bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resting energy expenditure measured longitudinally following hip fracture compared to predictive equations: is an injury adjustment required?
Authors: Miller Michelle D. , Daniels Lynne A. , Bannerman Elaine , Crotty Maria
Published: December 2005

The present study measuring resting energy expenditure (REE; kJ/d) longitudinally using indirect calorimetry in six elderly women aged ≥70 years following surgery for hip fracture, describes changes over time (days 10, 42 and 84 post-injury) and compares measured values to those calculated from routinely applied predictive equations. REE was compared to REE predicted using the Harris Benedict and Schofield equations, with and without accounting for the theoretical increase in energy expenditure of 35 % secondary to physiological stress of injury and surgery. Mean (95 % CI) measured REE (kJ/d) was 4704 (4354, 5054), 4090 (3719, 4461) and 4145 (3908, 4382) for days 10, 42 and 84, respectively. A time effect was observed for measured REE,P=0·003. Without adjusting for stress the mean difference and 95 % limits of agreement for measured and predicted REE (kJ/kg per d) for the Harris Benedict equation were 1 (−9, 12), 10 (2, 18) and 9 (1, 17) for days 10, 42 and 84, respectively. The mean difference and 95 % limits of agreement for measured and predicted REE (kJ/kg per d) for the Schofield equation without adjusting for stress were 8 (−3, 19), 16 (6, 26) and 16 (10, 22) for days 10, 42 and 84, respectively. After adjusting for stress, REE predicted from the Harris Benedict or Schofield equations overestimated measured REE by between 38 and 69 %. Energy expenditure following fracture is poorly understood. Our data suggest REE was relatively elevated early in recovery but declined during the first 6 weeks. Using the Harris Benedict or Schofield equations adjusted for stress may lead to overestimation of REE in the clinical setting. Further work is required to evaluate total energy expenditure before recommendations can be made to alter current practice for calculating theoretical total energy requirements of hip fracture patients.
Glycaemic index and glycaemic load values of commercially available products in the UK
Authors: Henry C. Jeya K. , Lightowler Helen J. , Strik Caroline M. , Renton Hamish , Hails Simon
Published: December 2005

The objective of this paper is to provide glycaemic index (GI) and glycaemic load (GL) values for a variety of foods that are commercially available in the UK and to compare these with previously published values. Fasted subjects were given isoglucidic (50 or 25 g carbohydrate) servings of a glucose reference at least two to three times, and test foods once, on separate occasions. For each test food, tests were repeated in at least eight subjects. Capillary blood glucose was measured via finger-prick samples in fasting subjects (0 min) and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after the consumption of each test food. The GI of each test food was calculated geometrically by expressing the incremental area under the blood glucose response curve (IAUC) of each test food as a percentage of each subject's average IAUC for the reference food. GL was calculated as the product of the test food's GI and the amount of available carbohydrate in a reference serving size. The majority of GI values of foods tested in the current study compare well with previously published values. More importantly, our data set provides GI values of several foods previously untested and presents values for foods produced commercially in the UK.
Adzuki resistant starch lowered serum cholesterol and hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA mRNA levels and increased hepatic LDL-receptor and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA levels in rats fed a cholesterol diet
Authors: Han Kyu-Ho , Iijuka Miharu , Shimada Ken-ichiro , Sekikawa Mitsuo , Kuramochi Katsuhisa , Ohba Kiyoshi , Ruvini Liyanage , Chiji Hideyuki , Fukushima Michihiro
Published: December 2005

We examined the effects of adzuki bean resistant starch on serum cholesterol and hepatic mRNA in rats fed a cholesterol diet. The mRNA coded for key regulatory proteins of cholesterol metabolism. The control rats were fed 15 % cornstarch (basal diet, BD). The experimental rats were fed BD plus a 0·5 % cholesterol diet (CD), or a 15 % adzuki resistant starch plus 0·5 % cholesterol diet (ACD) for 4 weeks. The serum total cholesterol and VLDL + intermediate density lipoprotein + LDL-cholesterol levels in the ACD group were significantly lower than those in the CD group throughout the feeding period. The total hepatic cholesterol concentrations in the CD and ACD groups were not significantly different. The faecal total bile acid concentration in the ACD group was significantly higher than that in the BD and CD groups. Total SCFA and acetic acid concentrations in the ACD group were significantly higher than those in the CD group but there were no significant differences in the concentrations between the ACD and BD groups. The hepatic LDL-receptor mRNA and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA levels in the ACD group were significantly higher than those in the CD group and the hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase mRNA level in the ACD group was significantly lower than in the CD group. The results suggest that adzuki resistant starch has a serum cholesterol-lowering function via enhancement of the hepatic LDL-receptor mRNA and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase mRNA levels and faecal bile acid excretion, and a decrease in the hepatic HMG-CoA reductase mRNA level, when it is added to a cholesterol diet.
Duration of exclusive breast-feeding: introduction of complementary feeding may be necessary before 6 months of age
Authors: Reilly John J. , Wells Jonathan C. K.
Published: December 2005

