bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Complex effects of habitat loss on Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos
Authors: WHITFIELD D. PHILIP , FIELDING ALAN H. , GREGORY MIKE J. P. , GORDON A. G. , McLEOD DAVID R. A. , HAWORTH PAUL F. 
Published: September 2006

The development of commercial forests presents potential threats to large raptors that rely on prey caught in open country. We examined the effect of afforestation of breeding habitat used by a population of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in Scotland where, over the last 50 years, extensive stands of exotic conifers have been planted. Using data for 31 years on territory occupancy and breeding success, together with spatiotemporally dynamic mapping of forest cover and predicted areas of territory‐use in a Geographical Information System, we examined relationships between forest cover and Eagle ecology at landscape and individual territory scales. Several territories were abandoned during the earliest phases of forest planting, but relatively few were apparently lost to later plantings. Territories with poorer breeding productivity appeared to be more vulnerable to abandonment than territories with better breeding productivity. At the landscape scale, temporal differences in breeding productivity were negatively related to the extent of forest cover, although productivity of individual territories showed no clear relationship with forest cover. Several territories with less than a 5% increase in forest cover experienced reduced productivity; however, territories least constrained by neighbouring pairs of Eagles showed an increase in productivity. Territories experiencing the greatest increases in forest cover showed a greater use of spatially separated nest‐sites by occupying pairs. Hence, pairs that were less constrained by neighbours appeared to compensate for loss of open habitat by shifting their territory‐use, whereas pairs that were more constrained could not compensate for open habitat loss and suffered reduced productivity (and, probably in some cases, abandoned the territory). We suggest that simple guidelines based on the extent and locations of habitat loss are inadequate when predicting effects on large territorial raptors such as Golden Eagles. Consideration should also be given to the ‘quality’ of a territory or occupying pair, as well as the extent to which territory‐use is constrained by neighbouring pairs or other ‘unsuitable habitat’ which may have been affected by previous episodes of open habitat loss.
Extra‐pair paternity in the strongly monogamous Wandering AlbatrossDiomedea exulanshas no apparent benefits for females
Authors: JOUVENTIN PIERRE , CHARMANTIER ANNE , DUBOIS MARIE‐PIERRE , JARNE PHILIPPE , BRIED JOËL 
Published: September 2006

Although 92% of avian species are socially monogamous, extra‐pair copulation (EPC), resulting in extra‐pair paternity (EPP), is a common reproductive strategy in birds. Among seabirds, in which the rate of social monogamy reaches 100%, Procellariiformes (albatrosses and petrels) show low EPP rates, with the noticeable exception of the only albatross investigated in this regard, the Waved AlbatrossPhoebastria irrorata. This species, in which forced copulations are known to occur, showed a surprisingly high rate of EPP (25% of chicks). We investigate here EPP rates in another albatross species, the Wandering AlbatrossDiomedea exulans, subject to a demographic survey conducted for 38 years. We combined data on pair bonds with analysis of ten microsatellite loci and found that 10.7% of 75 chicks had an extra‐pair sire. Although there was some evidence for inbreeding avoidance, within‐pair and extra‐pair chicks showed similar levels of heterozygosity, and the incidence of EPP was independent of age, experience or past reproductive success. Hence, we found no evidence that females benefit from EPCs. Owing to the male‐biased sex ratio in adults, widowed and divorced males required more time to find a new mate (+28 and +72%, respectively) than did females. Combined with high sexual size dimorphism, this phenomenon might promote the forced copulations observed in this species. Our data therefore suggest that EPC is beneficial to unpaired males but occurs at random in females, consistent with the hypothesis that EPP results solely from forced EPCs. However, the importance of the latter for EPP and the part played by solitary males require further investigation.
