bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcript analysis of laser microdissected plant cells
Authors: Day Robert C. , McNoe Les A. , Macknight Richard C.
Published: November 2006

Laser microdissection (LM) of biological specimens is enabling high‐throughput molecular analysis to be carried out with a cellular or tissue‐specific resolution. If a particular structure is identifiable using a conventional light microscope then it is most likely available for isolation by LM, this includes subcellular structures such as organelles or even individual chromosomes. To obtain reliable data from laser microdissected samples several protocols need to be established and in many cases optimized in a target‐dependent manner. Here we consider technical aspects of plant‐based studies that have used LM for transcript analysis. We provide detail on aspects of tissue preparation, microdissection, RNA yield and quality assessment and describe how RNA amplification can affect the analysis. We discuss protocols from our own lab alongside other user‐developed approaches and highlight new technologies that may prove useful to plant biologists considering the use of LM in their research.
Differential expression and regulation of a neutral invertase encoding gene from peach (Prunus persica): evidence for a role in fruit development
Authors: Nonis Alberto , Ruperti Benedetto , Falchi Rachele , Casatta Elisabetta , Thamasebi Enferadi Sattar , Vizzotto Giannina
Published: November 2006

Studies on sucrose metabolism during fruit development have shown an important role of acidic (cell wall and vacuolar) invertases (EC 3.2.1.26) in determining fruit sink strength, final fruit growth and sugar accumulation. Little information is available on the role played by neutral (cytoplasmic) invertases on fruit and plant development. In this article, the expression of a gene encoding a neutral invertase (NI) isolated from peach (PpNI1) was studied in relation to sucrose metabolism and mesocarp development in two genotypes (cv. Springcrest and cv. Redhaven) differing for fruit growth, and sugar accumulation dynamics. Real‐time reverse transcription‐PCR expression analyses showed a differential regulation of the gene during development and a correlation with sucrose, and glucose and fructose mesocarp contents. Only one peak of expression of the gene was found in the early ripening cultivar Springcrest, characterised by a nearly monophasic growth of fruits, while two peaks could be detected in the mid–late ripening cv. Redhaven, displaying a classical biphasic double‐sigmoidal fruit growth pattern. Furthermore, PpNI1 transcription appeared to be regulated in response to sugar signals only in the phase of fruit expansion coincident with the onset of sucrose accumulation. These findings point to a relationship between dynamics of fruit growth, sugar metabolism and sensing and the expression of a gene encoding a NI, suggesting a regulatory role in plant development for this class of enzymes.
Biosynthesis of pectin
Authors: Scheller Henrik Vibe , Jensen Jacob Krüger , Sørensen Susanne Oxenbøll , Harholt Jesper , Geshi Naomi
Published: November 2006

Pectin consists of a group of acidic polysaccharides that constitute a large part of the cell wall of plants. The pectic polysaccharides have a complex structure but can generally be divided into homogalacturonan, rhamnogalacturonan I, rhamnogalacturonan II (RGII) and xylogalacturonan (XGA). These polysaccharides appear to be present in all cells but their relative abundance and structural details differ between cell types and species. Pectin is synthesized in the Golgi vesicles and its complexity dictates that a large number of enzymes must be involved in the process. The biosynthetic enzymes required are glycosyltransferases and decorating enzymes including methyltransferases, acetyltransferases and feruloyltransferases. Biochemical methods successfully led to the recent identification of a pectin biosynthetic galacturonosyltransferase (GAUT1), and recent functional genomics and mutant studies have allowed the identification of several biosynthetic enzymes involved in making different parts of pectin. Strong evidence has been obtained for two xylosyltransferases (RGXT1 and RGXT2) with documented in vitro activity and apparently involved in making a side chain of RGII. Strong circumstantial evidence has been obtained for a putative glucuronosyltransferase (GUT1) involved in making RGII, a putative arabinosyltransferase (ARAD1) involved in making arabinan, and a putative xylosyltransferase (XGD1) involved in making XGA. In several other cases, enzymes have been identified as involved in making pectin but because of ambiguity in the cell wall compositions of mutants and lack of direct biochemical evidence their specific activities are more uncertain.
Amnesia for electric dental pulp stimulation and picture recall test under different levels of propofol or midazolam sedation
Authors: Matsuki Y. , Ichinohe T. , Kaneko Y.
Published: November 2006

Aim:  To compare the amnesic effect of propofol and midazolam to electric dental pulp stimulation (invasive) and picture recall test (non‐invasive) at two sedation levels with the aid of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring.

Methods:  The subjects were 10 male volunteers (24–34 years) classified as ASA physical status I. Propofol was administered to achieve a sedation score of three with a target‐controlled infusion technique; it was then regulated to give a sedation score of two (P group). Midazolam was administered by a titration dosage to achieve a sedation score of three (M group). It then gradually decreased to give a sedation score of two. The BIS score, sedation score, plasma/serum concentration of propofol and midazolam, blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, end‐tidal CO2 tension and arterial oxygen saturation were observed at each sedation level in both groups. Amnesic effects were evaluated using a picture recall test and electric dental pulp stimulation.

