bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative ecophysiology of Chrysanthemum pacificum Nakai and solidago altissima L. 1. why S. altissima cannot be established on the seashore
Authors: Yura Hiroshi 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA field survey was made to elucidate whether salt spray is a major factor in preventing a common inland weed, Solidago altissima, from being established on the seashore of Boso Peninsula. Seasonal changes in the intensity of salt spray, sodium content in the soil water and soil water contents were measured at the seashore and inland. Seeds of S. altissima were sown at both sites with those of a common maritime species, Chrysanthemum pacificum. The number of surviving shoots of the seedlings were periodically counted for 1 year. The intensity of the salt spray, sodium content and water contents of the soil on the seashore fluctuated seasonally. There were some periods when the intensity of salt spray was comparable to that of the inland site. Most of the S. altissima seedlings survived at the inland site. All S. altissima seedlings germinated at the seashore were completely eliminated. The death rate of S altissima seedlings at the seashore was not constant. Ninety‐five percent of the S. altissima seedling in total died out during the four periods of intensive salt spray. The death rate of C. pacificum seedlings on the seashore was not especially high during those periods. Correlation between seasonal changes in the death rate of S. altissima seedlings and the sodium content or water content of the soil was low. These results indicate that intensive salt spray, intermittently blown in from the sea, is one of the most critical environmental factors that eliminates S. altissima from the seashore.
Is tuna critically endangered? Extinction risk of a large and overexploited population
Authors: Matsuda Hiroyuki , Yahara Tetsukazu , Uozumi Yuji 
Published: December 2006

AbstractIn 1994, (the World Conservation Union (IUCN) made new quantitative criteria for Red List Categories. Among these, criterion A is based on the reduction rate of population size and is not linked to absolute population size. This is because for most unexploited threatened species absolute population size is completely uncertain. Criterion E is directly concerned with the extinction probability within a specified period. Criterion A is applied to marine fish species, including tuna, which are exploited by commercial fishing. However, for many fish that are commercially exploited, the absolute number of mature individuals and the variance in its yearly reduction rate are often known. In addition, extinction probability depends on absolute population size. There is an inconsistency between criterion A and E when population size is large enough. This is the case for tuna. In this paper, we propose a new criterion for threatened species based on the average reduction rate and the current population size. Criterion A is consistent with criterion E as long as the population size is very small. We also propose a method for estimating the extinction risk of tuna based on the variance of the reduction rate. We investigated the sensitivity in the uncertain parameters involved in the models and concluded that tuna is unlikely to be listed as critically endangered but that southern bluefin tuna may be listed as vulnerable.
Temperature effect on maintenance and growth respiration coefficients of young, field‐grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa)
Authors: Adu‐Bredu Stephen , Yokota Taketo , Hagihara Akio 
Published: December 2006

