bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature‐dependent post‐diapause development and prediction of spring emergence of the pine needle gall midge (Dipt., Cecidomyiidae)
Authors: Son Y. , Lee J.‐H. , Chung Y.‐J. 
Published: August 2007

Abstract:  We determined the influence of temperature on post‐diapause development of overwintered Thecodiplosis japonensis Uchida et Inouye (Dipt., Cecidomyiidae) under various treatments (12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30°C) in an effort to predict its spring emergence. Survival and developmental period for the overwintered larvae and pupae were significantly influenced by temperature. Linear and nonlinear regression models quantitatively described temperature‐dependent development and survival of T. japonensis. The survival models exhibited right‐skewed bell shape patterns for all stages, indicating a more detrimental impact on survival at high temperatures. Theoretical optimum temperatures with highest survival were 22.3, 24.0 and 24.0°C for the overwintered larvae, pupae and total post‐diapause development (the larvae to adults) respectively. Pupal mortality was higher at all temperatures than larval mortality and the suitable range of temperature for pupae was narrower than that of larvae. The nonlinear Briere model estimated that optimum temperatures with the fastest development were 29.1°C for larvae, 27.6°C for pupae and 27.0°C for larvae to adults. In a linear model, the lower threshold temperatures were 5.1, 7.1 and 5.9°C for larvae, pupae, and larvae to adults respectively. A predictive degree‐day model was developed using trap catches of T. japonensis adult emergence during 1991–1995. The model accounted for 84.6% of year‐to‐year variation in adult emergence and predicted accurately the median emergence time in 1996.
Spatio‐temporal Development of Pea Root Rot Disease through Secondary Infections during a Crop Cycle
Authors: Willocquet L. , Jumel S. , Lemarchand E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractSpatio‐temporal development of pea root rot was experimentally characterized. Experiments performed under controlled conditions with trap plants located at varying distances from a diseased source plant indicated that disease spread from a diseased plant to a healthy one was generally below 15 cm. A field experiment was conducted to measure disease spread gradients and the rate of secondary infection at two planting densities, 70 and 140 plants/m2. Relationships between plant and root disease incidences, and between root disease incidence and root disease severity indicated a strong disease intensification both within and between diseased plants. Measurement of disease gradients indicated that disease did not spread farther than 10 cm from the diseased source plant, i.e. one and two plants away along a row at low and high planting densities respectively. Disease did not spread to neighbouring rows, located 15 cm away. Rates of secondary infection over 14‐day periods ranged between zero (no disease increase) and 0.35 plant/plant/day, and was in general larger in high‐density plots than in low‐density plots. Implications of the results for disease management are discussed.
Involvement of Hydrogen Peroxide, Peroxidase and Superoxide Dismutase in Response of Medicago truncatula Lines Differing in Susceptibility to Phoma medicaginis Infection
Authors: Djebali N. , Mhadhbi H. , Jacquet C. , Huguet T. , Aouani M. E. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThis study was undertaken to assess the involvement of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), peroxidase (POX; EC 1.11.1.7) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; EC 1.15.1.1) in Medicago truncatula in relation with susceptibility to Phoma medicaginis infection. Several M. truncatula lines were studied in terms of their response to P. medicaginis infection. Fifteen days after inoculation (dai), differences in susceptibility were found. DZA45.5 was the least susceptible line and F83005.5 was the most susceptible line. Microscopic analysis of fungal development was performed in inoculated detached leaves of the DZA45.5 and F83005.5 lines. No significant difference was observed in events from conidia germination to penetration. Differences became apparent during the colonization process as the pathogen was able to sporulate rapidly increasing its concentration on the tissue of F83005.5 in comparison with DZA45.5. To characterize the susceptibility of the two lines, histochemical detection of H2O2 was made in detached leaves. H2O2 detection showed an early accumulation of this component in cells of DZA45.5 at 1 dai. However, H2O2 was detected in few, if any, cells in the tissues of the most susceptible line, F83005.5. The activity of POX and SOD were determined spectrophotometrically in leaves of intact inoculated plants of both lines. Phoma medicaginis inoculation of DZA45.5 and F83005.5 did not affect POX activity level in leaves when compared with control uninoculated plants. SOD activity showed a significant decrease in F83005.5 and DZA45.5 leaves at 4 dai and 9 dai, respectively, in comparison with control plants. In control plants POX activity was significantly higher in the least susceptible line DZA45.5 in comparison with F83005.5. Early and higher production of H2O2 and elevated basal POX activity in cells of the least susceptible line, DZA45.5 could explain its ability to be less favourable to the colonization and reproduction of P. medicaginis in comparison with the most susceptible line, F83005.5.
Morphological and Pathological Variability in Rice Isolates of Rhizoctonia solani and Molecular Analysis of their Genetic Variability
Authors: Guleria S. , Aggarwal R. , Thind T. S. , Sharma T. R. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractNineteen isolates of Rhizoctonia solani collected from different rice varieties grown in various regions of Punjab were studied for their morphological and pathological characterization. Majority of the isolates were fast growing with raised and fluffy colonies and hyphal width of 9.6 μm while four exhibited moderate growth rate. Colony colour in all except two isolates was light yellowish brown. While sclerotial number per 5.0 mm culture disc of the test isolates ranged between 2.1 and 11.2 mm, their size varied between 1.31 and 2.08 mm. Sclerotial colour in all except two isolates was dark brown and most of these were found scattered in the colony. There was no relationship between morphologically similar isolates and their pathogenic behaviour. Majority of the isolates produced lesion length between 45.6 and 58.2 mm on detached rice leaves (cv. PR116). Molecular characterization of genetic diversity in the test isolates was studied by using 10 inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and eight random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. The size of amplified DNA bands ranged from 0.25–3.0 to 0.5–4.0 kb with ISSR and RAPD markers, respectively. Combined data set of 155 DNA markers were analysed with UPGMA resulting five clusters with 49–89% genetic similarity. Most of the isolates showed grouping specific to the host variety. Out of these two types of DNA markers, RAPD markers were able to detect more genetic variability when compared to ISSR markers.
β2‐ADRENOCEPTOR POLYMORPHISMS AND OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY DISEASES: IMPORTANT ISSUES OF STUDY DESIGN
Authors: Yang Ian A , Ng Taria , Molenaar Peter , Fong Kwun M 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARY

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are chronic airway diseases characterized by airflow obstruction. The β2‐adrenoceptor mediates bronchodilatation in response to exogenous and endogenous β‐adrenoceptor agonists.
Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the β2‐adrenoceptor gene (ADRB2) cause amino acid changes (e.g. Arg16Gly, Gln27Glu) that potentially alter receptor function. Recently, a large cohort study found no association between asthma susceptibility and β2‐adrenoceptor polymorphisms. In contrast, asthma phenotypes, such as asthma severity and bronchial hyperresponsiveness, have been associated with β2‐adrenoceptor polymorphisms. Of importance to asthma management, coding region polymorphisms may alter the response to short‐acting and long‐acting β‐adrenoceptor agonists, which are commonly prescribed asthma treatments.
Optimizing study design would enhance the robustness of genetic association studies of ADRB2 polymorphisms in airway diseases. Characteristics of high‐quality studies include suitable study design and subject selection, optimal study of polymorphisms and haplotypes, disease outcomes of relevance, adequate sample size, adjustment for confounding factors, supportive functional data and appropriate analysis, interpretation and replication. Enhancing these study design factors will provide high‐quality evidence regarding the biological and clinical importance of β2‐adrenoceptor pharmacogenomics in asthma and COPD.
RENAL FUNCTIONAL RESPONSES TO ISCHAEMIA–REPERFUSION INJURY IN NORMOTENSIVE AND HYPERTENSIVE RATS FOLLOWING NON‐SELECTIVE AND SELECTIVE CYCLO‐OXYGENASE INHIBITION WITH NITRIC OXIDE DONATION
Authors: Knight Sarah , Johns Edward J 
Published: August 2007

