bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can mite parasitism affect the condition of bat hosts? Implications for the social structure of colonial bats
Authors: Lourenço S. I. , Palmeirim J. M. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractEctoparasitism may be recognized as one of the main costs of coloniality, but little is known about how it affects the fitness and social structure of bats, the most gregarious of mammals. We studied these issues using the colonial batMiniopterus schreibersiiand its haematophagous parasitic miteSpinturnix psias a model. Body condition is an important indicator of individual fitness that is potentially affected by ectoparasitism. Thus, we measured host body condition and mite loads in a total of 969 bats throughout the annual cycle. Mites were rare while hosts hibernated, increased in abundance in spring and peaked during nursing season of bats, when they were particularly abundant on lactating females and young bats. This strong seasonal variation in mite loads is related to the reproductive cycle of mites, which in turn appears to be synchronized with the reproductive cycle of their hosts. Mite loads and the condition of bats were negatively correlated, and information available suggests that this may be due to an effect of parasitism, although other possible causes for this trend cannot be excluded. However, a negative correlation was only observed during the bat's nursing season, when mites were most abundant, and heavily parasitized bats lost about 10% of their weight. Mite parasitism did not seem to be a significant disadvantage of coloniality, except in nurseries, where it might impose some costs. However, as females and young usually aggregate in these colonies, we presume that for them such costs are probably offset by advantages of group living. Adult males, however, are usually absent from nurseries, which may be a strategy to minimize mite parasitism. Overall, the results suggest that ectoparasitism may play a role in determining the social structure ofM. schreibersiiand of many other temperate bats that have similar life cycles and ectoparasitic loads.
Is fecundity the ultimate cause of female‐biased size dimorphism in a dragon lizard?*
Authors: Stuart‐Smith J. , Swain R. , Stuart‐Smith R. D. , Wapstra E. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractFecundity selection is one of the most influential underlying driving forces responsible for body size differences between the sexes of a species. Reproductive output is one of the most important aspects of an animal's life‐history strategy, and any trait that acts to improve this will be under strong selection. Body size is one potential trait that can influence fecundity and when a species exhibits female‐biased size dimorphism, fecundity provides an ideal starting point for understanding why dimorphism in body size exists. Female‐biased sexual size dimorphism is uncommon in vertebrates, including lizards. To explore the relationship between female‐biased size dimorphism and fecundity, we examined maternal size and clutch data collected over four years from a temperate‐zone agamid, Rankinia (Tympanocryptis) diemensis. We measured the following descriptors of reproductive output: clutch size and mass, relative clutch mass (RCM), average egg mass and offspring size. We found a positive relationship between maternal size and clutch size and mass, but no relationship between maternal size and RCM, average egg mass or hatchling size, demonstrating that the relative reproductive output is not influenced by female size, and that the only way to increase reproductive output is for the female to attain a greater body size. There exists an overall strong relationship between maternal body size and fecundity, thereby providing a potential explanation as to why female size is under selection in this species.
Man‐made environmental changes affect the boundary between two taxa of Laudakia
Authors: Federman R. , Werner Y. L. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThis project tested whether, and how, man‐made changes in the environment would affect the boundary between parapatric‐related taxa of Laudakia (Reptilia: Agamidae), whose distributions meet at a boundary between ecological regions. Israel is ecologically diverse with a mesic (Mediterranean) north and an arid (Saharo‐Arabian) south. The lizard hardun Laudakia stellio is represented in Israel mainly by two subspecies: the Mediterranean Lau. s. ssp. and the desert Lau. s. brachydactyla. These are conventionally distinguished by the key character, number of subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe, visible in museum specimens examined for the purpose. The results revealed that during 1935–1978, the boundary between the two subspecies had shifted 15 km southwards. This is interpreted as resulting from the documented southwards spread of irrigated agriculture. During this time, the average subdigital count of each subspecies near the inter‐taxa boundary shifted slightly towards the average of the other subspecies. In each subspecies, in this area, at the same time, the coefficient of variation of the subdigital count increased. The last two processes are interpreted as reflecting reciprocal migration, enhanced by the documented expanded road system and intensified human transportation. Hence, in this case, anthropogenic developments have changed both the location and the genetic structure of the boundary between two parapatric taxa.
