bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
WBC27, an Adenosine Tri‐phosphate‐binding Cassette Protein, Controls Pollen Wall Formation and Patterning in Arabidopsis
Authors: Dou Xiao‐Ying , Yang Ke‐Zhen , Zhang Yi , Wang Wei , Liu Xiao‐Lei , Chen Li‐Qun , Zhang Xue‐Qin , Ye De
Published: November 2010

In flowering plants, the exine components are derived from tapetum. Despite its importance to sexual plant reproduction, little is known about the translocation of exine materials from tapetum to developing microspores. Here we report functional characterization of the arabidopsis WBC27 gene. WBC27 encodes an adenosine tri‐phosphate binding cassette (ABC) transporter and is expressed preferentially in tapetum. Mutation of WBC27 disrupted the exine formation. The wbc27 mutant microspores began to degenerate once released from tetrads and most of the microspores collapsed at the uninucleate stage. Only a small number of wbc27‐1 microspores could develop into tricellular pollen grains. These survival pollen grains lacked exine and germinated in the anther before anthesis. All of these results suggest that the ABC transporter, WBC27 plays important roles in the formation of arabidopsis exine, possibly by translocation of lipidic precursors of sporopollenin from tapetum to developing microspores.
Core body temperature and the thermoneutral zone: a longitudinal study of normal human pregnancy
Authors: Hartgill T. W. , Bergersen T. K. , Pirhonen J.
Published: November 2010

Aim:  Using a longitudinal study design, we investigated changes in maternal core temperature and ambient temperatures before and after a localized cooling procedure to the right hand.

Methods:  Fifteen pregnant women participated. The experiments were sequentially performed for 21 month periods on each subject: from the 8th week of gestation to 1 year after delivery on seven separate occasions (gestational weeks 8, 16, 26, 36 and 12, 24, 52 weeks post‐partum). The experiments were conducted in a climactic chamber, allowing ambient temperature adjustment to each subjects’ thermoneutral zone determined using Doppler ultrasound of the digital artery.

Results:  Maternal core temperature decreased from 37.1 °C (week 8) towards term, reaching a nadir (36.4 °C) at 12 weeks post‐partum (P < 0.001). The ambient temperature required to reach the thermoneutral zone changed significantly from 26.5 °C (week 8) falling to its lowest point: 23.0 °C (week 36) (P < 0.001), then stabilized from 24 weeks post‐partum.

Conclusion:  Maternal core temperature is highest in the first trimester but falls during pregnancy to a nadir 3 months post‐partum. The ambient temperature required to reach the thermoneutral zone was 4 °C lower at 36 weeks of gestation compared with early pregnancy and late post‐partum. Human temperature regulation is altered in pregnancy and for at least 3 months post‐partum.
Effects of optimum doses of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and calcium on silkworm, Bombyx mori L., growth and yield
Authors: KHAN Muhammad A. , AKRAM Waseem , ASHFAQ Muhammad , KHAN Hafiz A. A. , KIM Yeon K. , LEE Jong‐Jin
Published: November 2010

Silkworm rearing has been an income source for small‐holding farmers in Pakistan. Over the years efforts have been made to improve silkworm quality and quantity and thus develop better prospects for increasing yield and income. Mulberry leaves Morus alba L. in a series of experiments have been supplemented with various nutrients in different doses and combinations. Relative success has been achieved in this context. In our present experiments on silkworm Bombyx mori L., we fed the larvae on mulberry leaves supplemented with different doses of N (0.2%), P (0.1%), K (0.3%) and Ca (0.1%) at 26 ± 3°C with 65 ± 5% relative humidity. The results showed better outputs in terms of food consumption (72.55 g/10 larvae), coefficient of utilization (76.45%), body weight (70.07 g/10 larvae) and body length (8.56 cm/larvae) than where simple mulberry leaves were offered. Our net gains with these production parameters have been in terms of heavier cocoons with and without pupa (2.25 and 0.69 g/cocoon), respectively.
Distribution of Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in tomato fields and its relationship to weather factors
Authors: WAKIL Waqas , GHAZANFAR M. Usman , KWON Yong Jung , QAYYUM Mirza A. , NASIR Fozia
Published: November 2010

A survey was conducted in tomato fields at different localities to assess the distribution of tomato fruitworm Helicoverpa armigera Hübner (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in Punjab Province, Pakistan. The effect of weather factors on its population was also investigated. Eleven tomato‐growing districts were selected and data for larval population and fruit infestation were recorded. The maximum larval population (5.2 larvae/plant) of H. armigera was recorded in Bahawalpur district with 32.6% fruit infestation. However, the minimum larval population (1.4 larvae/plant) inflicted 14.7% fruit infestation in Rawalpindi district. The temperature was positively correlated while relative humidity showed negative interaction with the larval population and fruit infestation.
Role of stressed mango host conditions in attraction of and colonization by the mango bark beetle Hypocryphalus mangiferae Stebbing (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) and in the symptom development of quick decline of mango trees in Pakistan
Authors: MASOOD Asad , SAEED Shafqat , ERBILGIN Nadir , JUNG KWON Yong
Published: November 2010

