bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evidence for change in current–flux coupling of GLT1 at high glutamate concentrations in rat primary forebrain neurons and GLT1a‐expressing COS‐7 cells
Authors: Kabakov Anatoli Y. , Rosenberg Paul A.
Published: July 2009

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the central nervous system and is toxic to neurons even at low concentrations. GLT1, the rodent analog of human EAAT2, is primarily responsible for glutamate clearance in the cerebrum. GLT1 was thought to be expressed exclusively in astrocytes in the mature brain. Recently, however, GLT1a was demonstrated in excitatory axon terminals where synaptic glutamate concentration rises above 1 mm during excitatory transmission. GLT1 function in neurons with accurate control of both intracellular and extracellular solutions mimicking synaptic concentration gradients has never been studied. Here we characterized the kinetics of coupled glutamate transporter current in whole‐cell configuration and [3H]‐l‐glutamate uptake in cultured rat cerebral neurons across the entire range of synaptic glutamate concentrations. In both neurons and GLT1a‐transfected COS‐7 cells, the kinetics were similar and revealed two specific components: a high‐affinity component with glutamate kD value around 15 μm and a low‐affinity component with kD value around 0.2 mm. The specific low‐affinity component was discovered as a result of significant deviation of the transporter current from Michaelis–Menten kinetics in the 100–300 μm concentration range. Activation of the specific low‐affinity component led to a two‐fold decrease in the current/flux ratio, implying a change in the transport coupling. Our data indicate that GLT1 endogenously expressed in cultured rat forebrain neurons displays high and low glutamate affinity uptake components that are different in current–flux coupling ratios. This property is intrinsic to the protein because it was also observed in GLT1a‐transfected COS‐7 cells.
A small population of planktonic Flavobacteria with disproportionally high growth during the spring phytoplankton bloom in a prealpine lake
Authors: Zeder Michael , Peter Simone , Shabarova Tatiana , Pernthaler Jakob
Published: July 2009

Bacterioplankton growth in temperate Lake Zurich (Switzerland) was studied during the spring phytoplankton bloom by in situ techniques and short‐term dilution bioassays. A peak of chlorophyll a (Chl a) concentrations was followed by a rise of bacterial cell numbers and leucine assimilation rates, of the proportions of cells incorporating 5‐bromo‐2‐deoxyuridine (BrdU), and of community net growth rates in dilution cultures. Incorporation of BrdU was low in Betaproteobacteria (2 ± 1%), indicating that these bacteria did not incorporate the tracer. Pronounced growth of Betaproteobacteria in the enrichments was only observed after the decline of the phytoplankton bloom. An initial peak in the proportions of BrdU‐positive Actinobacteria (30%) preceded a distinct rise of their cell numbers during the period of the Chl a maximum. Cytophaga–Flavobacteria (CF) changed little in numbers, but featured high proportions of BrdU‐positive cells (28 ± 12%). Moreover, CF represented > 90% of all newly formed cells in dilution cultures before and during the phytoplankton bloom. One phylogenetic lineage of cultivable Flavobacteria (FLAV2) represented a small (0.5–1%) but highly active population in lake plankton. The growth rates of FLAV2 in dilution cultures doubled during the period of the Chl a maximum, indicating stimulation by phytoplankton exudates. Thus, CF, and specifically Flavobacteria, appeared to be substantially more important for carbon transfer in Lake Zurich spring bacterioplankton than was suggested by their standing stocks. The high in situ growth potential of these bacteria might have been counterbalanced by top‐down control.
Improved cardiovascular health following a progressive walking and dietary intervention for type 2 diabetes
Authors: Johnson S. T. , Bell G. J. , McCargar L. J. , Welsh R. S. , Bell R. C.
Published: July 2009

Aim: To examine the impact of two different lifestyle programmes on cardiovascular health and glycaemic control among people with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: A two‐phase 24‐week randomized trial. During the first phase, participants were to increase daily steps using a pedometer. At week 12, participants were randomly allocated to either an enhanced lifestyle programme (ELP) targeting walking speed or a basic lifestyle programme (BLP) targeting total daily steps. Both programmes focused on increasing the intake of low glycaemic index foods but utilized different goal setting strategies. Clinical measurements were completed at baseline, week 12 and week 24. Principal outcomes were change in resting pulse rate (PR) and glycated haemoglobin A1c (A1c) between week 12 and week 24 compared between groups using analysis of covariance.

Results: Forty‐one participants [mean ± s.d. : age = 56.5 ± 7.2 years, body mass index (BMI) = 32.7 ± 6.1 kg/m2] were randomized. After 12 weeks, we observed an increase in average total daily steps of 1562 (95% confidence interval: 303–2821, p = 0.02). Weight, BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressure improved (p < 0.01 for all). No changes were observed for energy intake. At week 24, those in the ELP had a lower resting PR (71 ± 12 b.p.m.) compared with those in the BLP (78 ± 12 b.p.m.) (adjusted p = 0.03), while no group differences for total daily steps or glycaemic control were observed.

