bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hereditary topological diagonalizations and the Menger-Hurewicz Conjectures
Authors: Bartoszyński Tomek , Tsaban Boaz
Published: October 2005

We consider the question of which of the major classes defined by topological diagonalizations of open or Borel covers is hereditary. Many of the classes in the open case are not hereditary already in ZFC, and none of them are provably hereditary. This is in contrast with the Borel case, where some of the classes are provably hereditary. Two of the examples are counter-examples of sizes

d

\mathfrak {d}

and

b

\mathfrak {b}

, respectively, to the Menger and Hurewicz Conjectures, and one of them answers a question of Steprans on perfectly meager sets.
On the determination of a measure by the orbits generated by its logarithmic potential
Authors: Betsakos Dimitrios , Grigoriadou Simela
Published: October 2005

We say that a logarithmic potential generates a curve in the plane if a unit mass traces the curve under the action of the potential. We consider the following problem: A one-parameter family of plane curves is given. We assume that these curves lie in the complement of a compact set

K
K

. Find all measures supported in

K
K

whose potentials generate each of the given curves. We solve this problem when

K
K

is the unit circle in three specific cases: (a) when the given curves are straight lines through the origin, (b) when the curves are straight lines through a point on the unit circle, and (c) when the curves are circles centered at the origin. The solution involves the Poisson integral and its boundary behavior.
Maximality theorems for Fréchet algebras
Authors: Čučković Željko , Rao N.
Published: October 2005

The algebra of unbounded holomorphic functions

⋂

p
≥
1

H
p

(
∂

D

)

\bigcap _{p \geq 1}H^p(\partial \mathbb {D})

that is contained in the algebra

⋂

p
≥
1

L
p

(
∂

D

)

\bigcap _{p \geq 1}L^p(\partial \mathbb {D})

is studied. For

f
f

in

⋂

p
≥
1

L
p

(
∂

D

)

\bigcap _{p \geq 1}L^p(\partial \mathbb {D})

but not in

⋂

p
≥
1

H
p

(
∂

D

)

\bigcap _{p \geq 1}H^p(\partial \mathbb {D})

, we show that the algebra generated by

⋂

p
≥
1

H
p

(
∂

D

)

\bigcap _{p \geq 1}H^p(\partial \mathbb {D})

and

f
f

is dense in

L
p

(
∂

D

)

L^p(\partial \mathbb {D})

for all

p
≥
1

p \geq 1

.
Functional equations involving means and their Gauss composition
Authors: Daróczy Zoltán , Maksa Gyula , Páles Zsolt
Published: October 2005

In this paper the equivalence of the two functional equations\[<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="f left-parenthesis upper M 1 left-parenthesis x comma y right-parenthesis right-parenthesis plus f left-parenthesis upper M 2 left-parenthesis x comma y right-parenthesis right-parenthesis equals f left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis plus f left-parenthesis y right-parenthesis left-parenthesis x comma y element-of upper I right-parenthesis">f(M1(x,y))+f(M2(x,y))=f(x)+f(y)(x,y∈I)f(M_1(x,y))+f(M_2(x,y))=f(x)+f(y) \qquad (x,y\in I)\]and\[<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="2 f left-parenthesis upper M 1 circled-times upper M 2 left-parenthesis x comma y right-parenthesis right-parenthesis equals f left-parenthesis x right-parenthesis plus f left-parenthesis y right-parenthesis left-parenthesis x comma y element-of upper I right-parenthesis">2f(M1⊗M2(x,y))=f(x)+f(y)(x,y∈I)2f(M_1\otimes M_2(x,y))=f(x)+f(y) \qquad (x,y\in I)\]is studied, whereM1M_1andM2M_2are two variable strict means on an open real intervalII, andM1⊗M2M_1\otimes M_2denotes their Gauss composition. The equivalence of these equations is shown (without assuming further regularity assumptions on the unknown functionf:I→Rf:I\to \mathbb {R}) for the cases whenM1M_1andM2M_2are the arithmetic and geometric means, respectively, and also in the case whenM1M_1,M2M_2, andM1⊗M2M_1\otimes M_2are quasi-arithmetic means. IfM1M_1andM2M_2are weighted arithmetic means, then, depending on the algebraic character of the weight, the above equations can be equivalent and also non-equivalent to each other.
A deformation of quaternionic hyperbolic space
Authors: Kerr Megan
Published: October 2005

We construct a continuous family of new homogeneous Einstein spaces with negative Ricci curvature, obtained by deforming from the quaternionic hyperbolic space of real dimension 12. We give an explicit description of this family, which is made up of Einstein solvmanifolds which share the same algebraic structure (eigenvalue type) as the rank one symmetric space

H

H
3

\mathbf {H}H^3

. This deformation includes a continuous family of new homogeneous Einstein spaces with negative sectional curvature.
A formula and a congruence for Ramanujan’s 𝜏-function
Authors: Papanikolas Matthew
Published: October 2005

We determine formulas for Ramanujan’s

τ
\tau

-function and for the coefficients of modular forms on

Γ
0

(
2
)

\Gamma _0(2)

in terms of finite field

3

F
2

{}_3F_2

-hypergeometric functions. Using these formulas we obtain a new congruence of

τ
(
p
)

(
mod

11
)

\tau (p) \pmod {11}

.
On the period function of planar systems with unknown normalizers
Authors: Sabatini M.
Published: October 2005

