bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Breeding ecology of the fairy martin
Authors: Magrath Michael J. L.
Published: January 2006

The breeding biology of the fairy martin, Hirundo ariel,
was studied over three years (1992–95) in the Yarra Valley, Victoria.
Adult males and females in this population were morphologically similar,
though only females acquired a brood patch during the breeding season.
Colonies ranged in size from 8 to 29 nests. Birds arrived in the study area in
September and usually commenced laying in October, though nesting activities
were generally asynchronous both between and within colonies. Most colonies
contained active nests until February. At least 16% of adults and
5% of fledglings, on average, returned to the study area in the
following year. Returning adults generally nested at the same colony site as
the previous year, while most first-year birds nested at sites other than
their natal colony. Adult males were more likely to return than adult females.
Clutch size ranged from 2 to 5, with a mean of 3.5, and declined over the
season. The incubation period varied from 12 to 18 days with a mean of 13.7. A
mean of 1.8 chicks fledged per completed clutch, while 60% of clutches
produced at least one chick. The period from hatching to fledging varied from
17 to 32 days, with a mean of 22.1, and increased with brood size. Fledging
success was highest during the middle of the breeding season. Adverse weather
conditions, resulting in the abandonment of clutch and brood, were the most
common cause of nest failure, and on several occasions also resulted in adult
mortality. Almost half the breeding females produced at least two clutches in
the one season. Pairs produced from 0 to 8 fledglings per season, with those
that commenced nesting earlier in the season having higher annual
productivity. These results are discussed in relation to the breeding ecology
of other members of the Hirundinidae.
Development and ecology of larvae of the monotypic Australian fish family Dinolestidae
Authors: Miskiewicz Anthony G. , Neira Francisco J. , Tait Sharon E.
Published: January 2006

The development and seasonal distribution of larvae of
Dinolestes lewini, the sole species of the endemic
Australian family Dinolestidae, are described for the first time using larvae
1.88–14.13 mm in body length caught in south-eastern Australia. Larvae
have a moderately deep body, 27–29 myomeres, a moderate to large head, a
large mouth with prominent, early-forming premaxillary teeth, small to
moderate preopercular spines, a coiled and compact gut, and are moderately
pigmented. Notochord flexion takes place between 4.8 and 7.0 mm and
transformation at a size >14 mm. Larvae closely resemble those of
Apogonops (Acropomatidae),
Pomatomus (Pomatomidae) and
Scomber (Scombridae), genera that have been postulated
to be related to Dinolestes, but can be distinguished
using a combination of myomere and fin-ray counts, and pigmentation. Larvae
have been caught in marine waters off central New South Wales between January
and November, and off western Victoria in late January, at depths between 30
and 0 m and within 8 nautical miles of the coast. The limited data on larval
occurrence in New South Wales indicate that D. lewini
spawns over an extended period, with a peak in autumn/winter.
Development of some aspects of blood oxygen transport in nestling short-tailed shearwaters
Authors: Arnold Gudrun , Baldwin John , Lill Alan
Published: January 2006

Body mass of nestling short-tailed shearwaters
(Puffinus tenuirostris) on Phillip Island, south-eastern
Australia, increased about twelve-fold over the first 65 of the typical 94
days of development, peaked at 33% above adult mass and then declined
to adult levels at fledging. Haematocrit and blood haemoglobin concentration
of nestlings were constant throughout the initial phase of rapid mass gain,
but increased respectively from 30% to 55% and from 9 to 15 g
per 100 mL once asymptotic mass had been attained. The erythrocyte count
increased throughout development, but most markedly after attainment of peak
mass. Consequently, the estimated 70% increase in blood oxygen carrying
capacity during nestling development mostly occurred when mass gain had
ceased. At fledging, this capacity was 81% of that of adults shortly
before they deserted the colony. Over the course of nestling development,
erythrocytes decreased in volume by 20% and became more ellipsoidal,
which could potentially increase the rate of oxygen delivery to the
metabolising tissues. The pattern of development of blood oxygen carrying
capacity differed from those reported for most other altricial birds in that
the increase in capacity was not continuous throughout development. We suggest
that the relatively delayed development of blood oxygen carrying capacity in
shearwater nestlings is permitted by their slow growth rate. It may be
adaptive in deferring the costs of producing, and particularly maintaining,
large numbers of small erythrocytes. The magnitude of the respiratory problem
potentially posed for the nestling by burrow hypoxia may not be great and
should in any case be reduced by its slow growth rate and consequently
relatively low daily energy requirements.
Do skin peptide profiles reflect speciation in the Australian treefrog Litoria caerulea (Anura : Hylidae)?
Authors: Donnellan Stephen C. , Tyler Michael J. , Monis Paul , Barclay Adam , Medlin Anna
Published: January 2006

