bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Historical dictionary definitions revisited from a prototype theoretical standpoint
Authors: Molina Clara
Published: December 2008

Historical dictionaries have not yet incorporated prototype theoretical principles, from which singular enhancements might be obtained in historical lexicography. Revisiting diachronic definitions from a prototypical standpoint underlines how salience-based definitions comply more accurately with the cognitive constraints of the human mind. Upon this realization, the paper presents a template for reorganizing historical definitions according to the principles of prototype theory. The resulting definitions depict the semasiological profile of terms in a more transparent way while stressing the mutual interface between linguistic and extralinguistic data and between synchrony and diachrony. At the same time, the paper shows how the theoretical tenets of cognitive linguistics can be put to use in the field of applied linguistics, viz. lexicography.
Determining the structure of lexical entries and grammatical constructions in Construction Grammar
Authors: Boas Hans C.
Published: December 2008

Research in Construction Grammar assumes no strict separation between syntax and the lexicon. However, recent work by Goldberg (1995, 2006) shows that there is indeed a separation between lexical entries and grammatical constructions, including constraints regulating the fusion of grammatical constructions with verbs. This paper argues that Goldberg’s characterization of the interactions between lexical entries and grammatical constructions faces some of the same difficulties as the interactions between lexical entries and transformational rules in the Chomskyan framework (Chomsky, 1965, 1981, 1995). Drawing on a variety of corpus data this paper presents specific proposals that should be considered in order to arrive at a solution that overcomes difficulties inherent to Goldberg’s approach. Based on a discussion of the concepts of analogy, collocational restrictions, frequency, and productivity this paper proposes to encode different types of semantic, pragmatic, and syntactic information in such a way that it is possible to account for a given utterance from a comprehension perspective, as well as a production perspective.
Conceptual metaphor theory
Authors: Kövecses Zoltán
Published: December 2008

Despite its popularity in and outside cognitive linguistics, cognitive metaphor theory (CMT) has received a wide range of criticisms in the past two decades. Several metaphor researchers have criticized the methodology with which metaphor is studied (emphasizing concepts instead of words), the direction of analysis (emphasizing a top-down instead of a bottom-up approach), the category level of metaphor (claiming its superordinate status instead of basic level), the embodiment of metaphor (emphasizing the universal, mechanical, and monolithic aspects instead of nonuniversal, nonmechanical, and nonmonolithic aspects of embodiment), and its relationship to culture (emphasizing the role of universal bodily experience instead of the interaction of body and context). In the paper, I respond to this criticism largely based on my own research and propose a view on these issues that can successfully meet these challenges and that can be regarded as an alternative to the “standard theory.”
Fabliau intertextuality: Some connections between related comic narratives
Authors: Pearcy Roy J.
Published: December 2008

In addition to borrowing from his own works, Gautier le Leu appears to be indebted to numerous other narratives for elements in his fabliaux. Le fol Vilain probably elaborates on some antecedent of La Sorisete des Estopes, and La Damoisele qui ne pooit oïr parler de foutre furnishes a conceit that reappears in Le sot Chevalier, Connebert, and Les deus Vilains. Although Gautier claims, in the opening lines of Connebert, to have written Le Prestre teint, the extant version of that fabliau is not by him, so his possible indebtness to Le Prestre et le Chevalier of Milles d’Amiens is speculative. Finally, the line of descent from the Alda of Guillaume de Blois through the Trubert of Douin to the anonymous L’Esquiriel connects not at all with Gautier, and only marginally with La Damoisele qui ne pooit oïr parler de foutre.
Les representations animales sans les stalles du duché de Bretagne: Fonction, modeles, polyvalence
Authors: Piat Florence
Published: December 2008

Dix ensembles de stalles datant du bas Moyen Âge sont aujourd’hui conservés dans l’ancien duché de Bretagne. Leur iconographie très riche offre une variété de thèmes considérable. Au sein de ce corpus, les représentations d’animaux issus des bestiaires médiévaux occupent une place privilégiée, composant près d’un tiers des pièces sculptées. Ces animaux se révèlent ambivalents à plusieurs niveaux. Leur identification est souvent difficile et la multitude de sources auxquelles ces représentations font référence, engendre une ambivalence des interprétations. Les comparaisons permettent de trouver d’autres clefs de lecture et révèlent également que les sculpteurs se sont servis de modèles. Quant aux motivations des commanditaires, elles sont basées sur des valeurs morales et didactiques, valeurs qui ne sont pas en opposition avec l’aspect comique de certaines représentations d’animaux comme celle du grand singe.
Integrating corpus data in dynamic knowledge bases
Authors: Tercedor Maribel , López Rodríguez Clara I.
Published: December 2008

Terminological information is a key element in the construction of a knowledge base. In order for a knowledge base to be useful to different users, terminological information should be extracted from corpora so as to reflect the different pragmatic nuances. Puertoterm is a knowledge base in the field of Coastal Engineering, which has made use of corpus information to develop terminological entries. It also includes contextual information in such a way that this information interacts with other elements of the knowledge base. We describe the methodology followed in the project regarding corpus design, retrieval of lexical information, conceptual organization of the domain of Coastal Engineering, and the elaboration of terminological entries.
arrayQualityMetrics—a bioconductor package for quality assessment of microarray data
Authors: Kauffmann Audrey , Gentleman Robert , Huber Wolfgang
Published: December 2008

Summary:: The assessment of data quality is a major concern in microarray analysis. arrayQualityMetrics is a Bioconductor package that provides a report with diagnostic plots for one or two colour microarray data. The quality metrics assess reproducibility, identify apparent outlier arrays and compute measures of signal-to-noise ratio. The tool handles most current microarray technologies and is amenable to use in automated analysis pipelines or for automatic report generation, as well as for use by individuals. The diagnosis of quality remains, in principle, a context-dependent judgement, but our tool provides powerful, automated, objective and comprehensive instruments on which to base a decision.

