bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Medical evacuation from the Lake Kutubu region of Papua New Guinea
Authors: Robins Anthony
Published: August 2010

Aims To review and analyse med ical evacuation data collected at the Chevron Niugini Ridge Hospital in the Lake Kutubu area of the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.

Setting The Kutubu oil field area in Southern Highlands Province including two camps and 51 local villages.

Methods Medical evacuation records spanning the four year period 1993–1997 were reviewed for the Lake Kutubu area. Patient origin, age, sex, diagnostic category, referral destination and transfer modality were analysed.

Results Seventy five percent of medical evacuations involved villagers. Trauma was the most common medical evacuation diagnostic category followed by complicated obstetric, respiratory and malaria diagnoses. Most medical evacuations (86%) were referred to the Ridge Hospital and Southern Highlands medical facilities. Methods of transport were evenly distributed between road, helicopter and fixed wing transfers. An above average number of medical evacuations occurred during November each year.

Conclusion Further trauma research in Papua New Guinea will allow health planners to address this important cause of medical evacuation. Papua New Guinea Governments should consider developing a formal medical evacuation network.
Food of the zebra finch (Poephila guttata), and an examination of granivory in birds of the Australian arid zone
Authors: MORTON S. R. , DAVIES P. H.
Published: August 2010

Birds are important granivores in the Australian arid zone, and this paper reviews their role by assembling available data on diet and habitat selection of the granivorous species occurring in the region. Paucity of dietary information is alleviated by a study of the food of the zebra finch (Poephila guttata) at two sites in the eastern arid zone. Zebra finches subsisted entirely on grass seeds of a relatively narrow specific range; 17 classes of seeds (at least 19 species) were eaten, but one class dominated the diet at each study site and only five classes (probably six species) were significant overall. Comparative information concerning granivorous species‐ suggested that the seeds of grasses and shrubs are of most importance in diets, that larger species tended to eat larger seeds from a wider variety of plants because of the addition of shrub species to the diet, and that Acacia shrublands contained most species. Characteristics of the arid zone that are of particular importance to granivorous birds appear to be the abundance of grasses and the patchy and erratic nature of the rainfall.
Patterns of air temperature and accumulation of snow in subalpine heathlands and grasslands on the Bogong High Plains, Victoria
Authors: WILLIAMS R. J.
Published: August 2010

On well drained sites in the subalpine tract of the Bogong High Plains, Victoria, the distribution of grassland, dominated by Poa spp., and closed heathland, dominated by Prostanthera cuneata, can be correlated with patterns of maximum and minimum air temperature, and the accumulation and persistence of snow. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are lower, and the accumulation and persistence of snow is less in grassland, the dominant community of gentle slopes and hollows, than in closed heathland, the dominant community on steeper, leeward slopes. On gentle slopes and in hollows, the development of closed heath may be limited by the accumulation of cold air, relatively low temperatures and exposure to strong winds. However, on leeward slopes where snow persists the longest (until mid‐late December), the development of heath may be limited by a shortening of the growing season. The distribution of grassland and heathland, especially the limits to the distribution of the heath, may also be affected by infrequent climatic events, such as the co‐incidence of unusually low temperatures during winters when snow cover is meagre.
Pre‐dispersal seed losses to insects in species of Leptospermum (Myrtaceae)
Authors: ANDERSEN ALAN N.
Published: August 2010

Pre‐dispersal seed losses to insects in species of Leptospermum at Wilson's Promontory in south‐eastern Australia varied markedly between species, seasons, sites and individuals. The proportion of fruits attacked by insects averaged 11% (range 3–37%) in populations of Leptospermum juniperinum, 23% (6–95%) in Leptospermum myrsinoides, 23% (0–47%) in Leptospermum laevigatum, and 28% (8–45%) in Leptospermum lanigerum. The proportion of seeds lost in attacked fruits also varied widely. Differences between species varied markedly from year to year, but differences between sites were relatively constant. Fruit production by L. myrsinoides was unusually low at most sites during 1984; in each case this coincided with unusually high rates of insect attack, suggesting that predator satiation operates during normal seasons.
Spatial analysis of a subalpine heath woodland
Authors: HATTON THOMAS J.
Published: August 2010

The horizontal spatial patterns of heath species have implications in dynamic community modelling, fire behaviour modelling and ecological interpretation. The distribution pattern of the dominant woody species in a subalpine heath woodland near Kiandra, New South Wales was analysed as spatial point processes. The species analysed wereBossiaea foliosa, Grevillea australis, Hakea lissosperma and Oxylobium ellipticum, and both large (>2m) and small (<2 m) snowgums(Eucalyptus pauciflora)They all exhibited significant aggregation at scales ranging from 1 to 15 m. Bivariate spatial analyses of these species revealed significant negative association betweenG. australis and H. lissosperma, between G. australis and O. ellipticum, and between O. ellipticum and H. lissosperma, B. foliosawas independently distributed with respect to other shrub species. There was some evidence for negative association between small snowgums and shrub species, though small snowgums were positively associated with large snowgums. The joint spatial distribution of the individuals of all shrub species was also aggregated. A Poisson cluster process was developed and tested to model the joint spatial pattern of the shrub stratum.
Molluscan grazing and macroalgal zonation on a rocky intertidal platform at Perth, Western Australia
Authors: SCHEIBLING ROBERT E.
Published: August 2010

