bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental Models for the Study of Female and Male Sexual Function
Authors: Giuliano Francois , Pfaus James , Balasubramanian Srilatha , Hedlund Petter , Hisasue Shin-ichi , Marson Lesley , Wallen Kim
Published: September 2010

Introduction

Significant progress has been made in the understanding of physiological and pharmacological mechanisms of human sexual functioning through preclinical research in animal models.

Aim

To provide an evidence-based documentation of the experimental models evaluating male and female sexual function for useful clinical translation.

Methods

Consensus discussion over the past 18 months leading to summarized views of seven experts from six countries.

Main Outcome Measure

Report was based on the critical analysis of scientific information available in literature and subcommittee presentations, discussions, and exchanges of ideas and feedback.

Results

Fundamental research in animal models has led to considerable understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying desire, arousal, genital, and other sexual responses and the design of rational pharmacological treatments for certain sexual dysfunctions in the male and female. Tissue and cellular in vitro systems have provided critical information on the in vivo interactions and modulations in the presence and absence of chemical, biological, vascular, neurologic, endocrine, and genetic inputs. The animal models seem indispensable for elucidating the biophysiological and etiopathological aspects of male and female sexual disorders.

Conclusions

Useful insights into the human experience have been derived from basic research in ways that are far more difficult to obtain in humans, both scientifically and ethically. The animal model with a good predictive value can be used as a successful preclinical tool so long as the functional end points are homologous or analogous. The key issue is whether further evaluations are warranted to extrapolate the results in a clinical setting.
EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, AND MORE PARTICULARLY OF SOIL MOISTURE UPON THE EMERGENCE OF PEAS
Authors: HULL R.
Published: September 2010

The emergence of pea seedlings is much, reduced under conditions of high soil moisture. Soil temperature is a factor of less importance. Under comparable conditions, the wrinkle‐seeded variety Gradus is more liable to fail in emergence than the round‐seeded variety Pilot.

By dressing the dry seed with an organic mercurial compound, the stand of plants can be materially improved. The maximum load of fungicide which the dry seed is able to carry gives no visible check to the growth of the above‐ground part of the plant but an appreciable stunting of the tap root of the seedling has been demonstrated.

Reduction in the stand of seedlings is chiefly due to the action of soil‐borne organisms. A species of Fusarium and a phycomycetous fungus, isolated from diseased seedlings, have been shown to be capable of causing a high mortality of pea seeds and seedlings under conditions of high soil humidity.
STUDIES ON THE PHYSIOLOGY AND PARASITISM OF BOTRYTIS CINE RE A PERS
Authors: DU PLESSIS S. J.
Published: September 2010

Summary

Culture studies were made with varieties B 1c and B 12c of Botrytis cinerea in which nitrogen was supplied in different combinations. From these studies it became evident that no definite conclusion may be drawn as to whether any of these two varieties prefer nitrogen in the ammonium or in the nitrate form.

Though the growth of these fungi was usually somewhat poorer on the media in which nitrogen was available in the nitrate form, the greatest weight of mycelium was produced per unit weight of consumed nitrogen from this source.

The amount of acid produced per unit weight of consumed nitrogen was greater on media containing ammonium or nitrates which were less favourable to growth.

The hydrogen‐ion concentration of the medium, originally standardized at pH. 6.0, and the total amount of acid of this medium was increased by both varieties of B. cinerea. The increase in hydrogen‐ion concentration was greater where nitrogen was supplied in the ammonium form than where it was supplied in the nitrate form.

Both varieties acidified all sets of media containing ammonium nitrate as a source of nitrogen, whether the initial hydrogen‐ion concentration was pH 8.6 or 2.7. The sets of media, in which nitrogen was supplied in the form of sodium nitrate, were acidified when their initial hydrogen‐ion concentration was pH. 7.4. Where this concentration was pH 2.6, it was however decreased to pH 5.2 by culture B 1c, while the total amount of acid in these sets of media was still increased. Culture B 12c not only decreased the hydrogen‐ion concentration of this medium, originally at pH 2.6, but also its total amount of acid.

Uninjured Henab Turki grapes in different stages of maturity showed an increasing susceptibility to infection by B 12c with advance of maturity. Injured berries of this variety were slightly susceptible to invasion by this fungus even when they were green.

Inoculation results of raw, sterile juice from representative samples of these grapes with culture B 12c show that a fair amount of growth occurred even on juice from the greenest grapes experimented with. The important role played by the cuticle and cell walls in the protection of grape berries against penetration and invasion respectively by B. cinerea was clearly demonstrated in this experiment.

The hydrogen‐ion concentration and the total amount of acid of grape juice of pH. 3.0 at the time of inoculation was increased by culture B 12c. Where the hydrogen‐ion concentration of the juice was originally below pH. 3.0, this concentration, as well as the total amount of acid, was decreased by this fungus.

