bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The selection of winter wheat varieties for whole‐crop cereal conservation
Authors: WELLER R. F. , COOPER A. , DHANOA M. S.
Published: April 2006

Ten commercial varieties of winter wheat were sampled at different stages of growth, and dry mailer (DM) yields and potential nutritional quality, as determined by modified acid detergent fibre concentration (MADF), were measured. Maximum yields for the different varieties were spread over a four‐week period, when the DM content was above 350 g kg−1. When the varieties were harvested for conservation as either fermented (DM 380 g kg−1) or alkaline (DM 580 g kg−1) whole crop, the mean MADF concentration was similar at both harvests, with large differences recorded between varieties. At both harvests the quality of the crops was sharply increased by raising the cutting height from 10 to 40 cm above ground level.
Persistence of Ladino white clover ecotypes and its relationship with other agronomic traits
Authors: PIANO E. , ANNICCHIARICO P.
Published: April 2006

Sixteen landraces and twelve natural populations of Ladino white clover, and six large‐leaved control varieties, were assessed in Lodi (southern Lombardy, Italy) under a mowing regime for persistence, defined as ratio between clover dry matter (DM) yield over the last two years and clover DM yield over the five‐year crop cycle. Clover content in the sward was on average 35·2% in the fourth year and only 5·5% in the fifth year. Natural populations showed greater persistence and larger variation for this feature than landraces. Six natural populations were more persistent and higher yielding in the long‐term than the Italian variety Espanso and one of these populations performed better than the best of the control varieties, namely Lune de Mai and Olwen, at P < 005. Persistence of the ecotypes was positively associated with stolon density and DM yield assessed in the third year, and to intemode length, whilst it was inversely related to seed yield and its components, especially the production of seed heads, so that hardly any ecotype could combine good persistence with high seed yield. This study discusses the potential use of these genetic resources in white clover breeding and suggests stolon density as a low‐cost, approximate indicator of long‐term yield.
Sites of photoperception in white clover
Authors: THOMPSON L.
Published: April 2006

White clover (Trifolium repens) grows both horizontally, via the stolon, and vertically, via the petiole, through its environment. Comparing the effects of clear and opaque paint allowed the localization of two photoperceptive sites. Stolon growth (horizontal) was altered by the radiation environmental the node, and petiole growth (vertical) by radiation perceived at the petiole tip. Photoperception these two sites provides a mechanism by which the plant can direct its growth to exploit its environment maximally.
The influence of cutting date and previous fertilizer treatment on the productivity and botanical composition of species‐rich hay meadows on the Somerset Levels
Authors: KIRKHAM F. W. , TALLOWIN J. R. B.
Published: April 2006

The effects on productivity, botanical and chemical composition of cutting species‐rich hay meadows in Somerset on four different dates between late May and early September in two consecutive years, were measured. Plots that had received 200 kg N ha−1 year−1 with low levels of P and K for the previous 5 years were compared with plots that had previously received no fertilizer.

Previous fertilizer treatment increased metabolizable energy (ME) production only with cutting in May. Dry‐matter (DM) yield increased significantly with date of cutting until August, whereas ME value declined correspondingly. There was no difference in either yield or quality of herbage cut between August and September. ME output per hectare increased very significantly between May and July, but showed no further change between cutting dates.

Botanical diversity was reduced by cutting in May after 1 year and by cutting in either May or September after 2 years, and was greatest with cutting in August. The dominance of Holcus lanatus on previously fertilized plots increased after cutting in either May or September. The contribution to vegetation cover of species that regenerate primarily by seed, including annuals, was greatly influenced by cutting date in preceding years, whereas species that regenerate vegetatively were not affected.
Analysis of adaptation of grass/legume mixtures to Italian alpine and subalpine zones through an additive main effects and multiplicative interaction model
Authors: ANNICCHIARICO P. , BOZZO F. , PARENTE G. , GUSMEROLI F. , MAIR V. , MARGUERETTAZ O. , ORLANDI D.
Published: April 2006

Fourteen grass/legume mixtures, mostly including white clover or lucerne, in association with a variable number of other forage species were grown at six Italian alpine and subalpine locations under a mowing regime. The response of the mixtures in terms of dry‐matter (DM) yield and visually estimated legume percentage over the second and third years of crop cycle was investigated through an additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analytical model. Locations and mixture‐location interaction effects were significant whereas mixture was not. The interaction effect was very large, and the first two interaction principal component (PC) axes were significant at P<0·001. PC 1 accounted for 88% and 92% of the interaction variation for DM yield and legume percentage respectively. Both for sites and for mixtures, the ordination on PC 1 for these variables was very similar, indicating that the interaction effects for DM yield tended to parallel those for legume percentage. The adaptive response of the mixtures mainly depended on the response of their legume components. White clover was specifically adapted to locations with high soil clay content, probably through better tolerance to the associated severe waterlogging. Lucerne performed relatively better at high‐yielding, favourable sites, probably because of its greater competitive ability than associated grasses under conditions that emphasize competitive effects. Minor interaction effects were related to the response of cocksfoot and timothy, the latter being indispensable for high DM yield of mixtures at high‐elevation, cool‐summer sites. No clear advantage of having a high number of components in the mixture was apparent, and it was concluded that the association of timothy and cocksfoot with one legume should be adequate for most situations in the given region.
Herbage production from swards containing a range of grass, forb and clover species and under extensive management
Authors: FISHER G. E. J. , BAKER L. J. , TILEY G. E. D.
Published: April 2006

Three small plot experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of species of grass and forbs, defoliation regime, inclusion of white clover and forb blend on the herbage dry matter (DM) yield, botanical composition and mineral content of swards managed with zero fertilizer inputs. The results of all three experiments were characterized by decline in herbage production and large variations in treatment effects over the harvest period.

