bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in run timing and natural smolt production in a naturally spawning coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) population after 60 years of intensive hatchery supplementation
Authors: Ford Michael J , Fuss Howard , Boelts Brant , LaHood Eric , Hard Jeffrey , Miller Jason
Published: October 2006

Supplementing natural fish populations with artificially propagated (hatchery) fish is a common practice. In evaluating supplementation, it is important to assess the relative fitness of both hatchery-produced and naturally produced fish when they spawn together in the wild and to evaluate how the absolute fitness of the natural population changes after many generations of supplementation. We evaluated the relative fitness of naturally produced and hatchery-produced coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in Minter Creek, Washington, USA. We also evaluated long-term changes in natural smolt production in this stream after several decades of intensive hatchery supplementation. Total smolt production was estimated to be 14 660 and 19 415 in 2002 and 2003, respectively, compared with the average value of 28 425 from 1940 to 1955. We found no significant difference in relative fitness between hatchery and natural fish, probably because the natural population consists largely of fish produced from the hatchery a generation or two previously. There has been a long-term trend for adults to return to the stream earlier in the spawning season. We estimated standardized selection differentials on run timing, with results indicating stabilizing selection with an optimum run timing later than the mean contemporary run timing but earlier than the historical mean run timing.
Disentangling local from macroenvironmental effects: quantifying the effect of human encroachments based on historical river catches of anadromous salmonids
Authors: L'Abée-Lund Jan Henning , Haugen Thrond O , Vøllestad Leif Asbjørn
Published: October 2006

In this paper, we use dynamic factor and intervention analysis to identify and quantify the effect of human encroachments on anadromous salmonid catches in 22 Norwegian rivers over a 128-year period. In particular, we address effects of hydropower development, gravel removal, and stock enhancement (fish ladder construction and stocking). The methods allow for quantification of perturbation effects in the river environment on the annual catch, after removing long-term temporal trends at the appropriate spatial scale. The estimated effects of the encroachments differed among rivers, indicating that the mechanisms differ among rivers even for the same type of encroachment. In three rivers where hydropower development and stock enhancement had occurred, a significant increase of 0.8–9.8 tonnes (t) (34%–44%) was estimated, whereas a significant reduction of 11.2 t (38%) was estimated for the river where gravel removal had taken place. For rivers with additional biological information available, we find support for our estimated effects. In general, removal of gravel significantly reduced catch and there were positive effects of fish ladder constructions and variable effects of hydropower development and stocking (both positive and negative coefficients).
Diel vertical migration in the Lake Superior pelagic community. I. Changes in vertical migration of coregonids in response to varying predation risk
Authors: Hrabik Thomas R , Jensen Olaf P , Martell Steven J.D. , Walters Carl J , Kitchell James F
Published: October 2006

The distribution of fishes is influenced by a host of physico-chemical and biological variables, including temperature and oxygen, prey abundance, feeding or assimilation rates, and predation risk. We used hydroacoustics and midwater trawls to measure the vertical distribution of pelagic fishes during a series of research cruises on Lake Superior's western arm in 2001 and 2004. Our objective was to assess vertical structuring in the fish assemblage over varying light levels. We observed variability in vertical structuring of both ciscoes (Coregonus spp.) and their primary predator, the siscowet (Salvelinus namaycush siscowet). Our results indicate that deepwater predators and prey migrate extensively over a diel cycle. This migration pattern is most consistent with changes in the distribution of prey resources for siscowet and diel variability in predation risk controlled by changing light levels for ciscoes. The magnitude of vertical migration in ciscoes increased with higher abundance of siscowets, supporting predation risk as a driver of cisco distribution. This study describes the extent of vertical migration in each group of fish, provides a statistical description of the pattern, and discusses the implications for trophic interactions in the Lake Superior food web.
A multifrequency method to classify and evaluate fisheries acoustics data
Authors: Jech J Michael , Michaels William L
Published: October 2006

Acoustic surveys have been conducted on Georges Bank from 1998 to present to estimate Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) population abundance. Acoustic data were collected with a 12 or 18, 38, and 120 kHz Simrad EK500 scientific echo sounder. A pelagic trawl and underwater video images were used to collect biological information and to verify the species composition of acoustic backscatter. A multifrequency classification method was developed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of classifying species from acoustic echograms. In this method, a volume backscatter (Sv) threshold was applied equivalently to all echograms, and then a composite echogram was created based on which frequencies had Sv greater than or less than the Sv threshold. The results of this method were compared with the standard method of visually scrutinizing regions, and metrics were developed to evaluate the accuracy of classification algorithms relative to current methods, as well as to assess the effects of classification methods on population abundance estimates. In general, this method matched visually scrutinized Atlantic herring regions, but with consistent biases in classifying 38 kHz backscatter. The metrics highlighted spatial and temporal changes in the acoustic landscape, which may be indicative of intra- and inter-annual biological changes.
The fisheries management implications of maternal-age-dependent larval survival
Authors: O'Farrell Michael R , Botsford Louis W
Published: October 2006

