bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Monumental Debate in Budapest: The Hentzi Statue and the Limits of Austro-Hungarian Reconciliation, 1852–1918
Authors: Miller Michael Laurence
Published: April 2009

Two of the most iconic photosof the 1956 Hungarian revolution involve a colossal statue of Stalin, erected in 1951 and toppled on the first day of the anti-Soviet uprising. One of these pictures shows Stalin's decapitated head, abandoned in the street as curious pedestrians amble by. The other shows a tall stone pedestal with nothing on it but a lonely pair of bronze boots. Situated near Heroes' Square, Hungary's national pantheon, the Stalin statue had served as a symbol of Hungary's subjugation to the Soviet Union; and its ceremonious and deliberate destruction provided a poignant symbol for the fall of Stalinism.
The Biology of War: Eugenics in Hungary, 1914–1918
Authors: Turda Marius
Published: April 2009

Much has been writtenconcerning the impact of World War I on the development of eugenic thinking, especially in Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and the Scandinavian countries. This has led historians to examine not only specific eugenic movements, but also the international nexus of institutional collaboration, personal affinities, and transfer of ideas. If before 1914, eugenicists from various countries were united in their quest to improve society by biological means—a form of internationalism culminating in the First International Congress on Eugenics organized in 1912 in London—during World War I, many of them engaged in national politics, devising eugenic methodologies to serve the ideological imperatives of their own countries rather than the proclaimed universalism of the prewar years.
Two Important Studies of Galicia
Authors: Himka John-Paul
Published: April 2009

YaroslavHrytsakis the director of the Institute for Historical Research at the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv and visiting associate professor at the Central European University in Budapest. One of Ukraine's most prominent liberal intellectuals, Hrytsak writes historical essays that often enliven the pages ofKrytyka, Ukraine's equivalent ofThe New York Review of Books. The monograph under review is entitled, in translation, “A Prophet in His Own Fatherland: Franko and His Society (1856–1886).” This is not Hrytsak's first book about the poet and polymath Ivan Franko, but it is certainly his best, betraying many years of reading and reflecting, thinking, and rethinking. In 2007 Hrytsak's new biography of Franko won the “Best Ukrainian Book” prize in the nonfiction category in the competition sponsored by the weeklyKorespondent. Very readable, this new biography is full of fresh perspectives. Hrytsak states in his introduction that “in the general hierarchy of scholarly values I place the discovery of new methods of conceptualization of already known facts above the collection of new facts” (20). For his new biography on Franko, Hrytsak chose an interesting illustration for every chapter and then interpreted the illustration in the text. This device is but a characteristic creative moment of Hrytsak's style.
Seen from the North: Scandinavian Analyses of Austrian History
Authors: Thaler Peter
Published: April 2009

Scandinavian historianshave traditionally taken a strong interest in the German-speaking world, including Austria. The peripheral status of their own languages often keeps their works hidden from a wider international readership, however. Even if the findings appear in English, their publication in domestic journals and publishing houses limits their reception. This lack of visibility is deplorable, because Scandinavian researchers can add interesting angles to the interpretation of Austrian history.
Exploring the relation between Intuitionistic BI and Boolean BI: an unexpected embedding
Authors: LARCHEY-WENDLING DOMINIQUE , GALMICHE DIDIER
Published: April 2009

The logic of Bunched Implications, through both its intuitionistic version (BI) and one of its classical versions, called BooleanBI(BBI), serves as a logical basis to spatial or separation logic frameworks. InBI, the logical implication is interpreted intuitionistically whereas it is generally interpreted classically in spatial or separation logics, as inBBI. In this paper, we aim to give some new insights into the semantic relations betweenBIandBBI. Then we propose a sound and complete syntactic constraints based framework for the Kripke semantics of bothBIandBBI, a sound labelled tableau proof system forBBI, and a representation theorem relating the syntactic models ofBIto those ofBBI. Finally, we deduce as our main, and unexpected, result, a sound and faithful embedding ofBIintoBBI.
Validation of energy requirement equations for estimation of breast milk consumption in infants
Authors: Schoen Stefanie , Sichert-Hellert Wolfgang , Kersting Mathilde
Published: April 2009

Objective

To test equations for calculating infants’ energy requirements as a simple and reliable instrument for estimating the amount of breast milk consumed in epidemiological studies where test-weighing is not possible.

Design

Infants’ energy requirements were calculated using three different equations based on reference data and compared with actual energy intakes assessed using the 3 d weighed dietary records of breast-fed infants from the DOrtmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed (DONALD) Study.

Setting

A sub-sample of 323 infants from the German DONALD Study who were predominantly breast-fed for at least the first four months of life, and who had 3 d weighed dietary records and repeated body weight measurements within the first year of life.

Subjects

Healthy, term infants breast-fed for at least 4 months, 0–12 months of age.

Results

The overall differences between measured energy intake and calculated energy requirements were quite small, never more than 10 % of total energy intake, and smaller than the mean variance of energy intake between the three days of recording. The equation of best fit incorporated body weight and recent growth, while the worst fit was found for the equation not considering body weight.