Analysis of forelimb function in basal ceratopsians
Authors: Senter P. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractHere, I present the first study of forelimb function in basal ceratopsians [Correction added after publication 28 July 2007: in the preceding sentence ‘Here, I present the first study of forelimb function in basal ceratopsiansDinosauria Orthischia’ was corrected to ‘Here, I present the first study of forelimb function in basal ceratopsians’]. I examined forelimb bones and casts ofPsittacosaurus neimongoliensis,Psittacosaurus mongoliensis,Leptoceratops gracilisandProtoceratops andrewsi. ForPs. neimongoliensisandL. gracilis, I used manual manipulations of bones and casts to determine the range of motion at available forelimb joints. I then used range of motion and morphology to test the predictions of several hypotheses of forelimb function. Forelimb morphology and range of motion indicate thatPsittacosauruswas an obligate biped and thatLeptoceratopsandProtoceratopswere capable of quadrupedal locomotion. Forelimb mobility was too limited inPsittacosaurusfor the hands to reach the mouth.LeptoceratopsandProtoceratopsare members of an evolutionary radiation in which an extension of the glenoid enabled the forelimbs to sprawl laterally for transverse pivoting, perhaps for display, but quadrupedal locomotion was accomplished with the elbows tucked in. InProtoceratops, the radius crosses over the ulna, causing the palms to face caudally. InLeptoceratops, the radius does not cross over the ulna; the palms face largely medially and the fingers have been reoriented so that flexion produces a caudal, propulsive force, even without caudally facing palms.
Rhythmic diel movements of pandalid shrimps in the western Mediterranean continental shelf and upper slope
Authors: Aguzzi J. , Company J. B. , Abelló P. , García J. A. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractIn marine ecosystems, information on diel rhythmic movements of species is of importance to characterize temporal changes in the community structure. In this sense, patterns of bottom trawl catches of the pandalid caridean shrimps Chlorotocus crassicornis, Plesionika gigliolii and Plesionika martia were analysed, as a proxy of the timing and duration of their presence on the seabed, close to the autumn equinox (October) and the summer solstice (June) on the continental shelf (100 m) and the upper slope (400 m). The size structure of catches was also studied for each species to assess the possible occurrence of a modulation of rhythmic movements during ontogeny. Data showed marked diel patterns of catchability on the bottom in association with light intensity cycles in both sampling seasons and depths. Chlorotocus crassicornis on the shelf showed nocturnal peaks in catches. On the slope, Pl. gigliolii showed mainly a higher catchability at dusk and dawn, whereas the catchability of Pl. martia was mainly higher during the day time. Juveniles and adults of Pl. gigliolii and Pl. martia showed ontogenetic differences in their occurrence patterns. This phenomenon is discussed by comparing the reported catchability patterns with those of some prey species that also show rhythmic behaviour in association with the day–night cycle.
Pituitary luteinizing hormone responses to single doses of exogenous GnRH in female social Cape ground squirrels exhibiting low reproductive skew
Authors: Jackson T. P. , Waterman J. M. , Bennett N. C. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe Cape ground squirrel Xerus inauris is unusual among social mammals as it exhibits a low reproductive skew, being a facultative plural breeder with not all females breeding within a group. We investigated pituitary function to assess whether there was reproductive inhibition at the level of the pituitary and potentially the hypothalamus in breeding and non‐breeding female Cape ground squirrels. We did so during the summer and winter periods by measuring luteinizing hormone (LH) responses to single doses of 2 g exogenous gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) and physiological saline administered to 42 females from 11 colonies. Basal LH concentrations of females increased in response to the GnRH challenge. Basal plasma LH concentrations were greater during winter, when most oestrus events are observed. However, we found no differences in plasma LH concentrations between breeding and non‐breeding females. We showed that the anterior pituitary of non‐breeding female ground squirrels is no less sensitive to exogenously administered GnRH than that of breeding females. We therefore concluded that the pituitary is no more active in breeding than non‐breeding females. The lack of differentiation in response to GnRH suggests that either non‐breeding females have ovaries that are less sensitive to LH or that they refrain from sexual activity with males through an alternative mechanism of self‐restraint.
