bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interface pressure distributions and thermal contact resistance of a bolted joint
Authors: Tirovic M , Voller G.P
Published: June 2005

The paper studies interface pressure distributions and thermal contact resistance (TCR) of a large automotive bolted joint. The research was initiated by the need to determine accurately conductive heat dissipation from a commercial vehicle disc brake. The main area of interest was the conduction between the grey cast iron disc and the spheroidal graphite cast iron wheel carrier. The bolt clamp forces and interface pressure distributions were investigated theoretically and experimentally. Finite-element analyses and pressure-sensitive paper experiments provided very similar interface pressure distributions. TCR change with interface pressure was studied experimentally, by conducting numerous temperature measurements. The derived linear relationship is of generic nature, enabling the calculation of the TCR for a variety of engineering bolted joints, over a wide range of interface pressures.
Seed parasitism redirects ovule development in Douglas fir
Authors: von Aderkas Patrick , Rouault Gaëlle , Wagner Rebecca , Rohr René , Roques Alain
Published: June 2005

Many parasitic species of insects complete their entire development in seeds. They feed off storage reserves within the ovule. These reserves only normally accumulate in fertilized ovules. Consequently, female insects that oviposit their eggs directly into the plant ovule need to be able to select correctly, as unfertilized ovules of conifers normally become so-called empty seed. We provide clear evidence that in conifers, seed-parasitizing insects do not need to discriminate between fertilized and unfertilized plant ovules when ovipositing their eggs. A host-specific insect, the chalcid
Megastigmus spermotrophus
Wachtl (Hymenoptera: Torymidae), lays its eggs in ovules of Douglas fir (
Pseudotsuga menziesii
(Mirbel) Franco) before fertilization has taken place in the plant. Oviposition not only prevents the expected degeneration and death of unfertilized ovules, but it induces energy reserve accumulation. Ovules that would otherwise develop as empty seed are redirected in their development by the insect to provide food for the developing larvae. Instead of the insect exploiting normal events during seed development, the insect manipulates seed development for its own reproductive advantage.
Prioritizing species conservation: does the Cape Verde kite exist?
Authors: Johnson Jeff A , Watson Richard T , Mindell David P
Published: June 2005

The Cape Verde kite (Milvus milvus fasciicauda) is considered to be one of the rarest birds of prey in the world and at significant risk of extinction. For this reason there is great interest in both the taxonomic and the population status of this group. To help resolve its taxonomic status, we provide phylogenetic analyses based on three mitochondrial genes for a sampling of kites in the genusMilvus, including a broad geographical sampling of black kites (Milvus migrans), red kites (Milvus milvus), Cape Verde kite museum specimens collected between 1897 and 1924, and five kites trapped on the Cape Verde Islands during August 2002. We found that the historical Cape Verde kites, including the type specimen, were non-monophyletic and scattered within a larger red kite clade. The recently trapped kites from the Cape Verde Islands were all phylogenetically diagnosed as black kites. Our findings suggest that the traditional Cape Verde kite is not a distinctive evolutionary unit, and the case for species status, as recently suggested by others, is not supported. We do find support for recognition of at least one clade of yellow-billed kites, traditionally considered as a black kite subspecies, as a distinctive phylogenetic species.
The role of optimal vortex formation in biological fluid transport
Authors: Dabiri John O , Gharib Morteza
Published: June 2005

Animal phyla that require macro-scale fluid transport for functioning have repeatedly and often independently converged on the use of jet flows. During flow initiation these jets form fluid vortex rings, which facilitate mass transfer by stationary pumps (e.g. cardiac chambers) and momentum transfer by mobile systems (e.g. jet-propelled swimmers). Previous research has shown that vortex rings generated in the laboratory can be optimized for efficiency or thrust, based on the jet length-to-diameter ratio (L/D), with peak performance occurring at 3.5<L/D<4.5. Attempts to determine if biological jets achieve this optimization have been inconclusive, due to the inability to properly account for the diversity of jet kinematics found across animal phyla. We combine laboratory experiments,in situobservations and a framework that reduces the kinematics to a single parameter in order to quantitatively show that individual animal kinematics can be tuned in correlation with optimal vortex ring formation. This new approach identifies simple rules for effective fluid transport, facilitates comparative biological studies of jet flows across animal phyla irrespective of their specific functions and can be extended to unify theories of optimal jet-based and flapping-based vortex ring formation.
Building a sustainable e‐learning development culture
Authors: Leacock Tracey
Published: June 2005

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide details on Simon Fraser University's new School of Interactive Arts and Technology (SIAT) approach to creating a culture that supports rapid development of high‐quality e‐learning materials, why it has been successful, and what has been learned.

Design/methodology/approach

Describes how, over a period of four years SIAT has had the unique opportunity to build an integrated set of graduate and undergraduate degree programs from the ground up. The organization has recognized the importance of its people – both in terms of the knowledge they bring to the organization, and the added value it gains by providing an environment where all employees can continue to learn – from courses, from their own experience, and from each other.

Findings

Because of the organization's structured, yet flexible, approach to course design and development workflow, each set of courses was ready just as the students became ready to take them. The organizational culture's combination of clear structure, openness to new ideas, and commitment to high quality courseware has enabled us to meet the needs of our students and prepare them for careers in today's high‐tech workforce.

