bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Note on Trichostrongylus hamatus Daubney, 1933, Recovered from a Steinbok (Raphicerus campestris Thun.) in Kenya
Authors: Round M. C.
Published: November 2009

Seven males and three females, identified as Trichostrongylus hamatus Daubney, 1933 were recovered from the abomasum of a steinbok shot at Deloraine Estates in the Kenya Highlands. No other Trichostrongylus species was present. The species was originally described by Daubney (1933) from Ovis aries also from the Kenya Highlands. The specimens from the steinbok were examined and compared with the original description of the species. Figs. 1–4 show drawings of the spicules and part of the bursa. Table I gives the measurements of Daubney's specimens compared with those of the present specimens.
Observations on Cyathocephalus truncatus Pallas, 1781 (Cestoda: Spathebothriidea) in its Intermediate and Definitive Hosts in a Trout Stream, North Wales
Authors: Awachie J. B. E.
Published: November 2009

Of the three species of fish which live in Afon Terrig (Salmo trutta, Cottus gobio and Nemacheilus barbatula), only S. trutta was infected by Cyathocephalus truncatus. The parasite has a clear annual cycle and hence a periodicity of occurrence in the brown trout.

No age resistance of fish to infection by C. truncatus is found. The increase of incidence with age among l+—3+ year-old fish and decrease in the older age groups are correlated with the variation in the food and feeding habits of trout with age.
Studies on the Incidence of Larval Trematodes Infecting the Fresh Water Molluscs of Llangorse Lake, South Wales
Authors: Probert Allan J.
Published: November 2009

Information on the incidence of larval trematodes infecting the fresh water molluscs of Llangorse Lake, South Wales, has been collected over a period of three years.

The percentage infection of the molluscs occurring within the habitat has been assessed and comparisons made with the findings of other workers.

The percentage of active and passive parasite stages composing this infection has been considered.
Penetration by the Miracidia of S. mansoni into the Snail Host
Authors: Wajdi N.
Published: November 2009

The process of attack and penetration of the snail hosts by miracidia is an important stage in the life history of most digenetic trematodes. This paper is concerned with the mechanism of penetration, and further development within the snail, of Schistosoma mansoni as revealed in serial sections.
The incidence of helminth parasites from the wild rabbitOryctolagus cuniculus(L.) in Eastern Scotland
Authors: Boag B.
Published: November 2009

Samples of wild rabbits were collected each month over the six-year period 1977–82 and their intestines and abdomens examined for helminths. Three species of nematode, four of cestode and one trematode were found,Graphidium strigosumwas recorded in 33% of the 786 rabbits,Trichostrongylus retortaeformisin 79%,Passalurus ambiguusin 14·2%Cittotaenia Pectinatain 37%,C. denticulatain 11%,Coenurus pisiformisin 3%,Cysticercus serialisin 0·1% andFasciola hepaticain 0·1%.G. strigosumandP. ambiguusinfections were greatest in the older heavier animals whereas juvenile rabbits had the heaviestT. retortaeformisnematode burdens. Seasonal fluctuations were observed inG. strigosum, T. retortaeformis, P. ambiguusandCittotaenia denticulata.The sex and reproductive state of the female rabbit did not have any significant effect on either the nematode or cestode worm burdens. Myxomatosis was shown to significantly increase the worm burden ofT. retortaeformisand raise that ofP. ambiguus.No nematode or cestode from domesticated animals were recovered and it was concluded that sinceF. hepaticawas found only once rabbits did not constitute a serious hazard to the farm animals grazing the area.
The pattern of peripheral blood leucocyte changes in mice infected with Nematospiroides dubius
Authors: Ali Najah M. H. , Behnke Jerzy M. , Manger B. R.
Published: November 2009

Experiments were carried out to define the haematological changes taking place during the first six weeks of a primary infection with Nematospiroides dubius. The general pattern of changes was observed to comprise a rapid increase in circulating leucocytes (4 to 5-fold increase) which consisted of a neutropl a, lymphocytosis, monocytosis and an eosinophilia. However, in strong responder NIH mice leucocyte counts returned to normal more rapidly than in other strains (by day 28). In contrast, in weak responder C57BL/10 mice the leucocyte counts whilst falling significantly relative to day 7 did not return to normal within the experimental period. Mice infected with irradiated larvae did not experience as high a leucocytosis as did mice given an identical number of normal larvae. The peak lymphocytosis, neutrophilia and monocytosis were all lower. The removal of adult worms from infected animals by treatment with pyrantel on days 9,11,13 and 16, also significantly altered the pattern of leucocytosis. The neutrophilia which was evident on day 7 returned rapidly to normal, whereas in mice which had retained their worms a peak neutrophilia was observed on day 14. These haematological changes were discussed and related to the failure of hostprotective immunity to operate effectively during the early stages of a primary infection with N. dubius.
The tail morphology of different developmental stages ofOllulanus tricuspis(Leuckart, 1865) (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea)
Authors: Hasslinger M.-A. , Wittmann F. X.
Published: November 2009