Result:  No difference was observed in the amnesic effect evaluated by picture recall test at the two sedation levels. Likewise, there was no difference at a sedation score of three when the amnesic effect was evaluated by electric dental pulp stimulation. In contrast, a significant difference was observed at a sedation score of two; midazolam produced amnesia in more subjects than did propofol.

Conclusion:  Propofol and midazolam did not show any significant difference in amnesic effects to non‐invasive stimuli. For invasive stimuli, midazolam showed a stronger amnesic effect at the moderate sedation level, but not at the deeper sedation level.
Development and Validation of a Competitive ELISA Kit for the Serological Diagnosis of Ovine, Caprine and Bovine Brucellosis
Authors: Portanti O. , Tittarelli M. , Di Febo T. , Luciani M. , Mercante M. T. , Conte A. , Lelli R.
Published: November 2006

A competitive ELISA (Brucella‐Ab c‐ELISA) was standardized and validated for the detection of Brucella antibodies in cattle, sheep and goat sera using a monoclonal antibody (MAb 4B5A) produced against Brucella melitensis biotype 2. The specificity and sensitivity of the assay were 100% to a 67.5% cut‐off point (B/Bo%). When compared with an indirect ELISA, the Brucella‐Ab c‐ELISA did not demonstrate cross‐reactions when testing positive sera for antibodies to some Enterobacteriaceae. A comparison was made between the Brucella‐Ab c‐ELISA and the complement fixation and Rose Bengal tests. Results demonstrated that the Brucella‐Ab c‐ELISA is a valuable tool for the serological diagnosis of bovine and ovine/caprine brucellosis.
Canine Isosporosis – Epidemiology of Field and Experimental Infections
Authors: Buehl I. E. , Prosl H. , Mundt H.‐C. , Tichy A. G. , Joachim A.
Published: November 2006

Isospora spp. are the causative agents of canine isosporosis. Of the 3590 diagnostic samples from Austrian dogs (≤2 years old), 8.7% contained Isospora oocysts, 78% of which from dogs up to 4 months of age. Non‐haemorrhagic and haemorrhagic diarrhoea were significantly more prevalent in Isospora‐infected animals than in coccidia‐negative ones. Twelve of 15 litters from a large commercial dog breeding unit (examined from the third to the 10th week of life) also excreted Isospora (average prevalence: 36.4%) in intensities from 333 to 35 000 oocysts per gram of faeces (opg). In experimental trials 26 3‐week‐old Beagle puppies were infected with low (600–6000), medium (10 000) or high (20 000) dose of Isospora ohioensis‐group or Isospora canis field isolates. Additionally 21 puppies were infected as above and treated with a symmetrical triazintrione. Parasitological and clinical parameters were examined. The two Isospora species differed significantly concerning intensity and duration of excretion. The pre‐patent period was 6–7 days for I. ohioensis and 10–12 days for I. canis. The latter species showed significantly longer excretion and higher opg. This was not influenced by simultaneous infections with both species. Individual patterns of faecal consistency were very variable, irrespective of the infection dose. Treatment significantly reduced both the intensity and the duration of oocysts excretion as well as diarrhoea in comparison with the infected, untreated group and thus proved to be effective against coccidiosis in experimental infections.
Effects of Machine‐milking on the Bacterial Flora of Teat Duct and Mammary Gland of Ewes
Authors: Skoufos I. , Voidarou Ch. , Bezirtzoglou E. , Tzora A.
Published: November 2006

In total, 308 paired‐samples of teat duct material and milk, were collected before and 50–70 min after machine‐milking, from 30 ewes. Samples were processed bacteriologically. For analysis of results, we compared changes in bacterial isolation following milking, for duct and milk samples; statistical significance was assessed by the Sign Test. Bacteria were isolated from 18 (6%) duct and 19 (6%) milk samples collected before the milking procedure; respective figures after it, were 81 (26%) and 33 (11%). In 77 (25%) cases, bacteriological findings in the two duct samples of each pair were different; in seven cases bacteria were isolated only before, whilst in 70 cases bacteria were isolated only after milking (P < 0.005); respective results for milk samples were 26 (8%): 6 and 20 cases (P = 0.693). The majority of bacterial isolates were staphylococci, accounting for 63% of 99 isolates. The milking procedure predisposes to entrance of bacteria into the teat duct; however, increased bacterial isolation from the teat did not result to increased mammary infections, likely as a consequence of defence mechanisms present in healthy teats.
First Results of Detection of PRRSV and CSFV RNA by SYBR Green I‐based Quantitative PCR
Authors: Yang Z.‐Z. , Fang W.‐H. , Habib M.
Published: November 2006

