bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sodium and potassium in soils of the Murray - Darling Basin: a note
Authors: Smiles D. E.
Published: October 2006

There is, on average, more water-soluble and exchangeable potassium than sodium across a range of soils in the Murray–Darling Basin. Because water-soluble sodium and potassium are roughly equivalent in terms of their effects on soil structural stability, this implies that, for these soils, potassium is probably as important as is sodium. Neglect of potassium and simple appeal to the sodium adsorption ratio and solution concentration to infer structural stability will thus be misleading.
A homeostatic rule for inhibitory synapses promotes temporal sharpening and cortical reorganization
Authors: Moldakarimov Samat B. , McClelland James L. , Ermentrout G. Bard
Published: October 2006

Experience with transient stimuli leads to stronger neural responses that also rise and fall more sharply in time. This sharpening enhances the processing of transients and may be especially relevant for speech perception. We consider a learning rule for inhibitory connections that promotes this sharpening effect by adjusting these connections to maintain a target homeostatic level of activity in excitatory neurons. We analyze this rule in a recurrent network model of excitatory and inhibitory units. Strengthening inhibitory→excitatory connections along with excitatory→excitatory connections is required to obtain a sharpening effect. Using the homeostatic rule, we show that repeated presentations of a transient signal will “teach” the network to respond to the signal with both higher amplitude and shorter duration. The model also captures reorganization of receptive fields in the sensory hand area after amputation or peripheral nerve resection.
Socio-Economic Patterns of England and Wales
Authors: Hall C.B. , Smith R.A.
Published: October 2006

This article examines the geographical distribution of socio-economic groups in England and Wales based on data from the 1961 Census of Population. Each Local Authority is classified into one of six categories, depending on the socio-economic class composition of the male population. The six socio-economic categories shown on the map are defined by reference to the socio-economic composition of the total population for England and Wales.
Rebuilding or Renovation? a Reply
Authors: Needleman Lionel
Published: October 2006

In an article in Urban Studies, June 1967, E. M. Sigsworth and R. K. Wilkinson criticise what are claimed to be arguments taken from the present author's book, The Economics of Housing, on the choice for local authorities between renovating or rebuilding decrepit dwellings. The criticisms are grouped under the heads of economic, social and organisational and administrative factors. These criticisms are answered in turn. In many cases it is argued that the views criticised were not those advanced by the author. In other instances, the criticisms are shown to be irrelevant.
The Main Shopping Centres of Great Britain in 1961: Their Locational and Structural Characteristics
Authors: Thorpe David
Published: October 2006

This paper examines various characteristics of the main shopping centres of British towns as revealed by the 1961 Census of Distribution. Five interrelated topics are considered:

1. The selection and the size of centres is related to two types of urban area; the free-standing town and the complex urban region.

2. A seven-fold grading of centres by turnover-size is put forward as a possible (albeit subjective) classification. The relevance of this classification is considered by an examination of each standard region of G.B.

3. A study of the trade structure of the centres is based on an analysis of the sales of food, clothing and footwear and general stores.

4. The organisation structure of the centres is examined, and hypotheses are advanced and tested as to the relative role of multiple, co-operative and independent traders.

5. A special study is made of the centres of Greater London.
Models in Urban Planning: a Synoptic Review of Recent Literature
Authors: Wilson A.G.
Published: October 2006

This paper attempts to set up a rudimentary conceptual framework for planning, within which the use of models can be studied. This framework is set up in the first section of the paper, and is based on the use of an hierarchical relevance tree.

The second section of the paper delineates urban systems which can be usefully modelled, gives a set of rules for model design, and discusses some technique problems associated with model construction.

It is argued that models are developed at lower levels in such a hierarchy to represent understanding of the systems being planned. The recent literature on the development of such models is reviewed. This covers model development for spatially aggregated population and economic systems, urban structure, transport, and, more briefly, social systems.

Finally, the possible applications of models in the design process and the higher levels of the planning process, is discussed.
The Housing Problem a Century Ago
Authors: Tarn J.N.
Published: October 2006

Housing one hundred years ago was a problem of philanthropy, speculation and public health. The early housing societies were not very successful either financially or in terms of the number of houses provided. The speculator was catering for the artisan and the middle classes rather than the very poor and his work was uncontrolled by adequate legislation. The paper traces the growth of '5 per cent philanthropy' and the important contribution of new organisations which rejuvenated in the 60's what then appeared to be a declining movement. It outlines the various attitudes to housing the poor in an age which still believed in self-help, it examines the relation of public health questions to housing, it discusses the condition of our cities and particularly London at that period, and it examines the scope of legislation, its permissive nature and the whole problem of state interference in what was generally regarded as the sphere of private liberty.
Retail Store Spatial Affinities
Authors: Getis Arthur , Getis Judith M.
Published: October 2006

Heterogeneous and homogeneous data sets are examined to determine whether retail store spatial affinities exist within the central business districts of a sample of American cities. Use is made of a test designed to identify statistically significant spatial associations. The findings of the study suggest that there are undoubtedly some significant affinities between business types, but that they are very limited in number and not constant from city to city. When data from the cities are combined, four groups are shown to emerge, the most prominent displaying a strong bond between women's clothing, women's accessory, and variety stores.
The Structure of Intra-Urban Movement Rates: an Ecological Model
Authors: Moore Eric G.
Published: October 2006

Although increasing emphasis in urban planning and research is being placed on the development of micro-analytic models it will be many years before suitable data are available to permit their widespread application. Until that time efforts must be made to extract maximum utility from existing data. Blalock's method of causal analysis utilising simple and partial correlation coefficients is presented. The method, which is applicable to existing census data, explores the structural relations between several variables.

