bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Molecular systematics of the Philippine malaria vector Anopheles flavirostris
Authors: Torres E. P. , Foley D. H. , Bryan J. H.
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  Allozyme and molecular sequence data from the malaria vector Anopheles flavirostris (Ludlow) (Diptera: Culicidae) were analysed from 34 sites throughout the Philippines, including the type locality, to test the hypothesis that this taxon is a single panmictic species. A finer‐scaled allozyme study, of mainly Luzon samples, revealed no fixed genetic differences in sympatric sites and only low levels of variation. We obtained data from partial sequences for the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) (483 bp), the third domain (D3) (330 bp) of the 28S ribosomal DNA subunit and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) of mitochondrial DNA (261 bp). No sequence variation was observed for ITS2, only a one base pair difference was observed between Philippine and Indonesian D3 sequences and An. flavirostris sequences were unique, confirming their diagnostic value for this taxon. Sixteen COI haplotypes were identified, giving 25 parsimony informative sites. Neighbour‐Joining, Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of COI sequences for An. flavirostris and outgroup taxa revealed strong branch support for the monophyly of An. flavirostris, thus confirming that Philippine populations of this taxon comprise a single separate species within the Minimus Subgroup of the Funestus Group. Variation in the behaviour of An. flavirostris is likely to be intraspecific rather than interspecific in origin.
Superior reproductive success on human blood without sugar is not limited to highly anthropophilic mosquito species
Authors: Braks M. A. H. , Juliano S. A. , Lounibos L. P.
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  Anthropophilic mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) have been shown to have superior reproductive success on human blood when sugar is not available. Life‐table experiments were conducted with Aedes albopictus Skuse and Ae. aegypti to compare the effects of sugar availability on age‐specific survivorship, lifetime and daily fecundity, and blood‐feeding frequency when offered human blood daily. There were no significant interactions between the effects of sugar availability and mosquito species for these four variables, indicating similar effects of sugar availability for both species. Lifetime fecundity was not significantly affected by sugar availability, but sugar‐deprived females had significantly reduced age‐specific survivorship than did sugar‐fed females. In absence of sugar, females took bloodmeals twice as often, resulting in a higher daily fecundity. The results indicate that superior reproductive success on human blood without sugar does not seem to be limited to highly anthropophilic mosquito species, such as Ae. aegypti. We conclude that evolution of a highly anthropophilic feeding strategy is not an inevitable result of the ability to thrive on human blood alone.
Compression along the northern Apennines? Evidence from the Mw 5.3 Monghidoro earthquake
Authors: Piccinini D. , Chiarabba C. , Augliera P. ,   Monghidoro Earthquake Group (M.E.G.)
Published: March 2006

In this paper, we present the seismological data recorded during the deployment of a dense three‐component seismic network installed a few hours after the 2003 Mw 5.3 Monghidoro earthquake, in northern Apennines. The main shock focal solutions derived from polarities distribution and body wave modelling of regional broadband data show a NE–SW striking reverse mechanism. Accurate relative locations of aftershocks and the inversion of focal mechanisms show that earthquakes occurred on a NW‐dipping backthrust within the Adria lithosphere under a NW‐trending horizontal compression. The observed compression is a secondary process possibly explained by differential motion within the Adriatic lithosphere. Fault geometry and kinematics is controlled by pre‐existing structures.
The Arabidopsis FLC protein interacts directly in vivo with SOC1 and FT chromatin and is part of a high‐molecular‐weight protein complex
Authors: Helliwell Chris A. , Wood Craig C. , Robertson Masumi , James Peacock W. , Dennis Elizabeth S.
Published: March 2006

The Arabidopsis Flowering Locus C (FLC) protein is a repressor of flowering regulated by genes in the autonomous and vernalization pathways. Previous genetic and transgenic data have suggested that FLC acts by repressing expression of the floral integrator genes SOC1 and FT. We have taken an in vivo approach to determine whether the FLC protein interacts directly with potential DNA targets. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation, we have shown that FLC binds to a region of the first intron of FT that contains a putative CArG box, and have confirmed that FLC binds to a CArG box in the promoter of the SOC1 gene. MADS box proteins are thought to bind their DNA targets as dimers or higher‐order multimers. We have shown that FLC is a component of a multimeric protein complex in vivo and that more than one FLC polypeptides can be present in the complex.
Intracellular K+ sensing of SKOR, a Shaker‐type K+ channel from Arabidopsis
Authors: Liu Kun , Li Legong , Luan Sheng
Published: March 2006

