bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated CO2 effects on mesophyll conductance and its consequences for interpreting photosynthetic physiology
Authors: SINGSAAS E. L. , ORT D. R. , DELUCIA E. H. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTMesophyll conductance (gm) generally correlates with photosynthetic capacity, although the causal relationship between the two is unclear. The response of gm to various CO2 regimes was measured to determine its relationship to environmental changes that affect photosynthesis. The overall effect of CO2 growth environment on gm was species and experiment dependent. The data did not statistically differ from the previously shown A–gm relationship and was unaffected by CO2 treatment. The consequences of the CO2 effect on gm for interpreting photosynthesis in individual cases were investigated. Substantial effects of assumed versus calculated gm on leaf properties estimated from gas‐exchange measurements were found. This differential error resulted in an underestimation in ratio of maximum carboxylation to electron transport, especially in plants with high photosynthetic capacity. Including gm in the calculations also improved the agreement between maximum carboxylation rates and in vitro Rubisco measurements. It is concluded that gm is finite and varies with photosynthetic capacity. Including gm when calculating photosynthesis parameters from gas‐exchange data will avoid systematic errors.
Do pathways of water movement and leaf anatomical dimensions allow development of gradients in H218O between veins and the sites of evaporation within leaves?
Authors: BARBOUR M. M. , FARQUHAR G. D. 
Published: December 2004

ABSTRACTThe oxygen isotope enrichment of bulk leaf water (ΔL)  is often observed to be poorly predicted by the Craig–Gordon‐type models developed for evaporative enrichment from a body of water (Δe). The discrepancy between ΔL and Δe may be explained by gradients in enrichment within the leaf as a result of convection of unenriched water to the sites of evaporation opposing the diffusion of enrichment away from the sites; a Péclet effect. However, this effect is difficult to quantify because the velocities of water movement within the leaf are unknown. This paper attempts to model the complex anatomy of a leaf, and hence such velocities, to assess if the gradients in H218O required for a significant Péclet effect between the vein and the evaporation sites are possible within a leaf. Published dimensions of cells in wheat leaves are used to calculate the cross‐sectional areas perpendicular to the flow velocities of water through assumed pathways. By combining the ratio of actual to ‘slab’ velocities with anatomical lengths, equivalent lengths (L) emerge. In this way, it is concluded that if water moves only through the cell walls, or from cell to cell via either aquaporins or plasmodesmata, and evaporates from mesophyll cells, or the substomatal cells, or from the peristomatal region (a total of 15 combinations of assumptions), then the 15 central estimates of the values of L are between 9 and 200 mm. Each of these central estimates is subject to uncertainty, but overall their magnitude is important and estimates of L are comparable with those made from fitting to isotopic data (8 mm for wheat). It is concluded that significant gradients in enrichment between the vein and the evaporation sites are likely.
Identification of microsatellite markers for a leaf rust resistance gene introgressed into common wheat from Triticum timopheevii
Authors: Leonova I. , Borner A. , Budashkina E. , Kalinina N. , Unger O. , Röuder M. , Salina E. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe tetraploid wheat Triticum timopheevii Zhuk (AtAtGG) is known as a source of genes determining resistance to many diseases. An introgressive line 842, with durable resistance to leaf rust was established by crossing T. aestivum cv. ‘Saratovskaya29’ with T. timopheevii ssp. viticulosum and used for mapping leaf rust resistance genes. Molecular analysis of the line 842 with polymorphic microsatellite markers detected introgressions of T. timopheevii into the homoeologous group 2 chromosomes of common wheat. Transloca‐tion breakpoints of introgressed fragments were localized between the markers Xgwm95 and Xgwm817 on chromosome 2A, as well as Xgwm1128 and Xgwm1067 on chromosome 2B. Linkage analysis demonstrated the association of disease resistance at the seedling stage with chromosome 2A. The gene was found to be linked with marker Xgwm817 at a genetic distance of 1.5 cM. The alien leaf rust resistance gene was temporarily designated as lrTt1.
