bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) to pitch canker, caused byGibberella circinata(anamorph = Fusarium circinatum)
Authors: Gordon T. R. , Kirkpatrick S. C. , Aegerter B. J. , Wood D. L. , Storer A. J.
Published: March 2006

For better characterization of the risk of pitch canker (caused byGibberella circinata, anamorph = Fusarium circinatum) to Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), Californian isolates, selected exotic isolates, and ascospore progeny of a cross between wild‐type Californian isolates were tested for aggressiveness to this host species. In addition, seedlings from representative provenances ofP. menziesiiin California were tested for susceptibility to pitch canker. The results revealed only minor differences between isolates, but differences in susceptibility between trees were often significant. The majority of the tested trees were relatively resistant as indicated by the development of only very short lesions, but some were clearly susceptible.
Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia caused by human leucocyte antigen‐B27 antibody
Authors: Thude H. , Schorner U. , Helfricht C. , Loth M. , Maak B. , Barz D.
Published: March 2006

summary.  Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) occurs when maternal alloantibodies to antigens presented on foetal platelets cause their immune destruction. Whether human leucocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies can cause NAIT is controversial. Here, a patient was described who suffered from a NAIT caused by an HLA‐B27 antibody. Sera from the mother and the newborn were tested for human platelet antigen antibodies and HLA antibodies by monoclonal antibody‐specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) assay, solid phase‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), lymphocytotoxicity assay (LCT) and flow cytometric analysis. No antibodies against cluster designation (CD)109 and platelet glycoproteins of the father were found in patient's and mother's serum. However, HLA ELISA was used to identify HLA antibody in both sera. The antibody was specified as HLA‐B27 antibody. Typing results showed that the father descended HLA‐B27 antigen on patient and his brother. The mother was HLA‐B27 negative. It is most conceivable that the previous pregnancy of the mother induced the production of anti‐HLA‐B27 antibody, which crossed the placenta and subsequently caused an NAIT in the case presented.
Prevention of malaria during pregnancy in West Africa: policy change and the power of subregional action
Authors: Newman Robert D. , Moran Allisyn C. , Kayentao Kassoum , Benga‐De Elizabeth , Yameogo Mathias , Gaye Oumar , Faye Ousmane , Lo Youssoufa , Moreira Philippe Marc , Doumbo Ogobara , Parise Monica E. , Steketee Richard W.
Published: March 2006

Background  Despite a broadening consensus about the effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment (IPTp) in preventing the adverse outcomes of malaria during pregnancy, policy change to IPTp was initially limited to East Africa. In West Africa, where the policy change process for the prevention of malaria during pregnancy started much later, IPTp has been taken up swiftly.

Objective  To describe the factors that contributed to the rapid adoption of policies to prevent malaria during pregnancy in West Africa.

Results and Conclusion  Several factors appear to have accelerated the process: (1) recognition of the extent of the problem of malaria during pregnancy and its adverse consequences; (2) a clear, evidence‐based program strategy strongly articulated by an important multilateral organization (World Health Organization); (3) subregionally generated evidence to support the proposed strategy; (4) a subregional forum for dissemination of data and discussion regarding the proposed policy changes; (5) widespread availability of the proposed intervention drug (sulfadoxine–pyrimethamine); (6) technical support from reputable and respected institutions in drafting new policies and planning for implementation; (7) donor support for pilot experiences in integrating proposed policy change into a package of preventive services; and (8) financial support for scaling up the proposed interventions.
Components of Resistance to Early Blight in Four Potato Cultivars: Effect of Leaf Position
Authors: Dita Rodriguez M. A. , Brommonschenkel S. H. , Matsuoka K. , Mizubuti E. S. G.
Published: March 2006

Components of early blight resistance were quantified in leaves of different ages in four potato cultivars. The components of resistance: incubation period (IP), lesion number (LN), early blight severity, lesion expansion rate (LER), latent period (LP) and spore production by lesion area (SPLA), were evaluated separately in the lower, middle and upper leaves of four potato cultivars. Plants of cultivar Aracy (resistant), Delta (moderately resistant), Desirée (susceptible) and Bintje (susceptible) were inoculated with an Alternaria solani isolate at the beginning of the flowering stage. Disease severity varied in different plant parts. In all cultivars, regardless of resistance, the smallest values of LN, and severity were recorded on the upper leaves, suggesting that young tissues are less susceptible. In cultivar Aracy, the IP was long, with small values of LN and LER and consequently, low values of early blight severity in all leaf positions were recorded. Although IP was long in cultivar Aracy, no differences between the moderately resistant cultivar Delta and the susceptible cultivars Bintje and Desirée could be detected for this component. The IP was only influenced by leaf position in cultivar Aracy. Clear differences in resistance levels among cultivars could be detected regarding LN, severity and LER. However, neither LP nor SPLA were associated with resistance level of cultivars or with leaf position. Analyses according to plant part suggest that evaluations on leaves of the middle third part are most suitable for screening for early blight resistance in potato.
Sequence Heterogeneity in the 16S rDNA of Tomato Big Bud Phytoplasma Belonging to Group 16SrIII
Authors: Amaral Mello A. P. O. , Bedendo I. P. , Camargo L. E. A.
Published: March 2006

