bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formulation and Evaluation of Controlled-Release Tablet of Zolpidem Tartrate by Melt Granulation Technique
Authors: Prajapati Shailesh T. , Patel Amit N. , Patel Chhagan N.
Published: June 2011

The present investigation describes the influence of the concentration of PEG 6000 as a melt binder and ratio of HPMC K4M : PVP on Zolpidem tartrate controlled-release tablet formulations using 32 full factorial design. The ratio of HPMC K4M and PVP K30 () and the concentration of melt binder () were selected as independent variables, and drug release at 1 hr (), 4 hr (), 8 hr (), diffusion coefficient (), and release rate constant () were selected as a dependent variable. Tablets were prepared by melt granulation technique and evaluated for various evaluation parameters. It was observed that concentration of melt binder had significant effect on , , , and Binder concentration 25% w/w was found optimum. Optimized formulation () showed good similarity with theoretical profile of drug. The variable had a significant effect on dependent variables, and the variable had no significant effect on dependent variables.
The Optimal Warranty and Preventive Maintenance Policy for the Four-State System
Authors: Attia Ahmed F. , Abou Elela Eman D. , Hosham Hany A.
Published: June 2011

A complete view for the multistate system considering the four-state system is here introduced. The exponential distribution for failure times and repair times is considered. The steady state availability is established via the Markov process. Different warranty and preventive maintenance policies are introduced, and also the cost of these policies for the manufacturer and the buyer is evaluated.
Actuator and Sensor Positioning Optimization in Control Design for a Large BWB Passenger Aircraft
Authors: Schirrer A. , Westermayer C. , Hemedi M. , Kozek M.
Published: June 2011

This paper states an approach to actuator and sensor positioning optimization and design in the control system design of a large blended wing body (BWB) passenger aircraft. Numerous objectives have to be achieved by the control system: loads alleviation, vibration attenuation, and the fulfillment of handling quality requirements. Exploiting the system structure and existing system knowledge (excitation, comfort, and load formulations), evaluation criteria are designed to assess actuator and sensor effectiveness and efficiency for the aircraft dynamic range of interest. The tasks of optimal actuator and sensor positioning, actuator sizing, and actuator bandwidth requirements are investigated, whereby solutions that are robust are sought with respect to parameter variations. The results are shown on a BWB passenger aircraft model and verified using a normalized closed-loop performance assessment approach.
The pH Levels of Different Methamphetamine Drug Samples on the Street Market in Cape Town
Authors: Grobler Sias R. , Chikte Usuf , Westraat Jaco
Published: June 2011

The purpose of this study was to determine the pH levels of 29 different samples of methamphetamine on the street market in Cape Town. The sample was dissolved in water and the pH of each sample determined. The pH levels varied from 3.02 to 7.03 with an average of 5.0. Seventy-two percent (21) of the samples had a pH level below the saliva “critical pH point of 5.6” and therefore should cause significant damage to enamel, especially in hyposalivation subjects without a saliva flow. However, about 26% of the samples had a pH level close to the neutral point and should cause minor damage to enamel. To lessen enamel damage, subjects should exercise good oral hygiene practice, rinse with a fluoride-containing mouth rinse, drink artificially sweetened drinks, and eat cheese. It is concluded that most of the methamphetamine samples have a low enough pH to cause direct damage to enamel especially in hyposalivation subjects.
Effects of S-adenosylmethionine augmentation of serotonin-reuptake inhibitor antidepressants on cognitive symptoms of major depressive disorder
Authors: Levkovitz Y. , Alpert J.E. , Brintz C.E. , Mischoulon D. , Papakostas G.I.
Published: June 2011

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is often accompanied by significant cognitive impairment, and there are limited interventions specific to this particular symptom. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a naturally occurring molecule which serves as a major methyl-donor in human cellular metabolism, is required for the synthesis and maintenance of several neurotransmitters that have been implicated in the pathophysiology and treatment of cognitive dysfunction in MDD.

Objectives

This study is a secondary analysis of a clinical trial involving the use of adjunctive SAMe for MDD.

Methods

Forty-six serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SRI) non-responders with MDD enrolled in a 6-week, double-blind, randomized trial of adjunctive oral SAMe were administered the self-rated cognitive and physical symptoms questionnaire (CPFQ), a validated measure of cognitive as well as physical symptoms of MDD, before and after treatment.

Results

There was a greater improvement in the ability to recall information (P = 0.04) and a trend towards statistical significance for greater improvement in word-finding (P = 0.09) for patients who received adjunctive SAMe than placebo. None of the remaining five items reached statistical significance.