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) and classical swine fever (CSF) cause significant economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. As both diseases cause similar symptoms, rapid and reliable detection of these diseases is essential for disease surveillance. A quantitative SYBR Green I‐based reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) is described for simultaneous and differential diagnosis. The established RT‐PCR for the quantitation of PRRSV and CSFV cDNA was found to provide a broad dynamic range, detecting from 103 to 1011 and 102 to 1011 copies of cDNA per reaction, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of this method were compared with those of conventional RT‐PCR and both were equal or superior to the reference method. Reproducibility was tested and the assay was proved very reliable. The assay is timesaving, easy to handle, and highly sensitive and specific. Therefore, it is a powerful tool for detecting PRRSV and CSFV simultaneously for routine outbreak investigation.
Serological, Bacteriological and Molecularbiological Survey of Paratuberculosis (Johne's Disease) in Austrian Cattle
Authors: Dreier S. , Khol J. L. , Stein B. , Fuchs K. , Gütler S. , Baumgartner W.
Published: November 2006

Paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) is a chronic infectious disease of ruminants, caused byMycobacterium aviumsubspeciesparatuberculosis(MAP). Because of its long incubation period, high economic losses, difficulties in diagnosis and possible links to Morbus Crohn in humans, paratuberculosis is one of the most important diseases of ruminants today. An abattoir‐based nationwide survey on the occurrence of MAP in the Austrian cattle population was performed using serology (SVANOVIRTM‐ELISA) as well as culture, ZN‐stain and IS900‐PCR on faeces and lymph node samples. A total of 756 Austrian slaughter cattle were serologically, bacteriologically and molecularbiologically tested for the occurrence of MAP and specific antibodies respectively. Samples were collected following a statistical plan to obtain balanced specimens from the whole country. Nineteen per cent of the animals tested were serological positive, 10.1% gave an inconclusive result and 70.9% showed no specific antibodies against MAP. Only in four individuals MAP could be detected by stain, bacteriology or Polymerase Chain Reaction. The calculated prevalence of 19.0% positive cattle, each representing one farm, showing specific antibodies against MAP is rather high in terms of animal‐level but low in herd level prevalence compared with other countries. When this study is compared with a similar study performed in Austria 1999, a significant increase of positive cattle and farms could be seen in Austria.
Response of epiphytic foraminiferal communities to natural eutrophication in seagrass habitats off Man O'War Cay, Belize
Authors: Richardson Susan L.
Published: November 2006

Eutrophication from a variety of anthropogenic sources is an increasingly prevalent problem in coastal waters, and is one of the factors contributing to the decline of seagrass ecosystems worldwide. This study investigated the impact of natural nutrient enrichment derived from nesting seabird colonies on Man O'War Cay, Belize, on the epiphytic foraminiferal communities living on the seagrass Thalasssia testudinum. Man O'War Cay, a small mangrove island in the central region of the barrier reef complex, hosts nesting colonies of magnificent frigate birds and brown boobies. Epiphytic foraminiferans were surveyed from five stations spaced at 10‐m intervals along a 40‐m transect in a seagrass meadow located off the eastern end of the island (March 2004). Low species diversity and high dominance of the encrusting, dendritic species Cornuspiramia antillarum characterized the epiphytic foraminiferal biota. Species diversity, as measured by the Shannon's H, and evenness, as measured by Buzas–Gibson's E, decreased in an offshore direction. The density of individuals per square centimeter of blade, however, increased in an offshore direction, with the lowest values observed at the station closest to the island, and the highest values recorded at the station farthest from the shore. The results obtained in this study indicate that epiphytic foraminiferal populations respond to nutrient enrichment, and thus may be useful indicators of ecosystem decline in subtropical–tropical, oligotrophic marine habitats.
Seagrasses from the Nansei Islands, Southern Japanese Archipelago: species composition, distribution and biogeography
Authors: Kuo John , Kanamoto Ziyusei , Iizumi Hitoshi , Aioi Keiko , Mukai Hiroshi
Published: November 2006

The Nansei Islands in the southern Japanese Archipelago have 15 taxa of seagrasses from seven genera within three families. Seagrasses in this region grow on coral sands or coral debris in shallow reefs and on sandy or muddy substrata in the shallow areas of bays and inlets. Certain Halophila species grow in deep water off some islands. Enhalus acoroides only reaches to Ishigaki I. with winter sea water temperature (WST) at 23 °C, while Okinawa I. (WST at 21.6 °C) is the northern biogeographic limit for Halophila decipiens, H. okinawensis, H. major and H. gaudichaudii. Amami‐oshima I. (WST at 20.7 °C) is the northern border for Thalassia hemprichii, H. minor, H. ovalis, Cymodocea serrulata, Cymodocea rotundata, Syringodium isoetifolium, Halodule uninervis and Halodule pinifolia. Halophila mikii the sole seagrass collected from Yakushima I. (WST at 19.3 °C), is of volcanic origin. The distribution of tropical seagrasses in the Nansei Islands is clearly associated with the warm Kuroshio Current, WST and habitat availability. Zostera japonica is the only temperate species occurring in the region. Meadows of Z. japonica, H. ovalis and Halodule pinifolia have disappeared from certain localities in the Archipelago, due probably to human activities and natural siltation.
A comparative study of the photosynthetic activity among three temperate seagrass species in Northern Japan
Authors: Sasil‐Orbita Maria Luisa , Mukai Hiroshi
Published: November 2006

