bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal structure of human D‐amino acid oxidase: Context‐dependent variability of the backbone conformation of the VAAGL hydrophobic stretch located at the si‐face of the flavin ring
Authors: Kawazoe Tomoya , Tsuge Hideaki , Pilone Mirella S. , Fukui Kiyoshi
Published: November 2006

In the brain, the extensively studied FAD‐dependent enzyme D‐amino acid oxidase (DAO) degrades the gliotransmitter D‐serine, a potent activator of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate type glutamate receptors, and evidence suggests that DAO, together with its activator G72 protein, may play a key role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Indeed, its potential clinical importance highlights the need for structural and functional analyses of human DAO. We recently succeeded in purifying human DAO, and found that it weakly binds FAD and shows a significant slower rate of flavin reduction compared with porcine DAO. However, the molecular basis for the different kinetic features remains unclear because the active site of human DAO was considered to be virtually identical to that of porcine DAO, as would be expected from the 85% sequence identity. To address this issue, we determined the crystal structure of human DAO in complex with a competitive inhibitor benzoate, at a resolution of 2.5 Å. The overall dimeric structure of human DAO is similar to porcine DAO, and the catalytic residues are fully conserved at the re‐face of the flavin ring. However, at the si‐face of the flavin ring, despite the strict sequence identity, a hydrophobic stretch (residues 47–51, VAAGL) exists in a significantly different conformation compared with both of the independently determined porcine DAO–benzoate structures. This suggests that a context‐dependent conformational variability of the hydrophobic stretch accounts for the low affinity for FAD as well as the slower rate of flavin reduction, thus highlighting the unique features of the human enzyme.
Ultrasound‐guided bilateral continuous sciatic nerve blocks with stimulating catheters for postoperative pain relief after bilateral lower limb amputations*
Authors: Van Geffen G. J. , Scheuer M. , Müller A. , Garderniers J. , Gielen M.
Published: November 2006

The performance of continuous bilateral sciatic nerve blocks under ultrasonographic control using stimulating catheters is described in a 4‐year‐old child with VACTERL syndrome. Ultrasound showed an abnormal vascular and nerve supply to the lower limbs. The use of ultrasound guidance made successful continuous sciatic nerve blocks possible in a child in whom the traditional method of nerve localisation was unlikely to succeed for anatomical reasons.
A comparison of oral midazolam and nitrous oxide sedation for dental extractions in children
Authors: Wilson K. E. , Girdler N. M. , Welbury R. R.
Published: November 2006

The aim of the study was to compare oral midazolam and inhaled nitrous oxide as sedative agents during the management of children aged 5–10 years presenting for extraction of primary teeth under local anaesthetic. Subjects required two visits for the extraction of four primary teeth, one in each quadrant of the mouth, and were randomly allocated to be given nitrous oxide 30% in oxygen or oral midazolam 0.3 mg.kg−1 at the first visit, the other technique being used at the second visit. Vital signs, sedation levels and behavioural scores were recorded, and postoperative recall and satisfaction were reported by the patients. Thirty‐five children, with a mean [range] age of 7.4 [5–10] years, completed the treatment. The mean dose of oral midazolam given was 8.6 [3.3–16.5] mg. The mean times taken to achieve the maximum level of sedation for midazolam and nitrous oxide sedation were 15.9 [2–30] min and 6.8 [2–10] min, respectively. Physiological parameters remained within acceptable clinical limits for both types of sedation. Oral midazolam was considered acceptable by 59% and was preferred by 36%. Oral midazolam sedation in 5 to 10‐year‐old children was shown to be as safe and effective as nitrous oxide in oxygen sedation for extraction of primary teeth but would not be the method of choice for all patients.
The use of impedance respirometry to confirm tracheal intubation in children
Authors: Absolom M. , Roberts R. , Bahlmann U. B. , Hall J. E. , Armstrong T. , Turley A.
Published: November 2006

Accidental oesophageal intubation can occur in children and is a cause of morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the use of impedance respirometry to determine tracheal tube position in children aged 1–10 years. Eighty children were recruited and, after induction of anaesthesia, two identical tracheal tubes were inserted: one into the trachea and one into the oesophagus. The breathing system was attached to one of the tubes chosen at random. A blinded observer was asked to identify the position of the tube within six breaths using impedance respirometry. The positions of 76 out of 80 tubes were correctly identified. Of those incorrectly identified, one was in the trachea and three were in the oesophagus. The sensitivity of the test was 0.975 and the specificity 0.925. The median number of breaths needed to identify the position of the tubes was 2.0 for both groups. This is not a perfect technique in the population studied but when used with other methods of tracheal tube position identification, its use could decrease the time taken to identify incorrect placement.
The effect of inhaled nitric oxide and inhaled iloprost on hypoxaemia in a patient with pulmonary hypertension after pulmonary thrombarterectomy
Authors: Flondor M. , Merkel M. , Hofstetter C. , Irlbeck M. , Frey L. , Zwissler B.
Published: November 2006