Genetic and environmental effects on glucosinolate content and chemoprotective potency of broccoli
Authors: Farnham M. W. , Wilson P. E. , Stephenson K. K. , Fahey J. W. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBroccoli is well recognized as a source of glucosinolates and their isothiocyanate breakdown products. Glucoraphanin is one of the most abundant glucosinolates present in broccoli and its cognate isothiocyanate is sulphoraphane, a potent inducer of mammalian detoxication (phase 2) enzyme activity and anti‐cancer agent. This study was designed to measure: glucosinolate levels in broccoli florets from an array of genotypes grown in several environments; the elevation of a key phase 2 enzyme, quinone reductase, in mammalian cells exposed to floret extracts; and total broccoli head content. There were significant environmental and genotype‐by‐environment effects on levels of glucoraphanin and quinone reductase induction potential of broccoli heads; however, the effect of genotype was greater than that of environmental factors. The relative rankings among genotypes for glucoraphanin and quinone reductase induction potential changed, when expressed on a per head basis, rather than on a concentration basis. Correlations of trait means in one environment vs. means from a second were stronger for glucoraphanin and quinone reductase induction potential on a per head basis than on a fresh weight concentration basis. Results of this study indicate that development of a broccoli phenotype with a dense head and a high concentration of glucoraphanin to deliver maximum chemoprotective potential (high enzyme induction potential/glucoraphanin content) is a feasible goal.
New SSR markers of Phaseolus vulgaris from sequence databases
Authors: Guerra‐Sanz J. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTo enlarge the number of microsatellite loci of Phaseolus vulgaris (L.) (common bean), a set of primer pairs has been obtained from public databases, to amplify DNA regions including simple sequence repeats (SSR), and they have been assayed in several P. vulgaris genotypes. Publically available DNA sequence data of P. vulgaris were searched for SSR motifs. Twenty sequences containing microsatellites were identified and primer pairs were designed to amplify those microsatellites. Primers were evaluated for their ability to detect polymorphisms within a set of P. vulgaris accessions, local landraces and hybrids and in addition, two accessions of the closely related species P. coccineus. Eighteen polymorphic SSR loci were identified. Polymorphisms were found at both levels of accessions and Phaseolus species.
Men Matter More: The Social Class Identity of Married British Women, 1985–1991
Authors: Sobel Michael E. , De Graaf Nan Dirk , Heath Anthony , Zou Ying 
Published: December 2004

SummaryWe investigate the class identity of married women as it relates to their own and their husband's class position. Whereas previous workers have attempted to test whether identity depends solely on the husband's position, not at all on the husband's position or equally on the husband's and wife's position, leaving out all intermediate cases, we estimate new diagonal reference models that quantify the relative weight of each partner's class position on their own class identity. In previous literature, it was also argued that women who work full time should be more likely to adopt a sharing model than other women and in some cases these different types of women were compared. We move beyond this simple dichotomy and more systematically formulate hypotheses about the conditions under which women attach more or less weight to their own class position and less or more weight respectively to that of their husbands. To test these hypotheses, we consider models where the weights are allowed to depend on characteristics of each partner and the couple. Using the British Social Attitudes Survey data for 1985–1991, we find that, when the husband's commitment to the labour force exceeds that of the wife, the husband's weight exceeds the wife's weight but, when the wife's commitment exceeds that of the husband's, the weights are approximately equal. We also find (unexpectedly) that women who hold higher positions than their husbands attach more weight to their husband's position than to their own position.
Postmodernism: The Basis of Insurance
Authors: Glenn Brian J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractInsurance practices are often depicted as being based on objective, “scientific” knowledge, and informed by carefully modeled rational actor theories that are embedded in clearly written contracts. This article seeks to displace these notions with a more realistic account. From underwriting, to the creation of actuarial tables, the structuring of programs, and contract analysis, insurance practices are predicated on stories of risk and responsibility. By acknowledging and examining these stories, we come to a greater understanding of why insurance practices take the various forms that they do, and also realize the potential for changing them in ways that are more profitable for the companies and more inclusive and protective for the public.