Conclusions

These preliminary data suggest that SAMe can improve memory-related cognitive symptoms in depressed patients, and warrant replication.
Iron in evolution
Authors: Williams R.J.P.
Published: June 2011

Iron chemistry in the environment and in organisms is entwined. The iron surface minerals in solution for the first billion years of the planet were ferrous compounds. This ion became and has remained a major participant in organisms. The evolution of iron was due to its oxidation to insoluble ferric ions by oxygen released from organisms. The evolution of cellular iron chemistry then required uptake from this oxidised state. Use was expanded from the mainly electron transfer properties in the original reductive cell interior to employment in external oxidative chemistry. The environment/organisms evolution is that of one predictable chemical system.
Ubiquitin‐family modifications in the replication of DNA damage
Authors: Lehmann Alan R.
Published: June 2011

The cell uses specialised Y‐family DNA polymerases or damage avoidance mechanisms to replicate past damaged sites in DNA. These processes are under complex regulatory systems, which employ different types of post‐translational modification. All the Y‐family polymerases have ubiquitin binding domains that bind to mono‐ubiquitinated PCNA to effect the switching from replicative to Y‐family polymerase. Ubiquitination and de‐ubiquitination of PCNA are tightly regulated. There is also evidence for another as yet unidentified ubiquitinated protein being involved in recruitment of Y‐family polymerases to chromatin. Poly‐ubiquitination of PCNA stimulates damage avoidance, and, at least in yeast, PCNA is SUMOylated to prevent unwanted recombination events at the replication fork. The Y‐family polymerases themselves can be ubiquitinated and, in the case of DNA polymerase η, this results in the polymerase being excluded from chromatin.
Citrullination of autoantigens: Upstream of TNFα in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Quirke Anne-Marie , Fisher Benjamin A.C. , Kinloch Andrew J. , Venables Patrick J.
Published: June 2011

The discovery of autoimmunity to citrullinated protein/peptide antigens (ACPA) has led the concept that ACPA may be the essential link between disease susceptibility factors and the production of TNFα, which ultimately accounts for the disease phenotype. In this review we will consider (1) the mechanisms of citrullination, both physiological and pathological, (2) how known genetic and environmental factors could drive this peculiar form of autoimmunity and (3) how the immune response could lead to excessive production of TNFα by the synovial cells and ultimately to the disease phenotype (Fig. 1).
Expression of the SNAT2 amino acid transporter during the development of rat cerebral cortex
Authors: Angelina Rodríguez , Laura C Berumen , Francisco Zafra , Cecilio Giménez , Guadalupe García‐Alcocer María
Published: June 2011

The sodium‐coupled neutral amino acid transporter 2 (SNAT2) is a protein that is expressed ubiquitously in mammalian tissues and that displays Na+, voltage and pH dependent activity. This transporter mediates the passage of small zwitterionic amino acids across the cell membrane and regulates the cell homeostasis and its volume. We have examined the expression of SNAT2 mRNA and protein during the development of the rat cerebral cortex, from gestation through the postnatal stages to adulthood. Our data reveal that SNAT2 mRNA and protein expression is higher during embryogenesis, while it subsequently diminishes during postnatal development. Moreover, during embryonic period SNAT2 colocalizes with the radial glial cells marker GLAST, while in postnatal period it is mainly detected in neuronal dendrites. These findings suggest a relevant role for amino acid transport through SNAT2 in the developing embryonic brain.
The role of faith‐based organizations in maternal and newborn health care in Africa
Authors: Widmer Mariana , Betran Ana P. , Merialdi Mario , Requejo Jennifer , Karpf Ted
Published: June 2011

Background

Global disparities in maternal and newborn health represent one of the starkest health inequities of our times. Faith‐based organizations (FBOs) have historically played an important role in providing maternal/newborn health services in African countries. However, the contribution of FBOs in service delivery is insufficiently recognized and mapped.

Objectives

A systematic review of the literature to assess available evidence on the role of FBOs in the area of maternal/newborn health care in Africa.

Search strategy

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for articles published between 1989 and 2009 on maternal/newborn health and FBOs in Africa.

Results

Six articles met the criteria for inclusion. These articles provided information on 6 different African countries. Maternal/newborn health services provided by FBOs were similar to those offered by governments, but the quality of care received and the satisfaction were reported to be better.

Conclusion

Efforts to document and analyze the contribution of FBOs in maternal/newborn health are necessary to increase the recognition of FBOs and to establish stronger partnerships with them in Africa as an untapped route to achieving Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5.
Presymptomatic apolipoprotein E genotyping for Alzheimer's disease risk assessment and prevention
Authors: Schipper Hyman M.
Published: June 2011

Current practice guidelines advocate apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping in cases of dementia and mild cognitive impairment and also in asymptomatic participants within the context of clinical/epidemiological research. APOE genotyping is not recommended for prognostication in cognitively intact persons outside the research arena. On the basis of emerging developments, in this article, we revisit the notion that presymptomatic APOE testing might be medically appropriate and ethical for the purpose of Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk assessment and prevention. In support of this thesis, recent evidence is adduced indicating that (i) the potency of potentially modifiable AD determinants and responsiveness to intervention may be affected by the presence or absence of the ɛ4 allele, (ii) disclosure of APOE status to asymptomatic individuals seeking AD risk assessment is well tolerated when appropriate safeguards are in place, and (iii) awareness of personal AD risk in general, and APOE status in particular, may motivate individuals to engage in beneficial, risk‐lowering behaviors.
The influence of exchange hazards and power on opportunism in outsourcing relationships
Authors: Handley Sean M. , Benton W.C.
Published: June 2011

