bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Experimental Manipulation of Intraclutch Variation in the Great Reed Warbler Shows No Effect on Rejection of Parasitic Eggs
Authors: Karcza Zsolt , Moskát Csaba , Cherry Michael I. , Kisbenedek Tibor 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn the continuing arms race between hosts and brood parasites, hosts are expected to reduce variation in the appearance of their own eggs within clutches, as it facilitates recognition of parasitic eggs. At the same time, by increasing interclutch variation, hosts should make it more difficult for parasites to evolve perfectly mimetic eggs. In this study, we experimentally manipulated intraclutch variation in the great reed warbler,Acrocephalus arundinaceus, in Hungary, where this species is heavily (c. 64%) parasitized by the common cuckoo,Cuculus canorus. We placed artificial cuckoo eggs, which appeared moderately mimetic to humans, in two groups of nests; in one group we increased variability of egg appearance within clutches by exchanging host eggs among nests. These clutches showed a significantly higher intraclutch variability than natural clutches, which we used as a control group. Our results indicate that it has no effect on rejection behaviour in this species, neither when variation was increased experimentally, nor within the natural range of variation displayed by our population. We suggest that when parasitism is high, selection for reduced intraclutch variation may be less important than frequency‐dependent selection for increased variation between individuals within a host population.
Do Experience and Body Size Play a Role in Responses of Larval Ringed Salamanders, Ambystoma annulatum, to Predator Kairomones? Laboratory and Field Assays
Authors: Mathis Alicia , Murray Kevin L. , Hickman Caleb R. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractPrey may experience ontogenetic changes in vulnerability to some predators, either because of changes in morphology or experience. If prey match their level of antipredator behavior to the level of predatory threat, prey responses to predators should reflect the appropriate level of threat for their stage of development. For larval salamanders, responses to predators may change with body size because larger larvae are less vulnerable to predation by gape‐limited predators or because fleeing responses by large salamanders may be more effective than for smaller salamanders. In a field experiment, small larval ringed salamanders, Ambystoma annulatum, responded to chemical stimuli (‘kairomones’) from predatory newts, Notophthalmus viridescens, with an antipredator response (decreased activity). Laboratory‐reared larvae decreased their activity following exposure to newt kairomones, indicating that larval ringed salamanders do not require experience with newts to recognize them as predators. In both experiments, larvae distinguished between chemical stimuli from newts and stimuli from tadpoles (non‐predators) and a blank control. In a third experiment, field‐caught (experienced) larvae showed a graded response to newt kairomones based on their body size: small larvae tended to decrease their activity while larger larvae showed no change or an increase in activity. This graded response was not observed for neutral stimuli, indicating that it is predator‐specific. Therefore, ringed salamander larvae exhibit threat‐sensitive ontogenetic changes in their response to chemical stimuli from predatory newts.
Mating Call Discrimination in Female European (Coturnix c. coturnix) and Japanese Quail (Coturnix c. japonica)
Authors: Derégnaucourt Sébastien , Guyomarc'h Jean‐Charles 
Published: March 2003

AbstractEach year, thousands of domestic Japanese and hybrid quails are released within the breeding range of the European quail. We showed recently that no post‐zygotic isolating mechanisms have yet been established between these subspecies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether pre‐zygotic mechanisms are strong enough to prevent hybridization. We tested the level of subspecies selectivity in females of European and Japanese quail respectively using playbacks of European, hybrid and Japanese male mating calls. European quail females emitted the greatest number of rally calls in response to mating calls by conspecific males. Their responses were the weakest to mating calls produced by males of the other subspecies and intermediate to mating calls by hybrid males. In contrast, Japanese quails produced similar responses to all types of mating calls. These results suggest that mixed pairs could form in the wild. The European quail could thus become one of the most endangered galliforms of the Western Palearctic.
