bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancement of ferroelectric properties of Na1∕2Bi1∕2TiO3-BaTiO3 single crystals by Ce dopings
Authors: Bubesh Babu J. , He Ming , Zhang D. F. , Chen X. L. , Dhanasekaran R.
Published: March 2007

Ferroelectric single crystal of Na1∕2Bi1∕2TiO3-BaTiO3 (NBT-BT) and Ce doped NBT-BT have been grown by flux technique. It is found that the addition of Ce plays a significant role in improving the ferroelectric properties of NBT-BT crystals, (i) by improving the value of the dielectric constant at room temperature and at Tm (the phase transition temperature between antiferroelectric and paraelectric phases with dielectric maximum), (ii) by increasing the depolarization temperature (Td) and Tm, (iii) by increasing the degree of diffuseness, and (iv) by increasing the remnant polarization (Pr) and coercive field (Ec). The reasons behind these enhancements of ferroelectric properties are discussed in detail.
Suspended nanowire web
Authors: Cimalla Volker , Stubenrauch Mike , Weise Frank , Fischer Michael , Tonisch Katja , Hoffmann Martin , Ambacher Oliver
Published: March 2007

A complex three-dimensional, nanowire based nanoarchitecture is presented, which can be processed by high-throughput bottom-up procedures without any high-resolution lithography. It combines the benefits of three self-organization mechanisms to produce nanostructures, i.e., the formation of nanoneedles, the droplet formation out of a thin metal film, and the vapor-liquid-solid growth of nanowires. The principle is demonstrated for a silicon based suspended nanowire web. Cell adherence on this assembly was found to be superior to other nanostructures. The possibility of fluid transport beneath the nanowire web enables improved microcatalyst principles and the realization of novel interfaces for biosensing or bioelectronics.
Capital Regulation for Position Risk in Banks, Securities Firms, and Insurance Companies
Authors: Herring Richard , Schuermann Til
Published: March 2007

Currently, banks, securities firms, and insurance companies conduct trading businesses that involve many of the same financial instruments and several of the same counterparties but that are subject to very different capital regulations. This chapter examines why these regulatory differences exist and what they imply for differences in minimum capital requirements for position risk. It considers differences in the definition and measurement of regulatory capital, and quantifies differences in the capital charges for position risk by reference to a model portfolio that contains a variety of financial instruments, including equity, fixed income instruments, swaps, foreign exchange positions, and options — instruments that may appear in the portfolios of securities firms, banks, or insurance companies. For most leading firms in the financial services industry, however, market forces, not minimum regulatory capital requirements, appear to play the dominant role in firms' capital decisions. The chapter concludes by considering measures to enhance market discipline.
The effects of a 3‐year obesity intervention in schoolchildren in Beijing
Authors: Jiang J. , Xia X. , Greiner T. , Wu G. , Lian G. , Rosenqvist U.
Published: March 2007

Background  Childhood obesity has become a health problem in urban areas in China. Intervention to reduce childhood obesity should be of high priority. School‐based intervention programmes are needed to deal with the growing prevalence of childhood obesity in China.

Methods  Five primary schools were selected randomly for this study in the Beijing urban area in China; two were allocated to the intervention group and three to the control group. A total of 2425 children (1029 children in intervention schools and 1396 children in control schools) took part in the study for 3 years. In the intervention group, children and their parents were involved in a programme of nutrition education and physical activity. Control school students followed their usual health and physical education curriculum with no extra intervention.

Results  After the 3‐year intervention, the prevalence of overweight and obesity were significantly lower in the intervention schools than in the control schools (overweight: 9.8% vs. 14.4%, P < 0.01; obesity: 7.9% vs. 13.3%, P < 0.01). The prevalence of overweight and obesity decreased by 26.3% and 32.5% in intervention schools respectively after intervention. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased in control schools. There was also significant difference in body mass index between intervention and control schools (18.2 ± 2.6 vs. 20.3 ± 3.4, P < 0.01) after intervention. More non‐obese children became obese in the control schools (7.0%) than in the intervention schools (2.4%) at end line (P < 0.01). Among the children who were obese at baseline, 49.2% remained obese at end line in intervention schools while 61.9% remained obese in control schools (P < 0.01).

Conclusions  Our study showed that an intervention programme could be feasible in schools in Beijing, China. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was reduced in schoolchildren in Beijing through an intervention focused on nutrition education and physical activity. Overweight and obesity children as well as normal weight children and their parents should be involved in such an intervention programme.
Desert locust outbreaks in the Sahel: resource competition, predation and ecological effects of pest control
Authors: SÁNCHEZ‐ZAPATA JOSÉ A. , DONÁZAR JOSÉ A. , DELGADO ANTONIO , FORERO MANUELA G. , CEBALLOS OLGA , HIRALDO FERNANDO
Published: March 2007

The desert locustSchistocerca gregariahas been considered a major pest since ancient times, as locust swarms holding millions of insects move throughout the Sahel, northern Africa, Middle East and southern Mediterranean countries. Most research has focused on the biology of the species and the development of strategies in locust control, but little is known about the place of locust pulses within food webs in which domestic herbivores and European long‐distance migratory birds are also involved.