Service provider opportunism is widely noted as a principal risk with outsourcing. Indeed, economic theory regarding the factors which influence the outsourcing decision, treats opportunism as a core behavioral assumption. It is assumed that if given the opportunity, outsourcing providers will act in a self‐serving manner despite the potentially negative impact it may have on their customer. Other researchers have suggested that opportunism is not an unwavering human behavior, but rather can be substantively influenced by the management practices which define the relationship. Building on these arguments, this study investigates the validity of these divergent positions. Hierarchical linear regression is used to examine dyadic data on 102 information technology, logistics, and other business process outsourcing relationships. We test a model which hypothesizes that the buying firm's reliance on different bases of inter‐firm power will have differing effects on the risk of opportunism (shirking and poaching). These hypotheses are evaluated while concurrently examining the influence of exchange hazards (relationship‐specific investments and technological uncertainty) on provider shirking and poaching. The results offer strong evidence that buyer reliance on mediated forms of power (i.e. rewards, coercive, legal legitimate) enhance the risk of both provider shirking and poaching, while non‐mediated power (i.e. expert, referent) is associated with a diminished level of opportunistic behavior. Interestingly, relationship‐specific investments have a significant effect on some forms of opportunistic behavior but not on other forms of opportunistic behavior. Technological uncertainty did not have a significant impact on provider opportunism.
Better Catch Curves: Incorporating Age‐Specific Natural Mortality and Logistic Selectivity
Authors: Thorson James T. , Prager Michael H.
Published: June 2011

Catch‐curve analysis is one of the simplest methods for stock assessment and is widely applied in data‐poor fisheries. Conventional catch‐curve methods rely on the strong assumptions of constant fishing and natural mortality rates above some fully selected age that is usually estimated by visually inspecting a plot of catch at age. Here, we evaluate the performance of three catch‐curve methods that relax or modify these assumptions by (1) estimating logistic selectivity parameters, (2) assuming Lorenzen‐form natural mortality (natural mortality that decreases with weight), and (3) using both methods simultaneously. We used simulation modeling and decision tables to compare estimates of fishing mortality from four catch‐curve methods, including the conventional method, across a variety of observable and unobservable data characteristics. We then applied the methods to catch‐at‐age data for Atlantic menhadenBrevoortia tyrannusfrom the U.S. South Atlantic fishery management region and compared the resulting estimates with published estimates of fishing mortality (F). In our simulation modeling, catch curves that estimated logistic selectivity parameters performed better than those derived by the conventional method when logistic selectivity was present. There was generally little difference in performance between estimates assuming constant natural mortality and those assuming Lorenzen natural mortality. The improvements from estimating selectivity parameters were particularly pronounced when the sample sizes for catch‐at‐age data were large: in those instances, estimating selectivity improved the estimation accuracy forFby nearly 20%. In our example involving Atlantic menhaden, estimates ofFassuming logistic selectivity were most similar to those of published stock assessments, which had previously estimated logistic selectivity at age. We recommend our logistic‐selectivity catch curve when selectivity is likely to be logistic because it improves accuracy at only a very small cost in terms of computational complexity.
Increasing Regional Temperatures Associated with Delays in Atlantic Salmon Sea‐Run Timing at the Southern Edge of the European Distribution
Authors: Valiente A. G. , Juanes F. , Garcia‐Vazquez E.
Published: June 2011

Populations of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar at the edge of the species’ distribution are the most vulnerable to environmental changes. Those inhabiting southern European rivers are expected to be particularly affected by global warming. However, they are exploited as a very valuable resource for the region, attracting tourism and generating substantial income. In the central part of northern Spain (Asturias), there is a long tradition of sport fisheries (angling). The first salmon caught in a river each year is called the “campanu.” Analysis of a 50‐year time series demonstrates that the run timing of the Asturian Atlantic salmon has changed over this period, as inferred from significant delays in the date of capture of the campanu. Average campanu weight has experienced a parallel significant decrease but age has not changed, indicating diminution of salmon condition. These changes are statistically associated with an increase in regional temperature, there being a minor effect of the global climate North Atlantic Oscillation index. Negative effects of high temperatures on salmon run and feeding, together with long migratory routes, may explain these results.
Determinants of Fish Assemblage Structure in Northwestern Great Plains Streams
Authors: Mullen Jason A. , Bramblett Robert G. , Guy Christopher S. , Zale Alexander V. , Roberts David W.
Published: June 2011