Phytoplasmas are associated with several plant diseases occurring in Brazil. A phytoplasma of group 16SrIII found in tomato plants with symptoms of big bud was identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of 16S rDNA. RFLP patterns using HhaI and RsaI endonucleases were distinct from those exhibited by phytoplasmas representatives of diverse subgroups of group 16SrIII. Nucleotide sequence analyses demonstrated sequence heterogeneity expressed through a few base positions and restriction site among cloned fragments, revealing lineages different from members of currently known subgroups. The detection of lineages within tomato big bud phytoplasma present in Brazil revealed the diversity of representatives of group 16SrIII in tropical ecosystem and confirmed the genetic diversity of phytoplasmas of that group around the world.
Race Distribution, Vegetative Compatibility and Pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis Isolates in Greece
Authors: Elena K. , Pappas A. C.
Published: March 2006

Races and vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) in Greek isolates of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis(Fom) were characterized. Three races (0, 2 and 1–2) among 12 isolates tested and two VCGs among 19 isolates tested, were identified. Race 1–2 was the most common and race 1 was not detected. One widespread VCG corresponded to a VCG previously reported from Israel (coded 0138), and included seven isolates of races 0 and 1–2. The other VCG, which was unclassified, included four isolates of races 0, 2 and 1–2. The latter VCG was detected only in a specific melon‐growing location of Evros. The remaining eight isolates tested for VCG did not show positive reactions with other isolates, with each other or with the testers of VCGs 0135 or 0138, although they produced complementary mutants. Using two inoculation methods, the local cv. ‘Golden Head’ was found susceptible to all known Fom races, and especially to race 1–2. These results show the presence of more than one VCG and the widespread distribution of the race 1–2, in Greece.
Role of family in alcohol and substance abuse
Authors: SAATCIOGLU OMER , ERIM RAHSAN , CAKMAK DURAN
Published: March 2006

Abstract  Abuse is a family disease, which requires joint treatment of family members. Family is an important part of the diagnosis and treatment chain of alcohol and substance abuse. Abuse of alcohol and substance is a response to fluctuations in the family system. In consideration of interactions within the system, it seems an important requirement that the clinician involves, and maintains the presence of, the family in its entirety in the treatment process. A family often needs as much treatment as the family member who is the abuser of alcohol or a substance. In this regard, participation of the family in the treatment process as group members and by assuming a supportive role are assets in terms of preventing relapse, and extending clean time, and also very important for solving conflicts that give rise to abuse of alcohol or substances. Accordingly, it is important to know the family structure and its role in the treatment process. This article covers a review of family systems separately in terms of alcoholism and substance abuse.
Nurses’ collaboration with physicians in managing medication improves patient outcome in acute psychiatric care
Authors: NAKANISHI MIHARU , KOYAMA ASUKA , ITO HIROTO , KURITA HIROSHI , HIGUCHI TERUHIKO
Published: March 2006

Abstract  The aim of the present paper was to examine the impact of nurses’ collaboration with physicians in medication management on patient outcome in acute psychiatric care. Data for 143 patients with schizophrenia were assessed based on information given by nurses and physicians in charge. Twenty‐two patients were defined as a collaborative group when physicians changed medication after receiving reports that nurses perceived the necessity to change. A control group was formed from the 50 patients when nurses perceived the necessity to change medication but did not tell physicians, or nurses advised of the necessity to physicians but medication was not changed. Physicians retrospectively evaluated patients’ social functioning and acceptance of medication at admission and discharge. Social functioning was measured by Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and acceptance of medication by a single item using Japanese version of Schedule for Assessment of Insight (SAI‐J). Changes in the scores from admission to discharge on GAF and acceptance of medication were defined as outcome measures. Nurses recognized the necessity to change medication for patients with frequent aggressive behavior and younger age. Compared with the control group, the collaborative group had less instruction for use of drugs, and more perceived necessity to decrease the current dose or the number of drugs because of stable symptoms. The collaborative group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in social functioning. The collaborative group improved acceptance of medication, although there were no significant differences between the two groups. Nurses’ collaboration with physicians in medication management improved patient outcome in acute psychiatric care.
Clozapine in schizophrenia patients with recurrent catatonia: Report of two cases
Authors: HUNG YI‐YUNG , YANG PING‐SUEN , HUANG TIAO‐LAI
Published: March 2006

