bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sources of sensitization, cross‐reactions, and occupational sensitization to topical anaesthetics among general dermatology patients
Authors: Jussi Liippo , Kaija Lammintausta
Published: February 2009

Background: Contact sensitization to local anaesthetics is often from topical medicaments. Occupational sensitization to topical anaesthetics may occur in certain occupations.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyse the occurrence of contact sensitization to topical anaesthetics in general dermatology patients.

Patients and Methods: Patch testing with topical anaesthetics was carried out in 620 patients. Possible sources of sensitization and the clinical histories of the patients are analysed.

Results: Positive patch test reactions to one or more topical anaesthetics were seen in 25/620 patients. Dibucaine reactions were most common (20/25), and lidocaine sensitization was seen in two patients. Six patients had reactions to ester‐type and/or amide‐type anaesthetics concurrently. Local preparations for perianal conditions were the most common sensitizers. One patient had developed occupational sensitization to procaine with multiple cross‐reactions and with concurrent penicillin sensitization from procaine penicillin.

Conclusions: Dibucaine‐containing perianal medicaments are the major source of contact sensitization to topical anaesthetics. Although sensitization to multiple anaesthetics can be seen, cross‐reactions are possible. Contact sensitization to lidocaine is not common, and possible cross‐reactions should be determined when reactions to lidocaine are seen. Occupational procaine sensitization from veterinary medicaments is a risk among animal workers.
The hardening phenomenon in irritant contact dermatitis: an interpretative update
Authors: Watkins Shannon A. , Maibach Howard I.
Published: February 2009

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is common and poses a significant problem in high‐risk populations. In most cases, ICD resolves despite continued exposure in a process known as ‘hardening’, allowing individuals to continue with their work. Those who cannot clear ICD develop chronic ICD, which is a significant source of emotional, physical, and financial distress for affected individuals. While hardening is well known among labourers and clinicians, its mechanism remains to be elucidated. Much can be learned from the study of self‐healing processes like the hardening phenomenon. This overview briefly documents the pathogenesis of ICD, focuses on the latest advances pertaining to the hardening phenomenon in ICD, and then highlights potential avenues of productive research. A better understanding of the ‘hardening’ process in the skin will hopefully lead to advances for the treatment of ICD.
Satellite image texture and a vegetation index predict avian biodiversity in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico
Authors: St‐Louis Véronique , Pidgeon Anna M. , Clayton Murray K. , Locke Brian A. , Bash Dallas , Radeloff Volker C.
Published: February 2009

Predicting broad‐scale patterns of biodiversity is challenging, particularly in ecosystems where traditional methods of quantifying habitat structure fail to capture subtle but potentially important variation within habitat types. With the unprecedented rate at which global biodiversity is declining, there is a strong need for improvement in methods for discerning broad‐scale differences in habitat quality. Here, we test the importance of habitat structure (i.e. fine‐scale spatial variability in plant growth forms) and plant productivity (i.e. amount of green biomass) for predicting avian biodiversity. We used image texture (i.e. a surrogate for habitat structure) and vegetation indices (i.e., surrogates for plant productivity) derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data for predicting bird species richness patterns in the northern Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico. Bird species richness was summarized for forty‐two 108 ha plots in the McGregor Range of Fort Bliss Military Reserve between 1996 and 1998. Six Landsat TM bands and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) were used to calculate first‐order and second‐order image textures measures. The relationship between bird species richness versus image texture and productivity (mean NDVI) was assessed using Bayesian model averaging. The predictive ability of the models was evaluated using leave‐one‐out cross‐validation. Texture of NDVI predicted bird species richness better than texture of individual Landsat TM bands and accounted for up to 82.3% of the variability in species richness. Combining habitat structure and productivity measures accounted for up to 87.4% of the variability in bird species richness. Our results highlight that texture measures from Landsat TM imagery were useful for predicting patterns of bird species richness in semi‐arid ecosystems and that image texture is a promising tool when assessing broad‐scale patterns of biodiversity using remotely sensed data.
Plio‐Pleistocene climate change and geographic heterogeneity in plant diversity–environment relationships
Authors: Svenning Jens‐Christian , Normand Signe , Skov Flemming
Published: February 2009

Plio‐Pleistocene climate change may have induced geographic heterogeneity in plant species richness–environment relationships in Europe due to greater in situ species survival and speciation rates in southern Europe. We formulate distinct hypotheses on how Plio‐Pleistocene climate change may have affected richness–topographic heterogeneity and richness–water‐energy availability relationships, causing steeper relationships in southern Europe. We investigated these hypotheses using data from Atlas Florae Europaeae on the distribution of 3069 species and geographically weighted regression (GWR). Our analyses showed that plant species richness generally increased with topographic heterogeneity (ln‐transformed altitudinal range) and actual evapotranspiration (AET). We also found evidence for strong geographic heterogeneity in the species richness–environment relationship, with a greater increase in species richness with increasing topographic heterogeneity in southern Europe (mean standardized local slope 0.610±0.245 SD in southern Europe, but only 0.270±0.175 SD in northern Europe). However, the local AET slopes were, at most, weakly different between the two regions, and their pattern did not conform to predictions, as there was a band of high local slopes across southern‐central northern Europe. This band broadly matches the transition between the temperate and boreal zones and may simply reflect the fact that few species tolerate the boreal climate. We discuss the potential explanations for the contrasting findings for the two richness–environment relationships. In conclusion, we find support for the idea that Plio‐Pleistocene climate change may sometimes affect current species richness–environment relationships via its effects on regional species pools. However, further studies integrating information on species ages and clade differentiation rates will be needed to substantiate this interpretation. On a general level, our results indicate that although strong richness–environment relationships are often found in macroecological studies, these can be contingent upon the historical constraints on the species pool.
Lethal pneumonia in a captive juvenile chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) due to human‐transmitted human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Szentiks Claudia A. , Köndgen Sophie , Silinski Sandra , Speck Stephanie , Leendertz Fabian H.
Published: February 2009