Conclusions: Improvements in cardiovascular health can be expected following a pedometer‐based lifestyle modification programme that progresses from walking more to walking faster.
Did the Maastricht treaty matter for macroeconomic performance? A difference‐in‐difference investigation
Authors: Baskaran Thushyanthan
Published: July 2009

We explore the impact of the Maastricht treaty on fiscal and macroeconomic outcomes in the EU with the difference‐in‐difference methodology. Our dataset covers 23 OECD countries over the 1975–2006 period. EU 15 countries are classified as the treatment and eight non‐EU OECD countries as the control group. The results indicate that the provisions in the Maastricht treaty have been either irrelevant or even harmful for fiscal and macroeconomic developments in the EU. Evidence for a detrimental impact of the Maastricht criteria is particularly strong for the period after the start of the third stage of EMU.
What Determines Rule of Law? An Empirical Investigation of Rival Models
Authors: Hansson Gustav
Published: July 2009

In the growing literature on the creation of institutions, the theories emphasizing colonial origin (Mauro, 1995), legal origin and religious affiliation (La Porta et al., 1999), Western European influence (Hall and Jones, 1999), and settler mortality (Acemoglu et al., 2001), have been especially influential. The validity and influence of these studies rests heavily on empirical modeling, which, since the theories are obviously closely related, might actually capture the same primary mechanism. It is therefore unclear whether the empirical relationships found are the same or if they are different. Therefore, this paper takes the empirical models seriously in order to discriminate among the existing models and to identify the model and variables that best explain the variation in institutional quality. The aim of this paper is thus to provide answers to the following questions: (i) Is there one model which explains more of the variation in institutional quality than the other models? (ii) Do these models capture the same information? And (iii), if we let the information in the data decide, which combination of variables would be selected?
Explaining the Employability Gap of Short‐Term and Long‐Term Unemployed Persons
Authors: Thomsen Stephan L.
Published: July 2009

European countries provide a number of different active labor market policy programs to reduce the risk and the amount of long‐term unemployment. Programs focus on particular sets of barriers to employment, such as lack of motivation (via sanctions), lack of job search skills (via job search assistance), lack of experience (via wage subsidies), or lack of marketable skills (via training programs). Numerous studies have been conducted to analyze the effectiveness of these activities. The results clarify that a number of programs are not very successful in reaching the intended goals. The major reason may be that the available programs do not (or do not fully) meet the needs of the unemployed. In this paper, differences in the employability between short‐term and long‐term unemployed persons are studied in order to reveal the crucial factors of job‐finding chances. Analyzing the factors driving employment chances is a necessary step to shed light on the needs of job seekers and to derive recommendations for a (re‐)arrangement of active labor market policy according to those needs. The empirical analysis is based on unique survey data of short‐term and long‐term unemployed persons merged with administrative data for Germany, including usually unavailable information. The results highlight three significant and important findings. First, differences in formal skills could only explain a small part of the employability gap between short‐term and long‐term unemployed persons. Hence, providing courses that aim at increasing skills of the individuals (at least in Germany) may reduce the employment gap, but the scope is limited. Second, differences in obstacles to employment – in particular care obligations – are relevant. If long‐term unemployed persons were equal in characteristics to the short‐term unemployed, the employability gap between both groups would clearly be narrower. Third, differences in the state of health, and in particular limitations in working ability, largely account for the employment gap. For this reason, policy makers should pay more attention to the last two findings when designing the placement process. The set of active labor market programs should be revised addressing these aspects in order to increase the employability of the participants.
A ‘No Blame’ Approach to Organizational Learning
Authors: Provera Bernardino , Montefusco Andrea , Canato Anna
Published: July 2009

In high‐reliability organizations (HROs) even minor errors can seriously hinder the very existence of the firm and the safety of employees and customers. Field studies have shown that HROs encourage the reporting of errors and near misses, exploiting these incidents to improve their operative processes. In this paper, we describe this practice as a ‘no blame’ approach to error management, and link it to learning theory, showing how no blame practices can enhance organizational learning. By taking a cognitive perspective of organizations, we draw on existing contributions and on a set of empirical case studies to discuss the characteristics of no blame practices, and their applicability in traditional, non‐HROs. Our findings show that, in exploiting information from error‐reporting, no blame practices are beneficial in environments where learning and reliability issues are particularly relevant. Empirical evidence suggests that a no blame approach can be extremely constructive for organizations that want to enhance their learning processes. We conclude that a no blame approach is a valuable way to achieve an organization that has flexibility and variability. However, no blame practices imply a set of organizational issues and costs that pose significant challenges to firms operating in non‐high‐reliability settings. The findings from our study contribute to the literature on HROs and organizational learning.
Getting Together to Get Ahead: The Impact of Social Structure on Women's Networking
Authors: Hersby Mette D. , Ryan Michelle K. , Jetten Jolanda
Published: July 2009