Originality/value

SIAT have developed best practices for the implementation of organizational e‐learning strategies and the approach will be useful in informing the strategies adopted by other organizations.
Snakes don't shrink, but ‘shrinkage’ is an almost inevitable outcome of measurement error by the experimenters
Authors: Luiselli Luca
Published: June 2005

The recent report of Galapagos marine iguanas showing bidirectional growth, i.e. decreasing in body size up to 20% of their initial size during periods of reduced food availability, has induced to speculate whether these ‘shrinkages’ are adaptive or not, and whether they are widespread or not in squamate reptiles living in seasonally variable environments. A first case‐test with Australian water pythons provided no evidence of ‘shrinkage’. I tested the same issue by using my mark‐recapture data of a species‐rich community of snakes (16 species) from the tropical forests of southern Nigeria, where the food availability varies seasonally (with productivity peaks during the wet months). I attributed a ‘measurability’ score to each species in relation to the easiness of their handling, taking into consideration a range of factors including the snake's body size and weight (hence the body vigour, as the large vigorous snakes are more difficult to measure correctly than small non‐vigorous species), the temperament (aggressive species are more difficult to measure correctly than placid species), and the dangerousness (highly venomous snakes are more difficult to measure correctly than non‐venomous species). Out of 6431 recapture data, 2.8% were cases of shrinkage, and 14 out of 16 species examined had at least a single case of shrinkage (the percentage of shrinkage cases was not significantly different among terrestrial, semi‐aquatic and arboreal species). The percentage of shrinkage cases varied significantly in relation to the ‘measurability’ score of the single species (producing an exponential growth curve for the relationship between the two variables). The mean SVL reduction at the second capture event compared to the first (in percent terms) was trivial compared to shrinkage data for marine iguanas, but in very good agreement with data from water pythons. Both the frequency of occurrence of shrinkage events and the percent of decrease in SVL did not differ inter‐seasonally. Hence, I conclude that shrinkage events are just apparent in snakes and are caused by measurement errors by experimenters. I also predict that future studies may observe (apparent) shrinkage events more frequently among very large and/or very dangerous species (i.e. large boas and pythons, cobras, mambas, huge vipers), and that the frequency of shrinkage cases will not be higher than 6–7% of the total recapture events.
Phylogeny, character evolution, and classification of Sapotaceae (Ericales)
Authors: Swenson Ulf , Anderberg Arne A.
Published: June 2005

We present the first cladistic study of the largely tropical family Sapotaceae based on both morphological and molecular data. The data were analyzed with standard parsimony and parsimony jackknife algorithms using equally and successive weighted characters. Sapotaceae are confirmed to constitute two main evolutionary lineages corresponding to the tribes Isonandreae‐Mimusopeae‐Sideroxyleae and Chrysophylleae‐Omphalocarpeae. The Sideroxyleae are monophyletic, Isonandreae are polyphyletic as presently circumscribed, and as suggested by the analyses, the subtribe Mimusopeae‐Mimusopinae has evolved within the Mimusopeae‐Manilkarinae, which hence is also paraphyletic. Generic limits must be altered within Sideroxyleae with the current members Argania, Nesoluma and Sideroxylon. Argania cannot be maintained at a generic level unless a narrower generic concept is adopted for Sideroxylon. Nesoluma cannot be upheld in a narrow or broad generic concept of Sideroxylon. The large tribe Chrysophylleae circumscribes genera such as Chrysophyllum, Pouteria, Synsepalum, and Xantolis, but the tribe is monophyletic only if the taxa from Omphalocarpeae are also included. Neither Chrysophyllum nor Pouteria are monophyletic in their current definitions. The results indicate that the African taxa of Pouteria are monophyletic and distinguishable from the South American taxa. Resurrection of Planchonella, corresponding to Pouteria section Oligotheca, is proposed. The African genera Synsepalum and Englerophytum form a monophyletic group, but their generic limits are uncertain. Classification of the Asian genus Xantolis is particularly interesting. Morphology alone is indecisive regarding Xantolis relationships, the combined unweighted data of molecules and morphology indicates a sister position to Isonandreae‐Mimusopeae‐Sideroxyleae, whereas molecular data alone, as well as successive weighted combined data point to a sister position to Chrysophylleae‐Omphalocarpeae. An amended subfamily classification is proposed corresponding to the monophyletic groups: Sarcospermatoideae (Sarcosperma), Sapotoideae (Isonandreae‐Mimusopeae‐Sideroxyleae) and Chrysophylloideae (Chrysophylleae‐Omphalocarpeae), where Sapotoideae circumscribes the tribes Sapoteae and Sideroxyleae as well as two or three as yet unnamed lineages. Morphological characters are often highly homoplasious and unambiguous synapomorphies cannot be identified for subfamilies or tribes, which we believe are the reason for the variations seen between different classifications of Sapotaceae.