AbstractIntertidal limestone platforms off Perth show a characteristic pattern of algal zonation, with dense macroalgal beds nearshore bounded by a ‘barren zone’ along the seaward edge. Abalone (Haliotis roei) and several species of limpets and chitons are abundant in the barren zone, which is generally devoid of non‐coralline macroalgae. The relative importance of abalone versus limpets and chitons in limiting macroalgal abundance in the barren zone was evaluated by manipulating the presence of each group in a factorial experiment. Percentage algal cover was measured photographically in 0.25m2plots at 1–2 month intervals for 9 months. Mean algal cover (mainly the foliose green alga,Ulva rigida) was highest in plots where all grazers were excluded (77–99%), intermediate where only limpets and chitons were excluded (37–85%), and lowest where only abalone were excluded (4–30%) or where no grazers were excluded (2–19%). The effect of limpets and chitons accounted for 55–89% of the variance in total algal cover, whereas the effect of abalone generally accounted for <10% of the variance. Similar results were obtained in terms of the biomass ofUlva rigidaat the end of the experiment.Haliotis roeiare relatively large and sedentary herbivores, feeding mainly on drift algae. Their effect on algal abundance was mediated both through pre‐emption of space, which might otherwise be colonized by algae, and by grazing around their home scar. Limpets and chitons are smaller than abalone, but were much more abundant. Intensive grazing of the reef surface by limpets and chitons precluded the establishment of non‐coralline macroalgae, even where abalone were absent.
Regional and local (road verge) effects on size and fecundity inBanksia menziesii
Authors: LAMONT BYRON B. , WRITTEN VICTORIA A. , WITKOWSKI E. T. F. , REES ROSEMARIE G. , ENRIGHT NEAL J.
Published: August 2010

AbstractBanksia menziesiiis a tree at the mesic end (Swan Coastal Plain) of its range and a shrub at the xeric end (Eneabba Plain). Plants at the xeric end produced, on average, as many cones, set 2.3 times as many seeds and stored 8.8 times as many viable seeds in the crown, as those at the mesic end. Plants on road verges had, on average, 2.5 times larger crowns than those at least 50 m further from the road. Road edge plants produced, on average, 2.5 times as many cones, set 3.1 times as many seeds and stored 3.7 times as many viable seeds as non‐edge plants. Greater fecundity at the xeric end, including the road verges, could help offset the greater incidence of adult deaths and the reduced likelihood of seedling recruitment after fire at Eneabba.
Interactive effects of shade and surface orientation on the recruitment of spirorbid polychaetes
Authors: Saunders R. J. , Connell S. D.
Published: August 2010

A series of observations and an experiment were carried out to test hypotheses about the effects of shade on the densities of spirorbid polychaetes (Neodexiospira spp.) on intertidal pneumatophores (mangrove roots) of Avicennia marina. Densities of spirorbids were greater on pneumatophores surrounded by seagrass (Zostera mucronata) than patches without seagrass. Within patches of seagrass, the density and survivorship of spirorbids on pneumatophores was greater near the substratum (covered by seagrass) than high above the substratum (not covered by seagrass). The model that these patterns of abundance are explained by greater recruitment of spirorbids to shaded surfaces was assessed. This was done by experimentally testing the hypothesis that recruitment to patches without seagrass would not differ between the upper (unshaded) and lower surfaces (unshaded) of clear plastic sheets, but would be greater on the lower surfaces (shaded) than upper surfaces (unshaded) of black plastic sheets. Recruitment was consistent with these predictions and therefore provided evidence that differences in densities of spirorbids between substrata with and without seagrass may be due largely to differences in shading.
The Impact of Board Independence and CEO Duality on Firm Performance: A Quantile Regression Analysis for Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand
Authors: Ramdani Dendi , Witteloostuijn Arjen van
Published: August 2010

We study the effect of board independence and CEO duality on firm performance for a sample of stock‐listed enterprises from Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand, applying quantile regression. Quantile regression is more powerful than classical linear regression since quantile regression can produce estimates for all conditional quantiles of the distribution of a response variable, whereas classical linear regression only estimates the conditional mean effects of a response variable. Moreover, quantile regression is better able to handle violations of the basic assumptions in classical linear regression. Our empirical evidence shows that the effect of board independence and CEO duality on firm performance is different across the conditional quantiles of the distribution of firm performance, something classical linear regression would leave unidentified. This finding suggests that estimating the quantile effect of a response variable can well be more insightful than estimating only the mean effect of the response variable. Additionally, we find a negative moderating effect of board size on the positive relationship between CEO duality and firm performance.
SmallWorlds: Visualizing Social Recommendations
Authors: Gretarsson Brynjar , O'Donovan John , Bostandjiev Svetlin , Hall Christopher , Höllerer Tobias
Published: August 2010

