bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economy of food utilization in a gregarious sawfly, Arge nigrinodosa Motschulsky (Hymenoptera: Argidae): Relative abundance of food in the natural habitat and behavioral pattern of larval feeding
Authors: Adachi Ishizue
Published: December 2006

Relative abundance of natural food resource, leaves of wild rose, of Arge migrinodosa was evaluated by comparing the food quantity which the larvae composing a colony utilized throughout the larval stage with that which is available in the habitat. In this connection, behavioral pattern of larval feeding was also observed under natural conditions, and its ecological significance was discussed.

It was quantitatively clarified that the larvae faced the severe shortage of food and had to disperse to other shoots with the expense of probably high risk. Under pressures of such insufficient supply of food, the larvae follow the most efficient pattern of feeding behavior that they move to the tip of shoot at first and feed regularly downward thereafter. Though individual larvae behaved completely independently of each other, the aggregation appeared to be formed and maintained because all the larvae from the same egg mass follow this fixed feeding pattern.
Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma lipids of obese children
Authors: Decsi Tamás , Molnár Dénes , Koletzko Berthold
Published: December 2006

Fatty acid composition of plasma phospholipids (PL), triglycerides (TG), and sterol esters (STE) was determined by high‐resolution capillary gas‐liquid chromatography in 22 obese children (age: 13.7±1.4 y, body weight relative to normal weight for height: 170±24%, mean ±SD) and compared with data obtained in 25 age‐matched healthy controls. There were no differences in the levels of linoleic acid (LA, C18∶2n‐6) in any of the plasma fractions from the obese children and the controls. Obese children exhibited significantly higher values of arachidonic acid (AA, C20∶4n‐6) than controls both in PL (12.6 [2.4] vs. 8.3 [1.4], % wt/wt, [median (interquartile range)],P<0.001) and STE (7.3 [1.8] vs. 6.0 [1.1],P<0.05). Similarly, obese children showed higher values than controls for dihomo‐γ‐linolenic acid (DHGLA, C20∶3n‐6) in PL (4.0 [0.5] vs. 3.0 [0.6],P<0.001), TG (0.4 [0.1] vs. 0.2 [0.1],P<0.001), and STE (0.9 [0.1] vs. 0.7 [0.1],P<0.01), and for γ‐linolenic acid (C18∶3n‐6) in STE (1.1 [0.2] vs. 0.8 [0.2],P<0.001). The AA/LA ratios were higher in obese children than in controls in PL (0.68 [0.16] vs. 0.42 [0.09],P<0.0005) and STE (0.16 [0.04] vs. 0.12 [0.02],P<0.05), whereas the AA/DHGLA ratios were lower in TG of obese children than in controls (3.40 [0.64] vs. 5.10 [1.75],P<0.005). Plasma glucose concentrations were inversely related to AA in TG (r=0.53,P<0.05), and plasma TG concentrations were inversely related to AA in PL and STE (r=−0.49,P<0.05 andr=−0.48,P<0.05) and to the AA/DHGLA ratios in PL (r=−0.57,P<0.01),TG (r=−0.56,P<0.01) and STE (r=−0.56,P<0.01). We conclude that the significantly higher values of n‐6 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) in plasma lipids of obese children than in age‐matched controls may be caused by an enhanced activity of Δ6‐desaturation, and we speculate that elevated fasting immunoreactive insulin seen in obese children (19.4±8.0 μU/mL) may stimulate synthesis of n‐6 LCP fatty acids.
Changes in the size and docosahexaenoic acid content of adipocytes during chick embryo development
Authors: Farkas Klára , Ratchford Iain A. J. , Noble Raymond C. , Speake Brain K.
Published: December 2006

The development of adipose tissue in the chick embryo was investigated using two groups of fertile eggs which differed by 1.7‐fold in their initial yolk lipid levels. The triacylglycerol content of the subcutaneous adipose depot in both groups increased dramatically from day 12 of the 21‐day embryonic period, attaining a maximal value just prior to hatching. During this period, the amount of triacylglycerol deposited in the adipose tissue was very highly correlated with the amount of lipid transferred from the yolk. The triacylglycerol content of the depot was also dependent on the initial yolk lipid content. During the hatching period, the amount of adipose triacylglycerol remained approximately constant in the group with the higher initial yolk lipid content but, in the case of the group with the lower initial yolk lipid levels, decreased by approximately 25%. The size distribution of adipocytes isolated from the tissue was determined by computerized image analysis microscopy. The mean adipocyte diameter increased from approximately 6 to 35 μm between days 12 and 19, irrespective of the initial yolk content, although development within the eggs with the lower initial yolk content resulted in a decrease in cell size over the hatching period. Both the triacylglycerol and phospholipid fractions of the isolated adipocytes contained substantial proportions (approximately 6%, w/w) of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at days 12 and 14, and lower levels of this fatty acid at the later stages. The amount (mg/depot) of DHA in adipose triacylglycerol decreased dramatically over the hatching period. The amount (mg/brain) of DHA in brain phospholipid increased by more than 5‐fold between day 12 of development and hatching. A possible explanation for the data may be that DHA is preferentially mobilized from adipose tissue in order to deliver the fatty acid to the developing neural tissues in a form suitable for uptake.
Application of 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin in the assay of acyl‐CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase and neutral and acid cholesterol ester hydrolases
Authors: Liza Mariana , Romero José R. , Chico Yolanda , Fresnedo Olatz , Ochoa Begoña
Published: December 2006

