bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal Detoxification in Freshwater Animals. Roles of Metallothioneins
Authors: Campbell Peter G. C. , Hare Landis
Published: March 2009

In laboratory experiments with a variety of aquatic animals, the toxicity of non-essential metals normally exhibits a threshold response. At low exposure concentrations (low internal doses), the organism can detoxify the incoming metal and thus tolerate the exposure, whereas at higher concentrations, i.e., above some threshold, the detoxification mechanism is no longer able to protect the organism completely, the incoming metal binds to metal-sensitive sites within the cell, and deleterious effects begin to occur. Several metal-detoxification strategies have been identified in laboratory experiments, including metal sequestration in insoluble granules and metal complexation by metallothionein or metallothionein-like peptides (MTLP), but the ability of these mechanisms to prevent metals from binding to metal-sensitive sites in the intracellular environment has not been rigorously tested in field situations.

In this chapter we briefly summarize the laboratory evidence supporting the threshold model for metal toxicity and then present the results of our field studies on chronically exposed freshwater animals (Pyganodon grandis, a unionid bivalve mollusc; Perca flavescens, a percid fish), studies that were designed to test the threshold model under field conditions. The two biomonitor species were collected from lakes located along a metal concentration gradient, as defined by ambient dissolved metal concentrations. Subcellular metal partitioning was determined in target organs (bivalve gills and digestive gland; perch liver) by differential centrifugation, and MTLP were measured independently by a mercury saturation assay. From these studies we extract evidence for the inadequacy of the threshold model in the case of chronic/life-long metal exposures (i.e., evidence for incomplete detoxification even at low metal exposures in the field). We speculate that under chronic exposure conditions the animals establish a trade-off between the “cost” of detoxifying non-essential metals and the “cost” of allowing some of these metals to spill over onto metal-sensitive sites. Finally, we discuss the implications of the apparent absence of an exposure threshold below which metal detoxification is complete.
Thioredoxins and Glutaredoxins. Functions and Metal Ion Interactions
Authors: Horst Lillig Christopher , Berndt Carsten
Published: March 2009

Thioredoxins and glutaredoxins represent the major cellular systems for the reduction of protein disulfides and protein de-glutathionylation, respectively. These two systems are involved in many aspects of human health, for instance as electron donors of metabolic enzymes and by controlling and maintaining the cellular redox state. The members of this protein family are characterized by a common structural motif, the thioredoxin fold. This basic architecture consists of a central four-stranded β-sheet surrounded by three α-helices. During the past few years accumulating evidence suggests a close relationship between these redoxins, most of all the glutaredoxins, and the cellular iron pool. Today we know that the thioredoxin fold cannot only be utilized for specific protein-protein interactions but also for interactions with metals, for instance iron-sulfur centers. Within this chapter, we summarize these recent findings and discuss the potential physiological implications of these metal interactions.
Medical and Surgical Evaluation Prior to Pediatric Cochlear Implantation
Authors: Adunka Oliver F. , Buchman Craig A.
Published: March 2009

The evaluation of children for cochlear implantation requires a multidisciplinary effort among several groups of professionals. Given the recent trend towards very early identification of hearing loss, clinicians have begun to evaluate these children and make intervention recommendations in the first few months of life. In addition to an accurate audiological assessment, a search for the etiology of the hearing loss as well as associated medical conditions is critical and frequently affects the management paradigm. The evaluation usually requires a number of studies, including imaging of the temporal bones and brain, electrocardiograms, genetic testing, and careful review of medical records. The timely identification, and management of, confounding otological problems such as otitis externa and otitis media is frequently needed. This presentation will focus on an otologist's perspective in the multidisciplinary evaluation prior to the implantation process.
Pediatric Assessment of Nonlinguistic Sound Perception: A Look Back and a Look Ahead to a Pediatric Nonlinguistic Sounds Test
Authors: Inverso Yell
Published: March 2009

The overwhelming majority of test measures to assess adult and pediatric cochlear implant candidacy, efficacy, and progress are based on speech perception. Nonlinguistic sounds have received comparatively little attention, despite their central importance for incidental learning, daily living and environmental sound awareness. The purpose of this review is to: 1. Highlight the importance of nonlinguistic sound perception, 2. Discuss currently available pediatric nonlinguistic sound perception profiles and behavioral measures, and 3. Describe both the Nonlinguistic Sounds Test (NLST) for adults and adolescents as well as the pediatric Picture-identification Nonlinguistic sounds Inventory for Children (PicNIC).
Effects of edge passivation by hydrogen on electronic structure of armchair graphene nanoribbon and band gap engineering
Authors: Lu Y. H. , Wu R. Q. , Shen L. , Yang M. , Sha Z. D. , Cai Y. Q. , He P. M. , Feng Y. P.
Published: March 2009

