bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do researchers use pharmacists' communication as an outcome measure? A scoping review of pharmacist involvement in diabetes care
Authors: Babinec Patricia M , Rock Melanie J , Lorenzetti Diane L , Johnson Jeffrey A
Published: July 2010

Objectives

Pharmacy practice increasingly revolves around obtaining and interpreting information. We investigated whether and how pharmacy practice researchers design their studies in ways that acknowledge verbal communication between pharmacists and patients with diabetes.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review of pharmacists' interventions with patients previously diagnosed as having diabetes with the aim of assessing how many used communication (quality and quantity) as an outcome measure. A scoping review identifies gaps in the literature and draws conclusions regarding the overall state of a research programme, but does not necessarily identify gaps in the quality of the studies reviewed. Quality assessment, therefore, was not conducted. MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts were searched from 2003 to 2008 to identify relevant studies published in English. Reference lists of key studies were also scanned to identify additional studies. Randomized controlled trials and related studies of pharmacists verbal communication with diabetic patients were included.

Key findings

Some 413 abstracts were identified through database and reference searching. Of these, 65 studies met abstract inclusion criteria and 16 studies met full-text inclusion criteria necessary for this review. The majority of included studies report on patients' health outcomes, beliefs about drugs, self-reported health-related quality-of-life scales or some combination of these measures as indicators of pharmacists' interventions. Nine studies included information on the duration of the initial interaction between pharmacists and patients with diabetes; 13 reported on the number of follow-up contacts with pharmacists, and seven studies indicated that pharmacists participating in interventions had received training in diabetes management or in patient-centred care. No studies included or evaluated transcripts of pharmacist–patient interactions.

Results reveal a gap in the existing literature. In studies of diabetes, pharmacy practice researchers do not appear to consider the influence of pharmacists' communication skills on health outcomes. Future studies should be designed to incorporate a communication research component.
Cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists' views of the electronic Minor Ailment Service in Scotland
Authors: Paudyal Vibhu , Hansford Denise , Scott Cunningham I T , Stewart Derek
Published: July 2010

Objectives

The aim was to investigate community pharmacists' views on the implementation of the electronic Minor Ailment Service (e-MAS) in Scottish community pharmacies and to quantify the barriers and facilitators to service provision.

Methods

A postal cross-sectional survey of all community pharmacies in Scotland (n = 1138) was conducted. A combination of open, closed and Likert-type questions were used.

Key findings

A response rate of 49.5% was achieved. A majority of respondents (over 84%) ranked their level of implementation of e-MAS as 4 or 5 on the five-point scale where point 1 represented ‘not at all’ and 5 represented ‘very high’. A majority also identified opportunities to extend professional roles (83.3%), opportunities for more effective patient treatment (78.5%), opportunities to better meet patient expectations (74.4%) and financial advantage to their pharmacy (52.6%) as benefits of e-MAS. Suspected misuse/overuse of the service by some customers (75.1%) and time required for recording each consultation or supply (61.3%) were two barriers agreed upon by the majority of the respondents.

Conclusions

A majority of respondents had positive views towards e-MAS. The benefits agreed upon by the majority of the respondents relate to known facilitators of community pharmacy practice change. Major barriers, namely suspected misuse of the service by some customers and timely process for recording consultation or supply, could affect pharmacists' efficiency in service delivery and need to be addressed. These results could inform similar schemes that may be introduced locally in the UK or elsewhere.
Through-Plane Permeability for Untreated and PTFE-Treated Gas Diffusion Layers in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Ismail M. S. , Damjanovic T. , Hughes K. , Ingham D. B. , Ma L. , Pourkashanian M. , Rosli M.
Published: July 2010

The through-plane permeability has been experimentally measured for untreated and polytetrafluoroethylene-treated (PTFE-treated) gas diffusion layers (GDLs), as used in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Contrary to what the literature has previously shown, the results suggest that there exists an optimum value for the wet-proofing agent, PTFE, at which the though-plane permeability of the GDL is a maximum. The analysis that is undertaken to investigate the effect of the air compressibility shows that there is an underestimation in the through-plane permeability of the tested GDLs by of the order of 9% if the density of the air is assumed to be constant. Also, a nondimensionalisation analysis shows that ignoring the non-Darcy effects at the maximum reported flow rates result in negligible errors for the untreated and treated GDLs.
Time-Resolved Water Measurement in a PEM Fuel Cell Using High-Resolution Neutron Imaging Technique
Authors: Quan P. , Lai M.-C. , Hussey D. S. , Jacobson D. L. , Kumar A. , Hirano S.
Published: July 2010

The dynamic process of water transport along the through-plane direction in the membrane electrode assembly of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell was investigated using the high-resolution neutron imaging. Four different membrane/gas diffusion layer or membrane/gas diffusion electrode assemblies were tested by measuring the through-plane water thickness profiles. The results indicate that proper design and assembly of the test fixture are critical for accurate water measurement; the accumulation speed of liquid water inside an assembly varies with time; the ionomer in catalyst layers could facilitate water management in the membrane; the time constants for wetting and drying processes are functions of gas diffusion layer thickness, inlet flow rate, and gas dew point; and the time constant for the wetting process is about 1.4 times longer than the corresponding drying process.
Curvature and Strength of Ni-YSZ Solid Oxide Half-Cells After Redox Treatments
Authors: Faes Antonin , Lund Frandsen Henrik , Pihlatie Mikko , Kaiser Andreas , Goldstein Darlene R.
Published: July 2010

