bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RELIGIOUS NATURALISM AND THE FUTURE OF CHRISTIANITY
Authors: Braxton Donald M. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract.Loyal Rue suggests that religion is not about God as such but about the cultivation of personal and social well‐being. Religion may employ cultural resources that include concepts of supernatural agencies, but religion's essential functionalities are not dependent on that particular resource. I largely endorse Rue's view of religion and employ Rue as a guide to thinking through its consequences for the future of Christianity. For Rue, two challenges face Christianity: the erosion of confidence in personal‐god concepts and the ecological crisis engulfing the planet. In the face of these twin momentous changes, I suggest ways in which certain cultural tropes in the Christian matrix will rise to the fore and others will erode.
RELIGIOUS NATURALISM OR THEOLOGICAL HUMANISM?
Authors: Klemm David E. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract.Loyal Rue's book Religion Is Not About God (2005) is a polemic for religious naturalism. In it Rue sets up a general model of religion based on principles of scientific materialism, tests his model against five historical religions, and speculates on the future of religion. He claims that in the West, modern science and pluralism threaten the moral authority of Christianity in facing the environmental crisis, which is fueled by a rival metareligion, consumerism. He concludes that an ecological Doomsday is likely, following which a new religion will arise: religious naturalism. I challenge Rue's account at three levels, from the standpoint of theological humanism. First, as a philosopher of religion, Rue cannot carry through his scientific materialist explanation of religion. The first‐person experience of consciousness escapes such an account. Second, as a myth maker, Rue unifies the evolutionary epic retrospectively, where the evidence is thin, and projects the future overconfidently. Third, as a theologian, Rue is wrong to equate God and Nature.
On Chimeras
Authors: Rollin Bernard E. 
Published: September 2010

Abstract.This essay is a critical response to Neville Cobbe's article “Cross‐Species Chimeras: Exploring a Possible Christian Perspective.” New technologies, particularly biotechnologies, raise major concerns in society. In the absence of good ethical thinking on these issues, bad ethical thinking becomes regnant. Two common types of bad ethical thinking are (1) confusing whatever disturbs people with genuine ethical issues and (2) confusing religious issues with ethical ones. Cobbe's article commits the former type of error with regard to the possibility of a mouse created with human brain neurons. I analyze and discuss that error and also raise questions about Cobbe's attempt to analyze the creation of chimeras from a Christian perspective.
Principles of high‐frequency ultrasonography for investigation of skin pathology
Authors: Jasaitiene D , Valiukeviciene S , Linkeviciute G , Raisutis R , Jasiuniene E , Kazys R 
Published: September 2010

AbstractUltrasonography is a valuable diagnostic tool widely used in medicine. During the last three decades, this non‐invasive skin imaging method has been extended to dermatology. High‐frequency ultrasonography with higher than 20 MHz scanners is well‐established for measuring tumour thickness and skin thickness when treating inflammatory skin diseases such as scleroderma or psoriasis. High‐frequency ultrasonography has become extremely helpful for the preoperative assessment of skin melanoma. The correlation between ultrasonic and histological measurements of melanomas thickness is significantly similarly good using transducers of 20, 75 or 100 MHz frequency (r range from 0.895 to 0.99) and better compared with transducers of 7.5 MHz frequency (r = 0.76). The preoperative sonographically estimated thickness of skin melanoma is sometimes overestimated, because of an underlying inflammatory infiltrate and other reasons. Assessment of skin melanoma thickness using transducers of 100 MHz frequency has better agreement with histology, compared with ultrasonography with 20 MHz transducers. However, the ultrasonic penetration depth is limited to 1.5 mm in case of 100 MHz. The newer ultrasonic techniques such as high‐frequency ultrasonography and colour Doppler sonography could be used for assessment of the tumour vascularization and its metastatic potential. The wide variety of diagnostic information provided by high‐frequency ultrasonography undoubtedly improves the management of oncological and inflammatory skin conditions and underlines its essential position in dermatological practice.
