bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of pine forest damage by blight based on Landsat TM data and correlation with environmental factors
Authors: Nakane Kaneyuki , Kimura Yoshinori
Published: March 2006

Landsat TM images were obtained of blight damage to a Japanese red pine forest in the western part of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, using a spectral vegetation index; that is, the ratio of the digital number (relative reflectance on the ground surface) of TM Band 4 to Band 3 observed in May 1987, which decreased with the increase in the canopy cover of damaged pine trees measured in the field. The TM images suggested that the areas of damaged forest were concentrated in or near cities, industrial areas and expressways. The correlation between forest damage and environmental factors (air pollution and urban development) around the pine forest was therefore analysed by overlaying the blight damage with the proportion of developed areas obtained from TM data or mesh data of air pollution. The results of analysis indicated a significant correlation between forest damage and environmental factors, and showed that these two environmental factors made nearly equal contributions to the blight damage in the pine forest. This suggests that urban development and air pollution may affect the physiology of pine trees and promote blight by reducing the resistance of trees to the pinewood nematode.
Foot morphology and distribution of Sika deer in relation to snow depth in Japan
Authors: Takatsuki Seiki
Published: March 2006

The distribution of Sika deer (Cervus nippon) on Japanese islands is biased toward, the east where there is less snow. To explain this biased distribution in relation to snow, the foot morphology of Sika deer was measured. Hoof load was greatest in male adults (0.78 kg cm−2) and smallest in fawns (c 0.43 kg cm−2). The values were similar to those for white‐tailed deer, and were smaller than those for snow‐adapted species like caribou and chamois. Foreleg length was c. 50 cm and 60 cm, and hind feet (lower half) length was c. 40 cm and 45 cm for fawns and adult deer, respectively. Chest heights were c. 45 cm and 53 cm for fawns and adults, respectively. These figures suggest that areas where snow accumulates deeper than 50 cm are not favorable as a Sika deer habitat. The present distribution of Sika deer is clearly related to snow depth: they are mostly concentrated in the ‘preferable area’ of <50 cm of snow, some of them can live in the ‘habitable area’ of 50–100 cm of snow, and they rarely live in the ‘inhabitable area’ of >100 cm of snow.
Photoperiodic control of larval development and wing form in Modicogryllus sp. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
Authors: Masaki Sinzo , Sugahara Toshiaki
Published: March 2006

The bivoltine cricket locally known as ‘Tambo‐Koorogi’ (Modicogryllus sp.) hibernates as a half‐grown larva, and shows a developmental response to changing as well as stationary photoperiod. At 25°C, larvae matured in about 7–10 weeks in continuous or 16 h daily light, but took 10–20 weeks or more in 14 h and shorter days. A day of 15 h exerted an intermediate effect, giving a development time of 7–17 weeks. However, an increase in daylength from 12 to 15 h in the early larval life prevented diapause, while a decrease from 15 to 12 h retarded development more than a constant 12 h day. Short‐winged adults occurred only when the photophase was 15 h or shorter, and their frequency increased with decreased daylength. Although the short‐winged form took longer to mature than the long‐winged form under the same conditions of photoperiod, delayed growth was not always associated with brachypterism.
Mechanisms of cross‐shore distribution pattern of the intertidal mud crab Macrophthalmus japonicus
Authors: Henmi Yasuhisa
Published: March 2006

In the intertidal mud crab Macrophthalmus japonicus, most large crabs occurred in the upper sandy areas. Mechanisms of the size‐dependent distribution were interpreted experimentally. In the lower muddy area, food was more abundant and crab density was much higher than in the upper area. Under the high density conditions, interaction among large crabs became severe and more large crabs abandoned their burrows. In the experiment on burrowing‐site selection, large crabs burrowed only in the muddy side under the low density, but also in the sandy side under high density conditions. The burrowing in the upper sandy area may be advantageous for large crabs, though food availability is lower, because of less competition and higher survivorship under the low crab density.
Postglacial vegetation history around Torihama, Fukui Prefecture, Japan
Authors: Takahara Hikaru , Takeoka Masaji
Published: March 2006

A pollen analytical study of a core sample from the Torihama site in the Sea of Japan area of the Kinki region was carried out. This core, dated by three types of tephra, corresponded to the period between the early and the middle postglacial periods. In the early postglacial period, the cool‐temperate deciduous forest was accompanied by Cryptomeria japonica. In the middle postglacial period, C. japonica forests formed on the lowlands. Lucidophyllous forests developed after the deposition of K‐Ah ash (6300 years BP) in the Sea of Japan area of the Kinki region, which was later than the development of those in the inland and Pacific Ocean areas.
Needle area measurement by the cut method and estimation of specific leaf area in Cryptomeria japonica
Authors: Katsuno Masumi , Hozumi Kazuo
Published: March 2006

