bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Consumption of cocoa flavanols results in acute improvements in mood and cognitive performance during sustained mental effort
Authors: Scholey Andrew B , French Stephen J , Morris Penelope J , Kennedy David O , Milne Anthea L , Haskell Crystal F
Published: November 2009

Cocoa flavanols (CF) positively influence physiological processes in ways that suggest their consumption may improve aspects of cognitive function. This study investigated the acute cognitive and subjective effects of CF consumption during sustained mental demand. In this randomized, controlled, double-blinded, balanced, three period crossover trial 30 healthy adults consumed drinks containing 520 mg, 994 mg CF and a matched control, with a three-day washout between drinks. Assessments included the state anxiety inventory and repeated 10-min cycles of a Cognitive Demand Battery comprising of two serial subtraction tasks (Serial Threes and Serial Sevens), a Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) task and a ‘mental fatigue’ scale, over the course of 1 h. Consumption of both 520 mg and 994 mg CF significantly improved Serial Threes performance. The 994 mg CF beverage significantly speeded RVIP responses but also resulted in more errors during Serial Sevens. Increases in self-reported ‘mental fatigue’ were significantly attenuated by the consumption of the 520 mg CF beverage only. This is the first report of acute cognitive improvements following CF consumption in healthy adults. While the mechanisms underlying the effects are unknown they may be related to known effects of CF on endothelial function and blood flow.
Clinician experiences of employing the AmpliChip® CYP450 test in routine psychiatric practice
Authors: Dunbar Lucy , Butler Rachael , Wheeler Amanda , Pulford Justin , Miles Wayne , Sheridan Janie
Published: November 2009

These findings are from a qualitative study examining clinician experiences of employing the AmpliChip® CYP450 test in psychiatric practice. One hundred tests were made available to secondary care mental health service clinicians commencing patient treatment with risperidone across three District Health Boards within New Zealand. Feedback was sought on clinicians’ ( n = 33) experiences of ordering the test and receiving results, utilization of results, and perceived advantages and disadvantages. Difficulties were reported regarding ordering the test and receiving the results; however, real or perceived advantages of employing the test results in practice were widely reported. Analysis of the ways in which the test results were reportedly utilized revealed that they generally played a supporting role with regard to dosing decisions, rather than being the main influence on clinician behaviour. The test itself, and subsequent results, was viewed as potentially useful in facilitating the development of the doctor–patient relationship. Reported disadvantages of the test included potential over-reliance at the expense of clinical wisdom, cost, and challenges inherent in introducing a new clinical procedure into routine practice. These findings indicate that psychiatric clinicians are receptive to employing this test as a clinical support tool if its implementation is carefully considered and economically justifiable.
Nano-porous pottery using calcined waste sediment from tap water production as an additive
Authors: Sangsuk Supin , Khunthon Srichalai , Nilpairach Siriphan
Published: November 2009

A suspension of sediment from a lagoon in a tap water production plant was collected for this experiment. The suspension was spray dried and calcined at 700 °C for 1 h. After calcining, 30 wt.% of the sediment were mixed with pottery clay. Samples with and without calcined sediment were sintered at 900, 1000 and 1100 °C. The results show that calcined sediment can be used as an additive in pottery clay. The samples with calcined sediment show higher porosity, water absorption and flexural strength, especially for 900 and 1000 °C. At 900 °C, samples with calcined sediment show a porosity of 50% with an average pore size of 68 nm, water absorption of 31% and flexural strength of 12.61 MPa.
Synthesis of low-temperature, fast, single-firing body for porcelain stoneware tiles with coal gangue
Authors: Qiangwei Wei  , Wenyuan Gao  , Xinguo Sui
Published: November 2009

Coal gangue is a major industrial solid waste in China, causing great environment pollution. According to phase diagram theory, a low-temperature, fast, single-firing body mix for porcelain stoneware tiles was designed in the quaternary system CaO—MgO— Al2O3—SiO2, using coal gangue as the main raw material. The coal gangue was from Baishan city, Jilin province and mainly composed of kaolinite and quartz. Mineralogical compositions and microstructures of some selected samples sintered at different temperatures were identified with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The results indicated that the optimal body mix was the one containing 34 wt% coal gangue sintered at 1170°C for about 1 h, with rupture strength of 43 MPa and water absorption of 0.22%. The main crystalline phases of the sintered body were quartz, anorthite and mullite.
Politics and power in training and learning: The rise and fall of the NHS university
Authors: Taylor Scott , Bell Emma , Grugulis Irena , Storey John , Taylor Lee
Published: November 2009

This article examines the political processes surrounding the development and demise of an ambitious, yet short-lived, policy-based learning initiative, namely a university for the UK National Health Service. Using a Weberian framework of political action, we explore the impact of intra-organizational and macro-political dynamics on the initiative, highlighting the role of legitimate power and authority on learning within this organization. Through analysis of the practical and symbolic implications of the commitment to ‘become a university’, we identify sources of organizational resistance to the model of learning that the initiative promoted. Finally, we trace the traditional and rational-legal political processes whereby the initiative was dissolved by undermining the charismatic authority on which it was founded. We conclude by considering the wider implications of our analysis for understanding structures of authority in learning.
Chinese students’ adjustment to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
Authors: Gan Adrian
Published: November 2009