Availability:: arrayQualityMetrics is a free and open source package, under LGPL license, available from the Bioconductor project at www.bioconductor.org. A users guide and examples are provided with the package. Some examples of HTML reports generated by arrayQualityMetrics can be found at http://www.microarray-quality.org

Contact:: audrey@ebi.ac.uk

Supplementary information:: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Crammer's Corner
Authors: Riley Ben
Published: December 2008

This month's Crammer's Corner looks at how the RCGP curriculum has been approached by trainees and educators since it was introduced last year and presents an alternative way to visualize the curriculum.
Revising Conventional Perceptions of Orphanhood
Authors: Classen Lauren
Published: December 2008

•Orphancare for Grandparents R Kamanga, C Khongolo, T Luhanga, E Mwale, M Njikho, E Nyambose
Association of Senior Anthropologists
Authors: Doughty Paul L
Published: December 2008

•A Message from the Incoming ASA President Tony Paredes
Middle East Section
Authors: Spadola Emilio
Published: December 2008

•Media Production and Transpolitics: A Summary Suncem Kocer
National Association for the Practice of Anthropology
Authors: Miller Christine
Published: December 2008

•Contextual Inquiry: Design's Approach to Ethnographic Research Inga E Treitler  Mary Odell Butler
National Association of Student Anthropologists
Authors: Chio Jenny
Published: December 2008

•So You Want To Be a Professor? Matthew D Smith
Society for the Anthropology of Work
Authors: Jancius Angela
Published: December 2008

•Iraqi Refugees Search for Work in Detroit Daniel Sturm
Society for Cultural Anthropology
Authors: Pigg Stacy Leigh
Published: December 2008

•From the Editors of Cultural Anthropology Kim Fortun, Mike Fortun
Society for Psychological Anthropology
Authors: Chapin Bambi
Published: December 2008

•SPA Biennial Meeting: March 27‐29, 2009 Tanya Luhrmann, Stephan Palmie
Society for Urban, National, and Transnational/Global Anthropology
Authors: Howell Jayne , Pribilsky Jason
Published: December 2008

•Foreign Teachers of English in South Korea Barbara Waldern
Variation in neighbouring genes of the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems affects feather pecking behaviour of laying hens
Authors: Flisikowski K. , Schwarzenbacher H. , Wysocki M. , Weigend S. , Preisinger R. , Kjaer J. B. , Fries R.
Published: December 2008

Feather pecking is a behavioural disorder of laying hens and has serious animal welfare and economic implications. One of the several aetiological hypotheses proposes that the disorder results from redirected exploratory behaviour. Variation in the gene encoding the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) has been shown to be associated with exploratory behaviour in several species, including in a passerine bird species. We therefore considered DRD4 as a candidate gene for feather pecking. We have annotated DRD4 in the chicken genome and have re‐sequenced it in 140 animals belonging to: experimental layer lines divergently selected for high and low propensity to feather pecking; the unselected founder population; and two commercial lines with low and high propensity to feather pecking. We have identified two sub‐haplotypes of DRD4 that are highly significantly associated with feather pecking behaviour in the experimental (P = 7.30 × 10−7) as well as in the commercial lines (P = 2.78 × 10−6). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) extends into a neighbouring gene encoding deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor 1 (DEAF1). The product of DEAF1 regulates the transcription of the gene encoding the serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine) 1A receptor. Thus, DEAF1 represents another candidate gene for feather pecking. Re‐sequencing of five animals homozygous for the ‘low‐pecking’ sub‐haplotype and of six animals homozygous for the ‘high‐pecking’ sub‐haplotype delineated an LD block of 14 833 bases spanning the two genes. None of the variants in the LD block is obviously functional. However, the haplotype information will be useful to select against the propensity to feather pecking in chicken and to elucidate the functional implications of the variants.
Depletion of γδ+ T cells increases CD4+ FoxP3 (T regulatory) cell response in coxsackievirus B3‐induced myocarditis
Authors: Huber Sally A.
Published: December 2008