Conclusions

Breast milk consumption in fully and partially breast-fed infants can be reasonably quantified by calculating the infants’ individual energy requirements via simple equations. This provides a feasible approach for estimating infant energy intake in epidemiological studies where test-weighing of breast milk is not possible.
Evaluation of an FFQ for assessment of antioxidant intake using plasma biomarkers in an ethnically diverse population
Authors: Hodge Allison M , Simpson Julie A , Fridman Masha , Rowley Kevin , English Dallas R , Giles Graham G , Su Qing , O’Dea Kerin
Published: April 2009

Objective

To evaluate FFQ estimates of dietary intake of individual antioxidants, fruit and vegetables in comparison to plasma concentrations of each antioxidant, and to determine which individual foods are associated with plasma antioxidant concentrations.

Design

Dietary (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, retinol, and vitamin E) intakes over 12 months were estimated from a 121-item FFQ. Correlation coefficients, corrected for within-person variability in diet and plasma antioxidants, were used to examine associations between antioxidant concentrations in diet and plasma.

Setting

Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS).

Subjects

Men and women (n3110) who were randomly selected from the MCCS. Participants were aged 36–72 years and were born in Australia, Greece, Italy or the UK.

Results

Correlation coefficients for the carotenoids ranged from 0·28 for lycopene to 0·46 for β-cryptoxanthin. There was no association between dietary and plasma retinol or dietary vitamin E with plasma α- and γ-tocopherol. Individual plasma carotenoid concentrations were associated with intakes of fruit and vegetables.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that the FFQ provides useful information on intakes of each of the carotenoids: α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin. There was no association between diet and plasma markers of retinol or vitamin E; this may reflect the importance of factors other than intake in modifying circulating levels of these nutrients.
Allergische Augenerkrankungen in der Praxis
Authors: Becht
Published: April 2009

Mittels gezielter Anamnese und Befunderhebung lassen sich allergische Augenerkrankungen von nicht allergischen mit relativer Sicherheit unterscheiden. Die allergische Rhinokonjunktivitis ist in der Praxis gut behandelbar. Vorsicht ist geboten bei Befall der Hornhaut, schweren Atopikern und nicht sicherem Ausschluss einer Keratitis.
Myalgien und proximale Muskelschwäche bei einer jungen Patientin
Authors: Mühlebach  , Bischoff-Ferrari
Published: April 2009

In der vorliegenden Arbeit stellen wir eine 32-jährige, dunkelhäutige, seit 9 Jahren in Mitteleuropa lebende Patientin mit einem schweren Vitamin-D-Mangel vor. Sie leidet an chronischen Schmerzen lumbal, im Nacken und in der rechten Leiste sowie an einer muskuären Schwäche hauptsächlich im Beckengürtelbereich. Vitamin D spielt eine wichtige Rolle in der Kalzium-Homöostase und der Muskelkraft. Dieser Fall zeigt, dass ein schwerer Vitamin-D-Mangel mit Muskelschmerzen sowie einer Schwäche einhergehen kann.
Lateral POC transport and consumption in surface and deep waters of the Canary Current region: A box model study
Authors: Alonso‐González I. J. , Arístegui J. , Vilas J. C. , Hernández‐Guerra A.
Published: April 2009

We have estimated the lateral transport and consumption, from surface to 3000 m, of suspended particulate organic carbon (POC), through a box model approach, in the Canary Current region (subtropical northeast Atlantic). Our results show that lateral POC fluxes are up to 3 orders of magnitude higher than vertical fluxes. In the mesopelagic ocean, the central waters (100–700 m) presented a net carbon consumption of 8.51 × 108 mol C d−1 with the highest POC entering through the more coastal section. This lateral flux accounted for 28–59% of the total mesopelagic respiration (R), on the basis of lower and upper case scenarios of vertical POC inputs and dissolved organic carbon contribution to R. We suggest that boundary currents may support higher lateral export of coastally produced POC than previously assumed. A large fraction of this POC would, however, be remineralized in the upper 1000 m instead of being transported to the ocean interior.
Evidence of mesospheric gravity‐waves generated by orographic forcing in the troposphere
Authors: Smith Steven , Baumgardner Jeffrey , Mendillo Michael
Published: April 2009

We report on the first imaging observations of stationary mesospheric gravity‐waves in the three nightglow emissions of OH (695–1050 nm), Na (589.3 nm) and O(1S) (557.7 nm). The waves were observed in all‐sky images at the El Leoncito Observatory (ELO), Argentina (31.8°S, 69.3°W), during the period of 1–8 July 2008. Over the course of each night, the band‐like wave features exhibited a zero or near‐zero observed horizontal phase speed and had lifetimes of several hours. These factors, coupled with the winds measured locally, and the orientation of the waves to the Andes mountain range located nearby, suggested that the waves were mountain waves generated by ∼70 ms−1 eastward winds flowing over the Andes.
Diurnal carbon cycling in the surface ocean and lower atmosphere of Santa Monica Bay, California
Authors: Leinweber A. , Gruber N. , Frenzel H. , Friederich G. E. , Chavez F. P.
Published: April 2009