The mango sudden death syndrome has become a serious threat to the mango industry and caused significant decline in mango production worldwide. The bark beetle Hypocryphalus mangiferae (Stebbing) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) has been suggested as a potential vector of the disease based primarily on field observations with little or no supporting empirical data. In this study, we investigated the role of infected mango trees in host attraction and colonization by H. mangiferae to determine if beetle attack and colonization contributes to the disease progression on mango trees. Initially, the role of various stress factors on beetle attraction and disease progression was assessed under lathe house conditions from 2008 to 2009. Results suggest that symptomatic or recently inoculated mango trees (without any obvious symptoms) are preferentially colonized by H. mangiferae. Although not significant, high numbers of beetles attacked stressed or wounded mango trees, compared to healthy or dead mango trees. Disease symptoms after beetle colonization, such as bark splitting, wilting and oozing, were further evaluated. These symptoms showed positive correlation with the degree of disease severity and host plant condition. Furthermore, two fungi, Ceratocystis fimbriata and Lasiodiplodia theobromae, were frequently isolated from the beetle and beetle‐colonized trees. Based on these findings, they suggests that H. mangiferae can vector multiple fungi associated with mango sudden decline disease and play a significant role in outbreaks of this disease.
Digestive amylase and pectinase activity in the larvae of alfalfa weevil Hypera postica (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: VATANPARAST Mohammad , HOSSEININAVEH Vahid
Published: November 2010

The alfalfa weevil Hypera postica is a serious economic pest in most alfalfa grown in many countries worldwide. Digestive α‐amylase and pectinase activities of larvae were investigated using general substrates. Midgut extracts from larvae showed an optimum activity for α‐amylase against starch at acidic pH (pH 5.0). α‐Amylase from larval midgut was more stable at mildly acidic pH (pH 5–6) than highly acidic and alkaline pH. The enzyme showed its maximum activity at 35°C. α‐Amylase activity was significantly decreased in the presence of Ca2+, Mg2+ and sodium dodecylsulfate. On the contrary, K+ and Na+ did not significantly affect the enzyme activity. Zymogram analysis revealed the presence of one band of α‐amylase activity in in‐gel assays. Pectinase activity was assayed using agarose plate and colorimetric assays. Optimal pH for pectinase activity in the larval midgut was determined to be pH 5.0. Pectinase enzyme is more stable at pH 4.0–7.0 than highly acidic and alkaline pH. However, the enzyme was more stable at slightly acidic pH (pH 6.0) when incubation time increased. Maximum activity for the enzyme incubated at different temperatures was observed to be 40°C. Optimum pH activity for α‐amylase and pectinase is not completely consistent with the pH prevailing in the larval midgut. This is the first report of the presence of pectinase activity in H. postica.
Cloning and induction patterns of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in responses to immune elicitors and nucleopolyhedrovirus in the beet armyworm Spodoptera exigua
Authors: NOH Mi Y. , JO Yong H. , PARK Cheol H. , LEE Eun S. , LEE Hyo J. , KIM Iksoo , LEE Yong S. , SEO Sook J. , BANG In S. , KIM Seongon , HAN Yeon S.
Published: November 2010

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a metalloenzyme that catalyzes the dismutation of the superoxide anion to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, and has accordingly been known to play an important role in reducing oxidative stresses induced by various stresses and infection. In an attempt to investigate whether it is involved in antiviral immune responses in insects, the full‐length cDNA of SeCu/ZnSOD was obtained from the cDNA library of Spodoptera exigua. It is 1,008 bp long (excluding poly‐A tail) with the open reading frame of 459 bp encoding 152 amino acids. Sequence analysis with BLAST shows identities to various insects such as Bombyx mori (80%), Hyphantria cunea (80%), Plutella xylostella (77%), Aedes aegypti (73%), Apis mellifera (71%), Lasius niger (70%), Drosophila melanogaster (69%) and Gryllotalpa orientalis (67%). During development, S. exigua expressed SeCu/ZnSOD predominantly at embryonic stage, pupal stage and adult female stage, whereas it was slightly expressed in larvae and adult male. In addition, SeCu/ZnSOD was highly expressed in the fat body, hemocyte, silk gland and Malpighian tubule, although the levels of SeCu/ZnSOD transcripts were very low in the gut. Furthermore, SeCu/ZnSOD mRNA was slightly induced in response to either lipopolysaccharide or laminarin. Finally, SeCu/ZnSOD mRNA was induced in carcass in response to S. exigua nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeNPV) infection, whereas it was not strikingly induced in the gut. The precise roles of SeCu/ZnSOD in antiviral immune response remains to be further studied.
Rule bending, sociological citizenship, and organizational contestation in microfinance
Authors: Canales Rodrigo
Published: November 2010