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) causes severe myocarditis in BALB/c mice which depends upon CD4+ T helper type 1 [Th1; i.e. interferon‐γ+ (IFN‐γ+)] and γδ+ cells. Depleting γδ+ cells using anti‐γδ antibody suppresses myocarditis and CD4+ IFN‐γ+ cell numbers in the spleen and heart of infected mice while increasing CD4+ FoxP3+ cells. Mice deficient in γδ+ cells have increased numbers of naïve (CD44lo CD62Lhi) and fewer effector (CD44hi CD62lo) memory CD4+ cells than infected γδ+‐cell‐sufficient mice. Virus neutralizing antibody titres are not significantly different between γδ+ T‐cell‐sufficient and ‐deficient animals. To confirm that the memory cell response differs in acutely infected mice lacking γδ+ cells, CD4+ cells were purified and adoptively transferred into naïve recipients, which were rested for 4 weeks then infected with CVB3. Recipients given either 0·5 × 106 or 1·0 × 106 CD4+ from infected donors developed over twice the severity myocarditis and 10‐fold less cardiac virus titre compared with recipients given equivalent numbers of CD4+ cells from infected and γδ+‐cell‐depleted donor animals. Additionally, to show that more functionally active T regulatory cells are present in γδ+ T‐cell‐depleted mice, CD4+ CD25+ and CD4+ CD25− cells were isolated and adoptively transferred into infected recipients. Mice receiving CD4+ CD25+ cells from γδ+ T‐cell‐depleted donors developed significantly less myocarditis and CD4+ Th1 cell responses compared with mice receiving equal numbers of CD4+ CD25+ cells from infected γδ+ T‐cell‐sufficient animals. This study shows that γδ+ cells promote CD4+ IFN‐γ+ acute and memory responses by limiting FoxP3+ T regulatory cell activation.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 limits the development of adaptive regulatory T cells
Authors: O’Malley John T. , Sehra Sarita , Thieu Vivian T. , Yu Qing , Chang Hua‐Chen , Stritesky Gretta L. , Nguyen Evelyn T. , Mathur Anubhav N. , Levy David E. , Kaplan Mark H.
Published: December 2008

Summary T‐cell responses to a cytokine milieu instruct the development of multiple effector phenotypes. While transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) inhibits the development of T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells, we demonstrate that like interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and IL‐4, IL‐12 can inhibit the development of TGF‐β1‐induced Foxp3‐expressing adaptive T regulatory (aTreg) cells. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) is critical for the response to IL‐12, although there is a parallel pathway involving T box expressed in T cells (T‐bet), and cells from mice double‐deficient in STAT4 and T‐bet are refractory to the inhibition of aTreg‐cell development by IL‐12. While the ability of these cytokines to promote Th differentiation may contribute to this effect, we observe that culture with IL‐12, or other instructive cytokines, results in an increase in repressive chromatin modifications at the Foxp3 locus that limit STAT5 binding to Foxp3, without observed effects on IL‐2 signalling pathways. In a model of allergic lung inflammation there are increased percentages of Treg cells in the lungs of Stat4−/− mice, compared with wild‐type mice, and increases in Treg cells correlate with decreased allergic inflammation. Overall, these results suggest an important role for STAT4 in regulating Treg‐cell development.
Restricting activation‐induced cytidine deaminase tumorigenic activity in B lymphocytes
Authors: Casellas Rafael , Yamane Arito , Kovalchuk Alexander L. , Potter Michael
Published: December 2008

DNA breaks play an essential role in germinal centre B cells as intermediates to immunoglobulin class switching, a recombination process initiated by activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID). Immunoglobulin gene hypermutation is likewise catalysed by AID but is believed to occur via single‐strand DNA breaks. When improperly repaired, AID‐mediated lesions can promote chromosomal translocations (CTs) that juxtapose the immunoglobulin loci to heterologous genomic sites, including oncogenes. Two of the most studied translocations are the t(8;14) and T(12;15), which deregulate cMyc in human Burkitt’s lymphomas and mouse plasmacytomas, respectively. While a complete understanding of the aetiology of such translocations is lacking, recent studies using diverse mouse models have shed light on two important issues: (1) the extent to which non‐specific or AID‐mediated DNA lesions promote CTs, and (2) the safeguard mechanisms that B cells employ to prevent AID tumorigenic activity. Here we review these advances and discuss the usage of pristane‐induced mouse plasmacytomas as a tool to investigate the origin of Igh–cMyc translocations and B‐cell tumorigenesis.
Leptosphaeria maculans avirulence gene AvrLm4‐7 confers a dual recognition specificity by the Rlm4 and Rlm7 resistance genes of oilseed rape, and circumvents Rlm4‐mediated recognition through a single amino acid change
Authors: Parlange Francis , Daverdin Guillaume , Fudal Isabelle , Kuhn Marie‐Line , Balesdent Marie‐Hélène , Blaise Françoise , Grezes‐Besset Bruno , Rouxel Thierry
Published: December 2008

Leptosphaeria maculans is the ascomycete responsible for one of the most damaging diseases of oilseed rape (Brassica napus), stem canker of crucifers. Both avirulence (AvrLm) genes in the fungus and resistance (Rlm) genes in the plant are genetically clustered. Using a map‐based cloning strategy, we delineated a 238 kb region containing the AvrLm7 locus. Structural features of the region were reminiscent of those previously found on another chromosome for genomic regions encompassing AvrLm1 and AvrLm6, i.e. GC‐equilibrated, gene‐rich isochores alternating with AT‐rich, recombination‐deficient, gene‐poor isochores. These latter corresponded to mosaics of degenerated and truncated transposable elements. AvrLm7 is the only gene located within a 60 kb AT‐rich isochore. It induced resistance responses in plants harbouring either Rlm7 or Rlm4, and was thus renamed AvrLm4‐7. It encodes a 143‐amino‐acid cysteine‐rich protein, predicted to be secreted, and strongly induced during early stages of plant infection. Sequencing and restriction analyses of AvrLm4–AvrLm7 or avrLm4–AvrLm7 alleles in L. maculans field isolates, and targeted point mutagenesis strongly suggested that one single base mutation, leading to the change of a glycine to an arginine residue, was responsible for the loss of AvrLm4 specificity whereas AvrLm7 recognition was unaltered.
Sources of data for a longitudinal birth cohort
Authors: Golding Jean , Jones Richard
Published: December 2008