Spatial ecology of the mulgara in arid Australia: impact of fire history on home range size and burrow use
Authors: Körtner G. , Pavey C. R. , Geiser F. 
Published: July 2007

AbstractKnowledge about the spatial ecology of small mammals in relation to fire history in arid zones in general and Australia in particular is limited. Here, we report data on the spatial ecology of the brush‐tailed mulgara Dasycercus blythi in the hummock grasslands of Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park during winter 2006, the beginning of the breeding season for this species. About 73% of the study area had been burnt in 2002 and spinifex cover was sparse. Mulgaras Marsupialia: Dasyuridae (six males and three females) were implanted with radio‐transmitters and monitored daily for between 6 and 55 days. All mulgaras appeared to use defined home ranges, which overlapped extensively with those of several neighbours. Spatial overlap occurred between as well as within sexes. On average, males (25.5 ha) occupied significantly larger home ranges than females (10.8 ha). Mulgaras used a number of burrows within home ranges and several were used by more than one individual. Moreover, occasionally, two individuals used the same burrow simultaneously. Home ranges and burrows encompassed both mature spinifex Triodia basedowii and open regrowth areas and mulgaras did not exhibit a significant preference for either habitat type. However, three males were killed by introduced‐predators and they all lived predominantly in the open regrowth area. We conclude that mulgaras do not select the dense cover of mature spinifex habitat, and might be subjected to increased risk from introduced predators, especially following fire.
The forced vergence cover test and phoria adaptation
Authors: Toole Andrew J. , Fogt Nick 
Published: July 2007

AbstractPhoria adaptation (PA) provides innervation to help maintain the correct vergence posture for binocularly viewing objects. Once fusion is disrupted, such as is required for measuring a (dissociated) phoria, this innervation is slowly depleted. Thus, extended periods of monocular occlusion can be required to dissipate PA and reveal the full extent of the phoria. Two versions of a forced vergence modification of the alternating cover test (CT) have been proposed to rapidly show the full phoria. We evaluated the ability of these forced vergence CTs (FVCT‐1 and FVCT‐2) to deplete the PA induced by a 15 min adaptation period to base out prism. In both experiments, the CT followed by the FVCT was performed before and after the adaptation period. In Experiment 1 (n = 13), the FVCT‐1 was evaluated at 40 cm. Experiment 2 (n = 32) evaluated the FVCT‐2 at 4 m. In Experiments 1 and 2, the difference between pre‐ and post‐adaptation CTs showed significant PA occurred during the adaptation period (7.8Δ, p < 0.0005, and 5.4Δ, p < 0.0005 respectively). In Experiment 1, the FVCT‐1 did not reveal a larger phoria than the CT before (mean difference: 0.4Δ, p = 0.34) or after (no difference for all subjects) the adaptation period. Thus, the FVCT‐1 did not alter PA. In Experiment 2, the FVCT‐2 did show a shift in the phoria compared to the CT. However, this shift was found to be equivalent before and after the adaptation period (mean difference in shift: 0.22Δ, 95% CI: −0.52 to 0.96Δ). Thus, the FVCT‐2 shifts the phoria a constant amount independent of the amount of PA present. We conclude that neither FVCT's behaviour is dependent on the PA present. Thus, these procedures are unlikely to be effective clinical procedures for revealing the full magnitude of the phoria.
Glare susceptibility test results correlate with temporal safety margin when executing turns across approaching vehicles in simulated low‐sun conditions
Authors: Gray Rob , Regan David 
Published: July 2007

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare the results of a laboratory glare susceptibility test with the execution of turns at an intersection (turns that required the driver to cross a lane containing approaching traffic). We measured glare susceptibility by means of low and high‐contrast letter charts with and without a glare source. Driving performance in the absence and presence of simulated low sun was assessed using a simulator. In particular, we measured the difference between the time taken to complete a turn across the path of an approaching vehicle and the time to collision (TTC) with the approaching vehicle (the safety margin). The presence of glare resulted in a significant reduction in the safety margin used by drivers (by 0.65 s on average) and the mean number of collisions was significantly higher in the glare conditions than in the non‐glare conditions. The effect of glare was larger for low‐contrast than for high‐contrast oncoming vehicles. Older drivers (45–60 years) had a significantly greater reduction in safety margin than younger drivers (19–29 years), though there was a large inter‐individual variability in both age groups. We suggest that the reduction in retinal image contrast caused by low‐sun caused drivers to overestimate the TTC with approaching vehicles.
