bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression of CD30 antigen in superficial mycotic infections of the skin: a possible non‐specific finding without clinical relevance
Authors: Müller C. S. L. , Schmaltz R. , Vogt T. , Pföhler C.
Published: June 2010

Expression of CD30 is a distinct marker of lymphocytic activation, originally described in Reed–Sternberg cells of Hodgkin’s disease. Recently, the first two cases in which CD30 was expressed in tissue samples derived from superficial cutaneous fungal infections have been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of CD30 in tinea corporis and to discuss the clinical relevance of CD30. Twenty‐three skin biopsies from 23 patients with mycotic infections of the skin were analysed retrospectively. The immunophenotypic expression of CD30 was investigated. In the series investigated, some large CD30‐positive cells located in the upper dermal infiltrate were noted in two of 23 biopsy specimens (8.7%). The existence of CD30‐positive cells was independent of the density and composition of the accompanying inflammatory infiltrate. We showed that the expression of CD30 in dermatophytoses is not a consistent finding. Instead, as a sign of lymphocytic activation, CD30 expression is observed coincidentally in cutaneous fungal infections. Our data confirm the observation that CD30 antigen is expressed in a variety of benign and malignant skin disorders, including cutaneous fungal infections, probably as an epiphenomenon without clinical relevance.
Double sampling to assess the accuracy of ground‐based surveys of tree hollows in eucalypt woodlands
Authors: RAYNER LAURA , ELLIS MURRAY , TAYLOR JENNIFER E.
Published: June 2010

Ground‐based surveys of tree hollows often give poor estimates of hollow abundance in forests. Woodlands have shorter trees and a more open structure than forests, which may make hollows easier to detect. Therefore, one would expect ground‐based surveys of tree hollows to be more accurate in woodlands than in forests. We compared hollow counts from ground‐based and climbing surveys (double sampling) for four species of Eucalyptus trees in woodlands of central‐western New South Wales, Australia: E. camaldulensis Dehnh, E. melliodora A. Cunn. ex Schauer, E. microcarpa Maiden and E. populnea F. Muell. ssp. bimbil L.A.S. Johnson & K.D. Hill and E. melliodora A. Cunn. ex Schauer. Overall, 83% of hollow‐bearing trees and 93% of trees without hollows were correctly classified by ground‐based surveys. Mean difference in hollow counts of ground‐based surveys to climbed surveys was 1.7 hollows ± 0.2 SE (all species combined) with 91% of ground‐based hollow counts being within five of the actual number of hollows. The error in ground‐based counts of hollows in E. microcarpa was larger than for the other three species. Errors in all species resulted from both overestimation and underestimation of hollow abundance by ground‐based surveys. A larger error was associated with the detection of hollows located in branches compared with hollows located in the main trunk(s). Total number of hollows in the tree (based on climbing surveys), crown area or maximum trunk diameter were significant predictors of ground‐based survey accuracy. Overall, the accuracy associated with ground surveys was relatively high and generally error rates were lower than those published for forests.
Mutualism or opportunism? Tree fuchsia (Fuchsia excorticata) and tree weta (Hemideina) interactions
Authors: WYMAN TARRYN E. , TREWICK STEVE A. , MORGAN‐RICHARDS MARY , NOBLE ALASDAIR D. L.
Published: June 2010

Mutualisms or interspecific interactions involving net mutual benefits, are an important component of ecological theory, although effectively demonstrating mutualism is notoriously difficult. Among two New Zealand endemics, a slightly elevated germination rate of Fuchsia excorticata (Onagraceae) seeds after passage through tree weta (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) compared with seeds manually extracted from fruit, led to the proposal that a mutualistic relationship exists between this plant and animal. An improved germination rate, or any other single trait, however, does not alone constitute evidence for mutualism; the relative costs and benefits of numerous components of the interaction need to be accounted for. We considered the costs and benefits to F. excorticata of the putative seed dispersal mutualism with tree weta. Tree weta provided with F. excorticata fruits destroyed 78% of the seeds they consumed, did not move fruit; and faeces containing seeds were deposited near their roost holes (which are naturally in trees). The seeds remaining after fruit consumption and those that are ingested but survive gut passage are unlikely to be deposited in suitable habitat for seedling survival. Plant food preferences of captive tree weta assessed using pairwise leaf choice tests showed that the leaves of F. excorticata were the least preferred of six commonly encountered plants. In addition, we found that tree weta did not show a preference for F. excorticata fruit over a standard leafy diet, indicating they are unlikely to be actively seeking fruit in preference to other sources of food. These observations indicate that any interaction between tree weta and F. excorticata is likely to be opportunistic rather than mutualistic, and highlight the difficulty of characterizing such interactions.
Trophic positions of omnivores are not always flexible: Evidence from four species of freshwater crayfish
Authors: JOHNSTON KERRYLYN , ROBSON BELINDA J. , FAIRWEATHER PETER G.
Published: June 2010