Acute pulmonary hypertension with life‐threatening right heart failure may complicate the postoperative course following cardiothoracic surgery. Both inhaled nitric oxide and inhaled iloprost, a stable analogue of prostacyclin, have been used frequently for this purpose in acute pulmonary hypertension of various origins. We present a case of a patient with acute pulmonary hypertension and severely impaired gas exchange following pulmonary thrombo‐endarterectomy. Therapy with one inhaled vasodilator alone did not satisfactorily abort a postoperative pulmonary hypertensive crisis and low‐output syndrome due to right heart failure. Combined inhaled nitric oxide and inhaled iloprost, however, showed additive effects. Hence, the combination of both drugs may be reasonable in cases where the standard therapy fails. The effect has been demonstrated by means of continuous blood gas monitoring.
Polymorphisms within the coding region of the bovine luteinizing hormone receptor gene and their association with fertility traits
Authors: Hastings N. , Donn S. , Derecka K. , Flint A. P. , Woolliams J. A.
Published: November 2006

Mutations within a number of genes have been associated with variations in fertility in various mammals. However, to date there have been no such associations reported for cattle. Herein, we describe three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor gene of cattle (Bos taurus). These polymorphisms include two missense mutations and one sense mutation, and all are located in areas of conserved synteny. When assessed in terms of haplotypes, these SNPs were significantly associated with variations in cattle fertility and production traits, most notably on calving interval, days to first service and production index (the UK economic index of milk yield measured in £GB).
Allergen‐specific helper T cell response in patients with cow's milk allergy: simultaneous analysis of proliferation and cytokine production by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester dilution assay
Authors: Tsuge I. , Kondo Y. , Tokuda R. , Kakami M. , Kawamura M. , Nakajima Y. , Komatsubara R. , Yamada K. , Urisu A.
Published: November 2006

Background
The role of antigen‐specific T cells in the allergic reaction to cow's milk or in tolerance induction is not yet fully understood.

Objective
This study was designed to analyse both cow's milk protein (CMP)‐specific T cell proliferation and cytokine production simultaneously in children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) in comparison with subjects with various allergic backgrounds.

Methods
Carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester was used to detect cow's milk‐specific T cells by flow cytometry. The intra‐cytoplasmic cytokine production of these antigen‐specific T cells was also analysed.

Results
Significant differences of both CMP‐specific CD4+ cell proliferation and cytokine production between CMA and non‐allergic children were observed. While the proliferative responses of children who recently outgrew CMA were not significantly different from those of patients, the patterns of cytokine production were similar to those of non‐allergic children.

Conclusion
These results suggest that the presence of CMP‐specific T cell clones per se does not produce CMA, but that the T‐helper type 2‐skewed pattern of those T cells is associated with adverse reactions. Although it is not possible to distinguish between individual patients with and without CMA on the basis of CFSE assays, these results contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis and tolerance induction of CMA.
Severe loss‐of‐function mutations in the adrenocorticotropin receptor (ACTHR, MC2R) can be found in patients diagnosed with salt‐losing adrenal hypoplasia
Authors: Lin Lin , Hindmarsh Peter C. , Metherell Louise A. , Alzyoud Mahmoud , Al‐Ali Maryam , Brain Caroline E. , Clark Adrian J. L. , Dattani Mehul T. , Achermann John C.
Published: November 2006

Objective  Familial glucocorticoid deficiency type I (FGD1) is a rare form of primary adrenal insufficiency resulting from recessive mutations in the ACTH receptor (MC2R, MC2R). Individuals with this condition typically present in infancy or childhood with signs and symptoms of cortisol insufficiency, but disturbances in the renin‐angiotensin system, aldosterone synthesis or sodium homeostasis are not a well‐documented association of FGD1. As ACTH stimulation has been shown to stimulate aldosterone release in normal controls, and other causes of hyponatraemia can occur in children with cortisol deficiency, we investigated whether MC2R changes might be identified in children with primary adrenal failure who were being treated for mineralocorticoid insufficiency.

Design  Mutational analysis of MC2R by direct sequencing.

Patients  Children (n = 22) who had been diagnosed with salt‐losing forms of adrenal hypoplasia (19 isolated cases, 3 familial), and who were negative for mutations in DAX1 (NR0B1) and SF1 (NR5A1).

Results  MC2R mutations were found in three individuals or kindred (I: homozygous S74I; II: novel compound heterozygous R146H/560delT; III: novel homozygous 579‐581delTGT). These changes represent severely disruptive loss‐of‐function mutations in this G‐protein coupled receptor, including the first reported homozygous frameshift mutation. The apparent disturbances in sodium homeostasis were mild, manifest at times of stress (e.g. infection, salt‐restriction, heat), and likely resolved with time.