The research project upon which this article is based aimed to give a voice to the experiences of unaccompanied Chinese mainland students undertaking the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) in an Australian high school. Eleven students aged 18—20 participated. All students completed a written questionnaire (in either English or Mandarin), and six participated in individual interviews. All students described initial difficulty and dissonance in coming to terms with the demands and expectations of the IBDP. Successful students overcame these difficulties by developing new strategies to make sense of the new learning environment, adapting existing learning strategies and maintaining a positive attitude.
The attraction of international schools for Japanese parents living in Japan
Authors: MacKenzie Peter
Published: November 2009

Though many international schools were founded in order to educate the children of expatriates, they have often come to offer an educational alternative for local parents. This article attempts to understand why Japanese parents enrol their children in international schools in Japan. Based on interviews and responses to questionnaires returned by Japanese parents whose children attend six international schools in Japan, it examines the factors that emerge as the most important. It concludes that these Japanese parents have their eyes on the world beyond Japan. They want their children to mix with those from other cultures and to have access to university education in English-speaking countries.
L-Glutamine Use in the Treatment and Prevention of Mucositis and Cachexia: A Naturopathic Perspective
Authors: Noé Jody E.
Published: November 2009

L-Glutamine (L-GLN) is considered a nonessential amino acid that has a variety of applications in naturopathic medicine. It has been postulated that in the critically ill patient, GLN becomes an essential amino acid for recovery, restoration, and repair at a cellular level. Mucositis is an intestinal mucosal damage of the gastrointestinal tract—mouth, throat, stomach, intestines, rectum, and anus—that is caused directly by chemotherapies and radiotherapies. Cancer cachexia is a significant biochemical event, which is characterized by weight loss, fatigue, and indicative of depletion of skeletal muscle GLN—a hypercatabolic state. There has been some question as to the use of GLN in this patient population because of its role as a preferred energy source not only for enterocytes and lymphocytes but for malignant cells as well.This article will address the questions of safety, efficacy, dosing, and toxicity of GLN used as an integrative therapeutic in ongoing integrative cancer treatment.
Sustainability in an action research project: 5 years of a Dignity and Respect action group in a hospital setting
Authors: Crow Jayne , Smith Lesley , Keenan Iain
Published: November 2009

In March 2004 we delivered a new module entitled ‘Fostering Dignity and Respect in Health Care Settings’. This was a collaborative venture between Anglia Ruskin University lecturers and Southend University Hospital Staff and was the first step in our Action Research project. We had expected the project to be a short-term one, terminating with the first three deliveries of the module. However, the education programme led to the formation of a Dignity and Respect Action Group within the hospital that continues to this day alongside deliveries of the module, and thus the Action Research project continues. In this paper we outline the achievements of the Action Research study and identifies some of the features that we believe have sustained it over a period of 5 years. These factors were not always the consequence of planned strategies but often arose as we responded to events during the trajectory of the project. Issues relating to dignity and respect are to be found in many large institutions and we maintain that Action Research can be useful in harnessing and focussing the necessary commitment to bring about long-term changes in a hospital setting.
A Case of Holoprosencephaly and 13q Deletion
Authors: Mesens T , Witters I , Meylaerts L , Fryns J P
Published: November 2009

Holoprosencephaly is a cerebral anomaly associated with a 13q deletion. We present a case of alobar holoprosencephaly which was diagnosed at 20 weeks gestation and where the fetal karyotype showed a 13q deletion.
The Detection of Early Atherosclerosis in Healthy Male Relatives of Men with Peripheral Arterial Disease: a Feasibility Study
Authors: Wolstenhulme Stephen , Ricci Stefano , West Robert M , Anthony Evans J , Julian A Scott D
Published: November 2009

Aim: A feasibility study to attempt to determine if conventional ultrasound and multi-gate ultrasound could differentiate between men with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), healthy first-degree male relatives (FDRs) of men with PAD, and age/sex matched controls in identifying early atherosclerosis.

Methods: three groups were studied using conventional ultrasound: first, four men with premature PAD (≤65 years); second, four healthy first-degree relatives; third, seven male controls with no known family history or evidence of premature cardiovascular disease. Primary outcome measures were plaque and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, flow mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery, and lower extremity arterial plaque. Multigate Doppler ultrasound blood velocity profile measurements were obtained for three controls, but this series of measurements was discontinued due to technical difficulties. Statistics: mean (standard deviation) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) ( p<0·05)

Results: Conventional ultrasound demonstrated lower extremity arterial lesions in all four of the patients with PAD. One of their first-degree relatives was found to have a non-significant lesion. No significant carotid artery lesions were found in any of the patients, but males with PAD had significantly greater carotid artery intima-media thickness than a combined group of first-degree relatives and controls (0·75±0·06 mm, versus 0·56±0·07 mm; p≤0·01). The mean (standard deviation) flow mediated vasodilation per cent change of the brachial artery was for males with PAD, 3·49±4·15; relatives, 6·17±2·53; and control subjects, 3·53±6·63. Results from the multigate system were inconclusive.

