bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection on male longevity in a monogamous human population: late‐life survival brings no additional grandchildren
Authors: LAHDENPERÄ M. , LUMMAA V. , RUSSELL A. F.
Published: February 2011

Humans are exceptionally long‐lived for mammals of their size. In men, lifespan is hypothesized to evolve from benefits of reproduction throughout adult life. We use multi‐generational data from pre‐industrial Finland, where remarriage was possible only after spousal death, to test selection pressures on male longevity in four monogamous populations. Men showed several behaviours consistent with attempting to accrue direct fitness throughout adult life and sired more children in their lifetimes if they lost their first wife and remarried. However, remarriage did not increase grandchild production because it compromised the success of motherless first‐marriage offspring. Overall, grandchild production was not improved by living beyond 51 years and was reduced by living beyond 65. Our results highlight the importance of using grandchild production to understand selection on human life‐history traits. We conclude that selection for (or enforcement of) lifetime monogamy will select for earlier reproductive investment and against increased lifespan in men.
2,3,4′,5‐Tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside inhibits platelet‐derived growth factor‐induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells by regulating the cell cycle
Authors: Xu Xiao‐Le , Huang Yan‐Juan , Wang Yu‐Qin , Chen Xiang‐Fan , Zhang Wei
Published: February 2011

1. 2,3,4′,5‐Tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside (TSG) has been shown to have an anti‐atherosclerotic effect. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation contributes to the pathobiology of atherosclerosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of TSG on platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF)‐BB‐induced VSMC proliferation and to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects.

2. Cultured rat VSMC were pretreated with TSG (l–50 μmol/L) for 1 h, followed by exposure to PDGF‐BB (10 ng/mL) for 24 h, after which cell proliferation and cell cycle stages were examined. The expression of protein cell cycle regulators, including retinoblastoma (Rb), cyclin D1/E, cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) 2/4, CDK inhibitors p21 and p27 and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), was examined. Activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 was evaluated to elucidate the possible upstream mechanism by which TSG affects cell cycle regulators.

3. The results showed that TSG dose‐dependently inhibited PDGF‐BB‐induced VSMC proliferation, possibly by blocking the progression of the cell cycle from the G1 to S phase. In addition, TSG significantly inhibited PDGF‐BB‐induced phosphorylation of Rb and the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, cyclin E, CDK2 and PCNA. In addition, TSG suppressed PDGF‐BB‐induced downregulation of p27 and upregulation of p21, as well as PDGF‐BB‐induced activation of ERK1/2.

4. Together, the findings of the present study provide the first evidence that TSG can inhibit PDGF‐BB‐stimulated VSMC proliferation via cell cycle arrest in association with modulation of the expression of cell cycle regulators, which may be mediated, at least in part, by suppression of ERK1/2 activation.
Behavioural weight management for the primary careprovider
Authors: Rutledge T. , Groesz L. M. , Linke S. E. , Woods G. , Herbst K. L.
Published: February 2011

Primary care providers (PCPs) provide the majority of weight management care in clinical settings; however, they often lack the time or resources to apply strategies recommended in treatment guidelines. This review surveyed randomized clinical trials and prospective weight management studies from 1990 to present to identify evidence‐based behavioural strategies for weight management applicable to the PCP treatment environment. Data supported, time‐limited weight management strategies included self‐monitoring, portion control, sleep hygiene, restaurant eating and television viewing. The current review suggests that a number of behavioural strategies are available to enhance the effectiveness of PCPs weight management interventions. Increasing PCP awareness of these evidence‐based strategies may increase their attention to overweight and obesity concerns in clinical encounters and encourage more collaborative efforts with patients towards weight management goals.
Will Capitalists Live Happily Ever After? – Political Myth: On the Use and Abuse of Biblical Themes – By Roland Boer
Authors: Kim Uriah Y.
Published: February 2011

What would our world be like if all oppositions to capitalism were to be removed? The author describes a doomsday scenario instead of everlasting plenitude if capitalists have their ways. This conclusion comes from the author's masterful discussion of political myth and analysis of the narrative of Genesis to Joshua as a political myth. The narrative of the Hexateuch constructs and at the same time punishes all sorts of rebels who oppose the theocratic state it wishes to establish. But myth is uncanny in that the rebellion hides what it fears the most, the impossibility of such a state to come true, and needs what it desires to annihilate in order to persist as an unfulfilled fantasy that powers a political movement. The author argues that some politicians in Australia and the USA are abusing the logic of the political myth of the Hexateuch in order to support their capitalistic agendas and, therefore, the Left must tell the ending of the capitalist fantasy of endless production and expansion in order to reveal its contradictions.
Debate: Time to start picking winners again?
Authors:   New Era Economics panel, Chakrabortty Aditya , Perez Carlota , Watson Jim , Kay John , Olliff‐Cooper Jonty , Lockwood Matthew , Ormerod Paul , Rowthorn Robert , Murray Robin , Finch Tim
Published: February 2011

In the wake of the global recession and signs of fragility in the UK's own recovery, a panel of eminent economics thinkers and innovators gathered to debate whether and how the notion of government intervention in industry might be resurrected as part of a new approach to economic policy.
Prevalence and socio‐demographic associations of overweight and obesity among children attending child‐care services in rural and regional Australia
Authors: WOLFENDEN Luke , HARDY Louise L. , WIGGERS John , MILAT Andrew J. , BELL Colin , SUTHERLAND Rachel
Published: February 2011

Aim:  To describe the prevalence and socio‐demographic characteristics associated with body mass index among children attending child‐care services in New South Wales, Australia.