Frequency‐doubling technology: searching for the optimum diagnostic criteria for glaucoma
Authors: Ferreras Antonio , Larrosa José M. , Polo Vicente , Pajarín Ana B. , Mayoral Francesca , Honrubia Francisco M. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  To determine the diagnostic criteria of perimetry using frequency‐doubling technology (FDT) with the best possible sensitivity−specificity balance for glaucoma diagnosis.Methods:  A total of 92 healthy control subjects and 110 patients with varying degrees of glaucomatous visual field loss on standard automated perimetry (SAP) were used to obtain the best diagnostic criterion for the disease, by using screening C‐20‐1 and threshold C‐20 strategies from original FDT perimetry. Another prospective sample of 52 normal eyes and 64 glaucoma eyes was used to test how well this optimum criterion performs in other populations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for the number of altered points at each level of probability for the C‐20‐1 and threshold C‐20 modes. In addition, ROC curves were calculated for the global indices of the threshold C‐20 strategy.Results:  The best criterion for the C‐20‐1 strategy is the presence of one or more altered points with p < 1% (57.81% sensitivity and 100% specificity). The optimum criteria for glaucoma diagnosis for the threshold C‐20 strategy are the presence of five or more altered points with p < 5% and/or two or more altered points with p < 2% and/or at least one altered point with p < 1% at any location (79.68% sensitivity and 94.2% specificity).Conclusions:  By using the C‐20‐1 strategy, a p < 1% defect anywhere showed 100% specificity with the lowest test duration. The criteria proposed for the threshold C‐20 algorithm presented a good sensitivity−specificity balance. The threshold C‐20 test provides higher sensitivity than the C‐20‐1 strategy but takes about five times longer to perform.
Intraocular lens power calculation for combined cataract surgery, vitrectomy and peeling of epiretinal membranes for macular oedema
Authors: Kovács Illés , Ferencz Mária , Nemes János , Somfai Gábor , Salacz György , Récsán Zsuzsa 
Published: September 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  This study aimed to compare preoperatively calculated and postoperatively achieved refraction following phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation combined with pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane or epiretinal membrane removal.
Methods:
Twelve eyes of 12 patients who underwent a combined procedure were enrolled in this study. Ultrasound axial length and macular thickness (optical coherence tomography, OCT) measurements were performed pre‐ and postoperatively. Intraocular lens power was calculated with the SRK/T formula and the planned refraction was compared with results of postoperative automatic refractometry. Comparisons between IOL calculations using the measured axial length and calculations using an adjusted axial length (by adding the macular thickness measured on OCT to the ultrasound axial length) were also performed.Results:  Axial length increased (p = 0.02), whereas macular thickness decreased (p = 0.002). The planned refraction was 0.63 ± 0.38 dioptres, whereas the postoperative refraction error was − 0.16 ± 0.48 D (p = 0.02), with a mean difference of − 0.79 ± 0.24 D. During case‐to‐case comparisons, differences were observed between IOL calculations using the measured axial length and calculations using an adjusted axial length (0.63 ± 0.38 D versus 0.13 ± 0.48 D, p = 0.005). Correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between the ‘adjusted planned’ and the measured postoperative ametropia (r = 0.93, p < 0.001).Conclusions:  The observed myopic shift due to erroneous IOL calculation results from underestimation of the axial length due to a thicker macula and calls for preoperative adjustment of ultrasound axial length when biometry is performed by this method.
Visually significant persistent outer retinal fluid following closure of a macular hole
Authors: Sears Katharine S. , Bhola Ronnie M. , Winder Stephen 
Published: September 2006

Abstract.Purpose:  We report two cases of persistent outer retinal fluid defects following macular hole surgery.
Methods:
Twenty‐eight consecutive patients who underwent macular hole surgery performed by a single surgeon were examined pre‐ and postoperatively using slit‐lamp biomicroscopy and optical coherence tomography (OCT).Results:  Two patients from this series were identified by OCT as having persistent outer retinal fluid defects after macular hole surgery, despite closure of the holes on biomicroscopy. One patient had only a small defect present at 6 weeks, with very good visual improvement, which was later shown to have resolved. The second had a large persistent defect and no postoperative improvement in vision despite the eventual resolution of the fluid 17 months later.Conclusions:  Large pockets of persistent outer retinal fluid defects as shown on OCT may reduce final visual acuity in patients following macular hole surgery.
