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Consistent Differences (consistent + difference)
Selected AbstractsAdolescent peer crowd self-identification, attributional style and perceptions of parentingJOURNAL OF COMMUNITY & APPLIED SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Patrick C. L. Heaven Abstract This paper examines the relationships between self-identified crowd membership, attributional characteristics, and perceptions of parental style among students in their first year of high school (N,=,893). The aim was to assess the extent to which group identity is reflected in self-reported characteristics. Most students self-identified either as studious, athletes, populars, rebels, or normals (N,=,669) and also completed measures of perceptions of parental styles and attributional style. Consistent differences were observed between self-identified studious and rebel teenagers. One-way ANOVAS revealed significant group differences on mother's authoritativeness, father's authoritativeness, positive attributional style, and negative attributional style. These results are discussed with reference to the interplay between group influences and individual characteristics. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Lipids and antioxidants in groats and hulls of Swedish oats (Avena sativa L)JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 6 2002Susanne Bryngelsson Abstract Concentrations and compositions of total lipids (TL), fatty acids, tocopherols and tocotrienols, avenanthramides and free hydroxycinnamic acids were determined in groats and hulls from single samples of seven Swedish oat cultivars. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was measured using the radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl as substrate. Results were evaluated by principal component analysis. Consistent differences in value of the variables analysed in groats and hulls were found, groats having higher concentrations of all compounds analysed except free cinnamic acids. Concentrations of E-vitamers (especially tocotrienols) were high in both groat and hull samples with high TL. Avenanthramides were high in hull samples with high TL, but this was not found in groats. Free cinnamic acids did not follow TL in either groats or hulls. TAC was generally higher in groats than in hulls. The within-group variation in TAC was less pronounced than that in chemical composition, especially in groats. The results did not suggest any strong relationship between TAC and individual antioxidants. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Chest wall kinematics, respiratory muscle action and dyspnoea during arm vs. leg exercise in humansACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2006I. Romagnoli Abstract Aim:, We hypothesize that different patterns of chest wall (CW) kinematics and respiratory muscle coordination contribute to sensation of dyspnoea during unsupported arm exercise (UAE) and leg exercise (LE). Methods:, In six volunteer healthy subjects, we evaluated the volumes of chest wall (Vcw) and its compartments, the pulmonary apposed rib cage (Vrc,p), the diaphragm-abdomen apposed rib cage (Vrc,a) and the abdomen (Vab), by optoelectronic plethysmography. Oesophageal, gastric and trans-diaphragmatic pressures were simultaneously measured. Chest wall relaxation line allowed the measure of peak rib cage inspiratory muscle, expiratory muscle and abdominal muscle pressures. The loop Vrc,p/Vrc,a allowed the calculation of rib cage distortion. Dyspnoea was assessed by a modified Borg scale. Results:, There were some differences and similarities between UAE and LE. Unlike LE with UAE: (i) Vcw and Vrc,p at end inspiration did not increase, whereas a decrease in Vrc,p contributed to decreasing CW end expiratory volume; (ii) pressure production of inspiratory rib cage muscles did not significantly increase from quiet breathing. Not unlike LE, the diaphragm limited its inspiratory contribution to ventilation with UAE with no consistent difference in rib cage distortion between UAE and LE. Finally, changes in abdominal muscle pressure, and inspiratory rib cage muscle pressure predicted 62% and 41.4% of the variability in Borg score with UAE and LE, respectively (P < 0.01). Conclusion:, Leg exercise and UAE are associated with different patterns of CW kinematics, respiratory muscle coordination, and production of dyspnoea. [source] Prevalence and relationship to delusions and hallucinations of anxiety disorders in schizophreniaDEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, Issue 2 2003F.R.C.P.C., Philip Tibbo M.D. Abstract We investigated the prevalence of anxiety disorders in a sample of individuals with chronic schizophrenia, controlling for anxiety symptoms that may be related to delusions and hallucinations, and the possible differences in clinical variables between the groups. Individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and able to give informed consent were recruited from the community. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) was administered to both confirm the DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and screen for comorbid anxiety disorders. If a comorbid anxiety disorder was found, its relation to the individual's delusions and hallucinations was examined. Clinical rating scales for schizophrenia were administered as well as rating scales for specific anxiety disorders where appropriate. Overall, anxiety disorders ranged from 0% [ for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)] to 26.7% [ for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and agoraphobia without panic] with lower rates when controlled for anxiety symptoms related to delusions and hallucinations. In investigating clinical variables, the cohort was initially divided into schizophrenics with no anxiety disorders and those with an anxiety disorder; with further analyses including schizophrenics with anxiety disorders related to delusions and hallucinations and those with anxiety disorders not related to delusions and hallucinations. The most consistent difference between all the groups was on the PANSS-G subscale. No significant differences were found on the remaining clinical variables. Comorbid anxiety disorders in schizophrenia can be related to the individual's delusions and hallucinations, though anxiety disorders can occur exclusive of these positive symptoms. Clinicians must be aware that this comorbidity exists in order to optimize an individual's treatment. Depression and Anxiety 17:65,72, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Suitability for psychoanalytic psychotherapy: a reviewACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 3 2004K. Valbak Objective:, To review empirical studies on outpatients' pretherapy suitability for psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Method:, A literature search for studies in English was made in the databases MEDLINE, PsychInfo and EM-base. Forty-one studies spanning 20 years were selected for a thorough evaluation. Results:, Seventy-five per cent of the studies concerned brief dynamic psychotherapy. In general, application of single measures of suitability had a modest predictive value with correlations in the range of 0.17,0.73. There was