Omnivores are generally believed to be flexible in their diet and trophic position: seasonal, ontogenetic and site‐based differences in trophic position have been observed. We compared consumed and assimilated diet among four species within a group of omnivorous freshwater crayfish, to determine whether species that occur together at a site occupy different trophic positions. Diets of Geocharax falcata, Gramastacus insolitus, Cherax destructor and Euastacus bispinosus (Decapoda: Parastacidae) were compared using stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) and gut content analysis across nine sites that varied in their species composition. Gramastacus insolitus consumed mainly plant material across all sites. Geocharax falcata consumed either plants or animals or both at different sites. Its trophic level was consistently similar to G. insolitus, despite differences in gut contents and source for dietary carbon. Cherax destructor consumed animals and had a relatively stable trophic position among sites. Relative trophic position of these three species was consistent across sites and regardless of food consumed, they were positioned as omnivores at a lower trophic level than predators but higher than primary producers and herbivores. Euastacus bispinosus occupied a higher trophic level than other invertebrate species but δ13C levels did not differ among sites. Cherax destructor and G. falcata may show flexibility in food sources and in the assimilation of food that determines their trophic position relative to other crayfish species. In contrast, G. insolitus and E. bispinosus are likely to show both a more fixed diet and less flexible trophic position. Therefore, not all omnivores show the flexible diet and trophic position generally reported in the literature. Some species of omnivorous crayfish may maintain a relatively constant trophic position across sites, seasons or changes in food availability regardless of whether their consumed diet alters or not.
Contamination on sandflats and the decoupling of linked ecological functions
Authors: LOHRER ANDREW M. , HEWITT JUDI E. , HAILES SARAH F. , THRUSH SIMON F. , AHRENS MICHAEL , HALLIDAY JANE
Published: June 2010

Benthic macrofauna can influence inputs and transformations of energy and matter in estuaries, affecting both the stocks of vital materials (e.g. carbon, oxygen) and the rates of key processes (e.g. organic matter decomposition, nutrient uptake). Although a number of studies have identified shifts in functional groups or biological traits in relation to anthropogenic stressors, there have been few field‐based assessments of changes in functioning associated with stress gradients. We used a comparative experimental approach to investigate functioning on two sandflats with differing exposures to urban contaminants. Apart from significant differences in sediment contaminant concentrations (43.2 ± 1.8 mg kg−1Zn and 15.6 ± 0.9 mg kg−1Pb at the Pollen site; 17.7 ± 0.7 mg kg−1Zn and 7.9 ± 0.9 mg kg−1Pb at the Waiheke site), the two sandflats were readily comparable: both had similar sediment grain size distributions and were dominated by the same macrofaunal species; and both were in non‐eutrophic New Zealand marine reserves with low ambient sediment organic matter content. To better understand the effects of contaminants on biologically mediated transformations of organic matter into inorganic nutrients, we manipulated sediment organic matter content and macrofaunal abundance in standardized treatments at each site. Fluxes of oxygen and ammonium, which are linked to key sandflat processes such as organic matter decomposition and benthic photosynthesis, were measured as response variables 1 week after the experimental manipulations. We predicted more efficient organic matter processing on the uncontaminated flat and thus expected to see elevated ammonium efflux in response to organic enrichment treatments at this site. Higher rates of benthic photosynthesis were predicted for plots with higher ammonium efflux, as ammonium is a readily utilizable form of limiting inorganic nitrogen. We documented significant positive relationships between ammonium uptake and benthic primary production on the uncontaminated flat, but weaker/insignificant relationships at the contaminated site. Our data were consistent with theories of increased variability and a decoupling of system processes with increasing amounts of stress.
A cost‐effective method of assessing thermal habitat quality for endotherms
Authors: KEARNEY MICHAEL , FERGUSON EMMA , FUMEI SARAH , GALLACHER ANTHONY , MITCHELL PETER , WOODFORD ROMY , HANDASYDE KATHRINE
Published: June 2010

The conservation of many endothermic species depends critically on the availability of suitable retreat sites, yet we know little about the variation in thermal quality of such microhabitats. Studies of thermal habitat suitability for birds and mammals must account for the effect of endothermic heat production on their microclimates. For example, endotherms may significantly raise the air temperature in their retreat sites and this effect must be considered when assessing retreat site quality. We devised an inexpensive means by which to construct pseudo‐endothermic ‘environmental temperature’ models with the use of disposable heat pads. We applied this technique to investigate thermal aspects of nest box design, illustrating the potential positive and negative effects of nest box insulation depending on the environmental context. We suggest that, from a thermal perspective, the avoidance of heat stress is an important and underappreciated issue in the retreat site selection of endotherms.
Combined effect of strength & sheet thickness on fatigue behaviour of resistance spot welded joint
Authors: GHOSH S. , PAL T. K.
Published: June 2010

Fatigue performance of spot welded lap shear joint is primarily dependent on weld nugget size, sheet thickness and corresponding joint stiffness. Two automotive steel sheets having higher strength lower thickness and lower strength higher thickness are resistance spot welded with established optimum welding condition. The tensile‐shear strength and fatigue strength of lap shear joint of the two automotive steel sheets are determined and compared. Experimental fatigue life of spot welded lap shear joint of each steel are compared with predicted fatigue lives using different stress intensity factor solutions for kinked crack and spot weld available in literature. Micrographs of fatigue fractured surfaces are examined to understand fracture micro‐mechanisms.
Numerical investigation on welding residual stresses in a PWR pressurizer safety/relief nozzle
Authors: SONG TAE‐KWANG , BAE HONG‐RYUL , KIM YUN‐JAE , LEE KYUNG‐SOO
Published: June 2010