Most K+ channels in plants are structurally classified into the Shaker family named after the shaker K+ channel in Drosophila. Plant K+ channels function in many physiological processes including osmotic regulation and K+ nutrition. An outwardly rectifying K+ channel, SKOR, mediates the delivery of K+ from stelar cells to the xylem in the roots, a critical step in the long‐distance distribution of K+ from roots to the upper parts of the plant. Here we report that SKOR channel activity is strictly dependent on intracellular K+ concentrations. Activation by K+ did not affect the kinetics of voltage dependence in SKOR, indicating that a voltage‐independent gating mechanism underlies the K+ sensing process. Further analysis showed that the C‐terminal non‐transmembrane region of the SKOR protein was required for this sensing process. The intracellular K+ sensing mechanism couples SKOR activity to K+ nutrition status in the ‘source cells’, thereby establishing a supply‐based unloading system for the regulation of K+ distribution.
Interactions of two abscisic‐acid induced WRKY genes in repressing gibberellin signaling in aleurone cells
Authors: Xie Zhen , Zhang Zhong‐Lin , Zou Xiaolu , Yang Guangxiao , Komatsu Setsuko , Shen Qingxi J.
Published: March 2006

Gibberellins (GA) promote while abscisic acid (ABA) inhibits seed germination and post‐germination growth. To address the cross‐talk of GA and ABA signaling, we studied two rice WRKY genes (OsWRKY51 and OsWRKY71) that are ABA‐inducible and GA‐repressible in embryos and aleurone cells. Over‐expression of these two genes in aleurone cells specifically and synergistically represses induction of the ABA‐repressible and GA‐inducible Amy32b alpha‐amylase promoter reporter construct (Amy32b‐GUS) by GA or the GA‐inducible transcriptional activator, GAMYB. The physical interactions of OsWRKY71 proteins themselves and that of OsWRKY71 and OsWRKY51 are revealed in the nuclei of aleurone cells using bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays. Although OsWRKY51 itself does not bind to the Amy32b promoter in vitro, it interacts with OsWRKY71 and enhances the binding affinity of OsWRKY71 to W boxes in the Amy32b promoter. The binding activity of OsWRKY71 is abolished by deleting the C‐terminus containing the WRKY domain or substituting the key amino acids in the WRKY motif and the zinc finger region. However, two of these non‐DNA‐binding mutants are still able to repress GA induction by enhancing the binding affinity of the wild‐type DNA‐binding OsWRKY71 repressors. In contrast, the third non‐DNA‐binding mutant enhances GA induction of Amy32b‐GUS, by interfering with the binding of the wild‐type OsWRKY71 or the OsWRKY71/OsWRKY51 repressing complex. These data demonstrate the synergistic interaction of ABA‐inducible WRKY genes in regulating GAMYB‐mediated GA signaling in aleurone cells, thereby establishing a novel mechanism for ABA and GA signaling cross‐talk.
Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) Respond to Alarm Calls of Eurasian Jays (Garrulus glandarius)
Authors: Randler Christoph
Published: March 2006

Recognition of heterospecific (interspecific) alarm calls has been demonstrated in birds and mammals, but bird–mammal interactions have rarely been studied. Here, I tested the hypothesis that red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are able to recognize alarm calls of a sympatric bird species, the Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), and respond adequately with anti‐predator behaviour. Both animals are preyed upon by the same predators. To test whether squirrels would react to heterospecific alarm calls, I recorded squirrels behaviour during playbacks of jay alarm calls, control playbacks (territorial songs of sympatric songbirds) and during silence. Differences between the control treatment (songbirds) and silence were not significant. Seven of the 13 squirrels responded with escape after broadcasting alarm calls of jays. Further, squirrels spent less time in the patch, expressed a higher vigilance, and showed more rapid head and body movements. These results suggest that squirrels recognize heterospecific alarm vocalizations of jays and discriminate them from equally loud non‐threatening sounds.
The Relationship Between Resource Control, Association with Females and Male Weapon Size in a Male Dominance Insect
Authors: Kelly Clint D.
Published: March 2006

In species with a resource‐defence (male dominance) mating system, males are expected to maximize fitness by controlling resources deemed more valuable by sexually receptive females because these sites attract more mates. Furthermore, males, which control more valuable resources should themselves be of high quality. I experimentally tested these predictions in the laboratory using the sexually dimorphic Wellington tree weta, Hemideina crassidens (Blanchard) (Orthoptera: Tettigonioidea: Anostostomatidae). Male H. crassidens use their mandibular weaponry to fight for control of harems (groups of adult females) that seek shelter in trees cavities (galleries). As predicted, larger galleries housed significantly larger groups of females and males with larger weaponry controlled large galleries significantly more often. Therefore, galleries with a larger volume are likely considered more valuable by males because they house larger harems. However, contrary to prediction, males with larger weaponry did not reside with significantly more females overall because females did not always form the largest possible groups in galleries and males with smaller weaponry were able to reside with single females in small galleries. The latter observation suggests a possible alternative mating strategy by disadvantaged males.
Phenotypic plasticity of Vermetidae suspension feeding: a potential bias in their use as Biological Sea‐Level Indicators
Authors: Schiaparelli Stefano , Albertelli Giancarlo , Cattaneo‐Vietti Riccardo
Published: March 2006