Methods:  Cross‐sectional study of parent‐reported socio‐demographic characteristics and objectively measured height and weight among children aged two to five years attending 40 randomly selected long day care centres and preschools.

Results:  Seven hundred and sixty‐four children, 11% of whom were Indigenous, participated in the study (response rate = 66%). Overall, 16.7% of children and 24.6% of Indigenous children were overweight or obese. Overweight and obesity was higher among children whose mothers did not have a university education (OR 1.91: 95% CI 1.15, 3.12) and who were Indigenous (OR 1.74: 95% CI 1.05, 2.90). No differences in prevalence were found between geographic areas. Multivariate analysis indicated that after adjusting for age, child‐care service hours and other demographic covariates, only maternal education remained a significant predictor of weight status (OR 2.06: 95% CI 1.16, 3.66).

Conclusion:  The high prevalence of overweight and obesity among children attending child‐care services underscores the importance of obesity prevention interventions in early child‐care settings, and particularly those catering for Indigenous children.
‘It's very hard to find what to put in the kid's lunch’: What Perth parents think about food for school lunch boxes
Authors: BATHGATE Katherine , BEGLEY Andrea
Published: February 2011

Aim:  To describe the factors affecting school food selection by parents of young children attending low socioeconomic schools in Perth and recommend the features of resources parents need to make healthier choices.

Methods:  Nine focus groups of parents of young children attending low socioeconomic status schools in Perth were conducted where parents were asked about the food their children ate at school and their opinions of school food resources.

Results:  Focus group discussion centred on the themes of the challenge of being a good parent by providing healthy lunch box food; making compromises in what their children eat at school and the barriers to healthy eating in the school environment. Parents were concerned about what their children were eating at school but the barriers of convenience, child preference, cost and food safety prevented them from including healthier food in the lunch box. The amount of time allowed for eating and lack of refrigeration were school‐based barriers that impacted on the type and amount of food selected. Parents liked colourful, practical school food resources with recipes and nutrition information aimed at children.

Conclusions:  Parents want help with selecting lunch box food/drinks that are nutritious, convenient, inexpensive and appealing for children to eat. Schools need to be supported to introduce healthy eating programs and should review the time given for young children to eat at school. Dietitians need to consider the home food environment and what motivates parents to make food choices for their children.
A valid depression case finding instrument to assist dietitians in identifying patients at risk of depression in an enhanced HIV care setting
Authors: DI GUILMI Aaron , JEGANATHAN Sarangapany , HOUTZAGER Louise , PURNOMO Julianita , BEGLEY Kim
Published: February 2011

Aim:  The present study aimed to test the validity, reliability and sensitivity of a two‐question depression screening instrument with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in human immunodeficiency virus‐infected subjects.

Methods:  The present study is a self‐administered questionnaire of the two‐question depression screening instrument and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale‐D10 completed contemporaneously by participants to assess the validity, reliability and sensitivity of the instrument.

Results:  Eighty participants (76 men and 4 women) with a mean age of 43.4 years were enrolled to the study. In this cohort the prevalence of depression was found to be 36%. A significant correlation (rho= 0.68, P < 0.0001) was found between the depression screening instrument and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale indicating adequate validity. The internal reliability of the depression screening instrument was found to be 0.77. The two‐question instrument yielded a sensitivity of 89.7% and a specificity of 58.8%. The false positive rate was 41.2%. However, the false negative rate in this population was found to be only 10.3%. The negative predictive value was 90.9%.

Conclusions:  The results of the present study indicated that the two‐question depression screening instrument was valid, reliable and sensitive for detecting individuals at risk of depression in a cohort of people living with human immunodeficiency virus attending a nutrition clinic in an enhanced care setting.
Availability, affordability and quality of a healthy food basket in Adelaide, South Australia
Authors: WONG Kwan Chiu , COVENEY John , WARD Paul , MULLER Robert , CARTER Patricia , VERITY Fiona , TSOURTOS George
Published: February 2011

Aim:  To investigate the cost, affordability, availability and quality of a healthy food basket in high and low household income areas of Adelaide, and to investigate food promotion in supermarkets.

Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken in May 2009 with a sample of 61 supermarkets, 27 greengrocers and 34 butchers in metropolitan Adelaide. Samples were selected based on household income for extreme tertiles across Adelaide.

Results:  Low‐income families were significantly worse off in comparison with high‐income families (P < 0.05) regarding affordability of the healthy food basket. The data analysis demonstrated that families on welfare payments and low incomes would need to spend 28–34% of their income in order to be able to afford a healthy food basket. However, there was no significant difference in the cost, availability, and quality of the healthy food basket and food promotions between high and low household income areas.