Background  During an outbreak of respiratory disease in captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), gorillas (Gorilla gorilla), Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus), and red‐capped mangabeys (Cercocebus torquatus) also staff members showed non‐specific upper respiratory signs. One infant female chimpanzee with severe respiratory symptoms died despite immediate medical treatment and was submitted for necropsy.

Methods  Routine post mortem, histological and bacteriological examinations were conducted. Additionally lung tissue samples form the chimpanzee and swab samples from the staff members and the other primates were examined by PCR.

Results  A severe catarrhal to purulent bronchopneumonia and an interstitial pneumonia were found and human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) as well as Streptococcus pneumoniae was detected in lung samples by PCR. Swab samples from one animal keeper revealed the same HRSV sequence as of the chimpanzee.

Conclusions  Therefore, it is suggested that the outbreak of respiratory disease within a zoological institution was due to transmission of HRSV between both human and primates.
The effect of the novel partial alpha2‐adrenoceptor agonist naphthylmedetomidine on the basic cardiorespiratory parameters and behavior in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Votava Martin , Hess Ladislav , Schreiberová Jitka , Málek Jiří
Published: February 2009

Background  The aim of this study was to compare cardiorespiratory and behavioral profile of a new alpha 2‐adrenoceptor ligand naphthylmedetomidine with medetomidine in rhesus monkeys.

Methods  Naphthylmedetomidine or medetomidine (50 μg/kg) together with ketamine (3 mg/kg) and hyaluronidase (150 IU/kg) i.m was administered to 35 rhesus monkeys. Behavioral changes were then observed together with blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation of hemoglobin.

Results  The onset of sedation, ataxia, and reduction of aggression was similar in both treatment groups. Immobilization was observed only in medetomidine treated animals, while in naphthylmedetomidine treated animals loss of aggressiveness was observed but the animals never completely lost mobility. Naphthylmedetomidine showed less prominent effects on cardiorespiratory functions compared with medetomidine.

Conclusions  Our results suggest that naphthylmedetomidine can be used to induce sedation in primates and other small animals while avoiding the serious side effects observed after administration of the currently used full α2‐AR agonists.
Na+/H+ Exchangers and RhoA Regulate Acidic Extracellular pH‐Induced Lysosome Trafficking in Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Steffan Joshua J. , Snider Jared L. , Skalli Omar , Welbourne Tomas , Cardelli James A.
Published: February 2009

Acidic extracellular pH (pHe) is a common feature of the tumor microenvironment and has been implicated in tumor invasion through the induction of protease secretion. Since lysosomes constitute the major storehouse of cellular proteases, the trafficking of lysosomes to the cell periphery may be required in order to secrete proteases. We demonstrate that a pHe of 6.4‐6.8 induced the trafficking of lysosomes to membrane protrusions in the cell periphery. This trafficking event depended upon the PI3K pathway, the GTPase RhoA and sodium‐proton exchange activity, resulting in lysosomal exocytosis. Acidic pHe induced a cytoplasmic acidification (although cytoplasmic acidification was not sufficient for acidic pHe‐induced lysosome trafficking and exocytosis) and inhibition of NHE activity with the amiloride derivative, EIPA or the anti‐diabetic agent troglitazone prevented lysosome trafficking to the cell periphery. Interestingly, using the more specific NHE1 and NHE3 inhibitors, cariporide and s3226 respectively, we show that multiple NHE isoforms are involved in acidic pHe‐induced lysosome trafficking and exocytosis. Moreover, in cells expressing NHE1 shRNA, although basal NHE activity was decreased, lysosomes still underwent acidic pHe‐induced trafficking, suggesting compensation by other NHE family members. Together these data implicate proton exchangers, especially NHE1 and NHE3, in acidic pHe‐induced lysosome trafficking and exocytosis.
Increased neonatal thyrotropin in Down syndrome
Authors: Myrelid Å , Jonsson B , Guthenberg C , Von Döbeln U , Annerén G , Gustafsson J
Published: February 2009

Aim: Down syndrome (DS) is frequently associated with thyroid dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the blood concentration of thyrotropin (TSH) observed at neonatal screening of infants with DS and its possible association with development of hypothyroidism during childhood.