Conclusions  MC2R mutations should be considered in children who have primary adrenal failure with apparent mild disturbances in renin‐sodium homeostasis. These children may have been misdiagnosed as having salt‐losing adrenal hypoplasia. Making this diagnosis has important implications for treatment, counselling and long‐term prognosis.
Resistin gene polymorphisms and progression of glycaemia in southern Chinese: a 5‐year prospective study
Authors: Xu Jian Yu , Sham Pak C. , Xu Aimin , Tso Annette W. K. , Wat Nelson M. S. , Cheng King Yip , Fong Carol H. Y. , Janus Edward D. , Lam Karen S. L.
Published: November 2006

Objective  Human resistin gene (RETN) polymorphisms have been found to be associated with type 2 diabetes (T2DM), insulin resistance and/or obesity. We evaluated, in a 5‐year prospective study, whether RETN polymorphisms could predict the progression of glycaemia in southern Chinese.

Design and patients  We conducted a systematic search for variants in RETN in 70 southern Chinese subjects. This was followed by the genotyping in 624 unrelated nondiabetic subjects of two polymorphisms, −420C→G and +62G→A, previously reported in cross‐sectional studies to be associated with T2DM in Asians, to examine their relationship with the progression of glycaemia in this cohort.

Results  We identified 15 polymorphisms, including 2 novel but rare polymorphisms (−319G→A and +63G→C). Compared to subjects with the CC genotype, −420GG subjects had higher 2‐h glucose (7·7 ± 1·8 vs. 7·2 ± 2·0 mmol/l, P = 0·011) and insulin (101·6 ± 69·5 vs. 79·8 ± 59·5 mU/l, P = 0·021) during an oral glucose tolerance test. Carriers of the +62A allele had higher body mass indices (25·3 ± 4·0 vs. 24·5 ± 3·6 kg/m2 in GG, P = 0·02). The presence of the allele −420G (OR 2·15, 95% CI 1·28–3·60, P = 0·004) or +62A (OR1·86, 95% CI 1·08–3·21, P = 0·025) predicted the progression of glycaemia at Year 5, after adjustment for sex, age or body mass index. The haplotype G‐A also conferred a higher risk of progression in glycaemia (P = 0·002).

Conclusion  Our study would support the role of the resistin gene in obesity, insulin resistance and progression of glycaemia in southern Chinese.
Non‐random distribution among a guild of parasitoids: implications for community structure and host survival
Authors: ROSSI ANTHONY M. , MURRAY MELISSA , HUGHES KELLY , KOTOWSKI MARTIN , MOON DANIEL C. , STILING PETER
Published: November 2006

Abstract1. Immature stages of the gall midge,Asphondylia borrichiae, are attacked by four species of parasitoids, which vary in size and relative abundance within patches of the gall midge’s primary host plant, sea oxeye daisy (Borrichia frutescens).

2. In the current study, a bagging experiment found that the smallest wasp,Galeopsomyia haemon, was most abundant in galls exposed to natural enemies early in the experiment, when gall diameter is smallest, while the wasp with the longest ovipositor,Torymus umbilicatus, dominated the parasitoid community in galls that were not exposed until the 5th and 6th weeks when gall diameter is maximal.

3. Moreover, the mean number of parasitoids captured using large artificial galls were 70% and 150% higher compared with medium and small galls respectively, while stem height of artificial galls significantly affected parasitoid distribution. Galls that were level with the top of the sea oxeye canopy captured 60% more parasitoids compared with those below the canopy and 50% more than galls higher than the plant canopy.

4. These non‐random patterns were driven primarily by the differential distribution of the largest parasitoid,T. umbilicatus, which was found significantly more often than expected on large galls and the smallest parasitoid of the guild,G. haemon, which tended to be more common on stems level with the top of the plant canopy.

5. LargeAsphondyliagalls, especially those located near the top of theBorrichiacanopy, were more likely to be discovered by searching parasitoids. Results using artificial galls were consistent with rates of parasitism ofAsphondyliagalls in native patches of sea oxeye daisy. Gall diameter was 19% greater and the rate of parasitism was reduced by almost 50% on short stems; as a result, gall abundance was 24% higher on short stems compared with ones located near the top of the plant canopy.

6. These results suggest that parasitoid community composition within galls is regulated by both interspecific differences in ovipositor length and preferences for specific gall size and/or stem length classes.
Identification and characterization of novel low‐density lipoprotein receptor mutations of familial hypercholesterolaemia patients in Taiwan
Authors: Charng M. J. , Chiou K. R. , Chang H. M. , Cheng H. M. , Ye Z. X. , Lin S. J.
Published: November 2006

Background Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant disease associated with a very high risk of coronary vascular disease. The study objective was to identify patients with FH in Taiwan and characterize novel mutations.

Materials and methods Fifty‐one patients with suspected FH living in Taiwan were screened for mutations in both the low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and the apolipoprotein (apoB) genes using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction and exon‐by‐exon DNA sequencing technique. Functional consequences on LDL receptor activity were characterizedin vitrofor novel mutations and family pedigree was also analyzed.