We investigated effects of hydrogen passivation of edges of armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs) on their electronic properties using first-principles method. The calculated band gaps of the AGNRs vary continually over a range of 1.6 eV as a function of a percentage of sp3-like bonds at the edges. This provides a simple way for band gap engineering of graphene as the relative stability of sp2 and sp3-like bonds at the edges of the AGNRs depends on the chemical potential of hydrogen gas, and the composition of the sp2 and sp3-like bonds at the edges of the AGNRs can be easily controlled experimentally via temperature and pressure of H2 gas.
Effectiveness of p-dopants in an organic hole transporting material
Authors: Lee Jae-Hyun , Leem Dong-Seok , Kim Hyong-Jun , Kim Jang-Joo
Published: March 2009

We investigated the effectiveness of p-dopants to generate holes in a hole transporting material by comparing the absorption in visible-near-infrared and infrared regions and current density-voltage characteristics. CuI, MoO3, and ReO3 having different work functions were doped in a hole transporting organic material, 4,4′,4″-tris(N-(2-naphthyl)-N-phenylamino)-triphenylamine (2TNATA). Formation of charge transfer (CT) complexes increases linearly with increasing doping concentration for all the dopants. Dopants with higher work function (ReO3>MoO3>CuI) are more effective in the formation of CT complexes and in the generation of the charges in the doped films.
Polarization field mapping of Al0.85In0.15N/AlN/GaN heterostructure
Authors: Zhou Lin , Cullen David A. , Smith David J. , McCartney Martha R. , Mouti Anas , Gonschorek M. , Feltin E. , Carlin J. F. , Grandjean N.
Published: March 2009

Off-axis electron holography has been used to measure the built-in potential profile across an Al0.85In0.15N/AlN/GaN high electron mobility transistor heterostructure. Profile measurements indicated a polarization-induced electric field of 6.9 MV/cm within the AlN layer. A two-dimensional electron gas with a density of ∼2.1×1013 cm−2 was located in the GaN layer at ∼0.8 nm away from the AlN/GaN interface in reasonable agreement with the reported simulations. Electron microscopy confirmed that the Al0.85In0.15N layer was uniform and that Al0.85In0.15N/AlN and AlN/GaN interfaces were abrupt and well defined.
Influence of a transverse magnetic field on arc root movements in a dc plasma torch: Diamagnetic effect of arc column
Authors: Kim Keun Su
Published: March 2009

The effect of a transverse magnetic field on the anodic arc root movement inside a dc plasma torch has been investigated. The arc voltage fluctuation, which represents the degree of the arc instability, was reduced to 28.6% of the original value and the high frequency components in the voltage signal also decreased in their magnitudes. The inherent arc instability in a dc thermal plasma torch seems to be suppressed by a diamagnetic effect of the arc column. Furthermore, the measured voltage wave forms indicated that the arc root attachment mode would be controllable by a transverse magnetic field.
Anisotropic electron spins in self-assembled quantum dots
Authors: Sheng Weidong
Published: March 2009

Electron g-factors in self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dots are studied theoretically by means of a tight-binding method. The anisotropy in the electron g-factor, induced by the band-mixing effect, is found to be much more sensitive to the chemical composition of the dot than the aspect ratio of the structure. The modulus of the vertical electron g-factor is usually seen smaller than the in-plane component in pure InAs dots while the situation could be reversed in highly intermixing InGaAs dots. A microscopic theory is presented to reveal the dependence of the anisotropy in the electron g-factor on the proportion of the valence-band components in the electronic states. Our study indicates the possibility of tuning electron g-factor anisotropy in quantum dots.
Formation energies of antisite defects in Y3Al5O12: A first-principles study
Authors: Liu Bo , Gu Mu , Liu Xiaolin , Huang Shiming , Ni Chen
Published: March 2009

We perform the first-principles calculations for the formation energies of cation antisite defects in Y3Al5O12. This method provides precise values of formation energy and thus allows us to estimate the defect concentration. The calculations show that YAl,16a is the most predominant antisite defects at high temperature for the single crystal growth and its concentration significantly decreases at low temperature for the single-crystalline film preparation. The calculated defect concentrations are quantitatively accord with the experimental estimation. AlY has high formation energy even with excess Al2O3, which indicates AlY is energetically unfavorable and the defect process is not intrinsic but nonstoichiometry.
Assessing the Impact of Policy Interventions: The Influence of Evaluation Methodology
Authors: Greene Francis J
Published: March 2009

Using the case of the Prince's Trust, the preeminent UK youth enterprise programme, I investigate how different evaluation methodologies generate radically different evidence of the impact of the programme. The key result is that simpler forms of evaluation tend to provide positive support for this programme, whereas more sophisticated evaluations are not so positive. I discuss the implications of this for the way stakeholders should view evaluations. I urge caution about the claims made for programmes that receive only lighter forms of evaluation.
Evidence of ultraviolet type mutations in xeroderma pigmentosum melanomas
Authors: Wang Yun , DiGiovanna John J. , Stern Jere B. , Hornyak Thomas J. , Raffeld Mark , Khan Sikandar G. , Oh Kyu-Seon , Hollander M. Christine , Dennis Philip A. , Kraemer Kenneth H.
Published: March 2009