A common goal of conventional fisheries management is to maintain fishing mortality at a rate that ensures an adequate level of lifetime egg production (LEP) for population sustainability. However, larvae from young spawners can experience higher mortality rates than larvae of older spawners, reducing the effect of egg production by young females (hereafter, maternal age effects). This reduction leads to an error in LEP that can be accounted for by reducing the fishing mortality rate, but raises the question of the magnitude of these errors if they are present but not accounted for. Calculations using parameters from a typical long-lived fish demonstrated that maternal age effects resulted in large errors in estimates of lifetime reproduction when there was a large contrast in the larval mortality rate extending over the reproductive life span. Errors were small when maternal age effects reduced the reproductive potential of only the very youngest spawners, at ages when a small fraction of females are mature. A specific example using the empirically derived maternal age effect for black rockfish (Sebastes melanops) indicated that errors in traditional management would be small for this species.
Influence of repeated fertilization on forest ecosystems: relative habitat use by snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus)
Authors: Sullivan Thomas P , Sullivan Druscilla S , Lindgren Pontus MF , Ransome Douglas B
Published: October 2006

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that large-scale precommercial thinning (PCT) and repeated fertilization of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud. var. latifolia Engelm.) would enhance relative habitat use by snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus Erxleben) in managed stands. Study areas were located near Summerland, Kelowna, and Williams Lake in south-central British Columbia, Canada. Each study area had nine treatments: four pairs of stands thinned to densities of 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 stems/ha, with one stand of each pair fertilized five times at 2-year intervals, and an unthinned stand. Understory vegetation and relative habitat use by snowshoe hares were measured annually from 1999 to 2003, 6–10 years after the onset of treatments. Mean crown volume index of herbs was significantly higher in fertilized than unfertilized stands, but density had no effect. Shrub volume was not affected by either treatment. Mean crown volume index of trees was significantly greater in the fertilized and high-density stands. Mean total richness of vascular plants was significantly reduced by fertilization. Mean total structural diversity of vegetation was highest in the low-density stands but was not affected by fertilization. Relative habitat use by hares, based on fecal pellet counts, was highest in the 2000 stems/ha and unthinned stands in summer. This pattern also occurred in winter when hare use was higher in fertilized than unfertilized stands. Overall, fertilized 2000 stems/ha stands provided habitat for hares to a degree comparable with unthinned stands of lodgepole pine.
The economics of using forests to increase carbon storage
Authors: Boyland Mark
Published: October 2006

Changes in forest-management practices have the potential to increase forest land carbon storage, which would help to reduce CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere linked to climate change and contribute to Kyoto Protocol targets for signatory countries. However, successfully increasing carbon storage while maintaining economic profitability is challenging because of the long planning horizons required for many forest activities and slow carbon sequestration rates in northern forests. The literature on the economics of forest management for carbon storage is unfortunately sparse and, in many instances, confused and misleading. Three carbon valuation equations are widely used that give contradictory results, with two of them (flow summation and average storage) ignoring the time-value carbon benefits and other essential data. Only the discounted carbon equation gives reasonably interpretable economic results. As well, many studies have omitted essential economic gradients that result in structurally questionable results. I review the literature, highlighting deficiencies in equations and how analyses are structured with the intent to produce a reasonable method of interpreting previous work and advice for future studies.
Is long primary growth associated with stem sinuosity in Douglas-fir?
Authors: Gartner Barbara L , Johnson G R
Published: October 2006

Stem sinuosity is a highly visible stem-form trait in the leaders of fast-growing Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) trees, yet its cause is unknown. We tested the hypotheses that sinuous stems have longer expanses of primary growth than nonsinuous stems (putting the leader at higher risk for curvature, induction of compression wood formation, and possibly overcorrection) and higher leader angle using 4- to 5-year-old saplings in raised beds. As hypothesized, sinuous stems had longer expanses of primary growth than did nonsinuous stems (13.5 vs. 12.3 cm, respectively). However, for the dates for which growth (length/day, primary growth, secondary growth, and total growth) differed significantly among sinuosity class, sinuosity class only explained 15%–21% of the variation in growth rate. There were no significant differences in leader angle for saplings of the three sinuosity classes. Contingency tables indicated some consistency in the category of sinuosity to which we assigned the stems in 2001 and 2002 (χ2 = 11.2, p < 0.004). When we used a more quantitative measure, the ratio of stem length/stem distance, there was a tendency toward a significant relationship between the two years (r = 0.272, p = 0.0893). These data suggest that, counter to expectation, the rate of stem growth was not a large factor in determining whether leaders become sinuous for this population of trees.
Do small headwater streams have a riparian zone defined by plant communities?
Authors: Hagan John M , Pealer Sacha , Whitman Andrew A
Published: October 2006