Results Thirteen different functional mutations in the LDL receptor gene and one mutation in the apoB gene were found in 21 patients. Among the 13 mutations in the LDL receptor gene, 10 were single‐point missense mutations, one was a two‐point mutation in the same allele, one was a non‐sense mutation and one was a frame‐shift mutation. There were three novel mutations, including two missense mutations (M510K and W512R) and one frame‐shift mutation (1953 delTA mutation). The characterization of missense M510K retained 36·2% of the activity of the normal receptor. Conversely, frame‐shift 1953 delTA and missense W512R led to defective proteins, with only 0–6% of normal receptor activity.

Conclusions The study identified 13 LDL receptor gene mutations and characterized three novel mutations causing FH in Taiwan. This facilitated a better understanding of FH among the Chinese population and may enable diagnosis of FH at the molecular level at a presymptomatic, early age.
ApoA‐I mutants V156K and R173C promote anti‐inflammatory function and antioxidant activities
Authors: Cho K. H. , Park S. H. , Han J. M. , Kim H. C. , Choi Y. K. , Choi I.
Published: November 2006

Background  Two mutants of apolipoprotein (apo) A‐I, V156K and A158E, showed markedly different structural and functional properties in lipid‐free and lipid‐bound states in the authors’ earlier report. The physiological activities of these mutants were compared with the wild‐type (WT) and R173C mutant using in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Materials and methods  A reconstituted high‐density lipoprotein (rHDL) with palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC), combined with each of the apoA‐I variants, was injected into the tail‐veins of hypercholesterolaemic mice (C57BL6/J), which had been fed a high cholesterol and high fat (HCHF; 0·5% cholesterol, 15% lard, 0·1% sodium cholate) diet for 23 weeks, once at 0 h and then every 24 h, at a dosage of 30 mg apoA‐I kg−1 of body‐weight.

Results  The V156K‐rHDL and R173C‐rHDL exhibited significantly stronger anti‐oxidant activity against copper‐mediated low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation than did A158E in an apolipoprotein state. The mice injected with WT‐rHDL or A158E‐rHDL showed abrupt increases in total cholesterol concentrations (47% and 38%, respectively) as compared with the levels before injection, whereas the mice injected with V156K‐rHDL and R173C‐rHDL did not. Injection with V156K‐rHDL improved serum lipids and anti‐oxidative activities compared with the injection of WT‐rHDL. Injection of WT‐rHDL or A158E‐rHDL increased serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) to 90–110 pg mL−1, whereas the injection of V156K‐rHDL or R173C‐rHDL increased serum IL‐6 to 17–25 pg mL−1 only.

Conclusion  The V156K‐rHDL and R173C‐rHDL displayed potent beneficial effects, including anti‐oxidant and anti‐inflammatory activity from both in vitro and in vivo evaluations, whereas the WT‐rHDL and A158E‐rHDL did not.
Nitrogen sedimentation in a lake affected by massive nitrogen inputs: autochthonous versus allochthonous effects
Authors: PIÑA‐OCHOA ELISA , ALVAREZ‐COBELAS MIGUEL , RODRIGO MARIA A. , ROJO CARMEN , DELGADO ANTONIO
Published: November 2006

1. Monthly changes to N loadings, in‐lake particulate organic nitrogen (PON), planktonic PON, and PON sedimentary flux were studied in a Spanish flowthrough, seepage lake subject to massive nitrogen inputs from June 2003 to December 2004 when water renewal was very rapid (0.09–0.17 year).

2. The distribution of in‐lake PON did not show a seasonal trend. Total nitrogen input flux ranged from 1.23 to 4.83 g N m−2 day−1, 71–76% of which is nitrate while PON represents 6–10%. PON sedimentation rates ranged from 9 to 90 mg N m−2 day−1 and fluctuated on a seasonal basis, reaching a minimum in winter and early spring and a maximum after thermal turnover had occurred.

3. This fluctuation was not related to either autochthonous planktonic production or allochthonous inputs. Since charophyte populations in Colgada Lake underwent a seasonal pattern of growth and decomposition, and 15δN values of settling material peaked at the end of that decomposition process, we suggest that PON sedimentary flux could be partly driven by decomposed charophyte particles.

4. However, the picture of PON sedimentation in this lake was more complex than anticipated because water residence time partly explained PON variability, albeit with a 1 month lag. Water residence time explained 40% of the overall variance of yearly averaged PON sedimentary flux in a meta‐analysis of 13 lakes worldwide. However, the factors such as phytoplankton composition, trophic structure, bottom communities, nutrient loading or productivity levels may also be influential on PON settling dynamics.
Assessing the vulnerability of endemic diatom species in Lake Baikal to predicted future climate change: a multivariate approach
Authors: MACKAY ANSON W. , RYVES D. B. , MORLEY D. W. , JEWSON D. H. , RIOUAL P.
Published: November 2006