Mechanisms of resistance to DDT and pyrethroids in Patagonian populations of Simulium blackflies
Authors: Montagna C. M. , Anguiano O. L. , Gauna L. E. , Pechen DE D‐Angelo A. M. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Mixed populations of the pest blackflies Simulium bonaerense Coscarón & Wygodzinsky, S. wolffhuegeli (Enderlein) and S. nigristrigatum Wygodzinsky & Coscarón (Diptera: Simuliidae) are highly resistant to DDT and pyrethroids in the Neuquén Valley, a fruit‐growing area of northern Patagonia, Argentina. As these insecticides have not been used for blackfly control, resistance is attributed to exposure to agricultural insecticides. Pre‐treatment with the synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) reduced both DDT and fenvalerate resistance, indicating that resistance was partly due to monooxygenase inhibition. Pre‐treatment with the synergist tribufos to inhibit esterases slightly increased fenvalerate toxicity in the resistant population. Even so, biochemical studies indicated almost three‐fold higher esterase activity in the resistant population, compared to the susceptible. Starch gel electrophoresis confirmed higher frequency and staining intensity of esterase electromorphs in the resistant population. Incomplete synergism against metabolic resistance indicates additional involvement of a non‐metabolic resistance mechanism, such as target site insensitivity, assumed to be kdr‐like in this case. Glutathione S‐transferase activities were low and inconsistent, indicating no role in Simulium resistance. Knowing these spectra of insecticide activity and resistance mechanisms facilitates the choice of more effective products for Simulium control and permits better coordination with agrochemical operations.
Longitudinal surveillance of the tick Ixodes ricinusfor borreliae
Authors: Hubálek Z. , Halouzka J. , Juřicová Z. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Host‐seeking Ixodes ricinus (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) were monitored for borreliae (Borrelia burgdorferi s.l.) using dark‐field microscopy in South Moravia (Czech Republic) each May from 1991 to 2001 (150 nymphs, 100 females and 100 males each year). This survey revealed a mean annual percentage of infected ticks of 16.8% (range, 11.7–24.2) in nymphs, 24.9% (range, 16.5–33.6) in females and 26.1% (range, 17.1–37.3) in males. Annual incidence of Lyme borreliosis in humans of the area in the same period (range, 8.7–41.7 per 100 000) correlated significantly with the frequency (number of ticks per flag per hour) of nymphs infected with >50 borreliae or all nymphal ticks, but not with the frequency of females, infected females or the infection rate (% of ticks infected) of either nymphal or female ticks. A prediction of the annual incidence of Lyme borreliosis, based on the frequency of heavily infected or all nymphal I. ricinus ticks, is feasible. The infection rate in I. ricinus correlated significantly with the North Atlantic Oscillation winter index of the last year (in nymphs) or of the year before last (in adults).
Pyrethroid and DDT cross‐resistance in Aedes aegypti is correlated with novel mutations in the voltage‐gated sodium channel gene
Authors: Brengues C. , Hawkes N. J. , Chandre F. , Mccarroll L. , Duchon S. , Guillet P. , Manguin S. , Morgan J. C. , Hemingway J. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract.Samples of the dengue vector mosquito Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected from 13 localities between 1995 and 1998. Two laboratory strains, Bora (French Polynesia) and AEAE, were both susceptible to DDT and permethrin; all other strains, except Larentuka (Indonesia) and Bouaké (Ivory Coast), contained individual fourth‐instar larvae resistant to permethrin. Ten strains were subjected to a range of biochemical assays. Many strains had elevated carboxylesterase activity compared to the Bora strain; this was particularly high in the Indonesian strains Salatiga and Semarang, and in the Guyane strain (Cayenne). Monooxygenase levels were increased in the Salatiga and Paea (Polynesia) strains, and reduced in the two Thai strains (Mae Kaza, Mae Kud) and the Larentuka strain. Glutathione S‐transferase activity was elevated in the Guyane strain. All other enzyme profiles were similar to the susceptible strain. The presence of both DDT and pyrethroid resistance in the Semarang, Belem (Brazil) and Long Hoa (Vietnam) strains suggested the presence of a knock‐down resistant (kdr)‐type resistance mechanism. Part of the S6 hydrophobic segment of domain II of the voltage‐gated sodium channel gene was obtained by RT‐PCR and sequenced from several insects from all 13 field strains. Four novel mutations were identified. Three strains contained identical amino acid substitutions at two positions, two strains shared a different substitution, and one strain was homozygous for a fourth alteration. The leucine to phenylalanine substitution that confers nerve insensitivity to pyrethroids in a range of other resistant insects was absent. Direct neurophysiological assays on individual larvae from three strains with these mutations demonstrated reduced nerve sensitivity to permethrin or lambda cyhalothrin inhibition compared to the susceptible strains.