Defining riparian zones is important because sustainable forestry programs typically include a requirement to protect riparian zones. To help determine whether small first-order headwater streams have a riparian zone, we surveyed vascular plant communities along 15 streams in a managed forest landscape in western Maine, USA. Along each stream we recorded all vascular plant species in 5 m × 50 m quadrats at different lateral distances from the stream bank: 05, 1318, 2530, and 4045 m. Trees and shrubs showed no statistical differences among zones in either species richness or community composition. Species richness of herbaceous plants was greater in the 0-5 m zone adjacent to the stream bank than in other zones, and species composition of herbaceous plants was statistically different in the 05 m zone relative to more distant zones. Twenty-four herbaceous species (of 129) were determined to be indicators of the riparian plant community. Twenty-three of the 24 indicator species were more likely to occur near the stream, and 1 species was more likely to be found away from the stream (a negative riparian indicator). These results show that a narrow riparian zone exists on small headwater streams that is reflected by the herbaceous plant community.
Recruitment of saproxylic beetles in high stumps created for maintaining biodiversity in a boreal forest landscape
Authors: Schroeder Leif Martin , Ranius Thomas , Ekbom Barbara , Larsson Stig
Published: October 2006

The active creation of coarse woody debris (CWD) has been suggested as a measure to preserve and restore biodiversity in managed forests. A common practice in Sweden is to create high stumps at final cutting. We evaluated the importance of high stumps for saproxylic (wood-dependent) beetles in a boreal forest landscape in central Sweden. The number of high stumps created on clearcuts was recorded and the beetle fauna under the bark of high stumps of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) was sampled. High stumps yielded only 0.13% of CWD volume and bark area in the landscape. Out of the 29 beetle species most frequently found in the landscape, high stumps were the major source of recruitment at the landscape level for only one, Hadreule elongatula (Gyllenhal). For the remaining 28 beetle species, less than 1% of the landscape's population occurred in high stumps on clearcuts. The abundance of H. elongatula increased with the area of the surrounding forest land that was covered by clearcuts within a radius of 1000 m. This is the first example of a saproxylic species associated with clearcuts, in contemporary forest landscapes, for which such an occurrence pattern has been documented.
Estimating relative error in growth ring analyses of second-growth coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)
Authors: Waring Kristen M , O'Hara Kevin L
Published: October 2006

Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.) grows in the coastal zone of north-central California and southern Oregon in pure and mixed-species forests. Redwood has long been recognized to exhibit unusual patterns within the annual growth rings typical of temperate forest trees, including partial and missing rings and ring-width anomalies. However, these patterns have not been quantified beyond a few suppressed trees. This study quantified the variation in ring counts occurring in 22 second-growth redwood trees from different canopy classes. Ring counts from cross sections taken at sample points along each tree bole revealed missing or incomplete rings in all sample trees and 70% of the cross sections. Ring counts along multiple radii were used to calculate probability of obtaining a maximum ring count along one radius. This probability was lowest at the tree base (0.25) and breast height (0.30) and highest near the top of the tree (0.90). Because of the high amount of variation present in ring counts at breast height, care should be taken when drawing conclusions regarding stand ages from increment cores. Increment cores should be taken from the longest axis of the tree and coring at tree base can be abandoned as cores are not likely to have higher ring counts than breast height cores.
Unusual disturbance: forest change following a catastrophic debris flow in the Canadian Rocky Mountains
Authors: Rood Stewart B
Published: October 2006

Trees are often well adapted to periodic physical disturbances such as fires or floods. However, I investigated forest response to an extremely unusual disturbance event. Following heavy rain in June 1995 a catastrophic debris flow from Vimy Peak in the Canadian Rocky Mountains terminated as an alluvial debris fan that plowed through a trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) grove. I analyzed the site over a decade to monitor forest response and determine whether there would be recolonization to the prior forest type. In contrast to my expectation, aspen recolonization did not occur; instead, black cottonwoods (Populus trichocarpa Torr. & Gray) colonized the site. These originated from seedlings and not through clonal propagation, and by 2004, black cottonwoods composed 99% of the saplings and were typically 0.61.4 m tall with a density of about 1/m2. The debris fan dramatically changed the physical environment, which partly resembled a floodplain depositional zone and was colonized by the regionally dominant riparian tree. I propose the concept of foreign disturbance to recognize an unusual disturbance that an organism would very rarely experience and thus to which it is unlikely to be adapted. In this example the disturbance produced an abrupt transition to an alternative forest type and this response may provide insight into forest response to other unusual disturbances, such as extreme weather events, that might increase with climate change.
Tree bole mineralization rates of four species of the Canadian eastern boreal forest: implications for nutrient dynamics following stand-replacing disturbances
Authors: Brais Suzanne , Paré David , Lierman Cédric
Published: October 2006