The procedure is applied to an ecological analysis of associations between intra-urban migration rates and selected socio-economic and demographic variables in Brisbane, Australia. An initial causal model is derived from previous studies. The process of testing and reformulating the model proves of considerable heuristic value in understanding factors influencing the stability of the urban environment.
Occupancy Duration and the Analysis of Residential Change
Authors: Cave P.W.
Published: October 2006

This paper presents a technique for analysing the processes of population change which occur within an existing stock of housing. The first signs of residential change appear in changing occupancy duration, with turnover rates increasing or decreasing as the new pattern becomes established. But every area, however stable, has some degree of population change; the problem therefore, is to distinguish the genuine signs of change.

From cumulative duration data, five distinct types of 'sales curves' are derived—the hypothetical limiting cases of occupancy duration-reflecting different probabilities of occupants' leaving or remaining after given lengths of stay. By comparing actual with 'predicted' household changes, the essential supports of a stable residential pattern, or the significant changes, can be isolated.
The Comparative Economics of Improvement and New Building
Authors: Needleman Lionel
Published: October 2006

In this paper an attempt is made to devise fairly simple formulae to aid local authorities in deciding between rebuilding and modemising areas of sub-standard housing. The choice is first examined in the case of an individual dwelling; then for groups of dwellings where the average cost of demolition and rebuilding falls as the proportion of dwellings in the area that are cleared increases. Finally, the case is examined where modemisation and rebuilding provide different amounts of accommodation and where the costs of providing overspill accommodation have to be allowed for.
Allocation of Central Government Budgets Over City Regions
Authors: Foster C.D. , Smith J.F.
Published: October 2006

The paper states the pressing need for a more analytical approach to the allocation of Central Government budgets and to budget forecasts for local areas. In many cases Central Government is unable to deal with individual projects of expenditure or investment and a strict optimisation at this micro level is impracticable. In these circumstances allocation must be based on broad and more aggregative indices, current and predicted.

The paper offers a number of distinctions and certain allocation methods are discussed with simple illustrations. It is argued that methods have to approximate to micro optimisation at one extreme and macro economic optimisation at the other. The paper calls for further analysis on the interrelationships between methods.
Regional Shifts in Nigerian Manufacturing
Authors: Oluwole Oyebanji J.
Published: October 2006

The changes in Nigerian manufacturing have generally made a positive contribution to the country's development planning goals and aspirations. A net gain of over 177,000 jobs in ten years (1968-78) has offered some relief to unemployment in the country. Similarly, the growth in manufacturing's contribution to gross domestic product, from about 4.0 per cent in 1958 to about 8.0 per cent by 1975, is significant. Also, although the rate is still slow, the intermediate and capital goods sectors are gradually expanding at a rate faster than that of the consumer goods sector. Finally, from the time when emphasis shifted from a growth pole strategy to a balanced development growth approach, there has been considerable redistribution of manufacturing in the country. This was precipitated largely by the creation and multiplication of states, and by the consequent impact of political and tribal forces on regional policy decisions.
Critical Rationalism and Planning Methodology
Authors: Faludi Andreas
Published: October 2006

This paper studies the implications of critical rationalism for planning and planning methodology. Centreing on planning as decision-making, a Popperian approach to decision-making in planning is formulated, with a view to throwing light on an old planning problem: the meaning of rationality.
Locational Behaviour and the Mobility of Firms in West Germany
Authors: Bade Franz-Josef
Published: October 2006

The paper analyses industrial migration in the Federal Republic of Germany. The investigation proceeds from the hypothesis that firms have a strong preference to remain in situ. Consequently, in order to explain industrial migration, the conditions necessary to induce a willingness to move have to be taken into account. Following on from the discussion of the circumstances under which firms may be expected to be willing to move, a sectorally and spatially differentiated analysis is conducted on the basis of data on industrial migration between 1964 and 1979.
Self-help Housing: an Evaluation of Outcomes
Authors: Burns Leland S.
Published: October 2006

A survey of participants in a self-help housing project serves as the basis for this exploration of attitudinal change. The self-help project, a model of its type, was acclaimed by its residents who expressed satisfaction with the housing and neighbourhoods, and their generally heightened satisfaction with life in general. Respondents' sense of powerlessness diminished with the gain of personal identity. Popular participation increased the power of neighbourhood organizations. The importance of fatalism as an external control declined. Self-help with related supportive services is seen as an effective means for upgrading the supply of low-cost housing and improving resident welfare.
Urban Air Pollution and Morbidity: A Retrospective Approach
Authors: Ostro Bart
Published: October 2006