SUMMARY

Acute renal failure develops as a result of periods of renal ischaemia during cardiovascular surgery or hypovolaemic shock. The present study investigated the importance of endogenous prostaglandin production and nitric oxide (NO) in the renal haemodynamic and excretory responses to ischaemia–reperfusion both normally and in the hypertensive state by chronic administration of cyclo‐oxygenase (COX) inhibitors.
Male Wistar and stroke‐prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were subjected to 30 min renal ischaemia and 2 h reperfusion following 7 day treatment with vehicle, aspirin, NO–aspirin or celecoxib.
Renal blood flow was higher in the SHRSP treatment groups. Renal ischaemia increased blood pressure in all Wistar groups except that given aspirin, had no effect in the SHRSP and did not change renal blood flow in any group. Glomerular filtration rate was reduced throughout the reperfusion period in both rat strains. The postischaemic diuresis in the Wistar was enhanced by COX‐2 inhibition, but not by aspirin or NO–aspirin. Urine flow increased in SHRSP during the postischaemic period, which was blunted by aspirin and NO–aspirin, but not by celecoxib. There was a postischaemic increase in fractional sodium excretion, the magnitude of which was unaltered by any drug in the Wistar rats, but was blunted by aspirin, NO–aspirin and celecoxib in SHRSP.
These results suggest that products of COX activity contribute to the renal responses to ischaemia–reperfusion injury, but in different ways, in SHRSP, which may reflect variations in renal prostaglandin and NO production in the hypertensive state.
Two steps forward, one step back: advance care planning, Australian regulatory frameworks and the Australian Medical Association
Authors: Parker M , Stewart C. , Willmott L. , Cartwright C. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe Australian Medical Association has recently adopted a policy position concerning advance care planning, which is generally supportive of extending patient self‐determination beyond the loss of decision‐making capacity. It calls for uniform national legislation for legally enforceable advance health directives (AHD), and statutory protection for practitioners who comply with valid AHD, or who do not comply on several grounds. Analysis of the grounds for non‐compliance indicate that they undermine patient autonomy, and aspects of the policy are inconsistent with current common law and statutory regimes that allow an adult to complete a legally binding AHD. The policy therefore threatens the patient self‐determination, which it endorses, and places doctors who participate in advance care planning at legal risk.
Failure to weigh patients in hospital: a medication safety risk
Authors: Hilmer S. N. , Rangiah C. , Bajorek B. V. , Shenfield G. M. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractOften patients are not weighed in hospital. Failure to weigh patients prescribed renally excreted drugs may correlate to adverse drug events. We carried out a cross‐sectional study of patients prescribed common renally excreted drugs (heparin, enoxaparin and gentamicin), admitted to two wards at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney over 3 months. Of all patients surveyed, 28% (22/78) in the orthopaedic ward and 22% (27/124) in the medical ward were weighed. Among those prescribed therapeutic doses of the study drugs, 25% (3/12) in the orthopaedic ward and 27% (7/26) in the medical ward were weighed. Patients prescribed therapeutic anticoagulation who were not weighed experienced more haemorrhagic complications than patients who were weighed (P = 0.03). Patients prescribed renally excreted drugs in hospital are frequently not weighed. This is associated with reduced medication safety.
Angioedema, lymphoproliferative disorder and angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors: masking of diagnosis by corticosteroids
Authors: Hissaria P. , Lim S.‐W. , Hui C.‐H. , Gillis D. , Kette F. , Smith W. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractAngioedema is a relatively common clinical disorder. Although most cases are idiopathic, the use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors is a well recognized cause of angioedema and a further rare but important diagnostic consideration is acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency. We discuss the diagnosis of C1 inhibitor deficiency in angioedema, with reference to a case in which the diagnosis was initially masked by the use of corticosteroids, which normalized the C1 inhibitor level.
Assessment of clinical performance: gathering evidence
Authors: Wilkinson T. J. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe focus of assessment of clinical performance has moved from over‐reliance on individual tools to constructing a coherent assessment programme. The purpose of such an assessment programme is to gather high‐quality evidence to make well‐informed decisions. This requires clarity on the decisions to be made and an ability to gather a sufficient amount of high‐quality data. The assessment programme should be aligned to doing the job well so that a successful assessment result reflects what is valued. A variety of assessments over a variety of times, matched against the areas of interest and value, enhances both reliability and validity. Workplace‐based assessment tools can complement centralized assessment tools. Multiple snapshots, even if some are not totally in focus, give a better picture than one poorly aimed photograph.
Protective effect of acetyl‐l‐carnitine on the apoptotic pathway of peripheral neuropathy
Authors: Di Cesare Mannelli Lorenzo , Ghelardini C. , Calvani M. , Nicolai R. , Mosconi L. , Vivoli E. , Pacini A. , Bartolini A. 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPeripheral neuropathies are widespread disorders induced by autoimmune diseases, drug or toxin exposure, infections, metabolic insults or trauma. Nerve damage may cause muscle weakness, altered functionalities and sensitivity, and a chronic pain syndrome characterized by allodynia and hyperalgesia. Pathophysiological mechanisms related to neuropathic disease are associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions that lead to the activation of the apoptotic cascade. In a model of peripheral neuropathy, obtained by the loose ligation of the rat sciatic nerve (CCI), we describe a nerve apoptotic state that encompasses the release of cytochrome C in the cytosol, the activation of caspase 3, and the fragmentation of the genome. Animal treatment with acetyl‐l‐carnitine (ALCAR), but not with l‐carnitine (L‐Carn) or Gabapentin, prevents apoptosis induction. ALCAR reduces cytosolic cytochrome C and caspase 3 active fragments expression in a significant manner with respect to saline treatment. Accordingly, ALCAR treatment impairs caspase 3 protease activity, as demonstrated by reduced levels of cleaved PARP. Finally, ALCAR decreases the number of piknotic nuclei. This protection correlates with the induction of X‐linked inhibitor apoptosis protein (XIAP). Taken together these results show that CCI is a valuable model to investigate neuropathies‐related apoptosis phenomena and that ALCAR is able to prevent regulated cell death in the damaged sciatic nerve.
Spatially correlated recruitment of a marine predator and its prey shapes the large‐scale pattern of density‐dependent prey mortality
Authors: White J. Wilson 
Published: August 2007