The changes in the acid reactions of media by B. cinerea are, therefore, dependent upon (a) the variety of this fungus, (b) the initial hydrogen‐ion concentration of the substrate, and (c) the source of nitrogen supplied.
A NEW DISEASE OF TULIP CAUSED BY SPECIES OF PYTHIUM
Authors: MOORE W. C. , BUDDIN W.
Published: September 2010

During the last few years a new Pythium disease of tulips has been observed in England, Denmark and Holland, On the Continent the disease is caused by Pythium ultimum Trow, whilst in this country the trouble is due to a different species, closely related to, but not identical with, P. de Baryanum var. Pelargonii Braun. It may be contracted from the soil or carried with the bulbs. The Pythium causes a root rot accompanied by dwarfing and lack of vigour in the plants. Sometimes the bulbs and bases of the flowering shoots are attacked and partially or completely destroyed. When this occurs the symptoms closely resemble the more serious Shanking disease due to species of Phytophthora. Pythium root rot has been induced by artificial inoculation and the causal organism has been re‐isolated. Control measures are indicated.
STUDIES UPON THE COPPER FUNGICIDES: THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNGICIDAL PROPERTIES AMONG CERTAIN COPPER COMPOUNDS
Authors: MARSH R. W. , MARTIN H. , MUNSON R. G.
Published: September 2010

Field tests made in 1934, 1935 and 1936, using the control of potato blight as a criterion, showed that fungicidal powers were common to a wide range of copper compounds, namely, cuprous oxide, cupric oxide, cuprous cyanide, cuprous sulphite, cupric phosphate, cupric ammonium silicate and cupric oxychloride.

Both cuprous and cupric oxides were inferior in tenacity on potato foliage to Bordeaux mixture but the residues left on the leaves were superior in fungicidal power to Bordeaux residues of the same copper content.

In a field trial on pears, cuprous cyanide proved slightly inferior to an oil‐Bordeaux‐arsenate spray of similar copper content, when tested for the control of pear scab.

On apples, cuprous cyanide showed pronounced phytocidal properties.
STUDIES IN SOIL FUMIGATION: PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS
Authors: BYWATERS M. F. , POLLARD A. G.
Published: September 2010

Results of preliminary tests of possible methods of investigating the factors controlling the distribution of fumigant vapour in soil are described.

Sufficiently uniform and reproducible conditions of pore space in soil may be secured by packing at definite pressures and with a controlled moisture content.

A rapid approximate method for determining pore space is described.

Carbon disulphide may be satisfactorily removed from soil by aeration methods, and determined, after absorption in alcoholic potash, by the iodometric method.

Under the conditions of the experiment (injection of 2 oz. of carbon disulphide at 5 in. depth) the zone of high concentration of the vapour occurs at the level of injection and some 6–7 in. below it. Above the injection concentrations are definitely low.

Although movements of carbon disulphide by diffusion are probably dominant factors controlling its distribution in soil, the operation of a more slowly acting factor (possibly biological) effecting destruction of the vapour is indicated.
APPARATUS FOR GROWING PLANTS UNDER CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Authors: WILSON A. E.
Published: September 2010

Details are given of modifications of a Eothamsted Controlled Environment Chamber. These include an inexpensive cooling apparatus depending on the circulation of air through a car radiator through which cold or iced water is circulated by an electrically operated centrifugal pump. This apparatus enables temperatures down to 5° C. to be maintained at a room temperature of 16–18° C.

Two types of humidifier are described. That finally adopted depends upon the passage of air through a fine water mist created by an atomizing device, the temperature of the water being maintained a few degrees above that of the air in the chamber.

A method of drying air by passage over calcium chloride is described.

Details of an inexpensive, simple and accurate, lineametric hair‐operated hygrostat are given. This instrument controls humidity within 2%

Various minor modifications such as rough control of wind velocity within the chamber and a semi‐automatic watering device are described.
Pasture Improvement and the Control of Sheep Tick (Ixodes Ricinus L.)
Authors: Milne1 A.
Published: September 2010

The sheep tick is confined almost entirely to rough, poor hill and moorland pastures. Agricultural improvement of these pastures involves (among other things) reduction in the depth of the vegetation layer and partial or complete destruction of the moisture‐holding underlying ‘mat’ of decaying vegetable matter. Assessment of the tick populations on improved and on comparable control areas showed a reduction in tick population following upon pasture improvement. But a fairly considerable degree of improvement is required to bring about a satisfactory reduction. Ticks were not completely extirpated even by ploughing. It is probable that pasture improvement affects tick population mainly by reducing cover and thus the humidity.

Unfortunately, effective pasture improvement is not economic on hill and moorland grazings in general. Such improvement as is practicable could only be a supplement to other control measures.

Since the sheep flock supports almost all the female ticks on a pasture, control is most likely to follow from the development of an efficient acaricidal sheep dip.
Aphis Migration and the Efficiency of the Trapping Method
Authors: Broadbent L.
Published: September 2010

Reproducible results were obtained when adhesive traps for aphides were placed at the same height in different parts of a potato field. The total catches in different localities in different seasons can therefore justifiably be compared. During the summer dispersal flights, different species flew at different heights, so traps at one height only are not suitable for comparing the relative abundance of different species. There was less variation in numbers caught on traps at 3–4 ft. above the ground than on traps at 5–6 ft. or at ground‐level.

