bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nest Site Selection by Greater Sage‐Grouse in Mono County, California
Authors: KOLADA ERIC J. , SEDINGER JAMES S. , CASAZZA MICHAEL L.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT Loss of nesting habitat is believed to be a factor in the decline of greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) throughout its range. Few data are available for sage‐grouse in Mono County, California, USA, in the most southwestern portion of the species’ range. We studied habitat selection of nesting sage‐grouse in Mono County, California, from 2003 to 2005 by capturing and radiotracking females to identify nesting locations. We sampled vegetation at nest sites and randomly selected sites within 200 m of nests and within each of 5 subareas within Mono County. Nest sites were characterized by 42.4 ± 1.3% (x̄± SE) shrub canopy cover, 10.5 ± 1.0 cm residual grass height, and 2.7 ± 1.0% residual grass cover. Shrub cover was the only variable found to differentiate nest sites from randomly selected sites. Unlike some other studies, we did not find understory vegetation to be important for selecting nest sites. Mean shrub cover was 38.7 ± 1.5% at random sites within 200 m of nests and 33.6 ± 1.6% at random sites at the approximate scale of home ranges, indicating that nesting females selected nesting areas that contained denser shrubs than their home range, and nest sites that contained greater shrub cover than the vicinity immediately surrounding nests. Our results suggest that managers should consider managing for greater shrub cover in Mono County than what is currently called for in other parts of sage‐grouse range and that management for sage‐grouse habitat may need to be tied more closely to local conditions.
Effects of Wildlife Forestry on Abundance of Breeding Birds in Bottomland Hardwood Forests of Louisiana
Authors: NORRIS JENNIFER L. , CHAMBERLAIN MICHAEL J. , TWEDT DANIEL J.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT  Effects of silvicultural activities on birds are of increasing interest because of documented national declines in breeding bird populations for some species and the potential that these declines are in part due to changes in forest habitat. Silviculturally induced disturbances have been advocated as a means to achieve suitable forest conditions for priority wildlife species in bottomland hardwood forests. We evaluated how silvicultural activities on conservation lands in bottomland hardwood forests of Louisiana, USA, influenced species‐specific densities of breeding birds. Our data were from independent studies, which used standardized point‐count surveys for breeding birds in 124 bottomland hardwood forest stands on 12 management areas. We used Program DISTANCE 5.0, Release 2.0 (Thomas et al. 2006) to estimate density for 43 species with >50 detections. For 36 of those species we compared density estimates among harvest regimes (individual selection, group selection, extensive harvest, and no harvest). We observed 10 species with similar densities in those harvest regimes compared with densities in stands not harvested. However, we observed 10 species that were negatively impacted by harvest with greater densities in stands not harvested, 9 species with greater densities in individual selection stands, 4 species with greater densities in group selection stands, and 4 species with greater densities in stands receiving an extensive harvest (e.g., >40% canopy removal). Differences in intensity of harvest influenced densities of breeding birds. Moreover, community‐wide avian conservation values of stands subjected to individual and group selection, and stands not harvested, were similar to each other and greater than that of stands subjected to extensive harvest that removed >40% canopy cover. These results have implications for managers estimating breeding bird populations, in addition to predicting changes in bird communities as a result of prescribed and future forest management practices.
Detection Dogs: An Effective Technique for Bush Dog Surveys
Authors: DEMATTEO KAREN E. , RINAS MIGUEL A. , SEDE MARIANO M. , DAVENPORT BARBARA , ARGÜELLES CARINA F. , LOVETT KEITH , PARKER PATRICIA G.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT  Detailed ecological data on the bush dog (Speothos venaticus) have been lacking, since standard field techniques, such as camera traps, have had little success recording their presence. This study eliminates dependence on visitation rate and switches the focus to locating evidence (e.g., olfactory) associated with the species’ natural behavior and movement patterns. Over a 3‐month period, a detection dog located multiple (n = 11, 4 confirmed and 7 potential) bush dog areas in Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest of Misiones Argentina. These positive results demonstrate that detection dogs can provide species‐specific data on the bush dog despite the rugged terrain and dense forest vegetation they may occupy. The ecological data collected using this technique allow effective conservation strategies to be developed, wildlife corridors and biological crossings to be designed, and species distributions to be examined.
Distribution and Habitat Use of King Rails in the Illinois and Upper Mississippi River Valleys
Authors: DARRAH ABIGAIL J. , KREMENTZ DAVID G.
Published: October 2009