AbstractPatterns of predator dispersal can be critical to the dynamics of prey metapopulations. In marine systems, oceanic currents may shape the dispersal of planktonic larvae of both predators and prey, producing spatial correlations in the recruitment of both species and distinctive geographic patterns of prey mortality. I examined the potential for this phenomenon in two fishes, a wrasse and its grouper predator, at a Caribbean island where the near‐shore oceanographic regime produces a temporally consistent spatial pattern of fish recruitment. I found that recruitment and adult abundance of groupers were spatially correlated with recruitment of wrasse prey. Furthermore, the local abundance of predators strongly affected the nature of density‐dependent prey mortality. At sites with few predators, wrasse mortality was inversely density‐dependent, while mortality was positively density‐dependent at sites with higher predator densities. This phenomenon could be important to the dynamics of any metacommunity in which physical forces produce correlated dispersal.
Genetically stable expression of functional miraculin, a new type of alternative sweetener, in transgenic tomato plants
Authors: Sun Hyeon‐Jin , Kataoka Hiroshi , Yano Megumu , Ezura Hiroshi 
Published: August 2007

SummaryMiraculin is a taste‐modifying protein isolated from the red berries of Richadella dulcifica, a shrub native to West Africa. Miraculin by itself is not sweet, but it is able to turn a sour taste into a sweet taste. This unique property has led to increasing interest in this protein. In this article, we report the high‐yield production of miraculin in transgenic tomato plants. High and genetically stable expression of miraculin was confirmed by Western blot analysis and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Recombinant miraculin accumulated to high levels in leaves and fruits, up to 102.5 and 90.7 µg/g fresh weight, respectively. Purified recombinant miraculin expressed in transgenic tomato plants showed strong sweetness‐inducing activity, similar to that of native miraculin. These results demonstrate that recombinant miraculin was correctly processed in transgenic tomato plants, and that this production system could be a good alternative to production from the native plant.
Students' response to traditional and computer‐assisted formative feedback: A comparative case study
Authors: Denton Philip , Madden Judith , Roberts Matthew , Rowe Philip 
Published: August 2007

