bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncovering the Hit List for Small Inflation Targeters: A Bayesian Structural Analysis
Authors: KAM TIMOTHY , LEES KIRDAN , LIU PHILIP
Published: May 2009

We estimate underlying structural macroeconomic policy objectives of three of the earliest explicit inflation targeters within the context of a small open economy dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model. We assume central banks set policy optimally, such that we can reverse engineer policy objectives from observed time series data. Joint tests of the posterior distributions of these policy preference parameters suggest that the central banks are very similar in their overall objective. None of the central banks show a concern for stabilizing the real exchange rate. All three central banks share a concern for minimizing the volatility in the change in the nominal interest rate. We also show that the resulting optimal policy rule responds to exchange rate movements, even in the case where the central banks do not explicitly care about exchange rate stabilization. This result is also corroborated by results from an alternative simple‐rule characterization and estimation of central bank behavior. These last two findings point to the pitfalls of making inferences, from the level of ad hoc simple rules, about what central banks may care about.
Monetary Policy in a Forward‐Looking Input–Output Economy
Authors: STRUM BRAD E.
Published: May 2009

This paper examines the implications for monetary policy of sticky prices in both final and intermediate goods in a New Keynesian model. Both optimal policy under commitment and discretionary policy under simple loss functions are studied. Household utility losses under alternative loss functions are compared; additionally, the robustness of policy performance to model and shock misperceptions and parameter uncertainty is examined. Targeting inflation in both consumer and intermediate goods performs better than targeting inflation in one sector; targeting price levels of both final and intermediate goods performs significantly better. Moreover, targeting price levels in both sectors yields superior robustness properties.
Are Competitive Banking Systems More Stable?
Authors: SCHAECK KLAUS , CIHAK MARTIN , WOLFE SIMON
Published: May 2009

Using the Panzar and Rosse H‐statistic as a measure of competition in 45 countries, we find that more competitive banking systems are less prone to experience a systemic crisis and exhibit increased time to crisis. This result holds even when we control for banking system concentration, which is associated with higher probability of a crisis and shorter time to crisis. Our results indicate that competition and concentration capture different characteristics of banking systems, meaning that concentration is an inappropriate proxy for competition. The findings suggest that policies promoting competition among banks, if well executed, have the potential to improve systemic stability.
Moderate Inflation and the Deflation–Depression Link
Authors: BENHABIB JESS , SPIEGEL MARK M.
Published: May 2009

Recent research has concluded that the historical evidence only provides weak support for the contention that deflation episodes are harmful to economic growth. In this paper, we revisit this relationship by allowing for inflation and growth to have a nonlinear specification dependent on inflation levels. In particular, we allow for the possibility that high inflation is negatively correlated with growth, while a positive relationship exists over the range of negative to moderate inflation. Our results confirm a positive relationship between inflation and growth at moderate inflation levels, and support the contention that the relationship between inflation and growth is nonlinear over the entire sample range.
Do Stock Mergers Create Value for Acquirers?
Authors: SAVOR PAVEL G. , LU QI
Published: May 2009

This paper finds support for the hypothesis that overvalued firms create value for long‐term shareholders by using their equity as currency. Any approach centered on abnormal returns is complicated by the fact that the most overvalued firms have the greatest incentive to engage in stock acquisitions. We solve this endogeneity problem by creating a sample of mergers that fail for exogenous reasons. We find that unsuccessful stock bidders significantly underperform successful ones. Failure to consummate is costlier for richly priced firms, and the unrealized acquirer‐target combination would have earned higher returns. None of these results hold for cash bids.
The Price of Correlation Risk: Evidence from Equity Options
Authors: DRIESSEN JOOST , MAENHOUT PASCAL J. , VILKOV GRIGORY
Published: May 2009

We study whether exposure to marketwide correlation shocks affects expected option returns, using data on S&P100 index options, options on all components, and stock returns. We find evidence of priced correlation risk based on prices of index and individual variance risk. A trading strategy exploiting priced correlation risk generates a high alpha and is attractive for CRRA investors without frictions. Correlation risk exposure explains the cross‐section of index and individual option returns well. The correlation risk premium cannot be exploited with realistic trading frictions, providing a limits‐to‐arbitrage interpretation of our finding of a high price of correlation risk.
Semiparametric Analysis for Recurrent Event Data with Time‐Dependent Covariates and Informative Censoring
Authors: Huang C.‐Y. , Qin J. , Wang M.‐C.
Published: May 2009

SummaryRecurrent event data analyses are usually conducted under the assumption that the censoring time is independent of the recurrent event process. In many applications the censoring time can be informative about the underlying recurrent event process, especially in situations where a correlated failure event could potentially terminate the observation of recurrent events. In this article, we consider a semiparametric model of recurrent event data that allows correlations between censoring times and recurrent event process via frailty. This flexible framework incorporates both time‐dependent and time‐independent covariates in the formulation, while leaving the distributions of frailty and censoring times unspecified. We propose a novel semiparametric inference procedure that depends on neither the frailty nor the censoring time distribution. Large sample properties of the regression parameter estimates and the estimated baseline cumulative intensity functions are studied. Numerical studies demonstrate that the proposed methodology performs well for realistic sample sizes. An analysis of hospitalization data for patients in an AIDS cohort study is presented to illustrate the proposed method.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 immunoreactivity in collagenous colitis
Authors: WILDT SIGNE , RUMESSEN JÜRI J. , CSILLAG CLAUDIO , NORMARK MICHEL , POULSEN KRISTIAN ARILD , KOLKO MIRIAM
Published: May 2009