In a study of the morphology of the posterior ends ofO. tricuspis, it could firstly be recognized that not only the adult females but also the LII to LIV possess five cusps. They have apparently been partly overlooked by microscopic examination because of their appearance in different optical planes.
Augusto Boal – a Theatre in Life
Authors: Jackson Adrian
Published: November 2009

Augusto Boal died on 2 May 2009 at the age of seventy-eight. The following tribute is by Adrian Jackson, who knew Boal not only as translator into English of five of his books and collaborator on many of his workshops, but as a leading practitioner deploying Boal's techniques, notably as founder in 1991 and Artistic Director of Cardboard Citizens, the UK's only homeless people's professional theatre company, for whom he has directed more than twenty productions, including two in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company – Pericles, played in a disused warehouse off the Old Kent Road, and Timon of Athens, which toured Stratford and the Belfast Festival. The company's most recent production was Mincemeat, a Second World War epic based on the story of the Man Who Never Was.
Hospitalization of paediatric patients for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus skin and soft-tissue infection, 1998–2006
Authors: SIRCAR K. D. , BANCROFT E. , NGUYEN D. M. , MASCOLA L.
Published: November 2009

Hospital discharge reports have provided data for studies of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft-tissue infection (SSTI) studies. This analysis determined the sensitivity and positive predictive value of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code combinations to calculate hospitalization incidence rates, representativeness of a set of three ICD-9-CM codes to define MRSA SSTI, and hospitalization incidence rate trends for paediatric MRSA SSTIs in Los Angeles County (LAC). Using 133 cases from 31 hospitals, we found that the set of three ICD-9-CM codes used to define laboratory-confirmed cases had one of the highest positive predictive values (49%). There was no difference in age and race between those categorized using three codes vs. other code combinations. A dramatic increase in paediatric MRSA SSTI cases occurred in LAC during 1998–2006. We conclude that this combination of codes may be used to determine the rise of MRSA SSTIs in paediatric populations.
Religion, State, and Democracy: Analyzing Two Dimensions of Church-State Arrangements
Authors: Driessen Michael D.
Published: November 2009

One of the essential characteristics of a democratic regime is the separation of Church and state. The elected governors of a democratic regime's institutions require sufficient autonomy in order to make policy that is within the bounds of the constitution and which cannot be contested or overruled by non-elected religious leaders or institutions. However, this requirement is often confused by scholars and politicians to mean that a democracy must also be secular. Therefore, the idea of an “Islamic democracy” for example, is often derided as a contradiction in terms. Using quantitative data from Grim and Finke (2006) and Fox (2006) on cross-national Church and state relationships, this article argues that once the core autonomy prerequisite has been fulfilled, further separation of Church and state is not necessarily associated with higher levels of democracy. In fact, the data indicate that there is a wide range of Church-state arrangements which gives religion the possibility of a central role in political life while maintaining a high quality of democratic rights and freedoms. Drawing on the statistical results of this analysis, the article concludes by rethinking about the possibilities and limits for “public” religion to strengthen democratization processes.
GDP-mannose pyrophosphorylase is essential in the bloodstream form of Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Denton Helen , Fyffe Stewart , Smith Terry K.
Published: November 2009

A putative GDP-Man PP (guanidine diphosphomannose pyrophosphorylase) gene from Trypanosoma brucei (TbGDP-Man PP) was identified in the genome and subsequently cloned, sequenced and recombinantly expressed, and shown to be a catalytically active dimer. Kinetic analysis revealed a Vmax of 0.34 μmol/min per mg of protein and Km values of 67 μM and 12 μM for GTP and mannose 1-phosphate respectively. Further kinetic studies showed GDP-Man was a potent product feedback inhibitor. RNAi (RNA interference) of the cytosolic TbGDP-Man PP showed that mRNA levels were reduced to ~20% of wild-type levels, causing the cells to die after 3–4 days, demonstrating that TbGDP-Man PP is essential in the bloodstream form of T. brucei and thus a potential drug target. The RNAi-induced parasites have a greatly reduced capability to form GDP-Man, leading ultimately to a reduction in their ability to synthesize their essential GPI (glycosylphosphatidylinositol) anchors. The RNAi-induced parasites also showed aberrant N-glycosylation of their major cell-surface glycoprotein, variant surface glycoprotein, with loss of the high-mannose Man9GlcNAc2 N-glycosylation at Asn428 and formation of complex N-glycans at Asn263.
Arsenic antisite defects in p-GaAs grown by metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition and the EL2 defect
Authors: Naz Nazir A. , Qurashi Umar S. , Iqbal M. Zafar
Published: November 2009

