bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Learning productivity: a case analysis of the ‘e‐BOSNO’ course for manager teams
Authors: Winnips Koos , Collis Betty 
Published: July 2004

AbstractAction learning in a workplace context, focused on projects relating to real business needs, is the basis of the management seminars offered by the BOSNO (in Dutch, ‘BedrijfsOpleiding voor Samenwerkende Nederlandse Ondernemingen’[Company training for Dutch companies working in cooperation with each other]) consortium in The Netherlands. In the seminars, managers from participating companies work in teams on multiple‐step problem analysis and solution strategies, supported by workplace coaches. The teams also interact with each other so that peer learning is stimulated. To extend the BOSNO management seminar model in both depth and flexibility, a new approach called e‐BOSNO was designed in which a web‐based learning support environment played a critical role. This paper describes the e‐BOSNO design process and gives results from the first cycle of e‐BOSNO. The results showed the participants to be much more active and interactive than in previous e‐BOSNO seminars, even though there were fewer face‐to‐face meetings. Workplace‐oriented learning occurred and was shared in a way which makes it available for reuse in subsequent e‐BOSNO seminars.
Developing critical thinking skills in computer‐aided extended reading classes
Authors: Daud Nuraihan Mat , Husin Zamnah 
Published: July 2004

AbstractOne of the skills that can be taught in an English proficiency class that adopts literary texts for teaching the language is critical thinking. The background, characters and their motives are among those that invite critical inquiry and interpretation. Although it has been claimed that discussing literary texts in the traditional way can help develop students’ critical thinking skills, it is yet to be proved whether the use of a teaching aid can help the process. This study is, therefore, carried out to see if the use of computer software can help to develop such skills. It specifically looks at the potential of a literary text,Othello, and a concordancer in developing and enhancing critical thinking abilities of 40 English as a Second Language (ESL) students at the International Islamic University Malaysia. An experimental study was carried out, where an experimental group was exposed to text analysis using a concordancer whilst the control group analysed the text manually. The Cornell Critical Thinking Test was used to analyse the critical thinking ability of the students. The experimental group outperformed the control group in all the subscales measured, but the percentage of variance in the scores was low.
Phenotypic plasticity in pigmentation in Daphnia induced by UV radiation and fish kairomones
Authors: TOLLRIAN R. , HEIBL C. 
Published: July 2004