© The Willi Hennig Society 2005.
CCL17 and CCL22 attenuate CCL5‐induced mast cell migration
Authors: Juremalm M. , Olsson N. , Nilsson G.
Published: June 2005

Background
Mast cells (MCs) accumulate at sites of allergic mucosal inflammation where they act as central effectors and regulatory cells. Chemokines are believed to be crucial for the recruitment of MCs to sites of inflammation. We recently reported that human umbilical cord blood MCs (CBMCs) expresses the CC chemokine receptors, CCR1 and CCR4. We found a unique response profile to ligands of the respective receptors in which, of all tested ligands, only CCL5/RANTES‐induced migration.

Objective
To further investigate the function of CCR4 in MCs.

Methods
CBMCs were used for competition binding experiments, migration, and intracellular calcium mobilization and release response studies.

Results
The natural ligands for CCR4, CCL17/TARC and CCL22/MDC could both compete for binding with radiolabelled CCL5. Further, both CCL17 and CCL22 act as CCR4 antagonists by inhibiting CCL5‐induced migration. Although both CCL17 and CCL22 caused mobilization of intracellular calcium, none of them induced migration or histamine release.

Conclusions
These results suggest that CCL5‐induced migration of MCs via CCR4 can be regulated by the natural agonists CCL17 and CCL22, which are up‐regulated at sites of allergic inflammation.
Development of an in vitro system for the study of allergens and allergen‐specific immunoglobulin E and immunoglobulin G: Fcɛ receptor I supercross‐linking is a possible new mechanism of immunoglobulin G‐dependent enhancement of type I allergic reactions
Authors: Sellge G. , Laffer S. , Mierke C. , Vrtala S. , Hoffmann M. W. , Klempnauer J. , Manns M. P. , Valenta R. , Bischoff S. C.
Published: June 2005

Background
IgE‐dependent activation of mast cells (MCs) is a key pathomechanism of type I allergies. In contrast, allergen‐specific IgG Abs are thought to attenuate immediate allergic reactions by blocking IgE binding and by cross‐linking the inhibitory Fcγ receptor IIB on MCs.

Objectives
To establish a defined in vitro system using human MCs to study the biological activity of allergens and to investigate the role of allergen‐specific IgE and IgG.

Methods
Purified human intestinal MCs sensitized with different forms of specific IgE Abs were triggered by monomeric and oligomeric forms of recombinant Bet v 1, the major birch pollen allergen, in the presence or absence of allergen‐specific IgG Abs.

Results
MCs sensitized with an anti‐Bet v 1 IgE mAb or sera obtained from birch pollen allergic patients released histamine and sulphidoleukotrienes after exposure to oligomeric Bet v 1. Monomeric Bet v 1 provoked mediator release only in MCs sensitized with patients sera but not in MCs sensitized with anti‐Bet v 1 IgE mAb. Interestingly, MC activation could be induced by supercross‐linking of monomeric Bet v 1 bound to monovalent IgE on MCs with a secondary allergen‐specific IgG pAb. By using IgG F(ab′)2 fragments we provide evidence that this effect is not a result of IgG binding to Fcγ receptors.

Conclusion
This assay represents a new tool for the in vitro study of MC activation in response to natural and genetically modified allergens. Fcɛ receptor I supercross‐linking by allergen‐specific IgG Abs provides a possible new mechanism of IgG‐dependent enhancement of type I allergic reactions.
The mycotoxins citrinin and gliotoxin differentially affect production of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6, and the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐10
Authors: Johannessen L. N. , Nilsen A. M. , Løvik M.
Published: June 2005

Background
Microbial growth is considered one of the major causes of indoor air problems. Moulds have been associated with asthma, allergy and a wide range of diffuse indoor air‐related symptoms. However, mechanisms of the adverse health effects are not well understood.

Objective
We hypothesized that the mycotoxins citrinin and gliotoxin could cause an imbalance between the secretion of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐6 and the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10.

Methods
We investigated the influence of citrinin and gliotoxin on the human monocytic cell line Mono‐Mac‐6 (MM6) with and without lipopolysaccharide ‐stimulation. The levels of IL‐10, IL‐6 and TNF‐α were analysed in cell culture supernatants by ELISA. Cell viability and cell apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry.

Results
The strongest inhibition of cytokine secretion was found for IL‐10. IL‐6 levels were found to decrease in a dose‐dependent manner along with reduced cell viability. TNF‐α levels increased with low gliotoxin exposure (less than 100 ng/mL), but decreased significantly at 375 ng/mL and higher along with increased cell apoptosis and reduced cell viability. TNF‐α levels were not reduced by citrinin exposure.

Conclusion
We observed a cytokine imbalance with a more pronounced reduction of IL‐10 concentrations compared with those of TNF‐α and IL‐6. We suggest that low exposure doses of citrinin and gliotoxin (corresponding to less than 100 ng/mL gliotoxin and less than 10 μg/mL citrinin) may inhibit IL‐10 and lead to increased risk of an inflammatory response with relative overproduction of TNF‐α and IL‐6. The findings and their clinical implications must be verified by human studies. However, we speculate that the observed biological effects may be of importance as they may partly explain the occurrence of diffuse general indoor air‐related symptoms as well as the worsening of asthmatic inflammatory reactions experienced in mouldy environments.
Increased risk of asthma attacks and emergency visits among asthma patients with allergic rhinitis: a subgroup analysis of the improving asthma control trial
Authors: Bousquet J. , Gaugris S. , Kocevar V. Sazonov , Zhang Q. , Yin D. D. , Polos P. G. , Bjermer L.
Published: June 2005

Background
Inadequately controlled allergic rhinitis (AR) in asthmatic patients can contribute towards increased asthma exacerbations and poorer symptom control, which may increase medical resource use. We assessed asthma‐related medical resource use and attacks in asthmatic patients who did and did not have concomitant AR and were adding montelukast or salmeterol to baseline treatment with inhaled fluticasone.