Conclusion: Carotid artery intima-media thickness seemed able to differentiate between patients with PAD and the other two groups. This measurement could be used in future case-control family PAD studies and possibly eventually as a screening tool. Flow mediated dilatation per cent change showed a wide variation in measurements and was not able to differentiate between the three groups. For researchers considering future studies, it is worth noting that recruitment figures for this pilot study were much lower than quoted in previous reports.
‘The Electrical Expansion of Quartz’ by Jacques and Pierre Curie
Authors: Duck Francis
Published: November 2009

The history of ultrasound commonly traces its origins to the discovery of the piezoelectric properties of quartz by the Curie brothers, Jacques and Pierre. The original papers are commonly cited but are difficult to find in English translation. The purpose of this article is to make available in translation their concluding paper, published in 1889, in which the Curies gave a rather more complete description of their work. It is of particular interest because it is their only paper on piezoelectricity that included figures showing the instruments they had developed. The paper concentrates on the prediction and measurement of the extremely small strains created in quartz crystals when placed in an electric field. It sets the foundation for the subsequent use and exploitation of quartz in a variety of applications including the first practical transducer for ultrasonic pulse-echo detection.
High-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping using nanofluidic Dynamic Arrays
Authors: Wang Jun , Lin Min , Crenshaw Andrew , Hutchinson Amy , Hicks Belynda , Yeager Meredith , Berndt Sonja , Huang Wen-Yi , Hayes Richard B , Chanock Stephen J , Jones Robert C , Ramakrishnan Ramesh
Published: November 2009

Background

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have emerged as the genetic marker of choice for mapping disease loci and candidate gene association studies, because of their high density and relatively even distribution in the human genomes. There is a need for systems allowing medium multiplexing (ten to hundreds of SNPs) with high throughput, which can efficiently and cost-effectively generate genotypes for a very large sample set (thousands of individuals). Methods that are flexible, fast, accurate and cost-effective are urgently needed. This is also important for those who work on high throughput genotyping in non-model systems where off-the-shelf assays are not available and a flexible platform is needed.

Results

We demonstrate the use of a nanofluidic Integrated Fluidic Circuit (IFC) - based genotyping system for medium-throughput multiplexing known as the Dynamic Array, by genotyping 994 individual human DNA samples on 47 different SNP assays, using nanoliter volumes of reagents. Call rates of greater than 99.5% and call accuracies of greater than 99.8% were achieved from our study, which demonstrates that this is a formidable genotyping platform. The experimental set up is very simple, with a time-to-result for each sample of about 3 hours.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that the Dynamic Array is an excellent genotyping system for medium-throughput multiplexing (30-300 SNPs), which is simple to use and combines rapid throughput with excellent call rates, high concordance and low cost. The exceptional call rates and call accuracy obtained may be of particular interest to those working on validation and replication of genome- wide- association (GWA) studies.
Go contributes to olfactory reception in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Chatterjee Abhishek , Roman Gregg , Hardin Paul E
Published: November 2009

Background

Seven-transmembrane receptors typically mediate olfactory signal transduction by coupling to G-proteins. Although insect odorant receptors have seven transmembrane domains like G-protein coupled receptors, they have an inverted membrane topology and function as ligand-gated cation channels. Consequently, the involvement of cyclic nucleotides and G proteins in insect odor reception is controversial. Since the heterotrimeric Goα subunit is expressed in Drosophila olfactory receptor neurons, we reasoned that Go acts together with insect odorant receptor cation channels to mediate odor-induced physiological responses.

Results

To test whether Go dependent signaling is involved in mediating olfactory responses in Drosophila, we analyzed electroantennogram and single-sensillum recording from flies that conditionally express pertussis toxin, a specific inhibitor of Go in Drosophila. Pertussis toxin expression in olfactory receptor neurons reversibly reduced the amplitude and hastened the termination of electroantennogram responses induced by ethyl acetate. The frequency of odor-induced spike firing from individual sensory neurons was also reduced by pertussis toxin. These results demonstrate that Go signaling is involved in increasing sensitivity of olfactory physiology in Drosophila. The effect of pertussis toxin was independent of odorant identity and intensity, indicating a generalized involvement of Go in olfactory reception.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that Go is required for maximal physiological responses to multiple odorants in Drosophila, and suggest that OR channel function and G-protein signaling are required for optimal physiological responses to odors.
Enhanced visual fields in hammerhead sharks
Authors: McComb D. M. , Tricas T. C. , Kajiura S. M.
Published: November 2009