Some organisms represent useful Biological Sea‐Level Indicators (Bio SLI) thanks to their constant position relative to sea level and allow the reconstruction of past sea level changes. The sessile gastropods Vermetidae are among the most used indicators, since their shells often resist time averaging and can be easily dated with 14C. However, all these vermetids have a level of precision (± 0.5–1 m), obtained from data on the Mediterranean Dendropoma petraeum (Monterosato, 1884). We found a certain degree of plasticity in this species; it can also live subtidally, not in correspondence with the main sea level, where it feeds adopting a mixed feeding strategy. Considering this variability and the almost complete lack of knowledge for other Bio SLI vermetids, it appears clear that a common value of precision cannot be maintained and the precision of other vermetid species remains to be tested.
Photoacclimation of the invasive alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea to depth and daylight patterns and a putative new role for siphonaxanthin
Authors: Raniello Raffaella , Lorenti Maurizio , Brunet Christophe , Buia Maria Cristina
Published: March 2006

The introduced green alga Caulerpa racemosa var. cylindracea grows along a broad depth range (from very shallow to 60 m depth) in the Mediterranean basin. In the present work, the photoacclimation capacity of this invasive variety was investigated in summer, the season of its maximum spread. Natural populations from the Gulf of Naples (Italy) were analyzed for photoresponse on two scales of light variability: a spatial scale (at three stations along a depth gradient, from 0.3 to 20 m depth) and a temporal scale (on the shallowest meadow, from sunrise to sunset). These responses were studied through pigment analysis (with HPLC), and in situ measurements of photosynthetic parameters (with a Diving‐PAM fluorometer). Electron transport rate (ETR)–irradiance curve parameters showed acclimation along environmental gradients dominated by variation in irradiance. In the shallowest plants, the lack of a midday depression in both the maximum relative ETRs and the photosynthetic efficiency at sub‐saturating irradiance (α) pointed to a maintenance of energy conversion levels despite the protective lowering of light‐harvesting efficiency revealed by the trend in Fv/Fm. On the other side, variation of photosynthetic efficiency occurred with depth and buffered the effect of decreasing light on maximum photosynthetic rates. A previously undescribed xanthophyll cycle centred on lutein‐siphonaxanthin interconversion appeared to operate in the shallowest populations in addition to the violaxanthin/antheraxanthin/zeaxanthin cycle commonly occurring in Chlorophyta; this would further enhance phototolerance of the alga. A further role of siphonaxanthin is in the acclimation to low light of deep environments as indicated by its stronger increase from the surface to the deepest station with respect to siphonein and chlorophyll b.
Consumption of bacteria by larvae of a deep‐sea polychaete
Authors: Pile Adele J. , Young Craig M.
Published: March 2006

We investigated whether trochophore larvae of the polychaete Hesiocaeca methanicola, which lives on exposed ice‐like methane hydrates between 500 and 600 m, could consume near‐bottom picoplankton. In laboratory trials larvae significantly reduced the growth rates of all types of picoplankton, including heterotrophic bacteria, Prochlorococcus sp., Synechococcus‐type cyanobacteria and phototrophic eucaryotes <3 μm. Our findings suggest that these types of plankton may be important food sources for deep‐sea planktotrophic larvae.
Quantitative trait loci for adventitious and lateral roots in rice
Authors: Horii H. , Nemoto K. , Miyamoto N. , Harada J.
Published: March 2006

The mass of a root is determined by two underlying morphogenetic factors: (1) the length of the main root axis (root axis length: RAL), and (2) the amount of lateral root development generated by a unit length of the axis (branching index: BI). The mass of a rice adventitious root was partitioned into these two factors at the quantitative trait locus (QTL) level, using ‘Akihikari’ (a lowland cultivar as a recurrent parent) × ‘IRAT 109’ (an upland cultivar) backcross inbred lines. Four QTLs were detected for the dry weight of individual adventitious roots (root dry weight: RDW), which were associated with a QTL for RAL (chromosomes 1 and 9) or a QTL for BI (chromosomes 6 and 11). For BI, an additional QTL was detected on chromosome 1. The absence of co‐located QTLs suggested that RAL and BI are under separate genetic control. Despite its small population size and few replications, this study suggests that the partitioning of root mass into these underlying components could be useful for understanding the complexity involved in the genetic control of root growth.
Combining ability and correlations for yield components in early generations of potato breeding
Authors: Ruiz de Galarreta J. I. , Ezpeleta B. , Pascualena J. , Ritter E.
Published: March 2006

A partial diallel set of crosses was made between 14 potato cultivars chosen for their fertility, from those included in a potato breeding programme at the NEIKER – Basque Institute for Agricultural Research. The progeny were grown in completely randomized trials from 1997 to 1999. Performance for yield, tuber number and average tuber weight was analysed in seedling and two clonal generations. Variance estimates due to both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant in all generations for all traits under study. However, SCA was more important than GCA in almost all cases. Correlation coefficients among characters, generations, GCA and SCA effects were examined. For tuber yield no relation was obtained between generations; however, average tuber weight and yield were positively associated in all generations. The results indicate that appropriate selection criteria depend strongly on the particular cross. The implication for a breeding strategy are discussed.
Characterization of genotype by environment interactions in soybean breeding programmes of southeast Europe
Authors: Sudarić A. , ŠImić D. , Vratarić M.
Published: March 2006