Needle surface area in Cryptomeria japonica was measured using a newly proposed cut method. Sample needles of various lengths were taken from foliage shoots belonging to various height layers of nine trees growing at three sites. Needles were cut into small pieces with a hand‐made cutter made of razor blades and washers. By measuring the circumference and thickness of each piece, its lateral area was calculated and summed to give the total surface area of the needle. For estimating the surface area of a needle (s), two linear parameters of needle size termed yn* and /were proposed:yn* was the distance between the needle tip and the uppermost point of attachment of the needle to the shoot, while l was the distance between the needle tip and the lowermost point of attachment. The power‐form relationship between s and l was superior to the s‐yn* relationship, since the former did not differ significantly among shoots of different diameter. Based on the s‐l relationship, the total surface area of a shoot was estimated from the l‐census of the shoot. Specific leaf area of a shoot (SLA), defined as half of the shoot surface area divided by the dry weight of the shoot, decreased from 90 to 3 [cm2g(dry wt)−1] with the diameter of the woody tissue of the foliage shoot.
Tree form in a mixed dipterocarp forest in Indonesian Borneo
Authors: Yamakura Takuo , Hagihara Akio , Sukardjo Sukristijono , Ogawa Husato
Published: March 2006

The form of tropical trees was studied with reference to the production structure of the component individuals of a tropical rain forest stand in Sebulu, East Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo, since the production structure as a physical or bio‐economical basis of tree form still remains obscure in tropical rain forests. The pipe model theory successfully explained the crown shapes of different trees, and its parameter, designated as specific pipe length, suggested an increase in the cost of leaf mass growth with an increase in crown size. A mathematical model consisting of exponential functions of aboveground height was applied for describing stem form, and its properties were examined through changes in its coefficients and by adopting an assumption of the geometrical similarity of individual stem form as a criterion for comparing differences in stem form among individual trees. Furthermore, the cost of buttersses was discussed using the relation between bole‐ and buttress weight calculated from the mathematical model.
Resting spore formation of Leptocylindrus danicus (Bacillariophyceae) during short time‐scale upwelling and its significance as predicted by a simple model
Authors: Ishizaka Joji , Kaichi Motonori , Takahashi Masayuki
Published: March 2006

Resting spore formation during short time‐scale upwelling and its significance were investigated in the field and by a simple theoretical model. Field observations of spore formation of Leptocylindrus danicus were made off Izu Peninsula, Japan. A rapid increase in ratio of resting spore to vegetative cell numbers indicated that L. danicus formed resting spores quickly as a response to nutrient depletion in the upwelled water, although only a very low number of resting spores was found in the upwelling. A simple model was constructed to investigate the possible advantages of spore formation during short time‐scale upwelling. This showed that there is a critical time‐scale for resting spore formation to be advantageous. The nutrient depletion period of the upwelling off Izu was shorter than the critical time‐scale determined by the model. Rapid‐sinking of resting spores may increase further the critical time‐scale, unless spores return with upwelling water. For short time‐scale upwelling, the vegetative cell may be better suited than the resting spore for enduring a short period of nutrient depletion.
Studies on the dynamic properties of terrestrial ecosystems based on a simulation model I. Critical light conditions for stability of a tropical rainforest ecosystem
Authors: Oikawa Takehisa
Published: March 2006

By employing a microcomputer model developed in a previous study (Oikawa, 1985), the stability of a tropical rainforest ecosystem composed of three strata was analyzed in relation to incident light flux density. Surplus production (Ps), calculated as a function of the leaf area index and light attenuation coefficient, was remarkably affected by the maximum illuminance at noon (I0, max).

Simulation experiments for a period of 100 years demonstrated that the upper stratum was able to reach a steady state at about 50 years and thereafter, when a value of I0, max equal to or greater than 80 klux was assigned to the upper stratum, where the higher the value of I0, max, the greater the biomasses and the carbon fluxes at the steady state as a result of enhanced productivity. When I0, max was assigned a value of 70 klux, on the other hand, this experiment predicted a failure of the upper stratum to maintain stability due to deficiency of surplus productivity.

Moreover, it was also suggested that excessive luxuriance of the upper stratum due to I0, max elevation may have a detrimental effect upon the survival of the middle stratum, since increasing I0, max decreases the light energy available for the middle stratum even in absolute terms, resulting in disappearance of this stratum when I0, max is equal to or greater than 120 klux.

These simulation experiments suggested that a tropical rainforest ecosystem composed of three strata is able to exist within a narrow range of I0, max between 80 and 110 klux, light conditions which are much higher than the light compensation point for canopy photosynthesis
Immunoprecipitation of a pertussis toxin substrate of the Go family from rat islets of Langerhans
Authors: Berrow Nicholas S. , Hurst Roger D. , Chan Susan L. F. , Morgan Noel G.
Published: March 2006

Rat islets express a pertussis toxin sensitive G-protein involved in receptor-mediated inhibition of insulin secretion. This has been assumed previously to represent “Gi” which couples inhibitory receptors to adenylate cyclase. Incubation of islet G-proteins with32P-NAD and pertussis toxin resulted in the labelling of a band of molecular weight 40,000. This band was very broad and did not allow resolution of individual components. Incubation of the radiolabelled proteins with an anti-Go antiserum resulted in specific immunoprecipitation of a32P-labelled band. These results demonstrate that the complement of pertussis toxin sensitive G-proteins in rat islets includes Go.
Insulin-dependent release of 5′-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase from liver plasma membranes
Authors: Incerpi Sandra , Baldini Patrizia , Bello Mario Lo , Luly Paolo
Published: March 2006