One of the main drawbacks of anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell technology is the limited capability to withstand reduction and oxidation (“RedOx”) of the Ni phase. This study compares the effect of RedOx cycles on curvature and strength of half-cells, composed of a nickel-yttria-stabilized-zirconia (Ni-YSZ) support, a Ni-YSZ anode, and an 8YSZ electrolyte. Five different treatments are studied: (i) reduction at 600°C, (ii) reduction at 1000°C, (iii) 1RedOx cycle at 750°C, (iv) 5RedOx cycles at 750°C, and (v) 5RedOx cycles at 600°C. The strength is measured by the ball-on-ring method, where it is calculated analytically from the force. In this calculation the thermal stresses are estimated from the curvature of the half-cell. For each treatment, more than 30 samples are tested. About 20 ball-on-ring samples are laser cut from one original 12×12 cm2 half-cell. Curvature and porosity are measured for each sample before and after RedOx treatments. The first observations show that increasing the reduction temperature enhance strength but does not influence the curvature, whereas 1RedOx cycle at 750°C increases the curvature without changing the strength. Consecutive RedOx cycles seem to decrease anode-supported cell strength but this is coupled to lower porosity of the tested samples.
At Last, Vaginal Gel Scores Victory Against HIV
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2010

For the first time ever, a vaginal gel has unequivocally blocked the transmission of HIV, it was reported online this week in
Science
and in a presentation at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna.
Increased Abundance of Opioid Receptor Heteromers After Chronic Morphine Administration
Authors: Gupta Achla , Mulder Jan , Gomes Ivone , Rozenfeld Raphael , Bushlin Ittai , Ong Edmund , Lim Maribel , Maillet Emeline , Junek Mats , Cahill Catherine M. , Harkany Tibor , Devi Lakshmi A.
Published: July 2010

The μ-δ opioid heteromer may be a target for alleviation of chronic pain.
In Vitro
Sensitivity of
Plasmodium falciparum
Clinical Isolates from the China-Myanmar Border Area to Quinine and Association with Polymorphism in the Na
+
/H
+
Exchanger
Authors: Meng Hao , Zhang Rongping , Yang Henglin , Fan Qi , Su Xinzhuan , Miao Jun , Cui Liwang , Yang Zhaoqing
Published: July 2010

Quinine resistance (QNR) in
Plasmodium falciparum
has been detected in many regions of the world where malaria is endemic. Genetic polymorphisms in at least four genes are implicated in QN susceptibility, and their significance often depends on the genetic background of the parasites. In this study, we have culture-adapted 60
P. falciparum
clinical isolates from the China-Myanmar border and assessed their
in vitro
responses to QN. Our results showed that >50% of the parasite isolates displayed reduced sensitivity to QN, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC
50
) above 500 nM. Genotyping of
pfcrt
found that an overwhelming proportion of the parasite population had the chloroquine-resistant genotype, whereas
pfmdr1
mutation genotypes and gene amplification were rare. Genotyping of the
P. falciparum
Na
+
/H
+
exchanger gene (
pfnhe1
) at the minisatellite ms4760 locus identified 10 haplotypes. Haplotype 7, which harbors three copies of the DNNND repeat, was the most predominant, accounting for nearly half of the parasite isolates. Correlation studies did not reveal significant associations of the polymorphisms in
pfcrt
and
pfmdr1
genes with QN response. However, the ms4760 haplotypes were highly associated with
in vitro
QN responses. In particular, parasite isolates with an increased DNNND copy number tended to have significantly reduced QN susceptibility, whereas parasite isolates with a higher NHNDNHNNDDD copy number had increased QN susceptibility. This study provided further support for the importance of
pfnhe1
polymorphisms in influencing QNR in
P. falciparum
.
Activity of a Trisubstituted Pyrrole in Inhibiting Sporozoite Invasion and Blocking Malaria Infection
Authors: Panchal Dhruv , Bhanot Purnima
Published: July 2010

Malaria infection is initiated by
Plasmodium
sporozoites infecting the liver. Preventing sporozoite infection would block the obligatory first step of the infection and perhaps reduce disease severity. In addition, such an approach would decrease
P
lasmodium
vivax
hypnozoite formation and therefore disease relapses. Here we describe the activity of a trisubstituted pyrrole, 4-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-(1-methylpiperidine-4-yl)-1H-pyrrol-3-yl] pyridine, in inhibiting motility, invasion, and consequently infection by
P. berghei
sporozoites. In tissue culture, the compound was effective within the first 3 h of sporozoite addition to HepG2 cells.
In vivo
, intraperitoneal administration of the compound significantly inhibited liver-stage parasitemia in
P. yoelii
sporozoite-infected mice and prevented the appearance of blood-stage parasites.
P. berghei
sporozoites lacking the parasite cGMP-dependent protein kinase, the primary target of the compound in erythrocyte-stage parasites, remained infectious to HepG2 cells and sensitive to the drug. These results suggest that the drug has an additional target(s) in sporozoites. We propose that drugs that inhibit sporozoite infection offer a feasible approach to malaria prophylaxis.
IncI1 Plasmid Carrying Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase Gene
bla
CTX-M-1
in
Salmonella enterica
Isolates from Poultry and Humans in France, 2003 to 2008
Authors: Cloeckaert Axel , Praud Karine , Lefevre Martine , Doublet Benoît , Pardos Maria , Granier Sophie A. , Brisabois Anne , Weill François-Xavier
Published: July 2010