This article explores how loan officers enact and adapt organizational policies within microfinance institutions. Some loan officers frequently bend or choose not to enforce written rules in an effort to better address client needs, while others enforce the rules strictly. These differences in enforcement styles are analyzed to explore the structural characteristics that generate and sustain rule‐bending behavior. In microfinance, the pressures to standardize and automate lending decisions challenge loan officers' ability to manage clients because context uncertainty cannot be fully captured by centralized policies. The article shows that officers exercise discretion productively, as measured by the organization's own criteria to (i) better serve client needs when policies can lead to bad outcomes; (ii) purposefully improve the rules themselves; and (iii) defend loan officer status within the organization. The article unveils two inherent tensions in microfinance. First, increased efforts to centralize and enforce policies in fact only increase the motivation for loan officers to work outside the organization's regulations. Second and ironically, the value of the productive rule bending displayed by some loan officers is best captured when other officers are strict enforcers.
Bioactivity of Mango Flesh and Peel Extracts on Peroxisome Proliferator‐Activated Receptor γ[PPARγ] Activation and MCF‐7 Cell Proliferation: Fraction and Fruit Variability
Authors: Wilkinson Ashley S. , Flanagan Bernadine M. , Pierson Jean‐Thomas , Hewavitharana Amitha K. , Dietzgen Ralf G. , Shaw P. Nicholas , Roberts‐Thomson Sarah J. , Monteith Gregory R. , Gidley Michael J.
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  Mangos are a source of bioactive compounds with potential health promoting activity. Biological activities associated with mango fractions were assessed in cell‐based assays to develop effective extraction and fractionation methodologies and to define sources of variability. Two techniques were developed for extraction and fractionation of mango fruit peel and flesh. Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) was used to assess compositional differences between mango fractions in flesh extracts. Many of the extracts were effective in inhibiting the proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro. All fractions showed bioactivity in PPAR activation assays, but quantitative responses showed marked fruit‐to‐fruit variability, highlighting the need to bulk fruit prior to extraction for activity‐guided fractionation of bioactive components. This study also suggests that combinations of diverse molecular components may be responsible for cell‐level bioactivities from mango fractions, and that purification and activity profiling of individual components may be difficult to relate to whole fruit effects.

Practical Application:  Although the health benefits of fruits are strongly indicated from studies of diet and disease, it is not known what role individual fruit types can play, particularly for tropical fruits. This study shows that there is a diversity of potentially beneficial bioactivities within the flesh and peel of mango fruit, although fruit‐to‐fruit variation can be large. The results add to the evidence that the food approach of eating all components of fruits is likely to be more beneficial to health than consuming refined extracts, as the purification process would inevitably remove components with beneficial bioactivities.
Alginate Coating as Carrier of Oligofructose and Inulin and to Maintain the Quality of Fresh‐Cut Apples
Authors: Rößle Christian , Brunton Nigel , Gormley Ronan T. , Wouters Rudy , Butler Francis
Published: November 2010

Abstract: The aim of this study was to apply an edible coating containing prebiotics such as oligofructose and inulin to fresh‐cut apple wedges. An assessment of the quality, sensory, polyphenol, and volatile attributes of coated and uncoated fresh‐cut apple wedges was also undertaken. Fructan analysis showed that all prebiotics remained stable over the 14‐d storage period and an intake of 100 g of apple supplies 1 to 3 g of prebiotics. Browning index, firmness, acidity remained stable throughout the 14 d compared to the control while applying prebiotic coatings resulted in an increase in soluble solids. Sensory and visual assessment indicated acceptable quality of apple wedges coated with prebiotics. HPLC analysis showed that levels of polyphenolic compounds were more stable in coated apple wedges (without prebiotic inclusions) than in uncoated control apples. No difference was found between O2and CO2headspace concentration of coated and uncoated samples. Significant differences (P< 0.001) were found for headspace volatile production between the samples. Most coated samples showed lower volatile production in the headspace than uncoated samples.
Retail Display Evaluation of Steaks from Select Beef Strip Loins Injected with a Brine Containing 1% Ammonium Hydroxide. Part 2: Cook Yield, Tenderness, and Sensory Attributes
Authors: Parsons A.N. , VanOverbeke D.L. , Goad C.L. , DeWitt C.A. Mireles
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  The impact of 2 different brines on the palatability and tenderness of select beef strip loin steaks was evaluated. Brines were differentiated by the type of alkaline agent, 4.5% sodium‐based phosphate (control brine; CON) or 1% ammonium hydroxide (ammonium hydroxide treatment; AHT), incorporated into the formula. Injected steaks were placed in high oxygen (80% O2/20% CO2) MAP, stored 4 d at 4 °C in dark storage to simulate transportation, and then placed in retail display. Steaks were selected randomly on day 0, 7, and 14 retail display to measure pH, cook loss, shear force, and sensory characteristics. The pH for AHT steaks (pH 5.96) was slightly higher than CON steaks (pH 5.86; P < 0.05). Cook loss was lower (21%) for CON than AHT steaks (23%). There was neither a treatment nor day effect on tenderness as measured by Warner–Braztler shear force (P > 0.05). Sensory evaluation indicated that on day 0, retail display the initial juiciness, sustained juiciness, tenderness 1st impression, tenderness overall impression, and connective tissue in AHT steaks was not different from CON steaks (P > 0.05). A day effect (decrease) for those sensory parameters was observed only for sustained juiciness (P < 0.05). AHT steaks were rated higher in cooked beef flavor while CON steaks were higher in peppery and salty flavor. There was no difference in soapy and ammonia intensity between treatments. Results indicated that despite lower performance in cook loss the replacement of 4.5% sodium‐based phosphate in a meat injection brine with 1% ammonium hydroxide produced a beef loin steak with comparable tenderness and palatability.