Methods: TSH levels from neonatal screening of 73 children (34 F) with DS born in 1986–1996 were studied retrospectively and compared with those of controls. The DS children were followed up regarding thyroid function to the age of 10 years in this descriptive study.

Results: The DS infants had a higher mean TSH level and a higher TSH standard deviation score (SDS) than controls (7.0 ± 7.45 mU/L vs. 3.9 ± 2.43 mU/L and 1.1 ± 2.67 vs. 0, respectively). The differences were mainly attributable to higher values in the male DS children. The TSH level at screening did not predict thyroid dysfunction during childhood.

Conclusion: Infants with DS, especially boys, showed elevated levels of TSH at neonatal screening, indicating the occurrence of mild hypothyroidism already in early life. The TSH levels could not predict development of manifest thyroid disease later in childhood.
A functional analysis of large‐scale temporal shifts from 1970 to 2000 in weed assemblages of sunflower crops in France
Authors: Fried G. , Chauvel B. , Reboud X.
Published: February 2009

Questions: What are the relationships between weed species traits and their change in distribution over a 30‐year period? What does it tell us about factors that have driven shifts in the composition of weed communities?

Location: France.

Methods: We analysed the links between change in the status of weed species in sunflower crops (decreasing or increasing) and a set of 17 traits using data sets collected in the 1970s and the 2000s, respectively. We analysed the contribution of traits to explain changes in the status of species both individually and in a multivariate way by mean of a clustering of species into functional groups.

Results: 69% of the most widespread species had significantly changed their frequency rank status over the last 30 years. Nearly two thirds of the increasing species belonged to a single functional group, out of the five groups identified in this analysis. Overall, the weed flora occurring in sunflower crops has specialised since the 1970s in favour of ‘sunflower mimicking’ functional groups: increasing species were more nitrophilous, more heliophilous, less sensitive to sunflower herbicides and shared a rapid summer life cycle.

Conclusions: The individual trait approach gave some indication as to the environmental factors likely to have caused the shift in sunflower weed communities. The functional group approach seemed to outperform direct trait comparisons as it accounted for major traits combinations i.e. cases where a species has a number of favourable traits, but is severely disadvantaged by the possession of one or a few deleterious traits.
Diversity of dry forest epiphytes along a gradient of human disturbance in the tropical Andes
Authors: Werner Florian A. , Gradstein S. Robbert
Published: February 2009

Question: Disturbance effects on dry forest epiphytes are poorly known. How are epiphytic assemblages affected by different degrees of human disturbance, and what are the driving forces?

Location: An inter‐Andean dry forest landscape at 2300 m elevation in northern Ecuador.

Methods: We sampled epiphytic bryophytes and vascular plants on 100 trees of Acacia macracantha in five habitats: closed‐canopy mixed and pure acacia forest (old secondary), forest edge, young semi‐closed secondary woodland, and isolated trees in grassland.

Results: Total species richness in forest edge habitats and on isolated trees was significantly lower than in closed forest types. Species density of vascular epiphytes (species per tree) did not differ significantly between habitat types. Species density of bryophytes, in contrast, was significantly lower in edge habitat and on isolated trees than in closed forest. Forest edge showed greater impoverishment than semi‐closed woodland and similar floristic affinity to isolated trees and to closed forest types. Assemblages were significantly nested; habitat types with major disturbance held only subsets of the closed forest assemblages, indicating a gradual reduction in niche availability. Distance to forest had no effect on species density of epiphytes on isolated trees, but species density was closely correlated with crown closure, a measure of canopy integrity.

Main conclusions: Microclimatic changes but not dispersal constraints were key determinants of epiphyte assemblages following disturbance. Epiphytic cryptogams are sensitive indicators of microclimate and human disturbance in montane dry forests. The substantial impoverishment of edge habitat underlines the need for fragmentation studies on epiphytes elsewhere in the Tropics.
Gradients within gradients: The mesoscale distribution patterns of palms in a central Amazonian forest
Authors: Costa Flávia R.C. , Guillaumet Jean‐Louis , Lima Albertina P. , Pereira Ocirio S.
Published: February 2009

Questions:What are the relative contributions of environmental factors and geographic distance to palm community structure at the mesoscale, and how do they depend on the length of the environmental gradient covered? How do soil and topography affect variation of the canopy and understory palm community structure at the mesoscale? How does fine‐scale variation within the broad edaphic/topographic classes affect palm community composition?

Location:Reserva Ducke, terra‐firme forest, Manaus, Brazil.

Methods:Palms were sampled in 72 plots 250 m × 4 m, systematically distributed over an area of 100 km2. Soil, topography and distance to watercourses were measured for all plots. The relationship between community structure axes, summarized by NMDS ordinations, and environmental predictors, was analysed with multivariate regressions. Matrix regressions were used to determine the proportions of variance explained by environmental and geographic predictors.

Results:Floristic variation at the mesoscale was mostly related to environmental variation, and the proportion of variance explained depended on the amplitude of the environmental gradient. Soil was the main predictor of floristic change, but its effects differed between life forms, with the understory palm community structured within one of the edaphic/topographic classes, in association with distance to watercourses.