Several factors that influence the evolution of the unusual head morphology of hammerhead sharks (family Sphyrnidae) are proposed but few are empirically tested. In this study we tested the ‘enhanced binocular field’ hypothesis (that proposes enhanced frontal binocularity) by comparison of the visual fields of three hammerhead species: the bonnethead shark, Sphyrna tiburo, the scalloped hammerhead shark, Sphyrna lewini, and the winghead shark, Eusphyra blochii, with that of two carcharhinid species: the lemon shark, Negaprion brevirostris, and the blacknose shark, Carcharhinus acronotus. Additionally, eye rotation and head yaw were quantified to determine if species compensate for large blind areas anterior to the head. The winghead shark possessed the largest anterior binocular overlap (48 deg.) and was nearly four times larger than that of the lemon (10 deg.) and blacknose (11 deg.) sharks. The binocular overlap in the scalloped hammerhead sharks (34 deg.) was greater than the bonnethead sharks (13 deg.) and carcharhinid species; however, the bonnethead shark did not differ from the carcharhinids. These results indicate that binocular overlap has increased with lateral head expansion in hammerhead sharks. The hammerhead species did not demonstrate greater eye rotation in the anterior or posterior direction. However, both the scalloped hammerhead and bonnethead sharks exhibited greater head yaw during swimming (16.9 deg. and 15.6 deg., respectively) than the lemon (15.1 deg.) and blacknose (15.0 deg.) sharks, indicating a behavioral compensation for the anterior blind area. This study illustrates the larger binocular overlap in hammerhead species relative to their carcharhinid sister taxa and is consistent with the ‘enhanced binocular field’ hypothesis.
Acoustical mimicry in a predatory social parasite of ants
Authors: Barbero F. , Bonelli S. , Thomas J. A. , Balletto E. , Schönrogge K.
Published: November 2009

Rapid, effective communication between colony members is a key attribute that enables ants to live in dominant, fiercely protected societies. Their signals, however, may be mimicked by other insects that coexist as commensals with ants or interact with them as mutualists or social parasites. We consider the role of acoustics in ant communication and its exploitation by social parasites. Social parasitism has been studied mainly in the butterfly genus Maculinea, the final instar larvae of which are host-specific parasites of Myrmica ants, preying either on ant grubs (predatory Maculinea) or being fed by trophallaxis (cuckoo Maculinea). We found similar significant differences between the stridulations of model queen and worker ant castes in both Myrmica sabuleti and Myrmica scabrinodis to that previously reported for Myrmica schencki. However, the sounds made by queens of all three Myrmica species were indistinguishable, and among workers, stridulations did not differ significantly in two of three species-pairs tested. Sounds recorded from the predatory caterpillars and pupae of Maculinea arion had similar or closer patterns to the acoustics of their host Myrmica sabuleti than those previously reported for the cuckoo Maculinea rebeli and its host Myrmica schencki, even though Maculinea rebeli caterpillars live more intimately with their host. We conclude that chemical mimicry enables Maculinea larvae to be accepted as colony members by worker ants, but that caterpillars and pupae of both predatory and cuckoo butterflies employ acoustical mimicry of queen ant calls to elevate their status towards the highest attainable position within their host's social hierarchy.
The next step in cicada audition: measuring pico-mechanics in the cicada's ear
Authors: Windmill J. F. C. , Sueur J. , Robert D.
Published: November 2009

Female cicadas use sound when they select a mate from a chorus of singing males. The cicada has a tympanal ear; and the tympanal membrane, and constituent tympanal ridge, act as both acousto-mechanical transducers and frequency filters. The tympanal ridge is physically connected to a large number of mechanoreceptor neurons via a cuticular extension known as the tympanal apodeme. Using microscanning laser Doppler vibrometry, we measured for the first time the in vivo vibrations of the apodeme of female Cicadatra atra in response to the motion of the tympanum driven by sound. These measurements reveal that the nanoscale motion of the tympanal membrane is over a magnitude greater than that of the apodeme. Furthermore, the apodeme acts as an additional mechanical frequency filter, enhancing that of the tympanal ridge, narrowing the frequency band of vibration at the mechanoreceptor neurons to that of the male calling song. This study enhances our understanding of the mechanical link between the external ear of the cicada and its sensory cells.
Survival and DNA degradation in anhydrobiotic tardigrades
Authors: Rebecchi L. , Cesari M. , Altiero T. , Frigieri A. , Guidetti R.
Published: November 2009