The utility of 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin for increasing the sensitivity of assays for the microsomal acyl‐CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase, and the acid lysosomal and the neutral microsomal and cytosolic cholesterol ester hydrolase activity was studied in rat hepatocytes. Enzyme assays, at optimal concentrations of cyclodextrin, were validated by assessing: (i) linearity of product formation with incubation time and protein amount, and saturation with substrate, and (ii) the effect of treatments of cells or of subcellular fractions on enzyme activities. Delivery of cholesterol dissolved in 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin to the acyl‐CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase assay mixture raised the enzyme activity more than 8‐fold and was twice that measured when cholesterol was added in Triton WR‐1339. 2‐Hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin itself was partially effective, apparently by making endogenous cholesterol more accesible to the enzyme. Inclusion of 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin in cholesterol ester hydrolase assays using standard micellar substrates doubled the activity estimated in lysosome and microsome preparations and enhanced the cytosolic cholesterol esterase activity by about 50%. Differences in the catalytic activity of acyl‐CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase and cholesterol ester hydrolases caused by treatment of hepatocytes with compound 58‐035 or 25‐hydroxycholesterol, or of subcellular fractions with NaF, were maintained when enzymes were assayed with cyclodextrin. The results indicate that 2‐hydroxypropyl‐β‐cyclodextrin is a suitable vehicle for delivering cholesterol to acyl‐CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase and enhances the sensitivity of standard assays of the enzymes governing the intrahepatic hydrolysis of cholesteryl esters.
Dietary long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids modify heart, kidney, and lung fatty acid composition in weanling rats
Authors: Suárez A. , Faus M. J. , Gil A.
Published: December 2006

The fatty acid composition of heart, kidney, and lung was studied in weanling rats fed three diets differing in their polyunsaturated fatty acid content for 0, 2, and 4 wk. The first group had a 10% w/w fat semipurified diet which consisted of a mixture of olive oil (62.5%), soybean oil (11.1%), and refined coconut oil (26.4%) and provided 18:1n‐9, 18:2n‐6, and 18:3n‐3 in similar amounts to a maternal human milk (diet HO). The second group received 7% of HO fat and 3% fish oil (0.4% 20:4n‐6 and 5% 22:6n‐3 of total fatty acids) (diet FO), and the third group was fed 7% HO fat, 1.5% of the same fish oil, and 1.5% of a purified pig brain phospholipid concentrate (0.6% 20:4n‐6 and 3.5% 22:6n‐3 of total fatty acids) (diet FO+BPL). The experimental diets increased tissue monounsaturated fatty acids in comparison with rats at weaning. Tissue lipid content of 20:4n‐6 was increased and 22:6n‐3 decreased in Group HO compared with weanling rats, whereas opposite changes were observed in Group FO. Feeding diet FO+BPL increased 22:6n:3 in tissue lipids compared with diet HO, and increased 20:4n‐6 content in relation to diet FO. Our results indicate that rat heart, kidney, and lung are highly responsive to dietary n‐3 and n‐6 long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids during postnatal life.
Effects of grouping and fighting on the reproductive tracts of male white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus)
Authors: Sullivan James A. , Scanlon Patrick F.
Published: December 2006

Adult, male white‐footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) were subjected to a variety of social situations ranging from isolation during the 20 day experimental period to constant contact with both females and other adult males. Contacts included grouping (three or four males per cage) and exposure to fighters (once daily for 20 minutes). The following measurements were recorded: weights of the body, testes, epididymides, vesicular glands, vesicular gland tissue (wet and dry), seminal fluid of the vesicular gland, adrenal glands, and baculum; spermatozoan reserves of the testes and epididymides. Grouping significantly affected both the weight and spermatozoan reserves of the testes and epididymides, as well as both the tissue and seminal fluid weight of the vesicular glands. The results suggested a graded effect of all treatments on the reproductive tract. In order of magnitude of the associated response, from none to greatest, the treatments may be ranked as follows: pairing with females, isolating, handling, fighting, and grouping. All reproductive parameters measured showed this general ranking, suggesting that the response to the various treatments was similar and differed only quantitatively. The results further suggested decreased secretion of LH and testosterone, although measurements of testosterone did not substantiate this conclusion. The lack of significant effects of grouping on adrenal gland weights strengthened the argument that adrenal involvement is not a necessary adjunct to the suppression of the reproductive tract in grouped Peromyscus, but the adrenal may be involved if contacts between males result in overt fighting.
Extensions to Kiritani and Nakasuji's method for analysing insect stage‐frequency data
Authors: Manly B. F. J.
Published: December 2006

There is evidence that the simple method ofKiritani andNakasuji (1967) for the analysis of insect stage‐frequency data produces estimates of stage‐specific survival rates that compare well with the estimates from more complicated methods (Manly, 1975). However the method as originally proposed byKiritani andNakasuji cannot always be applied because it assumes that the insect population involved was sampled at regular intervals of time. Furthermore, parameters such as the durations of stages are not estimated. In this note modifications to the basic method are suggested with the idea of overcoming these limitations.
The effect of crowding on adult populations of Delia (=Hylemya) antiqua (Meigen)
Authors: Zurlini G. , Robinson A. S.
Published: December 2006

Using 5 density levels, the effect of increasing density was studied on several population statistics of adult Delia (=Hylemya) antiqua. Amongst the statistics studied were adult lifespan; female mating frequency, fecundity and egg hatchability. It was shown that females lived significantly longer than males and that increasing density significantly reduced lifespan. Density had no effect on mating frequency. Total fecundity/female was significantly reduced with increasing density but oviposition rate was density independent.