Methods
A post hoc resource use analysis of a 52‐week, double‐blind multicentre clinical trial (IMPACT: IMProving Asthma Control Trial) including 1490 adults with chronic asthma, aged 15–72 years, with FEV1 50–90% of predicted and 12% increase in FEV1 after salbutamol administration, treated with either montelukast 10 mg daily or salmeterol 50 μg twice daily in addition to fluticasone 200 μg, was undertaken. Asthma‐related medical resource use included medical visits (defined as either an unscheduled visit [to a general practitioner, a specialist or a non‐medical provider] or a specialist visit), emergency room visits and hospitalizations during follow‐up. Asthma attacks were defined as the worsening of asthma requiring unscheduled visit, emergency visit, hospitalization or oral/intravenous/intramuscular corticosteroids.

Results
A self‐reported history of concomitant AR was identified in 60% of the patients (n=893). Univariate analysis suggests that significantly more patients with concomitant AR experienced emergency room visits (3.6% vs. 1.7%, P=0.029) and asthma attacks (21.3% vs. 17.1%, P=0.046). Multivariate analysis adjusting for treatment group, age and baseline asthma severity confirmed these results since the presence of concomitant AR in patients with asthma increases the likelihood of emergency room visit (odds ratio (OR)=2.35, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.12–4.80) and asthma attack (OR=1.35, 95% CI=1.03–1.77). Patients with asthma alone compared with patients with both conditions did not differ in terms of unscheduled or specialist visits and hospitalizations.

Conclusions
Presence of self‐reported concomitant AR in patients with asthma resulted in a higher rate of asthma attacks and more emergency room visits compared with asthma patients without concomitant AR.
The novel use of the human nasal epithelial cell line RPMI 2650 as an in vitro model to study the influence of allergens and cytokines on transforming growth factor‐β gene expression and protein release
Authors: Salib R. J. , Lau L. C. , Howarth P. H.
Published: June 2005

Background
The epithelial accumulation of mast cells is a feature of allergic rhinitis and this has been linked to the expression of the known mast cell chemoattractant transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) at this site. Little is known concerning the regulation of TGF‐β gene expression or protein release by nasal epithelial cells. To address this we have utilized the RPMI 2650 human nasal epithelial cell line, which has some features that closely resemble normal nasal epithelium and has been reported to secrete a TGF‐β‐like molecule.

Objectives
To investigate the regulation of TGF‐β gene expression and protein secretion in RPMI 2650 nasal epithelial cells following exposure to allergens (house dust mite (HDM) and grass pollen) and mast cell associated T‐helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines (IL‐4, IL‐13, and TNF‐α).

Methods
Light and scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the morphology of RPMI 2650 cells in culture, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to investigate their TGF‐β secretory capacity and the identification of the TGF‐β isotype(s) involved, flow cytometry was used to demonstrate the presence of TGF‐β receptors on the RPMI 2650 cells, and the quantitative real‐time TaqMan PCR was used to measure TGF‐β gene expression.

Results
TGF‐β2 was identified as the main isotype secreted by the RPMI 2650 cells. HDM allergens and TNF‐α increased both TGF‐β gene expression and protein release from these cells, whereas grass pollen, IL‐4, and IL‐13 were without effect.

Conclusions
The RPMI 2650 nasal epithelial cell line represents a valid in vitro model to evaluate the regulation of TGF‐β biology. In this system HDM allergens have stimulatory activity that is fundamentally different from that of grass pollen allergens, and the Th2 cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐13 are without effect. The ability of TNF‐α to up‐regulate both TGF‐β gene expression and protein release indicates that mast cell–epithelial interactions concerning TGF‐β are bi‐directional and this may be fundamental to epithelial immunoregulation. The availability of a model system, such as the RPMI 2650 cells, will enable the early evaluation of future novel and targeted interventions directed toward the aberrant responses of upper airway structural cells.
Haplotype analysis of a 100 kb region spanning TNF–LTA identifies a polymorphism in the LTA promoter region that is associated with atopic asthma susceptibility in Japan
Authors: Migita O. , Noguchi E. , Koga M. , Jian Z. , Shibasaki M. , Migita T. , Ito S. , Ichikawa K. , Matsui A. , Arinami T.
Published: June 2005

Background
The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) gene family, which includes TNF, LTA, and LTB, is located consecutively on human chromosome 6p21 region, which has been linked to asthma by several genome‐wide screens. (LTA, lymphotoxin‐α; LTB, lymphotoxin‐β).

Objective
The aim of the present study was to determine whether genes on 6q21 are related to development of atopic asthma.