ABSTRACT  The migratory population of the king rail (Rallus elegans) has declined dramatically during the past 40 years, emphasizing the need to identify habitat requirements of this species to help guide conservation efforts. To assess distribution and habitat use of king rails along the Illinois and Upper Mississippi valleys, USA, we conducted repeated call‐broadcast surveys at 83 locations in 2006 and 114 locations in 2007 distributed among 21 study sites. We detected king rails at 12 survey locations in 2006 and 14 locations in 2007, illustrating the limited distribution of king rails in this region. We found king rails concentrated at Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge, an adjacent private Wetlands Reserve program site, and B. K. Leach Conservation Area, which were located in the Mississippi River floodplain in northeast Missouri. Using Program PRESENCE, we estimated detection probabilities and built models to identify habitat covariates that were important in king rail site occupancy. Habitat covariates included percentage of cover by tall (>1 m) and short (>1 m) emergent vegetation, percentage of cover of woody vegetation, and interspersion of water and vegetation (2007 only) within 50 m of the survey location. Detection probability was 0.43 (SE = 0.12) in 2006 and 0.35 (SE = 0.03) in 2007 and was influenced by observer identity and percentage of cover by tall herbaceous vegetation. Site occupancy was 0.11 (SE = 0.04) in 2006 and 0.14 (SE = 0.04) in 2007 and was negatively influenced most by percentage of cover by woody vegetation. In addition, we found that interspersion of vegetation and water was positively related to occupancy in 2007. Thus, nesting king rails used wetlands that were characterized by high water‐vegetation interspersion and little or no cover by woody vegetation. Our results suggest that biologists can improve king rail habitat by implementing management techniques that reduce woody cover and increase vegetation‐water interspersion in wetlands.
Development of Characterization Techniques of Thermodynamic and Physical Properties Applied to the CO2-DMSO Mixture
Authors: Calvignac Brice , Rodier Elisabeth , Letourneau Jean-Jacques , Fages Jacques
Published: October 2009

This work is focused on the development of new characterization techniques of physical and thermodynamic properties. These techniques have been validated using the binary system DMSO-CO2 for which several studies of characterization have been well documented. We focused on the DMSO-rich phase and we carried out measurements of volumetric expansion, density, viscosity and CO2 solubility at 298.15, 308.15 and 313.15 K and pressures up to 9 MPa. The experimental procedures were compared and validated with the available literature data on SC-CO2-DMSO system. We made density and CO2 solubility measurements, using respectively the vibrating tube technology and two static analytical methods. Lastly, we developed an innovative falling body viscosimeter for high pressure measurements. All the measurements made are in good agreement with the already published data in spite of very different experimental techniques. This work is a contribution to the understanding of the DMSO-CO2 binary as it implements new viscosity data. Moreover, it opens new perspectives about the determination of the properties of other systems such as polymers-CO2 and fats-CO2, which are essential for supercritical process design such as extraction, crystallization, chromatography and synthesis reaction.
Adaptive Supervisory Control of an Industrial Steel Slab Reheating Furnace
Authors: Waelen A. A. , Young Brent , Yu Wei
Published: October 2009

A novel supervisory control system was developed for a boutique, walking beam-type, natural gas-fired industrial reheating furnace for steel slabs. The control system was developed to provide furnace temperature set points for the operators. The system development ideology was to utilise the considerable and inexpensive computing resources available today, to solve problems in real time in a discrete and digitised manner in place of complex analytical solutions. The control system utilises an entirely iterative regime to calculate the required furnace heating profiles to ensure that slab delivery temperatures are optimised. A two-dimensional slab conduction and radiation model was developed to fulfil the supervisory control function. The results are promising with estimated control performance at least as good as current manual achievement but with the benefit of additional information being provided to the expert human operator in the control loop.
The Twin Failures of the CDM: Recommendations for the "Copenhagen Protocol"
Authors: Kneteman Christie , Green Andrew
Published: October 2009

The Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) was intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while facilitating sustainable development in developing countries. However, most CDM projects contribute little to sustainable development and are inequitably distributed. The 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will take place in Copenhagen in December 2009, is an opportunity to create a more effective version of the CDM. This paper argues that the CDM should be modified to include formal sustainable development requirements and to extend eligibility to additional land use, land-use change and forestry projects. In particular, the CDM should include credit for deforestation prevention, provide more scope for afforestation and reforestation projects, and encourage further study of agricultural soil carbon sequestration.
Eosinophilic/T-Cell Chorionic Vasculitis and Intrauterine Fetal Demise at 34 Weeks: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Jaiman Sunil , Johansen Tonje
Published: October 2009

Eosinophilic/T-cell chorionic vasculitis is a rare form of chorionic vasculitis. A multifocal form of eosinophilic/T-cell chorionic vasculitis is presented involving chorionic vessels radiating away from the amniotic fluid, without associated chorioamnionitis. There was, however, an associated fetal demise.
Bone Marrow Findings at Diagnosis in Patients with Multisystem Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
Authors: Galluzzo Maria Laura , Braier Jorge , Rosenzweig Sergio D. , de Davila M.aria T. Garcia , Rosso Diego
Published: October 2009