This paper outlines the variety of data sources which can be utilised in a longitudinal study. Although a longitudinal study could be carried out using just one type of data, greater depth and accuracy can be achieved by including a variety of different sources of information.
Immune and Nervous Systems Share Molecular and Functional Similarities: Memory Storage Mechanism
Authors: Habibi L. , Ebtekar M. , Jameie S. B.
Published: December 2008

One of the most complex and important features of both the nervous and immune systems is their data storage and retrieval capability. Both systems encounter a common and complex challenge on how to overcome the cumbersome task of data management. Because each neuron makes many synapses with other neurons, they are capable of receiving data from thousands of synaptic connections. The immune system B and T cells have to deal with a similar level of complexity because of their unlimited task of recognizing foreign antigens. As for the complexity of memory storage, it has been proposed that both systems may share a common set of molecular mechanisms. Here, we review the molecular bases of memory storage in neurons and immune cells based on recent studies and findings. The expression of certain molecules and mechanisms shared between the two systems, including cytokine networks, and cell surface receptors, are reviewed. Intracellular signaling similarities and certain mechanisms such as diversity, memory storage, and their related molecular properties are briefly discussed. Moreover, two similar genetic mechanisms used by both systems is discussed, putting forward the idea that DNA recombination may be an underlying mechanism involved in CNS memory storage.
Effects of Haemofiltration and Mannitol Treatment on Cardiopulmonary‐Bypass Induced Immunosuppression
Authors: Ziegeler S. , Raddatz A. , Schneider S. O. , Sandmann I. , Sasse H. , Bauer I. , Kubulus D. , Mathes A. , Lausberg H. F. , Rensing H.
Published: December 2008

Cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) causes a systemic inflammatory response. Additionally, an impairment of the responsiveness of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to further immunological stimuli has been observed. The aim of our present study was to evaluate the ability of antioxidant therapy with mannitol or haemofiltration during CPB to modulate this immunosuppression after CPB. Forty‐five patients undergoing elective heart‐surgery were prospectively enrolled and randomized into three groups (control, mannitol, haemofiltration). Blood samples were taken after induction of anaesthesia (T1), 20 min after CPB (T2) and 24 h post‐operatively (T3). Expression density of the monocytic surface receptor CD14, HLA‐DR expression and cytokine release (TNF‐α and IL10) after lipopolysaccharide‐stimulation were evaluated. At T2, the CD14dim cell population was maintained in both intervention groups while in the control group there was a decrease of this proinflammatory monocytic phenotype. No significant differences regarding HLA‐DR expression or cytokine release could be demonstrated. This study shows that the suppression of the stimulated immune response after CPB can potentially be alleviated by mannitol or haemofiltration in an experimental in‐vitro setting. In the light of data showing that this depression of the immune response might affect the post‐operative course of patients, these results could have a potential clinical relevance.
An Alkaloid Extract of Evanta, Traditionally Used as Anti‐leishmania Agent in Bolivia, Inhibits Cellular Proliferation and Interferon‐γ Production in Polyclonally Activated Cells
Authors: Calla‐Magarinos J. , Giménez A. , Troye‐Blomberg M. , Fernández C.
Published: December 2008

Traditional medicine and scientific studies have shown that the raw extract of Evanta [Galipea longiflora, Angostura longiflora (Krause) Kallunki] exhibits anti‐leishmanial activity. We hypothesized that the healing observed when using this plant might not only be due to the direct action on the parasite, but possibly to a parallel effect on the host immune response to the parasite involved in the healing process. We show here that an alkaloid extract of Evanta (AEE) directly killed the parasite already at a dose of 10 μg/ml, but at this low concentration, AEE did not have a major effect on viability and proliferation of eukaryotic cells. The whole extract was also found to be stronger than 2‐phenylquinoline, the most prominent alkaloid in AEE. AEE was not directly stimulating B or T cells or J774 macrophages. However, it interfered with the activation of both mouse and human T cells, as revealed by a reduction of in vitro cellular proliferation and interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) production. The effect was more evident when the cells were pretreated with AEE and subsequently stimulated with the polyclonal T‐cell activators Concanavalin A and anti‐CD3. Taken together, our results suggest that Evanta have a direct leishmanicidal effect and due to the effect on IFN‐γ production it might contribute to control the chronic inflammatory reaction that characterize Leishmania infection pathology, but in vivo studies are necessary to corroborate this finding.
The genesis of late Quaternary caliche nodules in Mission Bay, Texas: stable isotopic compositions and palaeoenvironmental interpretation
Authors: ZHOU JIE , CHAFETZ HENRY S.
Published: December 2008