Diatoms in Lake Baikal exhibit significant spatial variation, related to prevailing climate, lake morphology and fluvial input into the lake. Here we have assessed the threats to endemic planktonic diatom species (through the development of empirical models), which form a major component of primary production within the lake. Multivariate techniques employed include redundancy analysis (RDA) and Huisman–Olff–Fresco (HOF) models. Our analyses suggest that eight environmental variables were significant in explaining diatom distribution across the lake, and in order of importance these are snow thickness on the ice, water depth, duration of days with white ice, suspended matter in the lake, days of total ice duration, temperature of the water surface in July, concentration of zooplankton and suspended organic matter. Impacts on dominant phytoplankton diatom species are highlighted using t‐value biplots. Predictions of future climate change on Lake Baikal are likely to result in shorter periods of ice cover, decreased snow cover across the lake in spring, increased fluvial input into the lake, and an increase in the intensification of surface water stratification during summer months. All these factors are likely to impact negatively on the slow‐growing, cold‐water endemics such as Aulacoseira baicalensis and Cyclotella minuta, which currently dominate diatom assemblages. Instead, taxa that are only intermittently abundant, at present, in offshore areas (e.g. Stephanodiscus meyerii) are likely to become more frequent. However, given the climatic gradient across the lake, the timing and extent of changes in community structure are likely to vary. Moreover, palaeolimnological records show that Lake Baikal diatom assemblages have been dynamic throughout the Holocene, with both endemic and cosmopolitan species exhibiting periods of dominance. Effects of climate change on the entire lake ecosystem may yet be profound as the structure of the pelagic food web may change from one based on endemic diatom taxa to one dominated by nondiatom picoplankton, and as limnological functioning (e.g. stratification and mixing) affects deepwater oxygen availability, nutrient cycling and trophic linkages.
Constraining rooting depths in tropical rainforests using satellite data and ecosystem modeling for accurate simulation of gross primary production seasonality
Authors: ICHII KAZUHITO , HASHIMOTO HIROFUMI , WHITE MICHAEL A. , POTTER CHRISTOPHER , HUTYRA LUCY R. , HUETE ALFREDO R. , MYNENI RANGA B. , NEMANI RAMAKRISHNA R.
Published: November 2006

Accurate parameterization of rooting depth is difficult but important for capturing the spatio‐temporal dynamics of carbon, water and energy cycles in tropical forests. In this study, we adopted a new approach to constrain rooting depth in terrestrial ecosystem models over the Amazon using satellite data [moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) enhanced vegetation index (EVI)] and Biome‐BGC terrestrial ecosystem model. We simulated seasonal variations in gross primary production (GPP) using different rooting depths (1, 3, 5, and 10 m) at point and spatial scales to investigate how rooting depth affects modeled seasonal GPP variations and to determine which rooting depth simulates GPP consistent with satellite‐based observations. First, we confirmed that rooting depth strongly controls modeled GPP seasonal variations and that only deep rooting systems can successfully track flux‐based GPP seasonality at the Tapajos km67 flux site. Second, spatial analysis showed that the model can reproduce the seasonal variations in satellite‐based EVI seasonality, however, with required rooting depths strongly dependent on precipitation and the dry season length. For example, a shallow rooting depth (1–3 m) is sufficient in regions with a short dry season (e.g. 0–2 months), and deeper roots are required in regions with a longer dry season (e.g. 3–5 and 5–10 m for the regions with 3–4 and 5–6 months dry season, respectively). Our analysis suggests that setting of proper rooting depths is important to simulating GPP seasonality in tropical forests, and the use of satellite data can help to constrain the spatial variability of rooting depth.
Direct and indirect effects of the most widely implemented Dutch agri‐environment schemes on breeding waders
Authors: VERHULST JORT , KLEIJN DAVID , BERENDSE FRANK
Published: November 2006

In the Netherlands, agri‐environment schemes are an important tool for halting the ongoing decline of meadow birds and, in particular, waders breeding on wet meadows. The effectiveness of the main scheme, postponed mowing, is heavily debated because it does not result in higher breeding densities. Recently, agri‐environmental collectives have become involved in the co‐ordination of scheme applications and additional measures have been introduced. One of them is per‐clutch payment: farmers are paid per wader clutch without being restricted in their farming practices.

We evaluated the effectiveness of the combination of the two measures, postponed mowing and per‐clutch payment, by determining the number of birds and territories on 12·5‐ha plots where both measures (on average 1·6 ha postponed mowing and 10·9 ha per‐clutch payment) were being implemented. Conventionally managed grasslands served as controls. Additionally, on a field with postponed mowing and a paired control field, we measured a number of environmental factors that might influence wader distribution.

On plots operating a combination of postponed mowing and per‐clutch payment, more territories of all bird species were found and more redshanks Tringa totanus were observed. The same pattern occurred on fields with per‐clutch payment alone. On fields with postponed mowing alone, we found more territories of the most abundant wader species but on conventional fields we observed more lapwings Vanellus vanellus.

The positive effects of postponed mowing on wader territories were probably caused by small differences in soil moisture and groundwater level between the two field types, as inclusion of these factors in a general linear model rendered all scheme effects insignificant.