To look for a direct role of ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure in cutaneous melanoma induction, we studied xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) patients who have defective DNA repair resulting in a 1000-fold increase in melanoma risk. These XP melanomas have the same anatomic distribution as melanomas in the general population. We analyzed laser capture microdissection samples of skin melanomas from XP patients studied at the National Institutes of Health. The tumor suppressor gene
PTEN
was sequenced and analyzed for UV-induced mutations. Samples from 59 melanomas (47 melanomas in situ and 12 invasive melanomas) from 8 XP patients showed mutations in the
PTEN
tumor suppressor gene in 56% of the melanomas. Further, 91% of the melanomas with mutations had 1 to 4 UV type base substitution mutations (occurring at adjacent pyrimidines) (
P
< 0.0001 compared to random mutations). We found a high frequency of amino-acid-altering mutations in the melanomas and demonstrated that these mutations impaired PTEN function; UV damage plays a direct role in induction of mutations and in inactivation of the
PTEN
gene in XP melanomas including in situ, the earliest stage of melanoma. This gene is known to be a key regulator of carcinogenesis and therefore these data provide solid mechanistic support for UV protection for prevention of melanoma.
Cesarean scar pregnancies successfully treated with methotrexate
Authors: MURAJI MIHO , MABUCHI SEIJI , HISAMOTO KOJI , MURANISHI MARIKO , KANAGAWA TAKESHI , NISHIO YUKIHIRO , KIMURA TADASHI
Published: March 2009

Three cases of cesarean scar pregnancy successfully treated with methotrexate are described. The diagnosis was confirmed by transvaginal sonographic examinations showing a well‐formed gestational sac in the myometrium of the lower uterine segment. Initial treatment with a systemic injection of 50 mg of methotrexate was not sufficient, and multiple doses were required to obtain a complete remission in two cases. In a case with a β‐hCG level of more than 20,000 mIU/mL with a viable embryo in a gestational sac, a combination of systemic and local treatment with methotrexate was required. It took 7–11 weeks for the β‐hCG level to become undetectable and 12–17 weeks for the cesarean scar pregnancy mass to disappear completely.
Self-healing of voids in the wax coating on plant surfaces
Authors: Koch Kerstin , Bhushan Bharat , Ensikat Hans-Jürgen , Barthlott Wilhelm
Published: March 2009

The cuticles of plants provide a multifunctional interface between the plants and their environments. The cuticle, with its associated waxes, is a protective layer that minimizes water loss by transpiration and provides several functions, such as hydrophobicity, light reflection and absorption of harmful radiation. The self-healing of voids in the epicuticular wax layer has been studied in 17 living plants by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the process of wax film formation is described. Two modes of wax film formation, a concentric layer formation and striped layer formation, were found, and the process of multilayer wax film formation is discussed. A new method for the preparation of small pieces of fresh, water-containing plant specimens for AFM investigations is introduced. The technique allows AFM investigations of several hours duration without significant shrinkage or lateral drift of the specimen. This research shows how plants refill voids in their surface wax layers by wax self-assembly and should be useful for the design of self-healing materials.
Bionics in textiles: flexible and translucent thermal insulations for solar thermal applications
Authors: Stegmaier Thomas , Linke Michael , Planck Heinrich
Published: March 2009

Solar thermal collectors used at present consist of rigid and heavy materials, which are the reasons for their immobility. Based on the solar function of polar bear fur and skin, new collector systems are in development, which are flexible and mobile. The developed transparent heat insulation material consists of a spacer textile based on translucent polymer fibres coated with transparent silicone rubber. For incident light of the visible spectrum the system is translucent, but impermeable for ultraviolet radiation. Owing to its structure it shows a reduced heat loss by convection. Heat loss by the emission of long-wave radiation can be prevented by a suitable low-emission coating. Suitable treatment of the silicone surface protects it against soiling. In combination with further insulation materials and flow systems, complete flexible solar collector systems are in development.
The construction system of the brain
Authors: Hassabis Demis , Maguire Eleanor A.
Published: March 2009

The ability to construct a hypothetical situation in one's imagination prior to it actually occurring may afford greater accuracy in predicting its eventual outcome. The recollection of past experiences is also considered to be a reconstructive process with memories recreated from their component parts. Construction, therefore, plays a critical role in allowing us to plan for the future and remember the past. Conceptually, construction can be broken down into a number of constituent processes although little is known about their neural correlates. Moreover, it has been suggested that some of these processes may be shared by a number of other cognitive functions including spatial navigation and imagination. Recently, novel paradigms have been developed that allow for the isolation and characterization of these underlying processes and their associated neuroanatomy. Here, we selectively review this fast-growing literature and consider some implications for remembering the past and predicting the future.
Why the brain talks to itself: sources of error in emotional prediction
Authors: Gilbert Daniel T. , Wilson Timothy D.
Published: March 2009

People typically choose pleasure over pain. But how do they know which of these their choices will entail? The brain generates mental simulations (previews) of future events, which produce affective reactions (premotions), which are then used as a basis for forecasts (predictions) about the future event's emotional consequences. Research shows that this process leads to systematic errors of prediction. We review evidence indicating that these errors can be traced to five sources.
The neurobiology of memory based predictions
Authors: Eichenbaum Howard , Fortin Norbert J.
Published: March 2009