Collagenous colitis (CC) is an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown aetiology and pathogenesis. In ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, prostaglandins may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation, and increased expression of cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) has been detected. The purpose of this study was to examine the presence and cellular localization of COX‐2 in colonic mucosa of patients with CC. Using immunohistochemistry, immunoflouresence and Western blot analysis, COX‐2 expression was evaluated in colonic mucosal biopsies from 10 patients with active untreated CC, and compared with samples from eight normal controls, and samples from eight patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Specimens from patients with CC expressed COX‐2 protein in increased amounts compared with controls, but similar to patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. COX‐2 expression was localized to the mononuclear cells of the lamina propria. COX‐2 expression was most evident in macrophages. Co‐localization of COX‐2 and macrophages was increased in number in comparison with controls. In conclusion COX‐2 is expressed in increased amounts primarily in the macrophage subpopulation of the inflammatory infiltrate of lamina propria in CC. Increased recruitment of macrophages, increased expression of COX‐2 and increased prostaglandin synthesis may be involved in the pathogenesis of CC.
Underwater wingbeats extend depth and duration of plunge dives in northern gannets Morus bassanus
Authors: Ropert‐Coudert Yan , Daunt Francis , Kato Akiko , Ryan Peter G. , Lewis Sue , Kobayashi Kaori , Mori Yoshihisa , Grémillet David , Wanless Sarah
Published: May 2009

Plunge‐diving is a specialised hunting tactic used by some avian predators to overcome the high buoyancy encountered near the water surface and surprise prey. However, plunge‐diving is effective only to a certain depth; to access deeper prey, birds need to use an additional method of propulsion, e.g. wings or feet. We used miniature accelerometers to record the details of the aerial and underwater phases of plunge dives by northern gannets Morus bassanus. Birds never reached depths >11 m using the momentum of the aerial part of the plunge dive and had to flap their wings underwater to gain additional depth. A biomechanical model demonstrates that little additional depth can be obtained from momentum alone when initiating a plunge from heights >40 m. Thus, the additional energy required to attain greater starting heights is not rewarded by reaching significantly greater depths. However, by using their wings underwater, gannets were able to more than double the depth attained (up to 24 m). It appears that prey may be captured by surprise in the first 10 m of the water column, whereas wing‐propelled pursuit is required to catch prey at deeper depths, a strategy likely to be used only for prey of sufficient profitability to justify the cost of flapping the gannet's large wings underwater. Our study demonstrates the importance of understanding the constraints placed on predators by the physical environment when interpreting predator‐prey interactions.
Test of an adaptive hypothesis for egg speckling along an elevational gradient in a population of Mexican jays Aphelocoma ultramarina
Authors: Berg Elena C. , McCormack John E. , Smith Thomas B.
Published: May 2009

The adaptive significance of avian egg speckling patterns has been a subject of ongoing debate. We examined speckling in a population of Mexican jays Aphelocoma ultramarina exhibiting extreme eggshell variability. We sampled 167 eggs at 55 nests from sites ranging across a steep elevation gradient within the Sierra del Carmen mountain range in Coahuila, Mexico, in order to test the recent hypothesis that egg speckling lends structural support to eggs and should therefore be more prevalent in females subject to reduced environmental calcium. Although we documented high variation in the amount and distribution of eggshell speckling within the Sierra del Carmen jays, we found no relationship between local soil calcium levels and the pattern of speckling. Our results indicate that explanations in addition to soil calcium levels are necessary to explain extreme variation in eggshell speckling in birds.
Does begging call convergence increase feeding rates to nestling tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor?
Authors: Leonard Marty L. , Horn Andrew G. , Dorland Alexandra
Published: May 2009

Some studies suggest that offspring might coordinate their begging displays to send a more effective brood signal, which in turn, could increase parental feeding rates. In tree swallows Tachycineta bicolor, when nestlings call together, their calls are more similar in structure than when they call alone. Here, we tested the hypothesis that call convergence enhances the overall brood signal, thus increasing parental provisioning rates. We played back similar and dissimilar calls (as measured by cross‐correlation) to parents during a one‐h playback period, and filmed the response of parents and nestlings. Contrary to our hypothesis, parental feeding rates did not differ in relation to call similarity. Based on these results, call similarity does not appear to function as a coordinated brood signal in tree swallows.
Quantifying the potential effects of climate change and the invasion of smallmouth bass on native lake trout populations across Canadian lakes
Authors: Sharma Sapna , Jackson Donald A. , Minns Charles K.
Published: May 2009