Mouth Color Signals Thermal State of Nestling Dark‐Eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis)
Authors: Clotfelter Ethan D. , Schubert Kristin A. , Nolan Val , Ketterson Ellen D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIn many species of birds, nestlings have brightly colored mouths. Some studies have found that mouth color is related to hunger, and may serve to solicit feedings from parents. We devised two experiments to test the hypothesis that mouth color is an indicator of hunger in nestling dark‐eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis), and neither experiment produced results to support the hypothesis. We did find, however, that mouth redness saturation increased for the duration of our experiments (60 min). We devised a third experiment to investigate the effect of a different stressor, temperature. In the third experiment, mouth redness decreased in saturation when microenvironment temperature increased following a period of cooling. These findings suggest that mouth color indicates thermal state of nestling dark‐eyed juncos and may function as a signal to the female to brood them.
Production of aggressive electrocommunication signals to progressively realistic social stimuli in male Apteronotus leptorhynchus
Authors: Dunlap Kent D. , Larkins‐Ford Jonah 
Published: March 2003

AbstractBrown ghost knife fish, Apteronotus leptorhynchus, produce a continuous electric organ discharge (EOD) that they use for communication. While interacting aggressively, males also emit brief EOD modulations termed chirps. The simplicity of this behaior and its underlying neural circuitry has made it an important model system in neuroethology. Chirping is typically assayed by confining a fish in a tube (‘chirp chamber’) and presenting it with sine wave electrical stimuli that partially mimic EODs of other fish. We presented male fish with progressively more realistic social stimuli to examine whether some of the stimulus complexities during dyadic interaction influence the production of chirps. In a chirp chamber, fish chirped less to a recording of an EOD containing chirps than to a recording of an EOD alone and to sine wave stimuli. Free‐swimming fish chirped more to stimulus fish than to sine wave stimuli presented through electrodes. Fish chirped more when interacting directly than when interacting across a perforated barrier. Together, these studies demonstrate that the presence of chirps, electric field complexity, and/or non‐electric social stimuli are important in eliciting chirp production in brown ghosts.
Spread of white hypovirulent strains of Cryphonectria parasitica on grafted American chestnut trees exhibiting a high level of blight control
Authors: Robbins N. , Griffin G. J. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryIn 1982 and 1983, natural blight cankers, located in a zone extending from the ground to 183 cm on the main stem of grafted American chestnut trees, were inoculated with a mixture of dsRNA‐containing, white (European) and pigmented hypovirulent strains of Cryphonectria parasitica (H‐inoculated zone). In 1996, white isolates (34% of 156 C. parasitica isolates) were recovered from superficial cankers throughout the grafts and as far as 564 cm from the H‐inoculated zone. Lloyd's index of patchiness value (1.36) indicated that white isolates were slightly aggregated in cankers on the grafts. Forty‐five percent of 95 C. parasitica isolates, recovered 5–50 months after inoculating the grafts with pigmented virulent strain WK, were white and some converted strain WK to the white phenotype in vitro. All cankers and bark cores yielding only pigmented isolates, vegetatively compatible with virulent strain WK, had superficial necrosis 5 and 11 months after inoculation with strain WK. All white isolates of C. parasitica assayed contained a 12.7 kbp dsRNA in high concentrations, and were hypovirulent in pathogenicity trials. Twenty‐eight vegetative compatibility groups were identified among 65 pigmented graft area isolates; none of 48 pigmented isolates contained dsRNA. In addition to host resistance factors, spread of white strains may be responsible for the unusually high level of blight control on the grafts.
Use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) for detection of genetic variation and proof of the heterothallic mating system in Hypoxylon mediterraneum
Authors: Vannini A. , Mazzaglia A. , Anselmi N. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryThe efficiency of RAPD analysis in the evaluation of genetic variability in Hypoxylon mediterraneum has been tested on 49 monoascospore isolates of the fungus from different localities. A large genetic variability was detected within single stromata and among monoascospore isolates in a restricted area. The large variability in restricted populations can be explained by the heterothallic mating system and the life cycle of the fungus and its ecological adaptations. RAPD markers can discriminate monoascospore isolates both in the single stromata and among stromata. The application of RAPD markers for epidemiological studies is discussed.
