bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retraction of the mobile descended larynx during groaning enables fallow bucks (Dama dama) to lower their formant frequencies
Authors: McElligott A. G. , Birrer M. , Vannoni E. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractA permanently descended larynx is found in humans and several other species of mammals. In addition to this, the larynx of species such as fallow deer is mobile and in males it can be retracted during vocalization. The most likely explanation for the lowered retractable larynx in mammals is that it serves to exaggerate perceived body size (size exaggeration hypothesis) by decreasing the formant frequencies of calls. In this study, we quantified for the first time the elongation of the vocal tract in fallow bucks during vocalization. We also measured the effect of this vocal tract length (VTL) increase on formant frequencies (vocal tract resonances) and formant dispersion (spacing of formants). Our results show that fallow bucks increase their VTL on average by 52% during vocalization. This elongation resulted in strongly lowered formant frequencies and decreased formant dispersion. There were minimal changes to formants 1 and 2 (−0.91 and +1.9%, respectively) during vocal tract elongation, whereas formants 3, 4 and 5 decreased substantially: 18.9, 10.3 and 13.6%, respectively. Formant dispersion decreased by 12.4%. Formants are prominent in deer vocalizations and are used by males to gain information on the competitive abilities of signallers. It remains to be seen whether females also use the information that formants contain for assessing male quality before mating.
Negotiating obstacles: running kinematics of the lizard Sceloporus malachiticus
Authors: Kohlsdorf T. , Biewener A. A. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe kinematics of lizard locomotion has been extensively studied, focusing mainly on steady running over level ground or over uniformly inclined surfaces. However, lizards inhabit structurally complex environments and frequently encounter small physical barriers located along their traveling routes. Consequently, the ability to climb obstacles is likely ecologically advantageous for small vertebrates because it allows expansion of their spatial niche across distinct microhabitats. Our study tests which aspects of lizard kinematics change to improve the negotiation of obstacles that might be encountered along traveling routes. We examined the kinematics of Sceloporus malachiticus using high‐speed (500 fps) digital video as individuals moved over rectangular obstacles with three different heights (0.8, 1.8 and 3.8 cm; 22, 49 and 103% of the lizards' mean forelimb length: wrist to shoulder), as well as during steady level running. Our results show that S. malachiticus lizards increase vertical relative to horizontal limb motion and elevate their head and trunk in anticipation of moving over an obstacle. The lizards generally appeared to use their forelimbs as levers to pull their body over higher obstacles, whereas the hindlimbs pushed against the ground to propel the pelvis forward and upward. Elevation of the center of the trunk in preparatory strides (23.83 and 37.85 mm, low vs. high obstacle) and forelimb support duty factor (0.33 vs. 0.45, low vs. high obstacle) increased with obstacle height, whereas locomotor speed and stepping frequency decreased from steady level running (0.89 m s−1 and 6.87 Hz) when moving over the highest obstacle (0.62 m s−1 and 5.74 Hz). Lizards paused more frequently on high obstacles, and made more adjustments of hand and foot contact positions with increased barrier height. They also jumped and ran bipedally more frequently to negotiate higher obstacles. This study shows that both kinematic and behavioral strategies are used by small vertebrates with a sprawled posture to help negotiate obstacles.
Glycerotoxin stimulates neurotransmitter release from N‐type Ca2+ channel expressing neurons
Authors: Schenning Mitja , Proctor Dustin T. , Ragnarsson Lotten , Barbier Julien , Lavidis Nickolas A. , Molgó Jordi J. , Zamponi Gerald W. , Schiavo Giampietro , Meunier Frederic A. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractGlycerotoxin (GLTx) is capable of stimulating neurotransmitter release at the frog neuromuscular junction by directly interacting with N‐type Ca2+ (Cav2.2) channels. Here we have utilized GLTx as a tool to investigate the functionality of Cav2.2 channels in various mammalian neuronal preparations. We first adapted a fluorescent‐based high‐throughput assay to monitor glutamate release from rat cortical synaptosomes. GLTx potently stimulates glutamate secretion and Ca2+ influx in synaptosomes with an EC50 of 50 pm. Both these effects were prevented using selective Cav2.2 channel blockers suggesting the functional involvement of Cav2.2 channels in mediating glutamate release in this system. We further show that both Cav2.1 (P/Q‐type) and Cav2.2 channels contribute equally to depolarization‐induced glutamate release. We then investigated the functionality of Cav2.2 channels at the neonatal rat neuromuscular junction. GLTx enhances both spontaneous and evoked neurotransmitter release causing a significant increase in the frequency of postsynaptic action potentials. These effects were blocked by specific Cav2.2 channel blockers demonstrating that either GLTx or its derivatives could be used to selectively enhance the neurotransmitter release from Cav2.2‐expressing mammalian neurons.
Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for parentage assessment in captive populations of roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja)
Authors: SAWYER GREGORY M. , BENJAMIN ROBERT C. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractSix microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized to assess genetic diversity and determine parentage in three captive roseate spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja) populations. Analysis of 61 individuals from three zoological parks and one wild population at five polymorphic loci revealed an average of six alleles per locus and expected heterozygosities from 59% to 81% (average 70%). Since spoonbills do not exhibit obvious sexual dimorphism, Aaju4, which exhibited ZW‐specific alleles, was exceptionally useful for sex identification. These loci will be valuable tools for investigating genetic diversity and documenting patterns of parentage in captive roseate spoonbill populations.
Molecular sexing of pine marten (Martes martes): how many replicates?
Authors: LYNCH Á. B. , BROWN M. J. F. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe used primers developed for the SRY gene in otters (Lutra lutra) to determine sex in pine marten (Martes martes). The otter SRY primers worked accurately for pine marten and assigned sex correctly in most replicates. These primers can be used on tissue and noninvasively collected hair samples for the identification of the animal's sex. We found that, based on five sets of replicates, DNA extracted from leg muscle and hair gave significantly better results than DNA extracted from ear tissue. Finally, results indicate the optimum number of PCR replicates to accurately assign sex using this technique.
Ten informative markers developed from WRKY sequences in coconut (Cocos nucifera)
Authors: MAURO‐HERRERA MARGARITA , MEEROW ALAN W. , BORRONE JAMES W. , KUHN DAVID N. , SCHNELL RAYMOND J. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractCoconut (Cocos nucifera L.) WRKY sequences containing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and one microsatellite repeat were used to develop 10 informative markers. These markers were evaluated in 15 genotypes representing six coconut cultivars. SNP‐containing alleles were detected by single‐strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. The number of detected alleles ranged from two to four. Five pairs of loci were in linkage disequilibrium in the test population. These markers are currently being evaluated in more individuals/cultivars to determine their value in estimating the genetic diversity of this species.
Characterization of microsatellite markers for the invasive ant species Anoplolepis gracilipes
Authors: FELDHAAR HEIKE , DRESCHER JOCHEN , BLÜTHGEN NICO 
Published: June 2006

AbstractWe present primer sequences for eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the formicine ant Anoplolepis gracilipes, a serious pest species in South‐East Asia and Pacific islands and still spreading on all continents. Microsatellite loci were isolated with a highly efficient method of enrichment. The number of alleles ranged from two to 19 with an observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.842 to 1.0. The markers were designed for a sociogenetic study as well as for population genetics.
Characterization of microsatellite loci in fulvous fruit bat Rousettus leschenaulti
Authors: HUA P. Y. , CHEN J. P. , SUN M. , LIANG B. , ZHANG S. Y. , WU D. H. 
Published: June 2006

Abstract Rousettus leschenaulti is an abundant species in many countries of South‐East Asia, including south China. We isolated seven microsatellite loci in R. leschenaulti from genomic DNA enriched for CA repeats with the enriched library method. A total of 56 samples from a population in the Guangxi Province of China were tested with these microsatellite markers. The polymorphism ranged from seven to 16 alleles, and the observed heterozygosity was 84–94%. It is the first time microsatellite markers were characterized from R. leschenaulti, and these markers can be an important tool for analysing population structure and genotypic diversity.