Conclusion:  The present study examined the cost, affordability, availability and quality of the healthy food basket, as well as an assessment of food promotions in supermarkets, finding no difference between high and low household income areas. The study provides valuable information to assist in a deeper understanding of food security in Adelaide. It is recommended that a longitudinal study would assist in establishing a reliable healthy food basket monitoring system that could lead to more robust policy outcomes.
WA health practitioners and cooking: How well do they mix?
Authors: COOPER Sheri , BEGLEY Andrea
Published: February 2011

Aim:  The aim of the present study was to assess the views and experiences of WA practitioners on the use of cooking as a public health nutrition intervention.

Methods:  A 39‐point online questionnaire was constructed using Survey Monkey. The questionnaire was distributed via email distribution lists targeting practitioners working in public health nutrition. Questions were focused around four objectives relating to: the value of cooking skills in public health, practitioner cooking skills and training, practitioner views on cooking as a health intervention and practitioner experiences in conducting cooking demonstrations.

Results:  A total of 84 practitioners completed the questionnaire, of which over half (58%) were employed in dietetic specific positions at the time of the survey. There was overwhelming agreement that cooking skills are an important factor in the prevention of nutrition‐related disease, and that cooking skill interventions have the potential to change dietary intakes. However, only one quarter of practitioners indicated that cooking skill interventions were a significant part of their current role. Over half (58%) of the practitioners surveyed had either conducted or assisted in a cooking demonstration or cooking class in the last 12 months.

Conclusions:  WA practitioners place a high value on the use of cooking as a public health nutrition intervention. Practitioners felt they have good knowledge and skills in cooking but indicated the need to know more about conducting cooking skill interventions. The findings suggest the need to improve outcome evaluation as a component of cooking skill interventions to assess long‐term behaviour change.
Catastrophic Drought in the Afro-Asian Monsoon Region During Heinrich Event 1
Authors: Stager J. Curt , Ryves David B. , Chase Brian M. , Pausata Francesco S. R.
Published: February 2011

An extreme megadrought occurred in the Afro-Asian monsoon region during an iceberg melting episode 50,000 years ago.
Meteoritic Clues Point Chromium Toward Earth's Core
Authors: McDonough William F.
Published: February 2011

The different chromium isotopic compositions of chondrites and the mantle offer insight into Earth's early history.
Research Vital to Economic Growth
Authors: Orbach Raymond L.
Published: February 2011

It was with a mixture of astonishment and dismay that I watched as the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 1, a bill to fund the federal government for the rest of the 2011 fiscal year. Left intact, the massive cuts in research contained in the bill passed on 19 February would effectively end America's legendary status as the leader of the worldwide scientific community, putting the United States at a distinct disadvantage when competing with other nations in the global marketplace. Other countries, such as China and India, are increasing their funding of scientific research because they understand its critical role in spurring technological advances and other innovations. If the United States is to compete in the global economy, it too must continue to invest in research programs.
Neoproterozoic extension in the Greater Dharwar Craton: a reevaluation of the “Betsimisaraka suture” in MadagascarThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme ofGeochronologyin honour of Tom Krogh.
Authors: Tucker R. D. , Roig J.-Y. , Delor C. , Amelin Y. , Goncalves P. , Rabarimanana M. H. , Ralison A. V. , Belcher R. W.
Published: February 2011

The Precambrian shield of Madagascar is reevaluated with recently compiled geological data and new U–Pb sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) geochronology. Two Archean domains are recognized: the eastern Antongil–Masora domain and the central Antananarivo domain, the latter with distinctive belts of metamafic gneiss and schist (Tsaratanana Complex). In the eastern domain, the period of early crust formation is extended to the Paleo–Mesoarchean (3.32–3.15 Ga) and a supracrustal sequence (Fenerivo Group), deposited at 3.18 Ga and metamorphosed at 2.55 Ga, is identified. In the central domain, a Neoarchean period of high-grade metamorphism and anatexis that affected both felsic (Betsiboka Suite) and mafic gneisses (Tsaratanana Complex) is documented. We propose, therefore, that the Antananarivo domain was amalgamated within the Greater Dharwar Craton (India + Madagascar) by a Neoarchean accretion event (2.55–2.48 Ga), involving emplacement of juvenile igneous rocks, high-grade metamorphism, and the juxtaposition of disparate belts of mafic gneiss and schist (metagreenstones). The concept of the “Betsimisaraka suture” is dispelled and the zone is redefined as a domain of Neoproterozoic metasedimentary (Manampotsy Group) and metaigneous rocks (Itsindro–Imorona Suite) formed during a period of continental extension and intrusive igneous activity between 840 and 760 Ma. Younger orogenic convergence (560–520 Ma) resulted in east-directed overthrusting throughout south Madagascar and steepening with local inversion of the domain in central Madagascar. Along part of its length, the Manampotsy Group covers the boundary between the eastern and central Archean domains and is overprinted by the Angavo–Ifanadiana high-strain zone that served as a zone of crustal weakness throughout Cretaceous to Recent times.
Comparison of structures in zircons from lunar and terrestrial impactitesThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.
Authors: Pidgeon R. T. , Nemchin A. A. , Kamo S. L.
Published: February 2011