Insulin treatment of isolated liver plasma membranes induced the release of 5′-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase. This effect was maximal at physiological hormone concentrations, being 36% and 17% for 5′-nucleotidase and alkaline phosphatase respectively, and was fully mimicked by the phosphatidylinositol specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC), thus confirming the presence of a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol anchoring-system for these exofacial enzymatic proteins. The complete inhibition of insulin dependent enzyme release by neomycin is strongly supportive of an involvement of membrane-located PI-PLC activity. In addition, the insulin-like effect on enzyme release induced by the GTP non-hydrolysable analog, GTP-γ-S, and its sensitivity to the pertussis toxin are in favour of a mediatory role exerted by the G proteins system, in the transduction of some actions of insulin.
ConA induced changes in energy metabolism of rat thymocytes
Authors: Buttgereit F. , Brand M. D. , Müller M.
Published: March 2006

The influence of ConA on the energy metabolism of quiescent rat thymocytes was investigated by measuring the effects of inhibitors of protein synthesis, proteolysis, RNA/DNA synthesis, Na+K+-ATPase, Ca2+-ATPase and mitochondrial ATP synthesis on respiration. Only about 50% of the coupled oxygen consumption of quiescent thymocytes could be assigned to specific processes using two different media. Under these conditions the oxygen is mainly used to drive mitochondrial proton leak and to provide ATP for protein synthesis and cation transport, whereas oxygen consumption to provide ATP for RNA/DNA synthesis and ATP-dependent proteolysis was not measurable. The mitogen ConA produced a persistent increase in oxygen consumption by about 30% within seconds. After stimulation more than 80% of respiration could be assigned to specific processes. The major oxygen consuming processes of ConA-stimulated thymocytes are mitochondrial proton leak, protein synthesis and Na+K+-ATPase with about 20% each of total oxygen consumption, while Ca2+-ATPase and RNA/DNA synthesis contribute about 10% each. Quiescent thymocytes resemble resting hepatocytes in that most of the oxygen consumption remains unexplained. In contrast, the pattern of energy metabolism in stimulated thymocytes is similar to that described for Ehrlich Ascites tumour cells and splenocytes, which may also be in an activated state. Most of the oxygen consumption is accounted for, so the unexplained process(es) in unstimulated cells shut(s) off on stimulation.
Membrane vesicles from brown adipose tissue: A tool for the study of amino acid transport. The case of L-alanine
Authors: Rodríguez-Martín A. , Bel N. , Remesar X.
Published: March 2006

A density gradient method is used to isolate membrane vesicles from brown adipose tissue. These respond to changes in osmolarity and show the classical overshoot pattern when L-alanine uptake is assayed. Transport is shown to be effected by two components: a linear (Kd=0.498 min−1) and Na+-dependent saturable component (Km=2.3 mM) and a Vmax=19.9 pmol/μg protein·min). This pattern is similar to that shown by cells isolated from brown adipose tissue.
Neutrophil function in whole blood and after purification: Changes in receptor expression, oxidase activity and responsiveness to cytokines
Authors: Watson Fiona , Robinson John J. , Edwards Steven W.
Published: March 2006

Neutrophil function and plasma membrane receptor expression was measured in cell suspensions isolated by two separate procedures and in unfractionated whole blood. When cells were prepared by a combined dextran/ficoll procedure, their ability to generate reactive oxidants in response to fMet-Leu-Phe was greater than in corresponding cells isolated by a one-step procedure on Mono-Poly Resolving Medium (M-PRM). Cells prepared by both methods could be primed in vitro by rGM-CSF, but the priming ratio was greater in cells prepared by the latter method. The ability of neutrophils in whole blood to generate reactive oxidants in response to fMet-Leu-Phe was extremely low, but this was increased by more than 10 fold if the blood was pre-incubated with rGM-CSF. Similarly, expression of CD 11b and CD 16 was very low (or undetectable) in neutrophils in whole blood, but this was rapidly increased upon priming. Activation by PMA resulted in a down regulation of CD 16 expression as the receptor was shed from the cell surface. Neutrophils isolated by either the dextran/ficoll or the M-PRM method showed increased expression of receptors compared with those in whole blood, although this expression was lower in cells isolated by the latter method. These data indicate that the isolation procedures used to obtain purified neutrophils prime both receptor expression and oxidase function, although these effects are minimalised in isolation procedures using M-PRM. Furthermore, as CD 16 expression on neutrophils in whole blood is rapidly up-regulated during priming, it seems likely that, as for complement receptors, rapidly-mobilisable intracellular stores of this receptor exist.
Impact of pulmonary regurgitation and right ventricular dysfunction on oxygen uptake recovery kinetics in repaired tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Giardini Alessandro , Specchia Salvatore , Coutsoumbas Gloria , Donti Andrea , Formigari Roberto , Fattori Rossella , Oppido Guido , Gargiulo Gaetano , Picchio Fernando M.
Published: March 2006

Background:

Patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) featuring severe pulmonary regurgitation (PR) and/or right ventricular (RV) dysfunction have reduced exercise tolerance.

Aims:

To assess the impact of PR and of RV function on the ability to recover from exercise in ToF patients.