Climate change and invasive species are two stressors that should have large impacts on native species in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. We quantify and integrate the effects of climate change and the establishment of an invasive species (smallmouth bass Micropterusdolomieu) on native lake trout Salvelinus namaycush populations. We assembled a dataset of almost 22 000 Canadian lakes that contained information on fish communities, lake morphologies, and geography. We examined the pelagic‐benthic and littoral forage fish community available to lake trout populations across three lake size classes in these aquatic ecosystems. Due to the decreased presence of alternate prey resources, lake trout populations residing in smaller lakes are more vulnerable to the effects of smallmouth bass establishment. A detailed spatially and temporally explicit approach to assess smallmouth bass invasion risk in Ontario lakes suggests that the number of Ontario lakes with vulnerable lake trout populations could increase from 118 (~1%) to 1612 (~20%) by 2050 following projected climate warming. In addition, we identified nearly 9700 lake trout populations in Canada threatened by 2100, by the potential range expansion of smallmouth bass. Our study provides an integration of two major stressors of ecosystems, namely climate change and invasive species, by considering climate‐change scenarios, dispersal rates of invasive species, and inter‐specific biotic interactions.
Does removal of an alien predator from small islands in the Baltic Sea induce a trophic cascade?
Authors: Fey Karen , Banks Peter B. , Oksanen Lauri , Korpimäki Erkki
Published: May 2009

Changes in carnivore abundance can alter the distribution and abundance of plants on a community wide basis, an effect known as a trophic cascade. Because alien predators can have a disproportionate impact, compared to native predators, on herbivore populations, they may induce stronger trophic cascades in plant communities than native predators. We studied the indirect effects of the removal of an alien predator, the American mink Mustela vison on plant communities on small islands in the Baltic Sea, SW Finland. Mink had been removed from a group of islands for 12 yr, while another group of islands with mink presence served as a control area. Field voles Microtus agrestis and bank voles Myodes glareolus exert strong grazing pressure on the island vegetation and are an important part of mink diet. On nine islands of the mink removal area and five islands of the control area we studied the vegetation in ten randomly chosen plots; five in herbaceous and five in woody (i.e. dwarf shrub) vegetation. We studied the cascading impacts of mink predation on grassy and woody vegetation using the Shannon diversity and equitability indices and comparing abundances of different species between mink removal and control islands. Diversity and equitability of plant communities were higher on mink removal islands. In grassy patches, abundances of several species differed between mink removal and control islands. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that alien predator removal may induce a trophic cascade on small islands.
Puzzlingly High Correlations in fMRI Studies of Emotion, Personality, and Social Cognition
Authors: Vul Edward , Harris Christine , Winkielman Piotr , Pashler Harold
Published: May 2009

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studiesofemotion, personality, and social cognition have drawn much attention in recent years, with high-profile studies frequently reporting extremely high (e.g., >.8) correlations between brain activation and personality measures. We show that these correlations are higher than should be expected given the (evidently limited) reliability of both fMRI and personality measures. The high correlations are all the more puzzling because method sections rarely contain much detail about how the correlations were obtained. We surveyed authors of 55 articles that reported findings of this kind to determine a few details on how these correlations were computed. More than half acknowledged using a strategy that computes separate correlations for individual voxels and reports means of only those voxels exceeding chosen thresholds. We show how this nonindependent analysis inflates correlations while yielding reassuring-looking scattergrams. This analysis technique was used to obtain the vast majority of the implausibly high correlations in our survey sample. In addition, we argue that, in some cases, other analysis problems likely created entirely spurious correlations. We outline how the data from these studies could be reanalyzed with unbiased methods to provide accurate estimates of the correlations in question and urge authors to perform such reanalyses. The underlying problems described here appear to be common in fMRI research of many kinds—not just in studies of emotion, personality, and social cognition.
Commentary on Vul et al.'s (2009) “Puzzlingly High Correlations in fMRI Studies of Emotion, Personality, and Social Cognition”
Authors: Nichols Thomas E. , Poline Jean-Baptist
Published: May 2009

The article “Puzzlingly High Correlations in fMRI Studies of Emotion, Personality, and Social Cognition” ( Vul, Harris, Winkielman, & Pashler, 2009 , this issue) makes a broad case that current practice in neuroimaging methodology is deficient. Vul et al. go so far as to demand that authors retract or restate results, which we find wrongly casts suspicion on the confirmatory inference methods that form the foundation of neuroimaging statistics. We contend the authors' argument is overstated and that their work can be distilled down to two points already familiar to the neuroimaging community: that the multiple testing problem must be accounted for, and that reporting of methods and results should be improved. We also illuminate their concerns with standard statistical concepts such as the distinction between estimation and inference and between confirmatory and post hoc inferences, which makes their findings less puzzling.
Discussion of “Puzzlingly High Correlations in fMRI Studies of Emotion, Personality, and Social Cognition” by Vul et al. (2009)
Authors: Lazar Nicole A.
Published: May 2009

In their article, Vul, Harris, Winkielman, and Pashler (2009) , (this issue) raise the issue of nonindependent analysis in behavioral neuroimaging, whereby correlations are artificially inflated as a result of spurious statistical procedures. In this comment, I note that the phenomenon in question is a type of selection bias and hence is neither new nor unique to fMRI. The use of massive, complex data sets (common in modern applications) to answer increasingly intricate scientific questions presents many potential pitfalls to valid statistical analysis. Strong collaboration between statisticians and scientists and the development of statistical methods specific to the types of data encountered in practice can help researchers avoid these pitfalls.
Understanding the Mind by Measuring the Brain: Lessons From Measuring Behavior (Commentary on Vul et al., 2009)
Authors: Barrett Lisa Feldman
Published: May 2009