Abstract  Prolonged catatonia can be a source of extremely serious morbidity and mortality. Lorazepam is effective in rapidly relieving most cases of catatonia. Reports have also shown that second‐generation antipsychotic drugs are also efficacious in relieving catatonia. This report describes two schizophrenia patients who demonstrated recurrent catatonic features mutism and stupor. Both patients were treated with lorazepam, diazepam or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Patient 1 responded well and rapidly to lorazepam each time catatonia happened; but catatonia recurred once a year under treatment with many antipsychotic drugs. Patient 2 had catatonia features associated with discontinuing or decreasing clozapine. With each recurrent episode, the duration of catatonia increased, requiring an increased dosage of benzodiazepine. The patient's response to lorazepam and ECT gradually decreased, until the patient had almost no response to lorazepam, diazepam or ECT. Both patients had no recurrence during a period of 2‐year follow up with continuous clozapine therapy.
Performance of a pediatric ambulatory anesthesia program – a developing country experience
Authors: HARIHARAN SEETHARAMAN , CHEN DERYK , MERRITT‐CHARLES LORNA , RATTAN R , MUTHIAH K.
Published: March 2006

Background:  The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a pediatric ambulatory anesthesia program in a tertiary care teaching hospital in a developing country.

Methods:  Data on all pediatric patients (<16 years of age) scheduled to have elective day‐care surgery during a 1 year period from January 1999 to December 1999 were collected retrospectively. An audit form was used to determine the specialty of the procedures, anesthesia techniques, postoperative analgesia, perioperative complications, unplanned admissions and outcomes with respect to morbidity and mortality.

Results:  A total of 763 pediatric ambulatory surgical procedures were performed during the year of 1999. The procedures included general surgery, ENT, orthopedic and plastic surgery. The most common procedure was inguinal hernia repair followed by umbilical hernia repair, adenotonsillectomy and circumcision and 96% of the patients had general anesthesia. There were only three unplanned admissions (0.4%); one for a surgical reason and two for anesthetic reasons. There was no serious morbidity or mortality in any patient.

Conclusions:  Performance of pediatric day‐care anesthesia has been good in our day‐care unit and we have a successful ambulatory surgery program, despite the limitations of a developing country.
Status of two cryptic species, Typhlodromus exhilaratus Ragusa and Typhlodromus phialatus Athias‐Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae): consequences for taxonomy
Authors: Tixier Marie‐Stéphane , Kreiter Serge , Barbar Ziad , Ragusa Salvatore , Cheval Brigitte
Published: March 2006

Typhlodromus phialatus and T. exhilaratus are morphologically close species. Their differentiation is based on the shape of the insemination apparatus and on idiosomal setae length. However, the setae length values are often intermediate between these two species and do not allow accurate identification. Furthermore, the handful of differences in insemination apparatus shape are also questionable as a means of differentiation. Synonymy between these species has thus been questioned. Three experiments were carried out. Idiosomal seta length measurements, molecular tests and cross experiments were conducted for three populations, identified as T. exhilaratus and T. phialatus according to the shape of their insemination apparatus. The results show that the variation range of seta lengths is great and that these criteria do not allow accurate separation of these populations into two species. However, molecular tests show a species‐level nucleotide differentiation between them. Cross experiments confirm this result, showing complete reproduction incompatibility between the mites bearing different insemination apparatus shapes. Therefore, T. exhilaratus and T. phialatus could be considered to be two valid species and the insemination apparatus could be considered as a pertinent diagnostic criterion at the specific level.
THE HURWITZ ZETA DISTRIBUTION
Authors: Hu Chin‐Yuan , Iksanov Aleksander M. , Lin Gwo Dong , Zakusylo Oleg K.
Published: March 2006

This paper shows that a normalization of the Hurwitz zeta function is a characteristic function. This generalizes the 1938 result of Khinchine about the Riemann zeta function. The paper investigates the infinite divisibility of the resulting distribution.
Evidence into Policy and Practice? Measuring the Progress of U.S. and U.K. Policies to Tackle Disparities and Inequalities in U.S. and U.K. Health and Health Care
Authors: EXWORTHY MARK , BINDMAN ANDREW , DAVIES HUW , WASHINGTON A. EUGENE
Published: March 2006

Health policy in both the United States and the United Kingdom has recently shifted toward a much greater concern with disparities and inequalities in health and health care. As evidence for these disparities and inequalities mounts, the different approaches in each country present specific challenges for policy and practice. These differences are most apparent in the mechanisms by which the progress of such policies is measured. This article compares the United States' and United Kingdom's strategies to gauge the challenges for policymakers in order to inform policy and practice. A cross‐national comparison of selected measurement mechanisms identifies lessons for policy and practice in both countries.
The Need for More Research on Language Barriers in Health Care: A Proposed Research Agenda
Authors: JACOBS ELIZABETH , CHEN ALICE HM , KARLINER LEAH S. , AGGER‐GUPTA NIELS , MUTHA SUNITA
Published: March 2006