Evaluation of disease activity and damage in different subtypes of cutaneous lupus erythematosus using the CLASI
Authors: Bein D , Kuehn E , Meuth AM , Amler S , Haust M , Nyberg F , Sauerland C , Luger TA , Bonsmann G , Kuhn A 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground  The Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Disease Area and Severity Index (CLASI) is a scoring system for patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) to assess disease activity and damage.Objective  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the CLASI is a useful instrument which reflects the different subtypes of CLE comparably well in each parameter.Methods  A total of 50 patients (42 female, 8 male) with different subtypes of CLE, including acute CLE (ACLE), subacute CLE (SCLE), chronic CLE (CCLE) and LE tumidus (LET), from the Departments of Dermatology, University of Düsseldorf, Germany, and Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, were evaluated using the CLASI at one time point.Results  The total CLASI activity score was significantly lower in patients with LET compared with ACLE (P < 0.05) and CCLE (P < 0.001), and the total CLASI damage score was significantly lower in patients with LET than with ACLE (P < 0.05), SCLE (P < 0.001) and CCLE (P < 0.001). The erythema score and the scale/hypertrophy score were significantly lower in LET than in ACLE (P < 0.05, both) and CCLE (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). The dyspigmentation score was lowest in patients with LET, differing significantly from ACLE (P < 0.05), SCLE (P < 0.05) and CCLE (P < 0.001). The scarring/atrophy/panniculitis score was significantly higher in patients with CCLE in contrast to SCLE and LET (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively).Conclusion  These data characterize the CLASI as an overall useful instrument to analyse disease activity and damage in CLE. However, the CLASI does not give an accurate assessment of all disease subtypes; therefore, a revision of the CLASI with critical analysis of all parameters is recommended.
Nodular basal cell carcinoma is associated with increased hyaluronan homeostasis
Authors: Tzellos TG , Kyrgidis A , Vahtsevanos K , Triaridis S , Printza A , Klagas I , Zvintzou E , Kritis A , Karakiulakis G , Papakonstantinou E 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground  Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most frequent forms of malignancy in humans. Although BCC is a tumour of low degree of malignancy, if left untreated, it can be locally aggressive, eat away at tissues and cause ulceration. Nodular is the most common subtype of BCC (>50%). Although apparently non‐invasive, micronodular, a certain subgroup of nodular, is likely to recur. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as hyaluronic acid (HA), are extracellular matrix molecules of high importance in malignant transformation, metastasis and other complex remodelling processes.Objectives  To investigate the expression of GAGs and their metabolizing enzymes in nodular BCC, when compared with adjacent healthy human skin tissue specimens.Methods  Total GAGs were isolated and purified from nodular BCC and normal adjacent human skin tissue specimens. GAGs were subsequently fractionated by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate membranes and characterized using specific GAG‐degrading enzymes. The content of HA in total GAGs was measured using ELISA and the expression of HA synthases (HAS), hyaluronidases (HYAL) and HA receptors (CD44 and receptor hyaluronic acid‐mediated motility (RHAMM) was assessed using RT‐PCR.Results  Nodular BCC is associated with increased levels of HA concomitant with upregulation of gene expression of HAS3, HYAL3 and RHAMM, when compared with normal adjacent skin.Conclusion  These results indicate that HA homeostasis in nodular BCC shows distinct features which may be helpful in understanding the complex behaviour of nodular subtype of BCC, thus eventually leading to new treatment strategies.
Axillary basal cell carcinoma: additional 25 patients and considerations
Authors: Betti R. , Crosti C. , Moneghini L. , Crespi E. , Menni S. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractBackground  Axillary basal cell carcinoma represents a rarely described occurrence in world literature.Objective  To report our 14 years’ experience of axillary basal cell carcinomas.Methods  A review of Pathology department database is given.Results  Twenty‐five further patients with axillary basal cell carcinomas of 7367 basal cell carcinomas diagnosed are reported. These represent a percentage of 0.33%.The average age of patients was 64.96 years, not significantly different from the average age of patients with overall basal cell carcinomas. No patient had had previous radiant or immunosuppressive treatment or axillary sunburn. No patient had basal cell naevus syndrome. The subtypes involved were superficial and nodular. No patient of 17 patients followed up had recurrences or metastasis after 5 years of follow‐up.Conclusion  Axillary Basal cell carcinomas are rare. No particular predisposing or risk factor is recorded. They do not seem to be significantly more aggressive than other basal cell carcinomas.