Current treatment modalities for exudative retinal hamartomas secondary to tuberous sclerosis: review of the literature
Authors: Mennel Stefan , Meyer Carsten H. , Peter Silvia , Schmidt Jörg C. , Kroll Peter 
Published: September 2006

Abstract.Background:  Retinal hamartoma is a common finding in tuberous sclerosis, but the symptomatic changes of this lesion have rarely been described. This evidence‐based review evaluated the incidence of symptomatic retinal hamartoma and compared possible treatment modalities.
Methods:
We carried out a review of the literature using MEDLINE. Older publications not listed in MEDLINE were obtained from the reference list of currently published papers.Results:  Three observational case series with a follow‐up of up to 34 years included 93 patients and reported progression from a flat to a more elevated lesion without visual symptoms in nine patients (9.7%). Additional symptomatic changes were described in 11 case reports published over a period of three decades. The symptomatic alterations were caused by an enlarged tumour with leakage, macular oedema, accumulating lipoid exudates, serous retinal detachment (n = 8/11) and vitreous haemorrhage (n = 4/11). Most symptomatic cases involved a retinal hamartoma type 1 (n = 6/8). Spontaneous resolution of symptomatic exudative hamartomas occurred in three patients within 4 weeks, although a delayed resorption of subretinal fluid caused permanent visual impairment in one patient. Investigational reports described a slow resorption of subretinal fluid after argon laser photocoagulation (n = 2), although recurrent laser applications induced choroidal neovascularization and destruction of the neurosensory retina (n = 1). A vitrectomy was used to remove a vitreous haemorrhage in another reported patient. In one case, complete resorption of subretinal fluid and an increase in visual acuity was observed within 2 weeks after a single treatment with photodynamic therapy (PDT). No complications were noted during a follow‐up of 4 years.Conclusions:  Symptomatic changes are very rare in retinal hamartomas secondary to tuberous sclerosis. Spontaneous resolution of subretinal fluid may occur within 4 weeks. If a macular oedema with increasing lipoid exudates persists over a period of 6 weeks, treatment should be considered. Although previous reports demonstrated possible visual stabilization after argon laser photocoagulation, vision‐threatening complications can occur. Current treatment strategies may include PDT based on favourable anatomical and functional results.
In vivo β‐defensin gene expression in rat gingival epithelium in response to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans infection
Authors: Kurland A. R. , Schreiner H. , Diamond G. 
Published: September 2006

Background and Objective:  Human β‐defensins have been identified in the oral cavity and are predicted to play a role in the defense against pathogenic bacteria. Homologous rat β‐defensins (RBDs) have been identified, but their expression in the oral cavity has not been examined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of innate immune mediators in the rat gingival epithelium.Material and Methods:  Rats were pretreated with antibiotics to depress the normal oral flora, followed by the introduction of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in their food to allow colonization and the development of periodontal disease. At various time points, animals were killed and the gingival epithelium was extracted. Semiquantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction was performed to measure RBD and Toll‐like receptor (TLR) mRNA levels.Results:  Three β‐defensins (RBD‐1, ‐2 and ‐5) and two TLRs (TLR‐3 and ‐4) are expressed in normal rat gingival epithelium. After the introduction of A. actinomycetemcomitans, RBD‐1 and RBD‐2 mRNA levels increased for the first week followed by a return to basal levels. No change in TLR mRNA levels was observed.Conclusion:  The rat model provides a good system for experimental analysis of the innate immune response to periopathogenic bacteria in the oral cavity, as well as the potential role of β‐defensins in the host response to colonization.
Recolonisation and distribution of spiders and carabids in cereal fields after spring sowing
Authors: Öberg S. , Ekbom B. 
