bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutral temperatures in the lower thermosphere from N2 Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield (LBH) band profiles
Authors: Aksnes A. , Eastes R. , Budzien S. , Dymond K.
Published: August 2006

Measurements of the neutral temperature in the lower thermosphere, using high resolution (0.13 nm) N2 Lyman‐Birge‐Hopfield (LBH) band emissions are presented. The data were taken by the High‐resolution Ionospheric and Thermospheric Spectrograph (HITS) instrument aboard the Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (ARGOS). By fitting the LBH band profiles, temperatures in the thermosphere between ∼150 and 270 km have been retrieved. Temperatures retrieved for three geomagnetically quiet days, 28–30 July 2001 are consistent with temperatures from the Mass Spectrometer and Incoherent Scatter (MSIS) model.
High‐pressure phase transition in Mn2O3: Application for the crystal structure and preferred orientation of the CaIrO3 type
Authors: Santillán Javier , Shim Sang‐Heon , Shen Guoyin , Prakapenka Vitali B.
Published: August 2006

Our X‐ray diffraction measurements reveal that Mn2O3 undergoes a phase transition to the CaIrO3 type, which is proposed for the post‐perovskite in MgSiO3, at 27–38 GPa and 300 K, bypassing the other phase transitions observed in sesquioxides. Small distortions in the polyhedra after the transition indicate that the Jahn‐Teller effect, which is strong at ambient conditions, is suppressed during the transition. The CaIrO3‐type phase exhibits strong preferred orientation of the (010) plane perpendicular to the loading axis before annealing whereas preferred orientation of the (100) and (110) planes was observed after annealing. The pre‐annealing texture may result from either the deformation under strong differential stresses or the phase transition. The post‐annealing texture may be related to either lower differential stresses or thermal annealing. Our result shows that the texture of the CaIrO3 type can be sensitive to phase transition and annealing as well as differential stresses.
Eucalypt dendrochronology: past, present and potential
Authors: Brookhouse Matthew
Published: August 2006

Dendrochronology has the capacity to provide unique insights into natural vegetation dynamics and yield climatological reconstructions. However, because of a persistent belief that eucalypts are unsuited to dendrochronological analysis, research interest in the genus has been limited. A thorough review of the eucalypt dendrochronological literature reveals that perceived limitations may be locally overcome. However, methodological problems associated with many studies mean that results are often difficult to interpret. Consequently, the dendrochronological potential of the eucalypts remains unresolved. To overcome this, a detailed dendrochronological reconnaissance of the eucalypts, drawing on established datasets, systematic study of individual species and sites and examination of non-width-based tree-ring properties, is recommended.
Apical intrusive growth of cambial fusiform initials along the tangential walls of adjacent fusiform initials: evidence for a new concept
Authors: Jura Joanna , Kojs Paweł , Iqbal Muhammad , Szymanowska-Pułka Joanna , Włoch Wiesław
Published: August 2006

A new study of cambium of Pinus sylvestris L., Tilia cordata Mill. and Wisteria floribunda (Willd.) DC provides fresh clues on the cambial dynamics, rejecting the hitherto held concept that intrusive growth of the fusiform initial occurs between the radial walls of adjacent initials. It demonstrates that intrusion of the elongating initial in fact takes place along tangential walls of adjacent fusiform initials and their immediate derivatives. It also suggests a new mechanism for ‘elimination of initials’. Intrusive growth of the fusiform initial was found to begin with development of characteristic slants, representing a transitional stage of the process of transformation of periclinal walls of fusiform initial cells into radial walls, as observed in transverse sections of active cambium. The gradually progressing event comprised (a) appearance of either a triangular microspace limited by two periclinal walls of a fusiform initial and its derivative and one radial wall of another fusiform initial in the adjacent radial file, or a rhomboidal microspace enclosed by four periclinal walls of two laterally adjacent fusiform initials and their immediate derivatives, (b) intrusion of elongating tip of fusiform initial from neighbouring file into the microspace thus formed, (c) symplastic growth of the cambial cell walls in radial direction, (d) unequal periclinal divisions of fusiform initial cells while growing intrusively, and (e) unequal periclinal divisions of derivative cells not growing intrusively. Intrusive growth between periclinal walls affected rearrangement of the fusiform initials but did not add to the cambial circumference. The existing concepts of (a) intrusion of the fusiform initial between radial walls of neighbouring initials and (b) elimination of fusiform initials from cambial surface have been reassessed and redefined.
Recruitment dynamics of the long-lived obligate seeders Callitris intratropica (Cupressaceae) and Petraeomyrtus punicea (Myrtaceae)
Authors: Russell-Smith Jeremy
Published: August 2006