Practical Application:  The research in this study compares steaks that have been injected with a commercial brine formulated with sodium phosphates to steaks that have been injected with a brine where the sodium phosphate in the formulation was replaced with 1% ammonium hydroxide. Ammonium hydroxide is an USDA‐FSIS approved ingredient in brines injected into fresh meats. Successful replacement of sodium phosphate with ammonium hydroxide would allow processors to significantly reduce the sodium content of injected fresh meat.
Radiosensitization of Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. in Ready‐to‐Eat Baby Spinach Leaves
Authors: Gomes Carmen , Moreira Rosana G. , Castell‐Perez Elena
Published: November 2010

Abstract:  The FDA recently approved irradiation treatment of leafy greens such as spinach up to 1 kGy; however, it is important to reduce the dose required to decontaminate the produce while maintaining its quality. Thus, the objectives of this study were: (1) to assess the radiation sensitivities of Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. inoculated in ready‐to‐eat baby spinach leaves under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and irradiated using a 1.35‐MeV Van de Graff accelerator (the leaves were irradiated both at room temperature and at –5 °C); and (2) to understand and optimize the synergistic effect of MAP and irradiation by studying the radiolysis of ozone formation under different temperatures, the effect of dose rate on its formation, and its decomposition. Results showed that increased concentrations of oxygen in the packaging significantly increased the radiation sensitivity of the test organisms, ranging from 7% up to 25% reduction in D10‐values. In particular, radiosensitization could be effected (P < 0.05) by production of ozone, which increases with increasing dose‐rate and oxygen concentration, and reducing temperatures. Radiosensitization was demonstrated for both microorganisms with irradiation of either fresh or frozen (−5 °C) baby spinach. These results suggest that low‐dose (below 1 kGy) e‐beam radiation under modified atmosphere packaging (100% O2 and N2: O2[1 : 1]) may be a viable tool for reducing microbial populations or eliminating Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. from baby spinach. A suggested treatment to achieve a 5‐log reduction of the test organisms would be irradiation at room temperature under 100% O2 atmosphere at a dose level of 0.7 kGy.

Practical Application:  Decontamination of minimally processed fruits and vegetables from food‐borne pathogens presents technical and economical challenges to the produce industry. Internalized microorganisms cannot be eliminated by the current procedure (water‐washed or treated with 200‐ppm chlorine). The only technology available commercially is ionizing radiation; however, the actual radiation dose required to inactivate pathogens is too high to be tolerated by the product without unwanted changes. This study shows a new approach in using MAP with 100% O2, which is converted to ozone to radiosensitize pathogens while improving the shelf life of minimally processed fruits and vegetables. The process results in a high level of microorganism inactivation using lower doses than the conventional irradiation treatments.
Diagnosis and management of alcoholic liver disease
Authors: McCULLOUGH Arthur J , O'SHEA Robert S , DASARATHY Srinivasan
Published: November 2010

Alcohol is the most commonly used hepatotoxin worldwide. About 90% of heavy drinkers (more than 60 g/day of alcohol) show evidence of fatty livers, while only 10–35% develop alcoholic hepatitis and 5–15% developed cirrhosis. The daily intake of alcohol that results in liver injury varies and depends on a number of risk factors. Alcoholic disease developes at lower doses in females, Hispanic, obese objects, and patients with hepatitis C. Insights into the pathogenesis of alcohol‐induced liver injury has improved significantly but the translation into clinical benefit has been slow. The importance of continued abstinence and correction of nutritional deficiencies are major components in the long‐term management of liver disease. Alcohol hepatitis has a variable mortality and the prognosis is determined most commonly by the modified discriminant function. The mocel of end‐stage liver disease (MELD) is being increasingly used to predict outcome in alcoholic hepatitis even though standard cut offs are not available. Anti‐inflammatory therapy with corticosteroids and anticytokine therapy with corticosteroids and pentoxifylline are effective for patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Patients with endstage liver disease should be considered for liver transplantation. Six months of abstinence is considered to be a requirement prior to transplant, but this length of time may be adjusted in individual bases.
Talking Animals in the Bible: Paratexts as Symptoms of Cultural Anxiety in Restoration and Early Eighteenth‐Century England
Authors: CLINE KELLY ANN
Published: November 2010

In the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries in England, discourse emerged to challenge the traditional understanding of animals as unthinking brutes – that is, as unable to speak and therefore far removed from humans in the Divine Order, or Great Chain of Being. In that context the two conversations between humans and animals in Bible – Eve with the Serpent and Balaam with his ass – attracted attention. The ideological concerns generated by the Eve–Serpent and Balaam–ass conversations are reflected in the number and nature of the paratexts (a term coined by Gérard Genette) produced by Biblical exegetes during this period.
‘I shall not ask Jean‐Jacques Rousseau’: Anthropomorphism in the Cowperian Bestiary
Authors: BRUNSTRÖM CONRAD , TURNER KATHERINE
Published: November 2010