This paper presents finite element simulation results of residual stresses in dissimilar metal welds of a PWR pressurizer safety/relief nozzle. The present results are believed to be significant in two aspects. The first one is to consider the effect of the presence of similar metal welds on resulting residual stresses. The second one is the mitigation effect of the overlay welding thickness on residual stresses. After dissimilar metal welding, tensile residual stresses are present both at the inner surface and at the outer surface of dissimilar metal welds. Adjacent similar metal welding, however, decreases residual stresses to compressive ones at the inner surface of dissimilar metal welds, possibly due to the bending mechanism caused radial contraction of the weld. At the outer surface of dissimilar metal welds, similar metal welding increases residual stresses. Overlay welding further decreases residual stresses at the inner surface of dissimilar and similar metal welds, but increases slightly residual stresses at the outer surface.
Prediction models for incident Type 2 diabetes mellitus in the older population: KORA S4/F4 cohort study
Authors: Rathmann W. , Kowall B. , Heier M. , Herder C. , Holle R. , Thorand B. , Strassburger K. , Peters A. , Wichmann H.‐E. , Giani G. , Meisinger C.
Published: June 2010

Diabet. Med. 27, 1116–1123 (2010)

Background  The aim was to derive Type 2 diabetes prediction models for the older population and to check to what degree addition of 2‐h glucose measurements (oral glucose tolerance test) and biomarkers improves the predictive power of risk scores which are based on non‐biochemical as well as conventional clinical parameters.

Methods  Oral glucose tolerance tests were carried out in a population‐based sample of 1353 subjects, aged 55–74 years (62% response) in Augsburg (Southern Germany) from 1999 to 2001. The cohort was reinvestigated in 2006–2008. Of those individuals without diabetes at baseline, 887 (74%) participated in the follow‐up. Ninety‐three (10.5%) validated diabetes cases occurred during the follow‐up. In logistic regression analyses for model 1, variables were selected from personal characteristics and additional variables were selected from routinely measurable blood parameters (model 2) and from 2‐h glucose, adiponectin, insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (model 3).

Results  Age, sex, BMI, parental diabetes, smoking and hypertension were selected for model 1. Model 2 additionally included fasting glucose, HbA1c and uric acid. The same variables plus 2‐h glucose were selected for model 3. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve significantly increased from 0.763 (model 1) to 0.844 (model 2) and 0.886 (model 3) (P < 0.01). Biomarkers such as adiponectin and insulin did not improve the predictive abilities of models 2 and 3. Cross‐validation and bootstrap‐corrected model performance indicated high internal validity.

Conclusions  This longitudinal study in an older population provides models to predict the future risk of Type 2 diabetes. The OGTT, but not biomarkers, improved discrimination of incident diabetes.
WHY DID UNIVERSITIES PRECEDE PRIMARY SCHOOLS? A POLITICAL ECONOMY MODEL OF EDUCATIONAL CHANGE
Authors: HUANG FALI
Published: June 2010

Universities were first established in Europe around the twelfth century, although primary schools did not appear until the nineteenth. This paper accounts for this phenomenon using a political economy model of educational change on who are educated (the elite or the masses) and what is taught (general or specific/vocational education). A key assumption is that general education is more effective than specific education in enhancing one's skills in a broad range of tasks, including political rent‐seeking. Its findings suggest that specific education for the masses is compatible with the elite rule, whereas mass general education is not, which refines the conventional association between education and democracy. (JEL O10, O40, P16, N10)
FAILING FIRM DEFENCE WITH ENTRY DETERRENCE
Authors: Fedele Alessandro , Tognoni Massimo
Published: June 2010

Under the principle of the failing firm defence a merger that would be blocked due to its harmful effect on competition could be nevertheless allowed when (i) the acquired firm is actually failing, (ii) there is no less anticompetitive alternative offer of purchase, (iii) absent the merger, the assets to be acquired would exit the market. We focus on potential anticompetitive effects of a myopic application of the requirement (iii) by studying consequences of a horizontal merger on entry in a Cournot oligopoly with a failing firm. Entry is deterred if the merger is cleared and, when the industry is highly concentrated, consumer welfare is higher under a prohibition because long‐run gains due to augmented competition exceed short‐run losses due to shortage of output.
Arbitrary Importance Functions for Metropolis Light Transport
Authors: Hoberock Jared , Hart John C.
Published: June 2010