The WHO recommends exclusive breast-feeding for the first 6 months of life. At present, <2 % of mothers who breast-feed in the UK do so exclusively for 6 months. We propose the testable hypothesis that this is because many mothers do not provide sufficient breast milk to feed a 6-month-old baby adequately. We review recent evidence on energy requirements during infancy, and energy transfer from mother to baby, and consider the adequacy of exclusive breast-feeding to age 6 months for mothers and babies in the developed world. Evidence from our recent systematic review suggests that mean metabolisable energy intake in exclusively breast-fed infants at 6 months is 2·2–2·4 MJ/d (525–574 kcal/d), and mean energy requirement approximately 2·6–2·7 MJ/d (632–649 kcal/d), leading to a gap between the energy provided by milk and energy needs by 6 months for many babies. Our hypothesis is consistent with other evidence, and with evolutionary considerations, and we briefly review this other evidence. The hypothesis would be testable in a longitudinal study of infant energy balance using stable-isotope techniques, which are both practical and valid.
Organic cucumber production in the greenhouse: A case study from Turkey
Authors: Tuzel Y. , Gul A. , Tuncay O. , Anac D. , Madanlar N. , Yoldas Z. , Gumus M. , Tuzel I.H. , Engindeniz S.
Published: December 2005

Organic farming seems to be a solution in environmentally sensitive zones such as the protection zone of Tahtalı Dam, which supplies fresh water to Izmir, the third largest city in Turkey. Greenhouse vegetable production is the major agricultural activity in this area (Menderes Township). However, due to the pollution risk from agriculture, governmental authorities have issued a regulation discouraging the use of chemicals within the collection basin of the dam. An on-farm project was conducted in 2001 to introduce organic greenhouse vegetable production in the Tahtalı Dam preservation area and to serve as a model for other areas in Turkey facing similar ecological problems. Two irrigation levels and four organic fertilizers were tested on the growth of cucumbers (Cucumis sativus cv. Sardes). The four fertilizers were two rates of farmyard and poultry manure (30 and 50 tons ha−1) with and without two organic fertilizers based on either bacteria or algae. During the growing period, pests and diseases were monitored weekly and preparations allowed in organic agriculture were used when necessary. Plant diseases did not create any significant problem, but the pest population, in particular spidermites, increased. No significant differences in cucumber yield were found between the fertilizer and irrigation treatments tested. However, it should be noted that yields from the addition of 30 tons ha−1 of farmyard or poultry manure and organic fertilizers were the same as those for 50 tons ha−1 of manure alone. The average total yield was 13 kg m−2, within an acceptable range for short-term crop production in this region, but 55% lower than a conventional substrate culture trial nearby. However, due to reduced production costs and a price premium for organic products, the organic produce yielded a net return of US$1.12–1.79 per m2 whereas that for conventional bag culture produce was US$0.55 per m2. Our results indicate that, under present conditions, organic greenhouse cucumber production has less environmental impact and is more economic than conventional bag culture, due to reduced chemical input and reduced operating and initial investment costs.
Farmer research: Conventional experiences and guidelines for alternative agriculture and multi-functional agro-ecosystems
Authors: Wortmann C.S. , Christiansen A.P. , Glewen K.L. , Hejny T.A. , Mulliken J. , Peterson J.M. , Varner D.L. , Wortmann S. , Zoubek G.L.
Published: December 2005

Crop producers are challenged to operate profitably, use resources efficiently, meet high standards of quality and protect the environment, while sustaining rural economies and societies. Cropping systems are generally fine-tuned and improved through changes that have small effects which can often be verified only through research. The processes and successes of two farmer research projects were studied. Results of these studies, information from other sources and the authors' reflections on their own experiences were integrated to develop guidelines for the implementation of farmer research projects for alternative agriculture and multi-functional agro-ecosystems with diverse stakeholders. Surveys were mailed to 118 farmers currently or previously participating in a farmer research project, and to 15 advisors. Responses show that involvement in a farmer research project was profitable, stimulating, enjoyable and worthwhile, despite a substantial time requirement. Tillage and soil fertility research had greater impact on annual farm profit than research on other topics. Farmers and advisors emphasized the importance of the farmers' roles in identification of research topics, research planning and implementation, and interpretation of the results. Replicated trials conducted over 2 or 3 years were recognized as necessary to adequately verify practices for the corn–soybean rotation of eastern Nebraska, USA. Such trials may need to be complemented with alternative research approaches for improving alternative agriculture and multi-functional agro-ecosystems where knowledge about some system components is relatively scarce and there is a need to evaluate long-term effects. In conclusion, organized farmer research is an efficient means to cropping system improvement. Guidelines are given for initiation and implementation of farmer research projects.
The adoption and impact of management intensive rotational grazing (MIRG) on Connecticut dairy farms
Authors: Foltz Jeremy , Lang Gillis
Published: December 2005