A necessary and sufficient condition for the period function’s monotonicity on a period annulus is given. The approach is based on the theory of normalizers, but is applicable without actually knowing a normalizer. Some applications to polynomial and Hamiltonian systems are presented.
Non-commutative metric topology on matrix state space
Authors: Wu Wei
Published: October 2005

We present an operator space version of Rieffel’s theorem on the agreement of the metric topology, on a subset of the Banach space dual of a normed space, from a seminorm with the weak*-topology. As an application we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the matrix metric from an unbounded Fredholm module to give the BW-topology on the matrix state space of theC∗C^*-algebra. Motivated by recent results we formulate a non-commutative Lipschitz seminorm on a matrix order unit space and characterize those matrix Lipschitz seminorms whose matrix metric topology coincides with the BW-topology on the matrix state space.
Representation of contractively complemented Hilbertian operator spaces on the Fock space
Authors: Neal Matthew , Russo Bernard
Published: October 2005

The operator spaces

H
n
k

H_n^k

,

1
≤
k
≤
n

1\le k\le n

, generalizing the row and column Hilbert spaces, and arising in the authors’ previous study of contractively complemented subspaces of

C
∗

C^*

-algebras, are shown to be homogeneous and completely isometric to a space of creation operators on a subspace of the anti-symmetric Fock space. The completely bounded Banach-Mazur distance from

H
n
k

H_n^k

to a row or column space is explicitly calculated.
Regularity of coboundaries for nonuniformly expanding Markov maps
Authors: Gouëzel Sébastien
Published: October 2005

We prove that solutions

u
u

of the equation

f
=
u
−
u
∘
T

f=u-u\circ T

are automatically Hölder continuous when

f
f

is Hölder continuous and

T
T

is nonuniformly expanding and Markov. This result applies in particular to Young towers and to intermittent maps.
Contraction ratios for graph-directed iterated constructions
Authors: Das Manav
Published: October 2005

We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for a graph-directed iterated function system to be strictly contracting.
Phantom depth and flat base change
Authors: Epstein Neil
Published: October 2005

We prove that if

f
:
(
R
,

m

)
→
(
S
,

n

)

f: (R,\mathfrak {m}) \rightarrow (S,\mathfrak {n})

is a flat local homomorphism,

S

/

m

S

S/\mathfrak {m} S

is Cohen-Macaulay and

F
F

-injective, and

R
R

and

S
S

share a weak test element, then a tight closure analogue of the (standard) formula for depth and regular sequences across flat base change holds. As a corollary, it follows that phantom depth commutes with completion for excellent local rings. We give examples to show that the analogue does not hold for surjective base change.
Random holomorphic iterations and degenerate subdomains of the unit disk
Authors: Keen Linda , Lakic Nikola
Published: October 2005

Given a random sequence of holomorphic maps

f
1

,

f
2

,

f
3

,
…

f_1,f_2,f_3,\ldots

of the unit disk

Δ
\Delta

to a subdomain

X
X

, we consider the compositions
\[

F
n

=

f
1

∘

f

2

∘
…

f

n
−
1

∘

f
n

.

F_n=f_1 \circ f_{2} \circ \ldots f_{n-1} \circ f_n.

\]
The sequence

{

F
n

}

\{F_n\}

is called the iterated function system coming from the sequence

f
1

,

f
2

,

f
3

,
…
.

f_1,f_2,f_3,\ldots .

We prove that a sufficient condition on the domain

X
X

for all limit functions of any

{

F
n

}

\{F_n\}

to be constant is also necessary. We prove that the condition is a quasiconformal invariant. Finally, we address the question of uniqueness of limit functions.
Hyperelliptic curves over 𝔽₂ of every 2-rank without extra automorphisms
Authors: Zhu Hui
Published: October 2005

We prove that for any pair of integers

0
≤
r
≤
g

0\leq r\leq g

such that

g
≥
3

g\geq 3

or

r
>
0

r>0

, there exists a (hyper)elliptic curve

C
C

over

F

2

\mathbb {F}_2

of genus

g
g

and

2
2

-rank

r
r

whose automorphism group consists of only identity and the (hyper)elliptic involution. As an application, we prove the existence of principally polarized abelian varieties

(
A
,
λ
)

(A,\lambda )

over

F

2

\mathbb {F}_2

of dimension

g
g

and

2
2

-rank

r
r

such that

Aut
⁡
(
A
,
λ
)
=
{
±
1
}

\operatorname {Aut}(A,\lambda )=\{\pm 1\}

.
Compact perturbations of 𝑚-accretive operators in Banach spaces
Authors: Morales Claudio
Published: October 2005

This paper continues a discussion that arose twenty years ago, concerning the perturbation of an

m
m

-accretive operator by a compact mapping in Banach spaces. Indeed, if

A
A

is

m
m

-accretive and

g
g

is compact, then the boundary condition

t
x
∉
A
(
x
)
g
(
x
)

tx \notin A(x)g(x)

for

x
∈
∂
G
∩
D
(
A
)

x \in \partial G \cap D(A)

and

t
>
0

t>0

implies that

0
0

is in the closure of the range of

A
+
g

A+g

. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this result is the proof itself, which does not appeal to the classical degree theory argument used for this type of problem.
The von Neumann-Jordan constant, weak orthogonality and normal structure in Banach spaces
Authors: Jiménez-Melado Antonio , Llorens-Fuster Enrique , Saejung Satit
Published: October 2005