To assess nutrient dynamics in decomposing logs of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), white birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss), and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.), we monitored mass losses and changes in N and P contents in dead boles from a chronosequence of sites following stand-replacing disturbances. To assess the importance of wood decomposition to nutrient cycling, we compared net estimates of nutrient release from logs with net nutrient immobilization in live-tree biomass of stands as a function of time since disturbance. Mineralization rates were 0.060, 0.053, 0.038, and 0.020·year–1 for trembling aspen, white birch, white spruce, and jack pine logs, respectively. Trembling aspen boles released large quantities of N and P during the first year of decomposition (51 kg·ha–1 of N and 7 kg·ha–1 of P, assuming a bole volume of 150 m3·ha–1). White birch boles acted initially as a nutrient sink and delayed the release of immobilized nutrients until a period when the stand's net nutrient immobilization rates were highest. Jack pine boles appeared to be intermediate in terms of their contribution as a sink or a source of nutrients but, in mature stands, provided up to 40% of N and 26% of P immobilized annually in tree biomass. As pure stands of white spruce are rare in boreal Quebec, information on nutrient accumulation in white spruce stands was not available.
Increased resting energy expenditure, fat oxidation, and food intake in patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy-associated lipodystrophy
Authors: Sutinen Jussi , Yki-Järvinen Hannele
Published: October 2006

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is associated with metabolic adverse events such as lipodystrophy in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of HAART-associated lipodystrophy on resting energy expenditure and caloric intake. In this cross-sectional study we compared resting energy expenditure (REE) and energy intake in 30 HAART-treated patients with lipodystrophy (HAART+LD+) with 13 HAART-treated patients without lipodystrophy (HAART+LD−). REE was measured using indirect calorimetry, and energy intake was recorded as a 3-day diary of food intake. REE (5,180 ± 160 vs. 4,260 ± 150 J/min, P < 0.01) and also REE expressed per fat-free mass (86 ± 1 vs. 78 ± 2 J·kg fat-free mass−1·min−1, P < 0.01) were significantly higher in the HAART+LD+ than the HAART+LD− group. Rate of lipid oxidation was significantly higher in the HAART+LD+ than the HAART+LD− group. Total energy and fat intakes were significantly increased in the HAART+LD+ compared with the HAART+LD− group. These results imply that HAART-associated lipodystrophy is associated with increased REE and lipid oxidation and with increased caloric and fat intake.
High-conductance K channels in intercalated cells of the rat distal nephron
Authors: Palmer Lawrence G. , Frindt Gustavo
Published: October 2006

High-conductance (BK or maxi) K+channels were observed in cell-attached patches of the apical membrane of the isolated split-open rat connecting tubule (CNT). These channels were quite rare in cells identified visually as principal cells (PCs; 5/162 patches) but common in intercalated cells (ICs; 24/26 patches). The BK-expressing intercalated cells in the CNT and cortical collecting duct (CCD) were characterized by a low membrane potential (−36 mV) under short-circuit conditions, measured from the reversal potential of the channel currents with similar K+concentrations on both sides of the membrane. Under whole-cell clamp conditions with low intracellular Ca2+, ICs had a very low K+conductance. When cell Ca2+was increased to 200 nM, a voltage-dependent, tetraethylammonium (TEA)-sensitive outward conductance was activated with a limiting value of 90 and 140 nS/cell in the CNT and CCD, respectively. Feeding animals a high-K diet for 1 wk did not increase these currents. TEA-sensitive currents were much smaller in PCs and usually below detection limits. To examine the possibility that the ICs participate in transepithelial K+secretion, we measured Na/K pump activity as a ouabain-sensitive current. Although these currents were easily observed in PCs, averaging 79 ± 14 and 250 ± 50 pA/cell in the CCD and CNT, respectively, they were below the level of detection in the ICs. We conclude that ICs have BK channel densities that are sufficient to support renal secretion of K+if cell Ca2+is elevated. However. a pathway for K+entry into these cells has not been identified.
Molecular cytogenetic characterization of the 11q13 amplicon in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Jin C. , Jin Y. , Gisselsson D. , Wennerberg J. , Wah T.S. , Strömbäck B. , Kwong Y.-L. , Mertens F.
Published: October 2006

Amplification of 11q13 DNA sequences and overexpression of CCND1 are common findings in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), identified in about 30% of the cases. However, little is known about initiation of the amplification and the organization of the amplicon. In order to study the structure of the amplicon in more detail and to learn more about the mechanisms involved in its initiation, prometaphase, metaphase, and anaphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with 40 BAC clones spanning a 16-Mb region in chromosome bands 11q12.2 to 11q13.5 was performed in nine HNSCC cell lines with homogeneously staining regions. FISH analysis showed that the size of the amplicon varied among the nine cell lines, the smallest being 2.12 Mb and the largest 8.97 Mb. The smallest overlapping region of amplification was approximately 1.61 Mb, covering the region from BAC 729E14 to BAC 102B19. This region contained several genes previously shown to be amplified and overexpressed in HNSCC, including CCDN1, CTTN, SHANK2, and ORAOV1. The cell lines were also used to study the internal structure of the amplicon. Various patterns of amplified DNA sequences within the amplicon were found among the nine cell lines. Even within the same cell line, different amplicon structures could be found in different cell populations, indicating that the mechanisms involved in the development of the amplicons in HNSCC were more complex than previously assumed. The frequent finding of inverted repeats within the amplicons, however, suggests that breakage-fusion-bridge cycles are important in the initiation, but the fact that such repeats constituted only small parts of the amplicons indicate that they are further rearranged during tumor progression.
Molecular characterization of the equine collagen, type IX, alpha 2 (COL9A2) gene on horse chromosome 2p16→p15
Authors: Böneker C. , Kuiper H. , Drögemüller C. , Chowdhary B.P. , Distl O.
Published: October 2006