Methods
We screened for mutations in the coding and promoter regions of genes in the TNF–LTA region, including BAT1, NFKBIL1, LTA, TNF, LTB, AIF, and BAT2, and conducted a transmission disequilibrium test of 41 polymorphisms in 137 families identified through pro‐bands with childhood‐onset atopic asthma. (BAT1, HLA‐B‐associated transcript 1; NFKBIL1, nuclear factor of κ light polypeptide gene enhancer in B cells inhibitor‐like 1; AIF, allograft inflammatory factor 1).

Results 
Haplotypes of the LTA/TNF linkage disequilibrium block were associated significantly with asthma (global P=0.0097). Transmission patterns of the common haplotypes to asthmatic offspring were predicted by a single‐nucleotide polymorphism in the LTA promoter region. The G allele of the LTA−753G/A polymorphism was transmitted preferentially to asthma‐affected individuals (P=0.001). Luciferase reporter assays with constructs containing the 5′ and 3′ flanking regions of the LTA gene showed 30–50% lower transcriptional activity when the −753A allele was present than that of other haplotypes.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that LTA is one of the genes that contributes to susceptibility to atopic asthma, and that the association of the TNF/LTA haplotypes to asthma may be defined by the polymorphism in the LTA promoter region in the Japanese population.
Characteristics of intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis: DREAMS study group
Authors: Bousquet J. , Annesi‐Maesano I. , Carat F. , Léger D. , Rugina M. , Pribil C. , El Hasnaoui A. , Chanal I.
Published: June 2005

Background
In the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification, intermittent and persistent rhinitis were proposed to replace seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis (AR).

Aim
To better understand the ARIA classification of rhinitis.

Methods
A cross‐sectional study was carried out in 591 patients consulting ENT or allergy specialists for AR and 502 control subjects. The diagnosis of AR was based on a score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) 7. Patients were classified according to the four ARIA classes (mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate/severe intermittent and moderate/severe persistent). Allergen sensitization (skin prick tests (SPTs) or specific IgE) and co‐morbidities were examined according to the ARIA classes.

Results
Ten percent of patients had mild intermittent rhinitis, 14% mild persistent rhinitis, 17% moderate/severe intermittent rhinitis and 59% moderate/severe persistent rhinitis. Most patients with intermittent rhinitis had a pollen sensitivity, but 5% had a single house dust mite (HDM) sensitization. Over 50% of patients with persistent rhinitis were allergic to pollens or HDM. Asthma was present in 24% of rhinitis patients and in only 2% of the control population (P<0.0001). Patients with moderate/severe persistent rhinitis had the highest asthma prevalence (33%).

Discussion
Intermittent and persistent rhinitis are not synonymous of seasonal and perennial rhinitis. Most patients consulting specialists have severe rhinitis. Asthma prevalence increases with duration and severity of rhinitis supporting the ARIA major recommendation that patients with persistent rhinitis should be evaluated for asthma.
The influence of channelisation on riparian plant assemblages
Authors: BAATTRUP‐PEDERSEN ANNETTE , FRIBERG NIKOLAI , LARSEN SØREN E. , RIIS TENNA
Published: June 2005

1. A comparative study of species diversity and assemblage patterns of herbaceous ground‐flora communities in riparian areas was performed along natural mid‐sized lowland streams and their channelised counterparts. The areas had open vegetation and were positioned along 18 similar‐sized third to fourth order stream reaches.

2. Alpha diversity was significantly higher along natural streams both at the sample plot and reach scale. Sample plot diversity peaked at intermediate distance from the natural stream reaches, whereas it increased with increasing distance from the channelised reaches. Both gamma diversity, measured and estimated from species‐area curves, and beta diversity, which is a measure of the change in diversity between areas, was similar along the two types of streams.

3. Alpha diversity correlated with several of the measured and calibrated environmental variables. The positive correlation between bank slope and alpha diversity indicates that flooding plays a key role in maintaining high levels of diversity along natural streams.

4. Species composition varied significantly between the two stream types. A cluster analysis identified four clusters of which two clusters (one and three) primarily included species associated with sample plots in areas along natural streams. Most cluster one and three species were also identified as indicator species for this stream type.

5. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that cluster one species were less productive species associated with high total soil carbon and nitrogen contents, whereas cluster three species were highly productive species associated with high soil moisture levels, probably partly resulting from flooding. Our results suggest that distance from the stream channel imposes a probabilistic gradient that sustains co‐occurrence of these two communities in riparian areas along natural mid‐sized lowland streams.
How protective are refuges? Quantifying algal protection in rock crevices
Authors: BERGEY ELIZABETH A.
Published: June 2005

1. Refuges can be functionally important if they harbour sufficient organisms during disturbance to augment population recovery. I quantified the protection of stream algae in crevice refuges using the applied, severe disturbance of scrubbing. Scrubbing effectively removed visible surface algae, and algae remaining on stones were considered protected.

2. In a field experiment, substrata with different quantities of crevice (glass bottles; greywacke; schist; pumice) were incubated in a channelised stream. The possible influence of growth conditions was investigated concurrently; half of the substrata were suspended in the water column, the rest were placed on the bottom (providing differential access to grazers and exposing them to different flow conditions).