Methods:

61 consecutive patients aged 23.1±12.1 years underwent maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX), transthoracic echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. This data was compared to those of 153 matched healthy subjects.

Results:

19 patients (31%) had severe PR. RV dysfunction was noted in 19 patients (31%). Nine patients (15%) had both severe PR and RV dysfunction. Patients had lower peak oxygen uptake (VO2), VO2 slope, carbon dioxide production (VCO2) slope and O2 pulse slope (p<0.0001), especially those with severe PR and RV dysfunction (p<0.0001). Heart rate slope was similar between groups. No patient with severe PR and RV dysfunction had a predicted peak VO2>40%. CPX had a high sensitivity and specificity to identify patients with severe PR and RV dysfunction.

Conclusions:

In ToF patients, severe PR and RV dysfunction lead to delayed recovery from exercise. CPX can identify patients with severe PR and RV dysfunction and may be useful to guide the pulmonary valve replacement decision‐making process.
High intracellular Na+ preserves myocardial function at low heart rates in isolated myocardium from failing hearts
Authors: Schillinger Wolfgang , Teucher Nils , Christians Claus , Kohlhaas Michael , Sossalla Samuel , Van Nguyen Phuc , Schmidt Albrecht G. , Schunck Ortwin , Nebendahl Klaus , Maier Lars S. , Zeitz Oliver , Hasenfuss Gerd
Published: March 2006

We investigated the hypothesis that increased intracellular [Na+]i in heart failure contributes to preservation of SR Ca2+ load which may become particularly evident at slow heart rates.

[Na+]i in SBFI‐loaded myocytes from rabbits with pacing‐induced heart failure (PHF) was significantly higher at each frequency as compared to Sham‐operated animals. Furthermore, PHF rabbits demonstrated reduced SR Ca2+‐ATPase protein levels (− 37%, p < 0.04) but unchanged Na+/Ca2+ exchanger protein levels. At 0.25 Hz, isometric force was similar in cardiac trabeculae from PHF rabbits as compared to control (PHF, 3.6±1.3; Sham, 4.4 ± 0.6 mN/mm2). Rapid cooling contractures (RCCs) were unchanged indicating preserved SR Ca2+ load at this frequency. In Sham, isometric twitch force increased with rising frequencies to 29.0 + 2.8 mN/mm2 at 3.0 Hz (p < 0.05) as compared to 0.25 Hz. RCCs showed a parallel increase by 186 ± 47% (p < 0.01). In PHF, frequency‐dependent increase in force (15.8 ± 4.7 mN/mm2 at 3.0 Hz) and RCCs (increase by 70 ± 40%) were significantly blunted.

Thus, in PHF in rabbits SR Ca2+ load is preserved at low frequencies despite decreased SR Ca2+‐ATPase expression. This may result from [Na+]i‐dependent changes in Na+/Ca2+ exchanger activity.
A single lysyl residue defines the binding specificity of a human odorant‐binding protein for aldehydes
Authors: Tcatchoff Lionel , Nespoulous Claude , Pernollet Jean-Claude , Briand Loïc
Published: March 2006

Odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) are small abundant soluble proteins belonging to the lipocalin superfamily, which are thought to carry hydrophobic odorants through aqueous mucus towards olfactory receptors. Human variant hOBP‐2A has been demonstrated to bind numerous odorants of different chemical classes with a higher affinity for aldehydes and fatty acids. Three lysyl residues of the binding pocket (Lys62, Lys82 and Lys112) have been suggested as candidates for playing such a role. Here, using site‐directed mutagenesis and fluorescent probe displacements, we show that Lys112 is the major determinant for governing hOBP‐2A specificity towards aldehydes and small carboxylic acids.
Inactivation of the extrinsic subunit of photosystem II, PsbU, in Synechococcus PCC 7942 results in elevated resistance to oxidative stress
Authors: Balint Ido , Bhattacharya Jyotirmoy , Perelman Alexander , Schatz Daniella , Moskovitz Yona , Keren Nir , Schwarz Rakefet
Published: March 2006

PsbU is a subunit of the extrinsic complex attached to the core of photosystem II. A PsbU‐mutant of Synechococcus PCC 7942 was isolated based on its elevated resistance to externally applied oxidative stress. PsbU‐mutant exhibits fast rates of degradation of the photosystem II core protein, D1, under sub‐saturating as well as high‐light conditions. While forward electron transfer is not affected, back electron flow is severely impaired in the mutant. We suggest that impairment of psbU results in production of reactive‐oxygen‐species, which trigger antioxidative mechanisms even under standard growth conditions. Accordingly, when challenged with external oxidative stress, these cells are more resistant than wild type cells.
Catalytic folding of the Cε3 domain by its high affinity receptor
Authors: Harwood Naomi E. , Price Nicholas C. , McDonnell James M.
Published: March 2006

The interaction of immunoglobulin E (IgE) with its cellular receptor FcεRIα is a central regulator of allergy. Structural studies have identified the third domain (Cε3) of the constant region of epsilon heavy chain as the receptor binding region. The isolated Cε3 domain is a “molten globule” that becomes structured upon binding of the FcεRIα ligand. In this study, fluorescence and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies are used to characterise the role of soluble FcεRIα in the folding of the monomeric Cε3 domain of IgE. Soluble FcεRIα is shown to display characteristic properties of a catalyst for the folding of Cε3, with the rate of Cε3 folding being dependent on the concentration of the receptor.
Measuring the strength of environment–recruitment relationships: the importance of including predictor screening within cross-validations
Authors: Francis R.I.C. Chris
Published: March 2006