There have been a number of reports of the presence of shock features, such as planar fracturing and granulation, the transformation of zircon to reidite, and the breakdown of zircon to baddeleyite in zircons associated with terrestrial impacts. It has also been proposed that the progressive development of these shock features, and the degree of disturbance of the zircon U–Pb isotopic system, could be used as a qualitative measure of the shock pressures and post-shock temperatures of the impact. Such behaviour of zircon from terrestrial impacts could be potentially useful in interpreting structures and U–Pb isotopic behaviour of shocked zircons from lunar impactites. However, careful examination of over one hundred zircon grains from samples of lunar breccias from Apollo 14 and 17 have not revealed any grains with terrestrial-like shock features, such as planar deformation features (PDFs), and we have not observed the high-pressure zircon phases reidite or the breakdown of zircon to baddeleyite in zircon grains from the breccias. Most lunar zircon grains show no evidence of a disturbance of their U–Pb systems. However, we have identified a few zircons from lunar breccias that have characteristic internal structures and accompanying Pb loss that we attribute to extreme shock. These structures differ from shock features reported for zircons associated with terrestrial impacts. Whether terrestrial-like impact features were present in the lunar zircons and have been removed during transport and heating in the impact ejecta, or whether these features never developed in the first place, has not been resolved.
Birthdate for the Coronation paleocean: age of initial rifting in Wopmay orogen, CanadaThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.
Authors: Hoffman Paul F. , Bowring Samuel A. , Buchwaldt Robert , Hildebrand Robert S.
Published: February 2011

The 1.9 Ga Coronation “geosyncline” to the west of Slave craton was among the first Precambrian continental margins to be identified, but its duration as a passive margin has long been uncertain. We report a new U–Pb (isotope dilution – thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID–TIMS)) 207Pb/206Pb date of 2014.32 ± 0.89 Ma for zircons from a felsic pyroclastic rock at the top of the Vaillant basalt, which underlies the passive margin sequence (Epworth Group) at the allochthonous continental slope. A sandstone tongue within the basalt yields Paleoproterozoic (mostly synvolcanic) and Mesoarchean detrital zircon dates, of which the latter are compatible with derivation from the Slave craton. In contrast, detrital zircon grains from the Zephyr arkose in the accreted Hottah terrane have Paleoproterozoic and Neoarchean dates. The latter cluster tightly at 2576 Ma, indistinguishable from igneous zircon dates reported here from the Badlands granite, which is faulted against the Vaillant basalt and underlying Drill arkose. We interpret these data to indicate that Badlands granite belongs to the hanging wall of the collisional geosuture between Hottah terrane and the Slave margin, represented by the Drill–Vaillant rift assemblage. If 2014.32 ± 0.89 Ma dates the rift-to-drift transition and 1882.50 ± 0.95 Ma (revised from 1882 ± 4 Ma) the arrival of the passive margin at the trench bordering the Hottah terrane, the duration of the Coronation passive margin was ∼132 million years, close to the mean age of extinct Phanerozoic passive margins of ∼134 million years (see Bradley 2008).
High-precision U–Pb geochronology of the Butedale pluton, British ColumbiaThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.
Authors: Denyszyn Steven W. , Mundil Roland , Brownlee Sarah J. , Renne Paul R.
Published: February 2011

The Butedale pluton, a ca. 100 km long compositionally zoned batholith, is part of the Coast Plutonic Complex that extends the length of the Canadian Pacific coast. Its age and thermal history are relevant to the Butedale pluton’s role as a test case of the Baja–BC hypothesis, as paleomagnetic evidence suggests that it may have formed thousands of kilometres to the south and moved northward along what is now the Coast Shear Zone. High-resolution U–Pb (chemical abrasion – thermal ionization mass spectrometry (CA–TIMS), zircon) analysis of rocks across the width of the Butedale pluton indicates that it is actually made up of at least two distinct magmatic events that formed the West Butedale pluton (ca. 95 Ma) and the East Butedale pluton (ca. 85 Ma). The East Butedale pluton was reheated by the emplacement of a younger adjacent pluton, which may have caused partial Pb loss and resulting excess scatter of 206Pb/238U zircon ages within individual samples. The West Butedale pluton may be the same age as, and part of, the nearby Ecstall pluton, thereby doubling the length of the Ecstall pluton to ca. 200 km. Single-grain, high-precision U–Pb analysis of zircon reveals previously unknown complexity and detail of emplacement and thermal history in the Butedale plutons.
The Pikwitonei Granulite Domain, Manitoba: a giant Neoarchean high-grade terrane in the northwest Superior ProvinceThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.N. Machado, T.E. Krogh, and W. Weber are deceased.
Authors: Heaman L. M. , Böhm Ch. O. , Machado N. , Krogh T. E. , Weber W. , Corkery M. T.
Published: February 2011