The fire-prone sandstone Arnhem Plateau is recognised as an international centre of plant species diversity. Key regional long-lived obligate seeders include the coniferous tree Callitris intratropica R.T.Baker & H.G.Smith, and the endemic myrtaceous, serotinous shrub Petraeomyrtus punicea (Byrnes) Craven. The paper reports a 6year study of seedling-recruitment dynamics in natural stands of both species. For C. intratropica, it was found that (1) contrary to other published observations, initial growth was slow, with juveniles taking ~10 years to attain 2-m height, (2) maturation substantially exceeds 10 years and (3) previously unreported, even juveniles may occasionally resprout following very low-intensity fires after 100% scorch. For P. punicea, (1) maturation in some individuals commences as early as 4 years but generally takes at least 1–2 years longer and (2) juveniles (as well as adults) are killed following 100% scorch. The results emphasise the need for management-imposed fire regimes dominated by patchy, low-intensity fires for conservation of regional long-lived obligate seeders.
Pasture composition in cleared and uncleared woodlands
Authors: Kaur Kamaljit , Midmore David J. , Jalota Rajesh K. , Ashwath Nanjappa
Published: August 2006

Land clearing in Queensland is often practised to enhance pasture production, and hence, increase financial returns from beef production. The benefits of clearing have been quantified in terms of short-term gains in pasture yield but have not adequately accounted for possible medium- or longer-term impediments that may be attributed to clearing. Therefore, impacts of clearing and the subsequent sowing of exotic grasses such as Cenchrus ciliaris L. on pasture composition and production were studied. To achieve this, paired sites were selected representing cleared and uncleared pastures across three different times since clearing (i.e. 5, 11–13 and 33 years since clearing) for the three dominant tree communities of central Queensland (i.e. Eucalyptus populnea F.Muell. (poplar box), E. melanophloia F.Muell. (silver-leaved ironbark) and Acacia harpophylla F.Muell. ex. Benth. (brigalow)). The results demonstrated that species diversity declined with clearing and sowing of exotic pastures. Species diversity and pasture production were negatively related. Although pasture yield was 2–3 times greater 13 years after clearing of E. populnea and A. harpohylla, the gains in pasture yield were not consistent over time, yields being only 1.5 times greater after 33 years of clearing. In E. melanophloia, an increase in the yield of only 1.5–1.8 times occurred 5 years after clearing compared with uncleared pastures, whereas 33 years after clearing, yield was 3/4 of that in uncleared pastures. The initial gains in pasture yield were accompanied by a loss of plant diversity that may affect ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling or soil mineralisation, and the longer-term production gains.
Effect of zinc on the leaf mineral content, yield, fruit weight and susceptibility of peaches to Monilinia laxa
Authors: Thomidis T. , Tsipouridis C. , Michailides Z. , Exadaktylou E.
Published: August 2006

The effect of zinc sulfate and zinc chelate on the leaf mineral content, yield and fruit weight of the peach variety Andross was investigated in a Greek orchard. Foliar application of a 25% zinc sulfate solution on 25 February and 2% zinc chelate solution on 20 May increased the zinc content of leaves and no toxicity was observed. In contrast, foliar application of 6% zinc sulfate and soil application of zinc sulfate at a rate of 200 g/tree on 25 February did not affect the zinc content of leaves. However, zinc sulfate applied to the soil at a rate of 200 g/tree significantly increased fruit yield. Statistically, the mean fruit weight and the susceptibility of fruit to Monilinia laxa did not differ between treatments. However, postharvest fruit susceptibility to M. laxa increased when fruit were dipped in a zinc chelate solution.
Effect of silicon on the morphology of shoots and roots of alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Authors: Guo Z. G. , Liu H. X. , Tian F. P. , Zhang Z. H. , Wang S. M.
Published: August 2006

A silicon (Si)-deficient top soil was used in a pot experiment to investigate the effect of Si application on the shoot and root morphology of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Silicon was applied to the alfalfa plants at 6 different rates (0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30 g/kg), and each treatment was replicated 6 times. This study indicated that the Si content of roots and shoots increased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing Si concentration in the soil, and that the Si content of roots was greater than that of shoots. Plants treated with Si had increased leaf area, height, forage yield and shoots per plant during the reproductive period in comparison with controls. The application of Si also increased root volume, the number of secondary roots and root biomass. The effects of Si application were greater on roots than on shoots. The ratio of shoot to root dry weight was below 1.62 when Si was applied to plants and 1.91 without Si application. Overall, overcoming available Si deficiency resulted in a significant increase in shoot and root growth.
Entropy-driven spatial organization of highly confined polymers: Lessons for the bacterial chromosome
Authors: Jun Suckjoon , Mulder Bela
Published: August 2006

Despite recent progress in visualization experiments, the mechanism underlying chromosome segregation in bacteria still remains elusive. Here we address a basic physical issue associated with bacterial chromosome segregation, namely the spatial organization of highly confined, self-avoiding polymers (of nontrivial topology) in a rod-shaped cell-like geometry. Through computer simulations, we present evidence that, under strong confinement conditions, topologically distinct domains of a polymer complex effectively repel each other to maximize their conformational entropy, suggesting that duplicated circular chromosomes could partition spontaneously. This mechanism not only is able to account for the spatial separation
per se
but also captures the major features of the spatiotemporal organization of the duplicating chromosomes observed in
Escherichia coli
and
Caulobacter crescentus
.
Additive and heterotic breed effects in the genetic evaluation of pig sire breeds
Authors: Wolf J. , Peškovičová D. , Žáková E. , Groeneveld E.
Published: August 2006