This paper examines the impact of socio‐structural variables (i.e. perceptions of permeability, stability and legitimacy of intergroup relations) on the extent to which professional women perceive a women's network as a collective strategy for status enhancement. A survey among network members (n=166) suggests that the extent to which women support and consider a network to benefit women as a collective is dependent on perceptions of whether individual mobility is possible (permeability of group boundaries) and beliefs that organizational conditions will improve for women in the future (stability of conditions for women). Specifically, the network is less likely to be perceived as a collective vehicle for change when individual advancement is possible (because intergroup boundaries are perceived as permeable) and status improvement in the future is unlikely. However, regardless of beliefs about the future, when female participants perceive that many barriers to individual advancement exist (due to the impermeability of intergroup boundaries), the network is considered in more collective terms presumably because the only way to challenge the status quo is through a collective effort. The practical implications for organizations that wish to or have established a women's network are discussed.
Fisher Hypothesis in Japan: Analysis of Long‐term Interest Rates under Different Monetary Policy Regimes
Authors: Ito Takayasu
Published: July 2009

This paper investigates the validity of the Fisher hypothesis in Japanese long‐term interest rates (two, three, four, five, seven and ten years) using non‐stationary time series models. Initially, the entire sample period (October 1987–June 2006) is investigated. Then the samples, divided into three segments depending on each period's monetary policy regimes, are investigated. Thus, the asymmetric impacts of inflation expectation on Japanese long‐term interest rates can be investigated. The first period examined is from October 1987–June 1991. The second period is from July 1991–July 2000. The third period is from March 2001–June 2006. In the first period monetary policy is tightening, but in the second and third periods it is easing. Thus it is concluded that the Fisher hypothesis is valid only in all maturities of long‐term interest rates in the first period. However, it does not hold in any of the maturities in the entire sample period or in the second and third periods.
The Forward Puzzle: The Roles of Exchange Rate Regime and Base Currency Strength
Authors: Liu Fang , Sercu Piet
Published: July 2009

The forward puzzle is traditionally explained as the presence of a covariance‐risk premium, market friction or limits to arbitrage. Recently, Liu and Sercu, working on intra‐ERM rates for the DEM, presented evidence consistent with career risk considerations: portfolio managers shun assets with danger signals. In this paper, we test the external validity of this finding: we compare floating rates to band regimes, and strong base currencies to weak ones. We find that both the exchange rate regime and base currency strength influence the evidence on various theories: floating and strong intra‐ERM rates weakly support market friction or limit‐to‐arbitrage theories, while the HKD and weak intra‐ERM strongly support the career risk effect. We also decompose forward premium into a short‐term filtered component and a long memory trend. The filtered component is good at recognising danger signals or ‘extreme’ observation effects for band regime rates and weak floaters, while the trend works best for strong floaters. Lastly, the filtered premium provides the best fit, consistent with the idea that it has a closer link to expectations than the trend component.
Higher risk of AIDS or death in patients with lower CD4 cell counts after virally suppressive HAART
Authors: Taiwo BO , Li X , Palella F , Jacobson LP , Margolick JB , Detels R , Rinaldo CR , Phair JP
Published: July 2009

Background
The clinical implications of a failure to achieve high CD4 cell counts while receiving virally suppressive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) are uncertain.

Methods
We analysed data from HIV‐infected men participating in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) to elucidate associations between CD4 cell counts achieved during virally suppressive HAART and risks of AIDS or death. Inclusion criteria were: CD4 cell count <200 cells/μL before HAART initiation; ≥2 viral load (VL) determinations after HAART initiation; and sustained viral suppression, defined as all VL <50 HIV‐1 RNA copies/mL, but allowing a single VL of 50–1000 copies/mL.

Results
One hundred and twenty‐one men were included; median age was 42 years. After first VL <50 copies/mL, six participants had a new AIDS diagnosis and seven died. The median CD4 cell count change/year (cells/μL) after first VL <50 copies/mL was zero among patients who either developed AIDS or died vs. 39 among those who did not meet either endpoint (P=0.119). After controlling for time from HAART initiation to first VL <50 copies/mL, age at first VL <50 copies/mL, history of AIDS and antiretroviral therapy (ART) experience before HAART, the hazard ratio for AIDS or death at CD4 cell count of ≤200 vs. >350 cells/μL was 10.7 (P=0.013), and at CD4 cell count of 201–350 vs. >350 cells/μL was 8.54 (P=0.014).