Conclusions:Dispersal limitation does not explain palm composition at the mesoscale, and the amplitude of environmental gradients covered by the analysis can be as important as the scale of analysis, in determining the relative contributions of environmental and geographical components to community structure. Soil and topography can predict a large proportion of palm composition, but gradients differ in scale, with some environmental gradients being nested within others. Therefore, although all environmental gradients are nested within distance, they do not necessarily coincide.
Effects of different fidelity measures and contexts on the determination of diagnostic species
Authors: Willner Wolfgang , Tichý Lubomír , Chytrý Milan
Published: February 2009

Question: How different are lists of diagnostic species of vegetation units, derived using various fidelity measures, in different contexts and with presence/absence versus cover data?

Methods: Six different fidelity measures were calculated for vegetation units of two classified data sets covering contrasting types of Central European vegetation (beech forest and dwarf shrub vegetation). Both statistical and non‐statistical fidelity measures were used, and either species presence/absence or cover was considered. Each measure was calculated on four hierarchical levels and within two different contexts, either within the whole data set or within the next higher level of hierarchical classification. Average similarities of the diagnostic species lists derived from various combinations of fidelity measures and contexts were calculated and visualized using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA).

Results: The correlations between fidelity values derived from non‐statistical and statistical measures were rather weak. Nevertheless, diagnostic species lists calculated for the same syntaxon by different measures usually had several species in common. Average similarity between pairs of fidelity measures or contexts (based on the Sørensen similarity index) ranged from 0.21 to 0.92. PCoA clustered individual combinations of fidelity measures and contexts mainly according to the context and the use of presence/absence versus cover data, rather than according to the fidelity measures.

Conclusions: The strongest impact on the lists of diagnostic species was not the fidelity measure itself but the context of its application and the use of presence/absence or cover data. Despite the weak correlation between individual fidelity values, traditional (non‐statistical) and statistical measures produce quite similar lists of diagnostic species, provided that the context of the analysis is the same. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of the appropriate algorithm should depend on the focus of the study.
Forest history and the development of old‐growth characteristics in fragmented boreal forests
Authors: Jönsson Mari T. , Fraver Shawn , Jonsson Bengt Gunnar
Published: February 2009

Questions: Can small and isolated high‐conservation value forests (e.g. designated woodland key habitats) maintain old‐growth forest characteristics and functionality in fragmented landscapes? To what extent have past disturbances (natural and anthropogenic) influenced the development of old‐growth characteristics of these forests? How long does it take for selectively cut stands to attain conditions resembling old‐growth forests?

Location: Southern boreal zone of central Sweden.

Methods: We linked multiple lines of evidence from historical records, biological archives, and analyses of current forest structure to reconstruct the forest history of a boreal landscape, with special emphasis on six remaining core localities of high‐conservation value forest stands.

Results: Our reconstructions revealed that several of these stands experienced wildfires up to the 1890s; all had been selectively harvested in the late 1800s; and all underwent substantial structural and compositional reorganization over the following 100‐150 years. This time interval was sufficient to recover considerable amounts of standing and downed dead wood (mean 60.3 m3 ha−1), a range of tree ages and sizes (mean basal area 32.6 m2 ha−1), and dominance of shade‐tolerant spruce. It was insufficient to obtain clearly uneven tree age structures and large (>45 cm diameter) living and dead trees. Thus, these forests contain some, but not all, important compositional and structural attributes of old‐growth forests, their abundance being dependent on the timing and magnitude of past natural and anthropogenic disturbances. Our landscape‐level analysis showed marked compositional and structural differences between the historical forest landscape and the present landscape, with the latter having a greater proportion of young forests, introduction of non‐native species, and lack of large trees and dead wood.

Conclusions: The remnant high‐conservation value stands were not true representatives of the pre‐industrial forests, but represent the last vestige of forests that have regenerated naturally and maintained a continuous tree cover. These traits, coupled with their capacity for old‐growth recovery, make them valuable focal areas for conservation.
Post‐fire tree establishment patterns at the alpine treeline ecotone: Mount Rainier National Park, Washington, USA
Authors: Stueve Kirk M. , Cerney Dawna L. , Rochefort Regina M. , Kurth Laurie L.
Published: February 2009

Questions: Does tree establishment: (1) occur at a treeline depressed by fire, (2) cause the forest line to ascend upslope, and/or (3) alter landscape heterogeneity? (4) What abiotic and biotic local site conditions are most important in structuring establishment patterns? (5) Does the abiotic setting become more important with increasing upslope distance from the forest line?

Location: Western slopes of Mount Rainier, USA.

Methods: We performed classification analysis of 1970 satellite imagery and 2003 aerial photography to delineate establishment. Local site conditions were calculated from a LIDAR‐based DEM, ancillary climate data, and 1970 tree locations in a GIS. We used logistic regression on a spatially weighted landscape matrix to rank variables.

Results: Considerable establishment after 1970 caused forest line elevation to increase over 150 m in specific locations. Landscape heterogeneity increased with distance from the 1970 forest line. At a broad spatial context, we found establishment was most common near existing trees (0‐50 m) and at low elevations (1250‐1350 m). Slope aspect (W, NW, N, NE, and E), slope angle (40‐60°), and other abiotic factors emerged as important predictors of establishment with increasing upslope distance from the forest line to restricted spatial extents.