Southeast Europe is Europe's major production area of soybean of maturity groups (MG) 0, I and II, but genotype by environment interaction (GEI) for soybean traits in this region is still not characterized. The objective of this study was to characterize GEI in soybean grown in Croatia for seed yield, protein and oil content. Fourteen soybean cultivars of MG 0 and I were evaluated at 15 environments. In the combined anova, genotypes, environments and GEI were significant. All three seed traits were more affected by year than by location and seed yield and protein content were more sensitive to environmental changes than oil content. Genotype by environment interaction is generally of less importance than effects of genotypes and years, especially for oil content. High‐yielding genotypes had values of regression coefficient (b) close to 1, indicating that they were not responsive to extreme environments, either positive or negative. Means and b values were not correlated for yield and negatively correlated for protein and oil content, probably because of low‐input practice in the region. The absence of recognizable differences in means, b values and principal component scores of ammi analysis between two MGs for all traits indicated that soybean cultivars of MG 0 may be recommended for growing in the region because they responded similarly to environmental changes as do full‐season genotypes of MG I.
Development of cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) markers linked to a green rice leafhopper resistance gene, Grh3(t)
Authors: Saka N. , Tsuji T. , Toyama T. , Yano M. , Izawa T. , Sasaki T.
Published: March 2006

The chromosomal location of the resistance gene for green rice leafhopper (GRLH), an injurious insect for rice, has been determined and RFLP markers closely linked to this gene have been identified. The susceptible japonica rice variety ‘Nipponbare’ was crossed with a resistant japonica rice line ‘Aichi42’, in which green rice leaf hopper resistance had been introduced from an indica variety ‘Rantaj‐emas2’, and the 100 F2 plants obtained were used for linkage analysis. The green rice leafhopper resistance gene, Grh3(t), was mapped between RFLP markers C288B and C133A on chromosome 6 and co‐segregated with C81. Of the RFLP markers tightly linked to Grh3(t), C81 was converted to a SCAR marker and C133A to a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence marker that could distinguish the heterozygous genotype to establish an effective marker‐aided selection system for the GRLH resistance gene.
A longitudinal study on the transformation of 15 occupational therapist students’ paradigms into occupational therapists’ paradigms
Authors: Björklund Anita , Svensson Tommy
Published: March 2006

Background and Aim:  This study describes the transformation of 15 occupational therapist students’ paradigms into occupational therapists’ paradigms according to Törnebohm's theory of paradigms over a period of 6 years. This research particularly considers the paradigm components world view and field of action view in Törnbohm's sense.

Method:  Qualitative data were collected using essay questions on three occasions: first week and last semester at the Occupational Therapy Programme at the School of Health Sciences, Jönköping, Sweden, and after 3 years of occupational therapy practice. A content analysis of the collected materials was performed.

Conclusion:  The transformation of the informants’ views could be characterised as comprising three different perspectives: a ‘public’ view in 1995, a ‘theoretical’ view in 1998 and an ‘experiential/contextual’ view in 2001.
Choosing the most appropriate environment to evaluate independence in everyday activities: Home or clinic?
Authors: Bottari Carolina , Dutil Élisabeth , Dassa Clément , Rainville Constant
Published: March 2006

Background and Aim:  To better document independence in activities of daily living (ADL), particularly with persons with traumatic brain injury, the influence of the context in which performance‐based assessments are administered must be considered. This paper examines the issue of context in ADL assessment according to specific criteria.

Main Findings:  Overall, the limited number of studies found to have investigated the influence of context (home, clinic) on performance‐based ADL assessments in persons with cerebral damage does not provide clear evidence to support the superiority of either environment.

Conclusion:  The issue of context in ADL assessments has been minimally documented and can be explained by the complexity of data collection. Occupational therapists will need to address this issue.
The vibrissal motor output following severing and repair of the facial nerve in the newborn rat reorganises less than in the adult
Authors: Franchi Gianfranco , Maggiolini Emma , Muzzioli Valerio , Guandalini Paola
Published: March 2006

This study examined the ability of facial motoneurons and motor cortex to reorganise their relationship with the somatic musculature following the severing and repair of the facial nerve in rats at birth. In each adult rat, the organisation of the facial nucleus and the cortical motor output corresponding to the normal side were compared with those corresponding to the reinnervated side. Labelling was used to reveal reinnervation‐induced long‐term changes in the motoneuron pool supplying vibrissal muscles. Cortical motor output was assessed by mapping the vibrissal movement area extension and thresholds evoked by intracortical microstimulation. After facial nerve reinnervation: (i) the proportion of labelled cell profiles decreased by 85.2% of that in the control side and cortical representation of vibrissal movement decreased by 66.3% of that in control hemispheres; (ii) the reorganised vibrissal representation was shrunken to the medialmost portion of the normal vibrissal representation and there was a medial extension of the forelimb representation, and a more modest lateral extension of eye representation, into the vibrissal territory; (iii) the normal pattern of contralateral vibrissal movement was observed in only 10% of the vibrissal sites, whereas ipsilateral vibrissal movement was found in 53% of the vibrissal sites; (iv) there was an increase in the mean threshold required to evoke contralateral vibrissal movement (32.5 ± 11.1 vs. 20.5 ± 6.9 µA). Thresholds to evoke other types of movement were similar to normal. These changes indicate that an incomplete motor axon regeneration at birth does not restore normal innervation and normal cortical control over the vibrissal muscles.
Contrast‐dependent, contextual response modulation in primary visual cortex and lateral geniculate nucleus of the cat
Authors: Sadakane Osamu , Ozeki Hirofumi , Naito Tomoyuki , Akasaki Takafumi , Kasamatsu Takuji , Sato Hiromichi
Published: March 2006