We present a generalization of the scalar importance function employed by Metropolis Light Transport (MLT) and related Markov chain rendering algorithms. Although MLT is known for its user‐designable mutation rules, we demonstrate that its scalar contribution function is similarly programmable in an unbiased manner. Normally, MLT samples light paths with a tendency proportional to their brightness. For a range of scenes, we demonstrate that this importance function is undesirable and leads to poor sampling behaviour. Instead, we argue that simple user‐designable importance functions can concentrate work in transport effects of interest and increase estimator efficiency. Unlike mutation rules, these functions are not encumbered with the calculation of transitional probabilities. We introduce alternative importance functions, which encourage the Markov chain to aggressively pursue sampling goals of interest to the user. In addition, we prove that these importance functions may adapt over the course of a render in an unbiased fashion. To that end, we introduce multi‐stage MLT, a general rendering setting for creating such adaptive functions. This allows us to create a noise‐sensitive MLT renderer whose importance function explicitly targets noise. Finally, we demonstrate that our techniques are compatible with existing Markov chain rendering algorithms and significantly improve their visual efficiency.
4. Bayesian Propensity Score Estimators: Incorporating Uncertainties in Propensity Scores into Causal Inference
Authors: An Weihua
Published: June 2010

Despite their popularity, conventional propensity score estimators (PSEs) do not take into account uncertainties in propensity scores. This paper develops Bayesian propensity score estimators (BPSEs) to model the joint likelihood of both propensity score and outcome in one step, which naturally incorporates such uncertainties into causal inference. Simulations show that PSEs using estimated propensity scores tend to overestimate variations in the estimates of treatment effects—that is, too often they provide larger than necessary standard errors and lead to overly conservative inference—whereas BPSEs provide correct standard errors for the estimates of treatment effects and valid inference. Compared with other variance adjustment methods, BPSEs are guaranteed to provide positive standard errors, more reliable in small samples, can be readily employed to draw inference on individual treatment effects, etc. To illustrate the proposed methods, BPSEs are applied to evaluating a job training program. Accompanying software is available on the author's website.
Stability of Parallel Fluid Loaded Plates: A Nonlocal Approach
Authors: Ashton A. C. L.
Published: June 2010

We consider the motion of a collection of fluid loaded elastic plates, situated horizontally in an infinitely long channel. We use a new, unified approach to boundary value problems, introduced by A.S. Fokas in the late 1990s, and show the problem is equivalent to a system of one‐parameter integral equations. We give a detailed study of the linear problem, providing explicit solutions and well‐posedness results in terms of standard Sobolev spaces. We show that the associated Cauchy problem is completely determined by a matrix, which depends solely on the mean separation of the plates and the horizontal velocity of each of the driving fluids. This matrix corresponds to the infinitesimal generator of the C0‐semigroup for the evolution equations in Fourier space. By analyzing the properties of this matrix, we classify necessary and sufficient conditions for which the problem is asymptotically stable.
Sperm competition and ejaculate economics
Authors: Parker Geoff A. , Pizzari Tommaso
Published: June 2010

Sperm competition was identified in 1970 as a pervasive selective force in post‐copulatory sexual selection that occurs when the ejaculates of different males compete to fertilise a given set of ova. Since then, sperm competition has been much studied both empirically and theoretically. Because sperm competition often favours large ejaculates, an important challenge has been to understand the evolution of strategies through which males invest in sperm production and economise sperm allocation to maximise reproductive success under competitive conditions. Sperm competition mechanisms vary greatly, depending on many factors including the level of sperm competition, space constraints in the sperm competition arena, male mating roles, and female influences on sperm utilisation. Consequently, theoretical models of ejaculate economics are complex and varied, often with apparently conflicting predictions. The goal of this review is to synthesise the theoretical basis of ejaculate economics under sperm competition, aiming to provide empiricists with categorised model assumptions and predictions. We show that apparent contradictions between older and newer models can often be reconciled and there is considerable consensus in the predictions generated by different models. We also discuss qualitative empirical support for some of these predictions, and detail quantitative matches between predictions and observations that exist in the yellow dung fly. We argue that ejaculate economic theory represents a powerful heuristic to explain the diversity in ejaculate traits at multiple levels: across species, across males and within individual males. Future progress requires greater understanding of sperm competition mechanisms, quantification of trade‐offs between ejaculate allocation and numbers of matings gained, further knowledge of mechanisms of female sperm selection and their associated costs, further investigation of non‐sperm ejaculate effects, and theoretical integration of pre‐ and post‐copulatory episodes of sexual selection.
Cerebellar asymmetry in a pair of monozygotic handedness‐discordant twins
Authors: Rosch Richard Ewald , Ronan Lisa , Cherkas Lynn , Gurd Jennifer Mary
Published: June 2010

Increasing evidence for a cerebellar role in human cognition has accrued with respect to anatomically and functionally distinct lobules. Questions of laterality, however, have been largely overlooked. This study therefore introduced and applied a novel measurement protocol for comparatively bias‐free analysis of cerebellar asymmetries. Volumetric measurements were performed on magnetic resonance images from a single pair of monozygotic handedness‐discordant twins. Against a background of functional cortical asymmetry for verbal and visuo‐spatial functional magnetic resonance imaging activation, which was mirrored in the left‐handed twin (Lux et al. 2008), between‐twin differences in cerebellar asymmetry are described. Interestingly, asymmetry measures for the whole cerebellum did not correspond to either the direction of hand preference or to the weaker (functional magnetic resonance imaging) lateralization of the left‐handed twin. The twins both showed clockwise cerebellar torques. This mirrored a counter‐clockwise cerebral torque in the right‐handed twin only. Selected single cerebellar lobules V and VII displayed between‐twin laterality differences that partially reflected their discrepant handedness. Whole cerebellum anatomical measures appeared to be unrelated to single functional cortical asymmetries. These analyses contribute further anatomical evidence pertaining to the existence of multiple structurally and functionally distinct cortico‐cerebellar networks of the healthy human brain in vivo.
Limb bone allometry during postnatal ontogeny in non‐avian dinosaurs
Authors: Kilbourne Brandon M. , Makovicky Peter J.
Published: June 2010