Conclusion
In this cohort, lower CD4 cell count at the time of viral suppression was associated with increased risk of AIDS or death.
CONSISTENT TRADE POLICY AGGREGATION*
Authors: Anderson James E.
Published: July 2009

Most empirical policy work requires policy aggregation. Trade policy aggregation exemplifies the aggregation problem poignantly, with thousands of highly dispersed trade barriers. This article provides methods of policy aggregation that are consistent with two common objectives of empirical work. One is to preserve real income. The other is to preserve the real volume of activity in the parts of the economy being aggregated. Both objectives must be achieved for consistent multicountry policy modeling. An application to India shows that the standard atheoretic method of aggregation overstates India's real income by around three times the global gains from free trade.
ESTIMATING MULTICOUNTRY VAR MODELS*
Authors: Canova Fabio , Ciccarelli Matteo
Published: July 2009

This article presents a method to estimate the coefficients, to test specification hypotheses, and to conduct policy exercises in multicountry Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models with cross‐unit interdependencies, unit‐specific dynamics, and time variations in the coefficients. The framework of analysis is Bayesian: A prior flexibly reduces the dimensionality of the model and puts structure on the time variations, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods are used to obtain posterior distributions, and marginal likelihoods to check the fit of various specifications. Impulse responses and conditional forecasts are obtained with the output of an MCMC routine. The transmission of certain shocks across countries is analyzed.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRIAL DYNAMICS*
Authors: Ederington Josh , McCalman Phillip
Published: July 2009

In this article, industrial evolution is driven by endogenous technology choices of firms, generating a rich environment that includes the possibility of a dramatic shakeout. The likelihood, magnitude, and timing of this shakeout are characterized and depend not only on the size of an innovation but also on cost structure. In this setting, trade liberalization reduces the likelihood of a shakeout, resulting in more stable industrial structures. However, when shakeouts arise in global markets, the distribution of exits can vary widely across countries. Furthermore, conditions exist where a shakeout occurs in a closed economy but not in an open economy.
Patterns of medication use by chronic and episodic headache sufferers in the general population: Results from the frequent headache epidemiology study
Authors: Scher AI , Lipton RB , Stewart WF , Bigal M
Published: July 2009

Though symptomatic medication overuse is believed to play a role in progression from episodic headaches (EH) to chronic daily headaches (CDH), population-based data on this topic are limited. Our objective was to describe patterns of medication use among CDH and EH sufferers in a general population sample. We compared medications used to treat headache in CDH cases and EH controls identified from a large population-based computer-assisted telephone interview survey. CDH began within 5 years of the computer-assisted telephone interview. Questions on medication use focused on treatment prior to the onset of CDH for cases and on an equivalent period in the past for controls. We asked about the likelihood of treating, time waiting to treat, number of different medications used, first, second and third most frequently used headache pain medication, and total treatment days. Questions were also asked about the use of medication for non-headache pain. Current treatment patterns and past treatment patterns were assessed. Likelihood of use of specific medications was compared between CDH cases and EH controls after adjusting for age, sex, primary headache type and number of medications taken to treat pain. Our sample consists of 206 CDH cases and 507 EH controls. CDH subjects were more likely than EH controls to use over-the-counter/caffeine combination products, triptans, opioid compounds and ‘other’ prescription pain medications. Use of aspirin was protective. After adjustment, aspirin and ibuprofen were (negatively) associated with CDH [OR = 0.5 (0.3–0.9), OR = 0.7 (0.5–1.0)] and opioids remained positively associated with CDH [OR = 2.3 (1.3–3.9)]. For past use, CDH was positively associated with over-the-counter/caffeine combination products and opioid compounds and was negatively associated with use of aspirin. Only ibuprofen remained (negatively) associated with CDH after adjustment [OR = 0.6 (0.4–0.9)]. After adjusting for demographic factors, primary headache type and number of medications taken, CDH sufferers are more likely to use opioid-combination analgesics, and less likely to use aspirin or ibuprofen, than EH sufferers.
Temporomandibular disorders and cutaneous allodynia are associated in individuals with migraine
Authors: Bevilaqua-Grossi D , Lipton RB , Napchan U , Grosberg B , Ashina S , Bigal ME
Published: July 2009

The objective of this study was to estimate and contrast the occurrence of ictal and interictal cutaneous allodynia (CA) in individuals with migraine with and without temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Both TMD and CA are common in migraine and may be associated with migraine transformation from episodic into a chronic form. Herein we hypothesize that TMD contributes to the development of CA and to more severe headaches. In a clinic-based sample of individuals with episodic migraine, the presence of TMD was assessed using the research diagnostic criteria for myofascial or mixed (myofascial and arthralgic) TMD. Ictal CA was quantified using the validated Allodynia Symptom Checklist (ASC-12). The ASC-12 measures CA over the preceding month by asking 12 questions about the frequency of allodynia symptoms during headaches. Interictal CA was assessed in the domains of heat, cold and mechanical static allodynia using quantitative sensory testing. Our sample consists of 55 individuals; 40 (73%) had TMD (23 with myofascial TMD and 17 with the mixed type). CA of any severity (as assessed by ASC-12) occurred in 40% of those without TMD (reference group), 86.9% of those with myofascial TMD ( P = 0.041, RR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.5–7.0) and in 82.3% of those with mixed TMD ( P = 0.02, RR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.2–5.3). Individuals with TMD were more likely to have moderate or severe CA associated with their headaches. Interictally (quantitative sensory testing), thresholds for heat and mechanical nociception were significantly lower in individuals with TMD. Cold nociceptive thresholds were not significantly different in migraine patients with and without TMD. TMDs were also associated with change in extra-cephalic pain thresholds. In logistical regression, TMD remained associated with CA after adjusting for aura, gender and age. TMD and CA are associated in individuals with migraine.
Headache in patients with a meningioma correlates with a bone-invasive growth pattern but not with cytokine expression
Authors: Schankin CJ , Krumbholz M , Sostak P , Reinisch VM , Goldbrunner R , Straube A
Published: July 2009