This paper examines Cowper's beast fables within the contexts of eighteenth‐century poetry (for adults and children) and sensibility. Frequently subverting the didactic conventions of animal fable, Cowper's affectionate ventriloquising enables him to engage with contemporary debate concerning not only the heuristic role of animal fables and stories but also the nature of consciousness. His penchant for discontinuous role‐playing makes his poems peculiarly congenial to the representation of other modes of being and consciousness, yet his repeated mockery of the didactic impulse to interpret the natural world in human terms implies a radical questioning of the scope and value of sympathy.
Representing the Rhinoceros: The Royal Society between Art and Science in the Eighteenth Century
Authors: HANSON CRAIG ASHLEY
Published: November 2010

Discrepancies between the empirical evidence of single‐horned rhinoceroses witnessed by Europeans and references from antiquity regarding double‐horned rhinos puzzled members of the Royal Society for decades, particularly the circle of physicians around Drs Richard Mead and Hans Sloane. Three articles published in the Philosophical Transactions proposing solutions to the two‐horned dilemma and the kinds of evidence on which they depended raised crucial issues for the Royal Society during the period – antiquarian concerns tied to philology, numismatics, textual emendation and collecting as well as the conceptual overlap between medical theory and the knowledge of the ancient world generally.
Republican Animals: Politics, Science and the Birth of Ecology
Authors: MESSER PETER C.
Published: November 2010

This article argues that in the years following American independence the combination of republican ideology and a nationalist vision of science created a new, ecological way of thinking about the relationship between humans and animals. The political imperative of promoting republican virtues overlapped with the scientific defence of the flora and fauna of North America from their European detractors, and produced a way of thinking about humans and animals that placed both within a complicated natural system, a way of thinking that laid the foundations for modern ecological thought.
The Curious Affair of Monsieur Martin the Bear
Authors: LEE PAULA YOUNG
Published: November 2010

In 1820 a brown bear killed and ate a man who had jumped into his pit in the Ménagerie in Paris. Accused of cannibalism, ‘Martin Brown’ was cast as a degenerate man who failed to appreciate his captivity, revealing that Martin's true utility was not to further zoological enquiry but to perform racist colonial narratives. As a ‘cunning’ brown bear who killed his benefactors, he stood in for mulatto slaves on Saint‐Domingue, a site of French resentment after the freed colony became Haiti. In Paris the bear confirmed the ameliorative effects of civilisation, while providing a cautionary tale regarding docile bodies masking savage instincts.
Animal Attitudes: Motion and Emotion in Eighteenth‐Century Animal Representation
Authors: LIEBMAN ELIZABETH AMY
Published: November 2010

At the Royal Garden in mid‐eighteenth‐century Paris a circle of artists and naturalists at work on Buffon's Natural History set and maintained the standard for French animal representation in illustrated natural history, fables and theatre. The images produced by this group participated in the turn of European natural philosophy from the physical sciences to the life sciences and the consequent erosion of academic and vulgar notions of the animal‐machine. The depiction of motion in the static animal image thus functioned across domains as part of an experimental effort in the new view of animal physiology, behaviour and psychology.
Benefits Expected by Accounting Firm Partners Selling their Firms to Publicly Listed Companies
Authors: Pickering Mark
Published: November 2010

In the 1990s and 2000s publicly quoted companies acquired thousands of accounting partnerships in Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US). Little is known of why the partners sold. This study examines the benefits expected by partners who sold their practices to two Australian publicly listed accounting companies. The findings suggest that there were many reasons for selling and a range of expected benefits, with some partners seeing the sale as a ‘silver bullet’ solution to all of the challenges of operating a small to medium‐sized accounting practice.
Socially Responsible Investment: Labour Standards and Environmental, Social and Ethical Disclosures within the SRI Industry
Authors: Banasik Ewa , Barut Meropy , Kloot Louise
Published: November 2010

Socially responsible investment (SRI) requires that investors are informed of the extent to which investment products comply with ethical investment guidelines. Under the Australian regulatory framework relating to investment products, Section 1013D of the Corporations Act 2001 requires that product disclosure statements (PDSs) include information about whether SRI matters have been considered in an assessment of an investment product. The Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) was given the mandate to develop legally binding disclosure ‘Guidelines’ under Section 1013DA. The Guidelines require disclosure as to how labour standards or social, environmental or ethical considerations are taken into account in selecting, retaining or realising an investment. This paper provides an examination of disclosure practices by the Australian SRI industry contained in PDSs through a descriptive study to determine the level of compliance. The analysis of the PDS disclosures revealed that fund managers emphasised the description of selection strategies; however, the level of compliance of other disclosure requirements varied among the statements reviewed. As these Guidelines are unique to Australia and are an important piece of legislation, this study is timely and partly fills a gap in the research in this area.
Valuing Volunteers: Expanding the Relevance and Reliability Debate
Authors: Cordery Carolyn , Narraway Gwynn
Published: November 2010

Volunteers’ inputs to public and other not‐for‐profit organisations are significant. However, while statisticians gather data on volunteering, accountants do so less often due to a debate as to whether the relevance of recognising volunteer input in financial reports outweighs the reliability of that data and the costs of its derivation.