When sown singly with a standard grass mix the species that competed well with grasses and produced annual forb herbage yields greater than 20 t DM ha−1 were black knapweed, oxeye daisy, ribwort plantain, burnet, birdsfoot trefoil, chicory, kidney vetch, red clover and white clover. When sown singly with a standard forb mix, grass species significantly affected the annual yield of total (P<005). grass (P<001) and forb (P<0.001) herbage. The species that most surpressed the yield of forbs were common bent, Yorkshire fog and perennial ryegrass. Those that allowed for the highest yield of forbs were rough meadow grass, sweet vernal grass and crested dogstail. Averaged over the three harvest years, defoliation regime did not significantly affect herbage production, but the inclusion of white clover in mixtures increased the yield of grasses (P<0.01) The use of rosette‐type forb blends increased forb yield (P<0.01), compared with erect‐type blends.

The effects of treatments on herbage N and mineral contents and yields were inconsistent. However, there was some evidence to support the view that the presence of forb species in swards can result in greater contents of minerals in herbage, compared with grass‐only swards.
Effects of sward type and rest periods from sheep grazing on white clover presence in perennial ryegrass/white clover associations
Authors: GOODING R. F. , FRAME J. , THOMAS C.
Published: April 2006

The effects of the imposition and timing of a rest period from continuous sheep stocking, for a conservation cut, on white clover presence in forty perennial ryegrass/white clover associations were studied over two full grazing seasons. Each association consisted of one grass variety along with one white clover variety, the grasses being diploid and tetraploid ryegrasses from each of five maturity groups and the white clovers from each of four leaf size categories. The presence of white clover within each association was assessed at the beginning and end of both seasons by means of a 0–64‐m2 quadrat subdivided into 100 squares, each 80 mm × 80 mm, the number of squares in which any part of a white clover plant was visible being recorded. Complementary point quadrat data were also collected.

Although continuous sheep stocking did not necessarily have an adverse effect on white clover presence, a July to mid‐August rest period increased white clover proportions in the swards (means: unrested, 48–1; April to late May rest, 32.7; July to mid‐August rest, 67.3 ‐ s.e.d. 7.59; P < 0.05) the benefit increasing with increasing white clover leaf size. The early rest period (April to late May) reduced white clover presence and the late rest period (July to mid‐August) increased white clover presence, these effects being intensified with increasing white clover leaf size (very large‐leaved clover: unrested, 20.6; April to late May rest, 8.3;

July to mid‐August rest, 41.1 and small‐leaved clover: unrested, 96.3; April to late May rest, 84.8; July to mid‐August rest, 97 ‐ s.e.d. 9.2; P <0001). Tetraploid ryegrass/white clover associations had consistently and significantly more white clover than diploid ryegrass/white clover associations of similar ryegrass maturity group (tetraploid, 53.4; diploid 44.8 ‐ s.e.d. 2.12; P <0.001) and associations with early maturing ryegrass contained more white clover than those with late maturing ryegrasses, the effect of maturity group being greater than that of ploidy. Overall, white clover presence increased with increasing openness of grass growth habit.
The response of mini‐swards of perennial ryegrass/white clover to simulated rainfall following slurry application
Authors: WIGHTMAN P. S. , FRANKLIN M. F. , YOUNIE D.
Published: April 2006

Perennial ryegrass/white clover mini‐swards were used lo determine whether sward responses to slurry were modified by subsequent simulated rainfall (SR). Combinations of two SR volume rates (6.5 and 13 mm), three SR timings (3, 24 and 48 h after slurry application) and two slurry types (cattle, pig) were compared with a fertilizer control (no SR). Scorch, smother and growth of marked stolons and tillers were monitored after slurry application, and yields of both species were recorded. Slurry coverage of plastic squares indicated that smother may be greater on horizontally orientated leaves (clover). Reduced grass leaf growth and numbers of clover growing points in the week following slurry application were attributed mainly to smother, and possibly other phytotoxic effects of slurry. Reasons for the superior clover growth with cattle slurry arc unknown, although its higher P and K content may have contributed. Timing of rainfall is important in influencing sward responses to slurry application. Results suggest that application of slurry may be most beneficial when it immediately precedes rainfall and that longer intervals between slurry application and rainfall reduce grass and clover growth through either greater ammonia loss or slurry negative effects.
The effect of plane of winter nutrition and sward height on the performance of steers grazing grass/white clover swards
Authors: YARROW N. H. , PENNING P. D. , JOHNSON R. H.
Published: April 2006