This study was designed to describe the bone marrow features of multisystem Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) at diagnosis in patients with or without hematologic dysfunction. A retrospective review of bone marrow biopsies from patients with multisystem LCH was performed. Cases were diagnosed at the Garrahan Hospital between 1987 and 2004. Routine and immunohistochemistry techniques (hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, Giemsa, Gomori reticulin, and CD1a, CD68, and CD61) were evaluated. Clinical outcome and laboratory data were obtained from the medical charts. Twenty-two bone marrow biopsies from patients with multisystem LCH were reviewed at onset ofdisease. Four patients had no hematologic dysfunction and the other 18 patients had monocytopenia (9), bicytopenia (7), or tricytopenia (2). Increased number and dysplasia of megakaryocytes were evident in 22/22 samples and emperipolesis was present in 21/22 (95%). Aggregates of histiocytes and hemophagocytosis were seen in 9/22 samples. Myelofibrosis was found in 16/17 (94%) evaluable samples at diagnosis. No association of myelofibrosis and cytopenias or clinical outcome was found. Positive CD1a confirmed the presence of LCH cells in 3/22 (14%) samples. Hemophagocytosis and poor outcome were significantly more common in patients with bilineage and trilineage cytopenias. Langerhans cell histiocytosis cells were rarely seen in the bone marrow of these patients (14%); increased histiocytes and hemophagocytosis were more commonly found (41%). Hemophagocytosis was associated with severe cytopenias. Bicytopenia and tricytopenia were associated with poor outcome (death). Myelofibrosis, megakaryocytic dysplasia, and emperipolesis were common findings.
Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Axillary Tillers of Perennial Ryegrass
Authors: Brazauskas Gintaras , Pašakinskienė Izolda
Published: October 2009

Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes in Axillary Tillers of Perennial Ryegrass

A PCR-based suppression subtractive hybridisation (SSH) technique was used to identify differentially expressed genes in the primary and axillary tillers of a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) mutant with enhanced axillary tillering. A total of 310 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were obtained representing 249 non-redundant sequences. The average EST sequence length was 249 nt and varied from 30 to 508 nt. Putative function was assigned to 152 ESTs by comparing sequences with publicly available databases of NCBI. The remaining 97 ESTs had no sequence similarity matches to any of the known databases. Several ESTs were selected as potential candidates for the control of axillary tiller formation. RUB1 conjugating enzyme and BIG protein were shown to play role in auxin response regulation, SHOOT1 protein was associated with fasciation mutation in soybean (Glycine max L.), and brassinosteroid LRR receptor kinase with brassinosteroid signalling.
Powdery Mildew Resistance of the Lithuanian Winter Wheat Breeding Material
Authors: Liatukas Žilvinas , Ruzgas Vytautas
Published: October 2009

Powdery Mildew Resistance of the Lithuanian Winter Wheat Breeding Material

At the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture, during 2004-2006, resistance to powdery mildew of approximately 1,500 winter wheat lines was assessed in check and competitive trial nurseries. Our experimental evidence showed that there were no genotypes with effective resistance singlegenes among the lines tested. Effective powdery mildew resistance from start to end of vegetation season depended on the quantitative resistance level. The most resistant lines were evaluated with a score of 2 and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) values ranging between 1.0-5.4. The most susceptible genotypes from the collection nurseries had score 8-9 and AUDPC values ranging between 1350-2220. The correlations between maximal disease severity and AUDPC values were strong (r = 0.79-0.92). Genotypes with AUDPC values up to 10 represented 93 lines or 7% in the check trial nursery and 22 lines or 9% in the competitive trial nursery. Lines evaluated with a score 4-5 and AUDPC value 100-300 dominated in 2004. In the next year the dominant genotypes had resistance scores 3-4 and AUDPC value 50-200. The highest powdery mildew resistance (score 2 and AUDPC value 1.0) was identified for the lines Maverich/Victo, Flair/Lut.9392, Strumok/Lut.9321, Zentos/Lut.97-6, Strumok/Lut.9313, Dirigent/Cortez in 2006.
Evaluation and Use of Genetic Resources in Spring Malting Barley Breeding in Lithuania
Authors: Leistrumaitė Algė , Paplauskienė Vanda , Mašauskienė Audronė
Published: October 2009

Evaluation and Use of Genetic Resources in Spring Malting Barley Breeding in Lithuania

During the period 2004-2006, grain yield stability and malt quality characteristics of 47 spring barley varieties and 55 promising breeding lines from the collection of spring barley genetic resources were investigated at the Lithuanian Institute of Agriculture (LIA). The growing conditions in 2004 were fairly normal compared with the long-term mean, and the years 2005 and 2006 were rather dry. The varieties and breeding lines tested showed from medium to high variation of grain > 2.5 mm yield (CV 11.5-34.3%) and medium variation of grain yield (CV 4.39-13.33%). However, high temperatures and drought in June of 2006 caused a low grain > 2.5 mm yield (by on average 55.0-67.8%). Promising breeding lines were characterised as having higher grain yield and extract output per ha compared with barley varieties. However, the data showed that grain grading 2.5 mm should be improved for the breeding lines. Using the software STABLE we estimated the stability of malting barley quality traits in relation to weather conditions during the crop year, genotype properties for varieties and breeding lines, as well as the interactions of variety and weather conditions. The selection of lines promising in terms of grain yield, > 2.5 mm grain yield and extract yield, was based on their ability to realise the genetic potential in various growing conditions. The highest score in integral assessment of grain yield, grain > 2.5 mm yield and extract yield was identified for the varieties Tocada', Sebastian', Scarlett' and breeding lines: 7939-1, 7661-1, and 8080-4. The varieties and breeding lines that exhibited high grain stability, high grain quality and other agronomic traits were utilised in further breeding programmes.
Genetic Differentiation of Dabbling Ducks (Anseriformes: Anas) Populations From Palaearctic in Time and Space
Authors: Paulauskas Algimantas , Tubelyte Vaida , Baublys Vykintas , Sruoga Aniolas
Published: October 2009