The data sets consisted of field performance data from 54 848 purebred and 16 175 crossbred animals (Czech data set, CZ) and 16 610 purebred and 9 228 crossbred animals (Slovak data set, SK). Animals from the following breeds were included: Duroc, Hampshire, Piétrain, sire line of Large White (CZ) or Yorkshire (SK), Czech Meat pig (CZ) or Slovak Meat pig (SK), Belgian Landrace (SK). Two-trait animal models were calculated for average daily gain from birth to the end of the field test (ADG) and lean meat content (LM, only in CZ) or backfat thickness (BF, only in SK). The models included additive breed and breed heterotic effects. Piétrain was the breed with the highest LM and the lowest BF. The additive genetic breed effect was about 1·5% LM (CZ) in comparison with Large White or −0·4 mm BF (SK) in comparison to Yorkshire. The sire line of Large White (CZ) or the Yorkshire breed (SK) clearly exceeded all the remaining sire breeds in ADG (on average by 30 to 50 g/day). There was a clear tendency to negative heterosis in LM in all crossbred combinations (CZ). In BF, heterotic effects between −0·2 mm and +0·3 mm were estimated, mostly not being significant (SK). The estimates of the heterotic effects for ADG were positive throughout. Higher values up to 40 g/day (7%) were observed in the Czech data set. Though heterotic breed effects are of some importance especially for ADG, their inclusion in the equations for breeding value estimation will have only a minor impact on the predicted breeding values.
Milk production and reproductive performance of cows induced into lactation and treated with bovine somatotropin
Authors: Mellado M. , Nazarre E. , Olivares L. , Pastor F. , Estrada A.
Published: August 2006

Milk production and reproductive performance of pluriparous dairy cows was compared for cows whose lactations were induced by hormonal treatment or followed natural calving. The study was conducted on 179 high-yielding dairy cows in a large dairy operation in a hot arid environment of northern Mexico, where bovine somatotropin (bST) was routinely used in all cows. To induce lactation, 98 cows that had previously failed to become pregnant were treated with 500 mg bST on days 1, 8 and 21. From days 2 to 8, cows were treated with oestradiol cypionate (0·30 mg/kg live weight (LW) per day) and progesterone (0·28 mg/kg LW per day). From days 9 to 15, oestradiol cypionate alone was given. PGF2α was given on day 16. Nothing was administered on days 17 and 18, and 15 mg flumetasone was administered from days 19 to 21. Lactation was induced successfully in all 98 cows subjected to the hormone treatment. All cows received 500 mg bST every 14 days throughout lactation from 63±7 days after lactation had started. Cows with induced lactations produced less (P<0·01) milk per 305-day lactation (9599±1387 kg) than controls (12 302±1245 kg). Proportion of cows pregnant was similar in induced cows and non-treated cows (71 v. 75%). Induction of lactation was associated with increased numbers of services per pregnancy (5·8±4·0 v. 4·22±2·98; P<0·01) compared with controls; however, impaired reproduction might not necessarily have been related to the hormonal treatment to induce lactation, but due to the nature of the cows utilized for this treatment group. This protocol can be used on dairy farms where bST treatment and prolonged steroid administration of dairy cows is legally permitted.
Differential control of lipogenesis and lipolysis during development of ovine preadipocytesin vitro
Authors: Soret B. , Melrose S. E. , Finley E. , Vernon R. G.
Published: August 2006

The stromovascular fraction of adipose tissue from sheep, like that of other species, contains preadipocytes which can be induced to differentiate in culture, providing a potentially useful system for studying adipocyte development. Differentiation of ruminant preadipocytes has only been partly characterized previously so we have investigated the factors regulating the development of lipogenesis and lipolysis in sheep cells. Insulin, rosiglitazone (a peroxisome proliferation activated receptor-γ agonist) and either dexamethasone or a lipid suplement are required during differentiation for maximum rates of lipogenesis, whereas all four components are required to achieve maximum rates of catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis. Tri-iodothyronine had no effect on the development of lipogenesis but resulted in a reduced rate of catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis. Lipogenesis and lipolysis also differed in that the rate of lipogenesis increased to a maximum at about 10 days of differentiation and then fell, whereas the rate of lipolysis reached a plateau at about 10 days. By contrast to catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis, there is little or no evidence for development of the adenosine-based antilipolytic system; this may be because response to adenosine develops very late during preadipocyte differentiation or additional, unidentified factors are required to induce this antilipolytic system. Lipogenesis in differentiated preadipocytes responded to both insulin and growth hormone. These studies show that the development of lipogenesis and lipolysis are under distinct control systems. Furthermore, while preadipocytes differentiatedin vitroshow many of the characteristics of adipocytes differentiatedin vivo, there are still significant differences.
In vivo measurements of muscle volume by automatic image analysis of spiral computed tomography scans
Authors: Navajas E. A. , Glasbey C. A. , McLean K. A. , Fisher A. V. , Charteris A. J. L. , Lambe N. R. , Bünger L. , Simm G.
Published: August 2006