Prairie streams are known for their harsh and stochastic physical conditions, and the fish assemblages therein have been shown to be temporally variable. We assessed the spatial and temporal variation in fish assemblage structure in five intermittent, adventitious northwestern Great Plains streams representing a gradient of watershed areas. Fish assemblages and abiotic conditions varied more spatially than temporally. The most important variables explaining fish assemblage structure were longitudinal position and the proportion of fine substrates. The proportion of fine substrates increased proceeding upstream, approaching 100% in all five streams, and species richness declined upstream with increasing fine substrates. High levels of fine substrate in the upper reaches appeared to limit the distribution of obligate lithophilic fish species to reaches further downstream. Species richness and substrates were similar among all five streams at the lowermost and uppermost sites. However, in the middle reaches, species richness increased, the amount of fine substrate decreased, and connectivity increased as watershed area increased. Season and some dimensions of habitat (including thalweg depth, absolute distance to the main‐stem river, and watershed size) were not essential in explaining the variation in fish assemblages. Fish species richness varied more temporally than overall fish assemblage structure did because common species were consistently abundant across seasons, whereas rare species were sometimes absent or perhaps not detected by sampling. The similarity in our results among five streams varying in watershed size and those from other studies supports the generalization that spatial variation exceeds temporal variation in the fish assemblages of prairie and warmwater streams. Furthermore, given longitudinal position, substrate, and stream size, general predictions regarding fish assemblage structure and function in prairie streams are possible.
Microsatellite Identification of Canadian Sockeye Salmon Rearing in the Bering Sea
Authors: Beacham Terry D. , Candy John R. , Porszt Erin , Sato Shunpei , Urawa Shigehiko
Published: June 2011

The stock composition of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka caught in the central Bering Sea in the summer of 2009 was estimated to evaluate migration patterns of salmon of Canadian origin, which have not been demonstrated previously to rear in the Bering Sea. The variation at 14 microsatellites was analyzed for 450 immature sockeye salmon, and a baseline of 387 populations from Japan, Russia, Alaska, Canada, and Washington State was used to determine the stock composition of the fish sampled. Sockeye salmon originating from Alaska were the most abundant in the catch, comprising 86.0% of all sockeye salmon caught, the catch being dominated by sockeye salmon of Bristol Bay origin. Russian‐origin sockeye salmon accounted for 10.2% of the catch, while Canadian‐origin sockeye salmon accounted for 3.8% of the catch. Salmon from Canada were estimated to originate from the Fraser River, Rivers Inlet (Owikeno Lake), the Skeena River (Babine Lake), the Stikine River, and the Alsek River, British Columbia. These results indicate that the central Bering Sea provides a summer rearing area for some Canadian sockeye salmon.
The Response to Forced Decompression in Six Species of Pacific Rockfish
Authors: Pribyl Alena L. , Kent Michael L. , Parker Steven J. , Schreck Carl B.
Published: June 2011

Pacific rockfish experience high discard mortality when captured owing to a condition called barotrauma, which is caused by the change in pressure during capture. This condition appears to be species specific at the macroscopic level; however, little is known about the microscopic tissue‐level effects of barotrauma. Determining whether tissue‐level injuries are also species specific or influenced by factors such as life history and phylogenetic relatedness can improve our management of discard mortality. We evaluated the responses of six species of Pacific rockfish (black rockfish Sebastes melanops, blue rockfish S. mystinus, yellowtail rockfish S. flavidus, quillback rockfish S. maliger, canary rockfish S. pinniger, and yelloweye rockfish S. ruberrimus) captured from varying depths to forced decompression at the histological level (heart ventricle, rete mirabile, head kidney, liver, gill, and eye) as well as the macroscopic level. At the macroscopic level we focused on injuries caused by barotrauma, namely, everted esophaguses, exophthalmia, ocular emphysema, and ruptured swim bladders. Yellowtail and quillback rockfish experienced the fewest macroscopic injuries. Depth of capture influenced the presence of exophthalmia in quillback rockfish and ocular emphysema in quillback and yelloweye rockfish. Tissue injuries as a result of forced decompression included emphysema in the heart ventricle, emboli in the vessels of the rete mirabile, and emboli in the vessels of the head kidney. No injuries were observed at the histological level in the liver, gill, or eye owing to barotrauma. We could not detect a difference in the tissue‐level response to barotrauma among the six species, suggesting that all species are susceptible to high internal gas pressure during forced decompression.
Indications of Continued Overexploitation of Speckled Hind Along the Atlantic Coast of the Southeastern United States
Authors: Ziskin Gabriel L. , Harris Patrick J. , Wyanski David M. , Reichert Marcel J. M.
Published: June 2011