We investigate the diurnal carbon cycle in the near surface ocean and atmosphere of Santa Monica Bay, California on the basis of hourly measurements of the oceanic and atmospheric partial pressures of CO2 (pCO2oc and pCO2atm) and related parameters from a moored platform. The power spectrum of the data from three deployments during late spring, summer, and fall reveal a strong peak at 1 cycle/day for both oceanic and atmospheric pCO2. While the average diurnal peak‐to‐peak amplitude is about 15 to 20 μatm for pCO2oc and about 10 μatm for pCO2atm, the 10% largest amplitudes exceed 55 μatm and 42 μatm, respectively. The diurnal cycle of oceanic pCO2 is primarily controlled by temperature, but biological processes substantially modify it. The contribution of lateral processes, such as tides, is likely small. For the fall deployment, our data suggest an average net primary production of about 30 mmol C m−2 day−1. The diurnal cycle of atmospheric pCO2 is primarily controlled by the air‐sea breeze. Neglect of the diurnal variations in the flux calculations may result in biases of more than 0.2 mol C m−2 a−1.
Patterns of atmospheric excitation functions of polar motion from high‐resolution regional sectors
Authors: Nastula J. , Salstein D. , Kolaczek B.
Published: April 2009

In this paper regional values of equatorial components of the atmospheric excitation function of polar motion, which are proportional to the equatorial components of angular momentum (AAM), were computed at high spatial resolution in 3312 equal‐area sectors from the surface pressure fields of the NCEP‐NCAR reanalyses in order to improve our knowledge of patterns of atmospheric excitation functions of polar motion. The inverted barometer (IB) model of oceanic isostatic adjustment is applied to readjust the effective atmospheric pressure fields. To identify the influence of different geographic regions of the atmosphere on the excitation of polar motion, correlations and covariances between these regional excitations values and either the global geodetic excitation function, determined from the geodetic observational data, or the atmospheric excitation functions, equivalent to the sum of such excitations in all regions, were computed in different spectral bands, from subseasonal to interannual period ones. The covariances show the regional contribution to the global excitation, whereas the correlations show an overall similar relationship. Furthermore, these analyses determine regional sources of polar motion excitation by surface pressure variations in the atmosphere in different spectral bands. The broad regions over Eurasia and North America were identified as principal atmospheric excitation sources for polar motion. The results revealed that atmospheric excitation over land regions in the northern middle latitudes, especially over Asia, is exceptionally strong, a point generally noted in previous studies, though without identifying detailed features. Over the Himalayan Mountains the covariance of local with global atmospheric excitation in the annual band forms a small minimum surrounded by larger values in a ring‐like formation. For other terms, maxima of atmospheric excitation have a longitudinal formation mostly across the Eurasian continent. The atmospheric excitation of polar motion over the ocean is weak when subject to the IB correction, but it contains nevertheless a clear annual signal and is highly correlated with the annual oscillation of the global geodetic excitation function of polar motion.
Alteration of belowground carbon dynamics by nitrogen addition in southern California mixed conifer forests
Authors: Nowinski Nicole S. , Trumbore Susan E. , Jimenez Gloria , Fenn Mark E.
Published: April 2009

Nitrogen deposition rates in southern California are the highest in North America and have had substantial effects on ecosystem functioning. We document changes in the belowground C cycle near ponderosa pine trees experiencing experimental nitrogen (N) addition (50 and 150 kg N ha−1a−1as slow release urea since 1997) at two end‐member sites along a pollution gradient in the San Bernardino Mountains, California. Despite considerable differences in N deposition between the two sites, we observed parallel changes in microbial substrate use and soil enzyme activity with N addition. Δ14C measurements indicate that the mean age of C respired by the Oa horizon declined 10–15 years with N addition at both sites. N addition caused an increase in cellulolytic enzyme activity at the polluted site and a decrease in ligninolytic enzyme activity at the unpolluted site. Given the likely differences in lignin and cellulose ages, this could explain the difference in the age of microbial respiration with N addition. Measurements of fractionated soil organic matter did not show the same magnitude of changes in response to N addition as were observed for respired C. This lesser response was likely because the soils are mostly composed of C having turnover times of decades to centuries, and 9 years of N amendment were not enough to affect this material. Consequently, Δ14C of respired CO2provided a more sensitive indicator of the effects of N addition than other methods. Results suggest that enhanced N deposition alone may not result in increased soil C storage in xeric ecosystems.
Hygroscopicity and cloud droplet activation of mineral dust aerosol
Authors: Koehler K. A. , Kreidenweis S. M. , DeMott P. J. , Petters M. D. , Prenni A. J. , Carrico C. M.
Published: April 2009

Hygroscopicity and cloud condensation nucleus (CCN) activity were measured for three mineral dust samples: one from the Canary Islands, representing North African dust transported across the Atlantic; one from outside Cairo, representing North African dust transported to the eastern Mediterranean; and Arizona Test Dust, representing dust in the southwestern United States. To reaerosolize bulk samples, dust samples were either suspended in high purity water and particles generated by atomization, or samples were resuspended in dry air using a fluidized bed. Only the Canary Island sample generated from aqueous suspension showed appreciable hygroscopic growth at subsaturated conditions; all other samples exhibited diameter growth factors of less than 1.1 for relative humidities ≤90%. Despite their low hygroscopicities at subsaturated conditions, all samples activated as cloud droplets at supersaturations lower than required for insoluble particles. We suggest that the CCN activity of these mineral dusts are well‐represented using the hygroscopicity parameter 0.01 ≤ κ ≤ 0.08.
A fast radiative transfer model for the assimilation of water vapor radiances from the Kalpana very high resolution radiometer
Authors: Singh Randhir , Rayer Peter , Saunders Roger , Migliorini Stefano , Brugge Roger , O'Neill Alan
Published: April 2009