An experiment was carried out over 2 years to examine the interactions between two planes of winter nutrition and summer gracing at 5.5 and 7.5 cm compressed sward height on the performance of Limousin X Friesian steers grazing grass/white clover swards. Diets were offered in winter to give liveweight gains of either 0.5 (low) or 0.8 (high) kg d−1. The experiment was repealed over 2 years. Liveweights gains (low 0.50 vs. high 0.84 kg d−1 s.e.d. ±0.044) were achieved in winter 1 and (low 0.55 vs. high 0.91 kg d−1, s.e.d. ±0.041) in winter 2. These differences resulted in animals from the high treatment being 44 and 60 kg head−1 heavier at turn‐out than the low‐treatment animals in years I and 2, respectively. There was evidence of compensatory growth with animals from the low treatment subsequently tending to grow faster than those from the high treatment, with liveweight gains during the period from turn‐out to 84 d of 1.27 vs. 1.18 s.e.d. ±0.65 kg d−1; P= 0–213 and 1.11 vs. 0.95 s.e.d. ±0.062 kg d−1; P=0.015 in summers I and 2 respectively. In general, animals grazing the short sward tended to grow more slowly than those on the tail swards (1.18 vs. 1.27 s.e.d. ±0.065 kg d−1; P= 0.166 and 0.93 vs. 113 s.e.d. ±0.062 kg d−1, P = 0.002) for years 1 and 2 respectively. Growth rates in year 1 were significantly higher than those in year 2. However, increased summer growth rates did not compensate for the differences in live weight established during the winter, and more animals reached slaughter weight in a shorter time from the high than the low treatment. Mean stocking rate on treatments 5.5 and 7.5 over the 2 years were 5.2 and 4.3 animals ha−1: differences were significant in year 2 (P <0.01). The 5.5 cm sward treatment also gave a greater liveweight gain ha−1 than the 7.5‐cm sward treatment in both years with a mean for the two years of 670 vs. 572 kg ha−1 but differences were not significant.
The effects of level of Molinia utilization on diet selection and herbage intake by cattle grazing Molinia grassland
Authors: Common T. G. , Grant S. A. , Armstrong R. H. , Torvell L.
Published: April 2006

Groups of mature, non‐lactating, cows grazed two Molinia‐dominant grassland communities in central and southern Scotland during six consecutive summers. Two treatments, designed to use either 33% or 66% of the estimated annual Molinia leaf production by grazing to different leaf lengths, were imposed at each site. Grazing was restricted to the period of Molinia growth each season. During the first 4 years, diet composition, diet digestibility and herbage organic matter intake were determined during either one or two measurement periods each year. There were differences between sites in the floristic content of the sward and these differences were reflected in the diet selected by the cattle. Cows grazing the taller (33% utilization) plots had higher percentages of Molinia, grass stem, sheath and inflorescences and lower percentages of broad‐leaved grasses, sedges, rushes and dead herbage in the diet than those grazing the shorter (66% utilization) plots. Differences between the floristic composition of the sward and the diet were explicable by (a) the height at which cattle grazed in relation to the distribution of components within the sward or (b) the selective grazing of small areas dominated by a particular species. The organic matter digestibility of diets differed between sites but there was no significant difference in digestibility or organic matter intake between the treatments. On average less than 50 d grazing was provided by the experimental sites each year. During this period the liveweight gains of cows grazing the two treatments did not differ significantly. The implications of these results for the management of Molinia‐dominant communities are discussed.
Effects of different levels of fertilizer application to veld on growth of steers and chemical composition of the herbage
Authors: Cilliers J. W. , Van Biljon P. L. , Tolmay E. , Coertze C.
Published: April 2006

The effects of different levels of N fertilization (no N, 40 kg N and 80 kg N ha−1 year−1), P fertilization (no P, 21 kg P ha−1 year−1 and 21 kg P plus 53 kg K ha−1 year−1) and stocking rates (0·52 large stock units (LSU) ha−1, 0·78 LSU ha−1 and 1·56 LSU ha−1) on the chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility of the herbage and the liveweight gains of steers were determined in the western variant of the Bankenveld in South Africa.

The average daily liveweight gains (ADLGs) of the steers increased with increasing level of N fertilization. Fertilization with P had a positive effect on ADLG only when 53 kg of K was applied with 21 kg of P ha−1. Higher stocking rates reduced ADLGs. The liveweight gains ha−1 increased as the rates of N and P fertilization increased. The medium stocking rate (0·78 LSU ha−1) gave a higher liveweight gain ha−1 than the lowest stocking rate (0·52 LSU ha−1), but the highest stocking rate (1·56 LSU ha−1) reduced liveweight gain ha−1.

In general, in terms of chemical components, a higher nutritive value of the veld herbage resulted from N fertilization. The higher crude protein (CP) content of the herbage, resulting from higher stocking rates, should be seen against the background of lower liveweight gains ha−1 at the highest stocking rate.