Conclusions: Favorable climatic conditions likely triggered widespread tree establishment. Readily available seed probably enhanced establishment rates near sexually mature trees, particularly in the less stressful environment at low elevations. The mass effect of nearly ubiquitous establishment in these areas may have obscured the importance of the abiotic setting to restricted spatial extents. Topographic variability apparently produced favorable sites that facilitated opportunistic establishment with increasing upslope distance from the forest line, thereby enabling additional trees to invade the alpine tundra.
Limited effects of above‐ and belowground insects on community structure and function in a species‐rich grassland
Authors: Coupe Malcolm D. , Stacey J.N. , Cahill James F.
Published: February 2009

Question: Do above‐ and belowground insects differentially impact plant community structure and function in a diverse native grassland?

Location: Rough fescue prairie in Alberta, Canada.

Methods: Above‐ and belowground insects were suppressed with insecticides for 5 years using a randomised block design. During this experiment, a severe drought began in 2001 and ended in 2003. Aboveground plant growth was measured as cover and biomass from 2001 to 2005. Root demography was measured in 2002 using a minirhizotron. Mixed models and repeated measures ANOVA were used to determine treatment effects on a number of response variables. MRBP were used to test for treatment effects on community composition.

Results: Five years of insect suppression had few significant effects on plant growth, species richness or community composition, and were limited primarily to the severe drought in 2002. During the drought, insect attack increased root mortality, reduced plant cover, and altered community composition. Following the drought, plant responses were unaffected by insecticide application for the remainder of the experiment.

Conclusions: Five years of insect suppression had only minor effects on community structure and function in this diverse native grassland. There was no indication that these effects increased over time. The results are counter to studies conducted in productive old‐field communities that revealed large effects of insects on community structure. We suggest that the unique features of this system, such as high species evenness, abundance of generalist herbivores, and a lack of competition for light among plants, limited the potential for insects to greatly impact community‐level processes.
Above‐ and belowground biomass allocation in Tibetan grasslands
Authors: Yang Yuanhe , Fang Jingyun , Ji Chengjun , Han Wenxuan
Published: February 2009

Question: Optimal partitioning and isometric allocation are two important hypotheses in plant biomass allocation. We tested these two hypotheses at the community level, using field observations from Tibetan grasslands.

Location: Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau, China.

Methods: We investigated allocation between above‐ and belowground biomass in alpine grasslands and its relationship with environmental factors using data collected from 141 sites across the plateau during 2001‐2005. We used reduced major axis (RMA) regression and general linear models (GLM) to perform data analysis.

Results: The median values of aboveground biomass (MA), belowground biomass (MB), and root:shoot (R:S) ratio in alpine grasslands were 59.7, 330.5 g m−2, and 5.8, respectively. About 90% of total root biomass occurred in the top 30 cm of soil, with a larger proportion in the alpine meadow than in the alpine steppe (96 versus 86%). As soil nitrogen and soil moisture increased, both MA and MB increased, but R:S ratio did not show a significant change. MA scaled as 0.92 the power of MB, with 95% confidence intervals of 0.82‐1.02. The slope of the isometric relationship between log MA and log MB did not differ significantly between alpine steppe and alpine meadow. The isometric relationship was also independent of soil nitrogen and soil moisture.

Conclusions: Our results support the isometric allocation hypothesis for the MA versus MB relationship in Tibetan grasslands.
Evidence from water chemistry as a criterion of ombrotrophy in the mire complexes of Abernethy Forest, Scotland
Authors: Proctor Michael C.F. , McHaffie Heather S. , Legg Colin J. , Amphlett Andy
Published: February 2009

Question: Can cation analyses of water samples within a peatland site be used to infer solute sources to the samples, and so provide an objective criterion of ombrotrophy?

Location: Mire complexes within native Pinus sylvestris forest, in Abernethy Forest, north of the Cairngorm Mountains, Scotland, UK.

Methods: Chemical analyses of major cations in 200 water samples, and χ2 analysis of contingency tables relating species occurrence in the corresponding quadrat samples to the ombrotrophic‐telluric division.

Results and conclusions: The chemical data (especially the ratios Ca2+/Mg2+ and Na+/Mg2+) indicated a separation of about 140 essentially ombrotrophic samples from about 60 showing clear telluric influence; these conclusions are consistent with published rainwater analyses. For hydrological and meteorological reasons, a sharp separation cannot be expected, so the limit adopted here (Ca/Mg=1.0) is to some extent arbitrary, but the methods described provide a more objective criterion of ombrotrophy than any other. Contingency tables showed highly significant associations between species occurrence and the ombrotrophic‐telluric division. The strongest associations included: (ombrotrophic) Eriophorum vaginatum, Odontoschisma sphagni and Sphagnum cuspidatum; (telluric) Carex panicea, Potentilla erecta, Carex echinata, Narthecium ossifragum, Sphagnum auriculatum s.l., Agrostis canina, Molinia caerulea, Eriophorum angustifolium, and Sphagnum recurvum s.l. The Abernethy mires are arguably more comparable with mire complexes on base‐poor rocks in southern Scandinavia than with most ombrotrophic sites further south and west in Britain. As in Sweden, Narthecium ossifragum and Eriophorum angustifolium, generally ubiquitous on British and Irish ombrotrophic bogs, are “fen” plants at Abernethy.
Editor's Introduction – Autonomy of Inquiry: Shaping the Future of Emerging Scientific Communities
Authors: Tsui Anne S.
Published: February 2009