Recent findings indicate that, in humans, the hippocampal memory system is involved in the capacity to imagine the future as well as remember the past. Other studies have suggested that animals may also have the capacity to recall the past and plan for the future. Here, we will consider data that bridge between these sets of findings by assessing the role of the hippocampus in memory and prediction in rats. We will argue that animals have the capacity for recollection and that the hippocampus plays a central and selective role in binding information in the service of recollective memory. Then we will consider examples of transitive inference, a paradigm that requires the integration of overlapping memories and flexible use of the resulting relational memory networks for generating predictions in novel situations. Our data show that animals have the capacity for transitive inference and that the hippocampus plays a central role in the ability to predict outcomes of events that have not yet occurred.
Cortical and subcortical predictive dynamics and learning during perception, cognition, emotion and action
Authors: Grossberg Stephen
Published: March 2009

An intimate link exists between the predictive and learning processes in the brain. Perceptual/cognitive and spatial/motor processes use complementary predictive mechanisms to learn, recognize, attend and plan about objects in the world, determine their current value, and act upon them. Recent neural models clarify these mechanisms and how they interact in cortical and subcortical brain regions. The present paper reviews and synthesizes data and models of these processes, and outlines a unified theory of predictive brain processing.
The proactive brain: memory for predictions
Authors: Bar Moshe
Published: March 2009

It is proposed that the human brain is proactive in that it continuously generates predictions that anticipate the relevant future. In this proposal, analogies are derived from elementary information that is extracted rapidly from the input, to link that input with the representations that exist in memory. Finding an analogical link results in the generation of focused predictions via associative activation of representations that are relevant to this analogy, in the given context. Predictions in complex circumstances, such as social interactions, combine multiple analogies. Such predictions need not be created afresh in new situations, but rather rely on existingscriptsin memory, which are the result of real as well as of previously imagined experiences. This cognitive neuroscience framework provides a new hypothesis with which to consider the purpose of memory, and can help explain a variety of phenomena, ranging from recognition to first impressions, and from the brain's ‘default mode’ to a host of mental disorders.
Prediction, sequences and the hippocampus
Authors: Lisman John , Redish A.D.
Published: March 2009

Recordings of rat hippocampal place cells have provided information about how the hippocampus retrieves memory sequences. One line of evidence has to do with phase precession, a process organized by theta and gamma oscillations. This precession can be interpreted as the cued prediction of the sequence of upcoming positions. In support of this interpretation, experiments in two-dimensional environments and on a cue-rich linear track demonstrate that many cells represent a position ahead of the animal and that this position is the same irrespective of which direction the rat is coming from. Other lines of investigation have demonstrated that such predictive processes also occur in the non-spatial domain and that retrieval can be internally or externally cued. The mechanism of sequence retrieval and the usefulness of this retrieval to guide behaviour are discussed.
Methyl Salicylate Production and Jasmonate Signaling Are Not Essential for Systemic Acquired Resistance inArabidopsis
Authors: Attaran Elham , Zeier Tatiana E. , Griebel Thomas , Zeier Jürgen
Published: March 2009

Systemic acquired resistance (SAR) develops in response to local microbial leaf inoculation and renders the whole plant more resistant to subsequent pathogen infection. Accumulation of salicylic acid (SA) in noninfected plant parts is required for SAR, and methyl salicylate (MeSA) and jasmonate (JA) are proposed to have critical roles during SAR long-distance signaling from inoculated to distant leaves. Here, we address the significance of MeSA and JA during SAR development in Arabidopsis thaliana. MeSA production increases in leaves inoculated with the SAR-inducing bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae; however, most MeSA is emitted into the atmosphere, and only small amounts are retained. We show that in several Arabidopsis defense mutants, the abilities to produce MeSA and to establish SAR do not coincide. T-DNA insertion lines defective in expression of a pathogen-responsive SA methyltransferase gene are completely devoid of induced MeSA production but increase systemic SA levels and develop SAR upon local P. syringae inoculation. Therefore, MeSA is dispensable for SAR in Arabidopsis, and SA accumulation in distant leaves appears to occur by de novo synthesis via isochorismate synthase. We show that MeSA production induced by P. syringae depends on the JA pathway but that JA biosynthesis or downstream signaling is not required for SAR. In compatible interactions, MeSA production depends on the P. syringae virulence factor coronatine, suggesting that the phytopathogen uses coronatine-mediated volatilization of MeSA from leaves to attenuate the SA-based defense pathway.
Efficacy and tolerability of gamma knife radiosurgery in acromegaly: a 10‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Ronchi Cristina L. , Attanasio Roberto , Verrua Elisa , Cozzi Renato , Ferrante Emanuele , Loli Paola , Montefusco Laura , Motti Enrico , Ferrari Daniela I. , Giugni Enrico , Beck‐Peccoz Paolo , Arosio Maura
Published: March 2009

Objective  The long‐term efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery by gamma knife (GK) still remain unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the long‐term efficacy and tolerability of GK in acromegalic patients.

Design and patients  Retrospective analysis for a median follow‐up of 10 years. Thirty‐five acromegalic patients from two referral centres in Milan submitted to GK (median margin dose: 20 Gy, median % isodose: 50) between 1995 and 2004.

