bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolactin, body condition and the cost of good parenting: an interyear study in a long‐lived seabird, Gould's Petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera)
Authors: O'DWYER T. W. , BUTTEMER W. A. , PRIDDEL D. M. , DOWNING J. A. 
Published: July 2006

Summary

The pituitary hormone prolactin is thought to play an important role in the promotion of parental care in birds and mammals. The level of care parents provide is, however, likely to be influenced by additional factors, such as their physiological condition at the time of breeding.
We examined relationships between parental body condition, plasma prolactin levels and reproductive performance in Gould's Petrels (Pterodroma leucoptera), a long‐lived seabird. We predicted that parental body condition would correlate positively with both prolactin level and parenting intensity, as measured by the quality of the chick they produced. We also examined the effects of parenting intensity on parental body condition and reproductive success in the subsequent breeding season.
Body condition of male parents positively correlated with prolactin levels at the start of their second protracted incubation bout. The body condition of both parents correlated positively with the body condition of their chick at its peak mass. However, producing a good‐quality chick did not negatively affect parental body condition or reproductive success the following year.
These results suggest that prolactin reinforces parental behaviour in parents in good body condition, which facilitates production of good‐quality chicks. Moreover, good‐quality parents consistently produce good‐quality chicks with no apparent trade‐off to their physical condition.
Polymorphonuclear leucocytes selectively produce anti‐inflammatory interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist and chemokines, but fail to produce pro‐inflammatory mediators
Authors: Schröder Anja K. , Von Der Ohe Maren , Kolling Ute , Altstaedt Julia , Uciechowski Peter , Fleischer Daniela , Dalhoff Klaus , Ju XinSheng , Zenke Martin , Heussen Nicole , Rink Lothar 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe role of neutrophils in the immune response has long been regarded as mainly phagocytic, but recent publications have indicated the production of several cytokines by polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN). The results of the individual reports, however, vary considerably. In this study, we established a cytokine profile of pure human neutrophils and demonstrated that minor contamination of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in PMN preparations can lead to false‐positive results. In our hands, peripheral blood PMN fail to produce the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Instead, they secrete large amounts of the chemokine IL‐8 and the anti‐inflammatory IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1ra). Additionally, PMN preparations of a high purity show production of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐1α, MIP‐1β and growth‐related oncogene‐α (GRO‐α), as well as macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF). The neutrophil therefore represents a novelty by producing the antagonist of IL‐1β (i.e. IL‐1ra) in the absence of IL‐1β itself. To support our results, we differentiated stem cells from human cord blood into PMN and monocytes, respectively. These in vitro‐differentiated PMN showed the same cytokine profile as peripheral blood PMN lacking IL‐1β, while differentiated monocytes produced the expected IL‐1β in addition to IL‐1ra. The clear anti‐inflammatory nature of their cytokine profile enables PMN to antagonize pro‐inflammatory signals in experimental conditions. It is therefore possible that PMN play a key role in immune regulation by counteracting a dysregulation of the inflammatory process. Clinical studies, in which administration of recombinant G‐CSF had a favourable effect on the outcome of severe infections and even sepsis without worsening inflammation, could thus be explained by our results.
Control theory and the management of ecosystems
Authors: LOEHLE CRAIG 
Published: July 2006

SummaryControl theory is a well‐developed branch of mathematics and engineering that identifies optimal control policies for dynamic systems. While it should be useful for managing ecosystems, it is currently used only in certain fields of ecology and resource management, and only certain aspects of the theory are applied. Where optimal control policies have been determined, such as oceanic fisheries, the control policy often fails.The goals of this study were to determine why control theory has not been used very much and why it fails, and also to improve its applicability to natural resource management. Control theory methods and assumptions were reviewed, and applications to agriculture, forestry and fisheries summarized. A comparison was made between control theory assumptions and the real ecological systems to which the method was applied. A fisheries example was developed to illustrate some improvements to the application of this technique.It was shown that the paradoxical aspects of control theory in resource management result from the points of divergence of real systems from the assumptions of control theory. Because of non‐linearities, noise, sampling difficulties, policy implementation error and other issues, ecosystems are neither readily observable nor easily controllable. This means that even theoretically correct control policies can lead to failure.The fisheries example showed that measurement error and management lags can of themselves lead to the collapse of a fishery. It was shown that the costs of acquiring information and managing the system need to be incorporated explicitly into the control problem as decision variables. The solution to the fisheries control problem prevented extinction of the fishery by reducing sampling error and management lags to reasonable but non‐zero levels.Other suggestions are made for applying control theory with more success. By taking into account the deviations between the idealized control model and real systems, better resource management can be achieved. Control theory could also profitably be applied to the design of monitoring programmes, to model parameter estimation, and to other aspects of ecology and resource management where it is currently not being utilized.Synthesis and applications. Control theory needs to be re‐evaluated for its utility in natural resource management. It offers the potential for providing effective management policies. To achieve this potential, techniques borrowed from engineering must be expanded to incorporate the effects of state uncertainty (measurement error), environmental fluctuations (stochasticity), parameter uncertainty and policy implementation error.
Domain switching and host recognition
Authors: Tian Miaoying , Day Brad 
Published: July 2006