We give some sufficient conditions for normal structure in terms of the von Neumann-Jordan constant, the James constant and the weak orthogonality coefficient introduced by B. Sims. In the rest of the paper, the von Neumann-Jordan constant and the James constant for the Bynum space

ℓ

2
,
∞

\ell _{2,\infty }

are computed, and are used to show that our results are sharp.
Angular self-intersections for closed geodesics on surfaces
Authors: Pollicott Mark , Sharp Richard
Published: October 2005

In this note we consider asymptotic results for self-intersections of closed geodesics on surfaces for which the angle of the intersection occurs in a given arc. We do this by extending Bonahon’s definition of intersection forms for surfaces.
K-ras4B and Prenylated Proteins Lacking “Second Signals” Associate Dynamically with Cellular Membranes
Authors: Silvius John R. , Bhagatji Pinkesh , Leventis Rania , Terrone Donato
Published: October 2005

We have used fluorescence microscopy and the technique of rapamycin-regulated protein heterodimerization to examine the dynamics of the subcellular localizations of fluorescent proteins fused to lipid-modified protein sequences and to wild-type and mutated forms of full-length K-ras4B. Singly prenylated or myristoylated fluorescent protein derivatives lacking a “second signal” to direct them to specific subcellular destinations, but incorporating a rapamycin-dependent heterodimerization module, rapidly translocate to mitochondria upon rapamycin addition to bind to a mitochondrial outer membrane protein incorporating a complementary heterodimerization module. Under the same conditions analogous constructs anchored to the plasma membrane by multiply lipid-modified sequences, or by a transmembrane helix, show very slow or no transfer to mitochondria, respectively. Interestingly, however, fluorescent protein constructs incorporating either full-length K-ras4B or its plasma membrane-targeting sequence alone undergo rapamycin-induced transfer from the plasma membrane to mitochondria on a time scale of minutes, demonstrating the rapidly reversible nature of K-ras4B binding to the plasma membrane. The dynamic nature of the plasma membrane targeting of K-ras4B could contribute to K-ras4B function by facilitating redistribution of the protein between subcellular compartments under particular conditions.
Specific Translocation of Protein Kinase Cα to the Plasma Membrane Requires Both Ca2+and PIP2Recognition by Its C2 Domain
Authors: Evans John H. , Murray Diana , Leslie Christina C. , Falke Joseph J.
Published: October 2005

The C2 domain of protein kinase Cα (PKCα) controls the translocation of this kinase from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane during cytoplasmic Ca2+signals. The present study uses intracellular coimaging of fluorescent fusion proteins and an in vitro FRET membrane-binding assay to further investigate the nature of this translocation. We find that Ca2+-activated PKCα and its isolated C2 domain localize exclusively to the plasma membrane in vivo and that a plasma membrane lipid, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), dramatically enhances the Ca2+-triggered binding of the C2 domain to membranes in vitro. Similarly, a hybrid construct substituting the PKCα Ca2+-binding loops (CBLs) and PIP2binding site (β-strands 3–4) into a different C2 domain exhibits native Ca2+-triggered targeting to plasma membrane and recognizes PIP2. Conversely, a hybrid containing the CBLs but lacking the PIP2site translocates primarily to trans-Golgi network (TGN) and fails to recognize PIP2. Similarly, PKCα C2 domains possessing mutations in the PIP2site target primarily to TGN and fail to recognize PIP2. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the CBLs are essential for Ca2+-triggered membrane binding but are not sufficient for specific plasma membrane targeting. Instead, targeting specificity is provided by basic residues on β-strands 3–4, which bind to plasma membrane PIP2.
Cyclic GMP-specific Phosphodiesterase-5 Regulates Motility of Sea Urchin Spermatozoa
Authors: Su Yi-Hsien , Vacquier Victor D.
Published: October 2005

Motility, chemotaxis, and the acrosome reaction of animal sperm are all regulated by cyclic nucleotides and protein phosphorylation. One of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) substrates in sea urchin sperm is a member of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) family. The molecular identity and in vivo function of this PDE remained unknown. Here we cloned and characterized this sea urchin sperm PDE (suPDE5), which is an ortholog of human PDE5. The recombinant catalytic domain of suPDE5 hydrolyzes only cyclic GMP (cGMP) and the activity is pH-dependent. Phospho-suPDE5 localizes mainly to sperm flagella and the phosphorylation increases when sperm contact the jelly layer surrounding eggs. In vitro dephosphorylation of suPDE5 decreases its activity by ∼50%. PDE5 inhibitors such as Viagra block the activity of suPDE5 and increase sperm motility. This is the first PDE5 protein to be discovered in animal sperm. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that suPDE5 regulates cGMP levels in sperm, which in turn modulate sperm motility.
CAN NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND CLOSE THE GAPS IN PASS RATES ON STANDARDIZED TESTS?
Authors: HOERANDNER CLAUS M. , LEMKE ROBERT J.
Published: October 2005

No Child Left Behind is the most recent federal legislation aimed at eliminating perceived achievement gaps across sociodemographic groups of students in the United States. This article quantifies the degree to which the worst‐performing schools can be expected to narrow these gaps by increasing spending to purchase inputs according to better‐performing schools. Using data on elementary schools in Illinois, the authors find that 30–50% of the gap is due to uncontrollable school characteristics, such as the racial composition of students. Characteristics that schools can control, such as hiring more teachers, account for 10–25% of the gap. (JEL I21, I22, I23)
WELFARE‐IMPROVING PRIVATIZATION POLICY IN THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY
Authors: LEE SANG‐HO
Published: October 2005