Although the interspecific scaling of tetrapods is well understood, remarkably little work has been done on the ontogenetic scaling within tetrapod species, whether fossil or recent. Here the ontogenetic allometry of the femur, humerus, and tibia was determined for 23 species of non‐avian dinosaur by regressing log‐transformed length against log‐transformed circumference for each bone using reduced major axis bivariate regression. The femora of large theropod species became more robust during ontogeny, whereas growth in the femora of sauropodomorphs and most ornithischians was not significantly different from isometry. Hadrosaur hindlimb elements became significantly more gracile during ontogeny. Scaling constants were higher in all theropods than in any non‐theropod taxa. Such clear taxonomically correlated divisions were not evident in the ontogenetic allometry of the tibia and hindlimb bones did not scale uniformly within larger taxonomic groups. For taxa in which the ontogenetic allometry of the humerus was studied, only Riojasaurus incertus exhibited a significant departure from isometry. Using independent contrasts, the regression of femoral allometry against the log of adult body mass was found to have a significant negative correlation but such a relationship could not be established for other limb elements or growth parameters, mainly due to the small sample size. The intraspecific scaling patterns observed in dinosaurs and other amniotes do not support earlier hypotheses that intraspecific scaling differs between endothermic and ectothermic taxa.
Interhemispheric ERP asymmetries over inferior parietal cortex reveal differential visual working memory maintenance for fearful versus neutral facial identities
Authors: Sessa Paola , Luria Roy , Gotler Alex , Jolicœur Pierre , Dell'acqua Roberto
Published: June 2010

The goal of the present investigation was to discover whether visual working memory maintenance for faces is modulated by facial expression using event‐related potentials (ERPs). Each trial consisted of two sequential arrays, a memory array and a test array, each including either two or four faces with neutral or fearful expressions. The faces were displayed to the left and to the right of a central fixation cross. Two central arrows cued participants to encode one face or two faces displayed on one side of the memory array. The sustained posterior contralateral negativity (SPCN) component of the ERP time‐locked to the onset of the memory array was used as an index of visual working memory maintenance. Visual working memory performance was quantified using indexes of memory capacity (Cowan's K and K‐iterative), a standard index of sensitivity (d'), and reaction times (RTs). Relative to neutral faces, superior memory and longer change‐detection RTs to fearful face identities were observed when two faces were displayed on the cued side of the memory array. Fearful faces elicited an enhanced SPCN relative to neutral faces, especially when only one face was displayed on the cued side of the memory array. These findings suggest increased maintenance in visual working memory of faces with a fearful expression relative to faces with a neutral expression and that the representational format in which fearful faces are stored in memory may be characterized by enhanced resolution relative to that subtended in the maintenance of neutral faces.
Testing asymmetries in noncognate translation priming: Evidence from RTs and ERPs
Authors: Schoonbaert Sofie , Holcomb Phillip J. , Grainger Jonathan , Hartsuiker Robert J.
Published: June 2010

In this study, English–French bilinguals performed a lexical decision task while reaction times (RTs) and event related potentials (ERPs) were measured to L2 targets, preceded by noncognate L1 translation primes versus L1 unrelated primes (Experiment 1a) and vice versa (Experiment 1b). The prime–target stimulus onset asynchrony was 120 ms. Significant masked translation priming was observed, indicated by faster reaction times and a decreased N400 for translation pairs as opposed to unrelated pairs, both from L1 to L2 (Experiment 1a) and from L2 to L1 (Experiment 1b), with the latter effect being weaker (RTs) and less longer lasting (ERPs). A translation priming effect was also found in the N250 ERP component, and this effect was stronger and earlier in the L2 to L1 priming direction than the reverse. The results are discussed with respect to possible mechanisms at the basis of asymmetric translation priming effects in bilinguals.
Neural response to action and reward prediction errors: Comparing the error‐related negativity to behavioral errors and the feedback‐related negativity to reward prediction violations
Authors: Potts Geoffrey F. , Martin Laura E. , Kamp Siri‐Maria , Donchin Emanuel
Published: June 2010

The error‐related negativity (ERN) is thought to index an anterior cingulate (ACC) behavioral monitoring system. The feedback ERN (FRN) is elicited to error feedback when the correct response is not known, but also when a choice outcome is suboptimal and to passive reward prediction violation, suggesting that the monitoring system may not be restricted to actions. This study used principal components analysis to show that the ERN consists of a single central component whereas the reward prediction violation FRN is comprised of central and prefrontal components. A prefrontal component is also present in action monitoring but occurs later, at the error positivity latency. This suggests that ACC monitors both actions and events for reward prediction error. Prefrontal cortex may update reward expectation based on the prediction violation with the latency difference due to differential processing time for motor and perceptual information.
Estimating Marginal Propensities to Consume in Australia Using Micro Data*
Authors: BERGER‐THOMSON LAURA , CHUNG ELAINE , McKIBBIN REBECCA
Published: June 2010