Many U.S. residents who speak little English may face language barriers when seeking health care. This article describes what is currently known about language barriers in health care and outlines a research agenda based on mismatches between the current state of knowledge of language barriers and what health care stakeholders need to know. Three broad areas needing more research are discussed: the ways in which language barriers affect health and health care, the efficacy of linguistic access service interventions, and the costs of language barriers and efforts to overcome them. In each of these areas, we outline specific research questions and recommendations.
The Indiana Chronic Disease Management Program
Authors: ROSENMAN MARC B. , HOLMES ANN M. , ACKERMANN RONALD T. , MURRAY MICHAEL D. , DOEBBELING CAROLINE CARNEY , KATZ BARRY , LI JINGJIN , ZILLICH ALAN , PRESCOTT VICTORIA M. , DOWNS STEPHEN M. , INUI THOMAS S.
Published: March 2006

The Indiana Chronic Disease Management Program (ICDMP) is intended to improve the quality and cost‐effectiveness of care for Medicaid members with congestive heart failure (chronic heart failure), diabetes, asthma, and other conditions. The ICDMP is being assembled by Indiana Medicaid primarily from state and local resources and has seven components: (1) identification of eligible participants to create regional registries, (2) risk stratification of eligible participants, (3) nurse care management for high‐risk participants, (4) telephonic intervention for all participants, (5) an Internet‐based information system, (6) quality improvement collaboratives for primary care practices, and (7) program evaluation. The evaluation involves a randomized controlled trial in two inner‐city group practices, as well as a statewide observational design. This article describes the ICDMP, highlights challenges, and discusses approaches to its evaluation.
Stories from the Sharp End: Case Studies in Safety Improvement
Authors: MCCARTHY DOUGLAS , BLUMENTHAL DAVID
Published: March 2006

Motivated by pressure and a wish to improve, health care organizations are implementing programs to improve patient safety. This article describes six natural experiments in health care safety that show where the safety field is heading and opportunities for and barriers to improvement. All these programs identified organizational culture change as critical to making patients safer, differing chiefly in their methods of creating a patient safety culture. Their goal is a safety culture that promotes continuing innovation and improvement, transcending whatever particular safety methodology is used. Policymakers could help stimulate a culture of safety by linking regulatory goals to safety culture expectations, sponsoring voluntary learning collaborations, rewarding safety improvements, better using publicly reported data, encouraging consumer involvement, and supporting research and education.
Metropolitan Wage Levels of Less‐Educated Workers: 1986 to 1999
Authors: EASTON TODD
Published: March 2006

This work investigates determinants of metropolitan wage levels for workers with a high school education or less. It estimates their wage levels as a function of four factors: labor demand, industry mix, unionization, and the minimum wage. Labor demand and union strength influence wage levels most. The minimum wage and industry mix play smaller roles, although the minimum wage is the second most influential factor for men and women who did not complete high school. From 1990 to 1999, metropolitan wage levels exhibit considerable persistence, though persistence declines over this period.
Minimum Wage Impacts from a Prespecified Research Design: Canada 1981–1997
Authors: CAMPOLIETI MICHELE , GUNDERSON MORLEY , RIDDELL CHRIS
Published: March 2006

Neumark (2001) used the novel methodology of a prespecified research design to estimate the employment effect of minimum wage changes. We conducted our analysis in the “spirit” of this methodology based on Canadian data from 1981 to 1997. Our minimum wage elasticities are substantial, typically in the range of −0.14 to −0.44, with −0.30 being a reasonable point estimate, and with the effects being larger after lagged adjustments.
Is the ‘community as method’ approach gender sensitive? Client and treatment characteristics in European therapeutic communities. Results of the BIOMED II (IPTRP) project
Authors: De Wilde Joke , Broekaert Eric , Segraeus Vera , Rosseel Yves
Published: March 2006

The BIOMED II project, ‘Improving Psychiatric Treatment in Residential Programmes for Newly Dependent Groups through Relapse Prevention’, provided a large database of characteristics of men and women in European therapeutic communities (TCs). One of the aims of the project was to improve the treatment of ‘emerging dependency groups’ through better assessment. Although American TC research has shown that there are important differences between men and women that should be taken into account when organising treatment, the BIOMED project failed to report on gender differences. This article tries to fill this gap by presenting an overview of the gender differences in the TC clients and lists the characteristics of the participating European TCs. The two overviews are given for each country separately. Descriptive methods were used. The authors discuss whether the TC programme considers the differences between men and women and whether the ‘community as method’ approach is gender sensitive.
Hurricane Katrina and the Burdens of History
Authors: Rothman Adam
Published: March 2006