During the first fortnight of July an average of 200 aphides, 1.6% of which were Myzus persicae, was caught on traps in the position of potato plants. Most of these were not potato aphides, but it is suggested that some of them might act as vectors of potato viruses. The number of aphides caught was roughly proportional to the volume of free air space around the traps, and as the foliage increased in density the numbers caught on lower traps decreased in proportion.

Wind‐speed records within and above the crop are discussed and it is shown that conditions are often suitable for voluntary aphis flight in and near the crop on relatively windy days. Records of catches on the half‐traps facing the wind and on the other halves showed that voluntary flight decreased with increasing height.

Brilliant yellow traps, coated with adhesive grease, caught more aphides than white traps, which in turn caught more than black.
Photosynthesis and Predisposition of Plants to Infection with Certain Viruses
Authors: Bawden F. C. , Roberts F. M.
Published: September 2010

The effects on susceptibility to infection with certain viruses of subjecting plants to various periods of darkness or reduced illumination before and after inoculation were tested. The viruses and hosts used were a tobacco necrosis virus in French bean and tobacco; tomato aucuba mosaic virus in tobacco; and tobacco mosaic and tomato bushy stunt viruses in Nicotiana glutinosa. All the virus‐host combinations give necrotic local lesions, and susceptibility was measured by local lesion counts. Susceptibility was consistently increased by pre‐inoculation treatments of host plants, whereas post‐inoculation treatments had relatively little effect, but most often decreased susceptibility.

Short periods in the dark produced similar responses to longer periods in shade, but the different plants varied in their response to, and tolerance of, darkness. The maximum number of lesions was usually obtained with bean plants kept for only 24 hr. in the dark before inoculation, but with tobacco plants susceptibility increased with increasing time in the dark up to 5 days.

It is suggested that the successful establishment of infection occurs in two stages, the first of which is affected by. the accumulation of photosynthetic products. Whether these products confer resistance by increasing cell turgor or by reacting specifically with virus particles is unknown, but sap from plants in the light possesses no greater virus‐inhibiting power than sap from plants kept in the dark.
A Study of the Longevity of the Seed‐Borne Parasites of Flax in Relation to the Storage of the Seed
Authors: Colhoun J. , Muskett A. E.
Published: September 2010

From 1939 to 1947 observations were made on the longevity of Colletotrichumlinicola Pethybr. & Laff., Polyspora Lini Laff., Botrytis cinerea Ft., and Phoma sp. occurring to different extents as seed‐borne parasites of naturally contaminated samples of flax seed held under ordinary conditions of storage. The results obtained, together with the germination capacity of the seed estimated on different occasions during storage, are given and show that the longevity of the fungi considered varies within the following limits: Colletotrichum linicola, 26–69 months, Polyspora Lini, 16–55 months, Botrytis cinerea, 16–40 months and Phoma sp. 27–43 months. The data provide grounds for suggesting that the higher the percentage number of seeds contaminated with Polyspora Lini the longer will be the time taken for the death of the parasite to occur. As the time taken for the deactivation of the parasites is normally much longer than that for which flax seed for sowing purposes can be safely stored, prolonged storage of the seed does not commend itself as a likely method for securing the control of the diseases caused by seed‐borne fungi. The germination capacity of the seed was normally found to be seriously impaired by the time all the parasites had died.
Variations in Belowground Carbon Storage and Soil CO2 Flux Rates along a Wet Tropical Climate Gradient1
Authors: McGroddy Megan , Silver Whendee L.
Published: September 2010

We used a humid tropical elevation gradient to examine the relationships among climate, edaphic conditions, below‐ground carbon storage, and soil respiration rates. We also compared open and closed canopy sites to increase the range of microclimate conditions sampled along the gradient, and determine the effects of canopy openings on C and P storage, and C dynamics. Total soil C, the light C fraction, and all of the component fractions of the P pool were significantly related to soil moisture, and all but total soil C were also significantly related to temperature. Both labile and recalcitrant soil P fractions were negatively correlated with the light C fraction, while the dilute HCl‐extractable P pool, generally thought of as intermediate in availability, was positively correlated with light C, suggesting that P may play an important role in C cycling within these systems. Total fine root biomass was greatest at 1000 m elevation and lowest at 150 m, and was strongly and positively correlated with soil moisture content. Soil respiration rates were significantly and negatively correlated with fine root biomass and the light C fraction. In forested sites, soil respiration rates were strongly and negatively correlated with total belowground C pools (soils + roots + forest floor). Below‐ground C pools did not follow the expected increasing trend with decreases in temperature along the gradient. Our results indicated that in humid tropical forests, the relationships among soil C and nutrient pools, soil respiration rates, and climate are complex. We suggest that frequent and prolonged anaerobic events could be important features of these environments that may explain the observed trends.
Use of Coarse Woody Debris by the Plant Community of a Hawaiian Montane Cloud Forest1
Authors: Santiago Louis S.
Published: September 2010