Ethnic Minority Rights in Central and Eastern Europe: The Case of the Hungarian ‘Status Law’
Authors: Chiva Cristina 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe international controversy concerning the Hungarian ‘status law’ of 2001 attests to the vital importance of ethnic minority rights in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as within an enlarged European Union. The paper examines the unique challenges raised by the law from its initial adoption in June 2001 to its subsequent amendment in June 2003. It looks at the interaction between four principal kinds of actors: Hungary (a kin state legislating support for ethnic co- nationals in neighbouring countries), Romania and Slovakia (home states to sizeable Hungarian ethnic groups), the Hungarian minorities in Romania and Slovakia, and the European institutions that became involved in the dispute as mediators.
Can Populism Be Defended? William Riker, Gerry Mackie and the Interpretation of Democracy
Authors: Dowding Keith 
Published: June 2006

AbstractThe paper considers Mackie's defence of ‘populist’ democracy against the critique offered by Riker and the Rochester School. Riker has two arguments against populism: first that Arrow's theorem shows there is no such thing as the general will, second, that once we have chosen a social decision mechanism the results may not represent the true wishes of the population since people may vote strategically. Mackie argues Arrow's theorem is misleading since the independence condition is not itself substantively rational, and that manipulation never actually occurs. The paper shows that independence is needed for interpretation and prediction, and whilst Arrow's strong condition may not be ‘substantively rational’, examples show that no single decision mechanism, even Mackie's favoured Borda count is obviously superior. It then argues that every election can, in Arrow's terms, be considered as manipulated – though there is nothing substantively wrong in that. The paper ends by pointing out that in the absence of complete information market outcomes are also similarly manipulated.
Feeding Assistance Needs of Long‐Stay Nursing Home Residents and Staff Time to Provide Care
Authors: Simmons Sandra F. , Schnelle John F. 
Published: June 2006

OBJECTIVES: To describe the staff time requirements to provide feeding assistance to nursing home residents who require three different types of assistance to improve oral food and fluid intake (social stimulation, verbal cuing, or both; physical guidance; or full physical assistance) and to determine whether physically dependent residents require more staff time, as defined in the national Resource Utilization Group System (RUGS) used for reimbursement.DESIGN: Descriptive.SETTING: Six skilled nursing homes.PARTICIPANTS: Ninety‐one long‐stay residents with low oral intake who responded to improved feeding assistance.MEASURMENTS: Research staff conducted direct observations of usual nursing home care for 2 consecutive days (total of six meals) to measure oral food and fluid consumption (total percentage eaten) and staff time spent providing assistance (minutes and seconds). Research staff then implemented a standardized graduated‐assistance protocol on 2 separate days (total of six meals) that enhanced residents' oral food and fluid intake.RESULTS: Staff time to provide feeding assistance that improved food and fluid consumption was comparable across different levels of eating dependency. Across all levels, residents required an average of 35 to 40 minutes of staff time per meal; thus, residents who needed only supervision and verbal cuing required just as much time as those who were physically dependent on staff for eating.CONCLUSION: The current RUGS system used for reimbursement likely underestimates the staff time required to provide feeding assistance care that improves oral intake.
Cigarette Smoking and the Risk of Supraventricular and Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in High‐Risk Cardiac Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: GOLDENBERG ILAN , MOSS ARTHUR J. , McNITT SCOTT , ZAREBA WOJCIECH , DAUBERT JAMES P. , HALL W. JACKSON , ANDREWS MARK L. ,   for the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial‐II Investigators
Published: June 2006

Introduction: Nicotine elevates serum catecholamine concentration and is therefore potentially arrhythmogenic. However, the effect of cigarette smoking on arrhythmic risk in coronary heart disease patients is not well established. Methods and Results: The risk of appropriate and inappropriate defibrillator therapy by smoking status was analyzed in 717 patients who received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial‐II. Compared with patients who had quit smoking before study entry (past smokers) and patients who had never smoked (never smokers), patients who continued smoking (current smokers) were significantly younger and generally had more favorable baseline clinical characteristics. Despite this, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for appropriate ICD therapy for fast ventricular tachycardia (at heart rates ≥180 b.p.m) or ventricular fibrillation was highest among current smokers (HR = 2.11 [95% CI 1.11–3.99]) and intermediate among past smokers (HR = 1.57 [95% CI 0.95–2.58]), as compared with never smokers (P for trend = 0.02). Current smokers also exhibited a higher risk of inappropriate ICD shocks (HR = 2.93 [95% CI 1.30–6.63]) than past (HR = 1.91 [95% CI 0.97–3.77]) and never smokers (P for trend = 0.008). Conclusions: In patients with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction, continued cigarette smoking is associated with a significant increase in the risk of life‐threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias and inappropriate ICD shocks induced by rapid supraventricular arrhythmias. Our findings stress the importance of complete smoking cessation in this high‐risk population.