On pasture with similar contents of CP and acid detergent fibre (ADF), higher ADLG of steers was found as a result of P and K fertilization, especially for herbage with a lower CP and a higher ADF content, implying better utilization of the nutrients in such herbage with P and K fertilization, although P was also supplemented through a lick.
Effects of an autumn defoliation on overwintering, spring growth and yield of a white clover/grass sward
Authors: FRANKOW‐LINDBERG B. E. , SVANÄNG K. , HÖGLIND M.
Published: April 2006

An established sward of binary mixtures of meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) and white clover (Trifolium repens) (either AberHerald, Grasslands Huia or Sandra) was subjected to (A) no further defoliation, (B) a defoliation in late September or (C) a defoliation in late October after four harvests had been taken during the grazing season. About a tonne of dry matter (DM) was removed by the autumn defoliations. There were two levels of nitrogen application in spring, either 0 or 90 kg ha−1. The development of grass and clover morphology and population sizes from early autumn until the first harvest the following year was followed by regular sampling of the above‐ground material. Stolons were analysed for total non‐structural carbohydrates (TNCs), and the temperature at stolon level was continuously recorded. There were no interactions between autumn defoliation, clover cultivar or nitrogen treatments on any of the parameters studied. White clover growing‐point numbers and stolon morphological characteristics were reduced in size during the winter and did not recover during the spring. A defoliation in late September resulted in the greatest reduction, whereas there were no differences between the other two treatments. The grass tiller population increased from early autumn until the last sampling occasion in May, but both autumn defoliations resulted in a smaller increase. Defoliation in late September had the greatest impact. The TNC content of white clover stolons fell from about 350 g kg−1 to 150 g kg−1 DM from late autumn until late April. There were small differences between the treatments, but a defoliation in late September resulted in a significantly lower level in late autumn. The temperature amplitude at stolon level was consistently greater in plots defoliated in late September. Total DM harvested in spring was 4367, 2564 and 3536 kg ha−1, of which 388, 352 and 460 kg ha−1 was white clover, from treatments A, B and C respectively. It is concluded that an autumn defoliation may affect the overwintering of white clover negatively, but that the effect on the grass may be even more detrimental.
Prediction of the shoot production of heather under grazing in the uplands of Great Britain
Authors: PALMER S. C. F.
Published: April 2006

An empirical model for the annual shoot production of heather Calluna vulgaris in the absence of grazing in the uplands of Great Britain is presented. Production is modelled as a function of the growth phase of the heather and weather conditions during the summer growing season and the previous winter.

The effects of grazing, principally by sheep, on changes in heather cover after burning are reviewed. A simple model of annual cover change is proposed, and fitted to data from dry and wet heaths in Scotland.

A model of the influence of grazing on annual heather shoot production is developed for dry heath.

The models indicate that previously published estimates of the utilization levels that heather can tolerate without a reduction in shoot production may be too high. For pioneer and early building heather, estimated threshold utilization levels are 16% in summer and 24% in autumn. Furthermore, it is suggested that any level of utilization will reduce the rate of increase of heather ground cover after burning.
Quality of life assessment in clinical practice in haemophilia treatment
Authors: GRINGERI A. , MANTOVANI L. , MACKENSEN S. V.
Published: April 2006

Summary.  The modern management of haemophilia has greatly influenced not only survival of patients, their clinical symptoms and orthopaedic outcome but also their perceived quality of life (QoL). QoL measures recently became an essential part of clinical trials being one of the most important patient‐rated outcomes (PROs). Moreover, QoL assessment is essential in pharmacoeconomics. In clinical trials, not only clinical outcomes but also the so‐called PROs and health‐economic outcomes are included. Different types of economic evaluations may be conducted in order to describe the economic burden of a disease condition, to determine the cost of care and to assess and evaluate alternative treatments in terms of both costs and effects as well as benefits and outcomes with the aim of optimizing the use of resources. For these evaluations, the following analyses are performed: descriptive cost of illness study, incremental cost‐effectiveness analysis, incremental cost–utility analysis and incremental cost–benefit analysis. By contrast, PROs are derived from direct patient reports and they allow to evaluate the impact of a disease and its treatment on patients’ well‐being and functioning. PROs include health‐related quality of life, patient preferences/utilities, treatment satisfaction and other PROs such as functional assessment, etc. Choosing a QoL measure, study‐ and instrument‐related aspects have to be taken into account. Finally, QoL assessment will become a part of the regular clinical assessment of persons with haemophilia, in order to provide trustworthy data of perceived well‐being to be compared over time and in order to assess treatment efficacy and quality of care.
Total joint replacement in patients with inhibitors
Authors: SOLIMENO L. P. , PERFETTO O. S. , PASTA G. , SANTAGOSTINO E.
Published: April 2006