Almost three months after Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast, aNew York Timeseditorial mourns, “We are about to lose New Orleans.” The city remains crippled. Whole neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble. The federal, state, and local governments dither. Basic services are yet to be fully restored. Only a fraction of its residents have returned, and many never will. By the last count, more than a thousand New Orleanians died in the disaster. The sad truth is that we have already lost New Orleans. Whatever replaces it will not be the same. The city is history.1
Utility of Mitochondrial DNA Barcodes in Species Conservation
Authors: RUBINOFF DANIEL
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  Molecular tools are a standard part of many conservation studies and can be informative at many different levels of analysis, although there are inherent limitations and strengths of different genes or parts of genes to inform specific questions. Animal DNA barcodes, 600‐ to 800‐base‐pair segments of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase I, have been proposed as a means to quantify global biodiversity. Although mitochondrial (mt) DNA has a long history of use at the species level, recent analyses suggest that the use of a single gene, particularly mitochondrial, is unlikely to yield data that are balanced, universally acceptable, or sufficient in taxonomic scope to recognize many species lineages. Mitochondrial and nuclear genomes have different patterns of evolution and modes of inheritance, which can result in very different assessments of biodiversity. The ramifications of choosing a particular definition of species (species concept) need to be carefully considered because current efforts have designated DNA barcodes as the universal species concept without demonstrating its superiority over preexisting concepts. The results of such a barcoding paradigm may include a failure to recognize significant portions of biodiversity or nuclear/mitochondrial mixed lineages and could spuriously focus conservation resources on populations with relatively minor mtDNA divergence. DNA barcodes are most likely to provide potentially useful information for groups that are already well studied, and such taxa do not constitute the majority of biodiversity or those in most need of research attention. DNA barcode‐length sequences are an important source of data but, when used alone or out of context, may offer only a fraction of the information needed to characterize species while taking resources from broader studies that could produce information essential to robust and informed conservation decisions.
Economic Growth and Biodiversity Loss in an Age of Tradable Permits
Authors: ROSALES JON
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Tradable permits are increasingly becoming part of environmental policy and conservation programs. The efficacy of tradable permit schemes in addressing the root cause of environmental decline—economic growth—will not be achieved unless the schemes cap economic activity based on ecological thresholds. Lessons can be learned from the largest tradable permit scheme to date, emissions trading now being implemented with the Kyoto Protocol. The Kyoto Protocol caps neither greenhouse gas emissions at a level that will achieve climate stability nor economic growth. If patterned after the Kyoto Protocol, cap‐and‐trade schemes for conservation will not ameliorate biodiversity loss either because they will not address economic growth. In response to these failures to cap economic growth, professional organizations concerned about biodiversity conservation should release position statements on economic growth and ecological thresholds. The statements can then be used by policy makers to infuse these positions into the local, national, and international environmental science‐policy process when these schemes are being developed. Infusing language into the science‐policy process that calls for capping economic activity based on ecological thresholds represents sound conservation science. Most importantly, position statements have a greater potential to ameliorate biodiversity loss if they are created and released than if this information remains within professional organizations because there is the potential for these ideas to be enacted into law and policy.
Effects of Warming Conditions in Eastern North American Forests on Red‐Backed Salamander Morphology
Authors: GIBBS JAMES P. , KARRAKER NANCY E.
Published: March 2006

Abstract: Several studies have reported climate‐associated changes in phenotypically plastic traits of amphibians, yet it remains unknown whether amphibians can manifest an evolutionary response to global climate change at the rate and magnitude that it is occurring. To assess this issue, we examined temporal change in the morphology of the red‐backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), a small, abundant woodland salamander distributed widely in eastern North America with two distinct morphotypes: striped individuals associated with cooler microclimates and unstriped individuals associated with warmer microclimates. We compiled morph frequencies for 50,960 individual salamanders from 558 sites as recorded in the published literature and in unpublished field notes of herpetologists between 1908 and 2004. We observed that striping probability increased with increasing latitude, longitude, and elevation and decreased (from 80% to 74% range wide) with time. The combined forces of regional climate warming and, particularly, forest disturbance have evidently been sufficient to cause morphological evolution in this amphibian over the last century.
A Comment on Talcott Parsons at Brown University
Authors: Sciortino Giuseppe
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  Professor Sciortino offers his impressions of the recently discovered transcriptions of the seminar Parsons participated in at Brown University on March 10, 1973.
Parsonian Economic Sociology
Authors: Zafirovski Milan
Published: March 2006

Abstract.  This article focuses on Parsonian economic sociology and its actual or potential bridges and contributions to contemporary economics. These bridges are methodological or epistemological and theoretical or substantive ones. A relevant instance of the methodological bridges is socioeconomic holism, epitomized in the systems approach to economy and society. An important case of the theoretical bridges is sociological institutionalism. The holistic systems approach is a pertinent methodological bridge in that it treats the economy as an integral element of society as a larger system, and consequently treats economics as part of the complex of social sciences. Sociological institutionalism is an important theoretical bridge to (especially institutional) economics by virtue of its emphasis on social institutions and their economic significance. Some other methodological and theoretical bridges of Parsonian economic sociology to contemporary economics are also identified and discussed.
Improved Mechanical Reliability of Bone Tissue Engineering (Zirconia) Scaffolds by Electrospraying
Authors: Chen Q. Z. , Boccaccini A. R. , Zhang H. B. , Wang D. Z. , Edirisinghe M. J.
Published: March 2006