Epitaxial layers of p-GaAs grown on p+-GaAs substrates by low-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition have been investigated using deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS). One dominant peak and other relatively small peak, corresponding to deep levels at Ev+0.55 eV and Ev+0.96 (low field energies), respectively, have been observed in the lower half of the band gap. Investigation with double-correlation DLTS reveals that the measured thermal emission rate of holes from the dominant level is strongly dependent on the junction electric field. Detailed data on this field enhancement have been analyzed in terms of different available theoretical models. The hole capture cross section for the dominant deep level has been found to be temperature dependent. Detailed data on the temperature dependence of the hole capture cross section have been interpreted in terms of the multiphonon carrier capture mechanism, yielding a capture barrier of 0.11 eV. In order to get deeper insight into the nature and origin of these inadvertent (intrinsic) defects, thermal annealing behavior of these levels has also been studied. Analyses of field dependence and hole capture data, in combination with the annealing study, suggest that the dominant level is associated with an arsenic-antisite (AsGa) defect. Probable association of this dominant level with the doubly charged state of the well-known EL2 defect has been discussed in detail.
Leakage mechanism in flat seals
Authors: Bottiglione F. , Carbone G. , Mangialardi L. , Mantriota G.
Published: November 2009

We present a theoretical approach to estimate the fluid leakage in flat seals. The approach is based on the analogy between the seal-substrate interface and a porous medium. We assume that the interface is constituted of a random distribution of noncontact patches (the pores) and small but numerous contact spots (islands). Leakage may occur only through the pores, of which the lateral size and height are distributed according to a probability density function that we calculate on the basis of a recent theory of contact mechanics. Our theoretical approach is based on a percolation scheme that has never been proposed before and we believe it could be useful to stimulate further theoretical or experimental investigations. Within this percolation scheme we apply critical path analysis to calculate the hydraulic conductivity of the medium and compare our predictions with other calculations very recently presented to the scientific community.
Tomographic elastography of contracting skeletal muscles from their natural vibrations
Authors: Sabra Karim G. , Archer Akibi
Published: November 2009

Conventional elastography techniques require an external mechanical or radiation excitation to measure noninvasively the viscoelastic properties of skeletal muscles and thus monitor human motor functions. We developed instead a passive elastography technique using only an array of skin-mounted accelerometers to record the low-frequency vibrations of the biceps brachii muscle naturally generated during voluntary contractions and to determine their two-dimensional directionality. Cross-correlating these recordings provided travel-times measurements of these muscle vibrations between multiple sensor pairs. Travel-time tomographic inversions yielded spatial variations of their propagation velocity during isometric elbow flexions which indicated a nonuniform longitudinal stiffening of the biceps.
Erratum: “Geometric prequantization of the moduli space of the vortex equations on a Riemann surface” [J. Math. Phys. 47, 103501 (2006)]
Authors: Dey Rukmini
Published: November 2009

In this erratum to a work done previously, we give an alternative description for the prequantization with respect to the forms ΩΨ0, where we do not need the 1-form θ which may not be globally defined. Next by modifying the Quillen metric of the usual determinant bundle suitably, we quantize the usual symplectic form Ω on the vortex moduli space. Next, we show that by modifying the Quillen metric, one can also interpolate between the forms Ω and ΩΨ0 and the corresponding prequantum line bundles are topologically equivalent. It is not clear whether they are holomorphically equivalent.
Scanning capacitance microscopy studies of unintentional doping in epitaxial lateral overgrowth GaN
Authors: Sumner J. , Oliver R. A. , Kappers M. J. , Humphreys C. J.
Published: November 2009

Four samples were grown by epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELOG) using different magnesium precursor fluxes during the coalescence stage. These samples were studied in cross section using scanning capacitance microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The resulting images revealed the existence of several differently doped regions in the ELOG structures including n-type doping in the GaN initially grown through the ELOG mask’s windows, and undoped GaN after coalescence had been completed. In addition, samples for which a magnesium precursor flux had been present during the coalescence of the GaN stripes also exhibited p-type doping. From an analysis of the spatial distribution of the unintentional doping in the ELOG material, it has been possible to propose that the incorporation of the n-type dopant was slower on the (0001) facet than the {112¯2} facets. This facet dependent difference in incorporation rates also helps to explain the nonuniformity in thickness of n-type conductive layers seen at the GaN/sapphire interface when a three-dimensional growth mode is employed in the early stages of growth.
Persistent photocurrent and decay studies in CdS nanorods thin films
Authors: Paul Gouri Sankar , Agarwal Pratima
Published: November 2009

Structural and electrical transport properties of thin films of CdS nanorods synthesized by solvothermal process are studied through x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, activation energy measurements, and decay of photoconductivity. The films show thermally activated conductivity, high photosensitivity, and persistent photoconductivity, which decays initially fast followed by slow decay. The decay time constant for fast decay are of the order of a few seconds, whereas for slow decay it is in the range of about 100 s. The electrical transport is similar to that in the polycrystalline material. The slow decay of excess conductivity has been attributed to the presence of defects and local potential fluctuations within the nanorods.
A quality map of transfer printing
Authors: Tucker Matthew B. , Hines D. R. , Li Teng
Published: November 2009