Using these statistics, mean generation time T, net reproduction rate R0 and capacity for increase rc were calculated at the different density levels. Values of R0 showed a one‐tailed response but there was no clear effect of density on rc.

Multiple comparisons between variables revealed several important relationships.

Adult lifespan was the most important factor affecting egg production.

Number of mated females was more important in affecting total fecundity/cage than adult density.

It could also be calculated that to produce the effect of one single mated female on total fecundity/cage the overall density would have to be reduced by 0.0023 individuals/cm3.

These results are discussed in the context of efficient laboratory rearing of the onion fly.
Changes in spatial distribution pattern during the larval stage of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea drury (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)
Authors: Suzuki Nobuhiko , Kunimi Yasuhisa , Uematsu Seiji , Kobayashi Ken'ichi
Published: December 2006

The changes in spatial distribution pattern during larval stage of the fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea were quantitatively investigated in the field experimental populations.

The female adult deposits eggs as a cluster and the hatchlings make a compact colonial‐web. In this period, the all‐or‐none type mortality which is characteristic in gregarious insect species was occasionary recognized before spinning a compact colonial‐web. Once making a compact colonial‐web, the larvae feed the leaves in the colonial‐web up to about 5th instar. In this period, the movement of larvae occurred due to the local food shortage in a colonial‐web and the expansion of colonial‐web. As the larvae developed, the colonial‐web was separated into several small groups. These larvae began to disperse about 5th instar. In this period, the local food shortage seems to be an important trigger for the larval dispersal. The mean concentration of larvae on leaves abruptly decreased, and finally the larvae became solitary at the 6th or 7th instars.

The dispersal process in later larval stage is not necessarily due to the complete food shortage. The dispersal prior to the occurrence of food shortage may be a safety mechanism to protect the larvae from the food shortage.
Predator‐prey responses in an acarine system
Authors: Pernando M. H. J. P. , Hassell M. P.
Published: December 2006

This study examines the responses of the predatory mite,Phytoseiulus persimilis, to the density and distribution of its prey,Tetranychus urticae. It is divided into three parts. Firstly, the functional responses of protonymph, deutonymph and adult females towards different prey stages are displayed. The great majority of the responses are of the type II form, and the variations in the values of attack ratea′ and handling timeThare discussed. Experiments are then described in which individual protonymph, deutonymph and adult female predators are presented with varying ratios of two prey age‐classes (eggs and deutonymphs, and larvae and deutonymphs). Any observed preference for one of the prey stages is discussed in relation to the predicted preference on the basis of the separate functional response experiments. Finally, the response of different densities of adult female predators to a non‐random distribution of deutonymph prey on bean leaflets is examined. The predators show a clear tendency to aggregate on the leaflets of high prey density, counteracted to some extent by interference increasing the probability of dispersal to other leaflets.
Population dynamics of the chestnut gall‐wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)
Authors: Itô Yosiaki , Nakamura Masako , Kondo Masaki , Miyashita Kazuyoshi , Nakamura Kazuo
Published: December 2006

As a part of serial study on population dynamics of the chestnut gall‐wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, analyses of the distribution of eggs, gall‐cells and emergent holes were made from the statistical point of view. Many of distributions of the eggs per bud could be described by the truncated Poisson, but some cases showed slight overdispersion than expected by chance. Because of no linear increase of with increasing (expected mean for complete sample), however, the truncated negative binomial seemed to be not so available for whole series.

Distributions of the gall‐cells and the emergent holes were, on the other hand, well described by the truncated Poisson distribution when the observed frequency was calculated for respective trees. Negative‐binomial tendency found in distributions from some stations consisted of a certain number of trees would be resulted from mixture of Poisson populations with different means.

Random or slightly concentrated oviposition and random mortality within galls was thus supposed for future study unless the proof favouring other distribution models would appear.
Differences in temporal utilization patterns of dung pats among three scarabaeid dung beetles
Authors: Yasuda Hironori
Published: December 2006

Differences in the temporal utilization patterns of dung pats were investigated among three dung beetle species, Aphodius haroldianus, Onthophagus lenzii and Liatongus phanaeoides, and density effects of three species on emigration from a dung pat were compared.

A. haroldianus preferred fresh dung pats, immigrated to fresh pats and then emigrated from those pats quickly (mean duration of residence 48.4 h), whereas L. phanaeoides immigrated to older dung pats (over 7 days after deposition) as well as fresh ones and remained in the pats for the longest time (165.6 h).O. lenzii showed intermediate behavior in this respect (63.3 h).