AbstractThe national movement towards progress files, incorporating personal development planning and reflective learning, is supported by lecturers providing effective feedback to their students. Recent technological advances mean that higher education tutors are no longer obliged to return comments in the ‘traditional’ manner, by annotating students' work with red pen. This paper considers some of the options currently available for returning computer‐assisted feedback, including the Electronic Feedback freeware. This MS Office application enables tutors to readily synthesise and email feedback reports to students. To further ascertain the value of this software, 169 1st‐year Pharmaceutical Science and Pharmacy students completed a questionnaire to gauge their reaction to formative feedback on an extended laboratory report. This included 110 responses from students graded by three tutors who marked work using either handwritten annotations or the Electronic Feedback program. Principle component analysis (PCA) of the Likert scale responses indicates that the identity of the marker did not significantly affect the response of students. However, the type of feedback was a factor that influenced the students' responses, with electronic feedback being rated superior. A Mann‐Whitney analysis of the satisfaction ratings (generated by PCA) indicates that four features of the assignment and feedback were considered significantly improved when the software was used to create feedback, namely; markscheme clarity, feedback legibility, information on deficient aspects, and identification of those parts of the work where the student did well. Modern academics face a number of challenges if they wish to return meaningful and timely feedback to students, among them large class sizes and infrequent face‐to‐face contact. It is pleasing to note, therefore, that assessors reported taking less time to mark when using the software. It is concluded that electronic formative feedback can be returned more quickly and may be used to synthesise relevant feedback that is both fair and balanced.
Critical success factors for e‐learning and institutional change—some organisational perspectives on campus‐wide e‐learning
Authors: White Su 
Published: August 2007

AbstractComputer technology has been harnessed for education in UK universities ever since the first computers for research were installed at 10 selected sites in 1957. Subsequently, real costs have fallen dramatically. Processing power has increased; network and communications infrastructure has proliferated, and information has become unimaginably accessible through the Internet and the World Wide Web. However, perhaps because higher education institutions are resistant to change, educational technology in universities has not managed to match the ubiquity of technology in everyday life. The reasons for differences between everyday experiences and those of higher education may lie in higher education practice. Higher education practice reflects the wider agendas of institutions manifested through their organisation, structure, culture and climate. These factors may particularly impact upon the potential for higher education to embrace and manage change in its educational activities, especially technology‐enhanced learning such as blended learning and e‐learning. This paper briefly reviews the progress of educational technology, then identifies critical success factors for e‐learning through an organisational perspective derived from studies of six UK higher education institutions.
The kinship system of the Aghriā: a case study of peasants in Middle India
Authors: Skoda Uwe 
Published: August 2007

The kinship system of the Aghriā offers new data on Middle Indian kinship and in particular on a dominant peasant caste, immigrated into ‘tribal’ northwestern Orissa. Their kinship system shows an elaborate terminology as well as an impressive autonomy of the different levels of kinship. The categories, for example, do not correspond to the ideal and practice of cross‐cousin marriage, which itself seems to be in the process of change.RésuméLe système de parenté des Aghriā fournit de nouvelles données sur la notion de parenté en Inde centrale, et en particulier chez une caste de paysans dominants qui ont immigré dans le Nord‐ouest « tribal » de l'Orissa. Le système de parenté s'accompagne d'une terminologie élaborée ainsi que d'une autonomie impressionnante des différents niveaux de parenté. Les catégories ne correspondent pas, par exemple, à l'idéal ni à la pratique des mariages entre cousins, qui semblent eux‐mêmes en train d'évoluer.