Anhydrobiosis is a highly stable state of suspended animation in an organism due to its desiccation, which is followed by recovery after rehydration. Changes occurring during drying could damage molecules, including DNA. Using the anhydrobiotic tardigrade Paramacrobiotus richtersi as a model organism, we have evaluated the effects of environmental factors, such as temperature and air humidity level (RH), on the survival of desiccated animals and on the degradation of their DNA. Tardigrades naturally desiccated in leaf litter and tardigrades experimentally desiccated on blotting paper were considered. Replicates were kept at 37°C and at different levels of RH for 21 days. RH values and temperature, as well as time of exposure to these environmental factors, have a negative effect on tardigrade survival and on the time required by animals to recover active life after desiccation. DNA damages (revealed as single strand breaks) occurred only in desiccated tardigrades kept for a long time at high RH values. These results indicate that during the anhydrobiotic state, damages take place and accumulate with time. Two hypotheses can be formulated to explain the results: (i) oxidative damages occur in desiccated specimens of P. richtersi, and (ii) high temperatures and high RH values change the state of the disaccharide trehalose, reducing its protective role.
Testing the role of sensory systems in the migratory heading of a songbird
Authors: Holland R. A. , Thorup K. , Gagliardo A. , Bisson I. A. , Knecht E. , Mizrahi D. , Wikelski M.
Published: November 2009

The identification of the sensory cues and mechanisms by which migratory birds are able to reach the same breeding and wintering grounds year after year has eluded biologists despite more than 50 years of intensive study. While a number of environmental cues have been proposed to play a role in the navigation of birds, arguments still persist about which cues are essential for the experience based navigation shown by adult migrants. To date, few studies have tested the sensory basis of navigational cues used during actual migration in the wild: mainly laboratory based studies or homing during the non-migratory season have been used to investigate this behaviour. Here we tested the role of olfactory and magnetic cues in the migration of the catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) by radio tracking the migration of birds with sensory manipulations during their actual migratory flights. Our data suggest that adult birds treated with zinc sulphate to produce anosmia were unable to show the same orientation as control adults, and instead reverted to a direction similar to that shown by juveniles making their first migration. The magnetic manipulation had no effect on the orientation of either adults or juveniles. These results allow us to propose that the olfactory sense may play a role in experience based migration in adult catbirds. While the olfactory sense has been shown to play a role in the homing of pigeons and other birds, this is the first time it has been implicated in migratory orientation.
Sea turtles compensate deflection of heading at the sea surface during directional travel
Authors: Narazaki T. , Sato K. , Abernathy K. J. , Marshall G. J. , Miyazaki N.
Published: November 2009

Air-breathing marine animals, including sea turtles, utilise two fundamentally different environments (i.e. sea surface and underwater) during migration. Many satellite telemetry studies have shown travel paths at relatively large spatio-temporal scales, discussing the orientation and navigation mechanisms that guide turtles. However, as travel paths obtained by satellite telemetry only reflect movements at the surface, little is known about movements and orientation ability underwater. In this study, to assess orientation ability both at the surface and underwater, fine-scale 3-D movements of free-ranging loggerhead turtles Caretta caretta were reconstructed by using multi-sensor data loggers. Video systems (‘Crittercam’) were also used to record the behaviour of the turtles and the visual information surrounding the turtles. During August and October in 2006 and 2007, eight turtles were released from Otsuchi Bay, Japan (39°20′30N, 141°56′00E), and a total of 118 h of 3-D movements were reconstructed. Turtles maintained highly straight-line courses (straightness index >0.95) during 41% of the total duration (i.e. ‘travelling periods’). During travelling periods, turtles swam continuously, maintaining unidirectional heading throughout dives whereas turtles changed heading remarkably at the surface. Despite highly directional movements during dives, travel direction tended to shift by the end of dives lasting 10 minutes or more. Such deflections seemed to be compensated during subsequent surfacing periods because there was a negative relationship between changes in travel direction arising during dives and subsequent surfacing periods. Therefore, remarkable changes in heading at the surface could be interpreted as direction-searching behaviour. Our results suggested that turtles undertaking directional travel were more dependent on directional information that was reliable at the surface.
Comparative feeding kinematics and performance of odontocetes: belugas, Pacific white-sided dolphins and long-finned pilot whales
Authors: Kane E. A. , Marshall C. D.
Published: November 2009

Cetaceans are thought to display a diversity of feeding modes that are often described as convergent with other more basal aquatic vertebrates (i.e. actinopterygians). However, the biomechanics of feeding in cetaceans has been relatively ignored by functional biologists. This study investigated the feeding behavior, kinematics and pressure generation of three odontocetes with varying feeding modes (belugas, Delphinapterus leucas; Pacific white-sided dolphins, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens; and long-finned pilot whales, Globicephala melas). Four feeding phases were recognized in all odontocetes: (I) preparatory, (II) jaw opening, (III) gular depression, and (IV) jaw closing. Belugas relied on a feeding mode that was composed of discrete ram and suction components. Pacific white-sided dolphins fed using ram, with some suction for compensation or manipulation of prey. Pilot whales were kinematically similar to belugas but relied on a combination of ram and suction that was less discrete than belugas. Belugas were able to purse the anterior lips to occlude lateral gape and form a small, circular anterior aperture that is convergent with feeding behaviors observed in more basal vertebrates. Suction generation in odontocetes is a function of hyolingual displacement and rapid jaw opening, and is likely to be significantly enhanced by lip pursing behaviors. Some degree of subambient pressure was measured in all species, with belugas reaching 126 kPa. Functional variations of suction generation during feeding demonstrate a wider diversity of feeding behaviors in odontocetes than previously thought. However, odontocete suction generation is convergent with that of more basal aquatic vertebrates.
Evaluation of amplitude in male song: female waxmoths respond to fortissimo notes
Authors: Limousin D. , Greenfield M. D.
Published: November 2009