Transfer printing is a nanofabrication technique that involves an assembly process by which a printable layer can be transferred from a transfer substrate to a device substrate. Future application of transfer printing toward a roll-to-roll printing process of flexible devices hinges upon the understanding on the mechanisms governing transfer printing quality, which is far from mature. So far, the quality control of transfer printing has been mainly explored via massive experimental trials, which are both time consuming and cost prohibitive. In this paper, we conduct systematic computational modeling to investigate the governing mechanisms of the transfer printing process. While the existing understanding of transfer printing mainly relies on the differential interfacial adhesion, our results suggest that both interfacial defects (e.g., cracks) and differential interfacial adhesion play pivotal roles in the transfer printing quality. The outcomes of this study define a quality map of transfer printing in the space spanned by the critical mechanical properties and geometrical parameters in a transfer printing structure. Such a quality map offers new insights and quantitative guidance for material selection and design strategies to achieve successful transfer printing.
Light absorption in silicon quantum dots embedded in silica
Authors: Mirabella S. , Agosta R. , Franzò G. , Crupi I. , Miritello M. , Lo Savio R. , Di Stefano M. A. , Di Marco S. , Simone F. , Terrasi A.
Published: November 2009

The photon absorption in Si quantum dots (QDs) embedded in SiO2 has been systematically investigated by varying several parameters of the QD synthesis. Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) or magnetron cosputtering (MS) have been used to deposit, upon quartz substrates, single layer, or multilayer structures of Si-rich-SiO2 (SRO) with different Si content (43–46 at. %). SRO samples have been annealed for 1 h in the 450–1250 °C range and characterized by optical absorption measurements, photoluminescence analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and x-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. After annealing up to 900 °C SRO films grown by MS show a higher absorption coefficient and a lower optical bandgap (∼2.0 eV) in comparison with that of PECVD samples, due to the lower density of Si–Si bonds and to the presence of nitrogen in PECVD materials. By increasing the Si content a reduction in the optical bandgap has been recorded, pointing out the role of Si–Si bonds density in the absorption process in small amorphous Si QDs. Both the photon absorption probability and energy threshold in amorphous Si QDs are higher than in bulk amorphous Si, evidencing a quantum confinement effect. For temperatures higher than 900 °C both the materials show an increase in the optical bandgap due to the amorphous-crystalline transition of the Si QDs. Fixed the SRO stoichiometry, no difference in the optical bandgap trend of multilayer or single layer structures is evidenced. These data can be profitably used to better implement Si QDs for future PV technologies.
Fluorescence depolarization in poly[2-methoxy-5-((2-ethylhexyl)oxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene]: Sites versus eigenstates hopping
Authors: Singh Jaykrishna , Bittner Eric R. , Beljonne David , Scholes Gregory D.
Published: November 2009

We report upon a theoretical study of singlet exciton migration and relaxation within a model conjugated polymer chain. Starting from poly[2-methoxy-5-((2-ethylhexyl)oxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] polymer chains, we assume that the π-conjugation is disrupted by conformational disorder of the chain itself, giving rise to a localized Frenkel exciton basis. Electronic coupling between segments as determined by the coupling between the transition densities of the localized excitons gives rise to delocalized exciton states. Using a kinetic Monte Carlo approach to compute the exciton transfer kinetics within the manifold of either the dressed chromophore site basis or dressed eigenstate basis, we find that the decay of the polarization anisotropy of the exciton is profoundly affected by the delocalization of the exciton over multiple basis segments. Two time scales emerge from the exciton migration simulations: a short, roughly 10 ps, time scale corresponding to rapid hopping about the initial excitation site followed by a slower, 180 ps, component corresponding to long range hopping. We also find that excitations can become trapped at long times when the hopping rate to lower-energy states is longer than the radiative lifetime of the exciton.
The transition state transit time of WW domain folding is controlled by energy landscape roughness
Authors: Liu Feng , Nakaema Marcelo , Gruebele Martin
Published: November 2009

Protein folding barriers can be so low that a substantial protein population diffusing in the transition state region can be detected. The very fast kinetic phase contributed by transition state transit is the molecular phase. We detect the molecular phase of the beta-sheet protein FiP35 from 60 to 83 °C by T-jump relaxation experiments. The molecular phase actually slows down slightly with increasing temperature. Thus the friction that controls the prefactor in Kramers’ transition state model does not scale with solvent viscosity. Instead, we postulate that an increase in the energy landscape roughness as the hydrophobic effect strengthens with increasing temperature explains the slowing of the molecular phase. We measured that the duration τm of the molecular phase depends slightly on the size of the T-jump, in agreement with this explanation. The τm measured here provides the best current estimate for the transit time from folded to unfolded state of a single protein molecule. We confirm this by directly comparing relaxation and single molecule signals computed by using Langevin trajectory models on a realistic FiP35 free energy surface.
Measurement of anharmonicity of phonons in the negative thermal expansion compound Zn(CN)2 by high pressure inelastic neutron scattering
Authors: Mittal R. , Chaplot S. L. , Schober H.
Published: November 2009