In the primary visual cortex (V1), the responses of neurons to stimuli presented in their classical receptive fields (CRFs) are modulated by another stimulus concurrently presented in their surround (receptive field surround, SRF). We studied the nature of the modulatory effects of SRF stimulation with respect to stimulus contrast in cat V1. In 51 V1 neurons studied, large SRF stimuli (40° × 30°) induced only the suppression of responses to CRF stimulation and the suppressive effects became stronger as the contrast for SRF stimulation increased. The contrast sensitivity of SRF suppression did not correlate with that of CRF responses. By independently controlling contrast of CRF and SRF stimuli, we studied whether SRF effects vary with CRF response magnitude. Increasing contrast for CRF stimulation caused an upward shift of the range of effective contrasts for SRF stimulation, indicating that a high contrast for SRF stimulation is required for suppressing strong responses to CRF stimulation at high contrasts. To assess the possible origin of the suppressive SRF effect on V1 neurons, we also investigated the contrast dependency of SRF effects in 28 neurons from the lateral geniculate nucleus. Our results suggest that SRF effects obtained at the subcortical level strongly contribute to those in V1. Taken together, we conclude that along the thalamocortical projections, SRF modulation exhibits a gain‐control mechanism that scales the suppressive SRF effect depending on the contrast for CRF stimulation. In addition, SRF effects can be facilitatory at low stimulus contrasts potentially due to the enlargement of the summation field.
Different forms of homeostatic plasticity are engaged with distinct temporal profiles
Authors: Karmarkar Uma R. , Buonomano Dean V.
Published: March 2006

Global changes in network activity have been reported to induce homeostatic plasticity at multiple synaptic and cellular loci. Though individual types of plasticity are normally examined in isolation, it is their interactions and net effect that will ultimately determine their functional consequences. Here we examine homeostatic plasticity of both inhibition and intrinsic excitability in parallel in rat organotypic hippocampal slices. As previous studies have not examined inhibitory plasticity using a functional measure, inhibition was measured by the ability of evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) to suppress action potentials, as well as IPSP amplitude. We show that manipulations of network activity can both up‐ and downregulate functional inhibition, as well as intrinsic excitability. However, these forms of plasticity are dissociable. Specifically, robust changes in intrinsic excitability were observed in the absence of inhibitory plasticity, and shifts in inhibition, but not excitability, appear to be sensitive to developmental stage. Our data establish that while the two forms of homeostatic plasticity can be engaged in parallel, there is a specific order in which they are expressed, with changes in excitability preceding those in inhibition. We propose that changes in intrinsic excitability occur first in order to stabilize network activity while optimizing the preservation of information stored in synaptic strengths by restricting changes that will disrupt the balance of synaptic excitation and inhibition.
Roles of the auditory cortex in discrimination learning by rats
Authors: Ono Kentaro , Kudoh Masaharu , Shibuki Katsuei
Published: March 2006