Management intensive rotational grazing (MIRG) has garnered a great deal of interest in recent years as a method for returning profitability to Northeastern dairy farms. This work uses a random sample of Connecticut dairy farmers to estimate a binary choice adoption model and then cost, productivity, and profit functions that control for the adoption choice. MIRG adopters are shown to be more educated and have less rented agricultural land (a proxy for lack of access to land within a short distance of the barn). MIRG adoption had no significant effects on costs and productivity, nor did it lower profits, per cow. Evidence was found, however, to suggest that full adopters of the technology had more profitable farms than partial adopters. These results also show the importance of controlling for the different characteristics of adopters when evaluating the returns to animal grazing.
Modern slavery, global capitalism & deproletarianisation in West Africa
Authors: Manzo Kate
Published: December 2005

This paper explores the concept of ‘new’ or modern slavery in the wake of media reports of widespread child slavery on cocoa plantations in Côte d'Ivoire (the RCI). The first part defines slavery as unpaid forced labour, identifies the defining feature of modern slavery as the shift in the master-slave relation from legal ownership to illegal control, and then draws on a range of secondary sources to show that child slavery does exist in the Côte d'Ivoire even if numbers are contested. The many thousands of child slaves apparently trafficked from Mali make this a West African (and not simply Ivorian) phenomenon. The aspects of global capitalist development used in part two to explain the Ivorian situation, namely deproletarianisation and the costs of adjustment are also wider processes not unique to one country. The focus on the RCI as a case study is therefore intended as a stimulus to further questions and broader research into the relationship between capitalism and modern slavery in Africa.
Are percolates released from solid waste incineration bottom ashes safe for lentic ecosystems? A laboratory ecotoxicological approach based on 100 litre indoor microcosms
Authors: Clément Bernard , Triffault-Bouchet Gaëlle , Lottmann Audrey , Carbonel Juliana
Published: December 2005

In France, municipal solid waste incineration bottom ashes are widely used in road building. Leachates released from these materials may constitute a hazard for aquatic ecosystems. In order to assess this risk, a study of bottom ash leachates toxicity was carried out on 100 litre indoor microcosms. The 100 litre microcosms are glass tanks filled with a lake sediment and synthetic water, and inoculated with various organisms: microalgae, duckweeds, rooted macrophytes, cladocerans, pond snails, amphipods and chironomids. The microcosms were contaminated twice so as to reach a final leachate concentration of three percent. The contamination led to increased salt and metal concentrations. Among cladocerans, Daphnia magna was sensitive to contamination although recovery was observed, whereas Simocephalus vetulus and Ceriodaphnia dubia were not. Results regarding the amphipod Hyalella azteca depended on major exposure, via the water column (encaged organisms) or via the sediment (free organisms). Chironomids emerged similarly in control and contaminated systems. Among pond snails, leachates impaired survival and grazing activity of Lymnea stagnalis, whereas Physa sp. was not sensitive. Growth of all primary producers tested in the microcosms was not impaired. Copper may explain most of the observed effects. Due to the fact that concentrations studied here seem to be an overestimation of real field concentrations, and that bottom ash leachates characteristics decrease with time, it was concluded that the risks for lentic aquatic ecosystems would be minimal.
Metal accumulation and condition of transplanted zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in metal polluted rivers
Authors: Bervoets Lieven , Voets Judith , Smolders Roel , Blust Ronny
Published: December 2005

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) originating from a drinking water reservoir were exposed at seven sites in metal polluted watercourses in Flanders (Belgium), including to a cadmium and zinc pollution gradient. At each site one cage, containing twenty-five mussels, was exposed for six weeks. Mussels were collected after 10, 21 and 42 days. At each sampling, five mussels were taken from each cage and analysed for metal content and condition. Significant metal accumulation in zebra mussel was measured as a function of time at all sites for at least one metal. However, a steady state in accumulation was not always reached. Depending on the site, extremely high levels of cadmium, copper, nickel and zinc were measured in the mussels. Despite differences in metal accumulation, no significant differences in two condition indices were observed among the different sites. When data of all the sites were pooled there was no significant relationship between the condition and the metal load in the mussels, although a threshold could be distinguished. However, when this relationship was examined for the separate rivers, significant relationships were found. This indicates that besides metal pollution other environmental factors such as food availability affect the mussel condition.
Is the Arabian Gulf really such a lowspot of biodiversity?: Scaling effects and management implications
Authors: Price A. R. G. , Izsak C.
Published: December 2005

Analysis of echinoderm datasets for the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea region reveals lower species richness in the Gulf at 4 different spatial scales: Point, Sample, Large area and Biogeographical province. Species richness correlates positively with spatial scale in both regions, as does endemism, although levels of the latter are comparable for both regions.