no consistent difference between various formats of therapies. Most promising variables with the highest correlations with good outcome were: ,good quality of object relations', ,psychological mindedness' and ,motivation for change'. Some clinical guidelines can be drawn from quantitative research to provide the therapist with best method and format. Conclusion:, The importance of psychological variables known from the development of the brief dynamic therapies and earlier research was confirmed. Most correlations were modest and single factors could not be identified. Multivariate designs that combine different methods and formats with patient characteristics seem most promising in future predictor-outcome research. [source] Feeding on roots in the humus layer by adult pine weevil, Hylobius abietisAGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 4 2006Kristina Wallertz Abstract 1,The consumption by adult pine weevil, Hylobius abietis, of the bark of roots present in the humus layer was assessed in a field study conducted in southern Sweden during two years (1998 and 2002). The study sites were divided into two areas: (i) a shelterwood where 80,100 mature Scots pine trees per hectare remained after cutting and (ii) a clearcut where no trees were left. 2,On average, 3741 m2 per hectare of root bark was present in the humus layer, of which 135 m2 was not coniferous but comprised species such as bilberry and broadleaved trees. 3,The mean area debarked by pine weevils was 2.9 m2 per hectare; 2.6 m2 of conifer roots and 0.3 m2 of bilberry roots. Roots of broadleaved trees were almost never consumed. No clear preferences for roots of a specific level of vitality were observed. 4,No consistent difference between the shelterwood and clearcut was found, either in the amount of root bark area available or in the extent of root feeding by pine weevil. 5,A weak negative correlation between debarked areas on roots and seedlings was found, indicating that root feeding may have reduced damage to seedlings. 6,It is concluded that conifer roots in the humus layer constitute a major food source for the pine weevil and can be utilized for a considerable period in both clearcuts and shelterwoods. [source] Expression levels of genes for ATP-binding cassette transporters and sterol 27-hydroxylase in liver and intestine of baboons with high and low cholesterolemic responses to dietary lipidsJOURNAL OF MEDICAL PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2005Rampratap S. Kushwaha Abstract:, Baboons with high and low lipemic responses to dietary lipids differ in intestinal cholesterol absorption and hepatic cholesterol metabolism. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play an important role in cholesterol absorption and hepatic cholesterol metabolism. Using frozen tissues from high- and low-responding baboons maintained on the cholesterol and fat-enriched diet, we determined the relative expression of ABCA1, ABCG5, ABCG8, and 27-hydroxylase genes in the liver and intestine using TaqMan® real-time polymerase chain reaction. There was no consistent difference in the expression of ABC-transporters and 27-hydroxylase in the intestine between high- and low-responding baboons. However, hepatic expression of sterol 27-hydroxylase, ABCG5, and ABCG8 was higher in low-responding baboons than in high-responding baboons. There was also a significant correlation between the expression of sterol 27-hydroxylase and ABCG5, and ABCG8 in both the liver and the intestine. These results suggest that differences in hepatic lipid metabolism but not in cholesterol absorption between high- and low-responding baboons observed previously may be mediated by the differences in the expression levels of 27-hydroxylase, ABCG5, and ABCG8. [source] Effects of shade nettings, sowing time and storage on baby spinach flavonoidsJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2007Sara ÅM Bergquist Abstract Flavonoids are important in plant interactions with the environment and may have positive effects on human health. Effects of light quality and quantity on flavonoid concentration were studied in baby spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) cultivated under three types of shade netting differing in transmittance of UV-B and PAR, at two times during the season. Leaves harvested at two growth stages for each sowing were subjected to different post-harvest storage conditions. Shade nettings had a relatively small effect on flavonoid concentration in baby spinach. The largest effect was found when radiation was most intense. The nettings then decreased total flavonoid concentration by 15,24% at the normal commercial growth stage at harvest. Radiation and plant growth both affected flavonoid concentration, in opposite or similar directions depending on time of season. This variation was reflected in the statistical analysis, showing significant interactions among the factors. There were large differences (up to 100%) in flavonoid concentration between the different times of the season, in shaded as well as unshaded spinach. Flavonoid concentration and composition changed during storage, but no consistent difference was found between the shaded and unshaded leaves. In most cases, total flavonoid concentration increased significantly during the first 6 days of storage. In conclusion, the use of shade netting is acceptable for production of baby spinach as regards flavonoid concentration and composition. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Systematic review: efficacy and safety of pancreatic enzyme supplements for exocrine pancreatic insufficiencyALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 1 2010J. R. TAYLOR Summary Background, Pancreatic enzyme supplements are standard therapy for fat malabsorption in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The FDA determined that published data are insufficient to support the efficacy and safety of these agents. Aim, To determine if pancreatic enzyme supplements are: (i) superior to placebo for treating fat malabsorption and (ii) superior to other supplements based on randomized cross-over trials. Methods, A computer-assisted search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was performed to identify relevant studies. Data extraction on study design, improvement in coefficient of fat absorption, diarrhoea and adverse events using prespecified forms. Results, A total of 12 manuscripts met inclusion criteria. Most studies (10/12) compared pancreatic enzyme supplements that used different delivery systems, while using similar quantities of enzymes. These studies found no consistent difference in fat malabsorption or gastrointestinal symptoms between different active treatments. Two small placebo-controlled trials (n = 65 patients) demonstrate that pancreatic enzyme supplements are superior to placebo for fat absorption. Data are inadequate to determine if pancreatic enzyme supplements lead to weight gain or improvement in diarrhoea. Conclusions, Based on data from randomized cross-over trials, pancreatic enzyme supplements appear to improve fat malabsorption. No specific branded product or specific delivery system is superior for treatment of fat malabsorption in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. [source] Population