Over two decades, research in Chinese management has exploited existing questions, theories, constructs, and methods developed in the Western context. Lagging are exploratory studies to address questions relevant to Chinese firms and to develop theories that offer meaningful explanations of Chinese phenomena. Framed as a debate between pursuing a theory of Chinese management versus a Chinese theory of management, this forum, through the voices of thirteen scholars, provides an analysis of the reasons for the current status of Chinese management research and offers alternatives to shape the future of Chinese management studies. Based on the principle of autonomy of inquiry and heeding the warning of the constraint of normal science, the Chinese management research community can shape its own future by engaging in research that may contribute to global management knowledge and address meaningful local management problems.
Impairment of mitochondrial function by minocycline
Authors: Kupsch Kathleen , Hertel Silvia , Kreutzmann Peter , Wolf Gerald , Wallesch Claus‐Werner , Siemen Detlef , Schönfeld Peter
Published: February 2009

There is an ongoing debate on the presence of beneficial effects of minocycline (MC), a tetracycline‐like antibiotic, on the preservation of mitochondrial functions under conditions promoting mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis. Here, we present a multiparameter study on the effects of MC on isolated rat liver mitochondria (RLM) suspended either in a KCl‐based or in a sucrose‐based medium. We found that the incubation medium used strongly affects the response of RLM to MC. In KCl‐based medium, but not in sucrose‐based medium, MC triggered mitochondrial swelling and cytochrome c release. MC‐dependent swelling was associated with mitochondrial depolarization and a decrease in state 3 as well as uncoupled respiration. Swelling of RLM in KCl‐based medium indicates that MC permeabilizes the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) to K+ and Cl−. This view is supported by our findings that MC‐induced swelling in the KCl‐based medium was partly suppressed by N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (an inhibitor of IMM‐linked K+‐transport) and tributyltin (an inhibitor of the inner membrane anion channel) and that swelling was less pronounced when RLM were suspended in choline chloride‐based medium. In addition, we observed a rapid MC‐induced depletion of endogenous Mg2+ from RLM, an event that is known to activate ion‐conducting pathways within the IMM. Moreover, MC abolished the Ca2+ retention capacity of RLM irrespective of the incubation medium used, most likely by triggering permeability transition. In summary, we found that MC at low micromolar concentrations impairs several energy‐dependent functions of mitochondria in vitro.
Compartmentalized signalling: Ras proteins and signalling nanoclusters
Authors: Omerovic Jasminka , Prior Ian A.
Published: February 2009

Differential subcellular compartmentalization of the three main Ras isoforms (H‐Ras, N‐Ras and K‐Ras) is believed to underlie their biological differences. Modulatable interactions between cellular membranes and Ras C‐terminal hypervariable region motifs determine differences in trafficking and the relative proportions of each isoform in cell‐surface signalling nanoclusters and intracellular endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi, endosomal and mitochondrial compartments. Ras regulators, effectors and scaffolds are also differentially distributed, potentially enabling preferential coupling to specific signalling pathways in each subcellular location. Here we summarize the mechanisms underlying compartment‐specific Ras signalling and the outputs generated.
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Lu2O3‐Doped Porous Silicon Nitride Ceramics Using Phenolic Resin as Pore‐Forming Agent
Authors: Yin Xiaowei , Li Xiangming , Zhang Litong , Cheng Laifei , Liu Yongsheng , Pan Tianhao
Published: February 2009

The joint process consisting of pressureless sintering and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) was developed to prepare porous Si3N4 ceramics with controlled microstructure. Lu2O3 and phenolic resin acted as sintering aid and pore‐forming agent, respectively. The 5 wt% Lu2O3‐doped ceramics using 12–57 vol% phenolic resin attained a porosity ranging from 46% to 53%. With increasing the resin content, the average pore size increased from 1 to 2 μm. The porous ceramic infiltrated with CVI Si3N4 had an improved microstructure. The decreased pore size and porosity led to an increase in flexural strength, and the densified surface led to an improved surface hardness.
Progress in Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Kendall Kevin
Published: February 2009

The benefits of microtubular solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are addressed, including increased power density, rapid start‐up, and cycling performance. Several international developments are discussed, especially small portable applications, which demand fast start and multiple cycles. Extrusion is the main method for making microtubular SOFCs because improved structure and properties can result from better mixing of the component particles and coextrusion can integrate several cell components in one process step. When the tubes are <3 mm in diameter, it is shown that the power density and thermal shock resistance are much increased, with start‐up in a few seconds rather than hours for planar designs, as demonstrated in a single‐cell hand‐held system running on butane. The problems of cycling, both thermal and redox, are then considered in detail. Thermal cycling degradation follows a fatigue curve whereas redox damage is linear with the number of cycles. New results are presented on thermal and redox cycling performance.
Microwave Dielectric Properties of (Mg0.95Ni0.05)TiO3–SrTiO3 Ceramics with a Near‐Zero Temperature Coefficient of Resonant Frequency
Authors: Shen Chun‐Hsu , Huang Cheng‐Liang
Published: February 2009