SummaryThe collective function of secreted pathogen effector molecules is to enhance the virulence and avirulence activity of the pathogen during the infection of its host. While the activity of a majority of pathogen effectors is unknown, several classes of effector molecules have been well characterized. Among these include proteins which function to modulate host defences either through proteolysis, post‐translational modifications, or by directly manipulating the host transcriptional machinery that regulates the induction of defence responses. In recent years, several key advances have been made in the characterization of the latter class of effector molecules. Among these include research characterizing the processes associated with host nuclear import and the targeting of host transcriptional defences. While current research is beginning to reveal the biochemical and genetic mechanisms controlling the induction of host resistance, the signalling events that control host specificity remain largely unknown. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, work by Nissan et al. sheds light onto the molecular‐genetic patterns involved in determining host specificity and pathogen virulence in the Pantoea–gypsophila interaction.
Paternal Genetic Effects on Foraging Decision‐Making Under the Risk of Predation
Authors: Lister Joanna S. , Neff Bryan D. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractForaging behavior under the risk of predation has interested biologists for decades. Here, we examine paternal genetic effects on foraging decisions of bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) larvae sired by males adopting alternative life histories. We use split in vitro fertilization to generate maternal half‐siblings sired by either a ‘parental’ male or a ‘cuckolder’ male. Immediately, upon the switch to exogenous feeding, we fed the larvae ad libitum for 2 d. We then starved the larvae for between 12 and 17 h, following which we subjected them to a dichotomous choice foraging trial, where one side of a test tank posed a risky foraging habitat and the other posed a safe foraging habitat. Equal amounts of food were simultaneously introduced to both sides of the tank and the proportion of individuals on either side was recorded. There were significantly fewer cuckolder offspring foraging on the risky side of the tank when compared with their parental half‐siblings indicating that cuckolder offspring took fewer risks than parental offspring. These results demonstrate a paternal genetic effect (sire life history) on foraging behavior. We ruled out energetic state as a possible explanation for this difference because the half‐siblings did not differ in body length or mass. Instead, previous research suggests that cuckolder offspring have higher conversion efficiency (efficiency of converting food into soma) than parental offspring and therefore the differences in foraging behavior observed here may, in part, be attributed to genetic differences in conversion efficiency.
Experimentally Elevated Plasma Testosterone Levels Do Not Influence Singing Behaviour of Male Blue Tits (Parus caeruleus) During the Early Breeding Season
Authors: Kunc Hansjoerg P. , Foerster Katharina , Vermeirssen Etiënne L. M. , Kempenaers Bart 
Published: July 2006

AbstractSexual selection theory suggests that females might prefer males on the basis of testosterone (T)‐dependent secondary sexual traits such as song. Correlational studies have linked high plasma T‐levels to high diurnal song output. This has been confirmed in experiments where T‐levels were kept high at times when natural T‐levels have decreased. However, surprisingly little is known about the relation between T‐levels during the early breeding season and song. In many passerine birds males sing at a high rate at dawn early in the breeding season, referred to as the dawn chorus. In blue tits (Parus caeruleus), the dawn chorus coincides with the fertile period of the female, whereas diurnal song occurs throughout the breeding season. Previous studies on blue tits showed that characteristics of the dawn chorus correlate with male reproductive success. We experimentally elevated plasma T‐levels in male blue tits during the pre‐fertile and fertile period. Our aim was to test whether increased plasma T‐levels affect dawn song characteristics and increase the amount of diurnal song. Although T‐implants successfully raised circulating T‐levels, we did not find any difference between T‐ and control males in temporal performance measures of dawn song or in diurnal song output. Our results suggest that either there is no direct causal link between song output or quality and individual T‐levels, or experimental manipulations of T‐levels using implants do not permit detection of such effects during the early breeding season. Although we cannot exclude that individual T‐levels are causally linked to other (e.g. structural) song parameters, our results cast doubt on T‐dependence as the mechanisms that enforces honesty on song as a sexually selected trait.
Seasonal Variation in Female Response to Male Calling Song in the Field Cricket, Gryllus rubens
Authors: Vélez Manuel J. , Jane Brockmann H. 
Published: July 2006