structure of the peridomestic mosquito Ochlerotatus notoscriptus in AustraliaMEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2004D. H. Foley Abstract.,Ochlerotatus notoscriptus (Skuse) (Diptera: Culicidae) is the predominant peridomestic mosquito in Australia where it is the primary vector of dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy), and a potentially important vector of arboviruses (Barmah Forest, Ross River) with geographical variation of vector competence. Although widespread, Oc. notoscriptus has low dispersal ability, so it may have isolated subpopulations. The identification of gene flow barriers may assist in understanding arbovirus epidemiology and disease risk, and for developing control strategies for this species. We investigated the population structure of Oc. notoscriptus from 17 sites around Australia, using up to 31 putative allozyme loci, 11 of which were polymorphic. We investigated the effect of larval environment and adult morphology on genetic variation. At least five subpopulations were found, four in New South Wales (NSW) and one unique to Darwin. Perth samples appear to be a product of recent colonization from the Australian east coast. For NSW sites, a Mantel test revealed an isolation by distance effect and spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed an area of effective gene flow of 67 km, which is high given the limited dispersal ability of this species. No consistent difference was observed between ,urban' and ,sylvan' habitats, which suggests frequent movement between these sites. However, a finer-scaled habitat study at Darwin revealed small but significant allele frequency differences, including for Gpi. No fixed allozyme differences were detected for sex, size, integument colour or the colour of species-diagnostic pale scales on the scutum. The domestic habit of Oc. notoscriptus and assisted dispersal have helped to homogenize this species geographically but population structure is still detectable on several levels associated with geographical variation of vector competence. [source] Ecological correlates of body size in relation to cell size and cell number: patterns in flies, fish, fruits and foliageBIOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 2 2007Jeff Arendt Abstract Body size is important to most aspects of biology and is also one of the most labile traits. Despite its importance we know remarkably little about the proximate (developmental) factors that determine body size under different circumstances. Here, I review what is known about how cell size and number contribute to phenetic and genetic variation in body size in Drosophila melanogaster, several fish, and fruits and leaves of some angiosperms. Variation in resources influences size primarily through changes in cell number while temperature acts through cell size. The difference in cellular mechanism may also explain the differences in growth trajectories resulting from food and temperature manipulations. There is, however, a poorly recognized interaction between food and temperature effects that needs further study. In addition, flies show a sexual dimorphism in temperature effects with the larger sex responding by changes in cell size and the smaller sex showing changes in both cell size and number. Leaf size is more variable than other organs, but there appears to be a consistent difference between how shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species respond to light level. The former have larger leaves via cell size under shade, the latter via cell number in light conditions. Genetic differences, primarily from comparisons of D. melanogaster, show similar variation. Direct selection on body size alters cell number only, while temperature selection results in increased cell size and decreased cell number. Population comparisons along latitudinal clines show that larger flies have both larger cells and more cells. Use of these proximate patterns can give clues as to how selection acts in the wild. For example, the latitudinal pattern in D. melanogaster is usually assumed to be due to temperature, but the cellular pattern does not match that seen in laboratory selection at different temperatures. [source] Spatial Distribution of Vascular Epiphytes (including Hemiepiphytes) in a Lowland Amazonian Rain Forest (Surumoni Crane Plot) of Southern Venezuela,BIOTROPICA, Issue 3 2000Jürgen Nieder ABSTRACT The mobile crane of the Surumoni project allowed for the first time ever a complete inventory and spatial description of the epiphytic vegetation of a tropical lowland rain forest plot (1.5 ha), at La Esmeralda on the upper Orinoco River, Venezuela. A total of 778 individual vascular epiphytes of 53 species was found, dominated by 19 orchid species and 14 species of Araceae. Fifty percent of all individual plants were obligate ant-garden epiphytes. The distribution of epiphytes was highly clumped and not random. The clumped occurrence of holoepiphytes (complete life cycle on host tree) was the consequence of the rarity of suitable phorophytes (host trees; e.g., size and age) in the plot and the preference of ants for gaps where most of the ant-garden epiphytes were found. In comparison, hemiepiphytes were distributed more evenly because of greater independence from tree suitability. The dispersal modes of epiphytes did not explain their distribution patterns. There was no consistent difference in distribution between anemochorous and zoochorous epiphytes, presumably because availability of suitable substrate is the more important factor for epiphyte establishment and growth. Whereas the vertical distribution of epiphytes could be attributed largely to deterministic factors such as physiological adaptation and requirements, horizontal distribution appeared to be governed by suitable substrate, which in turn seemed to be governed by stochastic gap formation. RESUMEN En el context0 del proyecto Surumoni se hizo un inventario y un analisis espacial de la vegetación epifitica de un plot de 1.5 ha en el alto rio Orinoco cerca de La Esmeralda (Venezuela) en 1997. Consiste de 778 plantas individuales de 53 especies, entre las cuales destacan las orquideas (19 especies) y las aráceas (14 especies). El 50 porciento de todas las epifitas se encuentran en los jardines epifiticas de hormigas. Las plantas epifiticas muestran una distribución aglomerada y no casual. En el caso de las holoepifitas esto es la consecuencia de la raridad de forófitas aduecadas (p.e., altura y edad) en el plot y la preferencia de claros ("gaps") por parte de las hormigas. En comparación, tienen una distribución más homogénea las hemi-epifitas porque se desarrollan más independientemente de la calidad de sus forofitas. Las estrategias de dispersión de las epifitas sólo en parte explica sus patrones de distribución. No hay diferencias consistentes entre especies anemocorias y zoocorias, probablemente porque la disponibilidad de sustrato adecuado es el factor más importante para el establecimiento y desarrollo de epifitas. La distribución vertical de las epifitas se caracteriza por una zonación marcada, visible en las diferencias significantes entre la rnayoria de las taxas epifiticas. Mientras que se puede atribuir la distribución vertical a factores