Profiles of skin gland peptides of the tree frog
Litoria caerulea from Australia show substantial
divergence among geographic locations. Indeed, two divergent groups of
populations, ‘eastern’ and ‘northern’, are apparent
from a phenetic analysis of similarities of skin gland peptide profiles among
populations of L. caerulea. We analyse variation in
nuclear genes (allozyme frequencies) and the mitochondrial genome (haplotype
relationships and frequencies) to test the taxonomic significance of
differences apparent among profiles of skin gland peptides. Both molecular
genetic data sets identified the same two groups apparent in the profiles of
skin gland peptides. However, neither molecular data set, under an
evolutionary species concept, provides strong enough evidence to support
recognition of these groups as separate species. These data imply that the
genetic basis of the inheritance and expression of skin gland peptides
requires further characterisation.
Culinary Deserts, Gastronomic Oases: A Classification of US Cities
Authors: Neal Zachary Paul
Published: January 2006

This paper explores the role of restaurants, as consumption spaces, in defining the consumptional identity of 243 American cities. Specifically, it is asked whether, and how, US cities can be classified on the basis of the local prevalence of specific types of restaurants-are some cities culinary deserts, while others are gastronomic oases? A two-stage cluster analysis reveals four distinct city types, which fall along two intersecting dimensions: a quantitative dimension of restaurant availability and a qualitative cultural dimension. These four city types are characterised and connected to the existing literature on consumption spaces, with particular attention to a strong parallel between these city types and the communities discussed by Richard Florida. Several directions for future research using the city classification as a conceptual framework are offered. Additionally, these analyses involve the development and application of a new method of measuring a city's number of consumption spaces, which is theoretically superior to traditional per capita measures and which is described in a methodological appendix.
Leadership, Power and Multisector Urban Regeneration Partnerships
Authors: Hemphill Lesley , McGreal Stanley , Berry Jim , Watson Siobhan
Published: January 2006

Multisector partnerships have become the central tenet of contemporary urban regeneration policy facilitating a new form of local participative governance. Consequently, neighbourhood renewal and the importance of 'people' and 'places' have encouraged the emergence of a new form of 'community leader' who is more in touch with the problems of local disadvantaged groups. This paper explores the issue of leadership within multisectoral urban regeneration partnerships, focusing on the formation of social capital, power relations and partnership synergy. Conclusions point to the synergistic and social capital benefits of partnerships and the role played by urban leadership in generating a collaborative network capable of achieving more than performance targets.
Making Room for Migrants, Making Sense of Difference: Spatial and Ideological Expressions of Social Diversity in Urban Qatar
Authors: Nagy Sharon
Published: January 2006

Much has been written describing the pervasive and rapid urbanisation of the Arabian Gulf in the late 20th century. Less attention has been paid to the accompanying growth and diversification of the region's population and residents' experience of the new urbanised spaces. Based on ethnographic research in urban Qatar between 1994 and 2000, this paper describes and compares two distinct principles of social differentiation that characterise Qatar's social and spatial organisation-the distinction between Qatari citizens and foreign nationals, and internal differentiation amongst the Qatari citizenry. Along each of these two axes, meaningful social categories are produced and reproduced by a combination of formal and informal processes, including immigration and citizenship regulations, occupational and economic practices, marriage patterns and residents' attitudes towards diversity and their stereotypes of 'others'. The juxtaposition of these two axes of differentiation highlights the role of official discourse in legitimising ideologies of difference and in shaping residents' experiences of diversity in the newly transnationalised cities of the Arabian Gulf.
Measuring the Accessibility of Services and Facilities for Residents of Public Housing in Montreal
Authors: Apparicio Philippe , Seguin Anne-Marie
Published: January 2006

For the residents of public housing, whose mobility is often reduced due to their precarious economic situation and their stage in the life cycle, the accessibility of services and facilities is a fundamental concern. Moreover, in Montreal, public housing is dispersed throughout the city. Accessibility thus varies greatly from one building to the next. The aims of this study are first to evaluate the accessibility of various urban resources using spatial data analysis in geographical information systems and then to develop an indicator of the accessibility of services and facilities for each public housing project using multivariate data analysis. The final results show that there are eight sub-types of landscape facilities around public housing buildings. Overall, half of the residents of public housing buildings have very good or good accessibility to services and facilities. Most of these residents live in public housing in some of the central or relatively central districts. On the other hand, for 45 per cent of public housing residents, there is a low level of access and 5 per cent have very limited service accessibility.
Constitutionalism and Identity in Eastern Europe: Uncovering Philosophical Fragments
Authors: Deets Stephen
Published: January 2006

Despite the euphoria surrounding the 1989 revolutions, over the past 15 years voices have warned that resurgent nationalism may bring “democracy in dark times” (Isaacs, 1998; Tismaneanu, 1998; Ramet, 1997). Reflecting this fear, a stream of articles has asserted that nationalism in the East is different from the more civic nationalism of the West (Vujacic, 1996; Bunce, 2001; Schöpflin, 2003). If true, these sentiments should be reflected in the constitutions, documents that define the polity and the foundational values of the state in addition to creating the basic institutional order. Debates over religious references in the European Union constitution and the focus on constitutional change by Albanian forces in Macedonia in 2000 serve as reminders of the centrality of constitutions in contention over identity. However, as all constitutions in East Central Europe and the Balkans set out a democratic structure informed by a tangle of national and liberal ideas, they cannot be neatly divided between those which are nationalist and those which are civic, between those which respect minority rights and those which do not. In fact, what is striking about the constitutions is how they combine ideas of liberal individualism, strong democracy, and pluralism.
Death of a Young Political Gadfly—Oleksandr A. Kryvenko in Memoriam (13 May 1963 to 9 April 2003); Or, Reflections on Ukrainian Politics and Foreign Policy in 2003–2005
Authors: Bilinsky Yaroslav
Published: January 2006

The good die young.