We investigated the roles of the auditory cortex in sound discrimination learning in Wistar rats. Absolute pitch or relative pitch can be used as discrimination cues in sound frequency discrimination. To clarify this, rats were trained to discriminate between rewarded (S+) and unrewarded (S–) test stimuli (S+ frequency > S– frequency). After learning was acquired by rats, performance was tested in a new test in which S+ frequency was constant but S+ frequency < S– frequency, or S+ frequency > S– frequency but both frequencies were increased. If the discrimination cue of the first test was preserved in the new test, performance following change of testing procedures was expected to remain high. The measured performance suggested that rats used relative pitch in half octave discrimination (difference between S+ and S– frequencies, 0.5 octave), and absolute pitch in octave discrimination (difference between S+ and S– frequencies, 1.0 octave). Bilateral lesions in the auditory cortex had almost no effect on performance before procedure change. Furthermore, performance following procedure change was not affected by lesions in the auditory cortex when the discrimination cue was preserved. However, performance was impaired by lesions in the auditory cortex when a new discrimination cue was used following procedure change. Lesions in the auditory cortex also impaired multimodal discrimination between sound and sound plus light. The present findings suggest that the auditory cortex plays a role as a sensory interface of the higher cortices required for flexible learning and multimodal discrimination.
Subjective Impact, Meaning Making, and Current and Recalled Emotions for Self‐Defining Memories
Authors: Wood Wendy‐Jo , Conway Michael
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT Two studies examined the impact of self‐defining events on individuals (i.e., subjective impact), meaning making with regard to these events, and how subjective impact may account for the pattern of current and recalled emotions for these self‐defining memories (Singer & Moffitt, 1991–1992). In Study 1, participants recalled self‐defining memories, indicating how much impact the recalled events have had on them and described meaning making for these events. Subjective impact was shown to be a good marker for meaning making. Participants in Study 2 each recalled five self‐defining memories, reporting their current emotions about the events, the emotions they recalled feeling at the time, and the impact the events have had on them. As expected, for negative memories, people reported less negative emotion (e.g., sadness) and more positive emotion (e.g., pride) compared to how they recalled feeling at the time. For positive memories, people reported equally intense positive emotion (e.g., love) and less negative emotion (e.g., fear) compared to how they recalled feeling at the time. These patterns of current and recalled emotions were accounted for by impact ratings.
Generativity and Successful Parenting: An Analysis of Young Adult Outcomes
Authors: Peterson Bill E.
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT
Generativity scores were assessed in parents and correlated with offspring outcomes. The offspring were participants in a longitudinal study spanning their first and senior years of college. Generativity of parents was positively related to offspring agreeableness and conscientiousness. Parental generativity was also related to offspring scores on future time orientation and positive affect. In addition, generative parents seemed to model their political interests to offspring, and that modeling was related to children's higher scores on generativity and greater interest in politics. Parental generativity was also related to offspring religiosity. Most of these relationships remained significant after controlling for offspring scores on generativity. Generativity of parents appears to be related to successful offspring outcomes.
Locus of Control Predicts Appraisals and Cardiovascular Reactivity to a Novel Active Coping Task
Authors: Weinstein Suzanne E. , Quigley Karen S.
Published: March 2006

ABSTRACT
These two studies investigated the influence of dispositional locus of control (LOC) on subjective and physiological responses to a novel laboratory stressor task. Across two studies, 64 healthy undergraduate students, ages 18–22, completed Levenson's (LOC) scales for internal, powerful others, and chance prior to performing a video‐game task. Participants rated pretask and posttask stressfulness and coping ability (i.e., measures of primary and secondary appraisal). Cardiovascular measures (heart period, HP; preejection period, PEP; respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA; cardiac output, CO; systolic blood pressure, SBP; diastolic blood pressure, DBP & total peripheral resistance, TPR) were recorded during 4‐minute baseline and 4‐minute stressor task periods. The internal LOC factor predicted pretask reports of coping ability as well as posttask reports of stressfulness. In contrast, the powerful‐others LOC factor predicted cardiac changes (HP, PEP, and RSA) during the task but not cardiac output or any other vascular change measure. These results underscore the importance of using the three subscales of the Levenson LOC to assess relationships between dispositional LOC and the response to stressors because self‐reported appraisals of a task are predicted by a different component of dispositional LOC than are task‐related cardiovascular functions.
The Propensity Effect
Authors: Roese Neal J. , Fessel Florian , Summerville Amy , Kruger Justin , Dilich Michael A.
Published: March 2006

The hindsight bias is an inability to disregard known outcome information when estimating earlier likelihoods of that outcome. The propensity effect, a reversal of this hindsight bias, is apparently unique to judgments involving momentum and trajectory (in which there is a strongly implied propensity toward a specific outcome). In the present study, the propensity effect occurred only in judgments involving dynamic stimuli (computer animations of traffic accidents vs. text descriptions), and only when foresight judgments were temporally near to (vs. far from) a focal outcome. This research was motivated by the applied question of whether the courtroom use of computer animation increases the hindsight bias in jurors' decision making; findings revealed that the hindsight bias was more than doubled when computer animations, rather than text-plus-diagram descriptions, were used. Therefore, in addition to providing theoretical insights of relevance to cognitive, perceptual, and social psychologists, these results have important legal implications.
The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic
Authors: Epley Nicholas , Gilovich Thomas
Published: March 2006

One way to make judgments under uncertainty is to anchor on information that comes to mind and adjust until a plausible estimate is reached. This anchoring-and-adjustment heuristic is assumed to underlie many intuitive judgments, and insufficient adjustment is commonly invoked to explain judgmental biases. However, despite extensive research on anchoring effects, evidence for adjustment-based anchoring biases has only recently been provided, and the causes of insufficient adjustment remain unclear. This research was designed to identify the origins of insufficient adjustment. The results of two sets of experiments indicate that adjustments from self-generated anchor values tend to be insufficient because they terminate once a plausible value is reached (Studies 1a and 1b) unless one is able and willing to search for a more accurate estimate (Studies 2a-2c).
Gratitude and Prosocial Behavior
Authors: Bartlett Monica Y. , DeSteno David
Published: March 2006