The photosynthetic activity of Zostera marina, Zostera asiatica and Phyllospadix iwatensis shoots from populations of Hokkaido (Northern Japan) was determined using the pulse amplitude modulated (PAM) fluorometer. Several fluorescence parameters were measured as a function of irradiance and leaf age: electron transport rate (ETR), quantum yield, photochemical quenching (qP) and non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ). The leaf age determined by the leaf position in the shoot bundle strongly influenced the photosynthetic activity of Z. marina, Z. asiatica and P. iwatensis. Young leaves had the maximum electron transport rate (Zm: Leaf 1 = 15.7, Leaf 2 = 16.3; Za: Leaf 1 = 13.0, Leaf 2 = 12.2; and Pi: Leaf 1 = 12.5, Leaf 2 = 11.7) and showed higher photoprotection (NPQ) than old leaves. Among the studied seagrass species, Z. marina had the highest photosynthetic activity (ETRmax = 15.3), in accordance with the highest production in the field in comparison with the other two seagrass species. The PAM fluorometry technique showed to be effective in determining intraspecific (among‐leaves) and interspecific (among‐species) variation in seagrass photosynthetic activity.
Impact of fish farming facilities on Posidonia oceanica meadows: a review
Authors: Pergent‐Martini Christine , Boudouresque Charles‐François , Pasqualini Vanina , Pergent Gérard
Published: November 2006

The impact of fish farming facilities on Posidonia oceanica meadows was assessed from studies of intensive facilities carried out over the last few years. The disturbances caused by these fish farms were measured by means of both abiotic (light, sediment, interstitial water) and biotic variables (meadow density, leaf biometry, lepidochronology, primary production, epiphytes, reserve carbohydrates in the rhizomes), in function of increasing distance from cages and/or inside a geographically close reference site. The results showed significant degradation of these seagrass meadows in all the sectors investigated. When fish farming cages were placed above a P. oceanica bed, the meadow was severely degraded or disappeared and the sediment showed a strong increase in organic matter that could lead to anoxia phenomena. The irreversible impact of fish farming projects on P. oceanica meadows requires the application of the precautionary principle. Several recommendations (site selection, preliminary studies and monitoring over time) are suggested in order to enable piscicultural activities to be incorporated in a global process of Integrated Coastal Zone Management.
Aeromedical evacuations from an east Arnhem Land community 2003–2005: The impact on a primary health care centre
Authors: Peiris David , Wirtanen Cherryl , Hall John
Published: November 2006

Objective:  To understand the profile and impact of aeromedical evacuations in remote Indigenous communities.

Design:  Descriptive study.

Setting:  A primary health care centre in east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia.

Participants:  Four hundred and ten evacuations from a total population of more than 2200 were analysed from February 2003 to August 2005.

Main outcome measures:  Patient demographics, seasonal variations, diagnostic categories, utilisation of staff resources.

Results:  On average 6.5% of the community were evacuated to hospital every year with an evacuation occurring every 2.2 days. Children aged under five years were 3.3‐fold overrepresented in evacuations (comprising 37.7% of those evacuated versus 11.3% of the community, P < 0.001). Four diagnostic categories accounted for 61% of evacuations: respiratory disease (21%), obstetric conditions (15%), gastroenteritis (14%) and injury/poisoning (11%). Over the study period four patients required intubation at the clinic. Evacuation rates were higher in the monsoon season. Forty‐seven per cent of evacuations occurred after hours. The waiting time for plane arrival ranged from one hour to 21 hours with a median wait‐time of three hours.

Conclusion:  Aeromedical evacuations place a heavy burden on primary health centres. Clinic staff are regularly required to provide hospital‐level acute care, often for several hours at a time. Meeting this burden competes with primary prevention programs and regular clinic duties. The age and diagnostic profiles encountered in this study have significant implications for the range of skills required to provide an adequate acute care service. This study highlights the need for remote area health centres to be well resourced to meet these needs.
Managing patients at risk of deterioration in rural hospitals: A qualitative study
Authors: Endacott Ruth , Westley Michelle
Published: November 2006

Objective:  This paper examines strategies used by nurses to manage patients at risk of deterioration in smaller rural hospitals in Victoria, Australia.

Design:  A two‐stage design comprising a postal questionnaire (n = 20) and case studies (n = 7). Case study participants were interviewed and their practice was observed for one shift.

Setting:  Smaller rural hospitals in Victoria.

Participants:  Registered Nurses (Division 1).

Main outcome measure:  Observed and reported strategies used to manage deteriorating patients.

Results:  Nurses in this study used clinical strategies and communication strategies when managing patients who might deteriorate. These strategies were adapted to suit the individual rural context. The ability to anticipate patient requirements and confidence to act on clinical presentation were central. Nurses also had to learn the art of referral and they tailored communication according to their perception of the knowledge and skills of medical colleagues. Strategies were also influenced by staffing patterns and expectations of the community and health service.