Female evaluation of male signals in the context of sexual selection is often made on the basis of signal energy. Particularly in acoustic species, females may prefer male song that is broadcast at greater amplitude or power. However, song amplitude may be represented by various parameters, and the specific one(s) that are evaluated are not clear. We addressed this problem in an acoustic moth, Achroia grisella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), where males attract females with trains of paired ultrasonic pulses. Previous studies showed that females prefer songs that include pulse pairs that have greater mean peak amplitude and that are delivered with greater power (=mean peak amplitude×pulse-pair rate). Here, we report that given male songs of equal acoustic power, females prefer songs in which some pulses attain peak amplitudes that exceed the mean value and that this preference depends largely on the magnitude of amplitude fluctuation. We measured significant variation among males in their degree of amplitude fluctuation, and we note that males that broadcast with lower acoustic power typically show greater relative fluctuations and attain relatively higher amplitude maxima. We discuss the potential role of multiple integration time constants in female evaluation of mean song amplitude and amplitude maxima. We then consider the possibility that the variation observed in the male population is a response to female choice, but we also indicate that mechanical factors constraining song production may be responsible for such variation.
A class I ligase ribozyme with reduced Mg2+ dependence: Selection, sequence analysis, and identification of functional tertiary interactions
Authors: Bagby Sarah C. , Bergman Nicholas H. , Shechner David M. , Yen Catherine , Bartel David P.
Published: November 2009

The class I ligase was among the first ribozymes to have been isolated from random sequences and represents the catalytic core of several RNA-directed RNA polymerase ribozymes. The ligase is also notable for its catalytic efficiency and structural complexity. Here, we report an improved version of this ribozyme, arising from selection that targeted the kinetics of the chemical step. Compared with the parent ribozyme, the improved ligase achieves a modest increase in rate enhancement under the selective conditions and shows a sharp reduction in [Mg2+] dependence. Analysis of the sequences and kinetics of successful clones suggests which mutations play the greatest part in these improvements. Moreover, backbone and nucleobase interference maps of the parent and improved ligase ribozymes complement the newly solved crystal structure of the improved ligase to identify the functionally significant interactions underlying the catalytic ability and structural complexity of the ligase ribozyme.
Medical pluralism of the Chinese in London: An exploratory study
Authors: Rochelle Tina L. , Marks David F.
Published: November 2009

Objective. This study was designed to examine the extent of medical pluralism among the Chinese in London.

Design. Members of the London Chinese community were recruited through Chinese organizations in London and participated in six focus groups.

Method. A total of 48 Chinese men and women aged 24–74 years were asked to talk about their health behaviour and health utilization patterns. Transcripts of the focus group discussions underwent thematic analysis to explore and describe the utilization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western medicine (WM) of informants and factors that impacted on utilization.

Results. Findings focus on participants' evaluation of TCM and WM as two systems of health provision, how informants used these two health systems, and the reasons associated with use of these two systems. Utilization of TCM and WM varied. Concurrent use of TCM and WM was common. The National Health Service was generally perceived as difficult to use, with concerns over the language barrier, and communicating with and being able to trust health providers. The UK TCM trade was perceived as being aimed at the non‐Chinese market and there were issues of trust related to the regulation of UK TCM.

Conclusions. Although none of these issues are unique to the Chinese in the UK, previous experience with different approaches to health care, particularly TCM, may make the experience of such barriers more extreme.
Modelling Community Preparation for Natural Hazards: Understanding Hazard Cognitions
Authors: McIvor David , Paton Douglas , Johnston David
Published: November 2009

This article examines how personal beliefs about hazard events interact with social context factors to influence how individuals interpret their relationship with their environment, assign meaning to natural hazards and their consequences, and make preparedness decisions. Building on earlier work applying the same theoretical model to volcanic hazard preparedness, this article examines earthquake and flood hazard preparedness. The study incorporates both quantitative and qualitative approaches to elicit more detailed information regarding the influences underlying individuals' decisions to adopt preparation activities to minimise the effects of natural hazards. Findings indicate that preparedness decisions are not made in isolation. Through community level discourse and processes importance is attached to natural hazards and protective measures. It is only when natural hazards are perceived as having greater salience than other threats that people are motivated to prepare for their effects. A major finding is a distinction between trust and distrust of civic authorities. The data suggest that preparedness decisions were strongly influenced by the relevance people attached to information provided by these civic authorities. Delivering hazard mitigation strategies involves engaging with community members in order to understand their needs and to render meaningful assistance to their preparedness decisions.
Disaster Resilience in a Hakka Community in Taiwan
Authors: Jang Li-ju , Wang Jieh-jiuh
Published: November 2009