A novel process, namely replication combined with electrospraying, was used to fabricate bioceramic (zirconia) scaffolds with the intention of improving the mechanical function of hard tissue engineering scaffolds. A comparative study was carried out on the microstructure and mechanical properties of zirconia foams prepared by this new process or by the conventional slurry‐dip coating method. After forming the green bodies, they were subjected to a sintering heat treatment at 1450°C for 5 h. It was found that the number and size of microcracks and micropores can be reduced in foams prepared by electrospraying in comparison with those prepared by slurry‐dip coating. The values of compressive mechanical strength and Young's modulus were found to be collectively higher for scaffolds prepared by electrospraying than for those prepared by slurry‐dip coating. Moreover, the mechanical reliability was improved in foams produced by the electrospraying technique. The improvement is attributable to the reduction in the population and size of microcracks and micropores.
Novel Fabrication Route to Al2O3–TiN Nanocomposites Via Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Wang Lianjun , Wu Ting , Jiang Wan , Li Jianlin , Chen Lidong
Published: March 2006

A novel method for the preparation of Al2O3–TiN nanocomposites was developed. A mixture of TiO2, AlN, and Ti powder was used as the starting material to synthesize the Al2O3–TiN nanocomposite under 60 MPa at 1400°C for 6 min using spark plasma sintering. X‐ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used for detailed microstructural analysis. Dense (up to 99%) nanostructured Al2O3–TiN composites were successfully fabricated, the average grain size being less than 400 nm. The fracture toughness (KIC) and bending strength (σb) of the nanostructured Al2O3–TiN composites reached 4.22±0.20 MPa·m1/2and 746±28 MPa, respectively.
Optimum spacing of pheromone traps for monitoring the coffee leaf miner Leucoptera coffeella
Authors: Bacca T. , Lima E.R. , Picanço M.C. , Guedes R.N.C. , Viana J.H.M.
Published: March 2006

Pest monitoring with pheromone traps is affected mainly by factors such as trap placement and pest biology. The intertrap distance can affect the capture due to competition among traps that are placed at short distances. We studied the interference among pheromone traps used to monitor males of the coffee leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin‐Méneville) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae), with traps placed at various distances. Using geostatistical analysis, we determined at what distance captures were independent from other traps. Traps were placed in groups of 12 with distances among traps per group either 2, 5, 10, 15, or 30 m. Traps were checked for males every 4 days during 16 days. We found interference between traps when intertrap distances were shorter than 10 m. The range and magnitude of spatial dependence varied considerably among each sampling date and wind direction. For directions of 45° and 135°, the traps should be placed 110 and 177 m apart, respectively, to obtain spatially independent counts and therefore representative samplings for assessing the insect population in the area. These results have implications for developing sampling plans for managing L. coffeella with pheromone traps; the spatial analysis indicated that a trap density of one pheromone trap for every 3.5–4 ha would be adequate for the monitoring of the coffee leaf miner.
Effect of various pesticides on the non‐target species Microctonus hyperodae, a biological control agent of Listronotus bonariensis
Authors: Addison Paul J. , Barker Gary M.
Published: March 2006

The parasitoid Microctonus hyperodae Loan (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was introduced into New Zealand to control the weevil Listronotus bonariensis (Kuschel) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a major pest of graminaceous plants. Four experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of various pesticides that are commonly used in the pastoral environments of L. bonariensis and M. hyperodae. Topical applications of aqueous solutions prepared from commercial formulations of five herbicides were not toxic, but the surfactant Silwett L‐77 increased M. hyperodae mortality relative to the water‐treated controls. Laboratory assays showed that M. hyperodae adults were susceptible to chlorpyrifos residues on pasture foliage following application of the insecticide to field plots at ≥5 g a.i. ha−1. Maintenance of L. bonariensis on ryegrass in the laboratory showed that treatment of the food plants with chlorpyrifos at ≥96 g a.i. ha−1 reduced L. bonariensis survivorship and ultimately reduced M. hyperodae prepupal emergence from those hosts. Initially, mortalities of non‐parasitized L. bonariensis were significantly greater than for parasitized L. bonariensis. Maintenance of parasitized L. bonariensis on diflubenzuron‐treated ryegrass plants arrested M. hyperodae larval development in the host and ultimately reduced prepupal emergence of M. hyperodae from those hosts. Despite the arrested development of M. hyperodae, the mortality of L. bonariensis hosts was increased. Adult M. hyperodae successfully reared from hosts maintained on diflubenzuron (12.5 g a.i. ha−1) treated food plants had reduced reproductive potential. The consequences of pasture management strategies that employ pesticides are discussed in relation to biocontrol of L. bonariensis by M. hyperodae.
Relationships of psychosocial factors to dietary intakes of preadolescent girls from diverse backgrounds
Authors: Djuric Zora , Cadwell W. Faye , Heilbrun Lance K. , Venkatramanamoorthy Raghu , Dereski Mary O. , Lan Randi , Casey Rita J.
Published: March 2006