AbstractConspicuous traits that make males attractive to females may make them vulnerable to predators. Females that approach conspicuous males may increase their risk of predation. This means that selection for reduced male conspicuousness in the presence of predators may be due to sexual selection resulting from altered female behavior in the face of increased predator risk. We examine this hypothesis in the field cricket, Gryllus rubens, in which male calling song attracts both conspecific females for mating and parasitoid flies (Ormia ochracea) which kill their hosts within a week. Female crickets are also parasitized by these flies as a result of associating with calling males. In northern Florida crickets that emerge in the spring are not subject to fly parasitism whereas autumn crickets encounter large numbers of flies. We predicted that autumn females should be less attracted to male song than spring females. We tested female response to male calls in a rectangular arena in which male calling song was broadcast from a speaker. Spring females readily approached the speaker but autumn females were less likely to approach and remain in the vicinity of the speaker. These results emphasize the importance of considering how risk affects the evolution of conspicuous male behavior both directly through its effect on the male and indirectly through its effect on female responses to males.
Sphere contact fatigue of a coarse‐grained Al2O3 ceramic
Authors: FETT T. , ERNST E. , RIZZI G. , MUNZ D. , BADENHEIM D. , OBERACKER R. 
Published: July 2006

ABSTRACTThe opposite sphere test is an appropriate tool to determine crack‐growth exponents for fatigue under repeated contact loading. Lifetime measurements for a coarse‐grained Al2O3 are reported. To explain the fatigue exponents that strongly deviated from those obtained in cyclic bending tests, a fracture mechanics analysis was carried out. It was aimed at determining the correct stress intensity factor solution for the tests, including limited dimensions of test specimens deviating from the case of a cone crack in a half space. Cone crack development was observed microscopically and the related stress intensity factors were computed for the observed crack shape.For modelling the fatigue behaviour, it is assumed that the fatigue effect is influenced by a reduction of the shielding term of crack growth resistance due to periodical friction between the grain‐interlock bridges in coarse‐grained alumina. This results in a loss of traction at the junctions, crack tip shielding is reduced, and the effective load at the crack tip is increased.
Business Cycles, the Exchange Rate, and Demand for Antidumping Protection in Mexico
Authors: Niels Gunnar , Francois Joseph 
Published: July 2006

AbstractAntidumping actions in the US and EU are known to be linked to macroeconomic conditions. In part, this is because positive injury findings may be easier to make in a downturn, increasing the chance of success for complainants. We explore the evidence for Mexico, one of the main “new” antidumping regimes. Injury determination is also critical in Mexico’s antidumping policy, as a majority of unsuccessful complaints have been rejected because of negative injury findings rather than negative findings of dumping. Working with data from 1987 to 2000, we provide evidence for a relationship between macroeconomic factors and antidumping complaints, including current account and exchange rate movements, and both local and global general macroeconomic conditions.
LEAD ISOTOPE RATIOS AS A MEANS OF SOURCING ANTHROPOGENIC LEAD IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOILS: A PILOT STUDY OF AN ABANDONED SHETLAND CROFT*
Authors: WILSON C. A. , BACON J. R. , CRESSER M. S. , DAVIDSON D. A. 
Published: July 2006

Results from soil chemical analysis have demonstrated enhanced concentrations of lead (Pb) associated with archaeological sites. However, interpretation of these Pb concentrations is difficult because of the multitude of possible Pb sources. This pilot study of an abandoned croft in Shetland suggests that Pb isotope ratios have the potential to identify sources of anthropogenic Pb. The results highlight two different Pb associations. The first includes hearth, house floor and house overburden soils, with end members of fuel materials and an unidentified material with a low (< 1.126)

206

Pb/

207

Pb ratio. The second includes byre, kailyard (garden) and arable soils, with end members of hearth materials and local wind‐blown sand.
Genetic Moderators of Naltrexone's Effects on Alcohol Cue Reactivity
Authors: McGeary John E. , Monti Peter M. , Rohsenow Damaris J. , Tidey Jennifer , Swift Robert , Miranda Robert 
Published: July 2006

Background: Naltrexone (NTX) reduces drinking and craving in alcoholic individuals in treatment and also in heavy drinkers. Polymorphisms in the D4 dopamine receptor (DRD4) gene and μ‐opiate receptor gene (OPRM1) may moderate NTX's effects on craving. This study examined these candidate genes as moderators of the effects of NTX on cue‐elicited urge to drink in non–treatment‐seeking heavy drinkers.Method: Data from the subset of 93 participants who consented for genetic testing in a larger study of medication effects were used to examine pharmacogenetic hypotheses. The non–treatment‐seeking male and female heavy drinkers (62% alcohol dependent) were genotyped for the variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism in the DRD4 gene [L=7 or more (n=34), S=less than 7 (n=56)] and Asn40Asp single‐nucleotide polymorphism in the OPRM1 gene [29 aspartate (Asp) carriers and 59 asparagine (Asn) homozygotes]. Ten days after randomization to NTX (50 mg) or placebo, participants completed an alcohol cue reactivity assessment.Results: Any medication effects were all accounted for by interaction with genotype. Naltrexone increased urge for alcohol in Asp carriers across alcohol and neutral beverage cue trials and had no effect on homozygous Asn carriers. Asp40 carriers on either medication had greater decreases (from resting baseline) in mean arterial blood pressure across all beverage cue trials compared with Asn carriers. For DRD4, no differential medication effects by DRD4 polymorphism were found. Alcohol dependence diagnosis did not moderate the effects of gene and medication on cue‐elicited measures.Discussion: The differential responses to NTX due to variation in the OPRM1 gene may help explain conflicting results in clinical trials and suggest directions for patient‐treatment matching.
Geoffrey Chaucer's Treatise on the Astrolabe
Authors: Mead Jenna 
Published: July 2006