We report the dissemination of a conjugative IncI1 plasmid carrying
bla
CTX-M-1
, conferring resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins, in
Salmonella enterica
isolates from poultry and humans in France from 2003 to 2008. By IncI1 plasmid subtyping, this plasmid was shown to be genetically related to that found in
Escherichia coli
isolates from healthy poultry in France.
The ABC Transporter AnrAB Contributes to the Innate Resistance of
Listeria monocytogenes
to Nisin, Bacitracin, and Various β-Lactam Antibiotics
Authors: Collins Barry , Curtis Nicola , Cotter Paul D. , Hill Colin , Ross R. Paul
Published: July 2010

A
mariner
transposon bank was used to identify loci that contribute to the innate resistance of
Listeria monocytogenes
to the lantibiotic nisin. In addition to highlighting the importance of a number of loci previously associated with nisin resistance (
mprF
,
virRS
, and
telA
), a nisin-sensitive phenotype was associated with the disruption of
anrB
(
lmo2115
), a gene encoding the permease component of an ABC transporter. The contribution of
anrB
to nisin resistance was confirmed by the creation of nonpolar deletion mutants. The loss of this putative multidrug resistance transporter also greatly enhanced sensitivity to bacitracin, gallidermin, and a selection of β-lactam antibiotics. A comparison of the relative antimicrobial sensitivities of a number of mutants established the Δ
anrB
strain as being one of the most bacitracin-sensitive
L. monocytogenes
strains identified to date.
Role for Neutrophils in Host Immune Responses and Genetic Factors That Modulate Resistance toSalmonella entericaSerovar Typhimurium in the Inbred Mouse Strain SPRET/Ei
Authors: Dejager Lien , Pinheiro Iris , Bogaert Pieter , Huys Liesbeth , Libert Claude
Published: July 2010

Infection withSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium is a complex disease in which the host-bacterium interactions are strongly influenced by genetic factors of the host. We demonstrate that SPRET/Ei, an inbred mouse strain derived fromMus spretus, is resistant toS.Typhimurium infections. The kinetics of bacterial proliferation, as well as histological examinations of tissue sections, suggest that SPRET/Ei mice can control bacterial multiplication and spreading despite significant attenuation of the cytokine response. The resistance of SPRET/Ei mice toS.Typhimurium infection is associated with increased leukocyte counts in the circulation and enhanced neutrophil influx into the peritoneum during the course of infection. A critical role of neutrophils was confirmed by neutrophil depletion: neutropenic SPRET/Ei mice were sensitive to infection withS.Typhimurium and showed much higher bacterial loads. To identify genes that modulate the natural resistance of SPRET/Ei mice toS.Typhimurium infection, we performed a genome-wide study using an interspecific backcross between C3H/HeN and SPRET/Ei mice. The results of this analysis demonstrate that at least two loci, located on chromosomes 6 and 11, affect survival following lethal infection withS.Typhimurium. These two loci contain several interesting candidate genes which may have important implications for the search for genetic factors controllingSalmonellainfections in humans and for our understanding of complex host-pathogen interactions in general.
EspP, a Serine Protease of EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli, Impairs Complement Activation by Cleaving Complement Factors C3/C3b and C5
Authors: Orth Dorothea , Ehrlenbach Silvia , Brockmeyer Jens , Khan Abdul Basit , Huber Georg , Karch Helge , Sarg Bettina , Lindner Herbert , Würzner Reinhard
Published: July 2010

Hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening disorder characterized by hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and renal insufficiency. It is caused mainly by infections with enterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli(EHEC). Recently, Shiga toxin 2, the best-studied virulence factor of EHEC, was reported to interact with complement, implying that complement may be involved in the pathogenesis of EHEC-induced HUS. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether or not the serine protease EspP, an important virulence factor of EHEC, interacts with complement proteins. EspP did not have any effect on the integrity of factor H or factor I. However, EspP was shown to cleave purified C3/C3b and C5. Cleavage of the respective complement proteins also occurred in normal human serum (NHS) as a source of C3/C3b or C5 or when purified complement proteins were added to the supernatant of an EspP-producing wild-type strain. Edman degradation allowed unequivocal mapping of all three main C3b fragments but not of the three main C5 fragments. Complement activation was significantly downregulated in all three pathways for C5-depleted serum to which C5, preincubated with EspP, was added (whereas C5 preincubated with an EspP mutant was able to fully reconstitute complement activation). This indicates that EspP markedly destroyed the functional activity, as measured by a commercial total complement enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Wieslab). Downregulation of complement by EspPin vivomay influence the colonization of EHEC bacteria in the gut or the disease severity of HUS.
DivIC Stabilizes FtsL against RasP Cleavage
Authors: Wadenpohl Inga , Bramkamp Marc
Published: July 2010