Concern for efficiency in environmental policy and the recent Executive Order of the President have increased the importance of determining the risk of illness for exposure to urban air pollution. This paper uses data collected at the individual level to estimate the impact of air pollution on either work loss or days of restricted activity. The multiple regression analysis used in this study indicates that increases in air pollution are associated with increases in acute morbidity that result in work loss. In addition, the analysis suggests that urban factors, climate, and occupational exposure do not appear to confound the estimated relationship between air pollution and morbidity.
An Analysis of Housing Subsidy Schemes in Australia
Authors: Tucker S.N.
Published: October 2006

The affordability problems of acquiring home ownership in Australia have attracted much attention in recent years. This has led to many suggested (and some implemented) schemes to reduce these problems either by restructuring loan repayments or by providing subsidies to selected groups of people who are in most need of assistance to buy their own homes. There has been little attempt to measure the cost to the government of these latter subsidy schemes. This study continues a previous theoretical analysis which quantifies cash flow profiles over the lifetime of houses, taking into account detailed estimates of housing costs, the characteristics of the size of loan, distribution of loan sizes with income, the length of residence and whether the loan is for a first or subsequent home. Comparison of schemes for subsidising home ownership, identification of significant differences in costs, both annual and lifetime, and assessment from the governmental viewpoint are demonstrated by examples.
Adjusting Housing Consumption: Improve or Move
Authors: Seek N.H.
Published: October 2006

Home improvement is becoming more important as a supplier of housing in Australia. This paper examines how and why home improving decisions are made and briefly discusses some equity questions about the upsurge in home improvement activity. Additions and alterations to dwellings are undertaken largely to meet demands for more and better housing rather than to make good features of the dwelling which have become defective as a result of ageing and wear and tear. Mainly because of the high financial and psychological costs of moving, many homeowners tend to stay in the same house for a long time and modify it as their housing demands change over their life cycle. With upwardly mobile households not moving from their existing dwellings and the values of these dwellings being increased through home improvement, the lower income households are likely to be more disadvantaged.
Rail Rapid Transit Investment and CBD Revitalisation: Methodology and Results
Authors: Berechman Joseph , Paaswell Robert E.
Published: October 2006

A $450 million light rapid rail transit (LRRT) system is currently under construction in Buffalo, New York. This project represents a large public investment for a transportation system for which user benefits are not the sole or even a major consideration. Anticipated increases in service employment, retail activity and land development, mainly in the declining CBD area, are viewed as the major benefits. This paper describes the methodological framework used for the analysis of these impacts. Based on the empirical results from this methodology, the paper then evaluates the overall potential of the project to promote CBD revitalisation.
Press releases and email notices increase local and global visibility of a small medical journal
Authors: Sambunjak Dario
Published: October 2006

To increase its visibility among the general public and the international scientific community, the Croatian Medical Journal (CMJ), a small journal from the so‐called scientific periphery, introduced a media strategy of sending press releases to journalists and email notices to the newsdesk of a high‐profile international scientific journal. Subsequent news coverage and the positive response of journalists show that press releases and targeted email notices increased international visibility of articles published in a small scientific journal, and improved communication with journalists as mediators of scientific information to the general public.
Is it enough to change the language? A case study of Croatian biomedical journals
Authors: Pulišelić Lea , Petrak Jelka
Published: October 2006

The language barrier is a factor in the low visibility and significance of scientific journals produced by small and scientifically peripheral countries. In order to reach an international audience, both as consumers and producers of scientific information, many journals abandon their national language and start publishing in English. Six Croatian biomedical journals that went through this transition were examined on their editing and publishing characteristics and their international visibility before and after the language shift. The analysis showed that this change influenced the journals' characteristics in general. Two journals enhanced their international visibility, but only one journal showed improvement in all analysed indicators.
Golgin-160 Is Required for the Golgi Membrane Sorting of the Insulin-responsive Glucose Transporter GLUT4 in Adipocytes
Authors: Williams Dumaine , Hicks Stuart W. , Machamer Carolyn E. , Pessin Jeffrey E.
Published: October 2006