In A. haroldianus, the presence of conspecifics induced faster emigration than presence of the other two species. L. phanaeoides showed the opposite relationship. In O. lenzii, the response to conspecifics was intermediate to those of the other two species.
Ultrasound-guided Interdigital Neuroma Injections: Short-term Clinical Outcomes after a Single Percutaneous Injection—Preliminary Results
Authors: Sofka Carolyn M. , Adler Ronald S. , Ciavarra Gina A. , Pavlov Helene
Published: December 2006

Purpose

To describe the procedure of ultrasound-guided Morton's neuroma and recurrent stump neuroma injections and early clinical outcomes after a single injection.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective review of 44 percutaneous ultrasound-guided neuroma injections in 24 patients who had completed clinical outcomes questionnaires. A 10-point pain scale [scale of 1 (no pain) to 10 (severe pain)] in a 7-day pain log format was distributed to patients at the time percutaneous neuroma injection was performed.

Results

Neuromas were clearly visualized with sonography as hypoechoic nodules and were distinguishable from other causes of forefoot pain, such as metatarsophalangeal joint synovitis and intermetatarsal bursae. The sizes of the neuromas injected ranged between 4 and 19 mm. Postinjection, all neuromas displayed increased echogenicity and/or the appearance of fluid surrounding it, confirming localization of the therapeutic mixture. We arbitrarily subdivided the pain ratings into symptomatic (greater than 4) and asymptomatic (less than or equal to 4) for statistical analysis. Average pain level pre injection was 5.2 and average pain level was 3.7 at 7 days post single injection, with 62% of the initially symptomatic patients asymptomatic on day 7 ( p < 0.000001). Overall, 76% of the total number of neuromas injected once were asymptomatic on day 7.

Conclusion

Ultrasound can be used to accurately target Morton's neuromas and, therefore, appropriately direct therapeutic interventions, with good short-term clinical results.
Backside Wear in Modern Total Knee Designs
Authors: Jayabalan Prakash , Furman Bridgette D. , Cottrell Jocelyn M. , Wright Timothy M.
Published: December 2006

Although modularity affords various options to the orthopedic surgeon, these benefits come at a price. The unintended bearing surface between the back surface of the tibial insert and the metallic tray results in micromotion leading to polyethylene wear debris. The objective of this study was to examine the backside wear of tibial inserts from three modern total knee designs with very different locking mechanisms: Insall-Burstein II® (IB II®), Optetrak®, and Advance®. A random sample of 71 inserts were obtained from our institution's retrieval collection and examined to assess the extent of wear, depth of wear, and wear damage modes. Patient records were also obtained to determine patient age, body mass index, length of implantation, and reason for revision. Modes of wear damage (abrasion, burnishing, scratching, delamination, third body debris, surface deformation, and pitting) were then scored in each zone from 0 to 3 (0 = 0%, 1 = 0–10%, 2 = 10–50%, and 3 = >50%). The depth of wear was subjectively identified as removal of manufacturing identification markings stamped onto the inferior surface of the polyethylene. Both Advance® and IB II® polyethylene inserts showed significantly higher scores for backside wear than the Optetrak® inserts. All IB II® and Advance® implants showed evidence of backside wear, whereas 17% (5 out of 30) of the retrieved Optetrak® implants had no observable wear. There were no significant differences when comparing the depth of wear score between designs. The locking mechanism greatly affects the propensity for wear and should be considered when choosing a knee implant system.
Rheological properties of sodium caprate‐induced β‐lactoglobulin gel and changes in secondary structure during gelation
Authors: Yuno‐Ohta Naoko , Murata Katsuo , Miyahara Mitsuyoshi , Ohta Hiroyuki
Published: December 2006

In this study, we found that transparent gels of β‐lactoglobulin (β‐LG) were formed by adding different concentrations of sodium caprate to protein solutions at ambient temperature. We investigated changes in the dynamic viscoelasticity of the mixture with time at 25°C and found that more than 12% β‐LG induced the formation of a viscoelastic gel with a suitable amount of sodium caprate (for example, 12% β‐LG and 3.6% sodium caprate). Furthermore, we analyzed the changes in the secondary structure of proteins during the gelation step by FHR spectroscopy. Dissociation of the β‐LG dimer was first observed just after mixing with sodium caprate. Furthermore, in the β‐LG protein in which the original contents were predominantly β‐sheets, intermolecular β‐sheets attributable to aggregation increased with a decrease in the content of intramolecular β‐sheets. Sodium caprate‐induced gel was heated at 80°C for 30 min after the gel was formed, and a large increase in the intermolecular β‐sheet bands was observed by heat treatment. These results suggest that the formation of sodium caprate‐induced gels of β‐LG was accompanied by less marked changes in the protein conformation than those in heat‐induced gels.
Synergistic effect of BSA on antioxidant activities in model food emulsions
Authors: Almajano M. Pilar , Gordon Michael H.
Published: December 2006