Quinine—A Tonic Too Bitter for Hemodialysis‐Associated Muscle Cramps?
Authors: Kobrin Sidney M. , Berns Jeffrey S. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractHemodialysis patients are susceptible to muscle cramps, both during dialysis sessions as well as in the interdialytic interval. These cramps are often very painful, disruptive to the dialysis treatment, and adversely affect quality of life. There is no well‐defined means of preventing or treating these cramps. Quinine sulfate has been used with apparent success in some patients, but the Food and Drug Administration recently ordered the cessation of marketing of unapproved quinine formulations and advised consumers to avoid “off‐label” use of quinine for cramps. We review the causes and consequences of hemodialysis‐associated cramps, and discuss possible preventive measures and treatments.
Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy with Chronic Cerebral Granuloma Caused by Schistosoma japonicum
Authors: Lei Ting , Shu Kai , Chen Xu , Li Ling 
Published: July 2007

Summary
Purpose: To study the surgical treatment of epilepsy with cerebral granuloma caused by Schistosoma japonicum.
Methods: Two hundred fifty cases of epilepsy caused by cerebral schistosomiasis from 1955 to 2004 were analyzed retrospectively.
Results: There were no deaths. Follow‐up of 196 cases for 4–5 years after operation demonstrated that 180 cases (92%) were seizure‐free or well‐controlled.
Conclusions: Surgical treatment should be considered when drug therapy fails to control epilepsy or the lesion shows mass effect. Intraoperative electrocorticography monitoring is helpful to define the extent of the resection of the lesion.
Scotosensitive and Photosensitive Myoclonic Seizures in an Infant with Trisomy 13
Authors: Torniero Claudia , Zuffardi Orsetta , Darra Francesca , Dalla Bernardina Bernardo 
Published: July 2007

Summary We describe a male carrier of trisomy 13 with scotosensitive and photosensitive myoclonic seizures appearing at the age of 8 months and persisting until death at 20 months. The seizures consisted of massive myoclonic jerks induced both by switching the room light suddenly on or off or by IPS with a frequency of 1 s. Spontaneous seizures were absent. The child also presented from the same age with breath‐holding spells. This is interesting because it represents a rare example of the co‐occurrence of scotosensitive and photosensitive seizures. Furthermore, a possible association to locus on 13q31.3 has been reported for photosensitivity, while for scotosensitivity there is no previous genetic information.
Autosomal Dominant Inheritance of Centrotemporal Sharp Waves in Rolandic Epilepsy Families
Authors: Bali Bhavna , Kull Lewis L. , Strug Lisa J. , Clarke Tara , Murphy Peregrine L. , Akman Cigdem I. , Greenberg David A. , Pal Deb K. 
Published: July 2007

Summary
Purpose: Centrotemporal sharp (CTS) waves, the electroencephalogram (EEG) hallmark of rolandic epilepsy, are found in approximately 4% of the childhood population. The inheritance of CTS is presumed autosomal dominant but this is controversial. Previous studies have varied considerably in methodology, especially in the control of bias and confounding. We aimed to test the hypothesis of autosomal dominant inheritance of CTS in a well‐designed family segregation analysis study.
Methods: Probands with rolandic epilepsy were collected through unambiguous single ascertainment. Siblings in the age range 4–16 years underwent sleep‐deprived EEG; observations from those who remained awake were omitted. CTS were rated as present or absent by two independent observers blinded to the study hypothesis and subject identities. We computed the segregation ratio of CTS, corrected for ascertainment. We tested the segregation ratio estimate for consistency with dominant and recessive modes of inheritance, and compared the observed sex ratio of those affected with CTS for consistency with sex linkage.