The peripheral Golgi protein golgin-160 is induced during 3T3L1 adipogenesis and is primarily localized to the Golgi cisternae distinct from the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in a general distribution similar to p115. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated reduction in golgin-160 protein resulted in an increase accumulation of the insulin-responsive amino peptidase (IRAP) and the insulin-regulated glucose transporter (GLUT4) at the plasma membrane concomitant with enhanced glucose uptake in the basal state. The redistribution of GLUT4 was rescued by expression of a siRNA-resistant golgin-160 cDNA. The basal state accumulation of plasma membrane GLUT4 occurred due to an increased rate of exocytosis without any significant effect on the rate of endocytosis. This GLUT4 trafficking to the plasma membrane in the absence of golgin-160 was independent of TGN/Golgi sorting, because it was no longer inhibited by the expression of a dominant-interfering Golgi-localized, γ-ear–containing ARF-binding protein mutant and displayed reduced binding to the lectin wheat germ agglutinin. Moreover, expression of the amino terminal head domain (amino acids 1–393) had no significant effect on the distribution or insulin-regulated trafficking of GLUT4 or IRAP. In contrast, expression of carboxyl α helical region (393–1498) inhibited insulin-stimulated GLUT4 and IRAP translocation, but it had no effect on the sorting of constitutive membrane trafficking proteins, the transferrin receptor, or vesicular stomatitis virus G protein. Together, these data demonstrate that golgin-160 plays an important role in directing insulin-regulated trafficking proteins toward the insulin-responsive compartment in adipocytes.
Interactive Tree Of Life (iTOL): an online tool for phylogenetic tree display and annotation
Authors: Letunic Ivica , Bork Peer
Published: October 2006

Summary: Interactive Tree Of Life (iTOL) is a web-based tool for the display, manipulation and annotation of phylogenetic trees. Trees can be interactively pruned and re-rooted. Various types of data such as genome sizes or protein domain repertoires can be mapped onto the tree. Export to several bitmap and vector graphics formats is supported.

Availability: iTOL is available at

Contact:  bork@embl.de
Characteristics, causes and evolutionary consequences of male-biased mutation
Authors: Ellegren Hans
Published: October 2006

Mutation has traditionally been considered a random process, but this paradigm is challenged by recent evidence of divergence rate heterogeneity in different genomic regions. One facet of mutation rate variation is the propensity for genetic change to correlate with the number of germ cell divisions, reflecting the replication-dependent origin of many mutations. Haldane was the first to connect this association of replication and mutation to the difference in the number of cell divisions in oogenesis (low) and spermatogenesis (usually high), and the resulting sex difference in the rate of mutation. The concept of male-biased mutation has been thoroughly analysed in recent years using an evolutionary approach, in which sequence divergence of autosomes and/or sex chromosomes are compared to allow inference about the relative contribution of mothers and fathers in the accumulation of mutations. For instance, assuming that a neutral sequence is analysed, that rate heterogeneity owing to other factors is cancelled out by the investigation of many loci and that the effect of ancestral polymorphism is properly taken into account, the male-to-female mutation rate ratio,αm, can be solved from the observed difference in rate of X and Y chromosome divergence. The male mutation bias is positively correlated with the relative excess of cell divisions in the male compared to the female germ line, as evidenced by a generation time effect: in mammals,αmis estimated at approximately 4–6 in primates, approximately 3 in carnivores and approximately 2 in small rodents. Another life-history correlate is sexual selection: when there is intense sperm competition among males, increased sperm production will be associated with a larger number of mitotic cell divisions in spermatogenesis and hence an increase inαm. Male-biased mutation has implications for important aspects of evolutionary biology such as mate choice in relation to mutation load, sexual selection and the maintenance of genetic diversity despite strong directional selection, the tendency for a disproportionate large role of the X (Z) chromosome in post-zygotic isolation, and the evolution of sex.
Dodgson condensation, alternating signs and square ice
Authors: Hone Andrew N.W
Published: October 2006

Starting with the numbers 1,2,7,42,429,7436, what is the next term in the sequence? This question arose in the area of mathematics called algebraic combinatorics, which deals with the precise counting of sets of objects, but it goes back to Lewis Carroll's work on determinants. The resolution of the problem was only achieved at the end of the last century, and with two completely different approaches: the first involved extensive verification by computer algebra and a huge posse of referees, while the second relied on an unexpected connection with the theory of ‘square ice’ in statistical physics. This paper, aimed at a general scientific audience, explains the background to this problem and how subsequent developments are leading to a fruitful interplay between algebraic combinatorics, mathematical physics and number theory.
Quantum choreography: making molecules dance to technology's tune?
Authors: Schirmer Sonia G
Published: October 2006

We consider how the ability to control quantum effects might give rise to entirely new technologies, present an overview of potential applications and consider some of the key challenges facing quantum control. A general overview of the main techniques that have been employed successfully so far in controlling various quantum phenomena is given and their applications, advantages and shortcomings are discussed. We conclude with an outlook on the future challenges to be overcome to make quantum technologies a reality.
Mathematical virology: a novel approach to the structure and assembly of viruses
Authors: Twarock Reidun
Published: October 2006