Genetic Differentiation of Dabbling Ducks (Anseriformes: Anas) Populations From Palaearctic in Time and Space

The genetic variation among populations of dabbling ducks (563 samples of A. acuta, A. clypeata, A. crecca, A. querquedula, A. falcata, A. penelope, A. platyrhynchos) in the Palaearctic region (Lithuania, Chukotka, Kamchatka, Lena, Ob and Kara rivers) was investigated between 1980 and 1998. Fifteen loci of blood serum proteins were surveyed for genetic variation using polyacrylamid gel electrophoresis, and eight polymorphic loci were found. The analysis of genetic variation at population and species levels shows that allele frequencies are temporarily variable. The general genetic diversity of dabbling ducks differed among geographically different populations: for Northern Pintail between Ho = 0.264 from Ob river and Ho = 0.331 from Kamchatka; for Eurasian Wigeon between Ho=0.185 from Ob and Ho = 0.263 from Lena river. In Mallard populations mean heterozygosity ranged from Ho = 0.242 (Vente 1998, Lithuania) to Ho = 0.366 (Antanavas 1987, Lithuania). The data obtained from genetic distances revealed that Mallards of Lithuania form no discrete populations and vary temporarily and spatially.
Coi Gene as a Molecular Marker of Elachista Species (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Elachistinae) from Different Lithuanian Populations
Authors: Sruoga Virginijus , Stunžėnas Virmantas , Paulavičiūtė Brigita
Published: October 2009

Coi Gene as a Molecular Marker of Elachista Species (Lepidoptera: Elachistidae: Elachistinae) from Different Lithuanian Populations

We compared COI DNA sequences of three Elachista species occurring in Lithuania: Elachista maculicerusella, E. argentella, and E. pollinariella (Gelechioidea: Elachistidae: Elachistinae). Also, intraspecific differences in COI DNA between moth populations were tested. A 705 bp fragment of the 3'-end of cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI) was used. This mtDNA fragment was significantly different between all studied species. Intraspecific differences were detected only for E. maculicerusella from different Lithuanian populations. Our results support using the COI gene for identification of Elachista species and as a tool for exploring intraspecific differences between populations.
Fragile X Syndrome in Mentally Retarded Patients from Latvia
Authors: Daneberga Zanda , Krūmiņa Zita , Lāce Baiba , Bauze Daiga , Proņina Natālija , Lugovska Rita
Published: October 2009

Fragile X Syndrome in Mentally Retarded Patients from Latvia

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of FXS in Latvia and characterise the FMR1 CGG-repeat structure in Latvian patients exhibiting mental retardation. A group of 352 unrelated patients with mental retardation (MR) referred from clinical geneticists was screened by PCR for the normal allele. In a sample of 245 chromosomes the CGG repeat number was determined by Applied Biosystems protocol on ABI Prism 310. Prevalence of 29, 30, and 31 CGG repeats was found for the normal allele. Five affected patients were detected (detection rate 2.56%). AGG interspersion pattern analysis showed stability of transmission to the next generation for 12 intermediate alleles. The found detection rate of FXS in our survey among MR patients was similar to the detection rate reported in literature. Taking into account the number of confirmed FXS cases we suggest that FXS is still clinically unrecognized in paediatrician practice.
Genetic Trend and Relationship of Meatiness Traits of Different Breed Pigs Raised in Lithuania
Authors: Klimas Ramutis , Klimienė Asta
Published: October 2009

Genetic Trend and Relationship of Meatiness Traits of Different Breed Pigs Raised in Lithuania

The purpose of this study was to determine the genetic trend of leanness for purebred pigs, and to determine the relations between meatiness traits, age and live weight of animals. The estimation of meatiness traits (backfat and loin lean thickness, lean meat percentage) of purebred Lithuanian White (LW), Large White (La.W), Yorkshire (Y), Landrace (L), Duroc (D) and Pietrain (P) pigs grown in breeding centres was evaluated by apparatus Piglog 105, during 2000-2006. In 2006, the average lean meat percentage of purebred pigs in the breeding centres of Lithuania ranged from 56.9% (LW) to 59.5% (D). During the observation period (2000-2006), the genetic trend of the leanness of LW was 6.9% (P < 0.001), La.W and L, respectively, was 2.2 and 2.5% (P < 0.01), D was 1.6% (P < 0.05), Y was 0.2% and P was 0.6%. A higher genetic trend of the leanness in the LW pig breed can be explained by import of English La.W boars. Correlation analysis showed that lean meat percentage of pigs is more related to backfat thickness (r = from -0.84 to -0.95, P < 0.001), than to loin lean thickness (r = from 0.11 to 0.30). Live weight of pigs had more influence on mentioned meatiness traits than age.
Reflections on the Future of Veterinary Medical Education
Authors: Prasse Keith W.
Published: October 2009