Caliche is a fairly widespread pedogenic carbonate that commonly has been used to reconstruct palaeoclimatological conditions. Stable isotopic analyses of three types of caliche nodules from Mission Bay, Texas, provide insights into the values and limitations in palaeoenvironmental interpretations. Soft incipient nodules (type I) and partially lithified chalky nodules (type II), composed of low Mg‐calcite, are in situ pedogenic products in the late Quaternary soils; they represent young to intermediate caliche nodules with no obvious diagenesis and, with constraints, can be used to investigate palaeoenvironmental conditions. The well‐lithified hard nodules (type III) dispersed on the beach and shallow bay exhibit complex shapes, fabrics, mineralogy and geochemical compositions. They are mature nodules that have undergone substantial diagenesis and, therefore, are believed to have lost their initial environmental signatures. The incipient nodules in the presently active grey soil and the older subjacent brown soil display significantly different δ13C values, −8·4 and −4·4‰, respectively, which indicates a change in palaeovegetation from C3/C4 mixed to C3‐dominated flora. The δ13C values probably reflect a marked climate shift from warm and dry to cool and wet conditions in the middle Holocene. However, in the same grey soil, there is a sub‐set of incipient caliche nodules with δ13C values around 0·1‰, which is probably due to the input of localized carbon sources in the soil (e.g. shell fragments). The occurrence of essentially identical nodules appearing from the same modern soil horizon with significantly different δ13C values questions the universal reliability of this type of data for palaeoenvironmental interpretation. This study demonstrates that, whereas the stable isotopic compositions of caliche nodules can be used for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, diagenesis and the influence of localized carbonate sources in the soils could lead to erroneous interpretations.
Rare earth element geochemistry of scleractinian coral skeleton during meteoric diagenesis: a sequence through neomorphism of aragonite to calcite
Authors: WEBB GREGORY E. , NOTHDURFT LUKE D. , KAMBER BALZ S. , KLOPROGGE J. T. , ZHAO JIAN‐XIN
Published: December 2008

Rare earth element geochemistry in carbonate rocks is utilized increasingly for studying both modern oceans and palaeoceanography, with additional applications for investigating water–rock interactions in groundwater and carbonate diagenesis. However, the study of rare earth element geochemistry in ancient rocks requires the preservation of their distribution patterns through subsequent diagenesis. The subjects of this study, Pleistocene scleractinian coral skeletons from Windley Key, Florida, have undergone partial to complete neomorphism from aragonite to calcite in a meteoric setting; they allow direct comparison of rare earth element distributions in original coral skeleton and in neomorphic calcite. Neomorphism occurred in a vadose setting along a thin film, with degradation of organic matter playing an initial role in controlling the morphology of the diagenetic front. As expected, minor element concentrations vary significantly between skeletal aragonite and neomorphic calcite, with Sr, Ba and U decreasing in concentration and Mn increasing in concentration in the calcite, suggesting that neomorphism took place in an open system. However, rare earth elements were largely retained during neomorphism, with precipitating cements taking up excess rare earth elements released from dissolved carbonates from higher in the karst system. Preserved rare earth element patterns in the stabilized calcite closely reflect the original rare earth element patterns of the corals and associated reef carbonates. However, minor increases in light rare earth element depletion and negative Ce anomalies may reflect shallow oxidized groundwater processes, whereas decreasing light rare earth element depletion may reflect mixing of rare earth elements from associated microbialites or contamination from insoluble residues. Regardless of these minor disturbances, the results indicate that rare earth elements, unlike many minor elements, behave very conservatively during meteoric diagenesis. As the meteoric transformation of aragonite to calcite is a near worst case scenario for survival of original marine trace element distributions, this study suggests that original rare earth element patterns may commonly be preserved in ancient limestones, thus providing support for the use of ancient marine limestones as proxies for marine rare earth element geochemistry.
Clinical, histopathological and epidemiological study of canine straelensiosis in the Iberian Peninsula (2003–2007)
Authors: Ramírez Gustavo A. , Altimira Jaume , García Beatriz , Fernández Marcos , Vilafranca Miquel
Published: December 2008

Straelensiosis is a relatively new disease described in dogs and produced by a trombiculid larva known as Straelensia cynotis. Few cases have been reported in the English literature. Straelensiosis has been observed in Southern France and Northern Portugal causing a distinctive nodular dermatitis. The present study describes the clinical, histopathological and epidemiological features of 19 cases diagnosed as straelensiosis in the north of Spain and Portugal (2003–2007). A follow‐up of the animals after diagnosis was carried out. Differences with previously described cases were observed, especially concerning epidemiology and histopathology. The grade of response to different treatments and new microscopic features are discussed. The study concludes that S. cynotis can cause a nodular dermatitis in rural and hunting dogs in Spain and Portugal and is associated with particular seasonal and geographical factors.
Superficial necrolytic dermatitis associated with extrapancreatic glucagonoma in a dog
Authors: Mizuno Takuya , Hiraoka Hiroko , Yoshioka Chihiro , Takeda Yoshiho , Matsukane Yuki , Shimoyama Natsumi , Morimoto Masahiro , Hayashi Toshiharu , Okuda Masaru
Published: December 2008