deterministicos como adaptaciones y exigencias fisiológicos de las plantas epifiticas, su distribución horizontal se arregla según la presencia de sustrato adecuado, que por su parte es resultado de factores estoquáticos en la formación de claros. [source] Starling foraging success in relation to agricultural land-useECOGRAPHY, Issue 3 2002Ola Olsson Changes in agricultural land-use have been suggested to contribute to the decline of several bird species through negative effects on their food supply during breeding. One important change in land-use has been loss of pastures, especially permanent pastures. In this study we investigated how different forms of agricultural land-use affected foraging success of a declining bird species, the European starling Sturnus vulgaris. We let caged starlings forage in different forms of agricultural fields and determined time spent foraging and foraging success. The starlings' activity level (time spent actively foraging) as well as the number of prey caught per time unit was strongly related to the abundance of prey in soil samples. Also the body mass change during the experiment was positively related to activity level and prey capture rate. We found consistent differences in foraging variables between habitats. In spring sown grain starlings were least active and found fewer prey items at a lower rate than in any other habitat. The other three habitats differed less, but in general mowed hay fields appeared slightly more valuable than the cultivated and natural pastures. We did not find any differences between natural and cultivated pastures in foraging variables. Thus, starling foraging success is higher in grass-covered fields than in cultivated fields, but the management of the grass-covered fields mattered less. The results are consistent with starlings having higher population densities and breeding success in areas with higher availability of pasture. We suggest that the physical structure of the habitat (sward height) and moisture may be additional variables that need to be taken into account to explain starling breeding density and success in the agricultural landscape. [source] Electronically monitored cowpea aphid feeding behavior on resistant and susceptible lupinsENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA, Issue 3 2001Geoffrey W. Zehnder Abstract The feeding behavior of cowpea aphid, Aphis craccivora Koch (Homoptera: Aphididae) was examined on seedlings of narrow leafed lupin, Lupinus angustifolius L., and yellow lupin, L. luteus L., using electronic monitoring of insect feeding behavior (EMIF). Aphid feeding behavior was first compared between resistant (cv. Kalya) and susceptible (cv. Tallerack) varieties of narrow-leafed lupin. Aphids spent significantly more time in non- penetration and stylet pathway activities, and significantly less time in the sieve element phase on Kalya than on Tallerack, suggesting that feeding deterrence is an important component of aphid resistance in Kalya. Aphid feeding on a susceptible yellow lupin variety (cv. Wodjil) was then compared with that on two resistant lines, one (Teo) with high and the other (94D024-1) with low seed alkaloid content. There were no consistent differences in aphid feeding behavior between Wodjil and Teo. Total, mean and percentage sieve element phase times were significantly lower, and total and percentage times in non-phloem phase were greater on 94D024-1 than on Wodjil, suggesting the possibility of phloem-based deterrence in 94D024-1. [source] Alcohol drinking pattern and subjective health in a population-based studyADDICTION, Issue 9 2006Saverio Stranges ABSTRACT Aims Some patterns of alcohol consumption (e.g. binge drinking, drinking outside of meals) have been associated with detrimental effects on health outcomes. Subjective health provides a global assessment of health status and is a strong predictor of total mortality; however, little is known about its relationship with alcohol drinking pattern. The association between several drinking patterns (i.e. drinking intensity and frequency, frequency of intoxication, drinking outside of meals, and beverage type) and subjective health was examined in a random sample of 3586 women and men. Design A population-based cross-sectional study. Methods Subjective health was assessed using the physical and mental health component summaries of the Short Form-36 health survey questionnaire. Alcohol consumption refers to the 30 days before the interview. Analysis of covariance compared gender-specific mean scores across alcohol drinking patterns. Findings Overall, non-current drinkers reported poorer physical and mental health than life-time abstainers and current drinkers, while no consistent differences were found between life-time abstainers and current drinkers. In female current drinkers, daily drinking, beer and mixed beverage consumption were associated with better mental health. In male current drinkers, moderate alcohol consumption (2,2.9 drinks per day), wine and mixed beverage consumption were associated with better physical health. Intoxication and liquor consumption were associated with poorer mental health in women and poorer physical health in men. No consistent associations were found for drinking outside meals. Conclusions Aspects of drinking pattern may affect subjective health differentially in women and men. Overall, intoxication and liquor drinking are associated with poorer self-perceived health status than regular, moderate consumption of other alcoholic beverages. [source] Climate change in the Arctic: using plant functional types in a meta-analysis of field experimentsFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2002C. F. Dormann Summary 1,The effects of global climate change are predicted to be strongest in the Arctic. This, as well as the suitability of tundra as a simple model ecosystem, has led to many field experiments investigating consequences of simulated environmental change. 2,On the basis of 36 experiments reviewed here, minor light attenuation by clouds, small changes in precipitation, and increases in UV-B radiation and atmospheric CO2 concentrations will not affect arctic plants in the short term. However, temperature elevation, increases in nutrient availability and major decreases in light availability will cause an immediate plant-growth response and alter nutrient cycling, possibly creating positive feedbacks on plant biomass. The driver of future change in arctic vegetation is likely to be increased nutrient availability, arising for example from temperature-induced increases in mineralization. 3,Arctic plant species differ widely in their response to environmental manipulations. Classification into plant functional types proved largely unsatisfactory for generalization of responses and predictions of effects. 4,Nevertheless, a few generalizations and consistent differences between PFTs were detected. Responses to fertilization were the strongest, particularly in grasses. Shrubs and grasses were most responsive to elevated temperature. 