Conclusions:  We conclude that rural nurses play an essential role in assessing and managing risk of deterioration across a range of patient presentations and often in challenging situations. Strategies used by nurses required an understanding of the rural context of care delivery.
Value adding through regional coordination of rural placements for all health disciplines: The Broken Hill experience
Authors: Lyle David , Morris Jocelyn , Garne David , Jones Debra , Pitt Michele , Walker Tara , Weston Richard
Published: November 2006

Objective:  To describe the experience of the University of Sydney’s Broken Hill Department of Rural Health (BHUDRH) delivering a regional program in far western NSW.

Design:  Case Study

Setting:  The Australian Government’s University Departments of Rural Health Program, established in 1997, has been responsible for setting up regionally coordinated rural placement programs for students from all health disciplines in each state and territory.

Results:  Over nine years the BHUDRH has harnessed both academic and administrative resources to achieve greater efficiency in program delivery, increased support for students during their placement, and enhanced educational opportunities that draw on regional issues. The Broken Hill program accepts students from 22 Australian universities and places more students in the region, for longer periods than previously (271 students in 2005 compared with 140 students in 1998).

Conclusion:  Regional coordination, linked to investments in rural‐based infrastructure and support systems can provide a sustainable platform from which to provide quality rural placements for students from all health disciplines, while at the same time increasing regional capacity to take students.
Role of anisotropic behaviour of Sn on thermomechanical fatigue and fracture of Sn‐based solder joints under thermal excursions
Authors: SUBRAMANIAN K. N.
Published: November 2006

Solder joints experience thermomechanical fatigue (TMF) as a consequence of thermal stresses that arise from coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatches between various entities present in the joint under thermal excursions. Sn present in solder joints made with alloys containing significant amounts of Sn, exists in a body centred tetragonal (BCT) structure, under normally realized thermal excursion regimes encountered during service. BCT Sn exhibits significant anisotropic behaviour in its physical and mechanical properties as a consequence of its highly unusual c/a ratio of about 0.5. Such severe anisotropy causes significant stresses at the Sn grain boundaries present within the solder joints during thermal excursions, resulting in damage accumulation within the solder. Stresses resulting from this anisotropy can be much larger than those that can arise from CTE mismatches between entities such as solder/substrate, solder/intermetallics etc. Damage accumulation under TMF progresses in the severely constrained region of the solder/substrate interface, and causes the initiation and propagation of the catastrophic crack. This crack propagates within the solder in a region very close to the solder/substrate interface and results in the TMF failure of the joint.
Experimental and numerical studies on size and constraining effects in lead‐free solder joints
Authors: CUGNONI J. , BOTSIS J. , SIVASUBRAMANIAM V. , JANCZAK‐RUSCH J.
Published: November 2006

The durability and reliability of lead‐free solder joints depends on a large number of factors, like geometry, processing parameters, microstructure and thermomechanical loads. In this work, the nature and influence of the plastic constraints in the solder due to joining partners have been studied by parametric finite element simulation of solder joints with different dimensions. The apparent hardening due to plastic constraints has been shown to strongly depend on the solder gap to thickness ratio with an inversely proportional evolution.

Due to interaction of several parameters, the macroscopic stress–strain constitutive law of lead‐free solder materials should be determined in the most realistic conditions. In order to identify the elasto‐plastic constitutive law of Sn–Ag–Cu solders, a sub‐micron resolution Digital Image Correlation technique has been developed to measure the evolution of strain in solder joints during a tensile test. Experimental results of the stress–strain response of Sn–Ag–Cu solder joints have been determined for several solder gaps. The measured load–displacement curves have been used in an inverse numerical identification procedure to determine the constitutive elasto‐plastic behaviour of the solder material. The effects of geometrical constraints in a real solder joint with heterogeneous stress and strain fields are then studied by comparing the apparent (constrained) and constitutive (non‐constrained) stress–strain relationships.

Once the size dependant constraining effects have been removed from the stress–strain relationship, the scale effects can be studied separately by comparing the constitutive elasto‐plastic parameters of joints with a variable thickness. Experimental stress–strain curves (constrained and unconstrained) for Sn–4.0Ag–0.5Cu solder in joints of 0.25–2.4 mm gap are presented and the constraining and the size effects are discussed.
The rate of senescence in maternal performance increases with early‐life fecundity in red deer
Authors: Nussey Daniel H. , Kruuk Loeske E. B. , Donald Alison , Fowlie Martin , Clutton‐Brock Tim H.
Published: November 2006