Understanding the structure and life cycle of viruses is a fascinating challenge with a crucial impact on the public health sector. In the early 1960s, Caspar & Klug (Caspar & Klug 1962Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol.27, 1–24) established a theory for the prediction of the surface structures of the protein shells, called viral capsids, which encapsulate and hence provide protection for the viral genome. It is of fundamental importance in virology, with a broad spectrum of applications ranging from the image analysis and classification of experimental data to the construction of assembly models. However, experimental results have provided evidence for the fact that it is incomplete and, in particular, cannot account for the structures ofPapovaviridae, which are of particular interest because they contain cancer-causing viruses. This gap has recently been closed by the viral tiling theory, which describes the locations of the protein subunits and inter-subunit bonds in viral capsids based on mathematical tools from the area of quasicrystals. The predictions and various recent applications of the new theory are presented, and it is discussed how further research along these lines may lead to new insights in virology and the design of anti-viral therapeutics.
Unraveling transcription regulatory networks by protein–DNA and protein–protein interaction mapping
Authors: Walhout Albertha J.M.
Published: October 2006

Metazoan genomes contain thousands of protein-coding and noncoding RNA genes, most of which are differentially expressed, i.e., at different locations or at different times during development, function, or pathology of the organism. Differential gene expression is achieved in part by the action of regulatory transcription factors (TFs) that bind to cis-regulatory elements that are often located in or near their target genes. Each TF likely regulates many targets in the context of intricate transcription regulatory networks. Up to 10% of a genome may encode TFs, but only a handful of these have been studied in detail. Here, I will discuss the different steps involved in the mapping and analysis of transcription regulatory networks, including the identification of network nodes (TFs and their target sequences) and edges (TF–TF dimers and TF–DNA target interactions), integration with other data types, and network properties and emerging principles that provide insights into differential gene expression.
Pre‐cessation depressive mood predicts failure to quit smoking: the role of coping and personality traits*
Authors: Berlin Ivan , Covey Lirio S.
Published: October 2006

Aims  To examine whether mood, personality and coping predict smoking cessation and whether the associations of personality and coping are mediated through depressed mood.

Setting  Multicenter (n = 8) smoking cessation trial.

Participants  A total of 600 smokers (≥ 15 cigarettes/day) without current depression who participated in a smoking cessation study.

Measurements  The outcome was continuous abstinence during the last 4 weeks of the 3‐month trial: depressed mood was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), personality by the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO‐PI‐R) and coping by the Revised Ways of Coping Checklist (RWCC).

Findings  A total of 14.7% (88/600) were abstainers. Controlling for potential confounders, baseline BDI independently predicted smoking cessation. Smokers with BDI ≥ 10 were less likely to quit than those with BDI < 10 (odds ratio: 6.39, 95% CI: 1.44–28.3, P = 0.01). Compared to BDI < 10 smokers, BDI ≥ 10 smokers had significantly higher scores for neuroticism and lower scores for extraversion and conscientiousness (NEO‐PI‐R). On the RWCC, BDI ≥ 10 smokers scored higher for blame self, wishful thinking and problem avoidance and they scored lower on problem focus than smokers with BDI < 10. A mediational analysis showed that neither personality traits nor coping skills predicted directly smoking cessation. However, low level of problem focusing and social support seeking predicted a negative outcome via depressed mood.

Conclusion  A BDI score ≥ 10, even in smokers who do not meet a current diagnosis of major depression, directly predicts inability to quit. This suggests the utility of assessing depression symptoms in routine smoking cessation care.
The c‐Jun‐N‐terminal‐Kinase inhibitor SP600125 enhances the butyrate derivative D1‐induced apoptosis via caspase 8 activation in Kasumi 1 t(8;21) acute myeloid leukaemia cells
Authors: Rovida Elisabetta , Gozzini Antonella , Barbetti Valentina , Giuntoli Serena , Santini Valeria , Dello Sbarba Persio
Published: October 2006

We recently showed that the histone deacetylase inhibitor D1 induced apoptosis in the t(8;21) Kasumi 1 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cell line and activated caspase 9. The present study characterised the effects of the combined administration of D1 with PD98059, SB203580 or SP600125, specific inhibitors of mitogen‐activated protein kinase, extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p38 or Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), respectively. Among these inhibitors, SP600125 was the only one to markedly induce apoptosis and decrease cell proliferation. These experiments showed that SP600125 activated caspase 8 and confirmed that D1 activated the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis, as caspase 8 was not affected while Bcl‐2 was down‐regulated following D1 administration. The combination of the two drugs enhanced caspase‐8 activation and induced apoptosis in an additive fashion. JNK was constitutively activated in the Kasumi 1, NB4, HL60 and THP‐1 human AML cell lines, as well as in primary blasts from a t(8;21) AML patient. In all these cells, the pro‐apoptotic effect of the two drugs alone was increased when they were combined. On this basis, the combined administration of D1 with SP600125 seems to be very promising as a potential anti‐leukaemic tool in AML.
Early identification: are speech/language‐impaired toddlers at increased risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder?
Authors: Gaines R. , Missiuna C.
Published: October 2006

Background  Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a movement skill disorder which impacts upon a child’s ability to perform age‐appropriate self‐care and academic tasks. DCD is commonly comorbid with speech/language learning disabilities.

Aim  The present study was conducted to determine whether children who had been identified with speech/language delays as toddlers demonstrated characteristics of DCD and/or speech/language problems at kindergarten age.