What are Arrhythmogenic Substrates in Diabetic Rat Atria?
Authors: KATO TAKESHI , YAMASHITA TAKESHI , SEKIGUCHI AKIKO , SAGARA KOUICHI , TAKAMURA MASAYUKI , TAKATA SHIGEO , KANEKO SHUICHI , AIZAWA TADANORI , FU LONG‐TAI 
Published: June 2006

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is one of the significant independent risk factors for the development of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the pathophysiological mechanisms of the relationship have not been fully elucidated. Methods and Results: The genetic type II diabetes (GK) rats and their original (Wistar) ones were subjected to electrophysiological (n = 8 per group) and histological (n = 7 per group) studies. At 40 weeks old, when GK rats had significantly (P < 0.01) more increased plasma glucose and HbA1c values than Wistar rats, atrial electrical stimuli in the isolated‐perfused hearts induced significantly greater number of repetitive atrial responses in GK rats than in Wistar rats (47.9 ± 17.5 vs 3.1 ± 1.3 beats, respectively, P < 0.01). GK rats showed significantly longer intra‐atrial activation time than Wistar rats (18.3 ± 0.4 ms vs 15.9 ± 0.5 ms, P < 0.01) without any significant difference in the atrial refractoriness. The histological examination revealed significantly increased diffuse fibrotic deposition in GK rats atria compared with Wistar ones (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The present diabetic GK rat showed increased atrial arrhythmogenicity with intra‐atrial conduction disturbance, and thus indicated that the structural remodeling of atrium characterized by diffuse interstitial fibrosis would be a major substrate for diabetes‐related AF.
Property rights, production technology, and deforestation: cocoa in Cameroon
Authors: Kazianga Harounan , Masters William A. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn this article, we use a vintage‐capital model with risk of eviction to assess cocoa farmers' response to changes in their tenure security and to the introduction of a new, faster‐maturing cocoa variety. The model is calibrated with data from Cameroon in calendar year 2000, and then used to simulate the effects of institutional and technical change on farmer welfare and deforestation rates. Our findings can be summarized in three points. First, improved tenure security over cocoa fields increases farmers' consumption and welfare, but at the expense of more deforestation. Second, the introduction of new cocoa varieties with faster maturity and higher input response also unambiguously raises farmers' consumption and welfare. Doing so increases deforestation under insecure land tenure, but slows down deforestation under secure land tenure. Third, when introducing the two innovations together (more security and also new varieties), there is both an increase in welfare and a decline in deforestation. In sum, the availability of new cocoa cultivars calls for stronger tenure security, to accommodate investment in the new technology without increasing deforestation.
Strategic pricing in a differentiated product oligopoly model: fluid milk in Boston
Authors: Canan Basak , Cotterill Ronald W. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractIn an imperfectly competitive industry, differentiated products compete with each other with price rather than quantity as the strategic variable. Several previous studies have employed a generalized Nash–Bertrand model: Liang (1989), Cotterill (1994), Cotterill et al. (2000), and Kinoshita et al. (2002); however, only Liang has explored the theoretical foundations of that model. This article generalizes the Liang two‐good model to three goods. A surprising and important result follows. Price‐conjectural variations do not exist in models with three or more goods. Price‐reaction functions, however, exist in multiple‐good models. We estimate them jointly with a brand‐level demand system to evaluate the total impact of a brand manager's price change on own quantity. In a differentiated product market, this is a useful addition to a partial demand elasticity approach, because a change in one brand's price typically engenders a price reaction by other brands that affects own quantity via substantial cross‐price elasticities among substitutes. Strategic pricing in the Boston fluid milk market was also influenced by the existence of a raw milk price support program, the Northeast Dairy Compact. We find that the advent of the Compact was a focal point event that crystallized a shift away from Nash–Bertrand to more cooperative pricing. If the downstream market is not competitive, one needs to consider strategic price reactions when designing and evaluating agricultural price programs.