The microwave dielectric properties of a (1−x)(Mg0.95Ni0.05)TiO3–xSrTiO3 ceramics system were investigated. The system was prepared using a conventional solid‐state ceramic method. To produce a temperature‐stable material, SrTiO3 was added, which led to a near‐zero temperature variation in resonant frequency. The variation in microwave dielectric properties of the (1−x)(Mg0.95Ni0.05)TiO3–xSrTiO3 ceramics system significantly depends on the amount of SrTiO3 present. As x was varied from 0.01 to 0.1, the microwave Q×f value decreased from 105,000 to 31,000 GHz and the dielectric constant (ɛr) increased from 18.74 to 26.5. A microwave dielectric material with a dielectric constant (ɛr) of 21, a Q×f value of 73,000 GHz, and a τf value of 1 ppm/°C were obtained from the compound 0.96(Mg0.95Ni0.05)TiO3–0.04SrTiO3 sintered at 1300°C for 4 h. To verify the performance of the 0.96(Mg0.95Ni0.05)TiO3–0.04SrTiO3 ceramics, a band‐pass filter with traditional hairpin resonators was designed and simulated on different dielectric materials [such as FR4, alumina, and 0.96(Mg0.95Ni0.05)TiO3–0.04SrTiO3].
SOURCES OF INCOME DIFFERENCES ACROSS CHINESE PROVINCES DURING THE REFORM PERIOD: A DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTING EXERCISE
Authors: HAO Rui , WEI Zheng
Published: February 2009

The present paper performs a development accounting analysis to investigate the sources of China's interprovincial income inequality over the period 1982–2005. We estimate a Cobb–Douglas aggregate production function with various specifications. Using the estimated parameters, we conduct a development accounting analysis as well as a variance decomposition. Our results suggest that differences in physical capital intensity and in total factor productivity are both important sources of cross‐province income differences, each accounting for roughly half of the variation in income levels. Differences in human capital explain only a small amount of income differences across provinces. The results are robust to whether or not the assumption of constant returns to scale is imposed. The interaction between factor accumulation and total factor productivity is also discussed.
PARTIAL DOLLARIZATION, EXCHANGE RATES, AND FIRM INVESTMENT IN PARAGUAY
Authors: SERIEUX John
Published: February 2009

Between 1989 and 1993 the government of Paraguay removed most restriction on financial transactions in domestic and foreign currency. The resulting financial deepening also involved partial dollarization. This investigation sought to determine whether partial dollarization led to negative balance sheet effects (in the form of reduced access to investment credit due to depreciation‐induced reduction in firms’ net worth as a result of currency mismatches on their balance sheets) and, therefore, to investment contractions, at the firm level, in the face of real currency depreciations. Support was found for that thesis. However, there was also evidence that banks expanded credit more rapidly in the face of currency depreciations. These apparent contradictory movements in credit and investment were shown to be a result of the absence of any clear causal link (in a Granger sense) between bank credit to the private sector and private investment in Paraguay.
Surgical resection of a dysgerminoma in a mare
Authors: Harland S , Smith CS , Mogg TD , Horadagoda N , Dart AJ
Published: February 2009

A mare was referred for further evaluation of a mass found in the left caudal abdomen during a routine postpartum reproductive palpation. The mare was clinically normal with no history of health problems. Ultrasonographic examination of the mass confirmed its presence, but the origin of the mass could not be accurately determined. Routine haematology and serum biochemistry results were within normal limits. The mare was initially treated conservatively with antibiotics, but the mass continued to increase in size, so it was surgically excised. The mass involved the left ovary. The mare showed transient abdominal pain after surgery, but developed no other complications and was in foal 7 months later. On histology, the mass was diagnosed as a dysgerminoma, a rare ovarian tumour of germ cell origin.
Alpaca plant poisonings: nitrate–nitrite and possible cyanide
Authors: McKenzie RA , Gordon AN , Burren BG , Gibson JA , Gardner MP
Published: February 2009

Nitrate–nitrite poisoning killed four adult alpacas and induced the abortion of a full‐term fetus after access to oaten hay (Avena sativa) containing 3.2% KNO3equivalent in dry matter. Necropsy findings were cyanosis, dark‐coloured blood, and pulmonary congestion and oedema. Aqueous humour from two adults contained 25 mg NO3/L and that from the fetus contained 10 mg NO3/L. Cyanide poisoning possibly killed two adult wether alpacas that ate a garden‐cultivated variety ofOsteospermum ecklonis(South African daisy, bietou) with a cyanide potential of 6800 mg HCN/kg dry matter.
IN THIS ISSUE – March 2009
Authors: Jackson A
Published: February 2009