We included 58 patients with meningioma in a prospective study to analyse the prevalence of and risk factors for different types of meningioma-associated headache. Twenty-three patients (40%) had meningioma-associated headache. Of these, the pain was migraine-like in five (22%) and tension-type headache (TTH)-like in 13 (57%). Sixteen of 21 (76%) experienced relief of pain intensity of at least 50% after 18–24 months. Univariate analysis revealed bone-invasive growth pattern ( P = 0.007) as a risk factor for headache and intake of antiepileptic drugs ( P = 0.04) or large surrounding oedema ( P = 0.04) as possible protective parameters. For migraine-like headache, risk factors were a positive history of migraine ( P = 0.009) and bone-invasive growth pattern ( P = 0.046) and, for TTH-like headache, only bone-invasive growth pattern ( P = 0.009). Binary logistic regression analysis added to assess predictability and interaction effects could not identify a single factor predicting the occurrence of headache in the presence of a meningioma (correct prediction in 74% by a model consisting of bone-invasive growth pattern, history of head surgery, intake of antiepileptic drugs, temporal tumour location and moderate and large surrounding oedema). Analysis of 38 tumour specimens could not confirm the hypothesis that the occurrence of headache correlates with the expression magnitude of signal substances known to be present in meningiomas [stroma cell-derived factor 1, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor A] or thought to be relevant to headache/pain pathophysiology [prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2, calcitonin-related polypeptide alpha, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) 1, NOS2A, NOS3, transforming growth factor-alpha, tumour necrosis factor, tachykinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide]. The affection of bone integrity and the expression of molecules thought to be relevant to headache pathophysiology might be important for meningioma-associated headache in predisposed individuals.
Trophic status of small mammals in the semi‐arid Karoo, South Africa
Authors: Kerley Graham I. H.
Published: July 2009

The feeding habits of a community of small mammals from the semi‐arid Karoo, South Africa were analysed by microscopic examination of the stomach contents of animals caught during a 13‐month snap‐trapping study. The community comprised eight rodent species (Gerbillurus paeba, Mus minutoides, Rhabdomys pumilio, Otomys unisulcatus, Saccostomus campestris, Desmodillus auricularis, Malacothrix typica, Mastomys natalensis) and a single macroscelid elephant shrew (Macroscelides proboscideus.) The rodents were all predominantly herbivorous, while the elephant shrew ate mainly insects. No granivores or omnivores were represented in this community. The results presented here (including the first analysis of the diet of M. typica) indicate a greater emphasis on herbivory than previously described for these species. Limited dietary overlap was recorded between these species, although some instances of potential dietary competition that deserve further study were identified. The paucity of granivorous small mammals in the semi‐arid Karoo contrasts the patterns of trophic specialization for North American and Israeli semi‐arid communities, but is similar to that of South American, Australian and other southern African semi‐arid communities.
Intersexuality in the mysid Neomysis integer
Authors: Hough A. R. , Bannister N. J. , Naylor E.
Published: July 2009

Intersexuality is described in Neomysis integer (Leach), apparently the first occurrence among the Mysidacea. Seven out of 13,700 specimens examined were masculinized females possessing elongated fourth pleopods, a male secondary sexual characteristic. Each masculinized female appeared to have reproduced as a normal female; there was no evidence of testicular tissue.
Neosomy in fleas, and the sessile life‐style
Authors: Rothschild Miriam
Published: July 2009

Fleas arc basically free‐living parasites, and the sessile life‐style is an evolutionary ‘after‐thought’. The specializations described are somewhat similar in the various neosomes, only they have been developed within restraints imposed by the family ‘strait‐jacket’ and the contrasting characters and habits of different hosts.
Relation between habitat and antennular segmentation in Gammarus and Echinogammarus (Crustacea: Amphipoda)
Authors: Platvoet D. , Pinkster S.
Published: July 2009

In 140 species of the amphipod genera Gammarus and Echinogammarus the ratio was calculated between the number of segments of the accessory and main antennular flagellum. Minor inter‐and intrapopulational variation of this ratio was found in four species of the genus Gammarus. Seasonal variation was studied in one species of this genus. For both genera a clear correlation was found between antennular composition and the occurrence in marine or freshwater habitats.
Intraspecific variation in resistance to desiccation and climatic gradients in the distribution of the land snail Xeropicta vestalis
Authors: Arad Z. , Goldenberg S. , Heller J.
Published: July 2009

Land snails are subject to desiccating conditions in their terrestrial habitat. Our previous studies have revealed significant differences in resistance to desiccation among closely related species and among genera that share a similar life style, suggesting that the distribution pattern is correlated with the abiotic regime in its specific habitat. Our present study extends the scope of comparison to the intraspecific level, by examining the resistance to desiccation in five populations of Xeropicta vestalis, a Mediterranean‐dwelling species that ranges from the 1000 mm to the 200 mm isohyet.