Family and personal factors that might be related to the development of food selection and eating patterns have not been well studied in children. The aim of this study was to examine whether such psychosocial factors differ in girls from four culturally diverse Girl Scout troops and how these factors are associated with dietary intakes. The social measures and dietary assessments were all obtained at baseline on subjects who were participating in a small nutrition education programme. The programme enrolled girls and one parent for each girl from four Girl Scout troops in Detroit, Michigan. The social factors assessed included girls’ emotionality and use of food to regulate emotions, their general attitudes about health, eating and body image, and self‐perceptions of their competence. Dietary intakes also were assessed in both the girls and their parents. There were large differences between troops in ethnicity and parent education level, and there were differences in dietary intakes as well. The psychosocial factors assessed in this study, however, did not differ significantly by troop. When the psychosocial factors were examined for their relationships to dietary factors, there was an indication that families which reported higher self‐competence and academic competence in their daughters also had healthier eating patterns in their daughters. This was a small study, but the data suggest that simple comparisons between ethnic groups may not adequately capture the complexity of family and psychosocial factors contributing to good dietary practices.
THE EFFECT OF PREHARVEST CALCIUM LOADING ON TENDERNESS OF BEEF LONGISSIMUS, SUPRASPINATUS AND SEMITENDINOSUS MUSCLE
Authors: HANSON D.J. , CALKINS C.R. , HORTON J.
Published: March 2006

The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of administration of water‐soluble calcium sources on tenderness of beef longissimus, supraspinatus and semitendinosus muscle. Cattle were treated immediately prior to harvest, with distilled water control (C), calcium chloride (CC) or calcium propionate (NutroCAL, Kemin Industries, Inc., Des Moines, IA) (CP) to provide 150 g of calcium. The meat was aged 2, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days prior to Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBS) determination. Serum calcium levels were higher (P < 0.10) in CC compared with C or CP. The longissimus muscle from CP tended to have higher muscle calcium levels (compared with C and CC steers) and numerically lower shear force values at days 2, 5, 7 and 14, compared with controls. No differences (P > 0.05) in muscle calcium or WBS values were detected among the treatments for semitendinosus and supraspinatus muscles. CP drench, prior to harvest, may decrease shear force in beef longissimus muscle.
SENSORY AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF DONER KEBAB MADE FROM TURKEY MEAT
Authors: KAYAARDI S. , KUNDAKÇI A. , KAYACIER A. , GOK V.
Published: March 2006

Sensory and chemical properties of doner kebab made from turkey meat were determined during storage at 4 ± 1C. A sensory panel rated the samples using a hedonic scale for meat color, texture, off‐odor, juiciness, flavor, chewiness and general acceptability of the turkey doner kebab. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, peroxide values and total viable organisms of the samples were determined. It was found that turkey doner kebab would be acceptable for consumption by the panel after 12 days of cold storage and after that time, off‐flavors considerably limited the acceptance. The TBA and peroxide values supported this finding as they increased with time. The TBA values doubled and the peroxide values quadrupled after 12 days when compared to fresh samples. Turkey doner, like beef or chicken doner, could be safely consumed.
BIOCHEMICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN GOAT MEAT DURING POSTMORTEM AGING
Authors: NAGARAJ N.S. , ANILAKUMAR K.R. , SANTHANAM K.
Published: March 2006

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of postmortem aging on pH, temperature, drip loss, sarcomere length, myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI), myofibrillar protein solubility, released calcium and myofibrillar adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) activity in longissimus dorsi (LD), biceps femoris (BF), semimembranosus (SM) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles of goat maintained at 5C up to 20 days postmortem. The results showed that the rates of pH decline, temperature and sarcomere length decreased during aging. There was a significant increase in drip loss of LD, BF, SM and ST at 3, 6 and 9 days, respectively. The increased MFI followed a pattern of LD > ST > BF > SM at 20 days postmortem. The myofibrillar ATPase activity rapidly decreased between 0.1 and 0.2 M ionic strength in all the muscles. The biochemical index of myofibrillar aging (BIMA) value of LD, BF and SM muscles was constant after 9 days postmortem. The results obtained here describe a close relationship between rate of pH decline, decreased sarcomere length and increased MFI and BIMA value during postmortem aging. Therefore, the biochemical indices described in this article could be used as indicators of the degree of aging of the goat myofibrillar structure.
Modelling the anti‐herpes simplex virus activity of small cationic peptides using amino acid descriptors
Authors: Jenssen H. , Gutteberg T.J. , Lejon T.
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  There are a number of diseases associated with herpes simplex virus infections, and although there are available treatments, there is still a need for new therapies. Some peptides have proved to have an antiviral effect, but the high flexibility and complex mode of action makes it difficult to obtain reliable quantitative structure–activity relationships. In this article, we report on the use of theoretically derived amino acid descriptors for the modelling of peptide activity as a mean to find lead compounds based on biologically active peptides.
Integrin α5β1: a new purification strategy based on immobilized peptides
Authors: Wobbe L. , Zimmermann D. , Wißbrock M. , Urman S. , Sewald K. , Malešević M. , Sewald N.
Published: March 2006