There has recently been considerable interest in establishing relationships between environmental variables and annual recruitment to fish stocks. Such relationships have the potential to reduce the uncertainty in the assessment of the stocks. When many environmental variables are considered, it is easy to draw conclusions that exaggerate the ability to predict recruitment. One technique to protect against this is cross-validation. This technique has usually been incorrectly applied, in that it has not included predictor screening (the selection from a large set of potential predictors of a smaller set to use in prediction). A simulation experiment is used to show that this omission can cause chance correlations to be wrongly identified as useful, and the reliability of useful predictors to be overestimated. It also shows that the mistaken use of chance correlations to predict recruitment can be worse than the use of the default predictor (the mean of previous recruitments), and that our ability to measure the reliability of recruitment predictors is typically poor.
Benefits and costs of illegal grazing and hunting in the Serengeti ecosystem
Authors: NYAHONGO J.W. , EAST M.L. , MTURI F.A. , HOFER H.
Published: March 2006

Two forms of natural resource use (meat hunting and livestock grazing) were investigated at three sites in the western region of the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania. Statutory management of natural resources in this region was designated as National Park, Game Reserve or village council. A quasi-experimental design examined factors likely to alter the cost and benefit of illegal use by ranking areas within sites in relation to these factors. Factors likely to alter costs were the chance of arrest, determined by the presence or absence of guard posts, and the distance travelled to the site of exploitation. As all sites experienced large fluctuations in the density of migratory herbivores, it was assumed that the benefit acquired from hunting increased with wild herbivore density. Marked seasonal changes in precipitation were considered likely to alter the value of forage and water to livestock owners. Hunting effort (density of snares) increased as the density of wild herbivores increased. The distribution of hunting effort across sites was more consistent with the prediction that high travel costs were more likely to curtail hunting than a high potential cost of arrest. Unlike hunters, livestock owners mostly avoided the use of resources in protected areas probably because of the high potential cost of arrest and confiscation of stock. Natural resources within protected areas were exploited when benefits outweighed likely costs.
Preferences for environmental issues among environmentally-concerned citizens in six countries
Authors: SEIP KNUT LEHRE , COBELAS MIGUEL ALVAREZ , DOLEDEC SYLVAIN , FANG JINGHUA , SMITH VAL H. , VORONTSOVA OLGA S.
Published: March 2006

Implementation of measures to protect and improve the environment requires knowledge about people's preferences, both to ensure economic means and to gain public support for the measures. Since environmental legislation and protection measures become increasingly cross-national, knowledge of benefit perception among people across countries is important. This study addresses the aggregated preferences of environmentally-concerned individuals in France, USA, Norway, Russia, China and Spain. The aggregated preferences in all groups showed emphasis on pollution issues (rank 1 out of six issues in all six countries). The groups were least concerned with animal rights, which here included the right for top predators like tigers and wolf to roam the wilderness in a way that may cause statistical fatalities (rank 4–6). The group's concern for pollution decreased with the buying power of the country to which they belonged (r2 = 0.967). Also, agreement among the individuals in the groups tended to be less when the buying power was large (r2 = 0.940). The study shows that benefits accrued in one country may not have the same weight in another country, in particular if countries have different economic development status. It also suggests that efforts to preserve species diversity may require other types of public motivation than efforts to reduce pollution or to use non-renewable resources.
Applying the ecological footprint to ecotourism scenarios
Authors: HUNTER COLIN , SHAW JON
Published: March 2006

Academic interest in ecotourism has grown rapidly in recent years, fuelled by the increasing popularity of ecotourism holidays. This paper adopts ecological footprint (EF) analysis as a means of estimating the potential net EF of hypothetical international ecotourism scenarios involving air travel. A procedure for the rapid calculation of indicative, potential minimum net EF estimates using secondary data sources was applied to a variety of source/host country scenarios with the aim of establishing a reasonable and conservative range of EF values associated with ecotourism. The influence of changing assumptions about the broad nature of resource demand at the destination and of three length of stay periods was considered. In total, 252 estimates were made of the potential net per tourist EF, assuming conservative resource use at the destination. For a 14-day holiday, potential net EF estimates ranged between 0.02 and 4.26 global hectares. Only one, a 21-day scenario, produced a net negative EF value, suggesting the potential for an overall reduction in absolute demand on global renewable resources. Some 80% of 14-day holiday scenarios produced potential per tourist EF estimates greater than the annual average per caput EF in low income countries. The size of the transit component was very important to overall net EF estimates, supporting largely anecdotal concerns about the environmental impact of long-haul flights to ecotourism destinations. The implications of these findings for judging the impact of ecotourism were found to vary according to different absolute and relative benchmarks, although the global EF of ecotourism is likely to be considerably less than that of mass tourism.
Handicraft, Mass Manufacture and Rural Female Labour: Industrial Work in North-West Ireland, 1890–1914
Authors: JAMES K. J.
Published: March 2006