The resistance to desiccation varied among populations in correlation with the specific habitat of each population and with the north‐to‐south and the west‐to‐easl climatic gradients. Furthermore, in one case it exceeded the resistance of other, desert‐dwelling species (Trochoidea simulata, Sphincterochila zonata). We suggest that, in spite of its physiological capacity to invade deserts, X. vestalis is prevented from doing so because it is an annual, semelparous species. The Negev Desert is an unpredictable environment, susceptible to year‐to‐year fluctuations to such an extent that one rainless year would wipe out all its populations.
Use of nest trees by Antechinus stuartii, a semelparous lekking marsupial
Authors: Cockburn A. , Lazenby‐Cohen K. A.
Published: July 2009

Antechinus siuartii nest communally in natural cavities in trees. At Monga State Forest the commonest source of these cavities is dead trees (‘stags’) that foresters have ring‐barked, leaving the trunks and major branches to rot. Young trees lack suitable cavities, which suggests that forestry directly influences the local abundance of this small mammal. Males always nest communally, and always with females. Maximum aggregation size was 18, during the rut. However, the aggregations are not stable, and during one winter a single nest attracted 28 females and 24 males. A subset of the communal nests was used during the mating season. Except for one case where a mother and daughter shared a nest during the lactation period, females nested alone to rear their young. Two females split their young between two trees. Females can also nest solitarily or in small female‐only groups during a period of social turmoil in March and April, and less often in larger communal groups that persist through the rut. The failure of males to attempt to obtain copulations at these aggregations indicates that females directly influence where mating will take place. No nest was used for longer than 22 months, though abandoned nests are often later re‐used. We suggest that the commonest causes of nest abandonment are avoidance of ectoparasites, change in the dominant habitat used by the animals, and the preference of females for a private nest to rear their young. In one important habitat type communal nests are never used to rear young. Nests used to rear young—‘natal nests’—were often used in consecutive years, though the frequency of re‐use declined as the study proceeded. There was a shift in the habitat used by A. swartii. Old Eucalyptus fastigata forest declined in importance. By late 1989 animals reared their young in riverflats and Leptospermum swamps, habitat previously avoided. Daughters do not re‐use their mother's nest. More sons are successfully reared from natal nests that will be re‐used than from nests that will not, even though re‐use depends on rediscovery of the nest by an unrelated individual.
Diving behaviour of the shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis (Aves: Pelecaniformes) in relation to water depth and prey size
Authors: Wanless S. , Corfield T. , Harris M. P. , Buckland S. T. , Morris J. A.
Published: July 2009

The durations of more than 4000 dives and recovery periods on the surface of 31 shags. Phalacrocorax aristotelis, were recorded using radio‐telemetry, during three breeding seasons. Data were also collected on the depth of water where the birds were diving and the size of lesser sandeels. Ammodytes marinus, fed to young each year. On average, shags foraged in water 30 m deep; mean dive and recovery times were 62·0 ± 1·92 sec and 84·4 ± 5·02 sec. respectively. These times were much longer than those recorded in previous studies and also longer than those predicted from allometric relationships for dive and recovery times derived for cormorants. A large proportion (> 50%)) of dives appeared to involve anaerobic metabolism.

Dive and recovery times were examined in relation to water depth, time of day and position within the diving sequence (dive number). In each year. dive time was positively correlated with water depth: in 1987 dive number also had a negative effect. The relationship between recovery time and dive time was positively accelerated, suggesting that birds were diving anaerobically on longer dives. The percentage of the dive cycle spent underwater therefore decreased significantly as dive time and water depth increased. Average vertical rates of ascent and descent of shags were calculated to be between 1·46 1·87 m sec−1. Estimated prey capture rates were significantly higher in 1989 (average 6±8 fish dive−1) when adults were feeding their young on small, low energy value sandeels than the two previous years (averages 1·4 and 1·9 fish dive−1, respectively) when birds were feeding on larger, higher quality fish. We calculated that, on average, birds spent 8 10 sec (36 48%) longer on the bottom at any given depth in 1989, which suggested that the higher prey capture ratcs were associated with an increase in duration of the bottom phase of the dive.
Effect of dietary preformed water on energy and water budgets of two sympatric desert rodents, Acomys russatus and Acomys calzivinus
Authors: And M. Kam , Decen A. Allan
Published: July 2009

Golden spiny mice (Acomys russatus) and common spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus) are omnivorous rodents that are sympatric in many rocky areas in Israeli deserts. They are similar in body size and diet habits. They differ in that A. cahirinus are nocturnal whereas A. russatus are diurnal and A. russatus inhabit extremely arid areas where A. cahirinus are absent. These differences led us to hypothesix that A. russatus are more conservative in their water needs and thererore are ahle to consumc a drier diet than A. chairinus. To test this hypothesis we oikrcd both species a dry ration and different numbers of snails and measured their energy and water intakes and their body mass changes.