Postponed mowing affected the form and amount of fertilizer applied to the fields as well as available nitrogen, but none of the other environmental factors that were measured. Additional analyses identified groundwater depth, penetration resistance and prey density (earthworms, Lumbricidae, and leatherjackets, Tipulidae larvae) as the main factors determining wader density.

Synthesis and applications. Our results show that conservation measures consisting of postponed mowing and per‐clutch payment implemented by agri‐environment collectives do not support a higher abundance of waders but do support marginally higher breeding densities of waders compared to conventional farms. These results are probably due to differences in soil moisture and groundwater depth. The effectiveness of agri‐environment schemes directed towards conservation of waders might be enhanced by including raised groundwater levels into scheme prescriptions.
Cognitive perturbation through dynamic modelling: a pedagogical approach to conceptual change in science
Authors: Li S. C. , Law N. , Lui K. F. A.
Published: November 2006

While simulations have widely been used to facilitate conceptual change in learning science, results indicate that significant disparity or gap between students' prior conceptions and scientific conceptions still exists. To bridge the gap, we argue that the applications of computer simulation in science education should be broadened to enable students to model their thoughts and to improve and advance their theories progressively. While computer simulations are often used to offer opportunities for students to explore scientific models, they do not give them the space to explore their own conceptions, and thus cannot effectively address the challenge of changing students' alternative conceptions. Findings from our recent empirical study reveal that, firstly, dynamic modelling using the environment WorldMaker 2000 in conjunction with the use of a cognitive perturbation strategy by the teacher was effective in helping students to migrate from their alternative conceptions towards a more scientifically inclined one; secondly, the pathways of conceptual change across groups were idiosyncratic and diverse. Respecting students' ideas seriously and providing cognitive perturbation at appropriate junctures of the inquiry process are found to be conducive to fostering conceptual change. In this paper, we will report on the details of the pedagogical approach adopted by the teacher and portray how students' conceptions change during the entire process of model building.
Achieving educational technology standards: the relationship between student teacher's interest and institutional support offered
Authors: Kadijevich Dj.
Published: November 2006

Having in mind the need for an increased attention to the importance of pre‐service teacher development concerning technology, this study examined teachers' interest to attain educational technology standards (Interest) in terms of their computer attitude (Attitude) and the professional support they received to attain these standards (Support). The study used a sample of 39 mathematics student teachers and 62 elementary student teachers. The two groups only differed in Support favouring elementary student teachers, who, contrary to mathematics student teachers, received some basic instruction concerning ET standards.Despite these differences in Support, the two‐group path analysis applied revealed that, for both student teachers, the direct effects of Support on Attitude and of Attitude on Interest were positive and significant. On the other hand, the total and direct effects of Support on Interest, although positive, were insignificant. However, because of significant indirect effects, the impact of Support on Interest was mediated through Attitude in both groups. These findings support the view that in order to develop Interest, Support should focus on developing Attitude, which may hold true in general not depending on student teacher type and the level of Support. Implications for further research and (pre‐service) teacher professional development are examined.
Promotion and prevention orientations in the choice to attend lectures or watch them online
Authors: Bassili J. N.
Published: November 2006

When presented with the option to use a new instructional technology, students often face an approach–avoidance conflict. This study explored promotion and prevention orientations, concepts linked to approach and avoidance in Higgins's regulatory focus theory, in the choice to attend lectures or watch them online. Openness, a core disposition in the Big Five Model of personality, and positive attitudes towards the utility of the Internet, reflect promotion orientations that are potentially related to the choice to watch lectures online. By contrast, neuroticism, another core disposition in the Big Five Model, and anxiety about the Internet as a computer technology, reflect a prevention orientation that is potentially related to the choice of attending lectures in class. The results illustrate that both promotion and prevention are at work in the choice to attend lectures or to watch them online. Neuroticism and anxiety about the Internet as a computer technology were related to the choice to attend lectures in class, whereas the perceived utility of the Internet was related to the choice to watch lectures online. Instructional mode choice was not related to examination performance, suggesting that the choice to attend lectures or watch them online has more to do with individual differences in promotion and prevention orientations than with pedagogical characteristics that impact learning.
Invertebrate herbivory during the regeneration phase: experiments with a freshwater angiosperm
Authors: ELGER A. , DE BOER T. , HANLEY M. E.
Published: November 2006

Invertebrate grazing during the regeneration phase is well known to exert a strong structuring effect in terrestrial plant communities. However, very few studies have investigated the effect of invertebrate herbivores on regenerating freshwater angiosperms, despite the obvious benefits for the development of general theories in plant community ecology.

Our study investigated the parameters that determine the sensitivity of the freshwater macrophytePotamogeton pectinatusL. to herbivory by the pond snailLymnaea stagnalis(L.).P. pectinatuswas raised from winter‐collected tubers in aquatic microcosms and submitted to grazing by snails at various densities and starvation levels.