We evaluated the role of desert locust outbreaks in the food webs of the Sahelian region. We analysed the potential resource competition with domestic herbivores and the response of a generalist predator by assessing its diet and foraging behaviour in relation to the availability of locusts.

Stable isotope analyses revealed that little trophic overlap exists between desert locusts that feed on trees and shrubs and nomadic livestock that feed on grasses in the Sahelian savanna grasslands. These results suggest low resource competition with the main human resources in regions with little agricultural development. In addition, during an outbreak that occurred in winter, desert locusts were consumed by resident and long‐distance migrant birds. This accounted for significant changes in the diet and foraging strategies of wintering generalist predators such as the black kiteMilvus migrans.

Synthesis and applications. Our results raise questions about the need for spraying locust swarms in areas where economic losses are scant and wintering populations of European trans‐Saharan migrant birds are high. A deeper insight into the ecological and economical role of these outbreaks is urgently needed, together with a reassessment of desert locust control in the Sahel.
Persistence ofMycobacterium aviumsubspecies paratuberculosis in rabbits: the interplay between horizontal and vertical transmission
Authors: JUDGE JOHANNA , DAVIDSON ROSS S. , MARION GLENN , WHITE PIRAN C.L. , HUTCHINGS MICHAEL R.
Published: March 2007

Paratuberculosis (Mycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosis; Map) is a widespread and difficult disease to control in livestock populations and also has possible links to Crohn's disease in humans. Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have been identified recently as the key wildlife species in terms of paratuberculosis transmission to the wider host community. Here, we test the hypothesis thatMapcan persist in rabbit populations for extended periods of time in the absence of any external source of infection.

A spatially explicit stochastic simulation model of a generic host–disease interaction was developed to quantify the interplay between vertical and horizontal routes of transmission needed for the persistence ofMapin rabbit populations and to test the hypothesis. The model was parameterized based on empirical studies on rabbit population dynamics and on rabbit‐to‐rabbit routes ofMaptransmission.

Predictions from the model suggest that any disease with susceptible–infected (SI) dynamics without disease‐induced mortality can persist within a rabbit population in the absence of vertical transmission, providing the horizontal transmission coefficient, β, is greater than approximately 0·012. The inclusion of any vertical transmission reduces the value of β that is necessary for infection to persist.

Paratuberculosis persists in rabbit populations at all values of the horizontal and vertical transmission parameters in the range estimated from the field data and in many cases at all values within 95% confidence intervals around this range. The persistence ofMapinfection in rabbit populations in the absence of external sources of infection suggests that they may act as a reservoir of infection for sympatric livestock.

Synthesis and applications.Our findings, in combination with the ubiquitous distribution of rabbits in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, suggests that ifMapbecomes established in rabbit populations they are likely to provide widespread and persistent environmental distributions of infection and thus disease risk to livestock and potentially humans. Where local rabbit populations are infected they should be included in any future paratuberculosis control strategies. Because eradication of rabbits is often not a realistic option, control strategies should include reducing interspecific transmission risk from rabbits to livestock via the faecal–oral route.
Ethyl pyruvate: a novel anti‐inflammatory agent
Authors: Fink M. P.
Published: March 2007

Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is a simple derivative of the endogenous metabolite, pyruvic acid. Treatment with EP has been shown to improve survival and/or ameliorate organ dysfunction in a wide variety of preclinical models of critical illnesses, such as severe sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome, acute pancreatitis and stroke. EP was originally regarded as simply a way to administer pyruvate anion, whilst avoiding some of the problems associated with the instability of pyruvate in aqueous solutions. Increasingly, however, it is becoming apparent that certain pyruvate esters, including EP, have pharmacological effects, such as suppression of inflammation, that are quite distinct from those exerted by pyruvate anion. EP has been tested in human volunteers and shown to be safe at clinically relevant doses. It remains to be determined whether EP can be used successfully to treat human diseases.
RNA‐directed RNA polymerase 1 (RdR1) mediates the resistance of Nicotiana attenuata to herbivore attack in nature
Authors: Pandey Shree P. , Baldwin Ian T.
Published: March 2007