Production of a polyclonal antibody to Phellinus pini and examination of its potential use in diagnostic assays
Authors: Hunt R. S. , Ekramoddoullah A. K. M. , Zamani A. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryIn order to differentiate among Phellinus pini, Inonotus tomentosus and Inonotus circinatus a polyclonal antibody was raised to a N‐terminal part of 25‐kDa P. pini‐specific protein. The specificity of the polyclonal antibody produced against a synthetic N‐terminal peptide of this protein was investigated for diagnostic purposes using Western immunoblot, indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and inhibition ELISA techniques. The N‐terminal synthetic peptide, used as the immunogen, was found to be more than 80% pure by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. Following immunization, antisera were collected at three different time intervals. The antibody molecules were purified from the crude antisera using immunoaffinity gel chromatography. Following one‐dimensional sodium dodecylsulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Western immunoblot analysis showed that the P. pini I polyclonal‐antibody detected the immunogen, the 25‐kDa protein, in all but one of the P. pini isolates examined, but in none of the isolates of the nontarget species I. tomentosus and I. circinatus. Nevertheless, cross‐reactivity was a problem because the P. pini I polyclonal‐antibody also recognized bands at other molecular weights in nearly all of the isolates of the other species tested. With the indirect ELISA the P. pini isolates tended to have higher affinity for the polyclonal antibody than the nontarget species, but some cross‐reactivity did occur. Inhibition ELISAs, performed over a range of soluble antigen concentrations (1.56–400 ng/100 μl), failed to show a clear distinction between P. pini and the two Inonotus spp. The low level of cross‐reactivity observed for I. tomentosus isolate 52 (9%) was also apparent in the indirect ELISA analysis. All three assays indicated that P. pini isolate 41 was the most antigenic. Despite cross‐reactivity, the antibody is useful in Western immunoblots for the diagnosis of most P. pini isolates.
Virulence and double‐stranded RNA in Sphaeropsis sapinea
Authors: Adams G. C. , Wu N. ‐T. , Eisenberg B. E. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryForty wildtype isolates of Sphaeropsis sapinea were grouped into the morphotypes A and B based on previously defined differences in cultural and morphological criteria as well as restriction sites for Dde I and Bst UI endonucleases in nuclear ribosomal DNA amplicons. Thirteen of 20 type A isolates and nine of 20 type B isolates contained detectable dsRNA (55%) of different molecular weight and size. dsRNA was transmitted into conidia at a frequency of 71–100%. By selecting single conidia, dsRNA‐free subcultures were obtained from six of 22 isolates containing dsRNA. Pathogenicity tests on expanding buds of landscape trees of three species of Pinus showed highly significant statistical interactions between isolate virulence, Pinus species, and year. Pine species‐year had a profound impact on virulence. The pattern in the interactions was revealed by principal component analysis of the interaction sums of squares of the anova (Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction; AMMI). Pinus sylvestris was highly interactive in its susceptibility to S. sapinea with seasonal effects. P. nigra and P. resinosa were more stable. The interactivity analysis was used to apportion interaction to specific isolates to improve the accuracy of the estimates of virulence. Estimates of the relative virulence of isolates were predicted over five different Pinus species‐years. Isolates were ranked in virulence and interactivity using the AMMI model. This model permitted mean separation tests of the relative virulence among isolates over the combined Pinus species‐years. One isolate was identified as potentially having dsRNA‐mediated hypovirulence based on the significantly greater virulence of its isogenic, dsRNA‐free subculture, as expressed over the three Pinus species and 2 years. Type A isolates containing dsRNA ranged from stable to highly interactive and from low to high in virulence. Type B isolates containing dsRNA were similar in interactivity but virulence ranged from avirulent to moderate, seldom exceeding the mean for S. sapinea. dsRNA‐free isogenic subcultures tended not to express higher virulence than their dsRNA‐containing parent strains but often changed in interactivity. Therefore, in one year a dsRNA‐free subculture might be more virulent than its dsRNA‐containing parent. In another year the dsRNA‐free subculture might be less virulent.