The essential cell division protein FtsL is a substrate of the intramembrane protease RasP. Using heterologous coexpression experiments, we show here that the division protein DivIC stabilizes FtsL against RasP cleavage. Degradation seems to be initiated upon accessibility of a cytosolic substrate recognition motif.
Essential thrombocythaemia and its neurological complications
Authors: Miller Thomas D , Farquharson Mira H
Published: July 2010

Essential thrombocythaemia is one of the chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms and is characterised by a sustained platelet count ≥450 × 109/l. The clinical course is often indolent but a significant number of patients have thrombotic and haemorrhagic complications. A patient with neurological complications is described, and the pathogenesis and clinical features of this disease are reviewed, including its neurological sequelae and management, along with an outline for the investigation of patients with thrombocytosis.
Plant chitinases
Authors: Graham Lawrence S. , Sticklen Mariam B.
Published: July 2010

Within the last 10 years, much attention has been focused on the role chitinases play within the plant. Evidence is strong that they are antifungal proteins, yet they may also play a part in a nonspecific stress response and can be developmentally regulated. They consist of several enzyme classes and are produced in many plants by small gene families. This review discusses the nature of these enzymes and the genes that encode them, developmental- and tissue-specific expression, and the classes of organic and inorganic molecules which induce chitinase gene expression and accumulation. Prospects for the development of fungus-resistant varieties of plants using "foreign" chitinase genes are also analyzed. Key words: pathogenesis-related protein, antifungal protein, gene regulation, induction, hydrolase.
Ultrastructure of the host–parasite interface in the fern rusts Milesia, Uredinopsis, and Hyalopsora (Pucciniastraceae, Uredinales)
Authors: Berndt R. , Bauer R. , Oberwinkler F.
Published: July 2010

Species of the genera Milesia, Uredinopsis, and Hyalopsora possessed D-haustoria the necks of which were sheathed by an extension of the extrahaustorial matrix. Haustoria of the investigated species of Milesia and Uredinopsis were botryose with a haustorial body that formed wormlike protuberances. The Hyalopsora spp. were characterized by a vesicular haustorium. In the species of Milesia and associated Uredo spp. the haustorial neck was frequently differentiated into areas of variable electron density and structure; in Milesia blechni, Milesia miyabei, and Uredo RB 2537 a second neckband was formed in many haustoria. The penetration channels were usually characterized by short, perpendicularly oriented fibrillar elements that extended into the surrounding host cell wall. The haustoria of Uredinopsis filicina, Hyalopsora polypodii, and Hyalopsora aspidiotus were different from those of the investigated species of Milesia and Uredo. Their necks were accompanied by short extensions of the extrahaustorial matrix and the neck walls stained more or less homogeneously proximal to the neckband. Key words: Milesia, Uredinopsis, Hyalopsora, D-haustoria, ultrastructure, systematics.
Endophytic fungi in Scots pine needles: spatial variation and consequences of simulated acid rain
Authors: Helander M. L. , Sieber T. N. , Petrini O. , Neuvonen S.
Published: July 2010

Within- and among-tree variation in assemblages of endophytic fungi in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) needles were studied in a subarctic area where background pollution values are low; the effects of tree density and prolonged simulated acid rain on the occurrence of endophytic fungi were investigated. The needle endophyte most frequently isolated was Cenangium ferruginosum, accounting for 64% of all fungal individuals, followed by Cyclaneusma minus (12% of all individuals). Old needles were colonized more frequently by endophytes than young ones. In young needles the colonization by endophytes increased during the summer, whereas in old ones no seasonal variation was detected. Endophyte colonization was positively correlated with stand density and was reduced on pines treated with spring water acidified with either sulphuric acid alone or in combination with nitric acid. In contrast, nitric acid alone did not affect endophyte colonization. Key words: endophytes, needles, pine, Pinus, simulated acid rain, stand density.
Distribution of unusual polyamines in aquatic plants and gramineous seeds
Authors: Hamana Koei , Matsuzaki Shigeru , Niitsu Masaru , Samejima Keijiro
Published: July 2010

We tested several plants for the occurrence of unusual polyamines such as homospermidine, aminopropylhomospermidine, norspermidine, norspermine, thermospermine, and caldopentamine. The leaf and root of aquatic plants ubiquitously contained homospermidine in addition to usual polyamines such as putrescine, spermidine, spermine, and cadaverine. Homospermidine was widely distributed in the seed, seedling, leaf, and root of gramineous plants such as rice, millet, oat, rye, wheat, barley, corn, sorghum, and timothy as a minor polyamine. Aminopropylhomospermidine was found in the two aquatic plants, the water lily Nymphaca tetragona and the lotus Nelumbo nucifera as a major polyamine, and in the gramineous seeds as a minor polyamine. Norspermidine, norspermine, homospermine, and caldopentamine were detected in two floating aquatic plants, the duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza and the water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes. Thermospermine was sporadically detected in some aquatic plants and gramineous seeds. Key words: Gramineae, aquatic plant, polyamine, homospermidine, caldopentamine.
Survival of Verticillium albo-atrum in alfalfa seeds
Authors: Huang H. C. , Kozub G. C. , Kokko E. G.
Published: July 2010