Small RNAs are important regulators of plant development and resistance to viruses. To determine whether small RNAs mediate defense responses to herbivore attack, we silenced the expression of three RNA‐directed RNA polymerases (RdRs) in the native tobacco Nicotiana attenuata by virus‐induced gene silencing. Larvae of the leaf‐chewing solanaceous specialist Manduca sexta grew faster on the RdR1‐silenced plants than on empty vector (EV) controls; silencing RdR3 and 2 had little to no effect on larval performance. NaRdR1 transcripts were strongly elicited when puncture wounds were treated with M. sexta oral secretions (OS) to simulate herbivore attack, and with SA and JA, phytohormones that are elicited by herbivore attack. Stably silencing RdR1 by transforming N. attenuata with an inverted‐repeat RdR1 construct produced plants (irRdR1) that grew normally but were highly susceptible to both M. sexta larvae and the cell‐content‐feeder Tupiocoris notatus. When irRdR1 lines were planted into N. attenuata’s native habitat in the Great Basin Desert (Utah, USA), they were highly susceptible to herbivore attack, due to deficiencies in direct rather than indirect defenses. Microarray analysis revealed the downregulation of ADC and ODC genes, which supply substrates for synthesizing the chemical defense compound nicotine; irRdR1 lines failed to accumulate nicotine after attack. We conclude that RdR1 mediates herbivore resistance, and infer that the small RNAs produced by RdR1 are probably involved in orchestrating some of the rapid metabolic adjustments required for plants to survive herbivore attack in their natural habitats. The experiment highlights the value of carrying out ‘real‐world’ tests of gene function early in the discovery process.
Glycinebetaine Accumulation, Physiological Characterizations and Growth Efficiency in Salt‐tolerant and Salt‐sensitive Lines of Indica Rice (Oryza sativaL. ssp.indica) in Response to Salt Stress
Authors: Cha‐um S. , Supaibulwatana K. , Kirdmanee C.
Published: March 2007

The aim of this research was to investigate betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH) and glycinebetaine (Glybet) biosynthesis in photoautotrophic rice seedlings. The role of Glybet on physiological and growth responses to salt stress in both salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive lines is to be investigated. The BADH activity in salt‐tolerant seedlings cultured under extreme salt stress (342 mmNaCl) progressively increased during the first few hours until it peaked after 72 h. This was about 2.5 times greater than in salt‐sensitive plants. Similarly, the amount of Glybet detected in salt‐tolerant lines was 1.3 times more than in salt‐sensitive lines at 96 h salt exposure. The BADH activities were positively related to Glybet accumulation in both salt‐tolerant and salt‐sensitive lines. The accumulation of Glybet in salt‐tolerant lines was directly correlated with pigment stabilization. Relative water content in the salt‐tolerant lines was closely related to water oxidation in photosystem II (PSII), defined by maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm). In addition, a high concentration of total chlorophyll is more efficient in capturing light energy, defined by photochemical quenching. The concentrations of chlorophyllaand total carotenoid were positively related to the quantum efficiency of PSII (ΦPSII) and non‐photochemical quenching, respectively, resulting in a high net‐photosynthetic rate (NPR) and the promotion of growth. The high level of Glybet in salt‐tolerant lines plays a role as a salt defensive response mechanism in terms of pigment stabilization and water oxidation in PSII, resulting in high NPR and growth efficiency.
Predicting mistletoe seed shadow and patterns of seed rain from movements of the mistletoebird, Dicaeum hirundinaceum
Authors: WARD MATTHEW J. , PATON DAVID C.
Published: March 2007

Abstract At the scale of an individual host, mistletoes are aggregated in space, resulting from the preferential perching of mistletoe dispersers on previously infected plants. We hypothesized that the landscape scale movement patterns of mistletoe dispersers will also promote the aggregation of mistletoes. This hypothesis was tested by predicting the seed shadow for box mistletoeAmyema miquelii(Loranthaceae) and patterns of seed rain, by combining radiotelemetry data of mistletoebirdDicaeum hirundinaceum(Dicaeidae) movements with existing gut passage time data. Thirteen adult mistletoebirds had a mean home range of 20 ha, with core activity areas of approximately 1 ha, and birds more often used areas with high levels of mistletoe infestation. The predicted seed shadow of box mistletoe was leptokurtic, with a 12%, 35% and 23% probability of mistletoe seed being deposited 0 m (same host tree), 1–50 m and 51–100 m from the host tree, respectively. Although rare (3% probability), long distance dispersal of mistletoe (>500 m) can occur. The predicted patterns of seed rain were strongly aggregated, with birds dispersing large amounts of seed (>66 000 per ha) in areas with higher mistletoe infestation levels. The movements of mistletoe dispersers will therefore promote mistletoe aggregation at a landscape scale.
The contribution of ApoB and ApoA1 measurements to cardiovascular risk assessment
Authors: Andrikoula M. , McDowell I. F. W.
Published: March 2007

LDL has been widely recognized as the major atherogenic lipoprotein and designated as the primary target for prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD); however, there is growing evidence that other triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins, such as very low‐density lipoprotein (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoprotein (IDL) carry atherogenic potential as well. This led to the designation of non‐HDL cholesterol (HDL‐C) (LDL + IDL + VLDL) as a secondary target of treatment for hyperlipidaemia. As each one of LDL, IDL and VLDL particles carries only one apolipoprotein B‐100 (ApoB‐100) molecule, the total ApoB value represents the total number of potentially atherogenic lipoproteins, whereas non‐HDL‐C provides the cholesterol content of these same lipoproteins. Recent data from epidemiological, observational and interventional studies suggest that non‐HDL‐C, apolipoproteins ApoA1 and ApoB may improve CHD risk assessment by identifying more high‐risk individuals than the usual lipid profile alone. However, the targets for the optimal treatment of dyslipidaemia remain a subject of considerable debate. Further studies are needed to determine whether ApoB and ApoA1 are superior to conventional lipid parameters as predictors of cardiovascular disease or therapeutic targets of hyperlipidaemias. In this review, we summarize the current opinions on the use of ApoA1 and ApoB values as estimates of cardiovascular risk or as treatment goals in patients undergoing treatment for hyperlipidaemia.
Women, information technology and ‘waves of optimism’: Australian evidence on ‘mixed‐skill’ jobs
Authors: Roan Amanda , Whitehouse Gillian
Published: March 2007