Many species of woody plants in Hawaiian montane forests germinate on nurse logs or epiphytically, often developing aerial roots. This study investigated the role of fallen logs, wood fragments, and other forms of coarse woody debris (CWD; 35 cm diam.) in providing habitat for woody species in a forest with waterlogged soils. Oxidation‐reduction potentials (Eh) of root mats and nurse logs (−70.1 to 278.6 mV) were higher than the underlying soil horizons (−203.6 to −128.1 mV). CWD volume varied between 135.9 and 427.9 m3/ha. Live basal area varied between 18.4 and 29.7 m2/ha and increased with total CWD volume. Seedling and sapling abundances on nurse logs were correlated with moss coverage and decomposition class. Moss coverage was the only significant predictor of seedling density on nurse logs, whereas moss coverage and log volume were important for predicting sapling density. The proportion of woody plants established on logs was higher than in a younger Hawaiian montane forest site with well‐drained soils.
Seedling Mortality by Litterfall in Amazonian Forest Fragments1
Authors: Scariot Aldicìr
Published: September 2010

Physical damage caused by litterfall is a source of seedling mortality that can be influenced by environmental disturbances, such as the isolation of forest fragments due to habitat destruction. The impact of physical damage in seedling mortality was evaluated in forest fragments and continuous forests in central Amazonia using artificial seedlings. A total of 11 reserves distributed among three sites were studied: three 1–ha, three 10–ha, two 100–ha, and three continuous forest reserves. In each reserve, ten transects each comprised of ten artificial seedlings were monitored for one year at four–week intervals. Survival curves were compared using failure time analysis, and the effect of reserve size on artificial seedling mortality after one year was analyzed with a categorical model. In the analysis of survival curves, artificial seedling survival was significantly greater in the continuous forest than in the 10–ha reserve at one site only, a result that may have occurred by chance. After one year, artificial seedlings suffered similar mortality due to litterfall among the reserves sampled. Physical damage by litterfall varied from 28 to 35 percent annually in the 1–and 10–ha forest fragments compared to 20 to 24 percent in the continuous forest. Mortality of artificial seedlings in the continuous forest was similar to other tropical sites in which the same method has been used, and may indicate that litterfall plays an important role in seedling mortality in the terra firme tropical forests of central Amazonia.
Reproductive Phenology of a Tropical Canopy Tree, Spondias mombin1
Authors: Adler Gregory H. , Kielpinski Kathleen A.
Published: September 2010

We studied the reproductive phenology of isolated populations ofSpondias mombinto determine the degree of flowering and fruiting synchrony among populations and to examine spatial and temporal variability in fruit production. The study was conducted on six small islands (1.8–3.5 ha) in the Panama Canal. All individuals (10 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) were marked in 1991 and censused each year through 1994 to record recruits and deaths. All marked trees were censused monthly for flowering and fruiting activity from April 1992 through December 1995.Spondias mombinwas seasonal and highly synchronous in flower and fruit production among islands and across years. Proportions of individuals fruiting varied among islands, years, and tree size classes. There was a positive relationship between probability of fruit production and tree size. Synchronous reproductive activity inS. mombinprobably was due to responses to proximate environmental cues such as fluctuations in irradiance, but other factors must have been responsible for temporal and spatial variation in reproductive performance. We suggest that this variation may have been due partly to temporal and spatial differences in pollinator abundance.
Entomophagy, Behavior, and Elongated Thoracic Legs in the Myrmecophilous Neotropical Butterfly Alesa amesis (Riodinidae)1
Authors: DeVries P. J. , Penz C. M.
Published: September 2010

Entomophagy in the riodinid butterfly tribe Eurybiini is demonstrated for the first time. Alesa amesis caterpillars and adults possess behavioral and morphological traits for feeding on Homoptera nymphs, and oviposition by A. amesis females is mediated by the combined presence of Camponotus femoratus ants and homopteran nymphs. Caterpillars are entirely entomophagous, and do not eat plant tissues. Alesa amesis caterpillars have distinct behaviors for feeding on their prey, and for soliciting and drinking honeydew secretions from homopteran nymphs. The leg lengths of entomophagous Alesa caterpillars are shown to be longer than phytophagous relatives. The legs of Alesa are used for prey handling and soliciting honeydew secretions. We suggest that elongation of the thoracic legs has been a general consequence of entomophagy in butterfly caterpillars. This study clarifies our understanding of A. amesis and its interactions with multiple species, and points to behavioral and morphological traits important to interpreting the evolution of entomophagy among caterpillars. Our observations establish the likelihood that other members of Eurybiini may be entomophagous, and suggest that entomophagy may have evolved independently among the Nymphi–diini and Eurybiini.
The Effect of Hurricane Iris on the Food Supply of Black Howlers (Alouatta pigra) in Southern Belize1
Authors: Pavelka Mary S. M. , Behie Alison M.
Published: September 2010

Hurricanes frequently affect the forests of South and Central America; however, few studies have quantified their effects to forest structure, especially when concentrating on the food supply of an animal population. Hurricane Iris made landfall in Southern Belize on 8 October 2001, severely damaging a 52 hectare site where the behavioral ecology of a population of Central American Black Howlers (Alouatta pigra) had been under study for 2.5 yr. The hurricane resulted in a mortality rate of 35 percent for major food trees, which was primarily attributed to uprooting, snapping, and major delimbing. This damage accounted for 97 percent of the food tree loss between the two sample periods. Tree species differences were found in both the percentage loss and category of damage to food trees. Trees of different heights also experienced different percentage loss and levels of damage; subcanopy and emergent trees experienced higher loss than canopy trees, and subcanopy trees were frequently uprooted. This was partially attributed to a lack of buttressing on these subcanopy trees. Buttressing was found to decrease the frequency of uprooting. Tree size was the only factor that did not influence either damage or death. Trees from which fruit were eaten by black howlers died more than twice as often as did trees eaten for leaves.
Stilt Root Structure in the Neotropical Palms Iriartea deltoidea and Socratea exorrhiza1
Authors: Avalos Gerardo , Salazar Diego , Araya Ana L.
Published: September 2010