3. Rougher substrata had greater total algal biomass than smoother substrata; this pattern resulted from more algal biomass in crevices of the rougher substrata. Protection from scrubbing ranged from about 5% of total algal biomass on glass and greywacke to 80% on pumice. In contrast, algal biomass removed by scrubbing was similar among the experimental substrata. Suspended substrata had more chironomid grazers than those on the bottom, and also greater algal biomass, possibly because of high algal concentrations in the chironomid retreats.

4. A survey of stones from three rivers supported the experimental results; namely, rough pumice protected more algae from scrubbing than did smoother greywacke.

5. In a separate experimental assay, there was no difference in algal growth on agar plates with and without added powdered rock substrata, suggesting that crevice characteristics and not substratum chemistry produced the differences in algal assemblages between rough and smooth surfaces.

6. Results indicate that rough stream stones may protect sufficient algae to augment their recovery in streams following disturbance.
Low dissolved oxygen levels reduce anti‐predation behaviours of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea
Authors: SALOOM MANERA E. , SCOT DUNCAN R.
Published: June 2005

1. When dissolved oxygen levels decline in aquatic systems, prey may be unable to maintain behaviours protecting them from predators. We examined how oxygen availability affected anti‐predator responses in the freshwater clam, Corbicula fluminea.

2. When attacked, bivalves protect their soft tissues by closing their protective valves. This reduces vulnerability to small predators, but ventilation and oxygen uptake are suspended. We found that after a simulated attack, clams under low oxygen conditions reopened their valves sooner than clams under high oxygen conditions, suggesting that hypoxia increases vulnerability to predation.

3. Bivalves may also evade predators through burial into the substratum. Deeper burial confers greater refuge from predators, but increases the costs of ventilation. In a second experiment, we studied how burial depth of C. fluminea is affected by oxygen availability. Additionally, we examined whether clams changed burial depth following a simulated attack by a small predator, and whether this response was affected by oxygen availability. Our results offered partial support for the hypothesis that burial depth is reduced under hypoxic conditions, but the simulated attack did not affect burial depth in any oxygen treatments.
Reliability of pressure ulcer classification and diagnosis
Authors: Nixon Jane , Thorpe Helen , Barrow Helen , Phillips Angela , Andrea Nelson E. , Mason Susan A. , Cullum Nicky
Published: June 2005

Aim.  To assess the inter‐rater reliability of the PRESSURE Trial pressure ulcer diagnosis (≥Grade 2) and skin classification for all grades between the clinical research nurse (CRN) team leader and CRNs working across different hospital sites; and CRNs and ward‐based nurses.

Background.  The United Kingdom National Health Service Health Technology Assessment Programme has funded a multi‐centre, randomized controlled trial to compare the clinical and cost‐effectiveness of alternating pressure mattress overlays and mattress replacements – PRESSURE Trial. Outcome skin assessments were recorded by qualified ward‐based nurses daily, and expert CRNs twice weekly.

Method.  Paired assessments were undertaken and skin assessed on seven body sites. The per cent agreement between nurses in the diagnosis of a pressure ulcer was determined and the Kappa statistic and confidence intervals calculated. Per cent agreement between nurses in classifying skin for all grades was also determined.

Results.  Assessments were undertaken by 378 pairs: 16 paired patient assessments (107 site comparisons) by the CRN team leader and CRNs, and 362 paired patient assessments (2396 site comparisons) between CRNs and ward‐based nurses. There was 100% agreement between the CRN team leader and CRNs in the diagnosis of a pressure ulcer, and the Kappa statistics indicated ‘very good’ agreement. There were only two (1·9%) disagreements in classifying skin for all grades between these nurses. The agreement in the diagnosis of a pressure ulcer between CRNs and ward‐based nurses varied by skin site, ranging from 93·6% to 100%, with the Kappa statistics indicating ‘good’ and ‘very good’ agreement. However, there were 508 (21·2%) disagreements in classifying skin for all grades.

Conclusions.  Overall agreement and Kappa statistics indicated ‘very good’ and ‘good’ agreement between expert nurses, and between expert nurses and qualified ward‐based staff, respectively. However, the high prevalence of normal skin concealed clinically important disagreements in both the diagnosis of pressure ulcers and skin classification for all grades.
The continuum of care: a concept development study
Authors: McBryde‐Foster Merry , Allen Toni
Published: June 2005

Aims.  The aim of this paper is to communicate attributes, antecedents, and consequences identified within the ‘continuum of care’ using the process of concept development.

Background.  The term ‘continuum of care’ is embedded in health care experience and is consistently taken for granted in health care literature without adequate analysis or definition.

Methods.  Using EndNote and MS Excel software, a sample of 153 articles from 638 nursing and allied health journal articles retrieved by electronic search were reviewed; keywords descriptive of the concept were manually extracted. An electronic library was created and searched for keyword frequencies and words were ranked and sorted into unifying categories.

Findings.  Four major unifying categories of attributes: people, environment, events and time, were identified, described and encorporated into a definition of the concept. An exemplar case was identified.