Values of taxonomic distinctness (Δ*), a relatedness measure based on average properties, are very similar for the Gulf and the Red Sea over all spatial scales. This might seem surprising, given that (i) the Gulf's environment is highly stressful, and (ii) the Red Sea is one the world's top 10 coral reef high diversity areas, and the habitat associated with most echinoderm records for this region, but not for the Gulf. These findings may partly reflect the behaviour of Δ* to ‘saturate’ (reach maximal values as sampling/spatial scale increases) much sooner than species richness, endemism and other ‘species’ measures.

Our results suggest the Gulf may not be the lowspot of biodiversity generally acclaimed, especially if a broad set of measures is utilised. Biodiversity is an important constituent of ecosystem health and criterion for determining where conservation attention should be targeted. Until the functional/ecological significance of Δ* is better understood, management implications of our study's findings remain unclear. Further attention should also be given to β-diversity, the change in species composition along a gradient. We also stress that any conclusions drawn from the study are tentative, pending compilation and analysis of datasets for other groups.
Role of the Hog1 Stress-activated Protein Kinase in the Global Transcriptional Response to Stress in the Fungal PathogenCandida albicans
Authors: Enjalbert Brice , Smith Deborah A. , Cornell Michael J. , Alam Intikhab , Nicholls Susan , Brown Alistair J.P. , Quinn Janet
Published: December 2005

The resistance of Candida albicans to many stresses is dependent on the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) Hog1. Hence we have explored the role of Hog1 in the regulation of transcriptional responses to stress. DNA microarrays were used to characterize the global transcriptional responses of HOG1 and hog1 cells to three stress conditions that activate the Hog1 SAPK: osmotic stress, oxidative stress, and heavy metal stress. This revealed both stress-specific transcriptional responses and a core transcriptional response to stress in C. albicans. The core transcriptional response was characterized by a subset of genes that responded in a stereotypical manner to all of the stresses analyzed. Inactivation of HOG1 significantly attenuated transcriptional responses to osmotic and heavy metal stresses, but not to oxidative stress, and this was reflected in the role of Hog1 in the regulation of C. albicans core stress genes. Instead, the Cap1 transcription factor plays a key role in the oxidative stress regulation of C. albicans core stress genes. Our data show that the SAPK network in C. albicans has diverged from corresponding networks in model yeasts and that the C. albicans SAPK pathway functions in parallel with other pathways to regulate the core transcriptional response to stress.
Conventional Kinesin Mediates Microtubule-Microtubule Interactions In Vivo
Authors: Straube Anne , Hause Gerd , Fink Gero , Steinberg Gero
Published: December 2005

Conventional kinesin is a ubiquitous organelle transporter that moves cargo toward the plus-ends of microtubules. In addition, several in vitro studies indicated a role of conventional kinesin in cross-bridging and sliding microtubules, but in vivo evidence for such a role is missing. In this study, we show that conventional kinesin mediates microtubule-microtubule interactions in the model fungus Ustilago maydis. Live cell imaging and ultrastructural analysis of various mutants in Kin1 revealed that this kinesin-1 motor is required for efficient microtubule bundling and participates in microtubule bending in vivo. High levels of Kin1 led to increased microtubule bending, whereas a rigor-mutation in the motor head suppressed all microtubule motility and promoted strong microtubule bundling, indicating that kinesin can form cross-bridges between microtubules in living cells. This effect required a conserved region in the C terminus of Kin1, which was shown to bind microtubules in vitro. In addition, a fusion protein of yellow fluorescent protein and the Kin1tail localized to microtubule bundles, further supporting the idea that a conserved microtubule binding activity in the tail of conventional kinesins mediates microtubule-microtubule interactions in vivo.
Contractile Ring-independent Localization of DdINCENP, a Protein Important for Spindle Stability and Cytokinesis
Authors: Chen Qian , Li Hui , De Lozanne Arturo
Published: December 2005

Dictyostelium DdINCENP is a chromosomal passenger protein associated with centromeres, the spindle midzone, and poles during mitosis and the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. Disruption of the single DdINCENP gene revealed important roles for this protein in mitosis and cytokinesis. DdINCENP null cells lack a robust spindle midzone and are hypersensitive to microtubule-depolymerizing drugs, suggesting that their spindles may not be stable. Furthermore DdCP224, a protein homologous to the microtubule-stabilizing protein TOGp/XMAP215, was absent from the spindle midzone of DdINCENP null cells. Overexpression of DdCP224 rescued the weak spindle midzone defect of DdINCENP null cells. Although not required for the localization of the myosin II contractile ring and subsequent formation of a cleavage furrow, DdINCENP is important for the abscission of daughter cells at the end of cytokinesis. Finally, we show that the localization of DdINCENP at the cleavage furrow is modulated by myosin II but it occurs by a mechanism different from that controlling the formation of the contractile ring.
Genetic diversity in butterflies: interactive effects of habitat fragmentation and climate-driven range expansion
Authors: Hill Jane K , Hughes Clare L , Dytham Calvin , Searle Jeremy B
Published: December 2005