Summary

Planktonic organisms are exposed to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Pigmentation offers protection but at the same time increases visibility, and therefore vulnerability, to visually orienting predators such as fish. As an adaptation against fish predation, zooplankton should be transparent, though this would leave them less protected against UV radiation. Thus both adaptations would appear to be mutually exclusive. However, phenotypic plasticity in pigmentation could allow flexible adaptation to both environmental situations.
We tested the hypothesis that Daphnia should be able to change their level of pigmentation in response to fish kairomone and/or UV radiation using four species of Daphnia.
Daphnia hyalina Leydig increased pigmentation under UV radiation and D. pulex Leydig reduced pigmentation in the fish kairomone treatment. Both species live in habitats with variable UV and fish impact.
Daphnia cucullata Sars and D. middendorffiana Fischer showed no reaction, probably because of their extreme adaptations: D. middendorffiana is strongly pigmented and seems to be adapted to high UV‐B impact and an absence of fish in its arctic habitat. In contrast, D. cucullata has evolved in coexistence with fish. It can afford being nearly transparent because it lives in eutrophic lakes where UV‐B is not relevant.
Our data on four species suggest that plasticity in pigmentation might be common in Daphnia adapted to environments with contrasting or variable selection pressures.
Microbial genotype and insect fitness in an aphid–bacterial symbiosis
Authors: BIRKLE L. M. , MINTO L. B. , WALTERS K. F. A. , DOUGLAS A. E. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryThe impact of the genotype of symbiotic micro‐organisms on ecologically important traits of their animal hosts was explored using the symbiosis between aphids and the bacteriumBuchnera. This symbiosis has a nutritional basis, with aphids dependent onBuchnera‐derived essential amino acids. The genetic variation studied was copy number of theBuchneragenestrpEG, coding for anthranilate synthase in the biosynthetic pathway of the essential amino acid tryptophan.TrpEGamplification has been predicted to enhance tryptophan biosynthesis rates byBuchnera.TrpEGamplification ofBuchneravaried from 2 to 16‐fold relative to othertrpgenes among aphids from natural populations of the Pea AphidAcyrthosiphon pisum(Harris).The fitness of aphids onVicia fabaplants of low phloem tryptophan content under field conditions and on tryptophan‐free chemically defined diets under laboratory conditions did not vary significantly withtrpEGcopy number ofBuchnera. It is concluded that naturally occurring variation intrpEGcopy number does not have large and readily detectable effects on aphid fitness.This first study on the impact of genetic diversity ofBuchneraon ecologically important traits of the insect host illustrates the importance of empirical checks on the validity of plausible inferences made from genomic or other molecular data.
Control of tiller recruitment in bunchgrasses: uniting physiology and ecology
Authors: TOMLINSON K. W. , O'CONNOR T. G. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryBunchgrasses are clonal plants whose dominance of moist grasslands worldwide is maintained largely through tiller recruitment. Tiller recruitment in clonal plants is a subset of the problem of lateral bud outgrowth in higher plants. This paper proposes that three currently competing hypotheses of lateral bud outgrowth – apical dominance; the nutrition hypothesis; and photosensitivity to the red : far‐red light ratio – all operate in a manner dependent on environment and plant form.The evidence for each hypothesis is reviewed, following which an integrated model is provided that links the three hypotheses into a cohesive strategy. Consequently we assess tiller recruitment by bunchgrasses in terms of the constraints of their functional growth form and their environment. Of the mineral nutrients, only nitrogen is considered because it is the only nutrient whose relationship with tiller recruitment is well established.The integrated model maintains the accepted paradigm that actual bud release is hormonally controlled by the auxin : cytokinin ratio, although local nutrient concentrations may also be inhibitory. Importantly, each hormone is controlled by local signals in the shoots and roots, respectively, facilitating appropriate responses to environmental conditions. Auxin production and export from the shoots is moderated by phytochrome responses to red : far‐red light ratios. Cytokinin production is mediated by root N concentration which, in turn, is a function of N absorption from the soil and seasonal reallocation of tissue N.The growth form of bunchgrasses and the environment in which they are found emphasize that N has a strong mediatory role over tiller production which allows the grass plant to respond appropriately to shifts in this limiting resource. This suggests that control of lateral bud outgrowth may have an evolutionary basis in resource competition for N.
Rich calcium availability diminishes heavy metal toxicity in Pied Flycatcher
Authors: EEVA T. , LEHIKOINEN E. 
Published: July 2004

Summary

Eggshell thickness, egg size, clutch size and egg hatchability of Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca Pallas) are markedly depressed and nestlings show delayed ossification of their leg and wing bones near the copper smelter in Harjavalta, SW Finland. Both defects suggest problems in calcium availability or metabolism. However, another species, the Great Tit (Parus major L.), lays relatively normal eggs and clutches even in the most polluted areas. The Ca content of nestling faeces was measured to estimate between‐species differences in Ca availability.
Parus major nestlings showed four times higher Ca contents in their faeces than F. hypoleuca nestlings, suggesting differential abilities to acquire Ca between the two species.
The availability of Ca‐rich food items was estimated by counting spilled snail shells in the nests of F. hypoleuca postfledging. Snail shells were frequently found except at nests closest to the factory where the amount of exchangeable Ca in organic soil is low and ground layer vegetation is scanty.
The number of snail shells in F. hypoleuca nests correlated positively with the Ca concentration of nestling faeces. Furthermore, snail shell numbers and Ca concentration in faeces were positively associated with breeding success.
There was a significant interaction between Ca and Cu levels of faeces, so that the negative effect of Cu on the number of fledglings was stronger when the Ca level was low, i.e. F. hypoleuca demonstrated poor breeding success especially at territories high in heavy metals and low in snail shells. Our results show that heavy metals have detrimental effects on F. hypoleuca nestlings especially when Ca availability is poor.
Native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities differentially influence the seedling performance of rare and common Pulsatilla species
Authors: MOORA M. , ÖPIK M. , SEN R. , ZOBEL M. 
Published: July 2004