Published: September 2006

AbstractGeneralist predators are important for pest suppression during pest establishment because they may occur in the crop before and during pest arrival. However, different crop management practices can have a negative effect on predator populations. If so, there is a need for recolonisation by the predators to the crop fields. An important pest in Sweden is the bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi, which migrates to cereal fields in spring. In turn, many cereal fields are spring sown and thus are disturbed by harrowing and sowing a short time before aphid arrival. In this study, three different questions about the populations of spiders and carabids in spring cereal crops were asked. First, does sowing in spring have a negative effect on the predators present in the fields? Second, if sowing has a negative effect on predator populations, do they recolonise the fields before pest arrival? Third, how are the predators distributed in the fields? We found that most carabids and most lycosid spiders were not affected by sowing and were distributed uniformly in the fields after sowing. Most linyphiid spiders were negatively affected by sowing, but then they recolonised the fields and were uniformly distributed in the fields after recolonisation. Thus, many spiders and carabids are present in the fields after sowing in spring and have the opportunity to suppress aphids during their establishment phase, which in turn may prevent a possible outbreak.
Radiative pressure feedback by a quasar in a galactic bulge
Authors: Fabian A. C. , Celotti A. , Erlund M. C. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
We show that Eddington-limited black hole luminosities can be sufficient to deplete a galaxy bulge of gas through radiation pressure, when the ionization state of the gas and the presence of dust are properly taken into account. Once feedback starts to be effective it can consistently drive all the gas out of the whole galaxy. We estimate the amount by which the effect of radiation pressure on dusty gas boosts the mass involved in the Eddington limit, and discuss the expected column density at which the gas is ejected. An example is shown of the predicted observed nuclear spectrum of the system at the end of an early, obscured phase of growth when the remaining column density NH∼ 1024f cm−2, where f is the gas fraction in the bulge.
INFLUENCE OF FLAVORING ON THE VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF STARCH GELS DURING GELATION AND LONG‐TIME RETROGRADATION
Authors: REPARET J.M. , MOINE F. , ARVISENET G. , LE BAIL P. , CAYOT N. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT The effect of three different aroma compounds on the texture of starch dispersions during gelation and retrogradation was studied. Oscillatory measurements were used to follow gelation and to check the structure of the starch dispersions after retrogradation up to 28 days. Rheological tests did not indicate any effect of the presence of any of the aroma compounds on the mechanism of gelation. During long‐time retrogradation, some added aroma compound did. We assume that this is a consequence of the ability of aroma compounds to form a complex or to show another type of interaction with starch molecules like entrapment in the amorphous regions of starch. Linalool is known to form complexes with amylase, but did not induce texture modifications, probably because, in our experiments, the added amount of this compound was too low. Isoamyl acetate, which according to literature interacts with amylopectin, exhibited a weak effect after 3 or 4 weeks, depending on the amount added. Octanal also increased gel stiffness after 3 weeks. This phenomenon is consistent with the observation that this aroma compound can form complexes with starch as demonstrated by X‐ray diffraction in this study.
INSTRUMENTAL METHODS TO CHARACTERIZE NONORAL TEXTURE OF DULCE DE LECHE
Authors: ARES GASTÓN , GIMÉNEZ ANA , GÁMBARO ADRIANA 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT Three different instrumental texture methods (vane yield stress determination, forward extrusion and penetration tests) were used to characterize nonoral texture of 13 commercial samples of dulce de leche, a type of sweetened condensed milk. Two sensory nonoral texture attributes (hardness and ropiness) were evaluated by a panel of 11 assessors, trained in descriptive analysis of dairy product's texture. All the studied instrumental methods showed high reproducibility and high discriminating ability between samples. Those instrumental parameters that are related to the firmness of dulce de leche (yield stress, extrusion force, hardness, modulus and adhesiveness) were highly correlated to sensory hardness. No instrumental parameter was able to reflect the sensory ropiness of the samples. From all the instrumental methods used to characterize the nonoral texture of dulce de leche, yield stress seems the most appropriate to be used in quality control programs, because it showed the highest discriminating ability and it has the advantage of being a quick and direct method.
EVALUATION OF ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS FOR PINEAPPLE GRADING
Authors: BOONMUNG SUWANEE , CHOMTEE BOONORM , KANLAYASIRI KANNACHAI 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT The objective of this study is to evaluate resonant frequency, firmness and soluble solids for pineapple classification using artificial neural networks (ANNs) as the analytical tool. A sample of 149 pineapples was classified based on their internal qualities into five classes: unripe, partially ripe, ripe, partially overripe and completely overripe. The developed ANN model successfully classified pineapples into merely three classes as unripe, ripe and completely overripe. The most effective model was obtained when both resonant frequency and soluble solids were included in the model. The classification accuracy was more than 83% for all three classes.