Throughout the history of psychology, the path of transforming the physical (muscle movements, verbal behavior, or physiological changes) into the mental has been fraught with difficulty. Over the decades, psychologists have risen to the challenge and learned a few things about how to infer the mental from measuringthe physical. The Vul, Harris, Winkielman, and Pashler article (2009) , (this issue) points out that some ofthese lessons could be helpful to those of us who measure blood flow in the brain in a quest to understand the mind. Three lessons from psychometrics are discussed.
The Rule of Three, its Variants and Extensions
Authors: Tuyl Frank , Gerlach Richard , Mengersen Kerrie
Published: May 2009

The Rule of Three (R3) states that 3/n is an approximate 95% upper limit for the binomial parameter, when there are no events in n trials. This rule is based on the one‐sided Clopper–Pearson exact limit, but it is shown that none of the other popular frequentist methods lead to it. It can be seen as a special case of a Bayesian R3, but it is shown that among common choices for a non‐informative prior, only the Bayes–Laplace and Zellner priors conform with it. R3 has also incorrectly been extended to 3 being a “reasonable” upper limit for the number of events in a future experiment of the same (large) size, when, instead, it applies to the binomial mean. In Bayesian estimation, such a limit should follow from the posterior predictive distribution. This method seems to give more natural results than—though when based on the Bayes–Laplace prior technically converges with—the method of prediction limits, which indicates between 87.5% and 93.75% confidence for this extended R3. These results shed light on R3 in general, suggest an extended Rule of Four for a number of events, provide a unique comparison of Bayesian and frequentist limits, and support the choice of the Bayes–Laplace prior among non‐informative contenders.
Lack of Oral Care Policies in Toronto Daycares
Authors: Gartsbein Elena , Lawrence Herenia P. , Leake James L. , Stewart Hazel , Kulkarni Gajanan
Published: May 2009

Objectives: Currently, there is a deficit of information on policies regarding oral hygiene practices in Toronto daycares. It is unknown if any tooth‐brushing programs are in existence and if children are permitted to follow professional advice on oral hygiene. The main objectives of this investigation were to a) determine the prevalence of oral care policies in daycares and b) examine the availability of resources. Methods: Telephone interviews were conducted with daycare supervisors using a pretested questionnaire. Summary statistics and the chi‐square test were used to analyze the results. Results: Two hundred forty‐nine questionnaires were completed (response rate of 99.6 percent), representing 38 percent of the total daycare population (650) in Toronto. Eighty‐three percent did not have a policy on oral care and 11 percent would not cede to requests from parents or medical professionals to brush teeth. However, 50 daycares indicated that their centers used to have a tooth‐brushing program, and most (79 percent) were open to establishing an oral care policy. Fifteen percent reported not having proper sinks for tooth brushing. Conclusions: Many daycares do not have a policy regarding oral hygiene. A policy that encourages and provides guidance on safe tooth‐brushing procedures is needed and may improve the oral health of preschool children.
Relationships Between Caregivers' Responses to Oral Health Screening Questions and Early Childhood Caries
Authors: Roberts Christopher R. , Warren John J. , Weber‐Gasparoni Karin
Published: May 2009

Objective: This study evaluated relationships between caregiver responses to oral health screening questions and caries in young children. Methods: Two samples of caregivers answered identical eight‐item screening questionnaires about their oral health. One sample included children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) who were 24 to 42 months of age; the other sample included 3‐ to 5‐year‐old children attending a pediatric dental clinic. Using chi‐square and relative risk, questionnaire findings were related to children's caries history based on clinical caries exams. Results: Questions significantly (P < 0.05) related to children's caries in the older sample included caregivers' poorer rating of their oral health, less frequent dental visits, current or recent caries, and history of tooth loss due to caries. However, only questions pertaining to tooth loss were related to caries in the younger sample. Conclusion: Caregivers' reported loss of teeth due to caries was significantly associated with caries development in their children in both samples, and may be a useful means for early identification of children at high risk.
Complete Edentulism Prior to the Age of 65 Years is Associated with All‐Cause Mortality
Authors: Brown David W.
Published: May 2009

Purpose: We examine the relationship between complete edentulism prior to the age of 65 years and all‐cause mortality after adjustment for socioeconomic characteristics. Methods: Using data from 41,000 adult participants in the 1986 National Health Interview Survey, with mortality follow‐up data on each cohort member through December 31, 2002 (16 years follow‐up), we estimated the relative odds of all‐cause mortality among adults (age ≥18 years) with complete edentulism prior to the age of 65 years compared with that among those without the condition. Multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression analyses were repeated for complete edentulism at any age. Results: The age‐standardized prevalence of complete edentulism was 12.3 percent [95 percent confidence interval (CI), 12.0‐12.6]. Among persons aged <65 years, the risk of death from all causes was 19 percent for persons with complete edentulism compared to 10 percent for persons without. Compared with those without complete tooth loss, the risk of death from all causes was 1.5 (95 percent CI, 1.3‐1.7) (P < 0.001) times greater for persons with complete edentulism prior to the age of 65 years after multivariable adjustment. Similar results were observed for complete edentulism among persons aged ≥65 years. Conclusions: Complete edentulism prior to the age of 65 years was associated with all‐cause mortality after multivariable adjustment for several socioeconomic characteristics. These results provide further evidence supporting the notion that poor oral health as evidenced by complete edentulism is an important public health issue across the lifespan.
Improved Glycaemic Control with Biphasic Insulin Aspart 30 in Type 2 Diabetes Patients Failing Oral Antidiabetic Drugs: PRESENT Study Results
Authors: Güler Serdar , Sharma Surendra Kumar , Almustafa Majeed , Kim Chong Hwa , Azar Sami , Danciulescu Rucsandra , Shestakova Marina , Khutsoane Duma , Bech Ole Molskov
Published: May 2009