We present SmallWorlds, a visual interactive graph‐based interface that allows users to specify, refine and build item‐preference profiles in a variety of domains. The interface facilitates expressions of taste through simple graph interactions and these preferences are used to compute personalized, fully transparent item recommendations for a target user. Predictions are based on a collaborative analysis of preference data from a user's direct peer group on a social network. We find that in addition to receiving transparent and accurate item recommendations, users also learn a wealth of information about the preferences of their peers through interaction with our visualization. Such information is not easily discoverable in traditional text based interfaces. A detailed analysis of our design choices for visual layout, interaction and prediction techniques is presented. Our evaluations discuss results from a user study in which SmallWorlds was deployed as an interactive recommender system on Facebook.
Topographic Map Visualization from Adaptively Compressed Textures
Authors: Andujar C.
Published: August 2010

Raster‐based topographic maps are commonly used in geoinformation systems to overlay geographic entities on top of digital terrain models. Using compressed texture formats for encoding topographic maps allows reducing latency times while visualizing large geographic datasets. Topographic maps encompass high‐frequency content with large uniform regions, making current compressed texture formats inappropriate for encoding them. In this paper we present a method for locally‐adaptive compression of topographic maps. Key elements include a Hilbert scan to maximize spatial coherence, efficient encoding of homogeneous image regions through arbitrarily‐sized texel runs, a cumulative run‐length encoding supporting fast random‐access, and a compression algorithm supporting lossless and lossy compression. Our scheme can be easily implemented on current programmable graphics hardware allowing real‐time GPU decompression and rendering of bilinear‐filtered topographic maps.
Effective Techniques to Visualize Filament‐Surface Relationships
Authors: Kuß A. , Gensel M. , Meyer B. , Dercksen V. J. , Prohaska S.
Published: August 2010

Combined visualizations of filamentous structures and surrounding volumetric objects are common in biological and medical applications. Often, the structures' spatial relationships remain unclear to the viewer. In this paper, we discuss and evaluate techniques to emphasize spatial relationships. We concentrate on the visualization of transparent objects and intersecting lines. Among various techniques, participants of an exploratory user study preferred coloring of lines, marking of line‐surface intersections by glyphs, and the combination of both. These techniques were additionally evaluated in a confirmatory study in which participants were asked to judge whether a filament runs through a transparent structure. We found that the evaluated techniques significantly improve the participants' performance in terms of the number of correct responses and response time. The best performance was found for the combination of line coloring and intersection glyph display.
Out‐of‐Core Simplification and Crack‐Free LOD Volume Rendering for Irregular Grids
Authors: Du Zhiyan , Chiang Yi‐Jen
Published: August 2010

We propose a novel out‐of‐core simplification and level‐of‐detail (LOD) volume rendering algorithm for large irregular grids represented as tetrahedral meshes. One important feature of our algorithm is that it creates a space decomposition as required by I/O‐efficient simplification and volume rendering, and simplifiesboththeinternalandboundaryportions of the sub‐volumes progressively by edge collapses using the (extended) quadric error metric, while ensuring any selected LOD mesh to becrack‐free(i.e., any neighboring sub‐volumes in the LOD have consistent boundaries, and all the cells in the LOD do not have negative volumes), with all computations performed I/O‐ejficiently. This has been an elusive goal for out‐of‐core progressive meshes and LOD visualization, and our novel solution achieves this goal with atheoretical guaranteeto be crack‐free fortetrahedralmeshes. As for selecting a desirable LOD mesh for volume rendering, our technique supportsselective refinementLODs (where different places can have different error bounds), in addition to the basicuniformLODs (where the error bound is the same in all places). The proposedscalar‐value rangeandview‐dependent selectionqueries for selective refinement are especially effective in producing images of the highest quality with a much faster rendering speed. The experiments demonstrate the efficacy of our new technique.
Pluralism and Integrity
Authors: ELEFTHERIADIS PAVLOS
Published: August 2010

One of the theoretical developments associated with the law of the European Union has been the flourishing of legal and constitutional theories that extol the virtues of pluralism. Pluralism in constitutional theory is offered in particular as a novel argument for the denial of unity within a framework of constitutional government. This paper argues that pluralism fails to respect the value of integrity. It also shows that at least one pluralist theory seeks to overcome the incoherence of pluralism by implicitly endorsing monism. The integrity and coherence of European law is best preserved by considering that both the national legal order and the international or European legal orders adopt sophisticated views of their own limits.
BEYOND NEW PUBLIC MANAGEMENT: AGENCIFICATION AND REGULATORY REFORM IN NORWAY
Authors: Christensen Tom , Lie Amund , Lægreid Per
Published: August 2010