A fast radiative transfer model (RTM) to compute emitted infrared radiances for a very high resolution radiometer (VHRR), onboard the operational Indian geostationary satellite Kalpana has been developed and verified. This work is a step towards the assimilation of Kalpana water vapor (WV) radiances into numerical weather prediction models. The fast RTM uses a regression‐based approach to parameterize channel‐specific convolved level to space transmittances. A comparison between the fast RTM and the line‐by‐line RTM demonstrated that the fast RTM can simulate line‐by‐line radiances for the Kalpana WV channel to an accuracy better than the instrument noise, while offering more rapid radiance calculations. A comparison of clear sky radiances of the Kalpana WV channel with the ECMWF model first guess radiances is also presented, aiming to demonstrate the fast RTM performance with the real observations. In order to assimilate the radiances from Kalpana, a simple scheme for bias correction has been suggested.
Phenazine antibiotics produced by fluorescent pseudomonads contribute to natural soil suppressiveness to Fusarium wilt
Authors: Mazurier Sylvie , Corberand Thérèse , Lemanceau Philippe , Raaijmakers Jos M
Published: April 2009

Natural disease-suppressive soils provide an untapped resource for the discovery of novel beneficial microorganisms and traits. For most suppressive soils, however, the consortia of microorganisms and mechanisms involved in pathogen control are unknown. To date, soil suppressiveness to Fusarium wilt disease has been ascribed to carbon and iron competition between pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum and resident non-pathogenic F. oxysporum and fluorescent pseudomonads. In this study, the role of bacterial antibiosis in Fusarium wilt suppressiveness was assessed by comparing the densities, diversity and activity of fluorescent Pseudomonas species producing 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) (phlD+) or phenazine (phzC+) antibiotics. The frequencies of phlD+ populations were similar in the suppressive and conducive soils but their genotypic diversity differed significantly. However, phlD genotypes from the two soils were equally effective in suppressing Fusarium wilt, either alone or in combination with non-pathogenic F. oxysporum strain Fo47. A mutant deficient in DAPG production provided a similar level of control as its parental strain, suggesting that this antibiotic does not play a major role. In contrast, phzC+ pseudomonads were only detected in the suppressive soil. Representative phzC+ isolates of five distinct genotypes did not suppress Fusarium wilt on their own, but acted synergistically in combination with strain Fo47. This increased level of disease suppression was ascribed to phenazine production as the phenazine-deficient mutant was not effective. These results suggest, for the first time, that redox-active phenazines produced by fluorescent pseudomonads contribute to the natural soil suppressiveness to Fusarium wilt disease and may act in synergy with carbon competition by resident non-pathogenic F. oxysporum.
16S rRNA gene-based analysis of fecal microbiota from preterm infants with and without necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Wang Yunwei , Hoenig Jeanette D , Malin Kathryn J , Qamar Sanaa , Petrof Elaine O , Sun Jun , Antonopoulos Dionysios A , Chang Eugene B , Claud Erika C
Published: April 2009

Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory intestinal disorder affecting preterm infants. Intestinal bacteria have an important function; however no causative pathogen has been identified. The purpose of this study was to determine if there are differences in microbial patterns that may be critical to the development of this disease. Fecal samples from 20 preterm infants, 10 with NEC and 10 matched controls (including 4 twin pairs) were obtained from patients in a single site level III neonatal intensive care unit. Bacterial DNA from individual fecal samples was PCR-amplified and subjected to terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and library sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize diversity and structure of the enteric microbiota. The distribution of samples from NEC patients distinctly clustered separately from controls. Intestinal bacterial colonization in all preterm infants was notable for low diversity. Patients with NEC had even less diversity, an increase in abundance of Gammaproteobacteria, a decrease in other bacteria species, and had received a higher mean number of previous days of antibiotics. Our results suggest that NEC is associated with severe lack of microbiota diversity that may accentuate the impact of single dominant microorganisms favored by empiric and widespread use of antibiotics.
Delving into Vertebrate Serpins for Understanding their Evolution
Authors: Kumar Abhishek
Published: April 2009

The superfamily of serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins) is involved in an array of fundamental biological processes such as blood coagulation, cell differentiation, cell migration, complement activation, embryo implantation, fibrinolysis, angiogenesis, and inflammation, and tumor suppression. Vertebrate serpins can be conveniently classified into six sub-groups, based on three independent biological features - genomic organization, diagnostic amino acid sites and rare indels. The present vertebrate serpins are derived from an original serpin most probably by intron insertion and we are trying to reconstruct the phylogeny of vertebrate serpin and looking for the reconstruction of original vertebrate gene(s). We started with fish genomes and characterized fish serpins and assigned orthology with respect to human serpins. Most fish serpins are characterised as stereotype vertebrate serpins with some interesting exceptions which suggest that either there are some fish-specific serpins or some fish serpins do not have human orthologs.Presented at "BREW 2005":http://cmb.molgen.mpg.de/brew/program.html.
Diet‐induced Obese Mice Are Leptin Insufficient After Weight Reduction
Authors: Shi Haifei , Akunuru Shailaja , Bierman John C. , Hodge Karen M. , Mitchell M. Chrissy , Foster Michelle T. , Seeley Randy J. , Reizes Ofer
Published: April 2009