Summary

An experiment was carried out to determine whether the community composition of root‐colonizing arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) influences the growth and nutrient status of two congeneric Pulsatilla species, one rare and one common in Estonia. We hypothesized that: (i) establishment and growth of plants is influenced by the composition of native AMF communities; (ii) growth of congeneric plant species with different abundances differs due to their response to specific AMF communities; and (iii) distribution of a plant species may depend on the composition of local root symbiotic AMF communities.
Rare Pulsatilla patens and common Pulsatilla pratensis were grown in pots, under homogeneous soil nutrient and microbial community conditions, containing either one from two (grassland and forest sites) of natural AMF soil inocula, or no AMF.
Lower establishment was observed in the non‐mycorrhizal soil compared to AMF inoculated soils. Plant biomass, phosphorus concentration and root AMF colonization of both species were higher, and nitrogen concentration lower, in grassland as opposed to forest inoculum.
The common species displayed more vigorous growth than the rare counterpart in the presence of grassland inoculum. Conversely, slightly better growth of a rare species was recorded in the forest inoculum, in which plant biomass was an order of magnitude lower compared to the grassland inoculum.
As Pulsatilla spp. roots hosted site‐characteristic AMF small‐subunit rDNA sequence groupings, we suggest that the presence of AM fungi that are more beneficial for the common species may be one factor behind the observed differential distribution and performance of the two plant species.
Direct measurement of ammonium excretion in soil microarthropods
Authors: SJURSEN H. , HOLMSTRUP M. 
Published: July 2004

Summary

A simple method for quantifying ammonium excretion in soil microarthropods (Collembola and mites) is described.
Microarthropods were kept in closed vials on a pH‐buffered floor of moist quartz sand where excreted ammonium (NH4‐N) was trapped.
Basic excretion rates in the range of 0·2–1·6 µg ‐N mg−1 dry weight/2 days were estimated for five species of Collembola and one mesostigmatid mite.
Delayed costs of growth and compensatory growth rates
Authors: YEARSLEY J. M. , KYRIAZAKIS I. , GORDON I. J. 
Published: July 2004

Summary

Many studies recognize that growth carries with it a mortality risk that can influence an animal's growth rate.
Data suggest that these costs of growth act over a range of time‐scales, from instantaneous to an animal's lifetime.
Models of adaptive growth rate have not addressed the issue of differing time‐scales over which the costs of growth act. Here, we develop an adaptive growth model in which the costs of growth are delayed for a period of time, to assess optimal growth strategies in relation to delays in growth costs.
The optimal growth rates are calculated assuming one of two possible fitness measures: the reproductive rate, R0 and the intrinsic population growth rate, r.
It is shown that if the costs of growth are felt only after maturity, then growth compensation can be an adaptive strategy, even in an unchanging environment.
Compensatory growth is predicted only when R0 is the relevant fitness measure, implying that this mechanism of compensatory growth is sensitive to the processes of population regulation.
The effect of time‐delayed costs for other life‐history problems is discussed in light of these results.
Grass populations control nitrification in savanna soils
Authors: LATA J.‐C. , DEGRANGE V. , RAYNAUD X. , MARON P.‐A. , LENSI R. , ABBADIE L. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryNitrification plays a key role in the functioning of many natural ecosystems. It is directly involved in plant nitrogen nutrition and soil N losses through leaching and denitrification. The control of this process by plants is poorly understood, although modifications of nitrification would allow plants to manipulate competition for N and induce changes in ecosystem N balance. In a wet tropical savanna ecosystem (Lamto, Côte d’Ivoire), the soil N cycle is characterized by distinct high‐ and low‐nitrification sites. Previous publications showed that nitrification was positively or negatively correlated with root densities of the dominant grass covering these sites. These contrasting sites were chosen to investigate the extent to which vegetation controls long‐term nitrification.In situexperimental plots were created where grass individuals originating from high‐ or low‐nitrifying soils were transplanted into both soils. Nitrifying enzyme activity (NEA) was measured up to 24 months after transplanting. Grasses from both sites significantly modified NEA up to rates similar to those at their respective control sites.The level of individual plant control (inhibition and stimulation) was correlated with grass biomass. The potential mechanisms of this control is discussed, along with its consequences for ecosystem N cycling (such as N losses), as the denitrifying enzyme activity (DEA) is much higher in the high‐nitrification site. Such results suggest that plant species can have important consequences for N cycling at the population level.
Nest attentiveness and egg temperature do not explain the variation in incubation periods in tropical birds
Authors: TIELEMAN B. I. , WILLIAMS J. B. , RICKLEFS R. E. 
Published: July 2004