In this paper we describe some trends in the development of regulatory reform in general and the agency form in particular. The focus is on the case of Norway by describing the reform process and some lessons learned. We discuss the development through the prism of different theoretical lenses such as instrumental, cultural and institutional environmental features. Finally, we draw some conclusions and discuss possible future developments beyond New Public Management by using a linear, a cyclical and a dialectical scenario.
The mechanism of shell elevation in Haliotis (Mollusca: Gastropoda) and a consideration of the evolution of the hydrostatic skeleton in Mollusca
Authors: Trueman E. R. , Brown A. C.
Published: August 2010

Early in molluscan evolution, the development of a conical shell with shell or pedal retractor muscles led to the need of a mechanism for the extension of the foot or the raising of the shell. The forces generated during pedal retraction and extension have been studied in Haliotis midae, an easily obtainable and conveniently large archaeogastropod. In the mantle cavity, cephalopedal venous sinus and ventricle pressure pulses were observed during pedal retraction elicited by the shadow withdrawal reflex, but were never present during extension. However, pressure pulses were recorded in the proximal region of the columellar (or shell) muscle, both during retraction and pedal extension. Sections of this region of the muscle show a three dimensional network of muscle fibres, consisting of retractor fibres passing down to the foot and circumferential and radial fibres. Contraction of the two latter sets of fibres would bring about extension of the retractors, without the use of a discrete hydrostatic skeleton, and appears to be the principal mechanism of pedal extension. Similar muscular structures, here termed the muscular antagonistic system, have been observed in the columellar muscle of other gastropods and in the cephalopod mantle. In contrast, this system has not been observed in the proximal region of the pedal retractors of bivalves or scaphopods, for the pedal haemocoel, which allows muscular antagonism in the manner of a classical hydrostatic skeleton, has developed in association with the burrowing habit. The significance of the muscular antagonistic system in molluscan evolution is discussed.
Elastic properties of the hind foot of the Donkey, Equus asinus
Authors: Dimery Nicola J. , Alexander R. McN.
Published: August 2010

The elastic properties of the hind feet of Donkeys, and of tendons removed from the feet, have been investigated by methods similar to those used in a previous study of the forefoot. The elastic strain energy stored in the foot, during a trotting step, is calculated to be approximately the optimum which would minimize the work required of the muscles in this gait.
Mating behaviour and female choice: their relation to social structure in wild caught House mice (Mus musculus) housed in a semi‐natural environment
Authors: Wolff Robert J.
Published: August 2010

Mating behaviour and its relation to social structure was studied in two colonies of wild caught House mice (Mus musculus) housed in semi‐natural environments. In both colonies, one male was initially dominant to (chased) a number of subordinate males, and mated significantly more often than subordinate males. In time, younger males deposed the dominant male and set up defended areas in the observation room. Under this territorial social structure, only males who possessed defended areas mated. Females moved freely throughout the observation room, and chose high quality territories in which to deliver their litters. Females mated significantly more often with a) males in whose territories they delivered their litters and b) males who defended‘high quality’territories.
Quantitative estimation of islet tissue of pancreas in water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster)
Authors: Edwin Nalini
Published: August 2010

Pancreases from three male and three female adult water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster) were studied. Estimations of islet tissue mass and of individual cell types were made on paraffin sections of Bouin‐fixed tissue taken from head, neck, body and tail regions of the pancreas of each animal. Islet tissue mass was assessed using a linear scanning technique (Carpenter & Lazarow, 1962) on sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Specific cell types were assessed using a point‐intercept method (Weibel, Kistler & Scherle, 1966) on sections stained with aldehyde‐fuchsin for beta (β) cells, phosphotungstic acid haematoxylin for alpha (α) cells and an immunoperoxidase method for somatostatin for delta (δ) cells. Positive regional differences noted were a greater percentage proportion of islet tissue in the tail region and a lower proportion of a cells in the head region. Alpha cells were peripherally situated in the islets.

These results show some elements of agreement with a previously proposed hypothesis (Bonner‐Weir & Weir, 1979) regarding the general pattern of arrangement of the mammalian endocrine pancreas.
Dynamics of burrowing and pedal extension in Donax serra (Mollusca: Bivalvia)
Authors: Trueman E. R. , Brown A. C.
Published: August 2010

Donax serra burrows powerfully and rapidly in the same manner as other infaunal bivalves except that the turgidity of the foot is increased by a standing pressure of up to 3 kPa in the pedal haemocoel. The standing pressure, upon which probing and adduction pulses are superimposed, is derived from muscular tension acting on the blood in the pedal haemocoel, which is held at near constant volume by the closure of Keber's valve. Blood flow through the foot is thus reduced to a minimum at the time of maximal pedal activity and it is possible that pedal respiration is anaerobic during burrowing.