If you kill me you will not easily find a successor to me, who, if I may use such ludicrous figure of speech, am a sort of gadfly, given to the State by God; and the State is a great and noble steed who is tardy in his motions owing to his very size, and requires to be stirred into life. I am that gadfly which God has attached to the State, and all day long and in all places am always fastening upon you, arousing and persuading and reproaching you. You will not easily find another like me, and therefore I would advise you to spare me.
Determining the Significance of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci Identified in Cultures of Paired Blood Specimens from Neonates by Species Identification and Strain Clonality
Authors: Huang Yhu-Chering , Wang Ying-Hsiang , Su Lin-Hui , Chou Yi-Hong , Lien Rey-In , Lin Tzou-Yien
Published: January 2006

Of 13 paired coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolates recovered from cultures of paired blood specimens obtained simultaneously from peripheral sites from neonates with clinical sepsis, 12 were identical species with identical genotypes. Isolation of CoNS in cultures of 2 blood samples obtained simultaneously from separate sites in neonates usually represents true infection.
Nosocomial Infection Surveillance in a Surgical Intensive Care Unit in Spain, 1996-2000: A Time-Trend Analysis
Authors: Lizán-Garcia Máxima , Peyro Ramón , Cortiña Manuel , Crespo María Dolores , Tobias Aurelio
Published: January 2006

Objective.

To establish the occurrence, distribution, and secular time trend of nosocomial infections (NIs) in a surgical intensive care unit (ICU).

Design and Setting.

Follow-up study in a teaching hospital in Spain.

Methods.

In May 1995 we established an nosocomial infection surveillance system in our surgical ICU. We collected information daily for all patients who were in the ICU for at least 48 hours (546 patients from 1996 through 2000). We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions and criteria for infections. Monthly, we determined the site-specific incidence densities of NIs, the rates of medical device use, and the Poisson probability distribution, which determined whether the case count equalled the number of expected cases (the mean number of cases during the previous year, with extreme values excluded). We compared yearly and monthly infection rates by Poisson regression, using site-specific NIs as a dependent variable and year and month as dummy variables. We tested annual trends with an alternative Poisson regression model fitting a single linear trend.

Results.

The average rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infections was 8.4 per 1000 catheter-days; that of ventilator-associated pneumonia, 21 per 1000 ventilator-days; and that of central line–associated bloodstream infections, 30 per 1000 central line–days. The rate of urinary tract infections did not change over the study period, but there was a trend toward decreases in the rates of central line–associated bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Conclusion.

An NI surveillance and control program contributed to a progressive decrease in NI rates.
Risk Factors for Groin Wound Infection After Femoral Artery Catheterization A Case-Control Study
Authors: Polgreen Philip M. , Diekema Daniel J. , VandeBerg Jeff , Wiblin R. Todd , Chen Yi Yi , David Sherry , Rasmus Dianne , Gerdts Nicole , Ross Angelena , Katz Louis , Herwaldt Loreen A.
Published: January 2006

Objective.

Groin wound infection (GWI) after femoral artery catheterization is unusual. However, several reports of GWI associated with the use of a Perclose device appear in the surgical literature.

Design.

A case-control study.

Setting.

We pooled 23 cases and 83 controls from a university hospital and a community medical center.

Patients.

A case was defined as a patient who developed a GWI after a femoral artery catheterization. At the university hospital, 3 controls were randomly selected from the at-risk population and matched to each case by time of procedure only (within 2 weeks). At the community medical center, 4 controls were selected and matched to each case by time of procedure (within 2 weeks), sex, and age (within 5 years).

Results.

We considered several covariates, including age, sex, body mass index, medical conditions, Perclose use, hematoma formation, and antithrombotic therapy. In a multivariate model, only hematoma formation (odds ratio, 68.8; 95% confidence interval, 12.1-391.4) and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet inhibitor therapy (odds ratio, 6.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-33.6) were statistically significant predictors of GWI; Perclose use (odds ratio, 0.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.2-3.7) was not a statistically significant predictor of GWI. However, most of the hematomas (15/17) formed after procedures during which a Perclose device was used.

Conclusion.