Hard seeds of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) were artificially inoculated with Verticillium albo-atrum Reinke & Berthold and assessed for survival of the pathogen under laboratory and field conditions. When infected seeds were stored air-dry, V. albo-atrum survival was low (less than 10% after 10 months) at above-freezing temperatures (20 and 30 °C) but high (more than 90% at 10 months) at subfreezing temperatures (−20 and −10 °C). Survival of the pathogen was also low (10% at 3 months) in seeds buried in soil at 20 °C but high (90% at 10 months) at −5 °C. More than 75% of the hard seeds remained viable after 18 months of air-dry storage at −20, −10, 4, 20, or 30 °C. The incidence of verticillium wilt in alfalfa plants due to seedborne V. albo-atrum decreased with seed storage period, averaging 40% after seed was stored for 1 month and zero when seed was stored for 12 or 18 months. In field experiments, survival of seedborne V. albo-atrum decreased with increasing period of burial but at different rates in each year. The percentage of seeds with viable V. albo-atrum was greater when the seeds were buried at 10 cm compared with 5 and 2 cm (48 vs. 39 and 38%, respectively). The complete loss of viability of V. albo-atrum in infected seeds stored at 30 °C for 6 months indicates that seed-borne V. albo-atrum could be eliminated by storing alfalfa seeds at 30 °C for 1 year. Key words: Verticillium wilt, Verticillium albo-atrum, Medicago sativa, alfalfa, survival, seedborne.
Karyological studies in some taxa of the genus Artemisia (Asteraceae)
Authors: Brañas Marian Oliva , Xirau Joan Vallès
Published: July 2010

A karyological study of six taxa (eight populations) of the genus Artemisia L. from different geographic origins is presented. The work deals with chromosome number and morphometry. We found the two usual basic numbers in the genus: x = 9, the most common one (in two diploid, two hypotetraploid, one tetraploid and one hexaploid populations) and x = 8 (in two diploid populations). Detailed karyotype analysis allows us to group the different populations and to postulate relationships among them. Key words: Asteraceae, Anthemideae, Artemisia, cytotaxonomy, chromosome morphology, evolution.
Host specificity and nomenclature of Olpidium bornovanus (=Olpidium radicale) and comparisons to Olpidium brassicae
Authors: Campbell R. N. , Sim S. T.
Published: July 2010

Olpidium radicale Schwartz & Cook fide Lange & Insunza does not encompass O. radicale Schwartz & Cook emended Cook 1935. Thus, the combination Olpidium bornovanus (Sahtiyanci) Karling is accepted. Single sporangial isolates of O. bornovanus and Olipidium brassicae were prepared from bulk cultures trapped on cucurbit hosts using soils or roots obtained from France, California, Canada, and Brazil. The O. bornovanus isolates comprised three host-specific strains (cucumber, melon, and squash) based on the host in which they multiplied abundantly. All strains reproduced moderately well in watermelon, slightly in mung bean, and not at all in lettuce, cauliflower, red clover, or timothy. Two of three O. brassicae isolates trapped on melon had host specificity similar to that of the melon strains of O. bornovanus and the third was plurivorous. The vegetative generation time of O. bornovanus was longer (5+ days) than that of O. brassicae (3+ days). The O. bornovanus isolates grew at temperatures of 18–30 °C, whereas O. brassicae isolates did not grow at 30 °C. Key words: Olpidium bornovanus, Olpidium radicale, Olpidium brassicae, cucurbit hosts, host specificity.
Adaptation of Picea engelmannii populations to the heterogeneous environments of the Intermountain West
Authors: Rehfeldt Gerald E.
Published: July 2010

Seedlings from 104 natural populations of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and 10 blue spruce (Picea pungens) populations from the Intermountain West, U.S.A., were compared in common gardens. Comparisons involved 16 characters that described growth, development, and cold hardiness plus nine monoterpenes. Canonical discriminant analyses detected one population of blue spruce that had been misidentified, readily separated populations of blue and Engelmann spruce, suggested that three Southwest populations differed markedly from Intermountain populations of Engelmann spruce, but identified no Intermountain populations that reflected introgression with blue spruce. Genetic differences were detected among populations of Engelmann spruce for 16 of the morphometric characters, and multiple regression models accounted for as much as 70% of the variance among populations. The regressions described genetic variation occurring along clines that were dominated by elevational and latitudinal effects. The slope of the clines, however, was relatively gentle; populations located within the same physiographic province must be separated by at least 420 m in elevation before genetic differentiation becomes a reasonable possibility. By providing a means for assessing the degree by which similar genotypes recur across the landscape, the regression models have direct practical application in programs ranging from land management to conservation biology. Key words: population differentiation, genetic variation, ecological genetics.
Development of resistance to Microdochium nivale in winter wheat during autumn and decline of the resistance under snow
Authors: Nakajima T. , Abe J.
Published: July 2010