Acomys russatus were capable of maintaining body mass on a much drier diet than A. cahirinus and therefore our hypothesis was supported. In order to maintain body mass A. cahirinus required about 2·1 ml/day (or about 4·7% body mass) preformed water, about twice the volume required by A. russatus. They also required a diet that had a water content of 48·3%, of the fresh matter, which was about 20% higher than that of A. russatus. The main reason why A. russatus needed less water was that they losl less by evaporation than A. cahirinus did. We suggest that the lower preformed water needs of A. russatus and their ability to consume a drier diet allom them to tolerate higher air temperatures and to inhabit extreme deserts where A. cahirinus are absent.
A key for the identification of the hair of mammals of a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitat in Nepal
Authors: Oli Madan K.
Published: July 2009

Analysis of prey remains in scats, particularly hairs, is widely used to study diet of mammalian predators, but identification of hair is often difficult because hair structures vary considerably both within and between species. Use of photographic reference of diagnostically important hair structures from mammals occurring in a predator's habitat has been found to he convenient for routine identification. A photographic reference key was developed for the identification of hairs of the mammals known to occur in a snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habit at in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. The key included a photographic reference of the diagnostic hair structures of nine species of wild and five species of domestic mammals. The cross‐sectional appearance, shape and arrangement of medulla, the ratio of cortex to medulla. and the form and distribution of pigment in medulla and cortex were important diagnostic aids in the identification of hairs.
Home range of the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in southern Finland
Authors: Kauhala K. , Helle E. , Taskinen K.
Published: July 2009

Home ranges, relationships between individuals and dispersal among raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) were studied in southern Finland in 1989‐91. The average maximum home range, calculated by the harmonic mean method. was 9·5 km2 and the core area (85% utilization) 3·4 km2. There were no statistically significant annual. seasonal or sexual differences in the size of the average core area of adults, but the home ranges of juveniles in autumn were larger than those of adults. However. the maximum home ranges of adults were larger in autumn than in summer, especially those of males, which were conspicuously small in summer and large in autumn. The core areas of adjacent pairs did not usually overlap in the pup‐rearing season. but in autumn some home ranges shifted and there was much more overlap. The home ranges of the male and female of a pair overlapped almost totally, and a male and a female sharing the same home range also travelled together or close to each other, thus supporting the idea that the raccoon dog is monogamous in Finland. None of the adults left the study area, but 38% of the juveniles were recovered further than 10 km from the marking place during the first autumn.
Ratite‐like neoteny induced by neonatal thyroidectomy of European starlings, Sturnus vulgaris
Authors: Dawson A. , McNaughton F. J. , Goldsmith A. R. , Degen A. A.
Published: July 2009

The Ratites (ostriches, emus, etc.) are thought to be neotenous descendants of flying birds, rather than primitive birds, even though they became a separate group early in the evolution of birds. This is because of the juvenile, rather than primitive, condition of the palate, skull‐sutures and feathers. We report here that European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) thyroidectomized soon after hatching also show neoteny, retaining many juvenile features (general morphology, palate, skull‐sutures, feathers, behaviour), while at the same time becoming sexually mature. The juvenile characters were similar to those found in Ratites, suggesting that hypothyroidism may have been a factor in the evolution of the Ratites.
The early anomodont Venjukovia and the evolution of the anomodont skull
Authors: King Gillian M.
Published: July 2009

The skull morphology and function of the anomodont mammal‐like reptile Venjukovia is described and compared with that of Patranomodon, Eodicynodon, Galeops and Diictodon. Changes in osteology and functional anatomy of these forms are noted.

It is concluded that the acquisition of herbivorous adaptations in the anomodonts may have occurred in the following sequence: division of the external adductor muscles of the jaw into a medial and lateral component, propalinal jaw movement, increased Moment Arm of the external adductors by raising the level of the jaw hinge, anterior migration of the adductor insertions, reduction of the size and number of teeth and acquisition of a horn covering to the jaws, elaboration of the external adductors and reduction of the internal adductors (pterygoideus muscles), and elaboration of palatal areas for mastication of food.

The first (in the morphological sense) committed herbivorous anomodont is identified as the South African form, Galeops. As far as anomodonts are concerned, the major correlate of successful herbivorous feeding is the acquisition of propaliny.