AbstractRespiration measurements were made on the entire aboveground parts of young, field‐grown hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) trees at monthly intervals over a 5‐year period, to examine the effect of temperature on maintenance and growth respiration coefficients. The respiration rate of the trees was grouped on a monthly basis and then partitioned into maintenance and growth components. The maintenance respiration coefficient increased exponentially with air temperature. The maintenance respiration coefficient at a temperature of 0°C and its Q10 value were 0.205 mmol CO2 g−1 d.w. month−1 and 1.81, respectively. The growth respiration coefficient, which was virtually independent of temperature, had a mean value of 38.06±1.95 (SE) mmol CO2g−1 d.w. The growth rate increased exponentially with increasing temperature up to a peak at around 18°C, and thereafter declined, thereby resulting in the growth respiration rate being increasingly less sensitive to increasing air temperature. The reported decreases in the Q10 value of total respiration with increasing air temperature is due to the way in which the growth component of respiration responds to temperature.
Synthesis of Ethoxylated Alkyl Sulfosuccinate Surfactants and the Investigation of Mixed Solutions
Authors: Al‐Sabagh A. M. , Azzam E. M. S. , Mahmoud S. A. , Saleh N. E. A. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA series of ethoxylated sodium monoalkyl sulfosuccinate (ESMASS) ester surfactants were prepared by reacting polyethylene glycol (molecular weight 600) with sodium monoalkyl sulfosuccinate (SMASS). The esters were prepared by reacting octyl, lauryl, or cetyl alcohol with sodium sulfosuccinate (SSS) to prepare E(14)SMOSS, E(14)SMLSS, and E(14)SMCSS. The chemical structures of the prepared surfactants were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and1H‐NMR spectroscopy. The surface tension of the synthesized surfactants was measured at 25 °C individually or mixing at different molar fractions with sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate. The surface active properties were calculated and the micellization process of the mixture was investigated. The molar ratio of anionic (SDOSS) and anionic–nonionic surfactant moieties [E(14)SMOSS, E(14)SMLSS, and E(14)SMCSS] in the mixed aggregates were deduced using the regular solution approximation equations. Depending on the critical micelle concentration values measured for each surfactant individually, and as well as the mixed systems, the minimum surface tension was exhibited at a ratio of 0.6 SDOSS:0.4 E(14)SMCSS. The micellar composition of the mixed aggregates were explained and discussed based on the effect of their chemical structures. The activity coefficient (f1,f2), interaction parameter (β), and ideality of anionic–nonionic mixed aggregates were evaluated.
Hearing threshold assessment post grommet insertion. Is it reliable?
Authors: Griffiths H , James D , Davis R , Hartland S , Molony N 
Published: December 2006

We aimed to investigate whether auditory brainstem response (ABR), assessed immediately after grommet insertion, was an accurate measure of hearing threshold.Ten children were recruited (20 ears). Patients underwent transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) and ABR tests before and after grommet insertion under general anaesthetic. A third assessment was conducted at a six-week review, without anaesthetic or sedation. The hearing threshold in dB and the presence of TEOAE were recorded by senior audiologists. The results of each investigation were compared. At review, only 15 ABR and 17 TEOAE tests, of a possible 20, were recorded.Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions were recorded in 30 per cent of ears pre-operatively, 20 per cent of ears post-operatively and 82 per cent of ears at six-week review. The average ABR thresholds were 23.75 dB (range 10–45 dB) pre-operatively, 27.25 (range 15–40 dB) post-operatively and 15 dB (range 5–25 dB) at six-week review. Comparing pre- and post-operative assessment, decreased thresholds were seen in six ears and elevated thresholds in 11. Comparing the six-week review ABR with the post-operative ABR, 13 ears had decreased thresholds, by as much as 20 dB. Thresholds of 35 dB or greater were measured in six ears immediately after grommet insertion (maximum 40 dB). Threshold shifts of 15 dB or greater was observed in seven ears. The intra-subject variation was shown to be significant (p<0.001) when repeated measures analysis of variance was applied.We conclude that there is evidence that ABR can be inaccurate after grommet insertion, overestimating hearing thresholds. We believe that the mechanism by which the error is realised is temporary threshold shift.
Bioplastique™ injection laryngoplasty: voice performance outcome
Authors: Hamilton D W , Sachidananda R , Carding P N , Wilson J A 
Published: December 2006