The mammalian collagen, type IX, alpha 2 gene (COL9A2) encodes the alpha-2 chain of type IX collagen and is located on horse chromosome 2p16→p14 harbouring a quantitative trait locus for osteochondrosis. We isolated a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone containing the equine COL9A2 gene and determined the complete genomic sequence of this gene. Cloning and characterization of equine COL9A2 revealed that the equine gene consists of 32 exons spanning approximately 15 kb. The COL9A2 transcript encodes a single protein of 688 amino acids. Thirty two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) equally distributed in the gene were detected in a mutation scan of eight unrelated Hanoverian warmblood stallions, including one SNP that affects the amino acid sequence of COL9A2. Comparative analyses between horse, human, mouse and rat indicate that the chromosomal location of equine COL9A2 is in agreement with known chromosomal synteny relationships. The comparison of the gene structure and transcript revealed a high degree of conservation towards the other mammalian COL9A2 genes. We chose three informative SNPs for association and linkage disequilibrium tests in three to five paternal half-sib families of Hanoverian warmblood horses consisting of 44 to 75 genotyped animals. The test statistics did not reach the significance threshold of 5% and so we could not show an association of COL9A2 with equine osteochondrosis.
Structural and functional characterization of the bovine solute carrier family 27 member 1 (SLC27A1) gene
Authors: Ordovás L. , Roy R. , Zaragoza P. , Rodellar C.
Published: October 2006

The Solute Carrier Family 27 Member 1 (SLC27A1) is an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in regulating the long chain fatty acid uptake into cells. It has been shown to be expressed in tissues undergoing rapid fatty acid metabolism such as heart, skeletal muscle and adipose tissues, but no expression is detected in liver. Here we report the molecular characterization of the bovine SLC27A1 gene and draw a comparison with orthologous genes of some monogastric species. The bovine SLC27A1 gene is organized in 13 exons and extends over more than 40 kb of genomic DNA. It codes for a protein of 646 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 71 kDa which has 92%, 88% and 88% similarity with the human, mouse and rat SLC27A1 proteins respectively. The bovine SLC27A1 RNA expression was high in heart, testis, nervous tissue and muscle and very low in liver. Surprisingly, adipose tissues showed very low RNA expression levels contrary to the results described for both human and mouse genes. On the other hand, discordances observed between the bovine SLC27A1 RNA and protein expression patterns suggest that complex regulation mechanisms may be involved in determining the final SLC27A1 protein levels in each tissue. Finally, we have identified an alternative transcript generated by exon skipping of exon 3 to 7 which could encode a cytosolic SLC27A1 isoform of ∼37 kDa.
The bovine aristaless-like homeobox 4 (ALX4) as a candidate gene for syndactyly
Authors: Wöhlke A. , Kuiper H. , Distl O. , Drögemüller C.
Published: October 2006

The ALX4 (aristaless-like homeobox 4) gene encodes a paired-type homeodomain transcriptional activator and plays a major role in anterior-posterior pattern formation during limb development. Here, the cloning, genomic structure and expression of the bovine ortholog of the ALX4 gene are reported. The bovine ALX4 gene consists of four exons and is located on BTA15q28→q29 in a region syntenic to HSA11p11.2. The transcribed ALX4 mRNA encodes a 397-amino-acid protein showing a paired-type homeodomain and a C-terminal stretch of amino acids known as the OAR- or aristaless domain. The predicted protein shares 92.5% identity to human and mouse ALX4 proteins and all three species share almost complete identity in the conserved domains. ALX4 expression was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in bovine fetal limb bones. The ALX4 gene was evaluated as a candidate gene for bovine syndactyly which has been mapped on the telomeric region of cattle chromosome 15. Sequencing of the four exons with flanking sequences of the bovine ALX4 gene from a panel of 14 affected animals belonging to German Holstein, German Fleckvieh and crossbreds, and 27 unaffected individuals from German Holstein revealed five silent SNPs within the coding region out of eleven SNPs in total. Four SNPs were polymorphic in the affected animals, but in comparison to the genotyped unaffected individuals the genotype distribution showed no evidence for an association to the phenotype. Therefore our data indicate that the ALX4 gene can probably be excluded as candidate gene for bovine syndactyly in the examined animals.
Sequence analysis of the porcine IFNAR1 and IFNGR2 genes
Authors: Leeb T. , Dolle K. , Haase B.
Published: October 2006