Newly sproutedP. pectinatuswas much more sensitive to snail grazing than mature plants: survival of newly sprouted plants decreased as snail density increased, whereas the survival rate of mature plants was unaffected by snail density. Moreover, the sensitivity of newly sproutedP. pectinatusto herbivory decreased as its initial tuber mass increased. The damage to newly sproutedP. pectinatusby herbivory increased with snail starvation. However, the presence of an alternative, highly palatable, food (i.e. benthic algae) deflected feeding onP. pectinatus, even by extremely hungry snails.

These results demonstrate the potential structuring role exerted by gastropods during the regeneration of freshwater macrophytes, supporting results from terrestrial systems. They also suggest that regenerating plants may avoid invertebrate herbivory by modulating their intrinsic characteristics (e.g. increasing propagule size) or by emerging under favourable environmental conditions (e.g. low invertebrate density, presence of alternative food). Herbivory during the regeneration phase is therefore pivotal to our understanding of plant dynamics in aquatic as well as terrestrial ecosystems, and should be integrated into explicative models of vegetation patterns across various environments.
Families challenged by and accommodating to the adolescent years
Authors: Schneider J. , Wedgewood N. , Llewellyn G. , McConnell D.
Published: November 2006

Background  Informed by Ecocultural theory, this study explores the challenges that families caring for an adolescent with disability face and strategies they apply to sustain a meaningful family routine during the adolescent years.

Methods  In‐depth Ecocultural interviews were conducted with 20 families caring for an adolescent (aged 10–21 years) with severe disabilities, including intellectual disability. Transcripts were analysed using a constant comparative approach. Two types of family level challenges were differentiated – internal and external factors impacting on daily family life.

Results  Two themes representing this distinction between internal and external family challenges are presented in detail. Across both younger adolescent (aged 10–14 years) and older adolescent (aged 16–20 years) groups, families were first challenged by changing family roles and relationships (an internal factor). In response, families used three strategies: dividing up family time, protecting some members from too much involvement and engaging others in family activities. Families were also challenged by service discontinuity (an external factor). Accommodation strategies included advocacy, coordinating multiple services and forfeiting a desired alternative.

Conclusions  Family routine in the adolescent years is dynamic rather than static, simultaneously challenged by internal and external factors. Families use multiple strategies to accommodate these challenges, which are underpinned by their beliefs, values and resources. Professionals working with families caring for an adolescent with disability need to be aware of these in order to support families effectively to sustain a meaningful family routine during the adolescent years.
Well‐being, involvement in paid work and division of child‐care in parents of children with intellectual disabilities in Sweden
Authors: Olsson M. B. , Hwang C. P.
Published: November 2006

Background  The aim of the study was to compare mothers’ and fathers’ involvement in paid work and child‐care in families of children with intellectual disability (ID) and control families and to test if differences in well‐being between mothers and fathers of children with ID can be explained by differences in involvement in paid work and child‐care.

Methods  Mothers and fathers of 179 children with ID and 196 typically developing children answered mailed surveys on their involvement in paid work, child‐care tasks and well‐being. Only two‐parent families were included.

Results  The results show main effects for gender of the parent and presence of a child with ID on involvement in paid work and well‐being. Interaction effects indicate that mothers of children with ID are more affected than fathers in their participation in paid work and well‐being. A positive relation between level of participation in paid work and well‐being was found for both mothers and fathers. No difference in division of child‐care tasks was found between families of children with ID and control families. Differences in involvement in paid work and child‐care in families of children with ID only explained 5% of the variance in the difference between mothers’ and fathers’ well‐being.

Conclusions  Families with children with ID differ from control families in that the parents are less involved in paid work and have lower levels of well‐being. A positive relation between involvement in paid work and well‐being was found.
Perspectives of fathers and mothers of children in early intervention programmes in assessing family quality of life
Authors: Wang M. , Summers J. A. , Little T. , Turnbull A. , Poston D. , Mannan H.
Published: November 2006

Background  Family quality of life (FQOL), as a family outcome measure of early intervention and other services, has increasingly drawn attention of researchers, policymakers and service providers. Developing an index of family QOL requires a measure suitable for use with multiple family members. The purpose of this study was to test whether mothers and fathers similarly view the conceptual model of FQOL embodied in one measure.

Method  This study involved fathers and mothers of 107 families who have a young child (birth to five) with a disability enrolled in an early intervention programme. Data from couples completing the Beach Center FQOL measure were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) to determine similarities or differences between fathers and mothers with respect to their assessment of FQOL.

Results  The analysis of measurement invariance of the FQOL construct across the father and mother groups indicates that the Beach Center FQOL Scale measures equally the underlying FQOL construct across fathers and mothers in this sample. Fathers do not differ from mothers in perceived importance of factors related to FQOL items, nor did they differ in their overall satisfaction with FQOL.

Conclusion  These results suggest that fathers and mothers respond similarly to the latent constructs within the Beach Center FQOL Scale; therefore, it holds promise for use with both fathers and mothers in assessing FQOL across multiple family members. Further implications for research and practice are discussed.
Coping over time: the parents of children with autism
Authors: Gray D. E.
Published: November 2006

Background  Although coping with autism has been examined in a number of papers, virtually no research exists on how families cope over time. This paper reports the results of a longitudinal study of parents coping with autism over a period of approximately a decade.