Sunflower oil‐in‐water emulsions containing TBHQ, caffeic acid, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), or 6‐hydroxy‐2,5,7,8‐tetramethylchroma‐2‐carboxylic acid (Trolox), both with and without BSA, were stored at 50 and 30°C. Oxidation of the oil was monitored by determination of the PV, conjugated diene content, and hexanal formation. Emulsions containing EGCG, caffeic acid, and, to a lesser extent, Trolox were much more stable during storage in the presence of BSA than in its absence even though BSA itself did not provide an antioxidant effect. BSA did not have a synergistic effect on the antioxidant activity of TBHQ. The BSA structure changed, with a considerable loss of fluorescent tryptophan groups during storage of solutions containing BSA and antioxidants, and a BSA‐antioxidant adduct with radical‐scavenging activity was formed. The highest radical‐scavenging activity observed was for the isolated protein from a sample containing EGCG and BSA incubated at 30°C for 10 d. This fraction contained unchanged BSA as well as BSA‐antioxidant adduct, but 95.7% of the initial fluorescence had been lost, showing that most of the BSA had been altered. It can be concluded that BSA exerts its synergistic effect with antioxidants because of formation of a protein‐antioxidant adduct during storage, which is concentrated at the oil‐water interface owing to the surface‐active nature of the protein.
Lipase‐catalyzed esterification of glycerol and oleic acid
Authors: Yesiloglu Yesim , Kilic Ismail
Published: December 2006

The enzymatic synthesis of glycerides from glycerol and oleic acid in organic solvent was studied, and the optimal conditions for glyceride synthesis by lipases were established. Of the commercially available lipases that were investigated, Candida rugosa lipase and porcine pancreas lipase resulted in the highest extent of esterification. Iso‐octane and hexane were particularly useful organic solvents in glyceride synthesis. The water content in the reaction mixture was of primary importance. For C. rugosa lipase and porcine pancreas lipase, the optimal water contents were 5 and 1%, respectively. Candida rugosa lipase and porcine pancreas lipase manifested contrasting positional specificities in glyceride synthesis.
Determination of the Plk4/Sak consensus phosphorylation motif using peptide spots arrays
Authors: Leung Genie C. , Ho Cynthia S.W. , Blasutig Ivan M. , Murphy James M. , Sicheri Frank
Published: December 2006

The family of polo like kinases (Plks) regulate cell cycle progression through key functional roles in mitosis. While the four mammalian family members, Plk1‐4, share overlapping functions, each member possesses unique functions that may be dictated in part by their ability to phosphorylate different substrates. Numerous cellular substrates for Plk1, 2, and 3 have been characterized, but the protein targets for Plk4/Sak remain unknown. We have purified the kinase domain of Sak and demonstrated that it has robust kinase activity in vitro. Using in vitro kinase assays on peptide spots arrays, we determined the consensus phosphorylation motif for Sak to be ¥‐[Ile/Leu/Val]‐Ser/Thr‐ϕ‐ϕ‐X‐¥/Pro (where ϕ denotes a large hydrophobic residue, ¥ is a charged residue dependent on the context of the surrounding sequence, and residues in brackets are unfavoured). This consensus phosphorylation motif differs from that of Plk1, and provides a basis for future studies to identify in vivo substrates of Sak.
Reversible inhibition of mammalian glutamine synthetase by tyrosine nitration
Authors: Görg Boris , Qvartskhava Natalia , Voss Peter , Grune Tilman , Häussinger Dieter , Schliess Freimut
Published: December 2006

The effect of tyrosine nitration on mammalian GS activity and stability was studied in vitro. Peroxynitrite at a concentration of 5 μmol/l produced tyrosine nitration and inactivation of GS, whereas 50 μmol/l peroxynitrite additionally increased S‐nitrosylation and carbonylation and degradation of GS by the 20S proteasome. (−)Epicatechin completely prevented both, tyrosine nitration and inactivation of GS by peroxynitrite (5 μmol/l). Further, a putative “denitrase” activity restored the activity of peroxynitrite (5 μmol/l)‐treated GS. The data point to a potential regulation of GS activity by a reversible tyrosine nitration. High levels of oxidative stress may irreversibly damage and predispose the enzyme to proteasomal degradation.
Government Preferences on European Integration: An Empirical Test of Five Theories
Authors: ASPINWALL MARK
Published: December 2006

This essay examines the causes of government support for European integration. It evaluates several competing theories, both material and ideological. Two dependent variables are examined: government support for European integration in Council of Ministers decisions, and in the 1997 Amsterdam intergovernmental conference. There appear to be sharp differences between the two decision-making fora in the efficacy of predictive variables. In the Council of Ministers, left–right political ideology and financial transfers from the European Union to member states provide the best explanations. In the Amsterdam conference, experience in the Second World War and financial transfers provide the best explanations. This research extends our understanding of why governments choose co-operation within the European Union. It also extends our understanding of the relationship between ideology and integration preferences. Ideology matters not just to parties, but also to governments, which represent both territorial interests and ideologies. There appears to be a linear relationship, whereby left governments are more supportive of integration than right governments.
Issues, Party and Character: The Moderating Role of Ideological Thinking on Candidate Evaluation
Authors: LAVINE HOWARD , GSCHWEND THOMAS
Published: December 2006