The Pikwitonei Granulite Domain located at the northwestern margin of the Superior Province is one of the largest Neoarchean high-grade terranes in the world, with well-preserved granulite metamorphic assemblages preserved in a variety of lithologies, including enderbite, opdalite, charnockite, and mafic granulite. U–Pb geochronology has been attempted to unravel the protolith ages and metamorphic history of numerous lithologies at three main localities; Natawahunan Lake, Sipiwesk Lake, and Cauchon Lake. The U–Pb age results indicate that some of the layered enderbite gneisses are Mesoarchean (3.4–3.0 Ga) and the more massive enderbites are Neoarchean. The high-grade metamorphic history of the Pikwitonei Granulite Domain is complex and multistage with at least four episodes of metamorphic zircon growth identified: (1) 2716.1 ± 3.8 Ma, (2) 2694.6 ± 0.6 Ma, (3) 2679.6 ± 0.9 Ma, and (4) 2642.5 ± 0.9 Ma. Metamorphic zircon growth during episodes 2 and 3 are interpreted to be regional in extent, corresponding to M1 amphibolite- and M2 granulite-facies events, respectively, consistent with previous field observations. The youngest metamorphic episode at 2642.5 Ma is only recognized at southern Cauchon Lake, where it coincides with granite melt production and possible development of a major northeast-trending deformation zone. The timing and multistage metamorphic history recorded in the Pikwitonei Granulite Domain is similar to most Superior Province high-grade terranes and marks a fundamental break in Archean crustal evolution worldwide at the termination of prolific global Neoarchean greenstone belt formation.
High-precision U–Pb age and geochemistry of the mineralized (Ni–Cu–Co) Suwar intrusion, YemenThis article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of Geochronology in honour of Tom Krogh.
Authors: Greenough John D. , Kamo Sandra L. , Theny Lucia , Crowe Sean A. , Fipke Charles
Published: February 2011

High-precision U–Pb isotope dilution – thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID–TIMS) geochronology on chemically abraded zircon grains from a noritic gabbro of the Ni-bearing Suwar mafic–ultramafic layered complex, northwestern Yemen, gives a mean 206Pb/238U age of 638.46 ± 0.73 Ma (2σ; MSWD = 1.4). At Wadi Qutabah, ∼30 km to the north, a similar mafic sample has an identical age of 638.58 ± 0.51 Ma (2σ; MSWD = 0.32), which supports the possibility of there being a single, large intrusive complex with an estimated areal extent of ∼250 km2. This is supported by geochemical data of samples from each locality, which are postkinematic, gabbroic rocks that contain variable amounts of cumulus olivine, plagioclase, orthopyroxene, and ilmenite with intercumulus augite, hornblende, and Ni-sulphides. Straight rare Earth element (REE) patterns, Ba/La ∼30, Rb/Ba ∼0.04, and negative primitive-mantle-normalized P anomalies resemble EM1 (Enriched Mantle 1) of oceanic island basalts and Archean subcontinental mantle lithosphere. The mineralogy and magmatic/tectonic discrimination diagrams suggest within-plate continental tholeiitic and noritic cumulates typical of a rift setting for both intrusions. The complex intrudes retrograded, amphibolite-facies paragneiss of the Pan-African Afif lithotectonic terrane, and is generally undeformed and unaltered, and, therefore, unaffected by the Pan-African orogeny. Emplacement of the 639 Ma complex occurred during a tensional tectonic regime on the Arabian Peninsula and marks the time of proto-Iapetan rifting. The estimated size of the intrusion, its noritic composition, and Archean subcontinental lithospheric mantle signature and its position in thin Proterozoic lithosphere abutting Archean cratonic rocks, give it the key characteristics of known, mostly Proterozoic, intrusions that host world-class Ni–Cu–Co ore deposits.
Size at Maturity for Northwest Atlantic Redfishes (Sebastes)
Authors: Ni I-H. , Sandeman E. J.
Published: February 2011

Morphological differences in Northwest Atlantic redfishes (Sebastes) are recognized but their biology is relatively unknown, due to the confusion associated with redfish systematics in past decades. For a redfish reproductive biology study we utilized historical sex and maturity data collected between 1957 and 1969. We applied the logistic model to estimate the size at maturity from 4501 S. marinus and 43 988 beaked redfishes (S. mentella and S. fasciatus combined) covering the whole Northwest Atlantic. The sizes at maturity for female redfishes were significantly larger than that of males for both S. marinus and beaked redfishes. The size at maturity in female S. marinus was significantly larger than that of beaked redfishes whereas in males there was no significant difference between groups. A geographic cline in size at maturity was noted in beaked redfishes, with a decreasing trend for S. mentella from Baffin Bay southward to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and for S. fasciatus from the Grand Bank to the Nova Scotian Shelf.
Ambient pH and Calcium Concentration as Modifiers of Growth and Calcium Dynamics of Brook Trout,Salvelinus fontinalis
Authors: Rodgers David W.
Published: February 2011