Many arborescent palms develop a stilt root cone that provides increased mechanical support on steep hillsides, better root aeration under waterlogged conditions, resprouting after mechanical damage, and rapid stem elongation. However, for most species the role of stilt roots is not well understood. We determined how palm size and slope inclination affected the structure of stilt roots in the neotropical palms Iriartea deltoidea and Socratea exorrhiza. We expected palm height to be lower on steep slopes because the effectiveness of root support could decrease as slope inclination increases, and thus, the structure of the root cone would vary mostly with slope. Alternatively, if stilt root development is determined by palm size, their production should match stem height, with taller palms having larger cones. We measured the stilt root cone of 31 Iriartea and 36 Socratea palms in San Ramón Biological Reserve and Golfito Wildlife Refuge, Costa Rica. We divided the cone into five variables (horizontal projections of the cone base and stilt root height up and down the slope, and width of the cone base), from which we extracted the first two principal components and used them to measure the effects of slope and palm size on stilt root structure. We found stilt roots to be determined by palm size, not by slope conditions. Stilt roots matched palm size, with larger palms having taller and larger cones, maintaining stability under diverse slope conditions.
Impact of Commercial Hunting on Monkey Populations in the Taï region, Côte d'Ivoire1
Authors: Refisch Johannes , Koné Inza
Published: September 2010

We studied the impact of hunting on monkey species in the Taï National Park and adjacent forests in Côte d'Ivoire. The average wild meat consumption per capita per year was assessed from market surveys and interviews. We determined that the amount of primate wild meat being extracted in the Taï National Park and surrounding forests was 249 t in 1999. Hunting pressure was the highest on the larger primate species such as red colobus, Procolobus badius, black and white colobus, Colobus polykomos, and the sooty mangabey, Cercocebus torquatus atys. Estimates of population densities were based on line transect surveys. The maximum annual production of each species was calculated using the Robinson and Redford model (1991) and assuming unhunted conditions. Comparing current harvest levels with the maximum sustainable yield suggests that harvest of red colobus monkeys (Procolobus badius) is sustainable, whereas current off‐take of the black and white colobus (Colobus polykomos), the sooty mangabey (Cercocebus atys), diana monkeys (Cercopithecus diana), and Campbell's monkeys (Cercopithecus campbelli) exceeds sustainability by up to three times.
Crop Size and Fruit Neighborhood Effects on Bird Visitation to Fruiting Schefflera morototoni Trees in Puerto Rico1
Authors: Saracco James F. , Collazo Jaime A. , Groom Martha J. , Carlo Tomás A.
Published: September 2010

Studies of zoochorous seed dispersal systems often consider crop size, yet seldom consider the kinds and amounts of fruits surrounding parent plants (the fruit neighborhood) when attempting to explain among‐plant variation in fruit removal. We studied avian frugivory at 24 Schefflera morototoni trees from February to May 1998 in central Puerto Rico. The number of fruits removed by avian seed dispersers per visit was similar among focal trees (typically 2–4). In contrast, visitation rate was highly variable (range: 0–71 visits per 4 h). We used multiple regression analyses to evaluate the relative roles of crop size (focal tree ripe fruit abundance) and fruit neighborhood variables (measured within 30 m of focal trees) in affecting visitation to focal trees by avian frugivores. Visitation rate was positively related to crop size (although this variable was only significant in one of four regression models considered) and negatively related to the presence or abundance of conspecific fruits, suggesting that trees competed intraspecifically for dispersers. Relationships between visitation and heterospecific fruits were mixed—some kinds of fruits appeared to enhance visitation to focal trees, while others seemed to reduce visitation. In most regression models, neighborhood variables had larger effects on visitation than focal tree fruit crop size. Our results highlight the important effects of local fruiting environments on the ability of individual plants to attract seed dispersers.
Clearing Width and Movements of Understory Rainforest Birds1
Authors: Laurance Susan G. W. , Gomez Marcela S.
Published: September 2010

We assessed the capacity of three species of disturbance‐sensitive understory birds to traverse a highway (50–75 m width) and large farm clearing (250 m width), by radio‐tracking translocated individuals in central Amazonia, Brazil. Most individuals translocated across the highway (eight of nine birds) or moved within continuous forest (five of seven birds) returned to their home ranges, whereas none of five birds moved across the large clearing returned. Our results suggest that large clearings (>250 m width) can significantly reduce the movements of some understory rainforest birds.
Bayesian Screening for Active Compounds in High‐dimensional Chemical Spaces Combining Property Descriptors and Molecular Fingerprints
Authors: Vogt Martin , Bajorath Jürgen
Published: September 2010