We examine ‘heuristic’ and ‘systematic’ candidate-appraisal strategies within a presidential election context. Controlling for political knowledge, we determine whether individual differences in the capacity for ideological thought condition voters' reliance on the major determinants of candidate choice, increasing reliance on policy considerations and decreasing reliance on the heuristic cue of party identification and on perceptions of candidate character when ideological capacity is high, and exerting the opposite effect – decreasing the role of issues and increasing the role of party identification and candidate qualities – when such capacity is low. Using American National Election Studies data from the 1984–2000 period, we find that ideological thinking consistently heightens voters' reliance on issues and decreases their reliance on candidate cues, but only among voters who report being concerned about the outcome of the election. In contrast, the effect of partisanship is stable across levels of ideological thinking and concern about the campaign. We discuss the cognitive processes by which ideological thinking regulates political choice, and assert its centrality in the political decision-making process.
Possible effects of nest predation on the breeding success of Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca
Authors: PURGER JENŐ J. , MÉSZÁROS LÍDIA A.
Published: December 2006

To investigate whether nest predation can influence the breeding success of Ferruginous Ducks Aythya nyroca, artificial nests were used in Nagyberek, the strictly protected swamp pond of the Juniper Woodland Nature Conservation Area (Somogy county, south Hungary). Experimentation lasted for 4 weeks, a similar length of time to the incubation period of Ferruginous Ducks. After 1 week, 80% of nests were intact, after 2 weeks only 46%, and after 3 and 4 weeks only 2% remained undamaged. Nest survival rates were not affected by the width of the sedge stands, but as water levels surrounding nests decreased, nests became more accessible to Wild Boar Sus scrofa and other land mammal predators, which increased the rate of predation. Artificially maintaining water levels would not only decrease the predation rate of nests, but would also maintain feeding areas for ducks. Wild Boar were the main cause of clutch loss in this area, and therefore by management measures, such as a reduction in their abundance or attracting them away from potential nesting sites by providing food elsewhere, the breeding success of the Ferruginous Ducks may be further improved.
Diurnal attendance of nominate Lesser Black-backed Gulls Larus f. fuscus at a Ugandan lake: implications for the conservation of a globally threatened subspecies
Authors: HARIO MARTTI
Published: December 2006

The nominate Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus fuscus has experienced dramatic population declines on its northern breeding grounds. The global population is assessed at 18,000–119,000 pairs (BirdLife Finland), compared with 175,000 pairs of the British form graellsii (Wetlands International 2002). Although the species as a whole is not regarded as threatened, nominate fuscus is listed in the Red Data Books of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia and Russian Karelia, i.e. it is classified as Threatened over its entire current range, falling into the Endangered and Vulnerable categories in the IUCN Red List categories.
TROUBLE FOR LEGAL POSITIVISM
Authors: Priel Danny
Published: December 2006

Many contemporary legal positivists have argued that legal theory is evaluative because it requires the theorist to make judgments of importance. At the same time they argue that it is possible to know “what the law is” without resort to evaluative considerations. I distinguish between two senses of “what the law is”: in one sense it refers to legal validity, in another to the content of legal norms, and I argue that legal positivism is best understood (as indeed some legal positivists have explicitly said) as a claim about legal content. Understood this way, however, it is open to the objection that knowing the content of legal norms requires evaluative considerations for reasons similar to those offered by positivists for thinking that legal theory is requires evaluative considerations. I then distinguish between evaluative considerations in general and moral considerations and argue that because of the subject-matter of legal norms, there are good reasons for thinking that it is moral considerations, and not just any other evaluative considerations, that are required for knowing the content of legal norms.
Einheimische Sprue
Authors: Daum  , Zeitz
Published: December 2006

Das klassische Krankheitsbild der einheimischen Sprue mit starker Gewichtsabnahme und Fettstühlen wird im Vergleich zu den atypischen milden Formen heutzutage verhältnismässig deutlich seltener diagnostiziert. Zu den atypischen Manifestationen der einheimischen Sprue zählen inzwischen nicht nur internistische Krankheitsbilder wie Leber- und Gelenkserkrankungen, sondern auch gynäkologische, dermatologische und neurologische Erkrankungen. Daneben sollte das erhöhte Risiko einer einheimischen Sprue immer bei Vorliegen eines Diabetes mellitus Typ 1, eines IgA-Mangels und anderer autoimmuner Erkrankungen bedacht werden. Die Differentialdiagnostik der unter einer glutenfreien Diät refraktären Sprue umfasst eine Vielzahl von unterschiedlichen Grunderkrankungen. Neben einem erhöhten Risiko mit unbehandelter einheimischer Sprue ein intestinales T-Zelllymphom zu entwickeln, besteht auch ein erhöhtes Risiko für andere Malignome, wie z.B. das Ösophaguskarzinom.
Thermomechanical analysis of strain localization in a ductile detachment zone
Authors: Mulch A. , Teyssier C. , Cosca M. A. , Vennemann T. W.
Published: December 2006