Aim: To compare voice performance following Bioplastique™ injection with that following Isshiki thyroplasty.Measures: A 12 item, self-reported voice performance questionnaire was completed and observer-rated perceptual voice analysis scores were also measured, before and after Bioplastique injection, for 14 patients. Results were compared with our previously reported outcomes for 28 thyroplasty patients.Results: Only 14 of 30 patients had complete datasets. For these patients, the mean pre-operative voice performance questionnaire score improved significantly, from 40.3 to 18.9 (p=0.002, Wilcoxon test). All perceptual analysis parameters showed significant improvement. These results compare favourably with the thyroplasty cohort (mean voice performance questionnaire score: pre-operative 35; post-operative 18; p<0.001). One Bioplastique patient developed contralateral paresis, requiring partial removal of the material 18 months later. Two thyroplasty patients experienced complications and three required revision.Conclusions: Both Bioplastique injection and Isshiki thyroplasty resulted in a significant improvement in both subjective and perceptual voice performance. Our data suggest that the effect size of the two interventions is approximately similar (in nonrandomised cohorts of surviving patients). As in many similar studies, the incomplete follow-up data reflect severe comorbidity. Bioplastique injection is a quicker procedure associated with fewer complications, and thus appears superior to framework surgery in patients with limited life expectancy.
High‐Level Production of a Monoclonal Antibody in Murine Myeloma Cells by Perfusion Culture Using a Gravity Settler
Authors: Choo Chiou‐Yu , Tian Yuan , Kim Wan‐Seop , Blatter Erich , Conary Jon , Brady Ciaran P. 
Published: December 2006

AbstractA perfusion system is described for the production of a human monoclonal antibody in non‐secreting murine myeloma (NS0) cells that was previously shown to be difficult to produce at high levels using fed‐batch culture. The perfusion system was based on the use of a commercially available cell settler as the separation device to separate the cells from the culture. Separation efficiency of the cell settler was above 98%. Based on the growth and glucose consumption rates, fresh media was added to the culture and the turnover rate for the bioreactor was set at a maximum of 1.5 times the bioreactor volume per day. The perfusion process resulted in twice the maximum viable cell densities and up to three times the total protein production in a 53‐day run period when compared to the fed‐batch process. In addition, charge heterogeneity of the antibody as measured by ion exchange chromatography was lower for material purified from the perfusion runs compared to fed‐batch. Perfusion mode of culture using a commercially available gravity settler is therefore a viable alternative to fed‐batch mode for high‐level production of this monoclonal antibody in NS0 cells.
Evaluation of platelet function and lack of response to epinephrine in pregnant women
Authors: SAGDILEK E. , BUYUKCOSKUN N. I. , OZLUK K. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryPrevious studies in healthy subjects have demonstrated a lack of response of platelets to epinephrine at a rate of 16–40% on an aggregometer. An association between the increased procoagulant factors during pregnancy and venous thromboembolism is known, and it has also been shown that prolactin levels increase platelet aggregation. We evaluated whether platelet functions in pregnant women and also assessed the lack of response to epinephrine during this period. We compared 27 healthy and volunteering pregnant women with 26 similar control subjects. Platelet functions were assessed with an aggregometer and a Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA‐100). Less than 40% response to epinephrine on the aggregometer was defined as an impaired epinephrine response. The aggregation response of epinephrine was normal in 25 of the 27 pregnant women, while two of them showed a late‐rising response. Eight of the 26 subject control group (30.8%) showed an impaired response to epinephrine. When we compared the 25 pregnant and 18 control subjects with normal aggregation responses, the maximum aggregation responses to ADP and epinephrine, and the Col/Epi and Col/ADP cartridge closure time values were significantly lower in pregnant women. There were no difference beetween second and third trimesters as regards platelet function parameters. The fact that no impaired response to epinephrine was detected in pregnant women while a 30% rate was observed in non‐pregnant women indicates that the platelet malfunction caused by a disorder in the Gi protein and intracellular mechanisms is bypassed during pregnancy thanks to some physiological changes.
RBC alloimmunization in blood transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia patients in southern Iran
Authors: KARIMI M. , NIKROOZ P. , KASHEF S. , JAMALIAN N. , DAVATOLHAGH Z. 
Published: December 2006