From 1977 to 2007, speckled hind Epinephelus drummondhayi were sampled along the Atlantic coast of the southeastern United States from North Carolina to central Florida. In total, 1,365 speckled hind were obtained from two sources (fishery‐independent survey and commercial catches). The ages of specimens were estimated from increment counts on transverse sections of sagittal otoliths. Sex and reproductive state of specimens were determined by histological examination of gonads. Age of collected speckled hind ranged from 1 to 35 years, and total length (TL) ranged from 164 to 973 mm. The TL and age ranges were 169–730 mm and 1–13 years, respectively, for females; 366–730 mm and 2–13 years for mature females; 451–718 mm and 3–7 years for transitional individuals; and 500–930 mm and 4–35 years for males. There were several indications that the speckled hind population off the U.S. Atlantic coast continues to be overexploited despite a trip limit of 1 fish/vessel, which was established in 1994. The instantaneous total mortality rate (Z) and fishing mortality rate (F) increased from 1979–1981 (Z = 0.61; F = 0.48) to 2004–2007 (Z = 1.27; F = 1.14). Mean age and mean TL also decreased significantly from 7.2 years and 574 mm in 1979–1981 to 4.5 years and 462 mm in 2004–2007. No individuals above the age of 10 were collected during 2004–2007. Mean length at ages 4–6 decreased significantly from 1979–1981 to 2004–2007. During 2004–2007, 73% of specimens were immature females, and none of the sampled females was in spawning condition.
Quantifying the Extent of and Factors Associated with the Temporal Variability of Physical Stream Habitat in Headwater Streams in the Interior Columbia River Basin
Authors: Al‐Chokhachy Robert , Roper Brett B. , Archer Eric K. , Miller Scott
Published: June 2011

The quality and quantity of stream habitat can have profound impacts on the distribution and abundance of aquatic species. Stream networks, however, are dynamic in their response to natural‐ and human‐induced disturbance regimes, which results in spatially explicit patterns of temporal variability. Quantifying spatial patterns in habitat (temporal) variability across different sites and identifying those factors associated with different levels of variability are important steps for stream habitat assessments. We evaluated the temporal variability in stream habitat over a 9‐year period for 47headwater streams of the interior Columbia River basin. We used repeat‐measures analyses to calculate temporal variability as root mean square error for six habitat attributes at each site. Multiple linear regression analyses with root mean square error as the response were then used to quantify which landscape, climate, and disturbance attributes were associated with different levels of temporal variability among habitat attributes. Our results indicated a considerable range of temporal variability in physical stream attributes across sites and an almost fourfold difference in the overall variability at sites. Landscape factors affecting stream power, land management activities, and recent fire regimes were all factors associated with the different levels of temporal variability across sites; surprisingly, we found little association with the different climatic attributes considered herein. The observed differences in temporal variability across sites suggest that a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach to monitoring stream habitat in response to restoration and management activities may be misleading, particularly in terms of sampling intensity, required resources, and statistical power; thus, in situ measures of temporal variability may be required for accurate assessments of statistical power.
Growth, Morphology, and Developmental Instability of Rainbow Trout, Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout, and Four Hybrid Generations
Authors: Ostberg C. O. , Duda J. J. , Graham J. H. , Zhang S. , Haywood K. P. , Miller B. , Lerud T. L.
Published: June 2011

Hybridization of cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii with nonindigenous rainbow trout O. mykiss contributes to the decline of cutthroat trout subspecies throughout their native range. Introgression by rainbow trout can swamp the gene pools of cutthroat trout populations, especially if there is little selection against hybrids. We used rainbow trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout O. clarkii bouvieri, and rainbow trout × Yellowstone cutthroat trout F1 hybrids as parents to construct seven different line crosses: F1 hybrids (both reciprocal crosses), F2 hybrids, first‐generation backcrosses (both rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout), and both parental taxa. We compared growth, morphology, and developmental instability among these seven crosses reared at two different temperatures. Growth was related to the proportion of rainbow trout genome present within the crosses. Meristic traits were influenced by maternal, additive, dominant, overdominant, and (probably) epistatic genetic effects. Developmental stability, however, was not disturbed in F1 hybrids, F2 hybrids, or backcrosses. Backcrosses were morphologically similar to their recurrent parent. The lack of developmental instability in hybrids suggests that there are few genetic incompatibilities preventing introgression. Our findings suggest that hybrids are not equal: that is, growth, development, character traits, and morphology differ depending on the genomic contribution from each parental species as well as the hybrid generation.
Estimating Proportional Contributions of Migratory Bull Trout from Hierarchical Populations to Mixed‐Stock Recreational Fisheries Using Genetic and Trapping Data
Authors: Warnock Will G. , Blackburn Jason K. , Rasmussen Joseph B.
Published: June 2011

Genetic assignment methods were used to assign 104 adult migrant bull trout Salvelinus confluentus from five recreational fisheries in the Oldman River drainage (Alberta, Canada) to a baseline of three coarse‐scale genetic stocks that had been previously identified with a model‐based Bayesian clustering method. Based on individual assignment and genetic stock identification, most fisheries were largely dominated by the stock with the most proximate spawning tributaries; however, assignment tests suggested variation among source stocks in the proportions of long‐range (>90 river kilometers) migrants relative to short‐range migrants (i.e., that used nearby river systems draining spawning streams). Migrants originating from a subset of the drainage were then subjected to a finer‐scale mixed‐stock analysis in which populations at near‐tributary scales were used as the baseline. These stock proportions were compared with estimates from direct observations and were found to yield similar values to stock proportions derived from 2 years of trapping in several spawning streams. These genetic assignment methods may be used to infer contributions of large and fine‐scale hierarchical populations to mixed‐stock recreational fisheries and are especially applicable for use by inland recreational fisheries managers, which have traditionally not taken advantage of spatial genetic analysis tools to the extent used by coastal commercial fisheries managers.
Movements of Yearling Chinook Salmon during the First Summer in Marine Waters of Hood Canal, Washington
Authors: Chamberlin Joshua W. , Kagley Anna N. , Fresh Kurt L. , Quinn Thomas P.
Published: June 2011