Dr. Keith Prasse is a very distinguished leader in veterinary education. He started his career achieving his BS and DVM degrees from Iowa State University (ISU). He returned to ISU after a brief period in private practice in Illinois. His well-recognized career in veterinary pathology began with his MS and PhD degrees, followed by a five-year period of teaching at ISU. Dr. Prasse joined the faculty of the University of Georgia in 1972, and thus began a long-term partnership with Dr. Bob Duncan that is arguably the foundation of veterinary clinical pathology. The textbook they authored, Veterinary Laboratory Medicine: Clinical Pathology, or “Duncan and Prasse” as it is known, remains the standard today, with later participation from Dr. Ed Mahaffey and most recently Dr. Ken Latimer. Dr. Prasse has mentored numerous graduate students and received many awards over his 23-year career in teaching, including the Norden Distinguished Teaching award twice, once at ISU and once at Georgia. His leadership as President of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists was greatly acknowledged and appreciated. Dr. Prasse's administrative service at the University of Georgia spanned 14 years, first as Associate Dean for Public Service and Outreach and later as Dean for eight years, during which time he served as President of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). The growth of the College of Veterinary Medicine under Dean Prasse's visionary leadership was extraordinary. He led through difficult economic and political times, yet the college and its community continued to prosper. His legacy at the University of Georgia is indelible and perpetual. His outstanding leadership of the college was recognized by the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association in 2004, when he was given the Georgia Veterinarian of the Year award. Since his retirement from Georgia, Dr. Prasse has contributed greatly to the profession and to the AAVMC by leading the Foresight project. Dr. Prasse honored those attending the 2009 AAVMC Symposium by giving the Recognition Lecture. As always, his address was inspirational, and the substance of it is included here.

                —Sheila W. Allen, Dean, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
A Descriptive Analysis of Personality and Gender at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
Authors: Johnson Stephanie W. , Gill Marjorie S. , Grenier Charles , Taboada Joseph
Published: October 2009

The goals of this study were to explore the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator profile and gender differences of Louisiana State University veterinary students. A 12-year composite sample (N = 935) revealed that the personality profile was different from the published US population norm, but similar to the bimodal ESTJ–ISTJ profile found in Louisiana medical students. Significant gender differences were found among six of the 16 types. A 12-year trend analysis revealed a significant shift away from the prototypical ESTJ–ISTJ profile, culminating in a discernable heterogeneous profile for both males and females in the last four years. Composite scores for the 2004–2007 cohort (N = 331) revealed that the predominant types for women were ENFP, ESFJ, ESTJ, ISFJ, and ISTJ. For men, the predominant types were ESTJ, ESTP, INTP, and ISTJ. Post hoc tests confirmed significant gender differences for ESTP, INTP, ISTP, and ESFJ types. The evidence of significant gender differences and confirmation that personality profiles have begun to vary widely across the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator spectrum in the last four years have implications at the practical and theoretical levels. This could have profound effects on pedagogical considerations for faculty involved in veterinary medical education.
Linking Theory to Practice in an Undergraduate Veterinary Curriculum: Students’ Perspectives
Authors: Elsheikha Hany M. , Kendall Nigel R.
Published: October 2009

Facilitated clinical relevance (FCR) at the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science is a small-group educational model that promotes student-centered learning. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine students’ opinions of FCR as a learning approach compared with other teaching methods; and (2) to establish if gender, year of study, or prior exposure to FCR were predictors of attitude. Questionnaires were distributed to undergraduate veterinary students (N = 185) in the first and second year of study. Students’ opinions were assessed by noting their degree of agreement with seven statements using a seven-point Likert-type scale. A total of 162 students (87.6%) completed the survey instrument. The findings indicate that FCR is highly valued among the students. The majority of students regarded FCR as directly relevant for clinical preparation because it helps them to integrate pre-clinical and clinical knowledge and skills in veterinary medicine. However, commonly identified challenges were peer dominance, less cooperative facilitators, and coping with the ambiguity of knowledge and reasoning. No significant differences were detected in attitude between students in the tested variables (p > 0.05). However, being in the first year of study, being male, and having prior exposure to FCR was found to predict a negative attitude (p < 0.006). To increase students’ satisfaction, effective strategies must be designed and implemented to provide support for struggling individuals.
Preparedness and Disaster Response Training for Veterinary Students: Literature Review and Description of the North Carolina State University Credentialed Veterinary Responder Program
Authors: Dunning Dianne , Martin Michael P. , Tickel Jimmy L. , Gentry William B. , Cowen Peter , Slenning Barrett D.
Published: October 2009