Juvenile brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, were maintained in water of pH 5.3 or 6.5 and calcium concentrations of 5 or 40 mg/L to determine the effects of these factors on fish growth and calcium dynamics. Growth rates varied more than twofold and were significantly reduced by both low ambient calcium concentration and low pH. In contrast, calcium dynamics of the fish were significantly affected by calcium concentration but not pH. Brook trout in low-calcium water retained less labeled dietary calcium and deposited less labeled calcium in axial skeleton and visceral tissues than fish in high-calcium water. Calcium concentrations of the skin and fins were slightly but significantly reduced among fish in low-calcium water, but neither pH nor ambient calcium concentration significantly affected ash content or calcium concentration of axial skeleton and visceral tissues of experimental fish.
Density-Dependent Growth in Early Ocean Life of Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)
Authors: Peterman Randall M.
Published: February 2011

Significant decreases in adult body size and marine growth rate occur in seven British Columbia and Bristol Bay, Alaska, sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) stocks when large numbers of sockeye are present in the Gulf of Alaska. These density-dependent effects arise mainly during early ocean life and are probably due to competition for food. The total sockeye abundance in the Gulf of Alaska is at least as important as within-stock abundance in determining final adult body size. British Columbia sockeye show a 10–22% decrease in adult body weight at high abundance of conspecifics. Thus, future evaluations of management strategies cannot simply focus on individual stocks, but must take a broader perspective which includes other sockeye populations.
Stepped chutes lined with wedge-shaped concrete blocks: hydrodynamic pressures on blocks and stability analysis
Authors: Relvas António T. , Pinheiro António N.
Published: February 2011

The use of wedge-shaped concrete block overlays to protect embankments subject to flows with relatively high velocities is an idea dating from the late 1960s. Subsequent studies addressed the block stability and design, with or without drainage layer underneath, and the flow characteristics. One aspect still lacking systematic research is the block stability considering the influence of the drainage layer and of the uplift pressure beneath the blocks. The stability of blocks located in the training walls of a trapezoidal cross section has never been investigated, although this type of section is expected when installing a concrete block overlay over embankments. The present study addresses this aspect, using a relatively large facility where the blocks are laid on a drainage layer over an embankment artificially saturated, thus intending to simulate a concrete block spillway installed over a compacted homogeneous earth dam. Data collected both in a trapezoidal flume and in a rectangular flume are is analyzed, together with other authors’ data for this type of stepped overlay. The inherent hydrodynamic stability is verified. Experiments with hydraulic jump formation over the blocks at the end of the flume also showed block stability.
Lean construction implementation and its implication on sustainability: a contractor’s case study
Authors: Song Lingguang , Liang Daan
Published: February 2011

The lean construction concept has been introduced successfully into the construction industry to reduce construction wastes. While lean concepts require a rethinking of existing construction processes and practices, there is also a need for new tools to implement lean thinking. In addition, while lean can improve project time and cost performance, it may also have an impact on sustainability, which mainly focuses on reducing environmental impact of construction. This paper describes the implementation of lean construction and its implication on environmental sustainability from a contractor perspective through a case study. The study observed waste in both project-level contractor coordination and operation-level construction performance. A vertically-integrated scheduling system that features location-based look-ahead scheduling and graphic weekly work planning was developed to improve project-level contractor coordination. To implement waste elimination solutions at the operation level, construction simulation and 3-D visualization were applied to facilitate lean implementation. Meanwhile, the impact of lean on sustainability were observed and discussed.
A mutant of Asia 1 serotype of Foot-and-mouth disease virus with the deletion of an important antigenic epitope in the 3A protein
Authors: Li Shuang , Gao Mingchun , Zhang Runxiang , Song Ge , Song Jun , Liu Dandan , Cao Yongsheng , Li Tingting , Ma Bo , Liu Xiangtao , Wang Junwei
Published: February 2011

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals. The availability of a vaccine for differentiating infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA) is crucial for the control and eradication of Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV). Because traditional inactivated vaccines may contain trace nonstructural proteins interfering with the DIVA, we hypothesized that mutant FMDV with deletion of immunodominant epitopes may be valuable. Our previous study has generated a full-length cDNA clone (pBSAs) of FMDV serotype Asia 1 isolated in China. In this study, a B-cell epitope was identified in the 3A region of a nonstructural protein (NSP) by anti-FMDV cattle sera. Furthermore, we generated recombinant FMDV (rvAs-3A14D) by selectively deleting 14 amino acids (position 91–104) in the 3A region of the NSP. Following in vitro transcription and transfection in BHK-21 cells, we successfully rescued the rvAs-3A14D from BHK-21 cells. Characterization of the rvAs-3A14D revealed that the infectivity, antigenicity, and replication kinetics in BHK-21 cells and virulence in mice of the rvAs-3A14D were similar to that of its parent virus. Notably, the mutant rvAs-3A14D only replicated well in BHK-21 but did poorly in primary calf kidney cells. These data suggest that the recombinant FMDV with deletion of this epitope in the NSP may be potentially used as a candidate inactivated vaccine. Therefore, the application of the marker vaccine and differential diagnostic tests may open a promising new avenue for the development of a vaccine for DIVA.
Comparative analysis of fecal microbiota and intestinal microbial metabolic activity in captive polar bears
Authors: Schwab Clarissa , Gänzle Michael
Published: February 2011