Aims.  This paper presents the treatment outcomes for patients intiated on biphasic insulin aspart 30 (BIAsp 30) treatment: BIAsp 30‐only, BIAsp 30 + sulphonylureas (SU), BIAsp 30 + biguanides (BI), BIAsp 30 + SU + BI, BIAsp 30 + alpha‐glucosidase inhibitors (GI), and BIAsp 30 + BI + thiazolidinediones (TZD) after failing oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) treatment.

Methods.  This was a multi‐national, multi‐centre, six‐month, prospective, open‐labelled, uncontrolled, clinical experience evaluation study, with the exception of a three‐month study in one country (China) (“all exclude China” and “China”). Initiation and discontinuation of BIAsp 30 treatment were entirely at the discretion of the attending physicians.

Results.  Mean HbA1c, FPG and PPPG were significantly reduced from baseline at three and six months in all groups (P < 0.001). In “all exclude China”, reductions in mean HbA1c, FPG and PPPG at six months were as follows: BIAsp 30‐only group (−2.12 ± 1.76% points; −4.82 ± 3.86 mmol/L; −6.89 ± 4.74 mmol/L), BIAsp 30 + BI group (−2.24 ± 1.77% points; −4.48 ± 3.68 mmol/L; −6.66 ± 4.55 mmol/L), BIAsp 30 + SU group (−1.95 ± 1.59% points; −3.98 ± 3.19 mmol/L; −6.25 ± 4.45 mmol/L) and BIAsp 30 + SU + BI group (−1.78 ± 1.20% points; −3.57 ± 2.78 mmol/L; −5.89 ± 3.98 mmol/L). The only serious adverse drug reaction was reported by the BIAsp 30‐only group. In the “China” group, reductions in mean HbA1c, FPG and PPPG at three months were: BIAsp 30‐only group (−2.16 ± 1.52% points; −3.34 ± 2.49 mmol/L; −6.29 ± 3.92 mmol/L), BIAsp 30 + BI group (−2.44 ± 1.52% points; −4.01 ± 2.50 mmol/L; −7.10 ± 3.96 mmol/L), BIAsp 30 + GI group (−2.33 ± 1.41% points; −4.34 ± 2.52 mmol/L; −7.97 ± 3.99 mmol/L) and BIAsp 30 + BI + TZD group (−1.21 ± 1.60% points; −3.50 ± 2.29 mmol/L; −5.97 ± 3.39 mmol/L). No serious ADR were reported in China. The most frequent hypoglycaemic episodes were diurnal and minor in nature.

Conclusions.  BIAsp 30 treatment in a clinical setting improved glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes patients failing OADs.
Advancing ecological understandings through technological transformations in noninvasive genetics
Authors: BEJA‐PEREIRA ALBANO , OLIVEIRA RITA , ALVES PAULO C. , SCHWARTZ MICHAEL K. , LUIKART GORDON
Published: May 2009

Noninvasive genetic approaches continue to improve studies in molecular ecology, conservation genetics and related disciplines such as forensics and epidemiology. Noninvasive sampling allows genetic studies without disturbing or even seeing the target individuals. Although noninvasive genetic sampling has been used for wildlife studies since the 1990s, technological advances continue to make noninvasive approaches among the most used and rapidly advancing areas in genetics. Here, we review recent advances in noninvasive genetics and how they allow us to address important research and management questions thanks to improved techniques for DNA extraction, preservation, amplification and data analysis. We show that many advances come from the fields of forensics, human health and domestic animal health science, and suggest that molecular ecologists explore literature from these fields. Finally, we discuss how the combination of advances in each step of a noninvasive genetics study, along with fruitful areas for future research, will continually increase the power and role of noninvasive genetics in molecular ecology and conservation genetics.
Molecular identification of prey in the stomach contents of Harp Seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) using species‐specific oligonucleotides
Authors: MARSHALL H. D. , HART K. A. , YASKOWIAK E. S. , STENSON G. B. , McKINNON D. , PERRY E. A.
Published: May 2009