Bayesian classifiers are increasingly being used to distinguish active from inactive compounds and search large databases for novel active molecules. We introduce an approach to directly combine the contributions of property descriptors and molecular fingerprints in the search for active compounds that is based on a Bayesian framework. Conventionally, property descriptors and fingerprints are used as alternative features for virtual screening methods. Following the approach introduced here, probability distributions of descriptor values and fingerprint bit settings are calculated for active and database molecules and the divergence between the resulting combined distributions is determined as a measure of biological activity. In test calculations on a large number of compound activity classes, this methodology was found to consistently perform better than similarity searching using fingerprints and multiple reference compounds or Bayesian screening calculations using probability distributions calculated only from property descriptors. These findings demonstrate that there is considerable synergy between different types of property descriptors and fingerprints in recognizing diverse structure‐activity relationships, at least in the context of Bayesian modeling.
Catalytic Diamination of Alkenes using N,N‐Dibromo‐p‐toluenesulfonamide as Electrophile and Nitriles as Nucleophiles
Authors: Han Jianlin , Li Tengfei , Pan Yi , Kattuboina Adiseshu , Li Guigen
Published: September 2010

An efficient diamination reaction of alkenes has been developed for the synthesis of bromoalkyl‐branched imidazolines by using CuI–PPh3 as the catalyst and N,N‐dibromo‐p‐toluenesulfonamide as the nitrogen/halogen sources. A good scope of alkene substrates, including α,β‐unsaturated ketones, α,β‐unsaturated esters and simple olefins, was achieved for this reaction. Meanwhile, various nitriles were utilized as nucleophilic nitrogen sources. Modest to good yields and excellent regio‐ and stereoselectivity have been obtained. The stereochemistry was unambiguously confirmed by X‐ray structural analysis. A new mild condition was found for the opening of resulting imidazolines by using SnCl4 as the promoter.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Novel [1,2,4]triazolo [1,5‐b][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine‐benzothiazole Conjugates as Potential Anticancer Agents
Authors: Kamal Ahmed , Khan M. Naseer A. , Reddy K. Srinivasa , Srikanth Y. V. V. , Sridhar B.
Published: September 2010

Two series of 10‐substituted 5,5‐dioxo‐5,10‐dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐b][1,2,4]benzothiadiazine 2‐methyl/ethyl sulfanyl benzothiazole derivatives (5a–d) and 10‐substituted 5,5‐dioxo‐5,10‐dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐b][1,2,4] benzothiadiazine 2‐phenoxy benzothiazole derivatives (16a–c) were synthesized and their structures confirmed by NMR, MS, IR and X‐ray crystallography. These compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against 60 human tumour cell lines. One of the synthesized compounds (5b) exhibited significant inhibitory activity against most of the cell lines and has been further evaluated for the five‐dose screening.
Survival, food consumption and growth of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) kept in laboratory conditions
Authors: MENTE Elena
Published: September 2010

Successful commercial aquaculture of crustacean species is dependent on satisfying their nutritional requirements and on producing rapidly growing and healthy animals. The results of the present study provide valuable information for feeding habits and growth ofNephrops norvegicusL., 1758) under laboratory conditions. The aim of the present study was to examine food consumption, growth and physiology of the Norway lobsterN. norvegicusunder laboratory conditions.N. norvegicus(15 g wet weight) were distributed into 1001 tanks consisting of five numbered compartments each. They were fed the experimental diets (frozen mussels and pellets) for a period of 6 months. A group of starvedNephropswas stocked and fasted for 8 months. AlthoughNephropsgrew well when fed the frozen mussels diet, feeding on a dry pellet feed was unsatisfactory. The starvation group, despite the fact that showed the highest mortality (50%), exhibited a remarkable tolerance to the lack of food supply. The study offers further insight by correlating the amino acid profiles ofNephropstail muscle with the two diets. The deviations from the mussel's diet for asparagine, alanine and glutamic acid suggest a deficiency of these amino acids in this diet. The results of the present study showed that the concentrations of free amino acids are lower in relative amount than those of protein‐bound amino acids, except for arginine, proline and glycine. The present study contributes to the improvement of our knowledge on nutritional requirements of the above species.
Ontogeny of Drosophila melanogaster female sex‐appeal and cuticular hydrocarbons
Authors: ARIENTI Marisa , ANTONY Claude , WICKER‐THOMAS Claude , DELBECQUE Jean‐Paul , JALLON Jean‐Marc
Published: September 2010

The chemical communication system in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen, 1830 plays a major role in courtship and consists of the male‐specific cis‐Vaccenyl acetate and sex‐specific contact pheromones, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC), which build up during ontogeny (first 4 days). They replace longer CHCs, common to both sexes and present only after the imaginal eclosion. A detailed quantitative description of the evolution of cuticular unsaturated hydrocarbons with age is presented here for males and females of different D. melanogaster strains, which have been bred in well controlled environments. Monoenes appear in both sexes at around 12 h, before female dienes. The present paper argues that this is likely linked to the switching on of a new set of genes. Ecdysone, which is more abundant in females than in males during this critical period, might control this switch. Parallel behavioral studies show that whereas female of all ages trigger early mature male courtship steps like wing vibration, only females older than 1 day trigger late courtship steps like attempted copulation. This supports the hypothesis that late male courtship steps might be triggered by the CHCs, which build up after this age, especially female‐specific (Z,Z)–7,11 – and (Z,Z)–5,9‐dienes
The Church of the Creator Part II: Later Developments and the Sacralization of Race in Multicultural America
Authors: Michael George
Published: September 2010