The composition of the intestinal microbiota depends on gut physiology and diet. Ursidae possess a simple gastrointestinal system composed of a stomach, small intestine, and indistinct hindgut. This study determined the composition and stability of fecal microbiota of 3 captive polar bears by group-specific quantitative PCR and PCR–DGGE (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) using the 16S rRNA gene as target. Intestinal metabolic activity was determined by analysis of short-chain fatty acids in feces. For comparison, other Carnivora and mammals were included in this study. Total bacterial abundance was approximately log 8.5 DNA gene copies·(g feces)–1in all 3 polar bears. Fecal polar bear microbiota was dominated by the facultative anaerobes Enterobacteriaceae and enterococci, and the Clostridium cluster I. The detection of the Clostridium perfringens α-toxin gene verified the presence of C. perfringens. Composition of the fecal bacterial population was stable on a genus level; according to results obtained by PCR–DGGE, dominant bacterial species fluctuated. The total short-chain fatty acid content of Carnivora and other mammals analysed was comparable; lactate was detected in feces of all carnivora but present only in trace amounts in other mammals. In comparison, the fecal microbiota and metabolic activity of captive polar bears mostly resembled the closely related grizzly and black bears.
Curcumin as a promising anticandidal of clinical interest
Authors: Neelofar K. , Shreaz S. , Rimple B. , Muralidhar S. , Nikhat M. , Khan Luqman A.
Published: February 2011

Curcumin, an important Asian spice, is part of many Indian food preparations. This work evaluates the antifungal activity of curcumin against 14 strains of Candida (10 clinical and 4 standard). Curcumin displayed antifungal properties against all tested Candida strains, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) varying from 250 to 2000 µg·mL–1. The in vitro effect of curcumin on growth, sterol content, proteinase secretion, and H+ extrusion by plasma membrane ATPase was investigated for 2 standard strains Candida albicans ATCC 10261 and Candida glabrata ATCC 90030 and compared with the effect of fluconazole. At MIC, curcumin inhibited H+ extrusion in 2 species of Candida by 42% and 32% in the absence of glucose and by 28% and 18% in the presence of glucose. Respective inhibition of H+ extrusion caused by the MIC of fluconazole was 85% and 89% in the absence of glucose and 61% and 66% in its presence. Ergosterol content decreased by 70% and 53% for the 2 strains following exposure to curcumin at MIC; comparative values for fluconazole at MIC were 93% and 98%. Curcumin and fluconazole decreased proteinase secretion by 49% and 53%, respectively, in C. albicans and by 39% and 46%, respectively, in C. glabrata. In conclusion, curcumin is found to be active against all tested clinical and standard strains but is less effective than fluconazole. Antifungal activity of curcumin might be originating from alteration of membrane-associated properties of ATPase activity, ergosterol biosynthesis, and proteinase secretion.
An important role for secreted esterase in disease establishment of the wheat powdery mildew fungus Blumeria graminis f. sp.tritici
Authors: Feng Jie , Wang Feng , Hughes Geoff R. , Kaminskyj Susan , Wei Yangdou
Published: February 2011

The activity of esterase secreted by conidia of wheat powdery mildew fungus, Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, was assayed using indoxyl acetate hydrolysis, which generates indigo blue crystals. Mature, ungerminated, and germinating conidia secrete esterase(s) on artificial media and on plant leaf surfaces. The activity of these esterases was inhibited by diisopropyl fluorophosphate, which is selective for serine esterases. When conidia were inoculated on wheat leaves pretreated with diisopropyl fluorophosphate, both appressorial germ tube differentiation and symptom development were significantly impaired, indicating an important role of secreted serine esterases in wheat powdery mildew disease establishment.
Evaluation of a new fluorimetric DNA–DNA hybridization method
Authors: Loveland-Curtze Jennifer , Miteva Vanya I. , Brenchley Jean E.
Published: February 2011

Standardized procedures must be followed when characterizing, officially describing, and validly naming novel bacteria. For species descriptions, DNA–DNA hybridization still is needed for whole-genome comparisons between close relatives, but many established hybridization methods have drawbacks, such as requiring labeled or large amounts of DNA. We evaluated a new technique based on the spectrophotometric method in which renaturation rates are used for calculating the degree of binding, which estimates relatedness. In this new approach, DNA is denatured and reassociated in a real-time PCR thermal cycler and the process monitored fluorimetrically using SYBR Green I dye that selectively binds to double-stranded DNA. We investigated the effects of different parameters on the renaturation rates, such as the quantities of DNA and SYBR Green I used. Then using this technique, we calculated the percent binding for pairs of selected bacterial species representing different taxonomic groups and compared our results with published values. We demonstrated that the SYBR Green I method is useful for describing new species and as a screening tool to quickly identify the relatedness of uncharacterized isolates with similar 16S rRNA gene sequences.
GENEALOGY OF THE LONE PARENT
Authors: CHAN KAM WAH , CHAN FUNG YI
Published: February 2011