This study investigates the accuracy of an automatic image analysis method that was developed for spiral computed tomography scans (SCTS), with the objective of calculating the volume of muscle in the hind leg (HLMVCT) and lumbar region (LRMVCT) in lambs. The first step in the image analysis method was the isolation (segmentation) of the muscle regions in each image of the SCTS, using a new program that was implemented in the Sheep Tomogram Analysis Routines software (STAR). Due to the differences of muscle shape in the regions investigated, the new segmentation program applies different segmentation paths in specific subregions. These were automatically identified by the program based on skeletal landmarks. After the segmentation was completed, the muscles areas were automatically measured by counting the pixels representing muscle in each image; the volumes were calculated by adding the muscle areas of each image multiplied by the depth of the image (inter-slice distance). The accuracy of these measures of muscle volume was evaluated, using regression analysis, by comparing HLMVCT and LRMVCT to the hind leg and lumbar region muscle weights measured after dissection (HLMWD, no. =240, and LRMWD, no. =50, respectively) of Texel (TEX) and Scottish Blackface (SBF) female and male lambs slaughtered in 2003-04. The effects of breed, sex and year on the association (SCTS v. dissection) were evaluated. There was a strong association between HLMVCT and HLMWD ( R2=97·4%), which only increased slightly ( R2=97·7%) when breed was included in the model. This indicates that HLMWD can be estimated directly from HLMVCT with a high degree of accuracy. For the lumbar region, the association was high ( R2=83·0% to 88·8% depending on the model) but lower than in the hind leg, probably because the automatic segmentation isolates only the areas of the longissimus lumborum and multifidi muscles. Breed had a significant effect on the prediction of LRMWD from LRMVCT, as well as sex in the case of the TEX lambs. The results indicated that the predictions of LRMWD from LRMVCT require different equations for very divergent breeds such as TEX and SBF.
Testing selection indices for sustainable hill sheep production – lamb growth and carcass traits
Authors: Conington J. , Bishop S. C. , Lambe N. R. , Bünger L. , Simm G.
Published: August 2006

Two selection indexes, one intended for lamb producers and finishers and one for store lamb producers, were derived using genetic parameters for carcass and maternal characteristics from Conington et al. (2001) and economic values from Conington et al. (2004). This paper summarizes responses to selection for lamb traits only, after 5 years of selection (1998 to 2003) on two farms using these selection indexes. The index for lamb producers and finishers, evaluated on farm 1, with a flock size of 680 ewes, includes economic weightings for maternal traits as well as carcass weight, fat and conformation grades, whereas the index for store lamb producers, evaluated on farm 2, with a flock size of 580 ewes, only includes economic values for maternal traits and lamb growth to weaning. Three selection lines of Scottish Blackface sheep per farm were created with the first lambs born to each line in 1999. These lines were selection (S), control (C) and industry (I); they were of equal size on each farm. Five top- and five average-performing ram lambs were selected each year for the S and C lines respectively using a multi-trait best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) implementation of the indexes. The I-line used four mature rams bought from industry, selected on appearance only, i.e. adherence to breed ‘type’. Results showed that 5 years after the implementation of the index, the S line had significantly higher index scores than the C or I lines on both farms. The means (s.d.) for the average index scores in 2003 are 114 (328), 119 (371) and 451 (328) (farm 1), and −8 (146), −11 (130), and 250 (129) (farm 2) for the C, I and S lines, respectively, giving predicted net differences (S-C) of £3·38 (farm 1) and £2·58 (farm 2) per ewe. Phenotypic responses showed significant S v. C differences in weaning weight on both farms. As predicted from previous analyses, no changes in carcass quality traits were seen at farm 1 although S-line carcass weights tended to be heavier than those from the C or I lines. The results show that genetic improvement using multi-trait selection indices has been successful and it is a viable, long-term strategy to improve levels of production for hill sheep in extensive environments.
Influence of parity, birth order, litter size and birth weight on duration of farrowing and birth intervals in commercial exotic sows in Zimbabwe
Authors: Motsi P. , Sakuhuni C. , Halimani T. E. , Bhebhe E. , Ndiweni P. N. B. , Chimonyo M.
Published: August 2006

Although the farrowing process has an impact on postnatal piglet survivability and growth performance, information on factors that influence the farrowing process under field conditions is rare. The objective of the study was to determine factors influencing the duration of farrowing and birth intervals in Large White×Landrace crossbred sows. Data were collected from the Pig Industry Board, Acturus, Zimbabwe. The durations of farrowing were log transformed to normalize them, while birth intervals remained skewed after the transformation. As a result, Friedman's test was used to analyse for factors affecting birth intervals. The mean duration of farrowing was 217 min. Number of piglets born alive (NBA), average birth weight and the presence or absence of stillbirths influenced ( P<0·05) the duration of farrowing. The total number of piglets born (NBT) and order of piglets significantly influenced birth intervals ( P<0·05). There was wide variation in birth intervals, with the within-litter coefficient of variation ranging from 50 to 140 percent. The relationship between birth interval and order of birth was: Y=0·1011x2−1·771x+37·917 ( P<0·05). Relative birth order, expressed as a proportion of the total number of piglets born, also showed a significant quadratic relationship with birth interval: Y=0·0021x2−0·121x+23·952 ( P<0·05). The study found that relative birth order, NBA and NBT play an important rôle in influencing birth intervals and duration of farrowing, while parity and piglet weight do not. Logarithmic transformation failed to normalise data on birth intervals, highlighting their highly skewed nature.
Fibre and protein requirements of early weaned rabbits and the interaction with weaning age: effects on digestive health and growth performance
Authors: Feugier A. , Smit M. N. , Fortun-Lamothe L. , Gidenne T.
Published: August 2006