Extension of the foot is brought about by blood flow and antagonistic musclc action using blood in the pedal haemocoel as the fluid of a classical fluid‐muscle system. There is no evidence of the presence of a muscular antagonistic system causing pedal protraction as occurs in the columellar muscle of some cyrtosome molluscs.
Food of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis and S. elegans in the Ria de Vigo (NW Spain) (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)
Authors: Guerra A.
Published: August 2010

A study of the diet of Sepia officinalis and S. elegans in the Ria de Vigo has shown that crustaceans are the most abundant prey in both species, followed by fish. Changes in the food composition of both species occur with growth. The type of prey eaten by the two sexes of these species is very similar. The possibility of trophic competition between juveniles of S. qficinalis and S. elegans is discussed.
The biology and functional anatomy of Modiolarca tumida (Musculus marmoratus) Bivalvia: Mytilidae
Authors: Roberts D. , Breen J. P.
Published: August 2010

Modiolarca tumida (Hanley, 1843) is a member of the sub‐family Crenellinae (Mytilidae). The preferred habitat of the species is the test of certain ascidians. The shell is dorsally flattened, which prevents it from cutting into the test during dorso‐ventral contraction of the byssal retractors. The use of the byssus enables it to surround itself completely with host tissue. Adoption of the feeding posture involves the anterior‐posterior contraction of the byssal retractors, which elevates the posterior margin above the host's surface using the anterior margin as the fulcrum against the host. Modiolarca tumida are attracted by the tunicin of the host, a process probably facilitated by the host's feeding currents. The smallest individuals are found round the oral aperture. Colonization of other parts of the host may result from surface migration as M. tumida can be highly mobile, crawling by means of the very extensible foot. It is during this process that individuals may be swept away in local currents and be forced to adopt a free‐living existence.
Effects of diet on reproductive performance of the Bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus)
Authors: Alibhai S. K.
Published: August 2010

Laboratory experiments were carried out to test the effect of dietary supplements of fresh sprouted wheat on reproduction of the Bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus. One hundred and twenty females were divided into three groups at weaning: (a) group NSS (no sprout supplement), (b) group LSS (low sprout supplement) and (c) group HSS (high sprout supplement). Six‐ to seven‐week‐old females were paired with fertile males. Both groups on sprout supplement showed a significantly higher incidence of pregnancy in primiparous females (76%) compared with controls (NSS) (46%). Diet had no significant effect on the incidence of pregnancy in multiparous females. Control females had consistently higher mean litter sizes up to and including the fifth litter, compared with experimental females. Primiparous NSS females had the highest mean litter size and the experimental group HSS had the lowest. Differences in mean litter interval between groups were related to litter size (number of sucklings) rather than diet. The number of foetuses in utero had no effect on litter interval. The incidence of post‐partum conception was higher in group LSS as compared with groups HSS and NSS. Diet did not affect the mean number of young produced per female in a given time, or the percentage of young surviving to weaning. The results are discussed with reference to their implications regarding habitat suitability of C. glareolus.
Geographical variation in body weight and sexual size‐dimorphism of Norwegian moose (Alces alces)
Authors: Sæther B.‐E. , Haagenrud H.
Published: August 2010

Geographical variation in male carcass weight, and sexual dimorphism in size was studied in 19 populations of Norwegian moose (Alces alces(L.)).

Significant age‐specific variation in male carcass weight was found for all the populations studied up to the age of 4 1/2 years, but in some populations maximum weight was not reached until at least 5 1/2 years. Increase in the mean weight of females after the age of 2 1/2 years was not significant. Only a weak relationship existed between mean yearling and adult bull weights in a population. However, within both the southern (< 62°N) and northern (> 62°N) parts of the country, yearling carcass weight was a good predictor of adult bull weight in a region.

Adult bull weight in a region was best predicted from the increment in mean carcass weight observed between 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 years of age. Within a region, variation in age‐specific carcass weight between cohorts of bulls from different years was also well predicted from annual variation in growth increment.

Those patterns reveal a sexual difference in strategy of body growth. The adult weight of females is probably strongly determined by the weight gained by the time of onset of reproduction. The males have available a longer period for growth in body weight. They are therefore able to compensate for low weights early in life by increased gain of weight in later years, that provide good conditions for growth.

Geographical variation in the degree of sexual dimorphism in size correlated only poorly with adult male size. We suggest that the sexual size‐dimorphism is a result of reproductive constraints of the female, i.e. in populations living in poor conditions and having small body size, the onset of reproduction prevents further gain in body weight.
Quantitative estimation of islet tissue of pancreas in Spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis)
Authors: EDWIN NALINI
Published: August 2010

Pancreases from three male and three female adult Spinifex hopping mice (Notomys alexis) were studied. No correlation was found between pancreas weight and body weight. Estimations of islet tissue mass and of individual cell types were made on paraffin sections of Bouin‐fixed tissue taken from head, neck, body and tail regions of pancreas of each animal. Islet tissue mass was assessed using a linear scanning technique on sections stained with haematoxylin and eosin, and was compared with body weight. Specific cell types were assessed using a point‐intercept method, on aldehyde‐fuchsin‐stained sections for beta (β) cells, and on immunoperoxidase labelled sections for alpha (α) cells (glucagon) and delta (δ) cells (somatostatin). Positive regional differences noted were a greater proportion of islet tissue in the tail region, and a lower proportion of α cells in the head region. Alpha cells were peripherally situated in the islets.