5,Future studies should focus on interactive effects of environmental factors, investigate long-term responses to manipulations, and incorporate interactions with other trophic levels. With respect to plant functional types, a new approach is advocated, which groups species according to their responses to environmental manipulations. [source] Soil greenhouse gas fluxes and global warming potential in four high-yielding maize systemsGLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 9 2007M. A. A. ADVIENTO-BORBE Abstract Crop intensification is often thought to increase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but studies in which crop management is optimized to exploit crop yield potential are rare. We conducted a field study in eastern Nebraska, USA to quantify GHG emissions, changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and the net global warming potential (GWP) in four irrigated systems: continuous maize with recommended best management practices (CC-rec) or intensive management (CC-int) and maize,soybean rotation with recommended (CS-rec) or intensive management (CS-int). Grain yields of maize and soybean were generally within 80,100% of the estimated site yield potential. Large soil surface carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes were mostly associated with rapid crop growth, high temperature and high soil water content. Within each crop rotation, soil CO2 efflux under intensive management was not consistently higher than with recommended management. Owing to differences in residue inputs, SOC increased in the two continuous maize systems, but decreased in CS-rec or remained unchanged in CS-int. N2O emission peaks were mainly associated with high temperature and high soil water content resulting from rainfall or irrigation events, but less clearly related to soil NO3 -N levels. N2O fluxes in intensively managed systems were only occasionally greater than those measured in the CC-rec and CS-rec systems. Fertilizer-induced N2O emissions ranged from 1.9% to 3.5% in 2003, from 0.8% to 1.5% in 2004 and from 0.4% to 0.5% in 2005, with no consistent differences among the four systems. All four cropping systems where net sources of GHG. However, due to increased soil C sequestration continuous maize systems had lower GWP than maize,soybean systems and intensive management did not cause a significant increase in GWP. Converting maize grain to ethanol in the two continuous maize systems resulted in a net reduction in life cycle GHG emissions of maize ethanol relative to petrol-based gasoline by 33,38%. Our study provided evidence that net GHG emissions from agricultural systems can be kept low when management is optimized toward better exploitation of the yield potential. Major components for this included (i) choosing the right combination of adopted varieties, planting date and plant population to maximize crop biomass productivity, (ii) tactical water and nitrogen (N) management decisions that contributed to high N use efficiency and avoided extreme N2O emissions, and (iii) a deep tillage and residue management approach that favored the build-up of soil organic matter from large amounts of crop residues returned. [source] The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS): design, methods and recruitmentINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANDROLOGY, Issue 1 2009David M. Lee Summary Life expectancy is increasing in most developed countries, in part due to improved socioeconomic conditions and in part to advances in healthcare. It is widely acknowledged that the promotion of healthy ageing by delaying, minimizing or preventing disabilities or diseases is one of the most important public health objectives in this century. In contrast to the menopausal transition in females, we know relatively little about the contribution of androgens and anabolic hormones to the quality of ageing in men. The European Male Ageing Study (EMAS) is a multicentre prospective cohort designed to examine the prevalence, incidence and geographical distribution of gender-specific and general symptoms of ageing in men, including their endocrine, genetic and psychosocial predictors. Men aged 40,79 years were recruited from eight European centres: Florence (Italy), Leuven (Belgium), Lodz (Poland), Malmö (Sweden), Manchester (UK), Santiago de Compostela (Spain), Szeged (Hungary) and Tartu (Estonia). Subjects were recruited from population registers and those who agreed to take part completed a detailed questionnaire including aspects of personal and medical history, lifestyle factors and sexual function. Objective measures of body size, cognition, vision, skeletal health and neuromuscular function were obtained. Blood and DNA specimens were collected for a range of biochemical and genetic analyses. After an average of 4 years, it is planned to resurvey the participants with similar assessments. A total of 3369 men with a mean age of 60 ± 11 years were recruited. The mean centre response rate was 43%, and highest in those aged 50,59 years. Those who participated were marginally younger than those who were invited but declined to participate (60.0 vs. 61.1 years). Participants left education slightly later than a sample of non-participants, though there were no consistent differences in levels of general health, physical activity, or smoking. EMAS will provide new population-based data concerning the main features that characterize ageing in men and its critical determinants, particularly with reference to age-related changes in hormone levels. Such information is an important prerequisite to develop effective strategies to reduce age-related disabilities and optimise health and well-being into old-age. [source] Life history of Littorina scutulata and L. plena, sibling gastropod species with planktotrophic larvaeINVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Paul A. Hohenlohe Abstract. The intertidal, sibling species Littorina scutulata and L. plena (Gastropoda, Proso-branchia) are sympatric throughout most of their ranges along the Pacific coast of North America. Both species release disc-shaped, planktonic egg capsules from which planktotrophic veliger larvae hatch. Here I review existing data and present new observations on these species' life history, including age at first reproduction, spawning season, maximum fecundity rates, capsule morphology, egg size and number, pre-hatching development, larval growth at three food concentrations, potential settlement cues, planktonic period, and protoconch size. Previous classification of egg capsule morphologies used to distinguish the species is inaccurate; instead, capsules can be categorized into three types of which each species may produce two. Females of L. scutulata produced capsules with either two rims of unequal diameter or one rim, while females of L. plena produced capsules with one rim or two rims of nearly equal diameter. Females of each species spawned sporadically from early spring to early fall in Puget Sound. Larvae of L. plena hatched one day earlier than those of L. scutulata, and both species grew fastest in the laboratory at intermediate food concentrations. Larvae metamorphosed in the presence of a variety of materials collected from their adult habitat, including conspecific adults, algae, rocks, and barnacle tests. This is the first report of planktotrophic larvae in this genus metamorphosing in the laboratory. The total planktonic period of 8 larvae of L. scutulata raised in the laboratory was 37,70 days, and