An 11‐year‐old Shih Tzu presented with crusting and erythema, mainly on the abdomen and the root of the tail. Based on histopathological findings, blood examinations and necropsy findings, the condition was diagnosed as superficial necrolytic dermatitis associated with a glucagon‐secreting extrapancreatic neuroendocrine tumour. Gross necropsy revealed tumour invasion into the spleen, liver, adrenal glands and mesenteric lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical analysis of the neoplastic cells revealed that the tumour was a glucagonoma, consistent with earlier findings of persistent glucagonaemia and hypoaminoacidaemia.
Plasma and ear tissue concentrations of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in dogs with chronic end‐stage otitis externa after intravenous administration of enrofloxacin
Authors: Cole Lynette K. , Papich Mark G. , Kwochka Kenneth W. , Hillier Andrew , Smeak Daniel D. , Lehman Amy M.
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this study was to measure the concentrations of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin following intravenous administration of enrofloxacin in the plasma and ear tissue of dogs with chronic end‐stage otitis undergoing a total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy. The goals were to determine the relationship between the dose of enrofloxacin and the concentrations of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, and determine appropriate doses of enrofloxacin for treatment of chronic otitis externa and media. Thirty dogs were randomized to an enrofloxacin‐treatment group (5, 10, 15 or 20 mg kg−1) or control group (no enrofloxacin). After surgical removal, ear tissue samples (skin, vertical ear canal, horizontal ear canal, middle ear) and a blood sample were collected. Concentrations of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin in the plasma and ear tissue were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Repeated measures models were applied to log‐transformed data to assess dosing trends and Pearson correlations were calculated to assess concentration associations. Ear tissue concentrations of enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than plasma concentrations. Each 5 mg kg−1increase in the dose of enrofloxacin resulted in a 72% and 37% increase in enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin concentrations, respectively. For bacteria with an minimal inhibitory concentration of 0.12–0.15 or less, 0.19–0.24, 0.31–0.39 and 0.51–0.64 µg mL−1, enrofloxacin should be dosed at 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg kg−1, respectively. Treatment with enrofloxacin would not be recommended for a bacterial organism intermediate or resistant in susceptibility to enrofloxacin since appropriate levels of enrofloxacin would not be attained.
Haplotype‐specific sequencing reveals a novel HLA‐B*37 allele, B*3714
Authors: Emmerich F. , Schönemann C. , Diederich G. , Salama A.
Published: December 2008

We report on a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐B allele, HLA‐B*3714. This allele differs from HLA‐B*3711 by two nucleic acid substitutions at positions 317 and 319 in exon 2, both resulting in amino acid exchanges. The first one leads to the exchange from arginine to leucine at position 82, and the latter one from glycine to arginine at position 83.
Identification of a new HLA‐DRB1*14 variant, HLA‐DRB1*1478, in a Korean individual
Authors: Han S. H. , Jung S. M. , Park S. R. , Chung S. Y. , Han H.
Published: December 2008

We report the identification of novel allele HLA‐DRB1*1478 that was found during routine high‐resolution sequence‐based typing of the cord blood unit in Korean population. The DRB1*1478 allele shows two nucleotide differences from DRB1*1463 in exon 2 at nucleotide position 344 (G→T) and 345 (T→G), resulting in an amino acid change, Gly86Val.
Extended genetic analysis of BTNL2 in sarcoidosis
Authors: Li Y. , Pabst S. , Lokhande S. , Grohé C. , Wollnik B.
Published: December 2008

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the BTLN2 gene have been recently associated with the risk for sarcoidosis. We now aimed to study additional genetic alterations in BTLN2 as putative genetic risk. The CNV_ID 507, which was highlighted for its possible involvement in sarcoidosis because of its partly deletion of the BTNL2 gene, was tested for association in a cohort of 89 sarcoidosis patients and 89 matched controls, but our results indicated that CNV_ID 507 does not affect the genomic structure of BTLN2 as previously described. Additionally, we identified a heterozygous 1 bp deletion in exon 3, c.450delC. We genotyped 210 patients and 201 controls for c.450delC and observed similar genotype frequencies in both groups without a significant difference (P = 0.4996).
Outcomes of antifungal prophylaxis in high‐risk liver transplant recipients
Authors: Hadley S. , Huckabee C. , Pappas P.G. , Daly J. , Rabkin J. , Kauffman C.A. , Merion R.M. , Karchmer A.W.
Published: December 2008

Abstract: Antifungal prophylaxis for liver transplant recipients (LTRs) is common among patients considered at high risk of infection, but optimal prophylaxis duration and drug has not been defined. This study aimed to assess the effects of 14 days of antifungal therapy prophylaxis in reducing proven invasive fungal infections (IFI) in high‐risk subjects. Eligible subjects who met 2 or more risk criteria were randomized 1:1 to the treatment arms (liposomal amphotericin B or fluconazole) and were followed for 100 days post transplantation for evidence of IFI. The study was designed to enroll 300 subjects, but was closed early for insufficient enrollment. A total of 71 subjects were enrolled and randomized. Two‐thirds of subjects completed 14 days of study therapy. Ten subjects developed proven or probable IFI with Candida species (9 subjects) and Cryptococcus neoformans (1 subject); rates were similar in the 2 treatment arms. Eleven subjects died, but no death was attributed to study drug or IFI. In summary, high‐risk LTRs tolerated antifungal prophylaxis well, and rates of IFI were lower than previously reported in untreated high‐risk LTRs.
Pitfalls in understanding the functional significance of genital allometry
Authors: EBERHARD W. , RODRIGUEZ R. L. , POLIHRONAKIS M.
Published: December 2008