A range of discourses on rural life, gender, and work accompanied the parallel expansion of mass garment manufacture and handicraft industries in north-west Ireland during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Proponents of each frequently claimed that these two forms of production were sharply distinguished by scale, organisation and the ‘skills’ they required. However, these strategies for rural industrial development require a more integrated analysis. A close examination of the technologies of production, workers' earnings and experiences, and the stability of rural industrial initiatives, drawing on Parliamentary Papers and the Baseline Reports of the Congested Districts Board, challenges assumptions about the structure and status of women's industrial work in rural Ireland.
The Call to the Land: British and European Adult Voluntary Farm Labour; 1939–49
Authors: MOORE-COLYER R. J.
Published: March 2006

As the armed forces continued to siphon away labour from the land following the outbreak of the war, the Ministry of Agriculture's County War Agricultural Executive Committees were hard put to meet the demand for labour to sustain the plough-up campaign. While schoolchildren made a major contribution, there were few prisoners-of-war before the North African campaign and volunteers from all walks of life were sought to attend harvest camps, weekend farm clubs and other land-based activities. At the end of the war the Ministry of Agriculture turned to mainland Europe for volunteers to work towards the solution of the British and pan-European food shortages. They were supplemented by members of the Polish Resettlement Corps, German prisoners who had opted to defer repatriation and volunteers from the British zones of Austria and Germany. The article raises the issue of how far the enterprise promoted international understanding as was assumed at the time or, indeed, whether the home volunteer experience narrowed the so-called rural-urban divide as opposed to reinforcing entrenched prejudices.
Impact of anthropogenic forcing on the Asian summer monsoon as simulated by eight GCMs
Authors: Ueda Hiroaki , Iwai Ayaka , Kuwako Ken , Hori Masatake E.
Published: March 2006

The response of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) to a transient increase in future anthropogenic radiative forcing is investigated by multi‐model global warming experiments. Most models show that, in Asia, the summer monsoon rainfall increases significantly with global warming. On the other hand, the future change in the large‐scale flow indicates a weakening of the ASM circulation. Enhanced moisture transport over the Asian summer monsoon region, associated with the increased moisture source from the warmer Indian Ocean, leads to a larger moisture flux convergence, which is responsible for the intensification of the mean rainfall. Pronounced warming over the tropics in the middle‐to‐upper troposphere causes a reduction in the meridional thermal gradient in the Asian region, which is consistent with the weakened monsoon circulation and eastward shift of the Walker circulation.
A link between terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes and intracloud lightning discharges
Authors: Stanley Mark A. , Shao Xuan‐Min , Smith David M. , Lopez Liliana I. , Pongratz Morris B. , Harlin Jeremiah D. , Stock Michael , Regan Amy
Published: March 2006

Atmospheric electric field change (sferic) waveforms were detected at Los Alamos Sferic Array stations in association with terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes (TGFs). Five TGF sferic waveforms detected at sufficiently close range were all found to be consistent with a positive‐polarity intracloud (+IC) discharge process which transported electrons upward. The amplitudes of the events were among the top 5% of IC discharge flashes. Altitudes obtained from ionosphere reflections for two of the closer events were found to be 13.6 km and 11.5 km. These altitudes are lower than expected if one assumes that the sferic was near the source of the gamma‐rays. One of the sferics was an energetic narrow bipolar event which occurred near the inferred onset of a flash, suggesting that the preceding TGF may correspond to the actual onset.
Discrepancy between the nighttime molecular ion composition given by the International Reference Ionosphere model and airglow measurements at low latitudes
Authors: Nicolls Michael J. , Vlasov Michael N. , Kelley Michael C. , Shepherd Gordon G.
Published: March 2006

The 630‐nm nighttime airglow is radiated by O(1D) atoms, which are produced by the dissociative recombination of O2+ ions. The typical approach used to calculate the red line emission rate at night is based on the assumption that O2+ is mainly produced by the reaction of O+ with molecular oxygen. In the case that the O2+ density is much smaller than the O+ density, [O+] = ne in the F2 region. Good agreement between measured nighttime integrated emission rates and the emission rates calculated by this typical approach, using both electron densities measured by incoherent scatter radars and given by the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model, has been shown. However, the O2+ densities given by the IRI model are much higher than the densities produced by the reaction of O+ with O2, and these densities do not correspond to the condition [O+] = ne. In this case, the typical approach cannot be applied and molecular ions must be included in the emission rate calculations. The integrated emission rates calculated including the molecular ion density given by the IRI model have been found to be much higher than the measured 630.0‐nm emission rates. This discrepancy takes place at latitudes below about ±30° in the western longitude sector, mainly for the period from March to November, and the disagreement is higher than 1 order of magnitude at the equator. In addition, we model the F2 region green line O(1S) emission at 557.7 nm resulting from the dissociative recombination of O2+. Using measurements of this volume emission rate made by the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) satellite, we are able to show that IRI overestimates the O2+ density (and ion fraction) on the bottomside of the F2 region. A revision of the ion composition in the IRI model on the bottomside seems to be needed on the basis of these results. Airglow measurements may be useful in constraining such a revision. A revision could utilize the formulae for the relationship between the molecular ion densities and neutral densities derived here, using the Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter (MSIS) neutral densities and the IRI electron density. These calculations are based on the assumption that O2+ and NO+ are only produced through ion‐molecular reactions. Such a revision would correct the magnitude and altitudinal dependence of the molecular ion fraction in the IRI model.
A kinematically distorted flux rope model for magnetic clouds
Authors: Owens M. J. , Merkin V. G. , Riley P.
Published: March 2006