Results  Speech/language and motor assessments who were followed up at 63–80 months of age. Of the 40 children, 18 showed evidence of significant motor impairment and two‐thirds of these met diagnostic criteria for DCD at follow‐up. Twelve children were identified as having persistent speech/language problems and, of these, nine presented with significant motor co‐ordination difficulties. Parental report of gross motor and fine motor problems at follow‐up correlated highly with actual motor impairment scores.

Conclusions  Young children who are in early intervention programmes for speech/language delays may have significant co‐ordination difficulties that will become more evident at kindergarten age when motor deficits begin to impact self‐care and academic tasks. Clinical implications for early recognition of motor issues by speech/language pathologists and the potential use of parental reporting tools are addressed.
Consequences of Mediterranean warming events in seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) flowering records
Authors: DIAZ‐ALMELA ELENA , MARBÀ NURIA , DUARTE CARLOS M.
Published: October 2006

Posidonia oceanica, a seagrass endemic to the Mediterranean forms extended and extremely persistent meadows. It is a clonal plant with an apparently irregular pattern of flowering events. An extensive bibliographic review allowed the reconstruction of past flowering events of this species around the Mediterranean, with a high degree of confidence for the last 30 years. The data series on annual flowering prevalence (FP, flowering records per total records) and flowering intensity (FI, fraction of flowering shoots) produced have been compared with four series on Sea Surface annual Temperature maxima (SSTmax) obtained for the NW Mediterranean (averaged from the local data series of l'Estartit and Villefranche: 1957–2005) and for the Eastern, Western basin and the whole Mediterranean sea (extracted from NCEP Reynolds interpolated SST maps: 1982–2005). Significant warming trends are detected in the Mediterranean SSTmax series, at a rate of (mean+SE) 0.04±0.01°C yr−1 (R2=0.24, P<0.01, N=24 years), in the Eastern basin series (0.06±0.01°C yr−1, R2=0.43, P<0.001, N=24 years) and in the long SSTmax series of the NW Mediterranean (0.02±0.01 C yr−1, R2=0.12, P<0.02, N=49 years). The magnitudes of the SSTmax anomalies around the absolute warming trend do not increase with time in any SSTmax series. Peaks of FP and FI in the Mediterranean seem to occur each 9–11 years, and coincide with peaks of annual SSTmax. Annual FP and FI increase with the residuals of annual SSTmax warming trend in all Mediterranean basins (FPMED: R2=0.27, P<0.01, N=23; FPNW: R2=0.34, P<0.01, N=31; FPE: R2=0.20; P<0.10, N=23). An outstanding event of P. oceanica flowering across the Mediterranean has been registered in Autumn 2003; 1 month after the highest annual SSTmax recorded in the series. The hypothesis of flowering induction by thermal stress as the possible cause of this relationship is discussed, as well as the potential use of P. oceanica flowering record as early indicator of biological change induced by global sea warming in Mediterranean marine ecosystems.
Xylem density, biomechanics and anatomical traits correlate with water stress in 17 evergreen shrub species of the Mediterranean‐type climate region of South Africa
Authors: JACOBSEN ANNA L. , AGENBAG LIZE , ESLER KAREN J. , PRATT R. BRANDON , EWERS FRANK W. , DAVIS STEPHEN D.
Published: October 2006

Climate change in South Africa may threaten the sclerophyllous evergreen shrubs of this region. Available data suggest that they are not as tolerant of water stress as chaparral shrubs occurring in climatically similar California, USA.

Seventeen species from nine angiosperm families, including both fynbos and succulent karoo species, were studied at a field site in Western Cape Province, South Africa. Minimum seasonal pressure potential (Pmin), xylem specific conductivity (Ks), stem strength against breakage (modulus of rupture, MOR), xylem density, theoretical vessel implosion resistance () and several fibre and vessel anatomical traits were measured.

Species displayed great variability in Pmin, similar to the range reported for chaparral and karoo shrub species, but in contrast to previous reports for fynbos shrubs.

More negative Pmin was associated with having greater xylem density, MOR and . There was no relationship between Pmin and traits associated with increased water transport efficiency.

Xylem density integrates many xylem traits related to water stress tolerance, including Pmin, MOR and , as well as percentage fibre wall, parenchyma, vessel area and fibre lumen diameter.