The ability of the emotion gratitude to shape costly prosocial behavior was examined in three studies employing interpersonal emotion inductions and requests for assistance. Study 1 demonstrated that gratitude increases efforts to assist a benefactor even when such efforts are costly (i.e., hedonically negative), and that this increase differs from the effects of a general positive affective state. Additionally, mediational analyses revealed that gratitude, as opposed to simple awareness of reciprocity norms, drove helping behavior. Furthering the theory that gratitude mediates prosocial behavior, Study 2 replicated the findings of Study 1 and demonstrated gratitude's ability to function as an incidental emotion by showing it can increase assistance provided to strangers. Study 3 revealed that this incidental effect dissipates if one is made aware of the true cause of the emotional state. Implications of these findings for the role of gratitude in building relationships are discussed.
I Thought We Could Be Friends, but …
Authors: Vorauer Jacquie D. , Sakamoto Yumiko
Published: March 2006

This study examined the precursors and consequences of systematic miscommunications regarding relationship interest during intergroup interaction. Pairs of previously unacquainted same-sex students (White-White, White-Chinese, or Chinese-Chinese) engaged in a relatively intimate controlled interaction. White participants who had had little prior contact with Chinese persons were more apt to exhibit a signal-amplification bias (i.e., to perceive that their overtures had conveyed more interest than was actually the case) in intergroup as compared with intragroup exchanges. In contrast, White participants with high levels of prior contact with Chinese persons and Chinese participants did not show enhanced signal amplification in intergroup relative to intragroup exchanges. These results support our hypothesis that lack of intergroup contact experience sets the stage for mis-communications regarding friendship interest. White participants' tendency to feel that they had initially communicated more interest in being friends than their Chinese partner mediated a downward shift in their actual friendship interest over time, suggesting that signal amplification triggers defensive distancing and ultimately lowers the likelihood of cross-group friendship formation.
The Learned Interpretation of Cognitive Fluency
Authors: Unkelbach Christian
Published: March 2006

The fluency of cognitive processes influences many judgments: Fluently processed statements are judged to be true, fluently processed instances are judged to be frequent, and fluently processed names are judged to be famous. According to a cue-learning approach, these effects of experienced fluency arise because the fluency cue is interpreted differentially in accordance with its learned validity. Two experiments tested this account by manipulating the fluency cue's validity. Fluency was manipulated by color contrast (Experiment 1) and by required mental rotation (Experiment 2). If low fluency was correlated with a required affirmative or “old” response (and high fluency with a negative or “new” response) in a training phase, participants showed a reversal of the classic pattern in the recognition phase: Low-fluency stimuli had a higher probability than high-fluency stimuli to be classified as old. Thus, the interpretation and therefore the impact of fluency depended on the cue's learned validity.
Cognitive Control in Children
Authors: Bub Daniel N. , Masson Michael E.J. , Lalonde Christopher E.
Published: March 2006

The development of cognitive control and its relation to overcoming Stroop interference was assessed in a sample (N = 65) of elementary-school children. Subjects alternately performed Stroop color-naming trials and word-reading trials. In separate blocks, the colored Stroop items were non-color words (incongruent condition) or rows of asterisks (neutral condition). Younger children showed both larger Stroop interference in error rates and a greater slowing of word reading in the incongruent condition compared with older children. We conducted analyses of response time distributions that assessed the degree of word-reading suppression applied by younger and older children. Surprisingly, these analyses indicated that younger children engaged in stronger suppression than older children. We propose that greater Stroop interference among younger children is not due to lack of ability to suppress word reading, but instead is the result of a failure to consistently maintain the task set of color naming.
Higher‐Order Painlevé Equations in the Polynomial Class II: Bureau Symbol P1
Authors: Cosgrove Christopher M.
Published: March 2006

In this article, we complete the Painlevé classification of fourth‐order differential equations in the polynomial class that was begun in paper I, where the subcase having Bureau symbol P2 was treated. This article treats the more difficult subcase having Bureau symbol P1. Some of the calculations involve the use of computer searches to find all cases of integer resonances. Other cases are better handled with the Conte–Fordy–Pickering test for negative resonances. The final list consists of 19 equations denoted F‐I, F‐II, … , F‐XIX, 17 of which have the Painlevé property while 2 (F‐II, F‐XIX) have Painlevé violations but are nevertheless very interesting from the point of view of Painlevé analysis. The main task of this article is to prove that the 17 Painlevé‐type equations and the equivalence classes that they generate provide the complete classification of the fourth‐order polynomial class. Equations F‐V, F‐VI, F‐XVII, and F‐XVIII define higher‐order Painlevé transcendents. Of these, F‐VI was new in paper I while the other three are group‐invariant reductions of the KdV5, the modified KdV5, and the modified Sawada–Kotera equations, respectively. Seven of the 19 equations involve hyperelliptic functions of genus 2. Partial results on the fourth‐order classification problem have been obtained previously by Bureau, Exton, and Martynov, the latter author finding all but four of the relevant reduced equations. Complete solutions are given except in the cases that define the aforementioned higher‐order transcendents.
Investment and Uncertainty: Precipitating the Great Depression in the United States
Authors: GREASLEY DAVID , MADSEN JAKOB B.
Published: March 2006