The aims of this work were first to evaluate nutritional requirements of early weaned kits (23 days of age), more especially fibre (experiment 1) and protein (experiment 2) needs. In experiment 1, 276 early weaned rabbits were offered from 23 to 50 days of age one of the three experimental diets containing increasing acid-detergent fibre level (160, 190 or 220 g/kg). Fibre was substituted by starch and fat to obtain three isoenergetic diets. In experiment 2, 306 early weaned rabbits were offered from 23 to 50 days of age one of the three experimental diets containing increasing crude protein (CP) level (150, 180 or 210 g/kg). Protein was substituted by starch and fat to obtain three isoenergetic diets. These studies revealed no effect of the dietary fibre level and the dietary CP level on health status. But from 23 to 36 days of age rabbits given diets containing a fibre level over 190 g/kg or a CP level under 180 g/kg showed the lowest growth rate as compared with other respective treatments. Secondly, this research aimed to evaluate the interaction between age at weaning (23 days or 35 days of age) and food (RD and RY diets) on digestive health and performances of young rabbits (experiment 3). RD diet was formulated to contain (per kg) 170 g starch, 160 g fibre and 180 g CP (according to the nutritional requirements of does) and RY diet was formulated to reach 110 g starch, 160 g fibre and 210 g CP (according to the results of experiments 1 and 2). 39 litters of nine pups per litter were assigned at 18 days of age to one of four experimental groups in a 2×2 factorial design: RD23 (no.=84 rabbits), RY23 (no. =85 rabbits), RD35 (no. =86 rabbits) and RY35 (no. =74 rabbits). Food intake and live weight were not influenced by feeding strategy. Between 23 and 35 days of age, mortality was higher in RY than in RD group (20·4 v. 6·8% respectively;P<0·05). During this period growth rate was proportionately 0·584 higher in conventionally weaned than in early weaned rabbits (P<0·001). After 35 days of age, food intake and growth rate were proportionately 0·104 and 0·097 higher respectively in conventionally than in early weaned rabbits (P<0·05). Consequently, live weight was higher in conventionally weaned rabbits at both 35 and 53 days of age (proportionately +0·113 and +0·267 respectively;P<0·001). Mortality rate between 23 and 35 days was 21 points higher (P<0·001) in early weaned than in conventionally weaned pups and 43 points higher (P<0·001) from 35 to 53 days of age. These data suggest that the removal of milk feeding by early weaning leads to detrimental effects on health and growth of the young, which were not compensated by a diet meeting better their nutritional needs.
Cloning, expression and tissue distribution of IGF-1 from giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
Authors: Hu X. -L. , Zhu M. -Y. , Zhang Z. -H. , Hou R. , Shen F. -J. , Zhang A. -J.
Published: August 2006

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a polypeptide that regulate growth, differentiation and muscle regeneration in several species. This study was designed to analyse the cDNA sequence of IGF-1 in giant panda, its gene expression and tissue distributions in relation to growth, development and reproduction of captive giant pandas. A cDNA encoding IGF-1 was cloned by reverse transcriptase-PCR from a male giant panda cub liver tissue. Sequence alignment analysis showed the cysteine residues and other amino acid residues of the mature IGF-1 peptide of giant panda are highly conserved in mammalian species. DNA encoding the mature IGF-1 peptide of the giant panda was ligated with pET-DsbA expression vector and expressed inE.coliBL21. Western blot confirmed the IGF-1 antigen activity of the recombinant protein. By in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry analysis it is demonstrated that the IGF-1 mRNA distribution abundance were significantly higher in the liver, muscles and heart than those in the other tissues studied. However, the IGF-1 peptide distribution abundances in all the tissues studied did not show any significant differences. The localization of the IGF-1 peptide was in accordance with that of mRNA for each tissue. These results may suggest that IGF-1 play an autocrine or paracrine rôle in regulation of the giant panda growth and development.
Loading of the 3F3/2 Antigen onto Kinetochores Is Dependent on the Ordered Assembly of the Spindle Checkpoint Proteins
Authors: Wong Oi Kwan , Fang Guowei
Published: August 2006

Accurate chromosome segregation is controlled by the spindle checkpoint, which responds to the lack of microtubule–kinetochore attachment or of tension across sister kinetochores through phosphorylation of kinetochore proteins by the Mps1, Bub1, BubR1, Aurora B, and Plk1/Plx1 kinases. The presence of the 3F3/2 phosphoepitope on kinetochores, generated by Plk1/Plx1-mediated phosphorylation of an unknown protein, correlates with the activation of the tension-sensitive checkpoint pathway. Using immunodepletion approach and a rephosphorylation assay in Xenopus extracts, we report here that not only the formation of the 3F3/2 phosphoepitope is dependent on the checkpoint activation but also the loading of the 3F3/2 substrate to kinetochores requires the prior assembly of Mps1, Bub1 and BubR1 onto kinetochores. Interestingly, generation of the 3F3/2 epitope in checkpoint extracts requires the kinase activities of Mps1 and Bub1 but not that of BubR1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that checkpoint proteins in Xenopusextracts are assembled onto kinetochores in a highly ordered pathway consisting of three steps. Mps1 and Bub1 are loaded first, and BubR1 and Plx1 second, followed by Mad1 and Mad2. The characterization of this ordered assembly pathway provides a framework for the biochemical mechanism of the checkpoint signaling and will aid in the eventual identification of the 3F3/2 substrate.
Cash‐based interventions: lessons from southern Somalia
Authors: Mattinen Hanna , Ogden Kate
Published: August 2006