This paper uses micro data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey to estimate the marginal propensity to consume (MPC). Estimates are made by examining two types of policy changes – to income tax rates and lump‐sum transfers – which help to identify the effect of shocks to income on consumption. Using a fixed effects model the point estimate of MPC out of the tax cuts is around 1.0 and out of the Baby Bonus is at least 0.1. The paper also explores differences in the MPC across households according to measures of liquidity constraints and unemployment risks.
Native primary parasitoids and hyperparasitoids attacking an invasive aphid Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum in Japan
Authors: TAKADA Hajimu , NAKAMURA Takashi
Published: June 2010

Since the invasion of Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum from North America we searched for parasitoids of this aphid on Solidago altissima in Japan to determine what species of native parasitoids attack the newly invasive aphid. We found three primary parasitoid species: Ephedrus plagiator and Praon yomenae (Braconidae, Aphidiinae) and Aphelinus albipodus (Aphelinidae). We also found eight hyperparasitoid species: Syrphophagus sp. (Encyrtidae), Dendrocerus carpenteri (Megaspilidae), Asaphes suspensus (Pteromalidae) and Pachyneuron aphidis (Pteromalidae) through both E. plagiator and A. albipodus; Phaenoglyphis villosa (Figitidae, Charipinae), Aprostocetus sp. (Eulophidae, Tetrastichinae) and D. laticeps through E. plagiator, and Alloxysta sp. nr brevis (Figitidae, Charipinae) through A. albipodus. Uroleucon nigrotuberculatum is usually attacked by rather polyphagous primary parasitoids, E. plagiator and A. albipodus, in Japan, where an oligophagous parasitoid specialized to allied aphid species is probably absent. The hyperparasitoid community of U. nigrotuberculatum is common to those of the aphids occurring in open field‐type habitats in Japan.
Comparative analysis of volatile components from labial glands of male Japanese bumblebees (Bombus spp.)
Authors: KUBO Ryohei , ONO Masato
Published: June 2010

The volatile components from the labial glands of males of six Japanese bumblebee species were analyzed and compared. Clear species‐specificity was found. Ethyl dodecanoate was identified as the major component from the glands of Bombus (Bombus) hypocrita hypocrita and Bombus (Bombus) hypocrita sapporoensis while dihydrofarnesal and dihydrofarnesol were the major components from Bombus (Bombus) ignitus. Citronellol and trans,trans‐farnesol were found from Bombus (Pyrobombus) ardens ardens and Bombus (Diversobombus) diversus diversus, respectively. trans,trans‐Farnesol was also found from Bombus (Diversobombus) diversus tersatus in Hokkaido. Such differences strongly suggest that these chemicals play an important role in reproductive isolation between sympatric species of Japanese bumblebees.
Skipping flights in Ypthima butterflies (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae)
Authors: SUGIURA Munenori , IMAFUKU Michio , OHTANI Takeshi
Published: June 2010

The skipping flight patterns of three species of Ypthima (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) were analyzed using high‐speed video recordings to clarify how wings move and how driving forces are produced. All three species showed a flight pattern that includes a pause that accounts for about 50% of a flap cycle when their wings completely close after each upstroke. The observed pause causes the “skipping” flight trajectory based on the clap–fling mechanism. Pause duration was correlated with upstroke wing motion, suggesting the contribution of the latter to a long pause duration. This is also supported by the temporal relationship between the wing and body motions. The aerodynamic power necessary for the pause flight was calculated for the three species.
Effects of Controlled Fire and Livestock Grazing on Bird Communities in East African Savannas
Authors: GREGORY NATHAN C. , SENSENIG RYAN L. , WILCOVE DAVID S.
Published: June 2010

Abstract:  In East Africa fire and grazing by wild and domestic ungulates maintain savannas, and pastoralists historically set fires and herded livestock through the use of temporary corrals called bomas. In recent decades traditional pastoral practices have declined, and this may be affecting biodiversity. We investigated the effects of prescribed fires and bomas on savanna bird communities in East Africa during the first and second dry seasons of the year (respectively before and after the rains that mark the onset of breeding for most birds). We compared abundance, richness, and community composition on 9‐ha burned plots, recently abandoned bomas, and control plots in the undisturbed matrix habitat over a 3‐year period. Generally, recently burned areas and abandoned bomas attracted greater densities of birds and had different community assemblages than the surrounding matrix. The effects of disturbances were influenced by interactions between primary productivity, represented by the normalized difference vegetation index, and time. Bird densities were highest and a greater proportion of species was observed on burned plots in the months following the fires. Drought conditions equalized bird densities across treatments within 1 year, and individuals from a greater proportion of species were more commonly observed on abandoned bomas. Yearly fluctuations in abundance were less pronounced on bomas than on burns, which indicate that although fire may benefit birds in the short term, bomas may have a more‐lasting positive effect and provide resources during droughts. Several Palearctic migrants were attracted to burned plots regardless of rainfall, which indicates continued fire suppression may threaten their already‐declining populations. Most notably, the paucity of birds observed on the controls suggests that the current structure of the matrix developed as a result of fire suppression. Traditional pastoralism appears critical to the maintenance of avian diversity in these savannas.
Shift of Spawning Season and Effects of Climate Warming on Developmental Stages of a Grayling (Salmonidae)
Authors: WEDEKIND CLAUS , KÜNG CHRISTOPH
Published: June 2010