This article considers the vertical structure of the telecommunications industry and examines the welfare effects of privatization on the public enterprise, where the public enterprise supplies the essential network service of the upstream market and competes against private, independent firms in a mixed downstream market. It is shown that the cost advantage of the independent rivals improves welfare postprivatization. Several relevant and current policy issues on the process of privatization in the telecommunications industry are also discussed. (JEL L50, D42)
Can Homeopathic Arsenic Remedy Combat Arsenic Poisoning in Humans Exposed to Groundwater Arsenic Contamination?: A Preliminary Report on First Human Trial
Authors: Khuda-Bukhsh Anisur Rahman , Pathak Surajit , Guha Bibhas , Karmakar Susanta Roy , Das Jayanta Kumar , Banerjee Pathikrit , Biswas Surjyo Jyoti , Mukherjee Partha , Bhattacharjee Nandini , Choudhury Sandipan Chaki , Banerjee Antara , Bhadra Suman , Mallick Palash , Chakrabarti Jayati , Mandal Biswapati
Published: October 2005

Groundwater arsenic (As) has affected millions of people globally distributed over 20 countries. In parts of West Bengal (India) and Bangladesh alone, over 100 million people are at risk, but supply of As‐free water is grossly inadequate. Attempts to remove As by using orthodox medicines have mostly been unsuccessful. A potentized homeopathic remedy, Arsenicum Album‐30, was administered to a group of As affected people and thereafter the As contents in their urine and blood were periodically determined. The activities of various toxicity marker enzymes and compounds in the blood, namely aspartate amino transferase, alanine amino transferase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione, were also periodically monitored up to 3 months. The results are highly encouraging and suggest that the drug can alleviate As poisoning in humans.
Marine lake ecosystem dynamics illustrate ENSO variation in the tropical western Pacific
Authors: Martin Laura E , Dawson Michael N , Bell Lori J , Colin Patrick L
Published: October 2005

Understanding El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and its biological consequences is hindered by a lack of high-resolution, long-term data from the tropical western Pacific. We describe a preliminary, 6 year dataset that shows tightly coupled ENSO-related bio-physical dynamics in a seawater lake in Palau, Micronesia. The lake is more strongly stratified during La Niña than El Niño conditions, temperature anomalies in the lake co-vary strongly with the Niño 3.4 climate index, and the abundance of the dominant member of the pelagic community, an endemic subspecies of zooxanthellate jellyfish, is temperature associated. These results have broad relevance because the lake: (i) illustrates an ENSO signal that is partly obscured in surrounding semi-enclosed lagoon waters and, therefore, (ii) may provide a model system for studying the effects of climate change on community evolution and cnidarian–zooxanthellae symbioses, which (iii) should be traceable throughout the Holocene because the lake harbours a high quality sediment record; the sediment record should (iv) provide a sensitive and regionally unique record of Holocene climate relevant to predicting ENSO responses to future global climate change and, finally, (v) seawater lake ecosystems elsewhere in the Pacific may hold similar potential for past, present, and predictive measurements of climate variation and ecosystem response.
Strategic sperm allocation under parasitic sex-ratio distortion
Authors: Dunn Alison M , Andrews Tara , Ingrey Hannah , Riley Joanna , Wedell Nina
Published: October 2005

Parasitic sex-ratio distorters are a major selective force in the evolution of host mating behaviour and mate choice. Here, we investigate sperm limitation in the amphipod
Gammarus duebeni
and the impact of the microsporidian sex-ratio distorter
Nosema granulosis
on sperm allocation strategies. We show that males become sperm limited after three consecutive matings and provide uninfected, high fecundity, females with more sperm than infected females. We show that sperm limitation leads to a decrease in female productivity. The outcome of sex-ratio distortion has been shown theoretically to be sensitive to the mating limits of males. Our results indicate that strategic sperm allocation under male rarity will have a greater impact on infected females and has the potential to regulate spread of parasitic feminisers in host populations.
Interfacial energetics of globular–blood protein adsorption to a hydrophobic interface from aqueous-buffer solution
Authors: Krishnan Anandi , Liu Yi-Hsiu , Cha Paul , Allara David , Vogler Erwin A
Published: October 2005

Adsorption isotherms of nine globular proteins with molecular weight (MW) spanning 10–1000 kDa confirm that interfacial energetics of protein adsorption to a hydrophobic solid/aqueous-buffer (solid–liquid, SL) interface are not fundamentally different than adsorption to the water–air (liquid–vapour, LV) interface. Adsorption dynamics dampen to a steady-state (equilibrium) within a 1 h observation time and protein adsorption appears to be reversible, following expectations of Gibbs' adsorption isotherm. Adsorption isotherms constructed from concentration-dependent advancing contact angles
θ
a
of buffered-protein solutions on methyl-terminated, self-assembled monolayer surfaces show that maximum advancing spreading pressure,