Behavioral therapies aimed at reducing excess body fat result in limited fat loss after dieting. To understand the causes for maintenance of adiposity, high‐fat (HF) diet–induced obese (DIO) mice were switched to a low‐fat chow diet, and the effects of chow on histological and molecular alterations of adipose tissue and metabolic parameters were examined. DIO mice reduced and stabilized their body weights after being switched to chow (HF‐chow), but retained a greater amount of adiposity than chow‐fed mice. Reduction in adipocyte volume, not number, caused a decrease in fat mass. HF‐chow mice showed normalized circulating insulin and leptin levels, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced inflammatory status in white adipose tissue (WAT). Circulating leptin levels corrected for fat mass were lower in HF‐chow mice. Leptin administration was used to test whether reduced leptin level of HF‐chow mice inhibited further fat loss. Leptin treatment led to an additional reduction in adiposity. Finally, HF‐HF mice had lower mRNA levels of β3adrenergic receptor (β3‐AR) in epididymal WAT (EWAT) compared to chow‐fed mice, and diet change led to an increase in the WAT β3‐AR mRNA levels that were similar to the levels of chow‐fed mice, suggesting an elevation in sympathetic activation of WAT during diet switch relative to HF‐HF mice leading to the reduced leptin level and proinflammatory cytokine content. In summary, HF‐chow mice were resistant to further fat loss due to leptin insufficiency. Diet alteration from HF to low fat improved metabolic state of DIO mice, although their adiposity was defended at a higher level.
Sarcopenic/Obesity and Physical Capacity in Older Men and Women: Data From the Nutrition as a Determinant of Successful Aging (NuAge)—the Quebec Longitudinal Study
Authors: Bouchard Danielle R. , Dionne Isabelle J. , Brochu Martin
Published: April 2009

Sarcopenia and obesity have been independently associated with physical capacity impairments. However, few studies have investigated the impact of sarcopenic/obesity on physical capacity in older individuals using objective measures of physical capacity and body composition. This study included 904 older individuals aged between 68 and 82 years old. Body composition (fat mass (FM) and lean body mass (LBM) by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA)), physical capacity (timed up and go, chair stands, walking speed at normal and fastest pace, and one leg stand), sum of reported chronic conditions and physical activity level were measured. A global physical capacity score was then calculated giving a maximal score of 20. Finally, four groups were created within genders based on sarcopenia and obesity ((i) nonsarcopenic/nonobese; (ii) sarcopenic/nonobese; (iii) nonsarcopenic/obese; (iv) sarcopenic/obese). The four groups were significantly different for the sit‐to‐stand test and the one leg stand test (P < 0.05) and only for the one leg stand test in women (P < 0.05). In both genders results for the global physical capacity score revealed that both obese groups (sarcopenic and nonsarcopenic) were similar (P = 0.14 in men and P = 0.19 in women) and had a lower global physical capacity score compared to nonsarcopenic/nonobese individuals (P < 0.05). In addition, sarcopenic women displayed a higher score than both obese nonsarcopenic and obese sarcopenic groups (P < 0.01). Sarcopenic/obese men and women do not display lower physical capacity compared to nonsarcopenic/obese individuals in this cohort of well‐functioning older men and women. Obesity per se appears to contribute more to lower physical capacity than sarcopenia.
Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Weight Loss Diet on Exercise Capacity and Tolerance in Obese Subjects
Authors: Brinkworth Grant D. , Noakes Manny , Clifton Peter M. , Buckley Jonathan D.
Published: April 2009

Dietary restriction and increased physical activity are recommended for obesity treatment. Very low carbohydrate diets are used to promote weight loss, but their effects on physical function and exercise tolerance in overweight and obese individuals are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a very low carbohydrate, high fat (LC) diet with a conventional high carbohydrate, low fat (HC) diet on aerobic capacity, fuel utilization during submaximal exercise, perceived exercise effort (RPE) and muscle strength. Sixty subjects (age: 49.2 ± 1.2 years; BMI: 33.6 ± 0.5 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to an energy restricted (∼6–7 MJ, 30% deficit), planned isocaloric LC or HC for 8 weeks. At baseline and week 8, subjects performed incremental treadmill exercise to exhaustion and handgrip and isometric knee extensor strength were assessed. Weight loss was greater in LC compared with HC (8.4 ± 0.4% and 6.7 ± 0.5%, respectively; P = 0.01 time × diet). Peak oxygen uptake and heart rate were unchanged in both groups (P > 0.17). Fat oxidation increased during submaximal exercise in LC but not HC (P < 0.001 time × diet effect). On both diets, perception of effort during submaximal exercise and handgrip strength decreased (P ≤ 0.03 for time), but knee extensor strength remained unchanged (P > 0.25). An LC weight loss diet shifted fuel utilization toward greater fat oxidation during exercise, but had no detrimental effect on maximal or submaximal markers of aerobic exercise performance or muscle strength compared with an HC diet. Further studies are required to determine the interaction of LC diets with regular exercise training and the long‐term health effects.
Prospective Study of BMI and the Risk of Pulmonary Embolism in Women
Authors: Kabrhel Christopher , Varraso Raphaëlle , Goldhaber Samuel Z. , Rimm Eric B. , Camargo Carlos A.
Published: April 2009