This paper presents a survey of voluntary organisations that publish financial reports. It explores whether the promise of funding for volunteer effort has been matched with increasing financial reporting of volunteering. The results show there is little recognition of volunteer labour in financial reports, reflecting the unresolved relevance‐reliability debate in the accounting profession.
Commentary: IFRS and the Domestic Standard Setter – The Challenge of the Public Sector
Authors: Barton Allan
Published: November 2010

In his interesting reflections on accounting standard setting, Kevin Stevenson raises the issue again – applying business accounting standards to the public sector. This matter has been the subject of debate for the past decade. I argue that because the nature and roles of governments differ fundamentally from those of business, governments require a set of accounting standards tailored to suit their special needs. Their accounting systems must report the appropriate information required for the efficient management of the nation's financial affairs.
Bayesian Zero‐Inflated Predictive Modelling of Herd‐Level Salmonella Prevalence for Risk‐Based Surveillance
Authors: Benschop J. , Spencer S. , Alban L. , Stevenson M. , French N.
Published: November 2010

The national control programme for Salmonella in Danish swine herds introduced in 1993 has led to a large decrease in pork‐associated human cases of salmonellosis. The pork industry is increasingly focused on the cost‐effectiveness of surveillance while maintaining consumer confidence in the pork food supply. Using national control programme data from 2003 and 2004, we developed a zero‐inflated binomial model to predict which farms were most at risk of Salmonella. We preferentially sampled these high‐risk farms using two sampling schemes based on model predictions resulting from a farm’s covariate pattern and its random effect. Zero‐inflated binomial modelling allows assessment of similarities and differences between factors that affect herd infection status (introduction), and those that affect the seroprevalence in infected herds (persistence and spread). Both large (producing greater than 5000 pigs per annum), and small herds (producing less than 2000 pigs per annum) were at significantly higher risk for infection and subsequent seroprevalence, when compared with medium sized herds (producing between 2000 and 5000 pigs per annum). When compared with herds being located elsewhere, being located in the south of Jutland significantly decreased the risk of herd infection, but increased the risk of a pig from an infected herd being seropositive. The model suggested that many of the herds where Salmonella was not detected were infected, but at a low prevalence. Using cost and sensitivity, we compared the results of our model based sampling schemes with those under the standard sampling scheme, based on herd size, and the recently introduced risk‐based approach. Model‐based results were less sensitive but show significant cost savings. Further model refinements, sampling schemes and the methods to evaluate their performance are important areas for future work, and these should continue to occur in direct consultation with Danish authorities.
Use of a Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance Gene Microarray for the Identification of Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Garneau P. , Labrecque O. , Maynard C. , Messier S. , Masson L. , Archambault M. , Harel J.
Published: November 2010

As diagnostic and surveillance activities are vital to determine measures needed to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR), new and rapid laboratory methods are necessary to facilitate this important effort. DNA microarray technology allows the detection of a large number of genes in a single reaction. This technology is simple, specific and high‐throughput. We have developed a bacterial antimicrobial resistance gene DNA microarray that will allow rapid antimicrobial resistance gene screening for all Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. A prototype microarray was designed using a 70‐mer based oligonucleotide set targeting AMR genes of Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. In the present version, the microarray consists of 182 oligonucleotides corresponding to 166 different acquired AMR gene targets, covering most of the resistance genes found in both Gram‐negative and ‐positive bacteria. A test study was performed on a collection of Staphylococcus aureus isolates from milk samples from dairy farms in Québec, Canada. The reproducibility of the hybridizations was determined, and the microarray results were compared with those obtained by phenotypic resistance tests (either MIC or Kirby‐Bauer). The microarray genotyping demonstrated a correlation between penicillin, tetracycline and erythromycin resistance phenotypes with the corresponding acquired resistance genes. The hybridizations showed that the 38 antimicrobial resistant S. aureus isolates possessed at least one AMR gene.
Slaughterfloor Decontamination of Pork Carcases with Hot Water or Acidified Sodium Chlorite – A Comparison in Two Australian Abattoirs
Authors: Hamilton D. , Holds G. , Lorimer M. , Kiermeier A. , Kidd C. , Slade J. , Pointon A.
Published: November 2010