SummaryThe wide range in incubation periods among bird species has puzzled biologists for decades, because an extended egg‐phase increases time‐dependent mortality of the eggs.We investigated a recently proposed mechanistic explanation inspired by life‐history theory, suggesting that adults may increase their own survival by reducing nest attentiveness, the percentage of daytime spent incubating eggs, in exchange for reduced offspring (egg) survival due to a longer incubation period. Incubation behaviour and egg temperatures (Tegg) of 14 bird species in the humid lowland tropics were studied to test the hypothesis that lower nest attentiveness and reducedTeggcause longer incubation periods.Increased nest attentiveness correlated with higher averageTegg. However, neither nest attentiveness nor averageTeggwas associated with the length of the incubation period. Longer off‐bouts resulted in lowerTegg, but neither number of off‐bouts nor off‐bout length was associated with incubation period. In addition, we reanalysed a previously published negative association betweenTeggand incubation period based on literature data from temperate passerine birds using a larger data set and found no significant correlation.In conclusion, our results do not support the hypothesis that longer incubation periods are caused by reduced nest attentiveness and corresponding lowerTegg.
The structure and function of nests of Long‐Tailed Tits Aegithalos caudatus
Authors: McGOWAN A. , SHARP S. P. , HATCHWELL B. J. 
Published: July 2004

Summary

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure and thermoregulatory function of nests of the Long‐Tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus.
The feather lining of Long‐Tailed Tit nests represents a major portion (41%) of the total nest mass.
The mass of feathers varied among nests and declined through the breeding season, but there was no seasonal loss of nest insulation quality because of increasing ambient temperatures.
In an experiment to investigate the seasonal decline in the feather mass of nests, feathers were added to nests at an early stage of the lining phase of nest construction. Nest structure and insulating properties were then examined following nest completion.
The total mass of feathers in treatment and control nests did not differ significantly and there was no significant difference in their nest insulation quality.
Our results demonstrate that Long‐Tailed Tits adjust their nest‐building behaviour according to the nest's thermal environment. Moreover, nest structure appears to be adjusted to prevailing environmental conditions rather than being a function of feather availability or time constraints.
Distribution and prevalence ofWolbachiain Japanese populations of Lepidoptera
Authors: Tagami Y. , Miura K. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractWolbachiaare cytoplasmically inherited bacteria that are reported to infect at least 18–30% of all insect species. Our survey of Lepidoptera indicated that 44.9% of forty‐nine species and 77.8% of nine families tested positive forWolbachiausing PCR withwspprimers. Nineteen species had not been described previously as infected. In particular, althoughPieris rapae, which is a common species in Japan, is infected byWolbachia, the prevalence was very low (3.4%) and there were some localities whereWolbachiacould not be detected. The probability of detection ofWolbachiadepends on the number of screened individuals ofP. rapae. The results indicate that the actual number of species that are positive forWolbachiamay be higher than previously reported.
Stress and transcriptional regulation of tick ferritin HC
Authors: Mulenga A. , Simser J. A. , Macaluso K. R. , Azad A. F. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractWe previously identified a partial Dermacentor variabilis cDNA encoding ferritin HC (HC) subunit homolog (DVFER) that was differentially upregulated in Rickettsia montanensis infected ticks (Mulenga et al., 2003a). We have used rapid amplification of cDNA ends to clone full‐length DVFER cDNA and its apparent ortholog from the wood tick, D. andersoni (DAFER), both of which show high sequence similarity to vertebrate than insect ferritin. Both DVFER and DAFER contain the stem–loop structure of a putative iron responsive element in the 5′ untranslated region (nucleotide positions, 16–42) and the feroxidase centre loop typical for vertebrate ferritin HC subunits. Quantitative Western and Northern blotting analyses of protein and RNA from unfed and partially fed whole tick as well as dissected tick tissues demonstrated that DVFER is constitutively and ubiquitously expressed. Based on densitometric analysis of detected protein and mRNA bands, DVFER is predominantly expressed in the midgut, and to a lesser extent in the salivary glands, ovary and fatbody. Sham treatment (mechanical injury) and Escherichia coli challenge of D. variabilis ticks stimulated statistically significant (≈ 1.5‐ and ≈ 3.0‐fold, respectively) increases in DVFER mRNA abundance over time point matched naive control ticks. These data suggest that DVFER mRNA is nonspecifically up regulated in response to mechanical injury or bacterial infection induced stress.
Trends in mortality rates for death‐certificate‐coded diabetes mellitus in an English population 1979–99
Authors: Goldacre M. J. , Duncan M. E. , Cook‐Mozaffari P. , Neil H. A. W. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractAims  Mortality statistics have customarily been coded and analysed using only one underlying cause of death. Rules for selecting the underlying cause, when more than one cause is certified on a death certificate, have changed twice in England over the past 20 years. We used data from death certificates for 1979–99 to compare mortality rates for diabetes mellitus certified anywhere on death certificates with those certified as the underlying cause.Methods  Analysis of data from 18 917 death certificates that included diabetes mellitus in the former Oxford health region.Results  Based on the underlying cause of death, mortality rates for diabetes varied substantially between the periods defined by rule changes. Based on mentions of diabetes anywhere on the death record, mortality rates were almost unchanged over time: they showed a non‐significant rise of 0.1% per year (95% confidence interval −0.3, 0.6). Circulatory diseases were certified causes of death in 71% of all deaths in people with diabetes. Although mortality rates from circulatory diseases in the general population fell by 2.5% per year, rates for circulatory diseases in combination with diabetes did not fall.Conclusions  Two explanations are possible for the lack of change in mortality rates for diabetes based on all certified mentions between 1979 and 1999. Increasing prevalence and improved survival may have resulted in no net change; and/or there may have been no improvement in survival for people whose diabetes is associated with life‐threatening pathology and in particular with circulatory diseases.
Transforming growth factor β1 at clinical onset of Type 1 diabetes mellitus. A pilot study
Authors: Flores L. , Näf S. , Hernáez R. , Conget I. , Gomis R. , Esmatjes E. 
Published: July 2004