The nation's veterinary colleges lack the curricula necessary to meet veterinary demands for animal/public health and emergency preparedness. To this end, the authors report a literature review summarizing training programs within human/veterinary medicine. In addition, the authors describe new competency-based Veterinary Credential Responder training at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine (NCSU CVM). From an evaluation of 257 PubMed-derived articles relating to veterinary/medical disaster training, 14 fulfilled all inclusion requirements (nine were veterinary oriented; five came from human medical programs). Few offered ideas on the core competencies required to produce disaster-planning and response professionals. The lack of published literature in this area points to a need for more formal discussion and research on core competencies. Non-veterinary articles emphasized learning objectives, commonly listing an incident command system, the National Incident Management System, teamwork, communications, and critical event management/problem solving. These learning objectives were accomplished either through short-course formats or via their integration into a larger curriculum. Formal disaster training in veterinary medicine mostly occurs within existing public health courses. Much of the literature focuses on changing academia to meet current and future needs in public/animal health disaster-preparedness and careers. The NCSU CVM program, in collaboration with North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service, Emergency Programs and University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Public Health, operates as a stand-alone third-year two-week core-curriculum training program that combines lecture, online, experiential, and group exercises to meet entry-level federal credentialing requirements. The authors report here its content, outcomes, and future development plans.
Leges Scocieand the Lawcodes of David I, William the Lion and Alexander II
Authors: Taylor Alice
Published: October 2009

This paper examines Leges Scocie (LS), the main source used by Patrick Wormald in ‘Anglo-Saxon Law and Scots Law’. It is shown here that the capitula of LS reveal much not only about the development of legal procedure in Scotland but also about the nature of medieval Scottish society in the twelfth and early thirteenth centuries. In the process of this discussion, some conclusions put forward by Wormald about this material are questioned. This paper also shows that the ‘laws’ of David, William and Alexander II, once believed to be nebulous texts without any clear manuscript form, are, in fact, coherent legal compilations worthy of study in their own right. This corrects the impression that the early laws of Scotland survive in a manuscript tradition too late and too complicated to be studied with any fruitful results and thus opens up the material in volume i of The Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland for further study. The paper concludes by arguing that the evidence contained in all these lawcodes can provide rather different narratives of subjects that are key to our understanding of Scotland during the central Middle Ages: the exercise of royal power, the ‘Anglo-Norman Era’ and the extent of the Scottish state before the twelfth century.
William Robertson, Early Orientalism and the Historical Disquisition on India of 1791
Authors: Brown Stewart J.
Published: October 2009

In 1791, the celebrated Scottish historian, William Robertson, published his final work, An Historical Disquisition concerning the Knowledge which the Ancients had of India, in which he explored the commercial and cultural connections of India and the West from ancient times to the end of the fifteenth century. This article considers Robertson's Historical Disquisition within the contexts of the Scottish Enlightenment, the early British ‘orientalist’ movement, and the expansion of British dominion in India. It argues that while the work reflected the assumptions and approaches of the British orientalist school, Robertson – sensitive to criticisms that his previous History of America had been too dismissive of Amerindian cultures – went further than many orientalists in his positive portrayal of Indian culture and his opposition to an interventionist imperial policy. Indeed, the work was largely directed to preserving the ancient and sophisticated Indian civilisation from Western cultural imperialism. The article further suggests that Robertson's favourable view of what he perceived as monotheist beliefs underlying ‘classical’ Hinduism reveals much about his own religious attitudes as a clergyman and leader of the ‘moderate’ party in the Church of Scotland. His history of India would be under-valued in Britain (despite its large sales), in large part because his apology for Hinduism and his critique of Christian missions ran counter to the rising tide of the evangelical revival. However, it had a considerable role in promoting interest in India on the European continent, and it represented one of the more significant achievements of the late Scottish Enlightenment
‘It would be my earnest desire that you all would come’: Networks, the Migration Process and Highland Emigration
Authors: Epperson Amanda
Published: October 2009

This article seeks to enlarge the picture of Highland emigration, not only by examining a little-studied region, but also by incorporating the sociological concepts of migration networks and the ‘value-added migration process’. To illustrate the migration process and the importance of networks, this paper analyses the origins of one Highland community in the United States, Scotch Settlement, established in eastern Ohio in 1802. Many of the émigrés in Scotch Settlement came from Strathnairn and Strathdearn, both located south of Inverness. This article explores the migration process that led individuals from this area to eastern Ohio, focusing on the particular economic conditions of Strathnairn and Strathdearn and the role of networks. The southern and eastern Highlands have been seen as being more stable and more technically advanced. This may very well be true for much of this region, especially that which was geographically Lowland. However, parishes like Moy and Dalarossie may not have been so blessed. The significant out-migration from these parishes probably was not caused by accessible employment opportunities, but because of the lack of opportunity in their home parishes. However, the long history of migration from this area coupled with the many opportunities nearby, especially in Inverness, may have meant that the residents of this region were better able to cope. There seem to have been fewer social pressures keeping them in their parishes while well-established migration networks meant that they had many more opportunities to depart. The Scotch Settlement emigrants, faced with disheartening circumstances not of their own making, decided that to best provide for themselves and their families it would be necessary to emigrate to the United States where they could obtain ‘a better way of living’ than they could in Scotland.
Early Scottish Monasteries and Prehistory: A Preliminary Dialogue
Authors: Carver Martin
Published: October 2009