Conclusions.  The continuum of care was identified as a concept with specific, describable attributes evidenced in an exemplar case.
The reliability and validity of general psychotic rating scales with people with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities: an empirical investigation
Authors: Hatton C. , Haddock G. , Taylor J. L. , Coldwell J. , Crossley R. , Peckham N.
Published: June 2005

Background  Whilst assessment tools have been developed to diagnose schizophrenia in people with mild intellectual disabilities (IDs), little attention has been paid to developing reliable and valid dimensional measures of psychotic experiences with this population. This study investigates the reliability and validity of two such measures developed for the general adult psychiatric population, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales (PSYRATS), with a population of adults with mild IDs.

Method  Sixty‐two adults with mild IDs were interviewed using the PANSS and PSYRATS, and independently interviewed using the Psychiatric Assessment Schedule – Adults with Developmental Disability (PAS‐ADD) to obtain psychiatric diagnoses to the criteria of the International Classification of Diseases – Tenth Revision (ICD‐10). On the basis of ICD‐10 diagnosis, participants were divided into three groups: psychosis (n = 11); other mental health problem (n = 14); no mental health problem (n = 37). PANSS and PSYRATS subscale scores were compared across these three groups and were correlated with PAS‐ADD symptom scores across a number of PAS‐ADD symptom domains.

Results  All PANSS and PSYRATS subscales showed adequate internal reliability, largely good test‐retest reliability, and logical inter‐correlations between subscales. The PANSS positive symptoms and the PSYRATS auditory hallucinations subscales differentiated between the psychosis group and the other groups; the PANSS general symptoms subscale differentiated between the psychosis and no mental health problem groups; and the PANSS negative symptoms and the PSYRATS delusions subscales did not differentiate between the three groups.

Conclusions  The PANSS and PSYRATS are promising measures for use with people with mild IDs and psychotic experiences, although further investigation of items relating to negative symptoms and delusions is warranted.
A review of the emotional, psychiatric and behavioural responses to bereavement in people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Dodd P. , Dowling S. , Hollins S.
Published: June 2005

Background  Our knowledge and understanding of grief and its consequences have grown rapidly in recent years. There is a growing understanding that bereavement and loss represent a very significant event in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). To date, there is no systematic review of the literature on the emotional, psychiatric and behavioural responses to bereavement in people with IDs.

Method  This comprehensive literature review firstly examines the current opinion regarding the phenomenology of pathological grief in the general population. Research examining the ability of people with IDs to understand the concept of death is explored. In addition, a systematic review of the literature looking at the emotional, behavioural and psychiatric responses to bereavement is carried out.

Results  Bereavement and loss have distinct effects on the mental health, behaviour and emotional lives of people with IDs. Following a bereavement, symptoms of depression and anxiety increase, and general behaviour is altered. Traumatic grief symptoms have not yet been specifically studied and quantified.

Conclusions  Particular difficulties are associated with researching the effects of bereavement on people with IDs. Further work needs to be done to more accurately describe the nature, time‐scale, severity and frequency of the symptoms of traumatic grief in people with IDs, in order to improve assessment and treatment of affected individuals.
Health co‐morbidities in ageing persons with Down syndrome and Alzheimer's dementia
Authors: McCarron M. , Gill M. , McCallion P. , Begley C.
Published: June 2005

Background  Consideration of the relationship between physical and mental health co‐morbidities in ageing persons with Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's dementia (AD) is of clinical importance both from a care and resource perspective.

Aim  To investigate and measure health co‐morbidities in ageing persons with Down syndrome with and without AD.

Methods  Recorded physical and mental health needs were ascertained for 124 persons with DS > 35 years through a systematic and detailed search of individual medical and nursing case records. Differences in persons with and without AD were investigated, by stage of dementia and by level of intellectual disability (ID). A summed score for health co‐morbidities was created and compared using t‐tests.

Results  Persons with AD had significantly higher co‐morbidity scores than persons without AD (t = −8.992, d.f. = 121, P < 0.0001). There was also a significant difference in summed co‐morbidity scores for persons at end‐stage vs. persons at mid‐stage AD (t = −6.429, d.f. = 56, P < 0.0001). No differences were found by level of ID.

Conclusions  Increasing health co‐morbidities in persons with DS and AD have important implications for care and resources. Appropriate environmental supports combined with competent skilled staff are crucial and will have an important impact on the quality of life for this increasingly at risk population.
Diversity of algal endosymbionts (zooxanthellae) in octocorals: the roles of geography and host relationships
Authors: VAN OPPEN M. J. H. , MIEOG J. C. , SÁNCHEZ C. A. , FABRICIUS K. E.
Published: June 2005