Optimism about the increased engagement of women in information technology employment has been informed, in part, by essentialist ideas about the suitability for women of emerging jobs combining technical with interpersonal, artistic or other ‘non‐technical’ skills. Drawing on evidence from Australia, we highlight limitations to this brand of optimism, questioning the potential for women in mixed‐skill jobs in computing and multimedia organisations.
Managing mobile work—insights from European practice
Authors: Brodt Torsten L. , Verburg Robert M.
Published: March 2007

This paper features a number of enablers and barriers for the successful introduction of mobile work initiatives. Information and communication technology‐enabled mobile work environments are an emerging phenomenon in Europe. On the basis of current theory and the empirical analysis of five selected case studies from a large European research project both facilitating factors and possible obstructions are illustrated and discussed.
Integrating different windows on reality: socio‐economic and institutional challenges for culture collections
Authors: Daniel Heide‐Marie , Himmelreich Uwe , Dedeurwaerdere Tom
Published: March 2007

The task of a comprehensive exploration of micro‐organisms in medicine, agriculture, industry, basic, applied and environmental sciences requires many resources and highly specialised methods of collection. The resulting wealth of data makes it essential for experts from different fields to collaborate closely for efficiently translating it into social benefits. Resulting commercial applications are one driving force in further developments that might generate conflicts between intellectual property rights and the need of accessible, shared databases. Culture collections for micro‐organisms might act as mediators by defining the regulations for access to data and materials. In this article we address problems and potentials of sharing information as part of organising broad access to diverse forms of information on microbial commons. Our main argument is that a focus on genetic information only, by neglecting the importance of combining and sharing facts coming from the behaviour and the environment of living organisms, results in loss of expertise, knowledge, and social opportunities both for developed and developing countries, the latter being the reservoir of most of the remaining biodiversity on Earth.
Color contrast and stratification of transparent figures1
Authors: Da POS OSVALDO , DEVIGILI ANDREA , GIAGGIO FLAVIO , TREVISAN GIULIA
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Figure/background organization usually entails that figures are perceived in front of the background, and in special conditions front objects appear transparent. Moreover, depth stratification is constrained by the color contrast between specific areas also when transparency is perceived. In four experiments, we showed that contrast affects surface stratification even when it is artificially produced by Cornsweet illusory contrasts, both by increasing and decreasing the color difference just at the border of the adjacent areas, and also when the colors of all areas, complementary and equiluminant included, are kept constant. The results agree with previous findings in the achromatic domain, both with opaque and transparent colors (Masin, 2000) and stress the relevance of the perceived contrast, instead of color differences, on the perception of transparency and stratification.
Adrenoleukodystrophy: subcellular localization and degradation of adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDP/ABCD1) with naturally occurring missense mutations
Authors: Takahashi Norimasa , Morita Masashi , Maeda Takanori , Harayama Yuta , Shimozawa Nobuyuki , Suzuki Yasuyuki , Furuya Hirokazu , Sato Ryuichiro , Kashiwayama Yoshinori , Imanaka Tsuneo
Published: March 2007

Mutation in the X‐chromosomal adrenoleukodystrophy gene (ALD; ABCD1) leads to X‐linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X‐ALD), a severe neurodegenerative disorder. The encoded adrenoleukodystrophy protein (ALDP/ABCD1) is a half‐size peroxisomal ATP‐binding cassette protein of 745 amino acids in humans. In this study, we chose nine arbitrary mutant human ALDP forms (R104C, G116R, Y174C, S342P, Q544R, S606P, S606L, R617H, and H667D) with naturally occurring missense mutations and examined the intracellular behavior. When expressed in X‐ALD fibroblasts lacking ALDP, the expression level of mutant His‐ALDPs (S606L, R617H, and H667D) was lower than that of wild type and other mutant ALDPs. Furthermore, mutant ALDP‐green fluorescence proteins (S606L and H667D) stably expressed in CHO cells were not detected due to rapid degradation. Interestingly, the wild type ALDP co‐expressed in these cells also disappeared. In the case of X‐ALD fibroblasts from an ALD patient (R617H), the mutant ALDP was not detected in the cells, but appeared upon incubation with a proteasome inhibitor. When CHO cells expressing mutant ALDP‐green fluorescence protein (H667D) were cultured in the presence of a proteasome inhibitor, both the mutant and wild type ALDP reappeared. In addition, mutant His‐ALDP (Y174C), which has a mutation between transmembrane domain 2 and 3, did not exhibit peroxisomal localization by immunofluorescense study. These results suggest that mutant ALDPs, which have a mutation in the COOH‐terminal half of ALDP, including S606L, R617H, and H667D, were degraded by proteasomes after dimerization. Further, the region between transmembrane domain 2 and 3 is important for the targeting of ALDP to the peroxisome.
Elderly skin and its rejuvenation: products and procedures for the aging skin
Authors: Ramos‐e‐Silva Marcia , Da Silva Carneiro Sueli Coelho
Published: March 2007