Main outcome measures  GH/IGF‐I secretion, anterior pituitary function, radiological imaging and ophthalmological data.

Results  Cure rate improved over time (up to 46% at 10 years), as did the proportion of patients achieving control on somatostatin analogues (from 12·5% at baseline to 50% at 10 years). Normal IGF‐I values were observed in 82% of patients at their last visit. No visual impairment, disease recurrence, tumour growth or secondary cerebral tumour occurred. Half of the patients developed one or more new deficiencies, while two patients normalized their prior failures. In particular, new onset of clinical or subclinical hypoadrenalism occurred in 12/30 patients (40%), hypothyroidism in 3/28 (11%), hypogonadism in 2/15 (13%) and GH deficiency in 2/35 (6%). GH value at the time of GK was the best negative predictor of cure and margin dose was the best positive predictor of new hypopituitarism.

Conclusions  Over a 10‐year period after GK radiosurgery, an increasing percentage of patients achieve cure, or adequate control of the disease on pharmacological therapy, at the expense of increasing novel pituitary deficiencies.
Nitrous oxide fluxes from corn fields: on‐farm assessment of the amount and timing of nitrogen fertilizer
Authors: MA B. L. , WU T. Y. , TREMBLAY N. , DEEN W. , MORRISON M. J. , MCLAUGHLIN N. B. , GREGORICH E. G. , STEWART G.
Published: March 2009

Nitrogen fertilization is considered as an important source of atmospheric N2O emission. A seven site‐year on‐farm field experiment was conducted at Ottawa and Guelph, ON and Saint‐Valentin, QC, Canada to characterize the affect of the amount and timing of N fertilizer on N2O emission in corn (Zea mays L.) production. Using the static chamber method, gas samples were collected for 28‐days after preplant and 28‐days after sidedress fertilization at the seven site‐year, resulting in 14 monitoring periods. For both methods of fertilization, peak N2O flux and cumulative emission increased with the amount of N applied, with rates ranging from 30 to 900 μg N m−2 h−1. Depending on N amount and time of application, cumulative emission varied from 0.05 to 2.42 kg N ha−1, equivalent to 0.03% to 1.45% of the N fertilizer applied. Differences in N2O emission peaks among fertilizer treatments were clearly separated in 13 out of 14 monitoring periods. Total N2O emissions may have been underestimated compared with annual monitoring in 10 out of the 49 cases because the monitoring period ended before N2O efflux returned to the baseline level. The flux of N2O was negligible when soil mineral N in the 0–15 cm layer was < 20 mg N kg−1. While rainfall stimulated emission, soil temperature > 15 °C was likely the driving force responsible for the higher levels of N2O found for sidedress than preplant application methods. However, caution must be taken when interpreting these later results as preplant fertilization may have continuously stimulated N2O emissions after the 28‐days monitoring period, especially in situations where N2O effluxes have not fallen back to their baseline levels. Increasing fertilizer rates from 90 to 150 kg N ha−1 resulted in slight increases in yields, but doubled cumulative N2O emissions.
Effect of genetic variance in plant quality on the population dynamics of a herbivorous insect
Authors: Underwood Nora
Published: March 2009

Species diversity can affect many ecological processes; much less is known about the importance of population genetic diversity, particularly for the population dynamics of associated species. Genetic diversity within a host species can create habitat diversity; when associated species move among hosts, this variation could affect populations additively (an effect of average habitat) or non‐additively (an effect of habitat variance). Mathematical theory suggests that non‐additive effects of variance among patches should influence population size, but this theory has not been tested.

This prediction was tested in the field by asking whether aphid population dynamics parameters on strawberry plant genotype mixtures were additive or non‐additive functions of parameters on individual plant genotypes in monoculture using model fitting.

Results show that variance in quality among plant genotypes can have non‐additive effects on aphid populations, and that the form of this effect depends on the particular plant genotypes involved.

Genetic variation among plants also influenced the spatial distribution of aphids within plant populations, but the number of plant genotypes per population did not affect aphid populations.

These results suggest that predicting the behaviour of populations in heterogeneous environments can require knowledge of both average habitat quality and variance in quality.
Resource and non‐resource root competition effects of grasses on early‐ versus late‐successional trees
Authors: Messier Christian , Coll Lluis , Poitras‐Larivière Amélie , Bélanger Nicolas , Brisson Jacques
Published: March 2009

This study assessed the effects of resource (i.e. nutrients) and non‐resource (i.e. interference for space) competition from fine roots of competing grasses on the growth, morphology and architecture of fine roots of four tree species of varying successional status: Populus deltoides ¥ P. balsamifera (a hybrid), Betula papyrifera, Acer saccharum and Fraxinus americana. We tested the general hypothesis that tree fine‐roots are affected by both below‐ground resource and non‐resource competition from non‐self plants, and the more specific hypothesis that this effect is stronger in early‐successional tree species.

The experiment was conducted in split‐containers where half of the roots of tree seedlings experienced either below‐ground resource competition or non‐resource competition, or both, by grasses while the other half experienced no competition.