Xylem density may be an integral trait for predicting the impact of climate change on evergreen shrubs.
Quantitative high resolution transmission electron microscopy of nanostructured semiconductors
Authors: NEUMANN W. , KIRMSE H. , HÄUSLER I. , OTTO R.
Published: October 2006

Peak‐finding procedures and the geometric phase method of quantitative high resolution electron microscopy (qHRTEM) were applied to determine the local strain and the chemical composition of nanostructured semiconductor materials. The growth of the structures investigated was induced by minimization of strain energy. The analysis of strain distribution is necessary for the understanding of the self‐organized formation of nanostructures. The possibilities and limitations of the methods are discussed in detail by analysing HRTEM images of (Si,Ge) islands and of a double layer of stacked quantum dots of (In,Ga)As and Ga(Sb,As).
CBED and LACBED characterization of crystal defects
Authors: MORNIROLI J. P.
Published: October 2006

Convergent‐beam electron diffraction (CBED) obtained with a focused incident beam is well known for the identification of the point and space groups but it can also be used for the analysis of stacking faults and antiphase boundaries. Large‐angle convergent‐beam electron diffraction (LACBED) is performed with a large defocused incident beam and is well adapted to the characterization of most types of crystal defects: point defects, perfect and partial dislocations, stacking faults, antiphase boundaries and grain boundaries. Among the advantages of these methods with respect to the conventional transmission electron microscopy methods, are that one or few patterns are required for a full analysis and the interpretations are easy and unambiguous. The LACBED technique is particularly useful for the analysis of dislocations present in anisotropic and beam‐sensitive materials.
Arabidopsis WRKY33 transcription factor is required for resistance to necrotrophic fungal pathogens
Authors: Zheng Zuyu , Qamar Synan Abu , Chen Zhixiang , Mengiste Tesfaye
Published: October 2006

Plant WRKY transcription factors are key regulatory components of plant responses to microbial infection. In addition to regulating the expression of defense‐related genes, WRKY transcription factors have also been shown to regulate cross‐talk between jasmonate‐ and salicylate‐regulated disease response pathways. The two pathways mediate resistance against different types of microbial pathogens, and there are numerous reports of antagonistic interactions between them. Here we show that mutations of the Arabidopsis WRKY33 gene encoding a WRKY transcription factor cause enhanced susceptibility to the necrotrophic fungal pathogens Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria brassicicola concomitant with reduced expression of the jasmonate‐regulated plant defensin PDF1.2 gene. Ectopic over‐expression of WRKY33, on the other hand, increases resistance to the two necrotrophic fungal pathogens. The wrky33 mutants do not show altered responses to a virulent strain of the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, although the ectopic expression of WRKY33 results in enhanced susceptibility to this pathogen. The susceptibility of WRKY33‐over‐expressing plants to P. syringae is associated with reduced expression of the salicylate‐regulated PR‐1 gene. The WRKY33 transcript is induced in response to pathogen infection, or treatment with salicylate or the paraquat herbicide that generates activated oxygen species in exposed cells. WRKY33 is localized to the nucleus of plant cells and recognizes DNA molecules containing the TTGACC W‐box sequence. Together, these results indicate that pathogen‐induced WRKY33 is an important transcription factor that regulates the antagonistic relationship between defense pathways mediating responses to P. syringae and necrotrophic pathogens.
Plant endoplasmin supports the protein secretory pathway and has a role in proliferating tissues
Authors: Klein Eva M. , Mascheroni Laura , Pompa Andrea , Ragni Laura , Weimar Thilo , Lilley Kathryn S. , Dupree Paul , Vitale Alessandro
Published: October 2006

Endoplasmin is a molecular chaperone of the heat‐shock protein 90 class located in the endoplasmic reticulum and its activity is poorly characterized in plants. We assessed the ability of endoplasmin to alleviate stress via its transient overexpression in tobacco protoplasts treated with tunicamycin, an inhibitor of glycosylation and inducer of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Endoplasmin supported the secretion of a model secretory protein but was less effective than BiP, the endoplasmic reticulum member of the heat‐shock protein 70 family. Consistently, immunoprecipitation experiments with in vivo radioactively labelled proteins using an antiserum prepared against Arabidopsis endoplasmin showed that a much smaller number of newly synthesized polypeptides associated with endoplasmin than with BiP. Synthesis of endoplasmin was enhanced by UPR inducers in tobacco seedlings but not protoplasts. As BiP synthesis was induced in both systems, we conclude that the UPR acts differently, at least in part, on the expression of the two chaperones. Endoplasmin was not detectable in extracts of leaves and stems of the Arabidopsis endoplasmin T‐DNA insertion mutant shepherd. However, the chaperone is present, albeit at low levels, in shepherd mutant callus, mature roots and tunicamycin‐treated seedlings, demonstrating that the mutation is leaky. Reduced endoplasmin in the shepherd mutant has no effect on BiP protein levels in callus or mature roots, leaves and stems, but is compensated by increased BiP in seedlings. This increase occurs in proliferating rather than expanding leaf cells, indicating an important role for endoplasmin in proliferating plant tissues.
Rapid implementation of therapeutic hypothermia in comatose out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest survivors
Authors: Busch M. , Soreide E. , Lossius H. M. , Lexow K. , Dickstein K.
Published: October 2006

Background:  The implementation of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) into daily clinical practice appears to be slow. We present our experiences with rapid implementation of a simple protocol for TH in comatose out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survivors.