The male genitalia of arthropods consistently show negative static allometry (the genitalia of small males of a species are disproportionally large, and those of large males are disproportionally small). We discuss relations between the ‘one‐size‐fits‐all’ hypothesis to explain this allometry and the regimes of selection that may be acting on genitalia. We focus on the contrasts between directional vs. stabilizing selection, and natural vs. sexual selection. In addition, we point out some common methodological problems in studies of genital allometry. One‐size‐fits‐all types of arguments for negative allometry imply net stabilizing selection, but the effects of stabilizing selection on allometry will be weaker when the correlation between body size and the trait size is weaker. One‐size‐fits‐all arguments can involve natural as well as sexual selection, and negative allometry can also result from directional selection. Several practical problems make direct tests of whether directional or stabilizing selection is acting difficult. One common methodological problem in previous studies has been concentration on absolute rather than relative values of the allometric slopes of genitalia; there are many reasons to doubt the usefulness of comparing absolute slopes with the usual reference value of 1.00. Another problem has been the failure to recognize that size and shape are independent traits of genitalia; rapid divergence in the shape of genitalia is thus not paradoxical with respect to the reduced variation in their sizes that is commonly associated with negative allometric scaling.
Phenotypic plasticity of a cooperative behaviour in bacteria
Authors: KÜMMERLI R. , JIRICNY N. , CLARKE L. S. , WEST S. A. , GRIFFIN A. S.
Published: December 2008

There is strong evidence that natural selection can favour phenotypic plasticity as a mechanism to maximize fitness in animals. Here, we aim to investigate phenotypic plasticity of a cooperative trait in bacteria – the production of an iron‐scavenging molecule (pyoverdin) by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pyoverdin production is metabolically costly to the individual cell, but provides a benefit to the local group and can potentially be exploited by nonpyoverdin‐producing cheats. Here, we subject bacteria to changes in the social environment in media with different iron availabilities and test whether cells can adjust pyoverdin production in response to these changes. We found that pyoverdin production per cell significantly decreased at higher cell densities and increased in the presence of cheats. This phenotypic plasticity significantly influenced the costs and benefits of cooperation. Specifically, the investment of resources into pyoverdin production was reduced in iron‐rich environments and at high cell densities, but increased under iron limitation, and when pyoverdin was exploited by cheats. Our study demonstrates that phenotypic plasticity in a cooperative trait as a response to changes in the environment occurs in even the simplest of organisms, a bacterium.
Sex and asymmetry in humans: what is the role of developmental instability?
Authors: VAN DONGEN S. , CORNILLE R. , LENS L.
Published: December 2008

Because asymmetric individuals are less attractive and may suffer from reduced fitness, bilateral asymmetry is widely believed to affect human sexual selection. Its evolutionary significance is based on the presumed relationship with developmental instability (DI). Yet, relationships between DI and bilateral asymmetry are often weak and possibly confounded by asymmetric mechanical loadings because of handedness. We related asymmetry in hands and faces to degrees of handedness and sexual behaviour in 100 humans. Handedness correlated to levels of asymmetry, thereby likely invalidating the use of asymmetry to estimate DI. For facial asymmetry, applying existing theoretical models refuted a link between asymmetry and DI. Explicit statistical modelling at the level of DI confirmed the absence of a link between DI and aspects of sexual behaviour. Nevertheless, asymmetries in both hands and face correlated significantly with sexual behaviour. We conclude that bilateral asymmetryper se, rather than its presumed link with DI, more likely relates to measures of human sexual behaviour. Because lateralization of behaviour appears widespread, evaluating the role of DI in evolution and ecology relies on a very critical selection of traits whose asymmetry can reliably reflect DI.
Effects of CIDR‐G and Melatonin Implants, and their Combination on the Efficacy of Oestrus Induction and Fertility of Kilis Goats
Authors: Cetin Y , Sagcan S , Gungor O , Ozyurtlu N , Uslu BA
Published: December 2008

Contents

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of oestrus induction protocols on Kilis dairy goats kept on a goat farm situated close to Kilis, Turkey. Eighty goats were assigned randomly into four groups of 20 animals each in a factorial arrangement: (i) untreated control (CON), (ii) melatonin implant (MEL), (iii) CIDR‐G (CIDR) and (iv) melatonin implant plus CIDR‐G (MC). Experiments were performed in mid‐anoestrus season under natural photoperiod environment. The differences among treatment groups in oestrus response were significant. Oestrus response was higher in the MC group than in other groups (p < 0.05). A significant difference was observed in the time interval from cessation of treatment to the onset of oestrus among treatments. The CIDR‐G treatment reduced intervals from buck introduction to oestrus. The time to onset of oestrus in both the MC and CIDR groups was significantly shorter, compared with the MEL and CON groups (p < 0.05). The number of does kidding and fertility were not different among treatment groups (p > 0.05). Fecundity was similar among goats in all groups. Prolificacy and twining rates showed similar trends as fecundity rates, with no differences (p > 0.05) between treatments. The results of this study showed that oestrus in Kilis does can be effectively induced by using melatonin and CIDR combined treatment, and fertility will not be adversely affected. However, this treatment did not improve fecundity, prolificacy and twining rates.
Bacteria beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet
Authors: Lanoil Brian , Skidmore Mark , Priscu John C. , Han Sukkyun , Foo Wilson , Vogel Stefan W. , Tulaczyk Slawek , Engelhardt Hermann
Published: December 2008