Sudden infant death syndrome and social deprivation: assessing epidemiological factors after post‐matching for deprivation
Authors: Fleming Peter J. , Blair Peter S. , Ward Platt Martin , Tripp John , Smith Iain J. ,   CESDI SUDI Research Group
Published: December 2004

SummaryAs part of the confidential enquiry into stillbirths and deaths in infancy (CESDI), a 3‐year population‐based case–control study was specifically designed to look at risk factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) after the dramatic fall in incidence. The study was conducted between 1993 and 1996 in five English Health Regions (population 17 million) with parental interviews for each death and four age‐matched controls. The aim of this analysis was to investigate the extent to which epidemiological characteristics associated with SIDS were particular to the syndrome or more general markers for socio‐economic deprivation. One control was reassigned to each case post‐matched for infant age, time of sleep and socio‐economic status using components of the Townsend Deprivation Score. The post‐matched analysis involved 323 SIDS infants and 323 controls with a similar socio‐economic profile. Notable factors significant in the original univariable analysis that became non‐significant after post‐matching included young maternal age (median: 23 years 4 months SIDS vs. 23 years 11 months post‐matched controls), being an unsupported mother (13.6% SIDS vs. 11.1% post‐matched controls) and being bottle‐fed (56.7% SIDS vs. 55.4% post‐matched controls). Other factors, although clearly related to deprivation, such as parental smoking, remained significant in both the univariable and multivariable post‐matched analyses.
Validation of verbal autopsy to determine the cause of 137 neonatal deaths in Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Marsh David R. , Sadruddin Salim , Fikree Fariyal F. , Krishnan Chitra , Darmstadt Gary L. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryVerbal autopsy (VA) aims to estimate a community's mortality experience in the absence of contact with formal registration or health care systems. Application of VA to neonatal deaths is problematic as the agonal phase of a neonatal death tends to be indistinct. This is the first attempt to validate the technique exclusively on newborns who died. Seriously ill neonates (n = 137) were enrolled from the Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, between 31 October 1993 and 31 July 1994. All died as newborns, and caregivers were interviewed at home 3–230 days later. Surveillance physicians completed case questionnaires in the hospital, and investigator physicians assigned the main and associated causes of death using clinical criteria. Field questionnaires including a verbatim open‐ended history, and syndrome modules were completed by a field worker, and investigator physicians again assigned the main and associated causes of death based on three diagnostic methods: verbatim alone, modules alone and verbatim and modules combined. We assessed the validity of VA by comparing field against hospital diagnoses by diagnostic (verbatim vs. modules vs. both) and analytic method (main vs. any diagnosis). VA identified at least one diagnosis accurately in 71% of the newborns. VA underdiagnosed low birthweight and prematurity in the field. Verbatim and modules diagnostic method comparing any field against main hospital diagnoses revealed high sensitivities for too early/too small syndrome (90%) and neonatal tetanus (84%). VA correctly identified some important causes of neonatal death in the field. Assigning multiple diagnoses using both open‐ and closed‐ended questions increases the likelihood of correct ascertainment.