Perclose use did not have any additional effect on GWI risk beyond the effect that hematoma formation had.
Follow-up and Management of Patients Exposed to a Flawed Automated Endoscope Washer-Disinfector in a Digestive Diseases Unit
Authors: Vanhems Philippe , Gayet-Ageron Angèle , Ponchon Thierry , Bernet Claude , Chayvialle Jean-Alain , Chemorin Christine , Morandat Léone , Bibollet Marie-Ange , Chevallier Philippe , Ritter Jacques , Fabry Jacques
Published: January 2006

The possible transmission of pathogens to 236 persons exposed to an endoscope processed in a flawed automated endoscope washer-disinfector in a gastrointestinal endoscopy unit was investigated. During 6 months, 197 patients (83.5%) were followed up, and no cases of acute human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis C virus, or hepatitis B virus infection were observed. This event created the conditions for improvements in safety procedures.
Surgical Site Infection During Hospitalization and After Discharge in Patients Who Have Undergone Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Fernández-Ayala Marta , Nan Daniel N. , Farinas-Álvarez Concepción , Revuelta José M. , González-Macías Jesús , Fariñas M. Carmen
Published: January 2006

During a 13-month period, 513 patients who were scheduled to undergo cardiac surgery were prospectively observed for surgical site infection during hospitalization after surgery and for 1 month after hospital discharge. Fifty-three patients showed evidence of surgical site infection (during hospitalization for 31 patients and after discharge for 22). Multivariate analysis identified that risk factors for surgical site infection differed between infections that occurred during hospitalization and those that occurred after discharge.
Howe quotients of unitary characters and unitary lowest weight modules
Authors: Loke Hung Yean
Published: January 2006

In this paper, let

(
G
,

G
′

)

(G,G’)

be the dual pair
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="left-parenthesis ModifyingAbove normal upper S normal p With tilde left-parenthesis p comma double-struck upper R right-parenthesis comma ModifyingAbove normal upper O With tilde left-parenthesis n comma m right-parenthesis right-parenthesis">

(

S
p

~

(
p
,

R

)
,

O

~

(
n
,
m
)
)

(\widetilde {\mathrm {Sp}}(p,\mathbb {R}), \tilde {\mathrm O}(n,m))

. We will determine the composition series of the Howe quotients of

G
′

G’

which are lifts from one-dimensional unitary representations of

G
G

and unitary lowest weight modules of

G
G

. We will also determine the unitarizability of the subquotients. Our method also works for the dual pairs

(

U

~

(
p
,
q
)
,

U

~

(
n
,
m
)
)

(\widetilde {\mathrm U}(p,q), \widetilde {\mathrm U}(n,m))

and
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="left-parenthesis ModifyingAbove normal upper O With tilde Superscript asterisk Baseline left-parenthesis 2 p right-parenthesis comma ModifyingAbove normal upper S normal p With tilde left-parenthesis n comma m right-parenthesis right-parenthesis">

(

O

~

∗

(
2
p
)
,

S
p

~

(
n
,
m
)
)

(\tilde {\mathrm O}^*(2p), \widetilde {\mathrm {Sp}}(n,m))

.
Mothers determine offspring size in response to own juvenile growth conditions
Authors: Taborsky Barbara
Published: January 2006

Through non-genetic maternal effects, mothers can tailor offspring phenotype to the environment in which young will grow up. If juvenile and adult ecologies differ, the conditions mothers experienced as juveniles may better predict their offspring's environment than the adult environment of mothers. In this case maternal decisions about investment in offspring quality should already be determined during the juvenile phase of mothers. I tested this hypothesis by manipulating juvenile and adult maternal environments independently in a cichlid fish. Females raised in a poor environment produced larger young than females raised without food limitations, irrespective of the feeding conditions experienced during adulthood. This maternal boost was due to a higher investment in eggs and to faster larval growth. Apparently, mothers prepare their offspring for similar environmental conditions to those they encountered as juveniles. This explanation is supported by the distribution of these fishes under natural conditions. Juveniles live in a different and much narrower range of habitats than adults. Therefore, the habitat mothers experienced as juveniles will allow them to predict their offspring's environment better than the conditions in the adult home range.
Natural variation in male-induced ‘cost-of-mating’ and allele-specific association with male reproductive genes in
Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Fiumera Anthony C , Dumont Bethany L , Clark Andrew G
Published: January 2006

One of the most sharply defined sexual conflicts arises when the act of mating is accompanied by an inflated risk of death. Several reports have documented an increased death rate of female
Drosophila
as a result of recurrent mating. Transgenic and mutation experiments have further identified components of seminal fluid that are at least in part responsible for this toxicity. Variation among males in their tendency for matings to be toxic to their partners has also been documented, but here for the first time we identify polymorphism within particular genes conferring differential post-mating female mortality. Such polymorphism is important, as it raises the challenge of whether sexual conflict models can provide means for maintenance of polymorphism. Using a set of second chromosome extraction lines, we scored differences in post-mating female fecundity and longevity subsequent to mating, and identified significant among-line differences. Seventy polymorphisms in ten male reproductive genes were scored and permutation tests were used to identify significant associations between genotype and phenotype. One polymorphism upstream of
PEBII
and an amino acid substitution in
CG17331
were both associated with male-induced female mortality. The same allele of
CG17331
that is toxic to females also induces greater refractoriness to remating in the females, providing an example of an allele-specific sexual conflict. Postcopulatory sexual selection could lead to sexual conflict by favouring males that prevent their mates from mating, even when there is a viability cost to those females.
The dynamics of two- and three-way sexual conflicts over mating
Authors: Gavrilets Sergey , Hayashi Takehiko I
Published: January 2006