Some species are expanding their ranges polewards during current climate warming. However, anthropogenic fragmentation of suitable habitat is affecting expansion rates and here we investigate interactions between range expansion, habitat fragmentation and genetic diversity. We examined three closely related Satyrinae butterflies, which differ in their habitat associations, from six sites along a transect in England from distribution core to expanding range margin. There was a significant decline in allozyme variation towards an expanding range margin in
Pararge aegeria
, which has the most restricted habitat availability, but not in
Pyronia tithonus
whose habitat is more widely available, or in a non-expanding ‘control species’ (
Maniola jurtina
). Moreover, data from another transect in Scotland indicated that declines in genetic diversity in
P. aegeria
were evident only on the transect in England, which had greater habitat fragmentation. Our results indicate that fragmentation of breeding habitats leads to more severe founder events during colonization, resulting in reduced diversity in marginal populations in more specialist species. The continued widespread loss of suitable habitats in the future may increase the likelihood of loss of genetic diversity in expanding species, which may affect whether or not species can adapt to future environmental change.
Spatially resolved non-invasive chemical stimulation for modulation of signalling in reconstructed neuronal networks
Authors: Mourzina Yulia , Steffen Alfred , Kaliaguine Dmitri , Wolfrum Bernhard , Schulte Petra , Böcker-Meffert Simone , Offenhäusser Andreas
Published: December 2005

Functional coupling of reconstructed neuronal networks with microelectronic circuits has potential for the development of bioelectronic devices, pharmacological assays and medical engineering. Modulation of the signal processing properties of on-chip reconstructed neuronal networks is an important aspect in such applications. It may be achieved by controlling the biochemical environment, preferably with cellular resolution. In this work, we attempt to design cell–cell and cell–medium interactions in confined geometries with the aim to manipulate non-invasively the activity pattern of an individual neuron in neuronal networks for long-term modulation. Therefore, we have developed a biohybrid system in which neuronal networks are reconstructed on microstructured silicon chips and interfaced to a microfluidic system. A high degree of geometrical control over the network architecture and alignment of the network with the substrate features has been achieved by means of aligned microcontact printing. Localized non-invasive on-chip chemical stimulation of micropatterned rat cortical neurons within a network has been demonstrated with an excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. Our system will be useful for the investigation of the influence of localized chemical gradients on network formation and long-term modulation.
Nano measurements with micro-devices: mechanical properties of hydrated collagen fibrils
Authors: Eppell S.J , Smith B.N , Kahn H , Ballarini R
Published: December 2005

The mechanical response of a biological material to applied forces reflects deformation mechanisms occurring within a hierarchical architecture extending over several distinct length scales. Characterizing and in turn predicting the behaviour of such a material requires an understanding of the mechanical properties of the substructures within the hierarchy, the interaction between the substructures, and the relative influence of each substructure on the overall behaviour. While significant progress has been made in mechanical testing of micrometre to millimetre sized biological specimens, quantitative reproducible experimental techniques for making mechanical measurements on specimens with characteristic dimensions in the smaller range of 10–1000 nm are lacking. Filling this void in experimentation is a necessary step towards the development of realistic multiscale computational models useful to predict and mitigate the risk of bone fracture, design improved synthetic replacements for bones, tendons and ligaments, and engineer bioinspired efficient and environmentally friendly structures. Here, we describe a microelectromechanical systems device for directly measuring the tensile strength, stiffness and fatigue behaviour of nanoscale fibres. We used the device to obtain the first stress–strain curve of an isolated collagen fibril producing the modulus and some fatigue properties of this soft nanofibril.
The evolution of hyperactivity, impulsivity and cognitive diversity
Authors: Williams Jonathan , Taylor Eric
Published: December 2005

The evolutionary status of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is central to assessments of whether modern society has created it, either physically or socially; and is potentially useful in understanding its neurobiological basis and treatment. The high prevalence of ADHD (5–10%) and its association with the seven-repeat allele of DRD4, which is positively selected in evolution, raise the possibility that ADHD increases the reproductive fitness of the individual, and/or the group. However, previous suggestions of evolutionary roles for ADHD have not accounted for its confinement to a substantial minority. Because one of the key features of ADHD is its diversity, and many benefits of population diversity are well recognized (as in immunity), we study the impact of groups' behavioural diversity on their fitness. Diversity occurs along many dimensions, and for simplicity we choose unpredictability (or variability), excess of which is a well-established characteristic of ADHD.

Simulations of the Changing Food group task show that unpredictable behaviour by aminorityoptimizes results for the group. Characteristics of suchgroup exploration tasksare risk-taking, in which costs are borne mainly by the individual; and information-sharing, in which benefits accrue to the entire group. Hence, this work is closely linked to previous studies of evolved altruism.