All methods of diet analysis in marine mammals, including hard part analysis (HPA), have biases affecting the accuracy of prey‐species identification and frequency in the estimated diet due to differential consumption, digestion and retention. Using PCR amplification of specific prey DNA with species‐specific primers, we developed a DNA‐based method that complements HPA and provides an alternative means to detect prey from stomach contents of Harp Seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus). The target size that could be reliably amplified was determined using a digestion time‐series of Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) tissue in simulated seal stomachs. Various target lengths were trialed using general teleost primers; amplicons of approximately 800 bp or less were consistently obtained. Prey species‐specific PCR primers for Atlantic Cod, Arctic Cod (Boreogadus saida) and Capelin (Mallotus villosus) were designed and tested with DNA from the stomach contents of 31 Harp Seals. Amplicons were obtained for all three species‐specific primer sets. Amplification results compared with HPA revealed: (i) Atlantic Cod hard parts were found in five stomachs where no Atlantic Cod DNA amplified, suggesting that Atlantic Cod may be over‐represented in the estimated diet, (ii) amplification of Arctic Cod DNA occurred for 17 stomachs, including all 12 stomachs with, and five stomachs without, Arctic Cod hard parts, and (iii) Capelin DNA amplified for four of five stomachs with Capelin hard parts and for one stomach without Capelin hard parts. We conclude that PCR amplification of specific prey DNA provides a viable means to complement Harp Seal diet analysis by HPA, but suggest that valuable information for quantitative diet analysis rests in a quantitative PCR approach.
Corneal flap thickness with the Moria M2™ microkeratome and Med‐Logics calibrated LASIK blades
Authors: Pietilä Juhani , Huhtala Anne , Mäkinen Petri , Seppänen Matti , Jääskeläinen Markus , Uusitalo Hannu
Published: May 2009

Purpose:  This study aimed to compare and study potential factors that affect the accuracy of corneal flap thickness created in laser‐assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) using the Moria model 2 (M2™) head 130 microkeratome with the Med‐Logics calibrated LASIK blades Minus 20 (ML –20) and Minus 30 (ML –30).

Methods:  Corneal thickness in 200 (164 myopic and 36 hyperopic) eyes (100 patients) was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry preoperatively and intraoperatively after flap cutting. A total of 100 eyes were treated with the ML –20 and 100 with the ML –30. The right eye was operated before the left eye in each patient, using the same blade. In an additional group of 40 eyes, the left eye was operated first.

Results:  Mean corneal flap thickness using the ML –20 blade for an intended flap thickness of 140 μm was 129.1 μm (standard deviation [SD] 15.6, range 104–165 μm) in right eyes and 111.5 μm (SD 14.5, range 78–144 μm) in left eyes. Mean corneal flap thickness using the ML –30 blade for an intended flap thickness of 130 μm was 127.1 μm (SD 16.6, range 90–168 μm) in right eyes and 109.9 μm (SD 16.8, range 72–149 μm) in left eyes.

Conclusions:  Both microkeratome blade types cut thinner flaps than were intended. There was substantial variation in flap thickness. The first flap to be cut with a particular blade was considerably thicker than the second flap cut with the same blade. Based on these data, we recommend the use of disposable single‐use microkeratomes rather than these ML blades.
A Pilot Assessment of a School‐Based Youth Court in a Resource‐Poor African‐American Urban School District: Lessons Learned From Youth Court Volunteers
Authors: Hirschinger‐Blank Nancy , Simons Lori , Volz Gregory L. , Thompson Raymond , Finely Laura , Cleary Joseph
Published: May 2009

This study assesses the benefits of youth court participation for volunteers (N = 14) serving as jurors in an urban school‐based youth court. Focus group and questionnaire data indicate that volunteers are capable of providing more effective sanctioning decisions than adults. Volunteers reported developing citizenship skills including learning about the law and decision‐making skills. The youth court leaders developed self‐confidence and maturity while learning the conflict resolution skills necessary for rendering dispositions and conducting trials. We interpret our findings within the context of the youth court literature, the issue of the school‐to‐prison pipeline, and Elijah Anderson's analysis of the Code of the Street.
Independence of points on elliptic curves arising from special points on modular and Shimura curves, II: local results
Authors: Buium Alexandru , Poonen Bjorn
Published: May 2009

In the predecessor to this article, we used global equidistribution theorems to prove that given a correspondence between a modular curve and an elliptic curveA, the intersection of any finite-rank subgroup ofAwith the set of CM-points ofAis finite. In this article we apply local methods, involving the theory of arithmetic differential equations, to provequantitativeversions of a similar statement. The new methods apply also to certain infinite-rank subgroups, as well as to the situation where the set of CM-points is replaced by certain isogeny classes of points on the modular curve. Finally, we prove Shimura-curve analogues of these results.
Illustrating some implications of the conservation laws in relativistic mechanics
Authors: Boyer Timothy H.
Published: May 2009

The conservation laws of nonrelativistic and relativistic systems are reviewed and some simple illustrations are provided for the restrictive nature of the relativistic conservation law involving the center of energy compared to the nonrelativistic conservation law for the center of mass. Extension of the nonrelativistic interaction of particles through a potential to a system that is Lorentz-invariant through order v2∕c2 is found to require new velocity- and acceleration-dependent forces that are suggestive of a field theory where the no-interaction theorem of Currie, Jordan, and Sudershan does not hold.
Gödel, Einstein, Mach, Gamow, and Lanczos: Gödel’s remarkable excursion into cosmology
Authors: Rindler Wolfgang
Published: May 2009