We consider mathematical models describing the evolutionary consequences of antagonistic interactions between male offence, male defence and female reproductive tract and physiology in controlling female mating rate. Overall, the models support previous verbal arguments about the possibility of continuous coevolutionary chase between the sexes driven by two-way (e.g. between male offence and female traits) and three-way (e.g. between male offence, male defence and female traits) inter-sexual antagonistic interactions. At the same time, the models clarify these arguments by identifying various additional potential evolutionary dynamics and important parameters (e.g. genetic variances, female optimum mating rates, strength of selection in females and the relative contributions of first and second males into offspring) and emphasizing the importance of initial conditions. Models also show that sexual conflict can result in the evolution of monandry in an initially polyandrous species and in the evolution of random mating in a population initially exhibiting non-random mating.
Cyclooxygenase-1-derived PGE2 promotes cell motility via the G-protein-coupled EP4 receptor during vertebrate gastrulation
Authors: Cha Yong I. , Kim Seok-Hyung , Sepich Diane , Buchanan F. Gregory , Solnica-Krezel Lilianna , DuBois Raymond N.
Published: January 2006

Gastrulation is a fundamental process during embryogenesis that shapes proper body architecture and establishes three germ layers through coordinated cellular actions of proliferation, fate specification, and movement. Although many molecular pathways involved in the specification of cell fate and polarity during vertebrate gastrulation have been identified, little is known of the signaling that imparts cell motility. Here we show that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by microsomal PGE2 synthase (Ptges) is essential for gastrulation movements in zebrafish. Furthermore, PGE2 signaling regulates morphogenetic movements of convergence and extension as well as epiboly through the G-protein-coupled PGE2 receptor (EP4) via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. EP4 signaling is not required for proper cell shape or persistence of migration, but rather it promotes optimal cell migration speed during gastrulation. This work demonstrates a critical requirement of PGE2 signaling in promoting cell motility through the COX-1–Ptges–EP4 pathway, a previously unrecognized role for this biologically active lipid in early animal development.
Chromatin assembly factor 1 ensures the stable maintenance of silent chromatin states in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ono Tatsuya , Kaya Hidetaka , Takeda Shin , Abe Mitsutomo , Ogawa Yuya , Kato Masaomi , Kakutani Tetsuji , Scheid Ortrun Mittelsten , Araki Takashi , Shibahara Kei‐ichi
Published: January 2006

Newly synthesized DNA is rapidly assembled into mature nucleosomes by the deposition of pre‐existing and nascent histones, and some parts of this process are facilitated by chromatin assembly factor 1 (CAF‐1). Loss‐of‐function mutants of CAF‐1 in Arabidopsis, fasciata (fas), show a variety of morphological abnormalities and unique defects in gene expression in the meristems. In order to clarify the implications of CAF‐1 in the maintenance of chromatin states in higher eukaryotes, we investigated transcriptional gene silencing (TGS) of various genes in fas mutants. Here, we show that TGS of endogenous CACTA transposons was released in a stochastic manner in fas. Other endogenous silent genes, a transposon AtMu1 and a hypothetical gene T5L23.26 at a heterochromatin knob, were also transcriptionally activated, and the activation of the three different silent loci at different chromosomal sites occurred non‐concomitantly with each other. Furthermore, TGS of the silent β‐glucuronidase (GUS) transgene was also de‐repressed randomly in fas. We conclude that CAF‐1 ensures the stable inheritance of epigenetic states through growth and development in Arabidopsis.
Effect of palate covering on bolus‐propulsion time and its contributory factors
Authors: KODAIRA Y. , ISHIZAKI K. , SAKURAI K.
Published: January 2006

summary  The aim of this study was first to investigate whether the covering of the palatal mucosa with a denture base affects or not the bolus‐propulsion time, and second if there was such an effect then investigate the possible contributory factors which have influence on the propulsion time. The propulsion time was measured in 21 young normal edentulous subjects under five different conditions: a complete palatal covering, non‐covered palate, anterior palatal covering, posterior palatal covering and surface anaesthetized palate. As possible contributory factors palatal morphometric parameters, as well as tongue pressure were also measured. The data were analysed on the following way: changes when the palate was complete covered and non‐covered, effects of sensation reduction after topic anaesthesia, effects of differences in the covering site, effects of palatal morphometric parameters and effects of tongue pressure. Ten subjects exhibited significant differences in the propulsion time when comparing the data between the complete palatal covering and the non‐covered palate condition (change group). Eleven subjects did not show changes (unchanged group). Effects in the propulsion time were also recognized with posterior palatal covering‐palate and superficially anaesthetized palate. With regard to the tongue pressure, significant differences during swallowing were observed. These results indicated that the bolus propulsion time into the oropharynx was affected by the palatal covering in some subjects. Moreover, the sensation in the posterior region of the hard palate, as well as the tongue pressure were also factors which affected the propulsion time during swallowing.
The vibratory characteristics of obturators with different bulb height and form designs
Authors: OKI M. , IIDA T. , MUKOHYAMA H. , TOMIZUKA K. , TAKATO T. , TANIGUCHI H.
Published: January 2006