A severe collapse of fixed capital formation distinguished the onset of the Great Depression from other investment downturns between the world wars. Using a model estimated for the years 1890–2000, we show that the expected profitability of capital measured by Tobin's q, and the uncertainty surrounding expected profits indicated by share price volatility, were the chief influences on investment levels, and that heightened share price volatility played the dominant role in the crucial investment collapse in 1930. Investment did not simply follow the downward course of income at the onset of the depression: rather, its slump helped to propel the wider collapse.
Excludable and Non‐excludable Public Inputs: Consequences for Economic Growth
Authors: OTT INGRID , TURNOVSKY STEPHEN J.
Published: March 2006

Non‐excludable and excludable public inputs are introduced into an endogenous growth model. We derive the equilibrium growth rate and design the optimal tax and user‐cost structure, emphasizing the role of congestion and its consequences for the government's budget. The latter comprises fee and tax revenues that are used to finance the public inputs, although they may generate insufficient revenue to do so entirely. We extend the model to allow for monopoly pricing of the user fee by the government. Most of the analysis is conducted for general production functions consistent with endogenous growth, but the CES technology is also considered.
Multisystemic Treatment of Serious Behaviour Problems in Youth: Sustainability of Effectiveness Two Years after Intake
Authors: Ogden Terje , Hagen Kristine Amlund
Published: March 2006

Background:  Multisystemic Treatment (MST) is an intensive home‐ and community based intervention for youths with serious behaviour problems. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of MST compared to ‘regular services’ (RS) two years after intake to treatment. In particular, our goals were to investigate whether MST was successful at preventing placement out of home, and to examine reductions in behaviour problems in multi‐informant assessments.

Method:  Participants were 75 adolescents who were randomly assigned to MST or Regular Child Welfare Services (RS) at 3 sites across Norway. Data were gathered from youths, caregivers and teachers.

Results:  MST was more effective than RS in reducing out of home placement and behavioural problems.

Discussion:  The sustainability of treatment effects was evident, supporting the MST approach to the treatment of serious behavioural problems in youth. Site differences and the moderating effects of age and gender are discussed.
Relationship Between Migraine and Epilepsy in Pediatric Age
Authors: Piccinelli Paolo , Borgatti Renato , Nicoli Francesca , Calcagno Patrizia , Bassi Maria Teresa , Quadrelli Marta , Rossi Giorgio , Lanzi Giovanni , Balottin Umberto
Published: March 2006

Objective.—Many studies have supported the hypothesis of alteration of cortical hyperexcitability as a possible pathological mechanism underlying the onset of migraine and epileptic attacks. Different biochemical pathways involving cellular structures may increase or decrease the excitability of neuronal membranes. The aim of this study was to identify a possible link between migraine and epilepsy from a clinical and neurophysiologic point of view.

Methods.—One‐hundred thirty‐seven children and adolescents consecutively diagnosed for tension‐type headache and idiopathic migraine with and without aura were studied. Anamnestic, clinical, and instrumental data were collected by a neurological examination, a specific questionnaire, and awake electroencephalogram (EEG) registrations. EEG features of nonheadache and nonseizures control group were compared.

Results.—Fourteen cases (10.2%) had a positive history for seizures with fever, isolated seizures, or epilepsy. Distribution differed according to headache diagnosis; migraine with aura (MWA) was largely prevalent. Specific electroencephalographic abnormalities were present in 11.7% of the sample, with a significant different distribution across the groups of children with headache and the control group: specific interictal abnormalities were found in 10 of 23 (43.5%) children with MWA. Two factors, seizures and specific interictal electroencephalographic abnormalities, showed a different distribution in patients with MWA compared to other classes of headache and control group (P≤ .01).

Conclusion.—The present study supports the hypothesis of a possible clinical continuum between some types of MWA and epileptic syndromes as entities due to altered neuronal excitability with similar genetic substrates.
The Impact of Migraine on Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Hung Ching‐I , Liu Chia‐Yih , Juang Yeong‐Yuh , Wang Shuu‐Jiun
Published: March 2006

Background.—The impact of migraine and other headache types among psychiatric outpatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) has not been fully described.

Objective.—To investigate the impact of migraine on the severity, physical, and anxiety symptoms in patients with MDD and to examine the interaction between headache and depression.

Methods.—This clinic‐based study enrolled consecutive psychiatric outpatients meeting DSM‐IV criteria for MDD. Headache types were diagnosed based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition (2004). Three psychometric instruments were used to evaluate anxiety, depression, and physical components: the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. In addition, the interactions between headache and their depressive episode were also evaluated.

Results.—Compared with patients without migraine, MDD patients with comorbid migraine (n = 73, 48.3%) had higher physical and anxiety scores on the three psychometric instruments. Migraine accounted for 5% to 11% of the variance of the total scores on the three psychometric scales. Approximately half (48.5%) of patients reported headache worsening during or after a depressive episode.

Conclusions.—Our study found that comorbidity of migraine in patients with MDD was associated with more anxiety and physical symptoms. Headache should not be considered as only a somatic symptom of depression, but should be treated as an important comorbid disorder because it might exacerbate or interact with depression during a depressive episode.