We conclude that even individually impairing combinations of genes, such as ADHD, can carry specific benefits for society, which can be selected for at that level, rather than being merely genetic coincidences with effects confined to the individual. The social benefits conferred by diversity occur both inside and outside the ‘normal’ range, and these may be distinct. This view has the additional merit of offering explanations for the prevalence, sex and age distribution, severity distribution and heterogeneity of ADHD.
Dynamics of an axisymmetric body spinning on a horizontal surface. III. Geometry of steady state structures for convex bodies
Authors: Branicki M , Moffatt H.K , Shimomura Y
Published: December 2005

Following parts I and II of this series, the geometry of steady states for a general convex axisymmetric rigid body spinning on a horizontal table is analysed. A general relationship between the pedal curve of the cross-section of the body and the height of its centre-of-mass above the table is obtained which allows for a straightforward determination of static equilibria. It is shown, in particular, that there exist convex axisymmetric bodies having arbitrarily many static equilibria. Four basic categories of non-isolated fixed-point branches (i.e. steady states) are identified in the general case. Depending on the geometry of the spinning body and its dynamical properties (i.e. position of centre-of-mass and inertia tensor), these elementary branches are differently interconnected in the six-dimensional system phase space and form a complex global structure. The geometry of such structures is analysed and topologically distinct classes of configurations are identified. Detailed analysis is presented for a spheroid with displaced centre-of-mass and for the tippe-top. In particular, it is shown that the fixed-point structure of the flip-symmetric spheroid, discussed in part I, represents a degenerate configuration whose degeneracy is destroyed by breaking the symmetry. For the spheroid, there are in general nine distinct classes of fixed-point structures and for the tippe-top there are three such structures. Bifurcations between these classes are identified in the parameter space of the system.
The vortex line in steady, incompressible Oseen flow
Authors: Chadwick Edmund
Published: December 2005

The horseshoe vortex is given in Oseen flow as a constant spanwise distribution of lift Oseenlets. From this, the vortex line is represented in steady, incompressible Oseen flow. The velocity near to the vortex line is determined, as well as near to and far from the far field wake. The velocity field in the transverse plane near to the vortex line is shown to approximate to the two-dimensional Lamb–Oseen vortex, and the velocity field in the streamwise direction is generated by the bound vortex line of the horseshoe vortex giving a streamwise decay much faster than that of the Batchelor vortex. The far field wake description is shown to be consistent with laminar wake theory.
Schizotypy, creativity and mating success in humans
Authors: Nettle Daniel , Clegg Helen
Published: December 2005

There is an evolutionary puzzle surrounding the persistence of schizophrenia, since it is substantially heritable and associated with sharply reduced fitness. However, some of the personality traits which are predictive of schizophrenia are also associated with artistic creativity. Geoffrey Miller has proposed that artistic creativity functions to attract mates. Here, we investigate the relationship between schizotypal personality traits, creative activity, and mating success in a large sample of British poets, visual artists, and other adults. We show that two components of schizotypy are positively correlated with mating success. For one component, this relationship is mediated by creative activity. Results are discussed in terms of the evolution of human creativity and the genesis of schizophrenia.
Porous low dielectric constant materials for microelectronics
Authors: Baklanov Mikhail R , Maex Karen
Published: December 2005

Materials with a low dielectric constant are required as interlayer dielectrics for the on-chip interconnection of ultra-large-scale integration devices to provide high speed, low dynamic power dissipation and low cross-talk noise. The selection of chemical compounds with low polarizability and the introduction of porosity result in a reduced dielectric constant. Integration of such materials into microelectronic circuits, however, poses a number of challenges, as the materials must meet strict requirements in terms of properties and reliability. These issues are the subject of the present paper.
Engineering porous materials for fuel cell applications
Authors: Brandon N.P , Brett D.J
Published: December 2005

Porous materials play an important role in fuel cell engineering. For example, they are used to support delicate electrolyte membranes, where mechanical integrity and effective diffusivity to fuel gases is critical; they are used as gas diffusion layers, where electronic conductivity and permeability to both gas and water is critical; and they are used to construct fuel cell electrodes, where an optimum combination of ionic conductivity, electronic conductivity, porosity and catalyst distribution is critical. The paper will discuss these characteristics, and introduce the materials and processing methods used to engineer porous materials within two of the leading fuel cell variants, the solid oxide fuel cell and the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell.
Why engineer porous materials?
Authors: Kelly A
Published: December 2005

A number of specific examples are briefly given for the use of pores in engineering materials: a porous ceramic to produce minimum thermal conduction; thin skeleton walls in silicon to produce photoluminescence; low dielectric constant materials. The desirable nature of the pores in fuel cell electrodes and sieves is described. Further examples are given in orthopaedics, prosthetic scaffolds and sound deadening and impact resistance materials. An attempt is made to describe the desirable pore size, whether open or closed, and the useful volume fraction. This short review does not deal with flexible foams.
Highly engineered mesoporous structures for optical processing
Authors: Parker G.J , Charlton M.D.B , Zoorob M.E , Baumberg J.J , Netti M.C , Lee T
Published: December 2005

Arranging periodic, or quasi-periodic, regions of differing refractive index in one, two, or three dimensions can form a unique class of mesoporous structures. These structures are generally known as photonic crystals, or photonic quasicrystals, and they are the optical analogue of semiconducting materials. Whereas a semiconductor's band structure arises from the interaction of electron or hole waves with an arrangement of ion cores, the photonic crystal band structure results from the interaction of light waves with an arrangement of regions of differing refractive index.