A chronology of character acquisition in the anomodonts cannot yet be drawn up since the stratigraphic correlation of Russian and South African sequences is uncertain. However, it appears that the transition from a generalized carnivore to a committed herbivore took place very rapidly compared to the species longevity of anomodonts.
Multivariate morphometries of the Ethiopian populations of harsh‐furred rat (Lophuromys: Mammalia, Rodentia)
Authors: Bekele Afework , Corti Marco
Published: July 2009

We investigated the geographic variation of eight Ethiopian populations of the rodent Lophuromys flavopunctatus and compared them to the Bale endemic species L. melanonyx. We used multivariate morphometrics and analysed independently skull and external body linear measurements, in an attempt to relate morphological variability to geography (latitude, longitude, altitude). There is a high morphological diversity in these Ethiopian populations, which form three distinct recognizable groups, with the Bale population being the most distinct. The results of analyses on the two character sets corroborate each other and indicate that the kind of variation is not ‘ecological’ but rather there is a phylogenetic cause, and relations at higher taxonomic level are suggested. There is a homogeneous group with five populations within which there is a recognizable pattern of clinal variation related to altitude, with a decrease in body size and a change in skull shape.
Distribution, abundance and breeding cycle of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea (Mammalia: Pinnipedia)
Authors: Gales N. J. , Shaughnessy P. D. , Dennis T. E.
Published: July 2009

Surveys of the Australian sea lion Neophoca cinerea were conducted throughout its range in Western and South Australia between December 1987 and February 1992. Almost every island was visited between Houtman Abrolhos and The Pages (n = 255), many of them more than once.

Sea lions breed on at least 50 islands, 27 in Western Australia and 23 in South Australia. Of the 50 breeding sites, 31 have not been reported previously. A further 19 islands may also support breeding colonies. A total of 1,941 pups was counted and pup production was estimated at 2,432. Only five colonies produced more than 100 pups each and they accounted for almost half of the pup production. Most of these colonies are near Kangaroo Island, South Australia. A breeding cycle of 17–18 months has been reported for N. cinerea at Kangaroo Island and on the west coast of Western Australia; this was also noted at another 11 islands where repeated visits coincided with breeding. No evidence was found for breeding seasons shorter or longer than 17–18 months. The breeding season was not synchronized between islands, as it is in other pinnipeds. A predictive model is developed to estimate the population size from pup production figures. It indicates that pup numbers should be multiplied by between 3.81 and 4.81 to estimate the total population size just before the pupping season begins. This leads to estimates of 9,300–11,700 for the total population, considerably greater than earlier estimates.

Causes of the unique reproductive cycle of N. cinerea are unknown, but we hypothesize that it results from living in a temperate climate in some of the most biologically depauperate waters of the world. It is also clear that day length and water temperature cannot act as exogenous cues for implantation of the blastocyst; the physiological events of gestation must, rather, be cued endogenously.
Body growth in Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) from Greenland
Authors: Knutsen L. Ø. , Born E. W.
Published: July 2009

Morphometric data were collected from 105 Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in northwestern Greenland in the periods 1977–78 and 1989–91. Of these 21 walruses were subjected to a detailed study on body composition.

The asymptotic maximum standard body length of Atlantic walruses in NW Greenland was 269 cm for females and 314 cm for males. This is similar to Pacific walruses, but significantly longer than Atlantic walruses from Hudson Bay. Despite this, walruses from NW Greenland apparently do not attain the same total body mass as Pacific walruses (O.r.divergens).

The asymptotic maximum body weights for walruses in NW Greenland were estimated to be 720 kg for females and 1114 kg for males.

Total body surface area was proportional to the two‐thirds power of total body weight.

The percentage proportion of blubber and viscera were both negatively correlated to body mass, while skin and muscles constituted a nearly fixed proportion. On average, blubber constituted 19% of total body mass of adult females, 15% of adult males and 24% of subadults of both genders. The average walrus consisted of 18% blubber, 12% skin, 12% viscera and 58% blood, muscle and skeleton. Muscles were estimated to constitute 44% of total body weight.

Allometric functions for weight of internal organs relative to body mass are presented.
Scent marking and resource defence by male coypus (Myocastor coypus)
Authors: Gosling L. M. , Wright K. H. M.
Published: July 2009

The alternative ideas that scent marking functions mainly in intrasexual competition or for attracting or stimulating mates were tested using data from a 16‐year study of coypus, Myocastor coypus. Male coypus have a large anal gland, specialized for marking. Despite year‐round breeding, the anal gland shows regular seasonal variation with marked enlargement in OctobeDecember. The analysis supported the hypothesis that this seasonal increase in glandular activity was linked to intrasexual competition: the size of the autumn peak was correlated with the increase in male numbers from the previous season and with the frequency of fighting scars. There were no relationships between gland size and any measures of the availability of mates. Increased scent marking may have been part of the response by resource‐holding males to male recruits as these competed for existing territories. The timing of the autumn peak in marking and fighting may have been a response to the accumulation of non‐resource‐holding males over the summer (when recruitment exceeded mortality in the population) and to increasing accessibility within previously dense wetland habitats; together, these factors may cause a switch from scramble to despotic competition and an increase in scent marking to help keep the costs of resource defence within economic limits.