, falls within a relatively narrow

band characteristic of all proteins studied, mirroring results obtained at the LV surface. Furthermore,
Π
a
isotherms exhibited a ‘Traube-rule-like’ progression in MW similar to the ordering observed at the LV surface wherein molar concentrations required to reach a specified spreading pressure
Π
a
decreased with increasing MW. Finally, neither Gibbs' surface excess quantities [
Γ
sl
−
Γ
sv
] nor
Γ
lv
varied significantly with protein MW. The ratio {[
Γ
sl
−
Γ
sv
]/
Γ
lv
}∼1, implying both that
Γ
sv
∼0 and chemical activity of protein at SL and LV surfaces was identical. These results are collectively interpreted to mean that water controls protein adsorption to hydrophobic surfaces and that the mechanism of protein adsorption can be understood from this perspective for a diverse set of proteins with very different composition.
Vortex wakes generated by robinsErithacus rubeculaduring free flight in a wind tunnel
Authors: Hedenström A , Rosén M , Spedding G.R
Published: October 2005

The wakes of two individual robins were measured in digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) experiments conducted in the Lund wind tunnel. Wake measurements were compared with each other, and with previous studies in the same facility. There was no significant individual variation in any of the measured quantities. Qualitatively, the wake structure and its gradual variation with flight speed were exactly as previously measured for the thrush nightingale. A procedure that accounts for the disparate sources of circulation spread over the complex wake structure nevertheless can account for the vertical momentum flux required to support the weight, and an example calculation is given for estimating drag from the components of horizontal momentum flux (whose net value is zero). The measured circulations of the largest structures in the wake can be predicted quite well by simple models, and expressions are given to predict these and other measurable quantities in future bird flight experiments.
World-wide whale worms? A new species ofOsedaxfrom the shallow north Atlantic
Authors: Glover Adrian G , Källström Björn , Smith Craig R , Dahlgren Thomas G
Published: October 2005

We describe a new species of the remarkable whalebone-eating siboglinid worm genus,Osedax, from a whale carcass in the shallow north Atlantic, west of Sweden. Previously only recorded from deep-sea (1500–3000 m) whale-falls in the northeast Pacific, this is the first species ofOsedaxknown from a shelf-depth whale-fall, and the first from the Atlantic Ocean. The new species,Osedax mucoflorissp. n., is abundant on the bones of an experimentally implanted Minke whale carcass (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) at 125 m depth in the shallow North Sea.O. mucofloriscan be cultured on bones maintained in aquaria. The presence ofO. mucoflorisin the shallow North Sea and northeast Pacific suggests global distribution on whale-falls for theOsedaxclade. Molecular evidence from mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 (CO1) and 18S rRNA sequences suggests thatO. mucoflorishas high dispersal rates, and provides support for the idea of whale-falls acting as ‘stepping-stones’ for the global dispersal of siboglinid annelids over ecological and evolutionary time.
Functional versatility supports coral reef biodiversity
Authors: Bellwood D.R , Wainwright P.C , Fulton C.J , Hoey A.S
Published: October 2005

We explore the role of specialization in supporting species coexistence in high-diversity ecosystems. Using a novel ordination-based method to quantify specialist and generalist feeding structures and diets we examined the relationship between morphology and diet in 120 wrasses and parrotfishes from the Great Barrier Reef. We find that wrasses, despite their morphological diversity, exhibit weak links between morphology and diet and that specialist morphologies do not necessarily equate to specialized diets. The dominant pattern shows extensive overlap in morphology (functional morphospace occupation) among trophic groups; fish with a given morphology may have a number of feeding modes. Such trophic versatility may lay the foundation for both the origins and maintenance of high biodiversity on coral reefs.
The energy costs of sexual dimorphism in mole-rats are morphological not behavioural
Authors: Scantlebury M , Speakman J.R , Bennett N.C
Published: October 2005

Different reproductive strategies of males and females may lead to the evolution of differences in their energetic costs of reproduction, overall energetic requirements and physiological performances. Sexual dimorphism is often associated with costly behaviours (e.g. large males might have a competitive advantage in fighting, which is energetically expensive). However, few studies of mammals have directly compared the energy costs of reproductive activities between sexes. We compared the daily energy expenditure (DEE) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) of males and females of two species of mole-rat,Bathyergus janettaandGeorychus capensis(the former is sexually dimorphic in body size and the latter is not) during a period of intense digging when males seek females. We hypothesized that large body size might be indicative of greater digging or fighting capabilities, and hence greater mass-independent DEE values in males of the sexually dimorphic species. In contrast to this prediction, although absolute values of DEE were greater inB. janettamales, mass-independent values were not. No differences were apparent between sexes inG. capensis. By comparison, although RMR values were greater inB. janettathanG. capensis, no differences were apparent between the sexes for either species. The energy cost of dimorphism is most likely to be the cost of maintenance of a large body size, and not the cost of behaviours performed when an individual is large.
Farm Scale Evaluations of spring-sown genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops: a statistical assessment
Authors: Clark Suzanne J , Rothery Peter , Perry Joe N
Published: October 2005

Primary results from the Farm Scale Evaluations (FSEs) of spring-sown genetically modified herbicide-tolerant crops were published in 2003. We provide a statistical assessment of the results for count data, addressing issues of sample size (
n
), efficiency, power, statistical significance, variability and model selection. Treatment effects were consistent between rare and abundant species. Coefficients of variation averaged 73% but varied widely. High variability in vegetation indicators was usually offset by large
n
and treatment effects, whilst invertebrate indicators often had smaller
n
and lower variability; overall, achieved power was broadly consistent across indicators. Inferences about treatment effects were robust to model misspecification, justifying the statistical model adopted. As expected, increases in
n
would improve detectability of effects whilst, for example, halving
n
would have resulted in a loss of significant results of about the same order. 40% of the 531 published analyses had greater than 80% power to detect a 1.5-fold effect; reducing
n
by one-third would most likely halve the number of analyses meeting this criterion. Overall, the data collected vindicated the initial statistical power analysis and the planned replication. The FSEs provide a valuable database of variability and estimates of power under various sample size scenarios to aid planning of more efficient future studies.
Differential gene expression and phenotypic plasticity in behavioural castes of the primitively eusocial wasp,Polistes canadensis
Authors: Sumner Seirian , Pereboom Jeffrey J.M , Jordan William C
Published: October 2005