At the latitude of the Thor‐Odin dome (British Columbia) the Columbia River Detachment defines the eastern margin of the Shuswap metamorphic core complex and localizes in a 1 km thick muscovite‐bearing quartzite mylonite. We present a combined40Ar/39Ar, (micro)structural, and oxygen isotope study of the deformation history in the detachment and evaluate the spatial and temporal relationships between microstructure formation and localization of strain. High‐precision40Ar/39Ar geochronology from different levels in the mylonite delineates a pattern of increasingly younger (49.0 to 47.9 Ma) deformation ages in deeper levels of the mylonitic footwall. The correlation of40Ar/39Ar ages with decreasing deformation temperatures (∼550°–400°C) in the top 200 m of the mylonite indicates that deformation migrated downward from the contact with the hanging wall. Strain localization was diachronous in progressively deeper levels of the footwall and was likely controlled by fluid‐assisted strain hardening due to advective heat removal and contemporaneous reaction weakening due to dissolution‐reprecipitation of white mica. The observed constant high‐stress microstructures across the entire detachment indicate that flow stress was buffered by the interplay of strain rate and temperature, where high strain rates at elevated temperature produced the same microstructure as lower strain rates under decreasing temperature conditions. The combined data suggest that the complex interplay among temporally nonuniform rates of footwall exhumation, heat advection, and embrittlement by meteoric fluids strongly determines the thermomechanical behavior of extensional detachments.
The Mesozoic breakup of the Weddell Sea
Authors: König Matthias , Jokat Wilfried
Published: December 2006

A new set of rotations is presented that describes a refined model for the early opening of the Weddell Sea between South America and Antarctica and the Mesozoic breakup of Gondwana. Published high‐resolution aeromagnetic data from the eastern Weddell Sea and additional track data farther west in the Weddell Sea were used to constrain the new model for the opening of the Weddell Sea. Rotation parameters derived for the South America–Antarctica spreading regime were combined with constraints on the South America–Africa and Africa‐Antarctica spreading systems to calculate a refined model for the Mesozoic breakup of Gondwana. Thereafter, at the time when the north‐south oriented separation between Africa and Antarctica is initiated by rifting in the Somali and Mozambique basins (∼167 Ma), stretching and extension takes place in a basin comprising continental crust of the Filchner‐Ronne Shelf, the Falkland Island block and the Maurice Ewing Bank. The first true ocean floor in the Weddell Sea is formed at about 147 Ma, after rifting between the Antarctic Peninsula and southernmost South America occurred. This is about 15–20 Myr later than previously estimated. Separation between South America and Antarctica takes place at slow spreading rates (14–12 mm/yr half rate) from 147 to 122 Ma and after 122 Ma (M2) at ultraslow spreading rates (∼8 mm/yr half rate) with little change in the NNW spreading direction throughout this time. A revised age range is proposed for the formation of the Explora Wedge (150–138 Ma), which is more than 30 Myr later than previously published (∼183 Ma).
Increasing the efficiency of paleointensity analyses by selection of samples using first‐order reversal curve diagrams
Authors: Carvallo Claire , Roberts Andrew P. , Leonhardt Roman , Laj Carlo , Kissel Catherine , Perrin Mireille , Camps Pierre
Published: December 2006

The global paleointensity database is restricted by the high failure rate of paleointensity analyses. Excluding thermal alteration, failure is usually caused by the presence of multidomain grains and interactions among grains, two properties that can be identified using first‐order reversal curve (FORC) diagrams. We measured FORC diagrams on sister samples of about 200 samples that had been used for Thellier paleointensity determinations and determined criteria to discriminate samples that gave acceptable paleointensity results from those that did not. The three most discriminating criteria are the vertical spread of the FORC distribution (indicative of interactions), expressed as the full width at half maximum (FWHM), the spread of the FORC distribution along the Hc = 0 axis (width), and the bulk coercivity Hc (both indicative of domain state). Setting thresholds at 132 mT for the width of the distribution and 29 mT for the FWHM maximizes the number of unsuccessful rejected samples. Using an additional threshold of Hc = 5.4 mT results in rejection of 32% of unsuccessful samples. Seven samples that barely satisfy the paleointensity selection criteria would also be rejected using these selection criteria. Most of the samples that fail the paleointensity experiment without being detected by our selection criteria have ideal noninteracting single‐domain magnetic properties but fail because of the thermal alteration that results from repeated heating. Being able to eliminate at least one third of unsuccessful samples using our FORC diagram‐based prescreening procedure should provide a significant improvement in efficiency of paleointensity measurements.
Temporal variability of current‐driven upwelling at Jarvis Island
Authors: Gove Jamison M. , Merrifield Mark A. , Brainard Russell E.
Published: December 2006

The temporal variability of upwelling on the western side of Jarvis Island, caused by the island blocking of free stream currents, is investigated using in situ and shipboard observations. Variations in upwelling are related to changes in the strength and depth of the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC) caused by wind‐forcing at different timescales. Seasonally, the strongest upwelling at Jarvis occurs in boreal spring when a weakening of the trade winds in the eastern and central Pacific coincides with a locally shallow thermocline and shallow and strong EUC. Year to year differences in springtime upwelling are associated with the strength of the trade winds in the western Pacific; intensified trade winds associated with La Niña conditions favor the shoaling of the thermocline and the EUC at Jarvis. On intraseasonal timescales, upwelling events at Jarvis are linked to local trade wind bursts, which cause a regional upwelling that also enhances EUC‐driven upwelling. Strong (>1.00 m s−1) near‐surface eastward currents measured at Jarvis, associated with trade wind relaxations in the central Pacific, are downwelling favorable. During periods of EUC‐driven upwelling, interactions of the semidiurnal tide with Jarvis result in abrupt cold spikes (1–4°C) that tend to occur at ∼12 hour period. Tidal currents and temperature fluctuate 180° out of phase, such that minimum temperatures coincide with maximum eastward current. The high‐frequency upwelling appears to be most consistent with the presence of internal tides.
Potential and limitations of space‐based methods for the retrieval of surface UV‐B daily doses: A numerical study
Authors: Bugliaro L. , Mayer B. , Meerkötter R. , Verdebout J.
Published: December 2006