Abstract:  River‐dwelling fish, such as European graylings (Thymallus thymallus), are susceptible to changes in climate because they can often not avoid suboptimal temperatures, especially during early developmental stages. We analyzed data collected in a 62‐year‐long (1948–2009) population monitoring program. Male and female graylings were sampled about three times/week during the yearly spawning season in order to follow the development of the population. The occurrence of females bearing ripe eggs was used to approximate the timing of each spawning season. In the last years of the study, spawning season was more than 3 weeks earlier than in the first years. This shift was linked to increasing water temperatures as recorded over the last 39 years with a temperature logger at the spawning site. In early spring water temperatures rose more slowly than in later spring. Thus, embryos and larvae were exposed to increasingly colder water at a stage that is critical for sex determination and pathogen resistance in other salmonids. In summer, however, fry were exposed to increasingly warmer temperatures. The changes in water temperatures that we found embryos, larvae, and fry were exposed to could be contributing to the decline in abundance that has occurred over the last 30–40 years.
Right Ventricular Apical Contractility in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: The McConnell Sign Revisited
Authors: López‐Candales Angel , Edelman Kathy , Candales Maria Dolores
Published: June 2010

Background: The McConnell sign has been regarded as a highly specific echo finding in acute pulmonary embolism (aPE). However, a completely satisfying explanation to account for this observation in aPE remains elusive. We used longitudinal velocity vector imaging (VVI) using a dedicated software program (Research Arena, Siemens, California) to assess regional right ventricular global and apical (RVa) mechanics between aPE and chronic pulmonary hypertension (cPH) patients. Methods: Standard echo parameters of RV performance as well as base to apex RV strain and dyssynchrony were quantified using VVI in a total of 30 patients. The population studied was divided into three groups: Group I included 10 healthy volunteers (50 ± 16 years), Group II consisted of 10 patients (47 ± 13 years) with known cPH, and Group III comprised 10 patients (58 ± 18 years; P = 0.323) with documented aPE. Results: Progressively lower indices of RV performance as well as RV basal and apical strain were recorded in Groups II and III, respectively. Most importantly, no difference in RVa segmental strain values was seen between Groups II and III. Conclusions: Based on this pilot data, aPE patients demonstrate a significant reduction in overall RV strain with a similar reduction in RV apical deformation. Therefore, regional RVa function is not truly spared in aPE and the probable visual illusion of preserved contractility might simply reflect tethering of the RVa to a hyperdynamic left ventricle in the presence of an acutely dilated RV. (Echocardiography 2010;27:614‐620)
Effect of MnO2 on the Piezoelectric Properties of the 0.75Pb(Zr0.47Ti0.53)O3–0.25Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 Ceramics
Authors: Park Hwi‐Yeol , Nam Chan‐Hee , Seo In‐Tae , Choi Jae‐Hong , Nahm Sahn , Lee Hyeung‐Gyu , Kim Kwang‐Jin , Jeong Seong‐Min
Published: June 2010

MnO2 was added to 0.75Pb(Zr0.47Ti0.53)O3–0.25Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3 (0.75PZT–0.25PZN) ceramics in order to make a high‐power piezoelectric material. The Mn4+ ion produced a defect dipole consisting of an Mn4+ ion and an oxygen vacancy that transformed the 0.75PZT–0.25PZN ceramics into hard materials. The Qm value significantly increased with the addition of MnO2 and reached a value of 1680 for the 1.5 mol% MnO2‐added 0.75PZT–0.25PZN ceramic. Moreover, this specimen exhibited a high kp of 0.53 with a ɛ3T/ɛ0 of 1518. Additionally, the 1.5 mol% MnO2‐added 0.75PZT–0.25PZN ceramics sintered at 900°C for 4 h also exhibited high piezoelectric properties of Qm=1115, kp=0.50, and ɛ3T/ɛ0=1537.
Preferences for caries prevention agents in adult patients: findings from the dental practice–based research network
Authors: Riley Joseph L. , Gordan Valeria V. , Rindal D. Brad , Fellows Jeffrey L. , Ajmo Craig T. , Amundson Craig , Anderson Gerald A. , Gilbert Gregg H. ,   for The Dental PBRN Collaborative Group
Published: June 2010

Riley JL III, Gordan VV, Rindal DB, Fellows JL, Ajmo CT, Amundson C, Anderson GA, Gilbert GH and for The Dental PBRN Collaborative Group. Preferences for caries prevention agents in adult patients: findings from the dental practice–based research network. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2010; 38: 360–370. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S

Abstract –  Objectives:  To identify factors that are significantly associated with dentists’ use of specific caries preventive agents in adult patients, and whether dentists who use one preventive agent are also more likely to use certain others.