Results: Thirty siblings from 23 families underwent EEG examination. Twenty‐three showed evidence of sleep in their EEG recordings. Eleven of 23 recordings demonstrated CTS, yielding a corrected segregation ratio of 0.48 (95% CI: 0.27–0.69). The male to female ratio of CTS affectedness was approximately equal.
Conclusions: The segregation ratio of CTS in rolandic epilepsy families is consistent with a highly penetrant autosomal dominant inheritance, with equal sex ratio. Autosomal recessive and X‐linked inheritance are rejected. The CTS locus might act in combination with one or more loci to produce the phenotype of rolandic epilepsy.
Increased Fast ripple to ripple Ratios Correlate with Reduced Hippocampal Volumes and Neuron Loss in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients
Authors: Staba Richard J. , Frighetto Leonardo , Behnke Eric J. , Mathern Gary W. , Fields Tony , Bragin Anatol , Ogren Jennifer , Fried Itzhak , Wilson Charles L. , Engel Jerome 
Published: July 2007

Summary
Purpose: To determine whether hippocampal sclerosis might form an anatomical substrate for pathological high‐frequency oscillations in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
Methods: Intracerebral wide bandwidth electroencephalogram was recorded in patients with medically intractable complex partial seizures. A computer‐automated program detected interictal normal ripples (80–150 Hz) and pathologic fast ripples (FR, 151–500 Hz) from microelectrodes within hippocampus, entorhinal, and subicular cortices. Hippocampal MRI volumetric analysis and cell density measurements were correlated with rates of FR and ripple discharge.
Results: In all 13 patients, higher rates of FR (p = 0.03) and ratios of FR to ripple discharges (p = 0.02) were observed in sites ipsilateral to seizure onset compared with rates within contralateral nonictal sites. Higher ratios of FR to ripple discharge were associated with smaller ipsilateral hippocampal volumes (p = 0.02) and lower fascia dentata (FD; p = 0.02) and Ammon's horn (p = 0.0005) neuron densities. While reduced FD and Ammon's horn neuron densities correlated with higher ratios of discharges, stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that decreased neuron densities within CA1 and prosubiculum regions most strongly predicted ratios of FR to ripples (r2= 0.78, p = 0.008).
Conclusions: In surgical patients with TLE, higher ratios of FR to ripple discharges are associated with histopathologic changes found in hippocampal sclerosis. These findings support the hypothesis that pathological alterations linked with hippocampal cell loss and synaptic reorganization promote FR and reduce ripple generation.
Comparative Study of In Vitro Caries‐Like Lesions and Natural Caries Lesions at Crown Margins
Authors: Arnold Wolfgang H. , Sonkol T. , Zoellner Axel , Gaengler Peter 
Published: August 2007

Purpose:
Secondary caries at crown margins and the influence of preparation techniques are major clinical problems. It was therefore the aim of this study to compare natural caries lesions at crown margins with experimental caries lesions.
Materials and Methods:
Five extracted caries‐free human molars were restored with gold cast crowns and afterwards covered with wax leaving a 3 × 3 mm window at the crown margin. These teeth were then incubated in acidified gel (pH 4.7) for 50 days. After incubation these teeth and five other crowned extracted teeth exhibiting natural caries lesions were embedded in Technovit 9100. Serial sections with a thickness of 80 μm were cut through the lesions and investigated with polarized light microscopy (PLM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analysis for quantitative element analysis of Ca, P, and C. The results of the quantitative element analysis were statistically evaluated using the nonparametric ANOVA test for repeated measurements.
Results:
PLM of the experimental lesions showed homogeneous lesions with no transparent zone, or dead tracts. The natural caries lesions exhibited a demineralized zone, translucent zone, and dead tracts. Quantitative element analysis showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) of Ca, P, and C between sound dentin and demineralized dentin in natural and experimental caries lesions.
Conclusion:
The experimental model reproduces the demineralization pattern of secondary caries but does not simulate the vital dentin reactions of peritubular and intratubular mineralization.