The effect of autumn climate on the development of resistance to pink snow mold (Microdochium nivale) in winter wheat was estimated in mid-December. Changes in resistance over time under snow cover were also determined. Resistance in December was closely correlated with the accumulated degree-days above 0 °C from sowing. The number of days of incubation at which 50% of the plants are killed (LI50) was lowest in the cool autumn in 1988 and highest in the warm autumn in 1989. Temperatures below 5 °C were also required for expression of resistance. Differences in LI50 between resistant and susceptible cultivars were most apparent in late autumn. Continuous snow cover was found to reduce resistance to pink snow mold. The rate of decline of the resistance in cv. Nanbukomugi during the winters under snow was lower than in cv. PI 173438 and cv. Kitakamikomugi. The resistance to pink snow mold was correlated with the amount of etiolated growth at 25 °C. This indicates that exhaustion of food reserves during prolonged snow cover predisposed wheat plants to snow mold diseases. Key words: pink snow mold, Fusarium nivale, Monographella nivalis, resistance progressive and degressive curves, Triticum aestivum L., field test.
Growth and maintenance respiration of leaflet, stipule, tendril, rachis, and petiole tissues that make up the compound leaf of pea (Pisum sativum)
Authors: Collier Donald E. , Grodzinski Bernard
Published: July 2010

Respiratory changes during development, as well as growth and maintenance coefficients, were measured in organs of a typical compound leaf at the seventh node position of a pea (Pisum sativum) plant. The leaf consists of both laminar (leaflets and stipules) and cylindrical organs (tendrils, rachis, and petiole). Young tissue of each organ had relatively high respiration rates that declined as the tissue expanded. The respiration rates of leaflet, stipule, and tendril tissue throughout maturation were significantly greater than those of the other organs. The growth respiration coefficients were not significantly different among laminar and cylindrical organs. Maintenance respiration, expressed on a total dry mass basis and on a carbohydrate-corrected dry mass basis, as well as in vitro photosynthetic rates, were significantly lower in petioles and rachises than in tendrils or the leaflets and stipules. No difference in maintenance respiration of organs was observed when rates were expressed on a protein basis. A linear relationship between mass-based respiration and organ protein concentration was observed, suggesting that the energy costs involved in protein turnover may account, in part, for the differences in maintenance respiration among the organs. Taken together, our data show that although the tendril is structurally similar to the rachis, petioles, and stem, which have a role in supporting the canopy of this climbing plant, the respiratory properties of tendrils are more like those of leaflets and stipules, thus parallelling the photosynthetic characteristics of these organs in the compound leaf. Keywords: development, leaflets, Pisum sativum, respiration, stipules, tendrils.
Changes in atmospheric trace element deposition in the Fraser Valley, B.C., Canada from 1960 to 1993 measured by moss monitoring withIsothecium stoloniferum
Authors: Pott Ute , Turpin David H.
Published: July 2010

Moss monitoring, a common bioindication method, was used to investigate temporal changes of atmospheric trace element deposition since the 1960s in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia. Vancouver, Canada's third largest metropolitan area, is located in the west of the Fraser Valley and has a significant effect on the air quality of the region. Changes in atmospheric deposition of lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, zinc, and manganese were estimated by analyzing local samples of the common woodland moss Isothecium stoloniferum Brid. collected during three different time periods: 1960–1966, 1975–1980, and 1993. A significant decrease was found for lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and zinc, when samples from 1960–1966 were compared with those collected in 1993. The declining metal levels are associated with a change in industrial activity, a reduction in fuel oil combustion for space heating, and abandonment of leaded gasoline. Manganese concentration in the moss samples increased significantly over the past 30 years. This increase might be related to the replacement of the antiknock additive, tetraethyl lead, with methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl. The present study shows how changes in human activity can affect and counterbalance increasing pressure from a fast-growing population in respect to trace element pollution. Keywords: moss monitoring, bioindication, heavy metals, trace elements, Isothecium stoloniferum, air pollution, metal deposition.
Seasonal growth and duration of the parasitic life stage of the landlocked sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)
Authors: Bergstedt Roger A. , Swink William D.
Published: July 2010

We used lengths and weights of 2367 live parasitic-phase sea lampreys (Petromyzon marinus) collected from Lake Huron, 1984–1990, to calculate their mean size at half-month intervals. Growth in weight was linear during June through September; increments averaged 11.1 g per half month. Growth increased sharply in October to several times the summer rate. We speculate that the increase in growth in October is explained partly by water temperature and partly by an increase in appetite related to the onset of gonadal development. The greater compression of biomass accumulation in autumn than has been previously demonstrated better explains the autumn pulse of sea lamprey induced host mortality. Based on the seasonal pattern of growth and on recaptures of marked sea lampreys, we conclude that landlocked individuals grow to adult size and mature in one parasitic growth year. Regressions of weight (grams) on total length (millimetres) differed significantly among months, and the season of collection must be considered in predicting weight from length.
Abnormal porphyrin profile in mussels exposed to low concentrations of cadmium in an experimental Precambrian Shield lake
Authors: Chamberland G. , Bélanger D. , Larivière N. , Vermette L. , Klaverkamp J. F. , Blais J. S.
Published: July 2010