AbstractAims  The aims of the study were to determine whether transforming growth factor β1 TGF‐β1 levels are raised at diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes mellitus and are related to blood glucose.Subjects and methods  Fourteen patients (mean age 24.3 ± 4.9 years) admitted to hospital for onset of Type 1 diabetes were studied. On the first day of hospitalization, before insulin therapy, and at 1, 4 and 16 weeks, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile and TGF‐β1 levels and TGF‐β1 levels in 24‐h urine were determined. The control group included 14 non‐diabetic subjects with similar characteristics to those of the diabetic group.Results  Plasma and urinary TGF‐β1 levels were significantly lower in controls (4.7 (1.6–6.8) ng/ml P < 0.001; 5.7 (1.5–8.5) ng/mg urinary creatinine, P < 0.01) than in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus [10.5 (1.8–24.9) ng/ml; 10.1 (4.2–29.8) ng/mg urinary creatinine]. On study completion, HbA1c fell from 11.6 ± 2.0 to 5.4 ± 0.6% (P < 0.001). Improved metabolic control was not associated with changes in plasma (9.4 (2.6–19.5)/5.9 (1.6–21.5)/7.0 (2.3–30.2)/10.5 (1.8–24.9) ng/ml at baseline, 1, 4 and 16 weeks, respectively) or urinary (12.0 (4.7–29.5)/10.9 (1.5–20.5)/8.7 (4.3–16.9)/10.1 (4.2–29.8) ng/mg urinary creatinine) TGF‐β1 levels. A statistically significant correlation was observed between plasma TGF‐β1 and insulin dosage (U/kg/day) (r = 0.52, P = 0.037).Conclusions  The increased TGF‐β1 production observed herein was not modulated by glycaemic reduction and could be a response to immuno‐inflammatory activation present at the onset of Type 1 diabetes.