Subglacial environments, particularly those that lie beneath polar ice sheets, are beginning to be recognized as an important part of Earth's biosphere. However, except for indirect indications of microbial assemblages in subglacial Lake Vostok, Antarctica, no sub‐ice sheet environments have been shown to support microbial ecosystems. Here we report 16S rRNA gene and isolate diversity in sediments collected from beneath the Kamb Ice Stream, West Antarctic Ice Sheet and stored for 15 months at 4°C. This is the first report of microbes in samples from the sediment environment beneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet. The cells were abundant (∼107 cells g−1) but displayed low diversity (only five phylotypes), likely as a result of enrichment during storage. Isolates were cold tolerant and the 16S rRNA gene diversity was a simplified version of that found in subglacial alpine and Arctic sediments and water. Although in situ cell abundance and the extent of wet sediments beneath the Antarctic ice sheet can only be roughly extrapolated on the basis of this sample, it is clear that the subglacial ecosystem contains a significant and previously unrecognized pool of microbial cells and associated organic carbon that could potentially have significant implications for global geochemical processes.
Prison's Dilemma: Do Education and Jobs Programmes Affect Recidivism?
Authors: SEDGLEY NORMAN H. , SCOTT CHARLES E. , WILLIAMS NANCY A. , DERRICK FREDERICK W.
Published: December 2008

This paper employs a hazard model to analyse the impact of education and two types of prison employment programmes on recidivism over a ten‐year period for 4515 prisoners released from Ohio prisons in 1992. Estimations with a Weibull mixture model and propensity score approach provide two means for investigating self‐selection bias. Selection bias is detected for participation in the most common prison job programme but has little effect on estimated marginal savings impacts of prison industry and education programmes. Estimates of the cost savings from postponing return to prison due to programme participation are provided. The potential for cost savings through decreasing or delaying return to prison is an important finding given the substantial and increasing cost of incarceration.
Global Risk, Investment and Emotions
Authors: BOSMAN RONALD , VAN WINDEN FRANS
Published: December 2008

We investigate a novel dynamic choice problem in an experiment where emotions are measured through self‐reports. The choice problem concerns the investment of an amount of money in a safe option and a risky option when there is a ‘global risk’ of losing all earnings, from both options, including any return from the risky option. Our key finding is that global risk canreducethe amount invested in the risky option. This result cannot be explained by Expected Utility or by its main contenders, Rank‐Dependent Utility and Cumulative Prospect Theory. An explanation is offered by taking account of emotions, using the emotion data from the experiment and recent psychological findings.
The Impact of Terrorism on the Defence Industry
Authors: BERREBI CLAUDE , KLOR ESTEBAN F.
Published: December 2008

This paper analyses the impact of terrorism on Israeli companies related to the defence, security or anti‐terrorism industries, relative to its impact on other companies. We match every Israeli company to the American company with the closest expected return among all the companies that belong to the same industry and trade in the same market, in order to isolate the effect of terrorism from other common industry shocks. The findings show that whereas terrorism had a significant negative impact of 5% on non‐defence‐related companies, it had a significantly positive overall effect of 7% on defence‐related companies.
THE STRATEGIC TIMING OF DIRECT DEMOCRACY
Authors: MEREDITH MARC
Published: December 2008

This paper focuses on the strategic timing of elections by agenda‐setters in direct democracy settings. Because concurrent elections affect turnout, scheduling referenda for different elections will produce different median voters. I hypothesize that agenda‐setters with power over the timing of a referendum will schedule the referendum in conjunction with the other set of races that produce a policy closest to their preferred outcome. Consistent with the theory, I show that Wisconsin school boards' use of special elections for school referenda are related to differences in the revealed preferences of voters in low‐ and high‐turnout elections.
Forces and Relations of Production in Early Medieval England
Authors: FAITH ROSAMOND
Published: December 2008

The economy of post‐Roman Britain entered a phase of abatement in which pastoralism played an important part. Common pasture and access to it underlay small regions within which the form of dominance practised by an emerging elite was neither antique nor feudal but akin to that of chieftains over clans. The mid‐Saxon emphasis on arable farming, which demanded heavier and more concentrated inputs of labour and capital, led to a more direct appropriation of peasant surplus and labour, the basis of the feudal mode of production.
Aristocracies, Peasantries and the Framing of the Early Middle Ages
Authors: BANAJI JAIRUS
Published: December 2008

This paper sets out to establish a general contrast between the traditions of agrarian bondage that characterized the West in the wake of the disintegration of the Roman empire and the peculiar vulnerability of the peasantry in the Byzantine, Sasanian and Islamic Near East. Within this general contrast between peasantries, I explore the differences between aristocracies in the late antique and post‐Roman worlds, date the beginnings of the medieval expansion to the seventh century, and advance a critique of the way Chris Wickham handles the relations of production of the early middle ages. I argue that there was both more coercion and more complexity in the use of labour than Wickham's characterization of a self‐managing peasantry suggests. The paper concludes by looking at some of the peculiarities of agrarian domination in the Near East.