After the death of Ben Klassen in 1993, the Church of the Creator languished for a few years, but in 1995, an enterprising young law student, Matthew Hale, revived the church and became the movement’s recognized leader. He rechristened the organization as the “World Church of the Creator” and in the months that followed, numerous Creativity branches united under Hale’s leadership. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, the World Church of the Creator was at the center of several free speech controversies that strained communities and divided legal scholars. The Creativity movement has always been a relatively modest operation, yet, it has had a significant influence on the broader racialist movement of which it is only a small part. Although, the church is currently in retreat, it is likely that its ideology will continue to inspire extremist activists in the future.
Sheikh Yūsuf al‐Qaradawi: A Moderate Voice from the Muslim World?
Authors: Soage Ana Belén
Published: September 2010

Dr Yusuf al‐Qaradawi is one of the most prominent and respected religious scholars in the Muslim world, particularly amongst so‐called moderate Islamists. In this article, we start by providing a summary of his biography, including the influence of the Muslim Brothers Society on his political and intellectual development. We will then explore his key ideas, notably the adoption of the term wasatiyya or ‘middle way’ to describe his position vis‐à‐vis the main questions facing both Muslims and Islam. Finally, we will take a look at his attitude towards those who not share his vision, which exemplifies the less appealing aspects of his thought.
Conceptualizing Emerging Adulthood: Inspecting the Emperor’s New Clothes?
Authors: Hendry Leo B. , Kloep Marion
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT—Jeffrey Arnett’s concept of emerging adulthood is critically examined by reviewing and evaluating elements of its theoretical framework and by referring to relevant empirical studies, which support the major arguments presented. Several limitations to Arnett’s model are found and an alternative perspective is offered that might complement his stage theory and provide a stronger theoretical baseline for future research.
Family Obligation, College Enrollment, and Emerging Adulthood in Asian and Latin American Families
Authors: Fuligni Andrew J.
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT—
The appearance of emerging adulthood as a stage of life is occurring alongside record increases in immigration. This article discusses the nature of emerging adulthood among U.S. youth from Asian and Latin American backgrounds, the 2 fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States. It describes the results of a long‐term, longitudinal study that extended from high school into the youths’ early 20s. Findings suggest that cultural traditions of family assistance, support, and respect make emerging adulthood particularly distinct for those of Asian and Latin American backgrounds. However, the ability of some members of these groups to pursue and receive 4‐year college degrees may change the nature of family obligation and emerging adulthood for them in the future.
Best Interests and the Fulfillment of Noble Aspirations: A Call for Humbition
Authors: Warshak Richard A.
Published: September 2010

ABSTRACT—
Proponents of the approximation rule believe that it provides a straightforward proxy for children’s best interests. Defenders of the rule have not dealt with the criticisms that the rule provides incentives to increase rather than reduce parental conflict, that its assumptions are inconsistent with the child development literature, and that its exceptions swallow the rule. Though courts are not infallible, children’s best interests are more likely to be discerned through a multifactored inquiry than by restricting courts to judging the merits of parents’ competing claims about past caregiving time. Furthermore, because of its exceptions, the approximation rule is unlikely to narrow the scope of custody trials.
Brain Natriuretic Peptide and N‐Terminal Pro‐B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide Show a Different Profile in Response to Acute Decompensated Heart Failure Treatment
Authors: Di Somma Salvatore , Magrini Laura , Tabacco Fabio , Marino Rossella , Talucci Veronica , Marrocco Francesca , Cardelli Patrizia , Ferri Enrico , Pittoni Valerio
Published: September 2010

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) are currently used for the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic decision making in heart failure patients. The aim of the study was to compare BNP and NT‐proBNP plasma concentration profiles in 42 patients with decompensated heart failure who underwent treatment in the emergency department. A significant decrease in both peptide concentrations fell beyond 24 hours of therapy. BNP concentration underwent a more responsive change from admission (−54.1%±8.6% at 72 hours and −57.4%±7.6% at discharge) than NT‐proBNP concentration (−17.6%±5.4% at 72 hours and −18.6%±5.6% at discharge). Although BNP and NT‐proBNP concentrations were highly correlated, no correlation in their variations was found, a finding that suggests a different kinetic behavior in response to treatment. Sequential measurements of BNP and NT‐proBNP provide a reliable marker to confirm clinical improvement after 24 hours of treatment. BNP may show some advantages over NT‐proBNP as a more sensitive marker of early stabilization in response to therapy.
Serum Uric Acid Levels Correlate With Left Atrial Function and Systolic Right Ventricular Function in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Heart Failure: The Hellenic Heart Failure Study
Authors: Chrysohoou Christina , Pitsavos Christos , Barbetseas John , Brili Stella , Kotroyiannis Iason , Papademetriou Labros , Metallinos George , Skoumas John , Tentolouris Costas , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: September 2010