Migration is a fundamental component of the life history and ecology of many species, but the extent and duration of specific migrations can vary depending on species and environment. Chinook salmonOncorhynchus tshawytschaare characterized by a spectrum of life history types with different migration patterns and spatial distributions. The objective of this study was to quantify the movements of yearling Chinook salmon smolts during their initial summer in Hood Canal, a long, narrow fjord in western Puget Sound, Washington. Fifty‐eight yearling hatchery‐reared smolts were tagged with acoustic transmitters and tracked during May–August 2008 with a network of 50 receivers placed throughout Hood Canal. A total of 41 fish were detected during the study period; of these, 18 fish were still being detected in Hood Canal after 100 d. Fish initially congregated near the release site and gradually dispersed during summer; individual movement rates ranged between 0.44 and 1.52 body lengths/s. Fish movement occurred both with and against tidal currents, and nearly all fish showed some period of inactivity, especially as recorded on receivers near estuaries and tidal deltas. Eight fish (20%) were detected as leaving Hood Canal during the study, but seven of them later returned to Hood Canal. The extended use of Hood Canal as rearing habitat indicated the importance of such environments beyond their role as migratory corridors to the Pacific Ocean.
Trout Piscivory in the Colorado River, Grand Canyon: Effects of Turbidity, Temperature, and Fish Prey Availability
Authors: Yard Michael D. , Coggins Lewis G. , Baxter Colden V. , Bennett Glenn E. , Korman Josh
Published: June 2011

Introductions of nonnative salmonids, such as rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and brown trout Salmo trutta, have affected native fishes worldwide in unforeseen and undesirable ways. Predation and other interactions with nonnative rainbow trout and brown trout have been hypothesized as contributing to the decline of native fishes (including the endangered humpback chub Gila cypha) in the Colorado River, Grand Canyon. A multiyear study was conducted to remove nonnative fish from a 15‐km segment of the Colorado River near the Little Colorado River confluence. We evaluated how sediment, temperature, fish prey availability, and predator abundance influenced the incidence of piscivory (IP) by nonnative salmonids. Study objectives were addressed through spatial (upstream and downstream of the Little Colorado River confluence) and temporal (seasonal and annual) comparisons of prey availability and predator abundance. Data were then evaluated by modeling the quantity of fish prey ingested by trout during the first 2 years (2003–2004) of the mechanical removal period. Field effort resulted in the capture of 20,000 nonnative fish, of which 90% were salmonids. Results indicated that the brown trout IP was higher (8–70%) than the rainbow trout IP (0.5–3.3%); however, rainbow trout were 50 times more abundant than brown trout in the study area. We estimated that during the study period, over 30,000 fish (native and nonnative species combined) were consumed by rainbow trout (21,641 fish) and brown trout (11,797 fish). On average, rainbow trout and brown trout ingested 85% more native fish than nonnative fish in spite of the fact that native fish constituted less than 30% of the small fish available in the study area. Turbidity may mediate piscivory directly by reducing prey detection, but this effect was not apparent in our data, as rainbow trout IP was greater when suspended sediment levels (range = 5.9–20,000 mg/L) were higher.
Effects of Fluctuating Flows and a Controlled Flood on Incubation Success and Early Survival Rates and Growth of Age‐0 Rainbow Trout in a Large Regulated River
Authors: Korman Josh , Kaplinski Matthew , Melis Theodore S.
Published: June 2011

Hourly fluctuations in flow from Glen Canyon Dam were increased in an attempt to limit the population of nonnative rainbow troutOncorhynchus mykissin the Colorado River, Arizona, due to concerns about negative effects of nonnative trout on endangered native fishes. Controlled floods have also been conducted to enhance native fish habitat. We estimated that rainbow trout incubation mortality rates resulting from greater fluctuations in flow were 23–49% (2003 and 2004) compared with 5–11% under normal flow fluctuations (2006–2010). Effects of this mortality were apparent in redd excavations but were not seen in hatch date distributions or in the abundance of the age‐0 population. Multiple lines of evidence indicated that a controlled flood in March 2008, which was intended to enhance native fish habitat, resulted in a large increase in early survival rates of age‐0 rainbow trout. Age‐0 abundance in July 2008 was over fourfold higher than expected given the number of viable eggs that produced these fish. A hatch date analysis indicated that early survival rates were much higher for cohorts that hatched about 1 month after the controlled flood (∼April 15) relative to those that hatched before this date. The cohorts that were fertilized after the flood were not exposed to high flows and emerged into better‐quality habitat with elevated food availability. Interannual differences in age‐0 rainbow trout growth based on otolith microstructure supported this hypothesis. It is likely that strong compensation in survival rates shortly after emergence mitigated the impact of incubation losses caused by increases in flow fluctuations. Control of nonnative fish populations will be most effective when additional mortality is applied to older life stages after the majority of density‐dependent mortality has occurred. Our study highlights the need to rigorously assess instream flow decisions through the evaluation of population‐level responses.
Please don't sue, it's just my opinion
Authors: Lanigan Richard
Published: June 2011