Tradeoffs between reproduction and somatic maintenance are a frequently cited explanation for reproductive senescence in long‐lived vertebrates. Between‐individual variation in quality makes such tradeoffs difficult to detect and evidence for their presence from wild populations remains scarce. Here, we examine the factors affecting rates of senescence in maternal breeding performance in a natural population of red deer (Cervus elaphus), using a mixed model framework to control for between‐individual variance. Senescence began at 9 years of age in two maternal performance traits. In both traits, females that produced more offspring in early life had faster rates of senescence. This tradeoff is evident alongside significant effects of individual quality on late life breeding performance. These results present rare evidence in support of the disposable soma and antagonistic pleiotropy theories of senescence from a wild vertebrate population and highlight the utility of mixed models for testing theories of ageing.
Multimethod Longitudinal Assessment of Temperament in Early Childhood
Authors: Majdandžić Mirjana , Van Den Boom Dymphna C.
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACTThe present study examined consistency of temperament across situations and time in early childhood. On two occasions, 7 months apart, we observed the responses of 94 four‐year‐olds to multiple standard laboratory procedures eliciting exuberance, fear, anger, sadness, or interest. In addition, fathers' and mothers' reports on children's temperament were obtained. Observed temperament showed substantial context specificity, varying across situations within dimensions. Structural equation models revealed separate observation and parental perception factors and factorial invariance and high stability for most dimensions. Stability coefficients based on correlations varied according to level of aggregation. Measurement convergence was generally moderate and was lowest for negative emotionality. Implications for the assessment of temperament are discussed in relation to differences in consistency across dimensions and convergence between measures.
The Spirited, the Observant, and the Disheartened: Social Concepts of Optimism, Realism, and Pessimism
Authors: Weber Hannelore , Vollmann Manja , Renner Britta
Published: November 2006

ABSTRACT
The social concepts of optimism, pessimism, and realism were investigated by assessing the prototypical acts (thoughts, feelings, goals, and actions) that laypersons assign to optimists, pessimists, and realists responding to a controllable and an uncontrollable situation. Optimists and realists, but not pessimists, were seen as adjusting their behavior to the situation. However, whereas optimists were characterized by flexibility in thoughts and feelings but invariance in goals and actions (i.e., they pursued their goals in both controllable and uncontrollable situations), the act profiles assigned to realists varied on all of these dimensions. The profile assigned to pessimists was characterized by cognitive, affective, motivational, and behavioral invariance, encompassing negative construals of the situation, giving up, and a focus on distress.
A Theory of Favoritism in an International Oligopoly*
Authors: Van Long Ngo , Soubeyran Antoine
Published: November 2006

This paper offers an explanation of the fact that some foreign firms are favored at the expense of others, and characterizes the distribution of favors in terms of the cost parameters of firms. We present a model where favors must be bought: they come from competing contributions. This model is compared with a benchmark model with a benevolent government. We show how the distribution of favors in the favor‐seeking model deviates from the distribution that would be obtained if the government were really benevolent.
Analyzing Modes of Foreign Entry: Greenfield Investment versus Acquisition
Authors: Müller Thomas
Published: November 2006

This paper studies the entry decision of a multinational enterprise into a foreign market. Two alternative entry modes for a foreign direct investment are considered: greenfield investment versus acquisition. In contrast to existing approaches, the acquisition price and the profits under both entry modes are endogenously determined. Interestingly, we find that the optimal entry mode decision is affected by the competition intensity in the market in a nonmonotonic way. When markets are very much or very little competitive, greenfield investment is the optimal entry mode, while for intermediate values it is acquisition.
Welfare‐reducing Domestic Cost Reduction*
Authors: Mukherjee Arijit , Sinha Uday Bhanu
Published: November 2006

We show that cost reduction by a domestic firm may reduce domestic welfare if it changes a foreign firm’s production strategy from foreign direct investment to export. Domestic cost reduction can be welfare reducing when the domestic market is sufficiently small and domestic firm’s marginal cost of production is higher than the foreign firm’s marginal cost of production under foreign direct investment, which is a usual feature of trade between developed and developing countries. So, developing countries with small domestic markets need competent competition policies when encouraging domestic innovation and also trying to attract foreign direct investment.
Sexual dimorphism of body and relative head sizes in neonatal common garter snakes
Authors: Krause M. A. , Burghardt G. M.
Published: November 2006

Morphological and behavioral differences between sexes are commonplace throughout the animal kingdom. Body size is one of the most obvious sex differences frequently found in snakes. However, the developmental origins of size differences in many species, including snakes, are not well known. We examined post‐natal variation in sexual size dimorphism in garter snakes Thamnophis sirtalis. The weights, body and tail lengths, and head sizes of male and female neonates born to mothers collected from ecologically dissimilar habitats on Beaver Island, Lake Michigan were compared. Sexual size dimorphism was prominent. Overall, males had significantly longer bodies and tails than females. Females were significantly heavier and had larger heads than male snakes. Maternal site affected head but not body measurements, perhaps due to differences in prey availability. The body condition of maternal females predicted neonatal body length. Significant litter variation suggests heritable variation in morphological traits possibly correlated with feeding success and survival.
Ecology of cobras from southern Africa
Authors: Shine R. , Branch W. R. , Webb J. K. , Harlow P. S. , Shine T. , Keogh J. S.
Published: November 2006