A porcine BAC clone harboring the tightly linked IFNAR1 and IFNGR2 genes was identified by comparative analysis of the publicly available porcine BAC end sequences. The complete 168,835 bp insert sequence of this clone was determined. Sequence comparisons of the genomic sequence with EST sequences from public databases were performed and allowed a detailed annotation of the IFNAR1 and IFNGR2 genes. The analyzed genes showed a conserved genomic organization with their known mammalian orthologs, however the sequence conservation of these genes across species was relatively low. In addition to the IFNAR1 and IFNGR2 genes, which were completely sequenced, the analyzed BAC clone also contained parts of an orphan gene encoding a putative transmembrane protein (TMEM50B). In contrast to the IFNAR1 and IFNGR2 genes the sequence conservation of the TMEM50B gene across different mammalian species was extremely high.
Zoo-FISH in the European mole (Talpa europaea) detects all ancestral Boreo-Eutherian human homologous chromosome associations
Authors: Volleth M. , Müller S.
Published: October 2006

Zoo-FISH with human whole-chromosome paint probes delineated syntenic association of human homologous chromosome segments 3-21, 14-15, 16-19, 4-8, 7-16 and 12-22 (twice) in the European mole (Talpa europaea, Talpidae, Eulipotyphla, Mammalia). These segment associations represent shared ancestral Boreo-Eutherian traits, half of which were previously not described for Eulipotyphla. The karyotype of the European mole acquired a minimum of 19 translocations and six inversions compared to the presumed Boreo-Eutherian ancestor.
Chromosome ideograms of the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) based on high-resolution banding, and anchoring of the cytogenetic map to the DNA sequence by FISH in sample chromosomes
Authors: Hamta A. , Adamovic T. , Samuelson E. , Helou K. , Behboudi A. , Levan G.
Published: October 2006

A detailed banded ideogram representation of the rat chromosomes was constructed based on actual G-banded prometaphase chromosomes. The approach yielded 535 individual bands, a significant increase compared to previously presented ideograms. The new ideogram was adapted to the existing band nomenclature. The gene locus positions in the rat draft DNA sequence were compared to the chromosomal positions as determined by dual-color FISH, using rat (RNO) chromosomes 6 and 15 and a segment of RNO4 as sample regions. It was found that there was generally an excellent correlation in the chromosome regions tested between the relative gene position in the DNA molecules and the sub-chromosomal localization by FISH and subsequent information transfer on ideograms from measurements of chromosomal images. However, in the metacentric chromosome (RNO15), the correlation was much better in the short arm than in the long arm, suggesting that the centromeric region may distort the linear relationship between the chromosomal image and the corresponding DNA molecule.
Assignment of linkage groups to turkey chromosome 1 (MGA1)
Authors: Reed K.M. , Sullivan L.R. , Foster L.K. , Chaves L.D. , Ponce de León F.A.
Published: October 2006

Previous genetic mapping identified three linkage groups (M1, M18 and M26) in the turkey corresponding to chicken chromosome 1 (GGA1). This is inconsistent with previously described chromosomal differences between these species. FISH analysis of BAC clones corresponding to microsatellite markers from each of the three turkey linkage groups, assigned all three linkage groups to a single chromosome (MGA1).
Diagnostics of the Cochlear Amplifier by Means of Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions
Authors: Janssen Thomas , Niedermeyer H.P. , Arnold W.
Published: October 2006

Distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) growth functions reflect the active nonlinear cochlear sound processing when using a primary-tone setting which accounts for the different compressions of the two primaries at the DPOAE generation site and hence provide a measure for objectively assessing cochlear sensitivity and compression. DPOAE thresholds can be derived from extrapolated DPOAE input/output (I/O) functions independently of the noise floor and consequently can serve as a unique measure for reading DPOAE measurements. The thus-estimated DPOAE thresholds exhibit a close correspondence to behavior audiometric thresholds and thus can be used for reconstructing an audiogram, i.e., a DPOAE audiogram. The DPOAE I/O functions’ slope increases with cochlear hearing loss and thus provides a measure for assessing recruitment. Hence, DPOAE I/O functions can give more information for diagnostic purposes than those of DP grams, transiently evoked OAEs (TEOAEs), or auditory brain stem responses (ABRs). DPOAE audiograms can be applied in pediatric audiology to assess cochlear dysfunction in a couple of minutes. In newborn hearing screening, they are able to detect transitory sound-conductive hearing loss and thus can help to reduce the rate of false-positive TEOAE responses in the early postnatal period. Since DPOAE I/O functions are correlated with loudness functions, DPOAEs offer the possibility of basic hearing aid adjustments, especially in infants and children. Extrapolated DPOAE I/O functions provide a tool for a fast automated frequency-specific and quantitative evaluation of hearing loss.
Nonlinearity in Intracochlear Pressure
Authors: Olson Elizabeth S. , Dong Wei
Published: October 2006