Summaryβ‐thalassemia is considered a severe, progressive anemia, which needs regular transfusions for life expectancy. One of the most important complications of regular blood transfusions may be alloimmunization, which increases the need for transfusion. This study was performed to investigate the production of red cell alloantibodies in β‐thalassemia patients in Shiraz, southern Iran. Blood sampling was performed among 711 β‐thalassemia patients in Dastgheib hospital in 2002–2004. Direct and indirect coombs tests were performed to check the auto and alloantibodies and a panel test was conducted to detect the type of alloantibodies. Auto and alloantibodies were observed among 1.7% and 5.3% of patients, respectively. The most common alloantibodies were Anti‐kell (50%) > Anti‐Rh (D) (15.8%) > Anti‐Rh (E) (10.5%). All the patients who had developed alloantibody were in the age group of 6 years or more. So for decreasing the rate of alloantibody synthesis, we should crossmatched the packed cells for minor blood groups especially for kell and Rh(E) in addition to major blood groups from the start of transfusion.
Expression of CD55 and CD59 on peripheral blood cells in patients with lymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes
Authors: ISODA A. , TSUKAMOTO N. , MITSUI T. , YAMANE A. , HATSUMI N. , MATSUSHIMA T. , MURAKAMI H. , NOJIMA Y. , KARASAWA M. 
Published: December 2006

SummaryLymphoproliferative disease of granular lymphocytes (LDGL) is a disorder characterized by the clonal expansion of granular lymphocytes. It has recently been shown that the clonal expansion of granular lymphocytes occurs in patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) in a subclinical fashion. To test the possibility that LDGL patients share a PNH phenotype, we obtained peripheral blood cells from 20 patients with LDGL and examined the expression of the glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)‐anchored proteins, CD55 and CD59. Compared with normal controls, however, a defective expression of CD55/59 was not observed on either granulocytes or erythrocytes from LDGL patients. An unexpected finding was the significantly lower CD55/59 expression on granular lymphocytes from patients with CD16+CD56− phenotype LDGL than from patients with CD16+CD56+ phenotype LDGL, or natural killer (NK) and NK/T lymphocytes from healthy individuals. The positive correlation between the expression of CD56 and CD55/59 might have some relevance to the functional properties of the CD56+ subset of large granular lymphocytes.
Density dependence and noise determine the long‐term dynamics of two species of lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Epilachninae) in the Indonesian tropics
Authors: BONSALL MICHAEL B. , HASAN NUSYIRWAN , NAKAMURA KOJI 
Published: December 2006

Abstract1. The long‐term dynamics of two beetles (Epilachna vigintioctopunctataandEpilachna enneasticta) from Indonesia are analysed using descriptive time‐series statistics and mechanistic time‐series models.2. Statistical analysis of the time series reveals that the dynamics ofE. vigintioctopunctataare underpinned by a second order density‐dependent [AR(2)] process, which is consistent between sites. Similarly, the dynamics ofE. enneastictaare also described by a second order density‐dependent [AR(2)] process. The predicted dynamics from these statistical models are stable dynamics.3. Mechanistic models of the density dependence predict that in the absence of noise the dynamics of the populations should also be stable. Inclusion of the stochasticity in the models of density dependence allows a more accurate description of the population dynamics of each species to be determined.4. Correlation analyses reveal that the fluctuations between species are a function of both the density dependence and the environmental conditions experienced by each species. Under low environmental variance it is predicted that the dynamics could be synchronised but under high variance in environmental noise, the dynamics may not be synchronised and species respond idiosyncratically to the environment.5. The study highlights the value of long‐term population dynamic time series for exploring the structure of population regulation and fluctuations in insect populations.
The potential of grass field margin management for enhancing beetle diversity in intensive livestock farms
Authors: WOODCOCK B. A. , POTTS S. G. , PILGRIM E. , RAMSAY A. J. , TSCHEULIN T. , PARKINSON A. , SMITH R. E. N. , GUNDREY A. L. , BROWN V. K. , TALLOWIN J. R. 
Published: December 2006