The late‐successional tree species A. saccharum and F. americana were mostly affected by resource competition, whereas the early‐successional P. deltoides¥balsamifera and B. papyrifera were strongly affected by both resource and non‐resource competition. Non‐resource competition reduced fine‐root growth, root branching over root length (a measure of root architecture) and specific root length (a measure of root morphology) of both early‐successional species.

Synthesis. This study suggests that early‐successional tree species have been selected for root avoidance or segregation and late‐successional tree species for root tolerance of competition as mechanisms to improve below‐ground resource uptake in their particular environments. It also contradicts recent studies showing perennial and annual grasses tend to overproduce roots in the presence of non‐self conspecific plants. Woody plants, required to grow and develop for long periods in the presence of other plants, may react differently to non‐self root competition than perennial or annual grasses that have much shorter lives.
Reliability and validity of a Japanese version of the Cambridge depersonalization scale as a screening instrument for depersonalization disorder
Authors: Sugiura Miyuki , Hirosawa Masataka , Tanaka Sumio , Nishi Yasunobu , Yamada Yasuyuki , Mizuno Motoki
Published: March 2009

Aims:  The Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (CDS) is an instrument that has obtained reliability and validity in some countries for use in detecting depersonalization disorder under clinical conditions, but not yet in Japan under non‐psychiatric conditions. The purposes of this study were to develop a Japanese version of the CDS (J‐CDS) and to examine its reliability and validity as an instrument for screening depersonalization disorder under non‐clinical conditions.

Methods:  The CDS was translated from English into Japanese and then back‐translated into English by a native English‐speaking American. After making the J‐CDS, we examined its reliability and validity. Questionnaires that were composed of J‐CDS, the Dissociative Experience Scale (DES), the Zung self‐rating scale and the Maudsley Obsessional–Compulsive Inventory were administrated to 59 participants (12 patients with depersonalization disorder, 11 individuals who had recovered from depersonalization and 36 healthy controls).

Results:  Cronbach's alpha and split‐half reliability were 0.94 and 0.93, respectively. The J‐CDS score in the depersonalization group was significantly higher than in the healthy control group. The J‐CDS score was significantly correlated with scores of total DES, and DES‐depersonalization. The best compromise between the true positive and false negative rate was at a cut‐off point of 60, yielding a sensitivity of 1.00 and a specificity of 0.96.

Conclusions:  In this study, J‐CDS showed good reliability and validity. The best cut‐off point, when we use this for distinguishing individuals with depersonalization disorder from individuals without psychiatric disorders, is 60 points.
Prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency rickets in Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Matsuo Kumihiro , Mukai Tokuo , Suzuki Shigeru , Fujieda Kenji
Published: March 2009

Background:  Resurgence of vitamin D deficiency rickets has been recognized worldwide. While many cases of this disease have been reported in Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan, no prevalence data is available. Here, we investigated the prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency rickets in Hokkaido.

Methods:  A specially designed questionnaire was sent to 84 major pediatric departments of hospitals in Hokkaido to collect information of the confirmed cases between July 1999 and June 2004.

Results:  Sixty‐seven hospitals responded to the questionnaire. Of these, 20 hospitals reported 31 confirmed cases. All the patients were infants and toddlers, less than 4 years of age. The prevalence of cases in a recent year was estimated to be nine in 100 000 children under four years of age. Most of the 31 cases in our study were breast‐fed. Eleven cases showed signs of malnutrition due to unbalanced diet or dietary restriction. Furthermore, the prevalence of cases was higher in the northeastern region than in the southwestern region. The number of cases increased gradually from the end of winter to spring.

Conclusions:  This is the first report ascertaining the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency rickets in Hokkaido, Japan. Limited exposure to sunlight and inadequate diet in early childhood are key risk factors of this disease. Thus, it is crucial to introduce active recommendations for vitamin D supplementation based on age, residential area, and to advocate public awareness for preventing this disease.
New reference growth charts for Japanese girls with Turner syndrome
Authors: Isojima Tsuyoshi , Yokoya Susumu , Ito Junko , Horikawa Reiko , Tanaka Toshiaki
Published: March 2009

Background:  Currently used growth charts for Japanese girls with Turner syndrome (TS) were constructed with auxological data obtained before the secular trend in growth reached a plateau. These charts were published in 1992 and may no longer be valid for the evaluation of stature and growth in girls with TS in clinical settings. Thus, we need to establish new clinical growth charts.

Methods:  The samples for analysis were obtained by a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1867 Japanese girls with TS were registered between 1991 and 2004 for growth hormone (GH) treatment and their pretreatment anthropometric measurements were obtained. Reference growth charts were newly constructed using the LMS method from 1447 girls' cross‐sectional data after exclusion of measurements derived from those with the presence of puberty, with previous growth‐promoting treatment, or without cytogenetic evidence of TS.

Results:  The new clinical reference growth charts differ from the old charts. Secular trends can be detected in both height and weight. Mean adult height on the new chart is 141.2 cm, 3.0 cm taller than the old data. This result seems attributable to the secular trend observed during the same period in Japanese women.