Nonlinearity exists in intracochlear pressure responses close to the cochlea’s sensory tissue. Its characteristics are much like those of basilar membrane motion nonlinearity. Here several aspects of the pressure nonlinearity in the base of the gerbil cochlea are illustrated.
Intracochlear Pressure and Organ of Corti Impedance from a Linear Active Three-Dimensional Model
Authors: Yoon Yong-Jin , Puria Sunil , Steele C.R.
Published: October 2006

Intracochlear pressure and basilar membrane (BM) velocity are calculated from a physiologically based chinchilla cochlea model . The model includes three-dimensional viscous fluid and the pectinate zone of the elastic BM with dimensional and material property variation along its length. The passive response shows excellent agreement with measurement at high sound pressure levels. The active process is represented by adding the motility of the outer hair cells (OHCs) to the passive model with the feed-forward approximation of the organ of Corti (OC), as was done previously. The current model explains recent observations including: (1) agreement with characteristic frequency (CF)-to-place map, (2) CF shift in the active model, (3) BM displacement gain from OHC motility, (4) lower intracochlear pressure gain than BM displacement gain, and (5) OC impedance (ZOC).
Electromotility in Outer Hair Cells: A Supporting Role for Fast Potassium Conductance
Authors: Ospeck Mark , Dong Xiao-Xia , Fang Jie , Iwasa Kuni H.
Published: October 2006

Motility of outer hair cells underlies the cochlear amplifier, which is critical for the ear’s sensitivity and fine tuning. Of the two motile mechanisms present in these cells, electromotility at the lateral wall depends on the receptor potential and thus depends on currents through the cell body. We found that, in the guinea pig cochlea, basal turn outer hair cells have a fast-activating ion current (τ < 0.3 ms at 23°C), which is absent in apical turn cells. This finding is consistent with our previous theoretical analysis that a fast-activating potassium current is required only in the basal turn to counteract the capacitive current and thereby to enhance the effectiveness of electromotility. Thus, our finding is consistent with the functional significance of electromotility. We conjecture therefore that the current reduces the capacitance of the outer hair cell in order to increase hearing bandwidth.
Bone Conduction in a Three-Dimensional Model of the Cochlea
Authors: Böhnke Frank , Arnold Wolfgang
Published: October 2006

Hearing sensations are caused by air- and bone-guided sound. Of course, other biological materials like tendons, muscles and tissue are also involved during conduction of sound. To study the influence of bone conduction, a formerly developed finite element model was excited by harmonic pressure signals at the cochlea wall. The clinical finding during middle ear surgery, namely the increase in bone conduction sensitivity with removed footplate, was confirmed. Other psychoacoustic effects with bone conduction are described in the early experiments by Bárány, who proved the cancellation of air- and bone-conducted sound in humans. The simultaneous stimulation of the cochlea wall and the phase-reversed stimulation of the stapes footplate in the finite element model confirmed his findings. Further clues to the solution of unsolved problems in audiology and middle ear pathology are given.
Simulation of Application Strategies for Local Drug Delivery to the Inner Ear
Authors: Plontke Stefan K. , Salt Alec N.
Published: October 2006

Local, rather than systemic, drug delivery to the inner ear is becoming more widely used to treat inner ear disorders. While many substances are undergoing preclinical and clinical studies, it is equally important to develop appropriate drug delivery systems. Pharmacokinetic studies are technically demanding in animals and almost impossible in humans. Computer simulations have helped establish the basic principles of drug distribution in the inner ear. The distribution of methylprednisolone in the guinea pig cochlea has been simulated for different drug delivery systems based on kinetic parameters established in prior studies. Results were compared for different rates of drug clearance from the middle ear. Absolute and relative drug levels in the perilymph were highly dependent on how long the drug remained in the middle ear. For a brief (30 min) application, the basal to apical drug gradient was higher than for longer delivery times. These findings show that controlling middle ear drug clearance is of critical importance.
Segregation Analysis of Restless Legs Syndrome: Possible Evidence for a Major Gene in a Family Study Using Blinded Diagnoses
Authors: Mathias Rasika A. , Hening Wayne , Washburn Mystinna , Allen Richard P. , Lesage Suzanne , Wilson Alexander F. , Earley Christopher J.
Published: October 2006

Objective: The objective of this study was to ascertain the most likely inheritance pattern of restless legs syndrome (RLS) using segregation analysis. Methods: Probands were RLS patients presenting to the Neurology and Sleep clinics of the Johns-Hopkins Bayview medical center with willing first and second degree relatives. Blinded diagnosis was made in those who exhibited the four diagnostic features of RLS. Analysis was performed on RLS as a dichotomous trait and considering age of onset models on 590 phenotyped subjects from 77 pedigrees. Results: All non-genetic models were rejected considering RLS as a dichotomous trait. A single locus Mendelian dominant model with gender as a covariate had best fit with allele frequency of 0.077 and complete penetrance. RLS frequency in non-carrier subjects was estimated to be 0.14. Two underlying distributions of age of onset, with a possible dichotomy at 26.3 years, were identified. Contrary to the results for RLS as a dichotomous trait, age of onset models did not indicate single major gene inheritance. Conclusion: This segregation analysis suggests that the pattern of segregation is consistent with that of a single major locus, when RLS is treated as a dichotomous trait without considering age of onset. The high rate of phenocopies matches known population frequencies and taken with significant residual familial effects and the lack of evidence for a major gene controlling age of onset, indicates that non-genetic causes of RLS may exist and RLS is a complex disorder.
The UK Savings Gap
Authors: Khoman Ehsan , Weale Martin
Published: October 2006