AbstractGeoffrey Chaucer's Treatise on the Astrolabe has occasioned varied responses from readers and scholars. John Lydgate's reference, in the Fall of Princes, identified what became the critical terms for reading Chaucer's translation of an instruction manual for using an astrolabe addressed to his “sone” Lowys. Astrolabe survives in more manuscripts than any other Chaucer text with the exception of The Canterbury Tales; the Variorum edition of the text was published in 2002 and in the last five years critical attention has increasingly refocused on the text. Scholars have considered patterns of readership from extant manuscripts and details, such as the subheading “Brede and Milke for Children,” have reshaped critical analyses. Astrolabe's language and pedagogical strategies have also been reconceptualized in recent readings. The nature of “science” in the late fourteenth century has always been part of Astrolabe's critical frame but the cultural valency of astrology has moved into sharper focus producing a more sophisticated analysis of the vernacular context of Chaucer's only scientific prose text.
Luso–British Cooperation in India: A Portuguese Frigate in the Service of a British Expedition
Authors: Hariharan Shantha 
Published: July 2006

The friendly ties of the Anglo–Portuguese alliance in Europe were hardly in evidence in the Indian context even in the second half of the 18th century. The Marquez Alorna's note to his successor Viceroy of Goa, in 1751, listed the French as a friend and the English as an enemy in India. Towards the end of the century, though, relations took a dramatic turn towards close ties of amity and cooperation between England and Portugal. This article examines crucial changes during the Viceroyalty of Sr Francisco Antonio da Veiga Cabral (1794–1807) when Anglo–Portuguese relations entered a new phase of assistance and adjustment through the introduction of a British auxiliary force into Goa, by a process of super-imposition rather than supercession. In this atmosphere of friendship and amity, cooperation covered the fields of defence, administration, trade protection and political affairs. The article specifically studies documentary evidence related to how the Portuguese frigate Real Fidelissimo was spared by the Portuguese Viceroy for service in a British expedition to the Red Sea in 1801. Even a temporary integration of the Portuguese European troops into British pay and a joint command of all the Portuguese and British troops in Goa, under a British Commanding Officer, were possible in that ambience.
Effects of transient immunosuppression on adenoassociated, virus-mediated, liver-directed gene transfer in rhesus macaques and implications for human gene therapy
Authors: Jiang Haiyan , Couto Linda B. , Patarroyo-White Susannah , Liu Tongyao , Nagy Dea , Vargas Joseph A. , Zhou Shangzhen , Scallan Ciaran D. , Sommer Jurg , Vijay Sharmila , Mingozzi Federico , High Katherine A. , Pierce Glenn F. 
Published: July 2006

Abstract
In a clinical study of recombinant adeno-associated virus-2 expressing human factor IX (AAV2-FIX), we detected 2 impediments to long-term gene transfer. First, preexisting anti-AAV neutralizing antibodies (NABs) prevent vector from reaching the target tissue, and second, CD8+ T-cell responses to hepatocyte-cell surface displayed AAV-capsid–terminated FIX expression after several weeks. Because the vector is incapable of synthesizing viral proteins, a short course of immunosuppression, until AAV capsid is cleared from the transduced cells, may mitigate the host T-cell response, allowing long-term expression of FIX. To evaluate coad-ministration of immunosuppression, we studied AAV8 vector infusion in rhesus macaques, natural hosts for AAV8. We administered AAV8-FIX in 16 macaques via the hepatic artery and assessed the effects of (1) preexisting anti-AAV8 NABs, (2) a standard T-cell immunosuppressive regimen, and (3) efficacy and safety of AAV8-FIX. We found that low titers (1:5) of preexisting NABs abrogate transduction, whereas animals with undetectable NABs are safely and effectively transduced by AAV8-FIX. Coadministration of mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus with vector does not induce toxicity and does not impair AAV transduction or FIX synthesis. These findings enable a clinical study to assess the effects of immunomodulation on long-term FIX expression in patients with hemophilia B.