summary  The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the vibratory characteristics of obturator prostheses are affected by bulb design, i.e.: the hollow or buccal flange type, and different lateral and medial bulb heights. Buccal flange and hollow bulb obturator prostheses were fabricated with two different lateral bulb wall heights and two different medial bulb wall heights. Ultimately, eight obturator prostheses were prepared for evaluation of their vibratory characteristics. The frequency–response functions were recorded on an FFT analyzer to identify their vibratory characteristics. A transient response simulation was carried out in which an impact was applied to the non‐defect side. The decay rate, damping time and maximum amplitude of the retainers were statistically analysed by anova with Scheffé's test (P < 0·05). The decay rate of every buccal flange type was higher and damping time was shorter than those of every hollow type, except between a pair with low lateral and low medial bulb walls. The maximum amplitude values of four obturators with low medial bulb walls were significantly lower than those of four obturators with high medial walls. The buccal flange obturator prosthesis with high lateral and low medial walls showed the maximum decay rate and the minimum amplitude of the retainers on molars. Vibration analysis suggests that a buccal flange obturator prosthesis with high lateral and low medial walls is preferable.
Chewing‐side determination of three food textures
Authors: PAPHANGKORAKIT J. , THOTHONGKAM N. , SUPANONT N.
Published: January 2006

summary  Food texture affects chewing movement but it is not known if it also affects the chewing‐side pattern. This study determined the chewing sides of three test foods with different textures during habitual chewing. Twenty healthy dental students (aged 20–24 years) chewed pieces of pork jerky, fresh asparagus and almonds on two separate sessions (1 week apart). In each session, each subject chewed 30 food specimens, 10 of the same food type, until swallowing while a video camera recorded the displacement of the chin with respect to the other two reference points vertically marked along the facial midline. A slow‐speed video playback was used to identify the chewing side of each cycle. The chewing‐side pattern (right preference, left preference, no preference) in each individual was determined statistically. The results showed that overall, 11 subjects did not have any side preference whereas six and three subjects preferred to chew on right or left sides respectively. The chewing‐side pattern remained unchanged between three food types in about half of the subjects. When the same food was compared between 2 days, the chewing‐side pattern of almonds was shown to be most reproducible (18 subjects). Unidentified cycles with little or no lateral displacement, labelled as bilateral, were observed more frequently near the end of the chewing sequence with more occurrences in almonds and jerky than asparagus (P < 0·01). It was suggested that chewing‐side preference is not a fixed characteristic. Food texture seemed to influence the side preference and also the occurrence of bilateral cycles.
Measurement of clinical wear of two packable composites after 6 months in service
Authors: BLALOCK J. S. , CHAN D. C. N. , BROWNING W. D. , CALLAN R. , HACKMAN S.
Published: January 2006

summary  Original large‐particle composites exhibited poor wear characteristics. With the packable composites, there has been a reintroduction of large particles. The clinical wear characteristics of such packable composites are relatively unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare wear between two types of packable composites: Alert (Jeneric Pentron) and Surefil (Dentsply Caulk). Each material was compared with and without a surface sealant. Fifty‐two subjects were included. Subjects had to have two to four eligible teeth, be 21 years of age, in good health and in need of moderate to large class 2 restorations on molars, and/or a two‐surface class 1 on molars. Wear was assessed, using the Moffa–Lugassy (ML) scale, by evaluating stone models made from polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) impressions taken at baseline and 6 months. Rating was done by four calibrated examiners using a forced consensus model. The use of a surface sealant with Alert significantly reduced the median wear rate at 6 months compared with that of the SureFil restorations.
Larval growth rates of the blowfly, Calliphora vicina, over a range of temperatures
Authors: Donovan S. E. , Hall M. J. R. , Turner B. D. , Moncrieff C. B.
Published: January 2006

Abstract.  Blowfly larvae (Diptera: Calliphoridae) fulfil an important ecological function in the decomposition of animal remains. They are also used extensively in forensic entomology, predominantly to establish a minimum time since death, or a minimum post‐mortem interval, using the larval length as a ‘biological clock’. This study examined the larval growth rate of a forensically important fly species, Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at temperatures of between 4°C and 30°C, under controlled laboratory conditions. The laboratory flies had been trapped initially in London, U.K. The minimum developmental temperature was estimated to be 1°C and 4700 accumulated degree hours (ADH) were required for development from egg hatch to the point of pupariation. Lines fitted to the laboratory larval growth data were found to adequately explain the growth of larvae in the field. The nature of variation in growth rates from geographically isolated populations is discussed.
Anopheles culicifacies sibling species B and E in Sri Lanka differ in longevity and in their susceptibility to malaria parasite infection and common insecticides
Authors: Surendran S. N. , Ramasamy M. S. , De Silva B. G. D. N. K. , Ramasamy R.
Published: January 2006