Zn ( CN ) 2 is known to have an isotropic negative thermal expansion (NTE) coefficient (about −51×10−6 K−1) over 10–370 K that is twice as large as that of ZrW2O8. We have measured the pressure dependence of the phonon spectra up to 30 meV from a polycrystalline sample of Zn(CN)2 at pressures of 0, 0.3, 1.9, and 2.8 kbar at temperatures of 165 and 225 K. The measurements enabled us to estimate the energy dependence of the ratios Γi/B (Γi are Grüneisen parameters as a function of phonon energy Ei at ambient pressure and B is the bulk modulus), which reflect the anharmonicity of phonons. We conclude that the phonon modes of low energy below 15 meV play an important role in the understanding of the NTE behavior in Zn(CN)2 and the measured anharmonicity can quantitatively explain the NTE.
Transient optical response of quantum well excitons to intense narrowband terahertz pulses
Authors: Jameson A. D. , Tomaino J. L. , Lee Yun-Shik , Prineas J. P. , Steiner J. T. , Kira M. , Koch S. W.
Published: November 2009

Intense narrowband terahertz pulses are used to modify excitonic transitions in semiconductor quantum wells and to study the dephasing properties of the optically dark 2p states. Time-resolved terahertz-pump and optical-probe measurements exhibit strong nonlinear optical transients of the 1s heavy-hole and light-hole exciton resonances when the terahertz radiation is tuned near the 1s to 2p intraexciton transition. A microscopic theory attributes the observed nonlinearities to Rabi sidebands showing that the 2p-dephasing time is three times that of the 1s-state.
The anti-apoptotic protein HAX-1 is a regulator of cardiac function
Authors: Zhao Wen , Waggoner Jason R. , Zhang Zhi-Guo , Lam Chi Keung , Han Peidong , Qian Jiang , Schroder Paul M. , Mitton Bryan , Kontrogianni-Konstantopoulos Aikaterini , Robia Seth L. , Kranias Evangelia G.
Published: November 2009

The HS-1 associated protein X-1 (HAX-1) is a ubiquitously expressed protein that protects cardiomyocytes from programmed cell death. Here we identify HAX-1 as a regulator of contractility and calcium cycling in the heart. HAX-1 overexpression reduced sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA2) pump activity in isolated cardiomyocytes and in vivo, leading to depressed myocyte calcium kinetics and mechanics. Conversely, downregulation of HAX-1 enhanced calcium cycling and contractility. The inhibitory effects of HAX-1 were abolished upon phosphorylation of phospholamban, which plays a fundamental role in controlling basal contractility and constitutes a key downstream effector of the β-adrenergic signaling cascade. Mechanistically, HAX-1 promoted formation of phospholamban monomers, the active/inhibitory units of the calcium pump. Indeed, ablation of PLN rescued HAX-1 inhibition of contractility in vivo. Thus, HAX-1 represents a regulatory mechanism in cardiac calcium cycling and its responses to sympathetic stimulation, implicating its importance in calcium homeostasis and cell survival.
The Mg isotopic systematics of granitoids in continental arcs and implications for the role of chemical weathering in crust formation
Authors: Shen Bing , Jacobsen Benjamin , Lee Cin-Ty A. , Yin Qing-Zhu , Morton Douglas M.
Published: November 2009

Continental crust is too Si-rich and Mg-poor to derive directly from mantle melting, which generates basaltic rather than felsic magmas. Converting basalt to more felsic compositions requires a second step involving Mg loss, which is thought to be dominated by internal igneous differentiation. However, igneous differentiation alone may not be able to generate granites, the most silicic endmember making up the upper continental crust. Here, we show that granites from the eastern Peninsular Ranges Batholith (PRB) in southern California are isotopically heavy in Mg compared with PRB granodiorites and canonical mantle. Specifically, Mg isotopes correlate positively with Si content and O, Sr, and Pb isotopes and negatively with Mg content. The elevated Sr and Pb isotopes require that a component in the source of the granitic magmas to be ancient preexisting crust making up the prebatholithic crustal basement, but the accompanying O and Mg isotope fractionations suggest that this prebatholithic crust preserved a signature of low-temperature alteration. The protolith of this basement rock may have been the residue of chemical weathering, which progressively leached Mg from the residue, leaving the remaining Mg highly fractionated in terms of its isotopic signature. Our observations indicate that ancient continental crust preserves the isotopic signature of compositional modification by chemical weathering.
Y chromosome diversity, human expansion, drift, and cultural evolution
Authors: Chiaroni Jacques , Underhill Peter A. , Cavalli-Sforza Luca L.
Published: November 2009

The relative importance of the roles of adaptation and chance in determining genetic diversity and evolution has received attention in the last 50 years, but our understanding is still incomplete. All statements about the relative effects of evolutionary factors, especially drift, need confirmation by strong demographic observations, some of which are easier to obtain in a species like ours. Earlier quantitative studies on a variety of data have shown that the amount of genetic differentiation in living human populations indicates that the role of positive (or directional) selection is modest. We observe geographic peculiarities with some Y chromosome mutants, most probably due to a drift-related phenomenon called the surfing effect. We also compare the overall genetic diversity in Y chromosome DNA data with that of other chromosomes and their expectations under drift and natural selection, as well as the rate of fall of diversity within populations known as the serial founder effect during the recent “Out of Africa” expansion of modern humans to the whole world. All these observations are difficult to explain without accepting a major relative role for drift in the course of human expansions. The increasing role of human creativity and the fast diffusion of inventions seem to have favored cultural solutions for many of the problems encountered in the expansion. We suggest that cultural evolution has been subrogating biologic evolution in providing natural selection advantages and reducing our dependence on genetic mutations, especially in the last phase of transition from food collection to food production.
The antiviral protein, viperin, localizes to lipid droplets via its N-terminal amphipathic α-helix
Authors: Hinson Ella R. , Cresswell Peter
Published: November 2009