Psychological stress in Australian veterinarians ▪ Intravenous Alfaxan‐CD® in young cats ▪ Worm infections in Merino ewes ▪ Congenital hypovitaminosis A in beef cattle ▪ Fenugreek and kangaroo gait ▪ Dysgerminoma in a mare ▪ Plant poisonings in alpacas
Ultraweak and Induced Photon Emission After Wounding of Plants
Authors: Winkler R. , Guttenberger H. , Klima H.
Published: February 2009

The ultraweak and induced photon emission were measured by a single photon counting equipment (Photomultiplier Hamamatsu R562) on Cucurbita pepo variaca styriacae after wounding. Wounding significantly changes the emission from a stationary to a nonstationary state and the shape of the decay curve obtained after light illumination. The rise in the ultraweak photon emission depends on the kind of wounding and its localization on the plant. The decay curves obtained after wounding could be better fit by an exponential function than by a hyperbolic one. So the biophoton emission correlates with physiological and bioelectrical changes like membrane depolarizations as they also depend on the kind of injury.
A History ofTheoria
Authors: HANSSON SVEN OVE
Published: February 2009

Theoria, the international Swedish philosophy journal, was founded in 1935. Its contributors in the first 75 years include the major Swedish philosophers from this period and in addition a long list of international philosophers, including A. J. Ayer, C. D. Broad, Ernst Cassirer, Hector Neri Castañeda, Arthur C. Danto, Donald Davidson, Nelson Goodman, R. M. Hare, Carl G. Hempel, Jaakko Hintikka, Saul Kripke, Henry E. Kyburg, Keith Lehrer, Isaac Levi, David Lewis, Gerald MacCallum, Richard Montague, Otto Neurath, Arthur N. Prior, W. V. Quine, Nicholas Rescher, Ernest Sosa, Robert C. Stalnaker, P. F. Strawson, Patrick Suppes, Johan van Benthem, Georg Henrik von Wright and many others. Hempel's confirmation paradoxes, Ross's deontic paradox, Montague's universal grammar and Lindström's theorem are among the contributions to philosophy that were first published inTheoria.
High‐Dose Cyclophosphamide in the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Schwartzman Robert Jay , Simpkins Nicole , Alexander Guillermo M. , Reichenberger Erin , Ward Kristine , Lindenberg Noah , Topolsky David , Crilley Pam
Published: February 2009

High dose cyclophosphamide (HDC) has been successfully used for the treatment of a variety of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we sought to determine whether the use of high dose cyclophosphamide provided stabilization of relapsing remitting MS (RRMS), secondary progressive MS (SPMS), or primary progressive MS (PPMS). The parameters evaluated were EDSS scores, lesion load and brain volumes by MRI and frequency of relapses. Twenty‐three patients underwent immunoablative therapy with HDC and were followed for 3.5 years. Nine were relapsing remitting (RRMS), 11 secondary progressive (SPMS), and 3 primary progressive (PPMS). Four of 9 RRMS have had no clinical progression up to 3.5 years following treatment. Three of 9 patients maintained a normal neurologic examination with improved EDSS scores. Seven of the nine RRMS patients had reduction in flare frequency which was maintained for 3.5 years following treatment or no immunomodulating agents. Subgroup analysis in the RRMS patients of lesion load and brain parenchymal volume revealed a favorable trend in these parameters which did not reach statistical significance. The treatment was generally ineffective for SPMS and failed in the 2 PPMS patients. HDC was well tolerated, demonstrated a good safety profile and had minimal adverse effects. These results along with previous reports suggest that early use of HDC therapy in RRMS is promising.
Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency in a Beagle Dog
Authors: Harvey John W. , Kaneko J. J. , Hudson Edward B.
Published: February 2009

A macrocytic hypochromic anemia with marked reticulocytosis was observed at each of 10 examinations during a 4 month period of a male Beagle dog that was 11 months old when first examined. The owner had noticed pale mucous membranes from the time the dog was purchased at 7 weeks of age. Based on the clinical history and negative LE, ANA and Coombs tests, an intrinsic erythrocyte defect was suspected.

Erythrocyte osmotic fragility and hemoglobin electrophoresis were normal. Autohemolysis of incubated erythrocytes was marked. Hemolysis was uncorrected by glucose but partially corrected by ATP. With the exception of pyruvate kinase (PK), all of the erythrocyte enzymes measured had greater activities than those of control Beagle erythrocytes. In comparison to moderately reticulocyte‐rich controls. PK activity was low in the affected Beagle. Erythrocyte phosphoenolpyruvate content was increased significantly as expected in PK deficiency. The kinetic constant (Km) for phosphoenolpyruvate was lower than that of normal control dogs, a finding in agreement with studies of PK from deficient Basenjis. On these bases a diagnosis of PK deficiency was made.
Determination of Serum Albumin in Domestic Animals Using the Immediate Bromcresol Green Reaction
Authors: Gentry P.A. , Lumsden J. H.
Published: February 2009

The immediate reaction bromcresol green (BCG) method for determination of serum albumin in various species of domestic animals (bovine, equine, canine, feline and porcine) was compared to an electrophoretic method. Good correlation was obtained between the two methods when both species specific and bovine albumin standards were used to compute the albumin concentration for the BCG assay. The immediate reaction BCG method appears to have considerable potential for application in the veterinary clinical laboratory.