In the last few decades, there has been a substantial increase in the population of people over 60 years of age. Most of them maintain a good general health and physical activity and fitness. For these individuals there is a good number of dermatologic procedures, medications, and cosmetics that can be prescribed to improve the aspect of skin aging, providing an improvement in their self‐esteem and quality of life as a result of their better look. We will discuss the mechanisms of skin aging, and the procedures and substances used to minimize its deleterious effects, such as sunscreens, estrogens, chemical peels, toxin botulinum, fillers and surgical procedures, among others. The use of makeup and the adverse reactions to cosmetics will also be mentioned.
What effects do walkers and dogs have on the distribution and productivity of breeding European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus?
Authors: LANGSTON R. H. W. , LILEY D. , MURISON G. , WOODFIELD E. , CLARKE R. T.
Published: March 2007

Several successive studies of European Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus (hereafter, Nightjar) on the Dorset heaths demonstrated negative effects of the proximity of urban development and associated disturbance from access on foot by people and dogs. Surrogate measures of human density and settlement, including the amount of developed land around each heathland patch and the number of houses, were significantly and negatively related to the density of Nightjars (using data from the 1992 national survey) on heathland patches, regardless of patch size. These findings prompted targeted field studies, the subject of this paper, which investigated the mechanisms and effects of recreational disturbance on breeding Nightjars. Fieldwork in 2002 focused on a suite of heathland sites representing a range of access from sites closed to the public to heaths heavily used for recreation, notably by dog walkers. Studies in 2003 concentrated on the heavily used heaths. Nests which failed were significantly closer to paths, tended to be closer to the main points of access to heaths, in areas with higher footpath density, notably of high levels of use, and in more sparsely vegetated locations. The proximate cause of nest failure was most frequently egg predation. Nest cameras, deployed in 2003 in an attempt to identify the predators of eggs or chicks, recorded just one instance of predation, that of an egg by a Carrion Crow Corvus corone, and two instances of the incubating bird being flushed by a dog, once from an egg and once from a chick, neither event preventing fledging. Flushing rate of Nightjars from the nest was associated with the height of vegetation around the nest and the extent of nest cover. The studies indicate that access disturbance interacts with environmental conditions for breeding birds. Birds flush more readily from eggs, which are highly visible when exposed, especially in areas with sparse nest cover, leaving them vulnerable to predation. Although Nightjar flushing rates were observed to be low in 2003, just one event leading to predation is enough to end that nesting attempt. Management measures are recommended to minimize the effects of walkers and their dogs on Nightjars.
Testing the effects of recreational disturbance on two upland breeding waders
Authors: PEARCE‐HIGGINS J. W. , FINNEY S. K. , YALDEN D. W. , LANGSTON R. H. W.
Published: March 2007

Previous work has shown that Golden Plovers Pluvialis apricaria guarding chicks utilize heavily disturbed habitat at a lower rate than surrounding areas, but that such rates of avoidance are reduced when the movement of people is restricted to a surfaced footpath. However, there remained some unanswered questions, which are addressed in this paper. First, we examine to what extent habitat avoidance is dependent upon visitor numbers, and find no evidence that Golden Plovers avoided disturbed areas at a site where visitor pressure was half that previously studied. Secondly, we examine whether these relationships between habitat occupancy and disturbance apply to other upland waders and find that Dunlin Calidris alpina habitat utilization in disturbed areas showed a non‐significant increase of approximately 50% following the provision of a surfaced footpath, in a manner similar to that observed for Golden Plover. Thirdly, we examine whether the large numbers of visitors (120 per weekend day) using the surfaced footpath impact on Golden Plover breeding success, despite the lack of habitat avoidance. There was no evidence that nest location, clutch survival or chick growth rates were reduced close to the footpath. Together, these results suggest that high levels of disturbance can impact upon habitat usage by upland waders, but only in limited circumstances where visitor pressure is very high (greater than at least 30 visitors per weekend day). However, access to such areas can be permitted for large numbers of visitors without impacting upon wader reproductive performance through the provision of a well‐surfaced route.
Changing demography and population decline in the Common StarlingSturnus vulgaris: a multisite approach to Integrated Population Monitoring
Authors: FREEMAN STEPHEN N. , ROBINSON ROBERT A. , CLARK JACQUIE A. , GRIFFIN BRIDGET M. , ADAMS SUE Y.
Published: March 2007