Summary.   Today, total joint replacement is the treatment of choice for chronic haemophilic arthropathy of the knee and hip in developed and developing countries. After the last World Haemophilia Congress and Musculoskeletal Congress, we cannot say the same for haemophilic patients with inhibitors because elective surgery today is still limited to few centres and extremely few patients. This is because until the first half of the 1990s, performing surgery in haemophilic patients with inhibitors was associated with a high risk of bleeding. With the availability of activated recombinant factor VII, the first surgical procedures were performed, but they still remain limited because of the elevated costs of replacement therapy. Our goal for the future must be to ensure the same possibility of surgical intervention in haemophilic patients both with and without inhibitors. This will be possible, thanks to the experience of some centres with an increased number of patients, where today this kind of surgery is routinely performed.
Treatment for all: a vision for the future
Authors: SKINNER M. W.
Published: April 2006

Summary  The World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) has defined a new strategic plan which maps out where the organization is going and what it can do for our members. The plan embraces the vision of Treatment for All; i.e. one day, treatment will be available for all those with inherited bleeding disorders, regardless of where they live. Treatment for All means proper diagnosis, management, and care by a multidisciplinary team of trained specialists. It means safe, effective treatment products are available for all people with inherited bleeding disorders. It means expanding services beyond haemophilia, to those with von Willebrand's disease, rare factor deficiencies, and inherited platelet disorders. Today, more than 75% of the global bleeding disorders community receive either inadequate or no treatment whatsoever. Our mission is to improve treatment where it is limited or does not exist. At the same time, we must sustain the many gains we have achieved thus far. The challenge is immense. Making our vision a reality requires us to be focused and deliberate about the programmes we undertake and the commitments we make. Building on past strategic plans, this plan presents a vision for the continued success of the WFH over the next 3–5 years.
Pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin in broiler chicken
Authors: KALAISELVI L. , SRIRANJANI D. , RAMESH S. , SRIRAM P. , MATHURAM L. N.
Published: April 2006

Pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antimicrobial agent, was determined in broiler chickens after intravenous or oral administration of a single dose (10 mg/kg). Ofloxacin concentrations in plasma were determined using a high‐performance liquid chromatography assay. Plasma concentration profiles were analyzed by the noncompartmental method. Elimination half‐life and mean residence time of ofloxacin in plasma were 4.46 and 5.48 h after intravenous administration and 5.85 and 7.43 h, respectively, after oral administration. Maximal plasma concentration of 3.65 μg/mL was achieved at 1.25 h after oral administration. Apparent volume of distribution of 1.76 and 2.16 L/kg and total body clearance of 4.96 and 4.5 mL/min/kg were obtained following intravenous and oral administration, respectively. The oral bioavailability of ofloxacin was 110.01%. Ofloxacin was found to be more rapidly absorbed, widely distributed and more quickly eliminated than other fluoroquinolones in broilers. Based on these kinetic parameters, a dosage of 10 mg/kg given orally every 24 h can be recommended for the treatment of bacterial infections withMIC90 < 0.3 μg/mL.
Investigating the basis of substrate recognition in the pC221 relaxosome
Authors: Caryl Jamie A. , Thomas Christopher D.
Published: April 2006

The nicking of the origin of transfer (oriT) is an essential initial step in the conjugative mobilization of plasmid DNA. In the case of staphylococcal plasmid pC221, nicking by the plasmid‐specific MobA relaxase is facilitated by the DNA‐binding accessory protein MobC; however, the role of MobC in this process is currently unknown. In this study, the site of MobC binding was determined by DNase I footprinting. MobC interacts with oriT DNA at two directly repeated 9 bp sequences, mcb1 and mcb2, upstream of the oriT nic site, and additionally at a third, degenerate repeat within the mobC gene, mcb3. The binding activity of the conserved sequences was confirmed indirectly by competitive electrophoretic mobility shift assays and directly by Surface Plasmon Resonance studies. Mutation at mcb2 abolished detectable nicking activity, suggesting that binding of this site by MobC is a prerequisite for nicking by MobA. Sequential site‐directed mutagenesis of each binding site in pC221 has demonstrated that all three are required for mobilization. The MobA relaxase, while unable to bind to oriT DNA alone, was found to associate with a MobC–oriT complex and alter the MobC binding profile in a region between mcb2 and the nic site. Mutagenesis of oriT in this region defines a 7 bp sequence, sra, which was essential for nicking by MobA. Exchange of four divergent bases between the sra of pC221 and the related plasmid pC223 was sufficient to swap their substrate identity in a MobA‐specific nicking assay. Based on these observations we propose a model of layered specificity in the assembly of pC221‐family relaxosomes, whereby a common MobC:mcb complex presents the oriT substrate, which is then nicked only by the cognate MobA.
Atypical hotspot chains: evidence for a secondary melting zone below the Marquesas (French Polynesia)
Authors: Legendre Christelle , Maury René C. , Blais Sylvain , Guillou Hervé , Cotten Joseph
Published: April 2006