What makes photonic crystals highly attractive to the optical engineer is that we can actually place the regions of differing refractive index in a pattern specifically tailored to produce a given optical function, such as an extremely high dispersion, for example. That is, we can define the geometrical arrangement of the dielectric foam to provide us with the form of band structure we require for our optical functionality.

In this paper, the optical properties and applications of these highly engineered mesoporous dielectrics will be discussed.
The Arabidopsis genome: A foundation for plant research
Authors: Bevan Michael , Walsh Sean
Published: December 2005

The sequence of the first plant genome was completed and published at the end of 2000. This spawned a series of large-scale projects aimed at discovering the functions of the 25,000+ genes identified in Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis). This review summarizes progress made in the past five years and speculates about future developments in Arabidopsis research and its implications for crop science. The provision of large populations of gene disruption lines to the research community has greatly accelerated the impact of genomics on many areas of plant science. The tools and community organization required for plant integrative and systems biology approaches are now ready to accomplish the next big step in plant biology—the integration of knowledge and modeling of biological processes. In the future, plant science will continue to be enriched by the alignment of high-quality basic research (generally conducted in Arabidopsis), with strategic objectives in crop plants. The sequence and analysis of an increasing number of crop plant genomes enhance this alignment and provide new insights into genome evolution and crop plant domestication.
Grains of knowledge: Genomics of model cereals
Authors: Paterson Andrew H. , Freeling Michael , Sasaki Takuji
Published: December 2005

The economic and scientific importance of the cereals has motivated a rich history of research into their genetics, development, and evolution. The nearly completed sequence of the rice genome is emblematic of a transition to high-throughput genomics and computational biology that has also pervaded study of many other cereals. The relatively close (ca. <50 million years old) relationships among morphologically diverse cereals native to environments that sample much of global geographic diversity make the cereals particularly attractive for comparative studies of plant genome evolution. Extensive germplasm resources, largely a byproduct of their economic importance, together with growing collections of defined mutants, provide foundations for a host of post-genomic studies to shed more light on the relationship between sequence and function in this important group. Using the rapidly growing capabilities of several informatics resources, genomic data from model cereals are likely to be leveraged tremendously in the study and improvement of a wide range of crop plants that sustain much of the world's population, including many which still lack primary genomic resources.
Changing perspectives in yeast research nearly a decade after the genome sequence
Authors: Dolinski Kara , Botstein David
Published: December 2005

Research with budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) has been transformed by the publication, nearly a decade ago, of the entire genome DNA sequence. The introduction of this first eukaryotic genomic sequence changed the yeast research environment significantly, not just because of dramatic progress in technical means but also because the sequence made accessible a new class of scientific questions. A central goal of yeast research remains the determination of the biological role of every sequence feature in the yeast genome. The most remarkable change has been the shift in perspective from focus on individual genes and functionalities to a more global view of how the cellular networks and systems interact and function together to produce the highly evolved organism we see today.
Fish genomics and biology
Authors: Roest Crollius Hugues , Weissenbach Jean
Published: December 2005

The last common ancestor between fish and mammals dates back to the very origin of the vertebrate lineage and today, half of modern vertebrates are fish. It is thus not surprising that several fish species have played important roles in recent years to advance our understanding of vertebrate genome evolution, to inform us on the structure of human genes, and, somewhat more unexpectedly, to provide leads to understanding the function of genes involved in human diseases. Genome sequence comparisons between such distantly related organisms are highly informative due to the accumulation of neutral mutations in nonfunctional regions. Yet humans and fishes share many developmental pathways, organ systems, and physiological mechanisms, making conclusions relevant to human biology. The respective advantages of zebrafish, medaka, Tetraodon, or Takifugu have been well exploited so far with bioinformatics analyses and molecular biology techniques. However the full potential of fish genomics is about to be unleashed with the integration of more traditional disciplines such as biochemistry and physiology, with the study of additional species such as carp, trout, or tilapia and a broadening of its applications to environmental genomics or aquaculture.
Short interspersed elements (SINEs) are a major source of canine genomic diversity
Authors: Wang Wei , Kirkness Ewen F.
Published: December 2005