Understanding demography is critical for understanding the causes underlying population declines, and for initiating and monitoring policies to reverse them. A method of fitting demographic models directly to avian count data recorded at a sample of census sites is described. The model is applied to national and regional counts of Common StarlingSturnus vulgarisin Britain for the period 1965–2000. Starlings have declined markedly during this time and are now on the list of birds of highest conservation concern. Although there have been small changes in various aspects of breeding success over this time, the analysis shows that these are unlikely to have made much impact on the long‐term status of the species. By incorporating estimates of survival, based upon recoveries of ringed birds, the model suggests that the pronounced national decline in Starling numbers since a period of stability in the 1970s is most likely to be due to changes in the survival of first‐year birds. This narrows the candidate range of environmental factors which might influence the decline and implicates changes in resource availability.
Does SISCOM Contribute to Favorable Seizure Outcome after Epilepsy Surgery?
Authors: Ahnlide Jan‐Anders , Rosén Ingmar , Lindén‐Mickelsson Tech Pernilla , Källén Kristina
Published: March 2007

Summary: Purpose:To assess the additional value of subtraction ictal single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) coregistered to MRI (SISCOM) for localization of the epileptogenic zone in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy scheduled for invasive video‐EEG (VEEG) before epilepsy surgery by a descriptive study from clinical practice.

Methods:Forty‐nine consecutive epilepsy patients between January 2000 and March 2006 were included. Thirty‐six of the 49 patients were offered surgery, and 34 underwent resective surgery during the study period. Localizing and outcome data are presented from 31 patients with a follow‐up period of ≥12 months. Successful ictal SPECT was performed in 26 patients, and SISCOM showed significant hyperperfusions with 3.5 SD above reference. Twenty patients had SISCOM‐guided electrode placement, invasive monitoring, and 1‐year postsurgical follow‐up data. Two independent epileptologists evaluated whether SISCOM results (a) altered the hypothesis and extended the strategy for electrode placement at invasive recording, or (b) were confirmatory of other localizing data and did not alter the strategy. We defined that SISCOM had an impact on seizure outcome if the seizure‐onset zone was seen in electrodes overlying a brain region with a significant hyperperfusion. When SISCOM was concordant with ictal onset in the extended electrodes, SISCOM was considered a prerequisite for the outcome at postoperative follow‐up.

Results:SISCOM findings altered and extended the strategy for electrode placement at invasive recording in 15 patients (group A). SISCOM was a prerequisite for seizure outcome in all six patients with favorable outcomes. Nine patients had poor results from surgery in this group; SISCOM was concordant with invasive VEEG in six patients, and discordant with invasive VEEG in three patients. SISCOM findings were confirmatory with other localizing data and did not alter the strategy at invasive recording in five patients (group B). Two patients had favorable surgical outcomes. In this group, three patients had poor results; SISCOM and other localizing findings were concordant with invasive VEEG in one patient and discordant with invasive VEEG in two patients.

Conclusions:SISCOM is valuable for the identification of the epileptogenic zone in patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy scheduled for invasive VEEG. SISCOM analysis was either a prerequisite for favorable result or concordant with other localizing methods in all patients with favorable seizure outcome at 1 year of follow‐up [40%; confidence interval (CI), 19–64).
‘Savage Blonde’: Willa Cather and the Making of an American Musician
Authors: Ruotolo Cristina
Published: March 2007

Willa Cather's fiction devotes extraordinary attention to music and musicians – more, perhaps, than any other American fiction writer. This article explores how Thea Kronborg, the diva‐heroine of Song of the Lark, reflects emerging notions of American music at the turn of the 20th century, particularly those that rest on references to and transcriptions of African or Native American music. I argue that the development of Thea's musicality enacts a form of embodied transcription that both reveals and conceals the ‘folk’ musicality it claims to represent.
NORTH CAROLINA AFL–CIO: HOW A SMALL STATE FEDERATION BUILDS POLITICAL AND LEGISLATIVE POWER WITHOUT MONEY OR NUMBERS
Authors: Boris Monica Bielski , Wright Randall G.
Published: March 2007

North Carolina connects with the two main themes laid in the other case studies explored in this Working USA issue. Like New York, the labor movement went through the New Alliance process facilitated by the national American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL–CIO). As with Atlanta, labor leaders have wrestled with how to build power in the hostile climate of the American South. This case adds a new dimension in that the focus for coalition building and an expanding political program has been through the state federation. Unlike New York or Georgia, low union density and geographical dispersion make resourcing local and regional AFL–CIO bodies difficult—establishing the state as the natural level to develop strategies for building power.
Comparative Evaluation of Three River Water Quality Models1
Authors: Roider Emerald M. , Adrian Donald Dean
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  Selection of a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) reaction model to incorporate into dissolved oxygen (DO) water quality models is an overlooked choice available to river water quality modelers. Data from rivers can serve in screening methods to discriminate between competing water quality models. In this study, 15 published BOD and DO datasets based on a 7 year long study of the Bormida River in Italy are used to calibrate three‐multiorder BOD models: first‐order, three‐halves order, and second‐order, which are then included in three corresponding DO models which incorporate these BOD models. The adequacy of the first‐order, three‐halves order and second‐order BOD models was evaluated by calculating the root mean square error between a model and data. A similar procedure was followed to evaluate three DO models, each of which incorporated one of the three BOD models. The first‐order BOD model most frequently fit the river data best, followed by the three‐halves order and the second‐order BOD models. The DO model incorporating a first‐order BOD model most frequently fit the data best, followed by the DO order incorporating second‐order BOD and the DO model incorporating three‐halves order BOD.
Demonstrating Floodplain Uncertainty Using Flood Probability Maps1
Authors: Smemoe Christopher M. , Nelson E. James , Zundel Alan K. , Miller A. Woodruff
Published: March 2007