Lone parent families are often portrayed as welfare-dependent, and social policies and social services can be hostile to and discriminating against lone parents especially in societies dominated by traditional familism, such as Hong Kong. This resentment of lone parent families has not been present throughout Hong Kong's history, but has arisen over the past decade. This paper is based on a study that traced the changing discourses of the lone parent family in Hong Kong. Adopting the Foucauldian concept of genealogy of knowledge and inspired by Nancy Fraser and Linda Gordon's work on "genealogy of dependency", we trace the discourses of the lone parent family from the 1970s to the early 21st century. The term "lone parent" did not exist before the mid-1980s, and when it first appeared it was closely associated with vulnerability and charity. In the early 21st century, the lone parent discourse developed into a problematic discourse, with lone parents associated with welfare dependency, social security fraud, juvenile delinquency, family violence, and perceived as a threat to social stability. This paper notes that the "success" of this discourse may help to rationalize the cutting back of social security benefits for lone mothers and regulate welfare recipients.
SPLITTING QUANTUM INFORMATION WITH FIVE-ATOM ENTANGLED STATE IN CAVITY QED
Authors: YI XIAO-JIE , WANG JIAN-MIN , HUANG GUO-QIANG
Published: February 2011

A realizable scheme is proposed for implementing quantum information splitting with five-atom entangled state in cavity QED, where we explicitly illustrate the procedure and analyze the security against the eavesdropping. The scheme does not involve Bell-state measurement and is insensitive to the cavity and the thermal field.
Enteric glia promote intestinal mucosal healing via activation of focal adhesion kinase and release of proEGF
Authors: Van Landeghem Laurianne , Chevalier Julien , Mahé Maxime M. , Wedel Thilo , Urvil Petri , Derkinderen Pascal , Savidge Tor , Neunlist Michel
Published: February 2011

Wound healing of the gastrointestinal mucosa is essential for the maintenance of gut homeostasis and integrity. Enteric glial cells play a major role in regulating intestinal barrier function, but their role in mucosal barrier repair remains unknown. The impact of conditional ablation of enteric glia on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mucosal damage and on healing of diclofenac-induced mucosal ulcerations was evaluated in vivo in GFAP-HSVtk transgenic mice. A mechanically induced model of intestinal wound healing was developed to study glial-induced epithelial restitution. Glial-epithelial signaling mechanisms were analyzed by using pharmacological inhibitors, neutralizing antibodies, and genetically engineered intestinal epithelial cells. Enteric glial cells were shown to be abundant in the gut mucosa, where they associate closely with intestinal epithelial cells as a distinct cell population from myofibroblasts. Conditional ablation of enteric glia worsened mucosal damage after DSS treatment and significantly delayed mucosal wound healing following diclofenac-induced small intestinal enteropathy in transgenic mice. Enteric glial cells enhanced epithelial restitution and cell spreading in vitro. These enhanced repair processes were reproduced by use of glial-conditioned media, and soluble proEGF was identified as a secreted glial mediator leading to consecutive activation of epidermal growth factor receptor and focal adhesion kinase signaling pathways in intestinal epithelial cells. Our study shows that enteric glia represent a functionally important cellular component of the intestinal epithelial barrier microenvironment and that the disruption of this cellular network attenuates the mucosal healing process.
Interleukin-6: a growth factor stimulating collagen synthesis in human tendon
Authors: Andersen Mette Bisgaard , Pingel Jessica , Kjær Michael , Langberg Henning
Published: February 2011

Human connective tissue, e.g., tendon, responds dynamically to physical activity, with collagen synthesis being increased after both acute and prolonged exercise or training. Markers of collagen synthesis and degradation as well as concentration of several potential growth factors have been shown to increase markedly in the peritendinous tissue around the human Achilles tendon following exercise. Of these potential growth factors interleukin-6 (IL-6) showed the largest fold increase, suggesting that IL-6 may be involved in transforming mechanical loading into collagen synthesis in human tendon tissue. In the present study the tissue levels of type I collagen turnover markers [procollagen type I NH2-terminal propeptide (PINP) and C-OOH terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP)] were measured by the use of microdialysis in peritendinous tissue of the Achilles tendon in 14 male volunteers, who had recombinant human IL-6 (rhIL-6) infused into the peritendinous tissue of the Achilles' tendon in one leg, with the other leg serving as control. Subjects were randomly assigned to either a resting group or an exercise group performing a 1-h treadmill run (12 km/h, 2% uphill) before infusion. In addition to IL-6, serum concentrations of collagen turnover markers PINP, ICTP, and COOH-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTX) were measured. The peritendinous concentration of PINP rose markedly in response to rhIL-6 infusion in both the exercise and the rest group, demonstrating that infusion of IL-6 significantly stimulates collagen synthesis in the peritendinous tissue in humans. Exercise alone did not result in an increased collagen synthesis. This indicates that IL-6 is involved in the collagen synthesis and supports the hypothesis that IL-6 is an important growth factor of the connective tissue in healthy human tendons.