Summary

Declining populations of UK grassland flora and fauna have been attributed to intensification of agricultural management practices, including changes in cutting, fertilizer, grazing and drainage regimes. We aimed to develop field margin management practices that could reverse declines in intensively managed grassland biodiversity that would have application in the UK and Europe. Here we focus on one aspect of grassland biodiversity, the beetles.
In four intensively managed livestock farms in south‐west England, 10‐m wide field margins in existing grasslands were managed to create seven treatments of increasing sward architectural complexity. This was achieved through combinations of inorganic (NPK) fertilizer, cattle grazing, and timing and height of cutting. To examine the potential influence of complexity on faunal diversity, beetles were identified to species level from suction samples taken between 2003 and 2005, and their assemblage structure was related to margin management, floral assemblages and sward architecture.
Beetle abundance, and species richness and evenness were influenced by margin management treatment and its interaction with year. Correlations with sward architecture and the percentage cover of dominant forbs and grasses were also found. Functional groups of the beetles showed different responses to the management treatments. In particular, higher proportional abundances of seed/flower‐feeding guilds were found in treatments not receiving NPK fertilizer.
The assemblage structure was shown to respond to margin management treatments, sward architecture and the percentage cover of dominant forbs and grasses. The most extensively managed treatments were characterized by distinct successional trajectories from the control treatment.
Synthesis and applications. This study provides management options suitable for use within agri‐environment schemes intended to improve faunal diversity associated with intensively managed lowland grasslands. Field margins receiving either no management or a single July silage cut were shown to support greater abundances and species richness of beetles, although subtler modifications of conventional management may also be beneficial, for example the absence of NPK fertilizer while maintaining grazing and silage cutting systems.
Enhancing diversity of species‐poor grasslands: an experimental assessment of multiple constraints
Authors: PYWELL RICHARD F. , BULLOCK JAMES M. , TALLOWIN JERRY B. , WALKER KEVIN J. , WARMAN ELIZABETH A. , MASTERS GREG 
Published: December 2006

Summary

Many grasslands in north‐west Europe are productive but species‐poor communities resulting from intensive agriculture. Reducing the intensity of management under agri‐environment schemes has often failed to increase botanical diversity. We investigated biotic and abiotic constraints on diversification by manipulating seed and microsite availability, soil fertility, resource competition, herbivory and deficiencies in the soil microbial community.
The effectiveness of 13 restoration treatments was investigated over 4 years in a randomized block experiment established in two productive grasslands in central‐east and south‐west England.
Severe disturbance involving turf removal followed by seed addition was the most effective and reliable means of increasing grassland diversity. Disturbance by multiple harrowing was moderately effective but was enhanced by molluscicide application to reduce seedling herbivory and by sowing the hemiparasite Rhinanthus to reduce competition from grasses.
Low‐level disturbance by grazing or slot‐seeding was ineffective in increasing diversity. Inoculation with soil microbial communities from species‐rich grasslands had no effect on botanical diversity. Nitrogen and potassium fertilizer addition accelerated off‐take of phosphorus in cut herbage but did not cause a reduction in soil phosphorus or increase botanical diversity.
Different grazing management regimes had little impact on diversity. This may reflect the constraining effect of the July hay cut on species dispersal and colonization.
Synthesis and applications. Three alternative approaches to grassland diversification, with different outcomes, are recommended. (i) High intervention deturfing, which would create patches with low competitive conditions for rapid and reliable establishment of the target community. For reasons of cost and practicality this can only be done over small areas but will form source populations for subsequent spread. (ii) Moderate intervention (harrowing or slot‐seeding) over large areas, which would establish a limited number of desirable, generalist species that perform well in restoration. This method is low cost and rapid but the increases in biodiversity are less predictable. (iii) Phased restoration, which would complement the above approaches. Productivity and competition are reduced over 3–5 years using Rhinanthus or fertilizers to accelerate phosphorus off‐take. After this time harrowing and seeding should allow a wide range of more specialist species to establish. However, further research is required to determine the long‐term effectiveness of these approaches.