Seven porphyrins previously suggested as biomarkers of chemical stress in mammals were identified and quantified in the freshwater mussels Elliptio complanata and Anodonta grandis grandis. Uroporphyrin, heptacarboxyporphyrin, hexacarboxyporphyrin, pentacarboxyporhyrin, coproporphyrin and protoporphyrin IX were determined using a method based on esterification of carboxylic acid moieties with BF3-methanol, extraction of the derivatives in chloroform, and HPLC–fluorescence analysis. Porphyrin profiles were compared in reference mussels sampled from nonpolluted lakes versus mussels exposed to 100 μg Cd/L in iron deficient conditions in the laboratory for 1 month or 54–177 ng Cd/L for 4–5 years in an experimental lake (northwestern Ontario, ELA, lake 382). The levels of protoporphyrin and mesoporphyrin were markedly elevated in specimens exposed to iron/salts deficiency and 100 μg Cd/L. In mussels sampled from lake 382, abnormal alterations in the relative proportions of uroporphyrin to heptacarboxyporphyrin, heptacarboxy- to meso-porphyrin, heptacarboxy- to proto-porphyrin, coproporphyrin to mesoporphyrin, and copro- to proto-porphyrin were consistent with a cadmium-mediated response. Thus, differences in the relative proportions of porphyrins, especially those associated with the accumulation of heptacarboxyporphyrin, indicate that Cd may be inhibiting uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase, suggesting potential applications of mussels' porphyrin profile as an ecotoxicological biomarker for Cd and possibly other metals.
Lipid class composition as a measure of nutritional condition in individual larval Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Lochmann Steve E. , Maillet Gary L. , Frank Kenneth T. , Taggart Christopher T.
Published: July 2010

Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) larvae were reared under various feeding environments to assess their lipid class composition and survival during development. Lipids were assessed in individual larvae. Triacylglycerol (TAG), phospholipids (PL), and defatted dry weight (DDW) all fell during yolk absorption. TAG increased after initiation of exogenous feeding in different feeding treatments but did not increase in starved larvae. The percentage of individuals greater than 8 d old with high TAG or PL increased with increasing prey concentration. Survivorship was low in all feeding trials, but groups with a larger percentage of individuals in poor condition tended to exhibit a higher risk of death. We suggest a condition index based on a discriminant function using TAG, PL, and DDW. We assessed the condition of field-collected larvae based on this index.
Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental integration of morphology in a stream population of the threespine stickleback,Gasterosteus aculeatus
Authors: Baumgartner Jeffrey V.
Published: July 2010

Phenotypic, genetic, and environmental variances and covariances for 33 morphometric traits were estimated for a population of threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from the Brush Creek drainage, California, by sib analysis of laboratory-bred families. Heritabilities of the morphometric traits ranged from −0.28 to 0.78, and were moderately low (mean h2 = 0.26); the mean and range of heritabilities for five phenotypic eigenvectors were similar. The average coefficient of genetic determination of the traits and eigenvectors was high (0.57 and 0.63, respectively), indicating a substantial genotypic contribution to variation in body morphology. The defensive complex, a functional set of bony armor structures, was genetically and environmentally integrated: genetic factors (e.g., pleiotropy) are reinforced by environmental factors to produce a functional phenotype. Other components of morphology, including body form, were environmentally, but not genetically, integrated. Given the importance of genetic factors to evolutionary change under natural selection, these results implicate natural selection in the evolution of the defensive complex; the role of natural selection in the evolution of other components of morphology is equivocal. Genetic integration of functionally (phenotypically) independent traits suggests that stochastic processes or pleiotropic mutation also have played a role in the evolution of morphology in this population of sticklebacks.
Population structure and the mating system of white spruce
Authors: Cheliak W. M. , Pltel J. A. , Murray G.
Published: July 2010

Inheritance of allozymes of 12 polymorphic loci was demonstrated using haploid megagametophytic tissues of viable seed from a total of 47 white spruce trees in one stand. In general, allozymes segregated as expected in a 1:1 ratio. However, one allozyme of phosphoglucose isomerase (Pgi-2) did not segregate as expected. Significant deficiency in two different heterozygous combinations was observed. This result could be indicative of selection against the allozyme. The level of genetic variability in this stand of white spruce was similar to average levels of variation observed with many conifer species. Overall, an excess of heterozygotes was observed in the mature population. However, after 9 years of storage in a seedbank, no more than random selfing could be detected in the viable filial generation. Significant heterogeneity in allele frequency distribution of several loci was observed in the pollen pool in this stand. The calculated ratio of genetically effective males to females in this population was only 0.4. These results were interpreted as evidence for changes in the spatial genetic structure of the population, likely marking demes of related individuals, and restricted effective transmission distances of male gametes. Some implications for tree improvement programs are discussed.
Douglas-fir seedlings: some factors affecting chilling requirement, bud activity, and new foliage production
Authors: Lavender Denis P. , Stafford Susan G.
Published: July 2010

Potted 2-year-old Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) seedlings were exposed to a range of natural and artificial environments during the fall and winter prior to a 9-week period in an environment designed to permit active shoot growth. Seedling response demonstrated (i) that exposure to a period of short (9 h), mild (20 °C) days prepared seedlings for the beneficial effects of subsequent "chilling" (4.4 °C) temperatures and (ii) that the physiology of dormancy of Douglas-fir seedlings may be adversely affected by environments that differ markedly from those prevailing in the Pacific Northwest during the fall.
The use of Wald's sequential probability ratio test to develop composite three-decision sampling plans
Authors: Fowler Gary W.
Published: July 2010