Understanding how a single genome can produce a variety of different phenotypes is of fundamental importance in evolutionary and developmental biology. One of the most striking examples of phenotypic plasticity is the female caste system found in eusocial insects, where variation in reproductive (queens) and non-reproductive (workers) phenotypes results in a broad spectrum of caste types, ranging from behavioural through to morphological castes. Recent advances in genomic techniques allow novel comparisons on the nature of caste phenotypes to be made at the level of the genes in organisms for which there is little genome information, facilitating new approaches in studying social evolution and behaviour. Using the paper waspPolistes canadensisas a model system, we investigated for the first time how behavioural castes in primitively eusocial insect societies are associated with differential expression of shared genes. We found that queens and newly emerged females express gene expression patterns that are distinct from each other whilst workers generally expressed intermediate patterns, as predicted byPolistesbiology. We compared caste-associated genes inP. canadensiswith those expressed in adult queens and workers of more advanced eusocial societies, which represent four independent origins of eusociality. Nine genes were conserved across the four taxa, although their patterns of expression and putative functions varied. Thus, we identify several genes that are putatively of evolutionary importance in the molecular biology that underlies a number of caste systems of independent evolutionary origin.
An empirical test of partner choice mechanisms in a wild legume–rhizobium interaction
Authors: Simms Ellen L , Taylor D. Lee , Povich Joshua , Shefferson Richard P , Sachs J.L , Urbina M , Tausczik Y
Published: October 2005

Mutualisms can be viewed as biological markets in which partners of different species exchange goods and services to their mutual benefit. Trade between partners with conflicting interests requires mechanisms to prevent exploitation. Partner choice theory proposes that individuals might foil exploiters by preferentially directing benefits to cooperative partners. Here, we test this theory in a wild legume–rhizobium symbiosis.

Rhizobial bacteria inhabit legume root nodules and convert atmospheric dinitrogen (N
2
) to a plant available form in exchange for photosynthates. Biological market theory suits this interaction because individual plants exchange resources with multiple rhizobia. Several authors have argued that microbial cooperation could be maintained if plants preferentially allocated resources to nodules harbouring cooperative rhizobial strains. It is well known that crop legumes nodulate non-fixing rhizobia, but allocate few resources to those nodules. However, this hypothesis has not been tested in wild legumes which encounter partners exhibiting natural, continuous variation in symbiotic benefit.

Our greenhouse experiment with a wild legume,
Lupinus arboreus
, showed that although plants frequently hosted less cooperative strains, the nodules occupied by these strains were smaller. Our survey of wild-grown plants showed that larger nodules house more
Bradyrhizobia
, indicating that plants may prevent the spread of exploitation by favouring better cooperators.
Cladogenetic correlates of genomic expansions in the recent evolution of actinopterygiian fishes
Authors: Mank Judith E , Avise John C
Published: October 2005

Genomic expansions via regional gene duplications and polyploidization events have been implicated as catalysts for rapid cladogenetic speciation in some fish taxa, but any general relationships between genome sizes and patterns of evolutionary radiation remain poorly characterized. Here we examine empirical correlations between genome size and species richness (number of extant species within a given clade) both across Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) and within several large actinopterygiian clades. We conducted the analyses both without and with correction (by independent contrasts) for phylogenetic effects. Across the full suite of 461 surveyed genera, relatively small but significant positive correlations were present between species richness and evolutionary increases inC-value. Although many variables (including ecological and behavioural factors) clearly can influence speciation rates, the current results are consistent with the notion that genomic architecture may play a role in species proliferation as well.
Properties of higher order stochastic cycles
Authors: Trimbur Thomas M.
Published: October 2005

Abstract.  This article investigates a general class of stochastic cycles, presenting the main properties in the time and frequency domains. Harvey and Trimbur [Review of Economics and statistics (2003) Vol. 85, pp. 244–55] showed how generalized cyclical processes may be used in unobserved components models to extract smoother cycles in economic series. The stochastic cycle models allow for a flexible description of periodic behaviour in time series data. In the frequency domain, a wide variety of peaked spectral shapes, characteristic of time‐varying cyclical dynamics, is produced. The parameters have a direct interpretation, so cyclical behaviour may be studied directly; in a Bayesian approach, the researcher may implement prior views on the period in a consistent way. Extensions to multivariate models are possible.
Changes in body mass and organ size during wing moult in non‐breeding greylag geese Anser anser
Authors: Fox Anthony D. , Kahlert Johnny
Published: October 2005