For a typical space‐borne algorithm for the estimation of surface UV‐B daily doses, the implications of a limited temporal sampling of cloud properties and of the neglect of three‐dimensional radiative effects are addressed. By means of six synthetic diurnal cloud cycles, different temporal samplings of cloud properties have been investigated, while surface and atmospheric properties have been kept constant. The results have been compared with benchmark calculations of the daily doses using a 15 min time step. The neglect of the horizontal photon transport imposes limitations to the estimation of daily doses since it leads to statistical uncertainties up to 25% and biases ranging from 3% to 9%. Additionally, when a reduced temporal sampling is used, maximum uncertainties increase up to 85% when probing the cloud field only every 4 hours. Even in this case, however, 25–40% of the daily doses in the model domain have an accuracy between −20% and +20%. The time around noon turns out to be of crucial importance for a precise estimation of UV daily doses. Therefore usually a limited number of cloud probes around noon is particularly efficient, although in case of high temporal and spatial cloud variability throughout the day three cloud probes can still be too few to prevent the occurrence of large (>80%) deviations. Finally, by spatial averaging, a large improvement of the agreement between reference values and daily doses computed with a given time sampling can be achieved.
Isotopic composition of H2 from CH4 oxidation in the stratosphere and the troposphere
Authors: Rhee Tae Siek , Brenninkmeijer Carl A. M. , Braß Marc , Brühl Christoph
Published: December 2006

Enrichment in deuterium (D) of stratospheric H2 is investigated using new and published data. Applying a Rayleigh model to account for the isotopic fractionations in the photochemical chain reactions from CH4 to the final product H2O via H2 reveals a strong enrichment of photochemically produced H2. This is consistent with previous studies, but the degree of enrichment obtained in this study appears to be 100–120‰ larger than the previous estimates on average. The discrepancy primarily stems from the former use of either an isotopic fractionation factor of H2 that does not take into account the effect of stratospheric transport or an H2 yield from CH2O photolysis that is not applicable to stratospheric conditions. We further investigate the same isotopic fractionation process under tropospheric conditions by considering the differences in both the species and amounts of oxidizing agents and the wavelengths that are effective in the photolysis of CH2O. These were not considered in the former studies when they derived the δD value under the tropospheric conditions. We thereby anticipate the δD value of H2 from photochemical oxidation of CH4 in the troposphere to be 190 (±50)‰.
Calibrations of Bermuda corals against large‐scale sea surface temperature and sea level pressure pattern time series and implications for climate reconstructions
Authors: Crueger T. , Kuhnert H. , Pätzold J. , Zorita E.
Published: December 2006

Proxy records from stony reef corals are established tools for reconstructing climate features. However, validation procedures for proving the calibrations are often insufficient or even lacking. We address this problem by the establishment and validation of statistical regression models for the reconstruction of large‐scale climate patterns from local coral records (upscaling). We apply the upscaling technique to the annual growth rates of two coral species from Bermuda, representing a period of about 140 years. The coral records are related to reanalyzed sea surface temperature (SST) and sea level pressure (SLP) fields. In the western North Atlantic, the correlation maps between the SSTs and the single coral records and their leading principal component show similar structures. On the basis of regression patterns for limited areas, upscaling models are established. Validation of such models for the SST yields an explained variance of 30% of the low‐pass‐filtered data using the first principal component of both corals. For the detrended SLP time series, representing an almost hemispheric SLP pattern, 21% of the interannual variability is explained by means of only one coral. Thus different corals from neighboring sites represent similar climate signals, however, to slightly varying degrees, leading to different reconstruction skills. Problems remain in reconstructing long‐term trends. We conclude that reconstructions from multiple corals are not a priori predominant to those from single corals. A calibration to what extent a single coral represents a climate parameter should be the first step before combining multiple corals as the basis for a reconstruction.
Analysis of gamma ray spectra measured by Mars Odyssey
Authors: Evans Larry G. , Reedy Robert C. , Starr Richard D. , Kerry Kristopher E. , Boynton William V.
Published: December 2006

Gamma ray spectra measured by the Mars Odyssey gamma ray spectrometer while in orbit around Mars were analyzed to identify the sources of 334 observed peaks and features. Most peaks were of a standard Gaussian shape with a low‐energy tail. However, Doppler‐broadened and sawtooth‐shaped peaks were also observed in the spectra. The sources of most peaks were identified. Many peaks come from the gamma ray detector material or materials around the detector, particularly Ti and Mg. Identifications were often confirmed by analyzing other spectra, such as those measured during the cruise to Mars, before and after the boom deployment, at the end of solar particle events, and over thick frozen CO2 polar caps during winters.