Survivors of the 921 Earthquake in the Tung Shih areas were the target population for this study. The researchers used purposive sampling strategies to select information-rich participants for study in depth. A total of 15 interviewees and 8 focus group members participated in this study. Qualitative data analysis software, ATLAS.ti 5.5, was used for cross-case and content analyses. The results indicate that acceptance, preparedness, self-reliance, spirituality, Hakka spirit, resource availability, social support networks, and serving others have positive impacts on disaster resilience. Participants from the in-depth interviews group affirm the importance of government involvement. Participants from the focus group pay special attentions on re-establishing social support networks. Furthermore, they reinforce the importance of understanding culture and meanings for the local people.
Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Childhood Temperament in South Korean Twins
Authors: Hur Yoon-Mi
Published: November 2009

Although genetic basis of childhood temperament has been well documented in western populations, little is known about whether genes play an important role in childhood temperament in East Asians. The present study examined mother's ratings of Emotionality, Activity, and Sociability (EAS) in 894 pairs of 2- to 9-year-old South Korean twins. The best-fitting model indicated that 34 to 47% of the variances of the EAS were attributable to genetic factors, with the remaining variances being due to the effects of environmental experiences unique to each child. Common family environmental factors were negligible. Genetic variances for Activity and Sociability were primarily nonadditive, whereas those for Emotionality were additive. In spite of well known cultural differences in child rearing practices, social values, and the mean levels of temperament between East Asian and western populations, the pattern of additive vs. nonadditive gene actions and heritability estimates found in the present sample were remarkably similar to those reported in western twin samples. There were no significant age or sex differences in genetic or environmental influences. Overall, these results corroborate cross cultural generality of genetic influences on childhood temperament.
Evidence for Shared Genetic Dominance Between the General Factor of Personality, Mental and Physical Health, and Life History Traits
Authors: Figueredo Aurelio José , Rushton J. Philippe
Published: November 2009

We reanalyze previously published data on 309 MZ and 333 DZ twin pairs aged 25 to 74 years from the MIDUS survey, a nationally representative archived sample, to examine how much of the genetic covariance between a general factor of personality (GFP), a lower-order life history factor, and a general physical and mental health factor, is of the nonadditive variety. We found nonadditive genetic effects (D) could not be ruled out as a contributor to the shared variance of these three latent factors to a Super-K Life History factor. We suggest these genetic correlations support the view that a slow (K-selected) life history strategy, good health, and the GFP coevolved and are mutually coadapted through directional selection.
Spatial Variation in the Twinning Rate in Sweden, 1751–1850
Authors: Fellman Johan , Eriksson Aldur W.
Published: November 2009

Strong geographical variations in the twinning rate have been presented in the literature. In general, the rate is high among people of African origin, intermediate among Europeans and low among most Asiatic populations. In Europe, a progressive increase has occurred in the twinning rate from south to north, with a minimum around the Basque provinces. The highest twinning rates in Europe have been found among Nordic populations with the exception of the Saamis (Lapps). Within larger populations, some small isolated subpopulations have been identified to have extreme, mainly high, twinning rates. In this study, we investigated the regional variation of the twinning rate in Sweden. We analysed twinning rates for different counties for the period 1751–1850. From the middle of the 19th century, the environmental and genetic differences have decreased and the regional twinning rates have converged towards a common decreased level. The models applied have the geographical coordinates as regressors. The optimal model for the twinning rate has the longitude, the latitude and their product as regressors, indicating both horizontal and vertical trends. According to this model, the maximum twinning rate in Sweden is located in the eastern part of central Sweden, mainly on the island of Gotland and in the counties around Stockholm. Relatively low twinning rates are seen in the western and northern parts of Sweden.
Twinning Rates According to Maternal Birthweight
Authors: Nohr Ellen A. , Rasmussen Steen , Ramlau-Hansen C. H. , Olsen Jorn
Published: November 2009

Dizygotic twinning rates have changed over time, which has been seen as a sign of a decline in fecundity. Since a woman's birthweight has been shown to be a marker of her fecundity, maternal birthweight may correlate with subsequent twinning rates. In the Danish National Birth Cohort (1996–2002), we examined if maternal birthweight, and whether she was born at term or preterm, correlated with her probability of multiple birth. For 20,719 live born infants, we had self-reported information about maternal birthweight, collected during the first wave of the 7-year follow-up, and information on multiple births from record linkage. The association between maternal birthweight and multiple births was investigated by use of logistic regression and presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Compared to women born at term with a birthweight of 3001–4000 g, women with a birthweight > 4500 g appeared to have higher chance of multiple birth while women with a birthweight of 4001–4500 had a lower chance, especially if the analysis was restricted to women with a BMI < 25 (Adjusted ORs 2.3 [1.0–5.4] and 0.4 [0.2–0.9] respectively). Odds ratios for dizygotic twinning were of the same magnitude. In women with a BMI ≥ 25, no obvious pattern was present. Our findings do not indicate that twinning is a fecundity indicator. Women with a birthweight that may indicate a pregnancy complicated with gestational diabetes had the highest rate of multiple birth. These findings are new and should be put to a critical test in other data sources.
Discordance in Nuchal Translucency Measurements in Monochorionic Diamniotic Twins as Predictor of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Authors: Linskens Ingeborg H. , de Mooij Yolanda M. , Twisk Jos W. , Kist Willem J. , Oepkes Dick , van Vugt John M.
Published: November 2009