Abstract.  Members of the Anopheles culicifacies Giles complex (Diptera: Culicidae) are well established as the predominant vectors of malaria in Sri Lanka. Until recently, only sibling species B was reported to be present in Sri Lanka, which was surprising as species B is a poor vector of malaria in India. This was clarified by the identification through Y‐chromosome morphology that what was reported as B on the island is really a mixture of B and E. The fecundity, longevity and insecticide resistance of B and E are of relevance to malaria transmission and its control and are reported in this study. The mean egg production of these two sibling species did not differ significantly. The mean age of wild mosquitoes was assessed by the Polovodova technique of observing ovarian dilatations. More of species E than B had three or more dilatations, i.e. had reached an age at which sporozoites could have developed to maturity, although the difference between the species was of borderline significance. Following feeding on Plasmodium vivax or Plasmodium falciparum infected blood, some females of species E developed oocysts but none of species B did so. Both sibling species were found fully susceptible in laboratory tests to lambdacyhalothrin and deltamethrin, but resistant to DDT and partially resistant to malathion.
Bathymetric and geographic population structure in the pan‐Atlantic deep‐sea bivalve Deminucula atacellana (Schenck, 1939)
Authors: ZARDUS JOHN D. , ETTER RON J. , CHASE MICHAEL R. , REX MICHAEL A. , BOYLE ELIZABETH E.
Published: January 2006

The deep‐sea soft‐sediment environment hosts a diverse and highly endemic fauna of uncertain origin. We know little about how this fauna evolved because geographic patterns of genetic variation, the essential information for inferring patterns of population differentiation and speciation are poorly understood. Using formalin‐fixed specimens from archival collections, we quantify patterns of genetic variation in the protobranch bivalve Deminucula atacellana, a species widespread throughout the Atlantic Ocean at bathyal and abyssal depths. Samples were taken from 18 localities in the North American, West European and Argentine basins. A hypervariable region of mitochondrial 16S rDNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced from 130 individuals revealing 21 haplotypes. Except for several important exceptions, haplotypes are unique to each basin. Overall gene diversity is high (h = 0.73) with pronounced population structure (ΦST = 0.877) and highly significant geographic associations (P < 0.0001). Sequences cluster into four major clades corresponding to differences in geography and depth. Genetic divergence was much greater among populations at different depths within the same basin, than among those at similar depths but separated by thousands of kilometres. Isolation by distance probably explains much of the interbasin variation. Depth‐related divergence may reflect historical patterns of colonization or strong environmental selective gradients. Broadly distributed deep‐sea organisms can possess highly genetically divergent populations, despite the lack of any morphological divergence.
Identifying loci under selection across contrasting environments inAvena barbatausing quantitative trait locus mapping
Authors: GARDNER KYLE M. , LATTA ROBERT G.
Published: January 2006

We constructed recombinant inbred lines of a cross between naturally occurring ecotypes ofAvena barbata(Pott ex Link), Poaceae, associated with contrasting moisture environments. These lines were assessed for fitness in common garden reciprocal transplant experiments in two contrasting field sites in each of two years, as well as a novel, benign greenhouse environment. An AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) linkage map of 129 markers spanned 644 cMin 19 linkage groups, which is smaller, with more linkage groups, than expected. Therefore parts of theA. barbatagenome remain unmapped, possibly because they lack variation between the ecotypes. Nevertheless, we identified QTL (quantitative trait loci) under selection in both native environments and in the greenhouse. Across years at the same site, the same loci remain under selection, for the same alleles. Across sites, an overlapping set of loci are under selection with either (i) the same alleles favoured at both sites or (ii) loci under selection at one site and neutral at the other. QTL under selection in the greenhouse were generally unlinked to those under selection in the field because selection acted on a different trait. We found little evidence that selection favours alternate alleles in alternate environments, which would be necessary if genotype by environment interaction were to maintain genetic variation inA. barbata. Additive effect QTL were best able to explain the genetic variation among recombinant inbred lines for the greenhouse environment where heritability was highest, and past selection had not eliminated variation.
The Effect of Body Condition on Ovarian Activity of Free Ranging Tropical Jennies (Equus asinus)
Authors: Lemma A. , Bekana M. , Schwartz H. J. , Hildebrandt T.
Published: January 2006