SINEs are retrotransposons that have enjoyed remarkable reproductive success during the course of mammalian evolution, and have played a major role in shaping mammalian genomes. Previously, an analysis of survey-sequence data from an individual dog (a poodle) indicated that canine genomes harbor a high frequency of alleles that differ only by the absence or presence of a SINEC_Cf repeat. Comparison of this survey-sequence data with a draft genome sequence of a distinct dog (a boxer) has confirmed this prediction, and revealed the chromosomal coordinates for >10,000 loci that are bimorphic for SINEC_Cf insertions. Analysis of SINE insertion sites from the genomes of nine additional dogs indicates that 3%-5% are absent from either the poodle or boxer genome sequences—suggesting that an additional 10,000 bimorphic loci could be readily identified in the general dog population. We describe a methodology that can be used to identify these loci, and could be adapted to exploit these bimorphic loci for genotyping purposes. Approximately half of all annotated canine genes contain SINEC_Cf repeats, and these elements are occasionally transcribed. When transcribed in the antisense orientation, they provide splice acceptor sites that can result in incorporation of novel exons. The high frequency of bimorphic SINE insertions in the dog population is predicted to provide numerous examples of allele-specific transcription patterns that will be valuable for the study of differential gene expression among multiple dog breeds.
Unraveling genomic regulatory networks in the simple chordate, Ciona intestinalis
Authors: Shi Weiyang , Levine Michael , Davidson Brad
Published: December 2005

The draft genome of the primitive chordate, Ciona intestinalis, was published three years ago. Since then, significant progress has been made in utilizing Ciona's genomic and morphological simplicity to better understand conserved chordate developmental processes. Extensive annotation and sequencing of staged EST libraries make the Ciona genome one of the best annotated among those that are publicly available. The formation of the Ciona tadpole depends on simple, well-defined cellular lineages, and it is possible to trace the lineages of key chordate tissues such as the notochord and neural tube to the fertilized egg. Electroporation methods permit the targeted expression of regulatory genes and signaling molecules in defined cell lineages, as well as the rapid identification of regulatory DNAs underlying cell-specific gene expression. The recent sequencing of a second Ciona genome (C. savignyi) permits the use of simple alignment algorithms for the identification of conserved noncoding sequences, including microRNA genes and enhancers. Detailed expression profiles are now available for almost every gene that encodes a regulatory protein or cell-signaling molecule. The combination of gene-expression profiles, comparative genome analysis, and gene-disruption assays should permit the determination of high-resolution genomic regulatory networks underlying the specification of basic chordate tissues such as the heart, blood, notochord, and neural tube.
Xenomics
Authors: Amaya Enrique
Published: December 2005

Xenopus genomics, or Xenomics for short, is coming of age. Indeed, biological insight into processes such as growth factor signaling and patterning of the early embryo is now being gained by combining the value of Xenopus as a model organism for cell and developmental biology with genomic approaches. In this review I address these recent advances and explore future possibilities gained from combining this powerful experimental system with genomic approaches, as well as how our quest to understand basic biological principles will be greatly facilitated though the marriage of Xenopus and genomics.
Advances in livestock genomics: Opening the barn door
Authors: Womack James E.
Published: December 2005

Genome research in animals used in agriculture has progressed rapidly in recent years, moving from rudimentary genome maps to trait maps to gene discovery. These advances are the result of animal genome projects following closely in the footsteps of the Human Genome Project, which has opened the door to genome research in farm animals. In return, genome research in livestock species is contributing to our understanding of chromosome evolution and to informing the human genome. Enhancement of these contributions plus the much anticipated application of DNA-based tools to animal health and production can be expected as livestock genomics enters its sequencing era.
Uneven distribution of expressed sequence tag loci on maize pachytene chromosomes
Authors: Anderson Lorinda K. , Lai Ann , Stack Stephen M. , Rizzon Carene , Gaut Brandon S.
Published: December 2005

Examining the relationships among DNA sequence, meiotic recombination, and chromosome structure at a genome-wide scale has been difficult because only a few markers connect genetic linkage maps with physical maps. Here, we have positioned 1195 genetically mapped expressed sequence tag (EST) markers onto the 10 pachytene chromosomes of maize by using a newly developed resource, the RN-cM map. The RN-cM map charts the distribution of crossing over in the form of recombination nodules (RNs) along synaptonemal complexes (SCs, pachytene chromosomes) and allows genetic cM distances to be converted into physical micrometer distances on chromosomes. When this conversion is made, most of the EST markers used in the study are located distally on the chromosomes in euchromatin. ESTs are significantly clustered on chromosomes, even when only euchromatic chromosomal segments are considered. Gene density and recombination rate (as measured by EST and RN frequencies, respectively) are strongly correlated. However, crossover frequencies for telomeric intervals are much higher than was expected from their EST frequencies. For pachytene chromosomes, EST density is about fourfold higher in euchromatin compared with heterochromatin, while DNA density is 1.4 times higher in heterochromatin than in euchromatin. Based on DNA density values and the fraction of pachytene chromosome length that is euchromatic, we estimate that ∼1500 Mbp of the maize genome is in euchromatin. This overview of the organization of the maize genome will be useful in examining genome and chromosome evolution in plants.