These results show some elements of agreement with a previously proposed hypothesis regarding the general patterns of arrangement of the mammalian endocrine pancreas.
The burrow structure of the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.)
Authors: KOLB H. H.
Published: August 2010

Samples of rabbit burrows were excavated and measured at four areas around Edinburgh. Of these, 31 burrows over 2 m long were analysed for internal structural relationships and the effect of soil composition and slope of the ground on their form. Seven variables were measured for each burrow—total length, number of entrance holes, number of junctions, number of ends, average length of sections between holes, junctions and ends, average depth and maximum depth. There are three main trends in burrow variation—size, an inverse relationship between relative number of holes and average depth, and an inverse relationship between average section length and relative number of junctions. Burrows in sand have relatively fewer holes and junctions, longer element lengths, a higher average depth and three times the enclosed volume per hole. Burrows dug into slopes have a higher average depth. Areas differed significantly in the relative number of holes and junctions, and average depth. It was concluded that an apparently complex structure could be summarized in terms of relatively few components. The chief of these, size, was largely independent of the soil and site characteristics, whereas the remaining two were dependent on the soil in which the burrow was dug. This may have implications for the ecology and behaviour of rabbits in different areas, and is relevant to the success of some rabbit control procedures such as burrow fumigation and warren ripping.
Seasonality of some Chihuahuan Desert soil oribatid mites (Acari: Cryptostigmata)
Authors: Wallwork J. A. , Macquitty Miranda , Silva Solange , Whitford W. G.
Published: August 2010

1. Reproductive strategies of four species of oribatid mites were investigated in the Chihuahuan Desert from 1981 to 1984.

2. Breeding activity coincided with the summer rainfall period in three of the four cases: Passalozetes neomexicanus, P. californicus and Jornadia larreae. This pattern was not changed by the application of simulated rainfall at other times of the year. The strict seasonality of reproductive behaviour is interpreted as an outcome of strong selection pressure to recruit only when food quality and quantity and microclimate are most favourable.

3. Joshuella striata showed a more flexible pattern which was essentially bimodal. Periods of egg production occurred in winter and also during the summer rainfall period. This pattern is consistent with the known distribution of this species in winter‐ and summer‐rainfall deserts in south‐western USA.
Evolution and character congruence in some western Indian Ocean Phelsuma: Numerical analysis of biochemistry, shape and scalation
Authors: Thorpe R. S.
Published: August 2010

The evolution of five island populations of Green gecko, representing inter‐ and intra‐specific divergence, was studied using biochemical data, scalation and shape. The data were numerically analysed using ordination analyses for the phenetic classification and Wagner trees to hypothesize the phylogeny. These studies revealed three phenetic groups corresponding to three mono‐phyletic lineages. The numerical analysis of morphological data agreed with the numerical analysis of biochemical data. It is concluded that the classification based on biochemical affinities differed from the previous classification based on conventional analysis of morphology due to methodological and philosophical differences rather than differences between morphological and biochemical evolution.

The ordination analyses were very congruent between data sets (biochemical, shape, scalation, total) and the Wagner trees were generally congruent between data sets. Some Wagner trees based on scalation data were incongruent. The phenetic and cladistic classifications corresponded to each other but differed from the conventional classification. The phylogenetic analysis of the total data set indicated that the three specific lineages showed relatively equal anagenesis. However, anagenic divergence differed markedly between character types. It is suggested that a range of character types be used when studying anagenesis.
Home range sizes in the Wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus: habitat, sex and seasonal differences
Authors: Attuquayefio D. K. , Gorman M. L. , Wolton R. J.
Published: August 2010

This paper investigates home range sizes in the Wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus in two habitats of differing productivity; deciduous woodland and sand‐dunes. The ranges were measured by radio‐telemetry. The home ranges in the sand‐dunes were approximately circular whilst those in the woodland were much more complex in shape. At all seasons, the ranges in the sand‐dunes were much larger than those in the woodland. Male ranges were larger than female ranges, especially so in the breeding season. In the non‐breeding season, sexual differences in range sizes could be accounted for by the greater energy requirements of the larger males. During the breeding season, males expanded their ranges, probably in an attempt to find receptive females.
The biology of New Zealand and Queensland pirate spiders (Araneae, Mimetidae): aggressive mimicry, araneophagy and prey specialization
Authors: Jackson R. R. , Whitehouse Mary E. A.
Published: August 2010