The atypical age/distance to the hotspot relationships observed for the Marquesas linear chain, which present a considerable scatter, are best explained considering (1) a Pacific plate motion of 10.5 cm yr−1 in the N115°E direction and (2) rejuvenation of volcanism in Ua Huka island. New K–Ar ages show that the main hotspot activity in Ua Huka emplaced successively shield olivine tholeiites and post‐shield alkali basalts between 3.11 ± 0.04 and 2.43 ± 0.04 Ma. Then, after a quiescence period of 1.28 ± 0.06 Myr, two small basanitic volcanoes were emplaced between 1.15 ± 0.02 and 0.763 ± 0.013 Ma. With respect to the main hotspot volcanics, their lavas originated from weaker partial melting rates of a deeper source. Field, petrologic and geochemical arguments are consistent with the existence of a secondary melting zone located c. 140 km downstream the Marquesas hotspot, which produced the rejuvenated volcanics.
Novel germline mutations in the APC gene of Cypriot patients with familial and sporadic adenomatous polyposis
Authors: Hadjisavvas A , Papasavva T , Loizidou M , Malas S , Potamitis G , Christodoulou C , Pavlides G , Papamichael D , Klonis C , Nasioulas G , Anastasiadou V , Kyriacou K
Published: April 2006

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is one of the two commonest familial syndromes that predispose to colorectal cancer. FAP is caused by mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumour suppressor gene that has a high penetrance. The disease is characterized by the occurrence of hundreds to thousands of colorectal polyps, which if left untreated give rise to colorectal cancer. In Cyprus, there are no molecular data available as yet on families with FAP. This work presents the results of APC analysis in our population for the first time. The APC gene was analyzed in 33 DNA samples from 20 individuals belonging to four FAP families and 13 patients with sporadic polyposis. We identified three truncating mutations, four missense mutations and 11 polymorphisms. It is of interest that two of the three truncating mutations, 2307delA and Q1242X, are novel, which supports the existence of a unique genetic pool in the Cypriot population. This ethnic molecular study in addition to highlighting population heterogeneity also contributes to phenotype–genotype associations that are essential for the clinical management of FAP families in Cyprus.
Effect of Manganese Deficiency on Chloroplasts of Lemon Leaves
Authors: LERER MICHAEL , BAR‐AKIVA AVIGDOR
Published: April 2006

Manganese deficiency in chloroplasts of Eureka lemon leaves resulted in 23% and 40% increase of chloroplast nitrogen and protein, respectively, on a chlorophyll unit basis. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis carried out on extracts of these chloroplasts disclosed also qualitative differences between the normal and deficient leaves. Calculated on chloroplast N basis there is an increase of 17% in the chloroplast protein under Mn deficiency. This increase apparently indicates a more intense protein synthesis in the Mn deficient chloroplasts. Hill activity of the –Mn leaves was about one‐third of the analog control leaves. Manganese infiltration into detached but intact leaves restored the activity in the –Mn leaves up to 70% of the control. Lemon leaves affected by other macro‐ and micro‐ nutrient deficiencies did not respond to the manganese infiltration; therefore, the use of this infiltration method is suggested for the evaluation of the manganese nutrition status of citrus and probably other higher plants.
Soil Water Stress and Photosynthesis in Cotton
Authors: PARSONS J. E. , PHENE C. J. , BAKER D. N. , LAMBERT J. R. , McKINION J. M.
Published: April 2006

An experiment was conducted in SPAR systems at Florence, S.C., to obtain a data set for use in the simulation of the effect of drying soil on photosynthetic rates in cotton. The plant water status was monitored using leaf water potential and stem diameter meaurements. Reductions were noted in apparent photosynthesis rates after only 5 days of soil drying, and as anticipated, there was uniform displacement of the diurnal cycle of leaf water potential, and corresponding decreases in transpiration and CO2 uptake. The photosynthesis‐light response curves indicated that an average two‐fold reduction in photosynthesis rates occurred for solar radiation greater than 250 W/m2. Stem diameter change (from a nonstress pre‐sunrise value) and integrated stem stress were found to be good indicators of maximum daily plant water stress. The integrated stem stress gave a measure of the duration of the stress along with its magnitude. A simulation method for predicting leaf water potential from stem diameter measurements was used to show that the magnitude and duration of plant water stress increased uniformly during the experiment. This increase was representative of the decreased rates of photosynthesis measured. These data will be used in the simulation of cotton growth and yield.
Nitrate Absorption and Acetylene Reduction by Soybeans during Reproductive Development
Authors: WYCH R. D. , RAINS D. W.
Published: April 2006

Nodulated and unnodulated soybeans (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) were grown in N‐free or N‐containing nutrient solutions, respectively. Starting at the initial flowering stage, and throughout reproductive growth, the NO3‐ absorption capacity of roots of intact plants from both treatments was determined in short‐term uptake experiments. Acetylene reduction activity was determined for nodulated plants. Nitrate absorption rate, expressed on a root dry weight basis, was greatest at early flowering for both nodulated and unnodulated plants. At 33 days after germination, the NO3‐ absorption rate of unnodulated plants was twice as great as that of nodulated plants. During the remainder of the sampling period, NO3‐ absorption rates of both nodulated and unnodulated plants decreased progressively and similarly. Maximum nodule specific activity occurred 30 days after germination, or initial flowering. However, maximum total C2H2 reduction activity, oner plant basis, was observed during the early stages of pod‐filling. Compared to unnodulated plants dependent on NO3‐ assimilation, nodulated plants were smaller, had less N in vegetative tissues, and produced less seed per plant. We suggest that the higher NO3‐ absorption rate of unnodulated soybean roots, particularly during early reproductive growth, may have reflected a more favorable supply of photosynthate translocated to the roots from larger, more vigorous, non‐N‐stressed shoots.
Metabolism of auxin in pine tissues: Indole‐3‐acetic acid conjugation
Authors: RIOV JOSEPH , GOTTLIEB HUGO E.
Published: April 2006