Objective:Discordance in nuchal translucency measurements in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies was assessed as predictor of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.Study Design:A total of 61 monochorionic diamniotic twins were enrolled. Nuchal translucency (NT) and crown-rump-length (CRL) discordance was calculated as the percentage of delta NT and CRL (absolute difference NT/CRL fetus 1 and fetus 2) of the largest measurement, and correlated with subsequent development of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome.Results:Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome developed in 14/61 (23%) of cases. A NT discordance of 20% or more best predicted Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome development, with a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 78%. We found a positive predictive value of 50% and negative predicted value of 86% for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome development if NT discordance was 20% or more.Conclusion:NT discordance of more than 20% in monochorionic diamniotic twins is associated with an increased risk for subsequent development of Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, and with earlier presentation of symptoms.
Boro em arroz de terras altas cultivado em solução nutritiva
Authors: Pavinato Paulo Sérgio , Aguiar Alana , Castro Gustavo Spadotti Amaral , Crusciol Carlos Alexandre Costa
Published: November 2009

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de doses de boro na produção de matéria seca e nos parâmetros morfológicos das raízes de duas cultivares de arroz de terras altas. O experimento foi desenvolvido de abril a julho de 2004, em casa de vegetação, em Botucatu (SP), empregando-se duas cultivares de arroz - Caiapó e BRS Talento. As plântulas foram obtidas em condições controladas e após cinco dias, transferidas para vasos de plástico com capacidade para 8 L, utilizando areia lavada como suporte, deixando quatro plantas por vaso. Os tratamentos foram: 0,0; 0,5; 1,0; 2,0; 4,0 e 8,0 mg L-1 de B, aplicados via solução nutritiva. O corte foi realizado aos 70 dias após o transplante, sendo coletadas parte aérea e sistema radicular separadamente, determinado suas matérias secas e concentrações de N e B, bem como o comprimento, área superficial e diâmetro médio radicular. Não foi possível obter efeito positivo da aplicação de boro, evidenciando que para a cultura do arroz a dose ótima é a inferior a 0,5 ml L-1 de B. A aplicação de 3,8 e 3,4 mg L-1 de B causou efeitos tóxicos às cultivares Caiapó e Talento respectivamente. O limite de toxicidade para raízes das duas cultivares é a concentração de 2,7 mg L-1 de B. Sob toxicidade severa de B as plantas de arroz reduzem expressivamente o comprimento e aumentam o diâmetro radicular, resultando em menor área de absorção de nutrientes.
Achados clínicos e patológicos em cães infectados naturalmente por herpesvírus canino
Authors: Oliveira Eduardo C. , Sonne Luciana , Bezerra Júnior Pedro S. , Teixeira Elisa M. , Dezengrini Renata , Pavarini Saulo P. , Flores Eduardo F. , Driemeier David
Published: November 2009

Descrevem-se os achados clínicos e patológicos e os exames laboratoriais de filhotes de cães com diagnóstico post mortem de infecção por herpesvírus canino. Os casos ocorreram em duas propriedades da Cidade de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, em abril de 2007 e julho de 2008. Clinicamente, os cães apresentaram anorexia, apatia, choro e dispneia. A morte dos cães ocorreu após 24-72 horas do início dos sinais clínicos. Na necropsia observaram-se hemorragia multifocal renal e hepatomegalia com petéquias e pontos brancos na superfície natural do fígado. Os pulmões se apresentaram não-colapsados e vermelhos. Havia esplenomegalia e, em alguns cães, petéquias na superfície capsular do baço. Aumento dos linfonodos mesentéricos e do timo foi observado. Lesões microscópicas incluíram hemorragia e necrose multifocal em células epiteliais tubulares renais, hepatócitos e tecidos linfoides. Nos pulmões, havia necrose alveolar multifocal acentuada com abundante material fibrinoso e infiltrado inflamatório misto de intensidade variada. Ocasionais corpúsculos de inclusão intranucleares em áreas periféricas à necrose foram identificados em hepatócitos, células epiteliais de túbulos renais e células alveolares. Amostras de fígado, rim e pulmão foram positivas na imunofluorescência direta para herpesvírus canino tipo 1 (CHV-1). O diagnóstico de infecção por herpesvírus foi baseado nos achados de necropsia, histológicos e de imunofluorescência positiva em tecidos usando anticorpo anti-CHV-1. De nosso conhecimento, este é o primeiro relato da identificação do CHV-1 no Brasil, embora achados clínico-patológicos anteriores já sugerissem a presença do agente na população canina do país.