The presence, genetic identity and diversity of algal endosymbionts (Symbiodinium) in 114 species from 69 genera (20 families) of octocorals from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), the far eastern Pacific (EP) and the Caribbean was examined, and patterns of the octocoral–algal symbiosis were compared with patterns in the host phylogeny. Genetic analyses of the zooxanthellae were based on ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region. In the GBR samples, Symbiodinium clades A and G were encountered with A and G being rare. Clade B zooxanthellae have been previously reported from a GBR octocoral, but are also rare in octocorals from this region. Symbiodinium G has so far only been found in Foraminifera, but is rare in these organisms. In the Caribbean samples, only Symbiodinium clades B and C are present. Hence, Symbiodinium diversity at the level of phylogenetic clades is lower in octocorals from the Caribbean compared to those from the GBR. However, an unprecedented level of ITS1 diversity was observed within individual colonies of some Caribbean gorgonians, implying either that these simultaneously harbour multiple strains of clade B zooxanthellae, or that ITS1 heterogeneity exists within the genomes of some zooxanthellae. Intracladal diversity based on ITS should therefore be interpreted with caution, especially in cases where no independent evidence exists to support distinctiveness, such as ecological distribution or physiological characteristics. All samples from EP are azooxanthellate. Three unrelated GBR taxa that are described in the literature as azooxanthellate (Junceella fragilis, Euplexaura nuttingi and Stereonephthya sp. 1) contain clade G zooxanthellae, and their symbiotic association with zooxanthellae was confirmed by histology. These corals are pale in colour, whereas related azooxanthellate species are brightly coloured. The evolutionary loss or gain of zooxanthellae may have altered the light sensitivity of the host tissues, requiring the animals to adopt or reduce pigmentation. Finally, we superimposed patterns of the octocoral–algal symbiosis onto a molecular phylogeny of the host. The data show that many losses/gains of endosymbiosis have occurred during the evolution of octocorals. The ancestral state (azooxanthellate or zooxanthellate) in octocorals remains unclear, but the data suggest that on an evolutionary timescale octocorals can switch more easily between mixotrophy and heterotrophy compared to scleractinian corals, which coincides with a low reliance on photosynthetic carbon gain in the former group of organisms.
Field studies on the environmental fate of the Cry1Ab Bt‐toxin produced by transgenic maize (MON810) and its effect on bacterial communities in the maize rhizosphere
Authors: BAUMGARTE SUSANNE , TEBBE CHRISTOPH C.
Published: June 2005

Field studies were done to assess how much of the transgenic, insecticidal protein, Cry1Ab, encoded by a truncated cry1Ab gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), was released from Bt‐maize MON810 into soil and whether bacterial communities inhabiting the rhizosphere of MON810 maize were different from those of the rhizosphere of nontransgenic maize cultivars. Bacterial community structure was investigated by SSCP (single‐strand conformation polymorphism) of PCR‐amplified 16S rRNA genes from community DNA. Using an improved extraction and detection protocol based on a commercially available ELISA, it was possible to detect Cry1Ab protein extracted from soils to a threshold concentration of 0.07 ng/g soil. From 100 ng of purified Cry1Ab protein added per gram of soil, only an average of 37% was extractable. At both field sites investigated, the amount of Cry1Ab protein in bulk soil of MON810 field plots was always lower than in the rhizosphere, the latter ranging from 0.1 to 10 ng/g soil. Immunoreactive Cry1Ab protein was also detected at 0.21 ng/g bulk soil 7 months after harvesting, i.e. in April of the following year. At this time, however, higher values were found in residues of leaves (21 ng/g) and of roots (183 ng/g), the latter corresponding to 12% of the Cry1Ab protein present in intact roots. A sampling 2 months later indicated further degradation of the protein. Despite the detection of Cry1Ab protein in the rhizosphere of MON810 maize, the bacterial community structure was less affected by the Cry1Ab protein than by other environmental factors, i.e. the age of the plants or field heterogeneities. The persistence of Cry1Ab protein emphasizes the importance of considering post‐harvest effects on nontarget organisms.
Conservation genetics and population history of the threatened European mink Mustela lutreola, with an emphasis on the west European population
Authors: MICHAUX J. R. , HARDY O. J. , JUSTY F. , FOURNIER P. , KRANZ A. , CABRIA M. , DAVISON A. , ROSOUX R. , LIBOIS R.
Published: June 2005

In species of great conservation concern, special attention must be paid to their phylogeography, in particular the origin of animals for captive breeding and reintroduction. The endangered European mink lives now in at least three well‐separated populations in northeast, southeast and west Europe. Our aim is to assess the genetic structure of these populations to identify ‘distinct population segments’ (DPS) and advise captive breeding programmes. First, the mtDNA control region was completely sequenced in 176 minks and 10 polecats. The analysis revealed that the western population is characterized by a single mtDNA haplotype that is closely related to those in eastern regions but nevertheless, not found there to date. The northeast European animals are much more variable (π = 0.012, h = 0.939), with the southeast samples intermediate (π = 0.0012, h = 0.469). Second, 155 European mink were genotyped using six microsatellites. The latter display the same trends of genetic diversity among regions as mtDNA [gene diversity and allelic richness highest in northeast Europe (HE = 0.539, RS = 3.76), lowest in west Europe (HE = 0.379, RS = 2.12)], and provide evidences that the southeast and possibly the west populations have undergone a recent bottleneck. Our results indicate that the western population derives from a few animals which recently colonized this region, possibly after a human introduction. Microsatellite data also reveal that isolation by distance occurs in the western population, causing some inbreeding because related individuals mate. As genetic data indicate that the three populations have not undergone independent evolutionary histories for long (no phylogeographical structure), they should not be considered as distinct DPS. In conclusion, the captive breeding programme should use animals from different parts of the species’ present distribution area.