Large slender‐bodied snakes that forage actively for a generalized array of small vertebrates are conspicuous elements of the terrestrial snake fauna of most continents; the venomous elapid species fill this role in much of Asia, Africa and Australia. Our dissections of eight species of cobras from southern Africa Aspidelaps, Hemachatus, Naja; Serpentes and Elapidae (total of 1290 specimens) provide extensive data on sexual dimorphism, reproductive biology and food habits. Females grow larger than males in Aspidelaps lubricus and Naja nigricincta, but (perhaps reflecting selection on male body size due to male–male combat) males grow as large as females in Naja anchietae, Naja melanoleuca, Naja mossambica, Naja nivea and Hemachatus haemachatus, and males grow larger than females in Naja annulifera. Overall, the degree of male size superiority is higher in species with a larger absolute mean adult body size. Male cobras typically have larger heads and longer tails than conspecific females. Fecundity increases with maternal body size, and is higher in the viviparous rhinkals H. haemachatus than in the oviparous Naja species studied. Diets are broad in all eight species, comprising a wide variety of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and (less often) birds. Ontogenetic (size‐related) shifts in dietary composition (amphibian to reptile to mammal) are significant within some taxa (N. annulifera, N. nigricincta) but absent in others (notably N. nivea, the most arid‐adapted species). Overall, despite substantial interspecific variation among the eight study species, strong parallels are evident between the cobras of southern Africa and their ecological counterparts in other continents.
Consistency of quality assessments in long‐term care by the clients, family members and named nurses
Authors: Kahanpää Anja , Perälä Marja‐Leena , Räikkönen Outi
Published: November 2006

Combining assessments by the clients, their family members and named nurses of the quality of long‐term care leads to a more comprehensive picture of the quality of the service. Clients should be the primary source of information, but particularly when they are not able to express their opinion, other sources of assessment are needed. This study describes and compares the consistency of quality assessments of long‐term institutional care for the elderly made by the client (n = 312), his/her family member (n = 312) and the named nurse (n = 312). Data were gathered in 2002 from service houses, nursing homes and health centres. The consistency of the assessments made by the different groups of respondents was measured by frequency distributions, the weighted kappa coefficient and exact agreement. Frequency distributions differed significantly between the respondent groups in almost every item. Family members were more critical in their assessments than the other two groups. The consistency of assessments was highest with regard to the items ‘contact with significant others’ and ‘medication’. In general the consistency of assessments, measured by weighted kappa, was rather low, but it was fair for ‘clothing’ (clients/family members) and ‘privacy’ (clients/named nurses and family members/named nurses). The occurrence of the option ‘not applicable’ to certain items was quite high, but varied somewhat between the three respondent groups. The results of this study support the viewpoint that comprehensive information gathering from family members and named nurses is useful, but they should not replace clients’ assessments.
‘It's everywhere!’ Young Swedish people's thoughts and reflections about pornography
Authors: Häggström‐Nordin Elisabet , Sandberg Jonas , Hanson Ulf , Tydén Tanja
Published: November 2006

Pornography is one of the most sought‐after topics on the Internet, and is easily available for anyone, including children and adolescents. At youth centres, nurse‐midwives have noticed that young people have different kinds of questions about sexual practices compared with a few years ago. The aim of this study was to gain an understanding of thoughts and reflections about pornography consumption, and its possible influence on sexual practices, among young women and men. The staff at a youth centre in a city in central Sweden asked the visitors if they had seen pornography and if they wanted to be interviewed about their experiences. Ten young women and eight men, aged 16–23 years, participated. In‐depth interviews were performed and open‐ended questions about pornography and sexuality were posed. The interviews were tape‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed according to grounded theory. The core category ‘Living with the current sexual norm’ depicted how pornography created sexual expectations and demands, for instance, to perform certain sexual acts. The informants expressed contradictory feelings towards pornography and felt that sexuality was separated from intimacy. A moral attitude was described and examples of stereotypic gender roles were given. To deal with the current sexual norm, informants had different individual handling strategies and attitudes to pornography, namely liberal, normalization, distance, feminist or conservative. Limitations of this study were the small sample size and that results from a qualitative research study cannot be generalized. The results contribute to an understanding of how pornographic material can influence young peoples’ thoughts, reflections and sexual behaviour. This indicates the importance, for personnel at youth centres and schools, to discuss sexual behaviour and how sexuality is portrayed in pornographic material with young people.
Significance of fellow patients for patients with myocardial infarction
Authors: Isaksen Astrid Steen , Gjengedal Eva
Published: November 2006

The purpose of the study was to present both positive and negative experiences with respect to the significance of fellow patients for patients with myocardial infarction (MI), both inside and outside the hospital. Five focus group sessions were carried out, each having between four and six participants. A total of 25 patients with MI at an age of 40–71 participated. The analysis was carried out by the moderator and co‐moderator of the focus groups. The results, which are elucidated by theories of social support, show a great amount of positive support in the interactions of patients, such as support from others in the same situation, a lot of humour, encountering true understanding and consideration, getting practical assistance, and benefiting from other patients’ knowledge and experience as well as experiencing an increase in motivation. The participants also discussed negative experiences such as dramatic situations when fellow patients got worse and sometimes even died. Many patients were bothered by various kinds of noise and other disturbances. Insight into the significance of fellow patients will make health personnel able to encourage a patient environment that will strengthen positive and reduce negative effects of fellow patients on the health of each individual patient. One relevant measure would be involving former patients or starting up physical activity in groups. The findings show that the informal patient community among fellow patients is an important part of their social support system and thereby also may contribute to health and well‐being.
Post‐stroke depression – effect on the life situation of the significant other
Authors: Franzén‐Dahlin Åsa , Billing Ewa , Näsman Per , Mårtensson Björn , Wredling Regina , Murray Veronica
Published: November 2006