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is common and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. An association between obesity and PE has been suggested, but the nature of the association has not been well defined. We performed a prospective cohort study of 87,226 women in the Nurses' Health Study (1984–2002) to define the association between BMI and the risk of incident PE. Primary exposure was BMI (<22.5, 22.5–24.9, 25.0–27.4, 27.5–29.9, 30.0–34.9, and ≥35.0 kg/m2). Primary outcome was idiopathic PE (medical record confirmed cases of PE not associated with prior surgery, trauma, or malignancy). Secondary analysis of nonidiopathic PE was also performed. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were controlled for age, physical activity, caloric intake, smoking, pack‐years, race, spouse's educational attainment, parity, menopause, nonaspirin nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, warfarin, multivitamin supplements, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and rheumatological disease. There were 157 incident idiopathic PE and 338 nonidiopathic PE. There was a strong positive association between BMI, the risk of idiopathic PE (relative risk (RR) = 1.08 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06–1.10) per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI, P < 0.001) and nonidiopathic PE (RR = 1.08 (95% CI, 1.07–1.10), P < 0.001). The association was linear, and apparent even with modest increases in BMI (22.5–25 kg/m2). The risk increased nearly sixfold among subjects with BMI ≥35 kg/m2, and was present in multiple subgroups. Increasing BMI has a strong, linear association with the development of PE in women. Clinicians should consider BMI when assessing the risk of PE in their patients.
Validation of BIA in Obese Children and Adolescents and Re‐evaluation in a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Haroun Dalia , Croker Helen , Viner Russell M. , Williams Jane E. , Darch Tegan S. , Fewtrell Mary S. , Eaton Simon , Wells Jonathan C.K.
Published: April 2009

Decrease in fat mass (FM) is a one of the aims of pediatric obesity treatment; however, measurement techniques suitable for routine clinical assessment are lacking. The objective of this study was to validate whole‐body bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA; TANITA BC‐418MA) against the three‐component (3C) model of body composition in obese children and adolescents, and to test the accuracy of our new equations in an independent sample studied longitudinally. A total of 77 white obese subjects (30 males) aged 5–22 years, BMI‐standard deviation score (SDS) 1.6–3.9, had measurements of weight, height (HT), body volume, total body water (TBW), and impedance (Z). FM and fat‐free mass (FFM) were calculated using the 3C model or predicted from TANITA. FFM was predicted from HT2/Z. This equation was then evaluated in 17 other obese children (5 males) aged 9–13 years. Compared to the 3C model, TANITA manufacturer's equations overestimated FFM by 2.7 kg (P < 0.001). We derived a new equation: FFM = −2.211 + 1.115 (HT2/Z), with r2 of 0.96, standard error of the estimate 2.3 kg. Use of this equation in the independent sample showed no significant bias in FM or FFM (mean bias 0.5 ± 2.4 kg; P = 0.4), and no significant bias in change in FM or FFM (mean bias 0.2 ± 1.8 kg; P = 0.7), accounting for 58% (P < 0.001) and 55% (P = 0.001) of the change in FM and FFM, respectively. Our derived BIA equation, shown to be reliable for longitudinal assessment in white obese children, will aid routine clinical monitoring of body composition in this population.
Hybridisation between the dingo, Canis lupus dingo, and the domestic dog, Canis lupus familiaris, in Victoria: a critical review
Authors: Jones Evan
Published: April 2009

This paper reviews two separate population models proposed for a group of wild canids inhabiting the Victorian eastern highlands and re-analyses some of the data used. The first model was based upon two studies that used eight skull measurements in a canonical variate equation. Those studies classified population samples into three separate groups consisting of dingoes, feral domestic dogs and their hybrids. The second model, based upon a later study, classified a separate and additional population sample on the basis of both coat colour and physical appearance, but also cross-referenced the classifications to their canonical scores. That study rejected the model of three separate canid groups and the ability of the canonical variate equation to differentiate ‘pure’ dingoes from other canids. Instead the population was classified as a single group of dingo-like wild canids with an increased range in the variability of their physical characteristics compared to the original dingo population. After a re-evaluation of the data from the latter study and careful examination of the limitations of the canonical variate equation, the evidence presented here supports the population model of a single group of wild canids. Theoretical considerations associated with these two population models are discussed, as are the limitations of the canonical variate equation to classify the Victorian eastern highlands and other Australian wild canid populations.
Burrowing bandicoots - an adaptation to life in a fire-prone environment?
Authors: Long Kirstin
Published: April 2009