Constant‐α force‐free magnetic flux rope models have proven to be a valuable first step toward understanding the global context of in situ observations of magnetic clouds. However, cylindrical symmetry is necessarily assumed when using such models, and it is apparent from both observations and modeling that magnetic clouds have highly noncircular cross sections. A number of approaches have been adopted to relax the circular cross section approximation: frequently, the cross‐sectional shape is allowed to take an arbitrarily chosen shape (usually elliptical), increasing the number of free parameters that are fit between data and model. While a better “fit” may be achieved in terms of reducing the mean square error between the model and observed magnetic field time series, it is not always clear that this translates to a more accurate reconstruction of the global structure of the magnetic cloud. We develop a new, noncircular cross section flux rope model that is constrained by observations of CMEs/ICMEs and knowledge of the physical processes acting on the magnetic cloud: The magnetic cloud is assumed to initially take the form of a force‐free flux rope in the low corona but to be subsequently deformed by a combination of axis‐centered self‐expansion and heliocentric radial expansion. The resulting analytical solution is validated by fitting to artificial time series produced by numerical MHD simulations of magnetic clouds and shown to accurately reproduce the global structure.
Modeling of the global distribution of ionospheric electric fields based on realistic maps of field‐aligned currents
Authors: Lukianova Renata , Christiansen Freddy
Published: March 2006

A new approach for modeling the global distribution of ionospheric electric potentials utilizing high‐precision maps of FACs derived from measurements by the Ørsted and Champ satellites as input to a comprehensive numerical scheme is presented. The boundary conditions provide a correct treatment of the asymmetry of conductivity and sources of electric potential between the northern and southern hemispheres. On the basis of numerical simulation the basic convection patterns developed simultaneously in both hemispheres for equinox and summer/winter solstices are obtained. A rather complicated dependence of the convection patterns on season linked with the sign of IMF BY is found. In particular, the combinations of BY > 0/summer and BY < 0/winter produce the highest circular flow around the pole in comparison with the combinations of BY < 0/summer and BY > 0/winter. The model predicts that the summer cross‐polar potentials are smaller than the winter potentials. The value of the ratio depends on the combination of season/IMF BY sign. The ratio is found to be greater for the combination of BY > 0/southern summer and BY < 0/northern summer. The smallest value is obtained for the combination of BY < 0/southern summer and BY > 0/northern summer under northward IMF conditions. At middle latitudes the main features of the MLT‐profile of the westward and equatorward electric field components are reproduced. The model predicts that during solstice the equatorward component of the midlatitude electric field is negative at all local times for BY < 0 and positive for BY > 0.
Specific recognition and accelerated uncoating of retroviral capsids by the TRIM5α restriction factor
Authors: Stremlau Matthew , Perron Michel , Lee Mark , Li Yuan , Song Byeongwoon , Javanbakht Hassan , Diaz-Griffero Felipe , Anderson Donovan J. , Sundquist Wesley I. , Sodroski Joseph
Published: March 2006

The host restriction factor TRIM5α mediates species-specific, early blocks to retrovirus infection; susceptibility to these blocks is determined by viral capsid sequences. Here we demonstrate that TRIM5α variants from Old World monkeys specifically associate with the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) capsid and that this interaction depends on the TRIM5α B30.2 domain. Human and New World monkey TRIM5α proteins associated less efficiently with the HIV-1 capsid, accounting for the lack of restriction in cells of these species. After infection, the expression of a restricting TRIM5α in the target cells correlated with a decrease in the amount of particulate capsid in the cytosol. In some cases, this loss of particulate capsid was accompanied by a detectable increase in soluble capsid protein. Inhibiting the proteasome did not abrogate restriction. Thus, TRIM5α restricts retroviral infection by specifically recognizing the capsid and promoting its rapid, premature disassembly.
Functional identification of an
Arabidopsis
pectin biosynthetic homogalacturonan galacturonosyltransferase
Authors: Sterling Jason D. , Atmodjo Melani A. , Inwood Sarah E. , Kumar Kolli V. S. , Quigley Heather F. , Hahn Michael G. , Mohnen Debra
Published: March 2006