A decontamination trial on the effectiveness of hot water or acidified sodium chlorite (SANOVA™) treatment on Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and Total Viable Count (TVC) was undertaken on pork carcases prior to primary chilling in two large pork abattoirs in Australia using belly‐strip excision sampling. A total of 123 samples from Abattoir A and 400 samples from Abattoir B were cultured and analysed. Test pigs were selected from herds with a known high level of on‐farm Salmonella infection. At Abattoir A, Salmonella spp. were not isolated from carcases. The prevalence of E. coli on control carcases was 92.9% compared with 9.8% for hot water and 12.5% for SANOVA™ treated carcases. The mean log10E. coli concentration for control carcases was 0.89 cfu/gram, compared with −0.83 cfu/gram from hot water and −0.75 cfu/gram from SANOVA™ treated carcases. The mean log10 TVC for control carcases was 4.06 compared with 1.81 cfu/gram for hot water and 2.76 cfu/gram for SANOVA™ treated carcases. At Abattoir B, the prevalence of Salmonella on control carcases was 16% compared with 2.7% for hot water and 7.0% for SANOVA™ treated carcases. The prevalence of E. coli on control carcases was 69.3% compared with 22% for hot water and 30% for SANOVA™ treated carcases. The mean log10E. coli concentration for control carcases was 0.45 cfu/gram, compared with −0.65 cfu/gram from hot water and −0.60 cfu/gram from SANOVA™ treated carcases. The mean log10 TVC for control carcases was 3.00 cfu/gram compared with 2.10 cfu/gram for hot water and 2.53 cfu/gram for SANOVA™ treated carcases. The reductions in prevalence and mean log10 concentrations in the present trial were all found to be statistically significant and indicate that carcases decontamination with either hot water or SANOVA™ are effective risk management options immediately available to the pork industry.
Salmonella in Pork Cuttings in Supermarkets and Butchers’ Shops in Denmark in 2002 and 2006
Authors: Hansen T. B. , Christensen B. B. , Aabo S.
Published: November 2010

The prevalence of Salmonella in fresh pork cuttings in Denmark in the years 2002 and 2006 was investigated at retail and compared with the retail supply pattern. A total of 1025 and 3473 samples were taken in 2002 from butcher’s shops and supermarkets, respectively. The corresponding numbers in 2006 were 259 from butchers’ shops and 628 from supermarkets. In 2002, 1.2% of all samples were positive for Salmonella; butchers’ shops and supermarkets had 1.8% and 1.0% positive samples, respectively. The overall prevalence in 2006 was 4.2%, with prevalence of 8.1% and 2.6% for butchers’ shops and supermarkets, respectively. Hence, increases around 3‐ to 5‐fold were found. There was neither observed any parallel increase in Salmonella positive carcasses in Danish slaughterhouses during the study period, nor were any changes in supply routes towards slaughterhouses with higher prevalence observed, which could explain the apparent increase. We hypothesize that hygiene levels and ability to avoid cross‐contamination and prevent growth of the organism, in the meat processing chain after slaughter were the most likely responsible factors. Results from this study indicate that the hygiene performance, particularly at retail, has a significant impact on the occurrence of Salmonella. This implies that there is no direct link between slaughterhouse Salmonella surveillance data and the level of Salmonella contamination at retail. To improve risk assessment of Salmonella in fresh pork meat, this study underlines the need for comprehensive retail data.
Risk Factors forSalmonellaInfection in Fattening Pigs – An Evaluation of Blood and Meat Juice Samples
Authors: Hotes S. , Kemper N. , Traulsen I. , Rave G. , Krieter J.
Published: November 2010

The main objective of this study was to analyse potential herd‐level factors associated with the detection ofSalmonellaantibodies in fattening pigs. Two independent datasets, consisting of blood and meat juice samples respectively, were used. Additional information about husbandry, management and hygiene conditions was collected by questionnaire for both datasets. The serological analysis showed that 13.8% of the blood samples and 15.7% of the meat juice samples had to be classified asSalmonella‐positive. Logistic‐regression models were used to assess statistically significant risk factors associated with a positive sample result. The results of the statistical blood sample analysis showed that the application of antibiotics increased the odds ratio (OR) by a factor of 5.21 (P < 0.001) compared to untreated pigs. A fully slatted floor decreased the prevalence ofSalmonellaas well as the use of protective clothing or the cleaning of the feed tube (ORs 0.35–0.54,P < 0.001). It was shown that a distance of less than 2 km to other swine herds increased the chance of a positiveSalmonellaresult (OR = 3.76,P < 0.001). The statistical analysis of the meat juice samples revealed the importance of feed aspects. The chance of obtaining a positive meat juice sample increased by a factor of 3.52 (P < 0.001) by using granulated feed instead of flour. It also became clear that liquid feeding should be preferred to dry feeding (OR = 0.33,P < 0.001). A comparison of the blood sample analysis to the meat juice model revealed that the latter was less powerful because data structure was less detailed. The expansion of data acquisition might solve these problems and improve the suitability of QS monitoring data for risk factor analyses.
Phenotypic and Genotypic Heterogeneity of Campylobacter coli Within Individual Pigs at Farm and Slaughter in the US
Authors: Thakur S. , Gebreyes W. A.
Published: November 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the phenotypic and genotypic diversity of multiple Campylobacter isolates (n = 3 per sample) present within individual (heterogeneity) pig faecal and carcass samples at farm and slaughter, respectively. We isolated 1459 Campylobacter coli (1110 on farm and 349 from slaughter) from 908 pigs and 757 carcasses and characterized them for their antimicrobial susceptibility profile to a panel of six antimicrobials using the agar dilution method. Overall, we detected a significantly higher Campylobacter prevalence at the farm (54.7%) than at slaughter (19%) level (P < 0.05). C. coli isolates were resistant most commonly to tetracycline (66.2%) and erythromycin (53.6%) while fluoroquinolone resistance was detected in isolates (n = 17) only from the farm level. Phenotypic diversity of C. coli isolates at the 4‐fold minimum inhibitory concentration levels within the same sample was detected in 38.6% (n = 192) pigs and 40.2% (n = 58) carcass swabs with no significant difference between the two sources (P = 0.72). Phenotypic heterogeneity based on the antimicrobial resistance patterns was observed in 32.5% (n = 162) of the farm samples and in 30.5% (n = 44) carcass swabs at slaughter (P = 0.64). A subset of 40 isolates representing ten pigs and eight carcass samples (originating from separate pigs) were further genotyped by multi locus sequence typing. The observation of phenotypic diversity was replicated at the genotypic level, as it was highlighted by the 22 sequence types which represented the 40 isolates. In conclusion, we detected multiple C. coli subtypes from individual pig or carcass samples indicating unprecedented level of heterogeneity. Our study clearly signifies the importance of testing multiple colonies to make appropriate and valid conclusions in epidemiological‐based studies.
Evaluation of three commercial enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays for the detection of antibodies against Salmonella spp. in meat juice from finishing pigs in Spain
Authors: Vico J. P. , Engel B. , Buist W. G. , Mainar‐Jaime R. C.
Published: November 2010