Commodity distributions, the predominant relief response, are subject to growing criticism, while donors and humanitarian actors are increasingly viewing cash‐based interventions as a viable alternative. This paper aims to contribute to the current debate on cash‐based interventions by drawing on the experience of Action Contre la Faim in southern Somalia, where it has implemented cash for work programmes since 2004. The authors conclude that cash‐based interventions are a feasible option in complex emergencies as well as in highly insecure environments as long as appropriate modalities are employed and objectives are clearly set in accordance with the needs and the context. Cash as a relief response offers wide‐reaching possibilities for the future from both the perspective of the donor/agency and the standpoint of the beneficiary. It enables the beneficiaries to take control of the relief themselves and to adapt it to their individual requirements in a timely manner.
Does money work? Cash transfers to ex‐combatants in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration processes
Authors: Willibald Sigrid
Published: August 2006

This paper analyses the relevance and potential of cash transfers as part of the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) assistance packages provided to ex‐combatants in transitions from war to peace. To this end, a theoretical framework is established that permits the identification of the advantages and disadvantages of using cash in DDR. Subsequently, an empirical analysis is carried out to compare selected theoretical assumptions on the use of cash with the reality of lessons learned from recent experience in Sierra Leone and other African countries. The study shows that some theoretical drawbacks commonly associated with the use of cash in DDR processes may indeed bear out in practice. At the same time, though, the paper argues that the utility of cash transfers in DDR is affected by a variety of factors that go far beyond the simple choice of employing cash, most notably decisions on payment location, eligibility criteria and targeting.
Examining the CDCynergy Event Assessment Tool: an investigation of the anthrax crisis in Boca Raton, Florida
Authors: McIntyre J.J. , Venette Steven
Published: August 2006

This paper examines the dependability of the Event Assessment Tool over time. The latter is part of a CD‐ROM—Emergency Risk Communication CDCynergy—distributed primarily to public information officers in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Event Assessment Tool is designed to aid emergency professionals in identifying the magnitude of a crisis event and to suggest appropriate actions to confront such a situation. Applied twice during the 2001 anthrax bioterrorism crisis in Boca Raton, Florida, the tool functioned in a binary manner by first indicating a moderate crisis level (on 4 October) and then four days later (on 8 October) a highly intense crisis, suggesting that it is time sensitive. This anthrax event provides an opportunity for crisis and disaster managers to understand the dynamic nature of crises. Rapid changes during these types of events suggest that any metric used to predict intensity must account for this variability. Additional limitations and implications of the tool are discussed.
Are rapid population estimates accurate? A field trial of two different assessment methods
Authors: Grais Rebecca F. , Coulombier Denis , Ampuero Julia , Lucas Marcelino E.S. , Barretto Avertino T. , Jacquier Guy , Diaz Francisco , Balandine Serge , Mahoudeau Claude , Brown Vincent
Published: August 2006

Emergencies resulting in large‐scale displacement often lead to populations resettling in areas where basic health services and sanitation are unavailable. To plan relief‐related activities quickly, rapid population size estimates are needed. The currently recommended Quadrat method estimates total population by extrapolating the average population size living in square blocks of known area to the total site surface. An alternative approach, the T‐Square, provides a population estimate based on analysis of the spatial distribution of housing units taken throughout a site. We field tested both methods and validated the results against a census in Esturro Bairro, Beira, Mozambique. Compared to the census (population: 9,479), the T‐Square yielded a better population estimate (9,523) than the Quadrat method (7,681; 95% confidence interval: 6,160–9,201), but was more difficult for field survey teams to implement. Although applicable only to similar sites, several general conclusions can be drawn for emergency planning.
World Disasters Report 2005: Focus on information in disasters
Authors: Alexander David
Published: August 2006

Book reviewed in this article:

World Disasters Report 2005: Focus on information in disasters, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Characteristics of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) bedding sites
Authors: Rice Mindy B. , Jones Martin
Published: August 2006

Black rhino numbers have decreased greatly since the early 1970s, primarily as a result of poaching. A recent strategy to protect rhinos in Kenya has been to establish fenced sanctuaries. This has increased the rhino population and that of other species, but problems have emerged because of limited dispersal and rising animal densities. Unfortunately, how rhino utilize habitat, especially areas called bedding sites, is not well understood. These areas provide shade and may be a critical component of rhino habitat. We measured habitat variables at bedding sites located in bedding plots and compared them with control plots at Sweetwaters Reserve, Kenya.Euclea divinorumwas the most common tree in the bedding site comprising 64.3% of the vegetation. Elephant dung was significantly more likely to be found in bedding plots than in control plots which suggests that elephants and rhinos use overlapping habitats. Elephants may be causing damage to the tree species that are important for bedding sites. Resource competition between large herbivores in small reserves is likely to negatively affect the tree species. Black rhino habitat, particularly bedding sites, may be at risk and rhino numbers may decrease.
Assessing fragmentation and disturbance of west Kenyan rainforests by means of remotely sensed time series data and landscape metrics
Authors: Lung Tobias , Schaab Gertrud
Published: August 2006