Galacturonosyltransferases (GalATs) are required for the synthesis of pectin, a family of complex polysaccharides present in the cell walls of all land plants. We report the identification of a pectin GalAT (GAUT1) using peptide sequences obtained from
Arabidopsis thaliana
proteins partially purified for homogalacturonan (HG) α-1,4-GalAT activity. Transient expression of
GAUT1
cDNA in the human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293 yielded uridine diphosphogalacturonic acid:GalAT activity. Polyclonal antibodies generated against GAUT1 immunoabsorbed HG α-1,4-GalAT activity from
Arabidopsis
solubilized membrane proteins.
blast
analysis of the
Arabidopsis
genome identified a family of 25 genes with high sequence similarity to
GAUT1
and homologous genes in other dicots, in rice, and in
Physcomitrella
. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic Bayesian analysis of the
Arabidopsis
GAUT1-related gene family separates them into four related clades of GAUT and GAUT-like genes that are distinct from the other
Arabidopsis
members of glycosyltransferase family 8. The identification of GAUT1 as a HG GalAT and of the GAUT1-related gene family provides the genetic and biochemical tools required to study the function of these genes in pectin synthesis.
Allgrove syndrome with features of familial dysautonomia: A novel mutation in the AAAS gene
Authors: Ismail Essam A. , Tulliot‐Pelet Anna , Mohsen Ameer M. , Al‐Saleh Qusay
Published: March 2006

Allgrove syndrome (or triple‐A syndrome) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by alacrima, achalasia, adrenal insufficiency (glucocorticoid in the majority of cases) and autonomic/neurological abnormalities. This disease is now known to be caused by mutation in the AAAS gene located on chromosome 12q13. Diagnosis should be readily available when the full‐blown features are there, but it becomes less apparent when presentation is atypical or in the evolving process. We present a brother and sister (12 and 19 y old, respectively) born to consanguineous parents of Palestinian origin with Allgrove syndrome. The index patient was erroneously diagnosed to be a case of familial dysautonomia before the diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency was made at the age of 7.5 y, while his elder sister had only alacrima from birth and developed achalasia at the age of 15 y. She started to develop early evidence of adrenal disease at the age of 19 y. Both of them had neuroautonomic dysfunction. The diagnosis of Allgrove syndrome was confirmed in these two patients by studying the gene mutation in the family. The sequencing of the AAAS gene in the two patients identified a novel homozygous mutation within intron 5 (IVS5+1(G)→A). Both parents as well as all three other children were heterozygous for the same mutation.

Conclusion: These two cases illustrate the heterogenous nature and the intrafamilial phenotypic variability of Allgrove syndrome.
Values of C‐reactive protein, procalcitonin, and Staphylococcus‐specific PCR in neonatal late‐onset sepsis
Authors: Makhoul Imad R. , Yacoub Afeefi , Smolkin Tatiana , Sujov Polo , Kassis Imad , Sprecher Hannah
Published: March 2006

Aim: To evaluate the predictive value of relevant clinical and laboratory parameters (complete blood count (CBC), C‐reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and Staphylococcus‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) in neonates with suspected late‐onset sepsis (LOS). Methods: NICU neonates were prospectively followed for septic events. One hundred and eleven neonates developed 148 suspected septic events beyond 3 d of age. We recorded the clinical signs and laboratory abnormalities at onset of sepsis, serum CRP and PCT, Staphylococcus‐specific PCR, microbiological data, and empiric antimicrobial therapy. Results: Variables significantly associated with subsequently confirmed LOS included hypotension (relative risk (RR) = 5.6, 95% CI 3.29–9.53), mechanical ventilation (RR = 2.46, 95% CI 1.24–4.86), immature/total neutrophil ratio (I/T) > 0.2 (RR = 5.13, 95% CI 2.54–10.31), CRP > 1.0 mg/dl (RR = 2.85, 95% CI 1.32–6.15), and small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) status (RR = 2.13, 95% CI 1.03–4.38). PCT was not significantly associated with LOS. For detection of staphylococcal bacteremia, Staphylococcus‐specific PCR showed: sensitivity 57.1%, specificity 94.7%, positive predictive value 53.3%, and negative predictive value 95.4%.

Conclusion: Hypotension, mechanical ventilation, I/T > 0.2, CRP > 1.0 mg/dl, and SGA status at onset of sepsis are significant predictors of proven neonatal LOS. Staphylococcus‐specific PCR might be of value in ruling out staphylococcal sepsis.
Leptin is closely related to body fat in prepubertal children aged 8–11 years
Authors: Dencker Magnus , Thorsson Ola , Karlsson Magnus K. , Lindén Christian , Wollmer Per , Ahrén Bo
Published: March 2006

Background:In adults and obese children, serum leptin concentrations are closely related to body fat.Aim:To investigate whether such a relationship between leptin concentrations and body fat is also evident in children with a relatively normal body composition.Methods:The study was a cross‐sectional population study in 170 Caucasian children (91 boys and 79 girls), with a mean age of 9.9±0.6 y (range 8.5–10.9 y) and a mean BMI of 17.4±2.6 (range 12.8–28.1). Serum leptin was measured and compared to total body fat as determined by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.Results:In the whole population, serum leptin concentrations were highly correlated with total body fat (r=0.83, p<0.001). A stepwise forward multi‐regression analysis revealed that the inclusion of other anthropometrical data did not add any significance to the model. Leptin concentrations were significantly higher in girls (5.2 ng/ml) than in boys (3.2 mg/ml;p=0.003). Gender differences still prevailed (p=0.007) after adjusting for number of kilograms of fat tissue.

Conclusion:This study shows that, already at the young age of 9–11 y, an adult‐like pattern of regulation of leptin exists. This indicates similar risk factor dependency of leptin across all age groups.