Richard Lanigan has worked in the Cuban health care system and now owns a number of spinal health care clinics in the UK. These take an integrated approach to spinal health and wellbeing without the use of drugs. Before resigning from the chiropractic profession, he was an elected member of the General Chiropractic Council and a Fellow of the College of Chiropractors. He is an inveterate blogger and has commented extensively on the Simon Singh case.
When lawyers are let loose
Authors: McCartney Margaret
Published: June 2011

Margaret McCartney is both a general practitioner and a freelance journalist.
Wilmshurst in context
Authors: Colquhoun David
Published: June 2011

David Colquhoun works on single ion channel function, both theory and experiment, and their relationship to synaptic function. He held the A.J. Clark chair of Pharmacology at UCL, and was previously honorary director of the Wellcome Laboratory for Molecular Pharmacology. He runs the Improbable Science blog.
Relationship between starting and finishing position in short track speed skating races
Authors: Muehlbauer Thomas , Schindler Christian
Published: June 2011

Races in short track speed skating represent head‐to‐head competitions performed during multiple series (the rank but not the time qualifying for the next round are important), where strategic aspects are thought to play an important role for success. This study examined the relationship between starting and finishing position performed in six short track ice speed skating events (3 European Championships, 3 World Championships) over a four year period (321 female and 386 male individual races finished). Associations were analyzed for effects of race distance (500 m, 1000 m, 1500 m, and 3000 m) and qualifying round (preliminaries, heats, quarter‐finals, semi‐finals, and final). Kendall's tau‐b rank‐correlation revealed that regardless of athletes’ sex, the size of correlation between starting and finishing position decreases with race distance, which was highest and positive in the 500 m races (women: τ=0.28, P<0.001; men: τ=0.29, P<0.001), lowest in the 1500 m races (women: τ=0.06, P>0.05; men: τ=0.10, P<0.01), and negative in the 3000 m races (women: τ= − 0.19, P>0.05; men: τ= − 0.18, P>0.05). This finding suggests a shift in pacing strategy, with skaters reducing their effort to initially skate in a front position as race distance increased (e.g., in order to conserve some energetic ressources for an end spurt). Furthermore, the size of correlation increases with qualifying round, which was lowest in the preliminaries (women: τ= − 0.02, P>0.05; men: τ=0.07, P>0.05) and highest in the finals (women: τ=0.34, P<0.001; men: τ=0.31, P<0.001). This finding suggests that skaters force their effort to initially skate in a front position as level of qualifying round increases.
Biological maturity and primary school children's physical activity: Influence of different physical activity assessment instruments
Authors: Fairclough Stuart J. , Boddy Lynne M. , Ridgers Nicola D. , Stratton Gareth , Cumming Sean
Published: June 2011

Biological maturation may attenuate hypothesized sex differences in children's physical activity but overall the evidence for this is equivocal. In this study, we investigated how the selection of different physical activity assessment instruments affects the detected relationship between biological maturation and late primary school children's physical activity. Altogether, 175 children (97 girls, 78 boys) aged 10.6±0.3 years completed the PAQ‐C self‐report questionnaire and wore ActiGraph GT1M accelerometers for 5 consecutive days. Maturity status was predicted by estimating attainment of age at peak height velocity. Following initial exploration of sex differences in PAQ‐C (t‐test) and multiple ActiGraph outcome variables (MANOVA), the influence of maturity status was controlled using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. Unadjusted analyses revealed that boys were significantly more active than girls according to the PAQ‐C (P<0.0001, d=0.52) and ActiGraph (P<0.0001, d=0.36–0.72). After controlling for maturity status, the differences in PAQ‐C scores increased (P=0.001, d=0.64), but the significant differences disappeared for the ActiGraph data (P=0.36, d=0.17–0.33). The detected relationship between maturity status and late primary school children's physical activity is dependent on the physical activity assessment tool employed, reflecting the different aspects of physical activity captured by the respective measures.
Physical activity levels during Dutch primary and secondary school physical education
Authors: Singerland Menno , Oomen Joost , Borghouts Lars
Published: June 2011