Many sequential sampling plans used in forest sampling are composite three-decision plans based on the simultaneous use of two of Wald's sequential probability ratio tests (SPRTs). Wald's operating characteristic (OC) and average sample number (ASN) equations for each SPRT are used to describe the properties of the composite sampling plan. Wald's equations are only approximate because of "overshooting" of the decision boundaries of the SPRTs and the two SPRTs operate simultaneously in the composite plan. Wald's and Monte Carlo OC and ASN functions were developed for (i) two SPRTs used to develop a three-decision composite plan and (ii) the three-decision composite plan based on the negative binomial distribution. Wald's equations, in general, overestimate the true error probabilities and underestimate the true ASN for a given SPRT. Wald's equations are less accurate in describing the properties of the three-decision plan. Monte Carlo functions are more accurate than Wald's functions. Recommendations are made regarding the choice between Wald's and Monte Carlo functions. A Monte Carlo procedure to modify the decision boundaries of the plan to yield actual error probabilities approximately equal to the desired error probabilities is suggested.
Specific leaf area and needle weight of Norway spruce (Piceaabies) in stands of different densities
Authors: Hager H. , Sterba H.
Published: July 2010

During an investigation on the effects of differing stand densities on biomass distribution, owing to thinning in 17-year-old Norway spruce stands, specific leaf area (SLA) and 100-needle dry mass were measured for three diameter at breast height (DBH) classes, five canopy sections, and two needle age-classes. Mean SLA was found to be 50 ± 17 cm2/g. High correlation of SLA and 100-needle dry mass with DBH, crown position, and needle age was found. Older needles had a lower mean SLA than the current years needles, while they did not differ significantly in their 100-needles dry mass. Thinning proved to be a minor factor for foliage variability, since DBH, which is dependent upon thinning and the trees competitive status, explained a major part of variation in leaf morphology. A third-degree polynomial regression function could be developed to predict SLA from 100-needle dry mass. This function shows wide validity. It applies to all DBH classes and crown sections. It also shows good fit for older trees from totally different sites. To predict the total leaf area of a crown stratum, only the dry mass of 100 needles and the total needle biomass of the stratum must be known.
Genotype and soil fertility interaction in the growth of black spruce progeny from a central New Brunswick population
Authors: Maliondo S. M. , Krause H. H.
Published: July 2010

Seedlings representing 10 half-sib families from a black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) stand in central New Brunswick were raised in a greenhouse on three different soils, each with two levels of fertility. Seedling growth varied significantly with soil, fertility, and half-sib family. After 7 months mean dry weights, for example, ranged from 0.292 to 0.755 g with soil, 0.174 to 0.936 g with level of fertility, and 0.370 to 0.657 g with family. With soil and fertility considered fixed variables, the family and family–fertility interaction accounted for approximately 3 and 20% of the phenotypic variation in mean seedling dry weight, respectively. Similar variance components were observed for shoot and root weights, and root collar diameter. Based on the family – soil fertility interaction, the population was divided into groups of (i) broadly adapted families showing average performance through the full range of fertility environments, (ii) strong responders, i.e., families performing below average at low fertility, but showing a large fertilization response, and (iii) weak or nonresponders, i.e., families performing poorly in all fertility environments.
Determination of sap flow in Douglas-fir trees using the heat pulse technique
Authors: Cohen Y. , Kelliher F. M. , Black T. A.
Published: July 2010

A modified heat pulse technique was used to determine volumetric sap flow in 15–17 m tall Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees. Laboratory calibration of the heat pulse technique, accomplished by passing water through 200 mm long by 77 mm diameter stem sections with a gas pressure apparatus, showed an underestimation of the actual water flow rate by 47%. Using a six-thermistor temperature sensing probe inserted radially to a depth of 60 mm, field measurements of sap flux density were found to change with depth into the sap wood. Simultaneous measurements using the temperature sensing probes inserted in three azimuthal directions (0, 120, and 240°) showed good agreement during the daytime in three trees, while in another tree the ratio of the three sap flux densities gradually changed during the daytime. Hourly values of sap flow rate in two different trees, obtained using the laboratory calibration factor were 29 and 53% larger than corresponding foliar transpiration rates estimated using measurements of stomatal conductance, tree leaf area and vapour pressure deficit. Using a microprocessor-based data acquisition system, the technique was successfully used to monitor the course of sap flow rate over a 4-month period.
EVALUATION OF PARTICLE STOCHASTIC SEPARATED FLOW MODELS VIA LARGE EDDY SIMULATION
Authors: WANG BING , ZHANG HUIQIANG , WANG XILIN
Published: July 2010

This paper evaluates three widely used particle stochastic separated flow (SSF) models through large eddy simulation (LES) of gas-particle two-phase turbulent flows over a backward-facing step. The ability of the models to predict mean velocities, fluctuating velocities, and spatial dispersion of particles are carefully examined in comparison with LES reference results. Evaluation shows that the improved time-series SSF model produces good predictions on mean and fluctuating velocities in the particle phase which highly agree with LES results. However, the time-series SSF model has higher computational cost. Further, compared with the two other models, the time-series SSF model predicts better results on the spatial dispersion of particles. It has an overall advantage in terms of accuracy and efficiency in predicting velocity moments and particle dispersion even without the presence of so many particles. The dependence of different SSF models on the number of computational particles in a converged flow field is also discussed. This paper is useful for the selection and application of SSF models in numerical simulations of practical two-phase turbulent flows.