This article is an expanded version of a talk given at the International Symposium Celebrating the 100th Birthday of Kurt Gödel (Vienna, 2006). It seeks to trace the path which led this preeminent mathematical logician to discover one of the famous results of General Relativity, the rotating Gödel Universe. This universe has some remarkable properties, which gave the philosophers plenty to worry about. It allows a person to travel into his own past, with all the ensuing causal paradoxes; it allows no unique temporal ordering of events; and though Gödel's Universe is rigid and infinite, the Foucault pendulum planes everywhere in it rotate in unison, a clear affront to adherents of Mach’s Principle. We also discuss some lesser known precursors in the field, who just missed discovering Gödel’s universe. While the article gives all the necessary derivations in simplified form (for example, of the metric and its geodesics), much of it should be accessible to the general reader, who can simply skip most of the mathematics. [Reprinted, with permission, from Kurt Gödel and the Foundations of Mathematics: Horizons of Truth, edited by Matthias Baaz, Christos H. Papadimitriou, Dana S. Scott, Hilary Putnam, and Charles L. Harper, Jr. (Cambridge U. P., New York, 2009).]
Asymptotic approximations to Clebsch-Gordan coefficients from a tight-binding model
Authors: Sprung D. W. L. , van Dijk W. , Martorell J. , Criger D. B.
Published: May 2009

The recurrence relations of the angular momentum vector addition coefficients are interpreted as a tight-binding model of a one-dimensional potential. From this model we derive their semi-classical limits in a simple manner, treating separately large J≈L+S and small J≈∣L−S∣. The resulting picture makes their qualitative behavior transparent to beginners, without the use of advanced concepts.
Metamorphosed boninitic basalts, arc tholeiites, and cryptic volcanic stratigraphy from the Elzevir Terrane of the Grenville Province, Calumet mine, Quebec
Authors: Williams Patrick J.
Published: May 2009

Amphibolites (hornblende–plagioclase rocks with Tpeak metamorphism = 650–700 °C) are abundant near the old Calumet Zn–Pb–Ag mine and Au prospect 90 km northwest of Ottawa. They lack primary structures and their original petrochemical character is obscured by metamorphism and profound alteration manifested by a variety of phlogopite–biotite-, garnet-, cummingtonite-, gahnite-, clinopyroxene-, carbonate scapolite-, and calcite-bearing assemblages. This alteration has modified the SiO2, alkali, and most alkaline earth distributions. Trace and minor element chemistry demonstrates that the amphibolites are metaigneous and bimodal, with two suites, one derived from differentiated arc tholeiites and the other from relatively undifferentiated rocks having transitional arc basalt – boninite chemistry. The complex rock package enclosing mineralization includes metatholeiites, whereas the boninitic metabasalts occur in a discrete interval in the structural hanging wall of the mineralization. Although these rocks represent a new geochemical assemblage in the Allochthonous Monocyclic Belt (Central Metasedimentary Belt), their implied geotectonic setting is comparable to those previously inferred for several other areas, including that near Montauban, Quebec, where there are very similar styles of mineralization.
Paleomagnetism and age of three Canadian Rocky Mountain diatremes
Authors: Wynne P. Jane , Irving E. , Schulze Daniel J. , Hall Douglas C. , Helmstaedt Hewart H.
Published: May 2009

Paleomagnetic results, and age estimates derived from them, arc presented for three diatremes, using as a basis of comparison the combined apparent polar wander (APW) path for North America and Europe of Van der Voo. The Cross diatreme of the Front Ranges of the Canadian Rocky Mountains has yielded a radiometric age of 241 Ma (earliest Triassic) and is hosted by the flat-lying Pennsylvanian Tunnel Mountain Formation. It has normal polarity magnetization and yields a paleopole correctly placed according to its radiometric age on the APW path. The Blackpool diatreme (for which no radiometric age is available), which is located in the Main Ranges of the Rocky Mountains, is known to be post-Late Ordovician because it is hosted by rocks of that age. It also has magnetization of normal polarity and yields a paleopole that, when calculated with respect to present horizontal, is coincident with the latest Cretaceous to Paleocene paleopole for North America. The paleopole, when calculated with respect to bedding, lies on the Middle Ordovician portion of the combined APW path. A clockwise rotation of 10° brings the paleopole into agreement with the latest Ordovician. Hence, from a paleomagnetic standpoint, a latest Cretaceous to Paleocene or latest Ordovician age is possible. The HP pipe (radiometric age 391 ± 5 Ma or Early Devonian), previously studied by D. T. A. Symons and M. T. Lewchuk, is hosted in limestones of Upper Cambrian to Middle Ordovician age. It has reversed polarity and yields a paleopole that, when compared with the combined APW path, suggests an age of mid-Permian, although errors are such that it could be somewhat younger, roughly coeval with the Cross diatreme. We conclude, therefore, that the radiometric age estimated for the HP pipe could be too old by about 130 million years.
Evidence for a Mazama-like tephra deposited ca. 10 000 BP at Copper Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta
Authors: White James M. , Osborn Gerald
Published: May 2009