Abstract:  Novel efficient and robust affinity chromatography material: There are several strategies known for the purification of integrins by affinity chromatography, but the disadvantages of common strategies like insufficient selectivity or compelling conditions for the elution still require alternatives. A new strategy, based on the immobilized C‐terminally modified peptide Ac‐Gly‐Ala‐c‐(CysSS‐Arg‐Arg‐Glu‐Thr‐Ala‐Trp‐Ala‐CysSS)‐Gly‐Ala‐O(CH2CH2O)2CH2CH2‐NH2 allows for the affinity purification of the integrin α5β1. While RGD peptides have been proven in the past to be inappropriate for selective purification of integrins by affinity chromatography, the new peptide can be efficiently used for selective enrichment of the integrin α5β1. It is a specific ligand of the target protein, but does not contain an RGD sequence. The application of well‐characterized affinity chromatography material with a site‐specifically immobilized peptide allows to obtain integrin α5β1 in a single chromatography step without contamination by other integrins. This process combines the advantages of a selective and monospecific protein‐ligand recognition with mild elution conditions and a low sensitivity of the immobilized ligand with respect to column regeneration.
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide receptor antagonism enhances the vagally induced increase in cardiac interval of the rat atriumin vitro
Authors: Hogan K. , Markos F.
Published: March 2006

The effect of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) receptor antagonism on preganglionic vagal electrical stimulation and on vagal postganglionic activation using nicotine and 1,1‐dimethyl‐4‐phenylpiperazinium iodide on cardiac interval was evaluated in the isolated innervated rat right atrium. The vagus was stimulated at 4, 8, 16 and 32 Hz, pulse duration 1 ms, 20 V, for 30 s. All experiments were carried out in the presence of atenolol (4 μm). Vagal stimulation caused a frequency‐dependent increase in cardiac interval which was amplified significantly at each frequency, except at 32 Hz, following application of the VIP receptor antagonist VIP(6–28) at 2 nmin 15 rats. Application of the ganglionic antagonist hexmethonium (28 μm,n= 7 rats) prior to 2 nmVIP(6–28) abolished this effect. Increasing the concentration of VIP(6–28) 10‐fold to 20 nmdid not result in a greater increase in cardiac interval than that obtained at 2 nm. Nicotine (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mm) increased cardiac interval by direct activation of postganglionic vagal fibres, but 2 nmVIP(6–28) did not affect the nicotine concentration response (n= 6 rats). 1,1‐Dimethyl‐4‐phenylpiperazinium iodide (25, 50, 100 and 200 μm;n= 6 rats) was also used to induce an increase in cardiac interval; again it was not significantly altered by 2 nmVIP(6–28). Therefore, VIP receptor antagonism enhances the magnitude of vagally induced cardiac slowing, probably via an action at the preganglionic–postganglionic synapse.
Central respiratory modulation of barosensitive neurones in rat caudal ventrolateral medulla
Authors: Mandel Daniel A. , Schreihofer Ann M.
Published: March 2006

The sympathetic nerves that maintain blood pressure are modulated by the central respiratory generator. Neurones in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) that drive this sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) also display central respiratory drive (CRD)‐related activity, suggesting integration of respiratory and cardiovascular regulatory systems within the brainstem. Whether CRD‐related activity in the RVLM is due to direct inputs from central respiratory neurones or modulation of cardiovascular‐related neurones that influence the RVLM is not known. The caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM) contains GABAergic neurones that tonically inhibit presympathetic RVLM neurones and are essential for the production of numerous cardiovascular reflexes. The present study sought to determine whether cardiovascular‐related GABAergic neurones in the CVLM display CRD‐related activity. The firing patterns of individual barosensitive CVLM neurones were examined in relation to phrenic nerve activity in chloralose‐anaesthetized, ventilated, neuromuscularly blocked, vagotomized rats. Histograms of phrenic‐triggered CVLM neuronal activity showed that all baro‐activated CVLM neurones displayed one of four patterns of CRD‐related activity: (i) inspiratory peak (n= 15), (ii) inspiratory depression (n= 15), (iii) inspiratory peak with postinspiratory depression (n= 10), and (iv) postinspiratory peak (n= 9). A subset of each type of CVLM neurone was identified as GABAergic by individually filling the recorded neurone with biotinamide and observing expression of GAD67 mRNA by in situ hybridization (n= 10). These data suggest that the activity of GABAergic neurones in the CVLM is regulated by cardiovascular and respiratory inputs, and baro‐activated GABAergic CVLM neurones may contribute to CRD‐related modulation of presympathetic RVLM neurones and SNA.