Mimetus sp. indet. and Mimetus maculosus, from New Zealand and Australia, respectively, were studied in the laboratory and in nature. Behaviourally, the two species were very similar. Each was found to be primarily an araneophagic spider which invaded alien webs, acted as an aggressive mimic by performing a variety of vibratory behaviours to which the prey‐spider responded as it normally would to its own prey, and attacked by lunging at close range, subduing its victim with a strong, apparently spider‐specific venom while holding the spider in a ‘basket’ formed by its spine‐covered legs. In nature, these mimetids were observed to feed on a restricted range of spiders: orb web‐building araneids and space web‐building theridiids. Sometimes, they occupied other types of webs, but in the laboratory they captured only araneids and theridiids efficiently. They captured non‐cribellate amaurobiids considerably less efficiently, and never captured other types of spiders. Occasionally, the mimetids fed on insects ensnared in araneid and theridiid webs and on eggs of theridiids. Experimental evidence indicated that vision was of little or no importance in the predatory behaviour of these mimetids. The behaviour of the mimetids is compared to that of Portia, an araneophagic web‐invading salticid, and the results of this study are discussed in relation to hypotheses concerning salticid evolution.
Laying, development and hatching of eggs of the fish ectoparasite Argulus japonicus (Crustacea: Branchiura)
Authors: Shafir A. , As J. G. van
Published: August 2010

Egg laying of the fish‐louse Argulus japonicus was observed and examined experimentally. The effect of temperature on development time and hatching yielded an inverse exponential function. Hatching started after 61–10 days in a temperature span of 15–35 °C. Eggs are laid in strings on hard substrata and covered by a gelatinous material. Females lay between 1–9 strings, 5–226 eggs per string, arranged in 1–6 rows. Four embryonic developmental stages were recognized and the mean hatching efficiency was 50% in the optimal temperature range of 20–30 °C. Hatching efficiency was not related to either the number of eggs in a string or the total number of eggs laid by any particular female. Argulus japonicus displays continuous egg‐laying activity with a possibility of an overwintering mechanism which suggests a seasonality of a sort.
The life cycle, population dynamics and productivity of Melanoides tuberculata (Muller, 1774) (Gastropoda: Prosobranchia: Thiaridae) in Hong Kong
Authors: Dudgeon David
Published: August 2010

An investigation of the life cycle, population dynamics and secondary productivity of the viviparous snail Melanoides tuberculuta inhabiting flooded furrows and irrigation ditches at Ping Long, New Territories, Hong Kong, was undertaken between March 1982 and March 1983. There was a single peak in juvenile recruitment coinciding with the warmer months; hatchlings grew quickly and were sexually mature before the next breeding season. Large animals experienced high mortality and few individuals survived until a second breeding season. Secondary productivity and the production: biomass (P:B) ratio of the population (13.43 g shell–free dry weight m−2 yr−1 and 4.81, respectively) were high and exceeded values of these parameters recorded for freshwater prosobranch populations in temperate regions. Ping Long M. tuberculata were exclusively female, as is typical of most populations of this species. Animals > 3.0 mm shell width (90–120 days old) had eggs and developing larvae in the brood pouch, and fully–developed larvae were recorded from brood pouches throughout the study although release of hatchlings was distinctly seasonal.

A comparison of life cycle parameters of Malaysian M. turberculata with those of the Ping Long population revealed a marked similarity. The significance of such similarity and the importance of parthenogenicity in the life cycle of this widely distributed snail is discussed. Melanoides tuberculata exhibits the characteristics of an opportunist or ‘fugitive’ species and, by virtue of its reproductive strategies and high productivity, is able to colonize rapidly and temporarily dominate vacant habitats.
Towards population genomics of effector–effector target interactions
Authors: Terauchi Ryohei , Yoshida Kentaro
Published: August 2010

Pathogen–plant host coevolutionary interactions exert strong natural selection on both organisms, specifically on the genes coding for effectors (pathogens), as well as on those coding for effector targets and R proteins (plant hosts). Natural selection leaves behind DNA sequence signatures on such genes and on linked genomic regions. These signatures can readily be detected by studying the patterns of intraspecies polymorphisms and interspecies divergence of the DNA sequences. Recent developments in DNA sequencing technology have made whole‐genome studies on patterns of DNA polymorphisms : divergence possible. This type of analysis, called ‘population genomics’, appears to be powerful enough to identify novel effector–effector target genes. Here, we provide an overview of the statistical tools used for population genomics and their applications. This is followed by a brief review of evolutionary studies on plant genes involved in host–pathogen interactions. Finally we provide an example from our study onMagnaporthe oryzae.
Inhibition of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein δ expression by chrysin in microglial cells results in anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects
Authors: Gresa‐Arribas Núria , Serratosa Joan , Saura Josep , Solà Carme
Published: August 2010