Reflecting on the diversity of monastic attributes found in the east and west of Britain, the author proposes that prehistoric ritual practice was influential on monastic form. An argument is advanced that this was not based solely on inspiration from the landscape, nor on conservative tradition, but on the intellectual reconciliation of Christian and non-Christian ideas, with disparate results that account for the differences in monumentality. Among more general matters tentatively credited with a prehistoric root are the cult of relics, the tonsure and the date of Easter.
(2E,2'E)-3,3-(1,4-Phenylene)bis[1-(2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)prop- 2-en-1-one]
Authors: Asiri Abdullah , Khan Salman
Published: October 2009

A bis-chalcone has been synthesized by reaction of 3-acetyl-,5-dimethylthiophene and terephthalaldehyde in ethanolic NaOH at room temperature: (2E,2'E)-3,3-(1,4-phenylene)bis[1-(2,5-dimethyl-3-thienyl)prop-2-en-1-one] (3) was obtained in high yield. The structure of this compound was established by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and EI-MS spectral analysis.
Functional Genomics of Allergen Gene Families in Fruits
Authors: Maghuly Fatemeh , Marzban Gorji , Laimer Margit
Published: October 2009

Fruit consumption is encouraged for health reasons; however, fruits may harbour a series of allergenic proteins that may cause discomfort or even represent serious threats to certain individuals. Thus, the identification and characterization of allergens in fruits requires novel approaches involving genomic and proteomic tools. Since avoidance of fruits also negatively affects the quality of patients’ lives, biotechnological interventions are ongoing to produce low allergenic fruits by down regulating specific genes. In this respect, the control of proteins associated with allergenicity could be achieved by fine tuning the spatial and temporal expression of the relevant genes.
Pathogen Sensors
Authors: Irudayaraj Joseph
Published: October 2009

The development of sensors for detecting foodborne pathogens has been motivated by the need to produce safe foods and to provide better healthcare. However, in the more recent times, these needs have been expanded to encompass issues relating to biosecurity, detection of plant and soil pathogens, microbial communities, and the environment. The range of technologies that currently flood the sensor market encompass PCR and microarray-based methods, an assortment of optical sensors (including bioluminescence and fluorescence), in addition to biosensor-based approaches that include piezoelectric, potentiometric, amperometric, and conductometric sensors to name a few. More recently, nanosensors have come into limelight, as a more sensitive and portable alternative, with some commercial success. However, key issues affecting the sensor community is the lack of standardization of the testing protocols and portability, among other desirable elements, which include timeliness, cost-effectiveness, user-friendliness, sensitivity and specificity. [...]
BeO-OSL detectors for dose measurements in cell cultures
Authors: Sommer D. , Freudenberg R. , Reichelt U. , Henniger J. , Kotzerke J. , Andreeff M.
Published: October 2009

Aim: The absorbed dose is an important parameter in experiments involving irradiation of cells in vitro with unsealed radionuclides. Typically, this is estimated with a model calculation, although the results thus obtained cannot be verified. Generally used real-time measurement methods are not applicable in this setting. A new detector material with in vitro suitability is the subject of this work. Methods: Optically-stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeters based on beryllium oxide (BeO) were used for dose measurement in cell cultures exposed to unsealed radionuclides. Their qualitative properties (e. g. energy-dependent count rate sensitivity, fading, contamination by radioactive liquids) were determined and compared to the results of a Monte Carlo simulation (using AMOS software). OSL dosimeters were tested in common cell culture setups with a known geometry. Results: Dose reproducibility of the OSL dosimeters was ± 1.5%. Fading at room temperature was 0.07% per day. Dose loss (optically-stimulated deletion) under ambient lighting conditions was 0.5% per minute. The Monte Carlo simulation for the relative sensitivity at different beta energies provided corresponding results to those obtained with the OSL dosimeters. Dose profile measurements using a 6 well plate and 14 ml PP tube showed that the geometry of the cell culture vessel has a marked influence on dose distribution with 188Re. Conclusion: A new dosimeter system was calibrated with β-emitters of different energy. It turned out as suitable for measuring dose in liquids. The dose profile measurements obtained are suitably precise to be used as a check against theoretical dose calculations.
Genotypic HIV type-1 drug resistance among patients with immunological failure to first-line antiretroviral therapy in south India
Authors: Vidya Madhavan , Saravanan Shanmugam , Uma Shanmugasundaram , Kumarasamy Nagalingeswaran , Sunil Solomon S , Kantor Rami , Katzenstein David , Ramratnam Bharat , Mayer Kenneth H , Suniti Solomon , Balakrishnan Pachamuthu
Published: October 2009

Background

HIV type-1 (HIV-1) monitoring in resource-limited settings relies on clinical and immunological assessment. The objective of this study was to study the frequency and pattern of reverse transcriptase (RT) drug resistance among patients with immunological failure (IF) to first-line therapy.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 228 patients with IF was done, of which 126 were drug-naive (group A) when starting highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 102 were exposed to mono/dual therapy prior to HAART initiation (group B). A validated in-house genotyping method and Stanford interpretaion was used. Means, sd, median and frequencies (as percentages) were used to indicate the patient characteristics in each group. The χ2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare categorical variables as appropriate. All analyses were performed using SPSS software, version 13.0. P-values <0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Results