Mazama tephra is a widespread mid-Holocene stratigraphic marker, dating to ca. 6845 BP, and is considered useful for the correlation of Holocene events in western North America. We present evidence from Copper Lake, Alberta, for a tephra layer that underlies Mazama tephra and appears to be a discrete tephra layer but that is indistinguishable from the conventional Mazama tephra by microprobe analysis of glass shards. Three alternative hypotheses are considered to explain this tephra underlying Mazama: in situ position of an earlier Mazama-like tephra, recycling of tephras, and settling of tephra slabs through the gyttja. The size distributions of birch pollen grains indicate that the Mazama-like tephra is in primary stratigraphic position in the early Holocene gyttja, and that sediment recycling has not destroyed the integrity of Copper Lake sediment stratigraphy. It is concluded that most probably a Mazama-like tephra was deposited between 9700 and 10 500 BP. If this in situ hypothesis is correct, the identification of a tephra as Mazama by major-element chemistry does not necessarily fix the age of the enclosing strata. Evidence to confirm the existence and plot the distribution of a Late Pleistocene – early Holocene, Mazama-like tephra is needed from other sites in northwestern America. A collateral result of this study is that ablation of valley-bottom ice in the vicinity of Castle Mountain took place prior to 10 500 BP.
Glacial and early postglacial lacustrine environment of a portion of northeastern Lake Ontario
Authors: Gilbert Robert , Shaw John
Published: May 2009

A deep channel in bedrock extending to more than 25 m below sea level occurs along the north shore of the otherwise uniformly shallow Kingston basin of Lake Ontario. Bathymetric and subbottom acoustic data are used to map the topography of the channel and to reconstruct its late glacial and postglacial sedimentary history. The results are interpreted as showing that the large channel and smaller channels nearby were created by high-velocity subglacial meltwater flow. Acoustic facies assemblages of sediments deposited in the channels record patchy deposition, or deposition followed by partial erosion, of glacial sediments on the bedrock of the channel floor, followed by deposition and episodic erosion of glaciolacustrine sediment in a high-energy, ice-proximal lake. Palaeoslope analysis confirms that the early Holocene low-water phase of Lake Ontario resulted in the development of a fluvial system in part of the channel. Water level was controlled by a sill at Kingston. Kingston basin, the Bay of Quinte, and possibly, for a short time, a much larger area of the upper Great Lakes drained through the channel. However, for most of the period, until it was flooded by the rising waters of Lake Ontario, the channel was occupied by a small river on a wide floodplain or it was flanked by broad marshes.
Stratigraphy and paleomagnetism of Brunhes and Matuyama (>790 ka) Quaternary deposits at Merritt, British Columbia
Authors: Fulton R. J. , Irving E. , Wheadon P. M.
Published: May 2009

A succession of Quaternary deposits in the Merritt basin of south-central British Columbia contains evidence for four glaciations and two interglaciations. Paleomagnetic signatures in these sediments are of three types: normal polarity, proposed to have been acquired during the Brunhes Normal Polarity Chron; reversed polarity, proposed to have been acquired during the Matuyama Reversed Polarity Chron; and reversed polarity (Matuyama age) all but obscured by a normally magnetized overprint (Brunhes age).Reversely magnetized deposits at the base of the succession include glacial lacustrine deposits, interpreted as representing two different glaciations, and a paleosol and a succession of nonglacial sediments, which are evidence of two interglaciations. As the reversed polarity of these deposits is proposed to have been acquired during the Matuyama Reversed Polarity Chron, they are older than 790 ka.Normally magnetized deposits, which make up the rest of the succession, contain evidence for only two glaciations, but traces of other glaciations may have been removed during the erosion interval encompassed by a major unconformity that underlies deposits of the last glaciation. All are referred to the Brunhes Normal Polarity Zone. In addition to these glacial and interglacial deposits, a series of normally magnetized Quaternary basalt flows forms a bench 90 m above the floor of the basin. These basalts were extruded after 790 ka but before the penultimate glaciation.
Spatial and temporal controls on overwash occurrence on a Great Lakes barrier spit
Authors: Davidson-Arnott Robin G. D. , Fisher John D.
Published: May 2009

Field measurements from 1985 to 1990 and sequential aerial photography since 1945 show that overwash plays an extremely important role in the dynamics of Long Point, a large barrier spit on the north shore of Lake Erie. Overwash occurs primarily in the transgressive proximal and central zones of the spit, which together account for some 65% of the total shoreline length of 41 km. During periods of high lake level, over 50% of the shoreline in these zones may be overwashed. Washover morphology ranges from continuous washover terraces in areas of low foredunes to isolated washovers with narrow throats and distinct fans where breaching has occurred through high dunes. Individual overwash events commonly produce deposits on the fan surface 0.25–0.75 m or more in thickness. Washover-fan sediments are dominated by nearly horizontal planar bedding, with deposits near the fan margins often having foreset bedding, reflecting deposition in standing water of the bay or of interdune ponds.The frequency of overwash occurrence is strongly influenced by long-term lake-level fluctuations, which produce a distinct cycle of overwash activity. During the high-water phase more than 40% of the shoreline may consist of active washover fans or inlet breaches. Even storms with a return frequency of 1–2 per year can lead to significant overwash activity, and the washovers are generally reactivated several times in a 2 or 3 year period around the peak water level. During the low-water phase wider beaches offer protection against even extreme storm events, resulting in washover healing and restoration of a continuous foredune.