The “cost‐benefit” hypothesis states that specific body organs show mass changes consistent with a trade‐off between the importance of their function and cost of their maintenance. We tested four predictions from this hypothesis using data on non‐breeding greylag geese Anser anser during the course of remigial moult: namely that (i) pectoral muscles and heart would atrophy followed by hypertrophy, (ii) leg muscles would hypertrophy followed by atrophy, (iii) that digestive organs and liver would atrophy followed by hypertrophy and (iv) fat depots be depleted. Dissection of geese captured on three different dates during wing moult on the Danish island of Saltholm provided data on locomotory muscles and digestive organ size that confirmed these predictions. Locomotory organs associated with flight showed initial atrophy (a maximum loss of 23% of the initial pectoral muscle mass and 37% heart tissue) followed by hypertrophy as birds regained the powers of flight. Locomotory organs associated with running (leg muscles, since geese habitually run to the safety of water from predator‐type stimuli) showed initial hypertrophy (a maximum gain of 37% over initial mass) followed by atrophy. The intestines and liver showed initial atrophy (41% and 37% respectively), consistent with observed reductions in daily time spent feeding during moult, followed by hypertrophy. The majority of the 22% loss in overall body mass (mean 760 g) during the flightless period involved fat utilisation, apparently consumed to meet shortfalls between daily energetic needs and observed rates of exogenous intake. The results support the hypothesis that such phenotypic plasticity in size of fat stores, locomotor and digestive organs can be interpreted as an evolutionary adaptation to meet the conflicting needs of the wing moult.
Blue structural coloration of male eastern bluebirdsSialia sialispredicts incubation provisioning to females
Authors: Siefferman Lynn , Hill Geoffrey E.
Published: October 2005

Plumage coloration has been suggested to serve as an honest signal of benefits that males provide to females. One benefit proposed for females that choose to mate with elaborately colored males is that such males might provide more food resources to the females. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the relationship between the rates at which males provisioned incubating females and the structural ultraviolet (UV)/blue coloration and melanin‐based chestnut coloration of male eastern bluebirdsSialia sialis, a sexually dichromatic songbird in which coloration has been shown to be sexually selected in males. We found that males with brighter UV/blue coloration provisioned incubating females more often than did drabber males. Melanin coloration, however, was not correlated with provisioning rates. Moreover, provisioning rates were correlated with the length of time that females spent off the nest, indicating an important benefit of increased male provisioning. These data support the hypothesis that female bluebirds receive direct resource benefits by pairing with males with bright structural coloration.
No evidence of extra‐pair paternity in the little aukAlle alle
Authors: T. Lifjeld Jan , M. A. Harding Ann , Mehlum Fridtjof , Øigarden Trond
Published: October 2005

Extra‐pair paternity is typically rather infrequent in seabirds, as in most other long‐lived and socially monogamous birds. Here we report the first paternity study of the little aukAlle alle, a high arctic seabird which raises only a single chick per year. Parentage was determined using three highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. We found that all 26 chicks in our sample were true genetic offspring of their social parents, with an upper 95% confidence limit of 10.88% for the frequency of extra‐pair paternity. This level of extra‐pair paternity is not significantly different from frequencies reported from the closely related commonUria aalgeand Brünnich's guillemotsU. lomvia.
Involvement of distal airways in a chronic model of experimental asthma
Authors: Wegmann M. , Fehrenbach H. , Fehrenbach A. , Held T. , Schramm C. , Garn H. , Renz H.
Published: October 2005

Background
Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and airway remodelling which occurs in both proximal and distal airways. These changes are associated with development of airway hyper‐responsiveness and airflow limitation.

Objective
This study was aimed to analyse whether chronic inhalative allergen challenges in mice lead to morphological and physiological changes comparable with this phenotype.

Methods
For this purpose, BALB/c mice were systemically sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) followed by aerosol allergen challenges on 2 consecutive days per week for 12 weeks.

Results
In chronically challenged mice, tissue inflammation in proximal as well as distal airways was observed with a predominance of lymphocytes within the cellular infiltrate. In contrast, inflammation in the airway lumen decreased over time. These changes were associated by a shift in bronchoalveolar lavage–cytokine levels from IL‐4, IL‐5 and TNF‐α production (during the acute phase) towards markedly increased levels of TGF‐β during the chronic phase. Goblet cell hyperplasia and subepithelial fibrosis occurred throughout the airway tree. In terms of lung function, chronically challenged mice developed persistent bronchial hyper‐responsiveness and progressive airflow limitation. Six weeks after OVA aerosol discontinuation, airway inflammation still persisted although lung function was normalized.

Conclusion
These data indicate that our model of chronic aerosol allergen challenges leads to a phenotype of experimental asthma with participation of distal airways and persistence of inflammation thereby resembling many morphological and physiological aspects of human bronchial asthma.
Eosinophil chemoattractants in the middle ear of patients with eosinophilic otitis media
Authors: Iino Y. , Kakizaki K. , Katano H. , Saigusa H. , Kanegasaki S.
Published: October 2005

Background
Patients with intractable otitis media associated with bronchial asthma have an extensive accumulation of eosinophils in the effusion and mucosa of the middle ear; this condition is called eosinophilic otitis media (EOM). It remained to be determined how eosinophils accumulate in the middle ear.

Objectives
To clarify the pathogenesis of middle ear diseases, we measured the concentration of eosinophil chemoattractants in middle ear effusion (MEE), and carried out immunohistochemical studies of middle ear mucosa specimens to demonstrate the expression of eosinophil chemoattractants.