J. Neurochem. (2010) 115, 526–536.

The control of neuroinflammation is a potential target to be considered in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. It is therefore important to find anti‐inflammatory drugs and study new targets that inhibit neuroinflammation. We designed an experimental model of neuroinflammation in vitro to study the anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of the flavonoid chrysin and the involvement of nuclear factor‐κB p65 and CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) β and δ transcription factors in its mechanism of action. We used primary cultures of mouse embryonic cortical neurons and cultures of BV2 (murine microglial cell line) or mouse primary microglia. We induced neuronal death in neuronal‐BV2/microglial co‐cultures using lipopolysaccharide of Escherichia coli and interferon‐γ. Chrysin pre‐treatment inhibited nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor‐α production, as well as inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in lipopolysaccharide E. coli and interferon‐γ‐treated microglial cells, but did not affect cyclooxygenase‐2 expression. Chrysin pre‐treatment also protected neurons against the neurotoxicity induced by reactive microglial cells. These effects were associated to a decrease in C/EBPδ protein level, mRNA expression, and DNA‐binding activity, with no effect on C/EBPβ and p65 nuclear protein levels or DNA‐binding activity, pointing out C/EBPδ as a possible mediator of chrysin effects. Consequently, C/EBPδ is a possible target to act against neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative processes.
Proportions of Native and Introduced Brown Trout in Adjacent Fished and Unfished Spanish Rivers
Authors: García‐Marín J. L. , Sanz N. , Pla C.
Published: August 2010

Evidence of different degrees of genetic interactions of exogenous hatchery fish with native populations was electrophoretically obtained from collections of brown trout from four heavily fished areas and eight adjacent protected and unfished areas in northeastern Spain. Although some degree of hybridization or introgression was detected in each collection based on fixed differences between hatchery and native fish at the LDH‐C * locus and less distinct differences were found at three other loci (sMDH‐A2*, IDHP‐2*, IDHP‐3*), fished populations had significantly lower levels of hatchery genes than protected ones. The greater persistence of native fish in areas that were fished and stocked appeared to reflect a greater susceptibility of hatchery‐reared fish to angling. Although it remains uncertain whether this difference is innate or a reflection of hatchery rearing, stocking was ineffective in enhancing the recipient population in the exploited river. These data suggest that different strategies may be needed for protection of native populations in fished and protected areas and that more intense measures may be required in the latter instance.

Proporciones de Trucha Común Nativa e Introducida en Ríos Españoles Adyacentes Sometidos o No a Explotación Pesquera

A partir del análisis electroforético de muestras de trucha común de cuatro áreas sometidas a un régimen intensivo de pesca y ocho áreas adyacentes protegidas y sin actividad pesquera, se han obtenido evidencias de diferentes grados de interacción genética entre los peces producidos en los centros piscícolas y las poblaciones nativas del noreste de España. En cada muestra se constató algún grado de hibridación o introgresión en base a las diferencias conocidas entre los peces de piscifactoría y los nativos, fijadas en el locus LDH‐C * y menores en otros tres loci (sMDH‐A2*, IDHP‐2*, IDHP‐3*). Sin embargo, los niveles de genes típicos de los centros piscícolas fueron significativamente inferiores en las poblaciones sometidas a explotación pesquera respecto a aquellos observados en las áreas protegidas. Esta mayor persistencia de los genes nativos en las áreas sometidas a explotación, y por ello más intensamente repobladas, parece reflejar una mayor susceptibilidad de los peces criados en los centros piscícolas a ser capturados. A pesar de que es aún incierto si esta diferencia es innata o un reflejo del manejo en el centro piscícola, sí resulta claro que la repoblación se mostró ineficaz para aumentar las poblaciones en los ríos explotados. Los resultados sugieren la necesidad de utilizar diferentes estrategias para la protección de las poblaciones nativas en los zonas pesqueras y en las protegidas, y que en estas últimas serían necesarias medidas más intensas.
Management Costs for Endangered Species
Authors: Wilcove David S. , Chen Linus Y.
Published: August 2010

Many locations protected on behalf of endangered species require active management to maintain their long‐term suitability for the species in question. This need is especially acute for those endangered species threatened by alien species or the disruption of natural fire disturbance regimes. Efforts to secure adequate funding for habitat management have been hampered by the lack of cost information on a national or regional level. Based on published data and interviews with over 160 scientists and land managers, we estimate that the cost of managing currently occupied habitats of U.S. endangered species threatened by alien species or the disruption of fire regimes totals at least $32–42 million per year (1997 $U.S.). Without this level of support or more, approximately 60% of U.S. endangered species could face continued declines or extinction, even if their habitats are nominally protected.

Costos del Manejo de Especies Amenazadas

Muchas localidades protegidas a nombre de especies amenazadas requieren de un manejo activo para mantener la sustentabilidad a largo plazo de las especies en cuestión. Esta necesidad es especialmente aguda para aquellas especies amenazadas por especies invasoras o por la disrupción de los regimenes de perturbaciones naturales ocasionadas por incendios. Los esfuerzos para asegurar los fondos adecuados para el manejo del hábitat han sido obstaculizados por la carencia de información referente a los costos tanto a nivel nacional como de región. En base a datos publicados y entrevistas con más de 160 científicos y manejadores, estimamos que los costos de manejo de hábitats actualmente ocupados por especies amenazadas, por especies invasoras o por la disrupción de los regimenes de incendios naturales totaliza por lo menos de $32 a $42 millones por año. Sin este nivel de apoyo, aproximadamente 60% de las especies amenazadas de los Estados Unidos podría enfrentar disminuciones continuas, aún si sus hábitats se encuentran protegidos en teoría.