Lipid droplets are intracellular lipid-storage organelles that are thought to be derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Several pathogens, notably hepatitis C virus, use lipid droplets for replication. Numerous questions remain about how lipid droplets are generated and used by viruses. Here we show that the IFN-induced antiviral protein viperin, which localizes to the cytosolic face of the ER and inhibits HCV, localizes to lipid droplets. We show that the N-terminal amphipathic α-helix of viperin that is responsible for ER localization is also necessary and sufficient to localize both viperin and the fluorescent protein dsRed to lipid droplets. Point mutations in the α-helix that prevent ER association also disrupt lipid droplet association, and sequential deletion mutants indicate that the same number of helical turns are necessary for ER and lipid droplet association. Finally, we show that the N-terminal amphipathic α-helix of the hepatitis C viral protein NS5A can localize dsRed and viperin to lipid droplets. These findings indicate that the amphipathic α-helices of viperin and NS5A are lipid droplet-targeting domains and suggest that viperin inhibits HCV by localizing to lipid droplets using a domain and mechanism similar to that used by HCV itself.
The Upper Guinea origins of Papiamentu
Authors: Jacobs Bart
Published: November 2009

This paper deals with the linguistic and historical relationships between Papiamentu and Upper Guinea Creole as spoken on the Santiago island of Cape Verde and in Guinea-Bissau and Casamance. In the linguistic section, the hypothesis that Papiamentu is a relexified offshoot of an early Upper Guinea Creole variety is lent support by focusing on the structural correspondences of the function words in five grammatical categories (pronouns, question words, prepositions, conjunctions and reciprocity and reflexivity). In addition, salient data from several early (18th and 19th century) Papiamentu texts is presented. The historical section provides a framework that accounts for the linguistic transfer from Upper Guinea to Curaçao in the second half of the 17th century.
Niche partitioning and the effect of interspecific competition on microhabitat use by two sympatric galaxiid stream fishes
Authors: CROW S. K. , CLOSS G. P. , WATERS J. M. , BOOKER D. J. , WALLIS G. P.
Published: November 2009

1. Numerous interacting abiotic and biotic factors influence niche use and assemblage structure of freshwater fishes, but the strength of each factor changes with spatial scale. Few studies have examined the role of interspecific competition in structuring stream fish assemblages across spatial scales. We used field and laboratory approaches to examine microhabitat partitioning and the effect of interspecific competition on microhabitat use in two sympatric stream fishes (Galaxias‘southern’ and Galaxias gollumoides) at large (among streams and among sites within streams) and small (within artificial stream channels) spatial scales.

2. Diurnal microhabitat partitioning and interspecific competition at large spatial scales were analysed among three sympatry streams (streams with allotopic and syntopic sites; three separate catchments) and four allopatry streams (streams with only allotopic sites; two separate catchments). Electro‐fishing was used to sample habitat use of fishes at 30 random points within each site by quantifying four variables for each individual: water velocity, depth, distance to nearest cover and substratum size. Habitat availability was then quantified for each site by measuring those variables at each of 50 random points. Diet and stable isotope partitioning was analysed from syntopic sites only. Diel cycles of microhabitat use and interspecific competition at small spatial scales were examined by monitoring water velocity use over 48 h in artificial stream channels for three treatments: (i) allopatric G. ‘southern’ (10 G. ‘southern’); (ii) allopatric G. gollumoides (10 G. gollumoides) and (iii) sympatry (five individuals of each species).

3. One hundred and ninety‐four G. ‘southern’ and 239 G. gollumoides were sampled across all seven streams, and habitat availability between the two species was similar among all sites. Galaxias‘southern’ utilised faster water velocities than G. gollumoides in both the field and in channel experiments. Both species utilised faster water velocities in channels at night than during the day. Diet differences were observed and were supported by isotopic differences (two of three sites). No interspecific differences were observed for the other three microhabitat variables in the field, and multivariate habitat selection did not differ between species. Interspecific competition had no effect on microhabitat use of either species against any variable either in the field (large scale) or in channels (small scale).