Methods
Middle ear effusion samples were obtained from 15 EOM patients with bronchial asthma and from six controls for the measurement of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), IL‐5, eotaxin and regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted concentrations. Middle ear mucosa samples were also taken from 14 EOM patients and 16 controls for immunohistochemical study. In 10 EOM patients, the numbers of immunoreactive cells as well as apoptotic cells were determined before and after the topical application of triamcinolone acetonide into the middle ear.

Results
In EOM, significantly higher ECP and IL‐5 concentrations were detected in MEE than in serum, and ECP, IL‐5 and eotaxin concentrations in MEE were higher in the EOM patients than in the controls. ECP concentration positively correlated with that of IL‐5. Immunohistochemically, the numbers of cells positive for EG2 and ecalectin were significantly higher in the EOM patients than in the controls. After the topical application of triamcinolone acetonide, the numbers of infiltrating cells and immunoreactive cells distinctly decreased, whereas the number of apoptotic cells significantly increased.

Conclusion
In EOM, locally produced IL‐5 may play a crucial role in the accumulation of eosinophils in the middle ear. Chemokines such as ecalectin and eotaxin are also produced in the middle ear, and help activate and enhance the survival of eosinophils to induce the intractable condition in the middle ear. The topical application of triamcinolone acetonide induces the apoptosis of not only eosinophils but also eosinophil chemoattractant‐producing cells, thereby improving the middle ear condition.
Mouse allergen‐specific immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin G4 and allergic symptoms in immunoglobulin E‐sensitized laboratory animal workers
Authors: Matsui E. C. , Diette G. B. , Krop E. J. M. , Aalberse R. C. , Smith A. L. , Curtin‐Brosnan J. , Eggleston P. A.
Published: October 2005

Background
High levels of allergen‐specific IgG have been associated with clinical efficacy in immunotherapy studies, but whether this antibody isotype is associated with clinical tolerance in the setting of environmental exposure remains unclear.

Objective
To determine if mouse allergen‐specific IgG (mIgG) and IgG4 (mIgG4) levels are associated with mouse‐related symptoms among IgE‐sensitized laboratory workers.

Methods
Fifty‐eight workers with either skin test or serologic evidence of IgE‐mediated mouse sensitization were studied. Symptom data were obtained by a questionnaire. Serum levels of mouse‐specific IgG, IgG4, and IgE were quantified by a solid‐phase antigen‐binding assay (IgG) and RAST (IgG4 and IgE), and the relationships between mouse‐specific serologic responses and mouse‐related symptoms were analysed.

Results
Twenty‐three (39.7%) participants reported mouse‐related symptoms. Mouse‐specific IgG and IgG4 levels were not associated with mouse‐related symptoms among the study population as a whole. Among the 29 (50%) participants with detectable mouse‐specific IgE (mIgE), higher mouse‐specific IgG and IgG4 levels were associated with a decreased risk of symptoms, after adjusting for mIgE level (odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.1–1.4, and OR 0.3, 95% CI: 0.04–2.6, respectively). Higher levels of mIgG and mIgG4 remained associated with a decreased risk of symptoms after additional adjustment for sex and handling of mice (OR 0.1, 95% CI: 0.02–0.7, and OR 0.2, 95% CI: 0.02–2.1, respectively). Higher mIgG : IgE and mIgG4 : IgE ratios were also associated with a decreased risk of symptoms after adjusting for these confounders (OR 0.1, 95% CI: 0.02–0.7, and OR 0.2, 95% CI: 0.02–0.92, respectively).

Conclusion
Among workers with detectable mIgE, higher mIgG and mIgG4 levels are associated with a decreased risk of mouse‐related symptoms. High serum levels of mIgG or mIgG4 may be markers for clinical tolerance among laboratory mouse workers with detectable mIgE, but these findings need to be confirmed in larger, prospective studies.
Bronchial matrix and inflammation respond to inhaled steroids despite ongoing allergen exposure in asthma
Authors: De Kluijver J. , Schrumpf J. A. , Evertse C. E. , Sont J. K. , Roughley P. J. , Rabe K. F. , Hiemstra P. S. , Mauad T. , Sterk P. J.
Published: October 2005

Background
Inflammatory and structural changes of the airway mucosa are chronic features of asthma. The mechanisms underlying these changes and their modulation by steroid prophylaxis have not been clarified.

Objective
We postulated that asymptomatic ongoing allergen exposure could drive airway inflammation as well as changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM), and that inhaled steroids could prevent this.

Methods
Therefore, we exposed patients with mild asthma to 2 weeks of repeated low‐dose allergen, with concomitant inhaled steroid or placebo treatment. Bronchial biopsies, which were taken before and after this exposure, were stained and digitally analysed. The ECM proteins in asthmatics were also compared with a normal control group.

Results
Low‐dose allergen exposure alone resulted in a significant increase of bronchial epithelial macrophages. Despite ongoing allergen exposure, inhaled steroids reduced the numbers of mucosal eosinophils, neutrophils and T lymphocytes. At baseline, the mean density of the proteoglycans (PGS) biglycan and decorin were, respectively, higher and lower in the bronchial mucosa of asthmatics as compared with normal controls. Steroid treatment, during allergen exposure, increased the mean density of the PGS biglycan and versican.

Conclusion
We conclude that chronic allergen exposure induces inflammatory changes in the bronchial mucosa. Despite ongoing allergen exposure, steroid treatment decreases mucosal inflammatory cells while altering PG density. The latter observation highlights the need to examine steroid‐induced changes closely in the airway structure in patients with asthma.