Serial ultrasonography was performed on seven jennies to study the effect of seasonally fluctuating body condition on ovarian activity during the dry, short rainy and long rainy seasons. Kendall Tau correlations and differences of least square mean values were compared. A distinct seasonal pattern was observed both in body condition and ovarian activity. The mean (±SD) Body Condition Score (BCS) was lowest during the dry season 2.6 ± 0.45 when compared with 3.5 ± 0.52 and 3.9 ± 0.58 during the short and long rainy seasons, respectively. The mean (±SD) number of total follicles was also proportionally low 7.3 ± 1.6 during the dry season compared with 9.6 ± 2.4 and 11.3 ± 3.3 found during the short and the long rainy seasons, respectively. The BCS was positively correlated to the total number of follicles and the diameter of the largest follicle during all seasons. Periods of increasing BCS and transition between seasons with both increasing and decreasing body conditions were strongly correlated to the number and size of ovarian follicles. Seasonal fluctuation in the body condition was found to be the result of variation in feed resource and ovarian activity was also closely following this seasonal pattern. The improvement in body condition has generally, a positive impact on emergence of small growing follicles there by having influence on the total count of ovarian follicles.
Enzootic Nasal Adenocarcinoma of Sheep in Slovenia
Authors: Svara T. , Gombac M. , Vrecl M. , Juntes P. , Kostanjsek R. , Pogacnik A. , Pogacnik M.
Published: January 2006

Clinicopathological and electron microscopical findings of eight cases of enzootic nasal adenocarcinoma of sheep, diagnosed solely in one big flock in Slovenia between years 2001 and 2003 are described. All affected sheep were female, their mean age was 4.5 ± 1.5 years and they either belonged to the Istrian pramenka breed (five sheep) or were crossbreeds (three sheep). Tumours that arose from the ethmoid area of the nasal cavity were unilateral in six cases (75%) and bilateral in two cases (25%). All tumours were classified as adenocarcinomas by histopathological examination and they displayed either a combination of tubular and papillary growth or less often solely tubular proliferation. No metastases were detected in regional lymph nodes, brain or other organs. Electron microscopical studies performed on the reprocessed paraffin‐embedded tissues revealed the presence of the virus‐like particles with an average diameter between 70 and 90 nm.
Effect of Parasitism on the Pharmacokinetic Disposition of Ivermectin in Lambs
Authors: Pérez R. , Palma C. , Cabezas I. , Araneda M. , Rubilar L. , Alvinerie M.
Published: January 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of parasitism on plasma availability and pharmacokinetic behaviour of ivermectin (IVM) in lambs. Fourteen greyface Suffolk lambs (26.8 ± 2.2 kg body weight) were selected for this study. Seven pairs of lambs were allocated into two groups in order to obtain an approximately even distribution. Group I (non‐parasitized) was pre‐treated by three repeated administrations of 5 mg/kg of fenbendazole (Panacur®), in order to maintain a parasite‐free condition. The lambs in group II (parasitized) did not receive any anthelmintic treatment and the natural infection was sustained by an oral inoculation of infective stages of nematode parasites. After the 85‐day pre‐treatment period both groups of animals were treated with IVM (200 μg/kg, Ivomec®) by subcutaneous injection in the shoulder area. Both groups of animals were maintained under similar conditions of feeding and management. Blood samples were collected by jugular puncture at different times between 0.5 h and 25 days post‐treatment. After plasma extraction and derivatization, samples were analysed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. A computerized kinetic analysis was performed and data were compared using the unpaired Student's t‐test. The parent molecule was detected in plasma between 30 min and either 12 (parasitized) or 20 (no parasitized) days post‐IVM treatment. The area under the curve values of the parasitized group (75.2 ± 15.5 ng × d/ml) were significantly lower that those observed in the parasite‐free group (134.3 ± 15.7 ng × d/ml). The mean residence time (MRT) of the parasitized group (2.93 ± 0.16 days) was significantly lower than the MRT of healthy group (3.93 ± 0.29 days). The results of this study have shown that a change in body condition followed by a parasitic infection is associated with significant changes in plasma disposition of IVM when it is administered subcutaneously to parasitized lambs. Therefore, variations in the condition induced by parasitism should be considered when these anthelmintics are used for treating parasitized animals.
The Distribution of Salmonella Serovars in Chicken and Humans in Lithuania
Authors: Pieskus J. , Milius J. , Michalskiene I. , Zagrebneviene G.
Published: January 2006

We studied serovars of Salmonella strains isolated from chicken and humans in Lithuania over the period from 2000 to 2004. Salmonella strains were isolated and identified according to the techniques recommended by International Organisation for Standardization (Microbiology of Food and Animal Feeding Stuff – Horizontal Method for the Detection of Salmonella, 1998, ISO, Geneva). The per cent of infected flocks with Salmonella in separate years was between 1.01% and 3.2% during the period of investigation. The contamination rate of broiler legs and breasts was higher (2.36% and 4.25%) than that of wings (0.82%). Eighteen serovars of Salmonella were identified from the total 300 isolated samples. The most prevalent serovars in chicken were Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Typhimurium. Other serovars such as Salmonella Montevideo, Salmonella Djugu, Salmonella Isangi, Salmonella Bovismorbificans, Salmonella Mbankada, Salmonella Hadar were detected only in one to two samples. In general, similar serovars of Salmonella were found in humans and chicken (S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium), although distinct serovars were found only in humans or only in chicken. Analysis of the distribution of Salmonella serovars in humans during the seasons of the year indicated that the highest incidence of Salmonella was in Summer and in the beginning of Autumn. Analysis of the distribution of serovars during the study period indicated that there is a shift over time in both humans and chicken.