Methods:  From June 2002, we started cooling pre‐hospitally with sport ice packs in the groin and over the neck. In the intensive care unit (ICU), we used ice‐water soaked towels over the torso. All patients were endotracheally intubated, on mechanical ventilation and sedated and paralysed. The target temperature was 33 ± 1 °C to be maintained for 12–24 h. We used simple inclusion criteria: (i) no response to verbal command during the ambulance transport independent of initial rhythm and cause of CA; (ii) age 18–80 years; and (iii) absence of cardiogenic shock (SBP < 90 mmHg despite vasopressors). We compared the first 27 comatose survivors with a presumed cardiac origin of their OHCA with 34 historic controls treated just before implementation.

Results:  TH was initiated in all 27 eligible patients. The target temperature was reached in 24 patients (89% success rate). ICU‐ and hospital‐ length of stay did not differ significantly before and after implementation of TH. Hypokalemia (P= 0.001) and insulin resistance (P= 0.025) were more common and seizures (P= 0.01) less frequently reported with the use of TH. The implementation of TH was associated with a higher hospital survival rate (16/27; 59% vs. 11/34; 32%, respectively; P≤ 0.05). Our results indicate a population‐based need of approximately seven cooling patients per 100,000 person‐years served.

Conclusion:  Our simple, external cooling protocol can be implemented overnight in any system already treating post‐resuscitation patients. It was well accepted, feasible and safe, but not optimal in terms of cooling rate. Neither safety concerns nor costs should be a barrier for implementation of TH.
Cardiovascular changes after naloxone administration in propofol‐sedated piglets during opioid overdose
Authors: Boyd J. J. , Kyttä J. V. , Aittomäki J. V. , Rosenberg P. H. , Seppälä T. A. , Randell T. T.
Published: October 2006

Background:  Naloxone is an opioid receptor antagonist. Even when used in modest doses, it has been associated with serious cardiopulmonary side‐effects. In this experimental porcine study, we examined the cardiac effects of naloxone during an opioid overdose.

Methods:  Cardiac parameters, changes in the left ventricular compliance and the magnitude of catecholamine release were evaluated in eight spontaneously breathing piglets under propofol sedation. Cardiac parameters were recorded every 30 s and transthoracic echocardiography was used for the continuous assessment of cardiac performance. Respiratory arrest was induced by morphine (8 mg/kg). Ten minutes after morphine administration, naloxone (80 μg/kg) was injected intravenously. Every 5 min, arterial blood gases were measured and, every 10 min, a sample for the analysis of plasma catecholamines was drawn.

Results:  There were no statistically significant changes in left ventricular ejection fraction and no signs of pulmonary hypertension. There was a statistically significant increase in the mean arterial pressure immediately after naloxone administration and in norepinephrine concentration before naloxone administration. After naloxone administration, the plasma catecholamine levels decreased in all but one animal. Two animals developed cardiac arrest (pulseless electrical activity and ventricular fibrillation) shortly after receiving naloxone. Although they were both administered naloxone prematurely due to hypoxic bradycardia, naloxone could have contributed to the development of ventricular fibrillation.

Conclusion:  Naloxone did not cause changes in ejection fraction or mean pulmonary artery pressure in hypoxic and hypercarbic conditions. After naloxone administration, the plasma catecholamine levels returned to baseline in all but one animal, and two animals developed cardiac arrest.
Effect of Dietary Carotenoid Supplementation on Food Intake and Immune Function in a Songbird with no Carotenoid Coloration
Authors: McGraw Kevin J. , Crino Ondi L. , Medina‐Jerez William , Nolan Paul M.
Published: October 2006

Studies of ornamental carotenoid coloration suggest that animals may have evolved specialized mechanisms for maximizing color expression and advertising their potential worth as a mate. For example, when given a choice of foods, many carotenoid‐pigmented fishes and birds select the more colorful, presumably carotenoid‐rich foods, and then accumulate these pigments at high levels in both the integument and systemically, in order to boost their immune system and hence directly advertise their health state with their colors. The majority of animals, however, do not exhibit sexually selected carotenoid coloration, which raises the question of whether they still optimize pigment intake and allocation in ways that boost endogenous accumulation and health. We tested the effect of carotenoid supplementation on food intake, carotenoid accumulation in blood, and both innate and adaptive immunity in male society finches (Lonchura domestica) – a non‐carotenoid‐colored estrildid finch relative of the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata; a species in which males do display sexually attractive and health‐revealing carotenoid color). Males fed a carotenoid‐rich diet for 2 wk did not consume more food than control males. Still, consumption of the carotenoid‐rich diet for 2 wk significantly elevated circulating levels of carotenoids in blood in male society finches, yielding the potential for immune enhancement. In fact, carotenoid‐enriched finches performed significantly better than control birds in our assay of constitutive innate immunity (bacterial‐killing activity of whole blood), although not in our test of inducible adaptive immunity (response to a mitogenic challenge with phytohemagglutinin). These results suggest that affinities for carotenoid‐rich foods may be particular to species with sexually selected carotenoid pigmentation, but that, as in humans and other mammals (e.g. mice, rats) without carotenoid color, the immune‐boosting action of carotenoids is conserved regardless of the strength of sexual selection on pigment use.