The aim of this study was to describe the life situation among ‘significant others’ to patients with post‐stroke depression, and to identify associations between the life situation of the significant others and patient characteristics. Seventy‐one dyads consisting of patients with a diagnosed post‐stroke depression and their significant others were included. The patients were assessed for depression with the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and diagnosed according to the DSM‐IV. The assessments of significant others included their own life situation and proxy assessments of the patients’ state of depression, anger, change of personality, and need of assistance. Significant others of male stroke patients reported a more negative impact on their life situation, than did significant others of female stroke patients (p =0.04). There was a significant association between the patient's level of depression and physical function [activities of daily living (ADL)], with those with less impaired ADL having more major depression than those with more impaired ADL (p = 0.007). This study indicates that major post‐stroke depression is more common among patients with limited functional deficits. This highlights the importance of assessment for depression also among seemingly recovered stroke patients in order to treat and support those in need. This study also stresses the importance of identifying different needs of the significant others in order to provide appropriate support in their caregiving role.
Life satisfaction among informal caregivers in comparison with non‐caregivers
Authors: Borg Christel , Hallberg Ingalill R.
Published: November 2006

Being a caregiver with responsibility for someone with reduced health compared with not being a caregiver may mean different views of life satisfaction. Knowledge of what leads to reduced life satisfaction in caregivers may be helpful in interventions. Informal caregivers gainfully employed or not, aged 50–89 years, were studied with regard to life satisfaction depending on the extent of caregiving to identify types of social support of value for caregivers. A cross‐sectional study was conducted including a sample of 151 informal caregivers with a high caregiving extent, 392 caregivers with a lower caregiving extent and 1258 non‐caregivers. The sample was randomly selected to correspond with older Swedes as a whole aged 50–89 years. A questionnaire containing a modified form of Older Americans’ Resources Schedule (OARS) and Life Satisfaction Index Z (LSIZ) was used; 19.6% helped someone with activities of daily living and of these 27% stated that they did so frequently. Frequent caregiving implied significantly higher age, being more often married and retired, than less frequent caregivers and non‐caregivers. Frequent caregivers also performed personal activities of daily living (PADL) to a higher extent than less frequent caregivers and had significantly lower LSIZ (mean 14.8) than less frequent caregivers (mean 17.6) and non‐caregivers (mean 17.7). No significant differences were found between less frequent caregivers and non‐caregivers in LSIZ. One‐fourth had support from others, the commonest type being able to converse with a next of kin, and help and advice from professionals. Lower life satisfaction was associated with not being employed, low social resources, not refreshed after a night's sleep, overall poor health and frequent caregiving in the entire sample. High caregiving extent was associated with lower life satisfaction. The most important factors explaining lower life satisfaction among frequent caregivers were having low social resources and having poor health. Economic compensation or payment was the support most desired.
Properties of a Norwegian version of the Ward Organisational Features Scales
Authors: Sjetne Ingeborg Strømseng , Stavem Knut
Published: November 2006

To assess the association between nurses’ practice environment and established measures of discharged patients’ experiences during hospitalisation it is necessary to have a validated instrument to collect data on nurses’ work environment in hospital wards. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of a Norwegian version of the Ward Organisational Features Scales (WOFS), an instrument developed in the UK to describe environmental factors influential on the effectiveness of nursing services. After linguistic adaptation of the questionnaire, the reliability and validity were assessed in a sample of 99 nurses, of whom 46 (45%) responded. Most of the 12 tested scales showed acceptable internal consistency (10 had Cronbach's α > 0.70) and test–retest reliability (eight had intraclass correlation coefficient >0.70). The WOFS scales’ correlations with external variables were in line with hypothesised correlations, thus supporting their validity. Scales describing nurses’ influence on ward organisation and management did not perform well, probably due to differences in intraward organisation in the two countries. In spite of a limited sample size this study suggests that the majority of the scales of the WOFS showed satisfactory psychometric properties. They can be useful for assessing and describing aspects of nurses’ work environment in Norwegian hospitals.
Development and characterization of 11 microsatellite markers in the rock sparrow, Petronia petronia
Authors: GRAPPUTO ALESSANDRO , BARBISAN FEDERICA , DE GIROLAMO MIRKO , PILASTRO ANDREA , ZANE LORENZO
Published: November 2006

Eleven polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated in the passeriform Petronia petronia using the enrichment protocol FIASCO (fast isolation by AFLP of sequences containing repeats). We detected three to 13 alleles per locus in 25 specimens collected from an Italian population. The level of expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.439 to 0.856. One locus is sex linked to the Z chromosome. The total exclusionary probabilities using these loci for the first and the second parent were 0.978 and 0.999, respectively. These are the first microsatellite loci characterized from the rock sparrow that can be used for estimating population structure and for large‐scale parentage analysis.