Abstract:  The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood maps depict the 100‐year recurrence interval floodplain boundary as a single line. However, because of natural variability and model uncertainty, no floodplain extents can be accurately defined by a single line. This article presents a new approach to floodplain mapping that takes advantage of accepted methodologies in hydrologic and hydraulic analysis while including the effects of uncertainty. In this approach, the extents of computed floodplain boundaries are defined as a continuous map of flood probabilities, rather than as a single line. Engineers and planners can use these flood probability maps for viewing the uncertainty of a floodplain boundary at any recurrence interval. Such a flood probability map is a useful tool for visualizing the uncertainty of a floodplain boundary and represents greater honesty in engineering technologies that are used for flood mapping. While institutional barriers may prevent adoption of such definitions for use in graduated flood insurance rates (as most other insurance industries use to account for relative risks), the methods open the door technically to such a reality.
Numerical Prediction of Cavitating Flow on a Two-Dimensional Symmetrical Hydrofoil and Comparison to Experiments
Authors: Coutier-Delgosha Olivier , Deniset François , Astolfi Jacques André , Leroux Jean-Baptiste
Published: March 2007

This paper presents comparisons between two-dimensional (2D) CFD simulations and experimental investigations of the cavitating flow around a symmetrical 2D hydrofoil. This configuration was proposed as a test case in the “Workshop on physical models and CFD tools for computation of cavitating flows” at the 5th International Symposium on cavitation, which was held in Osaka in November 2003. The calculations were carried out in the ENSTA laboratory (Palaiseau, France), and the experimental visualizations and measurements were performed in the IRENav cavitation tunnel (Brest, France). The calculations are based on a single-fluid approach of the cavitating flow: the liquid/vapor mixture is treated as a homogeneous fluid whose density is controlled by a barotropic state law. Results presented in the paper focus on cavitation inception, the shape and the general behavior of the sheet cavity, lift and drag forces without and with cavitation, wall pressure signals around the foil, and the frequency of the oscillations in the case of unsteady sheet cavitation. The ability of the numerical model to predict successively the noncavitating flow field, nearly steady sheet cavitation, unsteady cloud cavitation, and finally nearly supercavitating flow is discussed. It is shown that the unsteady features of the flow are correctly predicted by the model, while some subtle arrangements of the two-phase flow during the condensation process are not reproduced. A comparison between the peer numerical results obtained by several authors in the same flow configuration is also performed. Not only the cavitation model and the turbulence model, but also the numerical treatment of the equations, are found to have a strong influence on the results.
Lung metastases detection in CT images using 3D template matching
Authors: Wang Peng , DeNunzio Andrea , Okunieff Paul , O'Dell Walter G.
Published: March 2007

The aim of this study is to demonstrate a novel, fully automatic computer detection method applicable to metastatic tumors to the lung with a diameter of in high‐risk patients using typical computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest. Three‐dimensional (3D) spherical tumor appearance models (templates) of various sizes were created to match representative CT imaging parameters and to incorporate partial volume effects. Taking into account the variability in the location of CT sampling planes cut through the spherical models, three offsetting template models were created for each appearance model size. Lung volumes were automatically extracted from computed tomography images and the correlation coefficients between the subregions around each voxel in the lung volume and the set of appearance models were calculated using a fast frequency domain algorithm. To determine optimal parameters for the templates, simulated tumors of varying sizes and eccentricities were generated and superposed onto a representative human chest image dataset. The method was applied to real image sets from 12 patients with known metastatic disease to the lung. A total of 752 slices and 47 identifiable tumors were studied. Spherical templates of three sizes (6, 8, and in diameter) were used on the patient image sets; all 47 true tumors were detected with the inclusion of only 21 false positives. This study demonstrates that an automatic and straightforward 3D template‐matching method, without any complex training or postprocessing, can be used to detect small lung metastases quickly and reliably in the clinical setting.
Spatial autocorrelation and mean intercept length analysis of trabecular bone anisotropy applied to in vivo magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Wald Michael J. , Vasilic Branimir , Saha Punam K. , Wehrli Felix W.
Published: March 2007