Incubation of sections of various tissues of Pinus pinea L. with a relatively low concentration (3.6 μM) of indole‐3‐acetic acid‐2‐14C (IAA) resulted in the formation of two major metabolites. The first, which has not been identified, seemed to be a polar acidic compound and the second was identified as indole‐3‐acetylaspartic acid (IAAsp). The polar acidic metabolite has been found to be the major metabolite in needles, shoot wood and roots, while IAAsp has been found to be the major metabolite in shoot bark. Increasing the concentration of IAA in the incubation medium resulted in an increase in the formation of a third metabolite which proved to be l‐O‐(indole‐3‐acetyl)‐β‐d‐glucose (IAGlu) and a concomitant decrease in the amount of the polar acidic metabolite. This phenomenon was prominent particularly in needles. IAGlu was isolated from needles and IAAsp was isolated from shoot bark by means of polyvinylpolypyrrolidone column chromatography and preparative thin‐layer chromatography. IAGlu was identified by comparison with authentic material by co‐chromatography in three different solvent systems and by 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. IAAsp was identified by comparison with authentic material by gas‐liquid chromatography and 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Several aspects of formation, separation and isolation of IAA metabolites are discussed.
Effect of exogenous gibberellins on flowering in Pinus sylvestris grafts
Authors: LUUKKANEN OLAVI , JOHANSSON STIG
Published: April 2006

Ethanolic sprays of gibberellins were applied to developing shoots of about 12‐year‐old Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) grafts during the shoot elongation period in two consecutive years. Both male and female flowering was increased by these treatments in both years. The effect was particularly distinct in male flowering. However, different clones showed varying responses to the treatment. This variation was associated with both the genotype and the environmentally determined year‐to‐year fluctuation in flowering. Differences among clones were analysed further by introducing a model earlier developed for comparisons of the growth rhythm in various woody and herbaceous species.
Sperm mitochondrial DNA transmission to both male and female offspring in the blue mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis
Authors: Obata Mayu , Kamiya Chisato , Kawamura Kouichi , Komaru Akira
Published: April 2006

In Mytilus mussels, paternal mitochondrial DNA (M type) from sperm is known to be transmitted to offspring. This phenomenon is called doubly uniparental inheritance (DUI). Under DUI, it has been reported that female mussels generally have only maternal mtDNA (F type). In this study, we examined the mode of mtDNA transmission in Mytilus galloprovincialis using M and F type‐specific primer sets. The ratio of M and F types were measured in each sample by SNaPshot. The M type was detected in the adductor muscle and female gonad of all females. In unfertilized eggs spawned by 84.6% of females (22/26), M type was also detected. The F type was more abundant than the M type in all females. Although the ratio of M type in females was very low, all females contained the M type. From these results, we propose a new possibility about DUI inheritance. The presence of M type in unfertilized eggs indicates that the M type of eggs may also contribute to M type inheritance.
AUSTRALIAN VASCULAR QUALITY OF LIFE INDEX (AUSVIQUOL): A PILOT STUDY OF A DISEASE‐SPECIFIC QUALITY OF LIFE MEASURE
Authors: Borchard Kate L. A. , Hewitt Peter M. , Wotherspoon Simon , Scott Alan R.
Published: April 2006

Background:  To develop and test a quality of life (QOL) index specific for patients with vascular disease and appropriate for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in the clinical setting.

Methods:  The questions and domains of the Australian Vascular Quality of Life Index (AUSVIQUOL) were determined by examination of a prospective database for frequency of symptoms and an in‐depth interview of a sample population. The validity of the AUSVIQUOL was tested by comparing it with the Medical Outcomes Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36) in a study involving 60 patients who underwent endovascular AAA repair and 48 open AAA repair. A subpopulation of 22 patients representative of the two groups was then reassessed using the SF‐36 and the AUSVIQUOL, to compare the reliability of the two indices.

Results:  Similar domains of the SF‐36 and the AUSVIQUOL measured common QOL elements. The correlation between the two indices was moderate; the AUSVIQUOL measured additional disease‐specific QOL factors. The AUSVIQUOL showed better reliability than the SF‐36 in all domains and statistically better in the physical function domain (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  The AUSVIQUOL is an appropriate tool for the QOL assessment of patients with AAA in the clinical setting.
POSTOPERATIVE PAIN FOLLOWING COBLATION TONSILLECTOMY: RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL
Authors: Polites Nastasha , Joniau Sander , Wabnitz David , Fassina Rob , Smythe Clinton , Varley Paul , Carney A. Simon
Published: April 2006

Background:  Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest surgical procedures, with postoperative pain being an important source of morbidity. Coblation (cold ablation) is a new technique for tonsillectomy, promoted by claims of reduced postoperative pain levels. This study was designed to compare postoperative pain after tonsillectomy using coblation and tonsillectomy using the standard dissection techniques.