4. The results suggest that niche partitioning occurs along a subset of microhabitat variables (water velocity use and diet). Interspecific competition does not appear to be a major biotic factor controlling microhabitat use by these sympatric taxa at any spatial scale. The results further suggest that stream fish assemblages are not primarily structured by biotic factors, reinforcing other studies de‐emphasising interspecific competition.
Cubital tunnel syndrome in patients with haemophilia
Authors: JAVAD MORTAZAVI S. M. , GILBERT R. S. , GILBERT M. S.
Published: November 2009

Summary.  Elbow is the second most common joint involved in patients with haemophilia; however, there is little data about the involvement of ulnar nerve at elbow in patients with haemophilic arthropathy. The purpose of this study was to address this problem in the elbow and evaluate the results of anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve in a small group of patients with haemophilia who had been managed in two institutions. Information on six patients who were diagnosed with tardy ulnar nerve palsy in two institutions was retrospectively collected. All patients suffered form severe haemophilia A. Anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve had been performed in all except one. The mean age of the patients at the time of procedure was 45.8 years and the mean duration of follow‐up was 60.2 months. No postoperative complication or recurrence was observed. No additional surgery was required in operated patients. Evaluation was performed using subjective and objective measures, and a modified Bishop score. After operation, subjective sensory and motor disturbances were improved or resolved in all of the operated patients, while objective measures improved less well. Ulnar nerve can be involved in cubital tunnel in patients with haemophilia. Anterior subcutaneous transposition of the ulnar nerve is an effective procedure for improving patients’ symptoms, with low risk of complications.
Major orthopaedic surgeries for haemophilia with inhibitors using rFVIIa
Authors: TAKEDANI H. , KAWAHARA H. , KAJIWARA M.
Published: November 2009

Summary.  Between 2000 and 2008, 11 major orthopaedic surgeries for 7 congenital haemophilia patients with inhibitors were performed by the first author as the primary doctor using recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Orthopaedic surgical treatments were performed for six surgeries for four high‐responder haemophilia A patients, three surgeries for two high‐responder haemophilia B patients and two surgeries for one low‐responder haemophilia B patient. This low‐responder patient is allergic to factor IX products, so he usually uses rFVIIa as a haemostatic agent. All of the surgeries were major, such as joint arthroplasty, arthroscopic synovectomy, and a combination of both, and excellent surgical results were achieved. Seven cases were controlled by bolus infusion of rFVIIa, and the other four cases were controlled by combined bolus and continuous infusion of rFVIIa. An anti‐fibrolytic agent was used for all cases. There were no thrombogenic adverse effects, only two bleeding episodes. As for haemostatic control, nine surgeries were excellent, one was good and one was fair. This report is the largest clinical report on major orthopaedic surgeries at a single institute. We have concluded that the combination of bolus and continuous infusion of rFVIIa is safe and effective, and more convenient to administer than simple bolus infusion therapy to achieve haemostasis at peri‐operative periods. In addition, our data also concurs with the data of several previous reports which showed that orthopaedic surgery for haemophilia patients with inhibitors by means of rFVIIa is safe and effective.
Effects of clinical factors on psychosocial variables in renal transplant recipients
Authors: Liu Hongxia , Feurer Irene D. , Dwyer Kathleen , Shaffer David , Pinson C. Wright
Published: November 2009

Title. Effects of clinical factors on psychosocial variables in renal transplant recipients.

Aim. This paper is a report of a study investigating the effects of clinical factors (side effects of immunosuppressive medications, transplant‐related hospitalizations, donor type, duration of dialysis before transplantation and time post‐transplant) on cognitive appraisal of health, perceived self‐efficacy, perceived social support, coping and health‐related quality of life after renal transplantation.

Background. Some clinical factors such as hospitalizations, side effects of medications, donor type and dialysis, which influence the health‐related quality of life of renal transplant recipients, have been investigated. However, the effects of these clinical factors on psychosocial variables after renal transplantation have not been well documented.

Method. Using a descriptive cross‐sectional design, a convenience sample of 160 renal transplant recipients was recruited (N = 55 < 1 year post‐transplant;N = 105 1–3 years post‐transplant) from May, 2005 to January, 2006. Standardized instruments were used to measure the key constructs. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of clinical factors on the psychosocial outcome measures.

Results. Participants reporting more (>17) immunosuppressive medication‐associated side effects appraised their health more negatively, used more disengagement coping, had lower degrees of perceived self‐efficacy, and reported lower physical and mental health‐related quality of life than those with fewer symptoms (≤17). Participants less than 1 year post‐transplant used more engagement coping, reported higher degrees of perceived self‐efficacy and perceived social support than participants in the later period post‐transplant.

Conclusion. Interventions aimed at alleviating bothersome medication side effects are needed to help these patients cope with transplantation and improve their health‐related quality of life.
Attitudes towards people with physical or intellectual disabilities: nursing students and non‐nursing peers
Authors: Ten Klooster Peter M. , Dannenberg Jan‐Willem , Taal Erik , Burger Gerard , Rasker Johannes J.
Published: November 2009

Title.  Attitudes towards people with physical or intellectual disabilities: nursing students and non‐nursing peers.

Aim.  This paper is a report of a study of the attitudes of Dutch nursing students towards people with physical or intellectual disabilities.

Background.  Attitudes of healthcare professionals are a major factor in the rehabilitation and self‐acceptance of persons with disabilities. Consequently, it is important that nurses develop or maintain positive attitudes towards people with disabilities during their education. However, more knowledge is needed about current attitudes of nursing students and factors influencing these attitudes.