The effects of territorial behaviour on the stability and dispersion of Tawny owl (Strix aluco) populations
Authors: Hirons G. J. M. 
Published: September 2010

The effect of territorial behaviour on the density and stability of Tawny owl (Strix aluco (L.)) populations was studied in three habitats during 1971–74: deciduous woodland (Wytham, near Oxford), mixed farmland (south Warwickshire) and conifer plantations (Dumfries). Territory size was determined by plotting the position of territorial challenges (hoots) of males; these were individually recognizable.In all three areas, pairs of owls maintained contiguous territories which changed little in size and configuration from year to year. In Wytham, this was in spite of wide fluctuations in the abundance of rodent prey. Territory size was most variable on farmland (17–74 ha) where it was inversely correlated with the area of closed woodland contained within territories. The mean size of territories was significantly smaller in the deciduous woodland (18.2 ha) than the coniferous woodland (46.1 ha) or farmland (37.4 ha). This variation was probably ultimately related to the availability of prey in different habitats.In Wytham, the annual rate of disappearance of territory‐holding males was around 15% and, except after a poor breeding season, birds which disappeared or were removed from their territories were replaced rapidly. Territory boundaries remained the same after replacement and the number and spatial configuration of territories (around 30) was similar to that found 14 years earlier. There is some evidence that individual pairs would be able to raise more young if they could defend larger territories than is possible at the current population size.Recoveries of birds ringed nationally indicate that owls survive less well without territories, and that young suffer heavy mortality in their first autumn. The proportion of young recovered was highest in years when many were ringed. Examination of 276 corpses (mostly road casualties) suggests that many young starve soon after becoming independent.These observations support the idea that the stability of Tawny owl populations results from the territorial behaviour of residents acting to produce subsequent mortality among birds unable to establish their own territories. This regulation probably applies over wide areas and a variety of habitats.
Epidermal fine structure of the toe tips of Sphaerodactylus cinereus (Reptilia, Gekkonidae)
Authors: Röll Beate 
Published: September 2010

This paper deals with epidermal structures of the sphaerodactyline gecko Sphaerodactylus cinereus: adhesive pads, cutaneous sensilla and intraepidermal axon terminals.The adhesive pad is restricted to a single terminal scale and bears approximately 6,000 setae. The setae are complex, hair‐like structures which branch and sub‐branch up to five times. The terminal ends are shaped like inverted cones. They provide the friction which enables the gecko to walk even on vertical glass‐plates.Cutaneous sensilla of supposed mechanoreceptive function are found in groups of three or four at the anterior free edge of all dorsal and distal scales of the digit. The sensillum consists of a circular platelet in an epidermal depression bordered by an annular furrow and two or three bristles in a central position.Discoid axon terminals in the digital scales are located between relatively stiff structures: the corneous layers of the epidermis and a layer of tonofibrillar bundles. The axon terminals are hypothesized to be sensitive to the internal pressure depending on hyperextension of the toe.
Factors influencing home range and activity of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in a Mediterranean coastal area
Authors: Massei G. , Genov P. V. , Staines B. W. , Gorman M. L. 