Conclusions:  The newly constructed clinical reference growth charts for Japanese girls with TS seem to be better for the evaluation of growth in girls with TS born after approximately 1970, although selection bias and some other limitations in the present study should be kept in mind.
A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐ and propiverine‐controlled trial of the novel antimuscarinic agent imidafenacin in Japanese patients with overactive bladder
Authors: Homma Yukio , Yamaguchi Osamu ,   Imidafenacin Study Group
Published: March 2009

Objectives:  To compare the efficacy and tolerability of imidafenacin, a novel antimuscarinic agent, with propiverine and a placebo in Japanese patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods:  Men and women having OAB symptoms were randomized to double‐blind treatment with 0.1 mg of imidafenacin twice daily, 20 mg of propiverine once daily, or a placebo for 12 weeks, and assessed for efficacy and safety.

Results:  Overall, 781 patients were randomized to imidafenacin (324), propiverine (310), or a placebo (147). After 12 weeks of treatment, a significantly larger reduction in the mean number of incontinence episodes was observed in the imidafenacin group than in the placebo group (P < 0.0001). The non‐inferiority of imidafenacin compared with propiverine was confirmed for the reduction in using incontinence episodes (P = 0.0014, non‐inferiority margin: 14.5%). Imidafenacin was well tolerated. The incidence of adverse events with imidafenacin was significantly lower than with propiverine (P = 0.0101). Dry mouth, the most common adverse event, was significantly more common in the propiverine group than in the imidafenacin group (P = 0.0302). There were no significant increases in either the imidafenacin or placebo group in the mean QTc interval, whereas there was a significant increase in the mean QTc interval in the propiverine group (P < 0.0001), but there were no clinical arrhythmia and clinical arrhythmic events in any of the treatment groups.

Conclusions:  The novel antimuscarinic agent imidafenacin at a dose of 0.1 mg twice daily was not inferior to propiverine for the reduction of incontinence episodes, and well tolerated for the treatment of OAB symptoms.
The gift of disaster: the commodification of good intentions in post‐tsunami Sri Lanka
Authors: Korf Benedikt , Habullah Shahul , Hollenbach Pia , Klem Bart
Published: March 2009

This paper analyses the commodification of post‐tsunami aid in Sri Lanka, a process that ‘contaminated’ the ‘purity’ of good intentions with the politics of patronage and international aid. It argues that gifts are not just material transfers of ‘aid’, but also embodiments of cultural symbolism, social power, and political affiliations. The tsunami gift re‐enforced and reconfigured exchange relationships among different patrons and clients in Sri Lankan communities, perpetuating the political economy that has driven social conflict and discontent in the post‐independence years. Beyond dominant rationales of ethnic or political party patronage, the paper finds that gifts by disingenuous patrons not only became patrimonial, but that the patrimonial rationale emerged as much from above as from below—a dynamic that became nearly inescapable and self‐reinforcing. Through three case studies, we explore the intricate chain of relations, obligations, and expectations pertinent in the co‐evolving, but often contradictory, gift rationales that permeate the practices, performances, and discourses of tsunami aid.
Prevalence of overweight in Bolivia: data on women and adolescents
Authors: Pérez‐Cueto F. J. A. , Botti A. Bayá , Verbeke W.
Published: March 2009

Secondary analysis of Bolivian Demographic and Health Surveys 1994, 1998 and 2003 revealed a steady raising trend in levels of overweight and obesity among women in childbearing age (20–45 years), reaching 30% and 15% respectively in 2003. Adolescents' cross‐sectional data suggest that overweight and obesity are mainly found in urban areas. Applying the Bolivian body mass index‐for‐age reference, obesity reached 5% in adolescents, while overweight affects 14% of adolescents. This overview highlights the importance of including the prevention of weight gain among the public health nutrition policies in Bolivia.
FLYPAPER EFFECT INCORPORATING SPATIAL INTERDEPENDENCE
Authors: Karnik Ajit , Lalvani Mala
Published: March 2009

This paper examines the decentralization process in the state of Maharashtra. Among the states in India, Maharashtra's efforts at decentralization are regarded as a success story. Using cross‐section data for 243 urban local governments, the paper examines the flypaper effect, that is, the expenditure stimulus of grants from the state government to the urban governments. The significance of spatial factors has been highlighted in the study. The models have been estimated using spatial econometric techniques. Most of the estimated models show the presence of the flypaper effect.
New Mutations of EXT1 and EXT2 Genes in German Patients with Multiple Osteochondromas
Authors: Heinritz Wolfram , Hüffmeier Ulrike , Strenge Sibylle , Miterski Bianca , Zweier Christiane , Leinung Steffen , Bohring Axel , Mitulla Beate , Peters Usha , Froster Ursula G.
Published: March 2009