a single larva of L. plena metamorphosed after 62 days. Protoconch diameter of shells collected from the field was 256,436 ,m and did not differ significantly between the species. Previous allozyme and mitochondrial DNA work has suggested high levels of genetic variability in both species and greater genetic population structure in L. plena, despite the long spawning season and long-lived larvae in both species. The interspecific life history differences described here appear insufficient to produce consistent differences in gene flow patterns. [source] Responses of riparian plants to flooding in free-flowing and regulated boreal rivers: an experimental studyJOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY, Issue 6 2002M. E. Johansson Summary 1The long history of river regulation has resulted in extensively changed ecosystem structures and processes in rivers and their associated environments. This fact, together with changing climatic and hydrological conditions, has increased the need to recover the natural functions of rivers. To develop guidelines for river restoration, comparative ecological experiments at contrasting water-level regimes are needed. We compared growth and survival of transplanted individuals of four riparian plant species (Betula pubescens, Carex acuta, Filipendula ulmaria and Leontodon autumnalis) over 2 years on four free-flowing and four regulated riverbank sites in northern Sweden. The species were chosen as representatives of dominating life-forms and species traits on different elevations of the riverbanks. 2In Betula and Filipendula, mean proportional growth rates were significantly higher at free-flowing sites than at regulated sites, whereas no consistent differences between free-flowing and regulated sites were found in Carex and Leontodon. Differences among species were generally in accordance with natural distribution patterns along riverbank elevation gradients and with experimental evidence on flooding tolerance, although plants of all species survived and even showed positive growth rates on elevations below their natural range of occurrence. 3Partial least squares regression was used to relate plant performance (growth and survival) to duration, frequency and timing of flooding at the different sites. Flood duration and frequency typically reduced performance in all species and during all time periods, although to various degrees. Flood events early in the experiment determined the outcome to a high degree at all sites. Variables indicating a regulated regime were mostly negatively related to plant performance, whereas free-flowing regime variables were positively related to plant performance. 4We used two of the regression models generated from our data with an acceptably high predictive power to simulate a hypothetical re-regulation scenario in run-of-river impoundments. With an overall reduction in flooding duration and frequency of 50,75%, plant performance of Filipendula at low riverbank elevations showed predicted increases of about 20,30%, levelling off to zero at the highest elevations. Reductions in summer floods represented about one-third to half of this increase. 5We conclude that for a range of species individual plant performance is clearly reduced on banks of impoundments and storage reservoirs due to changes in the water-level regime. Furthermore, our model simulation suggests that rather substantial reductions of flood duration and frequency are needed to improve plant performance on riverbanks upstream from dams in impounded rivers. River restoration principles should, however, be based on a combination of experimental data on plant performance of individual species and observed long-term changes in plant communities of regulated rivers. Consequently, successful re-regulation schemes in boreal rivers should include both reductions of summer and winter floods as well as re-introduced spring floods. [source] ApoE Gene Polymorphisms, BMD, and Fracture Risk in Elderly Men and Women: The Rotterdam Study,JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 9 2004Mariette WCJ Schoofs Abstract To study the association between the ApoE gene polymorphism and osteoporosis, we performed an association study in 5857 subjects from the Rotterdam Study. We did not observe an association between the ApoE polymorphism and osteoporosis in this study, which is thus far the largest study on ApoE and osteoporosis. Introduction: The E4 allele of the E2, E3, E4 protein isoform polymorphism in the gene encoding apolipoprotein E (ApoE) has previously been associated with an increased fracture risk. We investigated the association between the ApoE polymorphism and BMD, bone loss, and incident fractures as part of the Rotterdam Study a prospective population-based cohort study of diseases in the elderly. Materials and Methods: The study population consisted of 5857 subjects (2560 men; 3297 women) for whom data on ApoE genotypes, confounding variables, and follow-up of nonvertebral fractures were available. Data on femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD were available for 4814 participants. Genotype analyses for bone loss (defined as annualized percent change in BMD at the hip and lumbar spine) and BMD were performed using ANOVA. Fractures were analyzed using a Cox proportional-hazards model and logistic regression. All relative risks were adjusted for age and body mass index. Results and Conclusions: The genotype distribution of the study population was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p = 0.98) and did not differ by gender. At baseline, mean BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck did not differ between the ApoE genotypes of men and women. Bone loss (mean follow-up, 2.0 years) did not differ by ApoE genotype for women and men. During a mean follow-up of 6.6 years, 708 nonvertebral fractures (198 hip fractures and 179 wrist fractures) and 149 incident vertebral fractures occurred. No consistent differences in the distribution of alleles could be observed between subjects with or without these fractures. Our data do not support the hypothesis that the ApoE4 risk allele is associated with BMD, increased bone loss, or an increased risk of osteoporotic fractures. [source] Ecological gradients, subdivisions and terminology of north-west European miresJOURNAL OF ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2000B. D. Wheeler Summary 1,The historical development of mire ecology and terminology is reviewed in relation to evolving concepts and perceptions, and the diverse schools and traditions of vegetation and habitat description and research. 2,Most ecological and floristic variation within north-west European mire vegetation is accounted for by three ecological gradients: the acid base-poor vs. neutral, base- and bicarbonate-rich gradient; the gradient in fertility related to availability of the limiting nutrient elements N and P; and the water level gradient. Effects of salinity and the spring,flush,fen gradients are of more local significance, usually easily recognized. Land use is an important additional factor. 3,The mineral-soil-water limit between ombrotrophic and minerotrophically influenced sites is not sharp, and cannot be related to consistent differences in either vegetation or water chemistry. It should be abandoned as a general main division within mires. 