Published: September 2010

This paper analyses the temporal variation in the size of home range and activity of adult wild boar (Sus scrofa L.). Eighteen boar were radiotracked between 1991 and 1993 in the Maremma Natural Park (Central Italy). Variations of home‐range size and activity were related to sex, winter food availability and population density. The hypotheses that home‐range size was inversely related to food availability and population density, and that the amount of activity was directly related to population density and inversely related to food abundance, were tested. The size of the acorn crop was used as a measure of winter resource level. No differences were found in the size of ranges, core area, and activity between males and females. In 1991–92 home‐range size was larger than in 1992–93; conversely, activity increased from 1991–92 to 1992–93. Winter food availability was high in 1991–92 and low in the following year. Population density increased greatly in spring 1992 but crashed in spring and summer 1993, when a high mortality of wild boar occurred due to starvation.The decrease in home‐range size during the food shortage was explained as a possible strategy adopted by wild boar to cope with starvation. The difference in home‐range size and amount of activity found between the first and the second year of study were probably influenced by differences in population density, although the individual effects of food availability and population density were not clearly separable.
Inter‐island variation in the diet of female northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in the Bering Sea
Authors: Antonelis G. A. , Sinclair E. H. , Ream R. R. , Robson B. W. 
Published: September 2010

The diet of adult female northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) is examined through the analysis of faecal material collected during the summer breeding season at three breeding locations in the Bering Sea: St. Paul Island (1988, 1990) and St. George Island (1988, 1990) of the Pribilof Islands Group (USA), and Medny Island (1990) of the Commander Islands Group (Russia). Prey consumption varies annually and accordingly with the physical and biological environment surrounding each island. Juvenile walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) is the most common prey of northern fur seals from St. Paul Island; the island is surrounded by a broad neritic environment with widely separated frontal zones and is the greatest distance from the continental shelf‐edge. Gonatid squid (Gonatopsis borealis/Berryteuthis magister and Gonatus madokail Gonatus middendorffi) were the most common prey of northern fur seals from Medny Island; the island is surrounded by a compressed neritic environment and is adjacent to the continental shelf‐edge and the oceanic marine environment. A combination of walleye pollock and gonatid squid is consumed by northern fur seals from St. George Island; the island has a surrounding oceanographic environment intermediate between the other two islands.Variability in predation on walleye pollock is consistent with fishery information concerning the relative abundance and availability of walleye pollock around St. George and St. Paul Islands. The abundance and availability of these prey resources during the summer breeding season are key factors which influence the health and growth of the northern fur seal populations in the Bering Sea.
Geophagy in birds of Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Symes C. T. , Hughes J. C. , Mack A. L. , Marsden S. J. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractNumerous New Guinea birds, mostly psittaciforms and columbiforms, have been recorded feeding on soil. This study documents geophagy in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area (CMWMA) in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. We present the first documented case of geophagy in the palm cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus and in up to 11 other species. Soil from the site where geophagy by palm cockatoos was recorded was highly weathered and acidic, with a mixture of kaolin, gibbsite, goethite and illite in the clay fraction. Analyses may support the hypothesis that soil is ingested to counterbalance the effects of toxic compounds in fruit. We suggest that the accessibility of the site (an exposed bank), rather than the nature of the soil itself, prompted its use by birds. At another site, a blue‐coloured soil on which cassowaries fed was rich in vivianite (an iron phosphate) and contained an iron‐rich smectite, and some kaolin and mica in the clay fraction. Why cassowaries feed on this particular soil is unclear, but they may obtain trace elements from it, or take advantage of its high iron or phosphorus content. Obtaining other elements, in particular calcium and sodium, may also be important. Alternatively, there may simply be an attraction to its blue colour, which also attracted the interest of local people and folklore. Birds were also reported to drink salt water within the CMWMA. Taken together, there may be quite different reasons for ingestion of minerals/soils among as many as 23 bird species from five families.