Fungi associated with necrotic apical parts of Fraxinus excelsior shoots
Authors: Przybył K. 
Published: March 2003

SummaryStem necrosis was investigated in 2–3‐year‐old seedlings of European ash Fraxinus excelsior, both self‐sown and in plantations within four Forest Divisions in eastern, northern and central Poland. Fungi isolated from the apical parts of shoots showing fresh necroses were identified and the pathogenicity of some of them was determined. Some species were isolated at all four sites; the most consistent members of this group were Cladosporium cladosporioides, Cytospora ambiens, Discula sp., Fusarium lateritium, Phoma sp., Phomopsis scobina and P. controversa. Diplodia mutila was isolated at all the sites, but with variable frequency. It induced necrotic lesions following wound inoculation of stems of 2‐month‐old and 2‐year‐old seedlings of F. excelsior in growth chamber and greenhouse conditions.
Mental health nursing and cultural diversity
Authors: Craig Alex B. 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe focus of this article is on ethnic cultural difference. The establishment of a bi‐cultural model of health care delivery has been a recent priority in New Zealand. Bi‐culturalism has become an important concept for Maori and Pakeha (Europeans), working in partnership in the planning and implementation of mental health services in New Zealand. Adoption of the principles of respect and recognition of the uniqueness of different cultural identities, by nurses, has meant that clients who use mental health services in New Zealand are beginning to benefit from nursing care that is culturally competent.
An exploratory investigation into the housing preferences of consumers of mental health services
Authors: Warren Razelle , Bell Pamela 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT In the present qualitative study, 10 mental health consumers living in the community were interviewed in relation to their housing situations. Three themes emerged from the interview data: ‘The place’, ‘Other consumers’ and ‘A normal life’. Consumers rejected congregated housing because it enables the larger community to more easily identify them as former psychiatric patients. The views of participants consistently indicate a desire to live a normal life. Results of this study highlight the need for greater consumer participation with mental health nurses and policy makers, in relation to the development of housing services.
Taking neuroleptic medications as the treatment for schizophrenia: A phenomenological study
Authors: Usher Kim 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACT: Research in the area of neuroleptic medications has traditionally relied on quantitative methodologies which view the problem from the researcher’s perspective. This phenomenological study was undertaken to explore the experience of taking neuroleptic medications from the individual’s perspective using a research approach which has the potential to illuminate and respect participant experiences. Interviews were conducted with 10 individuals who take neuroleptic medications as their main treatment for schizophrenia. Interviews were analysed using an interpretive method which seeks to generate a deeper understanding of the phenomenon under study. The experience of taking neuroleptic medications emerged as incorporating hope for recovery, learning to live with the side‐effects, embodiment of illness, experiencing issues of control, and struggling to stay well. The results have relevance for practicing and novice mental health nurses, for teachers of undergraduate nursing and allied health students, and carer and consumer groups.
DIABETIC RETINAL PHOTOGRAPHIC SCREENING: A MODEL FOR INTRODUCING AUDIT AND IMPROVING GENERAL PRACTITIONER CARE OF DIABETIC PATIENTS IN A RURAL SETTING
Authors: McKenzie Andrew , Grylls John 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the addition of diabetic retinal screening using retinal photography to an existing immunisation audit by a General Practitioner (GP) Network in a semi‐rural area 60‐min drive from central Wellington, New Zealand. The employment of a nurse‐facilitator who visited practices to assist the setting up of diabetic registers and the subsequent auditing of patterns of referral for retinal photography was seen as a first step in a process that would lead to audit of the care of diabetic patients by GPs in the Network. This should lead to a measurable improvement in health‐care delivery to diabetic patients in this area and is a model that could be adapted by any group of rural or semirural GPs within a defined geographical area.