Methods  The research method for the study was based on ethnographic methods that emphasized in‐depth interviews and participant observation. The sample for this study consisted of 28 parents (19 mothers and nine fathers) of children with autism. The instrument for the interviews consisted of questions concerning: the child’s medical history and referral experience, the child’s present symptomatology, the effects of the child’s problems on the parent’s well‐being, the effects of autism on the family’s social life, parental coping strategies, illness conceptualization and the parents’ expectations for the future.

Results and conclusions  Coping strategies changed from the time of the initial study, as fewer parents coped through reliance on service providers, family support, social withdrawal and individualism and relatively more parents coped through their religious faith and other emotion‐focused strategies. The results tentatively support previous research on coping that indicates that aging is linked to the use of more emotion‐focused coping strategies.
G Protein‐Coupled Receptor 101 mRNA Expression in the Mouse Brain: Altered Expression in the Posterior Hypothalamus and Amygdala By Energetic Challenges
Authors: Nilaweera K. N. , Ozanne D. , Wilson D. , Mercer J. G. , Morgan P. J. , Barrett P.
Published: November 2006

GPCR101 is a recently identified orphan G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed abundantly in the human and mouse hypothalamus. In the absence of a ligand, a direct approach to determine the function(s) of this receptor is not possible. However, clues to the possible functions of GPCR101 may yield from information on the distribution of the receptor and the effect of in vivo manipulation upon the expression level of the receptor. In situ hybridisation on mouse brain sections revealed GPCR101 expression in a number of nuclei, including the amygdala, lateral parabrachial nucleus and nucleus of the solitary tract, as well as in the arcuate nucleus, posterior hypothalamus and paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Food‐deprivation was found to increase GPCR101 mRNA level in the posterior hypothalamus and amygdala. In obese mice bearing the ob gene mutation, GPCR101 mRNA level decreased in the posterior hypothalamus and remained unaltered in the amygdala. By contrast, in both nuclei, GPCR101 mRNA level did not change significantly in obese ob/ob mice after intraperitoneal injection of leptin or in mice fed with a high fat diet. These data suggest that GPCR101 mRNA expression in the posterior hypothalamus and amygdala is regulated by a factor(s) other than leptin. Dual in situ hybridisation was used to establish the relationship between GPCR101 and neuropeptides expressed in the hypothalamus. In the arcuate nucleus, GPCR101 mRNA was expressed in approximately half of the population of neurones expressing the mRNA for the anorexigenic neuropeptide, pro‐opiomelanocortin, which suggests a potential functional relationship.
A remote‐sensing technique for the identification of aeolian fetch distance
Authors: LYNCH KEVIN , JACKSON DEREK W. T. , COOPER J. ANDREW G.
Published: November 2006

This paper describes a new method for assessing aeolian fetch distances in beach/dune systems. The remote‐sensing technique has advantages over currently used proxy measures of fetch distance, such as those based on tide gauges and beach profiles. The method uses a digital camera, global positioning system surveying, and a geographical information system software package to produce a rectified image of the beach surface. From this, direct measurements of the wet–dry beach boundary can be combined with wind direction measurements to determine fetch distance. The method offers an improvement on current approaches to sediment transport estimates: a 28‐day study on Magilligan Strand, Northern Ireland, showed that the commonly used high water mark approach overestimated fetch distance by 30% compared with the technique reported here.
Channel formation by flow stripping: large‐scale scour features along the Monterey East Channel and their relation to sediment waves
Authors: FILDANI ANDREA , NORMARK WILLIAM R. , KOSTIC SVETLANA , PARKER GARY
Published: November 2006

The Monterey East system is formed by large‐scale sediment waves deposited as a result of flows stripped from the deeply incised Monterey fan valley (Monterey Channel) at the apex of the Shepard Meander. The system is dissected by a linear series of steps that take the form of scour‐shaped depressions ranging from 3·5 to 4·5 km in width, 3 to 6 km in length and from 80 to 200 m in depth. These giant scours are aligned downstream from a breech in the levee on the southern side of the Shepard Meander. The floor of the breech is only 150 m above the floor of the Monterey fan valley but more than 100 m below the levee crests resulting in significant flow stripping. Numerical modeling suggests that the steps in the Monterey East system were created by Froude‐supercritical turbidity currents stripped from the main flow in the Monterey channel itself. Froude‐supercritical flow over an erodible bed can be subject to an instability that gives rise to the formation of cyclic steps, i.e. trains of upstream‐migrating steps bounded upstream and downstream by hydraulic jumps in the flow above them. The flow that creates these steps may be net‐erosional or net‐depositional. In the former case it gives rise to trains of scours such as those in the Monterey East system, and in the latter case it gives rise to the familiar trains of upstream‐migrating sediment waves commonly seen on submarine levees. The Monterey East system provides a unique opportunity to introduce the concept of cyclic steps in the submarine environment to study processes that might result in channel initiation on modern submarine fans.