Mutations in either the EXT1 or EXT2 genes lead to Multiple Osteochondromas (MO), an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder. This is a report on clinical findings and results of molecular analyses of both genes in 23 German patients affected by MO. Mutation screening was performed by using denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC) and automated sequencing. In 17 of 23 patients novel pathogenic mutations have been identified; eleven in the EXT1 and six in the EXT2 gene. Five patients were carriers of recurrent mutations in the EXT2 gene (p.Asp227Asn, p.Gln172X, p.Gln258X) and one patient had no detectable mutation. To demonstrate their pathogenic effect on transcription, two complex mutations in EXT1 and EXT2 and three splice site mutations were characterized by mRNA investigations. The results obtained provide evidence for different aberrant splice effects – usage of new cryptic splice sites and exon skipping. Our study extends the mutational spectrum and understanding of pathogenic effects of mutations in EXT1 and EXT2.
Oxidative stress and longevity in Caenorhabditis elegans as mediated by SKN‐1
Authors: Park Sang‐Kyu , Tedesco Patricia M. , Johnson Thomas E.
Published: March 2009

Oxidative stress has been hypothesized to play a role in normal aging. The response to oxidative stress is regulated by the SKN‐1 transcription factor, which also is necessary for intestinal development in Caenorhabditis elegans. Almost a thousand genes including the antioxidant and heat‐shock responses, as well as genes responsible for xenobiotic detoxification were induced by the oxidative stress which was found using transcriptome analysis. There were also 392 down‐regulated genes including many involved in metabolic homeostasis, organismal development, and reproduction. Many of these oxidative stress‐induced transcriptional changes are dependent on SKN‐1 action; the induction of the heat‐shock response is not. When RNAi to inhibit genes was used, most had no effect on either resistance to oxidative stress or longevity; however two SKN‐1‐dependent genes, nlp‐7 and cup‐4, that were up‐regulated by oxidative stress were found to be required for resistance to oxidative stress and for normal lifespan. nlp‐7 encodes a neuropeptide‐like protein, expressed in neurons, while cup‐4 encodes a coelomocyte‐specific, ligand‐gated ion channel. RNAi of nlp‐7 or cup‐4 increased sensitivity to oxidative stress and reduced lifespan. Among down‐regulated genes, only inhibition of ent‐1, a nucleoside transporter, led to increased resistance to oxidative stress; inhibition had no effect on lifespan. In contrast, RNAi of nhx‐2, a Na+/H+ exchanger, extended lifespan significantly without affecting sensitivity to oxidative stress. These findings showed that a transcriptional shift from growth and maintenance towards the activation of cellular defense mechanisms was caused by the oxidative stress; many of these transcriptional alterations are SKN‐1 dependent.
Dielectric Relaxations in Bi2O3–Nb2O5–NiO Cubic Pyrochlores
Authors: Valant Matjaz
Published: March 2009

Dielectric properties of pyrochlores compositions from Bi2O3–Nb2O5–NiO system were analyzed. The dielectric properties are dominated with a low‐temperature relaxation that is typical for Bi‐pyrochlores. A vast pyrochlore homogeneity range that exists in this system allowed to correlate characteristics of the observed relaxations with a compositional variations within the A2O′‐ and B2O6 pyrochlore sublattice. It was possible to make a distinction between different influences of the two sublattices, which can be satisfactorily described by the existing relaxation model for Bi3/2ZnNb3/2O7. A new relaxor‐like room temperature relaxation was found for Bi1.6Ni0.57Nb1.43O6.55.
“Repairing” Plan de Sánchez: Reparations and the Subjects of History
Authors: Dill Kathleen
Published: March 2009

Shannon Speed is contributing editor of “Human Rights Forum,” the AAA Committee for Human Rights column in Anthropology News.
Higher Capillary Electrophoresis Injection Settings as an Efficient Approach to Increase the Sensitivity of STR Typing
Authors: Westen Antoinette A. , Nagel Jord H. A. , Benschop Corina C. G. , Weiler Natalie E. C. , De Jong Bas J. , Sijen Titia
Published: March 2009

Abstract: Evidentiary traces may contain low quantities of DNA, and regularly incomplete short tandem repeat (STR) profiles are obtained. In this study, higher capillary electrophoresis injection settings were used to efficiently improve incomplete STR profiles generated from low‐level DNA samples under standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) conditions. The method involves capillary electrophoresis with higher injection voltage and extended injection time. STR peak heights increased six‐fold. Inherent to the analysis of low‐level DNA samples, we observed stochastic amplification artifacts, mainly in the form of allele dropout and heterozygous peak imbalance. Increased stutter ratios and allele drop‐in were rarely seen. Upon STR typing of 10:1 admixed samples, the profile of the major component did not become overloaded when using higher injection settings as was observed upon elevated cycling. Thereby an improved profile of the minor component was obtained. For low‐level DNA casework samples, we adhere to independent replication of the PCR amplification and boosted capillary electrophoresis.
Sperm length in sand martins Riparia riparia: a comment on Helfenstein et al
Authors: Kleven Oddmund , Laskemoen Terje , Lifjeld Jan T.
Published: March 2009

How long is a sand martin Riparia riparia spermatozoon? In a recent study, Helfenstein et al. (2008) presented data on the intraspecific variation in sperm length, swimming speed and longevity in this species and some interesting correlations between these variables. However, the reported sperm lengths are remarkably short for the species, which casts doubts about whether sperm total length has actually been measured and how the observed relationships should be interpreted.