Methods:  Data were collected from 564 practitioners in The Dental Practice–Based Research Network, a multi‐region consortium of participating practices and dental organizations.

Results:  In‐office topical fluoride was the method most frequently used. Regarding at‐home preventive agents, there was little difference in preference between nonprescription fluoride, prescription fluoride, or chlorhexidine rinse. Dentists who most frequently used caries prevention were also those who regularly perform caries risk assessment and individualize caries prevention at the patient level. Higher percentages of patients with dental insurance were significantly associated with more use of in‐office prevention modalities. Female dentists and dentists with more‐recent training were more likely to recommend preventive agents that are applied by the patient. Dentists who reported more‐conservative decisions in clinical treatment scenarios were also more likely to use caries preventive agents. Groups of dentist who shared a common preference for certain preventive agents were identified. One group used preventive agents selectively, whereas the other groups predominately used either in‐office or at‐home fluorides.

Conclusions:  Caries prevention is commonly used with adult patients. However, these results suggest that only a subset of dentists base preventive treatments on caries risk at the individual patient level.
Efficacy of pre‐ascent climbing route visual inspection in indoor sport climbing
Authors: Sanchez X. , Lambert Ph. , Jones G. , Llewellyn D. J.
Published: June 2010

Pre‐ascent climbing route visual inspection (route preview) has been suggested as a key climbing performance parameter although its role has never been verified experimentally. We examined the efficacy of this perceptual‐cognitive skill on indoor sport climbing performance. Twenty‐nine male climbers, divided into intermediate, advanced and expert climbing level groups, climbed two indoor sport routes matching their climbing level and, where applicable, routes below their climbing level. At each level, one route was climbed with a preview, where participants benefited from a 3‐min pre‐ascent climbing route visual inspection. Performance was assessed in terms of output (route completion) and form (number and duration of moves and stops). Route preview did not influence the output performance. Climbers using visual inspection were no more likely to finish the ascent than those without the option of using visual inspection. Conversely, route preview did influence form performance; climbers made fewer, and shorter stops during their ascent following a preview of the route. Form performances differences remained when baseline ability levels were taken into account, although for shorter duration of stops only with expert climbers benefiting most from route preview. The ability to visually inspect a climb before its ascent may represent an essential component of performance optimization.
Concurrent validation of estimated activity energy expenditure using a 3‐day diary and accelerometry in adolescents
Authors: Machado‐Rodrigues A. M. , Figueiredo A. J. , Mota J. , Cumming S. P. , Eisenmann J. C. , Malina R. M. , Coelho‐e‐Silva M. J.
Published: June 2010

Estimates of daily energy expenditure are important to studies of physical activity and energy balance. Objective measures are not always feasible and further research is needed to validate survey instruments and diaries. The study validates estimated activity energy expenditure (AEE) based on a 3‐day diary protocol relative to AEE derived from uniaxial accelerometry in adolescents, 265 girls and 227 boys (12.5–16.4 years). Participants completed the diary and wore a GT1M Actigraph accelerometer on the same days. Height and weight were measured. Correlations between protocols were significant (P<0.001) but moderate, r=0.65 in males and r=0.69 in females. The highest correlation occurred among males on Friday, r=0.74 (P<0.01). Controlling for body mass, partial correlations between protocols decreased to 0.44 and 0.35 in males and females, respectively. About 97% of the cases fell within the limits of agreement in a Bland–Altman plot. The criterion of inclusion for the accelerometer excluded 18% of the initial sample. In summary, the 3‐day diary was completed without any major problems and provided a reasonably valid alternative for assessing AEE. Concordance between methods was slightly lower for individuals with higher values of AEE.
Achilles tendon shape and echogenicity on ultrasound among active badminton players
Authors: Malliaras P. , Voss C. , Garau G. , Richards P. , Maffulli N.
Published: June 2010

The relationship between Achilles tendon ultrasound abnormalities, including a spindle shape and heterogeneous echogenicity, is unclear. This study investigated the relationship between these abnormalities, tendon thickness, Doppler flow and pain. Sixty‐one badminton players (122 tendons, 36 men, and 25 women) were recruited. Achilles tendon thickness, shape (spindle, parallel), echogenicity (heterogeneous, homogeneous) and Doppler flow (present or absent) were measured bilaterally with ultrasound. Achilles tendon pain (during or after activity over the last week) and pain and function [Victorian Institute of Sport Achilles Assessment (VISA‐A)] were measured. Sixty‐eight (56%) tendons were parallel with homogeneous echogenicity (normal), 22 (18%) were spindle shaped with homogeneous echogenicity, 16 (13%) were parallel with heterogeneous echogenicity and 16 (13%) were spindle shaped with heterogeneous echogenicity. Spindle shape was associated with self‐reported pain (P<0.05). Heterogeneous echogenicity was associated with lower VISA‐A scores than normal tendon (P<0.05). There was an ordinal relationship between normal tendon, parallel and heterogeneous and spindle shaped and heterogeneous tendons with regard to increasing thickness and likelihood of Doppler flow. Heterogeneous echogenicity with a parallel shape may be a physiological phase and may develop into heterogeneous echogenicity with a spindle shape that is more likely to be pathological.