We set out a framework for measuring the adequacy of saving in the United Kingdom by assessing the absolute level of savings based on individual preferences of different ages. We examine this relationship between age and savings using data from the Expenditure and Food Survey 2004–5. We show that, while the level of national saving is about 8.4 percentage points of net national income lower than is required if one assumes that each cohort pays its own way, wealth holdings are considerably higher than are required on the same basis. Looking at household, rather than national saving, the current pattern of benefits on public sector pensions removes the need to save for old age. While perhaps £4000m of household wealth holding can be accounted for by bequest and other transfer motives, our results suggest excess wealth holding of around £1600m in 2004.
Anxiety and Speaking English as a Second Language
Authors: Woodrow Lindy
Published: October 2006

Second language anxiety has a debilitating effect on the oral performance of speakers of English as a second language. This article describes a research project concerning the conceptualization of second language speaking anxiety, the relationship between anxiety and second language performance, and the major reported causes of second language anxiety. The participants in this study were advanced English for academic purposes (EAP) students studying on intensive EAP courses immediately prior to entering Australian universities ( N = 275). The second language speaking anxiety scale (SLSAS) was developed for the study. This instrument provided evidence for a dual conceptualization of anxiety reflecting both oral communication within and outside the language learning classroom. The scale was validated using confirmatory factor analysis. The analysis indicated second language speaking anxiety to be a significant predictor of oral achievement. Reported causes of anxiety were investigated through interviews. The results indicate that the most frequent source of anxiety was interacting with native speakers. Evidence for two types of anxious language learner emerged; retrieval interference and skills deficit. There was an indication from the study that English language learners from Confucian Heritage Cultures (CHCs), China, Korea and Japan were more anxious language learners than other ethnic groups.
Criminal Thinking on Probation
Authors: Healy Deirdre , O’Donnell Ian
Published: October 2006

This article examines the use of the Psychological Inventory of Criminal Thinking Styles (PICTS) with a sample of 72 Irish men on probation. It tests the hypothesis that probationers who reported no offending for at least a year (secondary desisters) would have lower PICTS scores—indicating a less active criminal belief system—than those who remained involved in crime and that probationers who did not report committing crime during the past month (primary desisters) would have lower scores than those who did. Significant differences ( p < .05) were observed on three of the eight scales and on Current Criminal Thinking for the secondary desisters and on six of the eight scales for the primary desisters. Compared with English and American prisoners, the Irish scored higher on all eight scales.
Trade-Offs in Public Finance: Comparing the Well-Being of Big Spenders and Lean Spenders
Authors: Wilensky Harold L.
Published: October 2006

Drawing on research analyzing similarities and differences among 19 rich democracies, this article compares the economic performance of big spenders and lean spenders at a similar economic level from 1950 to the late 1990s. Going beyond aggregate public spending, it shows the contrasting effects of particular types of spending and taxing and particular social policies. I highlight the extraordinary continuity of the contrasting institutions and policy directions of these countries. I find that there is not one road to good economic performance, but several. I specify five types of political economy, each with its own costs and gains in people’s well-being, both economic and noneconomic. A final summary compares extremes: the confrontational “low road” pursued by the USA and the “high road” pursued by the strongest consensual democracies of Continental Europe, where social partners have negotiated real reforms in expensive social policies while preserving social cohesion.
A Time Machine: New Evidence of Post-Materialist Value Change
Authors: Taniguchi Masaki
Published: October 2006

The voluminous literature generated by Ronald Inglehart’s thesis that a shift in values from materialist to post-materialist occurs among citizens as societies modernize indicates the seminal nature of the theory. The predictive power of the theory has become more reliable with the continuation of surveys over the decades since the theory’s inception. Nevertheless, one problem remains unsolved using conventional methodology: how to determine the extent to which the proportion of post-materialists was already increasing during the years preceding the first survey in 1970. This article contributes to the solution of that problem by analyzing the values contained in 33,479 Japanese newspaper editorials from 1945 to 2000. By reflecting the public’s values, Japanese newspapers are able to maintain the largest circulations in the world. Moreover, the lifetime employment system in Japan enables us to “control for” life-cycle effects on value change, because the age of editorial board members has been constant during the postwar period. Using qualitative and quantitative techniques, I confirm the thesis that value change occurs during the process of economic development. My findings support the socialization hypothesis of the original theory, that is, that the basic values of a person reflect the socioeconomic conditions that prevailed during his or her pre-adult years.