Biodiversity in tropical rainforests is heavily influenced by land use/cover change (LUCC), but so far there have been few LUCC studies conducted in Africa. We present several methods that make use of remotely sensed data and landscape metrics and allow for assessment of the development of land cover and thus forest fragmentation and disturbance over a substantial period of time. The study covers Kakamega Forest and its associated forest areas in western Kenya, over the last 30 years. The accuracy of a supervised multispectral classification of Landsat time series data encompassing seven time steps between 1972 and 2001 is numerically assessed using ground truth reference data considering the 2001 time step. Here, buffering the forest areas by 1 km, highest user's accuracies for the forest classes ‘near natural + old secondary forest’ (87.50%), ‘secondary forest’ (80.00%) and ‘bushland/shrubs’ (81.08%) are revealed. Images of a spatially distributed fragmentation index derived from the land cover time series by applying a three by 3 pixel‐sized moving window to determine forest pixels’ adjacency, highlight trends in forest fragmentation, e.g. the splitting into two separate forests along the Yala/Ikuywa corridor. Calculations of mean fragmentation indices for the Biodiversity Monitoring Transect Analysis in Eastern Africa (BIOTA‐East Africa) focus research areas are used to evaluate the fragmentation index and to demonstrate its potential to extrapolate (e.g. biological) field findings in space and time. Here we argue for a correlation of the fragmentation indices results not only with forest management regimes, but with population distribution and accessibility (e.g. by roads). A cluster analysis applying the isodata‐algorithm on the classification results of all seven times steps allows for a rapid visual assessment of the distinct pattern of typical land cover development trends since 1972. This reveals that parts of Kakamega Forest have experienced severe forest loss while others, especially in the north‐east, show signs of succession.
The activity of the immunoregulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is decreased in smokers
Authors: Pertovaara M , Heliövaara M , Raitala A , Oja S S , Knekt P , Hurme M
Published: August 2006

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme involved in the degradation of the essential amino acid tryptophan (trp) to its main metabolite kynurenine (kyn), suppresses T cell activity. Smoking has marked immunomodulatory effects, above all immunosuppressive, causing a reduction in the levels of immunoglobulins and an increased risk of infections. The immunostimulatory effects of smoking are manifested, for example, in increased autoantibody production. We sought to establish whether IDO activity is involved in the immunomodulatory effects of smoking. To this end we measured the ratio of kyn to trp, reflecting IDO activity, by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in 784 (464 female, 230 male) subjects of a population-based sample of the adult Finnish population. Serum cotinine concentration as an indicator of active smoking was measured in the patients by radioimmunoassay and detailed data gathered on smoking habits. IDO activity was lower in smokers in this population-based sample compared with non-smokers when active smoking was classified according to serum cotinine concentration or history of smoking habits. Moreover, serum IDO activity correlated inversely with serum cotinine concentration. In conclusion, the activity of the IDO enzyme is decreased in smoking subjects, and the reduction in IDO-dependent immunosuppression could thus be responsible for the known immunostimulatory effects of smoking.
Intracellular cytokine profile of T lymphocytes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Barceló B , Pons J , Fuster A , Sauleda J , Noguera A , Ferrer J M , Agustí A G N
Published: August 2006

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by an excessive inflammatory response to inhaled particles, mainly tobacco smoking. T lymphocytes are important regulatory cells that secrete several cytokines and participate actively in this inflammatory response. According to the pattern of cytokines secreted, the immune response is classified as cytotoxic or type 1 [interferon (IFN)-γ-, interleukin (IL)-2-dependent] and humoral or type 2 (IL-4-, IL-5-, IL-10- and IL-13-dependent). This paper sought to compare the intracellular profile of cytokine expression determined by flow cytometry in T lymphocytes harvested from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood in patients with COPD, smokers with normal lung function and never smokers. We found that BAL T lymphocytes from COPD patients had a higher percentage of positive stained cells for most of the cytokines analysed when compared to never smokers or smokers with normal lung function. Differences reached statistical significance for IL-4, IL-10 and IL-13, particularly in CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, the expression of most of these cytokines was related inversely to the degree of airflow obstruction present suggesting local activation and/or selective homing of T lymphocytes to the lungs in COPD patients. These observations were not reproduced in circulating T lymphocytes. These results suggest that BAL T lymphocytes in patients with COPD produce more cytokines than in controls and tend to show a type 2 pattern of intracellular cytokine expression, particularly a Tc-2 profile. This is related inversely to the degree of airflow obstruction present.
In the rat, citrullinated autologous fibrinogen is immunogenic but the induced autoimmune response is not arthritogenic
Authors: Duplan V , Foulquier C , Clavel C , Al Badine R , Serre G , Saoudi A , Sebbag M
Published: August 2006