The authors sought to investigate whether serum uric acid levels are associated with systolic left and right ventricular function, as well as left atrial function in patients with newly diagnosed heart failure. The authors enrolled 106 consecutive patients (mean age 65±13 years). Echocardiographic and biochemical assessment was performed during the third day of hospitalization. Pulsed tissue Doppler imaging of the systolic function of mitral and tricuspid annulus was characterized by the systolic waves (Smv and Stv, respectively), expressed in cm/s, and the left atrial function by the Amv wave. Left atrial kinetics was calculated using an equation. Serum uric acid levels were inversely correlated with Stv (P=.005) and left atrial kinetics (P=.05), after controlling for potential confounders. Uric acid levels appear to be correlated with more impaired right ventricular systolic function and decreased left atrial work in patients with heart failure.
Clinical Predictors of In‐Hospital Mortality in Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure—Piecing Together the Outcome Puzzle
Authors: Adams Kirkwood F. , Uddin Nabil , Patterson J. Herbert
Published: September 2010

The substantial public health impact of hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure, from an economic and clinical perspective, has generated substantial interest in understanding predictors of risk in this syndrome. Utilization of classification and regression tree (CART) analysis on the Acute Decompensated Heart Failure National Registry (ADHERE) dataset has provided important risk stratification from readily available clinical variables. Increasingly, high‐risk patients were identified by combination of blood urea nitrotgen level of 43 mg/dL, serum creatinine level of 2.75 mg/dL, and systolic blood pressure less than 115 mm Hg, which were all independent predictors of high risk for in‐hospital mortality. On the basis of these 3 variables, acutely decompensated heart failure patients can be readily stratified into groups at low, intermediate, and high risk for in‐hospital mortality, with mortality risks ranging from 2.1% to 21.9%. Although risk stratification alone cannot improve outcomes, identification of patients at high and low risk may improve resource utilization and better focus the intensity of care according to outcome.
Accurate and Precise Elemental Abundance of Zinc in Reference Materials by an Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry TIMS Technique
Authors: Ghidan Osama Y. , Loss Robert D.
Published: September 2010

A thermal ionisation mass spectrometric technique enabled the abundance of Zn in geological and biological reference materials and water samples to be measured by double spiking isotope dilution mass spectrometry enriched in the 67Zn and 70Zn isotopes. In the past, thermal ionisation mass spectrometry proved to be difficult for low‐level zinc isotopic measurements. The size of Zn samples used for isotopic determination, in particular the biological RMs, represents an important breakthrough. These results represent the most accurate and precise concentrations measured for Zn in these samples. The maximum fractional uncertainty was that for TILL‐3 (2%), while the minimum fractional uncertainty was 0.7% for both BCR‐1 and W‐2. The inhomogeneity of Zn in HISS‐1 was revealed while other reference materials appeared homogeneous at the 95% confidence uncertainty. The certified concentration of Zn in HISS‐1 and IMEP‐19 by their producers are 28% and 3.8% higher than the values measured in this work. These are the first Zn concentration measurements in these materials by the isotope dilution‐TIMS technique, except for BCR‐1, NIES No 9 and IMEP‐19. Reducing the blank enabled accurate measurement in water at the ng g‐1 level demonstrating the applicability of the technique for low‐level Zn samples.
Penglai Zircon Megacrysts: A Potential New Working Reference Material for Microbeam Determination of Hf–O Isotopes and U–Pb Age
Authors: Li Xian‐Hua , Long Weng‐Guo , Li Qiu‐Li , Liu Yu , Zheng Yong‐Fei , Yang Yue‐Heng , Chamberlain Kevin R. , Wan De‐Fang , Guo Cun‐Hua , Wang Xuan‐Ce , Tao Hua
Published: September 2010

We introduce a potential new working reference material – natural zircon megacrysts from an Early Pliocene alkaline basalt (from Penglai, northern Hainan Island, southern China) – for the microbeam determination of O and Hf isotopes, and U–Pb age dating. The Penglai zircon megacrysts were found to be fairly homogeneous in Hf and O isotopes based on large numbers of measurements by LA‐multiple collector (MC)‐ICP‐MS and SIMS, respectively. Precise determinations of O isotopes by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) and Hf isotopes by solution MC‐ICP‐MS were in good agreement with the statistical mean of microbeam measurements. The mean δ18O value of 5.31 ± 0.10‰ (2s) by IRMS and the mean 176Hf/177Hf value of 0.282906 ± 0.0000010 (2s) by solution MC‐ICP‐MS are the best reference values for the Penglai zircons. SIMS and isotope dilution‐TIMS measurements yielded consistent 206Pb/238U ages within analytical uncertainties, and the preferred 206Pb/238U age was found to be 4.4 ± 0.1 Ma (95% confidence interval). The young age and variably high common Pb content make the Penglai zircons unsuitable as a primary U–Pb age reference material for calibration of unknown samples by microbeam analysis; however, they can be used as a secondary working reference material for quality control of U–Pb age determination for young (particularly < 10 Ma) zircon samples.