The control of animal salmonellosis is considered as a major objective in Europe and indirect ELISAs will be important tools for the implementation of control programs for this infection in pigs. We analyse the results yielded by three commercial ELISAs (Herdcheck® Swine Salmonella, SALMOTYPE® Pig Screen, and PrioCHECK® Salmonella) on meat juice samples from a population of slaughter pigs of Aragon, NW Spain, to assess their efficacy using traditional and latent‐class approaches. Overall, the Herdcheck® Swine Salmonella detected more Salmonella‐infected pigs than the other two tests, but its relative sensitivity was low (65.9%). A similar result was observed when only serotypes detectable by this test were considered (69.1%). When a Bayesian approach was used the Herdcheck® Swine Salmonella showed also the highest overall accuracy (sensitivity = 88% and specificity = 74%). Our results suggest that a relatively small proportion of the observed prevalence in herds would be explained by using these ELISAs. Also, this study points out that when different ELISA tests are used within the same herd, results may differ substantially. Thus, caution is advised if it is decided to use these assays for herd health classification in Spanish Salmonella control programs.
Predation of oral pathogens by Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J
Authors: Dashiff A. , Kadouri D.E.
Published: November 2010

Periodontal diseases are multifactorial infections elicited by a complex of primarily gram‐negative bacteria that interact with host tissues and lead to the destruction of the periodontal structures. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a gram‐negative bacterium that preys upon other gram‐negative bacteria. It was previously shown that B. bacteriovorus has an ability to attack and remove surface‐attached bacteria or biofilms. In this study, we examined the host specificity of B. bacteriovorus strain 109J and its ability to prey on oral pathogens associated with periodontitis, including; Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Eikenella corrodens, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia. We further demonstrated that B. bacteriovorus 109J has an ability to remove biofilms of Ei. corrodens as well as biofilms composed of A. actinomycetemcomitans. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus was able to remove A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilms developed on hydroxyapatite surfaces and in the presence of saliva, as well as to detach metabolically inactive biofilms. Experiments aimed at enhancing the biofilm removal aptitude of B. bacteriovorus with the aid of extracellular‐polymeric‐substance‐degrading enzymes demonstrated that proteinase‐K inhibits predation. However, treating A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilms with DspB, a poly‐N‐acetylglucosamine (PGA) ‐hydrolysing enzyme, increased biofilm removal. Increased biofilm removal was also recorded when A. actinomycetemcomitans PGA‐defective mutants were used as host cells, suggesting that PGA degradation could enhance the removal of A. actinomycetemcomitans biofilm by B. bacteriovorus.
Methods for exact perturbation analysis
Authors: Miller D. , Morgan B.J.T. , Ridout M.S. , Carey P.D. , Rothery P.
Published: November 2010

1. The dominant eigenvalue of the population projection matrix provides the asymptotic growth rate of a population. Perturbation analysis examines how changes in vital rates and transitions affect this growth rate. The standard approach to evaluating the effect of a perturbation uses sensitivities and elasticities to provide a linear approximation.

2. A transfer function approach provides the exact relationship between growth rate and perturbation matrix. An alternative approach derives the exact solution directly by calculating the matrix characteristic equation in terms of the perturbation parameters and the asymptotic growth rate. This may be calculated numerically or by using symbolic algebra, and here we focus on the symbolic algebra approach.

3. The direct approach provides integrated sensitivities and plots of the exact relationship. The same method may be used for any perturbation structure, however complicated, including perturbations to vital rates that determine the elements of the population projection matrix.

4. The simplicity of the direct approach is illustrated through two examples, the killer whale and the lizard orchid.

5. Synthesis and applications. In this paper we describe three different methods for exact perturbation analysis. It is shown that each has its own merits, and the associated online computer code will encourage wider use of this analysis in the future.