Farm‐related exposures and childhood brain tumours in seven countries: results from the SEARCH International Brain Tumour Study
Authors: Efird Jimmy T. , Holly Elizabeth A. , Preston‐Martin Susan , Mueller Beth A. , Lubin Flora , Filippini G. , Peris‐Bonet Rafael , McCredie Margaret , Cordier Sylvaine , Arslan Annie , Bracci Paige M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryA total of 1218 cases of childhood brain tumours (CBT) and 2223 control subjects from the general population were included in a population‐based case–control study conducted in nine centres in seven countries. Mothers were asked about farm‐ or agriculture‐related exposures. Significantly elevated odds ratios (OR) for CBT were associated with children's personal and maternal prenatal exposure while living on a farm with pigs (child OR = 1.7, mother OR = 2.3), horses (child OR = 1.6, mother OR = 1.8), dogs (child OR = 1.5, mother OR = 1.5) and cats (child OR = 1.5, mother OR = 1.7). Children who were exposed to pigs, horses and cats combined, while living on a farm, had a threefold elevated OR for CBT. Increased ORs for primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNET) were associated with children's farm exposure to dogs (OR = 1.9) and cats (OR = 2.2), and maternal farm exposure to pigs (OR = 4.2). The OR for CBT was elevated (OR = 2.3) for children of mothers who had preconception/prenatal farm‐ or agriculture‐related employment involving potential contact with animals, relative to no farm‐ or agriculture‐related employment. In particular, increased ORs for CBT were observed for children of mothers who were employed as general farmers (OR = 4.1) or general farm workers (OR = 3.8). During the 5 years preceding the index child's birth, maternal exposures were related to CBT, relative to no maternal exposure to agricultural chemicals or animal products: fertilisers (OR = 1.8), pesticides (OR = 2.0), animal manure (OR = 2.0) and unprocessed wool (OR = 3.0). Our findings suggest that various farm‐related exposures are positively associated with CBT and warrant further investigation into the public health importance of these associations.
Influence of educational level on determinants of folic acid use
Authors: Van Der Pal‐de Bruin Karin M. , De Walle Hermien E. K. , De Rover Carolien M. , Jeeninga Wendy , Cornel Martina C. , De Jong‐van den Berg Lolkje T. W. , Buitendijk Simone E. , Paulussen Theo G. W. M. 
Published: December 2004

SummaryIn The Netherlands, periconceptional folic acid use to prevent neural tube defects was promoted through a national ‘Folic Acid Campaign’. In two regions, a local campaign supplemented the national campaign to increase the chances of reaching women with low socio‐economic status (SES). A framework of outcome criteria, defined as awareness knowledge, perceived safety, attitudes and subjective norms, was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of the two local campaigns. Data were gathered by means of two cross‐sectional studies conducted just before and 1 year after the campaigns took place.Before the campaigns were conducted, there were already differences in all effect criteria and folic acid use between women of different educational levels, mostly in favour of women with a high level of education. Although both educational campaigns appeared to have a positive impact on all outcome criteria, they failed to reduce the existing differences in these outcome criteria between women of different educational levels.Folic acid use can be promoted effectively by mass media campaigns, certainly in a large group of women with no prior knowledge of the health benefits associated with periconceptional folic acid use. However, in order to achieve more equal health outcomes among women of low and high SES, it seems that more tailored interventions for women of low SES are needed.
Trends in birthweight between 1857 and 1883, in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Morley Ruth , McCalman Janet , Carlin John 
Published: December 2004

SummaryEpidemiological evidence suggesting that subjects with lower birthweight have an increased risk of adult cardiovascular disease has led to increased interest in factors influencing birthweight. We have documented large changes in mean birthweight over a relatively short historical period from 1857 to 1883. Mean birthweight declined progressively from 7.9 lb (3.6 kg) in the period 1857–63 to 6.9 lb (3.1 kg) in 1874–78, then rose to 7.5 lb (3.4 kg) for the period 1879–83. We found the expected relationships between infant birthweight and maternal age, parity and marital status, and identified an association between birthweight and maternal country of birth. However, neither temporal changes in recorded maternal characteristics nor external economic indicators for the colony explained the trends in birthweight. From historical information, we believe that the explanation for our findings lies primarily with the increasing poverty, disease, mental illness, alcohol abuse and criminal activity among women admitted to the hospital between 1860 and the mid‐1870s, and improvements from around 1880, when old housing was replaced and prostitutes were moved out of the area. Our findings highlight the difficulty of capturing lifestyle factors using routinely collected data, and the need for historical expertise when examining historical data.