Methods:  Twenty adult patients underwent tonsillectomy, each having one randomly selected tonsil removed by dissection and the other removed by coblation. For each side, subjective pain levels were recorded on a daily basis for 10 postoperative days, using a visual analogue scale.

Results:  Coblation tonsillectomy was significantly less painful than dissection tonsillectomy on day 1 (P < 0.001), day 2 (P = 0.003) and day 3 (P = 0.018). For all subsequent postoperative days, there was no significant difference in pain levels between the techniques.

Conclusion:  Coblation tonsillectomy causes significantly less pain during the first three postoperative days, when compared with dissection tonsillectomy. No demonstrable benefit was shown on days 4–10. The beneficial effects of coblation on early postoperative pain make it a potentially attractive technique for day‐case tonsillectomy in adults with recurrent or chronic tonsillitis.
Partnership and the Limits to Local Governance in England: Institutionalist Analysis and Neoliberalism
Authors: GEDDES MIKE
Published: April 2006

There is much debate about the shift from a pattern of traditional local government to one of local governance, and about the impact of such a tendency on the effectiveness of governance processes and outcomes. This article argues that it is necessary in exploring such issues to bring together contributions informed by new institutionalist perspectives with others concerned with the political economy of neoliberalism. Partnerships are widely seen to be a significant element in the shift from government to governance, and the article focuses on the role of partnerships at both local (ie local authority) and neighbourhood level. Key questions about ‘local partnership governance’ concern its democratic legitimacy and the capacity of its institutions. Drawing on the examples of local strategic partnerships and the New Deal for Communities programme in England, it is recognized that such partnerships can appear to open up new approaches to legitimacy and new possibilities of enhancing the capacity of the local governance system. In fact, however, they are more likely to undermine democracy and accountability, and lack the capacity to be effective, while limiting local policy options to those consistent with New Labour's neoliberal policy agenda.
Multi‐level Environmentalism and the European Union: The Case of Trans‐European Transport Networks
Authors: VAN DER HEIJDEN HEIN‐ANTON
Published: April 2006

In the European Union, trans‐European transport networks (TENs) are a vital element in the constitution of one European space in order to enable the free movement of people and goods throughout the Union. Their construction, however, often causes environmental degradation. Opposition to EU politics is mostly voiced at the level of individual nation‐states. As the case of TENs reveals, however, protest against European policy projects with environmental side effects can take the form of ‘multi‐level environmentalism’, linking lobbying and ‘conscientization’ in Brussels with direct action at the national and local levels. Civil society theory, social movement theory and governance theory help ensure a theoretically informed answer to the question of how the resistance to TENs is organized and framed. By questioning dominant problem definitions and solution strategies, environmental movements and movement organizations, both in Brussels and in the individual nation‐states, point to the possibility of looking at social and political reality from another, non‐hegemonic point of view. In this way, they contribute to challenging the often biased technocratic, growth‐oriented character of the European Union.
Recentering the City
Authors: LAKE ROBERT W.
Published: April 2006

In The City and the Grassroots, Manuel Castells recentered the city as the site of distinctively urban social movements and reaffirmed the role of purposive social action in constructing a distinctively urban space. Although Castells’ recitation of five centuries of urban political activism documents the consistent failure of such movements to achieve their goals, his account is persistently optimistic on at least three counts. First, recentering the city reminds us that, despite the failure of transitory political movements, the city endures as an opportunity for renewed political activism. The continual possibility of change offered by the city's ontological persistence is separate from the fate of any given political intervention. Second, regardless of its specific success or failure, each episode of urban activism establishes a new context for the next encounter, its legacy persisting in the collective memories — the stock of mnemonic capital — of which the city is the repository. Third, Castells’ emphasis on political agency affirms that, while all action is ephemeral, its constitutive re‐enactment ceaselessly provides openings for insurgency and transgression. This optimistic message is worth repeating today.
Short‐term Contrarian Strategies in the London Stock Exchange: Are They Profitable? Which Factors Affect Them?
Authors: Antoniou Antonios , Galariotis Emilios C. , Spyrou Spyros I.
Published: April 2006

Abstract:  This paper provides evidence on short‐term contrarian profits and their sources for the London Stock Exchange. Profits are decomposed to sources due to factors derived from the Fama and French (1996) three‐factor model. For the empirical testing, size‐sorted sub‐samples are used, and adjustments for infrequent trading and bid‐ask biases are also made. Results indicate that UK short‐term contrarian strategies are profitable and more pronounced for extreme market capitalization stocks. These profits persist even when the sample is adjusted for market frictions, risk, seasonality, and irrespective of whether equally‐weighted or value‐weighted portfolios are employed. The most important factor that drives contrarian profits appears to be investor overreaction to firm‐specific information.