4,The most important natural division is between ,bog', with pH generally < 5.0, low Ca2+, and Cl, and SO42, as the main inorganic anions, typically dominated by sphagna, ericoids and calcifuge Cyperaceae, and ,fen', with pH generally > 6.0, high Ca2+ and HCO3,, vegetation rich in dicotyledonous herbs and ,brown mosses'. This division is reflected in a bimodal distribution of pH. 5,The terms oligotrophic, mesotrophic and eutrophic should refer only to nutrient richness (fertility, mainly N and P), not to base richness (metallic cations and pH). 6,It is recommended that ,mire' should embrace both wetlands on peat and related communities on mineral soils, that ,bog' (unqualified) should encompass both ombrotrophic and weakly minerotrophic mires, including ,bog woodland', and that ,fen' should be restricted to base-rich mires but include both herbaceous and wooded vegetation (,fen carr'). 7,Definitions are given for a range of broadly defined categories that should cover most vegetation types commonly encountered. The relation of these to British national vegetation classification types and to major units in European phytosociology is outlined. [source] A phallus for free?JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Quantitative genetics of sexual trade-offs in the snail Bulinus truncatus Abstract Resource allocation is thought to play a key role in the coexistence of different sexual morphs within hermaphroditic species. Indeed, most models assume that sexual functions are subject to a balance between reproductive advantage and energetic cost. Various types of cost (e.g. organ construction, maintenance and utilization) and levels of trade-off (physiological and genetic) may be considered. We here examine physiological and genetic costs of phallus construction and maintenance in Bulinus truncatus, a snail species in which aphallic individuals (without phallus) coexist with regular hermaphrodites. We use a quantitative genetic design involving 37 inbred lines (four populations) known to produce different proportions of aphallics, to test for the existence of genetic and nongenetic correlations between aphally and a range of life-history traits over the totality of the life cycle. Our results show that aphallic and euphallic individuals of the same line do not show consistent differences in either growth, fecundity (including offspring survival), or longevity. Furthermore, none of these traits is genetically correlated across lines with the frequency of the aphallic morph. We conclude that the cost of the construction and maintenance of the phallus must be very low in this species. Future studies should investigate the cost associated with using the phallus (i.e. male outcrossing behaviour) to explain the maintenance of high frequencies of aphallic individuals in natural populations. [source] Dietary Na does not reduce dietary Cu uptake by juvenile rainbow troutJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2005V. A. Kjoss Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fry in moderately hard water were exposed to control or high levels of dietary Cu (c. 6 and 580 ug Cu g food,1) at one of three levels of Na (1·5, 3·0 or 4·5%) in the diet, i.e. six experimental groups. Fish were fed a 4% body mass ration daily for 28 days and 10 individuals from each group were sampled every 7 days. Concentrations of Cu and Na were measured in the gills, liver, gut and remaining carcass of sampled fish. Growth was not affected and no consistent differences were found in mass, total lengths (LT) or indices of body condition among any of the groups on any sampling day. Copper concentration was significantly higher in tissues of Cu-exposed groups, although within treatment types (control Cu v. high Cu diet), it did not differ consistently among groups that received different levels of dietary Na. Tissue Na concentration did not differ among any of the groups and did not show any marked changes over time. In Cu-exposed groups, the proportion of total body Cu burden contained in the liver approximately doubled over time, from c. 30% on day 7 to c. 60% on day 28. In unexposed fish, the liver maintained c. 25% of the total Cu burden throughout the experiment. In contrast, the proportion of the total body Cu burden contained in the gut decreased somewhat over time in Cu-exposed fish, from c. 40% on day 7 to c. 30% on day 28, and remained fairly stable at c. 25,30% in control groups, i.e. approximately equal to liver values. In all groups, the carcass contained by far the largest portion of the total Na content (>80%). Measurements made 36 h post-feeding indicated that all six groups had much higher Na efflux relative to influx, suggesting that the fish were eliminating excess Na taken up from the diet, and differences in Na influx rates were small. Na efflux rate was significantly higher in the high Cu and high Na group than in the high Cu and low Na group. The results indicate that at the concentrations used in this experiment, dietary Na has little effect on dietary Cu uptake by juvenile rainbow trout, and dietary Cu has little effect on Na homeostasis. [source] Chemical Characterization of Orange Juice from Trees Infected with Citrus Greening (Huanglongbing)JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 2 2010Lilibeth Dagulo ABSTRACT:, The effects due to,Candidatus,Liberibacter infection, commonly called citrus greening or Huanglongbing (HLB), on volatile and nonvolatile components of orange juices, OJ, were examined using GC-MS and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HLB symptomatic, asymptomatic, and control "Hamlin" and "Valencia" oranges were harvested from December to May during the 2007 to 2008 harvest season. Brix/acid levels in control and asymptomatic juices were similar but symptomatic juices were as much as 62% lower than control juices. No bitter flavanone neohesperidosides were detected and polymethoxyflavone concentrations were well below bitter taste thresholds. Limonin concentrations were significantly higher (91% to 425%) in symptomatic juice compared to control but still below juice bitterness taste thresholds. Juice terpenes, such as ,-terpinene and ,-terpinolene, were as much as 1320% and 62% higher in symptomatic juice than control. Average ethyl butanoate concentrations were 45% lower and average linalool was 356% higher in symptomatic Valencia OJ compared to control. Symptomatic Valencia OJ had on average only 40% the total esters, 48% the total aldehydes, and 33% as much total sesquiterpenes as control juice. Total volatiles between control and symptomatic juices were similar due to elevated levels of alcohols and terpenes in symptomatic juice. There were no consistent differences between asymptomatic and control juices. The chemical composition of juice from HLB/greening symptomatic fruit appears to mimic that of juice from less mature fruit. The reported off-flavor associated with symptomatic juices probably stem from lower concentrations of sugars, higher concentrations of acid as all known citrus bitter compounds were either below taste thresholds or absent. [source] Separations, Reconciliations, and Living Apart in Cohabiting and Marital UnionsJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 2 2003Georgina Binstock Using data from a panel study of White young adults containing complete marital and cohabiting union histories from age 15 through 31, our goal is to track and compare the paths along which young adults arrange and time the entries and exits from marital and cohabiting unions. We focus on the incidence, duration, and outcomes of 2 dimensions that embrace residential separation: (a) separations that relate to discord in the relationship and (b) living apart from the partner or spouse for reasons other than discord. Our results show that union trajectories are dynamic and involve a heterogeneous and multidirectional array of transitions. We also find consistent differences supporting the idea that marital unions are more stable and durable than cohabiting unions. [source] Comparison between the clinical and laboratory features of enterovirus and West Nile virus infectionsJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 7 2008Joanna Middleton Abstract The seasonality and clinical features of enterovirus (EV) infections overlap with those of West Nile virus (WNV). The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of EV detection in patients being tested for WNV and to look for features that could be used to distinguish between infections with these two viruses. Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) for EV was performed on all plasma samples submitted for WNV testing in 2003 and 2004. Demographics, clinical features, and laboratory results for patients with documented EV viremia were compared with those for patients with confirmed WNV infection (as diagnosed by NAT and/or serology). NAT for EV was positive on 50 of 1,784 serum or plasma samples submitted for WNV testing (2.8%). Clinical information was compared for 45 patients with EV viremia and 214 patients with WNV infection. Patients with EV viremia were younger and less likely to have heart disease or a travel history (P,<,0.05). The EV viremia cases were distributed throughout the whole province while the WNV cases were predominantly in the southern part of the province. Symptoms were remarkably similar, although patients with WNV infection were more likely to have anorexia, dizziness, rash, and cranial nerve palsy (P,<,0.05). There are no consistent differences in the features of WNV infection and enteroviral viremia so diagnostic tests for both viruses should be performed when WNV is present in local mosquitoes. J. Med. Virol. 80: 1252,1259, 2008. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Notification of patients with acute flaccid paralysis since certification of Australia as polio-freeJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 8 2004K Whitfield Objective: Surveillance of patients presenting with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended method for the detection of incident cases of poliovirus infection. Australia was certified free of circulating poliovirus in 2000 but is required to continue AFP surveillance until global certification. Although Australia reached the WHO nominated surveillance target in 2000 and 2001, it was not reached in 2002. Notification rates between states have been variable. We aim to investigate the difference in notification rates by state to determine whether different rates reflect different patterns of disease or different approaches to reporting. Methods: Notification rates were reviewed by state for the years 1997,2002. The completeness of case ascertainment was reviewed from published studies. Key informants described differences in AFP reporting in states with consistent differences in notification rates. Results: Australia achieved 75% of the WHO surveillance target for AFP cases between 1997 and 1999 and 98% between 2000 and 2002. After 2000, Queensland achieved 150% of its target while Victoria achieved less than 50%. New South Wales reached its target over the entire 6 years but other states and territories were not as consistent. Although the formal process for AFP reporting is uniform throughout Australia, many differences in approach were identified between Victoria and Queensland. Conclusion: Maintaining AFP surveillance at the required WHO standard will be more likely in Australia if the populous states are able to notify cases at the same rate as Queensland (since 2000) and New South Wales (in general). [source] Clinical trial: benefits and risks of immunomodulators and maintenance infliximab for IBD-subgroup analyses across four randomized trialsALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2009G. R. LICHTENSTEIN Summary Background, Benefits and risks of concomitant immunomodulators and maintenance infliximab in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients have not been adequately evaluated. Aim, To assess the effect of concomitant immunomodulator and infliximab maintenance therapy using data from four prospective, randomized Phase 3 trials in IBD patients. Methods, Overall, 1383 patients from ACCENT I and ACCENT II [luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease trials] and ACT 1 and ACT 2 [ulcerative colitis trials] were analysed. Patients were treated with placebo or infliximab 5 or 10 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2 and 6 followed by every-8-week maintenance therapy. Clinical response, clinical remission, fistula response, complete fistula response, infection and infusion reaction rates; serum infliximab concentrations and immunogenicity were summarized by baseline concomitant immunomodulator subgroup (use or non-use). Results, Overall, almost 40% of evaluated IBD patients received concomitant immunomodulators. Efficacy, infection, and serious infection rates were generally similar in patients who received maintenance therapy with or without concomitant immunomodulators. There were no consistent differences in serum infliximab concentrations with or without immunomodulators in patients who received scheduled maintenance therapy. Concomitant immunomodulators reduced infusion reactions and immunogenicity. Conclusion, Concomitant immunomodulators did not improve efficacy or pharmacokinetics in IBD patients who received maintenance infliximab. [source] The prevalence of traumatic events in young Japanese womenJOURNAL OF TRAUMATIC STRESS, Issue 1 2005Ichiro Mizuta In an effort to address important cross-cultural considerations in the study of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the present study is the first to assess the prevalence of a variety of potentially traumatic events among young Japanese women across life phases. Overall, our results proved similar to those reported in previous Western studies: Traumatic events were quite common among our participants (80.3%; n = 883). This finding is not surprising given that many of them lived through the 1995 Kobe earthquake. Yet our study found that even when "natural disaster" was excluded, the rate remained 53.1%. Comparing four life phases, we found the most consistent differences between preschool and other life phases. The prevalence of potentially traumatic events and the percentage of most distressing events that participants reported were significantly lower in the preschool phase. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||