly engage with a city administration can build networks of trust and information flows that outstrip those available to other voluntary organisations. Although it is easier to build social capital within a sector, such as the voluntary sector, building it in tight networks with voluntary organisations would appear to be an achievable goal for a city administration – but such networks do not guarantee an enhanced overall confidence in the local political system.
Women Representatives Acting for Women: Sex and the Signing of Early Day Motions in the 1997 British Parliament
Authors: Childs Sarah , Withey Julie
Published: October 2004

The return of 101 Labour women MPs in 1997 generated an expectation that their presence would enhance women's substantive representation. And many of Labour's new women MPs claim to have acted for women since their election. Yet demonstrating the difference that MPs make is not easy. Much of what goes on in the chamber of the Commons reflects party identity, and much of what goes on elsewhere in parliament is hidden. Studying sex differences in the signing of early day motions (EDMs) provides one way of testing whether Labour's women MPs are acting for women. Analysis of all the EDMs in the 1997 parliament, some 5,000 motions, establishes that they are more likely than Labour's men to sign ‘women's' and especially feminist ‘women's' EDMs. There is clear evidence of behavioural differences between Labour's women and men MPs, strengthening arguments that women's political presence is important because of the substantive difference they can make.
In Pursuit of Civic Participation: The Early Experiences of the Northern Ireland Civic Forum, 2000–2002
Authors: Bell Vikki
Published: October 2004

Northern Ireland's Civic Forum is a key civic participation mechanism agreed as part of the Belfast Agreement and established under the Northern Ireland Act 1998. It brings together representatives from various sectors to act as a ‘consultative forum’ on ‘social, economic, and cultural issues’. This article argues that ‘civic society’ has to be understood as a ‘transactional reality’ in the Foucauldian sense, such that the task of the Civic Forum – to allow the participation of ‘civic society’ – entails the continual construction of its own boundaries and remit. These are contested, not only outside the forum where political considerations have made it somewhat controversial, but also within. It is argued here that this is necessarily so, given the need for the forum to carve out a position between its constitutive outsides. Of particular concern has been the meaning of ‘consultative’, as competing understandings of this key term position the forum differently with respect both to the legislative Northern Ireland Assembly and to Northern Irish society as a whole. Additionally, the ethical imperative to give voice to wider society is examined, as it influences the way members of the forum articulate their role. Finally, I discuss the forum's sense of its unique identity – as given by its opportunity to enact an inclusive and diverse political space. The argument draws throughout on a qualitative sociological study that employed observation of the forum's plenary sessions over an eighteen-month period (2000–2002) and semi-structured interviews with selected members.
The Moral Minority: Evangelical Protestants in Northern Ireland and Their Political Behaviour
Authors: Mitchell Claire , Tilley James R.
Published: October 2004

It has long been asserted that strong evangelical religious beliefs underpin strong unionist and loyalist political attitudes in Northern Ireland. Although recent literature has argued for a wide diversity of political attitudes amongst evangelicals, this has not been quantified. Based on analysis of the 1991 Northern Irish Social Attitudes Survey and the 1998 Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey, this article argues that evangelicals are attitudinally different to other Protestants in Northern Ireland. However, their distinctiveness arises from their conservative moral attitudes and not, as widely claimed, from stronger unionist political values. Indeed, in terms of party identification, in 1991 evangelicals were less likely than other Protestants to support the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). And although there has been a small shift towards the DUP over the course of the 1990s, it is not due to any strengthening of the unionism of evangelicals, but rather the increasing importance of moral conservatism in predicting voters' party choice in Northern Ireland.
Michael Oakeshott on Civility, Civil Society and Civil Association
Authors: Boyd Richard
Published: October 2004

Contemporary treatments of ‘civil society’ have struggled to formulate clear and explicit criteria for determining which associations ought to count as part of a truly ‘civil’ society and, conversely, which other kinds of groups a liberal democracy would best avoid. Michael Oakeshott's idealized distinction between ‘civil’ association and ‘enterprise’ association may prove extremely helpful in sharpening these contemporary discussions of civil society. Rather than a conservative value with exclusionary and anti-democratic overtones, as many have alleged, the virtue of civility entails immanent inclusivity, democratic equality and the active recognition of others. Understanding civility in this way argues for both its normative and conceptual value in distinguishing the good from the bad in associational life. On the other hand, the contemporary literature on civil society draws attention to ambiguities in Oakeshott's thought that make his understanding of the liberal state, for better or worse, an improbable means of encouraging a rebirth of associational life.
Research Note: The Influence of the Press in Shaping Public Opinion towards the European Union in Britain
Authors: Carey Sean , Burton Jonathan
Published: October 2004