The southern brown bandicoot, Isoodon obesulus, is regarded as a ground nesting species that is not known to dig burrows for shelter; however, it has been observed sheltering in burrows constructed by other species. During a recent study, two bandicoots were found sheltering in small burrows after a fire. The locations and dimensions of these burrows suggest that they are likely to have been constructed by the bandicoots themselves, rather than by other species.This observation supports other accounts of burrow-use in lesser-known literature, which also suggest bandicoots may construct their own burrows. Burrows are likely to provide an increased level of shelter that allows bandicoots to escape extreme weather conditions and bushfires.
Longevity record for a wild European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) from South Australia
Authors: Peacock David E. , Sinclair Ron G.
Published: April 2009

A population of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has been monitored since November 1996 through mark–recapture as part of a longitudinal epidemiological study into two Australian rabbit biocontrol agents, rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) and myxomatosis. A female rabbit, first captured as a subadult in late November 1999, was recaptured 18 times before its final capture at the end of February 2007. The longevity of this rabbit, being from its calculated birth date to the date it was last captured, was 7.6 years. A review of the literature indicates this to be the longest lifespan recorded for a European rabbit in the wild.
Reproductive parameters of surviving 'die-off' male Antechinus flavipes and Antechinus stuartii (Dasyuridae : Marsupialia) in their second year of life
Authors: McAllan B. M.
Published: April 2009

Males of the genus Antechinus (Dasyuromorphia) undergo dramatic behavioural, physical and physiological change that results in complete male mortality after the mating period. Occasionally, males in the wild survive longer than this immediate post-mating period, and post ‘die-off’ survivorship for a second year has also been documented in captivity. The present study sought to quantify changes in the physiology and behaviour of male A. flavipes and A. stuartii that survive through a second year of life. Males from both species never demonstrated spermatorrhoea in their second year, although secondary sexual characteristics and sexual behaviour were recovered in their second year. Thus, the seminiferous tubular collapse seen before the mating period in their first year of life is irreversible and complete, although the cycling of other sexual characteristics suggests that the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal pathways and function of the interstitial cells of the testes are retrievable.
Habitat use by platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) in a modified Australian Wet Tropics catchment, north-eastern Queensland
Authors: Milione Michael , Harding Elaine
Published: April 2009

The habitat affiliations of platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) were investigated in the upper Barron River and its tributaries, a modified Wet Tropics catchment in north-eastern Queensland, Australia. A habitat assessment was carried out at 46 sites, and a visual monitoring survey was used to determine whether platypus were present at these sites. Habitat assessment of riparian and in-stream parameters included an evaluation of factors known to influence platypus populations: disturbance level, stream depth and width, riparian continuity, the amount of overhanging vegetation, bare soil along banks, large woody debris, weeds, pool and riffle area and substrate types. Sites where platypus sightings occurred were characterised by a minimum channel width of 3.8 m and slow-flowing pools with depths of 0.49–2.0 m. These findings concur with platypus habitat preferences as described in other regions, although some in-stream and riparian factors considered as important components of platypus habitat in other studies (riparian continuity, large woody debris, undercut banks and coarse stream substrate) were not associated with the presence of platypus in this study. This study represents the first investigation of the influence of human-induced habitat modification on platypus affiliations in an Australian Wet Tropics river system.
Reproduction of the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus): observations from a captive breeding program
Authors: Power Vicki , Lambert Cathy , Matson Phillip
Published: April 2009

Captive breeding and reintroduction programs are making a significant contribution to the survival of several endangered species. We demonstrated that the numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) can be maintained within a captive breeding program at Perth Zoo, Australia, for the purposes of release. We found that females have one litter per year but can be mated two or three times in the breeding season if they fail to conceive or lose their young. The mean (±s.e.m.) interval between mating in polyoestrous females is 25.2 ± 1.6 days. Males show spermatorrhoea with development of secondary sexual characteristics in the breeding season between November and late February.
The measurement of luteinising hormone in the western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) and the black-flanked rock wallaby (Petrogale lateralis lateralis)
Authors: Matson Phillip , Mayberry Christopher , Willers Nicole , Blackberry Margaret A. , Martin Graeme B.
Published: April 2009

An enzyme immunoassay with an anti-bovine-LH antibody (518B7) was applied to female western grey kanagaroos (Macropus fuliginosus ocydromus) and black-flanked rock wallabies (Petrogale lateralis lateralis). Validation showed parallelism to the assay standard curve, and significant increases in plasma LH concentrations after challenging animals with intramuscular GnRH.
Effects of nest use, huddling, and torpor on thermal energetics of eastern pygmy-possums
Authors: Namekata Sae , Geiser Fritz
Published: April 2009

Eastern pygmy-possums (Cercartetus nanus) are known to be conservative with energy use probably because they rely on food that varies in availability. We quantified how nest use, huddling, and torpor contribute to a reduction of energy expenditure in C. nanus during mild cold exposure. In comparison to normothermic resting C. nanus at the same ambient temperature, nest use reduced energy expenditure on average by ~17%, huddling as a pair in a nest by ~50%, whereas torpor, which was employed by all seven individuals, lowered energy expenditure by >95%. Our study shows that while all energy-conserving strategies employed by these possums can contribute significantly to reducing energy expenditure, torpor is by far the most effective because it not only reduces thermoregulatory energy costs, but also energy expenditure required for maintenance processes.
The effects of drought on prey selection of the barn owl (Tyto alba) in the Strzelecki Regional Reserve, north-eastern South Australia
Authors: McDowell Matthew C. , Medlin Graham C.
Published: April 2009