Influence of fawning on the spatial behaviour and habitat selection of female fallow deer (Dama dama) during late pregnancy and early lactation
Authors: Ciuti S. , Bongi P. , Vassale S. , Apollonio M. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractHome‐range sizes and habitat selection among calving and non‐calving female fallow deer Dama dama were analysed during the last months of pregnancy and following parturition. The study was carried out in central Italy using radio‐tracking techniques. It was based on data collected on 23 adult females (calving n=15, non‐calving n=8) from March 2003 to August 2003. Seasonal and bimonthly home‐range analyses showed marked differential spatial behaviour between calving and non‐calving females only when fawns were present. These were born during June, and the summer and July–August home ranges of calving females were significantly lower than those recorded for non‐calving ones. Although differences between spatial use of calving and non‐calving females became significant only after the birth of fawns, habitat choices were significantly different from late pregnancy, when females had already reached parturition sites. Therefore, whereas during March–April calving and non‐calving females showed similar habitat choices, from May, habitat selection proved to be significantly different between the two classes of females. In particular, major differences were detected in the use of marshes and meadows. That female fallow deer adopt anti‐predator tactics during the calving season was shown by their higher use of marshes, the habitat that offers the greatest cover and provides good concealment for fawns. Calving females avoided meadows, because these are open areas without any concealment for fawns; however they were selected by non‐calving females as a function of their high productivity, as shown by analysis of the grass quality of the study site. The use of sub‐optimal habitats by calving females because of the presence of fawns confirmed the findings of previous studies. These showed that ungulate mothers may move to poorer but safer habitats, compromising their energy intakes, to reduce the predation risk to their neonates.
Differences in foraging behaviour between Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) and Pipistrellus pygmaeus (Leach, 1825)
Authors: Davidson‐Watts I. , Jones G. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractFrom 2001 to 2003 we radio tracked 23 Pipistrellus pipistrellus and 23 Pipistrellus pygmaeus to investigate whether there are any differences in foraging behaviour between the two cryptic species during the summer, and to consider whether any differences between these species are important for their conservation planning. There were significant differences between the two species in relation to flying time, mean maximum distances travelled from the roost, numbers of foraging bouts made and span of home ranges. The results suggest that P. pipistrellus makes more flights to a greater number of foraging locations (and possibly) feeding habitats than P. pygmaeus, although these foraging areas are likely to be closer to the roosts. This behaviour is particularly marked during lactation. In contrast, P. pygmaeus spends less time flying, makes fewer foraging bouts but travels further distances, suggesting that this species is selecting specific foraging habitats. These differences in foraging behaviour support the hypothesis that these species occupy different ecological niches, and conservation planners should be aware of these differences when considering the requirements of pipistrelles in the UK.
Predator threat, copulation effort and immunity in male rats (Rattus norvegicus)
Authors: Hõrak P. , Tummeleht L. , Talvik H. 
Published: September 2010

AbstractParental investment theory predicts that organisms should increase their current reproductive investments when they perceive a threat to future reproduction. In such a situation, animals are expected to pay the cost of reproduction by committing a terminal reproductive effort (TRE). We aimed to induce a TRE in male Wistar rats by exposing experimental animals to predator (cat) odour, while the control group was exposed to the odour of rabbit. As response variables, we measured the parameters of male copulatory activity (copulation effort) and resistance to the experimental infection with a neurotropic nematode, Toxocara canis. Contrary to our expectations, control animals received a greater average number of ejaculations in ad libitum copulation trials than predator‐exposed animals. Other parameters of copulatory activity (intromission and ejaculation latencies, numbers of mounts and intromissions, ejaculation efficiency, duration of post‐ejaculatory interval) did not differ between treatment groups. Exposure to predator odour resulted in growth retardation and immune suppression as revealed by the elevated urinary corticosterone levels and higher parasite counts in brain and muscle tissues as compared with control animals. We failed to detect any immunological cost of increased copulatory activity as no significant correlations between measures of copulatory activity and immune parameters could be found. Individual mount number correlated positively with urine creatinine concentration (an index of muscular activity), suggesting that this aspect of male copulatory behaviour is energetically most demanding. Our experiment thus failed to support the hypotheses that exposure to predator odour increases copulatory activity in male rats and that intense copulatory activity leads to immune suppression. The hypothesis that predator odour exposure leads to immune suppression and reduced infection resistance was supported.