Conversion of arginyl to citrullyl residues (citrullination) is essential for the formation of the epitopes recognized by rheumatoid arthritis (RA)-associated autoantibodies to citrullinated proteins (ACPA). ACPA are secreted by plasma cells of the rheumatoid synovial tissue where their major target, citrullinated fibrin, is abundant. Although numerous arguments suggest that ACPA play an important role in RA, their pathological relevance remains to be established. In the present study, we assessed the immunogenicity and arthritogenicity of complete Freund’s adjuvant-emulsified autologous citrullinated (C-rFBG) or non-citrullinated (NC-rFBG) fibrinogen in Lewis (LEW) and Brown–Norway rats, which exhibit drastic differences in their susceptibility to induced autoimmune diseases. NC-rFBG induced no antibody response. In contrast, a single injection of C-rFBG induced an IgG response directed mainly to citrullinated determinants of rFBG. However, all rat strains remained devoid of clinical and histological signs of arthritis up to 3 months after C-rFBG inoculation. Next, in LEW rats, we tested whether autoimmunity to C-rFBG could aggravate acute ankle arthritis triggered by intra-articular injection of incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (IFA). However, such arthritis evolved identically in the presence or absence of anti-C-rFBG autoantibodies. However, IFA-injected joints were devoid of citrullinated fibrin deposits. Therefore, citrullination allows breakdown of immunological tolerance but the autoimmune response developed is not spontaneously arthritogenic. Whether or not it can aggravate arthritis with citrullinated fibrin deposits remains to be evaluated.
Anti‐interleukin‐6 monoclonal antibody inhibits autoimmune responses in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Liang Bailin , Gardner Debra B. , Griswold Don E. , Bugelski Peter J. , Song Xiao Yu R.
Published: August 2006

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease resulting from dysregulation of the immune system. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a multifunctional cytokine produced by macrophages, monocytes and T and B cells. It stimulates B‐cell differentiation/maturation, immunoglobulin secretion, and T‐cell functions. Elevated levels of IL‐6 in serum, urine and renal glomeruli were detected in patients with active SLE and in murine models of SLE. Our study investigated the role of IL‐6 in an SLE‐like disease in New Zealand Black/White (NZB/W) F1 mice by administration of an anti‐murine IL‐6 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Intraperitoneal administration of the anti‐IL‐6 mAb suppressed the production of anti‐dsDNA autoantibody. B‐cell proliferation induced by anti‐IgM and anti‐CD40 was lower in the anti‐IL‐6 mAb‐treated mice, ex vivo studies demonstrated that anti‐IL‐6 mAb treatment inhibited anti‐dsDNA production. Anti‐CD3‐induced T‐cell proliferation and mixed lymphocyte reactions were inhibited by anti‐IL‐6 mAb treatment, indicating a partial down‐regulation of T cells. Histological analysis showed that treatment with anti‐IL‐6 mAb prevented the development of severe kidney disease. These results suggest that treatment with anti‐IL‐6 mAb has a beneficial effect on autoimmunity in murine SLE and that autoreactive B cells may be the primary target for anti‐IL‐6 mAb treatment; its effect on autoreactive T cells is also indicated.
Phenolic composition and antioxidant activity in grapevine parts and berries (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Kishmish Chornyi (Sharad Seedless) during maturation
Authors: Doshi Pooja , Adsule Pandurang , Banerjee Kaushik
Published: August 2006

The phenolic composition and antioxidant potential were determined in grape berries, berry stem, leaves, leaf petiole and shoots of commercially popular variety Kishmish Chornyi (Sharad Seedless) at various stages of maturation. The berries and berry stems at the initial stage of maturation showed high amounts of total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols, flavan‐3‐ols and antioxidant activity in terms of ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The effect of maturation was profound in grapes with a drastic reduction in various phenolic components and the FRAP value. The berries obtained at the last two harvests showed high anthocyanins and reducing sugars, but the least amount of all phenolic components and thus the antioxidant activity; however, berry stems, leaves, petioles and shoots, respectively, showed 7.6‐, 2.9‐, 2.3‐ and 1.5‐fold higher FRAP values than berries. Thus, besides the berries, different grapevine parts could also become a potential source of phenolics for pharmaceuticals or functional foods.
Antioxidant activity of Prunus mume extract in cooked chicken breast meat
Authors: Jo Seong‐Chun , Nam Ki‐Chang , Min Byoung‐Rok , Ahn Dong‐Uk , Cho Sung‐Hwan , Park Woo‐Po , Lee Seung‐Cheol
Published: August 2006

The antioxidant properties of methanolic extracts from the fruit of Prunus mume were determined in chicken breast meat systems. When P. mume extract (PM) was added to chicken breast meat, 2‐thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS) value at day 3 was decreased by about 45% of the control. PM did not affect colour of chicken meat compared with the control. The amounts of volatile aldehydes and hydrocarbons were significantly decreased by the addition of PM. Especially, hexanal was the most predominant volatile compound in the control taking up almost more than 50% of the total volatiles and PM reduced the amount into 26% of the control meat at 3 days.