RURAL AND REMOTE MENTAL HEALTH PLACEMENTS FOR NURSING STUDENTS*
Authors: Armitage Sue , McMaster Rose 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTClinical placements can be instrumental in encouraging nursing students to consider a future career in rural Australia. Twenty nursing students from a metropolitan university were provided with the opportunity to undertake a clinical placement in mental health in a rural or remote setting. The majority of placements were between 2 and 4 weeks in length. They took place in community health centres and rehabilitation centres in New South Wales and in hospital inpatient facilities, remote areas and community health services in the Northern Territory. On return from the placement, students completed an open‐question pro forma giving their views and impressions of their experiences and contrasting this with clinical experience gained in urban settings. The content of the students’ responses was analysed and presented under the following themes: scale relating to urban and rural differences in population; geographical and health facility size; staffing matters; the environment; the students’ perception of the clients; and professional interaction. Additional material relating to remote area placements is presented. Questions are raised about the maintenance of students’ interest and the development of rural careers.
ISSUES AFFECTING AUSTRALIA’S RURAL OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY WORKFORCE
Authors: Millsteed Jeannine 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThe unequal distribution of health workers across Australia in favour of urban areas affects the provision of effective health services to rural and remote communities. Additional pressures on the current and future supply of occupational therapists may arise from a restructuring of the health labour force and demographic changes in the age structure of the population. Projections made on the basis of these data indicate that employment growth for occupational therapists will create a demand for 9600 therapists in 2005, or 79.9% more than the number of occupational therapists employed in 1994. Factors such as reductions in the level of immigration and the number of people of working age, and a diminishing population of school leavers to fill student places in universities will make it difficult to meet the projected demand for occupational therapists. Occupational therapy labour force planning suffers from a lack of detailed data on under‐serviced areas. Such data are critical for clarifying the magnitude of the projected discrepancy between future demand and supply needs for occupational therapists in rural and urban areas in Australia.
Health Beliefs and Perceptions of Women Presenting or Not Presenting for Mammographic Screening in a Rural Health Setting
Authors: Speedy Sandra , Hase Stewart 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTBreast cancer continues to be a major health concern among Australian women. Recently, free mammography screening has been offered as a joint State and Commonwealth initiative to enable early detection. This program has particular significance in rural areas where access to health‐care facilities, particularly those of a specialist nature, is limited. Attendance for screening is critical to the success of this type of program. Several lines of evidence suggest that health beliefs play a major role in compliance with recommended health behaviour. The present study investigated the role of five health beliefs: response efficacy, seriousness, concern, susceptibility and barriers to the likelihood of attending the North Coast Breast Screening Program in northern NSW. A questionnaire that measured these health beliefs was completed by 127 women who attended breast screening and 185 women who knew about the service but had not attended. Compared with those who had not undergone mammography, those presenting for screening were more health conscious, more likely to have had a mammography previously, more aware that mammography reduced the risk of developing severe breast cancer and less concerned about having a mammogram. A number of barriers to having a mammogram were also identified. The present study raises a number of concerns regarding the level of knowledge about breast self‐examination and mammography as important preventive health measures among women in a rural setting.
RURAL MENTAL HEALTH: NEITHER ROMANTICISM NOR DESPAIR
Authors: Wainer Jo , Chesters Janice 
Published: March 2003

ABSTRACTThis paper explores the relationship between rural places and mental health. It begins with a definition of mental health and an outline of the data that have led to the current concern with promoting positive mental health. We then consider aspects of rural life and place that contribute to positive mental health or increase the likelihood of mental health problems. Issues identified include environment, place, gender identity, violence and dispossession and the influence of the effects of structural changes in rural communities. The paper concludes with a discussion of some of the determinants of resilience in rural places, including social connectedness, valuing diversity and economic participation.