Osteoporosis is characterized by bone loss and deterioration of the trabecular bone (TB) architecture that leads to impaired overall mechanical strength of the bone. Bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry is currently the standard clinical metric assessing bone integrity but it fails to capture the structural changes in the TB. Recent research suggests that structure contributes to bone strength in a manner complementary to BMD. Besides parameters of scale such as the mean TB thickness and mean bone volume fraction, parameters describing the anisotropy of the trabecular architecture play an important role in the characterization of TB since trabeculae are preferentially oriented along the direction of local loading. Therefore, the degree of structural anisotropy is of pivotal importance to the bone's mechanical competence. The most common method for measuring structural anisotropy of TB is the mean‐intercept length (MIL). In this work we present a method, based on the three‐dimensional spatial autocorrelation function (ACF), for mapping of the full structural anisotropy ellipsoid of both TB thickness and spacing and we examine its performance as compared to that of MIL. Not only is the ACF method faster by several orders of magnitude, it is also considerably more robust to noise. Further, it is applicable at lower spatial resolution and is relatively insensitive to image shading. The chief reason for ACF's superior performance is that it does not require binarization, which is difficult to achieve in the limited spatial regime of in vivo magnetic resonance imaging. MIL and ACF have been applied to high‐resolution magnetic resonances images of the tibia in a group of ten healthy postmenopausal women by comparing the structural anisotropy and principal direction of the computed fabric tensor for each method. While there is fair agreement between the two methods, ACF analysis yielded greater anisotropy than MIL for both TB thickness and spacing. There was good agreement between the two techniques as far as the eigenvectors of the fabric ellipsoids were concerned, which parallel the bone's macroscopic axis.
Artificial Chemistry and Replicator Theory of Coevolution of Genes and Memes
Authors: Kvasnička Vladimír , Pospíchal Jiří
Published: March 2007

A simple replication theory of coevolution of genes and memes is proposed. A population composed of pairs of genes and memes, the so-called m-genes, is postulated as a subject of Darwinian evolution. Three different types of operations over m-genes are introduced: Replication (an m-gene is replicated with mutations onto an offspring m-gene), interaction (a memetic transfer from a donor to an acceptor), and extinction (an m-gene is eliminated). Computer simulations of the present model allow to identify different mechanisms of gene and meme coevolution.
Office work exposures and respiratory and sick building syndrome symptoms
Authors: Jaakkola Maritta S , Yang Liyan , Ieromnimon Antonia , Jaakkola Jouni J K
Published: March 2007

Objectives:To assess the relation between exposure to carbonless copy paper (CCP), paper dust, and fumes from photocopiers and printers (FPP), and the occurrence of sick building syndrome (SBS)-related symptoms, chronic respiratory symptoms and respiratory infections.

Methods:A population-based cross-sectional study with a random sample of 1016 adults, 21–63 years old, living in Pirkanmaa District in South Finland was conducted. This study focused on 342 office workers classified as professionals, clerks or administrative personnel according to their current occupation by the International Standard Classification of Occupations-88. They answered a questionnaire about personal information, health, smoking, occupation, and exposures in the work environment and at home.

Results:In logistic regression analyses adjusting for age, sex and a set of other confounders, all three exposures were related to a significantly increased risk of general symptoms (headache and fatigue). Exposure to paper dust and to FPP was associated with upper respiratory and skin symptoms, breathlessness, tonsillitis and middle ear infections. Exposure to CCP increased the risk of eye symptoms, chronic bronchitis and breathlessness. It was also associated with increased occurrence of sinus and middle ear infections and diarrhoea. A dose–response relations was observed between the number of exposures and occurrence of headache. The risk of tonsillitis and sinus infections also increased with increasing number of exposures. All chronic respiratory symptoms, apart from cough, were increased in the highest exposure category (including all three exposures).

Conclusions:This study provides new evidence that exposure to paper dust and to FPP is related to the risk of SBS symptoms, breathlessness and upper respiratory infections. It strengthens the evidence that exposure to CCP increases the risk of eye symptoms, general symptoms, chronic respiratory symptoms and some respiratory infections. Reduction of these exposures could improve the health of office workers.
VISUALIZING Ca2+ SPARKS AND SUBSTRUCTURE OF Ca2+ WAVES BY TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION FLUORESCENCE MICROSCOPY (TIRFM)
Authors: BAI YONGQIANG , TANG AIHUI , WANG SHIQIANG , ZHU XING
Published: March 2007

Based on near-field optical theory, total internal reflection fluorescence microscope shows a novel character that its picture has great signal-to-noise ratio and high temporal resolution achieved by high quality CCD camera. This allows us to analyze the spatiotemporal details of local Ca 2+ dynamics within the nanoscale microdomain surrounding different Ca 2+ channels. We have recently constructed a versatile objective TIRFM equipped with a high numerical aperture (NA = 1.45) objective. Using fluo-4 as the Ca 2+ indicator, we visualized the near-membrane profiles of Ca 2+ waves and elementary Ca 2+ sparks generated by Ca 2+ release channels in rat ventricular myocytes. Different from those detected using conventional or confocal microscopy, Ca 2+ waves observed with TIRFM exhibited fine inhomogenous substructures. The propagation of Ca 2+ waves with anfractuous routes of spark recruitment is much more complicated than previously imagined. We believe that TIRFM will provide a unique tool for dissecting the microscopic mechanisms of intracellular Ca 2+ signaling.