Changes in the diet of the barn owl (Tyto alba) were determined by analysing 619 egested pellets collected in eight samples over 12 months from a roost in the Strzelecki Regional Reserve, north-eastern South Australia. These data were used to examine the occurrence and change in frequency of small vertebrates in the region. In January 2003, at the end of a prolonged dry period, reptiles (predominantly geckos) dominated the diet of the barn owl, forming over 74% of Prey Units (PU%). This is the first Australian study to report reptiles as the primary prey of the barn owl. After substantial rain in February 2003, mammalian prey became much more common, and eventually accounted for almost 80 PU%. At least nine species of small mammal, at least four reptiles, nine birds and a frog were identified from the pellets. Mammalian prey included Leggadina forresti, Mus musculus, Notomys fuscus (endangered), Pseudomys desertor (not previously recorded in the reserve), P. hermannsburgensis, Planigale gilesi, Sminthopsis crassicaudata, S. macroura and Tadarida australis. This research showed that barn owls are capable of switching to alternative prey when mammals become rare, but that they return to preferred prey as soon as it becomes available.
Surviving quokka (Setonix brachyurus) population on the Swan Coastal Plain, Western Australia
Authors: Sinclair Elizabeth A. , Hyder Bridget M.
Published: April 2009

A survey of the Muddy Lakes area on the Swan Coastal Plain was carried out to determine the presence of quokkas. Extensive on-ground searches found a carcass, juvenile skull, and fresh scats, which were identified as belonging to quokka, using DNA analyses. This is currently the only known population remaining on the coastal plain.
Changes in human placental 5α-reductase isoenzyme expression with advancing gestation: effects of fetal sex and glucocorticoid exposure
Authors: Vu Thi T. , Hirst Jonathan J. , Stark Michael , Wright Ian M. R. , Palliser Hannah K. , Hodyl Nicolette , Clifton Vicki L.
Published: April 2009

5α-Reduced steroids, including allopregnanolone, suppress neuronal activity and can have neuroprotective effects in the fetus. 5α-Reductases in the placenta may contribute precursors to brain allopregnanolone synthesis. Preterm birth and glucocorticoids, administered for fetal lung maturation or for maternal asthma, may influence reductase expression. The aims of the present study were to evaluate placental 5α-reductase isoform expression during late gestation and to examine fetal sex differences and the effects of glucocorticoid therapies on the expression of these enzymes. Expression of the two 5α-reductase isoenzymes was measured in placental samples, whereas cortisol concentrations were measured in cord blood, from two cohorts. The first cohort consisted of women who delivered preterm and received betamethasone treatment (n = 41); the second cohort consisted of women who delivered at term and were either healthy controls (n = 30) or asthmatics who had used glucocorticoids (n = 24). Placental expression of both isoenzymes increased with advancing gestation and there were marked sex differences in levels of 5α-reductase I (P < 0.05), but not of 5α-reductase II. The expression of both enzymes was positively correlated with cortisol levels (P < 0.05), but there was no effect of recent glucocorticoid exposure. These findings suggest that the preterm neonate may have lower developmental exposure to 5α-reduced steroids and may lack steroid-mediated neuroprotection depending on fetal sex.
The structural role of the zinc ion can be dispensable in prokaryotic zinc-finger domains
Authors: Baglivo Ilaria , Russo Luigi , Esposito Sabrina , Malgieri Gaetano , Renda Mario , Salluzzo Antonio , Di Blasio Benedetto , Isernia Carla , Fattorusso Roberto , Pedone Paolo V.
Published: April 2009

The recent characterization of the prokaryotic Cys
2
His
2
zinc-finger domain, identified in Ros protein from
Agrobacterium tumefaciens
, has demonstrated that, although possessing a similar zinc coordination sphere, this domain is structurally very different from its eukaryotic counterpart. A search in the databases has identified ≈300 homologues with a high sequence identity to the Ros protein, including the amino acids that form the extensive hydrophobic core in Ros. Surprisingly, the Cys
2
His
2
zinc coordination sphere is generally poorly conserved in the Ros homologues, raising the question of whether the zinc ion is always preserved in these proteins. Here, we present a functional and structural study of a point mutant of Ros protein, Ros
56–142
C82D, in which the second coordinating cysteine is replaced by an aspartate, 5 previously-uncharacterized representative Ros homologues from
Mesorhizobium loti
, and 2 mutants of the homologues. Our results indicate that the prokaryotic zinc-finger domain, which in Ros protein tetrahedrally coordinates Zn(II) through the typical Cys
2
His
2
coordination, in Ros homologues can either exploit a CysAspHis
2
coordination sphere, previously never described in DNA binding zinc finger domains to our knowledge, or lose the metal, while still preserving the DNA-binding activity. We demonstrate that this class of prokaryotic zinc-finger domains is structurally very adaptable, and surprisingly single mutations can transform a zinc-binding domain into a nonzinc-binding domain and vice versa, without affecting the DNA-binding ability. In light of our findings an evolutionary link between the prokaryotic and eukaryotic zinc-finger domains, based on bacteria-to-eukaryota horizontal gene transfer, is discussed.