Horizontal ridge augmentation using autogenous block grafts and the guided bone regeneration technique with collagen membranes: a clinical study with 42 patients
Authors: Von Arx Thomas , Buser Daniel 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjective: To analyze the clinical outcome of horizontal ridge augmentation using autogenous block grafts covered with anorganic bovine bone mineral (ABBM) and a bioabsorbable collagen membrane.Material and methods: In 42 patients with severe horizontal bone atrophy, a staged approach was chosen for implant placement following horizontal ridge augmentation. A block graft was harvested from the symphysis or retromolar area, and secured to the recipient site with fixation screws. The width of the ridge was measured before and after horizontal ridge augmentation. The block graft was subsequently covered with ABBM and a collagen membrane. Following a tension‐free primary wound closure and a mean healing period of 5.8 months, the sites were re‐entered, and the crest width was re‐assessed prior to implant placement.Results: Fifty‐eight sites were augmented, including 41 sites located in the anterior maxilla. The mean initial crest width measured 3.06 mm. At re‐entry, the mean width of the ridge was 7.66 mm, with a calculated mean gain of horizontal bone thickness of 4.6 mm (range 2–7 mm). Only minor surface resorption of 0.36 mm was observed from augmentation to re‐entry.Conclusions: The presented technique of ridge augmentation using autogenous block grafts with ABBM filler and collagen membrane coverage demonstrated successful horizontal ridge augmentation with high predictability. The surgical method has been further simplified by using a resorbable membrane. The hydrophilic membrane was easy to apply, and did not cause wound infection in the rare instance of membrane exposure.
Antimicrobial therapy using a local drug delivery system (Arestin®) in the treatment of peri‐implantitis. I: microbiological outcomes
Authors: Persson G. Rutger , Salvi Giovanni E. , Heitz‐Mayfield Lisa J. A. , Lang Niklaus P. 
Published: June 2006

AbstractObjectives: To assess the microbiological outcome of local administration of minocycline hydrochloride microspheres 1 mg (Arestin®) in cases with peri‐implantitis and with a follow‐up period of 12 months.Material and methods: After debridement, and local administration of chlorhexidine gel, peri‐implantitis cases were treated with local administration of minocycline microspheres (Arestin®). The DNA–DNA checkerboard hybridization method was used to detect bacterial presence during the first 360 days of therapy.Results: At Day 10, lower bacterial loads for 6/40 individual bacteria including Actinomyces gerensceriae (P<0.1), Actinomyces israelii (P<0.01), Actinomyces naeslundi type 1 (P<0.01) and type 2 (P<0.03), Actinomyces odontolyticus (P<0.01), Porphyromonas gingivalis (P<0.01) and Treponema socranskii (P<0.01) were found. At Day 360 only the levels of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans were lower than at baseline (mean difference: 1 × 105; SE difference: 0.34 × 105, 95% CI: 0.2 × 105 to 1.2 × 105; P<0.03). Six implants were lost between Days 90 and 270. The microbiota was successfully controlled in 48%, and with definitive failures (implant loss and major increase in bacterial levels) in 32% of subjects.Conclusions: At study endpoint, the impact of Arestin® on A. actinomycetemcomitans was greater than the impact on other pathogens. Up to Day 180 reductions in levels of Tannerella forsythia, P. gingivalis, and Treponema denticola were also found. Failures in treatment could not be associated with the presence of specific pathogens or by the total bacterial load at baseline. Statistical power analysis suggested that a case control study would require approximately 200 subjects.