Objective: Physical education (PE) has been attributed an important role in providing young people with physical activity. If sufficiently active, PE lessons could contribute to physical activity levels in youth. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the overall intensity of Dutch primary and secondary school physical education (PE) lessons and the influence of various lesson characteristics on these intensity levels. Methods: Between September 2008 and June 2009 heart rates were measured using the Polar Team System in a nationally distributed sample of 913 students in 40 schools in the Netherlands. Results: Overall percentages lesson time in moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were 46.7% and 40.1% during primary school and secondary school PE respectively. Results indicated a sharp decline in girls’ PE intensity levels at the beginning of secondary school. Furthermore, secondary school boys were more active than girls. The high prevalence of teamgames in the Dutch PE curricula might prevent secondary school girls from attaining similar physical activity levels during PE.
Effect of whole‐body contrast‐water therapy on recovery from intense exercise of short duration
Authors: Sayers Mark G. , Calder Angela M. , Sanders Jo G.
Published: June 2011

Athletes often use contrast‐water therapy as a recovery modality to reduce training fatigue. However, there is debate regarding the effectiveness of this practice, particularly when active and passive recovery regimens are more readily accessible. Fourteen male state‐level hockey players participated in three experimental sessions involving two 30‐s maximal‐intensity Wingate ergometer tests interspersed by a 12‐min recovery period. Three different recovery protocols were assessed. Passive recovery involved sitting while active recovery comprised low‐intensity cycling. Contrast‐water therapy recovery involved three cycles of alternate immersion in heated (38°C) and cool (15°C) water for 3.5 min and 30 s respectively. Heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and ratings of fatigue were assessed immediately before (baseline) and after the first Wingate test, 3 min and 7 min into and at the end of the recovery period, and immediately after the second Wingate test. Blood pressure was assessed at baseline, immediately before recovery, and immediately after recovery. Heart rate remained elevated 3 min and 7 min into as well as after active recovery compared with both contrast‐water therapy (P<0.001) and passive recovery (P<0.001), and was elevated 3 min into and after contrast‐water therapy recovery compared with passive recovery (P<0.001). Blood lactate concentration was significantly lowered 7 min into and after active recovery (P<0.001) and contrast‐water therapy (P<0.001) compared with passive recovery, but no significant difference was observed between active recovery and contrast‐water therapy. Rating of fatigue was significantly lower for contrast‐water therapy (P<0.001) compared with passive recovery and active recovery, the latter two being similar. However, no significant differences were found between the recovery modalities for any of the test or retest Wingate performance indices. Although contrast‐water therapy offered similar benefits to well‐established active recovery protocols, it also resulted in reduced ratings of fatigue and a faster return to baseline for some variables. Although restricted to a limited time frame, these findings reflect that the subtle effects from contrast‐water therapy may translate to important practical differences that can influence the recovery choices of athletes, particularly when engaged in intense events/training where the recovery period is limited.
An Accurate Analytical Model for 802.11e EDCA under Different Traffic Conditions with Contention-Free Bursting
Authors: Chendeb Taher Nada , Ghamri-Doudane Yacine , El Hassan Bachar , Agoulmine Nazim
Published: June 2011

Extensive research addressing IEEE 802.11e enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) performance analysis, by means of analytical models, exist in the literature. Unfortunately, the currently proposed models, even though numerous, do not reach this accuracy due to the great number of simplifications that have been done. Particularly, none of these models considers the 802.11e contention free burst (CFB) mode which allows a given station to transmit a burst of frames without contention during a given transmission opportunity limit (TXOPLimit) time interval. Despite its influence on the global performance, TXOPLimit is ignored in almost all existing models. To fill in this gap, we develop in this paper a new and complete analytical model that (i) reflects the correct functioning of EDCA, (ii) includes all the 802.11e EDCA differentiation parameters, (iii) takes into account all the features of the protocol, and (iv) can be applied to all network conditions, going from nonsaturation to saturation conditions. Additionally, this model is developed in order to be used in admission control procedure, so it was designed to have a low complexity and an acceptable response time. The proposed model is validated by means of both calculations and extensive simulations.
Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation of Etoricoxib versus Celecoxib and Nonselective NSAIDs in the Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis in Norway
Authors: Jansen Jeroen P. , Taylor Stephanie D.
Published: June 2011

Objectives. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of etoricoxib (90 mg) relative to celecoxib (200/400 mg), and the nonselective NSAIDs naproxen (1000 mg) and diclofenac (150 mg) in the initial treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Norway.Methods. A previously developed Markov state-transition model was used to estimate costs and benefits associated with initiating treatment with the different competing NSAIDs. Efficacy, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety, and resource use data were obtained from the literature. Data from different studies were synthesized and translated into direct costs and quality adjusted life years by means of a Bayesian comprehensive decision modeling approach.Results. Over a 30-year time horizon, etoricoxib is associated with about 0.4 more quality adjusted life years than the other interventions. At 1 year, naproxen is the most cost-saving strategy. However, etoricoxib is cost and quality adjusted life year saving relative to celecoxib, as well as diclofenac and naproxen after 5 years of follow-up. For a willingness-to-pay ceiling ratio of 200,000 Norwegian krones per quality adjusted life year, there is a >95% probability that etoricoxib is the most-cost-effective treatment when a time horizon of 5 or more years is considered.Conclusions. Etoricoxib is the most cost-effective NSAID for initiating treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Norway.