Existing research finds that European citizens evaluate the EU according to the perceived costs and benefits of integration. Instead of assuming that cue-givers provide an informational role in this process, we investigate the direct effects of positive and negative EU messages from prominent cue-givers, including political parties and the media. Using the 2001 British Election Study, we examine the impact of the main political parties and newspapers on public attitudes towards membership of the EU and the prospect of joining the single European currency. During the 2001 British General Election campaign, the media and the main political parties had small independent effects on attitudes towards EU membership and the potential adoption of the single European currency. When voters receive the same messages from both their party and their newspaper, these effects are considerable.
Measurement and Prediction of Electrical Contact Resistance Between Gas Diffusion Layers and Bipolar Plate for Applications to PEM Fuel Cells
Authors: Mishra V. , Yang F. , Pitchumani R.
Published: October 2004

The electrical contact resistance between gas diffusion layers and bipolar flow channel plates is one of the important factors contributing to the operational voltage loss in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Effective analysis and design of fuel cells therefore need to account for the contact resistance in deriving the polarization curve for the cell. Despite its significance, relatively scant work is reported in the open literature on the measurement and modeling of the contact resistance in fuel cell systems, and the present work aims to fill this void. Experimental data are reported for the first time to show the effects of different gas diffusion layer materials and contact pressure on the electrical contact resistance. A fractal asperity based model is adopted to predict the contact resistance as a function of pressure, material properties, and surface geometry. Good agreement is observed between the data and the model predictions for a wide range of contacting pressures and materials.
Water and Thermal Balance in PEM and Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Izenson Michael G. , Hill Roger W.
Published: October 2004

A key consideration for portable power systems is that they must operate simultaneously at water balance (no external water supply) and thermal balance (controlled temperature). Water and thermal management are intimately linked since evaporation is a potent source of cooling. This paper presents the basic design relationships that govern water and thermal balance in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks and systems. Hydrogen/air and direct methanol fuel cells are both addressed and compared. Operating conditions for simultaneous water and thermal balance can be specified based on the cell’s electrochemical performance and the operating environment. These conditions can be used to specify the overall size and complexity of the cooling equipment. The water balance properties can have strong effects on the size of the thermal management equipment required.
Fuel Cell Systems for the American Warfighter
Authors: Bostic Elizabeth , Sifer Nicholas , DuBois Terry , Bolton Christopher
Published: October 2004

Power generation and energy storage devices are essential components of the operational capabilities of the modern U. S. military. They are paramount to the tactical performance of advanced electronic systems such as Night Vision Goggles, GPS systems, and laser target designators. The modern “digitized” U.S. military relies extensively on these electronic technologies and others as they are fully integrated into combat environments. However, the demand for these electronic systems, as well as new tactical capabilities, is outpacing the supply of available power and energy devices. Recent studies from Iraq show that standard military power and energy systems, such as generators and batteries, were in high demand but short supply, which often limited operational speed and capabilities. In an effort to improve upon existing military power generation and energy storage devices, the Army’s Research, Development, and Engineering Centers (RDECs) are evaluating innovative technologies such as fuel cells for military applications. A variety of programs at the U.S. ARMY Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Fuel Cell lab are serving to fill the power and energy gap for soldier-based platforms. CERDEC serves as a test, evaluation, and program management center focused on transitioning integrated systems from the labs to the users. CERDEC has adopted a “systems of systems” approach to the development and testing of military fuel cell units and strives to develop completely packaged systems in order to rapidly transition fuel cell technology into the field. This paper will address current Army Communications-Electronics Research Development Engineering Center (CERDEC) fuel cell technology programs and their adaptation into military environments.
Biogas as Fuel for a Fuel Cell System: Investigations and First Experimental Results for a Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell
Authors: Bove Roberto , Lunghi Piero , Lutazi Alessio , Sammes Nigel M.
Published: October 2004

The environmental benefits related to fuel cells can be enhanced if hydrogen is produced through an environmental friendly practice. Gasification has been widely usied for decades for syngas production from coal, by the so called Integrated Gasification Combined Plants (IGCC), allowing a dramatic emissions reduction, compared to combustion. For these two reasons, several authors have analyzed the possibility of realizing gasification plants coupled with fuel cell systems and, eventually a bottoming cycle. If the gas, however, is produced using a renewable source of energy, such as biomass, the related emissions reduction and fossil fuel preservation represent a further improvement for the environmental performance of the system. In the present study, advantages of an MCFC biogas fueled system is discussed, along with the technical problems related with the integration of the FC section with a Gasifier. Finally, experimental results conducted on a single cell are reported.
A New Geometry High Performance Small Power MCFC
Authors: Cotana Franco , Rossi Federico , Nicolini Andrea
Published: October 2004

Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC) operate at temperatures ranging from 600 to 700°C; high temperatures allow to obtain low internal losses with large benefits in terms of generated electric power. A new geometry for small sized MCFCs is proposed in this paper. Cell thermofluidodynamic performance has been analyzed through a numerical code. Simulation results verified the suitability of the proposed cell design solutions. A stack consisting of three elementary units has been created in order to experimentally evaluate the proposed cell performance.
Mathematical Model of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell
Authors: García Brenda L. , Sethuraman Vijay A. , Weidner John W. , White Ralph E. , Dougal Roger
Published: October 2004

A one-dimensional, isothermal model for a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is presented. This model accounts for the kinetics of the multi-step methanol oxidation reaction at the anode. Diffusion and crossover of methanol are modeled and the mixed potential of the oxygen cathode due to methanol crossover is included. Kinetic and diffusional parameters are estimated by comparing the model to data from a 25cm2 DMFC. This semi-analytical model can be solved rapidly so that it is suitable for inclusion in real-time system level DMFC simulations.
Study of the Gas Flow Distribution and Heat Transfer for Externally Manifolded Fuel Cell Stack Module Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Method
Authors: Ma Zhiwen , Venkataraman Ramki , Farooque Mohammad
Published: October 2004

Uniform gas flow distribution in a fuel cell system is desired to attain maximum power operation potential. Two types of manifold systems are often used in fuel cell stacks; they are internal manifold system and external manifold system. This paper presents the modeling approach using the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method in analyzing fluid flow and heat transfer for the external manifold fuel cell stacks and stack module design. Computational models based on a Megawatt carbonate fuel cell stack module have been developed for investigating the fuel and oxidant flow distributions through the external manifold systems. This paper presents the modeling approaches and flow and temperature distribution results for externally manifolded fuel cell stack and stack module.
Benchmark Cost Analysis of Main PEFC-Ionomer Membrane Solutions
Authors: Gebert Matthias , Höhlein Bernd , Stolten Detlef
Published: October 2004

Cost considerations are the decisive factor for the market launch of PEFCs. This benchmark comparison first focuses on material costs for the basic chemicals involved in the ionomer syntheses. A new way of generating company-independent cost information on raw chemicals is therefore used. Secondly, an estimate is given of how the complexity of the chemical plant entails additional production costs. This has been done by applying five different approaches developed by process engineers in order to appraise the plants' grass roots investments. Finally, US$∕m2 is a decisive figure for membranes. The values obtained demonstrate the viability of future widespread use.
Development of Metal Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cells for Operation at 500-600°C
Authors: Brandon N. P. , Blake A. , Corcoran D. , Cumming D. , Duckett A. , El-Koury K. , Haigh D. , Kidd C. , Leah R. , Lewis G. , Matthews C. , Maynard N. , Oishi N. , McColm T. , Trezona R. , Selcuk A. , Schmidt M. , Verdugo L.
Published: October 2004

A novel metal supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell has been developed, capable of operating at temperatures of 500-600°C. The rationale behind the materials used to construct this fuel cell type is given, and results presented from cell and short stack testing, including durability and thermal cycling trials. This new fuel cell variant is shown to be tolerant of carbon monoxide durable, robust to thermal and redox cycling, and capable of delivering technologically relevant power densities.
The Amount of Hydrophobic Resin Binder in the Micro Diffusion Layer for DMFC
Authors: Imazato Minehisa , Hommura Hayato , Sudo Go , Katori Kenji , Tanaka Koichi
Published: October 2004

The micro-diffusion layer for DMFC consists of carbon and hydrophobic resin used as a binder. The function of the micro diffusion layer on carbon paper is not only to support the catalyst layer to conduct electricity, but also to maintain a stable mixture of gas and liquid. The amount of hydrophobic resin binder in the micro diffusion layer is therefore a critical parameter. The amount of hydrophobic resin binder is normally less than 50wt%, but we investigated this parameter and found that there is another high performance area around 80wt%.
Regulation of Gene Expression by a Metabolic Enzyme
Authors: Hall David A. , Zhu Heng , Zhu Xiaowei , Royce Thomas , Gerstein Mark , Snyder Michael
Published: October 2004

Gene expression in eukaryotes is normally believed to be controlled by transcriptional regulators that activate genes encoding structural proteins and enzymes. To identify previously unrecognized DNA binding activities, a yeast proteome microarray was screened with DNA probes; Arg5,6, a well-characterized mitochondrial enzyme involved in arginine biosynthesis, was identified. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that Arg5,6 is associated with specific nuclear and mitochondrial loci in vivo, and Arg5,6 binds to specific fragments in vitro. Deletion of Arg5,6 causes altered transcript levels of both nuclear and mitochondrial target genes. These results indicate that metabolic enzymes can directly regulate eukaryotic gene expression.