Methods.  A sample of Dutch nursing students (n = 81) and an age‐matched group of non‐nursing peers (n = 48) completed standardized scales measuring attitudes about physically or intellectually disabled people. Data were collected in 2006.

Findings.  Nursing students were more positive towards physically disabled people than their peers, and more strongly endorsed empowerment and similarity of intellectually disabled people. These attitudinal differences generally remained statistically significant after multivariate adjustment for demographic variables and experience and contact with individuals with disabilities. An important independent determinant of a positive attitude towards physically disabled people in the total sample was having a relative or friend with a physical disability. This association, however, was not apparent in attitudes towards intellectually disabled persons.

Conclusion.  Educational interventions aimed at improving attitudes towards people with disabilities should include focus on forms of contact beyond the context of formal care relationships.
Ectoparasites (sucking lice, fleas and ticks) of small mammals in southeastern Kenya
Authors: OGUGE N. O. , DURDEN L. A. , KEIRANS J. E. , BALAMI H. D. , SCHWAN T. G.
Published: November 2009

During 1998–2000, at least 14 species (n = 309) of small mammals were live‐trapped and examined for ectoparasites in moist forests of the Taita and Shimba Hills and drier savannah habitats of Nguruman, southeastern Kenya. Ectoparasites were recorded from 11 species of mammals. Five species of sucking lice [Hoplopleura inexpectans Johnson, H. intermedia Kellogg & Ferris, Polyplax reclinata (Nitzsch), P. waterstoni Bedford and Schizophthirus graphiuri Ferris], six species of fleas (Ctenophthalmus leptodactylous Hubbard, Dinopsyllus grypurus Jordan & Rothschild, D. lypusus Jordan & Rothschild, Hypsophthalmus campestris Jordan & Rothschild, Listropsylla basilewskyi Smit and Xiphiopsylla lippa Jordan) and at least six species of ticks (Amblyomma sp., Haemaphysalis sp., Ixodes sp., I. alluaudi Neumann, I. cumulatimpunctatus Schulze, I. muniensis Arthur & Burrow and Rhipicephalus sp.) were recorded from these hosts. Four of the five species of sucking lice were host specific whereas P. reclinata was recorded from two different species of white‐toothed shrews, Crocidura spp. Although fleas and ticks were less host specific, C. leptodactylous, D. grypurus and I. cumulatimpunctatus were only recorded from the murid rodent Praomys delectorum (Thomas), Amblyomma sp. was only recorded from the nesomyid rodent Beamys hindei Thomas, Rhipicephalus sp. was only recorded from the murid Lemniscomys striatus (L.) and I. muniensis was only recorded from the dormouse Graphiurus microtis (Noack). More species of ectoparasites and significantly greater infestation prevalences were recorded from small mammals in moist habitats compared with those from the savannah habitat. At least one of the fleas recorded, D. lypusus, is a known vector of Yersinia pestis Lehmann & Neumann, the causative agent of plague, which is present in the region.
Environmental risk factors associated with West Nile virus clinical disease in Florida horses
Authors: RIOS L. M. V. , SHEU J.‐J. , DAY J. F. , MARUNIAK J. E. , SEINO K. , ZARETSKY H. , LONG M. T.
Published: November 2009

The objective of this study was to examine the extrinsic risk factors of West Nile virus (WNV) clinical disease in Florida horses as established from confirmed and negative horses tested within the state from 2001 to 2003. An Arboviral Case Information Form (ACF) was submitted by a referring veterinarian at the time of testing to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services on every horse suspected of a viral encephalitis in Florida. A follow‐up survey that focused on arbovirus prevention and farm ecology was created and mailed to the owner of each tested horse. Data from the follow‐up survey indicated peak WNV prevalence in the late summer months in Florida. Quarter horses were the most commonly affected breed. The WNV vaccine was highly protective and natural water on the property also had a protective association. Factors that increased the risk of WNV to horses were the use of fans and a stable construction of solid wood or cement. Some risk indicators were dead birds on the property and other ill animals on the property. Data from this retrospective study have helped identify factors associated with WNV transmission in equines in Florida. Horses that have not been vaccinated and show clinical signs of arboviral infection from June to November should be tested for WNV. Horses that have been vaccinated and show clinical signs should be tested when the vaccination was administered within 1 month or greater than 6 months prior to the onset of clinical symptoms associated with WN infection.
The invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus in Central Europe
Authors: SCHAFFNER F. , KAUFMANN C. , HEGGLIN D. , MATHIS A.
Published: November 2009

Complaints about a biting pest led to the recognition of invasive Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Central Europe. Larval collections from cemetery vases revealed a colonized area of approximately 1400 km2 in northern Switzerland spreading into bordering Germany, suggesting that the mosquito has been established in this region for several years. Within this range, larvae of Ae. japonicus were recovered from more containers than the most common resident culicid species Culex pipiens. Possible introduction sites (used tyre yards and international airports) revealed few or no larvae, and the mode of introduction remains unclear. Given the vector potential of this species for arboviruses, implementation of surveillance and control measures should be considered.