PSYCHORHEOLOGY OF TARTAR SAUCE
Authors: ŠTERN P. , PANOVSKÁ Z. , POKORNÝ J. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT Two series of tartar sauces were tested, each consisting of 10 samples, measured at 15, 20 and 25C. The yield value, apparent viscosity and thixotropy were determined using a rotational rheometer. The sensory profile and texture acceptability were determined according to international standards. Rheological parameters were significantly influenced by temperature while sensory characteristics were not affected by the temperature, except hedonic characteristcs. Rheological parameters were interrelated with high values of correlation coefficients. Statistically significant linear relations were observed between rheological and sensory data, but correlation coefficients were lower. Sensory texture acceptability had a great effect on the flavor acceptability. The sensory texture and flavor could be predicted with a fair degree of reliability using rheometry.
INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANICS OF SINGLE TOMATO FRUIT CELLS
Authors: WANG C.X. , PRITCHARD J. , THOMAS C.R. 
Published: September 2006

ABSTRACT The mechanical behavior of single tomato fruit cells has been characterized using high strain‐rate microcompression testing. Single cells isolated by gentle washing from inner pericarp tissue were compressed to a wide range of deformations at a speed of 1500 µm/s, and then released. The cells were larger than any tested previously by microcompression, and had very low initial turgor. Force‐deformation data were modeled to find cell wall material properties, assuming water loss during compression could be neglected because of fast compression. Repeat compression‐release experiments were conducted to discover when cell deformation was no longer recoverable upon release. Cells from three commercially grown tomatoes were elastic to deformations of just over 11%. The elastic moduli of the cell walls were found by modeling to be 30 to 80 MPa, significantly lower than suspension‐cultured cell walls. The cell walls yielded at about 2% wall strain. High‐speed compression testing is a powerful tool for studying low turgor cells, such as those found during ripening.
Numerical Modeling of Head-Related Transfer Functions Using the Boundary Source Representation
Authors: Bai Mingsian R. , Tsao Teng-Chieh 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
A technique based on the virtual source representation is presented for modeling head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). This method is motivated by the theory of simple layer potential and the principle of wave superposition. Using the virtual source representation, the HRTFs for a human head with pinnae are calculated with a minimal amount of computation. In the process, a special regularization scheme is required to calculate the equivalent strengths of virtual sources. To justify the proposed method, tests were carried out to compare the virtual source method with the boundary element method (BEM) and a direct HRTF measurement. The HRTFs obtained using the virtual source method agrees reasonably well in terms of frequency response, directional response, and impulse response with the other methods. From the numerical perspectives, the virtual source method obviates the singularity problem as commonly encountered in the BEM, and is less computationally demanding than the BEM in terms of computational time and memory storage. Subjective experiments are also conducted using the calculated and the measured HRTFs. The results reveal that the spatial characteristics of sound localization are satisfactorily reproduced as a human listener would naturally perceive by using the virtual source HRTFs.
Myocardial Material Parameter Estimation—A Comparative Study for Simple Shear
Authors: Schmid H. , Nash M. P. , Young A. A. , Hunter P. J. 
Published: September 2006

Abstract
The study of ventricular mechanics—analyzing the distribution of strain and stress in myocardium throughout the cardiac cycle—is crucially dependent on the accuracy of the constitutive law chosen to represent the highly nonlinear and anisotropic properties of passive cardiac muscle. A number of such laws have been proposed and fitted to experimental measurements of stress-strain behavior. Here we examine five of these laws and compare them on the basis of (i) “goodness of fit:” How well they fit a set of six shear deformation tests, (ii) “determinability:” How well determined the objective function is at the optimal parameter fit, and (iii) “variability:” How well determined the material parameters are over the range of experiments. These criteria are utilized to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the constitutive laws.