RT drug resistance mutations were found in 92% and 96% of patients in groups A and B, respectively. Median (interquartile range) CD4+ T–cell count at failure was 181 cells/ml (18–999) and time to failure was 40 months (2–100). M184V (80% versus 75%), thymidine analogue mutations (63% versus 74%), Y181C (39% versus 39%) and K103N (29% versus 39%) were predominant RT mutations in both groups. Extensive nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor cross-resistance mutations were observed in 51% and 26% of patients in group B and A, respectively.

Conclusions

Alternative strategies for initial therapy and affordable viral load monitoring could reduce resistance accumulations and preserve available drugs for future options in resource-limited settings.
Estimación de las propiedades termodinámicas de fosfatos minerales a alta y baja temperatura por suma de sus unidades constituyentes
Authors: La Iglesia A.
Published: October 2009

Usando el modelo de unidades poliédricas de Hazen, y empleando un método de ajuste por mínimos cuadrados, se ha calculado la contribución de diecinueve unidades constituyentes a la energía libre y de otras quince unidades a la entalpía de los fosfatos minerales en condiciones termodinámicas normales (298 °K de temperatura y 1 bar de presión) y a altas temperaturas (400-1.000 °K).Con los valores de gi y hi calculados por este método se puede estimar las propiedades termodinámicas de cualquier fosfato mineral con mayor precisión que la conseguida hasta ahora por otros métodos.
Dislocation Engineering in Multicrystalline Silicon
Authors: Bertoni Mariana I. , Colin Clémence , Buonassisi Tonio
Published: October 2009

Dislocations are known to be among the most deleterious performance-limiting defects in multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) based solar cells. In this work, we propose a method to remove dislocations based on a high temperature treatment. Dislocation density reductions of >95% are achieved in commercial ribbon silicon with a double-sided silicon nitride coating via high temperature annealing under ambient conditions. The dislocation density reduction follows temperature-dependent and time-dependent models developed by Kuhlmann et al. for the annealing of dislocations in face-centered cubic metals. It is believed that higher annealing temperatures (>1170°C) allow dislocation movement unconstrained by crystallographic glide planes, leading to pairwise dislocation annihilation within minutes.
The Production of Vacancy-Oxygen Defects in Electron-Irradiated Cz-Si Initially Treated at High Temperatures and High Pressures
Authors: Andrianakis A. , Londos Charalamos A. , Misiuk Andrzej , Emtsev Valentin V. , Oganesyan Gagik A. , Ohyama H.
Published: October 2009

We report studies of defects in electron-irradiated Czochralski-grown silicon (Cz-Si) subjected to thermal treatments at 1000oC and 1130oC with or without the application of high hydrostatic pressure of ~ 11 Kbars, prior to irradiation. The work is primarily focused on the impact of the pre-treatments on the production rate of the VO defect and its conversion to the VO2 defect. To this end, IR spectroscopy measurements were carried out and the amplitudes of the VO band (830 cm-1) and the VO2 band (888 cm-1) were monitored in the course of an isochronal anneal sequence up to ~ 550oC. Thermal treatments at 1000oC result in a reduction of the production rate of the VO defect. This rate however increases when pressure is applied during the treatment. The opposite behavior is observed for thermal treatments at 1130oC. The production rate of the VO increases slightly in heat treated samples but decreases substantially when high pressure is applied. Similar trends show the conversion of the VO to the VO2 defect for the corresponding treatments. The results are discussed taking into account the oxygen precipitates formed at the various treatments and their impact on the amount of primary defects available during irradiation which affects the production of the vacancy-oxygen defects.
Divacancy-Oxygen and Trivacancy-Oxygen Complexes in Silicon: Local Vibrational Mode Studies
Authors: Murin L.I. , Svensson Bengt Gunnar , Lindström J. Lennart , Markevich Vladimir P. , Londos Charalamos A.
Published: October 2009

Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy was used to study the evolution of multivacancy-oxygen-related defects in the temperature range 200-300 °C in Czochralski-grown Si samples irradiated with MeV electrons or neutrons. A clear correlation between disappearance of the divacancy (V2) related absorption band at 2767 cm-1 and appearance of two absorption bands positioned at 833.4 and 842.4 cm-1 at 20 K (at 825.7 and 839.1 cm-1 at room temperature) has been found. Both these two emerging bands have previously been assigned to a divacancy-oxygen defect formed via interaction of mobile V2 with interstitial oxygen (Oi) atoms. The present study shows, however, that the two bands arise from different defects since the ratio of their intensities depends on the type of irradiation. The 842.4 cm-1 band is much more pronounced in neutron irradiated samples and we argue that it is related to a trivacancy-oxygen defect (V3O) formed via interaction of mobile V3 with Oi atoms or/and interaction of mobile V2 with VO defects.